Warlord

Chapter Fifty-Four

Kakashi was not in the kind of shape he needed to be for a forced ride . . . hell, if he were being honest he wasn’t in shape for a walk around the garden. Iruka kept a watchful eye on his lover as they rode, noticing how he sagged in the saddle after just a few hours. “We need to stop ‘kashi.” he insisted, “What good will it do if we get there and you collapse?”

“There’s too much at stake ‘ruka.” the warlord replied wearily, “Everything I’ve spent the last ten years working for is about to go up in smoke thanks to my ‘friends’.” he continued sarcastically, “Even though it’s unpopular, I still want to better the lot of the common man . . . I think what you do should be more important than who you are. Of course,” he went on bitterly, “that’s what started all this mess.”

“You mean it wasn’t me?” the scribe asked incredulously, clearly unwilling to believe that Kakashi’s problems had started long before he had purchased the scribe.

“Well . . . you made a convenient excuse, I’ll admit that.” the warlord conceded, “But plots like this one take far longer than a few days to put into motion. As much as I hate to admit it, forces have been moving against me ever since I started pushing for a policy of equality.”

“Well, I can understand how the nobles were angered by your actions.” the scribe replied slowly, “But I would think that your men would be in favor of a policy like that.”

“So one would think.” Kakashi said sarcastically, “But the new policy also meant that you rise in the ranks based on what you do . . . not who you are or how long you’ve served. There were a lot of men who didn’t advance the way they thought they should after I came to power.”

“So this is all sour grapes?” Iruka asked incredulously.

“Whatever you want to call it, I need to put a stop to it now.” the warlord declared, “Asuma and Raidou don’t have the ability to keep all our allies on board, most of them pledged their loyalty to me personally. So, the bottom line is that I have to get back to camp . . . even if it kills me.”

“Well, that’s not an acceptable outcome as far as I’m concerned.” the scribe argued, “I refuse to risk your life over politics.”

“My life isn’t worth anything unless I regain control.” Kakashi explained tiredly, “My rivals aren’t going to risk my retaking power. If I don’t fix this we’ll both end up in front of an executioner.”

Iruka rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. He desperately wanted to find a solution to this dilemma, but he wasn’t coming up with one. “I have a seat on the council.” he suddenly remembered, “That should help.”

“It might have once,” the warlord explained, “but I stripped the council of most of its power . . . that’s why your cousin was out to get me.”

“So basically what you’re saying is that we’re walking into a trap.” the scribe stated in dismay.

“Well . . . probably.” Kakashi admitted reluctantly, “Unless Raidou left someone in charge when he decided to come placate me. Judging from his appearance and actions though that’s highly unlikely.”

“Well then, it’s even more important that you rest now while you can.” Iruka urged, “We’ll have a bite to eat and rest for half an hour, it will do you good and hopefully we’ll be able to ride a few more hours.”

“We’ll ride as long as we have to,” the warlord declared through gritted teeth, “and we won’t be stopping . . . sorry ‘ruka, this is too important.

“And if you die?” the scribe asked angrily, “Who takes control then? Is it worth the risk?”

“If I die it doesn’t matter who takes over.” Kakashi responded haughtily, “No one else is going to be able to hold the alliance together . . . much less push through the reforms I have in mind. Like it or not, this is more important than one person ‘ruka . . . even if it kills me we have to go on.”

“Fine.” was the short angry reply, “But once you get things settled I’m going to chain you to the bed until you finish your recovery.”

“Promises, promises.” the warlord replied teasingly, but his eyes were solemn and didn’t meet Iruka’s.

“Asuma, wake up and answer the damn door, this is an emergency.” Raidou bellowed as he pounded on the door.

“Raidou, what the hell are you doing here?” the general asked blearily when he cracked open the door, “It’s the middle of the damn night and you woke the baby. Kurenai’s gonna kill you.”

“I fucked up big time.” Raidou admitted as he slumped into a chair. “Genma brought me your message and I was so sure I could convince Kakashi that we were on his side that I blew off his warnings and came straight here.”

“So who did you leave in charge?” Asuma asked, not really wanting to hear the answer, but knowing he needed to deal with it regardless.

“I didn’t.” Raidou moaned as he clutched his head in his hands, “I completely fucked things up with Genma AND I left without making sure someone on our side was in charge. To top it all off,” he wailed, “I totally blew any and all chances that the commander will ever forgive me. He pretty much told me to drop dead.”

“I’m sure he was just upset about everything that’s happening.” Asuma said, trying to soothe the distraught general, “It wasn’t personal.”

“Oh yes it was.” Raidou countered, “He slammed the door in my face.”

“Oh.” Asuma replied. Both men sat slumped in the entryway contemplating the new level of problems they now had to deal with. They were so absorbed in their worries that neither man noticed Kurenai coming in with baby Aoi.

“Raidou, what are you doing here at this time of night?” she asked worriedly, “Did something happen?”

“He acted like a fool and an idiot.” Asuma replied grimly, “I need to go talk to Hatake, middle of the night or not.”

“He’s gone.” Raidou muttered into his hands.

“What do you mean he’s gone?” Asuma bellowed, once again waking the baby and earning a glare from his wife.

“He and Iruka headed back to camp as soon as he got rid of me. Even in his current condition you know he won’t stop . . . not when it’s this important. There’s no way we can catch them.” Raidou explained.

“So . . . what do you suggest then?” Asuma asked wearily, gratefully accepting the cup of tea his wife pushed into his hand.

“We leave now and get there as soon as we can. Hopefully we’ll still be able to get Hatake alone and talk to him.” Raidou suggested.

“Honey,” Asuma said as he turned to his wife, “we need to leave now. I’ll have to explain later, just trust me it’s serious or I wouldn’t be going.” He stopped to consider his next words carefully, “It would probably be a good idea if you went to your mother’s for a few days, just in case. I’ll pick you girls up on my way back.”

“Is it really so serious?” Kurenai asked, worry clearly apparent on her face.

“It could be.” Asuma hedged, “I just don’t know. Humor me and head for your mother’s.”

“Yes dear.” she replied, “Take care of yourself . . . we expect you back in a few days and in one piece.”

“If I’m going to be gone longer than that I’ll send word.” the general replied distractedly. “Love you both.” he murmured as he kissed his wife and daughter, hoping that this would not be the last time he’d get the chance.