Warlord

Chapter Fifty-Nine

“You worthless piece of shit.” the warlord hissed at the man impaled on his blade, “You never were anything but a waste of air Itachi.” he growled ferally as he twisted the sword, ripping flesh and sending gouts of blood gushing over his hands. “I hope you’re suffering . . . I want your death to be slow.”

The generals redoubled their efforts, appalled at the carnage and at Kakashi’s apparent descent into madness. “Is that Iruka?” Asuma panted as he directed Raidou’s attention towards the warlord’s position, indicating the small figure crumpled by his feet.

“Oh shit.” Raidou moaned, surging forward with a mighty roar, slashing and hacking at the men in his way in desperate effort to reach his friend. Just as he reached the edge of the opening a small grey-haired figure dashed up behind the warlord.

Kabuto watched in horror as Iruka unbalanced his lover and was run through. He started moving toward them, the world around him slowing to a near halt as the warlord’s blade thrust through Itachi’s chest. He pulled a small dagger from his belt, burying it in the warlord’s back to the hilt. “Stupid fuck.” he muttered, kicking the tall man as he fell, “That’s for Itachi.” he raised his leg and stamped down hard on the sprawled figure’s crotch, grinding Kakashi’s testicles under his heel until he felt them rupture, smirking as he added “And that’s for me.”

Raidou couldn’t believe his eyes when the warlord toppled to the ground, rage powering his actions as he watched Kabuto stomp down on his friend’s crotch. With a mighty yell he slashed at Yakushi’s neck, watching with detachment as the head rolled away to point sightless eyes behind broken glasses in his direction. “What a cluster fuck.” he moaned as he scrambled to Kakashi’s side, shocked to find him still conscious despite the blood pouring from his wound.

“‘ruka.” the warlord rasped breathlessly as he stretched out his arm to try and touch the smaller man, “please ‘ruka, love you.”

Raidou wrapped an arm around Kakashi’s shoulders, carefully shifting him to lie next to the fallen scribe. “‘ruka.” the warlord tried again, fingers feathering hesitantly over his lover’s face, “love you ‘ruka.”

“‘m so tired.” the scribe mumbled, “love you too . . . kiss me ‘kashi?” he whispered, “‘m sleepy, kiss me to sleep.”

The warlord gently pressed his lips to Iruka’s, trying to taste his love one last time through the thick coppery taint flooding his mouth. The scribe gave a slight shudder and lay still . . . too still, and Kakashi’s mind broke at the thought of life without the gentle man. I think I’ll just rest here, he decided, exhaling one last time before the light left his expressive eyes.

Things were settling down around them now that most of the members of the revolt had fallen. Asuma limped over to join Raidou, covering his eyes and choking back a sob at the sight of the fallen warlord and his love, tenderly embracing even in death. How am I going to tell Kurenai, he wondered absently, she’ll be so upset. He glanced over at Raidou, shocked to see tears pouring down his face apparently unnoticed.

“I guess this means you’re in charge.” Jiraiya said, turning Raidou to face him, “Buck up and get this under control. Then we’ll care for him properly.”

“I can’t.” the general whispered, “He wouldn’t want that.”

“You were his second in command Namiashi.” Jiraiya pressed, “You are the only logical choice . . . unless you want all his sacrifices to be for nothing. Get the rest of the opposition locked up and the wounded treated. Then we’ll have time to care for the dead.”

“I Will Be Honored To Guard The Commander’s Body.” Gai offered, “I Will Allow No One To Disturb Their Rest.”

“Thanks Gai.” Asuma replied, grasping Raidou’s arm and propelling him forward, whispering quiet instructions in his ear until he gradually regained his control. “Can you do this?” he queried one last time before the scarred man began to speak, seeing the short nod of reply as a step forward from the blankness of moments before.

Gai stood silently, watching as medics carted the injured off the field, horrified at the number who still lay sprawled as they had fallen. “I’m sorry commander.” he said quietly, speaking to the spirit of the one whose body he now protected, “I wish I could have stopped this.” He pulled back and took a hard look at the entwined figures before adding, “Rest well, may you find each other again.” With that he turned his eyes away, feeling like a voyeur peeping at something intensely personal.

Genma skidded onto the field, slipping and sliding in the churned bloody earth. He frantically searched from side to side, looking for Raidou’s large form. He pulled up hard when he reached Gai’s side, letting out a shocked gasp when he realized what he was guarding. His frenzy increased, fear fueled by the hitherto unimaginable sight of the mighty warlord Hatake felled on the field of battle. Iruka too, he thought hysterically, Rai must be nearby. “Have you seen General Namiashi?” he screamed as he grabbed Gai’s shoulders tightly.

“He, General Sarutobi And Jiraiya Have Gone To See To The Wounded.” he proclaimed in a booming voice, “They Will Be Back Once The Situation Is Under Control.”

Genma didn’t hear the end of his answer, feet propelling him toward the medic’s tents as soon as he knew where to go. He skidded through the door, flying across the room and launching himself into the general’s arms, raining kisses over his face even as he murmured thanks to all the gods for saving Raidou when so many others had lost their lives. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” he whispered, “Are you alright?” he continued worriedly, pushing back to check the larger man for wounds.

“I’m fine . . . at least, I’m uninjured. I don’t know if I’ll ever be fine again.” the general replied absently, watching the light fade from Genma’s eyes as he listened to his response. “I’m glad you’re here safe.” he whispered, pulling the courier close and husking in his ear, “It would kill me to lose you. I’m just sorry it took all this for me to realize it. Can you ever forgive me for being such an ass?”

“Forgiven and forgotten.” Genma replied. Everything was starting to seem a bit surreal to him but he was shocked back into reality at Raidou’s next words.

“We need to go take care of their bodies.” the general ground out, “Will you please come and help me . . . I don’t know if I can do it without you.”

“Of course.” the courier replied with a gulp, finding it hard to move on suddenly leaden feet.

It was midday before the quartet finally left the medic’s, grimly taking reports on deaths, injuries and arrests before finally turning back toward the sight of the conflict, intent on laying their fallen comrade to rest.

They carefully lifted the entwined pair, settling them gently on a stretcher before heading to the edge of camp. A large pyre had already been constructed and the mourners placed their burden on top, stepping back and bowing their heads before sending up a silent prayer. “You both shall be missed. Go and suffer no more.” Asuma rasped before thrusting a torch into the dry wood.

All over camp eyes turned to the pillar of smoke now rising on the outskirts, every man wishing his commander god speed on his journey even as they thanked the gods they had survived another day.

The five watchers stood unmoving until the fire had burned out and nothing but ash remained before slowly turning and heading back to camp, beset with thoughts of their own mortality as their hearts sagged under the burden of the loss of their friends.