Warlord

A/N Almost there folks . . . only one more chapter after this one. Thank you all for sticking with this behemoth . . . especially with how it ended. There is one more chapter coming, I hope you stick around for it. A special thaan you to everyone who reviewed, it helped me make it happen.


Chapter Sixty

Once the details of the transition were worked out Asuma headed back to town to let Kurenai know what had happened. At least she’ll be happy I’m staying, he mused as he traveled, anxious to hold his wife and daughter. After the events of the last couple of days he appreciated them more than ever.

As Asuma disappeared from sight Raidou turned to the courier and pulled him into his arms, needing the contact to soothe his shattered heart. “Are you ready Gen?” he asked quietly.

“No, but that doesn’t change anything.” the former courier grumbled as the pair headed across camp to talk strategy with Jiraiya and Gai. “Are you sure I’m a good choice?” he finally blurted out, nervous about his soon to be promotion.

“There’s no one I’d trust more to back me up.” the general said sincerely, “I need you by my side.”

“Well then that’s where I’ll be.” Genma said seriously, turning haunted eyes on his lover, “I don’t want you ending up like Hatake.”

“It was my fault.” Raidou said mournfully, “I lost his trust and couldn’t protect him . . . I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself for failing him when he needed me most.”

“You need to stop beating yourself up about it. Yes you made mistakes . . . but so did he. Remember he pushed you away, not the other way around. There’s only so much blame you can lay on yourself. Of course you miss him, you were best friends for most of your life.” Genma turned serious eyes on his lover, “Now you have to move on and leave him behind . . . it’s very hard. Eventually it will hurt less, and one day maybe you’ll be able to smile when you remember him.”

“Thanks Gen.” the large man said as he pulled his lover close, “I’d like that.” They walked in silence the rest of the way, pondering all the problems and uncertainties that lay ahead.

Asuma threw the door open impatiently, “Kurenai, I’m home, where are you?” he bellowed, sighing in relief when she appeared carrying baby Aoi.

“Sweetheart what’s wrong?” she gasped, immediately frightened by the look on his face.

The general didn’t answer, merely sweeping her into his arms and holding her tightly, murmuring words of devotion into her hair as he breathed in its comforting familiar scent.
“I adore you Kurenai . . . you and Aoi. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Honey, you’re scaring me.” the petite woman finally said, “What’s going on . . . are we in danger?”

“No, no danger . . . not anymore.” he pulled back and looked into his wife’s eyes, steeling himself to deliver the sad news. “It went badly . . . hell, worse than badly.” he finally muttered, “I don’t know any easy way to say this,” he finally ground out, “the battle was violent, we lost almost a third of the men.”

“Oh Asuma,” Kurenai breathed as she caressed his face with her hand, “I’m so sorry.”

“That’s not the worst of it,” he continued, “Iruka and Kakashi . . .” he trailed off, unable to force the words out of his suddenly tight throat.

“What about them, were they injured?” she exclaimed in alarm, “I need to go take care of them, Iruka’s done so much for us, and Kakashi’s like family.” she fretted.

“Sweetheart,” the general husked, grabbing her hands and squeezing them tightly, “they didn’t make it.”

“No,” she cried, “oh Asuma no.” her eyes filled with tears as she searched his face, hoping against hope that this was some juvenile joke they’d cooked up.

“I’m so sorry honey.” he murmured as he pulled her tight against him, wrapping strong arms around her and stroking a soothing hand up and down her back. “If it makes you feel better, they died in each other’s arms and we sent them on together.”

The thought broke the barrier holding back her tears and Kurenai clung to her husband as she wailed her grief, baby Aoi taking up the cry until it seemed that the whole world was grieving.

Eventually her sobs slowed and finally faded to gasping hiccups. “What happens now?” she asked hoarsely.

“Raidou and I have split the command . . . no one but Hatake could handle it all themself. I’m going to stay here, with you, and handle civilian affairs. I’ve changed my mind about a lot of things, I have no desire to leave your side ever again.” Asuma whispered softly as he cradled her in his arms, “We’re going to push through the reforms Kakashi wanted . . . it’s the least we can do.”

“What will happen with the troops?” Kurenai asked quietly, concerned that her husband appeared to be willing to abandon his life as it had been up until now.

“Raidou is in charge of military affairs . . . Jiraiya, Gai and Genma are helping him. He’d already wrapped up the Northern campaign and was involved in treaty negotiations so it seemed a logical choice. Besides,” he continued wryly, “It’s not like I’m up to it at the moment.” indicating the cast on his leg, “Hell, I may never be up to it.” he concluded sadly, “This is for the best.”

“I’m not so sure I agree with you.” Kurenai said as she studied him closely, “But I certainly won’t argue with having you here. Now come on,” she said, tugging on his arm, “you need a bath, food and sleep . . . in that order.”

“Yes dear.” the general replied solemnly, gratefully following her to the bath. He thoroughly enjoyed the fuss she made, running the tub and laying out towels and he gave a thankful hiss when she helped him awkwardly clamber into the tub, cast hanging over the side, and began to scrub his back. “I love you sweetheart.” he said suddenly, turning to capture her lips in a sweet kiss.

“I love you too.” she replied tenderly, “I feel really selfish, but I’m glad it was Kakashi and not you.” He stroked her arm and nuzzled her chin, finally drawing out a tiny smile.

“It’s alright to be happy Kurenai.” he said softly, “It’s what they both would want.”

Raidou looked at the other three men in shock, doing the job was one thing, but this? “I refuse.” he said almost hysterically, “Don’t you dare call me that.”

“But commander,” Jiraiya replied, emphasizing the title, “the men need to know who’s in charge. It’s just a word.”

“No . . . it’s just what he accused me of.” he moaned, dropping his head on the table.

“Give me a minute with him.” Genma urged, moving to stroke his lover’s back when the other men had gone. “Rai . . . you’re getting upset over nothing.”

“It’s not nothing.” he wailed, “I lost my best friend because he thought I wanted to take his place . . . I can’t actually do it.”

“Listen to me.” the honey-haired man said, grasping his lover by the shoulders and pinning him with his eyes, “Deep down Hatake knew how you felt. He loved you like a brother and I’m sure he forgives you.”

“I wish I could believe that.” Raidou said sadly before he put his head on his arms and began to cry for what he had lost. Genma could only sit and stroke his hair tenderly, waiting for him to let go of the past so they could make their future.