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Recherche	By : Eggburtshamslice Category: Naruto > Yaoi - Male/Male > Kakashi/Iruka Views: 4188 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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Recherché Chapter Nineteen: Revolt
His stomach aflutter and mind reeling, Maito absquatulates with the information the same way he’d entered, through the woodwork. He leaves behind a shell shocked Tsunade and Ibiki, paralyzed in disbelief as they watch Izumo and Kotetsu help Dr. Umino shakily stand to his feet.
Far too dangerous to live, he thought skirting around the people meandering through the Admin center. Surely Master will give them into my hands now.
Inside the quiet room, a tiny chuckle grew into a gale of guffaws as Ibiki threw his head back and laughed, his forearm plastered against his midsection.
“Damn it!” Tsunade snapped, “catch hold yourself! Didn’t you hear what they just--”
“I’ve been sittin’ here …tryna find a subtle way to tell you,” he managed between laughs. “But he did the work for me … Umino,” he chortled, “he’s out of his damn mind!”
“And I see you’re enjoying a moment of insanity too. You three,” she barked lunging from her seat, “get back here this instant!”
A startled Shizune bolted from her seat, running to block the exit with her body.
“Can’t you see he’s overwrought?” Izumo shouted. "I have to attend him!”
“Either you drag his sorry ass back here … or I’ll come across this table and do it myself!”
Stopped cold by the Governor’s threat, Izumo slowly turned about with Iruka sagging against his side. “Then a moment, please. Recollection of that night is adversely affecting him--”
"Long as he's still breathing, I don’t give a damn about his affectation! If you thought I’d let you walk out of here after an accusation like that, Kamizuki you’re crazier than he is!”
“Not crazy,” Iruka mumbled against Izumo’s shoulder.
“Yeah, well something’s wrong you,” Ibiki roared. “Hatake Sakumo was man revered and respected in this land and you presume to let his name fall out of your mouth so casually?”
“Hush now, Ibiki. Iruka, get over here, prove what you’ve said and be quick about it!”
“I spoke the truth--”
“How dare you! The Hatake were one of Konoha’s founding families; five brothers who helped the Senju make this a prosperous land--”
“Told the truth,” he slurred.
“Shizune, have you any smelling salts?”
“In my desk, ma’am.”
“Fetch ‘em” she said through clenched teeth. “After that, you’re free to go.”
“But milady, I’d like to stay ... if that’s alright with everyone.”
“Smelling salts... now damn it!”
Helping Iruka into his seat, Izumo pried the portfolio from his hands and laid it flat on the table. “If you’d allow me, I’ll explain from this point onward.”
Tsunade nodded, slowly settling back down into her chair. “Go on.”
He first looked to Iruka for permission and having received it, he began. “His family joined mine in London at my father’s insistence. Tadashi helped my father train Japanese medical students during the day; by night, they struggled to translate the only English textbooks the students had. Professor Yamada introduced my father and Tadashi to Hatake Sakumo … his command of the English language proved a tremendous asset. The elder Hatake maintained two residences, one in Cornwall, the other in London. He’d stop by whenever he could and often worked through the night beside my father and uncle.”
Iruka’s body jerked beside him as Shizune waved the salts under his nose and Izumo’s eyes watered because of the fumes. “Pardon me,” he said wiping away a tear.
“For heaven sake,” Tsunade said covering her nose. "Hurry and replace the stopper in that vial, Shizune.”
“Alright,” Ibiki coughed, “you’ve established the fact you knew him. We still haven't heard proof the elder Hatake was a murderer or a monster--”
“Yes sir, I’m coming to that. The four of these men worked together for years; Sakumo was like another uncle to me and Iruka, even helped pay for our schooling and now and again he’d slip us pocket money--”
“We get it, he was generous with time and money,” Tsunade bristled. “Now please hurry along this trip down memory lane.”
Izumo nodded, “Indulge me a few minutes more, ma’am.” He waited quietly as Ibiki rolled his eyes and groaned and Tsunade huffed out another sigh. “Tadashi was fascinated with Yamada’s writings on the supernatural ... it was an obsession, point of fact. On her deathbed, my aunt Amaya begged Hatake to help him. After Yamada and my father died, Sakumo became more involved in our daily lives, was our benefactor when the economy went soft. He put Tadashi in charge of one of his pet projects, figuring it would constructively occupy his mind; would’ve been extremely lucrative for our family, had it panned out.” He looked up suddenly when Tsunade started drumming her nails on the tabletop.
“If you’re waiting for us to produce a written agreement between Hatake and my father, no such thing exists,” Iruka finally said pulling at the edge of the portfolio. “After my mother died, Father locked himself away, slowly descending into madness as the months passed. He burned all their research notes after he and Sakumo had a falling out; even refused to allow Hatake in our home and never spoke his name again … until that fateful night.”
“Oh, my god,” Ibiki whispered to Tsunade, “this is like Genma times two." Turning his attention to Izumo he snarled, “You have no proof of your claims whatsoever, have you? You’ll excuse me, but I’ve heard enough of this foolishness.”
Tsunade flung her arm across his chest as he attempted to stand. “Nobody is going anywhere, understood?” She leaned back in her seat, slowly cracking her knuckles. “I suggest one of you young men get to the point ... my patience is wearing thin.”
Izumo swallowed around the lump in his throat. “I was there the night Tadashi and Sakumo parted ways. I heard shouting, glass breaking and furniture being overturned, so I ran to the study. Pushing open the door a crack, I saw Hatake grab Tadashi by the throat and lift him from the floor. And as he raised him toward the rafters, I saw Sakumo’s body twist and split open as his skin melted away. Right before my eyes, he transformed into this ... hideous creature--”
“And you expect us to believe such an outrageous claim, Mr. Kamizuki?”
“Whether you believe me or not ma’am, I know what I saw!”
“Hatake Sakumo," Iruka weakly asked, "did you know him, Lady Tsunade?”
“Of course; I was a mere slip of a girl when he lived in Konoha, but yes, I remember seeing him at parties my grandparents hosted--”
“And do you ever recall a time when you saw him in broad daylight?”
“That was over forty years ago, Iruka.   I can’t be bothered now to remember inconsequential details--”
“Since his return, can either you or the Inspector say you’ve seen Hatake Kakashi during daylight hours?”
“That man spends most of his time traveling and when he is home, he’s working or sleeping I’d imagine. Why, just the other week, he hosted a symposium at our research facility--
“At night?”
“Yes! The presenters arranged it that way because of my schedule; late evening was the only time I could attend.”
“How convenient. Remember I said, exposure to direct sunlight will kill him?”
“Oh, for heaven sake, Iruka … that's your proof he’s a monster? I know of and have treated hundreds of fair skinned people who avoid direct sunlight." Jamming her hands under her armpits, she leaned back and asked, "Are those people monsters too?”
“You were at the tsuya last night … you saw what Hatake did to us; dropped us to our knees with just a glance--”
“I saw nothing of the kind--”
“I see,” Ibiki chuckled, “your clumsiness was his fault, eh? And here I thought you three were under the influence of strong drink. Lady Tsunade and I have seen Hatake Kakashi on numerous occasions and neither of us have fallen backwards just because he glanced our way--”
“And how long after his arrival did the murders begin Inspector?”
“I don’t know … few months? Why?”
“Iruka, I’m appalled and disappointed,” Tsunade said with a sigh. “Your father was a great man. If he could hear you now, besmirching the name of an honorable family …it would break his heart.”
“On the contrary, he’d be proud, because I refused to let naysayers deter me from my sworn path. I came back to Konoha to tell the truth … I’ve done so and I will walk out of this office with my integrity intact. You believed the stories your ancestors left behind and yet, even after I’ve identified a murderer in your midst, still you refuse to look beyond his status to see the truth.” He rose without assistance this time, clutching the portfolio tightly to his chest. “You’ll not see my face again until I’ve accomplished the purpose for which I came.” As he made for the unguarded exit, he said, “Inspector Morino, I've no problem standing trial and suffering the consequences for exterminating vermin.”
With a sly grin, Ibiki leaned forward, folding his arms on the tabletop. “That won’t be necessary. I can arrange to have you and your friends detained and deported by midnight tonight.”
“Ah, but you won’t,” he said turning to face them. “Deep down inside, you know I’ve spoken the truth. You know it too, Lady Tsunade.”
“I know you’ve regurgitated what you think is truth, Umino. That marks you as mentally unstable in my book, a danger to--”
“Only to Hatake and his minions. Izumo, Kotetsu … let’s go.”
Recherché
Maito stood at the base of the Master’s bed. “What would you have me do now, my Lord?”
Hatake turned onto his side, draping the linens over his shoulder. “Your orders remain the same as when I issued them. Monitor their movements, report their comings and goings, that is all.”
“But Master, Inspector Morino … surely he will come calling--”
“And I will afford him every hospitality once he arrives. Now, do not my rest further break … depart from me.”
Recherché
They sat quietly, their elbows barely touching as they stared at the closed door. “I don’t want to believe him, Ibiki, but something is twisting round in my gut--”
“It’s called improbability ma’am. First time I met those three, I knew something was off about ‘em.”
Grasping at his hand, her eyes lit up, “My grandfather’s diary! Shortly before Lord Sakumo left for England, there were three gruesome murders--"
“So?”
“The Commandant of Constables had to resign his post under pressure from the Advisory Council. It was the talk of the town for weeks.”
"I’m not about to give up that easily.” he said with a wince, "and what does that have to do with--?"
“The women were discovered in a heap out in the forest. Their bodies bearing signs of violent sexual activity; their heads, held onto their necks by a sliver of skin.   After that, the land enjoyed peace for the next thirty years.”
"I'm sure you're going somewhere with this ma'am," he said slowly prizing away each of her fingers, "where exactly, I don't know." The chair creaked beneath him as he stood. “Doesn't matter, I’ve had two men tailing Umino and friends since they got here. If they’re planning something against Hatake, my men will quash it.   I promise you … I will find the one responsible for these murders, if it’s the last thing I do.”
She looked up at him with a smile. “If what Dr. Umino said is true, then it just might be. The Bird of Death is a creature of ancient lore … if that’s what Hatake is, you and your constables don’t stand a chance against him.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence ... means a lot. You're not making a lot of sense, ma'am. Been so quick to change your opinion, wouldn't let me arrest them--”
“They did nothing but talk. If you arrested every nutcase with a theory, we’d have to build two new jails.” She stood beside him, linking her arm through his. “I’ll reach out to Iruka again, try and talk some sense into him once he’s settled down.”
“Do as you please, but I’m gonna assign patrols around the Hatake manor, just in case.”
“This talk of avenging his father’s death,” she said as they walked toward the door, “it’s grief. He watched his father die a slow painful death; poor thing hasn’t come to grips with it yet. You saw him turn pale, that’s something you can’t fake.”
“Still don’t get ya,” he said with a shake of his head. “You’ve studied, practiced and taught medicine, but never once did you say a word--"
“About what?”
“Umino said sepsis killed his father and then in the same breath, he swore his father was murdered by Hatake Sakumo. Can't have it both ways.”
“What about you? Been in law enforcement for the better part of your life; didn’t hear you say anything either. Remember your early days, breaking up bar fights? You could question four eyewitnesses to the brawl and get four different iterations of what happened--?”
“Ma'am, the eyewitnesses were as drunk as the combatants--”
“Let’s assume Iruka was sober at the time of the incident. Hearing something smash through a window, running into a room and discovering a headless corpse at his father’s feet …is it possible that in the confusion of that night he may have misspoken?”
“Maybe,” he said after a beat, "but I distinctly heard one of them say the window was broken after they arrived in the study."
“He also said his father was bloodied, could have been nicked by the assailant’s weapon during the attack … that’s not uncommon--”
“Granted, but what about Kamizuki … what he claims to have seen? Is that grief too?”
“Maybe his is a vivid imagination or perhaps his remembrances of that night are confused as well.   He worked alongside Tadashi and Professor Yamada for years ... I’m sure he heard them speak of these things and--”
“Ridiculous,” he snorted. “They spoke what they believed to be true. No telling what they might do next.”
Recherché
Not five steps outside the Admin Complex doors, Kotetsu needed to know, “Why the hell did you shoot your mouth off like that?   Now they know who we’re after!”
“You done? Go on, get it all out of your system.”
“You’re acting queer Ruka and I don’t like it.”
With a hearty laugh, he clamped his hand on his friend's shoulder. “You know, I never do anything without careful consideration. Did it ever occur to you that I need them to think we’re crazy?”
“Well, congratulations! You did a bang-up job of that. Zumo, did you know he was gonna flip out on us like this ?”
“Nope. Iruka, look we’re trying to help ya man… least you could do is let us in your secrets--”
“Sometimes I need to play things close to the vest; you would have been less convincing if I’d said anything beforehand.”
“Well … least you found a way to keep Tetsu still and quiet for almost half an hour. That in itself was a miracle.”
“I’ll have to try it again sometime,” Iruka joked.
“When this is behind us and we bail you out of jail Ruka, I’m gonna slap both of you silly.”
“Tetsu, it's a deal. In the meantime, I’m sure Inspector Morino will ring the Hatake estate with constables night and day, thus limiting his movements--”
“Lot of good that’s gonna do, you said this guy can go invisible anytime he wants--”
“He can ... but I’ve figured out a way to track him, no matter what he does. I have one final secret which I promise to tell you … when the time is right. Now then," he said as they walked toward the inn, "I want to have our stuff packed up by nightfall. We'll need dry goods and cooking utensils … we’ll be living rough for the next few weeks.”
Recherché
“A word, Inspector,” Ryota said the moment he stepped foot inside the constabulary. “In private, if you don’t mind.”
Ibiki rolled his eyes and shook his head. “What now?”
“Relax … it will keep until we get to your office. Shall we?”
Down the long hallway and into the quiet of his office, they kept up inane conversation. Ibiki clicked closed the door behind them saying, “Alright, what was so damned important we couldn’t discuss it in the--?”
“This,” he said shoving the folder into Ibiki’s waiting hand. “Analysis of the remains in the forest. According to Genma, the bones were from two men, not one. He suspects there may be more out there, if we care to look. Some animal attacked those men, bit clean down to their thighbones--”
“Did they find any clothing out there?”
“Uh, yeah. But this wasn’t robbery if that’s what you’re thinking. A small pile of gold coins and foreign paper currency was crammed inside the dungarees around their ankles--”
“Dungarees ... so they weren’t local men.”
“Longshoremen, sailors maybe. Genma said he found some sort of insignia on their shirt collars ... I wasn’t really paying attention. What the hell they were doing out in the forests, I don’t know.”
Ibiki walked the short distance to his desk, tossing the folder onto its surface. “Did I tell you what I saw out there the other day Ryota? A clump of trees, in the shape of an arrowhead--”
“Big deal … lumberjacks are an odd lot. Look, we got a bear or mountain lion out there with a taste for human flesh. I say we get a few hunters and kill it before it starts lookin’ around town for its next meal.”
“Garlands strewn at the base of the stumps, circles in the straw … this was no bear or mountain lion--”
“Okay,” he sighed, "then what the hell was it?”
He absentmindedly leaned against the corner of the desk when he turned about. “If I told you what I thought, you wouldn’t believe me. Never mind … assemble two crews of ten armed constables each, have ‘em patrol around the Hatake estate until further notice.”
“Big house near the cemetery? What for?”
“Don’t question me Ryota … just get it done.”
“Might be helpful if they knew what they were protecting it against. You aren’t making sense, Ibiki.”
“By the gods,” he said, dragging his hand down his face.   “I’m too sober for this conversation. That’s it, I’m off; if you need me, I’ll be home, drinking myself into a stupor.”
“Damn it man! You can’t just take off and run home--”
“Right, you’re coming with me … you’ll need to be drunker than I am to understand what I’m gonna tell ya.”
Recherché
When Ibiki awoke, night had already fallen and Ryota was gone. A glass of lukewarm water and two tablets sat on the table by the couch; he eschewed both and made his way to the stables. Saddling up Mayonaka, they headed west.
Notes:
Absquatulate: (British) - flee, abscond.
Sepsis or blood poisoning, arises when the body's response to infection triggers damage of its tissues and organs. Usually caused by bacteria, it may also result from the introduction of fungi, viruses or parasites into the bloodstream via a laceration. Treatment in those days included the use of quinine, whisky and milk or as a last resort, they would use leeches. If caught early enough, the patient typically showed signs of improvement, though relapse was inevitable. Ultimately, sepsis lead to death.
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