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Recherche	By : Eggburtshamslice Category: Naruto > Yaoi - Male/Male > Kakashi/Iruka Views: 4188 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto nor do I make any profit from this work of fanfiction.

Chapter List
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Ivory chopsticks slam against their rest on a silver serving tray as the timid servant trembles in the doorway of his master’s bedchamber.
“Was it your intention to rob my appetite?”
“No, my Lord, I --”
“Imbecile! That name … Hatake, it is taboo in this house!”
“Please forgive me, I was unaware my Lord.”
The man propped up the massive bed nearly overturned his breakfast tray when he pushed it away. “I’m already sick to my stomach … might as well tell me; what is the nature of this man’s inquiry?”
“I only know he comes bearing a missive ... thought it best to inform you before--”
In a rage, he snatched the linen napkin from his collar and twisted it in his hands. “You will do three things. One, march back downstairs this instant; two, inform that man in no uncertain terms that the head of the Uchiha wishes no association with that cursed house. Finally, you will bodily escort him from my property. Move, damn you!”
The servant made to turn himself about, “Pardon. Thought you might want to know, the message he carries was intended for the young master.”
Fugaku chuckled as he leaned against the mountain of pillows behind him, “Then is this new head of the Hatake a greater idiot than you.” The crumpled napkin, he carefully laid across his lap. “My eldest son is an impatient and ruthless man … he will suffer no talk of peace between our houses.” Slowly did he pull back the bed tray. Discarded chopsticks poised in his left hand, he stabs at a chunk of grilled salmon on his plate, saying, “Here now are your new orders. Lead this Hatake scum out to the back garden. Make certain he rudely interrupts my son while he sits alone with his weapons and dark thoughts. Then ... prepare for bloodshed.”
The servant bowed, hastening from the room.
After what seemed like hours, Kinoe is led from the salon and into the study. This room, cavernous, the dark wood paneling making it feel as if the walls were closing in upon him. Yet the second they stepped foot on the stoa, Kinoe was at once drowning in a tranquil sea of panoramic beauty. Beams of sunlight crisscross the path before him; silica deposits in the stone reflecting the light like stars. Gentle wisteria scented breezes coax music from brass wind chimes as he walks beneath them. Stately elms ring the vast gardens, chrysanthemums explode in vivid colors before his eyes and fat orange and white koi break the surface of a pond to feed on grey mosquitoes with bellies of red.
“The young Lord is seated to your right, just beyond the path's end,” the servant told him. “You must announce your presence loudly, as he does not hear well.”
As promised, there to his right, about twenty yards from the end of the pathway, a slender young man sat alone on a bench of carved white marble. His hair, bluish black was tied in a low tail against the nape of his neck; errant strands fluttered against the creamy ecru of his kimono.
“Good morning, Lord Itachi,” he called. When the man didn’t respond, Kinoe skirted around the bench that he might bow before him.   “Sorry to intrude this early, but my Master, Lord Hatake, has a request most urgent.”
A gentle smile spread across the young man’s lips when Kinoe stood erect. The young man’s eyes, black as coal seemed so warm and welcoming.
“You dare sully the air around the home of my ancestors … speaking that befouled name without regard for your life?”
There was scarcely time to draw a breath before the young man was standing behind Kinoe, a sharp blade pressed to his throat. “Speak truth while you can,” he hissed. “What is the meaning of your presence here?”
Just then, on the second floor of the manor, the curtains snap closed as Lord Fugaku returns to his bed with a sly grin. That’s my boy,” he thought.
“My Lord,” Kinoe said softly as he raised the card to eye level. “I was told… to deliver this into your hands.”
Painfully pulling the trembling hand closer, Itachi extracts the card between his fingers. He studies it carefully before pushing the messenger to the ground. Gasping for breath, Kinoe turns about, looking up in time to see the characters leap from the stationery and race up the other man’s arms with lightning speed. With eyes widened in fear, he watches the characters converge in the center of the young man’s chest, sinking into the silken robe with a high-pitched whine. Suddenly, Lord Itachi opens wide his mouth in a silent scream as he's thrown forward onto his knees. Tears of blood singe furrows beneath the young man’s eyes as they track down his face. His body violently shakes while an ebony froth bubbles from the corners of his mouth.
Kinoe scooted backward in horror, torn between running for help and staying put to make sure the man would survive.
“It … shall be,” Itachi choked out, “as … you’ve … requested my Lord … Hatake.”
Tense moments pass as Itachi clutches at his chest. Suddenly, he wipes at his mouth with the back of his hand and slowly rises to his feet. Gone were the trails of blood which once ran down his cheeks; only thin dark lines remain etched in his skin. A pleasant smile plasters itself across Itachi's lips as he bows low before Kinoe and turns himself about. Down the stoa was the unsteady clack of his shoes heard; into the house he walked without speaking another word. By the time Kinoe ran to the end of the pathway, the same servant which led him out onto the walkway is trembling behind the glass doors of the study. Fumbling with the latch, the houseman hastily gestures for Kinoe to flee. The slate floors, slick under his soles as he runs and out the wide open front door he bolts. Sprinting down the outside stairs, he hoists himself onto his mount; turning the reins in his hands, he digs in his heels, his mount galloping toward the main gate.
A mile away at the next house on the list, Kinoe has settled himself; with a shaky hand, he scratches a line through Uchiha Itachi’s name.
I hope to the gods the other ones aren’t like that.
Recherché
Taking the bundle of mail from the postman with a smile, Shizune strolled into the Governor’s office intending to take her time sorting at the conference table. “Lady Tsunade! Did you sleep here last night?”
Slowly lifting her head from the desktop, she growled, “Don’t be ridiculous. Knew there’d be a mountain of papers waiting for me so I came in early … that alright with you?”
“Yes, ma’am, it’s just …I didn’t think you had any appointments until this afternoon--”
“I don’t …its gonna take me until then to get through all this … stuff.” Right then, Tsunade buried her head in her hands whimpering, “My god, if I have to sit through one more butt numbing dinner party this week, I’ll tear my hair out!”
“I envy you ma’am … dressed in stylish clothes, evenings of dancing and elegant dining, it all sounds like great fun. Charming foreign men, all of them vying for your attention--”
“All they want is my signature on the dotted line, Shizune. You have no idea what’s it like; choking back a groan every time a drunken 'translator' mangles the Japanese language, trying not to yelp in pain when they stomp on my toes as we dance or forcing myself to look interested in whatever the hell they're talking about, when I’d rather be at home curled up with a good book--”
“If it’s any comfort ma’am, those envoys are leaving tomorrow--”
“Yes, but then the Dutch arrive.”
“Milady, why don’t you stretch out on the couch for a while? I’ll go through the paperwork, write up a synopsis of each and--”
“You’d do that for me?”
“Of course, anything to make light your load, ma’am.”
She rose cautiously from behind the desk casting a forlorn look at the papers lying there and then, a timid glance at her brightly smiling assistant. “Almost bit your head off earlier … sorry, I’m just … so damned tired.”
“I’ll fetch some strong tea and order a light breakfast. You can rest until the afternoon.”
“You’re a dear … thanks. Hope I never have to find out what I’d do without you.”
Recherché
“So it is true, hell must have frozen over last night; that’s the only reason I can think of for a servant of house Hatake to darken our doorstep. What do you want?”
“My Master extends greetings and an invitation to Lord Orochimaru--”
“I’ll see he gets it,” he said reaching out for the card Kinoe held.
“I think not, Kabuto. I was charged to give this directly into your master’s hand. Surely you understand how grievous the penalty for disobeying orders, do you not? Or might it be, you enjoy being your master’s whipping boy?”
The other man smiled, adjusting his spectacles with a bony index finger. “Right you are, Kinoe … on both counts. Follow me.”
The interior of the house was colder than a winter’s morning. Kinoe shivered the entire time they walked along the corridor, half expecting to see his breath in the frosty air. It was even colder as he stepped inside the library.
“Well, well … what have we here,” chuckled Lord Kokucho, “a message from Lord Hatake? Leave us, Kabuto.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
When the door clicked closed, the master of the manor rose from his seat to stand before Kinoe. “Now then, how can I be of service to house Hatake?”
“My Lord has planned an evening of sophisticated entertainment. He’d be most appreciative if you would join him in the festivities--”
"Ah yes, the last soiree of the season. Alas, I am a man of advanced age. Is it his hope I will find fulfillment or happiness in a bride?"
"That, my Lord I do not know. The whims of my Master stretch far beyond the comprehension of a mere servant--”
“Well, I guess it’s never too late for happiness,” he said, stretching out his hand. The moment his fingers touched the card, Kinoe saw the characters transform into a hissing, white, snakelike creature which made a beeline for the center of Orochimaru’s forehead. He too dropped to his knees, as did Lord Itachi. While he clutched his head in pain, Kinoe laughed to himself as the old man said,
“Your wish … my command; so it shall be ...my Lord Hatake."
He gave the other man a moment to collect himself before reaching down to help him stand. “Shall I tell my Lord you will grace us with your presence?"
“Yes… I count it an honor to be among his guests,” Orochimaru said with a graceful bow.
This time, Kinoe walked away with confidence as Kabuto glared daggers into his back.
The same scenario, minus the cold, unfolded when he delivered the invitation to Lord Danzou.
Now I understand, he thought as he turned his mount in the direction of the town. As the ink soaks into their skin, the will of the Master becomes the recipient’s consuming desire.
Three down … two to go.
Recherché
Vexed by the stack of Raidou and Aoba’s reports, Ibiki let out an irritated huff when he sunk into his chair. The hell are these buffoons up to now? Umino, taking meetings with the Governor … the other two spending hours at the Temple twice a week; what, are they studying to become monks or something? And why on earth is the--?
“Inspector, someone here to see you.”
Can I never have a moment to myself? “Door’s open Sakai,” he barked, hiding the reports under another folder.
“So good to see you again sir,” Kinoe said. “Might I come in?”
Leaning his forearm on the desk, Ibiki eyed the other man warily as he stepped forward without bidding. “What can I do for you, Kinoe?”
“Apologize for the intrusion Inspector; do hope I’m not too late.”
“Late for what?”
Proudly he came closer, laying the card atop a stack of papers near Ibiki’s right hand. “This. Lord Hatake asked me to prepare a special invitation for you weeks ago,” he sheepishly said. “I only remembered today because he asked after your response. To spare myself, I told him you'd already said yes. Making such an assumption put me in the wrong; I’m sorry.” Kinoe smiled broadly as the other man's expression softened. “I could tell him you had to rescind acceptance; what with protecting the influx of emissaries from abroad, my Master would understand. However, I’d be eternally grateful if you didn’t let on how slothful I was about--”
“Gotcha. But me … at a soiree? I’m hardly the high society type.”
“Quiet as its kept, neither is my Lord; he prefers small informal gatherings. Careful Inspector … with the humidity and the viscosity of this new ink, I don’t think it’s completely dry.”
Ibiki whistled as he scooped up the card, “The calligraphy is exceptional … you did this?”
“My skill with the pen is surely the only reason Master keeps me employed--”
“It’s rare to see young people practicing the art nowadays,” he said when one of the characters smudged beneath his fingers. “But I’ve gone and ruined your hard work--”
“Now, now … don’t trouble yourself sir, it’s still legible. Worry not, since I’ll be greeting every guest, your admittance shan’t be hindered.”
Ibiki shook his head, “A huge party with loads of people in fancy dress … I don’t usually go in for that sort of thing.”
“It’s the final party of the season Inspector … I doubt Master will let me talk him into hosting another like this. Several dignitaries are coming from all Four Nations with their security officers … you can always talk shop, exchange ideas--”
“Not exactly an incentive for me to attend--”
“We’ve also booked entertainment not usually seen round these parts; fan dancers from the Land of Earth--”
“Land of Earth, eh? I’ve heard their … spirited gyrations can make deaf men hear and lame men walk.”
"So I’ve been told, that's why they will be entertaining only in the Master's private salon." While he was speaking, Kinoe saw the ink glisten and the Inspector's eyes glaze over. The characters slowly lift from the card and crawl up Ibiki's arms while he muttered words insensible. Marching along his shoulders like soldiers, the characters meet at the apex of the Inspector’s head and dive into his scalp.
Unlike the others, there came no strangled cries of allegiance from this man’s lips.
Still transfixed by the card’s effect, he mumbled, “Wouldn’t miss this for the world.” For a moment, Ibiki squeezed his eyes shut, feeling his thoughts shifting about like someone was rearranging furniture inside his head. All the while, his brain was yelling ‘No!’ and yet he heard a ‘Yes!’ leap from his throat.
“You were saying, Inspector?”
Patting the top of his paper covered desk, he found his pen and said, “Tell Lord Hatake I will attend, but I’ve one … small request.”
With the carefully scrawled note in hand and a quick bow, Kinoe turned to leave. “Thank you for your time and most importantly, I thank you for keeping my confession secret.”
Ibiki waved him off, still mesmerized by the tiny card he held.
Hurrying from the constabulary, Kinoe heads for the Administrative Complex. He stands tall inside the conference room awaiting the Governor.
“Ah, you grow more beautiful each time we meet, milady.”
“I’ve just awakened from a nap; my eyes are puffy and there are lines imprinted on my cheek. Remind me to have Shizune schedule an appointment for you with the eye doctor,” she laughed. “Surely you didn’t come all this way to tell me pretty lies; what news have you from Lord Hatake?”
“First, I apologize for my tardiness, but I come bearing an invitation to the--”
“Soiree, yes of course. I’m honored … but I cannot possibly accept. My schedule is crammed to the brim,” she said reaching for the card. “However, I will hold onto this as a keepsake.”
“Master will be most disappointed, ma’am.   Why, only yesterday he was saying how much he enjoyed renewing your acquaintance. Perhaps your schedule will permit a quiet dinner with Lord Hatake some other time?”
Kinoe watched in silence as the Governor stood stock still when the characters took wing from the card; some splattered themselves against her Manju-netsuke, others twined about her wrist, drawing her hand to the necklace. “Then again,” she whispered, “I’d hate to miss out on the highlight of the season. Do tell Lord Hatake I will be in attendance, though I will arrive at a later hour.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
Recherché
As Iruka and Izumo dig through another box of notes, Kotetsu stands at the kitchen sink, gutting the morning’s catch. A heavy rap on the front door almost ends in a sliced finger.
“Keep your britches on, I’m coming!” he shouted. Bloody knife in hand, he stomps over and swings wide the door. “Who the hell are you?”
“My name is of no consequence, sir. I am but a servant from house Hatake,” he said as he bowed. “My Lord directs me extend his greetings and an invitation to a soiree in a few days’ time.
“Soiree? What the hell is that?”
“Tetsu, who are you talking to?”
“One of Hatake’s mouthpieces,” he called over his shoulder. “Says we’re invited to a soiree, but he won’t tell me what the hell that is.”
“A party huh?” Izumo said as he walked to the door. “Well, isn’t that neighborly? Pray tell sir, how did you know where to find us?”
“Even the woods hold no secrets from my Master.”
“Yeah?” Kotetsu snapped, "well the woods aint said nothin’ to me about why he’d want us in his house!”
“Mine is not to question, but to do the will of him who sent me.”
“Zumo, Tetsu? What’s going on over there?”
“We’re on the guest list for a party at Hatake manor,” Izumo said.
“Are you Dr. Umino?” Maito asked as he peered over their heads.
"I am. Who might you be?”
“A messenger, charged by my Lord to deliver this into your hands. Will you accept it sir?”
Iruka slowly stood, his eyes questioning as he padded to the door. “Your Master and I are hardly friends. Not sure I understand why he--”
"At the risk of repeating myself, I am but a messenger. I’m sure my Lord will be pleased to answer your questions directly sir.”
Cautiously he slipped between the bridling Kotetsu and the stern-faced servant. The moment he took the card, time stood still. Only Maito could see the characters as they turn into a swirling black mist headed straight for the good doctor’s nostrils. Iruka sucked in a breath and took a step sideways, stumbling against Izumo.
“You alright there buddy?”
“Yeah,” he said hurriedly, “must have tripped over my own feet.” In an instant, he’d recovered his wits as well as his manners. “Tell your Master we graciously accept and will be delighted to attend.”
“You honor my Lord, Dr. Umino. May the remainder of your day be pleasant sirs.”
Kotetsu stood watching the servant trudge off into the woods while the other men took their seats at the table. He shook his head when he heard Iruka say, “Didn’t I tell you the Fates would favor us, Zumo?”
“Hmm, you seemed overeager--”
"Now don't you start--"
“It’s a trap,” Kotetsu said as he closed the door and propped himself against it. “Thanks for dropping us right in the middle of it Ruka.”
"Come on, you’re far too cynical for such a young man. Lady Tsunade has been telling me about this party for weeks; supposed to close out the season with a bang. I hardly think Hatake would go to all that trouble just to capture us--”
“You’re kidding, right? Why invite people into your home that you know wanna kill ya? Who does that?”
“Worry not, Tetsu, with a clean shave and some nice clothes, you’ll blend in with the hoi-polloi. And if you keep your mouth shut … somebody might mistake you for a regular gentleman.”
"Zumo ... you're about three seconds away from that bust in the chops."
“Okay, knock it off you two. Hatake has been making overtures of peace through the Governor, says he’s anxious to clear the air between us. He probably just wants to pull me to the side, let me know he’s onto us … make a few thinly veiled threats so we’ll back off--”
“Again, I ask, of all the people in this town, why the hell would he invite us?”
“Sometimes, you should listen to your own words,” Izumo said. “Inviting us will prove to the Governor and Inspector that he’s the bigger man, the one willing to make peace with a known enemy. And should we decline the invite ... well it’s just plain bad manners. Weren’t you saying we needed to get close to our target?”
“Shut up Zumo.” Straddling the back of his chair, he plopped down with a sigh. “So, that’s it Ruka ... we're just gonna go?”
“Yes and stop waving that knife around please; can’t afford another scar across my nose. We couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity, unless you know of another way to find out where he lives--?”
“No I don’t … damn it! Still think this whole thing is too convenient.”
“Hatake isn’t going to make a scene with a houseful of people as potential witnesses--”
“Yeah, that’s what you said about the tsuya too.”
“Don’t give me that look, Tetsu. Two hours ago, you were the main one trying to convince me to meet him, well ... here's our chance. What’s the matter now, you scared?”
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