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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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The time of meeting draws nigh ...
Recherché: Time Keeps on Tickin': Smiles to Go, Before We Die
Calendars mark it not as a holiday, nevertheless, the entire territory of Konoha is in a festive mood. A happy coincidence said some, like a chuckle under the chin by gods beforetime fickle; as if the universe itself was making amends for last month's disappointing Tsukimi Festival.
Howbeever the cause, Konoha never looked a gift horse in the mouth.
You see, it started as a trickle yesterday, with small boatloads of tourists, slowly pushing the inns by the wharf to capacity. By afternoon, that trickle became a rolling stream, and by midnight, the stream turned into a pulsing river.
This morning dawned on anxious innkeepers, banging on the doors of family and friends for assistance. Owners of pack mules found themselves in high demand, for in the next nine hours, they would make the difference between farmers burdened with bumper crops, dining establishments contemplating early closure and inns facing dwindling pantries. The shops along the avenue opened early too, swelling every vendor's till with foreign currency; by noon, many would be dusting off their empty shelves. A night's lodging, family style dining, the promise of a spot on the back lawn; these padded the pockets of enterprising residents as impromptu moon viewing parties were being thrown together all over town.
Yet, even as excitement flavored the air and the rush of revenue lifted the spirits,
a palpable sense of dread was peeking round every corner.
Just north of the town center and beyond humble abodes, everyone else was working on one man's dime:
Lord Hatake Kakashi.
7:00 am: Down at the docks, casks of sparkling wines and premium cognacs from the south of France are gently rolled down cargo ship ramps and into waiting wagons. From the lumber mills and the fire brigade in the northeast, came a convoy of eight mule drawn wagons, each laden with cured pine pallets, aromatic kindling, and buckets of sand and stone. These sixteen men, chosen by lottery for an enviable assignment, counted themselves most fortunate. Promised a reward beyond their imagining, they will set to work, constructing the framework for six massive bonfires. Throughout the day will they sample the hospitality of the manor; the richest of foods, the choicest beverages, all which will be served up by enchantingly winsome scullery maids. And just coming over the ridge from the south, barrels of Kenbishi sake, silk lined cases of kiriko sake cups, wine glasses and tokkuri, softly rattle along in hand drawn wagons. Marching ahead of them are seven ox carts, overflowing with hampers of fresh cut flowers and hand-woven tatami mats. With keen eyes and honest scales, farmers in the northeast weigh and inspect bushel after bushel of fruits and vegetables, while wranglers and shepherds herd choice cattle and fatted lambs to the slaughterhouses.
The house of Hatake demands the highest quality - everything must be without spot or blemish and at the absolute peak of freshness.
7:35 am: Inside the vast manor kitchens, gruff voices are rising above the noise of knives against whetstones. At last, criteria and wagers are set, handshakes exchanged; false cheer flows like a river. It was to be a friendly competition, a culinary affair of honor. Chefs from the countries of Earth, Wind, Lightning and Water drew lines of demarcation in this once for all battle to determine which country's cuisine reigned supreme.
7:47 am - Coroner's office/Mortuary: While Genma busies himself sweeping out an empty morgue, an old friend from the post office raps on the open front door.
"Well looky here … who let you outta your cage?"
"Shut your trap, cold cook," was the rumbled pseudo grouchy response as Hiroyuki entered the shop. "My delivery man's out sick-"
"Sick? Don't ya mean he's hung over?"
"Fine, he's a stinkin' drunk … if he weren't married to my sister, I woulda fired him years ago. That the gossip you lookin' to hear undertaker?"
"You are so easy to wind up, Hiroyuki,” he laughed. “Anything for me?"
"Nope … somethin' for the Inspector though. Like to get a signature for it, but I aint got time to wait around … so here, drop it by the station house."
Genma ambled toward his friend, "Gotta do your job for ya too?"
"Inspector weren't in this morning … be nightfall for I'm done with the entire route. Well? You gonna do this or aint ya?"
Genma reached out for the wrinkled tan envelope, abandoning the broom against a cabinet. "Feels heavy …reckon it's a love letter from that Queen Victoria lady? Nah, must be a training manual or some such--"
"Don't know, don't care," Hiroyuki mumbled as he turned about. "Came from London addressed to the 'Chief Constable' … see he gets it."
As he fiddled with the envelope's fastener, Genma let out a low whistle. "Second night of a full moon … guardin' all them high muckety mucks up at that shindig … maybe I oughta hold onto this till tomorrow--"
"No dice," croaked the postman as he turned back. "Whether he looks at the damn thing today or never, aint my business. The job is to deliver it--"
"Geez, calm down ya old fart, I'll do it. You know me, always willin' to help the Inspector any way I can, 'sides ... not like I got nothin' goin' on."
Hiroyuki started for the door again saying, "So, what ya think … we gonna get another victim before dawn?"
Genma lifted his eyes to the hills with a sigh. "If I wish for business," he said helping the older man climb into the mail wagon, "might wind up cursing myself. And while I can't say I aint itchin' to try out them new chemicals ... then again," he scratched at his cheek, "can't say I'm lookin' to prep another young woman for burial."
"Reckon you'll have more customers than you can handle here soon; you see the way all them carriages and ox carts were racing through the plaza this morning? Pfft … damn near took out three vendors in one go-"
"From your lips to the ears of the gods," Genma said with a wink. "Startin' to think folks round here were stayin' alive just to spite me."
8:15 am: Not far from the mortuary, a detachment of mounted patrolmen stands near the wharf, ready to receive final inspection and instruction. They were to position themselves on either side of a fleet of shiny black and gold carriages pulled by teams of blue roan horses. The visiting dignitaries were to be guarded as they attend a welcome breakfast at the Governor's private residence. From there, they would conduct them safely along paved back roads to the grand estate in the north.
8:43 am - Hatake manor: In the reception area, left of the grand foyer, huge silver chafing dishes are situated at precise intervals atop long buffet tables; lavender scented steam fills the entire first floor as household servants run hot heavy irons over tablecloths and napkins of the finest woven linens. Upstairs in the grand ballroom, the morning sun casts prismatic kaleidoscopes against ivory colored walls as it reflects through sixteen leaden crystal chandeliers. Gilt chairs occupy their appointed places alongside refreshment tables which square off the room's four corners. Near sparkling glass doors leading out to a wraparound balcony, sleepy eyed musicians gather for the first of many rehearsals. With one pencil tucked behind his ear and another attached to the clipboard in his hand, majordomo Kinoe is a blur. One minute he's outside, verifying newly delivered supplies in the staging areas or writing out chits for delivery men; the next, he's maintaining peace inside the kitchens or attending the comfort of guests already in residence.
But in the manor's subterranean vaults, all is quiet.
The potion for those set to patrol the grounds this evening stands ready; the Yasha have dispersed, leaving behind a grumbling Maito to tidy up the work area. At the sound of heavy footsteps, he turns suddenly, sweeping the mixing bowl off the table as he does. "My Lord!"
Jiraiya was beside him in an instant, the tumbling mortar caught in his hand ere it smashed to the ground. "Little off your game this morning eh, Maito?"
"Yes sir ... sorry. Master's power thrums through the walls, shaking the floors with a violence unaccustomed. It's wrath unquenched I say … never experienced anything like this before."
"Well, son," Jiraiya chuckled as he strode to the other side of the apothecary cabinet, "that's because, this isn't your Master's power. This 'wrath' as you call it … belongs to Kama." Carefully he sat the mortar down, running his finger around the bowl's rim as he spoke. "The deeper our Lord slips into slumber, the higher Kama's power ascends. And as it extends beyond the manor walls, it will paint the forests with a thick blue mist, drawing gaki within a hundred-mile radius and laying them under its thrall."
"Is this not desirable, sir?"
"Not sure. Last time there was a blood moon, Kama went on a rampage. If Lord Kakashi cannot harness his urges, he'll be unable to control renegade gaki. Yep, we might a have full-scale slaughter fest on our hands. Speaking of which, our Master's mark glows beneath the flesh of several mortals in the territory. What plans has he for them?"
"I do not know--"
"Well, has he claimed the next bridesmaid?"
"Not yet, nor have I received instructions in that regard for this evening."
"Troublesome news on many fronts," Jiraiya said, reaching into a ruck of his obi. "He'll listen to reason once he feeds ... I hope. So, it's settled, until the sacrifice is claimed, I will remain his elbow tonight. Now then, as for these … keep them on your person at all times," he warned, laying four vials onto the cabinet's surface.
Maito nodded, depositing the small glass containers in his pocket.
"This potion must be administered quickly and under the right conditions. If we can manage that, it will amplify Kama's strength in the Master, while negating Lady Mari's influence over him."
"Conditions, sir?"
"These vials must not be mixed until ready for consumption, nor are they to be administered during any phase of a full moon. Last and most importantly, Master must refrain from tasting the blood of any human with whom he shares a soul tie."
"I don't foresee a problem with that sir. The bridesmaids are merely sustenance and I know for certain, Master would never allow himself to-"
"Correction, Maito … we must never allow him. This ... Umino Iruka," he sneered, "is destined to become a servant to house Hatake, as his father was to lord Sakumo. Unfortunately, an ill-advised friendship with Umino Tadashi, tainted Sakumo's judgment and took the edge off his killing instincts, therefore I charge you, Maito ... see to it the son does not repeat the mistakes of the father. You must do everything in your power to ensure their interactions never progress beyond ruler and subject. We clear on that?"
"Of course, sir."
"Master must remain pure until his coronation. However, should Kama within him grow impatient, you may be called upon to physically restrain Lord Kakashi from time to time." Jiraiya rested his palms on either side of the cabinet's top, "What am I saying? Your resolve is weak, you fear your master's displeasure more than you care for his well-being. How could I possibly trust you to protect him from himself? No," he sadly shook his head, "there's no other way round it. Effective immediately, I will take your place as his right hand--"
"Over my cold dead body" came the growled reply, as a partially transformed Maito's claws scraped against Jiraiya's throat. "In all my years of existence, never have I raised my voice, much less, my hand to the Master. But if it means furtherance of his plans ... I will do whatever it takes, up to and including ... killing you."
It was but for a moment, long enough to gauge the other creature's reaction as Jiraiya transformed in kind. After a frightful display of his own power, he resumed human form as he stepped back with a hearty laugh. "Willing to go up against me to save our Master? Impressive. But, if you betray my trust, I will strike you down without mercy."
9:35 am - Morning call inside the constabulary: A hush falls over the room as Ryota clambered atop his desk. "We've a cluster of foreign dignitaries just arrived, all of them bearing precious gifts and in the crowds of tourists lurk nefarious criminals. Lest we forget, there's still a mad dog killer on the loose. Slacken not vigilance men … Konoha's reputation rests on your shoulders."
With fifteen hours left on the magistrate's orders, Ibiki stands on the training grounds east of the constabulary. Before him are seventy uniformed officers and one hundred fifty deputized civilians. "By now," he roared, "all of you should know what Dr. Iruka Umino and his friends look like. You are to detain and search them before they enter house Hatake. If they are found in possession of anything which can be used as a weapon … arrest them immediately. And should they be foolish enough to resist arrest … the use of deadly force is authorized. Now, get outta my sight, get some rest and remember … no alcoholic beverages whatsoever until your shift is over.
Dismissed."
Notes:
I was a huge fan of the original Iron Chef; I wonder how many readers will catch the references. Hint, hint ... Iron Chef French was one of my faves.
"Cold cook": archaic slang for an undertaker.
Roan: having the base color of red, black or brown muted and lightened by an admixture of white hairs; a horse with intermixed white and colored hairs of any color. Blue roan is a true roan on a black coat. The mane, tail, head and legs remain black, while the body takes on a grayish or bluish appearance.
Kiriko: traditional technique of cutting glass, developed in 1834, fostered in the urban culture among townspeople. During the Meiji era, the craft introduced Western equipment and instruments. Beautifully designed glass art, the patterns are carved on the surface of a multi-layered glass so users can enjoy both the transparency and the design. Most designs were based on historical Japanese illustrations and patterns. Very expensive.
A sake set consists of the flask and the cups used to serve the beverage. Sake sets are commonly ceramic, but they can also be made of wood, lacquered wood, or glass. The server of a sake set is a flask called a tokkuri which is generally bulbous with a narrow neck, but it may have a variety of other shapes, including that of a spouted serving bowl. Sake used to be sold by volume in a wooden box measuring cup, which was in turn, used to drink it. The wooden box was said to complement traditionally brewed sake, as it is brewed in a wooden cask.
Kenbishi sake: renown as the first branded sake brewery in Japan; established in 1505. In days of old, Kenbishi was a very popular sake enjoyed by samurai. On the eve of major military battles, a large Kenbishi barrel would be ceremoniously opened. It was believed that sake strengthened the bonds of friendship and established strong loyalty in upcoming battles.
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