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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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Chapter List
- 46
- 47
- 48
Standing before the gateway to the Governor, Izumo cast a final glance over his shoulder. “Didn’t seem that far away when we were sitting back there. You know, we don’t have to do this today--”
“It’s gonna be fine … just let me do all the talking, okay?” The first knock, timid, the second, with the same confidence shown at the front desk. Just as he thought to put more force behind the third attempt, there came the sound of angry footsteps.
With a whoosh, the entryway swings open;
the physical manifestation of a dark and stormy night taking up space between the side jambs.
“Damn it Shizune ... said I didn’t want--!
“Iruka?”
“Lady Governor! I mean … Madam Tsunade, um, have we problem… medical--”
“You're trying to tell me something, aren't ya?”
“Yes ma'am," Izumo translated, "we apologize for intruding at a difficult time, but we’ve encountered a situation which--”
“Perfect, just what I need this morning--”
“Right ...got it,” he attempts to pull Iruka away, “we won’t trouble you further.”
"You misunderstand." Gone was the glower, her countenance instantly bright, "I meant, I needed distraction ...this is perfect! Bit of a jumble in there, excuse the mess. Misplaced something in the midst a research project ... you know how it is.” They remain frozen in place, gazing past her to the depredated room beyond. “Yes, it looks a war zone, but it's quite safe … I promise.” Despite her reassurances, still they refuse to budge. “Come now,” she said pulling them clear the threshold by the wrists, "this is ridiculous." Easing between them, she stoops and retrieves the heavy tetsubin sitting beside the door.   “When did she bring this one? Like it matters ... can I interest you gentlemen in a cup of tea?”
“None for me.” He reaches out at the last second, keeping Iruka from stumbling over a pyramid of discarded cushions, “and I think, Iruka should decline as well--”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
"Just sayin,' it’s clear you've gone over the limit for this morning--”
“Really, Zumo?”
“Does seem a tad jumpy, doesn't he?”
“Ma’am, I am not jum--”
“I should probably stop drinking too, but it's the only thing keeping my eyes open at the moment--”
“Okay," he sighed, "have we finished … whatever this is?”
“Step lively gents," she nudges them forward, "and Umino, lighten up. Chairs before my desk should be free of papers and such ... go on.”
Still tongue tied, a slightly miffed Iruka manages, “Hatake’s soiree … my fellows and I were there--”
“As if I forgot?” She laughed, stepping around them and setting the kettle on a side table. “Iruka, you were the only dance partner I had who was light on my feet.”
“I, um ... thank you?” He looked to Izumo who shook his head whispering, “The other one.”
“Speaking of the other ... where is--?”
“Numerous errands to attend this morning." Chuckling at himself for the stutter steps taken around tiny molehills of slick scraps of paper, Izumo quickly recovers, "Imagine he's checking and clearing the traps around the cabin or picking up supplies at the … market--”
“Of course, Hagane, the hunter/gatherer. Well then, it's gonna be like admiring a triptych shy a panel. Please, be seated. What can I do for--?”
“Something extraordinary happened to me last night,” Iruka blurted out, “there was this woman who--”
“So that's your big announcement ...no wonder you're a nervous wreck--"
"Huh?"
"I'm thrilled for you," she gave him a little wink, "met that special someone eh--?”
“She was special all right--”
“Shush, Zumo.”
“Good thing the laws changed,” she nodded for them to take their seats, “I declare, marrying into nobility these days is far less restrictive than it used to be."    She took her seat saying, "Don't worry, I’ll be happy to vouch for your character Iruka--”
“Me … marry? No--!”
“Ma'am, I feel the need to clarify. You see, sometime after meeting this woman, Iruka took ill and collapsed--”
“Oh my goodness … come, let me examine you--”
“Unnecessary." Her attempt to rise cut short as Izumo continued, “Checked him out before we left the party, again when we got home and first thing this morning--”
“Your findings, Mr. Kamizuki?”
“Exanthem resolved without intervention, no inflammation of the tonsils or adenoids and he wasn’t febrile--”
“Simple allergic reaction it sounds to me. Last night’s buffet featured several unusual delicacies, any one of which could have--”
“I ate nothing during the party, didn’t have time to because--”
“No other symptoms lingered or presented for him this morning Mr. Kamizuki?”
When Izumo shook his head, she turned her focus to the other man, “I’m confused. Iruka, do you have a medical complaint or don’t you?”
“Yes ma'am … sort of. It's my chest--”
“I see, so the torso is where the skin eruptions appeared?” She again looked to Izumo, “Did he experience shortness of breath ... were there any prolonged coughing spells, with or without sputum--?”
“It's ... kinda complicated. We pray patience, asking only you withhold judgment until the tale is told.”
Recherché
Since Shizune returned to the desk area minus Umino and Kamizuki quite some time ago, Ibiki assumed it was safe to proceed. Slipping past the clerks, he quietly shuts the door of the outer conference room behind him. Heading straight for the cupboard where a pitcher was usually kept he thought, Right, just need a few minutes to get myself and this story together. Alas was the cupboard bare. Figures ... first time I didn’t wanna use it as a chaser. He took to pacing about the room to settle himself. A plausible reason is what I need. Wait a minute! This is an active investigation … I’m the Chief Inspector; I go where I damn well please, and I will, he thinks quite satisfied with himself, but first, he totters over to an available chair, gotta wait for the damn room to stop spinnin.’
Recherché
“Very well,” she leaned back in the chair, “I’m intrigued. So, this mystery woman that you definitely aren’t marrying, was she in any way responsible for the contact dermatitis on your--?”
“Yes, indirectly and no, there never was a rash on my chest.”
“Hold on a minute. Kamizuki claims you had a skin eruption … somewhere on your body,” she rubbed at her temples, “you’re disputing that now?”
“Again, my apologies. Should have related my half of this saga in the first place.” Iruka cut his eyes at him as Izumo pressed on, “An old woman approached him, they talked for a while and then left the main ballroom together. He returned not ten minutes later, alone. After dancing with you, mingling with the other guests, he then disappeared into the crowd. Soon thereafter, servants told us he’d collapsed and was recovering in a salon.   When we got there, Iruka was propped up in a chair, slightly disoriented; he had these strange looking reddish blotches around his throat. We left for home approximately ten minutes later.”
“Thank you Mr. Kamizuki; nothing beats a little clarity.”
Recherché
Head still pounding, stomach contemplating an ugly upheaval, Ibiki had not the strength to raise his eyes when the door creaked open.
“Oh! Didn’t see you come in Inspector.”
“Hadta check on Lady Tsunade,” he lied. “Didn’t wanna sit out there with the general public because … well, you know--”
Of course.” One step closer to his seat, the bloodshot eyes, the heavy bags under his eyes and downward slope of his shoulders said everything he wouldn't. “Are you not feeling well sir?”
“Just overtired ... was a long night.”
“As you say. The Governor is taking a meeting presently … shouldn’t last much longer. In the meantime, allow me fetch something for your um, lethargy.”
“I’d be much obliged.”
“Blast!” The snap of her fingers when she turned about, was as a hot ice pick through his brain. “Sorry ... just remembered why I came in here in the first place.” Light glinting off the chain dangling from her fingers hurt his eyes. “Would you mind giving this to Lady Tsunade? Carpenters found it between slats of the rostrum.”
“Miss Shizune, you’re a lifesaver--”
“So I’ve been told. Be right back.”
Recherché
“Izumo’s account was indeed succinct, yet woefully incomplete--”
“Told from his perspective, I expected nothing less dear. I trust you’ll fill in the blanks?”
Her smile and open posture, disarming. Once again, he looks to Izumo for the confidence to continue. “Right … though seen of many, I was actually having an encounter with the master of the manor--”
“Please don’t tell me you got into an argument with Lord Hatake?”
“Words were exchanged and yes ... it was a hostile confrontation. But after what he did--”
“By the gods Iruka! You are the most vexatious, hardheaded man I’ve ever--!”
“True, now will you let me finish … please?”
Arms hastily folded beneath her bosom, she sunk back in the chair. “Finish!”
Recherché
The tea and tablets, their work begun, jumbled thoughts fall into alignment as he reacquaints himself with the police report. Gonna wait until they leave; easier to talk sense to her without their constant interruptions. Then again, a spirited debate, striking them down point for point might be to my favor. Alright, he decides, returning his pocket watch to its place, I’ll give ‘em five more minutes.
Recherché
The atmosphere takes on a stifling heat as their intense stare down continues; once more Izumo slips into the role of referee. “Iruka, have a breath... consider to whom you are speaking. Madam Governor, take none offense … consider the level of trust he has in you.”
Tsunade sucked at her teeth and looked away. Clearing his throat, Iruka lowered his voice and continued, “I went with the old woman to find her purse in a cloakroom. When she opened an armoire, something reached out of it and … abducted me--”
“Abducted? By whom Iruka, and for what purpose?”
He scooched forward in his seat, “What I have to say next is difficult enough. I’ll never get through it if you continually interrupt--!”
“Then, get to the point!”
Mordant was the “Thank you,” which escaped his lips. “She pushed me through the armoire and while I was falling into a black hole, I watched her take on my appearance--”
“Alright ... note to self; never to go off in cloakrooms with strange old women you meet at parties--”
“Skepticism and sarcasm … entertaining and unproductive.”
“Pardon?”
“When me and Tetsu heard this story, we thought he had a screw loose too. However, I can now say with certainty, the ‘Iruka’ you thought you were dancing with, was in fact ... a doppelgänger.”
“Well ... first time for everything I reckon.”
“May as well get your giggles and snorts out now,” Iruka snapped, “just gonna get weirder from here on out.”
The room lay silent for a beat as she rolled her eyes and righted herself in the chair. “Do please go on.”
Mirroring her actions, Iruka looked her square in the eye, “I found myself chained to a wall in a dungeon like place, where I was met by two ... creatures--”
“Creatures you say?”
“I do say. One of them drew blood from the axillary artery with a syringe, and then ... it bit me. I passed out after it seared my flesh with--”
“And we’re stopping again. Iruka, how does this event figure into a confrontation with Lord Hatake?”
“Ma’am … Lord Hatake was--”
“Leave it,” Izumo whispered, tapping Iruka’s knee with his own. “Before he answers, I need you to know, one half hour elapsed from the time the real Iruka left the ballroom and when the servants found us--”
“And did they say how he came to be unconscious?”
He shook his head, “Found him collapsed in the um, toilet area--”
“Finally,” she heaved a breath, “a medical issue I can work with.” Fingers steeple before her lips; an incline of the head bids Izumo pay heed. “Vasovagal syncope, ever heard of it? Common occurrence in men his age--”
“Quite right ma’am … triggers for these episodes range from something simple as skipping meals, dehydration, standing for long periods of time, urinating or … having a bowel movement--”
“I’m impressed, Mr. Kamizuki... well done. ”
He dipped his head to hide blushing cheeks. “While I can’t speak to other things which happened outside our presence, Tetsu and I saw the rash across the skin of his throat with our own eyes.   My initial examination revealed no puncture wounds or abrasions in that area, so I too assumed an allergic reaction--”
“Ahem. At the risk of interrupting this delightful litany of embarrassment … mind if we get back on track?”
“By all means Iruka. Tell me true. How many alcoholic beverages did you consume before encountering these … creatures?”
“I wasn’t drunk, if that’s what you’re implying.” He looked to his cousin, “Okay, fine, I had one drink; Absinthe based--”
“And, taken on an empty stomach,” Izumo added.
Recherché
The allotted time long since expired, he stood collecting his wits. A bellyful of ginger tea, a mind clear and the netsuke in his pocket, Ibiki pressed onward to the Governor’s office. Standing at the door, fist poised to knock, he falters. Bits and pieces of their muffled conversation drew him close. With ear shamelessly pressed into the wood, he catches the tail end of Iruka’s admission. That explains everything. A huge grin on his lips, he strides away, knowing she would surely chew them out for wasting her time with tales of their drunken escapades.
Recherché
“You can stop helping now, Zumo … thanks. Yes, I was admittedly tipsy, but not completely intoxicated. As to the other thing,” he said reaching into his jacket pocket, “I had an artist friend make a sketch of it.” He carefully unfolded a slip of paper, giving it a final look before sliding it across the desktop. “That, is what’s burned into my flesh.”
With a flick of her finger, the scrap of paper was shot back his way.
“You do know that’s a drawing of the Hatake family crest, right? For heaven sake Iruka … thought you’d abandoned this foolishness?”
Again he cut his eyes at Izumo, who was trying desperately not to say, ‘I told you so.’ Expecting beratement continue, Iruka lifted his head as the Governor abruptly changes course.
“Reckon it makes sense; damn thing was emblazoned on the foyer floor, etched into the glass and silverware, and worn as a badge by all the servants. And, given the known effects of Absinthe, not surprising you’d think it wound up on your chest too--”
“This is neither foolishness, nor a trick of my imagination. I swear before the gods above ... that thing, is burned into the flesh over my heart! I’ve no reason to fritter away your time or lie--”
“I’ve heard enough; let me see this … thing--”
“Can’t!”
“What?” Tsunade had this weird look on her face, “You’d have me believe it magically appeared long enough for your friend to sketch it and then ‘POOF,’ it vanished?”
“No ma’am. I described it; he drew it--”
“Iruka … think carefully about what you’re saying. Last chance to--”
“I will not renege what I know to be truth!”
Rocketing forward in her seat, she shouted, “Show me your chest, now!”
Iruka pulls himself taller, “Can’t! I’m the only one who can see it, hence the rendering.”
Slowly leaning back, forearms draped on the bolsters and sinister smirk in place, her voice was calm. “You’re in luck; I love a challenge. You do want me to believe you, correct?”
Izumo shrugged his shoulders, “Go on. Might as well get it over with.”
With a huff, so begins the process and as he dithers about, she cautions, “Don’t let these kind eyes and gentle smile fool you; I won’t hesitate to strip ya down if necessary.” She was rounding the desk as she spoke; in a blink, she stood by his side while he fumbled with the last shirt button. Hard not to flinch away, her breath ghosting over his skin when she leaned in for a closer look.
“All I see are freckles and some very fine brown hairs around the areola.” Her fingers were already moving across his flesh, “Mind if I palpate the area?”
“Not like I can stop ya,” he grumbled to the other man’s amusement.
Her methodical, rough handed examination reminded Izumo of Tadashi’s manner; he stifled a chuckle as Iruka ascended to new heights of mortification under her touch.
“You insist something was burned into your flesh, yet I felt nothing unusual.” She looked over their heads to a cabinet on the other end of the room, “Don’t you worry none… I’ve got just the thing. Jacket and shirt, Dr. Umino … kindly remove them.”
Recherché
“I must concede ... Jiraiya was right. He left a while ago after accusing me of imposing harsh restrictions on you. He believes my actions were the impetus for your, and I quote, ‘recent churlish’ behavior--”
“My Lord, ‘tis blatant falsehood--!”
“Be still Maito and look upon me.” Anger diminishes, comprehension increases as he’s drawn into the swirling vortex of Master’s left eye. “Now that you understand, I have a task for you. The shaman of the woods has sustained injury; you will tend his wounds and discover the crux of their conversation.”
“Consider it done, Master.”
“Excellent. I hereby grant thee brief respite. From this moment until the tsuya concludes, go, eat your fill … rut, to your heart’s content,” he said as the collar of Maito’s subjection disappeared, “only change not your face … understood?”
“Grant thy servant of your strength.”
Halfway up the stairs and moments from liberty, Maito turned about. To the place of secret he ran, gathering up the vials delivered for his safekeeping.
Recherché
While Iruka sat shivering, Lady Tsunade unlocks the cupboard. Glass bottles clink and jars of clay clank as she roots through its contents. “I’ll be damned,” she said shaking a small jar, “thought sure I had more. Reckon it must needs suffice.” She turned about with an armload of supplies; mortar and pestle, flannels, jars of dried herbs, clays, salts and aromatic oils. “On your feet Iruka … there’s work needs doing.”
At the mention of his name he shifts in the chair, eyes the size of saucers. “What are you going to do to me?”
“Hush now dear. Mr. Kamizuki, fetch the tetsubin … should still be hot enough.”
“The hell,” he grabbed at Izumo’s arm, “is she gonna scald me?”
Instructing Izumo to, “Explain it to the good doctor,” she neatly arranges the supplies before them on the desktop.
“Iruka …the hotter the water, the quicker the activation of the ingredients. If the water isn’t warm enough, Lady Tsunade intends compensation by raising your body temperature.”
“What?”
Chunky grains of multicolored salts clatter against the mortar’s bowl as she presses the pestle into Iruka’s hand. “Make yourself useful. I want these dry ingredients finely ground. There’s a good man, put some muscle into it.” By the time Izumo returns with the tea kettle, she’s emptying a tiny jar of powdered clay into the bowl.
“Don’t think I’ve ever seen that kind before ma’am. What’s it called?”
“Montmorillonite; very effective and extremely difficult to come by these days.”
“Wish I’d thought to make a poultice; could’ve spared ourselves some trouble.”
“Eh, you live and learn. If anything is under the skin’s surface, this stuff should draw it out. Do be careful with this one Iruka. Last thing I need is activated charcoal flying all over my desk.”
Recherché
Stepping foot across the manor’s property line and into the forests beyond, Maito fills his lungs with the fragrance of freedom. Ignoring the pack howls of welcome, he runs through the woods; goal in sight, his Master’s bidding to obey.
Recherché
“A moment of silence,” she begs, when at last the smelly concoction was complete. Covering the bowl with her hands, she bows her head and lifts her voice in prayer. The words unfamiliar, the intent clear.
If this be natural, grant me wisdom to heal. If it be spiritual, grant me purity of heart to rebuke and bind its power over the afflicted.
“Alrighty, good job Iruka … you can sit down now, thank you.” After daubing the mixture and applying a flannel to the area of his chest where he claimed the seal lay, she told them, “It needs binding. On my count, lift your arms while Mr. Kamizuki secures the poultice in place.” Working in tandem, she ties a drape around his waist and Izumo pulls tight the silken wraps.
“Dude, you kinda look like a half finished mummy--”
“Well, I do whatever I can to make you laugh Zumo, but remember ... payback is a--”
“Language,” he sniffed. “Er, ma’am ... how long does it need to stay on?”
“A few minutes only.” Assisting Iruka ease back in the seat, she cautions, “No fidgeting about and don’t touch it--”
“Itches,” he pulled a disgusted face, “starting to burn and ... it stinks!”
"Supposed to … devil’s snare is one of the ingredients; burning sensation means it's working.” Gesturing to the mortar and a flannel, Izumo takes the hint, wiping clean the bowl. Gathering the supplies, she again heads for the cupboard. “You said one of those ... creatures bit you. I’m gonna send you home with blood purifying teas; no sense you going septic on us. Let’s see, Burdock and dandelion root, a smidgen of red clover, ah, sheep sorrel, chaparral and Reishi mushrooms … that oughta do it.”
“Thank you ma’am but, I already--”
“No buts, sit still and be quiet. While we're waiting, several of your earlier statements warrant review. Tell me more about this ... dungeon.”
Recherché
Pacing back and forth near the sideboard, Ibiki couldn’t stop wondering, Hell’s taking so long? That’s it … one more glass of water and I’m gonna bust in there!
Recherché
Whether the line of questioning or heat generated by the poultice, Iruka sat a perspiring mess as Tsunade went on a search and find mission in her top desk drawer. “Time’s up! Mr. Kamizuki, release the bindings, clean the area and let’s see what we got.” They held their breaths as there in bas-relief against reddened skin was the image of a right facing quadruped on its hind legs. Floating above its head was what appeared to be one half of a braided crown.
“I’ll be damned, it is Hatake’s--!”
"Mr. Kamizuki," she said coming around the desk, “let’s not jump to conclusions. I know of at least five families who have dogs, coyotes or mountain lions as part of their kamons--”
“Ma’am, that’s obviously a wolf,” Iruka countered, “matches the drawing--!”
“Obvious to you perhaps, to me, it’s an unspecified quadruped.” Once again, her breath blows warm over his skin while she examines every detail with her magnifying glass. “The only thing we’ve conclusively proven is, an image lies beneath the skin’s surface.”
Leaving Izumo to apologize for doubting him, Tsunade walks over to the littered conference table, fetching a small book. “Guess he wasn’t insane as first I thought--”
“No need for name calling--”
“Not you dear,” she sighed, “one of my ancestors. Soon after Konoha became a settlement, landholders took to branding the aboriginals with their family kamon. It was meant to ensure loyalty as well as claiming them as property for tax purposes--”
“Geez, talk about barbaric--?”
"Unfortunately,” she said, flipping through a few pages, “it was an accepted practice, Mr. Kamizuki. Hmm… know I skimmed over it this morning--”
“Ma’am … the creature did say I belonged to him --”
   “What’s that dear? Ah … here it is! She laid the book and magnifying glass before them. “I think we may have a problem.”
“I disagree," Iruka said pulling on his jacket, "your ancestor provides validation for our--”
“Not quite … the branding used back then was apparent to the naked eye; yours isn’t.”
“But still--”
“Even if we pore through the registry of heralds, we might not be able to identify which family this belongs to--”
“Not exactly an obstacle insurmountable,” Izumo said, “the image is inchoate, but if you make more of the poultice, we can reveal the kamon ‘s entirety.”
She shook her head and sighed, “I used the last bits of the main ingredient just now. And before you ask, the apothecary no longer stocks that item. As I told you, Kampo practitioners were stripped of their licenses a few years back; before the law went into effect, I bought up every jar I could get my hands on--”
“Lady Tsunade, it's a simple drawing clay ... surely you can substitute another--”
“There is no substitute, that’s why doctors swore by the stuff. Only available from our trade partners in France ... take weeks for an order to get here. Even then, because it’s on the forbidden list of imported goods, I’d need a letter of approval from the Emperor to possess it.”
“Alright, let's look on the bright side. Judging from what little I just read, you believe us, right?”
“Sorry Iruka … there is much I have to consider.”
Recherché
Patience finally reached her breaking point.
Swiping the empty glass from the table, Ibiki stalks down the hall to the Governor’s office once more. Wasn’t exactly proud of himself, felt a fool for standing there, using an upturned tumbler to amplify their conversation.
Nevertheless …
“Um … Lady Tsunade, I haven’t been completely honest with you--”
"By the gods … there’s more?”
“Yes ma’am." Taking a deep breath and shooting a glance Izumo's way he started, “The creature that drew blood, bit me and placed this seal--"
"Yes?"
"It was … Lord Hatake Kakashi.”
For a split second was the silence deafening; Tsunade dumb struck, her mind struggling to wrap itself around Iruka's words. At the sound of glass shattering in the hallway, the men turn in their seats; the heat of her gaze now burning a path to the unsecured portal.
Suddenly, the door swings open and Ibiki barrels in:
“Bullshit!”
Recherché
Notes:
Depredated: plundered, pillaged.
Triptych: a work of art, divided into three hinged sections. A set of three associated artistic, literary, or musical works intended to be appreciated together. Tsunade compares the boys to a work of art … isn’t that sweet?
Exanthem: a skin eruption that bursts forth or blooms. Typically used to describe a rash that is widespread over the body, symmetric, and red with macules or papules, but without scales. Exanthems are usually caused by viral or bacterial infections., but they can also be caused by drugs, toxins, or autoimmune diseases. Exanthems caused by viruses or bacteria often are part of systemic illness with fever, malaise, and headache. The skin rash is triggered by the body's reaction to a toxin produced by the infecting organism, or the immune response the body mounts to the organism or damage that the organism makes to the skin.
Buffet: a meal consisting of several dishes from which guests serve themselves.
Syncope: medical term for fainting or passing out.
Vasovagal syncope, also known as neurocardiogenic syncope is a temporary loss of consciousness caused by a neurological reflex which produces either sudden dilation (widening) of the blood vessels in the legs or a very slow heart rate or both. It occurs when something triggers the vasovagal reflex causing widespread dilation of blood vessels which makes a large proportion of the body’s blood volume pool in the legs. As a result, blood pressure suddenly drops, temporarily robbing the brain of oxygen and the person faints. Common triggers include having blood drawn, exposure to a traumatic sight or event, a severe coughing spell, hyperventilation or extremely difficult urination or defecation.
Mordant: biting and caustic in manner.
Berate: scold vehemently or at length. Beratement: the act of berating.
Renege (archaic): deny, disown, renounce.
Palpate: examine a part of the body by touch, especially for medical purposes.
Litany: a prolonged or tedious account.
Falter: start to lose strength or momentum. Move unsteadily or in a way that shows lack of confidence.
Montmorillonite: any of a group of clay minerals and their chemical varieties that swell in water. Montmorillonite minerals are products of volcanism and hydrothermal activity and are composed of hydrous aluminum silicates in the form of extremely small particles. The Montmorillonite name was actually given to a clay found in the Montmorillon area of France. For external use, montmorillonite has been used to treat contact dermatitis.
Devil’s snare, AKA, jimsonweed, thorn apple, moon flower, or stinkweed, is a foul smelling, annual plant in the nightshade family sometimes used in traditional medicine as an analgesic.
Sheep sorrel is believed to purify the liver and cleanse the blood. Chaparral is another blood purifier.
Crux: decisive or most important point at issue.
Settlement: a place; typically one that hitherto had been uninhabited, where people establish a community.
Aboriginal: inhabiting or existing in a land from the earliest times or from before the arrival of colonists; indigenous.
Inchoate: not yet fully developed.
During the Edo period (1600-1868), communities such as the Burakumin (from which Iruka is descended), could not marry outside of their caste. Burakumin were an outcast group at the bottom of the traditional Japanese social order composed of those with occupations considered impure or tainted by death (such as executioners, undertakers, workers in slaughterhouses, butchers, or tanners), which had severe social stigmas of defilement attached to them. They were never allowed to change caste, unlike others who, depending on special circumstances, could move into a different class. Societal views changed slowly, that’s why Tsunade volunteered to vouch for Iruka’s character.
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