Ok, I know I promised this a LONG time ago, but for some reason I didn't like the first five versions of CHapter two. SO I rewrote it...again. I'm sorry it's so short, but I was really straining to make at least make it 1000 words. Other than that, I really hope you enjoy it.
Once again, this story contains malexmale, if you do not approve of the pairing then, please, at least be courteous.
And THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to review. It really made me feel better about my writing. THANKS!!
--SemperVenice
Previously
The silver haired man came over to him, offering a hand in what Iruka recognized as a greeting. "My name is Kakashi. Who are you?" He smiled.
Looking down upon the pale hand outstretched toward him, Iruka nodded and took the hand.
"I am Iruka."
CHAPTER TWO
"Iruka? That's a strange name." Kakashi mused trying out the foreign name on his tongue.
The exotic little man in front of him narrowed his eyes. "No stranger than Kakashi." Came the tart retort. The deep brown eyes glinted in a kind of satisfaction, having suitably insulted the prince. The prior remarks about Iruka's "deadliness" had struck a sour spot in the little tan man. It seemed only fair that he should try to give as good as he got.
A small chortle came from Kakashi's left. The young prince almost rolled his eyes. No one else would dare laugh, except… Obito.
One glance to his left confirmed Kakashi's suspicion. Obito stood, wearing a completely innocence face which left no doubt to his guilt. This odd red eyes glinted with unconcealed mirth, just daring his royal best friend to say something.
The two had been practically raised together; Obito coming from a prominent and powerful Noble House while Kakashi, of course, was the heir to the throne. All Kakashi's earliest memories had Obito in them. Obito was a staple in life, just like Aunt Tsunade, Duke Jiraiya and Sensei. Through thick and thin, the two boys had been there for each other; they had grown so close that mere glance could translate into words between the boys; words no longer necessary. And with the respect of Kakashi's station long gone from his mind, Obito always saw it as his mission to personally take advantage of being the Prince's best friend. In other words, he was the only one allowed to make a fool of Kakashi and get away with it.
Laugh it up, Obito. I won't forget this. Kakashi threatened with his eyes, giving the still smiling man an intense glare.
Obito kept grinning, translating the death glare and replying back with his own look of bubbling mischief. Threatening me? Don't you have better things to do? Like take care of your sour little native?
Kakashi swept his gaze back to the figure kneeling upon the sand.
"Hmm, what to do with you." He mused aloud.
The figure before him twitched as if expecting the worst to happen, but the tiny movement did nothing more than focus Kakashi's attention upon the exotic man.
The man did not look very tall, or at least not nearly so tall as Kakashi, however, until the man stood, Kakashi couldn't be certain. Golden tan skin like no other Kakashi had seen in his travel stretched tautly over the slender musculature. The chocolate hair pulled into a long ponytail, matched the deep doe like eyes that stared worriedly up at their captors.
At first glance, I would have called Iruka a girl, but—Kakashi glanced at the naked chest laid bare by the linen loincloth, attesting to the fact that Iruka was in fact, male.
The thought made Kakashi wrinkle his nose.
Back to my original problem. What should I do with him? The possibility of setting the exotic man free was close to never happening. If Iruka were to be set free, the exotic little man could warn this fellow natives of intruders upon the island, and though Kakashi and his party had no intentions of harming the natives. Yet the man had done nothing to warrant any ill treatment. But still, I can't afford to have hostile natives breathing down my neck because some little native tattled. I guess I could…
"Tie him up for now." Kakashi ordered the men standing on either side of Iruka. "We can't risk him summoning the wrath of the natives down upon us."
The two men nodded, one immediately reaching for the rope hanging from his side satchel.
Deep doe like eyes widened, their look almost pleading, yet too proud to plead.
This isn't good. I was hoping they'd decide that I posed them no threat and let me go.
Iruka saw movement in his peripheral vision. Seconds later, strong hands clasped his wrists, pulling them back. Iruka struggled out of instinct. The touch wasn't rough, truthfully the hands attempting to tie his own, were gentle. However the thought of being bound among strangers did not appeal to the exotic man. His pride—not to mention his sense of survival—would not allow Iruka to allow it.
Bound hands bad, freedom nice. Iruka repeated in his head, hoping that the silent litany would sprout some idea on how to avoid his binding.
He said he doesn't want hostile natives…well that could work to my advantage.
"They'll come looking for me. They already know you're here." The lie just popped out of his mouth. Too late to take it back now, hopefully he'll believe it. Then I can get myself out of this mess.
The hands tying his stopped as the man looked to his prince. Kakashi frowned, motioning for his man to step away, leaving Iruka's hands half unbound.
"What do you mean?" He knelt in front of his would-be-captive.
Oh uh…"I mean that if I don't return, they will come looking for me." Iruka looked straight into deep grey eyes, hoping that he could somehow convince the prince. Those staring eyes gave nothing away.
"They will come looking for you? Are you that important to them?" Grey eyes narrowed. "It seems foolish to send someone so valuable on such an expendable mission." He commented coolly.
Important? Hardly. Honestly, I think if the villagers knew my situation they'd leave me to die. "I was chosen for my skills."
A twitch at the corner of Kakashi's mouth. "Of course."
The look on the young prince's face clearly showed his disbelief.
"If my people find me bound, they will consider you hostile and act accordingly." Iruka saw Kakashi frown further.
A few feet away, Obito surveyed the exchange. For a native, this Iruka speaks very well. Obviously travelers have been here before us. Wonder if they happened upon the same problems.
Kakashi and Iruka sat looking at each other; one deciding on their course of action while the other awaited some kind of judgment.
After a moment, Kakashi chuckled and stood. "Alright, I won't bind you, but you're not leaving my sight either."
"But—"
"You will stay with my exploration party. In the event that we meet your people you can help us assure them of our pure intentions. So, I can't let you go just yet."
Iruka nodded, undoing the half tied rope that somewhat bound his hand. In just a few seconds he stood, hands free.
Iruka laughed silently. I seriously doubt that having me around would get you any good graces from my people. The way they treat me, my very presence could be deadly.
"Fine. I shall not leave your sight." Iruka agreed.
I'm running away the first chance I get.
Kakashi nodded and turned away.
He's running away the first chance he gets.
OK, so what do you think... be truthful(but in a nice way. :-P). Was it awful? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW!!
