Kakashi had trained all his life to master his nerves. To put it more accurately, Kakashi had spent all his life learning that he could master is nerves. Effortlessly. Probably because nothing bothered him and he never found himself being able to bring himself to care about anything.
He wasn't scared of death. He didn't believe in Karma. He'd pretty much lost everyone that he had considered family. He never bothered about his reputation, which ironically worked in his favour instead. The less he tried, the more attention he seemed to attract. Typical.
He had nothing and no one, so he had nothing and no on to lose. Nothing. Truly, nothing bothered him. Except for the one time Sasuke had practiced his Chidori on one of his beloved books. He had been devastated, and Sasuke had been thrilled to find his sensei's weakness. So every time Sasuke was unhappy with Kakashi, one of his books would go missing. He would have to be careful not to let that get into a habit, the kid could do serious damage one day.
So, apart from that, nothing.
Until this very moment, as he sat in front of a pensive looking Hokage, who had his head bowed in deep thought. Kakashi had great respect for the man, he was once a shinobi himself. A great one too. There wasn't a single Shinobi today, young or old, who didn't know him. Though, that wasn't what bothered him. He was here to ask for something. He had never done this before, and he sure as hell never imagined he that would ever find himself in this situation.
'Kakashi,' The Hokage started in a low uncertain voice, 'Have you thought this through?'
Kakashi nodded silently and the Hokage looked at him carefully.
'I don't mean to discourage you…'The Hokage sighed, 'but you realize who you are to the Uchihas? Your position…' he paused as he carefully decided on his next words, '…demands certain duties to be fulfilled…certain expectations to be met.' He leaned forward on his large table and lowered his voice further. 'My boy, you may not have the freedom…at least not as much as you would like, unfortunately…to make this kind of decision independently.'
'I realize that Hokage-sama.' Kakashi said calmly, knowing all too well what the Hokage meant.
'What are you going to say to the council?' The Hokage asked.
'That I have made my choice.' Kakashi said simply.
'They will not approve.' The Hokage shook his head slowly.
'I know.' Kakashi nodded.
He knew fully well what he was asking and how it would be received by the council. He knew the King would not be able to support him against them either. He knew the sort of rumours that would spread around the palace and he knew the kind of measures the council was capable of to control his decisions.
He knew all of this.
But he also knew, like he has always known, that he didn't really care.
He wasn't too worried about the council. He never was. He should be, and he should be worried that this didn't worry him. And that didn't worry him either.
He should really be worried about how nothing worried him. It was rather worrying.
Kakashi mentally chuckled at his train of thought.
'Hokage-sama.' Kakashi brought his focus back to the conversation, 'I'm fully aware of my situation, but I am certain about my decision. I have had the past three weeks to consider this, I would not have come to you had I not been so sure. As you already know, I don't have anyone to come to you on my behalf…' He cleared his throat, a little embarrassed about his next words, ' Hokage-sama, I wish to formally ask for your student's hand in marriage.'
The Hokage raised his eyebrow slightly, a hint of amusement in his face.
Clearly, the boy had never done this before.
'I have considered the consequences of my decision, and I know how you are concerned about your student's safety.'
The Hokage nodded in agreement. These boy brides were precious to him. They were like his children, and seeing as how little choice they had in making decisions about their own life, he wanted to at least make sure they were married to good men.
'But I assure you, he will be safe with me, and well looked after.' Kakashi promised.
'I know you won't harm him Kakashi.' The Hokage admitted, 'I know you are more than capable to give him a good life too. But I also know that he will not be welcomed by your council. I'm more concerned about they will do, not you.'
'They know better than to do that.' Kakashi almost growled, just the thought of anyone harming his bride made his blood boil. 'He'll be under my care. I can protect my mate, and the Uchihas are aware of the consequences of meddling with another Uchiha's bride.'
The Hokage looked at Kakashi thoughtfully, suddenly noticing how much the boy had grown. He was no longer looking at the young shinobi who would come visit his office with his father, the shinobi in front of him was a man.
An Uchiha man, he reminded himself. And Uchiha men took their duty to protect and provide for their brides far too seriously.
The Hokage could never decide whether that was a good thing or not.
'All I need is your permission, Hokage-sama.' Kakashi pressed on. 'I will handle the rest.'
The Hokage looked down and sighed. The boy was in love, and there was nothing he could say to change his mind.
'Very well.' He smiled, and watched Kakashi's visible eye widen in surprise. 'I shall have your proposal conveyed to him after breakfast, and have his answer ready by noon today…unless the boy bride asks for more time.'
'Of course.' Kakashi quickly agreed. Of course, the boy bride would also have to give his decision. The few times he had had a chance to talk to the boy bride, he could have sworn his subtle advances weren't being rejected. Then again, he had seen other shinobis interact with the boy bride and he had been just as gentle with them too.
He suddenly felt a sinking sensation in his stomach.
Was he…nervous?
'So, who then, Kakashi?' The Hokage asked as he picked up a pen from the table and pulled out a paper from under his desk.
Kakashi blinked.
'Name.' The Hokage said.
Kakashi blinked again. 'Kakashi…'
'The boy bride's name Kakashi, Who do you have in mind?'
'Oh, right.' Kakashi cleared his throat.
The Hokage shook his head. Perhaps he should be worried about Kakashi instead.
'U-Umino Iruka.'
Did he just fucking stutter? Kakashi visibly frowned.
He felt a flutter in his stomach as he said the name for the first time since he had heard it from Asuma. Bless him, he was a true friend, flirting with the other boy brides to gather information for him. He would lose the little chance he had With Kurenai if she ever found out.
'I see.' The Hokage said softly.
Iruka, my sweet child, what have you gotten yourself into?
Iruka was the most gentle among them all, and Hokage had always been worried about what kind of Husband he would marry. He would've never imagined giving Iruka to an Uchiha. An elite jounin no less.
There was nothing wrong with the Uchiha men. Should Iruka accept the proposal, he would definitely be well provided for and protected. But Iruka was such a gentle boy, and the Uchihas, they were so driven by their sense of duty. Their traditions. Their logic ruled their hearts and decisions.
Would that be right for Iruka?
He tried to silence the worrying voice in his head and started writing down a message for Iruka on the paper he had just pulled out.
—
Asuma hesitated a little before he approached the silent Jounin. They were nearing the palace gates and he hadn't made any conversation. The only time he spoke was to give their squad directions and orders. He had never been a man of many words. Or any words for that matter, but Asuma was starting to get worried.
Damn Asuma glanced at the brooding figure next to him was this about the boy bride?
They entered the palace gates and got down from their horses that were taken away by the guards. Asuma patted his horse and muttered 'good job', before he was taken away with the other horses.
Kakashi gave his horse a gentle rub on his nose and muttered what Asuma assumed was a 'that'll do' and turned around to face his squad who were waiting to be dispersed.
'Right.' Kakashi straightened up, 'Mission's over boys. Well done. Go home and rest, I'll see you back at the training grounds tomorrow morning.'
'Yes Taichou!' The shinobis gave Kakashi a quick nod and dispersed.
Kakashi's shoulders slouched again as he walked into the palace. Asuma silently followed him. They walked through the many corridors, and past many halls, most of which didn't look familiar to Asuma. He always thought the Palace was one big maze, and more often than not, found himself in a corridor or a hall the he had never seen before. He was only familiar with the training grounds and the area surrounding it, and only ever entered this section of the palace when he was with Kakashi. Asuma lived outside the palace grounds, like most other shinobis, but Kakashi had his own quarters inside the palace.
Ahh to be a national treasure like Kakashi.
He would never say that out loud though. Kakashi hated living inside the palace walls, and he had never mentioned why.
They reached Kakashi's quarters, which was a more familiar sight for Asuma, and entered his study.
'Drink?' Kakashi asked as he opened a small cabinet next to his desk.
'Sure.' Asuma nodded and seated himself down on one of the armchairs in front of the fireplace, releasing a cloud of dust as he did so. 'Shit-' he coughed and swatted away the dust from his face, 'What the fuck Kakashi, I thought you had maids in the palace.'
'They're not allowed in my quarters.' Kakashi shrugged as he handed Asuma a glass.
'Why?' Asuma continued to cough as he took the drink.
'I don't allow them.' Kakashi sat on the opposite chair and and sank into it. He took a sip from his drink and felt himself relax as he felt the first sip run down his throat.
'Not surprised.' Asuma rolled his eyes and took a sip himself. He looked around the room as discreetly as he could. The long heavy curtains were half closed, allowing only a small stream of sunlight to pass through, making the room dingy and cold. Dust had settled on almost everything except the books on the bookshelves and Kakashi's large study table, which, he concluded, were the only two things that were in constant use. Perhaps the young prince had used Kakashi's study when they weren't around. He looked at the grand fireplace that was empty, expect for the thick layer of dust that had enveloped the intricate details.
Such a waste. He mentally shook his head.
His eyes landed on the young man in front of him, his eyes shut and his drink loosely dangling on this fingers tips. He looked exhausted, far too exhausted for someone his age.
Such a waste indeed. He sighed. To think anyone would kill to be where Kakashi is right now. Private quarters in the palace. His own horse and carriage, though he'd only seen him ride the horse. His private dojo. His private training grounds, which he never uses. Maybe he forgot it exists. Maybe he turned it into some dumb Icha Icha themed garden.
He wouldn't be surprised if he was right. The man was quirky enough to do it. Not to mention, he could easily afford it too.
Really, he had it real good. He didn't know anyone who wouldn't want to trade places with Kakashi. Or any girl who wouldn't want to marry him, and the only part of him they had ever seen were his eyes. And he kept one fucking shut! Seriously, girls were wierd.
Speaking of which.
'Hey.' Asuma nudged Kakashi's dangling hand.
'Hmm' Kakashi kept his eyes closed.
'So, what happened with the boy bride?' Asuma asked, as he took a sip from his glass.
There was a pause, where Asuma thought Kakashi had fallen asleep, but seeing his drink still balanced on his finger tips nudged him again.
'Nothing.' Kakashi muttered.
'So you didn't talk to him?' Asuma shifted in his chair. 'Did you ask him out?'
'No.' Kakashi didn't move a muscle.
'Why not?' Asuma frowned. Kakashi had been like a love struck puppy the entire time, he was so sure he would make a move. 'Was he taken?'
'No.' Kakashi yawned.
'Did he like someone else?'
'No'
'Did you change your mind?'
'No.'
Asuma was starting to get annoyed. 'Are you going to tell me?'
Asuma waited for Kakashi to say something, but seeing as the jounin was clearly not in the mood to talk, he finished his drink with one big sip and got up to leave. He wasn't angry. He was used to Kakashi being…Kakashi. He would just have to wait until Kakashi told him about it himself. If he ever decided to that is, the man was far from an open book.
'Alright,' He said as placed the glass on the desk. Vaguely wondering if someone would come and clean it. 'I'll see you at training tomorrow.'
'Hm.' He saw Kakashi nod, and opened the door to leave.
'Hey!' Asuma barked in alarm as a young guard rushed into room, almost running into him in the process.
'Apologies, Sir.' The young guard bowed nervously. 'An urgent message for Jounin-sama.'
He looked at looked at an envelop in the guards hands and pointed to Kakashi.
'He's there.' He said and walked out of the room. Probably another mission.
That Kakashi. He shook his head. The man can't take a fucking break. It's barely been half an hour since he's stepped into the place and they're already sending him on another mission. The council worked him to death, the poor guy.
On second thought, maybe Kakashi didn't have it so good.
POOF!
Asuma did NOT scream like a little genin.
'What the fuck Kakashi!' He shouted at the jounin who had appeared inches in front of his face.
'What's this?' Kakashi ignored his reaction and hastily handed him a roughly opened envelop.
'What?!' Asuma snatched the envelop from his hand, still pissed. He looked into the envelop and frowned. He pulled out its content and looked at it with a puzzled expression.
'Looks like a badge of some sort.' He hummed as he examined further.
'Are you sure?' Kakashi asked.
'Yea, I think it's used like a badge of some sort, to pin the robe.' Asuma nodded. 'I've seen Kurenai wear it sometimes.' He recalled painfully. 'Maybe it's from a female admirer. You know, a token of her obsession with you.' He chuckled.
'It's from the Hokage.' Kakashi shook his head.
'Maybe it's the Hokage's token of obsession with you.' Asuma sniggered.
'Asuma.' Kakashi growled impatiently.
'Alright, alright.' Asuma snorted, shaking his head as he examined the object again. 'I don't know man, definitely looks like on of those robe pins to me. Looks pretty expensive too.' He raised his eyebrows, impressed with the fine details of what looked like blue glass waves of water, curving in and out all around the small brooch, and a small head of a fish poking out of the waves.
Wait.
Asuma looked closely at the fish.
A dolphin.
'Iruka,' Asuma said out loud.
'What?' Kakashi face lit up, suddenly very attentive. 'What do you mean?'
'There's a dolphin here.'
Kakashi snatched the brooch from Asuma's hand and his eyes widened as he recognised the dolphin too.
'But I don't get it.' Kakashi frowned. 'What does it mean?'
'Beats me' Asuma shurgged, truly puzzled.
A sudden realisation hit Kakashi and he rushed back into the study, Asuma close behind him. He pushed the chairs around, looking for something on the floor and almost tripped as he hastily knelt down to pick it when he spotted it.
Asuma looked at the whole thing, thoroughly confused and entertained. For one thing, Kakashi has almost didn't even know Kakashi did that.
Kakashi picked up the other torn half of the envelope and pulled out a small folded message.
Who the fuck folds a letter so small. Asuma frowned. Could've easily missed it.
He watched in amusement as Kakashi clumsily open the tiny letter with his large hands and read its contents. His visible eye widened and his face brightened immediately.
He got up excitedly and half ran to his drink cabinet.
'Asuma, my good man!' Kakashi laughed, his voice louder and shaky with excitement. 'Let's have another round!'
Asuma frowned in confusion and picked up the note from the desk where Kakashi had placed. He read the small message silently.
My dear Jounin-sama,
I graciously accept.
Yours hereafter,
Umino Iruka.
Next chapter: much awaited Sasunaru
