2. Chapter 2
Iruka felt a soft bed beneath him as he stirred from his slumber.
'…. A dream?…. Of course it was a dream….' Iruka yawned. He wanted to snuggle deeper into the soft silk sheets and drift off into a peaceful sleep but he knew he had class soon and he still had marking and….
Iruka's thoughts crashed and he stroked his hand over the sheets again.
'I don't have silk sheets….. If I did they wouldn't be rich red,' Iruka realised. There was movement behind him and he pressed his dry lips together. The brunette brushed the long strands of hair out of his face and slowly rolled over, praying that he was wrong.
Next to him on the bed was another body, facing away from him but Iruka could easily tell it was a man. His nude back captured Iruka's attention, it was pale and unblemished and Iruka could tell there were strong muscles beneath it's surface. Iruka caught his hand on route to stroke the skin on display. Spiky silver hair obscured any chance of Iruka identifying him without waking him up, he wanted to run his fingers through the hair to find out if it was as soft as it looked…..
'I didn't just think that and I wasn't just about to…. Oh god I've slept with a man. A man! I'll be executed….. Oh god,' Iruka worried. He knew Homosexuality was a crime in Konoha and he'd didn't want to die for something he couldn't remember. Iruka flexed his hips and legs and grinned when he didn't feel any pain.
'Yes! Nothing happened, you're meant to be in agony afterwards but I still need to get away and find out what the hell is going on,' Iruka planned. He scooted over to the edge of the bed and gently lifted the covers off. Iruka looked down at himself and felt his eye tick. He wasn't wearing his pyjamas instead he wore a royal blue kimono with golden accents.
'I'm not going to think about this…' Iruka felt his temper rising. He was god knows where with people he didn't know, wearing clothes he knew he didn't dress himself in. Iruka pushed himself up and looked down at a pair of plain slippers and he rolled his eyes.
'I'm just borrowing them,' Iruka thought guiltily. He slid his feet into them and hurried to the door, he turned the handle and opened it quietly. He heard the man behind him groan in his sleep, probably from the lack of warmth from Iruka's body.
Iruka escaped the room, leaving the door open and fleeing down the hall. The marble floor made every footstep seem louder, the colour scheme was dark but sophisticated. Iruka heard a couple of people approaching, he hid behind a black marble pillar and watched two men walk by. The blonde talking animatedly at the bored looking raven, both wearing warrior clothes.
'Where the hell am I? An army camp?' Iruka thought. He waited for the sound of their footsteps to fade before he made his move. He continued down the long hallway until he reached a large door, some guards stood at either side of the door but made no move to stop Iruka. They watched with uncaring eyes as the brunette passed by. Iruka pushed the large door open and sighed in relief, it led to a stairwell. Iruka ran down the stairs as fast as he could until he reached two paths. Iruka licked his lips as he made a decision. He felt cold air coming from the left path so he started walking towards it.
"I'll get out of here, find Tsunade-hime and tell her I was kidnapped and that I had a strange dream about that mirror," Iruka said sternly. To his surprise it didn't lead to an exit but rather a balcony. The confused man rushed onto the structure and leaned against the railings, he was still 2 floors up from the ground.
'Too high to jump unless I want a broken ankle,' Iruka looked over the edge and saw the sheer drop. He finally looked up and gasped. A large city of elegant Japanese architecture lay before him and carried on for as far as he could see, there were fields and larger structures (shops Iruka guessed) dotted around the houses and Iruka chewed on the inside of his cheek.
"Where am I?" Iruka whispered in awe.
"Konoha," A voice answered. Iruka looked over his shoulder at his companion. He was a tall man with light brown hair tied into a spiky ponytail, a small goatee on his chin and a slumped posture.
"This isn't Konoha," Iruka frowned. The bearded man stood beside Iruka and leaned lazily on the railings.
"It is Konoha. Not your Konoha but our Konoha," He said cryptically. Iruka shook his head and looked back at the kingdom before him.
"I don't understand. Who are you?" Iruka asked.
"Nara Shikamaru, I'm the royal advisor," He pressed a hand to his heart and bowed. Iruka blushed and bowed back, the advisor raised an eyebrow at the behaviour.
"You need not bow to me," Shikamaru said.
"It's good manners. I'm….." Iruka said politely but the younger man held up his hand.
"Umino Iruka, we've been expecting you," Shikamaru said nodding back inside. Iruka reluctantly left the balcony and followed Shikamaru inside.
"Expecting me? Just what is going on Nara-san because I'm confused," Iruka tried to be polite but his impatience was starting to show through.
"All your questions will be answered in the throne room," Shikamaru ordered, Iruka followed the confusing trail and didn't bother to remember it. He doubted he could find his way back upstairs and he hoped he didn't need to return.
'Royal advisor? Throne room? I must be in a castle…. I've never dreamed of a castle before,' Iruka mused. He watched the man leading him with a frown.
Shikamaru felt the scarred man observing him, he didn't show he was uncomfortable.
"Is there a problem Umino Iruka?" Shikamaru said, he turned a sharp corner and Iruka tried to keep up.
"How old are you?" Iruka questioned and Shikamaru smirked, he knew the subject would come up eventually.
"18," Shikamaru replied. Iruka's jaw dropped, he had thought the man was the same age as he was.
"Really? And you're the royal advisor? You must be a great tactician," Iruka complimented.
"I am," Shikamaru said lazily, unlike his lover he didn't need praise. He nodded to the large guard outside a tall white door. The guard gave a thumbs up and a blinding grin.
"I'll announce you both," He beamed and he disappeared into the room. Iruka blinked and held back a laugh, he hadn't expected someone so serious looking to be so…. Goofy.
"This is such a weird dream," Iruka shook his head and Shikamaru smirked.
'He thinks it's all a dream?…. He's about to get a rude awakening,' Shikamaru thought.
The large gold room was quiet, the only inhabitant was taking a quick nap in his throne. Two long velvet curtains hung either side of the large throne and the king snapped awake when one tickled his nose. Sakumo looked longingly at the empty throne beside him, his spouse was still horse riding in the paddock. A tall green knight entered the room and saluted the king.
"Nara Shikamaru and Umino Iruka to see you King Sakumo," Gai boomed. The silver haired king blinked a few times and linked both his fingers together.
"What is your first impression of Umino Iruka?" Sakumo asked honestly. The man brought a large hand to his chin and hummed loudly.
"Aesthetically? Beautiful would be a word I would use. Intelligent so he should be a lot of help. He is polite but I sense a fiery temper," Gai said striking a pose. Sakumo nodded with a chuckle.
"I have a feeling there is more to this story don't you?" Sakumo said sadly.
"Yes Heika. A new research assistant could have been chosen from this dimension, I am suspicious," Gai replied.
"Where is Head Researcher Mashimizu?" Sakumo said, a small side door opened and a tanned man stepped into the room. He wore a dark outfit with a long white lab coat, his dark hair was cut short and his hazel eyes shone brightly. He clutched a clipboard tightly to his chest as he bowed to the monarch.
"Good morning Heika. I can't wait!" The professor said excitedly. Sakumo smiled and turned back to Gai.
"Escort them in," Sakumo ordered.
Iruka admired the large airy room, for a moment he forgot he was completely lost. Shikamaru tapped him on his shoulder and Iruka looked at the back of the room, a tall silver haired man in his late 40's sat in regal clothes with a tall golden crown on his head.
'Silver hair? Wait! No… it's not him, thank goodness,' Iruka thought.
"Umino Iruka you stand before Hatake Sakumo, King of Konohagakure and owner of Konoha Castle," Shikamaru said. Iruka gazed upon the king before blushing in embarrassment. He placed a hand against his heart and bowed low to the strange king. Blue eyes swept over the small brunette and he smiled approvingly, Gai was right about everything.
"Thank you Shikamaru, you are dismissed," Sakumo said gratefully.
"Are you sure? Maybe I should stay to explain," The Nara said but the king waved his hand.
"It's fine. I'm sure you would rather be attending to your uke," Sakumo said softly. Shikamaru bowed and left the room quickly, Iruka scratched his scar with a confused look.
'Uke? What's an uke? Maybe it's a name?' Iruka thought innocently.
"Rise Iruka-san," Sakumo declared and Iruka stood up straight. He opened his mouth to ask the king some questions when his dark eyes fell on the professor.
"U-Uncle?" Iruka squeaked and the older Umino smiled brightly.
"Ohayo Iruka-chan or should it be Iruka-kun now that you're all grown up?" Mashimizu dashed forward and hugged Iruka tightly. Iruka remained limp in his uncle's arms, thoughts racing through his head.
"Iruka-kun?" Mashimizu pulled back and held the orphan at arms length, Iruka paled and he resembled a fish.
"You…. This isn't real… you're meant to be dead….. I went to the funeral," Iruka's bottom lip trembled.
"You had my funeral without me? How rude," Mashimizu winked. Iruka gaped at the man and shook his head.
"Still no sense of humour. You've changed so much since I last saw you," Mashimizu admired.
"7 years is a long time, I was only 15," Iruka said sadly.
"And scar-less. What were you doing? Running with scissors?" Mashimizu laughed. Iruka's body grew tense, painful memories flooding his brain. He looked deep into the hazel eyes and started laughing, he pushed his uncle's hands off him and backed away.
"Wake up Iruka. This is a dream….he's dead. He's dead. He's dead," Iruka repeated to himself.
"Maybe he should sit down," Sakumo said nervously.
"Nonsense. He's my nephew and he can handle this. Iruka-kun this is real," Mashimizu said seriously.
"_Oh yeah(!)_ I've been dragged through a mirror into another place called Konoha which is run by a king. I wake up in bed with a man I don't know, in clothes I_ know_ I didn't dress myself in and now I'm seeing dead people! This just screams reality!…. This has to be a joke, Very funny Tsunade-hime!" Iruka snapped. Iruka clenched his fists and waited for this 'ghost' to explain.
"In bed with a man! What man?" Mashimizu snarled. Iruka looked up at the king and looked away shyly.
"I see. I apologise Iruka-san, it'll be dealt with, who is Tsunade-hime?" Sakumo locked his fingers together with a curious look.
"She's an Elder in 'other Konoha'…. This is just a cruel prank on her part or a bad dream," Iruka raked his hands over his face in worry.
"It is real and you won't find a women here," Mashimizu said simply. Iruka raised an eyebrow and barked a laugh.
"Really and why's that?" Iruka glared and Sakumo face-palmed at the answer.
"Because in this world there is no women. It's all men, semes and ukes. Did you know the men here can get pregnant….. My husband wants another baby but I…." Mashimizu stopped when he saw Iruka sway.
"Iruka-kun?" Mashimizu checked.
"Pregnant?….. Of course…. Why am I surpr…." Iruka fainted and a pair of strong arms caught him.
"Prince Kakashi," The conscious Umino exclaimed and Sakumo smirked.
"Son," Sakumo waved. The masked prince looped his arm under Iruka's legs and lifted him into his arms.
"I'm taking Umino-san back to bed," Kakashi said.
"What do you think you're doing? Iruka-kun said he woke up in your…." Mashimizu tried to keep his voice calm.
"My bed? He fell unconscious on the trip so I lay him down so he could recover," Kakashi said seriously.
"With you in it?" Sakumo sniggered.
"I was up all night trying to escort Umino-san here so I apologise for falling asleep," Kakashi sneered. He and Mashimizu rarely got along, Mashimizu could even tell when the prince was smirking beneath his trademark mask because he received it so often.
"...W-Well what about the clothes?" Mashimizu pointed a finger at the elegant kimono Iruka wore.
"They were covered in blood. Your nephew stabbed me last night," Kakashi said seriously, both men looked at the bandages wrapped around Kakashi's hand. Sakumo threw his head back in laughter and Mashimizu tried to stifle his giggles.
"Seems your nephew has inherited your instant dislike of my son," the king winked at Mashimizu.
"Put Iruka-san upstairs to rest and join us for breakfast Kakashi," Sakumo ordered.
"Yes father," Kakashi bowed his head and left the room with the brunette in his arms.
"Okay I admit…. I maybe could have told Iruka-kun in a better way but…." The professor rubbed the back of his neck and Sakumo laughed. After a moment of thought, the researcher started bouncing from one foot to the other anxiously.
"I'm going with Iruka-kun, Heika," Mashimizu bowed and scurried after Kakashi.
The king settled back into his throne for a well deserved nap when the doors opened again.
"King Obito has returned from his outing Heika," Shikamaru bowed and Sakumo hummed. He wanted to discuss the new arrival with his husband. Shikamaru opened the main doors, he knew Obito would come hurtling into the room and likely the door if it was shut.
"Kumo-sama!" Obito cheered and Sakumo smirked.
"And the peace is shattered," The king sighed, he could hear his husband thundering down the hall towards him.
Kakashi shut the bedroom door over firmly and stared into hazel eyes, he was the same height as the professor but they never saw eye to eye. (pardon the pun).
"Why did you bring him here Prince Kakashi?" Mashimizu asked.
"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, Professor," Kakashi replied.
"Heika! You never do anything nice for me…. Scratch that…. Nice for anyone," Mashimizu said sternly.
"You are always looking at those pictures in your office, you needed an assistant and you were missing your family. I didn't do it for you….. You're even more annoying when you're moping about," Kakashi said childishly.
"If you've genuinely thought of another's happiness then I've underestimated you and I owe you an apology," Mashimizu said pushing the door to his lab open. Kakashi stuck his nose in the air with a superior masked smirk.
"Shame I don't believe you," Mashimizu said slamming the door behind him. The crown prince smirked at the closed door before walking towards the dining hall.
Later that day
"He doesn't usually miss his class, something is wrong and I felt it last night. I shouldn't have left him Jiraiya!" Tsunade panicked. Jiraiya rolled his eyes at the blonde and looked around for witnesses, content that the fog would cover them he charged chakra to his hand. He pressed his palm against the locked door and it swung open easily.
"Jiraiya," Tsunade glared and the white haired man shrugged.
"I checked we were alone. I'm a Professional," He grinned. They walked into the deserted house and felt something wrong instantly, Tsunade slid the door shut behind them and sent another pulse of chakra into it.
"Alarm system active. Do you sense him?" She said coldly.
"No but corpses don't leave chakra trails," He said morbidly. Tsunade hit the back of his head and started checking the rooms.
"Hime check the bedroom, maybe he slept in… until 5 p.m," Jiraiya noticed his partner shaking like a leaf.
"Hime? Are you okay?" Jiraiya worried and she pulled out her hip-flask, she took a swig and looked at the old man.
"Jiraiya. Does it feel like a rip in this dimension?" She jerked her head forward and Jiraiya finally noticed it.
"It does….. The mirror is active…. Which leads to dimension 008. Still our division technically but we should call the boss…." Jiraiya said but Tsunade cut across him.
"No. Arrange cover for Iruka's class, I need to do something," She said.
"Go now, it'll take a minute and then I'll go home. That's an order Jiraiya," She demanded. The man looked like he had been sucking on a lemon, he glared and left the house. He hated when his Hime pulled rank on him.
Tsunade walked slowly up to the mirror with a half lidded look, she stepped around the card on the floor and examined the mirror. She channelled chakra into her hands and held them both up.
"I see, that's how it is?" She dissolved into laughter. She bent down to pick up the card and her eyebrows knitted together.
"A blank card? What could this mean?" She turned the blank card over in her hand a few times and even sent chakra through it but it remained the same.
"Just…. A blank card… but that doesn't mean it's not important," Tsunade stored the card in her pocket and stood up. She cast the mirror one last look and she left to catch up with Jiraiya.
A raven walked quickly down the marble hallway, his red and black robes flew behind him.
Obito puffed out his cheeks and scratched the dark spikes on his head, he had just avoided the royal hairdresser for the 5th day in a row.
"Raidou-san needs to stop stalking me. I know I've let my hair grow but it's not too bad," Obito twirled the spiked hair around his finger, it had grown down to his shoulders and he personally liked it.
"Be better if I could wear my goggles instead of my crown but stupid nobles had to come see us. I don't even know why!" Obito huffed. Nobody would dare laugh at the usually sunny king when he was sulking because he was the cutest 42 year old in the kingdom when he pouted, something he used to get his way a lot.
'Sakumo and Kakashi were hiding something this morning…. I will find out,' Obito vowed.
"Obito-sama, you're late for your fitting," A voice crooned and the king rolled his eyes. The royal dressmaker stepped out of the shadows, dressed in his uniform with a long dressmaking pin sticking out his mouth.
"Genma-san. Can I rearrange our meeting? The castle is going crazy for some reason and your Seme is chasing me around with scissors and I'm going to be late for dinner," Obito said sweetly. Genma rolled his eyes at the older man but gave in.
"Tomorrow at the latest, I would have thought you wanted to make a good first impression," Genma raised an eyebrow and Obito frowned.
"What for?" Obito said loudly. Genma took the pin out his mouth and stuck it on his apron, he smirked at the dark haired king.
"You don't know? You genuinely don't know? Oh Obito-sama, I'll walk you to the dining room and fill you in on things," Genma said deviously.
