Notes: Please remember this is an AU with a decidedly non-ninja setting! It is highly influenced by an unhealthy obsession with Turkish divan poetry, countless history books on the Ottoman Empire, and the brilliant Ferzan Özpetek's Harem Suare.

At one glance I love you with a thousand hearts.
Mihri Hatun

09: since you have offered

Hayate looked hesitant as he approached Iruka during an early dinner "Will you come out to the apricot pool with me after we eat? Kabuto has been… threatening me and I don't want to go out alone…" It all came out in a rush and Hayate looked troubled and was faintly red, as if embarrassed.

"Sure. I haven't been out there since…" Iruka tried not to but he couldn't help looking toward Izumo and Kotetsu. They were at the far end of the table and didn't appear to hear his and Hayate's conversation. "It's been a while, anyway. I'll go."

Hayate looked relieved and pleased.

After they finished eating, Hayate came to whisper in Iruka's ear that he was going ahead. He begged Iruka not to take long.

"I don't want him thinking I'm afraid, but I don't want him messing with me either."

That's good. If Itachi were to find out there was trouble, he'd just have them both killed. That's how he dealt with trouble in both the harem and the seraglio. Iruka shivered as he recalled what he'd witnessed in the weeks after his arrival.

Two girls in the harem had been fighting for weeks over who would be sold to the visiting adviser. Everyone knew—and heard—their loud arguments, even the boys in the seraglio. The Sultan had warned them to work it out, but they hadn't—couldn't, of course.

Iruka had watched late one evening, through the tiny cracks of the seraglio garden walls, as Kisame dragged them away, hands and feet bound, begging, finally offering the position to each other. Neither one had come back.

Trying to forget the awful memory, Iruka went back to his rooms and changed for the pool. He dressed light, just his undershirt and selwar, barefoot, and wandered out to meet Hayate.

Hayate was fully dressed in a long travelling cloak and turban, even wearing shoes, real shoes, and staring into the pool, hands behind his back.

"Why are you—" Iruka broke off as two dark shadows dropped out from the trees.

He jumped in shock as he recognised Kakashi's guards.

"What…" Iruka breathed out. His heart pounded and the sound echoed in his head, drowning out the sounds of Hayate speaking to him. He stared at them in a daze, shaking his head.

Hayate moved toward him, hands up. "They're taking me. I didn't want you to worry, Iruka. I just wanted you to know. And…" He trailed off, looking more troubled than he had earlier. "Something is going to happen. Please be careful."

The taller guard moved close and spoke. Iruka was frozen in place, terrified. We could be killed for this, don't they know?

"Don't be afraid, Iruka. Kakashi will come for you."

"W-why are y-you…?" Iruka felt a surge of adrenalin shocking through his system, but he couldn't move and could hardly get his thoughts together enough to speak. He was shaking, despite the warmth in the night air.

"We didn't want to wait. Hayate is not well," said the other one. He still wore a kerchief over his hair and he had a thin tube in his mouth. He sounded tense.

The taller one spoke again, his hand on Hayate's shoulder. Hayate watched Iruka carefully. They all did. "My name is Raidou. Have trust, Iruka. He won't leave without you."

Iruka shook his head slowly, trying to shake his confusion. He had no idea what to say or how to react to this. Did Hayate know…? Of course he did. Why is Kakashi doing this…? What is 'this'? "But, what do I tell…?"

Raidou pushed Hayate back toward the other guard. "Relax in the pool, Iruka. Hayate wasn't here when you arrived." He gave Iruka the briefest of smiles. Or perhaps he hadn't smiled at all. But as soon as Iruka blinked, the three were gone.

He stood alone in the apricot orchard.

He shivered and slowly undressed, stepping into the water as if he were controlled by someone else. He sank into the warm water and closed his eyes. I'm so tired my eyes hurt… He slid down a little as he relaxed. Suddenly, sleeping seemed like the easiest thing imaginable, and the only escape he had. The water was so warm. He drug an arm through the water lethargically, eyelids drooping.

He felt the water smoothing over his skin like warm hands. The sounds of insects in the night grew louder and the distant echo seemed to suddenly engulf him.

Iruka felt the water rock steadily against him, but he didn't stir. It was so warm and still. He was almost asleep and thoughts slid in and out of his comprehension like dreams.

"Iruka!"

There was a splash and arms clamped around his and pulled, shaking him. He opened his eyes slowly, blinking. Izumo held him with a terrified look on his face.

"I thought you… you weren't…" Izumo panted, eyes wide.

"Sorry. I was so sleepy somehow and…" he trailed off as Kotetsu joined them, looking solemn. "What's wrong?"

"The Sultan has been calling for Hayate, but no one can find him." Kotetsu folded his arms across his chest as he stared steadily at Iruka. "Do you know where he is?"

"No," Iruka said slowly as he shook his head. "I was supposed to meet him out here, but he wasn't here." Iruka sat up suddenly, an idea coming to mind. "He said Kabuto was threatening him, and—"

Kotetsu shook his head. "I don't think Kabuto did anything."

"Then what—"

"The Sultan said if Hayate couldn't be found, he wanted you."

Somehow, and it wasn't just Kotetsu's solemn face or low voice, Iruka knew this wasn't a normal call. Izumo looked stricken. He kept looking back at Kotetsu almost pleadingly. He held on to Iruka as they climbed out of the pool.

Iruka picked up his clothes, not bothering to dry off or dress, and walked back to the seraglio naked. Izumo trailed beside him, touching his back and elbow as he walked.

"Iruka… Iruka, please be careful."

Iruka didn't stop until he got to their rooms. He was already clean so he dried off a little and combed out his hair, leaving it loose, as Itachi preferred. He dressed in his nice selwar and entari, leaving the undershirt off. Kotetsu and Izumo stood in the door.

"We'll be waiting for you," said Kotetsu. He held Izumo's hand tightly, Izumo nodding.

Taking a deep breath, Iruka left the seraglio and joined Kisame in the hallway. The eunuch was especially confrontational today, but Iruka didn't hear a word of it, he was so lost in thought.

When Kisame pushed open the door to Itachi's personal chambers, where he ate and slept, but did not entertain, Iruka was surprised, but he thought he recognised the room. Kisame shoved Iruka through the door, then shut it, leaving him standing there looking around a room he knew, but had never been in.

"Iruka."

He looked up to see Itachi sitting in the center of a large bed, cushions knocked to the floor, his legs stretched out in from of him as he leaned back on both arms.

He smiled at Iruka, eyes red, but it wasn't a pleasant smile. "Come closer, Iruka."

Iruka shivered and moved to stand at the edge of the bed. It wasn't just the terrifying eyes that did it; the smile, the hand that raised up to guide him closer, fingers curved so gently, and the grip on his hand as he took Itachi's. Itachi's hand was cool, just like his voice.

"I had such high hopes for you," Itachi said musingly.

When Iruka had one knee leaning into the mattress Itachi tugged and Iruka fell against him. He tried to hold himself up, balancing on one arm, but faltered as Itachi's other hand rose to cup the side of his face.

"You were the first favourite I've ever had. Were you a woman, Iruka, you'd practically be a chosen wife. Bear my children, most likely."

Iruka felt something slither in his belly at the sudden terrifying idea of bearing Itachi's children. Something in the way those eyes looked at him made him fear it was possible, likely even. He closed his eyes breathing deeply, trying to chase the thoughts away. When he opened his eyes, Itachi was staring at him, touching him, hands running over Iruka's stomach. He flinched, and, not sure what response would please or anger Itachi, and not really wanting to do either, he remained silent. He tried to ease back slowly, looking down and resting on his knees when Itachi released him.

"What do you think, Iruka, of your new master?" Itachi sat up and ran one finger under Iruka's chin, like he had the first day Iruka had faced him, and guided Iruka's face upwards to look at him.

Iruka stared at Itachi, so close, caught in the spinning of his red, red eyes. He was raising a hand to touch that marble-harsh face when Itachi caught his wrist.

"I asked you a question, Iruka." The spinning came to a halt and Iruka felt an escalating fear take rhythm in his chest. His heart pounded violently and his lungs expanded to take in air.

"I'm… he's fine, for me." Iruka's teeth chattered and his head began to ache. He pulled one hand to his forehead, tugging uselessly as Itachi pulled his hand away, both hands now caught in Itachi's grip. "Please, don't… Stop…"

Something hurts.

"I'm not so sure I want to give you up, Iruka."

Stop saying my name. Stop… spinning, stop that horrible red…

"You're the first to ever make me enjoy this." Itachi pulled him closer, holding his wrist tight. Iruka struggled, pulled, and tried to hold his ground, but he ended up face to face with Itachi regardless. "Like a precious pet, Iruka. I've never had a pet of my own."

Itachi released one of his hands and slid his own across Iruka's chest, up his neck, and wrapped it around his throat tightly. Catching a glimpse of those scarlet eyes, Iruka went blank for a moment, something sharp and painful taking over him and leaving him gasping.

He blinked, trying to breathe, and everything went red and black.

Iruka came flat on his back, with Itachi leaning over him, hands flat beside Iruka's face, arms straight, holding himself over Iruka. He smiled as he stared down at Iruka, sliding over him. His smile was as cool as his body was to the touch. Iruka shivered at the contact.

Why are you so cold?

Itachi leaned closer and kissed Iruka.

Iruka shivered, struggling as an icy cold sensation washed over him, like water. Cold mouth, but his tongue burned hot and wet. Itachi's hands trapped him; one clutching at Iruka's hair, the other still holding his throat.

He struggled, flailing when it suddenly stopped. Iruka opened his eyes to see Itachi looking at the door.

"Ah, our guest has arrived." Itachi sat up, pulling Iruka up with him. "Don't fight me, Iruka." He pushed and Iruka tumbled to the floor, caught by a collar attached to a long leash held by Itachi.

Iruka stared at the leash, stunned. He lifted a hand and pulled at it. Itachi gave it one hard yank and Iruka coughed as the air left his throat.

"You may let him in," Itachi said to a servant hovering in the wings. Iruka hadn't even noticed anyone in the room. The servant led the guest in and bowed hastily and shoddily before running from the room.

"Welcome, Kakashi."

Iruka looked up. Kakashi stood before the Sultan flanked by his two guards. Hayate stood in front of one of the guards, looking terrified as he grasped the guard's arms wrapped around him.

Iruka cringed; Kakashi looked angry. The eye patch was off and his eye looked just as angry as he stared at Itachi. A triangle of painful energy emanated from them.

"I see you've taken one of mine already. I'll offer you a trade. This pet… for my brother." Itachi pulled the leash tighter, dragging Iruka against him. Iruka made gasping noises as it choked him.

When Itachi grabbed him, hands on either side of his head, chain rattling by his ear, he gasped again, fighting for breathe. Itachi leaned close and kissed him hard, lips cold and painful. He felt faint as the kiss seemed to take every last bit of his breath. Itachi released Iruka suddenly and he brought his hands up, despite Itachi's very clear order: do not fight.

It was instinct, he couldn't help it, but he couldn't get his fingers underneath the leather band. He struggled, gouging at the band around his neck and panicked, trying to breathe through his nose. Suddenly, it was like a bag had been put over his head. It felt like the day the soldiers came for him, taking him from his uncle. He could barely see through the rough material and everything had been dark.

It was the same sensation, he thought, as he gasped, panic making his breaths short and shallow.

He felt the leash go slack as Itachi moved away.

He felt a slow, sluggish cold work its way through his body, almost spinning like those eyes…

He passed out.

Iruka felt a strange sensation over his body, like it was moving into positions while he knew he remained still. He could feel his arms twisting and moving over his head, his legs straining and making motions as if running. And everything tingled, like he'd gone numb and his body was just waking up. But he wasn't awake, couldn't wake, and though he felt as if he were moving, he knew he wasn't; he couldn't move.

He could hear the distant sounds of fighting, clinking sounds as metal hit metal, and the dull thud of fists and feet punching and kicking. Yelling and shouting. He hoped it wasn't happening to him, but wasn't sure he could wake up enough to find out.

He heard one of Kakashi's guards—the scarred one, Raidou, I think that's his name—cry out and worried for him.

Where's Hayate? What's going to happen to me? Itachi's going to kill me. I don't want to die.

There was a loud crash of sound behind him, beyond him somewhere, of collapsing and breaking. He heard yelling but couldn't make it out.

Something jarred his shoulders and Iruka opened his eyes slowly, hoping he wasn't dead. He blinked rapidly and moved his head around. Someone touched his forehead over his eyebrow and he looked up, only to see a spinning red piercing and burning him—

No, no not him, oh please, don't kill me—

The red and black whirled and swirled into his mind and he was falling… falling… falling—