Chapter 19
A Protective Love.
My brrraaaiiinnn.
Alrighty, thank you thank you thank you to everyone who reviewed last chapter. You're all marvelous, and you seriously don't know just how happy it makes me.
But enough of the sappy stuff, let's get on with the story!
Edited at around about mid night – forgive errors.
….
Ibiki is going to kill me.
Iruka fought down a laugh at that thought as he ran up the stairs, taking three at a time.
Fuck, Mai will probably help.
The image of tiny little Mai ganging up with the towering Ibiki didn't help the whole hysterical laughter thing. Iruka sighed when he finally crested the final stair to the top floor, he wasn't out of breath, but his healing legs sure didn't like him at the moment.
Breathing a sigh of relief Iruka gave himself a moment's pause before starting down the hall, frowning at the number of people loitering around. Normally people avoided Tsuande's floor, not that the blond wasn't a great person, but she was worth avoiding while being forced to work against her will – especially when Shizune hid the sake and Tsunade ended up sober.
Shaking that thought from his mind Iruka continued down the hall at top speed. His legs were no longer protesting painfully and had settled for sulking by sending tingling numbness through his calves. It would be a problem tomorrow, but for now Iruka was glad for the feeling.
"Iruka?"
A hand whipped out from the right and Iruka almost lashed out when dirty blond hair, a backwards bandanna and the glint of a seabon stopped him. "Genma"
The Tokujo gasped and quickly pulled him to the side and into the corner. "You! What are you doing here!?"
The words were hissed through teeth clenched around metal. Iruka tiled his head. "Am I not allowed to be here?"
Genma made an odd sound in the back of his throat, something sort of like a growl, sort of like a yelp. "No, of course you are, just now's not a great time."
"Because the Stone nin are here?"
The hazel eyes slid shut and Genma sighed. "Shoulda known" the Jounin opened his eyes again and gently pulled the smaller man closer. "Look, Ruka, You know I mean no ill will here but, would you go home? Please? Or better yet, go to Kashi's, the packs there. Just for a while until these goons leave?"
There was a haunted look in the Tokujo's eyes. Slowly Iruka glanced around, shocked when he realized he knew every person lining the halls. Asuma, Anko, Tsume and many other Jounin leant against the walls, their eyes hooded. Chuunin from the mission room stood in small groups, whispering to each other, their voices hissing slightly on the higher notes. Iruka's class were there, sitting cross-legged in the corners, faces set into comical scowls, faithfully guarding, even if they didn't fully understand the reasons. Flashes of white and red ANBU masks were seen through the windows and on the ceiling, Iruka didn't actually know which of his friends were in the Black Op but he could remember a good few of the agents he had dragged to the hospital after finding them collapsed by the gates. He didn't know who they were, but the designs on their masks were burned in his memory.
Were they all here – for him?
Silently Iruka turned back to Genma, that very question in his eyes; the blond managed a small smile. "For all the times you've yelled, or lectured, or slapped us over the head" the smile turned rueful at that, Genma and Kakashi were the ones that got slapped the most. "There are twice as many moments you've helped, whether you realized it or not. These assholes aren't gonna touch you"
Overwhelmed by the words Iruka had to stop himself from hugging the blond, knowing it would only make Genma uncomfortable. He also realized the gesture of protection was one he could not accept. Setting his jaw Iruka made himself meet the concern hazel eyes. "Thank you Genma, it means a lot to me that you all care, but I have to do this."
Genma looked confused for a moment then his eyes cleared. Very slowly he nodded. "O-ok, but stay outside of the office. Kakashi and Ibiki are both in there, and if any of the bastards try something get out of the way"
The last part was said with hard command. Considering the nature of the situation Iruka decided to obey his friend without question. Nodding quickly Iruka slipped out from the corner and started back down the hall, aware of Genma's presents behind him. Again, he let it slide, if Genma wanted to play bodyguard it was his choice. Besides, Genma would keep others from stopping him.
There were no people filling the hall by Tsunade's door, obviously the healer had ordered privacy. Iruka didn't dwell on this as he moved to the painting hanging on the wall next to the door. Keeping his back to Genma so the Tokujo couldn't see, he flashed through some hand signs and pressed them to the picture, opening the one-way viewing glass he had helped Shizune install.
It was illegal of course, Tsunade herself had suggested its installment so her adviser could eavesdrop on meetings and help Tsunade with a decision afterwards without the Hokage going through the annoying task of retelling everything (Tsunade hadn't been on active duty for years, and hadn't liked de-briefing even then)
It was an age old trick. Every Hokage to rule the village had their own version of it. Sandiame used to give Iruka his seeing orb so his young friend could watching the council meetings while brewing the old man's favorite tea for after.
Iruka knew the justu for Tsunade's trick because he was Shizune's replacement for when the brunette fell ill or simply had a meltdown due to the strains of working with Tsunade. Thankfully, he didn't think his leader would object to him using it now.
Glancing through the window Iruka quickly scanned the room. Tsunade was seated at her desk, straight backed and imposing, though Iruka could tell she wanted nothing more than to drape herself over the polished wood, propped up by her elbow
Kakashi and Ibiki were off to the side, their backs to the glass, but Ibiki was very tense and Kakashi's hands were curled into fists.
The group of Stone nin were his real focus however. Iruka didn't recognize any of them from the two weeks of captivity, but that didn't really mean anything, his memories of the time were hazy at best due to the drugs they had constantly kept him on. The two closest to the door were obviously bodyguards, both were in uniform and had dark brown hair cut short in a buzz cut. There was a red headed man standing a few feet in front of them in a uniform as well, though it was of a higher cut and rank than the two guards. He was looking rather relaxed if it wasn't for the hard set of his shoulders. A young man with long blond hair and formal robes headed the group.
Stepping closer to the glass Iruka grabbed one of the small earpieces that lead into the room and fit it into place, watching as blond man moved forward and introduced the group.
…
Kakashi felt his jaw creak under the pressure of him grinding his teeth together as he watched the four Stone nin file into Tsunade's office. The representative was leading the group, head held high, arrogances glittering clear in his eyes.
He looked very much like a shorter, green eyed Harashi. This didn't really make Kakashi like him any better.
But true to his training Kakashi was obeying the orders of his leader, which meant not throwing the idiot out the window, no matter how much Tsunade would have enjoyed it – even if she would have pretended not to.
Instead he stood, controlled and posed, looking – for once – like the person he was rumored to be. Kakashi hated flaunting his power, but in the name of terrifying the shits after Iruka, he could enjoy it for once.
The group stopped in front of Tsunade's desk, the two guards and the lord bowing respectfully at the waist – the rep merely inclined his head. Kakashi had to grab the wall in order to stop himself from walking over and smacking the boy across the face.
Tsunade noticed this, as she usually did and sent him a wan smile as she stood, voice icy and full of authority. "Name's and rank"
The two guards instantly straightened while the dignitary stepped forward. "Gurgi Koran, Hokage-sama, and my guards, Shano and Fori - rank Jounin- and Morbi, our representative from Stone Interrogation"
Kakashi instantly noted the refrain of the use Torture. It was a common thing really, the street word may have been T&I and everyone may have known what those two letters stood for but the moment you had dignitaries and councils talking about the place, it became simply 'Interrogation'. As if not using the word made them innocent to what went on inside.
"Business?" the amber eyes were glittering now. Kakashi realized Tsuande was disappointed the dignitary was so well spoken and respectful, as she didn't have a reason to get mad at him yet. The look turned to one of mild sadistic anticipation when the representative stepped forward, pushing the dignitary out of the way and placing himself directly in front of the Healers desk.
"Three weeks ago a Leaf Nin, captured and restrained under the village treaty agreements of trespassing, forced his way from our Interrogation building, killing over a dozen workers and guards as well as our lead Interrogator, Son'u Mobi. We demand the return of our captive under the rights of the treaty"
"Demand under the rights of the treaty?" Tsunade was back on her feet, venom and ice dripping from every word. "Listen you mewling punk, you've got your facts crossed here and the fucking treaty is the only reason you're not flying out the window this moment."
The demonic power of the Kounichi filled the room. The guards had flattened themselves to the wall, the Dignitary cowering beside them; even the rep was looking less sure of himself and leaning backwards slightly.
He quickly recovered however straightening back up and composing himself. He had guts; even Kakashi had to admit that.
"Crossed facts I should think not"
"Then you're an idiot who ran here with inadequate information." The room turned to Ibiki who crossed his arms, leveling the young red head with a glare. "I also highly doubt you're cleared to be here; if you were you would have been briefed on the whole story."
The rep – Morbi – glared back. "There is nothing wrong with my information"
"Really? Let's examine that shall we?" a sadistic smile tilted the scarred lips. "'Captured and restrained under the village treaty agreements of trespassing' that's the first fault. The second is you seemed to be under the impression there was only one nin in Son'u's possession, when there was in fact, two"
Kakashi bit back his grin, it was clear Ibiki had struck true as the representative's green eyes narrowed in confusion momentarily before he caught himself. "Oh? And you would know this how?"
"Because I was one of the two nin captured" Ibiki grinned when Morbi paled. "This is why I can also object to your first statement. We were not captured under 'the treaty agreements of trespassing' your village tossed in a trap mission to lure me in. The ninja you are after was simply my partner in the mission and not the person Son'u was after"
Morbi was milk white now while his dignitary friend –Koran if Kakashi remembered right - stared at him like he wanted to demand why he didn't know this. This seemed to please Ibiki to no end, as he plowed on, proving then and there that he was without a shadow of doubt, one of the best Interrogators to live.
"Farther more, both Mobi and his whole team knew our names; they were given to them by the team they hired. Since you are not able to give us my partners name I know for certain that you are not supposed to be here."
Morbi's stance of defiance was faltering while his friend lost all credit by hanging his head. Tsunade's smile grew positively terrifying. "Shall I call for your parents to come a collect you?"
Koran snapped his gaze back up dismay clear in his eyes while Morbi flushed with anger. This only made Tsunade happier. "Ah, you don't want that do you, Gurgi? I know your mother, lovey woman, can hold her sake and likes her backgabin. Wont the Kage's assistant be interested to know just what her son's been up to this week?"
Koran indeed looked like he wanted to flee, but he bit his lip and stood his ground, the fear of Tsunade's promise dancing in his blue eyes. Kakashi would forgive him that, if his mother was someone Tsunade got along with he would be scared too.
"You" Tsunade was ignoring the young blond's distress and had turned her attention to the representative. "Morbi-kun was it?"
Morbi turned his glittering eyes to her, his jaw tight, showing his dislike for the use of 'kun'.
"You didn't say your surname. I'm guessing your father will be interested in what you've been up to as well"
The green eyes grew harder while Koran threw a worried look at his friend. Kakashi frowned at the exchange as he realized Tsunade had just assumed a little too much. Ibiki flashed him a look as well, showing that he noticed the same thing.
"My father's dead Hokage-sama." Morbi forced the words out from between his teeth. "As is my mother, I'm the head of my clan now"
If he was expecting pity or sympathy from this he was sadly mistaken. The ninja world did not coddle someone over the loss of parents or family, least of all the village of Konoha. The village that held the record among the hidden village's to have the largest amount of young orphans, thanks to the Kyuubi attack. Out of the whole group Iruka had been in the middle of the group, losing his parents at the age of nine.
Still part of Kakashi could have found sympathy for him; knowing what it was like to suddenly inherit the clan responsibilities, as well as all the expectations that came with it. However, Morbi was not eight like Kakashi had been. Farther more his clothes were neat and clean with the look of fine elegance and thorough care, while his hands showed no signs of being work worn.
He had neither the look of someone who had been forced to live on the streets, like Iruka, or the thinness of someone suddenly tasked with feeding himself without any knowledge of how to cook, like Kakashi.
No Morbi was fit, healthy, and well kept. Wearing clothes one would see on a Hyuuga child. He may have lost his parents and taken the position of clan leader but he was still being cared for, very well. And Kakashi was not the only one to notice this.
"Even if that's true" Tsunade had slouched back into her chair, looking bored but imposing at the same time. "You're still under the care of your clan"
It wasn't a question; that much was blaringly clear. Morbi shift slightly and nodded anyway.
"Then I'll simply contact your clan. Name."
If Morbi had done a better job in being respectful he might have been spared the grace of civilness on Tsunade's part, but considering the nature of their visit Kakashi highly doubted it. Tsunade had been close to the Umino's before she had left and she was just as fond of Iruka as most of the village. She didn't take kindly to people barging into her office and demanding her favorite chuunin.
Morbi bit at his lip, looking mildly like one backed into a corner, before he straightened, eyes hard like jade. It picked Kakashi's interest instantly.
"Mo…"
Koran tried to reach out and grab his friends arm but was shrugged off harshly as Morbi drew himself up, face curled into an expression of scorn and defiance.
"Son'u. Son'u Morbi"
….
Shale: Ha! There no more! That's all you get! MAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!
Ryth: *facewalls* I'm so sorry people, my psychotic bunnys on a power trip.
Shale: HAHAHAHAHAHHAAAAAAA!
Ryth: -_- next up date to happen when school stops trying to murder me