Here comes the new chapter. Foreshadowing for later events.. I like this chapter a lot, uh-huh.
Terms to know:
cicada: a common bug-type animal in China that makes a cricket like noise in summer nights. Children often have fun catching them from trees
Tai Zi: General meaning for prince
Huang Jia: The family of the Emperor's
Wugong: Kung Fu
Qing Gong: A common style of moving through midair in fictions of ancient China. It's like you're running through mid air, but you move your legs very fast... It's very diffcult to explain. Again for more info, prefer you to watch some China Kung Fu dramas.
Dachens: governorsp
Yellow Spring: near the entrance of death is the yellow spring. It is some kind of myth from China. So to say if you say one has passed away, you could say they have gone to the yellow spring
Leng Gong: places in the grand palace of any country that no one visits. It's a punishment to live there. Leng means cold, for it's meaning that it's rarely visited, and the people that lives there, usually relatives of the Emperor that needs to be punished, rarely sees sunlight or people and are poorly treated
"Iruka-niang..." Naruto turned over in his bed for the ninth time tonight. "It's so hot."
The summer by the country side was humid and horridly hot. Inconstant rain and storms gave the air the feel of drowsy, not to say increasing the heat by quite a standard. Even sleeping on the cool bamboo bed was no help, and they did spend some money buying the bamboos instead of wood, which would have been cheaper. The trees and the ponds near was no help. Chorus of cicada's humming in the trees somewhat soporific, but it didn't help much. Naruto's night robe, if it could be said in such fancy term, were merely old brown rugs out of cheapest and thinest fabric, which was helpful in the summer to stay cooled. He had a small cover over his stomach, as many believed you need something over your main organs to keep healthy. He sat up, bare footed and tired on his bed, rubbing his eyes. The roofs and wall of the wood house could not block the heat. Naruto was not an agitated sleeper, but right now falling asleep was much as miracle as Sakura will fall in love with him tomorrow. He jumped off the bamboo bed and walked towards the other one across the one-room house. It never occur to be strange to him that Iruka and Kakashi shared a womb, for it has been like this as long as he could have remembered.
Iruka stumbled up hearing Naruto, finding his way through the dark, though the silver moonlight dash through the open window, marking a faint shine where ever the light reached. Kakashi looked sound asleep, though Naruto knew he was probably faking.
"I can't sleep, Iruka-niang." Naruto whined and pouted. He was fatigued and yet failed to fall into slumber.
"What do you think I can do to help, Naruto?" Iruka fought to keep one of his eye open. He was just as sleepy as Naruto was. Reached out his hand and gently ruffled the blond boy's messy hair, his voice was a low whisper. "Try no to toss around so much, keep the sweat off."
Naruto eyed Kakashi. Whatever the man was doing it was very convincing fake sleep, with constant snores and seems to have no reaction of whatever was said.
"Can I sleep outside?" Naruto popped the idea.
"If you want anymore mosquito bites than you already have." Iruka stated. The runs Naruto takes in the day is enough to give him all the red marks he needed. It all over his legs and arms, though it heals quickly, it is itchy and very irritating.
"Ugh..." Naruto's knees slowly hit the floor, now his head resting on Iruka's body. "Isn't there anyway to keep cool?"
"Not that I can think of." Iruka gently patted Naruto's head.
"Wonder how those royalties survive summer?" Naruo's voice was low. "Probably got some servants fanning them." He said bitterly.
"Now, always keep your mouth off the royalties. It's just one quick straight way for trouble." Iruka said in a rather strained voice.
"But this is home, isn't it?" Naruto buried his head deeper into Iruka's stomach. "I can say whatever I want, and Uchia Sasuke can't do a thing about it." His voice was grudging. Iruka for once said nothing, held in something like a sigh, just kept on patting Naruto's head.
"Well, would you like me to fan you too?" It was a suggestion. Naruto shook his head firmly.
"No way, I'm not such a delicate wuss like them royalties. And you're not my servant, you're my parent. And if I did I have a servant, I'm not going to let him fan me the whole night while I sleep." Naruto stood up, a little tiny grin on the thought if he was a Tai Zi and as every bit arrogant as the Huang Tai Zi here. The image was slightly cunning, and Iruka smiled. He knew Naruto would never be someone to treat servants harshly, even if the boy was raised in a rich family. Naruto was too kind, perhaps a bit too much for his own good. The blond boy turned and worked his way into bed, his shadows stretching under the pale moonlight. He's a grown boy now, fifteen, taller, stronger. For Iruka, a parent, it was change of for gratitude, though it seems sometimes he would like to see the tiny Naruto back, clingy like he always is, and will be.
It was the long wait of silence. No one tossed or turned, even Naruto, who always had trouble stay unmoving for a period of time. Soon the boy joined the sound of snoring alongside Kakashi, and fell asleep.
As if waiting for the signal, Kakashi then slowly turned his body towards Iruka, wrapping his arms around the man. Iruka's eyebrows rose, his eyes still shut.
"So little Naruto is finally asleep." Kakashi's voice was low and raspy, his lips on Iruka's ear. Iruka struggled and made some grunts.
"Stop it." His voice was quiet and unwilling. Their bodies were close. Too close for simple friendship or companions. Warmth was shared between, even in this summer night, it was pleasant enough for lovers to have each other's temperatures.
"He might wake up." Iruka whispered as a final plead, his voice croaked. Kakashi's hand slowly stopped and heaved a sigh, now simply holding Iruka, an embrace.
"I have the worse self control with you." Kakashi whispered lowly, digging his head into Iruka's neck. It was rare for them to have this moment of peace and silence; these are the time mostly appreciated. Kakashi's breathed unevenly, as if trying to suppress himself. Iruka did not jerk away as Kakashi reached for his hands; just held it together. They're together.
Breath. In and out.
Perhaps there are no other higher happiness then to hear your love's breathing, so close to you.
"Kakashi." Iruka grumbled, his face slightly pink.
"Hm?" Kakashi merely raised his voice.
"You have to go make the report to the Huang Jia. It's probably midnight now."
Kakashi did not move on these words, except he held Iruka even tighter. Something like a minute later, he pulled his hands away from Iruka and sat up.
"I guess I should get going." He was unwilling, and the laziness reached back to his voice again. Iruka sat up, making room for Kakashi to get off the bed. The man began to get dressed in a swift and quiet motion. He was not going to wear the old blue rug that he wore in this house, but a handsome black robe sewed with silver patterns that was hid under the bed, apparently being kept away from view. One must dress with measure of appropriate; to match the destination ahead, is the grand palace. He pulled up a skin tight black mask over half of his face, now only his eyes was seen. He looked significantly different, more attractive than ever and the easy-going air he always had changed dramatically. It is a wonder how one can change so much by the way they dress. It fitted him as much as the old rugs did, except from the other image of a poor, unkempt man, he was now someone anyone would turn around and give another look to.
Kakashi has done the changing fairly quick. Walking outside without making a sound, Iruka followed behind slowly with a blanket over his shoulder. Now that the temperature's dropped by the dark. There was a small rainfall, just droplets of water falling every so often. Iruka sniffled as a raindrop fall to his nose, on his old scar across from his face. The silver-hair man, now masked, turn around, watching Iruka closing the door behind him slowly. His hand reached up, the long black sleeve made of fine silk brushing against his beloved's skin. His fingers felt the scar, gently, and embraced himself to a kiss.
It does not have to be eternal. Just now, at this moment.
The kiss was soft and short. Iruka shut his eyes tightly as Kakashi hugged him. The man let go with a smile that reached up his eyes.
"Go get some sleep now, some more blankets if you need to--" Kakashi pulled the blanket tighter around Iruka. "You always end up catching a cold in summer. Don't want it again this year." His brushed his finger against Iruka's nose in affection and bit of scolding.
"I know." Iruka shook his hand off impatiently. "I'm not a little kid; I can take care of myself." Iruka complained, his dark brown hair now down to his shoulders while as it is usually tied up. Kakashi's finger traced through them smoothly.
"It always take me back to the first time I see you." Kakashi spoke quietly, feeling the quality of the hair. It seem so, so far back he did felt this hair, rough and messy. He could have done more if he wanted; give Iruka a mansion, a proper job in the government, a life normal peasants can dream of. Yet it seemed selfish and low to himself, he kept Iruka away from others, kept him away from the mundane. He perhaps should not be proud of it. Iruka could have enjoyed very desirable luxury, due to Kakashi's very own duty of negotiator. But he did not give that to Iruka, and Iruka never seem to complain, or could really think there was chance for him to have something better than what he has. Kakashi kept him away. A secret. A talisman to those time when he wishes for death for the responsibility and pain he must endure. A jewel he put away and cherished himself, alone, in this outskirt of the countryside, in this little wooden house. Iruka always, always appreciated everything he had been given. He was a naive man. He knows Kakashi could leave one day and never come back, but he wait, whether days or months or years. And never failed, the gray-haired man always come back, unmasked and smiling.
The rain was getting bigger. Larger raindrops coming quicker and stronger. Kakashi let go, his fingers gently brushed through the dark brown hair.
"I will be back, Umino." He says with the wide grin, turned, his figure disappeared into the night.
I will be back.
These promises that are eternal.
* * *
The busy street in the morning was now deserted under the moonlight. Darkness and solitude has taken over the kingdom. Even in the red-light street of brothels has signed off, other than the ones staying for the night, of course. The grey streets, the stores' doors shut tightly, unwelcoming.
Few guards was stalling through the empty streets, holding lanterns that shone in a brightly orangey color. The guards' lanterns has the character "Huang" written, meaning their authority of the police men. Kakashi's dark robe let him blend in with the backgrounds nicely. He did not have to worry about awkward questions if the guards ever saw and thought him as "suspicious". His identity was meant to be kept secret at all time, for safety and his own job's requirement. No one has ever seen his full face before, other than Iruka and Naruto. He never spilled too much information to them about his job; it was forbidden to even show them his full face. But he also done so. It was a feeling of security, a driven humanity he has to maintain, for this job often left the workers quite emotionless and lose their conscience.
His moved through the roofs of the buildings' surrounding walls(for more detailed look into the buildings of ancient China, please search up a picture yourself), jumping through ledges and skipping the long gaps with ease and agility. Negotiators' Wugong were trained properly with years of practice, not to mention he was an veteran himself. One of the guards thought he had seen a figure as he lazily and uncaringly looked up to see the moon, but as in a second the figure he thought he did seen was gone. He shook his head wildly, as if trying to clear up his mind, and sure he had seen an illusion from over work.
Soon the destination was within reach. The very center of the city: The Grand Palace of the Emperor.
He knew this place too well, like all the other places he been to. Extraordinary photographic memory was also an important need for this job. It was dangerous. Often when negotiators collect informations for the hope of peace, the nations they explore to will not be too happy to see anyone around.
The rain darkened the color of his robe. His hair was dripping wet, yet he seemed not to notice. The brilliant red painted walls of the Grand Palace was 20 feet high, unpleasantly secured and give the sense of solitude away from common people. Kakashi passed wall with qinggong, without a noise, he was inside.
The lime stone floor were made for Royalties to walk on. The palace's map is rather complexed, and the place for his meeting today was in one of the many pavilions built in the countless gardens. It was a small one, usually un-visisted in its solitude. He knew the route too well to stumble over any places he was not suppose to step in to. Left, right, skip the curve through the forest. Go north, follow the misty moon cover by the clouds, see the biggest tree in the center of the forest. Rumors said it was more than thousand years old, a protector, a symbolic meaning of existence itself. The right, going straight forward now, and turn to the red chrysanthemum flowers spread over the ground. Careful not to step on any of those delicate crimsons, he reached the almost empty pavilion.
It was not one of those adorned gardens with great lavish care; anyone to look at it would think it is ominous and in some way with a dark mysterious glamour. The paint of the pavilion was peeling off, the red color fade to a dark brown shade. Red chrysanthemum was the symbol of death, or so to say the flower opening by the yellow spring of death. The flowers' colors was a shock tone of brightness to the eyes even in this night, where rain fall to their peddles, nourish their growth.
One figure stood in the pavilion, sitting on the stone bench built under the pavilion. It was an eerie sight, to be exact. The person seemed unmoving and unsurprised by the sudden appearance of Kakashi, walking towards the figure slowly, his feet making splashing noises of the rain.
"Good evening, Kakashi."
By the judgement of the voice, it was a man. The tone was pleasant, a thick, low voice that delights the ear. Kakashi walked toward the figure that looked merely like a blur from afar, and finally his eyes made the outlines and features of the man. He was sitting on the crippled bench, and even though with the shabby background behind him, he was undoubtedly elegant. His fingers lapped together around his knees with couple rings that showed great wealth, his robe was black with prints of red clouds, matching the flowers around him. His features were defined in sinister beauty, a straight nose, high cheek bones, long black lashes. His hair was neatly tied, his thin lips into a smile, and the lines ceasing in two sides of cheeks, giving off a wise looking affect. His body was slender yet fit and muscular, his aura giving with ease but with the awe any royalties would give off.
Itachi Uchia watched as Kakashi walked up the few stairs of the around the pavilions. The masked man nodded in acknowledgment, and stood opposite side of Itachi, face to face now.
"So comes the report of the village of the Earth." Itachi said again, his voice unchanging. "And you're a bit late today, which is again, not unexpected, Kakashi..."
"I had certain things to take care of." Kakashi's voice was just as plain, in a pleasant tone. "It seems indeed the new Tai Zi of country of Earth is nothing but a 14 years old child... With fearful abilities, and a great favoring of solitude and arrogance."
The sounds of their voice was covered by the pouring rain, not to say this is a place where not much signs of life was shown other than these flowers.
"I presume that he will soon be the heir when his father dies of that long lasting illness?"
"It seems likely." Kakashi said. "The Emperor of Earth is very weak at the moment, indeed, death's hand will reach him soon... He does not like the idea of his son taking over, either. The child is too young and his personality can only assume him to be an aggressive and unloving leader. Not to say the country of Earth was always in need, and is in the progress of economic change for improvement..."
"Do you think the child will accept an alliance?" Itachi asked question that he needed most answered. Desirably, peace is always the first choice. For a man like him, war was cruel and unbearable. He seen too many suffered from wars, himself as a young child had seen the bloodiness and horrors.
"I have said he is arrogant and quite like to be lone. Away from people. You cannot blame him. His father never liked him, because he caused his mother's death at birth... And not to say how he was locked away a Leng Gong since birth. The public rejects him. He's quite a lonely child, only been released from lenggong after his father fall in bed. He seems to also have insomnia problems."
Itachi sighed, his hand reached for his head, seemingly throbbing. The most troublesome case. A young leader, through the course of history proven wasn't always bad, sometimes when they're extremely intelligent they run the country quite better then an Emperor that's older. But in an emotion damaged case of Tai Zi and solitude, this is out of hand.
"Seems like it cannot be helped." Itachi shut his eyes. "We can only hope he will overcome such problems, poor child. One's heart is much harder to be moved after such damage."
"Desirably, the Emperor of Earth is trying hard to overcome his mistake... But it's quite useless, if you ask me. Granting the Tai Zi wealth and luxuries. Foolish and mundane. One needs no wealth to live happy; love is quite more than enough." Kakashi said sensibly, apparently unaware he had just struck quite an interest from Itachi.
"Oh?" Itachi's voice was slightly curious. "You speak like you know how it's like, Kakashi." His dark eyes studied Kakashi's face, covered in the mask still. It's quite rare for him to slip such things.
"Not at all." His reply was flat, but the image of a smiling and cooking Iruka and Naruto yelling excitingly almost gave him a grin.
"I'm intrigued. I have send most skillful guards to search your whereabouts when you settle in this country... Never a trace." Itachi's voice was slightly amused, his chin now resting on his hand.
"It's partially my job to be hidden away, sir, as you know it." Kakashi answered quite coldly, yet there was a bit of teasing in his voice, as he was sure the Tai Zi wouldn't even imagine him in an outskirt wooden house by the country side, living with what considered peasants.
Itachi continued to search Kakashi's face with interest. After few brief moments, his smiled and sighed slightly, and stood up. He was a tall man, young still by the age of 22, yet wiser than most of his age.
"Very well, then. I appreciate your report, your payment shall be taken into account. You may take your leave now."
"And so as you said, sir." Kakashi bowed, turning away.
"Have a good night." Itachi's voice was low, as he turned to his own direction too.
Thanks for reading!
I didn't exactly plan to have Itachi showed his face earlier then Sasuke, but it seemed fitting, and I like writing his dialogues... He is one of my very own favorites.
The relationship of Kakashi and Iruka is shown quite a bit here.. I do like writing CP chapters. How they first meet and how did their relationship turns to be, I think I will write a special chapter about that later on. The story line would also include their relationship too.
By the way... I really want to pair Itachi up with someone. .-. Really no idea... Please give some opinions.