Story summary: Two men are trying to find their place under the Martian red sky. In a society drowning in luxury and greed, will they give in to a chance at romance or take a path more beaten and void of such excitement? Will Iruka, whose life is full of tragedy and secrets, accept a charming duke's hand? Will Tenzō, who wishes to be accepted by this wretched society, lose his chance at happiness with a kind viscount? Only red heavens know. | KakaIru, GaiTenz, Regency Sci-Fi AU

Chapter summary: Tenzō and Iruka are doing what they can to preserve their place in society.

I hope you liked this little update 💚 💕 a little more world-building and more clues on Iruka's background, did you catch them all? 😉💕

Essential slang/French vocabulary:
L'amour - le plus beau des cadeaux! - "Love - the greatest gift!"

OF TWO MOONS AND A RED SKY

Chapter 3. Third Moon

Mars was not a bad planet. It had some imperfections, of course, but it wasn't at all bad.

For example, it was dry. The whole planet was just a giant frigid desert with an atmosphere so thin that the only weather known to man was a dust storm. Well, some regions also see occasional snow (if it even can be called that) – very dry flakes of ice comprised of carbon dioxide rather than water.

Inside the oxidomes, people were sheltered from all the dust and cold temperatures. It never rained nor snowed – perfect levels of humidity and temperature were maintained throughout the year artificially. To Iruka who grew up playing in the rain and swimming in the ocean, it was all boring on the best of days and just sad on all the others. He was sad for his neighbours on Mars, who have never experienced a gentle planet's different moods.

The people—the society was the same as everywhere else in the Solar System, so Iruka couldn't really complain. Again, just like the planet itself, it wasn't perfect, but it was better than what he and some of the kids have known before. The same old story – people with money and titles owned the lands and built more wealth for themselves on the backs of others less fortunate people. Still, it was easy to find good on this planet. Iruka could see it every day – little miracles of technology, acts of kindness in unexpected places. It was rather peaceful, safe, and it was now home. For this, Iruka was immensely thankful.

Iruka couldn't afford for all of this to disappear, to be ruined. He couldn't do it to the kids – they've been through enough already.

He panicked when Kakashi recognized him. Truly, he could hear the end of the world approaching. The duke caught him off guard, at his weakest just after the lecture about Kaguya. Iruka simply wasn't in any state or form to react rationally. He fought hard against the initial panic and instinct to run, to take the kids and flee from the planet, again. So, he took a few days to himself to sort out his thoughts and feelings and properly assess the dire circumstances he found himself in.

Talking to the duke would have been a wise thing to do – like adults, capable of an open conversation. (Except that one of them had to live a life of pretence and could never reveal his secrets). The main argument against was that, to be utterly honest, Iruka didn't trust himself in the man's presence. It took him great effort to push Kakashi away when everything in him yearned to taste those firm lips again. Red heavens, the man smelled divine, and being so close to him without being able to give in to the touch was torture.

Hence, Iruka decided then to write a letter.

One night, when the kids were asleep, Iruka locked himself in the study and typed in a note. He wrote apologies for his behaviour, how it was improper of a mere priest to treat a duke in such a way. He pleaded Kakashi to not tell anyone of their encounter at the Hyuuga's ball. Iruka wrote that what he did that night was wrong. He shouldn't have led the duke on – it was reckless of him and disrespectful. The man would have already known that any expression of passion, interest, or frivolity was frowned upon by the church. If it became known to the public, he would be chastised, lose his job, and place in the community.

Through the stabbing pain in his heart, Iruka apologized for tricking Kakashi into believing that there was something between them. That feeling that the duke was referring to was only an illusion created by an inconsiderate behaviour of a fool.

When Iruka wrote that last part, he stood up from his chair and paced around the study. He knew what he should write next. To make the duke go away and forget about him, he needed to say that the Iruka that met with Kakashi that night was just an illusion and nothing more. He told it to himself over and over, but every time he sat back down to write these words, his hands refused.

Truth be told, at that ball, Iruka bared his true soul to the world again. For one night, he allowed himself freedom of expression. He hasn't seen nor felt that Iruka—himself—for the longest time. So, it wasn't an illusion but a memory. The memory he missed so dearly but denied himself for so long. He was different now – he was lost in pretence, yes, but such was his life. Iruka had his reasons and knew that if he was ever faced with the same choices, he wouldn't have changed any of them. They led him and the kids here — to Mars, to safety. If he chose to act in any other way then they would have been—

He didn't want to think about it. The matter of fact was that they were here now and the past was left in the past. And he wouldn't allow such trivial things as feelings ruin everything he worked so hard for. The duke was a rational man, he would understand.

Even after writing the letter, Iruka didn't have it in him to transmit it to the duke's residence. As the representative of the church, he possessed private channels to all residences. However, he was still afraid that someone would find ways to read it. No, Iruka's life wasn't as interesting for people to pry into, but the duke's was. So, he needed to find another way to pass his message.

People on Mars, especially from the high society, rarely used non-digitized inks and hand-delivered letters – they preferred having everything they write be digitized immediately to be transmitted and reflected on the recipient's devices instantly. It was a marvel as a technology – something that Iruka always admired. It was fascinating to see a person's handwriting perfectly recorded (at times even artificially improved) to be displayed on any surface. Fountain pens, those that were non-digitizing, were a rarity, but Iruka always had a special place in his heart for them. They made him remember his old mentor who kept meticulous notes of everything in his life on rolls of paper with simple fountain pens and graphite pencils. Iruka cherished those pens and even kept a few pencils hidden away.

He climbed a set of stairs to reach the furthest top drawer in the study and under a layer of dust found a small box of his treasured stationery. It was a simple, inconspicuous-looking wooden box. Iruka carefully dusted it off and opened it, revealing a set of simple pencils and fountain pens. He leaned in to smell the inside of the box and a single tear rolled down his cheek. It still carried the smell of pine; Iruka's heart squeezed at that.

Wood didn't exist on Mars and hasn't been seen in centuries.

Once Iruka rewrote the letter to a simple sheet of paper with one of his pens, he was faced with the problem of delivering it. Walking to the duke's residence unannounced and without an appointment was out of the question. There wasn't anyone he trusted enough to deliver it either. Well, there were the kids from the orphanage whom he trusted with his life, but he would have needed to explain the whole situation and there was no way he was doing that.

So, Iruka left it inside the duke's donation box at the church the next Sunday and was relieved to see it be picked up after the service. Other than that and a few glances between them during the mess, there was no communication between them. This left Iruka both relieved and hollow.

With every day after, Iruka's anxiousness grew. He still didn't know what he was hoping for. A part of him that regretted ever going to that ball wished for things to return to how they were before. It was simpler then. But then he would remember the way the Duke talked to him that night, so open and honest. How passionately he spoke of planned improvements to the community, committed to building a library that no other oxidome on Mars has ever seen, no one in the whole solar system has ever seen! They spoke of making education freely available to the working class, something that Iruka himself was passionate about. Iruka blushed at the memory of the way Kakashi looked at him then. And Iruka could only imagine how he looked at him back. It shouldn't have been possible to awake such feelings with just one ball. Perhaps, they were both imagining things...

Another week has passed, and another Sunday came. Iruka kept himself busy with work at the church and the orphanage, distracting himself from thinking about the Duke, whether or not the man received the letter, what if it was picked up by somebody else? The donations boxes were confidential but it was not usual for people to entrust such duties to other members of the household. He has been worrying again about something he had no control over anymore. It was a dumb, dumb thing to do!

During the mass, he felt the Duke's heavy gaze on him. It wasn't like the previous times. Wherever Iruka looked in his direction, he wanted to blush all over - there was heat in the man's eyes, the kind not fitted to the house of their goddess. To make things worse, Iruka found himself thinking that he didn't mind. Kakashi's gaze made him feel warm inside, made him feel alive. This is why, when he saw an envelope inside the duke's donation box, his heart almost leapt out of his chest.

With shaking hands, he hid the envelope inside his robes and proceeded with the tasks, then went about his day. Though, concentrating on his duties was difficult. Through the clothes, he could feel that paper burn all the way to his skin, as the duke's gaze burned through him just before.

Tenzō watched Kakashi exit the church and hop down the stairs with a smile on his face. Much to everyone's amusement.

"Did you receive good news, my friend?!" Lord Maito beamed next to him. Kakashi asked them to wait for him outside the church. He's been giddy the whole service but refused to say anything. Now, his smile rivalled the viscount's.

"Not at all!" he exclaimed and Tenzō almost lost his footing at the force of the man's slap on his shoulder. "Just a beautiful day! How do you feel about some food? I feel like treating my friends."

"Are you ok?" Tenzō was genuinely concerned by then.

"There can never be a reason for concern when one is as happy as my rival at this blessed moment! We shall celebrate!"

"And tonight, we must visit Ichiraku's. It is about time we find you a spouse, Tenzō. Don't think that I've forgotten about you."

Tenzō roamed through his wardrobe in search of anything decent to wear. Couldn't Kakashi have given him some decent warning? The Ichiraku's Rooms was a famous club right in the middle of the busiest street in Konoha – a grand building with a flexible architecture that changed and shifted every season providing the most memorable experiences. It was the place where social gatherings of the elite took place. Where the most eligible unmarried members of the ton had a chance to mingle before forming life-long partnerships.

The ton.

Tenzō wasn't the ton.

This was ridiculous. Kakashi was mad thinking that they would let him inside. Tenzō's evening was bound to end at the doors slamming in his face. For sure.

He has had the experience before at a similar establishment on Titan and wasn't interested in repeating it, at all. These clubs were known for publicly refusing the admittance of those who come from the "new money", like him. What mattered to them wasn't the money but exceptional breeding, manners, and the 'ton'. Even though he could buy the land under each end every club on both sides of the Asteroid Belt, and demolish them all before breakfast, he wouldn't be let inside.

With a groan, he flopped on the bed and wiped a palm over his face. Why did he agree to go? And then he remembered how happy his friends were, excited at showing him the place. Maybe, they have found a way to get him in...

Ichiraku's has exceeded Tenzō's expectations. He has passed the building many times when he was in town for business but never on the entertainment nights. It was lit with billions of tiny lights scattered over the walls, illuminating its complex architecture. The whole structure was oddly shaped with a dome on one side and towering peaks on the other. Everything about it was asymmetrical and deeply fascinating.

Both Kakashi and the viscount assured him that he had no reasons to worry and instead urged him to look carefully at the dome with transparent walls and mirrored ceiling, reflecting dancing couples and giving the illusion of them waltzing in the night sky. Still, his palms started to sweat when in the lobby the guards held them back and asked to wait.

"We shouldn't have come here," Tenzō took off his gloves and fiddled with them nervously as more people came in and walked past them to the grand staircase that led to the ballrooms, stopping only to greet the duke and the viscount.

"Relax, Tenzō. I'm sure it's nothing," Kakashi's words didn't calm him in the least, not when a shout came from the top of the staircase.

"Sir Yamato!" An older man in a dazzling white waistcoat and short dark hair partially covered by an intricate cloth rushed down the stairs smiling widely. He greeted the duke and lord Maito hastily before surprising Tenzō with a bear hug. "I am so pleased that you've finally decided to visit us!"

Tenzō looked at Kakashi, unsure whether to return the hug or not – he was certain that he has never met the man in his life– but his friend just shrugged dismissively.

"Mr. Teuchi," Lord Maito addressed the man with a smile as soon as the other finally gave Tenzō a moment to breathe but never quite letting him go, still clasping his shoulder affectionately. "Would you share with us how you have come to know our dear friend?"

"Oh, Sir Yamato! My hero—my saviour! He has saved my life on at least three occasions! Please, come! Come! I will show you around!"

The man then proceeded to pull them up the stairs enthusiastically telling the stories about how Tenzō as a gallant officer of the Royal Navy protected the Ichiraku's ships that carried goods across the Asteroid Belt to be then served at his humble establishment. Lord Maito listened intently and encouraged Teuchi to share more details, effectively freeing Tenzō, who was too overwhelmed to say a word.

"See?" Kakashi put an arm around Tenzō's shoulders reassuringly. "You're welcome here. Sorry to be so secretive, but I wanted to surprise you."

"I hate you," the words didn't carry any spite and instead drew a laugh out of his friend.

"No, you don't. Now, let's go and have fun!"

Iruka waited until the privacy of his study at the orphanage to open the duke's letter. He caressed the thick expensive paper in his hand and looked at how his name written in ink changed colour, reflecting the light from his bedside lamp:

To The Reverend Iruka Umino,

He broke the seal, opened the envelope with care, and pulled out the letter.

Iruka,

I must first seek forgiveness for the state of my handwriting. While yours is the most beautiful and accurate I've ever seen. I can only hope and wish that you are able to decipher this letter. Because please know that your note cannot be simply left without an answer.

After our meeting, my hopes were for us to talk. But then, I was taken by surprise by your letter. And I will respect your choice for the written word from now on. Red heavens know that I need to practice more. It is not fitting of a Duke to draw short in such a skill.

I must be honest from the start. Your words brought me great pain... But don't be a fool to think that this will keep me away. I've felt your spirit, you have touched my soul. And I refuse to believe that your sweet voice, your gentle smile, or the feeling they evoked was just an illusion.

While I still dream of our kiss, the way your lips moved against mine, and the softness of your hair in my hand. Sweet Deimos, how I miss holding you in my arms during our waltz. This, however, is not what I have missed the most. Would you allow us to continue our conversations? I wish to know more of you – things that you hold dear, that make your eyes shine with passion.

We spoke of building schools, remember? There is a project I sponsor in partnership with Suna.

The letter went on to explain that there is a smaller oxidome right at the border of the duke's land, which could potentially be a location for the first public school in the vicinity. The one that would host the children of the working class together with children of the aristocratic families. There was some adversity from the upper class, of course, but with the support from the duke, the church, if Iruka so wished, they would be able to pull it off.

Iruka was immediately thrown back to the ball and their discussions on the subject. He already knew what to write back. The church wouldn't have done anything before (Iruka tried to let them bring teachers to the orphanage but they refused, as such he volunteered to teach them all himself) but now that the duke was serious about it and the neighbouring oxidome was interested in the project too, they would want to be part of it – to show the church in its best light before the community.

He was relieved that the Duke didn't press the matter of their relationship further in the letter. Though, throughout the week, in his weakest moments, he reread the lines about their kiss. How he missed that touch. He knew that the kiss was the last one he would ever have in his life as the church did not approve of physical relationships outside marriage. And Iruka has sworn off marriage many years ago, even before Mars.

Still, he knew that he will treasure the memory of Kakashi's lips on his. As far as the last kisses go, it was a good one to keep. At least, this time, he had a choice to call it his last kiss.

With a smile on his face, Iruka sat down to write another letter to the duke.

Tenzō's head was spinning. Ichiraku's offered a night full of entertainment – six separate ballrooms, four game rooms, an exhibition of crystal statues, and a light show in the main hall every hour. He played card games with his friends, drank starwine, danced, barely had time to himself.

He met Viscountess Hana – the oldest daughter of the Countess Tsume Inuzuka. She was a charming lady but played cards like a demon. Truly there was no one at the table capable of beating her in the game of Préférence. She told him of their estate, how beautiful it was at night, invited him to visit some time.

The conversation with Hana inspired him to travel more – Mars was a unique place in the Solar System, the only habitable place over this side of the Asteroid Belt, and it was beautiful. He might not possess a title but he could afford to buy a comfortable estate here. He longed to settle down and build a home, spouse or not.

Though Hana was clearly not interested in him nor he in her, the evening resulted in Tenzō making quite a few valuable acquaintances. Some could very much be potential matches – he made note to call on them in the next few days to get to know them better.

It was way past midnight, he was pleasantly drunk – he was enjoying himself immensely. To his amusement, Kakashi and Gai were dancing right at the centre of the ballroom, and everyone around applauded. Tenzō himself was dancing with a gorgeous young man, and even hadn't managed to make a fool of himself just yet.

"It is your first time here, is it not, Sir Yamato?" Tenzō's dancing partner asked – Tokuma Hyuuga as he introduced himself earlier. "Are you quite happy with the club?"

"It is fascinating, I must admit. Are you a frequent visitor?"

"It truly is! And yes!" The gentleman smiled dreamily and looked up at the mirrored ceiling. Giant balls of light descended from it as if stars came down from the sky to dance among the couples. "For as long as I'm allowed to, I will enjoy it."

"That do you mean?" Tenzō was genuinely curious.

"I'm not the 'ton', you see? Like you. It was why I invited you for this dance – so refreshing to see someone here without a title!" Tokuma looked back at him but the look in his eyes was unreadable. They continued through their dance as the man shared more. "I'm a Hyuuga but not from the main family – I carry no title. This place here is indeed for the crème de la crème of aristocracy. I am, however, a Huuga and someone in between generations. You see, my relatives are either too old or too young to attend this club. And they still wish for my cousin—the future Marchioness—to visit them someday. So, they invite me, hoping that I would tell her everything about it! How silly! She is still two full year cycles away from being old enough to marry!"

"More time for you to enjoy, then!" Just as Tenzō originally suspected, the place was similar to others in the system. Teuchi seemed like a respectful and fair gentleman but he was also a fine businessman. It wasn't truly his fault that this clientele preferred to feel the sense of exclusivity.

"Oh, I do hope to get married this season. Perhaps, I would be lucky to marry up. Speaking of which, I heard Lord Maito has proposed to you at the beginning of the season. Yet, here you are, in search of a spouse. How come?"

"It wasn't like that," Tenzō almost stumbled over his partner's feet but caught himself at the last moment. The question took him by surprise.

"Ah, rumours. Mars isn't Mars without them! Is he available then?" Tokuma looked in the direction where the viscount danced with Kakashi. "You must forgive me for such a blatant question, I've been quite smitten for a while."

"Oh," Tenzō couldn't quite find the words to say.

"I mean, look at him... What would it feel like to be embraced by such strong hands! And those inexpressibles—" the young man winked at Tenzō causing him to blush for some reason. "They don't hide anything, do they? Such a fine man!"

Tenzō has never looked at the viscount in such a way before but now that this was pointed out to him, his gaze naturally lingered. Toned legs, strong arms, his blinding smile on bronze skin—

"He is quite handsome," Tenzō cleared his throat.

"I hope he comes to the ball at Yamanaka's next week," Tokuma added wistfully, and something ugly sparked inside Tenzō's chest. It was brief but made him lead them in a different direction and soon the duke and viscount were out of their sight.

"Have you found love, my dear friend?" Gai walked over to Tenzō, who was taking a break from dancing on the side, and affectionately put an arm around his shoulders. Tenzō stiffened briefly, remembering Tokuma's words, but forced himself to relax. Though, he couldn't stop a blush from forming when the viscount leaned in to speak into his ear through the loud music: "I saw you dance with some beautiful flowers! Did any of them plant the seed of love into your heart?"

Tenzō could hear his heart beating louder than any music, when the viscount placed a hand over his chest. He quickly found a way out of the man's arms under pretence of needing to dispose of his glass.

"Of course, not!" He felt the need to defend himself against Lord Maito's words. His heart was free of any love seeds!

"Shame," the viscount sounded genuinely disappointed on his behalf. "Perhaps, we'll find more luck at the Yamanaka's. We must not lose hope, mon cher ami!"

Tokuma's words came back to him, and suddenly Tenzō felt sick of balls. He needed a break from this chaos. Without much thought, he clasped the viscount's hand in his.

"Will you show me Solis Planum?"

AN: Please tell me what you thought of it! It took me like six months to write lol I wasn't kidding when I said that I am a slow writer xD

I haven't been posting stuff to ff recently as ao3 has become the home of my fics, so if you want to connect, find me there (JKirin) or on Tumblr (jinxkirin).