With This Ring... Chapter 8: The Happiest Day of Our Lives
Title: With This Ring…
Summery: Iruka reluctantly agrees to an arranged marriage in order to save his adopted family from financial ruin...and is horrified when Hatake Kakashi rises to the offer.
Rating: PG-13, rating my go up
Genre: AU/Canon, Humor, angst, eventual romance.
Notes: Special thanks and dedication goes to Anon for finding my Prompt on kakairu_kink
Additional Link AO3 Mirror Link
The Story from the Beginning
Author's Notes: Thanks to everyone who had left kudo's and comments!! I whipped up this chapter faster than I had anticipated. The wedding ceremony described is loosely based on a traditional Japanese wedding, for those more knowledgeable 'loosely' is a term that fits it best. Please enjoy!
Ch. 9
The Happiest Day of Our Lives
"Why did I ever think that getting married was a good idea?" Kakashi grumbled at his reflection in the full length mirror. He was garbed in all the trimmings of his family's Montsuki kimono which had been passed down through four generations of leading Hatake clansmen. Kakashi's sullen expression glared right back at him from the walnut mounted mirror. "I look like my father in his wedding photo."
"It is to be expected." Maito Gai gently patted Kakashi's shoulder, keeping in mind not to dent the folds that he had painstakingly sculpted in the mid-length blue overcoat. The taijutsu master included formal kimono wear among his repertoire of specialty skills. Gai continued with his REASSURING SPEECH "Especially since your father donned the very same outfit on his wedding day!"
"Not helpful, Gai." Kakashi growled with an undertone of warning. The copy-nin could hardly refuse Maito Gai's tearful request to assist dressing him on his wedding day, and the jounin had readily agreed than have a stranger roaming their hands over his unprotected back. Though now, Kakashi had developed a headache from the glare reflecting off his rival's lime-green kimono, which sported a tasteless metallic print of flying shuriken and kunai knives.
The most prominent feature of Kakashi's Montsuki grooms-wear were the pinstripe wide-legged hakima trousers tied high above his waist over a silvery kimono, and stopped just short of reaching his ankles. Kakashi's feet were encased in ankle-high tabi socks woven from breathable white silk and split through the toes for the straps of his woven hemp sandals to easily slip through. A loose wide-sleeved midnight blue overcoat completed the ensemble along with a thin obi over the silver kimono peeking above the hakima trousers, which depicted the Hatake clan colors in stiff alternating lines of navy blue and grey.
Kakashi's features were hidden under his usual facial mask and metal Konoha hitai-ate over the Sharingan eye, but what possibly peeved the jounin the most about his appearance was his hair, which had been slicked with gel in effort to tame the unruly spikes into one congealed mass. A few stray locks stuck up in defiance to the natural order of things and were a reflection of the copy-nin's bristly mood.
"Complaining that you look like 'The White Fang' won't change the fact that you are still his son," Morino Kanao reprimanded over a pilfered bowl of tsukimono vegetables, of which she delicately picked at with her favorite pair of chopsticks. It was little surprise to either men that the retired ANBU operative was able to slip unnoticed into the groom's dressing ward and snag a free meal along the way. Kakashi's longtime neighbor was always the first to reach the buffet table whenever a free meal presented itself, as testament to her plump figure. Kanao shot Kakashi a grin over a mouthful of pickles. "You are now ready to attend the ceremony."
"I've been ready for the last two hours!" Kakashi complained. His hand strayed to ruffle his silvery mane back into its usual mussed state and he yelped when the old woman shot up from her seat to rap the jounin's knuckles with the blunt ends of her chopsticks, which were Kanao's preferred weapon of choice.
"None of that now," she warned. "Especially after the sizable fortune of hair product Gai-san has just invested over your ungrateful head." Kanao adjusted the maple brown kimono over her stout figure before resettling back into her stool, which was wedged between the wall and the folding room dividers inside the tiny dressing room. The embroidered silk-screen dividers displayed bright red chrysanthemums symbolizing the flower of the groom. Kakashi eyed the old woman as he ruefully rubbed his smarting hand. He had to take care to remember that the old biddy was a lot quicker than what she permitted the outside world to believe.
Gai licked the pad of one thumb with the intent to smooth down those rebellious hair strands. To Kakashi's chagrin he was forced to remain still under Kanao's watchful eye as his long-time rival plastered MANLY saliva over his head. Kakashi vented his frustration by tugging at the stiff collar of his silver kimono, grouching "This is a horrible thing to wear in humid weather."
"Even burdened by discomfort, I only hope to look as HIP and COOL on my wedding day!" The Green Beast's eyes glittered with ANTICIPATION of the day he would tie the knot with an unsuspecting kunoichi, who would no doubt be showered with Maito Gai's undying LOVE and AFFECTION until her dying day. Kakashi could only pity that nameless woman, whomever she was.
Not for the first time he wondered how Iruka was faring. No doubt the chuunin-sensei was just as eager to get over with this wedding as much as Kakashi was. It was nine o'clock in the morning and the long day was only just beginning.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Iruka sat very still as Sarutobi Akemi applied the final touches of foundation to hide the dark bags under his eyes. As the chuunin had predicted, he was unable to sleep a wink the night before he was to be ceremoniously 'given away' to Hatake Kakashi.
Sometime during the night a cold numbness had appeared within his chest to smother thought and emotion, and was a welcomed companion as Iruka went through the mechanical motions of shrugging into his bridal wear before kneeling on a rose colored cushion for his aunt to provide the final preparations. He stared at a fixed point above his aunt's bound white hair where he could not glimpse the concern that creased her aged face. Iruka had barely spoken more than a few words since Akemi had appeared at morning's first light to escort him to the ceremonial ward of the Administration Building. She had attempted to coax her nephew out of his mood but gave up upon the realization that he had withdrawn into himself.
Akemi did not counter Iruka's silence when she removed the Konoha hitai-ate from his forehead. It would not be a part of his wedding ensemble, and Iruka felt somewhat naked without it. She had then combed his hair into its usual style with the addition of an ivory kanzashi comb in place of an elastic tie. It was a family heirloom personally presented by Akemi, who did not seem to take offence of Iruka's stiff nod in acknowledgement to her gift.
The lower lid of Iruka's right eye twitched as the sable hairs of the make-up brush tip hit a sensitive spot, a deliberate motion made by his aunt to force her adopted nephew to meet her gaze. Iruka countered the move by directing his eyes to the white chrysanthemums that embroidered the silk screen room dividers, which were the symbolic flower of the bride.
Iruka found that his precious feeling of apathy was growing harder to cultivate as the hour of the ceremony drew near. A niggling worm of dread had began to fester in his gut. For better or worse, his life was about to forever change.
The Sarutobi clanswoman rose from her knees in an unspoken signal that her preparations were complete. Iruka gracefully followed suit to regard his reflection in the mounted mirror. The shimmering green Haniwa kimono was as magnificent as the day before, even more now that Iruka was garbed in finery down to his toes, which were incased in silken tabi socks clad over black lacquered sandals. Iruka's blank expression stared back at him through the mirror. The magic of the forest hued Haniwa kimono was gone. Rather, he felt like a cheap dessert covered in expensive frosting, and Iruka was the unappetizing cake.
Akemi finally broke the silence between them with a gentle caress of weathered fingers brushing against the chuunin's cheek. "Iruka-kun, my heart." The noble lines of Akemi's faded beauty was desperately trying to elicit an emotional response. Her gentle eyes met that of her nephew, who was like a son to her in all but blood. "There is still a choice."
As if Iruka really had one at this point. Not with the Damiyo's courtiers anticipating the lavish feast after the ceremony. It would be political suicide for the adopted son of the Hokage to deprive them of that worldly pleasure.
"It's okay, Obasan. Really." The forced smile felt tight on the corners of Iruka's lips. "I'm determined to see my duty through for the sake of our clan."
Iruka wondered if anyone else would notice the false warmth behind his eyes.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
An hour later, both Iruka and Kakashi found themselves seated next to each other in the middle rung of a three tiered ceremonial podium. The podium was where the marriage ceremony was to take place, and overlooked a reception room teeming with over a hundred of the Fire Country's most established and elite. While a typical wedding would celebrate the merging of two families, a noble shinobi wedding reflected on the union of two clans tying themselves to country and Damiyo. A consequence was that no personal friends or relatives of the bride and groom could attend the ceremony, save for those that fell under that category.
Five long rows of highly polished wooden tables were spread across the length of the room, arranged vertically so that each guest could witness the event without hindrance. A tasteful display of red and white chrysanthemums centered each table, along with sake flasks and pots of tea to encourage a polite buzz of conversation to float above the room. Comfortable cushions were provided for each of the guests, though the seats closest to the podium were reserved for the attending Konoha councilmen and highest ranking courtiers.
The Damiyo's youngest brother and his beautifully painted wife were privileged the best seats in the house. The esteemed nobles displayed an air of bored indifference as they cooled themselves with glittering fans to deflect the humid air as well as clan elder Sarutobi Eiji, who did not seem to mind carrying a one-sided conversation in his ancient quivery voice. The courtiers scattered about the room were bedecked in a dazzling display of flamboyant courtly fashion, and resembled a flock of peacocks stuck in a coop of blandly dressed chickens--though feral shinobi chickens, at that.
On either side of the marital couple sat two of their family representatives. To Iruka's left was his foster father Sarutobi Hiruzen Sandaime Hokage and younger sister Sarutobi Akemi. To Kakashi's right was Nakodo Hyuuga Yukari and her son and clan leader Hyuuga Hizashi. It was stated in Kakashi's contract to disallow members of his blood relatives to attend the ceremony, which was a deliberate snub on the jounin's part. It was a condition Yukari had graciously allowed on the terms that she and her son would sit in their place. Even if the Hyuuga clan could not marry into the Sarutobi family, their mere presence sitting with the Sandaime Hokage on the marriage podium carried significant political weight.
A steady stream of guests had lined before the Hokage's side to formally express their congratulations. Unlike a traditional wedding where a reception directly followed the ceremony, a high ranking shinobi union allowed the guests to present their offerings as part of an ancient custom to proclaim loyalty to the families that were about to be joined. Before the podium was a low table for the guests to display their wedding gifts in a neat stack that was increasingly growing, the bulk of which were more symbolic than functional as pertaining to tradition.
The Damiyo's brother and his fellow courtiers had been the first to present their congratulations to the honored couple, though a small group had lingered when it was the shinobi clansmen's turn to present their gifts. The courtiers had sprung at the first opportunity to engage the Hokage and his sister in light political matters. It was first among many informal meetings that were to occur throughout the day to cement future transactions between the nobility and the Sarutobi clan. The councilmen delicately brushed against the topic of Iruka's dowry, which was a major factor in the negotiations. The long line of Konoha clansmen wordlessly stepped around the courtiers to present their offerings before attendants escorted them to their designated seats and the refreshments that awaited them.
None of the guests appeared to have noticed that both bride and groom had been pointedly avoiding each other ever since the reception ceremony had begun. Iruka had only spared Kakashi a single withering glance before stiffly settling onto his ceremonial cushion. Kakashi had returned the chuunin's dismissive gesture with a muffled huff of exasperation before dropping into his seat. Both had enough on their plates to occupy their attentions, as it was Iruka's bridal task to personally greet every guest and the gifts presented to them. Kakashi only had to return the formality with a mere dip of his greased head.
It had not slip past Iruka that the more prominent guests--the Damiyo's family included, had completely overlooked the chuunin when presenting their congratulations to Sandaime Hokage and the infamous Hatake Kakashi. Iruka's union was a political and monetary transaction to bolster the standing of two respectable shinobi clans, but it did not lift his mood to be treated as if he were an inconsequential aspect of the ceremony, of no more importance than one of the decorative bouquets of chrysanthemum flowers displayed throughout the room.
That niggling worm which had infected Iruka's apathy had sprouted into a snake writhing in his gut. The source of his anxiety's violent growth spurt was rooted in the quiet bickering between Kakashi and Nakodo Yukari, which had began since the pair had settled next to each other at start of the ceremony. Kakashi took great delight in needling the old woman when the jounin knew that he could safely get away with it. Hyuuga Hizashi appeared to either take no notice or interest of the exchange, and was occupied with sweeping the reception room with sharp pale eyes that were alert to spot anything amiss. Iruka tried his best to ignore what he was overhearing, and he fervently hoped that nobody else caught what he heard.
"I can see how you can get off on dry formal affairs such as this, Yukari-san" Kakashi murmured. "It truly suits your winning personality." The jounin paused to respectfully bow before the fierce Inuzuka Tsume presenting a braided cord of Shiraga hemp, symbolizing strong family ties and marital union. The kunoichi's sharp canines peeked through a smirk at the sight of the copy-nin's over-greased silver mane, and Kakashi returned her expression with a deadpan one-eyed glare. He continued once the highly amused Inuzuka clansman had left. "Though if I had my way, there would be a line of half naked choir girls dancing up the aisles to help 'shake' things up!"
"And what a fiasco that would be," Hyuuga Yukari hissed from the side of her mouth. "Since half of the elderly courtiers attending today would drop dead from a heart attack at the mere sight of a bared ankle. No, I doubt that the Damiyo's brother would look kindly upon that."
"Really? I would assume that arranging funerals would be more to your style" Kakashi said under his breath as the yellow haired leader of the Yamanaka clan presented an oversized Suehiro fan to represent marital bliss. "Though I fear that the corpse would be the only one having a good time."
The pale Hyuuga eyes flashed at the impetuous copy-nin. "Then you best take care, as I am looking forward to the day when I can arrange yours."
"Have you looked in the mirror lately, Yukari-san? I think you have one foot in the grave ahead of me." Kakashi bowed before the heavy-set Akimichi leader presenting a satchel of dried bonito flakes for an everlasting marriage. "I'll be sure to remember to bring an entire squadron of choir girls when I'm dancing over your grave."
Yukari's shot the copy-nin a dignified toothy grin. "And I'll be sure to remember to exempt you from the open bar in my will."
"Maa, I like a woman who plays dirty," Kakashi said under a suggestive wiggle of an eyebrow.
Iruka's forced smile had widened until he was almost certain that the top half of his head would detach under the strain. Apparently it was too much to hope that his spouse-to-be would behave himself around the uppity Hyuuga Matriarch. At least none of the other guests seemed to have taken notice of their subdued exchange, most especially Sandaime Hokage, who along with Akemi were currently occupied by a particularly persistent councilman who was all but demanding to know the exact monetary amount of Iruka's dowry.
The hulking form of Morino Ibiki appeared as a menacing shadow over the table. The commander of Konoha's torture and interrogation force donned a smile that was quite out of place under his prominent battle scars. His mother Morino Kanao's smile was a mirror image to that of her son, with the exception that her smile was made even more unsettling over her plump grandmotherly features. She bowed before Iruka and especially to Kakashi, who returned a friendly wave to his long-time neighbor. Kanao gifted the couple a decorative satchel containing red and white chrysanthemum flower seeds, which had been harvested by hand from her flower garden.
"However you want to paint this union, it is doomed to fail if you do not follow proper custom" Yukari whispered once the Morino clansmen had been escorted to their seats. "The simple act of marriage will not erase the Hatake clan's disgrace overnight."
"You are free to inform the esteemed nobility where they can shove my disgrace," Kakashi replied. "Specifically to where the sun doesn’t shine." His uncovered eye arched with gleefully malicious intent. "I’d be happy to demonstrate a special technique that falls under that category…one that I like to call 'A Thousand Years of Pain.'"
"I’ll be sure to pass the sentiment along," Yukari said dryly. "But you sidestep the topic..." The dreaded cane seemed to have materialized over the lap of Yukari's lavender kimono. "As you are still on active duty, most of the burden will be placed on your spouse to repair the damage made by your disgraced father." The Nakodo idly fingered the pommel of the polished mahogany cane. "There are many wolves prowling the political field that would seize the throat of a Sarutobi clansman, no matter how weak his blood connection may be." Her pale eyes were razor sharp upon the jounin. "It will be your responsibility as leader of the Hatake clan to ensure that your spouse is a strong-willed opponent that would not crumble under pressure."
The shift in the conversation had momentarily distracted Iruka. He jumped when Nara Shikaku thumped a melon-sized sake cask onto the presentation table. The round sake cask was a thing of beauty woven from the tender leaves of a Yui-no willow tree. Shikaku took advantage of the chuunin's captured attention to boast that the sake was a special medicinal blend that could cure anything from a hangover to a wart. Iruka merely returned a tight-lipped grimace to the shadow-nin, and catching the bride's mood, Shikaku wisely retreated to his designated seat between the Akimichi and Yamanaka clansmen.
Iruka shot the offered gift a sour look. Sake casks were meant to symbolize a pledge for obedience and gentleness in marriage. Perhaps he could drink himself to death before the day was through. Iruka's ears suddenly perked at what he caught Yukari hissing into Kakashi's ear.
"There is still the question of children" Yukari sniffed. "I don't see a way around this problem other than adoption."
"And I'm sure that you have a list of Hyuuga stock in mind," Kakashi replied with a long suffering sigh. "Honestly, your clan really should adopt a rabbit motif considering the rate that you breed."
Yukari sniffed again. "In my time, a couple was not considered truly married until the match was consummated with a pregnancy. The Hatake clan needs an heir to continue your ruling line…" The Hyuuga Matriarch's voice had risen in volume as well as fervor. "Unless of course, you want your relatives squabbling amongst themselves for that honored title at the real risk of coming to blows within the borders of our beloved village!" She glared at the jounin. "So how do you propose to evade that little problem?"
'Keep smiling. Keep smiling.' Iruka told himself, hoping against hope that no one else would take heed as his fiancé met the same conversational tone to match Yukari.
"I have a jutsu for everything!" Kakashi grinned. "Though it might be considered illegal in some areas--" With his attention still fixed on Yukari, Kakashi wrapped an arm around Iruka to pull the chuunin close. Iruka's plastered smile slipped into a snarl, and at that moment fate deemed it necessary for a lull in the conversation among the guests when Kakashi boasted in a voice clear enough for the entire room to hear "--but I'm sure that I can get a bun into this oven in no time!"
Iruka saw red. Without thinking he snatched the sake cask off the table. "Like HELL you will!" The cask slammed into Kakashi's face with enough force to knock the jounin head over heels off his cushion, and made a satisfying sound of a hammer hitting a hollow log. Iruka shot up from his seat to properly shriek down at the unconscious copy-nin, who had went down like a wet sack of laundry with one sandaled foot flung unceremoniously across the presentation table. "I will cut off your goddamn balls with a plastic table knife and shove them down your throat if you DARE try to use a weird jutsu like that on me!" Iruka brandished the sake cask over his head like a cudgel. "I'd rather DIE than get pregnant by YOU!"
For a moment Iruka stood breathing heavily over the prone form of his fiancé, then with a start he turned about to face the deathly silence of the crowd before him. The sake cask tumbled from his numb fingers to roll away forgotten under the presentation table.
Over a hundred witnesses stared at Iruka in open-mouth shock. A fair number of the guests had forgotten to let up teapots or sake vessels from overfilling their cups, and the sound of liquid dribbling onto the floor was all that could be heard aside from the Damiyo's brother steadying his delicate wife who had swooned off her seat. Akemi's hands had flown to her mouth in horror, and the Hokage's ever-present pipe had dropped from his startled lips to smolder on the floor.
"I--I--" The blood had completely drained from Iruka's face. He did then what any proper shinobi would do under the circumstances. Iruka's hands automatically flew into a complex array of seals before he could fully comprehend what he was doing and he vanished inside a cloud of teleportation smoke.
Sarutobi Umino Iruka had fled from the alter of his wedding.
The heavy silence was broken by the high pitched cackling of Hyuuga Yukari as she nudged her son with an elbow and a knowing wink. "I remember being just as feisty on my wedding night with your father!"
Hizashi buried his red face in one hand with a groan.
TBC
Next Chapter
Ch. IX: A Solid Foundation
Previous Chapters
Prologue & Ch. I: A Battle of Wills
Ch. II: The Burden of Duty
Ch. III: Cold Feet
Ch. IV: The Fine Print
Ch. V: A Wager
Ch. VI: A Matter of Convenience
Ch. VII: Accommodations
Summery: Iruka reluctantly agrees to an arranged marriage in order to save his adopted family from financial ruin...and is horrified when Hatake Kakashi rises to the offer.
Rating: PG-13, rating my go up
Genre: AU/Canon, Humor, angst, eventual romance.
Notes: Special thanks and dedication goes to Anon for finding my Prompt on kakairu_kink
Additional Link AO3 Mirror Link
The Story from the Beginning
Author's Notes: Thanks to everyone who had left kudo's and comments!! I whipped up this chapter faster than I had anticipated. The wedding ceremony described is loosely based on a traditional Japanese wedding, for those more knowledgeable 'loosely' is a term that fits it best. Please enjoy!
Ch. 9
The Happiest Day of Our Lives
"Why did I ever think that getting married was a good idea?" Kakashi grumbled at his reflection in the full length mirror. He was garbed in all the trimmings of his family's Montsuki kimono which had been passed down through four generations of leading Hatake clansmen. Kakashi's sullen expression glared right back at him from the walnut mounted mirror. "I look like my father in his wedding photo."
"It is to be expected." Maito Gai gently patted Kakashi's shoulder, keeping in mind not to dent the folds that he had painstakingly sculpted in the mid-length blue overcoat. The taijutsu master included formal kimono wear among his repertoire of specialty skills. Gai continued with his REASSURING SPEECH "Especially since your father donned the very same outfit on his wedding day!"
"Not helpful, Gai." Kakashi growled with an undertone of warning. The copy-nin could hardly refuse Maito Gai's tearful request to assist dressing him on his wedding day, and the jounin had readily agreed than have a stranger roaming their hands over his unprotected back. Though now, Kakashi had developed a headache from the glare reflecting off his rival's lime-green kimono, which sported a tasteless metallic print of flying shuriken and kunai knives.
The most prominent feature of Kakashi's Montsuki grooms-wear were the pinstripe wide-legged hakima trousers tied high above his waist over a silvery kimono, and stopped just short of reaching his ankles. Kakashi's feet were encased in ankle-high tabi socks woven from breathable white silk and split through the toes for the straps of his woven hemp sandals to easily slip through. A loose wide-sleeved midnight blue overcoat completed the ensemble along with a thin obi over the silver kimono peeking above the hakima trousers, which depicted the Hatake clan colors in stiff alternating lines of navy blue and grey.
Kakashi's features were hidden under his usual facial mask and metal Konoha hitai-ate over the Sharingan eye, but what possibly peeved the jounin the most about his appearance was his hair, which had been slicked with gel in effort to tame the unruly spikes into one congealed mass. A few stray locks stuck up in defiance to the natural order of things and were a reflection of the copy-nin's bristly mood.
"Complaining that you look like 'The White Fang' won't change the fact that you are still his son," Morino Kanao reprimanded over a pilfered bowl of tsukimono vegetables, of which she delicately picked at with her favorite pair of chopsticks. It was little surprise to either men that the retired ANBU operative was able to slip unnoticed into the groom's dressing ward and snag a free meal along the way. Kakashi's longtime neighbor was always the first to reach the buffet table whenever a free meal presented itself, as testament to her plump figure. Kanao shot Kakashi a grin over a mouthful of pickles. "You are now ready to attend the ceremony."
"I've been ready for the last two hours!" Kakashi complained. His hand strayed to ruffle his silvery mane back into its usual mussed state and he yelped when the old woman shot up from her seat to rap the jounin's knuckles with the blunt ends of her chopsticks, which were Kanao's preferred weapon of choice.
"None of that now," she warned. "Especially after the sizable fortune of hair product Gai-san has just invested over your ungrateful head." Kanao adjusted the maple brown kimono over her stout figure before resettling back into her stool, which was wedged between the wall and the folding room dividers inside the tiny dressing room. The embroidered silk-screen dividers displayed bright red chrysanthemums symbolizing the flower of the groom. Kakashi eyed the old woman as he ruefully rubbed his smarting hand. He had to take care to remember that the old biddy was a lot quicker than what she permitted the outside world to believe.
Gai licked the pad of one thumb with the intent to smooth down those rebellious hair strands. To Kakashi's chagrin he was forced to remain still under Kanao's watchful eye as his long-time rival plastered MANLY saliva over his head. Kakashi vented his frustration by tugging at the stiff collar of his silver kimono, grouching "This is a horrible thing to wear in humid weather."
"Even burdened by discomfort, I only hope to look as HIP and COOL on my wedding day!" The Green Beast's eyes glittered with ANTICIPATION of the day he would tie the knot with an unsuspecting kunoichi, who would no doubt be showered with Maito Gai's undying LOVE and AFFECTION until her dying day. Kakashi could only pity that nameless woman, whomever she was.
Not for the first time he wondered how Iruka was faring. No doubt the chuunin-sensei was just as eager to get over with this wedding as much as Kakashi was. It was nine o'clock in the morning and the long day was only just beginning.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Iruka sat very still as Sarutobi Akemi applied the final touches of foundation to hide the dark bags under his eyes. As the chuunin had predicted, he was unable to sleep a wink the night before he was to be ceremoniously 'given away' to Hatake Kakashi.
Sometime during the night a cold numbness had appeared within his chest to smother thought and emotion, and was a welcomed companion as Iruka went through the mechanical motions of shrugging into his bridal wear before kneeling on a rose colored cushion for his aunt to provide the final preparations. He stared at a fixed point above his aunt's bound white hair where he could not glimpse the concern that creased her aged face. Iruka had barely spoken more than a few words since Akemi had appeared at morning's first light to escort him to the ceremonial ward of the Administration Building. She had attempted to coax her nephew out of his mood but gave up upon the realization that he had withdrawn into himself.
Akemi did not counter Iruka's silence when she removed the Konoha hitai-ate from his forehead. It would not be a part of his wedding ensemble, and Iruka felt somewhat naked without it. She had then combed his hair into its usual style with the addition of an ivory kanzashi comb in place of an elastic tie. It was a family heirloom personally presented by Akemi, who did not seem to take offence of Iruka's stiff nod in acknowledgement to her gift.
The lower lid of Iruka's right eye twitched as the sable hairs of the make-up brush tip hit a sensitive spot, a deliberate motion made by his aunt to force her adopted nephew to meet her gaze. Iruka countered the move by directing his eyes to the white chrysanthemums that embroidered the silk screen room dividers, which were the symbolic flower of the bride.
Iruka found that his precious feeling of apathy was growing harder to cultivate as the hour of the ceremony drew near. A niggling worm of dread had began to fester in his gut. For better or worse, his life was about to forever change.
The Sarutobi clanswoman rose from her knees in an unspoken signal that her preparations were complete. Iruka gracefully followed suit to regard his reflection in the mounted mirror. The shimmering green Haniwa kimono was as magnificent as the day before, even more now that Iruka was garbed in finery down to his toes, which were incased in silken tabi socks clad over black lacquered sandals. Iruka's blank expression stared back at him through the mirror. The magic of the forest hued Haniwa kimono was gone. Rather, he felt like a cheap dessert covered in expensive frosting, and Iruka was the unappetizing cake.
Akemi finally broke the silence between them with a gentle caress of weathered fingers brushing against the chuunin's cheek. "Iruka-kun, my heart." The noble lines of Akemi's faded beauty was desperately trying to elicit an emotional response. Her gentle eyes met that of her nephew, who was like a son to her in all but blood. "There is still a choice."
As if Iruka really had one at this point. Not with the Damiyo's courtiers anticipating the lavish feast after the ceremony. It would be political suicide for the adopted son of the Hokage to deprive them of that worldly pleasure.
"It's okay, Obasan. Really." The forced smile felt tight on the corners of Iruka's lips. "I'm determined to see my duty through for the sake of our clan."
Iruka wondered if anyone else would notice the false warmth behind his eyes.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
An hour later, both Iruka and Kakashi found themselves seated next to each other in the middle rung of a three tiered ceremonial podium. The podium was where the marriage ceremony was to take place, and overlooked a reception room teeming with over a hundred of the Fire Country's most established and elite. While a typical wedding would celebrate the merging of two families, a noble shinobi wedding reflected on the union of two clans tying themselves to country and Damiyo. A consequence was that no personal friends or relatives of the bride and groom could attend the ceremony, save for those that fell under that category.
Five long rows of highly polished wooden tables were spread across the length of the room, arranged vertically so that each guest could witness the event without hindrance. A tasteful display of red and white chrysanthemums centered each table, along with sake flasks and pots of tea to encourage a polite buzz of conversation to float above the room. Comfortable cushions were provided for each of the guests, though the seats closest to the podium were reserved for the attending Konoha councilmen and highest ranking courtiers.
The Damiyo's youngest brother and his beautifully painted wife were privileged the best seats in the house. The esteemed nobles displayed an air of bored indifference as they cooled themselves with glittering fans to deflect the humid air as well as clan elder Sarutobi Eiji, who did not seem to mind carrying a one-sided conversation in his ancient quivery voice. The courtiers scattered about the room were bedecked in a dazzling display of flamboyant courtly fashion, and resembled a flock of peacocks stuck in a coop of blandly dressed chickens--though feral shinobi chickens, at that.
On either side of the marital couple sat two of their family representatives. To Iruka's left was his foster father Sarutobi Hiruzen Sandaime Hokage and younger sister Sarutobi Akemi. To Kakashi's right was Nakodo Hyuuga Yukari and her son and clan leader Hyuuga Hizashi. It was stated in Kakashi's contract to disallow members of his blood relatives to attend the ceremony, which was a deliberate snub on the jounin's part. It was a condition Yukari had graciously allowed on the terms that she and her son would sit in their place. Even if the Hyuuga clan could not marry into the Sarutobi family, their mere presence sitting with the Sandaime Hokage on the marriage podium carried significant political weight.
A steady stream of guests had lined before the Hokage's side to formally express their congratulations. Unlike a traditional wedding where a reception directly followed the ceremony, a high ranking shinobi union allowed the guests to present their offerings as part of an ancient custom to proclaim loyalty to the families that were about to be joined. Before the podium was a low table for the guests to display their wedding gifts in a neat stack that was increasingly growing, the bulk of which were more symbolic than functional as pertaining to tradition.
The Damiyo's brother and his fellow courtiers had been the first to present their congratulations to the honored couple, though a small group had lingered when it was the shinobi clansmen's turn to present their gifts. The courtiers had sprung at the first opportunity to engage the Hokage and his sister in light political matters. It was first among many informal meetings that were to occur throughout the day to cement future transactions between the nobility and the Sarutobi clan. The councilmen delicately brushed against the topic of Iruka's dowry, which was a major factor in the negotiations. The long line of Konoha clansmen wordlessly stepped around the courtiers to present their offerings before attendants escorted them to their designated seats and the refreshments that awaited them.
None of the guests appeared to have noticed that both bride and groom had been pointedly avoiding each other ever since the reception ceremony had begun. Iruka had only spared Kakashi a single withering glance before stiffly settling onto his ceremonial cushion. Kakashi had returned the chuunin's dismissive gesture with a muffled huff of exasperation before dropping into his seat. Both had enough on their plates to occupy their attentions, as it was Iruka's bridal task to personally greet every guest and the gifts presented to them. Kakashi only had to return the formality with a mere dip of his greased head.
It had not slip past Iruka that the more prominent guests--the Damiyo's family included, had completely overlooked the chuunin when presenting their congratulations to Sandaime Hokage and the infamous Hatake Kakashi. Iruka's union was a political and monetary transaction to bolster the standing of two respectable shinobi clans, but it did not lift his mood to be treated as if he were an inconsequential aspect of the ceremony, of no more importance than one of the decorative bouquets of chrysanthemum flowers displayed throughout the room.
That niggling worm which had infected Iruka's apathy had sprouted into a snake writhing in his gut. The source of his anxiety's violent growth spurt was rooted in the quiet bickering between Kakashi and Nakodo Yukari, which had began since the pair had settled next to each other at start of the ceremony. Kakashi took great delight in needling the old woman when the jounin knew that he could safely get away with it. Hyuuga Hizashi appeared to either take no notice or interest of the exchange, and was occupied with sweeping the reception room with sharp pale eyes that were alert to spot anything amiss. Iruka tried his best to ignore what he was overhearing, and he fervently hoped that nobody else caught what he heard.
"I can see how you can get off on dry formal affairs such as this, Yukari-san" Kakashi murmured. "It truly suits your winning personality." The jounin paused to respectfully bow before the fierce Inuzuka Tsume presenting a braided cord of Shiraga hemp, symbolizing strong family ties and marital union. The kunoichi's sharp canines peeked through a smirk at the sight of the copy-nin's over-greased silver mane, and Kakashi returned her expression with a deadpan one-eyed glare. He continued once the highly amused Inuzuka clansman had left. "Though if I had my way, there would be a line of half naked choir girls dancing up the aisles to help 'shake' things up!"
"And what a fiasco that would be," Hyuuga Yukari hissed from the side of her mouth. "Since half of the elderly courtiers attending today would drop dead from a heart attack at the mere sight of a bared ankle. No, I doubt that the Damiyo's brother would look kindly upon that."
"Really? I would assume that arranging funerals would be more to your style" Kakashi said under his breath as the yellow haired leader of the Yamanaka clan presented an oversized Suehiro fan to represent marital bliss. "Though I fear that the corpse would be the only one having a good time."
The pale Hyuuga eyes flashed at the impetuous copy-nin. "Then you best take care, as I am looking forward to the day when I can arrange yours."
"Have you looked in the mirror lately, Yukari-san? I think you have one foot in the grave ahead of me." Kakashi bowed before the heavy-set Akimichi leader presenting a satchel of dried bonito flakes for an everlasting marriage. "I'll be sure to remember to bring an entire squadron of choir girls when I'm dancing over your grave."
Yukari's shot the copy-nin a dignified toothy grin. "And I'll be sure to remember to exempt you from the open bar in my will."
"Maa, I like a woman who plays dirty," Kakashi said under a suggestive wiggle of an eyebrow.
Iruka's forced smile had widened until he was almost certain that the top half of his head would detach under the strain. Apparently it was too much to hope that his spouse-to-be would behave himself around the uppity Hyuuga Matriarch. At least none of the other guests seemed to have taken notice of their subdued exchange, most especially Sandaime Hokage, who along with Akemi were currently occupied by a particularly persistent councilman who was all but demanding to know the exact monetary amount of Iruka's dowry.
The hulking form of Morino Ibiki appeared as a menacing shadow over the table. The commander of Konoha's torture and interrogation force donned a smile that was quite out of place under his prominent battle scars. His mother Morino Kanao's smile was a mirror image to that of her son, with the exception that her smile was made even more unsettling over her plump grandmotherly features. She bowed before Iruka and especially to Kakashi, who returned a friendly wave to his long-time neighbor. Kanao gifted the couple a decorative satchel containing red and white chrysanthemum flower seeds, which had been harvested by hand from her flower garden.
"However you want to paint this union, it is doomed to fail if you do not follow proper custom" Yukari whispered once the Morino clansmen had been escorted to their seats. "The simple act of marriage will not erase the Hatake clan's disgrace overnight."
"You are free to inform the esteemed nobility where they can shove my disgrace," Kakashi replied. "Specifically to where the sun doesn’t shine." His uncovered eye arched with gleefully malicious intent. "I’d be happy to demonstrate a special technique that falls under that category…one that I like to call 'A Thousand Years of Pain.'"
"I’ll be sure to pass the sentiment along," Yukari said dryly. "But you sidestep the topic..." The dreaded cane seemed to have materialized over the lap of Yukari's lavender kimono. "As you are still on active duty, most of the burden will be placed on your spouse to repair the damage made by your disgraced father." The Nakodo idly fingered the pommel of the polished mahogany cane. "There are many wolves prowling the political field that would seize the throat of a Sarutobi clansman, no matter how weak his blood connection may be." Her pale eyes were razor sharp upon the jounin. "It will be your responsibility as leader of the Hatake clan to ensure that your spouse is a strong-willed opponent that would not crumble under pressure."
The shift in the conversation had momentarily distracted Iruka. He jumped when Nara Shikaku thumped a melon-sized sake cask onto the presentation table. The round sake cask was a thing of beauty woven from the tender leaves of a Yui-no willow tree. Shikaku took advantage of the chuunin's captured attention to boast that the sake was a special medicinal blend that could cure anything from a hangover to a wart. Iruka merely returned a tight-lipped grimace to the shadow-nin, and catching the bride's mood, Shikaku wisely retreated to his designated seat between the Akimichi and Yamanaka clansmen.
Iruka shot the offered gift a sour look. Sake casks were meant to symbolize a pledge for obedience and gentleness in marriage. Perhaps he could drink himself to death before the day was through. Iruka's ears suddenly perked at what he caught Yukari hissing into Kakashi's ear.
"There is still the question of children" Yukari sniffed. "I don't see a way around this problem other than adoption."
"And I'm sure that you have a list of Hyuuga stock in mind," Kakashi replied with a long suffering sigh. "Honestly, your clan really should adopt a rabbit motif considering the rate that you breed."
Yukari sniffed again. "In my time, a couple was not considered truly married until the match was consummated with a pregnancy. The Hatake clan needs an heir to continue your ruling line…" The Hyuuga Matriarch's voice had risen in volume as well as fervor. "Unless of course, you want your relatives squabbling amongst themselves for that honored title at the real risk of coming to blows within the borders of our beloved village!" She glared at the jounin. "So how do you propose to evade that little problem?"
'Keep smiling. Keep smiling.' Iruka told himself, hoping against hope that no one else would take heed as his fiancé met the same conversational tone to match Yukari.
"I have a jutsu for everything!" Kakashi grinned. "Though it might be considered illegal in some areas--" With his attention still fixed on Yukari, Kakashi wrapped an arm around Iruka to pull the chuunin close. Iruka's plastered smile slipped into a snarl, and at that moment fate deemed it necessary for a lull in the conversation among the guests when Kakashi boasted in a voice clear enough for the entire room to hear "--but I'm sure that I can get a bun into this oven in no time!"
Iruka saw red. Without thinking he snatched the sake cask off the table. "Like HELL you will!" The cask slammed into Kakashi's face with enough force to knock the jounin head over heels off his cushion, and made a satisfying sound of a hammer hitting a hollow log. Iruka shot up from his seat to properly shriek down at the unconscious copy-nin, who had went down like a wet sack of laundry with one sandaled foot flung unceremoniously across the presentation table. "I will cut off your goddamn balls with a plastic table knife and shove them down your throat if you DARE try to use a weird jutsu like that on me!" Iruka brandished the sake cask over his head like a cudgel. "I'd rather DIE than get pregnant by YOU!"
For a moment Iruka stood breathing heavily over the prone form of his fiancé, then with a start he turned about to face the deathly silence of the crowd before him. The sake cask tumbled from his numb fingers to roll away forgotten under the presentation table.
Over a hundred witnesses stared at Iruka in open-mouth shock. A fair number of the guests had forgotten to let up teapots or sake vessels from overfilling their cups, and the sound of liquid dribbling onto the floor was all that could be heard aside from the Damiyo's brother steadying his delicate wife who had swooned off her seat. Akemi's hands had flown to her mouth in horror, and the Hokage's ever-present pipe had dropped from his startled lips to smolder on the floor.
"I--I--" The blood had completely drained from Iruka's face. He did then what any proper shinobi would do under the circumstances. Iruka's hands automatically flew into a complex array of seals before he could fully comprehend what he was doing and he vanished inside a cloud of teleportation smoke.
Sarutobi Umino Iruka had fled from the alter of his wedding.
The heavy silence was broken by the high pitched cackling of Hyuuga Yukari as she nudged her son with an elbow and a knowing wink. "I remember being just as feisty on my wedding night with your father!"
Hizashi buried his red face in one hand with a groan.
TBC
Next Chapter
Ch. IX: A Solid Foundation
Previous Chapters
Prologue & Ch. I: A Battle of Wills
Ch. II: The Burden of Duty
Ch. III: Cold Feet
Ch. IV: The Fine Print
Ch. V: A Wager
Ch. VI: A Matter of Convenience
Ch. VII: Accommodations