So, this story had been sitting in my computer and in my brain for a very long time. I finally dug it out of the dusty corner of my hard drive and work on it a bunch.
Yes, this is one inspired by Game of Thrones but I mainly wanted to play with the idea of arranged marriages and children. This won't be a long one, maybe a three chapters at the most. I'm hoping to get this out so I can finish my oneshot KakaIru based in the Star Wars universe and then maybe a parody or two to break out of all this angst.

Game of Thorns

"Otokami." Iruka murmured under his breath, throwing another one of his shirts towards his bag and ruffling through more of his clothes. "Otokami, Otokami."

"Yes," Obito continued as he watched the other man rush through his things in a panicked frenzy. "It means god of men or man god. He's extremely high profile but still part of a clan made to kill. They're beasts of nature more than they are man but they're Otokami is leader for a reason."

"They're just going to kill me then." Iruka stopped pulling out clothes and started pressing the ones on the bed into his bag. "They'll see right through me and know that being the last of the Uminos doesn't mean shit."

"Iruka," Obito's voice was steady and it stopped Iruka in his tracks so that they were staring at each other. "They don't value gold or jewels but find worth in actions and useful rarities. Your clan is the last of its kind and you are the last of your clan. If that's not rare then I don't know what else the Uchiha can offer than the freedom of our king."

There was a huff as Iruka started to organize his bag with more patience, "as if the king would last a day in slavery."

"Neither would the queen." Obito noted and they both went silent as their situation slowly started to settle upon them.

"The Uchihas' best kept secret." Iruka mused. "I have to admit I'll miss the title."

"Of course." They both knew that Iruka was giving up more than just the life he had now, one he had previous resented. It was last-minute and a very rash offer to have made but it was done. Now, he was being put up on the chopping block.

"And maybe he'll be so horrified of your ugly face that he'll kill himself, saving you the trouble!" At the joke, the rest of the convoy burst into laughter as they rode quickly through the lush forests of the south. Kakashi slowed his horse until Asuma was trotting next to him.

The silver-haired man gave his second in command a smirk as he asked, "and what is your real opinion of all this?"

The Kaizoe chuckled and let his smile fall, the gravity of the situation falling upon them and signalling that he too felt the heavy feeling in the atmosphere on all the shoulders.

"I think that whether he's fat, smelly or repulsive, you should still give him a chance." Kakashi nodded at his wise friend's words, listening in with all seriousness as the man went on. "You're not going to be in your prime forever, you have to start thinking of settling down, starting a family."

"What if he's obnoxious?"

"Then you may kill him."

Hands cold with stress, Iruka was staring at a man who was apparently not the Otokami. Despite his tall figure and thick beard, this man was instead the second in command. He was called Asuma of the Sarutobi branch but was referred to as the Kaizoe. In an upholstered, wooden chair, the Kaizoe made Obito seem small in comparison. His thick pelt cloak made his shoulders seem immense and the dark coat that was buckled underneath hid away how he was truly made underneath.

The coat wasn't removed even if the fireplace burned brightly to push back the winter night of the desert. Iruka supposed it was more of a matter of symbolism than that the man was cold. Their clan was from the central forests and dominated a large portion of the northern ones as well. Both were probably colder than the coldest nights Iruka had ever felt. He shivered and let the curtain fall back. As he waited out in the hall, he tries to ignore the lights that were coming from just beyond the castle walls, just at the edge of the forest.

He had seen the convoy emerge from the woods back in his room and their tents were pitched in a handful of minutes. What he could see from such a distance was that they all wore either similar dark pelts or cloaks over their shoulders that dragged behind them. They seemed more cunning than the rumours had said and it made them all the more fearsome.

Obito's voice hit his ears again, "would you like to see him?"

"Yes." The tone was cold but the rumbling voice sounded fitting for such a warrior. It made Iruka want to run.

With a deep breath, he pulled back the curtain again and ducked under his hand to step inside. Walking further in, he looked up and met the Kaizoe's studying gaze. He stood tall and kept his eyes watching for any sign of displeasure or anger. Anything negative that would have him sprinting out. Instead of the uncaring stare he'd been met with for most of his life, these were curious and alight with intrigue.

He wondered if it was because they had dressed him in ceremonial garbs that were traditional for the Uchiha. The high-collared tunic was a dark red with a trim of gold while the pants were a black that curled in at the bottom, all given to him at the last minute.

Glancing over at Obito, he saw an encouraging smile. When looking back, he saw the Kaizoe was staring right at his face. The long, languid stare slowly moved away from him and the man settled finally into his chair.

"And how do you plan to prove that this man is an Umino?" The question made Iruka's shoulders go limp. It was a little bit of hope.

Obito finally took a breath and went for a set of papers on the table in front of them, pulling thick parchment out as he said, "I am so glad you asked. Let me show you a bit of his family tree and-"

"How did you live?" Iruka looked back up at the abrupt question that was suddenly directed towards him. It was one he hadn't been prepared for but a question easily answered and he looked to Obito for a sign to let him speak.

Grin sinking down into a sombre line, Obito nodded.

Iruka turned back to the Kaizoe and spoke with a calm certainty, "my mother. We heard the screams and she carried me out the back door. My father stayed. We ran for the castle but they followed. I made it to the castle but she didn't."

After a moment of thought, the other man nodded and asked politely, "May I?"

Without a word, Iruka tucked down his collar and turned his back to the Kaizoe, knowing that the mark on the back of his neck wasn't hard to see. He had never seen the circle himself but he remembered the day he got it tattooed; the symbol of pride that used to represent their clan.

"Good." He listened as there was the sound of fabrics moving, pulling up his collar again and turning to see that the Kaizoe had tugged off his pelt. He looked like a real man now instead of the imposing lord he was. "Thank you."

"Thank you, Iruka." Obito nodded as well and Iruka quickly backed out of the room and hurried down the hall to the study as the guard who had been stationed near the door followed him. In the comforting quiet, Iruka waited for what felt like an anxious forever before Obito finally burst in.

Breathless and smiling wide, Obito stated firmly, "we did it. We passed the first test."

The second test was the dowry and one that Iruka had not been present for but he heard it had gone well, as it had been expected to. The Uchihas were known for their excess of wealth and the stakes were too high to bargain.

"And he said that the robes looked weird." Iruka chuckled out loud and Obito rolled his eyes. "Laugh all you want, it looks good on us. Guess we'll have to find something else."

"And on such short notice." They were looking through his clothes and trying to put something together that would please a king of men. Or something that would at least make him look presentable. There wasn't enough time to have something designed and made. The Otokami would be coming tomorrow night to make his decision in front of the entire Uchiha court.

"Hey, Obito." After having to remember his mother and his family, an idea now sparked in his mind. "Do you remember the robes of the Uminos?"

With a blue tunic underneath and dark pair of leather pants, the vest they had ordered to be made overnight was made of the same leather but had the detailed columns of weaving running up the sides of his chest. It wasn't a difficult job to do but he'd heard they'd paid an enormous amount for such a rush. It was almost perfect in comparison to his memory.

It was almost comforting enough to lose himself in memory. The heavy beating of the drum made that impossible.

They were inside the entrance hall with the entire court of Uchihas mumbling nervously amongst themselves. In the front was the king and queen with their sons by their sides while Iruka stayed back near Obito who would give him nods of encouragement that had the opposite effect. Through the hall, a warm wind suddenly cut through the quiet banging of the drums and ruffling the banner overhead. A moment later and the sound of hooves thundered through the room until they came to a halt.

Heavy steps echoed through the room until the Kaizoe and a man in greens and browns came into view. The second in command scanned through the room until resting on the king and queen, nodding to them as the man in greens came forward to address them.

"The Clan of Fangs thanks you all for your gracious hosting and hopes that tonight will be a night to celebrate!" The man's voice boomed throughout the hall and the king and queen stepped forward.

"On behalf of the entire Uchiha clan and my family, we welcome your clan in the hopes that you will accept our offer." The king declared back and the crowd of people cheered as more and more people with similar pelts and cloaks entered, filling the room.

For a moment, Iruka was tricked to believe the man with the green cloak was the Otokami and his stomach relaxed at the man's jovial manner. That was until the man bent in a bow and called, "I present to you the chief of the Fangs. Reiketsu Kakashi Hatake, son of the white fang and the sixth Otokami."

The crowd behind him parted and he stepped aside for the man known as Kakashi Hatake to step inside. And Iruka almost fainted. The power that this man had encompassed the whole room and not a single figure was left untouched in some way. Shoulders back and covered in smoky furs, he stood above everyone else with a gaze that was as confident as his stride forward and silver hair that ruffled with every step. Under the furs was a deep navy cloak with pants and tall boots of the same colour. When the man finally stopped in front of them, Iruka looked back up to see eyes methodically scanning the king and queen before suddenly snapping beyond to his. Out of fear and panic, he suddenly couldn't breathe and he watched as the Kaizoe whispered something into the Otokami's ear. The man had to almost tilt his head down to hear the soft words but he didn't look away. If it hadn't been for the king and queen suddenly speaking, red and grey eyes would have stayed on him. But Iruka didn't have the luxury of being free for more than a few moments.

"We welcome you our home and hope that everything is to your liking, my lord." The king bowed his head and the queen and princes followed to no reaction from the Otokami who let his gaze wander back to the interesting man behind them who didn't move. Against the sea of pale skin and dark hair, this tan one was a stark contrast of long, brown hair that stopped at his shoulders. He was the only spot of blue in the entire sea of reds that was the Uchihas and it was intriguing. The family stood back up and addressed him again but he only half listened as they spoke about trust and union. "We now present to you our ward, Iruka Umino as an offering to you in the hopes to earn your protection."

Like a wave, the crowd split and the young man in blue stepped forward.

Iruka managed to not trip on his own feet by watching every step and moved up in front of the imposing figure that was the Otokami. Once he was between the Uchiha and the Fangs, he looked up again and held himself as tall as he could. Almost flinching when the Otokami moved forward, he stayed as still as he could while the man circled him and scanned him. Ahead, he saw the Kaizoe watching his leader intently as if waiting for a sign. Iruka heard the Otokami coming up on his other side and turned his head to lock their eyes again, feeling more confident than before.

If this was how it was to end for him, then so be it.

There was a long pause before the man took a step forward to Iruka's side. And he heard him spoke for the first time. The husky, deep voice made Iruka shiver.

"May it be so."

The room swelled and the king called out, "then we feast!"

With loud cries of happiness and celebration around them, Iruka couldn't help but glance over at the tall man next to him. He found a sly stare glancing at him curiously and for the first time, he felt a warmth from this man. If he could see beyond the mask, he felt that as though there would be a smile.

Suddenly, the man was walking away and Obito was by his side again, guiding him into the dining hall where he was seated next to the Otokami who paid him no mind. The relief made it feel as though dinner has passed by and was long gone. Drinks and food were passed along until plates were empty but Iruka could only stomach a few bites. On occasion, he would hear a chuckle from the Otokami and it was warming to hear such an imposing man laugh. He was slowly beginning to relax.

There were speeches made by members of each clan and the music that had begun playing was starting to die down as people started glancing over in their direction. The Kaizoe was saying something low to his chief in that moment when Iruka finally saw Obito glancing nervously at him from a table over. It was a reminder as to what would come next and something he had never been prepared on.

The chair next to him slid out and the room fell silent. Iruka glanced up to see the man watching him and he slowly followed suit. At the other end of the hall, a side door opened and Iruka could only guess that he was to lead the way when the man next to him didn't move.

Stepping between the tables, he heard steps follow slowly. Eyes kept on them as they made their way through the quiet room and into the hall. Once beyond the doorway, the doors were shut behind them. Without looking back, he started down the hall and followed the path of lit lanterns to the guest rooms with the sound of steps lagging behind him. He feared that if he looked back, he would lose his resolve.

His quick pace brought him around a corner and to an open door. It was a guest room with a freshly made bed in the center and a single flame on the table next to it lighting the room. There were no windows or cabinetry. There was only a door to the left that went off to a water closet. He stepped inside and froze when the steps behind him made their way through the doorway behind him.

In a battle with himself, he fought over whether to turn and face the man or let him make the first move. It was the latter in an unexpected way. He strode passed Iruka and shrugged off his grey pelt coat and the cloak under it. The slim figure underneath didn't turn towards him but instead strode into the water closet, leaving Iruka alone for a few moments. His panic swelled up for a moment but he couldn't move. He simply stood there until the sound of water stopped and the door opened again behind him.

Step after step, the other man drew near until he was next to Iruka, as if waiting. Taking a shaky step over, it brought him closer to the man and the bed. For a moment, he tried to shakingly undo his vest but hands slid out from behind him to slowly take their place. Iruka watched as the long fingers unbuttoned his vest slowly from the top down before sliding up his sternum to pull it off his shoulders.

Once the vest was on the floor, his tunic was pulled up over his head and his belt was undone. When it fell off his hips, he was nude with the other man standing behind him. There was the sound of a belt being unbuckled behind and it seemed like forever before it was thrown onto one side of the bed. When Iruka realised it had a sheath attached to it and a sword inside, he felt more in danger than before and more scared than ever.

"Bed," the voice behind him said and Iruka carefully stepped out of the clothes beneath him and kneeled on the bed. For a long moment, he couldn't tell what was happening. He heard a frustrated hum and the sound of the door being shut.

"I've never had a man before." The voice said again and the bed dipped behind him. The fear of what was to come spiked and he shook as a hand pressed on his back until his hands were on the bed too.

He didn't know if he should say anything back but it was like the breath in his lungs wouldn't move.

The hand slid down his back slowly in a manner that was almost gentle and kind. It was gone and suddenly it was wet and touching his hole so abruptly that he flinched. A hand was on his hip, steadying him as a finger traced his hole. The voice came again as the bed shifted, it was closer to his ear.

"Forgive me."

Iruka didn't have enough time to be confused. The finger fell away and the man was pushing into him. Holding back a cry of pain, he gripped the sheets and gasped at the immense sudden and sharp agony. His arms were shaking and it was reverberating throughout his chest but the sting came again as he felt the Otokami pulling out and sliding back in. Tears were starting to fall and the movement happened again and again. Eventually, his arms fell and he was pressed into the sheets. No matter how much he braced for it, the twinge always came and it felt like torture to such an extent that a sob escaped.

The thrusts suddenly stopped and the hands were pressing his hips away, sliding the other man out of him and Iruka braced for his head to come off. There was no movement though until Iruka heard the soft sounds of flesh and grunts. He almost didn't look back out of fear but he turned just enough to see a hand moving quickly.

A hand was on his back again and Iruka feared he would be fucked again but the hand simply ran up his back and down it again while the other hand stroked quickly. It was only a few moments until the hand on his back slid back to his ass and spread a cheek. The grunt above him stopped and a hot spray of liquid hit him.

The hands were then gone and the sound of clothes being put back on gave him the clue that he should do the same. He was sitting on the edge of the bed when the Otokami was attaching his pelt and opening the door. There was a pause with his hands on the doors, as if her were about to say something but the moment was dashed when the man stepped out and closed the door behind him.

Iruka didn't remember how he got his clothes back on or how he even made it back to his room but there was a cluster of maids waiting for him. They stripped him and brought him to the bath. To weak and stunned to resist, he let them maneuver him. There was a gasp from one of them and he only caught a glimpse of the maid holding his pants and running out of the room.

He was put in a bath that was already made and thoroughly washed by the maids who cared for him even as he held back tears and even as the water grew pink with blood.

That night, he didn't sleep well.

He felt empty and hurt, more hurt than anything. He knew that sex would be a part of this. He only blamed himself for not being more prepared. Now though, he was slowly convincing himself that he was okay even if he felt embarrassed and violated and it was slowly working. The next morning came too soon though. He hid away in his room for the better part of the day. The maids brought him food and there was even a card from the king thanking him for his duty and congratulating him on a successful union.

It dawned on him that he was now a married man. He had a husband and he would soon have to go with him to live with the clan of the Fangs. And he would be required to bear the Otokami a child. The thought chilled him to the core. He never saw himself married, let alone being pregnant.

He was slowly drowning himself in a panic of thoughts when a maid came in and asked if he was finished eating. Blinking, he told her he was and passed her the full tray back. She took pity on him and brought him a cup of tea a few minutes later. There was even a very short visit by a doctor who didn't ask any questions and gave a small vial of soothing oils that he didn't have to explain.

The sun had set by the time Iruka left his room and started down the hall. He didn't know where he'd been heading for but he turned a corner to find a figure slowly moving towards his direction. Without the furs and the cloak, the Otokami looked much less intimidating but Iruka bristled anyway.

He was in a white frock and the same leather pants as last night. Iruka noticed the silver pommel of the sword and realised he wasn't as afraid anymore. The worst had been done to him. What was a little death?

"Good evening," came the husky voice and Iruka nodded back.

"Good evening," he said back and the other man reacted in a way Iruka didn't expect. Red and grey eyes softened as he stepped closer, suddenly unable to make eye contact like he had before.

"I want to apologize for last night," he said softly once he was closer to Iruka and it caught Iruka off guard.

Looking away in stunned silence, Iruka rubbed his nose, "wasn't the best night."

There was a nod and Iruka took a deep breath, starting with the darkest voice he could muster, "it won't happen again."

Finally, the Otokami looked up and Iruka's breath caught again. "Not like that."

A slender, pale hand reached out to him and hovered in the air, waiting for Iruka's, "never."

"Good." Iruka's voice almost cracked but he felt like that had been dealt with. A small bit of his fears seeped away as he took the offered hand and shook it, feeling its warmth and steadfast grip.

"I… Um," their handshake was broken as the other man pulled out a simple scabbard from his belt with the handle of a sleek, steel dagger outstretched to Iruka who hesitantly took it. The Otokami said softly, "It's a wedding present. From me to you."

It felt like a promise on the other man's lips and Iruka felt himself being almost enchanted into feeling relaxed.

God of men wasn't just a title about strength or wisdom but Iruka suddenly felt like it was about how he knew the right things to say.

"Thank you… Um, my lord."

"Kakashi. Call me Kakashi."

"Thank you, Kakashi." The way the other man's eyes burned had Iruka wondering if Kakashi was being sincere or if there was some sort of magic at work. He couldn't even see Kakashi's whole face and yet he still felt himself being whisked away by the flutter of his heart. He shook his mind back to reality and started to back away slowly. "I should now be… Getting back to my room. I have a lot of things scheduled today and…"

He tried to find excuses but Kakashi's eyes curved into smile, "Of course, sorry to keep you from your day, Iruka."

"That's… That's okay." His name sounded tempting on Kakashi's lips. "I'm going to go now. Yeah."

"Yes." Finally, Iruka let go and spun around to stalk back down the hall.

"Goodnight." The voice called out behind him but he kept going but glanced behind him to see the tall figure starting slowly to move back down the hall away.

In his room, Iruka breathed a sigh of relief. As much as he was drawn to the other man, he was purely anxious. Thoughts of last night kept popping up and he tried to assure himself that it wouldn't happen again. When a maid came by, he jumped at the opportunity for another bath.

He stewed in the warm water until he was wrinkled and spent the rest of the night curled up in bed. Exhaustion finally took over and he fell into a dreamless sleep that dragged on until morning when a knock woke him up.

Snapping up, he padded to the door to find a servant requesting that he join the court in the tea room in an hour. The man looked him up and down and hinted, "A more formal attire would be beneficial."

Having lived in the castle for almost fifteen years, Iruka knew the grounds well and the children too. The people he didn't know closely were most of the ladies in waiting and the lords and ladies of the court, including of course the king and queen. He had only ever seen the king and queen during events when they were showing their good faith to the people. Inside the castle, they kept to themselves. When he first came to the castle, he remembered that they were to be wed soon after and how the queen had been a lady of the court at the time. She had been gracious enough to offer him asylum in her family's mansion near the castle.

Her soft smile was one of the only bright spots in that sombre moment of his life and he felt like he had always owed her a great debt even after she became queen. As a mere tutor, he knew his place but he always had a deep loyalty to the Uchihas. That might have been one of the reasons why he accepted the insane position of acting as a pawn in their plan for political stability.

The Fangs were their own nation as their own government with tribes spanning the vast forests between the different cities and to be allied with them saw to have protection and safety. It was something the Uchiha desperately needed at the moment. The Hyuuga in the south were moving up to test the borders and the Kohaku were rumoured to be contemplating assassination.

Iruka had never seen himself as an important person.

As he sat opposite the queen though, he had the sense that the last few days hadn't been for nothing.

"Thank you, dear," Mikoto smiled at the maid who bowed and left them with freshly poured tea. She was in very simple clothes for a queen but Iruka still felt underdressed in the same ceremonial robes he wore a few nights before that had been washed and cleaned of blood and sweat.

"Iruka," she started softly, hands folded in her lap as her eyes tried to find a place to sit. "On behalf of the whole Uchiha, I wanted to thank you for your cooperation and congratulate you on your marriage."

"Thank you, your majesty." He bowed his head lightly and when he looked back up he found her studying him with what felt like pity. "It was my duty, after all."

"In thanks, we want to offer you a sum to keep for yourself and that your room here in the palace always be yours so that you may visit whenever you like." She was almost on the brink of tears and it was a shock to see someone he'd never spent time with suddenly so emotional.

"Um… Thank you, your majesty, but the dowry was more than sufficient-"

"No." She cut him off quickly with a start that made the room suddenly quiet. With a deep breath to calm herself, she spoke again, "this is just for you. We may not be family by blood but what you've given us with this marriage is more than what we've ever given you."

There were no words Iruka could say at the moment but the queen leaned forward and explained, "Being the wife of a powerful man is not an easy job, having children is not an easy business and I wish we could have given you a normal life as a man. I would never wish this life of servitude for anyone."

Her words echoed in his head and he fell still and silent, unsure of what to do or say. The tremble in her voice confirmed his worst fears and it made him more uneasy than he already was.

After his talk with the queen, Iruka took to the library and stayed huddled up in a mountain of books to read more about the Fangs, their traditions and anything he could get his hands on that would be helpful. There was little helpful in most of it, sadly. He learned that they were an ancient people who were sometimes nomadic and sometimes sedentary, depending on the stars and the moon.

What books there were on them only mentioned them in passing and it seemed as though they were very secretive and proud people. A pattern he saw was their reverence for their Otokami and how they would protect them at all costs. And he was supposed to be married to one.

Glancing down at his hand, he noted how there had been no exchange of rings. All he had to represent their marriage was the dagger that he'd left under his pillow. He wondered if he should have given something in return. He kind of liked the idea of a man with a ring. That idea didn't seem fitting for a man who didn't covet jewels.

He couldn't remember most of what his new husband had on him except for the pelt and the cloak. He couldn't even bring himself to say the man's name out loud.

With a tired groan, he flipped a book shut and replaced them back in their spots before heading out. He didn't see anyone else that night and took it upon himself to finally take in his physical state. He found what looked like tiny fading bruises on his hips when he finally looked himself over that night. They weren't even black or purple but a tone or two darker in the shape on fingers. As afraid as he was of checking his sensitive area and using the oils the doctor had given him, he worked himself up to a point where when he did check that night, he was surprised to find that there was only one area of pain and it felt like a small cut.

The next morning, there was a knock on his door just as he finished dressing and was dreading who it was until he found a familiar face.

"Good morning," the Kaizoe was smiling, his pelt draped over an arm.

"Good morning," Iruka was about to give a short bow when the other man executed a low bow first.

Seeing Iruka's stunned face, the Kaizoe smirked, "we can meet properly now that formalities are out of the way."

A hand was stuck out and Iruka shook. "Nice to meet you, Kaizoe."

"Call me Asuma. Only those lower than I call me by my title." Asuma chuckled. "Walk with me, Hashira."

Without waiting for an answer, Asuma turned and headed off down the hall slowly for Iruka to catch up with.

"Hashira?"

Asuma glanced over at him and nodded. "Your new title. It's more symbolic than anything. It stands for pillar or backbone."

"Well then," Iruka swallowed and nodded back. "You can call me Iruka then."

There was a deep chuckle before Asuma countered, "The sentiment is welcome but I'd rather call you Hashira."

"And why's that?"

"Only your superiors and equals can call you by your name. Or people who have gained your trust through experience."

"So, only the Otokami can call me by my name?"

There was a nod of acknowledgement from Asuma that confirmed what the queen said of being the wife of a powerful man and in servitude to them.

"And you can call him by his. As has been tradition for centuries." They continued down the hall slowly as Asuma explained, "the plan is to leave tomorrow. That should be enough time to pack and finish the treaty with the Uchiha. The last debate is happening tonight and then we leave after dawn. Does this please you, Hashira?"

"Uh, yes. Sounds good." Iruka floundered and wondered if his opinion did matter or if it was just out of politeness.

"He would like to dine with you."

They stopped and Iruka crossed his arms, wondering if he was up to the task or if he should try to avoid his husband like the coward he was. The thought of being intimidated again was not pleasant and he would rather eat with the kitchen staff.

"And if I say no?"

Asuma shrugged and shifted to throw his pelt over a shoulder. "He's already a pitiful mess of a human. One more let down won't kill him."

"He is not pitiful." Iruka huffed, remembering the tall man with his cool temperament with a mild amusement at the thought.

"He might seem terrifying now." Asuma gave him a soft stare and spoke with a fleck of sympathy that spoke volumes. "But he had been searching for his Hashira for a long time."

There was a tense moment before Iruka sighed, "fine. I'll eat with him."

"Thank you," the smile Iruka got was quite genuine from such a stoic man but he looked down at his plain tunic and thought back to the only nice clothes he had, ones that Kakashi had seen before.

"Do you think it could be a very... Relaxed kind of dinner?" He gestured to himself and Asuma nodded.

"I think that can be very easily arranged. I'll send for you."

At the wooden desk in his tent, looking over the papers he was to sign by morning, Kakashi was not expecting Asuma to slide in so quietly. "Ready?"

"Mm? Yes, I just have to read over this last page and then it'll be done." When he got no response, Kakashi glanced back to find the other man unmoving. "What?"

"And about tonight?"

"What about it?"

"Your husband."

Kakashi turned back to the papers and seemed to cave in on himself, muttering, "What of him?"

"Did you forget that you asked him to eat with you?"

There was a horrified second where Kakashi was quiet and Asuma groaned.

"Of course not." Frantically putting papers away and straightening his tent, Kakashi looked back at the still Asuma and asked, "When is he coming?"

"I have yet to send for him but it was getting late and I didn't want him to starve himself waiting for you."

Without hearing a response back, Asuma started out the door and said over his shoulder, "I'll summon him then."

"Asuma, wait."

Turning back, the Kaizoe saw his leader standing in the middle of the room as if he were lost.

"Did he seem like…?" There was a sigh and Kakashi asked seriously, "how did he react to the offer?"

"He accepted, didn't he?"

Again Asuma was met with silence and he left Kakashi in his tent to feel dumbfounded about everything. He felt guilty more than anything. He didn't know what being a good husband was and he couldn't remember his mother. The only information he had about marriage were things the clan had told him and the expectation he had to live up to. The clan hadn't expected a man as their Hashira and neither had Kakashi.

They were only heard of in legends and were thought to have been extinct. The idea of a man being able to bear children was one the world had easily put away but once the Uchiha had offered such a gift, it was a rarity that even the clan was excited to see.

Instead of looking exotic of having a different tongue, they all found that the last Umino was a simple man of the queen's court. He was real and tangible; not a myth to be played with or a toy.

If it had been up to him, he would have ignored tradition but it had seemed like a good guideline at the time. He had never been with another man before but he knew it never should have been like that. The hope had been that it would have gotten better but it didn't. It got worse and his biggest regret is that the first time he'd hear his spouse's voice was as a cry of pain; the soft sob that haunted his dreams and the blood he'd shed. It hadn't been much but enough for him to decide that he couldn't finish it that way.

Fabric moving from behind pulled him away from his thoughts and he saw stepping under the tent door his husband dressed in cloak that covered his plain tunic that was cinched at the waist with a belt and pants that hugged close. Hair pulled up in a high ponytail, Iruka paused as the tent flapped back into place and said, "good evening."

There was moment of silence in which Kakashi stared before he realised that is was becoming uncomfortable. With a nod, he turned away and gestured to an empty chair as he went to move his desk into the center of the room, "please, sit."

"Thank you," pulling his cloak off and setting it on the back of the chair, Iruka sat as Kakashi pulled up his own side.

Before a silence of wondering what to say grew, Iruka commented lightly, "it's quite cold out tonight."

"It is?" Kakashi asked as he sat, feeling all too attentive to that one question.

"Yes," Iruka stiffly shifted. "Well, at least it's quite hot for this part of the world. I mean, it's quite cold."

"Yes, of course."

"Although, I know this might not be anything like the colds you've seen up north."

"Sometimes no."

The small talk was immediately replaced by silence and Iruka couldn't find anything else he wanted to ask or say that would break the ice more. He glanced up and found that Kakashi was staring at a knot in the table. He was extremely hard to read. The mask was one thing but Kakashi never gave more away than small hints and he wasn't hinting at anything in that moment. Iruka wondered if he should ask about Kakashi's homeland as a starting point. That might give him an opening to ask more about their customs and expectations of him.

"Thank you." Iruka shut his mouth when Kakashi spoke, letting the man continue, "for coming tonight, I mean. And for speaking with me the other day."

"Well, we're married now." They both seemed to relax at that.

"Yes."

A spark of inspiration suddenly hit him and Iruka felt a wave of confidence that he decided to ride and he sat up straighter, looking Kakashi right in the straight on without hesitation as he asked, "And we will be married until one of us dies, yes?"

The sudden deep implications drew Kakashi's shoulders back and Iruka saw the fearless and powerful man he first met. "Yes."

"Then grant me one wish and I will give you all my loyalty and all the children you could ever ask for."

This sparked a heated flame between them, as if a challenge was set and Iruka could swear that he saw a crook of lips under the tight mask. The deep whisper that came almost had Iruka shiver visibly, "and what would that be?"

Eyes locked, Iruka kept his breathing even. "From this day forth, promise that you will only touch me on my terms."

Outside the tent, crickets were chirping and the grass rustled but it was dead silent in the Otokami's tent as him and the Hashira stared each other down with intents that burned at each other's ends.

"Only a fool would turn down such a beautiful offer." It was only with the Otokami's words that they both relaxed back into their chairs.

"Good thing you're not a fool," Iruka smirked and watched the other man shift more in his seat and study Iruka from across the table.

Kakashi mused out loud, "with that wit I think you'll fit in well with us."

"Well I won't with knowledge. I don't know the first thing about being anyone's husband."

There was a chuckle and Kakashi said softly, "you should be more worried about being the Hashira of the Fangs."

"Why is that?"

"To be the Hashira is to be our support and our anchor. To remind us of who we are and what is right. The voice of the people and the voice of reason. And when I die, you will lead them to victory and raise our children."

The hard demeanor Iruka had been putting on before fell as his face paled and he croaked, "Oh."

Hope you enjoyed reading as much as I did writing ;3