VIII


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Arc VIII Chapter XI


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The day was about to end as the sun was setting on the horizon. The last rays of the warming daylight disappeared from this frozen world only to be replaced by darkness and the coming night. The temperatures were falling rapidly and the city became increasingly hostile to human life in general. Her very breath was already congealing in the cold air. It was a clear sign that they had to find a shelter soon, a preferentially warm place for the night, which they did, eventually.

It took quite some time much to Yuki's annoyance because her companion was an ... Well, Tobi was a natural idiot, which wasn't a particular secret. Seriously, it wasn't. Thank to his excellent sense of orientation, they got lost not only once, not twice, but thrice! They were forced to ask for directions and even then Tobi still managed to bugger it up. Stupid Tobi!

Nevertheless, he wasn't entirely to blame for this organisational disaster. To a certain degree, she was also responsible. Not that Yuki would ever admit that.

No, this was the wrong street. No, this wasn't the right place. No, the prices were open daylight robbery. No, the inn was shabbier than shabby. No, the quality of the food was dubious. No, they had no running water. No, the rooms weren't befitting her standing as well as her status. No, she deserved better, Asami deserved better. She would definitely find the best inn in the entire city for her and make nee-san proud. Yuki clenched her fists, determined to achieve her goal.

And she succeeded. In the end, they found a suitable place for the night and even some food. Or at least a gluttonous Tobi had found something to eat.

"*Yum*, *yum*, *yum*, *yum*."

"*Nom*, *nom*, *nom*, *nom*."

"*Yum*, *yum*, *yum*, *yum*."

"*Nom*, *nom*, *nom*, *nom*."

"*Yum*, *nom*, *yum*, *nom*."

Tobi enjoyed his sweet dangos and his mountain of empty plates was growing. Apparently, he liked them a lot and somehow he was even able to eat them without removing his mask.

Yuki didn't share his enthusiasm. Instead, she gave him her best blank disapproving stare.

Tobi noticed her eventually with his mouth full of dango sticks. "Mmmm, Is sommmething wronmmmg, Yuki?"

Yuki crossed her arms. "No, nothing. Everything is fine."

Tobi was doubtful, ignoring his dagos for the time being. "Are you sure? You don't look happy."

Yuki sighed and diverted . "Never mind. Forget it, it is nothing important. I am just a slightly ... worried."

Tobi raised his eyebrow. "Worried?"

Yuki nodded, reflecting deeply

Tobi was rubbing his chin. "Hmmm, in that case, I have a solution to your problem."

Yuki wasn't convinced, much the contrary in fact. "Really? Because I doubt so."

She knew Tobi and she knew that he wasn't particularly helpful at anything. So what stupid idea did he have now?

"Don't be so pessimistic, Yuki! Just believe in me. A little bit at least! And yes, I have an idea how to lift your mood. It always works for me!" Tobi smiled proudly and presented her his brilliant solution. "Tada, a dango."

"I am sure you will like them!" Tobi grinned beneath his mask while a little girl

showed her dissatisfaction openly. She finally understood Asami and her tendency to hit Tobi. And to be honest, she felt this mysterious urge to hit him as well as. For some reason, Tobi seemed like an ideal ... punching bag with his stupid grin.

Yuki wasn't amused. "Tobi, I doubt that a simple dango will help ..."

*poke*

*poke*

*poke*

Tobi was poking her cheeks impishly with a dango stick. " Are ~ you~ sure~? It is a really tasty dango!"

...

...

...

Yuki sighed heavily and took the stick. Primarily to stop his incessant nagging, but also because she was hungry. Just a tiny bit though. And she liked sweets.

Yuki consumed her sweet joy and Tobi smiled, pleased. "What this so difficult? And now you can tell me what's the issue?"

"You can trust Tobi! Tobi is reliable. Most of the times at least."

Yuki looked up, giving him again a blank stare. Contrary to before, she didn't ignore him. Instead, she accepted his offer and trusted in him once.

"You know, Tobi, I am worried about nee-san. I am worried that something could happen to her and nee-san wont come back." Yuki was concerned.

Tobi blinked He was confused, not to say bewildered. She was worried about Asami? The heartless grim reaper of Konoha, the black-winged loli of death? Was she serious?

"So you want to tell me you are worried that Asami wont return, ... right?"

Yuki nodded. "I know Mistuhiko. And I know that he can't be trusted." Her uncle was dangerous. She knew what he was capable of. She didn't want to lose her too.

"Yuki, you can calm down. She will come back, I am sure." Tobi assured her with a smile.

Yuki was still dubious. "And why?"

Tobi answered with a question," Yuki, do you think Asami is strong?"

Yuki tilted her head, startled. She was thinking. And thinking. And thinking. And even more thinking, which reminded Tobi of someone who exhibited a similar habit when being lost in thought.

Yuki shook her head, looking concerned. "No, I don't thin so. Nee-san doesn't strike me as being strong. In fact, that is the reason I am worried, because nee-san seems weak. I hope she is well."

Tobi nearly choked on one of his tangos. "*cough*, *cough*, *cough*. Ehm? Asami ... weak ... Where did you get that idea from?" The little demon in black ... weak? Didn't she get the last memo about very dangerous and moody lolis?

Yuki tilted her head again, wondering why Tobi was so silent. Was something wrong with him? " Well, I am not completely sure, but nee-san doesn't seem strong. Or at least I can't imagine it."

Asami was hugging, huggling, cuddling her on a daily basis. Especially, when she was sleeping and treating her as her personal teddy bear, which wasn't as funny as it sounded. Asami was always tucking her in at night. Asami was smiling brightly and she visibly enjoyed pinching her cheeks whenever she could. Not that she could do much against her attacks.

Asami felt to her much like the older sister she never had. Nee-san was sweet, fluffy and almost as short as her. Yuki couldn't think of her as anything but that. Someone like her couldn't be dangerous, not to mention strong, right?

Yuki looked at Tobi expectantly, waiting for an answer.

Tobi was speechless in more than one way, and for good reasons. He stared blankly at a girl who didn't comprehend, who couldn't comprehend.

"I see." Tobi smiled and tried to pet her with little success. Yuki evaded his hand and gave him her usual distrusting stare. Apparently, only Asami was allowed to pet her, and nobody else. Yuki was kind of touchy when it came to being touched. She didn't like it unless it was her precious nee-san.

"Anywayy ... you should worry less and focus on the ... present ... Yuki? Yuki, is something?" Yuki didn't react. She was frozen as her eyes were staring directly through a window into the dark cold night. Her eyes were fixed on the distant horizon and she ignored him completely.

Tobi followed her sight and his eyes grew wide. He understood what captured her attention, what grabbed everyone's attention. They weren't the only ones, other people noticed it and the empty streets were gradually filled by curious onlookers. The entire horizon was glowing in a sinister shade. Tobi had a bad feeling, a really bad feeling. Because it seemed as if the air was ... burning.

Yuki left the inn to get a better view and Tobi followed immediately after her. After all, he shouldn't leave her wandering around alone, unsupervised. If his mistress ever found out that he had lost track of her little treasure, ... Well, it wouldn't be good for his health to put it mildly.

What he saw confirmed his suspicions. He was right. Burning ash and smoke were illuminating the night and nothing was stopping them. He could smell the burning coaled wood in the air. It was clear to him who was responsible for this.

A giant column of smoke was rising to the sky fuelled by the wrathful flames below. The castle was consumed by a blazing purple fire and the night seemed to turn to day. Everything was devoured and nothing could ever hope to withstand the flames. Yuki was staring at the raging conflagration and so was Tobi.

Tobi observed the flames carefully and with interest. He heard about them, but it was the first time he saw them in person. And what was even more interesting, her fire felt somehow familiar. He didn't understand why, but the aura, the entire nature of her fire gave him a familiar feeling. As if his eyes had seen such power before, back then when he was still a different person known under a different name.

Tobi turned his head to Yuki with a slight grin beneath his mask. His voice was sober and more serious than usual. " It seems your worries were ... unfounded. She doesn't need our help." As expected.

Yuki looked at him with a mixture of confusion and genuine fear. "And what is that supposed to mean ..."

"That means that I am well and healthy."

Yuki recognised her sweet melodic voice immediately and her lips formed a secret smile , accompanied by a slight reddish blush. It could be only nee-san and she nearly overcome by her desire to hug her. Of course she would never do such a thing. Hugs weren't her specialty.

Yuki turned around and what greeted her and Tobi was the sight of a happy Asami strolling through the streets, and an oversized golden maneki neko right in her arms. Both of them were armed with a bright smile.

Asami tilted her head, beaming warmly. "It took some time to find you. I was already wondering where you had gone to."

"Anyway, I hope you had some fun together ..."

Asami blinked, confused by what happened in the blink of an eye. Suddenly, two tiny weak arms were curled around her hip, hugging her tightly with all the force and love they had. It was Yuki and for some inexplicable reasons Asami became a victim of her deadly huggle.

Asami didn't know why she was hugged, but she couldn't care less. After all these years, it felt good. It really felt good. All of Asami's confusion turned into the warmest smile since a long time. Her heart was glad to see Yuki again.

"Tobi?"

"Yes, senpai?"

"Can you take care of my cat for a few seconds?" Asami showed him her new little friend. Looting the castle was profitable. Sadly,she couldn't take everything as her fire claimed its share faster than her. She only got a few crates with her storage scrolls and a cat. But still gold was gold, money was money.

"Understood, senpai!" Tobi saluted. He took the statue and regretted his decision quickly.

Tobi was pulled down by the weight, nearly crashing onto the ground. "Ahhhhh, it's heavy."

"Yes, it is." Asami smiled with a slight smirk. "Be careful, I don't want to be damaged."

"I will try my best, aargh." Tobi groaned while trying to lift the cat again. It was still heavy as hell.

Asami chuckled before dedicating her attention to Yuki, patting her head and nothing else. Neither her nor Yuki were saying anything. She was just patting her and Yuki was just ...

A dull noise interrupted both of them. Something fell to the ground, something heavy. Asami gave Tobi an annoyed stare He did it, didn't he?

Tobi scratched his head innocently. "Sowwy, senpai."

He dropped the cat, but this time the head fell off, revealing a scroll hidden inside its hollow torso ... Hidden? Scroll?

Asami stared at the scroll and eventually she examined the parchment. The scroll was old, not say ancient. A scroll from the distant past whose purpose was long since forgotten. The only hint was a seal hanging around it. On the seal was stamped a paw, but not just any paw. It was a cat paw. What a strange find.


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