Natsumi groaned and opened her eyes, then quickly blushed when she realized that she was being held.
"H-Hasu!"
She sat up and held her head as it pounded.
"A-Ah! Be careful!" He held up his hands and his eyes widened. "You hit your head when you fell, so you shouldn't move too quickly."
"...I fell?" She mumbled and rubbed the back of her head gently. Her eyes fell on his blood-stained robes and they widened. "H-Hasu! Are you alright?! The bleeding—!"
"It's stopped." He smiled faintly and touched the center of the red spot on his stomach. "You healed me before you collapsed."
She let out a small sigh. "I don't remember it, but I'm glad that you're okay."
Hasu adjusted as he sat on the ground, watching her intently in silence. After a moment, he met her eyes.
"If I may ask... what kind of power was that?"
She bit her lip and stared down at her hands. "...I don't really know." She bit her lip harder. "...Were you scared?"
He averted his eyes for a moment and she balled her hands into tight fists, digging her nails into her palms.
"For... just a moment." He admitted softly. "However... you only defended me. Once I realized that, I was no longer afraid."
Natsumi looked up at him. "I didn't hurt you?"
Hasu shook his head. "No... why?"
She sighed and pressed her lips together.
"I don't remember it, and no one has told me about it, but I think I've used that power before. All I know is that one of my friends got hurt and my other friends looked afraid of me."
And now Hana won't even look at me anymore.
"No. You did no such thing." He touched her shoulder. "To be honest, you were... incredible. And, your timing was impeccable. I was sure that she was going to kill me."
Natsumi's cheeks warmed and she looked away.
"You wouldn't have been in danger like that if I had been strong enough to defeat them right away and get you to safety." She looked down at her hands again. "...I'm the worst bodyguard ever."
"Hm?" He laughed quietly. "You defeated two powerful enemies on your own, didn't you? That makes it twice now that you have saved my life... my gratitude is immeasurable and I am forever in your debt."
"H-Huh?" She blushed faintly and looked at him. "O-Oh, no! I'm not that great! I'm only doing my duty, after all."
"That doesn't make me any less grateful." He stood with a smile and held out his hand to her. "Shall we get going? If I remember correctly... you promised me a meal?"
Natsumi blushed deeper and took his hand, and he helped her to his feet. "I-I did."
She cleared her throat and released his hand, then followed as he started toward the light at the end of the tunnel. They stepped into the light and their eyes widened.
W-What?!
Natsumi swallowed and looked around. The ground had been torn up, with small craters scattered throughout. The temple was nothing but a pile of debris, and the ground was soaked with blood.
Was this... me?
"Wow." Hasu muttered and looked around. "It seems that I missed an incredible battle."
Natsumi glanced at an unrecognizable pile of blood, cloth, and flesh and her stomach turned.
Incredible isn't the word I would use...
He looked at her and pointed. "If we head south eight kilometers, we'll find a main road that leads directly to the Leaf."
Natsumi nodded. "Considering they left us a welcoming party like this... I doubt they'd have anyone else looking for us. They would have assumed that we would have been killed." She crossed her arms slightly, beginning to walk as she looked around. "Although... I wonder if there's anything around here that would make traveling easier for you. I can't exactly carry you, and you can't keep up with my running."
"Running?" Hasu smiled. "I'm not a bad runner." He paused. "However... how quickly can you run?"
Natsumi put her hands on her hips and laughed. "The average Shinobi can run from the Hidden Leaf Village to the Land of Wind in three days without stopping."
His eyes widened and he laughed, then scratched his head. "Ah. Well, I certainly can't keep up with you at all. I suppose finding a different method of transportation would be the better option."
Natsumi nodded.
"Once we reach the road, there's a small village there. We may be lucky enough to find something to help us there."
We can hope.
Hasu panted and leaned against a tree to catch his breath as Natsumi stopped walking and stretched.
"A-Apologies... Normally... this distance... no problem at all."
Natsumi walked to him and watched him stand and lean his back against the tree.
"Do you need to lean on me again?"
"N-No." He smiled sheepishly and took in a large breath. "We finally made it to the village."
Natsumi turned to follow his eyes, then walked beside him as he walked to the edge of the trees and into a clearing. Before them stood a small house with a young boy playing with wooden figures in the yard. His eyes widened as he saw them, and he let out a quiet scream and ran into the house.
Natsumi blinked and then sighed. "Well, that's one way to get someone's attention."
Hasu smiled faintly. "It's alright. When I sneak out on occasion to explore, I often come to this village. They are good people."
A woman stepped out of the house with the boy clinging to her, and her eyes widened.
"Y-Your highness!" She gasped softly and covered her mouth, looking him up and down. "Are you alright? You're covered in blood!"
"I-I'm fine." Hasu laughed quietly and scratched his head.
"Quickly, hurry inside." She moved behind Hasu and Natsumi and ushered them inside, guiding them to sit at a table.
"Haruka, close the curtains, please."
The boy stayed behind her for a moment, staring unblinkingly at the visitors. His mother patted his head.
"Go on. Quickly."
He nodded after a moment, reluctantly leaving her side to shut the curtains. Natsumi watched the boy, then looked at the woman as she brought over two cups and filled them with tea.
"Here. You look like you need something to drink."
"Yes, thank you." Hasu bowed his head slightly to her, then took a long drink.
Natsumi picked up her cup and sipped it slowly and watched the woman sit across from them, wringing her hands in her lap.
Something's not right.
Natsumi cleared her throat slightly and looked at the woman. "Thank you for the tea."
"Oh." She beamed. "You're welcome. Can I get you anything else?"
Natsumi shook her head. "Can you tell me why you're so anxious?"
"O-Oh." The woman looked away for a moment, then looked at Hasu. "Did anyone else see you arrive?"
He shook his head and set down his cup.
"Good." The woman exhaled and turned to Natsumi. "I do apologize... I'm only cautious because, a few days ago, a pair of strangers passed through this village and were asking about you." She glanced at Hasu. "Of course, none of us said anything about your visits, or even that we knew you. They left after a while, but I've had the feeling that we have been watched ever since."
"Do you know who they were?" Natsumi asked. "Or, could you at least describe them to me?"
"Of course." The woman nodded. "One was a tall woman, with dark skin and white-blue hair, and the other was a dark-haired girl in a mask that looked to be around sixteen. They looked dangerous, and they tried to intimidate us to give them information."
Nya and Shita.
Natsumi shared a look with Hasu, and he nodded slightly.
"We just had the... pleasure of meeting them." Natsumi set her cup down.
The woman's eyes widened. "You...?" She swallowed and looked them over again. "Are you injured? How did you survive?"
"Natsumi here defeated them both." Hasu smiled faintly. "She saved my life, and, with them gone, you no longer have to worry about them returning to this village anymore."
"S-She—?" The woman stared at Natsumi, then bowed her head. "We are all grateful, then. The prince has been a good friend to us, and if you stopped those women then we don't have to worry about them coming back to bother us anymore. Thank you."
"Natsumi, this is Mao Tsukuda. She is the granddaughter of the founders of this village, and has been a good friend to me." The woman bowed her head at Natsumi respectfully again. "Mao, this is Natsumi, a Shinobi from the Village Hidden in the Leaves. She's as powerful and trustworthy as she is kind and charming."
Natsumi blushed deeply.
"I'm honored to meet you." Mao bowed her head slightly and smiled. "If the prince speaks so highly of you, you are a friend to us and welcome here anytime."
The boy returned and clung to his mother, and she lifted him up to set him into her lap.
"This is my son, Haruka." She pressed her cheek to the boy's. "Can you say hello? You remember Prince Hasu, right?"
The boy looked at Natsumi and quickly looked away, and his mother laughed
"Please excuse him. He's very shy around girls, but he's a sweet boy."
Natsumi smiled at the boy and he blushed and buries his face into his mother's shirt.
Mao paused, then looked between her guests. "If I may ask... why did you come here?"
Hasu opened his mouth to answer, but Natsumi spoke.
"The details are classified, but something terrible has happened at the Abe estate."
Mao frowned slightly but nodded slowly. "I was afraid of that..." She paused. "Are you sure that you two are alright?"
Hasu nodded. "Thank you for your concern and hospitality, Mao."
"If there's anything I can do to help, please just let me know, your highness."
"Actually, we need to get to the Leaf as soon as possible." Natsumi sipped her tea. "If you know of a way we can get there quickly, we would appreciate it." She paused to add. "As of right now, Hasu is under the protection of the Leaf."
"Transportation?" Mao smiled. "I can help with that." She glanced over at the clock on the wall. "My husband is working now, but since this is an emergency, I can have him bring you there right away."
"That would be greatly appreciated." Hasu smiled. "Thank you."
"No, thank you." Mao smiled, then looked at Natsumi. "Because of Prince Hasu, we received the supplies our village needed last winter when we were raided by bandits. We were able to stay well fed through the winter because of his generosity, so we are all willing to help you with anything you need."
She refilled their teacups and stood, gently setting the boy down beside her. "I'll go fetch you some fresh clothes, and then I'll bring Kazuo." She smiled down at her son. "Haruka, please keep our guests company, alright? I'll be right back."
The boy nodded slightly, catching a glimpse of Natsumi from the corner of his eyes and he turned to face the other direction. Mao laughed quietly, then bowed slightly and left the room.
Natsumi drank her tea, closing her eyes as it warmed her, and she opened them again to see Hasu watching her intently. She blushed and looked away.
"W-What?"
"Ah..." He scratched his head and took a sip of his cup. "I apologize for staring. For a moment, I nearly forgot our circumstances. Being here always puts me at ease."
He smiled at the young boy, who glanced at him. "Haruka, how have you been? The last time I saw you, you were learning how to make traps. Have you caught anything good yet?"
The boy shook his head quickly and kept his eyes off of Natsumi.
"Ah, I see. Well, I've heard that it takes time to master, but you have an excellent father, so I'm sure that you will pick it up quickly."
Natsumi smiled as she looked at the boy, then looked at Hasu, whispering. "Why is he afraid of girls?"
"Not all of them." Hasu chuckled to himself as the boy overheard her question and blushed, looking away. Hasu lowered his voice to a whisper. "Only the pretty ones."
Natsumi blinked and her cheeks warmed. "H-Huh?"
"Haruka is only six, but he is already quite the... uh... 'ladies man,' is it?" Hasu smiled. "He can't help it, though. If he sees a girl that he thinks is beautiful, he becomes unable to speak. I can't argue with his taste, though his affliction is a bit debilitating. I suppose he will grow out of it eventually."
Natsumi's blush deepened and she coughed, nearly inhaling her tea.
B-Beautiful?
"I'm back." Mao smiled and stepped back into the room with a small stack of neatly folded clothes in her arms. "I apologize if they don't fit exactly, but they will serve you better than what you currently have on."
Natsumi and Hasu reflexively looked down at their torn, bloodied clothes.
Mao placed the clothes in front of each of them. "The bathroom is just down the hall on the left. Feel free to wash up and change there."
"Thank you." Hasu smiled, then looked at Natsumi. "Ladies first."
She blushed and set her cup down. "B-But, y-you're a prince, so..."
He took her hand, then gently kissed it and met her eyes. "A Prince's duty is to spoil his Princess, correct?"
Natsumi's face reddened, rivaling her own hair, and she stammered as she stood quickly out of the chair, nearly knocking it over.
"U-U-Um... I-I'm... I'll be back!" She quickly grabbed her fresh clothes and rushed down the hall, leaving Mao to cover her mouth to stifle a laugh.
"Your highness, I've never known you to tease like that before."
"Heh." Hasu smiled sheepishly and leaned back in the chair as he looked up at her. "Was it too much?"
Mao laughed quietly, faintly blushing as she glanced over her shoulder down the hall. "That depends on what your intentions are, your highness."
Natsumi closed the bathroom door behind her, her heart pounding loudly in her ears as she blushed and pressed her back to the door.
W-What was all that about?! Right out of nowhere, too!
She swallowed, then turned her head to look at her reflection, then quickly looked away again as she saw how red she was.
H-He's... flirting?! With me?! He's a prince! And I nearly got him killed! This is neither the time for flirting, nor is it appropriate for someone like him to flirt with a normal girl like me.
She drew in a large breath, then exhaled slowly.
Calm down, Natsumi. We're going to get back to the Leaf. We're going to talk to Lord Third. Mission will be a success, then I can go home and sleep this off and pretend like none of this ever happened.
She slowly pulled off her clothes with a sigh and dropped them into a pile, then crossed her arms to cover her chest as she looked back into the mirror.
All the fighting, and all of the death... I'd like to forget that. But, even if it's inappropriate, I guess it is a little nice to have someone giving me attention like that.
She looked down at the ground and her cheeks warmed.
I've never really had anyone flirt with me before. I don't know what to do or what to think. It feels... weird. But nice.
Natsumi slapped her cheeks and made a face in the mirror.
What am I even thinking? I'm on a mission. This is a mission. The sooner we get back home, the better. He'll be safe, the investigation can continue, those people can be avenged, and then I can go back to my normal life and watch Naruto's progress in the Exams like the good big sister that I am.
She stepped into the shower and washed quickly, just enough to cleanse herself of the blood and dirt before she stepped out again to dry off.
These past six hours have been... crazy.
She held up the soft blue kimono and slipped it on, then carefully tied the belt on. The dress fell to her knees and the sleeves were simple and small. She looked at her reflection again and smiled faintly.
I've never had a hand-me-down before. It's cute.
She combed through her hair with her fingers, then rested her hands on the counter.
Well... I'm all done. Now I have to go back out there...
Natsumi blushed faintly at the thought and groaned quietly.
This is so awkward. How can I go back in there after running away like that?
She took in a breath, then crossed her arms.
Don't be a baby. I just have to do it.
She picked up her headband and pouches, then stepped out of the room to rejoin everyone around the table. She blushes slightly as Hasu looked up at her, and Mao smiled.
"It does fit." She nodded as she looked at Natsumi in approval. "I'm sorry I don't have anything nicer to give you. This was a dress I made when I was around your age."
"No, it's great." Natsumi smiled and touched the fabric. "I can tell that you put a lot of effort into it, and it's very good quality, especially since it's still perfect now."
"Oh, thank you." Mao touched her shoulder and led her back over to the table where a small plate of assorted snacks had been set out. "Please, help yourself. I'll step out for a bit and fetch my husband so that you can be on your way quickly."
"I'll go change, then." Hasu nodded, sipping his tea again and he took the fresh clothes and left the room.
Natsumi blushed ass he met her eyes before walking away and quickly turned to look down at her cup.
What am I supposed to do?! Is there some kind of flirting protocol? Is there some kind of rule where I'm not allowed to reject him because he's a prince?
"Prince Hasu is a very charming boy, isn't he?" Mao smiled at Natsumi faintly and she blushed.
"I... um..." Natsumi cleared her throat. "He is."
Mao smiled and paused, then spoke up again.
"I'll go get Kazuo now, then. I suppose you kids will all be just fine until I get back. It shouldn't take long, but do make yourselves comfortable."
She kissed her son on the top of her head, gave a small wave, and then left. Natsumi swallowed and looked around awkwardly in silence and looked at Haruka, who froze at her gaze as he stuck a cookie into his mouth.
"Um... hi." Natsumi waved at him, and he blushed deeply and rushed out of the room, nearly tripping over his feet. Natsumi sat and picked up a cookie for herself, chewing it as she rested her chin in her hand.
This is so... weird.
Mao smiled as she draped a large scarf over Natsumi's head. "There. This should hide your hair well enough as you travel, just in case there might be anyone else out there looking for you." She glanced over to Hasu, who had one himself. "I know it isn't much of a disguise, but I hope that it helps."
"These are great. Thank you." Natsumi smiled and touched the scarf. "Are you sure that it's alright for me to keep these, though? I have no problem returning them—"
"Oh, please, think of them as a gift." Mao patted the top of her head. "I don't have any daughters, and Kazuo's family only produces boys, so it's nice to be able to pass down something of mine."
When you put it like that, I can't refuse.
Natsumi nodded and bowed her head slightly. "Thank you for everything. I hope that one day I can repay you for all of your help." She paused. "And, just to be on the safe side, I'll speak with the Hokage about having someone investigate things around here, just in case those assassins had any allies of theirs around here that kept out of sight."
"That is very reassuring, thank you." Mao looked at Hasu. "Your highness, please have a safe trip and look after yourself. Once you are able, we'd love to have you visit again." She glanced at Natsumi briefly before looking back at him. "Both of you, of course."
Hasu smiled and looked over at the girl momentarily, then nodded. "I would very much like that."
Natsumi blushed faintly and averted her eyes
"Everyone ready?" Kazuo glanced outside of the open door, then back to Natsumi and Hasu. "If you want to get moving without anyone noticing, we should go now."
Hasu nodded and followed the man to the pair of large horses tied to a post and Natsumi's eyes widened.
"H-Horses?"
The man patted the dappled stallion with a nod. "Is there a problem with that?"
"N-No..." Natsumi looked away, blushing slightly and scratching her cheeks. "It's just... I don't know how to ride."
"I do." Hasu smiled and took her head, leading her over to the chestnut mare and patted its neck gently. "It's quite simple, so I can give you instruction as we go if you like."
Natsumi reached out to stroke the horse's neck and the mare turned to meet Natsumi's eyes with its own large brown eyes, then sniffed her hair for a moment before snorting.
"That's Cinnamon. She seems to like you." Kazuo patted the stallion. "And this is Noble, the finest hunting steed you'll ever find."
"Hunting?" Natsumi repeated quietly.
"The villagers here specialize in hunting wild boar." Hasu answered. "Though, that isn't all they hunt."
"These are the best horses for speed and endurance. Kazuo nodded. "They'll get us to the Leaf in good time."
Not faster than a Shinobi, but we can't exactly be picky at the moment.
Kazuo helped to lift Natsumi onto the horse, then helped Hasu to sit behind her. She blushed at the as he reached around her to grasp the reins and she gulped.
He's so close! There isn't any space between us and it's so awkward!
"We didn't have any double saddles, but with you two still being kids, that should do nicely." Kazuo mounted his own horse and looked at him, his eyes resting on Hasu. "You sure you're well enough to ride?"
Hasu nodded with a smile. "I haven't been able to ride for some time now. I wouldn't like to miss out on this opportunity."
The man nodded and looked between Mao and Haruka. "I'll be back as soon as I can." He looked at the boy. "Look after your mom until I get back, ago? You're the man of the house for now."
The boy's eyes widened and he nodded quickly and straightened.
"Have a safe trip!" Mao waved, and with a slight kick, the horses ran off.
"Finally here." Kazuo slowed the horse's pace and turned to watch Hasu do the same.
They stopped and dismounted, and Natsumi trembled as she stepped down and then dropped to her knees to touch the ground.
"Oh sweet, sweet stable ground." She patted the earth and let out a sigh. "I'll never take you for granted again."
Hasu laughed quietly to himself and Kazuo patted the mare.
"Not much of a horseman, is she?" Kazuo chuckled to himself. "I remember my first gallop. I fell off and hit my head so hard I didn't wake up for an hour."
Hasu nodded slightly and looked at the man, then laughed under his breath. "I vomited after mine."
The man laughed and patted the boy's shoulder and Natsumi stood, blushing slightly as she overheard them. She cleared her throat and looked up at the man.
"Thank you again, for getting us here. I feel bad for having to impose like that."
"We helped because we wanted to." Kazuo patted her head. "Both of you stay safe now, alright?"
Natsumi nodded and pulled the scarf down to shake out her hair.
That's better. I was getting hot with that on.
"The sooner we report in, the better." Natsumi looked at Hasu. "I'm sure the Hokage will want to speak with you, too. "
And I have to do the paperwork, too. She sighed softly at the thought. Oh joy.
"Of course." Hasu nodded and looked upward. "The sun is already starting to set."
"We made good time." Kazuo nodded, then raised a hand in a wave. "I hope to see you around later. You're always welcome to visit our village."
"Thank you." Hasu bowed his head slightly. "As soon as I am able, I will visit again."
"Come on." Natsumi waved and motioned for him to follow her inside the gates.
"Natsumi?" Izumo looked up from the hand of cards he held, drawing the attention of Kotetsu as well.
"Hi." Natsumi smiled slightly and held her hand up in a small wave, leading Hasu over to the desk to write their names down.
"I didn't even know you had left the village." Kotetsu squinted slightly at Hasu, then lifted his hand to one side of his mouth to whisper to her. "Did you sneak out to see your boyfriend or something? If so, it's not really a secret anymore if you bring him home."
Natsumi blushed and shook her head quickly and whispered back in agitation. "H-He's not my boyfriend!" She cleared her throat. "My mission was to escort him to the Leaf. That's all."
I would have come back through the back door if I didn't have the Prince with me...
"Ah." Kotetsu scratched his head and sat back down. "Is that so?"
"A mission?" Izumo looked over the papers and frowned slightly. "We weren't told anything about it."
That's because you're not clued in about ANBU comings and goings.
"Weird..." Natsumi laughed slightly and averted her eyes. "Anyway... I have to go make my report now."
"Right." The Chunin shared an expression, then shrugged.
Natsumi waved and started to lead Hasu away, then looked at the men over her shoulder.
"Oh, Izumo!"
The man looked up at her. "Yeah?"
"Kotetsu's got Four of a Kind!"
Kotetsu's eyes widened and Izumo laughed, then slapped his cards down.
"Royal Flush!"
"Gah!" Kotetsu dropped his cards and clutched his head, then raised a fist at Natsumi. "What was that for?! I could have still gotten him with my bluff!"
Natsumi laughed and Izumo laughed and slid the stack of coins toward him.
"No way! Just admit that you such at this game!"
"I don't suck at it!"
"That's four games in a row you've lost!"
"I'm just warming up!"
Natsumi laughed again as their voices faded behind them and Hasu chuckled.
"Friends of yours?"
Natsumi nodded. "More like... friends-slash-rivals of a friend." She smiled. "But they're good people and I consider them my friends." She paused. "And, between us, my friend Kiri and that guy Kotetsu have huge crushes on each other. The problem is that they're both incredibly stubborn people and don't want to admit they have feelings for each other."
"That seems... complicated."
"Tell me about it." Natsumi smiled. "But it's still fun to watch how embarrassed they get when it's brought up."
Hasu slowed his pace to look around at the shops they passed and Natsumi looked over her shoulder at him.
"I promise I'll show you around later, but we should get to the Hokage as soon as possible, so be sure to stay close so that you don't get lost."
"I look forward to it, then." He stepped closer to her to walk beside her, watching her blush faintly from the corner of his eyes.
"R-Right..." Natsumi looked away and focused her eyes ahead.
Natsumi lifted her hand to knock of the door.
"Come in."
Natsumi opened the door to step inside, holding it open as Hasu followed her, then she shut it behind them. She moved to the center of the room and dropped to one knee in front of the Hokage's desk and Hiruzen looked up from the scroll in his hands.
"I completed the mission you gave me, Lord Third."
"Excellent." He looked from her to the boy, then bowed his head slightly. "It is good to finally meet you, Prince Hasu." He looked back to Natsumi. "I trust it went well?"
"Well..." She stood and met the old man's eyes. "All went as planned at first, but there were... complications."
Hiruzen raised his brow. "Oh?"
"A pair of assassins were ambushed us as we escaped." Natsumi pressed her lips together. "Somehow, they knew we would be there. It seems... troubling, especially when considering that the passage we took wasn't common knowledge."
"Hm..." Hiruzen touched his chin and stroked his beard for a moment. "That is indeed concerning." He lowered his hands and looked at the boy. "In any case, it is good that you are here. There is much to talk about, and I hope that you are able to help us with out investigation of these events."
"For now, I'd have you get some rest and recuperate." Hiruzen lifted his hand and a boar-masked ANBU member appeared beside the desk. "Soma will guard you tonight and show you where you will be staying. Tomorrow evening, I ask that you visit our Intelligence Division that you can provide them with any information you can."
"Of course." Hasu nodded. "If I am able to assist in any way, I will be glad to do it."
"As for you," Hiruzen looked at the girl. "Starting tomorrow morning, you will look out for the prince. I'm placing him under your care for the duration of his stay here. You'll show him around, and indulge him in the Leaf's hospitality, but most of all, keep an eye out for any suspicious activity or trouble, in the event that someone comes looking for him."
Natsumi blushed faintly and nodded slowly. "Y-Yes, Lord Third."
Why me?
"I hope your accommodations are suitable, and that you are able to rest properly. I will send a Medical Ninja over to examine you as well." The Hokage looked to the prince. "And, I should add— it would be wise to refrain from using the Abe name for now. Until our investigation has been completed, it is not safe for it to become known that you are here, for your own sake."
"I understand." Hasu nodded. The ANBU man stood beside the boy and placed his hand on his shoulder, then held up a hand sign. Hasu looked at Natsumi with a small smile. "See you tomorrow."
They flickered away and Natsumi let out a short breath and looked away as her face warmed.
"Now..." Hiruzen rested his elbows on the desk and laced his hands together, bringing them near his face as his expression turned serious. "Tell me everything."