Faint light streamed through the window and lit Natsumi's face, causing her to stretch and slowly yawn. Her eyes opened and she stretched again, blinking as her eyes adjusted.
"Huh?" She sat up and looked at the cap she held in her hand. "Why am I here?"
That's right... I fell asleep here, didn't I?
She yawned again and set the cap down on the pillow and rubbed her face.
I haven't slept so badly in a long time. Between the stupid Attunement making me sense... them uncontrollably and waking me up, and then having the same nightmares...
She blinked hard and stood, then walked to the bathroom to splash cold water on her face. She stared at herself in the mirror as the water droplets fell down into the sink below.
Why won't those faces go away? I only did what I had to do...
She bit her lip and splashed her face again, her eyes widening as she blinked and the water appeared a deep red. She gasped and took a step back, her hands trembling as red dripped down, then slowly looked up at the sink, her eyes widening further as the red covered the counter and mirror entirely.
No... this can't be real.
Natsumi bit her lip, shaking her head hard as she shut her eyes tightly. She stepped back until she touched the wall and clutched her head, biting her lip.
I don't want to see this!
She opened her eyes slowly and the crimson was gone, leaving her shaking.
It's gone...
She swallowed the lump in her throat and turned off the water and quickly wiped up the countertop, controlling her breathing as her hands shook.
Get a hold of yourself, Natsumi. You're a Shinobi. You know you did what needed to be done, so stop feeling so guilty about it.
Natsumi swallowed again and exhaled, meeting the eyes of her reflection.
If only it was that easy.
She left the bathroom to make eat a bowl of cereal quickly before she brushed her teeth and stood in front of the mirror to tie her headband on.
Alright, now to go meet up with Hasu.
"Good morning!" Hasu smiled broadly as Natsumi hopped onto the balcony.
"Morning." Natsumi covered her mouth to stifle a yawn, and he laughed quietly.
"Did you not sleep well?"
"Not really." She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "I... had a lot on my mind." She managed a small smile. "What about you?"
"Admittedly, I stayed up much later than I had intended, but I was too engrossed in my book and lost track of time." He motioned to the enormous book on the side table, then picked it up, tilting it so that she could see where his bookmark was. "It's quite fascinating. I'm currently learning about the Second Hokage's reign." He opened the book to leaf through it. "He was the one who created the Leaf Police, and also the Ninja Academy, apparently." He smiled and pointed to the page. "He is also the one who created the ANBU Black Ops, and even the Chunin Exams."
Natsumi nodded. "Tobirama Senju... he's also the one that created the Space-Time Ninjutsu that I use to teleport, that Lord Fourth mastered."
Hasu's eyes widened slightly. "Oh, really? For you to utilize the technique that he created, it indicates how remarkable you are."
"I wouldn't say that..." Her cheeks warmed and she averted her eyes. "I don't use it even half as well as they did."
"Perhaps one day, you will be just as powerful as they were." Hasu shut the book with a smile. "I am confident that you could achieve it. And then, maybe become Hokage yourself."
"Me? As Hokage?" She laughed and waved her hand. "No way. I don't think that would suit me at all." She put her hands into her pockets. "Besides, that's Naruto's dream. I think he'd make a better Hokage than I would."
"Hm... perhaps. But, perhaps not." Hasu smiled. "If anything, Hokage Rock would look quite lovely if it bore your face."
"D-Don't be silly..." Natsumi blushed faintly and looked away. "A-Anyway, we should get going. I'm sure there's plenty that you want to see in the village."
"Oh, of course!" Hasu nodded and set the book down. "Please, lead the way, my lady."
"M-My lady?" Natsumi blinked and her ears reddened.
Hasu looked at her. "Should I make an effort to not speak so formally?"
"It's not that!" Natsumi looked away to mumble. "It's just a little embarrassing when you say stuff like that..."
"I see." His lips twitched in a smile. "I suppose I could work on shifting my speech, if it displeases you."
"It's fine..."
He scratched at the back of his neck, frowning slightly and she blinked.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, it's nothing." Hasu shook his head slowly and smiled. "I have just had the strangest feeling since last night, as if I am being watched."
"Watched?" Natsumi pressed her lips together.
Can he maybe sense the ANBU guard, then?
"It's nothing to be concerned over." He lowered his hand. "The most bothersome thing about it, is that I occasionally feel a strange sensation on the back of my neck. It is almost as if something brushes against the skin, though there isn't anything there."
Natsumi frowned. "That sounds... strange."
"It must be an unusual consequence of my lack of a proper night's sleep." He touched his chin in thought. "Although, I read once about a now-extinct species of parasite that would nest in the back of a man's neck and slowly fuse with his nervous system, so that it could freely control the body. Those infested with it became violent and craved flesh..." He paled slightly and shuddered. "I should be thankful that such a thing does not exist in this era."
"Would it make you feel better if I checked anyway?"
He smiled sheepishly and met her eyes. "...Would you?"
Natsumi laughed quietly and nodded. "Alright, alright. Sit down so that I can see; You're too tall."
"As you wish." Hasu sat on the armchair and Natsumi shifted his long hair out of the way and draped it over his shoulder, freezing suddenly with her fingertips trembling over his skin as her eyes widened.
W-What is this?!
Her breath caught in her throat as she stared at the dark mark of a small serpent on the back of his neck. It moved and slithered in a circle before its head emerged from the skin, nearly invisible. It watched her and flicked its tongue, with red markings around its eyes as they narrowed.
That coloration... it's the same as Oto's markings. But what is this?! Why is there a marking here? Was there always one here?
"Well?" Hasu glanced over his shoulder to look at her from the corner of his eye with a small smile. "I don't happen to be infested by a parasite, do I?"
The snake watched Natsumi carefully.
"N-No... there's—"
The serpent's jaw opened wide and its fangs hovered above the exposed skin of his neck, keeping its eyes on her.
It's going to kill him!
Natsumi swallowed and forced a small smile. "T-There's nothing there."
"I shouldn't feel so relieved over such a ridiculous idea, but I do all the same." Hasu smiled and sighed. "Thank you for entertaining my trivial request."
"N-No problem." Natsumi forced a small laugh under her breath and the snake slowly closed it mouth and settled back into his skin, returning to its original form that resembled a small tattoo. Natsumi recovered the marking with his hair and balled her hand into a fist.
So, putting a seal on my tongue wasn't enough for her? She has to threaten to kill Hasu, too?! He doesn't have anything to do with her!
She tightened her fist until her knuckles whitened.
Damn that vile snake witch.
Hasu stood and smiled at her, and she loosened her fist and smiled faintly back. "Shall we go now?"
"Yeah..." Natsumi nodded slowly and walked behind him, narrowing her eyes.
This is the last straw. Oto needs to be dealt with.
"Today I was hoping to try out some of the unique foods in the Leaf." Hasu held a small paper in his hands and he looked it over as they walked. "The 'Hottest Curry in the Five Great Nations' is too tempting to miss out on. And the Baumkuchen, the 'world's most decadent cake' as well."
"You like spicy food that much?" Natsumi made a face and looked at him.
"Have you tried that curry before? It is truly that diabolically spicy?"
"I've never tried it, no." She shook her head. "But I once passed the restaurant and got a big whiff of it..." She crossed her arms. "My face turned red and my nose started to run just from walking through a cloud of it."
"Truly?" He laughed. "That sounds excellent. I must try it."
Natsumi cringed slightly. "Seriously? You like eating things that toxic?"
"Not particularly." Hasu chuckled. "I suppose it would be easier understood if I were to explain that two of my brothers— the fourth and fifth sons— always competed with each other to tolerate the hottest foods."
Natsumi's pace slowed slightly and she bit her lip. "Your brothers?"
He nodded. "When I was young, and before they were given their responsibilities by our father, they would often play together with me. Of course, they were both older than I by five and four years, respectively, so I often had difficulties keeping up with their conversations or games." He paused. "I would frequently try to force myself to participate anyway, and that included their contest of consuming spicy foods."
Hasu looked ahead as he walked, staying quiet for a few moments. "I have always had a weak tolerance for spice, so it only took a single lick of a pepper for me to cry and sweat as a child." He smiled faintly and laughed to himself. "I remember our mother being so frightened that I was seriously ill when she saw me, until my brothers explained. She was cross with them for allowing me to eat such foods at that age."
Natsumi looked away and bit her lip.
He smiles, but his eyes are just... sad.
"It may seem juvenile, but I forced myself to build up my tolerance for spices with the sole intention that I would have something in common with my brothers. One mention of a spice-eating contest would be enough for them to make room in their schedules. It was the only time that I was able to spend with them once father gave them their positions."
She watched his expression and he met her eyes and smiled.
"They may not be able to compete with me this time, but I would still like to try it, if that is alright."
She nodded slowly and looked away. "Y-Yeah... of course. If that's what you want to do, then that's what we'll do." She paused and then looked back at him. "And, what about that cake?"
"Ah... the cake." Hasu laughed and rubbed his head. "You see, my greatest weakness is my fondness for sweets. My mother was the same, and we would often sneak into the kitchen and steal bites of dessert before dinner."
"I'm not surprised at all that you like sweets." Natsumi smiled slightly. "That's why I was so surprised when you said you wanted that curry."
"It does seem out of place, I admit." He nodded to himself. "Though, my love for sweets can also be quite troublesome. I've eaten myself sick before of truffles."
"I bet you love cotton candy, then."
His eyes widened slightly. "What is... cotton candy?"
She blinked. "What? Really? You've never heard of it before?"
"Is it sweet?" His eyes lit up and she nodded quickly.
"It's puffy, fluffy, flavored sugar."
He blinked and stared at her, silent and wide-eyed. "W-Where might I find some?"
She laughed and waved her hand. "We'll pass by a shop that sells it soon."
"I should be ashamed by how eager I am to taste it, but I am not." Hasu smiled broadly and quickened his pace. "There are many things that I have not been able to have before and things that I was not permitted to do. I do not want to waste this opportunity."
"Neechan!"
Natsumi and Hasu turned and Moegi grinned and waved.
"Hi, Neechan!" Konohamaru waved and ran up to her, followed by Moegi and Udon. He stopped in front of her, then looked to Hasu and crossed his arms. "And this guy again."
"Hello." Hasu smiled and lifted his hand in a short wave. "It's nice to see you again."
"Hi." Moegi smiled at him, and Udon waved slightly.
"You guys aren't trying to skip school, are you?" Natsumi put her hands on her hips and looked between them, bending slightly with a wry smile.
"Of course not!" Konohamaru shook his head and turned away, sticking his nose up. "I'm gonna be the Hokage someday! I have to take my education seriously."
"Right." Natsumi ruffled his hair and grinned. "You're so grown up now, huh?"
"Well, duh. You just noticed?" Konohamaru sniffed and rubbed his nose, then laughed and put his hands on his hips. After a moment, he looked back at Hasu, then leaned closer to Natsumi, holding his hand up as he whispered. "Why are you with this guy again? I know he's visiting, but you don't have to hang out with him the whole time."
"H-Huh?" Hasu blinked and looked at the boy, then watched as Natsumi laughed sheepishly and rubbed her head.
"Well..."
"He's not your boyfriend, is he?" Konohamaru glanced at Hasu, and Natsumi blushed.
"N-No! It's not like that!" Natsumi waved her hands and bent to meet the boy's eyes. "Naruto is busy with the Chunin exams, so it's nice to spend time with Hasu as a distraction. He's really a very nice guy."
"Are you going to practice Kunai training again?" Moegi smiled at Hasu. "You were pretty good yesterday. I bet you'll be even better today if you keep trying!"
"Is that so?" Hasu smiled faintly at her, kneeling to her level. "In that case, I promise that I will keep your lessons in mind and continue practicing. You were a good teacher, after all. I would be a terrible student if I did not heed your words."
Moegi blushed at the praise and smiled bashfully. "Well, I am the best Kunoichi in our class."
"I believe it." Hasu smiled at her, and Natsumi gently nudged the kids.
"Alright, go on. You guys are going to be late, and I don't want to be accused of being an accomplice to your tardiness."
"Alright, fine." Konohamaru let out a sigh, then he turned and waved. "See you later!"
"See you!" Natsumi waved back and watched the three students as they hurried off, then sighed.
Hasu frowned slightly and his gaze turned from the trio of students as they walked away to Natsumi, who averted her eyes.
"Why did they not seem to remember who I truly am or why you are accompanying me? Was that part of their secret-keeping?"
Natsumi bit her lip gently and shook her head slowly. "That's because... they genuinely don't remember that you're actually a prince or that I'm guarding you. I asked a comrade of mine from another team to alter their memories of that conversation as they slept."
Hasu's eyes widened slightly. "Their memories have been erased?"
Natsumi hugged her arms closer and looked away. "...As much as I didn't want to do it... it had to be done."
"I do not understand." He kept his voice soft and turned to look back at them. "I thought that you had said they were trustworthy?"
"They are..." She paused. "I do trust them... but the fact is, they're still children. No matter how much I trust them, that knowledge puts them in danger. Even if it makes me feel scummy that I had to lie to them like that, what matters most is to keep them safe."
"I understand." He nodded slowly. "I am certain they would appreciate how much you care for them."
"Maybe." She mumbled. "I just really hate having to deceive the people I care about most. And what I hate even more, is that I'm good at it. All the time... it's easier and easier for a lie to slip out naturally. It's so... frustrating."
But it's all because of that conditioning Oto made me do. She bit her lip and glanced at Hasu's neck. And, speaking of Oto...
"I do not know what I could say to ease your guilt, but I do have some ideas of how I may lift your spirits or at least provide a distraction from your emotional burdens."
She managed a small smile and raised her brow. "I'm listening."
"I think we should get this cotton candy first, and then perhaps I could practice throwing Kunai once more?" His lips curved in a faint smile. "It was very entertaining. And, after that, I would very much like to have that curry. We can return to practicing, if that is acceptable to you."
"All of that sounds fine, but..." Natsumi scratched her head. "I'm pretty sure if you eat that curry, you'll have to be hospitalized, and then you won't be able to do any training at all."
Hasu laughed. "I have built up a remarkable tolerance to the heat. It will be fine."
"Well, if you're sure..." Natsumi sighed and then waved her hand. "Come on, then. Let's get you that sugar high already."
Natsumi watched as Hasu went around the shop wide-eyed. He stared at hot dogs cooking and pointed at it, then looked at her.
"Do you see this? This incredible machine is cooking on its own. How interesting." He turned and moved over to the jukebox in the corner of the shop. "Oh! What's this?"
Natsumi stifled a laugh, ignoring the shopkeeper's odd expression as he watched the boy, and she stood beside Hasu.
"This is a jukebox. It's an old machine that plays music."
"Music?" He looked at it again. "This can play music?"
"Just watch." Natsumi took out her cat-shaped coin purse and took out a few coins, then inserted them into the slot. "First, you put in the money, and then you choose a song." Her eyes scanned the song titles before she smiled. "Oh! I love this one." She pressed the button and then stepped back as the music started to play.
"Amazing!" Hasu grinned and looked at the Jukebox from all sides. "How does this work? I've never heard of music that sounded like this before. It's so lively."
"It's an older song by Meiko Nakahara." Natsumi smiled and nodded her head slightly in time with the music. "I like to listen to her music when I'm doing chores."
"I feel that I've been completely deprived, in comparison to you."
"You didn't have music at your home?" Natsumi asked as she started to put a few items into her basket.
"We did." Hasu turned and followed her, watching as he hummed quietly along with the song. "However, it was all traditional. My mother could masterfully play the twenty-five stringed Koto, and she often did so in the evenings after dinner."
"Isn't that supposed to be one of the hardest instruments to learn?"
Hasu smiled softly and nodded. "She was extraordinary and first learned to play at a young age. My brothers tried to learn from her, though none of them had the aptitude. I loved to sit and listen to her play before I went to bed. Music was her first love; she often would say." He closed his eyes briefly and opened them again and met her eyes. "Of course, she said that her second love was sweets."
Natsumi laughed quietly. "I thought you were going to say your dad."
Hasu laughed. "No, she would make jokes that my father was only her third love, but her strongest. Though she was a proper lady, she also had a delightful sense of humor. Her presence was as lovely as the spring, and as calming as ripples on a pond."
"She sounds wonderful."
"She was." He nodded slowly. "I wonder what she would think of that jukebox. I wonder if she would have wanted one."
She frowned slightly and looked away, and then smiled slightly to hold something up for him to see. "Look what I found."
His eyes widened and he took the package from her. "What's this? It's... fluffy and pink."
"That, Hasu, is cotton candy."
"Ah!" He grinned and held it up. "Is this truly edible? It seems so plush and pillowy."
"Just wait until you taste it." She smiled at his expression, then looked over the other shelves. Is this what I think it is? I wonder... She looked back at Hasu, then set it into the basket before grabbing some fruit and several bottles of water. "Alright, I think we're good to go."
"Right."
Once they were outside, she pulled him over to sit on a bench and opened the plastic wrapper, then passed him the cotton candy. "Are you ready to have your mind completely blown?"
"Am I ever." Hasu chuckled and took a bite, his eyes widening immediately before he took several more bites in quick succession. He swallowed and stared at it, and then looked at Natsumi. "This is... delicious! I could eat it for every meal." He bit into it again, and Natsumi laughed under her breath and scratched her head.
"W-Well, I wouldn't do that... But I am glad that you like it so much."
"Would you like some as well?" Hasu held it out to her. "You did not get any for yourself."
"No, that's okay!" She waved her hand. "It's yours, after all. I couldn't."
"Are you sure?" He raised a brow and looked at the treat. "As delicious as this is, I could not and should not eat it all myself, particularly not in a single sitting. You should take as much of it as you like."
"Well..." She bit her lip, then smiled. "Just a little, then." She moved a piece of her hair out of her face to lean forward and take a bite, then closed her eyes as it melted in her mouth. "So good..." She took another bite, then licked her lips. "I haven't had any cotton candy since last year's summer festival." She kicked her legs as she grinned. "Naruto and I managed to scrounge up enough money to get the festival snacks. We were supposed to share the cotton candy, but I only got three bites before he managed to eat it all." She laughed. "It was so hard to be mad at him, because he looked so funny with his cheeks big like a chipmunk." She paused. "And then we stuffed ourselves with Yakisoba, Taiyaki, and shaved ice. We felt so sick after all that, but we were having such a good time that we didn't care."
"We celebrated the Summer Matsuri on the estate, but it was, for the most part, a somber event. We arranged alters for our ancestors, and of course, I looked forward to Kacchu Keiba each year." He chuckled. "Seeing it as a child influenced me to beg my mother and father for a horse of my own. I was utterly relentless until they finally gave in." He paused. "My father did bring in musicians, as well, and mother would dance and try to convince us all to join in." Hasu smiled, continued to eat as he watched her expression. "I have many fond memories of Matsuri, though the festival you speak of also seems enjoyable."
"It's a blast." Natsumi leaned back in the bench and exhaled. "Naruto and I always failed at goldfish scooping, and it would always frustrate him. He'd yell and say that the whole thing was rigged." She laughed. "We were both just terrible at it. But we made up for it in the ring toss!" She took out her coin purse and held it up. "I won Neko-chii, and Naruto won himself Gama-chan. I like how it's both really cute, and also looks mischievous." She put it away and then leaned back again. "And then we sat on top of Lord Fourth's head to get the best view of the fireworks." She sighed. "We'll probably be too busy this year with missions to be able to have fun at the festival like that, though." She stifled a laugh. "Not that the yukata really look good on my anyways. Only the really cute, girly-girls look pretty in them."
"In that case, I am certain that you would look stunning in one."
She blushed and averted her eyes, shaking her head as he face burned and she stood quickly. "A-Alright! Let's get to Kunai training now! Yup!" She turned and started to walk and Hasu laughed to himself, then followed her.
"If you say so, my lady."
Natsumi flushed deeper and covered her face. "Hasu!"
"My apologies." He chuckled. "I couldn't help it."