The Knight of Mahora Academy
Period 15: Peace In Kyoto
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"So, tell me again?" Haruna scratched her head while walking beside her group down the stone path. She looked around, noticing the road had disappeared as they were surrounded by the forest, "What happened back on the bus?"
"C'mon, Paru, everyone on the road suddenly fell asleep at their wheel and passed out. There was this loud sound and we all sorta took a nap." Asuna sweated and made sure her eyes panned as far away as they could from Haruna's doubtful gaze, "Some people's cars broke down and some of them just came to a complete stop. Just be glad no one got hurt."
The brunette pursed her lips and frowned at the weak excuse, "Okay...then why were you all awake before I was?"
"I-it wasn't that much earlier than you, Haruna." Nodoka pointed out, "W-we only woke up a minute or two before you. There were already people awake then too."
"Yeah." Haruna leaned forward to look down their group, "And so who might this random kid be exactly?"
Eyes turned to the unfamiliar black-haired boy being carried on Naruto's back. He was covered with Naruto's black jacket after ripping his shirt powering up and had his eyes furrowed in anger at the situation he was in. He frowned as Naruto shrugged with him still hanging off his shoulders, "Just a bratty little kid we found alone in the street. Don't know where he's supposed to go so we're gonna drop him off at the next stop."
"Yer so lucky I can't feel my arms." Kotarou grumbled, "Else I'd choke ya so hard-"
"Whatcha whispering there, cutie?" Haruna skipped over to their side and got up close to Kotarou's face to interrogate him. The boy frowned and tried to ignore her before the brunette quirked an eyebrow, "Hey, don't I know you? Weren't you that kid that challenged Negi-kun in the arcade? Funny meeting you here again, huh? Um-"
"Kotarou Inugami-kun." Konoka came skipping over and affectionately rubbed the young Hanyō head. Kotarou's frown deepened as she caressed his hair, not at all minding that less than an hour ago he had come with another Kansai member to kidnap her. The brunette giggled, "Apparently this jealous little guy saw us leaving on a bus and wanted to challenge Negi-kun to another match. But then that accident happened and he can't really move now so we're taking him with us. Ain't that right, Kotarou-kun?"
"That's..." The young boy's face burned with embarrassment, "Ain't totally wrong."
"Aww~, little rivalry between boys~! That's so cute~!" Haruna joined her friend and ruffled the younger boy's hair even as he growled in annoyance, "Well don't you worry, Kotarou-kun, I'm sure we can find another game you can challenge Negi-kun at~."
"I don't wanna challenge him in a game! I wanna-"
Kotarou yelped as Naruto lifted and dropped him slightly from his grip. The scarred blond looked back at the scowling boy, "Shush. Bad children need to be quiet and think about what they did wrong."
He thought for a moment that Kotarou might try to bite his ear off before the Hanyō shut his mouth. He bristled but accepted the order while the two girls continued to giggle and pat his head. He may have been sore about the loss but at least he accepted it.
"Nii-San?" He heard a whisper at his side and saw Negi trying to cover his mouth and hold a conversation quietly away from the other members of their group. Beside him Setsuna and Asuna were listening in with Kyūbi perched on the twin-tailed girl's shoulder, "Are we really going to the Kansai headquarters? I mean I know technically it's Konoka-San's home but won't it be risky? What if we meet more of those splinter cell members?"
"Yeah. But this is Eishun-San's house. He's the leader and in charge, and I know Eishun-San doesn't want Konoka being used like that." Naruto hushed back, "She'll be safest there."
"Plus you were gonna come here anyway, remember?" Asuna pushed the young Mage's head down, "You still have to deliver that letter."
"I-I'm aware of that," Negi's shoulders sunk, "But to bring everyone else along-"
"They will be protected. Eishun-sama is a man of integrity and will promise to protect everyone to the best of his ability." Setsuna whispered with certainty, "You can trust him, Negi-sensei."
The boy seemed reluctant but when looking between the older teens around him he felt his unease dull slightly. He gave a small nod before stopping and gaping in surprise at the sight before him, "Wow~."
Before them was a magnificent Japanese mansion built over a large patch of empty, flat space in the valley of a mountain. There were multiple buildings spanning dozens of meters in every direction, connected by raised wooden walkways and sectioned off with giant gates. The group of youngsters all gaped in shock as a legion of women dressed as miko priestesses bowed their heads and greeted them politely, "Welcome back, Konoka-ojousama! And we welcome your news friends as well!"
"Holy crap!" Haruna marveled at the sight of so many servants greeting her like she was someone important. Yue and Nodoka were also reeling back from the shock before the mangaka marveled to her friends, "Konoka, you should of told us you were so important! I know Sakurazaki-San calls you Ojou-sama sometimes but I thought that was some kinda weird act you two play together!"
Setsuna blanked and Konoka giggled while her friends looked around in awe. The Konoe girl heard a giggle by her ear and looked up at Asuna's grinning face, "I always thought you might have been rich because your grandpa was the headmaster of Mahora, but I didn't think you'd be Iincho levels of loaded."
"Oh come on, Asuna," Konoka giggled back, "I like to think I'm just a little bit more down to earth than Iincho is."
"And that's not saying much, huh?"
"Arf! Arf! Arf! Arf!"
They watched an old dog excitedly come running out from the house and charge towards the group. Chamo yelped and cowered down Negi's back before Konoka bent down to intercept him, "Hello! I haven't seen you in ages! I'm sorry I've been away for so long!" She let the dog slobber over her cheek and just giggled with joy before pulling the dog back and pointing over, "Look! It's Secchan! She's come to visit!"
"O-oh!" Setsuna flinched back when she saw the animal's gaze fall on her. She was always worried about being around the canine when she lived here in the mansion. This was a dog she had frightened when it started harassing Konoka, and which they then quickly adopted into the household. But she had always been the one to scare it, and she had also been gone for years. So it probably-
"Woof!"
"Ah!" The swordswoman squeaked as the canine pounced on her and started to happily lick her face. The girl let out a strangled laugh as the slobbery tongue ran up and down her cheek as the dog pinned her to the ground. Setsuna couldn't help how giddy and ticklish she felt as the dog licked her cheek, "H-hello! I-it's nice to see - ehehe - ehehahahaha! N-no stop it! T-that's enough!"
"Awww~." Naruto cooed, "Come on everybody, let's keep going. Let Setsuna reconnect with an old friend."
"W-wait!" She reached out for her group of people laughing at her situation as she blushed. She tried to escape again but found the old dog deceptively stubborn, "Stop it! Get off I have to - ehehehaahaha! N-no lick!"
Group 6 and the three boys accompanying them (one against his will) walked into the massive hall. They marveled at the rows of servants and people standing patiently at the side with pleasant smiles on their faces. They spotted a number of pillows laid out on the wooden floor for them to kneel on. Haruna was already plopping down on a seat and giggling as Yue reprimanded her for her childish behavior.
"Naruto Uzumaki-San?" The blond looked over to see a group of people bowing to him before standing back up, "That boy on your back is one of the members from the splinter cell, correct? Our agents told us you were bringing him once you entered our territory. Eishun-sama asked that we take him."
Naruto looked back at the boy resting against his back before asking, "And what are you gonna do to him?"
"He won't be harmed. Eishun-sama told us to treat his fatigue and then keep him contained until he can be questioned."
Naruto was reluctant before he felt the weight shift on his shoulder. He looked back and Kotarou shrugged, "I knew what I was gettin' into when I picked this fight. Gotta deal wit' it."
...
"I'll wanna see him later so take care of him." Naruto passed the Hanyō over as the servants bowed their heads and carried the injured boy off. His eyes lingered on the boy for a moment before he turned around and walked over to join the others in their seats. He took the empty seat by Negi and when the little redhead noticed the lack of Hanyō hanging off his shoulder, Naruto assured him, "They took Kotarou off to get healed. We'll see him later."
Negi gave a small nod before they heard the sound of footsteps falling on wood. The whole group went silent as they saw a figure descend the stairs in front of them. When they finally reached the floor they saw it was a tall middle-aged man. He had short brown hair and a soft smile as he greeted them, "Hello everyone. You are the classmates of Konoka's I've been hearing so much about. It's a pleasure to meet you."
A few worried looks were spared towards Asuna as her jaw fell and she started babbling incoherently.
"Father!" Konoka broke the awed silence. She jumped up from her cushion and ran over to leap into the man, "It's been so long! I've missed you!"
"You look like you've grown up even more since I last saw you." He hugged his daughter back, hand settling on her crown and gently rubbing her hair as she giggled, "I'm so glad to see you again."
"Hehe." The Kansai princess smiled before pulling away from her father and turning to her friends, "Father, these are my friends."
"Oh, I've been waiting for the chance to finally meet them all." The older man followed his daughter over and the group of youngsters stood up to greet the man. The older leader smiled, "You must be the famous Asuna Kagurazaka-kun I've been hearing about so much."
"G-greetings sir!" Asuna was unusually flustered when greeting the older man. One part because he was such a handsome older man that hit right in her strike zone, but also because she wanted to make a good impression for the father of her dearest friend. She bowed with a pink hue on her cheeks, "I-it's a pleasure to finally meet you! Konoka - I-I mean Konoe-San has been looking out for me for many, many years! She always wakes me up on time and she makes sure I'm eating healthy and helps me study! I-it's not so good on the last one but-"
"Asuna-kun," She stopped her babbling at Eishun's firm tone and looked up to see his smiling face, "I am extremely grateful to you for being so close to my daughter for all these years. And I cannot express how happy I am that she has made a friend in someone like you."
The twin-tailed girl's face went bright red from embarrassment as she lowered her head. She looked up and glowered at the giggling expression Konoka had at her expense.
"And you three-"
"Hi there, Konoka's Otou-San! My name is Haruna Saotome! This short girl is Yue Ayase, and this girl hiding her face is Nodoka Miyazaki! It's nice to meet you!"
"Oh, now I remember. Konoka talks quite a bit about you girls. I have to say I think her descriptions of you three are quite on point so far."
"Hear that! He likes us!"
"That's not what he said. He meant Konoka's complaints about your loudness are extremely accurate."
"N-Now now."
Eishun chuckled at the trio's routine before his gaze turned to the next person in line. Setsuna flinched under her leader's gaze and actually started to shift in place. Before Eishun could get the chance to thank her properly the bodyguard bowed her head deeply before the man. Eishun gave a faint smile, realizing that the girl's awkwardness still hadn't faded after all this time away and bowed in return.
Naruto stood still when the familiar older man stepped up in front of him. It had been ages since he had last seen the powerful swordsman. And even though he had grown up so much Eishun still had some height over him. It was only a small difference but it made Naruto feel like the child he used to be chasing after their heels. Well now he stood strong and tall and-
Naruto blinked in surprise when the hand fell on his head and gently patted his hair. Eishun smiled fondly, "My god, look how much you've grown. You've become quite the young man, Naruto-kun."
Negi watched in surprise as the usually cool Naruto lowered his head and blushed. The blond teen fixed his hair and mumbled something about 'being older now' and 'didn't need his head patted anymore'.
Negi stood ramrod straight when Eishun finally ended up standing in front of him. Negi gulped, feeling super nervous and very conscious about the fact he was not only meeting a father of one of his students and the leader of the Kansai Association, but also an old friend of his father. His hand tightened around his father's staff, his anxiety bubbling up before he spoke, "H-Hello, sir. My name is Negi Springfield, a-and I've come here today to deliver this letter to you." He pulled out the envelope and held it out expecting the older gentleman to take it but looked up to see the leader frozen, "S-Sir?"
"Excuse me." Eishun nervously laughed before fixing his glasses, "Forgive me. Seeing you reminds me of facing Nagi again after all this time. You'll excuse me for being lost in thought." The Konoe man seemed to wipe something from his eye before taking the letter from the anxious lad. He looked over the letter, laughing heartedly at his father-in-law reprimanding him for letting some followers get out of hand and even accompanied it with a poorly drawn illustration. He folded the letter again and nodded, "You can tell him that I've received his letter and I will increase my efforts to unify the members of my organization. Negi Springfield-kun, I wish to congratulate you on a job well done." The boy beamed a smile and started being crowded by his companions before Eishun spoke, "As such, why don't we celebrate with a feast?"
"YAAAAY!"
It was while the entire hall started to celebrate with food and drink that Naruto and Negi found themselves joined by Eishun. The older Konoe took a cup and supported it with one hand under the bottom before he gave a big smile to the blond, "I can't believe how big you've gotten. You're almost my height. And with a scar too. If it wasn't for the whiskers on your face you would have been unrecognizable."
"Duh, it's been ages since I last saw you, Eishun-San." Naruto answered while looking aside like a nervous child meeting his elder again, "I'm not gonna be a little kid anymore."
"Still," Eishun clapped the boy on his shoulder and gave a small shake of his head, "I wish you would have kept in better contact with me. All I've had to go on about your health is the stories I receive through the grapevine about some random mission and action you had done. You may be a grown man now but I still worry."
"I-I'll make sure to keep in touch more often now, I promise." Naruto scratched the back of his head even as his face kept a pink hue and mumbled, "I'm supposed to be older now. Why am I still being treated like a kid?"
"Hehe." Eishun chuckled and patted the blond's head before turning to the other boy, "Negi-kun, I've been waiting for the chance to meet you face-to-face."
"I-I have as well, Konoe-sama." Negi bowed his head formally, getting a laugh from the older gentleman before looking back up at him, "I was informed that you and my father were very close friends."
"The best." Eishun responded, "It's incredible that when I look at you I see the same youthful face as that silly fool had at your age." Eishun's face became deadly serious and he fixed his spectacles, "Except..."
"E-except?"
"Except you are much better behaved than he ever was on his best day. At your age he was extremely brash, blunt, and quite rude sometimes."
"Sounds kinda like Nii-San sometimes."
"Hey!"
"Precisely. Unfortunately he picked up the worst habits."
"HEY!"
"It's just a joke. Cheer up." Eishun reassured the frowning blond as even Negi joined in on the laugh. Thankfully Naruto's glare still worked on the boy and the young Welshman flinched and ducked his head in shame. The Konoe chuckled before looking up and raising his hand, "Setsuna-kun."
"Yes sir!" The young girl came sliding over on her knees and bowed her head before her leader. The boys jumped back in surprise at her quick response before the practitioner spoke, "I'm here for whatever you need, sir!"
"I know that. I know that now better than ever." Eishun turned in his spot and reached out to hold the small girl's shoulder, "I wanted to thank you for everything you've done, Setsuna-kun. For keeping a vigilant eye out for Konoka's safety and guarding her during this whole ordeal."
"N-no, it was my pleasure sir! Keeping Ojou-sama safe is my most solemn duty! A-and if we're being honest I-I haven't done everything possible! She's been in several dangerous situations recently and I haven't always been able to help her! P-plus Ojou-sama found out about her magical ability-"
"Actually that's our fault, Eishun-San." Naruto interrupted before his hand fell on an embarrassed Negi's head, "This little guy awoke her latent ability by trying to engage a Pactio with her, and I told her about her magic after the first night those guys tried to take her. I know you wanted to keep her away from all this but...I made what I thought was the best choice."
Eishun let out a heavy sigh before nodding his head empathetically, "I understand. I did want to keep this side of the world hidden from her but considering the recent events, I'd rather she know and be ready instead of ignorant and afraid. And Setsuna-kun while the situations may have been regrettable, you pulled through and kept Konoka's safety as your top priority. And for that," Eishun fixed himself and bowed his head to the girl, "I am eternally grateful."
"N-no sir! P-please raise your head! I'm not worth your thanks! I-it was my duty! I-I..." She looked to Negi and Naruto for assistance but she only got a nervous laugh from the redhead and an indifferent shrug from the blond.
O-oh, what was she supposed to do!
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
Kotarou opened his eyes when the door opened. He sat up in his invisible cell sectioned off with several paper charms that confined him to this small space. The people designated to watch over him bowed their heads in respect to the older man that walked in with the two boys responsible for putting the Hanyō away. The dog boy grinned, "Yo, 'bout time ya guys got around t' visit. I was gettin' bored." He reached out and let his hand touch the barrier, electricity shooting off from where his fingers touched before quickly pulling back, "Can't exactly let ya guys in."
"Your name is Kotarou Inugami-kun, correct? My name is Eishun Konoe. I am the father of the young woman you and your group attempted to abduct today."
"Ah, screwed off the bat, eh?"
"Not exactly." Eishun said calmly, "Though your actions are enough to enrage me and make a serious decision, you're also fortunate enough that I find myself hesitating to severely punish a young man your age."
"Ya shouldn't." Kotarou frowned and thumped his chest, "I'm a man and a fighter first!"
"See, that's what I was talking about." Naruto piped up from Eishun's side, "It's that attitude that makes me think this kid ain't all that bad." The blond shrugged, "Stupid and misguided, but not all that bad."
The Hanyō glowered at the scarred blond before Negi spoke up, "Nii-San is right, Kotarou-kun! I don't think you are inherently bad either! You attempted to protect all the civilians from harm during the fight, and you have a code not to hurt girls! That means you must be good-"
"Why do ya think jus' cause I don't wanna get people involved in my fightin' that I'll stop!" Kotarou yelled, interrupting Negi as the more reserved boy flinched at the volume of his voice. The Hanyō glared, "I'm gonna get outta here! And when I do I'ma fight you, then you, and then everyone else! Ya better believe that!"
Eishun's expression became quite difficult to discern before he felt a pat on his shoulder. Naruto nodded to the older man before stepping forward and stopping in front of the cell confining Kotarou. The Hanyō glared up at the teen as Naruto turned his nose up at him. The blond crossed his arms and spoke derisively, "So that's it? All just for a fight?"
"Damn right."
"Alright. We'll fight you."
"Eh?"
"Huh?"
"Say what?"
"If you want a fight that's fine." Naruto simply shrugged with a smile, "You probably wanna get the chance to beat on Negi, and get back at me for kicking your ass already, right?" Kotarou frowned while Negi nervously stuttered at the acceptance of a fight without his consent. Naruto smiled, "I totally get wanting to fight strong people and get stronger as well. Had the same feeling when I was your age. So if you wanna fight I'm totally up for it."
"Seriously?" Kotarou questioned.
"If all you're motivated by is punching then I totally get that. But you know that reasoning isn't the same across the board, right?" The blond's voice sharpened, "The group you were helping weren't just trying to start a fight for the sake of fighting. They had bigger plans in sight. The kind of plans that take away peoples' homes and burn them to the ground. Probably the kind of plans that get a lot of innocent people hurt or worse."
Kotarou tried to keep his scowl but there was a slight falter when he heard about the possible casualties, "You didn't want to get all those civilians involved in the fight so you tried to set them up with protection. You didn't want Bells or any other girl to fight you because you don't fight girls. Hell, I bet you were pretty peeved having to share a fight with me alongside that creepy glasses girl." The Hanyō gaze fell as he resorted to glaring at the ground instead of facing the older boy.
"Wanting to get stronger and fight people is fine. But you shouldn't get innocents involved in it as well. And if those people keep acting on their own, that's exactly what they're going to do. So please just tell us what you know."
...
The whole room went quiet at the young Hanyō's silence. Kotarou kept his eyes firmly on the floor before Eishun clapped Naruto's shoulder and motioned for the boy to step back. Eishun stepped forward, "Kotarou-kun, we'll come back a little later. Give you some time to think it over. When we do, I implore you to make the right decision."
Kotarou remained silent as Eishun, Naruto, and Negi made their way out of the room. They closed the door behind them as Negi looked up at the older blond, "That was very smart of you, Nii-San."
"I just said the truth. He ain't bad. Just not making some good decisions."
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"I'm really looking forward to this. I need a wash after fighting earlier."
"Huh." Naruto chuckled, "Can't believe we can actually get you to take a bath. And all it took was fighting a life-or-death battle to do it."
"J-just to ease my muscles." The young boy blushed with embarrassment, "Plus I can work better with large baths. T-this is a large bath, right Eishun-San?"
"Very large, Negi-kun. No worries." The older man reassured as he slid the door open and let them walk into the large open bath of the Konoe residence. The young boy marveled at the sight of the luxurious bath with the view of the mountains and forests open over the ledge. Naruto slowly slipped into the bath and let the fox on his shoulder leap off before he could get splashed with the water. Eishun slid in and sighed, "Ahhhh, this does wonders for my old bones."
"Your lifespans are always shifting for me, but from my understanding you're still on the lower half of the lifespan, Eishun."
"Hehe, I choose to take that as a compliment. Thank you, Kyūbi-San." Eishun gave a gracious nod to the demon fox that the creature silently returned. Kyūbi didn't respect many people in either world, but he did hold some form of it for the members of Ala Rubra that he had fought alongside years ago. Eishun just happened to get more of it than Nagi or Rakan did at the time, "I may not be that old Kyūbi-San, but it's been some time since I've been out in the field. My body has become quite laden in my time of peace."
"It's hardly peaceful, Eishun. You're just not located near the action anymore."
"Too true."
"So you really fought alongside my father in the war, Eishun-San?" Negi inquired as Chamo sat upon his head while admiring the older man's achievement, "That's amazing! I-I'm always hearing about how amazingly my father fought in that war, b-but if you were able to fight alongside him as well then you must be incredible in your own rank."
"I didn't go running off into battle as often as they guy did so I won't have as many achievements as him." Eishun humbly admitted, "But I did fight quite a bit in my day. I didn't get these scars from gardening I can tell you that."
"He's underselling it! Negi, you should see what Eishun-San is like when he has a blade in his hands!" Naruto beamed a smile and had Negi's undivided attention as the boy looked up at him in wonder, "He was amazing! A single swipe of his sword and he could cleave trees and rocks and everything in its way in half! He could even intimidate Nagi when he made Eishun-San mad enough!"
"He did?"
"N-now now, Naruto-kun," Eishun meekly laughed and scratched his head in embarrassment, "You're bringing up a lot of old memories I'm just trying to keep in the past. W-what about you? I see you have quite a collection yourself, haven't you?"
Naruto looked over himself and realized the older Konoe was addressing his scars, "Oh yeah, been busy since you last saw me."
"I'm sure each of those was earned doing something great in battle."
"Y-yeah. A few were given during fights. Some on missions to protects others. And others..."
"You got them from Jack, didn't you?"
"Yes, yes I did."
"That figures."
"Nii-San says that on the path to realizing my dream of becoming a Magister Magi, I-I'll have to live with scars and other injuries on my body as well." Negi spoke up as the two older members looked towards him. The young boy hung his head, "A-and I know what else is expected of me as well. Nii-San told me that I'll have to prepare myself for the worst...and I know as a Mage that means situations where I won't be able to..."
Negi paused and stared down at the water in silence. His thoughts flashed back to a cold night years ago; his village razed and the people in it reduced to statues of rock instead of flesh and blood. He felt a soft movement on his head from Chamo in worry before he looked back up at them again, "But I'll do whatever I can in order to avoid those terrible situations. I know that might seem childish, but I'll still do my best to realize it."
The shy boy felt a pat on his shoulder and looked up to see the proud smile on Naruto's face and Eishun nodding in agreement. The blond turned back to the older man, "See? I told you this kid was awesome." Negi blushed before Naruto continued, "He's definitely on his way towards Magister Magi."
"N-Nii-San."
"That's quite an aspiration for one so young. Let me ask then, Negi-kun, are you keeping with your studies?"
"Y-yes sir! N-not as often now since I'm supposed to be helping my students, but I still look at spell books and some of my favorite tomes when I get the chance."
"And you've already made a Pactio?"
Negi flushed, "T-two actually."
"Well well well, you might just be following in Nagi's footsteps after all." Eishun chuckled heartedly before looking over, "And what about you, Naruto-kun?"
"What about me?"
"Any Pactios to speak?"
"Duh." Naruto waved him off, "The one with Raka-Ji, remember? C'mon Eishun-San, you aren't senile yet."
"You know as well as I do that anything involving Jack doesn't count. I don't mean one with you as the Minister. Have you preformed a Pactio with anyone as a Magister?"
Naruto's expression stilled and the whole bath went silent except for the groan and eye roll of Kyūbi. The blond's face went a little redder and it wasn't just because of the bath, "W-Well you see-"
Thankfully Naruto was saved from an explanation. Unfortunately it was due to the several female voices coming from the other side of the bath door.
"I swear if you guys don't tell me what was actually going on I'm gonna be so mad."
"N-now Haruna."
"Don't be so upset."
The three males paled when they heard the girls approach and their figures in the bath door undressing. Negi shuddered, "O-oh dear."
"E-E-Eishun-San," Naruto turned to the older man as they jumped out of the bath, "Didn't you put up a sign or anything?"
"I didn't think they'd be getting washed so soon. I didn't put the notice up."
"So you haven't changed too much after all these years."
"W-well these are some unfortunate circumstances." Chamo mumbled with some drool coming down his chin, "Guess we'll just have to bathe with all the cuties-"
"Run!" They all started for the other end of the bath, hoping to hide behind the large rock before they were caught by the girls-
But froze again when they found Asuna and Setsuna crouching behind the same rock with towels pressed to their bodies to cover their modesty. The girls and boys all stared at each other in complete shock; girls covering their chests and boys concealing their crotches.
"Excuse me?" They all looked over to see Eishun standing on the railing of the open-air bath with his towel tied around his waist. He pointed down, "I'm getting out of here before this becomes far too uncomfortable. I suggest you follow suit."
"Y-yes leader!" Setsuna was quick to follow her master's example and jump off the balcony.
"S-Setsuna-San!" Asuna reached out for her, "We're girls! We won't be in trouble for being here with them!"
"Yeah but can you stand being caught in a bath with us, Bells?" Naruto asked while he picked Negi up to hold under his armpit. The orange-haired girl blushed at the insinuation before Naruto offered her the balcony.
"D-Dammit!" Asuna frowned before leaping over, "God dammit!"
...
"N-Nii-San," The boy looked up at his friend, "Couldn't Asuna-San have just stuck around after we leave? No one would have known we were here."
"If we're jumping into the forest naked, so is she."
They leapt over the side and Kyūbi just silently watched them before shaking his head.
If he wasn't bound to Naruto he wouldn't even bother dealing with these crazy mortals anymore.
Probably just find a big empty space to just nap in for a few millennia.
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"GODDAMIT! AGAIN!" Chigusa Amagasaki shrieked and almost started pulling out her hair after the most recent setback. She turned to the prostrating swordswoman, "Not only did ya lose the perfect opportunity and let Ojou-sama get away again, but we lost Kotarou-kun as well! What do ya have to say for yerself, Tsukuyomi-Han?!"
"T-the fight was so intense." The girl dreamily muttered to herself while rubbing her legs together and smiling, "That blond guy was so satisfying. And I almost got to finish with Senpai. Oh if only they didn't get away in time."
Chigusa reeled back from the odd girl's behavior before a calm young voice intervened, "You seem especially distressed by this, Amagasaki-San." The young Fate spoke up while his compatriot faced the other way and fiddled with his weapon.
"Why do you think that is, Newcomer?" The Kansai woman palmed her head in frustration, "Ojou-sama will be leaving in a few days, and this was our prime opportunity to catch her. Now that she's at Eishun-sama's home, we can't retrieve her."
"Why would you think that?"
Chigusa and Tsukuyomi looked over at the stoic boy in confusion, "Y-you did. You said it'd be dangerous to steal Ojou-sama so quickly since Eishun-sama would probably go searchin' for her."
"Yes, I did say that, but I meant it only as an inconvenience at the time." Fate calmly explained, "If we had stolen Konoka Konoe-San so soon while giving Eishun-San time to prepare for an assault, we may have been chased all around Kyoto by him and his minions. But now he has all of his forces, the interlopers, and Konoka-San all located in a single place. True it may be a fortress, but if that fortress were to be taken down...then so would all of our opposition."
Chigusa's eyes widened, "Y-you're not suggesting we actually charge into HQ, are you?"
"Not 'we' as in all of us." The young man behind him stood up and flicked his hand down, the knife extending into a full blade that his slowly inspected in his hands, "Just leave it to us."
"You wait at the specified location." The black-haired teenager behind Fate stated, "And create a surplus of those charms while you're at it."
Fate nodded, "We'll take it from here."
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
Done
Short chapter but leading to better stuff.
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