[fontsize="11"]The trip had passed with little said between the duo of Main Branchers. Their focus was on getting to Enishi while attracting minimal attention as they made their way through the chaotic masses. Natsu did have a few question burning in the back of his mind, of course. And a few concerns too. But his Aniki had chosen him, and only him, to come along on this part of the mission. To close the chapter of the Kingslayers and make sure no other Kumo Nin would have to face that fright or pain. Natsu felt privileged, just as he had when he had first met the man that would be his Sennin. Back then the Chunin had been promoted to Spymaster, a function he still fulfilled to the best of his abilities. And now he'd been chosen above a Sennin and even the Raikage to accompany his Sempai.
"We'll beat him once and for all, right Aniki?" Natsu asked, a smile on his lips as he regarded his Sempai. The Jonin didn't expect an answer, and he was confident they'd be victorious at the end of the day. They'd face off against their final nemesis and demolish that final obstacle. They'd return to the Basilica, find rest among their companions before heading back to Kumogakure. Resume their happy, if somewhat whacky, daily life in the Torre. They'd do so together. Just the thought at such a nice prospect brought another smile to the Spymaster's face. Yes, the hardship was coming to an end. At least for a while, until the next big thing came rolling by. Such was the life in Cloud, after all.
Natsu's daydreaming came to an end as they crossed the bridge and reached the shrine. Taking a deep breath and steeling his nerves, Natsu reached out for the doorknob. This would be the deciding moment. As soon as he'd twist the knob they-.. The Jonin never got the chance to know what actually would've happened as Masao called out to him. Receiving the spear and letter with a slightly confused look, Natsu tucked the letter away in a pocket as he listened to his Sennin. A blush coloured his face as he was praised. However, just as he was about to thank his Sempai for noticing him, a stiffening feeling started to envelop his body. "And lastly, I’m sorry, but this is my fight alone.."
"NO, ANIK-.." Natsu shouted, before his jaw got locked firmly under the Body Bind. Confusion washed over him, swiftly followed by disbelief, anger and sadness. Why? Why Masao? DON'T! He tried to shouted, though the words never left his throat and the door fell shut in front of his eyes. A few tears trickled down his cheek as he struggled against the invisible bonds keeping him locked in place. Yet no amount of strength or despair seemed to help against the damnable Jutsu. Until several seconds later, seconds that had felt like hours, the binding loosened. Praying to Raiden that is was because of his struggling and not because Masao was suffering at the hands of Enishi, the blond increased his efforts to break loose.
As soon as Natsu managed, he stumbled forward, crashing through the door. His gaze caught Masao's, yet it was not relief that filled the Spymaster. His Sennin was locked in a close struggle with the Kingslayer. Yet as soon as Natsu wanted to inch forward, the Sennin pushed himself over the balcony, dragging along his arch nemesis. "ANIKIII!" The Kumo-Nin shouted, running over, stubbornly believe he'd be able to catch his Sempai if only he was quick enough. Yet even at the record speed with which he crossed the distance, when Natsu looked over the railing, only the roaring blue waterfalls greeted him. "ANIKIII!" The blond shouted again, desperately hoping for a response.
Yet the only answer that came was the echoes of his own voice, as if to mock the Sypmaster. Making it plainly obvious just how emotion-filled the outcry had been. Natsu wanted to jump down after the duo, yet even in this mad-driven state a cold voice of logic reminded him of how futile that action would be. "Why? How could you?!" Natsu asked aloud, though the only person who held the answers had just thrown himself to his death. "How could you have been so selfish? How could you rob yourself from our lives? From MY life?! After those words.. Where did you get the right to abandon us in such a way?!" Natsu demanded, the anger plain as day in his voice. Yet the voice of logic chimed in once more, chastising him of how wrong it was to make such accusations. That he was the selfish one for demanding answers to such questions.
Tears welled up in his eyes. Not as reserved as earlier, this time the salty secretion flowed freely. His breathing became more irregular and from time to time his whole upper body spasmed. It wasn't until he heard the oncoming footsteps of Kogami Ayumu that he forced himself to calm down. Turning to face the man, face red and eyes puffy, he pointed at the balcony with the spear. "H-.. He launched h-..hims-..himself over the e-..edge. Dragged that f-..fucking Enishi along." The Spymaster explained, voice hoarse and interrupted every so often by a sob. "Ma-..Masao bound me. I.. I was too late." Natsu admitted, staring the ANBU Sennin in the eyes. "I failed him."
Dropping the spear onto the ground, wincing as the loud clattering echoed in ears, the Jonin reached for the letter. Handing it over with shaking hands to Ayumu, he leaned against the balcony. Contemplating for a moment to just let himself fall backwards, the Spymaster instead slid down, sitting on the ground with his back to the waterfalls. He felt so.. exhausted. His crying had finally ended, the sobs subsiding and his breathing slowly returning to a normal pace once more. "What does it say?" The blond inquired, not very convinced he even wanted to know. Likely it was Masao's will, which indicated something like this had been his plan from the start. A sad possibility Natsu did not want to think about, yet seemed to be the only thing his mind would focus on for the moment. "Please.. Tell me."
[Word Count: 1055]
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