As if alive, the mist slowly rolled back and revealed the dark figure that attacked them the other day, standing stoically still as if it was nothing more than a statue.
"Look Yuki-san." the succubus drawled. "Our stalker is back, maybe he hasn't had enough of us, hm?"
The hero didn't say anything, she only raised her blade higher so that it would point at the mysterious being, refusing to be cowed or to lose focus like last time.
"Who are you? What is your objective? How did you find us?" the human female demanded, voice firm.
The armored warrior was silent, standing stoically in place as if it really was just a statue.
Yuki grit her teeth, lowering her center of gravity in order to pounce-
Clapping.
Random, but consistent clapping echoed around them.
Both females quickly looked around, slightly unnerved by the unreserved clapping, trying to discern where the sound was coming from, as it almost seemed to echo around them.
The hero in particular glanced around, the bad feeling in the pit of her stomach getting worse and worse as the clapping continued to echo.
Nevertheless, she stayed firm externally, her yellow eyes unyielding, as they searched for their potential enemy.
Those eyes would eventually zero in on a spot behind the mysterious warrior, as a form began to coalesce while the mist began to lighten up.
Yuki raised Sakuya higher, making sure her defense was up to prevent any kind of-
The hero froze, the grip on her katana loosened to the point that it almost slipped through her fingers, shock replaced the steel in her eyes.
She could make him out now...it was him.
"No..." Yuki whispered, taking a step back at the visage that appeared in front of her.
Maria chanced a look at her partner for a moment, before looking at the young man that emerged from the fog, walking towards them in a self-assured manner. Still clapping.
The mysterious man eventually walked up right next to the armored warrior, patting it on the shoulder as if it was a pet. Before turning his pitch-black eyes to the two females.
"...It's been a while...Yuki-chan."
The succubus' eyes snapped to the hero besides her, uncertainty dancing in those orbs.
Yuki merely continued to stare at the older man, jaw clenched and eyes stormy, with several emotions flitting through her eyes so fast that Maria couldn't see them.
"...It has...sensei..."
Naruto peered into the darkness of the cave, trying to make sure that he didn't crash into a wall and embarrass himself for such a stupid reason.
Meanwhile, Kunou was holding his hand tightly, gripping it to make sure that she didn't lose track of him in this dark cave. She definitely didn't want to get lost in here...
"No worries, kid." the shinobi stated assuredly. "We just have to go a little further."
The smaller blond looked up at the person who helped her so far, gratitude in her eyes. "...Thank you for helping me so far, I honestly don't know what I would have done without you..."
Blue eyes turned to look at her, mirth in those orbs apparent. "I'm sure you would have thought of something, you've got quite the backbone when you need it."
Kunou beamed at that, pride swelling in her chest at the compliment. "Thanks! Kaa-chan always tried to teach me to be strong, for the sake of our faction. So I try."
Suddenly, a shadow descended upon her new friend, as his eyes darkened faintly, and a frown began to taint his usually positive face.
The yokai princess was taken aback. "Uh...I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?"
Naruto blinked and shook his head, trying to get certain thoughts out of his head, before shooting the kyuubi with a wistful smile. "Nothing...it's just that I'm proud that your mother got to taught you some things. Not everyone can say that, you know?"
Kunou tilted her head cutely, unsure what the whiskered teen meant, but accepting it nonetheless.
The two fell silent afterwards, with the older blond focusing on where they should go next as his priority.
"Do you want a kaa-chan!?" Kunou suddenly shouted.
Naruto jumped, caught off guard. "...What?"
The younger blond shifted uncomfortably. "Well...you seemed sad when I talked about my kaa-chan...so...I thought that maybe..."
The shinobi scratched the back of his head, slightly nervous. "Uhh...it isn't quite that simple dattebayo..."
Kunou leaned in, eyes shining brightly. "No! It's fine! You can just spend time with me and kaa-chan! That way you won't be sad anymore!"
Blue eyes widened slightly at that statement, so that's what this was about...
"...Hey kid...honestly, thanks for the suggestion. That was very kind of you." the older blond began gently, patting her head. "But I'm sorry to say that I can't spend too much time in Kyoto, I just came here to talk to your mother about something personal. After that, I gotta head back home and make sure everyone is safe."
Naruto moved his eyes forward again while he was talking, assured that the little girl that he was escorting was still following him since he was still holding her hand.
But, inexplicably, her smaller hand slipped through his fingers.
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