148. A trap for a trap


    <span style="font-weight:400">After the fact Tomoka had to admit to herself that mayhaps she was a bit of an ass. After all, she did know that Inari’s father figure got done in by Gatoh.


    <span style="font-weight:400">‘Say Kurama, am I a bad person?’ Hearing Tomoka asking such a question made Kurama do a double take.


    <span style="font-weight:400">[Are you seriously asking me that?]


    <span style="font-weight:400">‘Yes?’


    <span style="font-weight:400">[That is also the answer to your question. You are as a matter of fact a horrible person by human standard. At least to anyone you don’t feel like dealing with]. Having lived with Tomoka for the whole of her second life Kurama was sure of this. The amount of times she had reduced someone to tears just with words because they annoyed her a little was astonishing.


    <span style="font-weight:400">‘Huh, and here I thought I was a good samaritan… well, not my problem.’


    <span style="font-weight:400">[And that is precisely why you are a horrible person. Then again at this point you will take it as aplement.] Hearing Kurama made Tomoka smile a little. Then again, what could you expect from the person that found Shaco’s antics fun, when they tend to cost lives by the hundreds to millions.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Thinking about Inari, Tomoka just shrugged. The kid’s trauma should go away once she leaves Gatoh’s head on a spike in the middle of town. That or he bes even more traumatized. Thinking about it, hadn''t Kaiza been crucified, kinda, before Gatoh killed him?


    <span style="font-weight:400">[I know that evil smile. What kind of evil plot have you got going now?] Kurama asked more out of curiosity than anything else.


    <span style="font-weight:400">‘Wouldn’t that ruin the surprise? Just stay put and enjoy the show.’


    <span style="font-weight:400">Days began going by as Tazuna worked on the bridge while team Yamato kept guard. To say the girls became bored once again would be putting it mildly. Yamato for his part enjoyed the peace and quiet. Having been in many bloody missions in the past he learned to enjoy the calm before the storm.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Just like in canon Tazuna’s friends began leaving the construction effort as fear began to settle within them. However, thanks to Tomoka and Yamato’s cooperation the bridge construction elerated. Yamato would make wood puppets to Tomoka’s specifications so her phantoms could work.


    <span style="font-weight:400">As the week approached its end Tomoka’s phantoms found their mark. Of course Tomoka had spread mini phantom’s in the shape of thumb sized spiders to look for Haku. She had business with him.


    <span style="font-weight:400">After reaching the ce Haku was picking herbs Tomoka approached without trying to hide her presence. It didn’t take long for Haku to notice her. Of course Taking into ount that she wasn’t wearing the mask, Haku believed he could pretend to be a normal civilian.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Haku of Kiri, pupil or is it tool, of Momochi Zabuza.” Of course Tomoka couldn’t help herself and had to give Haku a small heart attack with her statement.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Instantly Haku dropped into a fighting stance while analyzing his surroundings. He was looking for ways to flee while trying to find Tomoka’s teammates.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“No need to be so tense. Ie without hostilities and as a matter of fact I havee to propose a deal.” Tomoka continued walking forward without raising her guard. There was no need. Anything short of anti-tank weaponry wouldn’t be able to scratch her chitin armor.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“What deal?” Haku for his part decided to talk and see if he could buy some time to devise a n. Either flee or attack. He didn’t believe for a second Tomoka’s words.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“It’s simple really. I know for a fact you are fiercely loyal to Zabuza and as such you only seek what is best for him. My deal is simple. I know why Zabuza left Kiri and I am willing to help.” Tomoka gave Haku a smile that sent chills down his spine.


    <span style="font-weight:400">His instincts were telling him to flee. Something about Tomoka made him uneasy like he was about to make a deal with the devil.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I’m listening.”