The massive tree that stood above Taki (which Daigo introduced to us as Kusunoki Oboku) really messed with my sense of scale as we began to leave the island at the center of the lake. When compared to the tree itself, the underlying lake seemed more like a pond and the simple wooden bridge that crossed it was almost twiglike in comparison to Oboku's massive branches.
And yet, crossing said 'little' bridge took us almost ten minutes, the circumference of the lake large enough it almost made me wonder if you could fit the entirety of Konoha on its surface without it ever touching the shores.
'Gai would probably have a field day running laps around this thing… on his hands no less.' I think wryly as I spot a gathering of people on the far side of the bridge.
As we get closer, I can make out that most of them seem to be simple craftsmen, judging by their rough, old-fashioned clothing. It's not like they're destitute, most of their clothes and equipment seems to be in relatively good shape, rather than threadbare, but even from afar it's clear to see these people aren't exactly rolling in wealth.
Though perhaps that's both mine and the original Mizuki's bias for Konoha's oddly technologically advanced state skewing our perception of what was considered the norm in this world. The Hidden Leaf Village seemed fairly modern for a world of myths and monsters. From its architecture to its facilities, the shinobi Village distinctly reminded me of a post-industrial revolution Japan, with some specific institutions like hospitals having moved well into the digital age.
Here though, it seemed as if these people had never even heard of the industrial revolution. I guess the closest things they ever saw to a proper steam-engine was when they accidentally left the kettle on for too long.
Somewhat better equipped (and more richly dressed) is a small group in front of the larger gathering, close to a dozen men, over half of them in robes signifying their status and flanked by what seem to be the remainder of Taki's current ninja roster.
Seeing how most of the robed men seem to be bent underneath the weight of their wrinkles, I gather these are Taki's village elders, though I don't see the young man that's supposed to be their current leader, Shibuki. As we close in, many of the gathered people start muttering in shock as they spot Suien's signature yellow bandana in the middle of our group. Some are intrigued, but a surprisingly large number looks rather fearful.
I'm guessing Suien didn't part with his ancestral home on exactly good terms.
The jostling and muttering is swiftly silenced by the elder standing at the front of the group with a raspy 'enough!' and a glare that causes many of them to look at their feet with sheepish expressions.
"Hail, Saburo-san! We welcome you back underneath Kusunoki Oboku's guarding embrace! What news from beyond Takitsuhime's borders?" the main elder, a particularly old specimen with long flowing white hair took a step forwards, eyes nearly hidden under a pair of bushy show-white eyebrows.
Stepping off the bridge onto the shore, Saburo saluted sharply, quickly followed by the other two Taki nin who had escorted us, backs straight and facing straight ahead.
"Hail, Senji-dono. We return from our investigation of the Konoha signal detected earlier today. The matter was deemed of too grave importance for the village at large for us to deal with immediately and as such we have returned to seek counsel from the village elders and our leader Shibuki-sama." Saburo answered crisply with a polite bow.
"Yes, I can see why you'd come to that conclusion." Elder Senji muttered, glancing past the Taki escort towards the grinning Suien, craggy face darkening as he stared the missing nin down.
Seeing that Suien remained uncowed underneath his glare, the elder scoffed, before his gaze slowly moved towards the rest of us.
"However, this is quite a large number of outsiders you have brought with you, Saburo-san. Even if they hail from Konoha."
The simple statement was nonetheless framed as both a question and a demand for an explanation, and once again Saburo bowed his head.
"I understand your concerns, Senji-dono. However, they all played a vital role in the apprehension of the traitor Suien as he was harassing their lands and the people under their protection. As such, they reserve the right to be present for his interrogation and sentencing, to ensure justice is meted out for their people as well." Saburo explained, though it was clear by his tone, no matter how polite and formal, he was equally as unhappy about the whole situation as the Elder was.
Not that this world's notions of honor gave them much choice here without both losing face and potentially insulting their most important ally. Suien was their mess after all, but the damage suffered and the work done had all been on Konoha's part, leaving Taki with an uncomfortable debt to us.
Elder Senji rubbed his stumpy chin for a long moment as he conferred with his fellow grandpas with meaningful looks and whispered mutters, before focusing back on our group, locking eyes with Tiger.
"I see. Then by all means, be welcome to Takigakure no Sato. May you find respite beneath Kusunoki Oboku's sheltering boughs. Be at peace! You are amongst friends here. Allow us to honor our ancient pact of alliance with Konohagakure no Sato, forged so long ago by the great Hashirama Senju, who favored us over all other Villages amongst the Great Nations." The elder called out, raspy voice surprisingly strong as he put on a bit of theater for the still growing crowd at his back, the reference to our Shodaime more for their sake than ours.
If Tiger was at all rankled by the subtle grandstanding, he didn't let anything show, instead inclining his head towards the wary looking elders.
"Of course. Many thanks for your hospitality. It will be good to finally see justice delivered for both our peoples." Was his simple response.
Senji turned towards one of the shinobi at his side, gesturing dismissively towards the now bored looking Suien.
"Take him to the holding cells."
The Taki nin gives a sharp salute, but as he and two others move in on Suien, Tiger idly turns his head towards the large Akimichi at his side.
"Give them a hand, will you?"
The Taki nin stiffen, but the ANBU simply nods, one meaty hand taking a firm hold of Suien's shoulder, the missing nin gritting his teeth slightly as the iron grip digs deep into his skin. The oversize ANBU turns his blank mask towards the other shinobi, outwardly completely relaxed.
"Lead the way." He simply rumbles, tough despite the casual tone, the message is clear: Konoha isn't planning on letting Suien out of their sight.
It's not just doubt in Taki's capabilities to keep someone like Suien restrained (he was considered one of, if not the strongest amongst their members after all), but without a Yamanaka or a seal master in the group, Tiger didn't really have any safeguards in place to keep the treacherous jōnin from contradicting the cover story the ANBU captain came up with. With at least one of them on him at all times, they could steer the interrogation in such a way Taki wouldn't poke too many holes into whatever Suien would end up spilling before they took his head.
Elder Senji's wrinkles multiply for a moment as he purses his lips, before he gives a confirming nod towards the Taki nin that now stood somewhat awkwardly as they glanced from the old man to the large ANBU and back.
"Our ally's help in this is much appreciated of course. The safety of our people is paramount, after all. Show them to the holding cells." He ordered.
The Taki nin move at his words, forming up in a lose formation around Suien and his ANBU guard, before all of them disappear in a blur of motion. That just leaves Tiger, Tsubaki and I standing slightly behind our escort as Saburo still stands crisply at attention, awaiting additional orders.
"Saburo-san, your village has further need of you. You and your team shall remain attached to our… guests, to serve as their guide. Be sure to show them to their lodgings. Please, rest up. We'd love to have you over for dinner." Elder Senji continued as he turned to address us directly, before with a final half-bow to Tiger, he and the rest of the elders began to move back towards the collection of large houses at the beachfront.
No doubt they had a lot of scheming- ahem, planning to get to.
The rest of the Taki villagers slowly began to spread out as well, now that most of the excitement had passed, cautious gossiping steadily being replaced by idle chatter. Somewhat to my surprise, as the Elders moved further away, I spotted a young man who had been hidden behind their wide robes, standing at the center of the remaining villagers, who all seemed oddly deferential to him, despite the fact that it had been Senji doing all of the talking. Saburo glanced at where Suien and his escort had disappeared to, before he turned towards the young man, offering a significantly deeper bow than he had shown the elders so far.
"By your leave, Shibuki-sama?" he asked the much younger man and my interest piqued as I observed the youth standing awkwardly in front of me.
He hadn't spoken a word since we got here and Saburo's words seemed to startle him as he'd been looking in the direction Suien had been carried off to with a troubled expression on his face. His face was youthful and fairly handsome in that boyband type of way, with hair handing down to the nape of his neck, bangs falling over his Taki headband which was long enough to fall down his back in twin tails. His status in the village showed in the excellent make of his turquoise haori, with a shoulderpad belted over his left shoulder.
'And apparently he's just as much of a coward as I remember him being in the OVA.' I think somewhat wryly as the boy nearly jumps at Saburo's question, eyes flitting about wildly before they settle on the still bowing man.
The death of his father is probably still fairly recent considering how early in the timeline I am, though I know he won't really grow past it until Naruto uses his signature Talk no Jutsu on the guy, showcasing a surprisingly capable leader hidden beneath all that anxiety. There must be some hidden strength to the boy after all, considering consuming the Hero Water hadn't outright killed or even crippled him as it had done with so many of Taki's greatest in the past. As it stands right now though, the young Shibuki is clearly hesitant and uncomfortable as Saburo addresses him directly, looking over his shoulder at the retreating back of Senji and the other Elders with a somewhat lost look on his youthful face.
"Ah… ah, yes of course, Saburo-san. Please, as you were." He manages to stammer out.
Before Saburo can straighten and thank him, the boy practically legs it, moving further down the beach towards a larger, three-tiered building with watchtowers guarding its perimeter nestled further back along the treeline on a small hill, clearly the village head's personal dwelling.
'Useful to keep in mind.' I think to myself as I glance from the mansion back towards Saburo and his team, the older ninja looking at the retreating back of his village leader with a somewhat downcast expression.
Though he quickly notices the looks my group is giving him, visibly shaking himself from whatever reminiscing he was doing as he schools his features into a careful mask of stern neutrality. Can't show any emotion in front of the foreign shinobi after all.
'Though I'm guessing he's the type of guy to not show emotion in front of anyone…' I think as I glance from Saburo to his son Daigo, who's a bit slower to hide his own melancholy over their leader's blatant cowardness, the easy-going youngster visibly struggling a bit to emulate his old man's cold mask of practiced indifference.
"Please, follow me. I shall come to collect you for dinner at Senji-dono's house later today. Until then, you are free to explore all that is sheltered by the leaves of Kusunoki Oboku, though we do ask that you do not pass back through the borders of Takitsuhime." Saburo says stiffly, if polite, though the request is a bit of a moot point.
'Considering how lost I got on the way here, I doubt I could find my way back outside without an escort, even if I found the entrance to the cave system again in the first place… which probably means it's a good thing we didn't bring the Legendary Stupid Brothers along, to be fair. I doubt they'd even fit down some of those passages…' I think somewhat sourly, glancing back over my shoulder to the island that supports the gargantuan tree blotting out the sky.
Considering the sheer size of the thing, Saburo's words meant there was plenty to explore on the surface here anyways.
"Lead the way." Tiger responded simply.
In short order, we were led through the quaint village to one of the larger buildings that sat empty. It was well-cared for, though obviously hadn't seen use in some time.
'Guess they don't get many guests up here.' I think idly as I drag a finger through the thick layer of dust covering one of the windowsills.
"Mizuki? What do we do now?" Tsubaki's question stirs me from my musings as I turn to face the woman.
"We follow our host's suggestion of course. This is place is lovely, after all. We can tour the village, have a look around." I say with an easy smile.
'And see if we can't scout this little lakeside resort for inconspicuous hiding places. I don't think the OVA ever explicitly showed where Shibuki disappeared to when he went to retrieve the Hero Water, but I do distinctly remember him diving down below the roots of the tree.'
Which unfortunately wasn't that helpful considering the sheer size of said tree. It must have a root system that extends literal miles underneath the surface of the lake so finding the one passage that led to the hidden chamber was like searching for a needle in a village-sized haystack… with said village being underwater. Still, touring the Village might give me a clue or something on where in the giant lake to start looking at least.
'We might as well take some time to scope out Shibuki's mansion while we're at it. He's probably living all alone up there right now, though I can see Senji and the other Elders making use of it for whatever village business he passes onto them. Who knows, maybe I'm lucky and while wandering around, we'll bump into a certain green-haired girl with a massive demon stuck in her gut…'
I move to take Tsubaki's hand so we can go out for an enthusiastic walk, but before I can take a step, Tiger's cold voice suddenly calls out and freezes me in place.
"Before you go off on your little outing, Mizuki…"
A shadow moves over my shoulder and I turn to come face-to-mask with a stylized porcelain tiger, empty eyeholes pinning me in place, the ANBU somehow having appeared at my back without so much as a whisper, the dust around us completely still and undisturbed.
"… we need to have a talk."
'Ah… crap.'
//
We're seated in the large living room of the guest house Senji had ordered Saburo to stash us for the foreseeable future, Tiger on one couch, Tsubaki and I on the other one across from him. The Akamichi ANBU was still at the prison keeping an eye on things to make sure the booking of Suien went without any issues. He was set to join us at the Elders' dinner party later tonight, so for now that left me alone with just the Captain, Tsubaki at our side.
Despite the fact that we had double his number, I wasn't comfortable with the prospect of fighting the man at all, even less than facing Hiruko. The mad Chimera might've had more overall power than the ANBU across from me, but he also had well-known weaknesses and a pretty large blindspot where I was considered, while I had the two Legendary Brothers in my corner.
Tiger though was a complete unknown, other than the fact he was strong enough to command a large team of ANBU field-operatives with unquestioned authority.
'Defuse and if that fails, confuse.' I think as I force myself to stop shifting uncomfortably on the couch, feeling like a kid that got called into the principal's office, except the principal is a trained killer and punishment is not expulsion, but execution.
However, right as I'm about to do something outlandish, like offering the ANBU Captain tea and cookies, Tiger cuts me off, voice clipped and unyielding.
"I know you're hiding something from me."
The words freeze me in place and Tsubaki grabs my hand as we both stare at the man with wide eyes.
"Actually, correction. I know you're likely hiding several things from me. After these past few weeks, I've learned that when it comes to you it's safer to simply assume you're always up to something. So you hiding something up your sleeve isn't something I'm overly concerned about. That being said however, there is one thing in particular that I must be informed of, Mizuki, as it deals with our current situation. If not addressed, it might negatively impact the outcome of our mission in Taki, and I will not allow this." Tiger said, putting emphasis on that last part as he leaned slightly forwards, pinning us in place with those ominous black holes in his porcelain white mask.
"I see… and what would that be, Captain?" I ask, forcing my voice to remain calm as Tiger stares me down for a long moment, before he leans back into the couch again.
"The experiments that Hiruko has performed on you. They have… altered you in some way, did they not? You've been hiding it so far with a Henge, which is something that I approve of, and something that you will make sure to keep up whenever we are around others here in Taki. I do not need them getting curious about Mount Shumisen and start looking into Suien's confession more than necessary. However, you will reveal those alterations to me." He ordered and I'm not even that surprised that we hadn't been able to completely fool a complete squad of ANBU, though I am surprised that they resisted the urge to peek behind the curtain, so to speak.
"Sir, if this is about stopping Suien from leaking too much intel to Taki that deviates from our own story, then shouldn't we be focusing on stopping him from telling them what he knows-?" I try, but Tiger isn't having any of it.
"Suien will either stick to the story, or find himself… encouraged to keep his mouth shut. Our methods shall have to be cruder than if we had access to a Yamanaka, or more advanced seal work, but this doesn't mean they are any less effective. Additionally, as a missing nin his words shall weigh less than our own claim regardless and it's not as if we'll allow the Elders to interrogate him without us present there at all times. Should they begin to put too much stock in the words of a traitor, we'll be there to remind them who their true friends are. It is because of these factors that I decided against executing him in the field and merely delivering Taki his head. This way we can get more out of him, which means executing him now will undo that benefit and only damage our talks here." Tiger explains coldly, once again being in a surprisingly sharing mood before he leans forward again, placing his elbows on his knees.
"Now… take off the Henge, Oniyuri Mizuki. That's an order."
The mask hides it, but I can somehow still feel how the man narrows his eyes at me and my breath hitches for a moment as I slowly rise from the couch.
'Man, he might as well told me to strip. Is it weird how… exposed I feel?'
Seeing no other choice, my hands come up in a handseal and with a poof of wispy white smoke, my Henge is dispelled, showing my true form, stripes and all. I supress the urge to spread my arms and say 'tada!' so I simply remain standing at parade rest as Tiger freezes up on the couch for a long moment.
Eventually he rises to his feet as well and begins slowly stalking around me, studying my form with a critical eye and that feeling of being exposed returns again tenfold. It takes a surprising amount of willpower to keep my from trying to cover myself with my hands underneath the ANBU's clinical scrutiny.
After completing two full circles in complete silence, Tiger comes to a halt before me, having to crane his head a bit to look me in the eye. For a long moment, he doesn't say anything at all, simply observing me and it's impossible to tell what he's thinking.
"Good gods man… what did he do to you?" Tiger asks and despite his cold professionalism, he can't quite keep a slight tone of horror from slipping into his voice, which takes me off guard for a moment.
I don't mind the way I look (after all, I was actively looking to turn myself into a bipedal half-tiger, half-man, all-murder monster) but apparently by this world's standards Hiruko might as well have been Frankenstein and me his monster.
I quickly capitalize on Tiger's brief body horror and shrug my striped shoulders.
"If you were to ask him? He made me better. More." I say with a grin that shows off my sharpened canines.
Tiger leans a bit away from me at that, giving me another quick once-over.
"From what we gathered from Hiruko's research, he was obsessed in fusing creatures together to form a new, stronger specimen…" he says, his words not quite a question but I answer anyways.
"Essence of Tiger." I say somewhat cheekily as he visibly tenses up.
"Yeah, the irony isn't lost on me. Well, a bit of Tiger DNA and a whole bucket worth of pills and 'medicine' before he strapped me down on that table, but what ended up triggering the transformation was the genetic material of a tiger. Likely a chakra-enhanced specimen at that. Which means I probably don't fully qualify as fully human anymore, come to think of it." I trail off and I can feel the other man raise an eyebrow at that.
"And you only thought of that now?"
"To be honest, I've been trying not to think too deeply about any of this." I say with a pained grumble.
A complete lie, but then again I hadn't expected sympathy from an ANBU of all people (and to be fair it's more horror than pity that the man is likely feeling, but hey, I'll take it), so best to play it up as much as possible while I got the opportunity.
"No wonder you kept up that Henge so desperately. You look hideous."
"… well, tell me how you really feel, why don't you?" I say as I can't help but pout a little at the man's words.
'So much for sympathy, I guess…'
I know the people of this world have different standards than I do and I know my new appearance just screams 'manmade horrors within my comprehension', but all things considered I thought I looked pretty badass, what with the new massive muscles.
Tsubaki certainly seemed to think so as well. Though considering she was the original Mizuki's fiancée, she might not be the best judge of character come to think of it.
"The difference between your natural look and… this, merely startled me." Tiger says coolly and by ANBU standards, that's probably the closest I'll ever get to an apology from the man, so I shrug it off.
"… is it… stable? Reversible perhaps?"
"Reversible definitely not. I was altered down at the genetic level, which expressed itself in the changes you now see before you. They're just symptoms of what was really done to me. As for stable?" I hold up a clawed hand and wiggle it in a 'so-so' gesture.
"Hiruko kept mentioning that it was incomplete somehow. Apparently my body was not strong enough to withstand a full transformation, so he took what I had and 'improved' on it. Clearly he had plans to change me further, but I made sure he never got a chance to." I finish darkly and Tiger nods at that.
"What does that mean for your current form? Will you remain stuck half-way through your transformation forever?"
"That's the best-case scenario, yes." I say flatly and Tiger picks up on my tone, hesitating only for a moment.
"And worst-case scenario?"
"I decompose while alive. My human and tiger DNA ultimately prove incompatible and begin to unravel. From there, my organs will follow suite, with my body either falling to pieces or, you know, melt into a puddle of biological goo." I explain darkly, though I'm surprised by a chocked-off sob coming from the couch behind me and both Tiger and I turn to look at the wide-eyed Tsubaki, hand clasped over her mouth, eyes wide and horrified.
'Crap, I might've hammed it up a bit too much…'
"Mizuki! You never told me you were dying!" she says in a horrified whisper and I quickly take a seat besides her, taking one of her small hands into my own large paws.
"Again, that's the worst-case scenario. I might not even die at all, at least not from this."
"But you can't be sure!"
"No, I'm not. Quite frankly, whatever Hiruko did to me goes so far over my head, most days I can't even be sure if I'm feeling better or worse than before the… procedure." I say, mindful of the ANBU still observing everything from across of us.
"Better or worse-? Mizuki, you just said you might literally unravel on a cellular level! You might turn into a puddle of flesh!" Tsubaki says surprisingly vehemently and I blink at her.
"… possibly."
"Without any clue as to when?!"
"… well it's not like the potion he fed me came with a 'best by' date sticker on it." I say somewhat defensively now.
"Is this why you needed that research? The part that held the second half of the formula?" Tsubaki says and I freeze in place as Tiger takes a step closer.
"What research?" he presses, but before I can try to defuse the situation, Tsubaki turns to the man, tears now in her eyes.
"When Hiruko forced the potion on Mizuki that caused him to change like this, he was carrying a thick stack of formula and seals. He said that it contained the second part of the transformation, but that Mizuki still wasn't strong enough to survive it. With that second part of the formula, your change would be complete, and you'd be stable, right?" Tsubaki addresses me, squeezing my hands, eyes pleading.
"Is that true?" Tiger asks simply and slowly I manage to tear away my gaze from Tsubaki and address the ANBU Captain.
"From what little I understand, I think so yes. Either I stay stuck like this, not knowing when my body might literally fall apart on me at any moment, or I submit myself to the second procedure and change myself even further, just like Hiruko always intended. It should stabilize my situation. Perhaps, if the transformation is completed, I might be able to switch between forms at will. I might be able to look like myself again…" I trail off and both Tsubaki and I remain silent for a long moment underneath Tiger's considering gaze.
"This research… it hasn't given you the means the finish the changes by yourself. If that were the case, you would've pushed harder to leave my team, to secure the ingredients and tools necessary. But it has given you a clue." Tiger concludes and I give a hesitant nod, that list of goals that I wrote with mud back in my cell so long ago now shifting around and falling into place.
"Yes, sir. Hiruko made mention of a scientist that he had personally trained that specialized in the formula he had used on me. Considering his own Chimera Technique leaned more and more towards seal based techniques, he found he had less use for the scientist and so he sent him to Orochimaru. As far as both he and I are aware of, Orochimaru has since set up the man in a specialized lab somewhere in the Land of Seas, though we don't know which island. He likely has the means to complete my transformation."
"Orochimaru again…" Tiger hummed in a considering tone and I wondered if I perhaps had pushed things too far, strained credulity just a bit too much.
"If you're worried that I might seek out Orochimaru-" I hurry, but Tiger cuts me off with a single raised hand.
"Remember, I was there for your interrogations. I know the chances of you returning the man are notably low, considering the value you place on self-preservation. Which raises the question as to how you intend to secure the scientist's cooperation." Tiger asks.
"Well… I intended to present myself as an ally to both Orochimaru and Hiruko to gain his trust, secure his means and research and then kill him." I answer honestly.
The best lies are the ones built using the truth after all. It was pretty much the same plan I had used on Hiruko and that had (mostly) worked out as a treat.
"You have no compulsion with taking this man's life?" Tiger presses and once again I feel oddly… evaluated.
"He's a traitor to Konoha, sir. Or at least a key accomplice to the greatest traitor Konoha has ever seen since Uchiha Madara himself. Sir." I say with a shrug, genuinely confused as to why an ANBU Captain of all people is hung up about the morality of deception and assassination.
That's literally how he earns his pay checks after all.
The feeling of being judged persists for a moment longer, before Tiger's intense focus lightens somewhat and I release a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. He glances from me to the still tear-streaked Tsubaki for a long silent moment, before his posture relaxes slightly.
"I see. This answers several questions I had. Once we've dealt with Suien, I'll make sure the Hokage learns of this as well. Removing Orochimaru's bases of operation has been one of his long-time interests after all." Tiger says neutrally, before moving away from us and I blink at what was basically the man's tacit approval for the murder of a scientist on the other side of the continent.
"Sir, what now? Are we confined to quarters?" I ask before the man can step outside the building, Tiger glancing back at me over his shoulder.
"I am very tempted to say yes. Even to you Tsubaki-san. You've already proven the lengths you're willing to go to in order to aid your fiancée. Snooping around another village, especially an allied one, pales in comparison. That being said, I'm not convinced keeping you two cooped up in here is going to yield positive results. Wouldn't want you to feel trapped and make true on your reputation as Flight Risk Mizuki after all. Feel free to explore the village. Do not cause any trouble. That means putting your Henge back on. I'll see you for dinner."
I blink a bit at the news that I even have a reputation, so it's Tsubaki that asks a final question of the ANBU Captain.
"Sir? What will you be doing in the meantime then?"
"Same as you. Not snooping around." Tiger idly responds and with a sudden swirl of leaves the man is gone.
"Did… did he just make a joke?" I ask aloud, before turning to face Tsubaki.
To my surprise she's wiping away her tear marks, smiling up at me as if nothing at all has happened.
"Joke or no, it's a good suggestion. This village looks lovely, let's go out on a walk. It can be like a date." She says with a shy smile, the panicked, teary look from before completely gone and my jaw goes a bit slack as I re-evaluate the woman's acting chops.
As her slim hand slips into my rough one and she leads me outside the guest house, my eyes remain fixed on her back, her thick braid swaying, a single thought crosses my mind.
'… clever girl…'
//
AN: Meh, the second part of this chapter did not want to be written. I got to the part where Tiger says "we need to talk" a full week ago and from that point on I just drew a complete blank. Still not entirely sure if I'm happy with the chapter as is, but at least we can get things moving again. Hopefully either next chapter or the chapter after that, the action will pick back up again (I've noticed that those chapters tend to do better with readers, so I'm curious about how you feel about more talk-y chapters like these?)