My Brother's a Jinchūriki!

Chapter Seventy-Five- Return to the Leaf

Natsumi groaned and opened her eyes, then quickly blushed when she realized that she was being held.

"H-Hasu!"

She sat up and held her head as it pounded.

"A-Ah! Be careful!" He held up his hands and his eyes widened. "You hit your head when you fell, so you shouldn't move too quickly."

"...I fell?" She mumbled and rubbed the back of her head gently. Her eyes fell on his blood-stained robes and they widened. "H-Hasu! Are you alright?! The bleeding—!"

"It's stopped." He smiled faintly and touched the center of the red spot on his stomach. "You healed me before you collapsed."

She let out a small sigh. "I don't remember it, but I'm glad that you're okay."

Hasu adjusted as he sat on the ground, watching her intently in silence. After a moment, he met her eyes.

"If I may ask... what kind of power was that?"

She bit her lip and stared down at her hands.

"...I don't really know." She bit her lip harder. "...Were you scared?"

He averted his eyes for a moment and she balled her hands into tight fists, digging her nails into her palms.

"For... just a moment." He admitted softly. "However... you only defended me. Once I realized that, I was no longer afraid."

Natsumi looked up at him. "I didn't hurt you?"

Hasu shook his head. "No... why?"

She sighed and pressed her lips together.

"I don't remember it, and no one has told me about it, but I think I've used that power before. All I know is that one of my friends got hurt and my other friends looked afraid of me."

And now Hana won't even look at me anymore.

"No. You did no such thing." He touched her shoulder. "To be honest, you were... incredible. And, your timing was impeccable. I was sure that she was going to kill me."

Natsumi's cheeks warmed and she looked away.

"You wouldn't have been in danger like that if I had been strong enough to defeat them right away and get you to safety." She looked down at her hands again. "...I'm the worst bodyguard ever."

"Hm?" He laughed quietly. "You defeated two powerful enemies on your own, didn't you? That makes it twice now that you have saved my life... my gratitude is immeasurable and I am forever in your debt."

"H-Huh?" She blushed faintly and looked at him. "O-Oh, no! I'm not that great! I'm only doing my duty, after all."

"That doesn't make me any less grateful." He stood with a smile and held out his hand to her. "Shall we get going? If I remember correctly... you promised me a meal?"

Natsumi blushed deeper and took his hand, and he helped her to his feet. "I-I did."

She cleared her throat and released his hand, then followed as he started toward the light at the end of the tunnel. They stepped into the light and their eyes widened.

W-What?!

Natsumi swallowed and looked around. The ground had been torn up, with small craters scattered throughout. The temple was nothing but a pile of debris, and the ground was soaked with blood.

Was this... me?

"Wow." Hasu muttered and looked around. "It seems that I missed an incredible battle."