My Brother's a Jinchūriki!

Chapter Ninety-Five- Bittersweet Memories and Many Dangers

**This chapter is dedicated to Jun-ren, Squinty, ArtificialAsian, Mist, Sauce, Poomph, and V.**

"Hasu, where are we going?" Natsumi asked and blinked as he pulled her with him gently by the hand.

"If I were to tell you, then it would cease to be a surprise, wouldn't it?" He turned to look at her over his shoulder to smile, then turned back to look at the road again, mumbling to himself. "Where is it, now? I distinctly remember passing it earlier..."

"If you tell me where you want to go, I can just show you the way."

"Thank you for the generous offer, however, this is something I would like to remain a surprise for now." Hasu closed his eyes as he smiled, then paused in the street as he looked at the shops. After a moment, he led her over to a small tree planted beside a bench.

"If you will wait for me here, I want to run into a shop. It should only take a few moments."

Natsumi made a face and crossed her arms. "I'm supposed to be looking out for you. Why can't I go in with you?"

"I will be all right on my own for a few moments." Hasu chuckled. "This is important to me, so I would appreciate a small amount of leniency... just this time."

Natsumi sighed and then slowly nodded. "Okay, just a few minutes. If you take too long, I'll come in just to check up on you."

"Ever so dutiful." Hasu bowed his head slightly to her. "I will make this brief."

He turned and quickly walked away to disappear inside of a shop and Natsumi blinked.

A music store? Why is he going in there?

She sighed again and crossed her arms to lean against the tree gently.

II guess if I'm just waiting outside, that's fine. I can't follow him everywhere, after all.

After a few minutes, she started to drum her fingers against her arms.

He's taking an awfully long time. What is he doing?

She took a step forward toward the shop and a voice startled her from behind.

"Boo."

Natsumi jumped and turned to see Jiro standing behind her, wearing a black cloak and a Noh mask. She made a face and groaned as she turned away from him.

"And what do you want?"

"Hello to you, too, little Red."

"I'm not in the mood, Jiro." She crossed her arms. "Say what you wanted to, and then kindly leave."

"Tsk. How impatient." He laughed quietly beneath the mask in almost a hiss. "Fine." He held out a small bag from behind his back and placed it into her hands. "You're welcome." Jiro chuckled. "By the way... I passed by that temple... or, rather, what's left of it."

Natsumi froze and a chill ran down her spine, making her shudder.

"I must say... what you did to those assassins made even my handiwork seem tame." He leaned closer to whisper in her ear. "You've thoroughly impressed me, make no mistake. I knew you had greatness in you."

Natsumi gulped and turned to looked at him and he took a step back.

"Oh, did I strike a nerve?" Jiro's eyes narrowed beneath the mask. "Nevertheless, you did quite well against them. You should be very proud of yourself."