148

A trap for a trap

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. 

'Say Kurama, am I a bad person?' Hearing Tomoka asking such a question made Kurama do a double take. 

[Are you seriously asking me that?] 

'Yes?' 

[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. 

'Huh, and here I thought I was a good samaritan… well, not my problem.'

[And that is precisely why you are a horrible person. Then again at this point you will take it as a complement.] 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.

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 becomes even more traumatized. Thinking about it, hadn't Kaiza been crucified, kinda, before Gatoh killed him? 

[I know that evil smile. What kind of evil plot have you got going now?] Kurama asked more out of curiosity than anything else. 

'Wouldn't that ruin the surprise? Just stay put and enjoy the show.' 

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. 

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 accelerated. Yamato would make wood puppets to Tomoka's specifications so her phantoms could work. 

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. 

After reaching the place 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 account that she wasn't wearing the mask, Haku believed he could pretend to be a normal civilian. 

"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. 

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.

"No need to be so tense. I come without hostilities and as a matter of fact I have come 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. 

"What deal?" Haku for his part decided to talk and see if he could buy some time to devise a plan. Either flee or attack. He didn't believe for a second Tomoka's words. 

"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. 

His instincts were telling him to flee. Something about Tomoka made him uneasy like he was about to make a deal with the devil. 

"I'm listening."