| [Nov. 14th, 2011|02:32 am] |
“Not that much of a bastard, sweetheart,” he said. “We’ll steal a wheelbarrow for you if we have to.” He got one hand as far through the bars as he could, almost up to the wrist, and left it there in case she felt like grabbing hold. “Want to hear some news from home? I’ve been keeping tabs on Konoha. Kusa, too.” He raised his voice loud enough for Ichiba and Hakuin to hear. “Might even know something about where you’re from, old man, if y’want to share the details.”
Hakuin’s voice was a papery rasp. “Everyone I know is dead.”
Ichiba was slightly more forthcoming. “My jounin-sensei is Seiji Takahashi. Do you know anything about him?”
The name rang a faint bingo-book bell. Asuma frowned a moment, then remembered the red X stamped across a dark-haired man’s grim face. Dead, then, and not helpful. Rat bastard.
“Sorry, kid,” he said. “Afraid I don’t.”
Ichibai’s head dropped back down to his crossed arms.
“My sensei’s dead,” Katsuko said. “My teammates were Sumiyoshi Nori and Arata Beni. D’you know if they made it home?”
If they were her age, they’d be too young to be in the Bingo Book, and too young for him know directly. Their names weren’t familiar.
“Don’t know them, either,” he said. “But that means their names aren’t on the grapevine. Could be good news.”
Katsuko’s smile was faint. “Well, it was worth a try.” One of her hands patted his, as if he was the one that needed reassuring. Her fingers were like ice. He twisted his hand to catch them, wrapping his much warmer fingers around hers.
She stiffened, but when he didn’t grab tighter, she eased down again, letting her hand stay.
“Here’s what I do know,” he said. “Konoha’s not at war, and neither is Kusa -- last I heard, Kusa were still rebuilding. Both of ‘em still have the same people in charge, an’ there haven’t been any major disasters since the Fox. Word is that Grass is planning to do their big winter festival this year. Guess they got a good harvest.”
Ichiba’s head came up. “My sister and my mom dance in the festival!” he said, sudden pride cracking his voice. “They’re the best in the village.”
Asuma grinned at him.
Katsuko just let out a quiet breath. “Thank god,” she said.
A faint wheezing snore suggested Hakuin might have actually gone to sleep.
Katsuko glanced at him. “He does that sometimes,” she said, sounding ever so slightly amused.
“Guess I’m not exciting enough,” Asuma said. He squeezed her fingers and let go. “Let’s see if escaping livens him up.” |
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