Chapter 182 - Poison Ivy Part 8

She sounds so sure, and she is so confident about it. This girl must have gone through a lot to get to where she is now. Natasha has never met such a person before. Her thoughts broke when the door suddenly slammed open. Natasha got into a defensive stance in front of Setsura - but the girl shook her head. Natasha glanced over at the intruder, and her eyes widened when she saw who it was.

"Ak--" Natasha didn't think he would actually appear. Setsura's prediction is correct, as expected of her.

The man wore a troubled look on his face as he scanned Setsura up and down. He doesn't say anything and walks over, he pulled the girl into his arms. "You look thinner, and your eye bags."

"I look awful," Setsura agreed. "Do you still think I'm beautiful?"

"Damn," Akito cursed. "What are you asking me now? You're so difficult."

A chuckle escaped Setsura's lips, "Indeed, but I believe we have gone through this already; your the only one who can handle me. Let's go home, Akito?"

"Yeah."

Natasha could only watch as Setsura lead Akito away. The guards who were watching from before did the same as her, they only watched. How can anybody intervene when the two are like this? So, that's what a tamed person looks like, how frightening. Still, her lips curve to a smile. It does seem like the two are getting along better now. Though Setsura is something else, to think she investigated and learned so much with a small time frame. Setsura came from the future, huh?

As a Guardian, she monitored the worlds too. But, Natasha focused on the past and not the present. Now she regrets doing that. The future Setsura came from; she is slightly interested in it. What kind of life did she live in that place? What kind of people does she know?

Natasha never thought she would express such an interest in the future. For her, the past events where everything truly started were the most important. But now? Now things are different. She wants to see the outcome of everything. The Meiji era - how does this era stop? What happens after this? Natasha knew that Japan undergoes so many changes, that's why the country itself interested her. While her fellow guardians went from one time to another, she focused her attention on Japan.

The title of a Princess never suited her, and she often went on missions, so she didn't have to stay in the realm. For her exploring the world outside was more important than her duties. But, because she did things like that, she created many enemies. So many people wanted her gone. However, with her mother around, such a thing isn't possible. Even now, Mother's influence is something people can't underestimate.

Mother, she hasn't come to see her in so long. Natasha understood that it would be difficult because of the circ.u.mstances. What happened with her was a terrifying thing — losing her abilities like that, losing her immunity. Mother did what was best for her. However, it still hurt when Mother left her. She didn't even send her personally. Natasha slapped her cheeks, don't overthink it.

A heavy knock filled the air, without waiting, the person strolled inside. Natasha stood up. The person who appeared at the door was an old man who looked forty. His blank expression, accompanied by his old features, made him seem frightening. The way he strolled over like an old man, made her cringe. He isn't that old, why is he walking that way? He wore a familiar silver formal uniform.

"So you're her? The triumph card of the lead group," the man scanned her up and down. Causing her to sigh, 'So judgemental.' But, Natasha responded with a smile.

"Well, I'm not that great, nor am I that important as a triumph card," Natasha was not lying. She knew her current position isn't good at all. "You're the silver's, deputy, Okubo, correct?"

Okubo responded with a scornful laugh.

"Deputy, huh."

"Did I make a mistake?" Natasha asked innocently. She knew exactly where to hit him where it hurts. She heard rumors after all.

"No, you didn't," he replied bitterly. Unfortunately, right now, I'm the only one who can take charge."

Okubo took a seat on the opposite couch.

"Want some tea?" Okubo offered.

"No."

"I knew you'd say that, your smart. Normally, one shouldn't put anything from enemy territory into their mouths so easily," he scanned the room. "You don't have bodyguards who can test for you either."

Natasha raised her eyebrows, "Enemy territory?"

"You may be his daughter, but everybody in the circle is aware where you stand, Miss Natasha."

She frowned at his words, by that - "Are you that against Akito?"

"Not at all, that man has excellent work ethics. However, he's part of that person's squad now."

.. Natasha immediately knew who he was referring to. So, this is about Izu and not Akito? "I see, that's why you see me as your enemy. But, I have not seen him for a very long time. I'm sure aware of what happened."

"Indeed, we heard he betrayed you. But," Nanakura's gaze dimmed. "I do not believe that. That man cared deeply for you, Miss Natasha. For him, nothing else mattered except you."

"If you didn't spout that nonsense about being enemies. Then I'd suspect you were actually one of Izu's companions," a bitter smile appeared on her face. "I don't understand what you want from me. But remember one thing. If it involves Izu, I'm no longer concerned."

With those words said, Natasha swiftly left the room. She didn't want to get up in that discussion any longer. If she stayed, she would surely end up saying she regrets. Natasha increased her footsteps until she left the building. It occurred to her that maybe she should have waited for Mori. But, she shook her head. She is already tired; she doesn't want to deal with him any more than she has to.

"Leaving?" a familiar voice said by her ear. Natasha glanced over startled and saw the man who occupied her thoughts. Ah--! Wasn't he busy?

"Yes."

"I see."

Uh, what does he want? "Can I walk you home?" Mori asked after a little while. His words certainly surprised her. He wants to walk her back home? How unusual of him. He's always said that things like that are too troublesome. 'it shows that were really close and that I'm attached.'

For him, getting attached to another person is troublesome. So, frankly speaking, this situation is peculiar. Maybe he wants to talk more about the cases. Natasha slowly nodded, and the two of them continued walking down the narrow path. The streets around here were not too busy. Perhaps due to the influence of the silver group. People can't exactly loiter around here without anybody watching them. It's better to go to the crowded main streets then get caught by a mafia member.

A lot of things have just happened, so Natasha didn't know what to say. To think Setsura knows everything. The Princess of the guardians, huh? So many years have passed already since that time. After she lost her powers, they sent her away to her father, who surprisingly accepted her with open arms.

She was a rare type anyway. Her mother was a guardian, but father a normal person they met during one of her missions. Naturally, this kind of love is taboo. Mother had to decide between my father's life and mine. If she left father behind, though, both would live.

Usually, she wouldn't be able to stay in the realm anyway. However, because they discovered her abilities, they allowed her to stay with Mother. Natasha hated it, though, living in that place. When she grew older, she immediately knew that it didn't suit her. What she wanted was to be free. She has had a wild nature since she was younger and caused many problems for people. Mother often told her that she got this from her father.

Natasha never once thought of it that way, though. She always felt she resembled her mother more. That wild and untamable personality came from her.

"Natasha."

"Huh, yeah?"

"Look where you're going," Mori said. She glanced over and noticed that she had stepped out of the pavement onto the road. Natasha blinked puzzled, that's strange. When did she get out onto the road? She shook that thought out and got out of the way.

'How attentive,' Natasha thought as they continued walking. Such a strange person.