utz knew the significance of the burning sky. It not only brought coolness into one''s eyes but cools down one''s soul as well. Even the cold winds of the [Ice Post] failed inparison to it.


    Days and days of talking to his own sword without having any reply was indeed mentally taxing. utz would have gone insane if not for this memorable ce. He had spent many a night shedding tears of joy and sorrow in this ce. And every time he did. It was like all the pain that his body had shielded him from the cold winds as he cried.


    *sigh*


    utz gaze traveled to the woman in his arms as he noticed that she had been staring at him for quite a while.


    "What?"


    It didn''t pass unnoticed to Verona when utz had his gaze on the poor girl. She didn''t know what happened between them while she was asleep but she had her own guesses.


    If not anything else, reading emotions was indeed Verona''s forte. She could always find herself walking in someone else''s shoes.


    "utz, I really am proud of you!" she beamed.


    "Okay?"


    utz gave off a wry smile not sure what that was supposed to mean.


    But Verona shrugged it off as she rested her head on utz''s shoulder as if it were her pillow.


    "I am d that you came into my life," she whispered as she nced upon the burning sky.


    utz''s eyes flickered a little. Indeed he hade a long way from his past. He wasn''t bound by the shackles that he once had on him. He had someone to call family.


    But had Verona known of the evil ns that utz was making at that moment. She might have had second thoughts at her own ims.


    ''Let''s see. How should I go about it?''


    To lure a fist the bait ought to be used properly. This was not the job of an amateur.


    Evelyn had mentioned to utz that the ninjas meet her at the horned forest, as long as nothing went wrong. But utz thought otherwise.


    ''In fact, they would have much more of a probability of showing up, if something did go wrong. They would have to inquire for the details from her after all.''


    utz nodded. It would be riskier than the normal scenario and Evelyn''s life would be in mortal peril. But utz never cared for her life in the first ce. Her life was always hanging at the edge of a de.


    utz was certain that the ninjas would make an appearance for no one had died tonight. Evelyn was in his custody meant that everyone back at the camp was safe and sound.


    ''Now the question is whether she would cooperate or cause trouble.''


    utz could force her to do it. But there was no telling if she would fuck up his ns at the most critical of moments. utz hated to have a variable in his ns more than anything.


    utz walked closer to the girl.


    "Evelyn," he called out, "Let''s make a deal."


    The devil hade to strike a deal and what he desired was for her soul.


    ***


    The room had two different beds, both of them were upied. On one of them, Verona and utzy with each other. But, utz''s eyes were as sharp as ever. While on the other one, Evelyn was curled up into a ball as she prepared herself for what was about toe.


    The atmosphere in the room was a heavy one with Evelyn''s heart beating as fast as ever. Was it anxiousness that she felt?… No, it was indeed fear.


    She had brushed through death many times in her life but no matter how many days passed, its effect never gets old. Such was the effect of the fear of death on those whose life had no purpose.


    Verona''s lips pursed but she had no words to speak to quell the heavy atmosphere. She could only pass on silent gestures to prove her worries.


    The heavy air around them spoke for itself and there were no words that rebuke its glory.


    utz took out a paper from his pocket as he nced at it again to confirm its contents. The paper this time was a shorter one but its contents were not any less shocking.


    [I am not sure if you had any progress on your pursuit. But in case you do, you would be needing more hands to help you with this. I have sent three of my men in your aid. They will work under yourmand. Depending on your sess your bonuses and privileges would be reassessed.


    Your Employer,


    Ueda Akihiko.]


    utz knitted his brows upon reading the letter.


    ''He knows.''


    utz had always made sure that no ninja was lurking over him. So there was no way Akihiko could have kept an eye on utz without employing extremely strong ninjas on such a petty mission.


    ''That leads to only one conclusion.''


    Akihiko was making wild guesses if one judges from his tone. But his guesses were spot on so much so that utz was having second thoughts on his assessment.


    utz indeed needed some hands to help him and he was nning to get them from somewhere else.


    ''But fortunately, there would be no need for that anymore.'' utz thought.


    What was even more shocking was the fact that Akihiko was willing to go through such means in all of this. Was it because of his rivalry with Kishiogakure? utz thought but he had little to no clues in regards to that.


    The clock struck six and so did begin the ringing of the rm.


    Evelyn turned to sneak a nce at utz and utz did the same. They both gazed into each other''s eyes as they nodded in perfect sync.


    ***


    Author:


    Creation is hard for authors. Cheer me up with your power stones.


    Let me know about your thoughts on the chapter in thements sections.