Page 106 of The Serpent and the Silver Wolf

Aimee stood, crossing her arms. Usually, Iruka would have already taken charge of the situation by now, but his silence stretched on. Aimee suppressed a frown. She needed to get them out of this cave and away from Renji.

“How about Scout Formation Eagle?” she suggested, nudging Iruka with her foot until he reluctantly stood. “We’ll use the point of the formation to bait out other groups.”

“Oh, and I get to be the bait!” Taiga practically jumped up and down.

“Exactly.” She didn’t need to look at Taiga to see his entire body practically vibrating with energy.

Iruka let out a long exhale. “Of course, you’re the bait.”

“I am the best bait.” Taiga grinned smugly.

“That you are, my friend.” Aimee smiled.

And he was. Beyond his loudness and the impression that he’d make an easy target, Taiga could take more hits and keep swinging better than anyone else in the squad. The kid never gave up.

“All right, let's move,” she said, turning to leave.

“No goodbye?” Renji’s voice echoed from the cave, a bitter edge laced beneath the mock cheerfulness.

Aimee didn’t bother looking back; her stride never faltered.

“I see,” he muttered darkly, the quiet rage beneath his words unmistakable as Iruka and Taiga caught up with her.

“Bye, Renji!” Taiga called, waving back, missing the potential danger. “Good luck! Find us if you’re ever in Hi Haven!”

“Let’s go.” Iruka grabbed him by the elbow.

“Oh, I will!” Renji called after them, his voice ringing with barely concealed fury. “And Iruka,” he added, his tone chilling, “think about what I said.”

Iruka’s face tightened with anger, but he kept walking, his jaw clenched as he ignored the Mizu Haven shinobi behind them.

They put distance between themselves and the cave, the silence stretching out under the pale light of the desert moon. The chill night air contrasted sharply with the day’s searing heat, and the desert had transformed into a hauntingly beautiful landscape. Shadows stretched long over the sands, and the distant dunes shimmered silver in the moonlight. They regrouped near a jagged rock formation once they were far enough from the cave.

Taiga crossed his arms, frowning. “Hey, why were you both such assholes to Renji? He seemed like a nice guy.”

“He wasn’t a nice guy, Taiga,” Iruka spat. “And one day, your idiocy is going to get you killed.”

“Harsh.” Aimee’s eyes widened.

Iruka’s jabs at Taiga hadn’t stung with any force for over a year.

“Whatever.” Taiga rubbed his arm where Iruka had grabbed him earlier. He scanned the horizon. “What direction? East?”

Aimee shrugged, her focus on Iruka. “Sure. It’s as good as any. Don’t get too far from us and stay alert.”

Taiga took off with a burst of energy, his figure quickly disappearing into the desert, and Iruka moved to take his position beside Aimee.

“You okay?” She stopped him with a light touch on his arm. “What did he say to you?”

“Nothing.” Iruka grimaced.

“Come on.”

Iruka clenched his fists before he finally relented. “Just something about how my parents died, but I don’t believe it.”

Aimee’s brow furrowed. “Oh shit. How would he even know about your parents?”

“Exactly. It’s bullshit.”