"... I hope so..."

Futakuchi sighed and only when Aone, Kogane and Goshiki were no longer visible, he turned to Sakunami "Gather the others, we have to go to the outpost".

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Semi and Shirabu had left the room where Aone, Goshiki and Futakuchi had disappeared and were heading to the hall to have dinner together with Ushijima and Tendou.

Semi squeezed Shirabu's hand "So what will be the excuse for Goshiki's absence at the table?"Shirabu replied calmly and composedly as always "He had a very intense training and was completely exhausted. It will seem true since Ushijima knows how much Goshiki is working to become like him... and then we will tell Ushijima that we already celebrated the birthday this morning"

Semi nodded and smiled "You are always so calculating". Shirabu let a small smile form on his face "I am still a general and strategist". "The best..." Semi admitted bringing Shirabu to his side and holding him tightly. 

Shirabu blushed but didn't object "you're an idiot Eita... and I can't guarantee that my excuse will work this time... but I think it can work on Ushijima... for now it's important to buy enough time for Goshiki to travel and be far enough away from here"

The moment they entered the room and sat down at the table, ready to tell the lie about Goshiki, a worried guard hurriedly entered the room "Um... my lords, the Miya twins have come here and ask to come in"

The 4 firebenders were petrified and Tendou after clearing his throat turned to the guard "Let them tell you what they want".

The guard shook his head even more anxious and worried "They said they will only report to you my lords"

At that point Tendou let out a few words with a low voice "Today is not my lucky day...". Words that reached Ushijima's ear, but he didn't give them much weight.

At that point Shirabu butted in "Let them come in and let's put an end to this"

The guard nodded and bowed, then he was about to leave the room when the 2 twins appeared behind him.Atsumu had a confident smile while Osamu seemed almost bored, but there was something more... he seemed worried about something and some remorse could be seen in his eyes.

Tendou faked a friendly smile "Ah I see you were already ready to come in" he said ironically

Atsumu started to chuckle "We don't make you wait, always straight to the point"

At that point the 4 members of Shiratorizawa stood up. Both Tendou, but also Semi and Shirabu had the impression that the Miyas were only bringing trouble in that circumstance... they were all convinced that something was about to happen

Atsumu looked everyone in the eyes before focusing on Tendou in particular "Where's Goshiki?"

At that point Shirabu butted in again "He was too tired for today, he had a hard training"Atsumu however silenced him "I didn't ask you for the bowl cut"

Semi felt his blood boil while Shirabu remained composed. Atsumu continued "And then who trains on his birthday? Come on"

Tendou then stood in front of Shirabu "Well you know how hard Tsutomu trains aspiring to become as strong as Ushijima, it's not strange for him to train even on special days"

Atsumu shrugged "Anyway it doesn't matter because we have orders from the Fire Lord to take him back to the Capital... apparently he is the Avatar"

To say that the blood froze in the veins of the 3 rebels would be an approximation, their hearts just stopped pumping it throughout their bodies. Semi felt his stomach turn with anxiety, his eyes let all the emotions he was feeling leak out and Atsumu noticed "I knew it... he's not here"

Ushijima finally intervened, his dark tone brought silence to the room "I met Goshiki just 30 minutes ago, he went to pack his bags... and then the Fire Lord had given the order to me to take him home... but he didn't tell me he was the avatar"

Atsumu's smile at that point turned into a sinister smirk "I'm sorry but it seems you were deceived by the people closest to you... and the Fire Lord knows what your weak points are"

At that moment a fiery blow came from Tendou's hand towards Atsumu who was already prepared for it and with a lightning-fast move, he avoided the blow.

At this point flames began to fly while Tendou fought against Atsumu. Semi and Shirabu stood still with Shirabu holding Semi down "We can't blow our cover too"

Ushijima stood still for the first time as the fiery shots continued to light up the night. He would never have believed it if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes and heard it with his own ears... Tendou was a rebel...

Osamu joined his brother, and Tendou found himself up against 2 very strong opponents. He took a deep breath and stopped to think. All 3 were on the defensive, Atsumu and Osamu keeping Tendou under close eyes.

At that moment, however, while they were in the courtyard of the outpost, a boulder was thrown at Osamu who almost found it in his face. The Dateko had arrived and Futakuchi promptly advanced until he was near Tendou, whispering "Tsutomu is safe already on his way"

At that point Tendou nodded and began to fight Atsumu again while Futakuchi threw rocks trying to keep Osamu away

It seemed that the rebels were gaining the upper hand... when a huge column of fire fell on Futakuchi who was unable to block the blow in time, being thrown against the tree in the garden and losing consciousness.

Tendou turned around worriedly and saw Ushijima, fighting furiously and taking down the Dateko members one after the other, injuring some of them seriously. This gave Atsumu and Osamu the advantage as they had surrounded Tendou.

Tendou looked them straight in the eyes with a challenging look but he quickly saw Semi and Shirabu, but also the guards of the outpost... he couldn't risk their lives, he would be fine.

With a sigh Tendou raised his hands and surrendered. Atsumu and Osamu immediately handcuffed him and escorted him to the carriage. Semi was shaking if it wasn't for Shirabu's hand in his that didn't allow him to give in to despair.

Ushijima was devastated, his heart broken, while the guards who had come with the twins also arrested the Dateko members.

Ushijima turned to Semi and Shirabu with a defeated look "You knew something?" But Shirabu remained calm and shook his head "we would never have imagined it"

Atsumu looked doubtfully at Semi and Shirabu, he was sure that the former knew something, that worried look did not lie. But Osamu whispered to him so that the others wouldn't hear "Let's keep an eye on them for now, arresting them too would only drive both Ushijima and the Fire Lord crazy... and then there isn't enough evidence to accuse them, they didn't attack us"

Atsumu nodded reluctantly, he was convinced that by arresting them they could gain more power for the Inarizaki, but he also knew that it wasn't the time and they needed more evidence

At that point Ushijima didn't want to say another word as he headed to Goshiki's room and as soon as he opened the door he found himself face to face with the harsh truth... Goshiki wasn't there... his things were still there too... still in their place

Ushijima wasn't even that shocked, rather he was disappointed, he would never have expected that Tendou could be a traitor, his Tendou, the person he had always been free to talk to about anything, one of the few people who had gotten close to him and had seen the true Wakatoshi

After a while Ushijima came out into the courtyard where the prisoners had been loaded into the barred carriages. He didn't even have the courage to look for Tendou, not even wanting to see his face.

Semi and Shirabu had to go to testify in the trial against Tendou. Shirabu turned and looked Ushijima in the eyes "So it's true? Goshiki isn't here?"

Ushijima shook his head without saying a word and entered his carriage... the caravan seemed to be covered in a silence that contained an infinity of words. It was clear to everyone that this return to the Nation would not be a happy one