Chapter 51.4- And so the Dragons Danced

XXXXX- TOJI

‘If I wanted to assassinate the Fire Lord, then the Agni Kais would be the best place to do it’, he thought to himself as they rode through the city. The second best place would be right here and now. They recognised this risk of course. That was why Natsu’s objections had been ignored and he was made to ride in a closed and covered carriage initially. Of course, it was made with the finest cedar and gilded with gold to display the status of the Fire Lord. And now that one attempt had been made, they had cast the carriage away to ride on horses in full view of anyone and everyone.

Sometimes, Toji wondered why he even bothered trying to keep this man who clearly had no value for his life alive. That was a lie. He never wondered. Natsu was more than a friend to him. Natsu was all the family he had in this world, and that meant he would save him no matter what— even if he had to save him from himself. And the truth as that Natsu’s pride was not the hindrance he played it up to be.

The carriage had been slow and difficult to maneuver in an emergency. He would have suggested ditching it if Natsu hadn’t first. But then once Natsu had, he made sure to oppose it vehemently. He was overruled, of course. He expected to be. But that was the game they played. Natsu had given in to him once, and then refuted him once. That meant the next request he had would be one that Natsu would acquiesce to. It was a delicate dance— a performance as much for those who watched for they were always watching, as it was for themselves. Some bit of normalcy to hold on to in a world determined to change.

He absently noticed an old slumped man take too long to cross the road and make way for them. One of the guards made to flog the man, but Natsu was there to stop him. Good, let them see you are kinder than the Brood of Sozin. Let them see the parts of you that I do, he thought to his friend.

In a matter of minutes, they were moving again. But then the road they were supposed to use was blocked off with some overturned barrels.

“Get to work, men. Remove those blocks” The Captain of the guard barked. Toji looked down at the barrels. They were from an overturned Merchant’s carriage, at least a dozen plenty.

“No. No, belay that” he whispered at first before shouting. The man, a veteran named Shi turned to him.

“We are too exposed. We’ll take another route” He ordered. They couldn’t remain this exposed for too long. He was beginning to get a bad feeling in his stomach. He turned his eyes to Natsu. His friend was still there, easy smile on his face as he discussed with his Grandfather and turned to wave at the civilians every other minute.