Chapter 18 The Way to Little Tengu (1/2)

They followed Akira out of the forest and onto a back highway where Yuri, Kou and Mei was waiting for them in this pickup truck.

”Hurry!” Yuri called out from the driver's window.

”Yuri-san.” Hinata whispered with sighed relief.

He and the other adults helped the kids into the back of the truck. When everyone was in, Yuri zoomed down the road that lead further up the mountains.

No one said a word during the drive. Aiyama-san drew all the younger ones close to her to keep them warm. The older boys kept to their own pensive huddle.

Their harden expressions broke Hinata's heart. He had hoped his place was one where they could be as carefree. In times of war, it was becoming impossible.

Sun was breaking through the dark skies by the time they reached the mountain range, miles away from the village.

Hinata frowned when he recognized the rocky dirt road they were driving along. It was one he had taken to his family Ohaka.

Rather, turning off to the Ohaka site, the truck drove on and further towards the mountains.

Morning light graced his iced cheeks when the drive took to rocky terrain up a mountain side. He held Mei closer to his side and warm, doing his best to ease her motion sickness. Aiyama-san taught him a skill of rubbing her stomach with a certain motion to ease some of her nausea.

Hinata did this, closing his eyes to the peaceful sounds of chirping birds, buzzing insects and mews from various small animals.

Eventually, the truck stopped when it couldn't drive further. They were in the heart of a forest with a thick canopy of tall trees and their bushy leaves creating a barrier to the burning sun, allowing slithers of daylight to rain down on their heads. Astringent musk, bitter-sweet flowers and wet Earth hit Hinata's senses when he stumbled out of the truck. He pushed aside his numb ache to make sure the children were okay, helping them down to the ground.

”Sorry.” Yuri mumbled his apologize to everyone, knowing it would've been a hard journey out in the cold of the pickup's open back.