Chapter 54 Return to the Family Home (1/2)

Their trek in the forest led them on to a dirt road, which ran through a couple of weathered old wooden minka's with tatty thatched roofs that had shredded bits of straw dangling off the eaves.  As they neared the buildings, they saw that the shredded bits were connected to holes caused by bullets. Likely from the air raid that had occurred the night before.

Kei approached one of the elderly villagers who was tending to his garden, which was more mud and weeds than crops of healthy growing vegetables.  The holes were vegetables should be growing were left to bare.

The elderly villager was a sprightly old man who was suspicious of them at first. When he learned of them being doctors, his attitude had lifted to an expression of being his lucky day.

Kei made a deal to receive directions. The old man offered them water and a moment to rest whilst he gave them the needed directions and a brief history his town. Sean provided medical consultation, as part of their deal, to which the old man was grateful.

Tama leaped onto the old man's lap when he managed to sit in his chair. This made the man chuckle and relax into a moment of dreamy conversation. He voice carried stories of old, which the men felt it was impolite to not hear.

They were eventually free to go.  Although, their ears felt a bit raw from having to listen to his waffle about the time when the shogun ruled.

The whole time, Eiji was amused by Kei's reaction.  A few times he had to stifle his chuckles behind the back of his hand when he saw Kei flinch or gasp at moments of the man's telling.

Kei, who always acted tough and cursed a lot, listened like a little kid. His keen interest seemed to have given the old man another reason to smile.

Tama eventually decided to find another spot to rest. The old man sighed when she hopped off his lap and resumed her place back in the basket bag. He commented on her being a nekomata a few times with a cheeky grin.

They politely took their leave and resumed their journey up the dirt road towards distant evergreen hills flanking their right and the horizon line of what they hoped was towards the sea on their left.

The air was humid with crickets and birds making a near deafening racket, unsuspecting of the men walking through their territory.

”Shuddup.” Kei grumbled without looking at the men behind his back as they trudged the rocky dirt road in the direction the old man had given them.

”I didn't say anything.” Sean smirked.

”Why are you laughing?” Kei snapped back at him.

”Me? Laugh? You must be dreaming.” Sean dramatically feigned innocence.

”Aah, you have to admit, his stories of Okita-san are the bees knees.” Tyne exhaled deeply with awe. ”That Mumyo-ken technique the old man spun is something to be desired.”

”We do have a tradition steeped with honour.” Eiji proudly commented.