Chapter 93 - Hinatas POV About a Traitors Documents (1/2)

Hinata followed his family out of the kitchen hall after their meal.

”Don't worry. We're not far from this place.” Aiyama-san reassured Hinata when she saw him glancing back towards the ward where Akira rested.

Hinata sighed and prompted her to lead the way.

Kei's eyes were fixated to Hinata's lean back. He wondered on how many injuries the man had suffered for them. And how he could be still walking around.

”Are you hurt?” He coolly asked, which caused Hinata to pause and turn around.

”I'm fine, but I'm happy to see you're well.”

Kei frowned. He glanced to Hinata's hands, slightly trembling at his sides. He relaxed his frown with a sigh. Adults were a funny bunch.

”I'll help the kids,” he said to end their conversation.

Hinata scratched his head and shrugged his shoulders.

”Hina-tan!” Shouta came up to him with his arms outstretched.

Hinata's eyes welled with tears at the sight of his yellow ribbon. He hadn't realized it was gone. He felt his full hair bun and realized the texture of harsh cotton. Of course, Rocko had bundled his hair up in a practical piece of cloth.

”Wibbon.”

Memories of Eiji flooded his mind as he tenderly removed the ribbon from Shouta's tiny hands.

”Thank you.” He gratefully patted the boy's head.

Shouta bowed and hurried out of the hospital to catch up to the other kids, who were already walking down a dirt path where wild flowers and grass ran up towards formidable mountains. Small creatures rummaged through the grasses and dashed away from them when they drew near. The mellow chirping of sparrows and field birds added to the ambience of refuge.

He stepped out further and stood beneath soothing sunlight with his ribbon fluttering about his fingers. The uplifting and purifying scent of nadeshiko boosted some of his stale energies. He felt his spirits also lifted at the sight of the children and his friends again.

”Friends.” Hinata heaved a grateful sigh. It was a nice feeling to be welcomed amongst others.

His mind lingered on a sober fact. He was still a problem to them. It would break his heart beyond repair if someone else was hurt like Akira.

”Akira.” He sighed again and gazed to the cloudy white skies.

His heart was set and not going back. He re-styled his hair it into a top-knot bun with the yellow ribbon. Long strands of his back length flowing over his shoulders and about the edges of his face. His heart eased into a calmer pace.

He caught up to Mei-san who was guiding Kou by the arm. Although, he suspected it was to reassure herself of his existence and never let him go.

They formed a pleasant conversation about general things until they reached a weathered minka near the edges of a foot-hill.   Despite the mould growing on the straw roof and some moist stains on the beams, wide porch floorboards and shoji door frames, the place promised a sturdy comfort.

Hinata didn't mind the astringent musk and smell of Earth from within the main room. It was as good place to stay until they could figure out what exactly was going on.

”Who owns this place?” He asked Yuri.

Yuri shrugged his shoulders and said Tanaka-san had offered it to them.

”Officer Tanaka-san?” Hinata frowned, perplexed.

He had always thought that officer had been born and raised in Mimaki. Upon further information from Yuri, it seemed the village they were seeking refuge was the man's original hometown. Once Akira and the Mayor's too when they were young boys.

”Strange. The school Honda left behind is now being a hospital ward for him.” Yuri sighed.

”Mama!” Miki-chan called out from the front door.

Hinata panicked when he saw her rush to Aiyama-san's side in the main room.  He went to see what was making the young girl nervous and saw Shuu Tanaka enter. The young officer looked exhausted and pale.

”You're alive.” Shuu smiled at Hinata before him.

”Tanaka-san!” Hinata promptly assisted Shuu out of his shoes and onto the best cushion of the house.

”Are you okay?” Shuu soberly directed his question to Hinata.