Chapter Text
When the sight of the end of the rocky pathway that had brought them across the bald mountain came into view, an entirely unintentional sigh of content slipped free from Tachi. It wasn't that she was tired of walking, her time in the stone world had seen her already athletic build grow stronger and the full day of hiking had done little to exhaust her now impressive stamina.
It wasn't that the sun had long since begun to set, tones of navy and violet meshing together seamlessly in the darkening sky as the last rays of the saffron light were disappearing over the mountains in the back drop, she didn't fear the night, not in such a large group anyway.
The quiet rumble in her stomach gave her no cause for concern, that said, she wouldn't turn down some foxglove noodle ramen. It may have been a far cry from Shin's Special Noodles, the ramen bar she and her grandmother would visit on the odd days they went into the small town near the elderly woman's rural home, but well if she hadn't grown accustomed to its charms nonetheless.
What made the quick exhale slip through her lips so thoughtlessly was knowing that she was almost home. To the Kingdom of Science, to her friends, oh who was she kidding, to her family. The children pushed and pulled at her legs day and night, begging to play just one more game, or to hear just one more story. Their elders weren't much better, often asking if they would have the delight of being enthralled or enchanted that evening by the fire while they dined on whatever dish they had been able to throw together and spice up thanks to the herbs and spices she and Suika would collect on their walks.
She hoped the sight of her safe and sound would soothe Chrome, who had surely beat himself up over what had happened, and looked forward to the steely eyed nod of approval she would receive from Kohaku at not having been murdered, a warm gesture towards her by the village gorillas standards.
The only reaction she was unsure of was Senku's. The bone crushing hug she would receive from his assistant was a certainty, but the scientist would never display such affection in public, that she was certain of. Besides, the last time they had been apart she had guessed entirely wrong about how he would react when they were reunited.
She hoped it would be better this time. A hug at least, even if he did have to drag her aside away from everyone’s prying eyes before he did so.
"We should be arriving at the village soon, shouldn't we?"
The question was voiced by one of those selected by the elders to accompany the party, Shin halting and turning to give the hulking man a polite smile and an affirming nod.
"That's correct, would you like to stop and take a moment to rest before our final arrival? I don't want anyone to feel fatigued, and I know my own excitement and nerves are certainly more draining than I anticipated."
He lulled his head to the side and allowed his charming smile to stretch wider as he clasped his hands together in front of him, the villager signing and accepting his leader's gracious offer before falling back onto one of the large, broken boulders littering the wide mountain pathway. Tachi rolled her lips pensively, glancing down the path which would open up into forest terrain very shortly.
They were so close, why did they have to stop now?
“I’m sure you’re very eager to return home Tachi, so please accept my humble apologies for the additional delay. This break is more to allow us to gather our thoughts than rest our bodies. Many of those with us have been exiled from this village, so please keep in mind that their return could be making them apprehensive.”
Shin bowed to her slightly as he offered up his apology, black hair falling forward and blocking his deep blue eyes briefly. Tachi huffed in response, puffing out her cheeks childishly before she leaned back against the nobbled mountain side behind her.
“What are you a mind reader or something?”
He chuckled quietly as he leaned back beside her, mirroring her actions. His laugh was deep but soft, much like his voice was. Shin would have been a popular guy in her own time.
“Tachi, if you don’t mind me asking… How is it possible that yourself and Senku just… appeared? Then there is Homura, as well as the others in her village…”
Turning her head Tachi locked his curious stare before he continued on.
“It doesn’t make any sense.”
Tachi hummed thoughtfully. How to explain such a thing in a short amount of time to someone without it seeming entirely unbelievable…or should she just say aliens and have it over and done with? It probably sounded about as plausible as the truth did after all.
“You should ask Senku about it when you meet him, he’d be better at explaining it than I am.”
Although the village leader looked disappointed in the response he chose not to press the issue further, instead nodding in affirmation and flashing her another brilliant smile.
How was he keeping his teeth so white in the stone world?
“I will then. Hajiro has noted that you share a special bond with Senku, is he your husband?”
She couldn’t help but roll her eyes, as well as briefly wondering if she should just marry the guy so people would stop asking her about it. ‘Is Senku your husband?’ ‘Yes, he’s my little bitch boy, there, are you happy?’ It would be so much easier.
“No he’s not. We are close, and we care for one another, but I don’t exactly want to marry him.”
She laughed dryly, but it fell into an exhausted exhale, thoughts of what it would be like to put a label onto whatever she and Senku were returning to the forefront of her thoughts and pressing down on her shoulders like an iron weight.
“I don’t have anything to offer someone like Senku. He’s important to me, but I…I guess I worry?”
She asked it more than said it. Shin wasn’t entirely familiar with her convoluted relationship with Senku, so perhaps that was why it was easier to just say it out loud. I worry I’ll ruin what we have. I worry I can’t keep up with that big brain of his. I worry he’ll get bored of me. I worry I’ll lose the first person that really made me feel like I could ever be enough as I am. A quiet hum pulled her from her churning thoughts, and when her viridian hues met Shin’s contemplative expression she felt her own soften a little.
“As a village leader I would tell you that you shouldn’t concern yourself with such things, that without the admittance of love there can’t really be acceptance of it, and that he who does not venture will never gain… however…”
He pursed his lips together and closed his eyes, shoulders dropping in defeat.
“As a man, I understand that you…worry.”
She couldn’t help but laugh dryly.
“You too huh?”
“Yes, me too.”
He chortled as she had before leaning back against the cold rocks, shifting in discomfort.
“It’s nice to know I’m not the only one that can’t take their own advice...Do you want to tell me who it is?”
He shifted once again, and this time she was unsure if it was because of the craggy rock he was leaning against cutting into the exposed skin on his back, or because of their current topic of conversation.
“No-o not really.”
She grinned, wiggling her eyebrows childishly.
“Is it me? It’s me isn’t it. You’ve fallen for my charms.”
Shin couldn’t help but laugh at her childish expression, shaking his head to dismiss her theory.
“It’s not you, no.”
“Why Shin I’m offended.”
He could only smile in return, a smile which reached his eyes. He enjoyed conversing with Tachi. Even though the path they were on was uncertain, she was able to make light of the situation without diminishing its importance. It was calming, the nerves which had been slowly building as they made their way towards the Kingdom of Science now calmed from a vicious roar to a quiet murmur.
“You’re very open, Tachi. I find it pleasant to talk to you. You…remind me of my mother.”
She was staring out across the trees just below the pathway now, her vermillion eyes set on the mountains in the distance.
“Oh we’re going down the Freud route huh, it’s definitely me.”
Shin pushed himself away from the rocks, the small stones scattered across the pathway crunching below his footsteps as he moved to stand beside her and gaze out across the evergreens which sway softly as the winter breeze blew through them.
“What?”
Honestly it was so easy to forget sometimes that some people she knew now knew absolutely nothing about her time…
“Nothing. Thanks. I like talking to you too. Which of the women in the village was your mother?”
“She's not around anymore. She…passed away; a few years ago.”
The lilt in his tone and pause in his voice was enough to tell Tachi that his mothers departure from this world had been less than natural. Fragments of their previous conversations, pieces she had learned of Saisei and its people surfaced at the forefront of her thoughts, that Shin had not been a child conceived of love being one of them.
“You must miss her.”
“I do. There were times where I knew on some level, she wasn't so fond of me, and when I was younger, I didn’t understand…but there were many good times. It…must have been hard for her. She tried to be strong.”
“I bet she was. Strong, I mean.”
“Mhmm, like you. But when my father was named chief a few years ago, she refused to be his wife, she jumped from the same cliff that you and the sorcerer did.”
“...Oh…sorry.”
He laughed a little, sadly, but it wasn’t without amusement.
“It made my father furious when you did it, but, when I knew you had lived, I laughed. I could almost hear my mothers spirit mocking him.”
She smirked, bumping her hip against his own.
“I hope I made her proud.”
He returned her friendly gesture, nudging her playfully.
“I’m sure you did. My father left the village shortly after Hageshi began pushing for me to take his place, and now here we are. With your help… things can finally begin getting better.”
When she remained silent, Shin hummed in quiet understanding and stood beside her, allowing the cool breeze to blow through his long dark tresses, and his eyes to close over to join her in quiet contemplation. Behind him rested Saisei Village, a society slowly dying, and ahead of him lay the newly named Kingdom of Science. With their help, he could have his fellow villagers from the oppressive life they had been subjected to. Some would still have to atone for the crimes they had committed, but that would be the difference. A chance at redemption, to prove that they could change, and perhaps more importantly, that they were willing to change.
When his cobalt eyes opened, he glanced at Tachi softly and saw her doing as he was. Her sharp eyes were closed over softly, and her chin was tilted upwards, her chest rising and falling slowly but rhythmically. For the first time, he found himself taking notice of the scars marring her sun kissed skin, of the freckles scattered between them, of the fresh cuts and grazes which were still red and scabbed. Her frame was built for a woman, her shoulders were wide and thighs were thick, everything from her head to her toes, scars to stance, read as someone with strength. Then she opened her eyes, and though they were narrow and acute, they were also bright and kind, and following them came that gentle, warm, thin lipped smile that he just couldn’t help but return. He hadn’t quite been able to convey it to her himself but he was never sure of his plan. It was a dangerous play and he knew it from the start but after they had met in person, after they had talked about things… He understood so quickly why Hajiro had said she was the one, why the Kingdom of Science and their leader could have fallen so adamantly in love with all that she was. She cared. About everyone, and everything, and that was sickeningly uncommon that experiencing her was just…it was…beautiful; she was beautiful. Average by all means on the outside, but just so stunningly radiant within.
He was grateful beyond reproach
“Thank you Tachi, for helping us I mean.”
Her smile fell into a smirk, and she huffed a short laugh while waving her hand at him.
“Hey don’t thank me yet.”
He set his hind atop her shoulder, tilting his head.
“No, I mean thank you for agreeing to help us. Without you our chances were less than preferable.”
Shin was confused when Tachi sighed heavily and shook her head, his smile falling away.
“I disagree. Senku would have heard you out, you know, you didn’t need me. He’s a good leader, and a good person. The guys IQ may be like a million but that doesn’t mean he’s all head, there’s a lot of heart in there too.”
He skipped over his question regarding what an IQ was.
“We did contemplate the idea, he’s a new leader and Hajiro assured me he was different but…the elders felt this plan was more appropriate, and while I may be chief, I take their opinions on board when making decisions which will affect my village.”
She couldn’t help but roll her eyes and shake her head in disagreement. While she respected his outlook on management, a line had to be drawn.
“Shin, promise me going forward, that any plan that starts with Saisei kidnapping someone will be a last resort.”
Shin was the one to sigh this time as he nodded in agreement.
“I’m afraid Shin isn’t in any position to make that promise right now darlin’”
They both spun around quickly and Tachi shouted in surprise, but the sound was muffled by the cloth now held tightly to her face.
Her green eyes widened in shock at the familiar sweet apple scent and she quickly tried to pull away from it. Hageshi grinned down at her darkly, using his large free hand to grasp the back of her head and force the soaked rag he held closer to her nose. Panic surged through her, her defensive instincts jolting into action as he lifted her arms to strike against the ,arge man's chest. They felt weighted as she tried to swing upward, her vision already blurring around the edges but still sharp enough to focus on the already darkening patch at the side of his temple, a developing bruise, but her fist was already becoming a dead weight. It fell feebly against his pec.
Her struggles died down with each feeble, sluggish punch, and she felt his chest rumble as he laughed loudly.
“Gonna have to do better than that!"
His grin grew wider, eyes crinkling at the edges, drawing attention to the sinister glint in his iris as the girl in his grasp grew weaker, her eyelids dropping further, her already pitiful attempts to fight him off growing weaker as they did, until eventually she fell to the ground with a dull thud, out cold.
“Tachi!"
Shin couldn't move, as soon as the cloth had been pressed to Tachi's pale lips he had each of his arms grasped tightly by one of their party, the bulkier man able to hold his thin frame in place with little to no effort. He struggled in their grasp, calling out loudly in objection to his newest companion as she crumpled limply to the stony path beneath their feet, confusion prickled its way through him.
“What are you doing Hageshi?!"
Hagushi sighed as he leaned forward, hoisting Tachi up and over his large shoulder as though she weighed nothing.
“Look Shin, your ideas were nice and all, but it was never going to work, the village needs women. That's the plan, that's always been the plan.”
Shin stopped struggling against the men restraining him. His blue eyes blowing wide in disbelief.
'What..?”
Hageshi sighed as he re-adjusted Tachi, and turned to face the man they had given the mantle of village leader.
'Your father was too much of a coward to take the fight to Ishigami village, and there were those who opposed the idea. So we got you that seat of power while we weeded out those who didn't understand what our village needed, what we would have to do to protect it, to bring it what it needed.”
His smirk returned.
“You really thought so many of us would change so quickly? You're young, and naive, but give it some thought, why would we all get behind you so suddenly? Hmm? You boys need to see what’s best for Saisei, both of you.”
Shin followed Hageshis gaze until it settled onto Hajiro. The scarred beast master was on his knees, another two of their party holding him tightly in place, his faithful Yukan restrained, powerful jaws already tied closed tightly. Hajiro’s strong eyes were locked with his, the green hues brimming with hurt and betrayal, his chest heaving as he tried to shake off the men holding him, his voice silenced by the rag bound tightly around his mouth. Shin felt soft tears form at the edge of his eyes, the bubbling heat of upset fanning across his chest as he watched his friend struggle.
"That's your son! Look what you're doing to him! Violence will not help Saise! Tachi will!'
Hageshi motioned to the man holding the young leader, who on his command began dragging him towards Hajiro.
"Oh, you're right about that. This little lady is our ticket in. You boys sit tight until we get back. You’ll understand when you’re older.”
Shin's eyes scanned around the others quickly as he was forced down behind Hajiro, his arms pulled tightly behind him as the bound the young men together. Dark smirks, proud smiles and knowing grins were what stared back at him, strong, determined gazes of men sure they were doing what had to be done, men proud of what they were doing.
“Stop! This isn’t right” Put her down! This doesn’t have to happen.”
They were already moving on from the pathway, no further words spoken or glances exchanged as they marched towards Ishigami village as their prisoner, a prisoner that he had served to them on a silver platter. He closed his eyes tightly as the weight of his decisions slammed forcefully onto his shoulders. She was in danger, they were all in danger, all because of him. His tears fell free, rolling down his cheeks as his teeth clenched together tightly, his body quivering and shaking as guilt wracked its way through him.
“I’m sorry, Shin. I really am.”
He looked up to see Hyuko standing in front of him, the medic frowning sadly.
“Please stop them Hyuko, please. It doesn’t have to be this way.”
Hyuko couldn’t hold his gaze, turning his head away slowly as he took steps to follow after the others, fists clenched tightly by his sides.
“I wish that was true.”
He called after him, after all of them, until his voice was hoarse and useless. For Hyuko to come back, for Hageshi to stop what he was doing, for Tachi to wake up, but no one answered; the only audible sound that of Hajiro struggling against their bindings behind him and the quiet, undisturbed breeze blowing unfettered through the tall trees. He hung his head shamefully.
He had given them just what they needed, played right into their hands.
He had doomed Ishigami village.