Medica Materia A Mob Psycho 100 Fantasy AU

Chapter 9

"Where's my younger brother?" Mob's voice was tinged with panic; his hair floated in agitation.

"We don't know, Shigeo," Mr. Kageyama said. "When we were brought here this man who called himself King Suzuki told us we were all his subjects." His tone of voice indicated just what he thought of this. "Once he 'established his kingdom' we would be relocated."

"He had a boy with him," Mrs. Kageyama added, "a redhead. They took Ritsu, ordered him to be the boy's new friend."

Serizawa stiffened; he knew the boy that they spoke of. He wondered if he should speak up, or wait to see how this played out.

"That was the last time we saw him," Mr. Kageyama finished. "Maybe a year ago."

The sound that Mob let out was the choked scream of a wounded animal. Reigen had to refrain from racing to the boy. Mrs. Kageyama enfolded her child in her arms once again. "It's all right, Shigeo. We'll find a way; we'll find a way." Her hand rubbed up and down his back, a gesture of comfort she hadn't given since he was very young.

Mob struggled against his mother's embrace, too upset to accept it. "I have to go; he could be anywhere."

"Yes, he could," Reigen said. He looked to the Kageyamas' for permission and knelt beside his Apprentice. "You just found your parents; they need you right now." He spoke quietly, uncertain if he was even heard over the boy's sorrow. "You need to rest, Mob."

"But—"

"Once you've had a few days, we'll address this again." Reigen's eyes met the Kageyamas'. Mrs. Kageyama nodded her consent. "Whatever decision you make, we'll abide by it."

Mrs. Kageyama held her child's face in her palms. "We've been so worried, Shigeo. The only reason that we didn't lose hope was because we knew you were with your Master. But now that you're with us again, please stay if only for a few days."

Mr. Kageyama ruffled his son's hair. "Let us see how well our boy has grown without us."

Mob sniffled; his tears had run their course. "All right." He saw the wisdom in what they said.

"Now let's get some supper," Mrs. Kageyama said. "We were about to serve when the ruckus started."

The newly freed community was ready to celebrate, although festivities were subdued. Wine meant for the guards was liberated for everyone's use and dinner repurposed. A few instruments that had survived the trip to the camp were played, lending a more cheerful atmosphere than the people of Seasoning had experienced for a long time.

Mob kept to his family's side, settling in between his parents at one of the mess tables. Reigen decided that they needed time to bond so he and Serizawa found themselves seated with Seasoning's village elder. Reigen had always liked the man, even if he was a little chatty.

"What do you plan to do next?" Serizawa asked the elder.

"In the morning we'll journey back to Seasoning and rebuild our little village,' the elder said. He took a sip of the recently procured wine. "How badly was everything damaged, Reigen?"

"We haven't been back since the attack," Reigen confessed, the idea had been too painful for either Mob or Reigen. "I don't know if anything's changed."

The elder rolled his shoulders. "We'll know soon enough. The work here has made some of the lads into better builders." He let out a hearty laugh. "Our community will survive."

Serizawa had no doubt of that.

They were invited to join the citizens of Seasoning in the barracks, but Serizawa declined. The idea of sharing a space with so many people at once made him anxious. He chose to stay back with the wagon and the bedding there. The night looked clear, so he wasn't worried about rain and a fire would keep him warm.