Together - A Senku Ishigami Love Story (Dr.Stone)

Chapter 51

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?"