(Book 2) Neferpitou and the human Royal Guard

Chapter 15 To Yorknew.

I'm heading north to Yorknew City, and as I'm doing so, I don't get far before I hear someone yelling from behind me.

"Wait! You forgot something!" I hear someone call out.

Looking back to see who it is, to my surprise I find Hina running toward me with an oversized backpack. Further surprising me, she is carrying my sword.

When I stop in my tracks, she grinds to a halt upon reaching me, saying "Finally, here you go." before handing my blade over.

Smiling, I grab my sword and nod my head. "Thanks for the save their." I say. "I would be in trouble if I forgot this." I admit to her.

"Exactly! Lucky for you I remembered when I saw you leave. You should be grateful to have me around!" she exclaims proudly. I think you owe me a favor now... right?"

I chuckle a bit before asking "And how can I pay you back?"

She puts her hands on her hips and declares "Now you have to take me with you on your quest. AND you have to give me a feast at the end. I think that sounds fair."

I place my hand on her head and explain "I'll get ya a feast IF I survive, but I can't take you along with me, it's too dangerous for you, you could get hurt."

Shaking her head, she demands "Take me with! You won't survive without me, you're hopeless when you don't have Pitou around to bail you out. Besides, I think I'll be the best help you can get in the big city, those mafia jerks might have weird powers, and you can't get rid of those by yourself. I'm willing to put my slender figure on the line to help you!" 

"Hina-" I start before being cut off.

"I'm goin with!" she yells while shaking her arms in a childish manner. "You can't stop me from following you, I'm getting that human food one way or another."

I smirk when she says that. "So that is what this is about ey? Shoulda known."

She folds her arms and nods. "Yep, like it or not, I'm comin' with!"

I sigh and shake my head. She's right, I can't exactly prevent her from coming with, only way to do that is to just abandon her here, which defeats the purpose of wanting her to stay safe. "Alright alright." I say. "I'll let you tag along. Just stay outta trouble, okay. I'll make sure you get the tastiest food when we get to Yorknew, sound good?"

She puts her hands on her hips again and nods before marching off in the wrong direction.

I pick her up her have her face the right way to get to the city. "This way sweetheart."

"Princess!" she corrects me.

"Pardon?"

"Princess! Call me that." she pouts.

I laugh out loud and shake my head. "Alright little one, princess it is."

She nods again and leads the march to Yorknew.

Unable to stop myself from chuckling, I just go along with her game and follow her lead.

Halfway to Yorknew City

As Hina merrily marches on the path while humming a cheerful tune, I notice a group of people quickly approaching us from the west. They weren't running, but walking quickly trying to catch up to us. Preparing us for danger, I grab a hold of Hina's arm and point toward where the people are coming from, causing her to stop in her tracks. and watch them curiously.

Upon approaching us, I start to realize that they are not a threat to us when they're attire catches my eye. All of them appear to be in rags, wearing shoddy gasmasks or facemasks, many carrying large backpacks of what I can tell are provisions. The group stops and one of them who looks like the leader of this little band walks up to us, greeting us. "Hello there. I hope you don't mind, but can you spare a bit of time? I promise, we won't keep you for long." They say in a voice muffled by the gasmask.