Red West II.

Chapter forty two - Satisfaction

They traveled together only until the first houses of Fort Collins appeared on the horizon, stopping by the stagecoach station. As they planned to avoid the city, they needed to buy some supplies there. While Leo, Jin and Cullen stayed out of sight in the grove off the main road and watched over their captive, the rest of them did some shopping at the owner of the facility and let the local blacksmith check the horseshoes of their animals.

Ryo and Koki also 'sacrificed' themselves to visit the dirty taproom and hear out the recent news. As expected, the Sioux attack on the sandstone quarry in Laporte was the main topic of the day. The people complained about incompetence of the U.S. Army, which was supposed to prevent such a situation and the voices calling for the final removal of all remaining Indians were increasing once again.

When the time to say goodbye came, nobody was very happy about it, but they tried to keep the positive atmosphere, counting on an early reunion.

Jane approached Kame and Jin holding a small package: "Don't forget to re-bind your wounds," she urged them, forcing the spare bandages in the younger one's hands.

"Thanks, Jane," Kame accepted the medical equipment gratefully.

Then the brunette looked from one to another, sighed and instead of more lectures, she just spread her hands and hugged them both at once, hiding her face between their shoulders.

"I want you to know that even if I don't like it, I understand your decision," she whispered just for their ears.

When Jane pulled away, both of them just looked at her without reaction, but she didn't need any, anyway.

"Be careful," she patted their shoulders for one last time, before heading to Koki and Ryo.

Leo came to them as the second one and reached out a hand to his brother.

"Back then, I didn't know what to make of your arrival, Bro, but in the end, I don't want to let you go," the younger Akanishi grinned a little forcefully.

"We'll see you soon again," Jin promised. "Thanks for everything, little Brother."

"Me too. You both helped us out a lot," Leo looked at Kame as well. "We'll stay in Hereford for as long as necessary, so catch up with us there."

Kame nodded: "We'll try, but if we're not in time, then..."

"We'll leave a message for you at the local post office. Either with your name, Kame, if you don't mind it, or Koki's," Leo proposed.

"Of course, no problem," the younger one agreed, while shaking the Riders' leader hand.

"Fine," Leo smiled and smacked Jin over his back playfully: "Good luck," he wished them both, before turning to the other two Riders.

The last one taking his turn was their 'old wolf'. The Rider stared at them for a while and both youngsters repaid his look.

"I won't hug you, if you don't mind," Cullen snorted in the end.

"We'll survive it," Jin made a mocking face.

"Yeah, I'll bet on that," the oldest Rider altered his hat, so that it hid his face in an even deeper shadow. "We won't be there to save your stupid asses every time, so spare me listening to Leo's cursing and avoid troubles, will you?"

"We'll try our best," Kame replied with a serious face.

"I know you will, but I'm not so sure in his case," Cullen pointed at Jin.

Jin's eyes sent the daggers toward the man, but the veteran was unmoved by that.

While this nice conversation took place, Leo parted with Koki, who went to pick up mummified Grenet from the ground under a thick pine, from where he was staring at them the whole time, as that was literally the only thing he could do at the moment, and took Ryo a little aside.