We are here for you

After two years....

20th year of Engi[1], 8th month, 5th day.
In the small village of Tenkai.

* Normal P.O.V. *

An orange-haired man ran across the paddy fields, frantically searching for a particular person. He spotted the black-haired figure, happily teaching the village boys on how to shoot arrows accurately.
" Shigeru! " He shouted.

* Ogiwara P.O.V. *
The person turned around, to reveal a face brimming with joy.
" Oh, Shige! Wanna join us? We're still having some practice sessions! " He looked at me as I came running, looking dishevelled.
" Whoa! Look at you! A bear fell on top of you? " He laughed as the boys surrounding him joined him.
" No! It's Kinatsu! He was stung by a scorpion! " I shouted.
" A scorpion?! Where is he now?! " He asked with concern in his tone.
" He's currently at your clinic. Now hurry up and follow me! " I urged him to run with me.
" Sorry boys! I'll make it up to you guys next time! " He waved before following behind me.

Afterwards, we arrived at the clinic of Tenkai village, as well as Shigeru's house.
" Is Kinatsu in here? " Shigeru asked in a slightly panicked voice.
" He's right here, Shigeru-kun! Please help him! " The village head, Takanari-san pleaded.
" I'd be more than glad to help. " He smiled and sat beside the young boy.
" It's alright. You'll feel better once I heal your wounds, " I watched as a yellow light appeared from the palm of his hand.
It extracted the poison, and closed the wound. Once he was done, the boy thanked him and ran out to play with his friends.

* Your P.O.V. *
I sighed in relief as the wound closed. I then looked at the poison, which I recognized as poison from a yokai.
" This poison is from a scorpion yokai. My guess is that it came from a river. Takanari-san, I need you to order the villagers not to leave the village, or else they might fall a victim to the yokai. I will exorcise it tonight, so rest assured. " I calmly said.
" Understood. I'll go and inform the villagers right now. " He stood up and left with the rest of the men.
" And Shigehiro. " I called to the orange-haired man.
" Y-yes? " He suddenly yelped.
" It's about time for you to leave as well. " I stared at him.
" Oh, is it? Well then, I guess I'll leaving.. " I watched him walking out of my house.
" You sure that you don't need help? " He stared at me with concerned eyes.
" I don't want to have anyone injured. So that means no. " I folded my arms.
" I see.. Well then, be careful! " He waved as he closed the screen door of the clinic.

Later that day, I found myself settling on a branch of a tree. I played my flute, as a cool breeze blows through.
I started remembering what happened prior to two years before...
That night, before the mansion was burned to ashes, I managed to escape in the last minute. I survived, but hid my presence between the trees. I watched the mansion burn down, Natsuka and Shin-chan cried, thinking that I was gone, while Takao-san watched them with a mournful expression. The servants carried bucket after bucket full of water, trying to extinguish the flames engulfing the mansion.
' I'm sorry, everyone. Goodbye.... " A single tear fell from my eye as I started jumping from tree to tree, fleeing the capital city, Heian-kyo.
After hours of running, I finally reached the small village of Tenkai, the village where I'm currently residing, with a dishevelled appearance. I didn't care about anything else, I was already too tired to run, and fainted in front of the village gate.
The next thing I knew when I opened my eyes was that I was sleeping in a futon, my clothes were changed into a fresh, clean kimono. A boy with orange hair came upon my view, and smiled.
" You're finally awake! You've been out for three whole days! " He came closer to my face, which caused me to scream.
" Uwaaaaaaaa!!! " I slapped his face.
" Hey! Calm down! I'm not a pervert you know! " He put his hands in front of his body.
" You aren't? Then who are you? " I was still careful of the unknown person.
" I'm Ogiwara Shigehiro! I was the one who carried you to this place, nice to meet you! " He stretched his hand out, which I took.
" Oikawa Shigeru. Nice to meet you too. " I shook his hand.
" Hey, our names are similar! What a coincidence! Both of us have 'shige' in our names! " He exclaimed like a child.
" Now that you mention it, you're right, " I replied.