Under the Sun

Chapter Thirteen

Tokuma dragged himself back home, hands empty, mission unfulfilled. He returned not as a success but as a failure. In his mind he'd kept imagining this moment during those sleepless nights away. He'd seen himself walking through the village gates with a proud, satisfied look on his face. Beside him was Hanabi. In some scenes she would hold onto his arm and they would arrive together at the main house, unexpectedly. In others, Neji and Hinata would be waiting to welcome them home. Hinata would embrace her sister, while Neji clapped Tokuma on the back. Sadly, reality was nothing close to his fantasies. He passed through the village, weary and alone. No one came to greet him or escort him to the main house. So Tokuma proceeded to Hinata's dwelling by himself. On the way, he practiced what he wanted to tell her.

When he arrived the clan was bustling with activity. Eyes wandered over to him. Whispers spread. Tokuma ignored the onlookers and stepped up to the veranda, where he saw Hinata sitting. She had a bowl of fruit on her lap. Vivid colors jumped out at him - yellow skins tinged by an orange-pink blush. Peaches. About a dozen were packed into the bowl, ready to be eaten. Tokuma, tired and famished, was tempted to ask for one. Hinata spotted him and smiled. Her eyes scanned him up and down, then darted behind him.

"Did you find her? Is Hanabi with you?"

The question caught him off guard, even though he had been expecting it. His silence clued her in on the answer and Hinata's smile faded. Tokuma took a seat next to her. She discarded the bowl of fruit to her side and gave him her full attention.

"I've got a couple of my men continuing the search. They'll alert me if they come across a lead," he told her, hoping to restore her confidence in him.

"I see."

Tokuma gazed out across the quad. He noticed a group of elder folk congregating outside their homes. Surely, the gossip of his return was already spread and causing a stir.

"I realize you expected her back by now," he said. "I'm sorry it's taking me so long to track her down. There are a few more locations to hit before we extend our search to outside the village."

Hinata must have been watching the same group he was. She turned to Tokuma and motioned for him to follow her indoors.

"We shouldn't talk here," she told him. She picked up the bowl of fruit and rose. Tokuma followed suit.

"Want one?"

Suddenly, the bowl of peaches was presented to him. Tokuma's mouth watered and he gazed longingly at the plump, round fruit. Then he declined.

"I'll take some food after we're through speaking."

Hinata nodded and they moved inside the house. She closed the sliding door gently, behind them. It was stuffy inside and Tokuma tugged at his collar, adjusting to the warmth. He missed the cool breeze caressing his skin.

"Come," Hinata said.

She directed him to a room further in, towards the back of the building. They passed through a corridor with two exits. Hinata went to the right, so Tokuma followed. She pushed open the door to a small, cozy room. It smelled clean, like freshly washed linen. Tokuma looked around. It was unfurnished except for a long wooden bench that was stationed in the center. The walls were dressed up in lilac blue wallpaper. And on the floor were tools of all kinds — hammers, nails gathered in a tin box, and several buckets of paints. Loose pieces of wood were stacked next to the hammer and nails.

Hinata took a seat on the lone bench and patted the empty space next to her. Tokuma sat down and took in the room again. Hinata noticed him staring.

"We were thinking of using this room as a nursery. Neji and I cleared it out recently, but we can't decide where to start."

"Huh? Oh.."