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

Chapter 16

The discovery of the acid pond quickly became the talk of the Kingdom of Science upon Senku and the others return, the scientist gathering everyone together in order to relay their next steps. They all listened intently, eyes focused and ears opened to what he had to say, taking in the weight of the need for the gas masks to be made correctly when he expressed the dangers of collecting the acid. Only Ginro really seemed deterred though, the others solid in their convictions. They were all so close to saving Ruri, and that hope drove them forward, Tachi could feel it radiating from each and every one of them, their driving force, their inspiration, their reason; they would all do everything and anything they could to save her. She herself wouldn't be of that much use for these steps, Senku, Chrome and Kaseki were their main team, while Kohaku, Ginro and Kinro trained for the Grand Bout. It seemed odd to Tachi that the village leader would be decided in such a violent manner, though she was sure they had their reasons, she agreed that this 'Magma' guy seemed like bad news, and agreed that they had to do everything in their power to ensure that anyone other than that brute won the tournament. She had offered herself to assist them, but even Ginro had been able to knock her onto her ass. She was no trained fighter, sure she could pick up a stick and hit someone with it, but when it came to actual fighting finesse she was about as graceful as a deer on roller skates, so instead she sat at the sidelines with Suika, cheering on the others as they went at Kohaku, they needed all the moral support they could get, because she was completely obliterating them...

It had been a couple of days or so since the scouting party had returned, and Tachi and Suika wandering the forests surrounding the Kingdom. They weren't looking for anything in particular, just anything which may be useful to them. Glancing down to the form beside her Tachi felt her gaze soften. Ever since she had been introduced to the bubbly child walking beside her she had been following the young woman around. They sat together at meal times, the foraged and gathered together, they played, they walked and they talked. It was nice to have the company after so much time alone, and the fact that she was giddy and cute as a button was the sugar dusting on a cherry pie.

"Hey Tachi, in the place where you and Senku come from, are there kids like me?"

Tachi chuckled softly, rolling the watermelon atop the girls head with the palm of her hand softly.

"Well not exactly like you, there were lots of kids though."

Suika hummed, seemingly in thought as Tachi stepped over the fell tree in front of them, the girling hauling herself over it quickly before sliding off of the other side to land on her feet.

"Did you go on walks with them?"

Tachi glanced down to the girl quickly, a smirk forming across her lips as she glimpsed her hands clasped behind her back, the soft salmon hue sprinkled across her young cheeks.

"No not really, even my own brothers preferred to go with my dad, so I walked on my own alot, it could be quite lonely."

She smiled down at the girl looking up at her.

"So thanks a whole lot for coming with me! It's more fun together don't you think?"

Suika grinned brightly, nodding her head enthusiastically.

"Yeah! Lots better!"

Tachi laughed at the girls words, glancing up to the darkening sky above her and frowning, it looked like the heavens were about to open, and she didn't want Suika to be caught in a downpour, it was time to head back.

"We better turn back, it looks like rain."

Suika glanced up to the greying sky and sighed, the pair pivoting on their heels and beginning back towards the Kingdom of Science. The girl asked a few more of the questions which seemed to be teetering at the edge of her thoughts, mainly about Tachi's mentioned brothers, the young woman smiling sadly as she shared details about them. They of course had their ups and downs as all siblings did, and each of them were so different from the others...but what she wouldn't give to see them now. They neared the village with time to spare, but with the shadowed clouds closing in behind them.