Chapter 6

I woke up the next day to Momo hovering over me. I let out a startled shout as I fell off the bed and onto my face.

Welp…now my wounds were going to reopen…

As I tried to sit back up, once I was in a crouching position, Momo, for some odd reason, decided to sit on my back.

She was sitting on me…right now…

Irritated, I tried to shake her off, but she just ignored me and began to drink a cup of tea. Although it smelled a bit bitter to be tea. Alcohol?

“Kid, we’re ditching this place.” She casually blurted out.

“Ditch…huh?” I asked confusedly.

“Yep. Moving on, leaving, hitting the road, headed West, going-”

“Alright, I get it. But, why are we leaving?” Then, my eyes opened wide.

“DOES CHOW KNOW-”

Before I could finish, she socked me in the noggin, causing me to bluster a bit.

“Yes, she knows, dumbass!” She grunted.

“But…won’t you guys be sad? I mean, this is your-”

“Fifth.” She said, interrupting.

“Err…?”

“This is our fifth village.” She kept on.

Their FIFTH VILLAGE?

What and who exactly were these two? Some kind of nonstop train like some kind of Sanzo gang?

“Pardon me, but will those kids be okay?” I asked, feeling a bit guilty for having to leave those two. Once things had settled down and the kids were now living with Mr. Levens, they were finally able to be actual children and were now treating me like some God or something. To leave those two without warning was just going to.

“Yep. They’ll be fine. That’s why I said NOPE to taking those two in when someone brought it up. Besides, I already have two brats to take care of already and just like those two, it consists of a flat chested dumbass girl and a lil willy nilly dumbass boy.” She chuckled, punching me in the head playfully once more.

Okay, now I was a bit pissed…

______

As I started to leave the house with Chow stumbling after me with a pack of her things, I was suddenly surprised by something behind me. As I turned to look, I realized that it wasn’t something, it was someone, more than one. It was the kids, Jio and Alyz.

As usual, Alyz was already beginning to cry, and Jio pouted while trying to hide his oncoming tears as they both hugged each of my legs.

“Do you have to go, sir?” Alyz pleaded.

“We want to play with you some more!”

I sighed and bent down to be at their eye level, and gave a small smile.

“I would rather stay here, but if I have to leave, I’m afraid that I have no choice in the matter. But, I promise that someday, I’ll come back here and play some games with you both.”

Alyz giggled at this and wrapped her arms around my neck in a tight hug.

“I hope that these two aren’t being a bother.” A man’s voice boomed.

I glanced up and saw that it was Joseph Levens, their adopter.

“No, Mr. Levens. They’re fine! Besides, I can’t leave without saying goodbye.” I said a bit sadly.

I looked back as the sound of the door slamming shut reminded me that we were getting ready to leave pretty soon.

“Pack it up, kiddo. We need to find the next village to stay at. Wait any longer, and any potential lodging that may exist could be taken within the next few days or maybe even hours.” Momo said as she patted the top of my head.

I gave a small nod and got back onto my feet. Dusting my pants off, I tried to straighten my back but could feel it slump again.

I didn’t want to leave this village yet. I wanted to help raise and watch the kids grow. As I glanced at the kids again, Jio and Alyz began to squeeze each other tightly as if to comfort each other at the sight of my departure.

I gave them one more small smile as I began to head out with Momo and Chow, and as I took my first step, Jio ran up to me and ran into the back of my legs.

He grunted as he fell onto his bottom, but it didn’t seem to faze him as he quickly got back onto his feet.

I just looked at them both, and Alyz ran after Jio and me.

“Sir, we don’t even know your NAME!” They both cried at the same time.

I saluted them playfully and, with my back upright and my shoulders back, I proudly introduced myself to them, properly this time.

“Nejiro. Neijiro Umemoto at your service!” I announced.

And with that, I left everything behind as we headed for wherever it was that we were headed. Should I be excited? Scared? Nervous? Hell, I didn’t even know why we were leaving, and I never did get a full explanation about this King Akiyo person.