Here's the next one. Enjoy!
Staring at his shoulder, his scars from the gunshot wounds did look like a giant snake bit him. Shin growled, knowing that he'll probably have more visitors that want to kill him. He just wished that he could let the others know what he found out. He would have to wait for Kayura to check on him, or try to find a phone that will let him call home.
"Ameen." Shin heard Abdul call, "We play cards."
"Coming." Shin said.
Before heading out the door, he was stopped by a small hand pushing him back.
"Come, we need to chat."
"Kayura, it's good that you're here." Shin said in English before remembering who he was talking to, "I just found out who we're fighting."
"You did?" hearing other voices, Shin led her into another room, "Please tell."
"Masafumi Naotoki is his name. He's after a snake armor and someone named Yamanouchi."
"Naaza's original name is Yamanouchi. "
Shin sighed, "That would explain why they're following me. They're looking for him."
"And from you they found the other troopers and their families." Kayura sighed, "At least I have gifts for you."
She handed him several small boxes full of Pocky. There was also a picture of Seiji's wedding with all of them together, and a picture of Yayoi. He placed everything into a pocket.
"Give Yayoi my thanks and Jun as well. I was almost snake food if it wasn't for the jewel."
As Kayura took her leave, he quickly opened one box of the snack.
"Oh Pocky, you make almost being eaten by a snake worth it."
The next few weeks, Shin found himself working with the British forces out in the country. Unlike his Uncle Robert, his cousin Frank was easier to get along with. He had invited him for tea once he found out who he was. Shin accepted, bringing a box of Pocky with him. It wasn't a long chit chat, but Shin found that he and his cousin were unlike each other. Frank liked to talk. A lot. And most of what he talked about was scotch and women.
It was a long drive out to the village to search for unwanted weapons. Shin was fighting falling asleep from the bumpy ride and the heat. When he did fall asleep, he was quickly reminded on the bumpy ride as he hit his head on the seat in front of him. The soldier sitting next to him laughed.
"It's a bit bumpy"
"No kidding." Shin mumbled.
"Alright Gents, we're here." The driver said getting out.
"Shin, we have some hurt people here." He heard as he was getting out.
Looking around, Shin didn't see any of the snake-men around. He hoped that if there were, that they wouldn't blow up the building that he was going to work in. As he and another soldier walked in, gunfire from outside was heard.
"There's goes our peaceful day out the window." The other soldier said. Shin thought his name was Mick.
Shin ran across the building to the other entrance. Peeking outside, there was an older girl pulling her younger brother indoors. Even though it was an innocent thing, Shin felt his heart pumping fast. Between all the things that have happened since being here, he hadn't actually been in a fire fight. Looking back into the building he came out of, Mick could be seen looking out a window.
"How is it over there?" Shin called out.
"Dreary, boring." He responded, "There's nothing here, mate."
Shin sighed as he turned back to the street. The two children from before were looking at him before an elder boy came out. He looked about Jun's age, and was heatedly staring Shin down. The hair on the back of Shin's neck went up. The boy was pulling a weapon out, as Shin was having a brief flashback to the first of the snake-men. Mick heard the gunfire from behind him and went to check it out.
"Shin?" he called running out.
Shin was standing there, wide eyed and his jaw hanging down.
"I… he…" Shin was shuddering.
"Mate, it was you or him." He said putting a hand on his shoulder.
"He was just a boy and..."
"And he pulled the pistol out on you intending to kill you. Come on; if you think about it too much you'll lose your mind."
The next few hours were full of loading unwanted weapons into trucks, writing down serial numbers, and smoking his last pack of cigarettes. Later they embarked their vehicles and took off. They would do the same thing the next day in another village. This time, it was quiet and gave Shin time to play with the children he checked on. Even though it was all melted from the heat, the Pocky was popular with the kids. When the weapons were loaded, they took off.
One thing Shin enjoyed about being with the British was the fact they had a phone he could use to call home.
"Moshi, moshi." He heard his sister on the other end of the line.
"It's not too late there is it?" Shin asked, knowing she'd realize who was talking.
"Shin? Oh dear, you're never too late to call. I was just making dinner." He could hear plates knock around, "What's going on?"
"Nothing important at the moment. I've been working with the British army for a couple of days. It seems that I'm a rent-a-medic."
"That's good."
"Are you stressed or something?"
"Yes and no. Mother's in the hospital and it doesn't look good. That snake gang that attacked us before did so again. Ryuusuke has been fighting the Maritime Agency to bring you home but they're such a pain. Yayoi has been off work for a bit to help us around the house and with Taro. She's out with Ryuusuke at the moment."
Shin frowned, "How bad is it?"
"It's bad, Shin." He could finally hear what she was actually feeling now, "The doctor says her heart is shot to hell. It's a miracle she's still alive. Ryo and Jun come around more often now. It's weird having two armored men around. Have you heard about Touma?"
"No. What's with him?"
"Oh, that smarty pants can't seem to wear rubbers correctly. His girlfriend is six months pregnant and they're fighting over the armor. At least they're talking again. He almost came home."
"How's everyone else?"
"Shu has had to be held back from going to Africa to get you many times, and Seiji is the same."
Not wanting to stop the conversation, Shin said his farewells before handing the phone to someone else. Being stopped by some of the fellas from the vehicle, they invited him over for some 'wobblies.'
"Wobblies?" Shin questioned.
"Here." Mick tossed him a beer, "After a few you'll be wobbling around like a buffoon. Here's another box of cigarettes too. I saw you were out of them."
"Thanks." Shin said opening the box to pull one out.
"What's eating you?" Mick asked.
Shin let out a breath of smoke before answering, "Mum's in the hospital for good."
"That's a bloody shame. Here's another beer. It seems like you need a few. I might be able to find you something stronger if those don't work."
Shin gave him a sad smile, "I think two will be perfect."
"Are you joining us tonight on our job well done?"
"I'll think about it."
"Ahh, come on. Don't be that bastard that goes and hides. You're practically one of us now."
"Alright then, I'll come."
It was probably the worst decision he had made. After the two beers, Shin was feeling great. A forced few more later made him dumb. The lack of tolerance made the night short though. Along with the headache in the morning, he seemed to have misplaced his pants, shirt and boots. What made it worse was that it was six in the morning and he had a ride back to the stadium to catch. Younis gave him a look before giving him some aspirin.
"Ameen, I have some news for you after you finish with the toilet." The doctor said, standing outside of the latrines.
"What is it?" Shin was leaning at the door now.
"You have a flight home tonight."
"I do?"
"Yes. Apparently, your mother's in the hospital. We found out about it a week ago, but couldn't get in touch with you."
Shin would have jumped for joy, but his stomach said otherwise causing him to run for the toilet again.
After spending the day trying to sober up and pack, he was finally set to go home. He gave the magazines away to Abdul, who thanked him many times. He was about to board when Younis gave him his goodbyes.
"I wish you well, dear friend. Whatever Allah has in store for your mother will be the right choice however hard it may seem to be."
Shin nodded, "I've been meaning to ask why everyone here called me Ameen."
"Ah yes. Well since we had to use English to communicate, I believe there's a word for the front of the lower leg that shares the same pronunciation. I very well couldn't yell shin. It would have been confusing."
"Oh." Shin blushed, not realizing that the doctor was correct.
"But I also saw in you a man with a pure heart. You may be a confused man now, but you will find your way. Let people give you that same trust you give them. And you should avoid alcohol. It only makes morning hell."
"Thank you." Shin laughed before turning to get on the plane.