6th Shot: Liar

Ukyo is a kind person–not a single other thought that would make Shinko's mind changed about it.

From the start, Ukyo took his revival as a new start where hopefully, every human will finally live in peace and support each other as social creatures fundamentally. In this stone world, they're reduced to nothingness–even more reason for them to push anything other than teamwork and togetherness aside.

Tsukasa's act of destroying statues without any hint of hesitation brought him despair–both from how he didn't have any ability to stop it and how he had to look away because he had to prevent the revived ones from hurting each other. Shinko took it as her duty to be a shoulder he needed when things get too rough.

She let him vent, holding his hands when he clenched his fists too hard, led him away when she knew he heard the overly familiar rumbling and crashing.

He's really kind–all he wanted was peace.

His kindness is what pulled her in–it was genuine, something that's much needed in this world of stone where they needed to depend on each other or they wouldn't survive. That's why she put her trust in him, helping him in every way he needed.

He mentioned that he's a coward until she couldn't count it anymore with her fingers–for ignoring, for not doing nothing. She didn't agree, she never did. All she saw was a man of peace, kindness radiating from him.

.

.

"It's cold out here, Ukyo-san. And shouldn't you be asleep right now? We have to patrol longer tomorrow."

She noticed an extremely familiar figure sitting on a branch with his back leaning against the bark in the middle of the night. He didn't even turn to look, knowing it was her just from her footsteps alone.

He sighed in exhaustion. "I just need some fresh air. Everything is suffocating at the moment."

This wasn't the first time he couldn't give his body a rest because he had his mind out of control. Shinko looked out for him every time, giving him company to ease his tension. She jumped on to the same branch and he made room for her to take a seat beside him.

"At least bring a blanket with you or you'll get sick." she reminded, throwing the thick and warm fabric made out of animal skin around his shoulders–bundling him up. Ukyo didn't even realize how cold he felt until he shivered under the blanket before enjoying the comforting warmth.

"You don't have to check on me every time. You should sleep." he reminded.

Shinko huffed. "Nonsense. I'm worried and you look like you could use some company."

"Then," Ukyo widened the blanket. "Scoot closer, you're not wearing anything warm either."

Instead of answering, she stared at him with widened eyes–it took him for a moment to comprehend his invitation in cuddling. Ukyo froze, feeling fire creeping up from behind his next and engulfing his face. Mirroring him, Shinko's face already turned as red as boiled crab.

"S-sorry, it's weird and inappropriate-"

"I-I don't mind." she cut of meekly.

She said no more and decided that action was better than words, sitting between his legs as he carefully wrapped the two of them under the blanket. She eventually sighed in content, leaning her back to his chest. They're extremely close with each other, it wouldn't be a surprise if they felt each other's roaring heartbeat.

But the warmth swept the thought away. So warm and comfy it began lulling her to sleep, head nodding off a few times in the past minute.

Ukyo chuckled; she could feel his chest vibrating as he did so. "I guess we'll be staying here together until morning."

"I don't mind. It's warm and comfortable, couldn't ask for more." she yawned, covering her mouth as she did so. Ukyo shifted to a more comfortable position and Shinko decided to be bold and rested her head on his shoulder. He didn't mind, of course.

That night was slightly different–usually she would deliver a blanket for and tucking him as he asleep on the tree. The next day, he would return the blanket and thanked her. Shinko welcomed the change. It was hard to keep her eyelids open longer, so she decided to let sleep drag her into a world of dreams–she knew it would be a nice one.

Finally, the two drifted off under the shimmers of millions of stars.

.

.

Hyoga and the others weren't back for almost a week–considering it took two days to reached the village from their stone cave.

There's something holding them back–Shinko knew. Hyoga wasn't a type of person to stall his mission, he would want to get it done as soon as possible. Could it be that the villagers are more skilled so their group were having a hard time? Or a man named Senku was really there to stop them with scientific weapons?

Shinko's thoughts were wiped off by a powerful gust of wind suddenly swept by, sending leaves and dust to the air. Today was exceptionally windy, the sky wasn't friendly either–since morning thick clouds hovered close, no sunlight shone through, distance rumbling of thunder could be heard. The sky was grey, almost to the point of dark–it only means one thing, a storm was coming.

"We should take cover." Ukyo remarked, a hand on his hat to prevented in from being blown away. "Running back is the best choice, jumping from tree to tree isn't working. We'll only get blown away."

She nodded in agreement. Before she could jump down, a speck of black caught by the corner of her eyes. Halting her movements, Shinko turned her heard towards the direction.

"What's wrong?" Ukyo, noticing her still standing on the branch asked.

"The village is burning…" she muttered in disbelief, eyes widened in horror. "This is too cruel…"

Orange flames licking wooden houses to ashes, the roofs were already burnt to none since it was made of layers of leaves. Bridges were cut off too, they couldn't take cover to the other island and being led to the more open space close to the forest. Thick black smoke being swept away by the wind.

What about the children? Are they alright? The elders who couldn't run or still in the houses, are they safe? What about the supplies they gathered for winter-

A tap on her shoulder snapped her back to reality, turning her head slowly she was met with a pair of teal eyes who looked at her solemnly. "Come on…"

There's nothing we can do currently, those words seemed to follow the solemn stare. Shinko had to accept the fact. She nodded slowly, brows furrowed in sadness. With a heavy heart, the two turned their back–returning to their base before storm came to crash in.

.

.

The day after, Hyoga was back and went straight towards Tsukasa's place to hand over his reports–his appearance alone gave Ukyo an unsettling feeling. His men were nowhere in sight, Homura too. Did they go another way? He didn't have time to mull over probabilities as soon as he heard Hyoga's words.

"All of Gen-kun's reports were lies. The village already has considerable scientific power. Senku-kun is alive."

"You're right, Shinko," Ukyo announced. "Senku is alive."

The said young woman froze, however she didn't turn to face him. And he took this as a sign to continue. "Hyoga just got back and reported to Tsukasa. He also said the village already getting scientific weapons as well."

"What about Taiju-san and Yuzuriha-san? Are they going to hurt them…?" her face paled at her own words, voice diminishing and hands stopping on her work in cleaning the fish for their lunch.

He shook his head. "No, they won't. They could be potential hostages, but at the moment, Tsukasa will send someone to watch over them and acted like nothing happened. Homura's not back, Hyoga ordered her to watch over the village."

Shinko sighed in relief, placing a hand over her chest. Ukyo chuckled and patted her back gently.

Both of them were currently having a break–break means sitting to rest their legs and have some lunch to recharge energy. They choose the river bank because it's easier to get water and food at the same time.

"Wait, so there's only Homura-san and Hyoga-san? What about the other men in the team?" she questioned. Instead of answering right away, Ukyo tipped his hat downward–shadows upon his eyes.

"Hyoga said they were killed by Senku's machinations." he answered grimly. "But I don't believe it. Something's wrong, however I don't have much evidence."

She hummed in agreement. "Me too, my instinct says Senku-san isn't the type of person who kills someone right of the bat. If he did, he would've controlled the village through fear. What should we do Ukyo-san?"

"Tsukasa mentioned about war in spring." He started. "Mostly because we can't fight in winter, it will be hard. Our men will mostly gather food for supplies so we can survive winter. Looking at how Senku isn't attacking here immediately means he's preparing weapons. When spring comes, the war will happen."

"Have you thought about, you know, having an alliance with Senku-san?" Shinko suggested. "After spying on what Yuzuriha-san did?"

Yuzuriha was the only person in their group who had the ability in stitching clothes, she was needed much. Usually, when they have enough materials for making clothes, she immediately took them somewhere else where she could do her work in peace. Yuzuriha would be back the next day–meaning she spent a whole night to make several clothes.

That's what everyone thought.

Ukyo had his own suspicion–especially when she brought along a big satchel. Threads and needles, that's what occurred in his mind at first. Soon, he found it odd–the satchel was too big and looks like it filled to the brim.

"I'm going to go make clothes." Yuzuriha called out before walking away, in her arms were layers of fabric and the satchel she frequently brought along. Ukyo lifted his head.

"Shinko, what do you think is in that satchel?" he whispered to her once. She didn't ask for more explanation as she immediately focused on the items in the brunette's arms.

"Something heavy, from how it took her quite an energy to lift it. Something that's in pieces and doesn't have definite shape."

He then patted her shoulder. "Wait here for a bit and cover for me. I'm going to follow her. In that bag, I heard rattling of rock fragments from that bag."

It wasn't hard to trail after Yuzuriha and went undetected as long as he kept a safe distance. The brunette's destination was a cave with many sources of light, a rational choice for sewing. However, Ukyo didn't expect the girl to get the clothes done in an instant. It didn't even reach sunset yet she finished it all.

She left the clothes behind and brought the bag only, walking away to an area he was alien with. Hiding behind the bushes, he watched Yuzuriha pulled out the rock fragments from her bag and laid it down on the ground. She then inspected them one by one, trying to pair them with each other. As soon as she found the perfect pair, she took out a brush and coated them with something.

Then she placed it on the statues–many of them stood in the shadows, the ones that were turned into fragments were being restored so meticulously. Yuzuriha spent the night to fix the statues, only someone with extreme patience and diligent could piece them back to a full shape.

"Yeah, making alliance will be the best choice." Ukyo always thought about it ever since he witnessed the madness. He then turned to face his partner. "I'll need your help in this one."

"Leave it to me." Shinko replied without hesitation.