"Watch me, Min!" the little Oina girl giggled as she transformed into a puppy. Her sister, Kai, had been watching her all day, and was relieved to see Min standing next to her.
"Oh, thank you for coming," Kai said, "Lika has been itching to show you something for the longest time. She missed you while you were in Nippon."
Min looked at Kai through her mask, which greatly resembled a mouse. "Don't worry about, Kai. You're my best friend, I would do anything for you," she said, hugging Lika's sister before she left. "What was that you wanted to show me, Lika?" Min asked, squatting to the little wolf's height. She watched as the pup jumped over a fallen tree. Min smiled; Lika was a handful, but she was such an adorable child. "Hmm… are you hungry, Lika? I have a treat." Min took out a bag full of cooked pork. "Now, I was going to give this to the whole tribe at once, but I think you can get a little snack," she said, taking out a little portion and giving it to her.
"Thank you, Min," squealed Lika once she had turned back. She hugged Min, but before Lika could have let go, Min lifted her up and spun her around. Min stopped mid-twirl as her eyes met another Oina.
"Oki," Min muttered, putting Lika down, "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
He took a while to register who was speaking to him; after all, Min had been gone for a long time. His body was tense, but as soon as he remembered her mask, Oki relaxed. "Yes, is has. You missed the whole thing, Min. And you really wouldn't be able to believe what happened, either."
She looked at him, her arms crossing. "What did happen? And why does it feel so warm all of a sudden?"
"Um… Why don't you go ask Kai? I have to go somewhere…." Oki murmured sheepishly. Min frowned under her mask, something was off about Oki. She looked at him uncertainly, and he walked off quickly without another word. She had received hints from Kai earlier that Oki was a bit off once he heard I was coming back.
Min sighed; maybe it was best to ask Kai about the events. But her mind had wandered off, and her head was looking up towards the sky. "Kemu must know something about this," she mused. The way Oki had acted made her curiosity grow. Min started the winding walk up to the elder's house, hoping that Kemu was still there. Her eyes took in all of the familiar surroundings, making notes of all the little changes.
She looked up at the sky, and the sun was shining bright. And it was unusually warm, too. She shed one layer of her clothing. Last time Min had come to Wep'keer, a blizzard was picking up. Things sure do change. I wonder how the other Oina had been…I haven't seen Samickle, yet. And Tuskle's up near Wawku Shrine. Her musings stopped once she had reached Kemu's home.
Pulling the flap, she saw Kemu and Samickle talking in hushed tones. Min froze, hoping she hadn't interrupted something important.
"Huh? Who's this?" Kemu had looked up to where Min was. Samickle was grumbling about something, and Min only caught the words "troublesome girl".
"Kemu… it's me, Min."
"Well, Min," he murmured, obviously remembering her, "you have a lot of catching up to do."
A/N: This is my first fanfic, so it might seem a bit wonky at times. I'm sorry if some of the characters seem OOC, they really didn't explain in depth about their personalities. I think I got most of it right, but if not, then just tell me. More chapters coming soon :)
Okami belongs to Capcom and Clover.