Demons, Snow And Kunai
Stories were what brought them there. Stories of demons being seen in the area of trees around his old home town. They were only new, starting at least a week ago, and even though no one was killed-just some seriously injured-the small town was being cut off from the rest of the world more then ever before, tourists would NOT go somewhere threatened by demons unless they were budding hunters (or just stupid-as in gawkers).
After the 'incident' twenty years ago that nearly destroyed the entire area, the village\small town was still recovering and definitely could NOT afford to lose tourist revenue.
So that was why HE was there, there with his team to investigate these stories and find the truth, to locate this demon or demons, or if it was some kind of animal and why it was there, and either stop it or if it was a threat-kill it.
After all, one of them knew only too personally what demons were like, both physically and intermitely. How could he not with what was inside him?
The well-worn dirt path leading them out of the small town towards the thick tree area was starting to become rockier as the track started to fade into parts not usually tread by human feet as the group headed further in, weapons and all senses ready, not sure what to expect but even the most seasoned of them on alert to anything.
Even the most skilled of warriors could be taken out in a split second by something, anything, and a demon? Of course they were on edge.
Someone suddenly spoke softly, voice a near whisper but startling everyone by its suddenness. "Do you hear? No birds or animals. It's quiet..."
Another, a black-haired male, spoke "if you say 'too quiet' then you'll regret it." There was a slight noise followed by the firsts protest "ow! What was that for? I wasn't gonna!"
"Shut it" another hissed "you'll give our position away to the demons!"
"If there is even is one" the first complained.
"And what do you think has been attacking hunters and villagers? The trees" the black haired asked sarcastically.
"Dunno, an animal. It can't be a demon."
"Why, pray-tell is that" the sarcasm was thicker this time.
"Well an animal would be protecting its territory, or even its nest. It would protect it only as long as it felt threatened. The victims all lived. A DEMON, on the other hand, wouldn't care, it would just kill them for no reason."
The black-haired one just snorted an affirmative and nothing more was said.
"What was that?" a female head snapped around.
"What do you mean?" the first asked her.
"I saw something, a flash just up ahead to our 2 O'clock."
"Huh?"
"Top, slightly to the right. You should know this by now-aren't you a ninja?" The sarcasm was back in the black-haired ones voice.
"Must have slept through that class" the first murmured, only to hear an snort and answer of "THAT class? How many others?"
"HEY!" the other yelled, insulted "I can't help it if I'm a very busy person you know! I have...stuff that needs doing without sitting around listening to all that stuff, you know."
"Quiet" the group leader hissed, eyes intently searching the surrounding trees. Suddenly he snapped "THERE!" and was off, chasing something they couldn't see.
"HEY! Wait up!" the first cried out as the group took of after him, one of their number moving through the trees just ahead of them while the others used the ground, leading the others after the black-clad other while eagle-sharp eyes kept an lock on the slash of silver and black moving lightening-quick ahead of them all.
"You think it's HIM?" the first called to the others "I mean how many times is it now that our 'Great Leader' has faced him, but he come back again?"
There was no reply as others all mirrored the same thoughts.
"Up ahead" the tree-runners smooth melodic voice called to them, soft but despite the distance heard clearly "I see a cave. It's part of an deeper system. Perhaps the creatures nest."
"Direct us" they heard the leader call, "But alert us if you see it around."
"What're you thinking, bossman?"
"If it's an animal nest, there would be remains of meals and possibly offspring we can use to identify the parent."
"If its human there would be man-made things, mementos" the girl said.
"If it's demon" the tree runner said "there will be both."
Understanding this they followed the higher members directions until they reached a small clearing before some pretty large hills.
The tree runner landed in front of them smoothly and softly, withdrawing his weapon and heading cautiously forwards, towards a thick set of brush near one hill "I lost what we were following about five minutes ago. However whatever it was seemed to be purposely trying to lead us away from here."
"Must be a nest then" the leader mussed "let's go, we don't have much time."
"What do you mean?" the first asked.
"It was trying to lead us AWAY. Once it realizes it didn't work it'll be back, with a vengeance."
"He means it'll be extremely pissed off" the black haired other explained.
The leader grunted "that's what I said."
"IF it's intelligent" the female said.
"It was trying to decoy us away from the lair, that is something only an intelligent being would do, an animal-depending on its level-would stay and defend its nest."
"It could be a male animal who's trying to draw what it sees as predators away from its mate and offspring" the first said softly "It's what I'D do."
"We won't know until we get inside and see" the tree runner said, moving the brush aside to reveal an low roofed entrance, forcing the group to-one at a time-bend low to get inside.
With the tree runners exceptional sight in the dark leading them they made their way inside and deeper into the network of tunnels and caves, some lite by glowing crystals and others a strange moss, but most dark and eary, their silence broken by only the echo of dripping water.
Suddenly the way started to get cooler, more airy, sunlight coming in from somewhere higher up, probably a hole or tunnel in the hillside somewhere, things becoming clearer and easier to see.
For them to see the pile of blankets on top of soft ferns in a dark corner, pushed down under an heavy weight, a curled, hidden, MAN SIZED weight, breathing fast, harsh and agonized.
They caught sight of sunshine blonde wild fur-or HAIR-before there was a snarl from somewhere, wild, furious and dangerous and something was in their midst, something red and black, something wild and very pissed off.
"Scatter!" the leader yelled to them as the furious something was among them.