.

.

.

It seemed to fast forward a few days. Aiko shifted. "What… happened, Onii-san?" Kenta didn't answer.

A man ran to the house, and they heard a conversation. Most probably between Asuka and the man.

"Your husband's been kill-"

"He's not my husband."

"Oh... I see… So that means that woman is…"

"Yes, yes. You were saying?"

"He's been killed, and his new wife was killed as well. Their children too."

The woman turned, trying to hide her satisfied look. "This does not concern me. Be gone."

The man bowed, then ran out of the house. He mumbled. "She's not royalty. She shouldn't talk like that."

And then

A bark.

The man looked down. There was a dog. It was staring up at him. He blinked, and the dog was gone. Something about that gave him an uneasy feeling, and he slowly walked further away. He then ran.

The woman, Asuka, came out of the house. She looked at the dog. The dog looked back at her. "Good. You did your job." She turned around, and walked back towards the house. The dog barked.

Another bark.

Another bark.

"Keep quiet!" a stone was hurled in the dog's direction, and it passed through the spirit. The dog growled.

.

.

A familiar figure started to walk towards the house. The dog perked up, and stood. It barked. It was master. He came back. It continued to bark, but master didn't seem to hear or see it.

Why?

The dog followed its master into the house. He greeted his aging mother. "Mother, I'm back." The woman turned. "Taiki! How was work? Where are you working?"

"In the next province."

"Oh. Is that far away?"

"Not really."
"Is your pay enough?"

"Yes."

"… Good. Very good."

"And, mother…"

"Yes?"

"I'm married."

Asuka's eyes widened. She raised her hand and waggled her finger in front of her son, just like she had done earlier (or, before). "How can you get married without my permission?" she raised her voice. The dog growled. She glanced at it momentarily, and then looked back at her son. Her arm dropped to her side. She sighed. "Since you are already married, nothing can be done. Make sure you take care of your family." Taiki nodded, then he looked around. "Where's Anata?"

"What? 'Where's you?' "

"No. Anata. It's her name."

"Anata? What kind of ridiculous name is that?"

"Where is she?"

"Oh… you mean that dog? Why would you name a dog 'You'?"

The dog wagged her tail. He remembered. Master remembered!

"Yes. Is she still here?"

The woman paused and glanced at the dog. "Sh-she ran away."

"What?" Taiki said in astonishment.

No! Master! I'm here!

"She would never…" He then sighed. "… I guess it's for the best. One can't linger in one place for too long."

Master! Master!

He then turned.

"What? You're not staying?" The woman shouted, walking after her son. "I have to go back." He said, shrugging his shoulders so that his pack would fit more comfortably. "I have a family to look after."

"What? See here-"

"Goodbye," Taiki said suddenly, and he walked down the familiar path. "… Mother. I'll visit again when I can."

The dog continued to follow her previous master. Once she reached a certain spot, she couldn't walk further. She was bound to this house, bound to her mistress.

Master! Master!

The dog realized she can't be heard, and she sat down. Her ears twitched; they followed her tail, and drooped.

Many days seemed to pass, and the dog stayed in the same spot. She grew bigger, large. Her fur turned black, and she seemed to glow blue. She continued to grow, and to sit in that spot. Her mistress ignored her, seemed to forget about her side of the promise.

Then she turned and went into the house.

And then

A scream.

.

.
.

--

An Inugami… that goes bad… is hard to get rid of.

It will continue… to haunt its creator…

Until it is properly exorcised,

Or until… it's blood thirst has been quenched.


Disclaimer: 'Mononoke' (c) Toei Animation

I do not, I repeat, DO NOT own this anime or the character 'Kusuriuri'.

A/N: ... In my personal opinion, I think this chapter and chapter 8 were very badly written (rushed).