~Ch.8 New Ally~
I soon woke up screaming, which woke everyone else from their peaceful slumber. I panted and noticed I was sweating slightly. I looked outside and noticed it was morning anyway, so I sighed. The others tired asking me what my dream was about this time, but I didn't answer them. They had asked more than once and I was tempted to make them all sit, but there was only one out of three that could.
Weirdly enough, I heard a strong gust of wind coming toward the cave where we stayed. The wind came closer, and I saw what appeared to be a twister come in. The twister disappeared and replaced its presence with Riku from the other night. Cowering behind him was his younger sister, Hoshi. Almost immediately, Satoshi got up and walked over to Hoshi. Man, could get this guy get a break?
"Satoshi…please, not this again," I said in annoyance.
"What're you talking about, Yuki?" Hoshi asked me in confusion.
"Don't mind her, miss. Now, would you mind telling me your name?" Satoshi charmed.
"The name's Riku and I would appreciate it if you would keep your hands off of my little sister," Riku started to threaten while getting in front of Hoshi.
"Well, if it isn't you again, stupid wolf. Why the hells are you here, anyway?" Kei asked Riku.
"I was on my way in searching for Akuma until I heard my Yuki scream."
"I'm not by any means yours, Riku!" I exclaimed coldly.
I looked over at Satoshi and Ushio, who looked very confused by this encounter. I remembered that the two hadn't met Riku and Hoshi last night. While Kei and Riku started to argue, I told them about last night's encounter. Also, while I was telling the story, Satoshi couldn't stop looking at Hoshi.
I looked over at Kei and Riku, who were still arguing. They were starting to get on my nerves, but before I could even say 'sit', a very loud slap echoed throughout the cave. All of us turned to Satoshi and Ushio. She apparently slapped Satoshi right in the face, probably to get him out of his lovesick trance. At least everyone finally shut up for now.
"What was that for, Ushio?" Satoshi shouted at his sister, who seemed very shocked.
"Stop being so lovesick, okay?" Ushio shouted back, making Satoshi fluster.
"…anyway, what brings you here, Riku and Hoshi?" I asked the two in a serious tone.
"As I was saying, I was on the hunt for Akuma. I thought that Akuma had come to you guys when I heard Yuki scream," Riku explained.
"How do you know of Akuma? Do you hold some kind of grudge against him?" Satoshi asked him in a serious manner, for once.
"Yeah, I hold a grudge. He killed our pack of wolves one day in the forest! No one does that to my comrades!"
"So what about you guys? Do you hold a grudge against Akuma?" Hoshi asked us four.
"Yeah…he's been torturing me while I dream, coming after me because I have the Sacred Jewel in my stomach, and I hate putting my friends in danger… Also, he took my foster mother…" I explained.
I looked at everyone and they looked at me with a worried expression on their faces. I gave them all a confused look, but they didn't talk at all for a while. I already knew it was going to be another one of those awkward moments, but I didn't expect it to be this awkward. I was just about to break the silence, but Hoshi decided to do it for me.
"Looks like we both have a goal, Yuki. Say…could I join you guys?" Hoshi asked us four with adorable begging eyes.
"Why do you want to join us? Wouldn't you be with Koga and Ayame, your parents?" Kei asked suddenly.
"Our parents asked us both to find reinforcements to get revenge for our wolves. Also, if one of us asks first, the other has to stay behind and look after the others. I'm sorry, Riku, but you have to stay here."
"No, why can't you stay here? You're still too young and I want to be with my Yuki!" Riku objected.
"Quit complaining and go back home, Riku! Besides, you can't have Yuki because she likes someone else other than you and he happens to be in this room~"
Riku's eyes showed frustration and confusion. He got up and shot Kei a death glare, and soon left the cave without another word. I was slightly confused and full with relief that Riku left all of us alone. I thanked Hoshi for driving Riku away, and she just laughed. Hoshi explained that's how she always drives her brother away, by revealing something that he could never accomplish.
I grabbed my backpack and saw everyone else get up as well. We all soon started to depart from the safety of the cave, and started walking towards the nearest village. I looked back at Hoshi, who was smiling like she was thankful for joining us. I giggled lightly, hoping no one would hear, but Kei and Hoshi did. They both gave me confused looks, which made me laugh even more.
"What the hell is so funny?" Kei asked stubbornly.
"Hoshi looks happy to come with us, aren't ya?" I asked her.
"So what if I am? I actually get to have freedom!" Hoshi exclaims.
"I can't argue there. Say, have you ever seen Akuma in person?"
"Yeah…almost the spitting image of Naraku, but the only difference is Akuma's more dangerous and cruel than Naraku. I still know his scent, and we're not too far from it. He reeks of miasma."
"Would he happen to be near the village?"
"Yeah, and it's the forest ahead of the village. That's where he might be hiding. By the way, what are your guy's grudges against him anyway?"
"…I'd rather not talk about it now, okay? Let's just get to the village," Kei spoke up, leaving all of us speechless.
Hoshi looked at him in confusion, but shrugged it off. I looked at him and decided to walk next to him. I patted his shoulder, reassuring that it's going to be okay. I used to do this for Hiromi; whenever she had bad days or stuff that she didn't want to say, I always either gave her a hug or a pat on the shoulder. I don't know why I do this, but I just felt the need to. Soon enough, we were already in the village.
