"Ahh…" Minori yawned, rubbing her eyes with her free hand. She had her back against the wolf, the big white fur warming her.
"Tired?" She nodded drowsily as the youkai laughed at her quietly. Surprisingly, he came to enjoy her visits. She came almost everyday, bringing him food and checking on his wound. He lost track of how long or how many times she visited. She usually came and sat down to paint in silence. The company of another was just enough for him, he didn't mind if they didn't talk. When she did talk, she was always in an upbeat mood and cheerful. She was truly an innocent and pure girl. Sometimes he considered on eating her but he'd be full from what she already had given him. Minori talked about her life in the village, the daily stuff that went on. She also warned him to be careful because an exorcist was out to get him.
He normally didn't like humans but she seemed to be the exception. She wasn't scared of him, didn't seek anything from him. The only times she used his name was in a conversation and she was talking to him. They had talks about all sorts of things. He asked about humans and she asked about youkai. He asked why humans were dumb and she asked why youkai were cruel.
"I didn't get too much sleep last night. My family decided to host the exorcist at our house for the week. They were up all night drinking and laughing. I wonder why do they have to drink in order to have fun. Adults are so weird." She let out a sigh and then looked up around the cave. She had decided to leave her painting materials and actual paintings in the cave with Madara. Paintings of people, rivers, trees and flowers were all over. Minori reached over and picked one up out of the pile. "Oh I remember this! It was my first painting here in the cave of you." She reached over and took the paint brush, dipping it in ink.
"Minori, what are you doing now?"
"You'll see, you'll see." Her voice came out softly like a hum and she giggled. Madara sighed lightly and patted her on the head with his paw. Minori turned to look at him, her eyes wide for a bit before she laughed. "Madara-san, I'm painting something right now. If you interrupt me or mess me up, I'll paint on your white fur."
"Hmph...Then I'll eat you."
"Haha I wonder what I'll taste like!"
"Should we have a go at it then?"
"Ahrm...No! I'll spill paint on myself if you try to and then I'll taste all icky."
"What a silly girl." He chuckled, peering over her shoulder to watch her. She painted a figure of a girl next to the wolf.
"There. Now he's not lonely and all by himself anymore." Minori nodded, proud of herself. "I wish I was you Madara… I could travel everywhere, see all the beautiful things. No one to tell me what I can or can't do. I'd go and paint the whole world with my heart!" The wolf gave her a strange look before giving a small laugh.
"What if I could take you? Would you go with me?" She seemed caught off guard by the question but didn't hesitate to give a nod. "What if I lied though and ate you?"
"Well, everyone has their time to go. Atleast I went trying to follow my dreams." Minori gave her usual, typical upbeat answer. His questions were meant to make her feel uneasy but she always saw through them. "When are you leaving?"
"Soon… Maybe even now. I can't stay here for too long."
"Ah, well before we leave I'm going to go grab a few extra supplies to bring. You might not need it but I probably will. Since I'm human." She got up, placing the drawings in the basket.
"You're going to take all your drawings with you?"
"Good point. I'll just take this one." Minori nodded and placed the painting of Madara in her basket. "I'll be back soon like always. I won't take long." She patted the wolf's nose, giggling since she knew it bothered him when she did that. She skipped her way out of the cave, walking down the forest pathway impatiently. She wanted to go and leave so badly with Madara. She would miss her parents of course and some of her friends, but she felt like she didn't belong there. She wanted to see the world and all it's wonders. This would be her only chance to go and do that and not be alone.
The village seemed a bit quieter that day to her but she ignored it. All she needed to do was grab a few more things and then she could leave with Madara. No sooner did she step inside her house, she was faced with her parents. They stood right in front of the entrance and blocked her way.
"Uhm...is something wrong?" Minori blinked, running a hand through her hair. What was wrong with them? They looked so serious. She noticed that the exorcist sat in a chair behind them. He was a nice man she thought. They had a few talks but that was it.
"Yes, Minori-chan. Come and sit down. We know you've been talking to that youkai beast. We had someone follow you." The exorcist gestured, talking casually. Her parents hesitated and stepped away to let Minori come through.
"What? You invaded my privacy!" The girl was infuriated quickly and raised her voice. The man raised a hand, trying to calm her down.
"Listen here...It was odd for you to be out and leaving everyday to go to the mountains."
"N-no it's not! I go up there to paint! My parents know this too! Mother, father say something! Why are you letting this?" Words seemed to fail her and all she could do was yell. Her parents looked at her grimly and also ashamed. They remained quiet for a moment as the couple looked each other in the eye before nodding.
"It's for the best. He'll get rid of the demon."
"Hush, hush. If people find out you were talking to him, they might think he's possessed you. They might think bad of you and try to kill you."
"No, don't do that! He's not bad! He hasn't done anything to us, leave him alone! I don't care what they say. Just don't kill him…" She began to sob, tears streaming down her face. Her parents reached out to her but she brushed them off. "No!"
"There's no use in talking to her. We'll just go straight ahead with our plans and into the forest." The exorcist sighed, standing up from his seat. He began to head towards the door but Minori shoved him. "Why you-"
"I won't let you!"
"Well, well. Looks like the young girl is already possessed. Why shouldn't we kill him? He's killed tons of humans, he's a monster. Don't tell me you think he's your friend. He was probably going to kill you too."
"I'm not possessed! I am perfectly capable of my own thoughts and actions! A-and he wouldn't have! Shut up!" There was no point in talking to them. She had to leave and tell Madara to run away before they attacked. Minori ran out the door, ignoring her parents calls for her. The sight she saw as she left, stopped her for a moment though. During that little talk, all the villagers had gathered together and carried weapons. All eyes crawled onto her and she shook her head, pushing through the crowd.
"Stop the girl! She is possessed by the demon!" The exorcist yelled, running outside also. The girl continued to push through, frantic. Everyone's faces, everyone she knew and grew up with, they all had the same dead and ashamed face. They knew her. She knew them. She prayed that they wouldn't but her prayers were lost as a hand reached out to grab her. Minori turned to look at her friend, Kaito, tears streaming.
"Let...go of me." She whispered, her voice shaking. The male shook his head and another hand reached out to grab her. "Let. Go. Of me!" Her whisper turned into a scream quickly as hands kept reaching and grabbed her harshly. "It hurts! It hurts, it hurts!" There was nothing that could stop the tears from falling as the exorcist approached her.
"There's nothing we can do to save her. She is already gone. We must kill her and put her spirit at rest that way." He pulled a dagger with a talisman, already beginning to chant mantras.
"No. No, no, no." She whimpered, fear shaking through her body. Someone stop him please. Someone. Anyone, why isn't anyone doing anything? Please, I'm scared. Madara-san… Minori closed her eyes, making a silent call to the youkai. I'm sorry. Leave. Leave without me and hurry!
"Minori!" The familiar voice made her open her eyes. Even the exorcist turned around to see who called out to the girl. Screams and shrieks arose from the crowd as the large youkai wolf flew down.
"Madara-san! Please leave!" Minori screamed but her voice was cut off as the exorcist grabbed her by the throat.
"See? She is with the youkai!" The madman yelled as he plunged the blade into her chest. Blood dripped as her body felt weak and weaker. She collapsed as he pulled away, charging at the beast now.
"Minori!" He called out again, pushing his way through and placing her body in his mouth to pick up. Arrows were shot at him but he shook them off, only a few truly getting to him. The youkai flew up and off, leaving with only a few injuries.
"Madara...I'm so sorry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry." She could barely whisper, tears falling and mixing with her blood. The wolf's face blurred in and out, a dizzy appearance and then everything went blank.
Alright the end of flashbacks now! Just some side notes
1) The story is sort of like a spin off of Little Red riding hood. When she first encounters Madara, the wolf, she is wearing a red kimono and is walking through the forest to grab some herbs. Her mother even warns her to be careful knowing she has a habit to get off track like in the folktale.
2) Minori did not grab the painting as she ran out. After her death, her parents kept it out of guilt and made sure that future generations would take care of it.
3) Yes, Madara is the one who buried her and he buried her in front of the cave.
There will be more! I will try to update a new chapter daily if possible