Chapter 3

A Stray, the Girl in the Snow and the Demon Slayer

Nayuki steps inside her home, carrying the girl on her back. It was difficult cause of the weight on her, but she had no choice.

"I'm…home…" Nayuki breathes.

Akiko rushes toward the entrance, a concerned expression on her face. "Ara…Nayuki what happened?" She notices the girl on her back. "What on Earth…?"

"Ahaha…it's a very long story, Okaa-san…" Nayuki replies.

Akiko smiles a gentle smile. "First let's get this girl to the guest room. She looks very tired."

"Way ahead of you, Okaa-san," Nayuki may have strong legs, but from her upper body strength, it could use some work.

Akiko and Nayuki gently place the stray girl to bed, tuck her in and quietly close the door. They step into the kitchen for Nayuki to get out the treats Akiko wanted, plus the taiyaki she bought. While doing that, the bluenette explains everything that happened this afternoon.

Akiko seems shocked by the name "Ayu" though. "Ayu…chan….?"

"I had that same reaction!" Nayuki says. "I do not know when I heard that name."

But Akiko is deep in thought. The name "Ayu" seems to be triggering something. However, she doesn't know if Nayuki would remember that.

"Could it be…from that dream…?" Akiko says to herself.

"Okaa-san?" Nayuki asks, having a look of concern.

The violet haired woman snaps out of it and just smiles. "Nothing, dear. Just thinking. Anyways…about the girl…"

"Yeah ummm.." Nayuki slumps into her seat. "I couldn't just leave her there. I had to take her home."

"It's alright~" Akiko says gently sliding a hand to put on top of her daughter's. "You did the right thing. However, it is important that we must talk to the police to see if there is anything that will help us look for her family. She cannot stay here forever."

"That's true…." Nayuki returns the smile. "You're the best, Okaa-san~"

"Until then, we must help her as much as we can," Akiko says. "When she is fully recovered, we will go from there."

Nayuki nods in agreement. Her mother is so kind and so easy-going. She isn't the type to lash out at people but sometimes has the right to be a bit angry. However, strangely enough, Akiko seemed completely fine with her daughter bringing in a stray. So it isn't all bad. Nayuki is relieved about that, but she has other problems she needs to deal with.

Later*

When the girl finally wakes up, the very first thing Akiko and Nayuki did is feed her some food. Lots of food that Akiko cooked while she was sleeping. The girl happily eats whatever was served to her. She is like a princess right now.

"So…how about telling me your name first?" Nayuki asks.

"I don't remember," the girl replies and takes another bite of food.

"Oh, boy…" Nayuki sighs. She knows exactly what that means. Amnesia.

"Ara…this is more difficult than I thought," Akiko says softly, cupping a hand to her cheek.

"Ummm…what DO you remember exactly?" Nayuki asks.

"I only remember holding a grudge against you," The girl says as she begs for some more food. "Whatever that means."

"A grudge?" Nayuki questions. "I have no idea who you are or how I met you. You really must be mistaken for someone else."

"That's not true!" The girl pouts. "I am very sure that you are the one I should see!"

Nayuki sighs again. This girl. She can be a total brat.

"Nayuki and I agreed until you fully recover, you are allowed to stay here," Akiko points out. "In the meantime, I will try to see if anyone can help us find this girl, if we know her name first."

Nayuki just nods and looks at the happy girl, eating away like there's no tomorrow. She definitely has no idea if she even has seem this girl in her life.

Next Day*

"Haaaaah…" Nayuki sighs as she puts her head on her desk.

"What's the problem now?" Kaori says as she walks up to her. "Dreams again?"

"Worse than that…" Nayuki groans, not wanting to lift her head. "I brought in a stray girl cause she's lost and hungry. Before that, I met a girl that wanted a treat, so I helped her buy one. And now, Okaa-san and I are trying to figure out where the stray girl belongs."

"That's gotta be rough," Kaori says. "Do you even know this girl's name?"

"She has amnesia," Nayuki groans again.

"Ouch," Kaori sweat drops.

"Yeah." The bluenette turns her head to the window. Honestly, this is going to be very stressful once she gets home.

Later*

"Nayuki-chan!" Ayu comes running toward the bluenette as soon as school gets out. She is in the middle of a tree lined path just 20 feet away from the school.

"Ayu-chan?" Nayuki says. "What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to come see you!" Ayu jumps up and down happily. "And now I found you!"

"How did you know where to find me?" Nayuki asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Ugu…!" Ayu squeaks and stands there frozen, like she got caught sneaking a cookie from the cookie jar. "Well umm…"

"Were you following me?" Nayuki asks, leaning down toward the small girl. "Come on. Tell me the truth…"

"Uguuu…!" Ayu whines. "Alright, alright! I get it! I just wanted to know more about you! So I kinda…followed you to and from school…"

"Haaaah…why do such a thing…?" Nayuki sighs heavily. "Anyways, what do you need?"

"I wanna spend time with you!" Ayu says. "Let's have fun, okay?"

"I would love to, but I got important business to attend to," Nayuki says with a weak smile.

"Awwww!" Ayu whines. "Alright. If you say so." She starts to turn around and walk away. However, she doesn't see a tree that's in front of her and crashes into it. "Owwwwww…!"

Nayuki tries to stifle a giggle. "Pffft! Ayu-chan, you're so silly! Hahahaha!"

"Uuuuguuuuuu!" Ayu cries as she turns toward the laughing bluenette. "You're a meanie!"

However, Nayuki's laughing stops when she sees a girl with shoulder-length dark brown hair and wearing a plaid cloak around her clothing. She is on her knees in front of some small snow bunnies.

"Are you alright…?" Nayuki asks.

"Oh…yes, I'm fine," The short haired brunette is soft spoken. "I was just enjoying making snow bunnies." She picks one of her finished work and holds it out to her. "Do you want one…?"

"Snow bunny, hm?" Nayuki says as she gently accepts it. "Sure. I'll let my mom know so we can let it stay cold for a while."

"Ohhhh! Let me give it a try!" Ayu kneels down and grabs a bunch of snow. "Uhhhhh…how do I do this…?"

"It's very simple~" The short haired brunette grabs some small leaves and red berries. "Go like this. And then attach these to the little snowball."

She helps Ayu attach the leaves for the ears and the red berries for eyes.

"Wow! That's so cute!" Ayu squeals excitedly. "Let's make some more!"

"Sure thing~" The short haired brunette says.

Nayuki smiles. It seems that this girl is doing all the work for her. "I would love to stay and chat, but I really got to go."

"Alright," the short haired brunette says. "Take care~"

"Ah, wait!" Ayu stands up. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

"If you want to, I'd be happy to," Nayuki replies.

"Yaaaay! I look forward to it!" Ayu cheers and then goes back to helping the short haired brunette make a few more snow bunnies.

Nayuki nods and then turns to leave.

Later*

"Ara~" Akiko welcomes her daughter back. "Good news, Nayuki! This girl remembers her name now~"

"Oh really~?" Nayuki says excitedly and then the blonde rushes next to Akiko.

"Yup! And the name is…Makoto Sawatari!" The girl announces with a finger pointed up in the air.

"Makoto…Sawatari-san…?" Nayuki repeats slowly.

"Oh, yes! Lovely name, isn't it~?" Makoto puts both hands on her hips, puffing out her chest as if she is claiming victory.

"A lovely name for sure~" Akiko says, cupping a hand to her cheek.

Nayuki nods in agreement. "Not going to lie. I like that name. Well then…" She holds out her hand. "Nice to meet you…Makoto-chan. My name is Nayuki Minase~"

The blonde blushes and reaches out to gently grip on Nayuki's hand. "Nice to meet you…Nayuki."

Akiko clasps her hands together, smiling happily. "Awww, the two of you are getting along so well~"

Next Day*

"I'm off~" Nayuki says as she puts on her boots.

"Where is she going?" Makoto asks.

"I'm heading to school," Nayuki says. "You stay here with Okaa-san. She will keep you company."

"Of course~" Akiko says. "Let's get to know each other for a bit okay? It's like having another daughter~"

"Daughter!?" Makoto squeaks.

"Ara, ara~" Akiko clasps her hands together. "Hey, since we're at it, you can be Nayuki's little sister. How does that sound?"

"Ehhhhh!?" Makoto squeaks again.

Nayuki chuckles nervously. "Well…at least we are treating her like she's part of the family…~"

She leaves the house and starts walking to school. However, on the way, she sees a stray cat hanging out on a wall of her neighbor's. It's so small and cute and Nayuki cannot help but gush over it. She is like she is under hypnosis.

"Such a cute kitty~!" Nayuki squeals. "Come here! Come here, little kitty!" Then she stops herself. "No…! This is suicide! Ohhhh…I always forget that I'm extremely allergic to cats! But that thing is so cute though! I don't wanna walk away without petting it first…!"

She runs up to it and jumps up and down to try and at least scratch its ears.

"Here, here, little kitty~!" Nayuki says and the cat meows in response. "Come here! Here~!"

Later*

Nayuki's eyes water non-stop. She whines at her eyes stinging like crazy. Kaori face palms and nervously chuckles.

"You can never help yourself, could you~?" She teases.

"I regret it this time…!" Nayuki whimpers.

"Yeah, yeah…" Kaori pats her on the back. "Listen, why don't you go to the nurse's office so she can give you some medicine?"

"That's a great idea….sniff…" Nayuki stumbles out of her seat and heads toward the nurse's office.

Later*

Nayuki is on her way home, her eyes finally stopped watering. She walks in town to at least get a snack since she missed most of school. She is about to make a right when she sees Ayu standing next to the taiyaki stand. Nayuki smiles as she knows exactly what the small girl wants. She promised her to spend time with Ayu at some point since yesterday. She does have time to spare before going home.

"Ayu-chan!" Nayuki calls and the petite brunette turns and smiles.

"Oh, hi, Nayuki-chan!" Ayu waves. "I was just about to ask for taiyaki~"

"Leave it to me~" Nayuki asks for two pieces and hands one of them to Ayu.

The petite girl happily eats it and Nayuki eats her own. They take a walk toward a bench and enjoy their delicious treats.

"Is there anything you want to know about me today?" Nayuki asks.

"Hmmm…well…" Ayu thinks as she takes another bite. "What your family is like? What you do as a hobby?"

"I live with my mother and I'm an only child," Nayuki says. "I'm also quite skilled runner. I am on the track and field team."

"Wow! So you go, like, super fast~?" Ayu exclaims.

"Not as fast," Nayuki says. "But just so that I don't get out of breath so easily."

"Wow! You're so cool!" Ayu comments as she finishes the last of her taiyaki. "Say, if I may, I want to be like you!"

Nayuki laughs. "Be like me~? How so?"

"You're so cool and beautiful!" Ayu says. "And you are a fast runner! Maybe one day, both of us can run together if I train hard enough~"

"Wait, wait, wait~" Nayuki chuckles. "Aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself? Besides, you can be whatever you want to be. You don't have to rely solely on what I do."

"But I want to~" Ayu says as she scoots closer. "Because you are the one who I look up to the most~!"

"Eh!?" Nayuki almost drops her taiyaki at those words. "I-I'm flattered but…I barely know you!"

"Don't worry~" Ayu says. "You will know me plenty soon enough~"

"What do you mean?" Nayuki asks.

Ayu hops off the bench. "Well, I better go. I will see you tomorrow!"

"Eh!?" Nayuki gasps as the petite girl takes off. "I haven't even finished my taiyaki yet…" She looks at her treat to see that it's half-eaten. "Oh well. I guess I'll finish it on the way home."

She grabs her school bag and realizes something about its weight. "Huh? I thought I had everything." She checks the contents and then groans. "Ohhh…I forgot my notes. Guess I'll have to go back…"

She starts walking back to the school as she finishes her taiyaki. Missing a half a day at school can be pretty stressful. And then forgetting her own notes is just the worst thing to happen. She wants to hit herself for being so stupid. She texts her mother that she will be out a little later to get her notes she forgotten and she got a reply of,

"Stay safe, dear~"

Night falls as soon as she gets to the school. Nobody is around and she looks in her homeroom classroom. Thankfully, her notes are hidden underneath the desk, way in the back. Nobody seemed to notice, which was strange, but she considers herself lucky tonight. She grabs her notes, puts them in her school bag and then heads for the long hallway. It's dark, but the light of the moon is a little helpful. Still though, Nayuki is scared. She is starting to hear things that she doesn't normally hear. She walks faster but the noises keep getting closer. Nayuki looks around in fear, wondering where in the world are these noises coming from.

She feels something blow past her, but it's not the wind. The windows aren't even open. She frantically looks back and forth to see where this unknown object is trying to attack her. She hears growling sounds next, making her even more afraid.

"Nooooo…!" Nayuki shuts her eyes tightly. "Show yourself! I don't wanna be attacked like this…!"

Just then…a female voice cries out, "Stay back!"

A familiar person rushes in with a sword in her hand and lunges toward an invisible creature. She swings her sword back and forth at a very fast motion and then slashes downwards. She then charges and performs a diagonal slash.

Nayuki falls on her behind, seeing this with her very own eyes. "It's…Mai Kawasumi…!" She says to herself. "But who or what in the world is she fighting…?"

The invisible creature roars as it tries to pounce on Mai. The stoic girl doesn't give it a chance. She charges forward and slashes back and forth at a very fast pace and then slashes downwards. She then swings her sword like a bat as a last attack and the invisible creature vanishes. When it's all over, Mai relaxes her stance.

"M-Mai…!" Nayuki says. "Thanks for saving me! But…but…what were you doing? What are those things!?"

"Those things you saw…are demons…" Mai turns to the cute bluenette, her stoic expression looking down at her. "And I…hunt and destroy demons."

Nayuki's eyes widen. Just what is this world coming to?