"Speaking"
"Thinking"
Chapter five: Higure
Seijin opened the scroll to read the next clue. Go to the north to find the one with strong demon blood but the heart of a human, who has lost herself in her hate. "We must travel to the north to find the next member of the group." Seijin started walking and everyone just looked at each other before following.
In a forest north of the travelers.
I walked through the forest growling at anyone or anything. I caught sight of my reflection in a small pool of water but turned away from it. I knew what I looked like. I had black dog-ears on my head and hair that was half way down my back. I had a tail that had a streak of yellow down the middle with a line of red on each side and ice blue eyes.
"Stupid forest, stupid humans, stupid demons, stupid world!" I growled to myself. I paused when I saw a group of children playing around a lake enjoying their life. This made me even more annoyed and I felt a sharp pain. I glanced at them one last time and walked off, leaving them behind.
Most people hated me, I know, because I was something that didn't happen that often. I was the offspring of a full demon and a half demon, making me three quarters demon. Father had abandoned me at birth and my mother had been killed leaving me to be raised by a family of humans. But…the other villagers didn't like me bring in the village and they killed my adopted parents, hoping it would drive me away.
To most people I was known as Higure, 'Twlight'. Over the years my rage grew until it was all I knew. I didn't know if I hurt myself or anyone around me. I just…existed.
Back with the group.
The group had stopped to take a rest from walking when Yuki looked up to see Cho sitting in a tree relaxing and watching the stars. "Hey Cho, do you think will be able to find this person?"
Cho looked down at Yuki. Kouryou just sat in front of the fire cooking food while Seijin looked over the scroll again. "Of course we will." Cho put a smile on her face even though she felt that something was wrong.
"We have to." Kouryou softly. Sometime later they ate and went to sleep, not knowing what the day held for them
The sun came up and the group continued on. They found themselves in a deep forest that was filled with life, but had the scent of death looming over it. "So Seijin, any idea where we're going?" Cho asked looking around.
"We walk till we find what we're looking for. I have a feeling today is going to be hard day." He answered.
They walked through the forest and before much longer heard screaming and yelling from a village that was a short distance. They ran to the sound only to find a large black dog attacking the village. The dog turned its head and looked at them, growling. All of them but Cho took a defensive stance, ready to fight. But instead of attacking the dog just ran off back into the forest. The villagers calmed down and went repair the damage.
Yuki walked into the village and up to an old woman. "What was that?"
The old woman looked at her. "That my child was Higure. She is an angry demon and hates this village because years ago some villagers killed the family that had raised her from a pup. I'll tell you the whole story if you'd come with me."
The group followed the old women into a small hut, one of the few that wasn't damaged. "Where would you like me to start?" asked the old women.
"Tell us why she hates this village," Yuki said. The old women explain Higure's past and that she lived in the forest and once in a while attacked the village in anger.
The group stayed the night in the village helping repair and fixing what they could. When morning came the group left and went into the forest. The old woman had to them that Higure resided there.
I woke up to hear strangers walking towards where I was. "What are you doing in this forest?" I growled.
"We're looking for the one called Higure, we need to ask her something." A woman with long red hair claimed stepping in front of the others.
I jumped out of my tree and walked towards the group. They watched me carefully, the small man was frankly staring at my ears. "Well…you wanted to talk to me so stop staring and ask me your blasted question!" I snarled.
"First are you Higure?" asked one of the other girls, she had dark hair with streaks of blue.
"Yes, I'm Higure. Who wants to know?" I growled.
"We have been looking for you because we need your help in fighting a great evil." The small man said bowing.
"Why should I help anyone? I have no reason too, I could care less!" I said, glaring at the group.
"So you're not going to help us?" The girl with streaked hair asked incredulous.
"Why should I help anyone?" I answered.
"Because it's the right thing to do!" The other girl with lighter hair announced.
"I don't care if its right or wrong. I will not help you or anyone." I snarled as I threw a punch at the small light haired girl. She jumped away only to have me kick her in the gut. She quickly recovered and punched me in the jaw.
"Stop it you two!" The girl with streaked hair said and tried to get them to stop only to be thrown into a tree.
Fed up with the mindless fighting, the redheaded woman jumped in and threw me in one direction and the other girl in another.
I was the first one to get up. "I'm not helping you. I'm not going to save the world or this land. For all I care…the world can burn and be destroyed." I snarled and jumped into the trees and away from the group.
Back in the clearing they turned to each other. Cho looked back at where Higure had run off to and then back to the group. "Get the last warrior. I'll get Higure."