Not abandoned I swear!


The next morning, when Keigo awoke, he was greeted with empty bedding. The fire had embers still flickering, as if a few hours ago, someone had tended them. He scanned his surroundings and smiled slightly at another small woven pouch next to a small colorful rock. A gift?

He was honestly thankful for it. For one it proved yesterday actually happened and he hadn't gone insane. Secondly, itt would help keep his energy up without the need for hunting. Yet a small frown appeared. He wished to speak with her more. He was absolutely curious to learn more about her. She seemed to be interested in his knowledge of things, and willingness to share as well.

It didn't take long for him to pack his things. He made sure to snuff the fire fully, and cover with snow as well. But before he took off in flight, he paused. Maybe he should walk for now. In case she came back. Should he leave markers? No, she seemed like she could hunt, if she were a daemon she would have no issues tracking him. He paused. But just in case she were human then he would leave noticeable tracks.

He nodded to himself, and began walking towards his desired direction. Wings puffed up, yet tucked close to him for warmth. He rubbed gloved hands together and puffed lightly, watching the air curl as if smoking. He wouldn't mind sharing his bedding again. It was nice to share the body heat, and not nearly freeze, even with the fire like he does some nights.

—--

Izuku had woken before the sun broke the horizon. She woke up warm. The strange feeling of skin like hers was curious. There was this pocket of warmth under the bedding they were covered with from their body heat. The heat under the bedding was as comfortable as when she bed down with Mother. Despite the warmth, she pulled herself from the bedding carefully, mourning slightly as the brisk cold air hit her skin.

She carefully took a stone from her neck and sat it next to another pouch of berries and nuts. A gift for warmth.

She took a moment and carefully stoked the fire and added more deadwood, as he had shown her last night. Feeling utter joy and slight awe as the fire sputtered back to life ever so slightly. Enough to last a little longer hopefully.

She redressed in her accessories and deerskin and left. Her steps felt lighter, despite the hefty skin wrapped around them. It was a pleasant feeling.

After several hours of traveling, the sun was about mid way, when she finally reached her previous supplies.She managed to quickly bundle everything and tie anything extra to her back or hips before she left. Despite the white ground, her skin was easily being warmed by the sun.

As she traveled back in the direction she came, she couldn't help but wonder about her experience. Would this being be the first of many she encountered? She doubted all would be docile. Not all animals are alike after all.

Eventually she came upon the old clearing and was satisfied that the gift was taken, and the fire was completely gone. She tilted her head in confusion though. On the opposite side of the clearing there were obviously broken branches and tracks. It had not snowed,and the sun wasn't exactly hot enough to melt anything away, so it was easy to spot.

Did he walk? Why would he walk instead of fly? How strange. How curious. Was he hunting more to restock before he went on fully?

She curiously began following the trail. As she did so, the moon was what lit her path. Though tired, she had taken on the task of making another knife, sharpening antler and stone. Testing it, she pricked her finger and was satisfied when it immediately pierced her skin and a drop of blood rolled out. She locked her finger so as to not waste her life blood.

Her attention is easily divided between walking and carving. Easily stepping over large roots and sharp rocks that could easily rio open her flesh. It was not something she would appreciate happening again

As she meandered, following the trail by moonlight, she came across a deer skeleton. She almost didn't notice it, as it was covered in snow and dead branches. It easily blended with the snow.

She debated it for a moment, before deciding to take a break and uncover the gift that the forest just bestowed her. She took her time uncovering it and took bones she would need in the future and tied them to her waist. She paused when she saw the antlers coming from the skull and tilted her head.

After several moments she untied the antlers she had woven into her hair, and tied them to her waist. She took the skull and turned it in her hands a few times thinking of adorning it. It was beautiful. The bone looked bleached from the sun. The skull nose had been chewed off but most of it was intact, which was rare.

The moon lit her area as she chipped away at the sharp bits. Her eyes lit up as it slowly came to an easier and flesh friendly shape. After several moments she finally attached it to her head. She winced as a sharp piece of bone cut her cheek. Taking it off, she quickly rectified the issue and reattached it.

She breathed in the musky smell deeply before letting out a sigh. Despite it still having antlers it wasn't as heavy as what she had attached to her hair prior. It wasn't very hard to see out of it, but it was something that would take getting used to.

The skull reminded her of the bones that burst from her Mother's being. Stark white, glistening in the sun or moonlight. She chirped.

She made sure the bone protruded enough, and chipped away around the eyes as well, so that her vision wouldn't be affected. But she couldn't help but wish she could morph as her Mother. Then her eyes could form from split skin, and see much around her. But alas she could not. So she would adapt. As all animals do.

After some tampering, she managed to keep it secure by tying sinew and an incredibly thin strip of skin on each side of the skull. The strong but small bone behind the eye was perfect. After she was fully done she felt much more satisfied.

Izuku sighed as the breeze seemed to brush her face, as if Mother's hand. She smiled and bent down near a tree to her side. Her hand grazed the large root protruding from the ground. She breathed in slowly and felt the forest. And it felt like a buzzing energy despite the quiet surrounding her.

Standing, she continued to walk. She was not in a hurry. There was no need to be. At one point she closed her eyes, letting her arms rest, and sang with the birds. A small smile on her face as she thought of Mother. She missed her dearly. It was a wonder when she would see her again.

Izuku felt tired. Her feet were sore from the cold, and her skin was tingling, nearly burning and numb. Her excitement was irresponsible of her. Her human flesh could only take so much of the cold. She knew better than to travel at night in this cold. But that curiosity burned, and made her keep walking. Yet she was relieved when the sky started to brighten as the sun rose again.

She had lost the tracks through heavy snow. Even walking in the same direction, it was as if the tracks disappeared completely, and then reappeared a short bit later. She wondered if he would fly short distances? And if that's why she had yet to come across him again. Yet despite this, it seemed purposeful.

It was midday when she was pulled from her mind, as a strange noise echoed through the trees.

Her head tilted and she listened intently. Something was making too much noise. Water? A bear? Hmm. It sounded much too strange. Maybe a large cat? It was unfamiliar. Not the sounds of play or hunt that she was accustomed to, from the predators she shared the forest with. She wondered if it could be the winged being.

She only had to mull it over for a moment before deciding it was most likely the winged being from before. She turned slightly and started in a new direction.

As she approached, she slowed and felt slightly amused.

Keigo was across the small river bed. He was crouching on the edge of the bank with a large makeshift spear in hand. She stared. What was he doing? Just as she thought that, he made a sudden movement and pulled the spear from the water, with a small fish flopping on the other side. She raised a hand to her cheek and smiled. He seemed so pleased with his catch.

Her head tilted as he walked away with the small fish. His back was turned to her, but she saw him bend over and within a few minutes a sudden flash, and flame took root at the small bundle of wood stacked together.

She frowned when the man put the fish over the fire. It darkened before her eyes and her nose scrunched at the smell of burning fish that wafted her way.

The fish was quickly devoured and the man went right back to the water. This time failing to catch anything. He waited by the shore for a long time, and after several times, still seemed unable to catch anything else.

Her heart beat quickly but it was hard not to be concerned. How could one eat if they couldn't hunt? He seemed capable enough, so she wondered why he didn't simply go into the water. The fish normally stayed deep, during the cold. The sun was getting low, that's how long she's been watching the failed hunt.

He seemed to give up before meandering over to its belongings by the dwindled fire. It plopped to the ground and after some rummaging she paused at the site of brightly colored berries in his hand. Within seconds she swiped a rock from the ground and hurled it across the river, hitting the ground at his feet.

He jumped up scanning the area.

He caught sight of her and he seemed to pause. He went rigid for a moment, but then seemed to relax. It dawned on her that she still had the skull on her face. She slipped it up to test on her head. He seemed to have a small smile grace his lips, as he raised a hand and waved

"You are welcome to join me!"

He yelled across the bank. She chirped. Once again, she took off her pouches and rolls of skin hanging from her body as well as her pouches and set them in the riverbank, and entered the water.

She submerged herself, and within moments came up with a large fish in her sharpened teeth and a smaller one in her right hand. She edged her way to the other side of the bank. With a sharp clench of her jaws, she stopped the fierce wiggling, and dropped the dead fish. Despite the freezing temperatures, the water was long thawed as winter came to a close. It's water was cold, but the sun helped keep it reasonable. Any colder and she wouldn't have touched the waters edge at all.

"I can't say I'm not jealous. Are you cold? Come by the fire. The chill must have sunk into your bones by now. "

She tilted her head and picked up the fish and followed him to the fire. Instead of sitting, she dropped the fish at his feet. He looked at her questioningly.

"Do not eat those berries, I will be back in a moment."

She turned towards the waters edge again, and pulled the skull off, setting it aside, and easily sank into the water, this time swimming to the other side. She gathered most of her supplies and bundled it on top of her head as she carefully waded back towards the other side. Thankfully, she managed not to get her hides or belongings wet.

Keigo was careful not to touch her, but seemed to hurry her to the fire. He then tried to give her one of his soft covers, which she recognized from his bedding. She declined. She knew how important dry bedding was in this cold. Instead she dried herself off with a spare rabbit's skin, and rung her out. The cold was much worse out of the water than in. She couldn't help but shiver slightly.

"Please take this. At least to get warmed up. I promise that it won't be a problem."

His golden eyes were narrowed, the black lining around his eyes making them stand out more. He seemed to be slightly upset. She finally lamented, and took the fabric from his hands. She wrapped herself, and sat adjacent to him across the fire. He seemed more settled and less tense than a few moments ago.

"Thank you, Keigo."

He nodded and grabbed the two fish she had previously discarded. He appeared with them and before he placed them on the fire, she raised a hand in his direction. She shook her head slightly.

"May I have the smaller one?"

He didn't question her, and handed over the stick with the smaller fish on it. Placing his over the fire, he couldn't help but pause for a moment when she bit into it raw with sharpened teeth. He shook his head slightly. Definitely some sort of daemon thing

As he cooked over the fire, she listened to him talk, while listening eagerly. He answered any questions she had, and she had a lot of them. Thoroughly explaining to make sure she fully understood.

He eventually finished his meal, but eventually he motioned to the berries to the right of the fire.

"I was wanting to ask, what's wrong with the berries? Do you know their effects? You seemed adamant about not eating them. I'm only curious because I've seen the animals eat them."

She nodded and picked up the berries and walked a small distance before scattering them. She walked back and handed him the small pouch.

"The forest animals adore these berries. But if your body is like mine, it is not equipped to handle them. Mother had me eat a few when I was young so I fully understood. They cause an intense but short window of illness."

"Ah. I understand then. Thank you then. And thank you for the fish as well. I can hunt, but animals seem scarce in these parts. The fish were too deep for me to catch as well. So I thank you for helping me."

She nodded and stayed quiet. She was glad he could not hunt in a sense. Maybe she could teach him to forage? Properly. As to not take so much from the forest.

Her eyes raised and she watched the sky. The sun would be sinking beyond the horizon soon. She scanned their area and came to the conclusion they should not stay. Not that she would force the being. But at least recommend they leave the area with her.

"You have set-up too close to the water. There are many tracks in this area. Of prey and predator alike. I am moving further into the forest to rest. Will you be joining me?"

He gave a quick nod and began putting out the fire. She stood and set the blanket to her side and began grabbing her belongings, and put back on the wrappings of skin around her feet and hung her belongings from her body. She suddenly wondered if just maybe she was being too trusting. She raised her head and watched Keigo packing up, she sensed no I'll will. Just curiosity that she shared.

She felt much more comfortable during this second meeting. Still in amazement, but soaking up knowledge and conversation with him was intriguing. There are many things she would want to discuss with Mother about as well.

After she was satisfied that he had disposed of the fire fully, she turned and began walking. Keigo followed dutifully behind her. As they walked he scanned her fully. This is the first time he's seen her back. She had fur wrapped around her currently, covering most of her skin, which in his opinion, couldn't be enough to keep the cold at bay. All the skin he could see was also covered in light colored scars from behind, most looking like they were from a young age. Her hair looked mildly well kept in a long braid falling just below the back ok her knees. It was emerald green just as her eyes.

She has a new accessory adorning her head that she hadnt had last time, a skull that was pushed up resting on her scalp. It had made his heart stop for a moment when he saw her across the water earlier. Thinking he had come across a more demonic being. But within a moment he was easily able to recognize her form, despite the bulk she carried with her.

Despite her load and the fact that she had thin wrappings on her feet in the snow, she was hard to keep up with. He wondered how she hadn't caught up much sooner, but then wondered just how far away her belongings were, and how far did she have to travel? He would imagine with this pace, far. He was more adept at traveling by flight and only stopping for short periods.

Trying to keep pace was a pain, but he was intrigued. They slowed and she came to a stop. She motioned to the base of a tree.

"This will be safer. I see no territorial markings from the larger animals."

He nodded and accepted her explanation. He should probably be more hesitant but felt no ill will from her. He started digging out a small area and clearing the way to light another fire. Though she's been distanced, she inched forward slightly as the warmth cut through the cold that wrapped around her skin. Once the bedding was prepped he nodded towards it.

"Will you join me tonight as well? It is cold. Warmth shared between bodies helps stave off the cold, as you have seen before."

After a sharp cold breeze came through, causing her to shiver herself, she agreed. As much as she was with the forest, her body was still mostly human. Traveling so long in the cold was taking its toll on her. She could barely feel her fingers or toes.

The night ended as it had before. The both of them, carefully keeping a certain distance between them. She was quick to feel comfort in such warmth.

As she drifted off, the shadows flickered and she spotted movement. Not an animal but something else, her mind supplied. She wondered if Mother was communing with the shadows, and knew of her whereabouts?