It was a cool fall day in the small town. The leaves were starting to change colors and the sun was rising for a new day. Buildings were small and spread out, barely any pavement besides some brick roads. There were about less than 200 people residing there. The small town had their average size farmers market at the center of town with small booths scattered around the town. The fruits and vegetables were always fresh and baked goods smelled lovely. Some booths are selling homemade ideas, spices, and tools as well. There weren't a lot of buildings that weren't inns, homes, or restaurants so businesses relied on the farmers market. The town didn't have a lot of money but it was home to one of the best private schools in the area.
The young hybrid girl swings happily on the dragon's arm. She's about 5 years old and was noticeably getting muscular. Her horn and tucks were getting bigger and more defined. The cut horn grew at a longer rate compared to her other. She is happy and excited about her very first day of school with only humans. She's never been around non-monster or non-magical kids before so it was exciting to her. You was wearing a school uniform so her wings and tail weren't out.
"You, you got to hide your horns and tail. Humans don't really know us monsters exist and we want to keep it that way." Yohane doesn't want to start mass panic on something that was easily avoidable.
"Yes, papa!" You has the ability to retract her physical monster features, unlike most monsters where it's impossible to. "You think I will make friends?" You looked up at Yohane with excitement.
"I'm sure you can! Also, don't forget, we are going to see the monks today. I'll pick you up its time." You dropped down.
"But isn't that the middle of the day?" Yohane gave You her school bag.
"It's right when school ends so you wouldn't miss a thing ok bub?" You nodded.
They approach the small schoolhouse. It was an old building but is well kept. You immediately ran inside. "Hey don't run!" Yohane walking inside. She noticed the classroom was very small. There were at least ten kids already there. A young lady with red hair walks up to her.
"Hello there! You must be Tsushima-san!"
"Y-yes I am, You's guardian." Yohane suddenly got really nervous talking to her. Who could blame her? The young lady in front of her was absolutely stunning. She tries to act like herself but she is having a hard time right now.
"My name is Riko Sakurauchi. I'm the assisting teacher here." She might as well have been a teacher, she was the only one actively working with the students.
"Pleasure to meet you. I will pick her up at the end of the day." You waved at Yohane as she leaves. A small handful of children came in before the bell rang for the start of school.
"Alright, everyone. Let's start by introducing ourselves. Why don't we start with you You-chan." You went to her seat and stay standing while the others sat down.
"M-my name is You Tsushima and I like to climb trees and I'm training to be the best warrior in all of the land!" You flexed her bicep to show off her strength. Some of the other students started laughing at her. Mostly male students.
"What?! You really think a girl can be stronger than a man! Girls are supposed to be doing girly things!" A boy from the back of the class shouted out.
You looked down feeling a bit ashamed. She doesn't understand why humans are responding like that. Or understand what "girly things" are for that matter. She never once thought that humans would make fun of her for wanting to be a warrior. She doesn't think men are stronger than women and vice versa. She saw everyone as equals like the guild teaches everyone.
"Hey, that was mean! You don't talk to someone like that! Especially about someone's dreams!" A blonde-haired girl said. You felt a little better for one of her peers to stand up for her.
"Now children, Mari-chan is right. You don't talk to someone like that. Everyone has a dream they want to achieve so it's not nice to talk down on someone about it." Riko lectures.
You sat down feeling a lot better. "Ok Mari-chan, you're up." Mari stood up.
"My name is Mari Ohara and I like to ride my beautiful white horse named Rider!" You was in awe. She always wanted to ride a horse. Eventually, everyone introduced themselves and they were sent off to play with each other for a little bit.
You was approached by Mari. "Hey there Tsushima-san!" She sat down next to her.
"Hi, Ohara-san." You waved at her.
"You want to be friends? You can show me how to climb a tree and we can ride on my horse!" You beamed in excitement.
"Yes! We are going to have so much fun!" They started to play and get along with each other. They had an instant connection that both of them feel but can't explain.
Before they know it, it was time for school to end. Yohane was there to pick You up. "Have a good first day?" Yohane picked her up and bear-hugged her.
"Yep! Oh, Papa! I made a friend!" You smiled brightly at her and climbed to her back.
"Oh, that's great! Now let's get out of here." Yohane started running at top speed. You loved it when she runs like this. She loves the wind blowing in her hair. They had time before they needed to be at the temple so they went home to have You changed into some comfortable and let her monster features out. After making it to the temple, they waited for Dia and Kanan to greet them.
The temple was very large with smaller buildings surrounding it. The main part of the temple had a large meeting room and some rooms for training and smaller meeting rooms. Lots of monsters live and tend to the temple. Especially since the Takami clan has destroyed the living area for some. This area was the centerpiece of the guild, it was the first thing you see when you enter the guild territory. With the forest being as big as it is, most humans wouldn't dare travel such a distance close enough to the guild.
"Dia-tan! Kanan-chan!" You leaped from Yohane's arms and hugged Dia. Kanan patted on You's back.
"You have gotten so big since the last time I saw you! You ready to see everyone?" You nodded. Dia took her hand and went inside. Inside she saw a librarian looking wizard holding the hand of a girl with red hair.
"Hey Dia-tan, who is that girl with the wizard?"
Dia turned and saw it was her little sister, Ruby. She was the same age as You and was clearly not a vampire like Dia. "That's not important right now," Yohane whispered to Dia.
"Are you sure you want to hide it? She has a right to know."
Dia simply said, "It's better she doesn't know the truth." Yohane glared at her for a second.
"This is going to start something and you know it. But I'll keep my mouth shut if you really want me too."
They walk into a massive room with rows for the monsters to sit. On the balconies surrounding the room were the monks, leaders, and wizards. Each representing their clan and/or species. You always looked around, hoping to see anyone else like her. She doesn't know what her species is, everyone plays it off like they don't know. They all know though, Dia tells them to keep their mouth shut.
Normally when they have large meetings like this, they would sing songs of equality and peace among one another or do teachings of peace. Nowadays, they were used to come up with ways to prevent humans from knowing of their existence.
"I would like to get this meeting started. We have had more problems with the Takami clan as of recently. They have to be stopped before the humans start to notice. They have been very aggressive and killed lots of us. I would like some suggestions as to how to stop them." The head of the Matsuura family said to the large group. A wizard was walking around taking the younger children out of the meeting. These meetings tend to lead to large arguments whether they would go against their peaceful nature and do a mass killing or do something more peaceful. It gets intense for younger children. Yohane led You to the wizard and You went with her.
The children were taken to a smaller room where they played. You went up to the wizard. "What's your name?" The wizard smiled. You see her a lot but never had the chance to even say hi to her.
"I'm Hanamaru. I work as a librarian in the guild. You want me to tell you a story?" You nodded and sat on her lap.
"Here is the story of a man. He was happy with the way he lived. Until a great war broke out and he had to fight in it to survive. He didn't want to fight. Just as he was able to get out, he was pulled right back in. He ends up saving his wife before he was killed in the war." Hanamaru finishes the tale. You was lost.
"But don't stories have good endings?" Hanamaru smiled.
"Not everything has a good end but it could be a good end for someone else."
Suddenly the ground starts to vibrate violently. The shakes were too strong for the temple to stay together. The temple starts to break apart. All the children ran to the wizard and she casts a spell to protect them from the rubble. A burst through the wall showed a gang of werewolves. The children were scared to death.
With some quick thinking, Hanamaru gets them out with a transportation spell. She gets them to the massive room with the adults. "Takamis!" Hanamaru yelled in panic.
"Ruby!" Dia yells out before running out of the room. Most helped keep other members safe and out of harm's way or tried to fight the Takamis away. Kanan turns into beast form and runs to You.
She picks her up with her mouth and runs to the nearest way out. Once outside, in front of them was two Takamis. Kanan places You down and gets ready to attack. The two charge at her. Kanan bites one on the leg as it jumped toward her. She throws the wolf at the other.
You closed her eyes. She doesn't know what's happening and she fears her life. Kanan goes to You almost unharmed but covered in blood. She takes You and runs to the Kurosawa mansion.
The last thing You saw was the blood everywhere and promptly fainted.