Call of the Moon
Chapter 5 – Dark Influence
Okami hummed to herself as she walked on the forest path leading to the Myouren Temple from the human village. She was on a delivery errand. Byakuren ordered some books from the Kourindou, and Okami was sent to fetch the books and bring them to her. Okami continued along the path as she shifted her grip on the books. Looking up, Okami saw birds fluttering in the air. She let out a sigh. It was on a morning like this when she found herself at the Myouren temple.
It has been nearly a month since then. Okami had gotten significantly better with her blade and she knew about many more of the swords' abilities.
The cobblestone path of the Myouren Temple came into view, and Okami smiled. She began to make her way to the main gate, when she slowed her pace. She felt faint and for a moment, stumbled a few steps. Her vision blurred and her head throbbed.
'Kill…'
Okami took a few deep breaths to steady herself but just as quickly as the faintness came, it was gone. She shook her head and continued on the path towards the gate.
"Good morning, Okami!" Kyouko greeted as Okami approached the main gate.
"Piss off," Okami replied coldly. Her eyes widened and she covered her mouth with her free hand. "S… sorry…" she muttered, holding her head. Something was wrong. She didn't mean to say that. She meant to greet her with a hello. Kyouko looked at her with wide, worried eyes.
"Are you okay?" Kyouko asked, gripping her broom.
Okami blinked and sighed. "I think so…" she replied. She headed inside the gates and made her way to the main building. Byakuren was sitting at a kotatsu table, examining some scrolls. Okami enters the room with the books in hand.
"Hello, Okami," Byakuren greets, looking up at the wolf youkai. "Did you get the books?"
"Yes I did," she spoke setting the books down on the table. "Take the damn things…" Okami spat. Again, she covered her mouth in shock and Byakuren looked up at her in alarm. Okami took deep breaths as her head started to throb again.
Byakuren immediately got to her feet and extended her arm to assist Okami in case she fell. "What's wrong, Okami?" she asked worriedly.
"I'm fine… I just need… some fresh air and water," Okami muttered, turning around. She walked away, leaving Byakuren staring at her with her hand outstretched.
"Something's wrong… I felt an odd presence just then," Byakuren muttered. "It disappeared almost as soon as it came up, but it was rather strong and also… malicious."
Okami headed out into the temple courtyard and started to wander around. In the temple courtyard was a tall tree that Okami would climb whenever she needed air. She headed over there and grabbed a hold of the lowest branch and climbed up. She sat on a high, yet sturdy branch. She leaned against the trunk and rested her head.
"What happened there?" she asked herself. "I didn't mean to be rude but the words just came out. And that feeling of faintness and the headache… and that voice…"
Okami buried her head in her hands and sighed. She sat there and tried to relax despite the growing anxiety she was feeling. "This has never happened before… What's going on?"
"Yo, Okami!" a voice called, snapping Okami away from her thoughts. The wolf youkai looked over her shoulder and down at the ground. Nue and Mamizou were standing there, looking up at her.
Nue waved her trident at her. "What are you doing up there on your own? Get your tail down here! Let's spar!" she yelled, grinning widely.
"Come on, kiddo! Let's see what you got! Sitting in that tree won't get you any exercise!" Mamizou added, her tanuki tail twitching.
Okami stared at them for a while, her face blank.
"Hey, Okami! Snap out of it! Get your head out of the clouds!" Nue yelled, cupping her hands around her mouth.
"Oh… Sorry! I'll get down right away! I'll kick all of your butts!" Okami replied, putting a smile on as she leapt down from the tree. She drew her sword and stood ready.
Nue smirked and gripped her trident. Mamizou shifted into a battle stance. The practice match had begun.
