Hate

Chapter 4

Traveling Companion?

The image of Waka's torn and bleeding body was still fresh in my mind when I woke up. I was gasping for breath and my left shoulder burned; the scar from before I met Mitsuru felt like it was on fire. There was no obvious wound, only the slight part of my fur along the scar, but the pain still left me writhing on the ground unable to get up. Even after the images from the dream had faded the pain remained. After a while I heard a faint sound at the entrance to Hana valley. Before my vision blurred and my struggling stopped as I passed out I thought I felt a gentle hand running through my fur right along the scar.

"Shhhh, it's alright, little one."

Mitsuru? No one would call me 'little one' but her! How could that be?! With these thoughts racing through my only partially conscious mind I felt someone stroking the fur along the back of my neck. My eyes snapped open and I sat up, fully expecting to see Mitsuru next to me. Instead there was a young woman sprawled on the ground next to me. As she sat up she shot me an irritated look. What? I was sleeping! Shewas the one touching me while I slept! Ew. Either way she's the one that should be getting an irritated look not me! I did my best to imitate her look but she just laughed a bit and started to get up. Geez what's with all of these people coming to Hana valley and not being afraid of me?

As she stood she made no move to get away or even attack me. Instead she calmly picked some leaves and twigs out of her dark auburn hair. I couldn't tell what she was thinking. Her pale brown eyes were somewhat cold but she had a smile on her face as she dusted off her green kimono.

"My name is Sayuri."

She looked at me as if she expected a reply. I could only meow at her. Once again she looked slightly irritated, but then she quickly turned around and walked towards a messenger bag that was on the ground and went to pick up a sword that was next to it. Just as she bent down to pick it up, I couldn't help but let out a hiss.

For a second Sayuri froze but then she stood up and walked back over to me; reaching out she put her hands on either side of my head and brought her face close to mine. Looking into her eyes I couldn't look away. Her eyes seemed to pull me in, both overwhelming and comforting me. There's no way she would hurt me. It felt like our roles were reversed, she was the monster and I was the woman. Even so I felt safe.

I was still dazed when she let go of my face and went back to get her sword. It was when I felt Sayuri get up on my back that I finally broke out of my trance. Standing up, I felt Sayuri wobble a bit and her legs tighten on my sides to maintain her balance.

"Hey, calm down! I don't want to end up on the ground again."

I felt her stroke the fur on the top of my head and around my ears; even without seeing my face she seemed to sense my confusion.

"You don't get out much do you? Nowadays it's practically expected for a traveler like me to have a companion of some sort, even a demon like you wouldn't be too strange."

She wanted me? As a traveling companion? It was hard for me to believe for a second but remembering the look in her eyes I couldn't doubt her. I was so happy I didn't even notice the purr working its way up my throat. I guess she could feel it from her position on my back because I heard her give a slight laugh before nudging me with her leg.

Walking towards the entrance I suddenly remembered Mitsuru and stopped just before we left Hana valley. Sayuri seemed to understand my hesitation about leaving my home and Mitsuru.

"Don't worry. No demon would come here with all of this divine energy and no human would want to harm this place either."

When I didn't move she seemed to be getting slightly frustrated and squeezed my sides with her legs.

"Come on. It's time to go."

After one last look at Hana valley I turned and made my way to Shinshu field with Sayuri on my back.

-Line-

Okay I know that this chapter is short but when I was moving stuff around a lot of stuff came out of this chapter and got moved to another one . I don't want to try and even things out by moving more stuff so this chapter is just gonna be a bit short. Hey but this way I can get to writing that new chapter sooner ;D