As the sun rose from the horizon, morning had just begun. Koyuki opened her eyes, feeling sore. She looked down at her hand and sighed in relief, knowing she's back to normal. But she looked back at her hand and realized there was blood splattered all over her. Koyuki looked behind her and gasped, her hand slapped over her mouth. She stepped back as she saw a fox corpse beside her. Tears swelled in her eyes so she ran off.
"I have to get out of here!" She yelled. All she could think of is Dororo, so she ran home, to her cabbin.
Dororo was inside, steaming some rice.
"I hope she's ok.." he whispered. Then he suddenly heard heavy footsteps outside. The door slid open and Koyuki stumbled inside.
"Koyuki-dono!" He ran to her side and helped her in. Koyuki sat down and rubbed her head. "Koyuki... you're covered in..." Dororo gasped. She glanced at him and nodded.
"I killed an animal..." she sniffed and looked down.
"I just want to rest and forget about it, D.." Dororo nodded and left her alone. Koyuki got up and left to take a bath to wash the blood off. After bathing, she changed into her city clothes and went to sleep on her futon. Dororo prepared a meal for when she wakes up. Koyuki sniffed the aroma of the food and woke up. She held her stomach as it growled. Sure she didn't want to eat after her incident, but she had to. Dororo came in with a tray of food in his hands.
"Oh.. you're already up?" He had a puzzled look on his face.
"Yeah.. im just really hungry..." Dororo handed her the tray that had a plate filled with steamed rice and a loaf of bread. Next to it was a cup of green tea.
"Thank you Dororo.. very much.." Koyuki smiled under his mask.
"I'd do anything for you.." he set the tray next to her and hugged her.
"Oh, don't you need to see your friends today?" Koyuki reminded him.
"I called in sick to take care of you." He admitted. Koyuki nodded and they both went slient as she began to eat. Then Dororo stood up.
"I'll be in the garden if you need me..." Dororo informed her.
"Right. I got it." She looked at and continued to eat.
'What happened to me last night?... I knew something was coming out of me.. All I remember is seeing everyone surround me at Natsumi's house..' she sighed and went to put the empty tray away.
'I know that something new came out of me.. full of energy and freedom... I felt powerful like nothing could stop me..' Koyuki continued to think as she looked out the window, watching Dororo.
"Yet I felt tremendous pain as it was happening... Dororo was there when it happened. Maybe he knows what happened to me." She thought out loud. She walked outside to talk to Dororo.
"Hey Dororo..." Dororo stopped what he was doing and looked at her.
"Yes, is there something wrong?" Koyuki sighed and told him what was bothering her.
"About last night, what exactly happened to me?" Dororo froze and dropped the garden hoe he was holding. He stared into thin air, muttering to himself. "You... were in... so.. so much pain.. I thought you were dying... you were turing into a monster-No.. an animal.." Koyuki gulped and sweat dripped down her head.
"Did I hurt anyone?..." she asked again.
"No.. you didn't touch anyone... it's just..." he fell on his knees and rubbed his face. Koyuki rushed and picked him up.
"Nevermind... I wont ask anything like that again.." she patted his back and shushed him. Dororo looked up at her and rested his head on her shoulder.
"Do you want to rest with me? I think I need to take care of you too.." She said. Dororo nodded and Koyuki took him and went inside the cabbin. She sat down on her futon and hugged Dororo. Dororo looked at her and couldnt resist the urge to express himself to her. So he kissed her cheek. Koyuki opened her eyes and put a hand on her cheek, and blushed.
"Sorry! Did I make you uncomfortable?" Dororo freaked out.
"Oh no. Just a little unexpected..." Koyuki smiled and kissed him back. Dororo blushed and nearly fainted. Koyuki giggled and lied down, taking Dororo with her. Dororo came closer and cuddled her chest as they both fell asleep.
Later, a sudden knock hit their door. Dororo woke up and went to answer it.
"Hello?" He looked up at the guest.
"Oh hey Dororo." It was Natsumi who dropped by. "How's koyuki? Is she feeling alright?" She asked.
"Yes she's fine. Just resting. Oh, come in, please." Dororo moved aside and let Natsumi in.
"Thank you, Dororo." She stepped in and sat down. Suddenly, Koyuki woke up and came in the living room.
"Oh Natsumi-san! I didn't know you were coming over." She yawned and sat down with them.
"It's nothing, I just needed to know if you're ok." Natsumi answered.
"Everything's fine..." Koyuki answered, a bit annoyed.
"Ok. Sorry to bother you two, but it's great to see you're ok. Goodbye guys." With that, Natsumi left.
Night was just about to fall, and Koyuki grunted and began to get light headed. She rubbed her temples as she looked outside her window. She rubbed her arms, and began to cry.
"I dont want to go through that again... Please.. Why does it have to be like this?.." she shivered and looked at Dororo, who shivered as well.
"Everything will be fine..." He walked to her and gave her a hug. She hugged him back but tighter. Maybe it won't happen tonight. Maybe there wont be a full moon. She's just scared of what would happen. She's scared of getting hurt again, or hurting someone else.. Dororo tried to calm her down, but she was already consumed by fear and anxiety. He had no idea what to do if she were to turn into that thing again.
"Go to sleep.. i know nothing will happen." Dororo had confidence that she wont have to suffer the pain she has to go through. Right now, all that Dororo can do is hope.