"You want to go up the mountains?" Sajin asked in his rumbling voice.
"Yes please!" Kaname yoinked on Sajin's pointy ears as though he was riding a horse. "Let's GOOO!"
"Well, if it means you won't abuse my ears any longer, I suppose I have no choice."
Kaname sat on the back of Sajin's neck, so heavily built and large enough, Kaname comfortably rode piggyback on top of him, eagerly smiling like there wasn't a problem in the world.
Except for Sajin, whose nerves were on a precarious breaking point. Kaname loved sitting on him like that, no matter the countless amount of times Sajin wrapped his fluffy arms around him, growling and baring sharp fangs. Eventually, Kaname was caught so many times, Sajin no longer had the energy or drive to punish him, and ever since, Kaname enjoyed playing with his ears.
Who knew a giant wolf could lose a war for his own neck to a young child, a blind one at that?
But despite the embarrassment, a comforting warmth flickered in Sajin's chest. Never in his life had he felt so appreciated. The deep sadness that dwelled in his heart eased, even if by just a little.
Sajin climbed the mountains, as Kaname desired, and sunk his claws into rough rock as gusts of wind blew harsher the higher he ascended. Sajin heaved his giant frame onto greater heights, not relying on any ledges due to his immense weight. Kaname clinged onto his fur even tighter, burying his face into the thick fluffy neck, until they finally reached a cliff face large enough for Sajin. Opposite to them, opened a tunnel whose darkness obscured its path.
Sajin sat down, deciding to rest and recuperate his spent energy. Kaname jumped off him and stood near the edge, his feet mere inches away from the endless abyss below.
"Is this high enough, Kaname?"
"Yeah," Kaname replied cheerfully, smiling as wind blew into his face. "I love it up here! It's easy to imagine you're flying."
Sajin quickly grabbed Kaname, picking him up in his burly arms. "Okay, that's enough," Sajin rumbled before tightly embracing him. "That was clearly unsafe."
Pouting, Kaname pulled out strands of fur from Sajin, while the giant wolf sat down again in his same spot, pretending to not notice the clumps of his own fur laid astray on the ground.
Kaname appeared quite annoyed, to put it lightly, and Sajin hadn't the slightest clue on how to ease the tension between them. Sajin gazed far off into the distance with Kaname held inside his fluffy embrace, and without much thinking, he began describing everything he saw in his rumbling voice.
Sajin spoke of how the clouds beneath them blobbed together to such an incredible degree, they obscured the rest of the world and formed a floor of puffy white stretching all the way towards the horizon. Sajin spoke of how the mountains soared above clouds, reaching the vast sky that appeared as clear blue as the rivers they drank from.
Every word inspired a great sense of wonder in Kaname's blind eyes, taken aback by awe. Kaname turned and eagerly hugged the swaths of fur that blanketed him, tears wetting his face.
"No one in my village ever described the world to me like that…" Kaname whispered.
"Why?"
"They always said a blind person never needed to know how beautiful the world was."
Blasphemy. Sajin hadn't heard anything as ridiculous like that in a long time. But instead of giving into his anger that no doubt grew, he lifted up Kaname and hugged him with his furry head.
"They're wrong," Sajin rumbled in Kaname's ears. "The world's true beauty lies in the experiences we share with each other."
Those drops of tears that straddled Kaname's eyes soon became running streams. Sajin lowered him back down, so that the tuft of fur on his chest could absorb the tears, not caring that one spot on his large body became drenched.
If such words relieved Kaname of the loneliness of living blind, and if such words sheltered him from self-doubt, then Sajin would continue to speak them for eternity.
The two sat together as Kaname napped on Sajin's lap, no longer crying as he smiled in his comfortable rest. The blowing winds intensified, but not a single trace of coldness lasted inside Sajin's warmth.
As Sajin relaxed, a new sound echoed, one that his pointy ears flickered to amidst the whistling of the wind and Kaname's soft mumbling. With his sharp hearing, Sajin easily recognized the sound as the patterning of footfalls as it resonated from the gloomy caves behind him. The distinctive smell of human filled the air.
"Kaname." Sajin jolted him awake. "Someone's coming."
Kaname yawned and stretched a little before furry paws hoisted him off from all the fur he cuddled, and made him stand on his own two feet. Sajin rose to his towering height and stomped over to the mouth of the dimly lit cave, confronting whatever was the source of those footsteps that echoed louder and closer. Sajin sensed reiatsu, one that felt as weak as a Fly's, but also struck him as familiar.
When the figure revealed himself from within the darkness, Sajin's heart sank and his golden eyes widened.
The village elder from all those months ago, who ruthlessly stabbed Sajin and encouraged his fellow villagers to do the same, now stood before him. The old man appeared spent of energy as he gasped repeatedly for air; his ornamental robes soaked with sweat. But even stranger for Sajin was the absence of any sort of weapon.
"We finally meet again, wolf man."
Wolf man… Sajin repeated that phrase over and over in his head, noticing how those words lacked the disgust and hatred the old man used to have in abundance.
"I'm astonished a human soul managed to climb these mountains. I've heard only the Shinigami were capable of such physical strength, besides us beastmen," Sajin said.
"I was determined."
Kaname went beside Sajin's towering frame, only reaching the giant wolf's knees, and reacted to the croaking voice with astonishment. "Oboro-sama…"
Before Sajin could ask the many questions he had, the old man lowered himself onto the ground, prostrating his frail body.
"I beg of you, Wolf man," Oboro said. "Kill me."
Kaname gasped from shock. Sajin stared at Oboro without any inkling of emotion, now understanding why he came unarmed. This old man climbed these mountains, never once intending to return. He desired death, just like how Sajin yearned for the same thing, back when he was surrounded by nothing but hatred and vitriol for most his life before meeting Kaname.
Oboro continued and said, "I've reflected for a long time on my actions. Never stopped thinking how I drove Kaname away, nor how betraying one's Soul can become so easy. I committed a sin several lifetimes can't atone for, so please… Kill me."
Sajin let out a heavy sigh and closed his eyes, immersed in deep contemplation. What begged in front of him only evoked memories of self-hatred, sadness, and regret. A pitiful sight it was, one that reminded Sajin of his former self.
Kaname looked on in profound fear as Sajin stomped closer to Oboro. Each of his heavy footfalls trembled the ground underneath and spurred Oboro to bow his head low and await his fate, shaking uncontrollably.
"Stand," Sajin rumbled.
Oboro never moved an inch as his shaking worsened.
"I said STAND," Sajin growled aggressively before lifting him up by the scarf of his neck and setting him down on his own feet. "That's much better."
Oboro craned his head and widened his eyes at the muzzle that towered above him, more so stunned that he still lived than being dwarfed by Sajin's immense shadow.
Sajin continued in his rumbling voice and said, "I won't lay a single claw on you, no matter how much you beg for death."
"W-Why!?" Oboro's fear was replaced by furious anger. "Do you not feel vengeance in your heart that any man would feel? Have you already forgiven me!?"
"I'm not sure if I can forgive you, but I know for certain I'd never forgive myself for striking down a defenseless old man."
"I see…" Oboro lowered his head; hurt and resignation splayed across his face. "Very well."
Kaname eagerly climbed up Sajin's back and laid on top of his head, rubbing his fur with joy. "That's my Komamura! He'd never hurt someone out of vengeance, especially you, Oboro-sama."
"Kaname…" Oboro stared at him casually nestled amidst the fur of Sajin's head, so far above the ground. Oboro looked positively shocked. "Isn't staying up there a tad dangerous?"
Silence filled the air before Sajin roared in laughter. "He always does that, even when I tell him not to. Don't worry, It's safer than it looks."
"It's the most comfortable spot in the entire world. I love it!" Kaname rested his head on the fluffy fur beneath, smiling wide. "By the way, Oboro-sama, I'd like to show you something."
"What is it?"
Kaname raised his head, and with a resounding voice, sang a howl. Sajin flicked his ears from surprise, so happy that Kaname showed off what he taught him, Sajin couldn't stop wagging his tail. He raised his furry head as Kaname did, and bellowed out his own deep howl that lingered in the air for far longer.
The two continued their howling together as Oboro watched on, amazed by the sight. Not wanting to be alone, he too raised his head, and with his greatest effort, tried howling along with them. But only a faint whimper escaped his mouth, not so different from a puppy's cry. Kaname laughed, while Sajin smiled with empathy.
"Don't force yourself too much," Sajin said. "A powerful howl is all well and good, but it's not worthy of stressing out your vocal cords over something you're incapable of. That's what we as wolf pups were always taught."
Oboro listened intently to every word, and with renewed effort, raised his head and howled again. He sounded stronger than before; a great deal more impressive than the puppyish whine of his first attempt, but nowhere near as awe-inspiring as the strength Sajin's howling evoked.
Regardless, Sajin's heart beated with pride. This old man embodied no shortage of hatred and contempt for those who resembled Sajin in appearance, and yet here he stood, reveling in the culture of the bestial people he once despised. Sajin never had a single clue what compelled Oboro to throw away the hatred he held so close, nor were there any interest in prying.
Sajin was simply glad that instead of death, Oboro received the joys of living once more.
The skies above darkened as the sun slowly retreated behind the horizon. Night time approached as Sajin noticed Kaname seemed tired, judging from his yawning.
"Do you want to climb down these mountains, Kaname?" Sajin asked.
"Sure. I'm getting sleepy."
Sajin looked over the edge as he prepared to leave, until he remembered Oboro had almost no energy left to move. He tired himself out after climbing these mountains. Sajin turned to the old man. "Do you have any way of getting down?"
There wasn't an answer. Sajin stared at him before continuing with, "I see. You've climbed these mountains, never accounting for the possibility you'd live."
Oboro lowered his head, ashamed. "Just leave me up here. There is no need for you to worry—"
Sajin grabbed Oboro and effortlessly carried him in one of his burly arms without a word.
"Hey!" Oboro yelled, struggling amidst the soft fur. He tried his hardest to break free from the thick muscles pinning him, but he couldn't move an inch. "What's the meaning of this!?"
"Hold on tight," was Sajin's only reply.
"Yay!" Kaname cheered before lying down on Sajin's fluffy head. "You get to experience the fun of riding on Komamura too, Oboro-sama!"
The old man allowed himself an exhausted sigh. Sajin went over the cliff edge and steadily lowered himself down the steep mountain-face by digging his claws into rock. Both Oboro and Kaname clung onto fur as Sajin journeyed lower. Gusts of wind, cold to the touch and ferocious in strength, whipped around them.
When Sajin reached ground flat enough to stand on, not a second passed by before he began charging through dense forests. "I'm taking you back to your village, elder."
"Wait, what!?" Oboro clenched his teeth in anger as bushes slapped his face. "When did 'take me down the mountains' turn into 'take me all the way back to my village?'"
"Just now, I suppose."
Sajin had to force himself not to giggle at the pure indignation seeping from Oboro's wrinkled face. Sajin never felt pride from overpowering those with weaker strength, but he didn't want the old man to perish by his lonesome self, even if his long life neared its end.
As Sajin bounded past undeterred, and as the forest stirred awake to the menacing presence of a wolf strong enough to throw trees around, Oboro contemplated the dirt beneath him as he was carried.
"Kaname… Is there any possibility of you wanting to return home, back to your true family?" Oboro asked. "Not a day has gone by where you've been forgotten."
Kaname stayed quiet as he toyed with strands of fur, unable to come up with any words.
"Don't worry, Kaname." Sajin broke the silence with his rumbling voice. "Though it would pain my heart, I wouldn't mind you returning home, if you so desire."
"I'd love to see everyone again, but…" Kaname rubbed his head on Sajin's soft fur affectionately, smiling wide. "This giant fluffy wolf is my true family. Because of him, I no longer feel the loneliness of being blind I've known my entire life. I can't imagine ever leaving him behind."
Sajin wagged his tail as happiness swelled in his chest. Although what he told Kaname wasn't a lie, he too struggled to imagine leaving behind the only person who treated him as something more than a beast. Kaname was blind, but capable of seeing through his fur and finding dignity, unlike anyone else blessed with sight.
Sajin truly couldn't fathom a life without Kaname.
Oboro closed his eyes, both saddened and content with the child's straightforward answer. "Very well. I understand."
As the village with buildings as tall as trees appeared, Sajin halted. Not a single human soul could be seen amidst the darkness of nightfall as candles flickered behind windows.
"This will be as far as I go," Sajin rumbled. With gentle handling, he settled the old man on his own feet.
"Thank you." Oboro bowed and clasped his hands together. "I genuinely wish there was some way I could repay you. A favor like this shouldn't go unanswered!"
"It's fine."
Sajin looked around his familiar surroundings, noticing fallen trees and countless pits strewn about. The land bore marks of the destruction that ensued when he fought off the Hollows here, protecting the same villagers who repeatedly stabbed and maimed him.
A kernel of revenge blossomed in Sajin. Anger grew inside him, until his mind lingered on memories of that fateful day, all those months ago. He realized his true enemy weren't the villagers incensed from hatred, nor the Hollows he battled alone. His true enemy, the one that hurted more than anything else that day, was himself.
Sajin noticed Kaname softly snoring on the back of his neck, sleeping with serene calmness. Warmth flickered in Sajin's heart, the kind that never failed in easing his anger into something more manageable.
"Before we part ways, I'd like to say something that's been on my mind," Oboro said while peering up at Sajin. Admiration gleamed in his old eyes. "I don't see any beast in you. I don't see any monster. All I see is a father trying his best. I'm not asking for forgiveness, nor do I deserve it, but… Thank you."
Sajin stared at the old man he towered over, taken aback by every word. For most of his life, he only knew what it was like to be seen and treated as a beast. Sajin couldn't stop smiling, couldn't stop wagging his tail furiously to now be seen as a person.
Sajin never thought it possible, but he wanted to forgive this man.
Could a wolf-man truly take care of a human child? Sajin grappled with this question for the longest time. He never came close to finding an answer, but even so, the question itself outlived its usefulness.
It's been almost a year ever since Sajin crossed paths with Kaname, and the challenges they contended with, all the laughs they shared, and the sorrows they endured, taught Sajin that his fluffy fur and Kaname's soft skin never mattered more than the dirt they treaded upon.
Sajin only cared they're living life as kindred souls, wolf-man and human child happily together.
Underneath the night sky that glimmered from moonlight and the flickering of countless stars, Sajin laid on his back upon rough rock, gazing up towards it all. Kaname rested on top of Sajin's fluffy chest that rose and fell with every deep huff, staring up at the skies above with Sajin.
This spot wasn't the slightest bit comfortable for Sajin, especially as sharpened rocks akin to blades poked and prodded his brawn. But one desire emboldened him to lay down anywhere, no matter how uncomfortable, and admire the way the night sky shined its beauty.
"Kaname…"
"Hm?" Kaname felt the deep rumble of his name radiate from Sajin's large chest, carrying a tone strangely melancholic and yet uplifting. "What is it, Koma-Koma?"
"I want the stars above to burn more brightly."
Kaname smiled as he snuggled amidst fur. "I'd like that too."
Sajin gazed up at the vastness above, mesmerized by the cathartic view. "You know Kaname, there are thousands of stars up there, no matter how faint. Each one represents every wish in this world, every single desire for something better. But these wishes are so far away, they're unreachable. You can't feel them. Can't hear them. You can only see their twinkle in the night sky, so far above us."
Kaname listened to every rumbling word as drops of tears wetted his face. "What is your wish?"
"I may not live to see it, but I'd love if every beastman and human in this world are seen as people, equal in worth."
Kaname's tiny drops of tears soon became running streams of sadness as he cried. He buried his face into Sajin's tufts of fur, away from the night sky. "I can't see the stars, not one at all…"
Sajin's huge paws wrapped around Kaname, and with love, gently lifted his small body. Sajin's firm grasp held Kaname up against the starry expanse of the night sky above.
"But you're the brightest star," Sajin rumbled, admiring how Kaname's beautiful face obscured the night sky. "You're a wish come true."
Sajin lowered him back down so he could cuddle in the warmth and comfort of fur. Kaname yawned tiredly as he curled himself into a ball and rubbed his head on Sajin's fluffy chest, smiling.
"The brightest star…" Kaname mumbled softly as sleep claimed him. "The brightest star…"
Sajin closed his eyes to the murmur of that young voice, pleased those miserable tears no longer trickled down Kaname's face. Though he was rather confused by what the sleeping child hinted at. Did Kaname try to say Sajin was the brightest star? Or was Kaname referring to himself?
Sajin hoped with all his heart that Kaname meant the latter.