Chapter Seven

It been three days since her death. We decided to bury her under an oak tree near Foosha village. The village was too quiet. By her death or fear of me. On her funeral, I heard the whispers of them calling me a monster. Ever since that day, I moped around my room for three days. Coping with mum's death and scared of my uncontrollable power. While it gave me advantage but I would also risk my beloved people. I sighted and looked at my mum's locket. It was a simple locket with golden design on it and a chain connected to it. It had a photo enclosed in glass.

The photo consisted of me and my parents. There was I, held gently by mum. My father grasped her by her waist. Both looking at each other. Love, joy and affection shone on their faces. My father's ruffled blonde hair was pulled back by a red bandanna. I inherited his piercing eyes and red nose. Mum had a special spark while standing next to him.

*Knock**Knock*

I closed my locket and glanced towards the door. Makino poked her head out.

"Can I come?" she timidly asked. I nodded. She slowly came and sat beside me.

"Are you okay?" she whispered worriedly.

Anger filled me. I snapped at her.

"No, I'm not. My mom died." She flinched. "The villagers call me a monster. Do I look okay to you?"

She sniffed and bowed her head. I immediately regretted my words and tried to apologize. Suddenly she grabbed me and shouted at me.

"You're not the only one effected by her death." Tears escaped her eyes. "Maya wouldn't want you to mope around like this."

I looked at her, shocked by her outburst.

She sniffed. "I wish I died instead of her."

I snapped and grabbed her shoulders.

"TAKE THAT BACK!" I shouted and shaked her.

She pushed my hands away and sobbed out. "I just want my Oni-san back."

I stared at her. I felt like a selfish jerk. I realized that I was not the only effected by her death. Makiko. Makino. Oji-san. Makino needed me and I just pushed her away. My dam broke. All the emotions I bottled up broke into a flood through me. I embraced her and sobbed loudly.

Makiko who was outside the room, over heard the talk. She smiled sadly and walked away. Maybe things would start to get better.

After that, I continued my daily chores. Oji-san and Gyoru were happy to see me finally outside my room. But the villagers reacted in fear. Whispers followed me around. Calling me monster and flinching away when I looked at them. Needless to say that hurt my feelings like a bitch. I felt a lick on my hand.

I broke from my thoughts and saw Tiger lazily gazing at me. I chuckled and scratched his head. He purred loudly. He had grown large enough to reach my height in two months. Dadan took great care of him as promised.

"Hey kid you alright?" I turned towards her voice. I looked up to see her slightly worried face.

"Hey Dadan." She looked at me in surprise. It was the first time I used her real name. "I'll be leaving the village tomorrow morning."

"Why?" There was no shock in her voice. Just curiosity.

"I have a power which can hurt people and I have no control over it. Besides I'll unintentionally destroy the business of Makiko and UO due to the villagers avoiding me like a damn plague." I said plainly.

She sighted and smoke came out of her cigarette. She turned towards the shack. Some seconds later, she came back with a pouch in her hand. She threw it towards me.

"What's this?" I questioned.

"Gold. Enough to last you three week." She turned away from me but I already saw her embarrassed face. I chuckled.

"Thanks, Dadan."

Makino and I said our goodbyes to the Dadan family. Dadan pointedly nodded her head towards me. I nodded back. When we came to the village, the sun already went down. Makiko had already prepared dinner for us. We sat at the table and ate our dinner while Makino chirpily told her about her day. After that we washed our dishes. Suddenly Makino started to yawn. Makiko told me to put her into her bed. I nodded and carried her towards her room.

"But I'm not tired." She whined and then yawned loudly. I chuckled at her antics.

I tucked her into her bed and went to close her door.

"Hey." She sleepily said. I stopped. "I love you, Oni-san."

My heart melted away but then cold passed through me. I was going to leave her behind. I instantly felt guilty.

"I love you too, Omoto-chan."

I stayed up all night. I packed all my necessary gears and most importantly some knifes and three guns. Don't ask where I got them. I left some letters on the bed. I grabbed my backpack and quietly made my way towards the door.

"Where do you think you're going?"

I startled in shock and looked towards Makiko. She was holding a candle in her hand, sitting on a chair. She looked at me, serious and sternly. I felt like a child getting caught stealing cookies from the jar. I straightened up and calmly said.

"I'm going to go fishing with Gyoru-san."

She raised her eyebrow. "Usually Gyoru-san comes to pick you and why do you have a backpack with you?"

I kept quiet. She sighted.

"Just come home soon, okay? Makino becomes fissy when you're late." She said and left the room.

I gaped. I was expecting shouting and waking half the village awake. I smiled. I guess this is her way to say goodbye. I left the bar. I walked towards the big oak tree near Foosha village. I saw mom's grave.

"Hey mom." I greeted her. "I'm leaving the village."

Everything was silent.

"I guess this is goodbye for now. I'll come back someday. Please watch over me."

I turned. I was hesitant to take a step. Something pushed me to move forward.

"Hey!" I looked back to see no one but my mum's grave. I got a tingling feeling. I smiled at mum's grave.

"Even dead, you're still impatient as always." I chuckled. A cool breeze passed me.

I walked towards the docks. I pulled the boat. It was Gyoru-san's. I'm sure he won't mind me borrowing it. It was sturdy and a sail was attached to it. I dragged a bag of food from the bush. I had also borrowed it from the restaurant. I put all my kits on the boat and loosened the rope. I slowly sailed further and further away from the island. I saw the sun slowly raise upwards. I cupped my mouth and took a deep breathe.

"I'LL BE BACK TO YOU GUYS SOON!" I declared.

I groaned as I swayed back and forth. It's been two days since I left Dawn Island. Thankfully I had enough food to last me a week. I'm still five days away from reaching the next island. I picked up some strong wind coming from my left side. I quickly directed my sail towards north. The wind picked up and gave a boost to the boat. I laughed triumphantly. I looked at the sky and smiled.

"Thanks mom."

As soon as I said that dark cloud slowly covered the skies.

I deadpanned. "I forgot. The most unlucky person is watching over me."

Lighting then thunder followed. Rain started to fall from the sky. I sighted. I brought my fist towards the sky in determination.

"BRING IT ON!"

Three days. It's been three days since I have been stuck in this god damn storm. I have been sailing this boat non-stop. Tears of exhaustion left me. My muscles screamed in pain and exhaustion. Only determination and adrenaline has lead me till today. I don't even know where was I going or have I been sailing in circles.

*SQUAKE**SQUAKE*

I snapped my head in alarm. Birds. Birds means sunny sky. I looked around with my spyglass. I saw a hint of light towards south. I quickly put it away and grabbed the ruins. I pulled it with clenched teeth. Slowly but steadily I got the boat outside the storm. Sunlight hit me and I have never been happy to remember the familiar warmth. I laughed. My eyes closed in exhaustion and my body slumped. I didn't even feel pain when the hard wood hit me.