The Manhunt for Jujutsu Kaisen Manga is slow…but I'm getting there.
Chapter 5 – The Princess, The Elf, The demon and The Wanderer Part 5
Bean was struggling to fall asleep through the night. Her shoulder wound and the lingering thought of being taken back home had hindered her from having a good night's sleep. On occasions when she would drift off to sleep, she would be woken up by a random noise that would hit against the inn. The remainder of the night consisted of Bean just staring up at the room of her ceiling and waiting to fall asleep. But before she could even drift off to sleep, she could hear the sound of the birds chirping along with the sun beginning to shine through the window. "Oh, you have to be kidding me…" Bean groaned as she rubs her eyes tiredly.
Luci wakes up with a yawn and a stretch and he looks over at Bean. "Morning Princess! You look like you slept well!"
"Oh yeah, I slept like a log…" said Bean with much sarcasm in her voice.
Elfo would soon wake up with a yawn and then he yelps "Ow!" he said rubbing the sore side of his face "Well it's better than what it was yesterday,"
Luci would look over at Koga, who, still was asleep and snoring pretty loudly. Luci rubs his chin and smirks. "Seems like the big guy over there is sleeping good," He points over to Koga. He seemed to be in a deep sleep to the point that even the loudest sound probably couldn't wake him. Luci smirked and places his eyes back on Bean "Hey Bean, why don't' we make it easier on ourselves and-" Luci places his finger against his neck and does a cutting gesture.
Bean gasped and Elfo gasped "W-What? Luci no way!" said Bean against the idea.
"Yeah Luci that's going too far!" said Elfo chiming in.
"No, it's not," Luci disagreed casually "It isn't unless you want a sure way of getting the freedom you want. And you can't get your freedom with the big guy over there getting in your way right?" Luci grinned, staring at Bean. "Come on Bean, he's right there fast asleep, guard down and snoring up a storm. All you have to do is pick up the sword and just-" Luci made a gesture of stabbing the sword in Koga's chest.
"No way!" said Elfo, as he rushed over to Bean and climbs on her bed. "Don't listen to him Bean, you're a sweet, loving, and caring person, you're not a murderer!"
"Ugh ignore the Elf! If you don't want to be set up for some crazy arranged marriage, DO IT!" Luci continued.
"No Bean don't do it! What has Koga done to deserve that? Killing would just be cruel!" Elfo protested.
"Ignore him! Come on do it! Do it do It do it do it!" Luci said eagerly.
Both of them were right, thought Bean. If she wanted to escape with no worries of being pursued killing Koga was the way to. But, as Elfo said, Koga didn't deserve that. So far from what Bean has seen Koga wasn't a horrible person like Noland was. He seemed to be thoughtful, caring and he didn't try anything weird or pervy with her. Not to mention he did patch up her first wound and saved the three of them twice. Bean sighed and shook her head "No…I can't do that…Elfo's right Koga doesn't deserve that…" She said turning her eyes away from Luci. These words made Elfo smile happily.
"Suit yourself," Luci shrugged and hops off the bed. "I'm going down to nab me a drink."
Then, there was a knock on the door. "Is anyone awake in there?" asked Barbara politely.
"Uh yeah we're awake Barbara," Bean informed "Well except Koga."
Barbara opened the door and she stepped in. "Good morning everyone! Bean dear, how's your shoulder?" She asked as she walked over to Bean.
"It's doing better than it did yesterday although the pain kept me up all night," Bean said as she placed her hand gently on her shoulder.
"Oh Dear I'm sorry you didn't get much sleep at all," said Barbara with a frown. "I'll make sure to make you a nice breakfast!" She then turns to Elfo "It seems the swelling has gone down! We just got to change out your bandages!"
"Thanks, Ms. Barbara!" said Elfo happily.
Once Barbara placed her eyes on Koga her expression turned from happy to annoyed. She walks over to Koga and slaps him on the back of the head causing him to fall over on the floor. "NOLAND STOP HEAD BUTTING ME YOU UGLY BASTARD!" He shouted frantically. He looks up at Barbara who stared down at him shaking her head "Oh…morning Barbara," Koga lets out a yawn "You look wider from this angle."
Barbara would roll her eyes "Stop being a smartass and get up!" She turns around and walks back over to Bean and Koga, taking their hands "Come on sweethearts! Time to change your bandages."
Luci looked over a Koga and shrugs "I'm going to go find the booze cellar." Luci then ran off. Koga was left on the floor holding his stomach. "Great…now I can't go back to sleep…"
In the other room. Barbara was almost done with Bean as she began placing the new bandages around her arm. As she did so Barbara couldn't help but stare at Bean's beautiful white hair.
"Oh, Bean you have such nice hair! Just like Koga's!" Barbara said as she finished Beans Bandages. Bean couldn't help but smile "Thanks Barbara," Bean hardly ever got compliments about her hair. It was pretty nice considering she hardly ever does anything with it. Or cared. "Well dear, you're all done! Just do like I said early and try not to move your arm so much ok?"
"Will do Barbara," said Bean as she rolled down her sleeve. She looks over to Elfo "How are you holding up Elfo?"
"Well my face isn't hurting as much as it did yesterday so I'm good!" said Elfo, smiling happily.
Koga would soon enter the room rubbing the back of his head. "Did you slap me in the back of the head?" He looks over at Barbara.
"You're just realizing that now?" Barbara raised a brow. "Anyway enough of that! If you aren't doing anything why don't you take your friends out and show them around Southwold?"
Koga lets out a yawn "Sure why not,"
Bean looks at Koga surprised. "Really?"
"Yeah, whenever you guys are ready let me know. I need to comb my hair." Koga said as he began straightening his hair and heading back to his room.
Barbara couldn't help let out a giggle of excitement "Oh I can't wait for him to see Freya! She's going to be so happy that he's back!"
"Freya? Who's she?" Bean turned her attention back to Barbara.
"Freya is one of Koga's old friends that he grew up with when he came to Southwold for the first time! The two of them always use to play together!" Barbara said sighing as she pictures their reunion in her head. "She's such a kind girl. She was always there for Koga when no other kid wanted to play with him!"
"OW!" Koga yelled.
Barbara sighs "Koga do you have your hair stuck in your comb?!"
There was a long pause.
"No…" said Koga.
"Yes, you do. I'll be right there," said Barbara as she walked out of the room and heads to the bathroom. "It'd be easier to comb if you'd just get a haircut!"
"NO! NO HAIRCUT!" Koga shouted.
Once Barbara had combed Koga's hair; which took at least five pairs of combs to do. He, along with Bean, and Elfo left the inn. Bean had stopped the two of them and turned back around to face the inn "Hey where's Luci?" She asked. As Bean said that Barbara busts the doors of the inn open and tosses Luci out on the ground. "BAD KITTY! TRYING TO DRINK ALL OF MY BEER!" She spat as she heads back into the inn.
"Worth it…" Luci groaned.
Koga lets out a big yawn and pops his neck a couple of times "Well come on folks. I'll show you around town," He said tiredly.
And so, Bean, Koga, Elfo, and Luci stroll down the streets of Southwold. As they walked, Beans eyes began to wonder. She saw family tending to their farms, groups of children playing knights as they ran past the four of them, neighbors sitting together conversating and laughing, and people going in and out of stores carrying bread and fruits. It was a beautiful sight to see. It was so different from what Bean was used to in Dreamland.
"This is such a nice town…" said Bean softly.
"Yeah, it is," said Koga. His eyes looking around town as if he was looking for someone. He then laughs a bit. "Man nothing's changed here at all."
Luci stopped and he turns left. He placed his eyes on a group of men sitting around a table playing a game of cards. He smirks "Hey I'll catch up with you fools later. Imma go get to know the townsfolk!" He rushed over to the group of men playing cards and hops on the table.
"Hello, Morals! Got room for one more?" asked Luci
The Men stared at Luci confused and in awe. "What kind of cat Is this?" The man sitting on the left. "I have no idea…probably a new breed?" said the man on the right.
"Anyway! You got one room for more?" Luci asked deviously.
The men looked at each other and shrugged. "Sure why not," said the man on the left.
"Annnd there he goes…" said Elfo with a sigh.
"HEY, GUYS! LOOK AT THAT WEIRD ELF!" said One of the kids.
Elfo turned around and glared at the kid who said that "Hey I'm not weird! I'll have you know that I was the most handsome elf in my elm!"
"Hey I bet he carries a bunch of candy on him!" said one of the boys. Then suddenly four kids came out of nowhere from around the corner.
Elfo's eyes widen "Hey wait I-I don't have any candy on me!" Elfo began backing up.
"GET HIM!" said one of the girls as all of the kids began chasing Elfo. Elfo turned around with a terrified yell and began running as fast as he could. Bean and Koga watched as Elfo was chased by a horde of kids with blank expressions.
"Should we…?" asked Koga looking at Bean.
"Nah he'll be ok," said Bean. Bean turned to Koga "So…why aren't you taking me back to Dreamland today? This is a good opportunity after all."
Koga just shrugged "Quest like this takes a while. Especially with a rouge alcoholic princess like yourself. Besides I missed my hometown. I wanna see how everyone's doing."
Bean was confused for a moment. When she had first met Koga he was dead set on getting her back to Dreamland to complete his mission. But now he was taking his time. Just how long was he planning on waiting? A few more days? Weeks? Or…was he-
"THERE YOU ARE YA TALL LANKY BASTARD!"
It all happened so fast when Bean turned around to see who was screaming. Jumping up in the air was a woman, with bright orange hair tied in a bun, beige skin, and wearing all black had dropped-kicked Koga in the back and knocked him to the ground. The woman lands on Koga's back and pins him down to the ground. "YOU GOT SOME NERVE COMING BACK HOME AND NOT COMING TO SEE ME!"
"ARGH!" Koga grunted. He opened his eyes to stare up at the woman. He then lets out a sigh of defeat. "It was only a matter of time before I ran into you…Freya…"
"Huh?" Bean stared at her. "You're Freya?"
Freya turns around to stare at Koga. She gets off of him and she walks over to Bean and gets in her face. Bean leans back a bit as the two of them stared at each other. Freya was like a predator examing her prey. She didn't blink at all when she stared into Beans eyes. "And who might you be missy?" She asked aggressively.
"U-Uh…uhh I'm uh..my names Bean…" She stuttered
"Bean eh? And how do you know Koga huh? I heard the kids telling me you two were staying at the same inn! Ya foolin around with him?" Freya asked bluntly.
"WHAT? NO!" Bean said, her voice cracking. "COME ON I JUST MET HIM LIKE TWO DAYS AGO!"
"Ok that's enough!" said Koga, pulling Freya away by the back of her shirt "It's been years and you haven't changed at all!"
Freya snatches herself away from Koga's grasp and punches him in the stomach causing Koga to double over and let out a loud groan. "THAT'S FOR AVOIDING ME YA DOATY BAMPOT!" She screamed. "Does being childhood mates mean nothing to ye?!"
"And you wonder why I tried to avoid you when I came back!" Koga shouted at Freya.
Bean was astonished. When Barbara told Bean about Freya she pictured a sweet gentle girl. Bean then realized that Barbara left out A LOT of other details…
Once Freya had calmed down Bean, Koga and Freya had sat down outside a dinner. Freya let out a big laugh as she sits on the chair backward. "Sorry about the aggressive introduction there Beanie!" She said jubilantly "Let's do it right! My name is Freya Ailith! I'm second in command to the Southwold Defense force!"
"Second in command? Wow that's cool!" said Bean impressed.
"They made you second in command? The options must have been slim," said Koga
Freya narrows her eyes at Koga "Keep talking trash and I'll make sure your face is black and blue!" She removes her eyes from Koga and places them back on Bean "So what's the story with you two? How'd you end up with this idiot?"
"Well, my friends and I got caught up in some trouble and Koga over here saved our butts. So we've just been tagging along ever since." Bean explained as she twiddled her thumbs.
"Well if it's anything he's good at it's swinging a sword around," said Freya, smiling at Koga. "I heard you're traveling with an Elf and talking cat?"
Bean chuckled "Yeah…t-that's a long story," She rubs the back of her head nervously.
"Sounds exciting to me! Where ya headed too?" Freya asked "OH! Are you good with a sword? Can that Elfo do any magic? Is that cat super sassy or super boring?"
Bean was just laughing nervously. She was getting overwhelmed by all the questions Freya just dumped on her.
Koga softly bonked Freya on the head "One question a time hothead."
"Right Right, Sorry Sorry," said Freya, rubbing the top of her head.
"Well, we're just traveling up north looking for a new place to live. I had to leave home for…reasons…" Bean stared down at her hands that were clasped as she twiddled her thumbs.
"Ya don't get along with ya family?" asked Freya tilting her head.
Beans expression grew sadder "No…I don't…" She softly. Her tone getting sadder. Koga stared at her. Her eyes looked so tired as she thought about her family back at Dreamland. They looked lifeless.
Freya would get up from her chair and walk over to Bean. She then wrapped her arms around Beans neck and held her close "I know how ya feel. My family and I didn't get along either! So I decided to run away from home!" Freya placed her cheek against Beans cuddling her "You're not alone at all on that department missy!"
Bean felt as though she would burst into tears any moment. This is the first time in ages she has ever had a hug. She had forgotten what real returning affection felt like. "T-Thank you, Freya," She said, holding back her tears
"No problem at all Beanie!" Freya replied patting Beans head softly. "In this world, It's always good to know you have people you can depend on!" She said softly.
Bean's heart felt as though it would melt. She now understood what Barbara meant by Freya being kind and sweet.
"Hey, Koga!"
The three of them turned around to see that It was Matthew; the boy that had greeted Bean, Elfo Luci, and Koga when they arrived in Southwold. He had a wooden sword in his hand and he takes a deep breath "TEACH ME TO USE A SWORD!" He shouted.
"Huh?" Koga raised a brow
"I want to be swordsmen!" said Matthew determinedly.
"Why are you asking me? Out of all of the people that are here?"
"Well I want you to teach me!" said Matthew "I was going to ask you but you left the day I was going to ask…"
"Aww…" said Bean. She then bats her eyes at Koga "You're a jerk."
"What?!" said Koga looking at Bean shocked.
"I agree," said Freya with a nod
"YOU!" said Koga, glaring at Freya.
"He only wants you to teach him ya know? Matthew has been practicing by himself and wants no one else to teach him but you," said Freya, examing her nails.
Matthew's eyes gleamed as he stared up at Koga. Koga stared back into Matthew's puppy dog eyes. He gave in with a big sigh of defeat. "Alright! Come on you little ball of joy I'll show you a little something,"
"YAY!" said Matthew as he followed Koga into a more open area.
Freya couldn't help but giggle "Have fun boys!" she said as she waved at them.
"I've seen Koga in action a couple of times. He's a great swordsman." Ben said, of course not mentioning the fact she fought him once and she won't ever think of fighting him again.
"Oh defiantly," Freya nods "I remember when our leader was properly teaching Koga how to use a sword. He was natural! Gave our leader a run for his coins I'll tell ya!"
"So how did you two meet?"
Freya couldn't help but smile when she thinks back to that time. "It was when Koga started to settle down here in Southwold. He usually avoided going outside and talking to people. But, the leader decided to bring him out more often. Hunting, training, and all of that. I was curious about Koga when he first came to Southwold. So when I saw him standing alone I went over to go talk to him."
Bean was sucked into the story "And then?" she said eagerly.
"Well…" Freya began giggling "Well…when I spoke to him…he punched me in the face."
Bean's jaw dropped "WHAT? NO WAY!"
"YUUUP!" Freya busted out laughing, snorting a couple of times.
Bean couldn't help but laugh as well "Oh my god why did he do that?!"
"Honestly to this day I have no idea! I don't even think Koga remembers doing that!" Freya wipes a tear from her eye "When that happened I didn't want to go near him again. To be honest he's the reason I took up training to join the defense force. I wanted to get all strong and stuff."
"So did you ever get him back for when he punched you?"
"Nope. When he saw me again a couple of years after that he didn't even know who I was," said Freya, leaning back into her chair and staring up at the blue sky above them. "He was like a completely different person when I saw him. He talked a lot, had a personality, and smiled WAY more."
"Oh," Bean said, keeping her gaze on Freya then placing them down on the ground below her. She giggled once more "I guess you get him back enough anyway,"
Freya giggled "He can handle it."
The two of them were quiet for a moment.
"You know something that really stuck with me when I heard it?" said Freya
"What?" Bean asked
"I eased in on a convo our leader had with his third in command. When they found Koga in the mountains…a horde of wolves hurried to his side and stood guard by him…"
Beans eyes widened slightly "W-Wolves?"
Freya nods "Yeah…that's why the leader named him Koga."
Bean pictured it all in her head. Koga being surrounded by a pack of wolves guarding him. Bean began to wonder more and more. Just who was Koga? Where did he come from?
"SO!" Freya said suddenly. Causing Bean to snap out of her gaze and look at Freya "How long are ye planning on staying?"
"Oh uh…I'm not sure honestly. I guess when my arm gets better or-"
"OH GOD! OH GOD!" said Elfo, running up the steps and throwing himself onto Beans lap. Elfo was dressed up in a girl dress and had a bonnet on his head "Bean you have to save me! Please!"
Bean burst out into a giggling fit "Oh my god Elfo what did they do to you?"
"Don't ask…please don't ask…" Elfo said tiredly.
"Oooh, so that's the elf? Ye names Elfo huh?" said Freya, smiling at Elfo.
Elfo looked up at Freya and takes off the bonnet. "HI! I'm Elfo! Ignore the dress I usually look more handsome than this!"
Freya let out another snorting laugh "I'll keep that a mind! Nice to meet you, I'm Freya."
Then, the kids that were chasing Elfo came over. Bean picks Elfo up, holding him away from Elfo "Alright you little monsters that's enough torturing my friend!"
The kids let out one big awe and pouted. Freya gets up from her seat and steps forward "Alright you little runts! Scram!"
The kids stuck their tongues out at Bean and Freya and they ran away.
"Oh thank you…" Elfo sighed in relief, as Bean placed Elfo down and he began taking off the dress "Man wearing dresses is pain! It's like I'm being squeezed to death!"
"How do you think I feel when I'm wearing corsets for those stupid royal parties?" said Bean. Forgetting Freya was still sitting there.
Freya bats her eyes at Bean "Royal parties?"
Beans eyes went wide. "I-Uh, Well you see um I use to-umm-"
"You two ladies get along alright?" said Koga, as he came back holding Matthew in his arms.
"KOGA! HEY YOU'RE BACK ALREADY?!" said Bean rushing over to Koga.
"Oh yeah, it didn't last long. Matthew got tired and passed out," said Koga as he goes over to Freya and hands him to her. "He's all yours Freya!"
"H-Hey!" Freya said as he held Matthew in her arms and he latches onto her.
"Take him to his parent's home will you?" said Koga as he, along with Bean and Elfo walked off.
"It was nice talking with you Freya!" said Bean waving at her.
Freya stared at them as they walked off. She sighed and patted Matthew on his back when he yawned.
"So did Freya pelt you with one hundred more questions?" Koga asked in a joking manner.
"Nah, we just talked about Southwold and stuff," Bean said. As the three of them strolled down the street to find Luci. "She also told me you punched her in the face when you were little."
"I did?" Koga said surprised "Damn I wish I'd remember that more often."
"You're a real ladies' man Koga," said Elfo sarcastically.
The three of them would then find Luci. The men around the table looked drained and irritated. Luci had a big grin across his face and had a bag on the table. "It was a pleasure doing business with you boys!" He said deviously.
"Beaten by a cat!" said one of the players in a tone of disbelief.
"Well so much for food I guess…" said another.
Luci hops off the table and walks over to the trio. "Well, whenever we hit the road you can thank me later for making a bunch of money for you guys!"
"Jeez, Luci how much did you make?" Bean asked.
"Enough," said Luci throwing the bag over his shoulder.
One of the players would get up from his seat and pop his back. He then turned around to face the entrance of Southwold to see a horse with someone riding on his back. "Hey, isn't that one of the defense forces men?" He pointed forward.
Everyone who was out looked forward and saw the horse let out a frightful cry as it entered the town. The man riding the horse was covered in blood head to toe and he fell off the horse. Women who were outside let out cries of horror as they saw one of the soldiers lying on the ground.
"Holy crap!" Bean gasped.
Koga ran forward to check on the soldier. He kneels to check his wounds. He had severe cuts across his chest, arms, and stomach.
The soldier began to speak. "T-The forest…w-we went to go check on a missing citizen…in-in the forest Fergus…the whole squadron…the…" The soldier would then stop talking and his eyes roll in the back of his head.
"Fergus?" Bean repeated. She looked over at Koga, whose eyes had widened in horror. "Koga?" She walks over to him and kneels.
Koga had every right to be worried. This was the man he'd call his father when he was a child.