A woman stood in front of a group of villagers. She had flawless alabaster-white skin and long, rich black hair that fell past her slim waist, which was tied into a loose ponytail with a ribbon. She stood around five foot five, and had big, brown eyes. She wore the traditional dress of a miko (priestess), which has remained essentially unchanged to this day except for the lack of the slit-shoulder seam. She wore a white jacket with sode-kukuri (cords) through the sleeves and open shoulders. Strings called muna-himo were attached to each lapel and tied in front to keep the garment closed. Her kosode would be very much like a modern Kendo or Naginata Keikogi, with the sleeve fitting somewhat closely like a modern loose shirt and extending slightly past the wrist. The slits on the side of her hakama, and the openings at the sleeves and shoulders of her hitoe (jacket) showed the white kosode she sported.She wore a bright red nagabakama (a very long hakama), which included the small board on the lower back.She also wore common tabi (socks) and rice straw sandals. This was Hana, a priestess that was well respected. “What seems to be the problem?” Hana asked them. “Wild boar remains have been found in the forest behind the temple. We fear it may be a demon Lady Hana.” one of the villagers said. “I shall look into it.” Hana said. “And if it is a demon?” another villager asked. “Then it shall be dealt with.” Hana replied.It wasn’t long after that Hana was in the forest behind the temple. What appeared to be a silver furred wolf, but Hana sensed otherwise. When the ‘wolf’ stopped for a moment, she fired an arrow at it. The ‘wolf’ moved suddenly, resulting in the arrow skimming its right shoulder. It sniffed the air briefly, then the ‘wolf’ soon spotted Hana.
The ‘wolf’ is seen running through the forest, with Hana in hot pursuit. She managed to keep pace, since the creature was slightly slowed down by the trees. After about two minutes, Hana fired another arrow. This one hit it's right shoulder, penetrating the fur. The ‘wolf’ howled in pain and collapsed on the ground. This allowed Hana to get closer. She sensed that this creature was not all demon. The ‘wolf’ laid on the ground, taking shaky, pained breaths. “That's not even your true appearance, is it?” Hana asked the creature. The creature did not respond in any way, continuing to take shaky and pained breaths. Hana pulled the arrow out of its shoulder, cleaned out the wound, put ungent on it, and dressed the wound. She took the ‘wolf’ with her to the place where she was staying for the night. The next morning, she woke up to find the creature’s blankets abandoned. She looked towards the doorway and spotted a young man sitting with his knees up and his arms crossed and on top of his knees. His head rested on his arms and he was staring out the doorway. He looked like he was 5’8”, though it was hard to tell considering his current position. He had a lean, wiry frame, though Hana guessed that it probably belied massive strength. He had a thick mane of waist-length silver hair, golden eyes, claws on his fingers, and short fangs in his mouth. His ears were furry and pointed, though more like those of wolf than a dog. He wore a red robe that appeared to have a white piece of clothing underneath it. He was barefoot. His ears were perked up, so he had most likely heard her movements. He glanced back at her, then said something surprising. “Thank you.”
To be continued...
The "Dun dun, then the reading of the episode's title by the title character
The ‘wolf’ is seen running through the forest, with Hana in hot pursuit. She managed to keep pace, since the creature was slightly slowed down by the trees. After about two minutes, Hana fired another arrow. This one hit it's right shoulder, penetrating the fur. The ‘wolf’ howled in pain and collapsed on the ground. This allowed Hana to get closer. She sensed that this creature was not all demon. The ‘wolf’ laid on the ground, taking shaky, pained breaths. “That's not even your true appearance, is it?” Hana asked the creature. The creature did not respond in any way, continuing to take shaky and pained breaths. Hana pulled the arrow out of its shoulder, cleaned out the wound, put ungent on it, and dressed the wound. She took the ‘wolf’ with her to the place where she was staying for the night. The next morning, she woke up to find the creature’s blankets abandoned. She looked towards the doorway and spotted a young man sitting with his knees up and his arms crossed and on top of his knees. His head rested on his arms and he was staring out the doorway. He looked like he was 5’8”, though it was hard to tell considering his current position. He had a lean, wiry frame, though Hana guessed that it probably belied massive strength. He had a thick mane of waist-length silver hair, golden eyes, claws on his fingers, and short fangs in his mouth. His ears were furry and pointed, though more like those of wolf than a dog. He wore a red robe that appeared to have a white piece of clothing underneath it. He was barefoot. His ears were perked up, so he had most likely heard her movements. He glanced back at her, then said something surprising. “Thank you.”
To be continued...
