Linn slowly wakes up after being knocked unconscious.
'Ugh...' Linn groaned, rubbing his head. He gets up and notices that he is still in the forest.
''What happened?'' Linn said. Just then, a voice called out.
''Linn!''
Linn turned to the voice to find Yuzu standing there.
''Yuzu?'' Linn said, confused. Yuzu ran up to Linn and hugged him.
''I'm so glad you're ok! ''Yuzu said. Linn was slightly startled and confused.
''Yuzu, what's going on? I thought you went with that Regulus guy.''
Yuzu let go of Linn and raised her eyebrows ''huh? Who's Regulus?''
''Huh?'' Linn was baffled. ''You know the bird that attacked us.''
''Linn, hun, there was no bird,'' Yuzu explains. ''We were traveling through the forest when you suddenly started running. I chased after you and found you collapsed on the ground. I didn't see anyone else.''
Linn was dumbstruck. The cabin, the woman, the men, and the bird that attacked them, Yuzu ran away and then joined the bird. Did none of that happen? Was that all a dream? Yuzu looked at Linn's depressed face and grew concerned.
''Hey Linn, are you ok?'' Yuzu asked.
''I don't know'' Linn said ''I'm so confused.''
Yuzu walked up to Linn and pressed her forehead against his.
''You don't seem to have a fever…'' Yuzu looked at Linn's eyes, ''but your eyes are bloodshot. Have you been crying?''
Linn rubbed his eyes. Has he been crying?
''Linn, you don't look so well,'' Yuzu said, worried. She sat down and patted her lap. ''here, come rest on mommy's lap.''
Usually, Linn would say no, but Linn suddenly felt really tired, and Yuzu's lap looked inviting. So he rested his head on Yuzu's lap.
''There,'' Yuzu said. ''Now try to get some rest.''
Linn complied as he rested, going in and out of sleep. Yuzu hummed while stroking Linn's hair.
''Does this feel good?'' Yuzu said warmly; Linn nodded, too tired to say anything.
''You know, Linn, this has been a great time adventuring with you. I've been having so much fun with you. Why don't you forget your friends and stay with me?'' Yuzu asked.
Linn nodded absently, still too tired to speak.
"Yes…"Yuzu said, clapping her hands together. "It would be just the two of us playing, eating, and growing old together. We'll be together forever. Doesn't that sound great? What do you say? Do you agree?"
Linn nodded again, paying little attention. He was so tired.
Yuzu smiled. "Good!"
*Shnk*
Linn awoke with a jolt at the sudden pain of his chest. He looked to find Yuzu with a knife and an eerie smile.
"Hey, it's ok," Yuzu said. "We are going to be together forever. I need your heart to mix with mine; hold still." Yuzu tried to thrust the knife into Linn's heart, but Linn got up, dodged, and landed a few distance away. He held his chest, panting. Yuzu frowned angrily.
"Now, Linn," Yuzu said, taking her scolding stance, "you're not being a good boy right now. I need you to hold still so I can cut your heart out."
Linn tried to speak, but no words came out. Yuzu was approaching Linn, brandishing her knife.
''Linn sweetie, there's no need to be scared, just come to mommy,'' Yuzu said gently.
Linn shook his head while backing away. Yuzu frowned angrily again.
''Linn, I'm not going to ask you again, COME. HERE. NOW!!!'' Yuzu roared, her voice distorting with every word.
The forest trembled with her rage as the sky darkened and everything around Linn began to deteriorate. Linn took that as his signal to run.
As Linn ran, the world around him grew more and more distorted. The ground cracked open, the sky turned pitch black, and the trees sprouted faces, laughing maniacally at him.
Linn kept running until one of the trees grabbed his legs. He fell to the ground as the tree dragged him towards its bark and held him up. Linn struggled to break free, but the tree was too strong. Just then, Yuzu arrived with a knife in hand and a twisted smile on her face.
''I found you Linn'' Yuzu said. As she stood in front of Linn.
''Why did you run away from me?'' Yuzu asked, pouting. ''it makes mommy sad.'' she then plugged the knife through Linn's chest. ''it also makes her very angry!!'' She proceeds to stab Linn repeatedly. Linn was writhing and crying in pain, but he couldn't speak or move.
''Hey, now it's ok,'' Yuzu said motherly, caressing his face. ''You made an oopsie; I'm not mad; I'm just glad you're finally holding still.''
Yuzu aimed at Linn's heart as Linn was panicking. He noticed a giant black and blue dragon-like creature flying in the distance.
''Just remember this, Linn,'' Yuzu said sweetly, her eyes slowly turning black. ''I love you, I'll always love you, and I'll love you to death….'' Yuzu stuck Linn in the heart as everything faded to black.
OOO
''AHHHHH!'' Linn sprung awake, breathing heavily and sweating profusely. He looked around and noticed that he was in a bed.
''Where am I?'' Linn asked.
''Master!''
Linn turned to his left and found Tomo in the bed, staring at him with a mixture of worry and joy in his eyes.
''Tomo?'' Linn asked. Tomo glomped Linn.
''Oh, master! I'm so glad you're alright! I was so worried about you!'' Tomo comically cried tears of joy. Licking Linn all over.
''C-calm down, boy, I'm ok,'' Linn assured, pushing Tomo off gently. Just then, Cheerilee and Daisuke entered the room.
''Linn, I'm relieved to see you are well,'' Cheerilee said.
''Ms. Cheerilee? Where am I? And what happened?'' Linn asked.
''You're in the cabin house in my room. Tomodachi found you injured in the forest and brought you back here. I healed your wounds.'' Cheerilee explained.
''I see. Thank you'' Linn bowed.
''Yeah, you better be grateful!'' Daisuke yelled. Everyone looked surprised.
''W-what? Why are you mad at me?'' Linn asked, confused.
''Not only did you get to sleep in the same bed as Miss Cheerilee, but you also got to be healed by Miss Cheerilee too. Her beautiful hands on your body and the fragrance smell of her perfume on her bed. I'm so jealous!'' Daisuke said, crying comical tears. Everybody sweatdropped.
''Anyway, Linn.''Cheerilee said ''What happened in the forest, and where's Yuzu-chan?''
Linn recounted the events in the forest: finding Yuzu, encountering a bird, fighting to save Yuzu, and losing her to the bird.
''Oh my'' Cheerilee said.
Linn got out of bed and stretched. ''I feel much better. Come on guys, we got to go after Yuzu.''
Linn was walking toward the door but stopped when he noticed that nobody was following him.
''Guys?'' Linn asked. nobody answered.
''Guys, come on, we have to go and save Yuzu.''
''Do we?'' Tomo replied. Linn looked shocked.
''What do you mean?'' Linn asked.
''Master, I don't know if you actually forgot or didn't want to mention it, but Yuzu was the reason you lost in the first place,'' Tomo said.
''What are you talking about? That's not true,'' Linn said, sweating.
''Master, I saw Yuzu attack you with her ladle and leave with the bird creature of her own accord.''
Cheerilee gasped, ''Linn, is that true?'' She asked.
Linn looked down. ''Y-yea.'' Linn looked back up, ''but there had to be a reason for that. We have to find her and ask her.''
''I don't know, master,'' Tomodachi said. ''I did warn you that I had a bad feeling about Yuzu, and I was right. She betrayed us. I don't see any reason why we should help her.''
''So we are just going to abandon her after everything she's done for us?!'' Linn yelled angrily. ''Tomo, you were the one who suggested bringing her along with us!''
''Because I genuinely thought she would be of some help to us,'' Tomo replied calmly, ''but now that she has shown her true colors, I don't know if I trust her anymore.''
Linn growled. ''fine! You can stay here! Daisuke, Cheerilee, and I will find her!''
''Whoa there, Daisuke is not doing anything,'' Daisuke said.
Linn gaped at him ''et tu Daisuke?!''
''If what the dog said is true and Yuzu left on her own, then she clearly doesn't want anybody to follow her. Plus, from what I saw, she only used us to save herself from something.''
''But you're her bodyguard; you're supposed to protect her from that something!'' Linn said.
Daisuke shrugged. ''It's hard to guard a body when there is nobody to guard. Besides, I don't enjoy being used.''
Linn looked at Cheerilee with pleading eyes ''Miss Cheerilee…''
''I'm sorry. Linn'' Cheerilee said apologetically ''I would gladly help, but I don't have a weapon to fight with.'' she briefly glared at Daisuke as Daisuke whistled innocently. ''And I'm not a hand-to-hand combatant. I won't stand a chance against those men or the bird.''
Linn couldn't believe what he was hearing. Were they all going to abandon Yuzu?
''Then forget all of you!'' Linn snapped ''I'll find her on my own!'' Linn ran out of the room as the other occupants looked at each other.
000
Linn was running down the path, trying to remember which way Regulus and Yuzu went last night.
''I'm sure they went this way,'' Linn said.
''They went a little to the west, master,'' Tomo said, running alongside Linn.
''Thanks Tomo'' Linn replied.
A tumbleweed passes through the path.
''Tomo?! What are you doing here?!'' Linn exclaimed; Tomo chuckled.
''You don't want me here?'' Tomo jokes.
''N-no, I do, but I thought you didn't want to help,'' Linn said.
''I just said that I don't think it was a good idea,'' Tomo explained. ''I never said I wasn't going to help.''
''Oh,'' Linn simply said
'Master, I must ask, what is your fixation on Yuzu? We've only known her for a short time.''
"Well… "Linn said hesitantly.
''Could it be….love?!'' Tomo gasped.
Linn blushed ''NO! I-I mean, it's not like that!'' Linn said, flustered. He then thought to himself. Why does he want to recuse Yuzu so badly? Tomo is right; he has only known Yuzu for a short while, and she betrayed him and left on her own, so he has no obligation to follow her, right? He then remembered the words Yuzu mouthed. Linn had a determined look.
"I'm not sure what I feel about Yuzu just yet, but I know she's in trouble, and as a hero, I have to rescue her.'' Tomo nodded in agreement.
"Kolt village is to the west of here," Tomo said. "With the pace we're going, we should be there in a few minutes.''
"Ok! "Linn replied 'hang on Yuzu! we're coming to rescue you!' Linn thought.
OOO
Kolt village
Kolt village is a typical village with huts for houses. The villagers were gathered in the middle of the village where a certain little girl, beaten and bruised, was tied up on a low cross. The man from earlier smirked down at her.
"Well, Yuzu, this is it. I can't say it's been fun, but this is where we part."
''Gerard-San… please…''Yuzu begged weakly.
The man, Gerard, scoffed, "Oh no, none of that, you're getting what you deserve. The only reason we had to delay your execution was because of your stupid friends injuring our people; otherwise, we would have done it then and there." Gerard grabbed Yuzu by the hair, "But no more delays! This ends here and now! You got that?!"
Yuzu stared sadly, resigned to her fate, as Gerard let go of her
''Alright, men, let's get this done and over with,'' Gerard said. Two men grabbed some gasoline and placed some all over Yuzu and the cross. Gerard lit a match.
''Welp Yuzu, this is goodbye,'' Gerard said.
''Hold on a second, Gerard Yamanaka," Gerard turned to find Regulus.
"Regulus? What are you still doing here? ''Gerard said, confused.
Regulus raised an eye. ''I say, Weren't you the one who said I should stay the night?"
''Yes, I did,'' Gerard said slowly, "but it's morning now. Shouldn't you be going back to the Kemono kingdom?''
"As much as I would like to, there is still the matter of the payment'' Regulus said.
"Payment?" Gerard replied.
Yes," Regulus confirmed, "for bringing Yuzu Katagiri back to Kolt village. I have yet to be paid for this endeavor.''
''I see,'' Gerard said,'' and why are you coming to me about it?''
Regulus pulled out the paper. ''it says here that you were the one who requested the job, so by that logic, I assume you are always the one to give the reward.''
Gerard sighed. ''can't it wait? I'm in the middle of something.''
''I'm afraid not,'' Regulus replied. ''I must be returning to the Kemono kingdom post-haste, and I can't do that until I get what I am owed.''
''Fine'' Gerard said, blowing the match out '' just let me--'' just then a villager screamed. Gerard and Regulus turned to find Linn and Tomodachi standing before them.
A minute ago
Linn and Tomo stood at the entrance of the village.
''This must be Kolt village!'' Linn said ''but where is Yuzu?''
''Over there, master! Tomo pointed to the center of the village. Linn turned in that direction and spotted the villagers. Linn and Tomo rushed past the villagers to find Gerard, Regulus, and a beaten Yuzu.
''Yuzu!'' Linn yelled.
''Linn! Tomo-chan!'' Yuzu called out, surprised.
Gerard pointed at Linn'' it's you!''
Linn glared at the man. ''You! '' he looked towards the person on his right ''and Regulus…''
''I say, you're the boy from last night'' Regulus remembered ''what are you doing here?''
''What else? I'm here to take Yuzu back,'' Linn stated.
''Linn…'' Yuzu said, tearing up.
''You stupid child!'' Gerard yelled ''I told you a million times that this doesn't concern you!''
''I don't care what you say!'' Linn yelled back ''Yuzu is my friend, and I will rescue her! Now give her back!''
Gerard grunted ''Fine! If you won't listen to me, we will force you out! Regulus! Take care of him!''
''No,'' Regulus said. Everybody was stunned.
''Did you just say no?'' Gerard asked, confused.
''That's correct'' Regulus said.
''What do you mean no!?'' Gerard said, furiously.
''I mean no simple as that'' Regulus replied ''I have no reason to fight the boy.''
Tomodachi raised his eyebrows. ''sorry to interrupt, but aren't you working for these people?''
''Yeah,'' Linn added.'' Didn't you say it was your job?''
''My job was to bring Yuzu Katagiri to Kolt village, and I accomplished that.'' Regulus said, As a matter of fact ''I am not obligated to do anything outside of that. I am only here because I have yet to receive payment for said job.''
''Look, Regulus,'' Gerard said, ''I will pay you the money after you get rid of these guys.''
''That will simply not do,'' Regulus said. ''I must be paid for the job I Previously did before I start a new one. If you need my services now, I would need double the amount I was owed.''
''Fine, I'll do it; get rid of these guys' 'Gerard said.
''Very well'' Regulus said. He stepped to Linn and Tomodachi as the two got into fighting stances.
''So child, our paths cross once again,'' Regulus said.
''Yeah, but this time, I'm taking you down!'' Linn said, determined.
Regulus raised an eye. ''my dear boy. I bested you before, and it's only been 24 hours since we last battled. What pray tell changed after that?''
''What changed is that I'm with him now,'' Tomo answered. ''So you're going to have to fight both of us,''
Regulus sighed, ''I'm not exactly fond of fighting a child and a fellow beastkalin, but this is my job.'' Regulus brings out his sword ''have at you!'' Regulus charges at the two.
''Here he comes, master. Are you ready?'' Tomo asked.
''Yea!'' Linn replied. ''Let's go!'' the two charge at Regulus.
Regulus swings his sword at the two. The two dodge as Linn tries to throw a punch at Regulus, but Regulus blocks with his hand. Tomodachi claws at Regulus, but Regulus blocks with his sword. Linn uses that opportunity to kick Regulus in the stomach successfully. Tomo then follows up with a straight punch to Regulus's skull. Regulus staggers back a little and glares at the pair. He runs up to Linn and delivers a roundhouse kick to Linn, knocking him to the side. He then points his blade at Tomo.
''I say, you there,'' Regulus said, addressing Tomo.
''What?'' Tomo replied.
''Did I hear correctly that you refer to the boy as your master?''
''That's right, and?'' Tomo replied
Regulus raised an eye. ''are you not ashamed of letting a human hold your leash?''
Tomo raised his eyebrows. ''what's wrong with that exactly? Isn't that our job?''
Regulus scoffed. ''Surely you jest. We beastkalins are a proud race. We do not bend the knee to anyone, especially humans.''
''Yet here you are doing a human's bidding,'' Tomodachi retorts.
''This is a job, not servitude,'' Regulus said. ''I am not bound by these people as you seem to be with the boy.''
''It doesn't matter what you think. I am Linn Tsukiyomi's dog, and I'm proud of that fact.''
''Tomo…''Linn said
Regulus sighed. ''A domestic beastkalin, how unfortunate. if that's how you feel, I see no reason to hold back!'' Regulus charges at Tomo, but Linn intercepts him by tackling him. The two roll on the ground until Regulus kicks Linn off of him. Regulus swings his blade at Linn.
'No, I can't dodge in time!' Linn thought as he braced for impact.
*slash*
Tomo appears before Linn and takes the brunt of the attack.
''TOMO!!'' Linn called out. Tomo kneels on one knee and holds his chest in pain.
''Master, I'm glad you're safe,'' Tomo smiled.
''Tomo, are you ok?!'' Linn asked worriedly.
''I'm fine,'' Tomo said, breathing heavily.
Regulus looms over the two, sword in hand.
''I say for a beastkalin to protect a human, I'm flabbergasted.''
''You're that surprised?'' Tomo asked.
''You would go that far to protect this boy?''
Tomodachi smirked. ''of course. He's my master; I would do anything for him.''
''Tomo…'' Linn said, touched. Regulus looked on in surprise.
''Regulus, what are you doing?!'' Gerard yelled ''don't just stand there! Get rid of them!''
''No, please! Just leave them alone!'' Yuzu yelled.
''Shut up, you!'' Gerard snarled, slapping her.
''Hey, leave her alone!'' Linn growled as he tried to make a beeline for Gerard but was stopped by Regulus.
''Get out of my way!'' Linn yelled at the bird.
''I'm afraid I can't do that, my dear boy. I was hired to stop you,'' Regulus replied.
''BUT WHY?! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?! WHY ARE ALL OF YOU DOING THIS TO YUZU?! WHAT DID SHE DO TO DESERVE ALL OF THIS!? I DON'T UNDERSTAND!!!''
''Linn…'' Yuzu said on the verge of tears. Everybody was silent. Just then, Gerard begins to laugh.
''Fine, you want to know so bad,'' Gerard said. ''I'll tell you, and then maybe you'll understand.''
Gerard looked directly at Linn and straightened up.
''I'll tell you the story of Yuzu Katagiri, aka the witch of death.''