Okaeri: Part 16: Surprise Visit

Part 16 Okaeri, posted and written by Choco
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Yuri and Himitsu has... difficulties.
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Yuri took a sharp breath when he saw the tall woman with light pink hair, so light it was almost white. She also had pale skin, so pale; she seemed to have light grey skin. Her eyes weren’t too big and had, surprisingly, orange eyes. There was an oversized necklace on her neck. It had a red jewel and silver claws carved onto it.

Even looking at her made Yuri shiver. Himitsu pursed her lips. And then, she bowed her head.

‘Wolf…’ She whispered. The woman looked pompously at Himitsu. Her eyes enlarged slightly.
‘Explain.’ She said. Her voice, even though elegant, was icy at the same time.
‘The mass zombie breakout… I didn’t kill all of the zombies. I killed most of them, with the help of the only survivor of the breakout, Sato Yuri.’

She raised her head and looked at Yuri. The woman followed her gaze and stared at Yuri. Yuri tried to look brave, but somehow, under her icy stare, his true feelings were creeping out.
‘Continue.’ She seemed to talk only on a one-word syllable.

Himitsu took a deep breath and straightened up.
‘We were meaning to go to the Headquarters to consult you.’
So we were going to see her… Yuri thought.
‘So we just started our journey to the coven. I couldn’t just leave him. My route was… you should know, Wolf. You assigned it for me. So, while we were looking for the base in Tokyo, the two remaining zombies attacked us.’
‘And the humans…?’ Wolf said, raising her eyebrow and gesturing at the band of humans, still cowering in fright.
Ahh, the woman knows how to speak in sentences consisting of more than a word… Yuri thought spitefully.
‘I couldn’t just leave them. Too many have shed blood for the person in charge of transfiguring the zombies.’ She said strongly. Wolf looked at Yuri.

Silence.

‘I remember your mother, Eien, was a bounty hunter as well.’ The woman said slowly.

Himitsu pursed her lips.
‘She was a wise woman. I believe her motto was: Never fight a battle you can’t possibly win. Was it not?’ She asked. Yuri could sense a slight bit of sarcasm in Wolf’s voice.
‘Yes.’
‘And, I believe you have not killed the remaining zombies…?’
‘No I haven’t.’ Himitsu said quietly. Yuri didn’t like the way Wolf was talking to Himitsu.
‘So, it was a battle you couldn’t win.’ Wolf said. Her elegant voice was frosted with smugness. Yuri’s nose flared.

Himitsu kept quiet.
‘You went back for them.’ The woman said, gesturing the humans again. ‘And you even found an accomplice that hasn’t any magical abilities.’
‘I couldn’t leave them…’ Himitsu repeated coldly.
‘Yes… Pity for them, was it? You are young and immature. You have much to learn.’

Himitsu sighed softly.
‘Send them back. And don’t repeat your mistake again. You should learn a thing or two from your mother.’
‘Wolf!’ Himitsu said as Wolf turned away from her.

The tall lady turned around.
‘I am going to look for the person who transfigures beings into zombies. I’m going to look for the root of the problem.’

Wolf’s face tightened.
‘Your job is to catch things that have their faces printed on Wanted posters.’
‘But I want to look for the person. I have to. He or she has been causing too much trouble.’
‘You are a bounty hunter, not some secret investigator. Now, be a good girl and send the humans back. All of them.’ She flashed Yuri a glance again.
‘Not Yuri. He is a victim. He has a right to know what is to happen to his family who are now zombies.’

Yuri was about to explain his theory, but decided to shut himself up. Wolf looked down at him.
‘Yes… You’re right. Keep him with you first. But the others. Send them back. And erase their memories. I don’t want them remembering their encounter with us.’

And she raised her hand and snapped her fingers twice. And she vanished.

Himitsu looked at the humans. They were all panic-stricken.
‘I’m sorry.’ And she whispered a spell. They each fell into a deep sleep. Himitsu drew a big square, moved them across and closed the portal.

Yuri bit his lip.
‘So what happens next?’
‘Wolf- Schmolf. We’re going to look for the root of the damned problem and kill the bugger. And we’re going to see if your family members really are still alive, like you said.’
‘Say what…?’
‘You heard me. To hell with Wolf!’ She was so ticked off with Wolf’s attitude. How DARE she talk about her mother in such a sarcastic manner!
‘Oh, thank you! Thank you so much!’ Yuri exclaimed.

Himitsu sniffed.
‘Well, let’s just continue with our journey.’
‘We were supposed to confront that scary woman?!’ Yuri asked, jogging to keep up with Himitsu.
‘Weird, huh?’ Himitsu said sarcastically.
‘Why her?!’
‘Because she is the Head Witch.’
‘That scary pink haired woman!? Head Witch!?’
‘Oh for heaven’s sake, is it that hard to believe?’ Himitsu said, stopping abruptly.

Yuri shrugged.
‘Kind of. What kind of idiot let her be Head Witch? She’s impossible to talk to, let alone confront!’
‘The witches chose her. The other candidate was my mother, Eien.’ Himitsu said.
‘No wonder she was all sarcastic when she spoke of your mother.’ Yuri stated.
‘Hmph.’ Himitsu grumbled.

They started walking.
‘Where exactly, are we going…?’ Yuri asked after awhile.
‘To the woman that almost got Head Witch. She’s easier to talk to.’ Himitsu said, shrugging.
‘You mean you can confront a candidate who lost?’
‘She’s my mother isn’t she? Why can’t I ask her things!?’
‘You mean you can ask a losing candidate if she’s your mom…?’
‘No, you idiot… It means, I can ask my mother anything I like, and not because she was a candidate.’
‘Oh.’ Yuri said, realizing how idiotic he was.

After a few hours of walking, Himitsu stopped.
‘Let’s stop. It’s already 10 o’clock.’
‘Really?! Doesn’t seem like it!’ Yuri said sarcastically while sitting down on a hollow log. He looked up at the star-and-moonless sky. ‘Looks like day if you ask me!’

Himitsu rolled her eyes and sat down on a rock. She gathered leaves and twigs with magic and built a fire.
‘Be awake by 7.’ Himitsu said shortly. She put her head on the rock and tried to sleep.

Yuri grumbled while massaging his sore foot.
‘G’night…’ Yuri muttered. He laid his head on the log and slept.
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Posted and Written by Choco Soong
Plot created by K
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Okaeri is a fantasy story written by two students for fun.
Okaeri rightfully belongs to K and Choco
No copying or distributing to public without written permission of the owners listed above.