The forest would fall quiet, and Haruto noticed it slowly, first the crickets would vanish then the frogs near the water and the faint rustling of small creatures in the brush. Before long, the world settled into in unnatural stillness that left his ears twitching for sounds that never came.

He would stop along the narrow path, lifting his gaze to the trees, and while nothing appeared wrong the silence was suffocating around him. Forgive my intrusion, Haruto murmured softly to the trees, lowering his head in a small gesture. I mean no disrespect, and as if to answer him a shriek rang from above bringing the Rekishiya to freeze a chill running down his spine.

The sound would carry through the canopy in a long wavering note, avian and yet not. His eyes lifted slowly toward the dark branches overhead as old stories stirred in the back of his mind, a black cloud...an omen. He did not utter the name that came first to his mind as something above him shifted in the branches. Against every sensible instinct that told him to flee, curiosity kept him frozen in place.

---

Tsukiko

Tsukiko was following Haruto through the forest. The weather had begun to change slowly, fall whispering its promise of cooler days ahead. She had enjoyed Haruto’s company so far. He brought a calm energy that she appreciated.

However, as they walked everything seemed to go quiet. The chorus of crickets had died out. And it felt like they were being watched, setting her on alert. Like Haruto, Tsukiko’s ears twitched in every direction trying to hear something. Haruto spoke softly to the forest around them, seeming loud in the silence.

Not nearly as loud as the shriek that pierced their ears in response. All along her spine her fur was standing up. She quickly stood behind Haruto, a chill running through her. And it wasn’t from the chill in the air.

Plants and healing she could deal with, when it came to some strange creature shrieking at her…well she wasn’t the toughest.

And Haruto, well he wasn’t running. So she would stay with him. Until something came out at them anyways.

H-Haruto… what was that?

Her voice sounded weaker than she meant. Her throat dry from fear. She was still new and didn’t know the kind of fauna that called this place home. For all she knew she was scared of something harmless, but the way Haruto reacted told her maybe that wasn’t the case. She heard something shift overhead but didn’t dare look.

Instead she kept looking around them, and kept close to Haruto so close she could feel the warmth rolling off of him. If they weren’t eaten by whatever was out there, she may never live this down.

Haruto felt Tsukiko draw close behind him, and although his attention remained fixed upon the branches he shifted subtly to move closer to her. He did not blame her fear, his own heart had begun beating faster than he would have liked, even if little of it showed upon his face.

I am not certain, he admitted quietly. His ears tipped forward as another faint rustle disturbed the canopy, There are stories from my homeland of a creature called a Nue. What I saw resembled one, but... his gaze narrowed slightly into the darkness. We are very far from my home

Haruto glanced back toward Tsukiko offering her a small smile when he caught how closely she had tucked herself against him. I would rather neither of us discover what it wants alone,

Another movement sounded overhead and Haruto's eyes immediately returned to the branches.

And perhaps do not run... he cautioned,

---

Tsukiko

Tsukiko was sure her heart would beat out of its cage. Something tugged at her mind… familiarity. She felt like she’s felt this fear before, but couldn’t grasp onto the memory. She took a deep breath trying to soothe herself.

A Nue he said… she has never heard of such a creature. At least that she can remember. And then a smile at her. How could he smile while they were presumably being hunted by something?! And then another rustle pulled his gaze away.

Tsukiko couldn’t look where the noise sounded, wouldn’t dare. She was no warrior. Didn’t have the bravery of one either. It was pathetic, she knew that. And yet that knowledge didn’t stop her heart from beating faster.

Do not run? So it is hunting us then?

Her eyes widened in panic. A million scenarios running through her mind. Still, she noted down mentally the things he’s said about the creature so she could remember if she ever ran into one again. But she really hoped she wouldn’t.

I am assuming this isn’t a normal occurrence.

What would make it come here? Maybe it wasn’t just them that got reborn here…maybe other creatures even mythical could find their way here.

Finally her mind started to function properly and moved away from the paralyzing fear and to trying to figure this thing out. Even if she still kept her eyes averted.

His ears shifted toward her alarm, regretting his choice of words instantly; he'd meant to reassure her but he could see how she came to the opposite conclusion. No, no forgive me he murmured, offering a faint apologetic smile, I merely meant that fleeing might encourage a chase, even if it doesn't intend to harm us. I think remaining calm is our best course of action though he couldn't promise their safety, he hoped his composure might offer some sense of comfort.

At her second question, his head tilted slightly Not in my experience, no. Though there is much about these lands I do not understand his gaze wandered briefly toward the darkened canopy, searching for another glimpse of the creature. The tales of his homeland spoke of the Nue as an ill omen, a harbinger of misfortune whose cries once troubled even an emperor. Yet Haruto had always wondered whether such creatures were truly responsible for the calamities attributed to them, or merely witnesses.

In the stories I was taught, its appearance was believed to foretell disaster, he explained quietly, keeping a hushed whisper But stories have a way of changing with every telling. I would rather understand what's before us than condemn it for something that happened centuries ago

A soft rustle interrupted his thoughts, followed by something brushing against the back of his neck. Haruto startled despite himself, his shoulders jerking as he turned sharply toward the sensation. A single dark feather drifted past his muzzle, settling soundlessly upon the forest floor between them. Somewhere directly above their heads came a low wavering note and Haruto's ears flattened, taking a step closer to Tsukiko before catching himself.

---

Tsukiko

Tsukiko nodded at his words. Calm, right. She could remain calm enough, the sound of her heartbeat a steady song in her ears.

His steadiness softened her composure a little bit. At least she wasn’t facing this alone… If she had, she feared she would’ve done all the wrong things with her fear at the forefront. She tried copying his movements and stance. Trying to ease the knot forming in between her shoulderblades, she relaxed. She listed off the names of herbs in her head to distract herself from the rustling above.

When Haurto looked up, so did she, following his gaze to the darkness that loomed above them. It was hard to tell where the darkness of the creature began and ended due to the overcast night. She didn’t fully believe in legends, finding that over generations they changed the information to fit what they wanted. She would always fact check something if she was able. Or test things like the poisons and remedies. She was glad the scars were not visible in this new body. They were there, she could feel them. But as long as no one got too close there was no need to answer questions about them.

I agree

She responded quietly. Even if she was terrified, she wouldn’t go off of a story from centuries ago.

Tsukiko watched as something small and dark floated down towards them- towards Haruto. And at his startle, she responded. A small gasp escaping her and her ears flattening. Another breath and the feather floated to the ground in between them.

When he stepped closer to her at the sound above them, she resisted the urge to step back. She was surprised at his protectiveness but appreciated it all the same.

Whatever you want to do, I will follow.

Her voice was sure as it came out. Haruto was more knowledgeable than she in this instance, she would follow him whatever he chose to do.