Ruby Tears (Inotan)

He's always been stubborn: Yoshiyuki's struggles raising a demon Part 1

Yoshiyuki would find that raising a demon child was…..difficult to say the least.

 His decision to bring it back to his burrow and the boar he protected could have been called impulsive. Something about the child, Inosuke, told the yokai it was different, as if someone imbedded as much love as they could into him before leaving him alone. For someone to drop their baby over a cliff screamed of desperation. Yoshiyuki didn't doubt for one moment now that the screams he heard were of Inosuke's mother being eaten.

Her attempt to save her baby's life backfired in the cruelest of ways. He certainly would live, as long as I don't have to end it...The silver-haired yokai thought to himself, already not looking forward to the possibility. FIrst and foremost he would have to feed it, only what? He would have to travel to Tokyo, the place the rumors of "friendly" demons originated. Sighing to himself the yokai man found himself packing and pulling a hood over his head to hide his face, his appearance more rugged than most human men although still able to pass in public, he would take the time to change it slightly, softening it, using his yokai arts. He didn't need to draw too much attention, a single man carrying a fur wrapped child no doubt would earn enough. Picking up his new child he looked at it face once again. It's dark black hair now dry revealing bright blue tips, eyes closed in slumber, lips puffing out air gently. 

jAlthough a demon, the child didn't have the normal stink of rot, instead smelling of deep woods in the summertime, carefree and happy. No doubt from never consuming anyone yet. Giving a parting glance to the sleeping form the yokai wrapped the child firmly in a fur blanket leaving a small gap for air. To make the distance from his lands to the large city would take at least a week if he only traveled during the night. Traveling during the day would save at least three to four days, he didn't know how long the demon boy could go without eating anything not wanting to risk him dying or worse.

Crawling from his large burrow, Yoshiyuki stopped looking over his clearing. Pleased to see the large sounder protected all sleeping peacefully. Moving through the slumbering forms he moved to the largest one shaking it gently. "Eh dumb hog, get up gotta talk to ya," the yokai said with a gental playfulness kicking it softly. Seeing the big boar waken and get to its feet he unwrapped Inosuke enough to show the hog his face. "I gotta take him somewhere so I can help him, I'm trusting ya to keep everyone safe." Yoshiyuki stated seriously, the boar looked at his face for a moment before dropping back to its lying position and snorting louding. Yoshiyuki smiled at the creature before turning and walking to the edge of the clearing. Taking the map of his bag he marked a course to Tokyo avoiding as many human settlements as possible. Four days, make it four days for me boy..  Taking the child he strapped him into a sling onto his chest,the yokai took a steadying breath, pulling his breath to his center and focusing on his legs. Releasing through his nose, destination in mind "YOKAI ART: BOAR STAMPEDE!!" 

I'll bet I can make it quicker than four days, I gotta!!

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Exhaustion riddled his bones but as he saw the bright lights of Tokyo he felt most of it dissipate. Three days...Yoshiyuki must have had the gods on his side, running into no humans nor demons on his quest. Making the quicker time was very fortunate, Inosuke had slept most of the journey only waking up earlier that day, struggling against him to be freed. 

However the sun burned bright above them forcing the yokai to harshly shove the small arm back in, worrying about the exposure. He didn't know if Inosuke had yet developed regenerative abilities, for all he knew the slightest bit could be deadly for such a small one. Inosuke did not like the rough treatment, beginning to cry loudly in revenge. The boar man knew it was his own fault for the mean grip he used, nonetheless crying….not so enjoyable. Stopping he looked to survey his surroundings finding a suitable tree to sit under, providing full coverage from the blazing sun.