Birds of a Feather | Soul of Yokai AU

Why Are You Silent?

Hanto and I made our way downstairs. As we were walking down, I saw the innkeeper picking up a pile of blankets that were scattered across the floor. I soon stopped walking for a moment and I started picking up the blankets. It wasn't really fair that the innkeeper had to do it all alone so I wanted to lend a hand.

"Oh— well, thank you." The innkeeper was bewildered.

"No problem." I replied.

After I was finished picking up the blankets, I gave them back to the innkeeper then joined Hanto again. But before we left, he told me something.

"Oi. Before we leave, I'm going to go a little further ahead. But you still follow me, okay?"

"Why are you doing that?" I asked.

"I don't wanna be seen with you." Hanto stated, "As you can tell, humans aren't very well liked here so I don't want people seeing us hang out together."

"Oh..." I murmured, "I understand."

Of course. Why should I have bothered asking? It's always going to be like that.

"Great." Hanto grinned.

Hanto soon turned around and started walking. I soon followed him but still trying to keep some distance away from him.

All the Yokai were looking at me as I was walking through the streets. Obviously, with the same weirded out and disgusted faces. Their eyes felt intense and it felt like the heat of the sun was on me. I couldn't help but sweat like a pig. I tried to keep my eyes onto Hanto's head of spiky crimson hair and not dart my eyes to the other.

Don't give them any reason to stare at you. Just go on like nothing's happening... Do they really just see me as something disgusting? Don't any of them feel differently? Is at least one of you not looking? When will you stop? Please, stop. I'm just walking.

I could feel my breathing getting more and more rapid. I tried to calm it down and control it. But it was almost like trying to ride a bull. My panting just kept going on but I didn't want to look weird. I had to tame it. Deep breaths, Nami, deep breaths.

"HAYATO!!!" A man's voice shrieked.

I soon snapped out of my trance and looked to see where the noise came from.

Soon, a man with deep blue hair ran towards Hanto. No, wait. He's Hayato.

The man had a sandy yellow horn protruding from his deep blue hair, he had to be an Oni. He also had elaborate clothing on.

"I didn't know I would find you here!" The horned man smiled.

"Neither did I..." Hayato was holding back a grimace.

"I'm so glad I found you though!" The horned man grinned, "My dear, sweet Hayato!"

What was this? I didn't know that Hayato had an admirer. And one that was a man at that. Guess even the guys like him.

The Oni soon locked eyes with me and he soon scowled.

"What are you looking at?!" The blue haired Oni shouted.

I soon started to freak out and quiver.

Hayato soon turned around and looked at me.

"Don't worry, I'll handle this." Hayato stated.

The blue Oni let go of Hayato and Hayato made his way towards me. He soon leaned over to my ear and soon whispered. It was weird to hear him to whisper since he was usually loud.

"Get outta here. If you run past me and the Oni here, soon enough you'll see an alleyway. Hide in there and I'll meet up with you there once I am able to get out of this guy's hair. Ya got it?" Hayato ordered.