The Mark of a Yokai's Love

Chapter 7: A New Home?

A/N: I'm back!!! So I completely forgot that this story existed and when I went back to it, I honestly didn't want to keep going. But I stopped in the middle of the chapter and I felt like I had an obligation to at least finish the chapter so I wrote it anyways. Now I'm thinking that I'll finish the whole story as I have a plan on what the plot will be like. I'm so sorry I forgot about it, but now I'll be updating quite regularly, especially since I'm on summer break. Also, I've sort of forgotten what this anime is like so excuse me if suddenly, halfway through the chapter, the characters become OOC, there are inconsistencies, or my writing style changes. Don't be afraid to comment your thoughts or criticisms. It's truly been a long time! I hope you will forgive me reader-chan! Enjoy!

After being brutally attacked, I figured that my "vacation" was over. I was dirty, hungry, and exhausted. I wondered if Tomoe would still be angry at me for leaving the shrine. After all, it had nothing to do with him...well it had a little to do with him, but there were other reasons too! As I walked along the dark street, I clutched my bag closer to my chest. Every leaf rustling in the breeze sounded like the rustle of clothes as someone snuck up behind me. Every echo of my footsteps sounded like another pair of footsteps following me in the darkness. All I wanted to do was get to my bright, safe home again. Finally, I got to my destination and walked quickly up the steps.

"Tomoe?" I called out nervously, but there was no answer. I climbed the stairs even quicker. "Tomoe?" I called again. "Are you there?" Once again, no answer except for the sound of the wind and my footsteps. The night suddenly seemed even more dangerous. The air felt colder and I could almost feel someone watching me again.

"Okay, calm down Kora," I told myself. "There's nothing there. Only a few more steps and then you'll-"

I was cut off by the feeling of something hitting my head powerfully. The last thing I thought of before I was knocked unconscious was Tomoe's face when he realized that another one of his masters wasn't coming home.

~~~~~

I woke up with a pounding headache and an aching back. As I desperately tried to sit up and evaluate my surroundings, I tried to remember what had taken place. Was it still nighttime? I looked to my right and saw a dark, murky view outside the window. It must be. There's no way that it could be this dark and be daytime. Looking to my left, I saw a plain room with a table in it. I made my way over to the table and looked in the dishes covering it. It was the weirdest foods I have ever seen. I wasn't even sure if you could call them food. The things in the bowls looked slimy, disgusting, and nonedible. In one dish, it was moving as if it were alive. The only thing I recognized was a teapot and a cup sitting next to it. I poured myself a cup of tea and drank it. To my surprise, it was one of the best cups of tea I had ever had. As I gulped down the rest of it, the single door to the room quietly slid open.

"Good morning, Kora," said a soothing voice. I whipped my head around to find a tall man with green eyes and white, spiky hair smiling at me. I watched him walk to the other side of the table and get down onto his knees. I waited for him to say something, but he just sat there and stared at me. Creepy. I cleared my throat and shifted uncomfortably. "Um, where am I?" I asked.

The man let out a chuckle. I failed to see what was funny about my question. "Why, you're at my shrine of course! Well, it's not technically mine. I'm just a familiar here for the lovely Lady Yonomori. Are you uncomfortable? Do you need anything? Have you tried the food yet? I tried to make the most human things I could think of." I stared at him blankly as he rambled on and on. Before he could go any further, I cut him off.

"Wait, slow down a minute. Who is Lady Yonomori?"

His smile weakened a bit before answering me. "You don't know who Lady Yonomori is? She's only the best water god that has ever existed!"