[Slow Updates] Beasts (Tomoe x Reader)

The Stray God

The early morning sun trickled through the leaves of the trees, bathing your face in light. You opened your eyes and stretched. Your companions did likewise. Your companions were an assortment of beasts from wolves and foxes, to rabbits and hawks. Any creature that sought protection came to you.

You were midstretch when a gunshot echoed throughout the forest. All the animals tensed, and looked to you for guidance. Another day, another hunter. You thought to yourself with a sigh. You ran your fingers through your long white hair, and stepped forward. Mid-step, you changed from a humanoid with ears and a tail, to a pure white wolf. You barked for the creatures to stay put, as you bounded towards the origins of the gunshot.

You slowed when you got close, and snuck up behind the humans. Sure enough, two men and a woman had woken up bright and early to hunt. You growled, and lept out of the underbrush. You knocked the guns from their hands, and snarled at them viciously. They panicked, and ran for their car. You huffed, and headed towards the deer they had shot.

"Please forgive me, friend. I failed to protect you." You whispered to the lifeless body. "Rest assured, your body will bring forth new life." You tilted your head back, and howled into the sky. Slowly, several beasts emerged from the dense foliage. A starving bear, a mother wolf and her adolescent cubs, an elderly cougar, and many more.

They all approached the carcass, bowed their heads in respect, then began to eat. They didn't fight for the food, and they didn't eat more than they needed. It was the perfect image of peace. You turned and headed out to patrol the woods, transforming into the more comfortable fox form. Your tail swept back and forth as you strolled through the woods, completely at peace. Another shot echoed in the morning air. You raced to the scene, but you were caught off guard. A bear trap slammed down on your back left paw. You released a pained screech, and struggled to break free. You'd made such a rookie mistake, but seeing one of your own die had distracted you.

You heard voices, so you tried to remain quiet as you tried to pry the trap off your paw. You cursed the metal that dug into your leg. Iron was the one metal that prevented you from using your powers.

"Hey, we got something in the trap!" A man's voice shouted from right behind you.

Another human came from the left. He whistled, impressed. "That's one rare find." The man chuckled.

You struggled even harder, but the metal just bit in deeper. The hunter to your left hoisted a rifle, and aimed it at your chest. You glared up at the cruel device. A wolf slammed into the hunter as the gun went off. You felt the cold bullet pierce your left shoulder, but you bit back a cry. A bear lumbered out of the woods, and chased off the remaining hunter. With that done, the bear and wolf dug into the soft soil that kept the trap secured to the ground. When the spike was finally dug free, you tried to move, but you yelped in pain. The bear gently picked you up by the nape of your neck, and carried you to the closest place of safety, Mikage shrine.

The bear lumbered out of the woods, onto the steps outside the shrine. The bear placed you outside the archway, and lumbered back into the woods. Your animals weren't allowed to enter a shrine without permission, so all you could do was wait. It felt like hours before someone finally found you, shivering and bleeding on the stairs.

You looked into the eyes of the little shrine spirit, praying they would recognize you. The little spirit gasped. "Master Tomoe, come quickly!" The male shrine spirit shouted. Tomoe?

"What is it this time?" A man replied in an uninterested voice. When he saw you, he ran to your side, and crouched down.

"She has some sort of godly power, but I don't recognize it." The female shrine spirit stated.

"We need to get her inside." Tomoe stated.

"We should not bring a goddess into the shrine while Lady Nanami is gone!" The shrine spirits squeaked in unison.

"We don't exactly have a choice." Tomoe grumbled as he gently lifted you and carried you inside, as you fell unconscious.

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When you finally woke up, you slowly sat up. You sniffed the air, but couldn't smell anything that made you think danger. You shook and stretched, your tail curling as you yawned.

"I see you're finally awake." A voice called from the door. You turned, and saw a teenage girl with brown hair and eyes. You cocked your head, and looked at her in confusion. She puckered her face in doubt and confusion. "Are you sure this is a god?" The girl called down the hall.

"You shouldn't be so rude." The man from before chastised as he slid into the room. He had short white hair, white ears, and a fluffy white tail. He bowed his head to you. "Please forgive her rudeness. I'm Tomoe, the familiar of this shrine." The man stated. He held out a red kimono, and placed it in front of you. "I've brought you some clothes. If you can transform, please do. We would appreciate it if we could speak with you." The familiar stated, as he slid the door closed.

You looked around, and sighed. You transformed back into your human form. Your traditionally white kimono, was ripped and stained by blood. You picked up the kimono, and got dressed, your tail curling out of the fabric. You tried to take a step forward, and grimaced. Damn, trap. You huffed. You looked around, and spotted a pair of crutches against the other wall. That familiar doesn't miss a beat. You thought to yourself as you hopped over to the crutches, and slid one under your right arm. You knew it was supposed to go under your left arm, since your left leg was wounded, but your left arm was in just as much pain. It'll have to do.

You exited the room, and hobbled down the hall, your long white hair trailing behind you. The hall opened up into a dinning room/kitchen. The girl and familiar were sitting at the table, arguing. You waited patiently for them to finish. Tomoe took notice of you first. He rose, and offered you a hand to the table, which you gladly accepted. They both stared out you in surprise. Do I have blood on my face?

The familiar broke the silence first. "Forgive our rudeness. Welcome to the Mikage shrine. As I formerly introduced, I am the familiar of this shrine. This is the current land god, Nanami Momozono." You nodded at the girl, and she smiled at you in return. "If you don't mind us asking, who are you?"

You nodded. "My name is (Y/N). I'm the beast god. I preside over all beasts, including yokai with animal like appearances. I only hold strong influence with other yokai." You replied. "Thank you for tending to my wounds, but I should go."

"But you're still hurt!" Nanami protested.

"I'm sure she has her own shrine, and familiars who will take care of her." Tomoe replied to Nanami.

"I have no shrine. Shrines are designed for the appreciation of humans. My existence is loathed by most men, so I have no shrine." You stated.

Tomoe's brow furrowed. "Why do you chose to leave before you are healed then?"

"I am not usually welcomed by creatures unless they are fearful. My presence is disliked, even by other gods."

"Well that's mean! I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't want to be around you. Your pretty, and smart, and you seem really kind." Nanami said with an angry pout.

"It is simply the life I live." You stated.

Nanami thought for a moment. "Then why don't you stay here?!" She shouted the idea. You winced at the loud noise, your ears folding down.

"I couldn't possibly intrude upon your land."

"Don't worry about it. Besides, the Mikage shrine is all about helping those that reside in its terrain." Tomoe stated.

Nanami looked at the familiar in surprise. "You normally are against anyone even coming to visit." She looked at Tomoe in confusion.

"I feel we can trust her. She might also be a big help." Tomoe shrugged.

So, he doesn't remember. You mused to yourself. "I'll accept your offer then. It will be nice to have a roof over my head for once. That bed was also quite comfortable." You smiled at the young land god. Nanami clapped happily. I suppose I can leave the forest every once in a while.