The Girl in the Woods 6

When Iyatego next awoke, it was to a loud, purring sound. The sun was now up, and he could see clearly. As he opened his eyes, he saw the girl hovering over his head, a big grin on her face, which was not three inches from his own.

“Aaaa!” he screamed, not out of fear but surprise.

“Eeeek!” she replied, reeling back, but not fast enough…

Iyatego sat up so suddenly that he banged his head against her forehead.

“Ow,” they groaned simultaneously, both rubbing their bruises. It was then that he got a good look at her.

She was small – about the size of a twelve-year old – and her plain face looked just as innocent. However, it was somewhat hard to judge her size because, besides her torso armor, which fitted snuggly around her lither form, the raiment she wore was much too large for her. What caught his attention the most was her hair; unlike his own, black hair, which was considered normal, her hair was a warm, chestnut brown. A few strands seemed to have been purposely pulled from the bun to hang down to one side of her face.

“Ow, ow, ow,” she groaned. “Sorry, sorry, so sorry.”

“Huh?” Iyatego brought his hand down to his lap. “What are you sorry for?”

“I hit you. Aren’t you mad?”

“Uh… no?” Iyatego said, quite puzzled. “That was an accident; why would I be mad?”

“Hmmm,” she purred. “Good point. But what’re you doing out here anyway?”

The young man looked around. He was in his tree niche, probably taken there by the girl. His stuff was in a neat pile next to a backpack, also probably hers. The oni’s bodies were gone, with only the faint smell of sour sake as evidence that they had ever been there.

“I’m going to Kumo,” Iyatego replied slowly. “This is the best way to get there. Now it’s my turn – why are you here?”

She blinked twice, looking about as confused as an oni would after being explained the rules of chess. Scratching her head, she said, “I don’t know.”

“Come again.”

“I don’t know,” she shrugged. “I woke up here last morning and realized that I don’t remember anything. Except for my name.” She immediately perked up at the mention of her name. “It’s Nekomusume. My name’s Nekomusume. Neko, for short. What’s yours?”

“Iyatego. But… you said you can’t remember anything. Nothing at all?”

Neko nodded her head vigorously. “Nothing. Nada. Zip. Nil. I know things, though; I just don’t remember anything. I don’t really know what I’m supposed to do now…”

At this, her cheerful disposition caved in, and tears began to well up and stream down her face.

“Ah!” Iyatego began, startled by her sudden change in demeanor. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to--”

Without warning, Neko pounced into the young man’s lap and buried her head into his chest. Mewling piteously, two long, brown, cat tails emerged from under her tunic. Despite this oddity, Iyatego couldn’t help but cradle the girl gently and try to comfort her.

Then an idea dawned on him. “You could come with me,” he said. Neko looked up at his face. “If you don’t know what to do, you could just tag along with me; nekomata are not very forgettable.”

“How’d you--” she began.

Iyatego pointed to her tails. “Those kind of gave it away.”

Neko smiled. “I can come along? Even though I’m a nekomata?” Iyatego nodded. “Yippee!”

She hugged him, and Iyatego returned it. “Thanks, Iyatego-kun. From now on, you’re my best friend.”

The young man simply nodded.

Neither of them knew that this simple event would change their lives forever…