Haruto stood really still against a tree trying not to make a sound as he hid from the demi-humans. He could feel the air getting thicker. It was getting harder to breathe.
He looked around the forest carefully trying to see the Dami human.
They would not listen to him he already knew that.
Talking to them was not going to work.
So how was he supposed to get out of this situation?
Haruto thought about it for a moment and then he realized that if this fight went on for long it would get dark soon.. Fighting in the dark would be even worse for him.
He was not strong enough to survive that.
Not yet anyway.
Haruto slowly looked over at another tree nearby. Miyuki was lying there still her chest moving up and down slowly. She had not woken up yet. Before she lost consciousness Haruto had given her an order. Because of that she was stuck in a deep sleep.
Her body was resting against the trunk not moving all.
If she woke up she might be able to help him. At the least she could talk to the demi-humans maybe buy some time or maybe change something.
She was not waking up.
That made everything worse.
Haruto clenched his fist tightly.
He could not summon Miyuki either.
The skill had a limit. He had already used it once. Until it reset or until he got stronger it was useless.
Now he had nothing.
No help no plan, no time.
Haruto whispered under his breath "Miyuki wake up..."
There was no response, only silence.
His heart started beating
He had to think. Before he could come up with anything a loud sound cut through the air behind him.
Harutos body reacted fast he turned around. It was too late.
A spear shot forward fast tearing through the air before slamming into the tree beside him.
The impact was violent. The trunk started shaking.
The tip of the spear grazed his side cutting through his clothes and into his skin.
Haruto stumbled a bit his breath caught in his throat as blood started flowing down his side. It was not a wound but it was enough to weaken him.
Haruto gritted his teeth as pain spread through his body. Blood kept flowing from his wound, warm and relentless. Without wasting time he pressed his hand tightly against the injury trying to slow the bleeding. His fingers quickly got slick with blood. He did not stop. He tore a piece of cloth from his clothes. Wrapped it around the wound pulling it tight to stop the flow.
His breathing was heavy and uneven.
He barely had time to steady himself before he sensed movement around him.
By the time he lifted his head the demi-humans were already there surrounding him from all sides their weapons pointed at him.
On the side Miyuki slowly woke up. Her vision was still blurry. As it cleared the first thing she saw was Haruto, injured surrounded and seconds away from being attacked.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
Without thinking she forced herself to her feet. Rushed forward.
"Stop!" she shouted, stepping in front of Haruto.
The demi-humans froze, startled by her movement.
A young cat demi-human girl stepped forward gripping her spear tightly. Her eyes were sharp and suspicious.
"Why are you protecting him?" she demanded. "He tried to enslave you we saw everything."
Miyuki shook her head immediately.
"No you are misunderstanding " she said firmly. "He is not a person he did not try to hurt me."
The cat girl frowned. "Then why were you unconscious?"
Miyuki hesitated for a moment before answering choosing her words carefully.
"I was not hurt " she said. "We have been traveling for a time I was just exhausted so I fell asleep."
The tension in the air did not disappear completely. The weapons slowly lowered.
The cat girl clicked her tongue softly. "Then he should have explained that earlier."
Haruto let out a breath still holding his wound. "I tried " he said. ". You attacked before I could say anything."
The group exchanged glances.
Miyuki stepped forward slightly. Began explaining what had happened the bandits, the destruction and how Haruto had helped her escape. She left out the part about the contract keeping it to herself.
When she finished silence settled over the group.
The cat girl lowered her spear completely this time.
"Sorry " she muttered. Then the others followed, bowing their heads slightly.
"We misunderstood," one of them said. "We thought you were trying to enslave her that's why we attacked we're adventurers we protect people."
Haruto shook his head lightly. "It's fine."
The cat girl stepped closer. Raised her hand. "Wait " she said. "I can heal you I know healing magic."
Before he could respond a soft light began to glow from her palm. The warmth spread through his body and within seconds the pain began to fade. His wounds slowly. The bleeding stopped completely.
Haruto looked down at himself in surprise.
"Thank you " he said.
She nodded, then asked, "What's your name?"
"Haruto " he replied. ". This is Miyuki."
After a pause Haruto spoke again.
"Do you know a demi-human woman who lives in the mountain area?"
The girls expression shifted slightly. "You know her name?"
Haruto glanced at Miyuki.
Miyuki shook her head faintly. "I do not remember much after the war " she said quietly. "I used to call her Master. I do not know her real name."
The girl crossed her arms thinking for a moment.
"We are heading toward that mountain area " she said finally. "There is a village there if you want you can come with us."
Haruto nodded. "Alright."
She gave a smile. "Good my name is Emi."
The rest of their group was a distance away waiting. Soon Haruto and Miyuki followed Emi. Rejoined the others.
Emi stepped forward. Raised her voice slightly.
"Everyone listen for a moment."
The demi-humans turned toward her.
She gestured toward Haruto and Miyuki.
"This is Miyuki and this is Haruto do not worry he is human but he is not a person he helped her."
Some of them looked curious while others simply nodded.
"They will be traveling with us for now " Emi added.
Then she turned back to them. Motioned them closer.
"Come here."
Haruto and Miyuki stepped forward.
Emi gestured toward a group standing nearby. "These are my siblings."
She folded her arms. "Go on introduce yourselves."
One of the cat girls stepped forward first. She had hair and a calm expression.
"Well I will start " she said with a smile.
"My name is Nao Tanaka and I am the oldest among them."
A taller boy followed. "Toru Tanaka."
Another raised his hand casually. "Daiki Tanaka."
A quieter one nodded. "Riku Tanaka."
"Kenta Tanaka," another said with a grin.
Finally the second youngest of them scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"And I am Shinji Tanaka " he said.
After all of them finished introducing themselves Emi stepped back in front of Miyuki and Haruto again.
She folded her arms proudly.
"And you already know me " she said with a smile.
"I am Emi Tanaka."
Then she tilted her head slightly.
". Yes before you ask I am the youngest, among all of these siblings."
Emi clapped her hands once to get everyones attention.
"Alright lets move if we stay here longer we will not reach the village before dark."
The group. Began moving again.
Haruto and Miyuki followed quietly behind them as they walked deeper through the forest. The journey was not easy the wounded slowed them down. No one complained.
Hours passed.
Gradually the dense forest began to thin the air felt lighter. The path became clearer.
Finally they reached the edge of the trees.
Emi. Looked ahead.
"We are here " she said.