As promised, here is the next chapter.  I was going to have it out yesterday, but I ran into some problems writing it.

Let me know if I should refer to Kumaneko and Kuroken with ‘he’, or ‘it’.

Well, here you go.

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--Elina’s Perspective—

I am riding on the back of an undead monster.  Behind me, a skeleton is wrapping its fleshless arms around me, gripping the pitch black fur of the wolf.  The wolf jumps and jolts, dodging trees as it runs.  Every time there is a sudden change in direction, I get thrown around.  Eventually, I had to hold onto the white bone arms in order to keep from falling off.  The wolf stinks of death, to the point that it would be unbearable if I was not already accustomed to stench of this level.  It’s just as well, unable to clean myself for almost a year, I didn't smell any better...

The wolf abruptly comes to a stop, then jumps forward; changing directions.

As it jumps, my back is pushed into the creature riding behind me.  The hard surface presses against open wounds and bruises on my back.  There is pain, but I've grown accustom to pain, and this much isn't enough to make me cry out. 

Taking my mind off the pain, I recall the events that led to this unbelievable situation.

A skeleton.

The first time I saw it was back in the carriage.  I remember it walking down the dirt road, its dim blue eyes fixed on me.  The only thing I could think, was that death had come for me.  That death had taken pity on me and forgiven my cowardice, granting me the death I sought.

I couldn't help but feel relieved.

It was going to end.  I didn't have to bear it anymore.  I didn't have to think anymore.  I didn't have to feel anything anymore.  With the feeling of an enormous weight being lifted, I closed my eyes and let my consciousness be swallowed by darkness for the last time.

However, my wish was left un-granted.

When I opened my eyes again, the sun was bright in the sky.  Looking at my surroundings, I was still in that forest.

I couldn't understand it.  Hadn't death come for me?

Why did I believe that so strongly?  Haven't I learned by now?  Learned not expect anything...  Haven't I already accepted that I am being punished?  That there is no salvation for me?  That not even death would save me?  Then why?  Why...why did I feel relieved?  Why did I let myself fall into that same process of build hope and having it crushed?

I could only blame myself.  I cursed my own ignorance.

At that moment, I remembered what situation I was in before I passed out.  I panicked and looked around in a hurry.  If I had passed out for a long time, then the three men would get angry, and get even more violent with me.  The most I could do is apologize and hope they let me off with a light beating.

That was when I noticed the gaze looking down on me.  Looking into those dim lit lights at the back of its hollowed out skull, I jumped back in shock, but was unable to get away.  I was surrounded by bones, but after a brief struggle, I was able to force myself out.

I sat there, breathing heavily, staring at the skeleton.

It was the same one that had been walking on that dirt road.  Next to it, were two giant undead beasts.  There was a sinister aura surrounding them, thickening the air.  Was it controlling them?

I kept my focus on the skeleton.

It didn’t move at all.  It did nothing, said nothing.  I waited for an explanation.  Waited for it to tell me why it took me.  Did it save me?  No… perhaps it wants to make me an undead. 

But why?  Why do I feel so relieved?  Why can’t I shake that feeling?

I told myself I would never allow myself this feeling again, that it would never last.  As soon as I let myself feel hope, it is immediately stomped out, and my situation becomes ten times worse.

I knew this, and yet, I couldn’t help it.  Looking at the skeleton across from me, sitting across from this undead… my heart lightens, my body relaxes on its own, I feel relieved.

Giving in to the burning in my eyes, I hugged my legs and cried.

How long had it been since I last cried.  Cried without restraint.  Without the fear of someone seeing me.  My eyes grew red and swollen, but I couldn’t stop.  I couldn’t help that feeling.

How absurd.  For a skeleton to give me hope.  To see it as some kind of savior.

…I know this.  I know it, but there’s nothing I can do.

Eventually, I stopped crying.  In response, the skeleton gets up and walks to his wolf.

I flinched a little at his sudden movement, but when I understood that he was leaving…

I was scared.

I’m a coward after all.

I’m scared of dying.  I’m scared of being abandoned.

Didn’t this skeleton come to save me?  No… that is wishful thinking.  In what world does an undead corpse come to save a weak and insignificant slave?  I can’t believe I let myself believe that.  After everything that had happened, after everything I’ve learned; I should know better.

I sat there reprimanding myself.

Then, it mounts the wolf, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw it.

It extended its hand to me.

It invited me to come with it.  It offered me an escape from death, an escape from my fate; a fate which I had accepted as truth long ago.

I looked at the hand for a long time.

That hand, devoid of any flesh, or blood…  how envious.  This creature had left its living body behind.  Anything that tainted it, or bound it to this world was discarded.  A clean slate…

…I wonder if it remembers its past…

I was considering various things.  Part of me wanted to discard everything, even if I wasn’t myself, even if I was under the control of this skeleton, I wanted to forget, to start over.  But that part had always been there.  It had been whispering in my ear the entire time.  It had told me to end it myself, to end all the pain and take my life. 

Only, I am a coward.

I couldn’t help my mother and father, I couldn’t help my brother, I didn’t even resist when they were slaughtered in front of me.  All I could do was shut my eyes in fear; fear of my own life.

How selfish I had been.

No.   Even if it was to become an undead, taking my life on my own… I’ve never been able to do it, and I probably never will be able to.

If I don’t take that hand now, it would mean my death.

Thinking that, I had grabbed onto that skeletons hand, resigning myself to the mercy of the undead before me.

There is a tap on my shoulder as I’m lost in thought.

It makes me jump, bringing me back to the present.

I tilt my head and look up at the face of the undead behind me.  It is looking ahead, off into the distance.  I see it raise its arm to point in front of itself, and my gaze follows, directed by the boney finger.

Ahead of us… it was somewhat hidden by trees, but you could see it.  It was a lake; a lake in the center of the forest.

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--Takke’s Perspective—

Led by the wolf for roughly half an hour, we finally arrive at a small lake.

To think something like this was in the forest…

Though I say it is a small lake, it is still rather large.  It looks like I couldn’t stand at the center of it with my head above water.

Along the ride here, the catgirl never said a word.

…well, that’s to be expected…

Running up next to the lake, I dismount from Kuroken.  Once I am safely dismounted, I hold my hand up for the catgirl to take, attempting to help her off the wolf.

She looks at me with a bizarre expression.

Should I not have done this?  I mean, of course she would feel uneasy about people touching her after what she’s been though…

Right when I was about to draw back my hand, the catgirl unsteadily takes hold of it.

I guess I was over-thinking it?

In a fluid and gentle movement, I slide her off the wolf.  As she slides off, I reach my free hand under her other arm and guide her feet to the ground.

Once her feet are safely on the ground, I release my grip on her, but when I do, her legs shake and she starts to fall over.  Quickly, I take hold of her arm again, keeping her on her feet.

She looks down at her shaking legs.

I feel her lose strength.  Placing my hand on her chin, I divert her attention away from her legs and have her look at me face to face.  She is expressionless.  Her eyes are glazed over.  If it weren’t for her trembling legs, she would look like a corpse.

I look her in the eyes and shake my head, then point towards the lake.

She doesn’t give me any reaction. 

I wonder if she understands…  Maybe it’d be easier to…  Alright, let’s do it.

I place one arm around her upper back, and move my other arm to the back of her thighs, sweeping her legs out from under her.

When I make contact with the back of her thighs, she stiffens a little, but immediately goes back to her stoic, doll-like state.

Holding her in my arms in a princess cradle, I walk towards the lake.

Right as I’m about to step into the water, I hesitate.  A thought hits me.

I wonder if it’s safe…

The forest has many dangerous and hostile beasts roaming around, a lake which is located in such a forest should be no different…

I stand there and extend [Vision] to its maximum range.  Once extended, it covers the entire lake.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Patiently, I wait and feel for any movement in the water.

We stood there for several minutes while I studied the lake.  The entire time I stood holding her, the catgirl never moved.  Staring off in the distance, she seemed to be in another place.

 Nothing…. I guess I was just being overly cautious…

Slowly, I step into the water and move further and further into the lake until I’m submerged up to my waist.  Holding the catgirl in my arms, I float her on the surface, only her head above water.

We come to a stop, and I stand her up in the water, placing her feet on the bed of the lake.

She is shorter than me, the water comes up to her chest, just enough to keep her modest.  With the help of the water, it seems she is able to stand on her own.

But she doesn’t move; only stares at the surface of the lake. 

I guess it can’t be helped.

Thinking that, I lift one of her arms to the surface of the water.  With gentle motions, I run my boney fingers along the fur on her arm, spreading the grime and filth into the water around us.

Since I don’t have a brush or cloth, it takes some time to get it all off of her.  Well, even though I say all, there’s only so much I can do with water and bone...  but as I continue washing down her arm, the finished product is considerably cleaner.

As I reach her hand, I feel a gaze on me and look up.

She is looking directly at me.

Our eyes meet each other’s for an instant before she turns her head and hurriedly looks away.

It seems she’s back…

At that moment, there is a low grumbling sound.  It comes from beneath the water between us.

………………

………

….

She’s hungry?

The grumbling noise from beneath the surface was definitely the sound of her stomach growling.  Well… it would make sense.  Just looking at her, you can tell she is malnourished. 

Now that I think about it, when I was carrying her, she was extremely light; as if I weren’t carrying anything at all.

I can’t leave it like this…

…ah!  There’s that!

I command Kuroken to run back to our earlier spot, and retrieve the animal that was going to be used for its fur.  With this, we’ll be able to get her something to wear as well as something to eat.

Acknowledging my order, Kuroken turns and runs back through the forest.

Noticing the sudden movement of the wolf, the catgirl looks up and watches it disappear into the trees.

I hold my hand in front of her, forming a thumbs up; letting her know it’s ok.

She just looks at me and tilts her head.

…It’d be so much easier if I could talk…

I finish cleaning her arms and move on to her hair.  I turn her around and gently lean her back.  As I submerge her hair in the lake and wash it, she looks up at me.  Her eyes seem to search mine, but they aren’t suspicious… more like the eyes of a curious child.

Then her nose twitches.  Her mouth opens, and her eyes shut half way.

“Choo!”

She sneezes.

She sniffles a little bit, then lets out a sigh.

Seriously…. She is too cute…

Wait a minute…  Wasn’t she shaking due to the cold yesterday?  And if it’s cold in this forest, then this lake must be even colder.

……..

W, well, it’s not like I could just leave her covered in filth, and if she were to get out of the lake now, it would only be colder.  Right, I’ll just make sure to have something warm for her to cover herself with when she gets out.

Speaking of which, I wonder how much longer Kuroken is going to be…  I should have put off washing her until after I found something for her to wear… I’ll be more careful in the future.

Hmmm, if she is going to eat meat, then I’ll have to cook it, which means I’ll need fire…  It’ll also be good to have it to dry her off and keep her warm if Kuroken doesn’t come back in time…

Then it’s decided.  I’ll make a fire.

Just as I finish washing the catgirls hair, I command Kumaneko to use [Dark Blade] on some nearby trees in order to gather firewood.

While I’m making the fire, she can finish washing herself.

I stand her back up and have her face me.  I make the motion of washing myself, then I point to her.

She stares at me without moving.

…….no good huh.

I take her hand and place it on her shoulder, moving it around in a scrubbing motion.  After a bit of hesitation, I feel her start to move it on her own and I let go.  I back away from her as she cleans herself, moving from her shoulder to her chest.  Satisfied, I leave the lake and proceed to make a fire.

Kumaneko is able to gather a good amount of wood in almost no time at all.  Standing in front of the pile of wood, I think about how I’m going to make the fire.

There aren’t any lighters, and I don’t have something as convenient as fire magic, so I’ll have to start it the old fashioned way.

I bend down and pick up two pieces of wood.

I choose one with a flat surface, without bark; and one that is thin and cylindrical.  Falling to my knees on the grass next to the lake, I hold the flat piece on the ground; and with long, quick movements, move the end of the other piece of wood up and down the flat surface.

To my surprise, it didn’t take long at all for a thin cloud of smoke to start rising from the wood.

I guess it’s the difference in strength…

A narrow rut formed on the flat surface of the wood after just a few passes, and the smoke grew thicker until flames suddenly burst from the rut, spreading across the log.

I quickly stood and picked up another couple of logs from the pile, placing them carefully over the fire.  Slowly, it spread to the additional logs and the flames grew.

With this, it’s about the size of a campfire… I guess.  But that was easier than expected.

It didn’t take five minutes to make the campfire, even though I’ve never made one bef—

I sensed it.

With [Vision], I felt it move.

Why?  Nothing had moved until now!  Why all of a sudden?

Out in the lake, a long creature had picked itself up off the bed of the lake, and was slithering toward the catgirl.

Fast!

It was moving quickly, there’s no way I would make it to her in time.

Frantically, I call out to Kumaneko and order it to intercept.  It takes off towards the lake at high speed.

I run toward the lake as well, waving my arms in front of me, trying to get her attention.

Behind you!

“…”

Run!

“…”

Get out—

Suddenly the catgirl looks up from washing herself.  She sees Kumaneko running at her and sees me waving my arms.  Her ears twitch, and she jumps to the side.

As soon as she does, a large, snake-like animal can be seen shooting out of the water, its jaws lined with several rows of sharp teeth.  Had she acted a second later, it would have taken off the top half of her body.

Snapping its jaws in the space she used to be, its long body follows its head in an arch, leading back into the water.

Having just dove out of the way of the monster’s attack, the catgirl lost her footing and was flailing around in the water, struggling to make her way to the shore.

Kumaneko has reached her and is looking for it.  I quickly transmit its location to Kumaneko as I run into the water. 

My bones easily cut through the lake without resistance, and I’m able to reach her in a matter of seconds.

I take hold of one of her flailing arms and pull her to me.  Bending down, I pick her up, holding her firmly in my arms.  Like that, I turn to run out of the lake.

Behind me, the monster is approaching with ferocious speed.  However, Kumaneko comes from the side, throwing its body into the serpents’, knocking it off its course.  As I leave the lake with the catgirl, the monster circles back around and jumps out of the water in front of Kumaneko, opening its jaws to attack. 

Reacting at a speed not befitting an undead, Kumaneko forms [Dark Blade] around his arms in an instant, dodges the monsters attack; and as its long body passes, cuts it into several pieces.

On the grass, just out of the lake, I hold the trembling catgirl in my arms.  She is soaking wet and her teeth are chattering.

Confirming the death of the monster with [Vision], I set her down by the fire.

How careless.

Because of my stupidity, this girl almost died.  I bring her into a freezing cold lake, and then leave her there.

Of course the lake would be dangerous.  This entire forest is dangerous.  How could I have so easily assumed…

Is it really ok for me to look after this girl?

I turn to move away from her, but something grabs my ankle.

Laying there, her entire body shaking uncontrollably from the cold, her arm is held out, her fingers wrapped tightly around my ankle.  Her eyes are locked onto mine; and inside them is determination.  I was slightly taken back.  This little girl, who was so expressionless and without emotion, for her to have this look…

The bones in my body relax, resembling a sigh; and I sit down next to her.

Sitting beside her by the fire, I hold her hand as her tense and trembling body slowly relaxes.