Chapter CCXLVIII: Pattering Rain ~Bulaklak

Pattering sounds echoed across the rooftops. Whether the pattering was from the raindrops or the teenage girl running across the roofs was uncertain. The girl jumped from rooftop to rooftop with catlike grace, only slowing down to pause a minute. Her eyes may have shifted wildly under the mask covering her entire face in that moment, but even if someone was around, they would never be able to tell.

The girl continued to dart over until she reached the edge of town. Every few minutes, her hand would stray to the ebony-handled wakizashi strapped around her waist. When she finally landed on the ground, she hurriedly scampered off to the edge of town.

When she was certain no one was around, she pulled out a freshly-stolen package from her shirt. As her head looked around to find a place to devour her prize, her eyes settled on a dark alley. No one would be in there. Slinking, she made it top the alleyway and found a spot out of the rain. Opening the package, she ravenously tore at the food inside. Before she had made it to this town, she had to settle for the raw flesh of small woodland rodents.

Finishing her meal hurriedly, her eyes strayed deeper in the alley. A young man was standing a good distance away, seeming to be preoccupied with something. He was seemingly unaware of her presence. She crouched down and slunk out of the alley, to the edge of town. It was unwise to alert the town's notice late at night with all the thefts going on recently.

When she was a good distance away from the town, she leaned back against a tree and sighed. Whether she actually slept that night was also uncertain. In the morning, she got up and strolled casually to the town, as it the appearance of a young girl with a face covered by a tribal-looking mask was not suspicious at all.

A man spotted her and called out "You there! Who are you? Have you seen a wolf about?"

The girl turned her face to him. The mask covering it unsettled him slightly, but he soon retained his calm.

"Are you deaf? I asked you some questions!"

The girl spoke in a low, rough voice. "I am Bulaklak ZiShivu. I have seen no wolf, and am merely passing through town."

"There have also been several thefts going on recently. Have you seen anyone suspicious?" Besides yourself? he wanted to add.

"No," the girl replied. "Good day."

With that, she turned and walked away. Had the man exceptionally good hearing, he might have heard a low chuckle.