His mother was dying. Her time was limited and as the days progressed, so did her illness. The boy loved his mother very much, she came before anyone else. So, to make her happy in her few remaining days, the boy traveled to try and find her favorite flowers. he wandered around the village, but all of the flower stalls didn't sell bellflowers, mcuh less have any. He walked to the outskirts and came across a clearing. No matter how hard he looked, he couldn’t find bellflowers. He went to turn back when he saw a path led by darkened trees. He felt a shiver go down his spine and headed home immediately. He was shaken and that feeling didn’t seem to want to leave. Throughout the rest of the day, he thought about the path, but more than that, he thought of his mother. In the morning, he left his home to visit her, though upon knocking on the doctor’s door, he was met with a tired face. His mother’s time had shortened significantly and her death was fast approaching. The doctor had no idea when it would happen, but he knew it was soon. The boy approached his mother carefully. She had a pale face stricken with fever, her veins bulging and clearly visible. Instead of staying by her side like he had done so many times before, he ran. He ran through the village, to the outskirts, through the glade, and stopped right before the path. He took a tentative step, looked back, the continued to rush toward the road before him. The woods were dark and each step was met with rocks or tree trunks. The boy felt eyes everywhere he walked, but no matter what direction he turned, he couldn’t make out any dark figures among the trees. The path was long. He didn’t know how long he’d been walking, though his perseverance was admirable. He was hungry and tired but his feet continued to carry him along. He didn’t know where, but if it was to get his mother flowers, he was willing to travel any distance. She was his world after all. After literal days of traveling, the boy saw a home. It was a decent size and very sturdy, though it didn’t seem to be made of any of the trees that were surrounding it. He made his way to the door, but collapsed from exhaustion. He didn’t even try to get up, he just sat there and rested. After an unknown amount of time, the boy tried to get up; completely consumed with his quest. The first try his legs didn’t move, the second time his legs gave out and he hit the ground again, but the third time, he felt pressure on his arm as he was promptly lifted off the ground. He chanced a look at what was holding him and his eyes went wide. A beast; black fur, blue eyes, long curling horns, a tall stature. Something the likes of which he’d never seen. He was weak and the creature obviously strong, but they were at a standstill. The boy couldn’t do anything and the creature didn’t do anything. It didn’t speak or poke or prod, it just stared. After awhile, the beast set the boy down and sat down with him. Again, it just stared. The boy tried making conversation but he had no idea what to say. Pondering for a bit, he asked the beast his name. The beast did not speak, but instead moved. It drew the characters in the ground and spelled KAIBU. The boy had a feeling the creature wouldn’t harm him and tentatively reached his hand out. The beast flinched a bit but let him touch him. First his hand glided over his horns, then carded through his fur. Ever so slightly, he inched forward until he was face to face with Kaibu. Kaibu also held his hand out and very softly touched the boy, as if he were precious. The boy laughed and made up his mind to befriend Kaibu immediately.