Yukiko finally arrives at the edge of the forest near where she and Takashi had been yesterday. She stops to catch her breath a bit before walking into the dark covering of the trees. After walking for awhile, she hears it: the rustling leaves that signal something is approaching. She turns toward the sound slowly and calmly. Sure enough, it is the kodama from before.

"I'm not here to hurt you. I just want to talk."

The kodama stays silent, still cautiously watching her.

"Why are you attacking the people?"

No reply.

"Because you're angry? Are you trying to take revenge on us for cutting down Sugi's and the others' trees?"

"...How... do you know that name...?" quietly asks the kodama.

"I am a Sibyl. Seeing your memories and feeling your feelings is part of my power. While I'm at it, I apologize for intruding on your personal life. I didn't do it on purpose, believe me."

The kodama relaxes slightly. Yukiko supposes he finally senses she really is just there to talk.

"Sugi is gone... Because of the humans," the kodama says.

"That's right. Humans cut down Sugi's tree. They're clueless, because they can't see you. However... There are many humans in this world with many different personalities and beliefs.... Do you believe you're in the right to torment all of them, simply because of a select few's mistakes?"

"But I must teach them a lesson. They must know how much pain they cause us."

"And tormenting them at random will solve that? They don't even know what's going on when you torment them, and they were all innocents who didn't even do a single thing to you. Some of them may have even been tree lovers, you know? Aren't you acting just like the humans who took Sugi away?"

"No! I am different! I will show those humans how naive they are. By doing that, I can protect this forest."

"If anything, this forest is only being seen as a dangerous place by the public. This could lead to the destruction of the entire forest in no time. Isn't that the exact opposite of what you're trying to accomplish here? In the end... won't it be all your fault if the rest of your friends are forced to move simply because of your selfishness?"

"How dare you talk so high and mighty..! What right do you have to say all of this to me? Do you not also carry human blood? I can smell it. You carry the blood of the wretched humans! You are just as naive and foolish as they are. You understand nothing!"

"Whether I am a fool or not, I do not know. However, I do understand," she says, silencing the kodama in surprise. "I understand. Your desire for vengeance isn't hard to make sense of. I, too, have had my fair share of conflicts with humans despite carrying their blood. However, this... what you're doing... it won't solve anything. It is just making matters worse. Did Sugi ask you to take revenge? Is this what he wanted? It's not. You're using Sugi as a shield to justify your selfish actions that simply only make you feel better."

"Shut up! You... don't know... anything..."

"If you really want to do something for Sugi... for everyone that you have lost as well as all those that you still have... Then stop this senselessness. Do something that Sugi can be proud of you for, Kohana."

Kohana stays silent, carefully thinking over Yukiko's words. Suddenly, the presence of many appears from the shadows. Dozens of kodama surround us.

"Everyone..?" Kohana says barely audibly.

"We love you. Please... Please don't torment the humans," one kodama says.

"Yes! Please! Don't do this anymore! Come back to us, Kohana! We're worried about you!" Several others shout.

"You're all... worried... about me..? Why?"

"Because we love you!" They all shout.

Another kodama approaches to speak, "If you hurt the humans, you'll only hurt too, Kohana. You won't ever be happy again. You'll only suffer. We don't want that! So, please Kohana, let's go home, okay?" 

"Everyone..." Kohana says, as tears begin to spill over. "Yeah... I'm sorry... everyone... for being so self-righteous.... for worrying you... Sorry..."

After a while, he dries his tears and looks up at me.

"Thank you... I'm sorry that I caused so much trouble for you. I won't attack the humans anymore. I promise. You're right, I should be doing something Sugi can be proud of me for. That's why... I'll protect the humans who come into our forest. I'll be their guide; since our forest is so deep and dark, they'll need me to get out, won't they? Hopefully, that will atone for the ones I wronged." says Kohana, smiling.

"Yes... Then, I'll be trusting you for that, Kohana," I say, smiling back at him.

~~~

This didn't exactly go according to plan... However, after this display, I can't touch that kodama so easily. It might make the situation unstable again. At that time, I won't have that girl at my aid for sure. Well, thanks to her, things are peaceful again. I suppose the mission was a success, even if it was done a bit strangely...

Jumping from the tree branch he had been watching the scene on, Takashi retreats outside of the forest with a speed spell. It's time to report back to base.

"I see, so the mission was a success, was it? I expected no less from you, Hunter Tsukino," the Commander's voice over the monitor says.

"Thank you very much, sir."

"However, this mission was completed rather unusually. It wasn't your usual style of handling things... Even if things take an unexpected turn, you always complete your mission in the way you were told to do."

"Is that a problem.... Sir?"

"No... I simply was speculating what the reason might be behind doing so... Could someone else be influencing such odd behavior from you? A girl, perhaps?" the Commander asks, half teasing.

Yukiko's face flashes through Takashi's mind.

"...No, sir... I know not of such a person."

"I see. Anyhow, well done as usual. Take a break for awhile. Simply continue your daily guarding duty of the Yin-Yang Academy under the guise of a normal student."

"Yes, sir."

The monitor screen switches off, and leaves the room dark.

Once again, the image of Yukiko appears in his mind.

Influencing me, huh? How ridiculous....