Monster's Empathy (Kirinmaru x Midoriko)
"What makes you think that all demons possess such dark intentions?"
Midoriko looked up to see Kirinmaru who was now sitting under one of the big branches of the trees.
"Are you following me?" she asked, her voice laced with annoyance rather than fear.
Kirinmaru came down from the tree to face Midoriko. His eyes, usually cold, held a trace of genuine curiosity.
"I heard how you speak to the people in your village. You despise my kind, right? You believe we are inherently wicked and a danger to all humans!"
The thought that this demon had been listening to her small talk with others was an invasion of privacy. It made her jaw clench in anger.
"I'm only stating the facts. What exactly do you expect us to believe?" Midoriko bristled.
Kirinmaru took a slow step closer, his expression suddenly unreadable. It seemed he was genuinely hurt by her generalization.
"In all honesty, I find it hard to believe that someone like you, a priestess gifted with the insight to discern the truth, chooses to see my kind as nothing more than mere monsters. As if we lack souls or compassion! I don't understand how you can allow unfair judgment to blind you and insist that everything that comes from the darkness must bring harm."
Midoriko was flooded with sharp guilt because of his words. She had condemned him based on her duty, not the truth.
Although there was a hint of guilt in her heart, she was still firm in her words.
"I only deal with what I can see. And what I see is centuries of devastation caused by your kind."
Kirinmaru didn't know how to react. It seemed this priestess really had a heart of stone. He thought someone like her would have empathy for every kind, no matter if they were demons or humans. He realized his assumption had been deeply flawed.
Though her face showed no concern, she felt worried by his sudden silence. The air around him was heavy with unspoken disappointment. She could feel the weight of his judgment pressing down on her.
She was about to speak when Kirinmaru handed something toward her. It was a white cloth bundled around a small, dry leaf.
"What's that?" she asked. Her voice was immediately softer.
Pain still showed in his face, but he was calm. "I heard one of the children in your village is suffering from a rare disease, and you need this herb. Take it. It's the exact herb that you are looking for."
Midoriko couldn't have expected such a gesture from Kirinmaru. The guilt she was feeling right now erupted into burning shame. The herb he was talking about was a rare plant. This is incredibly hard to find in their village and even in far-off forests.
"No need to thank me," Kirinmaru added. He took a step back; his face still revealed the sting of her unjust assumption. "I just want to help and bring it to you so you can cure the child that you've been taking care of."
All of her shields, not to show any emotion in front of Kirinmaru, completely fell. Midoriko couldn't deny how sorry she was for hurting his feelings. Her shame was profound; she had judged a heart that offered aid.
"I… I apologize for what I said earlier. I was wrong to generalize," she whispered, her gaze fixed on the herb. "I know you don't need my thanks, but I will still be grateful for this...this kindness."
Kirinmaru gave a small, tired nod. He turned and disappeared into the shadows of the forest without another word.
Midoriko became overwhelmed by sorrow and regret. The guilt continued to burn within her. She hoped Kirinmaru would show himself to her again so she could properly make amends for her terrible judgment.
