In a forest not too far from a small village, a girl walked through the trees.

Her light blue kimono was marked with dirt, her black hair was messy with leaves, and her mask was chipped at the left eye, which showed one of her orange eyes.

Her name was Makimi, and she was a rejected daughter.

She was born with sharp teeth and claws, something all the other girls in the village didn't have.

Everyone, even her parents, called her a monster. Makimi's parents kicked her out, and gave her a mask so they wouldn't see her face.

Makimi wasn't surprised. She called herself a monster sometimes. But when she used her claws and teeth for survival, she didn't think that anymore.

She carved a spear out of a branch, and she used that for practice. Ever since that day, she has become a capable fighter.

One day, while she was training, Makimi saw a small girl crying. She put on the mask and walked up to her.

"Are you ok?" Makimi asked her.

The girl yelped, looked at Makimi, and ran off. Over the edge of a cliff.

Makimi took action, jumping off after the girl, grabbing her in her arms, and used her claws against the rocks to slow them down from falling too fast.

Once they landed to the bottom of the cliff, the little girl looked at Makimi again, whispered a "Thank you," and ran off.

"She must be one of them," The girl told herself.