Oh yay look its chapter 10!)

Ring ring ring

The faint sounds of ringing had woken me up. When I first open my eyes, I see bits of hay, and the silent man sitting next to me, his eyes locked onto a piece of hay lying on the ground.

Ring ring ring

There's the noise again! And it seems that it even woke dororo up. The two of us both gave each other weird and confused looks. where was that noise coming from? It didn't seem to phase the man- is he sleeping or something??

"you want?"

A deep and raspy voice was heard from he entrance of the stable. And my heart sank upon hearing the mysterious voice.
I turn my head around, and there was a monster. It had an oversized head, a blank stare in its eyes, and a little bell in hand.

Was that the monster that the village was struggling with? Its hideous!

I felt my body freeze up, and a cold sweat began to break. "Wh-" I tried to speak, but it was like fear was holding me by the throat and choking me so I was unable to talk and breathe. And I was frozen in place,  like somebody came along and did something to freeze me in place.

"Wake up! Wake up the monster is here!" Dororo panicked trying to shake the man to get him to budge, but he just sat there.
"Cmon!"

That thing wasn't attacking. It just stood there and stared at us, ringing his bell another time. The high pitched rings echoed through the dark, half empty stables.

But it left. It walked away just like that? What was it and why didn't it attack? Maybe it knew the man had weapons literally attached to his arms- if that was the case, then I think the man would've attacked... Maybe the thing was nice??

"Everything alright over here?" Another voice was heard from the other side of the stable, and I was able to move my head towards the voice.

And there was the man who was filling in for the chiefs spot, a lit candle in hand.

"Uhm-"

"We saw the monster! But we decided to let it go for the night!" Dororo interrupted me. Right when I was about to say something about the large headed beast with the shiney golden bell.

"oh! Right. I understand.." Denkichi bowed his head, giving a small smile.

But wouldn't he be a bit more frightened upon hearing a monster was roaming around his place? I mean, I'd be pretty scared, and not seem so chill about it. Almost gets me thinking, is he perhaps hiding something? No. That would seem almost unlikely. Besides, he seems innocent enough. And there is not enough evidence to prove he is hiding anything.

"Well, you three get some rest. Chief bandai will be eager to meet you!" And without saying another word, denkichi walked off, the little flame of the candle growing dimmer and dimmed the further he went on.

Is sigh shakily, and looked down to the wooden floor. I turn my head to dororo, who was already getting himself nestled in. Seeming to have already calmed down after the so called 'monster' encounter.

It was probably time I fall back asleep too, but I didn't deal tired after that.
I think the thing kinda scared me awake.
Odd how the man didn't react. Maybe he was sleeping, and was just a heavy sleeper. Who knows. It it weird to sleep with your eyes wide opened in a sitting position.

I turn over to the man, who was in the same position as when I first saw him when I woke up. Just sitting there, and staring.
He's quite interesting. Not like anyone I have ever seen before. I want to learn more about him, and why he's the way he is. Maybe someday he will say something. And he will tell me why he's the way he is. But I shouldn't get my hopes up! I don't want to get all hyped for something that may never happen.

"Hey." I scoot myself closer to the man, a weak smile on my face. Lightly waving my hand in front of his face.

The man shifted his focus over to me, breaking the stare from that single strand if hay, over to me.

Our eyes locked once again, and I felt that feeling of butterflies fluttering around in my stomach.
"So. You did not attack that thing back there, eh?" I broke our eye contact, by leaning back on the haystack, looking up at the old ceiling above.
"How come? Do you know each other?" That would seem unlikely- but whatever.

I turn my head over to the man, and he did not respond to my question- that's not much of a surprise.

I hum, bringing turning back towards the ceiling. "I keep hearing the story of how you slayed a monster. You must be quite brave to do such a thing. I mean, I'd be scared if I ever had to fight a monster." I chuckle softly, lightly shaking my head. But was quiet enough to not wake the sleeping boy.

"You're fascinating. Though you cannot hear me. There is something about you that makes you so much more different from the others- not just that you have swords for arms, cannot talk, hear, see, or whatever. I don't quite know why I can tell why you're so different. I just know. Deep down I know..." I rambled on, crossing my arms as I spoke. Then letting out a long and heavy sigh.

"I dunno. Its all confusing... But maybe someday I'll know." I flashed an innocent grin at the man, and he just looked at me. Like he knew I was talking to him, just didn't know what I was saying.

"Anyways... Goodnight. Hope we find the monster tomorrow. And we get it taken care of." Though I wasn't tired, I was still going to try and fall asleep. And just hope for the best.

I turn to my side, lying down. I tuck my legs into my chest, and my (e/c) eyes shut. Alright. Just go to sleep...