Chapter 18

The young founder decided to find the source of the strange sound later in the morning, he had this gut feeling that his friends might stop by the shrine soon. Afterall, Shinobu seemed interested to know more about the mountains. If she tells Reiji about her meeting with Douma, he might take her to go see him. 

When that happens he can have a slow talk with Reiji about the fire totem in Atashi's possession. Moreover, Atashi may not show up he was probably holding a grudge against him. It's too bad really, the young founder was just trying to help he seemed miserable. 

Watering the last plant in his garden, Douma placed all of the equipment beside the shed and looked up at the cloudy sky. The blizzard had stopped but the sky wasn't its cheerful self anymore. It felt like a whole fridge outside, for humans it would be unbearable, this wasn't a threat to Douma but it was a raise for concern. 

"Hello? Is anyone there?" That voice it was Shinobu's. Douma immediately rushed to the stairs. His prediction was true, Shinobu did show up at the shrine. 

And so did a crowd of angry people holding spears and rakes, chanting insults at him. From the looks of it they weren't pleased with something and Douma could only guess one thing: The destruction of town which wasn't even his fault. 

"There he is that troublemaker!" A man holding a torch shouted pointing his weapon at the young founder when he arrived at the gate.

"Leave this place or you'll be sorry!"

"First you gave us bad weather, now you destroyed our town?! We should have kicked you out when we had the chance!"

Douma narrowed his eyes at the crowd. Troublemaker? Kick him out? They wouldn't dare besides they demanded for these changes. You reap what you sow, don't want to make an effort fine, but don't blame others if you can't solve your own problems.

Can't they appreciate the fact that he's trying to stop the storm? But for the sake of their safety he's been holding back, finding the best way to put an end to this nightmare is like finding a needle in a haystack it's been tough.

He promised them the bright blue sky will return, that's a guarantee he's not giving up on that. This is his responsibility too he had to fix it. Even though the trust has been broken the promise that he made won't.

"Everyone listen, I'm sure you've heard this by now. The town was attacked by unknown creatures. Witnesses claim to have encountered these things in town that night which is why the cops have been patrolling the area. Many clues lead to these creatures being the ones responsible for not only the destruction of the town but also other parts of Japan. If I were you I wouldn't go around accusing others, everyone is in the same boat right now, we always have to be on high alert wherever we are even in our own homes."

Everyone stared at the blonde in disbelief they weren't buying it. Meanwhile Shinobu looked at him in concern, she didn't know what was going on between Douma and the villagers. The Hasu Mountains was always a harmonic place what could've happened to make these people so furious. Douma changed the weather? What are they talking about it's not like he's a superhuman or something, what's wrong with these people?

"You're lying we saw right through you instead of leaving you decided to take it on the town as a warning to us! We are not afraid we will protect our home at all costs!" The crowd started moving in squeezing Shinobu who was trying to back away from this chaos.

"If that's the case I wouldn't be here anymore. Don't you think it's ridiculous for someone accountable to remain in an area where they committed such atrocities? Are you all too blind to see the truth? I'm still here because like I said before I'm trying to help everyone."

No matter what Douma said, the crowd didn't listen they were determined to get rid of him once and for all. They continued surrounding him raising their weapons in an attempt to hit him. Douma was starting to feel very uneasy the shrine's property was right behind him, the young founder could always get away but the place was full of memories he had with the people he cared about. He couldn't let them get to it.

"Cut it out!" Shinobu stepped in front of Douma, blocking the crowd of angry people. "Did you guys not hear him?! He wasn't the one who destroyed the town it was those creatures it's been circulating around the news! Leave him alone!"

The crowd was taken aback by Shinobu's sudden interference. "Who do you think you are young lady?! Step aside now!" 

"Not until all of you leave the shrine this instant! Showing up at people's property like this, he could call the cops on you if he wanted and I'm sure none of you look forward to that." 

"Grrr you annoying brat!" One of them shoved Shinobu to the side causing her to nearly trip as more people started pushing each other around in the dense spot.

Douma placed one of his hands behind him and quietly summoned an opening in the air, reaching out to it. While everyone was busy fighting with each other over who gets to go first the young founder was plotting something behind their backs.

Another portal appeared a few meters away from the shrine. His hand stretched out of the opening and summoned a tractor that started moving around by itself cutting the grass beneath it and making a lot of noise.

"What's that sound?" Everyone looked to the right and saw a tractor driving around the path and grass patch on its own without a driver. Panicking, the crowd started screaming and making a fuss about it.

Both Douma and Shinobu watched as the crowd of people started running down the path catching up with the tractor that was beginning to move away from them. "Who on Earth left the engine on!" A voice yelled.

"Finally some peace and quiet." Placing his hands on his hips proudly, Douma smiled like as if nothing happened. Shinobu narrowed her eyes at him she couldn't believe he had the audacity to remain calm they could've gotten hurt.

"So what brings you here Shinobu?" Douma asked changing the conversation he was glad the purple-haired girl valued their friendship. 

A look of sadness appeared on her face, Douma could tell something was bothering her. 

"My friend's little sister is at the clinic she's really sick and we need your help." Shinobu said clenching her fist against her chest.

Wait did she just say, friend's little sister? Douma recalled the events that happened the day before and the scene of Shinobu at Reiji's house. That must be Eiko!

"Alright I understand let's go."

"We have to hurry she's at Sakura Clinic!"