Chapter 8: Chapter 8 The Makafushigi Adventure
A day has passed since then, and the Shibuto family is outside to watch as Mo-Mochi is about to take off on his journey. His father just has a big smile on his face, while his mother is just making sure he has everything she packed for him inside his bag. His sister seems a bit sad, knowing that her brother is about to leave, as she just stands in front of the door.
This mother, checking his bag one more time, says, "Now are you sure you remembered to pack everything?"
Mo-Moch looks at his mother, tired of being asked the same thing, and says, "Mom, I've got everything I need. I'm alright."
Bella realizes she is being a bit overprotective and says, "Okay, if you're sure you've got everything, I believe you." It's just that I'm going to miss you, Momo. Be sure to call us on your phone when you get service. Just make one call whenever you can.
Mo-Mochi nods and says, "I'll try my best, Mom." When I get the chance, I'll try my best to call and see how everyone is doing, and before you ask, I didn't forget you said to come back around fall and not too long before winter.
Hugo puts his hand on his son's shoulder. "Remember, I taught you how to survive on your own for a reason, for when you're all grown up." You know how to find food, look for civilization, hunt, and make a proper shelter. I trust that you should be fine on your own. Oh, and one more thing, Mochi. I want you to have something I found in one of my journals.
Hugo then takes an item out of his pocket, handing it over to Mo-Mochi, which seems to be a ring with a small orb on it, and passes it to his son.
Hugo, after passing the ring, says, "I stole this one from a witch." It's a teleportation ring. To use it, you've got to touch an area you want the ring to take you back to, and then while you're wearing the ring, you've got to say, "Ab-Ab," and then you're back. "Don't try it right now; it has a one-per-day use limit, so only use it to get you out of a dangerous situation.
Mochi puts the ring in his pocket and says, "I got it." Touch a place with the ring and say, "Ab-Ab."
All of a sudden, Mellow runs out the door, running to hug her big brother, holding him tightly, and saying, "Promise me you'll come back, Mochi, please."
Mo-Mochi hugs his sister back. "Mellow, of course, I'm going to come back safe and sound with tons of stories of my own to tell, and hey, I'll even bring something back for you."
Mellow just looks at her brother one last time as she runs back into the house. She understands why Mo-Mochi wanted to go but doesn't want to see her brother leave.
He then looks back to his parents and says, "Well, Mom and Dad, I'm off now." "I'll be back around the end of summer; I'll see you guys."
Mo-Mochi gave both of his parents one last hug goodbye, thanking them for even letting him go on his journey. Afterward, he takes his steps deeper into the forest until the family home is out of sight.
Mo-Mochi's mythical adventure is about to begin.
As Mo-Mochi wanders the forest, he thinks of exactly where he wants to go right now. Although it was part of the experience, he didn't consider where he wanted to go first.
He sits down at a tree stump to think about where he would head first. "Hmm, okay, where do I go first since I just came from West City? Yesterday I headed the opposite way, so at least I can make sure I'm not just going the same way as before. Alright, east, here I come.
After pushing through the thick underbrush and gnarled branches that encircled his home, the boy finally emerged onto a vast plain that stretched out before him like an endless sea of green. It was a sight to behold, unlike anything he had ever seen before. He felt a sense of liberation wash over him as he realized that, for the first time, he was exploring the unknown all by himself. The feeling was exhilarating, and he couldn't help but grin as he took it all in. He had traveled for miles on the dirt road that led from his home, hoping that he would find something eventually, and now he had finally found it. He couldn't wait to see what was in store for him.
After traversing the plains, the boy was greeted by a strange, smoky, and mouthwatering smell. He followed his nose to a large fireplace, where a huge fish was cooking over an open flame.1 The fish was golden brown and glistening with oil, and the air was filled with the delicious scent of grilled fish. Mo-Mochi looked around, admiring the fish and the skill of the person who had cooked it. His stomach rumbled, and he thought to himself that a small bite wouldn't hurt. After all, no one would notice if he took a tiny piece.
He took a small bite of the fish, and his eyes widened in surprise. The fish was even better than he had imagined. The flesh was tender and flaky, and the flavors of the fish and the spices were perfectly balanced. Mo-Mochi couldn't help but smile as he ate the fish.
Not even a second passes as, after eating the fish, Mo-Mochi receives a strong smack to the face that sends him to the ground. As he opens his eyes, trying to get an understanding of what just happened, he sees a cat with light beige fur with a bit of black at the end of its tail wielding a sword on its back as the feline points its blade towards Mo-Mochi.1
The cat glares angrily at Mo-Mochi and exclaims, "Hey! That's my fish. Do you realize how challenging finding that fish was? Water is something I already dislike, so I won't be dealing with it again."
The feline then strikes a battle pose and says, "You're going to pay for trying to steal my food."
Mo-Mochi tries to be diplomatic and apologize about the situation, but it looks like this cat doesn't want to listen to them right now. The feline just saw a person who wanted to steal his food, and he's not going to let that happen so easily.
The cat dashes at Mo-Mochi with quick speed as it comes in, ready to attack. Mo-Mochi quickly jumps back, narrowly avoiding the cat's claws. Realizing that diplomacy won't work, they brace themselves for a fight and prepare to defend themselves.