Monster Hunter Musume

Or:

Daily life with Monster Girls as a Monster Hunter

Ah... there's nothing like waking up in your caravan on a beautiful morning. The sweet scent of flowers in the air, the sun shining off your armor, a monster's head sleeping on-

Wait.

Oh, come on...

"Tafu, come on. Wake up you beast."

All that got me was a squint from her eyes, and a low moan too. To be honest, I'd be the same if I was an aptonoth sleeping on a hunter's warm lap. But I'm not.

I groaned and pushed her head off my lap. "Tafu. Get up!"

That finally got her to open her black, reptilian eyes. At least, she moved her head off my la-

"OW!"

And right into my head for her daily head rubbing.

I couldn't help but laugh as I rubbed my head against her's, she always loves it when I do this to her. And to be honest, I did too... What? I'm not gonna kiss a goddamn monster to show my love! Headbutting is as far I'm willing to go.

"Alright you old cow, let me get up." I whispered as I got up, noticing a old smell coming from... me. "Well, look's like I'm having wash... again." I could have sworn I heard Tafu snorting as if laughing from outside the caravan.

Opening the caravan door, I was greeted by the burning ray of the morning sun, singing birds flying thought the sky, and almost getting smacked by a tail.

"Tafu! Careful where your swinging that!" Man that nearly hit my tenders too.

Luckily for me, Tafu seems more interested in grazing than messing around. At least that means I should be able to get changed into my traveling clothes. Without getting tail smacked, stepped on, headbutted or even have Tafu decide to sleep on me again.

Alright... where do I begin?

Oh yeah, why am I, a monster hunter. Even traveling with a aptonoth to who-knows-where?

Well, sense graduating from the Wycademy roughly five? Yeah, five months ago. Jesus, my memories horrible in the morning. I decided to go traveling for a bit, see new places, meet new faces, all that cheap adventure crap.

But no, seriously. You spend three years training as Wycademy hunter, exercising enough to jump off a gammoth, dragging yourself across the ground for that moment a mizutsune slips you up, then... you start longing for something different...

Something, away from all that...

Something, you could never prepare yourself for...

Honestly, I could have spent ages pondering that topic. But then again, there's no point doing that now. I've got a day's worth of travel to get though... and bad smell to wash off.

"Tafu. Come on girl." I called over grabbing Tafu's attention.

But now I just noticed that she had made it into my food supplies! Sneaking bastard!

"Hey! Get out of there!" That seemed to get her to pull her head out of the box... with a mouthful of kirin cheese in her mouth. "What am I going to do with you?"

Well, look's like I'll have to be stopping off for food today. Thanks Tafu, you really do know how to make my life a misery.

Trouble is, we're right in the middle of a forest, the only things visible being fifty shades of green bushes, towering trees, and rays of sunlight stabbing though the tree tops.

"He said keep going south-west, and we should reach the city." Note to self: Don't take direction from a Veggie Elder, especially one with hearing problems.

Well, we can't turn back now. That's the bottom line, not after catching an astalos's eye. Which reminds me, really need to keep an eye on the skies too today, might still be in it's territory.

"So what do you think Tafu?" I asked Tafu. What? Hunters talk to felynes all the time, whats different talking to a monster? "Continue south-west? Or take our chance with that astalos?"

Tafu's answer was only a grunt. So south-west it is.

X Three hours later...

I honestly couldn't remember how long we spent traveling, I was too busy looking up and ahead all the time for that damn astalos, while Tafu just plodded along same as always.

Seriously, I don't know she doesn't realize what could potentially happen. Or she gives no fucks about it, study girl, I'll admit that.

Worst case scenario, that astalos comes back for revenge... or a deviljho shows up, or a rajang, or a seregios. Either way, we're in trouble if we run into any of those.

I will admit to anyone who may somehow, be able to read my mind (and if you can, why are you in the first place? GET OUT!). I am not the kind hunter who is prepared for pretty much everything. Dung bombs? Usually forget those, fortunately I've been able to make some while traveling, thanks to a certain monster. Pitfall traps? Don't have any netting. Powertalon and Armortalon? Yes. And I broke more bones than I thought I would to do so.

Just then, Tafu brought herself to a halt, not that she was traveling that fast already.

"Tafu? What's wrong?" her replay was rearing up on her hind legs. "Woah! Woah! Easy girl!"

That was when I noticed something odd in front of her. A vespoid, nasty little things. I understand why Tafu would react badly, no one likes the sight of a giant insect. But this ones dead.. then again, would be worth carving for-

THUD!

Huh? Turning around, another vespoid had fallen onto my caravan roof, again dead.

THUD!

Then another!

Hold on, I could have sworn a saw a spark of electricity from one... Oh crap.

Looking around, I slowly climbed onto the caravan roof. If what i think is close by, then I need my bow asap. I'll admit, I'm more of a longsword and charge-blade hunter then bow hunter. But right now, it's probably best keep at a safe distance. I really don't want to be left with a smashed caravan.

There. Got my bow. I just need to keep a sharp eye-

Shit.

The damn astalos is right above us on a tree, it's wings already charged up with green electricity. Must have felt like having a snack, then that makes us the main course!

I swear, as soon it caught us in our sight, it eyes glowed even brighter... don't know if that was because of surprise or anger.

Okay, crest is already charging. Once its fully charged, that astalos is gonna strike. But if I can hit one of it's wings, I might put it off balance briefly. Then I can get Tafu to stampede away.

A heart stabbing roar signaled that the crest was fully charged. Within a second, the astalos was already zooming at us. Gotta strike fast!

Yes! Got it's left wing, feisty thing completely lost control as it crashed down into the ground. Now's our chance!

"Tafu! Stampede!" without any more encouragement, Tafu was already stampeding away from the astalos. In a few minutes we'll be long-

Crap! It's coming back! Literally flying right behind us. Maybe shooting it's wing wasn't a good choice, but. Now it's crest is fully charged, if I can take that out... bye, bye astalos.

"Come on, girl. Keep going!" that was only advice I could think off for Tafu right now.

Hey, I'm the one holding off an angry astalos on a moving caravan! I would much rather make a run for it!

By now, the astalos flu higher up, so that I ended up being at the same level as it's... SHIT!

It's tail pincer just about missed me, snapping inches from my face as it tore into the roof of the caravan. Damn thing tried to paralyze me! Well, two can play at that game.

"How about a taste of you're own medicine?!" I shouted back, coating my arrows with para-coating.

Aiming for it's crest, I fired a arrow... only to hit it's wing as it ripped it's tail free, lifting the very caravan too. Man, didn't expect something like an astalos to do that.

Backing off, the astalos screeched as it's tail surged with electricity. Damn it, gotta bring it down fast.

One.

Barely seemed bothered by another arrow in it's wing.

Two.

Mouth sparking with electricity with an arrow in it's back. No doubt being followed by a world of pain.

Three.

Yes! Right in it's crest!

The astalos couldn't keep itself flying as it crashed down again, this time unable to move as the para-coating finally paralyzed it.

"Ha! Ha! A shocking turn of events."... I'll shut up now.

Sensing the astalos was no longer chasing us, Tafu bellowed in relief. Knowing her, she's probably annoyed that she didn't get to fight that astalos. No, seriously. She would go for any monster that even comes close to me.

"Easy, easy Tafu." I called as she came to a halt. "You did-"

Oh man, that astalos has really done it now. A gaping hole was all that was left from where the astalos dug it's tail into the caravan roof. Well, at least I can work on fitting a sun-roof now.

Jumping from the caravan roof, I tried searching for any Yukumo Wood to repair the roof with... no, don't tell I... well, shit.

Must have left back where we stayed for night, well I need fire wood, and it does make cooking meat prefect. Trouble is, I can't go back for it for two obvious reasons. One, it'll take too long to get back. Two, well we'll end up running into the one responsible for gouging a hole in my roof.

"Alright, that makes two things we need to get in the city." I summed up walking up to Tafu. "Food, thanks to certain monster. And wood."

To be honest, repairing that hole would probably take a day? Maybe two? Probably gonna have to stay in the city for some time.

And speaking of cities, from the sound of cars and vans, and airships flying overhead, it sounds like we're very close to a city. We must be close to edge of forest, good thing too. The sooner we get out, the sooner we can stop worrying about an angry flying wyvern crashing down on us.

Sure enough, a minute later. As soon as we can out of the forest, there it was. Japan. As large and impressive as it always seems to be.

"There it is, Tafu. Japan." Tafu's grunt only added to her excitement.

Well, come to think of it, maybe it's worth spending a week? No, a fortnight in Japan. And besides, it's not like there are monster lurking in their. At least, none I don't already know.

X Two hours later...

"Oh my god!"

"Is that a dinosaur?"

"It's huge!"

"Can I have a selfie with it?"

HA! HA! Aw, the looks on everyone's face! Seriously, it's like these people have never seen a aptonoth before. This one guy even cleaned his glasses, to see if Tafu was real. No mistake, man! You're seeing this right. Then again, its not everyday you see a man having his caravan pulled by an aptonoth.

Honestly, these people remind me of myself actually, back when I first became a monster hunter. What? Let's be honest, some monsters are rather weird looking, no matter how big or dangerous they are.

Like, Kecha Wacha. What kind of creature actually harms you with it's snot? Then again, it's does make it's weapons really useful. Or a Tetsucabra? I mean, I know jumping is a frog's thing, but that thing just goes beyond that! And don't even get me started on a Zinogre, Tigrex, Nibelsnarf or any Elder dragon in general, which I am dreading of even hunting down.

Pretty much, long subject cut short. Any monster can be seen as weird.

Right, where was I? Oh, right, food and wood. Wood can probably wait for now, food no doubt takes top priority. Maybe it's probably worth ask-

BOOM!

WOAH! I didn't even have time to react as something sent me falling off the caravan. All I could hear as I got up, was Tafu grunting at something. Please don't be the astalos again, please don't be the astalos again.

"Tafu! Calm down, gi-"

...

Um, I actually don't know how to react. Though to be honest, I can see why Tafu was acting all shocked.

Right in front of her, two of the strangest girls that top every strange thing, I have come across!

One seemed to have blue... wings? Blue hair, amber eyes? And are those talons on her feet?! She actually looks like she's been taking her style off a malfestio. Although, she does look rather cute.

The other... well... is she actually made of slime?! Seriously, slime! Light blue slime, covered under a yellow raincoat. At least her eyes... man, and I thought rathian armor was the definition of emerald. Her eyes and hair are just... are those even hair? Long, emerald, yellow tipped feelers?

Right now, both seemed mesmerized by Tafu, looking on in amazement. Tafu though?... Well she looking just as baffled as I am.

"Um..." Well don't just stand there like an asshole! Say something! "W-Who are you?!"

"A harpy! Papi the harpy." the blue wing girl proclaim childishly.

"And I'm Suu!" the slim girl revealed, someone perfectly copying Papi's voice.

A harpy? Actually, when you look at her wings and talons, that does make more sense. The slime girl though?

"PAPI! SUU! Wait up!" huh?

By now, I could see a what in my view, was as close as you can get to an average guy. Both his hands carrying bags of foods, must have been shopping, until I came riding an aptonoth into town.

"HUSBAND!"

"MASTER!"

By now, both Papi and Suu tackled the guy, sending him crashing onto the floor. While Papi had her wings wrapped around his head, Suu had her arms and hair? Wrapped around his waist.

"You two can't just rush off, you know." The guy explained, trying to catch his breath. "You need a human by your side when out."

"But Papi has her husband with her!" Papi pointed ou- wait, husband? HUSBAND! MASTER?!

"Um, excuse me?" I asked, feeling like I was intruding. "Are these two your... um... wives?"

"NO!" The guy snapped almost instantly, what? I was just asking? "I'm just their host."

"Oh, sorry." Man, now I feel stupid. "It's just-she called you husband and-"

"It's okay, these two always call me husband and master." the guy admitted as if brushing off a big issue. "To be honest, no one really calls me by my actual-"

His words seemed to stopped completely once he caught sight of Tafu lowering her head to their level. His eyes gone white as if- um, is that normal? Last time I check, eyes don't go that white. Well, should probably get Tafu away from him.

"Tafu, come here." that caught her attention easily, and ended with her rubbing her head against my chest. "It's okay, she doesn't eat harpies or slime."

"What is she?" Hubby asked getting up. "A dinosaur?"

"A aptonoth, a monster." I revealed making room for him to approach.

"She's massive!" Papi admitted, her voice dripping in excitement.

Aw, she looks like a kid who just learned about dinosaurs. If this how she'll react to an aptonoth, I would die to see her reaction to a bird wyvern.

Hold on?

Suu was still standing close to her 'master' . Her eyes certainly should interest, but she doesn't want to leave her master's side. Maybe she just need's a bit of encouragement.

"It's alright, Suu." I assured her, offering my hand to her. "She's as gentle as baby."

She spent sometime staring at my hand, seriously, is my hand that unique? But eventually, she took my hand... well, try to. Her slimy hand just engulfed mine completely.

"Um... just put your hand on her head." I encouraged, pulling her arm towards Tafu... with my hand still in her's.

I honestly didn't know how Tafu would react, I'm not sure if aptonoths even would come across a slime girl... or harpy or that matter. But Tafu just bellowed softly once Suu rested her hand on her head. As for Suu... well she looked happy, amazed, bubbling with joy. Sorry that horrible pun.

"I want a go!" Papi asked resting her wings on Tafu's neck.

And just like Suu, she had the very same reaction. Today's your lucky day Tafu. Not many monster can say they had a harpy or slime touch them.

"Okay, come on you two, this guy probably has somewhere to go." Hubby advised as Suu and Papi released Tafu from her cute assault.

Actually, come to think of it. I don't have anywhere to go. But it would be worth finding a spot to stay, a spot big enough for a caravan and aptonoth.

"Actually, I'm not really in a hurry to anywhere" I admitted taking my hand out from Suu's hand. Man, slimy... but damn, she's just too adorable to get mad at.

"Wait, don't you have a place to stay?" Hubby asked looking concerned for me. Dude, you're worried about a monster hunter, what's the worst that can happen?

"Not unless you know a place big enough for this." I pointed out to Tafu and the caravan.

"Husband, can't they come back home with us?" asked Papi hugging Hubby with her wings. "We can't leave Taffy on her own."

"She does have me, you know." I'm not to sure who's top propriety right now, me or Tafu?

"Well, it is rather big." Hubby admitted noting the caravan's large size. "But... maybe we can get it close to the balcony? But it's your choice-"

"Taiden. Taiden Buredo." Yeah, yeah. I'm named after a weapon, because some asshole wanted it to mean something.

Back on the subject on a place to stay... I guess I was better off with these three as guides. Hey, I've never been to Japan! So I'm pretty much a fish out of water right now. Speaking of fish and strange girls, are they even mermaids here?

"Where is your home? I can take us there." What? I am the one with a caravan and aptonoth for chrissake.

"You would do that for us?" Hubby asked, looking surprised? I don't know, it's hard to tell with those eyes.

"Yeah, just hop on." I'll be honest, this isn't the first time I've given people lifts.

There was that biologist on his way to the Primal Forest, and those traders crossing the Dunes. What? They were scared they'd run into a Diablos. Or a Massacre Demon Diablos... Shit... the stories I've heard about that deviant...

"Yeah! I can ride with Taffy!" Papi's excited cries brought me back into reality

"It's Tafu." Seriously, is Papi an actual child? "And speaking of names, you never told me yours."

By now, Hubby had already helped Suu onto the caravan roof, and was pulling himself up when I ask him that.

"Oh, sorry. My names- AHHHH!"

Oops.

Well, so much for warning Hubby about the hole in the roof. But, at least he fell on my bed.

"Sorry! Had a monster chase us on our way here." I called down in a sympathetic tone... Okay, it is a little funny, I'll admit that.

Luckily, Suu was already pulling Hubby up with her feelers... Seriously, what kind of slime is she?!

"Just go straight ahead." Hubby directed, sitting next to me. "I'll tell you when to turn."

"Alright then, come on, Tafu!" and with that, Tafu finally set off... with a happy harpy riding on her.

Okay, not what I expected coming into Japan. But hey, could be worse.

Author Note: Being honest, I just wanted to get this out of my head, and try something different from other stories I've done. So, a little warning before hand, expect characters to be involved in monster hunts, bit of intense moments. All leading up to something big. And before you ask about Taiden, no, no character is going to fall madly in love with him. Hes already taken.