Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ In the Arms of a Wolf ❯ Chapter 4

In the Arms of a Wolf

Chapter 4

"The Elves are an ancient race that lived in this forest and others across the land-presumably, now they are extinct. However when they began to be mistrusted by humans and killed for their riches, their vast knowledge, magical gifts and immortal life. It came to a point where the Elves hid within their forests to escape from persecution and pretended to be extinct. Whether or not they still live free I know not. Ailina is the result of an Elven man and a half-Elven woman."

Ailina continued where Marusann left off. "For some odd reason, my atara and atar left me in the care of my atara's human half-sister Kinuito who was married off to Lord Yutaka, my surrogate father. It was here I was raised since I was three. It is my Elven blood that makes my look like a 14 year old instead of a 19 year old."

Everyone besides Marusann looked shocked.

It was Genrou who broke the silence a few minutes later. "There is a matter to discuss, and that is why we are here."

"Ahh, yes. Tell Ailina." Marusann replied.

Genrou faced Ailina with eyes full of anxiety. "Some of my men have gotten very sick with a fever. My request is for assistance. The sickness is turning into an epidemic and we need Healers."

"I'll do whatever I can for them. Is this stronghold far?"

"About a day's ride."

"I have one condition."

Genrou was suddenly wary. "And that is?"

"I want to stay there for as long as I need to."

Everyone in the room gave her an odd look.

"Um, Lina, I don't think-"

"Why the hell-?"

"Child, I don't think-"

Genrou stayed silent.

Ailina looked at them all in turn and said, "I need a place to stay that my family won't find me. They'll never look for me in a bandit's stronghold."

Genrou looked at her. "I'll order my men not to touch you and either Kouji, Kiro, or I will stay with you at all times. You can stay as long as you wish, but, Lady Ailina, I doubt you'd want to stay for long. A bandit's stronghold is a dangerous place for a gorgeous young woman." He said in all seriousness. Ailina blushed at the compliment and just nodded. "Very well then. We will have to leave now- we still have a few hours till sunrise and we need to get as far away as possible. Yutaka will search here first for you and Marusann's cottage can't hide all four of us."

With that the three bandit men waited as Ailina and Marusann quickly changed into suitable riding clothes and packed everything they needed. They were heading out the door when Ailina ran to get some parchment.

"What are you doing, child?" Marusann asked?

"I'm writing myself a note. `Ailina, I've been called off on an urgent assignment. I won't be back for a few days so please tend the garden, Healer Marusann.' That way when they find you gone they won't tear your house apart or confiscate everything assuming that you helped me get away."

Marusann just looked at her for a second. "That's brilliant. Thank you, Ailina."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Genrou and Kouji whispered to each other while Kiro, Ailina, and Marusann slept after the long ride. It was daylight now and they had gotten farther than either of the bandit leaders expected.

"Oh, Genrou, I know I should keep my mind on the men getting better, but Ailina… she's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. I've never seen an elf before, she's so exotic." Kouji said quietly after they got done discussing business. "She must be a virgin, too. Even though she's an elf, I'd take her in a second if she were willing. What do you think Genrou?"

Genrou had matured a great deal during his active role as one of the Suzaku Seven. Thoughts of Miaka still entered his head at times… but it had been three years since she and Taka returned to her world. He hadn't loved anyone before, but then, he really didn't like girls anyway. But Ailina, he had to admit that he was very much attracted to her. Maybe it was because he was a bandit, or maybe it was because he was a man and she a beautiful young-looking woman. He had had almost a dozen women after Miaka, and she still occupied a part of his thoughts.

"You're right, she's an exotic prize. If she weren't a Healer and I knew she was older than eighteen or nineteen I'd probably take her. The sex might even be interesting and not just going through the motions."

Kouji eyed his long-time friend knowledgeably. Five years ago, Genrou would have denied any type of feeling whatsoever. It was somewhat discerning to find Genrou had a softer side. But then, it wasn't only his being a member of the Suzaku Seven; it was his leadership role as well. He couldn't afford to be all temper no brains anymore. He had his men to think about, and right now, they were depending on him.

The silence rolled on until Kouji smirked involuntarily and said, "We are going to have one hell of a time keeping the ruffians off her."

Genrou winced in sympathy for himself and Kouji. "I know. One of us has to stay with her at all times."

"That should be interesting. Suddenly bathing has turned into the highlight of my day."

In a little while it was nightfall again and Kiro woke up automatically. There had been two close calls when soldiers searching for Ailina were seen on the road, but Genrou and Kouji had chosen their campsite well and they were not found.

Kiro took a second to smile at the angelic face wreathed in white-blond hair that pooled around her. However, instead of taking a bunch and stroking it like he wanted to, he covered her mouth with his hand and shook her awake. She jumped of course, but saw that it was only him and kept silent.

"Time to move on, we should be there in a few hours." He whispered. Marusann got similar treatment by Kouji and they were on their way.

Ailina had to take turns riding with each bandit because Marusann only owned one horse. It was Genrou's turn to carry her and he preferred her in front of him. He noticed her head starting to fall, then right itself instantly only to start to fall again not five minutes after.

"You can lean your head against me," Genrou suggested in a whisper, "I'll wake you up if anything eventful happens."

She turned her head to look up at him in surprise. "Thank you, Genrou… is it okay if I call you that?" He thought about it for a second. If he wished he knew she would call him `Lord' or `Lord Genrou' or something of that nature, but he figured that he'd get less bullshit from his men if she just called him Genrou. Even the Boss wasn't exempt from the daily wisecracks.

"Yeah." As soon as she rested her head against his chest and leaned up against him something happened. He felt an insuppressible urge to hold her and cradle her against him, maybe caress her face with a calloused hand, or kiss her neck, or `What the hell is wrong with me!?' he asked himself mentally. No woman had ever done this to him except Miaka… but somehow Ailina was different. It wasn't just that she was attractive in an innocent, lithe, maidenly way, it was her scent… a scent of a fresh breeze and clean air, her allure was a kind heart, a genuine smile, a velvet coated laugh as much if not more than her unearthly, exotic face and body.

Genrou was torn between pushing her off the horse to keep from reacting to her and looking like a complete idiot as well as incomprehensibly rude, and enduring it- which, as he got over the initial shock, was not all that unpleasant. In the end, stubbornness won out and he steeled himself out of sheer will and the promise of sake back at the stronghold.