InuYasha Fan Fiction / Fan Fiction ❯ The Lord and The Dragon ❯ Agreement ( Chapter 4 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

 
 
 
Chapter 4
 
 
 
Dragon
 
 
Watching closely for a response, I see him give a slight incline of his head in a positive manner. I wonder what to ask and if he will answer, the only thought most prominent is who is he truly, the real name and ..man behind the illusion. Finally I ask “ The world knows you as Joutei,” pausing I continue, “Who are you really and what is your true name.” I don't have to wait long for a response. I see the movement of his lips, thinking he will speak I am taken back by the twisted look of what is a crosses between a snarl and a smile. The sick look more smirk than smile, made me think of warriors in the midst of battle lost to the rage and bloodlust, Berserkers, not knowing friend for foe anymore or caring, only the killing and joy of the kill.
 
I blink and the look is gone as if it was never there, the cold blank face staring back at me. Then he causally turns away and starts walking across the clearing. As I began to believe he wasn't going to answer, I hear he speak, soft but clear, “Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands of Japan.” Something clicks in my mind, whether it was the mention of his name or his origin, my mind calls forth the memories of a little shrine Father sent me to and the loving family at lived there. I had been captivated by their love caring for each other, and the attention I received later by saving Kagome form certain death, when she tripped and fall into the path of a driver speeding down the road. “Higurshi” I whispered unknowingly, thinking of the name of the family and their shrine. Even with my mind preoccupied with these thoughts, I tense and ready for any threat, not understanding what I was in danger of or from. Suddenly he was there, not a foot away from me, and I didn't even see him move, growling as would a guard dog in warning to leave while you could still walk. Looking into his face I see the gold eyes edged in red, like blood was filling them, and as I watched the red grow, the growling became a demand. I smell a light flowery fragrance and hissing, seeing a green glow out of the corner of my eye. I glance down to see green acid flowing out of his fingers to dissolve the ground below.
 
Calmly I wait, knowing that if he wished to fight, he would have attacked, understanding by his body language that he had questions. The growling never stopped as he asks, “How do you know that name?” This surprised me for I didn't realize I had spoken the name aloud until now. Not knowing what he specifically needed in answer, I spoke honestly and not with holding any information. “A few years before my father, Kenneth Irons, died he sent me to a small shrine in Japan. Father was collector of many things, mostly objects of power, and this shrine was rumored to possess such an object. I was sent to confirm its existence and purchase it if possible. I found no nothing but a small family, of which I saved the younger woman upon leaving that afternoon.”
 
 
 
Lord
 
“…But a small family, of which I saved the younger woman upon leaving that afternoon.” He says. This man saved one of the Higuashi, ` younger woman' it had to be her, who, when, how did it happen, it was years ago so I know “She is safe.” The whisper passed my lips without my knowing it, until he responded to my unintentional question. “Yes.” He replies. I knew she was safe, or as safe as she can be, but the extra reassurance helped to calm my inner demon. Putting a leash on my stirring emotions was not easy, to long have I suppressed them and they are enjoying their moment of freedom.
The red mist recedes from my eyes and mind, as I pay more attention this man before me. There was no fear or terror coming form him, only a small amount of uneasy, also he was not cowering as would even those of my own kind, having witnessed my loss of control, trying to make themselves unnoticeable. Yet, here he stood, his stance only slightly changed from earlier, feet further apart and slightly one in front of the other, body lose, arms now to his side with the long coat pushed to the back for movement and access. I was curious about that part, what was in the coat that he needed, sniffing once more this close told me the answer. I was correct about seeing him as an equal, he is a walking armory, a varying assortment of guns with at lest two of each kinds, throwing knifes and stars, grenades by the handful. Also, from the smell of polish and a certain amount of alloy, he has a well-made broad sword on him some where even if I was not if I could not see it, I knew about it.
 
I was beginning to defiantly like this human, I realized as I took a few steps back, giving him his personal space back. Slowly I inclined my head and shoulders forward in a small bow, saying “Arigatou Dragon, I am in your debt for saving one under my protection.” Pausing, I wonder how he will react, then finish saying, “How can I repay this Honor of a life that I hold close?” As I wait for his answer, I ponder what he might request; money, power, or the death of an enemy or rival, was not an option, they were not important to him, and he has no problem eliminating the last with a passion if the need arose. The wait is not long “You owe me nothing, I did what I felt was right, but as I do not wish to offend you by rejecting your gracious offer, I ask for a day to consider.” He replies. For the third time this night I feel a smile form again, yes, I was defiantly beginning to like this particular human. “Agreeable, I will await you here tomorrow. Until then.” I reply, giving him another small bow farewell. Twice in one night I have bowed to another living soul, a most interesting human indeed.
 
 
 
Dragon
 
I was amazed at how fast he changed mood, and here I always thought my Beloved had the market cornered, but not now. After my explanation the growling stopped and I saw uncertainty and pain in his bleeding red eyes. I almost missed the whisper “she is safe.” It was so soft, almost a plea for reassurance, and a treat to all that might endanger this woman. The penalty would be swift and sure, they would most assuredly die as slow and painfully as possible. I speak hoping to help him down “Yes.” A peace offering, for I truly didn't want to fight, not sure I could win without dieing my self. It seemed my answer was the right one, for he straightened and the gold eyes returned with the blank face. He appeared in control again, but I can't seem to totally relax my guard. He is sniffing me for the third time night, thought not understanding why. Then he gives me a hard look eyeing the places in my coat and on my body that conceals my weapons. Shocked, I realize he knows where they are and possibly what they are too. I recall Sara complaining about the `creepy feeling' she gets when I know something she doesn't, and I understand now what she was talking about. Almost recovering form one shock, I receive another, a second bow and his thank you, “Arigatou Dragon, I am in your debt for saving one under my protection.” Pausing, then “How can I repay this Honor of a life that I hold close?” I can tell this is not something, he does often, if ever and as lighting fast as my mind is working I can think of nothing to ask for, so I reply, “You owe me nothing, I did what I felt was right, but as I do not wish to offend you by rejecting your gracious offer, I ask for a day to consider.” When I finish speaking, I feel as if I have amused him somehow, but in a good way, as if he knows nothing of the lighter side of life, only the emptiness of duty and responsibility to fill more than a dozen lifetimes. Then again who am I to speak of such, only recently have I been able to start to enjoy life myself, instead of just being and doing as commanded to. “Agreeable, I will await you here tomorrow. Until then.” He says walking away. Still in his white clothing, he somehow manages to fade away, not blend with the shadows as I do, just ..fade. Maybe he will show me how to do that, I'm always ready to learn new techniques, something new for Sara to complain about.
 
Smiling as I head back to the mansion, I realize, how much better my mood has become. Looking at my watch I see that the whole encounter only lasted about forty minutes. A life-altering event takes so little time, like my first meeting with Sara at the Museum. It was only a minute and a half, but how I was changed forever, she was not what I expected, and yet she was so much more. Tomorrow I have to have an answer, but what? Maybe I can ask Sara what she would accept?