Story Of A Dragon And A Maiden

Many thousands of years ago, in a little village in Japan, lived a troubled young girl named Shiori. Her family was poor, of food and money. Being only twelve years, she was working more then any other child in her village. Though common for young girls of that age to be home preparing meals, sewing, cleaning, and of course learning from her elders. She did whatever she could to keep food, however portioned, on the table every day.

Four years passed, turning from a young girl, into a stunningly beautiful woman. With long raven black hair, strong but graceful legs, hands as soft as the finest silk, and the most beautiful jade eyes. Men from the village wanted to take her as his own, to wed. And with her mother sick and dieing, she told her daughter to marry any suitor, just so she cold live a better life.

Shiori did just that, after she promised her mother her dieing request, she wedded the blacksmith that she was very fond of while growing up.

Another year passed that was spent every moment with her husband she had quickly fell out of love with. He would disappear days on end, and when he would return and find his supper cold, he would strike her until she was noticeably black and blue.

Going to her mothers grave up high above the village, she would sit for hours praying for help. And one day, hers prayers were answered in an odd way. After returning to the village, she learned her husband had been ordered to serve in the city, hundreds of miles away. And her husband had ordered Shiori to stay behind, he had said he didn't want her to separate from her family's roots. And so the girl stayed in the little village, safe from her husbands rage.

Later that day, she was sent to collect a herb for her elders tea from the mountains. This particular herb when crushed, was very sweet, and the elders had turned their noses up to everything else, but this herb. As so traveling into the thick foggy mountains trying to find this herb, she heard a strong beaming voice echo all around her,

"Who do you think you are coming here? What are you doing on my land?"

Very scared, Shiori started to shiver in fear. What was the voice coming from? The village had never had demons reside here before. Interrupting her thoughts the voice came again.

"Speak girl. What is your reason for being here?"

It was softer now, like the thing this voice belonged to had seen he had scared her. Without hesitation she weakly answered him.

"I was sent from my village to retrieve a tea herb My Lord." Now holding her breath in fear of what this voice would say next. Would he kill her for trespassing? And as many more thoughts whirled through her head, out of the corner of her eye she saw a figure walking through the fog as it dissipated. Fearing this figure would kill her for her trespassing, she turned and attempted to run down the mountain. And as she turned to see if this being was following her, she tripped. Sending her now tumbling down the mountain. Being hit by small rocks and twigs, and coming closer and closer to the bottom of the mountain, she screamed. And just as she thought, this would be the end of her life, something caught her. Weak and bruised, she moaned in agony.

"I got you," She heard. "Your safe now." His voice was soft, and she relaxed. She looked up into the eyes of her rescuer, he was so beautiful. Silver hair looked almost white with the bright sun coming from behind, warm golden eyes, he also had two thin red slashes that came from his jaw line, to the cheek bone.

And just as she began to thank him, she fell asleep in his arms.

Hours later she awoke to find it had gotten dark, and she wasn't in her village either, but instead in a enormous, dark and dreary cave. Looking around to gather her surroundings, a man stepped through the entry way.

"Your awake, that's good. How are you feeling? You took quite a tumble earlier."

It didn't take take her long to recognize her savior, "I'm fine My Lord...thank you."

He looked at Shiori, looking her over. This made her very uncomfortable, turning her attention to once again to gather where she could be.

Seeing her confused and searching expression he spoke up. "Your still in the mountains."

Looking back at this demon, she gave him a half smile, to cover how nervous she really was.

"Oh yes, I thought that's where I was...but My Lord, if I may ask-"

"Of course, ask anything." He had a light response, and a bit of laughter followed.

"I just wanted to know why you didn't just take me back to my village." Nervously she waited for his response, a smile crossed his face. It wasn't an evil grin, but it still made her squirm.

"My dear girl, I've already sent word to your village," he paused for a moment to look out into the night sky, and then he continued, "No human would dare risk coming up into these mountains after dusk. I told them I would bring you tomorrow." Looking back to her, he found that she was staring at him. Giving her a light smile, he spoke again. "You should get some sleep."

Nodding in agreement, Shiori hesitantly laid back onto the straw mat that covered parts of the caves ground.

He saw that her demeanor had changed once again, she was noticeably nervous now. Trying to clear his voice as soft as he could, she jumped. He had to calm her, or else she would never sleep. "Its ok," he spoke as softly as a mice would, "I will not harm you, I shall stay here at the entry way. Please rest."

And although she wanted to stay awake, and watch this demons every move, she found herself drifting into a deep, deep sleep.

~~~~~

"hmmmmmmmmmmm" Shiori moaned holding her hand over her eyes. Her village never had bright mornings because of these very mountains, they would block the sun until it rose higher in the afternoon. She stood to brush herself off of pieces of straw, then as a sound came from the entry way she turned to see it was her rescuer.

"Good Morning, did you sleep well?"

Nodding she replied, "Yes, thank you." Looking now at him fully, he was much taller then she was. If she to guess his height, she would out him at over seven in a half feet. He wore no armor, and carried no weapons. He wore a gray and blue patterned yukata, and matching pants. And his beautiful silver hair flowed below his waist. Shiori found herself staring when the demon laughed lightly.

"Are you alright?"

"Huh? O-o- y- yes I'm fine My Lord." Blushing lightly she slowly started walking for the caves entry way.

"Why are you is such a hurry? Come have something to eat before we leave for your village." He called after her.

She stopped and turned to face him, why was he being so kind? Are not demons supposed to be cruel? He was different, he was nothing like other demons, or her husband as a matter of fact. "I suppose we should."

Satisfied she agreed, he took her out side to a small iron cast pot boiling over a small fire.

Shiori was surprised, she didn't think demons would eat anything other then human flesh. And then again, this was no ordinary demon. Both sitting down, they ate together.

After they finished, he looked at her again, he wanted to learn more about her what things she liked, things she disliked. His curiosity got the better of him finally, "Do you mind if ask something from you?"

Shiori looked up from her lap to see he was looking into her eyes now. His golden eyes where hypnotic, and very curious. "Alright."

"I'd-" He stopped suddenly, and looked over his left shoulder to the pass. Still focused on the pass, he said slowly "They must not trust you will be safe here."

"My Lord?" And that is when Shiori heard it to, faint voices calling for her. Soon it was clearer and closer.

"Shiori! Shiori!"

She stood and started at a sprint to her fellow friends, coming closer and closer to the people she knew and loved, and farther from the kind demon that saved her.

"Shiori! Thank goodness your alright!" Running into her best friends arms, she hugged her.

"Jin, why didn't you just wait until I came?"

Jin backed out of their hug and held her at arms length. "Well, your welcome," she laughed. "I didn't want to leave you with that demon for another second." Her voice gave away how worried she had been.

Hugging her again, Shiori whispered in her ear, "I'm ok, thank you Jin."

Walking into the small party of people, they all walked down the path back into the village. She thought how after the demon had saved her, and for that she was grateful. Looking back onto the face of the mountain, she thanked him again and hoped she could see him again, sometime soon.