Uragiri

A/N: Had an awesome weekend, yay!



Well I debated with myself over and over again on this chapter, so be honest in your reviews please.





Chapter 6





I sat on the front steps of the onsen, waiting for Tsukiko and Dadakko to come out so that we could leave. He had drilled us for the details of how we had met and soon after decided that he’d join us in heading to Nosoku’s Isle. Tsukiko had expressly forbid him from coming, and after a series of arguments the two had refused to speak to each other. I’d simply sighed and moved to the steps to wait for them.



Looking up at the sun I felt a chill run down my back. I would have to find a way to get away from them soon. It wouldn’t do well to have my homicidal ex-lover, rampaging against the non-existent threats Tsukiko and Dadakko presented. I felt Dadakko drape his legs around my neck as Tsukiko came to stand beside me.



“Let’s go.” Dadakko said.



He kicked his legs against my chest like I was a horse. I stood, and began walking as he bounced happily on my shoulders. After a while he began to play in my hair, humming loudly to himself. I couldn’t stop the glare I sent toward Tsukiko as I heard her not so subtle snort. In the forest we could remain in our true forms without worry that the humans might see. No one but low level demons roamed the forests and we were away from highly populated breed colonies.



It had never been a problem for me to walk easily in a crowd of humans, proudly displaying my heritage, when I was young but I had learned quickly that humans were not to be trusted, especially by an outcast. They were foul creatures that had no qualms about hunting me down, screaming to attract attention, or simply running scared from me at first glance. Most tried to capture me themselves, hoping to earn a reward. They were idiots who didn’t realize they’d be slaughtered instead of paid, but humans loved money.



I could always see the strange gleam in their eyes as I sat in my human form, at a restaurant window. They’d pass by me, looking at the sign

that had the daily bounties and their eyes glowed. It was as eerie and confusing as their scent. Their emotions were virtually impossible to decipher by scent as they felt one or two emotions at once, and switched so frequently between them. The lingering tinge of the scent of fear meant nothing, as most of them had that scent on them at all times. Strange creatures they were, to be afraid at all times in some small way and yet when confronted they were unreadable. Some would curl into a fetal position in the presence of powerful breeds, wetting themselves or running away. Others would stand and fight, and then there were those that were the most dangerous.



Those humans that did neither, that simply waited because they had planned something. Gathered together a group of humans with weapons to capture and torture. Or sell breeds to humans who had too much money and wanted a pet. Those were the worst kind of humans; they had nothing in their cold soulless eyes. For them, the money was never what they wanted; they cherished domination and the rush of power and adrenaline that came with taking down a beast.



I was yanked out of my musings by the sound of a branch snapping. I stopped, but Dadakko and Tsukiko had already taken defensive position on either side of me. I scented the air and growled low. We were surrounded by Renitukin. The leader, obvious by his size and scorched lines on his upper shoulder that indicated his rank as pack leader, stepped out of the thick cover of trees. He was as disgusting as he smelled; his face was covered in brown and gray scales, eyes a dull rust color and his body was covered in scars. He had a horn that was placed were a human nose would be, and it rested above his large mouth that house razor sharp teeth. He wore only a brown fur wrap to cover his waist, as did the rest of his pack. They were creatures of the forest and had refused to let go of their untamed nature.



“Look at what we have here boys.” He said.



His voice was like nails on a chalkboard, and it sent shivers down my spine in disgust. I glared at him and he chuckled as more and more of his pack came into eye shot. I could hear Tsukiko clicking her teeth in warning to those that had gotten too close to her and Dadakko had moved from his position to stand stiffly straight.



“I suggest you keep moving.” I threatened.



My voice went unheard as they all descended at once. I could see in the corner of my eye as Tsukiko slashed and kicked at her assailants in quick, swift motions. Her body, trained for pleasure, had developed into graceful movements that were as effective in killing as they were beautiful. Her eyes gleamed as she struck flesh, each kill better than the next, slower and more drawn out.



My own body moved to accompany her, my movements, rougher and more direct. I hated to drag out a kill and instead opted for a combination of speed and strength as I battled each opponent. My claws lashed out, swiping at throats, leaving gaping gashes that spewed blood. I didn’t need to use my void seeing as how these opponents were so weak. I turned to grab the throat of someone behind me and saw Dadakko standing in the center of the fighting. The leader of the pack was in front of him and they were staring each other down.



Dadakko opened his palms as the tattoos on his skin began to shiver and move. Slowly the writing began to wind over his face before retreating back to its place at his neck. He was displaying his power, letting the Renitukin know that he was not a mere child that would be defeated so easily. The Renitukin laughed, his arms bulging larger as he stood higher, there was a growl and the leader lunged for Dadakko. The large Renitukin tried to claw at Dadakko, who simply moved to and fro, avoiding his attacks. Dadakko did not counter, he was playing with his kill, I could tell by the slight smile on his face.



A shrill scream caught my eye and I turned in time to see a Renitukin had grabbed Tsukiko’s hair as another slashed open her torso. Blood pooled beneath her and she hissed in pain. I moved to crush the throat of the one holding her, catching a glimpse of Dadakko in the corner of my eye. He had heard her scream and, overconfident, turned his back to his enemy. The large Renitukin leader saw and took his opening, slashing claws across Dadakko’s arm. Flinching, Dadakko landed in range of another attack as a hidden Renitukin sprung from the tall brush and slashed at his back. The cloak ripped at his back showing shimmering and now bloody black scales.



My eyes widened and I quickly killed the second Renitukin near Tsukiko before grabbing her body and pressing my void out and around us like a barrier. I looked toward Dadakko’s prone form slumped over as the Renitukin began to all descend o his small frame. They had not noticed that his scales had been injured and I shuddered at what I knew would happen.



It was the only thing that bonded all breeds, the one thing we all shared, scales. Though different in shape, color, size, and placement, every child born, grew in their scales at maturity. The scales acted as the epicenter of instinct and were used mainly to formulate bonds between mates. They were extremely sensitive and provided great pleasure when touched or caressed. When injured, however, the scales released a signal to the mind that overruled all senses.



Dadakko began to chant lowly. The Renitukin took no heed of this and raised their claws to attack. I shielded Tsukiko’s eyes from the sight as Dadakko’s head rose. His eyes were an acid green, and he smiled revealing sharp teeth that looked distorted in his small mouth. There was a laugh before he spun mouth wide and began tearing at the Renitukin. His teeth tore at flesh, and he laughed as he devoured more and more. Those few who had seen his madness and stayed back did not go unnoticed. Blood dripping down his chin he began to chant once more, this time his words were harsh and his fingertips glowed. He brushed by the remaining Renitukin with incredible speed, his fingers searing their flesh and leaving them rendered in half. Once all of them had been killed or devoured he turned toward Tsukiko and me. His small feet crushed the eyeball of the now forgotten leader but he barely noticed as he continued toward us.



He stalked over and I increased the void around Tsukiko. He stopped a few inches from my barrier, tilting his head in curiosity before he blinked, his body turning sideways as he bent his head impossibly to look at his own back. I cringed at the image he made before I let my eyes travel to the now healed scales on his back. He closed his eyes, his features shifting back to normal before he looked directly at Tsukiko’s prone form. Sensing he had gained control I released my barrier and laid Tsukiko on the forest floor.



He kneeled at her side, chanting in a soothing tone as the wounds on her stomach began to shift and mend themselves together. After a few minutes she was completely healed and she blinked awake. We sighed in relief and I looked at Dadakko silently. He did not meet my eyes and so I placed my hand on his shoulder in an attempt to reassure him.



This had happened before, many years ago, and he had retreated far back away from me for a very long time after. He’d been afraid I would think he was a monster. Eating flesh was a Renitukin trait and most others found their habit revolting. He had been so frail and disgusted with his own behavior, tearing at the skin of his arms. With time he came to realize I had completely accepted that dark part of him and we continued on in the same way as if the incident never happened.



“She needs to rest.” Dadakko whispered.



I sighed, this would delay our trip and I couldn’t let that happen. We needed to get to Nosoku’s Isle.



“I can’t carry you both. And I will not let you follow behind.” I cut him off.



“Fine. We’ll take the Draken’s.” He stated.



I grumbled as he made a loud whistling. After a moment, two Draken’s appeared. They were large bird like creatures that stood over six feet and had lean legs with sharp talons. Their necks were long and they had small beaks. Though they looked like birds they had no feathers, no wings, and were the fastest land movers in the world. Only the Renitukin rode them as they could be quite temperamental.



I went to put Tsukiko on my Draken when Dadakko appeared by my side, his hands stopping my movements. I hesitated before allowing him to carry her to his Draken. He placed her carefully before getting behind her to steady her against him as they rode. They made an odd picture, his small hand gripping her fiercely so she would not fall as his void stretched out to encompass her entire body to lessen the stress of the ride on her muscles. He leaned to the side to see in front of him, and waited for me to lead the way.



We headed fast to Nosoku’s Isle, traveling only a half a day before reaching the main gates. Finally, we had made it.











Yay! I took me so long to write this, I’ve been dealing with sleep deprivation and get sleepy soooo early it’s insane. Any ways please Review, Rate and thanks for Reading.