Dragon Shaman 2: The Smoky Mirror
folder
Paranormal/Supernatural › General
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
3
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761
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Currently Reading:
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Category:
Paranormal/Supernatural › General
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
3
Views:
761
Reviews:
0
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.
Morning Plans
Dragon Shaman
Book Two: The Smoky Mirror
Chapter 1: Morning Plans
By: Teresa Huddleston-Garcia (LadyRainStarDragon)
Book One is no longer available here, I took it down. If you want a copy of the first book, email me or leave a review and I'll respond with a link. Alternatively you could Google "Dragon Shaman, Book One: Taming the Blowing Wind" to find it.
Reading the first book shouldn't be necessary to understanding the main story. At least, that's what I'm hoping for...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Starlight streamed through the open window to spill across tossed sheets and the pale face that he watched, lending her its silver luminescence. Her short auburn hair was dark in the light, like a swirl of earth beneath the rich loam outside of the cabin. A stray moonbeam refracted off of his dark eyes, shining like fox-fires as he guarded her restless dreams.
“You’re supposed to let me into them BlowingWind.”
She frowned in her sleep, rolling over to her side and away from him, counting on his honor to restrain him on the other side of the sword lurking between them. His own pale face smiled beneath night dark spikes of contained energy where it rested on his hand, his body perilously close to the keen blade.
“I suppose that I could leave you in Tokyo safely while I set up our new home in Hokkaido. The time alone will be good for you, and you can learn for yourself how entwined you are with me.”
The growls of her dreams died away slowly as she conquered whatever minor demon she had been facing. The mask of her anger fell away again, revealing the child hiding within the woman whose loneliness had called him to her side.
“Besides, even though we have reunited the four major parts of your spirit, you still feel incomplete. If I let you be for a month, perhaps you will be able to feel some sense of where the dust and shards of your soul-jewel have scattered to, my precious tama.”
BlowingWind retreated beneath the covers, pulling them over her head as if even in her dreams his constant watch was annoying.
“What is it you don’t want me to know Little One?”
Only silence was his answer from the sleeping woman, and the night danced silently on as he brooded over his prized gem. When night had left and the sun intruded into the earthy bedroom with her spears of light BlowingWind rolled over again. Restless legs stretched, bringing the blankets down and exposing her once more to his penetrating stare, and the itch his gaze produced caused blinking eyes to search for the irritant.
“Ah! You didn’t stare at me all night, did you Ryu?”
“I prefer to think of it as ‘brooding.’ It’s a dragon thing.”
“You should have slept, dragon.”
“I got more than enough yesterday. Even in this shape I don’t require as much rest as you do.”
Ryu watched her lips purse, biting back whatever comment had been about to spew out. Judging by the glints in her sapphire eyes, it had packed an edge that would have equaled his sword.
“Not a morning person I see. I thought your previous ill temper was just a result of your hormones.”
BlowingWind burrowed back under the covers before replying.
“Annoying Japanese dragon, scaly coyote, stalker, sicko.”
“I love you too my unwilling wife. I’ll be making breakfast while you work out your ‘grouchies.’”
Ryu smirked as he got up and made his way to the kitchen, remembering how shattered her soul had been when their paths first crossed. After she had reintegrated her wisdom aspect, she had slept for a week and then ran away the next day after she had awoken. It had been interesting to hunt her through the forest and ultimately capture her, storming the castle of her heart. Safe in the kitchen now he gazed sadly into the refrigerator and mused aloud as he drew out a carton of eggs and some chopped venison.
“Such a complicated woman. But there is still so much of her spirit left to find and return, and we have her new life to set up.”
He set them on the counter before reaching up to where a frying pan was waiting to be pulled down.
“You mean I have my new life to set up.”
BlowingWind had stressed the singular, and her entrance into the kitchen pulled Ryu out of his thoughts. He said nothing in reply to her as he placed the venison and eggs into the pan. She sniffed as she sat at the table, trying to hide how hungry she was, the eggs and meat beginning to sizzle as she made herself comfortable at the table.
“God, I need some coffee, Ryu. My classes start in March, and I need to get an apartment near the University. I need a job too, so I can support myself.”
“You fell asleep right after dinner last night, so we didn’t get to talk much after your extremely long bath. What University?”
“Hokkaido University. I’ve got a spot at the new Fukuhaku campus.”
“I’m not familiar with that campus. Is it new?”
A silence stretched between the pair as BlowingWind fell into a trance while gazing at the table. Ryu let it be as he scrambled their eggs and mixed in now cooked bits of venison. Shortly, breakfast was ready, and served with the ever-present rice and tea. Frowning in concern, he leaned over her and whispered into her ear.
“Wind-chan, are you all right?”
BlowingWind snapped from her trance, sighing when reality caught back up to her and her plate was placed on the table so that Ryu could touch her forehead. She waved a hand in irritation at his touch.
“Yes, I’m fine Ryu. Just a little distracted.”
Ryu sat down across from her, his scarlet and yellow silk kimono blazing around him, contrasted starkly by the unruly midnight cut short on his head. Melted chocolate eyes locked with BlowingWind’s glaciers. After a moment, he picked up a pair of chopsticks and began to eat. BlowingWind ate her own fare, her eyes focused far away and not seeing the nutritious food she had been prepared.
“We will go collect your things from the lower shrine today.”
She looked up from her breakfast at Ryu’s words.
“You say that like you have the right to decide my life Ryu.”
“Would you rather leave them there? I thought that you would want to start on your preparations as soon as possible.”
BlowingWind slammed her hand down, releasing the chopsticks she held before leaping up and leaning over the table to shout at him.
“Yes, I want my things and to start as soon as I can, but I am a big girl and can take care of myself! I don’t need you, or anyone, to plan my life for me!”
Ryu’s eyes widened as she smacked the table once again to punctuate her point, then stormed out of the room and out of his ostensibly cozy little cabin. The outer door slammed behind her.
“Ku, did I say something wrong?”
“Very wrong master. You did something very wrong.”
The voice came from one of the doorposts, deep and creaky as it had been when the wind had groaned through the bows when the owner had still been a tree. Ryu stood, then started for the door to follow the angry woman.
“What did I do?”
Ryu’s hand touched the knob on the outer door, and Ku’s voice answered while the door opened.
“You presumed to try dictating to the tiger what was going to happen.”
The door shut behind Ryu and he scanned the forest for BlowingWind.
“The tiger jokes are getting a little old, even if she does act like one.”
BlowingWind was sitting in a cedar tree, looking down at Ryu’s modest cabin from in between the boughs. Ragged breath tore its way from her chest as she leaned back against the trunk, hoping her scent was hidden well enough.
Ryu’s eyes slitted like shards of obsidian as she continued to elude his gaze. Her presence was infuriatingly close, but hidden, her scent cloaked within the rest of the forest. Mount Fuji towered above the lush forest, her white cap reduced to its smallest size under the heat of Amaterasu’s summer dances. The Aokigahara Jukai, or Sea of Trees, spread as a lush green carpet, peaceful seeming to all except those who had heard tales of strange happenings and disappearing people.
Ryu’s heart jumped to his throat as the acrid stench of Tengu drifted into his nose, mingled with the taint of Kitsune trespassing as well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beneath the aromatic boughs of an ancient cedar, deep within the Sea of Trees and bordering the territory claimed by Take Ryu for his personal retreat, three figures huddled and conferred in velvet shadow.
Golden eyes peered out of a pointed red face, two large ears perching on top of the owner’s head like black-tipped sails catching the breeze. A bushy comma, also tipped with black, curled around four dainty feet as if to hide such small appendages from view.
What appeared at first glance to be a withered old Yamabushi or mountain priest in tattered brown kimono lifted his head to reveal a red face and long nose. He adjusted his hat and repositioned the great black wings on his back.
“So, since she’s been paired before we could finish testing her, does anyone have any ideas how we are going to finish?”
The fox flicked his tail before he replied to the Tengu.
“Somehow we need to steal the memory of that bothersome dragon, she started her tests single, so she needs to finish them at least thinking she is that way.”
The old Tengu nodded his head, and a younger Tengu rubbed the side of his sharp beak while the feathers of his face stirred in the breeze.
“True, but how are we going to manage that? She doesn’t seem to be very good at holding still, and young Take will no doubt keep a very tight grip on her for a while yet.”
The old Tengu nodded again.
“Karasu is right. She is still sick though, so maybe we can drive her fever back up enough to temporarily wipe those memories. It could be another test of her hardiness as well.”
Karasu looked down into the needles he was sitting on.
“That’s rather dangerous, isn’t it, Kori? What happens if it goes too high? She almost died during her last fever, and she hasn’t had enough time yet to really build her strength back up. Akaisu saw with his own eyes how close she is to the border when he tricked her off the summit.”
Kori sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“I feel for the child too, but our assignment was to test her so that her powers would develop. Let us not forget that although he has a good heart, Take Ryu is not the most well-balanced individual, and probably a poor partner for an already unseated young woman.”
Akaisu’s golden eyes were rimmed with moisture as he delicately cleared his throat. When both of the Tengu were looking at him, the fox spoke.
“I could transform into the boy in her heart again and lead her off. It wouldn’t be hard, and it is an illusion that she still seems to have trouble seeing through because she wants to see him again so much.”
Kori nodded.
“Very well. Karasu will distract the dragon, you lead the child away, and I will administer her medicine. We will want to keep her with us though, to be sure she doesn’t regain her memories before it is time.”
Akaisu stood up, then darted away to where he could smell the human, weaving through the underbrush to avoid the gaze of the dragon that no doubt was scanning his territory well judging by the shouting of one name over and over again. The Tengu blipped in and out of existence as they teleported toward their mark. Soon the three were carefully looking into the clearing, observing the human in the tree and the dragon rather comically unseeing of the woman he was trying to tend.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BlowingWind watched as Ryu wandered into the forest, calling her name. Her breath was still as she sat motionless, willing herself to be invisible with every ounce of strength that she had. Silent tears welled up in her eyes as she watched him go. Finally, he left at a quick pace, apparently chasing something that he thought was her.
She picked her way back down the tree, placing her feet gently so as not to make any rustles for the sharp-eared spirit to hear. Once her feet were on the ground again, she crumpled into a quivering ball, restraining a sob and tired from the short climb.
“I must have overdone it yesterday. You’d think sleeping for a week would give a person more energy, not less.”
“Sleep is a tricky thing.”
She looked up in surprise at the familiar and long-sought voice, her eyes meeting the concerned brown of Obsidian’s. His long black hair was pulled back in his customary plaits, the buckskin of his clothes gleaming in the sun. BlowingWind sobbed and threw her arms around him, cringing as she did so expecting to grab nothing but air. Instead of the expected air, she found him warm and solid, and his arms wrapped her in a gentle embrace.
“I am here. You are safe.”
He rocked her gently back and forth, smoothing her short hair with one hand as he hummed into her neck, nuzzling softly to soothe her.
“I thought I’d never see you again. But you’re here Obsidian. I’ve missed you so much!”
Akaisu cringed as he continued pretending to be the one she was looking for, reading her heart for his proper cue. He stood up, drawing her with him.
“I missed you too, but I’m here now. Come with me. Everything will be just fine Little One.”
“Ok.”
She clung meekly to his arm, smiling broadly even as the tears continued to stream down her face. As they walked, he couldn’t help but reach up to brush them away, disconcerted to see any creature capable of joy and sorrow at once. The walked for a short distance before Kori came into view, where “Obsidian” stopped for introductions.
“This is Kori. He helped me regain a body and is excellent with herbal remedies. He’s prepared something for you.”
He and BlowingWind sat down on a small log beside a trickling stream, while Kori bowed a greeting and came near with a small cake.
“The trees have told me you are ill. Please accept this, it will give you back your strength.”
The human accepted the gray cake with a bow of gratitude, then regarded it carefully. When “Obsidian” nodded to her after a short glance, she took a bite. Choking it down, her faced contorted, and she lunged for the water.
“Genkaku taisan!”
Ryu broke into the clearing at a run at the same time that his command broke the illusion that had caused the Kitsune to look like BlowingWind’s former guardian. At the same time, the medicine cake had its desired intent, and the human fell to the ground asleep, the spell running its course. With a curse, Ryu scooped her up and began running for the bridge into the world of man, and the one place he was certain that he could keep her safe.
Book Two: The Smoky Mirror
Chapter 1: Morning Plans
By: Teresa Huddleston-Garcia (LadyRainStarDragon)
Book One is no longer available here, I took it down. If you want a copy of the first book, email me or leave a review and I'll respond with a link. Alternatively you could Google "Dragon Shaman, Book One: Taming the Blowing Wind" to find it.
Reading the first book shouldn't be necessary to understanding the main story. At least, that's what I'm hoping for...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Starlight streamed through the open window to spill across tossed sheets and the pale face that he watched, lending her its silver luminescence. Her short auburn hair was dark in the light, like a swirl of earth beneath the rich loam outside of the cabin. A stray moonbeam refracted off of his dark eyes, shining like fox-fires as he guarded her restless dreams.
“You’re supposed to let me into them BlowingWind.”
She frowned in her sleep, rolling over to her side and away from him, counting on his honor to restrain him on the other side of the sword lurking between them. His own pale face smiled beneath night dark spikes of contained energy where it rested on his hand, his body perilously close to the keen blade.
“I suppose that I could leave you in Tokyo safely while I set up our new home in Hokkaido. The time alone will be good for you, and you can learn for yourself how entwined you are with me.”
The growls of her dreams died away slowly as she conquered whatever minor demon she had been facing. The mask of her anger fell away again, revealing the child hiding within the woman whose loneliness had called him to her side.
“Besides, even though we have reunited the four major parts of your spirit, you still feel incomplete. If I let you be for a month, perhaps you will be able to feel some sense of where the dust and shards of your soul-jewel have scattered to, my precious tama.”
BlowingWind retreated beneath the covers, pulling them over her head as if even in her dreams his constant watch was annoying.
“What is it you don’t want me to know Little One?”
Only silence was his answer from the sleeping woman, and the night danced silently on as he brooded over his prized gem. When night had left and the sun intruded into the earthy bedroom with her spears of light BlowingWind rolled over again. Restless legs stretched, bringing the blankets down and exposing her once more to his penetrating stare, and the itch his gaze produced caused blinking eyes to search for the irritant.
“Ah! You didn’t stare at me all night, did you Ryu?”
“I prefer to think of it as ‘brooding.’ It’s a dragon thing.”
“You should have slept, dragon.”
“I got more than enough yesterday. Even in this shape I don’t require as much rest as you do.”
Ryu watched her lips purse, biting back whatever comment had been about to spew out. Judging by the glints in her sapphire eyes, it had packed an edge that would have equaled his sword.
“Not a morning person I see. I thought your previous ill temper was just a result of your hormones.”
BlowingWind burrowed back under the covers before replying.
“Annoying Japanese dragon, scaly coyote, stalker, sicko.”
“I love you too my unwilling wife. I’ll be making breakfast while you work out your ‘grouchies.’”
Ryu smirked as he got up and made his way to the kitchen, remembering how shattered her soul had been when their paths first crossed. After she had reintegrated her wisdom aspect, she had slept for a week and then ran away the next day after she had awoken. It had been interesting to hunt her through the forest and ultimately capture her, storming the castle of her heart. Safe in the kitchen now he gazed sadly into the refrigerator and mused aloud as he drew out a carton of eggs and some chopped venison.
“Such a complicated woman. But there is still so much of her spirit left to find and return, and we have her new life to set up.”
He set them on the counter before reaching up to where a frying pan was waiting to be pulled down.
“You mean I have my new life to set up.”
BlowingWind had stressed the singular, and her entrance into the kitchen pulled Ryu out of his thoughts. He said nothing in reply to her as he placed the venison and eggs into the pan. She sniffed as she sat at the table, trying to hide how hungry she was, the eggs and meat beginning to sizzle as she made herself comfortable at the table.
“God, I need some coffee, Ryu. My classes start in March, and I need to get an apartment near the University. I need a job too, so I can support myself.”
“You fell asleep right after dinner last night, so we didn’t get to talk much after your extremely long bath. What University?”
“Hokkaido University. I’ve got a spot at the new Fukuhaku campus.”
“I’m not familiar with that campus. Is it new?”
A silence stretched between the pair as BlowingWind fell into a trance while gazing at the table. Ryu let it be as he scrambled their eggs and mixed in now cooked bits of venison. Shortly, breakfast was ready, and served with the ever-present rice and tea. Frowning in concern, he leaned over her and whispered into her ear.
“Wind-chan, are you all right?”
BlowingWind snapped from her trance, sighing when reality caught back up to her and her plate was placed on the table so that Ryu could touch her forehead. She waved a hand in irritation at his touch.
“Yes, I’m fine Ryu. Just a little distracted.”
Ryu sat down across from her, his scarlet and yellow silk kimono blazing around him, contrasted starkly by the unruly midnight cut short on his head. Melted chocolate eyes locked with BlowingWind’s glaciers. After a moment, he picked up a pair of chopsticks and began to eat. BlowingWind ate her own fare, her eyes focused far away and not seeing the nutritious food she had been prepared.
“We will go collect your things from the lower shrine today.”
She looked up from her breakfast at Ryu’s words.
“You say that like you have the right to decide my life Ryu.”
“Would you rather leave them there? I thought that you would want to start on your preparations as soon as possible.”
BlowingWind slammed her hand down, releasing the chopsticks she held before leaping up and leaning over the table to shout at him.
“Yes, I want my things and to start as soon as I can, but I am a big girl and can take care of myself! I don’t need you, or anyone, to plan my life for me!”
Ryu’s eyes widened as she smacked the table once again to punctuate her point, then stormed out of the room and out of his ostensibly cozy little cabin. The outer door slammed behind her.
“Ku, did I say something wrong?”
“Very wrong master. You did something very wrong.”
The voice came from one of the doorposts, deep and creaky as it had been when the wind had groaned through the bows when the owner had still been a tree. Ryu stood, then started for the door to follow the angry woman.
“What did I do?”
Ryu’s hand touched the knob on the outer door, and Ku’s voice answered while the door opened.
“You presumed to try dictating to the tiger what was going to happen.”
The door shut behind Ryu and he scanned the forest for BlowingWind.
“The tiger jokes are getting a little old, even if she does act like one.”
BlowingWind was sitting in a cedar tree, looking down at Ryu’s modest cabin from in between the boughs. Ragged breath tore its way from her chest as she leaned back against the trunk, hoping her scent was hidden well enough.
Ryu’s eyes slitted like shards of obsidian as she continued to elude his gaze. Her presence was infuriatingly close, but hidden, her scent cloaked within the rest of the forest. Mount Fuji towered above the lush forest, her white cap reduced to its smallest size under the heat of Amaterasu’s summer dances. The Aokigahara Jukai, or Sea of Trees, spread as a lush green carpet, peaceful seeming to all except those who had heard tales of strange happenings and disappearing people.
Ryu’s heart jumped to his throat as the acrid stench of Tengu drifted into his nose, mingled with the taint of Kitsune trespassing as well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beneath the aromatic boughs of an ancient cedar, deep within the Sea of Trees and bordering the territory claimed by Take Ryu for his personal retreat, three figures huddled and conferred in velvet shadow.
Golden eyes peered out of a pointed red face, two large ears perching on top of the owner’s head like black-tipped sails catching the breeze. A bushy comma, also tipped with black, curled around four dainty feet as if to hide such small appendages from view.
What appeared at first glance to be a withered old Yamabushi or mountain priest in tattered brown kimono lifted his head to reveal a red face and long nose. He adjusted his hat and repositioned the great black wings on his back.
“So, since she’s been paired before we could finish testing her, does anyone have any ideas how we are going to finish?”
The fox flicked his tail before he replied to the Tengu.
“Somehow we need to steal the memory of that bothersome dragon, she started her tests single, so she needs to finish them at least thinking she is that way.”
The old Tengu nodded his head, and a younger Tengu rubbed the side of his sharp beak while the feathers of his face stirred in the breeze.
“True, but how are we going to manage that? She doesn’t seem to be very good at holding still, and young Take will no doubt keep a very tight grip on her for a while yet.”
The old Tengu nodded again.
“Karasu is right. She is still sick though, so maybe we can drive her fever back up enough to temporarily wipe those memories. It could be another test of her hardiness as well.”
Karasu looked down into the needles he was sitting on.
“That’s rather dangerous, isn’t it, Kori? What happens if it goes too high? She almost died during her last fever, and she hasn’t had enough time yet to really build her strength back up. Akaisu saw with his own eyes how close she is to the border when he tricked her off the summit.”
Kori sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“I feel for the child too, but our assignment was to test her so that her powers would develop. Let us not forget that although he has a good heart, Take Ryu is not the most well-balanced individual, and probably a poor partner for an already unseated young woman.”
Akaisu’s golden eyes were rimmed with moisture as he delicately cleared his throat. When both of the Tengu were looking at him, the fox spoke.
“I could transform into the boy in her heart again and lead her off. It wouldn’t be hard, and it is an illusion that she still seems to have trouble seeing through because she wants to see him again so much.”
Kori nodded.
“Very well. Karasu will distract the dragon, you lead the child away, and I will administer her medicine. We will want to keep her with us though, to be sure she doesn’t regain her memories before it is time.”
Akaisu stood up, then darted away to where he could smell the human, weaving through the underbrush to avoid the gaze of the dragon that no doubt was scanning his territory well judging by the shouting of one name over and over again. The Tengu blipped in and out of existence as they teleported toward their mark. Soon the three were carefully looking into the clearing, observing the human in the tree and the dragon rather comically unseeing of the woman he was trying to tend.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BlowingWind watched as Ryu wandered into the forest, calling her name. Her breath was still as she sat motionless, willing herself to be invisible with every ounce of strength that she had. Silent tears welled up in her eyes as she watched him go. Finally, he left at a quick pace, apparently chasing something that he thought was her.
She picked her way back down the tree, placing her feet gently so as not to make any rustles for the sharp-eared spirit to hear. Once her feet were on the ground again, she crumpled into a quivering ball, restraining a sob and tired from the short climb.
“I must have overdone it yesterday. You’d think sleeping for a week would give a person more energy, not less.”
“Sleep is a tricky thing.”
She looked up in surprise at the familiar and long-sought voice, her eyes meeting the concerned brown of Obsidian’s. His long black hair was pulled back in his customary plaits, the buckskin of his clothes gleaming in the sun. BlowingWind sobbed and threw her arms around him, cringing as she did so expecting to grab nothing but air. Instead of the expected air, she found him warm and solid, and his arms wrapped her in a gentle embrace.
“I am here. You are safe.”
He rocked her gently back and forth, smoothing her short hair with one hand as he hummed into her neck, nuzzling softly to soothe her.
“I thought I’d never see you again. But you’re here Obsidian. I’ve missed you so much!”
Akaisu cringed as he continued pretending to be the one she was looking for, reading her heart for his proper cue. He stood up, drawing her with him.
“I missed you too, but I’m here now. Come with me. Everything will be just fine Little One.”
“Ok.”
She clung meekly to his arm, smiling broadly even as the tears continued to stream down her face. As they walked, he couldn’t help but reach up to brush them away, disconcerted to see any creature capable of joy and sorrow at once. The walked for a short distance before Kori came into view, where “Obsidian” stopped for introductions.
“This is Kori. He helped me regain a body and is excellent with herbal remedies. He’s prepared something for you.”
He and BlowingWind sat down on a small log beside a trickling stream, while Kori bowed a greeting and came near with a small cake.
“The trees have told me you are ill. Please accept this, it will give you back your strength.”
The human accepted the gray cake with a bow of gratitude, then regarded it carefully. When “Obsidian” nodded to her after a short glance, she took a bite. Choking it down, her faced contorted, and she lunged for the water.
“Genkaku taisan!”
Ryu broke into the clearing at a run at the same time that his command broke the illusion that had caused the Kitsune to look like BlowingWind’s former guardian. At the same time, the medicine cake had its desired intent, and the human fell to the ground asleep, the spell running its course. With a curse, Ryu scooped her up and began running for the bridge into the world of man, and the one place he was certain that he could keep her safe.