Silver's Blood Chit Challenge
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or anything to do with it.
I decided this was going to be a story based in the Feudal Era, but not about Kagome, Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango, or anyone else from the series. These characters are going to come entirely from my imagination- so I hope you don't get too confused or bored.
OOOOO
I hope they don't catch me...! I found myself thinking wildly as I looked over my shoulder for any signs of my pursuers. I couldn't see them. But I knew they were there. I could hear them crashing through the trees as they chased me.
But I couldn't let them catch me. I had to bring back help. Had to let the hunting patrols know the village was under attack.
Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! How could they have let all the men go and leave us women alone?
We needed the food. It was as simple as that. Our crops had failed and the village was starving. We needed more food then the small patrols could bring back. So my father, the head man, had made the difficult decision to send our men away to retrieve more.
My father and brother had gone, leaving me to care for my younger sister Kya, and help my mother in our home. Days passed and the hunting patrol had not returned. A short time ago, a messenger had arrived saying the men were only miles away and were bringing home a feast!
We had all cried for joy and little Kya had skipped about in happiness. That seemed so long ago, though it had only been hours.
Then came the attack. When we least expected it and were least ready. We did not have much to take, but they didn't seem to care. Destruction seemed to be what they sought.
My home. Gone. Destroyed in the fire that threatened to consume everything.
The villagers were screaming so loudly. God. I can still hear them crying out as they died.
The footfalls are growing nearer. And I'm so weary. I don't know if I'll make it to the men in time. But I won't stop until I cannot take another step. If I die... Then I'll die helping the people I love.
That thought gave me another burst of speed, propelling me out of the darkness and into a meadow, open to the sky.
I had no choice. I knew they had weapons, would kill me if they could, but my only choice was to make it across the meadow before they emerged from the trees and killed me.
I took off, my breathing harsh, even to my own ears.
Faster! Faster!
I can hear them break the cover of the trees, hear the noise of them pulling arrows from their quivers.
Almost there! Just a few more feet!
Twang!
The noise of the bow is the only thing that registers as I dive for the safety of the trees.
Then, searing pain. I can feel my flesh tearing as the arrow rips through my skin, imbedding itself in my side.
The blood spurts out, covering my hands as I muffle my horrified scream. One sound and I'm dead. I can hear them searching for me.
I shudder with the effort of holding back my cries. The pain is immense, threatening to overcome me.
Anything is better than this! My mind wails as I grab the shaft of the arrow and snap it off, ignoring the stab of pain.
The arrow head is in deep. I can feel that without even looking to see how bad the injury is. I should take it out, but I can't face the pain it would bring.
They're moving away, I can hear them walking off into the trees, muttering to themselves. I'll have to move. I can't take the chance they will come back and discover me.
I have to warn the men, before they're attacked as well.
The thought alone is enough to force me to my feet. I have to keep going. I'm the only one left to warn them.
Tears, warm and salty, threaten to overflow. My mother, and Kya. All the villagers I've know since I was small. All dead. Slaughtered like animals. They deserved so much more.
We may not be able to even give them a decent burial. Who knows what those monsters will do to them?
The thought of my mother's body laying out on the road for the animals to pick at, nearly sent me to my knees.
I was growing weak already. I could feel it. The blood pouring from my side was sure to attract unwanted attention, as well as weaken me enough to make me vulnerable to attack.
My head was already dissolving into a swirl of red. I couldn't even think straight. I just need to rest for a moment... Then I'll get back up and keep going.
OOOOO
I slipped through the trees unnoticed, trying to count the amount of warriors in the small village.
"How many do you think there are Turo?"
I shushed my friend, trying to concentrate. Finally I gestured for him to follow. We slipped away, unnoticed, deeper into the woods.
"I don't know." I raked my fingers through my hair, a nervous habit. "I counted at least fifty, but it was hard to tell. They all look alike in that armor."
"Do you think they're a threat?"
"I doubt it. Our village is well hidden. They shouldn't be able to find us." I laid a comforting hand on my friend's shoulder. "We don't need to worry."
Dero nodded, mollified for the moment. "What's that sound?" He asked, looking around abruptly.
I tensed, listening. "I think they're coming this way. Split up, I'll meet you back at the village." He nodded, clasping my shoulder once before melting away into the forest.
I did the same, racing into the forest as silently as a shadow. Soon the footsteps receded behind me and the noises of the forest enclosed me.
Lost them. I thought, with a smirk. I looked around, gauging where I was. The village had to be a few miles away, I had to have run farther than I thought.
With a mental shrug, I turned back the way I had come, hoping to return in time to share my part of the tale with the elders.
I rounded a large tree, tensing as I heard a movement in the bushes not too far away. I scanned the woods slowly, my eyes widening as I realized the ground was sprinkled with blood.
How could I not have noticed? I berated myself, glad I was the only one to know of my foolishness.
I crept toward the source of the sound, which had long ago stopped, and peered around the bushes, taking care not to be seen.
A girl lay sprawled on the forest floor. Her dark hair hung loosely around her shoulders, tangled with leaves. Her dark clothing was soaked with blood, the source an arrow wound in her side. Her eyes fluttered slightly, her long lashes brushing against her cheek like butterfly wings.
But the thing that interested him most was the gold band around her upper arm. Taking a look around to be sure no one was around, he stepped out of the trees and took a step toward her.
Stooping he shifted her so he could read the inscription written on the band. The delicate, spidery writing was difficult to read, but in the end he managed it. The engraving read:
If found with an unconscious or injured person, please care for them. Give them medical attention, protection, and general care. A reward will be given once the person is returned to their people.
His eyes widened slightly. Only members of a headman's family, or a person with particular merit would have such a band.
She must have come from the village. He thought with sudden understanding. But that didn't explain who she was.
His conscious pricked at him as he noticed her shallow breathing. She must have been out here at least an hour. That meant she had lost more blood than she might be able to afford. Pulling out his hunting knife, he cut a piece of fabric from his shirt, using it to bind her wound the best he could.
It will just have to do until we get back to my village... He picked her up, careful not to press against her wound. Still, she let out a tiny mewl of pain and curling herself against him, clutching his shirt in her hand.
He could feel his heart melt, and even though she was asleep, the gesture sent a flash of heat all the way to his toes.
He shook his head. This is no time to go soft, you're still in danger in case you haven't noticed. He shifted her in his arms and set off toward the village, all his senses on alert for trouble.
OOOOO
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or anything to do with it.
I decided this was going to be a story based in the Feudal Era, but not about Kagome, Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango, or anyone else from the series. These characters are going to come entirely from my imagination- so I hope you don't get too confused or bored.
OOOOO
I hope they don't catch me...! I found myself thinking wildly as I looked over my shoulder for any signs of my pursuers. I couldn't see them. But I knew they were there. I could hear them crashing through the trees as they chased me.
But I couldn't let them catch me. I had to bring back help. Had to let the hunting patrols know the village was under attack.
Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! How could they have let all the men go and leave us women alone?
We needed the food. It was as simple as that. Our crops had failed and the village was starving. We needed more food then the small patrols could bring back. So my father, the head man, had made the difficult decision to send our men away to retrieve more.
My father and brother had gone, leaving me to care for my younger sister Kya, and help my mother in our home. Days passed and the hunting patrol had not returned. A short time ago, a messenger had arrived saying the men were only miles away and were bringing home a feast!
We had all cried for joy and little Kya had skipped about in happiness. That seemed so long ago, though it had only been hours.
Then came the attack. When we least expected it and were least ready. We did not have much to take, but they didn't seem to care. Destruction seemed to be what they sought.
My home. Gone. Destroyed in the fire that threatened to consume everything.
The villagers were screaming so loudly. God. I can still hear them crying out as they died.
The footfalls are growing nearer. And I'm so weary. I don't know if I'll make it to the men in time. But I won't stop until I cannot take another step. If I die... Then I'll die helping the people I love.
That thought gave me another burst of speed, propelling me out of the darkness and into a meadow, open to the sky.
I had no choice. I knew they had weapons, would kill me if they could, but my only choice was to make it across the meadow before they emerged from the trees and killed me.
I took off, my breathing harsh, even to my own ears.
Faster! Faster!
I can hear them break the cover of the trees, hear the noise of them pulling arrows from their quivers.
Almost there! Just a few more feet!
Twang!
The noise of the bow is the only thing that registers as I dive for the safety of the trees.
Then, searing pain. I can feel my flesh tearing as the arrow rips through my skin, imbedding itself in my side.
The blood spurts out, covering my hands as I muffle my horrified scream. One sound and I'm dead. I can hear them searching for me.
I shudder with the effort of holding back my cries. The pain is immense, threatening to overcome me.
Anything is better than this! My mind wails as I grab the shaft of the arrow and snap it off, ignoring the stab of pain.
The arrow head is in deep. I can feel that without even looking to see how bad the injury is. I should take it out, but I can't face the pain it would bring.
They're moving away, I can hear them walking off into the trees, muttering to themselves. I'll have to move. I can't take the chance they will come back and discover me.
I have to warn the men, before they're attacked as well.
The thought alone is enough to force me to my feet. I have to keep going. I'm the only one left to warn them.
Tears, warm and salty, threaten to overflow. My mother, and Kya. All the villagers I've know since I was small. All dead. Slaughtered like animals. They deserved so much more.
We may not be able to even give them a decent burial. Who knows what those monsters will do to them?
The thought of my mother's body laying out on the road for the animals to pick at, nearly sent me to my knees.
I was growing weak already. I could feel it. The blood pouring from my side was sure to attract unwanted attention, as well as weaken me enough to make me vulnerable to attack.
My head was already dissolving into a swirl of red. I couldn't even think straight. I just need to rest for a moment... Then I'll get back up and keep going.
OOOOO
I slipped through the trees unnoticed, trying to count the amount of warriors in the small village.
"How many do you think there are Turo?"
I shushed my friend, trying to concentrate. Finally I gestured for him to follow. We slipped away, unnoticed, deeper into the woods.
"I don't know." I raked my fingers through my hair, a nervous habit. "I counted at least fifty, but it was hard to tell. They all look alike in that armor."
"Do you think they're a threat?"
"I doubt it. Our village is well hidden. They shouldn't be able to find us." I laid a comforting hand on my friend's shoulder. "We don't need to worry."
Dero nodded, mollified for the moment. "What's that sound?" He asked, looking around abruptly.
I tensed, listening. "I think they're coming this way. Split up, I'll meet you back at the village." He nodded, clasping my shoulder once before melting away into the forest.
I did the same, racing into the forest as silently as a shadow. Soon the footsteps receded behind me and the noises of the forest enclosed me.
Lost them. I thought, with a smirk. I looked around, gauging where I was. The village had to be a few miles away, I had to have run farther than I thought.
With a mental shrug, I turned back the way I had come, hoping to return in time to share my part of the tale with the elders.
I rounded a large tree, tensing as I heard a movement in the bushes not too far away. I scanned the woods slowly, my eyes widening as I realized the ground was sprinkled with blood.
How could I not have noticed? I berated myself, glad I was the only one to know of my foolishness.
I crept toward the source of the sound, which had long ago stopped, and peered around the bushes, taking care not to be seen.
A girl lay sprawled on the forest floor. Her dark hair hung loosely around her shoulders, tangled with leaves. Her dark clothing was soaked with blood, the source an arrow wound in her side. Her eyes fluttered slightly, her long lashes brushing against her cheek like butterfly wings.
But the thing that interested him most was the gold band around her upper arm. Taking a look around to be sure no one was around, he stepped out of the trees and took a step toward her.
Stooping he shifted her so he could read the inscription written on the band. The delicate, spidery writing was difficult to read, but in the end he managed it. The engraving read:
If found with an unconscious or injured person, please care for them. Give them medical attention, protection, and general care. A reward will be given once the person is returned to their people.
His eyes widened slightly. Only members of a headman's family, or a person with particular merit would have such a band.
She must have come from the village. He thought with sudden understanding. But that didn't explain who she was.
His conscious pricked at him as he noticed her shallow breathing. She must have been out here at least an hour. That meant she had lost more blood than she might be able to afford. Pulling out his hunting knife, he cut a piece of fabric from his shirt, using it to bind her wound the best he could.
It will just have to do until we get back to my village... He picked her up, careful not to press against her wound. Still, she let out a tiny mewl of pain and curling herself against him, clutching his shirt in her hand.
He could feel his heart melt, and even though she was asleep, the gesture sent a flash of heat all the way to his toes.
He shook his head. This is no time to go soft, you're still in danger in case you haven't noticed. He shifted her in his arms and set off toward the village, all his senses on alert for trouble.
OOOOO
