Several Decades Ago
The mist rolled off the hills into the valley – the dense wisps tumbled down the jagged cliff sides in streams. It condensed on any porous surface at the same time. A small bead gathered in one of the many leaves, cradled in a dark green seam. It slipped, wavering on the tip before it fell to the weathered gravel below.
A darkened form hidden in shadowy undergrowth nestled in the valley's belly stirred as something dripped on its head. Sharp, pointed ears perked up and listened to the eerie quiet steeping. Other than that it didn't move. It dared not move, to even open its eyes. The bead started to inch passed its ear. It was annoying. The thing was a cold needle prick that slowly gained speed and ran part way down its spine, unsettling it. With each controlled breath, the heavy scent of the raising morning and damp earth filled its sense. No movements, no running footsteps but it knew better than to stir yet and gradually released its breath, calming its nerves, the warm mixture wafting into the air to join the fog, its brother. They were trackers by scent. They had to have found its hiding place by now. What were they waiting for? They . . .
"痴 ~ . . . 哇靠!"(Stupid . . . Oh, shoot/crap!) It spun, flexing its tail and swiped at the shifting shadows that flared out of the swirling fog – spines bared. The danced continue despite the growl that rumbled in its throat. Soft whispers beyond view grew to howls and screams in response, openly threatening. It took a fighting stance, its feet wide and claws dug deep in the ground, ready to leap out of the way of any that got too close.
"Young one."
Its gaze veered towards the deep voice, watching intensely as a shadow gained form. In front of it a figure slid from the fog. With each step towards the prone figure the shadow congealed, seemingly made from the fog itself. A large dog-like creature with a coat of shifting mist now stood in for the shadow, blue flames dancing around its neck and smoldering in its eyes. It shifted to one side.
"You should be honored. The Dark Dragon sees potential in us."
Slinnnnnnnnnnnnnk.
Fu shot up in bed, pitched back and grabbed at his ears as a horrible din that drowned out his senses cascaded down the roof above him. Rolling back, his ears still covered, he kicked off his sheets. Stumbling at first but now completely awake he stormed to the side door, sliding it into the end of its rack with a sharp clack. Someone was going to pay.
He jumped down from the ledge to the damp ground, grimacing as the soft earth squished under his back paws. Fu took a couple of awkward steps before turning to gaze over the roof. The bright moon caused him to blink several times before he could make out the dark form damaging the roof. The waxing moon, almost full, framed a silhouette of a serpentine head hanging low on a thick neck that stretched up from the shadows. At its base it was connected to a body that heaved with each labored breath. Fu could hear heavy breathing. "Lao Shi?" He almost flinched as two embers focused on him. "You alright?" Fu moved back as the dragon slipped from the roof over the gutter towards the earth. He saw the dragon waver as his front arms touched the ground. They supported Lao Shi at first but soon collapsed, pitching him forward onto his forearms, the rest of his body following down the side of the wall from the roof.
"Just . . . tired," his voice was deeper than normal.
His instincts have flared. Fu hurried to him despite knowing the dangers of dragons when their instincts were in full force. "Shut up. How badly are you hurt?" No longer blinded by looking directly in the path of the moon's light Fu noticed several, oozing scratches on the side of his neck alone.
Lao Shi cleared his throat. "I'm fine," he said in a lighter tone.
"What happened?"
Lao Shi's head drooped until it almost settled on the ground. His sleepiness was starting to get the better of his senses. "There was trouble . . . on the main road leading to ChengShi. The nomadic kludde pack that moved in a couple weeks ago was going mad. They were attacking human travelers. Even some of their own pack."
"Well, they are known to get a bit rowdy . . ."
"This was different. This was bloodlust." Lao Shi saw his companion shift uneasily. He studied Fu with clearly tired eyes. Sensing his body faltering he leaned to the side towards the house. He tilted too far and his tail flopped over into a bush when he tried to steady himself. Digging his forearms into the earth, he pulled himself up on all fours. A soft hiss escaped, "I'm going to bed. Get Susan breakfast in the morning. A proper breakfast." The word "proper" was more of a growl than English.
"Don't you worry. I'm great with the kid," a low chuckled escaped him. Lao Shi didn't answer.
Fu followed the dragon as he staggered in. He didn't voice it but he was clearly worried. Most fights he broke up didn't take this much out of him. Sliding the door closed he turned to face the room in its entirety. Pass the doorway into the next room Lao Shi, now in his human form, crouched over a small bed roll. He placed a gentle hand on a mess of black hair.
"My precious lotus flower . . ."