Plum Rice Balls

AN: This is my first Dragon Marked for Death fanfic. Just a small one. The Shinobi and Empress belong to Inti Creates. Riki belongs to me and Lupine belongs to my friend Leafu.

Not a cloud was in the sky. It was a warm day, a mid summer's afternoon. All seemed quiet for the time being in a forest. There was not any large monsters in sight, which was a good thing. Instead, there were just some small ones, scurrying about. Up in a tree was a young male, around the age of twelve. He bore the dragon's scar upon his legs. He was draped on a tree branch by laying on his belly similar how a leopard does when they slept in a tree.

What was there to do? Who knew. The young shinobi flipped out of the tree and landed on his feet with grace. He was rather agile and swift after all. Picking up his kunai knives, the young male headed into the brush. He mainly hunted down animals when he needed something to eat and the moment seemed right for such a thing. What though? Wild Boar? Fresh fish to catch? All seemed fine. Fine as in his stomach emitting a small growl.

That very moment, he went silent. He was hungry and hunting was his means of survival. What to do… what to do. Turning his back the young male would head deeper into the forest hoping to find something good to hunt or at least gather to settle his stomach.

The forest was brimming with life. From fruit bearing trees and bushes to various animals and smaller monsters. Ripe for the hunt. Taking cover in a tree, he would scout around for what could be rather tasty and that could last him for a while. Suddenly, his violet coloured eyes spotted something on the forest floor. A fairly medium sized boar was minding its business, digging in the soft, forest soil for its own meal. This would give him a chance. Tightening his grip on his kunai knives, the Shinobi Boy readied himself. Then, he sprang into action!

Leaping out from the trees, he dove down towards the unaware boar. That was when it lifted its head, hearing a sound. Thinking it was some sort of forest predator, the boar darted off and into the bushes, taking cover. The Shinobi missed his fresh kill and crashed down on the forest floor, falling on his face. Flipping up on his feet ever so gracefully, the boy dusted himself off and placed his kunai's in his belt.

"Second time today..." He said to himself. "I wonder what scared it away?"

Was he alone? All what was here were the animals and some of the lesser monsters. Not many people stepped foot in here unless they were travellers or hunters. Was he alone? Or was someone else around? A bandit? A larger monster? An unexpected traveller? He would look around. His training senses did give him a keen ear on situations like this. Taking to the bushes, he hid himself.

That vary moment, light foot steps could be heard. Ones stepping on the soft grass, their feet snapping the fallen twigs on the ground. It did not sound like a monster, those tracks would be far louder and heavier.

From where he sat and watched, someone came out of the forest and wandered into the clearing. Where they hunting as well? Said person appeared to be a white haired female, having the mark of the Dragon… just like he would have. However, this person had the mark on their arm instead of the legs like the young Shinobi would have. Was this person a friend or foe? Did they scare off his free boar meal?

Springing out of the bushes, the Shinobi would leap out and toss a few of his shurikens out at the other. That surprised the other. The traveller, being a female took a stance, guarding herself.

"That was for scaring off my meal!" He would call out. "Don't make a move!"

The other was in a defensive stance, wondering why the young Shinobi was a bit on the edge. Instead, she lowered her guard, showing she was not going to lay harm on the other. Seeing that caused the boy to lower his own guard. However, he did not move a muscle. He was rather curious, if not a bit untrusting of the other.

"Who are you?" He would ask in a slight, sharp, yet calm tone. "Better yet, why are you here?!"

"I could say the same to you..." the other replied back. "I was hunting myself and suddenly, I was attacked by you!"

Both gazed at each other, eye to eye. Silence rushed between the both of them. The forest even went silent as if every chirp, squawk and yelp ceased for those two. That was when the boy's gut gave off a soft rumble again. Placing a hand on it, he quickly turned his head away from the other. The made the female give a small smile. Both seemed to be on the hunt and hearing his stomach growl made her emit a small chuckle. Rummaging through a leather pouch, the female wanderer pulled out a couple sweet honey treats.

"You're hungry. Here, take these honey biscuits. They are not much, but you could use them. Besides, some animals may mistake you as their predator!"

She gave a small laugh at her cute joke. The Shinobi? He was a bit clueless on what she meant. He did take her offer of the honey treats. Walking up to her, he gently took them and sat down on the ground, munching on them. That should settle his stomach for the time being. The other that offered him the treats sat next to him. She was curious of the Dragon's scar he had.

"So you bare the mark as well? What is your name?"

She wouldn't ask him too many questions. They just met, even if the encounter was not the best of encounters.

Finishing his gifted treats, the young male crossed his leg over the other, resting his hands in his lap. He looked up at her, his violet eyes gazing up at her.

"Riki, Rikimaru." He softly said.

"Riki, eh? My name is Lupine. A pleasure to meet you. I was just in this forest, hunting down a few animals to take home. I don't live too far from here. Do you live here?"

Riki as he was named closed his eyes. A small sigh escaped his lips as he turned to face her.

"Sort of. I do more hunting and tree sleeping. Kind of lost my own home and I take to the trees. Made some friends with magpies..."

Lupine glanced over at the other. Riki was only thriving in the trees and hunting what he could catch. Things would be better if he had a roof over his head, even when the bitter cold seasons would arrive without warning. She inched herself closer to Riki, not knowing if he liked being touched or not. Riki looked over at her, wondering what she was doing or would do. Instead, he relaxed himself more and sat closer to her. Something reminded him of his past.

"You… have a place?" He asked.

"Yes, I do. I could take you there. It would be better than nesting in the trees!"

He thought for a moment. A place to live? Better than the trees? Sure that would be nice. He was not found of the rain very much. A small smile came across his face.

"Sure! I mean… I humbly take your offer."

Riki seemed rather happy. This person was rather friendly to him. It felt like they had a small bond at this moment. Lupine got to her feet and looked up at the sky. It was getting late, as seen by the reddish looking sun in the sky. She offered her hand to Riki, helping him up.

"I live around here. Sica Village. I have a small, roomy home. Pretty sure you could call it your new home." She softly addressed. "So, care to follow me? It's getting late anyway. We could go for a small hunt or catch some fish. Most of the day time animals would be seeking a place to sleep. We could get something from town if you want."

Riki could not turn down this offer. He got to his feet and placed his kunais back in his belt.

"I don't mind. I mean, no one offered me their hospitably before."

As the sun set and a few stops near a small town, Lupine escorted her new found friend home. She gave a warm smile as the young Shinobi entered the humble house. He was rather curious as he glanced around. There was two beds. One was Lupine's. The other was maybe for a guest? He was that guest. There was a fireplace as well and fur skinned rugs on the floor. Riki walked over to one of the rugs and sat on it. It was nice and soft.

"This is… nice..." He said softly. "Thank you, Lupine."

After a fitting mean of mutton and apple cider, Riki rested himself on the fur rug. He was rather comfortable and happier that his belly was full. Soon, he drifted off to sleep. Lupine walked over to him and would place a fur blanket on him. She gave a smile and sat down on her own bed.

"Rest well, Riki. Or should I call you brother..?"

Lupine pondered for a moment as she would lay down. A soft smile came to her face. She could adopt him as a little brother. She walked over to him again and knelt down. She placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Good Night, little brother..." She said in a calming voice. "Sweet Dreams…"

TBC