Kurai Kaze no Naka ni - Prologue
The grass was tall and green-blue, reaching towards the sky like strands in an upward-going wind. Blues, whites, lavenders and pale yellows mixed in the peaceful field. The wind blew over them, like a gentle hand caressing the earth, taking freed leaves and tiny seeds to far off places to sprout and grow. The creek than ran through the middle of the grass was quietly singing, the water patiently, persistently working away the rocks to make them smooth, working away at the banks to make them wide. The forest to one side of the field was dark, it's canopy shining with a silvery-white light. The creatures within slept, for it was too early in the night for the creatures of night to waken, and too late in the day for the day things to stir.
The moon was high, cold and full in the sky, it's slit silver eye looking down on the field and the forest and the dark water it illuminated, with indifference. It made it slow way over the sky, not acknowledging it's cold neighbors, the stars. They took no notice of it either. The stars had, for an eternity and more, looked down on this earth, unimpressed, waiting for it to change, to destroy itself, to form anew. They took no notice either of the young maiden in the field, or the tears she shed that glittered in their light. They took no notice of the man watching her from the forest shadows.
The girls sobs drifted on the air, disturbing the peacefulness of the night. Her dirtied white summer dress was torn, her bare feet scraped and unclean. The tears that fell from hr face were mixed with blood. Her scratched finger clutched her clothes to her chest as she ran through the field, away from demons that she could never escape by running. Her matted hair was of indeterminate color, her eyes were screwed shut. Her ears were cut, and blood ran sluggishly down her thighs. She tripped and fell next to the bank of the creek.
***
The man in the shadows watched for a long time as she lay there. She did not move from the way she'd fallen, and he felt her pain and her shame. Both were at levels that girls did not usually reach – even after what had obviously happened to her. Such a stupid girl. Did she think that the shadows of the forest were any safer than the darkened alleys in the city? He smiled, showing sharp canines and his dark eyes glittered. Carefully he gathered his hair back into a ponytail, letting a few strands fall forward. He left his bangs alone to shade his eyes, and altered his clothing – all black. Such beautiful pain, he thought I cannot let her die here. Perhaps she will come to me. I will appear as what she desires. He conjured a large scythe attached it to his back. He grinned.
***
She felt new pain as she fell, onto the rocks and the thorned weeds. She felt the sting of the cuts on her arm and legs and forehead as the dirt got into them. She felt her delicate skin part and more blood flow from the new wounds. She opened her eyes and watched a night moth land on her hand. She listened to the creek, looked at the moonlight glittering in it's depths and reflecting on it's surface. I can die here… it's okay. No one will miss me, they've all left. And I'm dirtied now; they wouldn't want me. She relaxed and cherished the slightly humid night air. Then she heard footsteps.
***
He looked down at her as she looked up. Her face was still warped in pain, but behind her eyes there was peace. She'd accepted death. So beautiful…. He crouched down next to her, and spoke softly. "Little one. Why so alone?"
He watched her for a moment, waiting for her answer. She studied him, taking in his slim build, his black robes, his violet hair glowing in the moonlight. She concentrated on his face, trying to see his eyes, but he'd carefully positioned himself so that they were in shadow. Then she noticed his scythe. "Shinigami…" she whispered reverently. "You've come to take me? To take me home?"
He forced a smile. Her relief was sickening. But her pain was still evident. Had she been able to, she'd have gotten to her knees and bowed. He forced a quiet, comforting tone, putting the hint of barely contained menace within it. "Home, child? How is my realm your home? It is dark, a bright child like you doesn't belong there. I was roaming and I found you. Why do you yearn for me? Why did your soul call me?" This is getting corny, he thought, but she's buying it. So desperate, so hurt. Absolutely beautiful….
***
She stared at him. Beautiful. So beautiful. Dark but not threatening. "I want to die…" she whispered. "Shinigami-sama… do people die from sadness?" She watched his face. His eyes, it was maddening that she couldn't see his eyes.
But she felt him looking at her. Pitying her. Curious. And almost, she sensed… lustfully.
"Yes and no, young one. One dies from the effects of sadness. But sadness is still the cause, so." He lay down next to her. "You cannot die. I do not want to kill you."
"Why, Shinigami-sama?" she watched his perfect lips curve into a smile. He lifted his head and she could see his eyes…or rather his eyelids. Had his eyes been closed the whole time?
His smile turned a little sad. "You are a dragoness, young one. You are destined to live forever. And you're beautiful." He leaned closer. "You intruige me. Dragons do not usually experience such deep levels of pain…" he touched his lips lightly to hers, putting a light mazoku taint in her mind. Undetectable. He moved one finger under her chin, and just barely opened his eyes. Her pain was intoxicating. Lazily he wondered how she managed to be so reverant and so desperate for death at the same time. Fascinating…
Her wide blue eyes were clouding over. Her frowned. "I'll heal you now, my dragoness…" he whispered, "and mark you as mine. Even Death needs a mate, you know…"
He watched her eyelids droop. Perfect little dragoness. I wonder if Juuou-sama will let me have her. After all, a Dragon and a Masoku mating is unheard of, but…perhaps she will last until I want her. So young, compared to me….
"I heard that Death has a pretty voice. Sing to me, Shinigami-sama?" she murmured. "I want to hear you, before I die…"
He frowned. "Young one, you aren't listening. You'll be my mate. I won't kill you." But the taint will be more effective if I sing it into your soul…so… "But I will sing for you, my dragoness. Lay down."
As he sang, he strengthened his taint and wove it into her soul. Along with a strong mazoku healing spell. She fell asleep, and he kept singing, erasing her memory, making her think she had run out here to think about her future mate. He washed her in the creek and pulled her long blonde hair away from her face. He smiled, showing his sharp, slightly overlarge canines.
Even physically, she's beautiful. You'll grow into quite the Golden Dragon…Filia Ul Copt.
To be Continued.
Firstly, the Japanese terms in here need to get cleared up. Ahem.
Title first. Kurai Kaze no Naka ni should mean, literally translated, 'In the Dark Wind's Middle' in Japanese. I just mean it as "In the Dark Wind"
Shinigami means 'God of Death'. And you would most definitely know that already if you're a Gundam Wing fan.
Mazoku means demon race. I didn't use Ryuzoku in here, but later I will, so it means Dragon race.
From time to time, I might say Jinzoku or Ningen, which mean Human race, or Human.
That should be it.
If I forgot any translations, you know what's a great way to let me know? Review! Then I might write Chappy One fer ya.
