The Arrangement

Hi everyone, it's been a while since I've been inspired to write. Even longer since I've dove into this franchise. I'm not sure how many readers will take interest into this story, and even less sure if this franchise is still popular. However; despite all of that, my brain won't stop plaguing me with this new story idea in mind. A few things you'll need to know: things will be different from the anime, Tohru won't be instantly in love with Kobayashi. In the dragon world they are worshiped as gods, mostly due to out of fear. More will be explained as the story unfolds. There will be some world building as a challenge to myself. I'm more of a character development focus type-writer, however I wish to try and improve with both areas for this story.

Please be patient with updates, if all goes well they should be weekly updates by Sunday nights the latest. I hope you enjoy, and please share your thoughts. (Also any advice on world building would be appreciated! I have ideas I want for my dragon world in this story, but I'm welcome to ideas or advice as well).

Chapter 1 The Sacrifice

Kobayashi was in a foul mood, though one would not notice just by looking at her empty expression. She didn't allow her emotions to truly surface for others to see very often.

Today the other humans were sacrificing her to the dragons. She shakes her head in dismay as she continues packing her suitcase. She is traveling to the world of dragons, were very few humans even reside in anymore.

For centuries now humans and dragons have slain one another. Most people often become dragon slayers for hire to make the best type of live, unfortunately many dragon slayers do not make it to retirement age. That is why she chose to work at a simple boring office job. She wanted nothing to do with the war of dragons. She wanted a simple easy lifestyle. However, for some strange reason, out of all the humans in her world, she has become the chosen sacrifice.

Normally going to the dragon world is forbidden, unless you are a dragon slayer. Today things are different for her situation.

Kobayashi sighs, as she zips up her one little suitcase. She was ordered to pack light, as her major necessities would be taken care of in the other world.

Before heading out she glances at the tall mirror in her small walk-in closet. She frowns at her reflection. She wasn't much to look at. Her red hair was thrown into a lose hair tie, her hazel eyes didn't show much life behind her plane glasses. She wore her usual work attire: a long white buttoned collared shirt, a yellow tie, dark black pants, and plain work shoes. She also has her brown jacket on incase it is cold over in the other world. They were currently nearing winter and the temperatures have already been dropping lately, even on sunny days in this world. She imagined it might be the same for the dragon world.

Kobayashi readjust her glasses with another heavy sigh before finally grabbing her rolling suitcase; and taking her step outside of the small apartment that she has called home for the past few years.

Once she stepped out of the apartment and made it to the bottom floor, she was greeted by blinding flashing cameras and new reporters coming up to her for quick questions. The noise of it all came rushing into her like a tidal wave, Kobayashi hated loud noises and crowds. Her eyes squinted behind her glasses as she tried to see the people in front of her.

"Miss. Kobayashi how do you feel about being the chosen one!?" A nameless reporter questions her.

"Miss. Kobayashi, are you scared of this arranged marriage? Do you resent being chosen?"

"Miss. Kobayashi are you alright with marring a princess, do you feel honored!?"

Kobayashi does her best to push her way through the crowd and eventually makes it to the taxi waiting for her. The driver takes off and she is on her way to the boarders of the dragon world, which is just outside of the city she resides in. She lets out a tired sigh of relief as her vision clears up from the previous onslaught of flashing cameras. Currently everyone in her city knew her the 'dragon's fiancé, she shakes her head at the laughable title. A human marring a dragon, nobody saw this coming However, with this endless war both parties have grown tired of the losses.

The dragon population is dwindling, and humanity has been dropping as well. Dragons have become even bolder, entering their world and targeting big cities like hers'. Due to being so close to the boarder their city had the largest protection of dragon slayers. Many dragons who sneak into their world would go after other cities or even rural country size for their latest victims. Attacking those with less populated dragon slayers.

With both populations dropping like flies as of late, a treaty has finally been made.

One human will become the bride of a dragon princess, and the two will try to learn to understand each other. Teach them about their cultures and beliefs. Learn to love one another in peace, finally bringing the two species together in harmony. Kobayashi just isn't sure why it had to be her of all people. She was just a simple office worker, now she was off to some fantasy world of dragons. She wonders how the dragon princess feels about all of this. She wonders if she'll even make this out alive once she enters the dragon world. Will, it's not like anyone in her world would miss her. Maybe some of her coworkers would mourn her for a short while, but they would eventually move on with their lives easily enough. Currently, she didn't have anyone close in her life. Maybe that's why she was chosen, whoever looked her up could have seen how little she had in this world.

"We're here Miss. Kobayashi," Her driver announces.

Kobayashi looks out the window to see tall-large stones carved out into the shape of dragons, six of them formed into the shape of a circle. There were about twelve guards circled around the entrance to the dragon world. It was in the middle of an open field that was miles outside of any city. The dragon slayers were equipped with either bow and arrows, or swords at their hips. All of them carried long rifles, but not just ordinary rifles. Their bullets were special bullets called: black bullets. They could cause a dragon to lose their dragon form temporarily, long enough for them to be captured or killed. If struck by a black bullet, the dragon when turn into a human form, but the dragon wouldn't be completely helpless, they would still have use of whatever abilities they have. However, it did give humans a better fighting against their human forms.

Kobayashi pulls out her suitcase and slowly makes her way over to the slayers. One young man, who couldn't be older than 17/18 years in age, comes to greet her. Kobayashi frowns, he was much younger than herself. The young woman just recently turned 25 a few months ago.

However, she is all too familiar with how young dragon slayers can be, the training age starting at 13. And the occupational age can be as young as 15. It was a role open to both female and males, due to the need of so many dragon slayers.

"Good morning Miss. Kobayashi, my name is Kurt. I'll be your guide to the dragon world today," He smiles brightly at her, showing off his big blue eyes. He was a small-framed teenager, he only had a good foot on her in height. He wore a typical dragon slayer uniform, that being a dark green army camouflage attire.

"Uh, good morning" Kobayashi replies, not expecting the chirpy attitude from a teenaged soldier.

He beams at her response and offers to help pull her luggage as she follows him to the entrance, "We are so glad you agreed to this Miss. Kobayashi, there were several others asked to take this position before you, but all refused. Many were of high-ranking families, so it was hard to ignore their wishes," He sighs, shaking his head.

Kobayashi frowns once more, she had denied this arrangement originally. However, the person who came to her apartment just a few nights prior didn't give her much of an option. This person worked for the government and she expressed that it would be in her best interest to be the sacrifice they needed. Implying a slight threat within those words, although not openly expressed. Kobayashi has a good sense when it comes to reading people, she had keen observation skills. Her gut has never steered her wrong when it came to avoiding unwanted situations.

"I guess someone had to say yes," She finally replies, once they make it to the entrance. She gazes at it with a bored-like expression, wishing she could just return to her apartment.

"Are you ready Miss. Kobayashi?"

She just nods and watches as he enters, passing the stones into the center of the circle. Her eyes widen in awe as he disappears. With one final sigh and without looking back, she takes her first steps into the dragon world.

To Be Continued