Chapter 76
…And the arrow struck the crocodile in the eye!
It growled low in pain, twisting and turning. Don screeched as his neck was jerked around. Genji set his bow and quiver on the ground then ran for the lake.
"No!" Udine yelled after him. "Genji, come back!"
He dove into the lake, and he swam for the crocodile. He put his hands on either jaw and easily pried the sharp teeth off Don's neck. Genji then pushed the crocodile away, and kicked his throat hard. The giant crock growled in defeat and swam away.
Don's body began to sink, so Genji got under him and grabbed the dragon's shoulder.
Damn…he's heavy…
His feet touched the bottom of the lake and Don's body began to weigh him down. Genji felt his feet being pushed into the soft dirt of the lake bottom.
I've got to act fast. I'll either drown or be crushed!
He felt his demon burns squirm and ripple along his shoulders and arms, just like when he fought off the first crocodile. Strength was fueled into his body, and Genji lifted Don's body up, and pushed off the ground with ease. He summoned the sickly yellow aura of screaming souls and used his ki to shoot himself and Don back up to the surface. Don was flung to the shore. Genji jumped out of the water, and hovered in the air. He stayed there to catch his breath and dry off. Udine ran to Don to inspect his wounds.
"Oh my God! He's alive! But these bites are serious… He'll need medical treatment." She looked up at Genji. "Thank you very much, Genji. That was very brave of you."
Genji smiled as he floated back to the shore and the aura flickered out.
**And thank you for helping me out, Udine-sama.**
Udine giggled.
"No problem."
/|\
Udine and Genji helped carry Don back to the beach with his sleeping brothers. 18 and Piccolo were waiting nearby. The Namek approached as the two Mononoke set Don down at the beach.
"Thank you for coming to Genji's aide, Udine-sama." Piccolo bowed.
"Actually," Udine smiled, "it was Genji who aided me."
"Huh?" Piccolo looked at the boy. Genji scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly.
**Well, it all worked out either way. I'm fine, and there was no unnecessary bloodshed.** His grin faded away. **Piccolo-san, can we go now?**
"Sure." He nodded.
Udine jumped into the seawater, and reemerged in her bubble with her long fish fin.
"I'll take care of these three." She insisted. "You all go on home."
Genji nodded as Piccolo took his arm and flew back to the Kame House. 18 followed. Udine looked at the island before her with a sad smile.
"This island deserves an official name. It can't live up to 'Grim Reaper' anymore."
/|\
As soon as Genji got home, he went straight to the guestroom and collapsed on the bed. Marron followed him up, and she wrapped her arms around his neck with a happy cry.
"Genji! You're okay! I'm so happy! I was so worried about you!"
**Marron, please.** Genji begged. **I had a really bad night, and I just want to sleep.**
Marron let go of his neck and sat by the bed on her knees.
"I bet you showed those dragons who was boss, huh?" she asked. "If you mess with Genji DragonLore, you'll get your butt kicked, right?"
**Marron, please just leave me alone…**
"What's wrong?"
**You didn't hear me a minute ago, did you? I'm tired, and I want to go to sleep. Please leave me alone.**
Marron stared down at her lap and nodded.
"Oh, okay. I guess so. You did fight really hard and probably got hurt. So…yeah, you should get some sleep." She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. " 'Night." She left and closed the door behind her. Genji sighed and rubbed his cheek.
Hmph…some vacation this turned out to be…