Author's Note: Ack! This is sooo hard to write! I have a hard time writing dialogue… o__O nerk. It bothered me for a whole week… I've been feeling veeery guilty! But I do have an ending …it is very near. Oh yes. Very, very near. Don't worry about it though, there might very well be a sequel! I hope everybody will be surprised when I unveil things…. ^__O Special thanks to my reviewers… You're the wind beneath my wings!…
Except for the faint whisper of the nighttime breeze, the garden was silent. Faint light fell on two figures, the garden's sole occupants. The slave stared into the pool at her feet, waiting to hear her master's words.
When none came she looked up, lifting her face to meet the youkai's eyes questioningly.
He seemed to be on the brink of vocalizing dismissal; then the lord stopped and turned from her in what seemed like frustration. Naga followed his movements with her eyes, wondering at his apparent irritation. Perhaps he wishes that I leave him to his thoughts… After all, I do not belong in this place.
With deliberation, she rose to her feet and turned to go, thinking the youkai had intended for her to leave without verbal affirmation.
When she was but a few paces away, a voice made her pause.
"Have I dismissed you? No," Lord Hiten's voice was even and calm. "We might discuss things, you and I…"
Naga turned to face her master, lowered eyes peering from beneath jet lashes as she kept her respective distance.
Again he turned from her, shoulders tensing as he ran a hand carelessly through his hair, causing it to ripple like an angry twitch of tail.
"…I no longer require your attendance where guests are concerned. Your presence has proven a… " The youkai paused, chagrinned, as he turned to face her "…A distraction to my allies."
Naga looked wary at her master's words, wondering distantly if she might have heard him wrong. He no longer requires my…? Kami-- is he going to dispose of me?
Images rose unbidden at the thought; there were many ways Lord Hiten might rid himself of her. Not many were pleasant in the least.
Hiten saw the mask settle into place as the words feel from his lips; he could almost feel the distance to which she retreated. Then she met his eyes, questioning the fate laid before her with an almost defiant look; as if to say do your worst.
He paused; what had seemed only sensible hours before now held none of its earlier certainty for the youkai lord. Dare I even let her go when-- No… Hiten flinched as his thoughts delved onto a dark and dusty path that he dared not peruse.
"I should give you as a parting gift to my arduous general," He grimaced thoughtfully. "Though I believe you would not enjoy his company much-- at least not as much as he would yours. But as my general has done nothing deserving of such a reward…"
The slave let her eyes drop, but not before he saw relief flicker in their depths. The youkai faced her abruptly, teeth glinting in the light as he let his eyes travel over her, gaze veiled.
"The lords to the east require assistance and I, as their overlord, could not refuse my allies aid. Consequently, if you have not already guessed it, I will be departing at dawn tomorrow, which--" Hiten paused to glance at the nighttime sky "-- is not but a few hours away. And I… "
Silence settled like a heavy blanket as he looked away from the human's eyes, strangely bright against the darkness; they were Maten's eyes, so familiar to his own. And yet they are worlds apart, my brother and this… woman. I feel no brotherly affinity at the sight of those eyes. What I feel is everything but that affinity where she is concerned. Not that it matter in a few hours time…
"This may seem not to be of any significance to your realm of existence, but you must be made to understand this. I, as youkai, am impervious to your limited human cycle of years. While you grow old and decay, my kind remains unchanged." This he said mildly, as if unmoved by the complications he was indicating.
Lightly, the youkai placed a clawed forefinger against the girl's chin, lifting her face to his as if her mind would wander if not given the constant reminder of his face before her.
Naga flinched at the clawtips pressing into the soft skin beside her jugular, distracting her from the connections her mind was struggling to make. He is leaving again, so soon… Another war is what I think he means to fight; and time has no effect on him...So. He means to leave me again in this place… Is this how youkai take their leave of one another?
"…I will be gone for some time." Lord Hiten looked directly at the girl, emphasizing his words.
Many? She shaped her lips around the word carefully, questioningly.I believe I understand… And I wish that I was wrong.
The master met his slave's gaze evenly. "You are to remain as my retainer… For however long I am away, you will tend to my fortress's needs. I believe you can be trusted so far as that."
Oh. Naga looked down at her clasped hands, knuckles white against the skin; so this was her master's purpose in bringing her there. It is strange… I feel as though I am a pawn, a means to an end in his designs… What did I expect-- what did I want from him? I am nothing more than a slave to him… and yet I am disappointed. I can't begin to unravel these emotions…
Lord Hiten sensed her turmoil, mistaking the emotions than clouded her eyes; he refused it see it for what it was. "Now… You have my permission to go." His voice trailed off as the girl bowed deeply, respectfully, knowing it would be the last she would quite probably ever see of her master again.
Watching the slim pale form retreat from the garden's center, the youkai could not help but feel as if something in his world had just been snuffed out.
Author's Note: well… hope it didn't suck egg… rotten egg, too much! I have a hard time coming up with stuff those two can talk about… -__- sigh… Its not fun. But I'm still trying to get to the gushy stuff! Am I taking too long? Should Hiten just break loose and start giving her hickeys? Its your job as the reviewers to give moi feedback on this stuff, ok?? Thanks again, K.A.