Undying Love – Crimson Encounter

Author's Notes: Sorry, everyone… for not updating in so long. has been occupied this whole summer Lots of family problems have been happening this summer, and all… sighs Along with a few other things, and my bad case of writer's block.

However, I will try my best to update this story during the school year. Hopefully, once I get back to school in less than a week, I might feel up to the mood to start putting more effort into my writing again.

Anyways, I hope that you enjoy this chapter. (In addition, I'm halfway on the next chapter… and I'll try to see if I can get it up before I start school. I may also do some revision on the first few chapters of the story as well.) Meanwhile, read and review!

Chihiro turned in Raisuke's direction when she finally registered what he said. Duck for cover? Did she hear wrong…? "What are you talking about, Raisuke?"

"Chihiro, behind you!" Raisuke shouted, dragging the confused brunette down with him to the ground.

Soon enough, the pair had heard a whooshing sound slice the air above them. They turned their heads upward, and their worried eyes were graced by the sight of a terrifying, crimson-scaled creature, as it bared its lengthy fangs and prepared to charge at the pair.

The creature before them was of gigantic proportions, roughly around eight meters in height, excluding its tail. Its piercing, crimson scales glistened under the moonlight and its blood-red, slit eyes were staring cautiously at its prey. On the top of its head were three magnificent horns… however, nothing compared to its wings. Its rough, thick wings were twice the length of its body, and it was obvious to see just the godly power within those wings. Its sharp and powerful, black claws were flexing back and forth, and its spiky tail was swinging from side-to-side. This ferocious dragon was ready to start its attack on the two unfortunate souls below.

"Chihiro, move, it's coming for you!" Raisuke warned, watching as Chihiro barely missed those lengthy and swift claws stabbing at her chest. Meanwhile, the lucky brunette glanced frightfully between the dragon and the blonde, her breaths coming in long pants.

The dragon prepared for another attack, as its tail suddenly swerved towards Chihiro, as she quickly dodged the attack. "Raisuke, what's going on?! Why does it keep on attacking me?!"

"Chihiro, I honestly don't know…" Raisuke exclaimed, trying to formulate a quick plan in his mind. Soon enough, the blonde sped towards Chihiro, took a strong grasp of her hand, and sprinted with her towards the ruined shed behind the bathhouse. However, the dragon was close by on the pair's trail.

"Raisuke, are we going the right way? We just passed the bathhouse…" she noted, worriedly.

"I know…" he whispered, staring back at her. "We can't risk getting the other bathhouse workers, injured. They are too weak to fend off the dragon; we're better off on our own."

She nodded in understanding, before asking… "Where are we going to hide then?"

"Raisuke… I don't think this is such a good idea…" Chihiro whispered worriedly, staring at her surroundings. They were currently hiding out in the dusty, wooden shed, where they were trying to keep the dragon away from the others.

Meanwhile, Raisuke was peeking cautiously through the tiny cracks of the shed wall, observing the dragon like a hawk. "I know, but we don't have much of a choice…" He watched quietly as the lonesome creature began to sniff at its surroundings, searching out for the brunette and blonde a few meters away. "Chihiro?"

Chihiro turned to face him, her eyes in question. "Yes, Raisuke?"

Raisuke kept his back faced at her, not letting his eyes drift from the uncontrollable monster outside. "There's a hidden panel under you. Lift that up and hide under the floor."

"But… but Raisuke, what about you?" asked the brunette, concerned.

"Don't worry about me!" His blue eyes flickered, as he realized that the dragon was fast approaching to the shed. "Hurry and hide, Chihiro! It's almost here!"

Chihiro nodded, and hesitantly obeyed his request. She quietly raised the floor panel, and slid herself into the tight space under the ground. She then proceeded to place the thick panel back to its original spot, and noted the fact that there was only room from a single person in her current hideout.

A voice was heard from underneath the floor. "Raisuke, where will you hide?"

The blonde turned to stare at the chestnut eyes that were peeking out from the small crack in the wooden floor. "I'm not going to hide. Someone needs to stop Crimson, and I'm the strongest here, so I'm responsible for everyone's safety at the bathhouse."

And with that, Raisuke went back to observing the dragon from the thin cracks in the wall, only to find long claws heading towards him.

Meanwhile…

"I can't believe this!" Hikaru screeched, exasperated. They were searching the ruins all day, and fairly little progress was made in the investigation thus far. "It's been hours now, and we haven't found anything that leads to a suspect!"

Yu-Baaba glared sternly at the voice's owner. "Hikaru, quit your incessant whining!" Yu-Baaba snapped grumpily, tired of the redhead's consistent complaints in the last hour. "We are staying here and continuing the investigation unless I tell you otherwise."

Hikaru huffed at the insults, a distinct frown tainting her facial features as she crossed her arms…

"Mistress Yu-Baaba?" a voice interrupted.

"Yes?" asked the elderly woman, turning to face the shy messenger a few feet away.

"I have a message from the elders…" the messenger paused, opening up the fragile parchment in his hand. "It is unfortunate for the elders to inform you that they have received grave news; your bathhouse has been attacked by a Drayk."