-1In the arms of my lover
Shinji stood tall as he waited for Misato to return with his fish. He sat by the riverside waiting about an hour before the busty retainer had returned. Her sword was still bloody as she approached him with two trout and a deer that she carried across her back. Shinji looked at her oddly, he wearing black silk in the midday sun. She laid it down before him.
"Young master I think you will like this deer." she said laying the food down at his feet.
"With do you say that?" he replied skipping rocks.
"Well you are a growing boy young master. I wanted to make sure you eat properly." He nodded looking at her; she took great care preparing his meal. She took some wild potatoes and fresh carrots from a neighboring farm. After getting water from the river, she boiled the food into a stew. After a hearty meal, she sat as he slept peacefully underneath the stars. She stared at him, her sword in her hands. It has been awhile since he was at the imperial capital not after his father had announced his wedding to the princess. He ran away as fast as he could. It took Misato a week to track him down; he was at the one place no one would every look for him, a small hut living alone. She at first did not want for make him go but his father was dying and the last thing he wanted was to make sure his son had a wife. Shinji was less than happy to comply he complied. The emperor had sent a proper escort to acquire him after Misato sent word back but Shinji talked her into a walking the way back.
She got up and stroked his hair lovingly. Misato held that position until the sun rose. Shinji sat up and was greeted by a warm bowl of stew and the little bit of deer. Shinji down it as Misato scouted the area.
"The capital is just over the mountain range." she called out to him.
"Why are we taking that route? The mountain route would take us two more days. The river route would take us one more."
"I thought I give you more time to consider everything." Shinji finished his meal and looked at her a bit concerned.
"I don't need more time. I have a duty to my people. It is better this way."
"You grew so much. I think you will make a great emperor."
"As long as I can have you as one of my retainers." he said standing up and walking the river.
"I would be honored to protect the emperor." She followed him, sword in hand and a bounce in her step. Unknown to them a certain blue haired red eyed dragon watched and listened into their conversation. Hidden deep in the trees the dragon followed him along with her "brood" they followed the future emperor to his destiny. When Shinji and Misato entered the gates of the palace, two men greeted Shinji. Kaji had been a retainer for the emperor for many years as well as a noted swordsman. He and Misato trained under the same teachers. The split contact when Misato chose to follow the lighter path of the sword and Kaji decided on the shadow arts. In addition, there was the man Shinji consider his father, Grandmaster Fuyutsuki. He had taken him in after his mother died giving birth to him.
"Father I thought you were dying." Shinji said.
"Shinji there is something I have to tell you." the older man said looking at the blue-eyed boy. As he walked to the palace, the boy was told the truth that his father was the emperor Gendo and he had given him the charge of raising him. Though Shinji was hurt, he was realized that he did not have to marry the princess because it was his sister, the lovely flower blossom Reika. However, he did not rejoice his real father the emperor was dying. He had very little time left.
He visited with the emperor many times before his death. Shinji grown to love him as a son would a father but before he really could tell him he passed. Gendo died saying these words to his son, "The emperor is on his throne. All is right with the world." Shinji headed the funereal traditions and made the first sacrifices to him. Weeks later Shinji ascended his father's place on the high stairs and was crown Emperor Shinji the First. A few day afterward, Shinji during on his walks in the courtyard he noticed an injured deer, just like the one that fed him. He walked over to it. His guards were close behind him ready to attack at a moments notice. Shinji gently stroked the animal; he instantly noticed the arrow in its leg. Shinji grabbed some grass from the ground and fed as he quickly pulled the arrow out.
"Bring me something to wrap its leg." he said as gently as he stroked so not to startle the creature. His touch was calming and loving. Misato had come into courtyard to tell him that lunch was ready but when she saw this something inside melted. She could believe what she was watching. It made her happy. The guard returned with but the cloth to wrap it and a doctor skilled in the art of animal medicine. Shinji kept it calm as the doctor examined it wound.
"How did it get over the fence?" Misato asked the guard, "It couldn't have jump over the grand wall."
"I don't know Lady Misato. It was over when we walked out with the emperor."
"I see." The deer found the strength to stand up and hopped around on a single three legs. Shinji gave it a pet. He made his way into the palace with Misato and the deer followed him. Misato did her best to shoo it but it did not want to go.
"As long as it doesn't harm anything it can stay until it is healed." Shinji said giving it another loving pet. As Shinji ate lunch with his retainers Misato, Kaji, and Fuyutsuki and his sister. Kaji had stared the beast down when he first saw it, his katana was already drawn. Kaji wanted to eat it. Nevertheless, Shinji dissuaded him from that task. Reika snuck bits of her meal she did not want. Fuyutsuki smiled at it. Shinji had always shown great compassion and mercy even in his swordplay, he never drew blood he could avoid it. However, if and when there was no other choice. Several days passed and the deer had completely healed Shinji decided that he would see the beast off. Misato stood where she could see him but did not follow him as he took the animal back to his home. He gave the beast a loving caress of on its back before sending it away. As he walked away, a blue haired red-eyed girl emerged slightly from the forest; just enough for Shinji to get a feel of her presence without giving him a good look at him.
"Why did you not kill it?" she asked.
"What do you mean? I couldn't kill something that was injured." he said walking away.
"Wait. Why? Humans are evil. Warring with their kin they seem primitive often I wonder about how they made it out the protection of the forest. However, you seem different you attract the primitive ones into your presence then make them like you different. Why? What are you?" she asked him stepping closer to him. Misato had got worried when she saw the nude girl approach Shinji while his back was turned.
"I am just the emperor. No I am just a man." His words moved her. She wanted to give him a gift. From what she knew of the human species, she decided to give him something he desire.
"Wait I will give my body. That is what man desire more the jewels, flesh?" Pressing against his back, Misato had begun with a brisk jog but when she saw this display she begun to run.
"I thank you but flesh trivial. Only if your heart in to it makes the flesh worth it."
"My heart? You mean love. Then I give that along with my flesh."
"Shinji!" Misato screamed directing his attention to her as he was about to turn and face the red-eyed girl. Misato tackled him into the dirt then sprung up covering the girl before Shinji opened his eyes.
"Misato what the hell was that for?" he said dusting himself off.
"Forgive my emperor. But didn't think this girl was properly dressed for an audience for you majesty." Shinji stood up and dusted himself off. Misato fell over mysterious, as the girl, weight was no longer there to support hers. Misato looked around and saw only Shinji. There was a smile on his face has he realized that his retainer was covered in mud, just as he was.
The trees echoed as the girl followed as far as she could before they ended and she lost sight of him. She walked back towards the inner part of the forest. The citizens of the forest sing, chirped, growl, and made general sounds at the fact an honored friend had returned alive. The deer play among its friends and recanted the tale of her adventure with Shinji the best she could with use of vocal words. When the animal noticed the blue haired girl a gently silence sweep them and the stared at her. She sat on a rock deep in thought.
"Shinji what are you? Emperor? Man? Dragon?" She thought. Her mind dwelled on Shinji; the more she thought of him the more her body reacted. Her body temperature rose steadily and an odd pounding in her heart occurred and quicken. Her process that she spent to much time in this form. In a blinding flash of white light, she assumed her true form; the blue scales graced her body. Her body transformed in that of a serpent dragon. The animals moved as she slid amongst them. They bowed in respect.
Shinji lay on his bed looking up at the ceiling. He was just staring there, the silken bed sheets rustled suddenly he felt a shift as a body entered. He turned to find that same blue haired red-eyed girl in bed with him. Before he could scream or make any noise.
"I come keep my word." she said brushing her hand through his rough brown locks. He went to speak but found a finger over his lips. "I promised you my body along with my heart as repayment for sparing the life of my friend." She planted a soft kiss on his lips. He did not respond at first. The sensation and pleasure of the kiss, it sent a tingle in his body. She climbed on top of him and certain parts fit together like a puzzle piece. Rubbed back and forth. For two hours the music they produced rung out through hall. Misato stirred in her bedchambers, she could not sleep much the sounds of voices.
"Wait that is Shinji's voice." she screamed as she jerked up. She rushed to his bed chambers, her weapon drawn incase there was an Oni demon attacking him or something along those lines. As she slid the door, open she gasped as the sight of the blue hair porcelain skin laid on top slightly tan skin brown hair. The sheets were scattered about revealed that the sounds emitted revealed that they were very much sleeping and they were still a single being. Shinji stirred a bit as a cold wind blew into an open window. Misato quickly hurried over to him and carried him with a sheet.
"Thank you, Misato." he said in his sleep. The blue haired girl clung tighter to him. Her fist grabbed on folds of his skins, Misato smiled and another noise startled her. She saw the kissing faces, even in their sleep they seemed notice each other.