Word Count: 127

Original Publish Date: 2-23-2005

Protector Protected

He flew back, his shoulders digging furrows into the rocky soil, a distance of one, two, possibly three ken. The jagged purple stripes still rested on his cheeks. Slow, carefully measured strides took him towards the raging animal that had destroyed the bandits. Better to destroy the abomination than allow further disgrace to touch the family name.

Movement to the left, a flash of green and white, and she shielded his body with her own. As fierce as a tiger, she glared upward, blue-gray eyes flashing as she guarded her mate. Black-red and purple-black joined her to stand between him and his prey. Three ningen defended one who would mindlessly kill them.

Advice offered from an unlikely source. Fang pressed into hand. Jagged purple faded to nothing.

1.6765 ken 10 feet