Balance
I panted, nostrils flared. Sweat ran in rivulets from my body, and the golden paint on my face and arms glowed brightly in the aftermath of the battle. I stood up from my crouching position and looked at the sword in my left hand. The dragon at its head was slowly closing its maw, having finished channeling the essence of the defeated Mononoke from this life back to theirs and my natural life. I shuddered; this battle had been a close one. I had to keep moving lest I attract more Mononoke to this area. I turned to leave.
And saw a small boy gaping at me from the bushes.
I whirled at him, extending my sword. My senses were still screaming with adrenaline even though my inner eye identified the boy as mortal. He and I locked eyes, and fear was reflected in both of our gazes. I stiffly lowered my sword back to my side. I was not here to harm this boy; I was here to protect him, even if he did not know it.
The boy was dressed in a simple light blue uwangi and darker blue hakama, and a purple headscarf barely succeeded in pulling back his silvery blonde hair. He looked at me with knowing blue eyes, the fear receding as curiosity won over.
"You are not like them," he said in a light voice. Judging by the pitch of his voice and his height and build, I put him at the age of 10 or 11, though his proud stature and air of maturity would otherwise deceive.
"You feel the same way that they do, but you do not seem like them," he continued, creeping out of his leafy hiding place. I watched him, entranced. I had never before encountered any of the people here whose existence I was protecting; I merely sought out the Mononoke without interacting.
"They have a bad feeling to them, like an illness or plague; you feel like…," he thought for a moment, "…life." I was fascinated by his comparison. Then I realized that he somehow knew what I was; maybe he did not know exactly what I was, but he knew that I was different. More importantly, he could sense the Mononoke. My attention snapped into focus.
"You should not be here," I said, my deep voice reverberating with power. Fear crept back into the boy's features at the sound of my voice. I had to make this boy understand that it was not safe for him to be near me; already I could sense more Mononoke coming, drawn like moths to the light. Though they were yet far away, they would not be for long.
"Just…leave," I finished, unable to find a better way to word things. Stress for my next battle was shortening my temper. With a last glance at the boy, I turned and fled, allowing my speed to carry me far away from the boy and leading the Mononoke away from such a delicate existence.
Ooooh...was I too obvious or was it just enough to peak your interest? Submit a review! Chapters should be getting longer and longer, and I have finally decided to include some yaoi; it's not anime without it ;D