Title: Dragon Heart

Author: sllebswap

Characters/Pairing: Kobayashi Rindou and Tsukasa Eishi

Type: Continuous (InComplete)

Genre: Romance/General/Humor

Word Count: 3528

Rating: T (Contains content not suitable for children)

Disclaimer: Shokugeki no Souma belongs to Tsukuda-san.

Summary: It is believed that the heart of a dragon, if consumed whole, would grant the one who ate it incredible powers and immortality. So, by order of King Azami, Sir Knight Tsukasa Eishi had been sent to find that dragon and acquire its heart, by any means necessary.

Verse: Fantasy Medieval AU

Chapter Last Revised on: 21/10/18

Chapter 5

When Eishi woke again, he found himself a lot better - he could even sit up on his own.

His healing wounds protested dully at his jarring actions, but other than that, they were not aggravated to the point of becoming worse. His stirring attracted the attention of the young man who had been quite boredly watching him, lounging on a chair by the side of the bed. The other male was short but lean, with slanted, glowing brown eyes and unusual bi-colored hair that were wild and spiky. His long, tousled bangs were a bright minted gold, whereas the rest of his hair was an equally messy dark brown. He was dressed richly in an exotic attire that did not mark him as local citizenry… Quite frankly, Eishi had never seen him before.

More distressingly, a quick, hurried glance around promptly revealed that Rindou was nowhere in the vicinity. He hadn't intended to fall asleep earlier, not with so many things still left unsaid between them, but his overwrought, overextended body had desperately needed the downtime to recuperate and he had ended up slipping into unconsciousness before he could even get to speak to her properly.

To explain. To apologize.

Was she already gone?

No matter, Eishi was determined that their encounter was not going to end the way it had the last time around. He was going to find her; she could not keep running away from him for the rest of their lives.

But first, Eishi warily regarded the stranger in the room.

"Who are you…?"

The man…there was a feeling that was somewhat…uncanny about his presence, though by now Eishi could more or less tell what that meant. He was likely not human, then. The younger male did not respond to his question, but merely took to his feet and stretched a bit.

"I'll let Rindou know that yer awake," he uttered, before sauntering off.

The next person that came in was a familiar face…though not one whom Eishi had entirely expected to see.

Isshiki Satoshi was also a member of the Prince Consort's inner circle, and last he heard, the other knight had been deployed back to his family lands in the east to deal with the insurgents there.

"You sure are a sight for sore eyes, Tsukasa-san," the brunet remarked, his crystal blue eyes twinkling with airy amusement as he strode into the room. The slightly taller male was still equipped in his battle gear, and he looked fairly windswept and dusty from travel. "It's good to see you alive. I was sent here to check on you by the palace. They were getting a tad concerned since you haven't reported in for days, and we were informed that your lands were besieged by enemies front and back."

Eishi grimaced at the reminder. "Yes, we were busy quelling the rebellion here. You've my apologies and gratitude for making this trip when your territories are similarly troubled, Isshiki-san."

The other knight waved his hand in a dismissive gesture.

"It's fine. The rebellion back home has been mostly squashed, so I was able to form up with a few other allies and assist the others as an independent marauding unit. I'm very impressed that you managed to hold out against five clans coming at you at the same time. The House of Tsukasa is formidable, indeed. When we came riding in with reinforcements, most of those troops were already withdrawing. We only had to rout them the rest of the way and make sure they dispersed accordingly."

"His Royal Highness has also given the order that we deal with these treacherous houses decisively, so I'll be riding out again soon to pay them a visit-"

Something very feral flickered in those cyan blue irises then, betraying the bestial nature that usually slumbered unobtrusively deep within the other man's pleasantly cordial psyche. Sometimes, it still surprised Eishi that there actually existed quite a few noble houses within Tootsuki with dragonic bloodlines flowing through them.

"I'll join you," he told Satoshi. "I'd like to see this matter to its conclusion."

It wasn't a request, despite the way Eishi worded it. The Isshiki scion gave his fellow compatriot a contemplative look.

"…While I have no opinion on your participation in the raids, I don't think that lovely Queen who has been watching over you would take kindly to your decision to fling yourself back into battle, especially considering your current state of being."

Eishi paused at that telling comment.

"You've seen Rindou?"

"Yes." And like Prince Consort Souma had once done, the brunet simply tapped his nose. "I can also smell her claim on you. Unrisen Queens are extremely rare, so when we come across one, most of us take notice."

There was something subtly telling about Isshiki's interest in Rindou. The heir of the House of Isshiki had yet to welcome a bride into the family, though it was rumored that the young man was engaged to the daughter of another noble house of like repute. Eishi's expression was schooled as he eyed the other knight, but the tension in him eased at the unspoken implication that she was still here. She hadn't taken flight from him yet.

"…Be that as it may, I still have a duty to Tootsuki that I cannot shirk," the white-haired knight responded with stoic insistence. "So long as I am alive and able bodied, I'm oath bound to defend the Kingdom at all costs."

His honor as a knight commander and a member of the House of Tsukasa would allow for no compromise when it came to his patriotic obligations…no matter his personal opinions, no matter if his private life was a complete mess at the moment.

Satoshi seemed silently impressed by his quiet resolve. It wasn't like the other knight particularly enjoyed the entire process of battle and bloodshed the way some of their other compatriots did – come to think of it, Satoshi didn't think that he had ever seen Eishi exhibiting any expression of interest for as long as he had known the older male. He had always been quiet; reserved but dutiful, the kind to keep his own counsel and so it had been particularly difficult to read his intentions and motivations even back when the Kingdom was still subjected to King Azami's autocratic reign.

It had been a surprise to many when House Tsukasa silently shifted its political allegiance to back Queen Erina. But now, it was obvious that the move had not been made lightly, nor had it been an attempt to feign support towards the Queen's faction whilst biding time for her Sire to make his comeback. This allegiance was genuine in supporting the young Queen's rulership in leading the future of Tootsuki. If Satoshi still had any doubts previously, then they had all been swept away today. Riding into these vast, protected lands of the Tsukasa clan the day before, it was apparent that a hard, vicious battle had been fought here against old, once allies in order to protect their pride and honor as loyal vassals of the Queen.

If the Tsukasa had been insincere with their intentions, the outcome of this fight would have been very different.

"Are you sure?" Satoshi asked. "Many of those on the list are – were – affiliated to your House in some way or form. I presumed that you'd rather not be directly involved."

If anything, those pale lavender eyes sharpened. He was quiet for a while…and then he carefully replied.

"Your concern is appreciated, but unnecessary. I'll make sure to be ready to leave when you are."

When he said it like that, it was clear that the man was determined to do his duty come what may.

"…You know, you're not entirely what I expected," Satoshi commented, faintly bemused. The knight did not elaborate however, and Eishi also did not ask. He started to sit up – grimacing slightly at the way his knitting wounds were tugging at the seams, and the heavy, dull ache of his body as it protested his stiff movements with displeasure. The white-haired man stoically bore through his discomfort and pushed himself fully upright, automatically flexing his arms and curling his toes, stretching out and systematically working over the jolting pain and complaints of his bruised and battered form.

He was already feeling so much better, compared to his half dead state of existence from a couple of days ago. His rate of recovery was downright miraculous…but this time around he was acutely aware of the source of his preternatural vitality.

"We head out tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, I'll mosey on down to the barracks to see if I can round up some of your more able bodied men to patrol the lands around your homestead, just to make sure that those troublemakers have fully withdrawn from your immediate territory," Satoshi offered.

"…You've my thanks," Eishi replied. "Please freely avail yourself to the hospitality of my home."

"No need for all this formality," the brunet dispelled quite cheerfully. "When I got here, your Dragoness and her two friends were already settling in after throwing out the last of the invaders."

Eishi had to pause at that, his brow furrowing in careful thought. His mind was still working quite sluggishly.

"Rindou, and…what two friends?"

The Isshiki scion looked vaguely amused again. He shrugged. "Other dragons. Impressive that they came to your aid considering their lack of affiliation to Tootsuki."

Rindou, Eishi knew why. She came for him. The thought sent a small burst of happiness through him, even as the rest of him was filled with thoughtful apprehension. Two other dragons? Was that male he met earlier one of them?

"Well, I'm off to patrol now. Would like to get that done before nightfall. I'll report my findings later, Tsukasa-san."

Satoshi turned to leave, though on his way out, he bumped into the redhead in question. She stared at him with a sharp gaze, but the younger dragon only seemed vaguely amused by her wariness. He sketched a bow to her.

"Excuse me, my fair lady~"

Rindou watched him until he left the room, and then she fixed her attention to the only other occupant left.

Eishi was pushing his covers away in the painstaking process of lowering his legs to rest on the floor. It was a fairly challenging task in light of his recuperating injuries.

"What are you doing?"

He looked at her, once again happy to see her. In contrast, she did not look as pleased, unfortunately. The dragoness ventured deeper into his chamber, coming to a stop at last, just slightly out of his reach.

"Rindou. I thought that you might have already left."

She crossed her arms before her chest almost defensively. "Is that what you want?"

He shook his head, and there was no disguising that quiet wave of longing in his gaze. She was almost close enough for him to touch.

"No. I want you to stay."

She did not reply to that, and changed the subject.

"What are you doing?" she repeated her question anew.

He was trying to stand, but his legs still weren't being very cooperative, and he grimaced again. Still, his arms were strong enough to support his endeavor, and he heaved himself onto his feet, albeit shakily. The sudden movement disoriented him, and his mind blanked for a moment, swaying dizzily, limbs trembling from the effort to remain upright, and he stilled, eyes shut, struggling to regain his equilibrium. It was mortifying, how she was always around to see him at his weakest, most helpless moments.

Despite her aloofness, she was beside him in a flash, pressing into his side to keep him standing when he started to list alarmingly.

"Why are you like this," she demanded, scowling at his obstinacy. "You're going to undo all the work I did to keep you alive."

He leaned heavily into her, turning towards her now that she was within reach. His hand came up, fingers curling around her slender wrist, seeking her attention. Even in his current state, sparks ignited at that touch. Their gazes met and held.

"You're always saving me," he uttered plainly, willing her to recognize his sincerity. "Thank you."

She did not appear impressed. If anything, her glare worsened. It was almost enough to petrify flesh.

"You're an idiot," she snapped, her voice harsh with genuine anger. "What manner of fool rides straight into a trap he knows has been set for him?"

He stared at her, wordlessly surprised by her sharp vehemence.

"…Were you worried? For…me?" he asked, and he could not help sounding just a bit hopeful, too. She did still care.

Her eyes flashed…right before she jabbed him punishingly in the chest right where his wound was still healing.

His vision turned white as searing pain rippled through him, and by the time he stopped wheezing from the trauma, he found himself tossed unceremoniously back into bed once more and she was staring down at him nonchalantly.

"Delirious and injured humans should just be quiet and rest," she decreed irritably. She certainly wasn't in the mood to play angelic bedside nursemaid with him. In fact, he should count himself lucky she hadn't just dumped him on the floor and left him to flounder there.

Alright; so perhaps he had deserved her wrathful treatment, he thought ruefully. He obviously wasn't her most favorite person at the moment.

…Then again, he also could not help but notice that she had not denied his words.

"…I was buying time."

"What?"

"The villagers," he explained. "They needed more time to evacuate to safety. If I don't do that much at least, all would be lost."

The Tsukasa estate was vast, the lands rich and prosperous. As its Lord, he was acutely aware of his responsibility to his homestead, including the great number of lives who lived under the protection of his House. He was also explicably familiar with the carnage and savagery that would befall his people if he turned his back on them to save himself instead. The deliberate, coordinated attacks from those whom he had once thought of as allies had descended upon them so quickly and suddenly, setting himself up as decoy even when he knew that was exactly where the enemies had wanted him had been the only viable option at the time.

"I expected that the Grand Palace would be sending relief troops from neighboring vassals eventually. If I could hold out until the cavalry arrived, then it would still be my victory, with minimal losses."

Rindou frowned at the wounded man. He was still so injured he could barely stand, even with the elixir of her blood.

"This kind of victory; is it worth?"

Eishi just looked at her.

"Yes." There was no hesitation at all in his response. "I'm tired of seeing people die."

She was quiet for a long time.

Once again, he reached out, his fingers brushing the back of her hand, catching her attention.

"…So, thank you, Rindou. For protecting what's important to me."

For one brief moment, she looked like a startled deer caught in headlights…and then she started to scowl a little.

"I don't need your thanks," she muttered, pulling her hand away. She broke their eye contact. Her fingers drifted to her bandaged wrist, and she started to undo the dressing.

"What are you doing?"

She eyed him warily. "What does it look like I'm doing."

Comprehension occurred to him. He had seen her do the same thing the last time around when-

"Wait. Stop," he interrupted once more before she could unravel the rest of the gauze wrapping. He struggled to sit up. "Stop."

She paused.

"Are you going to…make yourself bleed again…?" he asked softly.

That caginess in her eyes grew. "Now that you know the truth. Are you disgusted?"

He frowned at her question.

"That's not it. I'm grateful that you came and saved me, but not like this."

She became a little less defensive.

"It's just blood."

His gaze sharpened at her nonchalance.

"No," he refuted very softly. "I know it's more than that, Rindou."

The heart of a dragon grants immortality…at the expense of the dragon's life. And now that he learned that the blood of a dragon grants accelerated healing and increased vitality, Eishi was not so naïve to believe that the price to pay for such miraculous properties would be as simple as a passing toll of blood.

The dragoness eyed him with silent speculation, but did not refute him. Her fingers fell away from her bandaged wrist and she straightened.

"…Suit yourself."

He nodded, easing at her acquiescence.

"I will not take your blood again."

Something flickered in her gaze at his vehemence.

"As you wish. There's no need for me to be here anymore."

Her statement garnered an immediate reaction. His head lifted quickly. "…I never said that," he refuted, starting to look just a bit alarmed. Here he was, still far from healed, and if she insisted on taking flight, there wasn't much he could do to convince her otherwise.

"On the contrary, your presence is very much required, so you must stay."

She cocked her head at his frazzled insistence.

"Why?" she asked at last, repeating her words. "You don't need me."

He shook his head and repeated himself too, firmly.

"I never said that."

She started to glower crossly at his subterfuge. "Then what are you trying to say."

I need you to stay because I cannot protect you if you are not here, he thought. I need you to stay because I cannot make things right if you are not here.

I need you to stay because you are my Dragon Heart, and I need you.

But he couldn't just blurt that out, because then she would really run.

"Come back with me to the Capital," he told her.

Her brow furrowed even more.

"Huh?"

"We've dragon allies in Tootsuki too," he continued, warming up to the impromptu idea. "Things are…changing," he added slowly. "It'd be good if it continues to change."

He tried not to be too eager, lest he spooked her. But still…

"…And…I hope you'll give me the chance to show them to you…all those things we once spoke about."

She stiffened slightly at his careful, tentative reference to their shared past.

"There's no need for that. We're already intending to travel to the Capital even without your suggestion," she replied, changing the subject and very determined to ignore what she could ignore.

Her being distant was not anything he did not expect, but it still caused a dull ache all the same. He pushed away that desolate feeling, and decided to be happy with what she had just revealed instead, but-

"We?"

She shrugged. "My companions have business there."

Oh. Her companions.

"The other dragons?" He briefly recalled that youth with the gold and brunette hair once again, just earlier. So he was right; that fanged male was likely one of them; he had given off an upsetting, feral vibe that Eishi was learning to associate with the legendary reptiles. He wondered how she had ended up with them. He wanted to ask where she had gone the last year or so, he wanted to ask about the things she had seen, the places she had been. Had she at least fulfilled some of her yearnings through her travels?

She had spoken so longingly when she had still been living up in the Alps, and she had been so thrilled and happy when she realized that he had traveled to distant lands and had seen so many strange, wondrous sights. Her eyes had sparkled with excitement and pleasure as she looked to him eagerly to hear his experiences, and when he begun to think about how those exotic and faraway places and lands would look like reflected through her bright, bright eyes, he should have realized the truth then. She was special.

He wondered if she would ever look at him like that again, smiling, cheeks glowing softly, her golden eyes glimmering with impish affection and happiness. The mere thought was depressing with how she would rather avoid him now if she could, but this time he was determined not to be defeated by his own pessimism. She was here at present; that was all that mattered. He had been given a second chance. He would just have to keep trying. Even if she did not want anything to do with him right now, he was just going to have to find ways to coax her to look at him again.

"Will you tell me about your plans? I can make the arrangements if you're seeking to enter the Capital. The Capital is on high alert right now, so it would not be easy for foreign parties to enter its walls."

Her gold slit gaze narrowed at his offer.

"…You want to keep us close," she deadpanned. "Are you afraid that we're planning to do bad things to Tootsuki?"

"I want to keep you close," he corrected quietly. I want to keep you safe.

"...Don't…go anywhere I can't follow, Rindou."

::tsuzuku::

Questions That I Would Like To Answer Before You Ask:

Not very sure if anyone is actually still expecting this series to go anywhere, but here's an update anyway! Hope you enjoyed!

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And more dragons appear! Yep, Isshiki is one of them dragons too, and so is Kuga, haha. Which type/species are they, you ask? Care to hazard a guess?

At any rate, more will be revealed in the next chapter! :)

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Your reviews make me update faster; so please leave a comment if you like this fic!

-sllebswap