10 Weeks Ago

/\/\/\

Somewhere deep in a mountain side cave, a teenage girl was having a fitful sleep. Breathing hard and uttering words every few minutes. Her mentor knew she was having another dream of her. This angered him to no avail. He suggested to the King when said girl first arrived, that she only protect from the shadows. No good could come from having a half demon protect the princess in his eyes.

Being an expert in demons, he knew every kind and their faults. He knew that Hanyou's weaknesses are their stubbornness and their ability to grow attached to someone. When they grow attached to someone they waste no time in claiming them, after all Hanyou's have been known to only choose one mate. They will go to any lengths to guard the keeper of their hearts. The downside to this is the fact that sometimes the object of their affections didn't return their feelings. It has happened a few times in the past, and the Hanyou's have had to live a lonely life.

When the girl was chosen by Konoka, the King had been ecstatic that his daughter would have someone to keep her busy until she became of age to go to school in Mahora. When he was signing the documents to have the guard permanently, he was informed of her mixed heritage. He was also informed of how she was the only one of her kind, being a half demon. This was okay with him, he figured if she was only a half demon then maybe the faults wouldn't affect her. Then he was blown another blow when he learnt she was albino.

The King wasn't an ill-educated man by any means. Upon hearing this, he took a few minutes to reconsider his decision. For you see, it was as uncommon as a crow giving birth to a dove. He read once in ancient text, that a white winged albino crow demon would bring forth a great change. They would betray their superiors trust and rules. It also stated that the ruler of the land upon the time of the disaster would perish in their attempts to stop the disaster from befalling the land.

Of course this was all written in a time that no one could remember anymore, let alone remember who had written the supposed prophecy. The King didn't like to put stock in folklore so he continued as planned. The only precautions he took was not to tell the princess and to have the head guard keep regular checkups with the Hanyou.

If only I had been listened to the first time around, this wouldn't have happened. The mentor thought bitterly as he used his magic ability's to peek into the girls dreams.

It was always the same scene, it only varied in the conversation that took place. It was the day that had happened nearly four years ago now. Two girls stood by a riverbank at the age of eleven. They held each other's hands, looking deeply into the other's eyes, trying to decipher what the other was trying to convey in their careful wording.

The mentor had been going into the girl's dreams in hopes of learning her of her true place; to be nothing more than a guard, teaching her that her life was expendable and worthless if she failed. He would use his ability's to alter her dreams. He would change what the princess told the other girl, making it harsher as the years went on. With the combination of himself telling the girl her place, and the princess in her dreams saying the same, it took its toll.

Lately his burden has been agreeing with his words. It pleased him and he knew the girl was aware of her true place now. He seen his burden yank her hand free and turn around swiftly. He decided to give her the final test by making the princess in the dream seem childish and want attention from the other girl.

"Secchan… lets go to the festival tomorrow, we can wear matching kimonos and play all the games! Just the two of us okay?" said a sad sounding princess.

His burden tensed, but did not sway herr resolve. "That can never be. I know my place as you should realize yours. This is the last time you shall see me. I'll be protecting you from the shadows until my dying days. I don't have time for such foolishness" she said bluntly.

Yes! That's exactly the right response I was hoping for. Not too much longer and she can return to her duty. I'm growing sick of this mountain. The mentor thought as he finished up the dream's conversation.

"About time you did. Four years to realize such a thing must be hard on your ego. Off with you then, I don't want to be seen with the likes of you" The princess said harshly, chuckling darkly.

Coming out of the dream and back to his body, the mentor picked up a bucket of freezing cold murky water and splashed the still sleeping teenager. After all, just because she passed the emotional part of his test, didn't mean she passed the physical part of the test.

Minutes later, two figures could be seen in a heating battle that looked more like a dance. They seemed to be able to dodge the other's attacks, but neither really gaining any ground on the other.

"You won't defeat me with my own techniques Hanyou" he said dodging a downward slice of his opponent's sword.

Then maybe it is time I show him some of my own techniques I have come up with on my own time during his sake drinking nights. The teenager thought rather smugly.

Using her petite frame to her advantage, she slipped under his defensive stance, right through his spread legs and used her sword to deal her first blow to backside harshly. Smiling to herself at the sight of blood dripping from her sword, she realized she had finally won. The smile was short lived though as she knew this meant her return was imminent.

Two Weeks Later

"What is your duty Hanyou?" The head guard asked as they neared Mahora.

"Protect Konoe-Ojousama from harm, to do so from the shadows" Answered Setsuna in a monotonous voice.

"What will you do when she recognizes you on your first day in class?"

"Politely leave her presence and remember my place"

"Do remember your place Hanyou, I've got eyes in this school, and they shall keep tabs on you. One wrong move and I'll have your atrocious white wings to fan myself with on hot summer days" he chuckled darkly and practically shoved the girl out of the car.

Sighing and standing up straight, Setsuna dusted off her new school uniform.

I guess it's now or never Setsuna thought as the grabbed her single suit case as began the walk to her dorm room, stopping to turn and watch the car speed out of sight.

Next chapter will be how Konoka has been doing since her guard left. I thank everyone who reviewed, you truly have spurred me to continue and i hope you still will.