For all those who haven't figured it out by now, the Drakehedge society has a pretty sound structure and some strict rules; the males are out numbered by the females in their society by about 3 to 1, hence some of the rules you might see. And while the rules are difficult to consider, the females are easily willing to consider them doable. Make sure to remember that the Drakehedge warriors are all trained heavily, even their civilians have enough in them to fight off general invaders. They are a warrior's society in general, but hardly militaristic by nature; but you'll come to see that later.
It's all in good fun for all you pleasant readers who like to learn stuff about a people being referred to. Anyways, let's get some Drakehedge terms out of the way quickly; you'll notice them in the story.
Seina (pronounced "Say-Na") or designated chaser; is a special term applied to those who are willing to chase after a Drakehedge; this title is gained by the female verbally announcing a wish to pursue companionship with that Monk, this allows the female to both hug the monk and to kiss him if both parties are willing.
Commentary on Seina: This is by far the easier to consider and enough for a chaste female to be sated for a while, in rare cases it is rarely enough for a female who decides they wish for more, then the chase will go on.
Nuiha (pronounced "Ne-We-Ha") or chosen lover, is a special position for a female seeking companionship with a Drakehedge Monk Knight; if the female considers the male worthy of chasing, she will endure four tests in order to gain this position. This will allow the female rights to the male, including the opportunity to mate with him if she so chooses. A single Drakehedge Monk in this position may have up to 3 Nuiha at once, which then matters will be considered very difficult; and must be arranged by the females in such a case. Anyone who passes the tests of that Drakehedge will be considered this, however no more than 3 may be considered; since it is forbidden by the decree of the Drakehedge council.
Commentary on Nuiha: You might ask why the female has to go through all of this? Because the Drakehedge don't date just anyone xD. It's not meant to make sense, it's a general burden and just why those being pursued are 'monks', it means the odds are pretty low of them having someone pursue them. But in such a case it means that not just anyone can chase after any Drakehedge, even if the Monk wishes a certain female too.
Ex-Nuiha or ex-chosen lover, is a term used for one who used to be a chosen lover and had been previously loving that male and done something to ruin the arrangement; usually for personal reasons are these matters annulled, usually the reasons tend to be very serious and are often not disclosed. The Ex-Nuiha has a certain right to being close to the monk if she wishes to, also the rights to one last coupling with her ex is also considered, if both parties agree. The activities still allowed are hugging and friendly kisses (parameters depending upon the parties involved in the decision if at all.).
Commentary on Ex-Nuiha: As you might have guessed, the version of being Ex is right here, but this is special; since often the two will share a close bond and not easily separate unless the reasons for splitting were different. As you might imagine, even Drakehedges have annulments, just like any other peoples do.
Chapter 5: Pursuit of a Drakehedge, worthy game at last
The new day had come and of course Wushan's early awakening was only held back by a single dream, something of a communication he found through his sister's magicks. His mind was swimming in the mass of their old world in his dream; he wondered what was going on.
(In Wushan's Dream)
"What am I doing here..? Lyndia?" he smelled her scent but couldn't see her, he was on guard still and just worried about what the hell was going on; watching the way the sky rippled, he realized it must've been a dream and that just made it more dangerous.
Her voice came as her visage appeared some yards away from him, floating and watching him with a sad smile; she was here to lead him on, though she had hoped he might not stay. She knew her brother loved her to a degree that it was a fault when dealing with her, but this would not stop her from her ultimate goal of cleansing herself of this darkness.
"Wushan, you must awaken our sister you must awaken our sweet sister Lana; from her sleeping grave, as you know we do not die. We rest deeply, mocking the eternal sleep of death. Only she can help me now, she and mother faced me before; so you should trust her now, bring her to me." Was all she left him with as a message, with a sigh she had left him to stay in that dream alone.
(Dream's End)
Wushan shot up on the couch, knocking Amy halfway off the couch before he caught her with his arms; bringing her back against him and blushing as he looked down at her the young Miss Rose. She was cuddled into his side and he hadn't noticed? He must've been sleeping deeply, even now he found her groggy and coming to after almost being knocked off the couch.
Amy felt the sensation of falling towards the ground, and then sudden warmth as she was caught and pulled back to the safety of...Wushan's chest. She looked up and spotted the look on Wushan's face fading, something of semi-surprise and of course of relief that he caught her when he snapped awake. She felt his sudden awakening and it was very fast and strong, nothing that she was expecting initially.
"Amy, sorry about the sudden awakening; I hadn't expected you to come out here and rest with me." He wasn't bothered by the closeness; she hadn't seen the blush fade; because it did much sooner for him since such closeness wasn't unusual for the Drakehedge people, closeness amongst friends and family often led to the comfort of resting close.
"Umm its okay Wushan, I'm sorry for disturbing you." She said as she looked away blushing, obviously she rested near him for the comfort; of the strange comfort she felt while resting against him, but she had slept well.
"Think nothing of it, however I do have to go now Miss Rose; it appears that my search for my sister has not come to an end and is just going to become more dangerous. I will see you again Amy, don't worry I can already tell that we are good friends, and I will not throw that friendship away; so do not worry." He said with a smile, though he knew the sudden news would bother her.
And so he was right, she'd looked up at him with eyes showing confusion as she tilted her head.
"You have t-to go? Can't I come along with you? I can handle adventures you know, right?" she said as she looked at him, it wasn't like she hadn't been on adventures of her own or for that matter gone along with Sonic on many dangerous events or things that would push her to her own limits; to which she'd gladly go with every passing moment of the event. She just held onto his form, trying to grasp what he was saying.
Though Wushan wasn't really used to such things as someone clinging to him, he knew what it was like to wish to go with someone after they said they must go alone; so he addressed her again to try and explain.
"I can see it in your eyes Amy, you have been through many dangerous adventures with your friend Sonic; the super speedy blue one that is spoken about so often on the news, the agency knows of him as well. His actions are well noted to be very special, nothing that an ordinary hedgehog could undertake; but he is freelance to his adventures and does so out of the goodness of his heart. This is official business for my people and for those people I work for, if you wish to help then address Sonic; if he will take this up then we will see each other again." Wushan said this and stroked her head lightly, smiling warmly at her wish to join him; it was cute as many people he knew would say.
There was a moment of silence for her, she heard everything he said and it made sense; then she felt his warm touch along her cheek and found herself blushing at his touch now. What was this warmth there? It reminded her of what she felt for Sonic when he embraced her, when he held her; she imagined it was official that she liked Wushan.
"Um Okay, Alright Wushan I'll let you go; but know that I'll be right on your tail in no time! Sonic and the others will want to save the world, after I tell him you're my friend; we'll catch up and you better be okay!" she said adamantly as she looked at his eyes, noting the bravery in those copper tone eyes; she was stunned by that still the beauty of something so powerful and old looming in his eyes which still held a nice kind of youth to them.
"Of course, I will be as well as I am right now; no even better with your help." He said as he drew his hand down her cheek, letting the fingertips draw off of her fur; she was so young and still so willing to put others ahead of herself, he noted that she was so pure and yet so fearless in some way.
There was no doubt that he found a charm to his much younger companion, but shook off anything happening between them; she was cute but far too young for him. Not just by the age, but he knew what he might expect in such a situation in time; she had a nice crush on someone for her age and that was something that could exist.
With the few moments passing in his mind, he finally rose from the couch and then stood up and stretched out, yawning deeply; for a moment the loud dragonish yawn coming from his lips, before being replaced by something less loud.
"Mmm, sorry about that I don't want to wake up your neighbors." He went to the bathroom to go get refreshed and ready for the day ahead; it was going to be a very long one, so he knew it for sure.
He knew it was going to be a hell of a day trying to track his sister, to find her, no that would be the easy part; but stopping her this time would be impossible between his feelings and her greater experience and power he knew it would be very difficult.
-Meanwhile at the Agency HQ-
The crafty bat had found her way out into the middle of nowhere, in the lost mountainous region just outside of the Greater Mystic Ruins area; it was no wonder this place was hard to find, she found her senses to be absolutely useless. It had almost been the luck of the dash that she found her way out here; or almost like she found it by chance.
"Something feels fishy about this area." She uttered to herself now, finding this place was downright impossible until she happened upon it, she'd spent hours looking above from her personal little plane, and a few more hours on foot; she noticed this place had no reading on the sonar or heat sources and yet here it was, this small little building that read 'The Agency' in faded letters.
She found this place to be quaint and tiny, it reminded her of some kind of typical T.V. series prop; a generic business building that looked about the size of a diner and had no windows. So without another thought of danger, she headed into the front door; obviously she wasn't unarmed and had both her hidden weapons and her deadly honed skills at the ready.
When she stepped into the front door, she found it rather uneventful; there was a small doorway there, and a tall counter; she could barely see the one receptionist sitting there half asleep by the looks of it. She gave a small laugh mentally, the receptionist was a lizard of some kind; she was a light lavender had some faded lipstick and nail polish on her names that matched her scales in color.
Rouge let a single thought pass in her mind, 'she could use a touch up or two, just like this place.' Of course she didn't let this control her too much; neither the thoughts of fashion nor the shape of the building.
"Excuse me miss? Hi, I'm Rouge the Bat and dropped in to ask a few questions about your quaint little Agency." Rouge said in her sweetest voice, no doubt she'd see if her better manners couldn't get some information out of the receptionist; and when it failed she'd just knock her out and get some information.
"Have you now? What can I do for you Ms. Rouge?" the receptionist looked up from her computer, no doubt looking bored still; she'd well known who Rouge was before she entered the doorway, as soon as she entered the area in that same fact.
"I am here to inquire about one of your workers, a Mr. Wushan Long? Would you be ever so kind as to divulge any information that you might have on him?" the words came in that sweet tone, while Rouge seemed to be getting ready; she was a little eager to start a kind of battle admittingly after all this pointless walking and who Wushan was, she was expecting this place to be jumping with action.
"Wushan Long huh? That means you met up with him somewhere, you're still breathing I see well then you must either be exciting or he brushed you off." The receptionist said with a soft laugh.
"Excuse me? What Why do you say that?" Rouge said still trying to be sweet, that struck a nerve right there; who was this little lizard to speak about her in such a way? They hardly met, it was obvious this lizard knew Wushan; she spoke of him with a fondness, it was something that was clear to her immediately.
"Well obviously Wushan didn't torch you, he destroys most of those who get in his way if they mean trouble; I mean seriously Rouge you're an operative for the President, you didn't think we didn't know of your activities and contacts you used to find out about us did you?" it was clear that the receptionist wasn't normal, yet she wasn't bothering to react to Rouge as if she was dangerous.
"You know who I am, why aren't ready to get your pretty little face thrashed; you know I have a nasty bite when you get me angry." She said now, glaring daggers at the lizard while she stepped to the counter; preparing to hop it and jump the lizard.
Of course the receptionist grinned a little bit more, turning her chair from her desk and looked at Rouge; clearly with her soft purple eyes, was the theme going with her? Obviously she showed no fear of Rouge, while she was smaller than Wushan; being a dragon and well trained in combat herself had her looking forward to the encounter with the bat.
"Besides Rouge, dearie you know that Wushan isn't affected by all that beauty, wiles don't work on him; you little jewel thief." She said as she stood up and popped her neck, stretching out her shoulders a little bit.
"Now that was just downright rude." Rouge said hopping the counter and hunching down slightly, she was going to rush the smart mouthed little hack; obviously having had enough of her already.
"Oh by the way Rouge, my name's Ella; you'll be remembering it after I cook your cute little ass." She grinned, showing a small snout of fangs.
"Ella? I'll give Wushan your regards after I find out more about that hot little thing; I'll have you know there's no one jewel I let escape, once it catches my eye." She grinned at this point, imagining that Ella was protective of Wushan.
Ella snorted some smoke and then pushed her desk back with her foot, easing it out of the way so she had space to thrash this pretty little bat.
"Wushan won't fall for a floozy; I'm fine leaving him to handle that much." Ella said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Then let's not talk anymore, I have a Drakehedge to catch." Rouge got the last comment before she rushed forward to meet Ella, with whom she'd already made an enemy of; Rouge intended to win this bought, despite finding that Ella was indeed some kind of a dragon.
-Back with Wushan-
After spending breakfast and some of the morning with Amy, he finally left her apartment on Toresule; reassuring the pink hedgehog that he'd be well alright and quickly rushed off to chase down his sister.
"Master, I've noticed that something in your demeanor has changed." Toresule commented on his master's obvious feelings for Amy.
"Yes Toresule, the little one there is cute and innocent; she is brave as well and very gallant in her actions. But this changes nothing overall between us." Wushan said so that his loyal friend and mode of transportation would understand.
Toresule took a moment to think, he had spent much of the night speaking to Amy about things and about Wushan in one; he knew that Amy found Wushan charming already and thought he was kind of cute too, but he also knew she quickly affirmed her feelings for Sonic.
"Master, she shared the sentiment about you; but cares for the hedgehog Sonic that she needed greatly." Toresule was just stating that fact to reaffirm his master's train of thought.
"Then all for the better, we will see that it remains that way Toresule; I will be friends with Amy Rose and will likely gain a similar friendship with her friend Sonic. With how she speaks about him, I've no doubt he'll involve himself in this struggle to save the world. I will not stop him, but then again I will ensure that I face Lyndia; even a super fast hedgehog will not stand a chance against my sister's power she has great magical powers and her fighting prowess is backed by many centuries of fighting experience. She still makes me look like her kid brother." He said it grudgingly, knowing that as he did improve greatly; he couldn't touch her.
Toresule reassured his master by speaking of what lay ahead.
"Master, we're coming upon the Agency's south entrance; we will be there in several minutes." Toresule's words seemed to do the trick.
"Yes thanks Toresule, you are a just friend and I appreciate that." He said that and meant it; he'd have a talk with Ella about the situation and hopefully find what was to be done about the situation developing with his sister.
He looked to Ella for a lot of information, she knew everything when it came to matters; even the perfect things like what is attached to the family as he knew.
"What do you think Toresule; will I have to wake Lana? She can help with Lyndia yes but something's a little fishy about this waking her up; Lyndia is too smart in that case and I know it's nothing that I can trust for sure." He said with a tone of warning, as if trying to warn himself.
"I know not master, maybe Ella will." Toresule's tone was gentle, but sure of that fact that Ella would have an opinion on the moment.
He was going to be very clear that he was going to get somewhere with this, so as Toresule made the tracking path to the Agency's entrance; ever so obvious he sat in that location of the Mystic Ruins even after approaching from the water, a portal system of some sort? Indeed, something that the Agency took care to shift and move around carefully.
Luckily with the way they worked this system wouldn't react to just anyone and obviously it was good enough to keep those human intelligent agencies from finding out about them; little more than they knew at least. Though a sound of something crashing brought Wushan back to the attention of what was going on right at the moment.
"What the guh, it appears we have a guest." Wushan muttered annoyed at this; the last time someone found it, it had been some grubby weasel wielding a strange little pistol looking for treasure.
Wushan headed to the front from around the back and had Toresule wait in front, while he took care of the intruder; which it had already sounded like Ella was busy with this person, he'd end the person's struggles quickly in that regard.
"Alright you that's enough-" Wushan's words were cut off for the ever obvious reasons, he found Ella on top of Rouge; wrestling with the bat to keep her flat, the scene itself was erotic in a way to keep his attention. Though he shook the thought and stepped over to the two to separate them; before Ella got really serious.
As Rouge felt Wushan pulling her to her feet and then an arm securing itself around her waist; she realized that in the blink of an eye he'd separated them and held them both apart, though he was straining with Ella. Something that made her grin, the seemingly cool minded dragon was still plenty pissed off at the wily bat.
"Let me finish what I started, she came here to find out about you; that's reason enough the boss would let me rip her still yammering mouth off her face." Ella squirmed in his other arm, while normally she would enjoy the touches of her workmate; she wanted nothing more than to finish what she'd started with Rouge's arm.
"That's enough Ella, if she came this far to find out something about me; then I'll take to her and will tell her what I think will suffice okay? I appreciate you looking out for me, but remember that time has passed " he said it sternly, to remind her that they were indeed past something together.
"I know Wu-baby, but you know that I get protective." She chose the time to get mushy, and wrapped her arms around his side and hugged him back; nestling against his fur and shutting her eyes.
It was an awkward moment for Wushan, it had been nearly 60 years since they were together and still; he noticed she cherished the short time together of 5 years, time like that was short to a Drakehedge or dragon alike.
"Wu-baby huh? Well that's pretty juicy to know, no wonder she mangled me this bad." Rouge said aloud, grinning from ear to ear as she felt his powerful arm still holding her; no wonder Ella suddenly got defensive about him.
"Shut your trap bat girl, unless you want me to finish what I started even if Wushan doesn't want you hurt; I'll damn well finish what I started, restrained or not." She warned the bat again, the look in her eyes could kill; if Rouge cared to pay it any mind.
Wushan sighed and let Ella loose, he was going to trust her to calm down; knowing that she'd have to be the better woman here right now. He knew very well what the subject that Rouge had pushed was to get her mad, obviously she made the mistake of choosing to say likely she'd mess around with him; such a thing would have Rouge dead in the eyes of his sister. Oi this was getting more annoying.
He carried Rouge away from the angry dragoness and took her into a side room; luckily soundproof this was the only way that kept the few others that worked in the office from knowing exactly what was going down.
"So you came here to find out about me? Gutsy and stupid Rouge the Bat, a pretty dangerous stunt for you to do that." He said as he set her on the table, so he could look at her arm.
"Didn't I tell you that I don't let a precious jewel escape me Wushan? I thought I made that clear, you are a fine specimen of male you know that?" Rouge commented on him overall, he was a 'jewel' of a male easily; very much different from the number of dashing agents she'd seen and met. He was about as rare as Knuckles was to her a year ago, until she was dumped for a certain Julie-Su that much she never got over in all.
"So I see, you got into a fight with my Ex-Nuiha over me and you don't know me at all." He said as he shook his head at her, was it just him or did she seem to be coming on kind of fast? It wasn't the first time he'd been pursued so adamantly; she and Ella would tie in that department there.
Rouge looked at him, obviously not understanding the term, but imagined it was something like a girlfriend.
"So you and little miss fire-breather were seeing each other, but it didn't work out obviously; was it her temper?" she asked mockingly, obviously she found Ella's temper to be a real hoot; though she also found out how dangerous the dragoness was when mad.
"That is none of your business, Ms. Bat. As you can imagine; that my being a Monk knight for the Drakehedge makes any relationship difficult. But Ella persevered through it." He said with a light sigh, that memory was rather funny to see how adamantly she chased him; passed all of his tests from combat to a strange form of wooing in order to win rites to couple with him.
"So what, your celibate or something? You're not allowed to do anything of a sexual nature in that regard huh? Must be a bummer." She said, obviously taking it from the modern day Overlander monks that lived in monasteries.
"We're not a frigid people Ms. Bat, we must still breed and pass on the next generation; eventually we find someone to settle in with." He said matter-of-factly.
She watched him, so they could mess around right? That sounded pretty good to her, she knew that it was kind of fast; such a thing wasn't uncommon to her, considering her job sometimes it was a part of the skill of seducing. Though no matter what the rumors spoke about her, she wasn't anywhere near as frivolous as people thought; in that regard she was almost chaste and didn't give into just anybody's wants.
"But don't get any thoughts Ms. Bat, though a Drakehedge Monk made eventually mate with someone or consider 'dating' as the modern term is. By no sheer opportunity is it simple to approach a monk, even being headstrong there is actually knowing the ways with which we approach one another; to which way we might interact. For instance, a Seina would end up stating to the chosen monk their plans to seek them out as companions; before any such thing could happen." He said it coolly, obviously giving her an important tidbit of information.
"Is that so? Well- ouch! Hey, watch it there, she nearly ripped my arm off!" Rouge said in a hissy tone, her arm was very hurt despite her not speaking up about it before.
Wushan ignored her as he spread a soft balm over the wound, and placed his hand on her shoulder. Obviously he was going to heal her arm, he felt a little responsible in that case that the fight was about him so directly, what was all this about? He didn't yet know it.
"What are you Oh." She felt the soft tingles spreading along her arm, the guided energy being used to help her arm knit the wounds together; she smiled subtly as she watched him easily heal her arm.
"Not that bad anymore huh? With that arm healed, I'd say you only need to work it out a little bit, then it's as good as new." Wushan stated before turning to go, he was through here.
"Wushan, wait a moment." Rouge said as she tugged on his arm, stopping him from leaving her just yet.
He shook his head mentally at this action, this was growing old really fast; he had better things to do.
"So what, you're here to steal my jewels or something? I imagine you want to know about my people and if we have any famous jewel sites hmm?" he was obviously brushing her off, the monk had little time for her.
Her grin seemed to widen at this, to point she was showing her fangs and drew him closer to her; using one leg to curl around the back of his leg and draw him firmly against her form while she looked into his eyes, she noticed the iron resolve in them.
"I, Rouge the Bat do fully plan to seek you as a companion, Wushan Long Drakehedge Monk Knight; and hereby in that regard claim myself to be your Seina." She said gingerly, and waited just one moment for his lips to open to speak something against her claim.
And like clockwork, he fell into her trap as she had laid it out; when he began to purse his lips in order to tell her that it didn't mean much to him in that regard, he'd already felt her lips pressing to his and that leg of hers remaining light in its hold.
She held the kiss and seemed to be trying to wow him with her skill; she wasn't exactly bad at kissing giving the practice she'd had, though her thoughts were quickly turned, as she felt Wushan's lips crushing hers tenderly. What kind of skill was this? Her mind began to melt as she felt the pressure of his lips working her over. Though to her disappointment she felt him pull back, she noticed he seemed to be unaffected once more; while her on the other hand wowed would be a way to put it.
"So you are a Seina are you without knowing me? Well good luck then to you, in that same regard Rouge." He said as he gave a small smirk, indeed she was bold in her actions; but he noticed that he could indeed changed her tune once he took control of the kiss.
-Outside the room, in the main office area-
With that, Wushan left the small room and found his gaze upon Ella; who clearly knew what happened even though she heard nothing. The anger in her eyes could have burned a hole in the bat easily, and he knew that he had to phase this out and quickly.
"So, she's pursuing you huh? I know the type and she's got another thing coming if-" she found herself being embraced by Wushan, she felt the warmth of his body and her anger seemed to melt away.
He just sat there holding her for a time, just to make sure that she knew it was okay and that this was now his affair to deal with.
"It's okay Ella, she wishes to pursue me she is a Seina now, she will attempt to pursue me or so she thinks; come now Ella you know this is no simple matter. She'll be warded off once she comes to understand what it means to seek a companion who's a Monk Knight." Wushan seemed confident that Rouge didn't know what she was getting into, he knew this that would be a hell of a trial for her.
Ella smiled at him, lightly at first though it became wider by the moment.
"She'll give up quick, realizing the tests she'll have to endure though you know Wushan; you owe me something." Ella said in a soft husky tone, pressing herself into his hold.
"And so I promised Ella, I haven't forgotten " he said as he entwined their fingers, apparently something became clear as day; that certain something was what he imagined she cherished.
As she drew back, she kissed him gently and shut her eyes; his lips were still just as sweet as before. She stopped though, she knew what she needed from him and she'd have it.
"Tonight Ella, I will come to you." He said softly to her, whispering to her gently as he turned and left; he left quickly before he did something foolish with her there, if someone had a hold on him in that way Ella still seemed to in this way it seemed clear.
They would entwine one last time, a time that she seemed to save so that she could cherish him one last time in her temple; to hold him in her arms one last time was something that she needed now, she was happy that she wasn't the only one who missed him this way. It was a real shame, that she had to break his heart the way she did so many years ago; at least for the Overlanders it seemed long, to her it was yesterday.
A final embrace was what desire they would have and she intended for it to be one they would remember in this way.
(End Chapter)
Well that was satisfying was it not? I hoped this chapter was to your liking, no doubt it was one of the longer ones I've written; lots of things to pick up, and not to worry I'll be letting you all in one the world of the Drakehedge nice and slowly, you'll come to understand it in time.
The next chapter will be a shocker I think, you'll enjoy it no doubt; a little smutty considering I have the scene between Wushan/Ella planned as well. So for you pervs who enjoy that kind of stuff(I'm no better for writing it, don't worry xD), you'll be getting your first taste of it in this fic.
And those of you who want to see Toresule's true form, don't worry! Toresule will be having a bigger part next chapter; that's a promise from yours truly. So wait patiently, and you'll be rewarded!
Until the next time, I bid you all adieu
-Quentix