A/N: Hi guys, I know I received some reviews/pm regarding when I'm going to upload a chapter of MLMC (my lord, my captor). Unfortunately Im experiencing writer's block on that particular story. I'm working on other projects which I have inspiration for until I feel motivated to write MLMC again. I understand I have alot of readers anticipating the next chapter and I don't want to disappoint you guys. Also writing helps me clear the block even though its another story so pls bear with me. Thank you
Chapter 5 Safe
Yuriko took a deep calming breath. On her left and right were the corpses of two demons she killed. One more to go. She stared at the armored demon menacingly as she bounced her glowing spirit ball around her. She ignored the bleeding leg she sustained from one of the abomination's claws.
"I'm not going to be an easy kill, wench." The large, reptilian armored demon swung his spiked metal flail towards the demoness.
She summoned her spirit barrier just in time for the metal flail to collide with it. It absorbed most of the impact but she was thrown backwards onto the trunk of a tree. Her breath was knocked out of her.
Damn it all. Her body was starting to feel like heavy lead. The harsh training with Sesshomaru an hour ago was still affecting her body. She was exhausted. Come on Yuriko, get up. Get up!
She willed her body to move but it was refusing to cooperate. She remained seated on the ground, leaning against the tree.
"Heh. I guess I'll just kill you and bring your head. I should still get a reward for that." The demon reptile mused, approaching her.
"Stay the hell away from me!" She hissed. She summoned a spirit ball and launched it towards the reptile.
The demon knocked her spirit ball with his flail and his weapon shattered. Her ball narrowly missed him. She flicked her wrist. Her weapon swiveled and launched towards the reptile again and the demon was hit from behind on his shoulders. It shattered some of his armor and he fell forward.
Unfortunately, it didn't knock him out. Instead, it just pissed the demon off more.
"You're DEAD!" The reptile growled as he ran towards her with his giant fist.
Move Yuriko, MOVE!
It was futile.
Unable to help it, she held her breath and closed her eyes bracing for the attack.
But the attack never came. She heard a grunting noise and the fresh smell of blood.
She cracked an eye open to a scent she instantly recognized. Yuriko was greeted with a familiar back and silver hair.
"Oh."
She felt his long white pelt wrapping around her exposed body.
Sesshomaru had pierced the demon's chest with his clawed hand, instantly destroying its heart and killing it. He tossed the body aside, disgusted. He noticed two other dead demons on the side.
Few minutes passed in silence before he turned to look at the demoness behind him.
"I could've handled that you know." She muttered, looking away from him. Internally she kicked herself.
His eyes slowly roamed her body. "You are bleeding." He observed.
"It'll heal." She countered, still refusing to meet his eyes.
"Can you stand?" The Dog Demon asked.
Yuriko grabbed the tree for leverage and tried to pull herself up. The sudden movement made her lightheaded and her whole body lurched forward.
Sesshomaru caught her before she fell face forward.
He lifted her easily close to his chest and carried her. She blushed but couldn't form the words to refuse.
"This is your fault you know. If you didn't tire me out so much during our session earlier…" She mumbled into his chest.
"I am aware." He replied cooly as he walked down the path. The Demon Lord was no fool. From their training sessions, he knew long ago that her stamina needs improvement as well. But she lasted long enough to defeat a couple of demons. That was an achievement in itself.
"I'm sorry." She grumbled. The Demon Dog was not so bad after all.
"You did well. You protected Rin and killed two of those abominations." He commented.
Her heart fluttered. "I couldn't kill the last one though." She bit her lip. "...and now I can't even walk."
"Under the circumstances, you did what you could."
"I'll get better at this." She whispered, unconsciously leaning her head against his chest.
"Hn.."
Few minutes later when he thought she fell asleep, she spoke.
"Will you be my Mentor?" She lifted her head and tried to look at him.
Sesshomaru stopped in his tracks and met her gaze.
She suddenly felt nervous. "I.. I know you said two weeks and its only been a week or so... but... I already learned so much from you. The way you teach me works. I've had a lot of mentors but you're different... I want to continue if you'll have me."
No answer.
"...and I like Rin a lot! It would be a shame... I know she wants me around too."
The silence stretched for a few more seconds and it made her lose her nerves.
"I don't need an apprentice."
She sighed dejectedly.
Yup... she was afraid that it was only a matter of time before he realized that she was not good enough to be-
"...But I will teach you. And you must be willing to learn."
She gasped. Her head snapped up quick and she smiled widely.
"SO should I call you Master now?"
The corners of his mouth twitched but he ignored her teasing.
She moved in his arms and was suddenly very conscious of her bare, naked skin against his arms. He was... hot. Literally. And figuratively. Her face turned even redder upon realizing that she was butt naked in his arms apart from his pelt that was her only cover. "...also I forgot my kimono. It's still by the hotspring."
"Jaken will fetch it." Sesshomaru answered smoothly.
It gave her comfort that demon carrying her seemed to be unaffected by her. Thank God.
Sesshomaru didn't miss her sudden reaction to him though, but for both their sakes, he ignored it. She must be still delirious from the battle. He thought mistakenly.
[Next Morning]
"Are you feeling better now, Yuriko-chan?" Rin asked, sitting next to the demoness.
"I do! See, all healed." She stretched her leg, showing it to the child.
"Great! I'm glad... "
Rin ran off to get Ah-Un. As they all prepared to leave the camp, Yuriko stole furtive glances at the stoic demon that was now her Master. He stood by the cliff, staring at the sky. The wind blew his tresses and pelt, giving him this majestic aura about him. He seemed to be deep in thoughts. She never expected him to protect her. It never occurred to her until last night that now she's under Sesshomaru's tutelage, she is also under his protection. It was an unspoken bond she never realized that was there.
"You FOX! Stop your perverted staring at my Lord!" Jaken yelled.
"EH?!" Yuriko stomped on his head, slamming his face into the ground. "I wasn't staring!" Her face burned. I hope he didn't hear that!
After composing herself and releasing Jaken (who was now spitting out dirt from his mouth), she remembered something from last night that bothered her.
Yuriko 'hmphed' and walked towards Sesshomaru. She cleared her throat and scratched her chin thoughtfully. "One of the demons from last night said that I had a 'bounty' on my head. It's a little bit worrisome. Do you think I should let my father know? It seems… dangerous." The audacity of someone putting a bounty on royalty… it was an act of mutiny.
Sesshomaru glanced at her sideways. "It maybe from an underground demon community. They put a bounty on anyone they are interested in and some demons are stupid enough to pursue it."
"It's nothing serious then do you think?" Yuriko fidgeted.
"I will look into the matter. You can tell your father about this, if you wish."
Yuriko blinked, then looked away. "On second thought…. Its okay. I'm banished. So my affairs are not really their business anymore." She turned and left him, helping carry Rin to ride on Ah-Un.
Sesshomaru didn't miss her underlying tone of pain. She tried to hide it and sound nonchalant but he knew better. He thought it was ridiculous that she was worried about her temporary banishment. Her parents obviously adore her to the point that they were willing to throw away their pride and ask him to mentor her.
Did she not realize this?
[Northern Castle Grounds]
The elder demon stared at the pond missing his daughter. His wife was still upset with him for banishing her and haven't talked to him since.
And now, how can she even visit us, Hiro! She yelled.
It's for her own good, Kayo.
A small demon crow landed on his arms. "My Lord." She greeted.
"Hana. How is she?"
"The princess is now traveling with her Mentor. Everything is fine. The Taiyokai is training her as discussed."
"Excellent. As long as she is okay. Is there anything else you want to report?"
"Nothing else. I will let you know if there is anything to be concerned about."
"Ah, Lord Hiro!" A voice boomed from behind them.
"That's my cue to leave. I will be returning to Yuriko-hime. Goodbye milord." The crow flapped its wings and left.
The elder Fox Demon Lord turned around and was greeted by a young man.
The man was elegantly clad in a red kimono with elaborate petal patterns. His left arm and shoulder were exposed, revealing an intricate red dragon mark spiraling his muscled arm, shoulder and back. He was flanked by two armored men in either side of him.
"Prince Kyoukotsusei…" The elder was surprised but nevertheless approached him.
The man bowed in respect. "My apologies for coming here unannounced. I was in the area."
"I see! I would've thrown you a welcome banquet in your honor. This is most embarassing…" The elder shook his head.
Kyoukotsusei laughed. "There is no need for such formalities. How are you doing, Lord Hiro?"
"Same old, Lad. Still trying to run a kingdom. I would've hoped to be retired by now." He smiled teasingly.
The man joined Lord Hiro by the pond, arms crossed inside his kimono. "Then that means the Princess is not ready."
"Unfortunately so. She left the kingdom and is now in training. She will return."
Kyoukotsusei raised an eyebrow. "And here I thought that I was going to meet my betrothed today." He sighed.
The Lord laughed. "You will."
"Who is training her?" Kyoukotsusei asked curiously.
Lord Hiro was silent. He hoped it would not cause a conflict. But given the history… of Dog Demons and the Dragon Race… maybe it wouldn't hurt to withhold this information from him.
"I assure you, her Mentor is more than qualified. I know you worry."
The man nodded, then stared at the pond and koi fishes thoughtfully. "I could've trained her, Lord Hiro. She is going to be my wife after all."
The Elder shook his head. "Unnecessary. I want her to be ready by the time you two meet. She would've been ready years ago if it wasn't… for that incident."
"I am well aware. But… my patience is running thin." The mood in the air shifted. His dark, golden eyes glinted dangerously.
"You were never known for you patience." Hiro chastised. Another reason he didn't want the Prince to train her.
Kyoukotsusei turned around to leave.
"You may stay inside the castle. The royal guest room is ready for you." Hiro called.
"I don't need it. I am grateful however. Thank you, Lord Hiro." The man waved for his guards to follow him.
~o~
"Find out who is Princess Yuriko's mentor." Kyoukotsusei told one of his guard when he was beyond the Fox Lord's earshot. He sensed that the old geezer was hiding it from him and it made him suspicious. His guard nodded and disappeared.
A/N:
For now I didn't want to describe how Kyoukotsusei looks like too much in this chapter. Saving it for later lol. He is handsome though... Of course you're free to imagine him ANY way you want, but if you need visuals, here he is xD This is him the closest in my imagination
bit . ly/Kyoukotsusei
*** REMEMBER to remove the spaces between bit and ly but leave the dot in there. Link redirects to an imgur image... kyaaaa!
Her betrothed. EEEKKKK. Arranged Marriage is a common practice in demon culture. Kyoukotsusei is a full dragon demon (the picture above is his humanoid form). He is another one of my OC and I want you guys to guess who his father is (hint: Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's father pinned him into a cliff for years until Inuyasha killed him eventually)... dun dun dun... ohhh the pending conflict LOL