[FIC] A Dragon's Heart
Title: A Dragon's Heart
Author: isha_mabin
Pairing: AKAME
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, AU, Fluff, One-shot
Disclaimer: I only own the plot, nothing (or no one) else
Summary: Jin gets abducted by a lonely dragon
A/N: I read this really awesome yaoi story in Wattpad and I loved it to bits! I kept hoping it would be updated but I think the author decided not to finish it because it's been more than 2 years and it's still not updated. So anyway, I decided to remake that fic AKAME style *wink* HOPE YOU ALL LIKE IT!!!
[Part 1]Akanishi Jin was walking peacefully down the path to his friend’s house when suddenly a huge shadow fell all around him.
“Huh? Is it going to rain?”
He looked up in time just to see sharp claws the size of his arm come towards him.
A dragon!
“Aaaaah!!!” He yelled when those sharp claws closed around him. “Put me down! Put me down, you hideous beast!”
“Silence you fool!” The dragon bellowed in its deep rumbling voice once they descended on the ground and entered a cave, some hours after.
“Y-you can talk?” Jin frowned when he heard the hoarseness in his voice. It really was the dragon’s fault for making him shout all the way here.
“No, you’re just dreaming - of course I can talk! Now shut up and let me sleep, I’m dead tired.” The dragon lied down in front of the cave’s entrance - denying any chance of escape Jin might have - and folded its wings around itself.
“I don’t think it’s necessary but just so you know, I’m a light sleeper so if you have any intention of even trying to escape, you better give it up.” With that, the dragon closed its eyes.
“Hmp.” Jin knew the dragon would just eat him anyway when it wakes up but there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be alive a little longer, right? So Jin decided to just rest for a while. Maybe when he wakes up, he could think of a way to bargain with the dragon.
He chose a corner farthest from the dragon and lied down. Of course it was uncomfortable, what with all the pebbles that poked at his back but Jin might be more tired than he thought because soon enough, he was out like a light.
The first thing that Jin noticed when he became conscious again was the warmth. He was pretty sure he fell asleep feeling the cold air around him.
He slowly opened his eyes and was met with a beautiful face inches away from him. That’s when he noted that the beautiful face belonged to a man and that man was embracing him!
He tried to wriggle out of the stranger’s arms but the man’s grip was surprisingly strong.
“Stop squirming.” The stranger opened its eyes.
Hazel brown. Jin instantly noted. Why do his eyes look so familiar? “W-who are you?”
The stranger frowned. “You don’t remember?”
“Uh, remember what?”
To Jin’s surprise, the man sniffed. “I gave myself to you and you don’t remember? How could you?!”
Jin’s eyes widened. Did he drink last night and somehow ended up having sex with this man?!
His panicking was cut short however when the man beside him laughed.
“You humans are so amusing, if not a bit dumb.”
“W-what?!”
“I was messing with you!” The man snorted. “Like I’d ever want to sleep with your kind. Even if I do, I wouldn’t be so worked up about it.” He stood up and stretched. “Are you just going to gape at me all day? I already told you I didn’t sleep with you. Well, at least not in the way that you’re thinking.”
“But…who are you?!” Jin eyed the auburn-haired man. The color of his hair, just like his eyes, was so familiar. He just couldn’t think of where he saw it.
The stranger smirked. “Kamenashi Kazuya. This is my human form. But I guess you’re more acquainted with this form.”
Before Jin could blink, the man in front of him was gone and its place was the dragon that had abducted him last night. It’s color was auburn and its eyes were hazel brown.
Auburn…Hazel…
“You…How did you do that? You’re a human and a dragon?!”
The dragon stepped out of the cave. Jin followed.
“I’m from a race of the mightiest dragons. We not only are powerful in brute strength but we also contain a certain mix of magic in our blood that enables us shift to human form whenever we feel like it. I shifted last night because I needed to warm you up. Your body isn’t used to the cold nights here and I thought you’d freak out less if it was you own kind that was embracing you.“
“Why are you concerned if I freeze to death? You don’t like your food cold?” Jin asked, pissed at the thought that he was food for this mighty beast. Granted the beast look gorgeous in its human form but still…
“Idiot. If I was going to eat you, I wouldn’t even have talked to you. I don’t play with my food, you know.”
“You’re not…going to eat me? Then why did you bring me here?”
“I got tired of the silence.”
“Huh?” Jin was clueless as to what the dragon meant.
“Contrary to the common dragons, our lifespan is just like that of humans. Some of the toughest ones live up to 100 years old but most die at 80 or 85. Now with you humans hunting us down for our magic, our numbers are dwindling to a minimum. We can’t reproduce fast enough and often enough to replace those that die. And well, the last decent conversation I had was 3 years ago. Can you believe that?”
Jin winced. He couldn’t imagine lasting a week without someone to talk too, much less 3 years. “So your solution was kidnapping a random guy?”
“Not random. Your friend gave you to me in exchange for a bit of my blood. Why do you think I caught you so easily in such a public place?”
“What?!” Ryo sold him?!
“He said he was getting tired of your whining about not having an exciting life. And oh, he made me promise not to eat you, and to return you alive to the village after a year.”
“And you’ll keep that promise?”
“Unlike you humans, we dragons always keep our words.” The dragon - Kazuya (he really have to have to remember his name) - shifted back into his human form.
“So this deal…keeping me alive includes feeding me right?” Jin asked hopefully. He always had a healthy appetite and right now, his stomach was complaining.
Kazuya snorted. “As if. I’ll teach you how to catch your own meal. The rest you have to do yourself.”
“Oh alright. Where do we start?” The sooner they started, the sooner they can eat.
“Have you ever gone fishing?”
“Yes.”
“With your bare hands?”
“Never tried it but how hard could it be?” Jin said. It’s just like with a spear right? That should be easy.
A while later, his legs knee deep in water and his back aching, he realized that no, it isn’t like with a spear. Especially if the fish are moving too fast and his hands moving too slow.
“The sun is almost setting,” Kazuya commented.
“I’m well aware,” Jin grumbled.
“Think you could catch a meal before night comes?” Kazuya taunted, licking his fingers clean. He had just eaten his dinner while Jin still didn’t have breakfast.
“Shut up! If you didn’t take me away from my home, I would have eaten long ago!”
Kazuya’s eyes hardened and with just a few strides he was in front of Jin. “I bought you with my precious blood so I’m teaching you how to survive. Do you think your home would be there always? No! Do you think you could always rely on your fishing or hunting tools? Your metals? No! Even common dragons could raid your puny village and burn everything and none of you will be able to do anything! Then where would you be?!” He glared at Jin, turned into a dragon and flew away.
Jin stared at Kazuya’s dragon form flying farther and farther away until he couldn’t see it anymore. He looked at his hand.
He’s right. I’m defenseless and weak. I have to learn the basics…
He took a deep breath, stood still like Kazuya taught him to and waited until the fish started to peacefully swim around him again. Once he saw his target fish, he quickly brought his hands down.
It was a fail. He didn’t catch anything.
He tried again. This time, when he brought up his hand, it was grasping a fish.
“Yes! Yes I did it! Kazuya, did you see that?” He turned around and then remembered that Kazuya had left him.”Oh right.”
He looked around him and was surprised to find that it was already dark. How long had he been fishing?
“Yes, I saw.”
He whipped his head to the other direction and saw an outline of a man leaning against a tree. He knew it was Kazuya. He recognized his voice. “You came back.”
Kazuya snorted and walked closer to him. “You’d be eaten by wild animals if I left you here for long.” He held out a thin branch with three fish pierced in it. “Just one won’t satisfy you and it’s too dark for you to catch them in the water.”
Jin smiled. “You forgive me then? For being a brat?”
Kazuya shrugged.”There’s nothing to forgive.”
Jin caught a glimpse of Kazuya’s smile before he turned into a dragon.
Enchanting… Jin thought.
[Part 2]For around two weeks, Jin’s diet still consisted of fish he caught himself. He was pretty good at it now.
Kazuya didn’t say it but Jin could feel that the magical dragon was proud of him. He could see it when the other is in his human form and smiling at Jin. Speaking of human form, Kazuya was using that form more frequently these past few days.
When Jin asked him about it, he only answered, “It puts you at ease.”
Sometimes, when it gets boring, Jin would sing songs. Most of them, he just made up on the spot. His favorite times were when Kazuya would join in his singing. They harmonize so well, even Jin was surprised.
Other times, Jin would tell Kazuya about his asshole of a friend Ryo who always managed to say something rude, his father who had died when Jin was very young, his mother who is probably very worried now (to which Kazuya would pointedly ignore his pleading eyes), his brother Reio and all the other little details about his life in the village.
Rare times were those when Kazuya would tell him about his life. Jin really didn’t understand the cold and seemingly cruel way the dragons bring up their offspring.
Okay so some human parents are extremely strict but at least they don’t shove their children to make them walk (because apparently dragons push their young off a cliff so that it would learn how to fly).
But Jin deduced that maybe it just seem cold to him because he’s an outsider. Kazuya seemed to have no problem with the way he was brought up. He even said he was grateful.
Days and weeks passed like that until one day, he woke up before dawn to see Kazuya’s dragon form.
“Hurry up, we’re going hunting.”
Jin looked at him confused but didn’t say anything else as he climbed on Kazuya’s back. Of all the days he had spent with Kazuya, he had learned to trust that Kazuya’s instinct were the best. He had learned not to question the other’s words.
“Here.” Kazuya tossed a rope at him. “Circle it around my neck. You’ll need something to hold on to.”
“But won’t this choke you?” he asked worriedly. He didn’t want to hurt Kazuya.
“I can handle it. Hurry up, we have to go. This is the best time to hunt.”
Jin did as Kazuya told and soon enough, they were high up in the air. It was more pleasant than the last time he was in the sky. Probably because last time, he was too terrified to actually enjoy the ride.
The trip was short however. Soon enough, they landed noiselessly at a clearing. It always amazed Jin how such a huge creature have so much grace and stealth.
“I can sense several animals in this forest. It would do for your first practice. I’ll watch you from above. You can’t hunt with me around, the animals will be able to tell and will run away before you even catch sight of them.”
Before Kazuya could fly away though, Jin asked, “How am I supposed to hunt without any arrow or at least a blade?”
“Stones, Jin. There are plenty of them around. Use it.” With that, Kazuya flew up into the sky.
Jin sighed and began looking for something to catch. An hour passed and finally, he caught sight of a young antelope. It was alone. He crawled slowly. He wasn’t a hunter in their village so he didn’t actually know how this works but he had the common sense not to startle the animal.
Unfortunately, he stepped on a branch and it snapped in two, alerting the antelope of his presence. It ran to the opposite direction.
“Oh no, wait!” Darn. Jin hurriedly ran after the antelope. He knew it was a long shot but maybe he could still catch up with it.
He was caught off guard when he was suddenly knocked to the ground by something. He raised his eyes and saw that it was a dragon. But it wasn’t Kazuya.
This dragon was jet black and its eyes were blue. It barred its fangs at him and Jin couldn’t help the whimper the escaped from his throat. It looked ready to eat him.
“Let go of him, Sarabi.”
The dragon named Sarabi turned its massive head to the auburn dragon, still pinning Jin down with one paw. “So this is your pet, Kazu?”
Jin blinked and scowled. This ‘Sarabi’ is definitely the same race as Kazuya but still, to call Kazuya by his nickname...
“I said let go of him, Sarabi!”
“Only if you fulfill your duty to your race. You know what season we are in, right? I chose you long ago and now you only have to accept.”
The auburn dragon was quiet for a while. He glanced at Jin. He could probably take on Sarabi but before he could move, she would have already crushed Jin in one move.
“Fine. But just this season. Now let go of him.”
Jin felt Sarabi lift her paw. He hurriedly ran away from the black dragon and towards Kazuya who was in his human form.
Jin wrapped his arms around Kazuya. “You’re leaving, aren’t you? Don’t go Kazuya.”
“Shh. It’s fine Jin. You’ll be safe. I’ll bring you back to your village.”
“Why? It’s not even a year yet.”
“No. But I have to go. Take care of yourself, hmm? Thank you for everything, Jin.”
Without stopping to give it much thought, Jin captured Kazuya’s lips in a kiss. “I love you,” he whispered.
Kazuya pulled back and looked at Jin, his eyes solemn. He caressed Jin’s cheek and this time, he was the one who initiated a kiss.
Kazuya never said a word after that. Not when he dropped Jin off at the village and not when he flew off with Sarabi.
Jin could only stare longingly at the sky where Kazuya had disappeared not too long ago and wonder if in the heart of a dragon, is there space for a human who’s hopelessly in love?
[Part 3]“Ryo, in what kind of season do people have to fulfill their duties?”
Ryo glared at Jin. “All seasons, you idiot. Are you trying to slack off on your responsibilities?”
“No, of course not! It’s just…” Jin sighed.
It has been almost a year since Kazuya left. He misses him so much. But what Sarabi said was eating him up because he didn’t understand what she meant.
“Only if you fulfill your duty to your race. You know what season we are in, right? I chose you long ago and now you only have to accept.”
What exactly did Kazuya have to accept?
“Okay, spill it out. You’re ruining my mood with all that huffing and sighing you’re doing,” Ryo grumbled, putting down the arrow he had been making. He, as well as Jin, works as a tool maker in the village.
“Your mood is always ruined, Ryo.” When he saw Ryo threateningly raise the arrow, he hurriedly blurted, “It’s about Kazuya.”
Ryo frowned. “The dragon. Your taste in potential partners really sucks, you know. I mean, he’s a cold-blooded animal, why would-”
“He’s not just an animal! And besides, he’s not cold. He’s warm. I know because he used to hug me to keep me from the cold.”
“You got it bad. And frankly it’s disgusting. Can we skip to what’s really bothering you?”
“Oh that.” Jin told Ryo about Sarabi’s words.
“Season and duty. I could only think of one thing.”
“What?” Jin asked.
“Mating.”
Jin felt the blood drain from his face. “Mating? Kazuya will mate with that female dragon? But w-why? He doesn’t even like her.”
“One, you can’t be sure that he doesn’t like her. Two, it’s a basic thing to mate to propagate their species. It’s not like they’re getting married.”
“Married?” I suddenly don’t feel so good.
“Oi! Keep your senses intact Bakanishi! I said they’re probably NOT getting married.”
“Mating…Marriage…”
Ryo rubbed his forehead. “This isn’t good.” He left the still dazed Jin and went to his cottage.
He reached for the small bottle that had red liquid inside it. It was the blood of Jin’s dragon. Good thing he had not sold it yet.
What was it that dragon said again? Ryo pondered.
“My magic is in that. But it’s only a few so it’s not that powerful. But if it’s something minor, like transporting you somewhere, that should be enough.”
“This better work.” He tipped the bottle and swallowed all the content. Argh, this tastes vile. He closed his eyes.
“Take me to Kamenashi Kazuya.”
When he opened his eyes again, he was in front of an auburn dragon with hazel eyes. Ah thank God, I’m here.
“Ryo?”
“You have to go see Jin,” he demanded.
“What for?” Kazuya asked.
“The idiot is in love with you.”
Kazuya snorted. “He just confused fondness with love. I was the only one he was interacting with for a few weeks, he could have focused his attention on me because I was the only one there. Now that he’s back with other people, other humans, he probably has another person he loves.”
Ryo didn’t think he’d live to see a day when a dragon would sound as insecure and as hurt as Kazuya was now. And yet the dragon himself didn’t even seem to realize it. Stubborn fool. “Oh. Is that so? Well I’m sorry for misunderstanding then. But you’re free to see him. I’m sure he’d like to have visitors, especially now that he’s sick.”
Just like Ryo thought, Kazuya took the bait. “He’s sick?!”
Ryo managed to keep the smirk forming on his lips and instead shook his head. “The village healers said he probably won’t make it pass this year. We’re all just disheartened, really. Oh well, I have to go now. Sorry for disturbing you.” Ryo began walking away.
If this doesn’t work, I don’t know what else to do.
“Wait!”
Yes! “Yes?”
“Um, I…want to see him.”
“Then let’s go.”
Kazuya turned into his human form as soon as they reached the outskirts of the village. He and Ryo walked in silence.
Kazuya’s mind, however, was anything but silent.
He was so healthy the last time I saw him…
What could have gone wrong?
Is it my fault? Did I somehow injure him or something?
Maybe my magic can cure him!
I’d give every last drop of my blood if he could be made healthy again by it.
“Jin is inside. I’ll just tell him you’re here.”
Kazuya nodded stiffly. He didn’t know if he could face Jin without crying. The thought of Jin lying in bed, pale and sick…
Kazuya was pulled out of his thoughts when a very energetic and healthy Jin flung himself towards him. “Don’t kill Ryo. He was only trying to help. Oh God, I’m so glad you’re here. I love you, I love you, I love you. Don’t you ever, ever leave me again!”
“Jin-” That was all he ever managed to say before lips were pressed against his.
He melted into the kiss. Jin licked his lower lip, asking for permission and Kazuya immediately opened his mouth to let Jin’s tongue in. He moaned when Jin coaxed his tongue to play with his.
When they pulled apart, they were both panting and grinning like fools.
“I love you too, Jin,” Kazuya said belatedly to Jin’s confession. He held Jin’s hand and traced patterns on it with his finger. “About the time I was away…I really wanted to tell you but…I wasn’t sure that what you felt - and what I felt - was real and not just because we’ve lived in isolation with just both of us for quite some time. And about Sarabi…I had to mate with her Jin…”
Jin knew he shouldn’t feel betrayed. It was Kazuya’s duty and besides, he had no commitment to Jin. But still the thought of Kazuya caressing that woman pained him like nothing else.
Kazuya burst into tears. “I’m sorry.”
Jin immediately embraced him. “Hush now. It isn’t your fault. That doesn’t change anything. I still love you. Hey, how about this, why don’t you make it up to me?”
“How?” Kazuya said leaning onto Jin. It’s been so long since he allowed himself to be embraced like this, protected like this, loved like this.
“Stay with me for the rest of our lives.”
Kazuya smiled. “Gladly.”
Jin grinned.
“Ehem.”
Jin turned to see his mother raising an eyebrow at him. “Um, Mom this is Kamenashi Kazuya. He’s going to stay with me from now on. Kazuya, my Mom.”
“Nice to meet you Ma’am. I’m very sorry I didn’t bring any gifts. I should have brought flowers to compliment your beauty.” Kazuya smiled.
Mrs. Akanishi was charmed. “Oh what a lovely boy. Are you sure you want to be with my son? He’s an idiot and he can’t cook all that well.”
“Mom!”
“Oh shush you!” The older woman scolded his son. “But don’t worry Kazu-chan, I’ll train Jin so that he’ll make a perfect wife for you.”
“Mom, you’re embarrassing me,” Jin complained, his cheeks burning.
Kazuya laughed quietly. Jin’s mother is very entertaining.
Mrs. Akanishi glared at his son. “Kazu-chan is such a charming boy. Do you want him snatched away from you?”
“No.” Jin shook his head. Kazuya was his and his alone.
“Good. Then come along. You need to learn how to be tidier oh and to cook better meals. The curry you made last time was awful.”
Jin ignored his mother, ran to Kazuya, kissed him again and whispered, “Tonight, you’ll be mine completely.”
“I can’t wait.” Kazuya whispered back.
“Jin, get in here! Your room is a mess!”
“Mom, don’t just enter my room!”
Kazuya laughed quietly.
Humankind is so chaotic and he didn’t really understand them most of the time but this is what he chose. His heart might be that of a dragon but he chose to entrust it to a human.
“Kazuya, come inside. I can’t stand not seeing you,” Jin called from the door of the cottage.
And well, he doesn’t really regret anything.
THE END
Author: isha_mabin
Pairing: AKAME
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, AU, Fluff, One-shot
Disclaimer: I only own the plot, nothing (or no one) else
Summary: Jin gets abducted by a lonely dragon
A/N: I read this really awesome yaoi story in Wattpad and I loved it to bits! I kept hoping it would be updated but I think the author decided not to finish it because it's been more than 2 years and it's still not updated. So anyway, I decided to remake that fic AKAME style *wink* HOPE YOU ALL LIKE IT!!!
[Part 1]Akanishi Jin was walking peacefully down the path to his friend’s house when suddenly a huge shadow fell all around him.
“Huh? Is it going to rain?”
He looked up in time just to see sharp claws the size of his arm come towards him.
A dragon!
“Aaaaah!!!” He yelled when those sharp claws closed around him. “Put me down! Put me down, you hideous beast!”
“Silence you fool!” The dragon bellowed in its deep rumbling voice once they descended on the ground and entered a cave, some hours after.
“Y-you can talk?” Jin frowned when he heard the hoarseness in his voice. It really was the dragon’s fault for making him shout all the way here.
“No, you’re just dreaming - of course I can talk! Now shut up and let me sleep, I’m dead tired.” The dragon lied down in front of the cave’s entrance - denying any chance of escape Jin might have - and folded its wings around itself.
“I don’t think it’s necessary but just so you know, I’m a light sleeper so if you have any intention of even trying to escape, you better give it up.” With that, the dragon closed its eyes.
“Hmp.” Jin knew the dragon would just eat him anyway when it wakes up but there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be alive a little longer, right? So Jin decided to just rest for a while. Maybe when he wakes up, he could think of a way to bargain with the dragon.
He chose a corner farthest from the dragon and lied down. Of course it was uncomfortable, what with all the pebbles that poked at his back but Jin might be more tired than he thought because soon enough, he was out like a light.
The first thing that Jin noticed when he became conscious again was the warmth. He was pretty sure he fell asleep feeling the cold air around him.
He slowly opened his eyes and was met with a beautiful face inches away from him. That’s when he noted that the beautiful face belonged to a man and that man was embracing him!
He tried to wriggle out of the stranger’s arms but the man’s grip was surprisingly strong.
“Stop squirming.” The stranger opened its eyes.
Hazel brown. Jin instantly noted. Why do his eyes look so familiar? “W-who are you?”
The stranger frowned. “You don’t remember?”
“Uh, remember what?”
To Jin’s surprise, the man sniffed. “I gave myself to you and you don’t remember? How could you?!”
Jin’s eyes widened. Did he drink last night and somehow ended up having sex with this man?!
His panicking was cut short however when the man beside him laughed.
“You humans are so amusing, if not a bit dumb.”
“W-what?!”
“I was messing with you!” The man snorted. “Like I’d ever want to sleep with your kind. Even if I do, I wouldn’t be so worked up about it.” He stood up and stretched. “Are you just going to gape at me all day? I already told you I didn’t sleep with you. Well, at least not in the way that you’re thinking.”
“But…who are you?!” Jin eyed the auburn-haired man. The color of his hair, just like his eyes, was so familiar. He just couldn’t think of where he saw it.
The stranger smirked. “Kamenashi Kazuya. This is my human form. But I guess you’re more acquainted with this form.”
Before Jin could blink, the man in front of him was gone and its place was the dragon that had abducted him last night. It’s color was auburn and its eyes were hazel brown.
Auburn…Hazel…
“You…How did you do that? You’re a human and a dragon?!”
The dragon stepped out of the cave. Jin followed.
“I’m from a race of the mightiest dragons. We not only are powerful in brute strength but we also contain a certain mix of magic in our blood that enables us shift to human form whenever we feel like it. I shifted last night because I needed to warm you up. Your body isn’t used to the cold nights here and I thought you’d freak out less if it was you own kind that was embracing you.“
“Why are you concerned if I freeze to death? You don’t like your food cold?” Jin asked, pissed at the thought that he was food for this mighty beast. Granted the beast look gorgeous in its human form but still…
“Idiot. If I was going to eat you, I wouldn’t even have talked to you. I don’t play with my food, you know.”
“You’re not…going to eat me? Then why did you bring me here?”
“I got tired of the silence.”
“Huh?” Jin was clueless as to what the dragon meant.
“Contrary to the common dragons, our lifespan is just like that of humans. Some of the toughest ones live up to 100 years old but most die at 80 or 85. Now with you humans hunting us down for our magic, our numbers are dwindling to a minimum. We can’t reproduce fast enough and often enough to replace those that die. And well, the last decent conversation I had was 3 years ago. Can you believe that?”
Jin winced. He couldn’t imagine lasting a week without someone to talk too, much less 3 years. “So your solution was kidnapping a random guy?”
“Not random. Your friend gave you to me in exchange for a bit of my blood. Why do you think I caught you so easily in such a public place?”
“What?!” Ryo sold him?!
“He said he was getting tired of your whining about not having an exciting life. And oh, he made me promise not to eat you, and to return you alive to the village after a year.”
“And you’ll keep that promise?”
“Unlike you humans, we dragons always keep our words.” The dragon - Kazuya (he really have to have to remember his name) - shifted back into his human form.
“So this deal…keeping me alive includes feeding me right?” Jin asked hopefully. He always had a healthy appetite and right now, his stomach was complaining.
Kazuya snorted. “As if. I’ll teach you how to catch your own meal. The rest you have to do yourself.”
“Oh alright. Where do we start?” The sooner they started, the sooner they can eat.
“Have you ever gone fishing?”
“Yes.”
“With your bare hands?”
“Never tried it but how hard could it be?” Jin said. It’s just like with a spear right? That should be easy.
A while later, his legs knee deep in water and his back aching, he realized that no, it isn’t like with a spear. Especially if the fish are moving too fast and his hands moving too slow.
“The sun is almost setting,” Kazuya commented.
“I’m well aware,” Jin grumbled.
“Think you could catch a meal before night comes?” Kazuya taunted, licking his fingers clean. He had just eaten his dinner while Jin still didn’t have breakfast.
“Shut up! If you didn’t take me away from my home, I would have eaten long ago!”
Kazuya’s eyes hardened and with just a few strides he was in front of Jin. “I bought you with my precious blood so I’m teaching you how to survive. Do you think your home would be there always? No! Do you think you could always rely on your fishing or hunting tools? Your metals? No! Even common dragons could raid your puny village and burn everything and none of you will be able to do anything! Then where would you be?!” He glared at Jin, turned into a dragon and flew away.
Jin stared at Kazuya’s dragon form flying farther and farther away until he couldn’t see it anymore. He looked at his hand.
He’s right. I’m defenseless and weak. I have to learn the basics…
He took a deep breath, stood still like Kazuya taught him to and waited until the fish started to peacefully swim around him again. Once he saw his target fish, he quickly brought his hands down.
It was a fail. He didn’t catch anything.
He tried again. This time, when he brought up his hand, it was grasping a fish.
“Yes! Yes I did it! Kazuya, did you see that?” He turned around and then remembered that Kazuya had left him.”Oh right.”
He looked around him and was surprised to find that it was already dark. How long had he been fishing?
“Yes, I saw.”
He whipped his head to the other direction and saw an outline of a man leaning against a tree. He knew it was Kazuya. He recognized his voice. “You came back.”
Kazuya snorted and walked closer to him. “You’d be eaten by wild animals if I left you here for long.” He held out a thin branch with three fish pierced in it. “Just one won’t satisfy you and it’s too dark for you to catch them in the water.”
Jin smiled. “You forgive me then? For being a brat?”
Kazuya shrugged.”There’s nothing to forgive.”
Jin caught a glimpse of Kazuya’s smile before he turned into a dragon.
Enchanting… Jin thought.
[Part 2]For around two weeks, Jin’s diet still consisted of fish he caught himself. He was pretty good at it now.
Kazuya didn’t say it but Jin could feel that the magical dragon was proud of him. He could see it when the other is in his human form and smiling at Jin. Speaking of human form, Kazuya was using that form more frequently these past few days.
When Jin asked him about it, he only answered, “It puts you at ease.”
Sometimes, when it gets boring, Jin would sing songs. Most of them, he just made up on the spot. His favorite times were when Kazuya would join in his singing. They harmonize so well, even Jin was surprised.
Other times, Jin would tell Kazuya about his asshole of a friend Ryo who always managed to say something rude, his father who had died when Jin was very young, his mother who is probably very worried now (to which Kazuya would pointedly ignore his pleading eyes), his brother Reio and all the other little details about his life in the village.
Rare times were those when Kazuya would tell him about his life. Jin really didn’t understand the cold and seemingly cruel way the dragons bring up their offspring.
Okay so some human parents are extremely strict but at least they don’t shove their children to make them walk (because apparently dragons push their young off a cliff so that it would learn how to fly).
But Jin deduced that maybe it just seem cold to him because he’s an outsider. Kazuya seemed to have no problem with the way he was brought up. He even said he was grateful.
Days and weeks passed like that until one day, he woke up before dawn to see Kazuya’s dragon form.
“Hurry up, we’re going hunting.”
Jin looked at him confused but didn’t say anything else as he climbed on Kazuya’s back. Of all the days he had spent with Kazuya, he had learned to trust that Kazuya’s instinct were the best. He had learned not to question the other’s words.
“Here.” Kazuya tossed a rope at him. “Circle it around my neck. You’ll need something to hold on to.”
“But won’t this choke you?” he asked worriedly. He didn’t want to hurt Kazuya.
“I can handle it. Hurry up, we have to go. This is the best time to hunt.”
Jin did as Kazuya told and soon enough, they were high up in the air. It was more pleasant than the last time he was in the sky. Probably because last time, he was too terrified to actually enjoy the ride.
The trip was short however. Soon enough, they landed noiselessly at a clearing. It always amazed Jin how such a huge creature have so much grace and stealth.
“I can sense several animals in this forest. It would do for your first practice. I’ll watch you from above. You can’t hunt with me around, the animals will be able to tell and will run away before you even catch sight of them.”
Before Kazuya could fly away though, Jin asked, “How am I supposed to hunt without any arrow or at least a blade?”
“Stones, Jin. There are plenty of them around. Use it.” With that, Kazuya flew up into the sky.
Jin sighed and began looking for something to catch. An hour passed and finally, he caught sight of a young antelope. It was alone. He crawled slowly. He wasn’t a hunter in their village so he didn’t actually know how this works but he had the common sense not to startle the animal.
Unfortunately, he stepped on a branch and it snapped in two, alerting the antelope of his presence. It ran to the opposite direction.
“Oh no, wait!” Darn. Jin hurriedly ran after the antelope. He knew it was a long shot but maybe he could still catch up with it.
He was caught off guard when he was suddenly knocked to the ground by something. He raised his eyes and saw that it was a dragon. But it wasn’t Kazuya.
This dragon was jet black and its eyes were blue. It barred its fangs at him and Jin couldn’t help the whimper the escaped from his throat. It looked ready to eat him.
“Let go of him, Sarabi.”
The dragon named Sarabi turned its massive head to the auburn dragon, still pinning Jin down with one paw. “So this is your pet, Kazu?”
Jin blinked and scowled. This ‘Sarabi’ is definitely the same race as Kazuya but still, to call Kazuya by his nickname...
“I said let go of him, Sarabi!”
“Only if you fulfill your duty to your race. You know what season we are in, right? I chose you long ago and now you only have to accept.”
The auburn dragon was quiet for a while. He glanced at Jin. He could probably take on Sarabi but before he could move, she would have already crushed Jin in one move.
“Fine. But just this season. Now let go of him.”
Jin felt Sarabi lift her paw. He hurriedly ran away from the black dragon and towards Kazuya who was in his human form.
Jin wrapped his arms around Kazuya. “You’re leaving, aren’t you? Don’t go Kazuya.”
“Shh. It’s fine Jin. You’ll be safe. I’ll bring you back to your village.”
“Why? It’s not even a year yet.”
“No. But I have to go. Take care of yourself, hmm? Thank you for everything, Jin.”
Without stopping to give it much thought, Jin captured Kazuya’s lips in a kiss. “I love you,” he whispered.
Kazuya pulled back and looked at Jin, his eyes solemn. He caressed Jin’s cheek and this time, he was the one who initiated a kiss.
Kazuya never said a word after that. Not when he dropped Jin off at the village and not when he flew off with Sarabi.
Jin could only stare longingly at the sky where Kazuya had disappeared not too long ago and wonder if in the heart of a dragon, is there space for a human who’s hopelessly in love?
[Part 3]“Ryo, in what kind of season do people have to fulfill their duties?”
Ryo glared at Jin. “All seasons, you idiot. Are you trying to slack off on your responsibilities?”
“No, of course not! It’s just…” Jin sighed.
It has been almost a year since Kazuya left. He misses him so much. But what Sarabi said was eating him up because he didn’t understand what she meant.
“Only if you fulfill your duty to your race. You know what season we are in, right? I chose you long ago and now you only have to accept.”
What exactly did Kazuya have to accept?
“Okay, spill it out. You’re ruining my mood with all that huffing and sighing you’re doing,” Ryo grumbled, putting down the arrow he had been making. He, as well as Jin, works as a tool maker in the village.
“Your mood is always ruined, Ryo.” When he saw Ryo threateningly raise the arrow, he hurriedly blurted, “It’s about Kazuya.”
Ryo frowned. “The dragon. Your taste in potential partners really sucks, you know. I mean, he’s a cold-blooded animal, why would-”
“He’s not just an animal! And besides, he’s not cold. He’s warm. I know because he used to hug me to keep me from the cold.”
“You got it bad. And frankly it’s disgusting. Can we skip to what’s really bothering you?”
“Oh that.” Jin told Ryo about Sarabi’s words.
“Season and duty. I could only think of one thing.”
“What?” Jin asked.
“Mating.”
Jin felt the blood drain from his face. “Mating? Kazuya will mate with that female dragon? But w-why? He doesn’t even like her.”
“One, you can’t be sure that he doesn’t like her. Two, it’s a basic thing to mate to propagate their species. It’s not like they’re getting married.”
“Married?” I suddenly don’t feel so good.
“Oi! Keep your senses intact Bakanishi! I said they’re probably NOT getting married.”
“Mating…Marriage…”
Ryo rubbed his forehead. “This isn’t good.” He left the still dazed Jin and went to his cottage.
He reached for the small bottle that had red liquid inside it. It was the blood of Jin’s dragon. Good thing he had not sold it yet.
What was it that dragon said again? Ryo pondered.
“My magic is in that. But it’s only a few so it’s not that powerful. But if it’s something minor, like transporting you somewhere, that should be enough.”
“This better work.” He tipped the bottle and swallowed all the content. Argh, this tastes vile. He closed his eyes.
“Take me to Kamenashi Kazuya.”
When he opened his eyes again, he was in front of an auburn dragon with hazel eyes. Ah thank God, I’m here.
“Ryo?”
“You have to go see Jin,” he demanded.
“What for?” Kazuya asked.
“The idiot is in love with you.”
Kazuya snorted. “He just confused fondness with love. I was the only one he was interacting with for a few weeks, he could have focused his attention on me because I was the only one there. Now that he’s back with other people, other humans, he probably has another person he loves.”
Ryo didn’t think he’d live to see a day when a dragon would sound as insecure and as hurt as Kazuya was now. And yet the dragon himself didn’t even seem to realize it. Stubborn fool. “Oh. Is that so? Well I’m sorry for misunderstanding then. But you’re free to see him. I’m sure he’d like to have visitors, especially now that he’s sick.”
Just like Ryo thought, Kazuya took the bait. “He’s sick?!”
Ryo managed to keep the smirk forming on his lips and instead shook his head. “The village healers said he probably won’t make it pass this year. We’re all just disheartened, really. Oh well, I have to go now. Sorry for disturbing you.” Ryo began walking away.
If this doesn’t work, I don’t know what else to do.
“Wait!”
Yes! “Yes?”
“Um, I…want to see him.”
“Then let’s go.”
Kazuya turned into his human form as soon as they reached the outskirts of the village. He and Ryo walked in silence.
Kazuya’s mind, however, was anything but silent.
He was so healthy the last time I saw him…
What could have gone wrong?
Is it my fault? Did I somehow injure him or something?
Maybe my magic can cure him!
I’d give every last drop of my blood if he could be made healthy again by it.
“Jin is inside. I’ll just tell him you’re here.”
Kazuya nodded stiffly. He didn’t know if he could face Jin without crying. The thought of Jin lying in bed, pale and sick…
Kazuya was pulled out of his thoughts when a very energetic and healthy Jin flung himself towards him. “Don’t kill Ryo. He was only trying to help. Oh God, I’m so glad you’re here. I love you, I love you, I love you. Don’t you ever, ever leave me again!”
“Jin-” That was all he ever managed to say before lips were pressed against his.
He melted into the kiss. Jin licked his lower lip, asking for permission and Kazuya immediately opened his mouth to let Jin’s tongue in. He moaned when Jin coaxed his tongue to play with his.
When they pulled apart, they were both panting and grinning like fools.
“I love you too, Jin,” Kazuya said belatedly to Jin’s confession. He held Jin’s hand and traced patterns on it with his finger. “About the time I was away…I really wanted to tell you but…I wasn’t sure that what you felt - and what I felt - was real and not just because we’ve lived in isolation with just both of us for quite some time. And about Sarabi…I had to mate with her Jin…”
Jin knew he shouldn’t feel betrayed. It was Kazuya’s duty and besides, he had no commitment to Jin. But still the thought of Kazuya caressing that woman pained him like nothing else.
Kazuya burst into tears. “I’m sorry.”
Jin immediately embraced him. “Hush now. It isn’t your fault. That doesn’t change anything. I still love you. Hey, how about this, why don’t you make it up to me?”
“How?” Kazuya said leaning onto Jin. It’s been so long since he allowed himself to be embraced like this, protected like this, loved like this.
“Stay with me for the rest of our lives.”
Kazuya smiled. “Gladly.”
Jin grinned.
“Ehem.”
Jin turned to see his mother raising an eyebrow at him. “Um, Mom this is Kamenashi Kazuya. He’s going to stay with me from now on. Kazuya, my Mom.”
“Nice to meet you Ma’am. I’m very sorry I didn’t bring any gifts. I should have brought flowers to compliment your beauty.” Kazuya smiled.
Mrs. Akanishi was charmed. “Oh what a lovely boy. Are you sure you want to be with my son? He’s an idiot and he can’t cook all that well.”
“Mom!”
“Oh shush you!” The older woman scolded his son. “But don’t worry Kazu-chan, I’ll train Jin so that he’ll make a perfect wife for you.”
“Mom, you’re embarrassing me,” Jin complained, his cheeks burning.
Kazuya laughed quietly. Jin’s mother is very entertaining.
Mrs. Akanishi glared at his son. “Kazu-chan is such a charming boy. Do you want him snatched away from you?”
“No.” Jin shook his head. Kazuya was his and his alone.
“Good. Then come along. You need to learn how to be tidier oh and to cook better meals. The curry you made last time was awful.”
Jin ignored his mother, ran to Kazuya, kissed him again and whispered, “Tonight, you’ll be mine completely.”
“I can’t wait.” Kazuya whispered back.
“Jin, get in here! Your room is a mess!”
“Mom, don’t just enter my room!”
Kazuya laughed quietly.
Humankind is so chaotic and he didn’t really understand them most of the time but this is what he chose. His heart might be that of a dragon but he chose to entrust it to a human.
“Kazuya, come inside. I can’t stand not seeing you,” Jin called from the door of the cottage.
And well, he doesn’t really regret anything.
THE END