Chapter 1-

A tall figure, dressed in a wide white robe with strands of blonde hair slipping out, walked elegantly through the thick forest. In their right hand they held a strap which led to a collar. The collar tightly cuffed around an odd creatures’ neck. The creature had a head of a hippo along with a dark blue stripe under its left eye and two flopping pointed ears, a demonic body ending with a scorpion like tail. The creature dragged slowly behind the figure, it growled and kept its body posed for attack. It seemed though that it couldn’t attack the figure no matter how many times it looked ready to pounce or tried to wriggle free from the collar. Suddenly the figure stopped, their head swung back throwing off the hood of their white robe revealing a palely skinned woman. Her eyes dulled in pain as she fell to her knees blood gushing from the wound in her stomach caused by a sharp spear which had ejected from a nearby tree. The strap in her right hand fell to the soft ground and the creature quickly jumped back onto its hind legs and made an almost howling growl. A shadowed figure moved in the nearby tree where the spear had been thrown from, soon a black robed man hung upside down from a low branch watching the creature shake and grow into a taller thinner man. The dark robed man swinging like a child on monkey bars laughed, two long strands of black hair swayed passed the shorter light brown hair. The creature had now become a white haired young man; he sat on the forest ground and ripped the collar from his neck, his pale blue eyes’ beauty heightened by the dark blue mark under his left eye.

“I didn’t need your help Klaha,” he gave the laughing man a sharp glance whose pointed ears quickly perked.

“Ha, ha oh really?” the man swung down from the branch landing gracefully to the ground and leaning against the tree he finished his sentence in a mocking voice,

“Just admit it, you need me, heh” he laughed as the white haired man marched passed him. He shook with anger until finally he whipped around and held Klaha off the ground by his black robe.

“Look Klaha I DON’T NEED anyone! Especially not YOU and I WON’T marry you either!”

“That’s not your decision now it is, Chesu?” the white haired demon, Chesu, threw the smirking demon, Klaha against the tree and disappeared into the thick of the forest.

After a long cold bathe Chesu sat on his flat bed, he opened his window allowing the cool autumn winds to wrap around him calming his temper. He sat, the water in his hair dripping down his back and chest, a soft wind caressed his cheek and a gentle voice called out in almost an inaudible sound,

“Chesu”

He jerked his head up in shock, ‘… Yuuri!?,’ the name sat in his mind and all else went black in the world around him as an old one phased in.

Delicate giggles sang through the garden, a young woman with long white hair sat smiling under a rounded tree with long vines protecting her from whatever evil was outside the moment. Her melodious voice called out,

“Chesu!... Chesu…” her smile faded as she stood and walked over to a young white haired boy. He sat cross legged by a small pond running his fingers through the water with the fish. She bent down and kissed the top of his head,

“I Love You Chesu”

“?Yuuri”

“No matter how hard it is, be strong. The next day will always be better”

The night was dark and the air filled with a dangerous cold snap of wind. It was pitch black in the room, only the sound of movement and fearful voices could be heard.

“Chesu, Chesu! Get up!”

“Huh?” the sleepy voice of the young boy was stifled

“Chesu hurry, follow me!”

“What’s wrong?” screams of men and women echoed through the halls further down.

“Sissy what’s happening?”

“Just go!” she whispered fearfully

“Sissy! No I wanna come!”

“Chesu please you mustn’t, now hurry and hide before--” the woman’s voice ceased as a sound of someone falling and the door opening entered the room.

“I found another!” a deeper voice came closer

“Don’t touch me you monster!”

“Ooh a fighter are you? We got ways of dealing with kinds like you” the male voice chuckled as the sound of metal meeting rock stung the air. Suddenly a disgusting gag and squishing echoed through all ears and a thump of someone’s limp body falling ended all noises.

A new day began as the first rays of the sun poked into the room. The swollen blue eyes of the child opened and he quickly stood looking around the room. In seconds he spotted the delicate body lying limp by the flat bed. He ran over to the white haired body and shook it,

“Yuuri! Yuuri! Yuu…ri…?”

“Well, well looky here guess you were hiding all this time eh little runt?” the small boy jumped and turned to find a tall tanned skin demon standing in the passageway of their room. He wore a long red robe and yellow sash holding brown armor around his chest. The demons black eyes sat in deep sockets under large bushy eyebrows which lifted in confusion at the boys’ icy glare.

“What’s a matter kid? Wanna try and avenge your mommy eh? Actually she seems a bit young to be your mom, sister right?” the demon laughed revealing only one fang, the other looked as if it had fallen out along with several other decayed teeth.

“Don’t try and taunt the boy Kori.” A stern voice entered with an identically tall demon. This one with lighter skin and cleaner features, he wore a green robe and light green sash with various symbols stitched onto it, his armor silver with a carving of an ‘X’.

“Who killed this one?” the demon walked passed the other, who quickly bowed and answered,

“I think it was Dani, he was commenting on what a clean cut he had made last night into a female.”

“I’ll deal with him, take this boy where the others are but don’t hurt him.” The demon kneeled down and held firmly onto Chesu’s arm who tried struggling free until his other arm was taken firmly.

“You’re young, still haven’t even received a mark yet… well you might just come in handy. What’s your name little one?”

Silence filled the room along with the rotting stench of bodies.

Chesu sat clenching the sheets of his bed as the memory flashed through his mind. A growl grew from his throat and his window suddenly slammed shut. The mark under his left eye seemed to fade and the pupils in his pale blue eyes seemed to become smaller and darker as the rest of his eyes grew white. An ‘X’ like scar lightly appeared under his right eye then just as quickly as the memory had come back everything ended and the night took on a stronger storm of rain.

Soft rays of sunlight pierced the darkness of the large room as a knock bounced against the door. Without waiting for an answer the two doors opened and a blonde haired woman entered with a pile of clothes folded in her arms. Her shining hair was tied on top of her head in a loose bun with two strands falling over her ears. She smiled her caramel eyes brightening.

“Ohayo Chesu-san! How are you this morning?” she walked over to a small dresser against the wall opposite of the doors. From under the sheets of his bed Chesu gave a tired reply,

“… Ohayo…”

“Rough night eh? The storm was pretty bad I guess, surprising though. We’ve never gotten rain like that before but whatever. Y’know Klaha is getting frustrated with the way you’ve been acting. Sorin is saying he might give Klaha a human girl, but Klaha like you more though, hmm… he’ll probably try to bed you soon… hee, hee, hee” the girl laughed as Chesu fell off the side of his bed along with the sheets wrapped around him, not softening the fall any less. The blonde haired woman kneeled down on the other side of the bed placing a fallen pillow and blankets back on top. Chesu’s messy white hair covered his blue eyes as only half his face peered over at the woman.

“Never say something like that again… ugh… besides I’m staying busy long enough to keep him away. At least until I’m out of here and far away from him, which will be soon if all goes accordingly.”

“Chesu… you’ll still free us right?”

“Of course I wouldn’t leave without… especially not without you Sari.” Chesu sat up straight revealing more of his face, he gave Sari a stern look and she turned away before a tear slipped form her eyes.

“Sari…”

“Chesu I…”

“Your eye, he hurt you again. I’ll kill him!”

“No… it’s ok, it was my fault…”

“How could it be your fault?” Chesu quickly leaned forward turning the woman to face him again. He pulled out the old string which held up her hair and finished.

“I will not stand by and watch you get hurt. We’ll be away form this place soon so try and stay as busy as you can; I just need a few more days. Sari I care about you and if he touches you again I WILL KILL HIM.”

“Chesu… Thank you--” knocking on the door signaled someone was coming in. Both quickly stood and finished straightening the sheets on the bed.

A man, a demon, equally the twos’ age walked in, his red hair slicked back and his black eyes looked mockingly down at Chesu who was finger combing his hair.

“You two look like you’ve just done something naughty heh, heh”

“What do you want Vallon?” Chesu gave the demon a dull stare waiting for an answer

“Oh just stopping by to say hello. Is that such a crime?”

“Get out” annoyed by Chesu’s tone Vallon’s mocking expression quickly turned into an irritated glare.

“Fine, I’ll see you at the courting tonight then”

“Courting?” Chesu gave a fearfully confused look that quickly disappeared before Vallon noticed; Vallon smiled and turned on his heel stopping at the doorway to answer.

“Klaha decided he’d speed up the courtship, approval or not you have to marry him now” Vallon’s laugh sat in Sari and Chesu’s ears until he was completely out of the hall.

“Chesu…?” Sari turned to the white haired demon that just stood there staring at the doorway where Vallon had just been standing. His blue eyes dry from not blinking soon caused them to water and he looked to Sari who held a compassionate gaze.

“After tonight… I’ll be marked with Klaha’s blood… we’ll have to leave tonight. I can’t let him mark me or else…”

“We’ll never be able to leave…” Sari finished in a depressed tone. Chesu looked at her and quickly took hold of her hand.

“I will not fail Sari; meet me in the south garden when the sun sets”

“Ok” she smiled reassured and left the room

Not long after, when the sun completely rose, did another fist tap on the door. Chesu, now dressed in soft brown leather pants, with black lace tied around each leg, and a blue almost gray shirt that covered up to his neck but left his arms bare, opened the doors. Chesu let his white hair fall over his eyes as Klaha entered the room with a plain expression. Klaha now wore a darker shade of brown leather pants with green lace tied around each leg, a black silk shirt hugged against his sculpted torso; his black strands of hair framed his face and his brown hair sat spiked up like it usually did. Chesu kept his gaze to the ground and clenched his fists when Klaha stepped closer to him. Noticing this Klaha stopped and gave an annoyed sigh as he sat in a chair next to the window.

“You’ve probably already heard about tonight’s courting. Chesu I don’t want to force you to do anything but you leave me no choice, I can’t just sit back and wait for you to try and escape. Don’t say you haven’t been planning it, of all people you Chesu should have known I would find out. Sari will not be punished for disobeying laws of courted slavery but she is now bound closely to her mate. I’ve made sure he will not touch her so don’t worry.” Klaha had taken noticed to Chesu’s anger rising as his knuckles turned white like his hair.

“My father trusts you, so much that he lets you wander outside of these walls but don’t think he will let you escape even though you aren’t exactly a prisoner here. Chesu I--” Chesu cut Klaha off as he thrust a fist deep into the half stone walls, blood slipped down the sides and Klaha gave a saddened look as he stood.

“I’ll leave you to prepare but be warned that guards are watching all exits. My father thinks you won’t try, at least not without bringing the women which he will not allow. It’s too bad it has to be this way Chesu.” As the door click opened then closed, the room was silent. Chesu pulled his already healed fists from the wall and slid down against his bed letting his head rest back on the sheets.

Almost twelve years ago his sister was killed by the Dragon clan demons, the same clans’ leader brought him back here with his army and several mixed bred demons, mostly women. The demon that had killed his sister, Yuuri, was tortured to death and his son shamefully cast out of the fortress. Chesu was young then but understood that he was alone in a clan which he named his enemies. The leader was kind to him and gave him his own room and trust to wander. Several times Chesu had tried to escape but was always brought back within hours. Soon the leader, Sorin, gave Chesu a demon mark under his left eye. The mark stood for trust and power, Chesu was trained from then on and soon Sorin wanted to court his son Klaha. Sorin saw no rightful women so he bound Chesu with Klaha. It was not unusual for two males to court in clans but Chesu still thought these Dragons enemies, still does. From then on Chesu planned his escape before the courting which would be held on Klaha’s 25th day, he became friends with Sari and the other slaves and promised to free them of their bound slavery. He thought everything had been going smoothly until the day when Chesu had been out finding an escape passage and was attacked by a White Guard, humans with spiritual powers who search for demons trap then kill them with magic. Klaha had saved Chesu but Chesu resented the rescue as unneeded help though he knew the truth, and now Klaha said he had known of Chesu’s plan all along. Sari was bound closely to her mate meaning she could not go 15 ft away from the demon, already slaves could not wander outside of the fortress but Chesu had found a way around that; to find a way around this binding magic wouldn’t be as easy though. He was at a loss, through the years he had planned this, the loss of his sister and parents, which he had never really known, now his freedom. Soon he was to be courted with Klaha a dragon demon.

Chesu gave out a frustrated yell and the room rippled, the glass from his window shattered along with the chair near it. His eyes were practically white and his two fangs seemed to have grown sharper, an ‘X’ mark formed under his right eye just like the other night. As someone knocked on the door his face shadowed, he pushed his hair back and his face was as before again.

“Enter,” was his reply to the other side, the doors opened and a man with lightly tanned skin walked in looking directly at Chesu. His black eyes brightened then dimmed as he noticed the shattered glass and chair. The demon sighed shaking his head, his dark hair swinging side to side.

“You need to relax my dear Chesu.” The Dragon demon sat cross legged in front of Chesu, his dark green and brown robe groaning like old wooden floors under pressure.

“I’m still very curious as to what kind of demons your parents were but… I guess I’ll never really know will I?” Sorin looked at Chesu as if questions would suddenly be answered but Chesu only watched him silently.

“I suppose Klaha has told you of tonight’s courting, I’m sorry about your friend Sari but you know I cannot allow any of my women to leave the fortress I truly wish you’d stop these silly games.”

“How can you call them your women? You broke into their homes, killed their loved ones, and brought them here against their will! You always speak of trust and love within your Dragon Clan Walls but most of the demons here aren’t even Dragons and they especially do not trust or love it here! You forced us all here you killed demons just so you could have the things you wanted. Has it ever once crossed your mind to give us what we want!?” Chesu stood his eyes near white again.

“Settle down Chesu” Sorin put up a hand and Chesu turned his head to the side as if he had just been surprised by a slap. Beads of sweat trickled down his face and he closed his eyes calming down.

“I didn’t come here to argue with you Chesu, I understand how you feel and you may never understand my reasons for that day so long ago. The past is the past I would like for you to leave it that way for the time being.” Sorin rose to his feet, his robe groaning again like a dying animal. He closed his hands together and reopened them to reveal a small box, he held it out to Chesu who cautiously took it and opened it. Inside was a perfectly round blue onyx with a soft black lace strung through it.

“It was found near your sisters’ grave. Perhaps someone of your kind placed it there, I thought you might want it? I took the liberty though to string it as a necklace”

Chesu lifted the stone and tied it around his neck his eyes glossed as he looked into Sorins black eyes with a stern but kind expression.

“Though the Dragon who killed Yuuri is dead I will take revenge one day.”

“Night fall comes soon, you should prepare for the ceremonial courting”

With that Sorin closed the doors leaving Chesu alone once again with his tangled thoughts. Chesu changed into his clothing knowing full well he was being watched by, not Klaha, but Sorins suspecting sister, Karin.

When Sari had brought in fresh clothes she had also set out Chesu’s ceremonial clothes, probably knowing full well what was to come. Sari was half bird half Tigren demon; full blooded Tigren’s were rare these days along with any type of Elvens after a war between Elves and Tigrens years ago. Tigren’s were said to be able to feel the future but not know it.

Chesu pulled on the black silk pants and tied his brown leather boots half way up to his knees. He pulled on the opened black robe that revealed his slender body and sculpted muscles. Like all traditional Dragon robes his arms and chest were bare, except for his new stone that laced around his neck and hung down his chest. He pulled back his hair with the rope he had untied from Sari’s hair earlier. His pale blue eyes and blue demon mark fully revealed. Against every other demon here he was the palest but most elegant and to Sorin the most precious even before his own son Klaha. The last light of day disappeared under the horizon; music swam throughout the halls signaling the start of tonight’s ceremonial courting. Chesu quickly tucked an ivory dagger, carved with various symbols, under his shirt and pulled a black robe over his covering his face. Karin had stopped watching him once he had begun to change which made it easier for him to find Sari. The task of releasing her bind would be tougher than escaping though; Chesu had to leave some things behind.

It only took him a few minutes until he found Sari unconscious on her bed, the scent of fresh wounds sickened him. Quickly Chesu wrapped her in her sheets and cradled her in a bridal style as he climbed out the window. A strong barrier pulled him against the wall, now it was only a matter of seconds before her mate came for her. Chesu plucked a strand of Sari’s blonde hair and whispered an incantation. Under the cotton blanket over Sari’s bed a female form lifted. The spell would only last for 5 minutes which was enough time for them to escape the fortress’ walls’ once passed them the binding of Sari would be broken.

I will not be trapped by these binds that you have illusionally wrapped around me.

Chesu repeated the phrase in his head as he struggled to walk pass the fortresses walls.

Finally a breaking air released the two, Chesu stumbled forward but only for a split second before breaking into a quick race against the angry growl of Sari’s mate. Sari moaned as she began to wake up. Chesu stopped and steadied her on her feet.

“Chesu…? Where are we?”

“Away from the fortress, away from the Dragons”

“The other women? You couldn’t bring them could you?”

“I’m afraid not, it was hard enough breaking the binds off of you, I don’t think I’ll be able to break anymore spells for a few days…”

“Thank you Chesu” Sari gave a sad smile, “I’m sorry”

“Sorry?” suddenly Sari’s form rippled and was replaced by a tall tanned demon, his black eyes sat in deep sockets under bushy brows, Kori, Dani’s son who had been cast from the fortress after his fathers execution.

“How’d you get back into the fortress?” Chesu stood in a defensive pose but was still too weak from using so much magic just moments ago.

“Heh, I remember that same icy glare. Because of Sorins idiotic pity towards you my father was killed! I was cast out of my clan because of a little runt! It was easy enough to kill Sari and take her form, though it was a bit more difficult to make Shane play along… heh but it’s all worth it for this moment.”

“You know that’s probably the dumbest plan I’ve ever heard, you could’ve just waited for times when I left the fortress and then attacked me. Like when the White Guard had me bound. Shows you’re as dumb as your father for trying to kill Sorin when he was confronted for Yuuri’s death.”

“Grrah!” Kori growled as he launched toward Chesu throwing him against a tree. Chesu pulled the ivory dagger from under his shirt and pulled it from Kori’s shoulder to his wrist opening a large wound. He howled in pain and quickly changed into his animals form. Unlike stories Dragons are only the size of couch and not as fierce but still a dangerous opponent. Since Chesu did not know from what animals his parents had originated his form varied from mixed creatures to just plain mutated creatures. He hadn’t the strength to think up a creature in the few moments in between each slash of Kori’s claws. Chesu limped against a boulder and Kori pinned him to the ground slowly crushing him. The corners of Chesu’s vision dimmed, his breath became short gasps until Kori’s gripped suddenly disappeared. Chesu took in a sharp breath of air; he opened his eyes to see Kori fighting against a black robed Demon, probably one of the Dragon guards.