Inevitable

♠ ƬяυƖу, Ƒιяѕт Ɛηcσυηтєя ♤

Dream

"He couldn't have gotten far!" Male voices shouted through the drizzle, their footsteps treading noisily through the dirt and mud. "Search through the undergrowth!"

You kept your head low, watching them through the slits of what the thicket allowed. You could see their sandals and the bottom half of their clothing, the glossy, silky-looking fabric obviously not worn by plain commoners.

What are soldiers doing all the way out here?"

You wondered, a deep frown enchaining your face. You shoved back your [hair color] locks as you strained to hear their hushed conversations.

"He's not here. Should we try someplace else?" You barely heard that one. You pressed closer until you felt the prickly edges of the leaves poke at your cheeks.

"That damn Yokai. Its definitely hiding like the cowardly being it is." A grumpy voice growled in response, and shuffling sounds soon followed. Their bustling footsteps slowly drifted farther away, and you concluded they had left. After waiting a couple of seconds to make sure they weren't coming back, you stood up and stretched, patting at the smears of dirt that managed to cling to your clothing.

A Yokai, around in these parts?

You stepped into the opening, peering around. Seriously?

You didn't even take two steps until your foot unconsciously flattened into a very solid something and you didn't realize you had walked on something other than ground until it let out a protesting grunt. You froze, every inch of your body going still. A wave of goosebumps invaded your composure as the surprise ate away at the security you were just beginning to feel. You didn't dare look down, but you slowly nudged the something under your foot again, with the soles of your sandal. Indeed, it was rough and very much so fleshy-feeling, confirming the fact that it was indeed not dirt.

You immediately stumbled back, the involuntary reflex causing you to tip backward and land gracefully on your bottom. A brief yelp escaped your lips and you grumbled as you sat up.

Your eyes found the object you had stepped on, and the loud beating of your heart hammered even louder.

Silver.

Your breath hitched, catching in your throat.

He was beautiful.

He was curled up against the ground, cascades of translucent silver hair falling around his pale, chiseled face. His thin eyebrows were furrowed, his eyelids forming peaceful curves. Small beads of water trickled down his cheeks, making it appear as if he were crying.