2 Smacking A Dragon

Huxian, Langshen, and Ao Shun wandered down the emptying street, looking like rich bachelors on the way to the brothel for wine and women. Ao Shun was curious about everything. His friends laughed at him. This wasn't their first time in the mortal realm, but they knew about human customs. Keeping an eye on him, they allowed the dragon to do as he wished.

Ao Shun walked, turning in circles, taking in the sights and smells. He looked like a small child experiencing the world for the first time, but he was 3000 years old. A few vendors were giving away the remaining food they had.

Langshen accepted a bun. "Ao Shun, taste this."

He held it out for the dragon, who readily accepted it. Taking a bite, his eyes expanded. A smile widened across his face as he chewed. Engulfing the bun, he spoke with his mouth full.

"This is human food? I could get used to it."

He laughed, wandering towards more food vendors. They handed him remnants, which he greedily shoved in his mouth.

Jin An pulled her cart down the lantern lit street. For a petite girl, she was strong. The soft wind blew her dark hair into her face. Her deep brown eyes shone, as the remaining lanterns were lit, a soft glow on the road. The street was almost empty, but for the three handsome men walking towards her. She hummed softly, a happy smile on her face. Coins jingled in her wallet.

The men drew closer, the unheard sound of fate whispering with the wind as it brushed past them. The moon peeked over the horizon, a caress of wind blowing a thick strand of dark hair in her face where it escaped its braid. The last bunch of flowers tumbled to the ground. Stopping her cart, she stared down at the scattered stems.

"Are you not hungry?" She laughed. Her stomach grumbled.

Jin An tucked the wayward strand behind her ear. She bent down, gathering the flowers. Just a few steps behind her, Huxian, Langshen, and Ao Shun clink jars of wine, bought off a last-minute seller. Jin An stood, the flowers in hand, and turned quickly, reaching for her cart.

The bundle of flowers smacked Ao Shun in the face. His friends halted. They peer, wide-eyed, between the girl, the flowers, and their friend. They stepped forward, to stop him, should he attack. A mad dragon was not something humans should see.

Realizing her mistake, she bowed. "Oh. I'm so sorry."

Jin An lowered the flowers, reaching towards the person in front of her. Ao Shun grasped her wrist, pulling the human closer. He growled, cold eyes searching her face. Her obvious fear lifted the corner of his lips in a satisfied smirk. He glanced over her petite body with a predatory stare.

Jin An gasped at the icy cold touch of the man's hand. She peered into his eyes. Studied his face, her eyes lingering on his lips. He was beautiful. An unwanted smile spread across her face, her mouth opening to speak. She clasped her mouth the instant his eyes met hers. He glared. Lowering her eyes, she stepped backwards, her arm still in his tight grasp.

"How dare you strike this god in the face. Do you wish to die?"

Langshen stepped between his friend and the girl. He subtly shook his head at the dragon.

"This is where I would keep you out of trouble."

Snarling, Ao Shun wrinkled his lips at the wolf. "I do what I like. I will eat the human."

Jin An fell to her knees, ripping her hand from his hold, and forcing her head on the ground. "Please. I meant no offense. I'm deeply sorry. Spare me, my lord."

Her long dark hair fell to the side, her slender neck appearing. Hidden, at the back of her neck, a small S-shaped birthmark revealed itself. The moonlight flashed across the dragon-shaped mark. The head-shape of the birthmark shimmering between a pale blue and a deep purple.

Huxian stepped closer, waving his hand across the birthmark. The shimmering glimmer vanished. He turned towards his friends.

"I believe eating her would be a mistake. Ao Shun. She should be your bride."

The dragon knelt to the girl. Her body shivered as he neared, his frigid anger, creating a bubble that surrounded her body. He brushed his finger across the birthmark, tracing it slowly. She shivered again. Her eyes closed at the sudden unfamiliar erotic sensation of his touch. The mark glowed, then shimmered, seemingly activated by his touch. It faded as his finger left the mark.

The girl swayed, collapsing on the gravel road. Ao Shun stood abruptly, backing away from the girl. He was perplexed.

"What happened to it?" He looked to Huxian.

The fox laughed, shaking his head. "You scared her to death."

A flash of worry crossed Ao Shun's face but quickly vanished. Not before his friends noticed though. Huxian lifted the girl, moving towards the Garnet House Inn. Langshen grasped Ao Shun's arm, pulling him along as they followed. The dragon sulked as he is dragged down the road.

The fox gently laid the girl on a bed, then stepped backwards. He looked to the dragon who stood in a corner, his back facing the bed; his face wrinkled in conflict. Langshen shook his head, shifting closer to the bed. Sitting down, his hand moved to check her pulse. An almost unheard growl sounded from the corner, the room growing colder.

"If you don't want me to touch her, then come do it yourself."

Langshen winked at Huxian, then moved away from the unconscious girl. Ao Shun stalked forward. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he stared at the human before him. Her dark hair covered her delicate facial features. Hesitatingly, he reached to move it from her face. He stopped, noticing his friends' movement; his hand, hanging air-born, near her cheek. He glanced side-ways at them.

Huxian pulled Langshen towards the door.

"We're going to go get her some medicine and clean clothes."

They walked out the door. Langshen whispered, walking down the stairs,

"Will she be, ok? He's never interacted with a human before." Huxian nodded, a soft smile on his face. "She's his. He can't hurt her. His life is about to become... very, un-boring."

They chuckled and exited the inn.

Jin An shivered in her comatose state. Ao Shun's hand descended, brushing the silky hair from her face. Her lips puckered up, then relaxed. Lifting the blanket over her, he pulled her hand into his lap. Her pulse slowly beat beneath his strong fingers.

His hand slowly begun glowing a pale blue. Her tiny body arched upwards, his godly power flowing into her tiny frame. Closing his glowing silver eyes, a circle of blue energy surrounded the couple, pulsing and throbbing in rhythm of her steady heartbeat.

The energy fades and Ao Shun opens his eyes. As the glow dissipated, he released her hand, tucking it under the blanket. She was healthy but under nourished. Quietly, he walked out the door to order food for when she woke up. Jin An cautiously opened her eyes, upon hearing the door close.

Her body felt warm. Lifting a hand to her cheek, she laid the back against it. Her cheeks felt as if they were on fire. Attempting to sit up, a wave of dizziness struck, and she grasped at her head. She swallowed back the bile rising in her throat and closed her eyes, allowing the overwhelming sensation to pass.

As she peered around the room, a sudden realization hit her. She quickly looked under the blanket to see the state of her clothes. Placing her hand on her scared heart, she swallowed and released the breath she held.

"Oh, thank god. Where am I?"

Wobbling, Jin An stood, walking to the table for a glass of water. As she drunk, she turned in a circle, the dark of night peeking through closed shutters.

"What happened to me?"

She remembered the three men on the street. Gasping, her hands wrapped around her torso. The door started opening and she dashed to hide. With her hands over her mouth and nose to cover her breathing, her eyes followed the shadow as it strode into the room