Saphira's face inched closer to Sona and his face was tinged red. 'This is every man's fantasy. To have their teacher interested in them.' Sona thought to himself as he stared at her lips. They were soft and inviting. 'At this rate, my heart will explode. All these beautiful ladies. Fuck it. I'm thinking to much.' Sona closed his eyes and went in for the kill.
Saphira had waited patiently and when nothing happened she peeked at Sona. His mind seemed to be in turmoil. Then the look in his eyes changed. He had a determined look on his face and she smiled as she closed her eyes again.
She felt Sona's lips press against hers and cupped his face in her hands. The kiss they shared was passionate. She ran one of her hands backwards through his hair before pulling away against her wish. "Now it's even," She replied and kissed his lips quickly before backing away. "And now I'm up by one."
"You know, for a being who's lived a 100 lifetimes, you are surprisingly childish, Master," Sona laughed and moved Ayame carefully so he could lay down next to her.
"Well it should hardly come as a surprise. I may be called an ancient dragon, but I'm still considered young and immature in terms of a dragon's nigh infinite life span. Technically in dragon years what your doing is called robbing the nest," Saphira made a pun at his expense and started laughing.
"Haha. Maybe if I was 6,000 years old that might be the case. Unfortunately for you, in this instance, you're robbing the cradle here," He shot back and they both started laughing quietly. Around this time, the door slid open and Deltune, Elandeli, and Jaesu came rushing inside the room.
Deltune and Ellie rushed to his side and wrapped him in their arms together.
"We were so worried about you, Sona!" Deltune exclaimed and held him tight.
"That's right, darling. You protected my sweet Kono, though, so I can't be mad at you!" She held onto him tight, as well.
"Yes, I'm okay. I apologize for worrying you both, but could you keep it down just a little bit?" He whispered and nodded to Ayame asleep on his chest.
"Oh, sorry. So this is the Wolfborn you saved? She's adorable. It looks like she really took a liking to you," Deltune whispered and smiled sweetly.
"Strong emotional bonding tends to happen in life and death situations. Even our own Konotsune grew more attached to him," Saphira chuckled and gently nudged Kono's ribs. "Oh, Sona. I got her a piece of candy. Can you give it to her tomorrow?" Saphira asked to which Sona nodded.
"Not funny, Saphira," Konotsune scolded her. "I told you that in confidence," She continued.
"And that was your first mistake, Kono," Sona shot back at her and laughed.
"Idiot," Konotsune retorted and crossed her arms as she looked away. Everybody started laughing quietly at the conversation, being mindful of Ayame.
"Alright guys. I'm going back to sleep. My mind is still groggy," Sona yawned and laid his head down. Konotsune went to pick up Ayame off the bed. "It's okay, Kono. Let her sleep," Sona smiled and stroked the top of her. "I don't want to disturb her," He leaned down and kissed the top of her head before closing his eyes to sleep.
The next morning came quickly and Sona was awakened by Ayame moving around on the bed. "Good morning, Master Sona. I didn't mean to wake you," She whispered and crawled out of the bed. Doctor Ishimura walked into the room and yawned.
"No, you didnt," He sat up slowly and yawned. His body was still sore even after four days of rest. He reached over and grabbed the bon-bon Saphira had given him. "Here. This is from Saphira. Wait until later to eat it," He handed her the piece of chocolate. "By the way, Ayame," He looked at her and yawned again. "Why do you call me Master?" His interest had been piqued since the first time she called him that.
"It smells so sweet!" She tucked it away inside her shirt. "Well, because my life belongs to you. In all honestly, Ayame Whitefang died four days ago. You, Master, saved my life, and because of that, I swore to serve you. What's your last name, Master?"
"My last name?" He said aloud. 'That's right. Deltune only gave me a first name. Hmm. I got it.' He thought to himself. "Harata. That's my last name. Why?" He questioned curiously.
"Because it's my last name now, too. I told you that Ayame Whitefang died. From this day forth, I am Ayame Harata," She giggled happily.
"You've got your hands full now, eh kid?" Doctor Titus Ishimura commented and walked over to inspect Sona. "Good, it looks like your face healed up nicely. I just need to remove these sutures. You'll have some permanent scarring now, though," Titus explained as he pulled out a pair of tweezers. He started undoing the threads in his face.
"Ah, easy doctor, I'm a patient not a cadaver," Sona joked as watched Ayame playing with her dragon.
"Well, I'm a doctor not a surgeon, Mister Harata," Titus shot back as he pulled out the last of the threads. Sona now had an x-shaped scar under his right eye and a straight line shape scar on his chin. "That should do it," Ishimura tossed the sutures into the trash and walked back to his desk.
"Thanks, Doc," He ran his hand over his scars. They were deep and left an indent on his face. "I'll get you some more stuff to play with the next time we are in town, I promise," Sona stood up from the bed and walked over to Titus who was sitting in his chair. "So, how is she?" He spoke softly and looked back at that sweet angel playing on the floor.
"Aside from being a little malnourished, she's perfectly healthy. No illness or disease detected. After a little more rest and some warm food she'll be right as rain," Ishimura leaned back in his chair and placed his arms behind his head.
"I appreciate your help, Doc. So what's the damage?" He asked and fished out his bag of coins.
"Already taken care of. That pretty girlfriend of yours paid for both of your treatments. You're a lucky guy, Sona," He chuckled and nudged Sona in the ribs.
'Girlfriend? Could he be talking about Konotsune then?' He put his bag back into his uniform and bowed to Titus. He walked back over and picked Ayame up in his arms easily.
"Hahaha. What's going on Master?" She laughed as he pulled her up into his arms.
"We need to take a bath. Since I've been asleep for so long, I feel dirty. That sound okay?" He kissed her cheek and smiled as they walked out of the doctor's office. "Oh, hey, Ishimura, if my friends come back, tell them I went home. Thanks, Doc," He called as they left.
"That's fine with me. I can put on some of those clothes you bought for me," She giggled as they left the Academy and headed for the dorm building in the woods. "I looked through some of them, they were gorgeous. Are you sure I can wear them?" She asked as she hugged her stuffed dragon.
"Well, of course, silly. I bought them for you to wear," He poked her nose gently as they cleared the woods and headed for the building. "Since we will be bathing together, you'll need to wrap a towel around you while we are together but I can wash your back for you, though," He smiled as they walked into the building and headed for the baths. He grabbed some towels and wash clothes and walked into the men's changing room.
"Okay, Master," She climbed down and walked around behind the lockers to strip. "Master, do you not want to see me naked?" She asked bluntly and Sona started coughing loudly.
"W-what's with that question, sweetheart?" He managed to ask when he was done coughing.
"Well, haven't you seen the other girls naked? Is it because I'm a demi human?" She asked softly, sadness in her voice.
"That has nothing to do it with, sweetie," He replied as he stripped himself down. 'How do I explain this to her?' He scratched the back of his head nervously. "You're just a little young right now," He admitted and wrapped his towel around his lower body.
"So then!" She walked around from the lockers, the towel was wrapped around her body. "In a few years, you would okay with it?" She asked happily, her tail wagging back and forth in excitement.
'That's not exactly the point I was trying to get across.' He chuckled nervously. "Yeah, sure," He sighed helplessly as the two of them walked outside. Sona grabbed a couple of bath toys and sat them in the water before they walked over to the showers.
"Okay, Master. Sit down. I'll wash your back first," She patted the stool and Sona sat down.
"That's not necessary, Ayame," He chuckled but she didn't listen. She turned on the water and started spraying his back. "Wait, when did you turn into my boss?" He joked and laughed at his foolish nature.
"Whenever it concerns your health or at my discretion," She scolded and started scrubbing his back with soap.
"Well, I know who that attitude is from," He sighed helplessly and started washing his hair. 'Elandeli..' He thought to himself and sighed again.
"All set, Master," She said as she finished washing off his back.
"Thank you, Ayame," He stood up and Ayame sat down. "Keep your towel covered on your front," He ordered as she revealed her back. He set about to washing and scrubbing her back. He frowned when he noticed the scars on her back.
"Don't stare, Master," Ayame whispered softly and moved her hands behind her back, trying to cover her scars.
"I'm sorry," Sona moved her hands and rubbed her back. "You didn't deserve this, Ayame," He started scrubbing her back as she rinsed her hair out.
"You didn't do this to me, Master," She whispered and clenched the towel around herself. She was feeling self conscious.
"This won't happen ever again, Ayame. I promise. Nobody will hurt you again," He sprayed off her back and moved his hands up to her head. Her blond hair clung to her back. "Your hair is beautiful. I'll brush it for you when we are done," He started touching her ears. "These are adorable. I never thought I would see real animal ears on a person in my life," He admitted as Ayame squirmed under his touch.
"N-no, M-Master!" She moaned at his touch and held on to her towel. "Ah, not there," She moaned again.
"Ah, what?" Sona snapped back to reality and looked at Ayame who was breathing heavily. "I-I'm sorry, Ayame," He apologized and removed his hands quickly. 'That was not my intention.' He thought to himself and went back to washing her hair.
"I-it's fine, since it was you, Master," She placed her hand on her chest and tried to calm her racing heart. "J-just warn me next time. I wasn't expecting that," She breathed heavily and hid her face from Sona. Her cheeks were pink and her lavender tail twitched nervously, but she was smiling happily.
"All done, sweetie. Now, let's warm up in the bath," He said nervously and walked over to the water. He sat down in the water and looked back at Ayame.
She got up and walked over to the bath. She sat down next to him and sighed happily. 'So warm!' She thought to herself before speaking out loud. "This bath is nicer then the one in Drasphia," She smiled and leaned her head over towards Sona. She laid her head on his shoulder. and closed her eyes. "Thank you, Master," She whispered.
"There is nothing you need to thank me for, Ayame," He replied and placed his hand on top of her head, petting her gently. "Just live and be happy. That's all the thanks I'll need," He replied and leaned back to stare up at the passing clouds. The sun dipped behind them and reappeared several times.
"I'll be happy if I can stay by your side, Master," She whispered again and yawned softly.
"Are you ready to head back inside? We need to get ready to meet Saphira," He looked over and saw Ayame who seemed comfortable.
"Can we stay like this for a few more minutes?" She pleaded and gave Sona the puppy dog eyes look.
"Okay, just a few more minutes. You aren't playing fair, Ayame," He sighed helplessly. He was to weak willed to say no to her.
"Master, you aren't from this world, are you?" She questioned and inhaled his scent again. 'He doesn't smell of this world.' She thought to herself.
"What makes you say that?" Sona asked trying to dodge the question. 'She's a sharp one.'
"You smell different. I've seen hundreds of people, but none of them ever smelled like you before," Ayame admitted and looked up at Sona. "You owe me an explanation after fondling my ears so casually, Master," She added coldly and then stuck her tongue out at him.
"I thought you had forgiven me for that offense," He sighed softly and looked at his hands as they started to prune.
"I didn't say I would simply forgive you," She crossed her arms across her chest. "Hmph," She let a cute little grunt and looked away from him.
"Ah, no. If you're going to be mad at me, then I'll tell you. Please don't be upset with me," He pleaded as he assumed the role of the fool again. He knew she was just being playful so he kept up the act like he didn't know.
"So, you'll tell me what I want to know then?" She asked and peeked back his way.
"Yes, ma'am, I'll tell you everything," He whispered. True to his word, Sona told Ayame about his world, how he had lived and died there. Of course he left out the parts about Deltune again. "And that's my tale. So?" He looked to her for her reaction.
"I'm glad you died," She replied and quickly covered her mouth. "That's not how I meant it, Master. I meant I'm glad you died because you came here. If you hadn't come here I would surely be dead. I didn't have any hidden meaning behind it I just--" Her rant was cut short when Sona put a finger to her lips.
"I know sweetheart. I understood your intention. Now come on, we need to get ready for the Pact Summoning. I'll do your hair once it dries."