Staring at his hand, he would gaze upon it in disbelief, as a thick red substance leaked down his forearm in thin racing lines. His palm was completely covered, smeared with the blood of his fallen opponent. Small bits of the man's flesh were stuck in between his fingernails, he could feel the soft facial tissue on the tip of his thumb as he attempted to unlodge it, cleaning himself of the dead man's skin. He had sworn never to kill again, never to engage in combat which would result in the loss of another's life. He had betrayed his vow, his promise, he had acted without remorse, and had attacked with the intent to kill, all for the sake of a personal prize. It was the demon blood to which was at fault, he could feel it coursing through his veins every minute of every day. It's presence clouded his mind, his thoughts, his judgment. It spoke it him not in words - but in urges. It was whispering to him even now. It had been awoken during the fight and now it thirsted savagely for more violence: this craving horrified Asagao, he was utterly terrified by the uncontrollable viciousness that now lived inside of him.
Looking around for the Caretaker, the odd little man was nowhere to be found, he had apparently vanished into thin air. It would seem only the tiger remained, was this the one that was to be his companion? Approaching with caution, he would watch the beast with wary eyes as he stepped closer, but paused in his tracks when he heard the animal speak. Stunned, he would stand there gawking at the enormous cat, speechless, unable to move, as it consumed the other tiger's heart in one bite. In a puff of smoke, the rest of the dead animal's corpse would evaporate, disappearing into the night air. The animal would then turn and face Asagao, it's majestic eyes meeting his. This was no ordinary tiger, the wisdom for which it's eyes held was like nothing he had ever seen before. His heart would began to race again, as the tiger slowly approached him.
"Come."
The animal would deliver a simple command as it passed by, continuing on through the forest. Looking around, Asagao would finally come to notice that the trees were giving off a neon glow, which was now providing the source of light that was illuminating their path. He could finally walk freely again, unassisted. Coming out through a clearing, he would part the bushes with both hands, and step out from the underbrush. There was a small body water in front of them, yet little else, providing Asagao with no indication of what they were doing. The tiger would walk over to the small pond on drink from it, taking a few mighty laps with his tongue. Turning it's head, it would stare at Asagao with puzzled eyes, as if surprised by the human's confusion. "Drink." It would call out, before turning back around and doing the same. Reaching the edge of the pond, a small grunt would escape his lips as he knelt down, his body beginning to ache from the fight earlier. Bending over, he would cup his hands together and drink large gulps. The water tasted sweet like sugar, his taste buds sizzled and popped as the liquid slid down his throat, he had never had anything so delicious. Tipping over, he would land back on his butt, his mind reeling from the effects of the water, leaving him in a drunk like state.
"Sit up." The tiger would say as it approached, stopping and sitting in front of him. "This water, as you have tasted, is not normal to our kind. For someone not of the Byakko bloodline, it would taste just like normal spring water, but for you and I...it serves a much greater purpose than merely quenching thirst." The Tiger's voice was a soft growl, it's gentle tone was soothing, causing Asagao to feel drowsy. "Having consumed this water, you will find it much easier to slip into the dreamscape of your mind. It will also nullify the pain your body would feel under normal circumstances." This last statement was cause for concern, but Asagao's mind was already beginning to enter the dreamworld, so the warning of pain sailed by unheard and unacknowledged.
Dreamscape
The world was white, bright, almost blinding to look at, burning the eyes upon first glance. It was plain and empty, like a room with no furniture, completely void of any character. As his vision slowly began to adjust, he would notice a person was sitting across from him, it was a beautiful, angelic, young woman. She had sandy brown hair flowing past her shoulders, and was wearing a white robe decorated with all types of runic symbols. A warm smile graced her lips, she looked at him with loving, caring eyes. Her delicate arms were outstretched in front of her, she was holding something in her hands, offering it to him. Cupped gently in her palms, there was a red glowing ball, hovering just above her fingertips. Looking down at his own, he would see the same red glowing ball cupped in his own hands. Looking up, they would lock eyes, her gentle smile still present, she knew he did not understand.
"It is your heart, Asagao."
Looking down, he would began to sense it, what she was saying was true, he was actually holding his heart in his hands, and she was offering hers out to him. Without thinking, he would outstretch his hands, and present her with his heart, just as she was doing to him. Raising into the air the two hearts would switch hands - he would immediately be able to feel the difference between the two. The new heart was strong, fierce and powerful. It was not bugged down by the likes of fear, or any other weak human emotion. He could feel the pride pulsating in his hands. Pressing the heart to her chest, the red orb would be absorbed into her body, completing one half of the transition. Staring into her warm eyes, he no longer had any fear or doubt in him, he would embrace this, just as he had done with the demon blood. Placing the orb against his chest, he would feel it slowly seep into his body before disappearing completely within.
"And so it is complete." She would say, giving her head a subtle nod. "We are now bound together as one. We are one and the same. If one falls we both do." Cocking her head, she would study him, making sure he fully understood the ramifications of what she just told him.
"I..I understand." He would respond, completely at ease with the situation, due to the tiger heart now beating inside his chest. "What..what is your name?" The question had been on his mind the moment he had laid eyes on her. He had to know the answer now, waiting would not do. Cocking her head, she would smile wide and chuckle at her new companion's impatient behavior.
"You may call me....Tayori."
And with that the world around him would vanish, and he would once again find himself in the physical realm, laying next to the pond with a fiery sensation burning in his chest. Reaching up, he would rub and press down, feeling for the first time, the thundering heartbeat of a tiger, which now replaced his own. Looking over to his left, he would see the magnificent creature curled up next him asleep. Leaning over, he would run his hands across it's back, it's fur soft to the touch, and whisper in it's ear. "Tayori.."
Her eyes would open.
[Marked For Training]
Word Count: 1300
Total Word Count: 2356
