The Long Road to Freedom 2: Fire on the Water

Steed

1404, early-Muromachi Period, late Summer, Musashi

"A wise choice indeed, sire. These are an interesting breed, different from most dragons in that they live in small groups instead of on their own. It's usually a family group or one that will soon become a family, and once chosen they will remain loyal and defend their group unto death. They can be vicious at times, but are usually calm and compliant."

"I see."

Sesshoumaru examined the gathering of twin-headed dragon beasts in the clearing beyond the trees where he stood, waiting. He had no qualms about ridding the one of his choosing of its family group, but he was aware that such an action might alter the temperament of the creature. He had no desire to find himself needing to reign in his steed in a dicey situation, so instead turned his focus to the ones on the edge of the gathering, ones that seemed solitary.

He watched the dragon he preferred wander farther from the rest, one head grazing while the other kept watch. None of the other beasts seemed to notice or care about its distance from them, and from what he could tell it did not care either.

"Jaken. Fetch me the one that wanders on its own."

"M-milord?"

Sesshoumaru gave the imp a cold look. His order had been more than clear. Jaken picked up on his master's irritation and swallowed his argument, not keen to find himself ground into the dirt under his master's boot again.

"Aye, milord, I shall fetch the beast."

Sesshoumaru watched him waddle his way through the tall grass, approaching the creature from the side. He wasn't quite sure what Jaken was thinking as he scrambled his way onto the dragon's back, earning him a glance from the watchful head. Jaken kicked his feet against its hide.

"Come on, now, beast, giddyup!"

Sesshoumaru could tell this would neither be a successful attempt nor end pleasantly for his servant. He circled around to approach the dragon from the front as Jaken continued yap orders at it. A quick flick of its long tail sent the imp sprawling into the grass in front of it and into Sesshoumaru's path.

The heads quickly disregarded Jaken to focus on the daiyoukai that now stood before them.

The imp recovered himself, flailing his arms as he shouted angrily about the dragon's impudence. Sesshoumaru gave him a good kick, paying no mind as Jaken tumbled through the air to land several yards away. The heads growled low at Sesshoumaru, the wild black manes that ran down their necks standing on end. Sesshoumaru growled back, staring the creature down.

It was a contest of jyaki now, Sesshoumaru easily engulfing the two-head in his even as it pushed back with its own. Eventually, it conceded, dropping its heads with a submissive gurgle.

'Good. It knows its place.'

By the time Jaken returned, Sesshoumaru was standing with a hand on each snout as the creature took in his scent, the heads still ducked meekly. He let his poison flow, though not enough to injure the creature. It would need to know this smell as well.

"Well done, milord!" the imp gushed, "It would seem the two-head has accepted you as its master!"

"Indeed."

'Well, that was easy. I fully expected the creature to demand more of a contest.'

"Once you've broken in this steed, you will never have need to search out another, I assure you!"