Slayers fic/Ronin fic

[strongheartmaid]

Lise tucked a stray lock of hair behind a finely tipped ear and she watched from a distance the small group of adventurers - a sorceress, a chimera, a swordsman. Intriguing, she thought, shifting position so she could better watch. She leapt from branch to branch, staying just out of their sight for as long as she could. Granted, the chimera probably saw her long ever ago but well, she was feeling down right play..ful..

She froze, nearly stumbling and falling out of the tree when the chimera came close enough to view him. Her blue eyes widened in surprise before she launched herself out of the tree and landed in his arms, kissing him promptly. "That's for missing my birthday," she said quietly, playfully licking his cheek.

Zelgadis froze, wanting to drop the girl in his arms before he recognized her and his gaze softened. "My apologies," he murmured, setting her down carefully to her feet. "And which birthday did I miss?"

"Only the important one," she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest and glancing away. "The one where I'm finally considered an adult and am allowed to get engaged. You promised you'd show."

Zelgadis sighed and ran a hand through his wiry hair. "I'm sorry. You know I'd never miss it unless I couldn't help it. But things came up."

"Things?"

"The curse for starters."
---

"Hello, old friend," Kaos said, walking into the Date dojo, a small girl child hot on his heels. He stopped and scooped the girl up, cuddling her to him for a moment before he set her down next to him. "I received word that you wanted to talk to me about something?"

Sachiko just stayed close to her grandfather, before she remembered her manners. She stepped away from him just enough so she could bow deeply to the elder before her. She said nothing before darting closer to her grandfather.

"And before you ask, no, I didn't have anyone to leave her with," he said quietly, looking older then ever. "His men attacked, taking my daughter and son-in-law, killing the rest of the village. The only one to survive is her, but only because of one of them spared her."

Sachiko said nothing, just tightened her grip on her grandfather's pants leg. Her blue eyes studied the other elder. "Korin?" she asked softly. "Are you Korin?"