Shirayuki sighed as she watched the torrent of water pour down the cave opening she had taken shelter in an hour ago. She leaned back and looked out into the wood that was awash with fresh Spring rain. She cracked her neck as she thought again of why she was out here in the first place.

'All I wanted to do was get an herb from a cliff I saw earlier this week, not get another bath.'

She cast her emerald gaze out once again to the greenery as it resounded with the fresh rainfall. A gust blew in, making her shiver and go further back into the cave. Until she stopped after she realized two very important things; One the breeze had blow out of the cave not in, Second she was currently pressed against something very warm and alive. Taking in a deep breath she slowly turned around and found herself face to blue-green eye with a massive reptile.

Shriayuki just froze right there as the beast pulled back and then let out a trumpeting roar in her face. She shook, clapped her hands over her ears, shut her eyes tight, but she did not move. She blinked when she felt a puff of spicy warm air close to her face. Slowly she pried open her eyes and was once again pinned by the massive creature's stare.

"Please, if I am to die, then be done with it already." Shirayuki didn't even recognize her own voice, it sounded so calm compared to the fear she felt.

The last thing she expected to hear was a shuffling sound and a pained moan to escape her host's throat. She looked up and in the dim light could just faintly make out a burn on the interior of the creature's right thigh. Gently bringing her pack forward and undoing the clasps she took a breath and walked forward.

The warning growl was expected, but she stubbornly controlled her fear as she looked up again into those cyan eyes.

"Please, let me help you."

The reptile growled but instead lifted itself up to let her see the wound. Shirayuki smiled and soon set her bag down and went to work.

"This is going to sting a little."

She warned, after making a thick paste to rub over the wound. She gathered it up into her hands and slowly began applying it to the snowy scales of the creature's underbelly. She heard a hiss that soon became a happy purr almost.

"That should do it...uh."

She felt her face heat as she checked herself before speaking again.

"Miss. That should do it miss."

Shirayuki turned and noticed that not only the rain had stopped, but it had also gotten darker. She sighed, well at least her day wasn't a total bust. She turned at a gentle bump from behind her. She smiled up at the huge lizard before turning to walk out the cave and walk back to the castle while there was still light to find her way. She heard a soft grunt behind her and turned, gasping in surprise.

The lizard had her bag in her mouth, she must've forgotten it in the cave, but that wasn't what was currently holding her attention. Shaking again she took her well-used bag from the mouth, watching in awe as her host casually sat back on their rear legs, and streatched raising their front legs up to reveal they were actually wings. Shirayuki had to squint a bit as the last few rays of light caught her friend's scales.

"A Dragon."

She breathed as it landed with a soft thump after stretching out the kinks in its back. She felt it approach her again, before being shaken out of her stupor as it nuzzled her stomach softly. Despite the situation, Shirayuki laughed outright and scratched behind a pair of horns that seemed to move on a joint around her mouth. She watched in sheer awe as the dragon looked at her before it opened her mouth to reveal that her horns did indeed cover her mouth, unless her mouth was opened. A black tongue came out and promptly licked her cheek.

Shirayuki laughed again as she took in more of her new friend's features. She had black hair growing like a lion mane along the short, thick pillar of her neck, and spines that curved back along her frame, leading to her tail in the shape of a trident, with all the points facing inward. She tenderly walked along her side, with a soft hand on her warm scales. Her scales were of the darkest shade of black, countered only by the snowy white scales of her underbelly.

She sighed as she returned to stand in front of her friend. She smiled, and scratched her nose before telling her to stay in the cave for now, if she flew the paste would come off. For now she was grounded. The pout she got in return broke her heart in equal parts guilt and humor.

She felt a tug on her cloak as she started to walk back home. She turned and knew exactly what she was asking.

"I'll come back tomorrow Star. As soon as I can."

She gave her nose another scratch and was about to turn again, when she saw Star glow. She watched in awe as what she could only describe as magic wrap around and shift until it became a simple necklace, that casually settled around her neck.

'Me cannot wait.'

Shirayuki looked up again, before hugging her friend goodbye and racing off along the paths to home. To think her life had changed so much in this year alone, now she could add Star to that growing list.

Shirayuki made it home just as the ninth gong rung out in the darkness. She settled into her chambers in the castle and dreamed of dragons and magic.


Gradually Shirayuki found herself falling into a healthy routine that kept her busy. After work and studies she'd slip off to the woodlands for an hour or two and tend to Star's wound while also playing with the young female who had as much figurative fire as she had literally.

Star had a wicked sense of humor and an equally infectious laugh. Eventually though their time would end for the day and the two would part with a hug from Shirayuki and a lick from Star.

Shirayuki made sure to not have anyone worry about her, even though there was one instance where Star had caught a brief cold and she had to tell everyone she was fine in spite of her being covered from head to toe in ash and soot.

Even Zen began to worry.

"What is she up to?"

He was currently sitting in his office, tapping away with a feather quill as Kiki and Mitsuhide were at their normal place by his bookshelf. They had actually nothing to advise their Master about as he had actually finished everything. With his burning curiousity as to what Shirayuki was up to acting as fuel, the young Prince had actually finished his paperwork through to next month's harvest.

Obi, of course, chose that exact moment to speak.

"I could ask if you like Master, or would you rather I spy on her to find out? Then perhaps you wouldn't spend all day poking holes in a trading contract."

Zen stopped and looked at his desk, noting a lack of afore mentioned paper but plenty of pock marks in the maple. He lifted his head to shoot a glare at Obi. He meant well, but he was forever annoying at times. But what he said seemed to wedge itself in his head.

"Maybe..."

Zen turned to the window to consider this. Mitsuhide turned and raised an eyebrow.

"Master, surely you wouldn't. Why not just send me along with her and I can casually ask her, or perhaps-"

He was cut off by Obi snorting while trying to contain his laughter. He shot him a glare.

"What?"

He snapped as Obi regained himself.

"Oh it's nothing against you Mitsuhide, it's just you using the word casual to describe yourself. You're by far the most stiff-necked person I know, you couldn't strike up a casual conversation with Shirayuki to save your life."

Mitsuhide spluttered before turning to Kiki for support.

"No."

Her retort was simple, short, and enough to catch all three of the men's attentions.

"I'm not agreeing to either of these plans Master, Shirayuki is a good person, and she cares about you a lot. You must simply trust her. That's what all of us have in common, we trust each other."

Zen seemed to ponder over her words as Kiki spoke again.

"Besides, I'd rather keep you alive longer. Because if you agree to either of these plans, I will personally stand aside and hand Shirayuki a good sized stick to bash over your head."

Zen gawked at Kiki's back, as she placed the remaining books back.

"Or just ask her yourself, if you worry that much."

She said as she yawned and looked out at the sky. She turned and bid them all goodnight before leaving the room and its three stunned occupants. Mitsuhide recovered first and quickly exited himself, leaving Obi and Zen by themselves. Obi bid him goodnight, and was just about to walk out the door, when Zen spoke.

"Can you make sure she doesn't get hurt?"

Obi turned before bowing and swiftly heading to the gates. Zen sighed.

"What are the consequences for what I've just done?"

He sighed and thought of asking the gardners to remove all large branches. He didn't have a lack of faith in Obi's skills, but he also wanted to play it safe. Knowing Kiki, she'd keep her word, when she'd catch wind of this. Not if but when.


Shirayuki was humming an old tune Star had taught her as she made her way to their cave. She felt the necklace warm and her friend's happy voice joined in the song, before she felt her friend stop.

'No speak. Something here.'

Shirayuki froze, fighting to keep still. Obi was trying to do the same.

'No, she couldn't have...'

Shirayuki felt Star's twinkling voice echo in her mind. What she felt wasn't a threat, but she also saw a chance to have fun. Shirayuki smiled and agreed eagerly with her plan. She was ashamed to admit it, but Star's humor was gradually becoming hers too.

Obi remained as stiff as he could behind the tree in the upper most branches, Shirayuki was coming back around. Maybe he had been too relaxed and made too much noise. He'd not make that mistake again, when she resumed walking in her original direction. He was shaken from his wondering as a hefty kick shook the tree and he fell in a heap at Shirayuki's feet.

He groaned and swatted some leaves out of his face, before looking at Shirayuki upside down. He smiled weakly as a dangerous smile crept over her lips.


Zen was out for a stroll with Mitsuhide and Kiki walking close behind, hoping to meet Obi and get a report before he actually retired to his chambers. That's when they noticed something. It didn't seem possible at first, but as the pair of figures drew closer, it was indeed Shirayuki dragging Obi back by his left ear.

She stomped up to the trio, two stunned and one calmly smirking and looking for the nearest stick.

She tossed Obi down, before leveling her glare at the three. Kiki grabbed Mitsuhide and pulled him back with her as Shirayuki's blazing gaze leveled on Zen. Zen gulped and before a word could be said, she stormed off in the direction of the green house.


'It not his fault.'

Star purred into her mind. Shirayuki was still feeling slightly hurt, but she was trying to keep an open mind and listen to Star.

'Him not know me, do he?'

Shirayuki sighed, before shaking her head.

'No. It's just. When you said it wasn't a threat, I was expecting maybe a bird, or something else. Not Obi.'

'He just want you safe.'

Shirayuki sighed as she knew this was true. Zen was a good man, and he wouldn't do anything to make her feel like she was just an item instead of a person. He knew that, and he just worried for her because he cared that much.

'Can I bring them to see you?'

Star's reply was a happy chirp sound. That settled, Shirayuki got up to go and find her friends and Zen. To her surprise all were gathered at the green house door. Obi and Zen looked like children finding the ground more interesting, she bit her cheek before speaking as calmly as possible.

"Yes?"

Obi and Zen looked at her before looking at each other. Then Obi spoke.

"I'm sorry for spying on you Miss Shirayuki."

His apology accepted with a nod, he stepped back beside the other two. Zen looked at her.

"And I am also sorry, for telling Obi to go and spy on you. I'm really sorry Shirayuki I just-"

He stopped as a soft finger was placed on his lips.

"I know, you just wanted to keep me safe. Thank you."

She gave him a peck on the cheek before backing away slightly, giggling at Zen's dreamy face. He snapped out of it at Obi grumbling.

"He gets a kiss and I get a nod. Something's wrong there."

Before more bickering could break out, Shirayuki cleared her throat loudly.

"I'd like you all to come with me tomorrow."


As everyone trekked on foot through the woods to the caves by the sea, they were curious as to what Shirayuki was leading them to. She suddenly held up her hand, and looked up before smiling.

"She'll be here soon. Please don't scare her."

Zen and company turned and shared looks, but nodded. Shirayuki smiled then cupped her hands together and let out a high noted call up into the wind.

Star had begun flying again, and was happily doing so, but once she heard her friend call, she went into a straight dive and landed with all her glory in front of them. She folded her wings and nuzzled Fire-Hair happily as she eyed the other stunned humans.

Shirayuki turned with a smile to the others, laughing breathlessly as she felt Star snuff her for treats of chocolate like she always brought for them to share.

"Everyone, this is Star."