Author's Note: I put this story up ages ago and now as I continue I am also heavily editing the first few chapters.

Disclaimers: Rani is mine. Everything else belongs to Tamora Pierce.

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Chapter One

The girl blinked at the softness of the sun, her lips parted slightly as it brushed over her face. Her chronically red cheeks caught the light in a way that Rani always winced at when she saw her reflection. Ma always called her vain, but no one could deny that it just looked plain bad. Gods curse red skin!

It wasn't as though the sun deserved its place today, besides. It was a time of mourning, for Rani's uncle, the Shang Dragon, had died a week earlier to the day. It seemed like less time, though, to the child, because she and her mother had only received the news the day before.

Liam Ironarm had been her uncle, her hero and role model, but most of all, her friend. He was always out doing good, of course, and having grand adventures, but when he could, he would take the time to visit his little niece, to laugh his wonderful laugh and twinkle his eyes and hug her tight until she squirmed away, giggling. Besides which, he was more a father than anyone else she had ever known. The girl had never known her father, and never wanted to. Liam was a better than perfect substitute for him.

She couldn't giggle now, of course. Korani was too solemn, too sad. She was usually a perfectly happy girl, very much a sweet little child, but she figured she was allowed to be sad now. No one would say that she was only seven, that she should feel happier about life. She loved Liam; she would remember him forever, and never stop loving. So many people claimed that they loved the Shang Dragon for the good that he had done, but only a few knew him for real. Rani was one of those people.

Slowly pushing her white sheets off of herself, Rani shifted in bed, though didn't quite get up yet. One more minute; she could stay here for one more moment before slipping out of bed to go feed her dog. Even as she groaned at getting up, though, she couldn't help but smile at the thought of her furry friend. Butterfly was truly the silliest of dogs, but he had stole the hearts of both Rani and her mother when he had pranced into their house, tail wagging, tongue sticking out as he panted happily.

Finally, she moved her legs until they were hanging over the bed, and touched first her toes, then the rest of her feet, to the cool floor. Rani shook her hair out, running her fingers through the brownish-red mess that inhabited the top of her head. She was about to comb it out when she heard Butterfly barking outside her door. Well, he wouldn't care what her hair looked like, she decided. She could fix it after feeding him.

Rani stroked the dog almost immediately after opening the door, smiling at the feel of his furry, warm head. Yawning, she began to walk down the hall, Butterfly at her side. As she did so, she thought about events that she hoped were to come. The next day, Shang masters were coming to her village to possibly pick out new students. A student of the Shang! How wonderful would that be? That was her dream, to be chosen this year. After all, it would be her last; she was seven, the oldest age that a child could be chosen to become a Shang. Oh, to be chosen. Gods, please let it happen!

And if it did, well, Rani would put everything into her training. She had a dream more private than simply becoming a Shang. She wanted to be the next Dragon. It was unlikely, she knew, but if it happened, her life would be everything that she wished.

Sighing, Rani reached down again to pet Butterfly. Hopefully, the day to come would be the best one possible.

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