Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this small tale... especially for the one who's learning a thing or two about dragons. A grateful bow is made to Hayao Miyazaki for his many wonderful films, especially Spirited Away.
Chapter 14: Clarification
Chihiro sat heavily on a log and murmured, "Say that again, please?"
"You are Haku-sama's heart," Kodama patiently repeated.
"Are you trying to say that he loves me?"
The tree spirit tsk-ed and said, "Changing the words around won't change what has been set into motion. Dragons are rare creatures in part because they do not often take mates. Usually, they will catch sight of a human woman of uncommon beauty and lose their heart," Kodama explained. "Obviously, this was not the case with you."
Chihiro squirmed uncomfortably. "I'm nothing special."
"Hmm... there's no accounting for tastes. In any event," Kodama crisply continued. "The village whose maiden became a dragon's heart would be called upon to surrender her to the sea, and a wedding procession would be made to the shore. There, the dragon would claim his bride and carry her off to the home he prepared. In token of the people's sacrifice, his favor would rest upon them. The land would know great bounty, and the dragon's daughters would become brides for their most worthy young men."
"And what about a dragon's sons?" Chihiro asked, intrigued.
"They would take to the skies like their sire, of course," Kodama explained. "Often, the firstborn son becomes the guardian spirit of his mother's home village, guaranteeing its future prosperity for her sake... and for his sisters'."
"It sounds like a fairy tale."
The tree spirit dryly said, "Oh, it is real enough, child... especially for you. If you can free Haku-sama, he will undoubtedly ask you to take your rightful place at his side. You will become the dragon's bride, and these lands shall know his joy."
End Note: This chapter was written for the Live Journal community fanfic(underscore)bakeoff and their Secret Ingredient for June 2010—Token. Posted on June 18, 2010. 275 words.