I've never met a single person ready to jump out of a warm bed, ocean waves lapping in the background, in comfortable darkness, and coming out of a peaceful deep sleep.
Chihiro was no exception. She had firmly snuggled deep within the soft fur-made nest, another testament to how well she had slept. But I needed her awake.
"Chihiro…" I spoke gently, touching her blanket-covered shoulder.
"Mmmf," was the only response. But, then she started twisting and squinting until the movement abruptly halted. Wide-eyed, the teen was glancing at the far wall on her left. I let out a small chuckle in hopes that she would notice me on her other side. Opals opened further in shock.
"I died?" she croaked, a very unbecoming sound for such a lady.
I only shook my head as I felt her size me up. Standing before her, I was only about 5'4", slender (not quite skinny), a lightly tanned skin color, past shoulder-length straight hair that was almost black (but light enough to be considered brown). I gave her a slight smile, hoping my black kimono-like uniform wouldn't lead her to the conclusion that I was "evil".
Shocked features gave away to a bright smile as she announced, "You're a dragon!"
Surprise is always a delightful emotion and I broke out into a bigger smile. So, she had absorbed more than I had originally thought on her trip and was quite observant. The only way you can mark a dragon in human disguise is either by their actions, if you know them, if you are one, or if you look into our eyes. A dragon has enhanced senses in any form and our eyes have a unique shine that reflect our different eyesight.
"Why don't you wash up and change into something more comfortable?" I suggested, gesturing towards a doorway. "You can call me Kira. When you're done, just go through the other door and you'll find me outside."
It was easy to see she was dying to ask more questions than I had scales with her pleading eyes and pouted lip, but I left before she could even begin.
I rarely ever count the passing of time, it doesn't really affect me. Lazily sunning myself in my larger form, I was confident Chihiro wouldn't really care. You'd probably guess that I'd prefer cold dark mountains because of my raven black hue, but I actually made my home on a tropical island.
Crunching noises woke me from my daydreams, the sound of Chihiro walking up to me on the beach. I lazily rolled over onto my stomach, shaking the sand from my long mane. Apparently, Chihiro thought something about this action was very amusing.
"You," giggle, "look," gasp, "like a big dog!" she barely managed to stifle out. I gave her a dragon's equivalent of a smile, teeth showing and lips pulled at the corners. She gave another gasp at my reaction and I started to laugh. She realized my harmless reactions for what they were and smiled back.
Folding her legs beneath her, I instead rose and grabbed a leather sack from the beneath a nearby palm tree with my teeth. Holding it within her reach, she gladly took the package. Inside, there was a container of milk, strange fruit from the island, and cooked fish.
As she finished the milk I provided, I broke the comfortable silence.
"Kohaku has been forbidden to see any humans," I spoke, the sound like the voice of a human, but my mouth unmoving. Her eyebrows rose as she realized I could speak in dragon form. "After quitting his job as an apprentice, his mother found out and ordered him back to her territory. He is currently locked away, a punishment for his actions, although it might have been worse."
"What do you mean?" was her soft reply.
"Lucky for Kohaku, his mother has been barren since his birth and he is the only male offspring she ever produced," I spoke as gently as I could. The ocean kept rolling, soothing her as she struggled to accept what I told her. She never doubted my honesty. Her eyes, which had been downcast and focused on one spot suddenly, met my gaze.
"I know you pulled me out of the river, you've been watching me for a long time. Why? And, are you willing to help me again? I'd do anything to be with Haku!" was her declaration.
"Kohaku, or Haku as you nicknamed him, was my best friend as a dracling. I know the ordeals you both went through and I've tried to protect you because I know that is what he would wish," I was suddenly feeling the weight of time on my scales. "You really don't know what you're asking when you say you want to be with Haku," I began on another note.
She only shook her head, and I was met with the stubbornness which was a part of Chihiro that my friend adored so much. I was far too experienced to try to even budge the girl. I gave a great sigh.
"What must I do?" she asked suspiciously.
"Become a dragon."
