Now, you must understand that dragons hate to be dirty.
Grooming another dragon's mane is very commonplace, but only done between friends or mates. Kohaku simply dropped to the ground because he had never, ever, seen his mother groomed by another dragon.
Mara sat purring with delight close to the fire and fixed a "so what?" gaze in his direction. The way the corner of her lip curled made him shiver.
Chihiro finished a last strand of hair before looking up at him.
"Hello Kohaku. Do you remember me, Sen?"
Picking himself up from the floor, he struggled to find words.
"Oh, what a mess you are Kohaku! You're going to get dirt all over! And in front of a guest!" her smile was finally replaced with a frown.
"Really, that's alright. Would you mind if I went for a walk? I'd love to see the sunset and get a little moonshine."
Chihiro fixed Haku with an expectant look.
"Uh," stuttered the dragon. "I'd be honored if I could escort you, Lady Sen," he finally managed with a bow of his head.
And without a horrific battle, scream, or even a sneeze, the pair strolled right out the entrance to Mara's den.
The moment the pair set a foot – talon really – off Mara's territory, Chihiro turned and looked at the developed dragon. She carefully placed a paw out to her near-black companion.
"Want to tell me what happened?"
He gave her a slight smile, taking the paw in his own.
"Why don't we discuss this in my territory?"
With a leap, the pair took flight across the cloudless night, side-by-side once more. She sped ahead, testing his speed. Haku looked beyond ecstatic. Tear flew behind and he had wide orbs.
"I missed this Chihiro." He turned an eye to look at her, "I missed you."
"Haku…..I…..why are there black patches of scales?"
"Honestly, I do not know. This dirt isn't helping either."
It was only a short while before Chihiro recognized an area that reminded her of the rolling grassy hills from the entrance to the spirit world. There was an enormous river running through it.
Kohaku sped ahead, driving into the water, and twirling beneath it. Chihiro flew above him, smiling down. With a quick flick of his tail, he sent a surge of water at the pearl colored dragoness.
"Haku!" she dove in after him.
Gaining on him quickly, she smiled as she twined her snake-like body around his, affectively trapping him.
He returned a smile to her.
"This is heaven. A full moon, cool river, and the one who I've been waiting my life for."
"I love you Chihiro."
"I love you Haku."
Their cheeks rested against one another for a few moments.
"C'mon, I'll get some of that dirt from your mane," she offered with a smile.
Both dragons climbed up onto a grass-covered edge, basking in the moonlight and curled around each other. Chihiro combed his mane and Haku returned the favor.
And one very pissed wolf sat on the opposite bank.
"Y'know, I'm happy you two birds are back together and all, but next time, don't forget me!"
Both Haku and Chihiro couldn't help but crack up at the ruffled Raider.
And when a hive of moki spirits (who resemble six-inch tall bears with strange masks) and riding giant bees flew over the couple, both dropped their jaws when the hundreds of little creatures dumped loads of mud on them.
"Oh, boy the way, I called in a favor!"
The ogre wolf grinned.
