How could two weeks have passed since I left home? It feels like I was just there. Chihiro kept pondering over her time spent in the spirit world. And yet, she had watched the moon change from new, when her sister had fought the sun dragon Fire, to its current full state.

"Chihiro?"

The internal conversation within the dragoness broke as Haku twined himself around her body.

"Haku! Make sure we can still fly!"

The dragon grinned at her.

"As if I'd let you fall, hmph. I was surprised you were even able to fly at all!"

Wide-eyed, she gave him a playful tap with a closed paw, "That would've been your fault!"

"I guess I'll have to try harder next time."

"Haku!" she howled.

After the two had spent a generous two nights by themselves in Haku's territory, Raider had mysteriously reappeared on the third morning…

"I've got some urgent business that I really can't ignore. I'm sorry I couldn't introduce you to Alena, Chihiro. Remember, I am your guardian, so I'm naturally going to know if you get into trouble."

"I love you too Raider."

The wolf gave Chihiro a cocky grin before running off.

… Haku's surprise was a visit to see her family. Now, the pair of dragons were on their way to the border between the spirit world and the mortal one. In truth, there was not an actual "border"; they were more like gates located throughout each realm.

"Chihiro, remember that it is much harder to leave this realm than to get into it. You are going to be probed by the gate keeper, just answer everything honestly and you'll be fine."

"What do you mean? Won't you be with me?"

"Well, I can't be. Before my river died, I used it to cross into both realms and never had to use the gate. Now, the river isn't mine, so the gate was sealed, for now."


The "gate" was a very strange black hole literally floating in the air. Its strange appearance made her think of the black holes she had read about in space. Haku had motioned for her to go first, reassuring her with a promise when she hesitated near the endless looking tunnel.

"Go through the gate, I promise to meet you on the other side."

The pearl-colored dragon carefully approached the strange suspended circle, carefully placing a paw in. Whatever air was in the tunnel was very cool, like the breeze from a body of water. Bracing herself, she hurriedly walked in.

Chihiro had a sinking feeling in her stomach, like she was on a roller coaster ride just approaching the peak. All around her, she could see a strange meadow with mountains and a stream. But, everything was in black and white!

Walking through the valley, it was unnerving how the grass and flowers didn't make a sound. Everything was silent and unmoving, even the trees. And yet, nothing smelled either, but she could feel something about the place that radiated "power" to her dragon senses. Ahead, she could see a mountain that towered over all of the others and only a few minutes' walk away. This is so Twilight Zone! Dangit, does everything have to revolve around mountains?

A piercing cry broke the air with a distinct horse-like whinny.

"Turn back now!" echoed off the mountains.

The young dragon kept her pace, heading for what she could now see were a set of doors three times her height at the base of the mountain. She began to run (on four legs…).

And just before she put a claw on the handle to one of the stone doors, she paused.

"Touch that door, jazika, and I kill you!"

"Who are you? What's a jazika?" Chihiro asked, backing a step away from the door and searching the mountainside.

A curious black shape landed next to her, the sound of hooves striking concrete resounding in her ears with an echo, although the creature had landed on grass. It looked like some sort of nightmarish pegicorn.

The beast gave the impression of a large draft horse for the most part. However, there were certain features that were quite hard to miss. He was unnaturally black like Raider, had an extremely long spiraled horn sprouted from his skull which pointed away from his body, long ivory fangs showed as he opened his mouth to snarl at the dragon, and the most interesting thing about him were his wings. They reminded her of a bat's appendages, leathery and large, but they were tattered and torn. They flapped against an inexistent wind as he held them high.

"I am the gatekeeper, imposter. You're the one who killed Kira."

All fifteen hundred pounds of mythical beast glared at her with a look of death.


( Slightly Haunted ): Ok, not much to say today, feel free to e-mail me :)

Animeangel290: well, since it is hard to…express one's feelings in dragon form, they were human (I did try to make that clear, sorry!). I sorta left off though, I think you can imply what went on, but maybe I'll expand that upon request ;)

Tai'sGirl345: thanks, you had me worried :)

Heart100: LoL, glad to help!