While her family showed concern as she returned so abruptly and silently, Ryuko declined to actually explain anything to anyone...or even speak much for that matter. Mako seemed to understand her desire for quiet, so it wasn't long before she was curled up in bed holding Mako close. With the lights off and the sounds of the rest of the family distant - indicating they were respecting her privacy for once, she'd have to act moody more often - Ryuko slipped easily into slumber, trying hard not to think about what she'd seen online earlier.

She was running. She had to run. She didn't know why, but she had to. She could feel her breath running out, her muscles screaming, her Fibers tearing...but she couldn't stop. It didn't matter if her lungs couldn't get air, if her heart couldn't beat, she couldn't stop.

She saw it, what she was chasing. Ragyo smirked at her, a finger to her tongue as her other hand grasped...

Mako was screaming for her, calling for help. But she couldn't reach her. She tried to call out, but had no voice. She tried to reach, but her arms wouldn't move. She struggled...and found her body moving in ways she didn't want. She saw the white fabric around the limbs, heard her voice shouting hateful things, saw Mako flinching in fear and despair...

She screamed in rage and fury as flames erupted from her body, burning away Junketsu, Senketsu, Ragyo...she couldn't control it-

Enough!

The voice shattered the dream, leaving Ragyo floating above a sea of flames with a massive crimson reptilian figure staring down at her from within it. The face was in no way remotely human, and yet Ryuko could read the confusion and concern writ large upon it. ...what did that woman do to you? the beast asked, its voice more in her mind than her ears.

Ryuko slowly curled up, trying to push the dream from memory. On the outside she could act tough, brush things aside...but inside, the wounds built up. The horrors built up. She flinched back from the memory of Ragyo's touch...

Enough, the voice stated, firmly yet more calmly as the memories were pushed from Ryuko's awareness. No wonder seeing that forum threw you off so much...

Slowly, Ryuko uncurled to face the creature. "So what are you, anyway?" she demanded, trying to get her own fire into her voice.

For some reason, she thought the beast's expression became pleased, and a trifle triumphant. That's more like it, partner! it crowed eagerly. Wounds of the heart feed the fire that consumes the foe, not quenches it! This is the one I chose when the Crimson Night set me adrift! The beast flared its wings, lifting its head as power erupted in flames around it. I am the Welsh Dragon, Ddraig! I am the spirit that resides in your right arm! Feel my power!

Power erupted within Ryuko's right hand as a circle of green blazed on the back. She held her hand up as she watched and felt the power build and grow, rapidly eclipsing almost anything she'd ever encountered. Eventually, she clenched her fist to steel herself as the flow of power increased to new heights...and then grinned widely as she felt herself adjusting. The power in no way decreased or slowed its build, but it gradually became less and less overwhelming.

Ddraig threw his head back, his mouth opening in a roar as he laughed in her mind. Now this is the partner I've been looking for! he crowed triumphantly. I haven't been able to unleash this much power since I was whole, and you're not even flinching! I can hardly wait until something occurs that makes you unleash me outside the dream! Show the fools wait it means to be Sekiryutei, the Crimson Dragon Emperor!

As she felt the power continue to grow - power that was at her command - Ryuko felt her fears fading as her grin widened. This was a feeling she'd missed...one she'd thought lost since...

In the fires, an image of a creature of energy that seemed mostly mouth gazed warmly upon her, posed as though to swallow her in a comforting, familiar way.

No, she thought to herself. This doesn't replace you, Senketsu. Nothing can. But now...I'm not fighting alone anymore. I'm...better this way...

Ryuko calmly made her way back towards school via a rather...circuitous route. While meeting Ddraig in the dream had calmed her somewhat - to the point she could talk and joke with her family over breakfast - she still felt the need to clear her head somewhat. As such, she'd managed to convince Mako - after much cajoling, wheedling, and bargaining - to head to school without her while she wandered the streets for the first time, simply letting nature be a part of her for once. Maybe she'd actually have time to relax and adjust to developments for once.

She sighed softly as she relaxed in the wind...only to be distracted by a quiet yelp of pain. Turning to the source, she blinked and rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't seeing things.

She wasn't. A young blonde girl dressed like a nun had tripped over her bags practically right in front of her.

And here I thought from what I browsed you knew better than to tempt fate, Ddraig observed drolly in her mind.

...shut up...