I'm back peeps! And with news! I just got into a new awesome anime! "Black Cat" and it was originally a manga but still. Read it and weep (literally-I did.) Oh, and "Girl's Generation" (Or SNSD- so-nya-shi-de) AWESOME! All thanks to bff Bre. So the same stuff: Review please so I can get better; and I don't own How to Train Your Dragon, though I wish I did. EPIC
~Toothless~
He snaked through the forest, his scales brushing against tree bark and making a hissing sound as they ground together. Toothless' claws made small indents in the soft ground, and he stopped, eying the sky. In his teeth held a small brown pouch he had stolen off of Hiccup, and his yellow eyes darted across the brightening sky. The world was getting lighter, turning pink as the sun rose above the horizon. His head swiveled back, looking behind him. There was a glint of something bronze, almost impossible to see against the brown dirt unless you were looking for it. Toothless gauged the distance and nodded to himself. It was just far enough for a human's eye to pick up. He raised his paw, hesitated, and sliced downward, leaving a large scratch mark in the dirt. He opened his mouth and the pouch fell with a small clatter of coin-against-coin.
Gingerly and with great care, the dragon opened the pouch. It had taken forever for him to get the stupid thing untangled the first time, and as he went it was getting gradually easier. Toothless pried the top open and tipped the bag forward. He blinked and waited for a moment. Nothing came out. He growled and tipped it even more forward, trying to get something to fall from the opening. Still, nothing. He let out an annoyed hiss and shook the thing upside down. Coins tumbled out, clattering against each other and spraying across the ground.
Toothless' black paw was running down his face as he eyed the skies. If there really were gods up there, as Hiccup says, they must hate him too.
This was going to take a while.
~Cove~
A dark haired man stepped out from his house, taking a deep breath of air. The sun was high in the sky, it being about noon now. The light reflected off his shaggy hair, sticking up in so many directions people thought it defied gravity. He could never get it to stay normal, like when it was wet. Seriously, he and his wife tried everything! He licked a finger and began to pick at his hair. Tree sap, spit, some mix created by the elder from insect guts and things he didn't even want to know about.
His hair was an embarrassment. He still had an amazing reputation as the best healer on the four islands, his being the furthest north of the others. The villagers told him to move, explore his talents in a bigger and better town. More people who need help, more money for him, better schools for the young one soon to be coming…
He sighed as he thought of his pregnant wife. Of course, they weren't really sure whether or not she was really pregnant, it was just a hunch. But of course, in a town of this size gossip was faster than the smell of bar-be-que. The man sighed again as he wrung his hands together. The two were thinking about naming the child, if it was a girl Amber, and if it was a boy they would name him…well, they haven't thought of a name yet for a boy. His head snapped up as a blond woman opened the front door to their small yet comfortable home, poking her head outside. Her blue eyes darted around as she opened her mouth with a wide smile.
"Oman, time for supper!" He smiled as he walked into view, hovering by the corner of their house.
"One moment Ophelia." The blond smiled and darted back inside with energy never ending. Oman smiled and plucked at his hair again as he thought. He wondered what color hair the baby would have…
There was a rustle in the woods beside him, and out of the corner of his eyes he saw a dark shape dart. He turned his unruly head towards the forest, searching with suspicious eyes. If some one was sneaking around again trying to steal pain-relieving herbs…The shape darted again and he took a hesitant step towards the dark forest. There was a slight glimmering of something on the ground. He narrowed his eyes and stepped closer. What in Odin's name-
"Oman!" Ophelia barked from her perch near the door frame. She giggled as Oman jumped and swiveled back.
"Honey!"
"Are you going to eat tonight or not?" She chuckled again and swung her blond hair across her shoulder.
Oman glanced back to the forest. "Give me a second baby, I'll be right in." His wife let out a loud sign and danced back into the house, leaving Oman with the trees, the glimmering shape on the ground and the mysterious shadow darting around. It was like it was trying to get his attention. He eyed the shape as it moved again, rustling leaves. He cleared his throat and stepped closer.
"Anybody there?" The rustling stopped, and then with a snap it was gone. The shape was nowhere to be seen, and after a moment Oman focused his brown eyes on the sparkling object. Had they dropped it? Or was the person hiding in the forest trying to trick him? But for some reason, Oman continued on. He slowly ducked beneath a branch and scoped down, eyeing the glint. His mouth opened in surprise as he saw a bronze coin. Sure, it was really just pocket change, but why in the world would it be in the forest? Oman plucked up the coin and dusted it off. It was slightly slimy, like it had been in something's mouth…
"Ophelia! Are you up for a little forest expedition honey?"
~Toothless~POV~
FINALLY! And I mean finally! Like, it's about freaking time! For the love of flesh eating slugs and everything slow, HE WAS SLOWER! Couldn't he just feel the anxiety I am EMITTING right now? It's making my scales itch just to think about how long I've left Hiccup alone, fighting the invisible battle…What a healer, he and his plump wife were slower than a snail with a broken leg! They stumbled through the woods, the male holding the female's elbow as if it was some sort of comfort. Why would he do that? If any female dragon got a HINT of chivalrous action, they would burn any guy's face off! I shivered thinking about it.
I rolled my eyes as they finally scoped down and added yet another bronze coin to their pile. Figures all humans to be insanely interested in shiny metals. Maybe Hiccup would be mad that I used his metal coins to lure the healer to him, but come on! What else was I really supposed to do? Waltz in and ASK for a healer? Of course, that would have been easier, if they could understand Dragon speak like Hiccup. It took me forever to find those two! But, thankfully they smelled like plants and gross ointments, which I gathered was medicine. I stretched my legs and began an easy stroll following the healers. Did I mention they were really, really slow? Even slower than Hiccup and he was the clumsiest human I have ever seen! Thinking of him made my chest hurt…
Although Hiccup had made real progress, though he couldn't see it himself. He was still the skinny little seventeen year old but was no longer so skinny. Though still thin and agile, the boy was no longer gawky and weak. We wrestled quite frequently, and through the month we've been gone from Berk, he's gained more self respect than he ever would have on that god-forsaken rock. Hiccup was standing tall…or he would be if he were standing…
I rolled my eyes and focused on my walking. I was being sneaky so the healers wouldn't see me; if they did they might not find Hiccup, and this was my only good idea! My paws barely touched the earth and I moved with the grace of a natural animal. I pushed and shoved my worry, my fear and anxiety away, instead focusing on the wind in the trees or the scents in the air. My ears perked as the man and woman picked up a gold coin and gasped. Come on. By now they must know this is a hide and seek treasure hunt type thing. Actually, it was kind of fun.
I had to restrain myself from running to Hiccup's sweating form as he lay in the clearing. I sat on my hind legs and clenched my jaw as the man noticed him first.
"Ophelia…"
~Break~
Oman gazed at the boy lying on the ground, barely conscious of the word that escaped his lips. The Teen's red hair was shaggy and frayed, spreading out of his head like a crown of fire. His clothes were tattered and torn, and they looked worn from not only age but simple wear, like he had been living in the forest for a month. He had no idea it was true. Oman was still too far away to see the white strip across the boy's face, so he stepped forward. Suddenly, his wife's hand was on his arm. He turned, surprised; only to see her staring at something that was not the boy. He followed her gaze and stifled a gasp.
The shadow had followed them. He could barely make out its shape, but it looked to be a huge form. It jerked, like it noticed them watching. And then the shadow was…gone? They stood there for a moment, staring at the spot the hulking figure once stood. Oman's brain was working overtime. Someone was very shy, but smart enough to lure them out of their house using a money trail…whoever it was, the red haired boy was obviously important.
The teen let out a painful groan, and Oman jerked out of his thoughts. Both he and Ophelia walked briskly forward, already in doctor mode. They could not just sit and watch as a boy, not even a man, suffered in pain. The two worked furiously with what little tools they had. Ophelia let down her shawl beside the boy, and with a heave they pushed him onto it, his red hair flopping wildly. Each spouse grabbed an end of the shawl and pulled, heaving the boy into the air.
They didn't notice the whining shadow stalk them all the way home.
They stumbled through the forest nosily, the blonde haired woman being quite strong and supporting the mysterious boy very well. Ophelia never took her eyes off the boy, saying a silent prayer as they made their way back. The teen had his one eye, the left one, squinting in pain. The other one was covered by gauze, and it bulged in a foreboding nature. Both the spouses were focused on him with worry. Thoughts ran through their heads.
Was he going to be alright?
Who was the boy?
Who was the shadow that brought them there?
Whose money was that?
What was hidden behind the gauze? And more importantly,
Was he going to live?
They pulled the boy closer to their village. Oman kicked open the door and lead Ophelia inside their hut. Toothless, crouched and ears back with worry, scrunched his eyes as they disappeared from view with his most precious thing. He didn't believe in gods, no way no how. He was a dragon, for goodness sake. But for the sake of Hiccup, he prayed. He felt ridiculous, begging to the heavens. But he still did. He begged for his friend's life. He let his worry and anxiety fill him, overflowing into the world. He hurt, his leg twinges at the old injury but what hurt the most was his heart. How could one boy make all the difference in his life? How could a dragon like him, the most cunning and fearsome be transformed by such a small mammal? He didn't care, really. All he cared about was Hiccup. If he made it out of that hut alive, Toothless promised the grass he would never, ever let anything happen to him again.
Oman and Ophelia slid the boy's limp body onto the spare bed upstairs. They sighed as the weight was transferred. For a moment, all was still and quiet as they contemplated what to do next. Then they both jerked as a long and mournful howl came from the forest. Oman stared in wonder as it sounded like it was coming from just outside the window…It stopped shortly, and a clatter was heard form the village. People coming from houses, running into the woods already with weapons. Others huddled together, talking animatedly. Oman just looked at his wife with worry.
They were in too deep already. Whatever that creature, that shadow, was, it wanted the red haired boy.
Still, he couldn't leave him. The boy was in pain, hurt. And no self-respecting healer could just leave a helpless body in pain. Nor could he turn him in for his suspicions. Ophelia waited, hands to her throat. She didn't know what to do, except wait for her husband to make a decision. She knew he would do what is right.
Finally, Oman nodded. "Get a wet rag, two pillows, extra blankets, a knife, and please crush up some Ashwagandha and Birch and put them in my green bowl downstairs." The blond turned to go, determined as her husband was to help the teenager. Oman set a hand on her shoulder. "Darling, we can't-"
She swirled, a light smile dancing on her lips. "Of course, tell no one of the boy or the shadow." Oman smiled and dropped his hand. He watched the woman go in fascination. Really, they worked well together and almost thought with one mind. The smiled faded from him as he realized their situation. The shadow outside, the hurt boy inside who was tied to it, and the wound that made him sick…
Oman turned slowly and dropped to his knees beside the boy's bed. He would have to go buy some pineapple and grind up the stem for the Bromelain, but for now…He reached forward and began to tenderly remove the gauze from the boy's right eye, ignoring the excited yells from outside. Apparently, they had found some tracks of something…but no, he was ignoring them. Oman continued to pull on the gauze, peeling it off red, pussy and oozing skin. He crinkled his nose at the smell. No wonder the boy was unconscious. His hope dropped along with the bloody gauze hitting the floor. He stood with a sigh, wondering what would happen to the village if the boy didn't make it…Maybe he should take that job on the other island…
Ophelia burst into the room, carrying a knife and some pillows. She gasped as she saw the boy's wound. It was red and inflamed, growing larger by the second. A huge line ran across his eye, and she wondered who would do such a thing to a sweet teen. Oman gently took the knife and pillows, setting them down as he led her to a chair. She slumped into it, never taking her eyes off the boy.
"Ophelia?"
"y-yes?"
"I don't think he'll make it."
She stared at him with amazed eyes. "No, he has to! He's just a boy!"
Oman shook his head. "The infection is to great, he-"
"You can't give up!" she cried. "He's so young, barely a man! He is still alive, and god damn anyone who won't fight to save him!"
The brunette looked stunned, pulling back from his wife. "He's a stranger Ophelia, he-"
"No." She stood fiercely. "If you won't then I will." She paused, letting her anger seep into her husband. She was a healer born, a healer at heart. She had to help the boy, and she wasn't going to give up so easily. "I'll take his eye if I have to." She was never going to give up on such a boy, a boy who could be someone's son! She stormed out of the room, leaving a stunned husband behind. She would save the boy, who else could? And after all, what coincidence was it that he landed on this island? And they were the ones to save him? It couldn't be coincidence. She roughly grabbed some herbs on her downstairs window. What if that was her son? She would want someone to fight for him. Ophelia bit her lip. She had to save him.
No, they had to save him.