Chapter Twenty Four: True Friend's Heart

The words that escape a friend's mouth are "I'll be there when you say you need me" but the words that are unheard from a true friend's heart are "I'll be there… whether you say you need me or not."

-Unknown

xxXxx

Baron shivered against Bearskin's neck, making the trapper wrap her scarf around him a bit more snugly as they walked through what appeared to be complete wilderness.

"So, are you thinking that we went too north this time?"

He gave a miserable meow as he curled tightly against her neck.

"You know, even if we head south again, we'll still be trapped in winter. Just stay close and you'll stay warm."

The tawny cat nodded, all too happy to take her advice. His keeper smiled and rubbed one cheek against his back.

Snow began falling again and the sun was sinking behind a distant but majestic mountain. The trapper picked up the pace while she had the chance, searching carefully for an ideal place to spend the night. A cave would have been nice.

Finding none, she pulled out the larger tent that Beast- King Bernard, she reminded herself- gave her years ago. Why did that job feel like a lifetime ago?

Despite the fact that the tent was much larger than the old one, the cloth was sturdy and the thick beams should be able to hold up against the cruel winter winds. Baron used the time to gather branches, even though he was shivering around the scarf his keeper had painstakingly wrapped and pinned around his lean form.

Bearskin couldn't hide a warm smile for her dear friend. 'Silly me, for thinking that he'd rather stay warm than do chores.'

A sudden caw reached her ears, just as what felt like a large bird flew from behind and tore her hood off.

"Hey, don't do that!" she sharply scolded, turning around in a ready stance.

It was a crow. Really, were crows immune to her curse as well as Baron?

It was cawing frantically, throwing its' head from side to side as it circled above her.

Bearskin's blood ran cold. Something was wrong. "Lead the way," she invited, sweeping Baron into one arm.

The crow immediately flew towards a small group of trees perhaps a half-mile from where they had been setting up camp. But then the crow circled around it and landed on the branch of a rather large tree. "Caw, caw!"

"Meow?" Baron asked incredulously, but his keeper couldn't understand either of them.

That is, until a half-frozen scent reached her nose. Her eyes widened in horror, making the pale woman circle the tree until finding a large hole in it.

A tiny girl was curled up as tight as possible, shaking terribly from the cold. But it was possible that some of it was fear, since she had her face buried in her bare arms!

The girl was in nothing more than a thin tunic and crying softly.

Still staring, Bearskin reached into the tree and touched the girl's arm. "What on earth are you doing out here like that?"

The tiny girl slowly gained the courage to look up and stared shamelessly with an open mouth.

Not waiting for permission, the trapper eased Baron into the hood before taking the girl into her arms. "You're as cold as death, and no shoes! Please tell me this was an accident," she begged while wrapping the girl up in her thick heavy cloak.

She still didn't speak, though her eyes were wide and huge as she kept staring at the pale woman.

"Now that it's dark, you better stay with Baron and I," she decided, holding the girl protectively as she began jogging back to the tent. She spared a glance back at the tree, but the crow was already gone. "Maybe it's a good thing the tent's bigger. The old one would have been cramped with three of us."

"B-Bearskin-san?" the girl whispered when they were about halfway to their destination.

"Yes?"

"You're real," she whispered, unable to believe it. "Papa was wrong. He said you were just a story."

Since she was just a child, Bearskin allowed herself to give a genuine smile. "I'm pretty warm for a story, wouldn't you say?"

She nodded, cuddling deeper into the trapper's arms. "Were you coming to my rescue?"

"A crow tipped me off. Let's worry about getting you warm before you tell me what's going on, okay?"

She nodded, suddenly looking scared again. "They might find us," she whispered as the last of the sunlight faded.

"Who?"

"The ones who kidnapped me."

That made the trapper's blood run cold once more. "Baron, hold on tight," she warned as she turned the jog into one of her faster speeds.

The snow was blowing harder by now, but as predicted, the tent was still standing by the time the trio reached it.

Not daring to set the girl aside long enough to start a fire, since she was close to frozen, Bearskin instead pulled out all her blankets and wrapped them around herself and the girl, in order to better share the body heat. Even Baron managed to wiggle to a place on her right hip, even if he needed to have a small opening in order to breathe.

"Are you hungry? Thirsty?"

"Both," the girl shivered, so the trapper slowly gave her bits of bread and water until she was satisfied.

"You're feeling warmer now. Any injuries?"

The girl shook her head happily, resting her head on the older girl's chest. "I was only cold. They didn't think I could escape."

"Why did they kidnap you?"

"My father is a samurai," she said proudly. "But when the emperor called for him, the guards he left behind weren't enough to keep me safe. The kidnappers came, killed almost all our servants, and took me."

"What was the reason? Money? Politics?"

"I think it was both. They wanted all of my father's money, plus a sneaky way into the emperor's palace." She clung tightly to her rescuer, shaking from fear. "They'd slap me if I wasn't quiet and out of the way. It was just once, so I played along, and then escaped when all of them were sleeping."

"How did you escape?" Bearskin asked, more than a little impressed.

"I used one of their daggers to pick the lock on my chain and stole their keys. I dumped the keys in their outhouse," she said proudly.

The pale woman wasn't able to control her laughter and even Baron was heard purring. "That's amazing! When we return to your father, you'll have to tell him that. I bet he'll be so proud."

She smiled shyly and snuggled against the trapper until she found a comfortable position. "Thank you for finding me. I thought I was going to die all alone in that tree."

"Not on my watch, or a crow's," Bearskin answered, curling up into a comfortable position herself. "We'd better get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be a busy day."

"Are you going to find the kidnappers?" she asked in a tiny voice.

"Yes. I have to see if they're worth sparing, but… something tells me no, if they're willing to slaughter a household and chain up a little girl. Don't worry; I'll have you back with your father as soon as possible."

The girl smiled happily and cuddled even closer. "Thank you, Bearskin-san. You're just as wonderful as the stories I heard about you."

'If she's using 'san', we must be near the Wilan Empire. Machida's told me that our village was one of the groups of people that left it.' "What is your name, brave one?"

"Oribe Tokoyo."

ooOoo

Oribe Shima may have been one of the finest warriors in his imperial majesty's service, but never before had he been so tempted to commit treason. But obedience to the emperor was ingrained into his very being, just as it had been for generations before him.

But… at the same time… Tokoyo was his only child. He'd have happily given everything he owned, even his soul, to bring her back.

However, demanding a secret entrance into the emperor's personal chambers? Such a demand could mean either another ransom or even an assassination. While Shima was willing to privately admit that his ruler wasn't the easiest man to please, his son was only two years old; far too young to take on ruling the empire.

But what about Tokoyo? He had already sacrificed so much to serve his country and his emperor, was he really going to be called to sacrifice his sweet daughter as well?

Attempting to make a decision was pure torture and he still had two more days to make it. Oh, if only there was some way to find out where they were hiding! Then he could go in, take care of them and have Tokoyo back in time for bed.

Not that she had a bed anymore. The Foot Clan had broken more than one piece of furniture while raiding his family home.

"Oribe-sama," his servant said with respect, coming in with a rolled-up parchment. "Word has come from the emperor."

"Read it," he replied in a dead tone.

He nodded, and broke the seal. "Since you let family matters come between you and your duties, I have decided that the yearly attempt to slay the feared Ushiba Dragon falls to you. Report in a day's time, or else. Signed, Emperor Jirashi Hatachi." The servant shook his head in horror. "Oribe-sama… this is terrible. No one's ever survived fighting the Ushiba Dragon."

Shima looked up, already feeling dead. "Perhaps it's a blessing. What good is life without my darling child?"

"But what good is a life that is thrown away to appease a monster and an ungrateful-"

"What choice do I have?" Shima yelled at the top of his lungs. "Betray my country, lose my daughter… no matter which one I choose, I'll be miserable the rest of my life. Only a miracle could help me now."

"But you are a good man," his servant insisted, throwing the summons aside. "After all your years of devoted service, both to the emperor and to the common people, aren't you entitled to a miracle?"

"Don't speak in such a manner," Shima snapped as he began pacing his daughter's broken room. "Miracles don't just happen to those who need them! If they did, the dragon would have been slain long before-"

"Oribe-sama!" another servant screamed as she entered the room, nearly tripping on the edge of her kimono. "Oribe-sama, you'll never believe it!"

"This better not be about your niece again," Shima growled, not up to knowing about another child's first steps or words.

"No, it's Bearskin! Bearskin himself is approaching and he's carrying a child in his arms!"

Shima looked at her coldly. "Do not mock me. Bearskin is only a myth that should be real."

"But he is! Come, see for yourself!" she begged, keeping the sliding door open for the samurai.

Knowing that Ukiko wasn't one to stop badgering, he sighed and marched through his home, sliding his feet into the wood sandals he kept for winter, and walked through the front door with one hand on his katana.

There he stopped short. His eyes widened in complete shock as his lungs refused to breathe. He blinked to fight back tears of both disbelief and gratitude, and then began running.

For on the stone path, carrying a heavily covered Tokoyo with a cat at his side, was the miracle he needed.

Bearskin, the Dragon Slayer.

ooOoo

"Don't feed me such lies!" Emperor Hatachi snarled, tossing his tea cup at a servant, who expertly dodged it. "Bearskin is nothing but a newer fairy tale from the west! He's as real as the beast that became a king!"

"But it's true! Oribe Shima is leading him to the palace as we speak!" the man stuttered, although he was excited by the grand news. "I saw him with my own eyes; as pale as winter itself!"

The emperor growled, leaning back in his throne. "If it's an imposter, you'll help Oribe-san against the Ushiba Dragon, understood?"

"U-Understood, imperial majesty. But it has to be him. He's-"

"Enough. The next person I want to see is the Dragon Slayer. Make sure it happens."

The servant trembled, but left in a hurry.

"It would seem rather convenient, for him to come just before the yearly attempt," his advisor noted in a low tone.

"Indeed. Do you think it's true?" he asked, sounding wistful. "Bearskin himself?"

"It's hard to say, imperial majesty. Any fool can wear a fur cloak and bleach himself white. I suggest you ask a test of the man. If he is prepared to show himself to an emperor, he will be willing to prove his identity."

"Excellent idea! That's why I keep you, Yabuki-san; you always know what to do," he beamed, making his favorite advisor bow low.

Yabuki Ryuichi had been his advisor for nearly ten years and had never failed to advise or amuse him, just like his father had done for the emperor before him.

A few minutes passed. The emperor scratched his dog's ears lovingly for a distraction, but it wasn't helping as much as he was hoping. "… What is taking so long?" he hissed.

"It is possible that he was still a good distance from the palace when word came. Also, it will take time for him to walk through the-"

His dog suddenly sat upright, ears twitching. An agonized whimper escaped his lips as he bolted for the curtains behind the throne.

"Basha! You come back here!" the emperor demanded, but the servant from before had re-entered the room.

"Imperial majesty, may I present both Oribe-sama and Bearskin-san?"

"Yes, send them in," he agreed hurriedly, though he was still miffed about his dog leaving him. Basha never left his side…

… Unless, perhaps, the trapper truly was who he claimed to be? The emperor gaped in shock as two men entered his throne room and approached at a slow, respectful pace.

Bearskin was no more than a young man! Instead of the tall, solid build of a bear, he was slim and an average height. Even the thick bearskin cloak on his shoulders was neat and comely.

But true to the stories, he had an orange tabby at his side, keeping in sync with his master's paces, even stopping and bowing when the trapper did.

He didn't bow as a westerner, either.

"Imperial majesty," he said in a gruff but soft voice.

"… You're real," Emperor Hatachi blurted in surprise. 'Not even bleaching his body could make him this white!'

"It would appear so, imperial majesty. I wish to request a favor of you." He then gestured to the samurai by his side. "I have the understanding that Oribe-sama has been chosen to fight a dragon two days from now. With your permission, I would like to take his place."

"… Yes?"

"Not so quick, imperial majesty," Ryuichi warned, placing a hand on the emperor's shoulder. "Wouldn't the chance of success be doubled if both of them fought the dragon?"

Oribe-sama sent Bearskin a look that screamed of 'I told you so'.

The young man only gave a firm shake of the head, although it seemed directed at the warrior as much as the advisor. "I don't have a daughter to return to, imperial majesty. On the off-chance that I am defeated, I will consider Shima-san's life with Tokoyo-chan to be my final request." He gave another formal bow to the emperor, his black eyes warm but firm.

"What do you mean, 'on the off-chance'? Are you not Bearskin?" Hatachi demanded. "I was told you were invincible! You brought back his daughter from certain death, didn't you?"

The pale man straightened and looked the royal in the eye. "Despite my curse, I am still a mortal that makes mistakes. By definition, it's only a matter of time before I come out second best in a fight."

The tawny cat looked up with a mew of horror, making both the emperor and advisor look at him sharply.

"It's a simple fact, Baron," the trapper scolded him before bowing again. "But with luck, it won't be tomorrow. I have your permission to take Shiba-san's place?"

"… Granted. But it will be my honor for you to spend the time beforehand under my roof. Ryuichi; see to it that he's comfortable."

"… As you wish, imperial majesty," the advisor assured with a bow, stepping sideways while gesturing for the two to follow.

"Oh, and uh, Bearskin-san?" Hatachi begged before they left his presence.

"Yes, imperial majesty?" he asked, his eyes still calm and steady.

"This is just a rumor, mind you, but… are there any kings back west that are monsters?"

The trapper gave him a guarded smile. "I believe you mean King Bernard of Thegui. He used to be a beast, but even back then, he was a good man."

"You sound like you met him," he said, feeling stunned.

"No, just his queen. She's hilarious."

ooOoo

About two hours later, Bearskin was openly staring at the most beautiful, expertly made pieces of art she was likely to ever see. "That one. I want to try that one."

"As you wish, Bearskin-sama," the blacksmith whispered, gently taking one of his most expensive katanas down from the modest stand and then offering the hilt to the trapper.

She took it just as carefully and took some steps back in order to hold it at different angles. "The balance is different than what I'm used to. It's also slightly heavier despite its appearance, but-" she cut off to sharply slash the air. "A blade like this… no wonder the empire is known for its weaponry."

Baron purred his agreement from Tokoyo's arms.

"Tasho-san is always my first choice when it comes to blades. However, his work doesn't come cheap," Shima warned.

"I'd be shocked if his work did. I'll need to practice a bit to get used to the balance, but this katana's sold. Do you mind if I look at your daggers, Tasho-san?"

"Of course not," the blacksmith assured her, although his club-foot was giving him a bit of trouble as he limped across his small shop. "These are my finer ones; I perfected this technique fifteen years ago and I have yet to hear of the blade growing dull."

"I bet. You pour your heart out into your work," Bearskin whispered reverently as she picked out four daggers, as well as a matching set of six. "What are those star-shaped things?"

"Shuriken. They're throwing blades, quite dangerous. Is the wall still up in the back?" Shima asked, making the blacksmith nod with a slightly naughty smirk.

ooOoo

After an hour of playing with the shuriken, Bearskin was in an extremely good mood when she walked out of the shop with a rather large bundle wrapped in sturdy leather. "If I ever find someone in need of a good blade, I'll have to refer Tasho-san."

"He'll appreciate it. You made his day, you know," Shima said softly as he kept his hand in Tokoyo's. "He's been wondering for years what kind of weapons you prefer."

"Anything he makes is fine by me. You will help me practice with this katana, won't you?" she asked, barely able to keep her voice gruff. "I think this weapon will help me more with the dragon than the rusty sword I've been using for years."

"I would be honored to, you know that. But… are you still serious about…?" he finished the question by looking at his daughter.

Tokoyo looked at the trapper hopefully. She had been really excited at Bearskin's request for returning her to her father, just before learning about the Ushiba Dragon.

"Completely. At best, it will be a skill she never uses. At worst, she'll give any future kidnappers or troublemakers a run for their money." She dared to give the girl a smile. "The best part is that it's no one's business what your daughter does. No one has to know, right?"

"I suppose so," Shima sighed, gazing at his beloved daughter. "I just wish that this world was such that no one needed to fight, especially children."

Bearskin looked away, feeling the guilt of all the lives she had taken. "Me too."

ooOoo

Both that day and the following were a flurry of activity. The emperor had wanted to show her off as much as possible to the court and it was only careful wording that allowed her to train with Shima to get used to her new weapons.

But, if forced to be honest with herself, she wasn't all that certain that there was a dragon terrorizing the capital. How on earth did the emperor's father reach an agreement for a warrior to attempt a killing once every year if it was just a monster? What if it was another misunderstanding?

"What do you think, my friend?" she asked Baron their second night at the palace, before the yearly attempt. "Is it a real dragon or a hoax?"

He curled up a little tighter in her arms, his eyes soft and thoughtful. "Meow meow," he said in a tone of careful skepticism.

She sighed in agreement, although it was hard to keep with the man voice since anyone could be eavesdropping in a palace. "I guess we really won't be able to tell until tomorrow. Not that you'll be coming with me, of course-"

"Meow!" he shouted indignantly. "Grr, meow meow!"

"Oh no you're not," she informed him in a firm voice. "Last time I took you to slay a mythical creature, you nearly died, remember?"

"Meow meow!"

"Only because Medusa could reverse it and if this dragon's real, I'm pretty sure I won't be able to bring you back if you get roasted to a crisp tomorrow."

"Meow grr mew?"

"Baron, it's not like I was helpless before our paths crossed," she reminded him while scratching his ears, although he wasn't in the mood. "I appreciate everything you do, believe me, but-"

The door to her lavish room slid open, making both of them look over in surprise.

"Hi, Bearskin-san. Who were you talking to?" Tokoyo asked while letting herself into the room.

"Baron. He wants to help me with the dragon tomorrow. Shouldn't you be in bed?" she asked gruffly while pointing at the strange clock on the wall.

It wasn't much before midnight.

"Couldn't sleep. Do you usually talk to Baron like he's a human?" the tiny girl asked while approaching the trapper.

Familiar with what she wanted, the tawny cat reluctantly hopped out of his keeper's lap to make room.

Bearskin eased Tokoyo into the vacated spot. "All the time. He appreciates being treated as an equal, but it's pretty amusing how many people get unnerved by our connection."

The tiny black-haired girl looked at Baron in confusion. "You said on the way here that he's smart. Can't he help?"

"Meow?" Baron asked his keeper with an agreeing tone.

"He probably could, but I don't want him to get hurt. Can I trust you with him?" Bearskin asked. "He won't scratch or bite children; all you have to do is keep him in a room and refuse to let him out until I get back."

Baron hissed indignantly, but still didn't lift a paw in defense when Tokoyo picked him up to cuddle.

"I'll take care of him," she promised, smiling shyly. "I've always wanted to be like Papa, but my nanny told me not to ask for training. Thank you for asking for me."

"No problem, as long as you start speaking for yourself. A strange person isn't always going to come out of nowhere, you know," she teased gently, although it was tough to keep the man voice around the sweet child.

At that remark, Tokoyo straightened, took a deep breath and looked her dead in the eye. "I want to be like you, too. I want to be a hero someday."

Bearskin's blood froze in her veins. It wasn't foreboding, precisely, but… there was significance to her simple statement. "Do you know what a hero is?" she managed to ask once she got control of that strange feeling.

Tokoyo didn't hesitate. "You."

The trapper bit back a smile. "But what do you think makes me a hero?"

"You're nice. You help people that need you."

Bearskin allowed herself a warm smile for the girl. "Exactly. A hero is someone that won't back down when trouble comes. If you want to be someone like that, that's wonderful, but don't go looking for trouble. Just be prepared for when trouble comes looking for you. Can you do that?"

Tokoyo seemed surprised, as if she was expecting the trapper to dissuade her chosen course. "You really think girls can be heroes?" she asked in a tiny voice.

"I know they can. Some of the bravest people I've ever met were women, and one of them is you."

Tokoyo gaped in shock.

"You didn't wait for anyone to rescue you before and I would be disappointed if you waited for anyone in the future. If help comes, accept it, but don't wait for it." She gently brushed a lock of obsidian hair from the girl's eyes. "Besides, someone needs to break all those silly rules about what girls can or can't do, right?"

Tokoyo beamed at her just before releasing Baron and squeezing her tight around the neck. "I love you, Bearskin-san."

As a beautiful warmth surged through her body, the pale woman knew she had only one thing to say to that simple, yet powerful statement.

"I love you, too," she whispered, holding the girl tight.

ooOoo

Since she knew the emperor wanted to send her off with a lot of fanfare and ceremony, Bearskin simply left before the dawn, leaving Baron in Tokoyo's room before either of them were fully awake. A simple note on her unused bed explained herself and she was on her way.

The snow was falling again, but it was a gentle caress on her skin as she jogged first through the capital, avoiding people as she could. It became easier as the city was left behind and she began trekking up the mountain Shima had told her about when he was sparring with her.

Her heart was pounding in her ears and her steps were slightly shaking, but she had done this too many times before to consider backing out now. Even if the dragon was an elaborate hoax, something up there had been killing fully trained samurais for over thirty years.

'Thirty men dead. That's not even considering how many villagers were killed before this strange ritual came into effect. How many families were torn apart by this-'

A noise from behind made her jump and wheel around, pulling out her new katana. "Show yourself!"

"Meow," a tired voice answered before the owner ran up to her; completely exhausted as he all but collapsed at her feet.

The pale trapper growled as she eased her weapon back into its sheathe. "Baron! How the heck did you escape Tokoyo? Don't you know how dangerous this job is?" she scolded him while kneeling down. "I don't want another accident to happen! remember Medusa?"

Still panting, he gives her a stubborn look. "Meow. Meow, purr."

Bearskin gave him a long look, but sighed before picking him up. "Just why did I think you were going to let me face a dragon alone?" she asked while draping him over her shoulders as usual.

His next few meows seemed to have the feel of 'indeed, you silly person' before he licked her cheek again.

"At least it's safe to look at it, I think. Baron, if the dragon's real, it'll be our hardest job yet. If you don't see any openings, stay close to me."

He nodded, licking her cheek again. She kissed his cheek in return and continued her fateful march. It might have been her imagination, but with Baron's familiar weight on her shoulders, her heart wasn't beating so loud and her legs had stopped shaking as a new confidence filled her heart.

She could do this. With Baron by her side, she could do anything. "I guess you just bring out the best in me," she was forced to admit before kissing his cheek again.

The warm look he gave her informed the trapper that the sentiment was returned in full.

She gave him another brave smile and forced herself to pay attention to the small and barely used path up the mountain.

In what felt like no time at all, they were standing outside the mouth of a large cave. With one hand on Baron's back, she pulled out her katana again, and eased closer to the darkness within.

No sound within indicated a dragon, or even a bat. She sniffed experimentally, finding the scent of something… reptilian? Yes, reptilian and dangerous. Taking a deep breath for courage, she eased into the cave and left the light behind.

It was strangely comforting to have sturdy stone on her every side like a protective cocoon. She shook her head, making sure not to get lulled into a false sense of security, and kept going down the stone path.

'The entrance and cave are big, but that doesn't mean that the dragon is, if it's a real one. A smaller one could get through just as easily, but even if it's smaller, it'll still be a killer. Better to assume that it's big.' Her eyes widened as a forgotten detail rushed to the front of her mind.

Animals could sense her, although some caught on faster than others. Even if she managed to hide, the dragon would always know exactly where she was. She bit her lip and kept going until even the tiniest amount of light was gone.

But Bearskin remembered how to rely on her senses while inside a cave. Was that why the others had failed?

At long last, the large cave opened out into an even larger one, judging from the sound of dripping stalactites and the echo of her experimental cough. Using her cave skills, she carefully felt out the terrain while trying to find a scent.

Nothing. Not even bats.

She growled in frustration and started marching toward the exit. This trip had been for nothing! Whatever it was that was killing off samurais didn't live here.

As she placed her hand on one wall to ease herself out, Baron stopped her.

"Meow! Meow meow," he insisted before using his teeth to tug on the edge of her hood.

"Baron, nothing's here," she stressed, but he wouldn't relent. "I know the scent at the front says something's here, but this place is deserted. None of the stalactites are broken to indicate a large body, there's no scent of smoke… yet this is the place to meet the dragon," she finished with a whisper.

Baron nodded her chin through the darkness, mewing his encouragement.

"That would almost have to mean that the dragon, or whatever is pretending to be the dragon, only comes here for the challenge. He doesn't even go this far into the cave. Baron, we left earlier than normal. There's a good chance we beat the dragon here!"

He nodded her chin again.

"But that also means he's no ordinary animal. It'd be pointless to leave a scent around a cave that's never used but is perfect. Heck, this is luxurious compared to the cave I grew up in."

He bumped his cheek against hers, purring his approval.

"Sorry for doubting you, Baron. I thought I got over that," she apologized while feeling out the opening with her hands. 'Any animal will be able to tell I'm here. My only hope is a surprise attack.' "Get into my hood and hold on tight," she instructed just before she began climbing the wall at a slow and careful pace.

But before she reached the top of the cave's mouth, a great river of fire spewed into the cave, fiercely illuminating everything in sight.

'Yep, definitely luxurious.' "You missed me, moron!" she bellowed out the opening after the fire stopped coming.

A great roar of outrage filled the cave, forcing a few stalactites to fall from the ceiling.

'Which proves that this is the first fight inside the cave.' "What's wrong? Afraid of the dark? What a shame, I'll just have to go back to the emperor and tell him the dragon's nothing but a-"

Fire once again poured into the cave, but it was now twice as thick and wild as before. Bearskin used the fire's light to keep climbing, even though it was now as hot as an oven in the cave.

Before she could reach the middle of the opening, a huge head entered the cave, followed by a long serpentine neck and a muscular body, black as pitch despite the fire spewing from that jagged mouth. Wings were folded and pressed tight against the body in order to fit through the cavern hallway.

Bearskin gaped in complete surprise. '… Holy flip. it's real!'

Baron didn't wait. Showing no fear, he hopped out of her hood and began his work.

The dragon broke off the fire with a scream as Baron bit and clawed at the folds of one wing.

"That's my boy!" she said proudly, hopping onto the beast's back while unsheathing her katana in the same graceful motion. One swipe later, the other wing was flailing on the ground; completely severed.

The dragon shrieked, rolling onto its back in order to crush her. She was thrown off as Baron also went sailing, but she didn't see how he landed.

Beyond furious, she slammed her hand into the dragon's side, but pointed instead of a fist. The dragon gave another scream of outrage as it quickly rolled off of her, but then slammed one heavily clawed foot on top of her, although it was only from the waist down.

It- he, sneered at her with blood red eyes; just enough fire flaring from his nostrils so that she could see it. "You! How dare you lay a hand on me?" He pressed down harder on her, trying to break her body.

Knowing that she had one shot to get out of this in one piece, Bearskin did the first thing that came to mind. Bending one arm, she used all the force she could muster to slam her elbow into the scales closest to her.

Both she and the dragon screamed in agony! While the force was enough to shatter the bones in that side of the foot, her arm was also in pieces. Luckily, this was the first time anyone had left a scratch on the dragon. On the other hand, the trapper had broken more bones than she could count. As such, she was able to roll to her feet with her katana in her left hand and begin slashing.

The dragon got in a few lucky hits, but the trapper was too quick for another serious injury. But she was still fairly blind without the fire, which unfortunately only came when the dragon was trying to barbeque her. The cloak was thankfully able to shield her from the worst of the flames when the stalagmites weren't close enough, but the thick fur was becoming heavier by the minute with her sweat and the general heat. Plus her right arm was pretty useless at this point and distracting her with an incredible amount of pain.

The dragon raised his claws for another blow, but then Baron was there, gnawing viciously on the edge of one wing as his hind feet dangled helplessly in the air.

It was just the distraction Bearskin needed. While the dragon was still sitting on his back legs, she took out one of her new daggers and threw it as hard as possible.

Despite the pain she was in, her aim was true. It landed in his chest, in the exact spot she estimated his heart to be.

Her blade disappeared into the scaly hide, but the wound was still visible. For what felt like a terribly long time, he just stayed there, frozen in the air like a giant statue. Even Baron stopped his work to hop out of the way.

Bearskin had to swiftly follow his example when the dragon came down, making the entire cave shudder from the impact. Parts of the cave were still on fire, so she was able to see him writhe weakly in agony as she absently put out the flame in her hair.

"No… no," the dragon moaned, still trying to get up. "No man… can slay me!"

Bearskin couldn't help but bite back a pained laugh as she fished her older sword out of the satchel. "No kidding? I guess that explains why I won," the trapper replied in her true voice. She raised her blade for the final blow.

But just before she did, a look of horrified comprehension filled those black eyes.

It took three strikes to cut half of his neck and break the sword, making her glad that she had gotten out her old one for the job. The pieces still went back into her satchel, since they had served her well.

By then the dragon was still, never to move again.

"… You okay, Baron?" she managed to pant, making him nuzzle against one of her legs tiredly.

She knelt down and rubbed his back with one hand, turning away from the reptilian corpse. "Anything broken?"

He growled while looking at her right arm.

"Don't avoid the question, Baron. Is anything broken? Bruised?"

He gave her a flat look that spoke volumes.

"Fine, I'll check you over myself after we finish up here."

"Meow!"

"Don't you take that tone with-"

"Anyone alive in there?" an unfamiliar voice suddenly called into the cave.

"Surprisingly, yes!" she called back, remembering to use her man voice. "We'll be out in a minute!" She pulled out her katana to finish the job and turned back to the dragon…

Only to drop it in complete and total shock.

The body… it was much smaller than it had been before. If that weren't strange enough, it was still shrinking.

Before their very eyes, even as the fires slowly died, the dragon's body slowly twisted itself into a human form.

"Hey! You said only a minute!" a different voice griped at her as footsteps began echoing into the cave.

"Just be patient!" she snapped, staring as the transformation slowly came to an end. "You recognize him too, don't you?"

Baron nodded with a hostile hiss.

She growled and finished beheading the monster with one swipe. "The emperor needs to see this," she said while fishing out a small burlap bag out of the satchel.

"Are we going to have to come in there after you?" the second voice snapped.

"Will you stay calm? It's not like he's planning to camp in there!"

"For all we know, she might! She grew up in a cave, remember?"

Bearskin's blood ran cold with horror. 'Wait, what?'

"Shh! What if someone heard you?"

"Don't shush me, you birdbrain!"

Baron mewed happily before running out of the cave and into the tunnel beyond.

"Wait for me!" she pleaded, managing to stuff the head into the bag with one hand before throwing it over a shoulder and giving chase. But her arm was in such agony, that she was forced to slow to a walk.

As the light came closer, she was greeted with one of the strangest sights yet.

Baron was being cuddled by two grown men, purring up a storm. One of them was slim with messy black hair, while the other was big with brown hair.

Actually, 'big' may have been kind. But the trapper was in no condition to pick a fight.

"We finally caught up! You wouldn't believe the wild goose chase we've been on, trying to catch up! Has she been treating you well?" the slimmer one begged.

Baron batted his nose with a scolding mew.

"Sorry, force of habit," he immediately apologized, suddenly noticing the trapper standing deeper in the cave.

"Yikes, it looks like it was a bad fight," the bigger one said as he got a good look at her. "Want me to treat that arm?"

Bearskin protectively stepped back, keeping the broken arm farthest from him. "Not really. But in case you haven't heard, I'm a man," she informed them with a glare. 'Baron never acts like this around strangers'.

The darker one smirked at her. "Just for the record… we heard differently."