Hey everyone. I'm finally back from working and break. Sorry that it took so long to get this updated. At least I haven't given up on this. So, during break, I was trying to get in contact with my writing partner. Problem was that she didn't answer. The only thing I got from it was 'Sorry, busy. Not doing anything… Broke my knee. Next time okay?" That had me concern. And the next time I saw her, she went to her own world. So as punishment for worrying me and avoiding her work, I have to watch over her. It's a handful but I rely on her a lot. It's not I can't do it on my own, she's more of a guide for me to help me improve till I'm ready. So, please thank her for this update. And please enjoy.

Previously on Different Path:

"I'd rather have my wings ripped off than apologize for taking back what is mine." He growled.

"I have a feeling you're not agreeing. If you keep acting like this, it's best to take you somewhere else."

The words that Toothless feared finally came. Throughout his years with the brunet, he had nightmares of days similar to this. The day Hiccup does not want the Night Fury around. And to think this is over his natural behavior of possessiveness. Large green eyes met with smaller ones. For the longest of time, those eyes sparked with seriousness. Something Toothless haven't seen in a very long time. And because of that, the dark dragon knew that it's not to get childish over. Not if he wanted to make the situation worse than it should be. However, Toothless is not backing down on the matter. He raised his head slightly upward and stared down at the brunet. It was as if he was saying, 'I dare you to'.

The Night Fury knew that his actions were childish. And that he should walk pass this without making a scene. Hiccup knew that he was mature enough to do so. Not this time. This was the last straw. He may regret this later in the future. Or maybe tomorrow… But not today… He claimed this human many years ago. And there is no way he is going to allow another dragon to claim what is his.

Chapter 13: New Mate…?

It was late at night. The bright blue sky turned pitch black with sparkling stars. Sky could hear the gentle breeze blowing against the wooden door. The living room was completely quiet. Except the soft snoring of Leila's breathing on the table not too far from her. The entire day, the Skywing dragon lay on the same spot, unmoved. Her eyes never wandered anywhere else. However, that does not apply to her thoughts. She could remember clearly seeing Toothless' expression of rage. Those sharp green eyes pierced her soul. But that was not the reason as to why it bothered her. No, it was something else.

Those eyes of rage contained jealousy. She knew jealousy better than any other dragon. The serpent-like dragon could recall a few occasions of being jealous herself. Those were times where Scarlet didn't focused on her. Whether it's Leila, Hiccup, or any mere object, it bothered her. Her thoughts kept telling her everything is going to be all right. However, her heart was craving for the attention. It was close to being called a drug or addiction. Scarlet's attention was her drug. That's probably the brunette's fault for giving too much when the dragon was younger. Now, it was never enough. And it was affecting her behavior.

The flames continued to burn the new wood in its' surrounding. As it consumed, Sky could feel her scales becoming warmer. The fire was like her jealousy. If there is something there, the fire can continue burning, destroying whatever is inside of it. Like that village Viking name Hiccup. That boy has been spending too much time with her brunette. She didn't like it. Oh, how she wanted to claw those hands off her human. Or how she wanted to set ablaze to that dragon of his for harming her friend today. Alas, she could not. In a way, that dragon and her are similar. But he's much complicated. Toothless broke a dragon rule that could curse him for eternity. He fell in love with his human.

Like humans, dragons have their own laws. And the very first is hardly known. Nor did it happen for centuries of when dragons roamed the sky. Prohibiting love between humans and dragons were created centuries ago. Or so she heard from a few gossiping old dragons. They said that a male dragon fell in love with a human girl. They met in a forest when he was heavily injured. Because of his cold heart and hatred for humans, he scared her away to heal on his own pace. However, the human girl was not easily frightened. Since that day, she took care of him. She fed, bathes, and loved him like a mother would. During that time, the hatred of humans and cold heart of his disappeared.

A year passed on since they first encountered. And the love for the human girl was growing strong. He would always wait for her where they first met every day. And she would always appear day after day. It was like a fantasy. With time, the injury healed. The dragon, however, did not plan on leaving. Few days later after his wound healed, he explored the forest many times to recognize where he was going. That was when he came across a cave at a high point in a mountain. There, he performed his own magic of sorts. For many days, he continued creating spells.

Many would say that it was hopeless. A dragon's intelligence was nothing compared to a human. They were clearly wrong. Most dragons have the same intelligence as a human. It's the language they speak is the issue. However, that was not what that dragon relied on. His determination, love, and desire kept him moving forward. His passion to become human for his love burned. And that's when he did it. The magic to turn him human finally became successful. His wings gone, talons and claws replaced with hands and feet, scales to skin. Alas, there was a cost to it. His voice was removed.

It sounded like a best trade. The very best to that dragon male… Alas, he didn't consider the consequences. When he became human, he rushed down to the spot where he and the girl meet. The human girl, being a kind-heart person, took him in to her home. Like many months, she took care of him. It was years later that the dragon found it hard to express his love with words. That year in the spring, she fell in love with a man in her village. It broke the dragon's heart. He tried his best to convince her not to for he also loved her. Alas, his attempts did not work. Days later, she wed to the man that courted her.

With a broken heart and lost passion, the dragon returned to the mountain. He went to the highest point where he created his spells. There, he lived many years as a human till his old age and died. The human girl that he fallen for lived a happy life with her husband and many children. However, she did occasionally visit the spot where she encountered the dragon to find him gone. The story of the unrequited love spread across the land from dragons to dragons. As generations passed, the legend was soon less known to almost be forgotten. To prevent from heartache like this, the great dragons pass on the law that prohibit a dragon to love a human.

"He did all that to only gain nothing. Such a pitiful being he was. And another is following his footsteps." Sky thought.

There were rumors going around about the mountain cave that dragon died in. Rumors have it that if a dragon enters there, they will become human. Alas, those were just rumors. Few dragons tried it for fun in attempt to be human. However it didn't work out as they wished it to be. That's why it's just a rumor for female dragons to fawn over for some romance in their plain lives. There were others that said that it didn't work because they didn't love a human as that dragon male did. Without it, the transformation wouldn't have worked. Not that any dragon would fall for a human from the start.

"I wonder if that dragon is going to suffer the same fate…" She mumbled to herself.

–

The moon was glowing in the horizon. Toothless was watching it as he was hanging upside down on a tree. He was at the cavern. The cavern that he landed in after being shot down. And what a memorable memory that is. Now, he's back here the third time, hanging around. And he definitely doesn't want to be reminded of what happened the second time. Before he got here, Hiccup gave him a choice to apologize or to leave. Since the Night Fury doesn't want to apologize, he left. He's not sure when he'll be going back to Berk. Not any time soon that's for sure.

"My Hiccup doesn't seem to understand me anymore…" Toothless muttered.

Language was never the issue between them. They had a bond strong enough to understand each other without it. It was never the problem back then. So why is it getting in the way now? It probably started when the newcomers arrived. The brunet's attention is on them and not him. And it was irritating. And why is it that he had to apologize? That dragon knew that Hiccup was his. Doesn't she know anything about marking of possession? Toothless groaned as he removed himself off the tree. His mood is getting worse. He could feel it. Anyone could tell.

While Toothless was busy thinking, a dragon fell down into the cavern. It was a Deadly Nadder. The color of the scale is yellow and pink. From that, it was easy to tell that it was a female. On her left wing, there was a wound on it. More like a hole in the middle with smaller ones around it. The Nadder whimpered. She was in pain nevertheless. The small whimpering later caught the Night Fury's attention. He quickly turned his head to the sound. Green eyes met with yellow. The boiling anger simmered down as sympathy stepped in. He hurried his way to the Deadly Nadder. She was now holding in her agony. Alas, it was hard not notice such thing.

"What happened to you?" Toothless asked.

"I was attacked by another dragon." She answered.

"Let me help you."

"No need. I just need to rest and cover it. That's all. Thank you for your concern."

Toothless sat down with his tail moving to his side. His wings folded back as he was positioning himself. The Night Fury later gave her an expression that says 'Do you really think you can do that on your own?'. The nameless Nadder only stood there, staring at him. They gazed each other for the longest time. Eventually, she sighed. The female dragon expands her yellow colored wing that had the unholy wound. Toothless cringed at the sight. Luckily, it was not any bigger. If so, the chances of being able to fly are unlikely. And that is something that a dragon cannot afford if they want to survive.

"What is your name?"

"I am Gynka. What is yours?"

"My name is Toothless."

"… A dragon such as a Night Fury gets a petty name called Toothless? Pitiful if I might say."

"It was not my choice on the matter. My human gave me that name."

"You residents with the humans…? Seems like the world changing. Never had I thought that would happen."

It was only natural to think that. There are some dragons back in Berk that were doubtful about this. Dragons getting along with human that kills their kind…? That was a humorless joke in many ways than one. However, Toothless never paid any heed to it. All his attention was on Hiccup. Now, look at him. Gynka stared at the Night Fury. He was staring back but she doubts that he's actually focusing. Toothless' senses came back to him when he heard a light cough. His body heated from embarrassment. To let a stranger see him like this was degrading. The Nadder hummed.

"You said that you had a human? What are they like?"

"You never met one before? There were some up ahead from here."

"No, I never wander far from my pack till now. Last time I saw one was when we had to fetch food."

"Well, you're not missing much if that's what you're asking. Humans and dragons get along now."

"What about the Queen? Is she still around?" Gynka asked, worried.

"As far as I know, she's dead." Toothless reassured.

Gynka smiled at the news. She was never really fond of the Queen. That's why her pack tries not to get involve as much as they can. Years ago, there were rumors of the Queen's fall on a distant dragon lair. It caused uproars in their group. A human took her down while riding a dragon. Since they don't go around that much, they only thought it were false rumors. The idea of human and dragon getting along was only make-believe. However, there were a few Nadders that believed it was true since they don't feel the control of the Queen. Gynka winced slightly as the pain began to irritate her.

"For now, rest… I'll look around to see if there's anything I can use." Toothless said.

"Thank you Toothless." Gynka smiled.

–

Yeah, Gynka is the love interest of Toothless. And she's a Nadder. The only reason I didn't want to make it Sky or a different Night Fury. Sky, I don't really picture him and her making any connection from how it is now. And for a different Night Fury, I did some studying. The chances of another Toothless is close to zero to one… So, yeah… I hope that you enjoyed this chapter. Sorry if it was a bit short. Next time, I'll do my best to do this on time and longer.