|Izunako|

Sylandria told me something that I found… unexpected. "My mother is visiting me. And… don't laugh… she used to tease me for not having a boyfriend. So-"

"That's completely normal not to have a boyfriend." I was confused.

"Yeah, but this was different. I was very aggressive towards guys trying to ask me out, which was a handful of people."

I grinned. "I can see why they did. You're attractive, and your personality is decent enough."

She punched me hard in the shoulder. "Shut up. So anyway, because my mother rags on me so much… I want you to be my boyfriend."

"W-what?! I mean…"

She turned away from me. "It's ok if you don't want to. I understand."

"N-no! I just… I don't know if this is a temporary thing or if you're actually asking me out…. But I guess I'll do it. For you."

She smiled. "Thanks, Izu." Then she kissed my cheek. "Come on. Let's go get some food. I'm hungry and it's almost 2000." She dragged me by the hand out of the room and to the mess hall. We had our individual training after this, so we ate and parted ways. I walked to the training room, a titanium fortress covered in countless battle scars. The Commander was waiting for me there.

"Good evening, Corporal. Today we will be focusing on heavier weapons. The weapon you will be wielding is your choice." A rack slid out of the wall, containing a greatsword, morningstar, and heavy flail. I chose the morningstar. It was heavy. But I managed. Commander Dragoon wore plating on her arms and readied herself for my attack. I swung the morningstar, and she deflected it with an angry expression. "Raekaga, you idiot. You don't swing it, you charge with it.

"Sounds like a plan, Commander." I reeled back and charged with the morningstar. The Commander stopped it, tore it from my hands, and threw it with unnatural strength.

"Raekaga… just leave. I'm not in the mood for this anymore."

I left without a single question asked. I started to walk back to my room when the door across from the training room opened, and an exhausted Sylandria stumbled out. "Sylandria! You okay?!" She leaned on my shoulder.

"Yeah… I'm just tired."

"What happened?"

She sighed. "I used my power." Wait, what? I thought she could use it efficiently.

"I thought you didn't get drained…"

Sylandria closed her eyes as she spoke. "Well… I thought so too… so I guess we were both wrong." We stood there in silence so she could recover. "Izu… can you carry me back to our room…?"

I picked her up gently and held her in my arms as I walked. "You don't even have to ask." We got to our room, but Sylandria's bed was gone. There was a note. "'I took your bed because my ex took mine. Thanks Slut.' What the hell?!" I burned the note in my fist.

"That little whore. Someone's gonna die tonight!"

She began to storm out of the room when I put my hand on her shoulder and stopped her. "You can sleep in my bed."

Sylandria whipped around and stared at me in disbelief. "What?! Where are you going to sleep?!"

I stretched and curled up on the ground with Ashley. "I'll sleep here with Ashley." The dragonmander had a victorious look on her face. Sylandria looked enraged.

"No you're not. You're sleeping with me."

I decided to tease her. "Nah. Are you just afraid that Ashley will take my first time?"

"I-I am not! It's just cold in here, alright?!" Sylandria snapped.

"Sure. Well, goodnight." I rolled away from her, hugging Ashley.

"Get. In bed with me. NOW." Her voice was vicious. I sighed sarcastically and opened my shirt. Sylandria tore her clothes off and put on a hoodie that was much bigger than her size. I sat up as Sylandria climbed in bed next to me. Her face was red and she turned away from me.

"Don't be like that. I'm sorry." I stroked her cheek with the back of my hand, which caused her to shiver. "Hey. Look at me." She turned and I kissed her cheek quickly. She did the same to me, and laid on my chest. "Good night, Sylandria."

"Good night, Izunako." I kept myself awake until I felt Sylandria's breathing slow. Then I let myself sleep.

I woke up to someone standing over me, studying my form. It was a middle-aged woman with graying hair. I beat my wings and jumped up, jolting Sylandria awake as she fell off the bed. I instinctively went into a defensive stance. I emitted a sharp snap of flame from my hand to call Ashley. She didn't do anything. She was laying on the couch, blushing and drooling. ...What… There was a mint leaf in her mouth. I removed it and looked at it closely. It didn't seem drugged. The woman spoke.

"Mint leaves cause an intoxicating feeling in dragonmanders. It could be menthol, or it could be something else in the leaves."

I turned slowly towards her. "So you just drugged Ashley?!" I looked over at Sylandria, whose face was white. "You okay? Sylandria?"

She took in a shuddering breath. "Mom, this is Izunako Raekaga, Monster Hunter Class 5. My boyfriend. Izunako, this is Sierra Haigazu, my mother."

"Sylandria." Her mother started speaking. "What species is he?" This was sudden.

Ashley started ranting. "Master is a dragon, you idiot. He was wings. Duh." Damn. Miss Haigazu raised an eyebrow at Sylandria, who was still white.

"He… he… he is… a… a dragon…" Ashley clung to my arm.

"Of course he is, dummy." The young girl pressed her lips against mine softly. She held it for over a minute. I looked over at Sylandria, who had a murderous look on her face. She sighed.

"No, Ashley, you gotta do it like this…" The Harpy ran up to me, threw her arms around my neck, and kissed me hard. Her claws dug into my neck, leaving small cuts. But I held her. Ashley had an envious look on her face. Sylandria finally let go, blushing and crossing her feathered arms over her chest. I could feel the heat in my own face. Miss Haigazu sighed.

"You really do like him don't you?" She studied my body again. "He looks decent enough. And he seems to like you back as well… But, as he is a Dragon, I won't accept him."

Sylandria started screeching at her. "You know what?! I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK ANYMORE! I'm tired of you judging the Dragons poorly just because of species rivalry!" She put both hands on my chest and scraped at the scar with her claws. "I don't care what you think. He has saved my life before, and now a Soul of the Corruptor lives inside of him!" WHAT?! THE CORRUPTION LIVES INSIDE OF ME?! "I owe him. It's my fault that he's like this. So the least I can do is stay by his side and love him!" She turned and held my hand. "I knew he liked me. Of course he would. He's just like the other guys, except he's dedicated. He'll stand with me when nobody else will."

I was about to faint. I was Corrupt?! But she said it was her fault…? I had to ask her later. Her mother spoke. "...If that's how it is… fine. Have your Dragon lover."

Sylandria snapped at her again. "Good. Now leave." Miss Haigazu was gone.

"...Sylandria…?" My voice was weak.

"What, Raekaga?!" She was still angry, so I kissed her. "I-I mean… yes?"

"I met your mother, you will meet my mother AND father. Annabelle and Steven Raekaga."

"Oh great. More people that will criticise our relationship." Sylandria didn't like the thought of it apparently.

"Nah, don't worry. They're accepting of many things. Like good parents." I smiled. "No such thing as forbidden love to them."