Wistful Thinking
Ryuiji was laying on his bed and staring up at the ceiling. He stared off into space as he replayed the events of dinner. Like most nights he ate with Kyoshi's family. The dinner started off fine with the group engaging in casual conversation. To Ryuiji's amusement his mother, Yoko-san, asked when Kyoshi would find himself a wife. Kyoshi only flushed and muttered excuses that he would wait a few more years.
Ryuiji subtly suggested he was betting Kyoshi would get married around the same time as the princess. This earned him a death glare from Kyoshi across the table that only made him chuckle. Then to his horror and mortification Yoko asked him when he would find a nice Japanese girl. Yoko considered Ryuiji an honorary son and pressed him for details on when he would bless her with honorary grandchildren. It only got worse when Daichi suggested that he could find him a wife. Kyoshi was barely containing his laughter at the way the tables had so quickly turned on his friend.
So after dinner was over Ryuiji went to his quarters and flopped down on the bed as he thought about his future. He wondered what he would do. Would he end up finding a Japanese girl and marrying her? Would he have children and spend the rest of his day in Japan? He didn't know. That didn't sound too bad though. His life here was pretty good. He had everything a man could ask for here. Friends, respect, a job, a purpose. What more did he need?
His brooding was interrupted when he heard the door to his room slide open. Glancing over, he saw it was Kyoshi. "Hey," he said halfheartedly.
"Everything alright Ryuiji?" he asked with mild concern.
"Yeah. "Just lost in thought is all," he answered.
"Does it have to do with what mother said?"
Ryuiji remained silent. Then he sighed. "A little," he admitted.
Kyoshi had guessed that was the case. He watched as his friend was lost in his own pensive thoughts. He noticed that seemed to be happening a lot lately. He needed to take him out. "How about we head to the Southern Province. There's going to be a Matsuri festival," he suggested.
Hiccup thought about it for a moment. "Nah. Not up for it," he replied.
Kyoshi frowned at his answer. But he knew his friend well. He knew how to get him out. "Ok then. Shame really. I was going to suggest we have a race there. Amakage's gotten a bit faster now. I bet his speed is superior to Toothless'," he said with a shrug. Ryuiji didn't respond, but Kyoshi knew he had him. "But if you're not up to it I guess there's no helping it," he said with a smirk.
3…2…1. And then Ryuiji sat up and looked at his friend with a smile on his face. "You're on."
"YEAH BABY!" Ryuiji shouted excitedly as he and Toothless shot through the air. He and Toothless were only slightly ahead of their opponents, Amakage and Kyoshi, as they sped over the land and toward the Southern Province. Glancing to his left he saw Kyoshi smiling as he urged Amakage forward. He was right, Amakage had gotten a bit faster. But he was still no match for Toothless.
Amakage pulled up beside Toothless and they glanced at each other out of the comers of their eyes. They both gave a competitive growl as they pumped their wings harder to gain speed. Their relationship was a lot like their riders'. They were friends and rivals who loved to test themselves against each other.
They loved competing against each other and testing their speeds. To Amakage's annoyance, Toothless' speed had always been superior to his. But when they raced through cliffs and forests his snake like body gave him an edge in maneuverability that allowed him to win some of their races. The pair also sparred and tested their strengths and fighting skills against each other. Over the years they were pretty evenly matched and they helped each other improve their skills.
As Amakage was gaining on them Ryuiji adjusted the tailfin and Toothless put on a burst of speed. He pulled further ahead of Amakage and Kyoshi and he grunted at Amakage mockingly. Amakage growled in annoyance and put on a burst of speed himself. Their riders had wide smiles on their faces as they soared over the land. They loved this. The rush and sound of the wind roaring in their ears. They would never get tired of this.
Suddenly a roar followed by a pink blur shooting past them took the men and dragons by surprise. They lost control for a moment by the gust of wind in the wake of their newest challenger. Evening out they all looked ahead of them and smiled at their surprise guest.
Smiling back at them was the princess, Megumi. She was atop her pink female Mizuchi, affectionately named Sakura-chan. Sakura had been a gift from Ryuiji and Kyoshi for her 15th birthday. The pair had a very strong bond and they loved each other dearly. Sakura being a female Mizuchi was smaller shorter, and sleeker than male Mizuchis like Amakage. Her horns were also smaller and she lacked the prehensile whiskers the males had on their upper lips. Sakura was a shy dragon. Whenever she met a stranger she would hide her head behind the princess until she reassured her it was safe.
The princess had become an amazingly skilled dragon rider. She would often race members of the Benten corps and win. And Sakura was amazingly fast. Even Toothless had trouble keeping ahead of her.
*"Princess. What brings you here?"* Ryuiji asked with a smile.
The princess smiled back as she got Sakura to slow down a little. *"I just thought that Ryuiji could use some real competition,"* she said playfully. She looked over to a frowning Kyoshi and wrinkled her nose at him.
Then with a whoop of laughter she and Sakura shot ahead. Ryuiji and Kyoshi looked at each other and smiled. Then they urged their dragons forward and after the princess. They were both determined to win. Or at least not come in third place.
Together the dragons and their riders walked through Toki Village. The village was beautiful. Lanterns were lit, illuminating the streets in a warm golden light. Adults and children were having a good time playing games and buying treats from the local vendors. The village had panicked when they had first landed and strolled into the village but settled down when they saw the dragons weren't wild.
The people were amazed at seeing the dragons up close. They instantly recognized Ryuiji and Kyoshi as the Black Riders and of course they knew the princess. They were welcomed with open arms and the fish vendors even gave some of their sock to the dragons who ate them up greedily.
The group was having a good time. They enjoyed the food and played some games. Ryuiji won a dragon mask from a stall from a shooting gallery. Kyoshi won the princess a mouse mask from the same game. As they continued walking around they saw a puppet show was being performed. And it was depicting the battle with the Orochi from all those years ago.
Ryuiji smiled to himself as he watched the show. When he turned around to see the face of his friends he was surprised to see they weren't there. Looking around, he finally found them near a Dango stand. He watched and smiled as he saw the princess offering a stick of the dumplings to Kyoshi. Kyoshi slid one off and ate it and smiled at the princess while she giggled and blushed.
Ryuiji was happy for his friend. The couple had known each other since they were children and as they got older they started to develop more intimate feeling for one another. Ryuiji saw this coming for years. Glancing over to their dragons he saw Amakage sharing some of his fish with Sakura. He found it very funny that both dragons and riders were enamored with each other.
He started laughing when he saw Amakage suddenly get into a tug of war over a Marlin against Toothless. He decided to let the couple have their alone time and walked off by himself. As he walked around thoughts of his future began to resurface. What would he do about women and children? He knew he wanted them someday. He was a Viking after all. And he didn't want to be alone for the rest of his life.
As he looked around he noticed he was getting smoldering looks from some local girls. He blushed and ducked his head shyly and he heard them giggle in response. Women in Japan seemed to like him well enough. Kyoshi said it was because he was tall. He thought how funny it was that he was considered attractive half way around the world but not at home. But then again he had changed. Maybe he was a catch now. He shook his head and snorted. Yeah right, he thought slightly bitter. He may have gotten taller and bulked up a little but he wasn't going to be a giant anytime soon.
Over the years he had tried to form an interest in some Japanese girls around the palace. He honestly found them to be pretty. But every time he tried to get closer to one, his mind would flash with images of a girl with fierce blue eyes and golden hair. Both belonging to the girl that still held his heart.
With a sigh he walked up the stairs to the local shrine. He stopped when he reached the top and leaned against a pillar of one of the Torii. He started thinking more and more about Astrid over the years. It started when he turned 17. At that age he was considered a man by his people's customs. He was also able to take a wife. But then again no one would have wanted him back then. Especially the glorious Valkyrie that was Astrid Hofferson. Though after that kiss he wondered what would have happened if he had stayed. Maybe they would have at least become friends. Maybe he could have won her affection with time.
A hand on his shoulder pulled him from his thoughts. Glancing over his shoulder he saw it was Kyoshi. His friend was holding out a squid on a stick for him. He took it with a grateful smile and he took a bite. "How's your date going?" he asked him.
"Pretty good. Is something wrong?" he asked him.
Ryuiji sighed. "Just thinking," he said blankly.
"About Astrid?" Kyoshi asked curiously. Ryuiji had shared much of his old life with Kyoshi over the years.
"Yeah," he said before taking another bite from his squid. They remained silent for a few minutes as Ryuiji ate and enjoyed the company of his friend. "I'm thinking about going Kyoshi," Ryuiji said breaking the silence.
"Ok. Where shall we go?" he asked, not grasping what he was getting at. Ryuiji often went exploring on his own and Kyoshi would sometimes join him.
"I meant I'm thinking about returning home," Ryuiji clarified.
Kyoshi understood that perfectly. "Why my friend?" he asked seriously.
"It's my home Kyoshi. And I think it's about time I returned there."
"Are you not happy here my friend? You have everything a person could ask for," Kyoshi pointed out.
"I know. But I miss it. I miss my people," he said with a somber voice.
Kyoshi gave a small nod in understanding. "I would miss you you know."
"I know," Ryuiji aid in acknowledgment.
"When do you plan on going?" Kyoshi asked inquisitively.
"In a month maybe. Just got get some things ready," he said already thinking about what he would need to do.
"I think that a little too soon Ryuiji. You should stay at least two months. So we can get affairs in order with the Benten and say your final goodbyes," Kyoshi offered.
Ryuiji thought about it for a moment before nodding in acceptance. Kyoshi was probably right. He needed time to say his goodbyes and get his affairs in order. One more month wouldn't hurt. Plus it would give him some time to consider if he really wanted to leave.
With that the pair headed back down to the village. Ryuiji had a lot to think about.
Beside him Kyoshi hid his relief at convincing his friend to stay a little longer. He would have to tell his father when they returned to the palace that Hiccup would have to be given his surprise sooner than expected.
He would miss his friend dearly. But he'd always been half expecting this to happen one day. But before he left Ryuiji would be given one final gift. One that he would keep forever.
New chapter. Hope its ok. Just a little filler to set the mood and frther the story.