Final Gift

Ryuiji was in the palace's forge as he worked on making a new saddle and tailfin. It had been three weeks since he had made the decision to leave and his mind hadn't changed. While he loved this land and the people in it he had to return home. To see his father if nothing else. He hadn't yet told anyone about his decision to leave. He didn't know how others would take it. Would they be disappointed in him? Would they think he was ungrateful for all they'd done for him? He hoped not. He respected so many people in the palace.

"Ryuiji," came a familiar voice behind him. Turing around, he saw that it was Daichi.

"Hello sir," he greeted him respectfully with a bow. "Do you need anything?"

"Yes. Come with me," he said blankly.

"Well I'm kind of busy at the moment," Ryuiji replied sheepishly.

"Come," Daichi said more firmly. It was an order this time.

Ryuiji reluctantly set down his project and followed after Daichi as he led him out of the forge. He couldn't read Daichi's mood at the moment. Daichi rarely gave him and order. Usually he made a respectful request of him.

"Kyoshi says you plan on leaving Ryuiji," Daichi said not turning around. Ryuiji flinched at his words. He hadn't wanted Daichi to find out like this. He wanted to be the one to tell him. Though he guessed he couldn't blame his friend. He had been putting it off for too long.

"Yes sir. It's true," he said with a sigh. "It's not that I'm not grateful sir. It's just that…well," Ryuiji paused as he tried to find the right words.

"You seek to find your destiny," Daichi said stopping and turning to look at him.

Ryuiji considered his words for a moment before nodding.

Diachi's expression remained blank for a moment. "I understand," he said with a nod.

"You do? You're not disappointed?" Ryuiji asked hesitantly.

Daichi shook his head. "No. I've always been half expecting you to move on one day. I just hoped it might have been a few more years from now," he admitted. Then motioning with his head he continued walking forward. Ryuiji was glad Daichi wasn't disappointed with him. He respected the general a lot. The man had helped him grow into who he was now. He had taught him many life lessons on being a man.

Together they walked in silence for a few moments before they came to the doors of the main courtyard. Sliding the door open and ushering Ryuiji through, he shut the door behind them. Ryuiji took a good look at the courtyard and froze on the spot. His eyes were wide at what he saw.

The entire courtyard was filled with the Shogun's army. He could see hundreds of his men clad in their samurai armor. He gulped nervously as it looked like they were about to go to war. What unnerved him more is that they were staring at him. The men were divided into two section, leaving the center of the courtyard open with a path. Looking at the end of the path, Ryuiji could see the Shogun ahead.

He stood there unsure of what to do until Daichi came up to his right and gave him a push forward. Slowly they both started walking up to the Shogun. Ryuiji still didn't know what was going on. Why was the army here? Why was everyone clad in their armor? Why the Hel was he being stared at?
As they got closer to the Shogun he could also see his friend, the princess, and the prince standing off to the side. And directly behind the Shogun he could make out an old man he recognized was the head smith and chief sword maker Takoa-san.

When they finally reached the Shogun Daichi moved to stand at the man's right. Ryuiji gave the Shogun a respectful bow. Then he stood up and waited for the Shogun to address him.

*"Ryuiji. Thank you for coming,"* the Shogun said respectfully.

*"Of course my lord,"* Ryuiji answered formally. *"May I ask what this is about?"* He asked carefully.

The Shogun remained silent and still for a few moments before turning and taking something from Takao-san. When he turned back around to face Ryuiji he had something in both his hands. It was a Katana. Eyeing it he looked up at the Shogun inquisitively, not sure what he wanted him to do.

*"Takao-san wants to know your opinion,"* the Shogun explained.

Ryuiji was skeptical at his answer. While Ryuiji could make a fine Katana, he didn't have the fine eye that Takao-san, who had been making them his whole life had. But he obediently reached out and gripped the sword firmly with both his hands on the scabbard. Looking at the sheathed sword he saw that it looked new and unused. The scabbard was a fine black lacquered wood and the Tuska, or hilt of the sword, was wrapped in black ray skin with the menuki wholes colored red.

Grasping the hilt of the sword firmly with his right hand and holding the scabbard with his left he drew it. It was beautiful like all of Takoa's swords. As he had expected it was a relatively new sword. It had yet to see battle but he could tell it was a fine weapon.

*"How does it feel,"* Takoa-san asked from behind the Shogun. Ryuiji held it up vertically and tested the weight with a swing. It felt like a good sword. But there was something more. It felt…right. It felt amazingly good…almost like it was meant for his hands.

He kept the blade pointed down at the ground as he inspected it. *"It feels good. A fine sword like always,"* he answered in admiration. He looked up at Takoa-san who was smiling proudly. Ryuiji really respected and admired Takao's abilities. The man had taught him how to make swords the Japanese style way. The Japanese Katanas were some incredibly made swords. Their sharpness and quality were unlike anything he'd ever seen from a Viking sword. He remembered the time when he made his first Katana. He had been so proud. Then he cast his gaze back down to the sword still in his hands. He couldn't take his eyes off it. There was just something about it. He didn't know what it was. It seemed like any other Katana. Maybe a little longer than most.

As he looked at it from different angles he noticed something else. The guard on the sword looked like...a coiled up Night Fury. Taking a second glance oly confirmed what he was seeing. It was Toothless. Coiled up with his wings flared open. Glancing even closer he could also make out something etched into the Habaki, the sword collar just above the guard. His eyes widened slightly in disbelief at what he saw. He couldn't believe what the Kanji etched into the metal read.

His mind started getting crazy ideas. He shook his head to dispel his foolishness. Sheathing the sword, he presented it to the Shogun who was smiling. Ryuiji waited for him to take back the sword and dismiss him. He wanted his opinion and he gave it. The Shogun made no move to take back the sword. Then turned to Daichi and nodded. Daichi nodded back.

*"Bring it out!"* Daichi called out firmly.

Ryuiji stood there confused before he heard a commotion in the crowd of samurai. Glancing to his left he saw some servants carrying what looked like a wardrobe. He watched, growing ever more confused, as they carried it out and placed it to the side. Then with a nod from Daichi, one of the servants opened the wardrobes doors. Ryuiji's eyes widened.

It was armor. Samurai armor. Mounted on a wooden mannequin he looked it over. It was black. Or almost all black. The top part of the gauntlets were red. Looking down he saw that the boots weren't normal. They were a pair of thick leather boots like the ones Ryuiji preferred. Another strange thing was the helmet. It didn't look like a typical samurai helmet. It was black with the bottom half a deep red. It had three ridges of spike running from the front to the back. It looked like a good helmet for flying on a dragon with. Looking at the dimensions of the armor. He could tell that it was meant for someone quite tall. Someone who would probably about six feet in height. Tearing his eyes away from the armor, he looked back at the Shogun and Daichi.

They were smiling at him. They were obviously enjoying his reaction and looks of admiration.

After swallowing, Ryuiji found his voice. *"Whose are these?"* He asked slowly, referring to the armor and sword.

The Shogun remained silent as he looked into his eyes. *"They are yours,"* he finally said.

Ryuiji stood here shocked. He couldn't comprehend the Shogun's answer. This surely had to be a joke. No ordinary person received a Katana and armor. Least of all some foreigner blacksmith commoner.

*"Everyone,"* the Shogun cried out with his powerful authoritative voice. *"Let us all bow and pay our respects to a new warrior among our ranks,"* then he paused to look Ryuiji in the eyes. *"We gladly accept you among us. Lord Ryuiji,"* he declared. At the end of his statement Daichi, his son, the princess, the prince, and all the other samurai bowed to him.

Ryuiji's brain had all but stopped. He couldn't fathom the evidence that had been presented to him. This surely had to be a dream. This surely couldn't be real. He had been given a Katana. Now he could tell it was obviously custom made for his own hands. He had been given armor. Obviously made uniquely for him. And now the Shogun had just called him Lord Ryuiji.

The Shogun had just made him…a samurai.

Ryuiji was sitting in the Shogun's personal quarters. He sat across the table from the Shogun as the man drank some tea. All the while his eyes were glued to the sword he still held in both his hands. A sword that had been made especially for him. A sword that if he accepted would mark him as a samurai. An elite warrior.

*"Ryuiji,"* came the firm voice of Daichi that pulled his eyes away from the sword. Looking up he glanced over to Daichi who was standing beside the Shogun. *"You seem troubled,"* he pointed out. After Ryuiji processed what had occurred he had an unsure and pensive look on his face. Daichi pointed this out to the Shogun and suggested they speak in private. The Shogun agreed and led Ryuiji to his personal quarters.

*"You don't seem very happy about this,"* the Shogun also pointed out.

Ryuiji panicked at having possibly offended the Shogun. *"No I'm honored. Really I am,"* he quickly said. Then he cast his gaze back down to the sword. *"It's just that...I can't accept this,"* he muttered quietly.

The Shogun raised an eyebrow in question. *"Why not?"* Daichi asked echoing his thoughts.

Ryuiji lifted his gaze from the sword and took a breath. *"Because I know what being a samurai means. It means to serve a master. And I'm sorry my lord,"* he said respectfully as he could. *"But I still intend to leave. I can't in good conscience take this,"* he said bowing his head and presenting the sword to the Shogun. He respected the Shogun and the samurai too much to selfishly take up the mantle himself. As much as it pained him, he couldn't do that to them.

The room remained silent for what seemed like an eternity. Then to Ryuiji's surprise he heard a chuckle. Looking up he saw that the Shogun was laughing. Next to him, Daichi was laughing too. Then he saw Daichi reach into his armor and pull out a gold coin before handing it to the Shogun. Ryuiji was confused. What was so funny?

Then the Shogun reached an arm out across the table and pushed the sword back to him. *"Sorry Ryuiji. You just made me slightly richer. Daichi and I had a bet on whether or not you would accept your new title and I just won,"* he said with a smile. *"Such an unselfish act only further proves that you are worthy of being a samurai Ryuiji. What you did was very honorable. Not many people in your place would turn down such an offer,"* he said evenly. Ryuiji listened intently as the Shogun praised him. *"Consider this to be my final gift to you. For all you have done for my people."*

*"We'd been planning to give it to you in six more months,"* Daichi revealed. *"But when Kyoshi told me you planned to leave sooner, we knew we had to do it now,"* he explained.

Then the Shogun paused before he stood up. Then he beckoned Ryuiji to stand up as well. When he did the Shogun walked up to him and looked into his eyes. *"Ryuiji. As long as you continue to live honorably and follow the way of the warrior. You will be master to only yourself. You will be worthy of being called, samurai,"* he said firmly, his voice full of warmth.

Ryuiji listened to the Shogun's words before looking to Daichi. Daichi gave him a firm nod. He was telling him that it was ok. Ryuiji glanced down at the sword before pulling it close to his chest. *"You have no idea what this means to me,"* he said quietly. They truly didn't. He couldn't put into words the joy he felt right now. This was the kind of acceptance he'd yearned for as a childwhen he wanted to be a dragon killer. These people acknowledged him as a warrior. An equal. Him. A Viking. A foreigner.

*"Wear it with pride Ryuiji,"* the Shogun told him.

Ryuiji nodded before he slipped the sword into his belt. Then he looked to both men, beaming with pride. *"I will,"* he said resolutely. And he meant it.

Toothless was dozing atop of his rider's quarters. He was patiently waiting for his rider to finish his business and go on a flight with him. Lately he'd been busy preparing for their trip back to their home territory. Toothless would miss Japan. But as much as he loved this land and exploring, he was excited to head back to the place he'd been born.

"Toothless! Toothless!" suddenly came the excited shout from his human. Rising up and glancing over the edge of the roof he saw his human looking up at him with a wide smile on his face. "Come down here bud. I got something to show ya," he shouted up to him.

Toothless cocked his head before obliging. He leapt down on the roof and landed in front of his human. Then he sat on his haunches as he waited for him to show him.

"Bud you won't believe what just happened," he said before he paused and pulled out a sword at his hip. He hadn't seen his human ever carry around a sword before. "Look at this bud. Do you know what this means?" he asked him. Toothless cocked his head to the side inquisitively. "It means I'm a samurai bud. Your rider is a samurai," he said jumping up and down ecstatically. Toothless understood that. He flashed him a gummy grin and bobbed his head up and down while releasing some enthusiastic gurgles.

"Bud. We got to show this to Raijin," he said with a gasp. Toothless nodded his head excitedly before the pair took off running toward the entrance to the cave systems.

Ryuiji led the way as they walked through the cave systems underneath the palace. He was excited to tell Raijin about his new status. He liked the big dragon a lot and he seemed to like him back. As he and Toothless walked through the caves he was greeted by the friendly growl and bows of Raijin's subjects. The whole Mizuchi nest lived inside the mountain now after the destruction of their old one when the Orochi was defeated. The dragons loved it here. They adored the hot springs under the mountain and loved bathing and splashing about. They even allowed the humans to join them in their baths.

Finally after a few minutes they reached the edge of the largest pool in the cave system. It was the size of a small lake. Only Raijin swam in this pool since he was the king. Glancing down from the cliff overlooking the lake, he scanned the water for Raijin. Despite not being a Tidal class dragon Raijin was a very good swimmer.

Not spotting the dragon he took a deep breath. "Hey Raijin! It's me big guy!" he called out loudly. His voice echoed off the walls of the cave as he waited. Then he noticed bubbled rising out of the water. Then he could make out something moving beneath the surface. Then it a great spray of warm water Raijin burst from below the surface. Making his way over to the cliff he lowered his head to greet Ryuiji and Toothless.

Ryuiji always felt humbled in the presence of Raijin. He could just feel the power and wisdom the dragon radiated. Plus the way the dragon carried himself. It was like standing before a real god. Raijin, the giant Mizuchi king, was a powerful dragon. Some people referred to him as the Great Typhoon of the North. And that was because Raijin was like a force of nature. His wings were like a tempest. His roar like thunder. His tail like a lightning bolt. And his breath a firestorm. Ryuiji shivered when he thought of the destruction the dragon could cause. But he was appeased at knowing Raijin wasn't capable of such things.

All white with blue spines he was the only one of his species in that color. Symbolizing his status as king. At his tail was a fake tailfin like Toothless' that had been created by Ryuiji himself. He had lost the other half in the battle with the eight headed usurper shortly before Ryuiji had first arrived in this land. His body was adorned with battle scars that the king wore proudly as a testament to his prowess and ferocity.

As he lowered his head to greet the dragon and human he roared lightly. Ryuiji and Toothless bowed in respect. Something he acknowledged with a nod and subtle bow to Ryuiji. Raijin only ever bowed to him. And the Shogun. Raijin was considered by most of the kingdom to be the Shogun's dragon. Increasing his already god like status. But Ryuiji knew better. Raijin belonged to only himself. But the dragon respected the Shogun as a fellow king.

As he looked Ryuiji over he extended his whiskers toward him and ran them over his body. Inspecting him for anything new. Ryuiji learned that the whiskers on the Mizuchi males' upper lips were very sensitive and were used to examine and interact with their environments. They whiskers could tell whether or not something was edible along with other useful information. Ryuiji tried to suppress bouts of laughter as the whiskers tickled him. Then the whiskers started running down the length of his sword.

Raijin gave Ryuiji an inquisitive croon. "I've been made a samurai big guy," Ryuiji explained with a smile. Raijin crooned lightly in congratulations. "There's also something else I want to tell you big guy," Ryuiji said, his tone changing significantly. Raijin cocked his head to the side curiously.

"I'm leaving big guy," he said. "In about a month," he added. Raijin understood his words and crooned sadly. "I know Raijin. But I need to go home," Ryuiji explained. He would miss the large dragon. It was only because of him that he'd been able to learn so much about the Mizuchis. It was also only because of him that he was alive, having been saved by the giant dragon during the battle with the Orochi.

Raijin wrapped one of his whiskers around Ryuiji's waist before lifting him into the air. Then he placed him on his snout. Ryuiji sat down on his snout before he began scratching his skin. Raijin rumbled in contentment. He would miss the little human who had done so much for him and his subjects. If it hadn't been for the little human, he would have never become the king again and his subjects would still be suffering at the hands of the Orochi.

"I'll miss you big guy," Ryuiji said sincerely.

Raijin crooned in response and lowered his head to rest it on the cliff. Ryuiji promised himself to visit Raijin as much as he could before he left. He also promised to spend as much time as he could with the people he cared about. He wanted to make sure he had as many good memories with them as he could get.

After all they had done for him, gods know he was going to miss them all dearly.

Hiccup is now officially a samurai. Hope everyone likes. Not very good at describing the armor. Gonna have to use your imagination. the helmet is like the one from Httyd 2