The Kumandran stream flowed peacefully today. A stray fish would jump out of the water, but overall it was without disadvantages. It was good news for the ferryman, for since the Druun had vanished, it made sailing all the more easier. Still, he felt comfortable being on the water. Being on it granted freedom, freedom that wasn't possible when the Druun were around. The soul-stealing monsters made the world a literal hell, but now they were gone and Kumandra could truly thrive.

Yet, as he sailed, he wasn't alone. He had a passenger, but it wasn't a human one. Behind him was a long black lithe shape. Fur laced with skin, with a crowning horn, but what was noticeable was the beard on the creature's face. This wasn't any sort of creature, but a dragon.

The dragon held a name, one that was uttered on almost everyone's lips: Jarek. The importance of his name belied his role, for he was the first dragon who was born a human. Jarek's story was one many in Kumandra wouldn't forget, for a mere chance of fate altered his own, and now set him on the rest of his life. Jarek knew that and wouldn't let anyone forget.

"Boy, my life is great!" Jarek exclaimed.

The ferryman muttered as he continued along. This wasn't the first time he had spoken about his life.

"I mean, I got a life that other guys would kill for, you know why?" Jarek asked.

Before the ferryman could answer, Jarek used his dragon agility and found himself face to face with the ferryman, his long body twisting perfectly so as to not cause discomfort.

"It's because I'm married to the perfect woman, I mean I'm sure other guys have lovely wives, but my wife takes the cake!" Jarek sighed, "Speaking of which, I wonder if she's made me a welcome home cake? Oh man I could go for one, plus my sister-in-law is an excellent baker," Jarek licked his lips for emphasis, "Yes it's so lucky to be me!"

The ferryman sighed, "Yes, you've said that several times."

"Well, it's always good to be consistent!" Jarek boasted, "I just can't wait to get home to my sweet bride and relax with some good lovin."

Jarek's face broadened into a lazy smile, "Oh yes, I can imagine it now."

Memories replayed in his head. He recalled that night and Sisu had a while back. It was perfect, to say the least. The moment was perfect, and in that moment they...well, it would be better not to say, but to Jarek it was perfect. Sisu had certainly been happy. After all, he was skilled in many things, and keeping his wife happy was one of them.

Jarek leaned back, resting his head behind him, when suddenly, the boat lurched and Jarek found his relaxed position disrupted. He rose up quickly just as the ferryman spoke.

"We're here, last stop," the ferryman stated with a hint of eagerness in his voice.

Quickly scurrying off, Jarek tossed a small bag to the ferryman, "Keep the change my good man. I'm off to see my wife," Just hurried along, propelling himself through the air as he quickly maneuvered through the trees. He had long grown accustomed to his dragon physiology. Using the moisture in the air to move was a skill hard-earned, so much so that many dragons found flying while using raindrops far easier. But, Jarek had been a dragon enough that it was child's play to him. The ferryman didn't care, all he cared about was that he didn't have to deal with a love-struck dragon anymore.

***

Sisu eyed the forest that surrounded her home cautiously. Jarek was due home today. It had been a simple trip to Talon to visit his sister and niece. Now that Jarek was a dragon, he didn't see them as often as he did when he was human, so he took the time he did have with them last. Actually, his being a dragon wasn't entirely the reason, but rather he was married and no longer in the general vicinity of Talon.

Their home had been a wedding present from their family, Sisu's branch that is. It was situated between Heart and Dragontown, allowing the couple to traverse both places easily. It was quaint and quiet, nestled deep within the forest. There was a nearby lake, then the river which connected the rest of Kumandra. It was fairly large enough for two dragons, maybe more. Sisu was happy for more to be honest. It had all the niceties and enough furniture and equipment inside that the couple could live comfortably. In short, Sisu had no complaints and was happy to spend the rest of her days with her husband in their home. Life couldn't be any better, but this last week, Sisu found herself wrong, so very wrong.

"I don't know why you didn't make him stay home?" At Sisu's side, her sister Amba sat, her face drawn in a frown.

"Come on Amba, I couldn't ruin his trip," Sisu protested.

Amba swirled around, facing her sister with an even more prominent frown, "Sisu he's your husband! He would have stayed had you asked!"

"Relax, he just thought I had a small stomach bug, that's all," Sisu reassured.

"That's even more of a reason you should have asked him to stay!" Amba continued to argue, slapping her tail against the ground.

"Well, it wasn't a stomach bug!" Sisu snapped, "It was...something else," Silence fell between the two sisters before Sisu finished with, "Sorry for yelling."

Amba's from reversed into a smile, her tail relaxing, "It's okay Sisu, but I still think it was a bad idea to let Jarek go," Insisted Amba, "Just think how he's going to react."

"What do you mean? He's going to be happy! Aren't you?" Sisu's eyes formed into a pleading pout.

Amba found herself drawn into her sister's gaze, and with draconic speed, she swirled over to her elder sister, "Of course, I'm happy for you Sisu, I mean, I wish you told us before it happened."

As her sister placed a comforting claw upon her, Sisu said, "Would you believe me if I said I was clueless?"

Dragons were creatures with engrained instincts. Civilized as they were, even they were slaves to more bestial urges. Sisu knew that most of all. Now that she had a mate, she and Jarek had shared many a night within their single year of marriage, nights that involved two things better left said between two consenting adults. All Sisu would say is Jarek was skilled with more than his hands. Yes, so very talented. Briefly, her thoughts drifted to that night, and she found herself shivering so much she felt all of her fur would fall off, and then what was left of her body would melt into a puddle. That's how much thinking about her husband made her feel.

"You okay sis?"

Sisu stopped shaking and realized she was bringing her thoughts into reality. For a moment her face blushed and she grinned a toothy grin.

"Yeah, just thinking out loud...I'm just really eager to tell Jarek," Sisu lowered her head with her smile parting away to hide her teeth.

"So, should I hold off on telling the rest of the family?" Amba asked.

Sisu nodded, "Yes, I want Jarek and I to tell everyone together."

"I'm guessing you want to save Reela for last right?" a nervous smile crossed Amba's face.

Now it was Sisu's turn to frown, and she did, "I guess we have to tell her don't we?"

"She is family," Reminded Amba.

Releasing a groan, Sisu threw her front legs up in the air, "Fine, but she's last, got it?"

"Got it," Even though Amba held no ill feelings toward their cousin, she knew Sisu had a rather...unique relationship with their rich and popular cousin.

Sisu's frown remained, at least until she heard a loud and boisterous voice sing out, "Wonderful road we're on!"

In a flash, a sleek black shape moved through the trees before landing perfectly before the two lady dragons. A bright flash of pearly whites peered out in a grin, hidden beneath a bearded face.

"How's it hanging ladies?" Jarek asked.

Mouth agape, Sisu cried out, "Skippy!"

Sisu dove forward only for Jarek to vanish before their eyes. Jarek had long perfected his invisibility magic, going far from the novice who could only make portions of his body vanish. Now, he could move between states seamlessly. Sisu searched for any trace of her husband only to gasp as a tiny voice pierced her ear.

"Over here beautiful," Before Sisu could turn around, Jarek pecked his wife on the cheek.

Not wasting any time, Sisu quickly grabbed hold of her husband, the pair of them turning before locking each other in with a deep and passionate kiss. As they broke away from one another, Sisu grabbed her husband in a hug.

"I missed you Jer Bear," Sisu snuggled into Jarek's thick mane, her horn tracing the underneath of his beard.

"I missed you too my little noodle," Jarek spoke those words with a longing whisper.

Amba watched the happy couple with a glow in her eyes, "I hope I'm not interrupting?"

Jarek slowly broke away from Sisu and walked up to Amba locking her in a hug, "Good to see you too Amba."

Breaking away from the hug, Amba replied, "I'll leave you to love birds alone."

With nothing more to say, the silent but observant member of the Datu family slinked off and started on the path back to Dragontown.

"I'd say you're Amba's favorite brother-in-law," Sisu chuckled.

"Aren't I, her only brother-in-law?" Jarek asked.

Sisu's face froze, but quickly switched to a smile, "Yeah...yeah...you're right."

Swiftly moving back to his bride, Jarek sighed, "Man, I sure had a good time with Rapi and Padi, but every morning I woke up, I swore you were at my side."

Sisu chuckled again, "Oh, you're just saying that!"

"No, I mean it, you and I are a matched set, why had you asked me to stay home when you weren't feeling well, I would have stayed," Jarek's eyes widened as he realized what he had just said, "Speaking of which, how are you? Was it a stomach bug?"

Sisu recalled how she had felt the day before Jarek set out to Talon, "No, not exactly, though it sort of involved my stomach...or belly."

"Well speaking of which, my belly could use some nourishment, how about I get breakfast started? I fasted just so I could share it with you?"

"Breakfast can wait hon, I have a little surprise for you," Sisu declared.

Jarek cast a sly grin, "Oh, a surprise eh," He smacked his lips hungrily, "My favorite kind of surprises are sweet and edible?"

Sisu bit the bottom half of her lip, "Oh it's edible...in a way."

"Sweetums you know just how to make me happy," Jarek finished with a lick of his lips.

"Come on you bottomless pit, follow me," Sisu led her husband into their home, but as they stepped into the dwelling, Jarek sniffed the air, frowning as he did.

"I don't smell anything," Jarek's voice twinged with confusion, expecting the warm scent of freshly baked goods.

"Okay Jarek, in order for this surprise to work, you need to close your eyes," Sisu said ignoring her husband's confusion.

Somewhat disappointed, but eager to play along with his wife, Jarek's smirk returned, "Well now, this sounds like it's going to be quite a surprise."

Sisu smiled and led her husband along as he did what he was told. Being a dragon meant Jarek had a sense of balance and direction. At first, he was like a baby deer taking its first steps, but soon he grew accustomed to it, and it was like second nature. Jarek continued to sniff the air but still found no trace of a scent. Eventually, they came to a stop and he felt Sisu's claws part from him. He knew the layout of their house well and realized it was one of the many rooms that they hadn't utilized to its full potential. Sisu's family along with the Heart Tribe, had spared no expense for their favorite dragon and her husband.

"Okay, you can open them."

Jarek eagerly did so, but his face fell as he noticed there were no delicious treats waiting for him. His eyes scanned about, going low until he came to a halt. What lay before him was no treat, but instead a small oval object, large enough to be carried by both hands. It was purple in color, with several wispy darker marks. It didn't take Jarek long to figure out what it was: an egg.

Jarek's posture rose till he sat on his haunches, and he cautiously held up a claw, noting Sisu's bashful expression, "That better be breakfast," he blurted out.

Sisu let out a giggle, and his suspicious rose that this was indeed not breakfast.

Slowly sauntering over to her husband, Sisu pecked him on the cheek and said, "Congratulations Skippy, you're going to be a father!"

Jarek felt like fainting right then and there, but he was too shocked to do anything. This was certainly not what he expected upon returning home. Life certainly was full of surprises.