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Raevocrei glided down the mountain and angled toward the hot springs on the side of it, hoping Ahkaeirvah would be there. He soon found the misty area and landed gently next to the pool of steaming water. It was much warmer here. There was no one else around besides Ahkaeirvah. The dragoness sat on the outer edge, where the water level passed her haunches. She looked at him indignantly, and then turned away. Raevocrei gulped and approached her, entering the naturally heated pool. The hot water felt pleasant on his scales.

"Ahkaeirvah... I-"

"I don't care to hear what you have to say," she interrupted. She still had her back facing Raevocrei.

The young dragon swallowed his pride and continued, "I wanted to apologize." He sat behind her, waiting patiently for a reply. "Please..."

Ahkaeirvah suddenly whirled around and stood up as she moved threateningly closer to him. Water splashed with her quick movements and dripped from her lower-end. Her snout nearly touched his as she replied crossly, "You must be foolish to believe you can simply apologize to me after that." Her intimidating glare was even more terrifying up close. Beneath her angry scowl were twin flames, fueled by the raging fire within her.

Raevocrei stared back with resilient determination. His icy stare met her eyes with enough strength to quell the heat from her gaze. "I am foolish," His expression softened as he continued, "Which is why I ask for your forgiveness."

Ahkaeirvah was speechless as she contemplated. The burning blaze in her eyes dimmed. "I... I don't know." She withdrew and sat down, unsure of what to think. "What I did was foolish. I should have never yelled at you."

"I can understand why you pushed me away, but why didn't you give me a chance? Why do you hate me?" she asked pressingly, looking softly at him.

"I don't hate you, Ahkaeirvah," Raevocrei admitted. "I thought for a while up there... I think we got off on the wrong paw."

The dragoness looked at him questioningly--almost hopefully. "I did attack you..." A slight smile tugged at her lips as she recalled the memory. She then looked at him as if she had an idea. "I know! If you forgive me for that, I will forgive you for this." A gentle smile curled at her lips. She was completely sincere, and that warmed Raevocrei's heart.

He couldn't help but smile back. "Then I forgive you."

"I forgive you too, Raevocrei." For a moment they were silent. Suddenly, her tail forcefully struck the pond and splashed steamy water over Raevocrei. He recoiled and cursed.

"What was that for?" he demanded.

"Since we're even now, I need to get ahead," Ahkaeirvah replied slyly. "It's not fun when I'm not winning."

"Oh, so you think this is a game?" Raevocrei grinned and returned with an even larger splash, using most of his body to send the water projecting toward her. Ahkaeirvah swiftly pulled up a wing and covered herself, avoiding most of the splatter. She smirked.

"Bah! You are lucky you're injured." He pouted and lay in the soothing springs, submerging his scaly body. She was an interesting character, and Raevocrei liked that. After thinking past his immature reasoning, he realized that he was wrong. Everyone deserved a chance.

To Raevocrei's surprise, Ahkaeirvah lay next to him on his left. She grinned reassuringly at him, and he returned with a timid smile. He still wasn't sure about his feelings for her and thought she nearly overstepped into his personal space. But in the end, he didn't mind.

"Where are you from?" Raevocrei asked, looking at the sleek, white feathers behind her head. He had never seen a dragon with feathers before.

Her smile suddenly diminished. "I'm from the North," she answered, as if recalling a painful memory.

He noticed her sudden expressional change. From what his father said earlier, he inferred that something happened to her. "Sorry," he apologized. He decided not to press her for answers. Since he recently lost someone he loved, most likely from the same source, it wasn't a good time to satisfy his curiosity

"Don't worry about it," she replied. "It's in the past, and it won't burden me anymore." She looked at Raevocrei with an expression bearing her resolve and said confidently, "I am stronger than that."

Raevocrei knew what she spoke was true, and he wanted to model himself after her. He didn't want to be burdened by his loss either. He wanted to become stronger. He wanted to become stronger than her. He clenched his paws and gulped. "You wanted to know what was wrong earlier?"

"I did. Yes." Ahkaeirvah glanced at him curiously. His eyes were glued to the water.

He did everything he could to keep from tearing up, but it was inevitable. A small, crystalline tear fell from his cheek before he closed his eyes tightly shut. "My sister, Ahrei, was killed in the North. I received the news when we returned. She was there with her mate when that war started. We didn't know until it was too late..." A small whimper escaped him, and he cried harder. Tense, he clawed at the stone beneath the water, nearly breaking his white talons. Ahkaeirvah extended a white wing over his ebony-scaled body and comforted him the only way she could. For a while they were silent.

Ahkaeirvah eventually broke the silence and apologized, "I am sorry, Raevocrei. I shouldn't have pushed you so hard for something that recent." Their eyes met for a moment, showing her sincerity. "Since you shared with me your tragedy, I will share with you mine."

"I was born and raised in the North. The cold temperatures always reminded me of home and gave me a feeling of security. It wasn't until two weeks ago that I even considered leaving. When the war started about a month ago, my family and I chose to be as far away from it as we could. We flew south in a day's travel and made our new home. For several days we lived peacefully and happily, but we could not escape it."

"Three weeks ago we were attacked by two dragons. They were stragglers from the leading clan, both males with dark-red scales. They overthrew my parents easily." Ahkaeirvah clenched her jaw and tightened her muscles. Her wing almost pulled Raevocrei toward her. She scrunched her eyes shut and grit her teeth. "They killed my father and raped my mother before killing her as well. Those bastards made me watch every damned thing." Tears suddenly fell from her cheeks and dripped into the water. Raevocrei studied her in disbelief; he didn't think she could cry.

"Then they tried to rape me. I-" Ahkaeirvah's voice broke and she was silent for a moment. Raevocrei wanted to cry with her, but he instead moved closer to her and held her gently, wrapping a wing around her back and holding her paw as they lay there in the springs. She looked at him momentarily, accepting his kind comfort. "I almost let it happen. I was too distraught to care. At first I didn't resist... their grubby paws touched me and caressed me lewdly, teasing me because they knew I was too weak to fight it--or so they thought.

"When the one male had nearly mounted me, I ripped away from him, tearing his claws from my hide. I killed him. In that moment I was a demon conceived by rage and born in fury. The other dragon tried to fight me, but I killed him too. The only wounds I was left with were those gashes." She gestured to her hind-end and revealed three fresh scars on her right leg. There were scales missing near her hip which exposed her pinkish skin beneath her natural armor. The wounds looked like they had just fully healed a day ago.

"I sulked for nearly a week, wrought with miserable agony. I didn't know what to do, where to go, and how to live. I wanted to die, but I never let that happen. Something inside of me kept going. I decided to travel further south to escape the war completely. For those two weeks of travel and exploration, I was alone. That was until I found a black dragon about the same age as I stalking a deer." She smiled sweetly at him as the last of her tears fell. "I was riled up just from seeing another of my kind, so I was anxious," she explained, wiping away the evidence of her crying.

Raevocrei looked at her with awe. To have come so far and experienced so much tragedy at her age was never heard before. "I have been through worse and seen worse things than you," rang through his thick head. She was right. He wished he had never said what he did. "I'm sorry, Ahkaeirvah. I... I didn't know."

She replied, "I know. That's why I forgave you."

Raevocrei admired her genuine honesty. He stood up and offered, "Stay with my family tonight and let me show you around tomorrow. It's the least I can do."

"I would be happy to."

He grinned and stepped out of the pool with Ahkaeirvah following him. "I don't think you'd want to stay with Seirin, anyway."

"Your uncle is really nice... almost too nice."

Raevocrei laughed and replied, "And he is old." He extended his wings and leapt into the skies. The sun had disappeared over the horizon, leaving no trace of its light. Bright light shined down from the moon and stars, illuminating the dark landscape in a faint glow. Around the mountain they flew until they glided down to Raevocrei's den. It was pitch-black inside--his parents had fallen asleep. If not for a dragon's natural, keen sight, it would have been impossible to traverse to his section of the cave.

Inside his chamber he had a small horde of shiny objects, rocks, and other minute collectables. In the center was a pile of fur and other soft objects where he slept. "You can sleep there, I will be fine elsewhere," he whispered.

"I don't want to be a burden. I've been sleeping in various places for a while now, anyway." She laid herself down away from the pile and curled up on the cold, cave floor.

"Which is more of a reason to allow you to use my bedding," Raevocrei insisted. "It may smell like me, but it's comfortable nonetheless." She was silent and didn't move. He sighed and started throwing his bedding at her.

"Hey!" she objected. She was soon covered in a pile of soft things, adamant in her decision. Raevocrei smirked and curled up on the hard ground.

"I'm glad Seirin brought you along," he said happily, soon dozing off. Before he fell asleep, he saw her clamber around and organize the pile. She lay on it contentedly, enjoying the comfortable bed.

When Raevocrei woke the next morning, he immediately noticed that Ahkaeirvah was missing and her bandage lay on the ground. Concerned, he abruptly shifted and rose, walking into the main chamber of the cave. There he saw his family sitting with the white dragoness, talking with her like they were old friends. He was glad to see his parents happy again, smiling and laughing like the past, but he could only imagine what they were talking about with Ahkaeirvah.

Their attention drew to him as he entered. "Good morning, dear," his mother said softly. Ahkaeirvah smiled wittingly at him as if a plan was coming to its conclusion. Raevocrei gulped, and a look of dread crossed his muzzle. "We were just telling your mate about your youth," she continued. His jaw dropped in disbelief while he fumbled for words.

"You didn't tell us you had a mate! And you snuck her in here?" his father scolded playfully. "She is beautiful, and well worth the risk I suppose."

Embarrassment overwhelmed the poor dragon. He blushed profusely beneath his ebony scales, his cheeks burned with heat. "She- ... She's not my mate!" Her plan was so simple and very effective, though he doubted that she actually told his parents that she was his mate. They must have assumed it. His mother and father looked genuinely confused. "She's a friend... I met her yesterday before Seirin returned with me," he explained.

"And you're already sleeping with her?" his father asked.

"No! We slept separately."

"Then why is your scent all over her?" his mother asked bluntly.

"Gah! Why must you pester me with these questions!?" Raevocrei covered his embarrassment with a wing, shrouding himself while he hid behind the dark-grey webbings. Ahkaeirvah laughed brightly, seeming to finally be satisfied. "We aren't mates. He offered for me to rest here for the night, and he gave me the luxury of sleeping in his bed since I hadn't slept on anything but the ground for the past two weeks," she clarified.

"Ah, I can see that now," his father said. "I suppose we were both just surprised to see a female wake from your chamber," he quipped at his son.

Raevocrei sighed and folded his wing against his back. "I was going to show her around today. Do you mind if we leave now?" His mother and father both nodded their heads. Raevocrei wanted to leave as fast as possible.

When the two departed, Ahkaeirvah mentioned, "I like your parents."

Raevocrei looked at her in displeasure. "Yeah, thanks. Now they will constantly be harassing me about you."

She smiled deviously in return and replied, "I know."

He couldn't help but laugh out loud. "You really like to cause trouble for me."

"I do," she said cheerily.

Raevocrei led her down the mountain and to its base. That was where he expected to find his best-friend, Kasheimah. Nearly every day they met around here to begin a new adventure together. While they waited, Raevocrei showed Ahkaeirvah a few things unique to their territory. He told her of the pine trees that had a sweet, delicious sap in the bark. They explored until they found the right one.

"See that one," he pointed to a large pine trees that was a slightly different shade of grey from the rest. "Bite into its bark and lick its sap. It should taste sweet." Raevocrei watched delightedly as she listened to him and bit into the tree's trunk, licking at the sap that oozed from it. He waited to see her face churn with disgust, but it never did. She looked like she actually enjoyed it!

She turned around and smiled sweetly at him while licking her lips, saying, "You're right! I never expected it to be so sweet."

Raevocrei was confused. He approached the tree and bit deeply into the bark. As he licked up the sap, he instantly realized how badly he had been tricked. He shouted his disapproval, immediately contorting his face into a look of disgust. The sap clung to his tongue with the worst possible bitter flavor. Ahkaeirvah was rolling around on the ground, laughing until her chest hurt while he struggled to rid himself of the stuff.

"Your mother was right! You are gullible!" she exclaimed, pointing at him and laughing.

The black dragon furrowed his brow angrily and pounced on her, pinning her down with his weight. "I am not!"

She smiled like a giddy, little hatchling. Raevocrei growled threateningly and nipped at the base of her neck as he stood between her legs. He placed a paw on her chest, forcing her down as he nipped at her throat, placing his teeth several inches below her head. He found it annoying that she was still laughing, and she knew it. He also disliked the fact that she was winning their little game, and he was losing... badly.

"Woah!" A voice called from behind them. It was Kasheimah.

Realizing his position, Raevocrei immediately became flustered again. Ahkaeirvah simply looked at the red drake while lying under the black dragon. His scales were like ruby gems interlaced together, emitting a dazzling, red light. A pair of black horns protruded from his skull, shooting straight behind his wedge-shaped head. His underbelly was plated like Raevocrei's, but his was painted white like Ahkaeirvah's scales. Two golden eyes peered at the female below his black-scaled friend. "Who is this, Raevocrei? Your mate?" he laughed lightly, a cheerful grin across his muzzle.

"No!" Raevocrei said and quickly stepped away from Ahkaeirvah.

"Oh, come on. You can't tell me she's not!"

Raevocrei glared at Ahkaeirvah as she stood up. She returned with a wily smirk. "We are not mates," he assured. "I met her yesterday on my trip."

Kasheimah walked around her, as if sizing her up. "Well then... does that mean she's open?"

Ahkaeirvah suddenly turned and stepped threateningly in front of the red drake, stopping him in his tracks before he got a good look at her hind-end. "No, I am not."

"Tsk." Kasheimah politely backed away, respecting her wishes. "You are feisty; I can see the fire in your eyes," he said to her. "If you change your mind, I will be here."

Unamused, she scoffed and walked away.

"So cold," Kasheimah commented.

A jealous tinge sparked Raevocrei's mind. It irritated him slightly, but he let it go. Why do I even feel jealous? he thought to himself. "I wanted to show her around today and explore," he explained. "I figured you would like to tag along as well."

Kasheimah enthusiastically replied, "It's been nearly a week since we last talked to each other, and now that you've brought a female into it. Of course I would love to!" He began trotting into the wilderness, shouting behind him, "Come, I know of a good start!"

They followed the red dragon, padding behind him while weaving between trees and disturbing the once peaceful forest. The woodland itself was comprised of mostly pine trees with little other plant life. Littering the ground in brown piles were the dead needles from the trees. They slowly descended down a hill. Raevocrei knew where they were going.

Familiar rocks jutted out of the ground as they continued, growing in numbers the closer they were. In the distance Raevocrei heard the roaring waterfall. Its sound was unmistakable. Ahkaeirvah eyes widened as they turned the bend. Before them was a large opening surrounded by a rocky wall. In the middle of it was a gigantic waterfall, towering a hundred feet over them. Its thundering roar drowned out every other sound.

Raevocrei had seen it several times before, but each time he watched with awe. Kasheimah gestured for them to continue, so they did. They entered the pool of water beneath it. The water was cool against the black dragon's scales, almost chilling. It was the middle of summer, but the water flowed from the cold mountains. Despite that, Ahkaeirvah was beside herself with joy. She played and splashed in the water like an excited hatchling. It was as if she'd never played in the water before. Raevocrei watched her with a smile broadening his face. Her happiness was contagious.

Ahkaeirvah's white, brilliant hide dazzled Raevocrei. It shined in the noon sunlight, sparkling beautifully and reflecting an array of colors as water dripped from her exquisite body. He watched her, intently, admiring her figure. He had never really appreciated how beautiful she really was. Her lustrous feathers were flattened against her scales, giving her a sleek appearance. Toned muscles lined her limbs, and her hips were wide, giving her a strong, curvy, gracile form. For several seconds he stared at her rear, watching her tail swish back and forth.

Raevocrei snapped back from his fantasy, seeing the exposed wound near her belly. He was glad to see that the exposed flesh was nearly healed. Crimson eyes radiated with joy as she looked back happily at him. Raevocrei returned with a toothy grin. She continued further into the waters until she stopped where her body was submerged, leaving her neck raised above the water. She swam about, struggling with her paddling.

Kasheimah suddenly bumped Raevocrei, looking at him with a wide smirk. Raevocrei blushed and looked away, realizing that he must have been staring at the dragoness for a lot longer than he thought. He knew it was wishful thinking, but he wouldn't mind having Ahkaeirvah around for a while. Kasheimah nudged him again. Slightly irritated, Raevocrei growled at him. Then the red dragon gestured downward to Raevocrei's hind-end. To his horror, the young dragon realized that his fleshy, red length was drooping from his slit. Somehow he hadn't noticed it and he prayed to every God, known and unknown, that Ahkaeirvah didn't see it. He immediately turned around, sat down in the cold, chilling water, and uselessly tried to coax it back in. Kasheimah laughed mirthfully. If it wasn't for the freezing water against his exposed flesh, it could have taken much longer.

Once Raevocrei had finally succeeded, he glared at Kasheimah and shouted over the waterfall's tireless roar, "Don't ever mention that! Ever!"

He shook his head affirmatively, baring a big, cocky grin. Ahkaeirvah soon rejoined them, satisfied and exhausted. They departed and were soon able to speak normally again.

"That was fun!" Ahkaeirvah exclaimed. "I've never seen a waterfall before, or swam in such warm water."

Raevocrei wasn't too surprised. He nearly forgot that the North was either icy tundra or an icy mountain. All of the water was nearly frozen.

But Kasheimah didn't know. "What!?" he exclaimed. "That water was freezing! Where are you from?"

She answered shortly, "The North."

"That makes sense," he commented. "It also explains your feathers."

"So where are we going now?" she asked, quickly changing the subject.

"You'll see!" Kasheimah said, running ahead of them.