fA.N. For a full description of what a fihu looks like, check out this drabble ~~ http : // Tekia . livejournal . com / 88693 . html # cutid1, without the spaces, of course. ^_^

Eafa had lived through many hard times. He had seen prophets come and go. Humans start wars and wars end kingdoms. Eafa had see much of the world and was ready to let the world go on without him. It had been too long since he had held a spear in his hands, too long since he had been of use to his tribe.

He walked with a thin walking stick through the tall grass of the savanna that surrounded his tribe's homeland. He flicked his hand at a bug that wouldn't stop bothering him. His ear flicked in irritation and he rubbed the appendage. He scowled and mumbled to himself. His fur was thinning as he aged. Soon his ears and tail were going to be bald.

He tripped over a rock and cursed softly as he leaned heavily on the walking stick and rubbed his toe. His claw broke. A small line of blood seeped out from the cracked claw. Sighing, Eafa resumed his walk. That wasn't going to kill him; he had to find something that would.

He looked around himself and wondered about the field he was in. It seemed empty, but looks were deceiving. Surely there were some big cats hidden somewhere nearby? He continued walking, and held a hand to his back, under his drooping wings, the longest of the feathers dragging in the dirt.

This path wasn't manmade, but made by deer and other creatures of the wild. A human or fihu would be a rare treat for some predator.

So where were they?

He paused once again to catch his breath and held a hand over his pounding heart. It had been far too long since he had walked this much. It had been far too long since he had been a warrior. He sniffed and his frown deepened as he discovered fno meat eaters near enough to suit him.

So be it that he had to suffer to walk more until he died. Figures. He returned to walking and turned his mind away from his morbid thoughts.

Where were the predators? Where were any animals?

He stopped once again and really looked around him. In the distance, mountains rose like a grey cloud on the horizon. Before them, the yellow grass stretched on for miles, flat and striking as the wind made the stocks bend and sway. Behind him, the direction he came from, was more savanna, then the river valley, lush and vibrant.

Between him and the mountain, he saw no signs of life, no trails in the grass, no birds in the sky. Blinking in surprise, he sniffed the air once again and finally noticed what had driven off the animals.

A shiver coursed through his skin, shaking his wings and setting his tail a twitching. His first thought was to turn around and run back home before he remembered that he came here to die. He was old and useless to his tribe. It was his time. To keep his pride and honor, he had to give himself up to nature.

If nature presented herself as a dragon, so be it.

He resumed his walking and followed the scent. He'd never met a dragon. He'd seen them flying overhead and heard their screams as they echoed across the valley. But, he had never seen one up close. He couldn't wait.

His back hurt by the time he stumbled upon the cave.

It surprised him to find a cave nearly completely hidden by the grass, rising out of the ground. A thin trial of grey/white smoke spilled out of the cave, heavy of the scent of dragon. Eafa leaned into the cave, sniffing, his tail raising over his head with a creak of bone and a moan of pain.

He pulled out and lowered his tail, rubbing the base, trying to sooth the ache. He hated being old. Although, he supposed, he was better off than some. At least he could still walk. Slowly, laboriously, he lowered himself to the ground with a grunt and laid his walking stick over his knees.

Was the dragon going to make him crawl into the cave? He picked at the small grass at the cave entrance and chewed on the green leaves as he waited.

The day grew hot and he picked at his hair, wishing he had something to tie the silver bisected black strands up with, to cool his neck. His lids grew heavy and he stared at the waving tips of the grass for long minutes that turned into hours, his head bobbing as he slipped off to sleep with a soft snore.

~*~*~

Sigheri sniffed the fihu's hair, blowing the fine strands into disarray. He tilted his head as he regarded the creature sitting outside his cave. The creature was on the verge of death, if he wasn't mistaken. It was old.

He sat bedside the fihu and plucked grass out of the black and silver hair. Then he smiled and touched the hair. It was very soft. He petted the hair, letting his clawed fingers comb through the strands. He like this one.

He didn't collect creatures, nor did he invite others over, so finding such a thing outside his home was quite a surprise. He didn't even know there had been a fihu tribe so close. He lifted his head and sniffed the wind. There was no trace of them.

He regarded the old chimera sleeping soundly at his side in concern. The fihu were a tribal race, never going far from their tribe mates or homeland. If there were none in the air, where did this one come from?

He touched a finger to the wrinkles at the corner of his eyes. He had never seen such an old fihu. Did they live that long? His wings were stooped and the feathers were thinned. His fur was balding in spots and his tail had lost much of the soft downy fur and was yellowed with age. And, his ears were curled at the tips. They were fuzzy and cute.

He sniffed the fihu once again and familiarized himself with the creature's scent. It was unique, spicy and heady. There was the scent of river water on him as well, so Sigheri assumed that was where he was from. He looked back that direction, the trees a faded line in the distance. That was a long ways away. Especially for something as old as this creature.

Heri decided that he was going to keep it. He tilted the fihu onto his shoulder and lifted him up and ducked into the cave. He settled the fihu onto his pile of furs and brushed his hair off his brow, lingering over the softness once again.

Turning away, he pulled out the tools that he hadn't used in ages and started a soup for when the creature woke. He hummed to himself, a song that he had forgotten that he knew and licked salt off his fingers as he handled the fish and vegetables. Soon the scent of the fish soup filled his cave and he watched it boil with hungry anticipation.

He was just pulling the pot off the fire when he heard a groan from behind him. He turned to the fihu and found the creature struggling to sit upright, his face twisted in concentration and pain as his muscles protested. Heri smiled and knelt next to the bed.

"You woke up!"

"If you didn't want me to, you should have eaten me, dragon."

Heri smiled and flicked his tongue out in interest. "I don't eat fihu. I don't know a dragon that does. Or humans. Dragons like fish."

The fihu stared at him blankly. "What does that have to do with anything?"

Heri opened his mouth to reply before he paused to think up an answer. "I don't know."

The fihu nodded and pulled his feet under him and reached for the walking stick Heri had placed just within reach. He started to pull himself up and Heri grasped his elbow to help. The fihu flinched and shivered and the cave filled with the scent of fear. His nostrils flared as he stared at the creature trying his hardest not to be afraid. Trying to hide his fear.

His tongue flicked and the fihu's faded blue eyes watched it warily. Then Heri smiled widely when the fihu's tongue copied his own, flicking out to taste the air around him.

"I'm called Sigheri. What's your name, pretty?"

"Pretty? How long have you been alone here?"

"A few years. Are you hungry? I've fish." He turned away from the creature and dished out a bowl of the still steaming soup. He held it up for the fihu and the creature tentatively took it from him before sniffing it, then flicking out his forked tongue to taste it.

"It's good," he said and Sigheri scowled.

"You don't have to sound so surprised."

The fihu covered a laugh and turned away, sipping from the bowl. Heri watched him avidly and touched a finger to the fihu's shoulder. Blue eyes narrowed at him and the creature moved his person out of his reach.

"You didn't tell me what you are called."

"Eafa," he said shortly, taking a larger gulp of soup. "Why did you bring me here? If you're not going to eat me, why am I here?"

"Your hair is soft."

He dropped the bowl to his lap and stared at Heri like he had lost his mind. "That's it?"

"I like your hair. Was it really dark before you grew in the grey?"

He scowled and edged toward the wall where long tapestries, beautifully embroidered, hung with chains of gold and pearls. He reached out and laid his hand on the heavy fabrics. "Humans made these? I've never seen something so beautiful."

He felt the dragon come up behind him and the hair on the back his neck stood up on edge. He turned to face him and winced at the pain the sudden movement caused. Heri touched his hand to the back of his neck where the pain was the most and Eafa relaxed into it before he caught himself. He wanted to stiffen his back, to step away, but the warm touch was wonderful and soothing. His body refused to obey him.

He held up the empty bowl and the dragon took it from him. He breathed a sigh of relief and returned his attention to the tapestry. "What is this image?"

"Humans."

"It doesn't look like a human. Aren't they brown?"

The dragon chuckled. "They wear stuff that cover their bodies. That one is a knight. He's wearing armor. Shining armor."

"What's armor?"

He returned to Eafa's side, "Clothing that protects. You were a warrior, did you never wear protection during battle?"

Eafa nodded. "Made of leather, not things that shine. How do they hide in the trees if they're shining?"

Heri grinned. "They fight differently. Lets not talk about humans. I want to talk about you. Why are you so far away from home?"

"I'm old."

The dragon nodded. "You came to me to die." He glared mockingly. "You wanted me to kill you."

"That's what dragons do."

"I don't think so." He flicked his tongue out and Eafa winced. "You meant to use me." He cornered the fihu and reached out to touch the tail Eafa had wrapped around himself for a thin layer of protection. Eafa grabbed his tail and pulled it close to his chest. "I think I'll keep you. You're entertaining."

Eafa nodded, but his eyes were confused. "Why? What use am I to you?"

"I told you, you're entertaining. I've been alone here for a long time."

Eafa's shoulders slumped and he shuffled around the dragon. "Clearly your solitude has affected your head." Heri laughed.

"It could be. But I'm not the one trying to die."

Eafa glared. "I'm old. Let me die." He lowered himself to the pile of blankets once again and rubbed a hand over his eyes.

Heri settled next to him and draped his arm over Eafa's shoulders. "We'll fix that right away." There was that look again. Perhaps he had grown a second head. Heri grinned. That would be something different. "There's a pool who's water, once drunk, will return one to their youth."

Eafa shook his head in despair. "Just what I don't want to do, live my youth again. What's more, why would I want to live with you?"

"You don't have a choice. You gave your life to me." He stood and scooped out another bowl of the soup. "Here, eat. We'll travel a long way to the pool. You'll need all your strength."

Cautiously, Eafa accepted the bowl, and Heri smiled at the now familiar look spreading over the fihu's face. They were going to get along famously.

*~*~*

Capua glared at the snow littering the ground outside his house on the hill. He hated winter. It was cold and windy and all too bright when the sun shown on the fresh snow. Every year he thought that he would move further south, into warmer climates, but he never did.

Pulling a blanket over his shoulders, he shivered and rolled his eyes. He wasn't cold, but just looking at the snow made him feel cold. He rubbed a finger under his nose and paused as he saw a shadow pass over the snow. He leaned close to the window and looked up.

A dragon was passing overhead, its scream echoing. He smiled at the sight. There were few dragons in this area, so it meant that it was one of the three that did live nearby. Witch meant that he was going to get a visitor soon. He tossed the blanket into a chair and went in search of his shoes and coat.

By the time he got outside, the dragon had landed, and he reached out to put his hand to the beautiful creature's nose. The dragon preened under his touch, thrilling low in its throat.

"Do the two of you want a room?"f

Capua laughed. "Rodor, what brings you here?"

The two embraced and Capua led him into the house while the dragon licked at the snow. "Capua, how do you feel about travel?"

"I was just thinking about going south for the winter, like a bird, you know?" He opened the door and led Rodor into the lounge where a servant came to collect his wet coat and hat.

"You say that every year. How about really doing it this year?"

"Oh, come on, you know me. I talk a lot and never do anything about it."

He poured a glass of port for each of them and sat in a plush chair after handing Rodor one of the glasses.

"How about really going this year?"

"Why should I? Other than the cold, I have everything I want here."

Rodor drank heavily and set the glass on the table with a small clink of glass on wood. "What about your own dragon?"

Capua paused mid-drink to stare at his old friend. "You found a dragon for me?"

"I did," he said, putting his own glass beside Rodor's on the table. "It's young too. What's better, it lives in a cave. If it goes underground, we can smoke it out."

Capua felt a big smile spread over his face and all but jumped to his feet. He couldn't contain his excitement. A dragon. A dragon of his own. He covered a smile with his hand and looked at Rodor.

"When do we leave?"

Rodor laughed. "We can leave in two days. Slean can carry us both the whole way. You just have to pack up clothing and the like."

He resumed his seat and leaned forward, elbows on his knees as he listened intently. "What do I need to get for the dragon? A harness, a lead, and a saddle, right?"

"Yeah, all that, also get feed and tranquilizers. Wild dragons are dangerous and unpredictable. I'll keep it for a while to break it, and help you in dominating it."

Capua nodded and reached for parchment and paper. "You'll be able to recommend places from which to buy?"

"But of course."

*~*~*

Eafa slept most of the way, which Heri didn't mind. He stayed in his true form, massive and full of feathery scales with the warm body of the fihu at his side, curled up and toasty warm. Heri wrapped his wing around the body, wondering if he was warm enough. His fur was thinned from age and his was curled with his tail wrapped around his body.

Heri wished there was more he could do for the fihu, but they had brought with them two furs and lots of fish. He sighed and nosed around the grass. Perhaps he should look into making a fire? Then he huffed a cloud of smoke as he remembered the last time he had tried to start a fire in the savanna.

The little creature woke just then, stretching. His bones creaked with the effort and Heri sniffed the air around his mussed hair. Eafa threw his hands to his hair and glared. "Stop sniffing me. Your breath is too hot."

He rumbled a laugh that sent Eafa into another huff. He climbed to his feet and Heri watched him rub his hands over his back. He didn't want to get old. He didn't want Eafa to be old. The fihu was always sleeping and complained about everything every chance he got.

Or maybe that was just this fihu.

Eafa was mumbling to himself now as well, his back to Heri and Heri couldn't resist flicking out his tongue to touch the tip of the tail hovering midair. Eafa scowled at him and whipped his tail around his waist and hugged it close. "Don't do that."

Heri gathered his feet under him and threw his wings out, creating a breeze that near toppled over the thin, frail fihu. He receive another glare and he flicked out his tongue. The fihu copied his movement without realizing it and put his hands to his hips.

"How much further are you going to drag me out here?"

Heri snorted and lowered his front half to the ground, extending his wing to allow for access to his back. Eafa climbed onto his back, puling on feathers and sliding on to clamp his arms around his thick neck. His arms didn't nearly reach so he grabbed handfuls of feathers. Heri took to the air slowly, knowing that the sudden rush of thin air would hurt the fihu greatly.

He glided over the landscape and wished that the fihu would open his eyes and see the scene. It was beautiful and Heri wanted to share it. He spotted the lake, glittering in the distance and made a beeline for it.

The pool was hidden by tall grasses and one had to be above it to see it. He folded his wings and dropped altitude. The fihu clutched tighter and made an odd noise that Heri could barely hear through the rushing air passing his ears. He landed lightly on his feet and shifted his shoulders to that the fihu tumbled off, sliding off one wing and into the pool with a splash.

The creature thrashed in the water, curses filling the air as he struggled to the bank. Heri laughed as he assumed his true form, falling to the ground and holding his sides. The fihu was soaked, his hair laying over his face in thick trails, his wings stooped even more, and his tail was dragging on the ground behind him.

He threw himself to the ground and panted, catching his breath. Heri scooted closer and pressed his shoulder to the fihu's. The fihu shoved back and scowled at him. "Get away from me, Heri."

He flicked out his tongue, catching a droplet of water and Eafa slapped at him. "Don't touch me."

Heri grinned. "Drink the water."

"I already did."

"Drink more. You're still old."

Eafa sniffed. "Have you tried this water? How do you know it's really magic?"

"I know. Look at me. I'm still young."

Eafa looked at him hard, up and down. "How old are you?"

"Three hundred and seventeen years," he said with a precise nod. "I've always drank this water, well, since I was fifty years young." He fingered his red hair. "I used to have grey hair and my skin was wrinkled, like you are now."

"I hate you."

Heri gaped at him. "Why?"

"I came here to die. I lived too long to want to relive my life again."

Heri snorted. "Who wants to die? You can live without pain again. You can run and play and not have to complain about everything all the time."

"I don't complain about everything."

"You do."

"Only things that annoy me."

"Which is everything."

"No, only things that have to do with you. You're annoying."

Sigheri smiled and reached over to pluck out a bit of grass from his hair. Eafa slapped at his hand, connecting with flesh this time. Heri laughed and jumped to his feet, he danced toward the edge of the pool, looked at Eafa with a smile, then jumped in. Eafa was staring at him with that look when he emerged once again. He brushed his hair out of his face and swam toward the bank again.

"I like you."

"Why?"

"I don't know. I like you and want to keep you." He climbed out of the water and cupped his hands in the water, bringing the small amount of water to Eafa's side. "Drink."

"I don't want to."

Heri shrugged and drank the water himself. Then he grabbed Eafa, holding him by his hair and pulling his head back. He put his mouth to Eafa's parted lips and spilled the water into his mouth. Eafa struggled, slamming his small fists into his shoulders. Heri released him only when the old fihu swallowed the water.

He cursed at him, slapping his hands over the dragon's hands that were still holding him. Heri tipped him over and held him down. He grinned. "You hair is turning black."

"It was always black."

"The grey is disappearing. Little fihu, don't forget that your life belongs to me now. If I want you to live, young once again, then you will." He gathered the soft black hair in his hand and brought it to his nose. Eafa tugged his hair away and avoided eye contact.

Heri touched his finger to the corner of Eafa's eye where his wrinkles were slowly smoothing out. "You're regressing." He held Eafa down until he was sure the water was taking the years off him. Then he released him and helped him sit upright. He stared at him a long moment, so long that Eafa flushed.

"What? Do I have something on my face?" He wiped his arm over his nose.

"You're beautiful."

He gave a start and his flush glowed rosily on his dark skin. Heri leaned forward again and let his tongue touch the heated skin. Eafa smacked him.

He jumped to his feet and laughed. "Come on, Eafa, run with me."

"I'm too old to run."

"Not anymore. Get up, be young again."

Growling, Eafa got to his feet without a struggle and he paused, looking at the backs of his hands. He touched his skin, marveling at the absence of wrinkled, folded skin aged by the sun. He looked up at Heri and Heri drank in the sight of the fihu as a youth.

His hair was shorter than most, touching only down to the bottom of his shoulder blades, the black strands glowing blue. His eyes were blue, not as pale as they were, but still startling pale, almost clear. His skin had lost all their wrinkles, tight and smooth now and without age spots.

He walked forward and Heri held out his hand. Eafa slapped his hand away and walked past him. Heri followed a few steps behind.

"So," Eafa said, "What's going to happen now?"

"We can go back to my cave. Can you cook?"

"Cook?"

"I can make fish."

"Soup?"

He nodded, still smiling. "And that's it. What can you make?"

"Food."

"I hope so." He caught Eafa's hand and put his arms around his neck. Before Eafa could back away, Heri transformed and took to the air. He transformed into his dragon form and Eafa climbed onto his back.

"You're insane, dragon."

He spiraled higher into the air and Eafa gazed down at the vast field of yellow grass. He gasped and pointed. "That's the river!" He laughed and tugged feathers and pointed. "Look, that tall tree, that one there is our home."

Heri turned toward the cave and let the wind carry them home.

*~*~*

Eafa had gotten used to living with the strange dragon. During the day, the dragon followed him around as he walked the savanna looking for small creatures for their daily meals. Which made the task twice as hard. Afternoon was spent at the fireside, fixing their meal and listening to stories about his life when he lived with others of his own kind.

He always smiled when the dragon laid at his side, head pressing against him and talking about his past. He missed them, Eafa figured, from the way he talked about them.

"Why did you leave?"

"I had to, nothing important."

"It must have been. You loved it there. Why did you leave."

He shook his head and moved to stand but Eafa caught his arm. "Don't brush me off. Tell me."

Heri smiled and avoided his gaze. "Like I said, nothing important."

Eafa rolled his eyes and continued grinding the wheat into the stone. If he didn't want to tell him, then so be it. He wouldn't ask anymore. He'd forget all about it if that's the way he wanted it.

He dropped the stone. "Why did you leave? What's there to hide?"

Sigheri snorted and stood. "Plenty. It's all in the past now, so don't worry about it."

Eafa shook his head and returned to grinding the wheat, mumbling to himself. Heri laughed and went to the cave entrance to peer up at the stars. He wanted to fly. He wanted the wind in his hair and the earth far below him. He looked at Eafa kneeling on the floor and slapping dough between his hands into flat cakes.

He jumped to the fihu's side and grabbed his hands, just as Eafa set the last cake on the rocks to cook. He pulled Eafa to his feet and hugged him. "Lets go for a fly."

"Lets not. If I wanted to fly, I'd fly on my own."

"Lets fly together. Open your wings and put them to use. I've never seen you fly." He tugged Eafa out the cave.

"The cakes."

"Will be fine. Let's go." He lifted into the air, still holding Eafa's hands. Grudgingly, Eafa unfolded his wings and followed the dragon into the air. Grinning, Heri released his hold and circled Eafa. Eafa dodged him and, laughingly, Heri chased him through the air. He reached out to grab him, but Eafa quickly evaded his touch. They dipped and dived and circled until Eafa laughed.

Heri finally caught him and they dived down to the earth where Heri's wings spread at the last moment to slow their decent and landed softly. He held the small fihu in his arms, grinning at Eafa's exhausted laughter.

"You laughed."

"I do know how."

"I had doubted it. It's good to know I was wrong. You are beautiful when you laugh."

"You always say that."

"This is the first time I've seen you laugh."

"You're always saying I'm beautiful."

"You are." He threaded his claws through the soft hair and held Eafa in his arms for as long as he let him. Then Eafa realized that he was letting Heri hold him and he pushed away. Heri didn't miss the flush that came to his face. As he walked away, Heri caught the hair again and smiled when Eafa hissed at him.

Heri transformed into his dragon form and took to the air again as Eafa walked back to the cave. He circled over his head, watching as the fihu winced with ever pass of his shadow over his path.

He was scared of him.

Gliding down, he turned back into his bipedal form and rushed up to him, wrapping his arms around the fihu. Eafa gave a start and a shout. He struggled in his arms before he realized that it was only Heri holding him. He gave up the fight with a sigh and a hand to his heart.

"I'll never hurt you, Eafa. You're mine, right. You're safe with me."

"You're a dragon. Of course I'm jumpy around you."

He forced Eafa's wings to part and pressed his chest to his back. Eafa gasped in surprise and caught his hands. "What are you doing? Let me go."

"I can't. Not as long as you're afraid of me."

Eafa slapped his hands until they turned red. He turned to face the dragon, glowering and holding one finger up to stop him from hugging him again. "I'm not afraid of you. It's the fact that you're a dragon and I'm a fihu, you know, bite size to your true form."

"I wouldn't eat you. I don't eat fihu."

"Our people are ingrained to hide from dragons. It's hard to change my whole nature just because you say that."

"You have to not be afraid of me."

He slapped his hands away and marched to the cave without a backwards look. Heri followed him and knelt at the cave opening to watch as Eafa fetched the cakes off the heat rocks. As he finished putting the food on wooden plates, Heri came closer and Eafa turned on him.

"You won't trust me with a secret, but you want me to trust you with my life?"

"Your life is mine. You gave it to me. Don't try to change it." He took the plate Eafa didn't offer him and picked at the slightly burnt bread and fish bits. "I would never hurt you."

Eafa sighed. "I know. Why can't you understand?" He snapped his claws. "Ah, is that because you're the greatest predator?"

Heri shrugged. "I'm not afraid of anything."

"That's why." He quickly ate his own meal and waved Heri away when he tried to touch him. "I'm going to sleep." He dropped to the ground and curled into a circle with his tail tucked around himself. Within moments, he was snoring softly.

Heri watched him sleep while he ate. He was so cute, like a pet. He smiled as he realized that he did think of the little fihu as a pet. Finishing his food, Sigheri climbed into the bed of furs with Eafa and curled around him.

He produced a lot of heat, more now that he was younger. He was also much more lifmber now that he was younger. He twisted into the oddest positions while sleeping, positions that made Heri wince in pain. Ignoring the creature's preferred sleeping position, he petted his hair and let himself slip off.

He was having a nice dream when a slap woke him. He sat upright and held his hand to his smarting cheek. Eafa was still laying in the furs, staring at him with sparkling eyes. Heri smiled sheepishly.

"I didn't do it."

"You didn't come over here and lay on top of me?"

"Oh, that? Yeah, you're warm. I like your warmth."

Eafa arched a brow and Heri couldn't resist. He stooped down and captured his lips. Eafa stiffened, his eyes widening. Then he shoved against him, pushing him away. Heri stared down at him a long moment before he caught his lips again. Eafa melted into the kiss, slipping his arms around his shoulders. Heri growled and felt the fihu shiver as he slipped his arms around him.

Then Eafa bit him. He jumped and pulled away, licking his lip. He stared down at the fihu. There was blood on his lip and Heri couldn't take his eyes away. He moved to take another kiss, but Eafa put a hand to his face, holding him off.

"Don't do that again."

"It was nice."

"Don't."

Heri smiled, then froze, his eyes turning toward the cave opening. He slowly got to his feet and started to growl, low in his throat. Eafa put his hands on his shoulders.

"What is it?" Eafa whispered. He could feel his hair standing on edge. Then he smelt what Heri had smelt. "Fire?"

Heri nodded and pulled Eafa to his feet. "Get to the back. There's a second exit back there."

"No there isn't."

"There is, you just have to climb the wall to get to it."

Eafa got to his feet and gathered his clothes and weapon. He ran to the back of the cave and realized that the smoke was getting thicker. He coughed and turned to find Heri sniffing at the air.

"Heri!"

"Humans."

Eafa felt a chill steal over his body. "Here? There are no humans for ages away. They haven't passed the mountains, you said so yourself."

"Humans. Get out. It's me they want."

"Heri!" He dropped his armload and raced back to the dragon's side. Heri threw off his grasp.

"Get safe, little fihu. I'll be fine."

"Humans are dangerous! Run with me."

Sigheri turned on him, eyes ablaze and his skin began to changed with his transformation. He grabbed Eafa by his arm and collar before shoving him to the back of the cave once again. Eafa cursed and tried to break the hold, but Sigheri was much bigger and stronger than he had ever been, could ever dream of being.

He was all but thrown up the wall to the hole that led deeper into the cave before turning up, into fresh air. He clawed the wall, holding himself off the ground and hissed at Heri. Heri smiled and motioned for him to continue into the tunnel. He hissed again before disappearing into the opening, his tail whipping behind him.

Heri made sure he was gone before going back to the source of the fire. He turned into the full dragon. He did his own hiss at the fire, lower and louder than Eafa's, made to put fear into those that would hunt him. He didn't fear the fire, he was the fire. He lowered his head to the ground and took a deep breath of clean air before changing tubes from his lungs to his oil sack and blowing fire into the fire made by the humans.

Instantly the flames turned from orange to white and the heat filled the air. He could hear shouts from the other side and smiled, his tongue flicking out in silent laughter. Then he walked through the flames to confront these foolish humans.

*~*~*

Capua jumped when he heard the hiss. He looked worriedly at Rodo and the man shrugged.

"Sometimes they try to fight back. The fire will scare him off." He narrowed his eyes as the heat of the fire started to turn toward them. He held up his kid gloved hand over his face as sweat poured down his brow. Just then the beast charged them, bellowing in rage and clawing the ground with its deadly claws. "Stay away from the claws and wings, Capua."

"And the teeth. Your Slean doesn't have teeth like that."

Rodo put his crossbow to his shoulder. "Her's are filed down." He closed one eye and sighted down the length of the arrow, the head tipped in a drug made to fell dragons. The dragon cast flames into the air, lighting up the night before turning bloody red eyes to them, so small in comparison to itself.

His hands were shaking. He had never expected the dragon to come charging out without the slightest flinch from the fire. It had put its own power into the flames, making them the hottest in all of creation, and passed through them like it was nothing. Not even Slean could do that.

He fisted his hand, stilling its trembling before readjusting his hold on the bow. He could hear Capua beside him murmuring, "Shoot, shoot it now. It's too close. Shoot it, Rodo!"

The dragon was too fast. It attacked and Rodo twisted out of the way, knocking Capua out of the way and into the dirt. Quickly, he scrambled to his feet and ducked under the dragon's belly to sight down the scope once again. Capua hid in the brush and called out some more, telling him how to do his job. Rodo ignored him and focused on the dragon's movements.

He shot the arrow.

Capua cheered as the arrow flew past him, but Rodo wasn't so sure. The dragon had moved out of the line of the arrow. The arrow will hit him, still, only not a fatal blow. He pulled out a second arrow and let it fly.

His smile died before it could reach its full potential. Something small and fast shot out from the bushes and caught the arrow mid-flight. He gaped.

"What was that?"

Rodo got to his feet and rushed to the brush that Capua was cowering behind. "I think that was a fihu."

"A fihu!? They still exist in this part of the world?"

"They must. Did you see which way it went?"

Capua caught his lapel and pointed. "The dragon is distracted. It's looking for it too."

Pulling out another arrow, he notched it while the dragon was looking elsewhere. "Tell me where you see movement?"

He released the arrow and Capua shouted, "Your left!"

He swung the crossbow and slammed the hard wooden frame into the fragile wing. He heard the crack as the wing gave. The fihu cried out and limped off, still agile despite his injury. He grinned at the trail of blood, but didn't have time to gloat as the dragon roared and reared. His claws swiped the air where Rodo had been as he ducked and rolled.

His arrow had hit the dragon in the shoulder. It wasn't the greatest of shots, but it would do for now. If they could get the dragon to move about, lose some blood, and pump the drug through its body faster, they just might have a new pet to take home.

Or, rather, two new pets.

The dragon hissed and growled and attacked, but it was too large to move fast enough to catch them in the small space they were enclosed in. The dragon reared again, its claws glimmering brightly in the moon's light as they sliced the air on their downward descent. It landed with a roar that shook the earth and knocked Capua to the ground.

The dragon caught him between his claws and lowered his head to growl in his face. Capua paled and terror filled his face. The dragon's tongue flicked out and only just touched his skin before the dragon snorted and looked around. By that time, Rodo had another arrow cocked and aimed. Only he didn't have the arrow aimed at the dragon, but at the bleeding and broken fihu. Oddly, his ploy worked. The dragon froze, its eyes on him, unblinking.

Rodo had never seen a dragon react this way. One had to beat a dragon into submission, force them into compliance. They didn't show affection or loyalty to anybody or anything. But, this dragon understood the threat Rodo was offering to him. The fihu was hissing low in his throat, but the broken wing was proving too much pain for him to do anything more than hiss.

The dragon was watching him with those eerie eyes. Rodo moved the crossbow closer and the dragon understood and backed away, releasing Capua and standing calmly in the clearing.

Capua sat up, rubbing his neck where the dragon's claws has left deep furrows. He looked between the three of them and backed away from the dragon. "He understands?"

"I think he does."

"I don't understand."

"Shh, just get away and find the ropes." Capua nodded and dashed to the rock where they had placed their bags. He returned to Rodo's side and held out the ropes. "Tie up the fihu. Be quick about it."

Capua set to work, but the fihu didn't make it easy. It flapped its unbroken wing and sliced at him with slim deadly claws, drawing thin lines of blood from his arms and face. His tail whipped out, slapping welts on his skin.

Finally, Rodo pressed the crossbow into the broken wing and the fihu went limp in Capua's arms, mewing in pain. The dragon growled as Capua tied up the fihu. Rodo waited until the dragon had the whole of it attention on the fihu before he shot another arrow into the dragon's tough hide. The dragon snarled and abruptly sat down. His head bobbed for a moment, large eyes blinking slowly before he collapsed.

The fihu mewed loudly, screeching so loudly and long that Capua put his hands over his ears. "Make it stop, Rodo."

He knelt and slammed the butt of the crossbow into the back of the fihu's head. He silenced immediately and wilted.

Capua sighed in relief and gave a short laugh. "We did it."

"Yes, we did." Rodo knelt next to Capua and clapped him on his shoulder. "Congratulations. You now have yourself a dragon."

"And a fihu," he said wondrously as he gazed down at the small figure in his arms. "What is a fihu? He has wings, lizard tail, scales, cat ears and human features. It's the oddest thing I've ever seen."

"My friend. I wish to add this creature to my collection. Surely you don't intend to take this prize away from me? After all, I did just capture a dragon for you."

Capua turned his attention back to the massive dragon slumbering before them. "That's right. I now have a dragon." He giggled and looked up at Rodo. "It's yours. Thank you, my friend, you've made my dreams come true."

Rodo smiled and helped Capua to his feet. "Come on, lets get this dragon tied up for transport."

*~*~*

Eafa woke when a blast of cold air stole his breath. He blinked and moaned when his head started pounding, radiating from the base of his skull. Then he remembered the fire, the humans. He sat up and banked his head on the underside of a dragon. Hissing, he scrambled out from under the strange dragon, only to be pulled up short by a rope tied to his ankle.

He crashed into the ground and flipped onto his back to look up at the dragon flicking her tongue out at him. He copied her motion and glared. "What are you doing?"

She tilted her head and regarded him with a dull look in her big green eyes. He stared up at her in confusion. "What's the matter? You're not being intelligent."

There came a crack from a short distance away and she looked to the noise, thrilling in her throat. Eafa frowned and followed her look. He jumped to his hands and knees, hissing.

The human.

It was walking toward him, lips smirking as it approached and petted the dragon's nose. His eyes never left Eafa. His tail whipped on the ground, disturbing the dirt and turning his white fluff brown. His wings started to fidget, but sudden pain stopped him cold. He gasped and reached around to hold his broken wing. The brown tipped feathers were soaked in dried blood. He flicked at the blood and hissed in pain as he jarred the wing.

Then the human was there, prying his hands away and took a good look at the broken skin and thin, hollow bones. Eafa hissed at him, spitting and growling. Then the human slapped him across the face.

Tasting blood, Eafa stared at the human. His face hurt. He'd never been slapped before. Well, that wasn't true. There had been a few women in his past that hadn't taken kindly to his rejection, but it was nothing like this. This human was bigger than him, this human was all meat and muscle.

His cheek stung and he flicked out his tongue to taste the blood. His eyes flicked to the dragon that was just sitting there, watching meekly.

Where was Heri?

The human wrapped a tie around a bandage on his wing and slapped him on the shoulder. He spoke with words that Eafa couldn't understand, still looking at him with that look he'd first appeared with. Eafa curled his lip, showing his sharp teeth.

The human caught his chin, pinching and put his face close to his. More words that made no sense to him, said in a tone that Eafa couldn't mistake. He flicked out his tongue, tasting the lust in the air the human radiated. The human rubbed his thumbs over his lips and Eafa was too scared to move. He was speaking softly to him, touching his lips to Eafa's and slipping his hands down his arms, over his hips.

Eafa hissed and the human chuckled. He shoved Eafa away from him and walked away with a final pat to the dragon's nose.

Eafa hissed at his retreating back and finally found Heri.

He was in his dragon form, sleeping peacefully, wings outstretched and tied down to stakes pounded into the ground. Eafa tried to reach for him, but the ropes stopped him once again.

He cried out, but the dragon wouldn't wake. He kept calling, his voice going hoarse with the effort. Why wouldn't Heri wake up?

The human returned and he was angry. Eafa gulped and backed up until he realized that he was backing up into a strange dragon. He froze, not knowing where to go. The human kicked some dirt at him and continued walking. Eafa watched him walk. He was a warrior, a human warrior.

Were they stronger, more cunning, than fihu?

He narrowed his eyes and sat back to set his claws to the rope. As long as he wasn't caught, he should be able to cut these ropes and get to Heri. He kept a wary eye on the dragon over him as he cut the ropes. He didn't like how she was so empty.

Empty.

That's what it was. He looked at the two humans sitting around a small fire. He knew they weren't empty, but they made this dragoness empty. He frowned and fear suddenly poured into him. Will they make Heri empty too? He cut through the ropes after the two humans had laid down for a nap during the hottest part of the day. He took a moment to sniffed and taste the air with his forked tongue before he moved.

When he did, the female dragon turned to him with that glazed look and he gave her a snotty sniff before scampering to Heri.

He hadn't scampered in ages. He couldn't believe his back was letting him.

Tossing that thought aside, he landed next to Heri's head and slapped his muzzle, calling his name in a low whisper.

"Sigheri, you stupid immature dragon, wake up before I kick you." He pushed with all his might against the dragon's heavy head, trying his hardest to wake him. Nothing worked.

He sighed and curled up next to him, hiding under one wing, pressing up against his side and whimpered in fear.

He didn't want Heri to become empty.

*~*~*

"Fire take it all," Rodo cursed as he kicked the bag of supplies. Capua woke with a start and blinked up at his close friend.

"Whu?" he said groggily.

"That fihu escaped," Rodo said, putting his fists to his hips and staring out at the bleak savanna. He mumbled curses under his breath as he tried to calm himself, but it just wasn't working. He had had so many plans for that little creature. He shook his head. There was no point in crying over spilt milk, so he picked up the bag.

"Lets get on our way. The sooner we get that dragon back home, the sooner we can get him trained for you."

Capua nodded and ran a hand through his hair as he gazed at the massive dragon, sleeping so peacefully. He grinned and jumped to his feet. "Yes, lets hurry."

The broke camp and had just finished tying off the dragon's wings when the fihu gave a screech and emerged from its hiding place under the dragon's wing.

Rodo gave a shout and gave chase as the fihu ran the width of the camp and into the surrounding brush. The two quickly disappeared and left Capua staring after them in astonishment.

Then the fihu took to the air. Capua stared at it in wonder as the broken wing fought to keep the slim body aloft. Rodo returned and watched the fihu a moment with Capua before he retrieved his whip. He pulled the lead free of its tie to Slean's harness and smacked her muzzle with the whip before pointing to the fleeing fihu. "Fetch," he ordered and the dragon took to the air.

She caught up with the fihu in moments and the tiny creature gave a shrill cry before dropping like a stone. Laughing, Rodo gave chase and Capua could only follow.

They searched the ground for what seemed like hours before Rodo finally admitted that they had lost the fihu.

"He's gone until he decides to show himself. It seemed smart enough to know when to hide." He threw a tuft of grass and the two of them started back to camp. They both panicked when they heard a mighty roar coming from the camp's direction. After looking to each other, they broke into a run and raced back to camp.

They skidded to a stop, Capua sliding to the ground, as they came face to face with the male dragon, awake, and freed from his ties. He set fire to the grass surrounding them and the two men rushed to escape. Rodo called to Slean and the female gracefully glided to his side, jumpy around the flames.

As Rodo reached for his crossbow, the fihu jumped out of nowhere it seemed and landed on her back, his scaled, clawed foot landing on the crossbow. He snarled at Rodo and lashed out with his hand. Rodo ducked and made another attempt for the crossbow before giving up on it and fetching his knife and going on the attack.

The dragon behind him roared and stomped the ground, spewing flames and moving forward, cornering Rodo and Capua between the two massive bodies.

"Capua, grab the saddle."

"I can't reach!"

"Grab her wing. Now! Slean, fly!"

With a sudden jerk that gave testament to the dragon's fear, Slean took to the air. With the sudden movement, the fihu topple backwards off the beast. Rodo gave it one last shot and reached for the falling fihu, but it was too late. Slean was high in the air, Capua hanging off one wing and flames were shooting up from the male that hadn't taken to the air.

"Why isn't he following?"

"I don't know," Rodo said, watching as the dragon ceased bellowing flames and began sniffing around the ground. He reached out and helped Capua into the saddle proper. "It looks like it's looking for that fihu."

Capua snorted. "What was that? Are they companions? I thought dragons were selfish and loners."

Rodo nodded. "They are, usually." His lips tightened. "We'll come back here with more men and weapons. I'll catch that pair if it's the last thing I ever do."

*~*~*

Sigheri carried the spitting angry Eafa through the air, his wings spread to keep them aloft as he silently chuckled at the fihu's fit. He pulled the tiny fihu close to his chest and growled low in his chest. Eafa snapped something that was lost in the wind. His good wing flapped agitatedly against his chest, but was useless. He clawed at Heri's tough skin, trying to get free.

Heri hugged him tighter and dived down, headed for the pool. Eafa hissed, and his tail wrapped around Heri's leg.

He landed lightly and set Eafa onto his feet before changing back into his biped form. He touched a finger to the bloody feathers of Eafa's wing. "Does it hurt?"

"It hurts."

Heri put his hands on Eafa's shoulders and started pushing him toward the pool. The fihu stiffened and dug in his heels. "What are you doing, dragon?"

"The water heals. Go in."

"I don't want to."

"It'll heal you."

Eafa looked at him over his shoulder and hissed. "Let me go." Then he froze, staring into Heri's eyes. "What are you thinking?"

"I'll never let you go." He suddenly pulled Eafa into his arms, hugging him tightly. "I don't want you to leave me."

Eafa growled into his chest and struggled to get breathing space. "As if I could." He snorted. "Or did you forget our bond?"

Heri grinned and pulled him close. "We have a bond?"

"You made it," Eafa snapped, twisting in his hold. He started to pry at his fingers, nipping when they came too close to his face. Heri kissed his neck and Eafa hissed, flushing at how high his hiss came out.

Just as he got Heri's hands free from one hold, the dragon reattached himself and pulled the fihu close once more. "Let me go, Sigheri."

"Never again. We can live here, next to the pool. There's a cave here, but it opens out under the pool." He brushed his claws through Eafa's hair. "You don't mind living underground, do you?"

Eafa finally escaped his hold only to tumble into the pool with a curse and loud splash. Heri sat at the edge and smiled down at him. Eafa glared at him through the wet hair that was plastered to his face.

"You don't mind living underground with me?"

"I'm a fihu. I lived in a burrow my whole youth. It's living with you I question." He climbed out of the water and sat heavily next to Heri. The dragon leaned against him and smiled down at him. Eafa glared.

"You're not too smart, are you?"

His smile grew and Eafa rolled his eyes. "Fine," he sighed. "I'll drink your water and let you think you're protecting me."

Heri smothered him in another fierce hug. "Your wing is healed, too."

"I noticed. It really is magic," he said, a hand pushing Heri's face away. He licked his hand and Eafa returned to glaring while wiping his hand on the grass. "If I'm going to live here, you have to behave yourself."

"How so?" He was leaning too close for Eafa's comfort so the fihu stood quickly and dodged his hands. He put hands to his hips and looked down on the smirking dragon.

"No more hunting humans. They're too fast for you in your dragon form. Keep out of sight."

"But, what if they come back to hunt us?"

"We'll outwait them. You said yourself that this pool is near invisible unless you know what you're looking for. We'll not give them any reason to look here. They'll find your cave empty and look elsewhere," he rubbed his hands together and looked at the still waters of the pool. "Hopefully not here."

Heri jumped to his feet and scooped Eafa into his arms. Eafa gasped in surprise and clawed his shoulders. "Put me down!"

Heri spun in a circle. "You won't leave? You will stay with me and even hide with me from the humans?"

"Of course, I'm not stupid." He slapped one broad shoulder. "Put me down." Really, the dragon was just too big and strong for his own good. But, then he smiled like that and Eafa forgot what it was he was protesting and stared up at the dragon.

"The others didn't hide." Slowly, he set Eafa's feet back to the ground and loosely wrapped his arms around his waist. "They were all either killed or captured. That's why I left. There was nothing left of the dragon village I had been born to."

Eafa reached up and touched the backs of his claws to his chin. Sigheri caught his hand and pressed his cheek into the palm and smiled. "Stay with me, forever?"

Eafa smiled. Heri's eyes widened in alarm but he wasn't quick enough to avoid Eafa's hands as they tangled into his hair, pulling him down to his height. "As if I had a choice, you stupid dragon."

He kissed him, much to Heri's surprise, but he didn't let that stop him from taking control of the kiss and tipping Eafa back over his arm.

"Yes," he murmured against his lips, "forever."