Sixty-Six Years Ago, 2019

I'm padding to the Braveheart all alone, on the streets of the dragon city. The sun's starting to set above me in the late afternoon during the summer season, as I was on my way to watch Wayne sing, as usual. Can't get enough of that human when he sings. I think he's going to sing with Cody and Neal tonight, too.

Then I hummed to myself in delight, as another human came to mind. Another one who sings once in a while and he's my mate now.

Tommy....

I closed my eyes a bit and smiled brightly about him. I can't believe that me and him have been mates, since a couple of months ago. I'll never forget that night. The night after we came back to his house, after we stared up at the stars in the meadow. That after we came back not long after, we both confessed our love for one another. Of course, I can remember how despite that Tommy loved me, he was REAL apprehensive about us in that way.

But in the end, after my encouraging words toward him, he actually pushed away his species gap fears and he stood by me as we're mates now.

I giggled to myself and opened my eyes to look at we're I'm going. All the kissing that we were sharing in the barn that very night, I've never been so happy in my whole entire life.

So for about a week after that night, after me and him arrived here in the city, we both told Wayne and all our friends about our relationship. Sierra and Wayne both gave me a big smile, since I'm sure Sierra told Wayne everything that I've told her and Sierra must have told Neal and the others everything too, and Neal and the rest even remarked that they weren't surprised at all, that we would become mates.

They even pictured that we would be together that way. They all knew it. Neal knew it, Amanda knew it, Joanna knew it, they all knew it would happen and are proud of it now. Makes me and Tommy, feel happy that our friends would support our relationship, just like I would support Wayne and Sierra and also Amanda and Neal. Tommy didn't even mind kissing me in front of them, either. Really shows him, that he's not afraid to kiss in front of the dragons and humans we know. Tommy isn't shy about it, at all.

I'm glad, he isn't shy about us and neither am I...I finally have my Tommy. The one drake that I'd trust to be my mate.

I wish that he was sleeping close to me tonight, but he couldn't come to the city with me today. So I came here alone and told him, I'd be back home to him tomorrow. Told him to be a good boy, while I'm gone.

I'm sure we can both live without our cuddling, until tomorrow. But boy, I love to cuddle with my mate!

But then a thought crossed my mind and my face went a bit glum. The only dragon who doesn't know about our relationship, is my brother. My only family that I have left.

I let out a sigh, just thinking about my stubborn brother. I don't want to tell him. I don't want to tell him about us.

He hates humans so much, that I know he never approved at all that Tommy has become my friend from the beginning. He never accepted Wayne and Amanda as my friends either. Oh ancestors, I can imagine my brother's face when he knows.

That he would be shocked at first, then he would scream at me. Saying, 'are you kidding me?! He's a human!' Or he might say, 'he's a human, sister. Don't you get it?! He doesn't really love you! He's lying to you, about how he really feels! He never loved you!' Or perhaps something WAY worse than all that, 'he's a human and he's a killer! He's playing along with your feelings and when you're asleep, he'll kill you!'

Or maybe perhaps, when he sees me and Tommy together, AFTER he knows the truth about us, then he'd swipe Tommy away with his paw and call him a manipulating bastard. That he would play my feelings against me and then kill me at the end. Also to tell him to stay away from me and never come back.

I shook my head, trying to shake all those horrifying thoughts out of my brain. Tommy's not like that, he never was. He's kind, sincere and sweet. He would protect me, not hurt me. My brother's wrong about him.

Why can't my brother understand, that humans are not as bad, as the ones from before? Why can't he listen to me? I love Tommy. Tommy would NEVER hurt me. I know him.

Humanity is not as murderous as before. My brother is wrong about humanity now.

He is so overprotective of me, I can't even make him listen to reason. Every time, I tell him differently about Tommy or my other human friends than what he thinks, he just fights back. Saying that I'm a naïve fool.

You're wrong about Tommy, you are. And one day, when you know the truth, you'll just have to accept it.

I'm happy now. Been more happy than when mom and dad were alive. I can think now, they'd be proud that I have my first mate and it's a human.

I looked up at the beautiful, sunset sky, trying to see if mom and dad are up there. Oh mom and dad, if only you were here to talk some sense into my brother. To your son. Tell him, that he's wrong. He would listen to you. Especially you, father.

Brother...

And speak of the devil, I can see that my brother is trotting towards me with a grim look on his face and I looked straight at him. I wonder why he looks so grim? Well, since I'm here in the city for tonight, I'm going to cheer him up. I put on a smile and greeted him with a loud voice, "Hi brother! I haven't seen you, since I came here hours ago."

I stopped right in front of him, as he came close to me. He said with that same expression, "Yeah, that's because I was being an officer today."

I nodded, "Oh really? What happened to you? A bad day?"

My brother just glared at me and I reared back my head, with a wide face. Ok, I know that look. He seems to be pissed. Wonder, what's gotten into him?

I softened my look and cleared my throat, "So...What's wrong?"

He asked with that glare. His glare would probably set you on fire, by looking at it, "I thought that human would be with you, so where's he off to?"

That's when it clicked. Oh no...I can see where this is going. Going to give me another, pointless lecture about hanging with a supposedly dangerous human. I let out a sigh, saying this with a soft voice, "Going to lecture me again, are you?"

He took a step toward me, "Rain, you know I don't want him being with you. He's probably not who you think he is."

I shook my head, "Brother, we have been over this a million times. Tommy's not evil and murderous. He won't hurt me and he never will. And to answer your question about him, he's not in the city. He's back at his home. He couldn't come with me."

My brother said with his glare, focused right on me, "Sis, I don't ever want you to see him again."

That's when I put on a glare of my own, seeing that one really got to me, "What?"

"You heard me. I don't want to see you with him, EVER again."

I let out a snort, "I don't think, you're in any position to tell me how to live my life."

He shouted, "I have been warning you about him and the other humans, time and time again. And all the hell that you've been doing, is ignore me! For months, you have been living with that human at his house, outside the city and I'm always worried that you wouldn't come back, because of him! When the hell are you going to learn?! Humans have killed our mother and our father too, and here you are being with him!"

I said with a soft, irritated tone, "You're really starting to sound like a broken record."

He growled and thrashed his tail behind him, "Broken record, MY ASS."

I waved a dismissive paw at him, "This really has to stop. This is totally ridiculous. All that you are right now and have been for a couple of years, is a paranoid brother."

"Paranoid?!! Is that what you think of me?!" I took a couple steps back from him at his shout and he yapped again, with a snarl, "Tommy's a human, sister! And-"

I decided that I've had enough, so I spread out my wings and sneered, "You know what, I've had it!" That pretty much shut him up and his eyes went wide. I screamed at him, while taking a couple steps toward him, "All that you've been doing is lecture me, over and over again! Telling me that Tommy, Wayne and Amanda are evil and don't care about me, at all! Well, I HAVE HAD IT."

His wide look went away and he went back to glaring at me. I continued to snarl at my own flesh and blood, "Ancestors, brother! I'm so sick and tired of you being paranoid! That you can't accept, that humans have changed! That you don't listen to my words, and you only listen to your own paranoid, worried thoughts! When the hell are you going to grow up and see that you're wrong for the first time in your freakin life and admit that I'm right?! When will you?!"

He still had that angry look and he only moved his eyes to look down at my feet. I curled my wings and growled at him, showing my teeth, "I'm tired of this, brother. I can't take it anymore. I can't take it, that you're breathing down my neck. YOU'RE SMOTHERING ME! When I'm with my friends, you keep smothering me."

He grumbled under his breath, "I was only keeping the promise to dad."

"But you don't have to anymore. I'm not a hatchling anymore and you need to stop. I'm happy now and look...I know that our lives, weren't exactly easy. And that drake attacked me and you've been more overprotective of me, ever since." My brother growled a bit, when I brought it up. But I ignored his growl and didn't stop speaking, "And I know that you hate humans, so much. But what about me? What about what I want? I have my own life and smothering your own sister, is not helping me at all."

My brother finally looked at me, as I went on, "Brother, you keep telling me that I'm wrong about humans, but YOU'RE the one who's wrong about them. When are you going to learn, that you're wrong? When will you stop being so stubborn and look at humans, as your friends? Not enemies of dragons, but as friends. When will you look at Tommy, as mine and your friend?"

He didn't say a word, he only blinked. I shook my head, "I'm really tired of this. Two years. TWO years, of dealing with this and I can't take it anymore. If you don't trust Tommy, fine. If you don't care about him, FINE. Well, I won't stop seeing him. Tommy's my best friend in the whole world and he would never hurt me."

My stubborn brother finally softened his face, his eyes only shone a bit of guilt now. I said, "I love you, brother. I really love you, but you need to stop being overprotective. One day, you need to let go of our parent's deaths and move on. Because I have. I don't think differently about humans anymore. And you need to stop hating them. This has to stop. Your anger towards humanity, has to stop. Your anger towards Tommy, Wayne and Amanda, has to stop. Because you're wrong about them and I'm right."

His only response was a snort and I sighed, "You just don't know them, that's the problem. You never tried to get to know them and that's why you still hate them with so much distrust. You really would like humanity, if you got to know one of them and became friends. Because they would understand your pain and they would help you. Humans care more, than you think. I said it once and I'll say it again, this has to stop."

I placed a paw to my chest, "I do understand your pain, but stop this. One day, stop this. The only thing I can say to you now, is tell you to stop." I lowered my paw back to the ground and I walked closer to my brother to give his nose a tender nuzzle with mine, "I care for you, because you're my brother. You're my only family." I started to walk alongside his body, to walk past him. Before I went any further, I looked back at him over my shoulder. He didn't move his head at all, to look back at me and I said to him in a low voice, "I'm done talking about this, brother. I'm going to the Braveheart."

I took one step away from him, my eyes still locked on him, "I'm going to watch Wayne sing and if you trust my words, then come with me. Because you've never watched him sing before and you might be surprised how well a human can sing. Cause Tommy has sung as well. Even to me. Humans show emotions too, when they sing."

He looked over his shoulder, his eyes locked onto mine now. I nodded a bit, "Humans are not evil, brother. And you just need to let it go. For once, for me, let it go." He stared at me for another moment, never saying a word. He only stared at me with less emotion in his eyes. I said when I looked away from him, to look ahead at the street, a pity look on my face. I thrashed my tail to my right, "I'm done now, my brother. I'm going to my friends. And I bid you goodnight and talk later."

And with that, I took fast strides away from my brother, never looking back at him after that. I let out a breath, as I was on my way to the Braveheart.

I honestly wanted to also tell him, that I love Tommy. That me and him, are mates. That maybe after all the words that came out of my own snout, then maybe he'd listen to me and not judge our relationship. But I couldn't do it. I just couldn't.

Maybe one day, he'll know the truth that his own sister loves a human and that human loves me back. But...Now's not the time.

I padded on, walking past a strolling pink dragoness, who walked in the other direction. After walking in strides for such a  long time, I could see the restaurant up ahead. I let out a breath. Well at least, I'll have my friends to keep my mind off of my heated confrontation with my brother.

I strutted through the entrance of the restaurant and saw that a lot of dragons are in there to watch Wayne, Neal and Cody perform. I don't see any humans in there today, except Wayne and Amanda in the distance.

I raised a brow. Actually come to think of it, I haven't seen any other humans in the city today. I guess, they didn't want to come to the dragon city today. I shrugged my shoulders. Oh well, there'll be another day for them to come here.

I managed to move past several dragons who are sitting around at their tables, watching intently at the stage and several of them digging their jaws into their meals. My haunch accidentally bumped into one and it was a drake and he hissed. I looked over my shoulder, giving him an apology, "Sorry." I looked back at my friends ahead and moved away from the angry drake.

I gave all my friends a smile and announced, "Hey, I made it!"

Wayne and Amanda, along with Sierra, Neal, Cody, Eleanor, Joanna and Sierra's uncle are all staring at me and Wayne said with a grin, "We were beginning to wonder, when you'd show up."

Sierra giggled, "Yeah, we were thinking we would have to send out a search party for you."

Amanda thumbed toward Neal beside her, with a snicker, "Yeah, even send Neal out to look for you."

Neal glared down at her and snorted, "Don't send me." He pointed down at Cody in front of him, "Send the little green runt and his purple girlfriend!"

Eleanor just tossed back her head and laughed. While Cody, rolled his eyes and sighed, "Great, let the little drake and dragoness, do all the dirty work."

I remarked to Cody with a giggle, "I don't think searching for me, counts as dirty work."

Cody just snidely remarked, "I'll tell you what, you take my place for one day and find out how you like doing all the dirty work."

I shrugged my wings and shoulders, "At least, I won't complain about doing it. You lazy, little drake."

Eleanor giggled and leaned her head onto his shoulder, her tail now laid over his, "Yeah, you always were lazy."

Cody let out a breath and nipped at her neck, "You like this, lazy drake." They both giggled at that.

Joanna asked with curiosity, "So what happened, sweetie?"

Sierra's uncle asked, "Yeah girl, what took you so long? Wayne and the boys were about to sing, real soon."

I let out a sigh as my smile went away, "Lets just say, my brother talked to me about..." I gestured my paw, toward Wayne and Amanda, "About how humans are evil again, even Tommy and that I should actually stay away from him."

Neal growled at my words, "You know, your brother calling Amanda evil, that's crap. And I really hate him for it."

I nodded at him, "I don't blame you at all, hating him for that. He just doesn't...Understand her. But one day, he might."

Wayne took a deep breath and let it out, "I hope so. Cause, it's not fair at all. I don't want him to be so angry like...The last mayor of the dragon city."

I shook my head at the thought, "I know my brother hates humans, but he's not like the mayor who attacked you. He's not planning to start a war with humanity."

Neal said with an angry scowl, "Well if he hurts Amanda, I'll kill him."

My eyes went wide at the threat and Amanda looked up at him, saying with a stern voice, "Neal."

His eyes looked down at her and his anger went away in an instant. He let out a deep calm sigh and lowered his head to her level, nuzzling her arm, "I'm sorry, Amanda. He's Rain's brother and I shouldn't threaten him like that."

Amanda turned a bit to him and reached out to cradle his chin in her hands, "I know you'd protect me, my red hero. But her brother's, not the murdering type. He wouldn't hurt me." Then she leaned her head to kiss his nose. She smiled at him, "I'll be alright."

Neal looked deeply at her with care, "I don't want anything bad to happen to you, again. If I didn't save you that night, I-"

She placed a finger to his snout, cutting him off, "I'm alive now, big guy. I'm not going anywhere. That mayor's not coming back. And it's, thanks to you" She motioned her hand toward Cody, "The little green runt." Then she motioned her hand toward Sierra, "And mom." She placed her hand onto Neal's chin again, looking directly at his eyes, "I'm not going anywhere, alright?"

Neal started to give her a smile, "I know you're not. But I can't help, but worry sometimes."

Amanda grinned right back, "I'm tough like Sierra, you know." She winked at him and Sierra giggled at that nearby.

Neal giggled too and remarked, "You really are one tough bitch, with balls."

She playfully smacked his face and they both laughed. Then she kissed his nose again. I said to Neal as he rose his head above her, "My brother might change one day, he just needs some more time. Perhaps one day, someone might change him." I shrugged my shoulders, "Or I might have changed him, after all the words I said to him, before I came here. Who knows?"

Neal chuckled, "Well, at least I know that Amanda's in good paws with you, girl."

I held up my head with a big grin, "Yep, she is."

Wayne came up to me and said with a pity look, "I'm sorry, about what you deal with daily."

I looked down at him, "I just feel sorry for you, Tommy and Amanda being judged upon, by my brother."

Joanna gave me a proud smile, "That's good that you feel sorry. That means you care about them, despite they're humans." She looked down at Wayne, who's back is turned on her, "Including my son." Wayne looked over his shoulder and giggled. Then Sierra's uncle nuzzled the side of Joanna's head and she nuzzled into his shoulder.

Joanna pulled herself off of him and started to strode to the stage, "Well I better announce myself to the guests. Be back in a minute, hons and sweeties."

Cody giddied excitingly on his paws, "Eee, can't wait to get on there again."

Neal laughed and joked, "You're acting like a female, who's excited to get mounted upon, pal."

Eleanor laughed her head off and Cody shot a glare up at him, "Don't make me punch you in the balls, like Amanda here."

Amanda raised a finger and clarified, "I KICK them, not PUCNH them."

Cody tossed up his head, "Same difference!" We all laughed hard in unison.

I sat down on my haunches and gestured my paw toward Wayne, "Well Wayne, you and the boys have another fun time up there."

Wayne looked up at me and winked, "We always do."

Sierra lowered her head to the side of his head and said to him, "You're supposed to wink at me, not to another female."

Wayne turned his head to gaze at her eyes, "Getting jealous now, old lady?"

Sierra playfully grinned at him, "I don't get jealous, you little shit."

Wayne replied, "Well I'm going to give you one anyways." He gave her a wink and just smirked at her.

Sierra rolled her eyes, "You already wasted your wink, on Rain here. So why wink at me now?"

He just leaned his head towards her nose and kissed it, "Because, you're a beautiful old lady."

Sierra returned the gesture with a lick to his cheek, "I knew the answer anyways, handsome." Now it was her turn to wink at him, "And you know, I hate you when you call me old."

He touched her nose, "But you're still, a beautiful old lady."

She rose her head up and tossed it up, "You better think I'm beautiful, or else I'd be the one to spank you, for being a bad boy."

I tossed back my head and laughed, while I was holding my chest, "Oh you two, you guys just kill me!"

Sierra turned to me, "If Tommy calls you old, spank his ass. That's the only advice, I'd give you."

I gave her a nod, "Deal!"

Wayne asked, "Just a question, Rain." I looked down at him, "If I'm being a bad boy, by calling you old, would you spank my butt?"

I started to form a mischievous smile, "I'll ask Sierra's permission to do that, little man."

Wayne groaned and rolled up his eyes, "Well crap." Me and Sierra just laughed at that.

Then on stage, Joanna announced to her guests with a flare of her wings and her head held up high, "Hello everyone! Good evening!" Me and everyone quieted down and looked right at her. Joanna went on, when she laid her wings on her back, "Now since I've kept you all waiting long enough, here's tonight's performance!" She held out her paw to Wayne, Cody and Neal, "Please give a warm welcome to my favorite hons and performers. As usual, here's the human Wayne. And the red and green drakes that have human names, Neal and Cody!"

Everyone clapped their paws and Sierra lowered her head to Wayne's cheek and kissed it, "I'll be waiting right here, for you." Wayne returned the kiss by planting his on her cheek, then he went with Neal and Cody to the stage. Sierra came and sat down on her haunches beside me on my left, both of us ready to watch them sing. Eleanor and Sierra's uncle came and sat down near us as well. Amanda just stood beside me on my right.

I leaned over to whisper to Sierra, as Wayne, Neal and Cody were pushing their way through the crowd, about halfway to the stage, "So, what human song is your boyfriend singing, with our drakes?"

She whispered back, "'Wheel in the Sky' by Journey." I nodded, as we saw Wayne and the drakes end up on stage, greeting Joanna at first and she strolled off the stage to come sit down on her haunches with us, sitting real close to Sierra's uncle and he curled a wing around her.

From where we are at, we can see the magical gem on stage, changing it's color from red to blue. Meaning, it's ready to do it's thing. Wayne was standing in between Neal and Cody and they both sat down on their haunches. Wayne cleared his throat and he closed his eyes, trying to think with his thoughts. Then he said four words, each in emphasis. HIs voice now loud, "WHEEL....IN....THE...SKY." Me and Sierra both lit up at him. That voice, both of us can't get enough of it.

Then all of us can hear the human music now, coming from Wayne's head. He opened his eyes and his face is now lit. So were Neal and Cody's, their tails thumping against the wooden stage in rhythm.

From the way the music sounded at first, it sounded like a electric guitar. Wayne was holding out his hand to the crowd and he twirled it in a circular motion repeatedly, "Turning, turning, turning, turning, turning!"

While Wayne was raising his other hand high in the air, still twirling his other hand, Neal and Cody both said the same word repeatedly, both shaking their heads back and forth, "Turning, turning, turning, turning, turning!" Wayne pulled his hand back, dropped his other hand to his side and more instruments in the song began to play.

Wayne sang to the crowd, "Winter is here, again, oh lord! Haven't been home in a year or more! I hope she holds on a little longer!" He was tapping his foot in rhythm, "Sent a letter on a long summer day! Made of silver, not of clay! Oh, I've been running down this dusty road!"

Then he, Neal and Cody sang in unison, both the drakes heads held high, "Oh, the wheel in the sky keeps on turning!" Wayne shook his head as he sang by himself, "I don't know where I'll be tomorrow!" The three males sang in unison again, "Wheel in the sky keeps on turning."

The music played on for ten seconds and Wayne sang by himself again, while clapping his hands repeatedly, "I've been trying to make it home! Got to make it, before too long! I can't take this very much longer, no!"

He stopped clapping, "I'm stranded, in the sleet and rain! Don't think I'm ever gonna make it home again! The morning sun is rising, it's kissing the day!"

Neal was the only one singing this part, while tapping his paw on the floor, "Oh, the wheel in the sky keeps on turning! I don't know where I'll be tomorrow!"

Then it was both Wayne and Cody turn, "Wheel in the sky keeps on turning!"

Wayne is now singing by himself now, "Whoa, oh, whoa, oh, whoa!" He placed his hand to his chest, closing his eyes, "My, my, my, my, my!" He shot his eyes open and pointed both his fingers to the crowd, "For tomorrow!"

The music break came once more and the guitar solo came for about fifteen seconds, and Wayne was just dancing a bit on stage. Then after those fifteen seconds came, he put both hands to his chest and sang a very high note, "AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!"

The three of them are singing together after that, while Wayne twirled his hand in a circular motion, just once, "Oh, the wheel in the sky keeps on turning!" Wayne sang by himself, while he stared at up Neal, "Oh, I don't know where I'll be tomorrow!"

The three males sang together once more, "Wheel in the sky keeps me yearning!" Wayne raised a finger and shook his head, "Oh I don't know, I don't know!"

Cody and Neal just sang together without Wayne, "Oh, the wheel in the sky keeps on turning!" Cody shrugged his shoulders, and sang by himself, "Oh, I don't know where I'll be tomorrow!" I heard Eleanor cheer loudly beside Sierra and she laughed.

Neal sang next, "Wheel in the sky keeps on turning!"

Wayne was next after Neal, "Oh, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know, oh!" Then he and the drakes sang together in harmony, "Wheel in the sky keeps on turning!" All three of them, shaking their heads, "Don't know where I'll be tomorrow!"

Wayne sang by himself again, "Oh, the wheel in the sky keeps turning! Wheel in the keeps on turning!" Then the human music went on about a few more seconds, until it just faded away. All three of the males breathing deeply, when it ended.

We all cheered at the boys and me and my friends went through the crowd, as Wayne, Neal and Cody all gave waves at everyone. The gem behind them, turned back into it's original color.

Me, Sierra, Eleanor, Amanda, Joanna and Sierra's uncle came on stage and thanked them for their performance. They all accepted our gratitude. I was laughing to myself, as Tommy's face came into the picture.

Tommy, you just missed this performance! You should've came here, instead of having to go to work!

Oh well...Least, there'll be a next time.

*****

I'm walking with Sierra and Wayne back to their house, after his performance ended about a couple of hours ago. The night has come to the city. I was padding alongside Wayne on his left, while Sierra is padding on his right. Cody and Eleanor flew back to their home, as Joanna and Sierra's uncle stayed behind to clean up their restaurant. I can imagine, that the place will be a mess. Neal and Amanda were with us, until they both went back home in their direction. So it's just me, Wayne and Sierra now.

I looked up at the stars in the sky, smiling up at them. I was thinking about Tommy. Thinking that he's outside his house into that barn, starting to miss me already and I haven't been gone a week! I'd know how he feels, I miss him already too.

Guess, I should've made the little human come with me this morning, but he still had to go work at his job, at his home.

Then a thought crossed my mind and my eyebrows went wide. Hang on, why didn't I think of it before?

Tommy doesn't have to live in that world anymore, he can live in the dragon city with me! Yeah! That's a good idea. That way he wouldn't have to work at his job, that he doesn't really like. He can stay here in the city with me!

That way, I can never leave him alone back at his home. I wouldn't have to live outside the dragon city with him. I would stay close to my friends and my only family, when we're staying here. Besides, Tommy loves this place and he wouldn't mind it.

Or would he mind it? Because that is a big step for him. He would leave his mother's home and maybe he won't like that idea. He said to me once, that's the only thing that belongs to his mother, and he loves it. I don't know, if he'll go through with it.

I mentally brushed those thoughts aside. Oh, maybe he'll consider it. If he doesn't, then I won't force him to leave. Wherever he wants to stay, then I'll stay with him. Even if that means, I'll live outside the city with him. To live outside his mother's house.

Now that I think about it....Wayne and Sierra told me that the magic of the dragon city can make you age slower and live a little bit longer, longer than you think, if you've stayed here for long periods of time. Which I'm sure that's why me and my brother, are still alive up to this day.

Course, Wayne's not entirely sure that the magic will work on humans. But he's also hoping that it will work for him and Amanda. Or for, any human who stays here.

If Tommy won't move to the city with me then...He'll age faster than me and die.

My thoughts were now filled with worry. I don't want him to age fast and die, before I do. I don't want to outlive him. I think the two of us should live and die together.

I looked at Wayne and Sierra and just stared at them, as we're trotting. Those two are living together here and they're lucky. But...What if Tommy won't leave with me?

I...I don't want to live without him.

Wayne noticed I was staring at him and he asked, "Hey, are you ok?"

I nodded and looked ahead, "Just a little. I was thinking about Tommy."

Sierra turned her head to me with a smile, as she strode still, "Oh really? What about him?"

I stopped where I was at, with my head hung down. I held a sad look on my face. Wayne and Sierra stopped too, when I did and Wayne asked with his voice full of concern, "Rain, what's the matter?" He turned his whole body to me, "Something's bothering you, we can see it."

Sierra waved her paw at me, "Rain, you might as well tell us. You're getting us concerned."

I let out a sigh, "Guys..." I trailed off and I looked at my friends, "I'm just worried about Tommy...Just a little bit."

Sierra tilted her head, "Why?"

"Because...I'm just afraid I'll outlive him. That he'll grow old and die, one day."

Wayne and Sierra changed their expressions to pity and Wayne suggested, "Well since I don't really know for sure, that humans can age slower by staying here, like dragons do. But I think, Tommy would love the idea, if he came with you and stayed here. Maybe he will age slow, staying here."

I shook my head at him, "I do plan to ask him about that. But Tommy might not want to leave his home. Because the house he lives in, is his mother's. He just...Loves it and telling him to live with me here, it's a big step. I...I'm afraid he won't come with me and he'll stay at home, until he's old and dies."

My body shivered a bit from the thought, "I wish that humans didn't age fast outside the city. I want to live and die, along with him. Not outlive the freakin human. This isn't fair."

Sierra hummed and nodded, agreeing what I'm saying. I looked directly at her and asked, "Guys, what can I do, if he doesn't want to come here and stay? What if he doesn't want to leave? I...I feel like, I'm scared for him."

Sierra took a step toward me and stood beside Wayne, "I can understand that fear. I was like that with Eric, back then. Both of us were thinking the same thing. Thinking that we wouldn't grow old together and die. Eric was afraid he'd hurt me, because of his death. But you know what I think about that fear?"

I shook my head and she answered, "That it doesn't matter, if the human ages fast or not. The point is, you would stay with the human, until he grows old and dies. Aging is a normal thing, among us. There's nothing we can do, to change it." She waved a dismissive paw, "I never let that bother me anymore, even when Wayne thinks the magic here won't work on him, I'll still stay with him. Either he outlives you, or you outlive him, it doesn't matter which. The point is, you two stay with each other, until one of you dies. Besides, he still has time to decide on your offer."

Wayne smiled at the thought and gestured his hand toward my chest, "Sierra's right, Rain. And even, I'm not feeling bothered by it. I've been with Sierra for nine years and I'm not bothered by it." He shrugged his shoulders, "Well at first, I was bothered by it, because I was afraid that my death would hurt her, but...It won't."

He put a hand to his chest, "If I die when I'm old, then I die when I'm old. At least, me and Sierra shared a lot of memories together. The point is, you live with him, until that happens."

Sierra said with a haunting look, "What would be sad about this, is that your human dies before he's old. Everyone should live, until you're old. Not die, before then. And that's what happened to Eric and that's what's sad about it."

Wayne placed a hand to my chest and said his comforting words, "Don't get worked up about it, girl. At least know, that you'll stay with him, until he dies."

Sierra said, "And if you do outlive him, then at least move on with your life. One day, you'll find another person to love and be with. Whether, it's a dragon or another human." She looked down at Wayne next to her, "And I have. I've kept that promise to Eric."

Wayne looked back at her and nodded. Then he turned back to me, "See? Look, I know it looks bad, up ahead. But don't let it bother you so much. No matter what age you guys are, you'll be with him, until he dies. Or until you die. And when it looks sad, at least be proud that he lived a long happy life. Not a short one."

Sierra started to smile when she looked back at me, "And when you ask Tommy that question, at least give him some time to think about it, if he's hesitant. He's still young and he still has time." She pointed her claw at me, "You still have a lot of it."

I stared at them for such a long time and finally Wayne let his hand fall off my chest and he backed away from me. I finally slowly started to smile at them. They're right. I shouldn't let this bother me. The point is, is that me and Tommy would be together, until one of us dies. In fact, Tommy still has time.

If he's hesitant about my question to live in the city with me, then he still has time to decide. And if the magic of the dragon city works on him and if he'll live longer, then that'll be fine.

And if he wants to stay outside the city and grow old fast at a normal speed, then I'll stay with him. Until he grows old and dies, I'll stay with him.

He lost his mother and I'm all he's got. I won't leave him alone. I will stay with him.

Aging is a normal thing, there's nothing I can do about it. I won't let it get to me.

And when he dies...Maybe one day, I'll find someone else to be with. I looked right at Wayne and Sierra standing side by side at me, they already saw my smile and knew what I was thinking. Who knows really?

I may not know what the future holds for me. But I'll find out.

His death might be sad, but when he dies being old, then I'll say that he lived a long happy life. I won't feel hurt by his death. I'll move on without him, when that happens. Despite what'll happen, our love will be strong.

I don't know if you think the same thing as I do, Tommy. But I'll stay with you. I'll be your angel, until you die.

I said to them, "You're right, guys. I...I won't let it bother me again.  I'll put up with it and besides, Tommy still has a long life left to live."

Wayne was still giving me a confident smile, "Exactly. And both of you guys should live with each day, not afraid of being old. Whether you'll outlive him or not, don't be afraid of it. And remember, when that day happens, then you'll find someone else, someday."

I replied with a nod, "I think you're right and I promise."

Sierra giggled, "Good. I kinda had a feeling you'd do this to yourself."

I shrugged my wings and shoulders, "I guess, me and you think little alike."

Sierra laughed and turned to walk on the street, "I guess, we are. C'mon, Wayne."

Wayne nodded and me and him followed her back to their house. With all their words still being played on my mind. I won't let it get to me. I won't let it get to me.

We all trotted for a long time, until we're in front of their house. Wayne and Sierra both turned to me and Wayne asked, "Are you alright, now?"

I nodded, giving them an honest smile, "Yeah, I'm fine."

He gave me a teasing question and raised a eyebrow, "You sure?"

I laughed, "Yes! I'm fine."

Wayne giggled and shrugged his arms, "Oh, alright. I got it."

I said to them, "Thanks for helping me out with this. I needed that."

Sierra nodded, "I know it from experience. So, you're not the only one." She raised a claw, "Remember, just cherish all the days with him and don't be afraid that he'll be old and die. And if he lives here with you and he doesn't age fast, then that'll be fine. All of us, should cherish every moment, that we have. Don't let it get to you."

"I know."

Sierra playfully narrowed her eyes, "You better know, girlfriend."

All three of us laughed and I waved at them with both my paw and my wing tip, "Night guys." I turned my whole body, until my side is facing them. I still looked at them and said, "I'll be leaving in the morning guys, so see you guys later for my next visit."

Wayne and Sierra both waved at me and they said, "Goodnight." And with that, they both whirled around and went through the front door of their house. They shut it behind them and I went on to go to the motel of the city.

I walked there for a while, until I went through the entrance to the lobby of the motel. I found the stone steps that leads me to the floor of the room, I'm staying in for the night. I walked in the big stone hallway, after taking my final step up to the floor. I found the opening of my room and went through it. I can see my furs in the middle of the room and strode up to them and laid down, slowly onto my stomach. Letting out a sigh.

I turned my head to look out of the balcony window, seeing the night sky right where I'm at. I grinned at the stars. I won't let my fear get to me. I won't be afraid of Tommy aging.

When I get back to his home, I'll ask Tommy if he wants to stay here with me and if he's hesitant, I'll wait. Whether he'll stay at his home or my home, I'll stay with him. And whether he ages fast or slow, I'll stay with him. Until he dies.

I slowly laid my head on the soft comfort of the furs and a smile formed across my face. I'm not afraid. I'm not afraid anymore.

I'll be with my Tommy. I won't be afraid that he'll be old.

Because whether he's old or young, I love him.

I closed my eyes at the thought and hummed when I curled around in bed. Curling my tail around my body.

I love you, Tommy.

And tomorrow, I'm coming back home to you.

*****

I was lying on my back in mine and Sierra's house, in our bedroom on our furs, staring up at the ceiling. My hands behind my head, as I was just laying here.  Just thinking about Rain.

Well I couldn't blame her for thinking that way. Especially about a human.

Memories of that fear that I've had before came back to me, just thinking about it. I can certainly remember that I was afraid, Sierra would outlive me and I would hurt her with my death. I can remember how afraid I was. But...I can remember, Sierra's reassurance. That she would stay with me, until I die from being old and she wouldn't feel hurt by it. Me and her would always be happy.

But I guess, on another hopeful note, I know it's been nine years since I've been staying here. But I think the magic of the dragon city would work on me.

I guess I'll find out, someday.

I'll always stay with you, Sierra. I always will.

I can hear some dragon's feet, padding on the stone floor and I sat up in bed. I see Sierra came back in our room and she's done with her bath and she appeared to be clean. I was grinning at her and she cocked her head at my expression, "What?"

I giggled and shook my head, "Sometimes, I can tell that your scales are kinda shining, after you take a bath. The way you just shine, just gets to me." I shrugged my arms, "Kinda makes me wish that I had scales like you. I would be sexy in them."

Sierra smiled at the thought and she came up to me, until she's right beside me on the bed. I followed her every movement, until she laid down on her stomach beside me. She replied to what I said, when she twisted her neck to look at me, "I would think, you'd be sexy in them, too." Then she giggled mischievously, "But now that I think about it, I think since you'll be a dragon, you'll live for a long time like me and I'll call you grandpa."

I let out a laugh, "I'll be a grandpa anyways, whether I'm human or dragon, you old lady."

She rolled up her eyes, "I know. But you keep calling me old, because I'm WAY older than you."

I pointed at her, "Yep and you're old enough, to be a grandma." She lowered her head to my level and snorted at me. I could feel her air rom her nose, rushing at me and I giggled.

Sierra giggled too and she looked out at the window, to look at the stars, a curious look on her face, "Hey Wayne." I gazed at her and she asked, "In all honesty...Did you ever think about having hatchlings?" She gestured to me, when she looked back at my face, "You know, like literally have a hatchling? Like if we're both dragons, then we'd have one together?"

I frowned, "I thought, Amanda's your daughter."

She nodded with a big happy gleam, "She is and I love her so much." Then her gleam became curious again, "But I sometimes, wonder what it's really like to have a real hatchling. Like most dragons do, like my parents, like Neal's, just like everyone else. Like your mother and father and a lot of humans." Then she raised a paw off the furs and waved it, "And maybe, our hatchling would have grandchildren and we become grandparents. But I had to ask, have you ever thought about having one?"

I looked down at my lap, thinking about it, "Well...I never thought about having one. Not really, anyways. I just thought, I liked things the way they are. If we even tried, then it wouldn't even been physically possible." Then I giggled to myself, "Besides that, I don't know, if I can come up with a good name for our baby. It's kinda hard."

Sierra giggled too, "I can probably come up with one....Perhaps...I would name our daughter after...Lindsey." I tilted my head and she explained, "I would name he after, Amanda's late mom."

I smiled brightly at that, "That's very sweet. Amanda would love that name and...I would love it." Then I frowned again and asked, "What about a boy? Better not name him after your father. I wouldn't know how to speak the damn name. Remember, I'm a human in this relationship."

She shot a playful glare at me, "Don't mock my kind's names, human." I laughed and she hummed in thought, "I was thinking....Steve."

"Steve?"

She got her head closer to mine, "To name after his majesty and your hero, Steve Perry."

My face lit up at the idea, "That doesn't sound like a bad name at all." I raised a finger, "But I was also thinking maybe...Cody."

She shot another playful glare, "Don't name our boy after a little green runt. That's a bad name!"

I gave her a mock expression, crossed my arms and playfully argued, "Cody, won't be little forever!"

Sierra rolled her eyes and hissed, "I'm not naming our hatchling, after our well known runt."

I rolled up my eyes too and sighed, "Cody would find a way to kick your ass, if he heard you say that."

She rose her head and held it up smugly, "He can't beat this blue bitch. I'm bigger than him."

I shot at her, "You're freakin old, you old lady."

She whined with a soft slam of her paw, "Quit calling me old!" I was laughing at that, clutching my own chest and I toppled onto my back in laughter. Sierra growled a bit, "Oh whatever, you freakin laugh, while it lasts." I was still laughing hysterically hard and my face was turning red, because of my lack of air. She started to laugh now, "I hope you die from laughter, you little annoying bastard."

I finally stopped laughing, after such a long time. I sat up on the furs and looked at Sierra. I let out a breath, "You crack me up. Like usual, you crack me up."

Sierra giggled at me, "I can see that. You were turning red, like Neal. And I was afraid, you'd REALLY die from laughter." She shot up her head and thumped her tail behind her. She also rustled her wings, "Ha! Imagine, a human dying from laughter. That'd be a hoot!"

I narrowed my eyes, pointing at her as well, "If I die, then it's your fault."

She waved me off with her paw, "Oh, just enjoy a good long laughter and not worry about it." She gave me a devious grin, "You'd enjoy it. Actually, I think you were enjoying it, a minute ago. I'll give you something else to laugh about, if you love laughing so much."

I gestured to her haunch and playfully threatened her, "Sierra, make this human laugh and this human will spank your ass."

Sierra flicked her haunch and tail toward me, "Then go ahead and spank it. I already gave you a good spanking today. I haven't had one, from you yet. We're not even yet. And besides, you love this ass."

I let out a chuckle, "Yeah, I do." I looked at her haunches and held a sad look and sighed.

She noticed it and slowly cocked her head, "What's wrong, my Wayne?"

I shook my head a bit, "You know, I like to fly on your back and I even dream about being a dragon, just like you. More than once. But...Now that I think about it...Both of us never had a child. And I know we never had sex, but we can't exactly have any, anyways." I gestured to myself, "I'm twenty nine years old and I never had one and." I gestured right at her, "You're...Over a thousand years old or more and you never had one at all." I chuckled softly, a little bit, "Now, I'm thinking of it."

Sierra shook her head and held a glum look, "I never mated with Eric at all." She shrugged her shoulders, "We thought about it, but it wouldn't do any good. We would probably feel pleasure, but that'll it. Nothing else happens, after that." She sighed, "It's a common thought to me, when I'm with you. I...See you as a dragon, but I know that you're really not. But still...It would've been nice."

I nodded at her, "I think so, too." Then I also shook my head, "But I don't care, also."

Sierra replied, "I don't care, either. We're different and we can't have hatchlings, but I still love you. I know we can't really change, but I still love you."

I smiled at her, "So do I, big girl."

She smiled too and she lowered her head to me and I placed both hands to her face. She gave my nose a lick and we shared a deep, long kiss together with my mouth and her snout pressed together. Both our jaws adjusted to our love making and I laid back down on my back, while we still kissed each other. We both moaned and she shifted her whole body a little more closer to me.

Then she got up on all fours and actually stood over me, both her front paws planted a both sides of my body. I was still kissing her, my tongue still touching hers and I was caressing her cheek. She pulled her snout off my mouth and she kissed my neck. I gasped a bit and giggled. She did too, seeing that I like it. I trailed my fingers on the underside of her chin and I kissed her jawline.

We both stared down at each other, sharing a smile with both love and affection in both our eyes. I planted a kiss, this time on her nose. Then she planted her snout onto my mouth and we shared a passionate kiss again. She lustfully growled for me in her throat. I moaned, as her tongue snaked in my mouth again.

She pulled her head off of me and I was gasping for air, wiping her saliva off my lips, "Goodness, you really have a big mouth."

Sierra tilted her head down at me, "What did you expect? Making you wish you are a dragon, after all?"

I laughed under her head, "Well I would be curious, what it would feel like, if we'd locked jaws together as two dragons. That would be fun."

Sierra was giggling at that, "I can imagine it, you really want to play dirty with me."

I reached up with my head and kissed her nose. Then she moved down with her snout and tickled my neck with her tongue. I cried out during laughter, "Hey, cut it out." Then I gave out a sharp gasp, as she tickled my neck again. She was giggling mischievously now.

After that, Sierra happily sighed and nodded, "Alright, I'm done now." She moved her hulking figure off of me and laid down right beside me. Looking lovingly down at me. I rolled onto my side, gazing up at her as well.

I chuckled at her, while brushing a fur away from me, "Wow, we haven't kissed like that for...A month."

She reached out to me with her paw and was grazing the bottom of her paw on my shoulder, "I loved it, pretty much."

I let out a yawn and said, "God, I'm getting a little tired right now."

Sierra nodded in agreement, when her paw rubbed tenderly at the side of my face and brushing some of my hair, "Me too." She moved her paw back to herself and she drew back her head to let out a yawn, "Well....I think, I've had it for tonight." She lowered her head onto the furs and moaned a bit. I gave her a curious look and she noticed it. Sierra asked, "What?"

I answered with a worried tone, "Sierra...Are you going to be ok?"

That question caught her off guard and she said, "Yeah, why?"

I sighed, "Look...Those dreams you've told me about....I know that before this month came, you haven't slept well. And it has been several weeks, since it happened. And you seem to be fine now, but-"

Sierra shook her head, while it's on a fur, "I've been fine for weeks, maybe even a month or two. I wouldn't worry about it. I was just dreaming and I keep getting worked up over it. I'm fine and there's nothing to worry about." She gave me a big smile, showing her teeth, "I swear."

I stared at her, trying to look at her eyes, try to read her. I can see, she's not lying and she does swear. I smiled at her and nodded, "Well...Alright. I'm still a bit worried about you. You're my girlfriend."

Sierra blinked at me, "I know." Then she started to uncurl one wing off her back and started to lower it. Inviting me to sleep real close to her, "Come here, my Wayne."

I didn't decline her offer and I scooted myself to the side of her body, right under her wing. She laid it close on top of me and I sighed in comfort. As the warmth from her wing membrane washed upon me. She feels warm and good. I pulled it tighter on me and when I rolled around under her wing, to look at her front. Sierra actually raised her head off the fur and is now looking back at me, laying close to her.

She said to me with those beautiful eyes, "Wayne?"

"Yeah?"

She stretched her neck to lower it to where I am and she planted a kiss on my forehead, "I love you, my mate." She gave my forehead a lick after that.

I smiled brightly at that and I reached up with my head to plant a kiss on her snout, "I love you too, Sierra." She pulled back her head a bit and curled around with me. Her body rose, when she took a deep breath and then let it out.

I looked at her for another moment and then I started to totally lay down under her wing, using it as a blanket. I let out a breath too and I looked at the ceiling for a long time. Before I closed my eyes and went to sleep too.

I love you, Sierra.

*****

I snored in my sleep, as the sun's rays went through the window. My mouth hung open a bit, as I was sprawled on the furs. I turned over in bed and the sun hit my eyes. I moaned and opened them. I could see the sun's bright. I groaned and got up slowly in bed, sitting up on the furs.

I let out a breath and then breathed deeply. Well, what a sleep! Now I feel refreshed! I raised my arms up high in the air, stretching them, "Oh god." I let out a long breath and looked to see Sierra beside me. But my eyes went wide at her spot.

She's gone.

I tilted my head, "Huh?" Gone? Where did she go? She's up already?

I got straight up on the furs and onto my feet, putting on a fresh pair of clothes. After that, I hollered for her, as I went through the opening of our bedroom, "Sierra!" I didn't hear her answer. I went in the hallway, fit enough for a human and a dragon to fit through and I went into a bigger room, that's like a dragon version of a living room. Only there's no TV or stuff, that humans have. I hollered again, "Sierra, you home?"

No answer.

I frowned to myself, "Sierra? You home?" I turned around and looked around our house, walking slowly searching for her, "Sierra? Where are you?"

Still no answer.

I was having my thoughts raced through my brain, while I was still looking for her. I went into the kitchen and haven't found her blue scaly self in there. Where is she? I turned back around and decided to search for her just outside my house.

I jogged to the front door and opened it. I peeked outside through the opening and saw no sign of Sierra. I was still confused, as I was taking a few steps out into the fresh aired morning. It still felt a bit cool outside, but the sun was starting to warm up. I walked out, until I was standing in the middle of the street. Looking around on the street, top to bottom. I even looked up at the sky, thinking I'd find Sierra flying, but no sign of her up there.

I looked back onto the stone street, having a bit of a worried look right now. She never did that before.

She never left me like that, not once. This is the first time. Sierra...

Where'd she go?

*****

Two drakes flew over the woods on their way to the human town, about several hours after morning has started. Flapping their wings against the wind. Both their colors are brown and light green. They're both brothers. They both want to meet a eleven year old human girl, that they've befriended with, on their visit there one day. About a year ago, that's when they met her.

One drake flapped and a second after that, his brother flapped too. They can both see the human town in the distance. The brown dragon hollered to his brother, "Well, I know that it's a long flight, but we made it again!"

His lightish green brother said back, with a smile, "I wish the girl's parents, would let us take her to the city. She'd love it!"

He shot up his head, as he flapped again, "No shit."

The lightish green drake hollered, "I hope, Evelyn's at the park! I love playing in the park!"

His brother hollered, "I don't like going there." The green drake gazed at his brother and he explained, "Because I hate it, when there are other human hatchlings there and they play with my tail!"

The brown drake laughed and suggested, "Perhaps, you should tell them to behave, bro!"

He rolled his eyes, "I'm not great with hatchlings, you know that!"

They both continued to flap, as they circled around over the grass filled park at the human town. The lightish green dragon said as they're circling for a landing, "But you love Evelyn! And she's a hatchling!"

His brother laughed, "She's the ONLY hatchling, that I liked!"

He shot back, as they're about to land, flapped their wings to slow down their landing, "You better, or else I'm punching you in the balls!" They both laughed as they landed on all fours on the grass. They both curled their wings on their back and they shook themselves.

The brown brother sighed, "Well, where is she?"

The lightish green brother answered with a shake of his head, "I don't know. Maybe she's at home."

He let out a hiss and thrashed his tail to the ground, scraping off some of the dirt and grass, "Damn it all."

His brother shot a glare at him and scolded, "Watch your language. There might be hatchlings here!"

The brown dragon had an apologetic look and then he raised an eyebrow, as his eyes trailed along the area of the park, "Guess, no humans are here in the morning."

The lightish green drake puffed out his chest and let it out, "Well we know where Evelyn lives." He started to pad out of the park and head into the town, "Lets go find our friend." His brown brother followed him from behind. Both their tails shaking back and forth as each step takes them closer out of the park. The light green drake had an disappointed look. He really wanted to play in the park.

The two drakes could see the exit of the park and also see several humans strolling around and a few cars driving too. They exited the park and onto the concrete streets of the human town. And after a second ended, after they walked on the street, several humans screamed at them real loud.

Even a human female, who looks like a teenager wearing headphones, dropped her cd player, sending it crashing on the sidewalk and let out a high pitch scream, "AHHH!!!"

Another human, who looks like a very bald middle aged man, screamed at them with an accusing finger, "MONSTERS!!"

The drakes looked surprised and shocked and they saw a car screeching it's tires as the human man driving it, hit the brakes. He apparently squealed his tires and reversed in full speed. Several humans who have saw the drakes, including the teenage female and the middle aged fellow, just ran away and screamed in total terror. Until the street was empty and there were no more cars.

The two brothers look shocked as they're real confused. They didn't comprehend on what happened. The green drake asked with a cock of his head, "What happened?"

His brown brother asked out loud, toward his lightish green brother, "Did one of them call us...Monsters?"

The lightish green drake snorted and put on an angry face, "Who the hell do they think they are? Is this some kind of stupid joke?"

The brown dragon sighed in bit of annoyance and he shot his head to his left, "C'mon, lets go find Evelyn."

But before things could happen, they can hear sirens in the distance. Their ears perked up, as they don't sound far from where they're at. The brown drake's eyes shot wide, "I don't like the sound of that. Why does it sound bad, to you?"

His light green brother shot his wing tip up ahead, "Look." The sirens got louder and they can both see police cars racing at them in full speed. The green brother gave them a cock of his head, "What in the ancestors is going on here?"

His brown brother started to back away, when they were getting close on the main street, "I think we need to leave, something doesn't feel right."

The cop cars, about three of them, all squealed to a stop and each police officer opened their doors with their pistols drawn, pointing straight at them. The drakes face's went wide, as they can see their weapons. The lightish green dragon, cleared his throat and took a step toward them, "Greetings-"

But his sentence was cut off, when one officer fired a shot at him, but the bullet only hit his leg. The green dragon snarled out in pain. As the bullet went through his leg, one officer screamed to his comrades, "FIRE!!"

That's when the drakes realized they're going to kill them and they actually ran back into the park. The drakes didn't want to kill any of them, so they ran away. One of them is limping because of the bullet wound on his leg and they both leaped to the sky, while the officers were just firing rounds at them. But luckily, they didn't take any hits. They both flew high in the sky, out of range and on their way out of there.

As they're over the woods away from that town, their faces are now filled with confusion and shock. The brown drake's lightish green brother cried out in pain, as he flew some more. His leg is now bleeding as the red blood came out the bullet hole.

The brown drake said with a shocked gasp, "What....What....What was that about?!"

The light green drake's faced winced with pain and he shook his head in flight, "I don't know! They just attacked us!"

His brown brother said, "Yeah! We didn't do nothing wrong!!"

The green dragon hissed in pain and shook his leg in the air, the blood oozing still and is now dripping off his foreleg. Dripping all the way down to the forest below them. He said, "We need to get back home! We need to tell the mayor about this!! We have to warn our kind!"

His brother asked loudly again, as his eyes are now filled with tears, "Why?! Why did they do this?! Was it because of Evelyn?! What's going on?!"

His light green brother sneered at him, as he flapped his wings again, letting his front leg dangle beneath him, "I don't know! Ancestors, I don't know!!"

They both kept flying, without looking back at the human town and without even thinking about going back, going back to the place the humans called them friend.

*****

I flew under the blue sky and the puffy white clouds, flapping my wings in excitement, as I'm flying back to Tommy's house. I giggled to myself. This morning, I couldn't even sleep anymore. I woke up a bit early today, got myself something to eat at the Braveheart, said hello to Joanna and Sierra's uncle, and not long after that, I'm flying back to Tommy.

I reached up to my neck, touching the fuzzy green scarf that I've wore when I left Tommy. I didn't wear it last night, but I'm wearing it today. I can't help, but feel like I've missed him and I wasn't gone THAT long! I feel excited now, just to fly back to my lover!

Speaking of which, I wonder how Tommy's been doing without me? I hope, he didn't miss me all THAT much either.

I let out a breath, as I flapped my wings again. I still have all the words that Sierra and Wayne said to me last night, still fill my mind. I know, I won't let that fear get to me again and it hasn't.

I'm just going back to my drake and just live with the fact that Tommy might grow old and die, one day. But I better not forget, to ask him, if he could live with me at the dragon city. I know that there's no guarantee that humans can live a lot longer than normal there, but hey if Tommy lives with me there, then I guess I'll find out.

I can recognize the area in the woods from the aerial view up here. I know, I'm not far away from where Tommy lives.

And sure enough, I can see his house down below. I circled around, trying to get ready to land. I flapped again, as with each circle downward, I was getting close to land. After several more circles, I just glided down a bit, when I got close to the roof of the house and I landed first on my hind feet, then my front feet right in front of his house. I let out a whoosh of air and curled my wings.

I turned my whole body around, looking at the front of Tommy's beautiful house. I smiled at it. I can think, that's another reason why he would probably not want to leave. It does look beautiful. I let out a sigh and started making my trek to the front door. Since I'm big and tall and won't fit inside his house, I'm just going to walk up to that door and knock on it. Humans do that all the time, so why can't I?

After I was so close to the door, I raised a paw and knocked twice on it. I pulled my paw back and waited. But he didn't answer the door. I cocked my head. Strange, did he go to work again? I better make sure. I moved a bit and leaned my head toward one of the windows, trying to peek in there. I don't see him, no Tommy.

I pulled my head back and backed away from the house. Hmmm, I guess I can wait for him outside. After all, I'm back home to him anyways. I started to walk alongside his house, turning round the corner and saw the barn of his in the distance. I'll just sleep in there, I'm a bit tired still right now.

I padded toward the barn and that's when I saw Tommy rolling a barrel to a spot in the barn. I smiled at the sight of him, my heart beating happily. Tommy!

I took fast strides toward him at the entrance of the barn. He was about to walk out, when he caught sight of me. Tommy stopped in his tracks and his face went wide.

I was about to say something to him, but Tommy let out a scream of fear, "Ahhh!!!!"

His scream made me stop walking and then I cocked my head. What was that all about? I said while taking a step toward him, "Tommy?"

Tommy looked really scared and he backed away one step, "How do you know my name? What are you?"

My eyes went wide now. Wait, he doesn't know me? What's going on? Is this some kind of joke? I said to him, "Tommy, what are you going on about?" I padded forward one step.

Tommy screamed again, holding out his hands, "Stay back! Stay away from me!"

I asked with a confused look, "Tommy, what's going on? Why are you acting this way?" I looked into his eyes, wondering what's wrong with him. He's not acting like himself today.

Then he picked up a rock in front of him and threw it at me, "Stay away, you monster!" The rock hit my chest and I actually cried out, since I felt it. Ow, that hurt! I backed away from him.

The color drained off my face and I could feel dread filling up my heart and I was now staring at him in total shock and surprise. Before I could ask him, what did he do that for, Tommy screamed apparently in terror of me and ran into his house. I called out to him, "Tommy!" But he didn't and he slammed the back door behind him.

I was just standing there, still don't know what just happened. What the hell? What's going on with him?

Tommy wasn't acting like...Tommy.

He threw a rock at me and he called me a....Monster.

My heart actually started to sank at the word. Monster? You called me a monster? I thought you thought of me as a human like you, not as a monster. You even protected me, before. But now...You just....Threw a rock at me.

I frowned through the window, since I can see him staring out at it, right at me. He looked scared still and he ran somewhere in the house. I could see him running through another window at where I'm standing. I cocked my head, as my eyes were filled with worry and confusion. I don't understand. I thought, Tommy loved me. He never called me a monster.

But that look in his eyes. I can tell something changed. They weren't the same loving eyes, that Tommy always gave me. They appeared to look like he....Didn't know me. Like we never met before.

I don't get it, did he...Forget about me, all of a sudden?

That's impossible! How can he forget me? I never forgotten him. But....By the look of his eyes and that fear in his voice...I'm getting a feeling he has. He never called me Rain, he looked right at me, like I was a total stranger. I reached up to my scarf and gripped it. Tommy, what happened to you? I can tell you're not joking, this is serious.

YOU THREW A ROCK AT ME!

I lowered my paw back to the ground, waiting for him to come out, so I can talk to him. I was feeling dread still and a pit formed in my stomach. My feelings felt hurt now, but I also have curious ones. I need to know what's going on with him. He never acted that way, not once before. Every time he looked at me, he was friendly. But now, he screamed and called me a monster.

Oh Tommy...

That's when my heart fluttered when I saw him through the window again. I gasped in happiness, "Tommy." Tommy ran out of the house, with a...Hunting rifle.

Tommy showed me that thing before and now he has it in both hands. I called out to him, "Tommy."

Tommy apparently cocked the weapon and raised the butt of the weapon to his shoulder, aiming at me, "Get away, you monster!"

My face went wide again. He called me that again. I need to talk to him. I shook my head and placed a paw to my chest, "Tommy, it's me. Don't you remember?"

He snarled with a fearful look in his eyes, the barrel of his rifle still not off of me, "Remember you? How can I not remember a monster like you?!"

I let out a gasp. No, you don't mean that.

But I'm looking at his face and his emotions speak the truth.

He doesn't remember me.

Then a thought came to me and it completely shocked me. Tommy, are you doing this on purpose?

I took a step toward him wanting to be totally sure, I was trying to speak to him in a calm tone, "Tommy, it's me. We're-"

But the bullet came out of the rifle with a loud bang and the bullet grazed my shoulder, and I could've swore that I felt the bullet almost hitting one of my wings. I let out an animalistic cry of pain and stumbled away from him. Then I looked at him, with my eyes full of sadness and feeling betrayed. Tommy....How could you?

You loved me!!

Tommy cocked the weapon and aimed it right at me again. I gasped. He's going to do it again! I ran away from him, my tail almost hitting Tommy in the head. He ducked below it, grunting out in surprise and he quickly recovered and took aim.

I ran fast away from Tommy and he fired a shot, only missing me by an inch and hitting a tree, not far away from me. I leapt into the air, and I could still feel the pain on my shoulder, it's bleeding now. I took another flap with my wings, beating them real fast like, as I could hear another gunshot at me. But I was so high in the air, there's no way he could hit me.

I was now over the woods, flying as far away as I could. My whole body was shaking during flight. I was feeling scared, shocked, betrayed and hurt all at the same time. Then I could feel tears forming in my eyes. Tears of feeling hurt and betrayed, falling down on me now. I....Don't believe it.

Why? Why did you do this?

Why did you hurt me?

What happened to you?

*****

I was in the crowd full of dragons, in the dragon city. Trying to push past several of them near the big fountain in the middle of the city. I could see the new mayor of the dragon city, standing on top of a low stone building, trying to calm everybody down. The red drake's scales being shined off by the sun.

I looked through the crowd with worried glances, trying to search for Sierra. It has been a few hours, since I woke up today. I've been searching for her for hours, but I still never found her. I brushed against a big yellow dragon by accident and kept going. Trying not to bump into anyone else.

I went to the Braveheart first, but didn't find her. I didn't see anyone in there, quite honestly. Except, Joanna and Sierra's uncle. Then I went to the human education classes, but didn't find her. I looked all over for her and never found her.

I don't understand it, where could she have gone right now? She never did this to me before. I'm getting a weird feeling, she got up from bed in the middle of the night, while I was just in a deep sleep. I didn't feel her get up at all.

I called out to another dragon who almost backed his haunches into me, "Excuse me." I let out a irritated sigh. What's going on here?

First, Sierra just up and left me and now there's a large crowd of dragons here. Something must be up. I can see the mayor standing on top of one stone building, trying to talk to everyone down there. But so far, there appear to be angry, confused shouts coming from the crowd.

Shouts about...Humans attacking them?

I frowned as I began to understand what they're going on about. What? Humans attacking them? On purpose?

There's no way, the modern day humans would do that to them. But they appear to be serious, a lot of dragons have anger flashing in each of their eyes. Good, god. What's going on here?

I can hear a voice in the crowd, as I brushed past another dragon, "Wayne!" I looked at the direction of the voice and saw Cody, Eleanor, Amanda and Neal standing at the edge of the crowd. Amanda waving her hand to get my attention. I let out a sigh. At least, I'll be with someone that I know in the crowd.

I ran to them, trying to doge each dragon's chest and tail and I finally made it to where they are, at the edge of the crowd. I let out a breath, "Thank god. This is intense!"

Amanda asked with a worried look, "Wayne, what's going on here? Me and Neal were walking together and a few dragons came up to us and said humans attacked us." She shrugged her arms, "What are they talking about?"

Neal chimed in, "Yeah, humans haven't attacked dragons, for years. So what are they talking about?"

Cody wrapped a wing around Eleanor, "Where's Sierra, Wayne? Is she with you?"

Amanda had an very intense worried look, as her adoptive mother's name came up. She looked like she was going to have tears in her eyes, "Wayne, where's mom? What happened to her? I'm scared."

Neal wrapped a comforting wing around her, "It's ok, Amanda. Everything's going to be okay." He wrapped it more tighter around her.

I shook my head with a worried glance as well, "I don't know."

Amanda shouted at me moving Neal's wing a bit, "What do you mean, you don't know?! You're her boyfriend, you should know!"

I screamed right back, "I don't! I just woke up this morning and she's just gone!"

Cody cocked his head, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, she's gone! I looked all over for her and I haven't found her!"

Neal had an confused look on his face, "What?"

We can all hear the mayor of the dragon city letting out a roar, on top of the building. Effectively shutting everyone up. Me and my friends, glanced at him as the mayor spoke when he spread out his wings, "Calm down, everyone!" He looked down at one half of the crowd, "I don't know, why humanity is doing this to most of you! I don't know the motive of why they're attacking you is!" He trailed his eyes to the middle of the crowd, still speaking in a very high voice, "All I know from all of you, is they're just attacking you without reason! I don't know what's going on!"

He raised a claw and looked at the other half of the crowd, "I want all of you, to listen! I wish I knew, but I don't know the answer right now! Don't worry, for those who have got hurt right now, there are some herbs nearby. Get some help to relieve the pain. Until further notice, I want all of you to stay away from humanity and not venture, to where any human lives! Until I know what's going on, don't take that chance!"

One dragon, who sounded male was shouting up at him, "But there's a little human hatchling named Evelyn, there! I need to see her!"

Another dragon who sounds like a female, sneered at the mayor too, "They just forgot about us! They've forgotten who I am! How can they?! They've changed!!"

I let out a gasp. What? What does she mean, by that?

Humans are...Forgetting about dragons, as friends? Is that what she's saying?

That's...Impossible.

Another dragon, who sounds like an old male snarled with accusation in his voice, "The humans never changed! They were lying to us the whole time!!" Then the whole crowd went up in a uproar. The mayor let out an earth shattering roar down at them, to shut them up again.

Amanda's body trembled and Neal lowered his head to her level, to nuzzle her calmly with his nose, "I'm here, don't worry. I'm here."

Amanda held Neal's head in her arms and started to cry onto him, "Where's mom, Neal? Where's mom? Where's my mother?!"

"I don't know."

I held a pity look at Amanda. Oh Amanda....I don't blame you one bit. I'm worried about her, too.

Sierra...Where are you? I hope you didn't just leave the city and get hurt, or worse than that.

I could see Sierra's uncle and Joanna walking toward us with worried looks, just like everyone else. When they got close, Joanna asked with concern, "Is everyone, alright? One dragon told me and my mate here to check out what's happening here and it doesn't look good. Is everything, alright?"

I looked up at here and answered with a sigh, "No, Sierra's still missing. And now, everyone's saying humans are attacking dragons."

Joanna sucked in a breath and placed her claw to her jaw, "Wh- What?"

Sierra's uncle cocked his head, "My niece is still missing? What's going on, Wayne?"

I shook my head and lowered it, trying to fight back the tears, "I don't know. I just don't know!" I balled my hands into fists, trying to get a grip.

Joanna lowered her head to me and nuzzled my chest, "I'm here, hon. Don't worry, I'm here." I wrapped her head with my arms, holding her tight.

That's when Rain's brother came to us with a growl and he interrupted my hug with Joanna, "Hey, asshole!"

I pulled myself away from Joanna and she raised her head to glare at him. I asked angrily with a glare too, "Excuse me?"

He hissed down at me, "Where's my sister? I keep hearing humans are attacking dragons and I've been trying to find her. Now WHERE THE HELL IS SHE?"

I shook my head, "She's not with us." I let out a gasp. Oh no, she must have went back to Tommy, while all this is going on! I hope she's okay.

Rain's brother sneered at me, "I swear, if she's hurt by a human, I'll blame it on you!"

Joanna got in between me and him and snarled, "Back off, mister! He's not doing anything wrong!"

He shouted at her, "And it's dragons like you, who are blind! I told her more than once, that humans can't be trusted!!" He pointed past her, toward me, "And it's humans like him, I don't trust! And now, look's what happening! They're attacking us, and I was right!"

Cody unwrapped his wing off Eleanor and stood up to him, with his wings flaring, "Shut up!"

Rain's brother growled at him, "You shut up, you stupid, short, pathetic bastard. You think those humans are your friends, well they're not! They would kill you, when they have the chance!" He shot up his head and shouted, "Well if they're murdering pieces of scum, I WILL KILL THEM!!"

Neal got away from Amanda and she tried to stop him by holding onto his front leg, but he didn't stop at all. He brushed Joanna aside and snarled at Rain's brother, "You better listen, you selfish prick. If you blame my human friends for this and if you ever threaten them, understand this pal, I'm going to pick a fight with you."

Now he shouted at him, "Oh really? And you're supposed to be an officer of the city and you're defending humans! You're an idiot! A stupid idiot for being friends with humans and look at what's happening now! Humans are attacking our kind now, just like before and always have! And you're still defending them! You're the worst officer of all time and you didn't even find the drake who RAPED MY SISTER!!!"

That's when Neal had it and swiped across that furious drake's snout, "ENOUGH!!!" Rain's brother snarled in pain and he appeared to want to strike back, because of his dragon instincts. But he didn't.

Neal screamed at him, after that, "You're an officer too, so don't blame it all on me, when YOU didn't find that drake too! I can say that you're the poor excuse of an officer, you shit! And if you shout at my human friends and threaten them, I'll swipe your face again!"

But Rain's brother, didn't back down and he thrashed his tail behind him, with an intense glare, "You're a poor excuse of an drake!!"

Neal looked like he was getting ready to fight, as he was taking that stance, his teeth bared, "Don't make me hurt you."

Amanda got in between them and planted both hands on Neal's chest, pushing him off the confrontation, "Neal, stop this! Please, STOP!!"

He gasped and looked down at her. She was still crying, but this time it's for Neal. He held a guilty look and lowered his head to her now, he nuzzled to top of her head, "I'm sorry, Amanda. I'm so sorry." Amanda threw herself into him and started to cry into his chest, hiding her face from all of us. She was sobbing pretty loud, worried for Neal, worried for her adoptive mother, worried about all that's happening outside the dragon city.

Rain's brother, apparently snorted at them and muttered in anger, "You make me sick."

I glared at him. How can he be blind right now? He never liked us and now he's thinking we're evil, still. I can't believe it. I don't know what's going on outside the city walls, but me and Amanda won't hurt anyone.

A thought crossed my mind. A little strange, that me and Amanda are still us. But something changed humanity and we don't know what it is. What has gotten into everyone out there?

Rain's brother curled his snout into a snarl, "I'm going to find my damn sister and tell her not to leave this city again."

Eleanor shouted gleefully, "Guys, Rain's back!" We all sucked in a breath at the same time, Amanda included and she removed her head from Neal's chest. She managed to calm her own sobs and she now has a tear stained face. We all turned to follow the purple dragoness's gaze and saw that Rain's in the air, gliding down for a landing. I smiled at her. Thank god, she's alive.

Then I frowned, when I saw that something's missing. Wait, where's Tommy? I thought she went home to him.

A pit formed in my stomach. Wait...Did something happen?

I saw Rain land and she didn't move at all, she just stood there. Her wings dropped to the sides. Me and the others strode up to her, but Rain's brother, just brushed past all of us in really fast strides. He wanted to see her first.

He went up to her and nuzzled the side of her face with his, "Thank the ancestors. You're here!" He pulled away from her and asked, "Where have you been? Did anyone hurt you?"

Rain just hung her head and never said anything. Me and the others went up to her and I asked with curiosity, "Rain, where's Tommy?"

Cody cocked his head up at her, "Yeah, where's Tommy? We thought you went back to his home."

Joanna held a concerned look, "What's going on, sweetie?"

Then I saw something on her shoulder and gasped. Oh god. She's been shot! Someone shot her!

Amanda gasped too, as she saw the wound, "Rain, you're hurt!"

Rain's brother pressed her with a growl, "Sister, what happened?"

We all stared at her, as she finally rose her head to look at all of us. She tried to form words, but didn't. Until finally after taking several deep breaths, she stuttered, "Tommy....He...He...."

I stood up beside her, "He what? Where's Tommy?"

Rain's brother pressed her again, "What happened?!!"

That's when Rain threw herself into her brother's neck and chest and wrapped her limbs around him. She screamed in total despair and sadness at all of us, "Tommy tried to kill me!!!" Then not long after that, she started to cry into her brother's neck in loud sobs.

We all had shocked looks, including me, as we watched Rain crying her eyes out. Her whole body was being wracked by sobs. Rain's brother nuzzled into her and was licking her too. He started to wrap his sister with his wings and held her in his embrace.

No way. That's not possible.

He loves her, he would never hurt her.

But the wound on her shoulder, proves it all. He...Tried to hurt her. I can't believe this. This can't be happening to her.

I whirled around on them, turning my back on everyone. As I was afraid my sobs were about to get to me now. I shut my eyes tight. I don't know how much more, I can take.

Everything's....Changing. The humans have changed, Tommy changed....Sierra disappeared. Either that, or she's....

I shot my eyes open. No, she's not gone.

I have to keep looking for her.

I ran toward the crowd of dragons who are still gathered, my friends watched me at a distance, but Rain was still being held by her brother. I shouted for my love, "Sierra!!" I cupped my hands to my mouth, as I strode along the side of the crowd, "Sierra!!!"

Among the crowd of dragons, there's no sign of her.

No, I can't give up. She's not dead.

Please Sierra, show yourself. I don't want to lose you like, Joanna.

I hollered for Sierra's name again, "Sierra, where are you?!"

No sign of her.

I did it again, "Sierra, answer me!" Then I tried again, real loudly towards the sky, "SIERRA!!!!"

But there was still no sign of her showing up. No Sierra.

I just stood there, already running out of breath, my eyes were filled with worry, like they already have since this morning. Then they started to form tears, as I'm driven over the edge.

Sierra....

I dropped down on my hands and knees, shutting my eyes real tight and finally broke down in tears. They fell to the stone ground and I didn't care if anyone saw me like this, I didn't move at all. My body shook by my own sobs and I cried out for her, "Sierra!" Then I started sobbing some more, my hands trailing on the hard stone.

No....I can't lose you.

Amanda came up to me, as I was crying and she sat down on her knees next to me. Placing a tender hand upon my back. She rubbed it once and I began to turn my gaze to her, while my hands were still on the ground. Amanda appeared to began to cry again, thinking about Sierra like I am. We're both worried about her, so much. Without hesitation, I shot up a bit off the ground and wrapped Amanda tightly for a deep embrace, holding her real tight. Embracing my dear friend.

I cried loudly into her neck and Amanda began to cry into mine. She wrapped her arms around my back, holding me as well. She closed her eyes tight and muttered one word onto my shoulder, "Mom." She opened her mouth and like a few minutes ago, her sobs took over her again. Just like my own has taken over me.

While we were in our embrace, Neal, Joanna, Sierra's uncle, Cody and Eleanor all came up to us. They're just standing near us, still not sure what to make of all this. Still in disbelief over everything. Neal lowered his head to Amanda's back and nuzzled her back with his cheek, comforting her. Cody and Eleanor, since they were small short dragons, didn't have to lower their heads real far to us. Cody and his mate had pity looks on their faces. Cody worried about his brother most of all and it's me.

Sierra's uncle just stood there, sitting down on his haunches, hung his head down low. Worried about his niece. Joanna started to stroll around Cody and Eleanor, to come up towards my back. Joanna lowered her head toward my back, just like Neal has done to Amanda and she nuzzled her cheek onto mine now. Saying her soothing voice to me, "It's okay, hon. It's going to be ok."

I let out another sob, that was the only response I gave her. Joanna shushed me, in a motherly tone, "I'm here for you, we're all here for you two. Shh, don't cry, we're here." Amanda's back continued to be nuzzled by Neal's cheek, he sat slowly down on his haunches. He had a very sad look on his face.

I shifted my knees a bit on the stone ground, not letting go of Amanda. Sierra....What happened to you?

Please...Come back to me.

*****

I'm laying on my stomach in Wayne and Sierra's house on a pile of furs, my paw gripping on the Christmas present that Tommy gave me. The fuzzy green scarf. My eyes were wet from all the tears that have fallen today. Deep down in my heart, I was so hurt and betrayed. I was so depressed about...Tommy.

It has been about over a week, since....All the things that have happened, that day. Since humanity changed....Sierra disappeared....Tommy tried to kill me....

I shut my eyes tight, I didn't want to cry anymore. I already shed enough tears, that'll last me a dragon's lifetime.

I smoothly curled my tail around me, still looking at Tommy's present. Thinking of all the good times we've had. Even from the first day that we've met. How he was shy, then I changed him. Tommy was my drake and my love.

And now...He's not that drake anymore. He called me a monster.

My lip trembled and so did my whole body and wings. Why?

Why did you hurt me? Why did you call me a monster? I thought you....Loved me.

I loved you and now I feel....Betrayed and sad by you. You couldn't have forgotten me. Because I've never forgotten you. What happened to you?

Tommy...I love you.

I can hear several footsteps entering the room I'm in and I looked up from the scarf, to see my friends have all entered the room. The only friend who's not here still, is Sierra.

I had a bit of a worried look when I was thinking about her. Wayne told me that she disappeared on that day. That she probably got up in the middle of the night, before that day started and just left. Ever since then, they've been searching for her outside the dragon city, with several officers. Trying to steer clear of any humans, who are outside the city.

Wayne, along with Amanda, Neal, Cody, Eleanor, and Joanna were all standing here in front of me. Amanda gave me a small smile and crouched down and asked when she got close to my head, "Are you ok?"

I gazed away from her, my only answer to her was silence. Amanda knew the answer and backed away from her. Joanna lowered her head and said, "Oh sweetie, we're all sorry for what happened to you. It was horrible."

I said to her, without looking at the old dragoness, "Aren't you supposed to be the owner of your business, right now?"

That question shocked her and she shook her head, "No sweetheart, my mate is keeping an eye on things there. I'll be back soon." She had a worried look for me, "Rain, we're all real worried about you."

I said, when I let out a breath, "I'm glad you all care for me. Glad you didn't...." I trailed off.

Cody gestured his paw to her, "Rain, we wouldn't hurt you. We're all here for you."

I nodded and finally took my gaze upon them, "I know." I cocked my head at Wayne and Amanda, "I don't understand it. If humanity was being hostile toward dragons, then how come you two didn't change? What's so different about you?"

Amanda kinda fidgeted and Wayne answered as he stood beside her, "Well...What I think is, perhaps whatever happened only effected the humans who stayed outside the city. I think since we stayed in the dragon city during the night, we weren't affected at all." He shrugged his arms, "I think, anyways. I don't really know for sure."

Neal shook his head to himself, "I don't understand it. How could all this have happened? Everyone outside the city just...Changed."

Wayne sighed, "Yeah, even my parents changed."

I let out a sharp gasp and reared back my head, "Them too?"

Wayne nodded, "They didn't remember Sierra, or any of my dragon friends." He gestured toward Amanda, "They remember me and Amanda, but that's just it. They didn't remember Neal or anyone here, at all. Hell, they don't remember that I was WITH a dragon, romantically. How can they forget that?"

I lowered my head, until my chin sat down right on top of my green scarf, "Just like Tommy. He didn't remember me at all. You...Didn't see his face. He wanted to kill me, because I was a....Monster to him."

Amanda shook her head in pity for me, "Whatever changed people, including Tommy, wasn't normal. Something really bad happened. Humans, don't just forget, just like that."

Neal sighed and lowered his haunches down onto the floor, curling his tail around him, "Well the mayor of this city, is real committed to protect his citizens. He placed an order to everyone, to not venture to where any human lives. He doesn't want anyone getting hurt again, until whatever happened has passed."

Then a question popped out of my snout, as I rolled up my eyes to look at them, "Did you guys....Find Sierra?"

They all had sad looks on their faces and all hung their heads. Wayne answered with a low voice, "No."

Cody said when he looked at me, "We looked everywhere, but there still wasn't any sign of her. She just...Disappeared. Like she's a ghost."

Neal's body trembled, "I'm a bit worried about my best friend. What happened to her?"

Amanda rubbed her own arms, feeling chilled with worry, "I...I...I want my mom." She shut her eyes and she shivered, as her tears were going to take her over, "What happened to her?" She let out a trembling breath and Wayne wrapped his arm around her shoulder, holding her close to him.

I said, as I rose my head off my scarf, "I know how she feels, guys. I want...Tommy back too."

Wayne comforted Amanda, "Don't worry, we'll find her."

Amanda asked when a sob escaped her lips, "But what if you can't find her?"

Cody came up to Amanda and nuzzled her arm with his face, "We'll keep looking for her. We will."

Neal growled a bit, "And we'll find out, why humanity changed. We'll look for that answer."

Amanda screamed out her questions, as she opened her eyes and a few of her tears fell, "What if you can't find the answer?! What if there is no answer?!"

Cody got right in front of her and shook his head with a determined look, "Stop it, Amanda. Don't think like that."

Amanda screamed at him, "What scientific explanation is there?! What explanation is there, when humans suddenly forget?! It's not normal!! How are we supposed to figure it out?!"

Wayne turned and placed both hands on her shoulders, giving her a fierce look, "Amanda, stop!" She shut her trap and she embraced Wayne tightly, burying her head into his chest, crying loudly. Wayne held her tight too, "Oh...Amanda."

Amanda cried out in his chest, "Mom!" Cody nuzzled Amanda's back comfortingly with his paw, stroking it up and down. Neal got off his haunches, went up to her and lowered his head to nuzzle her arm. I had a pity look for the human girl. I'm glad she didn't change and neither did Wayne.

I've lost Tommy, I don't want to lose them too.

Tommy's face came into the picture and I was shuttered at the memory. Despite what I feel now, my love for him is still there. Tommy....

I can't move on from this. I can't do it.

I...I need to see you again. I can't accept it.

I want to be with you, until you grow old and die. I can't leave your side.

I need to go back.

While everyone's still in front of me, my brother actually came into the room, up behind them. He slowed down, as he came up alongside my friends. He was strutting past them, glaring at them, while he was at it. He turned his head to me, as he went past them and asked with concern, "Sis...Are you ok?"

I sighed and slowly got off my stomach onto all fours, uncurled my tail off of me, "I think you know the answer to that, brother."

He narrowed his eyes at me, "Rain, have you ate anything today?"

"No."

He let out a sigh, "Rain, you need to just drop this now. It's over, it has already been over a week and this has to stop."

I shook my head and looked down at my front paws, "Brother, don't make this hard on me."

He shot up his head, "Don't make what, hard on you?" He gestured his paw toward me, "That I'm right about humans, the whole time and you should've listened to me?" He hissed as he brought it up, "And I was right that Tommy, never CARED about you. That he HURT you."

I shut my eyes tight, "Brother, just stop this."

He shouted, "STOP WHAT?!" I trembled from his shout and everyone just looked at him, "That I'm right and you're wrong?! He tried to kill you, get that through your head!"

I screamed right back at him, "You don't even know him!"

"Bullshit, I don't! He's a murdering human, who showed his true colors!!"

I slammed a paw to the ground and thrashed my tail, scattering a few furs on the floor. I was shutting my eyes in disbelief, profusely shaking my head, "Brother, stop this!"

My brother snarled, "Oh, I'll stop it, I'll stop it, when I kill him! I'm going to find him and kill him right now!" He turned his fierce hatred onto Wayne and Amanda, "Just like MAYBE, I should probably kill you two, just in case. You're not showing your true colors, YET."

Wayne glared at him, as he still held Amanda. She was shaking a bit, at my brother's hatred. He said sternly, "Now's not the time for this."

My brother sneered, "Well, when the hell is the damn time?! Us dragons shouldn't have trusted humans to begin with!" He waved a paw, "Granted, I think just for every dragon's safety, I think we should all kill humans, so they won't try to hurt us." He motioned his head back at me, "Or my sister, my ONLY family."

Wayne shouted at him, when he let go of Amanda., "Not every human is like that!"

"Then how the fuck, do you explain THIS?! I think, you're a part of THIS!"

Amanda protested with a sob, "We don't know why humanity changed! Whatever happened to them, isn't normal!"

He waved a dismissive paw at Amanda, "I don't care, whatever fucking human does is normal! All of you, are the same. You're a bunch of LIARS, MURDERERS, SELF RIGHTEOUS ASSHOLES AND BITCHES-"

Neal and Cody both hissed at my brother, Neal snarling this with a growl, "That's enough."

But my brother continued his name calling, "BACKSTABBERS, COWARDS, THORNS IN OUR SIDES-"

Cody flared his wings, "Be quiet!"

Joanna tried to intervene, with her claw raised, "Now hons, you shouldn't be fighting."

My stubborn brother went on with his rant, "KILLERS, HUNTERS, HATERS, CHEATERS, MANIPULATORS, and of course, POOR EXCUSES OF FLESH. And all of you should, DROP DEAD!"

Neal strode forward and sneered, "You disrespectful, son of a bitch!" Then they both hissed and got into their fighting stances, their claws unsheathed. My brother shoved a paw at his chest and Neal screamed, "Don't push me!"

My brother screamed, "Go mount yourself, you stupid drake!"

Amanda shrieked with both her hands held to her head, "Stop it boys, stop it!!"

Wayne shouted when he took a couple of steps near Neal, "That's enough!"

My brother snarled at Wayne, and he backed off from the snarl, "I'm never letting you, hurt my sister again!!"

Amanda screamed once more, brushing her through her hair with her fingers, "STOP IT!! Stop it, stop it, stop it!!"

I let out a cry, as all this emotion finally got to me. I started to cry and brushed past my brother and all my friends. Running out of the room and into the hallway, my tears running down my face. My brother called out to me, "Rain!" I didn't stop, as I went through the front door, to head outside. I was now on the street now, looking up at the sky. Thinking about seeing Tommy.

How could humanity just change? I can't take this anymore. I need to see him!

I...I love him. Despite that he hurt me, I still love him.

I have to find him. I can't leave him alone!

My friends, including my brother, came out of the house and my brother said with a worried look, "Rain, come back home with me. I'll stay with you and-"

I whirled around to face them, with tears down my cheeks, "I'm going to him."

Cody tilted his head, "What do you mean?"

"I'm going back to Tommy."

My brother reared back his head and asked incredulously, "Are you crazy? He'll kill you!"

Wayne protested to him, "Stop that, alright?"

I shook my head at him, "You don't understand, brother. I know Tommy. He's not a monster and he never was."

But my brother, begged to differ and yapped, "He tried to kill you!"

"I WANT HIM BACK!!"

My brother growled and screamed, "Why do you want him, so much?! Why do you care about him, so much?! Why are you so blinded by your feelings for him?!!""

I wanted to tell him the truth, right now. That me and Tommy are mates. But only now, we're not. I wanted to tell him all that, but I said it in a different way, "He's my best friend and I want him back! I...I...I can't live without him!"

Wayne and the others knew what I meant, compared to my brother. Then my brother shook his head, "He's not your best friend, he never was and you need to let him go!"

I shook my head repeatedly, backing away from them, "No! You're wrong about him, you were always wrong about him! I won't let him go! I care about him! And....And....I won't leave him!" My tears came down in full force and then I ran and leapt to the skies, beating my wings. I heard everyone screaming out my name, to try to stop me from getting hurt by Tommy. But I didn't go back down, I kept flying over the stone buildings over the dragon city.

I was sobbing, while I was flying. My tears still falling down my face with each beat of my wings. I flew and flew, until I was out of the skyline of the city, flying over the wall that surrounds it, and now I'm in the outskirts of it. I flew over the mountains and flew far away from the city, to find Tommy.

I flew over the vast woods beneath me, when I was away from the mountains. I didn't look back, didn't think about my brother nor my friends. I was thinking about Tommy, out of everything else.

I'm his angel and I won't leave him alone. I have to see him again. I can't let him go.

I flapped my wings repeatedly, I flew for a long time, sniffing my nose, since my tears have finally stopped falling. I didn't care about my tears anymore. What I care about, is Tommy. I shifted my body over the trees, recognizing the area from above. I'm not far away from Tommy's house now.

But I didn't want to land REAL close to his place. Since he tried to kill me, I didn't want to take any chances. I glided down through a opening of the trees, seeing a good spot for me to land. I flapped once more and landed hard on all fours. I let out a sigh and curled my wings on my back.

I looked around the woods, my eyes trailing around the area, until I saw a trail for me to walk on. A trail to Tommy's house. I started to pad my way on to it, on my way to his house. I had a bit of an exciting look, but also a nervous one. The memory of getting shot in the shoulder by him, came back. Also the words he said to me. That look he gave me.

But I've fought that nervousness and kept on trekking, till I could see it from right where I'm at. I got as close to the edge of the woods as I could, don't want to step out in the open. I don't want Tommy to see me.

I saw the front of his house so far, but no Tommy. I walked along the edge of the trees, trying to see if I can see him. And sure enough, I can see him watering some flowers outside with a hose. My view of him, was clear as day. I sat down on my haunches and watched him. Knowing for a fact that he won't see me from where he's at. I was far from his view and plus, the cover of the trees would obscure my presence.

Tommy watered another flower, until he dropped the hose and went to the side of his house, to turn the faucet to the left, turning the water off. He let out a breath and looked at the woods, just staring at them. He wasn't staring at me, he was staring at the birds up in them. Then I saw him, turn to the back door and went into his house. Now it's just me, alone outside.

I took a deep breath and let it out. A part of me wanted to run out and see him. To plant my snout to his and kiss him. Or just ask him, if he remembers me now. But I fought back that part. My brother's right, he'll kill me, if I go out there.

The only thing I can do, is watch him. I was just sitting there and stared at his house. Waiting for Tommy to come out. I didn't care how long I'll stay here, I'll wait and see, if he comes out again.

I'll wait and see him.

I let out a sad breath, as my tears were about to form on my face once again. Thinking about my lover, thinking about my drake, thinking about my Tommy.

I don't know how long this thing will last. But I won't give up on him. I won't give up on Tommy.

Perhaps, Tommy will remember me....Someday. And until he does, I'll wait for him. I won't leave him.

I'll be the black scaled angel who watches over him. To watch over this human, that I love.

I had another thought cross my mind. I may not talk to him, for ancestors knows how long. And even, I'm wondering still what changed him and humanity.

I may as well, be careful when I'm out here. Right now, I can't trust any human out here. Not even Tommy, right now. But I'll watch him. If there are any other humans out here, I'll stay away from them. No need to take any chances.

I'll need to find a place for me to stay, when it's night. I don't want to sleep out here every night. I need to make a home to myself. I'll find one.

I let out another breath. Tommy....I miss you. I miss you already. And I'll always, love you.

I'll watch over you, I'll always be your angel, like you called me one before. I reached up to my neck and noticed that I'm not wearing my green scarf. I let out a sigh. I must've left it behind, back at home.

Maybe...I better leave that out of this. I don't want to take any risks of losing it.

Wayne will look after it.

I looked up at the skies. I'll fly to the dragon city tomorrow in the morning and tell everyone that I'm okay, then I'll tell them what I have planned. I looked at the beautiful house again and my tears have fallen down my face. Oh Tommy....You were my comfort and my love and now this happened.

I'll never let you go. I won't. And...Even, I won't find anyone else, who's like you.

I crashed my whole body down on my stomach and buried my face into my paws. I'm starting to be wracked by my own sobs now. I was curling my tail around me.

I wish I held you, Tommy. I wish I held you right now.

But...I'll wait for you. I don't care how long it takes, I'll wait for you.

I'll wait for you to call out my name, Tommy. I'll wait for you to call out your angel.

I love you, Tommy.