My father’s wounds healed a couple days later. His arm was as if he never injured it. The dragon potion really worked. The village people said we were a blessing to them. My father’s craftsmanship was always required. Sometimes plows would break and my father would need to make a new one for them to use. Hanna taught me to how to plant seeds and water gardens. Month after month we would check on the crops and prepare for harvest. One day Hanna and I were strolling through the flower beds. Hanna skipped in front of me. After a distance Hanna stopped skipping. I asked if something was wrong. Hanna looked over the rolling hills. We could see a group of men approaching.
“They return!” she squealed excitedly. She ran to greet them. I didn’t know whether to run with her or meet her back at home. Hanna stopped on her tracks. “Come on, Akemi. You have to meet my brother!”
I followed after her. Seven battle-armed men made their way up to the village. Among the men was a young boy. Hanna and I came down the small ridge towards them. Hanna shouted names of the warriors.
“Chang!” she shouted.
Chang was the stronger of the men. When he saw Hanna approaching he dropped his equipment, kneeled and opened his arms. Hanna ran into his embrace.
“Hanna, you have grown so much in the little time we have gone!” said Chang.
Hanna greeted everyone with a hug. She then turned to her brother. He looked a bit worn from the journey.
“Raygan!” shouted Hanna hugging her older brother.
“Hanna, I missed you,” he hugged her back.
The two of them laughed in joy to see one another. I felt a bit left out. Hanna turned to me as did the rest of the group. I grabbed my arm feeling embarrassed.
“Everyone, this is Akemi. She’s from Japan,” Hanna introduced me to the group. “She was forced to move here and now she’s part of our tribe.”
All the men greeted me. Hanna pulled me to Raygan.
“Big brother, this is Akemi. Akemi this is Raygan.”
“Hello, Akemi. I like your name.”
I blushed. I couldn’t respond.
“I must be getting these things to the village,” he said holding up his gear and a cage covered in cloth. “I have something to show you, Hanna. I’ll show you later.”
“Okay! We can help you, brother,” said Hanna.
Hanna and I got some of his gear and helped him carry it to the village. That night there was a great welcome celebration for the returning adventures. Chang had led the group on a mission to rid demons in a faraway village. Torches lit the stage where Master Long and the group presented themselves to the village. After a brief welcome Master Long gave the time to Chang to explain how the mission went. Hanna and I stood alongside my father near the front of the stage. Ryuji stepped forward from the group. The six men and Raygan stood behind him at ease.
“First I want to thank you for missing us,” Chang spoke. “I know you all cheered when we left and thanked the heavens that we were not returning for a while.” Scattered laughter and moans spread through the crowd. “We had quite an experience. I found out that Po was skinnier than me.” The audience laughed again. “I must applaud the group on their fine job battling the demons. Po’s hair was very ugly the day we battled the demons. Demons ran away from him because they were scared of it!” The audience clapped and laughed because they were familiar with Po’s hair style. “Well, we slaughtered those demons that could not escape. Young Raygan here took some down with some fine archery. He shot down three demons before I could kill one. He couldn’t use his sword because it was too heavy for him, but one day he’ll be strong enough to wield two swords.” Hanna and the villagers clapped and cheered. “I must say that Raygan has learned the ropes fairly quick. I myself am scared of fighting him.” Raygan blushed. “Truly this is talent that comes from his father.” The people clapped. “Raygan was more impressive when we reached the village that was terrorized by the evil dragon. He fought the dragon all by himself!”
“Raygan,” Chang brought Raygan front and center. “Why don’t you tell them how you battled the dragon? No? Too shy are you? That’s fine. I’ll tell them.” He placed his hands on Raygan’s shoulders. “Well, we reached the village. The villagers came out and explained to us that the evil dragon had attacked and disappeared as it always did. We split into three groups. Raygan came with me. We scouted outside the village when Raygan spotted something moving in the tall grass. Raygan drew back his arrow and shot blindly into the grass. We heard a little roar. Before we knew it, a large dragon appeared out of nowhere! But after it roared again, it disappeared. Raygan and I cut through the long grass to find a small dragon with an arrow through its heart. The dragon was a changeling. It can become small or large. As luck has it, Raygan fired an arrow dipped in the purification potion right at its little heart. Raygan, show the villagers your trophy.”
Raygan picked up a cage sitting behind him covered in a cloth.
“Behold, the village’s evil dragon!” announced Chang as Raygan removed the cloth from the cage.
A small, red dragon lay in the middle of the cage looking lost and confused. The crowd gasped. The little dragon stuck its tongue out to and retracted it like a snake. Raygan got on one knee and petted the dragon.
“This is Raygan’s first dragon!” continued Chang. “Blessings to you, Master Long. You have a natural dragon master!”
Ryuji and the group bowed then got off the stage to greet the villagers. Hanna, my father and I went up to see Raygan’s dragon. Hanna was so excited. She wanted to cuddle the dragon. Raygan told Hanna to stay back. The dragon was not used to so many people around it.
“You have tremendous skills young man,” my father said impressed by Raygan bravery. “I’m Keitaro, Akemi’s father.”
They shook hands. Raygan was as high as to my father’s shoulders at the time. His face looked much whiter after having taken a bath earlier.
“My son the dragon master,” said Master Long climbing up the stairs onto the stage.
Raygan bowed. Master Long walked over to his son and embraced him. After the exchange we joined the villagers in celebration. Raygan took the dragon to his home and kept him safe. When it was late Hanna and I went to bed.
*******
As time passed I got to know the villagers and Raygan better. Chang worked hard, but tried his best to keep near the village women. Raygan would work in the crops but when he was not busy with labor, he would busy disciplining himself to be a better fighter. Hanna and I would spend time with the little dragon down by the creek near the flower beds.
“It’s so cute, isn’t it? I love him more and more,” she petted the dragon’s little head.
“Has Raygan giving it a name yet?” I asked.
“He wants to call it Dragon but I’m going to call it Draggie. You like being with us don’t you, Draggie?”
Hanna got up and let the dragon run after us. The little dragon chased us around the flower beds. Hanna and I would lie on the ground trying to hide behind the flowers. Dragon would leap onto us when he found us. Dragon was very playful. Later that day Hanna and I tried cooking for Master Long and the others. We burned the rice. We tried again and it came out well. We were delighted to receive compliments for our cooking.
I loved the village. Everyone felt like family. Hanna was like the sister I never had. We did everything together. We would pick on Raygan by hiding his mask. He always had a scared look on his face thinking he lost it. When he realizes that it was us he would send his dragon to go pick at our hair.
*******
Akemi went silent. Kagome and Sango stared at her waiting to hear more. Miroku just kept his eyes on Akemi just to look her.
“That’s it?” Shippo wanted to hear the rest.
Akemi looked at Inuyasha’s dirt covered, angry face. “Maybe, we should call it a night,” she said.
“Thanks, now we go Kagome!” said Inuyasha standing up.
Kagome gave Inuyasha a cold look. Inuyasha knew what ran through her mind. Inuyasha sat down and crossed his arms. He did not want his face slammed into the ground again.
“How old was Raygan when you met him,” asked Sango.
“He was twelve when I met him.”
“He was real young. His dragon must be a real loyal companion of his.”
“Oh, yes indeed. Everywhere Raygan went there was Dragon. They couldn’t be separated. As the years went by, Raygan and I got to know one another. When I had problems and concerns I would talk to Raygan. He was very smart. He always encouraged me to do better and not let my concerns get in the way of my goals.”
“What are your goals?” asked Kagome.
“One of my goals was to become a demon slayer.”
Just like me. Sango gasped.
“I tried to use weaponry but no one really showed me how because I was too afraid to ask. One day Raygan was practicing and he showed me how to handle a sword. My father made a special sword for me. The sword is light and has my name written near the handle on the blade. My father made two swords for Raygan. Master Long used dragon magic on the blades. Whenever Raygan is to cross the two blades together they become a form of shield.”
“That’s amazing,” moaned Shippo.
“Akemi, how did you and Raygan connect? Was it love at first sight?” Kagome was not really interested in the history of the weapons. She was interested in the romance.
“Well, Kagome we didn’t really see each other that way. I saw him as my dear friend. When I turned thirteen, I began to grow feelings for him. I always talked to him about my feelings, but not my feelings towards him. After a year went by I tried not to tell him how I felt.”
“Did he find out?” asked Kagome impatiently.
Akemi blushed. She looked at the dying campfire. Shippo and Miroku then scrambled to get more firewood. Inuyasha frowned at them underneath a tree with his arms crossed.
*******
Raygan was not in a good mood one day. His mask was really missing and he blamed Hanna and me for losing it. I walked out to greet him one morning not knowing what had happened. I spent the last night thinking about telling him how I felt. Raygan was gathering his gear. I heard there was going to be on a demon hunt, and he wanted to participate.
“Good morning, Raygan,” I greeted him.
He didn’t reply. I thought he didn’t hear me so I repeated myself.
“I heard you, Akemi. You’re right about one thing: its morning but it’s not good.”
I never heard Raygan be so rude before. He offended me. I didn’t want to tell him how I felt anymore. Instead I asked him what was wrong.
“What’s wrong is that I can’t find my mask! I need it, Akemi. Where did you put it? Or was it Hanna this time?”
“Raygan, I haven’t seen your mask.”
“So you lost it?”
“I didn’t take it,” my eyes began to water.
“Tell Hanna that I’m not in the mood for games. Get it back to me now! I’m leaving tonight on the demon hunt!”
I took a few steps back. “I didn’t take it,” my heart crushed.
He gave me a cold stare. I’ve never been treated like that before. I ran to the flowerbed crying hoping to find Hanna there. I felt terrible. Hanna wasn’t at the flowerbed. I sat on the ground crying as I picked a flower. Something moved at the far end of the flowerbed near the creek. A shadow-like creature streaked across the flowerbed with something in its mouth. I thought I saw Raygan’s mask it was carrying. This was my chance to make things right with Raygan. I got up and ran after the four-legged creature. I followed it into the down the creek into the rocky hills. The creature turned in a dark corner. I was too afraid to follow. I looked behind me. I didn’t realize I was far from the village. I couldn’t get Raygan’s look of anger out of my head. I entered the dark corner in search of the creature. I stopped when I reach an edge. The creature had led me to some chasm. I thought perhaps the creature fell over the cliff. I leaned close to the edge. The cold wind flew up the canyon walls and blew my hair. I moved back. When I turned to leave the creature was blocking my way out. I began to tremble. The black, wolf-like creature drooled. It licked its lips. It didn’t carry Raygan’s mask. The wolf carried a bloodied rabbit. I was now trapped. My choices were either to let myself fall or be eaten alive. I fell on my knees weeping in fear. My heart beat I thought it would burst out of my chest. The wolf took steps closer to me. I held myself. I was about to die. I didn’t get the chance to give my father a kiss that morning or greet Master Long or play with Hanna. All I received were angry remarks from Raygan now he’ll never know how I felt about him, I thought to myself. The wolf leapt at me but Dragon bit its tail. The wolf quickly turned around trying to bite the little dragon. Dragon was much too agile for the wolf. The wolf kept lunging at Dragon but Dragon flew away from danger and attacked from the air. Dragon struck the wolf on its side. The wolf fell back and stopped near me. The wolf faced me. I screamed sliding off the cliff. I held on to the edge. The jagged rocks pressed hard against my skin. My fingers and arms began to bleed from the cuts I got falling off the side. The little dragon bit the wolf on the neck. The wolf walked dazed and tumbled off the cliff. I was about to fall when Raygan’s strong arm grabbed a hold of my hand.
“Hold on, Akemi!”
“Raygan! Don’t let me go, please! Don’t let go of me!” I screamed.
Raygan tried pulling me up but the rocks underneath him started to give way. Raygan held me firm while he turned to his dragon. He shouted an order then the rocks cracked. I screamed as we both fell. All I could see was the dark chasm that was to be our graves. We were going to die together but suddenly we landed on something scaly. Dragon transformed into a large dragon and flew us out of the chasm back to the village. Raygan held me tight. I cried on his chest. He tried comforting me but the experience was too much for me. We arrived at the village to be greeted by my worried father and concerned Hanna. Raygan carried me off Dragon and let me stand on my two feet. I was still shaking. My father ran over to me happy that I was safe.
“Akemi, Hanna saw you run after that wolf! Why did you do that?” He brushed my hair away.
“I thought the wolf had Raygan’s mask. I wanted to get it back. I was so scared, father!” I continued crying.
Raygan hung his head in shame. He blamed himself for what happened.
“Akemi,” he cleared his throat. “My mask was underneath dirty clothes behind the house. I was wrong to have judged you. Please forgive. You were almost killed because of my harsh reaction.”
Raygan turned away from me. I could feel my heart returning to its normal pace. His words were what I wanted to hear. I held back my tears and looked at him.
“I forgive you,” I told him.
Raygan nodded but still couldn’t face me. I’m glad you’re safe,” he said then he turned away and left to his home.
Hanna accompanied me to the creek to wash my cuts. That afternoon Raygan was readying his gear to leave. I went in search of him. He was by his house meditating. I stopped at a distance not wanting to interrupt him. Raygan got up then paused for a moment when he saw me.
“Are you well?” he asked me.
I nodded and asked him how he was.
“I hurt you, Akemi. I accused you of taking my mask when I had forgotten I placed it along with the dirty clothes to wash it before I left tonight. If I wasn’t so rude maybe none of this would have happened.”
I walked up to him and looked into his eyes. He didn’t want to meet my eyes.
“You’re eyes are red,” I told him.
“I wept out of guilt,” he said. “I almost lost you.”
A tingle went down my back. He was really worried about me. His eyes finally met mine. This was it. I had to confess my feelings for him before he left.
“Raygan, there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you.”
“There you are, son!” said Master Long relieved that he found Raygan. “Akemi, bring Raygan with you. Come to the front.”
We followed after Master Long. Chang, Hanna and other villagers stood before Master Long and us at the center of the village. Master Long pulled his son to his side.
“I wish to recognize my son’s bravery before the village. You are beginning to master your skills in times of peril and battle. You have managed your command over your dragon quite well. The dragon master’s blood that flows through my body flows through you my, son. Leave with my blessings, son. Return safely.”
The crowd applauded then dispersed. Chang congratulated Raygan and told him to get ready to leave. Hanna embraced her brother.
“We’ll have to finish this when I return,” Raygan said to me. “I must be going now.”
“Have a safe journey,” I told him.
Raygan bowed to my father and excused himself. That night, Hanna and I waved Chang and Raygan farewell as they left on their journey to hunt down demons for another village. I was concerned that only the two of them were going to leave but Hanna assured me that they’ll manage. I waited patiently for Raygan to return. I missed his voice, his presence. I missed the look he would give me when he was happy with me. I felt warm whenever I’m around him. Now that he was gone I felt cold. He returned in three weeks but it felt like years.
*******
“Forgive me, Kagome but I am tired and would like to rest,” said Akemi.
“Forgive me for not being considerate enough to let you rest,” Kagome apologized.
Inuyasha grunted. He waited for Kagome to apologize to him but the apology never came. Miroku and Shippo yawned. They went to sleep away from the girls in the camp they setup. Sango laid her head on her rolled up cloak looking at Akemi.
She must really miss him. Sango thought. Akemi is showing great patience to see Raygan again. He’s not far from where we are.
Akemi lay down looking at the stars. Kagome looked up at the stars too. Reality was returning to her. Kagome’s geometry exam was coming up. They still have not collected another jewel shard and Naraku is somewhere in hiding. The things she did not want to remember started to sink in. She went to sleep hoping to forget her troubles. In the morning she knew she had to apologize to Inuyasha.
