Wonder how fast I'll sense natural chakra like a Sensor? Maybe lucky, and I'll not only become a hermit but refine my fire techniques? Well, time will tell; maybe nothing works.
Daichi snorted, turned, and strode forward. Counting a few of his steps, I hurried after him. Around us towered a forest. Tall trees seemed to poke treetops into violet clouds. So strange, yet so beautiful — mesmerizing a bit. We didn't utter a word the whole way. I only heard Daichi's slightly quickened breathing. Why's that? Humans annoy him that much?
His tail tip whipped past my face repeatedly like a hypnosis clock. Involuntarily I followed it with my eyes. Left-right, left-right, constantly. Maybe he really wants to hypnotize me?
It could've gone on long, but we finally reached the cliff-island edge and stopped.
"Hey, human, come here and stand before me," Daichi growled without turning. Yes, he despises humankind so much he won't even look at me. A bit hurtful... But I obeyed, approaching the dragon. We stood at the cliff edge. Around rose many such flying rocks shrouded in lilac mist, making me frown.
"And now what?" I asked. Answer: loud wing flaps and sharp pain in my shoulders. The dragon grabbed me with clawed paws and took off! Don't know if deep cuts remain after such "transport," but clothes definitely ruined.
We soared high enough that floating rocks barely peeked through clouds. Where's he dragging me? I tried scanning everything, memorizing to return if needed.
Suddenly Daichi shot up sharply and roughly dropped me on the ground of an island that appeared in view. Landing wasn't pleasant, but before I recovered, a Scroll hit my forehead and fell into my hands. Looking up, I saw only Daichi's back waving his tail side to side and spreading wings. He's leaving?!
"Wait! Daichi-sama!" I jumped up quick and ran to the red dragon. "What's this?!"
Daichi sighed irritably. Like ready to eat me right now.
"Fire Energy Scroll," the dragon said quietly, slightly creaky-voiced, but strikingly calm. "It's yours now. Learn."
"Wait! That's it?! You're not teaching me?" I understood my appearance here unexpected, and signing contract with me — a gift, but with sensei it'd be easier, even such.
Then the dragon lost all calm and irritably replied:
"I won't waste time on a human," Daichi-sama pronounced and, flapping huge wings, soared up, vanishing behind violet clouds in a blink.
I slumped to the ground realizing I'd been ditched. Expected from him, though. Minutes I tried restoring breath, as any strain, even talking, caused shortness of breath.
I stood full height and slung both Scrolls over my right shoulder, least damaged after the flight with Daichi. Left shoulder wounds significant; need treating.
Around was primeval forest, strangely: vegetation almost indistinguishable from human world flora, except trees taller, trunks thicker. Unfortunately, couldn't see beyond forest: trees too close to cliff. So even if mountains there, wouldn't see.
I peered into the forest and suddenly a glint hit my eyes, like reflected light. Decided not to stand still but go check what caused it.
Didn't take long. Minutes later, a small clearing appeared, center a pond. Looked clean, seven meters wide, but not it caught attention. Most surprised: house by the lake.
Unlikely for dragons — too small. Built specially for humans? Nah, nonsense. Dragons have no reason to build human houses, so humans built it.
Marking goal to peek inside, I headed to the pond. If drinkable, definitely my day. Without delay, created a clone.
"Listen, you're like a test rabbit now. Try if this water drinkable," I said quickly, pointing clone at pond. Copy crossed arms with displeased face.
"Yeah, why else create me? Unlikely for soul-warming chat," clone grumbled but obeyed. Kneeling, scooped water in palms, tasted.
"Drop the panic. Freshwater," copy said, standing.
"Good girl," I smiled slightly. "This Scroll has dishes; heat a few liters for yourself and drink. See if any contagion. If feel anything, say at once. Okay?"
Clone nodded, and I promptly moved to next task.
I went to the house, more like a box: few windows, logs hinting humans hadn't visited long. Approached porch, stepped on first wooden step. It creaked plaintively.
Overcoming steps without falling through, approached door and pushed gently. It yielded easily, letting me in. Really like a box — one big dark room. Why all windows shut? Century-old furniture, wood rotted some places, floor creaked each step.
Unpleasant rotten smell hung around. Instinctively wanted to flee, though knew this house — fate's gift. If so, first — cleaning, then minor repair, and it'd be livable. Opening windows, I searched drawers and cabinets for anything useful.
"Mm-da..." I sighed disappointed when search failed. Unfortunately, mostly empty. Though what'd I expect; obvious.
Only lonely chest in corner left. Somehow noticed last. Approached, ran fingers over dusty lid. Time untouched it, just dusted. Opening chest, brows rose. Bottom had unfamiliar trinkets like... masks. Plenty, various colors. Any taste. Took one gray, but lifting made it crumble. Others no better. Some cracked, some shattered.
Slightly rummaging through the chest's contents, I felt something cool and smooth. I pulled out the unfamiliar object completely to examine it. In my hands was something like vacuum packaging, and inside—a mask just like the one before, only new and very beautiful. Black, matte. My fingers automatically reached for the kunai, and I carefully sliced open the packaging. Gently extracting the mask, I brought it to my face to inspect every detail.
The material was strange, like aluminum but stronger. The mask consisted of four "plates." One, apparently, was meant to cover the nose and mouth, the other two the cheeks and cheekbones, and the last one the neck with straps in the back. The plate covering the nose and mouth was relief-embossed. Like three faces of a pyramid converging at one point. The pattern visible beneath the main part resembled a smirk, gleaming glossily.
The curiosity was strange and unfamiliar, but I was so drawn to put it on that I gave in to the impulse. Breathing immediately became easier. I took several deep breaths, feeling incredible relief. Sitting on the porch, I continued greedily gulping air. It was as if all this time I'd been at the bottom of a swimming pool, with water pressing on my chest. After sitting like that for three minutes, I went back into the house to look for more such masks.
There were about three more in the chest, and I decided to take them all for myself—just in case I couldn't return here. Then I stepped back out onto the porch and created a new clone. I needed to treat and bandage the wound first before dealing with everything else.
After that, I began examining my scroll. I'd look at it first, then the one Daichi had thrown in my face.
I opened my Contagion (that's what I'd call it from now on), and its contents had changed again. The characters in the middle meaning "home" were understandable to me, but I had no idea what deeper meaning they held.
"Well, Ari, welcome to the reality show: 'Figure It Out Yourself or Get Ass-Fucked by the World Again,'" I muttered with a muffled smirk. Would I experiment again and touch that inscription? Not a chance! From now on, only my clones would interact with the Contagion. At least until I figured out how this system worked.
I'd bet that "Home" inscription was another portal somewhere, so I'd test that theory the same way as the last one.
"Alright, let's go," I exhaled—and immediately startled. My voice in the mask had changed drastically! It became unnatural: muffled, cottony, and low. And crucially, I couldn't tell if it belonged to a girl, a man, an old man, or a child. That would definitely come in handy on espionage missions.
I stood up from the porch and, after walking several dozen meters, laid the scroll on the ground. I created two enhanced clones.
"You'll be the kamikaze cannon fodder," I pointed at the first clone. "You'll provide backup. Get to work," I ordered and stepped back a few meters.
"Hah," smirked the backup clone.
"Hey! Why am I the kamikaze? Let her be it!" protested the experimental clone, pointing at the other.
"That's your fate," the other clone replied cheerfully.
"Yours will be soon!"
"Enough chit-chat!" I intervened. "Or I'll dispel both of you right now."
"Screw you," the clones grumbled and got to the experiment.
"Touching the scroll," the clone narrated his actions in case he got sent somewhere and the memories didn't return. "Waiting thirty seconds... No effect. Channeling chakra through the scroll. Waiting thirty seconds... No effect. The inscription hasn't changed. Dripping blood on the inscription." The clone bit his finger and dripped blood on the scroll. "Thirty seconds passed. Nothing changed," the clone reported.
"Alright, guys, we're done," I approached the clones, realizing all theories were exhausted. But as soon as I got close, the experimental clone suddenly vanished in a puff of smoke.
"Hah, looks like it worked. Good luck to her," grinned the remaining clone. Interesting—when did they start hating each other?
"Dispel," a minute later I formed the seal, dispelling the clone who'd gone into the unknown. "Whoa."
"And where'd she end up?" the clone asked while I analyzed the memories. Turns out, the clone had ended up on that very clearing from which the Contagion had kicked me out. In Konoha, on the ninth training ground.
"Where you're heading right now," I smiled.
"What?! I don't want to!"
"And I'm not asking. Anyway, buy these things." I quickly pulled out a scrap of paper and wrote a list of supplies and items for furnishing my new home. "Here. Take a few D-rank missions too, earn some cash, buy a new outfit and gear. I've only got one set of clothes left—the rest is all torn. Oh, and do the household chores. And yeah, drop by Sasuke's sometime, just to be seen. I'll give you half my chakra reserves. Don't train or even do morning exercises to avoid wasting it. Oh, and take this mask to Toshi-san, the one who makes swords and weapons, and ask if he can make one like it and how much it'd cost. If he wants to disassemble it, let him disassemble yours instead. Okay?"
"Yeah, got it," the clone replied seriously. I transferred my chakra to her, healed her wounds, gave her the list, and sent her to Konoha.
"Damn, Contagion, turns out you can be good sometimes," I smiled, slinging the scroll over my back and heading to the porch. Now to study the other scroll.
This green scroll looked old, yellowed, and worn by years. It was small, which stood out immediately. Daichi wouldn't carry human-sized scrolls every day—that'd be ridiculous! Maybe this scroll could change size?
"Whatever," I exhaled calmly and began studying it. The longer I read, the more amazed I got. This scroll described how to learn to control fire without seals! Sure, the training was outlined for dragons, but it could easily be adapted for humans! And it was incredible! I'd be able to improve all my fire techniques this way! I had to find Daichi and see if he had more such scrolls, then make a month's training plan and get started!
Okay, plan clear. Time to execute.
I created two clones: one to read and note the most important parts, the second to clean the house, while I went on recon: check the whole island and look for Daichi. If reading and cleaning were things anyone could do, talking to Daichi I trusted to no one but myself—I'd already seen what clones could turn into. Plus, I'd take my scroll; no way I'd leave it with clones.
The copies got to work immediately, so I could head out on recon.
Jumping from branch to branch of enormous trees, I suddenly sensed unfamiliar energy-chakra. I didn't know where it came from, so I decided to drop to the ground.
Down below, the energy felt even stronger. The source was close. But what was it and where?
I drew my tekko-kagi and headed to search. This energy clearly wasn't human: first, too weak for a shinobi; second, specific; third, very close. If a person were that close, I'd have noticed long ago.
Cautiously circling a tree, I suddenly tripped over something egg-like.
That's where the chakra was coming from. A Dragon Egg? It looked like a thousand stone scales of antique gold. Shape-wise, a regular egg, just ostrich-sized. Better leave it alone, not even touch it—maybe mama's nearby.
I was about to continue when a dozen scales suddenly peeled off the main mass.
"Uh... what?!" I approached closer, squatted, and sheathed my tekko-kagi. Was the dragon hatching already, or did I bump it too hard? Scales peeled off one by one until the shell shattered, splashing me with something transparent! "Damn, what is this?!" I frantically wiped my hands on the grass, eyes glued to the egg.
Minutes later, only shell remained, and two huge light-blue eyes stared at me. Holy shit, a newborn dragon! The creature was tiny; hard to believe it'd grow into a giant like Daichi.
The baby's golden skin seemed very thin yet tough, its pale-yellow wings drooping weakly at the sides like a cloak. The dragonling stood unsteadily on four legs, swishing a thin but long tail. Its mouth cracked open, showing small, not-yet-sharp teeth, and the grin resembled a smile. It let out a short, tiny growl, looked at me, closed its mouth, and shook its head side to side on a long neck. Was it sick? The dragonling spat a bit of fire from its mouth with a cough-like sound. Then it raised its head again, stood more steadily, and approached me. I jumped up—I'd been mesmerized on the ground.
"No-no, baby! I'm not your mom!" I exclaimed nervously, hands out front. What was I doing? As if it'd understand. The dragonling reached my leg, claws digging into my shin to climb higher, scratching my skin. I quickly stopped it and picked it up—arms extended, away from my face. It felt hot and damp to the touch, but holdable. Its skin was soft, wings like silk. The baby gazed at me calmly.
Those light-blue eyes were still mesmerizing. They seemed to glow.
Then its muzzle scrunched, and it spat a small fireball that flew past my shoulder and hit a bush. Apparently not enough fire to ignite it. I glanced at the little monster: no more "attacks" expected. I slowly brought my hands closer, settling the newborn comfortably, and it immediately snuggled to my chest.
"You onion-headed trouble," I whispered softly, fingers lightly tracing its back. "C'mon, let's find your mom," I told the baby, mentally adding: "Just hope she doesn't eat me."
Circling the fragments of the baby's former home, I continued with my companion in arms. I'd memorized the path well—wouldn't get lost even deeper in the forest.
Minutes of wandering later, a huge paw print caught my eye. More ahead, the chain vanishing behind tall bushes. A small tree with a dense crown loomed over them. Leaves shadowing the prints were slightly yellowed, part of the trunk soot-covered. Worth following the tracks, but without the dragonling, who was peacefully dozing in my arms. Creating a clone, I carefully handed over the bundle.
Circling the prints and parting bush branches, I saw more tracks and followed, surrounded by ash piles and scorched plants. What happened here? A bit farther, a small clearing—but burned. Charred bush branches and dry yellow grass tufts stuck out here and there; the rest was bare, lifeless earth. I'd continue investigating if not for a familiar sound. The dragonling was crying, shrill and hoarse in a thin voice, clone memories returning.
Without a second's delay, I rushed back—I hadn't gone far.
Bursting onto the edge where I'd left the clone, I saw the newborn dragon wriggling alone on the ground, coughing up fireballs everywhere. Apparently one hit the clone and dispelled it. And most interesting: the dragon had turned completely black. I slowly approached cautiously and tried to get its attention.
"Hey, buddy, look, I'm here!" Hearing me, the dragonling stopped crying and fire-spamming; when its light-blue eyes met mine, it shifted from coal-black back to gold. Wait—did it change color by mood? Or threat level? Either way, amazing.
Back in my arms, the baby calmed.
"And why'd you get so worked up, you wild beastie?" I cooed, charmed by the sight. I was about to head back to the clearing when cool air rushed down my back, wing flaps reaching my ears. For a second I thought it was mom, but turning, I saw Daichi landing. He eyed me disdainfully, gaze stopping on my te-e-eny problem.
"You planning to bully kids?" the giant asked sternly, squinting huge eyes.
"No, Daichi-sama, I'm trying to find his mother." At that, he closed his eyes, turned his back, and strode the way I'd come minutes ago.
"Follow me. I know where his mother is."
I passed the trampled eggshell mush and hurried after the red dragon—whose paws dwarfed the tracks, I noticed. We stopped at the scorched dead clearing; I looked around confused.
"What does this mean, Daichi-sama?"
"Dragons slowly ignite when they die. Same happened to his mother," Daichi said calmly, eyeing the burned soil.
"S-so th-that means... he has no mom?.." I stammered softly, hugging the baby tighter. I knew growing up without parents; wouldn't wish it on anyone. "Wh-what about his dad?!"
"Dragons always die together," Daichi replied, and I swallowed. So the dragonling lost both parents at once?!
"Daichi-sama... can I raise him myself?" I asked carefully, hoping for yes; Daichi sighed heavily. I couldn't leave this little one alone! Just thinking of him growing up solo shook me.
"It's not a doll, girl—don't screw him up," Daichi said, spreading wings. Lip corners twitched up. That was a "yes." "I'll tell his father; he'll decide. If he agrees, I'll bring scrolls on proper dragon rearing. Train with the scroll now."
The red dragon flew off without another glance. Fine, other priorities now; couldn't chase this stubborn ass, but wouldn't neglect him.
I looked at the tiny bundle in my arms. Other girls get puppies, kittens, hamsters—and I got a dragon. Not bad.
"Let's go home, baby—just don't burn it, please," I sighed wearily, petting the dragonling's head, and headed to my new home. Leave it with clones (or take along?) and properly recon—maybe find another house. "By the way, mind if I call you 'Seichi'?"
***
Read the story months ahead of the public release — early chapters are available on my Patreon: Granulan