The Path of a Black Sheep in a Fantasy World (BL)

Chapter 101

Ash was woken up by someone coming close to his hiding place, making him put up his guard. He discovered that he had shifted in his sleep, which meant that he was now in his snake form. It was both good and bad as he could easily slither in between human's legs and escape, but it also meant he could be considered like a monster and chased around.

Judging by how much light was coming into the cave, it was probably mid-morning, which meant that Ash had slept for longer than he had planned. His consecutive shifting must have exhausted him more than he had thought.

Ash sighed, annoyed that he had wasted so much time, before focusing on the matter at hand, which was the steps gradually coming closer.

"Ash? It's me, Rick." Just as the snake was about to pounce out of the cave, a rough voice startled him. The shifter recognized the scout's voice, and he seemed to be alone from the steps' sound, but it didn't explain why the scout was here.

"Can you come out, please? I will take you to complete the rest of the trial. We have chosen who you will heal, but it's pretty urgent." Rick explained as he stood waiting outside the cave. Ash unfolded his body to come out before braking suddenly.

He was still a snake.

How could he go out looking like a scaly creature?

Ash retreated in the back of the cave, his forky tongue coming out and then hiding back inside his puppy mouth anxiously. He needed to complete the trial, but he didn't know when he would shift back, and he couldn't just make Rick wait like that for no reason...

"Ash, I think you are worried about showing your snake form. I can practically see the anxiety coming out of the cave in strong wafts. You don't have to be afraid, no one dislikes your shifted form, I find it really cute and I'm sure everyone will think so too." Rick said, startling the shifter. Ash's eyes widened as he took in what Rick said. He had seen his snake? He knew? And from how he spoke, others had seen it too... But how? Had they been watching over him since the start? It would make sense...

So... was it true? Did they really not dislike him?

He didn't care if they found him cute, as long as they didn't have any ill feelings toward him, it was enough.

Ash gently hissed as if asking a question, hoping that Rick understood that he wanted a confirmation that they didn't dislike him.

"I guess you are asking if it's true? Yes, it is. You made a friend before, no? One of our children, a young snake shifter, like you. While your snake is small and cute, his is much bigger and dangerous looking. However, we all find it adorable too. Several villagers made him hats and small cylinder clothes to put on in winter to keep warm in his snake form. I'm sure your family too will find you cute. I have a good feeling about people and they don't seem like the type to dislike you for shifting into a scaly noodle." Rick chuckled, holding out his hand just before the cave's opening, as if asking him to climb on it.

Ash hissed, a little offended about being called a scaly noodle, but at the same time it made him weirdly happy, feeling as if he had butterflies in his stomach. He had been called many names in the past, but none felt so teasing and gentle. He could tell that Rick meant it in a gentle and good way.

The snake let out another hiss, more slow and steady, to tell Rick that he was coming out and into his palm. He didn't want the scout to be frightened at the sudden scaly touch on his hand.

Ash slid out of the cave and put his chin lightly on the human's hand, looking up at his reaction. Rick only glanced down at him with a smile, encouraging him to climb all the way into his hand. Ash nervously did as told until he was completely into the scout's hand.

"So cute and interesting. I know a lot of snakes, but it's my first time seeing one like you. You are pretty small, fitting just right in my hand, and I don't think you will grow much bigger. You have a pretty flathead with a rolled up nose, like a cute puppy. Your eyes are two round golden orbs shining like jewels. You are completely silver, but you have two darker lines on your back going from your eyes to the end of your tail. Your scales are all well aligned and smooth, with a slightly chubby touch. All in all, you are really adorable, Mister Snake." Rick told Ash, knowing that the kid was insecure about his appearance and had probably never had the opportunity of seeing what he looked like.

Ash seemed cheered up by his description, twisting his head right and left curiously to glance at his body, revealing a soft and smooth stomach. It made Rick want to tickle it but he held back.

It was too soon.

"I will start to walk toward our destination, so make sure to hang on." Rick warned Ash, waiting for the small snake to hiss in return and wrap his tail around his fingers before starting to walk. They walked quite a lot and Ash took the time to look around, trying to find landmarks on where they were going, but he couldn't figure where he was. He did feel that they weren't going in the village's direction, but they weren't going opposite either.

"We are going to heal your dad, he got pretty injured in his fight, he will be perfect to test you and he will get to be healed. You needed to heal five minor injuries and one medium, but your Dad had an intermediate injury, and many medium and minor ones. Then, we will go to your Papa, who has a few minor injuries, and we will go back to the village where your brother is already waiting. The trial was too easy for him, he hunted the five snow foxes without any difficulties and took them back yesterday. It seems like he has yet to fully reveal all his cards." Ash nodded at Rick's words, Blaze did seem stronger than he had let on. He was worried for his parents, mostly his Dad. He felt bad for his Papa too, he hadn't thought of healing him yesterday when they met, and instead ran away like a coward.

His little head dropped, his embarrassment deep.

Rick patted his smooth head, making Ash look up at him with question marks in his eyes.

"Don't feel bad about your Papa, you did the right thing. If you had contact with him before we gave you the go, you would have been disqualified. You needed to find the herbs before healing, and you would have to heal who we told you to. It was the best decision." The scout said to sooth the child's worries, knowing that the sensitive soul was probably worrying himself to death and feeling bad. He could easily read the snake now, every little thought showed on his face.

Ash nodded to show his understanding, but a corner of his heart still felt squeezed.

For now, he would redeem himself by healing his Dad and his Papa as fast as he could.

Hey dear readers, Rick was the one watching over Ash!

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(1 264 words)