A Dragon Among Wolves

The Long Journey

Chi-chi prepared for the long journey towards America. She started walking towards the edge of the of the east side cliff facing the crystal blue ocean. The waves were crashing gently on the white sandy beach below. The gentle breeze blew gently through her fur around her head tilting her head back she breathed in deeply filling her lungs with the salty fresh air. Her people gathered around her wishing her farewell she knew that they didn't want her to leave. A crystal tear fell from her eye as she didn't wish to leave them either but it was the only way to find out if she was truly alone in the world. The priests had assured her that she was the last but she desperately needed to find companionship. Spreading her wings her people began to back away from her not wanting to fall off the cliff face. With a couple of pumps she was air born her heart hurt as her island grew smaller her people had truly been kind to her raising her sense she was a hatchling. Moving her eyes forward she looks to the sun placing herself in the correct direction to make it to the first island in the Philippines were she would rest for the evening. The flight was a short one only a couple of hundred miles from her island the sun had began to set in the west. She took refuge in a small cave next to the shore line making sure it was far enough from human society that she would not be bothered for the night. Flying into the cave she curled up and fell into a restful sleep. The next morning she awoke to the sounds of children outside the cave entrance smiling to herself she shifts into human form and put on some clothes that were packed in her travel bag. She walks out of the cave with a smile on her face. The children stopped their play and looked up at her with a smile. The began speaking to her in their native tongue which was Tagalog which she easily understood because the priests had educated her well in all cultures including their languages.

"Please come play with us?" They asked smiling up at me. They all had black hair and dark skin.

"Of course I will play for a little while but soon I must go," I replied. The kids jumped up and down with excitement. They grabbed their ball and began kicking it around passing it towards me every now and then. I enjoyed playing with them for awhile looking up towards the sky I knew it was time for me to go. Looking at the children I sighed deeply hating to leave the company of them because it reminded me of the children back home.

"I'm sorry little ones but I must go I have a long journey ahead of me," I said sadly.

"Don't go yet come eat with us first?" They begged me. They gave me a face that I couldn't say no too. They grabbed my hand and began pulling me towards their house. They mother was standing on the front porch waiting for the them. She smiled up at me and motioned for me to come in. I smiled back at her and followed her into the house. It was a nice home made from solid concrete it smelled of food and salted fish. My stomach grumbled as the smell of food hit my nose. She lead us to the kitchen table were a buffet of food was set up. I recognized a lot of it I breathed in deeply enjoying the smell. She motioned for me to sit down as she placed a plate in front of me.

"Thank you so much for your hospitality Ma-am. Your food smells wonderful and your kids were great." I said sincerely. It was great that their was people in the world that would still open their homes to perfect strangers and feed them.

"Please call me Nani," she replied with a smile. She told the kids to sit down and we began to eat the mouth watering food. The kids eat quietly and well manneredly and my thoughts ran back home to the kids that use to stay around me in the temple. Hopefully soon I might have children of my own if I could find someone I could trust with my secret. Finishing up the wonderful meal I help her clean up the dishes.

"Nani I really must be going I have a very long journey ahead of me. Thank you so much for your hospitality here is a gift that I want you to take for your kindness." I pulled out a beautiful red ruby from my travel bag and handed it to her. She tried to give it back but I insisted that she keep it. Walking out of the house I headed back for the cave. When I entered it I stripped off my clothing folding them neatly before placing them into my bag. Concentrating on my dragon form I felt myself shift into it stretching my powerful wings I let out a mighty roar before grabbing my bag a flying from the cave entrance.