The forest was almost too silent, secretive. As if within its winding gnarly roots and the great old oaks and pines that stood tall and rugged there was tales left untold. Private affairs among friends, discussions left among a few friends, the whispers of lovers and the sound of the hunt that had ended with violence and bloodshed that now was quiet.

           Rays of dappled light came through the trees in hues of green. Concealed among the safety of this tranquil hush, Yuni sat with a jagged old blade in one hand and a sharpening stone in the other as she diligently sharpened her tool. Such a mundane task allowed for her thoughts to wander where they will, amongst the leaves and murmurs that seemed to breathe through the forest as wild and untamed wind blew through.

           After this, she reasoned she should wash her clothes in a nearby stream. The thickly woven dark brown cloth of her trousers was stained with various colored from mud and soot and old blood stains. The shirt that clung to her chest and stopped short to reveal her midriff was speckled with various debris and the protective warmers upon her arms were tattered. Not even worth the effort to wash; she would need to go into market eventually and trade for new ones.

           There was a disturbance in her thoughts then; a sort of snort of amusement.

           Baki, a moment’s peace if you please, Yuni thought with irritation.

           Peace? I could say the same to you; you’re driving me crazy with all these tasks and organization in your head. Can’t you think of something more entertaining?

           Sighing, the young lady slipped her stone in her pocket and knife into its sheath as she glanced around the birch she had been leaning against to spot her companion.

           Lying twisted around trees that he hardly could fit around was Baki, an enormous dragon of gold. He looked as though he was dripped in the molten metal, as every inch of him was iridescent and shimmering in the dappled light from the sunny color of his scales and eyes, right up to his elegant curving horns and down to his angular strong tail and tail tip.

           And did we have to stop in these dreadful woods? The dragon thought-spoke in Yuni’s mind with a grumble. You know I’m far too large for these tight spaces, and if we were to be ambushed where am I to go? Unless of course, you don’t mind the collateral damage to these trees.

           Can you not even enjoy the sounds of nature around you? Yuni replied, rolling her eyes as she grabbed her sack lying upon the ground.

           In response, the monstrous golden dragon snarled. Smoke billowed like a chimney from his nostrils and he bared long fanged teeth in a menacing grin.

           Choosing to ignore her irked ally, Yuni dragged her fingers through her dirty brown locks of hair and sighed. Maybe she should clean herself too before she headed into town. It wouldn’t do her any favors walking around looking like a filthy servant girl.

            You? A servant girl? Baki remarked incredulously. Spare me the thought. If only people really knew and understand your powers and the spirit of your heart.

           Better that they don’t, Yuni thought; a whisper of sadness in her tone. For if they did, you know what the consequences would be.

           Brownish honey colored eyes scanned their surroundings as Yuni gazed around the noiseless brush. Her hand reached up, touching the gemstone that hung from her neck to reassure herself. Its faded color and soft edged smoothed over time by Yuni’s hand as she handled it.

           May we go now? My wings are aching to stretch, Baki impatiently chided.

           To the nearby stream first, Yuni explained. Then I’ll head to market. It shouldn’t take long.

           And leave me out here? How thoughtful of you, the golden dragon growled, his eyes narrowed into slits.

           I’ll bring you something back, how’s that sound? Yuni asked teasingly.

           Oh heavens no, Baki objected. Don’t think of poor little old me, sitting out here, all alone, in the woods.

           You’re a twenty two feet long giant fire-breathing lizard, I’m sure you’ll be just fine, Yuni announced with a roll of her eyes.

           Avian lizard, actually, the golden creature retorted.

           Yuni didn’t respond as she carefully treaded among the trees, heading east towards a small stream she knew pooled through this part of the forest. She could hear a rather frustrated dragon following her, his tail slapping into trees and through bushes like an irritated cat as he stalked after her through the twists of trees.

           I bet Singeia is having more fun than this, Baki complained.

           If she is, I’m happy for her, Yuni countered.

           Ruffled by the response, Baki grumbled in a tone of longing, Do you not miss Olivier as well? Or flying over open skies? Whatever happened to the girl who feared nothing and fought everything? Remember that time in Thilantos, don’t you? We were an unstoppable force, you and I.

           We still are an unstoppable force, Yuni remarked with a tinge of guilt. Just… not as rebellious as we once were.

           Speak for yourself.

           We can’t afford to be, Baki, now drop it.

           What do we have to fear, Yuni, tell me. You’re a hardened warrior; you fought in Jidkya. I’m a dragon. I should not be hiding in treelines when my ancestors once claimed the skies as their own, Baki hissed.

           You’re one of very few left, Baki. You need to be careful. And I thought I asked you to never bring Jidkya up again, Yuni responded with a shiver.

           Rumbling furiously, the golden flying serpent grew quiet; his mind melting off to the side and away from Yuni. She could still feel him along her thoughts; dancing around the edges of her mind. He could never leave even if he tried. They were connected through the bond that was Rider and Beast; two halves that made a whole. It was something holy and unbreakable as a thread of gold wove them together for eternity.

           Of course even if they weren’t forced together, Yuni felt she would love Baki all the same. He was a bit too young still; his body angled in ways that he still had to grow into, his mind still arrogant and rebellious. That wasn’t to say that she, a young lady still only just kissing her mid-twenties, was old and wise but she had seen things in her young life that morphed her forever into the weary traveler she was now.

           War had a funny way of doing that to you.

           You remember Goevarnis, Baki’s distant thoughts whispered curiously.

           Distracted by the return of her chatty friend, Yuni offered a smile as she looked over her shoulder to the lengthy reptile trying to navigate through the trees. His sneers and glares at the old trees and barbed bushes that ensnared him (though they could not penetrate his scaled hid) only portrayed his ongoing annoyance for treading through the woodlands.

           Yes; a quaint little town that was.

           For you. I was left out in the rain while you huddled up inside a nice warm house.

           Okay, what about when we were in the southern cliffs off Yeefisbirg?

           I liked that place, Baki stated in a whimsical voice. The winds blowing off the ocean were fierce and provided a challenge for my young wings.

           Yuni could only smile faintly, giving a shake of her head. She knew well how much Baki had loved that place; where the land was barren of much humans cultivating and the waters were rough and winds always blowing with the might of a gods sweeping hand.

           She kept her own thoughts away of that place; it brought too many bad memories up of broken promises and lost friendships.

           I remember when you used to enjoy the woods, Yuni mocked.

           It doesn’t count! I was small and helpless and did not know the world and how large and open it was outside these trees, Baki accused.

           Yes I know, I have been a terrible friend, Yuni chimed in. How dare I keep you locked up in the shadows, away from the prying eyes of the world and those who would seek you out merely to kill you for sport and eradicate your species entirely.

           You were less sarcastic when we were with Warrant.

           That’s because Warrant is a very… strange and powerful old man. I wouldn’t want to rally him up; would you?

           He is very amusing when angry, Baki disagreed. I like when he gets mad at Zachary.

           Yuni winced in reply. She couldn’t agree with that; the aged, red-faced, weathered look of a man with his wild and wiry black hair and overgrown facial hair. He looked mad, even more when you looked into his icy-silver blue eyes.

           It was no surprise to her that Baki adored him so. Warrant did have a way with dragons; and for calming those whose minds and hearts were aggressive and unruly.

           What about the time that you tried flirting with Dante, mistaking him for a girl? Yuni teased.

           Hey, that wasn’t very funny! He bites hard, Baki weakly answered.

           An unstoppable giggle bloomed in Yuni’s chest and worked its way out. She couldn’t get the image out of her head of that black and golden young dragon snapping Baki by the tail and hissing between his clenched teeth that he was not a female and for Baki to stop courting him.

           Spotting the large mossy boulders that lined the streams edge ahead, Yuni dropped the conversation and ran forward, dropping her bag on the ground as she climbed on top of the slippery rock.

           She could hear Baki behind her as she reached the top; an almost concerned chatter coming from the youthful dragon. Not wanting to worry her companion Yuni glanced back and gave thumbs up before stripping herself of all but her undergarments to begin rinsing them out in the cold water.

           You humans and your weak ability to sustain heat and cover your gross naked bodies.

           Shut up or I’m going to buy you a muzzle.

           That can’t stop me from entering your thoughts, sweetheart, Baki laughed with a puff of smoke and flicker of embers from his snout.

           I should have left you in Goevarni, Yuni threatened, flashing a dirty look at her ally.

           And miss out on all of this? Baki purred, standing tall and regal as he outstretched his head. Besides, you’d miss me too much.

           Lousy dragon.

           Fleshy pink skinbag.

           Ouch, my feelings. Whatever will I do now that you’ve broken them, Yuni responded, flicking her soaking shirt towards Baki and sending a shower of dirty water upon his chest.

           You’re very ungrateful considering how many times I’ve saved your life, the golden monster snarled while giving his body a powerful shake like a massive dog.

           You forget, I saved yours, too. Plenty of times, actually, Yuni sweetly thought.

           Wringing out her shirt, Yuni glanced over the sopping wet piece of apparel to check for any more obvious smudges or splatters she needed to try scrubbing out more. It was hard to tell with the material all wet and bunched up, but she figured it clean enough and tossed it to the side as she began to bathe her britches in the stream.

           Grumbling unhappily, Baki’s golden eyes grazed over his human for a moment before gently picking up the shirt with his front teeth. A single puff of steam curled out from his maw, warming the shirt and causing water to drip and steam to rise as he dried it out.

           Rinsing off her pants, Yuni looked up to see Baki aiding in drying out her clothes. They’d smell like smoke now; but at least they’d be dry and hot to wear after taking a dip in the chilly spring water.

           A small smile curled at the corners of her lips as she stepped over, careful of any slimy rocks. Yuni placed her trousers by Baki’s leg and gave him a gentle pat, offering a beaming smile up to her friend.

           Thanks for your help, Baki, she thought with a wave of gratitude. I’ll just take a quick dip and we can be on our way.

           Yeah yeah, make it quick, Baki growled back with a flashy dragon grin. I want to get out of these blasted woods and into some open space at least before nightfall.

           Rolling her eyes, Yuni began to shimmy off her undergarments as she stepped up to the stream. Will do, she answered with a sensation of love glossing her words.

           Baki made a brief scoff in response, turning to look away from his companion out of respect. The grayish white smoke subsided from his jaws as he laid down the shirt he was holding to gingerly pluck up Yuni’s pants and begin drying those too.

           Love you too, fleshbag, Baki grumbled, his bright golden eyes illuminating like twin suns as he sat upon his large rump; his mouth shifting into a faint impression of an amused smile.