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Mikuko and Lexar

Falling In and Out of Love

Chapter 1

Mikuko was sitting on a rock, looking off into the distance rather thoughtfully. Her hair was blowing in the bitterly cold wind. It was going to be winter soon…But it didn’t interest her, none of it did. She knew her place. She was favored, but not the favored one.

Rage was to be the heir to the empire that Brittania had built. But she was a queen of it too, but a lesser one than Rage. However, she was fine with that. Rage was deserving--the best candidate. Fierce, strong---mighty. An image to be feared and respected. Mikuko didn’t fear her, but she did pay her respect--she was not someone to cross. No one could cross her, not even the most beloved Tasma without paying for it.

She’d never had much interaction with her sisters, it was dangerous for them to be too close for too long. Tempers would flare, and before long claws would flying. So they saw each other from a distance, spoke sometimes, and just stayed away from each other for the most part.

It was this that was Mikuko was thinking about, she was old enough that soon she would have to leave. This place wasn’t big enough for her and three sisters like her. She needed to spread her wings….and build an Empire.

The thought intrigued her and she couldn’t help but smile. She didn’t want to rival Rage, she had no cause for that. But she wanted something of her own, something to build and protect--a way to honour her family, especially her father. She wanted to prove that she was worthwhile, that she could be as mighty as her sisters.

Wasn’t two empires better than one? She would be free, of course, to do what she wanted with her empire, but she would let her alliance remain with Rage. If her sister should call her, she would come. Their numbers would grow and they would be invincible.


Shaking off the thoughts of grandeur, she began to plan. This empire, it was made in a type of fortress. Safe. Easy to defend, but hard to attack…She would need to find a place like that one day. Another mountain, but not too far…she wouldn’t want to go too far from her Dad. She’d like to be able to see him often, and to help defend her family if necessary. So near…another requirement.

Before she could continue on with her thoughts, she heard the sound of hooves behind her. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Haru approaching. He was one of Brittania’s children--a biological one. She was intrigued by him, he was very strong and sure of himself.

Haru Kaiba approached and sat down beside her, not saying anything really. He liked to sit with her sometimes, a bit quietly. She was amazing to see. He’d often dreamed of having wings like her, of being a more worthy son. He wanted to feel the wind beneath him--to soar. Only Mikuko knew how strongly he felt about it. He’d always been able to talk to her very easily.

Her clear voice cut in, not quite as brash as usual, “I don’t care. You know that, right?”


“You mean, that I’m not a dragon?” He winced at it, he still rather hated being different.

“Yeah. But anything really. You’re my favourite in the world, besides Dad.”

“Well, you’re my favouritist. No one else comes close.”

Mikuko smirked, a bit satisfied with herself. “I’ve got to leave soon.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“Don’t.”

“Why?”

“I need to think about things. I need to find my place.” She turned to look at him, “But I’ll come back for you.”

Haru eyed her for a few long moments, “Promise?”

“Promise.”

Chapter 3

Chapter 5

Mikuko packed up the few things she had brought with her, and took one last look around the place she would call home. It seemed so cold and empty. She had dreamed of living here with Haru, of loving him and birthing his children. But the place was empty of the hoof-falls of children.

And he was gone, forever.

She knew that, she knew that they would not work things out or come to some terms with each other. He was gone, it was over. She would have to live with that. The terrible part was going home, having to let everyone know what had happened.

If only love had been enough.

She had made her way down the path that led up to her little sanctuary. It was at the bottom that she saw him, red as blood with eyes like crescents. He had fire in his wings and a studded collar at his neck. He looked at her strangely.

"You're staring," she said cooly but politely.

"I am," the red demon said.

"It's rude."

"I'm aware." She was about to smart off to him when he spoke again, "I've never seen a dragon before." He steppe closer to her and she felt her body stiffen. "Your wings are fascinating. What a pleasure it must be to fly."

"I don't fly much," she said without thinking, wishing she hadn't.

"Why ever not? With wings like that you were born to stay in flight."

"You're not supposed to ask questions like that, it's rude."

"I don't believe in the societal construct of rude."

"What?"

"Which part tripped you up, societal or construct?"

"That's even ruder," her face was flushed. She didn't want to admit she wasn't sure how the terms applied together.

"Rude isn't real," he spoke lightly flipping his spaded tail. "You see, there's honest, there's open, there's cruel, there's kind, and there's blunt. Rude doesn't exist since it is just the term for asking something blunt or something cruel."

She processed that. "I must be going," she wen to walk past him.

"Why don't you fly?" The words stopped her. She was not about to tell a pure stranger that it was because her lover couldn't. Mikuko was about to walk again when he said, "You're beautiful."

She stopped and turned back to him slowly, "What do you want?"

"I want to see you fly," he smiled wickedly.

"No, nice to meet you. Goodbye." She turned to walk away again.

"That's just a lie."

She turned on him with fierce angry eyes, "What did you say?"

He didn't flinch those strange crescent eyes looking at her. "You aren't happy to see me. You can just say it, everyone does."

"No one's happy to see you?" The thought made her feel sad. She shook her head, "I mean... I can see why."

"Perhaps," he sad softly. "But I don't think you really understand it do you?" He moved around her slowly in a circle. "You're thin, there's not enough muscle to your body or wings. You're tired, you're sad. You're beautiful for sure, but you're not as beautiful as you could be."

"I don't have to take this," Mikuko started walking down the mountain.

"Did he leave you or did you leave him?"

She whirled on him again, "Why do you ask these things?"

"Because it interests me, some of it is written plainly on your face." He looked her over again, until she looked away. "I am sorry," he said it kindly. "Some things don't work out. Was he why you haven't flown?"

"Yes," she said a bit bitterly.

"That's no good, love should never ground you. You're right to be rid of him."

"Don't say that!" She shouted.

"I'll make you a deal, I'll leave you alone if you can fly for ten minutes. I'll leave let you do whatever you were going to do. But if you can't, you stay here for another week and I'll show you what it means to really fly."

"What makes you think I don't know how to really fly?"

"Because you're walking now."

"Fine," she spit out.

"If I win, one week and I'll teach you to fly."

"Ten minutes and I'll show you I already can," she said angrily but he just flashed back that wicked smile.

Chapter 7


She had stayed with him to learn to fly again. He had told her, truthfully, that there was a lot to learn about flying--that perhaps she had not known it all. Surprisingly, she had shrugged her shoulders and gave in.

Later, she had confessed she had really not wanted to go home. He had never had a home to go back to, he envied her that and the decision to go there or not. But he kept his stories to himself, because they were his stories and the girl was starting to smile again. He didn't want to see that slowly dawning light in her eyes to fade.

They had fallen into an easy pattern. He had her exercise, tone her her body and condition it. Everyday she would fly further and further than before before tiring. They would hunt and they would feast, he'd tell her to eat even if she wasn't hungry.

It was already starting to show, the gaunt features not looking so hollow. It was like breathing life back into a dead husk. He found at that she was quick to smile at a joke, so he told them often. She was insecure with herself--but slowly her esteem grew.

There was a caution to her boldness though, a quick mind measuring out each step before it's action. She was not hasty or rash. She bloomed like a flower that has had ti's first taste of the sun. Slowly at first, and then suddenly.

After two weeks, she was able to fly for fifteen minutes without stopping--strong, heavy flying. When she landed tired and breathless, she smiled so wide that her face was all he could see. Then she had swooped down and kissed his cheek like a schoolgirl before gliding away.

It was then that he realized that he was starting to feel something for her.

It was not uncommon for him to take up with someone, or to fall in with someone. But it never lasted. Things took their natural course and paths diverged. But when he looked at Mikuko, he put up his guard. She had been hurt once, and he would not hurt her again. Not willingly at least.

The next week passed more slowly, and he could feel the gap between them widening. That night Mikuko sat with him beneath the scars and asked, "What's happened?"

"What do you mean?" He asked cautiously.

"You're different. Are you mad?"

"No," he answered haltingly.

"Oh then," she sighed a little. "Was it the kiss?"

He saw no reason to lie, "Yes."

"Did you not...feel that way?" She was looking at him.

"No," he lied. He wouldn't hurt her.

"Liar," she laughed brightly.

This time her lips touched his. The world melted away as it was want to do in these situations, all sounded faded and he could feel her claws touching his hair.

They broke apart, but it was no use to say anything now. She'd captured him, and for the first time he felt actually powerless to resist.

"Just to pass the time," she smiled so close to him he could feel it on his skin.

"Just to pass the time," he kissed her back.

That's how they came to share a cave.

Chapter 9


She didn't know, nor would she ever.

It had started off as something temporary, a means of escape and freedom. How many time had he done that before? How many times had he broken someone's heart? He never thought about it when he left, how he might leave them devastated.

But not this time. God help him, he loved her. If he told her how he felt, if he told her that sound of her heart beating as she lay beside him was the most beautiful in the world, if he told her all the reasons he loved or even just one--it would wreck her.

She had loved and lost Haru, undeserving as he was. It had been hard on her. Lexar had stayed with her, watching her blossom in beauty and strength. If he made his feelings clear to her, he knew she'd be shattered. Because she did not love him like that--she did not love him enough.

How strange it was that the time he wanted this to work out was the only time when things weren't going to. He had left many women behind knowing that he had not loved them as much as they loved him.

Now the tables were turned.

He loved her, beyond reason or doubt. He loved her despite the reasons not to. Now when he would speak, he would keep his silence. He loved her enough that he wanted her to be happy--and he couldn't wreck her by filling her with guilt again when she was just coming out of her shell.

They spent their final days together mostly in the cave, enjoying each other's company. She had finally decided to go home to her family for awhile. She had not given up on her dream, she was just postponing it for awhile

He was glad she wasn't giving up her dream. There were few things sadder than that. She just needed time to build her clan, she told him. Just time and bodies to fill it.

Mikuko would be the head of her own clan one day, he saw that clearly. She would be kind, protective, and skilled. He'd taught her all about flying and combat, at least, all he knew. She was ready for this.

On the last morning, he watched her sleep. Her eyelashes fluttering in the throes of dreams. He wondered if she was dreaming of him. Today might be the last day he ever saw her, so he drank in her visage as long as he could.

When the sun rose, they said their goodbyes. Promises to meet again, to have a good life, to follow dreams, and other things that probably would never happen. As he watched her walk the path back toward her family, all he could think of was how much he loved her to do this. He didn't want to.

Twice, he almost ran after her. But he'd only get a few steps before he'd remember how devastated she'd be. He had loved her more or maybe she hadn't loved him at all.