Natomi and Inoue stared in total awe as Satuya's new form wobbled about like a newborn fawn that was trying to take its first steps. Satuya's eyes darted about in confusion and fear when finally Natomi seemed to come out of the shock and he took a small step towards Satuya. Satuya walked backward but Natomi cautiously held his hand out to make him stop.
"Satuya, it's me... it's Natomi remember?"
Satuya seemed to recognize the name but was still very confused, probably more so about the form than anything else. Natomi still held his hand out but walked a little closer to the boy and finally was close enough to touch his leg.
"Satuya, don't be scared. I'm right here with you and we'll figure this out together. I think if you calm down a little you will turn back. Do you think you can do that?"
Satuya was quivering but nodded a little as Inoue walked up.
"Father, what is the meaning of this?"
"I don't know but we need to make sure that Satuya is safe before we delve into this strange transformation."
A sad whimper came from Satuya and Natomi smiled kindly at him, holding up his hand.
"It's alright. I'm right here. I won't run away."
Satuya seemed to think for a second but then put his nose to Natomi's outstretched hand. Natomi took in the feeling of the black and white scales that covered his face, the soft string of mustache that trailed from just under his pink nose...
"You're magnificent, Satuya. If nothing else, you are very beautiful."
Satuya closed his eyes and they realized he was getting smaller.
"Talk to him more, Father." Inoue said softly.
Natomi did so and as he spoke kindly to him, gently rubbing his muzzle, Satuya began to shrink down and eventually began to turn into his human form again. Once he was fully human, Natomi caught him as he collapsed in his arms, shaking even more.
"N-N-N-Natomi... wh-what's wrong with me? What am I?"
"As far as I could tell, it looked like you turned into a dragon. How, I don't know, but... but I think we need to keep this hidden. I believe that it has to do with the way you came about."
"I'm cold." Satuya whispered.
Inoue went to get his clothing but it they were ripped to shreds and neither of them had a cloak for him to borrow. Natomi just wrapped his arm around him tighter and they headed back home.

***************

After getting Satuya in the bed and redressed, he fell asleep immediately and Natomi sat in his chair in the living room, contemplating what he had just seen.
"Father?"
"How could this be possible? I mean... You saw him, Inoue... he just..."
Inoue went over to her father and knelt in front of him, touching her hands to his.
"I think you might be right about the enchantress. Whatever strange powder she blew on Tsume has to be the reason for this. I mean, after all, she is an enchantress."
"But the question now is why would the emperor want the enchantress to make a powder that would do that."
"Maybe the powder wasn't supposed to necessarily create life but create a dragon."
"That also leaves to reason what Kisola is."
"Wouldn't she be a dragon too?"
Natomi shrugged in defeat. "Who knows, Inoue... We can't find Tsume anywhere since the Laota Clan was attacked and most of the residents are not there anymore. It could be that she's a dragon but who knows what the powder's effect on a woman may have done. It may make her turn into something different. It may not have had any effect at all but we just don't know."
"Are you going to tell Takuma?"
Natomi thought about it for a second when he heard Satuya's door open. He looked up as Satuya seemed to sway as he stood.
"What's wrong? Is everything alright?"
He didn't say anything for little bit but looked at him.
"I don't want to stay here anymore."
Natomi frowned. "Then... where do you want to stay?"
Satuya finally shuffled over to the wall so that he could put his hand on it for support.
"That hut... where my father lived while he was harboring my sister and I. I... I think it's appropriate."
"What for?" Inoue asked.
"Everyone regarded my father as a freak of nature and was outcasted to that hut. I think I should stay there since I'm a freak of nature too."
"You're not a freak of nature, Satuya."
"Then what do you call what just happened out there?!" he yelled, his fear causing his voice to rise and crack. "I told you I wasn't human! I told you that I wasn't right..."
He began to sob and Natomi got up, walking to him but Satuya stumbled back.
"STAY AWAY FROM ME!" he screamed, sobbing harder. "I'm not right... I'm not right..."
Natomi could see him start to glow and he nodded.
"You need to stay calm. It looks like emotions make you turn."
"How can I stay calm?! How can I stay calm when I'm not normal anymore? Or rather, I never was. I've never been normal. Since I was conceived, I have been nothing but a freak!"
"You're not a freak, Satuya. You're something that we don't understand. Those aren't the same things... You need to calm down though. Please..."
"I want Takuma." He looked at Natomi. "I want to see Taku."
"Takuma is in the hospital." Inoue said softly.
"I don't care... I want to see him..."
"Can it not wait for the morning? You need rest. I'll take you to see him tomorrow, I promise."
Satuya shivered but nodded, trying to calm down but not understanding anything. He had been fast asleep when he realized how horrible he was. What an abomination he was... Takuma would understand though since he'd never really changed towards Satuya since he was little. He always wanted to make sure he was alright and was usually the one to help him out. He wanted Takuma... He was the closest thing to a father that he had...
"Go on back to bed, okay?"
Satuya headed back to his bedroom but didn't go back to bed. Instead, he went out the window and headed to the doctor's house.

******************

Satuya knocked on the door of the doctor's home quickly, not caring if he woke the man up or not. He had to see Takuma and he had to see him now.
"I'm coming, I'm coming..." someone said on the other side of the door.
It opened and the doctor held his hand above his eyes.
"Whoa, Satuya... you're glowing pretty bright-"
"Where's Takuma? I want to see Takuma!" he yelled frantically, shaking the doctor.
"He's not well, Satuya. He's in a lot of pain and you-" Satuya pushed past him as the doctor spun with him. "You going to see him will not make things better!"
Satuya didn't care as he ran to where Takuma was and opened the door. Takuma was breathing heavily and very strained as Satuya bent down next to him and shook him softly.
"Taku? Taku, wake up! Please..."
Takuma stirred for a second and looked at Satuya.
"Satuya... what's wrong...?" he asked heavily, as if he could hardly speak.
Satuya suddenly remembered why Takuma was in the hospital and moved his hands away from him. He backed away, shaking. I did this... I'm the cause of everything! I'm a freak... I'M A FREAK!
"Satuya?" Takuma mumbled.
Satuya turned tail and ran away from Takuma, ran away from the doctor's home, and ran away from the village. He tried to keep himself more calm than before since he didn't want to turn into a dragon again but he had to get away from everyone. He was a menace to society.

********************

Natomi ran to the doctor's house when he discovered Satuya missing again and met the man at the door.
"Was Satuya here?"
"Yeah, he wanted Takuma for something. What's going on, Natomi?"
"I can't explain it right now. Is he still here?"
"No." They turned as Takuma walked in slowly with his hand over his heart, clutching his chest. "He woke me up and then seemed to realize something and wigged out, jumping out the window."
"Damn it! Damn it, damn it!" Natomi growled, putting his hand over his mouth and sliding down as he tried to think. "We have to find him. I'll go get Inoue and we'll start searching around the village."
"I'll search in the woods."
"Takuma, you can't go anywhere."
"If he's lost I have to find him." He rasped deeply, trying to breathe. "I promised that I would always take care of him."
"This isn't about whether you can take care of him or not right now, this is a matter of you getting a shard of steel in your heart and then tromping around the forest like it's nothing."
"For Satuya this pain is nothing. I won't let him feel like he doesn't belong. I won't have him outcasted like Tsume!"
He coughed and spattered blood but kept that to himself as he wiped his hand on his pants.
"What do you mean?" Natomi said, knowing that Takuma hadn't seen Satuya change.
"I saw him... when we were fighting for the sword. He was turning into something but I wasn't really paying attention at the time. I..." He coughed hard into his hand. "I could see it though. I knew something was wrong. Then when he saw me he was scared when his glowing intensified... something happened."
"Yeah... it did but we're not saying anything. The main thing is that we have to find him before it's too late."
"Then let's find him." He said, straightening up as he tightened his hold on his chest.
"Takuma-"
"I'm ignoring you, Doctor." He said, leaving out the door.
The doctor made a face and looked at Natomi.
"Make sure that idiot doesn't die, will ya?"
"Of course."
Natomi went to find Inoue so that they could go find Satuya. Although Natomi had a feeling he was at the hut like he said he would be but he also knew that Satuya may find another place. They couldn't be too sure.