Kuwari could almost taste the human, so close was she to her goal. She burst out of the water with jaws wide open, intending to grab the morsel and kill it instantly... at least until the blue dragon skidded down in front of her with a loud and too-enthusiastic greeting. Startled, the red was forced to backwing clumsily, claws scrabbling wildly on the shore and tail slashing through the water in an effort to catch her balance before she managed to get her forelegs back on the ground. [b]”What are you doing!?”[/b] the red demanded, scales puffing up in frustration. Even around the scent of the other dragon she could still smell the human, and the sharp stench of fear radiating from it.

And… gold? Was that gold she smelled? Nostrils quivering, Kuwari lifted her muzzle and drew in a deep breath. Yes, the human was carrying treasure! Why, then, had the blue protected it?

Probably she would have just shoved on past the other dragon if he hadn’t been far larger, but as it was the half-grown fire dragon tried to skitter around him, lowering her horns on the off chance he tried to catch her on the back of the neck. Her wings half-extended to lend her balance, although water still dripped from the long bones, and she fired a golden glare at the other dragon. [b]”That’s my meal! Move.”[/b] Who protected humans, anyway? They were only good for food and fighting, as far as she knew. And this one smelled delicious – young and tender, and carrying [i]gold.[/i]