kuri

They gently nudged Arnold awake, and he sat up groggily, rubbing his eyes. His gaze shifted between Akari, Kuro, and the tiny dragon in Akari's arms. His brows furrowed at their disheveled appearance, the Noor marks faintly visible on their necks, and the obvious torn clothes.

"Uh…what were you guys up to?" Arnold asked, his tone laced with suspicion.

Kuro, ever the opportunist, smirked and crossed his arms. "What are you thinking? We didn't do anything inappropriate for friends…except maybe a little 'parents ritual,'" he said with a cheeky grin.

Akari's face turned red as she shot him a glare. "Kuro! Don't make it worse!" She turned to Arnold, waving her free hand. "Let me explain!"

Arnold raised an eyebrow but gestured for her to go ahead. "Okay, I'm listening."

She and Kuro then recounted the entire story—the mesmerizing song, the cave, the dragon egg, the Noor ritual, and finally, the emergence of Kuri. By the time they were done, Arnold was staring at them in disbelief, his gaze bouncing between the baby dragon, Akari, and Kuro.

"Wait, so this little thing is your child now? And the ritual decided you two were the destined pair?" Arnold said, his voice tinged with annoyance and skepticism.

Kuri tilted her head at Arnold and squeaked, "Unca!" Her tiny voice carried an innocent charm as she tried to say "uncle" but stumbled adorably.

Arnold blinked. "What did it just call me?"

Akari giggled. "She's calling you 'Unca.' I think she's trying to say 'Uncle,' but she can't pronounce it yet."

Arnold's expression softened for a moment before he cleared his throat. "Back to the main point. Why is Kuro supposed to be your destined partner? When did that become a thing?"

Akari sighed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she tried to explain. "I think the reason lies in our soul connection," she said. "It's not just physical or emotional—it's magical. The connection between Kuro and me runs deeper than either of us completely understands."

Kuro smirked again, leaning slightly toward Arnold. "Face it, Arnold. Destiny likes me more."

Arnold rolled his eyes but didn't argue further, though a subtle pout formed on his lips. Meanwhile, Kuri wiggled out of Akari's arms and climbed onto Arnold's lap, nuzzling against him.

"Unca!" she squeaked again, clearly pleased with her new favorite person.

Arnold couldn't help but smile faintly as he patted her tiny head. "Fine. I'll let it slide this time. But if this dragon starts playing favorites, I'm taking her for a ride to the nearest sweet shop to bribe her."

Kuro chuckled. "Good luck beating me at winning Kuri's heart, Unca Arnold."

Akari sighed, placing a hand on her forehead. "Oh boy, this is going to be a long parenting journey…"

As Akari, Kuro, and Arnold arrived back at the castle with Kuri perched happily on Akari's shoulder, the entire courtyard erupted in cheers. Nobles, knights, and servants alike gathered, eager to hear tales of their success. Word of the deal with the elves had already spread, but the revelation of the Dragon of Angels emerging under their care was an even greater cause for celebration.

The king and queen stood at the top of the castle steps, beaming with pride. The queen was the first to step forward, her gaze fixed on the tiny dragon. "Is that the legendary dragon?" she asked, her voice full of awe.

Akari nodded with a smile. "Yes, Your Majesty. Meet Kuri."

Kuri tilted her head, blinking her large, expressive eyes. Then she squeaked proudly, "Mama, Baba, Unca!" pointing to Akari, Kuro, and Arnold in turn.

The queen blinked in confusion, while the king raised an eyebrow, looking between the trio. "Mama? Baba? Unca?" the king repeated, clearly amused.

Arnold cleared his throat awkwardly. "It's…complicated."

Kuro smirked. "What can I say? Parenting comes naturally to us."

Akari quickly stepped in to explain before anyone could get the wrong idea. "It's not what it sounds like! During the ritual to awaken Kuri, Kuro and I were chosen as her, um, 'parents' because of our Noor connection. And she calls Arnold 'Unca' because she's still learning how to talk."

The queen covered her mouth to hide a smile, while the king chuckled. "Well, whatever the circumstances, you've made the kingdom proud. Securing the alliance with the elves was crucial, but bringing back a legendary dragon? That's a feat that will go down in history."

The gathered crowd erupted into applause, cheering their names.

Arnold sighed, shaking his head. "So, not only am I a knight and a crown prince, now I'm an 'Unca'? This keeps getting better and better."

Kuro grinned, leaning in with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Relax, Unca Arnold. Parenting is a team effort."

Akari stifled a laugh as Kuri nuzzled into her neck. "Honestly, I think Kuri's the easiest part of all this. Explaining everything else…that's the real challenge."

As the group basked in the warmth of their welcome, it was clear that their journey—though full of trials—had strengthened their bond. The kingdom's pride in their success was unmistakable, and even with Kuri in tow, they knew the challenges ahead would only make them stronger.

Parenting Kuri turned out to be an entirely new adventure—and a chaotic one at that. For such a tiny dragon, Kuri had an insatiable appetite, not for food but for Noor. Every day, Kuro and Akari had to feed her their Noor several times, leaving them both drained and constantly tired.

To make things more manageable, they decided to move into the same wing of the castle. Akari and Kuro had separate rooms, but they were connected by a shared door to Kuri's nursery in between. Arnold, not wanting to be left out, moved into a room directly across from Akari's.

"Great," Arnold had said when they finalized the arrangement. "Now I can keep an eye on both of you and make sure Kuri doesn't burn the castle down."

Kuro smirked. "I think you're just scared she'll call you 'Unca' again in public."

"She already did in front of the king, Kuro," Arnold replied dryly. "My reputation is ruined anyway."

Akari chuckled as she walked past them, carrying a sleepy Kuri in her arms. "You know, I think 'Unca Arnold' has a nice ring to it."

Life with Kuri

Raising Kuri turned out to be the toughest challenge any of them had ever faced. The little dragon's Noor demands were relentless, and every feeding session left Akari and Kuro looking like they'd just run a marathon.

"How is something so small so exhausting?" Akari muttered one day, slumping onto the couch after feeding Kuri.

Kuro, equally worn out, sat beside her. "She's like a magical black hole. And she's teething now. Did you see the hole she bit through the door?"

Arnold walked in, carrying a tray of snacks for the two of them. "You two look like you're raising triplets, not one dragon."

"We might as well be," Kuro said, reaching for a snack. "At least triplets don't breathe fire when they're cranky."

As if on cue, Kuri waddled into the room, her tiny wings flapping excitedly. She looked up at Arnold and chirped, "Unca! Play!"

Arnold groaned, but his lips twitched into a reluctant smile. "Fine, but if you bite me again, no more extra cuddles."

Kuri immediately clapped her tiny claws, clearly understanding just enough to get what she wanted.

Connected Rooms, Connected Lives

Having rooms connected by Kuri's nursery made things easier but also led to some hilarious situations.

One night, Kuro and Akari both bolted out of their rooms at the same time, hearing Kuri's distressed cries. They met in the middle of the nursery, both half-asleep and disheveled.

"You get her this time," Kuro mumbled. "I handled the last two feedings."

"No way," Akari said, yawning. "I'm about to pass out. Rock-paper-scissors?"

"Deal."

They played, and Kuro lost. Grumbling, he picked up the fussing dragon. "Kuri, you're lucky you're cute," he muttered as she nuzzled into his shoulder.

Meanwhile, Arnold opened his door, looking thoroughly unimpressed. "Do you two ever sleep, or is this some kind of endurance test?"

Akari pointed at Kuro. "Blame him. He lost rock-paper-scissors."

"You're both insane," Arnold said, shutting his door again.

Despite the chaos, the three of them slowly adapted to their new roles as Kuri's caretakers. And though it was exhausting, none of them could deny that life with Kuri was also filled with unexpected joy and laughter.

"She might be a handful," Akari admitted one day as Kuri dozed off in her lap. "But I think she's worth it."

Kuro nodded, watching the little dragon sleep. "Yeah. Even if she calls Arnold 'Unca' more than me."

"Don't worry," Akari teased. "You'll always be her favorite 'Baba.'"

Kuro grinned. "And you'll always be her favorite 'Mama.' Even if she's eating us alive one Noor feeding at a time."

Arnold, overhearing from the hallway, sighed. "You two are hopeless."

Arnold's happiness was undeniable. He seemed to relish every moment spent with Akari, finding excuses to join her during Kuri's nap times or helping her with anything she needed, even when it wasn't necessary. Akari, oblivious to the full extent of his feelings, often just smiled at his gestures, assuming he was being the helpful and loyal prince he always was.

Kuro, on the other hand, was drowning in dragon-parenting responsibilities. Between feeding Kuri, calming her down during her tantrums, and teaching her basic dragon etiquette (like not breathing fire on the furniture), he had little time to dwell on his sadness.

"She's a menace," Kuro muttered one day as Kuri tried to climb onto his head during her feeding session.

"She's a baby," Akari corrected, giggling. "And you're the one spoiling her, Baba."

"Because she's cute!" Kuro defended, holding Kuri out at arm's length as she tried to nibble on his sleeve.

Arnold leaned against the doorframe, smirking. "You've gone full dad mode, Kuro. Never thought I'd see the day."

"At least I'm doing something productive," Kuro shot back. "What's your excuse, Unca Arnold?"

Arnold chuckled. "My excuse is that Akari seems perfectly happy with my company while you're babysitting."

Kuro rolled his eyes but didn't argue. The truth was, while he still felt a pang of jealousy whenever he saw Arnold and Akari together, his bond with Kuri had become a comforting distraction. The little dragon was a handful, but her innocence and unconditional love had a way of softening the ache in his heart.

Moments of Peace

One evening, after Kuri had finally fallen asleep, Akari joined Kuro on the balcony.

"She really wears you out, huh?" Akari said, sitting beside him.

"Like you wouldn't believe," Kuro replied, rubbing his temples. "But... it's worth it. She's family now."

Akari smiled softly. "You're doing a great job, Kuro. I don't think I could handle her without you."

For a moment, Kuro's heart fluttered, but he quickly pushed the feeling aside. Instead, he smirked. "Well, someone has to make sure our 'Unca Arnold' doesn't spoil her too much."

Akari laughed. "True. He's already planning to get her a tiny crown."

Kuro shook his head, chuckling. "That guy..."

As the two of them sat together in comfortable silence, Kuro realized that, despite everything, he wasn't as sad as he used to be. He had Kuri, who depended on him completely, and he still had Akari in his life, even if not in the way he'd once hoped.

"Maybe this is enough," he thought to himself, watching the stars. "For now, at least."

Kuri's growth rate was astounding, almost unnatural. Every week, the little dragon grew half a foot taller, her once small, cuddly form rapidly transforming into a more majestic and imposing figure. With this growth came an insatiable hunger for Noor, leaving both Akari and Kuro increasingly drained as they fed her multiple times a day.

But what worried Kuro the most was Akari's stubbornness. Every week, she used her time-controlling powers to stabilize Kuri's accelerated growth, an act that left her visibly exhausted each time.

"Akari, you can't keep doing this," Kuro said one evening, watching her slump against the wall after finishing the ritual. "It's killing you."

"I have to," Akari replied, her voice weak but resolute. "Kuri can't handle this rapid growth on her own. Her body will collapse without my help."

"Then let me take on more of the Noor feeding. You're already stretching yourself thin with everything else," Kuro argued.

Akari smiled faintly. "You're already doing so much, Kuro. Besides, this is my responsibility too. She's our dragon, remember?"

Kuro frowned, clearly unhappy. He hated seeing her push herself to the brink like this, but he knew how stubborn she could be. "At least let me help with something else," he muttered.

Kuri's Increasing Noor Intake

As Kuri grew, her Noor intake multiplied significantly. What started as a manageable amount turned into an overwhelming demand. Both Akari and Kuro often felt completely drained after feeding her, needing longer periods of rest to recover.

Arnold, despite not being able to contribute Noor, stepped in to help in other ways.

"Here," Arnold said one morning, carrying a tray of food into Akari's room. "You're going to eat this and take a break. No arguments."

Akari looked up, a mix of surprise and gratitude on her face. "Thanks, Arnold. But what about Kuri?"

"I've got her," Kuro called from the living room, where he was playfully wrestling with the rapidly growing dragon. "Unca Arnold can babysit if she gets too wild!"

"She listens to me more than you," Arnold shot back with a grin.

Akari's Struggles and Determination

Even with their help, Akari's struggles grew. Each time she applied her time power, the strain was evident—her hands trembled, and her Noor flow seemed weaker afterward. But she refused to stop.

One night, as she sat alone on the balcony, Arnold joined her.

"You're overdoing it," he said gently, sitting beside her.

"I know," Akari admitted, staring up at the stars. "But what choice do I have? Kuri didn't ask for this, and she needs me. If I don't do it, who will?"

"You're not alone, Akari," Arnold said, his voice firm. "You've got me and Kuro. You don't have to carry this burden by yourself."

Akari smiled faintly, leaning her head against his shoulder. "Thanks, Arnold. I'll try to rely on you guys more... but don't expect me to stop being stubborn."

Arnold chuckled. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Kuro's Quiet Worry

Though Kuro hid it well, he was deeply concerned about Akari's well-being. Every time he saw her falter after using her powers, it felt like a knife to his heart.

"She's always giving too much of herself," he thought one night, watching her sleep on the couch after an exhausting day.

As Kuri curled up beside him, Kuro ran his fingers through the dragon's soft scales. "You better not grow too fast, kiddo," he murmured. "Your mama's doing everything for you. Don't let her down, okay?"

Kuri let out a soft, contented purr in her sleep, as if understanding his words.

The tension between their kingdom and the Shapeshifter Kingdom escalated into a full-blown war, shaking the foundation of their peace. It was a dangerous situation that required sharp minds and strong leaders. The king, recognizing the skills of Akari, Kuro, and Arnold, assigned them prominent roles in the campaign.

The group was split into two teams. Akari and Kuro were assigned to the western front, which was heavily fortified but prone to surprise attacks. With Kuri tied to both of them, they managed their duties while also ensuring her safety. Their role included commanding troops and using Kuri's growing powers to defend their line. Meanwhile, Arnold was tasked with leading the eastern front, a strategically crucial area for supply lines. Though his charisma and military skills made him the perfect choice, the separation from Akari weighed heavily on him, though he hid it well.

Having to work so closely together, Akari and Kuro found their connection deepening. Both focused on their tasks, but the weight of the war, Kuri's demands, and their shared history often brought unexpected moments of reflection. Kuri's constant growth added another layer of complexity, with Akari having to use her time powers weekly to manage it, leaving her increasingly drained. Kuro noticed her exhaustion and took on more responsibilities, including managing their troops and caring for Kuri during the night.

Arnold, despite being on a separate front, kept himself updated about Akari. He trusted Kuro but couldn't help feeling pangs of jealousy whenever he thought of them together. Still, he channeled those feelings into leading his soldiers effectively, determined to prove himself as a leader and win the war swiftly so he could reunite with Akari.

The war's early days were marked by fierce battles and narrow escapes, but the group's dedication and skill brought hope to their kingdom. However, darker challenges loomed on the horizon, threatening to test their bonds and their resolve.

As 200 days passed since Kuri's hatching, she had grown immensely—both physically and in power. Now standing at over 14 feet tall, Kuri was no longer the adorable hatchling Akari and Kuro could cradle in their arms. Her strength and abilities were maturing at a rapid pace, much like her body.

Kuri had inherited powers from both Akari and Kuro. She could wield Kuro's shadow manipulation with terrifying precision, shrouding entire areas in darkness to disorient enemies, and could unleash devastating Noor blasts reminiscent of Akari's radiant attacks. However, the delicate art of time manipulation remained beyond her reach, as it was unique to Akari's dual existence as Lior and Akari.

The war, meanwhile, raged on, showing no signs of conclusion. The shapeshifter army was proving a relentless foe, using their ability to assume multiple forms to their advantage. Kuri became a secret weapon in the battles. Her massive size and combined powers allowed her to hold back entire enemy units, sometimes turning the tide of skirmishes singlehandedly. Despite her fearsome presence on the battlefield, she maintained a childlike innocence with Akari and Kuro, often referring to them as "Mama" and "Baba" in the middle of strategy meetings, much to their embarrassment.

Akari and Kuro, acting as generals, had to juggle their war duties with their responsibilities to Kuri. She required vast amounts of Noor for sustenance, forcing both Akari and Kuro to share their Noor several times a day. This left Akari more drained than ever, as she continued to use her time-manipulation powers to regulate Kuri's growth. Kuro, noticing the toll on her, often stepped in to shoulder more of the burden, both on the battlefield and in caring for Kuri.

Arnold, still stationed on the eastern front, missed many of these moments. However, he stayed in constant communication with Akari, sometimes exchanging playful banter or serious strategies during their rare breaks. Despite the separation, Arnold remained deeply invested in Akari's well-being and occasionally hinted at how much he missed her.

The war dragged on, with heavy losses on both sides. Akari, Kuro, and Arnold began suspecting that the shapeshifter army had a larger agenda. Reports of a mysterious figure leading their forces surfaced—a shrouded figure whose abilities seemed to rival those of Akari and Kuro. As tension mounted, it became evident that the war was not just about land or resources but about something much more profound.

With Kuri rapidly growing into her potential and the war escalating, Akari, Kuro, and Arnold prepared for the battles ahead, knowing they were far from the end of this ordeal.

One quiet afternoon, Kuro and Akari were lying side by side, catching their breath after yet another exhausting round of Noor-sharing with Kuri. They barely had the energy to talk, let alone move.

"Finally," Kuro muttered, his voice heavy with fatigue. "I think I can feel my Noor down to negative levels."

Akari chuckled weakly. "Stop whining, Baba. You act like you're the only one being drained dry here."

Just as she finished speaking, a small boom echoed through the air. The sound wasn't particularly loud, but it carried enough force to make both of them bolt upright—or at least attempt to, given their tired state.

"What was that?" Kuro groaned, sitting up with effort, his hair sticking out in every direction.

Akari's jaw dropped. Standing in front of them, wearing a mix of confusion and smugness, was a little girl about one and a half years old. She had striking features—a mix of Akari's pale hair and Kuro's sharp eyes.

"Wait… is that…?" Kuro blinked, pointing at the child.

The little girl tilted her head, placed her hands on her hips like a miniature adult, and declared proudly, "Mama, Baba! I'm cute now, right?"

"KURI!?" Akari gasped, scrambling to her feet despite her exhaustion.

"What just happened?" Kuro asked, still half-asleep and utterly baffled.

Akari crouched in front of the girl-turned-dragon. "Kuri… you're a girl now? What did you do?"

Kuri giggled and spun in a circle, her tiny dress magically forming as she twirled. "I don't know! It just felt right. Maybe it's 'cause I've been drinking your Noor, Mama. It's like my dragon powers mixed with your shapeshifting blood."

Akari slapped her forehead. "Oh great. My shapeshifter blood AND Noor-sharing combined. Should've seen this coming."

Kuro finally managed to stand, wobbling as he pointed an accusatory finger at Kuri. "You—you can just turn into a kid now? Where's the warning, huh? Do you know how much energy you've been eating already? And now this!?"

Kuri gave him her best puppy-dog eyes. "But Baba, don't you think I'm cute?"

Kuro opened his mouth to argue but stopped. "I mean... yeah, but still!"

Akari burst out laughing, despite herself. "Oh, come on, Kuro. Admit it. She's adorable."

"She's trouble is what she is," Kuro grumbled, though his faint smile betrayed him.

Kuri, delighted by the attention, ran up and hugged both of them tightly. "Don't worry, Mama and Baba! I'll take care of you now!"

Akari and Kuro exchanged a glance, both equally amused and horrified.

"Great," Kuro muttered under his breath. "We're parents to a toddler dragon with shapeshifter tendencies. Just when I thought things couldn't get weirder."

Akari patted his shoulder sympathetically. "Welcome to parenthood, Baba."

Akari dragged Kuro into a vibrant clothing shop, a mix of excitement and determination on her face as she sifted through racks of tiny outfits for Kuri.

Kuro trailed behind her, looking utterly defeated. "Remind me again why I'm here? This seems like a Mama job."

Akari turned and shot him a look. "Because you're the Baba. And besides, you have better taste than me when it comes to dressing people, even if you refuse to admit it."

Kuro sighed. "Fine, but Kuri's just gonna grow out of these in a week. What's the point?"

Ignoring him, Akari held up a frilly white dress with gold accents. "Oh, look at this! Doesn't this just scream 'I'm the most spoiled dragon toddler in existence'?"

Kuro squinted at it. "Yeah, sure, if you want her to look like a tiny queen. What's next? A crown?"

Akari giggled. "Why not? She deserves to feel special. Besides, don't you think she looks a little too much like both of us? Pale hair like mine, golden eyes like yours, beautiful as me, naughty as you—anyone could misunderstand!"

Kuro raised an eyebrow. "Misunderstand what? That we're her parents? Newsflash, Akari: we are her parents. Whether we like it or not, the world thinks so too."

Akari snorted. "I know that, but imagine someone asking how we ended up with a kid who looks so much like us when we're not... you know..."

Kuro turned bright red. "STOP! Don't say it!"

Akari smirked, leaning closer. "What? Together?"

"Akari!" Kuro hissed, glancing around the shop as if the walls had ears.

Laughing, Akari waved him off and grabbed a few more outfits. "Alright, Baba, focus! We need to get Kuri ready for school soon. You think this would work for her first day?"

Kuro froze mid-step. "Wait. School? You're serious?"

"Of course! She's our daughter," Akari replied matter-of-factly.

Kuro groaned and ran a hand through his hair. "So now I have to pay for school fees, buy notebooks, attend parent-teacher meetings, and what? Pack her lunches? This parenting thing wasn't in my life plan!"

Akari raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what was your life plan, Mr. Eternal Bachelor?"

"Not this!" Kuro grumbled. "But fine, if we're doing this, she's learning self-defense too. No kid of mine is gonna grow up soft."

"Relax, Baba Bear," Akari teased, patting his shoulder. "Kuri can already turn into a dragon and fry anyone who looks at her wrong. She's not exactly in danger of being bullied."

Kuro sighed dramatically. "Great. A toddler dragon who might accidentally burn down the classroom. We're gonna be those parents, aren't we?"

"Absolutely," Akari said with a grin, holding up yet another dress. "And doesn't this scream 'top of her class'?"

Kuro stared at the glitter-covered outfit and groaned. "This screams 'she's gonna get detention.'"