A Young Dragon

Dragons. The most majestic and powerful beings in the world, able to live in any environment that has a cave. At a young age they set off in search of a home, and when they find it, it marks the start of their grown up lives.
In a particular forest, and in a particular cave, a powerful young dragon girl will soon be starting her own journey.
"That dragon is me!"
The incredibly beautiful slightly tanned dragon smiled, the dark crimson hair in a long high ponytail longing for the wind to flutter it, the horns on the top of her head brimming with excitement for adventure, the wings on her back ready to stretch and fly. She wore a beige drawstring crop top and shorts, and an ankle bracelet with a symbol of fire, clothes flexible enough for a grand adventure. Truly, she was definitely the b-

"Rako! Are you still playing around? Come on and eat already!"
Suddenly, a shout came through along with some knocking at the door.
"Wha- Hey! I was in the middle of something!"
"Well I'm hoping you can be in the middle of eating soon. I don't want you going hungry!"
Footsteps can be heard walking away, leaving me in silence.
"...Fine. No time for narration anyway. It's finally the day!"
I open the door and walk downstairs, entering the kitchen, only to be met by leaf confetti getting thrown as my parents shout with excitement.
"Congratulations!"
I blush as a wide smile comes over my face.
"Thank you!"
Mom gives me a hug before dad brings out a cake, setting it on the table and saying.
"We made you a little something in celebration."
"Cake?!"
Dad laughs.
"Hahah. Something special as our last meal together before you grow up. I already miss my little girl..."
"Dad..."
A tear comes to my eye.
"Well, let's not keep your dear ol' dad waiting shall we?"
"Old?!"
She walks over to him, patting him on the head as she says.
"Heheh, I'm just teasing. Besides, it doesn't matter how old you get. You ain't getting rid of me."
They both laugh, and with that, I sit down as we all begin to eat the delicious cake.

We spend some final time together, having fun, eating, and talking with each other. Finally, some time later I'm standing in front of the door, backpack on, ready to open it.
"It's time..."
I turn around flashing one final smile at my family before I go.
"I guess this is it... I'll..."
I get teary eyed as I continue.
"I'll miss you!"
Dad begins crying as he pats me on the shoulder one last time, while mom smiles and says.
"We'll be missing you more! Oh! I remember, I think there's a good pla-"
"WAIT! DON'T!"
I put my hand up and shouted, not wanting to hear it, and then continued normally.
"Don't tell me, I want to do this myself. It's my journey after all."
"...Of course. I should have known you'd say that."
Suddenly a serious look takes over her and with a smile she says.
"Don't forget to visit when you have hatchlings okay?"
"...
HUUUUUH?!"
I feel an intense blush come over and I dash through the door, out into the dense forest outside, looking back one last time to see them wave me goodbye as mom shouts.
"Don't worry, we'll stop missing you when our next hatchling comes!"
I see dad immediately turn to her, before she suddenly pulls him inside, closing the door.
My dash comes to a stop, and I take a deep breath.
"...Honestly... Trying to replace me already?"
I let out a small laugh.
"No matter! Now's not the time to focus on her teasing!"
I look around with a huge smile on my face, seeing only trees and vegetation.
"Finally! I will become grown!
...I wonder if I'll stop being so small when that happens..."
I remain in silence for a moment, before shaking my senses back into me.
'Wait, I can't say it like that! I'll never admit defeat! One day I'm sure I'll be tall! ...Maybe.
In any case, a great dragon like me should be able to find a home in no time!'
I look back towards the direction I started going, and shout to hype myself up.
"Onwards!"

...

Trees of all sizes were all around me, along with all kinds of shrubbery.
"Truly, what better start to an adventure than in a dense forest. HAHAHA! Simply nothing better!"
I keep walking forward.
'A lesser dragon would have gotten lost at this point, given up, and taken to the skies. Good thing I'm not lost. Definitely. So I sure won't give up!'
I turn slightly and look at the tree standing in front of me.
"...Have I seen this tree before?"

...

After some more time walking I finally come across a bit of a steep cliff with a hole on the side of it.
'...! Could it be?!'
I approach it and step inside.
"...Woah!"
The cave was wide and spacious with several offshoots which could easily be turned into more rooms, along with a hole leading down into more of the cave, perfect for a potential basement.
"It's... PERFECT!"
My eyes widen as I realize.
"I did it... I DID IT! I found it so fast too... I'M GRE-"
"Ex- Excuse me?"
"Hm?"
I look around but end up confused unable to find the source of the voice.
"Down here, below you miss."
"Oh!"
I looked down to see a few small rats staring up at me.
"You're in our home... Do you... Need something?"
"Heh."
A grin appears in my face as I then clearly state.
"Your home? Not anymore. I'm a young dragon, and I have decided that this will be my new home! So, like it is tradition, anyone inside must go. Go on then, unless you want to face me."
"B-But... We're a small family, we won't last long out there. There's nothing around here for a while, at least from a rats walking speed..."
'Mmph...'
"T-That... That's not my problem! Why would a mighty dragon care for such a small rat? Huh?"
The rat looks down and walks away with another rat in tow.
"Oh, okay... We'll pack up then. I'm sorry..."
I see a third smaller rat stayed in place as he kept staring at me with wide teary eyes before saying.
"Please..."
'Mmmmmmmmph...'
The rat parents turn around and urge their pup to come with them. He stays staring for a little while longer, before finally turning around and slowly walking away towards them.
'...!'
"Actually!"
The moment I say that, all three of them turn around towards me.
"This cave is kinda small... Holes everywhere too. I bet... That it's a huge pain to clean up. You know what, this is such a lame cave now that I think about it. I don't want it anymore, you can keep this... Filth..."
The family of rats rush to embrace each other in happiness before the small one comes up to me and hugs my foot.
"Thank you miss great dragon!"
"...I'm Rako. You're welcome..."
"My name's Yuk!"
"Yeah... You're welcome Yuk."

...

I head outside and stared at the sky for a while, before collapsing to my hands and knees.
'WHY MUST DRAGONS UNDERSTAND ALL BEINGS?!'
For a while I smacked the ground with my fist as I shouted.
"DAMN IT ALL!"
'Such a great cave... I've failed...'
I sigh.
'At least they're happy... As if a great dragon should even care about that...'

"Excuse me."
A voice suddenly interrupts me, and I stop smacking the ground as I look up to see a blue slime.
"Are you okay?"
"Huh? ...AH!"
I quickly get up and dust myself off before flashing the slime a big confident smile.
"Of course I am! Couldn't be better!"
"I see..."
I stare at the slime for a moment before realizing.
"Ah, what you saw is just one way I train is all. Hahah."
After an awkward laugh from me, the slime continues.
"Well I am glad you are okay. I was worried for a second."
'He bought it?!'
"Yeah, thanks... What are you doing here anyway? You also exploring?"
"Ah! It would appear I am lost actually. Separated from my home it would appear."
"Really? How did that happen?"
The slime wiggles a tiny bit as if it was indicating fear, and continues.
"The... Storm recently. It was violent."

'Oh yeah, there was a storm a few nights ago...'

"So now I'm trying to find it again, but I'm having no luck. What a shame it is."
'...'
"Just a shame indeed. I'm not tall enough to see over most shrubbery, or much of anything really, so it's difficult for me to find a hint towards it."
I look down.
"I guess..."
"Hm?"
I look back up with a determined look.
"I guess I don't mind you coming along with me. Hmph, I can't guarantee I'm going the same way though, but if we are, then we can stick together. Not like I'd have anything to do on my way to a great home anyway, may as well kill some time."
"Oh jolly! Thank you very much!"
"I'm going this wa-"
Before I finish talking, the slime slithers in one direction, away from where I was about to point, and says.
"I believe the storm sent me flying from this direction."
"Ah...
YES! I meant that direction, that's also the direction I'm going!"
The slime wiggles again, this time feeling like a happy wiggle and says.
"Such a wonderful coincidence! I thank you kindly for your help my lady!"
'That's...'
"...Just call me Rako."
"Very well, I thank you lady Rako for your immense help."
'Lady...'
I feel a blush come over me and say.
"You're quite the polite slime, even more than the standard one."
The slime lets out a chuckle and says.
"Hmhm! Yes, my fellow brethren often say they aspire to my level of politeness. Because of that I must waste no time and get back to them. They will not be able to learn without a proper role model."
I nod.
"Right."

I sigh and start heading in the direction the slime slithered towards.
"Let's go then."