SRMVR - Archive

[Sushi]

<div align=center>Now Presenting:

SRMVR

(Previously Aralc)



Cast:

~Lady Luck~

(Previously Shashara)

--Zandra

--Xamein

--Gabriel :wub:

--Angelica

--Thad

--Death

--Fate

--Chaos

--Randall

--fairies



~Keys~

(Previously IcyDewDrop and OrangeFishy)

{That's right, I just took my name back}

--Kiaati

--Drandar

--Torin

--Opal

--Ariel

--Life

--Harmony

--Time

--Kiril

--a whole bunch of random people</div>







Akako made her way through the streets of the capital city, ____________.



"It feels good to know I'm on the winning side." She smiled triumphantly, taking in the things about her: a prospering city, bustling demons, and not a single filthy human in sight. However, she doubted that her patrol of the forest outside town would be so pleasant. She could have sworn that the place was a breeding ground for the vermin.

¨

Kiaati sits on a chair, carefully studying the papers strewn across the table in front of her. She looks up around the small clearing, contemplating.



"If only there was more..." The human lady scooped her papers up, standing. She walked out of the clearing, shaking her head and brushing her red hair out of her face. As she hides the papers in their usual spot, she softly mused to herself.



"How? There has to be a way – I know it. A hint is all I'm asking for." She sighed, wondering where Jeff had gotten off to. "Anything more than that would be a miracle."

¨

Standing behind a tree, Mizuka was using the spirits that danced around her body as a slight mirror.



"Man..." She murmured begrudged whisperings to herself; the Demon Lord had done quite a number on her before she ran off. That missing eye was bleeding, the flesh was torn apart. She growled slightly.



Routinely making her way through the wood, Akako heard the growl and moved forward to see Mizuka hiding behind the tree.



"I thought you would be in hiding, Mizuka! Not many traitors find the courage to come out in public. They know what Zandra is like and choose to avoiding being caught."

Akako was like this all the time. Instead of arresting immediately, she preferred to stir the pot a little first. That didn't mean that she was sloppy, though. The Demon Lord knew it and trusted her as a chief officer. Mizuka wasn't about to have any of it, though.



"I won't let anyone control me. And I don't care if someone else catches me. I'd rather die than work for Zandra." Mizuka was a rather serious character. She put her long bangs back over the missing eye, swiping blood away from her cheek. "I just came back to see if I can get a few things. I left them here, and you won't tell... right?" As she asked this, she arched a brow upward.



"There are plenty of traitors in the world. I'm not out to hunt all of them. Anyways, that would be someone else's job." Akako continued to walk away knowing that she should have arrested Mizuka and had the power to. She just only did her orders. Though efficient at what she did, Akako didn't ever look for 'extra credit'.



Left alone, Mizuka slid into a small run-down home at the edge of _________ - her house. As she retrieved a few belongings, she paused as she picked up a picture, her eyes drifting over the face of her mother. It made her blood boil knowing that the picture was all that she had.



"You guys won't be winning for very long. I'll stop the demon lord and I'll set everyone free... just you watch..." She slightly narrowed her eyes, breathing the hateful vow to no one apparent and turning to leave. "Only traitors will survive." Her voice was cold and dark as she disappeared again into the forest.

¨

Kiaati sat down, leaning against the trunk of a tree, watching the gurgling river stream run by. There had been so many people fighting back in the beginning. Now they had all given up. Hope was the only thing that kept some going and it was dwindling. There were more leads in the beginning, too. All had run dry. Nothing was going as she planned and, though she hated to admit it, she was a bit discouraged.



Mizuka turned to leave and started to walk downstream. She pulled out the photo of her mother and looked down at it scornfully.



"Because of her my mother is dead." The demon growled and put the picture back as she caught a sharp scent about her nostrils. Slowly walking behind a tree, she had to wonder who it was. A human?



Kiaati jumped up. She clung to the tree trunk as she had heard something. At first she wasn't sure, but now she was positive. The steps... the breathing... She hoped that it was an animal or Jeff.



To Mizuka's eyes the human seemed pretty scared, or at least wary. As she showed herself it was obvious by the aura and spirits dancing around her that she was a demon.



"Calm down, I won't kill you." The demon eyed the human suspiciously. Kiaati stepped backward, her hands automatically going to the sheathed weapons. She had so hoped that she had been wrong, but she wasn't. There a demon stood before her. Kiaati acknowledged her fear but quickly pushed it away as she always had. This was no place for fear. Kiaati eyed the demon suspiciously, looking over the injuries.



"Then what do you want?"



"It obvious I'm a demon... but I'm a traitor demon. And if I guess correctly, you want to destroy Zandra, right?" She arched an eyebrow. Mizuka kept a cool demeanor. Her eye slightly narrowed into a glare. She brushed the long bangs over her left eye up slightly, and the human caught a glimpse of the missing eye.

¨

Akako turns around to see Kiaati and sighs. There was a law about civilians carrying weapons.

"They live to make our life harder. I just know they do." She walked toward the commotion. "A weapon is strictly against the law!" She yelled this at the human and then muttered under her breath, "Sometimes this job is a pain, but it does have good pay."

¨

"Akako, stay back." She was guarding the human. Now Zandra would be very upset to find out she'd helped a human, but she was a traitor now. She got the spirits ready, the formed a black thing of fire around her palm. "Back off."

¨

Kiaati tore her eyes from the demon. That was exactly what she had been waiting for, but now she couldn't seize the opportunity. Kiaati turned to the new person, bowing slightly. "I'm sorry. Here take them. I was just going though the woods, I was worried... about the animals they... scare me." Kiaati prepared to hand the weapons over. She didn't like it, but that was how it had to be. She had to keep a low profile.

¨

Zandra went through the papers on her desk, and smiled as she counted how many were in jail for breaking the law. They were so stupid to try and oppose her; it wasn't like she had them on a leash, yet. If they all kept it up, she might just leash them, that would be funÂ… running around, walking people on leashes.

¨

Kiaati stared at the demon protecting her. Kiaati held her weapon thinking fast. "Oh, I thank you greatly, oh powerful one. Will you have mercy on me?"

¨

Akako takes the weapons.

"Next time be more careful. Some of us don't take excuses like that." Akako said. She then started to leave again.

¨

Akako attempted to go forward but she held her fists out and the fire slightly singed her skin on the face. She only hoped Zandra wasn't watching this from some place. But Akako got them anyway "Human, stay behind me..." She went towards Akako and tackled her to the ground. "Give them now..."

¨

Kiaati bowed several times, backing away into the forest as she spoke. "Of course. I thank you, merciful ones. Thanks a thousand times over." She walked away from the demons, with humble gestures. She had lost her chance, but at least she had her life and credibility.

¨

Zandra sighed about an hour later, she supposed she'd go for a walk; it was so nice out today and all. Zandra was clothed in black, walking in one of the more remote parks, contemplating what she was going to do next.

¨

"You realize that you were lucky before. If it is a fight you want and it's me you choose, I must use force." Akako made a fire appear in her hand. She used that for a warning.

¨

"Pfft..." She spat to the side and the spirits started to go around her hand. "I can kill you right here and right now." She said in a low voice. She let her finger run along Akako's back, and Akako slightly screamed in pain from the spiritual power.

¨

Zandra saw something happening over there, and she got very curious. Zandra walked over, just to catch sight of the fight, but decided to stay back and watch what happened.

¨

The fire in Akako's hand grew big.

"I gave you plenty of warnings. Now you'll regret it." She said this as the fire made a big ring around her.

¨

Kiaati heard a scream. Not a scream of a human, a scream of demon. A small smile played at her lips. What have I begun? Maybe my chance is still there. They were fighting... Kiaati pulled a black cloak over her shoulders, lifting the hood. It was getting colder...

¨

Still watches, though is tempted to strike the issue down without care.

¨

She slightly cried in plan. She jumped out from the ring of fire and she held her bloody missing eye. "Because of that skank I lost my eye..." She muttered and she used the fire to make all fire attacks get knocked away. "I won't die until Zandra does."

¨

Zandra laughs slightly to herself, quiet enough so none would hear.



"Well then you'll never die missy, and those are bold words to say..."

¨

Akako looked in the direction of the voice to see Zandra there.

"Zandra," She said bowing, "I did not see you."

¨

Kiaati pressed her back to the tree trunk. Now was not the time, she would have to wait until the sounds of the faraway battle had passed.

¨

"In my current condition, I can't kill youÂ… not yet. But mark my words... I swear I'll you!" She growled, clenching her teeth, and she balled up her fists. She slowly stepped back. "Just you watch..." She sneered and disappeared back into the sea of trees.

¨

Zandra smiled and came out of the shadows, motioning for Akako to resume normal stance.



"No problem, I found it amusing watching this littleÂ… encounter."



Zandra looked like a cat who had caught a mouse and was going to have fun playing with it.

¨

"There was a human with some weapons." Akako said handing the weapons to Zandra, "I gave her a warning. She said she only had them for protection in the woods."

¨

The woman nodded without paying much attention.



"What do you know about that person?"

¨

In the woods, she then spotted the human. "Human..." she said. She was able to snatch one of the weapons. Though it was just one of them. "Here you go, human..." She gestured the weapon towards the human.

¨

Kiaati's tongue started to itch horribly. That was a bad omen. She walked away from the area. If it were true, then she should be moving.... she needed to get away from them. True, she would be leaving the demon on her side, but if she were dead, then she would be of no use.

¨

Zandra was still looking at the woods curiously, wondering whether she would take the time to go after them or not, and decides not, waiting for answer to question.

¨

"The human? I don't know anything. I you mean the demon, I know her to be a traitor to you, my lord." Akako answered in a robotic fashion.

¨

Kiaati turned around at the sound of a voice. The demon was behind her, holding out a weapon. Kiaati looked it cautiously, turning and walking away from the spot.

¨¨

"I wasn't able to get your second weapon. But I am no foe..." She stated this firmly. Her eye was sore from the attack, the flesh torn open. "If you're seeking Zandra's death, I'll be glad to join you."

¨



¨

Kiaati pushed the kodachi back into the demon's hands. "I don't know what you are talking about. This is a weapon, not bread. Why are you trying to give it to me?" She leaned in slightly, speaking barely audible. "If you are an enemy, kill me. If you are an ally, follow me." She refused to be a spy's toy. This demon didn't seem to be a spy, but there were many in the forest.

¨

"Seriously, take it, and I will follow you. But just take the dÂ…" before she lost her temper, she calmed down some and then calmly spoke again. "Please just take it. It's bad to be unarmed in a place such as this..." she spoke firmly, and a bit demanding.

¨

Kiaati smiled slightly. This demon was definitely not her enemy, and Kiaati liked her fiery yet controllable personality. Kiaati took the weapon, and, though she wished she had both, this would do. She hid it again under her cloak. "Come talk with me." She turned walking along the riverbank.

¨

"So exactly... what are you doing?" She was asking about what was she going to do about Zandra, and wondered if she was planning to get rid of her, just like Mizuka wanted to. She sat down, putting her feet into the river.

¨

Kiaati eyed the demon. She sat down and spoke. "The same thing as you, I think. Let's not get ahead of ourselves though. What is your name? Why are you so interested in the rebellion?"

¨

"I am Mizuka." She whispered this lightly as though shamefully. She held her knees to her chest and looked over. "And yours? If it's rebellion's goal to kill Zandra, I'm interested." It must have been strange for the human to see a demon traitor, but Mizuka had her reasons.

¨

Kiaati stood still for a moment, staring at Mizuka. "My name is..." She paused for a moment, wondering if she should lie. She looked over Mizuka. Her body was injured and her one eye had... emotion? Kiaati had never seen a demon with anything but rage and hatred and contempt in its eyes, until now. Maybe this would turn things around. Truth is a necessity between allies. "My name is Kiaati. If you're wanting to reach the rebellion, you're talking to the right person."

¨

"Hmm... Kiaati... well... I do want to kill Zandra..." She spoke and now stood up. She slightly brushed the bangs away from her eye again then slightly sighed and looked at her. "It probably seems strange to see a demon like me, eh?"

¨

Kiaari laughed slightly, flipping down the hood on her cloak. "Strange?! After all things I've done, hardly anything is strange. It's just unusual." She looked Mizuka seriously. "Now, about Zandra..." She smiled slightly. "We may be on the same page. If you come, I'll get some... documents and we can discuss our... options."

¨

"Hmm, isn't there anyone else with you?" Mizuka asked curiously. She messed with her shirt slightly, making sure the picture inside wasn't going to fall out or anything. "Like another human or something?"

¨

Kiaati sighed, casting her eyes to the ground. "Supposedly, yes. He was the last one... but I haven't seen him in almost a week now." Kiaati didn't want to elaborate anymore. Prodding her stronghold too much might make it break

¨¨

"Maybe... the some where around here. We should wait for a little while. I sense someone..." Soon a male appeared, and he seemed very freaked out when he saw the her there.

¨

"So, who's the evil looking one with the pink eye?" Jeff comes out of farther in the forest to find Kiaati. He had signs of fighting, but nothing too serious.

¨

Kiaati turned around. Jeff was standing beside Mizuka. A smile spread across her face. "You didn't desert us!"

¨

Her eyes shifted to Mizuka as she answered Jeff's question. "An ally. She came about just recently. Her name is Mizuka; Mizuka this is Jeff."

¨

Verda charged in the forest. "Got to find that fool."

¨

"Pink eye?! It's a missing eye and my other one is red!" She defended rightfully. She crossed her arms defiantly. Close. She almost lost her temper there. Then she spoke again, looking slightly looked away. "So... you're the other human?" With this, she looked at the pair out of the corner of her eye.

¨

Kiaati frowned at Jeff and spoke to Mizuka. "Sorry, he's... well... he's Jeff. That's all I can say." Kiaati scratched her tongue against her teeth... a very bad omen.

¨

"Yup yup? Another ally to the cause is an ally to me. Welcome..." Jeff looked back and forth between Kiaati and Mizuka. "Umm, I guess I missed something in the last... I have no idea how long ago that was! I lost track last week, heck, I don't remember why I left! Oh yeah, this." He pulled a small crystal out of a pocket. "It's shiny."

¨

"Just be careful what you say Jeff... I can lose my temper easily..." Her first impression on him wasÂ… well... she could say she didn't seem to be too impressed with him at this moment. She sighed slightly and then looked the other way for a moment. Then she bowed. "Thank you for trusting me."

¨

Kiaati's jaw dropped. "THE CRYSTAL?! The crystal I have coveted since I first learned the arts of disguise?! How did you get the Crystal of Elocin?!"

¨

"Yeah... I have no idea?" He looked at the crystal and then got his eyes drawn to the crystal, mumbling softly to himself. "What the hell do you do?"

¨

Someone had stolen the crystal of Elocin and Verda was sent to get it. "Now it's over there..." She looked over to see a human holding the crystal and cried out to him. "DROP THAT YOU FOOL!"

¨

"What this? But... why?" He looks up and cocks his head slightly at the demon. "Wait... who are you?"

¨

"Another demon. This place is crawling with you Zandra obeying creeps isn't it?" This accusation was growled by the demon traitor. She stepped forward in front of the humans. "You won't get anywhere near them..." Her voice was nothing but serious.

¨

Kiaati sighed, her hand going to the kodachi under her cloak. She spoke quietly to Jeff. "Please give my the crystal for the moment. Then we're going to execute Plan R." He looked a bit confused. "Plan R, retreat! Meet me in our usual place."

¨

"Okay, here's the Crystal... R... run..." He bends his legs, as if checking them. "Okay i can run easily enough." He hands Kiaati the crystal and notices the others slowly backing up, he follows their every movement.

¨

"NOW!" Suddenly Verda looked up to the sky and noticed the moon. "Or I might have to actually attack you."

¨

Mizuka growled, glaring at the woman as she stood in front of the humans. "Fine, attack me. I'll just fight back!" She snapped and held her fighters stance. "This will tell Zandra I'm not fooling..."

¨

Kiaati took the small crystal, glad that no one saw the exchange. She whispered to Mizuka. "Do what you wish, but be careful. Meet us at the waterfall where the river begins." Kiaati suddenly spoke loudly. "Please, mighty demons, forgive my friend and me. We didn't do anything. This is just a rock we found by the river." She held out a shiny pebble about the same size as the Crystal. It normally weighted the base of the sheath for her weapon, but she had quickly torn it off. Kiaati dropped it and ran.

¨

Jeff runs along side Kiaati, and whispers, "That was great acting, where did you learn to do that? ...Note to self, learn to act..." His hand was in his pocket, holding his medallion of the gods he had to carry around. It was a necessity of a paladin.

¨

Kiaati laughed lightly. "If you master disguise like I have, then you have to be able to play the part. Now, try to make yourself quieter. We don't want to be found out and we can talk later." Kiaati grew quiet, taking leaping strides, her feet only gently touching the ground.

¨

Verda could feel it. She could feel the transformation. She was about to change until she heard Zandra speak in her mind "Spare them." I begin to scream and curse. "DAMN IT!" With that, she ran off back towards the temple.

¨

"Hmph..." Mizuka turned, and then she started to run and catch up to the humans. She slightly tripped on a rock. How graceful. Then the picture of her mother flew out from her shirt and landed close to someone's feet.

¨

Jeff had started to breathe hard; he hadn't rested in nearly a day. "Whew... when... do we... rest..." At this point one could hear his stomach growl loudly. "Scratch that... when do we eat?"

¨

Kiaati laughed again, same old Jeff. He was the perfect pick-me-up. "We eat when we rest. We rest when we get to the spot. We get to the spot in about two minutes at this rate." Her thoughts went back to Mizuka, and she hoped she was all right.

¨

Mizuka was imaging things. A rock looked like a pair of feet to her. She dusted herself off and then she traveled further down. She had the humans' scent nice and strong in her nose right now. She jumped here and there, avoiding mud puddles.

¨

"Hmm, it doesn't seem like any fighting went on. Since demons are somewhat dark, I can sense when there is power being unleashed by them... yeah, no disturbances." Jeff loved his divine powers, though those powers were not too powerful just yet. The powerful paladins could sense the exact presence of a demon in a mile radius, but there were hardly any with that much power left.

"Oh, we're almost there? Whew!"

¨

Kiaati stopped beside the roaring waterfall with a tired Jeff beside her. She always hated this part, but it was necessary. She plunged into the cold waters, holding tightly to the crystal. She pulled herself out on the rocks behind the waterfall. She dropped her soaked cloak, her clothes and hair clinging to her. She opened her palm to see the magnificent crystal. She smiled, waiting for Jeff to come.

¨

Mizuka's nose began to sting slightly with that really strong scent of human now. She hated the smell, but she was going to have to get used to it now. Finally, she saw the two humans and she made her way out as she held the picture frame close to her chest.

¨

Jeff was about to yell out as he jumped into the waters, but caught himself. He swam to the other side of the waterfall and springs up.

"So, did you miss me?" He smiles jokingly to Kiaati.

¨

Kiaati laughs again at the sight of Jeff. He is soaked, his hair all in his eyes. "Food is over there like usual." She points to the small covered hole in the wall. The river kept the rock cool which kept the food cool. Kiaati slipped behind the wooden barrier, shutting the door. She changed into the beggar woman disguise. She put the crystal into a silver necklace and it glowed very brightly as she hung it around her neck, tucking it out of sight. She opened the door, looking at Jeff. "Could you block the water with your shield so I don't get wet? Don't worry about my scent, I've got it covered."

¨

"Of course!" He takes his shield and runs over to shield the falling water. "How long will you be out this time?"

¨

"Are you sure about that?" She said and slightly smirked when she startled them. "I can still smell your scent. It burns my nose..." the picture frame, she still held it at her chest-

¨

Kiaati grinned. She had done this many times before. Once she had "disappeared" for almost a month. "Only until Mizuka comes. We need to show her where to come, but I don't want to be discovered. This crystal hides the last part, my aura and my scent. Well, it does more, but I don't know how to use it." Kiaati smiled, ducking under, stepping from the waterfall. "Be back in a few minutes."

¨

Kiaati jumped back, astounded. "You ran too fast. I didn't have time to activate the Crystal."

¨

"Right... good luck then... Oh, hi Mizuka. Come on in, we won't bite." He held the shield out to allow Mizuka to jump through.

¨

The demon slightly grinned and tucked the picture back away. "Well, I'm not an ordinary demon. I used to be Zandra's right hand... even though I hated it..." She slightly muttered and sat upon a rock. She shifted her shirt to adjust the picture right. Then she jumped through the barrier...

¨

Kiaati sighed, stepping back into the cave. "Thank you Jeff." She noticed Mizuka fidgeting with something, but decided it better not to ask. Kiaati looked back at them. "Have something to eat. I'm going to change back into my own clothes." And so she did.

¨¨

"Yay! Food!" Jeff walks over to the stock of food and picks out something filling. "Yum. So yeah... Mizuka... why is it that you became a traitor to that Demon Lord person? Zanada was it?"

¨

"Close, but it's Zandra." His question, well... she might as well tell. She took a seat. "Zandra... well she killed of my mother after she was the last person left. While the process of killing my mother, years ago..." She lifted up the bangs covering her eye. Showing the empty eye socket, and the flesh slowly healing back over again. "She cut my eye out... and after all these years... I was brave enough to turn on Zandra!" She clenched her fists tightly, then brought out the picture frame. "This was mother..."

¨

Kiaati stepped out, staring wide-eyed at Jeff. "Are you having a brain fart? Zandra... only the top demon, our number one enemy?"

¨

After recovering from the shock of Jeff, Mizuka's words sank in and Kiaati turned to look at the photo.

¨

"I uh... have sorta short memory. You know that." Then Jeff fell silent, thinking about what Mizuka said. "I... am sorry that happened Mizuka..."

¨

"It's ok... I never really liked Zandra from the start. But I was afraid for the longest time..." Mizuka pulled her knees close to her chest and stared at the ground while the two humans looked at the picture of her mother. "I would see how she would treat the other demon traitors, and I was scared."

¨

"Yes... well... don't expect us to let that happen without a good brawl first." Jeff attempted to cheer Mizuka up.

¨

Kiaati looked at Mizuka for a moment. She knelt down and hugged Mizuka to try and help her. "We can help you if you help us." Kiaati pulled away, that was the first time she had touched a demon without running a kodachi through it. It was... different.

¨

She slightly grinned, and it felt weird having a human touch her as well without slamming her fist through it. "Of course... and we'll gather more people up... if we can... and we'll get rid of Zandra...." Her voice was determined. Humans weren't bad, not like the way Zandra described them.

¨

"Alright... now that we are on friendly terms, I hope it's okay if I hit the hay? G'night friends." Jeff walks towards his room and closes the door behind him.

¨

Kiaati spoke as Mizuka smiled. "Well, if you could show me where... Where the headquarters are..." She stopped hoping Mizuka would understand where she was going with this. She was getting tired, but she had to know, time could change so many things.

¨

"That's exactly what Zandra wants us to do, she wants us to attack now. It wouldn't be wise" She spoke softly, yet very seriously.

¨

KiaaTi sighed. Mizuka had misunderstood. "No, I know that it is unwise to attack her now, but I need to know where it is. The last time I let it wait I never learned anything and they... they were lost to me." Kiaati looked away. That girl had been Kiaati's best friend, but that was before the warring times; that was before those who helped humans were killed.

¨

"Oh... well..." She pulled out a map, and marked the place where head quarters were."That's where it is..."

¨

Jeff did his prayers before going to sleep. This time he prayed for the wellness of Mizuka's mother's soul.

¨

Kiaati looked at the map for a while. She carefully memorized the spot. If things went wrong, this would not be in vain. Kiaati walked away, opening a door. The room had been used in a long time, and it was waiting occupancy. Kiaati smiled, motioning for Mizuka to go in. "Here is your room. I'm across the hall and Jeff is across the hall 3 doors down."

¨

Jeff just falls into a long sleep of exhaustion after his journey.

¨

He awakened the next morning with the feeling of a good day coming. He rubs his eyes as he got up and went about usual morning business.

¨

Kiaati was already sitting at the table when Jeff walked in. She was fidgeting with the Crystal of Elocin. She looked up. "Jeff was do I smell like?"

¨

Jeff yawns out loud and blinks several times before realizing what Kiaati said. He stumbles out, "Oh, umm... yeah... you smell... umm... like pine trees?"

Please be right, please be right, please be right. He hoped this mentally; it was not a good idea to make Kiaati angry.

¨

Kiaati smiled slightly. "I was aiming for just plain trees, but pine trees will work too. I got the crystal to work." Kiaati got up, stretching. She moved to the corner of the room, opening a basket. She picked up a small bowl and put some of the berries into it. She remained silent as she crushed them with a spoon into a jelly. She put the bowl down on the table with some bread. "Have some." Kiaati herself only ate a single slice. "Jeff, with everything so much stricter it's going to be difficult. I need to get another kodachi. Yesterday a demon took one. Do you know of a place where we can find a dealer safely?"

¨

"Hmm..." He thought while munching on a slice of bread. "Double kodachi's? You'll probably want to visit the specialty blacksmith outside of town. Five miles south towards the desert in the south, I hear they serve good snow cones too."

¨

Kiaati looked at him critically. "You mean that they have took that place off observation? Last I heard from our intelligence was that the demons were carefully watching that."

¨

"Here, take this." Jeff pulls out a sheet of parchment with writing on it. "Code talk to have him forge you what you need. Don't say anything about the actual blacksmith job, the demons will be all over him. He does the forging in secret and sends the items out during his daily delivery."

¨

Kiaati nodded, of course why didn't she think of that? She had been so frazzled recently that some of the simplest things didn't occur to her. She took the parchment and a quill and an inkbottle. Thinking, she dipped the quill into the ink and scratched out her message.

Mr. Eaglesoar,

Your package was accidentally delivered to me. I tore open the box without realizing it was yours. It contained several Japanese tools. I could not find the proper size box to mail them to you, but I did not want to be caught with them and misunderstood. I would appreciate if you could come to me for them. i will leave them for you at the Candle Lamp just outside of town, thank you.

Sincerely,

Yew Dye

I underlined my signature with an arrow with double slants through it, a sign. I looked up at Jeff, to see him smiling at the one of my many code names.

¨

"You shouldn't deliver it yourself, just as a precaution to who knows what." An odd sound came from outside, and it certainly wasn't the waterfall. Jeff pulled out his two-handed sword tucked away in his room to ward off the intruder should it attack or something.

¨

Kiaati heard the sound too and her hand goes to her kodachi. She whispers quietly to finish the conversation. "I know. I'll have one of our few allies deliver it." She draws the weapon out, still feeling a bit bare from only one. She quickly draws a kitchen knife out of a box and comes to stand behind Jeff. It wouldn't help much, but it felt good in her hand. She waited, hoping that an animal would come around.

¨

Jeff keeps absolutely still, making no sounds. He did not want any trouble if avoidable. He didn't sense any 'dark' energy, but the Demon Lord did have human loyalists that were as vicious as the demons. Nothing yet, a minute passes... two minutes... still nothing.

Is it safe? He thought, but didn't move. Then he whispers, "I'll investigate... You wait..." He slowly steps towards the waterfall.

¨

Kiaati let go of her stance straightening up. She nodded, her eyes intense. Jeff was the brave and funny one, she was the brains. They were both intense fighters when the need arose, but they knew when to be cautious, and when to run. She waited patiently, her muscles tensed if so much as a whisper was heard.

¨

Suddenly Jeff disappeared through the wall of falling water and several minutes pass. No sounds are heard. The figure of Jeff disappeared from Kiaati's sight.

He walked around the area, and saw nothing that would signify someone was here. Then walked back in front of the waterfall and looked in for a minute, before walking back through.

"Nothing, you can't even see any signs of stuff being behind the waterfall from out there. Our little noise musta been the wind... or a ghost!"

¨

Mizuka was off somewhere, though still near the waterfall. She just sat up in a tree branch and kept a firm hold of the branch. She looked out, around and such. Finally she stood up on the tree and sensed something. "I must be sensing something else..." She told herself. She looked back then forward again.

¨

Kiaati replaced the kitchen knife. "It could have been a ghost, but you know that only those who need to be helped by or need to help the ghost can see or hear it." Kiaati sat down and looked at the Crystal around her neck. "What do I smell like now?" She hoped that she smelled like a farmer. If only she could figure out the last part of it...

¨

"Eh, I don't know... just some... normal person I guess." He wonders where Mizuka was; she would know scents better than him. Then he went back and placed his sword away.

¨

"This place is wreaking of blood. There must have been a fresh kill..." Mizuka murmured softly to herself as she looked out into the forest cautiously. She then decided to head on back. Thinking that Zandra had sent people out to slaughter her for being the traitor she is.

¨¨

Kiaati noticed that it was getting kind of late in the morning, so she decided to go check on Mizuka. When she reached the door, she noticed that it was slightly ajar. She pushed it open to see an empty bed. Her eyes grew wide. She ran back to her room, grabbing the small coin purse and tying it around her waist. She threw on a cloak and ran out of the room to the main area. She snatched up the papers and the map, folding them and sticking them into an inside pocket in her cloak. "Jeff! We have to leave now!"

¨

"Um, okay. Are we moving?" He runs into his room to grab several important objects, and then stops and looks at his sword, with a puzzled look on his face.

What am I going to do with you? He keeps staring at his large, two-handed sword, and sighs. This was one of those times he hated Zandra and her no weapons restriction on humans.

¨

Mizuka took her time walking, not thinking anything serious was going to happen. She flipped her ridiculously long hair back. The black locks of her smooth hair tickled her knees. She crackered her knuckles, neck, and back with sickly pops. Soon, she made it to the waterfall again, hoping no one worried about her.

¨

Kiaari grabbed Jeff's sword out of his arms so he could hold the rest of the things. "Just come on! We have to go NOW!" She darted out, jumping through the waterfall and plunging into the river's water.

¨

Jeff followed without question, but murmured frustrated under his breath. "Carrying wasn't the problem, concealing was." He ran next to and snagged his sword from Kiaati, seeing as she didn't care about concealing weapons at this moment, he needed something to protect himself with after all. His divine powers were not enough to do much, if anything, to the average demon.

¨

Mizuka spotted them plunging into the water of the river. Her eyebrow arched slightly and she decided to run. "What's the problem?" she asked. She held a serious face and looked at the two who seemed to be in a bit of a panic.

¨

Jeff looked around and noticed Mizuka. "Oh, hey there. Apparently we're moving..."

¨

Kiaati looks up out of the water. Gosh darn it. Razzum frazzum grumble bumble. She grabs onto Jeff's shoulder speaking loudly to over come the roar of the river raging about them. "Stick your sword in the river bottom."

¨

Jeff instantly reacts and tosses the sword into the water. "I hope it doesn't rust or whatever happens to it in water." He turns away and feels foolish standing there dripping with water and stuff being held in his arms, without a weapon, and a demon staring down at him from a tree.

I sure do hope Mizuka really is on our side right about now... if not well then I guess I don't get to go down fighting...

¨

Kiaati grabbed the sword with frustration, plunging it into the sands like she had intended for him to do. She uses that to get herself out of the river when she spots the new demon. That figures. She hoped to high heavens that her notion was wrong. Did Mizuka really turn them in? She tossed the sword to Jeff. She drew out her kodachi. This one had seen them; they would have to die.

¨

Mizuka jumped down from the tree, and spotted the demon. "pretzels, the demon followed me. I should have stayed behind..." She got prepared to fight and looked back at the two. "I may be a traitor, but why would I turn someone in if they're going to kill Zandra, the person I want to see dead?" She wanted to let them know of her innocence. She wanted them to know that they could completely, and fully trust the demon traitor. It would be hard, though, because she was a traitor and a demon.

¨

Kiaati smiled, looking at the demon. Her thoughts were on Mizuka's words. She spoke the truth before. Now she is prepared to fight her own kind. That's all the proof I needed. She left without a word, so it seemed she had played the part of a spy, but now I see. She narrowed her eyes, her body tensing as she brandished her kodachi. Then she made a move, her mood intense.

¨

The sword Kiaati handed Jeff was lighter, and single-handed. Apparently it was not his, but he wasn't complaining. He took his shield out and hopped out of the water in a powerful attacking position, focusing his concentration on the second demon. "By the power of the gods, I will smite thee!" He charged as the demon made a move to attack.

¨

'Smite thee?' Mizuka mentally chuckled and arched an eyebrow. The demon slightly knocked Jeff back, and Kiaati went for a charge only pushed back some as well. The demon didn't want to bother the humans. The demon was after her! The demon ran towards her, she grabbed the fist of the demon, as she glared. "Zandra sent you, didn't she?" Mizuka voice was deathly cold.

¨

Kiaati bounced back quickly, shouting out to Mizuka. "Zuki, allow us. Consider this our down payment." The new demon looked at Jeff, who was charging fast. Kiaati darted to its back, ready to strike.

¨

Jeff stood there, just staring now. He seemed to be concentrating very hard, not something anyone was used to seeing. Then he started incanting a spell, a divine spell!

"Â…and then the lord speaketh a single word, a word of power, a word of demand... the word: Death!" He spun around and pointed right at the attacking Demon, it started spazzing and fell, but the last second it caught itself, but it was weakened very much.

¨

Kiaati swerved, quickly plunging her kodachi into the liver yanking it out again with a twisting motion. This one would not harm her friends.

¨

Mizuka just watched as Kiaati went for the final kill. Then the demon lay there in it's own puddle of blood. The demon traitor knelt down on her knees, and she looked at the burnt mark on the back of it's neck. "One of Zandra warriors..." They arched an eyebrow slightly. She twisted up her black locks of hair and put it to the side so they could see the burnt serial mark on her neck. "We're given different codes, and it tells what they do for Zandra. Basically it's a marking of property. And technically, even though I ran away. I still belong to her...." Her voice was cool and calm.

¨

Jeff collapses from the exhaustion from casting the spell, it wasn't something suggested for novices to cast.

¨

Kiaati looked up at Mizuka and smiled slightly. A brief giggle pressed across her lips. "Sorry about, 'Zuki'. I didn't have time to say your whole name and that kind of just popped out." Kiaati looked at her hands and her weapon. The were covered in blood. She moved to the edge of the river, dipping in her hands and weapon. She stood again, sheathing her weapon. "As you see, we are prepared to fight and are capable of it." Kiaati looked at Jeff. "We have to find a new base. I imagine that Zandra will find this body and then our base. This time we have more time, so grab you cloak so you can hide your weapons."

¨

"It's all right. In fact, I often got called that by my mother." She grabbed her cloak, and she put her weapons in. "I'll carry Jeff..." She willingly picked Jeff up and put him on her back. She slightly smiled.

¨

Kiaati grinned. Mizuka was definitely strong, because Jeff was a pretty big guy. "Well, then I'll just call you 'Zuki', if that's alright?" I looked back to the waterfall. "Just hold on, let me get his cloak. Then we can go find somewhere else."

¨

"Well in human years, I take the form of a 15 year old girl. But I'm actually 50 years old..." She stuck her tongue out and closed her eyes. "He's pretty big... but I'm glad that I'm tall... I am 5'8... hee hee!" Though, she acted like a childish sometimes.

¨

Kiaati ran through the waterfall, returning soaked with Jeff's cloak. She grabbed the things he had dropped. His sword... tied around her waist. His shield... slung across her back. His random things... in her arms. His cloak... thrown around her shoulders over the bulky load. She laughed slightly. This was kind of silly. Either way, they started on their way.

¨

"Oh, and if I didn't mention before, you can call me Zuki, I don't mind." She slightly grinned and looked back at Jeff, "Exactly how old is he? He seems pretty light." Really, to her he felt light as a feather, yet she was a demon, so things were lighter to her. She had her cloak tied up and it hooded over her pointy ears.

¨

Kiaati spoke to Mizuka simply. "Oh, he's 29. I'm only 20, though. It's kind of ironic I suppose..."

¨

"I feel either to young or too old, but my true age is 50, I guess..." She laughed a bit nervously. "Let's take a break for a moment." She set Jeff down. She brushed a few strands of stubborn hair away from his face, taking in the details. "Mature, yet his sense of humor is his childish side." She felt his forehead, a fever. She got some water, and then put the cloth on his forehead. "Better..." She muttered and sat down on the rock.

¨

Kiaati looked at him carefully. "Oh, one of these little things he's always supposed to have on his person. It's some sort of a medallion. Help me find it, please." Kiaati placed the random stuff on the ground and began searching through it.

¨

"Where should I look?" She asked. She replaced the cloth on his forehead. She unwrapped her cloak, showing the tank top shirt she wore, fishnet covering around her abdomen area. She wore tight shorts about mid thigh, and her knee high boots. "Damn." She saw the claws growing out, and her fangs grew slightly as well. "Full moon..."

¨

Kiaati's head snapped up as Mizuka cursed. "What about the full moon? Are you going to be dangerous?" Kiaati was dead still, waiting for the reply.

¨

"I'll only transform, but later on in the night I'll have to leave for a bit to go shed some blood is all. I'm still in control for the great amount of time." She told her. Trying not to worry her. She found the medallion that Jeff was supposed to wear. Around her neck was two necklaces, a blue sapphire, and then there was a ruby gem as well. They began to shift colors on and off, the red to white, and the blue to black. Her red eye shifted more to a deep blood red color, fangs growing more. Horns slowly appeared from her head, and her pointy ears grew larger and more pointy.

¨

Kiaati stared at Mizuka for a moment, very cautious. In control most of the time? Kiaati looked to Jeff. "No offense intended, but we're just going to climb up this tree here... yeah." Kiaati grabbed Jeff's arms, pulling him up into the branches with quite a bit of effort.

¨

"I understand..." She muttered and she put on a fake smile. She sat back against the rock, and she looked down at the necklaces she wore. She gripped them for a moment and she looked off to the side. Her claws grew more. She slightly rubbed her temples; a headache was forming because of the transformation, there was always a headache.

¨

Kiaati knew that she had stung Mizuka with her words. She hoped that Mizuka really did understand though. Kiaati trusted Mizuka, but, if by some freak accident they died, they wouldn't be able to accomplish their goal.

¨

Mizuka leaned back, and she punctured her own lip. The blood flowed freely from her lip. She sucked up the red tangy substance. The blood drinking was helping her keep control. She looked up to the sky. She then pulled out the picture frame and she held it in front of her. She stared sadly at the picture.

¨

Kiaati watched Mizuka. Mizuka was more than an ally; she was a friend. After deep thought, Kiaati secured Jeff amongst the branches and leapt to the ground. Friends were there for one another, even when times were rough. Kiaati put her hand on Mizuka's shoulder. "Zuki..."

¨

Zandra held a sword in front of her mother. She was still young, if she was human. "No, don't hurt my mother, she didn't do anything!" Mizuka pleaded to the demon lord. She began crying as she held onto her mother's arm. "Your mother defied me, in eveyr way. She's a traitor. Move..." Zandra spoke to Mizuka darkly. She didn't move. Zandra slashed at her, getting her eye as the organ fell out. Mizuka cried and screamed in horror. Her mother cried out for her, yelling. "Mizuka... I love you!" Blood poured from Mizuka's eye. As everything began to blur with red, and she heard her mothers scream of death. Mizuka fainted from loss of blood. She was to never to see her mother again. She was awaken from her flashback, when Kiaati touched her shoulder. "Huh?"

¨

Kiaati could see something in Mizuka's eye. It was a strange color... a tear? It didn't look like a normal tear, though. Kiaati spoke softly. "Talk to me. I'll listen." She leaned forward, her red hair falling into her eyes.

¨

Tears of crimson red, formed in her eye. But she tried her best to hold them back. "I still get detailed memories of my mother deaths. It's scary to remember, because I want to move on from it." She always tried to hide such feelings. She didn't feel right showing them because she didn't want to worry people.

¨

Kiaati looked at her and smiled small. "Don't worry, you can talk to me. I won't tell, so long as you don't tell anyone I have a horrible fear of piranhas." Kiaati placed a finger across her lips to emphasize the point.

¨¨

"Well, I guess even the bravest of people have their fears." She tucked her knees into her chest. "Because of her... I shed tears of crimson." She flicked her bangs up. "Can you see the scar, from the slash?"

¨

Kiaati looked and saw a long, thick scar stretching from her cheek through her eyebrow. "Every injury has a story." Kiaati was confused. Were Mizuka's nails and ears getting smaller?

¨

"All I could hear were her cries. I couldn't see anything. It was only a couple days later that I admitted that she was really gone." She felt the scar along her face, with the shortening nails. Being calm often did this, but she still had some features left, like the horns and the eye.

¨

Kiaati watched her carefully. "I've never been through that, so I can't say I understand. I can't say that I know what it's like, because I can only imagine. I can say, however, that I see it reflected in your face. I can see how much it still pains you. I can say that you have a future, and it is bright. I'm going to take the steps with you." Kiaati softly touched Mizuka's knee.

¨

"Hmmm... don't you have a mother, or a father?" Though, she felt she went a little too deep in her personal life just as soon as she had asked.

¨

Kiaati smiled sadly. Mizuka had told Kiaati of her past, so Kiaati should divulge a bit. "I know I had to have them to be born, but I don't know who they are. I was orphaned. I... have my own reasons for being the leader of the rebellion."

¨

"I see..." Mizuka looked off to the side for a moment. Then she looked to the ground and slightly furrowed her eyebrows. "Before I gathered up enough courage to leave I was Zandra's brutal killer." She held up her hands slightly. Then she stared down at them. "My hands are stained with blood. I want to repent for those murders, even though I can't go... well you know." Strange... a demon who didn't enjoy killing? Or didn't enjoy causing the pain and suffering of those who are innocent? Many times Mizuka was questioned for that. The others made fun of her; maybe she was meant to be born of something else, instead of a demon. "Often people really did doubt if I was a demon or not." She finally spoke, breaking that silence between them. She looked back to Kiaati. "I don't know my father. He died before I was born. My mom never told me what type of demon he was, or if he was one at all, but I know I'm one hundred percent demon." She never had parents, how sad. But... maybe it was for the better. It sucks... watching your own parents die in front of your eyes. Maybe it's better she didn't know the loss of the one who loves you most.

¨

Kiaati looked at Mizuka. She wanted to help her, but she wasn't sure how. She wasn't a demon, so she could only imagine Mizuka's predicament. "How do you know? Your father could have been human and that would give a bit of human blood would it not? Then you would have... the ability to go there. Isn't that possible?" Kiaati knew that she was luckier. She never knew her parents, but then again, she would never have to deal with their death.

¨

"My father? Human? Â…Doubt it." She tucked her knees up to her chest. She looked at her, then at the tree. "You might want to get Jeff out of the tree."

¨

Jeff woke up and fell out of the tree. "Ugh, talk about waking up on the wrong side of the bed..." Then he looked around and attempted to sit up, hardly able to. "Where are we?" He noticed his medallion around his neck. "And how'd that get there?" He whispered that to himself quietly so no one else could hear.

¨

"I carried you." Mizuka spoke as Kiaati went to go gather some supplies. "You need to be careful with your magic. You got a fever." She said this in a soft voice. She was still in her transformed state.

¨

"Yes... my magic... I just over did it a little, that's all. Well, perhaps more than a little. The spell was a class seven spell, and I hardly cast level twos. Attempting it should have killed me, yet still I was able to cast it. Umm, oops?" He scratched the back of his head and smiled.

¨

She rolled her eyes. "Still, you're lucky I spotted that fever before it got worse, and lucky for you I'm not really a human or else we would have trouble traveling!" She said that in a rather teasing tone.

¨

"Yes, well, thanks for your help." He smiled to Mizuka. "So," he wondered out loud, "those horns new?"

¨

She pointed at them and looked up. She held that innocent kid look on her young looking face. "Well, it's just for as long as the full moon, and full moons last about three days so I'll go through this transfomation for the next three days."

¨

"Oh, I see." Jeff has to know some knowledge of demons for his training as a Paladin. Therefore he knew of the transformations some demons went through, typically they become violent, well, more violent than usual. Yet... she is different, she might be able to control it. I know Kiaati would want to help, and so do I! "Just know," he started, and then finished with: "I'll be here for you, Mizuka."

¨

She grinned. Yeah, she was definitely different from most demon transformations. "And I'll be here to help both you guys out." She put her legs back to her chest. "I dunno, but I think you'd go well with Kiaati!" She was really in a teasing mood right now.

¨

Jeff starts blushing madly, and turns a bright shade of red. "Umm..." He said, thinking of a way to change the subject. "Speaking about Kiaati... where is she?" He stands up uncomfortably and walks slowly over to the river to get a sip of water.

¨

She only grinned wider on how flustered poor Jeff got. Heehee... good thing I'm still too 'young' to be made teased with by Kiaati for revenge! "She went to gather some more supplies."

¨

"Ah, okay." Hah, I should have known. Kiaati always likes to be prepared. Hmm, is... what Mizuka said... ah, forget it! He shook his head and went to lay back down, since he wasn't feeling too well because of his fever. Still, he was red from what Mizuka commented, it was in his mind while he sat there. He had a blank stare towards the water.

¨

"Did I really make you that uncomfortable?" She asked with a grin on her face. As she walked behind him, she saw his face still red from a fever and blush. She tore of some cloth from her shirt and she put it in the river and squeezed it out. She put it on his forehead and placed his hand there. "It should help keep your fever controlled."

¨

Jeff blinked several times, looked up, thanked Mizuka, and then leaned back and closed his eyes. Sleep overtook him soon.

¨

Zandra glanced over at Akako after thinking for about thirty minutes.



" See what you can find out about the human, I've got to go do some reading and send out some of the green pea rookies. Their only worth so much without experience anyway." She left as she said she would to her personal library for some quick research.

¨

For now, as the others slept to get their rest, she walked out and she sniffed the air. Hmmm. She closed her eyes. She punched the tree and it shattered into an ash-like substance. "What am I going to do besides help the humans?"

¨

Akako watched the Demon Lord leave. Why am I stuck with the hard missions? This is such a drag. She sniffed the air to see if she could find any familiar scents. She caught the one of the human. It seemed to be in the city actually. Not that far away. She started to follow what she could. She had found a small house that the scent was very strong in. She knocked. I should at least have some manners, even if I'm on a mission.

"Open up!" Akako called. She listened, but heard no reply. She made a fire in her hand and burned down the door. She found that no one was there. It had looked like someone had been living there, but hadn't been back in hours.

"So, this must be the human's home." Akako said eyeing the place, "I guess this is the first place I would look to find out about them." Akako walked in farther and started to search the house.

¨

[Sushi]

Kiaati turned returned back to the others in the forest, she had gotten the supplies. Jeff was lying against a tree. How...? She just shook it off, turning to Mizuka. "Can you do me a favor? Could you tell me what I smell like?" Kiaati focused a bit, hoping that Mizuka would say an old lady.

¨

"Well to my nose... you smell your normal scent mixed in with an old lady." She looked up to the sky, with a deep blood red single eye. She closed her eyes slightly and her claws grew out again. "We might have to move out again."

¨

Kiaati nodded, picking up all of Jeff's cumbersome belongings and the supplies. She smiled slightly. I am starting to get the hang of this crystal. I waited for Mizuka to get Jeff.

¨

She grinned slightly and walked up to Jeff. She enjoyed carrying things on her back, it was, to her, training.

¨

Akako was unlike many other demons who would have searched this house. She pretty much kept the place looking the same as it did when she entered. She only left one thing out of place. It was a piece of paper. She picked it up from the spot it had taken on the floor. What is this? It's written in a human language. I can make some words out, but that won't help me much.

In the rush out Kiaati had left one thing behind: a paper that went with the others. She had dropped it, but didn't notice.

Akako had searched the rest of the house, but didn't find anything worthwhile besides that paper.

"I better find a translator." She said looking at the paper in her hand. She left the house exactly as she had entered it. The only missing thing was the paper in her hand.

¨

Kiaati began to walk, nearing the edge of the forest. She stopped, turning back to Mizuka. "Do we want to try and make it across the barren land between here and the oasis just outside of town?"

¨

"Of course. We need to get as far away from where we last spotted Zandra. It's best we run; it's the fastest way." Her voice was in a fiery tone; she didn't want any of the demons catching them. "Jeff's a heavy sleeper."

¨

Kiaati laughed slightly. "Yes he is. Though this is enhanced by the circumstances." Kiaati adjusted the stuff, freeing her legs up. "Okay, let's go. Just don't leave me behind, you can run faster than I." She took a breath and set off, her feet pounding the ground.

¨

Akako made her way through the city until she was at the center of it. This is the most busy place in the world. The capital city must have a translator friendly to our side somewhere in this place. If not, I could try using fear. That seems to work when the others use it. She started to make her way through the city looking for any sign of a translator. The chances were unlikely though. Everyone used their own language now days. She then heard a voice.

"Akako, what are you up to now?" A voice called. She turned to see a wind demon standing behind her. Not any wind demon, it was Makan. He was one of the more trusted followers of Zandra. Everyone pretty much knew him.

"I'm looking for a human translator." She held up the paper, "Zandra has me working on something. Do you know who knows Human language?"

He smiled. That was a good sign. It meant he could help.

"I heard Dalit would know plently of human to get you through." He answered. She looked at him unbelievably.

"Dalit? You have to be kidding. He seems to be... not so...."

"He knows Human. It was he who wrote all the rules for the humans before they learned our language." Makan said, "I saw him in the bar not long ago." Makan started to leave.

Why does it have to be Dalit? While he's drinking too. She started to go look for him, against what she wanted to do. If it weren't for the pay this job really wouldn't be worth it.

¨

They ran across the barren land, trying to get as far away as possible. The trip was pretty much silent. Hours later, they ran about five to six miles across the land. Another ten to go. Kiaati stopped and so did Mizuka. I almost forgot how weak humans can be. She sat down Jeff. "We'll take a quick break. We need to make it as far out as possible. I know of someone who can completely hide our scents, and they won't be able to find us." She took a swig from her water bottle. The sun started coming up.

¨

Kiaati looked to Mizuka and nodded. For the first time in a long time, she felt what she really was. She was a young human girl. Though strong and fiery in spirit, she was weak. Kiaati stood, determined to be as strong as possible. She ran on, following Mizuka. As they ran on, Kiaati focused on the crystal. If only I could get it to mask my scent completely. I know it can, I just have to unlock it. She barely noticed her feet thudding against the ground as she ran. She focused on the crystal, willing for it to work. She was a human, though, a human that had never used magic and that was trying to teach herself. If only I had someone to tell me what magic felt like... how to use it.

¨¨

Akako stood outside the bar. She was debating whether or not that Dalit was her only option. He was trustworthy in a war or a battle. Outside those circumstances, he was pretty much the worst water demon Akako has ever met. She did her best to stay away, especially when he was drunk. He was her only choice though. Even in the capital, it would take forever to find someone else to translate. If Dalit really could read it, her job would be much easier. She finally came out to do her duty. She walked in, and true enough, there sat Dalit. It seemed as if he hadn't been there long. He wasn't drunk yet anyways. She walked over.

"Dalit," She projected her voice so that he would hear her over the crowd, "do you speak human, or read it?"

"Akako! What are you doing here? I thought you hated bars." He said surprised to see her.

"I need you to translate." She said. What an *******. Can't he go on break once without this happening?

"What do you want me to translate?" He asked like he didn't want to. She handed him the paper. She saw him skim it.

"Is this all of it?" He asked.

"It's all that I've got." She was already feeling uncomfortable in the bar scene. She just wanted it done quickly.

"It's a letter of some sort. Well, some of a letter. The first and last pages are gone, not to mention anything else that may have been here." He said getting out a pen. He started to write on the back. "You won't find the name of either the sender or the receiver in this letter, but the information on this particular page will be useful." He finished writing. "That's the translation. Do you want to stay for a drink? My treat." He said in one of his moods.

"I'd rather not." She said taking the letter and leaving. Finally that's over. She thought as she left.

¨

"Every time I get close to the resistance...." Verda looked as the demon Akako walked into the bar. She asked someone if they could read human. Now, why would she need to know that? She was there undercover and no one had discovered her. She followed her out and trailed her.

¨

Akako had come out and looked at the back of the letter. She skimmed it and then started to go somewhere that wasn't filled with the stink of drinks. She found a small restaurant that she had visited often, and she decided to go there. She ordered some food and sat at a table. She then looked at the letter.



On the Fourth day of the Sixth month. We'll be waiting at the Veren Inn. Bring anything that you'll need, for we won't be getting the chance to go back.



There was more in the letter, but the rest just seemed like small chat. They're meeting someone, on the Fourth of the Sixth month. That would be in about 7 days. Akako looked at the letter in curiosity again. Damn! It doesn't have a time on it. Must go with the other pages that Dalit spoke of. Her food came and she tucked the letter away.

¨

Verda went into the restruant. "Can I have some ramen?" The waiter nodded and walked off. Verda thought she was safe until she saw Akako looking straight at her.

¨

Akako was eating her food when she heard someone walk in. She recognized the voice and looked up. She saw the waitress walk away and there she was in perfect view. Is it really...? The stranger could easily have been mistaken for Verda, yet she looked a bit different. Akako then realized that the stranger had noticed her staring and she looked back at her food. Nah, it can't be.

¨

Verda sighed. Close one. Verda thought she had it good until the waiter realized who she was. "Verda?" He got on his hands and knees. "Why are you here!? Please don't hurt me!" Verda moaned. Her plan was screwed

¨

So, it was Verda... I wonder what she's doing here. I've never seen her here before. Akako did her best to ignore the situation. She just ate her food. She was curious about the reason Verda was there though.

¨

Verda got up and walked over to Akako's table. "Hello, I noticed you had some documents that were... human." Verda sat down and looked at Akako. "If you don't mind, I would like to see them."

¨

That's what she wanted. She must have found out from someone. Akako stopped eating and fished out the letter.

"Zandra put me on this herself." She said as she handed it over.

¨



She went over the letter, and her eyes widened as she realized what it was.

¨

Akako went back to eating as Verda examined the letter. She then saw the surprised look on her face.

"What's up?" She asked.

¨

"You don't know? This is the writing of the old demon king Neferti."

¨

"Dalit wrote the translation if you're looking at the wrong side. The human is on the other side." She said going back to her food, "Zandra found some humans to be suspicious and so she asked me to find out about them. I found the humans' home and searched it. That was the only thing worthwhile. It looked like the place had been emptied."

¨

"How did this end up in the hands of a human?"

¨

"It's a letter. Well, some of a letter. There's more to it than just that. Probably with the humans." Akako said, "I doubt that it belongs to King Neferti. How would you know it belongs to him anyways?"

¨

"I knew him way before Zandra became the Demon Lord. I doubt I wouldn't recognize his handwriting."

¨

"Would he have known human? Also, look at the date and the meeting place. The meeting place, I know where that is. It was built after Zandra came into rule." Akako pointed out.

¨

She thought for a while. "There was that one human, Mizuka."

¨

Akako smiled.

"Mizuka was a Demon. She did always seem human, though. She's a traitor these days." Akako looked at her food, which was almost done. A waiter was near and she ordered some more. She was hungry today.

¨

"I try to ignore that she is my sister a lot." She took a drink.

¨

Akako didn't know that. Probably no one did.

"What? You're kidding, right? Wait. You don't kid around often. That's me... But you're serious! She's your sister!" Akako said very surprised. Her food came and she calmed down a bit. "Wow! I feel sorry for you. You have to live with a blood-related traitor. If anyone else knew... wow! I could picture their expression." She laughed a bit at the thought.

¨

She smiled and growled at the same time. "Don't you tell anyone."

¨

"Fine." Akako smiled, "It was just a thought. She's really your sister though?" It was still hard for Akako to take in fully. She never even suspected it.

¨

"Yeah, not that I'm proud of it." She realized something. "Where did you see Mizuka?"

¨

Akako stopped and pondered for a moment.

"I think I saw her with the human Zandra told me to find out about." She then remembered the letter, "I'm going to need that back. I need to examine it a bit more."

I need to look at the rest of it. It could contain clues on who this person is. She eyed the letter.

¨

Mizuka was silent. Then had stopped to rest, and they crossed that barren land. "I'm a bit tired..." She confessed and lay Jeff down. His hair was all over the place from the running that they did. She knelt down and took out his water bottle. She put it to his lips and tucked his hair behind his ear. "Kiaati, we still need a short break. I think we'll get there sooner than expected." She took her own water bottle and chugged it down. It was early morning.

¨

Jeff slowly awakened, and he looked around.

"Another change in scenery... Man, I hate fevers." He saw Mizuka, she seemed a little freaked for some reason, perhaps they were rushing as fast as they could to get somewhere, but he wouldn't know because he was asleep.

¨

"Your awake Jeff!" She slightly scratched the back of her head. She wanted to move out, but she was tired at the same time as well. So, she wasn't sure what to do.

¨

She gave Akako the papers to examine.

¨

"I have to go." She said. She put the money for her food on the table. She left a tip and left. "It was nice talking with you, Verda." She said before leaving. She walked out the door, and looked at the letter again. Seven days until I find out about those humans. I'll look at the General Chat to see what I can find out until then. Akako started to head towards the library. She just needed someplace quiet to think.

¨

She sipped on her coffee. Pity I was given orders to kill her...

¨

Akako got into the library and was examining the letter.

This makes no sense. The writer has no organization! It's as if they just said a bunch of random stuff for no reason! The person reading this would never understand this. One sentence is talking about the weather they're having. The next one talks about politics that don't relate to the what's going on now! It's like the reader is supposed to be... looking for something else.

There were so many thoughts going through Akako's head. The letter made no sense. It had a meeting place and a day. That's all she really needed. Then she noticed something about the meeting place.

That place is only permitted to demons. No humans are allowed there. Why would they meet somewhere unordinary like that? The Veron Inn has guards at the all the doors leading inside, not to mention all of the guests staying there.

Akako looked at it even more. She noticed a lot of grammar mistakes in the Demonic language. She hadn't taken much note of them. She pictured that Dalit was just drunk when he rewrote it.

Wait! How do I even know this is the exact translation. I'm only looking at what Dalit re-wrote.

She turned the paper over and tried to read the Human, but it was no use. She didn't know enough.

¨

She walked over to Akako. "Need some help reading that? I happen to be excellent at reading human."

¨¨

Kiaati stopped in the oasis. She set down Jeff's stuff. She looked up at Mizuka. She sighed focusing hard on the crystal. She suddenly felt a strange power. She reached out and touched it. The smell of a young girl that had been baking filled her nostrils. She smiled. Did I really get it? Kiaati looked up at the sun just above the horizon. I have to go... She spoke to Mizuka. "Zuki, please, take care... I have something I need to see to." With that she ran off to the south.

¨

"Take care Kiaati... we'll... be here it seems." He flopped down in exhaustion, him being sick was causing him to hardly be able to stay awake any longer.

¨

"Um... ok..." They lacked one person now. She turned to Jeff and she stretched out her body. "Ready to go? we need to go see some people in the city about ten miles from here." She cracked a couple bones in her body. Then she put on her cloak. "You'll need your cloak too, Jeff."

¨

Akako didn't realize that Verda was looking at her. She kind of jumped at her voice.

"Yah, I think Dalit wasn't thinking when he did the translation. There isn't any sentence that relates to another in here. It's as if the writer didn't know what he was talking about!" Akako was getting frustrated with the letter. She couldn't figure it out. Her guess was that it could be a code, but she needed to be able to read the original copy to understand the code. A translation wouldn't work.

¨

He sits back up, and blinks a few times.

"Aww, do we have to?" He stands up and put his cloak on, and picks his stuff up, after getting a drink of water. He then thought I have more than enough strength now to cast that healing spell. Just that I won't be able to use it for another 24 hours. Hope I won't need it from now until then.

He focuses and starts waving his arms around in front of him, a small white light formed between his arms and then he extended both hands in front of him, and the light surrounded his body. His fever dissapeared and he was fine again, but still tired.

¨

"Yes, by now I suspect they might know where we're heading. So we need to make sure to get this done. I'm sorry." She said and she stretched out her legs one more time. "If you want, I can carry you so we can go faster." She said and stretched her legs out more.

¨

"Ah, um, okay." He walks over to her awkwardly gets on her back. "Heh... umm... yeah... ready when you are."

¨

She slightly chuckles and she took in a deep breath. "Ok, let's go." And off they went. She moved at a great speed.

¨

Jeff has to hold on hard to prevent falling, he hopes he doesn't hold on too hard... but then again she's a demon so she is much stronger than himself.

"Are... we... there yet?" He could hardly stay awake now.

¨

"Yeah... and be careful where you put your hands, Jeff..." She wanted to move them herself, but her hands were occupied. She felt slightly embarrassed.

¨

"Its in code." She grabbed the paper. "And it looks like the code of the..." She stared at the paper. "How the hell...?"

¨

"Sorry!" He quickly moved his arms and holds around her neck instead, without choking her.

¨

"Heh, it's ok. You didn't touch anything..." Though he was close. As the time went by the slower she ran. "But we're almost there. About another mile or so..." She said back to Jeff. She hadn't stopped once to take a break.

¨

"Only a mile? I can run it. Let me down so I don't burden you more. I'm sure you're tired by now." Jeff let go and dropped down onto the ground and stood up somewhat slowly. He then starts running, following Mizuka.

¨

"We're here." She said as they stood in front of the town. "Put your cloak on. This is a fallen village of demons. Filled with traitors with nowhere to go, or injured in battle and can't do much anymore, or having lost someone special and they're too tired go on... if you know what I mean..." Yes, they were all dead in some sort of way.

¨

I knew it! It is a code! Then, that means I won't be able to read the code if it's in human. Darn!

"What's it say?" Akako asked.

¨

"I don't know..."

¨

Jeff put his cloak on and flipped up the extra large hood. His face fell into shadow.

"I know what you're thinking... this 'shadowy' look doesn't fit me..." He looked ahead into the empty streets; this sent a chill up his back.

¨

She held back a laugh. "You don't want to be noticed, as the same with me. We aren't broken in anyway, and you aren't of these species, so we have to disguise ourselves..." Pft, shadowy look... heh... She looked around, and she followed the path to the place where they needed to go to.

¨

Akako looked over Verda's shoulder at the letter. She noticed something strange. The bigger letters are supposed to be at the front of a sentence. What's that big letter doing there? She grabbed the letter without thinking and started to examine it. There's another one in the wrong spot. And another. Maybe those letters are there to mean something special.

¨

"Oh, okay. Then I guess I should look more depressed to fit in..." Jeff hid his hands inside of his cloak, and looked down to the ground. Really his hand was on his weapon, but he still looked sad. He wanted to learn to act like Kiaati could, and the only way was to practice.

"Lets go then... where to?" He put a sort of depressed sound into his voice. It wasn't the best, but it worked.

¨

"Old man's place..." Her voice naturally sounded that of a broken person. She took the corner and came to a house, well a small cottage was more like it. She opened the door and called out. "Old man!" She slightly shouted into the home. A tired, worn out voice was from the kitchen. "Mizuka... is... t-that you?" When the crippled old demon man came out from the door. Mizuka slightly smiled.

¨

Okay! He thought. No funny stuff! You're depressed because of some unknown reason and you are completely serious!

"Hello... um... old man..." He then turned to Mizuka and whispered to her, "So, who is he? Is he on our side or what?"

¨

"Yes he is. He's the one who helped me when I came to the fallen village after my mother died. He helped me regain my spirits. He said I was too young to be fallen." The old man slowly walked up to her.

"What brings you here?" Mizuka softly smiled.

"Well, we need your help. You see, I finally broke away from Zandra, and I know you're excellent at all sorts of things. We'll need to restock on supplies and some of your potions to hide our scents for a couple days each time, just enough to get us two towns over. There are other places there I need to visit."

¨

Jeff didn't say anything, since he didn't know what he should say at a situation like this. He was somewhat known for accidentally almost ruining things, so he tended to stay quiet during serious times. He'd just wait until he was talked to, and then he'd reply.

¨

"Who's this young fellow?" The old man asked.

Mizuka slightly scratched the back of her head. "Well his name is Jeff, and, since I trust you, he's not a demon."

The old man inspected Jeff as he slightly circled him slowly. "A human, all right. I can smell it." His voice was tired.

"He's not a bad fellow, Old Man. But... on to business. Old Man, we'll need some supplies such as food and everything, and I need a weapon as well." She stated to the old man.

"And you?" The old man pointed to Jeff.

¨

"No, but thanks." Jeff carefully took note of the landscape. It was mainly flat, but very hot out. Should he have to run for any reason, he would have to be sure to cast his Lesser Protection against Elements, and focus it against the heat (or fire). He waited for Mizuka to make a move before he did, though.

¨

"If you want, Old Man here can make you some spell books. Attacks are powerful, but they're around your level. He's good at that kind of stuff..." Mizuka said looking over to Jeff

¨

"Well... I'm not really a magic caster; just as I gain powerful as a Paladin, the gods give more faith in me and grant me new spells. So I shouldn't be able to cast any spells from a spell book." I pulled out my stuff to show that I had no books. "See? No books."

¨

"There is something here that you'll need - just go look around." She nudged Jeff forward.

The Old Man slightly smiled weakly and opened the curtain up to the next room. "Have a look around..." The old man said.

¨

"Oh, well, thanks Old Man." He walked in and looked around. Jeff didn't expect any holy objects since this was a demon after all. There were no holy artifacts as thought, but there was an interesting book. He took it off the shelf, but was unable to read it. It was in an Ancient language.

¨

"That one... yes..." The old man spoke.

"Wasn't that the book that any user can learn to read it... to put anything powerful into a sleep? Forever?" Mizuka asked pointing to it.

¨

The Old Man says, "You have a great memory, my little Mizuka. For the last person who was able to read it did learn that spell, but the spell changes for every person, or so I was told. I cannot read it. Why don't you take it, human? It'll serve you well if you learn its contents."

"Are you sure?" I asked him, and he just nodded. "Thanks." I looked at the book for a little while, while Mizuka and the Old Man talked.

¨

Mizuka got all the supplies they needed. She bowed before the old demon man and she put the hood back over herself. "Thanks again Old Man, I'll come see you again soon." She called out as she waved. Both Jeff and she walked back out into the broken village. She pulled out some potions.

¨

"I'm guessing those are 'Stench-Be-Gones' ?" He looks at the potions that Mizuka had pulled out.

¨

Mizuka put her hand over her mouth as she tried not to laugh or giggle. "You could say that. These lasts for about two or three days." She said and handed him one of the small bottles. "It has a horrible taste, but it's worth it." She popped open the top, chugged it to finish it all.

¨

Akako took out a pen and a small piece of paper. She started to copy the big letters as best she could. She copied them all in a row. When she looked at the paper. She still didn't understand it. She stared at it hoping it would make sense soon, but it was still just a bunch of lines, curved and strait, formed into weird symbols. They didn't mean anything, no matter how much she stared at them.

¨¨

"Well... Bottoms up." Jeff took the bottle to his mouth and started chugging. He almost choked, but he kept drinking until it was all gone. He gagged as he finished, but held it all down. "Whew... glad I don't have to drink too many of those."

¨

"Yeah. You'll get used to the taste." She told Jeff. Their scent was gone and no enemies could follow them for now. "We should get out of this place for now. We're finished here."

¨

Jeff simply shrugs. "Okay," he says, "Lead the way."

¨

Akako was still looking at the symbols she made on the paper. I'm in a library. Surely they have a translation book in here. She looked away at the books trying to think of where to look for one and how it would help.

¨

"Yes." They walked out of the village and they began their walk down a dirt path.

¨

Jeff simply follows in silence. He was looking through the book, trying to find a clue to what it said.

¨

Mizuka would look back at Jeff. Her hands were at her sides. From the corner of her eyes she watched as Jeff was trying to see if he could understand anything. She then spoke silently, "When the time comes Jeff... you'll soon understand those words in there. Slowly." He eyes went back to the road in front of them.

¨

"I hope so." Jeff finally closed the book and tucked it away under his arm. "YeahÂ… Where are we going again?"

¨

"Don't worry, you will!" Mizuka smiled.

¨

"I have to go." Akako said, "I think I might be able to make out what this code it." She stood up and started to leave.

"Goodbye." She said as she left the library.

¨

Kiaati stood in the shadows of the trees, covered by her cloak. She was breathing heavier than normal, having run miles upon miles. She had gotten it. Her kodachi. The blacksmith had been quick and professional. He had even sharpened the other. They were now tied around her waist, brushing her arms covered by the cloak. Where had Jeff and Mizuka gotten to? Kiaati winced at the strange sharp smell coming from her. She had finally learned to fully control the crystal when she was gone, and at the moment she smelled like a demon. She didn't like it, but it was necessary. Kiaati knew she had her limits, and it was more important to find her allies right now.

¨

Akako looked at the letters on the piece of paper again when she stepped. They just don't make sense. How could anyone understand this? She tucked the paper away until she could think of a way to solve the code.

¨

Kiaati continued to gracefully skirt through the shadows in quick motions. Where are they?

¨

Mizuka sat upon the tree. The two travelers have gotten far, but where was Kiaati?

¨

Kiaati moved fast, still not used to the smell of a demon coming from her own pores. She saw two figures ahead in the forest. She hugged her cloak tighter and crept quietly along in the shadows. One was in a tree and the other was fairly large on the ground. Is that them? She moved swiftly and silently in their direction.

¨

"Hey, is this a palm tree? Or just another mirage? Ugh, this desert is annoying." Jeff sat on the opposite side of the tree of Mizuka. He felt like he was dying from the heat, but he never once complained about it.

¨

As Mizuka sat up on top that tree she stared out into the distance. She noticed a figure coming close. Jeff looked up at her. "Hmm someone is coming this way." She spoke softly. Her hands were at her side. She jumped down from the tree, her own eye squinted. "Is that her?" She spoke.

¨

Kiaati stopped for a moment seeing a figure jump from the tree. They must have seen her. She pressed her back to a tree, staring through the shadows at them. Her hands went to her kodachis underneath her cloak, just in case the figures were not her comrades.

¨

Mizuka sniffed the air some more. She closed her eyes trying to get in her scent. 'That has to be her, no doubt about it. That's her scent.' She thought. From her bag she took one of the small potion bottles the old man gave her. Something to hide Kiaati's scent for about a month. And of course she stocked up on these.

¨

Jeff stands up and looks towards the trees where Mizuka saw the figure. "Hello? Are you a mirage or are you actually someone?" He yelled out. He really didn't feel like going through the stress of figuring out who it is and if it was a threat... but not in that order.

¨

"You know what Jeff..." she said and looked at him. He looked at her for a moment. "Your lucky I can pick up scents, because if that was an enemy, we have to be high tailing it." Because it was way to hot for her to fight, but then yet the same thing is with running.

¨

Kiaati stepped out of the shadows with a light laugh. She released her weapons and flipped back her hood. She looked at Jeff and laughed, not even able to reprimand him. She shook her head. "I'm sorry if I spooked you." She eyed a bottle in Mizuka's hand and let the crystal's small cover up fall away. She wasn't sure why she even bothered. "Is that the potion, Zuki? If so, i want some." She held out her hand.

¨

Akako started to walk the streets again. I wonder if that human went back to their home. If not, I'll go back to see if I missed anthing. She got there quickly to see that the home was the same as it was when she left.

"This is swell..." She said a little annoyed. She had wanted to ask the person questions about the code.

¨

"Eh, i'm just stressed I guess."

¨

Akako started to search again. This time more carefully. She didn't want to miss anything.

¨

Mizuka sighed a bit again, "Yeah it is." she simply said. She tossed the bottle to Kiaati and she caught it. Mizuka slightly turned around, her back showing a bit towards her. "Just to warn you, it doesn't taste the best. The first time you drink it, you might want to gag. But after awhile you'll get used to the taste." Mizuka stated.

¨

Kiaati popped open the cork and downed it quickly. The thick substance left her mouth dry and it stung a bit as she swallowed it. It was nasty. She'd deal with it though, after everything, she doubted a nasty taste would kill her. She coughed a bit and corked the empty bottle, putting it into her bag. She shifted her eyes up to Jeff, he looked hot. "Here." She handed him her canteen.

¨

After a while she had searched the entire home, and Akako found nothing yet again.

"Is this really the only clue someone would accidently leave behind?" She asked as she looked at the paper, "I'm mean really! Most people are a litte more careless." She looked around in frustration, "Maybe I can find their scent, and then...." Her voice talking to herself trailed off and turned to thoughts. For crying out loud! Why didn't I think about that earlier? She headed for the exit and looked back into the room. She saw something underneath the small table in the room. She walke over and took a closer look. It was a knob of some kind. She pulled up on it too reveal a small opening in the floor. In the opening, she saw a dagger, a sword, a few arrows, and a bow. It was filled with weapons, but not many. She picked up the closest sword and unsheathed it. It was well-made and the handle was beautiful.

"Now why would someone leave this lying around?" She laughed to herself, "Were they in some sort of hurry, they forgot." She sheathed the sword and tied it to her belt.

"I know one thing." She said as she exited, "The human didn't just have those weapons for the danger in the forest..."

¨

Mizuka took her canteen as well and she poured the water over herself. And sighed relieved. "We're about to enter another town soon, which is good." She said. She put it back in her bag. "There we can wash up and wash out clothes as well..." she mentioned. She was stinking, and she didn't like that. Being a female and all... there was always something about hygine!

¨

"Thanks Kiaata." Jeff took it and took a sip. It was refreshing, and then he dumped a little on his head, just enough for him to feel it. He then returned the canteen to Kiaata. "Almost there huh? Well then, why don't you lead the way? Unless our leader Kiaati wants to lead us."

¨

Kiaati took a small sip before closing the canteen. She looked to Jeff and then to Mizuka. "Every good leader knows that sometimes you need to yield to others more knowledgable than yourself. I'm not entirely sure of this area, I haven't been here before."

¨

"Anyways, it would be best if I lead the way. Becuase I'm very familaur with this place." She said and she put her hands behind her head. She grinned.

¨

Akako sniffed the air, but couldn't find any trace of the human. Strange. I can normally get a catch of anything if I tried. Not often is the scent just gone. She then looked back in the house out of mear bordom, and then noticed she had forgotten to close the trapdoor. She ran over to shut it quickly and then the dagger caughter her eye. She decided to take a close look at it. She did, and liked it. She put it in her pocket and closed the door. She then finally exited.

¨

"Sounds good to me, as long as someone leads." Jeff followed Mizuka.

¨

Zandra was walking quietly and tapped Akako on the shoulder.



"Well? Anything new?"

¨

Mizuka nodded her head. They started to head out towards the town. Of course she was getting hot and sticky again from that hot sun beating down on her. She didn't like it. She didn't like the sun at all. But in the town, clouds always seemed to be covering up the place, no sun shine.

[Sushi]

¨

Kiaati nodded, and followed Mizuka. She liked to lead, but she was willing to submit to someone else. She knew it was best to let someone better than her take over... even if it made her feel weak and helpless. she smiled wide, at them before shifting her eyes to the ground, consumed in thought.

¨

"After we visit this town, Kiaati, you decide where we need to head next." Because in this town, she needed to stock up on more supplies. "Though I suggest we contiue to ehad out further more as well. Build up out srength. Because past this town, we'll be attacked by demons. And building up expreince is what we most likely need to do..." before they go attack Zandra...

¨¨

Jeff looked over and saw Kiaati (spelt it right this time ^_^) looking down to the ground. He walked over next to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Everything all right Kiaati?"

==

Akako jumped. She didn't expect Zandra to be there.

"Oh, I didn't see you, yet again. Um, I did find this letter..." She said as she pulled out the letter, "And, well, I couldn't read it, so I had someone translate onto the back. I looked at it and it was useless, but then when I looked at the side I couldn't read, I noticed something. The bigger letters. Some are in the wrong place. I know that much about the Human language. I wrote them all down on another peice of paper in order as the big letters appear." She handed the letter to Zandra, and the peice of paper the letters were on. She then bowed to show respect.

==

Zandra nodded and jotted down a few notes as she looked at the paper.



"Good job, so I suppose you were looking for a reliable sorce of information to figure this out? Well either way keep on it."



Hands peice of paper back and looks at akako for a second, then leaves for town, muttering about "Pay raise".....

==

Kiaati jumped as Jeff touched her shoulder. "Hmm? Oh, nothing... just thinking..." She looked at Mizuka. "Oh no. You have an inside look at the way things function for our foes. Do whatever you wish, don't worry, you'll know if i disagree." She smiled slightly, remembering when someone had once argued with her over her leading.

==

Akako smiled and looked at the letters again. They just couldn't make sence to her. She sighed and tried to find a scent of the Human again with no luck. I can't think of what to do... Maybe Risa could help. She was always good at puzzles. She smiled at the thought of seeing her sister again.

==

"Okay, well if you need someone to talk you, you know who to call... but if you can't find that person, i'm here for you." Jeff smiles.

==

Zandra continued to walk into town, she had a few people to talk to about a few things she'd found out from her agents. Like this human running around, according to what she found out she knew about the only missing crystal, if the human hasd it....

==

"Hmm ok... well you know, your still the leader, right?" she said. They started to walk right now.

==

Kiaati laughed lightly, her eyes trailing off again. "Okay, Jeff." She wanted to untie her cloak, but then she would not be able to hide her belongings, so she left it on. She tucked a stray lock of her red hair behind her ear. The wheels in her mind continued to roll. "Yeah... I know..."

==

ZAndra slapped the idiot infront of her and left the room, this was the fifth erson to tell her little more then before. The note she had seen just suggested at were this group would go next, it didn't garentee anything, but it was worth a try...

==

Mizuka could now see the town in front of them. She had her hands behind her head. They were about a couple miles away right about now. "I can see the town, good..." she muttered.

==

"Oh, good. Then I don't have to ask 'are we there yet?' because I'll be able to tell..." Jeff kept following.

==

The edges of Kiaati's mouth twitched. Not quite a smile. It would have been, but her mind was pulled too deep into thought. She had that horrid feeling of having forgotten something... something important.

==

After a little bit, Jeff's legs started to become sore, even in pain. "Ugh... are we there yet?" He asked, totally forgetting what he had said not too long ago.

==

Akako decided to ride a horse to her sister. The sooner she got there, the better. She went to the stables and checked out her horse. While she was there she also payed for the next month, which was coming up soon. She rode out of town at a brisk walk. She would jog when she was a bit farther from the big city. She took the quicker path that went strait through the desert to the town of her sister. It took a while, but not days. It would have taken much longer without her horse, Eri. She stoped when the town came into view. I haven't seen Risa in a long time. I wonder if she has changed. She then continued toward the small town.

==

"jeff, we're almost there..." Mizuka sighed a bit. She scratched the back of her head. She made a small face of disgust as she could feel the sweat in her hair. "Uhhh...."

==

"That's good knews..." Jeff kept following, but now his mind started to wander, and he decided to pull out that book again.

==

As Akako arrived into town, she saw three figures in the distance. Just a few travelers. I don't reconize any scents either. She brought her horse down to a walk again and made her way towards Risa's home.

==

Kiaati spoke to Jeff without even looking up. "At least you're not carrying someone around. If you don't keep on your toes, I might jump on your shoulders. Or maybe Mizuka will. You never know." She smiled slightly before turning back to her thoughts.

==

*sweatdrop* "Yes, i guess you're right..." Jeff looked over at Kiaati, and then looked back at his book. He begun to reccognize letters in it... but not what it ment.

==

Akako got off her horse and tied the reins to the nearby tree. She walked up to the home she stoped at and knocked on the door. A girl a little younger than Akako answered the door. A big smile spread across her face.

"Sister! It's you! I haven't see you in ages!" Risa ran up and hugged her and recieved a hug back.

"It's good to be back little sis. How has it been for you?" She said smiling as they engaged in conversation.

==

Risa smiled and motioned you {Akako} to the table in the kitchen.



" I've been well, but how in the world did you know Zandra got here? She just stopped by and left a pouch of coins for you and didn't say but five words. And a letter, but I didn't open it....."

==

"She did? But I didn't..." Akako said confused. Zandra is just everywhere today!

==

Risa just nods and hands you{Akako} the note.



You open it and read one simple sentence.



"Keep on your toes, more then you realize is here."

==

Kiaati saw that they were getting close. Jeff was focusing on some book, and she smiled devilishly. She had told him to be on his toes. She glanced around and picked up a rock. (OOC: yes there's a rock in the desert, it's smallish, but it's there) She pulled back and hurled it at his head, but soft enough to not really cause injury. She smiled innocently as it hit, waiting for him to react.

==

Akako looked at the note a bit puzzled. It didn't make much sence to her. She tucked it away in her cloak.

"So, Risa. I've run into a small problem that I believe you could help me with." Akako said, "You see, I found this letter. I believe it's in code. You were always good at solving puzzles."

==

The rock hits Jeff in the head, but he ignores it and kept attempting to read his book. After a little bit, he gave up, and looked up at Mizuka. "Hey... what was that for?" (Delayed Reaction...)

==

Zandra was on the outskirts of town, she had watch the three come in, she wasn't sure who they were, they just resembled ordinary travelers, and their scent gave nothing away, but she had known the crystal to be in this general area. Now, just to get ehr hands on the last one.....

==

Risa looked excited as Akako handed her the letter and the letters. She had always enjoyed mind tricks.

"Ah! It's in Human. Not our everyday language is it? This should be fun!" She looked up and smiled.

"Can you read Human?" Akako asked.

"I learned in the time we've been seperated. Very confusing language. If you want something easy, I'd suggest taking something else." She said as she looked back at the letter, "Of course, I'm not fluent yet, but I can make plenty of this out."

"It would be like you to try something hard." Akako nodded her head smiling, "So, what do you think?"

"This is a tricky code..." Risa answered, "Not just a bunch of strange symbales, but actually words in a certain order."

==

Kiaati looked at Zanad. "don't blame her, i did that." She just shook her head as they entered the town. She pulled up her hood, shielding her face in shadow.

==

"I... knew that. I just... umm... looked the wrong direction." Jeff put up his cloak's hood and hid in it.

==

Kiaati rolled her eyes, though it was impossible to see it. "Sure...." She smiled slightly. "And to answer your question, that was for not being very alert. That could have been a flying elephant and you wouldn't have seen it."

==

"How long do you think it will take?" Akako asked curiously.

"What? You finally come to visit on business and then you want to leave as soon as possible?" Risa said still studying the letter. Akako was about to say something, but Risa interupted.

"Don't worry, I know what you mean." She smiled, "Won't take that long. You were onto something with the capital letters."

==

Mizuka laughed at them soon clouds began to cover the skies, as they walked on into the town.

==

Kiaati walked behind Mizuka, speaking quietly to her. "Without me, I think he'd fall apart... You ever met someone like that?"

==

After a while Risa finally spoke.

"I think I have it." She said. Akako walked over to her sister.

"You did?" She said excited.

"Mm Hm," she nodded, "You see, you only payed attention to the letters. The real issue is the words with the capital letters. If you read all the words with capital letters, then it says:

"In the mid of night at the begining of the fifth month, meet me in the town of Ramietic."





"That's tomorow, and that's this town!" Akako said suprised grabbing the letter.

"Funny how that work, isn't it?" She said smiling. Akako smiled back.

"Thanks sis. I wouldn't have been able to do this without you." Akako hugged her sister, "I'm going to have to go now. Bye." She said as she put the hood of her cloak up.

"Bye, Akako. I hope everything works out." Risa smiled as Akako left.

==

Mizuka laughed again. "I can see why, no offense jeff!" She said and she smiled slightly. They walked in the dark land. But there was some light. Clouds covered everywhere. She looked around.

==

Akako steped out to see that the town was no longer sunny, but had turned cloudy. She sighed. It was such a nice day too. She untied Eri from the tree and mounted her. She started to ride her horse at a walk until she found a small inn to stay at for now.



==

Kiaati held her cloak close. "If you don't mind my asking, why are we here?" She eyed the dark clouds above her. That must be pretty rare. Rain in the desert? She just shook her head, tilting in down so the wind would not catch her hood and blow it down.

==

"Well, I know a person here. She sells weapons and such with powers in them. Of course they are not only for demons, but they are for any creature. The person just has to have right powers for it." She stated, "Because when Jeff and I visited Old Man, he gave him a book... it deals great powers. But Jeff has to keep trying to read it to under stand the words..."

==

I'm in the right town, at the right time. I wonder where exactly these people are meeting. This town is small, so it shouldn't be that hard to find this meeting after it starts. Akako smiled. For a while she thought that she was completely lost, but now she was perfectly confident as she rode Eri through Ramietic.

==

Kiaati nodded as they began walking through the streets. "Do they know you're coming?" she watched the many creatures walking through the streets.

==

"I sure do hope not..." Jeff looked at all of the demons patrolling through town. "Is... there a plan B?"

==

"Don't worry, they know me around these parts. Though I suggest you guys keep your cloaks on..." she told them. She had her hands at her side. She closed her eyes slightly. She then looked behind them. "And I usually just come here randomly too."

==

Kiaati gave a chuckle speaking from under the shadows of her hood. "I'm not so stupid to even thinking about taking the cloak off."

==

As Akako was searching for an inn she saw the small group of travelers she had seen not long ago. The looked like normal travelers, but then they didn't. Something was familiar about at least two of them as she passed them. But she shook off the feeling after they passed.

==

Mizuka couldn't helpt but roll her eyes. "Well, you know just in case..." she slightly smirked as well. As they contiued to walk down those streets. Those clouds began to give off a light drizzle.

==

Jeff drew the cloak in closer to him... he sure didn't want it flying off or something. "Gotchya..."

==

Kiaati remained silent until they had walked on a little bit. "Mizuka... did you see that? I've seen her before. She was the one in the forest. She took my weapons."

==

Akako felt a drop of rain hit her nose. She looked up letting her hood fall onto her back. She saw somemore raindrops.

"Strange... Rain in the desert." She whispered to herself, "I just hope it stops soon." She looked down and sighed. A raindrop hit her head and it reminded her about her hood which she put up quickly.

==

She gasped, "How the hell did she get here so fast. This would take a demon at least five or six days to catch up to us.... how..." she suttered. She pulled the two behind the building. "Ok, we have to hurry and get out of here. And we'll need to move fast, come on..." she said and she pulled the two off in into the backroads, only she knows of.

==

Kiaati pulled her arm from Mizuka. "I'll follow, but I really don't like people grabbing me." She stared at Mizuka, waiting for her to move.

==

"Sorry..." Mizuka said. They walked on into the back roads. This place seemed to be covered more with clouds. And the rain was falling a bit faster here too. But no one ever bothered to come back here. Because they didn't know anything was back here. "After we see her, then we'll head out of here." she stated.

==

Kiaati stopped for a moment thinking. "Do you suppose she didn't recognise us? After all, the first time she passed us right by." She looked about the dark backstreet. "We'll probably seem really suspicious if she happens across us here."

==

"I like this rain!" The rain came down, slowly drenching everything... then it just down poured non-stop. Jeff sat down and relaxed for the time being. It was somewhat safe because the rain would cause everyone to stay inside, and they were outside. "I think she might have reccoginzed us. Lets stay in hiding just incase..."

==

The rain started to come down harder. OK! This is the deser! So, why is there so much rain? So far, this town is due for the next year already.This rain had started to make her frusterated.

==

Kiaati looked at Jeff and sighed. The ran was pouring hard. She only had to wonder what this downpour would do to the land unfit for such. She had to wonder what would happen to them. She had to wonder how things would turn out. She stopped seeing what was in front of her as her thoughts pulled her deeper. Will our war be won? Will we return to a land where we live without fear, rather pride? How will we handle that? People have forgotten why we fight. No one has the heart to see it anymore. I... I feel as though our side is losing... slowly but still. No leader can lead without followers. That's what they've done. They've just been waiting for us to run out of resources and willpower. I will fight to the death, but if i die and if my comrades fall as well, then who will carry on our legacy?

==

Verda saw the group walking through the desert. "HEY!! YOU NEED A PLACE TO STAY?"

==

Zabdra had been keeping her distance, watching the group vere off. The abnormal rain conceling her. Thank goodness for her eye sight at the moment. She hoped that Akako had already made it to her sister's house. That was one of the few people she knew that Akako trusted and was the mostly likely she would go to.



She just waited, watched and waited for the group to do something, they had caught her attention. She wasn't going to waltz right up to them, becuase if they were whom she was looking for they'd lead her to more, eventually. She had already arrested the old man she had run accross, amoung as few others, she would round them up, slowly, but surely...

==

She sighed slightly, "We're almost there. Don't worry..." she said and she looked behind real quick. Jeff was acting pretty childish. Her long hair was getting soaked in the down pour.

==

Kiaati rolled her eyes. "Mizuka, you never did say whether your friend was expecting us."

==

"I told her I would be popping in randomly at times. Don't worry..." Mizuka said and she slightly smiled.

==

Kiaati shrugged. "I'm not worrying. I'm just curious, that's all."

==

Mizuka looked aheadm "Come on we can go through the back." She whispered. They walked into the store, "Hello... Ameki, are you in here?" She asked. The women Ameki came out with a smile on her face. Why did she look human?



"Hell Mizuka, how are you?" she asked

==

Zandra continued to watch, waiting, following silently behind when they got to far ahead, the rain feeling cool on her feet.

==

Kiaati looked at the woman and smiled, though her face was hidden beneath her hood. "Hello."

==

"Hey there Akemi" She said,



"Who are those two?" Akemi spoke.



Mizuka slightly smiled, "These are my two friends, Kiatti and Jeff..."



"Hello there" Akemi greeted.

==

Kiaati flipped down her hood and looked at Akemi. She smiled politely. "Do you have a place where we could put our wet cloaks? They are soaked due to the heavy rain outside."

==

"Ah yes, over there." She pointed to a rack, "It's always like this over here." she said.



Mizuka had nodded her head in agreement. "They think it's because that several people had died her once. And they died in vien so they're always crying." She shrugged her shoulders.

==

"I see." Kiaati untied her cloak, hanging it on the rack. All of her things were exposed, her weapons, her purse, her canteen, ex cetra. She smiled. I look like a pack animal...

==

Jeff walked in, bowed, and then put up his cloak. He didn't have too much stuff, just his weapon, some Paladin stuff, and that book. Then, feeling sleepy, he looked out the window at the rain.

==

"Oh by the way. Akemi isn't a demon. She's actaully a human." Mizuka spoke.



"So these two must be human then huh. So you finally did it?"



Mizuka nodded her head.

==

Zandra managed to be out of sight as she saw the young huan turn. She knew him for human, though he didn't smell like it. This was going to be so much more fun now that she knew this.....

==

Kiaati looked at Mizuka. "No, Jeff's a paladin."

==

Zandra whispered somethign to the winds, the house shimmered for half a second then returned to normal, now to find Akako....

==

"So... what are we doing now Mizuka?" Jeff asked, still looking out the window, he felt like he was being watched for a moment, but it passed.

==

It was still raining hard and Akako was trying to find an inn quickly. She was still riding Eri through the streets, which were much less crowed than before. Everyone had gone inside to escape the rain.

==

Zandra finally found Akako, and tapped her on the shoulder....

==

Kiaati glanced out the window. She didn't like this, not one bit.

==

Mizuka smiled, "Well we here to stock up on some more supplies. some legendary weaponry... only I know of out of everyone else...."

==

"Oh, well then. Sounds like a cake walk." Jeff said so that it sounded like he was telling the truth, but gave off a vibe of being completely sarcastic.

==

Kiaati sighed, just waiting for Mizuka to show them what they needed. She kept her eyes moving though, she still had an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach.

==

"Though I must tell you. Only certain weapons will work depending on the person." Akemi said.



"Just like the book you have, Jeff..." Mizuka said and Jeff took out his book she watched as he looked at it.



Akemi went to the windows and closed the curtain, "I hope you visted old man for thise hiding scent potions,"



"We did." Mizuka stated.

==

"I see..." Jeff kept looking at the book, things were slowly becoming recognizeable, but not understandable.

==

Kiaati nodded. "Okay, so how do we find the right one? How do we know that there is even one that will work for us?"

==

"Oh trust me. She'll find one that suits you." Mizuka smiled.



Akemi nodded, "Trust me on this. There's a a weopon for everyone's ablities."

==

Kiaati raised a brow. "You have my attention." She looked at the others. Well, they had most of her attention. Not all of it, of course, but as much as they were going to get.

==

"Alright, follow me to the back." She gestured to all three.



Mizuka was right behind Akemi, "Did you make any new weopons when I was gone?" she asked.



"Yup, and all are very well done."

==

Jeff closed his book and followed closely behind, not wishing to get lost. He looked at the weapons as they passed, the worksmanship on them were amazing. "On the outside they look like they're only for show..." He said, not complaining, but rather just stating the truth.

==

"These weapons are legendary. You see, I'm not an ordinary human. I was given specail ablities when I was born and such. It was just a blessing my mother had. So, I can make powerful weopons... with powers in them and such, or how ever the person wants them."



"I tried out one of her bow and arrows one time. And I can say, that was the best bow and arrow I ever used..." Mizuka smiled.



"Mizuka, stop it." Akemi spoke and she scratched the back of her head with a sheepish smile.

==

Kiaati smiled a bit. This should be interesting... She honestly wanted to try, but she just couldn't shake the uneasiness inside of her.

==

"Ok, tell me.... what kind of weopons do you use? which ones have you practiced with?" Akemi asked Kiatti.

==

Kiaati tilted her head. "Smaller, and lighter ones. One used in close combat. I currently have double kodachis." She lifted her arms to show the sheathed wepons on her hips.

==

"Well, since you have kodachis. I made a nice sword, it's pretty light. Feel it..." She handed her one of the swords.

==

Kiaati held the sword. She could tell it was light, but it felt strangely balanced in her hands, like it was turning back her wrists. She smiled, handing it back politely. "I would much rather you suit my companions first."

==

"Oh, I already know what I want. I ordered it months back.... and told her I would pick it some day!" she scratched the back of her head slightly.

==

Kiaati nodded. "Then do Jeff." She walked slowly about, looking over the wonderfully crafted weapons.

==

"Me? Um, okay... I'm guessing you'll want to know what type of weapon I use?" Jeff turns around to show his 2-handed-sword strapped to his back.

==

"Ok, do you perfer light weopons or heavy weapons?" Akemi asked. She was slightly turned to face Jeff, and she looked at the weapons on the wall and such. She then looked at Jeff in the corner of her eye.



Mizuka was looking at some of the weapons as well. She needed a new one. Her last one broke.

==

Akako jumped again. She didn't expect Zandra yet again.

"Oh. Hello, Zandra." She smiled.

==

"I typically use heavy 2-handed swords... I actually never have heard of a light 2-handed sword..." Jeff thought about it for a moment, what would a light 2-handed sword feel and look like?

==

"hmm, do you want to try the light weight one?" Akemi asked.



Mizuka was looking at some of the daggers and she took them and started to look. "Hmmm" she began to feel the tip. they let out a small shock of static.

==

"Hey, why not?" Jeff asked.

==

Akemi smiled and she took it down from the wall. She handed it to him, "You'll find this much easeir to mobve around with when your going to run."

==

Kiaati looked over the many weapons, listening to the conversation. She sighed. Maybe I shouldn't worry about weapons. Mine are good and I am best with the smallish kodachis...

==

Jeff lifted the weapon, it was two-handed all right! But... also very light weight. "Wow... this is different..." He held it in one hand for a little while. "Sort of defeats the purpose... but looks great and is lighter than my cloak! Yup, silver's much lighter than grey," He joked.

==

"Not only that, these weapons can deal much more damage than any ordinary weapons. Hey Mizuka!"



"Yeah?" She asked.



"Come here..." Akemi gestured her to come forth.



"Here, shot this bow." she said and handed her an ordinary bow.



"Where?" She asked.



Akemi pointed to a targe. She shot it and it stuck there. "Now look at this one that I made." Akemi said.



She handed Mizuka her custom made bow and arrowed. She shot it and not only did it stick, but the target shattered in peices.

==

"Wow! That's one strong bow!" Jeff looked at the poor targe, in pieces on the ground. Then he looked at the sword she handed him.

==

Kiaati looked up. "Amazing..." She spotted something that looked like some sort of extended dagger. Hmm... She leaned down closer. "What is this?"

==

"That's one of the three elemantal daggers I made..." Akemi slightly grinned.



Mizuka began to exam and bow and arrow she just shot.

==

Kiaati looked at it. "What does that mean?" she looked up Akemi. She wasn't stupid, but certain things were interperted differently amongst other people.

==

"Fire, Ice, and Lighting." Akemi spoke, "The one Mizuka was holding was the lighting one. The one your holding is fire. Basically when the hit something, it withh either send volts through the enemies body, sent them a blaze, or freeze them... thought when you use daggers like those... you have to be careful.... my weopons like animals... they have to grow to like you..." Akemi sweat dropped a bit.

==

Kiaati nodded, still looking at it. She picked it up out of curiousity and turned it over in her hands. It was very well crafted. She toched the blade with the tip of her finger lightly. It was very sharp.

==

Jeff looked at the blade. "So, what's special about this weapon?" He asked. He hoped that it was something more than 'being light.'

==

"Well... take a swing at it at that targe over there..." She said and pointed.



Jeff did so, it shattered into ashes instead of chunks like the bow and arrow did.



Mizuka smiled.

==

"It's... like burnt toast now... without the toast." Jeff looked at the targe, and then at the weapon.

==

Kiaati stroked the blunt edge of the dagger with her thumb. Yes... very well made. Kiaati looked up. "How do I know if it likes me?"

==

"Burnt toast?" Akemi asked and she couldn't help but not chuckle.



Mizuka looked at Kiatti and answered her question. "Well, like Jeff's book. With a lot of practice with it and such, the more power you can draw from it because it's getting used to the new user."



"Very good Mizuka." Akemi praised.



Mizuka grinned, "Thank you"

==

"I see... hmmm." Jeff wondered how much they'd have to pay for the weapons. He didn't have too much

==

Kiaati smiled slightly. She gave it a small, gentle wave through the air, careful not to be too close to the others. It felt natural as it cut through the air swift and smooth. She held it closer again, examining it carefully.

==

"They're free...." Akemi asked, "I promised Mizuka any purchases she makes from me is free. she.... saved my life countless times. Since you guys are her friends. Well... you get it right?" She said.

==

"Wow... are... you certain you don't need anything?" Jeff felt bad for just taking the weapon... it's craftmanship and abilities were great, and must have taken a lot of time and effort to create.

==

Kiaati looked at the magnificent dagger. "No, no. I insist. There must be something to pay you? If you don't want money, then what?" She watched Akemi.

==

"no no, it''s ok. I wouldn't be holding my promise to Mizuka if you guys payed me any way. But I can tell you what, just stay alive you three. I hate the fact that Zandra wants all humans destoryed... I'd actaully like to go outside for once without having to fear my life..." Akemi said.

==

"Yes... that sounds fine. Succeed for the weapons." Jeff nods. "I vow to do everything I possibly can to defeat Zandra, and stay standing." He does a prayer then, to make his vow Holy.

==

Kiaati nodded solemnly. "All right then." She held the dagger. "Thank you for your kindness. We'll give it our all."

==

"I'll know you guys do fine." Akemi said, "And as you enter new towns. Mizuka knows my friends, So like maybe every three months, you should have the weapons checked and they'll do repairs. The more you practice with them... the stronger the weapon becomes itself."



"Yeah, that's why I lover her weapons." Mizuka put the bow on her back.

==

"Thank you very much." Jeff bows and then latches the sword to his back, and took the old one off. "What am I going to do with you..." He asked his sword.

==

Kiaati took off one of her kodachis, replacing it with the dagger. "I thank you greatly." She handed the kodachi to Akemi. "Would you maybe like this? It's in perfect condition, just been serviced."

==

Zandra just smiled and motioned Akao to follow her, she lead her to a smaller building. It was warm and dry inside and the room seemed to glow without any light source.



" Sit, we need to talk."



Motions to seat across from myself.

==

Akako sits down and looks at Zandra.

"What is it?" Akako said deciding to let Zandra tell her news first.

==

"Ah! Yes, would you like to take my old sword as well?" Jeff asked. He touches the tip of the sword and his finger starts bleeding. "It's... still in a good condition..."

==

Kiaati sighed, looking at Jeff. She saw that he had cut himself on his old sword. Who does that? She shook her head and smiled, her voice teasing. "Smooth...."

==

Jeff scratches the back of his head. "Well... I was just demonstrating."

==

Kiaati laughed. "Well, okay then. If you were just... demonstrating." She smiled at him.

==

"I found the humans and the traitor demons, and many others, following a source that at the current moment is no issue......"



Zandra Started fiddling with the chain around her neck without thought...then released a sigh, mummbling about back before the humans had been an issue, before they had brought (Both sides) this war amongst them. Most forgot what they fought over .....Shot most nolonger saw it as a war, but a as she had heard it a "Revolution / Uprising " among many other things....



She leaned back, thoughts continuing to turn inward, mummbles turning to silence... She if she was completely, and wholely honest with herself, didn't wish these humans dead, they intrigiged her . That was why she hadn't killed them all on the spot, and she had killed the old man only because she had been left no choice, but these issues were not important at the moment.....



Zandra seemed to come out of her thought proccess, waiting on Akako to respond to her brief news. She had no worry of losing track of the humans now, so she had time to think, to plan, to come to terms with herself....

==

Kiaati just shook her head and sat her weapon on the table. "Do with it what you want." She looked to the door. "Thank you again, but I really think we... I should go. I have a bad feeling about staying here..."

==

Akemi nodded her head, "Go on, I have that feeling to. Actaully go through here..." She said.



She opened the bottom floor and Mizuka jumped in, "No one will know where we're heading next. We're going far away from here." Mizuka stated. "And Akemi, put a barrier around your weapon shop for a week, as always."



Akemi nodded her head, "Yeah, I'm glad nothing can get through the barreirs."

==15==

Kiaati smiled and nodded, quickly throwing on her cloak now only damp. She quickly proceeded through the floor. She remained silent, though she wanted to speak to Mizuka. She thought it might be better to keep her thoughts to herself, at least until they had moved on a ways.

==

Akemi watched as they left, "Good luck Mizuka, you'll need it..." Akemi softly spoke. She then went off to go put the barreir up.



Mizuka and the two others began to rush through the under ground passage. It was somewhat like a sewer, but it wasn't wasteful water that was under here. It was water that came from the rain so it wouldn't flood the area. "We should move fast... here." She tossed Jeff and Kiaati another bottle of some sort of potion. "For an hour you guys can move as fast as I can."

==

Kiaati looked at it critically and shook her head. She uncorked it, tipping it up and swallowing it quickly. This one was thick and it felt like fire trickling down her throat. She gave a quick shake and corked the empty bottle before placing it in her bag. After a moment, she was able to feel its effect taking hold. She felt lighter, like she could move a mile a minute. She grinned at Mizuka and waited for when they would go.

==

Mizuka looked to Jeff and to Kiaati, she nodded her. Head, they started up and they began their run through the sewer like area. "In an hour... we'll stop and we should be very far from that town..." she said in a low whispered. Good thing no one else knew of Old Man's potions.

==

Kiaati followed Mizuka, her feet lightly tapping like always, but she was able to move much faster. She blinked several times. It was sort of dark down in the sewers. The wind made her cloak billow out behind her, and she had to keep her head tilted down to keep the hood up. She just ran, it was exhilarating. Kiaati kept going, waiting for Mizuka to tell her to stop.

==

After an hour, she came to a stop. Jeff and Kiaati were a bit tired out. She pointed up, "Here..." she stated calmly.



The went up to the opening. When it was opended. They were surrounded by a thick viney forest. "This is where we will be travleing.... fighting demons along the way to come to a stop...." she said.

==

Kiaati stepped into the forest, speaking quietly, her voice barely above the rustling in the trees. "Mizuka, you have my support. I have to ask though, where are we going?"

==

Mizuka sighed a bit, "After we reach the end of this forest. Our strength will be much stronger. Also, we are heading to one of the four towers. Once four towers light up.... well, something is supposed to appear... that'll help us."

==

Kiaati nodded, this just made sense. She looked to the shadows. "I too have heard the legend." She blinked reciting it.

"'When towers light, four in number;

a magic will rise from it's deep slumber.

To help the weary and worn it plans;

the fire exists, to that it just fans.'"

==

"You found them? That's great. What is the next stage in action?" Akako asked excitedly.

==

A smiled danced at the corners of Zandra's mouth. then she sighed.



"Don't get to ecxcited, I'm not sure how I want to handle this issue. I can't decide if I want to stop them and if so, how..."



Fiddles with crystal then sighs...



" I suppose just following them for now would be best..."



*Toses you a necklace from pocket.



" No, and I mean no, matter what the spell, trap or location, you will always find them with that, don't lose it, I only have 6, the seventh one...."



Shrugs slightly, going to get some dinner from the fire.

==

Akako catches the necklace and put it on.

"Why wouldn't you want to stop them? They're threatening the Demon power, your power." Akako asked, "It's seams to me that you of all people would want their downfall." She was examining the necklace. It was very beautiful.

==

Mizuka nodded her head, "Exactly, now we are off to go light them up. Though, it'll take some time. But along the way, we'll meet more people..." she said.

==

Kiaati nodded, looking off through the trees. The air was cooler and she felt the dew collecting on her as she sat still. A slight chill ran down her spine as the temperature penetrated through her skin. "Yes." She blinked several times. A light mist covered the floor of the forest.

==

Mizuka liked the dampness of this place. She inhaled and looked back at Jeff. Then they started to walk off and into the depths of the forest. "So far, nothing..." she said,

==

Kiaati looked up as it was getting darker. She moved up to where she was walking beside Mizuka. She felt her belongings bouncing against her underneath her cloak. She sighed.

==

"We should stop and make camp and rest for a bit." Mizuka stated. They shouldn't rest for too long. But enough to where they had the strength to go through the forest without much of a hassel.

==

Kiaati nodded. "I concur." She glanced about, finding several trees close together. She smiled at the two, grabbing a branch and pulling herself into the tree. She climbed high enough to where there were many leaves about her before she adjusted her cloak tighter around herself. She looked down at the pair, her legs dangling over the branch. "I think up here would be best. If you like I'll take first watch."

==

Zandra looked Akako over a second. Her question hadn't been unwarrented, just she usually kept her mouth shut. Good a back bone, just what she needed more of...



" They intrige me."

==

"I'll be back, I'm going to go fetch us some nice river water, and a couple berries too. These are pretty huge, but they are good and meant for all speices..." She said and she took off, not very far though

==

Kiaati watched her go, offering a hand to Jeff to help him up into the tree.

==

"Oh..." She said still fiddling with the necklace. "Hey, if I can find them with this necklace because they have one, does it work the other way around too? Would they know if I was near?"

==

Jeff reached up and took Kiaati's hand to help him up. "Just like old times, eh?" He leaned back and relaxed a bit.

==

Mizuka came off into a clearing area and she stared intently at the crystal clear water. She knelt down and took out some bottles from her pack.

==

Kiaati smiled, letting her eyes drift off as soon as Jeff was up in the tree. "Yes... just like those times..." She sighed, pulling her legs up to her chest as she leaned against the tree. Those times so long ago.

==

Jeff glanced every now and then at Kiaati while laying there. After a while he started wondering what they were doing up here in a tree.

==

Mizuka got the water, and picked some green looking berries of a bush. These were about the size of a soccer ball. she put them in her bag... and walked back to the area.

==

Kiaati laughed at a memory that came to her. She looked over to Jeff, and explained once seeing his face. "Remember that one time that we were hiding in a tree like right now?" They had hid in trees many times, using their cover for safety. "And that old lady walked by to hear us talking. Then we convinced her that we were the tree, talking to her?" Kiaati laughed a bit more.

==

Jeff starts chuckling. "Yeah! And then she took out her pepper spray and attempted to 'punish' the tree for harassing her?" He started laughing a little harder.

==

"Sssh, you two quiet down, you want to attract wolf demons. They are on hunt tonight you know." she said. She jumped up to the branches, they stared at the bga. She pulled out the berries.

==

Jeff starts breathing hard, trying to control his laughter. "Sorry... just sort of remembering the past." He looked at the bag. "So... what's in the bag? Some assortment of berries or something?" He smiled.

==

"Yup..." Mizuka grinned as she brought out those big soccer ball berries, green colored. "These are really good..." she said. She now pulled out the water.

==

Kiaati immediately silenced, she looked out through the trees. She didn't very much like being told what to do, but she would keep to herself for the moment. She let her eyes scan the ground, as she wound her fingers tighter into the fabric of her cloak. The muscles across the back of her shoulders tensed as she pulled her legs tighter against her body.

==

A sweatdrop forms on the back of Jeff's head. "I... wasn't serious about the berries... and they're huge, are you sure we'd be able to eat them in any less than 10 sittings?" He scratches the back of his head now, and then looks around the tree, seeing nothing.

==

"But seriously, you don't have to eat all of it. This is to last us for a while. you should cut them up with your sword, and I'll put them in my containers so we can snack on them later..."

==

Jeff looks down to his sword. "Um... a problem with that... this sword toasts as it cuts... so the berries won't survive a cut, will they?"

==

Kiaati rolled her eyes, unsheathing the one kodachi she had kept. She handed it to Jeff. "use this." She looked away again, absentmindedly running her fingers along the sheath that held the knife given to her.

==

"Oh! Um... okay." Jeff takes it and slices the giant berry into many pieces.

==

Mizuka pulled out the containers, "Now take the pieces you want."

==

Jeff takes one piece and takes a small bite. The berry was delishious, and it was very juicy.

==

Kiaati took her kodachi back, wiping the berry juice from it. She watched them place the pieces into containers as she put the weapon away. She took a small piece of a blueberry, about the size of a silver dollar, and shoved it into her mouth. She turned her head again, laying it against the trunk of the tree. The gentle breeze tickled at her face.

==

Mizuka took two good sized peices, and put them in her mouth. "And of course, along the way. We'll be needing to hunt down some meat... we can't just live off of berries."

==

Zandra watched Akako fiddle with the necklace before answering.



" No, in this particular case it won't. I know how to use these crystals better then the human does, for the moment. Each works differently of course.Any more questions?"

==

Akako stops for a secound and thinks. "Nope, I'm good." She replied simpily.

==

Mizuka brushed herself off, "Ok, I think we're done resting up now guys." The demon traitor stated calmly.

==

Kiaati nodded, hopping down from the tree. She looked out through the trees. It was dark. I wonder what time it is... She pulled up her hood, waiting for the others. She would move up beside Mizuka now, partially reclaiming her position. She knew where they were going now.

==

"Alright, you know the way to the first tower right?" It only felt right of Kiaati took the lead. After all she was the leader of the group. And Mizuka only helps on the tactics they'll be using for fights.

==

"Well then, we're finally back to normal, eh? Lead the way Captain." Jeff smiled to Kiaati. 'Mizuka is nice and all, but it doesn't feel right following her...'

==

If Kiaati was willing to take her leading spot. She was going to stay at the back, and watch out for any unexpected visitors that would pop out. 'They shouldn't know where we are. Even if our scents couldn't be picked up now... this forest just knocks everything off...' she slightly bit her lip... looking around.

==

Kiaati nodded and began walking off. "Yes. I know where we're going." She glanced at Jeff with a smile. She liked being the leader. It was in her personality.

==

So that was it. Kiaati stepped forward, Jeff was in the middle. And Mizuka barely trailed behind the others. She was looking around. But at the same time she was out of it. Her crimson oculus just scanned the area, in a half lidded stated... teeth were still rested on her bottom lip.

==

Kiaati looked around up ahead. She knew that the second you allow space for error it happened. Murphy's Law, simple as that. It was strange this forest, something seemed so out of place. As they walked on, it hit her. It was too quiet. "There are no birds or anything..." She spoke it as a whisper that pierced the eerie silence.

==

Mizuka was a little to far back to hear Kiaati say anything. She was pretty much silent and too far back to here anything. Her eyes still scanned the area calmly. She had her hands at the side. The she let this crimson eye close for a moment.

==

"Yes..." Jeff whispered back. "This forest is... nerve racking." His hand was on the hilt of his sword, ready for an ambush that he knew was going to happen eventually. This forest was the perfect place to do so...

==

Kiaati spoke to Jeff. "Deep breaths Jeff, don't let your nerves get the better of you." A light fog was rolling in through the trees. Wonderful. "Fog."

==

Mizuka noticed the fog. They would need a torch along the way. She stayed silent and she began to search through her bag. "Here..." she called out. She tossed the torch that was not light yet and Kiaati caught it, lighting it on fire as she rubbed it up against the tree. Mizuka didn't say another word.

==

"Don't worry about me," Jeff said. He followed silently now. His Paladin training was kicking in now: when the going gets rough, he gets a more serious attitude.

==

Kiaati held the torch high, lighting a large area. "Thank you." That was all she said before giving into the eerie silence. Before too long she could hear the gurgling of some flowing water source. She was careful. Even with the torch, sight was not her strongest point right now.

==

Mizuka's crimson demon eye, the pupile dialted a bit like a cats would into the small sliver of a diamond shape. 'There's a swamp near by...' she thought. 'I'm surprised no demons have jumped out to attack.' Mizuka kept her fists clenched.

==

Kiaati held the torch a little lower. The trees' branches were closer to their heads and she definitely didn't want to catch anything on fire. It was a bit unnerving, but she kept a cool head. She knew they were somewhere, but she wasn't anticipating their attack. She listened, but nothing but silence rang in her ears.

==

Mizuka then stopped. The others didn't notice because she was far behind them. But she could still see where they were at. She pulled out her bow and arrow, and shot at a tree. This was one that had a roped hooked to it, she pulled the rope back and she sniffed the dead animal. 'Hmm it's fresh... the demons might be further up ahead...' She began to quickly walk, until she was three feet behind them again.

==

Kiaati stopped for a moment. She had definitely heard the whoosh of an arrow. She glanced back towards Mizuka. "Having fun? I assume you had a reason for that, mind sharing?" She spoke quietly.

==

Mizuka kept a calm expression, "I've been through here before. Usuaully, it isn't this queit in the forest. Demons can be heard around here during this time. I was merely deteming the reason why they aren't about and where are they. Some demons have recently been around this part. Because i found a fresh dead animal..." after stating that, she was quiet.

==

Kiaati nodded and then turned to walk again. She scanned the area warily. She saw that the ground turned mushy not to far ahead. A swamp...

==

'Just as I thought...' Mizuka smirked a little bit. Her arms across her chest.

==

Jeff had stayed quiet. At one point he started breathing hard, but he calmed his breathing down so he could stay focused. His ability to sense unholy creatures was of no use... the ability honed onto the trees themselves, so his senses were pretty much canciled out.

==

Kiaati walked on, carefully testing the land before she stepped. She didn't really favor falling into some unknown depth of slimy gunk. She glanced at the others, still keeping tabs on her surroundings. It would be very inconvient to be attacked right now.

==

"Do you guys smell that?" Jeff asked silently. "Fire..." He said afterwards.

==

Kiaati glanced at Jeff. "I thought so, but in the middle of a swamp?" She looked at her torch. "It might just be the torch, but let's be on our toes." If there was a prize for having the best luck, Jeff and Kiaati would get last place. This was part of the reason she had learned to act to well.

==

Jeff hoped Kiaati was right, but he sort of doubted it.

==

Mizuka bit her lip slightly... looking around. 'They're closer... heh... this should proove to be interesting...' she thought. Of course, she kept silent. Not really thinking she needed to talk at all.

==

Kiaati stayed closer to the others now, the tighter grouping would make them harder to single out one. The ground was still a mushy swamp and it brought no comfort for the travelers. Kiaati heard something, she wasn't sure what, but she heard it.

==

Mizuka let her ears twitch a little bit. Her hand under her ear. 'Hmm...' she kept that signle crimson eye of hers closed. 'They... are... near...'

==

"Hey! It stopped raining!" Akako smiled. She looked at Zandra, "I think I'll go see what they're up to. I'll contact you when I find something important." Akako said collecting her things, "See you later." She departed in her cheerful way. Hm... I'll put Eri in a stall for now and come get her later. If I'm tracking people, I don't want her to be neighing. I'd rather travel through trees if I get the chance anyways. Akako decided in her thoughts. After placing Eri in the hands of a stable she headed off to wherever the crytal lead her.

==

[Sushi]

Zandra nodded as Akako went out the door, deciding what to do.



She shrugged her off, she knew how to take care of herself. She also knew how to keep out of danger if she couldn't handle it now for those humans...



Zandra walked out a back door and back to the building she had seen them in, of course they were gone, but she could still find faint traces of her spell, even after another had been cast over it. Not to mention the crystal gave the human away. Now to follow them...



When Zabdra came to the end of the forest, the sun setting behind she wrinkled up her nose, it smelled fowl, even to her. This wasn't going to be as much fun...



Well no use waiting.



" Time to play follow the leadr again."



And sort out why I didn't kill them when I had the chance...

==

Then suddenly something pummeled Kiaati down into the mush. What the...?

==

Mizuka then gasped. She quickly took out her new bow and arrow. She pulled it out and the arrow shot by Kiaati and it hit the rock. Seconds later it shattered to reveal three demons behind the rock. "Just as I thought. You scum hide in the swamp because it's your adntage... how pathetic..."



The demons seemed to be shocked that Mizuka had found out their little scheme. "So your the demon traitor... huh..." one asked.



Mizuka gave a slight scowl, "So what if I am?"



The other smirked, "You don't know how big the bounty on your head is... now do you?"



Mizuka smirked now, "I'm very well aware of that. But you lowlifes don't even have chance of turning us in..."



Mizuka looked to Kiaati, "Are you alright?"

==

Kiaati was already on her feet again. She was watching the demons as she spoke to Mizuka. "Of course." She shrugged, watching the demons warily. Her hands were on the weapons just inside her cloak, just in case. She went ahead and drew them out, though not showing them. She blinked a few times.

==

Mizuka kept a serious face. Yet with that smirk plastered upon it. "Now if you scurry off right now I'll spare your life.... because you guys aren't even WORTH killing...."



The demons seemed to taken a back by this, and they grew angry. "We have the advantage here. Don't dare talk to us like that!"

==

Kiaati just watched, her muscles tensed and ready to move if need be. At the moment though, she just watched all of the demons, each trying to intimidate the other. She moved a few steps to the left. There was more solid ground here. She had a fair amount of swamp goo on her, but she figured better footing would still be better.

==

Zandra started making her way through the forest, nose wrikling up .



" I hate this place just as much as everyone else."

==

Jeff had his weapon out, and he stood his ground waiting for the Demons to strike. "Heh, do as she says before it's too late. I've been eager to test this sword out... toasting bread wasn't quite good enough for me." He gave a semi-evil smirk towards the Demons. Right now, is Divine energy was slowly coming out, giving him a slight blue glow.

==

Akako was walking towards the forest that the gem was leading her. She was close enough now and jumped into a tree. She started to travel through them, from tree to tree. She liked it a lot better that way.

==

Despite the demons anger. They decided to go on and flee. Mizuka slightly smirked, "Running off like little flies... anyway... we need to hurry through this swamp..."

==

Kiaati nodded. "Of course." With that she began to move through the swamp a lot faster. she moved lightfooted through the mush, unaware that the Crystal of Elocin had fallen when she was pummeled. It slowly sank below the mush of swamp water, unnoticed.

==

Akako was moving quickly through the trees. This is much quicker than I would have gone with Eri. She stopped on a branch for a secound. She was standing on it. I must not be that close... If I remember correctly, Mizuka was with that human last I saw. If she's still with them she would be able to catch my scent. Since I haven't been attacked yet, then I must be a bit far away still. Then I also can't catch their scent yet. She sniffed the air, Although, I smell the scent of a swamp. I'll keep going with the high ground. She thought as she went to another branch and kept traveling.

==

Mizuka was beside Kiaati... she noticed that the crystal around her neck was gone. She looked back. 'If it wad dropped into the swamp... then it can't be found unless the...' her eyes slightly twitched. 'Swamp Demon allows it to be found.' she looked back to Kiaati. "Kiaati... the crystal..."

==

Kiaati looked down and sighed. "Oh... you're right." She sighed slightly, pausing for a minute. It would probably be better to not try and find it... I never really mastered how to use it anyhow. We would lose time for something that doesn't even help and we would endanger ourselves. She sighed slightly, looking ahead. The ground turned solid just a few feet ahead. She looked at Mizuka, making what she felt as the wise decision. "Let's go on."

==

The crystal... it's close. I can feel it. She stopped for a secound, still in the trees. Maybe I should stop for a secound... I'm only supposed to follow them after all.. She stoped and sat down in the branch.

==

Zandra stopped as she reached the edge of the swampy area, seeing the fight ahead. She saw the fight and had the crystal currently masking her scent, if it weren't for her crystal they'd smell her like a newly opened air freshner.



Akako wouldn't be to far behind, she was a fairly good runner, if she had thought to run.

==

"Eh, I'm not about to go back into that swamp anytime soon... can't stand the stench, WHEW!" Jeff shook his head as they exited the swamp, trying to get the stench away. It didn't help... "Hmm, Now that we're on solid ground, perhaps we should get some breathing room between us and this swamp."

==

Kiaati sighed slightly. "I'm glad that you agree with my decision, Jeff." She began to walk off. She looked at the others, wanting to get a move on. They had quite a ways they could go before they would need to stop, but they wouldn't get anywhere standing still.

==

"Just wanted to make sure you didn't want it." Mizuka said. She looked forward, and she took out those speed potions. "Alright, we need to hurry. We waisted enough time in that swamp." she tossed them the bottles. With that, they began to rush out, their speed matching with hers.

==

Verda watched them running.

"And..."

they stopped when they ran through the sludge

"there it is."

==

Akako was still sitting on the branch. She looked in the direction the crystal she had was leading her. It isn't moving. Why isn't it moving?Surely, they wouldn't stop here. She stood up. I guess I better find out.

==

Kiaati liked being able to go this fast. They were covering ground so much faster.

==

Zandra watched them take off, sighing again, always on the run this lot was...



Zandra climbed down form her perch, standing on the grond for a second, then deciding on something, picked up the crystal and stood their for alittle while, thinking.

==

Mizuka could slightly sense them behind. 'Damn, we need to move faster...' she thought. She looked at Kiaati, "Come on, we need to move faster." She said. The demon traitor had grown a bit worried as she bit her lip.

==

Zandra knew her spels were fading, and that soon, if she didn't recast they'd know she was here. So she sighed, mubbling the spell under her breath, a few seconds and it'd activate.

==

The sense was gone, Mizuka began to worry more. They needed an extra dose of the potion that hid the scent. "Jeff. Kiaati, here take this! we need it."



She watched them take it, she took her own and she chugged it down her mouth. Hiding the scent more. They needed a place to hide.

==

Zandra could smell the sents all but fading completely, and the tracking spell starting to wear off...



D*mn it I should have recaste the spell when I had the chance...



Zandra took off after the group, if nothing else to replace the spell over the group.

And of all things a freaking holy spell that mister goody-goody-human-pants could caste just as well as I

==

Kiaati spotted a cliff wall... well it looked like a wall. Surely there would be caves and cervices to hide. She pointed to Mizuka speaking quietly. "Look there." She ran harder.

==

"Damn...." Mizuka cursed.



There had to be around that way. Her demon eyes scanned the area her fists clenched a bit and she came up to the wall. She found a dark hole. "Hmmm... Jeff can you fit through that?"



He was pretty lean yes, but he was still big compared to the females. He was able to fit through the hole. "Come on..."



Kiaati went through the hole and Mizuka did as well. "Whoa..." it seemed to be some sort of lair. Well.... this place had stone stairs.

==

Kiaati climbed up the stairs quickly. There might have been another exit. That would be good for an escape. She looked at Jeff and Mizuka over her shoulder, wondering what Mizuka had sensed for the sudden rush. There were a lot of stairs and her feet pounded lightly on them in rythm. Tap tap tap tap... smooth and steady like a leaky faucet.

==

Mizuka sighed a bit, knowing they would be safe there. "I'm sorry guys for the sudden rush. But..... I thought I sensed... her..." the demon whispered. She looked down and put her hand to her head and brushed hands through her silky black hair.

==

Kiaati stopped on the stairs, looking down at Mizuka. She sighed, taking off her cloak. She sat down, unbraiding her wet locks so it looked like fire surrounded her face and spread down her back. She put her elbows on her knees and her face in her hands, speaking quietly. "Yes, I understand." She was falling back into her thoughts, while still keeping an ear open.

==

"We're going to have to block that hole..." she said. She kicked a large rock down there, covering the hole. She looked up, and she thought she saw a light. She shook her head, 'Whoa... strange...' she thought. Then looked back down.

==

Kiaati sighed. "Let's not make the cliff collapse on us. I'm only human and a mountain on top of me might not bode to well." She looked up and then to Jeff. "Scout out higher up, please." She sighed and grabbed a map. She took out a compass and pencil, looking it over. There... About twenty... then... She looked at the map, it was old and worn but it was accurate as all get out.

==

Mizuka scratched her head a bit. She put her hand on the cold stone and she said, "I'm sure the cliff is sturdy enough." Even though, she didn't want to worry Kiaati to much. She watched as Jeff came a stop. "What is it Jeff??" Mizuka called out. Jeff had found a four way. Mizuka began to clim the stairs.

==

Kiaati picked up her cloak, tying it on as she climbed up behind Jeff but ahead of Mizuka. She looked at Mizuka, smiling. "Please don't treat me like a kid. I'm not stupid and trying to soften the situation doesn't work." Kiaati didn't want to seem snappy, but she was a little bit on edge. She looked around. A four way. She was surprised. It was almost as if these things were built by someone.

==

Zandra saw them take to the cliffs.

Go ahead, climb them, hide in them, it won't bother me now.



Zandra smiled, passing the cliffs they had just climbed, following around to another side of the cliffs. Entering an entrance hidden by bushes, a slight trickling creek flowing across.

==

"Well well... it's not like this 4 way is much of a problem," Jeff said sarcastically, and looked down each. "Yup, just as I thought!" He paused for a moment. "It's dark down each hall." He smiles and then turns to the others. "So... any suggestions? or shall we attempt to trust my so-called Judgement?"

==

Verda sighed as she ate the deer she had killed.

==

"Well we're going to have to go one that gets us away from them... so... just find a way that'll get us away from them." She said as she stepped up near Jeff.

==

Kiaati sighed, looking down all of the halls. They are dark. She smiled slightly. "Well, I imagine any of them would get us somewhere other than here, which would be away from there, so you pick." She blinked, looking at Jeff.

==

Jeff looks down each hall again, and then gets ready for a serious choice. "Einy Meiny Miny Mo..." He points down the middle-right hall. "Okay, so lets go down this one," he starts walking down the middle-left hall. As he started to walk in, he felt drawn by it, as if something was pulling him into it... but not just anything, this was a divine pull.

==

Kiaati walked beside him, smiling wide now. Jeff had relieved her foul mood with his.... self-ness. She looked at him, noticing he looked a bit difference. She raised a brow. "What's wrong, Jeff?" She blinked, drawing her hands to her weapons.

==

Jeff closes his eyes and shakes his head. "Ah, nothing. Just that I think there might be some... well... holy object down this tunnel." His medalion he kept with him was pulsating.

==

Kiaati nodded. "Would you like to find it or pick a different path? As I said before, it doesn't really matter which way we go." She pulled her red hair back into a low ponytail. The last thing she needed was it getting in the way. She awaited his decision.

==

"I have to say," Jeff said, "that i'm interested in what the holy object is down here... Heh, maybe it'll be the legendary Holy Grail." He smiles as his little joke and keeps walking at the same speed as before.

==

The edges of Kiaati's mouth twitch upward a bit. "Then let's see, shall we?" She relaxed her shoulders a bit, walking along beside Jeff. She blinked, her pupils dialating in the increasing darkness.

==

A faint glow was seen up ahead, it was a golden light that was similar to the light a sun-rise would make. Jeff saw it... because of the darkness it was the only thing he could see. He stayed quiet, focusing on trying to figure out what it was.

==

Kiaati saw it too, she slowed down, walking alongside him. It seemed familiar. Maybe something she had seen a picture of? She looked at Jeff, wondering if he had figured out what it was, she certaintly hadn't.

==

"Hmm, it would seem to be... a light. Yes, definetally a light." Jeff figured that the others would be glaring at him, so he said, "As in, an everlasting torch, if you will."

==

Kiaati looked at him, sighing. "Would that be something good or something bad? Since you're the paladin, I didn't bother reading up." She looked back at the light. It's really pretty... Whoa, where did that come from? Get ahold of yourself, Kiaati. She smacked her forehead, shaking her head.

==

"For the most part... but sometimes people will be dazed by it and eventually hypnotized. Nothing too harmful," Jeff avoided looking directally at the light now. "It only effects humans, but demons shouldn't touch it. It slowly burns their skin away." He kept walking, but it didn't seem like they were getting any closer.

==

Kiaati nodded, tearing her eyes away from the light. That would explain the random thoughts. She looked at the floor of that room. It seemed so far away. She sighed.

==

"So... anyone know how long this tunnel is? Or how close it is to the next exit?" Jeff sighed and noted how the light hadn't come closer in the several hours of walking.

==

Kiaati stopped, looking back the way they had come. She sighed. Illusions maybe? She looked about, but it wasn't much use. Her eyes could see nothing in the darkness except for the faint silhouettes of her companions and the light at either end of the cave. She looked, speaking to Mizuka. "Zuki, can you see?"

==

Akako was following Zandra without knowing. She was just going where her Crystal led. It was staying in one place for a small time, but I think it's moving now. Maybe they were just resting.

==

She blinked her eyes for a moment. Making her diamond shaped pupils spread out a bit more to see clearly into the darkness. "Yes, I can see...." she whispered softly

==

Kiaati nodded. "Well, here's a stupid question. Does it look kind of... ripple-ish like an illusion? Or are we really not getting anywhere?" She sighed, glancing at both ends of the tunnel.

==

"If anything. I think it would be safest to go up the stairs a bit more. See if it leads anywhere. The come back down if there isn't anything up there. I just don't get a good feeling...." those hallways were too dark.

==

"Well," Jeff said. "The decision is Kiaati's."

==

Kiaati looked at Mizuka and nodded. "You and I are of the same mind on this matter." She turned, going back to the stairs. I have to wonder though... why does this seem like it was made as a home? Like it was once inhabited? If it was, there is still a good chance that it still is. If it isn't, then why did they leave? Ahh... so many questions without even a breath of an answer.

==

Even though Mizuka wasn't the leader. She was still leader on tatics. She nodded her head. She looked down at one of the end of the halls and she slightly narrowed her eyes. But soon followed after Jeff and Kiaati.

==

Kiaati glanced at Mizuka as she walked up the stairs. "I don't know if I said this or not but... I am grateful for your help, Mizuka. Thank you." She turned her head up, looking up the stairs. She could only see so far before they turned. Then something caught her attention. It was quiet and almost insignficant, but there was the faint sound of dripping. Strange.... The area above looked like it hadn't rained for a while. Dripping implies a liquid, most likely water. This isn't too deep underground I believe, so the water wouldn't have reservoired... Why is there dripping?

==

"Your welcome, It's the least I could do. All three of us are after Zandra's head. So... it's only wise to pair up with someone after the same goal as you." she said... she looked around and heard the dripping. 'Dripping...' she thought. She closed her eyes slightly, 'Some one must live here, it would explain the light....' she thought more.

==

Zandra followed around to the other side of the cliff, having seen the three take cover their, smiling. She had finally found the entrance she sought, after much fussing she pulled the bush aside, allowing a small streak of light to flood the tunnel, then disappear.



Once inside you could hear the steady trickle of the stream beside her, it dropped off ontop a few set of stairs just ahead. Zandra ignored this, having been in this and many other caves before, she climbed the wall beside her, letting onto a platform above.



Now just to wait for them, unless I've missed my geuss entirely.They won't want to remain were I could find them, so they would follow the tunnel, which leads to a four way split, but all of them cross this path. I just have to sit and watch for them. Sad, just sitting here like a hild, but sometimes, patience does prove to be a virtue....

==

They reached another opening where one could choose to continue up the stairs, or go into a single cave. Kiaati paused for a moment, stepping off the stairs. She saw something move out of the corner of her eye and whipped around, ready to fight. Then she saw what it was. A dirty old human man stepped out from underneath the stairs, his grin showing several missing teeth. He walked over to her. They were of equal height and he stopped only three inches from her face. His repulsive stench filled her nose, but she didn't move a muscle.



"Hello, my sweet. I see you've found my caves." She blinked. No harming the repulsive hobo... He's one of the people you're fighting for. He turned taking a few steps away from Kiaati. "And you brought a strapping young lad." He looked at Jeff before letting his gaze fall on Mizuka. "I have to wonder why you have a demon in your party though..."

==

Zandra heard the talking and smirked, she was close engouhto recaste her spells, which she did without hesitation.



Then sat fro a few moments, contemplating if she should make herself invisible and follow behind them....

==

'Wow... didn't expect anyone to be living in these caves!' Jeff thought while looking at the old man. 'I wonder if he knows where there's a bathroom near here.'

==

"W...who are... you?" The old man asked in his weak voice.



He seemed to be that of the demon nature. Or, a demon to put it simply. Mizuka walked up a bit and bowed. "Forgive the intrustion old man. I am Mizuka."

==

Mr. Hobo nodded, backing away from her slightly. As he turned, Kiaati could have sworn she had seen his eyes flicker a different color. She frowned slightly, slowing bringing her hands to rest on her weapons. He walked back over to her. Stinky stinky stinky stinky. She sighed, putting on one of her common faces. The warm smile covered her face as she nodded to him. Mr. Hobo reached out suddenly, touching her shoulder.



"You all must come into my home. I insist. Biscuits and tea? I have it." He began to pull on her shoulder and the smile faltered a moment. As Mizuka had found out, she didn't like people grabbing her.

==

"No sorry old man." she said. She sort of took his hand off of Kiaati's shoulder. "We're on the run here. So we're going to have to go through your house." The old man looked at her. And then looked to the side. Mizuka kept a firm gaze. "What's in your backyard?" Mizuka asked. He stood there for a moment as if dumbfounded. Old man was probably suffering from the old age. "It's ok just show us." The demon traitor slowly and gently began to push the old man as she felt the others walk beside her.

==

'What just happened?' I wondered as I followed the other's through the old man's home. As we walked through, i felt a demonic presense in this cave, and it wasn't Mizuka.

==

The edges of Kiaati's mouth were turned in a half-smile. To anyone that didn't know her, it might even seem that she was smiling the evil smile of someone planning a crime. However, it was just where her thoughts had slightly influenced her behavior. She was following now carefully thinking about things. She flipped up the cloak of her hood, hiding her face from view now. The Springs of Aldertaron...

==

Inside the little cottage as they went up top. It was rather homey feeling. The old man led them into the back. Mizuka looked around, there seemed to be a pathway down off this cliff... or mountain.

==

Jeff noticed Kiaati put her cloak's hood back up, but he didn't show it. He kept an eye on the old man, making sure he didn't do anything... odd... enough so that he half tripped over a rock. 'He sure doesn't keep his home too well kept, there's rocks all over the place.' Jeff realized that the entire floor had rocks scattered, more like the rest of the cave. 'Is this really a home?' He wondered, and the looked back at the old man.

==

"Is this what you were looking for?" he asked in his old shakey voice. She nodded her her head a bit. "Yes old man, thank you." She told him. She looked back to Jeff and Kiaati.

==

Kiaati was confident that the others were keeping a well enough eye on the old man, so she took her eyes from him and walked over the window. She looked to see that they were close to the top of a... mountain. She studied the trees. of the forest all down the side. At first the path drew her eye, but she deemed it unimportant quickly. She continued to let her bright green eyes drift across the trees. She studied it carefully, when she saw it. She smiled, her face hidden by her hood. This is going to be akward. She turned, slowly moving toward Jeff. She spoke almost inaudibly.



"Bow." With that she went down on on knee herself. She inclined her head, looking up only with her eyes. "Thank you for bringing us into your home, great Italsavu." The old man stood a little straighter, looking at her seriously. He seemed a bit stronger than just a moment ago, but did not respond. He was looking at the other two, waiting to see what they would do.

==

Mizuka looked out to the back. She was tracing the path that they could take. From the view she could see one of the towers. Estimating the distance, 'It's maybe one or two days worth of non stop movement. So if we only rest for about 4 hours then... it might take three days... if not, not much more...'



She was too busy to see what was going on. Putting her finger to lips slightly, she stared out and closed her eyes slightly. 'So... if we leave in a little bit...' they needed to move fast.



She was feeling an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. Like if someone was secrely watching them. She began to dig in the bag. The potions were starting to wear off slightly. She could smell her own scent and start to smell Jeff's and Kiaati's scent as well.

==

Jeff blinked a few times whlie looking at Kiaati. Then slowly he turned his head to look at the old man, and saw his strength. 'Better do as the lady says...' He thought to himself as he bowed. "The great Italsavu, is it? Then it is an honor to be in your presence." 'Who is is?' was all that was running through Jeff's mind, so much so that he didn't notice Mizuka.

==

Zandra finally decided that the invisibility spell was good idea, after cast, she crept to the edge to get a closer look.



As Zandra got closer she slipped on some wet rock, almost falling right onto The young human man's (Jeff's for everyone else...) head...



Zandra started cursing herself and every rock so severly, that had the rocks had ears, the would have fleed in pain...



With great effort, Zandra pulled herself back over the edge of the ledge,

Looking down again, and slipping again, but this time, not lucky enough to grab the ledge...

==

Zandra landed rigth beside Jeff, landing perfectly on her feet, and she looked at her present company...



This is NOT how I wanted to alert them to my prescence.....



Zandra stood, waiting for the reaction she knew would come...



well this should be interesting...

==

Jeff heard something crash infront of him, but he didn't do anything. He ended up holding his breath not wanting to upset the Great Italsavu... but he could now feel the presence of another demon in the room, like as if it was right infront of him. 'Er... now what? How long do I have to keep bowing, I'm not getting a good feeling about that crash. Hopefully it was just a bug...'

==

Akako could smell them now and stopped. That scent. It's Mizuka! I also rconize that human that was with her before! They're so close. I should have smelt their scent a long time ago! I better hurry.



Akako continued until a cliff came into view. As far as she could tell, they were there.

==

Zandra could sense the crystal that Akako had, she knew the demon was close, but didn't dare give her away. Not now.

==

Akako jumped out of a tree and started to examine the cliff, that is until she found an enterance to the inside. She decided to enter. The scents she could reconize were there.



I should be careful. They are much closer now and Zandra doesn't want them dead yet. She wants to learn about them for some reason. Akako shrugged. She knew that whatever Zandra was scemeing was probably for the best.

==

'Damn...' she finally snapped out of it and bowed. "Sorry for my disrespect. We.... are on the run." She spoke softly.



He turned to look at her. "We are wanting to make it to the tower that is over there."



She pointed outside. Their scents were very faint. She knew trouble was coming. She took out the small bottles and tossed them to Jeff and Kiaati. She pulled out on of her own. Opening the top she chucked the slimy liquid stubtance down. 'There.... should throw them off for a bit...' she thought.

==

Kiaati saw this and a single phrase continued to echo through her head. Oh pretzels... She took a breath though, keeping a calm demeanor and pretending to be oblivious. She spoke, altering her voice to a high pitch. Not that it'll help but still... "Yes, oh great Italsavu, we beseech thine help in the matter my comrade has mentioned." I feel like an idiot. He nodded, his back now straight. There was a brief puff of smoke and then he was visible again. He was clean and the repungent odor no longer filled the air. His old appearance now young and his fail voice now strong.



"Indeed... rise." Kiaati stood up, eyeing the demon queen for underneath the shadows of her hood. She turned her attention back to Italsavu... the guiding demon. Just figures... I wonder why she hasn't attacked. She pocketed the empty bottle, her hand resting on the ((crud... brain fart... what do you call the handles of a weapon? OH! A HILT! i think that sounds right)) hilts of her weapons, aware and ready.

==

Mizuka was surprised he was an attractive young man. her eyes twinkled a bit as she held her hands together. 'He's not that bad looking...' she thougght. She shook her head scolding herself in her mind. She spotted the fingers. She smirked a bit when she walked a bit closer and she 'accidently' kicked a stone.

==

'What's next, a 100 mph running turtle?!' Jeff thought as now the old man poofed into a young, powerful lord... and now the feeling of there being someone else in the room. It was a demon... but Jeff couldn't confirm who it could be, in fact he had absolutely no clue to who it might be. He then stood up when the Italsavu dude told them to. Jeff was unsure what to do, but he was ready to snag his weapon at any point.

==

Zandra glanced around, glad to have the invisiblity spell, this was going to be akward at best....

==

Italsavu looked at Mizuka, raising a brow. "If you would refrain from doing that, it would be appreciated." He looked at the demon girl and then to the humans. I wonder how this will turn out. They seem to know what they're doing, but no one has succeeded before. He crossed his arms.



Kiaati looked at him, exhaling hard. "Are you going to help us?" Italsavu looked at her, smirking.



"Are you going to take part in the deal? You seem to know what's going on." Kiaati stood still for a moment. The deal was that he would help them, but if they failed to achieve their mission at the tower, he would get their souls. She looked at her comrades, wanting to know what they thought.

==

Mizuka then grew pretty serious. She looked to Kiaati seriously. "Personally I don't agree with it..." she stated.



She folded her arms across her chest and looked to the back. "Personally I think that we can do this by ourselves..."

==

"Tried it," Jeff stated. "And it didn't work out all too well..." He was thinking about there used to be a small army of rebels, but now there were only three left.

==

She kept her arms crossed and her eyes closed gently as she held that cross look upon her face. She could have done this by herself if she wanted to. She clenched her fists slightly while having her arms crossed. Her eyes calmly opened up. "Hmph..."



She has gone through all the trouble to go to the old mans place to get these potions. She also had Akina give them her special made weopons. 'We don't need his help....' she thought angrily.



'I cannot put my life on the line... just to have him help us...' she thought.

==

Zandra was listening to the conversation, getting tired of stnading still and started to walk around carefully. She smiled slightly, unable to help herself and waved he hand in front of Kiaati's face...nothing.....

==

Kiaati sighed, stepping forward. Suddenly she hit something, causing her to fall on her butt. Her hood fell back as she hopped to her feet, her weapons out in the open. "Who's there?!" Her eyes were wide and her ears listening carefully. Must look completely stupid, but I could have sworn... She took a split second to glance at her shoulder, a hand-shaped welt was appearing. Her eyes flew back to the air. Wonderful timing... just wonderful... Let's see... Our great army, now down to three... Then again, an angry demon/former ally... IDEA!... but first, what...who the heck hit me? She spoke to Italsavu, not moving her eyes, barely giving him any attention. "Every man has his price, what is it? There has to be some way you would just let us pass through without you sending your little minions after us... and without you as guide."

==

Zandra almost fell over herself when Kiaati walked into her, she stepped back, catching jeff's side, pulling him on the floor, but recovering herself.



She glanced around, moving rapidly to get out of normal standing area...

==

She sent a glare over there and she pulled out her bow and arrow. "Take this!"



She shot the arrow and it pinned to the clothes of the person. He/she was now pinned to the wall. She stepped up... and she looked... her body quaked with slight fear bur more anger. "Z...zandra..."

==

"Wha... what just happened?!" Jeff demanded. Something dragged him to the floor and before he knew it their number one enemy was pinned to the wall. And the worst part was that he didn't get to help... He sighed as he stood up, his massive, yet light two handed sword held out.

==

Zandra smiled slightly, ripping the arrow off, no need to be pinned like so little trophy....



" Don't look so surprised. It's not like you didn't expect me to follow..."



Looks over at what was, once, the old man an isn't no more....



" Sorry to have something like this happen in your house, overly curious...."

((Okay, so she got bit by a politness bug or something, anyway....))



Then Zandra's attention returned to those that were her current worry...



" I suppose I should also apologize for pulling him to the foor, though had the situation been reversed, I scarcely think you wouldn't have grabbed something. Now, as to what just happened, That young human *Points to Kiaati* walked into me, knocking me over, which resulted in my grabbing you to keep support, and then Mizuka over here shot one of those blasted arrows at me that simply shattered my simple spell. "



Zandra corssed her arms, noting the drawn weapons and shaking her head slightly...

==

'Huh? She answered what just happened? Not exactally what I expected...' Jeff thought as he said, "Oh... kay..." 'And she plucked the arrow off like a candle in a birthday cake, what next?'

==

Mizuka gritted her teeth. She didn't think she would be face to face with Zandra right now. Everything began to flash into her mind now. How she caused the demon girl to get no eye. How she killed her mother without hesitation. That fear for Zandra played through her brain and wouldn't let Mizuka's body move, she had another hand on her arrow.

==

Zandra eyeballed Mizuka carefully.



" Shoot it, it won't do much."



Zandra crossed her arms, pointedly leaving her weapons that were conceled were they were.



" So, since I'm here.......Is their any coffee?"

==

The hairs on Kiaati's neck stood up straight and she was focused and aware as adrenaline pulsed through her. She stood still for a moment, her mind running quickly through all the different moves she could make. Something just doesn't feel right... She exhaled, moving her head a slight bit to the side. In one swift movement, she sheathed her weapons, pulling Mizuka toward Jeff and herself. The demon girl seemed to be in a bit of shock. In this second, Kiaati had not taken her eyes from Zandra.

==

Zandra shrugged as she watched Kiaati sheth her weapons.



" I'll take that as a no.... I'd settle for a glass of water."



Looks at the three.



"Then again I'm sure you three are thirsty too, would you care for a drink as well?? Not that you'd trust a thing that came from my hands naturely, but,..."

==

Mizuka just stared. Now she furrowed her eyebrows a bit and clenched her fist. "How in the world can you act so casaul..."



She couldn't help but send a glare of hatred. But... she was still slightly scared.

==

Kiaati sighed slightly. She wasn't sure why, but words kind of just popped out of her mouth. "I have some tea leaves we can share." She looked at Italsavu. "Could you perhaps pour some water?" The demon, dumbfounded, brought her a pot of boiling water and she pulled a bag of tea leaves from her sack.

==

She looked hatefully to the side. She decided to walk out to the back. She just stood there. He wouldn't mind if she just stood out in the back. She stared out to the area... scanning the thicket of trees....

==

Zandra nodded.



"Yes that would be lovely. I suppose I could have just summoned some, but you lot would ahve jumped on me like mad had I made on move that way. And as to the causual, you only worry when your in danger....."

==

Kiaati shrugged slightly, sitting down and beginning to brew the tea. She took a chance, and took her eyes away from Zandra. She was listening carefully though, and positioned so that she could draw a weapon or run in a split second's time. "We might not have jumped on you... maybe. Still though, I wouldn't have taken it from your hands, as you've said yourself." The tea was almost done. She noticed that Mizuka had left. This is interesting.... the leaders of opposing sides having tea with each other.

==

Zandra nodded, deliberately moving not to have somebody jump on her, and sat down, pulling out the crystal Kiaatihad been wearing. PLaying with it...

==

Kiaati glanced up to see the Crystal of Elocin in Zandra's hands. She raised a brow, looking back at the tea. "Did I drop it or did you take it?" She poured the tea out into some cups, provided by a very confused Italsavu. She looking up and Zandra, not really bothered, but not really comfortable either. She pushed the cup as far as she could in the demon's direction without exposing or leaving herself wide open for attack. She picked up her own cup and stood, backing away from Zandra's cup. Cautiously polite... feeling a bit stupid too.

==

Zandra smiled, dropping the crystal in the tea for a second, then pulling out by it's chain, cleaning it off and wiping it off, hangin it around her neck again.



" You left it, I picked it up, so I thnk found it would be accurate, then again, I had been following you, so I knew who had it."



Zandra sipped her tea, wincing, and pulling a pouch out of her cloak and puring it in her tea.



" Alway needs sugar..."

==

She stared inside and she scowled. 'Look at them...' she said disgustingly.



She clenched her fist slightly and she gritted her teeth. Her knucked cracked as she tightened up her fist.

==

Kiaati shrugged slightly, pulling out a small tube and pouring a small bit of the thick contents into the cup. "Honey does it for me." She sipped the tea, tasting the slight hint of honey. She watched Zandra carefully, not saying anything else. Kiaati had no intention of revealing more potential weaknesses to Zandra than the demon already knew. She could stand to learn something though. That was the main reason she was doing this... besides, she liked tea.

==

Zandra sipped her tea, surveing the room, noting the important things, grinning at poor jeff's bewildered look.



" I would offer to get Mizuka, but I know how she gets..."



Zandra smiled, sipping some more.

I knew I didn't want to kill them, but what made me decide to sit and have tea???

==

Kiaati glanced out the window, seeing her friend. "Let's not tip the balance from her self control." You may have lost one, but through that we gained hundreds. I am thankful that egg hatched. Kiaati smirked slightly. She was aware of the fact that Zandra was her enemy, but it was a strange sensation... this was not quite what she had planned. She glanced at Jeff, seeing his face and wanting to laugh. I suppose this isn't eactly what he had imagined either... She looked at him, sipping her tea. "Why don't you try to help Mizuka? I'll even let you trash talk me if it helps."

==

Zandra watched jeff leave ((that's right he has no choice, what happens when your gone....)) and looked over at Kiatti.



"Either you want her not to come in here and try to kil me, resulting in her death, for I will defend myself, or their was somehitng you wanted to talk about...?"

==

She clenched her fist more and she knelt down on the ground and gritted her teeth. She so despratly wanted to go in there and kill Zandra. 'but I'm not strong enough yet...' she thought. She clenched her teeth and gritted them more. She let her head slightly slam, nothing bad to knock her out, against the wall. She held a calming look.

==

Kiaati raised a brow, smiling slightly. "...or maybe it's just because I'm not stupid?" She swirled her tea around in her cup, glancing at the bits of tea leaves. She leaned up against the wall, looking at Zandra. "I am curious though... is there perhaps a reason you didn't come down swinging already? For some reason I get the impression you don't drink tea with many of your enemies, nonetheless a 'traitor' and two hardly law-abiding humans." Kiaati wasn't sure how much Zandra knew, but anyone with half a brain could see that Jeff and Kiaati were more than likely part of the resistance, and of course she would know about Mizuka. Kiaati was careful though not to disclose the positions in the resistance, nor their plans.

==

Zandra looked at Kiaati for alittle while, ponderinf how to answer.



" I would have drank tea with any of them had I wanted it, but I scarcely did. And, really, I suppose....."



Zandra eye balled Kiatti for a second.



" I suppose the first reason I didn't kill you was because my sources said you'd found the crystal, and once I had it, I wanted to know why somebody who knew how to use it, would throw it aside, then I learned you didn't have very much to work with in order to use it. I could give it to you right now and you would unlock a tenth of it's power. As for why I don't kill you now..."



Zandra shrugged, drinking more tea.

==

Kiaati merely blinked. I happen to be a human. And as far as I know, I'm not a special human like Jeff. So... I have no clue about some of these magic things... well I know what they do and how they work, I research enough... but that's not the same. She gazed at the crushed bits of tea leaves in the bottom of her cup. I'd rather not die at this moment in time. I would like to have a pomegrante among other things before that happens. She then chuckled slightly, looking at the patterns made by the leaves in the bottom of the cup. But then again, that's why I'm being careful. She had, in fact, not shifted her attention from the demon.

==

Zandra shook her head at the odd human, grabbing an orange out of another pocket and peeling it.



" I'd offer you one, but again I dout you'd eat it, and these are really sweet."

==

Mizuka couldn't believe this. They were having tea... she closed her eyes in disbeliefe. She calmed herself down and stared out to the open wide area. She then looked over and spotted the tower. 'The tower we are supposed to go to...' she thought in her mind. She kept a calming look. Many opsitcals stood in there way... she hung her head low and she let her long ebony hair cascade down her sides.

==

Kiaati just shrugged again. "Thank you for offering, but no." She turned her cup, looking at the way the tea leaves stuck to her cup. She smiled. I see... a flower... a mother duck and ducklings... and a pineapple. She laughed slightly, setting the cup down.

==

Zandra looked at Kiaati oddly when she laughed, but refrained from saying anything, setting her cup down and crossing her legs. Wishing she dared take her blasted hair down, but deciding not to.

==

Kiaati turned, seeing how Zandra was looking at her. She edges of her mouth turned up slightly as she looked the demon over. She stood still for a moment. It's hot... She crossed her arms, weighing her thoughts before quickly whipping off her cloak. It revealed how much she was carrying, which would rival a pack animal, but Zandra had already seen anything of particular importance. Besides, it was much cooler.

==

Zandra grinned, letting her hair down, curls going everywhere, then pulling it up into a ponytail.



She looked Kiaati over and nodded with approval. mubbling...



"Should have put you in charge of people..."

==

Kiaati heard Zandra mumbling something, but it was too quiet for her to understand. She did see the strange display with Zandra's hair. She blinked, waiting a moment before speaking. "You should try mixing in a bit of lotion with you shampoo." She paused for a moment. "Not much though, but it'll keep your hair from poofing everywhere... trust me." Kiaati pointed to her long red hair, currently tied back with a ribbon.

==

Zandra winced slightly at Kiaati's suggestion.



"Extremely sensitve head, no lotion I've ever tried has worked and not killed me for the next 48 hours..... "



Zandra looked at her hair, obiviously pouting.

==

Kiaati raised a brow. That was an interesting statement. "Uh... okay." Suddenly Italsavu ran into the room, looking a bit distressed. He shoved Kiaati hard, glaring at her.



"Get out of my house. Now!" Kiaati looked at him, dropping her cloak to free her hands.



"Not unless we have safe passage without your help or deal." He glared at her and then glanced over his shoulder toward the door. He stared her down and she stared right back, it must have been amusing to watch.

==

Zandra loked at the man completely bewildered by his actions....



" I think I must have temporarly blinded and deaf. Why the h*ll the rush mister?"



Temper rising slightly that her lovely tea chat had just been screwed-up.



" ANYWAY I suggest you give her what ever it is she wants, from my experiance with this human, works better that way, even if it means more issues for this figure head later."

==

Kiaati was a bit surprised by Zandra's comment, but didn't move a muscle. She had a feeling that neither demon might not be too pleased with this. Italsavu turned to Zandra's sitting form, glaring daggers.



"And WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE trying to tell ME what to do?!?!?! WHO THE HECK ARE YOU ANYHOW?!?!?!" He shook his head, frowning at her. "You know what? I don't care. Just both of you get out of my house! It's for your own good anyhow, I got news the demon queen was coming." Kiaati felt like smacking this guy for what he just said.

==

Zandra grinned form ear to ear, standing up and getley pushing Kiaati aside, so she could stand right infront of the guy, holding out her hand.



" Hello, nice to meet you, your messanger is slower then the queen herself."



Looks at him, trying very hard not to smack the man for yelling at her.



" OH and I knew I forgot to tell you something, I'm Zandra, the Demon queen."

==

Kiaati picked up her cloak, stepping away from them a bit and watching, very amused. Italsavu looked as if someone had told him he had inherited the world and then revealing they were a vampire and sucking out all of his blood. He bent over, kissing her hand and bowing many times, never quite meeting her eyes.



"A thousand pardons my Queen. I didn't realize... oh but I should have... I'm sorry... they didn't mention... I hope you don't... I apologize... if you're hungry I could..." The only complete sentences he was making was the apologies and Kiaati just watched, just short of laughing. I can't imagine having people react to you like that... how strange.

==

ZAndra loked at him digustedly.



"Oh knock it off. Before I knock you off. Honestly, you think I can't see when somebody was helping them? I DO have eyes.... You imbasel.... Go away, and I mean as of yesterday. Honestly, helping them, I see when it happens, I just don't do as much as they throw my name on anymore...."



Watches Man disappear from sight in seconds.



" Not half as much as they throw my name on...."



Shakes head, sighing heavily.

==

Kiaati raised a brow. Another interesting comment. She bit her lip, glancing out the window. "Uh, I guess I'll just... go... back to being a rebel... and hoping you don't catch me. um, interesting... yeah." This was a bit of an akward position she'd gotten in to. She leaned against the door slightly, sort of wondering if Zandra actually intended on letting her go so easily.

==

Mizuka had been watching everything from the window. She held her bow and arrow in hands. 'We need to hurry and get away...' she thought.

==

Zandra looked at Kiaati, eyeing her over and then nodding.



" Yeah you better go before anybody else finds me here and finds out I didn't just kill you. Go on, go."



Finishes statement , pointing to back exit.



" Not many will worry if I say I got here after you guys had left, and i know that just started a bunch of questions for you, but if you want to remain out of jail and death I suggest you wait for the answers."



Looks at Kiaati waiting for her to hurry up and the rest of her group and leave.

==

"It seems like they're finally done chit-chatting..." Jeff mentioned to Mizuka. He mainly stayed quiet the entire time, staring off to space. Zandra was... a seemingly kind demon after all? Jeff shrugged it off and looked out at a tower in the distance. 'I wonder who lives there? Probably some wizard or something.'

==

Zandra ussered Kiaati out the back enterance, knowing people would follow behind rapidly, and went outside to get the other two.



" Come on, you two, either you leave now or get caught by somebody else and force me to do something..."



Looks at Jeff.



" Here, take this."



Hands jeff the crystal.



" Yes, I will be able to track you with it, I won't lie, but you will be able to learn how to use it 1,000x better then kiaati will on her own,once you figure it out, teach her, now go!"



Drags both Jeff and Mizuka to back exit, shoving them through, then moving rapidly to make some distance between us.

==

"Uh... right..." Jeff was completely confused at what just happened. All he knew was that he has the crystal back, and the Demon Queen was being nice. He scratched the back of his head and looked at the crystal. "Heh, it's still shiny."

==

Kiaati laughed slightly, throwing on her cloak again and flipping up her hood with a smile. She tugged on Jeff's arm. "We have to go now!" She began to briskly walk off into the forest. Good. I'm glad that someone can use the crystal. Shiny... yep, he definitely has a grasp on everything. She glanced over her shoulder. "We can talk later, Jeff, just come on!"

==

ABout an hour later the cave was flooded with demons, asking Zandra enough questions to make her wonder who was in chage, finally she was about to yell at them that'd she'd answered all she would , until the captin in charge of the demon patrol stood infront of her.... Man this demon guy ever made her nervous.......



" WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU MISSED THEM??.... My queen...." The last part being added only as a second thought.... She may have been in charge of things about five years ago, but since then.... Their were still alot that were as loyal as anything to her, like akako, but other then those, she was just the bloomin' figure head.....



" I mean what I said captin, and if you take that tone with me again..."



She could get away with threats infront of an audience, but if it was just him and her..... well.... she'd have better odds jumping into a pit of starving parihnas.....



"Now, Akako with be here soon enough, when she gets here, give her this letter. Now, good day to you captin, I have work to do..."



Not to mention I want to get the hell away from you....



With that zandra vanished out of the cave completely.



Now to catch up to them and answer the on-slaught of questions I know will come, at least I turned the spell on akako's crystal off in the cave, otherwise she'd follow it instead........

==

Mizuka looked behind her then back to the forest. "Come on, the tower, we're closer to it than we think." she stated...



She couldn't help but not look behind her now.

==

Zandra sighed once outside, in order to catch-up to those three she'd have to bolt.....



Zandra sighed again, leting her hair down to fly back in the wind, nobody ever saw her with her hair down, so nobody would know her at first sight, good enough for now....



After awhile ZAndra could start to make them out in the distance and sighed wondering if the open apprach was the smartest move in the world... They hadn't had much of a choice but be curtious before, but now......

==

[Sushi]

Kiaati smiled, walking after Mizuka. "I know... and we also have safe passage, well sort of. Italsavu won't send his minions after us at least." She looked out through the darkness of her hood. She could see the forest surrounding them. This is certainly and interesting thing that has come to pass. I suppose I should tell them about it sooner or later. She suddenly heard a twig snap in the distance.

==

Zandra cursed the twig in about eight languages, and continued to follow, she'd been in the open the whole time..... She really wasn't hiding, just the forest seemed to partically hide her wether she wnatd it to or not.

==

Kiaati stopped dead in her tracks as she heard something else, more humanoid. No way that was a coincidence. She pulled out her weapons, though concealed still underneath her cloak. She turned, peering through the shadows of the forest. She was carefully aware, watching for movement. She spoke quietly to her comrades. "Do you hear that?"

==

Zandra grinned, having extremely good hearing.



"Yeah, I heard that alright, since I said it... if your gonna get me, do it now so I can get everything done and over with, if not, put what I know you must have out, away..."



Proceeds to walk into area with others.

==

Mizuka gritted her teeth and nodded her head. "We need to go to the towers. That's out best chance."



She tossed Kiaati and Jeff the speed potions.

==

ZAndra shook her head sadly, knowing exactly why THAT decision was made and shruged.



If she followed them their it wouldn't change much, but it would mean more walking.... She'd wait a few seconds to see if the human said anything before she forced her company on them.......

==

Kiaati held the potion in her hand. Oh boy... the nitty gritty of the job. Decisions. She sighed. They weren't ready for it. Neither group wanted the other's company. She spoke quietly, knowing very well that Zandra could hear her. "Not here too many eyes." She uncorked the bottle and swallowed it, feeling its immediate effect. She looked at Mizuka, putting away her weapons.

==

ZAndra nodded, smiling to herself, casting a appearance charm as soon as she heard the words, knowing what she ment.......



She waited for them to leave, she'd follow, but in another style......

==

"Come on, let's go." She said. She started to run at a high velocity. jeff and Kiaati and keeping up with her.

==

Kiaati ran swift and strong towards the towers. She looked at the others. I wonder how many of these potions she has. She just keeps pulling more and more out.

==

Zandra started to hum as she ran, following a slightly different course, though one that kept them within running distance if for some reason she needed to get them, hghly doubtful, she currently looked like a harmless little fox demon......

==

Kiaati could hear another set of footsteps, too light to be Jeff and in the wrong direction to be Mizuka. She had a feeling she knew who it was, and they weren't attacking, so she "forgot" to mention it to the others. She drew her weapons though, just in case she was wrong. I know I'm not supposed to run with pointy objects, but oh well. She was careful about her cloak though... no revelations there.

==

Zandra smiled, racing ahead of the group, not to far though, coming to a small issue........ a pain in the but her little fake fox demon body wouldn't work for, after all wild creatures enjoyed eatin them for lunch....

With that zandra muttered a silent curse, hoping the others would stumble across her so she wouldn't have to blow her cover, due to the fact that the capin only needed a slight excuse to chop off her figure head head and place a new one in it's place.......

==

Kiaati stopped now, seeing a problem. Wonderful... Demons... a lot of them. She looked at the others. Suprise attack would be nice. Then she remembered the blueberry and walked over to Mizuka, silently grabbing a piece from the demon's bag. She smiled, rubbing it all over her face before wiping it off. She had used this before, It made her skin all blotchy and i reflected in her eyes a different color. She looked at Mizuka and put a finger to her lips before mouthing. "Diversion." With some luck, they could kill several before being realized.

==

Zandra had about given up he when her hearing picked up something... she stood, stuck in place, not sure what to do, due to her current look.....

==

Kiaati nodded to Mizuka and Jeff, sure that if Mizuka didn't get it, she would after Jeff had begun to move. They had used these tactics before. She blinked turning her cloak inside-out to reveal the rough green underside before pulling up the hood, just enough to cover her hair. She 'stumbled' out into the clearing, looking around. The demons immediately spotted her, just as she intended. She spoke, altering her voice into a smooth tone a little deeper than her normal one. "Uh oh..."

==

Zandra glanced over and saw Kiaati and was about to become seriously worried, excet for the fact Kiaati wouldn't normally jut stand their... so....



Zandra, being currently the size of a little fox demon ran rapidly to hide under Kiaati's cloak, better to be beside somebody then all on your own...

==

Kiaati looked down and saw the fox demon dart under her cloak. She squealed and backed away so the demon was uncovered. I don't need anyone seeing what's under there yet. She knelt down by the fox demon stretching out her blotchy arms to it. "Aww..." She looked up at the demons. "Is she with you? She's so cute." She smiled, and stood up, walking towards a demon, who was gaping at her. She flashed a smile at him. "Hey handsome." She walked over close to him and he just watched her.



"Who are you?" Kiaati smiled, looking at him through her lashes. If the roles were reversed this would be the time for the cheesy pick up line. She stepped closer to him.



"Desiree." She was watching from the corners of her eyes, hoping the others were on the move.

==

Zandra still stood directly behind Kiaati, she couldn't do much in her own defense in this body, and royally hated it......

==

Kiaati noticed a few flashes of metal and the other demons moving closer to her. Oh boy... Then she saw the demon she was hitting on wave his hand slightly and they stopped. Like a charm...

==

Zandra watched them stop and BARELY managed to keep from rolling her eyes....



Men, all alike, I swear.....

==

Mizuka clenched her teeth slightly. She looked to Kiaati. 'What should I do...' she thought. She pulled out her bow and arrow and she took in a deep breath.

==

The demon grinned devilishly, stepping closer to her while speaking. "Well, Desiree, I hate to say this but I'm so thirsty. And I've just realized that my thirst is for you, a desire today, Desiree." Kiaati had wanted to sigh and roll her eyes. One of the worst pick up lines ever... Why do they always go for a play-off on my name? Instead she giggled coyly and batted her eyes.

==

Zandra was about to the point of kicking Kiaati, this was making her sick.... sad when you can make a demon nauseous..........



Zandra instead took this time to slip away....



Finding her little bow ((Well it shrunk with the rest of her, she wears a katana and a bow and arrows, but the only thing availble for use in this size being the shrunken bow.........)) and dropping two demons to the ground, pulling a third arrow to her ear....

==

She furrowed her eyebrows. She was staying still for a moment holding on to that boy and arrow.

==

Zandra countinued picking off the ones the demons weren't paying attention to, then had to stop, not wanting to cause a huge issue with whatever plan was in action.....

==

Kiaati smiled at the demon, noticing demons dropping and... the fox demon killing them? How strange... wait a minute. I get it! She moved a little closer to him. "Then what is your name?" He grinned.



"You shouldn't ask such things of us." She pouted and he chuckled slightly. "Fine Prantos." Kiaati at him and he stepped closer. She could feel the heat from him. She would have gone insane if it weren't for the fact that she did this often, slipping out of many a tight fix. The blueberry's effect kept them from recognizing her.

==

"Oi do you need me to shoot them down or what?" she asked, she was the leader so she had to decide.



She held her bow and arrow tightly.

==

Zandra, looking like a little fox demon started ropping them again, as more attention went to the two in the middle....



If she can keep big and ugl busy for a few more mintues...

==

All of the demons turned towards Mizuka, and it clicked with them. pretzels. Kiaati suddenly fell down, and Prantos kneeled beside her. "Are you with this girl?" The demons were already moving and going to attack. Kiaati let the innocence fade from her face as she stood up, bringing the fire weapon through him.



"Yes." She looked at Mizuka. "GET TO IT!" She stood, weilding her two weapons. It would have worked if she wouldn't have said that...

==

Zandra rolled her eyes, now not worring who she shot down first, just worried about bringing them down...

==

She chuckled a bit. Pulling back the bow and arrow. She grinned a bit, and shot it. The bow blasted through many at the same time. A pause and they all blew into peices, blood going everywhere.

==

Zandra chuckled quietly, fireing again.... she dare not do anythign to obivious about who she was or she got the funny feeling somebody would snitch on her....

==

Kiaati meanwhile drew down her kodachi and the fire knife thingy. She really like her new knife. The effect was very nice. She then came to the fox demon and looked at it. She spoke softly as she turned and moved away. "Interesting look."

==

Zandra grinned from ear to ear.



" Just how all fox demons look miss."



zandra could barely keep herself from saying more, the eyes and the near by ears is what they all were currently worried about.

==

'One two three... four five.... ten demons!' she shouted. She shot ten demons at once and a smirked cross her face.

==

Kiaati nodded approvingly to the fox demon, stepping over a burnt carcass. I really like this knife thing. The numbers were quickly dwindling.

==

Zandra rolled her eyes........



Looks like a child on holiday....... Or me, Seven years ago.....



Zandra winced at that last thought.....

==

She let out an excited laugh. She had been waiting to kill something for the longest time. letting her claws come out she slashed through a couple more demons.

==

Kiaati stood beside Mizuka, just watching now. There were hardly any left. One let out a shriek and then they all froze before disappearing into thin air. She sighed. Wonderful... She cleaned her blades, looking at her blotchy skin. "Well, I would like to have my regular skin and eyes back, so if you would exuse me..." She walked over and picked up a basin of water from the camp, rubbing off the blueberry juice.

==

Zandra smiled, walking over to sit beside a local tree, eyeing all the others, cute little demon fox tail getting more then in her way more then once....

==

She stared to the blood on her body. She got such a thrill from it all. She had that sadistic grin upon her face as her one eye was wide in excitment. It seems that she really did have her true demon nature.

==

Zandra sighed, knowing how that rush felt, but kept her mouth shut.

==

Kiaati turned again, looking at Mizuka. The first thing that came to mind was a child who had just had a major thrill. This bothered her a little, but she didn't show it. I don't exactly find killing fun... I mean... Sometimes you have to, but still... then again, she is a demon. Kiaati just looked away, turning her cloak right-side-out again, the navy material covering her. "Your very own one person theatre." She had no intention of mentioning what she had observed.

==

Zandra, whom had kept her mouth shut until now, chuckled, looking at Mizuka.



"It's a lust for blood only demons have."

==

She shook her head a bit. Trying to ignore the blood that had been split. "Sorry... old habits die hard." xP she scratched the back of her head and scratched the back of her head a bit nervously. She looked behind her...

==

Kiaati looked up, pretending surprise. She glared at the little fox demon. "You there! You were with the demons... I'm sure you know where they are. Get lost, I won't hesitate in your fate either." She looked down at it. I really hope she doesn't kill me for that one... I still haven't had my pomegranate. Still, she'll blow her cover like that.

==

Zandra got big mock eyes and started to 'act' scared.



" A.... BACK!!"



Zandra took off, throwing a pomegranate at Kiaati's head.



Note to self, buy more of those and throw about a dozen more at her. Can't wait until this blasted trip is over, or Akako shows up, either will work...

==

[Sushi]

Kiaati smiled, walking after Mizuka. "I know... and we also have safe passage, well sort of. Italsavu won't send his minions after us at least." She looked out through the darkness of her hood. She could see the forest surrounding them. This is certainly and interesting thing that has come to pass. I suppose I should tell them about it sooner or later. She suddenly heard a twig snap in the distance.

==

Zandra cursed the twig in about eight languages, and continued to follow, she'd been in the open the whole time..... She really wasn't hiding, just the forest seemed to partically hide her wether she wnatd it to or not.

==

Kiaati stopped dead in her tracks as she heard something else, more humanoid. No way that was a coincidence. She pulled out her weapons, though concealed still underneath her cloak. She turned, peering through the shadows of the forest. She was carefully aware, watching for movement. She spoke quietly to her comrades. "Do you hear that?"

==

Zandra grinned, having extremely good hearing.



"Yeah, I heard that alright, since I said it... if your gonna get me, do it now so I can get everything done and over with, if not, put what I know you must have out, away..."



Proceeds to walk into area with others.

==

Mizuka gritted her teeth and nodded her head. "We need to go to the towers. That's out best chance."



She tossed Kiaati and Jeff the speed potions.

==

ZAndra shook her head sadly, knowing exactly why THAT decision was made and shruged.



If she followed them their it wouldn't change much, but it would mean more walking.... She'd wait a few seconds to see if the human said anything before she forced her company on them.......

==

Kiaati held the potion in her hand. Oh boy... the nitty gritty of the job. Decisions. She sighed. They weren't ready for it. Neither group wanted the other's company. She spoke quietly, knowing very well that Zandra could hear her. "Not here too many eyes." She uncorked the bottle and swallowed it, feeling its immediate effect. She looked at Mizuka, putting away her weapons.

==

ZAndra nodded, smiling to herself, casting a appearance charm as soon as she heard the words, knowing what she ment.......



She waited for them to leave, she'd follow, but in another style......

==

"Come on, let's go." She said. She started to run at a high velocity. jeff and Kiaati and keeping up with her.

==

Kiaati ran swift and strong towards the towers. She looked at the others. I wonder how many of these potions she has. She just keeps pulling more and more out.

==

Zandra started to hum as she ran, following a slightly different course, though one that kept them within running distance if for some reason she needed to get them, hghly doubtful, she currently looked like a harmless little fox demon......

==

Kiaati could hear another set of footsteps, too light to be Jeff and in the wrong direction to be Mizuka. She had a feeling she knew who it was, and they weren't attacking, so she "forgot" to mention it to the others. She drew her weapons though, just in case she was wrong. I know I'm not supposed to run with pointy objects, but oh well. She was careful about her cloak though... no revelations there.

==

Zandra smiled, racing ahead of the group, not to far though, coming to a small issue........ a pain in the but her little fake fox demon body wouldn't work for, after all wild creatures enjoyed eatin them for lunch....

With that zandra muttered a silent curse, hoping the others would stumble across her so she wouldn't have to blow her cover, due to the fact that the capin only needed a slight excuse to chop off her figure head head and place a new one in it's place.......

==

Kiaati stopped now, seeing a problem. Wonderful... Demons... a lot of them. She looked at the others. Suprise attack would be nice. Then she remembered the blueberry and walked over to Mizuka, silently grabbing a piece from the demon's bag. She smiled, rubbing it all over her face before wiping it off. She had used this before, It made her skin all blotchy and i reflected in her eyes a different color. She looked at Mizuka and put a finger to her lips before mouthing. "Diversion." With some luck, they could kill several before being realized.

==

Zandra had about given up he when her hearing picked up something... she stood, stuck in place, not sure what to do, due to her current look.....

==

Kiaati nodded to Mizuka and Jeff, sure that if Mizuka didn't get it, she would after Jeff had begun to move. They had used these tactics before. She blinked turning her cloak inside-out to reveal the rough green underside before pulling up the hood, just enough to cover her hair. She 'stumbled' out into the clearing, looking around. The demons immediately spotted her, just as she intended. She spoke, altering her voice into a smooth tone a little deeper than her normal one. "Uh oh..."

==

Zandra glanced over and saw Kiaati and was about to become seriously worried, excet for the fact Kiaati wouldn't normally jut stand their... so....



Zandra, being currently the size of a little fox demon ran rapidly to hide under Kiaati's cloak, better to be beside somebody then all on your own...

==

Kiaati looked down and saw the fox demon dart under her cloak. She squealed and backed away so the demon was uncovered. I don't need anyone seeing what's under there yet. She knelt down by the fox demon stretching out her blotchy arms to it. "Aww..." She looked up at the demons. "Is she with you? She's so cute." She smiled, and stood up, walking towards a demon, who was gaping at her. She flashed a smile at him. "Hey handsome." She walked over close to him and he just watched her.



"Who are you?" Kiaati smiled, looking at him through her lashes. If the roles were reversed this would be the time for the cheesy pick up line. She stepped closer to him.



"Desiree." She was watching from the corners of her eyes, hoping the others were on the move.

==

Zandra still stood directly behind Kiaati, she couldn't do much in her own defense in this body, and royally hated it......

==

Kiaati noticed a few flashes of metal and the other demons moving closer to her. Oh boy... Then she saw the demon she was hitting on wave his hand slightly and they stopped. Like a charm...

==

Zandra watched them stop and BARELY managed to keep from rolling her eyes....



Men, all alike, I swear.....

==

Mizuka clenched her teeth slightly. She looked to Kiaati. 'What should I do...' she thought. She pulled out her bow and arrow and she took in a deep breath.

==

The demon grinned devilishly, stepping closer to her while speaking. "Well, Desiree, I hate to say this but I'm so thirsty. And I've just realized that my thirst is for you, a desire today, Desiree." Kiaati had wanted to sigh and roll her eyes. One of the worst pick up lines ever... Why do they always go for a play-off on my name? Instead she giggled coyly and batted her eyes.

==

Zandra was about to the point of kicking Kiaati, this was making her sick.... sad when you can make a demon nauseous..........



Zandra instead took this time to slip away....



Finding her little bow ((Well it shrunk with the rest of her, she wears a katana and a bow and arrows, but the only thing availble for use in this size being the shrunken bow.........)) and dropping two demons to the ground, pulling a third arrow to her ear....

==

She furrowed her eyebrows. She was staying still for a moment holding on to that boy and arrow.

==

Zandra countinued picking off the ones the demons weren't paying attention to, then had to stop, not wanting to cause a huge issue with whatever plan was in action.....

==

Kiaati smiled at the demon, noticing demons dropping and... the fox demon killing them? How strange... wait a minute. I get it! She moved a little closer to him. "Then what is your name?" He grinned.



"You shouldn't ask such things of us." She pouted and he chuckled slightly. "Fine Prantos." Kiaati at him and he stepped closer. She could feel the heat from him. She would have gone insane if it weren't for the fact that she did this often, slipping out of many a tight fix. The blueberry's effect kept them from recognizing her.

==

"Oi do you need me to shoot them down or what?" she asked, she was the leader so she had to decide.



She held her bow and arrow tightly.

==

Zandra, looking like a little fox demon started ropping them again, as more attention went to the two in the middle....



If she can keep big and ugl busy for a few more mintues...

==

All of the demons turned towards Mizuka, and it clicked with them. pretzels. Kiaati suddenly fell down, and Prantos kneeled beside her. "Are you with this girl?" The demons were already moving and going to attack. Kiaati let the innocence fade from her face as she stood up, bringing the fire weapon through him.



"Yes." She looked at Mizuka. "GET TO IT!" She stood, weilding her two weapons. It would have worked if she wouldn't have said that...

==

Zandra rolled her eyes, now not worring who she shot down first, just worried about bringing them down...

==

She chuckled a bit. Pulling back the bow and arrow. She grinned a bit, and shot it. The bow blasted through many at the same time. A pause and they all blew into peices, blood going everywhere.

==

Zandra chuckled quietly, fireing again.... she dare not do anythign to obivious about who she was or she got the funny feeling somebody would snitch on her....

==

Kiaati meanwhile drew down her kodachi and the fire knife thingy. She really like her new knife. The effect was very nice. She then came to the fox demon and looked at it. She spoke softly as she turned and moved away. "Interesting look."

==

Zandra grinned from ear to ear.



" Just how all fox demons look miss."



zandra could barely keep herself from saying more, the eyes and the near by ears is what they all were currently worried about.

==

'One two three... four five.... ten demons!' she shouted. She shot ten demons at once and a smirked cross her face.

==

Kiaati nodded approvingly to the fox demon, stepping over a burnt carcass. I really like this knife thing. The numbers were quickly dwindling.

==

Zandra rolled her eyes........



Looks like a child on holiday....... Or me, Seven years ago.....



Zandra winced at that last thought.....

==

She let out an excited laugh. She had been waiting to kill something for the longest time. letting her claws come out she slashed through a couple more demons.

==

Kiaati stood beside Mizuka, just watching now. There were hardly any left. One let out a shriek and then they all froze before disappearing into thin air. She sighed. Wonderful... She cleaned her blades, looking at her blotchy skin. "Well, I would like to have my regular skin and eyes back, so if you would exuse me..." She walked over and picked up a basin of water from the camp, rubbing off the blueberry juice.

==

Zandra smiled, walking over to sit beside a local tree, eyeing all the others, cute little demon fox tail getting more then in her way more then once....

==

She stared to the blood on her body. She got such a thrill from it all. She had that sadistic grin upon her face as her one eye was wide in excitment. It seems that she really did have her true demon nature.

==

Zandra sighed, knowing how that rush felt, but kept her mouth shut.

==

Kiaati turned again, looking at Mizuka. The first thing that came to mind was a child who had just had a major thrill. This bothered her a little, but she didn't show it. I don't exactly find killing fun... I mean... Sometimes you have to, but still... then again, she is a demon. Kiaati just looked away, turning her cloak right-side-out again, the navy material covering her. "Your very own one person theatre." She had no intention of mentioning what she had observed.

==

Zandra, whom had kept her mouth shut until now, chuckled, looking at Mizuka.



"It's a lust for blood only demons have."

==

She shook her head a bit. Trying to ignore the blood that had been split. "Sorry... old habits die hard." xP she scratched the back of her head and scratched the back of her head a bit nervously. She looked behind her...

==

Kiaati looked up, pretending surprise. She glared at the little fox demon. "You there! You were with the demons... I'm sure you know where they are. Get lost, I won't hesitate in your fate either." She looked down at it. I really hope she doesn't kill me for that one... I still haven't had my pomegranate. Still, she'll blow her cover like that.

==

Zandra got big mock eyes and started to 'act' scared.



" A.... BACK!!"



Zandra took off, throwing a pomegranate at Kiaati's head.



Note to self, buy more of those and throw about a dozen more at her. Can't wait until this blasted trip is over, or Akako shows up, either will work...

==

Just barely in the forest, Jeff stood there in a hypnosis. He had taken a look at the crystal after getting a nod from Kiaati, and everything paused from there. The crystal drew him in slowly... Jeff, not knowing what it was doing, couldn't resist.

==

"You better run..." she said.



She took our her bow and arrow and pulled it back. 'Hmph...' she pointed it at the fox.

==

Zandra, remembering Jeff had been absent from the fight, back tracked, finding him she all but threw a pomegranate at him too.



Fool



Zandra quickly snapped him out of it, being gone before he realized whom had helped him.

==

Kiaati caught the pomegranate. I deserved that. She looked it over, speaking softly. "Yes! This might be a bad omen, but whatever..." She pulled out a kodachi and split the pomegranate. She walked over to Jeff, eating. "Uh oh." She poked him, waving the other half of the pomegranate in front of him.

==

"Something hit me... musta been a bug..." Jeff looked around and put the crystal back in his pocket. "What am I? A bug zapper?! Gah." After a moment he walked over to the others. "Whoa, I think i missed something..." Two score of demons dead... He blinked a couple of times and looked to the sky as a Dragon flew overhead. 'Interesting... a dragon at this time of day?' ... "Oh, hey there Kiaati... Sorry, kinda spaced out."

==

Kiaati nodded. "Yeah... figured as much. Look it... pomeeeggggrrraaannnnaaatttteee." She grinned, giving him half and sitting on a rock and eating happily. Pomegranates were her favorite and they kind of put her on a happy high. She looked up at the dragon, the smile on her face not moving. "Interesting."

==

"My thoughts exactally." Jeff sat down beside Kiaati and took a bite into the Pomegranate. "It could mean the rise of a brave hero who will 'slay the dragon' like in the fairy tales." He took another bite and then after he swallowed he added, "Or I could just be crazy and it's just a dragon." He shrugged.

==

Zandra watched the dragon finally pass after making several rounds, and Zandra let out breath she hadn't even realized she'd been holding it.

==

Kiaati continued to eat, laughing. "Yes yes... the brave man..." She stood up doing a power stance. "... to rescue fair maiden." She pretended to faint and laid on the ground laughing and eating her pomegranate. Her grin occupied every inch of her face that it could reach.

==

Zandra Smiled when she got to alittle stream, splashing in the water, wishing she was looking ler herself, but not daring, this was a very risky move on her part, but required...

==

Jeff gave a smile right back at Kiaati, just a large. It has been a long time since they were this happy... what happened? Hah, duh, the pomegranate. Then suddenly he felt a vibration in his pack. "Whaa?!" He jumped away from it and dropped it on the ground. Breathing hard and shaky he picked up the pack and took out the book he gained from the weaponsmith.

==

Zandra sighed remembering , that the pomegranate she'd thrown had been enfused with an energy spell, now they would have energy for the next 12 hours..... Oh well... she had another

==

Kiaati was now lying on her stomach, eating the pomegranate and watching carefully. Nothing seemed to be a threat, so she wasn't worried. "What's wrong?" She giggled slightly, watching Jeff. She was really antsy for some reason....

==

Zandra started hunting the necklace on her neck, finding the crystals, looking at them then placing them back under neather her shirt, changing her mind.

==

"Umm... i think the book was talking to me." Jeff poked it, but it didn't do anything. The pack stopped viberating after he took the book out as well, but was he going to open it? He was unsure if he wanted to now... Now, in almost a hypnotic daze like earlier, he stared down the book.

==

Kiaati jumped to her feet, darting over to him. She got there a little faster than she expected and was unable to stop. She ran slam into him and fell back on the ground. She laughed, sitting and looking at the book. "What did it say? Open it..." She smiled, eating some more.

==

"Uhh..." Jeff looked at the book, it was radiating a sort of evil power. "I... dunno..." He knocked on the cover and it hissed. "But it certainly isn't a happy camper. In fact, it's a book so it doesn't have feelings..." Finally he opened it, and miracuosly he called out, "I can read it! ... no, wait, i'm seeing things..." He looks at it and scratches his head. 'Same as before, I can't understand a single line of this thing, let alone a single character.'

==

ZAndra sat their, not liking this idea of being alone mroe and more, she'd been fine when in normal form, but.....



Zandra decided to go back and wacth the human's camp, at least then she'd know how much of the fruit had been eatten....

==

Kiaati laughed heartily and stood up. She stood up on tiptoe, looking over his shoulder at the book. "It says, 'Many years...' see?" She laughed, pointing to some of the shapes. She poked his shoulder, running and hopping up onto the boulder to sit down again, enjoying the pomegranate. She was listening though carefully. She didn't hear anything potentially dangerous.

==

ZAndra saw how little of the fruit was left and almsot pounded her head against a tree.....



and on humans it lasts longer.....about 18..... oh man....

==

"..." Jeff looked at the book, back at Kiaati, back at the book, and then at Kiaati again, then back to Kiaati one last time before looking back at the book. "Um, you just read part of it..." He stated.

==

Zandra was currently eyeballing the book and smiling to herself...



If you hold up the crystal in the light it will help.... You'll need kiaati though, I hope you lot learn faster then you look like you do....

==

Kiaati just shrugged, finishing the pomegranate. She was feeling really really really antsy now. She looked at him. "Areyoufeelingreallyweirdrightnowlikeyoucouldjustkeepgoingandgoingandgoing? Ido. It'sreallyweird,I'mreallyantsyandyouknowthatI'mneverantsy,evenwhenIhaveapomegrante. Ilikepomegranates. Alotalotalot." She was speaking so fast her words were blurring together.

==

zandra couldn't take it anymore, dropping down into the clearing, aughing apologetically.



"I can tell you what's wrong, and it was on accident, but you won't like it...."



Is no longer worried about cover.

==

Jeff blinked a few times and looked down at his pomegrante which had 2 bites out of it. "Nope, and i take it you don't either," he said sarcastically. Then he tossed the book over to Kiaati. "Well, since you have 'no energy what so ever' why don't you read a book." He then started digging through his pack looking for the shiny thing. Just then he heard 'her' and turned to look. "Um... hi?"

==

Kiaati suddenly had a moment were she just couldn't see or move or hear, but only a moment. Her vision came back and she blinked, swaying slightly. "Whoa..." She shook her head, the hyper had worn off. "Zandra? What were you saying?" She laughed slightly, okay, maybe not all of the way worn off. She looked at the book in her hands. Strange...

==

Zandra waved at Jeff nicely, walking right over to Kiaati, pointing at the fruit.



"It's that."

==

Jeff says, "Yeah, it tastes great." He dramatically-slow raised it to take a bite.

==

Kiaati sighed, now able to control herself. She only felt a little antsy now. She looked at the eaten pomegranate and sighed. "Really? Let me guess, you spiked it." She sighed, looking at the book, glad that Mizuka was not currently present. "And you wonder why I don't eat from your hands." She laughed slightly.

==

zandra laughed again.



"The only peice of food I energized and I chose that peice to throw at you."



Breaks spell, looking like self again, hair falling free and nicely. Smiles.



"Been years since I actully talked to somebody, though the engery does help on the spur of the moment...."

==

The fruit got very close to Jeff's mouth...

==

Zandra glanced over at jeff.



"If you wanna start talkinglikethisandrunninglapseverywherebemygeust.. ...."



Smiles slightly.

==

He suddenly stops and stares at Zandra. "Um... what?"

==

Kiaati looked at Jeff. "You know... if you eat that, do it sparingly. If it can make me all weird, I can only imagine what it'll do to you." She looked back at Mizuka before sitting down on the boulder. She held the book in her lap. She rubbed the binding. It was an older book, her favorite. She spoke to the demon. "Well, I wouldn't have normally eaten it, but it happens to have been a pomegranate. I... er... like pomegranates." Kiaati was waiting for it, she knew Jeff was going to say something...

==

Jeff realized that Kiaati was waiting for him to talk. "Uh," he grunted and left it at that. He took a bite out of the pomegranate and found a nice shady place to sit down at, it was getting warm out.

==

Zandra watched the group for alittle while, kinda glad for the company, though surprised nobody had asked anything, but not completely, they were still out in the open(ish).

==

Kiaati smiled. Thank goodness... Almost every time, he would mention some incident with a pomegranate. She looked at Zandra. "Tell me something I don't know." It was her typical conversation starter. She had no intention of discussing important matters at the moment.

==

"I'm glad I didn't throw my last orange at you. Not worth it."



Grins.

==

Jeff took another bite of his mystery food-thingy and took a seat. His training as a Paladin made poisons nearly ineffective on him, and it seemed to be working on the energy-giving charge in the pomegranate.

==

Kiaati laughed lightly, looking at the book in her lap. "Hey Jeff, any clue where Mizuka went?" She ran her fingers along the lines of the cover.

==

Zandra looked over at Kiaati.



" Use the crystal, hold it in the light...."



Closes eyes, letting sun back face, relaxing, but keeping an extremely sharp ear.

==

Kiaati sighed. "Interesting information. Too bad it's Jeff that has the crystal and it's cloudy." She shrugged. "Besides, I'm just an ordinary human, as I assume you already know. I'm not special like Mr. Paladin over there." She laughed lightly, opening the book. She glanced up at Zandra. "I'm curious, any particular reason that we have a stalker that helps us?"

==

Zandra now sat up more straightly and looked over at Kiaati.



" If you want me to answer that fine, but you might not believe me."

==

Kiaati raised a brow.



"I reserve the right to keep it a secret then." She looked up at Zandra curiously, a stray lock of her red hair falling in front of her eyes.

==

Zandra nodded, crossing her arms.



" Well I suppose it all began when I was younger and blood thirsty, at the time I hated all humans, found them inferrior, and that they needed to die. any who opossed me, I killed, I became known to everyone. Soon I had followers."



Sighs.



"Well as we all finallyknow I became Demon queen, squashing every resistance that came up, until about five years ago."



Gets dark distant look.



" I switched captins in my military standings, I was planing on finally giving up as such and try to make peace with people, but my new captin wouldn't allow that...For a time I kept him in check, but not alot, and then I found out he was planning behind my back.I am currently only a figure head because people still fear me. That is the nly reason he hasn't tired to kill me right now. And to be honest, he scares the hell out of me...."

==

Kiaati was silent for a moment. She just looked at Zandra. She was kind to us... but could that be an act? No, I don't know why, but I feel it is the truth. What she says would make sense. When Kiaati finally did speak, it was in a voice almost silent.



"We know not with whom we fight." She sighed slightly and untied her cloak, sitting the book beside her. She needed to see something, but she still wasn't sure... She sighed and shook her head, rubbing her temples lightly.



"I assume you know more about us than I could possibly want you to, but still..." She sighed, rummaging through her bag. "One of my..." She stopped mid-sentence, deciding not to phrase the sentence that way, but how to change it? It would be too easy to guess the original sentence if she wasn't careful. "Where did it go? ...One of my allies happens to have a bone to pick with you." Perfect.

==

Zandra came out of her thoughts, and grinned.



"I know more then one whom has 'a bone to pick' with me. Your current demon I'm surprised didn't try to kill me, if I remember correctly, it was her mother I killed, yes/no? I cna't take abck what I did, nor, at the time, would I have, I am what I am now, and I was what I was. As to information...."



Now humor danced in Zandra's eyes.



" That goes both ways, actually three if I count what I know about the Captian....."

==

Kiaati sighed, pulling a compass out of her pack and looked at Zandra. "That wasn't really what I meant. I was implying anything I might tell you, you probably already know." She slid off the boulder standing before Zandra.



"I know this sounds stupid, but we've never been formally introduced, though I'm sure know who I am just as well as I know who you are." She stuck out her right hand and sighed.



"My real name, which a lot of people get confused about, is Kiaati."

==

Zandra smiled, shaking the hand offered.



"Zandra, as you geuss, call me Lynne in this case.Also, I doubt your going to like hearing this, but I'm not the one your fighting anymore, but I wouldn't be as hard to defeat as the captain is..."



Sighs....

==

Kiaati sighed slightly. "Lynne?" She just shook her head. Interesting. Kiaati climbed back on the boulder and threw a slight grin to Zandra. "I think I'd rather call you Zandra... but anyhow. I've already guessed as much as what you said." She began digging through her bag again. "After all, you are talking to the leader of your longest surviving rebellion, I have to be able to think." She glanced up, the edges of her mouth turned up. "If you didn't know that, you would have figured it out sooner or later."

==

Zandra nodded.



" I was beginging to suspect. Certian movements look....familiar. Besides, their can nly be one human ever on the face of this planet like him...."



Points at Jeff.



"Never watched someone so....... Well carefree, and yet caring....."

==

Kiaati glanced up from her bag again. "Familiar?" She was curious what Zandra had meant, they had never met face to face before. Kiaati shifted her gaze to Jeff and smiled nodding. "Yes. Jeff is certainly unique, but in a good way. Glad he's for our side." She smiled, looking finally finding a box in her bag. She tried to open it only to remember it was locked. Oops.

==

Zandra looked at the box for a second... but decided to just watch and wait.



" BTW, Lynne is what my mother use to call me, my father called me Zandra, both are my name."



Zandra sighed, pulling two crystals like the one jeff had out, different colors though, The one jeff had was blue ((If it wasn't, it is now lol)) the two she held were green and clear, Akako had the other one, which was red. Thinking ...

==

"Okay, so you just chose the scary one or what?" Kiaati rummaged through the bag, not finding the key. A million curses were running through her mind. She began rummaging through her cloak pockets... nothing. She then began to pull other things off of her, searching them wish no success. She even took out her weapons to check the sheaths... nothing. She was now standing up, wearing nothing but her clothes and weapons. Hey, this is actually kind of nice being this light. She took off her shoes and felt around in her hair... nothing. "Jeff, do you know where I put the stupid little..." Then she found it. "Never mind." She held up the small siver piece with a sigh. She looked at Zandra. "Is that what you meant by familiar?"

==

Looks at item, drawing attention away from crystals.



" Actually yes, tha does look familiar now that I think about it.....And no, my father yelled at me using Zandra after I killed the first human, it just stuck..."

==pg. 24 pst. 928==

Kiaati looks around to see all of her belongings scattered hopelessly about. "It would be my luck for someone to attack right about now... or for it to rain." As if on cue, the sky suddenly began to dump buckets on them. Kiaati sighed, holding the key between her teeth as she scrambled to put everything on her again. With a minute, she was fully loaded again and her cloak was tied on with the hood up. Then, just as suddenly as it began, the rain stopped. Kiaati sighed, removing the key from between her teeth. "And such is my life."

==

Looks at clouds.



"Welcome to my world."



Looks at Kiaati.



" So, are you going to procede and get poured on as soon as you get unloaded? Or perhaps you'd like to know that the captian I have issues with was riding that dragon that went by eairlier...."

==

Kiaati sat on a slightly damp boulder. "Very interesting piece of information, but I had no intention of unloading again, hardly ever do." She let her cloak fall back behind her arms show as to show the box, it was a metal box given to her by a magical prison keeper. The metal was made from the same alloy as the cells, so nothing could break, go in, or get out of it unless she had the key, which she moved to different places in her possession daily. She stuck in the small key and the box opened, revealing carefully folded papers. She pulled them out.

==

Zandra countinued to watch KIaati silently, keepign her ears open for anything out of the normal, last thing anyone of them needed was unexpected company.



" Just thought you outta know, the last thing I currently want is him to find out whom's side I'm on and have him kill me, or you, without a second thought. It just ddin't sound appealing to me."

==

Jeff yawned, stretched, and stood up. After a moment he decided to sit back down to take a small nap. "I'll be here. Holler if you need anything." A moment later he was sleeping with his back against a tree.

==

Zandra fought the urge to inform the young guy if they needed him they probably wouldn't need to holler... Oh well, Paladins weren't very much availble anymore, better leave him be....

==

Kiaati put down the box on the boulder and laid down the papers. She sat down the compass, and picked up ((oh crud what do you call those little metal thingys? you use them for measuring on a map?)) and a pencil. She glanced up at Jeff, who was sleeping, and shook her head. I guess I'll just have to tell him later... She opened up a paper, a large worn map with a lot of markings. She sighed, thinking. If we went past the... and then we... She picked up the metal thingy and the pencil doing some math and moving her things along a map... very detailed and very accurate. She picked up the pencil, circling an area. She shut everything and climbed up onto the boulder, jumping into a tree. "Oof!" She climbed up and peeked above the canopy before hopping back to the ground. She opened the map again, glancing over her shoulder at Zandra.



"Sorry by the way for not being the best of company." She turned back to the map, drawing a dot and looking at the closest markings. Kiaati nodded, putting the map and most of the papers back into the box. She sat down on the rock, flipping through some more papers in her lap. She glanced up at Zandra with a grin.

==

Zandra sighed, thinking, looking over at Kiaati.



" I have been my own company before, I can be it again. But I enjoy being around those were I only have to parically watch my back, as well as the fact nobody is here making a big fuss over me, I hate it."

==

Kiaati nodded. "Well that's nice to know." She was flipping through the papers, not really giving the conversation much attention. The majority of her attention was divided between her search through the papers, and paying attention for a threat. She read a promising looking paper, only to find it wasn't what she was looking for. She laughed slightly though, glancing up at Zandra. She finally found the right paper, well actually papers.



"Finally."

==

Zandra finally curious stood u, looking over Kiaati's shoulder, reading the papers as she flipped through them, each informational, but nothing more.

Glad I learned how to read fast...Sheeze...



Then Kiaati said 'finally.'



"Finally, what?"

==

Kiaati was looking for little details, not what the papers actually said. She glanced up at Zandra with a grin. She put the rest of the papers in the box, holding the one that appeared to be on how to breed cows. "I see you can read human... I'd expect nothing less." She grabbed a match out of her bag and struck it holding it under the paper.

==

Zandra nodded.



" Well I dared not tell anybody, make me look suspicious. Don't get me wrong, their are alot on my side, just more on his...... Stupid jerk..."



Growls, then shrugs, watching Kiaati closely.

==

Kiaati looked at Zandra as the flame flickered beneath the paper.



"And just so you know, this is the only paper like this, and it's not very important, so I'll let you see the secret." Kiaati sighed. Every good leader knows not to let out the important secrets. The flame was warming the paper and it was beginning to happen. A darker ink was appearing over the regular words, it contained the information she needed.

==

Zandra nodded.



"Duh. I'm still not trust worthy yet, I know that."



Which is why I must put my best foot forward first and hope I don't fall... Because if I do I will have to go to plan b, and plan b wll be alot harder without these people's help. Though it is still plan a if I have their help. I don't know what plan b is yet, better think of one, just incase........

==

Kiaati could now read the words. She remembered the positioning on the map and flipped through them, looking. She found a page on what she was looking for. She scanned it.



"Fire and illusion tower... but do I...?" She flicked out the match with a grin. The words disappeared and once again it was about cow breeding. She put it in the box and shut it, picking up the key to place somewhere on her person later. She nudged Jeff. "Come on... we have to see if Zacharias is still alive."

==

Zandra sighed, watching Kiaati, if she wanted to tag along, she couldn't very well look like she did now, but this time it'd be less drastict changes.



Zandra walked alittle ways away mummbling the incantaion under breath.



Do I tag along forever, or do I show them good faith and trust them with information, Kiaati is going to want to test the feild with quesitons eventually, I know her, any leader would. But what questions? and will I be in a position to answer? Will Akako be here by then and this all alittle bit easier....... This is all going to become a big pain really fast if anything happens to throw it off...

==

Kiaati looked up at Zandra. "I presume you're changing your appearance. I need to speak with you for a moment when your done... I know that interrupting some spells can be catastrophic." She sighed, looking at the compass in her hand. North would be that way... so we have to go... She nodded, tucking her compass into one of her many pockets.

==

ZAndra nodded, continuing to mummble the spell. Once the spell to effect she looked like a simple demon girl about 15 with short blonde hair, with retactable cat ears, tail, and claws.



" I like keeping those fetures, and it's not like I am the only cat demon thier is....."



Walks back to Kiaati.



" Okay, what is it?"

==

Kiaati glanced at Jeff, who she had just shaken to wake up. She coughed slightly.



"I need something to write on... how about that tree over there?" She smiled sweetly, walking over into the shade of the tree. She hoped that Zandra wouldn't question her. She needed to talk without others' listening ears. "Well, Lynne?" She would call the demon that due to the apearance change.

==

Zandra bit her tounge on the question that came to mind, on about the hundred questions really.....



Sighing silently, she followed kiaati.

==

Kiaati looked carefully at Zandra as she came over. "I assume your going to be tagging along... or stalking, whichever you prefer. I would like to know. Will anyone be following you and if so how will they effect us?"

==

Jeff looks around while still sitting under 'his' tree. 'It's... too peaceful, something isn't right.' He sighs and stands up. "Well, no reason to get all gloomy about it being peaceful! Time to get up and at 'em like a springtime fox during the upcoming of summer!" He then sighs again. "But, there isn't anything to do." A moment later he's sitting down again attempting to nap.

==

Zandra looked Kiaati over for a second.



"I'd preffer it be 'taging along' but as to will anyone be following? Yes, at least one demon, but she isn't a worry. Now as to any other demons, possibly. If the captin supects my doing this he'll have people watching for my description everywhere, but he's fool enough not to think of duguises.... as to how it will effect you it just means nobody netter call me Zandra, no one knows my other name except my mother. And she isn't even around anymore. "



" And as to how the one demon following behind, knowing what to look for, she will probably be a nice aid, but I can't promise anything, she has always sided with me over that captian, thank goodness..... "

==

Kiaati nodded.



"Thank you for giving me that information. Now... we're temporarily even. I'll let you meet Zacharias... if he's alive and if that's still his name. He lives nearby and is a friendly contact... erm... in our debt a few thousand favors."



Suddenly something moved and Kiaati jerked her attention. She relaxed seeing only that an overly ripe pineapple had fallen on Jeff's head.



"Now, no need to dawdle."

==

Zandra nodded.



" Lead the way, I'm just your walking book of answers, you just have to ask the right question."



Smiles, looking back at Jeff.



"This should be an amussing time..."

==

Kiaati looked at her and shook her head.



"Questions are not best asked amongst the ears of the forest. Things listen though we do not see them." She smiled at Jeff, walking over to him. She pulled out a handkerchief and wiped some of the pineapple juice from his head.



"You know, your head split right through that." She smiled. "If you're going to ignore me, then maybe you should be more careful where you do it."

==

[Sushi]

Zandra laughed at the way Jeff's hair clinge to his head not thatnks to the pineapple juice, going over to pick up the broken peices.



" I love pineapple, no use wasting it...."



Pulls out small knife with flick of writst, cutting pineapple up.



"Want any?"

==

Kiaati shook her head.



"Gives me heartburn something fierce." Her handkercheif was not completely soaked with pineapple juice, so she just pulled another one out, continuing to mop Jeff's head. She looked at him.



"How much of that juice can your head hold? Seriously, this is ridiculous." She pulled out a third handkerchief.

==

Zandra shrugged, happily eating it.



She looked at jeff.



" you poor thing, is your hair some kind of human sponge?

==

Kiaati pulled out a fourth handkerchief with wide eyes, sopping up his hair.



"Is this some sort of crazy paladin thing? I never knew this about you, Jeff. What happens when you go swimming? or does it only do this with fruit juice?" After her sixth handkerchief, his head was dry. She looked at the pile of pineapple soaked handkerchiefs and shook her head. I'll just use my other ones. She stuffed them in a little plastic bag and then into one of her sacks. She shook her head and sighed. She turned to walk away, but then changed her mind.



"Too many people know my face where we're going." She grabbed a piece of pineapple, using it to stain her skin a yellower tone. "I'm going to be yellow for a day or so now..." She stuck a little red dot on her forehead. She smiled, speaking to Zandra with an Indian (not native american, actually indian) accent.



"Shall we go, Lynne?"

==

Zandra chuckled, mimicking the sound for a second....



" By all means."

==

Kiaati's eyes sparkled slightly.



"Lynne, my name is Myran. I am delighted to have you accompany us on our journey." She dropped her voice to a quiet level, flipping up her hood to hide her face. She dropped the accent for just one comment.



"Jeff will vouche that I don't need magic to be someone else." She smiled from the shadows of her hood and turned to walk away in the predetermined direction. She glanced over her should and spoke, picking up the indian accent again.



"And so begins our lovely journey to the small village of Tyrian." She walked off.

==

Zandra nodded, falling behind Kiaati, walking a few steps ahead of Jeff.



This should interesting, they atleast haven't thrown me out on my ears saying 'to bad so sad' ...

==

Kiaati walked through the forest, weaving between the trees. The smell of pineapple filled her nose. She sighed slightly, listening carefully. Moving was even more dangerous than standing still. There was a constant stream of noise, even for the most silent of feet. Her nose was itching. Oh crud... She was listening even harder, trying to hear something... anything. Then she heard a crack above her head, causing her to jerk her attention upward.

==

ZAndra heard the crake and had to force herself not to just flick the blade at her wriste into whomever or whatever it was...



Damn it, NOW what?? Man no wonder they ran from me so easily...

==

A squirrel jumped down onto Zandra's head, causing Kiaati to let out a breath. Something just didn't feel right though... and her nose was still itching. Stupid squirrel... I wonder what she's going to do about that.

==

Zandra growled at the stupid squirrel.



If I hadn't promised that little kid back in the last village I was in that I wouldn't hut anymore squirrels...



Zandra watched it run off, still, for some reason wanting to kill it...



Why Do I want the dumb thing dead so bad?

==

Kiaati nodded and turned to move, only to see a figure standing directly in front of her. She could tell it was male, though every inch of them save the bright green eyes was covered with black fabric. Why didn't I hear him? He spoke softly.



"Be still strangers. Move not even a finger." A squirrel... the squirrel jumped up onto his shoulder before shapeshifting into a pixie.

==

Damn it Damn it Damn it!! Damn it!!! F\/ck OH pretzels....Should have killed the thing...



Zandra's mind was turning about 5,000s bits a second, once it got past the curse words. Though Zandra did notice the man's lovely green eyes...



SCREW THE EYES!!!..... PAY ATTENTION!



Zandra was either scolding herself or cursing mentally the whole time , waiting for a reaction.

==

Kiaati made the split second desicion not to do anything... yet. The man spoke again.



"Who are you and what is your business in our domain?" Kiaati registered this immediately. Our... there might be more than just them. She reponded in her disguised voice.



"I am Myran and these are my friends... we were just trying to find a village... but I fear we may be lost. Do you know which way to Tyrian?" He leaned closer to Kiaati.



"What proof do you have to offer your words as truth?"



"None I fear, you will just have to trust me." His hand shot out incredibly and flipped back her hood. She smiled at him sweetly. The pixie pushed away the hoods of Jeff and Zandra ((if you were wearing one...))

==

Zandra couldn't help herself whe n her face was fully exposed, ears retracting seconds before hood was flipped back.



GAWSH HE HAS GORGEOUS EYES...... NO!!!! Kncok it off you ninny, have you been shut off from the world of men for that long?? Gee get yourself a grip...What if he want's you dead too?



That last though kept Zandra from openly staring into the guys eyes.

==

The man walked past Kiaati to Zandra. He leaned close to her. "What is your name?"



Kiaati watched out of the corner of her eye, smiling sweetly still. The pixie then poked Kiaati between the eyes. "Yes?" The pixie nodded approvingly before landing on Kiaati's head. The pixie then whispered into Kiaati's ear.



"You smell like pineapple."

==

OMG....must answer calmly....



"Lynne."



Those EYES....omyomyomyomyomyomy...breath....calm....oce an......rivers... forests...green....eyes, no not again.....easy, calm...



Zandra's face didn't reveal a thing as to her current internal struggle with herself......but any knowin woman would probably plainly see it.

==

Kiaati was watching Zandra out of the corner of her eye again and desperately wanting to laugh. She didn't though. Not a single muscle on her face moved. The little pixie spoke again.



"I like pineapple." The man circled Zandra.



"You... smell strange... and you growled at my friend..." He looked her over closely.

==

"I'm part cat demon, you know, half breed."



Holds out hands to show retractable claws.



Okay, so more then half, but Mr. dreamy eyes doesn't need to know that...man either he hurries up or so help me...self control......

==

Kiaati nodded, speaking to the pixie.



"I like pineapple too." Mr. Dreamy (as so dubbed by Zandra) stepped back away from Zandra.



"I thought that was what I smelled." He reached up and undid his black head dress. He had slightly shaggy auburn hair with two reddish ears protruding from his head. "Are burly dude and pineapple girl with you, my dear?"

==

Zandra, unable to help herself at this point blushed slightly seeing all of his face..



GAWSH SO DARN CUTE!!!! 'mental swoon' OMG!!!



" Yes."



ZAndra replied, biting her lip.

==

Kiaati was literally biting her tongue to keep from laughing at this point. Any woman with eyes... and probably those without, could see that Zandra was just dying over this guy. Mr. Dreamy smiled, taking her hand and bending to kiss it. He smiled at her.



"Well then you are all invited to be my guests. I am Drandar Tesphoni." Kiaati's jaw dropped. Oh my gosh!

==

Zandra couldn't help the flush that crept into her face, this made her feel stupid...



GAWSH DARN IT! WHY'D HE HAVE TO BE SO CUTE???? Oh man, kiaati, what do you want me to do??.....



zandra smiled at the man.



"Thank you Sir, Drandar, was it?"

==

Drandar smiled at Zandra. "I insist... come with us." The little pixie flew over and landed on his shoulder, speaking.



"She kind of looks like you... except prettier." Drandar laughed and spoke again.



"This is Opal, by the way." He looked at Opal. "Well of course, a rock is prettier than I am." He looked back at Zandra. "Lynne, my home is this way, in Tyriad." Kiaati looked at Zandra, nodding just ever so slightly. Go with him... go with him...

==

Zandra bit her lip playfully and nodded.



" Alright, and hi Opal, I am sincerely sorry for how I reacted."



Zandra followed Drandar, hoping she understood Kiaati right, but considering she'd be going with those dreamy gorgeous eyes, she could reall care less.



I don't care what he says about himself, he's cute !! How does he expect me to function around him???

==

Kiaati smiled slightly, following them. Opal fluttered over and landed on Zandra's head, speaking.



"Oh that's okay... I'm curious though. Where are your ears? Drandar has ears, but I don't see any on you." She hopped around on Zandra's head. Drandar turned around, touching Zandra's shoulder to stop her as he grabbed Opal off her head. He smiled at her.





"Sorry about that." He looked at Opal in his hand. "I told you, it's not polite to jump around on a stranger's head." Kiaati's smile was still playing at her lips. She inconspicuously poked Zandra. She raised a brow playfully.

==

Zandra saw the look Kiaati gave her, and almost was burning red, but recovered swiftly.



" I'll tell you about my ears when we get to your, er, um, Drandar's place, how's that sound Opal? And don't mind, she reminds me of alittle kid, all innoccent. And if she wants, she can ride on my head, though I'd sincerely apriciate it if she didn't go and start tieing knots or anything....."

==

Kiaati's smile didn't move an inch. Drandar spoke to Zandra. "That's very kind of you." Opal suddenly zipped out of his hands and onto her head, chattering away.



"Drandar never lets me ride on his head, I don't tie it in knots or anything, but he doesn't let me. I like riding on heads... especially with people that have ears. Ooo, I can't wait to hear about your ears. Your hair is really soft." Drandar laughed slightly, glancing over his shoulder at Zandra as he walked.



"Hey Lynne, are you feeling okay? Your looking a mite feverish."

==

Zandra pointedly glared at Kiaati for a second, but recovered rapidly.



" Opal, you talk alot, and I haven't the slightest why he won't let you ride on his head, but if it has anything to do wiht how much your talking..."



Zandra smiled slightly.



" All I ask is no knots and no ripping it out too. and thank you for the compliment on my hair, but ti really is rather dryed out."



Zandra looked back at Jeff for a second, completely glad he hadn't opened his rather comical mouth.

==

Drandar stopped for just a moment and pressed his hand to Zandra's forehead. "You even feel feverish. Are you sure your okay?"



Kiaati held up her hands in surrender. I'm not even doing anything except smiling.

==

Zandra had to pointedly stop herself from laughing, he was so sweet, but honestly...

So sweet, hasn't even known me for 30 minutes...



" Yes, I am completely fine, trust me nothign out of the ordinary. Thank you for the concern..."



Note to self, get Kiaati back for that one....



Drandar gave up, turning around again (( Hated to steel him form you, but I very well needed him to turn around)).



Zandra tossed Kiaati a look and mouthed 'turst?' pointing to Drandar. Keeping Opal preoccupied by talking to her.

==

Drandar walked through the woods again. "Opal... some day when you're older you're going to look back on how you're acting now and you'll ask yourself why you were so hyper."



Kiaati looked at Zandra, nodding vigorously. Very important... need to talk with him.

==

Zandra grinned more when Kiaati responded.



Perfect, now I can keep my word to little over hyper and talkative Opal.



"You know Opal,I think you talk more then I do, I didn't thnk that was possible."



Zandra smiled, handing Opal a small ribbion.



"Think your talented enough to run that through my hair lil one?"

==

Kiaati raised a brow... Zandra seemed to be getting in on the lying too.



Opal took the ribbon excitedly. "Yes, yes! I can do that. I'm really good at doing hair. I practiced on Drandar while he was sleeping once, but he got angry so I stopped. Now I do the little girls' hair in the village. They like it and I think it's fun." She began fixing the ribbon in Zandra's hair.



Drandar laughed slightly. "Opal, I believe you have found your twin." Kiaati could see the forest thinning up ahead.

==

zandra grinned as she felt the little pix moving around in her hair.



" You know it feels as weird as all get out with you up their Opal....."



Zandra glanced at Drandar up ahead and smiled, flushing slightly again.

==

Opal giggled. "Sorry. Hey at least I'm not throwing pixie dust in your hair. It makes it pretty and shiny, but a lot of people says it makes their head feel funny. At least for a little while." Drandar came to a large door, knocking in a strange pattern. A voice came from the other side.



"Little Miss Muffet sat on her tuffet eating her curds and...?" Drandar sighed.



"You really should get a life, Frank." The voice laughed.



"Then why did you come to this door and knock in rythmn?" Drandar huffed.



"Because I didn't want to walk all the way around the village to the other gate." The voice, Frank, laughed.



"I'm not letting you in unless you say it." Drandar looked like he was about to object again, but instead he hit his head on the door replying.



"Little Miss Muffet sat on her tuffet eating her curds and BLUEBERRY POPTARTS!!!"

==

Zandra heard this and almost broke out in the giggles.



OMGawsh I think their is alot I'm missing. And I really outta tell these people the truth, or partly the truth, I owe it to Opal.



"Opal, Pixie dust might do less then lotion......"

==

Drandar pushed on the door, but it didn't budge. Frank spoke. "No that was yesterday's password." Drandar smacked himself in the face, his ears turning forward.



"Then what is it today?" Frank laughed.



"I can't tell you that, then it wouldn't be a secret." Drandar's ears flattened against his head as he growled. Frank laughed. "Don't try that, you're on that side of the door, and I'm on this side."



"I'll tell Jennavive about what happened to the lampshade if you make me walk all the way around." In a split second the door flew open. A man stood there looking at us. He laughed shakily.



"I was just kidding, the password was blueberry poptarts. Come on in." Drandar smiled, his face going back to normal as he turned to Zandra. Opal had finished with the ribbon. Drandar smiled speaking.



"That's absolutely lovely on you, Lynne. Oh, come with me, my house is just beyond the door."

==

Zandra nodded, blushing at the compliment, remind herself to take Opal on a shopping spree.



I'm nit kidding, buy ribbion in every color and hire her full time.



Zandra glanced over at Kiaati, knowing that she was still blushing and also knowing the mocking to come later....



Oh well, he's CUTE!!! And he's nice......But I'll let Kiaati do the leading once we get at his house...

==

Drandar led Zandra into his house and Kiaati followed alongside Jeff. Drandar led them into a kitchen, looking up at Zandra. "Hungry?" Opal was standing on the counter, jumping around.



"Ooo! Lynne, say yes! I'm hungry too. Drandar can cook really really good, I mean I barely eat any, compared to him, but I'm sure that he could fix enough to fill you up too. He could fix for your friends too. Say yes! Say yes!" Kiaati looked at Zandra, giving a slight shrug. I don't care either way.

==

Zandra laughed, snatching Opal up in her hand in mid-hop.



" Will you calm down if I say yes? Just alittle..... Calm down just alittle."



Zandra sighed slightly, looking at Kiaati.



[i[ I love Drandar's attention, but I really think Kiaati should be incharge... Oh well, as long as she doesn't lung at my throat I think I didn't screw-up to bad.[/i]

==

Opal smiled at sat down in Zandra's hand. She smiled sweetly. "I can do that." Drandar laughed slightly.



"Not for long though..." Within minutes, a steaming plate of food was in front of everyone. "What do you think of my cooking, Lynne?" Kiaati ate, watching carefully. She was waiting until the ideal time to comment.

==

Zandra smiled sweetly.



" Opal didn't do it justice...."



Zandra looked over at Opal.



" You can get all hyper again after we finish eating, Okay?"

==

Opal looked up at Zandra, nodding vigorously. "I would like that very much."



Drandar nodded. "Thank you." He began to eat his own food and Kiaati saw the chance to speak and did, slipping in her words casually.



"Drandar, you said that your last name was Tesphoni?" Drandar glanced at her, nodding slightly. "So would you happen to know a Zacharias Tesphoni?" Drandar swallowed, looking at her cautiously.



"What of my father?"

==

Zandra had to keep herself from choking on her food when she heard that last name connection.



That makes ALOT more sense.



Zandra looked over at Opal and couldn't bring herself to say a word.



Awwww man, he's so cute, what if his father turns out to be a drag?? Well only one way to find out, I think I'll just remain silent unless spoken too...

==

Kiaati shrugged, her voice still laced with indian accent. "Oh, we know each other. He was actually the reason we were coming to Tyrial." Drandar narrowed his eyes, looking at Kiaati.



"He's never mentioned any Indian woman to me." Kiaati just looked at him for a moment. Well, what is it? One more face? She grinned at him and spoke, this time without the accent.



"How about a woman named Kiaati?" Drandar's eyes went wide and he spoke, obviously connecting the dots.



"I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you, Miss Kiaati. Anything I can do to help..." He looked at Zandra, a bit of sadness flickering in his eyes, but just for a moment. "And I suppose you were just acting too?"

==

Zandra shook her head slowly, ears popping up.



" Not completely, all cat demon if that helps any, and my name really is Lynne, but if I tell you much more....."



Glances over at Kiaati.



Zandra felt awful, she really liked the guy....

==

Kiaati coughed lightly, shaking her head slightly. Let's stop there. We don't know how much we can trust him and your identity is more valueable than mine. She sighed slightly, eating her food and listening to how Zandra would finish her comment. The last thing they needed was suspicion, which would come about if she interrupted.

==

"it could result poorly for your health."



Zandra wasn't lying, knowing whom she was would require this guy to be fully commited on alot of levels, and her identity at this point was highly important, to say the least.



"Opal, how would you like to show me around while they talk? I'm sure you know your way around and I think you and I could talk, and maybe get some different color ribbions."

==

Opal bounced around on the counter.



"OOO! I'd love that. I love shopping, there's a lot of good stores around here with pretty things. I like ribbons too... one store sells this really pretty blue one, it's all sparkly and everything. What are you waiting for? Come on let's go!" Opal fluttered through the doorframe, pausing for Zandra to catch up. Kiaati looked at Drandar, leaning on the counter. She smiled.



"Lovely meal by the way."

==

Zandra grinned, following Opal out the door.



I hope they can get things worked out clearly while I'm entertasining Opal.



Opal wizzed around in and out of shops, not stop chatter. About an hour later Zandra returned with an armful of items, ranging from ribbions to weapons.



Zandra Glanced over at Drandar, interupting the conversation.



" How do you deal with her daily? It's like she is running on nothing but sugar...."

==

Drandar grinned. "Well, you might think she's annoying, but it kind of grows on you. Don't get me wrong, she is a hyper little bug." Opal threw a fistful of pixie dust in his face and he started sneezing violently.



"Not a bug! NOT A BUG!" She crossed her arms defiantly and stood on the counter.

==

Zandra laughed happily.



" I Could have told you she wasn't a bug, otherwise I would have squished her by now, hate bugs."



Zandra looked at Drandar slightly concerned about his sneezing attack until it was over.



"Bless you to the power of like a thousand."



Zandra smiled, setting down the two bags, looking for something.



" You to get things worked out?"



Zandra said, pulling out a small outfit and hading it to Opal, she wizzed off to put it on.



Their was no sense beating around the bush in this case, and DAMN HE IS SO CUTE, that voice, sweet, like sippng up warmed honey.....'mental sigh' get a hold of yourself girl!!

==

Drandar managed to stop sneezing, wiping the sparkly powder from his face, though missing a little. "Ugh... I forgot she hates it when I call her a bug." Kiaati stood up, looking over Zandra and the bags. Shopping spree...



"Yeah, Drandar has agreed to take us to his father, who is happily alive and well." She picked up the accent again. "Thank you Drandar for your hospitality with Lynne and myself, Myran." Drandar nodded, leaning over to peek in the bags.



"What all did you buy?"

==

Zandra saw the look Kiaati gave the bags and coudln't help but grin.



Well it's been awhile since I went shopping adn I needed to restock on pomegranates and oranges, not to mention a few other things, and Opal is adorable in some of these outfits.Besides, she can be glad I only have two, and they won't be here for long, if I'd let Opal have her way I'd have 200...



Zandra walked over to Drandar wiping off the last of the pixie dust, then smiled when Opal zooomed back in the room in her new outfit.

==

Opal walked down the counter stopping every so often to strike a pose. "Look at me. I love this outfit and it's pretty too!" Kiaati glanced in the bags and plucked out a pomegranate. She stuffed it into a cloak pocket, grinning.



"For when I need a pick me up." She dropped a copper coin into Zandra's hand. Drandar smiled at Zandra and picked up Opal, speaking to her.



"Yes, Opal. You're the most beautiful pixie in the world. Now we have to go though..." With that he opened the door.

==

Zandra smiled at Opal and rolled her eyes at Kiaati.



I hope she realizes I already put the energy spells on those....



Picking up her Two bags, she tossed the coin back at Kiaati.



"Lead away."

==

A thought occurred to Kiaati. "Wait a minute... Is this voodooed?" This sounded extremely strange with her indian accent. She pulled out the pomegranate. "I don't want it if it's voodooed." She sighed slightly, remembering the other one and decided not to chance it. She dropped the fruit back into one of the bags. She looked to Drandar, following after him. He led them out through a maze of streets and Kiaati just watched his ears bob ahead. I wonder why is he a demon? Zacharias wasn't... at least he wasn't a couple years ago.

==

Zandra grinned at the fruit returning into her bag.



Zandra mentally mapped the place as she went, not because she planned on doing anything, more like habit now. She smiled at Opal as she flitted around.



"Opal, how do you not get blown away on windy days?"



Zandra asked Opal, reaching in and grabbing a pomegranate that she hadn't enchanted, giving it to Kiaati.



"You'll like that one better."

==

Kiaati took it, just the sight of a pomegranate made her happy and a grin plastered itself onto her face. She knew how they made her and instead tossed it back to Jeff. "Keep a hold on this for me please." Opal sat down on Zandra's head.



"Well, I hold on tight to things or I fly really really hard, but that's hard to do and it makes me tired." She scooted over towards on of Zandra's ears. "Pretty ears... can I touch them? Drandar never lets me touch his ears." Drandar walked along the streets and Kiaati looked about. This place hasn't changed much...

==

Zandra smiled as Opal poked her ear and it flicked back.



"Yeah, you can touch them, but it irritates the heck out of me after awhile."



((LUNCH IS HERE!! ))



Zandra smiled, Opal realy didn't bother her that much.



"You know Opal, I don't think Drandar knows what he has in you, you little pixie...."

==

Opal giggled slightly, poking Zandra's ear again. "Aww... don't believe everything he says, Lynne. He really does like me. We're best buddies. Heehee. That's funny how your ear does that. Are you doing it? I wish I could move my ears."



Drandar stopped before a house, pulling out a key ring and flipping through them. "Here we are my friends." Kiaati nodded.



"I see he hasn't changed residency in the past two years.

==

" I'll take your word for it Opal, I was just teasing anyway.And not exactlly, it is kinda just a reaction to being poked in the ear. You wanna know something weird is having two sets of ears."



Zandra eyeballed the house, waiting to see how this was going to go. Handing Opal a pixie size sucker.



Not to mention the man your with Opal is KILLER HAWT....

==

Drandar opened the door and walked in, waiting for them to come in. He grabbed Zandra's arm though before she could follow Kiaati and motioned Jeff over.



"Stay over here for now... big crowds barging in make him nervous... understandably." Opal meanwhile was occupied with the sucker. A man, about mid-forties came down the stairs and looked at Kiaati, who had pulled her hood up just enough to cover her hair but not her face.



"Yes ma'am is there something I can do you for?" Kiaati spoke in her indian accent.



"Yes sir, I've come to tell you that an orange cart has turned over in front of your house." He raised a brow.



"Oh really?" Kiaati nodded.



"Yes sir. You may not want to go out there right now. They are throwing them everywhere. It is a real mandrin incident." His eyes widened and he looked at Kiaati in disbelief.



"Kiaati?!" Kiaati laughed, dropping the accent and lowering her hood the rest of the way.



"Hello, Zacharias, my friend." Zacharias pulled her into an embrace and she returned it, both laughing. He stepped back looking at her.



"My my... you certainly look different than I remember. A little more Indian-ish." She laughed slightly and shrugged. "Of course... Yet another disguise am I right? Of course, of course." Drandar spoke from the shadows.



"Hello father. I brought them here and she had friends. Let's all sit." He nodded to them, motioning to the living room.

==

Zandra hesitated for a second, then followed behind slowly, sitting directly beside Drandar. Hood still covering her head, she sat their, watching them, waiting for the coversation to start, and find out exactly how much we can tell them, mainly Mr. Dreamy.......



Zandra gentlely grabbed Opal off her head, holding her in her hand. Smiling at the fairy.

==

Kiaati looked to Zandra and grinned. "This happens to be one of our most trusted contacts, Zacharias... and speaking to Drandar... well, I need to explain the situation first." She sat down explaining to them that the battle had shifted to another person. They nodded and Zacharias spoke.



"I understand... you have my complete trust, Kiaati. And you can spend the night here, presuming that's what you want?" Kiaati nodded and spoke.



"Please and thank you. As I'm sure you know, absolute confidenciality. Drandar do you still want to stick by your desicion?" He nodded. Kiaati spoke again.



"Then you may want to speak with Lynne about Zandra." The reason the demon had won her trust so easily was a record... he was an unoffical memeber of the resistance.

==

Zandra's ears seems to drop for a few seconds, then finnaly nodded. Saying the release words to her spell, her real hair dropping over her shoulders, she looked over at Drandar.



" I didn't lie to you, my name is Lynne, but it is also Zandra, the second name everone knows and the first only a handful of people know."



Zandra bit her lip for a second, then went into explaining why she was currently here, and sat their hopping now that this guy, and Opal, didn't now hate her.



I saw no harm in telling his father and Opal too. If Opal cna kep her mouth shut about important things, I hope so, but Maybe I should have thrown her in a tub of cotton candy first...... Well I really hope Mr. Drandar doesn't hate me now, but at least he knows the truth completely, not bits and peices of it.

==

Drandar's ears turned forward and his eyes were glued on Zandra, a small smile creeping across his face. Zacharias nodded approvingly when she finished and he spoke. "Well, even though it seems somewhat strange, I trust you if you're with Kiaati. And don't worry, unless you want it to which I doubt, this won't become common knowledge." Kiaati laughed slightly and spoke.



"If I told you that a rock was really a turtle, you would believe me at this rate!" A thought occurred to her. "Yes... and could you explain to me the situation with Drandar here? I believe you've kept something from me, my friend." He shook his head slightly.



"Uh... not really. Drandar is my adoptive son." Drandar nodded and picked up Opal, speaking.



"Guess what my spirited friend? We get to go on a journey." Kiaati looked at Zandra grinning.



"Didn't I mention? Two fresh faces to join us."

==

Zandra started blushing slightly, but got over it rapidly. And then smiled at Kiaati.



I know what she's thinking..... Oh my, My Mr. Dreamy eyes is coming with us!! Opal Tooo!! I cold dance and kiss him right about now...No no bad idea... Control thy self woman! Though it is nice he doesn't seem to be completely upset about the information, or anything.



Zandra mouthed a silent 'thanks' prayer to the sky above.

==

Kiaati saw the movement out of the corner of her eye and a smile spread across her lips. This should prove interesting. Mmm... strange, never quite pictured the demon queen fawning over a guy so... She sighed and started to speak, but Zacharias cut in.



"Tish tosh now, too much chatter. Off to bed with you all, long time ahead." Kiaati nodded a thanks as he ushered them all to rooms

==

Zandra sighed,nodding as she was ushered to bed.



"Mind if I kid-nap Opal from you? She'll be wonderful company to a person who sleeps hardly any...."



Just because I will have a certian pair of eyes on my mind........ Not to mention the fact he now knows everything about me... Or the just of it. he does seem sweet though...well mannered as well... Friendly father, what did I do to earn such company?

==

Drandar shrugged. "I'm not her master, just a friend. It's up to her." Opal turned and looked at Drandar, her eyes sparkling.



"Oh please Drandar? Just for tonight? I like Lynne... er Zandra? I don't know which she wants to be called, but please? I'll be nice and I'll be quiet when she sleeps I promise." Drandar just laughed, picking her up and holding her out to Zandra. Opal grinned, fluttering over to land on the demon girl's head.



Kiaati just watched this with a smile before disappearing into one of the countless rooms. Zacharias had a big house. She thought for a moment before slipping off her large load. She laid the weapons on the bed, glancing in a looking glass as she passed it. Without the cloak bulk her figure was visible and she looked just like a slightly muscular woman... an indian woman right now, but still... She undid the braid, her long red hair cascading to her waist as she climbed into bed next to her weapons. She pulled up the blankets, just looking at the ceiling and waiting for sleep.

==

ZAndra giggled at Opal and went to a room, resting her bags on the bed, pulling out the contents.



"You know Opal, I am going to enjoy your company, your so nice. And friendly, I haven't really had friends for awhile, forgot what it was like, also forgot about men."

Until recently...



Zandra continued to put up the items she had, getting rid of the bags, everything put away.



" Well I must say Opal, I am terriblely tired....but I fear I won't sleep, and if I do, not for long."



This must ahve been like a que for Opal because she launched into talking about anything and everything.



"And one more thing Opal, if you adn I are alone, you can call me Zandra, but otherwise, call me Lynne."



Zandra sighed, listening to Opal, not really registering anything, falling into a extremely light sleep.

==

The last thing that Opal said before realizing that Zandra was sleeping was... "You know, Drandar might be a bit rough around the edges sometimes, but he is one of the most loyal people you'll ever meet. He's really nice and I think he might like you. Do you like him?"



Drandar was laying on his pillow, sleeping. Even in his slumber though, his mind was revisiting the day... especially what he had just learned and everyone he had just met... especially Zandra.



Kiaati meanwhile was staring out the window from her bed, listening to Zacharias's obnoxious snoring. She smiled slightly, closing her eyes. If she could at least fall into a subconscious state, that would suffice.

==

Zandra was only asleep for about an hour, mayeb more, before she as up again. She looked over adn saw little Opal fast asleep. And whispered to the little pixie.



"Yes, I do like him..."



The proceeded out of bed and walked softly outside, dressed again, looking up at the stars waiting until morning.



"And I blame it all on those damn eyes....."



What has gotten into me? The last guy I liked I didn't do this over... then again I was more concerned with my rising statis and reputation then men.... I suppose everyone has something like this hapen at least once, it is nice., but rather annoying at the moment...

==

Kiaati had slept, but not for long. When she had woke again, she had got up and opened the window. Now she was sitting on the sill sideways, one leg dangling over the edge. She saw Zandra walk outside and just watched her for a moment. This might not be smart, but still. She gave out a light high-pitched whistle, just a stretching single note to get the girl's attention.

==

Zandra heard the whistle and almost covered her ears, she knew she should have retracted her cat ears. She walked over to Kiaati, looking at her slightly odd...

==

Kiaati grinned at the girl a few yards below, stopping her whistle. She thought about yelling down to her, but quickly pushed that thought away, just because she couldn't sleep didn't mean she had to wake everyone else up. She sighed, swinging her other foot over and jumping down with a thud. She stood up again, looking at Zandra. "Fancy a walk and a chat?"

==

Shrugs, sighing.



"Not like I could sleep anyway...blasted ..."



Stops self, resulting in a silent growl....

==

Kiaati smiled slightly. "I wouldn't have bothered you if I didn't see you come out." She began to walk off, just silent for a moment. "You're not going to go all crazy on me tomorrow night are you?" She pointed to the moon which would be full tomorrow night. Small talk would be nice for a little while.

==

Zandra Smiled.



"No, I won't as long as I keep myself consious of who I am, no I won't, alot of work, but I do it. And now that we are alone, you do realize that I think you were going to expolde from laughter ever since I saw Drandar."

==

Kiaati smiled, just slightly though. She didn't move her head, but she glanced at Zandra from the corner of her eye. "I can usually control myself, but you were really pushing me to the limit." They were now walking through a field just outside of town by a lake. She stopped, looking at the water's edge. "You know... I absolutely love water lilies." She didn't want to put Zandra on the spot about Drandar, after all the demon's personal life wasn't really any of her business. She grinned, making sure the straps that held her weapons on her hips were secure before jumping into the water.

==

Zandra watched Kiaati jump in and nearly laughed.



" You are amazing sometimes...."



Sighs, setting at edge, looking at Kiatti in the water.



" I can't believe you didn't laugh, I think I almost burned up.... And do you realize that if Opal was half as smart as she cna talk she'd surpass genious?"

==

Kiaati grinned, treading water for a moment. "I'm a surprizing person as are you... maybe with some luck this will help the yellow come off a little sooner." She turned, swimming out towards the middle of the lake, looking around. "Yeah, most little pixies are spirited and fairly smart. I have to say though, even though she's fourteen, she's one of the most spirited pixies I have ever met." Kiaati got the lily off of a lily pad before swimming back to shore. "If you would be so kind as to hold this for just a moment..." She handed Zandra the lily before proceeding to wring out her hair and clothes and taking it back.

==

Zandra smiled at the lily, Offering her other hadn to help Kiaati out.



" I wasn't always like this, I blame who I am now on my experiances and wising up. Sorry it took so long, rather think headed, or was at any rate. And Yeah, I know, but the last Pixie I have seen was when I was a little girl."

==

Kiaati nodded, now having wrung out as much as she could and tied her shirt in a knot by the hip so it would flop against her so much.



"Understandable... understandable." She felt around in her pockets and sighed. Left my ribbon in the house... So she just flipped her fiery hair behind her. She took back the lily and stuck it in her hair with a smile.



"Like I said, absolutely love lilies." She began to walk off again, thinking about what Zandra had said. 'the last Pixie I have seen was when I was a little girl.' She glanced at her.



"So you aren't aren't big on visiting a diverse range of species of your followers?"

==

Zandra looked at Kiaati for alittle while.



" I speak to alot of beings, but Pixies use to be severly afraid of me, but that seemed to change when I managed to get aid to them once without anyone noticing, that took alot of work, problem being only a few knew it was I whom helped them, and I think they aren't around anymore."



Zandra sighed, thinking back.



yeah, alot of things have changed in the last five ears, now how to complete the circle by getting rid of the problems...

==

Kiaati glanced at Zandra... silent for a moment. She sighed, listening to the crickets before finally speaking. "There is one thing that I wanted to know.... amongst other things of course, but this was driving me crazy. No matter how many spies or thieves or just plain people I sent after it, I couldn't figure out how old you are." She watched Zandra out of the corner of her eye. A lot of the time, a demon kept they're age a secret for the reason that it identified whether they were done growing more powers.

==

Zandra looked at Kiaati for alittle while, stopping.



"I think I'll stick with the answer, I have more powers to develop. BUt as to age, I think that's alittle on the side of, why?"

==

Kiaati stopped with her, just looking at the demon. She didn't let her expression fall and she even let herself smile a "true" smile. "Oh, I was just curious... I guess the years of this makes me an information digger or something like that." She sat down on a nearby tree stump. Not so willing to share...

==

Zandra watched Kiaati set down for a second. Then sighed.



" I'm 31, which is really damn young for a demon, I know I know....."



Is now waiting for the 'young' speach to follow.



I hate this issue, 31 is middle age for humans and younger the about 10 for demons..... so confusing and annoying...

==

Kiaati just glanced at Zandra, a bit surprised, but not showing it. "Interesting... I'd narrowed it down that you were somewhere between eighteen and 368..." She smiled slightly and then let it fade, rubbing her cheeks. I'm tired of smiling all the time. The main reason she did it was to try and ease everyone's worry and to make herself think things were better than they were. At the moment, she was feeling very old. "I've been so many different ages, Jeff even sometimes forgets the real one."

==

Zandra smiled, and looked at Kiaati.



" You forget I know the weigth of being incharge too Kiaati. Stop trying to ease me worries at any rate, I know the situation as well as you, if not better. As for age, I killed my first human at nine years old, it cascaded from their, and yeah, long way to go...."



Zandra glanced at the lightening horizon, groaning slightly.



" I knew I wouldn't sleep."

==

Kiaati started to think back, but quickly stopped herself. Someday she would face her past... but today was not that day. She needed to focus her thoughts on the present and the future. She glanced at Zandra, sighing. "Though I do not forget your authority's weight... thank you for the thought." She sighed slightly. We both have secrets for our sides. "I bet you thought that I was going to lecture you on being young, didn't you? Tell me, have you managed to find my real age? ...not that it is as important with humans, just means whether they are decrepit or not."

==

Zandra looked at Kiaati.



" I know your younger then I am, but true age? No I haven't pin pointed it, though I can't really say I was trying to terriblely hard.Also, just so we are on the same page, I hardly have any secrets from you anymore, I have to trust you because, like it or not, your rebellion is the closest thing we have to hope at this point...And yes, I was afraid you'd lecture me on my age...even if I do think you have no room to talk."

==

Kiaati smiled slightly and raised a brow. "Whether I like it or not, or whether you like it or not? Nah... I'm just kidding. The whole point of our rebellion is that we won't give up until we have our freedom, we won't give up until we can..." She stopped short. "Either way... if after we help you, you decide to turn on us..." She looked Zandra dead in the eye, face dead serious. It was a look that mothers give their children when they had done a superior wrong, the one that made the children's knees quake and tears fill their eyes. "It will no longer be a touch and go game." She got up from the tree stump and began to walk away. She spoke quietly, sure that Zandra could hear her. "And I'll be twenty-one in three days."

==

Zandra watched Kiaati go, and nodded....



One year off, by three days, pretty damn close if I do say so myself. I won't turn on her , not hat she'll believe that one.



Zandra sighed, getting up to be in the room when Opal woke up so she wouldn't freak.

==

Kiaati went back to her room and laid down in her bed, thinking and remembering. Wow... almost six years. Has it really been that long? It seems like just yesterday really... but such a drastic jump in a yesterday. I can't remember the last time I celebrated my birthday... heck, I can't remember the last time I was wished a happy birthday. Not that it matters... that fell into a vault of useless or classified information. Six years though? Six years since I became leader of the rebellion. They thought one so young would just make good manpower, that's why they let me in... let's see six plus three... wow... nine years ago. I became the youngest leader, but everyone agreed on it for many reasons. A year shy of a decade... maybe I'll manage it some day...



Opal was asleep, right smack dab in the middle of the bed. sprawled in all directions, though she was small.



Drandar was standing in the kitchen, munching on some peanuts while he watched the sun come up. He had seen the girls come back, but how long they had been gone, he did not know. I suppose they just needed to talk about things. How strange though. All this time we were fighting against Zandra and now.... Now she walks and talks with Kiaati, her most bitter enemy. I trust her though... maybe even more than Kiaati. I don't know why, but I feel that she is really sincere



Zacharias.... snore.

==

Zandra smiled, sliding her hand under Opal and holding the sleeping pixie, walking into the kitchen, seeing Drandar smiling.



"Hello, how are you this morning?"



Zandra had to closely watch herself or she'd be blushing again.

==

Opal shot awake, squealing. "AHH! MY WINGS! MY BEAUTIFUL WINGS!" She looked around, sleep still showing in her eyes and then she looked at her wings and sighed, realizing what happened. "Uh..." For the first time in a while, she was speechless.



Drandar smiled at Zandra. "Fine thank you. You know..." He paused for a moment. He almost said something cheesy. "These peanuts are really good. Want some?"

==

Zandra smilled and nodded, thanking him.



What was he going to say? And I didn't think that would do that to Opal...



"I'm sorry Opal. And, do you think you could help me run ribbion through my real hair? All these curls everywhere get annoying when it's not kept on a hot day..."



Munches on a few offered peanuts.



This peanut is as big as opal's fist if not bigger... Poor Opal.

==

Opal stood on the counter stretching and fluttering her wings. Excess pixie dust fell off her and onto the counter. She took a peanut and with more power than one would expect, smashed it against the counter, breaking it into several small pieces. She popped a couple in her mouth as breakfast before rising her hands and walking to Zandra.



"Sure." She picked up a ble satin ribbon and ran it through Zandra's hair. Drandar turned and looked, smiling.



"If I had could capture your face right now with the sun on it... I might just start wearing a locket." As soon as the words were out he was ready to smack himself, though he didn't show it. Something cheesy was just determined to come out this morning....

==

Zandra smiled, keeping the blsuh from her face with success, this time.



Cheesy or not, that was really darn sweet. I'm going to have to talk to Opal about hiring her full time....



Zandra shook her head slightly, looking at Drandar.



" You say such things now, you haven't seen me when I lose my temper."



Then again any demon is a terror when angry....

==

Drandar laughed slightly, grinning. "I know as well as you the temper of a demon." He pointed to his ears, which he had turned forward to catch her voice fully. Opal tugged on Zandra's arm, whispering to her.



"Are you as scary as Drandar when you get angry? He scares me then..." Her eyes were glistening with tears of fear. Zacharias walked in, and looked around, exclaiming.



"That is no meal for young warriors! PEANUTS?!" He began to pull out bacon and eggs and other breakfast things. Kiaati meanwhile was standing outside, leaning on the windowsill with a friendly smile.

==

Zandra instictively wrinkled her nose at the smell of the bacon...



"I'm sorry, not a big fan of pork products of any kind.... Mind if I just have eggs? And move over, you shouldn't be cooking..."



Starts helping with breakfast, looking over at Opal.



"Well I don't know how Drandar looks when he's upset, nor exactly how he acts, but I know I am not safe to be around. And I like peanuts btw Sir Zacharias."

==

Zacharias laughed slightly, surrendering the kitchen to Zandra. "Okay then... I'm a lonely old man, so I have to figure how to cook pretty good... but okay. And none of this 'Sir Zacharias', Zacharias or Zach or even hey you will work just fine."



Kiaati sighed slightly, reaching through the window and snatching an orange from a nearby basket, peeling it. "This is all I want, thanks."

==

Zandra looked over at the orange tree.



" I want one too!"



Looks patheticaly at Kiaati.



" I like oranges like you do pomagrantes."



Continues making breakfast, then serves it at the table.



" Um Sir- I mean Zacharias, foods done."

==

Kiaati walked over, plucking an orange before climbing through the window and setting it on the counter. "There."



Zacharias grabbed a plate and immediately began to scarf. Drandar sighed, taking some eggs. A few bites into it, he spoke to his father. "Zandra's cooking is better than yours, dad. Your eggs are all shriveled."

==

Zandra almost choked on her drink when Drandar said that, deperately trying to keep from showing any outward signs.



" Thank you for the orange Kiaati."



Zandra peeled the orange happily, purposely not looking up.

==

The edge of Kiaati's mouth turned up as she nodded, swallowing the last of the orange. She pushed herself up to sit on the counter, her feet dangling as she watched them. She retied her cloak, seeing as it was a bit too loose. We can't wait to longer. Opal walked over and snatched a small piece of egg off of Drandar's plate before sitting to eat it. Drandar either didn't notice or didn't mind. Kiaati watched carefully, waiting five minutes before speaking. "Shove as much as you want in your mouths or pockets, but we need to go now."

==

Zandra grinned, going over and grabbing a few more oranges, picking up Opal and placing her(Opal) on her(zandra's) head.



" I'm ready to go."



Smiles, handing Opal a peice of Orange to munch on.

==

Opal smiled, munching on the orange before poking Zandra's ear and breaking out in giggles. "Me too." Drandar looked up, shoveling as much as he could into his mouth, making his cheeks puff out like a squirrel. He stood up, brushing off his hands and looking at Kiaati.



"Mmm hmm hoo." Kiaati sighed and shook her head. She walked over, giving Zacharias a hug.



"Ahh my friend, thank you so much." Zacharias gave her a light squeeze before letting go, a wide smile on his face.



"No no, it is the least I can do after you helping with the mandrin incident." He smiled slightly, kissing the red dot on her forehead and patting her shoulder. "Blessings and guidance to you, young one." Kiaati smiled at him nodding and pulling up her hood to cover her hair. She picked up her indian accent.



"Thank you." She reached under her cloak and pulled out another cloak of black material, tossing it to Drandar as she left the house.

==

Zandra sighed, muttering the spell, previous look with the short blonde hair returning.



" Opal, I'm going to enjoy your company. Your kinda sweet, but please don't be poking my ears all day or I shall drop you on Jeff's head."

==

Kiaati smiled slightly, walking down through the streets towards the gate.



Opal smiled, speaking. "Oh no... I won't do it all day... I promise. I'll stop. I'm curious though... Do you have a tail? You were wearing a cloak all the time so I didn't know. I mean some demons have tails, some don't. I like the bushy ones, but sometimes they make me sneeze."



Drandar tied on the cloak, though leaving the hood down. He finally managed to swallow the food he had shoved in his mouth. He licked his lips, rubbing his stomach. "Very good... very good..."

==

Zandra smiled.



"Well it's usually better when you don't have to wolf it down so fastly. And thank you Opal, and as to the question, I'll answer that once we're outside of town."



Follows Kiaati, thinking about everything.



I don't know what we are doing next, and I don't know how we are going to do it, I just follow along like all the others, makes me nervous, but I will go with it. I also hope to learn more about Drandar...



Smiles at thought.

==

Kiaati slipped through the gates silently, walking up the hill. She sighed, seeing tower. She then set off at a run. Mizuka had disappeared for a while... She ran, her feet silently tapping against the ground as she went swiftly toward the tower. I might not be as fast as a demon, but I have the stamina... She looked up, pulling her hood up higher to hid her face. If ((what was the bad guy's name?)) is going to be harder than Zandra, then we will defintely need the towers.



Drandar ran along easily at the same pace. He started to say something, but Opal spoke first. "Okay, we're out, please tell me now"

==

Zandra smiled, a cat tail now hanging over Opal's head.



"It's retractable just like my ears and finger nails, it makes it easier to blend in with a human village without those atributes."



Zandra smiled again, tail disappearing.



"Now, what were you going to say Drandar?"

==

Drandar nodded, turning his ears forward. "I was just going to say thanks for breakfast." He looked at her, biting his lip as he ran on. I don't really know what to say... What does she want to talk about? I'll let her bring it up.

==

Zandra smiled.



"No problem, I couldn't very well stay at your father's house and eat his food and let him cook it too! Besides, From Opal's ramblings I gathered that his fried eggs weren't the greatest."



Looks up at pixie dust raining down on head.



"Opal, your making my hair glitter and will decide where you want to sit?"



Sighes, looking over at Drandar.



"So how did you come by living with a human? No offense ment to anyone of course."

==

Opal sighed slightly. "I'm too piped up to sit." With that she changed into a small sparrow, flying on beside Zandra. Drandar sighed, he knew that this was bound to come about sooner or later.



"If you're wounded to potential mortality and if you're an abandoned child, you'll do anything for help from anyone." He shrugged slightly, thinking of the small scar on his back.

==

[Sushi]

Zandra nodded.



"Understandable."



Gets very sad look on face.



" I killed my parents, not directly, but they did die because of my actions. If I wouldn't have been so darn blood hungry and killed all those humans they would hav eleft my parents alone."



Sighs, just looking ahead.



" I didn't know that either of them were dead until recently, which is what was the final thead on why I'm here. I started to change my mind back when Captian Xasious showed me what I was like, and then, the way he treated me, then my parents...."



Shakes head, making thoughts go away.



What brought this out of me?? I swore I'd never talk about it....

==

Drandar smiled slightly and looked away. After a moment he began softly singing a song he had learned as a child. ((lets say he has a nice voice)) "Tears bring nothing say the few. The few that do not know wounds. The wounds that will heal through a teary hue... but that will leave scars deep and wide.... something no one can hide..." He continued singing the soft song to himself, not knowing what to say.

==

Zandra smiled, listening to the song.



"That's beautiful...."



Smiles shyly. Looking over the rest of the area, and sighed.



I don't know what I can do form these people, but I will do what I can.

==

Drandar immediately stopped, his neck burning slightly. He had been singing too softly for anything but a demon to hear, but he wasn't used to having one around. "uh... thank you."



Suddenly Kiaati was sent flying forward onto the ground. She rolled, standing up and shoving a kodachi into a nearby tree. She frowned, appearing to speak to the tree. "Dirty trick."

==

Zandra stopped, no knowing what had just happened, having been in conversation with Drandar.



"what the heck?"

==

Kiaati spoke to her without moving her gaze. "Sorry... if you would just wait a minute..." Suddenly her hand shot out and grabbed what appeared to be thin air. With a bit of struggle, she managed to push it against the tree, appearing to speak to it again. "No use trying that. Now now... be good and show yourself so they don't think I'm an idiot." The kodachi wiggled a bit and Kiaati took out her other weapon. "Forget it... if I have to kill you I won't give it second thought."



Drandar looked at Zandra, whispering lightly. "Is she a loon? Talking to a tree?"

==

Twitches nose slightly.



" NO, but she does look rather on the rediculous side. I wonder what it is she's wrestling? I really wish I could see it, though if I could i ight just kill whatever it is...."



Still looks slightly confused, standing beside Drandar.

==

A voice seemed to come from nowhere. "Haha! You think I'm really scared of you?! You can't even see me and you're threatening me! You haven't got it in you." Kiaati scowled as the voice continued to speak. "You're the kind... or should I say spineless leader of the resistance, I've heard the tales. I heard of how soft you are... I can't believe it... especially what you let happen to that girl. What was her name again? Oh yes... Liana. How could you? That girl was your friend and you let her down. She stuck up for you, protected you with her life... but you still let her go." Kiaati's eyes seemed to spark as she shoved the weapon forward. It did nothing and her eyes went wide as she was knocked backward. The thing laughed and then her weapons were drawn out of the tree, apparently floating midair. "Oh my dear, you can't hurt me. You're all alone... these people they don't really care about you and can't hurt me either. They're waiting until you have met their needs before they turn on you... ready to let you down. Just like you did Liana." For the first time in a long time, Kiaati was slowly backing, her eyes and face coated with fear.

==

Zandra saw this fear take hold and cursed under her breath, grabbing Kiaati, and dropping back down beside Drandar, mussing all of a sudden.



" You know Drandar, I always find an enemy that I cna see alot easier to fight, how about you? In this case, since I can't see the person, I'd deem them cowardly, though, if they are fool enoguh to come to close to me, the are an idiot as well as a fool."





Places Kiaati in between Drandar and myself...

==

Drandar nodded, drawing out his hands. "Cowardice is what I call it."



Kiaati was still moving, not nearly stupified. The voice was still talking, ignoring Zandra's comment. "Look now, now you're little friend is trying to protect you. Are you going to let her fall too? Liana you know, she was valiant and young. A brilliant witch demon. You know as well as I that if it weren't for her, you wouldn't be alive at this moment." Her weapons were being spun around by the creature when suddenly it threw one, but do to the fact that she was so close to the others, she could dodge and it sliced her arm. "It's your fault that she died, you know. If you would have listened and not strayed you wouldn't have been caught by the demon. Liana wouldn't have sacrificed herself for you... all of that blood... it was your fault that it was spilled. She had so much life and so much talent, but she died instead of you. And what do you have? You're just a pathetic human pretending to be something important. Then all of those people you killed... they were more worthy than you. You followers, they held you up and they have fallen now too. You are nothing... and you have stepped on hundrerds just for nothing."



Kiaati fell to her knees, covering her ears and tears coating her face as she shook her head. Drandar threw several throwing stars, but they went through the air where the being seem to be. The being laughed.



"You cannot touch me... I told you so."

==

Zandra was completely caught off gaurd by all this information, and then knelt by Kiaati, quickly taking care of her arm, then looking up to make sure Opal was okay, which currently looked like a bird, so hadn't drawn attention...



Kiaati has alot of explaining to do later...



Zandra sighed, cursing under her breat again, something was going on and due to lack of trust it had blind sighted her. How do you prepare for something when you don't know t could happen?

==

Kiaati pulled away from Zandra, stumbling backward and falling into a tree. No no... you'll hurt me... I'll hurt you... Sobs racked her body and she only kept shaking her head. The being laughed and spoke again.



"Ah little Kiaati... how foolish you've been. You've trusted a demon. You've not trusted a demon. You can't play both sides, you have to pick one. Fredrick proved that. You thought he was yours, Zandra, that evil demon, thought he was hers. Only too late did you realize you were wrong and Zandra was right. Zandra, she is a lying demon only meant to manipulate. Yet you talk and walk with her. You are becoming just like her, cold. Kiaati, you were never meant to be, that's why they left you. That's why you need to leave us now." Kiaati's own weapons were above her. She grew still and silent, looking directly up. "Goodbye." Kiaati blinked, shuddering slightly. Her words were quiet and broken.



"An illusion cannot hurt me." The being dropped her weapons and picked her up by her hair.



"What did you say, girl?" She looked straight into the air, her voice a little stronger than before



"An illusion cannot hurt me." The air dropped her, cackling. A figure fizzled into view. It was a translucent man, his eyes though, oh his wretched eyes were nothing but orbs of white. He cackled.



"True... but your past can. You won this time... but remember what you've done." The creature was suddenly incinerated and Kiaati had stood, silently tucking away her weapons. She looked at her arm, the bandages had come undone. She spoke once again almost silent in broken words.



"Help me... please..." She sat on a nearby boulder.

==

Zandra for some reason felt really damn pissed that somebody would mess with Kiaati, and went to her gently helping her with her bandages.



" Kiaati, I don't know what to say..."



Zandra finished bandaging Kiaati's arm, then sat down, looking up at her.



" I'd swear to you that I'm loyal, but I doubt you'd believe me."



Zandra looked down, then, hugged Kiaati. For some reason it seemed right... She didn't know why, consdiering she was half the cause for all of this, but it just did.



Zandra looked over at Drandar, completely at a lose for what else to do.

==

Kiaati's eyes were hard and glazed emotionless. She was rigid when Zandra hugged her and she stood up when the demon had walked away. Even under the yellow dye, her skin seemed pale. She just stood up silently and walked away, assuming they would follow, but not really caring either way.



Drandar looked over at Zandra, raising a brow. She spoke just loud enough for the demon to hear, but not Kiaati. "And we're following this girl? Is she usually this unstable?" He picked the throwing stars out of the ground as he followed the human.



Opal changed in front of the two demons before sitting on Drandar's shoulder in silence. She even knew the weight of the moment.

==

Zandra looked after Kiaati for a few seconds, not liking this at all, and walked rather close to drandar, though not really thinnking about it, just liking the company of somebody close by...Unsure what to do, but deciding to let Kiaati decide in her own time, thoguh this was getting slightly annoying... And disturbing.....

==

Drandar sighed slightly. "I'll take this as a yes..."



Kiaati stopped and turned to them, her voice hard and distant. "Do either of you have a special fancy for fire? I expect something with that is going to pop up soon. Illusion has passed... fire is the other of the tower's obstacles."

==

Zandra shook her head slowly....



" No, I don't though water and earth are very nice this and I have wonderful fancy for them.... but that's not what you asked."



Zandra looked out the corner of her eye at Drandar.

==

Drandar grinned slightly. "I love fire and wind... hehe... bring it on."



Kiaati nodded slowly and mechanically. "Then you go in front." She walked behind him. "That way is the tower." She pointed directly ahead.

==

Zandra smiled slightly, following behind Drandar, glancing back at Kiaati once, but then just plucked Opal off Drandar's shoulder, placing her on her's (Zandra's) and smiled at her.

==

Opal smiled slightly. "Are we getting possesive?"



Kiaati just followed along silently, her face an emotionless mask.

--Hours Later--

Suddenly a wall of fire sprung up around them. Drandar smiled, the flames reflecting against his eyes. It was moving fast and wild inward. Drandar looked around, climbing into a tree. He turned around offering a hand to Zandra. Kiaati climbed up beside him, face unchaging to the extreme fire.

==

Zandra smiled, taking Drandar's hand and going up.



" BTW, yes, I like my new little buddy."



(( You just did that so they had to hold hands..... I KNOW YOU DID! lol))



Zandra didn't comment anymore, just proceeding.....

==

Drandar looked around. The flames were everywhere and it seemed like there may be no way out when an idea struck him. He grinned at the Zandra. "Demon see Demon do." He untied his cloak and held it out, jumping towards the flames. The hot air gave a ballon affect and lifted him up. By tugging on different sides, he could fly it to safety.



Kiaati copied.

==

Zandra shook her head, getting the odd feeloing of looking foolish, but followed suit, eventually landing with the rest (( You realize Jeff is being brought along for the ride, right? lol)) and smiling, brushing everything off and plcing it all back on appropriately.



I sure hope what I think is going to be next, won't be, BUT I get the oddest feeling....



Zandra remained quiet.

==

Kiaati tied on her cloak again. She walked on through the trees and then there it was. The tower door was large and stood before them. She started to read the inscriptions with a sigh, but stopped. "It's written in demon. I am adept but not fluent. If one of you would be so kind... I would like to make sure I don't mess up the translation."



Drandar held up his hands. "Grew up like a human boy. I can't read a word."



Opal mimcked Drandar's action. "I'm not even a demon... so yeah."

==

Zandra got a very Ironic grin...



"Why do I get the oddest feeling in the world....."



Sighes, going to door, reading the inscription, face puzzled, the shruged.



"So what?" You want me to read it aloud by any chance? All it says is know the words and have the keys... rather general in my book."

==

Kiaati just stood stone still thinking. Only once had she come across some words that seemed strange, but she didn't think that mattered... unless... She sighed and began looking around the door, far some sort of slot or something. "How many of those crystals were there again?"

==

Zandra looked completely moody now....



"Your not gonna like this..... Does magic still work around this place?"



If she says 'no' we're screwed.....



Zandra looked like she could hit something......

==

Kiaati sighed. "Depends on the magic I suppose... we know the tower's magic works..." She looked at the door, remembering the words... or had she imagined them. She walked over to Jeff, taking the strange book out of his bag and opening the book. She looked at the first page and there the words were, clear as day. Many years... Then it turned to like an old fashioned script... something she couldn't read. But those two words... how strange. Was Jeff just pretending to not be able to read them? I mean they are crystal clear.

==

well it's time to take a gmable then....I hope they trust me more then they say....



"Don't interrupt me for the next few seconds....Akako is going to freak on me....."



Zandra started muttering under her breath, pulling out to crystals and motioning jeff to hadn her the other one, lying the on a near by boulder.



For awhile they just seemed to sit their, and then a fourth, red one appeared out of no where.....



Finally we have a streak of luck...



"Their are four, red, blue, green and crystal clear, I always carry the green one, no matter what, but Akako had had the red one...Now mind helping me ? We need the words from Jeff's book and that requires somebody holding up the crystal in the light above the book... ANd Kiaati, you better be the one to read it..."

==

Kiaati raised a brow. "Why me? Jeff's the Paladin. I'm just your average human." She sighed slightly, at the moment, trust wasn't an issue. She was feeling pretty bad and didn't care if she died or was betrayed.

==

Zandra sighed....



" I don't know exactlly, I just know it has to be you.... Adn come to think of it, Jeff better hold the crystal...."



(( Controling Jeff again, yeah yeah...))



Jeff comes over, holding Crystal up, you can now read the words.....

==

Kiaati walked a bit more into the light. The book seemed to vibrate in her hands, but it didn't startle her. It was gentle and comforting, like a good friend. She opened it, looking at the page. The scribbles seemed almost to move and she could read it. "Aloud?" She looked at the words on the page, reading them in her head.

Many years and many hands, through many fears and many lands.

I travel and now hold to thee... Hidden secrets to be revealed through me.

These ancient words now speak thou... They light the flame you seeketh now.

The next words on the page were immediately imprinted upon her mind, wanting to be spoken. If she had wanted to shut the book and forget the words, she would not have managed. Just as suddenly as she read them, the ancient words disappeared, leaving nothing but the rhymes. It was as if someone had cut them from the book and pasted them upon her mind. She looked up at Zandra. "Aloud? Or just the important words?"

==

Zandra crossed her arms, looking at Kiaati.



"Both, aloud normally, then the important words. Due to the fact soemtimes something important gets over looked otherwise....."



Zandra did smile slightly, Knew she was the one .



" Btw, it's a good thing you were already teamed-up with a paladin, otherwise we would have had to hunt one of those down. And paladins are hard to come by."

==

Mizuka has actaully been keeping her distance lately. She's stayed rather far away. 'I'm not going to give up on my goal...' she thought.



As the others were travling. She often just stayed looking down from the trees. 'Humans... makes me wonder if they really are dependable. I knew I shouldn't have counted on them... guess I have to do this... on my own...'

==

Kiaati looked up at Jeff. She thought about trying to smile, but she just couldn't bring herself to do it. "Jeff, I know I've told you a million plus times, but thanks for being you." She looked back to the book. "It says, 'Many years and many hands, through many fears and many lands.

I travel and now hold to thee... Hidden secrets to be revealed through me.

These ancient words now speak thou... They light the flame you seeketh now.'" She shut the book, for some reason knowing that she shouldn't turn the page just yet. "The words... they are..." She stopped and shook her head, she remembered, but for some reason she had the impression she shouldn't say them at this moment.

==

Zandra thought this comment over for a second, then looked at the tower, then looking back at Kiaati.



"Well, your incharge, okay, but if your going to be incharge, I suggest you work on your mental state, letting words effect you is a trait you need to learn to put aside, then open it later, when you have time to deal with it."

==

Kiaati's eyes flashed fire. She almost spit out some nasty words, but bit her tongue. You have no clue... Instead, she smiled sweetly. She took a moment to shut her eyes and breathe deeply. She swallowed her thoughts and emotions, imagining them in a bottle tightly shut... her memories squeezed back into a closet. She imagined a wall going up around her, strong and invincible to her heart. She opened her eyes again and the fire was gone. This would work, she had used this before. It seemed almost to erase the part of her that hurt. That illusion though... whether it be by some deep magic, or just the precise words... it had pulled out every fear and every doubt, every bad memory and feeling. She hadn't broken like that in a long time, but it mattered not now. Now those things were locked away. She turned to Jeff, putting the book back within his possession. She looked at them, beaming a bright smile and her eyes glittering. She looked at the crystals. "I believe there is something more to do with the crystals. I get the feeling this might not be as easy at it seems."



Drandar nervously backed over to Zandra, whispering softly. "Is this one of those crazy female things that guys like me will never understand? because she's making me a bit nervous now..."

==

Zandra replied to Drandar, keeping the voice so only he could hear it.



" She thinks I have no clue, I saw it flash across her face, but she threw-up walls, just don't push the subject. I know I'm treading in dnagerous waters, but she needs to be sure that what happened was worth it. And so, in short, yes. Now sush please, not polite to talk bahind people's backs...."



She really honestly thinks I don't know a thing about torment, or suffering? Losing friends and family, those that are loyal to you, I have lost more people.... And as to people I cared for, until very recently I didn't have any left, and now I can't help one of them unless I push them to the breaking point. This is going to be the longest road of my life...

==

Kiaati sighed slightly, looking about, ignoring the whispers between the two. "My line of thought is that we should probably all take a stone before the words are said. What do you think?"



Drandar just stared, wondering if it was so wise to have joined them after all. He walked over towards the red crystal, looking at it.



Opal meanwhile was just watching this. She was a bit confused, but decided not to say anything.

==

Zandra all but hissed when Drandar went to touch the stone, smacking his hand before he could touch it.



" I am terribly sorry.."



Zadra rushed to say, looking at him.



" Wait a second, when you know how to work the things you know how to set them so they react certian ways if starngers mess with them..."



Picks up crystal, then hadns it to Drandar.



" I am really sorry..."



Zandra glanced at Opal, then gave her a friendly smile.



"It's okay Opal."

==

Drandar looked at her, it wasn't like she hurt him or anything. "Okay... sorry." His stomach felt a bit strange and he looked up at the sky. Sunset is that close? I could've sworn... Opal walked over to the clear crystal. It wasn't that big, so she could pick it up if she wanted to. She looked at Zandra.



"Seeing as I don't want to be zapped or anything, I was wondering if you would mind telling me if I could pick it up." Kiaati walked over to the blue one that she had carried for so long, glancing at Zandra for the okay to pick it up.

==

Zandra laughed slight, nodding as she picked up her green crystal.



"Here Opal.."



Pulls out small string and places diamond lookign crystal on it, and puts it arounds Opal's neck.



"Just don't do anything stupid with that one Opal, when pixies have it, all they pretty much hav eto do is go 'I wish' and odds are it has at least a 50% chance of happening... and that's for rookies.... And Drandar, it will increase all fire abilities without bidding, so watch it..."

==

Drandar smirked slightly. "Nice to know." He looked at the little crystal, it seemed to be generating heat.



Opal grinned bouncing around. "All right, I'll be careful. I promise. It's really sparkly though, I like sparkly things."



Kiaati sighed slightly, leaning against a tree. "Well then, since Jeff isn't allowed to have a crystal, then you take two, Zandra." She walked over towards the door. "I don't know magic, but I suppose if you just say the words, it might work. Ready?" She looked at them.

==

Zandra looked at the other crystal for a second, then picked it up, running it along the chain with the green one. Mummbling somethign about.' Pixie better be careful.. get us all killed if she isn't...' .

==

Kiaati saw that indeed the were ready and turned back to the door. She sighed slightly and spoke the words that had been imprinted on her mind. "S draw kac b sihtgn illep s mai." Immediately the door swung open, but Kiaati could not see this. Everything had gone black around the group, whispers drifting through the air and flames leaping about. Kiaati was focusing on the thought... Illusions cannot harm me. She hoped this would be an illusion as she reached her hand toward the flames...



Drandar looked about, only to see there were flames everywhere. He swallowed hard, pressing his ears flat against his head. Then he saw a ghost of a woman and a man... he knew the two faces too well. They were the ones that hurt him and left him for dead... his parents. This made fury boil in his stomach. Stupid tower.



Opal was standing on the ground, looking at the flames around her. Harsh voices met her ears, recalling the pains of why she now travelled with a demon.

==

Zandra saw the others look like they were going through torments of the mind, then understood why, trying to close her eyes to block out the sights before her eyes failing.... It made her mad, and sad and threw off her entire mental security..She started to cry when a picture of her parents flashed infront of her.

==

Kiaati reached out and touched the flames, to find she couldn't feel them. A small smile crossed her face. It's all an illusion. The voices in her ears were almost silent now and she was able to ignore them. She looked up at the door and could see four beams of light, each a color to match a crystal. She turned and could see a little bit through the dancing flames. Everyone seemed to be enduring the pain she had before. She swallowed hard. Illusions cannot harm me. With that thought her sole focus, she stepped through the flames, walking towards Zandra. She shook the demon's shoulders, trying to ignore the voices in her ears that were growing slightly louder again. She spoke to Zandra. "Snap out of it! Look at me. It's an illusion! An illusion! You have to help me and the others." The voices were loud in her ears now and she was having difficulty ignoring them. Just an illusion just an illusion just an illusion.

==

Kiaati had already helped Jeff, and he seemed fine, a little spooked, but that was expected. She picked up the pixie off of Zandra. She stroked the trembling girl. "Shh... Opal. Look at me. It's okay. These things, they aren't real. Opal." The little pixie was sobbing and looked up at Kiaati, screaming in her face.



"I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU ALL! YOU HUMANS... YOU TOLD ME IT WOULD BE OKAY.... YOU TOLD ME I WOULD HELP MORE THAN I WOULD HURT. THEY CAST ME AWAY BECAUSE OF YOU. I HATE YOU JUST AS THEY HATE ME." This was with much more volume than was expected from the small creature, but Kiaati just looked at her.



"You can hate me all you like, but listen to me." Opal scowled.



"WHAT COULD YOU POSSIBLY HAVE TO SAY THAT WOULD MAKE ME CARE? NOTHING... SO I WON'T LISTEN!" She stuck out her chin defiantly, but Kiaati just smiled.



"You're very pretty, did you know that? I love your wings... ooo! And look at the sparkly around your neck." Kiaati knew that with the little pixie, bringing her back to reality would be best done through the little pixie's personality.



Drandar stood and anger was boiling so high that he looked more like a demon than anything. His pupils had dialated fully and his ears were pressed back. The fine hairs on his skin stood up and his muscles were tense.

==

Zandra saw how Drandar was, knowing that she had to puh her current thoughts away from her mind, She reached out her hand, carefully, watching Drandar. She felt pathetic, he did look slightly intimidating, Opal was right.



"Drandar..."



Zabdra looked at him, unsure exactly what to do to bring him back, but keping an eye on him, just incase he decided to pounce her or something.

==

Drandar jerked away from her, glaring at her. Due to the illusions and the anger and the lowering sun that would bring the full moon, he was forgetting who she was. He growled from deep in his throat, his claws out now. His mother and father's images were standing about him, trying to speak soothingly, but this only made him more furious.



Kiaati looked at Opal, who paused for just a minute before screaming again. "YOU LITTLE SNAKE! YOU'RE TRYING TO TRICK ME AGAIN! THEN HERE'S YOUR PAYMENT!" She threw gobs of pixie dust into Kiaati's face, who broke out in a sneezing fit. Opal laughed. "HAHA! NOW YOUR SKIN IS BLUE! HAHA!" Kiaati finished sneezing and smiled again. Man I hope my skin isn't really blue...



"I'm not going to trick you. I tell you what, I'll even give you a present." She reached into her cloak, pulling out a gemstone that glittered in the light of the dancing flames.

==

Zandra gerked back, keeping out of his reach..



Oh god, what if he transforms?? We are gonna be doomed, I can handle him, but Kiaati.....



Zandra couldn't help the current issue, which was getting worse.



"Drandar, it's just an illusion, listen to me before you go all demon on me!"



She all but yelled that last part, hoping that Kiaati would have heard the current issue, which ws going to just get worse.

==

Kiaati heard the words. Oh crud oh crud oh crud. I hope that Opal comes back... I can't stop now otherwise she might never. Opal looked at the gem and spoke, no longer yelling.



"Oh, it's so pretty." She looked up at Kiaati as if just now realizing she was there. "Oh hello. Is there a reason why your skin is blue?" Kiaati sighed and spoke quickly, walking towards the others.



"I'll tell you later, right now we have to help Drandar." Grr... blue skin...



Drandar's hands suddenly lit fire as he growled at Zandra. He had not absorbed what she had said, and was just growing angrier by the second. He spoke, his voice low and intimidating. "Why should I care about you? I don't even know you."



Kiaati was now behind Zandra and when Opal saw Drandar she gasped and spoke. "Oh! OH! This is bad."



Kiaati looked at the pixie. "Do you know how to help him?" The pixie rubbed her temples.



"There was something... something he told me a long time ago... I can't remember.... something about..."

==

Zandra watched Drandar's hands, her hands clenching and unclenching slightly..



If I had to fight him, I would, but I really would prefer not to, I won't hurt him if I can help it, but swing at me and it's self defense.



"Opal, nice to have you back and all, and I hate to rush, but if he swings at me I will defend myself..."



Looks over a Drandar, really not wanting to touch a hair on his head

==

Opal was straining now. Drandar growled, a hand suddenly shooting out towards Zandra. Opal shouted at the beginning of the swing. "HIS EARS!!! KISS HIS NOSE AND RUB HIS EARS!!!"

==

Zandra, caught completely off gaurd by this information, shrugged and caught his firey hands in hers' full of water now, and kissed his nose, moving her hands quickly to rub his ears ((That even sounds weird...lol)).



Zandra looked up at him...



if he wasn't so mad and in so much mental pain I'd be finding him extremely cute at the moment...

==

The fire on Drandar's hands disappeared and he purred as she rubbed his ears, which was somewhat strange coming from a man completely enfuriated just moments ago. He blinked a few times, his pupil returning to normal and everything relaxing. He seemed to wake from a daze and realized what was happening as he looked at Zandra, who had ahold of his ears. He blushed crimson red, coughing lightly. Kiaati looked at Opal, and shook her head. Strange...

==

Zandra blushed herself, kissing his nose again and taking his hand.



"Come on I want out of this terrorizing place."



Zandra glanced around, seeing the different coloered area on the other side of the room, and headed towards it, bringing Drandar along wether he like dit or not.

==

Drandar coughed lightly. "Uh... sorry about that.... I do agree with you though." He followed her.



Kiaati looked at Opal, and smiled slightly. "You better go with them." She gave the pixie a light toss and Opal flew to land on Drandar's shoudler, patting his neck gently.

==

Zandra glanced back at Kiaati, slightly on the confused side, but continued to the colored pillar like thingys....



When she reached them the blue and green were right beside ech other..



"Wow.... Now what do I do? Hold one in each hand or something?"

==

Kiaati shrugged. "You're guess is as good as mine... if you like I'll hold the other one for you, but like I said, I don't know magic.... note the blue skin." She sighed, walking over toward Zandra.



Drandar looked at the light pillar thing. "Well I think it just has to be held... but then again, I'm not really thinking straight..."

==

Zandra glanced at Drandar again.



"If I have to make you purr all night I will, so watch it Mr. Dre- Drandar..."



Good grief this place really has gotten to me...and Kiaati's skin oh my...



Zandra sighed, handing the blue on to Kiaati, stepping into the green pillar with the crystal....



" I think it requires all four if you get my drift...."

==

Drandar's neck turned bright red and he coughed slightly. "I'm sure if I did that to you, you'd probably pur too... or swat me... one of the two."



Kiaati stepped onto the blue, holding the crystal. She wanted to laugh at Zandra's comment, but didn't, not moving a muscle in her expression.



Opal landed on the white pillar. It was meant for the clear.



Suddenly there was a loud buzzing and light shot from all four crystals up towards the ceiling. The entire tower glowed with the light and when the crystals stopped, the tower did not.

==

Zandra looked about, unsure what to do, so remained in her spot.



" You'd have to get to my ears first my little grren eyed demon.."



Looks around, wondering what the heck is gonna happen next...

==

Drandar grinned devilishly, raising his brows. "Is that a challenge, my pretty kitty?"



Kiaati had stepped off the column before she realized what she was doing. She walked up the stairs to see a beam of light pointing out a window. She pulled out a compass, memorizing the direction as the light died. So they have to be activated in a specific order.... She walked back down, giving Zandra the crystal back.

==

Zandra grinned, then glanced down when she felt curls against her cheek.



"Wow, this place broke my spell..."



Looks back at Drandar.



"Not exactly, though getting to my ears might just be a slight challenge for you, but I cna't cheat during the full moon, blooming ears adn tail..."



Looks back at tail.



".. Are permnant for the next twelve hours... so you'd have the advantage..."



Tail twitches without thought.

==

Drandar grinned, stepping down from the pillar. "No, we'd just be even."



Kiaati sighed, looking around. She saw the moonlight outside and looked at the pair. "Do you two want to chance walking in the moonlight, or do you want to sleep in here? No more illusions or fire since it's been activated..."

==

Zandra glanced down, and then stepped onto the stone floor.



"After everything that has happened, I wouldn't put me in the moonlight, I am alright right now, but I know who I am..."



Looks over at Drandar.



" You couldn't get me if you tried..."



A playful smile tugging at her lips.

==

Drandar laughed slightly, growling playfully. "I don't doubt it." He stared to walk away but turned quickly and pounced at her, reaching for her ears.



Kiaati sighed slightly. "Have fun then... I think you all are well suited to take care of yourselves for a while. I'm going to leave for a little bit, but I suppose if you need me badly enough you could yell loud enough..." With that she walked outside into the moonlight.

==

Zandra squirmmed away, laughing and rolling across the floor.



"Nice, but I think we both are rusty...Been a while?"



Smiles, keeping a slight distance between herself and Drandar.

==

Drandar laughed slightly, his bright green eyes twinkling. "Mmm... yeah, but I haven't forgotten." He moved toward her and faked to one side, lunging at her from the other.



Kiaati glanced up at the full moon.

==

Zandra growled slightly, laughing and catching his hadn to keep them from her head. Her tail currently gettting in the way.



"Alway changes my snese of balance..."



Laughs, wiggling armup to get at Drandar's ear, resulting in him releasing me..

==

Drandar laughed slightly. "No fair!" He had an idea. He wrapped his own currently sprouted tail around hers and grabbed one arm. He reached and managed to brush the fur of her ear.



Kiaati began to slowly walk into the shadows of the forest.

==

Zandra giggled, then purred lightly, growling and pushing him away...



"Dirty trick your own self..."



I hope Kiaati is careful, oh well, this is fun....'mental smiles'

==

Jeff took a step outside, away from the two flirting demons. The past while the days have gone by so quickly... he could hardly remember any of it. He saw Kiaati walking towards the forest, and then went to join her. "Hey Kiaati, where are you headed off to?"

==

Zandra watched Jeff leave and was kinda glad Kiaati would have somebody with her, and sat down, looking at Drandar.



"That really wasn't by the rules...."



Looks over at the silent Opal.



"what's with you my silent friend?"



Anything to get my eyes of him...

==

"Well, if you want some company I'd be happy to oblige," Jeff said while returning the smile to Kiaati.

==

Opal was snoring.



Drandar laughed slightly. "Who said there were rules?" He looked at Opal. "Well, she was tired... can't blame her..." He yawned and stretched out like only a cat could.



Kiaati smiled sadly. "If you wish to come, I have no problem with it, but I can't see why you would want to follow a leader like me..." The last part was spoke as a soft afterthought. She turned and began to walk off, part of her wishing he would follow.

==

Zandra agreed with that thoguht of sleep, curling up, wrapping tail aorund, purring slightly going to sleep.

==

Jeff had no second thoughts, he was going to follow... but luckily he wasn't too stupid so he waited a moment before following. "Yeah, wait up." He stepped up beside her and had a comforting smile on his face.

==

Drandar grinned, creeping over and stroking her right ear while whispering to her. "That was fair."



Kiaati looked at Jeff, smiling just slightly. "Thank you my friend." She looked ahead to see a clearing where the moonlight bounced from a softly flowing brook. When she came to it, she down sat on the lush grass.

==

Jeff stopped a couple steps away from her, just looking at her. "I'd... try to make a joke but I don't really see a need to, seems like the mood is light enough as it is." His smile got bigger and then looked up at the moon.

==

Zandra opened her eyes, purring completely and looked up at Drandar.



"damn you do have beautiful green eyes."



Zandra clapped her hands over her mouth faster then lightening it's self.



Good greif did that have to come out now??

==

Kiaati smiled and shut her eyes, listening. "How can you do that?" She pushed her cloak out a bit as she opened her eyes again to look at her blue skin.



Drandar smiled. "And I love the way you smell." He clapped his own hand over his mouth. Whoops...

==

Zandra was now blushing so much she felt like she should be glowing...

Thank goodnes Opal is asleep...

==

"Do what?" Jeff wondered outloud, but was mainly taking it as a compliment. His focus was drawn away from the bright moon, and back to Kiaati.

==

Kiaati looked away from her skin and up to him. "How do you always know exactly what to say?" She sighed, shutting her eyes again and withdrawing her hands into her cloak. Her next comment was soft and almost silent. "What I wouldn't give to be you."



Drandar blushed and looked at her. For some reason he just couldn't take his eyes away. He spoke very quietly. "I don't know about you... but I meant that... even if I didn't mean to say it aloud..."

==

"Ment it ever since i met you.."



NOW wants to burie head under the nearest rock...

And when did my mouth take leave of my brain?

==

Jeff took the last couple steps and sat down beside Kiaati. "C'mon," he whispered. "Don't be that way. I'd never be here still if it wern't for you." He sat facing the same direction as her, staring off into the forest.

==

Kiaati sighed. "You would probably be somewhere perfectly happy without danger if it weren't for me." The memories of earlier were flooding through her head and her mouth went dry, her eyes stinging. She refused to cry though. She wouldn't let herself do that, especially not in front of someone. She was supposed to be strong... if she was weak then she was nothing.



Drandar moved a bit closer to Zandra. "Nice to know."

==

ZAndra was pointedly keeping her attention form looking directly at him...



'Well for some reason I have lost all control of my mouth tonight, so pardon it as well as myself for things just slipping out....Maybe Opal rubbed off on me to much..."

==

"And what... be enslaved by the evil demons?" He had put an emphasis on evil. Finally he turned and looked at Kiaati. 'She seems to be near tears...' he noticed. 'I don't want to force her to cry, knowing her she doesn't want to either. Best to stay silence.'

==

Drandar coughed slightly. "Uh... I think my head rolled off a moment ago... have you seen it?" He grinned and then sighed. "I am sorry though... you know, for being all demonish on ya' before."



Kiaati exhaled, focusing on trying to make it smooth and simple. She started to say something, but couldn't. "I'm sorry." She did what she promised she wouldn't, she began to cry. She fumbled to untie her cloak with trembling fingers and dropped most of her bags before jumping in the brook. If she were wet, one couldn't tell the difference in her tears.

==

Zandra's previous embarassment disappeared.



" You went through somethign just like the rest of us, though instead of demon I went goo..... You are alright, just glad Opal's memory came back...."

==

Jeff was completely confused now. "Uh... It's alright?" That was the only thing that he could think of saying. Her seemingly random burst into the water made him a little worried, but for the most part he was just confused why she did it.

==

Kiaati was treading water, looking at him. She couldn't say anything for her throat was too dry and her breathing was too shaky. She put on a smile, one of the easiest and most natural masks.



Drandar shrugged. "Issues I suppose." He looked at Opal fondly, and ran his finger along the top of her head. "I'm glad too. I would hate to have done something stupid especially to her... she's like my little sister."



Opal moved slightly, giggling in her sleep.

==

Zandra smiled at Opal.



"She has that effect on people. And we all have issues, and to be honest..."



Glances at Drandar.



" I wouldn't have let you hurt her or Kiaati. They don't stand a chance against a demon in true form...."

==

Jeff sighs. "Looks at you, it's the middle of the night and you just had to go swimming." He looks at her cloak she left behind and saw a small damp spot. 'That didn't get wet... then how?' He looked back at Kiaati. 'That smile, of course!' "You're trying to hide something arn't you?" He said with a smile.

==

Kiaati raised a brow. "What do you m-mean?" She immediately shut her eyes. She had been fine until the last word, where her voice cracked. She pulled herself up onto the bank... ashamed. Ashamed of the tears, ashamed of her past, but just mostly ashamed of herself.



Drandar sighed slightly. "I don't know... that's how I feel, but I have yet to see either of them fight with everything they have... and you never truly know what someone can do unless you put them between a rock and a hard place."

==

[Sushi]

"Well I'm glad I didn't have to fight you either way..."



Smiles some, looking back at Drandar.

==

Jeff had a comforting smile on now, and walked over to Kiaati. He put his hands on her shoulders and looked diretly into her eyes, where her true feelings were showing at this moment. "Kiaati..." He spoke. "It's okay, there's no reason to hide your emotions from me... they're nothing to be ashamed of," A tear formed in his eye. "I'm... sorry, it's just i feel a little hurt." He took his hands off her shoulders and sat back. "That you won't share your true feelings with me..."

==

This was the straw the broke the camel's back for Kiaati. She began to cry again, and not just little streaming tears either. Her face was soaked and her frame was shaking. "I... I'm sorry... I can... can't do any...anything right." She was crying. "You... you ought to b...be leader... I get p...people killed... they all died b...because of me. Fredrick... Solam... Naomi... the T...Tartrue twins... Liana... they all died b...because of me." She knew he didn't know Liana and that he knew there were so many more. "It's all m...my fault. I can't even k...keep from blubbering like a s...stinking whale." She stopped speaking and just cried, her entire body shaking. She had avoided crying or dropping her guard for years and years, bottling up the tears and pains and trudging forward. Now she couldn't.



Drandar exhaled hard. "Yes me too... With my luck, one of us would've died... more like me." He shook his head. "And I don't want to die right now."

==

Zandra looked up at Dranad.



" I don't want you to die right now either."



Zandra wanted to hit herself voer the head with a stick by this point, giving up comepletely on controling her mouth.



I hope Jeff is having better luck with Kiaati, he's known her longer, they are good friends, I hope thier alright....

==

Jeff scooted over next to Kiaati and put an arm around her. "That's right, let it all out..." There wasn't much else to be done now, but to let all the build-up come out. "You'll feel better in the morning." 'I hope.'

==

Drandar smiled slightly. He had a feeling it might just be the moon that she was saying what she was, so he wasn't really take it too far. He poked Opal and she swatted him in her sleep.



Kiaati was bawling her eyes out. "I'm supposed to be s...strong. I can't e...even manage that." By now she had cried so many tears that one was left to wonder how she had that many. What seemed like a forever later, Kiaati's tears where stopping and she was left only feeling hollow and tired, her body still trembling. She was glad for Jeff though, she needed a friend.

==

Zandra smiled at Opal.



"If you don't mind my asking, how did you two come across each other?"

==

Drandar looked at her and then to little Opal. He sighed and shook his head. "Actually... I do mind. That's a very touchy situation for her and I don't know if she would want to tell you all. Like I said, she's like my little sister and I won't go behind her back."

==

Zandra nodded, holding her hands up in an innocent surrender gesture.



"I wasn't trying to pry, and I understand, I am sorry if I crossed over some line."



Zandra sihed, getting up and looking out the window, but pointedly staying out of the direct moonlight.

I hope Kiaati will be better tomorrow. Seeing her fall apart like that...Though i wasn't much better, crying like some child......



Zandra sighed, tail twitching back and forth in frustration at the moon.

==

Drandar walked over next to her, and sighed. "No... I just mean that if you want to know, you'll have to ask her." He shrugged. "I'm a loyal demon." He poked her arm with his tail for lack of something better to do.



Opal was now sleeping on a mound of pixie dust.

==

Zandra sighed, coming out of thought. Looking at the offending tail.



"Yes?"



Zandra looked at the little pixie and didn't have the heart to wake her up.

==

Drandar shrugged, wrapping his tail around to in front of him and picking a bit of dirt off of it.



"You know... if you think about it, having a tail is kind of weird. Or is it just me?" He grabbed his own tail for no apparent reason.



Opal rolled over in her sleep, unfortunately she rolled funny, catching her wing on a rock. She sat up. "YOW!"

==

Zandra nodded, then looked over at Opal, going to go set by the pixie.



" Are you going to be okay Opal?"



zandra looked down at he pixie, then back at Drandar.



"and yes, it is strange, which is why on normal situations I have it retracted.Though when balance is needed it is extremely helpful."

==

Opal looked up at Zandra. "Yell... I le ve sine.... Seep seep now." With that she fell backward, out like a light again.



Drandar chuckled slightly at Opal. "Yep." with that he ran up and got on a rafter. He walked along, using his tail for balance. "Tada!"

==

Zandra laughed at him, looking up.



"Like I said, balance is the only thing I've found it severly useful for. Otherwise it feels ...weird.... Probably because I don't have it but one night a month..."



Zandra looked at drandar for a second longer then pounced him, tired of remaining idol....

==

Drandar saw her coming at him, and moved to avoid her. Unfortunately he was standing on the very narrow rafter and his foot only met air. This sent him tumbling down to land hard against the stone floor. He landed on his feet, but it sent a shock of pain through his ankles. He winced slightly and waited a moment before moving.

==

Zandra giggled, seeing him move and rolled onto her feet, looking back at him.



"Sorry I am extremely on the bored with this side..... I want to go outside, but I dare not risk it...For many reasons..."

==

Drandar shrugged. "I understand. Same boat, same ocean." He suddenly turned to pounce on her. He stretched up his hand toward her ears.

==

Zandra moved slightly, keeping his hands away from her eyes.



"Oh no you don't not so easy the second time..."



Zandra laughed, tickling his side with her other hand and kicking his legs out from under him

==

Drandar laughed, tumbling back onto the ground. He stayed laughing on the ground for a moment before sweeping Zandra's feet from under her. He turned his ears backwards as he sat up.

==

Zandra hit the floor and rolled away from Drandar...



No need for him to pin me or something...



Zandra stood-up, taking careful care to make sure she still knew were Opla was resting....



Then couldn't help herself and stuck out her tounge at drandar.



"Na na, can't get me.."



Zandra laughed as she said it, she hadn't just let lose in forever....

==

Drandar growled playfully, launching himself towards her again, this time able to grab her arm. Unfortunately he had thought he would miss and had not been able to stop from tumbling and knocking them both over.



Oops... this is fun. I haven't wrestled with anyone in years...

==

Zandra laughed, mixed with a growl, being thrown off her feet.



" I think you miss calculated..."



Zandra moved to her feet, but brought Drandar up with her because he'd hadn't let go of her arm.

==

Drandar laughed, letting go of her arm. He rubbed the back of his neck, turning his ears forward now.



"I thought I was going to miss." He reached up, trying to get her ear.

==

Zandra stepped back from him.



" What is your obssession with my little ears..."



Looks at drandar for a second, taking another step back. Surprised as all get out that Opal was sleeping through this.

==

Drandar grinned, words popping out before he could stop them. "Not the ears, the sound you make. It's so cute." He blushed slightly, glancing at Opal. "You know... I haven't figured it out, but for some reason she sleeps like a log on the full moon. Almost impossible to get her awake once she falls asleep."

==

Zandra couldn't help but blsuh at him.



Thank goodness it's darker in here, at least I won't look quite so red..



Zandra caught him off gaurd, pinning him on the floor. Lost balance laughing when his tail tickled her side.

==

Drandar laughed, looking at her. "You're the one who did it." She looked a bit red. Is she blushing? With a heave, he rolled over and they were reversed as he pinned her down. He grinned, swishing his tail back and forth behind him.

==

Zandra laughed, looking up at him.



" I give, you win, okay, now don't keep me pinned, it makes me wanna hit something, old habits die hard."



Zandra was still blushing, but couldn't help it.

==

"Then I better stop considering you probably punch hard."



Drandar laughed, getting off of her and laying on the floor beside her. He shut his eyes, a grin spread across his face. He raised his arms, putting them beneath his head.

==

ZAndra unable to help herself, the opotunity laying right beside her, she reached over petting Drandar's ears softly.



He's probably gonna get me for this, but he left the perfect oportunity...

==

Drandar's ears twitched and he gave a out a soft pur. His eyes shot open and he brushed away her hand.



"Hey! I could've done that to you when you were pinned, but I was being nice." Honestly, he liked it, but it was much too embarassing the way he couldn't help but pur. He was a guy after all.

==

ZAndra smiled and stopped.



"Oh alright, but you can't completely blame me, it was the perfect oportunity."



Zandra glanced over at him.



" You think purring is bad you should see what dog demons do when you scrath their ears...... They all but melt in your hands..."



Zandra smiled looking up at the ceiling, tail playing in a small pile of pixie dust on the floor.

==

Drandar shrugged.



"I suppose I can't blame you... but I don't know any dog demons so I wouldn't know about that." He then noticed that her tail was playing in the pixie dust and grabbed it. "Ahh!" He began blowing and brushing the dust off. "Don't do that!"

==

Zandra looked at him complately confused, looking down at her tail.



" I don't think I followed that completely..."

==

Drandar still had ahold of her tail and was trying to get the rest of the pixie dust off of it. "Don't stick your tail in that stuff." He sighed. "It'll make your tail all itchy and it won't stop twitching... or if you're lucky, it might just turn green for a little while." He looked at her tail, in his hand. "I think that I caught it in time though, you should be okay."

==

Zandra mouthed an 'oh' of understanding and looking at her tail, snatching her tail back carefully.



"Looks fine to me, thanks..."



Zandra smiled, looking at Drandar.



" I suppose you've had it happen before...."

==

Drandar smirked slightly.



"Mmm... if you have a pixie with you all of the time it's bound to happen." He remembered some of the weird things that had happened over the years. He chuckled, remembering what had happened just a while ago. "Memo to self: get Opal to try and fix Kiaati's skin."

==

Zandra laughed, remembering what Kiaati looked like.



"I've had different colored skin, but blue I thoguh would look weird, and instead it looks amussing... But I really think she ought to change it back. But she is rather cute at the moment..."

==

Drandar shrugged. "I was just surprised that it was a true blue, after all she had it dyed a yellowish color from the pineapple." He shook his head. "What colors have you been?"

==

Starts ticking off on fingers...



"Purple, Orange, ew to both btw, I got made to glow in the dark, very annoying, Green, and candy cane striped, the last looking utterly re-diculos. The other colors would just be after I get a sun-burn tan or something....Why?"

==

Drandar laughed slightly, imagining Zandra candy cane striped and glow in the dark.



"Mmm... just curious." He noticed the tip of her tail turning a flourescent yellow and snickered. "Must have missed some." He pointed to her tail.

==

Zandra looked dwon at her tail and rolled her eyes.



" I think glowing in the dark was better..... Yellow?? Common......"



Rolls onto stomach looking at Drandar.



"So, I'm sure you had an opinion of me before we even met, might I ask what it was?"

==

Drandar sat down, letting his green eyes rest on Zandra with a slightly grin.



"You could ask... it doesn't mean I'll answer." He flicked his tail absentmindedly.



"But I will this time. I don't really know what I thought of you specifically. As with many things, the picture is bigger than one person, even if everyone knows the name. I was mostly thinking about the demons that put in place the restrictions on the humans. And, well, there's no other way to put it. I thought they were stupid." He shrugged.

==

ZAndra crossed her arms, swinging her feet in the air behind her.



" wll I started it, And I can accept being called stupid, even if I'm not, but the more recent ones are, once again, not my doing. The problem being when everyone thorws your name on it they see it as one person's fault, when in relaity, I couldn't have done what I did without ATON of support, which I am sure I don't really have as much as appears to be thier, the Captian has to many lackys for him..."

==

Drandar nodded.



"Of course. I understand that." He sighed.



"This is going to be difficult." He shut his eyes, rolling over to face the ceiling. He shook his head, swishing his tail back and forth.



"And by the way... opinions of people change."

==

Looks at Drandar and resists the urge to pet his ears again, her own ears perking foreward.



"What is going to be difficult?"

==

He opened one eye and looked at her with it. He sighed slightly, stretching out.



"This business with the Captain. This tower just about tortured all of us to death... literally."

==

Zandra's ears dropped when thinking about the captian, a slight growl and hiss coming out of her mouth...



'He's awful bad.....I don't wanna even be around him with a room full of peolpe on my side, let alone....And yeah, I almost didn't listen to Kiaati when she came to me.... And Opal saved you...."



Looks up at Drandar, the moon starting to shine in the room.

==

Drandar opens both eyes, watching the moonlight creep inside. He sits bolt upright as his ears perk up. Uh oh. He looked around before getting up and looking at Zandra.



"I think I'll be fine, but what about you? Do you think you can handle it or should we try to find some shadows?"

==

Zandra bit her lip for a few seconds then sighed.



"I'll be fine as long as nobody mentions my mother's name."





Zandra's tail twitched back and forth for a second, then she sighed...



I don't even think he knows my mother's name...

==

Drandar nodded with a smile.



"Well then, we'll be fine. I don't even know the name." He looked back at the moonlight slowly creeping towards them. The name though... I suppose that even leaders have an achelies ((yes I know i butchered that name)) heel. I've seen two so far.

==

The moonlight was making it's way closer towards her and sighed, not liking this look....



"I'll tell you later if you want, but right now isn't the best time..."

==

Drandar looked at her, raising a brow. "Oh no, I was just... thinking..." He gave a shudder as the moonlight poured over him. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment before opening them to watch the moonlight still creeping towards Zandra. "I'm okay..."

==

Zandra nodded slightly, looking at the moonlight and growling at it.. stupid thing.... love the moon and it trys to control me.....

==

Drandar chuckled slightly.



"What was that? Trying to cough up a hairball?" He shook his head slightly.



"Uh... sorry about that... I think I turn into a skitzophrenic in the moonlight." He watched the moonlight creeping towards her and carefully moved over in her direction. He knew firsthand that just because you thought you would be fine didn't mean that it was so.

==

The moonlgiht hit Zandra and she growled a low steady growl, looked at Drandar for a second, then finally shook her head....walking slowly for a few minutes.....



" I feel like I wanna rip something apart everytime, sorry for the growl..."



Zandra really did feel like hitting something so kept her hands to herself.

==

Drandar shrugged slightly, his stomach churning.



"It was a stupid growl anyhow, why should I care?" He shook his head, just short of smacking himself.



"I meant, it's okay." He darted over to the window, seeing a mouse just outside. He began to cackle evily, but then stopped, shaking his head.



"Geez, straightjacket and sedatives please."

==

Laughs slightly.



" Have you listened to your self purr? Not exactly masculine...And I do have a sedative or two, but unless nessicceary I'm not using it on either of us."

==

Drandar gave a low growl, eyeballing Zandra.



"You nasty little witch. You've never heard yourself pur... it sounds like a baby kitten. I thought you were supposed to be the great Zandra, not a sweet kitty cat." He shook his head, actually smacking himself this time.



"Uh... sorry... I didn't mean that." He stumbled a bit. "That was doozy. You should probably just ignore anything I say for the rest of the night."

==

Jeff felt her trembling, so he pulled her closer. "Don't underestimate yourself Kiaati. You're plenty strong. Everyone, even the strongest in the world, need a break from being strong... you've earned yours." He wondered where the two of them will be at the end of their quest. 'Where'd that come from... I hope Kiaati feels better in the morning, i really do.'

==

Zandra glared at Drandar for a moment, then sighed, keeping herself frm going over their and smacking him... He'd just done it to himself after all...



"Sweet little kitty? Oh you did NOT just go their...And yes, I am a witch, thank you."



Besides, I said it wasn't masculine, not that it wasn't extremely ((Okay, I have to spell it the correct way, but I don't wanna lol)) sexy...But he didn't need to know that fact....

==

Drandar was about to say something completely and utterly evil, one of the worst things a guy could say to a girl, nonetheless one he had a particular fancy for. "Oh did I say witch..." Thankfully this time he caught himself. He shook his head, biting his lip. Frowning, he layed down on the ground, curling up and shutting his eyes. "Good night."



Kiaati was silent now, and she even managed a sad smile. She was truely thankful, Jeff had found the exact thing to say. She was cold now though as well from being wet. She took a deep shaking breath. "Thank you... we should go back though." Kiaati reached out for the few bags and cloak that she had dropped with trembling hands.

==

Jeff nods and lets Kiaati go to get her cloak and stuff. When he saw her having problems because she was trembling, he stood up and walked over. "Why don't you let me get that?" He asked, and then added, "Just for tonight."

==

Kiaati looked at him and then to the few bags still on the ground. She didn't want to, but knew that she couldn't in her current state. If we were to be ambushed right about now I have no clue what I'd do. She spoke, her voice dry and quiet. "If you're sure... I'm sorry..." She again was ashamed of herself.

==

"You just poured your guts out through tears," Jeff said with a little chuckle. "You've got nothing to be sorry about." He kneeled down and first picked up Kiaati's cloak and put it around Kiaati. "There ya go, don't want you to catch a cold." He smiled and picked up the rest of the items.

==

Kiaati sighed, glad that she hadn't dropped everything before jumping in the river. She tangled her fingers into the fabric of her cloak, holding it close. "Thank you." She watched him carefully, waiting for him to be ready before slowly trudging back towards the tower.

==

Jeff picks everything up, and looks at Kiaati and nods. His arms were full now... 'How does she carry all this?! She must have crazy back problems.' He thought. Before starting to follow Kiaati he took one last look at the full moon, and then walked beside Kiaati.

==

Kiaati sighed slightly, walking along through the trees the way that they had come. She was listening, but not with the same tuned ear as normal. Soon they were in front of the tower. She started to walk inside, but stopped dead at what she saw. She looked up at Jeff, backing slowly. She whispered quietly. "We can't go in."

==

Jeff blinks a few times and looks at Kiaati. "Um...okay... now what?" He was standing there with a bunch of bags held ackwardly, in fact he looked quite silly. He felt just as bad.

==

Kiaati sighed slightly. "I don't know... we have no way of knowing if the moonlight changed them... what do you think we should do?" She looked at the bags he was holding. "You can drop those..." I believe him holding them looks even more ridiculous than me wearing them... This brought a half-smile to her tired face.

==

Jeff nods and sets the bags down. "What do I think we should do? Well... umm..." He looks up at the tower, but doesn't see any reachable windows. No way to sneak in. "Looks like... we could just camp outside... but the problem is that you're soaked and it's cold out..."

==

Kiaati sat down amongst the bags. "I've lived through worse..." She pulled her cloak tighter around her, looking up at him. In reality, she just wanted to sleep, to escape from the reality. She could care less whether she was cold. nearly nine years in the resistance and I stand... well sit before you now. If a cold night thinks it can kill me... more power to it.

==

Jeff looks sympathetically at Kiaati. "Well, if you must sleep right there, let me at least get a fire started." He went into the forest to find some descent wood to burn.

==

Kiaati sighed slightly, leaning against some of her bags. She hated the sympathy in his eyes. She hated being weak. Then, even though she knew it was a bad idea, even though she fought it, Kiaati then fell into a slumber before Jeff even returned.

==

Jeff had an armload of tried lumber and headed back towards the tower, and more importantly Kiaati. In the state she was in now, she is completely defenseless. He hurried back, almost tripping once or twice, but makes it back in one piece. 'She's asleep.' He thought as he walked over and placed the wood down. Shortly he had a fire started, he hoped that it could help dry Kiaati. On the opposite side of the fire Jeff sat there keeping an eye out for intruders.

==

Kiaati's slumber was deep and sound, things it had not been for quite a while.



In her dream, she was standing on the edge of a cliff. All around there was tall waving grass, and whispers filled the air. Try as she might, she couldn't find the source of the whispers or even understand what they were saying. She looked over the edge of the cliff to find she couldn't see the bottom. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned, fists up and ready to fight. What she saw made her freeze, unable to move a muscle. The young woman laughed, pushing Kiaati's fists down gently. Kiaati was only able to utter a single word.



"Liana?" The woman smiled and nodded, her silver hair falling in soft curls about her face and her blue eyes shining brillantly. Kiaati began to cry, pulling the girl into a hug. Liana patted Kiaati's back, speaking in confused tones.



"Why are you crying, my friend?" Kiaati shook her head, just murmuring apologies. Liana let go, smiling sadly. "Oh... that." She shook her head. "You shouldn't be upset over that. I made my choice and I know had you been in my shoes, you would have done the same thing." Kiaati shook her head.



"No, no. You should have let me be. You wouldn't be gone and you'd be happy." Liana smiled, her eyes twinkling.



"Oh I doubt that. I was never happy with what they did to you humans. Besides, if I hadn't of died, you wouldn't have had the extra push you needed to join the resistance, you wouldn't have done all the good things that you have." Kiaati shook her head, but Liana just smiled. "Besides, I was never gone, you kept part of my spirit in you. I watch you and am happy for you." Kiaati just kept crying. Liana playfully poked Kiaati's stomach. "Now suck it up and be the woman I know you are. Lebend frei." Kiaati smiled and laughed, repeating the words.



"Lebend frei." Kiaati's eyes fluttered open as she pulled from the dream.

==

Jeff heard Kiaati waking up. "Good morning sleeping beauty. Feeling any better?" He asked with a smile. The camp fire was still going, she hadn't actually slept very long at all. It wasn't even a good time for a midnight snack... well maybe a 3:00ish snack, but not breakfast either.

==

Kiaati sat up, stretching. She looked at him, a smile spread across her face. She really did feel a lot better, maybe it was because of the dream, maybe it was just because it was. "Ja. Danke, mein Freund." She shook her head. "Oops... yes. I'm feeling much better. Thank you for asking." Where on earth did that come from? It must have been from the dream... It was the last way I spoke in the dream so it carried over into waking.

==

"Heh, i believe it's supposed to be Meinen, since i'm a guy." Jeff said. "I'd ask if you wanted breakfast... but it's a little early for that." He looked at the still full moon. "I hope you don't mind if I go to sleep." But before Kiaati could answer he was fast asleep.

==

Kiaati laughed slightly, looking at Jeff. No I don't mind. She smiled, looking up at the moon, which was drawing closer to the horizon. She unwrapped the cloak from around herself, now having been dried from the fire. Though ready to stop and grab her weapons, she set about combing and pulling it up into a braided bun. She always did it on this day of the year. Happy birthday Kiaati...

==

Jeff slept fairly. It was about the same as all of the other times. Dreaming of his training as a Paladin... well more like nightmares, but they're not so bad. They stopped worrying him after about a year.

==

Kiaati put the last pin in her hair, just watching Jeff.



Opal was still sleeping soundly.



Drandar was curled on the ground, though not really able to sleep.

==

Zandra looked at Drandar...If he would have said b*tch I would have pounced him hard......



Zandra looked over at the sleeping Opal, heard the movement outside the tower, and noticed Drandar wasn't really asleep.



Zandra walked slowly over to the edge of the window, looking down.Yep, it's them, well best just leave them out their for tonight...



ZAndra sighed again, walking back to sit beside Drandar....



He has a nice personality, and Opal is sweet. Kiaati isn't secure at the moment, Akako should get the note as soon as I took the crystal, and Jeff...Well he's Jeff.

==

Jeff finally wakes up, he looks about. "What... time is it?" He wondered outloud. With a stretch and a yawn, he eventually brushes the dirt off of him and stands up. Every bone in his body seemed to crick and crack at least once before he stood, and then they all cracked again after he stood.

==

All of a sudden Akako felt different. She could no longer sence the presence of Zandra's crystal. She looked at her own crystal and saw a note in place of it. What's this? She thought as she took the note off the chan and opened it.

==

~ Akako's letter~



Akako, listen, their has been a major change of plans on my end. I don't know if you realize this or not, but the egotistical prick, known as the Captian has been in charge of 90% of the main orders for the last five years. I have finally become fed-up with the constant worry and being a figure head.If you want to follow the Captian, you may. If you want to follow me, say so , yes to this peice of paper.... It will transport you within about five feet of me.... NOW DO NOT START SLASING THINGS when/if you appear.... I will have to explain enough to enough people if you appear. This spell will not transport anymore then your self, so if you chose captian, throw it away and be done with it. You've known more then most, you desicion.



~Zandra~



__________ NOW TO ZANDRA HERSELF_______________________



Zandra smiled as she saw the sun start to rise, her tail disappearing, but she kept her ears out of choice, For now it won't hurt anything...



Zandra glanced over at the other two.



They'll wake soon enough



Zandra sighed, getting up and starting to straighten her clothes, humming around as she did so.

==

Akako stared at the letter in deep thought. She didn't want to make any mistakes. As a demon who pleaged her lyalty to Zandra, this shouldn't be an option. Just like all those other demons, I promised her that I would follow her to the end of the world. I ment those words. Of course I'm going to live up to it. I won't go back on my word. Akako got a pen out from her bag of supplies and slowly wrote "yes" on the note. At that secound something caughert her attention. What does she mean she's fed-up with it all? Is she going to... All of a sudden, Akako wasn't by the cliff she had just been examining, but she was exactly 5 feet from Zandra.

==

Zandra nearly jumped and fell over looking at Akako, then smiled, pressing her finger to her lips pointing at the sleeping cat demon and pixie on the floor.



Zandra pulled Akako to the side of the room, talking quietly.



" I know you must have questions, I'll answer them soon. But in short sum-up you just unofficaly joined the rebellion, against, well it was me... Now it's the captian.... And everyone you though swore layalty to me, may or may not be on my side, I know over half of them aren't . "



Zandra glaced at the note Akako still held in her hand and waited for all the questions...

==

I knew it! She did give up. I can't believe it! Only one word was able to escape Akako's mouth at the suprising news. "W-why?"

==

Zandra looked at Akako with a slight shake of her head and a sigh, not disturbing Drandar.



" Shortly stated,I was tired of fighting the humans about five years ago. I began to see what I was doing as wrong, the same time I hired the Captian. After which I spent alot of time all but running away form him, he scares me Akako, he's stronger then I am, and more heartless. He's like I was when I started this, but worse. He slowly filtered out all my faithful demons and swore in new ones, the new swearing to me, but already sworn to him. They follow him, save for the ones that were around since the begining of this. Yourself and about a hundred more, no more, no less. The rest are all new, and they all use me as a figure head now. They throw my name on stuff and it scares everyone. I'm not for that anymore. Now, onto yourself......"



Zandra looked up at Akako, almost looking through her.



" This is all your decision. You chose to follopw me on this course. Now any other questions will wait until after I talk with somebody else."



Zandra looked at Akako again for a few seconds, then sat down beside Drandar, touching his ears lightly to wake him up.

==

Akako didn't want to believe it. Zandra had ruled since before she could remember. Now she was just giving up. Akako was going to against Zandra though. She could call Zandra her role-model on many occasions, but now... Zandra is giving up.



Akako's eyes followed and then she saw the demon. Who is that? I've never seen them before. She was about to ask, but then remembered what Zandra had just said, so she decided to to stay silent.

==

Kiaati looked at Jeff, having been awake for quite a while now. She smiled slightly, this one wasn't a mask or something to tend to feelings. When she said she felt better, she really did, she felt better than she had in ages. She put a finger to her lips to try and get him to be quiet. I suppose she doesn't realize we're awake. Hmm... Akako. I've come across that name before... but where? She stood up, piling on the rest of her bags and tying on her cloak. She flipped up her hood to cover her red hair and blue face, motioning for him to do the same. Let's not have her freak out. She walked over, leaning against the doorframe and looking in.



Drandar flicked his ears, a brief pur coming from his throat as he began to wake up. He stretched out like a cat, now able to pull in his ears and tail. He looked at Zandra and nodded. "Morning." He then noticed the new demon. Mmm... who would this be? He narrowed his intense green eyes, staring at the girl. "Friend?"



Opal then flew over, landing on Drandar's shoulder and pacing around. "Good morning my friend. We have a new girl that just showed up a minute ago, but I think she's not an enemy. She seems to know Z...Lynne. After all they were just chatting chatting chatting. Kind of like you and I do. hey do you have anything to eat? I'm kind of hungry, but I also feel like I'm forgetting something."

==

Zandra stood up, tail disappearing and ears remaining, for Opal's sake.



Zandra hesitated for a few seconds.



"She won't answer you..and I can't say wether she is friend or foe...I don't even know if the person in charge will allow her to tag along, I personally don't care either way. I'm were I want and need to be so all else is second matter."



Zandra smiled at Opal for a second, then heard the foot-steps outside the room, turning around....

==

Kiaati turned her head, looking at Zandra from her position against the doorframe. She didn't really feel like trying to alter her voice much so she just dropped it an octave. She walked over to Zandra, her cloak hiding her face. "We can always use new people... but." She paused for a moment, eyeing Akako. "Let's hear a story. If what I hear is true, you know her. Spin me a tale."



Drandar nodded slightly. "Yes please."



Opal began to chatter again, but Kiaati quickly spoke, pulling a peach out of her cloak. "Why don't you have some breakfast?" Opal took the peach with difficulty and began to happily eat.

==

Zandra raised her eyebrow slightly, settling into leaning against the wall oposite Kiaati.



" Well I cna only tell you what I know about her, which is why I can't say I do or don't speak for her. She has followed me since the begining, never questioning what I tell her to do, most of the time I knew she was just in it for the money. But who could blame her? Good pay and no issues about getting knocked-off, what more could you ask for when someone like mysellf was in charge? "



Looks Akako up and down.



" At the moment she probably is in denial. I swore at one point I'd never stop.... Well I did stop one thing and am now going to work on fixing what I screwed-up..... But as for her... She might not be so willing to change sides, in which case I suppose their is a policy for this?"

==

Akako jumped out of her shock. She had heard name used quietly, but realized they weren't calling her, just talking. She chose not to speak up. She decided it wasn't time to.



If I decide to join them, I'm in danger of the rest of demons, not to mention my families shame... but if I don't, I could be killed right now. I'm surrounded by them. If I'm not with them, I'm against them. I can't escape them now. I came here by telporting. I really have no idea where I am and where the closest exit is. I don't know what to choose. On one hand is a whole army awaiting for me later, and another is a group of people now.



Akako didn't want her mistackes to be the end of her yet. She wants to make the right decision, the one that wouldn't kill her...

==

Kiaati sighed slightly. Out of this comment she had picked up a few things. Loyal, either that or she has an extreme alternate motive. Let's see though... interesting... Kiaati crossed her arms, ruffling her cloak slightly, but not showing an inch of skin. "Of course, of course." She turned to Akako. "What would you like to say for yourself? Got a name?" She valued Zandra's words more than this new demon's, but her trust was not completely won for either.



Drandar noticed Opal's troubles and sat down, slicing out pieces for her so it was easier.

==

Zandra remained silent, flicking out the blade at her wrist and peeling her orange.

==

Akako paused her thoughts at the statement directed towards her. She looked at the the one asking the question.



"My name is Akako." She said. She had smiled when she said it too. It was who she was. She was a bit more free-spirited than many demons you meet.

==

Zandra crossed her arms, popping the last of her orange in her mouth, except for the peice she'd given 'Big-pleading-eyed' Opal.

==

Kiaati took a slightly step toward Akako. "Well hello then." She narrowed her eyes under her hood. "I suppose you would like time to think... Unlike other people I know, I'll give you that. However, you try to leave and you'll be no more than a spot on the grass." Kiaati moved over to Drandar and Opal. She squatted, peering at Opal though the pixie couldn't see it. "Mind assisting me?"



Opal looked up at Kiaati, licking juice off her hands. "What with?" Kiaati stuck out her blue hand, palm up. Opal realized what she meant. "Oh. Sure." She hopped into the girl's palm, which sat her on the shoulder.

==

Zandra nodded, silently accepting Kiaati's desicion. Offering her hand to Drandar to help him up.

==

Though he didn't need it, he took her hand and pulled himself to his feet. He smiled slightly and nodded. "Thanks." He walked over to a wall, leaning against it and crossing his arms. He turned his ears forward, watching Akako intently.



Kiaati nodded as she passed Jeff, who had apparently followed her to the doorway. She raised a hand, pulling back her hood enough for her lips to be visible. "Watch her." She didn't say it, she mouthed it instead. She carried Opal outside, sitting on a stump in the shadows, carefully able to see without being seen. Opal sighed slightly.



"So did I turn you blue all over?" Kiaati chuckled slightly, untying the cloak to reveal the blue skin everywhere visible. Opal sighed. "Let's find out if I can fix it, shall we?" She set out, throwing and rubbing pixie dust on Kiaati. "I like your hair by the way, special occasion?" Kiaati shrugged.



"Kind of, but not too special." Opal nodded approvingly.

==

My loyalty is to Zandra. I didn't pledge to the war, but to her. The pledge was that I would follow her, even if death was met. I can't, I won't back down on those words. Akako looked at the human.



"Friend." She answered for the question Kiaati had asked Akako earlier, even though the human was near.

==

Zandra smiled, seeing the hair and siging( You know, sign language) 'happy birthday' in the human form so as to keep it 'unbroadcasted' and looked around the room, putting her knife up.



"So I suppose you have a plan? I'm willing to move on...Unless we need to remain here? I don't care for remaining Idol unless nessicary, just so you know why I'm impatient..."

==

Kiaati heard the word, spoken loudly. She glanced at Opal. "Will it harm me if you have to stop your spells right now?" The pixie shook her head and Kiaati tied on the cloak, flipping up the hood. Opal landed on her shoulder, giggling slightly.



"You look funnier than before though. You're blue and sparkly. I like sparkly though, did I tell you that? Besides, it's such a lovely shade of blue." While the pixie chattered away, Kiaati walked back into the tower. She stuck out a blue hand, waiting to shake.



"Well then you have found enough of our grace to prove yourself." She still had a slightly uneasy feeling. Strangely enough, it had been easier to trust Zandra than this demon. She had signed a thank you to Zandra as she walked in.

==

Akako smiled and shook her hand.



"I don't think I've caught your name yet." Akako mentioned.

==

Zandra grinned slightly, at Kiaati and then walked over to Dranar, whispering to him((Just because i don't wanna stay stilll)) ' I bet you can't pin me twice in a row...'.....

==

Kiaati withdrew her arm, smiling under her hood. "Kiaati." She knew that if Zandra hadn't known right off that she was the leader of the resistance by neither face nor name, then it was likely to be the same with Akako. She reached up and flipped down her hood, showing her blue face and red hair. "Hello." Her voice was back to normal. "Remember me? I'm so afraid of the forest creatures."



Drandar grinned, whispering back. "I bet I could." He grinned, and thought about pouncing, but didn't. "Though are you sure you want me to try in present company?" He didn't mind, but he was thinking of her dignity instead.

==

Akako kind of jumped at the site of Kiaati's blue face.

"Uh... Why is your face, well, blue?" She kind of just skiped over the last statement.

==

zandra shook her head slightly, replying.



" Not until we are at least outside, though I do think that Akako may look at me like I've lost my mind..."



Smiles to self, looking at Akako's face.

Oh this should be fun, Akako and Kiaati on the same team.... Well it sounds less odd then Kiaati and myself on the same team..

==

Kiaati pouted slightly. "I was from a poor family, they couldn't afford to have a normal colored child and I ran out of makeup." She then broke into a smile and shook her head. "I had a... erm... run-in with a bit of pixie magic." She looked away to the demons and the others. "I'm going to guess that you do remember me then, since you didn't respond."



Drandar grinned, a low, playful growl coming from his throat. "My pride is not on the line."



Opal blushed slightly, flying over and landing on Drandar's shoulder. She was whispering to him, the closest ear turning towards her. "This demon makes me a bit nervous..."

==

Zandra heard what Opal said, and winced slightly.



I don't knw were to put Akako, she has always listened, but really, I don't know. I hope this turns out for the better, because right now, I'll pick them over her.



Zandra smiled, walking outside, leaving the others to do as they wished.



I don't do well cooped-up.....

==

Drandar watched her carefully and then jumped through the window, pouncing on her. He came into contact, surprisingly. He laughed slightly again as they landed on the ground.



Opal giggled, jumping off of Drandar's shoulder and landing on the window sill when he had begun to launch himself towards her.



Kiaati paid none of this any mind and just waited for Akako's response.

==

"Hm, oh right." She paused to recall, "Oh yah... You're the one from the other day. I wouldn't really think someone on the rebellion would be scared of animals in the forest..." She replied not seeming to get it.

==

Kiaati just stared for a moment, surprised by the moment of stupidity. I wonder if she is often like this. She sighed slightly, shaking her head. "I'm not. I said that so you wouldn't try to kill me. I lied to you." She sighed again, but then smiled. "Though taking my weapons didn't make me too happy anyhow."

==

"Oh..." Akako said, now understanding, "I think I gave those weapons to Zandra, if I remember correctly. I'm not sure what there path was after that." Akako then remembered the compartment in the home she had examined before. She remembered the sword she had taken, the one that was with her.



"Kiaati, after our first encounter, I had followed a scent to a home. There I found hidden weapons stashed," She took out the sword and it's sheathe, "I believe this may belong to one of you."

==34==

[Sushi]

Kiaati raised a brow, looking at the sword to see it indeed was from the vault. She looked at Akako.



"I very well know what happened to the weapons... but..." She smiled slightly. "Finding our vault? I must say that I am somewhat impressed." She looked at the sword.



"I'm not really favorable to weapons such as that, and I believe Jeff has a sword he will never part with, so you keep it." She turned to walk outside, but then turned back.



"And... loosen up a little. You talk to me like you're giving a report on the prices of rice." She turned again, this time actually walking to the door. "No intention of harm lest you prove the need of it."

==

Akako smiled and put the sword back. She then yawned. She hadn't realized that she was tired, but she was. I guess a little sleep wouldn't hurt. She thought, sitting against the wall and slowly drifting to sleep.

==

Zandra felt the impact on Drandar landing on her and fell to the ground, but got out from under him rather quickly, shaking her head slightly.



" Catching me off gaurd is fine, but I might punch you if your not to careful..."



Zandra smiled at him, then glanced up....



I hope akako can get use to this, if she can she'll be a great asset, if not...... well I've had to do worse.

==

Verda pulled at the necklace that she had always worn, even though it had plenty of room it seemed to strangle her terribly. She wanted it to be a full moon again, so she could have a better transformation, but it seemed that the full moon would come as scheduled. A odd mingled feeling of fear and the feeling of being ready for something troubled her, like something was about to attack her but she knew she could win. She closed her eyes, and wondered silently about her lord. I suppose all I am good for is for my job, and nothing else. It was true, she had killed many people for her lord, and she wasn't going to stop with this so called resistance.

==

Drandar's eyes sparkled slightly. "I'm a man and if I'm willing to take the risk you can just assume I'm willing to take the punch as one." He sat up, pulling out random pieces of grass.



Kiaati glanced at Akako and then sat down on the window sill. Must be fairly comfortable in our company... She glanced at Opal and took off her cloak again. "I'm sorry if anyone has objections to staying around here for a while longer, but I am lacking a bit in care over this. No more blue."



Opal laughed and began to try and un-blue Kiaati again.

==

Mizuka sat in a tree and she looked down to the ground. Her fingers pressed into the bark and she growled a bit. It was the full moon, she couldn't look at it.

==

Zandra nodded slightly.



" I understand, just a warning, I tend to kill those whom attack me without warning, unless I see you before the final stroke, which in 99.5% of the cases, is possible to happen. "



Zandra reached into her cloak, pulling out one of the energized pomigranates and eating it, watching drandar closely.

==

Drandar had a sudden very girly impulse. He pouted, batting his eyes. "You wouldn't hurt a cute little cat like me, would you?" He realized what he had done and shook his head slightly. "What the heck?! That moon must not have worn off all of the way yet."



Kiaati turned to speak to Opal, but caught a mouthfull of pixie dust. She jumped, coughing and sneezing. She fell backwards out of the window, still caught in a violent sneezing fit. When she finally stopped she looked up and saw Mizuka. "Hello, Mizuka."



Opal landed next to Kiaati, who was now getting up again. "Well, sorry about that. I didn't realize you were turning, the good news it you're not still blue."

==

She waved a bit and kept silent. Her sudden urges to look at the moon became stronger pulses. She slightly glanced up a bit higher. She also hid from the moons rays of light.

==

Zandra giggled at Drandar's impression and dropped the other half of her pomagrante...



" I don't care what brought that on.....And I just don't wanan ruin those puuuurfect green eyes..."



Zandra's mouth clapped shut in a split second after that comment.

==

Kiaati sighed slightly, not saying anything.



Drandar grinned slightly. "I believe you've caught my bug." He turned away, plucking a bit of honeysuckle and licking the sweet sticky away.

==

Zandra picked up the half of the fruit she'd dropped and sighed.



" I don't know what kind of bug it is, but I must find the remedy for it...."



Pops more fruit in mouth.

==

Drandar grinned, now having licked the stickiness away from the flower. "Oh dear, I'm afraid it's uncurable. The offical name is footinmouthasitis." He grinned, rinsing the flower with a bit of water. "I do hear that wearing a flower helps though." With that he stuck the flower in her hair.

==

Mizuka was more silent now. She stood up in the tree and she jumped to another one. She swung around and decided to hang upside down just because she could. Her long black hair fall down and nearly touching the ground. Her missing eye showing.

==

Zandra smiled at the flower he placed in her hair. I haven't had a flower in my hair since I was six years old...



" Oh I've heard of this terrible illness, but I have only witnessed it in others... And it seems only to take effect when certian people are in certian other people's company..."

==

Drandar sighed slightly. "Ah my fine lady, you seem to have contracted it... from me. I seem to have caught it from you though. So we each have the other to blame."



Kiaati was now standing behind Mizuka, for no apparent reason. She leaned forward. "So... have a nice vacation?" She smiled slightly.

==

Mizuka closed her eyes peacefully as she jumped back down. "I did...." she muttered softly.



She brushed the bangs back over her hair. Where she went... was somewhere personal actaully.

==

Zandra looked over Drandar for a second, pulling out the classic 'perfectly trained little girl' voice without thinking about it.



"Ah, but good kind sir, what if I wish not to blame you? But tp blame those little emeralds nature set in your face."

==

Akako woke up now. She didn't get up but her eyes caught view of Mizuka. I wonder when she got here. I didn't see her earlier. Her eyes then went to Kiaati. She must fairly trust me. I fell asleep, and I woke up alive. She smiled a bit and stood up.

==

Drandar smiled warmly. "I wish not to blame you either, for you are such a fine lady. I am honored by your shower of compliments, but my eyes pale in comparison to the roses in your cheeks, the pale and full pinks of your perfectly shaped mouth, and the (insert eye color) orbs that steal my sight into their own." Whoa where did that come from? Any sweeter and you'd need a dentist.



Kiaati smiled warmly and nodded. "I'm glad for you." Her face and heart held no hint of yesterday, but she didn't even know if Mizuka had seen that. "How long have you been with us, my friend?" Kiaati noticed Akako. "Oh... and I believe there is someone in our presence you may know." She dropped her voice to almost silence. "Please refrain from mentioning important matters, status, etc. And don't attack her please."

==

"Not for long..." she muttered softly.



Mizuka didn't seem to be as warm as cheerful as she was before.

==

Zandra blushed lsightly, smiling at Drandar.



" Your flatter is placed on the wrong person my kind good sir."

OMG....Note to self, do not kiss him right here in front of everything under the sun.

==

Drandar smiled warmly. "The wrong person?" He glanced around. "There are no other beings here, for you alone are the light of my eyes." His eyes twinkled. "And if no one is here and you are simply everything I said, then of course they are bestowed upon the right person, my fair lady."

==35==

this boy would try the patients of any saint I've ever met..



" Your words are to much, they can not possibley be true...."



He is slick...wonder were he learned this kind of playing anyway... SOmuch fun really



" what would interest such a good young man like you in a girl like me anyway, Mr. Dreamy eyes?"



Damn it, that slipped out, oh well, maybe it will leave me alone now.......

==

Drandar smiled. "My words are true as an oath to the heavens, dear one." His eyes twinkled. "What wouldn't interest a man like me in such a fine such lady as yourself? To shame any eye that scorn upon thy face, to death any mouth that slander thy dear name and nature." Drandar smiled, his eyes caught up in her gaze.



Kiaati nodded, her smile widening, though she noticed the change in Mizuka's demenor. As leader, it was her job to stand tallest and laugh loudest when times were rough.

==

Naturally the demon girl was proud and she often boated of her thinking ablities. But now, she just seemed emotionless and nothing bothered her. Her lone crimson eye stared to the side.

==

ONe more word, so help me just one more word...



"Does your flattery know no bounds?"



wow he is powerfull with words...



Zandra looked at Drandar, not to fa from herself, not being able to help the extremely female-ish feeling she had at the moment.

==

Akako went out the door leading out of the tower. She jumped into a nearby tree and sat down on a high branch. She lit a small fire in her hand a twiddled with it a bit. I don't know my place here well. I don't know these people, and the ones I do know I don't know well. Akako then remembered her sister, and a few friends on the demon side which she knew. Being on the Rebellion, will I have to kill them? Many people on the Demon side she couldn't care less for, but those like her sister, Risa, and the demon Makan (someone near the begining when we were going on about the note still), who had acted like her older brother, Akako cared deaply for.

==

Drandar smiled. "My words are not flattery but truth instead, though they do no justice to the sight in mine eyes. Truth knows no bounds for it is eternal."



Kiaati looked at Mizuka, letting her smile down for a moment. "My friend, would you take a walk or even just a talk with me?"

==

Mizuka looked to het. "If you want... I really don't mind..." she said softly.



She let the wind take her hair. Her black locks of hair flowing into the window, bits if flesh from her missing optic showed.

==

Zandra, unable to help herslef, leaned over and kissed Drandar square on the mouth....

==

Akako jumped out of her thoughts. She could have sworn she saw something out of the corner of her eye. She saw Zandra. She was kissing Drandar! She blinked. I would have never guessed that this would happen. She smilied and leaned against the trunk.

==

Drandar was a bit surprised at first, but quickly recovered and enjoyed Zandra's kiss. Her scent filled his nostrils, the one he liked so well.



Kiaati looked at Mizuka, walking but not too far from the others, out of earshot though. Though Zandra and Drandar are fairly preoccupied. "A peach for your thoughts, my friend?" She held out a peach to Mizuka.

==

Zandra smiled, pulling back after alittle while.



" You know you were asking for that for some time now....Sorry about being so up front."



Zandra pointedly was now looking down.

==

She took the peach and stared down at it. "You... do realize why I left in the first place... right?" she question Kiaati and looked at her.



Gripping the peach more into her hand. She looked down as her lone crimson optic was shadowed by her bags. She pursed her lips together. The sun hitting on her pastel skin.

==

Drandar smiled slightly. "Don't be sorry." He couldn't say anything much after that. He slipped his hand under her chin and tilted it up so he could look into her deep eyes. "Nothing to be sorry for." His eyes sparkled.



A shower of sparkles fell on their heads, and it was very pretty. It was due to a little pixie, who had silently been watching, but no one knew that, not even Drandar. This was for the reason she appeared to be sleeping on a nearby ledge.



Kiaati smiled just slightly. "Prehaps... but then prehaps I am mistaken. The only assurance is if you tell." She very well knew the reason, but she also very well knew that this bit of knowledge wouldn't help Mizuka.

==

Zandra blushed slightly, looking up at him, a small smile tugging at the sides of her mouth.



Zandra looked at Drandar for alittle, shaking her head finally. a grin spreading across her face, talking to herself without thought.



" Who would have thought I would....."



Shakes head again...



Glad I wasn't standing up when I did that, would have been leaning against him by the end of it...

==

Mizuka pursed her lips a bit more. "I swore to myself I would kill her..."



Her finger tips pressed into the peach a bit more. The juices of the fruit slipped on to her pale dainty fingers. "She killed my mother... she tore out my eye.... I... won't... I can't go back on word..." she whispered.



"You.... can't expect me to just trust her like that and forgive her. I... carry a lot of hate in my heart right now..."



Besides... what would be the meaning of her existance if she just started to trust Zandra... she wouldn't have no purpous.

==

Drandar smiled and daringly leaned close to her ear, close enough for his lips to brush her ear as he whispered to her. "Who thought you wouldn't either? Opinions are nice, but they aren't everything."



Kiaati nodded, knowing this was probably what had happened. "You know, I once had mites, terrible things they are. To get rid of them I had to rub lime juice all over myself." She realized this probably seemed to have nothing to do with Mizuka, but that was what she wanted. "The lime juice got into my eyes and into the sores of the mites, and, oh my gosh, it burned like chili powder. I absolutely despised limes ever since." Kiaati paused for a minute. "But then a couple years later it happened that many of my men had contracted the mites as well. You know that the sores from the mites are prone to infection. I had to chose. Would I go through the pain and horrid limes? or would I let my men die? Try as I might I just couldn't overcome my hatred of the limes. Then I saw one fall desperately ill and I saw the mites, the terrible things. I realized that i could hate the mites. I could hate them even more than I hated the limes, after all, look what they had done to my men. It was hard still, near impossible. Needless to say, many limes were thrown in anger... I managed though... and I still hate limes." Kiaati looked at Mizuka, raising a brow.

==

Zandra ear flicked back momentarly, she looked up at him....



" Nothing, just a bet I always won with people...Until now... You could be a very large reason i lose thos bets...."



Smiles...

==

Mizuka leaned against the tree. Looking to the ground, she closed her eyes gently. "You know... when Zandra killed my mother... her... blood splashed into my eye...."



She shook at the thought.

==

Kiaati looked at Mizuka carefully, leaning against a tree and watching her. She had a feeling that she needn't utter a word, the demon would continue.



Drandar chuckled slightly. "Anything I can do to make up for your loss would be considered." He looked into her eyes, it was the most vibrant color at the moment. More intense than he had ever seen.

==

Zandra smiled slightly.



" Oh I suppose I could think of a few things...."



Zandra kissed Drandar again, but pulled away shortly, smiling up at him.



" Then again, I'm not sure paying would be a punishment for you...."

==

Her mother's blood splashed into her eyes. "I haven't really been the same. In truth... even though I have my moments when I love the blood spilling on to my hands. I... often fear it actually..." the demon girl whispered.

==

Drandar grinned devilishly and kissed her temple.

"Ah, I could make a show of it, I'm sure." He smiled at her, playing with one of her stray curls. "You smell nice, you know." He tipped backward slightly, grinning.



Kiaati nodded slightly, waiting for her to continue.

==

A slight growl escaped Zandra.



" I doubt you could make a very believable show Drandar... But watching you try would be amussing, and I smell like me... What more could you expect... Though I liek your scent too..."



Zandra smiled slightly.



" You do realize we are rather out in the open to be acting like this?"

==36==

She looked to Kiaati, "She had tried to kill my mother before.."



She looked down on to the ground, "That's when I... lost the eye. Her hand had shot forward with the glass to kill my mother. Then... I stepped forward..."



Everything flashed into her mind... as if it was happening all over again.

==

Kiaati knew best to stay silent, from her own experience of yesterday she knew all too well.



Drandar growled playfully. "Whatever you wish." He grinned, glancing about. "As I said, my pride is not on the line, but I'm sure that ten paces in any direction except backward would lead us into the woods if you wish."

==

Zandra smiled completely now...



"Pride isn't the issue so much is I might give Akako a heart attack already..."



Makes self (Zandra) Stand-up and look at Drandar, flower staying in hair.



" But do you really want to wonder off into the woods with me?"

==

She looked to her, "It's painful... I can't get rid of hate... that;s had built up inside of me...."



She finally smashed the fruit in her hands.

==

Drandar chuckled slightly, growling in a friendly way and standing up. "If you're asking am I afraid to be alone with you, I am no more afraid than should be I." He grinned, taking a few steps toward the trees.



Kiaati had listened to the demon in silence. She pulled out another fruit. "I'm not asking you to get rid of it. I even somewhat expect it."

==

Zandra made a split second desicion, following Drandar.



"Not exactly what I was asking, but the answer will suffice none the less."

==

"You also realize... I may... have to travle on my own... your know that right..."



Her bangs shadowed her eyes. She pursed her lips more, and she moved her lips a bit, holding back stressful tears.

==

Kiaati smiled at her. "I know a lot more than I may let on, my friend." She placed the peach into Mizuka's hands. "For instance I know your tears right now. You don't want to cry, especially not in front of me, but you desperately need to. I know that you'll probably deny it and I know that I'll say I believe you. I know that you have your own choices to make and I will respect them. You know what is best for you and very helpful to us." She smiled warmly. "And I didn't know that tears were okay to let out... until very recently."



Drandar grinned and the second they were in the forest he climbed up onto a low branch and looked down at her. He stood on the edge of the branch, wavering a bit before letting out his tail for extra balance.

==

Zandra looked up at drandar for a second, before thinking about the comment that spilled out of her mouth.



" You do realize your cute-er with your cat ears then without, right?"



Zandra, finding it impossibl from keeping herself from saying what was already said, smiled up at him a moment longer, before jumping up in the same tree, sitting down and looking at him.

==

Mizuka contiued to look down. She didn't want to let the tears fall. To her, tears were a sign of weakness. But... she was glad Kiaati understood. She didn't really want to be anywhere near... the monster who killed her mother.

==

Drandar grinned and sat beside her, tilting his now apparent cat ears towards her. "I guess I do now..." He leaned over towards her, poking one of her ears with his tail and chuckling. "I like what yours, but I more favor your eyes."



Kiaati smiled slightly and touched Mizuka's hand. "My friend, no harm come to you by us, we are your allies and friends." She nodded, standing up and away turning. "And know that no eyes are here to watch and the trees tell no tales." She walked away back to the tower. Now let's see about this Akako...

==

Zandra smiled sweelty, looking back at Drandar.



" Oh most definitlly, eyes over ears...."

==

Akako was sitting in the tree. Trying to focus her thoughts on something besides the couple. She was happy when they decided to take it to a more private place. They were starting to make her a bit sick. Akako was fiddling with the fire in her hand again. Suddenly the fire went out. There was a scent in the air. Akako leaned up against the tree. What are you doing here? She jumped from the tree and started to run in the direction of the scent. It was close, and she knew who it was. She didn't want them there at all.

==

Mizuka looked down to the ground. The wind blew once more as the petals from flowers flew off. Her hair was taken into the wind. She looked down to the ground, and she let a few tears fall, before she roughly wiped them away.

==

Akako stoped for a secound. She was right on top of the scent, but she couldn't see him. "Makan?" She asked making sure it was him.



"Akako, what are you doing here." He said jumping from the trees.



"That's what I was going to ask you." Akako replied.



"Verda gave me orders to seek out the Rebellion and find out what they're up to. She said the orders came from Zandra herself." He answered.



"I doubt that Zandra told Verda those orders." Akako replied. Verda, the lying witch. Zandra's name is being used for things to happen. Zandra doesn't have to give an orders for something to happen.



"What would you know on the topic?" He seamed suprise by Akako's respounce. She was about to answer when he caught a wiff of the air. He looked at her seriously. "You're with them aren't you, even Zandra. I can smell humans, and Mizuka. Zandra is with them, yet there is no bloodshed."



"Makan," Akako started. She didn't get to finish. She went silent when he drew out his sword.



"You're under arrest, Akako." Makan steped forward, and Akako steped back in shock.



He's been like an older brother to me my entire life. I can't fight him, but I can't let him pass either. Akako felt like she was going to cry, but she held back.

==

Drandar leaned toward her and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. He began to jump down from the tree but then stopped stock still and perking his ears high. He had heard something, it was far away, just within his hearing. It was immistakable. It was the metal sound of a sword being drawn.



Kiaati had watched Akako run right by her. She wasn't sure why she hadn't killed the demon right away for it, but it was something in the girl's face. It gave Kiaati the feeling that the demon meant nothing bad by it, but it also gave her a feeling on foreboding.



Opal flew over and landed on Kiaati's shoulder. "What now?" She watched Kiaati just shake her head and place her finger to her lips in thought.

==

Mizuka had turned around a it. Her long black hair flowing into the wind. She merely going to go to the river. Her lone eye had caught a glimsp of the water as she began to approach. She knelt down and let her fingers play with the cool water. She stared to it for a moment. A twig snapped under someone's feet. She let the spiritaul power come into hand and she looked around. "Who's there?" she said furrowing her eyebrows.

==

Zandra had heard the noise too. She moved slightly looking around, on her gaurd in seconds.



She glanced at Drandar, seeing him alert as well, and smiling slightly.



If nothing else I picked one with common sense and a good set of ears and eyes.

==

Drandar glanced at Zandra, but only for a moment. He didn't favor a nasty surprise and needed to keep his eyes looking and his ears open.



Kiaati drew up her hood and Opal stood in its darkness. She quietly walked the path Akako had gone. Interesting.

==

Zandra shook her head slightly, ignoring present company only because she'd practiced forever on it.



If I don't pay attention I could get hurt or become a hazard, and both are bad issues. Now to find out were that noise came from and why...



Zandra climbed-up into the nearest tree, not making a sound, following the direction she'd heard the noise come from.....

==

Out from the bushes came a female sillouhet (sp) and she stared to it. Her hands slightly gripped. The sun's rays hit the figure to show more of a dragon like beast from the female. "Who are you?" Mizuka asked dangerously.



"The name is Kushinada..." she said simply.



"What do you want?" she asked.



Most people had steered clear from her aura. The dragon demons anywho. Kushinada chuckled a bit. "It seems you have a problem, dear Mizuka."



How did she know her name?

==

Drandar moved silently along in the shadows, catching something almost inaudible. Whispers far away. He stopped, looking about, but tapping Zandra's shoulder. Did she hear it too?



Kiaati moved swiftly along.

==

Zandra nodded slightly, knowing his question. If she could just get closer she could make out what was going on...



Zandra's ears were completely stretched forward, catching ever stray sound made.

==

The dragon demon woman had approached her a bit more. Long nail coming under her chin and lifting up Mizuka's head. She growled in anger and sent her fist to her face. She didn't even budge. 'Whoa...' she thought. 'S...she didn't even move!'



"That tickled..." Kushinada teased.



"What do you want with me?" Mizuka asked dangerously.



Kushinada had then chuckled a bit. "You seek power, don't you?" she asked.

==

Drandar meanwhile had his ears turned toward the first noise, trying to make out something there.

Kiaati...walking. Opal... standing.

==

Zandra sighed slightly in frustration, moving once more in the nosies' direction, tugging slight on drandar to follow.

==

Drandar pushed at her hand slightly, still focused in the other direction. He could hear footsteps, but they sounded familiar. So he turned, following Zandra, these whispers were more suspicious.

==

Mizuka had bit her lip. She swipped the woman's hands away from her and looked. "Why the hell should it be any of YOUR business." she said pointing at her.



"Because.. I know why you want the power. Come with me..." she said with a smirk.



"..." Mizuka was silent... not sure of what to say.

==

Zandra continued following the voices, words becoming more apparent as she moved on, but still not making any snese. Smiling slightly when Drandar had decided to follow.



well if I get into something, two is better then one....

==

Drandar was listening, though he couldn't make out the words yet, he could hear two distinct voices... one was vaguely familiar... but he had only heard it maybe once or twice before... he couldn't remember who though. He walked on silent, normally Opal would be with him as he did something like this. It was sort of strange having her missing.

==

She didn't know what to do. Could she trust her... how would she know if she could get the power she wanted from Kushinada. "How can I trust you. I don't even know you..." she said clenching her fist.



Kushinada smirked a bit. "It's obvious you don't have the strength to even make me budge."



'Oh yeah...' Mizuka thought.



She enfused her fist with the spiritaul power and she shot it forward. She slightly stepped back. But the souls had burned Kushinada's skin. "Not bad, Mizuka. You have poteintal there."

==

Zandra reconized the voice now, or at least one of them being Akako, but the other....

==

Zandra stopped just under the cover of the forest, now able to see akako. She had a slightly puzzled look on her face.



What the heck? Did I miss a memo? What is she doing? Do I need to get involved or not?

==

Kiaati stood in the shadows and was watching.



Drandar saw all of this and stood behind Zandra when something else caught his attention. There were... voices. Not the voices of the people in front of them... voices of two other women. He flicked his ears backward, listening.

==

Zandra heard the second conversation slightly, but saw Drandar listening to it so stayed focused on the conversation with Akako.



Maybe Drandar can monitor the other one, listening to both conversations might make me snappy because I'd get a headache.......



Zandra was hoping he'd pay attention to the other one while she handled this one........

==37==

Kiaati glanced at Opal on her shoulder and placed a finger to her lips to indicate the need for silence. Opal smiled and nodded.



Drandar was listening to the other conversation after seeing that Zandra had the present one well under control. He caught two names which he carefully made note of since it seemed the two women were addressing each other with them.

==

zandra continued to listen, thankful to see that Drandar had caught on.....

==

Drandar was glad that Zandra was glad that he caught on, even though only a hair-brained dummy wouldn't have figured out what to do.



Kiaati and Opal were listening and watching carefully.

==

Zandra was glad that drandar was glad that she was glad (( Yeah, follow that one lol)) to see that he had caught on and (( Was in dier need for someone to get on)) pulled out an energized pomegranate, eating silently, listening.

==

Drandar was glad that Zandra was glad that he was glad that she was glad ((this is a fun game ^_^)) and he reached over, taking some pomegranate sacs and popping them into his mouth.

==

Zandra was glad that drandar was glad that she was glad that he was glad that she was glad, watching him take off with some of her pomegranete....



Cute little theif....

==

Drandar was glad Zandra was glad that he was glad that she was glad that he was glad that she was glad. He flashed a grin at her, listening to conversation. I wonder what she does to get her hair so shiny...

==

Damn the heavens above that gave him such a handsome smile....



(( Here we go agin, not like we have much else to do, one of the other tow need to post SOME KIND OF SOMETHING!!! *BIG pouting eyes*))



Zandra was glad that Drandar was glad that she was glad that he was glad that she was that he was glad that she was glad. ((Damn this is going to get confusing! but fun lol))



Zandra looke down at her now gone pomegranete and pouted, throwing the remains on the ground, not making a sound and then playing with one of her stray curls, listening. ((Duh....))

==

Drandar was glad that Zandra was glad that he was glad that she was glad that he was glad that she was that he was glad that she was glad. He listened carefully, but remained silent. He reached up and started playing with another one of Zandra's curls, watching it spring back every time he let go.

[Sushi]

==

Zandra was glad that Drandar was glad that she was glad that he was glad that she was glad that he was glad that she was glad that he was glad that she was glad that he was glad.....



((*Holds head* You know my dadd use to do something like this in school. They'd always have to tell what they did over the summer so they'd do the ' I slept, and when I slept I dreamed of sleeping, and in that dream, I dreamed of sleeping...' and so on and so forth until the teacher told him to sit down ^_^))



He must be able to listen and to play at the same time, good I can too, though anything that makes alot of noise would be an issue...



Zandra looked over slightly at Drandar as he ploayed with her curls and grinned slightly.



One second he's like a sweet word wrapping young man, the next second, a guy who knows what he wants.The next totally side tracked as to a possible dangerous sitatuion, back to silently being sweet again....... Just without words in this case because they might become an issue considering our eves dropping statis....

==

Drandar was glad Zandra was glad he was glad that she was glad that he was glad that she was glad that he was glad that she was that he was glad that she was glad.



Drandar looked to Zandra's face and saw a slight grin. At this he smiled innocently and pointed to the curl which he had stretched out straight. When he let go and it bounced back he made a face as though utterly shocked.



Meanwhile he had been listening to the conversation

==

Zandra rolled her eyes, taking a handful of hair, stretching it out straight and releasing it, it all springing back into place.



Your cute, but I don't buy that innocent look a bit mister....



Zandra waved a slight finger, having listened to the entire conversation on her end and now paying attention to his (( Well I shall find out what she listened to when Inu gets on, I have a knack for skimming over things sometimes and finding out what I 'knew' afterwords lol........)) .



Not surprising for Mizuka, now to see what she does.....



Figuring((<- that looks wrong-_-)) Drandar was still pay attention to the conversation she started fiddling with the crystals around her neck.

==

Drandar grinned, still listening to the conversation. Geez this is kind of ridiculous. I really wish I knew exactly what was going on... He had managed to piece together a bit. He smiled, looking at her. He put his hands on her shoulders and guided her into a ray of sunlight. He grinned and drew out a piece of paper and pencil, sketching her in just a few minutes. It turned out very well, he had learned to sketch accurately and quickly back when he had to take log of people. Meanwhile he had his ears still turned back and listening to the conversation. He held up the sketch.

==

Zandra looked at the sketch, keeping herself from saying anything out loud, smile spreading across her face, mouthing ' I like it ' .



He's very talented. I can't understand why he likes me, but I won't look a gift horse in the mouth . Or in this case a gorgeous Demon Man in the eyes .



Zandra came over to look at it better, pulling some colored pencils from her pockets (( ANYTHING can be found in her pockets lol, just like mine ^_-)) and setting down beside him, taking the picture adn writing 'drawn by:' and handing the pencial to him to make him sign it.

==

Drandar took the pencil with a grin and signed the paper. The first 'd' was large and loopy, but the rest of his name looked like a bunch of little bumps. He was still listening to the conversation. Geez they talk a lot. He made the motion of yawning as he rolled his eyes and pointed in the direction of the conversation.

==

Zandra smiled when Drandar signed the paper, happily taking it back from and admiring it, watching him yawn.....



He's bored easily I geuss, wouldn't send him to get information. Except teh fact I think he's trust worthy. I am getting bored with it myself, this would be the perfect time to forget about it and hunt down Opal, or wonder off with Drandar again. I can tell Kiaati what we found out later (( Once I know what she found out lol))



Zandra nodded in agreement, smiling at him.

==

Akako felt her hand go to her sword, but she didn't pull it out. Makan saw this and pulled out his own sword. He looked as if he was about to attack, but then he didn't.



"Akako, if you lead me to where the Rebellion is hiding, I won't arrest you." He said. Akako grew mad at him for this. She drew out her sword.



"Makan, you can kill me for all I care, but I'm not letting you through so easily." She said coldly. Makan smiled a tad bit.



"If, that's what you prefer..." He said, getting ready to attack.

==

There was a diffrence between, having poteintial and having the strength. "So what does that mean?" Mizuka snapped.



Kushinada laughed, "Come with me, and I can make strong..."



Mizuka went silent...

==

Makan came at Akako with his atack. Their swords clashed. Akako was fighting in defence. She may have been mad at his offer, but she still didn't want to fight back.



"If you're going to fight like this, you may as well give up now. You won't accomplish anything in defence." He smirked. He pushed his sword forcing Akako back.



He's right. If I don't fight back, I'll just lose, or we'll keep fighting until one of us can't stand any longer. Akako threw her sword up really hard pushing his weight off and she jumped back. She stomped her foot on the ground and a trail of fire raced towards Makan. It didn't reach him though. Makan is a Wind Demon and he gathered the wind and blew out the fire.



"That's not going to work with me Akako." He said satisfied. He came in for another attack and there swords hit.

==

Drandar was listening more closely now, something they had said caught his attention very much. It wasn't just small talk now.



Kiaati and Opal had meanwhile been watching and eavesdropping on the Akako conversation.

==

Make her strong? That was a very tempting offering. She bit her lip and looked down to the ground. "You can make me stronger?"



Kushinada had let a small smirk play across her face and nodded her head. "Yes, if you stay with these humans. You'll never get stronger. Not to mention, the one you hate is with you."



Mizuka didn't know what to do.

==

Akako looked at the place where the swords crossed. She then got an idea. She smiled, and Makan saw that she was planning something and put on his guard. She sent her energy to her hands and a fire lit the sword. Makan jumped back due to the heat. Akako was used to being near fire and the heat didn't bother her at all.



Makan looked at his hand. A small bit of the flames caugt him, and he had a small burn there.



"So, you decided to fight back." He spoke enjoying the fight now. He collecterd the wind again and tried to blow out Akako's fire-sword. It went out, but she set in ablaze again within a secound.



"That's not going to work for you either, Makan." Akako said. She was still smiling.

==

The edge of Kiaati's mouth turned up at what she saw. This demon was ready to fight to defend them. She watched carefully. Akako looked like she would be able to handle this herself, but if things got out of hand Kiaati was willing to help.



Drandar grabbed Zandra's arm and motioned for her to listen to Mizuka's conversation. He hoped that she caught on to what he meant.

==

Zandra started paying attention to the conversation and the fight she heard start off...



Now which one is more important? Well Kiati was walking in the fight's direction and she can defend herself, not to mention Jeff won't let her wonder to far... I vote go spy on Mizuka, she won't hear me if I don't want her to.... BUt gettting in a fight would be much fun... Maybe I'll sit and what For drandar to decide....

==

Drandar was listening closely and could hear the conversations and the fight. He realized something and started motioning to Zandra. He wasn't very good at non-verbal conversations, but he tried. Opal... He brought up his arms and pretended to flap. Jeff... He flexed his muscles. and Kiaati... He puffed out his chest and stuck out his chin. are over... He made his fingers do the motion of walking. in that direction. He pointed towards the fight. You and I... He pointed at Zandra and them himself. should go... He made his fingers "walk". over there. He pointed to the conversation.

==

Zandra rapily placed both hands over her mouth, containing giggles at his non-verbal gestures, nodding, understanding what he ment adn started off in the direction indicated, walking as quiet as only cat demons could.



Such aburd gestures, I think I need to have someone make a flip book with him flapping like a dingle-berry.... But he's so cute ...

==

Drandar pouted slightly, sneaking along. That's no fair. I'm no good at non-verbal communication. Oh well, she's so cute when she's smiling or laughing... even if it is at me. He stopped, now within a good range. He could see without being seen and hear without being heard.

==

Awww...... I didn't mean to make him pout...



Zandra kissed Drandar lightly on the cheek, looking down at teh scene unfolding before them. She could see Kiaati slightly off, Opal was with her.



At least now I know what she is up to, she was unsure about Akako too. Well Akako is very honor bound most of the time, if she gives her word......



Zandra shook her head slightly, ignoring passing thoughts and smiled at Drandar, watching again the happenings bellow.

==

Kiaati turned around, seeing Mizuka and another demon. Hmm... This is interesting. She climbed silently into the tree where she could see both the fight and the conversation without being seen herself.



Drandar smiled at the kiss, watching the conversation between Mizuka and a stranger.

==

Zandra continued watching the two scenes and smiled.



I miss fighting sometimes.... But if I'm let lose to fight my demon personality will have to be kept in check.



Zandra glanced at Drandar...



he's handsome when he smiles, if he does that evertime I kiss him I might have large motivations....

==

Drandar watched Zandra out of the corner of him eye. Then a chipmunk ran up and started to dig right next to him. He used that as an excuse to scoot a little closer to Zandra. With an innocent expression he pointed to the small animal. He then turned his eyes back to the conversation before letting them drift to the battle. An assassin attack would be easy from right here.

==

I REALLY wanna fight....



Zandra pouted at the fact she was making herself stay put , inwardly grinning as Drandar scooted closer to her, taking his hadn to give her a reason to stay out of the fight.

==

Drandar smiled slightly, leaning over and kissing her ear. He quickly looked back at the battle, acting as though he hadn't moved. You know... I believe I could hit him right between the eyes with one of my throwing stars from right here.

==

Zandra smiled, keeping a purr from escaping her, and handed her throwing knives witha flick of her wrist, to Drandar mouthing ' I can't help myself, you watch them' . and hoped he'd understand what she ment.

==

Drandar took the knives and tucked them away, nodding. He very much understood, but his years of guarding the gates had taught him patience.

==

Well I've never had to control myself before. I could kill whomever I wanted, still can, but I don't want to.



Zandra smiled at him, mouthing somethign else 'I'll want those back later' and pulled his hand up to examine it, boring with the fight slightly now that the main temptation had been aliveiated.

==

Drandar nodded in understanding. He watched her examine his hand, curious. Interesting behavior.

==

Zandra placed one of her hands out, all but silently demanding his other hand.



I bet he thinks I'm looney...

==

Drandar raised a brow, but still held out his other hands for her to look at. I wonder what this is all about...

==

Zandra smiled triumphantly shortly after she'd studied his other hand, pulling out a peice of paper and drawing his hand and finger prints to a t....



When I hand print someone I'm DIRELY desperate to do something.

==38==

Drandar smiled slightly, taking the pencil and signing his name and then writing 'printed by:' and handing the pencil back to Zandra.

==

Zandra smiled, rolling her eyes and signing her normal signature, which she just realized was in the human language...



How long have I been doing that?

==

Drandar looked at the signature and smiled. It was very pretty and flourished. better still, it was in human. He was left to wonder why, but just brushed it off.

==

Zandra looked at him adn shhok her head slightly in the 'I've always signed that way and I don't know why' kind of look on her face, curiosity of what he was thinking now bothering her...

==

He looked at her with a slightly smile and then back to the things around them. This is pointless. He looked behind him and thought about getting up and walking away.

==

Zandra saw his look and decided to help his dicission along, taking his hand and tugging slightly, walking away...

==

Drandar grinned, getting up and walking away with Zandra.

uh... something something something can't think of anything else.

==

Zandra was finnaly far enough away nobody would hear them and sighed, looking at Drandar.



"the only reason that was worth our time was because I was with you. Now, knives pleas. Well I suppose we found out alittle information, such as Mizuka is now to be watched..."

==

Drandar looked at her, smiling. He pulled out the knives, looking them over. He handed all but one to her. He kept looking it over before throwing it at a tree. It hit slightly lower than he wanted. "How can you throw those things?" He shook his head and pulled out the knife, handing it to her. "Here, try throwing one of these." He placed a throwing star in her hand and stood behind her, holding her hand. "It's a bit different from a knife, you have to throw it in a motion more like this." He guided her hand in a motion.

==

Makan started to head in for another attack, but he couldn't get close enough to attack with his sword due to the heat from Akako's sword.



If I can keep this up long enough, I won't have to kill him. He can't keep trying to attack forever. That was Akako's plan. She still didn't want to fight him. She couldn't help thinking of him like a brother.

==

Zandra smirked slightly to herself.



" Drandar darling, stand back."



Throws stars nicely, and shakes head.



" If you want to teach me something, I suggest you find out what I already know, but I wasn't complaining about the closness."



Shuts mouth, rolling eyes.



"It's back......"6

==

"Hiding behind your fire is kind of pathetic, Akako. I expected a better fight out of you." He said. He was able to figure out what she was up to, and he figured out why. He always knew she was kind of soft and figured out that she didn't want to fight him.



He knows what I'm up to That means he won't attack trying to hurt my stragety. Maybe if I can knock him out, not kill him. I think I know how to do it too.



Akako took a swing with her sword. It was a complete miss, so it seamed, she didn't even move close enough to hit him. Makan couldn't even figure out what the use of that was.



"If you lost track of distance, I'm a bit further this way." He teased. Akako just smiled. Makan saw that and stoped laughing. He looked at her sword. It seamed longer for a secound. Then it started to get even longer. He then realized that the sword wasn't growing, but the fire was. The fire was soon a ring that Makan was in the middle of, and Akako was out of. Then the ring started to grow smaller.

==

Drandar smirked slightly, going and picking out the star of the tree. He raised a brow at her. "And who is to say that I didn't know that you knew how to throw a star?" He smiled, for indeed, he had known that fact very well. He hopped up onto a branch, looking at an inchworm slinking up the tree trunk.

==

Makan smiled.



"So, I guess this means you're going to fight now." He put his sword in it's sheathe knowing that it would do him much good at that point, "So be it." All of a sudden he had gathered a lot of wind and all of Akako's fire was blown out, even her sword.



She was about to light it again when Makan summened an even bigger wind, which sent Akako flying backwards. She would have gone a lot further, but she hit a tree. She was still on her feet. She looked up at the tree and jumped up into it. She then quickly jumped to the next one, and then the next until the she wasn't in the path of the wind.



"Hiding again Akako?" He said, "I've already told you that you can't beat me like that."

==

Kiaati watched this. Akako was a good fighter... but she seemed to be holding back. Anyone that had seen a fight before could tell that.

==

Makan started to try and figure out where Akako was hiding. He could tell that she movied from the tree that she jumped into. He looked from tree to tree for a sign of someone.



Akako sat in one of the trees waiting for the oppurtuning moment. He was looking in her direction, but didn't see her. She was being really quiet and still. When he decided that she was there he looked in the other direction.



That's it! His back is turned! Akako jumped out of the tree catching him off guard. She kicked him really hard in the head. He fell to the ground, not dead, but knocked out.



Just like I hoped it would end.



Akako sighed and sat down leaning next to a tree.

==

ZAndra smiled slightly, cutting the inchworm in half. then again....



" Sorry, I hate insects and they hate me, small little side warn that I have going on, but this one I won't change sides on.... UNless it's a caterpiler or butterfly...like that one..."



Catches bright yellow butterfly, playing with it.

==

Drandar grinned, watching Zandra play with the butterfly. She's so cute, like a playful little kitten. With that he locked his feet securely, and swung down to were he was hanging upside down and watching her. He crossed his arms, smiling as he used his ankles to keep from falling off.



Kiaati stepped out of the shadows now, flipping down her hood and looking at Akako. Opal was currently entertaining herself by putting sparkly fairy dust into Kiaati's hair. Kiaati smiled at Akako and spoke. "Character is what you are when no one is looking... or at least when you think no one is looking."

==

"I knew you were there. I just didn't say anything. If Makan knew that you were that close he would have fought harder. I wouldn't have been able to knock him out without killing him." Akako said without looking up. She was staring at Makan with a sad look in her eyes. She didn't like the idea of being his enemy.



Makan, what am I going to do with you?

==

"At least you were honest, and I saw enough." Kiaati looked at Makan, who was lying knocked out on the ground. She smiled sadly. "It's hard. Turning from friend to enemy." Kiaati looked at Akako and then turned around, walking away. She would leave the demon a choice to follow or stay. Either way she didn't really mind. Kiaati looked to Jeff with a slight smile. There was a lot of diplomacy in current matters. He was her right hand... and left when she wasn't strong enough to hold up the weight of it all as he had proved the previous day. She couldn't ask for anything more, great friend, loyal follower. ((yes, I'm searching for stuff to make my post not one-liners, but I'm running out of it... -_-'))

==

"We're going to want to move on. When he gains conciessness, he'll scout out this area." Akako said standing up. She was still looking at him though. She didn't want to kill him, but leaving him alive was dangerous. He knew that she and Zandra were part of the Rebellion.

==

Kiaati glanced over her shoulder, looking at Akako. "I know that..." She paused for a moment, but then decided against the rest of what she was going to say. Though Akako had won some of her trust, the demon still had a long way to go. Trials and tribulations put things like that to the test. The question was would she break?

==

Akako watched Kiaati walk away. She sighed again. She started to follow her.



It's only natural that she doesn't trust me. Though, fighting against Makan is harder to do for me than it would seem. It's exactly like trying to hurt Risa to me. If fighting him to keep these people safe doesn't gain her trust, then what does?



Akako continued to follow.

==

Kiaati sighed slightly, still having a mental war with herself. This girl deserves a little more than I'm giving her, and I have a feeling that my trust won't be misplaced. Still... Kiaati spoke again. "You wouldn't believe how much you learn in six years of leading a rebellion."

==

Zandra heard the noise in the distance seem to grow quieter, ears perking up slighly, butterfly fluttering off.

Awww.... their goes the little flutterby... Okay, so their called butterflys, BUT it's a flutterby..... Well I suppose talking to Opal would be a nice thing right about, but then again...



Zandra sighed, then smiled, seeing another 'flutterby' go by and followed it, which happened to heading towards Kiaati.

==

Drandar sighed, releasing the branch and landing on his feet just like cat always does. He walked off after Zandra, smiling slightly. He put his hands behind him, leaning back slightly. "Dearest, do you realize you're playing with a butterfly and the others are just over that rise?"

==

Akako looked up. She smiled a bit.



"You wouldn't believe what people could learn in every day life. For example, I've never known Zandra to like chasing butterflys." She smiled. She could see Zandra following the butterfly.

==

Zandra slowled, catching the 'flutterby' and turning to look at Drandar, walking right into Kiaati, knocking them both to the ground, luckily Opal had seen it coming and had flown-up just in time to save herself....



Zandra, caught slightly off gaurd, used her momentum to carry herself back to her feet adn looked at whom she'd run into....



" Sorry, got distracted...."



Zandra offered her hand to Help Kiaati up, glancing over at Drandar...



Oh he must find this all rather ammussing, the great Zandra stumbling into the leader of the rebillion over a butterfly...

==

Kiaati took Zandra's hand and got up to her feet. "You know, it's a good thing I recognized you before you so gracefully bowled me over." She smiled slightly, dusting off her cloak and turning to Akako. "Well, it seems as though I've learned that too today."



Drandar laughed, watching Zandra do this. He smiled and shook his head slightly. "That was the very embodiment of awareness and grace."



Opal landed on Zandra's head. "Oh look! Lynne's back! I'm so happy. You and I can talk and I can touch your ears." She poked an ear to watch it flick back. "I'm going to do that once a day for the rest of the time of my life. Say, would you happen to have an orange pieces? I'm hungry and I'd like some if you have it. I can run a ribon through your hair if you like. You know, you've got a bit of dust on you shoulders, here let me get it off."

==

Zandra, unable to help herself laughed at Opal.



" If I didn't have an Orange I wouldn't be me, now let's see...."



Zandra started throwing all sorts of things, from posions, to peices of paper written in Demon ,to hair clips to knives, out of her pockets before coming accross the pocket with Oranges, peeling it and handing her(Opal) a peice whilest she picked up the rest of the misc. items.



Wondered we I'd shoved those papers.... been looking for that book too... I really much organize that pocket some time....Soon



" Awarement and grace....I think not, I knew their was no emominent danger so dropped my gaurd slightly, not doing that again..... Darn Flutterbys...."



Looks at Butterfly still in my other hand and smiles slightly.



So simple and pretty.



Zandra lifted the butter fly to sit up on her head with Opal and it just stayed their, being a third of Opal's size it was rather ammussing.



" Opal you can ribbon through my hair later, and as for poking my ears, you won't be able to do it if I get tired of it and retract them, though with you..."



With you I doubt I could you little scoot.

==

"Lynne?" Akako asked. She then remembered her Opal refer to Zandra by that name before, but she didn't stop to ask. Now she was.

==

Zandra glanced at Akako, going silent, tone going flat, almost numb.



"It's what my mother called me by."



Zandra lost all her carefree air, organizing her pocket as she replaced her items.

==

Drandar was holding some of the random vials Zandra had thrown, but hadn't taken back yet. He yelped. "AH! HOT!" He tossed her one that was burning his hand. "Take it back! ...why do you have all of these to begin with?" He looked at all of the different colored things.



Opal giggled, swallowing the last of the orange piece. "Thank you, and if you pull in you cat ears I'll just poke the human ones." She smiled, petting the butterfly. "Pretty butterfly... Yes, I like your wings too... Oh really? I prefer honeysuckle..."



Kiaati looked at Akako, who had posed a question. She sighed slightly and shook her head.

==

Zandra shook her head slightly, sighing.



" It's nothing to do with you Akako, it was my own folly."



Zandra snatched the bottle Drandar had been foolish enough to pick up, examining it carefully, then placing it back.



" You never know when you'll need something like that, though I dare say burning through someone's build is slightly drastic..."



Zandra started to hum a soft tune to herself, finishing up her organizing...



My mother hummed it too. We both don't know the words, but the music sounds sad, she didn't hum until I left her, until I went on my tyranny....

==

Akako now kind of wished she didn't ask. Zandra seemed a bit sad now.



Did something happen between her and her mom?

==

Drandar was currently occupied by playing with the last vial. It was filled with purple and green goop. Apparently they wouldn't mix and the purple was less dense than the green. He would flip it over and it gave the effect of a lava lamp as the green and purple switched places.



Opal smiled, continuing to chat with the butterfly. "Oh, no, I wasn't born out of an egg... no I didn't come out of a cocoon. I was born in a stargazer lily."



Kiaati sighed slightly. "I hate to be a party-pooper, but we're going now. He'll probably wake up soon. Now, scoot along everyone." She rummaged through her bags and pockets, pulling out a compass, pointing in a direction. "That way."

==

Zandra just silently went in the pointed direction, looking at the vial, and sighing slightly.



" If you want to become the Opposite sex for a day, go ahead and chance breaking that Vial."



Zandra placed her hand ontop of her head, the butterfly fluttering onto iut. She whispered something to it, and it flew off.



Zandra, figuring Opal bored easily just waitind for the coming chaater boxness...



I just don't feel like talking much now....

==

Drandar then held the vial as if it were some precious gem. "No thanks! I'm happy just the way I am." He handed the vial to Zandra, quickly pulling his hands away.



Opal however was tired, so she spread out on Zandra's head and promptly began to snore lightly. It was a strange sound, somewhat funny.



Kiaati walked at the head of the pack, tucking away the compass. She didn't mind the silence, it was what she was used to. She looked to Jeff and nodded slightly.

==39==

"I hit him kind of hard, though... I wouldn't think he'd get up that quick, but I the sooner we leave, would probably be better." Akako agreed.

==

zandra took the vial gingerly, she prefered being female as much as he liked being male, she was sure, putting it up with care.



Zandra as inwardly grateful the little pixie had fallen asleep, for some reason everytime her mother came up she almost felt like a faliure. She'd known through this whole rebellion her mother had been on the rebellion's side, not that she ever openly showed it, and her father on her side, whatever she chose to do.... Though he was harsh with words he'd always really ben their, but her mother had been so quiet and caring, but saddened.....





And I'm the one who made her sad, and caused her to be killed...



Zandra unknoingly started to mess with one of her knives, thoughts troubling her slightly....

==

Drandar watched Zandra carefully. She looked kind of sad. He watched her play with the dagger.



Opal suddenly rolled off of Zandra's head, jerking away as she fell. "AHHH!" Drandar's hand shot out, catching her. A sudden idea occurred to him and he held the drowsy pixie close as he whispered into her ear. Opal laughed slightly, nodding. Holding her out of view, she changed into a butterfly and flew over to Zandra. She spoke. "Flutter flutter." She had black and blue wings with a purple rim.



Kiaati watched all of this happen out of the corner of her eye. She sighed, looked back at the compass. She had a bad feeling about something, though what it was she wasn't quite sure. She looked up. This tower will be difficult... well, maybe not with some help. This tower is the tower of balance, that could mean either mental or physical, and water, which encompasses everything from the dew to ice.

==

Akako then started to look around. She hadn't really noticed earlier, but Mizuka was there.



"Where's Mizuka? We aren't going to leave without her are we?" She asked.

==

Kiaati stopped for a moment, she had known that Mizuka was gone, but she also remembered the previous encounter. She handed the compass to Jeff, whispering a few instructions to him, the direction and such. She looked at Akako. "Follow Jeff." With that she walked away in search of Mizuka. She was sure that if the demon was... indisposed, that she wouldn't want Kiaati bringing the whole group along.

==

Akako shrugged and looked at Jeff, who started to lead the way according to Kiaati's instructions. Akako followed.

==

Zandra saw the pretty butterfly and a small smile touched her lips, holding out her hand for it to land on, talking to it softly.



" My mother ever said if I was lost or unsure, trust the simple Flutterbys to lead the way. If I ever needed to be reminded life needs to be held in a simple perspective, their they are, simple adn perfect.... You know my little winged friend, my mother's name was Alexzandra..."



Zandra had been talking softly and directly to the butterfly, just as she did with all of them really, they were pretty and listened well.



Zandra sighed slightly, putting her dagger up, and looking at the butterfly in her hand, thinking.



The simple life of flutterbys...

==

Opal, otherwise the seeming butterfly, flapped her wings slowly. She actually thinks I'm a butterfly? I would say something, but I don't want to surprise her. That's so sad. She crawled up to the tip of Zandra's finger, which was a very interesting thing to do with six legs if you're only used to two. She had changed into a centipede once, and had quickly realized the muscular actions of such were natural to the body she was using.



Drandar was watching the scene between Zandra and Opal. He didn't say anything and he didn't listen in, out of politeness, for everyone knows that, unless it's important, one should never eavesdrop.

==

Zandra smiled, all of a sudden flipping Opal over and grinned when her little feet held onto her hand still, whispering to the butterfly again.



" Now sweet little Opal, now that I've told you part of what bothers me, would you please stop being Drandar's little sibling spy? If he has questions he has more of a chance of getting answers then you, and I didn't get supicious until you crawled funny.... You almost had me fooled little sweet Opal."



Zandra's smile faded fast, she wsn't in the mood to be cheery, she wanted to be, just couldn't....

==

Opal looked at Zandra, fluttering up and landing on her nose. She spoke now in whispers. "Zandra, Drandar didn't send me to spy and I'm not going to tell him anything you told me. He sent me to try and make you smile."



Still oblivious to what was going on, Drandar was looking at the trees as they passed them. Every now and again he would pluck off a leaf.

==

Zandra smiled slightly at the little butterfly on her nose.



" OKay, give me a second..."



Zandra sighed, doing what she normally did with things that bothered her, closed it up in a bottle and put it in the wine rack in the back of her mind.



One day someone is going to come in with a cork screw....



Zandra smiled sweetly at Opal and sighed slightly.



" Listen Opal, you can tell him, I won't mind. I trust him, don't know why, only been around him for a short time, but I do. I also trust you my little bubbly friend. Your like his sister, I am just glad we seem to get along.... Though I sincerely hope he does not see me as his sister..."



The last Zandra said laughing, previous depression completely gone from everyone's sight.

==

Akako wasn't too happy either. She was thinking about her sister.



Will Risa still think of me as family. If I go to visit her in need, will she still aid me like old times? Or will her respounce be more like Makan's. I was able to fight back with Makan, but Risa... She's family... Not only family, but my best friend...

==

Kiaati found Mizuka, but stayed back in the shadows, watching what was happening without interrupting.



Drandar continued to pluck leaves.



Opal laughed slightly and flew over to Akako, still a butterfly. "Hey Akako, you want to see the best magic trick in the world? I'm a butterfly and POOF!" In a shower of pixie dust Opal turned back into a pixie. "I'm a pixie!"

==

Kushianda let those long finger nails. "So... what do you think? Does it sound... fair?"



"Y...your offer is tempting..." Mizuka said.

==

Zandra smiled, snatching up Opal in her hand.



" Opal deary, Akako has never had to terrible amounts of patients for even my childish ways.... though she might tolerate pixies better...."



Zandra smiled, setting Opal back down, having warned her, and looked over at Drandar.



" Thank you, for purposely minding you own bussiness..."



Zandra glanced up ahead in the direction ther were going and saw a pool of water, grinning.



" I know this is contridiction to being cat deamon, but I love the water...."



Zandra smiled, taking off towards the pool of water.

==

Akako smiled.



"I think that the part of a magic "trick" is that your supposed to be tricking the other person into thinking your usinng magic. You just are using magic. No trick to it when you think about it." Akako pointed out.

==

"Sure thing." Drandar looked at her and shook his head. "I like in enough to bathe or neccessary swimming, but other than that, I don't really care for it." He went back to plucking a leaf every now and again.



Opal looked at Akako now, having jumped out of Zandra's grasp. She smiled. "Well, I kind of tricked you. I didn't need to make all the pixie dust." She shrugged slightly and fluttered over to land on Drandar's shoulder.

==

Zandra stopped at about 50 feet from the water, wrinkling up her nose and walking back, tail in the air and all, muttering to self...



" ...That has the weirdest feeling about it..."

==

Mizuka wasn't sure, what should she do. "Give me some time to think about it..." the girl said.



Kushinada smirked slightly and halfed turn. "I hope you make a wise decision..."

==

Drandar looked at Zandra and raised a brow. "You planning on balancing on something?" He glanced at the pond. "And what do you mean a weird feeling about it?" He plucked some twine, extending a claw to cut it. He then began to weave it around the leaves.



Kiaati stood still in the shadows, not speaking a word or moving a muscle. She blinked, just watching.

==

Kushinada walked away, "I'll come back for you. Give me your answer then..." she said softly.



"Arlight..." she said softly.

==

Kiaati watched the other demon left and looked at Mizuka, speaking from her position in the shadows. "Power is the greatest temptation, but it can turn the purest soul black. By staying with those weaker or on the same level, you learn to humble yourself, you strengthen your heart." She sighed slightly. "I'll hold no bit, if you choose to leave and will only fight you if you turn against us."

==

Kiaati watched the other demon left and looked at Mizuka, speaking from her position in the shadows. "Power is the greatest temptation, but it can turn the purest soul black. By staying with those weaker or on the same level, you learn to humble yourself, you strengthen your heart." She sighed slightly. "I'll hold no bit, if you choose to leave and will only fight you if you turn against us."

==

Mizuka did not snap at Kiaati, though she had wanted to. "If I chose to go with her... it's because I have sworn revenge...."



She clenched her fists, "I won't attack you... or the others... but Zandra I will... you should know that..."

==

Kiaati stepped out of the shadows, smiling slightly. "Like I said before, I know a lot of things." She looked away, her smile fading. She walked over to a tree, looking at a tender bud. "Such a vunerable state. It has so much potential. Maybe someday it will be even grander than the tree that made it to be." She reached up touching it. "I could put it away from the sun or restrain it and it would still grow, true, but it would never be as beautiful as it could be. I could do the opposite as well, I could nuture it specially and it would grow to be great, but it would be dependant on my nurturing and would die as surely as I leave it." She sighed slightly, tilting her head, while still gazing at it. "Or, I could leave it be to grow on its own. It might grow to be magnificent, or it might wither away. Either way, it was not my doing, and I gave it its best chance." She shifted her eyes to Mizuka.

==

Akako continues following Jeff.

==

Zandra's tail flicked back and forth for about a second then it disappeared...



" I would not have said something it I had known what it was, I may be a magic user but I can't learn everything in an instant. Otherwise I wouldn't carry around a book full or complex spells, actually books, but anyway, neither here nor their...."



Zandra sighed, watching drandar playing with his leaves and twin, shaking her head remembering the little rose crowns her mother had made her to wear when she was little, or the baskets she'd make out of leaves and twin so she could go pick flowers.... Who would have thought that little girl then would be what she is now?



I wish Kiaati was here, she is easier to talk, and isolate when nessiccary.... I'm not sure Drandar would understand, not completely. Very few people think that Zandra has feelings... And their right, she doesn't, But Lynne does... Not that anyone would understand that statement either...



Zandra relized something, lookinmg at Akako slightly out of the corner of her eye.



What about her sister? What have I done to Akako? This isn't fair to her at all. I have destroyed to many lives adn I continue ot do so... I am awful...



As her thoughts conitued on about her mother adn Akako's siter her ears seemed to wilt ontop her head, Her eyes going a deep watery blue.

==

Drandar tied off the last piece to show that he had made a very intricate leaf wreath. He pulled in his cat ears and plunked the thing on his head before rummaging through his pockets and such. "Grr... where did I put that thing?" Opal rushed over, looking worried.



"Oh Drandar, what have you lost now? You didn't lose your tail again did you?" At this comment Drandar turned beet red. It was a game her had played with her when she was younger, much like "got-your-nose". They would play and look all over the house trying to find his tail. The only problem was that he had never quite convinced her that he could have his tail whenever he liked. He swallowed hard.



"No, Opal... I lost the..." He found it now and pulled it out of his cloak pocket. He put the pan flute to his lips and played a brief melody and looked at Zandra. "Guess what I am?" He grinned slightly, playing the pan flute some more. Satyrs always played these and wore wreaths on their heads.

==

Zandra laughed slightly, looking at Drandar.



" a cute Cat demon playing the flute beutifully and cheering me up? Oh wait, that's what your doing, not who your pretending to be....."



Zandra laughed remembering a childhood story.



" You look like the sayter in the bed time story my mother use to read me"

==

Drandar nodded, pulling off the wreath and putting it on a branch as he walked by. His ears popped out of his head again and he scratched around them, for doing that always made them itch. He looked at the pan flute in his hand. I should probably polish it someday... it's looking kind of tattered. Ah, but I just can't bear to part with it. He looked it over, adjusting one of the pieces. He looked up at Zandra, grinning.



"If you you ever need someone to play a campfire song I can do that for you." Opal meanwhile was still ruffling through his pockets and stuff. Drandar looked down as she jumped into his shirt pocket and took the piece of candy he had in there. "Hey!" She zipped over to land on Zandra's head laughing. She unwrapped the hard candy a little, and began to lick it, which is all she could do do to it's size.

==

Zanhdra chuckled, whispering something in Drandars ear, Opal unable to hear it.



" Why have one peice when you can have a bag full? Adn yes, before you ask, I can do that, and since I'm bored......"



Zandra, reallying being bored, and slightly concerned about the water up ahead, flicked her wrist mubbling a few words and a bowl full of nice hard candies appeared out of the air.



The bowl floated down into Zandra's hands, and she unwrapped one, eating it and smiling.



" Finally got the spell right.... And I love flute music, so don't offer to often."



Zandra twirled the bowl in her hand, watching the brightly colored wrappers swirl in nice patterns.



" besides, the spell works for any edible item in sight that I set my mind to.... Or within arm's reach."

==

Drandar was amazed to see this. He too watched the colors spinning. He liked colors. He watched them carefully, much like a cat would watch a teaser dance in front of them. He stuck out his hand and snatched one, which was quite the feat. He held the butterscotch up with a grin.



"Please and thank you." He stuffed the candy into his pocket and patted it slightly. "I'll save it for later." He grinned slightly, putting away his pan flute. "Well, I'll play it for you whenever you need a pick-me-up."



Opal gasped and grabbed her candy before hopping down into the spinning bowl. She giggled, licking at her candy while riding the spinning thing. "Yay! Weeeeeeee!"

==

Zandra chuckled at Opal as the bowl started to slow down.



" I love butterscotch, and cinnimon, oh and lemon drops...."



Snatches lemon drop candy out of bowl.



" Adn help yourself, not like I did anything to them. Not that I couldn't.... But I don't wanna, makes finding safe candy hard, especial when I forget were I stashed it... But now that the pockets are organized....."



Places rather large bowl of candy in pocket.



My pockets are like Marry Poppin's Bag, only Mine are organized and tidy, and well, pockets...



" As a pick-me-up? I think not Drandar, because Well, to be honest..."



Zandra sighed, the only subject that got to her and everyone could see it bothered her, was her mother. Any other subject that bothered her, she hide away, on the wine rack in the back of her mind, along with all the others.



" ....As long as nobody comes in with a cork screw..."



Zandra shook her head, not realizing she'd said the last out loud.

==40==

[Sushi]

Kiaati heard them pass her and had heard Zandra's comment, and a certain thought came to mind. The bottles in my closet. She didn't know why she had thought of her emotion management technique, but she did. The bottles held everything and then were crammed into the closet in the brack of her mind. She paid it no mind though, she was waiting for Mizuka's reaction.



Drandar shrugged slightly. "Well, I don't know. I was just saying... maybe for a birthday or something then?" He blinked, just trying to be nice..



Opal meanwhile was thrashing about in Zandra's pocket, while still holding the candy she had been eating. "AHHH! Help me! Get me out of here! It's dark! And there's a lot of weird stuff in here that's squishing me! And my candy will get fuzz on it!" This was because, after all, she had been sitting on the spinning bowl. When the bowl stopped spinning she was of course dizzy, as any person would be. Due to the dizziness, she hadn't noticed that she was being put into the pocket along with the bowl until it was too late.

==

Zandra smiled at Drandar, reaching her hadn in for Opal to climb onto.



" If you ever get my birthday out of me my dear, your a magician yourself."



Zandra pulled Opal out, smiling at her.



"Nothing would harm you in that pocket, strickly food items. But sorry, and just let me know if you want another peice... More your size..."



Zandra smiled, popping a sucker into her mouth, having pulled one out with Opal. Humming slightly to the tune in her head....



'Once their was a keeper of keys,

He'd smile and nod and say please.

OH were is the keeper of keys?

Please won't you tell me please, please?



So you look for the Keeper of Keys?

Do you know the keys which he keeps?

Do you know the power he holds on a Chain?

Have you seen what the keys can do?

Do you know the keys which he keeps?



I only know the keys which he keeps will help me sleep tonight,

I have yet to sleep, since i married the king, So I wish to sleep tonight.



I wish to sleep tonight, I wish to dream tonight, and I wish for a ood fight!



So you wish for the keeper of keys to save your .....'



Zandra lauhed, remembing the rest of the song, which continued on about the lady's marrige and the legend of the original keeper of 'keys' . The keys being the crystrals.

==

Drandar smiled slightly, drawing his arms back under his cloak.



"Well, if I don't figure out your birthday, I'll just pick a day." He grinned. "It'll be your honorary birthday." He got a sudden rush of chill bumps. "It is getting colder or is it just me?"

==

Smiles slightly.



" The temperture did drop, but I don't mind, if not for the fact that it is scarcly explained... I love ice, nice variation off water. And I was born in December, but you'll never get the day."

==

Opal climbed up onto Zandra's head with her candy and continued to lick it. She had already licked away half of it's size, but it was still one-fourth of her size. She tied up the wrapper again, just holding it in her lap for later.



Drandar smiled slightly, a very corny line popping into his head. He didn't say it though, he just looked away with a smirk. He then looked at Jeff, who was only carrying a compass. "So... What do you benchpress?"

==

Zandra chuckled at Drandar...



Good thing he didn't ask me, demons have great strength, and I was one of the stronger ones, if not the strongest......

==

Drandar sighed slightly, not getting an answer. Jeff must be focusing on not messing up. He crossed his arms and backed up to fall back with Zandra. He looked at her.



"I'd ask you, but due to our race and your standing I could imagine it'd be good. Jeff here is just a human and he looks like he'd be one of the stronger ones, so I was curious." He shrugged slightly.

==

Zandra laughed, looking at Drandar.



"smart move, and he is, he actually looks like he'd be fun to sparr with sometime..."



Zandra shrugged, disredardin last thought as not likely to ever happen, especially not just for fun.

==

Drandar smiled and chuckled slightly, looking back at Jeff.



"You know, I don't think that I'd want to spar against him. He seems to be one of those people that would be two sided. Humorous and nice to know, but fierce and downright scary to fight." He blinked.



"No offense, Jeff." He looked back at Zandra.



"Well, any time you ever need to spar, I'd do it... so long as you don't go all trying to kill me."

==

Akako looked at them and couldn't help smiling.

==

Zandra chuckled slightly, looking at drandar, mock innocent look on her face.



" why me, good sir? Kill some one? I don't think my little brain could handle such an awfully intense thing....."



Fake horrified look on face.

==

Drandar looked at her and raised a brow. He didn't say anything though, he wouldn't forget who he was talking to. He reached up and snatched an acorn out of a tree. After a moment he snatched two more. He sighed and began to juggle them out of boredom.



"I buy that expression on your face just as much as a deed to the Nile River."

==

Zandra smiled.



" What are you implying mister?"



Zandra questioned, finding it nice to talk about nothing to important for a change.

==

Drandar began to juggle the three nuts in one hand instead of two. He glanced at Zandra with a slight smirk.



"I'm calling your bluff." He raised a brow and paused for a minute.



"Ha! I win! You owe me...." He looked around, furrowing his brow.



"Another acorn!" He grinned, shifting to juggle the three in the other hand.

==

Zandra chuckled, grabbing a handful of acorns and chucking them at Drandar's head.



"here."



Drandar caught half of them and dodged the rest.



" Okay mister...."



Zandra laughed, feeling playful again, but just looked at him slightly.

==

Drandar laughed slightly and looked at the acorns, counting them. He flashed a grin at Zandra and took a deep breath. He began to juggle them all, not dropping a single one, but his hands were moving fast as he caught and threw them up in pattern.



"Okay, Miss..." He glanced at her before looking up at the load of acorns he was juggling.

==

Zandra now watched like an entertained child.

==

Drandar grinned and continued to juggle them. Suddenly, he tossed one at Zandra, but went back to juggling them without dropping a single one.

==

zandra caught the acorn and frowned at it then looked at Drandar..



I think he's egging me on!



Zandra shrugged, So what if he is? Your game....



Zandra shook her head, throwing one straight at Drandar's head adn hitting him squarely.

==

Drandar was caught off guard slightly, but he didn't fumble in his juggling. The acorn bounced off the top of his head and he caught it inbetween his teeth with a grin. He raised a brow at Zandra and cocked his head to the side slightly. He tossed another acorn at her, this one was slow and high, she could catch it no problem. The acorns were still flying as he juggled them.



I wonder if she knows how to juggle.

==

Akako was watching out of the corner of her eye entertained. She hadn't juggled in ages, although she didn't ever juggle acorns. She used to just play with her fire all the time and she grew on juggling some balls of fire she would make. She looked at her hand.



Let's take a shot at it again...



"Have you ever tried juggling fire?" She asked as she lit a fire in her hand. It then split into three seperate balls, "It's kind of challendging since fire isn't that solid, but once your used to it, it's simple." She then started to juggle her fire.



I'll start with three to get used to it.

==

Drandar looked at Akako and grinned, spitting out the acorn inbetween his teeth.



"I like fire. It burns though..." He watched Akako juggle the fire for a moment as he continued to juggle his acorns. He shrugged slightly and looked back to Zandra, tossing her another acorn.



"If you don't know how to juggle I could teach you."

==

Zandra shook her head.



" You can't teach a tree how to tap dance, you can't teach this demon how to juggle...."



Zandra smild, placin both on the ground, covering them up and saying something, and walking off.

==

Akako looked at Zandra in curiosity.



"Why not? I'm sure you could get used to it. It's really not that hard." She said as her fire disappeared. She wasn't a very good multitasker, so it was on the difficult side to juggle, talk, and walk at the same time.

==

Zandra shrugged, water snaking around her arm for a few seconds.



" For one because learning to juggle never really was needed, and for two I never had the time. Until now, I suppose... I can do three, but anymore then that and I'll just give up now."

==

Drandar laughed slightly, just watching this all happen. He proceeded to catch all of the acorns and pitch them in random directions, so he was throwing them for quite a while. He glanced at her.



"The hardest part of juggling is the switching of the things in your hands."

==

Zandra laughed, making the water snake resemble a rattler and shrugged.



" Part of my problem might have been due to the fact I was trying to add fiures adn yell at someone, as well as keep an eye on three others, while juggling is trribly annoying, challening and beyond my tolerance level."

==

Drandar laughed lightly and ran his fingers through the water.



"It takes a bit of concentration while you're trying to learn." He took his fingers out, shaking the water from him.



"That's wet." He was about ready to smack himself for saying it, but it sort of just popped out.

==

Zandra glanced at him.



" Well I could have made it from earth, but that isn't as flowing, and Everythign requires concentration."



Is slightly bored so makes snake slither down body and go across the ground......

==

Drandar shrugged slightly.



"I disagree, there's a lot of things that don't require concentration. Like breathing... and sleeping..." He grinned slightly, watching the snake slither along. He hopped over it and then hopped back, repeating this several times.

==

The snake all of a sudden coiled around Drandar, keeping him from moving, then released him a few mintues later...



" Sorry, had to test something and you were an easy target, but it wasn't anythign that would hurt you... And just because I'm surious, do you practice your wind and fire abilities?"

==

Drandar looked at her and raised a brow, having just been captured and let loose.



"I guess so... I'm not too good at fire though... it's more for just lighting a campfire or something." He sighed slightly, holding out his hand and focusing a little. A small ball of fire appeared, no bigger than a plum.



"You see, my problem is that I usually... YOW!" He jerked back his hand and the fire disappeared. He waved his hand slightly and sighed.



"See? I think I'll leave the fire to Akako here." A large red blister was rising on his thumb and he scowled slightly. He glanced up at Zandra.



"I can do wind fairly well though."

==

Zandra sighed, placin her hadn over the red little blister, earth adn water wrapping both hands, then disappearing, blister gone.



"healing powers when mixed, but very complicated to learn to use... and draining if done imporoperly...."



Zandra sighed, looking around, then at Drandar.



" You should start simpler with Fire, and when you get the siompler stuff mastered move up, if you learn to blend Wind and fire you'll have major destructive powers, not that it is a good thing in the wrong hands.."

==

"Suit yourself." Akako shrugged in responce to Drandar. She starting to juggle again, but she added two more fire balls this time.

==

Drandar looked at her and shook his head, smiling slightly.



"Nah, fire is really hard for me to get. Wind however..." He grinned and pursed his lips and blew out. Instead of a breath though, a large wind came out. He didn't make it strong enough to blow anyone away, but it whipped everyone's hair and cloaks wildly about.



"I can do wind."

==

Zandra smiled, turing to face the direction of the wind so it blew her hair away from her face, as the wind died down.



" I specialize in Tactics, And offensive and supportive atributes. Defensive is not the stronest of suits on me, but I keep it as well I as I can. I have had to excell in those feilds though, just as Akako has had to learn more, and others...."



Sighes, water snakes disappearing.



"But I have better water then earth control.."

==

"My strength is fire." Akako made a small smile for show, but she all of a sudden didn't feal all that happy. She looked at the ground.



Wind... That's Makan's specialty. I wonder if he woke up yet. She looked back at the path they were traveling in curiousity. Is he conciece and trying to find us yet or is he still knocked out? What am I going to do when I meet him again? He's right... I can't hide from him forever. I'll have to face him in a real battle at some point, but I wish that that isn't the case.

==

Drandar smiled slightly.



"Due to previous occupation, I specialize in stealth and team up with Opal, who is excellent at providing a diversion for those with keener senses." He grinned slightly, tilting his ears forward.



"Which I'm sure you recall from our first encounter."

==

Zandra rolled her eyes, looking at the little pixie.



" Oh yes, I won't forget that and she almost got herself killed right out the gate... And I wouldn't have missed, but for numerous reasons I didn't kill her, and am glad I didn't btw."



The last she said smiling at Opal.



" DO you always let her do things were she can easily be a target? Or is she more on the stuborn side and does as she pleases?"

==

Drandar sighed slightly.



"I stopped trying to stop her a long time ago. Now I only put my foot down if it's really really dangerous. She insists to help with small things." Opal stuck out her chin.



"Yes, I'm brave and I'm going to do everything I can, even if it means my life." The little pixie's face was as serious as a leader wizened by decaded of time.

==41==

Zandra looked at the little pixie, smiling slightly.



" If only we had more people like you around."

==

Opal grinned and dove into Zandra's hood before stepping out onto the girl's shoulder. Drandar sighed, realizing what was happening.



"Opal, you shouldn't..." Opal just grinned and touched Zandra's nose.



"There are plenty of people like me around." Opal's voice came from Zandra's other shoulder, where another Opal had stepped up, unnoticed.



"Yep, plenty."

==

Zandra now rolled her eyes and placed her face in her hands.



" I can handle one, but more then that...."



Looks at Drandar.



" Help..."

==

Both Opal's giggled lightly and flew over to Drandar. One landed in each hand and he looked at Zandra with a smile.



"It's okay, it freaked me out the first time that she did it." He suddenly clapped his two hands together, one Opal in each. He raised a brow at Zandra before taking one hand away to show a single Opal sitting completely unharmed. She giggled slightly, fluttering her wings.

==

" I wasn't freakked, I was concerned about how long I could handle two chatter boxes high on sugar...."

==

Opal grinned, not moving anything but her wings. She spoke though.



"I'm a special pixie, not all of them can do that. Aren't you proud of me?" She really was like a child, seeking for praise and attention. "I like you're tricks too." Drandar chuckled slightly, looking at Opal.



"Can you move yet?" She looked at him and shook her head.

==

Zandra smiled, looking at Drandar.



I now know why I see her as his sister only. She's so innnocent and sweet, even if she was brave, her innocence preserved her.



" Yes, it was a very nice trick, I dare say should I make a copy of myself I'd have severl people flip out."

==

Opal jerked slightly and looked up at Drandar with a nod before standing up. She flew over to Zandra.



"It wasn't really a copy. I split in half. They function seperately, but if you were to kill one, the other one wouldn't function quite right.... and I can't move for a little while after having someone put me back together." She pouted slightly.



"Everything has a downside."

==

Zandra nodded, making a to twin figures appear in her hands. One of Earth and one of Water.



" Look at them Opal, to make them it pulls energy from me, everything pulls energy, bu this is raw elemenal energy. If someone blocks an attack by either the enery used is lost until I sleep or eat/drink pure energy charged items. But as for magic should someone make a spell fire back, If I cna't let go of the power poperly I could be dead on the spot. I know downsides to things alittle to well. Adn as for spliting one's self. That is major Spirt Water and Earth Usage."

==

Opal stood up in front of the earth one and laughed slightly, poking it. She shrugged slightly, looking back at Zandra.



"I understand what you mean, but I don't know about the usage stuff. I can split and change only through the music." She knelt down, and touched Zandra's palm. She sat like for a moment before looking at Zandra with sad eyes.



"I can hardly feel and barely hear your music. Are you trying to hide it?"

==

Zandra looked at Opal sympathetically.



" Opal.... My 'music' as you termed it, As I have had many call it different things, I do hide, but I hide it so i can move on with my life, If I open it adn deal with it all I would probably be impossible to deal with."



The figures disappeared, Zandra moved her hand close to her mouth.



" I think though, if you really want to hear it's awful sound, comewith me when Drandar and I take off... For some reason I let my gaurd down around him....."

==

Opal sighed slightly and remained silent for a moment. An idea occurred to her and she beamed, flying over and grabbed Drandar's hand.



"Drandar's music isn't that quiet. Mine is louder, but I'm probably too small for you to hear it. Here, can you hear his music?" She yanked his finger hard, so he let her control his hand. She pressed it to Zandra's human ear.



"His music is interesting. It's like someone whistling while someone plays the flute." She pressed her ear to Drandar's hand, smiling as she listened to the sound. Drandar sighed softly.



"I believe she might hear the soul music or something, I can never hear it."

==

A small grinned appeared across Zandra's face, nodding at Drandar.



"Yes, she hears the music of the soul, Only those innocen and pure can hear it though. Small children most of the time, which is why children are such good judges of people. So I shouldn't even try to listen Opal... I let being pure and innocent along time ago....."



Looks depressed again...

==

Opal let go of Drandar's hand, pouting slightly. She flew slightly in front of them. She made Zandra sad again. Drandar leaned over, whispering in Zandra's ear.



"Yet you still look like an angel to me."

==

Zandra smiled some, blushing slightly.



" Then I fear you haven't seen to many people in your time."



Zandra kissed Drandar on the cheek.



"Thanks for the effort of trying to cheer me up though, and Opal, don't look like that, if you could hear my music it would sadden you far to much."

==

Opal by now had already turned back to smiling, she didn't usually stay down for long. She turned around to where she was flying backwards.



"Look like what?" She shrugged slighty and landed on Jeff's head, marching around with a grin.



"Look at me! I'm queen, because I'm highest up and AHH!" She ducked to avoid a branch.

==

Zandra laughed, walking directly beside Drandar.



"Is she always like that?"

==

Drandar grinned at Zandra, looking back to Opal.



"You haven't figured that out by now?" He sighed slightly, smiling.



"I only remember once when she wasn't, she had eaten a bad mushroom piece... she was rather greenish..."

==

" A girl can hope....."



Zandra continues on walking, taking Drandar's hand and wondering if Kiaati will return soon.

==

Drandar chuckled slightly.



"Hope, the one thing left in Pandora's box."

==

"Yeah and the last thing I truely have left."



Zandra smiles, looking back at Drandar.



"Okay, maybe not the only thing anymore."

==

Akako could hear them, but wasn't paying attention to their words. She was busy recalling past memories. She was thinking of her childhood, when she and Makan were friends, trying to find their strength.

"You're not going tolearn anything that way." Akako watched as Makan started throwing rocks into the water in frustration. He stoped throwing.



"That's easy for you to say. Everything comes easy to you." He said still looking at the water.



"Don't be like that, Makan. Juggling isn't coming too easily for me, and controling water isn't coming easily for you. You could always try something else if you need to. Like combat. You're really good in fighting without any demon powers. Isn't that good enough for you?" She said trying to cheer him up. He didn't answer, and there was a moment of silence. Akako sighed and tried juggling again.



Suddenly a wind blew out the fire she was juggling. She looked shocked for a moment, but then she looked at Makan when he started talking.



"I could always give a shot at wind." He replied. Still not looking her in the eye. Akako smiled.



"Is it just me, or are you trying to find a strength which is my weakness?" She asked kind of joking around. He still didn't answer. He was always kind of quiet.

Akako looked up at the sky. Could a friendship that goes so far back be broken so quickly? It makes me wonder, was I more of a rivil to Makan? He always seemed to be looking for a way to be better than me when we were younger. I was naturaly gifted to learn quickly, but he spent all his time trying to learn to do something well. He spent so long trying to learn to use water when he found out I chose fire. After he gave up on water, he moved to wind when he learned that he would be able to blow out my fire with that. It turned out that wind was something he was good with.



Akako looked at the path again. I wonder what he's thinking. Is he sad that we're now enemies, or could he be happy that we are forced to fight. Could I be just like any other demon to him? Was are friendship really nothing? Akako could feel tears trying to escape her, but she held them back. She never did like crying in front of people, especially if it was due to emotional pain. She had that sort of pride.

==

Zandra sighed, looking back down at the ground before Drandar could respond, thinking about wether or not Mizuka was coming back.... And wether or not she is going to try and be stupid enough to kill me in my sleep or if she is going to wait and stalk me until she feels whatever aid I have given is no longer needed....we both are no where near finished with our growing of powers and skills, but unless by a god sent miracle....



Zandra didn't let herself finish that thought proccess, returning to her more cheerful companions, noticing Akako thinking and sighed to herself once again.

==

Drandar grinned at her.



"You have a lot of things left." He blinked, grinning and perking up his ears high. His green eyes sparkled.



"I could give you an abacus to count them on."

==

Zandra raised her eyebrows, returning to her conversation.



" Your wrong, but I'll take your word for it none the less."

==

Drandar raised a brow.



"Let's see..." He leaned to her, whispering quietly.



"You have Opal, and you have Akako, Kiaati, Jeff... You have power, beauty, hope... Most importantly, I believe you might just have me."

==

Zandra now blushed and smiled.



"Now that last one interests me, the question is, do I?"

==

Drandar chuckled slightly and it was half mixed with a playful growl.



"I think the real question is do you want to? Or would you just put away me in a box?"

==

Zandra stopped, looking at Drandar adn then smiled.



" Your to precious to place in a box and hide away from the world. I couldn't do so if I wanted to, which I don't."



Zandra blushed slightly at her forwardness.

==

Drandar grinned slightly, raising a brow.



"I'd lose the box before I even caught you, if I tried." He looked at her tilting back his head slightly.



"But I don't even want to try." He leaned forward and kissed her on the nose, his eyes sparkling. He looked at the others and began to walk again. He figured it might not be too good to get separated right now.

==

Zandra caught Drandar's hand, at a loss for words.



What just happened here?

==

Drandar looked at his hand, caught in her grasp. He let his eyes trail up to her face, with a raised brow.



"Hmm?" He grinned slightly.

==

Zandra blushed, and still couldn't find any words to say and just smiled slightly, glancing at the others and then looking down, continuing on.



What HAS otten into me? I am entirely rediculous at the moment....

==

Drandar chuckled lightly, weaving his fingers between hers and stepping towards her a bit. He set his green eyes on her, his mouth turned up in a small smile.



"Cat got your tongue?" He knew it was a bad pun, but he just couldn't resist. He was in a very playful mood.

==

Zandra smiled slightly, looking at Drandar.



" well he doesn't at the moment...."



Zandra knew she was going to far with that staement, but he was making her feel very aenry ( I can NOT spell right now).

==

Drandar looked away, releasing her hand. He had heard the edge on her voice. He flattened his ears against his head as he walked a little further away from her than before. Opal landed on him, whispering things so softly into his ear, that he could barely hear it, nonetheless anyone else. His face was emotionless and his green eyes just stared straight ahead.

==42==

Zandra sighed, not meaning to have come across like that, but had anyway... It's just when her mind was workin on about twelve different problems at once she tended to become short with the wrong people...



She looked at Opal curiously, but didn't even try to listen, he'd respected her, it was only fair to do the same.



I wonder what is going on now..... I suppose I will find out if I need to. I am terribly sorry for snapping at him, I hope he doesn't take it personally.



Though one could probably never get her to admit it, she'd been enjoying the attention lately.

==

Drandar was listening to Opal's soft whispers in silence with and ummoving expression. He finally sighed slightly and nodded.



"I see." Opal giggled slightly, fluttering and landing on the other shoulder before sitting down.



"You know?" Drandar nodded slightly.



"Yes, it's not my fault you know, I can't help it. I'm trying though." He glanced at Zandra and then to Opal. "Such is life."

==

Zandra saw Drandar glance at her and then looked at little Opal Supiciously...



If I didn't know better I'd say that little scoot....



Zandra shook her head, not bothering to comment on her thoughts, looking at the two.



They fit toether.... Kinda....Brother and sister sir definitely fits.



Zandra couldn't help but smile at Opal, even if she did supect the pixie of something.

==

Opal poked him sharply in the neck and he swatted at her slightly, which she easily avoided. She hissed into his ear sharply.



"Do it!" Drandar sighed and shook his head.



"But I don't want to, and I didn't even do..." Opal poked him again. "HEY!" She gave him one of those feminine looks that could scare the pants of any boy. He sighed slightly. "Fine then..." She smiled and nodded.



"Good." She fluttered off, trying to pretend she wasn't listening. This time she wasn't doing it very well. Drandar walked over to Zandra, looking very much like a school boy who was being punished.



"I'm sorry for being an overbearing jerk. I shouldn't have been so forward and aggressive." Opal was the only person he knew that could actually make him apologize.

==

Zandra looked at Opal supisously, but didn't say anything, returning her attention to Drandar.



" The forwardness caught me off gaurd, and teh agressivness is probably the only thing that saved you, as for overbearing... That's up to interpretation..."



Zandra smiled sweetly, kissing Drandar.

==

Drandar turned his head away from her, keeping his eyes focused down.



"I'm still sorry though." He glanced at her briefly. He wouldn't admit it, but he was very confused. Zandra was making his mind go around in circles. He suddenly tripped.

==

Zandra looked down at Drandar, trying to figure out the cause of the trip.



I am probably making him think loop-da-loops ..... OH well, I'll try to explain later... Maybe with Opal's help, it might require two people.... And why is he so sorry? wha in the world did Opal say? I'm gonna have to talk to that girl....

==

Drandar meanwhile was trying to free his foot from the throat of a gigantic plant. ((Didn't see that coming did ya'?)) He pryed the mouth open easily. The difficulty was getting his foot out from knee deep, while crunched up to hold the mouth open.



"What kind of plant is this? Geez... it just popped up out of nowhere." Opal landed on it, looking it over.



"Retae Nam. It is a Retae Nam. They are know for popping up out of random places and trying to eat flesh. Be careful of the little thorns, they are poison coated enough to kill and elephant."

==

Zandra looked at the plant and shook her head.



"Stubborn as an ox it 'tis. I'd offer to help but might get eatten my own self... Not that your not worth getting eatten...."



Zandra shook her head, looking at the plant for a second more...



" I could make it go limp or something, but only for a few mintues.... You'd hae to be ready, like I said, this one is stubborn as an ox..."

==

Drandar was careful to keep a firm grip on the plant. His knee was caught under his chin and his arms were wrapped around the leg, trying to pull the plant off. His other leg was up over his arm as he was trying to push the plant off with that foot too.



"Let me guess, Opal. It's a demon plant?" She giggled and laughed. That would explain the extreme about of strength in the plant, it wasn't nearly overpowering, just difficult to hold on to. He looked at Zandra.



"I'm ready... believe me... help would be nice in this situation." He currently looked like a pretzel.

==

Zandra nodded, her hadns going green for a second, the plant going limp.



" Now would be good...."



Zandra smiled slightly, hoping that he had enough brain to take advantage she'd given him.



" It only will hold for about 45 seconds.... Since it's a demon plant and stubborn willed I have only so much control..... Unless I use real magic, alot more draining though..."

==

Drandar took the opportunity and freed himself from the plant. It jerked into movement again, snapping as his foot just got out of range. Opal giggled, standing on his shoulder. Drandar stood up and looked at Zandra.



"Thank you." He turned, looking at the plant and muttering a thousand curses at it. He was fuming. He caught himself and took a deep breath, looking at Zandra.



"Interesting trick..."

==

Zandra smiled, looking at drandar for a few seconds.



" We each are strongest in one element, adn sometimes have a close second. In your case they are the exact opposite as mine. Very nice balance actually. But anyway, I could probably teach you how to touch other elements, but it would be extordinarly difficult. And you'd have to be patient. If you ever want to learn of course. I wouldn't mind learning better wind controls... For future reffernce."

==

Drandar chuckled slightly, smiling and touching a tree he passed under. He sighed and shook his head.



"I'm just teasing, but seriously now... I can be paitent. You kind of have to be if you're hired for guard work or erm... assassinjobsachoo!" He swallowed hard, not quite sure why he had let that out. That was a long time ago... he didn't do it anymore.



"So... What element did you touch for the plant? Earth?" He nodded slightly, glancing back at the plant and then to Zandra. "I could help you with wind."

==

Zandra smiled and nodded slightly.



No surprise, he carried himself like one... Might explain some of the attraction.



" Well now you hit a spot I had carefully avoided. The stronest elemental tapping is down in pairs or sets of three. When people strong in opposite elements learn to work together.... Well let's just say I wouldn't wanna get on their bad side. Adn yes, it was Earth... Earth and wind inner link well, so does water and wind and water and earth.... And fire and Earth... Just don't mix Fire and water....... Or suffer severely useless results."

==

Drandar nodded, thinking about this. It made perfect sense. He'd probably never get it though. He always burnt himself on his fire. Maybe someday I'll get someone to teach me how to not do that... He looked at Zandra.



"I see..." He moved his hand in a wide motion, but nothing apparent happened.



Opal was sitting on a branch and chucked acorns at them gently as they passed beneath her.

==

Zandra shook her head, holding out her hadn looking at Opal, hoping Opal would be so kind as to come over.



he is fabulous with wind... I wish Akako could teach him fire. She's superb. If I asked her.... Maybe.... But it more comes naturally to her.



Zandra shook her head...

==

Opal chuckled slightly and landed in Zandra's hand.



"You know, he says you have to breathe to work wind." Drandar smacked his forehead. The way that Opal said it made it sound dumb. I guess I better explain.



"Okay, what I mean by that is that you have to know how the air feels when you breathe." Opal chuckled and cut in.



"He could only control wind by wheezing when he was first learning." Drandar blushed and coughed lightly.

==

Zandra got a very large smile across her face.



" I am consious of ever breath, of ever movement of my entire body workin in harmony, it's what has made me so dangerous. Breathing is something very important to master. For water you have to learn how to be harmonious, even when your pissed. Takes alot of time and pratice, but it came rather easy to me.... I am rather flowing. As for earth you need to be stable in emtions..... The less stable, the less control, that and will power, more will power and more stable, the better the control... Very unstable should the truth be told... But very stubborn. Fire requires kindling of anger..... Something I could probably do to well, which is why I leave well enough alone."



Zandra smiled at Opal and flicked her other and grinning even more when a chocolate clone of opal appeared.



" Thank you, I severely wanted chocolate and I have to be holding a shape to clone.... Want some? I mean I could have held an acorn... But your cutier."



Zandra smiled.

==

Opal looked it over, amazed. "Wow... that's really cool." She poked it and looked at Zandra.



"When you break it, it won't hurt me will it?" She poked the figure again, walking around it. She gasped slightly as she got the back. She spread her wings wide and looked from the figure to her real wings.



"SINCE WHEN HAVE I HAD THAT SPOT?!?!?!" Drandar smiled at Opal, watching this. I don't know how balanced I am and I'm not sure if I'm harmonious at all. I can get angry though... I've done it before, though not on purpose. I try not to. I remember what it did to my fire powers then. I think that was the only time I didn't burn myself. He looked ahead now.



"Well, air is not about what you are in controlling yourself. It's more about feeling the air that you breathe, that you move in. You have to be erm... flexible, I suppose would be the word. You're just channeling, nothing more." He held up a hand and the wind was circling it so fast that it was producing a high whistle, but that's because he was being a bit lazy, and it was distorting the image of his hand slightly. He spread his fingers and it changed to weave between them. He exhaled long and it stopped.

==

Zandra's ears had gone completely flat when the wind had whistled but they perked up slowly....



" DOn't do that, my ears are highly sensitive. And Opal it won't hurt you at all."



Zandra broke off the figures head and ate it without thought and smiled at Opal.



" Yeah, it kept me entertained when I was younger, adn got my brother to leave me alone...."



Zandra sighed slightly, looking at Drandar and then smiled again. It was hard to stay depressed with him and Opal around.

==

Drandar looked at her with a slight smile.



"It used to bother me too. I've learned how to switch which set of ears I listen more with. It doesn't bother the human ones that much."



Opal looked a bit surprised at first and then she slowly edged to the figurine. She broke of a bit of the chocolate dress and ate it happily. She looked at Zandra.



"I didn't know you had a brother."



Kiaati noticed them pass by again. Hmm... Jeff must be a little confused...

==

Zandra looked at jeff, reconizing this very same spot and stopped moving right then and their, setting down firimly, lookin at Opal.



"yes.... I have a brother, though were he is exactly I couldn't tell you. He was always raised to watch over me, but I haven't the slightest were he got off to for the last twelve years."



Zandra sighes slightly, smilin.



"The only one in my family who never judged me, I might add."

==

Opal ighsed and looked at Zandra.



"That's sad... you know. If it makes you feel any better, I don't have and real brothers or sisters or mom or dad. I was born in a stargazer lily."



Drandar sighed, he too realized they had passed the same spot. He walked up and began chatting with Jeff.



"You see, did she tell you...?"



.....



"WHAT?! YOU LOST THE COMPASS?!?!?!"



.....



"I can't believe it. I think we should wait for Kiaati and them to get back..."

==

Zandra looked up at Drandar when she head the explosion.



" Opal, has he ever gotten really mad around you?"



Zandra looked him up and down. He'd be rather intimidating if truth be told.



" Opal... Sometimes I wish I could say I came from a beautiful flower. It would make things easier."

==

Opal looked at Zandra, a fear written across her face.



"Remember the tower? Remember how angry he was? That scares me. He's gotten angrier than that. It was the first time, the only time I couldn't stop him. He was so bad, it terrified me." She buried her face in her hands. Her voice was quiet.



"His eyes were first... they turned all black with red strikes. Then his tail and claws came out and they had perified tips. He growled... and the fire... and the wind... those people... he was so scary and mean." She looked at Zandra with big scared eyes.



"You won't do that will you? If I rub your ears, would you stop?"

==

Zandra kissed Opal ontop her head, looking at the little pixie, sympathy and comfort the only thing coming to mind.



" Little Opal, I have only one like that a few times in my life. Once when my very life was threatened, when I couldn't find my brother, when a friend of mine was in danger and when I found out my mother had been killed."



Zandra smiled, looking at Drandar then back at Opal.



" Opal the only way I would do it again is if those I cared for, or myself, were endanered severely. And rubbing my ears at that point would probably be the dumbest move. Your safest move would be to have Drandar, Kiaati, Akako, or yourself adress me. But don't touch me. I must stress that Opal, touch me and odds are that you'll be dead. But like I said, I probably won't be doing that. And gawsh I remember him at the tower.... "



Zandra glances at Drandar, thinking....



I wanted to go to him, even though he scared me... I wanted to go to him, fool I am...



Zandra shook her head, no use stewing over reasonings that made no sense.



" Oh, also Opal, since at the time being the four of you, that is, Kiaati, Akako, Drandar and your self, are at about the same level, I listed you all in no particular order... But the closer I am to someone the greater their odds of getting through to me.... For future reference......"



Drandar probably being the closest at the moment, darn man...

==

Opal hugged Zandra's neck tight, taking deep breaths. She shook her head slightly.



"He only did that once, I've stopped him the other times... few things make him angry enough to. I don't want to see you do that too. You seem scary enough sometimes without even being angry."



Opal sighed slightly and shook her head again. With that she flew off and landed on a blossom and began to climb down into the throat of it. She re-emerged with a sticky goo on her hands and promptly went about licking it off.



Drandar came over and sat down next to Zandra, looking ahead.



"That was only once, and she tried to stop it, but it didn't work. You need fear me no more than I you."

==

Zandra looked at Opal, smiling, then turned to Drandar her eyes sparkling.



" Drandar, I don't fear you, not like I should anyway. When you got mad back in the tower.. I didn't want to run away from you, I wanted to find out why you were upset. I wanted to go to you. Adn I'm sure she did. And Am I really that scary? Or is it just her sweet little personality picks up every little vibe? which I know she does."



Zandra looked down, shaking her head slightly. Well it's the truth

==

Drandar looked to Zandra, his eyes saddened slightly.



"No, you shouldn't come to me when I'm like that no more than I should come to you if you were to be like that." He shook his head slightly.



"I was in a middle phase, caught between the illusions and reality, so I didn't react like I normally would. I tell Opal to do that because she is so small and can be very fast if she wants to be." His ears were hanging down kind of sad. He was remembering that one time. He was remembering what the illusions had said. He usually thought of his anger as platforms and could usually control it... he feared himself in a way.



"No, Opal doesn't have the best vocabulary sometimes... What she meant was that when you want to you can have a very strong presence, which intimidates a lot of people." He hung his head, not even really thinking about what he was saying.

==

Zandra smiled saddly.



" I know, that's why I was fightingwith myself the whole time. I also know what it is like to lose complete and entire control. I did so when I found out about my mother. I went off the deep end. As for agility, that is one thing you and I both posses. Cat Demons and all. Besides, I flow with water dingle hopper. Harmony and changing constantly. Wether we like it or not most of the time we represent traits of the elements we touch. Which is why it is really odd I can touch Earth so well....."



Zandra sighed looking down at the ground and shook her head.



" I sound like some teacher in a class room. I'll stop. Sorry."



Zandra looked at Drandar seeing him so down was not her favorite thing. She reacher over and gentle touched the tip of his drooping ear, looking at him.

==

Drandar's ear flicked back in reflex. He sighed softly.



"No, I like to learn. You could teach me a lot." It was a strange phrase coming from him, but he wasn't to prideful that he couldn't recognize Zandra as the better demon. He sighed slightly.



"I do try and fight it, that's why rubbing my ears can most of the time bring me back if I'm having difficulty." He shook his head slightly.



"That time... that was the only time I controlled fire without burning myself." He glanced at Zandra. He figured he should share his phrase, the one that really discribed the feeling of air to him. He hadn't said it before, because it was somewhat personal.



"Fire is brought by anger, air is brought by the knowing that you're something small and the want to be something bigger."

==

Zandra smiled.



"Self improvement. Yes, I've always liked that, and it is a very good trait to have. And When I ot mad about my mother dieing, I didn't fight it, I got lost in the rage inside me. I know I shouldn't have, but I did. It wasn't a pretty sight for anyone."



Zandra smiled, running her fingers lightly over his ears.



" I could teach you, but in exchange you'd have to teach me. Starting with the nearly impossible to imaine wind. I am serious... It does not like me one iota ."

==

Drandar nodded slightly as she spoke. He felt her fingers running lightly over the edge of his ear and the muscles in his shoulders and neck began to relax. He looked at her after a moment.



"I could teach you." It was a simple statement, but he meant it. He reach up and took her hand gently from his ear. He flipped it palm up, studying the lines.



"It takes time though."

==43==

Zandra looked at Drandar, holding her hand, palm up.



" You just hit the key I have in short supply. Patients. I can have it when I ned it, butit is difficult none the less."



She smiled looking at him, being happy alot more then was normal for her.



" But if you happen to have the free time, let me know."

==

Drandar shifted his gaze up from her palm to her face. He raised a brow.



"I'm not doing anything much right now." He ran his fingers over the deeper lines in her palm.

==

Zandra smiled, wigling her fingers and looking at him.



" Neither am I. So if you want to start teaching, be my geust."

==

Drandar looked at her and was pondering how would be the best way. He let her hand fall and looked off for a moment.



"Do you realize that air is one of the only things that keeps you alive?" This would be the best place to start from.

==

Zandra nodded, paying attention. She might have little aptients but she loved learning new things.



Her eyes we dancing like a little kittens with a mouse dancing infront of her.

==

Drandar nodded, amused by the look in her eyes. He took a deep breath in through his mouth and out through his nose.



"Breathing, you can feel it. you often don't think about breathing though." He lifted his hand and held all of the air around them for a moment so that they couldn't take a breath. He released it quickly.



"But as you see, it has more power over you than you think about. It could have you dead in seconds."

==

Zandra, completely trusting Drandar had not freaked out at her lack of air, but had just about flipped him on nhis head though. Natural reaction, but she'd lept it in check, being more interested in what he was trying to teach her.



Zandra nodded, knowing this already but deciding to follow along, sometimes in order to teach you have to start with the smallest building block.



" I realize this, to both statements."



Lucky for you I trust you.



Zandra waited for him to proceed.

==

Drandar nodded slightly. She talked a lot, and this wasn't exactly working very well.



Okay, let's try a new approach.



"Do you remember your life before you became the... er... top honcho? Did your father or mother ever punish you?"

==

Zandra sighed, thinking back.....



She nodded, getting the odd feeling he wanted her to shut up. A few times, most of the time my borther would suffer the brunt of it though.

==

Drandar sighed slightly and looked at her. He was riding choppy waters now, he had to be careful. If he did it right, then it should give the perfect effect.



"When he did this, when you were small, do you remember looking up and seeing the unhappiness in his face? Did it scare you?"

==

Zandra nodded slightly. My dad at any rate



This was not bringing about pleasant memories at all, she remember not only being scared, but angry that he wasn't listening to her and her brothers' side of the arguement.... But really scared her was how he brother had gone off riht back at her father......

==

Drandar looked at Zandra and nodded slightly.



"He made you feel small and belittled. You could scream and not be heard. No one saw you. No one heard you." He took her hands into his, rubbing the plams with his thumbs.



"Do you remember wanting to be more? Think about that. Did you know that air is greater and more powerful than anything living? It is greater than anything. But unlike the angry or the ignorant, it is kind. It will lend you it's power." He took a breath and paused.



"When you breathe, if you think about it, you can feel it move. Don't try to command it, just ask it, suggest the thought of it's movement. Ask its help, but it will only help the humble and the small. It favors a yearning heart."

==

Zandra looked at him very disbelieving for a few seconds, tryin to fight back past memories that she, had, until this most recent point made herself forget.



She sighed slightly, letting her mind drift back.......



I told you not to go



But papa, I didn't go, They took and



Don't argue with me young lady, I specificly told you



Dad don't yell at her, their was more to it



Shut up



Don't tell me to shut up you over grown fern!



Papa, Verlandez, please stop yelling......



They hadn't stopped yelling, she wanted to crawl under her brother's cloak and hide... Her father had gotten angry, her brother too.....





Zandra wanted the memories to go away she let out a frustrated sigh, throwing herself backwards and looking completely confused what the hell had just happened as she had completely forgottne she was being taught a thing, having gotten lost in past memeories.

==

Drandar sighed softly, not letting his memories forward. He was not going to focus on himself right now, he was teaching this to Zandra. For a moment he was still before summoning a breeze, with took a cherry blossom and blew it onto Zandra's nose, carefully balancing it on the tip. He leaned forward, looking into her eyes. He wouldn't ask, he would let her remember and vocalize only if she wanted to.

==

Zandra looked at the blossom and smiled, setting up and looking at him for a few mintues, thoughts turning in her head...

She looked over and saw Jeff sighing, going find Kiaati.



" Sorry... When I think back past memeories sometimes get the better of me. I forgot you were even teaching me...... I just remembered wanting to push the memory away, I exhaled and well you saw the rest..."



Zandra straited her hair back out.



" I remebered when my father adn papa got in an arguement, all because fo what I did.... well actually I didn't do it by will of choice."

==

Drandar nodded slightly, looking at her. He wouldn't pry anymore.



"Wind is merciful, if you learn to control your memories, it will be easier to bend." He tilted his head slightly, looking at Zandra.



"I'm sorry about your family though... everyone has their skeletons." He glanced away, lowering his voice.



"Do you suppose we could just leave without the humans? I mean, Jeff would be a positive attribute, he has powers and such. Kiaati though, she seems a bit crazy, the only good thing I can think of is the fact she can lie or disguise better than anyone else I know. The rebellion... well... the stories I've heard are much better than the reality."

==

Zandra was completely taken back by this idea.....



" Does Opal share your feelings? And what would we do? Would we be seen as people who are running? I just got Akako into this ...."



I have resonsibilites love.... You must understand that, I need information before even coming close to decidin something like this....

==

A grin split Drandar's face, his eyes sparkling.



"Thank you." He set his green eyes on her face.



"I need no answer to the question, it doesn't matter." Opal fluttered over and fell asleep on a flower, looking very happy and full like one does after eating.

==

Zandra looked at him for a second.



" That was not some kind of hidden test was it? I mena if it was I could understand why, but that is very under handed."



Zandra looked at Drandar for alittle while.. Eitehr that was sincere and he jsut needed some sort of reasurance or it was a trick... Or something... That was very odd.... Besides, I told Kiaati I wouldn't just leave her... And unless soemthing unexpected happens... i won't. Though this question was very unexpected.



Zandra looked at Drandar, slightly confused and hoping that the geuss she thoguht was right, wasn't.

==

Drandar just looked at her for a moment without so much of words. The edge of his mouth twitched upward and he stood up before walking away and up into a tree.



"Be back soon." As soon as he was gone, the 'sleeping' Opal sprung up and fluttered over, hitting Zandra's neck in an embrace.



"YAY! I'm so happy, you're super special."

==

Zandra now loked completely confused and wondering if she should go join Jeff in his hunt, but didn't move, and pulled Opal gentely off her neck.



" I don't understand a thing of this little pixie. I thank you for the compliment, but what the heck???"



Continues to look confused.

==

Opal grinned slightly, balancing on the tip of Zandra's thumb.



"He'd probably not be happy if I told you, but... since you're super special I guess I could." She twiddled her thumbs slightly.



"You see, Drandar doesn't usually like getting close or learning a lot about other people. One of the traits he values very much is loyalty. He only tries to find out if he needs to. He wanted to this time, and you passed. He likes that a lot, but you can't just come out and ask someone if they're loyal, so he kind of has to do it another way." She grinned, speaking the next sentence in a teasing voice.



"I think he fancies you."

==

Zandra got the clear impression of a little sister at that last statement.



" Oh Opal. Grow up. Oh..... Sorry, wasn't meaning that in the sense of height. And just for the record, I've fancied him since the time we met... It's those eyes... and that air he gives off... You know?? Of course you don't know...."



Zandra sighed, realived that it hadn't been any major form of trickery. That was a low way to find out though.

==

Opal shrugged slightly, chuckling.



"I know you didn't mean that in accord of my height, and even if you did, I don't mind." She noticed the look in Zandra's eyes.



"Please don't expect him to be perfect. His mind works different, he doesn't register things the same way we do. He is a guy after all..." She sighed.



"I wouldn't know about this stuff you say about him... but would it have anything to do with why that leprechan over there keeps staring at me?" She motioned to a small man hidden in the bushes.

==

Zandra looked at the little man adn smiled seeing his look.



" Most likely. If your interested, say hi. Nad I don't expect him to be anything but himself...... If that is to much, then sorry."

==

Opal spoke to Zandra, eyeing the man.



"That's not too much... Um... I'd have normally said hello by now to him, I like meeting new people, but he kind of looks like he wants to eat me. Is that normal?" She fanned her wings slightly.

==

Zandra, getting tired of the man herself got up and went over to shoe the little man away.



He ran off when she made to slap at him.



" I wouldn't waste the time on a thing that stares holes through you. Thouh I did it to Drandar right when we met."

==

Opal was fluttering, inspecting her shirt.



Do I have any spots on it or anything? She sighed slightly, not able to figure why the guy had been staring at it.



"I've seen and heard of this you're talking about. I think it's a really good thing."

==

Zandra looked at opal like she was a five year old child. Like I thought, completely innocent.



" Opal I think I shall use the polite term of smitten. "

==

Opal just shrugged slightly and landed on Zandra's shoulder, having given up the serch of her shirt.



"You said it, not me." She smiled slightly and looked around before jumping down to the ground.



"Oh! The poor thing..." She touched a dying lily plant. She took a breath a flew up above it and through it, fairy dust falling down on it. She smiled and landed on Zandra's shoulder again.



"Isn't that much better?" She pointed to the lily plant, rich and full.

==

Zandra looked at the lily and smiled.



"but now I ahve not the heart to pick it... But those cherry blossoms are lovely... I love cherry blossoms..."



Looks at flowers, smiling wondering if Drandar would be back soon.

==

Opal shrugged slightly.



"That's okay. You can pick it if you like. It won't hurt anything."



At that point, Drandar jumped down from the tree, looking quite put out and coated in mud. He sighed.



"Hello again."

==

Zandra lookesd at him, pulling a pool of water from the air and making in rinse Drandar off.



"Sorry, but you'll have to dry yourself for now, I didn't make it that ar in the last half hour. Mind if I ask what you were up to??

==

Akako was leaning against the tree since they found out the compass was lost. She was just daydreaming, thinking, and that sort of stuff. Zandra's talk on the elements did catch her attention, and from there she she was focused on that. She started thinking about what she mentioned about fire.



Is it really anger? I've never been extremely angry about anything, and I'm doing perfectly fine with my fire control. Is started to bug her until she couldn't really take it anymore.



"About fire having to do with anger, I need to disagree. As far as I know I haven't been angry much at all, and I've basically mastered fire." She spoke.

==

Zandra's attention was immediantely pulled away from Drandar, looking at Akako.



" It isn't strictly limited to Anger, but I must say it is he easiest feeeling to use to fuel it. In some's case it is other traits, I never said it was impossible, the reason i grasp Earth is different then the normal, but it is still a reason. Some people are not the normal rule. Some have other things that fuel such elements, some are just born intune with elements, is all depends on the erson and teh situation. Their is just a base line that follows through from majority, that's all."

==

Akako shrugged. It made sence. She was just startled a bit by the learning of fire, and the other elements. She never really studied them before.

==

Drandar sighed slightly, drenched through. Lovely... He sighed and huffed, a large burst of air rushing out, which left him nice and dry, though a bit windswept. He was leaning against the tree and watching the two talk. He would speak when they were done.



Opal came to him, laughing much like a drunk person.



"Woo! That was fun Drandar!"

==

Zandra smiled, giving up on her hair.



" You know that was fun Opal, but next time I suppose I should ask if he wants power washed....... Just did it before thinking.... Sorry Drandar...."



Zandra tried again with her hair, this time getting it back in place. Though being in place just ment a cascade of spiraling curls, but still....



" So I could be nosey and ask what brought you back covered in muddy yuck...... Or I could be the good little girl we all know I'm not and not ask..... Which do you vote Opal?"

==

Drandar smiled a bit, looking at Zandra.



"Well, you see, there was the great evil monster... nah, I'm kidding. The real story is a little less glamorous. I wasn't exactly paying attention and a branch I landed on broke, sending me into a lovely mud puddle." He sighed slightly.



"I did get it though, it caught my eye and I thought you'd like to see it." He turn over his hand and gently placed something in her palm. A small bird sat there, the golden feathers gleaming in the sunlight.

==

" Awww...."



Zandra sat down, lookin the bird over closely... It's so pretty... Wonder why he is chasing birds though... I mean just because we're cat demons doesn't mean.... Oh well it is gorgeous... Zandra smiled, looking at the little thing.



Zandra petted it gentley adn it seemed happy.



"

[Sushi]

" Oh I think it is so cute...."



Zandra smiles happily still looking at the little bird.

==44==

" Awww...."



Zandra sat down, lookin the bird over closely... It's so pretty... Wonder why he is chasing birds though... I mean just because we're cat demons doesn't mean.... Oh well it is gorgeous... Zandra smiled, looking at the little thing.



Zandra petted it gentley adn it seemed happy.



" Oh I think it is so cute...."



Zandra smiles happily still looking at the little bird.

==

Zandra smiled, catching each tune and enjoying this alot.



" Oh it is just wonderful Opal, I think it needs a name, even if I don' keep it... What do you think...... It is so pretty.... I think Aurelia. It means Golden and it is a pretty name.. Yep, Aurelia , unless latter I discover your a guy... Then I'll still call you Aurelia, you are a bird after all..."



Zandra smiled happily, listenign to the bird and placin Opal on her shoulder, standing up and picking the Lily she'd watch Opal fix up, placing it in her hair.

==

Drandar sighed slightly and held up his hand.



"It's a female... it bit me." Drandar looked at Zandra. She looked very pretty like this.

==

Zandra smiled happily, placing the bird on her shoulder next to Opal. She made sure the bird was sitting safely, and then looked at drandar.



" Not all females bite."

==

Opal chuckled slightly.



"Drandar has a problem with female birds. They almost always bite him if he gets very close." She laughed, looking at Drandar.



"Remeber the harpy lady? That was funny!" He shook his head.



"No it wasn't, it took two weeks for that to heal up!" He remembered the one time he had encountered a harpy in his guard work. He had to interrogate her, and when he got close enough, the bird-woman lashed out and bit his shoulder.



Opal was fauning over the singing bird, which liked the way she was petting it's feathers.

==

Zandra smiled, lookin at him.



" I never had down time because of the need to heal, or if I did only a a day two at most. Water, healing abilies...."



Zandra looked at Drandar, and smiled as his once injured self was now better. Completely and 100% better, after all it had just been alitle bird bite. She smiled again, she liked doing that, felt funny...

==

Drandar smiled slightly and nodded to her.



"Well... I don't know how to work water. I have to heal the old fashioned way. Naturally, while people smother you in foul-smelling goop that they swear up and down will help."



The flitterbod was about three fourths of Opal's height. She laughed as the thing dove under her and left her on its back as it flew around.

==

Zandra kept a close eye on the bird and Opal and smiled remembering all the remides her mother had taught her how to use.



" Yeah, only about half of them work, the other half are just for effect."



Zandra smiledas the bird swirled around her head and took off alittle further.



" My mother was the one who cared for everyone in the village."

==

Drandar smiled and nodded slightly.



"That's very cool... I bet you learned a lot." He paused for a moment, a grin pressing on his lips.



"Then can you answer this... does soaking in cabbage and molasses really cure the measles?"



Opal was still laughing as she rode around on Aurelia.

==

Zandra looked at Drandar like he was nuts.



"Of course not. Why who in their right mind would believe such a thing?"



Zandra looked at him completely disbelieving that such a person would think that remedy would work.



" Of Course, a nice bath and plenty of sleep and a book do help."

==

Drandar chuckled slightly, thinking back. He hadn't believed it, but he had been forced to do it anyhow.



"There was this lady in our town. She had remedies she swore by and a lot of them worked. Unfortuantely, people mistook all of them to work, and they believed this."

==

Zandra clapped her hands over her mouth picturing Drandar in a tub of cabbage and molases.



" O my gawsh...."



Zandra, unable to help herself burst out into the gigles.



" My mother only did that to kids in the village who were extremely naughty. Or mean adults for that matter."



Like when she made me drinik just tomato juice for a week



Zandra made a face, refusing to ever touch the stuff again.

==

Drandar rolled his eyes slightly, smiling a bit. He turned his eyes to see Aurelia now riding on Opal. This was quite the sight since the bird was not quite as tall, but wider by far. He chuckled slightly as Opal's wings fluttered so fast they were almost invisible.

==

Zandra looked at the little pair flying in the air.



" Oh my.... I think they are getting on well though. "



Zandra looked around, and smiled, taking off.



" Be - back...."

==

Drandar scratched his head, surprised at Zandra's sudden flight.



Uh... maybe she had to go to the bathroom or something... He just shook his head slightly, leaning back against the tree. He shut his eyes, listening to the giggles and chirps, when suddenly something hit his forehead hard. He jerked slightly, seeing Opal rubbing her head and the bird looking quite dazed. Opal shrugged slightly.



"Oops... uh... sorry."

==

Zandra returned about five mintues later with a basket full of oranges.



" Sorry, I smelled oranges and so I had to go find them... I wanted more anyway. So I went and got some.....Very resonably priced ^_^"



Zandra looked at them now realizing they looked rather odd, Opal and bird both looking dazzed. Xandra scooped up in bird in seconds looking accusingly at Drandar.



" What happened??"

==

Drandar threw up his hands, his eyes wide.



"I didn't do anything!" He saw the accusing look in Zandra's eyes. Come on! I do so much wrong anyhow, don't get angry at me for something I didn't do! Opal piped up at this point, shaking her head slightly.



"He didn't. We ran into him.... OOO!" She smiled, batting her eyes cutely.



"You're going to share one of those, right?"

==

Zandra smiled, releaved he hadn't done the harm to her precious little bird and sat down, peeling oranges. She had two peeled in seconds and handed part of one to Opal. And feed tiny peices to the little bird in her other hand.



" Come eat an Orange Drandar, they are the good sweet ones."

==

Akako looked at the oranges. She then noticed that she was kind of hungry.



"Mind if I have one?" She asked.

==

Zandra nodded, tossing one over to Akako and smiled down at the bird in her hadn once again.

==

Drandar shook his head slightly.



"I don't want one, but thank you anyhow."

==

"Thanks." Akako smiled as she started to eat hers. Risa always liked oranges. They were her favorite. I wonder if she has heard about me and Zandra yet. Makan is sure to have been up by now.

==

Zandra smiled.



"More for later then."



She smiled at him after putting away the oranges on one of the numerous 'never ending' pockets.



" By the way, if not for you I wouldn't currently have this little bird. Thank you."



Even if it does decide to leave



This thoguht depressed Zandra and she pouted without realizing it.

==

Drandar shrugged slighly.



"No problem." Aurelia was happily pecking at the fruit pieces. Flitterbods were one of the few vegetarian birds that ate things other than bugs and seeds. Opal finished her one little slice of orange and looked at Zandra with hopeful eyes.



"Can I have another slice?" This was interesting and it left one to wonder where she was putting the food due to the size. She was hungry today.

==

Zandra smiled, not asking were it all went, handing her another peices, cooing over her bird much like alittle girl does over a new doll.



(( I HATE LOSING MY HAIRBRUSH!))



Zandra smiled, picking up the peels.



" They smell lovely when burned in a fire... If your not worring about being followed..."



SPeaking of followed, who will follow me and who will abandon? Oh well. No use worring about it now.

==

Akako looked at Drandar. She remembered him mentioning having trouble with fire.



"Drandar, I caught on to fire in a snap. I was basically born with it, so I don't have much advice on how to stop burning yourself, but I heard fear is the cause of it. If you fear the fire's burn then it will burn. If you aren't afraid at all, it won't hurt. Though, I've also been told that once you fear it, it's hard to stop." Akako shrugged, "I just figured I'd let you know."

==

Drandar looked at Akako and sighed slightly. This didn't help at all. First, it was a no-win situation. Second, it made no srmvr

==

Zandra smiled at Akako.



She is right in her case. For most people anyway. After all if you fear the element your dealing with you'll have no luck. She feared water at one point, had an awful time controling it too. But after I learned how to swim I was fine.



But how in the world can you do that with fire? You can't.

==

Drandar sighed, rubbing his face.



I'm not afraid of fire. I like fire, so that really makes no sense to me. Drandar looked at his hands, shaking his head. He looked at Akako and shook his head again.



"I'm not afraid of it, but I'm sure not going to try and burn myself. That would be just stupid."

==

Zandra smiled all of a sudden and stood up placing her bird carefully beside Opal.



" Try to keep an eye on her will you? Make sure she doesn't run into any harm."



Zandra then turned to Drandar.



" Try to burn me. Not hold it, not throw it, but try to make it burn away from you. You might not fear it but it screws with one's head to try and hold fire in your palm with the logical step of being burned."



Beisdes, if he can't do it that would mean he learns better starting close and working away. In my case it was one way with one element and the other with the other.

==

Drandar's jaw dropped and he stared at Zandra.



"I'm not going to try and burn you! You'd break off my arm or drown me or something..." He sighed.



Besides, I'd feel really stupid if I couldn't do it. I have to channel it through my hands right now, because I'm not skilled enough to just do it with my mind.



"We could try and make some s'mores or something..."



Opal wrapped her arms around the bird and it burrowed it's head into her side.



"I don't think we should watch." Aurelia lifted a wing and put it over Opal's head.

==

Zandra smiled extremely sweet like.



" Okay, that answers question number one. I can't even help you if I don't know were to start. You wanna watch something amussing it's trying to teach an element you refuse to touch. And as an FYI, if I wanted to drown you, or burie you alive, I could do so without much care, but I wouldn't. Not unless I severely felt endangered. And besides, you couldn't have burnt me had you tried, water comes like breathing to me. Naturely. I would have been drenched in less then a second."



Start close and work away. The way I was with Earth. Okay, next step is remembering how I tricked myself into learning..... Oh yeah, oh this should be fun.........



Zandra sang a line to a song she knew well and laughed... ' PLay with fire you wined up burnt, the early bird gets the worm, but the only thing you really need to know...'



Wrong time for musicals.



" If you feel up to trying to make smores I probably have enough ingredients to last us a few years. "

==

Drandar was smiling slightly from Zandra's sudden musical outbreak. It was something that wouldn't normally be expected.



After all this, I shouldn't ever be surprised by anything again. He sighed slightly, tapping his leg for a moment before getting and idea. He picked up a stick and looked at Zandra.



"Okay, I don't know if it'll help you out any or not, but I can do this." He did the one thing he usually did with fire. He snapped his fingers and a small flame ignited above his thumb. He held it to the stick, focusing on the stick catching fire. Once it had, he shook his hand slightly and the flame above his thumb went out.



Opal however had been peeking from between Aurelia's feathers, just as Aurelia had been peeking out from under Opal's arm. Opal cheered slightly.



"Yay! Three times in a row that you've done that without scorching yourself!"

==45==

Zandra nodded smiling.



"Actually yes, it means I'm going to have to start with tip exercises... Oh dear do you realize this is going to take time?"



Zandra took the stick and smiled, weaving water around the flames bowl shaped, so it appeared to be burning on water.



" Smoke on the water...."



Zandra smiled, water disappearing and she studied the stick for a moment.



" Three times you say Opal?"

==

Opal nodded, unwinding from Aurelia. She was beaming as she looked at Zandra from the branch she was sitting on.



"Yep! I've been counting!" Drandar sighed, smacking his forehead.



And now I feel like and incompetant fool. I just never had to learn these things, they were entirely optional... He leaned back against the tree, watching Zandra as she looked at the burning stick.



"But only with that." He set his green eyes on the stick and then back to Zandra. Being in these demons' presences was like a smack in the face. It made him realize exactly how small he was, exactly how much he had missed in not being raised by people like him.

==

Zandra smiled, putting the fire out without a second glance, she tossed the stick on the gound and looking around for a second. Well since I can't find what I need, I shall make what I need.



Zandra sighed, wlaking over to a tree and all but appeared to be talking to it for a rather lengthy time truth be told, then returned holding 2 boards about a sqaure foot each.



" Okay I need one hand at a time. Just try to make each of your finger tips burn, without burning yourself of course."

==

Drandar had been amused by the talking thing, but he now realized that she had been speaking a spell. He sighed slightly and nodded. He held up his right hand, igniting the thumb with ease. He looked at his index finger, which should come next.



No burning. He focused a bit and, one by one, they ignited. He had to look away now, and had a feeling it might catch him in right there. He looked at the other hand, careful not to touch anything with his right. This one was harder and as he ignited the index finger, his pinky finger on the right was licked by the flames. He flinched, grunting slightly, but refused to let the flames go out. So his right fingertips were ablaze, however two on the left had gone out. He looked at Zandra.



"Let me try again." This time he got it and all of his fingertips were ablaze.

==

Zandra smiled extremely pleased.



" Very good, even if it does require you to concentrat greatly. You have to do that at first. Now, here is one board, keep your other hand lit as you do this, but one finger at a time, burn a small hole in the wood. Not the whole thing, just a little hole the size of your finger."



Good thing I have probably a five foot stack over their, we might need it.... Then again.

==

Drandar sighed slightly and put his left hand up to the board, focusing. The thing began to burn more than he wanted and he pulled his hand away quickly and blew out the flame.



"Oops." He blinked a few times, realizing his thumb on the other hand hand gone back out and quickly reigniting it. He tried again, this time he was starting to get it. The hole was rough and a little too big, but it was working slightly. Then, he didn't know what he did, but the whole thing burst into flame. He threw up his hands against the black smoke and blaze, forgetting they were on fire and burnt his left cheek. He stumbled and ended up sitting on the ground, completely extinguished and burnt.

==

Zandra doused the board and coughed in the smoke that resulted. She went over to Drandar healing him and looking down at him.



" I think I started to detailed... But I had to see if you could do it, which you could with alittle more practice. Are you okay?"



Zandra looked down at him genuiely concerned. Just because she'd healed him didn't always mean anything.

==

Drandar sat still, shifting his eyes to her without a word. He blew a stream of smoke out of the corner of his mouth. He was silent for a moment more.



"Yeah." He sighed.



I look like a fool. I can't even do this simple thing. His pride was very wounded, but then her realized something that brought a smile to his face.



I didn't burn myself until the whole thing caught fire! He got up, brushing off the dirt and noticed his pant leg was on fire. He slapped at it before blowing it out. He sighed in an exasperated manner and looked at Zandra, throwing up his hands.



"Where is all of this fire coming from?!" He looked at Akako, but couldn't figure out why she would set him on fire, so brushed off that thought. He turned his gaze back to Zandra.



She might be trying to tease me... but still... Drandar just sighed.

==

Zandra shook her head look at him.



" no, your not okay. Your getting frustrated, and angry....."



A small smile was dancing at the corners of her mouth as she said this.



" If you don't calm down your going to self combust. Now sit down and chill. We all have to learn sometime. No need to feel anything other then the normal. Though frustrations are normal for me...."



Zandra shook her head slightly looking at him.



" You should have been around for the earthquake I caused when I got so upset I threw a fit.... I destroyed the surround villages as well as my own.... Needless to say I was in alittle bit of trouble...... Ahem."

==

Drandar chuckled slightly, somehow he could imagine Zandra doing just that. He watched her, taking a deep breath.



"I'm not getting angry, I'm getting frustrated. There is a significant difference. I'm not going to combust, see? I'm all good." He sat down on a rock and looked at Zandra. He felt something small smack his head and he turned to see Opal.



"What was that for?" Opal landed on his head and he turned his ear toward her so she could whisper into it. Drandar blushed lightly.



"Oh... thank you." Opal nodded and flew back to Aurelia.

==

Zandra raised an eyebrow but decided not to pry, but did look at the pixie supicously.



" Frustration is what leads to anger, and I listed frustration first. And don't say you won't do something, trust me -_-' Anyway, care to try again? "

==

Drandar started to say something, but then changed his mind. He just nodded and held up a hand. Surprisingly, he lit all five fingers at once. He stared at it for a moment, before looking at Zandra with a triumphant grin.



Didn't know I could do that. He did the same thing with the left hand.



"Okay."

==

The smile on her face spread into a very impressed grin.



"Good thing we are both fast learners. Okay mister, once again."



She held up another board, looking at him, then looked over at Opal.





" I haven't the slightest what you said but you have made me curious...."



Zandra shook her head, returning her attention back to Drandar.

==

Drandar slowly started again. He had an idea of how to do this. Maybe altering the intensity... Slowly, holes were burning in. Once again they were a little too large and a bit rough.



Opal grinned at Zandra and shook her head.



"Nothing important." Drandar sighed as he kept burning the holes and focused on keeping his other hand lit as well. He spoke.



"Let's see if I can do this with doing whatever it was I did last time."

==

Zandra smiled slightly, pulling another board over and looking at him.



" I want you practice. Just a few more times. Very fast progress. Very impressed."



I dare not try wind again, not this second.... That was surprising to say the least.



Zandra looked down at her hands and smiled.



Let's work on blending Earth and Water some more, it produces interesting effects when I try new stuff...



Zandra smiled. Let's see if I remember how to do this, it's been awhile.... Man I wish I was brave enough to mix self into these sometimes. But mixing self runs a very heavy line of risks.



zandra soon had a seed out and was making a pot of soil appear out of nowhere and watering it carefully, making it grow at a highly accelerated rate.

==

Drandar nodded slightly, and he got it down pat within the next board, perfectly sized and he didn't burn himself. That left one more. He grinned slightly, doing the same thing except making two holes and a curve beneath it. He held up the smiley face board to Zandra with a grin.



He watched her grow that. It was very pretty.



Opal hoppe out of the tree and jumped on the pot, exclaiming loudly to Zandra.



"I want to help!" She was just waiting for the okay.

==

Zandra laughed and nodded at Opal, reaching over and picking up her little bird.



" Okay, go ahead. "



Zandra looked over at Drandar to see how he was doing and couldn't help but nod laughing slightly.



" Very very good. Now, can you move the fire into the palms of your hands? Aain that no burning rule applies. And if not try making the fire extend further from your finger tips, or even hover over the ends."



Zandra wasn't 100% sure which he'd feel up to trying and all of them would help to teach, so she'd gone with the listing style of teaching....For now.

==

Drandar looked at her and nodded slightly. He looked back at his hands, deciding to try moving to the palms first. It was kind of difficult and his entire hand caught fire.



"Ahh!" He shook it rapidly, blowing the fire out. He realized he wasn't burnt, but he was still a little sheepish and spooked. He looked at Zandra with a sheepish half-smile.



"Sorry... I think I did something wrong... Let's try the other way instead." He shook his head, trying to move the fire from his fingertips.



Opal grinned and flew around the flower, scattering fairy dust. The flower grew quicker and fuller than before. When she finished she hovered, looking at Zandra with a proud grin.

==

Zandra smiled at the flower, touching it softly and then turned to Drandar.

Funny... I'm teaching en element I dare not even let myself touch. And teaching it to a guy I think is extremely sweet and nice looking to boot. How very odd. I normal stay clear of guys that are cute and I vowed never to mess with Fire personally.... Strange turn of events I must say. I really outta practice my magic more..... So much more to learn. Oh well. I will study when I feel like it and not before.



Zandra sighed, just keeping a close eye on Drandar, but seeming to return to her cooing over her little bird and praising Opal's skills at making the flower grow.

==

Drandar focused and sighed slightly, before letting his attention to Zandra and Opal. After a moment he realized there were no longer five small flames, but one medium sized one, floating in the air away from his hand.



Um... oh boy. He looked at it, and spoke to Zandra.



"Er... what now?" He pointed at the flame and moved it back accidently. He jumped.



"No, no! Come back here little fire ball thingy..."

==

Zandra looked at the ball of fire and laughed.



" Now try controling it, try making it bend to your will. I'd tell you to jugle it but that might result in some interesting issues."

==

Drandar sighed and looked at the fireball.



"Okay now, fireball. You're going to listen to me and you're not going to catch anything on fire." He concetrated and was able to make it move in a small circle. He didn't know why, but he felt restless, but sort of relieved. Like someone had taken away some of his stressful pressure.

==

Zandra smiled and came over and kissed Drandar on the cheek.



" I am impressed, and I'm not kiddin, I'm completely serious. You are learning more then I had hoped for in a week. Let alone a day. Though when you feel up to it, throw it at something and maintain the fire afterwords. Then you'll be level."

==

Drandar looked at her, a bit irritated for no apparent reason. He shook his head and extinguished the fire.



"I need to stop for a couple minutes." He wasn't used to dealing this long with the fire. He put a smile on his face, looking at her. He was glad that he made her happy and impressed.

==

Zandra nodded knowingly, but said nothing, looking at Opal.



" Opal, can you make cut flowers re-root?"

==

Opal looked at Zandra and raised a brow.



"Most of the time, but I usually need a little help."

==

Zandra sighed, holding a rare flower that she'd found picked on her way to get the oranges.



" Well you'll hae to show me how to help, but I really want to save the little thing."

==

"I can try." Opal nodded slightly and moved to a good spot. She landed on the ground before digging a small hole in the ground.



"Put the flower down here so I can reach it, but hold it straight up and down."

==

Zandra did as she was told, it was lovely flower. And she had more tehn just that making her want to save it.....

==

Opal took her hands and raked along the bottom of the stem until green chlorophyl came out, wetting it.



"Stick it in this hole." When it was there, she nodded.



"Careful not to move at all. Just hold it still." Drandar was watching too. He had seen her do this before, it was difficult for her and she didn't always succeed.



Opal put her hands on the flower stem and concentrated. At first nothing seemed to happen, but then pixie dust began to spread around the stem and petals. She was pushing all of her power with all of her might and pixie dust was collecting on her as well. She was shaking slightly and after a minute the flower was very sparkly and she sighed falling back on her butt.



"There... it's growing." She was very tired and her hair was a bubblegum pink. Drandar scooped her up, whispering praises to her.

==

Zandra smiled and almost cried on the spot whn she saw it was growing.



"Oh Opal, I owe you. I owe you more then you'll geuss."



Stardust blossoms. They only bloom at night........







Zandra was sitting in the garden crying after her father had yelled at her for something she hadn't even done. Her brother came up behind her silently.



" You know, dad does it because he worries about how you'll turn out..."



" NO he doesn't!! He hates me..."



She'd just been a little child.



" " No he doesn't, look at this little flower."



It'd been a Stardust Blossom.



" They are rare precious, like you sis. Don't worry you'll surprise everyone. You'll be as special as this little flower."



He'd placed the flower in her hair and she'd tried so hard to keep the flower alive aslong as she could, but when it died all that she would remember was the 'Just like this flower' .



Zandra smiled, looking at the flower infront of her.



Just like this flower.....

==

Opal went into a coughing fit, pixie dust spilling all over Drandar. He held her though, shaking it off. Her bright pink hair stood out against the skin that was turning a forest green. When she opened her eyes they were a glowing yellow. Drandar sighed softly, holding her tenderly. Opal looked at the flower, sitting in Drandar's hands.



"A..." She went into another coughing fit, pixie dust scattering everywhere.



"...stardust blossom." Drandar sat down, cradling her.



"Shh, little one. Rest." He glanced from Opal to the flower to Zandra and back to Opal. The pixie was now laying back against him.

==

Zandra now turned to Opal, pulling her attention away from the flower and to her extreemly drained little friend.



" Do what he says. Sleep. "



Zandra smiled sweetly at the little pixie setting beside Drandar a softly light blue glow on her hand, but she wasn't physically touching Opal at all.

==

Opal buried her hands into Drandar's shirt and pulled close. Eventually her grip loosened and breathing slowed, being fully asleep. The little pixie's appearance had changed drastically. Her skin was a deep forest green, her hair a bright pink, her ears pointed, the edges of her yellow eyes glowing from the little crack in the lids, and her wings sharper and brighter.



Drandar took his eyes from Opal as he cradled her and set them on Zandra.



"That was a large amount of magic and for a moment I thought she wouldn't be able to do it." He smiled slightly, looking at Opal in a brotherly way.



"You know, she really likes you. She wouldn't use so much magic for this to happen if she didn't."

==

" I owe her for more then she knows..... Or you know I suppose... Let's just say that flower means alot to me."



Zandra ran a finger lightly over Opal, it glowing brighter blue as she touched the pixie.

==

Drandar jumped slightly, his eyes widening.



"Oh don't...!" It was too late though as Opal had turned over, jerking from her sleep. She sunk her currently fang-like teeth into Zandra's finger.

==

Zandra winced slightly but laughed seconds later.



" I was helping her heal and it healed my finger when she did that...."



Zandra gentely removed the pixie from her hand and smiled, letting her hand hover over Opal, continuing to help regenrate the little pixie.

==

Opal's eyes were set defiantely on Zandra, glaring. Suddenly the yellowness of the glowing eyes seemed to fade slightly and she shook her head, falling back against Drandar's arm. She shook her head and stood up.



"Oh! Drandar... Zandra... What?" She looked down at herself and sighed, smacking her forehead.



"Oh no... again?" Opal sighed slightly and Drandar shrugged.



"It's okay Opal." She shook her head and stood still, locking her hands behind her. She shut her eyes and her ears began to shrink, and her colors began going back to normal. Within moments, the ears were normal shaped, her skin a peachy color, and her hair was a light blonde. She opened her eyes, which were now back to a pale purplish-blue.



"I'm going to go get something to eat." With that, she fluttered off to the flowers. Drandar looked at Zandra and nodded.



"Thank you and sorry for that. She didn't even realize she did it."

==

Zandra shoook her head looking at the little pixie as she flew off.



" It was no problem, I still owe her...."



zandra looked at ehr little bird and the flower and smiled so happy.



" i owe you both."

==

Drandar shook his head slightly.



"You owe me nothing. I do assume you know what happened to Opal just then though? I don't want you thinking she's nasty like that, because she's not."



Opal was inside a flower, only her legs sticking out as she drank the nectar.

==46==

Zandra shook her head.



" I just figured I had startled her, when I get startled I do odd things... But I could be wrong. As for owing you, ....."



Zandra looked up at him ...



" Yes, I do. I owe you alot."

==

Drandar sighed slightly, smiling and shaking his head.



"Well, not exactly. Never ever do anything that might wake her when she looks like that." He shrugged slightly.



"How about some food, and we'll call it even? I know you have enough food in those pockets to feed an army."

==

" Actually that s the main reason they became the way they are. I had to supply an army for monthes on end. Nut now they only hold my stuff."



Zandra pulled out all sorts of food and shrugged, thinking.



" And for future reference, I think I shall not touch the little pixie...."

==

Drandar nodded slightly and picked up a coconut, extending a claw and cutting it open.



"Thank you. Opal doesn't mind being touched... as long as she's not in that state. It's a more raw form, loss of magic storage does it to her. Poor thing."

==

" And one of the few things I am extremely useful for. Heal and regenerating others. I just can't regenrate myself. Not directly, the pomgranates and the like work, but I can't do what I just did to her. I can't feed myself raw energy. which I can do to others, but it isn't raw when they get it because it filter through me....."

==

" And one of the few things I am extremely useful for. Heal and regenerating others. I just can't regenrate myself. Not directly, the pomgranates and the like work, but I can't do what I just did to her. I can't feed myself raw energy. which I can do to others, but it isn't raw when they get it because it filter through me....."

==

Zandra smiled until he feed more energy to it, which resulted in her scooting away some.



" well I dare not touch fire and I suck with an actual sword, Katana's are lighter weight and I can handle those well. But swords I am usely...And whips, and making potions I severely suck and.."



Zandra contiued to list her flaws.

==

Drandar smiled slightly, watching the flames as he kept them burning.



"You're a lovely healer. You are superb leader. You can scare the pants off most people by just your name. You are very skilled in the elements. You are..." For every negative thing she named, he named a positive. He glanced at her with a grin.



Opal returned, sitting right in front of the fire on the ground.

==

Zabdra looked at Drandar and finally stopped listing.



" Are you determined to prove me wrong, or just male me see the glass as half full, not empty?"

==

Drandar shrugged.



"Either or."

==

Zandra sighed.



" You are just..." To good to be true.

==

Drandar let the fire die away. It was making him rather hot. Instead, he decided to amuse himself by playing with a small flame and some wind.



"I'm just the strangest person in this party. I know." He got a really cool affect going with the wind and the fire swirling around his two index fingers, which he had pressed together.

==

Zandra sighed, looking at Drandar.



" That is not what I was thinking, BUT if you keep doing that you'll end up with a lightnening effect."

==

Drandar looked at her, his ears perking up. He stopped it immediately, coughing lightly.



"Erm... I should probably stop anyhow..." He scratched the back of his neck and shrugged.



I don't want to zap anybody or anything. He looked down to see Opal slowly moving across the ground. Except she wasn't walking or flying, she was just sitting. He looked closer to see ants carrying her and chuckled. Opal grinned and spoke.



"They think I'm their queen!"

==

" Oh no you don't you little ants...."



Zandra grabs her little bird as another group of anys goes to grab it.



" MINE...."





Zandra looked at the group carrying Opal.



" So how does it feel to be insect royalty?"

==

Opal chuckled slightly.



"I feel big! For the first time in my life, I feel big!" She giggled again.



"I must tell you though, being queen kind of tickles." She looked at Zandra as the ants carried her along.



Drandar looked at Zandra, who had snatched the bird, and raised a brow. Possessive much? He grinned though. I don't exactly mind, but still...

==

Zandra smiled,



" If you ever want to be my size, I can temporarly arange it, but it wouldn't be as much fun as it appears. As for the tickling.... Only when your a queen of ants "

==

Opal looked at her, and stood up, though the ants still carried her by standing under her feet.



"Oh, that's okay. I don't mind being small. I can do a lot of things you guys can't. I was just saying that I felt big." She jumped off the ants, and they followed after her, bringing a round of giggles.



Drandar stepped toward Zandra, watching Opal with a smile.



"She really is like my little sister."

==

Zandra smiled, looking at him knowingly.



" I know... Why do you feel the need to re-establish this?"



Zandra remain were she was, so when she stepped closer they were only a few inches apart.



It was very obivious. You protect her like my brother use to me...

==

Drandar just smiled at her, not saying anything. He looked at Opal, who was having a ball with the ants, literally. He chuckled slightly and looked away and back to Zandra.



"I'll let you figure it out." He grinned slightly.

==

Zandra knew what she was hoping he was refuring to, but decided to play the innocent.



" Figure what out?"



Zandra looked up at Drandar, eyes dancing.

==

Drandar smiled micheviously and leaned over to whisper in her ear.



"Why don't you guess and I'll tell you if you're right?" His warm breath brushed across her ear and his lips tickled her cheek.



Opal suddenly spoke, but not to either of them.



"Hello... um... I guess you can dance with me, but what is your name?" It was another leprachaun, this one was a bit younger.



"Name's Larry O'bush." She danced with him as the ants twirled about them. He spoke again.



"N'er I seen any bug like you around, m'dear." For this he got a sharp smack to the face and she shoved him into the bush.



"I'm not a bug you meanie!"

==

Zandra smiled and silently applauded Opal.



Then her attention returned to the man who was currently sending chills up and down her spin, but the good kind that make you feel like it's hot even when it's snowing out kind....



" I am such a poor person at geussing...."



Zandra replied Barely managing to pull to pull off her innocnet air.

==

Drandar smiled, setting his bright green eyes on her.



"There's a leprechaun about, I'm sure you'll have luck." He was still standing close to her, his eyes sparkling.



Larry got up again, scowling at her.



"Lass, you're a cruel little bug." One could practically see the fire in her eyes. She pointed at him, speaking to the ants.



"Get him!" The ants obeyed, charging at the leprechaun.

==

Zandra smiled as she watched the little lepri- (( I use '-' to shorten words)) get chased by the ants, and looked up at Drandar and her breath caught, when he looked at her with those eyes.....



I don't think I could answer if I wanted to, when he looks at me like that I'm like putty.....

==

Drandar chuckled softly, leaning and brushing his lips across her cheek. He had never been this way with any other girl he knew, and he hardly knew why he was doing it now.



Larry was chased away and Opal thanked the ants, letting them carry her off. Aurelia flew after Opal, determined to stay close to her.

==

Zandra watched the group go and her mind screamed to go and retrive her bird this instant, but she wouldn't let herself.



Besides, you decided to let it decide if it was going to stay..... and right now.....



Zandra had never had any guy have this effect on her..... Not this severely. This was begining to make her feel slightly unsure how to handle the situation.



Zandra smiled when she felt him kiss her on the cheek and looked at Drandar, completely unsure what she was or wasn't doing at this point.

==

Drandar's lips curved up into a smile, as he stood there near her, his breath brushing her skin like a soft feather. For moment he stood like that. His hand gently toyed with her curls as her watched her. His ears were low and he was left only with a smile. He looked away from her though, sitting down on a boulder.



Opal meanwhile was having a parade, riding now on Aurelia with the ants beneath.



I wonder if I should leave them alone. Drandar might do something stupid again.

==

Zandra looked at Drandar and smiled as she watched the proccesssion disappear.



" Drandar... Now that Opal isn't here to beat you up...."



Zandra set down and kissed him.



" And if she finds out, it was my fault... because... it was..."

==

Drandar smiled slightly, and leaned forward.



"I'll take the blame, no need to worry." He kissed her this time.



Opal suddenly heard something and the ant's all scattered. She looked around and before anything else, they were zipping back towards Zandra and Drandar.



"DDDDRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDDA AAAAAARRRRRRRR!"

==

Zandra ignored Opal, smiling and wrapping her arms around Drandar's neck.

==

Drandar lips curved upward slightly, his hands sliding around her waist.



Opal was panicking now.



"DRAAANNNDDDAARRR! ZAAAANNNNDDDDDRRRAAA!" She picked up a stick with the help of Aurelia and jabbed Drandar in the side. Unfortunately, it was sharp and it broke the skin.



Drandar jerked back, his hand flying through the air with the claws extended. They dodged and Opal was flittering wildly about.



"There's someone there!!!"

==

Zandra jumped back and kept herself rfrom getting hit.



" Opal that was stupid...."



She stood up and plced her hadn on Drandar's should, not being able to help herself and touched his ear lightly.

==

Drandar's ear flicked backward against his head at her touch and it brought a smile to her face.



Opal looked at Drandar, a pleading look in her eyes.



"I know that was stupid, but I had to get your attention. There's someone in the woods!"

==

Zandra, who's attention had been completely on Drandar payed attention to little Opal now.



" Oh? Do you know anything aside from 'someone' ?"

==

Opal looked at Zandra.



"It's a girl and she's green and she looks like... that!" She pointed to a woman with green skin and fierce orange eyes that had just appeared in the clearing.

==

Zandra looked at the woman, still standing directly beside Drandar and a slight growl escaped her.



" Can I help you?"

==

The woman spoke to Zandra, there was something strange about her eyes and her voice was eerie and ringing.



"Will you help me find the pond?" Her fingers were lightly resting on the tree trunk and her hair was a pale blue color, hanging long about her and her white robes.

==

Zandra looked at Drandar getting a completely uneasy feeling.



" I'm not going to help her. That's all I'll say...."



She looked at you.



" Don't even think about......."



Zandra's tail was now out and twitching she had extremely ill feelings about this.

==

The woman's eyes didn't move, but they weren't looking at anything particular.



"Please, help me find my lake. I beg of you." Opal then realized what was wrong with the girl's eyes. They had no pupil. She spoke softly to the two demons.



"She's blind."



Kiaati, being nearby with Mizuka had heard everything that had gone on. She heard the voice and spoke quietly, hoping Zandra or Drandar could here her where Mizuka could not.



"She's the lady in the lake, a power of good."

==

Zandra sighed, recovering, ahving been caught off gaurd.



Okay, well in that case I'll help.



"Okay, come with me, of all things I can find water ...."



Zandra relaxed alittle, alking gracefully over to the woman.



" Okay, in order to help you might wanna tell me which lake I need to find...."

==

The lady moved her head towards Zandra's voice. She narrowed her eyes slightly.



"My lake." She held up a hand and reached out. A thin webbing between her fingers could be seen, but she had perfect use of her hands as she used the trees to guide her along. Her voice was eerie and quiet, but it rang with such magnitude that it couldn't be missed. Opal hesitantly flew over and landed on the lady's shoulder. The lady smiled and turned her head towards Opal. Opal spoke.



"My name is Opal, what it yours?" The lady was silent for a moment.



"Amadahy." Opal nodded slightly. Drandar raised a brow, his hand resting on Zandra's shoulder. He spoke a soft whisper.



"It means, forest water." Amadahy nodded slightly, holding out a hand and speaking.



"Yes, strong one. Speak again, high one." The latter half of the statement was obviously directed to Zandra.

==

ZAndra nodded and smiled slightly.



" My name is Lynne. And as for your lake..... My my...."



Zandra looked almmost as if she were thinking and then sighed, looking at the woman infront of her.



" It isn't very close, mind if I ask how come your so far from home? hwile we walk that is......"



Zandra took Drandar's hand in her own as she sarted off slowly for the lake, looking at Opal.



" Guide her Opal....."

==

Amadahy spoke before Opal said anything, her head turned towards Opal.



"Little one, as long as they are making noise, I can follow them, you needn't worry." Opal giggled slightly, playing with a strand of Amadahy's hair. The woman looked back forward, following after Zandra and Drandar, her fingers gliding over the tree trunks. Surprisingly, she didn't seem too uncoordinated and she didn't hit anything.



"They were coming."

==

Zandra kept herself form doing the 'who, fish hunters?' and sighed.



" Who is 'they' ? And I was just being cautious, I sometimes start walking to lightly for others to hear....."

==

Amadahy spoke after a few moments of silence. Her voice though was only a ringing whisper.



"The Fisks." Opal remembered hearing this word before... she just couldn't quite remember where from.

==

Now Zandra paused for a few seconds and looked at the woman, then continued on....



" Okay, I think I might sound like a fool... But... The 'fisks' ??"

==

Amadahy tensed slightly, listening carefully, as if expecting something to jump out. She kept walking though.



"Do not speak of them so freely. They are the vicious ones that seek to kill the..." She froze, her head jerking to the right. She put a finger to her lips.



"Oh no... they come." Her ears picked up a delicate ringing, but one that would send chills down the spine. She looked around wildly, nervous now.

==

Then it dawned on Zandra what she was refuring to and shook her head.



" Don't worry right now, if they touch you I dice them, ask anyone I ahve made that threat to, and see if I haven't followed through. Now come one....."

==

Drandar looked at Zandra, the edge of his mouth turning up as he watched and listened. He raised a brow slightly, glancing back. Opal landed on Drandar's shoulder and Aurelia dove into one of Zandra's pockets. Amadahy reached forward suddenly, the tips of her fingers touching Zandra's shoulder. She hung her head.



"They have no fear. We must hurry."

==

Zandra laughed softly, almost sounding extremely dangerous.



" One has nothing to fear save fear its self. But I am a close second when made...."



Zandra made it to <Insert woman's name> lake and sighed.



" We are here, but I don't think it will be safe for long."

==

Amadahy ((ah-ma-daa-hee)) touched the water's edge with her foot and quickly drew away. She looked around, taking Opal off of her shoulder and tossing the pixie lightly into the air.



"Thank you, stay there." That was all she spoke before diving into the water, strangely not making anything but ripples on the water's surface. She disappeared as she went through the water's surface.

==

Zandra just remained were she was, ears up out of habit, looking for any stray sound.



Oh this is just wonderful.... Not only does Opal disturb issues, she pokes Drandar in the side causing him to roar up and making me leap back, then I see this woman......... Whom's lake I find.... Then here I am wondering what next....... Oh brother....... Their better be an orange some where....

==

Drandar turned, his back near Zandra's as he caught a sound behind them. Opal landed on Zandra's shoulder, her hands trembling as she spoke softly.



"They're everywhere..." Animals black as night puffed up in smoke, their yellow eyes gleaming from the darkness. There were at least a hundred. Suddenly a bluish light filled the clearing and they yelped and ran or disappeared in puffs of smoke. Amadahy stood on top of the water towards the middle of a lake, a lamp with a blue flame hanging from her hand. She walked over to the three, holding the lamp high with one hand as her feet walked across the water, small ripples moving across the water. She was close to them and blinked her eyes, the strange eyes splitting and a small black pupil appearing. She smiled and nodded.



"Thank you my friends."

==

" No problem.... I think...."



Zandra smiled genuiely being friendly.



" opal relax, do you have that little faith in other people's skills, should we have needed to defend ourselves?"

==

Opal sighed.



"No... I just don't really like wolf-like creatures." Drandar nodded slightly.



"If you recall wolf demons have a bone with pixies, Zandra." Amadahy smiled slightly, holding the lamp. Even though she had just been under the water, not a bit of her was wet.



"Is there anything I could do for you as thanks? You could have some water from my lake if you like."

==

Zandra smiled looking at the lake.



" You do realize when I ran across your lake it gave me the creeps, right? It had this..... Feeling. Now I know why. And I'll take that as more then a thank you gift. I mind not in helping when it comes to water....."



Zandra actually smiled running her feet through the water lightly.

==

Amadahy nodded slightly.



"I thought you seemed familiar. Now that I can see you again, I recognize you. I thank you still though." She held the lamp still, the blue flame lighting the clearing. She brushed a bit of her blue hair from her green skin, the webbing between her fingers stretching as she spread her fingers. She was standing ontop of the water still, watching Zandra.



Drandar said nothing and Opal flew over, landing on his shoulder now. Aurelia poked her head out of Zandra's pocket, chirping.

==

Zandra smiled at Aurelia.



" Hello girl, it's okay, your my little pet, until you decide to leave anyway...."



Zandra smiled running her fingers through the water.



" No need to thank me, about time I did something decent."



Zandra finally looked up at her.



" I don't know what your first impression of me was.... but I am sorry if I came off wrong."

==

Amadahy raised a brow slightly, watching Zandra carefully. It was a good thing that Amadahy had given her permission to touch her water, or it would make her violently sick.



"I know you've changed, Zandra." She smiled, placing a finger to her lips.



"You keep my secret and I'll keep yours."

==

" I would love to keep it, but I fear I do not know what it is you wish me to remain silent about. And thank you for the permission.... I kinda got a negative feeling from it earlier and left it be... but that changed a few mintues ago....."



Zandra smiled, as a small coil of water wrapped around her leg and set down, now playing in the water almost like a bird does in a bird bath, just less agressively.

==

Amadahy laughed lightly, the sound eerie like water running over bells in a cave. ((<.< that was a strange similie...)) She walked across the surface of the water, only ripples coming from each step.



"You needn't worry. I trust you." Drandar walked over, sitting down beside the water and watching Zandra.

==

Zandra smiled, she loved the water. which puzzled her parents, because as a general rule, cat demons hated it. Also as a general rule bird hated cat demons and cat demons loved eating fish. Then their was Zandra, contridiction to each of those rules.



Zandra sighed after awhile, just letting her feet rest in the water.



" I should probably stop poluting your lake now."

==

Amadahy was now sitting on top of the water, holding the lamp in her lap. She smiled and shook her head.



"You're not doing anything to my lake, if anything, it's doing something to you." She ran her fingers along the surface, but it remained still and she remained dry.

==

Now Zandra looked at her confused.



" I am fine. It hasn't harmed me. I just don't want to do anythign to your water, it is your possesion, not mine, and though I love it dearly, all water really, I don't lay claim to any of it."

==

Amadahy smiled slightly and shook her head. She knew it wouldn't harm Zandra, because the woman had her permission. Her lake though was magical. All the lakes of the ladies were. Sometimes it would give a euphoric or purifying affect by just touching it to everyone but the ladies.



"This lake was born because I was."

==

Zandra smiled looking at the woman before her.



" Then I am glad you were born."



Zandra really felt like swimming, but restrained herself.



Now is not the time young lady!



The voice sounded almost like her fathers in her ehad and due to this fact it just made her want to jump in more.

==

Amadahy nodded slightly, inclining her head a bit.



"Thank you, high one. Shame that I'm blind when I go too far." She let her right leg swing down, floating in the water while she sat on the rest

==

zandra smiled.



" You keep calling me high one, I thank you for the respect, but please call me Lynne."



Zandra smiled and the water was now flowing in between her hands. Not touching them though, looking suspended in air.



" One thing about it, I can bring water where ever I want...."

==

Amadahy sighed slighty and shook her head.



"I can't call you by your name often, it makes me sick." She watched Zandra moving the water about. She blinked a few times and then fell down into the water, disappearing into the water. She popped out in the shallows near Zandra, not being seen at all and rising up as though she had been laying on the bottom, though it was only five inches deep where she stood now.

==

Zandra glanced over at the lady.



" I'd ask why but I fear the answer. And that is neat.... To bad I can't fit a lake in my pocket like I can put everything-"



Alot of lights went off in Zandra's head at this idea, but she decided even if she could, she wouldn't.

==

"Fear not, 'tis only the magic of my being. Tell me though. What were you thinking?" She brushed a piece of her blue hair from her face, still completely dry. One would never have guessed that she had been in the lake by her appearance. It was a gift. She could do it with most water, but it was easiest in her lake.

==

Zandra looked like a guitly little girl. She had been having a very selfish thought so felt rather bad about it.



" I'd been thinking if only I could carry a lake around in my pocket like everything else. If only I could take what I love with me..... Which I probably could, I could relocate a body of water at will.... BUt filling the whole were that water use to be or making a new one would be alot more challenging due to my limited Earth skills......"

==

Amadahy smiled slightly and shook her head.



"I'd really rather you not." She stood on the surface of the water, walking out toward the center a little further. She was silent for a moment, thinking. She looked at Zandra and held out a green hand to the woman.



"Would you like to see some of my treasures?"

==

Zandra looked at Amadahy for a few seconds.



" Can I bring my friends with me? I know they might not enjoy it as much as me, but I really would prefer it if they came....."



Zandra went to turn and look at Drandar and almost jumped when she noticed he was setting beside her.



" Sorry... I get oblivious when I'm having fun...."

==

Drandar chuckled slightly, looking at Zandra.



"So I've noticed. Sure, I'd come with you... if that was okay?" He looked up at Amadahy with a brow raised. The woman reached out towards Opal.



"Little one, come here." Opal flew over and landed in Amadahy's hand. She looked at The woman with big curious eyes. Amadahy sat the girl on her shoulder.



"Hold onto my ear, whatever you do, do not let go." She held out her two hands to the other two and nodded.



"Only if you can both hold on. You can't break connection or it could be fatal." She blinked, spreading her fingers, the webbing stretching out.

==

Zandra smiled and nodded, looking at Drandar for a second, and unable to help herself by this spontanious urge, she kissed him right in the middle fo everything then stood up and walked over to Amadahy. Now bluhing slightly realizing what she'd done.

==

Amadahy just blinked, not faultering and still holding out her hands. Opal looked at Zandra and tilted her head slightly, looking at the woman curiously.



"Doesn't that taste bad?" Drandar chuckled slightly, smiling from the kiss.

==

Zandra now could not look up and was blushing so hard that her face was a bright red.



" Actually it is raher enjoyable...."



Zandra took Amadahy's hand refusing to look up for fear that her face was on fire still.

==

Opal saw that Zandra was very much beginning to resemble a cherry and she freaked out.



"Oh no! You're not changing are you?" She zipped over, putting her hands on Zandra's face.



"Stay with me! It'll be okay, don't change!" She zipped up and began rubbing Zandra's ear.



"Oh wait! She said not to do that. Drandar! Drandar talk to her!" Drandar laughed at this, unable to say anything through the laughter.

==48==

[Sushi]

zandra was unable to speak at this point and very much would have climbed under the nearest rock.



She snatched Opal up, making her blush leave her face, but still inwardly so embarresed by now that it was beyond worring about.



" I am not changing Opal...."



Zandra now looked at Drandar who was laughing. Tilting her head to the side, looking at him much like a cat does when it is curious about a new object.



He's cutier laughing. Didn't think that was possible.

==

Opal sighed of relief.



"Thank goodness." She fluttered over to Amadahy, who had just been watching this with interest. Opal grabbed her ear gently as the woman continued to hold out her hands, the lamp swinging from her elbow.



Drandar stopped laughing, though the smile remained on his face. He didn't often laugh like that, sure he would give a chuckle, but he hardly ever truely laughed. He glanced at Opal. Pure innocence. He looked back to Zandra and raised a brow, wondering why she was staring at him.

==

Zandra shook her head.



Wait until I get you cornered mister............ I shall inform you of a few things.... NAd I shall pray Opal remains so innocent. It's refreshing.





Zandra took Amadahy's hand, looking still at Drandar in her curious manner.

==

Drandar took Amadahy's other hand somewhat tentatively. The woman nodded.



"Do not let go. Whatever you do, do not let go." She walked out over the surface of the water, and as long as they held on, they could do the same. She reached the middle of the lake and let them fall through the surface. As long as they held to her they would be fine, they could see and they could go without breathing. She swam down through the waters towards the bottom. It was dark, but light at the same time, a magical lake that was deep than it looked.



Kiaati meanwhile was still waiting on a response from Mizuka. I suppose right about now they are seeing the treasures of her lake. Kiaati remembered the experience from a few years ago. It was something one could never forget, not that she wanted to.

==

Zandra looked around, feeling at home, but had to fight herself to keep herself from clawing into Amadahy's hand for better grip.



I love it down here already.



Zandra started looking around, smiling like a little girl in a candy shop at all the simple wonders she saw just as she decended.



And this is just the begining I get the feeling.....

==

Amadahy swam deeper, breathing the water, but taking air from it instead. Her feet stretched, the webbing between the toes spread as they grew further apart. Her feet were now somewhat like flippers, propelling her faster. They got near the bottom of the lake and the light shining through the water was reflecting off of shiny little things, rocks, bits of colored glass, and the like. The bottom of the lake was stone with sand over it. Some of the stone stuck out and one could see intricate carvings everywhere. Amadahy spoke clearly, her voice bouncing through the water.



"This is my home."

==

Zandra smiled adn looked about, fighting her instante want to touch and trace everything. This was extremely hard for her seing as curosity normal got the best of her. She behaved thoguh, using her other hand to point at one object that had caught her attention she direly wished to look at closer.

==

Amadahy laughed lightly, glad that Zandra had not tried to speak, for she would have promptly gotten water in her mouth and would have had serious issues. Amadahy glided towards the object with a smile.



"You can touch that if you want."



Kiaati walked away, a slight smile on her face. That had been a very good conversation, but she had to leave Mizuka to figure it out for herself. Kiaati couldn't control the woman. Suddenly she heard footsteps behind her. She listened for a moment more and recognized them. How could she not? They were her familiar friend's.



"You got lost didn't you Jeff? That's okay. Come on." She walked off towards lake she knew to be nearby, knowing that Jeff was following.

==

Zandra smiled, touching it carefully and tracing little words written across it here and their, marvling at it and then nodding towards something else....

==

Amadahy smiled, gliding them along from object to object. Drandar thought this looked amazing and Opal stared in awe. They did this for several minutes.



Kiaati came to the lake. She had met Amadahy before, they were friends. This meant she needn't worry about having permission. Kiaati took off her shoes and lifted her cloak slightly, stepping into the shallows.



Amadahy stopped for a moment, looking upward. She could see what her guests could not, but she didn't need to see, she felt it. "Wise one is here."

==

Zandra nodded and made a motion up with her free hand.

==

Amadahy nodded slightly, and pulled them all to the surface, guiding them out of the shallows. Though she was not wet, they were soaked. Drandar blew out a gust of wind to dry them. Kiaati stood there, unfazed, though her hair was a bit windswept. She smiled at Amadahy and the two smiled at each other, exchanging greetings.

==

Zandra growled as the wind swept her hair into an unruly mess.



" Oh Drandar!!"



Zandra was running her hadn through her curls in seconds then sighed and smiled when she got them back to their normal, or what was now, normal cascade of spirals.



" Sorry...."



Zandra smiled, going back over to Drandar remembing what had been going on before Opal and couldn't help but blush slightly all over again.

==

Drandar grinned wide, playing with one of her curls.



"They're more fun when they're dry." His eyes danced. Opal poked Zandra's neck.



"Why are you blushing?" Amadahy spoke to Kiaati.



"My friend, it's been a while. Do you still have my gift?" Kiaati laughed slightly, drawing up her cloak to expose her bare ankle. Strange as it seemed, it was very feminine like.



"How could I lose it? Your magic, and though it's on me, I still haven't figured it out. All I know is that it appears when I think about it." Slowly, a design appeared around her ankle, interlinked tear dropped went around the skin and at the ankle there was an orb with a cresent moon above waves appeared. Amadahy laughed.



"True."

==

Zandra ignored both Kiaati's conversation and Opal, Pciking Opal and setting her down on the ground, eyes never losing contact with Drandar's.



" Oh I suppose for you..."



Zandra's eyes were sparkling with a mix of mischeif and a 'unknown' ( <- Yeah right lol) element.



Zandra remembered how she'd felt before when something like this had started and she looked at him for a second wondering if she should either suggest they move to a little less obivous spot, or if she should gentely ease out of it for now..... But she really didn't want to do the latter......

==

Opal zipped over to Kiaati, running her fingers over the design.



"OOO! I didn't know you had magic?!" Kiaati laughed and shook her head.



"I don't. This is Amadahy's magic." Amadahy held out the lamp to Kiaati and she took it, glancing at Zandra. Amadahy spoke.



"Assuming that these people are with you, you realize a certain... development between two people right?" Drandar's eyes sparkled and he took a step back, sitting down on a stump.

==

Drandar sitting down was not helping ehr descision because she found herself settin dwon on the ground infront of him looking up at him, for some reason not wanting to break eye contact.



Zandra heard what the others we saying, but didn't, she was more preoccupied with the current situation.

==

Kiaati nodded slightly. Drandar leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees. Suddenly, a rather large disc flew from over the trees and landed on both of the demon's heads, the stone cracking. Kiaati looked at them.



"Bad luck. You two okay?"

==

Zandra rubbed her head, muttering enough words to make anythign near by wilt.



She stopped.



" Yeah... Stupid little...."



Zandra stopped herself from starting in again and stoop up, going over to the now broken stone and cursing it out all over again informing it it should burn in the fire pits of unknown depths and be forgottne about.

==

Kiaati looked at Zandra, not at all bothered by the dirty language. She tilted her head slightly to the side and speaking an offhanded comment.



"You know... I've never cursed in my entire life... I just realized that." Drandar was rubbing his head before standing up and picking up half and hurling it far, the stone piece flying away over the tree tops. Kiaati watched it before speaking again.



"I wonder if that's what happened to make it hit you two." She shrugged slightly. Opal had meanwhile zipped over and was covering Zandra's mouth.



"No, no! You shouldn't say so many dirty things at once! It's bad."

==

Zandra, at this point upset, was thinking how she normal did when mad, not at all.



" Shut the hell up. I can say what ever the **** pleases me. "



Znadra then realized what she had just done and look horrified.



" OH Opal, I am terribly sorry... I just..."



Zandra growled and the rock was burried under the ground in seconds.

==

Opal was crying, hiding inside the bud on a tree, high up. Drandar looked at Zandra for a moment, not pleased at all. He ran off, jumping into the tree and climbing up to the bud he had seen her open and then jump into. He stroked it, whispering softly. Kiaati sighed softly, still standing in the water up to her ankles. She spoke to Zandra, remembering very well what was going on.



"Words can be very nasty and dirty things, especially to something so used to tasting the sweet and pure." Amadahy, sighed and nodded, though she didn't speak anything.

==

Zandra felt about an inch high and walked off, diappearing without even the slightest sound. Her temper had caused more the one problem and had done so yet again.



One didn't need tracking skills or good hearing to know were Zandra was headed though, she went in search of the same thing she always looked for.... A comforting area. Some were that was queit and peaceful. Their was always one place like that in a forest, just to find it.

==

Kiaati sighed slightly and stepped out of the water. The design on her ankle had disappeared as she slipped her shoes back on. Things just seem to go from one problem to the next. I wish that for one day things could go right. Happy birthday to me. She looked at Amadahy and nodded.



"I'm sorry, but as you see, I have things I need to tend to. Broken things to try and fix." Amadahy nodded. Normally now would be the point that people would hug, but even Amadahy knew that Kiaati was extremely wary and didn't much favor touch. Kiaati looked at Drandar, who looked up at her. She motioned for him to stay where he was and help Opal, to which he nodded. Kiaati waited a few moments before walking off after Zandra.

==

Zandra was in a small clearing not to far away, she hadn't wanted to make Kiaati think she'd left.... But she very much did resemble a little girl who was upset because she ahd had her first arguement with her best friend. KNees pulled up to chin, tail and ears gone, and completely silent. She didn't even ame an effort when she heard someoen coming her way.

==

Kiaati knew that Zandra hadn't left, but she had a feeling she should follow. She came quietly into the clearing, standing in the shadows. For a moment she remained silent. When she did speak, it was quietly.



"Did you know that one time, a pomegranate made me sick?"



Drandar was still trying to comfort Opal.



Amadahy dove back into the waters, disappearing.

==

Zandra did not feel like talking, she had just hurt one of the most innocent an caring beings she'd ever come across.... And not only that, that person ahd been her friend and like a sister to Drandar.



FOOL! HOW COULD???? HOW COULD YOU??????????????????



The question circled around in Zandra's head, making her feel even worse ever time it repeated it's self.

==

Kiaati looked at Zandra, and squatted down in front of her.



"I still love pomegranates." She shrugged slightly, looking at Zandra.



"Come on, the Zandra that I know and fought for nine years wouldn't be beating herself up like this. The Zandra I know would have just heard Drandar calling her name."



Drandar help Opal as he sat on the stump now, the little pixie, not looking at distressed. He hadn't called Zandra, but who was to know that?

==

Zandra finally looked at kiaati, speaking softly.



" Kiaati, I have scrwed many, many lives up. I have ended more then enough, I have hurt more then enough. I wish not to continue to do so, the Zandra you fought with has been worn down by time and questioning herself. She's still their...... Just with a few changes......"



Zandra sighed, getting up. She hadn't heard Drandar say a word, but either way she wanted to make sure Opal would be okay, even if Drandar was mad at her..... Even though the thought made her stomach turn.

==

Kiaati stood straight, looking Zandra dead in the eye.



"I'm not telling you to be the same person you were, every day we change a little. I know you've changed simply for the reason we are in each other's presence and speak on friendly terms. I'm telling you to be who you are and not beat yourself up over it." She turned and began walking back to camp.



Drandar was smiling and Opal was laughing when Kiaati walked in.

==

" Everytime you talk to me, I change. I do not remain even close to the same I was last time. I shift and flow with times and situations, but remaining myself is a fight. but if one can not accept themselves, how can you expect someone else to accept you?"



Zandra looked at Drandar as she approached adn saw Opal, and smiled seeing her better, but still feeling awful about what she'd said, but now the cold hard shell she usually turned into. Walls about 100 feet high and twice that in density surrounding her emotional to keep her from breaking down.

==

Kiaati stopped, turning and looking Zandra in the eye, her mouth turned up slightly. She raised a brow, speaking with her voice low.



"Maybe it's through other's accepting eyes that you can see yourself and accept who you are. You have friends with special eyes and warm hearts with all of us here."



Drandar looked up, smiling, Opal followed his gaze and waved at Zandra.

==

Zandra looked at Drandar for a long time, not saying anything, then finally made herself look at Opal and saw her wave. She smiled slightly, nodding to show she'd seen her and then went back over to Amadahy's water, just looking down at it thinking.



She wanted to apologize to everyone, but the walls that now came up out of habit forbid her to even speak.

==

Drandar pounced on Zandra, pummeling her to the ground away from the water. He was laughing.



"I got ya'!"

==

Zandra sighed at Drandar, not even moving, pinned beanth him.



" Yes, you did."



She was not in a playful mood, when she feel into a depressed state, pulling her out required alittle bit of effort on her part, and her will to fight was very low at the moment.



" So shall we lay here? Or were you expecting me to play back...?"





Zandra finally looked up at Drandar, looking him straight in the eye.

==

Drandar grinned wide, his eyes dancing.



"Oh, I'm quite comfortable." He leaned forward and kissed her right in front of everybody.

==

Zandra was caught completely off gaurd by this and almsot shoved him off of her, but then didn't, and was blushing all over agian.



Zandra looked up at him and mummbled uner her breath.



" And I'm not turning into an peice of red food."

==

Drandar smiled, looking at her. He brushed away a strand of her hair from her face, kissing her forehead before rolling off of her. He laughed lightly, grinning from ear to ear.



Opal landed on Kiaati's shoulder, speaking to her quietly.



"Why do they keep kissing?" Kiaati chuckled lightly, shaking her head. She had allowed romance among her ranks, and had been asked why for. To this she always asked why not. She just grinned at Opal.



"It's a special thing, you'll figure it out on your own soon enough." She coughed lightly, hearing a growling in the woods.



"Hey guys, I hate to be a party pooper, but we should get going."

==

Zandra smiled, kissing Drandar herself, then stood up, looking at him.



" You laugh now......"



Zandra's tone spoke volumes of future things for him to keep in mind, but then turned to Kiaait and nodded.

==49==

Drandar grinned at her, hopping up to his feet. He nodded and glanced at Kiaati, nodding again.



Kiaati turned and walked off. She didn't need a compass. She knew where she was going. Opal fluttered over to Zandra, grinning. Kiaati spoke before exiting the clearing.



"Goodbye Amadahy, I hope to see you again." Amadahy's voice rung out, though she wasn't visible.



"Goodbye wise one, don't be such a stranger." Opal spoke to Zandra.



"Do you have any peppermints in your pockets?"

==

Zandra smiled, pulling out a handful of peppermints in a array of size and color.



" Pick your posion.....Oh wait, they are fine to eat that is just a figure of speech."



Zandra followed Kiaati, glancing back at the lake and waving and then walking beside Drandar, pulling out a butterscotch peice and popping it in her mouth.

==

Drandar pulled the butterscotch from earlier out of his pocket. He grinned, popping it into his own mouth. Opal laughed slightly.



"Your words are dangerous." She grabbed a green peppermint, on of the smaller ones and put it into her mouth. It made her cheeks bulge out and then she couldn't get it back out. She looked a bit panicked, but then turned into a chipmunk, looking very hapy now.

==

Zandra smiled and nodded.



" Alittle to dangerous sometimes...... And maybe next time you should have a soft peppermint."



Zandra looked at Kiaati and Jeff and Shook her head glancing at Drandar.



What an odd group.......

==

Kiaati then heard a loud howl and several scurrying sounds. She sighed. It's going to storm I bet. As if on cue, a crack of thunder could be heard overhead and the rain poured down as if the sky had broken. She pulled up her hood, looking around and spotting a cave.



"Let's make camp. Rough day though little traveling, the heavens know the rest could be good." She walked into the cave, noticing an old man. She held her chin high and her shoulders back in a proud way, giving off a high air.



"Dear sir, can we use your cave?" He was gaping at them all and he hit the ground, bowing to them muttering something about a prophecy. Kiaati nodded, dropping a few silver coind for him as she made her way all of the way to the back of the cave, sitting down in the shadows.

==

Zandra was so sure she wanted to go in, she looked up as the rain poured on her head, herself shortly being drenched straight to the shink. when it rained it was almsot like a play ground for her, she twirled, spirling curls going every which way.



Oh alright...In a second....



Zandra smiled doing a few more twrils and a cart-wheel or two, then sighed, coming into the entrance, and stopping, looking at Drandar, clothes clinging to her from head to toe.



" My pockets remain dry, but I am drenched..... Me and my self indulgences.... Would you mind being such a charming dear?"

==

Drandar, not quite sure how he did it, felt like he had a bit of flames at the back of his throat as he blew a gentle wind at Zandra, the currents very warm. So he acted very much like an oversized, and slightly more powerful, hairdryer. When he finished he grinned slightly, the flames disappearing. He tugged gently on one of her curls.



"Happy?"

==

Zandra smiled warmly looking at him.



" Very much so."



Zandra then moved about so that she was in one of the more Isolated spots of the cave and pulled Aurelia out and made sure the little bird was okay. Then placed it on the cave floor so it could run about, looking back up at Drandar, letting Kiaati think.

==

Drandar grinned and waited until he thought that Zandra was looking away. It was at the point that he coughed up the smoke that he realized was caught in the back of his throat. Going to have to work on that...



Kiaati sat down cross-legged on the floor, not bothering to take off her cloak or bags. She took a breath, flipping down her hood and shutting her eyes as she thought.

==

Zandra smiled as the little bird hopped into her lap, she plled out some grapes and started popping a few in her mouth, feeding one to the little bird every now and then.



" Come sit, will you?"

==

Opal walked over to the bird and sighed slightly. She looked at Zandra with big pleading eyes.



"If I tried to turn into a golden flitterbod, would you feed me a grape?" Aurelia chirped slightly, flitting over to Opal and pushing her towards Zandra.



Drandar walked over behind Zandra, chuckling slightly.

==

Zandra smiled and gave Opal a grape.



So sweet and gentle, and so easy to hurt.... Must remain tender towards this one always....



Zandra looked up at Drandar, whom was standing behind her.



" What is so funny?"



Zandra now had both Opal and Aurelia asking for grapes so was now giving one or the other a grape ever other time. Making Zandra wonder were either of them were putting all of them.

==

Drandar chuckled lightly, shaking his head.



"Oh, keep feeding her those grapes and you'll see." Sure enough, Opal suddenly gave a loud hiccup, falling back on her butt. He hair had changed to a blue. She giggled slightly, hiccuping again. Now her hair was a dark green.



Suddenly there was a rather strange sound in the cave. It was fairly high and it sounded like something small was saying, "SQUEEEEEEE!"

==

What are Grapes like liquior for pixies now??? Oh this is just what I would need..... A drunk pixie.....



Even if it wasn't the case, the thought made her laugh.



" Oh dear.... Please warn me next time some fruit is going to have a strane effect on her."



And as an after thought..



" Or anything else really, not limited to fruit."

==

Drandar sat down behind Zandra.



"Don't worry about this. It just gives her the hiccups. Whatever you do though, do not let her eat any sort of tea product. That is like vodka minus the burn." Opal laughed slightly, hiccuping again and changing her hair color to jet black. Kiaati stood up, walking to the front of the cave looking for the thing making the 'squee' sound.

==

Zandra smiled.



" OKay, NEVER any tea for her then.... And, aside from that I am assuming she'll be fine..... But she looks rather book wormish with black hair....."



Zandra smiled as little Aurelia hopped over to Opal and tried to copy the hiccuping sounding, but failing miserablely.



" You know, I think those tow are not going to part happily....."

==

At Aurelia's attempt, Opal laughed harder, hugging the bird. She hiccuped again, her hair turning the exactly color of Aurelia's feathers. The bird cooed and chirped happily pecking at it.



Drandar chuckled, playing with one of Zandra's curls again.



"I have to agree with you there. I believe they were sisters in a past life or something."



Kiaati suddenly fell over.

==

Zandra lept to her feet, cat ears coming out in seconds, and carefully walking to the front of the cave, hand, out of habit, resting on the hilt of her Katana....



All I want is to be left alone with my hiccuping friend and golden pet, adn charming green eyed affection receiver.....



zandra was still in denial about what she should probably term Drandar by now, she simply refused to do such a thing.... for the moment anyway.

==

Kiaati rolled over, lying flat on the ground, her hands on the stone as her elbows stuck up in the air. She was flat on her stomach, looking at a spot on the ground. She was speaking.



"I told you I was sorry. You didn't have to go and do that. I could have stepped on you, but I didn't. I could have sliced you open in nothing flat, but I didn't. It was very poor manners to take a cheap shot on someone being nice to you." Drandar got up and looked at Zandra, holding onto some throwing stars, but looking at Kiaati like she was insane. He whispered softly to Zandra.



"I really do think that we're following someone who has lost their mind..."

==

" Nonsense..... I think..."



Zandra did take and look Kiaati over severely and placed her hand on her forehead to make sure she hadn't caught cold out in the rain.



" Are you feeling Okay, or is their somethign I'm missing....once again..."

==

Kiaati glanced at Zandra, realizing that they must think she was crazy. A rock suddenly flew through the air, hitting the back of her head. She flinched, looking back at the spot.



"You're being awfully nasty." With a swift movement, she swiped something up from the ground, and hopped to her feet. She held out her hand, opening the palm to show a rock. She sighed, poking it.



"Don't you go doing that. If you're tough enough to hit a girl, then you're tough enough to show your face." The rock stretched up to a little man, made out of rock and looking quite unhappy.

==

Now Zandra almost growled at the rock, snatching it swiftly out of Kiaati's hand and holding the person in question between two fingers.



" Your not responsible for other flying rocks are you? "



Zandra was not angry, at the moment, if she found out that this little thing was responsible for earlier though.....

==

The rock looked very much like it would be willing to self-combust at the moment.



"No, though I wish I had. I don't like any of you at all. Intruding in my cave!" Kiaati smacked her forehead, taking back the rock man, holding him gently.



"I'm terribly sorry about her, she has a terrible temper. As I was saying before, we'll leave as soon as the rain lets up. We needed refuge, Spirit of the Cave."

==

NOW Zandra looked like she would turn into fire, fist clenching top of the sword hilt so tightly that one would think it would look like a stick of butter being sqeezed....



Zandra tossed her hair back over her shoulders remembering what her words had cost ehr last time and walked directly out the entrance of the cave without on single word.

==

Kiaati flew back through the air and landed in a mud puddle, getting drenched by rain. She looked very unhappy and glanced at Zandra.



"I'm very tempted to let you kill him..." She blinked a few times, shaking her head and getting up, dripping mud.



"But I will neglect the temptation. By the way, if you haven't figured it out, I lie on a regular basis, I didn't mean what I said about you." She was wringing out the mud from her red hair, though it wasn't working very well. She sighed slightly.

==

" Oh I figured it out and I still wanna crush that son of a little pebble...."



Zandra looked at Kiaati for a second and made the rain drops start dodging her.



" Have Drandar dry you off if you want, i think I better stay out here for alittle bit..."



The fact Zandra was still strumming her fingers on the hilt of her weapon kinda explaining why.

==

Kiaati gave a slight shake, mud flying to either direction. She sighed and nodded, chuckling lightly.



"I can see that you are still very used to your position. Giving me orders?" She shrugged lightly, and crossed her arms, walking under the protecting of a nearby tree.



"I bet that they will all miss the mud puddle."

==

Zandra winced slightly.



"Sorry, i didn't mean it like that, it was just the logical course of action, and I was in charge of the armies before I got a captin......"

==

Kiaati looked at Zandra and shook her head.



"I know, besides old habits die hard. You didn't answer me though. Do you think they'll miss the mud puddle or not? Hurry and answer."

==

Zandra shrugged.



"Not likely if they were willing to throug you in it, why? And it was just a logic thing, and old habits would fall under the 'kill announces' yes/no?"

==

Kiaati nodded a bit.



"True. I wasn't referring to that 'them' though. I was referring to our comrades. If I'm right they have about ten more seconds..."

==

zandra chuckled.



" well, knowing Drandar's luck, no he'll probably hit it, and Akako won't let herself be thrown out, to stubborn, and as for Opal and ...AND AURELIA! They throw my bird and I WILL crush his little rocks for brains! "

==

Opal and Aurelia flew out of the cave, their wings beating as they rushed to get away. Drandar flew through the air, catching a branch and swinging down, missing the mud puddle. He was covered in nasty brusies. Kiaati sighed slightly.



"I win. I thought they would all miss it. Besides, I wouldn't let myself be thrown out, but if I didn't, I would have come out looking like Drandar. Let me guess, the rocks and then the vines?" He nodded slightly, growling and one could prectially see the anger pouring from him.

==

Zandra walked over to Opal and Aurelia.



"Are you two Okay?"



She had gone form made to concern in seconds and had her hadns out so both could land and so she could examine them closer.



She glanced up at Drandar.



" Are you Okay Sweetie?"



NOW she was not only concerned but wanted to smack herself, if not for the bird in one hand and Opal in the other.

==

Opal was sitting and smiling.



"I'm perfectly fine, Aurelia and I flew out before getting thrown out." The bird chirped and Opal laughed, her hair back to blonde now.



"No! I won the race!" Drandar's anger seemed to melt away. He looked at Zandra and shrugged.



"Just a few bumps, I can handle it."

==

"Nonsense, I walked out and in the long run apprently saved myself hazards later..."



Zandra placed both Opal and Aurelia on her head and touched Drandar Lightly, making the major bruises heal, leaivng theminor ones.



"If I heal everything you'd ahve to rest, which is why I didn't...."



Zandra smiled, both pixie and bird still stop her head.

==

Opal laughed and flew off, apparently playing a game with Aurelia as they flew around. Kiaati walked out into a small clearing and the rain let up. She sighed, pulling a huge blanket from one of her countless bags. She stretched it across some branched for a makeshift tent. She did this twice more.



"Here's our new camp for the night." She sighed and sat down with a small pile of dry sticks, pulling out a bit of flint and a rock. I ran out of matches... She slowly got the fire started and built it until it was nice.



Drandar grinned.



"I thank you for it still."



Suddenly Opal ran into a branch, falling down into a thorny bush. A yelp was heard as she fell deep inside of it. Then her gasp was heard from the inside.

==

Zandra smiled and climbed up next to Drandar, Glancing in Opal's direction, but no holding eye contact with Drandar.



" No need to thank me. I would do it for you anytime..."



zandra smiled and Kissed drandar then broke out in giggles remembering one of Opal's previous comments.



" No, not bad at all, kinda like butterscotch at the moment..."

==

Drandar chuckled and grinned.



"I'm not complaining." Suddenly two colorful blurs whizzed by, catching his eye. They did again, landing between the two demons. Opal stood close to Zandra's leg and another fairy stood close to Drandar. Opal had a large thorn stuck in her back, lodged between her wings, but she seemed more preoccupied with the other fairy. Slowly they walked towards each other, inspecting each other. She seemed amazed as she looked at the boy. He walked around her and pulled the thorn out gently, speaking quietly.



"I like your wings."

==

A knowing Grin spread across Zandra's face and she had to fight every urge to laugh at sthe turn of events.



A noise alittle to the left thoguh caught Zandra's attention and she stood up, at this point not scared but curios, leaving the two pixies to their own bussiness and causiously walking off towards the sound.

==50==

Opal turned to face him and poked his shoulder lightly.



"I like yours too... I've never seen a boy pixie before." He chuckled and poked her shoulder in mimick.



"I've never seen a girl pixie before." She giggled slightly.



Drandar hopped down from the tree and walked over to Zandra. He had heard the noise too, but wasn't too worried.



Meanwhile, Kiaati was rummaging through a bush while watching them while having a map spread out over a stone.



Opal suddenly landed on one of Zandra's shoulders, hiding behind the woman's neck.



"Torin won't stop following me!" Sure enough, the boy fairy could be seen hovering nearby.

==

Zandra smiled at Opal.



"It's okay love, I don't think he means you any harm... You asked why Drandar and I like kissing, if you don't watch yourself, you'll be finding out... If you want you can come with me... I'm checking that noise out....."



Zandra glanced at Drandar, wondering if he'd follow her or not, but decided she didn't mind either way and started off.



Zandra saw what had made the noise and turned as white as any sheet and couldn't speak.

==

Opal blinked a few times, before fluttering over and clinging to Drandar while eyeing Torin, who remained nearby. Drandar stood next to Zandra, seeing her reaction to the person who just came into view. His hands rested on his weapons, just in case. Kiaati jerked upright, noticing Zandra's sudden paleness. Her hands too rested on her weapons, just in case.

==

Zandra saw Drandar's slight movement and shook her head 'no' and looked at the man infront of her, still in disbeleif.



Finally, some small part of her recovered as the man smiled.



" Hiya sis, long time no see, see you have learned to enjoy male company...."



" HOW DARE??? WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?? WHAT RIGHT DO YOU HAVE TO MAKE SUCH A CRACK?"



Just what he needed to do, find out if she was still a spit fire.



" Sorry sis, been around alot of ruff neck people...... Anyway, I heard a rurmor bnack at the palace that you weren't around anymore, so I finally decided it was tiem to hunt you down again....."



At this point Zandra was still pale, but severely looked like she was going to slap the face off her brother.

==

Drandar let his hands fall a little bit, back to their normal position. He still was a bit wary, but this was Zandra's brother so he would trust her judgement.



Kiaati stood still for a moment before bending back over, using that compass and metal-thingy ((as previously dubbed)), moving a across the map in calculations. She was still carefully watching though, ready to move at the slightest notice.



Torin flew over to Zandra's brother and landed on his shoulder.



"<insert his name>, you know these people?

==

Kalien ( Zandra's brother) Nodded.



" Yeah, this is my stubborn and sweet innocent sister I always talk about."



Zandra's mood shifted rapidly, making her giggle at the words 'innocent and sweet' .



" OH my dear brother you live in the past!"



Zandra eyed her borhter mesuringly.



" And why did you want to find me anyway?"



" why to make sure you knew what you were doing, you've always been whimsicle and so I was just double checking. Also been free spirited, how do you knwo for sure you won't decide to wipe out the humans again?"



At this point zandra had resumed normal color and her eyes were flashing a dangerous grey/deep green. Zandra finally replied, voice flat and almsot uncannly calm.



" I know what I am doing."



with this Zandra turned, keepign ehrself from hitting her own borther and left, Opal still riding on her shoulder.

==

Kiaati blinked a few times, glancing up from the maps, her hands still holding the positions. She still had her doubts, but they took backseat to the fact that she knew that she had to trust and had no reason not to. Besides, if she wanted to try and kill me, she would have one heck of a time. I've lived nine years fighting her, I can do more. She looked at Kalien.



"I'd very much appreciate it if you wouldn't antagonize these people." Careful with her words once again. She looked back at the maps, coming to a conclusion and folding them back up, putting away the things.



Torin looked at Kalien now and raised a brow.



"Oh... you didn't mention the fairy... or the guy demon... or the girl demon... or the human dude... or the human girl... or the fairy." He shrugged lightly, obviously not realizing he had said fairy twice. Drandar frowned slightly, flicking his ears backward as he watched Kalien.

==

All anyone knew is the next second their was a major 'whoosh' ing sound and then about fivwe mintues later Zandra returned. Opal looking slightly scared, but still on Zandra's shoulder, refusing to say what had just ahppened, and Zandra looking calm and collected.



Kalien sighed.



" I didn't mention the Female Deamon, Akako, because I was unser if she was still with zandra, adn I didn't mention the 2 humans because I was in denial that my little sister had joined the rebellion, as for the demon and fairy......"



Kalien now seemed to be measuing Drandar.



" Well let's just say I didn't realize my little sister had someone she was showering affections on......."



Zandra now looked at her brother, standing beside Drandar.



" Shut up you nit whit. You know nothing, you left and have watched slight movements from afar, and when you decide it is time your little sister did what YOU think she should, you show up. And you know all that for the truth, so either make your prescence serve a purpose, or LEAVE."

==

Kiaati blinked a few times, watching with perfectly calm eyes and demeanor. She was getting a little bit bored and would very much like him to do as his sister said. I'll have to go back into disguising myself all of the time if this keeps up. I really prefer not having too many people know my face. She looked at Zandra.



"M'lady, I know this is poor timing, but I completed the calculations you asked for." She looked back at Kalien.



"And M'lady's brother, I said before that I'd appreciate you not to antagonize these people. That was more your benefit than mine. I've seen what she does..." Drandar looked over at Opal with a raised brow, taking her from Zandra and putting her into his shirt pocket, to which she gladly obliged. She peeked out nervously.



Torin fluttered over to a nearby branch and sat down, watching this.



"So, Kalien, would this mean what you said about her temper is true? That she's worse than you?"

==

Zandra ignored the male pixie, keepign her eyes locked on her brother.



" Now little sister, why would I ever try to make you bend to my will? You wouldn't even if I wanted you to, just informing you that you made a very large error...Besides...."



Now Kalien smirked.



" You couldn't make me leave if you wanted to, Little sister."



At this point Zandra's claws extended, her hand flying the her brother's throat, holding him several inches off the ground then throwing him into the nearest tree. A flash of a second later he was stuck in the tree, knocked out from the blow of the impact.



" Little sister that . Your not the borther I left behind......"



Zandra then trned to Drandar and more importantly Opal.



" Sorry if I scared you Opal..."

Zandra's eyes returned a soft green.

==

Kiaati blinked a few times. She didn't just do that. She spoke quickly.



"M'lady, I don't know if I'm one to say it, but you always taught me not to turn from a danger." Opal just shook her head.

==

Zandra grinned, turning back to her brother who had some how come out of his injury and cut his way out of the tree, looking at him.



" Do it and I will have no reason to hold back on you, don't do it and I will make it so you never find me again..... Your choice, one of them will get you killed."



The thought of killing her own borther disturbed her to no end, but not doing so brought up problems... Being one of them that her brother had been rurmored to be friends with the captian. But she had been having a severely hard time making herself believe that....

==

Drandar let out a low growl, glaring at Kalien. He didn't know why, but the way he was treating Zandra really got under his skin. His ear were flattened against his head as he crossed his arms.



Opal fluttered up to Torin and they began whispering to each other in a different language.



Kiaati stood there, not doing anything at the moment, just watching. This was Zandra's choice and battle, not hers.

==

Kalien looked at her again, now he looked amussed.



" The captin said you might be hard to pursuade....."



At the mention of the captin Zandra didn't hesitate, she flicked her wrist and had a blade in her own borthers heart in seconds...



Shock registered across her brothers face as he collapsed on the ground, he wasn't dead yet, but he would be shortly

.... He was her brother...

He'd betrayed her.......



Zandra was in completel shock, blood over head hand, unable to believe what she'd just done, and unable to make herself heal him like her head was ascream, tears welled in her eyes as looked down, unable to make herself move.



What did I just do???? MOVE YOU FOOL!!!



zandra willed herself to move, but couldn't, she was watching his life leave him and wasn't doing a thing about it.....



Tears were splashing down her face now.....



Why won't my body move???

==

Kiaati watched this, the movement registering before it was even completed. She moved over to Drandar, who had been standing in shock. She gave his shoulder a gentle push. This is going to be a bit of trouble for a while... She hissed in his ear, barley audible.



"We have to get away from here now." Drandar moved towards Zandra carefully, cautiously taking the weapons from her hands

==

Zandra let Drandar take her weapons, not even registering anything really, she was in to much shock.



She dropped to her knees, looking at her brother for a little while, just looking at him, watching him die, still unable to make herself help him.



" I'm sorry...."



That was all she could make herself say.... With that she stood up , numb and shook her head, blood coering the front of her legs and her hands, but she didn't care.



"I'm sorry...."



Zandra just kept repeating that over to herself, so silently, so softly....

==

Drandar too was in a bit of shock. He could see that she felt remorse for it, but she had killed her brother so easily. The dead body on the ground proved that. If she could kill her own brother, then it made him wonder what she would do to him.



Opal and Torin flew over, whispering something in Kiaati's ear, both looking quite startled. Kiaati nodded and they fluttered near Drandar.



Kiaati sighed slightly, shaking her head. She had seen this happen before. She had experienced a lot of familiar pain, but since the tower, where she had broke down, she had become strong again. She now slipped and arm under Zandra's guiding the demon along fairly fast. The pixies pushed Drandar along after the other two.

==

Zandra allowed herself to be lead, but only for a very short amount of time, before becoming around enough to realize she was being lead, in which case she gently pulled free of Kiaati, following behind, still crying.



My own brother.... I just killed the last of my family..... My only family member left and he's dead.... and by my own hand!......



Zandra contiued to cry, no matter how mad he'd ever made her, she'd always loved her brother......But now he was dead and she would have to add another to her tally of deathes.



Zandra couldn't make herself look at anyone, if she did she'd probably stop and sob forever.....



Zandra took control of herself shortly, shoving the emotion to the back of her head, but this one wouldn't stay sealed long, and she knew it....



Just for now.....



Znadra had to swallow many times to keep herself from starting to cry again.

==

Kiaati looked at Drandar and shook her head. She sighed softly, and headed towards another place she had figured about while she was messing with the map. She came to a small river clearing and motioned for them all to stay put. She walked towards the river, counting her steps. She stomped on the ground suddenly and shook her head, taking a few more steps before stomping again. This time was a strange sound. She smiled and got down, pulling the top bit of grass apart and reaching between it and grabbing something. With a slight heave, the grass ripped and a large trapdoor was in her grasp. There was an underground thing, which she motioned to. The pixies pushed Drandar inside, and it ended up with Kiaati and Zandra being the only ones left above ground.

==

Zandra followed behind, not saying a word, just looking up at Kiaati. Her eyes a watery blue with dark blue overtones.



If one looked, one knew that she was still upset, but Zandra didn't give Kiaati a chance to say anything.



Zandra folowed after Drandar and the two pixies, without one word.

==

Kiaati closed the trapdoor, sitting down on the ground. If they needed to be alone, she would allow that. If they needed to be together, she would allow that too. She knew how to handle things. She just sat on the ground though, watching for anything dangerous and thinking.



Drandar looked at Zandra, wrapping his arms around her waist. Though he wouldn't admit it, this wasn't him being frisky. He just needed her touch. He needed this right now.



The pixies sat in the corner of the dark room.

==

Zandra lost her little control and turned, burring her face in Drandar's shirt, sobbing. She held him, just continuing to cry.



" I - I - I ..."





She hated herself right now. She needed to be comforted, not that she'd ever admit it, but she really felt low right now.

==

Drandar tilted his head down, looking at her and rubbing her back softly.



"Shhh.... nothing needs be said." He eased them both to the ground as he held her close, gently rubbing her back and feeling the dampness on his shirt.



The pixies were whispering again, still in the foreign language.



Kiaati was carefully keeping watch.

==

Zandra just contiued to cry, unable to stop the flood of tears. She hated it when other's cried, she saw it as a weakness, which just mad her more upset with herself as she continued to cry, blood covered hands still holding Drandar, shaking softly.



She was all but in his lap, crying having slowed and was just resting against him, allowing him to hold her.



I can't believe.....

==

Drandar just held Zandra, rocking slightly. After she seemed calmer, pulled back slightly. In this moment he took off his shirt, wiping her face first and then her hands, cleaning them completely. He dropped it behind him, incinerating it as he wrapped his hands back around Zandra.



"There we go, now you don't have to worry about that." He was holding her tight, having dropped his cloak and pack.



Kiaati heard something behind her, glancing over her shoulder, seeing exactly what she expected. Nothing more than a chipmunk.



The fairies were now proceeding to poke each others' shoulders and hair and stuff while still talking.

==

Zandra smiled, recovering and glad to ahve the comfort.



"Thank you Drandar... Thank you..."



Zandra was willing to admit she needed him right now. She was willing to admit probably anything anyone accused her.



" And Opal... I'm sorry I did that infront of you and ...."



Zandra got very quiet....



" Kilain.......I am sorry.... I ... I ..."



Zandra trailed off, unable to follow that triain of thought, or complete it at any rate.

==

Opal didn't say anything to Zandra, she just kept speaking to Torin in their language, but it wasn't because she was ignoring Zandra, it was because she knew that she should remain quite right now.



Drandar just smiled sadly, giving her a light squeeze. He leaned his head down, smelling her hair and his ears were flattened back, but in a loving way. Right now he wasn't reaching for his bag for another shirt, he knew that wasn't the most important thing right now. The most important thing was Zandra.



Kiaati stood up suddenly, hearing a noise not so good. She looked around, hoping that it was maybe and elf or something.

==

Zandra sighed slightly, noting the noise but really to numb to care.



It won't matter if I die... It's a part of life... Nothing matters....



Zandra was very much walking a blade's edge at the moment between falling into a depressive state or becoming emotionally unbalanced. Zandra spoke softly to Drandar, barely being able to be heard.



" I couldn't make myself help him... I wanted to... But I couldn't do it... when I heeard he as working with..."



Zandra got very quiet falling into thought.

==

Drandar sighed softly, holding her close to him and whispering softly into her ear.



"It's okay. The past is in the past, don't dwell on it. I don't want to lose you, sugar." He hadn't even realized the use of the pet name, it kind of just passed under his radar. The room was fairly chilly though, the running water of the river echoing through the ground.



Kiaati took a few steps, looking around. Suddenly there was a swish and she had to duck an arrow. She looked up to see a fairly unhappy looking woman drawing a dagger.

==

Zandra looked up at Drandar.



" How can I not dwell on it? I killed my own flesh and blood..."



zandra looked over at the woman whom had appeared adn sighed, moving slightly, but not much. Just enough so she could see the woman and keep from being in Drandar's way, but still close to him.



" Not only my own flesh and blood... But the only blood I had left, and it stained my own two hands...."



Zandra was glad to have Drandar.



He still wants me....

==

Drandar sighed softly, holding lightly to Zandra and shook his head.



"I bet you didn't know that before Zacharias I had a whole village that took care of me."



Kiaati, knowing that an elf had placed a spell on the ground where the trapdoor was, knew that everyone inside the hole would be able to see up above ground where she was, though she couldn't see below. She sighed, looking at the woman.



"Please, what have I done? I beg of you, don't draw your blade on me, I am just sitting, looking for a rest from my wearisome travels." The woman glared at Kiaati.



"Do you take me to be a fool as to fall for that?" With a quick movement, Kiaati found a blade to her throat and an arm holding her shoulders. She rolled her eyes slightly.



"I take you as a fool to do that." She brought up her kodachi, slicing upward through the woman's side. "I had so hoped you would fall for it." She sighed, fighting the woman in easy and somewhat lazy motions. Nothing but an ametur rogue. The demon's corpse disappeared in a puff of smoke after a few moments and Kiaati sat down on the grass again, though rather wet. I wish that just once, just once, I could do this without them splashing me or getting me muddy or something.

==

" I sometimes think that would ahve been better for me.. I would have not clung so much to one person..... As I do even now I realize...... "



Zandra sighed, looking at Kiaati and shaking her head, resting it back against Drandar, closing her eyes, seeing the shock on her brother's face and opening them again.



" Do you think of me as awful?"

==

Drandar shook his head.



"Of course not... but Zandra... I know how you feel. The reason the village stopped caring for me was because it failed to exist. You speak of blood on your hands. I have scars to show." He pulled back, pointing to a thin white scar running from his shoulder down his chest.

==

zandra's eyes grew slightly wider looking at it and running her finger lightly down it and shaking her head.



" It doesn't make me any better though then the one who did such an action, I have done so much to hurt people, and now I am overwhelmed by it.... I have wanted to change, and is the first thing I do? I kill my own kin. It is shameful on many levels...."



Zandra looked Drandar in the eyes very much resembling a child who looks confused and lost, or her eyes did anyway, her face just looking blank. Her mind was already starting to do her normal numbing proccess, except this time she wanted to miss the one losted, which was why this was so hard for her.

==

Drandar shook his head, catching Zandra's hand as she ran it along the scar. He leaned towards her slightly.



"You did it for a reason you believed to be right. Making hard decisions is a part of change."



Kiaati noticed a chill in the air, a very bad chill. Suddenly the water soaking her turned to frost, which bothered her slightly, and kept her very wary. It was the middle of summer. Since when did the nights get this cold?

==

Zandra, liking cold weather was enjoying it, but noted it slightly.



" I did it because I saw something in his eyes .... Once he admited why he was their.... I knew I'd been right when I'd said he wasn't the borther I'd known.... He wasn't, my brother was only harsh with those who upset me... And gentle towrds me, he never mocked me..... He never did anythign you saw him do today....."





This almsot disturbed zandra more then the fact she'd killed him.

==

Drandar nodded slightly.



"People change..." He paused for a moment.



"And sometimes people aren't who they look like." He blinked a few times, weaving his fingers between hers on that one hand.

==

Zandra smiled and kissed Drandar lightly, leaning against him afterwords, listening to his heart beat, his fingers still woven between hers'.



" Thank you.... "

==

Drandar smiled slightly, tilting his head down and kissing her forehead. He smiled slightly, her head gently resting against his chest. He whispered quietly to her.

[Sushi]

==51==

Zandra smiled, glad to have someone to hold and be with.



" Well If I wasn't you should be worried. I am a warm blooded being..."



Even thoguh Zandra loved cold weather it wa begining to get chilly even for her and she snugged closer to Drandar.

==

Drandar was extremely glad for this. First and foremost simply because he liked it, and second, though he wouldn't admit it, he was getting a bit cold. He still didn't have a shirt on... He chuckled lightly.



"I feel like a teddy bear." He smiled lightly, showing he didn't mind though.

==

Zandra smiled looking up at him.



" Oh a very cute teddy bear, one I could just kiss and cuddle all night..."

==

Drandar looked at her and smiled slightly, raising a brow.



"What if this teddy bear has a mind of his own?"



Kiaati, was still sitting, slightly hunched over with frost covering her. Her back was to the one-way door, so they could see her back if they liked, but she couldn't see them at all. The air temperature had just dropped even lower, the river had suddenly frozen. This was not good for her dampness. She thought about going down into the underground room with the rest of them, but realized that it would let out a lot of heat for them, so she stayed where she was. She blinked a few times, trying to keep the frost on her lashes from falling into her eyes. The ice crystals coated her hair which was still pulled up, her skin, and her cloak. Five minutes later she knew that it would be extremely unwise to stay put, for her skin was deathly pale and her lips were blue. As though nothing were wrong, she slipped down quickly into the underground with them.

==

zandra smiled playfully up at Drandar.



" well then I suppose I shall just have to-"



Zandra looked ovar and gasp, going over to Kaaiti.



" Their IS something going on...."



now Zandra Openly shivered her own self anc didn't remain beside Kiaati, pulling her over so she was setting between Jeff and Drandar, to warm her up some, herself sliding back in Drandar's lap.



" Now what is going one?"



Zandra covered Kiaati with one of the extra cloaks she had in her pocket and looked at Kiaati questioningly as Drandar's arms went back around her.

==

Kiaati shook her head, getting back up. She had been known to smack people for grabbing her like that, even if they were in her own ranks. She took off the extra cloak, shaking her head and folding it back up and handing it to Zandra. She sighed and took off her own cloak, shaking the frost off and spreading it out to dry before unpinning her hair and shaking out the frost as the red mass fell down past her waist.



"First, I would really like to ask you to refrain from grabbing me." Kiaati blinked a few times, wiping the frost off her face. She reached up her t-shirt sleeve and pulled down a black sleeve underneath that was skin tight, she did the same with the other side. Through all this, she didn't show her extreme coldness, though she felt it.



"Secondly, I really wish I knew. Part of the reason I came in was to try and figure it out." She sighed slightly, walking around before promptly kicking a part of the wall, the wall appearing to crack a bit. She repeated the action and a small door could be seen.



Drandar held Zandra close, confused by Kiaati's actions. She's either insane or ingenius....

==

Zandra just shut her mouth, refraining from arguing with Kiaati right now. She looked at Drandar. Talking extremely softly.



" Maybe she is insane, but her insanity fougth me off for quiet some time."

==

Drandar chuckled lightly.



Kiaati sighed.



"Just because I'm not a demon doesn't mean that I'm deaf." She opened the door and smacked her forehead at what she saw.



"Just once! Just once, couldn't things be easy?!" She was very cold, a little frustrated, and a bit tired. Kiaati ducked into the small door and suddenly rather large rocks began to fly out into the room as she threw them.



Drandar sighed.



"Still, it makes me a bit uneasy. I trust you opinion though and if you think it's safe..." He watched the rocks fly out from the door and land on the other side of the room.

==

" when did I EVER say safe??"



Zandra smiled, Kiaati was getting cranky.



Just what we need a cranky leader.



Zandra kissed Drandar again, just because she was close enoguh to and smiled, ducking and pushing Drandar's head down as a rock went astray.



" Like I said, who said safe?"

==

Drandar laughed lightly, kissing Zandra briefly.



"Well, I think we can handle it." All of the sudden the rocks began flying faster and Kiaati spoke.



"OH CR*P!" Then there was the sound of a mound of earth shifting and a rather large plume of dust rushed out of the little door. The rocks stopped flying and one could hear Kiaati coughing. She stumbled out of the door, coated in dust and still very cold. She growled, which was an interesting thing to watch the human do. She lifted a hand, pulling a gopher's teeth free from her flesh. She held it up looking at it.



"I DON'T CARE HOW YOU GOT IN THERE, BUT LEAVE!" She dropped lifted the trapdoor and threw it outside before shutting the door again. She promptly went back in the little door and started to throwing the rocks out again, a rather large boulder flying through the air first.

==

Now Zandra was starting to wonder how cold the oehr room was because she was begingin to think she could handle it verses a Cranky Leader......



" I dunno....."



Zandra stood up but had second thoughts and reched in her pockets, Aurelia flying back in when she pulled the bird out.



" Heated pockets......"



Zandra shook her head wondering if she could fit Kiaati in her pocket then decided not to try right now. She sat back in Drandar's lap, getting cold.



" This is crazy....."

==

Two little fuzzy animals walked over towards Zandra and nestled close to her and Drandar. They were, in fact, Torin and Opal trying to keep warm. A huge glob of clay, dirt, and rock suddenly began to move out of the small door and Kiaati could be seen a moment later pushing it out. Strangely, it was about half her size, which left one to wonder how she fit it through the door. She took a deep breath, leaning on it for a moment. She paused for a moment before looking at everyone.



"Well, I'm sorry about that. I'm all good now. I just am having a little of difficult removing the rocks and such." She disappeared again through the door.



Drandar looked at Zandra and Aurelia with a smile. He hugged Zandra closer against his cold chest.



"I do believe she had lost her mind." Suddenly there was a yelling and Kiaati's voice said something that one would never expect to hear her say.



"YOU GET OUT NOW OR I WILL KILL YOU! DON'T TRY ME!"

==

Zandra chuckled, unfolding the cloak that had been on Kiaati and wrapped it around all of them.



" I still wonder, but she very well might be amussing to watch kill something...."



Zandra ahd to smile, Kiaati reminder her of herself once temper was lost.

==

A spindly old demon was looking at her evily with a rusty knife drawn as he backed out into the room where the others were. Kiaati had her own two weapons drawn, fire flashing in her eyes. He started to swipe at her, but she had him pinned down in a flash. She spoke, her voice low and threatening.



"I warn you one last time." He looked at her.



"LONG LIVE ZANDRA!" With that he darted away through the door. Kiaati sheathed her weapons, shutting the small door. She sat down on the boulder from before, rubbing her temples. She spoke to Drandar, who was looking at her rather strangely.



"I wouldn't have really killed him, just so you know. Unless he turned his blade on me of course."



Drandar squeezed Zandra slightly, murmuring.



"This really bothers me."

==

" Well you cna hold me as close as you want, I don't mind, but she si starting to act VERY odd...."



Zandra looked at Kiaait like she was a foreign object.

==

Kiaati looked at Zandra with a sigh.



"Once again, not deaf." She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Jeff, she listened to his whispers before shaking her head.



"Oh dear... I did figure out what happened though. That little demon blew up out cave." She walked over and picked up her many bags and draping them on herself and tying the cloak on and her hair back. She sat up on the rock cross-legged and shut her eyes.



"I'm really sorry about this everyone... Let me know if you need me." She inclined her head and took a few deep breaths, relaxing her muscles. Drandar chuckled slightly, looking at Jeff. He asked a question, though already knowing the answer.



"Do I want to know?" He looked at Zandra, cuddling her closer.



"You know, I'd really like it if you'd not let her get close to me. I hardly take that as weakness, I know better. Besides, I like your company better."

==

" I would hopes so..."



Zandra replied, kissing drandar and resting her head against him.



" And I hadn't ment to keep Kiaati from hearing what I said...If I'd ment to do that, I could have....."



Zandra smiled, closing her eyes and thinking, hearing Drandar's heart beat in rythm.

==

Kiaati, though she looked like she was merely sitting and resting, was actually sleeping, though one would have to be looking close to realize it, but by then it wouldn't be good for their health.



Drandar smiled, rocking slightly.



"I know."



Opal and Torin were close to Zandra, trying to stay warm.

==

Zandra sighed and, without asking,laced both Pixies in her pocket with Aurelia, the pocket beign heated, then smiled nearly asleep.



" I wouldn't do that...."

==

Drandar chuckled lightly.



"But I want to." He showered soft kisses, light as butteflies down Zandra's neck and he rocked back and forth slightly. Opal and Torin quickly changed back into pixies, though they were already asleep, tired from the day.

==

Zandra smiled and let out a soft, barely hear able purr, falling into a light sleep, holding Drandar still.

==

-A few hours later-



Drandar too had fallen asleep, though not quite remembering when he had layed back with his arms around Zandra.



Opal and Torin were still asleep with Aurelia in on of Zandra's pockets.



Kiaati had awoke to the presence of her sleeping comrades, silently slipping off the rock and going through some things in her bag. She spoke quicky now, just sitting on the rock with her arms and legs crossed.



"Alright sleepyheads, let's get up and get moving, I figured out why the deep frost."

==

Zandra, being very stubborn as she was opened one eye and looked at Kiaati, not saying a word.



I HATE THE TERM SLEEPYHEAD.......*Deep breath*



Zandra sighed, keeping herself under control. Looking at Drandar.

==

Zandra kissed Drandar, Standing up and going over to Kiaati to talk to her for a few mintues. Finally Zandra looked at her like she was crazy.



" Are you SURE?"



Kiaati nodded and Zandra sighed -_-"



" Okay, but only this once......."



With that Zandra climbed into the room above letting a freezer like draft into the room as she shut the door behind her.

==

Kiaati sighed slightly, standing up from the boulder, looking around. Drandar stood up, pulling a spare shirt out of his bag and pulling it on. He yawned and stretched much like a cat, looking at Kiaati.



"What did you make her do?" Kiaati just grinned, shaking her head.



Torin and Opal were now having some difficulties. Zandra's sudden movement had caused them to wake up and become entangled with each other and Aurelia.





"Help?"

==

Zandra sighed, stopping and flipping both faries and Aurelia through the door, hoping they'd have enough brains to fly to keep form getting hurt, then went back about her business.



" The things I do for this place....."



Zandra sighed, starting about her project, shortly after it started to warm in the bottom chamber, then the top and about 30 mintues later Zandra returned covered in mud from head to toe adn growling slightly.



" Problem solved, And I won't do that again for anyone."

==

Kiaati smiled slightly and nodded, she meanwhile had been using her kodachi to hack away at an area of the wall. Suddenly a small spot collapsed and she cleared the dust, letting her look through the contents of the cubby.



"Thank you very much. You can just take a break and have a breakfast or whatever." Kiaati pulled out a few strange looking objects.



Drandar looked at Zandra, the corner of his mouth turning up. He lookde her up and down, speaking quietly.



"What did you do?"

==

" Ain't no way your ever going to get me to tell while I'm still covered in this yuck....."



With that a rather large rush of water cleaned her completely off and then she looked at Drandar rather patheticly.

==

Drandar dried her off, smiling sweetly with big eyes.



"Now you're not. Pretty please tell me?"



Opal flitted across the room, Torin chasing after her. She dove into a small crevice in the wall and put a rock in the way.



Kiaati was holding a plastic orb, looking at it in concentration. She let her fingers walk across it, stopping in certain spots. She held it tightly before slamming it into the wall without moving her fingers.

==

zandra smiled, setting down.



" A group of drunk pixiesx and been playing spell tag.... You you believe I had to hunt down the exact location before I could counter the spell?? I had to stand in the middle of a sinking freakking puddle before I was in place...... Thank goodness the spell didn't take to long to say......... Darn Pixies..."

==

Torin turned around and the rock fell down and Opal stepped out. They both spoke in unison.



"HEY!" Opal spoke now alone.



"Besides, those don't sound like pixies. They sound like our cousins, the imps."



Drandar chuckled lightly and nodded slightly to Zandra.



Kiaati grinned, holding the ball in the palm of her hand tapping it in a spot twice. It suddenly felt into halves, revealing some papers and objects inside.

==

Zandra made a slightly upset face.



" I KNOW it was pixies, wanna know why??"



Zandra reached into her pocket, pulling out a little pixie who looked just to be a child pixie.



" she told me so, she also rated out her friends and helped me find the spot were the spell was cast.... Also asked if she could tag along with me... Cute lil scoot......"



The last Zandra said affectionately, looking at the tiny Pixie.



" Her name is Lilian. "



Lilian looked at everyone with big eyes, flying back into Zandra's pocket....



" Oh dear...and she is terribly shy...."

==

Opal looked at Torin and Torin looked at Opal, both quite confused. Opal walked over. Something didn't feel right. She looked the little pixie and gasped.



"THAT'S NOT A PIXIE!" Torin glanced at it, his face turning the same as Opal's and they both ducked under a rock. The two little faces looked at the pocket and Torin spoke.



"That's a fairy!" Kiaati sighed, ruffling through the papers and the objects with experted hands and eyes. Bringing things home...

==

Zandra at this point shrugged.



" Well lemme put it this way, I don't care. Little magical beings are to blame... And she is nice .... Once she isn't scared..... "



Zandra sighed.



"If nothing else I have picked up an odd asortment of friends and pets."



Zandra smiled as Aurelia came out of her pocket with the fairy on her back, zooming about merrily.

==

Opal felt a stab of something... jealousy? She didn't let it show through though. She just continued to hide under the rock when Torin poked her. She swatted at him slightly as he did it again.



"Stop poking me!" Kiaati smiled slightly, though not shifting her eyes from what she was doing.



"I'm assuming that since you didn't differenciate between the two, you wouldn't happen to know some key differences? First, fairy's are more paper-like and their powers encompass more weather than nature. Second, fairy's are bound to their wood. Third, but most importantly," She dropped her voice. "fairies and pixies are enemies."

==52==

The 'Oh dear' look crossed Zandra's face and she snatched up Aurelia, and Lilian looked at her, Zandra said something to Lilian and she zoomed off, not being seen agian. Zandra carefully walked over to Opal and picked the little pixie up.



" Something is wrong, and don't try to lie to me.... Common, I wanna know..."



Not that Zandra would say so unless she needed to, Opal was her best friend next to Drandar, but Drandar was more then a friend, so it really didn't count.

==

Opal shook her head slightly, standing on Zandra palm. She looked up at the demon.



"No, I'm perfectly fine... except for the poking business, but I won't die from that." She sat down in the woman's palm, looking around. She was ashamed of herself. What did she have to be jealous of?



Drandar walked over, slipping his arms around Zandrs'a waist. He looked at the pixie with a smile, and she returned it.



Torin came over and landed lightly on Drandar's shoulder, looking at Opal.



Kiaati put away the stuff and looked up at Zandra.



"Since you're like me and you carry some strange stuff I was wondering. Do you have any of that... what do they call it? Hmm... jell something. Jell-o... jell-in.... jell-eh.... gelatin! That! Do you have any of that?"

==

zandra made a face, thinking....



" you know... I just might.... Set here my little friend...."



Zandra placed Opal on her shoulder, looking at her with a smile, then pullout a vial and nodded.



" This one, here ya go......"



Zandra tossed it carefully to Kiaati then looked at Opal....



" You lie, but your OKay...."



Zandra smiled again looking at Drandar.



" Both of you...."

==

Kiaati nodded her thanks. She picked up what appeared to be a stone and set it on the table beside the vial. She sat down and began running her fingers along it with her kodachi sat out.



Drandar grinned, kissing the nape of her neck and whispering softly to her.



"Well, I would hope so."



Opal shrugged lightly and looked up at Torin, raising a brow.



"Do all boy pixies smile weird like that all of the time?"



Kiaati could now bee seen with her kodachi stick out of the rock and she smeared the gelatin over the rock.

==

Zandra chuckled and smiled at Opal, unable to help herself.



"Only ones that are thinking like Drandar here.... And have in mind things young men should be careful about....."



Zandra looked at Drandar teasingly, but didn't say anything more.



" Besides, sometimes they are amussing to watch.... and others are as much fun to watch as it is to participate....."



Zandra agin glanced at Drandar.



" Or almost as much to watch...."

==

The sticky goop was all over the rock and over Kiaati's hands as she proceeded to rub it like a pet.



Drandar raised a brow, pretending to be taken aback.



"How would you know what's in my mind? All I'm thinking about is the little kitty I met the other day!"



Torin fluttered down into Zandra's hand, looking at Opal. He grinned and poked her nose.



"I got it!" Opal looked at him a bit confused, cocking her head to one side.



"What?" He held out his hands and she tentatively placed hers in his. He focused for a minute, pixie dust falling around him. Opal laughed as he changed his hair and wing color to match hers.

==

zandra smiled...



" Okay you two!"



And with that she flipped her hand alittle sending them both inot the air and looked at Drandar....



" Oh are we now??"



Zandra decided to just put an end to this one.



" well go hunt her down then...."



And with that Zandra slid out of Drandar's arms and walked over to Kiaati, very much ignoring Drandar.



" SO, what is up?"

==

Drandar sat down on the ground and leaned up against the wall.



"I don't have to look too far." He was hoping that he didn't hurt Zandra's feelings.



Opal and Torin landed on the ground, fluttering to keep from getting hurt. Opal raised a brow and shook her head before walking away over to Drandar.



Kiaati continued to rub the rock.



"Hold on.... two hundred twenty five... six..." She trailed off a moment later and rubbed the rock some more. She finally stopped, the gooey mess on her hands and the rock. She looked at Zandra.



"I'm just opening this." She flicked the blade of her kodachi which was still stuck shallowly in the rock. The thing split in half.

==

Zandra nodded and looked over at Jef and shook her hed, noticing him kinda far off looking then turned to Drandar.



" Then why are you still here?"



Zandra was slightly hurt, but to be honest not completely, just enough to make her carry on.... She'd known he met it harmlessly, but still it upset her for some reason.

==

Drandar looked at her. What did I do this time? He grinned.



"Because I found her all ready. The cute kitty is standing about three feet in front of me." Zandra was standing about three feet in front of him.



Kiaati wiped off her blade and hands. I am still amazed at some of the tricks previous rebellion leaders came up with... She pulled out a small stone and a bit of paper.

==

zandra then looked at him for alittle while, and then came over to him, hugging him.



I can't decide if I want to yell at him and tekll him not to toy with me, Or tell him he is forgiven and to be careful next time.... I am a mess around him.



Zandra smiled up at Drandar, speaking very softly.



" Don't do that to me...."

==

Drandar looked at her, confused.



"I'm not entirely sure what you're talking about, but okay."



Kiaati sighed slightly and looked at the paper, now wet, scratched, and slightly scorched.



"Why on earth did we leave a recipe for stone soup in here?"

==

" Because someone was hungry I geuss..... Or the fact I simply HATE that soup might have something to do with it........ Or the fact it it is cooked properly it will burn though the gate to the underground enterance..... Take your pick....."



Zandra returned her attention to Drandar. Smiling and talking softly again.



"Don't make me Jelious..... It isn't a good thing... "

==

Kiaati glanced at Jeff, putting down the rock and the paper and speaking quietly.



"I have a pretty good idea... though it wasn't anything you said." She shook her head slightly.



Drandar looked at Zandra and cocked his head to the side a bit.



"I wasn't trying to make you jealous. You're the best kitty I've ever met"

==

Zandra smiled.



"Well you did it anyway... and it hurt.... Don't tease me like that unless I know it's coming...."



zandra shrugged, looking at Kiaati, then at the stones and shok her head.



" Their are only about a dozen things I cna think of........ But I forgot about that entrance until just now.... wonder why I kept it like that......"

==

Kiaati looked at Zandra and blinked a few times.



"Well, even though positions, I can only get so much information. I hardly claim to know everything."



Drandar nodded slightly.



"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

==

Zandra smiled, kissing Drandar, then looking at Kiaati.



"well I truely wish i remebered why I kept such a vunerable entrance.... Unless......"



Zandra winced at the thought.



" DO NOT USE THAT ENTRANCE!"



Zandra took a deep breath and sighed.



" I doubt much will remain the same for to long..... who knows how much has changed...."

==

Kiaati suddenly laughed out loud, remembering something.



"Oh my!" Being a human, it had been extremely difficult for her to go into the demon city, for such was forbidden. She had managed a few times though... one of those being the time she had remembered.



Drandar smiled, wrapping an arm around Zandra's waist.

==

Zandra smiled, enjoying Drandar's attention then sighed....



"Opal, can I talk to you for a few mintues.... Without anyone else prying?"



Zandra needed to address something that was bothering her.

==

Opal nodded slightly and landed on Zandra's shoulder. Torin landed beside her and she gave him a shove, only as so strong as to push him off, not to hurt him.



"She said 'without anyone prying'." Torin sighed and fluttered away. Kiaati kicked the wall in another spot, revealing another door, this one larger. She opened it and glanced in. She nodded approvingly.



"In there is soundproof... don't ask how... long story." She sighed slightly. Drandar looked at Zandra, wondering what was wrong.

==

Zandra smiled when she saw the little pixie shove Torrin.



"Don't worry I won't keep your female companion for to long..... I don't like leaving my male comapnion either...."



Zandra shook her head, not asking about the sound proof room and went in with Opal.



" For one...."



Zandra sat down placing the pixie in her hand, trying to get through this with a straight face.



" I am terribly sorry about when I went off at you... I don't think well when mad.... And that really hurt..."



Zandra then sighed.



" And I'd also like to thank you..."

==

As soon as the two went into the room, Kiaati looked at Drandar and sighed slightly.



"I really hope you know what you're getting yourself into. I've seen some bad things happen.... listen, I am just warning you to be careful. Never forget who she is and heaven forbid you decide to betray her." Drandar raised a brow slightly.



"Well, I really don't see how this is any of your business..." Kiaati frowned and cut in.



"I also suggest you not to forget who I am. I may be a more forgiving and believe different things, but don't be fooled by my demeanor. I will not tolerate being backmouthed." Her eyes were serious as death and Drandar was silent for a moment.



"All right. I thank you for your warning, though I can't see why you would care." Kiaati shook her head.



"For the same reason I won't tolerate backmouthing." She sighed softly, glancing at Jeff. He was the only one that knew her here. She thought back a bit to when she had a great number of people that followed her everywhere... they had known without words too.



Opal meanwhile sat in Zandra's hand, with serious face and innocent eyes.



"You needn't apologize, though I thank you for it... why are you thanking me though?"

==

Zandra smiled.



" For your friendship.... You befriended me faster then even Drandar. You trusted me instantly.. For that I would never do anything to harm you. You have my completel trust and faith.... Also, the flower you helped...."



Zandra pulled out a potted flower, it was the one Opal had rerooted.





" It lives because of you, and it means alot to me... Thank you for everything little pixie. Your a blessing."

==

Opal nodded slightly, smiling. She touched the plant, the petals turning a more vibrant color under her touch.



"I like you. Thank you... and just so you know. I don't mind you're being... 'smitten', as you called it, with Drandar."

==

Zandra smiled.



" well you seem to rather in the proccess of becoming 'smitten' yourself... and I broch in .... in that word called love with your Drandar...."



Zandra had forced that, but admiting it was good for her.



" Come on..... They might be trash talking us."

==

Opal looked at Zandra.



"Wait a minute. What do you mean I'm becoming smitten? I feel the same... and who would I be becoming smitten with? What?"



Drandar looked at Kiaati.



"So... are you on any medications or anything?" Kiaati looked at him and chuckled lightly.

=

Zandra reutnred to the room, ignoring Opal, keeping form laughing at her.



" Miss me?"



Zandra said with a rather teasing tone.



" Nad I heard that medication comment.. And I think any leader deserves as much as they want after about 2 years...."



Zandra laughed, smiling good naturedly.

==

Kiaati smiled.



"Be careful. You'll have him thinking that I really am insane. I just do my job... one of the requirements for it however is controlled scitzophrenia." She saw the look on Drandar and sighed, shaking her head.



"Drandar, I'm kidding." She sighed slightly. Actually, she couldn't remember the last time she had actually agreed to medication. She took some herb creams when shot by that arrow... but that didn't really count.



Drandar just shook his head slightly and looked at Zandra with a smile. She seemed okay. That made him happy.

==

Zandra sighed.



"Drandar, dear, it is okay for one to joke about one's own sanity. it is also okay for one to talk to one's self. As long as you don't argue...."



Zandra looked at Kiaati.



"not to be crazy, but how long shall we remain here? Captian Aszeran Will know shortly that I killed my brother..and that could lead to issues...."

==

Kiaati looked at Zandra and nodded slightly.



"I was waiting on you, I know this very well." She stood up and stretched, getting the blood flowing through her muscles. She tied back her hair and walked over to the small door from before and opened it.



"And now we go. Watch your heads.... and feet... and all of your other limbs." With that Kiaati ducked into the door, to which a small dim cave could be seen, only large enough for single file for a full-sized person.



Drandar looked at the cave and sighed, getting up to follow Kiaati, but waiting to see if Zandra wanted to got first.



The two pixies flew ahead, landing on Kiaati's shoulders and looking around.

==

Zandra hesitated for a second, motioning Jeff, Akako, then Drandar ahead. She wanted to be at teh last potion at teh moment, a thought had just struck her and she didn't favor it at all.....



Zandra begun replaying the lay of the castle, begaun replaying all the new recriuts, and all the 'freinds' the captian had brought in...... The new layouts, the new mapping system....... the new people, it all added up to the same thing everytime, then to send her brother out.... but then why....?



Zandra was just getting mroe confused as she ran over the information she knew....

==

Kiaati led the pack out to what seemed to be a dead end. She put her hand into a small crack that barely seemed big enough for it. Slowly she pushed her arm further and further into it until her shoulder was flush with the rock. She put her forehead to the rock as she felt around.



"Hold on..." She sighed and her fingers tripped a latch that let her open a door in the stone wall. It led them out behind a waterfall some ways away.



Drandar went through. Well... I think I have seen enough of the rebellion's tricks to survive a wanted man. He flipped his hood up to avoid the water spray getting him wet.

==

Zandra followed behind, severely confused about the stratigys of the captin. It made no sense.... And the few tricks she'd watched Kiaati pull up to this point didn't surprise her, when your dealing with people...well like Zandra, you have to think outside the box.



Zandra ran her hand carefully along the water, finally figuring out one thing, he was baiting her... but into what?

==

Kiaati turned and walked out from behind the waterfall and into the forest. Once again she had turned her mind to thought, only sparing enough attention to be aware of her surroundings.



Drandar looked at Zandra and sighed slightly.



"What's wrong?"

==

"I'm being toyed with... And I don't like it... It is a dirty game, with dirty ruel to which he wants to play by....."



Zandra said this, then realized he might have no clue who she was refuring to.



" I mean the Captina is playing with my head... Not a safe thing to do....Almost as dangerous as toying with my emotional grid...."



Zandra looked about, thinking.... She really was starting to wish she was powerful enough to kick his ass....



" He might be stronger, to which he knows.... So he decided to play on a feild of head games......"



Zandra began to think all over again, wondering slightly off path once in a while, but returning shortly afterwords.

==

Kiaati stopped after a moment. She had heard something. It was clearly not organic, but still... She moved on and came to an opening with a chasm so deep on couldn't see the bottom that split the land. There was a board, no more than four inches across and it stretched across the chasm.



"And so it begins." She took a step onto the board, and held out her arms, just simply because she anticipated this to be harder than it looked.



Drandar glanced at Zandra.



"I know that's a terrible thing, but I must draw your attention back to this in front of us." He let out his tail and began to walk across.

==

Zandra snapped back to present and nodded.



" I see... well this should be an interesting thing to start...."



Zandra tail appeared, acompanied by ear and claws... The last just because her thoughts had frustrated her.



Zandra sighed, preparing for the worst to happen and hoping she'd be wrong.....

==53==

As soon as they were all walking across a massive gust blew from all around. Kiaati wobbled slightly and Torin was blown into her face.



"Once again... nothing can ever be easy!" Another gust came, just as she lifted her foot and Opal hit her ear causing her to lose her balance. She fell off the side of the board, catching it with her hands. She looked at the demons, swinging back and forth due to the breeze.



"You two have help." She looked at the pixies and sighed, still hanging on the board.



"You could climb into the bag on the top left." They did it thankfully. With a huff, Kiaati got a good grip on the board, and slowly pulled herself up, which was fairly difficult considering the gust. She looked at Drandar, who was carefully focusing on balancing.



"Can't you do something?" She got up to her feet, regaining her balance.



Drandar looked up.



"Huh? Oh! I can try." He focused slightly and the gusts turned to soft breezes.

==

Zandra hadn't been thrown off by the gust, had actually been wondering if the board would colapse, so wind was a slight relief, then watched Kiaati fall and sighed, relieved she wasn't going to have to pull something out of her ear to stop a order of 'scrambled leader'.



when Drandar clamed the wind down Zandra sighed, making it across after all the others, to board did break at her last step and she jumpped, almsot losing balance, but made it.



" Darn peice of innaimate junk."

==

Kiaati looked at Zandra.



"I agree..." She turned to Drandar and sighed, a bit of windburn showing up on her nose.



"...though I could almost smack you." Drandar growled at her.



"What? You're supposed to be leader. You're supposed to give orders." Kiaati brought up her hand to smack him, but he caught her wrist. What he didn't realize is she wasn't going to smack him. He did realize it as she kicked his shin. She turned on her heel and walked away, hearing Drandar mutter something about women.

==

Now Zandra shot Drandar a glare and stomped off right behind kiaati saying something about 'Pig headed men' and 'stero type comments' and a few other things. Considering Zandra had already been mad, it really wasn't a good thing to stero typing in her prescence.



" Are you coming? "



A slight sharp edge to the question.

==

Kiaati had already recovered from her little issue. She glanced at Zandra, chuckling lightly. She glanced back and Drandar, who was still standing still. He hadn't been hurt by the kick...yet. She touched Zandra's arm and stopped she whispered quietly.



"Wait a minute." Drandar took a step and feel flat on his face.



"YOW! What the heck?" Kiaati looked at him and raised a brow.



"Give it about twenty more seconds and you'll be fine. I didn't kick you that hard."

==

Zandra turned and looked at Drandar, not being mad directly at him, more her line of thought. And saw him get hurt and went over to him.



"Are you okay?"



zandra looked at him, sincerely worried.



" And if it's more rock people I'm gonna grind 'em"

==

Kiaati sighed slightly and rolled her eyes.



"It's the pressure point just below the kneecap. He'll be fine." She had warned him. She wasn't going to take any nonsense from him.



Drandar looked at Zandra and sighed slightly, growling low. After a moment, the pain ceased and he got to his feet and nodded to Zandra.



"I'm fine." He walked over to Kiaati, glaring at her. She just smiled sweetly as he spoke, each word dripping poison.



"You will not do that again. Next time I'll fight back." Kiaati's eyes flashed fire and she drew herself up to full height, looking at him with a look that one could swear could kill.



"Listen here. You will not threaten or disrespect me, or my metal will more than willingly meet yours." He laughed at her.



"Ha! What could you do? You're only a little human." His hand shot out at her and she caught it, twisting it backward to where it was behind his back and she was standing behind him.



"And you're only a little demon."

==

" And I'm just a little kitty concerned about BOTH of your two's sanity."



Zandra looked from one to the toehr, she could break this up if nessiccary and was on the verge of doing so....



(( Hey, aren't we still on our way to the second tower?))



Zandra looked at them.



" Stop it, both of you, and if you have the nerve to argue with me..."



Zandra smiled slightly.



" Well their is more then one way to skin a cat and end a human and both fo you are acting like children -_-' Honestly, I can't believe either of you. Drandar, stop questioning her command or leave. And Kiaati, being an arougant door nob doesn't help anyone either. And I know, myself being a ***** isn't any better....."



Zandra had figured she'd get the blow at herself in before they could tunr such statement at her.

==

Kiaati glanced at Zandra, half-laughing. Arrogant? She's one to talk.



Drandar felt her grip relax and swung his arm out, sending her backward. She hit the ground, rolling and hopping back up to her feet. She glared at him.



"You son of a..." She stopped short. What on earth am I acting like this? I never did this before... She realized last night she hadn't been cranky, it had just been a severe mood swing. From what she saw Drandar didn't usually seem this hostile either. She shook her head, walking on.



"I am such the imbecile..." Drandar suddenly didn't feel so angry anymore and he shook his head. He felt rather... happy?

==

Zandra at this point threw her hadns in the air.



" I QUIET! Something is effecting you BOTH and for some reason NOT me.... Now let's be a sherlock and sit down... and if you say one word... EITHER of you..."



Zandra was bouncing back and forth between scolding them and trying to figure what the hell was going on.



"And for future reference, someone remind me to tell you all I HATE being disturbed while thinking...."



Zandra resumed thinking, watching the two before her switching moods.



What a blood imbalanced mess.......

==

Drandar hugged Zandra.



"It'll be okay. I know it, because we have you with us!" Kiaati sighed and walked a bit away, leaning against a tree. She shut her eyes and took a few deep breaths. She threw up the walls, using her head now. Now that she knew what was happening, so could hold herself back easier. She opened her eyes, setting the calm look on her face as she walked back over to them. She smiled and nodded.



"Okay. I really must apologize. I didn't realize that we were that close... A mistake on my part." Suddenly a sobbing could be heard from under Kiaati's cloak. She looked at the fabric for a moment.



"Oh dear." She reached in and pulled out the two pixies, Torin bit her thumb and she flinched slightly. He was obviously angry. Opal on the other hand was crying.

==

" Oh this is crazy, Kiaati, would you mind telling me how to put you all back into proper emotional balance?"



Zandra healed Kiaati's thumb and Drandar while she was at it, rolling her eyes at him.



" I think I shall lose my sanity shortly if you don't have an answer...."



Zandra sincerely ment that, between everyone's sudden mood swings... But for some reason things didn't seem to be effecting her as much, she felt slight mod swings... But she had mood swings anyway

==

Kiaati looked at Zandra and nodded slightly.



"Thank you." Torin was yanking on a lock of her hair, blaming for something she was really paying attention to. She stroked Opal's head, who was still crying. Drandar was still really close to Zandra. Kiaati sighed.



"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine now." Though PMS isn't helping the issue too much, I can handle it. She shrugged.



"For our comrades though, I can't say the same. For them to go back to normal, we'll have to activate the tower."

==

Zandra looked at Drandar, rolled her eyes again and kissed him then pushed him away gentely but firmly.



" Oh dear, you mean I have to deal with mister frisky/Angry/Depressed/happy/touchmenot/grabby and Opal and Torrin too??"



Zandra looks slightly overwhelmed.



" well then I better enjoy him while he isn't mad....."



Zandra smiled as Drandar persisted and shook her head.



" Don't hinder my walking, Okay Kiaati, how do you suggest we go about this?"

==

Drandar was laughing now, not able to stop.



Opal had shifted and she was zipping around, dancing on people's heads.



Torin sighed and was now quitely and glumly sitting on Kiaati's shoulder.



Kiaati however was unfazed.



"I suggest we just grit our teeth and push on. The tower is in that direction... and you should have fun. It's balance and water." With that, she turned and began to walk.

==

Now a sly grin spread across Zandra's face as she followed Kiaati, nearly dragging Drandar along, she really didn't care mood he was in as long as she did lose him......



" And I thought I was mood when my period hits... It holds nothing to this...."





Zandra had just been think aloud as she watched the people around her continue to change moods.



" You know, you'd think someone would activate these things jsut to prevent all the side effects..."

==

Kiaati sighed slightly.



"Well, it's a bit more complicated than that. They only affect us because we seek to activate them. An innocent passerby will feel nothing." Kiaati saw the tower and nodded slightly. She suddenly felt as if she had been turned on her head. She stumbled slightly, but quickly regained balance. It was then that she noticed water everwhere. Even the tower was made of water. She looked at Zandra.



"Hooray?" She had been keeping tabs on the people with her. Drandar: glum. Opal: angry. Torin: happy.

==

Zandra looked around, eyes going huge.



" SO much!! O my!! "



Zandra looked around in complete awe.



" Um, if I activate it, will it change in appearance??"



zandra looked at the tower made of water and made a rather odd face.



" And if it is completely water this could be interesting anyway...."

==

Kiaati shrugged.



"I don't know. I've never activated it before." She grinned slightly and shrugged off her cloak. She dropped her bags. Anything important was guarded through techniques that only she knew... well a few of them Jeff knew, but still, that wasn't the point. Now she stood, looking a bit strange without the large bulk and only her clothing. She rolled down the skin tight sleeves, She wore the same type leggings underneath the brown short-sleeve tunic. Her weapons were strapped around her waist and she straightened the part of the tunic below her waist that stopped just above her knees.



"I need to come with you."

==

Zandra nodded.



"Okay.... But what about..."



zandra didn't finish her question, placing each person who would remain in cages made from the nearby water, just to keep them from like going angry and killing someone, then turned back to Kiaati, her eyes matching the color of the water.



" The longer I mess with water the more like it I seems to become... Very... Fuild....Anyway, swim close.... I cna keep the water highly oxygenated so we can breath it... your body might fight the water the first few breathes but it will be breathable."

==

Kiaati nodded slightly, tying back her fiery hair with a leather cord. She remembered that once Amadahy had once let go of her hand. That had been scary. She could handle this.



"All right. I'm trusting you." She stood next to the water, waiting for Zandra to go first.

==

Zandra sighed, taking a deep breath, more out of habit then need, then let it out, shaking her ehad and diving in gracefully, water rushing over her head, she smiled, remembering to make the water breathable.



She swam a head towards the tower. she was enjoying herself until she ran into what looked like a green strip of water in the pure blue. Zandra stopped, very hesitant considering her surroundings and looked at it.. Whatever it was, it wasn't water based......



She looked about, it appeared to be the only way into the castle....

==

Kiaati dove into the water, swimming alongside Zandra. She was having to breath through her mouth, and it still wasn't very easy. She looked at the strip of green. It reminded her of something, she just couldn't quite remember. By now though, Zandra was already swimming off again and Kiaati was left to follow. The oxygenated water made it a bit difficult to get traction, but she managed. She watched Zandra carefully, kicking swiftly.

==

Zandra hesitated a while longer then tried something... didn't work.......



Okay, plan B.......



Zandra grabbed ahold of Kiaati carefully and shoved her through the green stuff. It worked, their was a hole behind her that Zandra followed through.



weird, human can get through but demons not suppose to? Very weird....... Maybe it has to do with balance??? Who cares......



Zandra grinned as they came onto a platform, it was levels and levels of water made structure with air inbetween the levels.



" well this should be fun...."



Zandra's voice almost sounded bubbly in this place.

==

Kiaati poked her head above the water, and out to the air. She spit out the water that had collected in her mouth, looking around.



"Would you like me to hold on to you or something? I told you, I'm backing down from my position for now. You are better suited..." She was treading water, her red hair floating about I'm really glad I kicked off my shoes...

==

Zandr tested her footing and shook her head.



"On the contrary, holding onto me might hinder me, stay close.... Now, what to so? the crystls are required on all of these towers, which is why I knicked the other one off Opal and Akako. So, now how to get up their were the go?"



Zandr pointed straight up at the pillars above their heads, yuo could make them out through the clear watery levels. their were no apprent stairs.



" Well I could make a way up....."



Zandr sighed, deciding to test it out, and failing.



"Oh dear.... we are in trouble... unless I get lucky..... this is a one way road...."



nce we go up no going back down.... each floor should be something different, the first might have been just to get to it..... but s for teh second and third? What about the level with the pillars? the fourth?? Oh dear.....



Zandra sighed,making stairs slowly appear one t a time, having to fight the water with n extreme amout of will power, very odd for water....

==

Kiaati climbed "out" of the water, standing up and wobbling slightly. This was very unstable. She took a deep breath, getting a firm footing and moving after Zandra.



"Would you like me to start crying to give you a different type of water? I could do it." She could. Due to the fact of her disguising, she had learned to cry on demand.

==

"It would help actually, the salt makes water more workable...... IF that makes any sense and I just realized your not use to this, sorry."



Zandra sighed, walking up one step and pulling Kiaati behind her on the step behind herself.



"Okay, I am only gonna make these a few t a time and let the ones we don't need drop off, so keep up please..."

==

Kiaati sighed slightly, catching her balance.



"If you would be so kind as not to grab me, I'll be just fine. I'll just take your word for the tears thing." She climbed up faster and nodded slightly, her tunic and hair clinging to her. She immediately began to cry, and not a single glistening tear. One would think that she was dumping buckets from her eyes. Her face was fine though, she felt fine. This was just a put-on, not real tears.

==

Zandra (( GOD I ALMOST TYPED GRACE!!!!!)) Nodded, and the stairs became easier to form. she sighed getting to the second floor and went into shock, their were to demon looking figures before her. One resembling her mother and the other her father.



"Meet my parents... this is getting to me..."

==

Kiaati looked around. She didn't see anything. She stood, this was solid and the water wasn't having to be bent, so she stopped crying. She wiped her cheeks and glanced at Zandra.



"I don't see anything." She blinked a few times, looking about. Even if her parents were to appear, she wouldn't recognize them. If she saw Zandra's though, she would. There was nothing there.

==

Zandra pointed right infront of her.



" Right their...."



She looked at the figures.



"can't you see them....."



Zandra walked forward and they disappeared.



"Oh this is going to get old very fast..."

==

Kiaati blinked a few times and shrugged, following Zandra.



"Well, I'll balance you. I couldn't see them." She shrugged slightly. She wasn't sure if Zandra knew, if she didn't she probably thought that Kiaati had kept it a good secret. Mizuka knew. Kiaati was an orphan, though it didn't really bother her. She walked along, humming softly.



"You know... at least we won't need a bath..."

==

"Don't give them any ideas in this place."



Zandr shook her head.

==

Kiaati looked around, not quite sure how to get to the next level. This one seemed to be coated in something, and it was quite solid though made of water. She noticed one of the walls, a strange patch. An idea struck her and she glanced at Zandra.



"If I get halfway up and fall back down, do not ask me if I'm okay." She touched the patch and found that it was pulling really hard against the current. She smiled, letting her hand get sucked in a bit. She looked around finding one for her foot. They were really really small spots and one had to look carefully to find it. She carefully proceeded to do this, climbing up the wall. It was hard. She could tip towards fear nor overconfidence, or she would surely slip and fall, and she had to balanced between her suction and leaning against the water wall.

==

Zandra set down, watching Kiaati.



" Water is fuild and balanced, go with it."

==

Kiaati sighed and spoke, not losing a beat of concentration.



"Easier said than done." She sighed slightly, slowly making it and stopping for a moment at the two-thirds mark. At this point she very much looked like a tree frog in clinging to the wall. She took a few deep breaths.



"This reminds me of the time I..." She glanced down at Zandra, quickly shutting her mouth. She was more used to having Jeff with her on these missions. There were just some things she didn't exactly need to tell Zandra. She just clung to the wall for a moment, resting a bit.

==

Zandra sighed, unable to clear her line of vision.



" I know, I also know what I see isn't their, but I am unable to clear my vision." Zandra looked at them thinking amussing thoughts, and surprisingly they disappeared.



"Wow... that was weird."

==54==

[Sushi]

Kiaati glanced down again to Zandra.



"What?" She blinked a few times before starting up the wall again. She was almost up to the next level.

==

"Nothing, get up their......"



zandra looked around, seeing tiny things in the bottom of the floor above.

==

Kiaati chuckled lightly.



"Yes ma'am!" She was still climbing and she reached the top, sighing slightly. She glanced down again.



"I presume there was something you were wanting to tell me when I got up here?"

==

Zandra nodded, pointing to the pool of small fish life above her.



"Their ladder fish, if you could drop them down the hole were you just climbed up....."



Zandra waited patiently.



"OHHHHH!!! And use your feet. They eat hands!"

==

Kiaati looked down the hole at Zandra and raised a brow.



"I may be sounding a bit redundant, but it is my life's plea. Why can't anything ever be easy?!" She sighed, and stuck her feet into a nearby pool, catching the fish with a small bit of difficulty. They were all slimy. She sighed. Time to pull out the gymnast tricks. She leaned back before pushing herself into a handstand, carefully balancing with the fish between her feet. She balanced carefully upon coming to the hole, bending backwards a bit and dropping the fish through the hole. She proceeded to repeat this several times.

==

Zandra climbed up the ladder, not using her hands. She sighed as the fish dissappeared.



"This place is weird....."



Zandra looked around, pillars directly above her head, no opening to get up.



" Don't even tell me that we are stuck here I WILL lose mt temper"

==

Kiaati, who had been holding another fish between her feet, tilted up her head and looked at Zandra. I guess she had enough fish. Kiaati tilted backward, dropping the fish back into the pool. She gave a small push with her hands so that she flipped back up into proper standing postion. She sighed, smoothing out her tunic and looking around.



"There has to be some way." She looked around, unable to find anything. The pillars appeared to be suspended in midair, but where the only way up. She sighed and leaned against a little partition in the wall, putting her foot against another one, just a little bit across. Then it hit her and she looked up. These two partitions stretched up a bit, ending near the top of the pillars. She chuckled lightly, glancing at Zandra.



"Well, my friend. I see a way up. It's something I... erm... well, I've used it before, but it'll require you trusting me with your health."

==

Zandra looked up.



" Sure... get me killed and I'll haunt you forever..... BESIDES what have I truely got to lose?"

==

Kiaati sighed slightly and poked Zandra.



"You kill me and I'll haunt you for eternity." She sighed slightly, pulling Zandra over to the crevice to where they were standing back to back.



"Okay now, I'm going to touch you, don't hit me. I'd like to avoid any unneccessary bruising." She looped her elbows around Zandra's and walked up the walls, pushing against Zandra's back lightly. She sat down one of the two small pillars when she reached the top. She looked around. The next closest pillar was all of the way across the room. She chuckled.



"Lovely scenery... now what?"

==

Zandra grinned.



"Keep pushing against my back, I have to take my arms free....."



Zandra freed her arms, keeping te pressure between them to keep them susppended. She moved her hands and four waves came over to her hands, she placed the four crystals each on their own wave.



" Okay, pray this works...."

==

Kiaati looked at Zandra.



"I'm not very religious..."

==

" Get religious... For fear we lose our lives...."



Zanda knew if she didn't keep all this balanced she'd kill everyone in the tower and outside it too...



" No pressure, right?"



It had been a sarcastic comment ans she sent the waves at exactly the same speed tot he pillars.



" Now if I don't get them on the things at the right time we are hitting water, if that happens, grab myhand as soon as possible... Got it?"

==

Kiaati smiled slightly.



"Got it... really though Zandra, you should relax. You don't know how many times I've almost gotten myself killed." She paitently waited, just watching the waves out of the corner of her eye. She seemed perfectly calm, she had learned how to. Really, she was a bit anxious, but instead she just softly began to hum a song.

==

Zandra nodded, taking a deep breathm the thing being she'd never screwed up before, not enough to kill herself anyway.



" Okay, aslong as my timing is close it will work, but we will... well you'll find out soon enough......."



Zanda placed the crystals in place, and her timing was about half a second off.



" Hang on!"



Before she could say another word the floors collapsed and they were plummeted into the water bellow.

==

Kiaati laughed lightly and grabbed onto one of Zandra's arms. She smiled and looked as they plummeted towards the water.



"You know... I rather like falling." She glanced at Zandra. Just not the hitting the ground part.

==

They hit the water and had a jell-o like effect and she saw to the top of the water faster then normal, pulling Kiaati along, when she broke water she looked at the tower and it was made of glass.



" Just as I thought, no wonder the water fought me so much..."



She looked over and saw Everyone looking at her and Kiaati.



"Sorry, you guys were wreck!"



Zandra made the cages disappear and climbed out of the water.

==

Kiaati meanwhile was on her back, swimming around in small circles. She was humming softly still. She was studying the sky as she spoke to Zandra.



"I told you that you would do fine." She smiled and suddenly there was a beam of lightly, it flashed just briefly and Kiaati smiled, seeing it.



Opal and Torin were sitting next to each other, yawning.



Drandar held his head, frowning a bit.



"I feel like a train ran over me..."

==

Zandra pulled herself out of the water, and looked at Drandar.



"Hun, are you okay?"

==

Drandar blinked a few times.



"...a train of elephants. They walked across me, or at least that's what it feels like." He blinked a few times looking around. He looked at Zandra with a very confused look.



"Where am I and how on earth did I get here?" Kiaati meanwhile was just swimming in lazy circles for a while before she climbed out of the water.

==

Zandra smiled, dripping wet and holding the crystals, came over and hugged Drandar.



" Don't worry.. Though it is nice to know how many emotions you hide in their....."

==

Drandar was really confused now... and wet



"Uh... what are you talking about?"



Kiaati just chuckled lightly as he proceeded to dry himself and Zandra off.

==

Zandra, having been in command again and gotten to use her water abilities was in an extremely good mood nd kissed Drandar, stnading up and looking at him



" Don't worry about it. I love you"



The last part had just slipped out.

==

Then there fell a deathly silence in the air and the tension was so thick that one could cut it with a knife. Drandar smiled slightly and leaned down, kissing her softly.



Opal then noticed that Torin had been staring at her. She looked herself over, not finding anything.



"What's wrong? Do I have something on my face?" Torin just blushed, looking away.



Kiaati sat down, still dripping. As soon as they are done exchanging saliva, maybe I could ask for a quick dry.

==

Zandra smiled as Drandar kissed her.



" I wasn't lying. Though what possed me to tell you...."



Zandra sighed, looking at Kiaati and giggled.



"She might need a dry too..."

==

Without so much as a sidelong glance, Drandar made a sudden burst of wind pass over Kiaati. She stood up and sighed slightly. I suppose it's better than nothing. At the moment though, it looked like her head was on fire, the way her hair was sticking out. She straightened her tunic. Most of the time her clothes weren't even visible for all of the luggage and her cloak.



Drandar smiled at Zandra.



"Well, I'm glad."

==

Zandra, smiled at him for a second, then stood.



" Drandar, that really...."



Zandra shook her head, looking about.



"well Kiaati, wether enjoyed or not, your now the leader again."

==

Kiaati, who was fighting with her mess of hair, nodded.



"I figured that..." Her hair was a terrible knotted mess, so she untied the leather cord, walking over the water and dipping her hair in. The tangles smoothed out and her hair was prefectly fine again, though wet. She proceeded to wring it out like one would wring out a sponge before tying it back and loading up all of her things again.



Drandar blinked a few times, still really confused.

==

Zandra just shook her head, standing up and looking at Drandar sighed.



"I'd try to explain but it would screw with yuor charming head, so just shrug it off and come along."

==

Kiaati blinked a few times, stretching a bit and shaking a little water out of her ear.



"I hate to be a party pooper, but I must say that I don't have a very good feeling right now. Something bad's going to happen soon."

==

Zandra got an ironic grin.



" Oh I know that feeling all the time, and it's always right, so bring it, I doubt it will terrify me to much..."



Well their are a few things....



Zandra sighed, and went over to a nearby tree and pulled off a few blossoms.



" Magnolia bush actually.... sweet sent, tons of bees, I hate bees...."

==

Kiaati shrugged slightly, turning around and looking about. A slight smile pressed on her lips.



"Well, the good news is that if you all can stay alive long enough, I have some contacts between here and the next tower." She sighed slightly. This should be interesting... I know that it's earth, but the books are confused on the second half. Some say it's trust and others say faith.



Drandar just shrugged slightly, walking over to Zandra. He took the blossom and inspected it for bees before placing it in Zandra's hair. He glanced up to see Kiaati walking off and tugged on Zandra lightly to follow.

==

Zandra smiled, following Drandar when he tugged on her, flower in her hair.



she smiled slightly, looking at him



" I wonder what's next......"



She sighed.



"Oh well, I face it with friends, and more....."



She was rather on a high from being incharge and having control... if one ever needed her to snap into a good mood.... One could see why when she was incharge men followed her without question.

==

Opal, Torin, and Drandar all followed Kiaati as she walked. Opal was chattering away and Torin was sitting looking rather starstruck by her.



"Yeah. I really like flowers. They smell nice and I hate to see one wilting wherever I go. I wondering where we're going. How does Kiaati know without getting lost? I remember once Drandar and I got lost because we were being chased. We wondered around until someone found us..."



Kiaati stopped suddenly, putting a finger to her lips.



"Shh... Someone's been here recently... they might still be here." She squatted down, looking at the grass and bush. She looked up in the way that the path was made.



"Two legs. About Drandar's size and weight." She picked up a stick and walked forward, the stick gently grazing the ground. Suddenly it tripped a trap, a rock catapulting and forcing her to duck. Then she saw something that made her want to kick herself.



"They wanted us to find that." Suddenly ten or so demons jumped out of hidden places.

==

Something flick in Zandra's eyes when she saw the ambush, she'd been going to say something about tricking the trap but she'd been to late.



Now they were surrounded. A slight smirk placed its' self on Zandra's face. Commanding, Water, fight, kiss, what more was she going to have to be a completely random day?



" Well Mister, you are incharge, what to do?"



Zandra could have moved half an inch and had her weapon out and in someone if nessiccary, so she just stood on gaurd. She'd said mister, unsure if Kiaati wanted them to know she was incharge, but that left Drandar and Jeff to muddle through this one..SHe prayed Jeff started speaking first.

==

Kiaati smirked, standing up, her hood hiding her face. Thank goodness there's finally someone else with a brain here. She reached up, pretending to scratch a part of her face under her hood. She was really squeezing a bit of red dye around and into her eye. It burned something terrible, but she knew that, after she squeezed the last on her lips, she would look like a vampire. It was somewhat eerie how exactly she matched one by the small change in her appearance.



Opal sat on one of Drandar's shoulders and Torin sat on one of Zandra's. Both looked ready to fight... or run, one couldn't be sure which.



Drandar just stood in silence. He had been a solo flyer until he joined as a follower. He had no clue how to lead or 'give orders'... or even pretend to, for that matter.



((this is going to kill me but...))



Jeff smiled slightly. This had happened before, switching authoritive positions with Kiaati. He wasn't sure what to say this time though, so he just went to the default. He used the first name that came to mind as he looked at her.



"Hmm... Zylia, you're better at social dealings. What do you think?"



((*grovels at Jeff's feet* I know, I know, but I still feel awful, I'm sorry.))



Kiaati smirked slightly and flicked her head, her hood falling back as she eyed them all.



"It depends on their... intentions." She raised a brow. They all drew their weapons, pointing them at the group. A man stepped forward.



"Who are you and what is your business?" Kiaati smirked, running her finger along the blunt edge of the sword.



"We are merely a group of... location impaired travelers." She threw a sidelong glance at Zandra. This would be a good point to back up my lies...

==

Hum... how to dance to this tune......



Zandra nodded.



"Yes, just lost travelers, I haven't the slightest were we are."



It was rather disturbing how well Zandra could play the damsel in distress role.



" I am so lost and I wanted to see my papa soon..."



Zandra made herself look very sad, this was pulling on her abilities, but she pulled it off with ease. She bit her lip slightly, hers eyes almost mesmorizing at the moment, she did look the part if nothing else.

==

Kiaati looked at her, throwing her a harsh look, clearly visible to everyone.



"What have told you girl?! You need to suck it up and show no weakness. That'll get you killed." The man looked a bit confused and just watched for a minute.



Drandar jumped in now, looking at Kiaati with fierce eyes.



"Zylia! Control your temper, this isn't the best time." He patted Zandra's shoulder lightly.

==

Oh this si becoming quite the drama.....



Zandra made herself look completely hurt and humble murmuring apologizes and meakness.



I am most definitly not like this at all......



Zandra continued with the act, which took alot of effort because she severely wanted to laugh at herself.

==

Kiaati frowned slightly and shook her head. She spotted an opening to shift the heat from them.



"I don't have a temper!!! Especially compared to the demon. Geez, that woman nearly killed us all... and it was all because of your incessant jabbering." She felt the steel of the man's blade against her throat and she smirked slightly, glancing at him and pushing away the blade with the tip of her finger.



"What do you think you are doing?" The man glared at her.



"You mentioned a demon woman. What did she looked like? Did she give you a name?" Kiaati sighed, and raised a brow.



"I don't know why you would care, but, let me think..." She pretended to concentrate as she spoke.



"Cat demon. Brown hair, but her eyes kept changing color. He face reminded me of someone I had seen before. She did give a name... what was it now? Zalery?" Drandar spoke.



"I thought it was Zirda." Jeff spoke now.



"No, it was more like Zalander." The man spoke up now.



"Zandra? Was it Zandra?" Kiaati appeared to think for a moment.



"Yeah... that sounds about right." The man grabbed her by the collar.



"Where?!" She smirked, gently prying his fingers from the the fabric. She raised a brow.



"Once again, I don't know why you would want to know, but... I'd say it was about five or so miles southeast from here. Wouldn't you?" She looked at Jeff and he nodded. Suddenly all of the demons ran off in that direction. Kiaati watched them with a smirk on her lips. She glanced at Zandra and raised a brow.



"Damsel in distress?"

==55==