A/N:This will include Rose as well as time progresses.
Several weeks after Homecoming...
Sprays of shimmering stars were the only thing that lit up the late night time sky as Trixie and Kyle made their way down a lone cobble stone path,hand-in-hand.The cool air was unable to penetrate the over-sized brown jacket that Trixie sported over her shoulders.
"It's been a wonderful night,hasn't it?"she asked in reposedness,trying to keep the collar up on the left side of the jacket."Well,that Kung Fu movie could've had a little more action."
"I think it was the directing.Too many flashy moves and not enough truly skilled fighters."
"Oh?"Trixie smirked smoothly."And you think you could have done better yourself?"
Kyle shrugged modestly."I'm on the wrestling team,Trix.I doubt I could take a punch let alone land one,"he gave her a little tug toward to the left."This way,it's not much further."
"Wrestling is pretty much fighting,isn't it?"She insisted,trying not to sound argumentative.
"Let's see,"He pretended to tap his chin in thought."Tackling,bodyslaming,getting the other guy under arm...nope,I'm pleased to say I've never had to punch,kick or fight in my life."
The two crossed a bridge to which Trixie could mostly make out the upward outlines of the railing.It led away from the lowly lit stone pathway to the fully darkened bridge that rose up above an almost hidden,silent stream of water.Kyle paused and released Trixie long enough to put an arm around her shoulders before the jacket began to slide down.
"What're we waitin' for?"
Her strangely hushed voice seemed to be the only thing alive,as she sensed Kyle looking up in anticpation of something.The night they had had together had been going along at a perfect pace.Dinner,a movie,even though her potatos had been more mushed then what one might consider mashed and the uneventful movie;being with Kyle had been worth it.
"Just give it a few more moments,"he whispered promisingly."It took forever to arrange."
Trixie casted him a questioning look."Arranged?"Oh snap,he's going to propose!
But that drastic idea was thrawted when one half of the park became an explosion of lights ranging from yellow to a slight orange glowed to life.From the rest of the path that went on still a ways,to the trees in their view and to the bridge that Trixie and Kyle stood on became a world of soft,brillant illuminace that was more nearer then even the tiny stars.
"Kyle,"She breathed in amazment,turning to look into his smoky eyes."How'd you ever-"
"That's not even the beginning,"He told her with a conspiring smile and nodded on down.
Curiously,Trixie leaned over the wooden rail and peered down into the now clear water that displayed an assortment of fish whose fins caught the light and reflected it,their quiet and willowy movements normally meaning nothing giving grace to the meditative beauty.
"You set all this up just to impress me."Trixie stated in awe,placing her hands to her heart.
"Did it work?"Kyle asked as he casually leaned out on the rail next to her."I know it's a little much but I wanted to make sure this night was special.Because,well,you're special."
She smiled thoughtfully and slugged him playfully on the shoulder."No more then the guy who probably saved up two years worth of allowances to rig somethin' like this up for me."
"I'm serious,Trixie."He told her as he took her hands in his own,locking his eyes with hers intently."You're not like other girls,"his grasp tightened a bit."and other girls aren't like you."
Trixie felt herself shifting forward."That's sweet Kyle,really."she gave a soft laugh,the depth of his warm grey eyes drawing nearer and nearer."Other girls would give their eye teeth to be here right now.Heck if I would but there's no where else that I'd rather be at right now."
"Keep your teeth,"Kyle chuckled lightly as he kept leaning in."A kiss will do just the same."
Just before their lips could make contact,Trixie sensed an eerie sensation fall around her that made her wrinkle her brow in the absense of a kiss.The feeling only intensified until it cultivated itself into fear within her and the teen opened her eyes only to find herself alone in a thick field of darkness.Even the coat she still sported wasn't enough to keep the chills from coursing through her,as were the stars not bright enough to help guide her way home.
Deep into the park...
"Why did you do that?!"Kyle demanded angrily at the hidden figure."Can't I have free reign to complete a mission without your interference?I had her right there where I wanted her."
"I could see that much,hijo."A womanly Latino voice awnsered calmly."But from what it is I saw you were getting a little too close to the girl and not nearly close enough to our plan."
"It hasn't been easy,"He explained tersely,stalking passed her."She talks enough about her friends,fashion and all that typical girl stuff but she hasn't once mentioned you-know-who."
"Then you are failing apparently."The woman threatened mildly from behind Kyle."You've had more then enough time to get close to her and seduce the information that we need out of her."she turned more crucial."How are we to avenge your father if you cannot do this?"
"I've been trying,madre."Kyle faced her,frustrated."She's always seemed drawn to me but it hasn't been enough to start up a conversation about the American Dragon,"he averted his eyes over a ways and clenched his fists."Until tonight.Until you suddenly had to go ruin it..."
He let the sentence trail and kept from staring her straight in the eyes.No matter how much Kyle attempted to,he could never hold his mother's gaze challengingly.From everything she had managed to drill into him growing up,defiance wasn't there.Though she and Kyle's father kept their distances for all these years,them being severe rivals to the point of taking each other out to be named head of the Huntsclan,they had still held a strong connection.
"Do you not understand?"Huntswoman questioned him roughly,pacing before him with her arms clasped behind her."Your father died trying to rid this world of magic.He had to run a full-time academy and then deterred only to train the second most proficient clan member."
"Rose?"He offered only to spite her.
"Wisecracking will get you nowhere."She replied warningly."That girl along with whoever the American Dragon is defeated and humiliated us.Now,he and most members of the clan are gone.Your father,your brother."her words turned rambling."Were the last of the clan."
"He could have at least trained my half-brother."Kyle muttered resentfully,bracing himself for the rest."Look."he met her eyes again as he spoke firmly."Trixie and I really did hit it off great tonight.Just let me make up the ending of it to her...and in doing so up to you,madre."
"To your father."His mother corrected him,pulling her staff forward and began to activate it so as to transport herself away."You have until Saturday evening,hijo.If for some reason you have not succeded by then,consider yourself a disgrace to our family name.You told me you would do this and be successful."her voice hardened."And you will,hijo.You will."
Kyle stifled a slight shiver as a rush of air blew past him from her teleporting away at that moment and instantly wished he still had his jacket.As the stars seemed to glow just bright enough now to lead him out of the park,the young half Hispanic hunter slipped his hands in the pockets of his jeans and headed for home.To disgrace his family name would be sinful and not enough to give up for a girl.He liked Trixie to some measure but she was a pawn.
Yes,only a pawn.In a game that was much bigger then herself and even bigger then himself.
Unarmed,as ordered by his Huntsmaster for that night,Kyle begrudingly headed for home.
To be continued...