Hello and welcome to "The Mythic Brotherhood........Trammel-line stories."

These are made up of random one shots, fic' challenges (and I've had quite a few!!) or ramblings that may not tie in with the Mythic Brotherhood chronicles and therefore may make no sense; but, what the hell, it's group of side stories I intend to have fun with and just maybe some new ideas will spring from them.

The title of the following story was suggested to me some time ago by my son, but I could never form a story out of it ... untill now.

Takashi is my son's favourite Prince of Tennis character. According to my research, his birthday was November 18.

My son's birthday is November 28 and I had this idea to write him a Takashi fic' of his own as a sort of online birthday present.

(That would have been posted in time if not for FF net having a major fit about now!!)

Being a "rabid" fan of final fantasy, I decided to ... ah ... borrow a language and use it as draconian speech. It really does work well, but needs to be spoken in a rough kind of half hiss, half growl ... and voilla!! Dragon Tongue!!!

WARNING!!!

Due to the enormous work load my poor, long-suffering Ed' is currently groaning under ... ( yes I know!! we are ALL waiting for part two of "Power Rising"... and I'm so evil for leaving it on a cliffie ) ... I am posting this unedited. --GASP !!--

I will be the very first one to admit my grammar and phrasing ... how can I put this ... Mildly suck. So as I'm fully aware of this tragic fact, please be kind ... ok? --whimper--

Flames belong only in a dragon's mouth. Those who attempt to mimic this ability will be completely ignored.

Disclaimer: I own the whole world!! (and If you believe this then I have a nice bridge in Sydney to sell you ...)

Lets try this again ... . I do not own Prince of Tennis, and I sure as hell don't own rights to Final Fantasy or the Albed language.

I am NOT getting anything out of this except for my joy in writing.

"Flame without fire."

Story: Tora Macaw.

Dedicated to my son ... (minion 363) for his birthday ... . And he is my very-own Takashi who's insane yells of "Great Burning" have enlivened many a Tennis game and amused the members of the Tennis club we joined a while back ... . Happy Birthday Kid, I wrote this because I love you.

Also ... a big thankyou to Ashura Senju whose friendly and encourging e-mails have given me the courge to post this as it is.

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Takashi left his house just before 8 A.M. Striding out onto the side walk, he paused to gaze up at the morning sky.

For now; it was lovely shade of cobalt blue, with a few white clouds wisping across the vast expanse. A refreshing wind tugged playfully at his hair as he started to walk, and smile shyly at two young women engaged in animated conversation as they swept past.

"What a beautiful sunny morning!" remarked one as she turned her face to the firey golden orb, sighing with pleasure at it's glowing warmth.

"Yes!" agreed her companion, "truly perfect weather, we won't need an umbrella today!"

'But you will' thought Taka silently as his dragon senses smelled a distant thunder storm. 'It should reach here roughly around midafternoon ... perfect ... there goes our tennis practice ... .'

"As if I would allow that Kawamura."

"Tezuka!" Takashi whipped about in surprise, then grinned sheepishly. He was a little disappointed at not sensing his captain's presence; but then, the ancient dragon king was an expert at keeping is aura concealed.

Allowing the young, disguised dragon to walk at his side; Tezuka readjusted the heavy tennis bag slung over his left shoulder, then tipped his head back a little to deeply inhale the cool breeze before speaking. "I will confer with Ryuzaki, and training will commence straight after morning break."

Takashi's only reply was a brief nod as a sorrowful expression stole into his large brown eyes at this announcement. Feeling the hatchling's change of mood, and knowing the cause, Tezuka cocked his head to one side - his eyes gleaming extra-goldenly as he regarded the hidden dragon's teenage, human profile.

'The celebration should be soon Meddma Pinhehk.'

'What?'His head snapping up at the sound of his true draconian name, Takashi stared in stunned amazement, while the realization that Tezuka knew what he was thinking sunk into his startled brain. But then, he reasoned, it was only natural the King of his kind would know what day it was, and the meaning behind his melancholy air at the mention of their tennis coach.

'Sire, truth beknown, I have very little to celebrate.'

Tezuka threw his team mate a quick, sideways glance, then adjusted his glasses with his middle finger while Takashi looked on with slight grin. Seeing a rare opportunity to tease his ruler, and hopefully divert his attention off a potently painful subject, the young man playfully quipped "Don't you ever get tired of those human things stuck on your face?"

The hint of a sly smirk almost crept across Tezuka's features, then his normal serious expression returned as he counted Takashi's question with one of his own. "Don't you ever get tired of working in a sushi restaurant? "

"Touché" said Takashi softly while staring at his feet, but then his shy smile returned as he lifted his head and shrugged as he laced his fingers behind his head. "I'm lucky really. My human parents are nice people, and I truly enjoy working for them ... even though I wish I could live with my real mother. Heh, it actually gives me a good excuse to show off my dragon strength without blowing my cover. What about you though? You never speak of yours."

Stopping, Tezuka checked for traffic then strode out across the empty street, his hazel-gold eyes staring straight ahead as he spoke. "Now isn't the time Kawamura, we were discussing ... you."

Sighing, the disguised dragon's pensive mood again flowed over him and he fixed his ruler with moist, glittering eyes.

'I have no hatch mates, and I cannot live with my true mother. Tezuka, I don't want to celebrate.'

Tezuka stopped walking, then calmly studied his very young friend. 'Look at me little one.'

Invoking his second sight, Takashi lifted his head to stare up at the towering shadow form of his king. Great wings unfurled, then curved out from the ruler's golden shoulders to arc at his sides. Curling inward, the tips then met and were held just over the ghostly shadow of Takashi's own draconian head. Hazel-gold eyes glittered with warmth, and the huge, heavy jaws curved in a smile.

'Never forget what you truly are and what it means to be a dragon Pinhehk. If you have no desire to celebrate your hatch day, then we shall simply rejoice in your being alive.'

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The school day drew to a close and Takashi trudged wearily from the buildings, not even noticing the stormy skies or falling rain.

The dismal weather matched his mood, and inspite Tezuka's speech that morning, he found he just couldn't muster a single shred of enthusiasm, no matter how hard he tried.

Tramping along the glistening, rain-rippled sidewalk; he suddenly felt a hard stare boring into his back that turned Takashi's sorrow to anger, as the one who was wholly responsible for his plight swaggered toward him.

Clenching his fist and fighting down an urge breath fire, he half-turned his head to view the arrogant youth's approach. True, there were times when he actually enjoyed his friend's company. But at other times when his memories rose up to haunt him as they were doing now, he found his fellow dragon's presence intolerable. Narrowing his human eyes, Takashi looked past the Yamabuki singles-two player's disguise to gaze upon the hidden reflection of his true form.

Hard scales glimmered with various shades of green ranging from dark to light, as they covered his body in armoured mail, and two great wings of emerald sail lay neatly folded at his back. Yet the wild eyes in the draconian face held the same expression of savage contempt that showed in his human eyes; and the tall, stiff crest of silver hair crowning his skull rustled a warning ... which Takashi deliberately ignored. For a long moment the pair coolly appraised each other, then the shyer of the two spoke first.

"So what poor innocent have you tormented today?"

Drawing himself up; Akutsu Jin sneered down his nose, adjusted the large school bag slung over one shoulder, then snickered in a sinister way that spoke volumes. "Only some pathetic human fool who truly deserved it. But I'm not here to be lectured by you ... csumtanehk lehtanc."

Warm, brown orbs blazing with orange fire; Takashi bared his teeth at the insult and his invisible shadow tail lashed briefly with anger. "Never call me that," he muttered with quiet menace as the other laughed scornfully.

"Don't like it coal breath?" Swift as a striking snake, Akutsu's hand shot out to roughly seize his victim's Seigaku jacket collar then the aggressive youth snarled into Takashi's startled face. "Then why don't you fight me?" Receiving a defiant glare as a reply to the challenge, Akutsu threw back his head to laugh in a chilling manner that held no trace of mirth as his grip tightened on Takashi's throat. "Go on shell crusher, fear me."

"No."

Orange flame faded from the Seigaku youth's eyes, returning them to steady calmness as he softly answered his antagonist with quiet courage. "No matter how much you threaten, you cannot harm me. No matter how hard you place your fangs on my throat, you will not bite down. You can no more kill me with your poison, then I can sear you with my fire ... and know it .. Krucdmo aoac!"

One silvery-white eye brow lifted as Akutsu half cocked his head to one side and loosened his grip on the other youth's collar. Curling his lip, he growled fiercely, then released Takashi with a contemptive flick of the hand and a sharp "BAH!"

Moving back a step; he thrust his hands deep within his pockets, closed his eyes, let his chin drop to his chest, then sniggered as he spoke. " 'K ... you're not worth my time yolk crawler ... only time you'll ever fight is when you have a racket in your hand, and I'm not giving you mine." His eyes then peeled open as his head lifted.

A superior smirk curving his lips, Akutsu drawled slyly, "I've been told to collect you yudan suuhneca tonight. One cannot be late for a Hatch day party."

Takashi growled low in his throat at this. "I have no family to celebrate with ... thanks to you. No ... I think I'll pass."

Akutsu hissed through his teeth as the ghostly shadow of his true self reached out a foreleg to draw it's talons along the ground.

"I will never apologise flame burner, but I will obey his orders. You can come willingly or I'll drag you by your tail, but you will attend the gathering!"

Shivering at the older dragon's sinister tones; Takashi found he could do nothing but nod, and dread the arrival of night fall.

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Stars blazed with fiery silver brilliance in a clear, black sky as they seemed to vibrate from absorbing the mystical haunting tones of dragon song. Ten mighty beasts crouched in a large circle upon the wind-swept openness of high mountain meadow, completely cut off from all humanity and perfectly safe in its wild isolation.

Lifting their heads, they gave their voices to the heavens which answered in a dazzling display of golden light as a large group of Hikari descended to join them. Vocal music blending in prefect harmony, the largest of the dragons reared up to stand upon his strong, back legs; great golden wings fully extended and held out from his sides as he led the un-earthy choir in a voice so pure as to make the angel folk weep. Ending his song, the golden king then sank back down onto all fours to bow to the honoured ones as the last notes died away.

A hush, broken only by the sighing wind settled over the group, then the mighty dragon king stood up to rest his imperial gaze upon the face of the young red dragon squatting on the formation's far side and directly before him. Seeing the youth's face darken to an even deeper shade of scarlet, Tezuka's eyes smiled warmly as he spoke.

"Hear now all those gathered beneath the vault of heaven's skies, the name of he whose life we celebrate this night. Come fourth and be honoured ... Meddma Pinhehk!!"

Nine great dragons briefly reared up to bugle as the little red shyly crept forward, his head held low and eyes glittering with unshed tears.

He had seen other hatch day celebrations throughout his now seventy years of life, but those previously summoned to the central circle had always been flanked by grinning siblings. Casting a furtive glance to either side, he briefly let his gaze settle on the form of an angry green then shook with the intense sorrow of being alone. 'Akutsu,'he thought bitterly as he dropped his gaze to the ground and the curving tips of Tezuka's huge fore claws appeared in his line of sight, 'it's because of you ... you killed my hatch mates, wounded my mother, and if not for Tezuka you would have killed me too. Why damn it? Why must you be here to remind me of my loss? And why must Tezuka insist upon this?"

An overwhelming longing to run suddenly washed over him, but with the eyes of his elders and those of the Hikari pining him to the spot, Takashi found he could hardly move. Gulping down his anxiety, he risked a quick peek up, then jerked in wondrous surprise at the sight of a glowing pair of cerulean eyes.

Fuji sat, his body comfortably resting between the massive, middle, golden talons of Tezuka's left, front foot. Head to one side; he closed his eyes as a serene smile curved his lips, then chuckled a soft, silvery laugh that somehow soothed the young dragons distressed soul. Finding his confidence, Takashi slowly lifted his head to meet his ruler's softly glowing orbs of Hazel-gold as the great dragon began to speak.

"Mada mada da ne."

Takashi's eyes nearly popped from his head. 'No way!' he mouthed as he looked upwards in shock, 'Tezuka would never ... Echizen!'

Seated atop Tezuka's large, horse-like head; his hands curved about the smooth, twin horns and half-concealed by the dragon's thick, honey-gold hair; Ryoma grinned impudently then sat back to tug on his white cap as his black-gold, demon wings rustled and a look of disdainful arrogance replaced his smug smile.

'Brat!' Thought Takashi affectionately as helooked around him, and asked "who else is ... Oishi! Eiji!"

A huge, black-and-grey, banded, smooth-coated dog; accompanied by a large, red cat that resembled a mountain lion and wore a square bandage on its right cheek; leapt out from behind Tezuka to joyfully bound up to the startled youngster.

Laughing with delight, Takshi gasped, "where are the others? Momo', Kaido, Inui? Are they here too?"

"Well I'm right here!" chattered a familiar voice; and Takashi nodded happily at the large, bristle-furred, purple-eyed Mongoose frisking around his feet.

"And we ..." Hissed a deep voice, "are over here."

Takashi beamed happily as a huge, black-and-gold, scaled serpent glided forward from his hiding place behind the bronze Kabaji; his eyes safely shielded by large, squared-off glasses. Slithering at his side; and looking sour as ever; Kaido pushed his hands deep into the pockets of the coat worn on the human half of his large, Naga body; and fixed the red dragon with his glittering, green eyes as his face flushed a light crimson.

"Hisssss ... happy birthday Kawarmura, fisssssshhhh ... ."

With all his team-mates assembled at his side; Takashi felt his heart swell with happiness as he truly realized they were his family, and he was never alone.

Voicing a satisfied hum at seeing the hatchling happy, Tezuka silently thanked Oishi for his suggestion that the team be present even though hatch day celebration's had formally been only for dragons. Rearing onto his haunches, Tezuka's strong voice effortlessley cut through the murmurs of the crowd bringing about an instant silence.

"The Flame without fire has been restored ... and young Pinhehk is ready to receive his gift!"

Assorted Mythic voices rose in a joyful song as Takashi watched Tezuka's great head lower towards him until the blunt end of his muzzle hovered just over the red dragon's right ear.

There in the beauty of the clear mountain night, a young dragon listened intently as the ancient king whispered to him the mystic wisdom of the ages. Advice was given, memories were shared, and even a few secrets divulged that made the youngster see his fellow Mythic's in a whole new light.

Laying on her chest, her forelegs comfortably crossed, an old red female watched the scene with glittering eyes.

Hearing her wistful sigh, the great bronze Kabaji gently touched her mind. 'Be proud of your hatchling this day; for the king tells him much, and he shall learn a great deal.'

'I am proud old friend, but ... .' Breaking off her mind send, she glared daggers at the young green crouching between a much-older male of the same colour and a rare, black-and-white dragon of a mixed mating. Throwing the smiling green elder a contemptuous look, she ground her teeth then breathed a small narrow jet of crimson fire as she returned her full attention to her child. ' I see him every day Kabaji, but I cannot let the world know he is my son.'

Deep orange eyes closed and he grunted in agreement as the huge bronze head nodded.

'Such is the sorrow of dragon kind, as we must hide ourselves from this modern world.'

She was about to reply to the males sad words, but Tezuka's speech to the one surviving hatchling from her last clutch of twenty six eggs had drawn to a close and the king was withdrawing.

Sitting up right, he suddenly snapped out his wings then called to his subjects "and now, our honored hatchling shall lead our flight!"

Instantly, all those in the circle began an excited chant "fly little wings, take us to the sky, fly little wings to raise us high!"

Embarrassed and afraid, Takashi turned appealing eyes to his fellow dragons as his body trembled with anxiety, but the majestic beasts only roared their encouragement and cried out their chant. Shaking, Takashi peered at the Hikari as they too picked up the call.

Atobe stood with one hand resting lightly on Kabaji's left hind foot and motioned with his other hand for the young red to take flight.

Swallowing, he then gazed at Sengoku as the flame-haired Hikari laughingly evaded Akutsu's bad-tempered snap to scratch behind his bond dragon's ear. Akutsu rolled his eyes in disgust, then beat his wings in an impatient gesture to rise.

Setting his jaw; Takashi momentarily locked eyes with his dragon mother, then gazed up in surprise when Ryomafloated up to hang before him on wide, dragonish wings, a tennis racket held loosely in his left hand.

"Here Takashi sempai."

Grasping the object in his talons, Takashi suddenly felt new strength surging throughout him. Rearing, he bellowed out a savage, primal roar, then leapt skyward in a frenzied rush to the stars.

Revelling in the freedom of the wind rushing in his face and filling the sails of his wings, the young dragon half-turned his head to smile at the marvellous sight that met his eyes.

Tezuka flew in a leisurely glide at his tail tip, a radiantly smiling Fuji seated between his last two neck ridges. Behind them soared Kabaji carrying two great serpents, while just below his wide bronze wings, Ryoma flew holding a contented mongoose spirt in his arms.

Hearing a joyful, musical howl; Takashi beamed with delight at seeing the black-grey moon-dog and his cat-lord lover standing upon the broad back of the brown dragon Shishido, as his Hikari bond-mate Otori lovingly caressed the winged reptile's face in passing.

A new movement near his head made Takashi turn and voice a delighted cry. A glorious Kirin cantered on thin air as a glittering star-trail sparked beneath his cloven hoofs; and, tossing his proud head, Jiroh then gave the young red a saucey wink.

Surrounded by friends, a loving family, and feeling a wonderfully warm glow dancing within his soul, young Takashi played amongst the stars as he rejoiced in the thrill of simply being ... alive.

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Well, I did it!! Hope you liked it! Please tell me what you think.

Now for some Draconian translation notes!!

Meddma pinhehk---little burning.

Csumtanehk lehtanc---smoldering cinders

Yudan suuhneca---after moon rise

Krucdmo aoac---ghostly eyes.