Here's chapter 4! I Put a little bit more action in this one, and don't worry there is lots more to come! Please review + enjoy! =)

I woke up the next morning to find you gone. My eyes were too groggy to see properly, so I wiped them with the back of my paw, hoping to reveal you still curled up sound asleep next to me.

But you weren't.

I started to panic a little, and my breathing got heavier. My eyes searched across the cave for a sign, anything, that would tell me where you were. Then I spotted something engraved on the hard steel-like wall. BACK SOON. I let out a deep sigh of relief. It looked like you had carved the letters with the tip of one of your deadly sharp claws, but surely the screech of your claw against the stone wall would have woken me up. My breathing became even again, and so I scrambled to my feet and stretched my legs out. I could hear the pop of my joints louder than I should. A painful ache began to grow near my ribs. Obviously the injuries from the battle were finally taking effect. I looked around to my side to find that my dark purplish scales were patched with deep blue and black bruises. I then looked down at my legs. There were a few scratches which were filled with dirty, dried blood. I sighed and took a couple of steps forward, which was a big mistake. A shooting pain pierced my side and with a surprised squeal, I fell back down. As soon as the sharp shooting pain had passed, which was fairly quickly, I picked myself up and tried again. This time the ache in my side worsened, but it wasn't too bad. I managed to take a few steps outside. I had been lying on that hard, cold cave floor all night long, so the warmth of the grass beneath me was a shock to the system. The cool breeze whipped around my head, it was so fresh and gentle that I had to close my eyes to take it all in. With the warm grass beneath my feet, and the cool breeze dancing around me, I drifted into a world of peace and tranquility. I was abruptly woken from my daydream when I heard a high pitched squeal in the distance. My eyes were open in an instant. I spotted something running across the grass in a blur of colours. I had to squint my eyes to see exactly what it was. I managed to make out that the creature was running on four gangly legs. It had reddish brown matted fur, and a short stump for a tail. At first i was totally oblivious to where it was actually heading, but then I realized.

It was headed towards me.

I started to take short rasp breaths. I didn't know what to do, should I attack it or just run? I thought attacking was probably not a good idea, as I was weak enough already and would most likely end up torn to shreds. It came closer, and closer until I could make out its scrunched up little face. It fangs at least twice the size of its scrawny little head, and was drooling frothed up saliva down its front. Whatever it was, it wasn't just coming over to say hello. By now it wasn't far away, still running as fast as its messed up gangly legs could go, but I still hadn't moved. My mind was screaming at me RUN! RUN! But for some reason, I couldn't. I just stood there helplessly, waiting for something to happen, anything. The thing was only a couple of strides away now, I instinctively covered myself with my wings for protection.

Then it lunged.

Before I could realize what was happening, I heard another high pitched cry and a cut-off yelp. I reluctantly peaked through the safety of my wings to find the creature squirming around on the floor. You were towering over it with a disgusted look on your face. The creature had been slashed across the face and burnt. Badly. I opened my mouth to speak but only one word came out.

"Spyro..."

As soon as you heard my pathetic attempt to say something, you rushed over to me and covered me with your strong, fragile wings.

"Cynder, are you OK? Are you hurt?"

'I'm...No" I didn't quite know what to say, but the touch of your delicate, powerful wings brought me back to my senses.

"What...Was that thing?"

"I don't know...But it's OK, I've got you."

"I'm sorry...I just couldn't move"

"I know, you were in shock." As reality came crawling back to me, I grew frustrated with myself. Why didn't I move? Why didn't I defend myself? All I did was shrink back into ball, and wait for fate to take me.

"WHY AM I SO USELESS!" I shouted it as more of a statement than a question, but the look on your face made me regret saying it at all.

"Your NOT useless Cynder! Don't ever think that! You and I just defeated the most dangerous, terrifying thing on the planet! Remember?" I remembered, and I also remembered something else, which hit me like a ton of diamonds. Last night...you said you loved me. My eyes began to widen as the sudden memory of your words came back to me. Last night, in your soundless sleep, you said you loved me. My heart leaped for joy at the thought of those words coming out of your mouth.

At that moment you loosened your grasp around me.

"Come on, let's get you inside"

I had forgotten all of what had just happened, my mind was dominated by the thought of you saying those simple words. I lost my balance a couple of times whilst walking back inside the cave, but you were there to catch me. I was smiling the whole time.

"Cynder, you have just been attacked, and you look as if you..." I cut you off before you could finish.

"I'm just a little dazed that's all." You looked at me skeptically, and I couldn't help but gaze into your magical, amethyst eyes.

"What's wrong?" You had spotted me staring at you.

"Nothing." I answered quickly, trying to cover it up.

"Nothing is wrong." And boy was that the truth.

You seemed convinced enough that I was OK, and so you sat down next to me. This time I was the first to speak. My mind was buzzing with questions that were begging to be answered.

"Where were you when I woke up this morning?" You hesitated slightly before answering.

"I was out trying to find some food, and water."

"Any luck?"

"I found a bunch of sheep nearby, but was soon distracted by that...that thing"

"Oh"

"I also found a lake nearby too." I then realized how thirsty I was. My throat started to sting at the thought of water, which made it hard to swallow.

"Are you hungry?" You asked with another worried look on your face.

"A little, more thirsty though."

"Let's go then" Your amethyst eyes sparkled as you gave me another loving smile. You got up and took a couple of steps forward before turning around again.

"Oh and try not to attract anymore strange creatures that want to kill you."

I smiled warily."I'll do my best."

You laughed slightly and started to walk out the cave entrance. Your laugh went straight through me and sent a tingle down my spine. I took a deep breath and bounded after you, your sleepy words still dancing around in my head.