Drabble 4:

Only Natural

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It was only natural for the predator to defend her prey from other predators. It was just the Huntsgirl in her.

That was what she told herself.

It was only natural for her to seek ways of bettering herself. Besides she needed a good challenge and the Dark Dragon was the ultimate opponent. After all, if Lao Shi and Jake could handle him, why couldn't she?

That was what she told Dallas.

It was only natural to be injured in battle. She could take a hit, so why all the fuss over a few scrapes?

That was what she told Jake.

If they were only scrapes, why was she sitting on a stool in the backroom of Canal Street Electronics with Lao Shi and Fu bandaging her up? Trixie and Spud were standing nearby, cringing every time Rose sucked in a breath.

There was an ugly scorch mark on her right leg. She had a cut on her cheek that stung with every facial expression. Rose's limbs were battered and bleeding from the blows they'd received. Smirking, she reflected that somewhere there was a black dragon in worse shape than she was.

Throughout the fight, Jake had seen every blow befall her. He could remember the Dark Dragon's claw grazing Rose's arm when she'd failed to move fast enough. The one memory of the entire ordeal that stood out most was of Rose protesting medical treatment. She was so determined to make it on her own and that worried him. Tonight, Jake hadn't given her an option and he was glad.

Fu examined the gash on her left arm. It wasn't too deep, but even with his best potions it would take time to heal. Bottom line: Rose wouldn't be fighting for a few days.

"Do you have a death wish?" Fu muttered.

He applied a few drops of some blue liquid to the gash. Rose grimaced.

"A girl's gotta get her kicks somewhere," she retorted, tightly.

"Well why don't you go shopping like normal girls?" Spud piped up.

Rose chuckled.

"Think about what you just said, then think about who you're talking to."

Spud considered it for a moment.

"Right. Nevermind."

Fu began wrapping gauze at her wrist and worked his way to her elbow, apologizing for hurting her. With Jake, he'd had plenty of practice with dressing wounds, so blood didn't make him squeamish.

Jake was silent. His arm around her waist made her squirm more than the bandages being applied.

"Better to die in battle than live a coward," Rose recited an old lesson from long gone training sessions. "That's the first rule of the Huntsclan."

"You guys must have a short life expectancy," Fu commented, not looking up from his work.

Trixie's usually sardonic voice piped up, "So if ya'll got such a thing against cowards, why run when a fight gets too tough?"

Rose narrowed her eyes and rejoined audaciously, "Huntsclan rule number two: when in doubt, glow it out."

She was rewarded with blank stares and a chorus of "huh?"

"It refers to the visual effects of teleporting," she explained, "but it just restates that saying 'live today, fight tomorrow'."

She raised an eyebrow at Trixie, boldly challenging the other girl. Trixie frowned. She crossed her arms, but she remained silent.

Jake paid no attention to Trixie or the exchange going on between the two girls. Instead, he focused all his attentions on deciphering the subtle vibes between him and the sprightly girl whose body his arm wound around. Out of the corner of his eye, Jake examined her body language. She tilted her body slightly away from his, constantly fidgeted and periodically shifted in her seat. He clearly understood the message she was sending him.

Yielding to her wishes and defying his, Jake released her.

The minute his arm uncoiled itself from her, Rose felt disoriented and dizzy. Shapes slid in and out of focus. Her world began to tilt and spin. She shut her eyes, which only made her feel worse. She clutched the stool's seat, trying to steady herself. She looked like a drunkard who'd had one drink too many.

"Jake…" she murmured faintly.

In an instant he was by her side, using both his arms and his body as an anchor. Rose offered up no resistance, leaning into him and laying her hands on his shoulders, her head nestled under his chin. With something solid to hold on to, the room began to slow and she could see the blurry shapes of Trixie, Fu, Spud and Lao Shi. The fuzzy outline that was Jake took up most her sights and brought a wisp of smile to her lips.

All of Rose's weight depended on Jake for support, but he hadn't one complaint. Save for the circumstances that led them to this position. He felt something within him being fulfilled while he held her. Warmth from her body soothed away the dull ache in his chest. For a little while, he could imagine she was his and she wouldn't be gone as soon as he let go.

Rose felt brave enough to try closing her eyes again. At first, it felt like she was on a merry-go-round and someone gave it one good shove. She felt nauseous and nearly lost her grip. Jake's arms tightened around her, sending her further into a warm, soap-scented abyss she never wanted to leave.

Just as soon as the sickness had come, it abated. Rose opened her eyes to a clear, tilt-free world.

"Note to self," she mumbled against Jake's chest. "The Dark Dragon does not play well with others."

Jake chuckled. Rose laughed quietly along with him.

Though Spud was less impetuous than his comrades, he couldn't stop the inevitable question from spilling from his mouth.

"Why'd you fight him, anyway?"

Rose felt her cheeks grow hot. She heard Jake draw in a breath, heart thudding against his chest. She felt his ebony eyes expectantly gazing down at her.

She paused, thinking of her answer. Discarding the excuses, Rose spoke straight from her heart.

"It was only natural," she said, smiling softly at Jake.

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Back to the Jake/Rose…I just can't resist it.