Chapter 6

Disclaimer: I don't own. I never will. I just want to write. Please don't sue me.

Scarlet was still circling when Kai walked back out onto the balcony. Rei, Max, Tyson, Kenny, and Hilary were with him.

Dranzer, come. A silent call. Scarlet flattened her wings and dived towards them, landing on the railing, looking at the four bladers, Hilary and Kenny, then turned back into herself.

"Wow," Hilary said, "You can shape shift?"

"Dranzer can," Scarlet said dismissively. "It's nothing special." Hilary stared at her like it was indeed something special, but Scarlet ignored her. "Nice to see you all again."

"We're going to Asia." Kai said, "Tomorrow."

"Good evening to you too." Scarlet said sarcastically, "Evening or morning?"

"Morning." Kai replied, "Do you want to try to find Brooklyn tonight?"

"I don't think I could." Scarlet replied, remembering the pain she'd felt as she walked away from Kai.

"Alright." Kai said indifferently. "Get some sleep everyone." He walked back inside, followed by everyone but Rei and Max.

"Where are you sleeping?" Max asked.

"Here." Scarlet said, "It'll be nice. I like the outdoors."

"Okay." Max said, and left, leaving Rei alone with Scarlet. The two of them stood there in silence.

"You should go in." Scarlet said, "It's cold out here."

Rei didn't move. "Who are you?" He asked quietly. Scarlet tensed.

"Why would you want to know?" She asked suspiciously, her silver eyes glittering.

"You come out of nowhere and vanish. You don't seem human."

"I'm not." Scarlet said, "I am an experiment. I will never be simply 'human' again. I used to be a normal abbey kid. I had red hair, and blue eyes, like my brother. I was a decent blader, but nowhere near as strong as I am now. I had a life, friends, family… and now look at me. I'm a mess. I look like… like a demon. I've gotten myself into more than I can handle. And- I'm sorry, I'm probably boring you."

"Not at all." Rei said truthfully.

"I used to be human. Now I just don't know what I am, if I'm Scarlet or if I'm Dranzer. Driger was kind to me; he'd sometimes show me an old trick or two that would increase the strength of my attacks, like he didn't want to see me hurt. He showed me Stroblitz, and how I could teach the move to Dranzer." She gave him a sheepish smile.

"Well, I'll heal." Rei said.

"I'm really sorry about that." Scarlet said, "Dranzer's darker half is… well, I suppose dark would be expected." She sighed and turned into a wolf, then curled up on the cement. Rei took this to mean their conversation was over, and with a quick 'good-night' he walked inside. It was cold out.

Kai never told us to stay. Dranzer thought.

Yes, but could we try to find Brooklyn in a night? Scarlet thought back.

I suppose not. Dranzer relented, Good night.

Scarlet closed her eyes, and was asleep in a minute.

The next morning, Kai woke up and saw that Dranzer had returned to his blade. He pocketed it with a slight smile; then tried to get Tyson up.

"Oh come on… the flights at like…"

"Seven. Get up." Kai shook his head; then went to see if anyone else was awake.

I am… Scarlet thought, Can you release me?

You'll have to wait until we're in Asia. Kai thought, I don't know what people will think of you. Besides, Voltaire might recognize you.

Hmph. Well, how long till you're in Asia? Scarlet thought.

Kai ignored the question, and walked out into the kitchen. Rei, Max, and Kenny were sitting there, and all of them looked tired.

"Morning…" Max yawned. Kai nodded, but didn't respond.

Excuse me, I asked you a question. Scarlet thought. Kai still didn't answer. KAI! Kai jumped.

"Umm, you okay?" Rei asked.

"Yeah." Kai said, thinking, Shut up Scarlet! I don't know when we'll be there.

Oh, so now you're going to tell an all powerful being to shut up?

You're not all powerful. Dranzer isn't even all powerful. That shut her up.

Tyson walked in, glared at Kai, and sat down.

Oh come on! Scarlet begged, Let me torch his hair! Please?

Kai smiled.

"What?" Tyson asked.

"Scarlet just offered to torch your hair." Kai answered.

"Umm, no thanks…" Tyson said, taking a step back.

Oh come on! Just let me out. You can tell anyone who asks you have a cat.

Oh yeah. A fire breathing cat. Sure.

I sense sarcasm.

Max looked at the clock. Rei looked at the clock. Tyson yawned and looked at the clock.

"We'd better get going." Kai said, "And if anyone asks, we bought a guard dog." And with that, he muttered, "Dranzer, I release you until I see fit you return to my blade."

With a flash, Scarlet appeared. "Thanks." She said, then turned into a mean looking black dog that looked like a cross between a German shepherd and husky.

Guard mutt at your service. Dranzer thought, I'm not too good with pure breeds, sorry.

Someone knocked on the door. Scarlet growled deep in her throat, but it was just Hilary."Wow, you got a dog?" She asked.

"It's Scarlet." Kai said.

"Oh… Well, that means she won't hurt me at least." She walked over to Scarlet and stroked her head.

If she even thinks about putting bows or ribbons in my hair I'll rip her throat out. Scarlet thought to Kai, You should tell her this, because I think it's hard to get blood out of carpets.

"She says not to put bows in her fur…" Kai said. Everyone stared at him. "Just passing on the message…" he muttered.

I didn't think you'd actually do that! Scarlet laughed, it sounded like a hoarse bark. Wow… Okay, thank you… that was a laugh…

"Stupid mutt," he said. Scarlet raised her hackles and growled menacingly.

Watch it. If you die, I can release myself, and I'm always looking for an excuse.

"You've already said killing me would be too much work." Kai snapped at the dog, earning him several strange looks.

"We can understand each other's thoughts." Scarlet said, briefly transforming into herself to say it. Then she was a dog again, growling and wagging her tail.

"We should get going," Hilary said, "We need to get to the airport."

Umm, weird girl say what? Scarlet thought, I'm not getting in a dog carrier.

"I'm not weird!" Hilary snapped. "Wait, how'd I hear that?"

I haven't got a clue. Did anyone else hear anything?

No one answered.

You know what, Hilary? I think we'll be friends. If I ever become human again.

"Umm, thanks Scarlet!" Hilary said, wondering if she should sign up for therapy sessions. I'm talking to a dog. That just can't be normal.

Scarlet barked. Loudly enough to make everyone in the room flinch. We should go. I think I can get through security without being noticed.

"How?" Hilary asked.

Easy. A smaller dog. Dranzer, could you do that?

Course I could, Dranzer replied. Though I've never tried it before. Scarlet felt the familiar burning sensation that accompanied transformations, and in her place was a cute shitzu dog.

Scarlet shivered. When did y'all get so tall? Ooh a rhyme! She ran in happy little circles, jumping up and down. Oh my God, what's wrong with me?

"Umm, what happened to the other Scarlet?" Hilary asked, looking at Kai. He shrugged.

Dranzer, why am I acting so… preppy? I'm annoying, sarcastic, even downright mean sometimes, but not preppy!

When you take on an animal's form, you have to take some of that animal's personality as well, Dranzer explained. Let me help a bit. Scarlet felt her mind clear, and she sighed mentally. It was nice having her head back on her shoulders again. Figuratively, of course.

Thanks. She thought, yawning. I'm tired.

One more thing. Dranzer said softly, and a dog sized purse appeared on the floor. Scarlet lazily flopped in and almost immediately started snoring. Scarlet, you have so much ahead of you. Sleep peacefully. It might be the last time you are able to. Scarlet treated Dranzer like a friend, but Dranzer thought she was like a mother to the poor girl. She did her best to take care of her, but there was only so much she could do. And she knew she couldn't protect her from what was ahead. Whatever the future held, Scarlet would have to face it alone.

AN: I just love suspense, don't you? Please review! I've got anonymous reviews enabled, so you don't even have to sign in or have an account! Please? I really need the support to keep this going between The Eternal Maiden (my other fic) and school, and I'm seriously considering putting this on hiatus for that time unless you guys (and girls) can convince me otherwise.