The Flaming Dawn

by Zaru

Summary: A year has passed by quickly. The government has funded a special team just for the Autobots to help keep track of the Decepticons still roaming on Earth. When Starscream returns in full force, how will everybody deal with another event just like Mission City?

Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers. I do own Zaru Kiys. I own Club Kunoichi. Leiana Lopez belongs to Ninjalala. Rose Connelly belongs to BlackwingRose. Jade Rivers belongs to Icarian Angel Wings. Kia Hawkins belongs to weapon13white fang. Piper Somoon belongs to BlackHealer222. Erin Timmons belongs to Strawberrytop007. Bethany King belongs to Mrs. Optimus Prime. I own characters with small/very minor roles as well. Songs sang/mentioned belong to their writers/singers/creators.

A/n: Chapter 5 is here! I'm so pleased with myself. Although it sucks that it's such a short chapter. But I hope you guys like it! Please enjoy everybody! XD

Chapter 5

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As quickly as the humans retreated from all the vehicles, there was an echoing sound of grinding gears and metal plating shifting into place. All the mechs bounded at once to give Starscream a piece of his own medicine, of what he did to Skyfire. But before they reached the Decepticon, he was already transformed in mid-flight, away from the ground, the sharp point of his F-22 mode facing them.

"This isn't over, Autoscum!" With those as his last, and only, words, he fled into the darkened skies through the clouds covering the moon.

"Damn." Mirage muttered as he replaced his weapon back in its casing. "Didn't even get to hit him once."

Optimus just frowned and stared over at the fallen mech on the other side of the rocky cliff. He was shredded, that much he could tell. And it would take Ratchet quite awhile to fix Skyfire back up to standard. Catching a glimpse through his night vision optics, he noticed Jade running the best she could in the dark toward Skyfire. It was easy to find him since sparks were flying from him. But it seemed mostly the girl was running on instinct toward her spark mate.

Hound stood next to Skyfire and shook his head. He wished he was there to help his friend, but they were all partying or at the hospital. And Skyfire never sent out a message that he was in danger of Starscream until it was too late. The green mech looked over as he saw the others hustling his way, Ratchet in tow.

The medic kneeled down on one knee, scanning and surveying the damage brought on by Starscream's crudeness. Optimus was now standing next to him as well as Jade who was out of breath from running so hard.

"Starscream certainly did a number on Skyfire." But Ratchet was surprised. With Skyfire's size, he wondered how Starscream didn't hold as much damage as him.

"How do you think Starscream did this to him?" Jade asked, tears in her eyes. She wiped them away with the back of her hand, but only more seemed to come.

"Most likely Starscream was using cowardice as a device and rammed him from above or behind and Skyfire noticed it too late." Ratchet sighed. "But don't worry, Jade. To me, this damage seems minimal and will not take more than a couple days to repair." He growled to himself. "If only Mikaela were here to help me with the smaller side of things."

It was true. Mikaela was a mechanic and learned a lot about Cybertronian anatomy from him. She was able to delve into certain areas that he himself could not reach without using his holoform. But the situations always arose when he needed to work on one part and another set of hands, preferably smaller, were needed to work on the inside circuitry. But she and Sam, along with his parents and Bumblebee, went on a camping trip north from Tranquility.

Rose and the others showed up finally after all the huffing and puffing while running. Zaru was mostly out of breath and Mirage called her on it.

"I told you those cigarettes would cause you nothing but trouble, Zaru."

Being close to him, she kicked his metal leg with her foot only to fall backwards and hold her foot in pain.

"Ow." She pouted and glared up at him.

He shrugged at her and smirked. "You can't hurt me, sweetheart. I'm metal."

Can't hurt him, huh? "Well, if I can't hurt you like this, I can certainly hurt you another way."

He raised an optic ridge and challenged her, arms folded across his chest. "How?"

Standing up, she dusted herself off while saying, "No sex for two weeks."

Blue optics widened and his metal jaw dropped. "You can't do that to me! I didn't do anything wrong!"

"Next time you'll learn to keep your mouth shut, won't you?" Smirking in victory, she gazed over at Jade. "Jadie, you okay?"

The blonde-brunette was still crying, but it ceased some when she learned that her mate was going to be just fine. "Oh yeah. I'm fine now that I know Sky is gonna be okay." Her eyes narrowed and hands fisted at her sides. "If Starscream ever comes near him again, I will find a way to kill him myself!"

"Ironhide, Optimus, Mirage, help me bring Skyfire into the base. We need to get him to the med bay right away or he might not make it!"

The crew had made their way inside and Skyfire was now in the med bay, Jade with Ratchet to help if needed. She had learned some things herself from Skyfire, so she might be useful. Somehow.

The rest of the humans and some of the mechs were in the lounge area relaxing after such a tiring ordeal. Maggie looked around seeing Kia was standing away from the group, leaning against the base wall with her arms folded across her chest. She really wasn't into social groups. More of a loner, keeping to herself when she could. Maggie expected her to be that way. Because of Keller's demanding demeanor about her friend's behavior lately, it was understandable. Not speaking with people much would keep her out of trouble. But still, Kia needed to be introduced to everybody.

"Kia, perhaps it is high time for you to finally know everybody here?" Maggie set a hand on her shoulder. "Or we can wait until everything is calmed down and you are settled."

The raven-haired female shrugged and waved it off. "I don't care. The sooner it's done with the better."

Grabbing her wrist, Maggie pulled her unreluctantly toward the group without so much as another word from her.

Zaru was leaning over the couch, Mirage's tall bipedal form standing right behind her. He was trying to convince the woman to change her mind about what she had said earlier to him. But of course, Zaru wasn't giving in and kept ignoring and brushing it off. She was the first to notice Kia and Maggie standing before them.

"Well, I'm sorry that we haven't had the best evening so far, Miss Hawkins." Leaning over the couch, she set out a hand for Kia to shake. "I'm Zaru Kiys. It's my birthday today and it's been hell."

Nodding, she smacked Rose and Leiana on their shoulders to get their attention. Leiana, due to reflexes, hit her right back earning a groan from her boss.

The latina hissed in shock and covered her mouth, eyes wide. "Damn it, Zaru! I'm sorry, but don't do that to me again!"

"Wouldn't think of it." Her blue eyes rolled and closed clutching the area beneath her chest. "Although, I really wish I could dock your pay at this point." When she caught her breath a little, she stated, "Introduce yourself already."

Blowing a raspberry, Leiana stood and introduced herself.

"Leiana Lopez. But my friends all call me Lala for short."

Rose stayed where she was seated and introduced herself with a never-ending warmth of a smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Kia. I'm Rose Connelly."

Kia raised an eyebrow. "You have an accent. Where are you from?"

"England, love. I come from England."

"Ah. I see." Looking around she asked, "What about that other woman? Who was she? Where is she?"

"Oh, well, the woman you saw earlier with the blonde and brunette hair was Jade Rivers. The Autobot Skyfire whom they took into the med bay is her spark mate and boyfriend." Leiana confirmed for the army official.

Kia nodded until the words sank into her brain. Did she just say boyfriend? "Boyfriend?"

The girls and mechs explained to her, as well as Maggie and Glen, the details of the spark bond and how it was represented. They knew it wasn't easy information to indulge at the time, but it would be easy thinking as time progressed.

It had been a long night for the group, and as such, sleepiness was not an option to overlook. All of the humans and some of the mechs went to recharge for the night.

Sweat glistened on her dark skin. Her breath was quick and she panted underneath him. Her fingernails dug into his back as he drove into her at a fast pace trying to relieve any sexual tension that built during their foreplay. The primal need inside of him begged to be released and he thrust into her faster. The moans and groans she vocalized pushed him over the edge. But he wouldn't allow himself to finish before her.

Reaching between them with a free hand, he rubbed her and she screamed out his name, climaxing into complete bliss. The platinum blonde impaled her a few more times before he released his own roaring ending. The electric that passed from him to her caused her to release once more, coming together.

Sunstreaker was weak. He let himself fall on top of his spark mate, holding up his weight the best he could. Leiana let out a groan as her boyfriend's weight fell upon her. Too breathless to say anything, she pulled her arms between them and gently pushed him off, moving out from underneath him. The holoformed mech reached down pulling the comforter around the both of them before pulling her to spoon against him.

Leiana reached up brushing loose strands of damp hair behind her ear before covering his arm with hers. She smiled small and closed her eyes. Her breathing was even and slow as though she was ready to fall asleep.

"So..." Sunstreaker smirked as propped himself on his elbow to look down at his beloved's face.

"Don't tell me you wanna go another round, Sunny?" She turned her face to mock glare at him.

He shook his head. "Nah. I think three times is enough, don't you think?" He wiggled his eyebrows and leaned down nuzzling her ear and hair with his nose. "But, now that you mention it..."

"Hell no. It's late and I'm tired. And you also need to sleep as well. I'm sure you've drained a lot of energy already with maintaining this form." She reached behind her and cupped his butt, earning a yelp. He glared down to see her grinning. "Not that I want this sexy body of yours to go away."

"And I don't want this sexy body of yours to go away either."

"Pfft. I'm human. It'll stay." But not when I get old. She frowned a little and Sunstreaker noticed.

The arm around her waist moved to the cup the side of her face, making her look straight up at him. "What's wrong?"

"Mm. Nothing. Why?"

"I'm sensing you're a little upset about something." He leaned down kissing her lightly. "Are you okay?"

The latina just nodded and smiled at him once again. "Yeah. I'm all right." Sighing, she turned and kissed his palm. "I love you." She whispered and nuzzled his hand.

"I love you, too." Taking a chance while she was distracted, he sat up a little and reached the hand under him to grab one of her boobs.

The woman shrieked and slapped him on the chest. "PERVERTIDO!" She sat up quickly and punched him in the shoulder.

Sunstreaker just chuckled. "Ha ha." The goofy grin appeared. "Yes I am a pervert. Thank you."

It was early the next morning. Sakauchi woke up to the bright morning sun peering through the thin blinds of his hospital room. His dark eyes opened, squinting at the brightness. Shielding it with his hand, he turned from his side to sit straight up, looking around. He forgot he was in the hospital until he noticed the needle from the I.V. sticking out of his arm. Groaning, he rubbed his forehead. It was a little cold in his room so he pulled blanket and sheet around him some more. Looking on the side, he noticed the call light wondering if he should call for a nurse to help him out of bed. The poor old man had to go to the bathroom pretty badly. But he decided to let his pride go and call for a nurse.

After pressing the call light, the nurse wandered into the room helping him out of the bed. The red head smiled brightly as she pulled his I.V. next to him. She was a little ways behind him before she started to giggle. Sakauchi was curious as to what she was laughing about until he felt a draft behind him. Eyes wide, he reached behind with a free hand closing it.

"I'm glad that I was able to give you a laugh this early in the morning, my dear." Sakauchi sighed and chuckled himself.

Bethany just shook her head. "Yeah. It was a good laugh. Nice boxers by the way, Mr. Takigawa."

"Please, Nurse. Call me Sakauchi."

Bethany nodded. "Well then you can call me Bethany instead of Nurse, Sakauchi."

Bowing his head low, he smirked. "Well, thank you for attending to me, Bethany. I am sure you have more serious patients to deal with than this old Japanese man."

"Actually, I don't think you look old, Sakauchi. You look at least in your 40's. Not to mention you are a handsome man."

He turned and smiled at her. "Well, I guess I still got it, huh?"

Rolling her eyes, she ushered him forward. "Come on, Sakauchi. Let's get whatever business you need to get done."

They both laughed as she helped him into the bathroom.

Around ten minutes later, they both emerged from the bathroom, Bethany holding onto the wheeling I.V. and Sakauchi walking along with her. Bethany was a little curious about the old man and decided to ask a few questions.

Guess my cat's ready to be killed. "So, Sakauchi, your family came to visit last night, huh?" Bethany fluffed up his pillow before letting him back on the bed.

Sakauchi nodded. "Yeah. All my grandchildren came." He smiled. All of the girls, Jade, Rose, Leiana and Zaru, they were his granddaughters. All of them. He saw them as his own and would always be there for him as best he could.

"Every single one of them are your grandchildren?" The nurse was now confused. The girls didn't look anything alike. None of them even had Japanese features. How could they all be his grandchildren?

"Yeah. The girls are my grandchildren. Three of them may not be blood, but they are still apart of my family."

"So, I read on the form your granddaughter filled out that you're Japanese. Do you have family there?"

"Oh yes. I have my daughter, son-in-law and four other grandchildren. All of them living there right now."

"What about your wife?" She wondered.

"My wife?"

She gestured to the wedding ring on his hand. "You have a wedding ring on."

"Oh." Sakauchi looked down mournfully at the ring on his left hand. "Yes, but Zaru's grandmother died several months ago. I'm a widower."

Her blue eyes turned sorrowful. "I'm so sorry to hear that, Sakauchi." She set a hand on his shoulder. "You and Zaru must have been very upset by it."

He nodded. "Very."

Wanting to change topic now, she asked, "So, are they coming today to visit you?" Beth tucked the blanket around him.

Sakauchi nodded. "Oh yes. The doctor tells me because it was a minor heart attack that I will be able to go home later today."

"Well, congratulations. And you better follow the doctor's orders once you get out."

The Japanese man nodded. "I've always been very cautious about my health, Bethany. No need to worry. Whatever I have to do to stay fit, I'll do it."

Before they could continue their conversation, there was an announcement on the loudspeaker stating for Beth to come back to the Nurse's Station.

She smiled and excused herself. Sakauchi nodded and closed his eyes, ready to fall back asleep as his stomach began rumbling.

"Dammit." He muttered and reached around to get the call light.

Jade awoke to the feel of cold metal under her body. Where am I? She asked herself. Opening her brown eyes, they adjusted seeing an entire wall of white in front of her. What's this? Scanning upward, Jade saw it ending and the tip of a nose. Gathering herself together, she stood up, brushing her clothes off.

Skyfire lay motionless on the huge berth, optics black. The blonde-brunette shook her head and set a hand on her spark mate's cheek.

"Please be okay when you wake up." She leaned over brushing her warm lips against his cold, metal cheek plate. "I love you, Skyfire."

The young woman caressed her fingertips against the metal and sighed lovingly. He would be okay. She knew it in her heart.

But she only wished she would find out soon enough.

TBC...

A/n: Another ending with a kind of cliffie, right? But anyways, this is a short chapter and I'm sorry about that. Chapter 6 will be much longer and will introduce a couple other new characters featured in the story! So please stayed tuned! And thank you, my fans, for keeping up with me all these months of writing The Illusions Series..

Sweet Mech Dreams,

Zaru