Yay , the next chapter is here!...OK yes I know that I am the slowest person in the world when it comes to posting but a little friend called writer's block was having a field day with my ideas. Anyway, I really hope you enjoy the next chapter of my growing story. .

Disclaimer: I don't own ANYTHING! Except the three sisters.

Chapter 9: Back Home

"Hey wait! Wait up!!" Jess yelled as she tried to catch up to me. She stopped and held her knees as she remembered how to breathe. "Since when did she become a sprinter?"

"Hey Jess!" She looked up and saw Kieran running her way. "What's going on?" He asked panting at her side.

Jess Looked beyond him at the wall of fire and her companions. Boyd and Ranulf were running towards them when the wall of flames twirled in a frenzy and rose into the sky, leaving behind nothing but scorched land. Boyd stopped and turned to watch the flames but Ranulf kept running at Jess.

"Hey you!" Ranulf yelled at Jess. She jumped back and his behind Kieran. Kieran was caught by surprise and threw up his arms saying, "I didn't do it!"

Ranulf shoved Kieran to the side so Jess was exposed. He grabbed her by the shirt and brought her to his face. "Where did she go?" Jess' eyes grew and shook in fear. Ranulf's faced softened, a little, and he gently put her back on the ground. "Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. Please will you tell me where Brenna ran off to?"

"Ah, I'm not sure. I tried to call her name but she kept running."

"Was Staci with here?" Boyd joined the conversation. He glanced down at Kieran. Who was rubbing his side, and snickered to himself.

"I'm not sure but she was carrying something. I think she was headed to the castle."

Ranulf's eyes grew and he faced the castle. His body started to transform and he turned into his beast form. He then took off at full speed towards the castle. Boyd ran after him leaving Jess and Kieran standing here dumbfounded.

"Well aren't they gentlemen. I give them information and they leave without even a thank you." She looked at Kieran who was trying to fight the mud and stand. "Kieran lets go. Where's your horse?"

"You should remember that with your screaming my horse bucked me off and ran. Man you have a short memory."

Jess just gritted her teeth and looked away in embarrassment. "Will then we'll just have to walk won't we?" Jess said and took off running.

"Hey, wait, I thought you said we would walk!" Kieran yelled after her and followed.

I could feel the heat on my arms as I held onto Staci. The marks still glowing on her wrists and forehead started to spread to her hands and face. I panicked and forced my body to run faster. As the village around the castle came into view many spirits grew as I thought of a healer. When I started to run through the village many people stopped and stared. I heard a constant splash as my feet pounded against the soaked tile. As I turned a corner I gasped as little boy ran into my path. I tried to shop but only ended up tripping. I quickly turned my body so that Staci was on top and I fell to the ground. Everyone just stared as my limp body laid there. I struggled to get up but Staci was throwing me off balance. I saw a shadow stop next to me and I looked up into the little boy's eyes from before. I just stared into hid innocent eyes but when he tried to touch Staci I jerked back violently.

"Don't touch her!!" I screamed losing control.

A woman, obviously the boy's mother, ran to her son's side and protectively held onto him. She gave me an angry glare and pulled her son away. I looked away ashamed of my reaction but the searing pain on my arms reminded me of the castle. I crawled to a nearby wall and braced my back against it. I then slowly stood to my feet while people stared, dumbfounded from the situation. When I was finally on my feet I took a deep breath and took a step foreword. The curious people that surrounded me stepped aside to let me by. I didn't want to waste anymore time but I quickly searched the crowd for the little boy. His mother was backing away with the boy cradled in her arms. I walked forward but whispered an apology to the mother before I ran off, my heard racing. The castle was just ahead.

"You're going the wrong way!!" Jess yelled at Kieran.

Kieran stopped and looked at a furious Jess and gave her a cocky smile. "Don't worry, Kieran, Commander of the Crimean Army Fifth Platoon, never gets lost."

"Uh huh, right, well have a pleasant trip. I'll see you at the castle," Jess called and started to run off in the opposite direction.

"Hey wait! Don't leave me behind," Kieran yelled when he realized that Jess was leaving without him.

Jess smiled to herself as Kieran tried to catch up. "Goof," she said to herself and kept running.

When I reached the castle, I was soaked from head to toe, had many cuts and burns from Pyra and my closes were stained with blood. Staci's marks were still glowing a bright red and it worried me. I ran through the castle gate and into the halls.

"Hey, are you all right? Hey!!" a maid asked as I brushed past her without paying attention.

I made my way to our bedrooms and was relieved when I saw a nice warm, bed to lay Staci down on. A maid was leaning the windows when I entered and quickly greeted me with a curtsy.

"Miss Brenna, is there something wrong? Should I call a healer?" the maid asked.

"Bed." I could hardly think, I was completely exhausted.

I carefully placed Staci down on the bed. I bit my tongue so I wouldn't cry as I peeled Staci from my arms. The maid yelped and panicked when I stepped back. My arms were burned to a crisped and bleeding. I kept my attention on Staci so I wouldn't feel the pain. I started to clam down until I saw smoke rise form under Staci.

"What in the world is going on?!" the maid yelled as he panicked about my arms. "Quick, call for a healer!" she yelled into the hallway.

My eyes grew wider as a small flame rose from under Staci and I finally realized what was happening. I took a deep breath and grabbed Staci. The pain drove me to a whimper but I lifted Staci off the bed. What met my eyes was a huge fire that was being suppressed under Staci's body. The maid just about fainted but leaned against the door as her struggled for her breath.

"Water!! Get some water!!" she yelled a t a few other maids that were passing by.

I stepped back and as I stared at the fire an idea came to me.

Water, Jess!" I exclaimed and ran down the hallway.

My mind was going a mile a minute trying to remember where Jess was. I stopped at the gate entrance and saw a blue cat sprinting into the castle. I stood there, brain scattered, and didn't

T realize who it was until Ranulf transformed right in front of my eyes. He started to wrap me up in a hug but I remembered Staci and the fire. I jerked back and he stood there a hurt look on his face.

"Where's Jess?" I asked again more urgently.

"Ranulf was worried about you s we ran ahead. Jess and Kieran should be here soon. In the meantime let me hold Staci for you." Boyd reached out for her.

Ranulf threw his hand out in front of Boyd and he jerked back. "Can't you see it Boyd?"

Boyd looked down and saw my burned flesh where I was originally holding onto Staci. He looked at me and then at Ranulf for any explanation

"Would someone be willing to..."

"Brenna!!" Boyd was interrupted by Jess's voice ringing through the halls. I peeked around Ranulf and saw Jess waving her arms at me. I ran past Ranulf towards Jess clinging to Staci.

"I was so worried about you. You really gave me a scare you……"

I halfway dropped halfway threw Staci in Jess's outstretched arms. She clung to Staci trying not to drop her. I relaxed and smiled when I saw no sigh of pain on Jess's Face.

"I thought so," I said as my legs gave way.

Ranulf quickly caught me and held me close. Jess stood there stupefied.

"Here let me take her," Kieran said and held out his arms.

"No, you can't hold her!" Ranulf quickly stated. "Don't you get it? Look at Brenna's arms!"

Jess and Kieran looked down and Jess gasped at the sight of my burnt arms.

"What's happening? Why don't I feel anything?" Jess asked panicking. Kieran placed his hand on her shoulders. "I don't understand."

"If I may," Everyone turned to the person that spoke and saw a woman in long flowing blue dress. "I can shed some light on the situation."

Movin right along. Ok here's the part when you tell me what you think.

Again, sorry for the wait. .