1426 Words, this chapter

Chapter Ten, Dragon Wars

They watched him run away. "Should we pursue, Swan?"

"I doubt he'll lead us to the girl, so my guess is it's a waste of time."

"Hopefully he can avoid any enemies," said Hook.

"Well, we got more serious problems," she said, moving off from his side.

"Indeed, and some seem to be of the more immediate variety."

"Huh?"

"Breakfast. I'll not have you dragging us so ill prepared again. Let's forage, perhaps hunt."

"We don't have time for..."

Her stomach grumbled and he shot her a smirk.

"Fine."

Emma found berries. Killian managed to catch a couple of rabbits.

"This is nice," he said, offering her the first piece of roasted rabbit.

She took it but frowned.

"What?" he asked.

"I...I don't like when you...wait on me."

He laughed. "I offered you a meager piece of cooked meat. Besides, you helped with the meal."

She looked at the couple handfuls of berries. "Oh, yeah. I did great." She frowned. "I'm not helpless," she muttered, more to herself.

He chewed on his dinner. "Of course not, Swan."

She sighed, but her hunger took over and for a while they ate in silence.

Then Hook had to say, "You aren't equipped for forest living. I shall overlook it."

"Don't do me any favors." She threw the last bit of rabbit down.

Killian sighed. "And we're back to the animosity of yesterday."

Emma glared at him. "You started it with that 'forest living' jab."

"It was simply a humorous comment. You are completely capable of taking care of yourself, Emma. I know that better than anyone."

Emma stared ahead of her, blankly.

He kept his voice even. "I know it is hard for you to rely on others."

"Killian..."

"However, that is what you do when you are with someone."

She stood. "Not now. Don't talk about this now."

He threw down the rabbit bones and sighed heavily. "Emma, every time I talk about what we are, what is between us, you pull away."

"Now isn't a good time."

"It never is it seems."

"I'm serious!" she yelled. "We have other problems."

"Other? So you and I are a problem now?" She rolled her eyes. "I fail to see why, Love."

She moaned. "Killian..."

"But you're right," he said, cutting her off. He stood up, cleaning his hands on his pants. "We have more pressing concerns and we've wasted enough daylight."

"Yes," she said.

They walked out of the little forest area that had been Wang's camp.

Killian looked at the terrain ahead of them, it was split by a slight hill, leading down into lower ground. "Why don't we split up? We should search both terrains."

She sighed with relief. "That's a good idea. I'll take the high ground."

He bowed as she rolled her eyes. He began to walk off then turned. "Do let me know when you feel like tolerating my presence again, won't you Miss Swan?"

She huffed loudly. "You are such a drama queen! Look, meet me here in...two hours?"

"As you wish," he said, smirking and walking away.

She stood there for a moment. "Stupid, hovering, impossible man." She began to walk the other way. "What the hell are we fighting about anyway? What is my problem with him?"

She trudged away.

Hook walked, shaking his head. "What the hell does she want?" he asked aloud. "Bloody, infuriating woman!"

He was suddenly alerted to a noise. He drew his sword. "Come out. Now!"

"Don't hurt me, please!" cried a scared, soft voice as a young, terrified woman crawled out from beneath a rotted tree. She held her hands up in front of her.

Hook smiled and put away the sword. "I promise I do not intend to do you any harm, Lass."

She looked at him, then slowly dropped her hands. She kept her eyes on him.

"What are you doing out here, Love? Are you lost?" he asked.

She didn't answer.

"Are you alone?"

Again, she didn't answer.

He began to get suspicious, looking her over for a mark. "Tis a dangerous time in the realm, you know."

She nodded.

"Well, I can't leave you out here. Come along, I'll escort you to the nearest town."

She stood still. She looked him over now. "I...um..." She seemed unsure of whether to follow him or not.

He smiled gently. "I promise you, no harm will come to you while you are with me. You have my word."

She studied his eyes for a moment than gave a slight smile. "Thank you."

"This way, I think." He led off, back toward where he'd left Emma. Just in case, he thought. The young woman was definitely a possible candidate, but he'd need help, at least if they were looking for a mark.

So, he decided to go back for reinforcements.

"Why are we heading in this way?" asked the girl. "Were you not coming from this direction?"

"I was, indeed," he answered, "but I have a companion that I temporarily left. I must head back the way I came to reunite with her."

"I see," she said. She walked beside him. "Why did you leave her?"

He chuckled. "We had a slight...disagreement. She can be so temperamental."

The girl smiled. "We women can be indeed."

He smiled back. "I'm Killian Jones, by the way."

"Ji."

He quirked an eyebrow. "Unusual name. Very pretty however."

She gave a weak smile. "I do not think it is pretty. It does not convey a meaning of beauty like 'lotus,' or 'butterfly."

"What meaning does it convey?"

"Order or continuity."

"Hmm. That's not bad. Life must have order and it is preferable if it continues on." He smirked.

Ji frowned.

Hook prattled on. "It is a name with significance."

"It is."

"It means you have significance," he said.

"It does," she said sadly. "I wish it was less so."

He raised his eyebrow. "Why?"

She shrugged and became silent. Killian looked at her. She was different. She looked simple enough. She was small, thin, and looked rather fragile. She had dark, short hair and rather dark skin. She had the same Asian features as Hu and the rest of the Wisdom Clan.

"You never answered me, Ji. Are you alone? Do you have any family?"

She shook her head.

"No one?"

She didn't answer. She didn't have a chance. Suddenly, there was a great wind and a shriek.

"Dragon!" screamed Hook. He grabbed for Ji, but she ran. "No! Stay with me, Ji!"

The dragon swooped down, chasing the young woman. Hook ran after it and managed to throw a large rock at it. It stopped it's chase and turned on the pirate.

"Bugger..." he muttered. Hook advanced, sword drawn and ready to battle.

The dragon roared and lunged, knocking him to the ground with a smack of its massive tail.

"Stop!" screamed the girl. "You must stop attacking!"

It roared and hissed.

"Ji, get back!" yelled Killian.

"You will not disobey!"

The dragon stood, staring at her.

"Ji..."

She stood her ground. The dragon didn't attack but it didn't back down. "Enough, of this!" she cried. "Do not trifle with me!"

It opened it's mouth. Hook, stunned a bit by the blow, could only lay and watch helplessly as he was sure it was about to launch a firestorm at the helpless girl.

Or was she helpless?

"I command you!" she yelled, staring it down. Finally it closed it's lips and took a step back. It roared again.

"Leave here and do not harm another human being!" It stared at the girl. She kept it's gaze. "Go!

Finally it backed up again. It spread it's wings and flew away.

Killian still lay, shocked by the incident.

Ji crouched beside him. "I think it was a rogue, not part of any clan." He stared at her, saying nothing. "Killian, are you hurt?"

He continued staring. "Bloody hell," he said. He began to scrutinize her skin.

She looked at him and a tear fell from her eye. "You know."

Killian breathed out and nodded. "A dragon in human form..." he muttered.

"In the form of a girl, to be precise," said Ji.

"I apologize for repeating myself, Love, but...bloody hell."

She laughed weakly. "Indeed."

End of Chapter Ten