Smells Like Mary, Loved the comment about the car. Now I have a few ideas floating around for said vechicle.
Silver Flower, Hmmm...ideas ideas...
Tiger, Indeed she will
Everyone, Thanks for your reveiws! They mean a lot to me. Sorry for the delay, hopefully the next chapter will come faster and Joey's and Seto's relationship will really take off. I have some ideas floating around for a few of our other favoirte charaters too. : )
Noon came, the fire had long since died, and both teenagers still slept, huddled together. The early morning cold had seeped through Seto's coat, and a still-shirtless Joey subconsciously nuzzled himself against Seto, seeking the warm of his body.
A few birds chirped close by; an annoyance that Seto tried to ignore. Nearby, a twig snapped, waking his sleeping mind further. Unfortunately, once Seto was awake, he was truly awake, and there was no rolling over or dozing off. He may still be sleepy, but going back to bed was always out of the question; it was as if his mind were either on, or off. Nothing in-between.
Not wanting Joey to catch them so close together, Seto sat up, rubbing his eyes, before shaking the other teen awake. The blonde started quickly, muttering furiously about a shrimp roll, causing Seto to smirk inwardly.
"Having good dreams?" he asked snidely.
The warmth of the other's coat fell away from Joey's arms, the brisk winter morning waking him rudely. "Yeah, I was away from you," he shot back, not knowing it was Seto who had kept him so warm all night.
Ignoring Joey's comment, the brunette stood and stretched, trying to work the stiffness from his body.
Sleeping on the ground was hell, and while Joey seemed to tolerate it better, he was missing the soft comfort of his bed. If there was one thing he was going to do when he got home, it was curl up with his comforter and try to take a nap.
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Seto grabbed his jacket, dusted it off, and then slipped it over his shoulders. Thankfully their clothes and shoes had dried, and Joey was layering up, putting on both his shirts, followed by his sweater. Like hell if he was going to spend another day cold!
"Nothin' is better than dry socks!" Joey grinned as he slid his shoes on, wiggling his toes against the warmth his socks provided. "An' I mean nothin'."
"I think a bed just might have that beat," Seto muttered, not taking into consideration that it had been years since Joey had slept on one.
Opening his mouth to retort, Joey stopped when a foreign noise pierced the air. It echoed through the trees and silenced the birds, shattering the peaceful serenity of the forest.
"Addis," Seto whispered, his heart racing with hope. There was no mistaking the pleading roar of a dragon.
"No, it was Ciaran!" Joey corrected, the color draining from his face quickly, knowing what noise that was. He'd only heard it once, and it had been late one night, in the meadow with his father and an electric prod.
Without warning or care Joey took off in a sprint, avoiding rocks and jumping over the occasional branch. Had he been calm enough to realize how agile he was, he may have complimented himself - but driven by sheer fear, he ran ahead, ignoring Seto's shouts to slow down. Again, another deafening roar rang out, this one higher in pitch, signaling his dragon's distress. His heart pounded faster, his mind racing with the promise he gave her: the promise to protect her.
Strong, but not invincible, years of abuse had left Joey damn close to fearless. He stood up for his friends, cared for his loved ones, and never backed down from a challenge. His loyalty was his folly, as when someone he cared about was in danger he would blindly rush in, without hesitation and without fear.
"Ciaran!" he shouted out, desperate for her to hear him. Above all else he wanted her to know he was there, that he was coming. Being unable to help the thing he cared for most sent his soul frantic. What if she thought he'd left her? What if she thought he wasn't trustworthy? What if, this time, he failed her?
Crashing through a particularly thick bush, Joey burst into a clearing, panting heavily. Before him lay a small meadow, a scene of chaos unfolding.
Ciaran was in the middle, filling most of the space, backing up as she was surrounded by a group of men, some with guns, and others with spears. A more daring group of them had slung a rope around Ciaran's front claws, and could be seen trying to tie it around a tree.
Each man was yelling at the top of their lungs, confusing the dragon's sensitive hearing. Muddled by their yelling and assaults from their weapons, Ciaran back up against the tree line, torn between defending herself or submitting. All her training taught her to never harm a human, but these people were not like the others. They had no compassion, and worse, they smelt of dragon's blood.
Before he had a chance to evaluate what was happening Joey ran forward and threw his arms up high, yelling, "Ciaran! Up!"
Without hesitation, the beast tore the rope from her captors and rose on her hind legs. "Breath!" Joey yelled again, and while still on back legs, the dragon let cry the dogs of war, breathing a long pillar of fire into the air.
Below her the men hesitated, confused at the sudden appearance of the tamer, and the sheer power of the dragon. "Down!" Joey followed with a hand signal, seeing the dragon's piercing ruby eyes on him. Her front legs crashed to the earth making the ground quake, then seeing Joey move his hand out she followed in suit, lashing out with her tail sending three of the attacking men flying into the air.
They landed motionless against the short grass, one with his leg twisted at an odd angle, another bleeding from his noise which had smashed into the dirt. Realizing what was going on, one of the men left the challenge of the dragon and rushed to Joey, gun pointed at his head. With a barrel to his face Joey froze, hands still in the air from giving Ciaran her last command. Both tamer and dragon stood still.
"Y-ya' don't understand, she's mine," Joey stammered as more men rushed the black dragon, who was now trying to retreat again. They wasted no time in throwing more ropes around her front claws, and one managed to sling one around her left horn. A sharp scream emitted from the dragon as her head was forcefully wrenched down.
"Ain't yers if it ain't wit' ya'!" the man grunted, clearly bullshitting every word if the sweat on his forehead and shaking hands were any clue. Unless you lived under a rock, everyone knew it was impossible to tame a wild dragon the way Ciaran was; it just didn't happen. It was clear who she belonged to, but that didn't stop Joey's assailant from cocking his gun.
Opening his mouth to respond, Joey yelled and stepped back when a large branch came from nowhere, smacking the man in the back of the head knocking him unconscious. His limp body fell to the ground and Seto quickly picked up the gun, unloaded the bullets, and then pulled the gun apart tossing the useless pieces in different directions.
"Get Ciaran!" he ordered, snapping Joey back to reality, who was gawking at Seto like he were some kind of angel.
"Right!" Joey turned his attention back to his dragon, who was being assaulted with a barrage of bullets from one of the mens' machine guns. Unwilling to fly away from Joey, and too large to fit between the trees, she leaned back into the forest, her body pushing against two trees that began to crack and bend under her weight.
Temper flaring, Joey took a step forward and began instructing again. "Ciaran, block it!" he moved his arm in front of his face, Ciaran moving her wing to shield her body. Her titanium laced scales took the brunt of the attack, but the stinging sensation set the dragon's temper ablaze.
In a matter of moments, the man ran out of bullets, and quickly fumbled to reload. "Bite!" Joey snapped his fingers.
Ciaran removed her wing and lashed out with her teeth, ripping the weapon from the man's hand, along with a few fingers. Blood gushed from his hand, down his arm, and onto the ground. Wounded and bleeding the man let out a cry of pain, falling to his knees. It was remarkable how similar it sounded to Ciaran's own cry - something Joey found ironic. He was quickly silenced by another quieting blow from the dragoness' tail.
Retreating back to the tree line, Seto watched in awe as Joey instructed Ciaran with pin-point precision, the dragon responding with his movements faster than his commands. Together, it was as if the two were dancing, Joey giving his signal and Ciaran reacting immediately. No cue was missed, and no confusion was evident. In a blur, the rope on her horn was gone, bitten off and shaken loose, while the men who restrained her front legs were thrown forward into the air, crashing into the trees behind the dragon.
Joey moved an arm out, Ciaran's tail plowed against the ground, his arms would raise, she would raise. The two were in sync, something that even Seto hadn't accomplished.
It only took minuets for Joey to scare off the rest of the attackers, and with one last threatening roar and billowing stream of fire, they were seen scampering into the forest, weapons abandoned in the meadow.
Now safe, Joey ran to his dragon, embracing her lowered muzzle in a hug, her tail thumping against the grass pleasantly. Like a dog reunited with its master. Still shaking from adrenaline he was unable to speak, but began looking her over for any injuries, sighing in relief when he found none.
His paled hands worked their way over her wings, inspecting a few scratches from where the bullets had hit, but other than that she was fine. Years of proper care and nutrition had given her a solid coat of armor, one that had surly saved her life. A hand reached out and gripped Joey's shoulder in a comforting manner.
"She's alright," Seto murmured, his voice soothing, if such a thing could be said. Unable to control his overwhelming emotions, Joey wrapped his arm around her large leg and buried his face against her rough scales, fighting back tears. "Where those what I think they were?" he asked, taking in a deep breath to try and clam himself.
With a heavy sigh Seto scratched his head and nodded gravely. "Yeah. Dragon Hunters. It is one of the reasons I wanted to look for Addis. I am sure he would have come back eventually, but I don't want people like them finding him first."
Dragon Hunters, the heart of the black market in the world of dragons. Groups of people who deliberately hunt and killed dragons, stripping them of their scales, live or dead, for profit. Each dragon's scale was a concentrate of the stone they ate, so for tamers - such as Joey and Seto - it was a nightmare, one that haunted the deepest parts of their mind. Teeth were sold as commodity and bones were ground down to be used in 'medicine'.
A dragon like Ciaran could be worth thousands of dollars, and a dragon such as Addis even more. While there were some sick people who specifically bred dragons to be culled, dragon tamers wouldn't dare think such a thing. A dragon's hide was something to be proud of, and tended to, not sold on the black market for prize, or jewelry.
The thought of Ciaran's body being cut down and made into a necklace sent another violent shudder through Joey, and he took another deep, calming breath. "Thanks," he said, finally feeling strong enough to let go of Ciaran who was watching him with concerned eyes. "If you hadn't saved my ass, I don't know what I would'a done."
"Whatever." Seto shrugged his appreciation off, not wanting to feel embarrassed. "I guess Muto isn't a good babysitter after all."
"Yeah..." Joey frowned at the mention of Yugi, wondering why his friend had allowed his dragon to leave. The thought of her forcing her way out of the stable never occurred.
"Come on, we need to get a move on." Seto went back to the tree line and picked up both their backpacks, which he had only managed to grab at the last second before giving chase to Joey.
Taking the backpack and slinging it over his shoulder he began to follow Seto back into the woods, stopping when Ciaran didn't move. "Let's go," He urged her gently, but the dragon stood strong in her resolve.
"She can't move through the trees, she is too big. She'll fly after us, don't worry," Seto explained over his shoulder to Joey, turning his head back toward him as he spoke so Joey could hear him.
Gripping the strap to his backpack Joey hesitated. "How do you know?"
Seto's dismissive laugh could be heard, followed by his condescending tone. "Do you think her being so close by was a coincidence?"
With one last glance back at Ciaran, Joey hurried after Seto, torn between the two; but knowing he couldn't allow Seto to walk off by himself. Sure enough Ciaran, with one last look at the unconscious men in the meadow, took flight, circling high above her tamer. Reassured she wouldn't go missing he jogged after Seto.
"Do you always have to be such a jerk?" Joey questioned sharply as he caught up to Seto, who was pointedly looking in the opposite direction.
Frowning, Seto grunted, but didn't answer.
What mood did Joey expect him to be in? Ciaran had obviously escaped from the barns, and instead of flying off somewhere she had chosen to follow Joey, unlike his own beast. He would never show it, but jealousy was seeping through his veins; not to mention the twinge of pain he felt. It hurt to know that the female dragon loved Joey more than his own dragon did him - assuming dragons even felt such an emotion in the first place.
Joey's hand clasped around his shoulder, stopping him and spinning him around, his eyes locking into Joey's. "Why are you such an asshole?" Joey grunted, his voice harsher, his brows furrowed and his lips pursed.
"Why do you care?" Seto challenged, hands clenching into fists.
Joey snorted. "If I am going to be stuck with you for a few more days, I think I have the right to know why you hate me. You just saved me and my dragon, now you're being a complete dick. Way to act like a confusing idiot."
"I don't hate you…" Seto grumbled, turning his back to Joey as he tried to walk off again.
"You sure as hell act like it!" Again, Joey stalked after him.
"I don't talk to the people I hate," was the retort.
"Oh.." Joey smiled at the revelation, "So that's the trick. If I ever need you to shut the hell up, I just make you hate me?"
Seto's blue eyes rolled lazily, letting the subject drop as he turned away from Joey and began to walk again. Stepping over a branch he ignored Joey huffing behind him, muttering furiously about how Seto was "stubborn, arrogant, egotistical" - and, apparently, a know-it-all. Seto smirked at that, finding Joey's rambling amusing.
As quickly as his smirk appeared, Seto made his expression placid again, mentally scolding himself for thinking of Joey in any other way than an employee. Luckily Joey was still behind him, unable to see the momentary confliction that was happening internally. A shutter of uncertainty passed through him causing him to clear his throat.
"I hope we find Addis before they do," Seto said, trying to rid his mind of his intrusive thoughts.
Joey stopped walking and looked up at the sky, Ciaran still continuing with her large circles overhead.
"Ya' know, if she found us, I bet she can find Addis."
Seto rolled his eyes again, this time critically as he kept walking. "Joey, she followed you. She didn't find you."
Joey snorted dismissively, holding his hand up high signaling to Ciaran. The large black dragon circled closer to the ground, her great wings stirring up wind, rustling the trees as she perched on the nearest one, the branches groaning in protest. Ciaran readjusted her footing, her claws wrapping around the branch as she gave Joey a questioning look, her deep red eyes looking humorously curious.
Not knowing exactly what to say Joey took a shot in the dark. "Find Addis?" Joey asked, holding his arms out to try and mimic wings.
Ciaran's head tilted to the side quizzically, a small burst of fire emitting from her nostrils. "Addis, Ciaran. Addis!" The dragon only looked more confused.
Clenching his jaw in frustration he looked over to Seto, who was standing there with an amused look on his face. "What're you looking at me for? I told you it was a stupid idea."
"Shut up!" Joey snapped, crossing his arms as he tried to think. "Don' suppose you have any of your jewelry in there, do ya'?"
"Jewelry? You mean diamonds that easily cost more than twice your salary?" he laughed.
"Considering I don't make shit, that doesn't mean a whole lot, buddy." Joey held his hand out expectantly, waiting as Seto rummaged through his backpack.
Moments later he withdrew a small, black velvet bag and emptied some of its contents into Joey's hands. Small diamonds glittered against in the sun in his palm, boasting their transparent rainbow beauty. Taking one between his fingers he held it up high toward Ciaran. "Addis." He repeated, hoping she would understand.
His dragon stretched her neck down, the wood creaking louder in distress, and tried to sniff the stone. Leaning an extra inch, the branch gave a sudden crack and broke, the dragon falling face first to the earth, landing clumsily next to Joey. Her large wings trashed against the nearby branches as she tried to recompose herself.
Branches and leaves tumbled to the ground against the dragon's assault, a limb crashing down near Seto, who was trying to take refuge under an old oak tree. "Joey, do something!" he shouted, covering his eyes with his elbow to keep bark from hitting him.
"Settle!" Joey yelled, dropping all the diamonds except the one he was holding out as he tried to grab ahold of a scale, knowing his touch would help calm her down.
His hand rested against her leg and her wild movements slowed, her chest heaving wildly as her eyes darted around. "Easy," He soothed smoothly, stroking the scales on her leg. Slowly the dragon stood, regaining her footing and shaking lose any branches or leaves that had fallen on her.
As she calmed down, Joey held the stone out again. "Ciaran, look." Her large head lowered and she gave the tiny stone a great sniff. "We need to find Addis." The dragon let her breath out in a great sigh, her warm breath sending a shiver through Joey's cold body.
Looking at Joey one last time Ciaran shifted her weight and began to climb up the nearest tree, very much like a giant lizard. Once she was at the top she took flight, flying off in one straight direction rather than her previous circles.
Minuets passed and Joey frowned, his dragon nowhere in sight. Seto was now leaning against a tree with his arms crossed and a very bored expression on his face.
"Great, now you've gone and lost her. Smooth move, Wheeler," Seto grumbled, beginning to walk again in the same direction he had earlier.
"I did lose her!" he protested hotly, stomping after Seto.
Seto snorted back a laugh. "Funny. She sure is gone, to not be lost. Next time I can't find something, I'll be sure to not say it's lost."
"Whatever…" Joey grumbled, knowing that Ciaran would be back. "At least she didn't burn down a bath house then fly away," he spat quietly.
Seto stopped abruptly, fists clenched tightly at his sides. Joey, who had a terrible habit of watching his feet while he walked, smacked face-first into his back, letting out an "oof!" as he did.
Turning his head to the side, Seto's ice-blue eyes looked fiercely back at Joey. "Say that again, and I'll leave you in the middle of the woods with your stupid dragon, never to be seen again!" he threatened.
Now Joey rolled his honey brown eyes, stepping past Seto lazily. "Right. Look, Moneybags, drop the threats and walk. Ciaran will be back, you'll see."
Rather than starting another argument, Seto let it go, walking next to Joey in silence through the morning, and then into the afternoon. It wasn't until his stomach gave a loud growl, did the two stop, agreeing it was time for a break.
As they dug through their backpack for something to eat, Joey scanned the sky, sighing when he didn't see Ciaran. Maybe Seto had been right. He grabbed a pack of chips from his bag and ate one as he thought, not daring to voice it opinions for fear of Seto's scrutiny.
"We should stop for the night." Seto broke the silence abruptly. "We can get a fire started so it'll burn till morning."
Without responding, Joey stood up, half a sandwich hanging from his mouth. He began to collect firewood. Although he would have liked to have traveled a little farther, the cold was beginning to creep in once more, accompanied by a light snowfall.
As far apart as possible the two lay down by the fire, Joey snuggled up to his jacket and Seto to his trench coat. Time ticked by and Joey sat up, eyes to the sky as he waited for his dragon's return.
