The BBQ and the Brawl

With the air becoming a bit more chilly Rosa and Lysander are having to wear sweaters to keep warm. So not to make anything awkward I wear one but being a winter elemental the cold doesn't really bother me all that much to begin with. since I'm going to see my two friends from over seas I've dressed up a bit wearing a long skirt and a shirt with long sleeves. For the time being I don't have to walk on eggshells like I do at school. Deborah has still been pulling her tricks and somehow even though I haven't been anywhere close to her I'm still getting the blame for it. the principal has done her part in reprimanding me, whether in front of a group or within earshot of teachers but she hasn't gone over anything close to expulsion. I've gotten detention more than I can even keep track of. But it's fine today I don't have to think about anything remotely close to that or anything else. Today I can just enjoy my time with my friends. When we reach the beach my pace picks up in excitement and I find myself nearly dashing over to the group of teens I recognize. Two girls stand in the group and instantly I recognize them.

"Lìxúe! Lì húa!" the tow of them turn at their names and brighten up at seeing me. they meet me half way and as we hug each other we jump up and down. the best way to describe these two are sugar and spice. Their both Spirit Masters but unlike other Spirit masters they share in their power just as they do their age and looks. ! Lì húa's power focuses more on defense abilities and she is the sugar in this pair. Her long black hair is curled into two long pony tails and most of her outfit from the ruffly shirt to the miniskirt and stockings is covered in pink and white and the occasional heart pattern. Her eyes gleam a light pink color. Her twin sister shares in looks and the eye colors but unlike, Lì húa, Lìxúe powers focus on fighting and attacking. Her looks would suggest that she's been in more than a couple of fights, her white hair pinned up in a wild mess on the top of her hair and a few chip sticks in a stark green and red sticking out. From her skull tanktop and leather jacket to her tattered blue jeans and boots even her accented accessories pop against the outfit making her look like a rocker or punk. Total opposite but still sisters through and through. "Wow I think you guys got taller than since I left!"

"Fae! I can't believe you!"

"No kidding you dropped off the face of the earth when you left!" they both glare at me hurtfully in their own way.

"I'm sorry…a lot has been going on…" I say.

Lì húa looks at me more closely,

"Ah! You cut your pretty hair!"

"Foul play…!" they haven't changed one bit as I'm reminded about how the two of them like to finish the other's thought. I fiddle with the strange length smoothing it down as I wait for their judgment. The rocker smiles, "It looks good on you Fae."

"Thanks. It's so good to see you guys."

"Fae you made it!" a more than eager Dake suddenly stops next to us his eyes shining with excitement. He's soon pulled out of our personal space by a familiar shadow stalker,

"Down boy…" Dajan says patting Dakes head like an actual dog before turning to me, "Nice you see a happy reunion."

"Zuò shénme yòng de ne? (What's with this) is this what you meant by surprise?" Lìxúe asks,

"Zhēn bang! (Awesome)" her sister finishes.

"Well it gets a bit better you guys; I kind of invited some friends of mine. I hope you don't mind."

"of course not; the more the merrier." Jade says finally greeting us with a kind smile.

"This is two of them: Lysander and Rosa. Kenny and Nathan should be here soon." I say introducing the two standing beside me.

"Well I know Fae isn't cold but how about we get a bonfire going to warm us up a bit. We can star cooking some of the food too." Jade suggests. The twins interested in how we'll be doing it go with him. Dajan drags Dake off with him to go and gather some twigs and the fire wood they brought to get the fire started.

"Say Fae, where do you know these guys from?" Rosa asks,

"They go to Larme High. I happen to run into them a couple of weeks ago before all the trouble started. They told me they were holding a welcome party for some exchange students and it turns out that they were my friends from out of country."

"I see…so that's how you know them."

"You're not suspicious of them are you Lysander? I don't think they're bad news."

"No they aren't but I can't say the same for the blonde haired boy. He seems rather…rambunctious?" I giggle slightly at his word choice, "I'm sure that a certain red head would not be too happy to know his girl is being hit on by a love sick puppy."

"I thought you and Castiel weren't really speaking?" Rosa says half jokingly,

"We aren't and that's the only reason he isn't going to find out." We all laugh before heading over to help out with the preparations. Pretty soon Kenny or rather Kentin today sow up not too long after we get things ready. Lì húa seems to really warm up to Kentin quickly putting on her sugar act. After being around Kim for so long I would have thought that he would be used to such energy but I guess Kim is more energetic in a tough girl way; Lì húa is more energetic in the princess buttercup way. She says one thing in that flirtatious way of hers and he says something sounding like his other persona when suddenly in a puff of smoke a red faced Kenny appears.

"Oh! I'm sorry did I get you all flustered?" my friend asks in a sincere voice but tries to hide her happy pink cheeks at the same time.

"N-no! Um Y-Yes! I…Fae help!" Kenny comes flying at me hiding behind me not really knowing how to handle Lì húa. Her sister laughs watching the boy look at Lì húa with fear and a hint of interest too.

"Hee hee…Kenny it's ok. Lì húa is nice; she's not anything like Deborah or Amber."

"Huh…really?"

"Yup. Actually she likes cookies just as much as you do."

"R-really!" he pops out from behind me invading Lì húa's personal space with excitement. She nods blinking a few times before smiling,

"Yep, I love baking them too. If you'd like Kenny, I can bake some for you." In an instant Kenny is hugging her with happiness. She only seems happy to reply in kind. Somehow, Lìxúe gets into a discussion with Nathan about the oddest thing ever: sports. I never would have pegged him for liking the genre of topic. Pretty soon Dajan calls us over to the fire pit to start selecting what we want to eat. We all sit around the fire picking out what we want to eat whether they be hamburgers to go on the small grill sitting near by or hot dogs. I go with a hotdog sticking the sausage on a long metal poker and placing it into the fire with a few of the others. sitting around waiting for out food to cook the twins tell about what's been going on back home. It sounds like their parents are doing pretty good. They seem to be enjoying their life too. It reminds me of how unaware of what's going on the entire world is.

"Hey Fae, how is your aunt doing?" Lìxúe as her sister looks at me with concern as well.

"Huh?"

"She…got hurt pretty bad in that attack right?" Lì húa says.

"Oh…you heard about that?" they nod.

"Wait a second…the CEO of the biggest record company, the one who was attacked in the news, THAT'S your aunt?!" Dake asks the same question as the other boys who didn't know. I nod,

"Yeah she is…but don't worry she's still recovering a bit but she'll be getting out of the hospital soon. The doctors are even saying she's recovering faster than expected. My aunt is pretty stubborn; she wouldn't kick the bucket that easily." I smile.

"…and your hand?" Dajan asks looking at the bandaged appendage. Lì húa and Lìxúe widen their eyes in surprise as they look at it.

"Oh…uh…" I look over at Lysander for help; he nods.

"it's fine if you want to tell them. I don't sense anything from them." looking back I give a strained smile,

"A lot…has happened since our first meeting. A little after that, we got a new student at our school…" I start from the beginning telling them just the main details. I even tell about Deborah had turned even Castiel against me along with the others.

"Is there any way to remove it?" I shake my head at Jade's question.

"It's a cured mark…the only person who can remove it is the very person who placed it on me…Castiel."

"Is it anything serious…I mean, I learned in my insignia and glyph course that cursed marks can be fairly painful…and deadly." Jade says staring at my hand. Even I've learned about things like that and I know that it's possible this cursed mark is only in its early stages. Would Castiel actually be angry enough at me to wish me dead? No he may be a demon and under Deborah's control right now…but I don't think he would ever be that cruel.

"Well…I've only had a couple of bad experiences. The mark will glow and it feels as though my hand is burning like it did when he placed it on me. however I don't really know if it's deadly or not. I don't think Castiel is the type to do that sort of thing but…I can't say for sure."

"Yúchǔn de báichī! (Stupid idiot)" Lìxúe exclaims, "Even back home you always felt like you had to take on everything yourself. But I guess if these guys are all smart enough to figure out you had nothing to do with it then I guess we don't need to worry too much."

"But if you need help just let us know." Lì húa says smiling.

"Yeah no kidding. I hope we'll see some of the action!" Dake says, "Don't hog all the glory for yourself!"

"Acutally…" Lysander says looking deep in thought, "We may need it. our schools are supposed to be getting together for an event in about two weeks. That day might be the right time to make our move and stop her."

"Lys baby! Did you think of something?" Lys baby? I've never seen a decomposed Lysander before with his cheeks all red and him being all flustered and panicked. Somehow the name Rosa just used on him has done just that.

"Rosa…! I've told you before: DON'T call me that! You may be dating my brother but I won't tolerate that ridiculous name!"

"Awe…but it's so cute. It fits you so perfectly Lys baby."

"ROSA!" we all laugh at his reaction as she purposefully gets under his skin. Suddenly though my smile is stolen by a burning pain shooting up my arm. Holding my hand the cursed mark cripples it in another attack but for some reason this one feels slightly different.

"Fae?"

"S-sorry…I'll be right back." I give them a weak smile before leaving the group and heading down to the ocean the nearest source of water I can find. It looks like paradise as the fire slowly crawls up my arm. Unwrapping my hand I kneel down and with a small splash place my hand in the cold water. it's not as effective as what my cousin did for me but it keeps me from cutting my lip with my teeth. Huffing slightly I stare down at the brightly colored mark glowing on my skin and start. Slowly but surely the flame like pattern is creeping up my arm burning farther into my skin. The glow fades leaving the mark where it left. my heart thumps at what just happened.

It…it actually grew. The mark crept up my arm like it was taking part of my life away. Does this mean…I have only a little time life? did Castiel really want me to die? No he wouldn't really want to kill me would he?

Lifting my hand I stare at them mark understanding that this cursed mark is more severe than I first realized…and I'm scared at what it could mean if it completes its task or even reaches my heart. The corners of my eyes prickle with tears.

"Fae?" I start at the voice and standing I turn to see Castiel. Immediately I hide the cursed mark from him behind my back. "What are you doing here?"

"I-I told you…I'm meeting my friends from abroad here."

"Then what are you doing by yourself?"

"…Nothing…" I turn to leave and head back for the safety of my friends,

"Wait…!" he grabs hold of my arm squeezing tight, "I…" he trails off.

"Let go please…!"

"No. just listen to me for a second would you?"

"I don't want to listen! Haven't you said enough to me!"

"That's not-"

"You're the one who told me you wanted nothing more to do with me right…so why do you keep trying to talk to me?" I'm scared but it's not of him. I'm scared of him seeing the cursed mark; if he sees it I don't know what will happen. I don't even know if it will affect our plan that we have in place to fool Deborah. I don't want him to see me like this. if he does, if I look at him right now, I don't think I would be able to keep going. "Please just let me-"

"Fae!" suddenly a white light flashes between us and a hooded figure clouded in a calming mist appears in front of me protectively.

"What the hell?!" Lì húa and her sister come and stand on either side of me protectively.

"Castiel!" Kim, Melody, Iris and Deborah come running up at the same time with Alexi and Armin trailing behind. "What the hell is going on?" Kim spots me and her eyes narrow, "oh great you. What do you want this time?"

"What? No…I didn't…I mean…"

"Kim lay off!" Rosa says, "we were here first. You don't have to jump down her throat like that."

"I can if I want to."

"Calm down…what's the meaning of this?" Lysander says looking over at Castiel. Castiel however is looking between me, Jade, Dake and Dajan and seems to come to his senses unlike he was before. He folds his arms.

"Nothing we just bumped into each other…that's all." He looks at my two friends from abroad. "So…these two are your friends huh?"

"Oh! Are you two friends of Faes? How nice." Deborah interrupts smiling that fake smile as usual.

"Nǐ hǎo…mǔ zhū chǒu. (Hello ugly sow)" They say in unison. Deborah seems to sense their greeting isn't a kind one and frowns.

"Lì húa, Lìxúe come on…let's just go back to the bonfire. We don't need to stay here." I say quietly hoping to avoid anything else from happening.

"Yeah. Let's go guys." Dajan places a hand on my shoulder hoping to comfort me. I smile thankfully at him and turn to head back. The others start to follow as well but,

"You sure recover quickly." Comes Castiels cold voice. "so what is this? You get burned by one guy and then move onto the next acting all innocent? You act as if you haven't done anything." his words sting and when I turn to face him, I can't be sure if I don't have tears in my eyes.

"Móshén! (Devil)" Lìxúe snarls as she charges at Casiel, black glowing runes encircling her. "Who do you think you are?!"

"jiejie, ting! (sis stop it)" Lì húa tries to hold her sister back.

"just what is that supposed to mean demon?" Dajan having had enough steps forward eyes glowing yellow. Castiel in turn aloows his eyes to change as well as the markings on his face become visible.

"Why don't you use that pea brain of yours to figure it out." He answers. Dajan along with Jade and Dake seem to take the insult more to heart than I do.

"Dajan don't…!" I try to reason with him but to my surprise it's Jade who attacks first as a wave of sand sends Castiel flying into the shallows of the ocean. Dake compliments him quickly before the water erupts into steam and a very furious Castiel stares back at them. parts of his clothes have caught fire and to my surprise his hair has grown reaching the small of his back. It's as if the red of his hair was always apart of his natural hair color as it seems to merge with the black. As he heaves an angry sigh steam drifts violently from his mouth. I've never seen him transform but I'm sure that this isn't even what his full form looks like.

"Screw this…! I'm threw playing nice!" Castiels voice sends a chill throughout my entire body making me experience cold.

"Since when have you ever played nice?!" Dake screams a second before his body contorts; I hear the cracking of bones as he changes shape. By the time his transformation is done he's twice the size he was in his human form and he looks more like a wolf covered in blonde fur. The three of them charge Castiel ready to fight.

"No stop it!" I scream but Dajan is already attacking as darkness shots from his hand and aims for its target. Castiel leaps into the air before unleashing a blazing torrent of flames on the three of them. it's so bright that I have to look away. when I open them the sand in the path of the flames has become hot glass. Looking over at Debora, as expected she's enjoying this as she watches with a smirk on her face. I try to head over to her to ask her to stop this when my former friends step in front of me.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?" Kim asks.

"Please Kim I-AHHH!" she lifts me off the ground my the collar of my shirt and when I look her in the eyes I don't even recognize her. it's almost as if her free will has been taken or something even though she's choosing to do this…Deborah has manipulated and swayed her to think this. as Kim raises a fist to ram into my face I flinch closing my eyes.

"Stop Kim! Leave Fae alone!" I feel myself drop to the ground as Kenny rams into her with all the super strength he can. Legs shaking he stands in front of me with his arms thrown out protectively. "Stop it Kim! You're supposed to be Fae's friend!"

"You ALL are!" Rosa says standing next to Kenny. The twins come to help me stand up staring at the group of girls glaring back at us. "This is crazy you guys, even if Fae was guilty what gives you the right to attack like this. she did nothing to you!" they don't seem to answer just ready themselves to fight. To even it out the twins leave my side to stand in front of me protectively. The ground shakes off in the distance and I see the boys still fighting with now Lysander trying to sway them using his own abilities or helping them out to not take the full brunt of an attack. I can feel a torrent of emotions swelling up within me, no not torrent power. It's like as if my abilities were reacting to my emotions but it feels different. It's like a blizzard is trying to entrap me completely and use me to unleash its full power. It's terrifying yet wonderful at the same time, this surge of power. My breath hitches and I can feel it release,

"STOP IIIITTTTTTT!" for a moment I feel at peace as the power is released then the next moment my legs feel heavy and give out on me.

"Fae?!" Lìxúe and Lì húa immediately come to my side. Along with everyone else who's on my side. When I look around snow and ice spread throughout the entire battle field.

"Fae are you ok?" Lì húa asks.

"Stop fighting…! This is crazy! None of you should be fighting!" I suddenly come back to my senses. I stand, my hand suddenly twitching in pain and I remember that now I only have a set amount of time before something happens to me. "I…I'm going home…" I turn racing up the beach,

"Fae!" I didn't even notice Castiel had come to see what had happened but he's grabbed hold of my hand with the mark on it. when I turn to look at him he's stares at it like he doesn't know what's happened. In a panic I raise a hand aiming for his face,

"Leave me alone!" the wind and snow is enough to get him to let go and I run as fast as I can. When I reach the edge of the town I finally stop trying to catch my breath.

"Fae!" I turn and standing there is Lysander and Rosa along with the twins.

"What happened to the others?" I ask still catching my breath.

"Dajan took the others away from the beach I don't know what happened to the other group…" Lì húa explains, "But…more importantly…what happened to you? I've never seen that attack before."

"Neither have we…" Lysander says thoughtfully. I stare down at my hand and shiver at the creeping marks, "Fae what's going on? what happened back there?" the words catch in my throat but I manage to force them out."

"it's…it's getting worse…"

"What's getting worse?" Lìxúe asks. Shaking I lift my hand and show them the mark. Rosa gasps audibly and the twins mumble some sort of mantra under their breath. "Just now…before the fight…I saw the mark grow…it's going to get worse…I don't know how much longer I have. I don't even know if I'll die or not."

"Wait a minute Fae maybe someone can help- a doctor, a healer- someone!"

"It won't work…!" I shout at Lìxúe in frustration feeling like I'm losing this fight in more ways than one. "No one can remove it or make it better except for the person who cast it…! and right now…he would rather see me dead…"

"Fae…" tears stream down my face as I think of what could happen.

Please…! Please I don't care if I die…but please…just give me enough time to stop her! then you can take me…! I don't care what happens to me in the end…just let me stop her first! That's all I ask…

I take a deep breath and calm myself down,

"two weeks…" no one answers so I continue, "that's our window of opportunity. We have to strike when the event is going on."

"But Fae…" Rosa tries to interrupt but I shake my head furiously,

"I'm not going to let her win! I don't care if this curse mark takes my life; I don't care if everyone ends up hating me in the end I don't even care if Castiel hates me to my grave! But I'm going to use what time I might have left- use the only chance I have to save them!" I turn to the group with a determined look on my face, "in two weeks that's when I will do it. I WILL stop her."

"Fae but how will you do it?" Lì húa asks.

"I'm going to quit…" everyone except for Lysander looks at me questioningly, "I'm going to Transfer out of Sweet Amoris High…!"

Sorry it took me so long guys…I had a lot more going on during the summer than I thought and now that I'm back in school I had to find time to finish writing this chapter. Thanks for being so patient and I hoped you like the chapter. Let me know what you think please ^^