Chapter 21

Cheering filled her ears but she tried the best she could to tune it out. Chinami rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on as she sat in hallway leading to the arena. The others had offered to walk with her from the infirmary, but she needed time to think.

Her fight was with Sting, something she did and did not want. She had reasons for wanting to fight another Dragon Slayer but did it have to be Sting?

A small part of her had wanted Sting to be the one she was fighting, but another part, the more logical part, had hoped for any of the other dragon slayers. Fighting Sting would mess with her emotions, Chinami knew better than to let anger affect a battle. Unfortunately, she could feel her anger bubbling up just above the surface. Taki had trained her to control her emotions in the heat of battle, a long time ago Chinami used to only fight with rage and anger, before she learned that it would only corrupt her, putting her and others in danger. Chinami prided herself in her ability to stay calm and in control of her emotions, but on occasion they got the best of her. As she grew mature the raging storm that had grown inside her after losing her family had begun to calm. Chinami could almost hear the sound of gentle waves in her ears.

Lifting up a water bottle Chinami downed it, then quickly picked up another. Chinami had to keep well hydrated. She used to be big but most of it had been water weight because she didn't burn it off using her magic. When she was little she rarely practiced battle magic. She did have training sessions with Sting and Weisslogia but most of the time she had just sat on the side lines listening and practicing "seeing" with the moisture around her. Chinami also spent a great deal of time focusing her hearing and learning how people move when fighting.

She downed another bottle and placed it against the wall next to where she sat. Reaching for another one her hand came up empty. She had finished them all. Signing she rubbed her knees and cracked her neck, then her hands. Water was important to Chinami, just like the other Dragon Slayers drinking her element charged her magic, giving her energy. For some reason, one she couldn't figure out, ice did more to replenish her strength than water, but she didn't have any ice.

Attached to one of her belts was a brown canteen filled with water but that was in case she needed healing.

"It's time for the first battle of the day!" Chapati's voice rang out through the arena. "Before the intermission our two combatant's names were drawn! But before we begin I would like to introduce our guest, the renowned reporter of Sorcerer Weekly, Jason-san!"

"Cool!" Jason rolled his tongue yelling. "Let's get the battle started! Cool!"

Chinami stood up and walked to the exit.

"From Sabertooth, Sting Eucliffe!"

The crowd went wild cheering and shouting. Chinami took a deep breath and stood up straighter.

"Versus Chinami Hizushima from Phoenix Talon!"

Chinami walked forward and immediately felt the blaring heat hit her skin. She expected to feel hot with the pants she was wearing but they where oddly cool. The crowd began cheering like crazy, despite them thinking Chinami was weak they were excited to see two dragon slayers go head to head. Chinami kept her head up and ignored the hoots and hollers coming from the crowd.

"So, this is the blind dragon slayer of Phoenix Talon." Chapati announced. Chinami's eye twitched in annoyance, apparently, they were sticking with calling her that.

"Both of you, come forward!" Mato spoke, walking between the two mages. Both Chinami and Sting stepped closer, Chinami with a serious expression on and Sting with a large goofy grin.

"Hey Chinami! This is going to be fun, just like old times, huh?" Sting whispered once the two stood closer. When Chinami ignored him Sting's smile faltered. "Chinami?"

"You both know the rules but this entire arena will be your battlefield, so its only the two of you. Your time limit is 30 minutes."

"Chinami?" Sting questioned.

"Shut up, Eucliffe." Chinami said through clenched teeth.

"During that time, if you knock out your opponent, you win. Alright, let the first match of the day begin."

"Chinami what's wrong?" Sting asked, frowning. "Are you…?" He was cut off by the sound of the gong going off.

Neither of them moved.

"C'mon Chinami this is going to be awesome. I'll even let you have a free shot like I did when we were little. It's the only shot you ever got in!" Sting grinned, laughing.

Chinami's teeth clenched together.

"When they were little?" Chapati questioned.

"Cool!" Jason cheered.

"Let's go Chinami. One free pu…" Sting began only to be cut off. Chinami flew forward throwing out a punch that made contact with the left side of his face. He flew backward and skidded across the ground. Looking up in surprise Sting rubbed his cheek in shock. She never used to be able to punch that hard.

"There's your punch!" Chinami let out a shout as she jumped in the air. Water floated around her fist as she landed, punching the ground. Sting flipped backward just in time to avoid the hit. He blinked at Chinami not sure what to say. "Don't mock me." Chinami hissed.

"Chinami? Are you… angry at me?" Sting mumbled.

"What do you think, baka?" Chinami grumbled.

"Baka?" Sting questioned in disbelief, just before Chinami knocked the breath out of him delivering a punch to his stomach. He immediately hunched over her fist a second before Chinami grabbed his face with her other hand and smashed it into the ground.

"Yes, baka." Chinami grinned. Sting moaned in pain before his fist, glowing white, came up and slammed Chinami in the stomach. She went flying back ward, flipping in the air, she caught herself and slid on her feet.

Letting out a breath Chinami stood up from her crouching position. She calmly patted at her pants, dusting the dirt off of them.

"What the hell Chiinami?!" Sting snapped.

"It's called a fight Sting. What did you think it was? A tea party?" Chinami grinned. "I remember you used to like tea parties. You always liked dressing up from them too."

Sting's jaw dropped along with many other people. Sting glared, turning red, and Chinami smiled when Natsu's hysterical laugh was heard.

"That's a lie!" Sting yelled, just before Chinami was in front of him. He moved to the side just as she threw out a punch. Chinami went with the punch and rolled on the ground when Sting tried to hit her back. She stopped and kicked her leg out. Just as it made contact with his stomach he grabbed her foot. He went to throw her but her other foot flung out an caught him flat in the face.

Chinami threw her hands forward and curled her fists in the front of his shirt. Water came up and slashed his hands, making him let go, just as she pulled backward and flung him over. Moving quickly, she flipped over and sat on his chest and began throwing punch after punch into his face. After a few strikes he was finally able to grab a hold of her flailing arms.

"White Dragon Roar!" Sting shouted just as a beam of light came flying out of his mouth and straight into Chinami's chest. Chinami went flying threw the air and landed in a heap across the arena.

Everyone went silent as Chinami lay there on her face not moving. They watched her looking for any sign of movement, wondering if she had lost already.

"Chinami." Sting mumbled concerned, taking a step closer to her.

Chinami shifted and slowly slammed her hands on the ground. Gritting her teeth, she stumbled onto her feet, gripping her stomach tightly. When she lifted her head Sting gulped at the deathly glare she gave him. Both adjusted their stances and before anyone in the stadium knew what was happening they dashes across the field. The two met in the middle in a flurry of fists and kicks. They moved so fast it was hard to keep up with who was winning. The audience had to keep looking away. The light of Stings magic kept shinning off of the water around Chinami's fist creating bright glares that blinded the arena.

When the shinning started to die down people turned to look back at the fight.

"You have gotten a lot stronger over the years China." Sting panted as both he and Chinami bent over slightly out of breath.

"That's what happens when you don't see someone for over ten years." Chinami hissed.

"You want to tell me why your so angry at me now?" Sting questioned. He looked indifferent to everyone but Chinami could hear the slight concern in his tone. She clenched her teeth at that. He didn't have the right to be worried about her anymore. In Chinami's mind he had made that very clear oh so long ago.

"No. Water Dragon Wing Slash." Chinami mumbled. Water encased her arms and created an almost weapon lie edge. She lunged forward and swiped her one arm down. Sting was able to dodged to the side but watched in shock as the razor-sharp edge made of water cut clean through the ground. He almost didn't move in time for the next strike as he watched in amazement when she pulled it effortlessly from the ground, and left behind a cut in the ground. With something as sharp as that she could quite possible cut him clean in half. Sting jumped back every time she slashed at him with her weapon. Sooner than he thought Sting was backed up against the wall of the arena. He collapsed to the ground when Chinami pulled her arm back and punched, slicing into the wall with her water cased arm. Sting looked up at her in worry. That attack would have sliced through the edge of his shoulder, not enough to kill but enough to do a lot of damage.

"Enough!" Sting yelled, angrily. He may not understand why she was angry at him but he didn't get that she was starting to take this too far. His fist was suddenly surrounded in white light as he punched Chinami straight in the ribs. She could tell a few ribs had cracked but she didn't have time to worry as she skidded across the ground. Chinami barely had time to crawl to her knees before Sting came flying out of the air. She would have moved but the pain in her rid cage was distracting her and she couldn't focus on the moisture. He was above her but she didn't know where he was going to strike.

Sting was about to land a punch on her face but couldn't. She looked up and despite her attempt to mask it he could see the fear on her face and suddenly she was six again in his eyes. The older Chinami wasn't sitting in front of him but his little sister. The little cry baby brat who was never more than five feet away from him or their dragon mother. His little sister who's cuts he would clean up, who's tears he would dry, the sister he would stay up all night with when she was sick. He didn't want to hurt her.

At the last-minute Sting diverted his fist and punched the ground right next to her. Both of their eyes widened in surprise. Sting was shocked by what he had done, but Chinami's surprise quickly turned into irritation. To her he was pitying her, and not taking this seriously.

"Water Dragon Roar." Chinami quietly hissed. Sting realized the mistake he had made when he was suddenly hit straight in the face with a geyser of water. He didn't go very far, being thrown back. Sting sputtered, wiping the water from his face. When he climbed to his knees he tried to shake the water that now soaked through his clothes.

"What the hell was that Sting?!" Chinami growled. "I don't need your charity. Fight this seriously!"

"I am fighting seriously." Sting insisted. "Your taking this to far Chinami. Why are you so angry!"

"That's none of your business."

"None of my business? You almost killed me. And I have a right to be concerned about my sister!" Sting yelled. And with that the arena went dead quiet. Both Dragon Slayers glared at each other, not paying attention as people began whispering.

"What did he just say?"

"Sister?"

"They're related?"

"What?"

Dozens of people murmured these questions in confusion.

"Sting has a sister? Did you know about this?" Sting stiffened slightly as he heard Yukino ask Rogue this in the crowd.

"He never told me that." Rogue mumbled back.

The announcers took this info the same way.

"They're siblings?!" Chapati announced, voice echoing throughout the arena.

"They're brother and sister! This is so cooooool!" Jason announced rolling his tongue. "Cool! Cool! COOL! This makes the fight even better. Its not just about two dragon slayers but about two sibling dragon slayers! This fight is amazing and dramatic. Cool! Cool! Cool!"

"I didn't know Chinami had a brother." Haine mumbled in the Phoenix Talon booth, looking down at his wife.

"How the hell did we not know that?!" Yumi blinked at the rest of the team.

"Taki?" Shinju mumbled to the exceed. Taki looked at her from the corner of her eye before turning to look back at the arena.

"Not a lot of people know. Only the master, Sorano and I know." Taki said.

"Chinami…" Sorano hesitated. "Doesn't like to talk about the past."

"Now that I think about it." Hikaru mumbled. "We've know each other for a long time, but I don't think a lot of us know as much about Chinami's past as we know about each others."

"I never realized how much she doesn't talk to us about her past." Yumi whispered. "She doesn't talk about herself that much. She's mainly just… listens to our problem."

Chinami listened from the arena and felt guilty about not sharing that much with her friends, her family, but she had bigger things to think about. She let out a laugh at Sting.

"Your concerned now. What about all those years ago?! Where was your concern for me then brother." Chinami spat.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Sting asked.

"It doesn't matter." Chinami said, shaking her head. She needed to pull herself together. Her temper was getting the best of her. She took a deep breath and when she breathed out her body relaxed. Anger used to always get the best of her but she had learned to control that. The adrenaline of the fight and being near her so called "brother" had brought that anger rushing back. She was acting out of character and it was affecting her fighting. She needed to calm down "The past doesn't matter right now. This fight is all that matters. And if you want a chance to beat me Sting you need to actually take this seriously. Stop seeing me as your little sister. We haven't seen each other in years as far as I'm concerned you are no longer my brother. Are family broke years ago. You are not my brother and I'm not your sister so take this seriously. Fight me!"

"Are you serious? How you can say that Chinami. We're still family."

"Not anymore." Chinami mumbled. Sting blinked at her before suddenly grinning. Chinami jumped when he laughed.

"You're just saying that cause your mad at me." Sting grinned.

"No, I'm not."

"Yeah you are.

"I'm completely serious Sting."

"No, you're not. You think you've changed so much Chinami but you're still the exact same. You get mad at me, don't tell me why and then try to make me feel bad by saying you hate me."

"I do not do that." Chinami growled at him.

"Yes, you do."

"Would you stop that!" She stomped a foot at him. Phoenix Talon looked on in surprise. They had never seen anyone who could rile Chinami up like that.

"Wow they sure do act like brother and sister." Hikaru snorted.

"Can we just get back to the fight? Please?" Chinami hissed.

"You haven't changed one-bit little sis. I bet your still a huge crybaby." Sting smirked.

"Stop that. Geez, you're so annoying." Chinami huffed, her hands making a choking motion.

Sting shrugged his shoulders, before he flew forward his fist smashing into her stomach. Chinami stumbled back and went to retaliate but found herself unable to move.

"Sorry sis. Your branded with my stigmata. It paralyzes its victims."

Chinami snorted. "Still the same old Sting. It's been so many years but it seems you still use the same old tricks."

"But it works."

"Yeah it does I guess, but it didn't seem to work on Natsu. What makes you think it'll stick with me?"

"You don't seem to be moving so I think its sticking pretty well."

"I guess. My body may be paralyzed Sting but my magic isn't." Chinami grumbled.

"You need to move to use your magic so I…" Sting started, but stopped when his breath came out with a puff of fog. "What?" He suddenly gasped and fell to his one knee.

"I need to move to summon water but your already covered in it." Chinami grinned. "I know your tricks Sting but you don't know mine. One thing I learned to do was to change the temperature of water. Enjoying the cold."

Sting had started to dry but there was still some water on him and that seemed to be enough. The water had frozen at this point, encasing Sting in a thin layer of dangerously cold ice.

"Maybe you'll like the heat better."

Sting shouted as the ice on his body suddenly melted and heated up. He fell to the ground as boiling water began to burn his skin. He gasped in relief as the water flew from his body.

"Don't." Sting yelled as the water headed for Chinami. She shouted in pain when the water slammed against her stomach. As soon as the boiling water hit the magic circle on her stomach it melted it. Finally, able to move Chinami stumbled, but managed to stay upright. Her stomach was bright red and her skin had been damaged, a small portion of the top of her guide mark had burned off.

One hand held her stomach while the other fumbled with the cap of a brown canteen hooked onto her belt. Once she got it open water floated out and reached her stomach. It glowed a bright blue before falling away, leaving behind her newly healed skin.

"Sorry don't have enough to share." Chinami said, twisting the cap back onto the canteen.

"This really hurt you know." Sting grumbled, parts of his clothing had been burned by the water and some of his skin was bright red.

Chinami shrugged her shoulders like Sting had done earlier and dashed forward. She threw a punch but Sting caught it easily.

"You've got new tricks but so do I… little sister." Sting grumbled pushing her away. "White Drive."

Chinami slowly stepped back as the moisture seemed to vibrate unnaturally. The magic pressure surrounding them shifted dangerously and made Chinami nervous. She stumbled back when the magic pressure pushed her.

"So you can activate your dragon force at will, huh." Chinami mumbled. Damn, she might actually have to try harder.

"Sorry Chinami. But your right. This is a fight. One that I don't intend to lose." Sting said before he moved. Chinami didn't have time to do anything before she was suddenly being hit over and over by Sting. She tried to fight back, but every punch and kick she threw was blocked and countered with three more before she could move. Water surrounded her and tried to hit him when he attacked but before it could reach him the heat of his light magic evaporated it.

Sting pushed her backward so she went flying. "Holy Ray!" He shouted, rays of light shooting from his hands.

Chinami couldn't move as she was suddenly attacked from all sides by beams of light. Her scream echoed through the arena.

Phoenix Talon looked on in worry as the dust began to clear. Once again Chinami was laying face down on the ground, unmoving.

"It looks like Chinami might just be out of the fight." Chapati announced while the arena cheered Stings name.

"Chinami. Get the hell up." Taki hissed knowing Chinami could hear her. Chinami twitched at the sound of her voice. "You really going to let him show you up. Everyone in the guild is watching. Counting on you to win this, you just going to let them down. Don't let him win."

Chinami's hand twitched, dragging across the ground. Slowly her legs shifted in the dirt, crawling onto her hands and knees. She shakily moved into a crouch, or tried to. Just as she pushed up from the ground her hands collapsed and she fell to the ground.

"Chinami." Tora mumbled quietly hugging Koi's arm as he watched nervously. Koi looked on in worry. Ken patted his head from behind and the guild master hooked an arm around his shoulders. Squeezing him in comfort. No one could hear what he was mumbling but it sounded like the same thing over and over again. Behind him the rest of the guild looked in horror as Chinami remained seated on the ground.

"C'mon Chinami!" Suzumu yelled, and with that the rest of the guild burst into yells of encouragement.

Chinami grinned at the ground as she listened to them. Slowly she got up, she shook with the effort but kept going. "Hear that Sting." Chinami laughed. "I can't lose to you now. Not when I've got my whole guild cheering me on. Guess its my turn to show off another trick."

Chinami hesitated for a moment before tilting her head towards the Phoenix Talon viewing area. "I'm sorry Master. But it's the only shot I've got."

Emiko's eyes widened before her body clenched in anger. Everyone watched in surprise as the usually calm guild master lunged forward leaning over the edge. "Chinami don't you dare! I told you not to!"

Sting looked at the screaming guild master before turning back to Chinami. Chinami's eyes were completely white now and her hair had changed to. Slowly the pale blue color of her hair shifted to the very bottom, leaving the hair at her scalp pure white. The hair changed to water and short white hair now spiked out just below her ears, while water floated around her body.

Scales began to grow on her, spreading across her nose and cheeks and wrapping around her neck and right arm. They shimmered in the sunlight a bright green and blue colour.

"You're not the only one who's learned how to access their dragon force. I didn't even have to use a dragon lacrima." Chinami smiled. However, the grin faltered when a sharp stabbing pain spread through her chest. "Not yet. I just need a few seconds, just a few." Chinami thought. She regained control and grinned brightly at Sting. "Lets begin."

Chinami threw her hands out and the water surrounding her shot off. It began to spin around the two, slowly growing as it moved faster. Within seconds the two were cut off from the outside as a dome of water covered them. Sting looked at it in surprise and began shooting beams of light at it. Somehow the walls seemed to absorb the light and add onto the spin of the dome.

Chinami's knees buckled and she hunched over herself as the pain in her chest grew stronger. She had to work faster. "Just another second." She thought desperately.

"Water Dragon Slayer: Raging Storm!" Chinami yelled as she brought her arms down. The dome crashed down around the two. It seemed too flow around Chinami but crashed into Sting knocking him off his feet. Chinami stepped back, out of the twirling water that weaved in and out at different speeds and colour, turning a blackish color as it did. Suddenly the water crashed into the ground and began to evaporate, leaving behind an unmoving Sting covered in wounds.

Chinami fell to her knees, holding onto her chest, just above her heart.

Mato hurried onto the field when it was clear that Sting wasn't going anywhere. He jumped in front of the light dragon slayer and poked him. "The winner is Chinami from Phoenix Talon!" He yelled before hitting Sting in the stomach. The crowd exploded into cheers including Phoenix Talon, all except for Emiko who looked on in anger and worry.

"Idiotic child." She hissed staring at Chinami, who sat on her knees with her head bowed. Her hair had returned to its color and length and the scales slowly faded. Emiko turned to Haine and nodded her head before turning and walking away. Haine jumped from the balcony and began to walk out onto the field.

In the arena Sting jerked away, groaning in pain. "Jeez Chinami you couldn't have held back just a little. But I have to say you have gotten a little bit stron…" He started but stopped once her saw her. "Chinami?"

Chinami lifted her head slightly and panted in pain. Sting got a look at her face. All across her face was black looking veins spreading over her nose and cheeks, reaching for her eyes. The black seemed to be spreading across her body, reaching her stomach and growing. Originating from her heart where her hand was fisted. Scars seemed to be appear as well, tiny little ones that let out a pale spiderlike pattern all over. Sting went to speak when suddenly Chinami threw her head back and howled in pain. She breathed to let out another scream but never got the chance.

Haine was suddenly behind her. His hand glowed blue and he paced it over her eyes. She collapsed into his arms moaning softly in pain. The black faded but didn't disappear.

"What's going on? Is she oka…" Sting started.

"She's fine." Haine snapped. Before quickly standing up with her and turning away. "Well get you to the infirmary as soon as possible." He whispered to her. She whimpered in pain, gasping. "You'll be fine. At least until Emiko talks to you."

The crowd watched as the Phoenix Talon balcony cleared out, quickly, and Haine disappeared into the tunnel carrying the dragon slayer.