Disclaimer: I own nothing except my characters. Other canon characters are owned by their respective companies.

Exclaimer: To people who don't like the story, just don't read it.

Special Thanks to Alec the Dark Angel for being my beta for this story.

Special Thanks to Strigon175 for being my beta for this story.

Chapter 21

Feelings

Alyssa smirked. "So what was it about?"

Latis blushed, wanting to crawl down a hole and hide. She was trying to regain her composure but was failing badly at it.

"Oh, Latis, you are so prudish. Fine, I won't ask about it. Mind you, it's normal. It is courtship week." the healer replied dropping the subject completely.

"Anyways, I guess you're wondering why you're here?"

Latis nodded.

"Do you remember what happened?"

Latis thought to herself, trying to regain her previous memories. Then it came. She was training at the Dojo, rather fiercely.

"I was…training, at the Dojo."

"You were. Then?"

"I…passed out?"

Alyssa nodded. "You did. Do you who brought you here?"

Latis decided to take a wild guess. "Uh…you did?"

Alyssa chuckled. "Nice try, but no. It was Zaze."

"Zaze?"

Alyssa sat next to her. "Yes, it was that electric dragon."

"I see."

"Latis, I am very concerned for you."

The sudden change in tone caught Latis' attention. She turned to look at Alyssa who was looking at her rather seriously.

"What you did was very dangerous. I do hope you were well aware of the consequences of what were to happen?"

"I…I was."

"Why push yourself Latis?" Alyssa asked. "There's no need for this."

Latis looked down on herself. "I just don't want to be a hindrance anymore."

"Well, at least you succeeded. Zaze told me you managed to actually change ice to water, then back. That is no easy feat."

Latis smiled, feeling proud of herself. "Thank you."

Alyssa smiled. "No, you should be thanking yourself. I didn't do anything."

"I guess you're right."

"Speaking of which, you shouldn't worry as much of being a hindrance. Zaze seems capable enough to handle most things, alongside Spyro."

"Where exactly is Zaze?" Latis asked, looking for the electric dragon. Normally he'd be around.

"I asked—well no, forced really—for him to go the Dining Hall. His stomach had been growling throughout the entire time he was here waiting for you to recover. I had to get him out; because I was afraid he might wake you up. I told him you were fine, but he wouldn't budge. So I had to force him to get out."

"I see. That's just like him," Latis replied with a smile.

"You know, you're lucky Latis."

"About what?"

"You have someone looking after you. He's a keeper."

Latis shook her head. "We're not together."

0

"Ah…finally…that meal was great…"

Zaze walked down the halls of the Temple, feeling better than ever. His stomach was now full and his thirst was quenched. Right now though, he was heading back to the infirmary. He was getting concerned for Latis, albeit being told that she was fine. But as he walked back, he passed by the main entrance of the Temple, and saw Cyril, talking with someone.

"I am sorry," he replied.

"I understand. I'll come back another time," the dragon replied.

And with that, the dragon left.

"Who was that?" Zaze asked, out of curiosity.

"Oh, Zaze! That? I don't know," he replied.

"You didn't ask for his name?"

"She, actually; I felt like she was in a hurry, so introductions weren't done."

"What did she want?" Zaze asked, as he followed the dragoness slowly fly off the distance and into some part of Warfang.

Cyril turned to look at him. "She was looking for Terrador."

"Terrador? A dragoness?"

"Yes, I am surprised myself."

"Why? Is Terrador really not that with the ladies?"

"No…I…" The ice dragon thought for a moment. "I don't know."

"You don't know?"

Cyril sighed. "I don't really know. It's true that the four of us: Ignitus, me, Volteer and Terrador have been Guardians for a long time. And it's only natural for dragons to think that we know each other due to the time we've been together. But frankly, Terrador contradicts to that. Out of all four of us, Terrador is the least talkative. He rarely speaks, and when he does, it's usually matters regarding our responsibilities as Guardians; never about himself or anything about his past whatsoever."

"So, he's basically a stranger to you?"

"More or less; we don't know him on a personal level. And when you try to make him talk, he just diverts the topic and even sometimes, outright says that he doesn't want to talk about it. The phrase, 'strong but silent type' truly fits him."

Zaze nodded. "Speaking of which, where is he now?"

"He left."

"Do you know where?"

Cyril shook his head sadly. "No. Are you going to try and talk to him?"

Zaze blinked. "No. I was just curious."

"Well, regardless, don't. It's like talking to a brick wall. He said he'll be back later this evening for the Gala; which reminds me, I need to attend to that matter."

"Okay then, see you later." Cyril bid him farewell, before walking off. Zaze himself took off, wanting to check on Latis.

He rounded around the corner and soon saw the entrance to the Infirmary up ahead. With his keen sense of hearing, he overheard Latis talking with Alyssa, which made him feel happy seeing as Latis was now awake.

"You know, you're lucky Latis."

"About what?"

"You have someone looking after you. He's a keeper."

Latis shook her head. "We're not together."

"Latis!" Zaze called out.

Alyssa just smiled and excused herself as Zaze entered the fray.

Latis smiled. "Zaze."

"You're awake! So I assume you're feeling better now?"

Latis was about to reply when she suddenly had a flashback. Seeing Zaze reminded her of the 'dream' she had. How the kiss felt so real to her; this in turn triggered blood to rush to her face, making her feel warmer than usual. Zaze noticed her delay in response.

"Is everything okay? You look red."

"She's fine Zaze!" Alyssa called out from the other side of the room. Latis on the other hand just avoided the electric dragon's gaze.

"I-I'm okay…thanks for asking," she replied, finally finding her voice again.

"I'm glad," Zaze beamed at her. "So, want to hang out?"

"Uh…not right now, Zaze. Maybe later."

Zaze blinked. That was odd. That was probably the first time Latis ever declined his offer. Regardless, he didn't think much of it. "Okay then. See you around."

And with that electric dragon took off.

0

Latis walked down the halls of the Temple. Her mind had been bothering her. The dream she had of her and Zaze unnerved her. It was like it flicked on a switch that was never meant to be turned on. She felt confused at what she was feeling. She walked aimlessly as she tried to digest what was going on with her. Seeing Zaze again, his smile and everything about him, made her feel warm and tingly. She was confused if this was just the effects of Courtship Week or something far different.

"Hey Latis!"

She looked up, and saw that the voice had come from Ember, the fire dragoness. Of course her mate was right next to her, basking under her affections as they relaxed under a shade of a tree, which was Flame. Latis walked out of the Temple and was now at the Temple Grounds.

"Hey Ember," she replied, walking towards them.

"Hey! Where's Zaze? Isn't he with you?" Flame asked, looking for the yellow dragon.

"No," she replied, sitting beside Ember.

"That's odd. This is the first time I ever saw you alone." Ember then looked at her seriously. "Did you two have a fight?"

"No, of course not; I just…wanted to think alone for a moment."

Ember glanced at Flame, and almost a silent message was passed between them. Flame nodded, and then proceeded to excuse himself.

"Where are you going?" Latis asked, as the fire dragon got up.

"I want to eat something," Flame replied.

"I'll wait for you here. See you later, Flame." And then the fire dragon took off, into the Dragon Temple.

As he was out of earshot, Ember turned to Latis. "What happened?"

Latis raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

"Something obviously happened, and you're bothered by it. Why are you alone? It's Courtship Week and the gala is happening later this evening, have you found a date yet?"

Latis nodded. "I have. It's Zaze," she answered.
But Ember could feel that something was up; especially at how she seemed to be deep in thought earlier.

"I can feel that something's bothering you. What is it?"

Latis glanced at her then sighed.

"I don't know Ember. I'm just confused."

"Confused about what?"

"What I'm feeling…"

"Is this about Zaze?"

It took a moment for Latis to reply. "Yes…It's Zaze."

"What about him?" Ember replied, listening patiently.

"I don't understand what I'm feeling…whenever I see him, I just feel happy about it; especially the way he treats me."

"What do you mean?"

"Zaze is always there for me whenever I need him. He saved my life twice. And I hate how I can never seem to repay the favour."

"Have you ever asked him why he does it?"

"I…" Latis thought for a moment. She never did ask him why he does it. "No. I don't. He just…does it."

"Do you know why he does it?" Ember asked, diverting the attention to her.

She shook her head. "But you're okay with everything he's been doing?"

"Yeah, I mean, he saved my life. I'm grateful."

"Latis, let me ask you something."

"Yes?"

"Do you have feelings for Zaze?"

Please take some time to R&R.

And favorite it, along with the author!

The OC "Pyrus" belongs to Alec the Dark Angel.

The OCs "Manuel" and "Alyssa" belong to SpyroonEarth.