Girl On Fire

by Goldenflower123

A mysterious young woman has been friends with Intress for awhile and makes quite the impression when she makes herself known in Perim. But she has a secret, one that could lead to the discovery of a new tribe, and maybe even the Cothica.

25. Something to Prove

A/N: Here's the next chapter; in this one the males will really have to prove their worth if they want to get the girl. Hope you guys enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with Chaotic; including its characters, the TV show, or the card game. I only own my main characters and this plot.

This would be a day unlike any the creatures have experienced in the Fairy Realms because when they awoke, it was complete silence. Except for the obvious sounds created by the animals and birds that passed by the windows and the steady breeze.

But other than the nature made phenomenon's, none of the fair women that resided in the magical land could be seen working in the fields or forests; that was because this was the morn of what the Fairy's called, Tranquility's Daylight. It happened once every mouth, which was on the day that would be followed by the appearance of the new moon after dark; it's an age old tradition that has gone back many generations, dating back to the golden years of the Fairies.

If a Fairy had a job that had to do with nature, like Flower Gatherers, Grower's, Butterfly Caretaker's etc., they had the opportunity to be given some free time. Allowing them to do whatever they wish for a full 24 hours. Because they believed even nature needed to be given a day of rest also and not just themselves.

"So none of the Fairies are working today?" Kaz asked out loud to the semi-large group, surprise clear in his voice.

He and his other friends Tom, Sara, and Peyton where kindly invited by Queen Angelina to join her and a few of her sister's for mid-morning tea and sweets in their sitting room inside the Elder's Castle; since they haven't interacted with just the four teens before now, the Elder woman thought it would be a good opportunity to get to know them better.

It was just as cozy as the day Perims Leaders came to join the Fairy Queen; the streams of rainbow light coming from the gorgeous stain window on the north wall, along with the smell of fresh cut pansies and daisy's mixed with the aroma of warm vanilla wafer cookies really made the humans feel they were sitting in their own living rooms on Earth. All who were present were sitting in a complete circle with Queen Angelina at the head and if you went counter clockwise Catalina sat to her right, then Penelope, Peyton, Sara, Tom, Kaz, Anastasia, and lastly Flutterby who sat at the Queen's left. In the middle of the group were two of the three medium sized tables; the one closest to Penelope and Peyton had the large silver tray of cookies and pastry's, the hand painted porcelain tea set was on the other with sugar and a small jar of honey.

"Those whose job revolves around nature, yes; the remaining Fairy's go about their businesses accordingly." Queen Angelina said, answering the red headed teens question after lowering her cup with a warm smile. "We've been performing this tradition for a very long time."

"Can I ask… why?" Tom also asked curiously, his cup making a small 'tink' sound after he placed it on the saucer which sat atop his lap.

"The answer lays within a very old story Tom." Catalina started, her deep resounding voice resembling a purr as she spoke, "According to the Fairies of old, they believed nature's power is constantly being used and soon our home becomes slightly weakened due to the strain of supporting not only us, but the animals that depend upon it day in and day out. But one night out of the month, the fresh glow of the new moons beams breathes new life into the trees, plants, and flowers, granting it strength and preventing it from dying. And to make sure no more of nature's magic is used before that replenishing period, the Fairy's decreed that all that works with nature to be given their own time to recuperate for a full day and night."

"So…" Peyton brawled, his eyes squinting into his signature thinking look, "it's like a day of rest for trees?"

That question prompted Sara to elbow him in the side, "Peyton! Don't be rude!" the blond teen warned in a hushed voice.

But the Fairy Elder's and Queen weren't offended in the slightest, in fact they were even giggling at the question, "Why, yes if you put it that way!" Queen Angelina stated, humor still in her aged but soothing voice.

A small blush couldn't help but dust the four chaotic player's faces when they heard the Fairies laughter; many of the visitors have heard it enough to where it didn't affect them as much. But the humans still got bashful whenever one of the stunning woman sent their sweet sounds into the air.

"If the four of you wouldn't mind," Anastasia started, snapping the humans out of their bashfulness, "but could you tell us more of your homeland. 'Earth' I believe it's called?"

"Is it like our home?" Flutterby also asked, expanding on the question with genuine interest as she leaned out slightly on her chair.

All the teens looked at each other, sharing a look before answering, "Not at all!" at the same time as they shared humorous chuckles.

"In fact it's nothing like Earth," Peyton went on to explain, waving his arms around gusto as he held his empty cup's delicate handle between two finger's on his right hand, "we don't have magic, supernatural animals, or even dragons! Earths like… BORING compared to the Fairy Realms!"

"It certainly seems so!" Queen Angelina stated in mock surprise, but she was smiling regardless.

"It's not always like that though." Sara started also, glancing at the exuberant teen with an annoyed look before looking fully at the five Elder's, "True life isn't always exciting or easy there, but we've managed to survive since the dawning of time and found ways to cope with whatever changes that come are way."

The five woman then appeared impressed by the female human's testimony; in the Fairy Realms the weather and climate don't change at all as they are strictly in their relative areas. It is unknown if Queen Angelina's grandmother made it that way or if the magic alone designed the face of the land, but one thing was for sure… it would never snow in the Spring Plain's or the leaves stopped falling in Autumn Forest.

"Please continue…" Penelope urged gently, she had remand quiet up until now, "you have me intrigued. Tell us more about your world.

"Well there's-" Tom began, but was unexpectedly cut off then there was a soft, polite knocking at the sitting rooms closed door; prompting everyone in the room to look towards it.

"Oh! Come in!" Queen Angelina called out, she thought it was one of her remaining sister's.

But she would be corrected when it would be none other than Phoebe who opened the wooden entryway, followed by Thorn, Daisy, and Savannah. All four Fairy Warrior's filed in and stood in a single file line a few feet from the now opened doorway, "Sorry to interrupt your mid-morning tea Aunties." Phoebe apologized politely, to go along with her kind smile.

"That's alright Phoebe dear," Queen Angelina said, then her smile wavered a little before asking a little worriedly, "Is something the matter? You're all carrying your weapons."

It was true, all of the young woman had their personal protections on their person.

"No no no, nothing's wrong Auntie Angelina!" Pheobe said, quickly putting any fear to rest with a wave of her hand, "We just came by to ask for permission."

"To train, just the four of you?" Queen Angelina stated, her eye brow rising with confusion.

"Actually to spare." Thorn corrected, stepping forward a couple inches, "We were hoping to squeeze in some personal time as Feleena is getting Shimmer back on her feet again."

The said silver haired Fairy was ambushed by a Hell Hound during the Cats & Wolves Race over a month ago; resulting in her right arm and both her legs to become broken after being hit and thrown into a tree. But thanks to her Healer sister's superb treatments and the young woman's fighter's spirit, Shimmer has made a full recovery.

However Alice warned Feleena that Shimmer still had to take it easy for a few more weeks to be sure her mending bones didn't weaken under the pressure that came with training. So to ease her back without pushing her, Feleena offered to help Shimmer get some strength back in her arm and legs after being immobile for a time and that was a wise choice since the silver haired Fairy had no idea how flimsy her body had become! That started about two weeks ago and Shimmer was slowly making progress, thanks to not only Feleena, but her other sister's sweet words of encouragement from afar.

But Feleena had forewarned the other Warriors that she would be spending a lot of time with Shimmer; meaning they would be on their own when it came to sparring sessions. That was when the 'group trainings' began among the remaining Fairy Warrior's.

It basically working like this: after one of the sister's demonstrated a certain move to the others, the spectator's then critiqued how well it was performed; pointing out weak points that they might needed improving and even gave advice.

"Oh, you four didn't need permission for that," Queen Angelina stated, giving her four nieces a kind smile, "Warriors are free to do whatever they wish because of their title."

"Yeah… well…" Phoebe brawled, scratching the back of her head bashfully, "we just wanted to be sure since today was 'Tranquility's Daylight'."

That response made Queen Angelina giggle softly, "Well you have my permission… and that includes the four guests that want to join you."

The Elder had spotted a few pairs of eyes peaking around the doorframe from just behind the Fairy's and when the line of Warriors turned to see who the 'guest's' were, their bright eyes landed on Viqtarr, Faash, Kalvedran and Ario who had been eavesdropping.

"Ooooohhhhh… and now you decided to get out of bed!" Phoebe exclaimed sassily, taking two steppes closer to the just arrived group, "I thought Warriors were supposed to be disciplined, but it appears you can be just about as lazy as a hoard of sleepy rabbits!"

That may had been a bit rude on Phoebe's part, but it was her personality to be a little snarky and her gaze was glued to Viqtarr the entire time she spoke. So she wasn't talking to the whole group. Then the same sideways smirk that the dark red headed woman has seen many a times returned to Viqtarr's face like a never ending cold; suggesting the bear-like Overworlder caught on to the shorter woman's insinuation.

"Well excuse me ma'am!" Viqtarr started, elongating the one word as he used his usual nonchalant tone, "I was just getting out of bed when I heard your wake up call, plus I need time to get dressed. You don't want me running around in my PJ's do you?"

Before her light blue eyes squinted up at the mountain of a creature, Viqtarr thought he saw her right eye twitch for about half a second, "Got her on that one, good." he thought, his smirk growing even bigger, "It's so much fun winning against her snappy comebacks."

Phoebe didn't say another word to the smug Oveworlder; instead she just waltzed right pass him and the other creatures, heading down the hallway towards the direction of the lower level. And it was clear to the Fairy Warriors left behind that their dark red headed sister was steamed, for even the sharp stomps of her bare heels couldn't mask the "…he's so full of himself…" and "…I otta teach him some manners!..." being muttered out of her mouth.

But then Thorn, Savannah, and Daisy looked at each other before sharing a knowing glint. They weren't blind to Phoebe's behavior, they knew Viqtarr was starting to grow on her, even though she would blatantly deny it! And it was obvious that no one else could get under her skin quite like the bear-like Overworlder, which meant she met her match!

The only question that remained was, how long until Phoebe let's Viqtarr in?

"Please don't take that personally Viqtarr." Daisy started, getting the males to look at her as she come right up to the taller bear-like Warrior, "Phoebe just doesn't know how to hold her tongue sometimes."

When it comes to grace and tranquility within the Warrior class, Daisy has certainly made a name for herself when it came to that category. It goes without saying that Feleena's will always be the one to be greatly admired by all within her Tribe, but the only thing that sets the two sister's apart is Daisy knows when to hold back and when to let the enemy have it.

That was the first lesson Feleena ever taught and Daisy seemed to have mastered it a little TOO well!

Plus Daisy is quite the young beauty herself with her perfect dainty face, lovely features and pretty eye's; it was hard not to stare at her whenever she was near. Which was exactly what Viqtarr did for about half a second, before he imagined a target being burned into the middle of his hairy back. "That's alright Daisy, it was more or less my own fault." Viqtarr stated with a slight huff of a laugh as he used a single finger to scratch just under his jaw, "I shouldn't have pushed her buttons the way I did."

Daisy gave the Overworlder on of her signature 'close-eyed' smiles as she giggled sweetly, making her appear even cuter. Viqtarr gave the yellow haired Fairy a quick grin before glancing behind him in a slightly cautious way.

Kelvedran's love struck eyes have been transfixed on the lovely Daisy since the visitor's stepped foot in the Realms and there was no doubt in any within the all-male group that he alone would be the one to court her.

The red Mandiblor was very honorable and fearless in the eyes of danger, making him very respected in Mount Pillar. The only flaw in Kelvedran's character was that he had some major jealously issues that could even rival Chaor's temper! It was never much of a problem in his homeland; that is until his emerald eyes landed on Daisy for the first time. Now it was so bad just the thought of another male talking to the Fairy Warrior made Kelvedran rage shot through the roof!

The Overworld Strategist could FEEL Kelvedran's gaze continue searing holes into his mammoth body. He was lucky though, because if Kelvedran really was a master of fire attacks Viqtarr would be a pile of ashes by now. It was written all over his hardened face, so much so that even the four Chaotic players could see it and they were still scared of the expression even from their seats across the room.

Peyton then carefully leaned to his left to whisper into Sara's ear, "Hey Sar-bear, is it just me or does Kelv look a little…" he paused to glance discreetly at the Mandiblor, "ticked off to you?"

Even the tough-as-nails Sara had to hold back a shudder in her voice, "Well, duh! Kelvedran likes Daisy and he doesn't like any of the other's males talking to her!"

"But Daisy approached him!" Peyton pointed out, elongating every syllable with emphasis, "She was just being nice and it's not like Viqtarr was deliberately trying to woo Daisy; because it's undeniable he likes Phoebe!"

"Peyton just think about it for once in your life." Sara said, all signs of tense jitters gone as she gave the wider teen a stern expression, "To Kelvedran it doesn't matter if another male was purposely trying to steal Daisy or not; he's going to get possessive about it no matter what! That's just the kind of Danian he is!"

"I guess your right about that Sara," Tom imputed making the two turn in their chairs towards him, he had heard everything his friends have been saying, "but still he needs to get a grip. I don't know Daisy personally, but I know for certain she doesn't seem to like Kelvedan's behavior."

That made Peyton and Sara's eyes pop open before looking back at the scene. Not much had change in that whole minute; if you didn't count the distinct rumble of a growl emanating from Kalvedan's direction. It wasn't that loud, but still all the Fairy's and human's in the room heard it and they didn't even have the women's sharp hearing.

Then Faash slapped his hand on his Tribemates left shoulder, silencing the undanian-like sound coming out of Kelvedran's mouth. The Elementalist even got close to the red Danian's antenna to whisper something. The humans could see his sudden action, but had no idea what he was saying, it was so hushed and appeared stern.

It was like a light bulb came on in Kelvedran's head. He immediately snapped out of his jealous mode, jerked his eyes away from Viqtarr and looked at Daisy. She was looking right straight at him with a steady gaze, but they're was definite disappointment in the back of her yellow orbs.

The red Mandiblor couldn't hide the wave of regret on his face, nor the stab inside his chest. "Sorry Viqtarr, I didn't mean to get worked up." Kelvedran apologized to the Overworlder, his eyes cased down to the floor.

"It's alright friend," Viqturr accepted, placing a hand on his other shoulder as he gave the Danian a true smile, "it happens."

Still the Danian couldn't look at him or to anyone else he nodded his head solemnly.

Daisy felt her disappointment melt away when she saw his expression, "Poor Kelvedran…" she thought, peering at the said Mandiblor around Viqtarr's hulking form, "I wonder what was bothering him?"

That was when Thorn came forward, "Well we better head out sister's." she started, the light green haired woman looking at the other Fairy Warrior's, "Phoebe's probably half way to the Sparring Field by now so we better catch up to her."

After watching the whole scene unfold before her, the whip wielding Fairy thought this matter needed to be dealt with elsewhere.

Daisy and Savannah both nodded in affirmative, before walking calmly out of the room, "If you boys still want to join you can," Thorn said in a warning tone, pausing to look back at the males as she slowly walked down the hall, "but I'd be prepared if I were you. For I have a feeling this is going to be one intense workout."

The males got that impression already, so they simply nodded and courteously followed the Fairies down the hallway towards the stairway. As their heavy footsteps faded away, the Elder's and four Chaotic player's that witnessed everything glanced back at each other questioningly, "What do you suppose got into them?" Catalina wondered out loud.

"Never question affairs of the heart dear sister," Queen Angelina told her gently, "that is a matter that must be dealt with by the beings who own them."

"She's right about that," Tom started, getting the zoning groups attention, "my mom always told me to never getting in the middle of love messes. Because you'll only get slapped if you do."

"Smart woman." Sara voice, a smirk on her face.

"But should we at least send another Warrior there to keep an eye on things?" Catalina asked again, her worry not even close to resting, "I'd hate for those males to get hurt because of the girls carelessness."

"Oh I think they'll be alright Catalina." Queen Angelina reassured as her eyes migrating towards the window. The humans then noticed a strange expression on her face; not quite dreamy, but more like she was recalling a moment from her past:

"After all a woman's heart is a fickle thing…"

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

Just as Thorn predicted, Phoebe had beaten the small group to the Sparing Field. By ten whole minutes to be exact.

However the almost weaponless Fairy Warrior still seemed to be simmering and the appearance of Viqtarr didn't help. So Thorn, being the no-nonsense woman she was, practically dragged Phoebe away by her long pony tail to give what the human's called a 'pep talk'. Even with the Fairy's sharp listening skills, Savanah and Daisy still couldn't hear anything being said. But judging by how hard Thorn's face and tone appeared from a yard or so away, there wasn't any doubt even by the accompanying males that the dark red headed Fairy was be vocally straightened out.

After a few minutes of this, Thorn soon returned to the waiting group with a now sedated Phoebe who followed a step behind. After everyone was calm; a brief moment to lay out the ground rules was discussed by the Fairy's to the accompanying males. When it concluded each Fairy immediately got with their male sparring partners.

The tense matter from before wasn't brought up again that entire morning; each of the male creatures wanted to stay on good terms with their courting picks.

Especially Kelvedran.

Earlier on in the sitting room was the first public display of his jealous nature (in front of other's outside his tribe of course), and the look on Daisy's face made him think twice about doing it a second time.

"I didn't mean to take it that far…" Kelvedran thought as he and Daisy sparred together.

Just watching the pair made one think they were dancing instead of mock fighting. The male Danian continued to marvel how well Daisy anticipated his moves; making her look even more beautiful to him as she continued to block his punches and evade his every attack with fluent ease.

"…I just couldn't control myself… but then what can you do when a males laid claim to a woman."

When a male discovers a woman he wishes to court, you better be extremely careful not to get in his way. Because if you dared to try and steal that particular female away from him, even if it wasn't intentional or if you weren't aware… Let's just say, you wouldn't survive long enough to find out.

Though it pretty much goes without saying!

Even so, Kelvedran would be among those males who gets hostile every time another gets close to the girl he likes. Which has happened a lot recently and unfortunately it's been giving off a very bad impression of himself. To not only his Tribemates, but to Daisy herself.

The daisy throwing Fairy wasn't stupid and she certainly wasn't blind; Daisy knew Kelvedran's jealousy had something to do with her. However she wasn't about to let him think that by showing it will win her over faster.

"I better just buck up and finally have a serious talk with him like she told me to." Daisy thought to herself as she pulled off a perfect backflip, landing on the Danian's back, "Because this problem can't go on any longer; if it does someone could get hurt!"

And there was no time like the present.

Daisy then air summersaulted off the Danian's back, further away from the general area where the pair was. Kelvedran got back up from the takedown rather quickly to look to the left in her direction with a serious warrior expression, like he was preparing himself to attack again. But it disappeared the moment he saw Daisy's relaxed demeanor.

The yellow haired Fairy had landed steppes away from the tree line of the nearby maple forest; she stared back at the Danian's wondering face with her own cool gaze. Daisy appeared to have something one her mind as she jerked her head back towards the forest before walking that way, silently ordering Kelvedran to follow.

Daisy only did this kind of thing when she had something important to say to someone and usually it's nothing good. Kelvedran could already feel his heart beginning to weigh heavily against his chest as he slowly stepped behind her; he had a sinking feeling on what this was about.

Leaving the rest of the seemingly unknowing group in the field, both Daisy and Kelvedran silently slipped away to talk in private. The young Fairy Warrior wasn't one to cause a scene and Daisy certainly wasn't going to interrupt her sister's about this. Besides, it was a matter that must be smoothed out between her and him alone.

Not a single word was said by either creature as Daisy lead them to the most private place she could think of, and after a thirty minute walk the pair came to a daisy abundant patch. The sweet clean air shrouding this place was enough to calm even the tensest of nerves, thanks to the favorite flower's growing beneath budding apple blossom tree's.

Daisy loved to come here, it was so serine and quiet, making it the prime spot to relax and smell the flowers for a while. But that would have to wait.

Kelvedran continued walking a few feet behind Daisy, only stopping when she too halted in the middle of the white blanketed forests floor, her white heeled feet completely covered by the grand pale blooms. "We need to talk, Kelvedran…" Daisy said, her back remained facing the red Mandiblor, "about your attitude lately."

The yellow haired Fairy spoke those words in a monotone voice, and Kelvedran didn't like it. Daisy's normally spoke with the essence of a love song; the slow romantic tune forever painted into her soft pink lips. But now…

"Daisy I-"

"I speak, you listen!" Daisy ordered sharply, raising her right index finger to silence the Mandiblor.

Kelvedran complied by slowly closing his mouth.

After a couple seconds Daisy finally turned around to look at him squarely in his eyes with an almost piercing gaze, "Let me say what I have to say first." She said, softer than before, but still firm.

The red Danian knew he deserved whatever was coming, so he simply nodded solemnly.

"Don't think for one second that I'm yours Kelvedran…" The yellow haired Fairy began, her tone hushed with emphasis as she stepped closer up to the Danian. Daisy only continued talking when she was chest-to-chest with him, "I'm not going to fall for you that quick just because of some ridiculous possessive claim you may have over me. I'm not some emotionless thing you win in a card match; nor do you have the right to believe so. I will choose who my heart belongs to not YOU, understand?"

Daisy could have said 'I hate you' and it would have hurt less to Kelvedran; "She's… She's going to refuse me, I know it… I can see it deep within her eyes." The Mandiblor thought in despair.

The moment Kelevedran was old enough he was bestowed with the responsibility that came with becoming a Mandiblor. And even when he was inflicted with countless injuries during those long solons in service to his young and former Queen, he never had a swing of regret. But all the pain he endured paled in comparison to the one he was feeling right now, and it was the one growing inside.

"What is this… this ache? My chest… the pain… it hurts!" Kelvedran bellowed breathlessly in his mind. The Mandiblor's body was losing the strength to stand as the discomfort was close to bring him to his knees, even his stiff face showed he wanted collapse in agony, "Daisy… all I wanted was your heart… but instead I lost it before I had a chance to give you mine."

The poor red Danian began to grieve at the thought of all chances to court the beautiful Daisy was shattered thanks to his rashness. But he managed to hold back his tears as he spoke to the yellow haired Fairy steadily, "I'm sorry Daisy, I truly am. I only … Hope… you can forgive me one day."

His heart being carved out of his chest with a dull blade. That was the image that came to mind as Kelvedran turned away from the Fairy Warrior; there was no way to fix what has been broken. Perhaps it was better this-

"I'm not finished Kelvedran."

The sweet voice of Daisy made the Mandiblor stop right in his tracks when a familiar tune reached his antennas; "A love song… could it be?" he thought once more, a seed of hope daring to plant itself in his soul.

Kelvedran's pivoting neck creaked as his emerald eyes looked back over his shoulder.

Daisy continued to stand there among those quivering pale pedaled flowers. The warm glow of the overhead sun glistening in her long wavy hair and danced across the white silk material of her body suit; even her eyes shined in the nature made glow of the forest floor. But instead of a stiff expression that was glued on her face like before, it had been quietly replaced with an affectionate smile.

"Through all the times you were acting so emotionally reckless, did you ever once bother to think how I might have felt?" Daisy asked kindly.

Kelvedran's eyes widened a tiny bit in realization, "No… I didn't." he answered truthfully.

He watched Daisy's smile turn into a smirk, then she closed her eyes and shook her head from side to side, "Typical male…" she murmured to herself, a deep feminine chuckle vibrating in her voice, "You like putting up this 'jealous suitor' routine to make yourself seem appealing; but at the same time to don't have the facts."

"Yes it's true, observance isn't one of my strong suits." Kelvedran said, finally turning back around to face his crush, "But I swear it's not who I am."

Daisy slightly raised her right brow as she watched Kelvedran slowly step up to her, "Then what kind of male are you, Kelvedran?" she asked him seriously.

The Danian's surefooted steps kept in time with the Fairy's heart beats; one, two, three, until Kelvedran pointed snout was mere inches from Daisy's face. Even now their eye's remained locked; each giving the other wistful stares despite their inner doubts or fears.

"Show me…"

Those two little words subconsciously fell from Daisy's relaxed, shimmering pink lips; softer than a cloud and freer then a bird.

Kelvedran didn't need to be told twice as he closed the tiny gap between them, quickly wrapping his strong arms around the Fairy's waist and crash his yearning lips on hers. Daisy wasn't the least bit stunned by the sudden action, in fact she seemed to have been anticipating it. Her yellow eyes were already closed before Kelvedran's mouth was seconds away from touching her; even her small arms had snaked themselves around the Danian's hardened neck to deepen the intimate contact.

Both individual's sighed contently into the kiss before Kelvedran unwillingly pulled away, releasing her lips before brushing his long cheek against the left side of Daisy's jaw. He did that so their eyes could get that much closer.

"I'm the kind of Danian who would ultimately give you everything if it means to have you be with me." Kelvedran admitted, his emerald orb's remained memorized by the glowing pools of sunlight within her eyes, "I will get down on my knees right now, and recite it a hundred times if you want me to."

Daisy then got a mischievous glint in her eye, "Will you?" she hummed, playfully.

Then she laughed loudly when Kelvedran immediately, even eagerly, dropped to the ground and started doing just that. But before he got out two syllables, Daisy cut him off. "Ok! Ok! I get it, you win!" she called out in mock surrender, but it changed to a dreamy expression as Kelvedran got back up, "I'll let you court me you stubborn Danian."

The ecstatic male let out a whoop of a holler as his flapping moth-like wings rocketed him skyward; Daisy had to smile as she watched the Mandiblor zipping back and forth above the tree tops.

"YOU'VE MADE ME SO HAPPY DAISY!" The said Fairy heard him yell down to her, she wouldn't have been surprised if the entire Fairy Realms had heard him.

But she didn't really need him to tell her that, for Daisy could somehow feel his gay emotions running wild within him. The daisy weapon Fairy had this strange ability to 'read' people, but nothing like looking in someone's thought's like a M'arrillian can. To fully understand the ramification of Daisy's gift you'd have to witness the sixth sense of an animal; how their able to sense danger even before it shows itself or how sensitive they are to people's feelings.

That's the simplest way of wording it and it's not just Daisy with this trait. Many of the other Fairy Warriors has this ability; including Raven, Thorn and even Feleena (whose is the most heightened thanks to centuries of training). The red headed Fairy named this trait Nature's Calling; it was a fitting name as it was used to feel the earth around her in ways no one outside their Tribe could comprehend.

And it's not an ability that can be taught either, all Fairies are born with it, allowing them to be both spiritually connected and one with their world at the same time.

"Even the land is happy for us." Daisy thought as she brought her hands over her heart, "I can feel the joy flowing through my body… and it's radiating from all around…"

The yellow haired Fairy's smile brightened more so when her eyes open up again (for they closed half way a moment ago in blissful meditation) and she saw her courter finally come to a soft landing not far away from her. The Danian couldn't have chiseled the grin from his face, and it only widened even more when Daisy ran right into his waiting arms.

"Are you going to behave yourself from now on?" Daisy asked, as she laid her head against the Mandiblor's pounding chest.

At the mention of that little quirk of his Kelvedran's excitement sobered, he then looked down at the woman wrapped in his arms, "I wanted to apologies to you first about that Daisy…" he started in a mannered tone, he even tightened his embrace around the Fairy's waist in emphasis, "I tried doing that earlier, but it wasn't the right time."

Daisy's yellow colored orb's gazed back up into the Mandiblor's soft emerald one's for about half a second, then she surprised him by giggling sweetly, "Oh Kelvedran, there's no need for that, I was never mad at you. Disappointed maybe, but not mad." She said, as her white fingerless glove covered hand touched the Danian's right cheek tenderly.

"And you were justified." The red Danian started, enjoying the appendages slow caressing against his hardened skin, "It's just I have this unsightly habit of not thinking clearly before I act; because if I don't it makes me do things I'm not proud of. One being the confrontation with Viqtarr in the Elder's Sitting Room."

Daisy nodded in understanding, "And that's ok, we all have small blemishes like that I our character, you just have to learn to check it is all. I can help if you want me to." She kindly offered.

"I would like that… very much." Kelvedran said, but it sounded more like a sigh at the end.

Daisy smiled back at her courter before her eyes glowed with seriousness, "All I ask in return is that you promise not to get possessive over me anymore." She stated in a cool, yet sassy tone as she allowed her hand to fall to his shoulder, "It may seem cute to other woman, but I have no tolerance with fighting between comrades. Plus I won't stand feeling like someone's trophy."

"Yes Ma'am, I promise I won't. And I'll do anything you ask if it means to prove that to you." Kelvedran swore in his most honest to goodness voice; he's never broken a promise to anyone and he wasn't about to start now.

Daisy hummed in pretend thought, she even tapped her chin with a single finger as Kelvedran waited patiently for her answer. But he didn't have to continue to do so long as Daisy's wandering eyes snapped back to him; that was when her act started to crack when she gave him a playful smile he's never seen her make.

"You can seal the vow with another kiss… if you wish." Daisy whispered, scooting even closer into the Danian's bulkier form.

Then a sly look came onto Kelvedran's face as well, "Don't mind if I do, my little daisy flower." He said in a charming voice as his face crept closer.

A soft laugh managed to escape from Daisy, before the Mandibler silenced it by placing his lips on her pink ones for a second time that morning. "Oh Kelv, I can't stay mad at you for long can't I? You just have that effect on me." She thought, intertwining her fingers behind the red Danian's head after her tiny arms returned to his neck.

Daisy was a simple woman compared to her warrior sister's, but she still had standards. Plus the yellow haired Fairy never anticipated a male would come waltzing along and be so intent on courting her after just one meeting, even during her long life.

It was the same for Kelvedran; he had convicted himself that he was content with his single life at Mount Pillar. Never needing a sweet embrace or comforting word that came from a feminine touch every now and then. He couldn't have dreamed coming to this magical world and finding the one Fairy he would be willing to lay down his life for in a snap.

How things can change in a short amount of time.

The couples lips remained locked until both pulled away for sweet air. When they did Kelvedran saw the pale blush that dusted Daisy's cheeks; making her look even more beautiful to him.

"My chest feels funny…" Daisy stated with a smile, referring to the fluttering sensation inside her as she placed a hand over the area it came from, "But it's something I can get used to."

"I as well, my little daisy flower…" Kelvedran whispered, before bending down to pluck a single white bloom from the patch covering their feet and placing it behind the smaller woman's left ear, "I as well."

Both shared a dreamy expression before gathering the other in their arms. Daisy allowed herself to cuddle into Kelvedran's surprisingly warm chest as the Danian lowered his head enough to rub the left side of his face against the soft skin of her cheek.

And the inner butterflies' wings would keep tickling inside their hearts for the rest of the day.

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

Unbeknownst to the discreetly fleeing couple, someone among the remaining group did noticed them leave.

"It's about time Daisy had a heart-to-heart with him." Savannah thought as a crack of a knowing smile came to her dark pink lips, she had spotted them going into the nearby forest out the corner of her orange eye, "I know she wouldn't be too hard on poor Kelvedran, she's too nice to do something like that."

The orange haired Fairy may still be a tad green when it came to knowing the ways of a Warrior, but not when it comes to helping her sister's with their problems.

Savannah was a very reliable source when it comes to giving advice, even about things she didn't fully understand. That's how intellectual and cleaver she was, and what makes her different from the rest of her Tribe. While her sisters were nowhere near stupid; Savannah was just on a whole other level when it comes to solving problems rationally.

Even Feleena has come to her once or twice on a matter.

And the hot weather Fairy doesn't sugar coat anything either; always telling someone what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. In fact Savannah was the one who told Daisy to let Kelvedran know that he needed to get a grip; because up until now the yellow haired Fairy has been letting the Danian's unpredictable jealousy run its course. But it wasn't until the tense moment in the Elder's Sitting Room with her family and friends present did Daisy at last come to her senses.

"Just be strict with him Daisy. I know you don't want to hurt him, but you've been letting this problem of Kelvedran's slip under the rug one too many times. If you don't draw the line somewhere, the next confrontation could end up with a few new patients in Alice's Cabin and a few of them could be ours!"

Those were the exact words Savannah said to Daisy as they walked side-by-side to the Sparring Field that morning.

"But I'm glad she took my advice, she seemed hesitant about it." Savannah thought once more.

Now Savannah wasn't the type of woman to force a piece of advice down someone's throat and make them do it; she only provides the tool needed to fix the problem they have. It's up to the individual themselves if they actually want to use that knowledge or not.

But if it comes down to the safety of her family, she will gladly push the issue, should the need arise.

And today was one of those times.

"Personally I'm glad someone's going to do it." Faash suddenly stated as they were in the middle of their mock fight, "Because if Daisy didn't I would have most certainly beaten it into that idiot Tribemate of mine."

Savannah blinked twice, "You knew Daisy was going to talk to him?" she asked, hoping the distance between her and Danian Elementalist was enough to mask the surprise in her voice.

But no such luck. Faash's gave the Fairy a smug look, "Antenna's like these don't miss much." he said, pointing to the long curved ones atop his yellow painted face.

"Hah! True! I bet you'd hear a bird chirping from across the Spring Plains!" Savannah joked kindly.

"Hey, I got you to laugh, that's my first victory today!" Faash exclaimed happily, his face brightening more from the small milestone. The orange haired Fairy then gave the Danian Elemantalist a cute smile and stronger giggle.

Faash has never been the humorous type, in fact he was anything but! But ever since he first met Savanah a new side of himself has come forward and even he admits liking the change. Savannah herself could see it happening too. The hot weather Fairy still can't help but laugh when she remembers their first introductions; this big intimidating Danian having to side step over just to talk to her!

It was so funny Savannah had keep herself from bursting out laughing in the middle of that field!

"It was sweet though and his personally is interesting too. This individuality he's inherited; he kind of reminds me of myself in a way." Savannah thought in interest.

After interacting for a few days following the creature's arrival from Perim, the two souls quickly realized they had many things in common. That's how they were able to get so close this fast.

"Hey Savannah…" Faash started, the sound of her voice made the said woman to come out of her thought's and look at him again. When she did he was giving her a warm expression, "I'm done with sparring for today, would you like to go somewhere else a while? I'd enjoy spending more time with you in a more… picturesque setting."

That made her pale skinned cheeks flare a rosy pink, "Really?" Savannah asked steadily, but she still gave the taller Danian a friendly smile, "Sure I'm up for it."

Faash met the shorter woman half way before offering his left arm to her, which she took whole heartedly, "So you were getting bored of sparring with me?" Savannah teased as they started walking in now particular direction, but it ended up being north.

"Oh no, not at all!" Faash stated, his tone light, "It's just I've never actually sat and interacted with you before now. I just thought it would be a nice change of pace."

Savannahs pretty orange eyes popped wider, "Now that I think about it, no we haven't had a pleasant one-on-one conversation before have we?" Then was when she giggled, "Oop's, my apologies Faash! I guess keeping my skills sharp is eternally etched into my head!"

"Well you can go easy from one on." The Danian Elementalist said, his deep vibrating voice sounded smooth as honey, "Because it couldn't get any sharper; you've outclassed me more times than I can count!"

Savannah marveled how nice it was just spending time with this Danian; it was different from hanging out with her sister's and a far cry from being weird as Phoebe made it out to be.

"She's just more apprehensive when it comes to males." Savannah's mentally deduced, "Out of all of my sister's Phoebe has to be the most independent… or stubborn."

Savannah didn't know whether to snicker or roll her eye's after thinking that fact. Because both were not only true, but was a perfect example of the dark red head's character!

That was when a shimmering yellow stream passed by the woman's eye like a sign from heaven, Savannah then looked up at the crystal clear blue sky and smiled. Her beloved world's natural beauty always seems to find ways of putting her concerns to rest in its own charming way, but this time it has finally managed to expel her overworked thoughts until another day.

Savannah then glanced at Faash, who has gone silent and was too enjoying the surrounding wonder. She sent a gentle smile in his direction despite his attention being elsewhere; Faash had once told her that life was too short to worry about insignificant things. Even for someone who lives for eons longer.

At the time it was very random to Savannah, but now she understood why he had said it. Now was not the time to dwell on other people and start taking time to herself; even the magical world around them seemed to be agreeing with that statement. The sun's warm glow relentlessly continued shining through the overhead trees, creating dancing shadows across the swaying blades of grass growing all around.

And the only downside to not wearing shoes like other Fairy Warrior's was that it made her feet more vulnerable to outer things. Which was exactly what happened when Savannah felt a spout ling's delicate tip graze the bottom of her sensitive feet. She couldn't have stopped the surprised squeal escaping her lips when she jumped high into the air from the ticklish sensation; latching onto the closest thing to her like her life depended on it.

But when Savannah realized what that 'thing' was, the humiliated Fairy's orange eyes bulged out of her head! "I-I'm s-so sorry F-Faash!" Poor Savannah shuddered, wanting to die of embarrassment on the spot when she saw her arms and legs were hugging either the Danian's waist or neck, "I didn't mean to I sw-!"

But stopped the moment a whole hearted laughter reached her ears, "It's ok Savannah…" Faash managed to get out, his voice vibrating from somewhere deep within his chest as his arms came to rest behind the suspended woman's back, "It just caught me off guard is all."

"I've never heard his laugh before…" Savannah thought as an unknown emotion stirred within her, making her heart beat faster and her face to turn red, "It's a very becoming sound for him."

"Has anyone mentioned that you look adorable when you blush this much Savannah?"

That unexpected question snapped the said Fairy back to the present, "W-What?" she whispered, her mind still not all there.

Savannah could vaguely see a glint appear in the back of Faash's light green eyes, "This is what I hoped to see; what you were really like off the sparring field." He breathed softly.

Savannah's dark pink lips parted like she was going to say something, but it turned into a dazzling smile a second later. "Thank you." She hummed politely, "I'm glad I showed it to you."

The Danian Elemantalist was kind enough to help Savannah back down, but even when her feet were softly back on the ground Faash didn't allow her to go too far. His careful digit-like finger'd remained enveloped around her smaller ones as he continued to stare into her stunning colored orbs.

"Were you afraid to?" Faash asked with a twinge of confusion.

Savannah shook her head gently, "It's not that I was afraid to; it's just that I was waiting." She responded, giving the taller Danian a warm expression.

"Waiting?" he repeated, more confused now, "For what?"

"For when you made the first move of course. I was waiting to see what you were about first before I revealed myself to you; I don't show my ace before the match has reached its end you know." Savannah winked flirtatiously, then her face sobered a little before continuing, "But on a serious note, I need to ask you something Faash… have you been acting because you wanted to or because you wanted to hide something?"

A fake was a being Savannah loathed, because they didn't have the decency to let others have a say in their honor. At first she thought that was Faash's game; to trick her into thinking he was someone entirely different so the Fairy Warrior would like him better. But after getting to know him more… Savannah's come to see the Danian Elemantalist wasn't like that at all, and she knew when someone was lying to her!

Faash was silent for a minute, starring into the Fairy's unwavering and beautiful gaze. He knew Savannah wasn't the oblivious type and could see this question coming from a mile away.

"I haven't changed at all, in fact it was you that changed me." Faash answered, his voice clear and monotone.

Those few words caught the intellectual woman completely off guard; so much so she wasn't able to put words together to even respond to it!

But she didn't need to. For Faash took the opportunity to bring Savannah closer to his chest as his eye's came down lower to meet her, "Savannah…" he whispered, though it sounded more like a sigh of the wind.

"Yes?"

"In just a short while you've become the light inside my heart, to burn eternally until the day I take my last breath… If only I had known where you've always been, I would have come for you so much sooner." Faash murmured, his longing light green eye's glued to Savannah's face.

Savannah, though smitten by the male's heartfelt words, studied Faash's exterior attentively with critical eyes. But as expected, she saw nothing to suggest he was trying to deceive her.

"Faash…" Savannah breathed, loving the feeling of the name passing over her tongue. Her eye lids even started slipping closed as a small smile painted itself on her lips, giving her a dreamy expression, "Kiss me, please."

Faash smiled broadly, "With pleasure my little fire fly."

Savannah smiled widened even more when she heard her new nickname, but disappeared the moment Faash's lips came down atop her velvety soft dark pink ones.

"His lips feel like they were destined to be with mine, they mold together perfectly." Savannah thought, almost romantically, "And this glow igniting inside me, it only brightens evermore."

The charmed Fairy was too focused on the tender contact that she never noticed Faash pulling her into his chest, closer than before after the scare. So even when he paused the kiss to ask Savannah the privilege of being his only courtesan; she would remain flushed against his rock hard skin.

"I couldn't say no now, not after you said all those lovely words of endearment." Savannah whispered to the Danian as he silently pleaded with her by caressing her right cheek with his hand.

The beaming Elemantalist was just happy to hold this woman inside his tight embrace, he would privately celebrate his achievement later. "Thank you Savannah, I promise to cherish your sweet self for as long as it takes."

Just as a darling sigh left her mouth, a whisper of a breeze passed between the two, as if to carry away any lingering doubts. But they were nonexistent by that time; Savannah and Faash knew deep down this was the being they wanted to have by their side.

To share many more delightful talks and hugs in the coming hour's.

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

"That was a nice move Thorn!" Ario complimented as he slowly stood back up, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but you've gotten better since last we sparred!"

Unlike the observant heat weathered Fairy, the remaining partners in the Sparing Field had no idea Daisy and Savannah had wandered away with Kelvedran and Faash in tow. But when Thorn noticed them gone an hour or so later after they left, not even a once of concern weighed on her mind. Her sisters were capable of taking care of themselves, plus she had a sneaking suspicions that the two Danian males were with them since they were nowhere to be seen either.

But as of this moment, she had to focus on the here and now. And right now Thorn and the Mipedian Royal Ario were in the mists of a well-rounded sparring session; this one being the best they've had since both are pretty competitive when it comes to showing off their skills.

That insinuation alone from the male lizard made Thorn gasp, making it seem like she was greatly offended, "What are you implying Ario, that I can't fight?" the Warrior woman asked with gusto, slapping a hand over her heart.

Ario (whose scale color was the exact shade of the Fairy's skin and hair) just smirked at the woman. There was no denying she was a good actress, however he has been around her long enough to know when she was playing. So he decided to play along just for fun:

"Why, not at all my dear Thorn." Ario started, his tone nonchalant and smooth, "I was just simply commenting that your combat skills have improved; they seemed a tad weak before."

Thorn then cocked an eyes brow at the same time her smirk fell. She wasn't quick to anger as say Phoebe, with her 'cool as a cucumber' domineer along with her tense less attitude towards any situation that could possibly be thrown at her. But that didn't mean the nature attired Fairy's pride couldn't be wounded by a seemingly harmless jab.

"Weak huh?" she repeated, elongating the one word like she had never heard it before as the humor that was present before evaporated. At the same time she spoke, Thorn discreetly got her feet placed, "Then allow me to demonstrate how this 'weakling' has gotten stronger!"

Seconds after that pronouncement left her relaxed mouth, Thorn leaped high into the air. Then faster than Ario could blink Thorn removed her signature thorny whip (which had been attached to her branch belt up until now), swung it around her airborne body like a lasso and sent the elongated spiked tail in the Mipedian's direction.

Ario heard the distinct 'crack' of the thick thorn modified deep brown leather, but even that warning wasn't enough to save him from the painful attack. He growled in pain from both the impact on his plump upper body area and the feeling of the whip being yanked away, leaving behind a line of prominent wooden thorns from where the whip hit just moment's ago.

"Now that was a little uncalled for!" Ario stated, flinching from the prickly things piercing his normally thick hide.

As his yellow slit red eyes went back to the light green haired woman, she was coming back down to earth gracefully, when her heeled feet made contact with the lush grass a smirk of a smile reappeared on her face. "Then you shouldn't have used such crude language." Thorn said, rather sassily as she sashayed over to her poor injured partner.

"Aww don't be like that Thorn," Ario murmured, giving the Fairy Warrior a funny pout as he watched her glide closer, "I didn't mean anything like that!"

Then the Mipedian made a scared squeak when he felt the whip's vine woven shaft suddenly appear against the thin layer of skin lining his long bottom jaw. Thankfully it was the only thorn free part of the entire weapon.

"Then consider this a warning to any future teasing." Thorn murmured, her voices texture like freshly made cream as she leaned down towards the slightly shorter Mipedian, "Make sure you think clearly before saying something that might insult a whip wielding woman; or next time I might aim for your nose and not your stomach."

Normally a male would have been genuinely scared by Thorn's threat; but the automatic shiver going up Ario's spine and speeding heart rate painted a different picture.

Back in Al'Mipediam the ladies of the all-lizard tribe were all beautiful in their own right, but Ario never even gave one so much of a sideways glance. Because none of them had the capacity to catch the attention of the tough as nails Royal; until his sharp eyes spotted Thorn among the many stunning Fairy Warrior's on that not too long ago day. You could say it was fate or go so far as state it was love at first sight; but no matter how you word it Ario was S-M-I-T-T-E-N with this light green skinned Fairy from that point forward.

There were many quality's Ario liked about Thorn; one being she was breed of woman all her own. While other Fairy's in the Tribe (not just Warrior's) gave off a playful, innocent, calming or steady aura, Thorn has as an almost seductive feel to her. Making her seem more siren then Fairy. That trait was not only unique to her specifically, but it also gave her an advantage, a woman as radiate as her couldn't be much of a challenge right?

Oh how wrong you'd be if you were both foolish and stupid enough to mock Thorn's fighting prowess… which was exactly what Ario did before they first sparred. The said Royal is great when it comes to experience on the battlefield, but not when it comes to judging a book by its cover.

That was a lesson he had to learn the hard way and from that moment he discovered Thorn was more than just a gorgeous face. It would be one Ario wouldn't soon forget since it was literally whipped into him, thorns and all!

Now would just be added to the list of said teachings; "Y-Yes Thorn." Ario said, rather breathlessly.

And if he did have any air left in him, Ario would have thought it had been sucked right out of him after another alluring-like smile come to the Fairy Warrior's pretty pink lips.

"Very good." Thorn whispered, slowly and gently skating her whips handle over to the tip of his chin. When the blunt object got there it was switched with the tip of a single light green polished finger, "And since I'm still in a good mood, I'll help you remove those pesky thorns. They wouldn't be easy to get out and I know a less painful way of doing it."

But Thorn could have told him he grew a second head and he wouldn't have heard her; because Ario was too busy watching her lips the whole time like a hungry hawk! For as she spoke they seemed to creep down closer and closer until they were mere centimeters from his chapped ones, which only seemed to get dryer until Thorn stopped her advances.

Thorn had to giggle softly at the delirious look on Ario's face when he didn't respond to her right away; it was so fun to toy with him the way she has been. But she never allowed him to get within arm's reach of her, after all Thorn was a very guarded woman. In fact it took all of Ario's relenting persistence to convince her to see him again.

Only a handful of her sister's know the real reason why Thorn was like this; always keeping her heart under lock and key. It had nothing to do with someone close to her dying like Aurora or Lyanne, but because Thorn believes something that precious shouldn't be given away to just anyone.

That could be a fatal mistake for a Fairy who can live eternally.

Thorn let Ario zone a few moment's longer before snapping her finger's next to his left ear, which was enough to bring him back from whatever la la land he was in. "Are you going to let those thorns dig deeper into her hide or follow me?" she asked, plainly.

"O-Oh yes, of course!" Ario about stuttered, shaking his thick skulled head back and forth to clear away anything fuzz left inside, "Lead the way Thorn."

The said Fairy chuckled, turning Ario's brain to mush again from the glories sound as he followed closely behind. Thorn was mindful of the Mipedian's punctured scales, so she walked at a slow pace for two reasons; so Ario could keep up and so he didn't accidentally tear his hide open any more from his movements.

Thorn may not have been an expert in Mipedian anatomy, but if her thorns were able to stick into the male's reptilian skin it had to be treated quickly.

"Thankfully the place where a majority of the medical plants grow isn't too far from here." Thorn thought; then a small hiss reached her ears. "Are you in much pain Ario?" she asked, looking over her shoulder at the flinching Mipedian.

Ario had to smile softly despite his discomfort, he knew Thorn had a compassionate heart, she just didn't show it to him very often. "I'm alright Thorn," he started, reassuring the mildly concerned Fairy, "I just jerked too hard a minute ago and it irritated some of the thorns."

"We'll be there in just a minute, after that I just have to gather a couple things." Thorn informed.

Ario simply nodded, focusing on keeping his hide relaxed until then so the needle thin spikes didn't shift.

Thorn felt a twinge of regret, she didn't mean to put Ario through this again. The first happened when they met and that confrontation didn't leave as near as many. That resulted in Ario getting a few thorns imbedded in his right arm after nicely blocking her whip, but that area of skin was nowhere near as delicate and enabled him to pluck them out with ease when he returned to his room that evening. Thorn herself didn't know about it until much later; but this time she was going to payback her actions to him fully.

It only took ten minute's to reach the medicinal part of the forest from the Sparring Field; only Alice or her Apprentices ever went there on a daily basis for fresh forest grown herbs since it was the closest to her cabin. But that didn't mean other Fairy's didn't know about it should they need an antidote for a minor cut; like now for instance.

Thorn continued leading them to the feet of a wide trunked oak tree, which she knew always had various medical flowers and plants growing around it. As they were passing them Ario's eye's lingered on a few as he passed them; he had never seen this kinds of annual's before and even their scent was different from the one's he's come across since arriving to the Fairy Realms.

"Those little white flowers are called chamomile," Thorn explained when she caught Ario's expression pointing to the said tiny pedaled annuals, "and those big leaf plants are known as goldenseal. Both are useful in healing minor cuts, but I'll be using something a bit stronger to get out any infection that may have set in."

When they made it to the base of the wide tree, the thorn's in Ario's stomach were starting to make the punctured skin sting like a thousand bees. The Mipdeian Royal had to bite his tongue to keep from groaning in irritation, but the look of strain on his face couldn't be masked to Thorn.

"Just lay down right here Ario." Thorn ordered softly, motioning towards a semi-circle made out of the tree's exposed roots, "I'll be right back with the plant's I need."

Thorn paused to make sure Ario was completely on his back before turning around and jogging a short distance away; the Royal pivoted his head and watched the light green haired Fairy going from a patch of orange and yellow pedaled flower's to a bush comprised of huge leaves.

"I wonder what she's going to do with all that." Ario thought.

A minute or so later Thorn returned, carrying all she had gathered in one of the big leaves. "I got all the ingredient's I'll need, now I just need a way to boil them down…" she drawled, placing the package on the ground to the left of Ario.

Then as if by magic a sweet sounding chirping made Thorn look up and saw a friendly red cardinal flutter down from the tree tops like he had been watching them for some time. "A Heating Cardinal!" Thorn gasped. The said bird came to rest an arm's reach from her kneeling form and even then it pattered closer to her, "May I use your power to boil some water for a special tea I need to make?" she kindly asked it.

The sweet bird bobbed its whole body up and down, its little shining eyes squinting. "Thank you so much my friend. I'll repay you soon for your kindness." Thorn promised the little bird, before her attention went back to tending Ario.

It was by sheer luck Thorn was able to find a stone with a deep enough indent in the nearby brook a short time later, and after carrying it and the right amount of water back to the 'treatment spot', she immediately got to work on the tea she mentioned before. She explained to Ario that the flower's she picked he watched her pick a moment ago where called calendula and they were the key ingredient for the Calendula Tea; which was the perfect way to cure internal infections'.

After take the petals off both flowers, she tore the pretty pieces so they were smaller before dropping them into the 'rock pot'. Then on the Fairy's queue, the Heating Cardinal fluttered to the rim of the makeshift pot and submerged his beak into the liquid. Thanks to its magic, the little bird brought the mixture to a simmer as Thorn went to work on removing the embedding thorns in Ario's chest.

"How where you able to find a pair of tweezers' in the middle of the forest?" Ario's asked, his right brow raised in confusion.

Thorn gave the Mipedian a sideways glance as a mysterious smile came to her lips, "I keep it in my left boot." She stated, lifting the diamond grade tool up so he could see, "Even I can get pricked with my own weapon sometimes."

Ario huffed a laugh, "I find that hard to believe."

"Believe what you wish Ario." Thorn sighed, here light green eyes returning to her job at hand.

The Fairy Warrior had to admire the Mipedian Royal's resilience though. He may have muddled through the discomfort before, but now he has remained stiff as a board the whole time his thorns were being removed from his less that toned belly and chest. Even if as they were coming to the two hour mark, Ario still hasn't made the slightest sound or flinched!

"I'm just about done, I lack just three more." Thorn said, not looking up from the said sliver's which was close to the base of his neck.

"Take your time Thorn." Ario said with a calm smile, before sighing out, "I'm just enjoying the view…"

It was softly spoken, but Thorn heard it loud and clear, making her pause for a second before grasping the closest thorn with the tweezers'. Ario noticed she wasn't being as careful with removing the sliver's as she has before; pulling them each out with one tug with a blank look on her face. "What did I say?" he thought, not that the removal of the final thorns hurt at all, but he had a feeling there was something else on the Fairy's mind that she hasn't mentioned.

But he's learned to tread lightly when it comes to the lovely Thorn.

"There, all done." She stated flicking the last sliver off her tweezer's to land on the ground beside her and slipping it back into her left boot, "Judging by the minty smell the tea should be done, so all I have left to do is wipe it over the open holes. So don't get up just yet."

Ario's eyes squinted at Thorn when her back was turned; but didn't say anything as he heard her ring out a durable leaf over the steaming brew. That changed when Thorn turned back to him. Before she could touch any of the pricked scales, her action was stopped by Ario's lighting reflexes when he wrapped his right hand around her wrist and lower palm.

The action didn't surprise her at all; not even making her flinch from the contact as her eyes remained forward. He may not have had her attention, but Ario didn't let it deter him.

"Thorn, I just wanted to be… your friend." Ario started, pausing to choose the appropriate word before looking at her face. The aching from the tiny holes on his chest would go unnoticed as he sat up again, to be near her. "You've been trying to push me away every time I've gotten too close, you may have been sneaky about it, but I could see it happening. All I ask is to know why and I'll never bother you about it again."

The stone expression on the Fairy's face never change not even when her eyes closed like a curtain falling, "You think me blind Ario?" Thorn whispered, even her voice was deprived of emotion, "I know what you're really after and I wouldn't let you have it!"

Ario thought his heart stopped in that instant, "What do you mean?" He asked.

That was when Thorn chuckled, but it sounded fake, "Don't think I haven't noticed your eye's every time you look my way; each time they remind me of a love struck yearling. But is that all it is, infatuation with my outer appearance? Ha! I'm not stupid enough to overlook that."

The Mipedian royal couldn't believe what he was hearing! "You-You think the only reason I'm fond of you is because of your beauty?!" He exclaimed in absolute outrage.

"JUST WHAT ELSE IS THERE, HUH, TELL ME?!" Thorn shrieked into Ario's face, her now opened orb's boring into his unbelieving ones.

The Fairy Warrior's facial expression may have painted an angered picture; with her wide light green eyes full of smoldering rage to match her clenched and exposed teeth. But Ario was looking past that as he continued to gaze into her leering gaze; he quickly discovered she was only using the distraction like a mask.

"Your compassion for starters…" Ario began, prompting Thorn's expression to slowly relax as he continued, "And your courage… clear mind set… fierce determination… taking nothing from anyone… what else? Oh and your strong will, I have to say that's the one I like most about you."

"W-What is he saying to me?!" Thorn mentally raved, before saying in a shaky voice, "I don't understand."

Ario simply smile, before making the bold move of circling his left arm behind her back, gently pushing her closer to his body as the other one grasped her smaller hand slightly tighter, "Don't you see Thorn? It's not your face that charms me, but you alone.' He whispered.

"You really expect me to believe that?"

"No, but I expect you to believe your friend."

Thorn knew he was secretly aiming to be more then 'friends', the Mipedian Royal was only being a gentlemen. However it wasn't the style of lingo that Ario was using that was starting to sway her, but from the way he said it. It was… respectful; that was something Thorn didn't see coming. He wasn't trying to pressure her or anything like that, instead the Mipedian was taking it slow.

"Let's just pretend I might trust you…" Thron brawled, her tone slightly weary, "Humor me this; what convinced you that I was the one?"

"Emotionally, nothing did." Ario said plainly and honestly, "Though you could say my heart had a hand in it."

Thorn hummed from that response, her right brow rising then falling in question. "I'll give you a chance Ario; just remember there wouldn't be a second one." She finally voiced.

A wave of relief passed through Ario, but it was too early for celebrating. She was only giving him a chance and it was by the skin of his teeth, so he kept his domineer calm as he gave the Fairy Warrior an understanding smile and nod. Normally he wasn't the patient type and only Cothica knew how long it would be before Thorn opened up to him fully; though he was willing to be if it was for her.

"Lay back down Ario." Thorn said, pushing against the Mipedian's shoulder to forcibly make him, "The puncture marks on your chest are starting the turn red around the edges."

Even through the heart-to-heart the pair just had, the soaked leaf that was still in the Fairy's hand remained moist, allowing her to proceed with the remainder of Ario's treatment. Thorn knew to take her time in dabbing the irritated scales, for the mixture can leave quite a sting. It was that potent and which prompted Ario to suck in air when the damp leaf touched the first mark which ran along on his belly.

Thorn paused a moment, quietly letting Ario adjust to the strong tea before continuing with the action, "I'm sorry Ario." Thorn said suddenly, catching the said Mipedian off guard, but remained silent, "I mean about what I did to you; before and now. I didn't do it on purpose, I just… When it comes to my heart, it's like I automatically go on the defensive. I have no control over it, not even my actions that may come afterward…"

Thorn was certain she would have continued on, but she would have just been rambling at that point. Thankfully for her, Ario seemed to have gotten the message and smiled warmly up at her, making the light green haired Fairy stop. "You don't have to apologies for anything Thorn." Ario started, his voice collected and even, "A woman's heart is a precious thing that even its master wishes to protect. Plus you're an independent kind of woman; I could see that from the moment I met you and I respect that fully."

The Fairy Warrior was warmed by the Mipedian's works; the tingling sensation rising from the tips of her feet going all the way to her brain was new to her. It showed on her face as well, making her oddly colored skin become tinted with a lovely red as a soft smile came forth. "Thank you, Ario." Thorn sighed, like she had been holding those words in that whole day.

Then when she returned the moist leaf to the Royal's light green scales, she remembered something that had been in the back of her mind for some time. It has never bothered her, but more like she was curious about it. "I was just wondering, why haven't you asked the invitation to court me yet? Thorn asked, though it may have sounded rather blunt her sweet tone softened it, "By now nearly half my sisters have been asked, and you've had your eyes on me for week's now haven't you?"

As she was speaking Ario's facial scales also turned a deep red, but it was out of sheer embarrassment as his red and yellow slit eyes widen tremendously. "W-Well, I was m-merely trying to not rush things is all." Ario started, desperately trying to keep his voice collected even though he was clearly flustered. Then he completely sat up again before let out a long breath, going on using a stronger tone with his arms resting on his crisscrossed legs, "If I had learned anything from my solons in Al'Mipediam's army, it's that you can't succeed if you don't understand your opponent. What their strengths and weakness are, their weapons, etc. etc. It's the same for relationships too; if you can't see what a woman needs then you might as well not be with her. Giving you space to think. That's it, that's what I have been trying to do. You were needing space to sort out your feelings; for not only your own, but also how you felt about me. It's a good enough reason not to ask you Thorn and if you wish I can-"

Ario stopped mid-sentence when the said Fairy placed her velvet soft hands on either side of his face, prompting him to actually look at her since he started talking. The experienced fighter was thrown for a bigger loop when Thorn slowly leaded forward, much like she did earlier. Only this time the expression on her face suggested she was delirious by Ario's confession instead of doing it on a whim. It matched perfectly with the subtle shimmering in her beautiful light green eyes; which disappeared when they unfortunately slipped closed before her pink lips came into contact with the Mipedian's rough scaled ones.

Thorn didn't push her body into it enough for the action to be classified as 'giving a kiss', never the less it was lip-to-lip contact despite its butterfly touch. And Ario knew better then to try and deepen it; it took him this long to tell her his reasons for doing all this and he wasn't about to ruin this moment. But he did reach around her with his right hand to twirl a lock of her soft curly tresses, it may have been against his better judgment at first, but he adored the feeling of it running between his textured fingers as long as he could before Thorn pulled herself away.

"There's no need Ario." Thorn said with a genuine smile, her tone pure as snow and soft as the surface of a freshly bloomed petal, "You've passed my little test; though I had always known you would. I just needed to be curtain before I actually accepted."

If it was possible Ario's heart would have stopped from hope, "Y-You mean that…!" However he was too flabbergasted to finish.

But he didn't need to, for the answer was given to him in the form of a nod and flirty wink, "That's right sweet pea," Thorn whispered, her hand's moved to lock behind his head, "you can court me if you still want to. But the rules still apply."

That was when the Fairy giggled from the delighted expression that had suddenly manifested on the Mipedian's face, "Thank you, Thorn, my empress." He breathed, his voice shaky from happiness as he gave the woman a tender hug, "I promise to court you no matter how long it will take me."

Thorn smiled into the nap of his neck, "I know you will, Ario." She whispered.

The still throbbing puncture holes on The Mipedian Royal's chest would remain forgotten by both for the next several minutes; for all they wanted was to enjoy the feeling of being held or doing the holding.

Even the Heating Cardinal, who had unknowingly stayed after his services was no longer needed, chirped to mimic a slow dreamy sigh from his perch atop the rim of the stone pot. After gazing at the couple a few moments longer, the little red bird decided to leave to give the newly courting pair time to themselves. Without even disturbing the cooled brew sitting below him, the Heating Cardinal was airborne and over the tree's after a mere few flaps of his wings. Sending a beautiful song into the wind to celebrate the new union he had left behind.

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

As for Phoebe and Viqtarr, their sparring could be stated as less then pleasant.

Even though Thorn may have given her an ear load of humbling words that morning; it still didn't change the fact that Phoebe's attitude remained at a boil and it was already late in the afternoon!

If there was one woman out of the Fairy Tribe that could hold a grudge for however long she saw fit, it's the said dark red headed Fairy Warrior. She is the toughest girl you would ever come across in the Fairy Realms; her spunk, strength, and undying loyalty made her an incredible asset in the Warrior class. However she did have her problem area's too. Phoebe was hard headed and stubborn, plus she doesn't always take order's well, even if they were from her teacher/sister/second-in-command Feleena. Also she has an unsaid 'hit first ask questions later' policy when it came to enemies of her family, namely Hell Hounds.

Viqtarr still catches himself chuckling at the irony; he and she were so alike it was scary. But he didn't mind it, in fact the Overworld Strategist enjoyed that fact. It pursued him to try harder in winning her over each day.

But Phoebe has proven it wasn't going to be easy from the very start.

Along with her tough as nails persona, Phoebe has a 'look don't touch' personality about her. She didn't need a male in her life to be happy like her sisters (who were in complete bliss with their courtier's), the dark red haired Fairy would remain perfectly find on her own. Even the young Chaotic Player Tom has given her the accurate title of Miss Independent.

Just like Thorn, Phoebe never noticed any of her accompanying sister's quietly depart the Sparring Field with their male partner's, nor did she really care. She was too focused on giving Vitqarr a piece of her mind; in the form of her fist that is!

"Agh!" Vitqarr cried out when another one of Phoebe's precise blows made contact with his left cheek, causing him to stumble back a couple steps and kneel to steady himself.

The poor bear-like Overworlder already had a number of purplish blue bruises forming on multiple places on his body; most of them were located on his chest, arms, and face area. But because his brown and white striped fur was so thick and bushy, you couldn't tell at first glance without moving it out of the way get a clear view of the skin underneath.

Vitqarr could feel them though, even the ones that were still popping up, causing excruciating pain to pulse through him. But the Strategist was a hardy Warrior himself; it would take more than a few discolored spot's to slow him down!

"What's wrong Viqtarr?" Pheobe asked, her tone snarky, "You're not getting tired on me are you?"

The said Overworlder allowed himself to take a few deep breathes before returning the Fairy's smug expression, "No." he answered simply, before getting back up to his hulking full height, "I was just thinking that your punches were becoming flimsy; I hope that doesn't mean your strength isn't started to wane."

Pheobe's face went rigid after hearing that, "He's still pulling that card even after I've been wailing on him nearly all day!?" she thought, both in shock and anger.

"What's wrong you seem surprised?" Viqtarr commented, tilting his head to the right, "Guess you figured I would have folded by now, huh? Sorry to disappoint you beautiful, but I don't give in just because a lady doesn't know when to quit."

Phoebe wordlessly glared at the taller Overworlder before she got into another fight pose with her lips curled back in a mock snarl. She even raised her clenched fists higher to her side's as the Fairy Warrior got down low; making it appear like she was going to jump for him again.

Viqtarr waited for Phoebe to do something and judging by the look in her light blue eye's she seemed like she wanted to. But then she surprised the bear-like creature when she had her back turn to him in an instant.

"It's time for a break, I'm getting thirsty." Phoebe grumbly stated. Not even glancing back to look at him, she stiffly strutting towards the lone oak tree which stood in the middle of the field. That was where all of their snacks and supplies were, sitting in a neat pile underneath it.

Vigtarr blinked twice from the action as his eye's remained on her retreating form; he never expected her to do that at all. "I wonder what changed her mind?" he thought.

Up until that point neither Viqtarr nor Phoebe has taken one break the entire day, and each time the said dark red headed woman shot the offer down every single time. But then again it was Viqtarr who always asked if she wanted to, so one could understand why Pheobe never accepted a time out.

Then the Overworld Strategist smiled to himself as he too walked towards the tree for a well-deserved break; you have to admire a woman's unrelenting will! But Phoebe wasn't like any other woman though, she was strong and determined, those were the two quality's Vitqurr liked most about her.

"She resembles a lot of the female warrior's in Maxxor's army I've known over the solon's, but doesn't at the same time. I can't really put my finger on what draws me towards her…"

Now that there was an intermission in their sparring, Vitqarr decided to be civil with Phoebe for a little while. And that started when he came to the base of the young looking oak, which was already being occupied by his crush who was already sitting cross legged and munching on a ripe and juicy peach. Phoebe even had an already opened bamboo container of water resting beside her, making Vitqarr's already dry mouth even drier.

"Here, you better drink the rest of this." Phoebe told the Overworlder as she held the homemade bottle up to him as he came within ears shot. For the first time her voice was polite since coming to the Sparring Field, "I don't need you passing out from dehydration; I may be strong but you're still too heavy for me to carry to Alice's Cabin."

Vitqarr halted and stood over the Fairy, eyeing the offered bottle before looking at her, "But what about you?" he asked, a bit concern.

Pheobe, whose eyes were closed for whatever reason, opened up to glance at him as she huffed a single laugh, "Don't worry." She stated, before gesturing her head towards a leather stitched sack next to the tree behind her, "There's plenty more filled bottles in that, so you can have as much water as you want and they'd still be enough for me."

The bear-like Overworlder heaved a small sigh of relief before grasping the held up bottle before taking a seat in front of her, "Thank you, Phe-Phe." He said.

"Don't say that!" Pheobe stated, looking at the male sitting in front of her sternly, "Only my sisters and nieces are allowed to use that nickname, and I don't recall giving you permission to."

That was when another smirk popped up again, despite his body being in agony, "I can do or say anything I want to beautiful, you should know that by now." Viqtarr said, rather boldly.

Then he wanted to kick himself for being so stupid; he was supposed to getting back on Phoebe's good side not try and stir her up! However the Fairy Warrior didn't react the way Viqtarr thought she would; in fact the only reaction she gave was a sideways smile when she looked up at him. "Hmm, yes, I suppose I should. You're rather set in your ways aren't you?" Phoebe murmured.

The Overworld Strategist was stunned by the response, "I guess she finally calmed down completely…" Viqtarr deduced, prompting him to relax and smile at her softly, "That's nice to know. Maybe now I can make a pleasant conversation with her; so long as I make sure not to step on her toes again."

"Oh, almost forgot…" Pheobe's voice cut through, the male saw her reaching behind to grab the leather bag before dragging it over to place in the middle of the pair, "There's some snacks in here too, help yourself to few." She invited.

Viqtarr hummed to her in surprise before the Fairy proceeded, "You haven't eaten anything since this morning, right Viqtarr? You must be famished."

"Uh, thanks Phoebe, I appreciate it." The male said, shocked by how easily the words rolled off his tongue before slowly opening the bag and digging through it.

Viqtarr isn't one for pleasantries, just ask any Tribemate who knows him personally, he would rather be at the Barracks destroying punching bags then hanging out at one of Kiru City's famous joints like other creatures. That was because he didn't have many 'friends' to speak of, more like acquaintances that lend him a hand every now and then. That behavior has labeled him as a bit of a loner among the acclaimed group of fighter's and he preferred it that way.

It was a similar situation for Phoebe, though she didn't take it near to the extreme as he did. She may be miss independent personality wise, but the stubborn dark red haired woman loved her family to pieces and would do anything in her power to protect it.

Even if it means training herself to be something Fairies were never meant to be.

As Viqtarr continued rummaging through the leather pack and pulling a few food items out, Phoebe thought she spotted a few purple circles through his fur on his right arm. And it was only confirmed, thanks to the suns light hitting them just right as Viqtarr raised an apple to his mouth to take a bite.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Pheobe asked, only clarifying her question when she got the Overworlder's attention, "About the bruises on your arms; why didn't you mention them before? I would have held back or even stopped sooner."

Pheobe meant what she said before, about wanting to teach him a lesson? But the stab of regret by her actions were still evident inside her. The tough as nails Fairy Warrior was emotionless when it came to fighting and inflicting injury on her opponent; in the end however she hated seeing someone in pain.

Unless they were a Hell Hound that is.

All in her Tribe knew about this and that included Viqtarr, so he wasn't at all surprised that she asked. He was only caught off guard by the suddenness of it; but you could hardly tell by the warm expression that came to his hairy face, "You don't have to worry about me Phoebe." He said, talking in a soothing tone to reassure the woman, "Compared to what I've been inflicted with in the past, these are nothing. Plus I kind of had it coming, I haven't been on my best behavior around you lately. So just consider this discipline on your part."

But Phoebe wasn't going to accept that, "It still doesn't constitute for my actions you big fuzz ball!" she exclaimed, squeezing her eaten peach tighter to the point juice was beginning to drip between her finger's. The dark red haired woman calmed herself by taking a few deep breaths before continuing, "You don't get it do you? I know I've been horrible these last few days Viqtarr, but that doesn't mean I don't care about you! I can admit I'm callous and cruel at times, but that's just because-"

The Fairy Warrior was stopped the moment a pair of hands grasped her shoulders gently, making her gasp in surprise and look up at the far taller Overworlder. When she did her heart start beating a tad faster when she saw the warming look on the normally hard Strategists bear-like face. "You can stop there Phoebe, I understand perfectly. You and I are one and the same so there's no need for you to explain yourself; creatures like us are just… complicated."

Phoebe raised a brow, "Complicated how?" she asked, a bit stiffly. But she remained steady, for there was no reason to do anything until she heard him out.

"Remember what you said before, about set in my ways? Well it's the same for you. You do things on your own terms, no matter if other beings don't agree or understand that, if they don't, you show them what that means however you see fit. And you're not afraid of doing that either, that's what makes you amazing to me." Viqtarr explained, ending with a wink.

The next several moments seemed to just stop to Phoebe; no one has ever said such endearing words like that to her before. It shocked her so much she didn't know how to react! "O-Oh, really." She started simply, trying to calm her mad blushing face which had turned her cheeks a bubble gum pink, "That's interesting… and wipe that smirk of your face Viqtarr or I'll do it for you!"

It was true, Viqtarr's smile turned back to its signature smirk when he saw the expression on her face, only to turn into a full on grin from her ending statement. "Now that's the Phe-Phe I know!" The male exclaimed proudly, but he was secretly happy she was feeling better.

"I told you not to use-!"

"So now that we're rested enough would you like to continue with our match?" Viqtarr asked, once again cutting the Fairy off from her warning, "We still have a couple hours of daylight left and I could us some extra practice!"

Pheobe got over her rant from before when she switched to her cocky smirk, "Of what, losing?" she asked, in her usual snarky tone as she started following Viqtarr back to where they were originally standing in the field.

"That time I was only letting you win, beautiful." Vitqarr stated cheekily, looking back over his shoulder at her.

That caused the woman brows to raise from the new information. "Excuse me?!" Phoebe exclaimed, to the point it could have been a screech from outrage, "What, may I ask, is that supposed to mean?"

"Oh you know…" Vitqarr brawled, scratching under his chin at the same time with a claw, "I just didn't want you to feel bad if I'd won and since you're a woman… well in my experience anyway, they don't prove much of a challenge."

Why that insolent, over grown, ball of-!

Phoebe managed to put the brakes on her mental rant before she really did something rash, though it didn't stop her rage from mounting every second. "Really… you think so?" she asked in a scary calm voice as she walked, her finger's flexing at her side's to show her agitation.

"I'm not saying you are specifically." Vitqarr nonchalantly stated, unknowingly buying himself a few more minutes on Earth, "It's just female fighters can't live up to the stamina we male warriors have; I think it's because our forms are just more compatible."

"Breathe Phoebe… Breathe… BREATHE!" The said Fairy was beginning to have a tough time controlling herself, and it was manifesting. Her whole body was beginning to quake in rage to match her burning light blue eye's; even her breathing was shaky as he took in puffs of air in her nose and out her clenched mouth. "You're really starting to push fate Vitqarr… you know that?" Phoebe voiced, but her lovely sing-a-long voice was only masking the growing intent in her searing gaze.

"Oh I know." Viqtarr said, actually looking back over his shoulder this time. And if it was possible his smirk grew ten times bigger by the time he turned, blocking Phoebe as he put him hands on his hips, "I just find myself enjoying being able to push your buttons the way I do!."

It's true… he's the only one who can get to me so easily… and I still don't understand why that is!

"Do you have a reason for doing so?" Phoebe pushed. Though the Fairy Warrior's tone subjected she didn't really want to know, more like recklessly testing her own limits.

"Well, one reason is that I've had my one good eye on you for some time now…" Vitqarr brawled, prompting Phoebe's breath to hitch from shock as his cocky expression begin to melt into a never seen dreamy one, "And the other is because you're cute when you're mad."

That was when something finally snapped in her head; "THAT DOES IT!" Phoebe howled, before hurling herself into Viqtarr's chest with a war cry.

The force of the impact sent the both of them flying backwards for several feet. The unforeseen response and bluntness of her body slamming into him, stunned Viqtarr enough to prevent any means of defending himself. It wouldn't have done any good though, Phoebe had already awakened a fresh supply of power in the form of sheer emotion and now there wasn't a prayer to save the Overworlder now…

The Fairy Warrior took the opportunity to flip the two of them while they were still in the mid-air. So by the time her bare feet came to a raw landing Pheobe would already have the much larger male in her iron grip. That combined with the raw adrenaline pumping in her veins, it provided the perfect amount of strength to hurl Viqtarr yet again in the opposite direction.

Phoebe was amazed by the absence of strain on her arms and legs as she meant through the motions of the toss; but then again when you're in the moment you never notice the small things.

"HOW'S THIS VIQTARR!?" Phoebe hollered after the said Overworlder left her hands.

As her head was going down, Phoebe caught a glimpse of Vitqarr staying airborne a few seconds before taking a tumble when he met earth again. The Fairy woman heard the sounds of grunts as he rolled then skid along the ground… then there was silence.

That prompted Phoebe to finally look up. She following the wide line of dug up earth until she spotted Viqtarr a couple yards away; he was lying on his stomach with his entire face planted in a mound of dirt and grass. But he wasn't moving at all.

Horror passed over Phoebe's features as she continued starting at the Overworld Strategist's unmoving form, "Cothica!... What have I done!?... Viqtarr!" she screamed out.

All anger she had towards him before was gone; now all Phoebe wanted to do was made sure Viqtarr was still alive. Thanks to Phoebe's flying feet, she was at the male's side in mere seconds, still screaming his name in hopes that would arouse him.

"Viqtarr, get up! Speak to me, please!" Phoebe cried out, her desperate light blue eyes starting to sting as she shook his fury body roughly with both hands.

Then Phoebe gasped at the sound of a groan, a promising sign the bear-like creature was becoming conscious again, "Viqtarr?" she asked, saying his name quieter than before, "Viqtarr, can you hear me?"

Viqtarr didn't make another sound for his head and sight was still unfocused, so he subconsciously concentrated on getting up first. His arms came to his sides carefully, before his palms placed themselves on either side of him, helping lift his upper body off the ground as his head remained limp the entire time.

"Y-Yes Phoebe, I'm alright I promise you." He told her, despite what happened his voice was still soft and even as his legs shifted underneath him so he could sit down comfortably for a couple minutes. "You just knocked the wind out of me is all."

Phoebe was so happy and beyond relieved that Viqtarr was ok, so much so that she couldn't think straight as she started babbling! "Are you s-sure, I-Is anything broken? Do you need me to get Alice? Because I-"

As the Fairy was talking, Viqtarr was able to lift his head and look at her, allowing Phoebe to see his face for the first time since she threw him. That was when she stopped midsentence and her eyes to pop wider from what she saw; what she did next came as a complete surprise to both creatures.

It started out as a few hitches in Phoebe's breathing before turning into a twitch, then before long it changed into full on laughing!

"You-Your face!" Phoebe managed to squeeze out as she continued clutching her stomach from the force of the giggle fits.

Viqtarr's entire brown muzzle (from his nose to the tips of his pointy ears) was coated in a single layer of plastered dirt, but the biggest reason why it was so hilarious to Phoebe was because of the grass designs sticking all over the surface of it. Making it appear like Vitqarr was wearing a hilarious mask used to entertain children!

As for Viqtarr, he couldn't believe what he was seeing! "D-Do I really look that funny?!" he asked, bewildered as he pointed to his face with his right index finger.

"(giggling) Yes! (giggling) I can't even look at you right now without laughing because of it!"

Despite his new found agony from the ungraceful landing he took a few minutes ago, a face splitting smile couldn't help but come to Vitqarr's muzzle, making him laugh whole heartedly along with the Fairy Warrior. They remained comatose in laughter a minute or so longer before the two fighter's eventually calmed down enough to speak clearly.

"Well I'm glad I made you feel better." Viqtarr stated, rubbing his face clean of the dirt, "You sounded pretty frantic before!"

That was when realization set it; sadness weighed apron Phoebe's facial features as she looked down in anguish at what she had done. Not even able to look at him now from guilt. "I'm so… so sorry, Viqtarr." Phoebe apologized as her smaller form began to shack like a leaf. Her normally hard voice was tender, now softened by the true heartfelt emotion pouring from her mouth. "I don't know what got into me! When I thought I killed you I-!"

Phoebe stopped again when a large pair of hands planted themselves on her shoulders, but she only looked up when the furry digit's wrapped themselves around her tender flesh a tad tighter. The Fairy Warrior didn't even have a chance to focus on his now clean muzzle before Viqtarr pushed his lip's into her rosy red one's; catching the misty eyed Phoebe completely by surprise.

The woman's reaction to the contact was to jerk herself away. When Phoebe attempted however, Vitqarr only tightened his hold evermore deepening the kiss in the process when he pulled her closer.

I'm not letting you go… you can't make me… ever….

Those words were what Phoebe swore she heard, passing her ears as they floated on the gentle wind. But it was in Viqtarr's voice, how could that be? Even so the Fairy Warrior still fought in vain from melting into the kiss, yet she couldn't stop her gorgeous light blue eyes from slipping closed. That was when Phoebe finally ceased struggling.

"I give up…" Phoebe thought, even in her mind she gave a long sigh, "Even though I tried, I still couldn't keep my walls from crumbling at his feet."

Neither knew how long the kiss lasted, however it didn't matter for the pair couldn't hold their breath's forever. Viqtarr was the one that pulled away first; contentment rumbling in his throat as his lips popped when the connection was severed. He loved that way her stunning eye's fluttered open as a pink blush created a line across her face, making Viqtarr pause a moment before speaking. "Please understand Phe-Phe," he began, his voice pleading and wishful as he using her nickname without any form of fear, "my only intent was to make you fall for me. But I was going about it the wrong way; I can see that now."

"You're wrong about that Viqtarr…" Phoebe broke through with a smile on her lips, "It was the best thing you could have done. To tell you the truth I too have been drawn to you for some time now. Perhaps it was your stubbornness that wore me down or even your bold smugness you always used when around me? I still can't answer that though, it's a mystery even to me."

"I think I know. You never wanted to be with someone, but when I started making advances towards you, you immediately had a change of heart." Viqtarr explained, "On the other hand you'll always be a very independent woman Phoebe and I guess that pride was what kept you from revealing your true feelings. It was only when I was unconscious did your resolve scatter, allowing you to open your heart to me."

Pheobe was astonished by the male Overworlder's words, "My, my… when did you become such an expert on woman?" she asked in a teasing tone, which was the first time she used it around him.

Viqtarr's smirk returned, but it was softer then the times he used it before, "Only when it comes to you, beautiful." He stated with a wink.

"There will always be something you don't know about me Viqtarr." Phoebe informed.

"Maybe…" The Overworld Strategist brawled, before a tender smile appeared again, "But nothing would make me happier if you allowed me to; in the form of courting that is."

A flash of shock passing through Phoebe's widened eyes, sure she saw this coming, but not that fast! "Wow." Phoebe whispered, the suddenness of the question nearly took her breath away, "You certainly know how to spring thing's on a girl, huh?"

Viqtarr didn't respond to that, he wanted her to take to time and not rush it any farther then he had been. He actually meant to ask her in steps; for Phoebe seemed the type who didn't like surprises all the much. But after what happened before though, Viqtarr decided it was best not to drag it out and just like what the humans once told him, 'you should never keep a woman waiting'.

"Well after that scare you gave me earlier, I should say no." Pheobe stated, which made Viqtarr's hopes drop to his stomach. But then the dark red haired woman lifted a finger, "However I'm not that cruel. If you were willing to risk an arm and a leg in an effort to get my attention; then I suppose can reward that small act of bravery."

It may not have been a clear answer on her part, but Viqtarr understood the meaning perfectly well. "Thank you Phe-" he started, then stopping himself from saying it yet again. Before scratching his head in thought, "Oh right, you haven't given me permission to use that name yet have you?"

"I'll allow you too." Phoebe voice as her body came closer to rest itself against his furry chest, "Only if you use it out of earshot of my sister's, if you don't I'll be very unhappy with you."

Viqtarr grinned, both for reaching another milestone and being able to freely express his feelings towards her. Even though it will be in a way she may not like… "Duly noted." He said, at the same time creating an 'X' with his fingers behind his back.

Phoebe smiled at his 'honest' response before laying her head against his chest, even rubbed her cheek into his baby soft brown fur as she hummed happily. The endearing action prompted Viqtarr to smile softly and snake his arms around her smaller yet toned body.

"I can get used to this… this warmth surrounding me… it's so nice and I'm already getting sleepy." Phoebe thought, feeling like she was completely enveloped in a handmade blanket with a smile clearly written on her face.

Pretty soon the Fairy Warrior unintentionally fell into a peaceful sleep on Vitqaar's lap with the said gentlemanly Overworlder holding her softly and securely. Without even thinking about it, a fond smile came into the male's face as he gazed lovingly at Phoebe's napping form, "Phe-Phe looked cute when she naps too, who knew?" Viqtaar mentally sighed.

The Overworld Strategist knew better then to assume this new relationship will so smoothly; after all Phoebe was about as predictable as he was. But if there wasn't a little drama mixed in it'd be boring, he'd just have to play it safe for a while tell he came to grips on her do's and don'ts on his part. Never the less he was prepared for anything, for Phoebe was different inside and out. That difference made her a priceless jewel in Viqtarr's eye's…

"Phe-Phe, you're just like me, and I wouldn't have you any other way." Viqtarr whispered into her hair, as the overhead sunset signaled the end of another day.

A/N: Well it took me a hundred years, but I finally finished this chapter. However I don't feel as proud of it as my others, though it may because I've been hacking away at it for so long. I was just trying to get if done since you all have been waiting so patiently and if it is a bit bland I apologies; I promise to do better next time.

But now I can say without a shadow of a doubt will be SOONER, now that I've quite one of my part time jobs. Leaving my weekend's absolutely free; so all I have to do is worry about my next semester of classes which starts this coming Monday.

See you all next time!