I don't own Jane and the Dragon. Sry, been away at camp. Anyway's, glad to be back, but might have some trouble updating due to plans my family's making this summer.

But enough about my dreary lifestyle. Enjoy the new chapter! :)

Chapter 36: East Meets West

"W-what…how…why are you…."

"Now that's leaving out where and when, right?"

"You forgot who." Kudos commented from next to Ahi's shoulder. "And please rephrase the questions. We can't exactly understand stuttering."

Dragon took a moment to marshal his thoughts, and then said clearly

"Why are you here, how did you get here, and what are you doing here?"

"I'm invisible to everyone but you, remember? It's easy to make other things invisible as well. As for what and why, I know this kid. She's actually in the place I hang around at. I was just coming to take her back."

"She isn't dead, is she?" Dragon asked, causing Jakku to break out into a fit of laughter so strong that even Kudos joined in.

"Dead? Do you honestly…" Jakku started, but then thought better of it. "No, she isn't. The folks back home are just worried is all. I'm the escort home."

"The folks?"

"Just others like me and her. I don't think you'd know any of them."

"Well, when are you going?"

"That could be a problem. I can't make someone else vanish as easily as I can. Long story short, I can't take her back without someone else to back me up. I have to wait awhile, till night at least."

"Oh."

"Just make sure no one comes in until then." Kudos said concedingly as Dragon now had that 'what do you want me to do' look on his face.

"Alright, so keep people out. That's it?"

"Just do that. As for the rest of the situation, you don't have to worry about a thing." Jakku replied, and the rest of the conversation was cut off by a voice from outside.

"Dragon, who are you talking to?"

Jane. That caused quite a flurry with the conscious occupants in the room. All of them jumped and Jakku gestured frantically that Dragon close the door, which he did with a loud slam.

"N-nobody! No one!" Dragon stammered as he whirled around to face Jane, who had her hands on her hips and was looking at him like a stern mother would. He'd always hated that quality of hers. It made her able to worm anything out of him. He fidgeted nervously under the look that was usually followed by more prying. This time though, he insisted on that little white lie that said he was alone. When Jane had finally gone in order to practice with an irking Gunther, Dragon let out a barely audible sigh of relief. Something told him that today would definitely get stranger.

Even though the outside world was bright as a fairy hill, and there wasn't a cloud blocking off the bright sunlight, Tsuin and Kaijin couldn't have told the difference. They were busy waiting on that reply from the others. Tsuin gave a small shudder as he thought about what Kazi might have put if she had gotten it.

Probably something along the lines of bug off in some more colorful language. Or maybe a personal jibe. With Kazi, you could never really guess.

A sudden flicker of red on the ground caught the duo-drake's eyes. It flared up until it was a small flame no bigger than a sliver of their claw.

It was a good minute before either of them said anything.

"You open it, Tsuin. You put your name on it."

"You were the one that wrote it. You open it."

"But what if…?"

"Kazi doesn't check the fire, remember? More likely that Alken or Kai got to it first."

"Then why don't you open it?"

"Just in the small case that Kazi did find it…" Tsuin trailed off, letting the thought hang. Another minute went by, and still the small flicker hadn't even been touched. Both heads were staring at the thing as though it were going to explode if they took their eyes off it.

The next cry of 'What're you two doing' pretty much scared the both of them out of their wits. They spun around just in time to see a curious Hannashi striding up the cave.

"What's that behind you?"

"Oh, nothing."

"If it's the reply, let me see it."

"Maybe later!" Kaijin blurted out, causing the teen to look suspiciously at him.

"What's wrong with now?"

"Err, not the right time?"

"And when is the right time?"

"Oh, about three weeks from now."

"Kaijin, stop playing games. Now, is that the reply or not?" Hannashi asked in an annoyed tone, hands on his hips.

"Kaijin, just give it over to him." Tsuin injected tiredly. With a reluctant sigh, the right hand of the duo-drake quickly scooped up the small tongue of fire, and forked it over to the impatiently waiting teen, whose eyes went to a rustic red color as he studied the small flicker.

"It's from Kai." He finally said. Tsuin rolled his eyes and Kaijin looked greatly relieved.

"She says that it's about time we showed our faces, that they've got a room ready, and to let us know if there are any problems."

"There might be one."

"What's that?" Hannashi asked, tearing his eyes away from the glimmer of fire.

"How on earth do we get out of here without anyone seeing us? We aren't exactly the type of thing that you'd see everyday." Tsuin explained. Hannashi seemed to mull this over, and then asked "So, any suggestions?"

"We could ask Alken to give us a bit of a cover. Fog." Tsuin thought aloud, chin resting on his fist.

"You know, that just might work. I'll tell Kai to tell Alken." Hannashi replied, and started off to go make another fire to send the reply.

Tsuin watched him go and murmured to himself.

"And it will be a miracle if we can pull this off."

The store had remained relatively quiet without the antics of Jakku. Everyone knew that he was known for keeping long hours off by himself, but this felt unnatural. Finally, Kai and Kazi decided on what to do about the matter.

"Alken!"

"Yes?"

"We need to see you for a moment."

Alken followed Kai into the other room, confusion filling his mind. Why did they want him?

He got even more nervous when he saw Kazi in a chair opposite him. Had Jakku just pulled a really big prank and dragged Alken into it again?

Some of the worry must have showed, because the next thing he knew, Kai was saying "Don't worry, Alken, you haven't done anything wrong?"

"Has…"

"No, Jakku hasn't done anything either."

That put his mind at rest. A loud sigh echoed from his helmet. However, it was soon replaced by a slight hitch of breath.

"…so, why am I here?"

"We just need you to go see what Jakku's been up to and if he found out where Ahi and Kudos are yet."

"Alright, sure." Alken replied as he started for the door. Just as he was a few feet away, the door flung open with a bang, and Tigre was standing there, looking very irate and very rushed.

"Someone else has to go watch him now! It's like trying to stop a fast-moving fire! Pointless!" He cried, clapping a hand to his forehead.

There was a long silence before Kai lightly rubbed her temples in irritation.

"Wasn't wishing to do this, but he leaves me no choice." She let out a deep sigh, and then continued on with a solemn "Kazi, you go and be the babysitter. If he tries to leave the clearing, you give him the works, got it?"

"Right, right."

And with that, Kazi walked out the door into the back alley, and was soon followed by Alken.

The citizens thought it was all just an unnaturally powerful wind that blew through the market, but in truth, Alken was on the move. He looked in all the places that he and Jakku had looked, searched a bit more thoroughly, and still came up with nothing.

He was about to go back in frustration and defeat, but just as he was about a street or two away from the shop, he happened to get a glimpse of the Kippernia Castle.

Well, not the whole castles, really, just a turret or two. He'd always been careful to keep his distance from the castle, but today there seemed to be a pull in the winds, like something was telling him to go there. Odd feeling, but it nagged at him to the point where he threw up his metallic arms with a sigh and headed off in the chosen direction.

Needless to say, Dragon was having one of those days that were like sitting on a bed of hot coals. He was keeping one eye on the door of the tower, and the other on the sparing match happening between Gunther and Jane. The insults were really flying today.

"Fight fairly, varlet!"

"Then what should I do, wait for you to catch up to me?"

This continued for another ten minutes before a huge gust of wind ripped through the yard, and both squires broke away from each other, startled. Dragon was looking in all directions, for when the gale had blown through, he could have sworn that he heard a familiar voice whisper the word 'hello' into his ear.

During this small moment of distraction, he also failed to notice the door to the tower open ever so slightly, and then close just as quietly.

The temporary occupants of the tower had also heard the ruckus, and had seen the door open. As they looked on, Alken materialized in front of the door, a half-accusing, half-questioning look adorning his face.

"What on earth have you been doing? Everyone's a nervous wreck, all wondering where Ahi and you are!" He exclaimed, then cast an anxious look at the figure on the bed. "What happened?"

"First time fighting with energy-related attacks. It takes a lot out of you the first time you go at it."

"Why'd she do that?"

"Ankoku tried to off the Turnkey girl, and Ahi took out the darkness pawns he sent after her."

"Do you think it was just a random attack or something worse?"

"Could be either. You never know." Kudos replied with a small shrug. A small period of silence ensured before Alken could think up another question.

"Does anyone know you're here?"

"Well, the Turnkey girl knows Ahi and me are here, but not about the rest of us. The dragon knows we're all here except for you."

"As soon as night falls, we're out of here, alright? No need to get snippy about it." Jakku cut in. There was a long pause before he added "How about a game of parchment, sword, and rock while we wait?"

"Okay, maybe something else." He suggested offhandedly as the first idea was shot brutally down by the others' angry glares.

Yes, I know, filler chappie. Drumming up the suspense on ya. Sry. Kinda cut off from the internet due to the fact that my laptop can't be used. Updating will be slow till September.