And I Thought It Couldn't Get Worse.
Note: Same restrictions apply and I hope that you'll take the time to REVIEW CAUSE I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!!
"This is it?" Jenn said staring at the small cottage.
"Yes. I landed right in front of it. When I woke I thought you might be in there so I went in. There is a great deal of power emanating from it." Renamon said jumping up and over the steps to wait for them on the porch.
"What did you find in there?" Trowa said joining her on the porch.
"Things that make me believe that we were brought here for a purpose and that we have a fight ahead of us." Renamon replied staring around her intently. Together they congregated on the porch, staring at the doorway. With a deep breathe Jade reached forward and turned the knob. It wasn't locked. As if on cue lights flared inside the cabin to light their way.
"Now that was freaky." Jenn said peering her head through the doorway. Holding his walking stick like a club Trowa walked through the doorway with the rest close behind. Slowly but surely they made there way into the front room.
"Oh my God!" Jenn said pointing to her left. Everyone turned and echoed her remark. Along the wall was four doors. Above each door was a name. Their names. One after another they walked over to their rooms.
"This is even more weird then Geomon and Calumon put together." Terriermon said from atop Jade's shoulder.
"Should we go and investigate?" Trowa asked the other five.
"Let's go into each room together. That way we won't have to worry about being separated somehow." Quinn said firmly.
"Sounds good to me Chang. Yours is first." Jade said coming to stand beside him. Nodding, Quinn opened the door and one after another they filed into the dark room.
"Look." Renamon said pointing to the middle of the room. There hanging on the wall was a suit of armour. Curious Quinn stepped forward to take a closer look.
"It's not like any armour I've ever seen before in my life." Quinn said as he lifted the mail off the wall. It was really light, like a shirt yet it was metal and should've been ten times more heavy. Putting the armour back he lifted the sword sheath from the rack and pulled the blade from its sheath. It was the most beautiful blade he'd ever seen besides his grandfather's Quinn thought turning it at all angles.
"It's beautiful." Jade said echoing his thoughts. Quinn ran his hand over the hilt which depicted a dragon encircled by what looked like rubies encased in fire.
"I see what Renamon meant when she said it looked like we're being prepared for battle." Trowa said checking out the armour and weapons with a critical eye.
"We'd better check out the other rooms." Quinn said motioning towards the door. Still carrying the blade Quinn and the rest walked from room to room finding the same. Always a suit of armour, a collect of arrows, bow and a beautiful sword. The only real difference between them was the blade's hilts, each specially designed and jewelled to fit the element depicted everywhere in their rooms. Jenn's hilt depicted a mermaid like creature surrounded by waves covered with sparkling sapphires. Trowa's was a wolf in a forest with shining emeralds for leaves. Lastly Jade's. An angel soaring through a sky of diamond speckled clouds.
"Is any one besides me completely freaked out?" Jenn said as she leaned against the wall. "Join the club." Jade said shaking her head in agreement.
"I've seen a lot of weird things in my life but I've gotta say this really takes the cake." Jade said moving to stand beside Quinn and Trowa.
"Hey you guys, guess what I found. FOOD!" Everyone turned to hear Terriermon rustling around in a room they hadn't explored yet. Nodding to each other they walked into the room where they found Terriermon stuffing food into his face.
"Terriermon!" Jade said rushing over and yanking the food from him. "You don't know where that's been."
"Ahhh come on Jade. I'm starving and this fruit looks okay." Terriermon said grabbing another piece of fruit from a bowl on a table.
"Were all hungry Terriermon, that doesn't mean we should eat something we have no idea about. Especially given what's in the other rooms" Jade said quickly moving the bowl out of his reach.
"Jade, Jade, Jade. Always the cynic. He'll be all right I brought the food for you."
Everyone turned to see a figure in the doorway. She was dressed all in white, with flowing black hair and black eyes. There was an almost translucent quality about her, a feeling that she wasn't completely there.
"Who are you." Quinn said stepping forward, blade flashing in the light.
"Put that down Quinn, it will do you no good to try and use it on me." The woman replied stepping closer.
"Your underestimating us." Jade said pulling a kitchen knife she'd grabbed from the kitchen.
"I made those weapons Jade. Do you really think I'd give you weapons that could hurt me?" The woman said, very close to smirking.
"You're the one who brought us here?" Trowa said.
"Always the quick one Trowa. Yes I brought you here. I didn't mean to bring Renamon and Terriermon but it shouldn't effect anything."
Cautiously Trowa stepped closer. "Why did you bring us her?" The woman smiled back at him.
"To save Gaea of course."
"What do you mean save Gaea?" Jade said stepping forward so that she was shoulder to shoulder with Trowa.
"Why surely you remember the oracle Jade. This mission I'm to give you will be the deciding factor in what happens." Everyone looked at Jade who stared intently back at the woman.
"So this mission will decide. What is and why are they here. They aren't of this world and have no reason to fight. Return them to earth and then we will discuss this mission of yours."
"I'm not going anywhere without you Jade." Jenn said firmly from behind her.
"I told you Jade, they are here for a reason. Without them you would fail." Quinn looked first at the woman and then to Jade and back again.
"What is our mission." Quinn had a feeling he wasn't going to like the answer but he might as well hear her out.
"You all must travel around Gaea and retrieve the four elements. Your elements have already been decided centuries and you must retrieve them together." Jade glared at her.
"They have no knowledge of this world. How do you expect them to survive. Gaea isn't a playground, there are dangerous things lurking all around us. Allow me to contact my grandfather's armies. He will send three warriors to replace them." The woman was already shaking her head before Jade was finished.
"They must be these three. Now I'll give Jenn the directions to the first element. When you have completed it I will return with directions to the next one." Everyone stared as she slowly faded away with her words.
"I thought she said she was going to give you directions Jenn. Jenn?" Everyone turned to stare at Jenn who's blue eyes had gone blank and lifeless and her skin a pasty white
"Jenn? Jenn speak to me." Jade shouted as she shook her friend.
"What has she done to her." Quinn demanded, concerned for his friend.
"I don't know, come on Jenn. Snap out of it girl you have some very scared friends here who'd appreciate it if you'd wake the hell up." Jade said still shaking her.
"Jade her eyes." Trowa said noticing their change. Drawing back Jade sighed with relief. The colour was returning to her cheeks and there was signs of life returning to her eyes.
Jenn blinked and tried to stare at her friends. She felt as though she'd just been on a roller coaster and had expected an easy ride. "Jenn are you okay?"
Jenn turned and tried to concentrate on his voice, her vision still blurry. "I've been better." She said weakly.
"What happened." Quinn asked as he took her arm and motioning for Jade to hold the other moved her over to sit on the couch.
"I don't know exactly. First everything was black and then it was like I was flying through the air. I don't know where I was but I felt as though I'd been there before along time ago. The water element is behind a waterfall about three days walk from here. I don't know why exactly but I know we have to get these element and get them fast."
Jenn watched Jade stare at her for a couple minutes then nod at her. "We'll leave at first light."
Quinn stared out the door at Jade. He'd heard her walk out of the door and thinking she meant to leave them here had followed. She'd only gone as far as the porch though and now stood there, completely still, her head cocked to one side as she watched the sun begin to rise. Not knowing what he was doing until he did it Quinn walked over to stand beside her. Leaning against the rails he silently watched the sunrise. He waited for her to tell him to get lost but she didn't. Instead she seemed memorized by the sun and hadn't even bothered to acknowledge his intrusion. Having seen many sunrises before he was still surprised to see that they still had the power to awe him.
"Are the others awake?" Quinn turned to look at her, her face revealing nothing of her thoughts.
"Not yet. I figured we give them fifteen minutes or so then get ready to head out."
"Okay." She said, agreeing with him for probably the first time in their long history together. Turning back to her he couldn't help be puzzled by her expression. It was happy and yet their was a tinge of sadness to it.
"What are you thinking about?" Quinn asked quickly before he could change his mind.
"Do you really want to know or are you just trying to sweet talk me into doing something and your trying to butter me up first?" Quinn shook his head, he probably deserved that.
"No, I really want to know." At first he thought she wasn't going to answer but finally she tore her gaze from the sunrise to look at him.
"I was thinking that it's Sunday and that I would normally be out walking with Dad and Takato right now."
"Takato's your brother right?" Quinn said leaning against the railing. "Yes. Ever since we were old enough to keep up my dad would take me and my brother out walking on Sunday morning. We'd always go to the bluff and watch the sunrise from there. Then we'd head home and stop at the bakery and bring home fresh donuts for breakfast. I think those walks are one of the things I'll miss the most when I'm away from home."
Quinn looked over at her at met her glance. "You'll have plenty more walks like that when we get back Jade." Quinn said watching a sad smile take over her face.
"We'll see."
Quinn wanted to ask more but knew now was not the time to be asking them. As he watched Jade turn back to the rising sun he realized something. He'd known Jade since kindergarten and yet he didn't really know her. He didn't know what her favourite colour was or what foods she liked and hated. He didn't know the name of her boyfriend or how old her brother was. In fact the only thing he did really know about her was that she was the only person on earth, male or female, who could ignite his temper like kerosene and a match with a few words.
"Why do you look so serious?" Quinn blinked then looked at Jade almost curiously.
"I was thinking that I don't know you at all."
Jade smiled at him and this time it was tinged with laughter and not sadness. "Very few do." She replied, her smile growing bigger by the second. Quinn smiled back at her.
"Why do we get into so many fights do you think?" Quinn asked, curious as to what she'd say. Raising an eyebrow at the change in topic Jade chewed on her lower lip as she thought about how to answer.
"I think its because were so much alike. We just clash." Quinn stared at her in disbelief. She thought it was because they were to much a like? How the hell did she come up with that?
"I see that confuses you. Lets see if I can put it into words that would make sense to you. You see were very much a like when you look at it objectively. Were both athletes and extremely competitive, we both hate to lose. We're both good students and strive to do our best in everything we do, whatever it takes. The big thing is though that were also very opinionated and I think that because were both so much alike we automatically know exactly which buttons to press to set the other off. Hence all the fighting. Of course I could be totally off course but that's what I think anyway."
Quinn stared at her. In a bizarre sort of way what she'd said made sense. They were a lot alike and her explanation would explain why she riled him so easily. "You know, you could be right for once Akiyama." Quinn said finally, head still reeling with the revelation.
"We'll its only a possibility." Jade said and Quinn couldn't tell if she was trying to comfort him or herself.
"You know, seeing as were going to be stuck together for a while we should probably try to get along, or at least until its over. What did you say?" Quinn felt Jade's eyes scan his face as though she could read his intent on his face. Apparently it was good news because she gave him a small grin and stuck out her hand.
"It's a deal. But only until this is over. I don't think it'll be possible for me to hold my temper longer then that." They grinned at each other
"On that we can agree." Quinn said clasping her hand in his. "For once." he couldn't resist adding and if Jade's burst of laughter was any sign she agreed with him.
later that day
"And then the dog said " Jackson?" Jenn finished.
"Jenn, best friend or not, you tell another corny joke like that and I'm taping your mouth shut." Jade said shaking her head at her best friend's idea of a good joke.
"That goes ditto for me." Quinn agreed not thinking he could take anymore of these corny jokes.
"You guys think you can do better go ahead." Jenn huffed glaring at them alternately.
"Aw come on you guys, Momentia." Terriermon said from Jade's shoulder.
"What?" Quinn said looking at him.
"Momentia, in other words don't worry." Jade said translating Terriermon's favourite word that he knew.
"Get used to it guys, he says it about three hundred times every day." Jenn said pulling on one of his ears teasingly.
"Living with Jade I can see why." Quinn said with a grin.
"Lucky for you I promised a truce or you'd be a dead man Quinn." Jade said glaring around Jenn at him.
"Oh and how do you propose to do that Akiyama?" Quinn said gesturing provokingly at her.
"Easily. I'd simply find a dragon and tell him you're a Fenalian soldier come to earn the right to take the throne. You'd be dead in seconds." Jade replied sweetly.
"So you were serious about that tooth Jade?" Trowa said from beside her.
"Yup, and it would be a good idea to keep an eye out for them. Oh and if you see one coming this way stay away from me as much as possible." Jade said seriously.
"Why?" Trowa asked, giving her his full attention.
"Because like you dragon's know my blood and the Fenalian blood in me makes me the lowest form of life in the dragons eyes. As far as they're concerned the only good Fenal is a dead one." Jade said.
"So in other words if we run into a dragon the first person it will attack is you, because of your blood?" Quinn said looking over at her curiously.
"Yup but in case you were thinking about finding a dragon to eat me I should point out that I've been trained to fight and kill dragons since I was a child. I'll kill it then you." Jade said grinning sweetly.
"You've been trained to kill them? Is that why they hate you?" Trowa asked.
"Sort of. In order to take the throne in my land the would be ruler must first prove his worth by killing a dragon and bringing back its life source as proof of the deed. Therefore they're never very happy to see a Fenal coming near their territory. I've always wondered why." Jade said quirking an eyebrow.
"So then why do you need to know how to kill them? " Quinn asked.
"Because unless I get killed in the next few weeks I'll become the new ruler of Fenalia and to do that some unlucky dragon is going to get his stomach riped open by yours truly."
Quinn felt his jaw drop, the ruler of a country? Rip its stomach open?
"You're to rule this land Jade?" Trowa said stopping to turn and face her.
"Not this land specifically but Fenalia is similar to this region of Gaea." Jade said coolly having a pretty good idea what Chang was going to say about it.
"You can't rule a country." Quinn sputtered as he took it all in as he confirmed her guess.
"Oh really and why can't I?" Jade said glaring at him. "Because I'm a girl?"
Quinn stared at her, his eyes stunned. "For one, not to mention that your only seventeen for starters."
"My great grandfather became king when he was sixteen. And for your information it was decided before I was even born that I'd be Fenalia's ruler should I reach the age of eighteen so there." Jade resorted getting mad.
"You keep saying if you live, is there a reason you believe you won't?" Trowa asked efficiently shutting any more arguing. Hating the fact that everyone was staring at her Jade sighed.
"Yes there is."
Quinn stared at her, she thought she was going to die?
"What reason." He demanded.
"It was decided before I was even born that I'd have only a fifty-fifty chance of living to the age of eighteen, We're know on a dangerous mission only a couple weeks before I turn eighteen. I think that would indicate why I was only given a fifty percent chance of survival."
"Yea but you have a fifty percent chance of living too Jade." Terriermon said quietly.
"Hey buddy don't worry. I don't intend to give up easily." Jade said hugging the small digimon tightly.
"Good cause we aren't letting some stupid prophecy take you away." Terriermon said hugging her back.
"We'll see to it Terriermon." Renamon said appearing beside them.
"Hey you're freaking the other three out and I need them in one piece so no more death talk okay." Jade said trying to grin.
"We'll succeed Jade." Trowa said saying what everyone meant, even Quinn. He may not particularly like her but he wasn't going to let some other then himself kill her.
"Thanks Trowa." Jade said with a real grin this time.
"No problem now lets get walking." Trowa said squeezing her hand.
"Sounds good to me." Jade replied squeezing back.
"Then lets go." Quinn said stepping beside her.
"We need to go north here and look for a rock that's shaped like a starfish." Jenn said walking over to stand on Quinn's other side.
"Then forward march." Terriermon proclaimed jumping from Jade's arms onto her shoulder again.
"Hey guys did I tell you the joke about the hamster and the pit bull?" Jenn asked mischievously.
"JENN!" They all yelled simultaneously.
Note: Same restrictions apply and I hope that you'll take the time to REVIEW CAUSE I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!!
"This is it?" Jenn said staring at the small cottage.
"Yes. I landed right in front of it. When I woke I thought you might be in there so I went in. There is a great deal of power emanating from it." Renamon said jumping up and over the steps to wait for them on the porch.
"What did you find in there?" Trowa said joining her on the porch.
"Things that make me believe that we were brought here for a purpose and that we have a fight ahead of us." Renamon replied staring around her intently. Together they congregated on the porch, staring at the doorway. With a deep breathe Jade reached forward and turned the knob. It wasn't locked. As if on cue lights flared inside the cabin to light their way.
"Now that was freaky." Jenn said peering her head through the doorway. Holding his walking stick like a club Trowa walked through the doorway with the rest close behind. Slowly but surely they made there way into the front room.
"Oh my God!" Jenn said pointing to her left. Everyone turned and echoed her remark. Along the wall was four doors. Above each door was a name. Their names. One after another they walked over to their rooms.
"This is even more weird then Geomon and Calumon put together." Terriermon said from atop Jade's shoulder.
"Should we go and investigate?" Trowa asked the other five.
"Let's go into each room together. That way we won't have to worry about being separated somehow." Quinn said firmly.
"Sounds good to me Chang. Yours is first." Jade said coming to stand beside him. Nodding, Quinn opened the door and one after another they filed into the dark room.
"Look." Renamon said pointing to the middle of the room. There hanging on the wall was a suit of armour. Curious Quinn stepped forward to take a closer look.
"It's not like any armour I've ever seen before in my life." Quinn said as he lifted the mail off the wall. It was really light, like a shirt yet it was metal and should've been ten times more heavy. Putting the armour back he lifted the sword sheath from the rack and pulled the blade from its sheath. It was the most beautiful blade he'd ever seen besides his grandfather's Quinn thought turning it at all angles.
"It's beautiful." Jade said echoing his thoughts. Quinn ran his hand over the hilt which depicted a dragon encircled by what looked like rubies encased in fire.
"I see what Renamon meant when she said it looked like we're being prepared for battle." Trowa said checking out the armour and weapons with a critical eye.
"We'd better check out the other rooms." Quinn said motioning towards the door. Still carrying the blade Quinn and the rest walked from room to room finding the same. Always a suit of armour, a collect of arrows, bow and a beautiful sword. The only real difference between them was the blade's hilts, each specially designed and jewelled to fit the element depicted everywhere in their rooms. Jenn's hilt depicted a mermaid like creature surrounded by waves covered with sparkling sapphires. Trowa's was a wolf in a forest with shining emeralds for leaves. Lastly Jade's. An angel soaring through a sky of diamond speckled clouds.
"Is any one besides me completely freaked out?" Jenn said as she leaned against the wall. "Join the club." Jade said shaking her head in agreement.
"I've seen a lot of weird things in my life but I've gotta say this really takes the cake." Jade said moving to stand beside Quinn and Trowa.
"Hey you guys, guess what I found. FOOD!" Everyone turned to hear Terriermon rustling around in a room they hadn't explored yet. Nodding to each other they walked into the room where they found Terriermon stuffing food into his face.
"Terriermon!" Jade said rushing over and yanking the food from him. "You don't know where that's been."
"Ahhh come on Jade. I'm starving and this fruit looks okay." Terriermon said grabbing another piece of fruit from a bowl on a table.
"Were all hungry Terriermon, that doesn't mean we should eat something we have no idea about. Especially given what's in the other rooms" Jade said quickly moving the bowl out of his reach.
"Jade, Jade, Jade. Always the cynic. He'll be all right I brought the food for you."
Everyone turned to see a figure in the doorway. She was dressed all in white, with flowing black hair and black eyes. There was an almost translucent quality about her, a feeling that she wasn't completely there.
"Who are you." Quinn said stepping forward, blade flashing in the light.
"Put that down Quinn, it will do you no good to try and use it on me." The woman replied stepping closer.
"Your underestimating us." Jade said pulling a kitchen knife she'd grabbed from the kitchen.
"I made those weapons Jade. Do you really think I'd give you weapons that could hurt me?" The woman said, very close to smirking.
"You're the one who brought us here?" Trowa said.
"Always the quick one Trowa. Yes I brought you here. I didn't mean to bring Renamon and Terriermon but it shouldn't effect anything."
Cautiously Trowa stepped closer. "Why did you bring us her?" The woman smiled back at him.
"To save Gaea of course."
"What do you mean save Gaea?" Jade said stepping forward so that she was shoulder to shoulder with Trowa.
"Why surely you remember the oracle Jade. This mission I'm to give you will be the deciding factor in what happens." Everyone looked at Jade who stared intently back at the woman.
"So this mission will decide. What is and why are they here. They aren't of this world and have no reason to fight. Return them to earth and then we will discuss this mission of yours."
"I'm not going anywhere without you Jade." Jenn said firmly from behind her.
"I told you Jade, they are here for a reason. Without them you would fail." Quinn looked first at the woman and then to Jade and back again.
"What is our mission." Quinn had a feeling he wasn't going to like the answer but he might as well hear her out.
"You all must travel around Gaea and retrieve the four elements. Your elements have already been decided centuries and you must retrieve them together." Jade glared at her.
"They have no knowledge of this world. How do you expect them to survive. Gaea isn't a playground, there are dangerous things lurking all around us. Allow me to contact my grandfather's armies. He will send three warriors to replace them." The woman was already shaking her head before Jade was finished.
"They must be these three. Now I'll give Jenn the directions to the first element. When you have completed it I will return with directions to the next one." Everyone stared as she slowly faded away with her words.
"I thought she said she was going to give you directions Jenn. Jenn?" Everyone turned to stare at Jenn who's blue eyes had gone blank and lifeless and her skin a pasty white
"Jenn? Jenn speak to me." Jade shouted as she shook her friend.
"What has she done to her." Quinn demanded, concerned for his friend.
"I don't know, come on Jenn. Snap out of it girl you have some very scared friends here who'd appreciate it if you'd wake the hell up." Jade said still shaking her.
"Jade her eyes." Trowa said noticing their change. Drawing back Jade sighed with relief. The colour was returning to her cheeks and there was signs of life returning to her eyes.
Jenn blinked and tried to stare at her friends. She felt as though she'd just been on a roller coaster and had expected an easy ride. "Jenn are you okay?"
Jenn turned and tried to concentrate on his voice, her vision still blurry. "I've been better." She said weakly.
"What happened." Quinn asked as he took her arm and motioning for Jade to hold the other moved her over to sit on the couch.
"I don't know exactly. First everything was black and then it was like I was flying through the air. I don't know where I was but I felt as though I'd been there before along time ago. The water element is behind a waterfall about three days walk from here. I don't know why exactly but I know we have to get these element and get them fast."
Jenn watched Jade stare at her for a couple minutes then nod at her. "We'll leave at first light."
Quinn stared out the door at Jade. He'd heard her walk out of the door and thinking she meant to leave them here had followed. She'd only gone as far as the porch though and now stood there, completely still, her head cocked to one side as she watched the sun begin to rise. Not knowing what he was doing until he did it Quinn walked over to stand beside her. Leaning against the rails he silently watched the sunrise. He waited for her to tell him to get lost but she didn't. Instead she seemed memorized by the sun and hadn't even bothered to acknowledge his intrusion. Having seen many sunrises before he was still surprised to see that they still had the power to awe him.
"Are the others awake?" Quinn turned to look at her, her face revealing nothing of her thoughts.
"Not yet. I figured we give them fifteen minutes or so then get ready to head out."
"Okay." She said, agreeing with him for probably the first time in their long history together. Turning back to her he couldn't help be puzzled by her expression. It was happy and yet their was a tinge of sadness to it.
"What are you thinking about?" Quinn asked quickly before he could change his mind.
"Do you really want to know or are you just trying to sweet talk me into doing something and your trying to butter me up first?" Quinn shook his head, he probably deserved that.
"No, I really want to know." At first he thought she wasn't going to answer but finally she tore her gaze from the sunrise to look at him.
"I was thinking that it's Sunday and that I would normally be out walking with Dad and Takato right now."
"Takato's your brother right?" Quinn said leaning against the railing. "Yes. Ever since we were old enough to keep up my dad would take me and my brother out walking on Sunday morning. We'd always go to the bluff and watch the sunrise from there. Then we'd head home and stop at the bakery and bring home fresh donuts for breakfast. I think those walks are one of the things I'll miss the most when I'm away from home."
Quinn looked over at her at met her glance. "You'll have plenty more walks like that when we get back Jade." Quinn said watching a sad smile take over her face.
"We'll see."
Quinn wanted to ask more but knew now was not the time to be asking them. As he watched Jade turn back to the rising sun he realized something. He'd known Jade since kindergarten and yet he didn't really know her. He didn't know what her favourite colour was or what foods she liked and hated. He didn't know the name of her boyfriend or how old her brother was. In fact the only thing he did really know about her was that she was the only person on earth, male or female, who could ignite his temper like kerosene and a match with a few words.
"Why do you look so serious?" Quinn blinked then looked at Jade almost curiously.
"I was thinking that I don't know you at all."
Jade smiled at him and this time it was tinged with laughter and not sadness. "Very few do." She replied, her smile growing bigger by the second. Quinn smiled back at her.
"Why do we get into so many fights do you think?" Quinn asked, curious as to what she'd say. Raising an eyebrow at the change in topic Jade chewed on her lower lip as she thought about how to answer.
"I think its because were so much alike. We just clash." Quinn stared at her in disbelief. She thought it was because they were to much a like? How the hell did she come up with that?
"I see that confuses you. Lets see if I can put it into words that would make sense to you. You see were very much a like when you look at it objectively. Were both athletes and extremely competitive, we both hate to lose. We're both good students and strive to do our best in everything we do, whatever it takes. The big thing is though that were also very opinionated and I think that because were both so much alike we automatically know exactly which buttons to press to set the other off. Hence all the fighting. Of course I could be totally off course but that's what I think anyway."
Quinn stared at her. In a bizarre sort of way what she'd said made sense. They were a lot alike and her explanation would explain why she riled him so easily. "You know, you could be right for once Akiyama." Quinn said finally, head still reeling with the revelation.
"We'll its only a possibility." Jade said and Quinn couldn't tell if she was trying to comfort him or herself.
"You know, seeing as were going to be stuck together for a while we should probably try to get along, or at least until its over. What did you say?" Quinn felt Jade's eyes scan his face as though she could read his intent on his face. Apparently it was good news because she gave him a small grin and stuck out her hand.
"It's a deal. But only until this is over. I don't think it'll be possible for me to hold my temper longer then that." They grinned at each other
"On that we can agree." Quinn said clasping her hand in his. "For once." he couldn't resist adding and if Jade's burst of laughter was any sign she agreed with him.
later that day
"And then the dog said " Jackson?" Jenn finished.
"Jenn, best friend or not, you tell another corny joke like that and I'm taping your mouth shut." Jade said shaking her head at her best friend's idea of a good joke.
"That goes ditto for me." Quinn agreed not thinking he could take anymore of these corny jokes.
"You guys think you can do better go ahead." Jenn huffed glaring at them alternately.
"Aw come on you guys, Momentia." Terriermon said from Jade's shoulder.
"What?" Quinn said looking at him.
"Momentia, in other words don't worry." Jade said translating Terriermon's favourite word that he knew.
"Get used to it guys, he says it about three hundred times every day." Jenn said pulling on one of his ears teasingly.
"Living with Jade I can see why." Quinn said with a grin.
"Lucky for you I promised a truce or you'd be a dead man Quinn." Jade said glaring around Jenn at him.
"Oh and how do you propose to do that Akiyama?" Quinn said gesturing provokingly at her.
"Easily. I'd simply find a dragon and tell him you're a Fenalian soldier come to earn the right to take the throne. You'd be dead in seconds." Jade replied sweetly.
"So you were serious about that tooth Jade?" Trowa said from beside her.
"Yup, and it would be a good idea to keep an eye out for them. Oh and if you see one coming this way stay away from me as much as possible." Jade said seriously.
"Why?" Trowa asked, giving her his full attention.
"Because like you dragon's know my blood and the Fenalian blood in me makes me the lowest form of life in the dragons eyes. As far as they're concerned the only good Fenal is a dead one." Jade said.
"So in other words if we run into a dragon the first person it will attack is you, because of your blood?" Quinn said looking over at her curiously.
"Yup but in case you were thinking about finding a dragon to eat me I should point out that I've been trained to fight and kill dragons since I was a child. I'll kill it then you." Jade said grinning sweetly.
"You've been trained to kill them? Is that why they hate you?" Trowa asked.
"Sort of. In order to take the throne in my land the would be ruler must first prove his worth by killing a dragon and bringing back its life source as proof of the deed. Therefore they're never very happy to see a Fenal coming near their territory. I've always wondered why." Jade said quirking an eyebrow.
"So then why do you need to know how to kill them? " Quinn asked.
"Because unless I get killed in the next few weeks I'll become the new ruler of Fenalia and to do that some unlucky dragon is going to get his stomach riped open by yours truly."
Quinn felt his jaw drop, the ruler of a country? Rip its stomach open?
"You're to rule this land Jade?" Trowa said stopping to turn and face her.
"Not this land specifically but Fenalia is similar to this region of Gaea." Jade said coolly having a pretty good idea what Chang was going to say about it.
"You can't rule a country." Quinn sputtered as he took it all in as he confirmed her guess.
"Oh really and why can't I?" Jade said glaring at him. "Because I'm a girl?"
Quinn stared at her, his eyes stunned. "For one, not to mention that your only seventeen for starters."
"My great grandfather became king when he was sixteen. And for your information it was decided before I was even born that I'd be Fenalia's ruler should I reach the age of eighteen so there." Jade resorted getting mad.
"You keep saying if you live, is there a reason you believe you won't?" Trowa asked efficiently shutting any more arguing. Hating the fact that everyone was staring at her Jade sighed.
"Yes there is."
Quinn stared at her, she thought she was going to die?
"What reason." He demanded.
"It was decided before I was even born that I'd have only a fifty-fifty chance of living to the age of eighteen, We're know on a dangerous mission only a couple weeks before I turn eighteen. I think that would indicate why I was only given a fifty percent chance of survival."
"Yea but you have a fifty percent chance of living too Jade." Terriermon said quietly.
"Hey buddy don't worry. I don't intend to give up easily." Jade said hugging the small digimon tightly.
"Good cause we aren't letting some stupid prophecy take you away." Terriermon said hugging her back.
"We'll see to it Terriermon." Renamon said appearing beside them.
"Hey you're freaking the other three out and I need them in one piece so no more death talk okay." Jade said trying to grin.
"We'll succeed Jade." Trowa said saying what everyone meant, even Quinn. He may not particularly like her but he wasn't going to let some other then himself kill her.
"Thanks Trowa." Jade said with a real grin this time.
"No problem now lets get walking." Trowa said squeezing her hand.
"Sounds good to me." Jade replied squeezing back.
"Then lets go." Quinn said stepping beside her.
"We need to go north here and look for a rock that's shaped like a starfish." Jenn said walking over to stand on Quinn's other side.
"Then forward march." Terriermon proclaimed jumping from Jade's arms onto her shoulder again.
"Hey guys did I tell you the joke about the hamster and the pit bull?" Jenn asked mischievously.
"JENN!" They all yelled simultaneously.