Dragons Prey

Serena and Hotaru strolled through the gardens; it had been 2 days since Serena broke her arm. Hitomi had been against the 2 girls going out, especially Serena but Taru-chan had convinced her that it would be good for her mother to get some fresh air. They stopped in front of some rose bushes, each thinking different thoughts.

Serena's eyes grew slightly glassy with tears. 'Darien. where are you? I'm here on Gaea, but I haven't heard a from you or about you or any of the other outers! Then I have to find my big brother to. and Allen, what is it I feel for him? Allen seems so-so brotherly, its like I know him but I can't remember where. Could he possibly be, my brother? Seems like I'll have to confront him about it sometime. And you.Darien. please forgive me, I still love you, but it's not the same anymore. Van and I, are meant to be. oh Kami-san I hope you wont be hurt when we find each other again. I don't want to harm you in anyway, but. will you accept the fact that Van and I are a couple?'

Hotaru was also thinking about Darien. 'Father.where are you? Even if you and Momma wont be getting married in the future, I still love you, Van will make a great step dad, but I hope that you understand that he isn't taking us away from you, but helping you take care of us. Ruka-papa... I've got to find you and Michi-momma. though you aren't my real parents, you did raise me in my 3rd life.you like my second parents and good friends, I miss you guys'

Van leaned against the balcony rail, watching his tenshi. He would have to tell her soon, even if it was early, they had to get engaged if their was any hope of ever getting together. The council had been talking to him the other night.

~Flashback~

"Lord Van!! You have to choose a wife."

"The kingdom will be better off, with a good queen to guide them when you're off at war!"

"Whom will the Women and children look to once their men are off battling?"

"ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT! I'll choose a bride soon." Van slammed his fists into the table. 'There goes not rushing things.'

"Alright my lord. If you don't become engaged in a week, we will find a bride for you." the eldest adviser stated..

~End flashback~

Meryl sat on the roof, unknown to Van, she was watching him. She sighs, a lonely little cat girl. 'What happened to my best friend Van? Now that Van has met that girl, he never has time for me anymore! We used to always play but now. I wish I had someone to care for me like Van cares for that girl. Tigrana. my home. the people there, I promised to bring back a husband before my 15th birthday, someone who could help our kingdom out, protect us from the Wolf-people. The 4 Tigranian warriors. each blessed with the powers of a different element and devoted to help protect the kingdom, 2 humans... and 2 cattish. I, being a cattish warrior, wielding the power of fire. Teana the wielder of wind who guards the kingdom while the three others are absent, being the other cattish. Haruka the wielder of earth, one of the humans. In addition, the ever so calm, Michiru the wielder of water. Hmm. Haruka and Michiru somehow found out of my where abouts. I wonder how Van will react when he finds out that 2 people from my home kingdom will be visiting.'

~Flashback~

"Lady Meryl you have a letter!"

I snatched it away from the messenger and tore it open. Its not often that I get a letter from Tigrana... this is what it read.

Dear Meryl,

You have not been keeping in touch with us little one. Michiru and I haven't seen you in years, and we haven't even gotten a single letter from you since the Great War. After much tracking, we were able to find your whereabouts and have decided to come and visit you. It seems you were greatly involved in the war, being best friends with King of Fanelia? I for one am impressed. It seems that you have already found some help for our kingdom in the battles to come against the wolf packs. We will have to go to war, the wolves have recently decided to leave us be for the time being, but all races shall be involved in the upcoming war. We are coming to visit to bring you home; your gift will be greatly needed... An alliance might be made between our three races. Humans, Tigranians and Wolviens will be able to live together without misunderstanding. However, that won't happen soon until the up coming war between Fanelia and Zaibok is over. It seems that the wolves have allied with Zaibok, and of course, our kingdom will be siding with Fanelia. We shall see you in a few days, since we left fro Fanelia 3 days ago. I had wanted to just pop up and surprise you but you know Michi, wanted to at lest give you a few days notice.

Sincerely, Haruka and Michiru

~End flashback~

'I have 3 more years to search for my love. I've been looking since I was 7 and still haven't found the right person. wait what's that in the tree?'

Ryuzaku, the dragon man, crouched in the tree, watching his prey. "Hmm. she seems to already be hurt. that wont be any fun! I'll comeback in a week or 2 and get her then.. she will feel pain thousands of times worse then a broken arm.." Suddenly he heard a gasp, turning around he came face to face with Meryl, King Vans best friend. He mentally slapped and cursed at himself 'Damn now I'm going to have to take her with me so she wont tell anyone, oh well. no matter. Prince Darien need a new pet anyhow.a simple muting spell and Dar will love her'

Meryl had seen the figure in the tree and had gone to investigate, what she had not been expecting was to find the guy planning to kidnap Serena, her eyes widened in fear as the dragon man approached her. 'Uh oh..' The last thing she saw was some sort of spell in the mans hand before she passed out.

Ryuzaku placed a curse on the little cat-girl, and then knocked her out. 'Now all the little kitty will be able to do is meow.' He picked up the girl, wrapped an invisibility cloak around then, and headed home.

~Zaibok Empire~

Prince Darien paced back and forth in his room, man was he bored. Sometimes being a prince has its downs, like not being able to go play outside during times of war. Even if he had things to attend to like making Van suffer, a kids still got to have some playtime in his daily routine. Suddenly there was a knock on his door, opening it revealed his guardian Ryuzaku, and some kind of cage, covered with a sheet. He gazed up at his guardian with a questioning look. "What's that?" he asked with childish innocence.

Ryuzaku grinned, even if he could be a ruthless killer at times, prince Darien was like a little brother to him, and he loved the child greatly. "I can't tell you right off, there's no fun in that now is there?" He laughed as the prince pouted, "Alright, alright I've got you a new pet." he uncovered the cage, revealing a sleeping Meryl.

Darien was amazed, never before had he seen such a creature. Yes, he had seen plenty of wolf-people, since the wolves were allied with them during the war, but never a cat-person. She was beautiful; her soft pink hair looked like it was a soft as a fur the fur on her tail. He stroked the tail, wondering what it felt like. Never before had he felt softer fur, like feathers. In his eyes, this cat girl was the most mysterious and beautiful creature he had ever seen. Well actually it was, being a 12-year- old prince, he was often sheltered from the real world.

TBC-

Yep another chapter. 0.o has Meryl finally met someone who will love her. for how she looks? Or will Darien fall in love with her personality as well? Will Meryl fall in love, in such an awkward situation? ^-^ You'll have to wait and see!

Falconess