Way Hey! Chappie updated quick. Slightly short but hey, it's all good! Enjoy!

Oh I will reply to all your review, in fact I DID but I accidentally lost them, I tell the truth, so I couldn't take the time to answer all your reviews coz my Maths exam is soon. Apologies, I'll get back to u asap. Doughnuts…mmm I'll email you a a spoiler. Until I have some free time you'll have to wait, sorry! Excuse me while I take a few moments from my rigorous schedule to dance arounds screaming, I have 102 reviews!!!! Thank you!

Chapter 16

She was at a lunch–time training session. Dahlia had accepted the teaching position and was training a group of children ranging in age from 8 to her own age 14, there were also a couple of giggling sixteen year olds. Dahlia had sobered them up at the beginning of class, telling them to be silent or get out. She was teaching them to execute a flying kick, unlike they had been taught before. This manoeuvre was not for defence but for attack. She had put them into pairs to try the kick on each other. Dahlia was sparring with another girl on the other mat, a short, slim girl with a gymnast figure even at the age of 12. She was called Elena. Dahlia stopped and bowed to her.

'You're still not allowing your body to move as one,' she spoke softly. Elena groaned, 'what are you talking about? There are different parts to the body how can I move as one?'

'Don't argue with me,' Dahlia reprimanded curtly, 'your body must be fluid. You are one being and this one body can allow you to move in any way. You just have to let your inhibitions go.' Elena made no reply, Dahlia realised that she had scared the girl. She smiled for emphasise, receiving an answering smile from the young girl. Dahlia turned to supervise the class; the two older girls had stopped practising and were tittering in the corner. Dahlia made her way over to them. The tall, lanky girl saw her first as her laughter subsided.

'Could you please do what you came here to do. I won't tolerate disturbances.'

The chubby girl with a blond bob replied without a smile, 'Sorry, it's just that cute boy over there kind of distracted us,' This set the other girl saying, 'He keeps staring at you though, maybe you have a secret admirer,' she giggled foolishly. Dahlia kept her face stern. 'I would like you to go and sit this class out, come back when you've grown some sense.'

Dahlia turned back to the class and watched another couple spar. She felt eyes watching her so she turned around to see Dain sitting on a chair at the back of the hall. She turned away without showing any signs of recognition on her face.

Dain, what are you doing here? I'm in the middle of class.

It's okay; I'll wait till after. I need to talk to you about something.

Dahlia finished her class and made her way over to Dain, only to be intercepted by Tyler who was walking across to meet her.

'Hey you were really good out there. You're a natural teacher.' Dahlia didn't reply, watching Dain come up behind Tyler. She side stepped Tyler and introduced him. 'Tyler this is Dain. I have to leave early so the kickboxing class is out tonight. I will be here next week though.' Dahlia moved to the door but Dain wasn't behind her. He was talking to Tyler. She groaned inside, but kept her face clear as she walked back to them.

'Dain? You said you wanted to talk to me.' Dain grinned at her then turned back to Tyler saying, 'I was just telling Tyler that we train together in martial arts. He wants us to demonstrate ours skills for the younger children. I'm sure they would like to see some expert-fighting Dahlia. What do you think?' Dahlia didn't answer straight away.

Dain what are you doing?

I'm just having some fun I want to fight you. I want to see if I can beat you.

Dain not here!

'Uh earth calling Dahlia! Hello? Anyone home?' Tyler looked at her strangely. Dain was already positioned on the mats. Dahlia sighed, and then followed.

'Alright!' Tyler cried. He rushed over to the kids to tell them.

Dahlia spoke to Dain in his head warningly; I hope you know what you're doing. This isn't going to be a fair fight. I can't show them the stuff that we learn at the centre.

Dain replied I'm doing this because I don't think we'll be spending much time together soon. I want to fight you for fun. Let's just do this for show okay?

Dain what do you mean? What's wrong?

Dain bowed. Dahlia was confused but answered the bow. They took their positions and attacked.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After ten minutes, Dahlia had Dain flying across the room with a standing kick direct to the chest. In reality this kick was not that powerful, but Dahlia moved his body with her mind. He landed with a thud across her on the mat. Getting up he bowed and the fight ended. They looked around and the entire group of martial arts students had stopped to watch them. It had been an enthralling fight. Dahlia grinned inside, then nodded to Mr Blake who was standing, mesmerised in the corner.

As Dain walked out with Dahlia she checked the time. 'Dain I have about 10 minutes before 7th period starts so make it quick. What was so important?'

Dain sighed, I'm sorry, I just…ah hell.

I think Master Nagini knows about us.

WHAT?

I don't know what he's said to the council but he wants to talk to me tonight.

What about me? Dahlia asked

I don't know. I think one of us is going to have to stop practising druid. I think that's what they're planning.

Oh no. They can't some druids have been known to marry. It is possible to have attachments!

Dahlia…if you want me to, I'll stop. I'll just learn advanced Ninja skills. If it comes to that–

No! That's not what's going to happen. I won't let you. I need to think. There is something we're both missing here. It has something to do with Salix, I know it.

In the distance the ring of a bell sounded. Dahlia withdrew from Dain's mind. He was leaning against a post; his hair flopped over his eyes, head down. Dahlia moved towards him again, lifting his head to face her.

'It'll be okay. I won't let them separate us. I'll talk to Master Nagini tonight. Until then just keep your ears open, listen for anything to do with Salix or the ceremony in the next few weeks. I have to go to class.' Kissing him briefly on the cheek, Dahlia hugged Dain tight. Dain let go as she ran into the school building following her with his eyes.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Dahlia was unable to concentrate in History class as he teacher droned on; she focussed her thoughts on Dain and Salix, her head in her hands. She looked out the window at the blue sky, as if it could give her answers to her many questions. Suddenly the class went quiet. Dahlia glanced at the teacher; he was staring at the door. Dahlia looked also and saw Master Takeno standing in the doorway in a shirt and trousers. She stood up abruptly. Takeno politely requested for Dahlia to be excused and she walked out of class with him leaving behind her stunned classmates. Dahlia took a quick look at Takeno's attire as they walked down the corridor leading to the exit door. He looks strange in normal clothes.

Once outside, Dahlia spoke, 'Why have I been taken from classes?' She had some idea but felt it safe to play dumb for a while. Takeno replied with, 'you were not paying attention in your lesson Dahlia. I don't want to see that kind of behaviour again.'

Dahlia was stunned; he had just avoided her question. She felt it best to stay silent throughout the journey to her home.

When they reached the centre Takeno sent Dahlia to her room. She was really worried now, but obeyed. He was after all her master and superior. She lay on her bed trying to order her tangled thoughts. She felt as if she had so many pieces of a puzzle but no picture to work from. It was a druid's job to solve puzzles, she was an expert at fitting together pieces of information concerning other things. But this was her life, her work, and she felt lost. Dahlia continued to think about these things until she fell asleep on her bed.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Dahlia awoke with a jolt. Someone was in her room. She lifted herself to her elbows and saw a tall figure standing in front of her open window. It was Master Nagini. It was morning and sunlight was spilling into her room through the window he stood at. Dahlia slid out of bed and moved beside him; she bowed. Nagini turned around slowly to face Dahlia; he was completely closed off without any emotion on his face. He has something important to tell me Dahlia thought.

'Master?' she asked tentatively.

He moved away from her again and stood with his back to her before replying. 'Dahlia I have come to inform you that the ceremony will be tonight.'

Dahlia reeled back as if hit, thoughts of panic already ricocheting around in her head. She mastered herself and calmed down before she dared to answer, keeping her tone even and her words without feeling. ' May I know the reason for this?' Dahlia looked intently at his back waiting for his reply. Nagini still did not turned around.

'It has been judged best for the elders and a suitable time for you.'

Dahlia answered, 'I was given five months but I was denied, I was promised one month, I have been lied to. I am curious to know the reason for this deception,' Dahlia struggled to maintain composure yet the tremor in her voice was visible at the end of this sentence. She willed him to turn around and face her. He did not.

'You have been disregarding the order of a druids life. You have made an attachment to a person. The elders are in agreement that you should prove yourself now. You are allowing your personal feelings to cloud your judgement and the judgment of that other person. It is unacceptable.'

Dahlia got the distinct feeling that something was not right. There must be a better reason than this. He was keeping something from her. 'Master Nagini, if this was the case then why hasn't there been a formal summons to the elders. Why have you come alone? I would like to understand why tradition has been ignored in favour of something to do with me.'

There was a short silence before his answer.

'All will be revealed tonight. Now you must prepare for the ceremony, you will not go to school today.' Dahlia lost her cool at these words.

'There's going to be an attack tomorrow isn't there? You know that he was planning to attack but your going to surprise him first! This isn't about me and Dain is it? This is about you and Salix Hedera. I know that you put forward this ceremony because of something that happens during the rejuvenation process. Something that can't wait so you have to do this before the attack. This is why you need Karonis. What is it? Why won't you tell me? Why are you lying?'

Nagini breathed deeply and exhaled. He turned around slowly and looked Dahlia in the eyes. 'Believe me Dahlia when I say that this is for your own good. I would not do this if I did not believe you are ready. You just need to find your key. Every druid as a key to unlocking his or her power, and yours has yet to appear, but it will come and when it does, you will be complete,' Dahlia looked in his eyes for a clue but they were cold and empty. With these words and a final glance at Dahlia Nagini strode towards the door, before leaving he spoke once more, 'Don't forget to be ready for cleansing in two hours, dress in your green robes.' He left. Dahlia let loose and raged inside.

How dare he try to turn this into a lesson! I told him he lied and he avoided the entire thing! Takeno did the same thing! I have to find out what is going on. Dahlia dressing quickly moved to her mirror and focussed on an image. She was angry and upset. The transformation went smoothly, better than she had hoped. Dahlia closed her eyes and concentrated. When she opened them she was looking at a face. Master Nagini's face. Touching her dark skin, she smiled his uncharacteristic smile and turned on her heel. She had two hours.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Watcha think?

Review if possible, tomorrow I have Geo and Bio, good luck to all those doing exams, and good luck to me too. This is it!!! Won't update for two weeks (for definite) during exams sorry guys! But review review review!!!! THANKS!!! 01/06/03 Mwah! Mwah! *smile* ;) :0 :) :) ^–^ :/ : :] =) = zzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZ! LLLLL