Redbird
Cherry Rain: Hi! Now, on with the story! Heh heh heh heh. Some explanations will be given.
Chapter Fourteen: Conversations
Foxflame rested itself lightly on the swaying tree branch, just outside Kai Hiwatari's bedroom. Xin would be coming to see him and Satashi soon, and would get out in the morning as a normal member of the White Tiger team, though Yu would most probably never be seen. Foxflame knew that it was not to enter the building again- both Redbird and Dranzer were searching; though the phoenixes had always stayed with the teens during the night so far.
Tonight was different. They were taking shifts, ensuring that one would stay with the teens. Redbird was on the hunt, and that put him in danger.
A fiery glow passed overhead as Redbird's majestic form passed by. Redbird and Dranzer may be rivals, but they had one thing in common- they both wanted to protect the two teens.
The two teens were at that moment curled up together in bed, Kai Hiwatari's arm encircling Lei Feng protectively. Foxflame curled up too, snuggling into his reddish tail. The nights were growing colder nowadays.
Five more minutes, and Dranzer would take to the hunt. Then he would have to leave. Dranzer's senses were sharper, and he dared not risk all his master had tried so hard to accomplish. He was not sure whether he could hide his magic from the Red Phoenix as he could from the Lightning Bird. The Lightning Bird had already caught a glimmer when it came loose, and he was lucky Redbird hadn't detected him.
He felt a tinge of regret and wounded pride as he recalled how Redbird had destroyed his blade and nearly the bit chip as well. He had pride too, and he wasn't about to just give it up. Redbird would pay.
The girl would be here soon, and then they could talk. And Satashi would be coming too. ***
"Find anything, Dranzer?" Redbird asked, her crackling yellow wings glowing in the dark, her golden eyes sharp and keen. "I'm sure I caught a glimmer of magic, but it was there one second and gone the next. I'd hoped you could find it. Much as I hate to admit it, I know you sense magic better than me."
"No, Redbird." Dranzer's feathers gave off a softer and steadier glow than the flashes Redbird gave off spasmodically.
They were in the gardens, and both were perched on the ground. Redbird stamped her claw down in a mixture of both childish temper and frustrated anger, scorching the grass around her feet. "Why is this happening, Dranzer! I thought I left this all behind me when Lei Feng and I left her orphanage for the city streets, I thought we would at least be free of this problem."
"You know that trouble will dog the heels of your charge, Redbird. That was why you didn't want to go to her, right? You wanted your freedom, didn't you? Don't even try to lie to me, Lightning Bird. I know you."
"Dranzer." Redbird's harsh voice, crow-like and totally unlike her majestic form, was made even harsher still by tension and irritation. "What happened before, what I felt before, is not of any concern whatsoever now, understand? I have affection, strange as it may seem, for that human of mine, you know."
"Not so strange, Redbird. Most of us bitbeasts form attachments for their charges."
You know it's not just Lei Feng- they're after me too. For all you know, you're wanted too. You and your charge, Dranzer. All the same, I just want to get this over with. Lei Feng does not know crap about her heritage, and I intend to keep it that way. You would not want the burden of heritage and knowledge on your charge's hands as well. Unless absolutely necessary, I will not be telling Lei Feng who and what she is."
"That's what I'm afraid of, Redbird. It might become necessary in the very near future."
"Pray that it doesn't, Dranzer. Pray that it doesn't."
Dranzer took off in flight, back to his blade. Redbird sighed quietly now that she was alone without anyone to see her, feeling her voice crackle and wincing. After so long, this was still the one thing that she regretted. The loss of the voice that had once been hailed as enchanting, in the small village where she had existed as a myth, a legend.
Redbird knew that the one she was bound to had special properties. All owners of bitbeasts did, though she could not see what Dragoon saw in the boy called Tyson. Lei Feng had a special heritage- she was descended on her mother's side from one of the great sorceresses of the old feudal times in China. Redbird wasn't sure whether any trace of the old magics still remained, after dilution of blood and the fact that time had washed over the dulled physic senses. If Lei Feng hadn't had any rude awakenings to power of any sort yet, the chances were that she never would. Good.
But it didn't matter; the point was that Redbird was bound to her, bound to her and her family since time immemorial. And there were always those who lusted after the power that none other than a bitbeast could provide. And Redbird knew much, from the old days, knew of power through song, power through the natural elements. And with Dranzer. they made a formidable team- if they could stop fighting each other long enough.
***
Foxflame bounded off the branch as the girl he called Xin finally arrived. Foxflame sat down at her feet, looking up at her. "Satashi will be here soon. Be patient."
The approach of footsteps told of Satashi's coming, and soon they were all under the tree together. Foxflame spoke. "I can keep an eye, but no more, Satashi. Redbird and Dranzer are both on high alert. If we go on with this blatant use of magic, then we risk detection and there goes everything."
Satashi nodded, taking his bitbeast's advice. "Alright, Foxflame. We will lessen use of magic."
"In that case, I have nothing more to say," Foxflame said. "Goodnight."
With a swish of his tail, he disappeared into the night.
Satashi felt the hold's on the girl's mind loosen, then slip away. The alter ego called Xin was now gone. Left in her place was a quivering, frightened girl called Yu. The girl he knew.
The first thing she did was stare at Satashi and glare at him, suppressing her fear and covering it with an emotion she knew she could handle- anger. "Satashi, stop this! Let me go! I don't know what you want with me, but you aren't going to substitute me with my alter ego!"
Satashi seized the girl's shoulders. "Yu, please! Hear me out. If you will agree with what I need you to do. I swear by whatever god you believe in that I will make sure Foxflame lets you go."
"Alright. Talk."
Hope glimmered. She was willing to listen. "I need the bitbeast called Redbird and preferably the one called Dranzer as well. You don't understand. I owe a debt of gratitude. I don't want to have Foxflame take over you, but you are currently part of the White Tiger team, a team whose member Mariah is very close to Ray of the Bladebreakers and good friends with our primary target- Redbird's owner, Lei Feng. All I need you to do is help me keep an eye on her, Yu, please! I don't want Foxflame to do anything to you, just do this willingly."
He hesitated, then drew her closer to him, crushing her slender body against himself. "For me."
Yu felt her sense borne away on a river of emotion. She wanted to be with Satashi. All she had to do was keep an eye on them. That was all.
She looked up at him, praying she was not making a mistake. "Alright, Satashi."
***
Redbird soared through the night, feeling the wind ruffling her feathers. In the distance, in a forested area, there was a slight green and pink glow in the distance. Skimming low through the trees, she saw the sight she had expected to see.
Driger and Galux.
"Am I bothering you?" she asked quietly.
Galux replied in her low, ear-pleasing purr. "No, Redbird." Getting up, she nudged Driger out of the way to make room for the lightning bird in the clearing.
"You seem troubled, Redbird," Driger observed.
"I am troubled, Driger."
"Why?"
"You don't know what kind of a charge I've got on my hands. You don't know the trouble Lei Feng is in, and worse still, neither does she. I don't want her to know, though. She found a good life with the Bladebreakers, and I don't want her to leave. And leave she will, if I told her. She will not give trouble to anyone else except herself. But to leave would break her heart.
"She is, a highly emotional person. It would very likely break her spirit to leave the Bladebreakers, but she would. Especially if she wanted to make sure nothing happened to Dranzer's charge. And I won't let that happen."
"So what's the problem?" Galux queried. "Just let her stay."
"If she stays, she stays in danger. And so do the rest of the young ones."
There was silence for a while. Then Driger spoke. "Have you ever thought of leaving her, Redbird? It can be done, and you need not return until you feel like it. You can even choose never to return. I know. I left Ray twice, though the second time was not entirely of my own choice."
Redbird hesitated before answering the white tiger. When she did, she said her answer in such a low voice, it was barely audible. "Yes. When I was first bound to her blade, yes. I still do now, even. But something held me- I couldn't escape back then. I couldn't even rise unless Lei Feng commanded it. But now I can. However, bonds become stronger over time, and even though the magic that held me once has dissolved, Lei Feng's affection and trust in me holds me even stronger than it ever did.
"It is so strange. It feels like loving and hating a person at the same time. Most bitbeasts, like yourselves, feel nothing but utter affection towards your charges, maybe a sense of responsibility too, and they would never leave except in extreme circumstances, like yours, Driger. But I remember a time when I was bound to no one, when I was my own owner. And I miss that time."
Galux said, changing the topic, "You are Dranzer's sister?"
Again, Redbird hesitated. "I told no one this, but I am more of related to Black-Dranzer. Dranzer is more of my distant relative, while Black-Dranzer and I are cousins, if I'm not wrong. Keep this a secret, the two of you. Don't let anyone know. . . people are not very friendly towards him."
Cherry Rain: Okay, a little this and a little that. I don't know what to say about this whole idea, but it's done, so yeah. Review, peoples! See the lovely little lavender button? Press it! And then type in a couple of lines.
Cherry Rain: Hi! Now, on with the story! Heh heh heh heh. Some explanations will be given.
Chapter Fourteen: Conversations
Foxflame rested itself lightly on the swaying tree branch, just outside Kai Hiwatari's bedroom. Xin would be coming to see him and Satashi soon, and would get out in the morning as a normal member of the White Tiger team, though Yu would most probably never be seen. Foxflame knew that it was not to enter the building again- both Redbird and Dranzer were searching; though the phoenixes had always stayed with the teens during the night so far.
Tonight was different. They were taking shifts, ensuring that one would stay with the teens. Redbird was on the hunt, and that put him in danger.
A fiery glow passed overhead as Redbird's majestic form passed by. Redbird and Dranzer may be rivals, but they had one thing in common- they both wanted to protect the two teens.
The two teens were at that moment curled up together in bed, Kai Hiwatari's arm encircling Lei Feng protectively. Foxflame curled up too, snuggling into his reddish tail. The nights were growing colder nowadays.
Five more minutes, and Dranzer would take to the hunt. Then he would have to leave. Dranzer's senses were sharper, and he dared not risk all his master had tried so hard to accomplish. He was not sure whether he could hide his magic from the Red Phoenix as he could from the Lightning Bird. The Lightning Bird had already caught a glimmer when it came loose, and he was lucky Redbird hadn't detected him.
He felt a tinge of regret and wounded pride as he recalled how Redbird had destroyed his blade and nearly the bit chip as well. He had pride too, and he wasn't about to just give it up. Redbird would pay.
The girl would be here soon, and then they could talk. And Satashi would be coming too. ***
"Find anything, Dranzer?" Redbird asked, her crackling yellow wings glowing in the dark, her golden eyes sharp and keen. "I'm sure I caught a glimmer of magic, but it was there one second and gone the next. I'd hoped you could find it. Much as I hate to admit it, I know you sense magic better than me."
"No, Redbird." Dranzer's feathers gave off a softer and steadier glow than the flashes Redbird gave off spasmodically.
They were in the gardens, and both were perched on the ground. Redbird stamped her claw down in a mixture of both childish temper and frustrated anger, scorching the grass around her feet. "Why is this happening, Dranzer! I thought I left this all behind me when Lei Feng and I left her orphanage for the city streets, I thought we would at least be free of this problem."
"You know that trouble will dog the heels of your charge, Redbird. That was why you didn't want to go to her, right? You wanted your freedom, didn't you? Don't even try to lie to me, Lightning Bird. I know you."
"Dranzer." Redbird's harsh voice, crow-like and totally unlike her majestic form, was made even harsher still by tension and irritation. "What happened before, what I felt before, is not of any concern whatsoever now, understand? I have affection, strange as it may seem, for that human of mine, you know."
"Not so strange, Redbird. Most of us bitbeasts form attachments for their charges."
You know it's not just Lei Feng- they're after me too. For all you know, you're wanted too. You and your charge, Dranzer. All the same, I just want to get this over with. Lei Feng does not know crap about her heritage, and I intend to keep it that way. You would not want the burden of heritage and knowledge on your charge's hands as well. Unless absolutely necessary, I will not be telling Lei Feng who and what she is."
"That's what I'm afraid of, Redbird. It might become necessary in the very near future."
"Pray that it doesn't, Dranzer. Pray that it doesn't."
Dranzer took off in flight, back to his blade. Redbird sighed quietly now that she was alone without anyone to see her, feeling her voice crackle and wincing. After so long, this was still the one thing that she regretted. The loss of the voice that had once been hailed as enchanting, in the small village where she had existed as a myth, a legend.
Redbird knew that the one she was bound to had special properties. All owners of bitbeasts did, though she could not see what Dragoon saw in the boy called Tyson. Lei Feng had a special heritage- she was descended on her mother's side from one of the great sorceresses of the old feudal times in China. Redbird wasn't sure whether any trace of the old magics still remained, after dilution of blood and the fact that time had washed over the dulled physic senses. If Lei Feng hadn't had any rude awakenings to power of any sort yet, the chances were that she never would. Good.
But it didn't matter; the point was that Redbird was bound to her, bound to her and her family since time immemorial. And there were always those who lusted after the power that none other than a bitbeast could provide. And Redbird knew much, from the old days, knew of power through song, power through the natural elements. And with Dranzer. they made a formidable team- if they could stop fighting each other long enough.
***
Foxflame bounded off the branch as the girl he called Xin finally arrived. Foxflame sat down at her feet, looking up at her. "Satashi will be here soon. Be patient."
The approach of footsteps told of Satashi's coming, and soon they were all under the tree together. Foxflame spoke. "I can keep an eye, but no more, Satashi. Redbird and Dranzer are both on high alert. If we go on with this blatant use of magic, then we risk detection and there goes everything."
Satashi nodded, taking his bitbeast's advice. "Alright, Foxflame. We will lessen use of magic."
"In that case, I have nothing more to say," Foxflame said. "Goodnight."
With a swish of his tail, he disappeared into the night.
Satashi felt the hold's on the girl's mind loosen, then slip away. The alter ego called Xin was now gone. Left in her place was a quivering, frightened girl called Yu. The girl he knew.
The first thing she did was stare at Satashi and glare at him, suppressing her fear and covering it with an emotion she knew she could handle- anger. "Satashi, stop this! Let me go! I don't know what you want with me, but you aren't going to substitute me with my alter ego!"
Satashi seized the girl's shoulders. "Yu, please! Hear me out. If you will agree with what I need you to do. I swear by whatever god you believe in that I will make sure Foxflame lets you go."
"Alright. Talk."
Hope glimmered. She was willing to listen. "I need the bitbeast called Redbird and preferably the one called Dranzer as well. You don't understand. I owe a debt of gratitude. I don't want to have Foxflame take over you, but you are currently part of the White Tiger team, a team whose member Mariah is very close to Ray of the Bladebreakers and good friends with our primary target- Redbird's owner, Lei Feng. All I need you to do is help me keep an eye on her, Yu, please! I don't want Foxflame to do anything to you, just do this willingly."
He hesitated, then drew her closer to him, crushing her slender body against himself. "For me."
Yu felt her sense borne away on a river of emotion. She wanted to be with Satashi. All she had to do was keep an eye on them. That was all.
She looked up at him, praying she was not making a mistake. "Alright, Satashi."
***
Redbird soared through the night, feeling the wind ruffling her feathers. In the distance, in a forested area, there was a slight green and pink glow in the distance. Skimming low through the trees, she saw the sight she had expected to see.
Driger and Galux.
"Am I bothering you?" she asked quietly.
Galux replied in her low, ear-pleasing purr. "No, Redbird." Getting up, she nudged Driger out of the way to make room for the lightning bird in the clearing.
"You seem troubled, Redbird," Driger observed.
"I am troubled, Driger."
"Why?"
"You don't know what kind of a charge I've got on my hands. You don't know the trouble Lei Feng is in, and worse still, neither does she. I don't want her to know, though. She found a good life with the Bladebreakers, and I don't want her to leave. And leave she will, if I told her. She will not give trouble to anyone else except herself. But to leave would break her heart.
"She is, a highly emotional person. It would very likely break her spirit to leave the Bladebreakers, but she would. Especially if she wanted to make sure nothing happened to Dranzer's charge. And I won't let that happen."
"So what's the problem?" Galux queried. "Just let her stay."
"If she stays, she stays in danger. And so do the rest of the young ones."
There was silence for a while. Then Driger spoke. "Have you ever thought of leaving her, Redbird? It can be done, and you need not return until you feel like it. You can even choose never to return. I know. I left Ray twice, though the second time was not entirely of my own choice."
Redbird hesitated before answering the white tiger. When she did, she said her answer in such a low voice, it was barely audible. "Yes. When I was first bound to her blade, yes. I still do now, even. But something held me- I couldn't escape back then. I couldn't even rise unless Lei Feng commanded it. But now I can. However, bonds become stronger over time, and even though the magic that held me once has dissolved, Lei Feng's affection and trust in me holds me even stronger than it ever did.
"It is so strange. It feels like loving and hating a person at the same time. Most bitbeasts, like yourselves, feel nothing but utter affection towards your charges, maybe a sense of responsibility too, and they would never leave except in extreme circumstances, like yours, Driger. But I remember a time when I was bound to no one, when I was my own owner. And I miss that time."
Galux said, changing the topic, "You are Dranzer's sister?"
Again, Redbird hesitated. "I told no one this, but I am more of related to Black-Dranzer. Dranzer is more of my distant relative, while Black-Dranzer and I are cousins, if I'm not wrong. Keep this a secret, the two of you. Don't let anyone know. . . people are not very friendly towards him."
Cherry Rain: Okay, a little this and a little that. I don't know what to say about this whole idea, but it's done, so yeah. Review, peoples! See the lovely little lavender button? Press it! And then type in a couple of lines.