Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Knights, Mineko Ohkami does.

Ch.3 Run-Aways

It was in a dark, sleepy palace, under a starry night, when the three run-aways made their escape.

Rath tip-toed down the quiet corridors of the Dragon Castle with Crewgar padding silently along beside him and Fire perching broodingly on his shoulder.

: How do you still have your sword when Alfeegi took it away: the little dragon asked, holding the sign in front of his master's face.

" I used the transforming plant on a belt. In a couple of hours, the sword'll change back into what it was," Rath giggled," Won't that make Alfeegi mad?"

: He'll just ground you worse when you come back: another sign was dropped in front of the child's face.

Rath batted the sign away," I'm not coming back! I'm gonna start life as an adventurerer! No one makes them do anything!"

: They'll find you anywhere you go: another sign read.

Rath was growing quite annoyed at Fire's negative remarks.

" Listen you," he began, when he was cut off by approaching footsteps.

The black-haired child flattened himself against the wall, pulling Crewgar with him.

: OUCH: Fire stated on his sign as he was wedged painfully between the wall and Rath.

" Who's out this late of night?" Rath whispered, his arms clutched around the demon-dog tightly.

The boy peered around the corner trying to make out the person's silhouette throughout the darkness. Whoever it was, he didn't want them coming in his direction.

All of a sudden, Crewgar began barking excitedly and struggled free of Rath's hold, bounding forward towards the figure in the darkness. Rath bit his tongue to restain himself from calling out for the demon-dog to come back. He looked around anxiously, hoping Crewgar would be alright.

Crewgar leapt up on the person, barking in happy delight, whining and licking the person's face as if greeting someone whom he'd missed for a very long time.

"Crewgar, boy!" came a man's voice, laughing as he ruffled the demon-dog's fur,"I haven't seen you in a long while. Did you really miss your old friend Kai-stern, this much?"

Kai-stern, Rath thought for awhile, then remembered. Blue Dragon Officer Kai-stern was the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. He was often away on business, so it wasn't suprising Rath hardly remembered him.

As Rath watched Crewgar race around the Blue Dragon Officer in circles, proclaiming his joy in loud, raucous barking, he wished he hadn't remembered him at all. How dare Crewgar act that way around Kai-stern! He was only supposed to act that way arund him!

The demon-dog was respectful to the Dragon Lord and Queen and to everyone else in the palace, and even though he might hold some affection towards them, Rath was the only person whom he acted like a puppy for…just like he was doing right now for Kai-stern.

The black-haired child smoldered in jealousy as he watched the Dragon Officer bend over and quiet the over-excited dog. He didn't think he liked Kai-stern very much.

"Shhh, shhh, quiet there, boy. You'll wake the whole castle with that racket. And Alfeegi wouldn't be pleased-not only with me being three days behind schedule for reporting back, but coming at this hour, as well."

Crewgar sat in front of Kai-stern obediantly.

" Good, boy," the Dragon Officer said, stratching the demon-dog's ears," I'm going to my room for some long-needed sleep. Want to come along?"

Rath tensed against the wall, waiting for Crewgar's decision.

The demon-dog got up when the Dragon Officer turned and began walking, but did not follow. Whining, he looked back in Rath's direction, then back at Kai-stern.

" Got somewhere else to go tonight, boy? That's all right. It was nice to have someone greet me when I arrived, even if it was you," the Blue Dragon Officer gave Crewgar's ears a final scratching,"Night, boy."

The demon-dog waited until Kai-stern's form had disappeared into the darkness, then went back to Rath.

The black-haired child threw his arms around Crewgar and buried his head in his snowy, white chest. He had been so afraid that Crewgar wouldn't come back.

Rath stayed that way, until he felt a light tap on the shoulder. Turning his head around, he viewed Fire's sign, which read:

: Are you sure you got it in you to be a killer:

A second later, the dragon lay knocked out on the floor, holding up a sign:

: I'M BEING ABUSED:

Rath stepped over the fallen dragon, motioning Crewgar to follow him. The demon-dog glanced down at Fire, unsure of leaving him in his condition.

"Come on, Crewgar. He'll join us as soon as he gets his wind back-and if he knows what's good for him!"

The black-haired child and the demon-dog walked down the empty-corridors until they exited the castle's main doors into the cool, night air. As they were striding across the grounds, Fire caught up with them, swathed in bandages, and landed on his master's shoulder warily.

" Are you going to keep your comments to yourself?" Rath asked.

: I'll be good: came the reply on a sign.

The young boy nodded," Alright, then you have my permission to come along. I know how much you want to go."

: Crazy: Fire held out the sign to Crewgar behind Rath's back.

The group had finally reached the Dragon Castle's tall, exquisite gates. Rath pushed the left one open and stepped outside easily. Crewgar followed.

The black-haired child looked at his surroundings eagerly and breathed in his first breath of air outside the palace grounds.

" Ahhh!" he exclaimed, stetching his arms to the sky, " Freedom!"

It was a Dragon Castle full of chaos the next morning when it was discovered that Rath had gone missing and was nowhere to be found.

"Be sensible, Alfeegi!" Ruwalk stated to his fellow Officer, "Why jump at that conclusion? How are we to know that the little tyke isn't just off hiding somewhere waiting for us to come find him."

"Rath has run away!" Alfeegi proclaimed, slamming down his account books which he always carried around, " There's two very valid reasonable explanations! 1) is that all children assert that running away is the logical answer to solving their problems when they don't get their way and 2)- "

Alfeegi broke off and waited until he had drawn enough suspension for Ruwalk's curiosity to break. Obviously, the second was the most important.

"And the second?" Ruwalk asked, not able to stand the silence anymore.

"The second is…THIS!" the White Dragon Officer held up a small belt which he had been hiding.

Ruwalk blinked.

"You think…" he began slowly, "That Rath ran away… because of a…belt?"

"This belt!" Alfeegi declared, pointing emphatically at the accesory, "Is the sword I took away from the child yesterday, when he was confined to his room!"

Ruwalk stratched his head, staring at the belt quizzacly, "It's a sword? Weird, it looks like a belt."

CONG!

Alfeegi tossed the huge mallet behind him and spoke in huff to his fellow Dragon Officer sprawled out on the floor.

"That little terror is the reason this this belt looked like a sword! He did it deliberately, so he could sneak off with his sword unbeknowest to us! Probably to go demon-hunting-it's all that child ever thinks about!"

Ruwalk got up, massaging a large lump on his head, "So you're positive that he did run away, then?"

"There's no doubt about it!" Alfeegi proclaimed, "If he was playing hide-and-seek with us, I seriously doubt he would take his sword with him-however rarely he is seen withiut it!"

Ruwalk nodded slowly. Alfeegi's explanation did sound valid and it was something Rath would be prone to do.

Suddenly, the doors to the throne room swung open and none other than Lord Lykuleon, King of Dusis, entered, flanked by Black Dragon Officer Tetheus and Blue Dragon Officer Kai-stern.

"My Lord!" Alfeegi exclaimed, starting, "And Kai-stern! When did you return!"

The white-haired Dragon Officer crossed his arms and smiled, "Well, it's nice to see you too, Alfeegi. By the way, what in the name of Dusis happened to you hair?"

The White Dragon Officer's face turned red.

"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!" he screamed at Kai-stern.

The Blue Dragon Officer shrugged nonchalantly and said, " As to your question, I came back last night when you all were sound asleep."

"LATE, as usual!" Alfeegi accused, his eyes flashing, "No doubt after splurging all the extra money that you conviently got here at the palace in taverns!"

Ruwalk interrupted hastily, before the White Dragon Officer had a chance to realize exactly how Kai-stern had gotten extra money for his trip.

"Have you heard of what has occurred, Your Majesty?" Ruwalk asked.

The Dragon Lord sighed, his usual kindly face, expressing worry, " Yes, Tetheus has informed me of the unfortunate event. So, Rath has run away, has he? We must send out search parties in order that he be found before something happens to him."

"My Lord must not let this incident cause too much anxiety for him. Rath should be well protected until we find him."

Everyone jumped in surprise at the low-monotone voice. Tetheus rarely spoke.

"Tetheus?" Lord Lykuleon inquired, "What do you mean?"

"I found this in the corridor of the eastern wing," the Black Dragon Officer held out a small, square sign which read:

: I'm under strict orders NOT to tell you that Master has ran away and is never coming back:

The Dragon Lord took the sign in his hands allowing himself a small smile, " So Fire and Snow Crewgar are with him," he mused, "That should present a little more aide on Rath's behalf."

"But not enough, My Lord?" Ruwalk asked perplexedly.

"Rath is too young to fully understand how to controll the Fire Dragon," Lykuleon explained to his officers, "And Snow Crewgar, as powerful as he is, cannot provide adequate protection against numerous odds. The best they can do is scare off the rougeYokai, which is why we must find Rath and quickly…before a more powerful one does."

All the Officers raised their eyebrows quizzacly at the last part of the statement, but did not press the matter any farther.

"I'll have the whole of the Dragon Fighters out looking for him," Tetheus said in his low, monotone voice, turning around and exiting the rom.

"Ruwalk," the Dragon Lord said, turning to the Yellow Dragon Officer, "You will be in charge of seeing to my affairs of the kingdom, while I conduct a search for Rath by myself."

"But My Lord," Ruwalk began uncertainly, "I don't think you should-"

"That is an order from your King, Ruwalk," Lykuleon stated firmly.

"Yes, My Lord," Ruwalk said, bowing his head and started to leave the room.

"And I,"Alfeegi proclaimed walking hurriedly after him, "Will make sure you won't overspend the budget in doing things-like you did with the money you gave to Kai-stern!"

"What! I never-!"

"DON'T GIVE ME THAT! IT WAS YOU! IT'S ALWAYS YOU!"

"Alfeegi, you really need to loosen up!"

The Officers made their way out of the room bickering.

Lord Lykuleon turned to Kai-stern who was the only person left remaining.

" Kai-stern," he said, "I think you out of all of us, would know the best places to look for Rath. The differences on your outlook of things to ours, will prove useful on this expedition. Use them, wisely."

Kai-stern nodded, turned to leave, then glanced back at the Dragon Lord who was staring worriedly out the window. The Blue Dragon Officer went back over to him.

"My Lord,"he began hesitantly, "We all know about Rath's past, but…what will happen to him if he meets a powerful Yokai?"

The Dragon Lord looked from the window to Kai-stern who was staring at him expectedly.

"That, Kai-stern," he said tonelessly, "Is something I do not wish to find out."

Kai-stern stepped outside in the castle gates, wiping the sweat from his brow.

Look for the best places, Rath would be in, but just where in the world would that be?Let's see, Kai-stern thought glancing around the city's capitol, If I were a young child-like Rath-where would I want to go? Maybe-curse this sweltering weather!

The Dragon Officer ran the sleeve of his jacket over his persperated face. If only the temperature was a little cooler, maybe he could think better!

Wait, Kai-stern thought, stopping his arm in the air, Cooler…

The white-haired man looked in the distance, where the green country was. Perhaps, Rath had had the same problem. Perhaps, Rath would want to not only go where there was exploring to be made, but also, a better climate. At any rate, it was worth a shot, and it was the best lead he had.

Yes, Kai-stern thought, sizing up the circumstances, That would be the best choice right now.

And the Dragon Officer made his way through the city, towards the open space of the country, where beyond it lay the Snowy Mountains.

A/N: Alright! The story is slowly unwinding itself and I hope everyone liked it so far! Please share your fav parts, thanx!