Disclaimer: I'm thinking of not putting this up anymore. They're annoying.


A/N: I'm sorry that I haven't been putting stuff up quicker but I have plenty of crap happening. I hope everyone had a great holiday vacation. Unlike me.... Anyway, read and have fun with the chapter. I'll try to get the next one up soon...


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Chapter 16: Transformation


It had been a week since they had left the Tigers' den. They had traveled through two forests, over a mountain, and through a cave. Everybody was tired.

They had to fight to pass over the mountain and it wasn't easy. The enemy group was a group of different monsters. There was two Pixies, four Apes, a Baku, and a Mew. The eight monsters had fought the little group of seven and lost. The only reason Genki and company had won was because at the last moment Red had released a powerful spin attack that smashed into all eight monsters. Genki and Holly were the only people who did not fight. Genki had been reminded too much of the Baku that once saved him to try to hurt the Baku that attacked. Holly had no weapons besides her father's dagger, and no one wanted her to shed blood anyway. They stayed back, Genki protecting her with his life as some of the monsters tried to attack them. Achika and Tiger had also helped to protect Holly, by attacking any monster that got to close to them. Genki was glad for their help, because he nearly had three monsters fighting him all at once.

Red had been badly hurt in the fight. Even though his attack had driven away the enemy, he had long slashes and gashes running across his side. He had fought the Mew, and the little kitten-like monster had used its claws to try to rip him a part. The little thing had been fast, and was strong. He was still unconsious even though the fight had been a day ago. Yuri, Mako, Achika, and Genki took turns in carrying him pass the mountain. They were now camping at the base of the mountain in a tiny cave.

"How's Red?" Tiger asked Holly, as she changed his bandages. She had gotten better at her nursing skills ever since she had started the ranch.

"He'll be fine. You were worse off after you fought all those Zuums the first time we met you."

Tiger nodded slowly, knowing exactly what she meant. He yawned lazily, and curled up into a ball. He fell asleep without another word, leaving Holly alone. She was the only one still awake.

She yawned as well. It had been tiring indeed. They were still at least a day away from where the next jewel might be, but the only person who knew was Red. They couldn't very well ask him where they were suppose to go while he was still out.

Holly walked over to where Genki was. The eighteen year old snored loudly as he rolled over onto his back. Holly suppressed a giggle. He didn't seem to have changed.

She laid down on the ground next to Genki and snuggled into his arms. His reflexes took over and he hugged her close even though he was sleeping. She rested her head against his chest and listened to his breathing. It was melodic. Her eyes slowly began to close as the rhythm of his breathing and her weariness finally caught up to her. She felt so relaxed and secure in his arms, and he was so warm....

Yuri opened an eye and made sure everyone was sleeping. Everyone, except Achika. They had both stayed awake to talk about certain things. Yuri looked around real quick, realized everyone was sleeping, and stalked over to where Achika was actually sleeping. Yuri smiled happily. Achi-chan is cute when she is sleeping.

Yuri moved the hair out of Achika's face. The pixie's warm hand woke up Achika. She stared into Yuri's eyes.

"Yuri! What-"

She cut off the girl's reply with a quick kiss.

"Don't talk. You're too loud. Don't talk until I get us out of here anyway. Climb onto my back, and I'll fly us out, ok?" Yuri whispered quickly. Achika nodded furiously and climbed onto her back. The warm fiery wings pumped up and down silently as the girls flew away. Mako cracked open an eye and watched them go. Those two were going to be the death of him.

Yuri flew into the nearby woods and crash-landed into a pile of leaves. Achika laughed insanely at Yuri's lack of grace, until Yuri dumped her on the ground and she banged her butt on a tree stump. Achika gave Yuri a death glare and started to chase her. Yuri laughed and flew away at top speed, making fun of the slow human girl as the coward flew above the ground. She landed high up in a tree.

"Poor little Achi-chan. She just can't catch the all powerful Yuri," Yuri teased as she sat at the top of the tree. Achika glared up at her. She kicked the tree and sat against the trunk. She sighed heavily as Yuri watched her. The pixie stared down at her friend through the haze of branches. She climbed down stealthily, using her claws to go through the bark on the trunk. She crawled down until she was right above Achika.

"What's wrong Achika?"

The little human girl jumped into the air and screamed. Yuri recoiled in fright.

"DON'T DO THAT!!" Achika yelled. She glared up at Yuri again and pouted. Yuri nearly cried from all the yelling until she saw Achika pout. She was so KAWAII! She just couldn't believe how cute the human girl was.

"Achi-chan..."

Achika turned towards her, and nearly melted. The pixie was giving her large puppy-dog eyes. Yuri looked absolutely adorable.

"What?"

"Don't ya wove me?" she asked slowly. Yuri looked as pitiful as possible.

A smile broke out across Achika's face, "Of course I wove ya."

A wicked smile took over Yuri's face, "Really?"

"I all ready said of course," Achika said looking at the ground. Yuri got that strange glint in her eye. She leapt off the tree trunk and pinned Achika against the ground. Achika stared up at Yuri in surprise.

"What are you-"

Yuri silenced her with a quick kiss on the lips. Yuri pressed against Achika and grabbed both her wrists. She placed Achika's arms above her head. At first Achika had laid rigid beneath Yuri, but after a while, the monster's warm soft lips made her relax. They tasted wonderful.


***


Genki woke up with Holly in his arms. The girl was sleeping soundly. Her brown bangs hung over her face, hiding half of it.

Genki gently moved the hair out of her face, watching her angelic look of bliss, and envying her slumber. That stopped when Red growled. Genki looked towards the daton and grew scared. The red scar on his back of the lightening bolt had grown to encompass his shoulders, like a cape. That was not what scared Genki though. What scared Genki was Red's face. His face was twisted into a growl and his light red eyes glowed. Saliva fell from his jaws like a river, as froth began to form around his mouth.

"Red?"

The daton snapped his jaws at the human. That was the only reply Genki received. Now, Genki was truly scared.

Red glared at all of them and suddenly roared. Everyone woke up and stared at him. Genki could feel Holly shaking in his arms.

"Genki," she whispered, "what's going on?"

"I don't know."

Red glared directly at the couple. He roared again, fury and anger clear in his voice. Froth fell from his mouth as he jumped over Genki and Holly and ran out the cave's entrance. Everyone watched in morbid fascination and awe. No one had expected that.


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A/N: What's wrong with Red? What the hell is going on? I'm not sure myself! ^.^ Just kidding. Review so you'll find out sooner ok?