Me again with yet another chapter for you all. This is one of the best chapters in my opinion, but you'll have to read to find out why I think so.

Chapter Seven

"Kenny, do you know what you're doing?" Max asked nervously.

            "Sure I do," Kenny told him absently, flicking through the pages of his thick book. He stopped at a page and grinned. "Here it is. It seems simple enough."

            Max looked over his shoulder and grimaced. "For a situation where minor spirits are involved, but these are the Powers. Do you really think you should be messing with that sort of stuff?"

            Kenny glared at Max, who glared right back. Then they both started in on each other with sayings like, "Why can't you ever support me, just this once?" and "Don't you ever think things through before you do them?"

            Tyson and Rei looked over at the two of them as they continued arguing and grinned to each other. They'd been on the road towards Wrighton for the past few days and were taking a short break by a stream near the forest edge to refill their water supply and hopefully some of their food supplies as well. Right now Kai was a short way away, sitting on a rock overlooking the sparking stream, enjoying the break in the dreary weather with the rest of them.

            "They sound like a married couple," Rei commented to the swordsman, who grinned at this.

            "I hope not, I'd never get Maxie to like me then."

            Rei grinned slyly and Tyson paled, realising what he'd just blurted out. "So, I was right, you do like Max."

            "I never said that," Tyson protested, flushing slightly.

            "Yes you did. I knew it, you're so obvious."

            Tyson glared at him then suddenly stopped. "You don't care?" Rei looked confused. "Most people don't approve of such things."

            Rei shrugged. "You like him, so what? What's not to approve?"

            "Two men, well, Max is still a boy really, enjoying a relationship."

            "Yeah, so?"

            Tyson frowned. "You really don't care?"

            "Should I?"

            "Some people do." Tyson sighed, looking slightly pained. "Where both Max and I come from, it is considered disgusting. My grandfather did not approve, nor did my brother. I broke off an engagement with my betrothed Hilary at their insistence then I began my wandering." Tyson grinned suddenly. "Actually, when I first saw Max I thought I had made a dire mistake then, he made such a handsome laundry lass and I was surprised at my attraction to him, then he turned out to be a boy."

            Rei grinned. "Max would make a very pretty girl.'

            "I like him as he is."

            "You would," Rei smirked. "Among my people it is not gender that counts, just loyalty. When you chose someone to be with, you chose for life. Marriage is taken very seriously among them. Even so, same gender relationships are uncommon, perhaps one couple among thirty."

            "But it is still accepted." Tyson pondered this. "It is truly strange how very different some cultures are. I wonder how Kai's people view such things."

            "Physical relationships among men are encouraged with warriors, it builds strength and character. However it is encouraged that warriors in our tribes marry rarely and those that do marry women." Rei and Tyson looked over at Kai sitting on the rock, looking over at them. "In my clan though, many of the warriors were actually bonded to others. Two men that I grew up with had been bonded since just before my parents' death. They were the ones to look after me most of the time. They were the last couple in my clan to do so. My grandfather discouraged all of those sort of relationships. It's not a society that's not accepting of different ideals, but people in power."

            Tyson stared at him curiously. "Your grandfather? Why was your father head of he clan if your grandfather was still alive?"

            "My mother's father. He was from another clan, married to my grandmother, a daughter of one of the more powerful families in the clan. Because of his position, he became regent for me. He still is regent. I left before I reached my majority."

            Tyson nodded. "You're rather talkative today."

            Kai shrugged. "Must be the weather. It's been driving me mad. But now I think it's time we left." He got up and stretched slightly.

            Tyson frowned. 'Why are you being so nice all of a sudden?"

            "Because it's a good thing that you're trying to get close to Max. It saves me a lot of trouble." Kai stared at Tyson in exasperation. "Certain things have to happen here, dynamics within the group have to be developed. If you all start acting on your instincts, it helps us. Mental preparation helps us for the battle as much as physical."

            "I suppose that makes sense." Tyson still looked a bit stumped. "So you're saying that Max might like me too."

            Kai groaned. "I give up, you explain it to him Rei."

            Rei grinned. "We're grateful that you put in the effort to at least talk to us again Kai, that should be all we need right now." Rei laughed at Kai's glare. "Relax a bit Kai, you don't have to be so serious all the time."

            "I do. I have to stay vigilant."

            Tyson snorted. "Whatever. I'm going to go and stop the argument between the Chief and Maxie. Things look a bit heated." Rei looked over and giggled, even Kai raised an amused eyebrow at the childish display of Max sticking his tongue out as he ran around with Kenny's book while the spectacled boy ran after him fuming.

            "All right Maxie, I think that's enough," Tyson interfered and grabbed the book from Max's hands as the boy ran into him, not seeing where he was going.

            Max blushed. "Sure Tyson."

            Kenny ran up to them and Tyson handed him his book back, much to the magician's delight. "Finally, I can test out the spell."

            "Spell?" Tyson asked curiously. Max snorted.

            "Kenny thinks he can bring forth the Powers, or at least let them communicate with us."

            "Why?" Kai and Rei walked over. "You can hear them just fine, you're just not listening right."

            "I don't hear anything," Tyson muttered. "And I've had Dragoon just as long as you've had Dranzer. You're just trained to hear this sort of stuff. Or maybe you're just a freak."

            Kai glared at him and Kenny spoke up again, halting an argument. "No, I mean I could create a corporeal form for them to take and they could communicate that way."

            Kai frowned, but he was overwhelmed by Tyson and Rei's reactions.

            "That's amazing," Tyson grinned. "Are you seriously telling me you could bring Dragoon out of the blade?"

            "Can you bring Drigger out first?" Rei asked.

            Kenny held up his hands. "No, I'm saying I can bring their spirits forth, not out. They'd still be trapped inside the blade, but they would have more freedom. But only with their chosen guardians. So Rei couldn't call forth Dragoon and Tyson couldn't call out Drigger if they tried."

            Max nodded. "Ah, now I finally understand what you're talking about Kenny. Will it be dangerous?"

            Kenny shook his head. "If the spell fails it will have no effect at all, except possibly on me, but not a large one considering the simplicity of the spell. It's not even a true conjuring spell seeing as the spirits are already here."

            "Is no one even listening to anything I have to say?" Kai asked angrily. "You don't need a spell to do that, you should be able to do it instinctively when you're in trouble!" He threw his hands in the air. "I just had to be stuck with a group of young imbeciles!"

            "I resent that, I'm just as old as you," Tyson glared.

            "You're eighteen same as Rei, Kenny is only sixteen and Max is fifteen, not even at his majority. You're like naive children, worse actually considering I'm only nineteen and I have more knowledge and skills than all of you combined!"

            Tyson glared. "Oh yeah, well if you're so great then show us how to do this."

            "Fine." Kai closed his eyes and drew his sword. He held it before him and concentrated. Suddenly the steel glowed red and there was a loud screech that jarred everyone's ears, but Kai stood still, a faint smile on his face. Suddenly a fiery red bird appeared, about the size of a head. "Dranzer," Kai announced unnecessarily, the phoenix perching on his arm.

            "Whoa," Tyson murmured with wide eyes. He reached out to touch the flaming bird and its beak narrowly missed snapping down on his fingers. He glared. "Not very friendly." He grinned suddenly. "Just like Kai."

            Max didn't dare approach, but stared at Dranzer in wonder. The bird stared right back and Max looked away, slightly unnerved. "She's powerful, even like this." Kenny nodded in agreement, not saying a word to spoil the moment.

            Rei tilted his head and looked at Dranzer with a smile. "She's beautiful." Understanding the compliment, Dranzer flew from Kai and over to Rei, landing gently on his shoulder. Rei laughed in delight and scratched at her under the head. She cooed and leaned into the touch.

            Kai was stunned. Dranzer despised most others. She resented being stuck in her blade but Kai was the only person in the world she could stand to be around. Seeing her like this with Rei, he felt a slight touch of envy. Dranzer was his, Rei had Drigger.

            Sensing his emotions, Dranzer looked over at him and Kai suddenly felt a bit sheepish and ashamed, though he didn't show it. Dranzer was not his, he was hers and he knew that he was her chosen. He needed not be jealous of Rei, even if he did know how to treat a phoenix.

            "Hey," Kai suddenly spoke, glaring at the bird.

            Rei looked confused. "Are you talking to me Kai?"

            "No, to Dranzer." Kai still glared. "She's being snobbish and smart." Dranzer glared right back at him and Kai looked away. "The least you could do is help them with their problem."

            Dranzer bristled and flew back over to Kai and landed on his shoulder, digging her talons in sharply, making Kai wince. "Okay fine, I'll let them use the stupid spell. It's not my fault they're incompetent."

            Not incompetent, Kai thought, his mind influenced slightly by Dranzer. Just different. Max was on the brink of finding out how to release Draciel while Tyson's energies were channeled slightly differently. He was already tapped into Dragoon, but was using him for battle, which Dragoon was only to happy to comply with.

            "Lazy, stupid Power," Kai muttered, his words both his and Dranzer's. "Just like his guardian."

            Tyson glared. "I know you were talking about me then."

            But Kai was already ignoring him, frowning slightly as Dranzer came to a wall. Rei couldn't reach Drigger. The tiger knew he was Earth as did everyone else, but the boy was refusing to reach out, he was resisting his powers. I don't know if I can help him, Kai thought. I have to get him back to his home, he needs reassurance that he really is Earth.

            "Kenny," Kai called out. Everyone looked at him. "You'll need the spell. Dranzer can't help. Use it on Tyson, while I work with Max. He won't need the spell."

            "What about me?" Rei asked.

            "We'll try the spell on you after Tyson, but I want to work it on you."

            "You don't trust me?" Kenny looked hurt.

            "I think a different approach will be needed for Rei. He's not using any of his powers, unlike Max and Tyson. Right now Kenny, I'm stronger than you are. I might be able to work it better."

            "I don't have magic," Tyson said as Kenny walked over to him.

            "Yes you do," Kai argued, sitting himself in front of Max. "When you fight, you sometimes use the momentum and speed of your blade to create attacks from the air. It's slightly embellished in your stories, so you may not even realise that what you're actually doing is channeling your magic through your blade."

            "Wow," Tyson said reverently then he grinned. "Okay Chief, get to your magic working."

            Kai shook his head then concentrated on Max.

            Rei watched the four of them from nearby. Dranzer flew over to him and perched on his knee. He smiled at her and gently stroked her. "I'm glad we can see you all, it makes things a lot easier to deal with then." Dranzer nodded her agreement. "I hope I'll be ale to see Drigger soon. I've heard the legends about the tiger." Rei thought that Dranzer winced and he frowned. "You don't think I'll be able to see him?" Dranzer nodded, assuring him that he would. "What then?" Dranzer couldn't quite explain it, she just looked at Rei then tilted her head and looked away. Rei winced. "I'm going to be disappointed." Dranzer nodded. "Oh well, he's still Drigger." Rei could have sworn that Dranzer rolled her eyes but he ignored it. "I'm sure I'll love him exactly as he is."

            Dranzer hung her head. Why did she even bother? Humans were just so frustratingly enthusiastic at times. Rei glared at her. "Don't be mean or I'll make sue Kai keeps you locked up in your blade." Dranzer gave him an innocent look and Rei laughed at her and ruffled her feathers. "You're just too beautiful to stay mad at." Reis face looked a bit distant and he smiled softly. "Like Kai. Traits must be shared between the Powers and their humans right? You and Kai do act the same."

            Dranzer ruffled her feathers and Rei laughed. "Okay, you're prettier than Kai is, I'll admit that, though he is quite attractive." Dranzer looked at him and Rei blushed. "Stop that! You're worse than any other girl I've met with those sort of thoughts, including Mariah." Rei suddenly paled and Dranzer looked at him worriedly. He smiled at her reassuringly and stroked her feathers again. "Just thinking about my past beautiful, no need to worry." Dranzer bobbed her head and looked away, sensing that Rei needed to be alone with his thoughts.

            Kai frowned, seeing this out of the corner of his eye. He wasn't sure, but he thought that the other incarnates couldn't communicate with Dranzer. He was fairly certain he couldn't communicate with Draciel and Dragoon. But he had with Drigger. How was that possible? This was very puzzling. Kai shook his head and focused his attention on Max.

            "Calm yourself completely," Kai advised Max who was sitting stiffly in front of him. Max nodded and loosened up. "Gather your thoughts and energies onto one single thought. Concentrate on your blade and feel the power inside of it. Find the centre of Draciel's consciousness and call to her."

            Max nodded and laid his hands upon the blade sitting in his lap. A glow appeared around the blade and Kai saw him straining to go through with it. "Concentrate fully. Once you bring her forth she will come at will, but for now believe in your power and bring her forth."

            "What if I'm not powerful enough?" Max whispered. The glow receded a bit.

            "You are," Kai argued. "I brought forth Dranzer when I had no training. She is a part of you, don't fight against her, let Draciel and her power just wash over you and call to her."

            Max nodded and took a deep breath. He placed a calm expression back on his face. Kai was impressed with his fortitude. "Draciel," Max whispered quietly and the blade flashed brightly.

            Kai turned his head away hen looked back as the glow faded. Max was staring at his lap in shock. Yawning widely was a sleepy tortoise curling up.

            "That is quite the sight," Tyson murmured, coming over to see.

            "Is this ...?" Max breathed, gently reaching out a hand to touch the creature. It looked up at him and seemed to smile. Max gushed. "Oh, she's wonderful." He scooped up the tiny tortoise, she was barely as large as Dranzer, and hugged her to his chest. "Draciel," Max grinned. "Thank you Kai."

            Kai shrugged and turned away. "Dragoon's not out."

            Tyson glared. "For you information the spell didn't work. Just look." Tyson pointed at Kenny who was trying to put out a small fire in the grass where he'd been sitting, his clothes slightly scorched. Rei was sitting with Dranzer laughing at him.

            "Max," Kenny called out. "A little help would be appreciated." Max grinned and got up, walking over to his friend. He waved a hand over the fire and it immediately went out. Kenny sighed. "Thanks Max."

            "No problem."

            Kai turned back to Tyson. "Looks like I have to do everything."

            Tyson sat down where Max was. "So why are you doing this Kai?"

            "It will be easier for me to succeed if you're able to access your spirits at will. Now stay quiet and concentrate." Tyson glared at him but nodded and shut up. "Calm yourself as you do before starting your drills. Your mind must be focused, sharp as the blade you wield." Tyson nodded and sat up straighter. "Focus your energy inward, seeking out the centre of your power, the source of your fighting power."

            Tyson frowned. "Kai, this is basic meditation."

            "Do you want Dragoon out of your sword or not?" Kai snapped.

            "Whatever," Tyson muttered.

            "Gather that energy within you and call to your blade as you do in battle. You can feel the force of the dragon within you as you fight, feel him out now."

            Tyson's brow turned moist. It was harder than it sounded. He gasped slightly and Kai looked at him in worry. "Don't let him overwhelm you, stand firm against the gale of his strength. Call to him, reach out and touch him."

            Tyson shuddered and gasped again. "Kai," he called out in a choked voice. "He's too ..." he coughed and seemed to be struggling.

            "Tyson," Kai called out sharply. "Do not fight him, you try to fight and you will die. Let his power slide past you, you're struggling against him, stop it."

            "I can't!"

            "Do it! Dragoon is not your enemy, don't let your fighting power engulf you. Concentrate!" Tyson nodded hesitantly and let out a breath and tried to take a few breaths.

            "Dragoon, please," he begged. Kai winced at this. The dragon may not come to someone who begs. But Tyson's next move stunned Kai. He lowered himself to he ground. "Dragoon," he called again. There was another flash of light and the sword glowed again.

            Tyson felt something touch his neck and he sat up. Curled around his neck and shoulders was a dragon, his face tiny and close to Tyson's own. He cried out and fell backwards from shock. Dragoon flew up before Tyson fell on him and hissed at his guardian. Tyson glared back at him.

            "Hey it's not my fault you had to be so stubbourn," he muttered. Dragoon flew back and nipped at his ear. "Ow! Fine, be like that." Tyson turned away from him and Dragoon turned away as well. Kai watched the display with some pain. It was true then that the Powers and their incarnations shared many traits. Tyson and Dragoon certainly displayed this.

            Tyson glanced over his shoulder to see Dragoon looking over at him. His face softened and he hung his head. "I'm sorry Dragoon, I shouldn't have acted like that." In reply, the dragon flew over to him and curled around Tyson's neck again. He laughed in delight and scratched behind Dragoon's eye ridge. The dragon leaned back lazily into the touch. "Thank you my friend."

            Kai gave them one last disgusted look and turned to Rei. "Your turn."

            Rei approached him carefully, his blade in his hands. "Are you sure about this? I don't want anything to happen to the blade or Drigger in case Lee wants it back." Rei thought and sighed. "Which he probably will."

            Kai looked around. "The blades and Powers are fine." He looked over at Dranzer still perched on Rei's arm. "You can help instead of just sitting there looking pretty." Rei laughed suddenly at something and Dranzer looked amused. Kai wondered what he said that was so funny.

            "Come on Dranzer, I'd like you to help," Rei coaxed and Dranzer flew over to Kai. He looked at her carefully before sitting down with Rei.

            "Give me your hand." Rei frowned but did so. Kai ignored the strange warmth spreading through him with the touch and concentrated. "You're going to be a hard one to help, you haven't used any of your powers, in fact, your mental abilities are focused in the completely opposite direction. You almost seem to be losing your abilities, but that can't happen."

            Rei looked worried. "You can help though?"

            Kai frowned. "Perhaps. Close your eyes." Rei nodded and did so. Kai placed his other hand on top of Rei's clenched fist. "Relax and focus on concentrating. What do you feel?"

            "You." Kai blushed at this and shifted slightly. Rei smirked.

            "Seek your blade." Kai placed his hand over the scimitar. "Can you feel it?"

            "I can touch it, but I can't feel it."

            Kai frowned. "Dranzer, aid me." The phoenix squawked and let him into her mind, her powers washing over him. Kai reached out to Rei and found him closed. He snarled softly. "Rei, let me in."

            "I can't." Rei sounded scared.

            "Rei, please. Let me inside. I can't help you."

            "Kai, I can't, you don't understand, I'm trying, but I can't do anything."

            Kai sighed. "Dranzer, go inside." Dranzer nodded and took control, letting Kai aid her instead of the other way around. But she could not reach out to Rei. She squawked indignantly and pulled away.

            Kai sighed and removed his hands. Rei opened his eyes and looked up sadly. "I'm sorry Kai.'

            "No, you just have a block on your mind. Usually that would a be a good thing, but you've closed your mind off, even to Drigger."

            "Maybe then I'm not suppose to be with him."

            Kai shook his head. "No, you have to be Earth, it just makes no sense otherwise. How could you have possibly done something like that? There's been no sign of someone touching you, so you must have done it yourself. Why?"

            Rei shuddered. "Kai, please, just leave it. You're just trying to make up excuses. I'm not Earth, I told you. Just leave it alone." Rei got up and walked away, leaving his unsheathed blade behind him.

            "Rei," Tyson called out, ready to run after him, but Max caught him and shook his head.

            Kai stared at the blade on the ground in frustration.

            "Damn it!" He slammed a fist on the ground. Dranzer looked at him worriedly and Kai sighed. "I know he's Earth, he had to be. I ... there's just something when I see him." Dranzer nodded. She knew he was as well, but she didn't know what was wrong. Why wouldn't Drigger come out? And why did Rei refuse the honour that had been bestowed upon him?

AN: Hmm, so why does Rei refuse the honour of Drigger? Find out in our next installment. Hope you all liked that one.