Chapter 7

Disclaimer: I do not own the Star Ocean characters.

--Words like this'-- = Spells

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Rena and Dias have improved so much in the last four years. Claude thought, as the guards, escorted him and Celine back to the waiting room. Will we be able to beat them?'

A tapping on his shoulder snapped him out of his thoughts. He looked up to see Celine looking down at him with a concern look on her face. When did I sit down?' Claude thought to himself.

Claude, what are you thinking so hard about? Celine asked as she sat next to him.

I was thinking about how much those two have improved in the last four years And if Claude trailed off.

IF that is the full extent of their abilities or are they holding back. A female voice finished for him out of thin air.

As a thick mist filled the room, Claude drew his sword and got into fighting stance, while Celine started chanting a spell.

a voice boomed as an apparition of a Chinese dragon formed in the mist.

A look of shock crossed over the Heraldry mages face and she clutched her hands around her throat. She couldn't make a sound.

Claude yelled then stepped in front of her with his sword ready.

Another dragon formed in the mist along with a kitsune with four tails.

Put that away. It's not going to do you any good. Another female voice said. It seemed to come from the kitsune.

The next voice came from the dragon. The kind of dragon Claude had seen in fantasy books, when he was younger. We aren't here to hurt you. Just want to talk.

The Chinese dragon spoke up. Maybe we should switch into less. intimidating forms. It said this as it shrunk to the size of a 14-year-old girl with light blue hair. That might help a bit Asurahime-sama and Callisto-sama.

The other dragon followed suit and changed into a women with long, very light blue, almost white hair wearing a green cloak with a gold dragon broach as a clasp.

I thought I told you to call me just Callisto. There is no need for the sama part. The kitsune said, and then laid down. Besides, I don't have enough power. I'm too tired, Chibi.

Chibi knelt down next Callisto and put her hand on her head. Drain some of my energy so you can at least change back the form you were in earlier. And don't worry about taking energy away from me either. I may be a dragon but I am still 14. All I need is sugar to get my energy back.

Asurahime knelt on the other side of the kitsune. Take some of mine too. Since you are going to worry about it anyway.

Callisto shook her head. Uh-uh. If he comes then you will need all your energy to hold him off, to get out of here safely. They're not really ready yet, and we might need the rest of their group help too.

When who comes? Claude asked as he put away his sword, but he didn't relax completely.

Asurahime lifted the tired fox demon in her arms. His name is Chronos. He is a demon of Space and Time.

Also known as Jinkuu. Chibi added. That is another form of him. That one is actually a pretty nice guy, when they are separate, or when he is in control.

Celine tried saying something but couldn't so she just gestured with her hands.

Chibi smiled apologetically and went over to Celine. "Oh yeah, I forgot."

She reached up and touched the sorceress' throat.

"--'Dispel'--"

Celine rubbed her throat. "Thanks."

She then looked at the other dragon holding the kitsune. "What did you mean by when he is in control?"

Asurahime shook her head. "I thinks it is best to wait till after the tournament to tell you the rest. It's better if all of you are together. Plus we can go somewhere where I know we can't be eavesdropped on."

Chibi walked up to Asurahime and peered at Callisto, who was asleep. Chibi covered the kitsunes ears.

"Shouldn't we take her to Yuki?"

"She'll pitch a fit. I said the same thing earlier. She said she won't go until we are finished here. Who knows how long that will take."

"Carol?"

"She's busy. She has to watch the gateway anyway. Rodger and his brother can't do it by themselves. No matter how much equipment those two have. Anyway, that computer is Carol's baby. She'll murder them if they mess something up."

"Bring Yuki here, then?" Chibi asked. "Since she won't go to him. I really don't see why not. He is a hottie."

Asurahime laughed. "Chibi."

"Well, he is."

"Yes, he is." Asurahime sighed and got a dreamy far-away look in her eyes. "I prefer Tetsuya much more though."

Chibi rolled her eyes. "You would." She turned toward the humans watching them with curious expressions. "You two better fight your best out there. This Tournament is meaningless if you don't."

They both nodded.

"Why do you have her ears covered?" Celine asked.

"She'll get mad at us, if she finds out Yuki is coming." Asurahime said with a half amused smile. "Even though. I am sure she is always happy to see him, even if she won't admit it. She is really stubborn."

Claude was unsure how to ask his question and scratched the back of his head. "Well,... um.. What is he?"

Chibi laughed at his discomfort. "He is another kitsune, but instead of four tails, like Callisto, he has eight."

"We should be going now, your turn is about to begin." Asurahime said as her and the others started fading out.

"Wait, you didn't tell us who you are!" Claude yelled, he took a step toward them as he watched the completely disappear.

"You already know. Ururun and Gyroro don't know how to keep their mouths shut. They are some of the biggest gossips in the dragon world." A voice from thin air replied.

Celine laughed. "We will do our best. We won't disappoint you."

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Meanwhile in the other waiting room
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Dias was stretching, while Rena was sitting down thinking.

"What's wrong Rena?" Dias asked.

"You know that, most of the teams for the Tournament dropped out right after our match." Rena said while watching Dias' back while he stretched with an appreciative look.

"Yes, the weaklings." Dias muttered. "Why?"

"Our next opponent."

Dias stared at Rena for a bit. "It's them?"

The Nedian nodded her head and stood up.

The swordsman stopped stretching and walked over to her and enveloped her in his embrace. "Are you okay with that?"

"Yes." Rena said as she laid her head against his chest. "It's just going to be a bit... awkward for me to fight against the people I fought alongside with."

He said nothing to this and just continued to hold her. They both stayed like that until a light mist filled the room and they heard a voice.

"Awwww. How sweet." A male voice said. "I wish Callisto-chan would let me do that."

They both looked around then noticed a large silvery-blue fox with eight tails. It had emerald green eyes, which were full of amusement and more then a bit of longing.

"Who are you?" Rena asked even thought she had a pretty good idea.

"You can call me Yuki." It said as it transformed into it's human form.

Rena's mouth dropped open slightly when he did this. He was just a bit taller then Dias, with long silver-blue hair tied in a ponytail at the base of his neck. He still had the kitsune ears, which were twitching slightly, as if he was listening for someone. He had a body of a swordsman, which looked lean and hard, with well defined muscles. He wore Chinese style clothing with loose fitting black pants and a sleeveless Chinese shirt which was also black with gold trim. The flaps of the shirt hung just a bit above his feet, which were adorned with black slippers. His skin was a slightly tanned color.

She stopped staring when Dias nudged her and she heard Yuki chuckle.

She gave Dias a sly sidewise look. "What? Didn't you do the same thing when you saw Callisto-chan, Asura-chan, AND Chisato-chan change into their other forms?"

The azure-haired swordsman had the decency to blush and look somewhere else.

Yuki started laughing.

"I'm not here to cause trouble." Yuki said with a smile. "Not for you anyway. I was looking for Callisto."

"Are you here to take care of her?" Rena asked relieved.

The kitsune frowned. "What do you mean 'take care of her'? I came here to mess with her because I haven't got to do it in a few days. Plus, keep her out of trouble."

"She looked a bit sick." Dias replied as he let go of an reluctant, Rena. "I heard Asurahime, telling her she should eat."

"She hasn't been eating." Yuki said while narrowing his eyes to green slits.

"She eats all the time though with us." Rena added.

Yuki sighed and leaned up against the wall. "Not that kind of eat. Kitsunes need to drain energy from time to time from the elements. More so if you take other forms and use spells as much as she does. If we don't we eventually get weak and tired, then eventually die."

"She's going to DIE?!" The Nedian and swordsman both shouted in shock.

"No, it takes a long while. You saw her earlier correct? What form was she in?"

"Like you, but she was wearing this long coat." Dias answered.

"Where is she?"

"Last time I saw her she was with Asurahime in the Coliseum, siting with Grandpa Gamgee and the others."

"She's not there anymore. That was the first place I looked." Yuki scratched his head and looked apologetic. "I didn't mean to scare the old man like that though. Tell him I apologize if you see him before I do."

Rena laughed. "Okay." She then looked thoughtful. "Where would she be then?"

"Probably messing with that other blonde guy...um.... Claude." Yuki said. "Where are you staying at? She could be there."

"Grandpa Gamgee's house. Or she might be at the Inn room twelve." Rena said. "Most likely with Asura-chan though."

"Thanks." Yuki said as he started walking out the door. "Oh yeah, good luck on the Tournament. Better yet, kick their ass. That Claude guy annoys me for some reason." After saying that he left.

Dias let out a small chuckle with silent agreement about the 'annoy part'.

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Author's note:

Finally Chapter 7!! ^____^ Please Review I would like to know who is reading this. Review's keep me going and some inspire me in certain chapters on what to write. I have a website for this fic, but I have to remake it, because I accidentally deleted it and didn't notice till waaaaaaaaaaay later ^.^;;; . If any of you have a Rena and Dias fic, send it to me and I'll put it on the Rena and Dias shrine site. If anyone has a better sounding name for the site (any language as long you tell me what it means and nothing perverted), could you send it to me and I'll draw and color you a Rena and Dias pic for the best one. Send them to my e-mail callistoyouko@hotmail.com with the subject of fanfic submission or name for site.

Is this chap long enough for you Rune? ^__^ ~Reese