Ruwalk knocked on the wooden door. "'F-feegi, you there?" He said when there was no answer. No one seemed to be in the room and Ruwalk frowned. He heard footsteps and sawKaistern and Alfeegi approaching, obviously arguing about something. Ruwalk panicked and looked around, then shot into Alfeegi's room. As his heart pounded in his chest he put his ear to the door and listened.

"There's no time for a New Years' Party! There's even more work to finish than we did during Christmas!" Alfeegi yelled. "But the Christmas Party was a disaster, and you know it!" Kaistern's yell followed. "Urk..." Alfeegi gulped and took a minute to think of something to say. "Come on, I'm sure Lord Lykouleon would agree." Their voices got closer to where Ruwalk was standing. "Only 'cause he doesn't want to work!" Ruwalk felt the doorknob turn. "But that's how he always is. Besides, YOU could get a break, too. And Ruwalk might need some cheering up." He panicked again and jumped under the bed. The door opened. "Well, I guess we could all use a break... Especially Ruwalk... Fine, I'll tell the Dragon Lord." Alfeegi replied. "No, I will. You need to rest. You kinda look pale." Kaistern smiled and left. As Ruwalk watched from under the bed, Alfeegi sighed and sank into his chair. "Maybe I DO need to rest..." He said as he massaged his shoulders.Aparty, huh?Ruwalk thought to himself, grinning.

Ruwalk watched for hours and finally Alfeegi fell asleep. When he did, Ruwalk crawled out and found a piece of paper and pen. I need to talk to you. -Ruwalk- He folded it carefully and put it in front of Alfeegi, on the desk. He opened the door quietly and left.


Cheerings and the popping of the corks could be heard from the Great Hall. The Castle was empty for everyone in the Dragon Clan was attending the "End of the Year" Party. Not even a patrollng guard was in sight.

There were candles lit everywhere. Champagne was flying everywhere with the corks popping open. There was a huge cake in the middle of the room that Cernozura slaved over all day, with little figures of the five dual dragons (Light, Fire, Earth, Water, Wind) sitting on top. Soon all the food on the buffet table were gone, mostly thanks to Thatz, and there were merely minutes till midnight. Lykouleon gathered up everyone's attention and gave a short speech, and turned to count down. "10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5..." Alfeegi looked around. Ruwalk was no where to be seen, and he hasn't been around for the party. At least Alfeegi didn't see him at all. "3... 2... 1!" Everyone yelled "Happy New Year" around, and Lykouleon grabbed Raseleane and kissed her. The others (mostly all the maids and Dragon Fighters) also got together and shared a kiss as the lights dimmed. The rest of the clan cheered.

Alfeegi sighed and turned around awkwardly. He jumped when he saw Ruwalk standing right there. "Ruwalk, where were you? You left this note at..." Alfeegi trailed off as he saw the Yellow Officer get closer to him. "What are you doing?" He asked, backing off. Ruwalk grabbed his wrist. "Let go!" Alfeegi pushed him off as Ruwalk tried to give him another forced kiss. "Damn it, stop!" Alfeegi finally snapped... again, and pulled his arm away. He then quieted his voice as he saw everyone around them. "I'm sorry, Ruwalk," He whispered. "But I have Reema, and I already told you that." Ruwalk blinked, provoking the White Officer to get frustrated. "Look, Ruwalk, you should find someone your own... er..." Ruwalk blinked again. "But I like YOU." He said matter-of-factly. "You're not gonna give up, are you?" Ruwalk shook his head. Alfeegi groaned. "We are best friends. Nothing more. Clear?" Ruwalk blinked once more.

The lights were getting brighter. Alfeegi looked around. People were gathering around the cake. "Look, I have to go talk to Thatz. Stay here for a minute." He said and left Ruwalk standing. "Thatz! Don't eat it yet!" Ruwalk could hear Alfeegi yelling into the crowd. He sighed and sat down. Lykouleon started his speech once more, and at the end, started to cut the cake and hand it out to everyone. Ruwalk smiled as Thatz grinned from ear to ear as he got his plate. Best friends... Alfeegi's words rang in his head among the soft buzz of the crowd. He was nodding off to sleep when Alfeegi grabbed his arm and pulled him up. "I need to talk to you. Er... Outside." He added when Rath came over with a fork in his mouth, curious.


"Erm... I don't know how to put this..." Alfeegi started as he pulled Ruwalk into his room. Ruwalk sat down on the bed. "Um... I guess I should say sorry, first of all. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. I'm sorry." Ruwalk stared at him blankly, and Alfeegi could catch a glimpse of sadness in his eyes. He cleared his throat and started again. "And uh... You said you wanted to talk to me. I have something I have to discuss with you, as well." He then flicked his finger behind Ruwalk, and Reema appeared. Ruwalk blinked. "You... said you could see her?" Alfeegi asked. Ruwalk nodded slowly, soaking in his words, trying to understand them. Alfeegi sighed and combed his fingers through his hair. "Reema... Er... What do we do...?" He said, looking up at the ceiling with one hand on his waist and the other over his eyes. "I suggest we tell him what's going on, first. And... then... We should talk to the Dragon Lord. He should know what to do." She said calmly.

Alfeegi knelt down so that he was at Ruwalk's eye level. "Well..." He said, beginningthe painful story of death. Ruwalk had no change in his expression whatsoever. When he finished, Ruwalk was still staring into his eyes serenly. This made Alfeegi uneasy, making him look away. "I'm sorry, but we both... are going to be..." Ruwalk put his finger to Alfeegi's mouth. "Ruwalk?" Alfeegi looked at him and caught tears streaming down his face. "I don't care. I just wanna be with you... but... that girl... Reema... You're..." He looked down. "In love with her." Alfeegi finished the sentence for him and looked at Reema. Reema also looked sad, and felt helpless. "Let's go talk to Lord Lykouleon." The White Officer helped the Yellow Officer up and wiped his cheeks with a handkerchief. "He'll know what to do. I hope." He smiled and held both Ruwalk's and Reema's hand, and walked off to the Great Hall, where the Dragon Clan was feasting on the delicious cake without realizing Ruwalk and Alfeegi's absence.