Disclaimer: I do not own the Young Wizardry series

Chapter 2: Playing Dreams

Dairine watched Roshaun's face as he looked at the gate that would return him to his home. Over the years she had visited his parents many times to learn from them, she had gotten so familiar with them that she called them mom and dad. 'I don't know how Roshaun or his parents are going to act, and I'm not sure I want to know...' she thought and rolled her eyes.

Roshaun's expression was flickering from emotion to emotion, his mind lost in turmoil. 'I don't have to go back,' he thought, 'my parents would never know and I won't have to be king. I could live a normal life, maybe even here on earth...' he hesitated for a moment longer than gave a heavy sigh and walked through the gate.

Dairine stood there for a moment, not sure if he wanted her to follow. With a shrug she followed him only to arrive into pure chaos. Servants ran around Roshaun trying to get him clothing appropriate to wear in front of the King and Queen, while attempting to put a healing spell on him at the same time. They didn't even try to do that to her, she had had that fight with them already. Instead she waved to Roshaun wandered away, knowing it would take a while for him to get ready.

Not really paying attention to where she was going, Dairine found herself standing on the balcony where Roshaun had stood before his people. Looking down at the empty square she shivered, not liking the memory. She had been there when Roshaun's parents had announced his disappearance, an experience she never wanted to repeat. The crowd had all turned their eyes to her and she could feel the resentment and distrust almost like a wave rolling over her. She had gone home soon after that to be surrounded by people who loved her.

Her shoulders tensed when she heard someone walking up behind her. she turned her head slightly and caught a flash of Roshaun's long blonde her and relaxed a little, looking back across the sun bunt land.

"While It had me all I could remember about my home was that I had abandoned my people, and I if returned how much they would hate me." Roshaun said, eyes starting blankly ahead.

Dairine looked up at him and shook her head gently, causing her bangs to fall into her eyes. "They don't blame you, they blame me for letting you disappear in the first place. After I told your parents that you were alive they decided to tell the people themselves and have me tell them what happened to you. They all just stared, then they started to mutter. I heard some, mostly against me. Later I learned that there was a rumor that I lied and you had been killed." Dairine sighed and turned to lean on the railing surrounding the balcony.

Roshaun turned and gave her a cocky grin, making him look more like the boy he had been. "I'm too stubborn to die, it would take a lot more than what happened to kill me."

Dairine laughed and pulled away from the railing. She walked to the door and turned to say, "Are you coming already?" before walking into the palace.

As they got closer and closer to the thrown room Roshaun seemed to fidget more and more. When he started to pick at his beautiful gold vest Dairine had to grab his hand and place it at his side. He gave her a small glare and walked straight up to the double doors leading to his parents. He hesitated only a second before opening them.

Roshaun's father sate in a simple backless thrown. Behind him stood his wife, her hands resting gently on his shoulders and joy blooming on her face. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion, no one sure of what to do. The feeling was broken when Roshaun's mom rushed towards him and threw her arms around him. She started to cry silently and held him close until Roshaun claimed the inability to breath. She laughed as she pulled away and lead Roshaun to the hand to his father. The King rose, the looks father and son gave each other almost identical. Before he lost his courage Roshaun hugged him, causing the entire family to have a group hug.

Dairine leaned against the doorway, not wanting to intrude on this moment. Seeing them all together made her realize just how much she missed her sister, and even Kit. 'I'll have to go visit them soon...' She thought. Quietly she snuck out and closed the door behind her. slowly she walked back to Roshaun's room to wait for him.

She sad down in the only comfortable looking chair in the room and leaned her head back. Sadness settled over her like a heavy blanket as realization hit her. 'The only excuse I had to stay was to help him get better, but now he's already been healed. What reason do I have to stay? He just returned and now I have to leave him again!' she thought, eyes stinging as tears started to roll down her in angry red rivers.

She quickly ran out of tears and energy, falling asleep in the chair.

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Roshaun strode into his room, ready to tell Dairine all about his warm welcome when he noticed her resting in a chair. A small, rare, genuine smile slowly spread across his face as he tip-toed around her. Quietly he snuck back through the gate, between their homes. He walked up to the main floor and checked the time. '6:30, Mr. Callahan should be here.' he thought.

"Mr. Callahan?" he called, going into the living room.

"Upstairs!" was the reply.

Roshaun went upstairs and found Mr. Callahan in his room surrounded by various papers. Without even looking up he waved Roshaun in. before he said anything Mr. Callahan said, "I think you and Dairine should stay here for a while. You both need time to get used to being around each other again, and I know Dairine would appreciate have you around again."

Roshaun relaxed a little, he had been hoping he could stay here for a while. Going home would be too hard because they would throw him right back into all of his responsibilities. What he needed was to get used to being free again, and all he would at home was trapped.

"We will return tomorrow, Dairine fell asleep waiting for me so I plan on just letting her stay." Roshaun answered. With a nod from Mr. Callahan he left and returned to his own planet.

He quietly reentered his room and looked down at Dairine. Her expression seemed peaceful, but her face had blotches of red, as if she had been crying. Without thinking he brushed his hand across her check and pulled back quickly when he felt how warm she was. 'Why was she crying?' he thought. He just sighed and made a mental note to ask her tomorrow.

With a gentleness rarely seen from him, Roshaun bent over and picked her up. she mumbled something under her breath and snuggled closer, sighing when she was comfortable. Roshaun stood still for a moment, amazed by how right this felt. 'I haven't seen her in so long and she she's changed so much, yet I feel closer to her than ever. Powers, what am I going to do?' he thought, then headed toward his actual bedchamber. He had a lot of problems trying to open the door and not wake her up, but somehow managed. He padded softly in and closed the door behind him with his foot, than lay her on the bed. He pulled the blankets up over her shoulders and stepped back. With a sigh he collapsed into the over stuffed chair and closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep.

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Nita sighed softly. She hadn't had a prophetic dream in a very long time yet here she was, standing in the center of a chess board, watching blurred pieces move into position. Even though she was really a lot older in real life she never seemed to be older than 14 in her dreams. She thought it was because that was the age when her power started developing, but she wasn't sure.

Pushing her thoughts aside, Nita looked to her right and wasn't surprised to see her mom. On her left stood Kit, also not a surprise. He too was younger, making Nita smile slightly at how boyish he looked.

"Nita," her mother whispered, getting her attention. "the powers are moving into position, look." Mrs. Callahan pointed to the chess pieces, all of which stood ready for the first move.

ON one side stood the Powers she was used to working with, as well as some fellow wizards. She could recognize some powers, such as the Champion and the Hesper, but most were new to her. The pawns however, she did know. On one side there were two empty spots, obviously meant for her and Kit, followed by Darryl, Fred, Ronan, Sker'ret, Filif, Dairine, and Roshaun. The last one caused Nita to start. 'I thought he was gone for good! Could Dairine have found him? Thank god I head home soon, we need to all be together.' She thought.

One the other side stood the Lone Power, all of It's pieces were facets if It. Leering faces stared at her, making her shiver. Kit took her hand and looked pointedly at their empty spots. "Whatever is going to happen is going to start when we're in place." he murmured.

Nita nodded, wondering when that would be. "Mom, do you know what's going on?" she asked.

Mrs. Callahan nodded and gazes sadly at the Lone Power's side. "This is It's last ditch attempt to fight the inevitable. It is acting like a child throwing a tantrum, but the threat is still great. It may not have much affect in the whole scheme of things, but it will have a great affect on the here and now. More people will get sick, and crime will become even more common. Wizards will be sent more problems to fix off world, and more enemies to threaten you."

Nita and Kit nodded slowly, showing that they understand. The chess board faded and her mom slowly waved good bye as she disappeared as well.

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The sounds of birds drifted through the window and slowly woke Dairine from her deep sleep. She let out a happy sigh and stretched, unused to being able to wake up at her leisure. She slowly opened her sleep filled eyes and looked up at the unfamiliar ceiling. 'Where am I?' she thought, quickly sitting up. She looked around and realized that she was in Roshaun's room, and he was sitting in a chair next to her.

"Well that doesn't look comfortable..." she muttered as she climbed out of bed.

She walked over to him knelt so she was looking him straight in the face. A small smile played across her lips as she watched him sleep peacefully. She pulled his blanket back up around his shoulders and kissed his forehead before quietly walking out of the bedroom and into the living room. She sat on a couch and picked up a Spot, then started typing.

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End of chapter 2

So what did you think? I know that this is really late, and I'm sorry. I can only blame myself and my stupid writers block. I had the first chapter all planned out, but beyond that was a vague blur. Now I have a more definite idea, so I hope the next chapter won't take as long.

Review Responses:

Kaypgirl: thanks, I like it .

Jinxedpotterfan13: I completely agree that there are way too few DR fics, they are so cute! But since he's a relatively new character I can understand the sadly lacking amount of fics in that area.

Imakeldrygirl: keldry? Like Tamora Pierce, Protector of the small? I hope so, I love that serious, and thanks, I'm really proud of this fic...why I don't know yet!

Sammery: I've become an addict to DR fics as well, and there aren't enough Young Wizardry fics, it's so depressing! Thanks

Well, Dai'stiho!

-Rosepetals turn to doubleedged swords