Pengu sighed as he took off from Heart. As he intended, he relayed about what had transpired within the dragon settlement, and Raya had been most cooperative in regards to what had happened in Heart that one night. As Pengu soared, using the magic around him to propel himself forward, he couldn't help but find the similarities between the two events. They seemed so well connected to be a coincidence.

Of course, this would require more reading on his part.

It was times such as this that he was grateful for being a "bookworm" as Jagan had called him several times in their youth.

XXX

"Alright, again!" Sisu called.

Jarek focused once more and felt a chill run down his body. That was how he knew his invisibility powers had activated. Looking down at himself he could see he had vanished, save for his feet.

Although he couldn't be seen, Jarek was glowering at the results.

"Come on Skippy try again," Sisu urged.

Jarek "released", at least that was how he could escribe when he turned off his power.

"We've been at this for half an hour," Jarek griped.

"Well these things take time," Said Sisu.

Jarek sighed and shook his head, "How about a break?" Jarek asked.

Sisu pushed her head forward slightly, her expression prodding Jarek to continue with her furrowed brow, or at least where the brow would be on a dragon, but relaxing as she considered the options.

"Okay, you have a point," Sisu agreed, "Give it a rest."

Jarek inwardly felt himself relax. It was good to take a small breather before a heavy task.

"This is hopeless," Jarek sighed.

"Look on the bright side Skippy! You're about ninety-five percent there!"

"Don't you think that's too large of a number?" Jarek asked.

"Trust me you earned that percentage," Sisu reasoned.

Jarek couldn't deny that felt good, yet at the same time, he felt it a little undeserving. All he did know was that he had worked up an appetite.

"Is it normal for a dragon to feel hungry after doing this?" Jarek asked.

"Only young ones learning their magic, I think it burns calories," Said Sisu, "Kind of different for you considering you aren't a hatchling, but you are a late bloomer!"

Try as he might, Jarek couldn't help but smile at the small jest the dragoness had made. Frankly, Sisu was different from the stories he had heard growing up. Then again, no one had ever met Sisu back then, only guessing and assuming her personality based on her deeds. But that didn't mean Sisu wasn't great. After all, she was taking the time to teach him how to adjust to his new body. He had to be grateful for that. That and she wasn't that bad looking, for a dragon that is.

"Well, I guess you are right about the calorie-burning because I am starved!" Jarek boasted.

"Not so fast Skippy, we're stopping for a little snack break, but we're not having a full meal, I've seen how you eat," Sisu said.

"Only with sweets," Jarek corrected.

Reaching up, Sisu plucked something down, and it was here that Jarek noticed they were near a tree, one bearing fruit.

"Which is why you're eating the good kind of sweet," Sisu plucked two pieces of fruit, one for Jarek, and one for her, "Try it."

Jarek took the fruit and curiously he sniffed it, before eating it, "Not bad," he said between mouthfuls.

Sisu likewise did the same, "See? There are other things besides sugar."

"Hey, I eat more than sugar!" Jarek retorted, "As a matter, of fact, I happen to love fruit!"

"Not as much as sweets though right?" Sisu asked.

Not being able to deny it any further, Jarek admitted, "You got me there."

Sisu chuckled as she ate, "Have to admit," She said as she swallowed, you got some charm. So you got a lady back home as well?"

"Me? You mean a girlfriend right? No, no girlfriend," Jarek admitted.

"Wow, kind of expected you to lie about it, I don't know what you look like as a human, but I'm guessing you're fairly good-looking?" Sisu asked.

Jarek looked at Sisu curiously, "Kind of personal don't you think?"

Sisu's eyes widened upon realizing what she said, and a choking sound gathered in her throat, "Well...I was just making conversation!" She defended.

Jarek chuckled while shaking his head, "Whatever you say, but to answer your question, no, I don't have a girl waiting for me."

Sisu tilted her head whilst her eyes widened, "Really? Huh, could have figured you were the kind of guy to have a girlfriend or something."

"Nope," Jarek replied.

Sisu was at a loss for words. The way Jarek carried himself, she had just assumed he was some kind of ladies man, the kind who left a trail of broken hearts. It appeared maybe Pranee had a chance after all. That is if Jarek fancied her. Honestly, she felt her sister was trying too hard, mainly out of a fear of dying single and childless. Sisu supposed that some women wanted that, to be a wife and mother. Sisu wasn't opposed to the idea herself, so long as the right guy came along. But what guy would go for her? She asked herself that once.

"Anyway, enough about that, let's just go unwind a bit?" Sisu suggested.

Jarek shrugged, "Lead the way, Ms. Datu."

Jarek and Sisu did just that, taking the moment to relax before they went back to practicing. Jarek practiced till he felt himself strain, but try as he might, he couldn't complete the invisibility. So seeing that was going nowhere, Jarek and Sisu resumed flying. Jarek stood there, staring up at the slowly forming clouds.

"Alright Skippy, just concentrate, you got this!" Sisu encouraged.

Jarek closed his eyes momentarily and focused upon what Sisu had told him in the past, "I got this," He said to himself, hoping to at least encourage himself.

Though it was true he wasn't exactly thrilled about becoming a dragon, he wanted to at least check flying off of his list.

The graying sky continued to form into an overcast, definite sign of a coming storm. Jarek knew there was no time like the present. He gained a running start, hoping the momentum would gain him some sort of advantage. Then with a mighty leap, he felt his paw hit the magic, forming it into a platform. Sisu had told him rain would make things easier, so for now, he was thankful for the coming storm. He reached up again, and again before he was taken to the air. He didn't let fear drop him down. He just kept going until at last he felt the breach. He was flying yet he didn't fall.

"Skippy! You're doing it!" Sisu cheered below.

Jarek couldn't believe his eyes. He turned in the air, did a flip, and found himself floating, "I'm...I'm flying? He asked himself. But there was no doubt, "I'm flying!"

Jarek created more platforms as he continued to rise.

"Woah! Not too high!" Sisu cautioned.

Jarek descended, feeling the air as the ground rushed closer to him. He couldn't help but do one final trick as he made his landing. Just before he reached the ground, he did a flip and landed with a skid upon the ground.

Sisu watched the scene with wide eyes, "Skippy, you did it!"

Jarek couldn't believe his eyes himself, but he felt his heart swell, "I did!" So excited was he that he jumped a few feet in the air, "I flew! I flew!"

Suddenly Jarek felt a slap upon his back, "Proud of you Skippy!"

Jarek grinned further at the dragoness's words, "I had a good teacher."

"Well, we better go get a special meal going!" Sisu declared, "And I think a special dessert is in order as well!"

Jarek's mouth watered at the mention of dessert. Although he and Sisu had talked about balancing proper meals with sweets, he felt his victory was worth a little break from it.

Time passed and soon smells wafted from the Datu home. Jarek was inside salivating at the meal being prepared, while Sisu waited outside. The dragoness breathed the air, knowing full well rain was on the way. Though it was taking its sweet time, however. She had heard Pengu had returned from whatever business he was on, but oddly he didn't greet announce his arrival to his siblings.

"Sisu!"

Speak of the devil.

"Pengu!" Sisu called to her green-furred brother, "Glad you finally got away from your books, everyone's got a special dinner in the works and-"

"Sisu I need to talk to you."

Suddenly Sisu noted the urgency on her brother's face. This wasn't a simple greeting, that much she could tell.

"Pengu, is everything alright?" Sisu asked.

The expression that formed upon the elder dragon's face was one of hesitance, but he felt he had to do it.

"It's about Jarek."

A/N: I think we are nearly reaching the end.