Oh my gosh, have I taken so long to update? :o

So sorry for the delay " I have too much work and I don't have as much time as I'd like to write...

I'll make some adjustments and corrections to the previous chapters, particularly regarding Toshi's age, typos, and various mistakes I noticed.

Enjoy! ^^

CHAPTER 14 – You know nothing... or do you?

Crawford Hall was eerily silent, save for the constant pitter patter of rain against the windows. House servants were skittering about quietly, striding up and down the corridors like floating ghosts in a haunted castle.

And haunted, it was. Just not by your usual spirit.

In one of the many en-suites of the manor, a single occupant was staring gloomily at the sad scenery in front of him. The grey skies reflected his own state of mind, with the addition of brewing thunder as his thoughts went wild with worry and guilt. His pale face looked paralysed in an eternal sneer. He was sitting on the edge of his chair, gripping the armrests so hard that his knuckles were white and his hands trembling. His red eyes glared at an invisible point far beyond the dull horizon.

Philae had been gone for a good week now. She had vaporized into nothingness, her drawers and closet still packed with her belongings. They had found no note, and no ransom had been demanded. Nothing indicated an intent of sorts, yet Kai had an inkling as to why she did this to them, and it was driving him mad.

"You're upset."

Understatement of the century, Kai sarcastically thought, although he did not say it out loud. His bite did not affect the man that had come into his room uninvited. Ryuushin Ame was one to respect only his own standards of privacy and decency, and nothing the convalescent man could say would deter him from coming in and meddling. Since Phi's disappearance, Ame had been shadowing him, staying close by everywhere he went, including the times when he was sleeping in his own bed. It was a miracle he still had some space when he went to the bathroom, but for how long? It was apparently believed that if not correctly watched, he would soon vanish like his sister. In this state of sickness. What a joke...

He turned around and glanced the man over briefly. His 'bodyguard' was tall, maybe taller than he by a good few inches, though he did not stand close enough to compare. In his twenties, he already looked older than he, ironically enough. He had a lean figure and an angular face, framed by meticulously stylised charcoal hair. His sharp blue eyes shone in the dim light, unwavering, their colour like the surface of the arctic ocean. He hardly showed emotion at all, and yet he was outrageously perceptive. His genius was all the more useful in the business world.

Being Crawford's protégé, Ryuushin had his own quarters in the mansion, and his room was located directly next to Kai's. He had decided to transfer this protective – stalking – attitude from Phi to Kai, and of course Crawford had blessed him to do so. The siblings' stepfather never said no to his young prodigy, and he most certainly planned his and Philae's union to secure him in the Crawford dynasty. The young woman might not realise it fully yet, as she must have thought her guardian was just being his extravagant self, and that it was a stunt pulled by a spoiled overgrown child. It did not seem to bother Ryuushin either, and he even played his part in pursuing her – albeit very clumsily –, probably because it repelled most of his suitors. Kai liked to make fun of this with his sister.

Without her around, the house felt even more empty, save from Ame's towering presence. He raised an eyebrow and replied, "Tell me why I shouldn't be."

My sister is off to an unknown place while I'm stuck in a cold, lonely mansion, with a stoic man tailing me non stop unless I take a piss, and a mad caretaker blabbering about flowers and weddings and grandchildren of said stoic man and sister, when she's not here to punch him in the gut. Really, what would I need to be upset about?

Ame did not answer for a moment. He strode forward, coming to his side and facing the window. The rain had doubled outside.

"She's doing this for you."

Anger flared in Kai. He knew the other knew things he should not. Had always known. And right now, it was adding coal to his fire. He sent him a heated, pointed glare.

"Really, here I thought she was fed up with your prissy attitude and needed a vacation. Can't say I'd blame her."

A sigh.

"I'm worried, too. Philae has a particular talent to have death at her heels."

Kai snarled.

"Don't you dare. You know nothing."

Yet he knew it was not true. Ryuushin knew what had happened. He knew about them. Kai's fury did not move him in the slightest, and he blinked lazily at nothing in particular while thinking.

"I didn't say death was after her. Just that it's following her. She got involved with powerful beings, for you."

The guilt returned full force, but Kai ignored it. He bolted upright to try and grasp Ryuushin, to get to equal grounds with him, rather than being in his inferior sitting position. He wanted to get answers. He wanted to vent. He wanted...

He immediately regretted it. A wave of dizziness hit him, and his head spun. His knees buckled, he swayed on his feet and fell backwards, and he would have knocked himself out against the chair's wooden back, if not for the pair of hands that caught his shoulders and prevented him from doing so.

"How many times did I tell you not to be so rash."

A million, probably. Those recommendations fell into deaf ears anyway. Kai knew full well what he could do and what he could not, thank you very much. The large amount of pills he had to swallow three times a day said it all, and he could feel his insides churning and trying to shred themselves, every time he opened his eyes in the morning. It did not stop him from trying to ignore what his sick body dictated. Will could overcome everything, could it not.

… He was getting delusional here. But he still did not care.

Ryuushin helped him sit down again, much to his embarrassment. Must he be assisted for everything. Soon he would be accompanied to the loo, just to make sure he would not pass out on it like a wuss. He hated himself, sometimes. Hated the way his body betrayed him.

Nevertheless, it did not justify Philae going away from him only the gods knew where, for his sake. He wanted her to have a normal life, or at least a life to enjoy, not kill herself trying to save him. He was not salvageable. Better accept it and enjoy what he could until the end.

If only he was not that weak.

Once the dizziness stopped, he stared into Ame's impossibly blue eyes. Some tinge of worry pierced the icy surface. It could have been passed for pity, had Kai not known that the man did not show any, ever. For this, at least, he was grateful.

Light-headed, he gripped the other's arm.

"Where is she?," he rasped. "Where to?"

There. Worry was visible, if only slightly.

"I don't know. I'm sorry."

Well, it was worth a try. He slumped back into his chair, his anger now dissipated, leaving only anguish. He knew Philae felt responsible for his state, and wanted to find a solution. He knew it was because she loved him, and he was glad he had her. But now she was away, out of his reach, where he could not protect her.

She was very clever, but still so young. She hoped in his healing, while he had given up a long time ago. He felt selfish for thinking so, but he loved his sister, and his love was selfish in that he would rather die than burden her with him. If she were to live her life, even without him, then all the better.

The hands on his shoulders gave a light squeeze.

"She'll come back. She's a smart girl, like you."

He must have looked utterly miserable, if Ryuushin tried to comfort him. A grim smile lifted the corners of Kai's lips.

"She better be."

In the meantime, he would be trapped with this stoic man, and a mad stepfather. Let her come back soon, when I'm still alive to give her an earful, he silently prayed.

"If ye're trying ta impress, ye failed."

They had forgotten how imposing Infuriae really was. This time summoned in the open, the wyvern could unfurl his scaly body to its fullest, and he was no small lizard. From afar, he looked like a monstrous bear, with a long tail. And smoking nostrils. And huge wings.

Aizawa calculated the approximate size of the creature, and the distance he needed to maintain if he even went berserk. The nearest tree would be fine. Yes, and its shade could be nice. Keeping an eye open, the tired teacher headed to his own little haven, until the three others finished their business. He would be informed of the interesting stuff later anyway. Anubis trotted over to him, hesitant as to how welcome he would be, but when he got no reaction he simply laid down and got comfortable.

Meanwhile, Philae was pouting. All Might was finally out of the hospital, and she had wanted to call for Infuriae to ask him a few questions about the link, as well as show him the new design of her suit she and her teacher created. She was very proud of it.

The suit in itself was made out of a stretchy, highly resistant material that would allow her to grow a tail, wings, or horns, and turn back to normal without tearing and exposing her body parts. Nanotechnology could even have the fabric mending itself back together, in case the resistance got overcome in a very harsh battle. They had chosen a vibrant red colour for her top and trousers, which would hug her form nicely and free her movements, like a second skin. Over this, they had selected a pair of heeled grey boots, a silver breast plate with measuring softwares to try and keep tabs on her physical condition, fingerless grey leather gloves that went up to her elbows, and an alloy silver belt on which she could hang pockets with gadget and stuff she thought she might need. To protect her identity, instead of a mask, she had preferred a face painting with intricate swirls and forms, like those of Celtic tribes, in red and golden tints that would enhance her eyes and her draconic features if she showed any.

They had inspired from the look an Amazoness would have, wild and imposing, giving an air of confidence and power. Hidden acupuncture pressure points were added in the lining of the suit, to reduce stress and help her focus. The belt buckle had extra weight to keep her grounded and give her a point to concentrate on, as it was close to where she felt her link with the dragons.

To Philae, the suit was not too complicated, and at the same time flashy enough for a heroic figure. And as All Might had helped her create it, it could not be anything other than perfect.

Infuriae thought otherwise, though, and his reaction disappointed her immensely.

"What's the problem with it? It's perfect!," she argued irritably.

The wyvern shook his enormous head.

"Nah, it's cute, but it looks like a Barbie outfit. Ya'd look like a doll in it, 'tis no good."

A Barbie outfit? She puffed her cheeks in annoyance. Being given fashion statements from a wyvern did not sound like good advice, and the criticism stung.

"Oh yeah? What would you suggest, then?"

Puffs of smoke went out as he huffed.

"Ya wanna be called 'Dragon Lady', without anythin' close as gold on ya. 'Tis won't do at all. No lady looks like one without gold on 'er."

Toshinori, who had stood silent examining the creature, stepped forward, his brow creased in disbelief.

"Gold does not add to the suit, and it's quite flimsy. It won't protect Philae in battle."

She nodded in agreement.

"Yes. I can see why you suggest it, but it's costly and useless in this case. And red and gold are too blingy."

Infuriae snorted.

"Am not sayin' ya need to be bathed in gold, though it'd be cool. Am sayin' it's essential you wear some gold. A dragon lady wears gold. Not only will it be stylish as hell, but ya'll really appear womanly. Not a doll, but a woman. There a difference 'ere."

Philae rolled her eyes, while Toshinori remained puzzled.

"So, dragons really do care about gold? It's not just a myth."

Both creature and girl looked back at him.

"We like gold for wha' it is," the wyvern informed him, "stylish an' pricy. We could smell it anywhere, 'specially if it's marked. If me lady had gold on her, I could find 'er in a ten mile radius, wit' me eyes closed. Easy."

"This could be useful in case I lose you in the heat of battle, although you're hard to lose," Philae admitted, "but it's still flimsy and costly."

"Could an alloy looking like gold work?," the blonde suggested.

He nearly leapt back when Infuriae growled.

"Ya'll never deceive us wit' cheap crap. 'Tis gold or nothin'. Or jewels. Rubies resonate nicely, an' you can enchant 'em."

"Still expensive, and I don't want to look like a jewellery store window."

"Fine, den just gold."

"No."

They stared at each other hard, engaging in a battle of wills. Toshinori scratched his neck in amusement.

"Why not," he announced at last. "Would a small quantity of gold, say, in the belt buckle, and the rest in golden alloy, be acceptable?"

Philae sent him a dubious glance, but Infuriae's cat-like eyes lit up with satisfaction.

"Da more da better, but just a little is enough, if yarr penny-pinching. Could still be recognisable from miles."

"I can't afford that," his student argued bashfully.

"But the school can," All Might assured her. "It's part of your Quirk adaptation needs. If your dragons need gold to consider you worth their help, then gold you should have, provided you don't need too much. It'll be paid for easily. And then, we can inject some golden hue into the silver parts of your suit, and balance things nicely. I agree it would be quite catchy."

"Finally someone to know deir stuff! Listen to yarr cotton buddy, milady, he's quite da connoisseur."

"Infuriae."

"You prefer toothpick?"

"No. First, he's my teacher, and second, he's not mine. Would you mind some respect?"

"You said 'e was your teacher, so he's yours in a way. Plus, ye have te admit 'e looks like a cotton bud. Thin an' fluffy."

"No."

"Yes."

"Anyway," Toshinori placated, his embarrassment menacing to burst, "it's possible to achieve such a thing. Other than that, would there need to be anything you'd see that needed to be changed?"

Infuriae accepted the change of subject without missing a beat.

"Jewels would still be good. Da more, da better, but 'tis not compulsory. Only better. There lacks a necklace 'round me lady's neck."

"I'm afraid that much luxury would be off limits. However, an alloy necklace with transmitters and intercom in it, and maybe a semi-precious gem for your tastes, could be made. It's true that an adornment could do no harm."

The wyvern huffed.

"Now ye speaking sense."

"What do you think, Philae?," All Might turned to her, smiling as he always did.

She pondered for a moment, begrudgingly agreeing with them. She was not much into trinkets, but this could look nice on her. And she knew dragons coveted those shiny things. She just had not wanted to rob the bank, but if All Might said some were acceptable...

"Okay," she nodded.

"Knew yarr cotton buddy teacher could do ye good!," Infuriae approved in a throaty, rumbling laugh. Suddenly sobering, he added as an afterthought, "Now dat's done, what else ye wanted? Surely ye don't just want fashion advice."

He was blunt, Toshinori had to give him that. And smart. The wyvern turned to him.

"I sensed the debacle wit' me lady. Think every other dragon did. Ye must be worried after da little girl's panic fit." He glanced Aizawa from the corner of his eyes. "Though I can't say it was uncalled for. Dryas only bit 'im good ta defend 'er exit. Defense mechanisms can't be helped."

"Girl?," Philae piped in. "So Dryas is a she? How do you know?"

"I just do. 'Ave seen more younglings than I could recall. I know she's a she."

"Do you think she could have sensed the link weaken?," the former hero continued. "Did she... did she let it weaken on purpose?"

It sounded stupid, but he had to check. Infuriae shook his head.

"Nah, she's too young for dat. Ye need ta focus to sense da link properly. She could sense it close down alright, hence 'er going nuts for fear dat she got trapped in dis world. 'Tis basic survival instinct. But she's too inexperienced te feel it continuously. 'Tis just too hard for younglings."

"How could she feel me, back then?"

"When ye met, ye mean? 'Tis how it is, for us. Da link comes alive wit' primary emotions, dat travel to us and make us aware of ye. Yarr sorrow was very powerful, very raw, like an open wound in our side. Dryas felt it dat way an' wanted ta help, so she pulled, and ye accepted 'er help. She answers when ye call, but she won't impose 'erself like we do."

"So it was fully unintentional."

"Dat's what I said. She likes ye, milady, an' she's feeling ashamed right now. Won't answer da link for a while, but it'll pass. She needs to mature."

They nodded.

"And you?," Toshinori pressed on, "could you sense the link and, say, make sure you'd go away before it consumed Philae completely?"

"'Course I could, though it's never really happened. No need to worry, me bud, yarr little lady won't know another stupid thing like wit' Dryas. We're no killers of our ladies."

He wanted to dwell on the change of possessive adjective as regards Philae, for it was impossible to be insignificant, but the young woman had a more pressing matter.

"Not even Heliosade?," she wanted to know.

The wyvern went silent for a second. When he spoke again, he was more cautious than ever.

"Heliosade's a hard guy to go 'round. I think he doesn't want to harm you, milady, but I'm never too sure with him. It's dishonourable for us to act like scoundrels with a summoner who contracted us, though, and if he's a dragon true to his heart, he'll always respect that ancient law. That's all I can say."

His speaking proper English worried both Toshinori and Philae. Infuriae was visibly weary of the dragon king. With reason, undoubtedly.

"I see. We'll have to make do with this," All Might muttered. "Would you mind if we test and train Philae with you on the other end of the link?"

"Milady?"

"He means that I call for you more often for training, as you're the safest and easiest of my dragons to work with. Like when I faced the villains last time, more or less."

"Aye, dat's what am here for. I've known you since you were in diapers."

"I've not contracted you before I was six."

"Six is but a tiny number."

"I didn't have diapers anymore."

"Figure o' speech."

"You say."

Toshinori chuckled at the two. It was obvious the creature was very fond of his little human lady, and the feeling was mutual. It was cute to watch them argue.

Suddenly a harsh "HEY YOU!" resounded across the field, and a blond-haired, furious teen appeared from the other side of the tracking field, making a bee line for Infuriae. The wyvern eyed him and produced a chuckle-like gurgle sound.

"Oh, goodie. Bombing dude's on the hunt."

Bakugou yelled again, "Hey! Come 'ere, you scaly freak! I'm gonna bash your skull big time!"

Philae looked up warily at the beast.

"Do you want to do something?"

"I can sit on 'is face, but otherwise, nah, think I'll pass. You've kept me here long enough. Better be going."

He was right. Without checking, she could feel her stamina burning quickly, although it was not consumed as rapidly as last time. Infuriae made a tutting sound, his fangs snapping around air.

"If he disrespect ya again, call me for a rematch. I'll flatten 'im good."

She nodded and breathed deeply, trying to ignore the approaching stomping rushing their way. Concentrating on her link, she willed the line between the worlds to tear open. The warp appeared, and the wyvern lost no time in getting through. His head pointed out once the rest of his body had gone to the other side, and Bakugou reached them in a ball of nerves and spitfire, his palms crackling.

"Where'd you think you're fleeing to? Get back and fight, you coward!"

Infuriae growled low and lowered his head, so that his snout faced the teen. Philae felt her body tingle with the strain of magic. Whatever the creature wanted to do, he had to do it quickly.

Toshinori remained close by, ready to tackle young Bakugou out of the way should anything happen. No matter the species, insulting someone of cowardice never promised to end well. Noticing Aizawa in the corner of his eyes, he knew his colleague had decided the same and stayed on high alert.

The wyvern stared down at the furious boy for a split second, frozen in mid-air, before he blew a massive cloud of smoke into his face. Coughing and sputtering, Katsuki fired a string of insults, while his adversary raised his head and pulled back through the portal.

"Sorry kiddo, too much sexual tension 'ere. Next time I'll take y'on."

He disappeared with the portal, and Philae released a breath she did not know she was holding. Both teachers sighed, but Bakugou was bursting with outrage. Turning sharply to the young woman, he closed the distance between them and glowered at her, his red orbs glinting with barely contained wrath.

She gasped at the sudden movement and wanted to back away from the walking bomb in front of her. He caught her by the elbow, gripping it so hard that it would bruise the following morning.

"You," he spat, "you dumb-"

"Bakugou, my boy," Toshinori tried to placate him, "calm down, please."

Said boy stiffened when hearing All Might, as if he just realised the teacher was here. He worked his jaw, mulling over the words. The former hero placed a firm hand on his student's shoulder, willing him to calm down.

"Please," he insisted.

The teen hmphed loudly, releasing Philae with a push and shaking the hand off his shoulder. She regained her balance before she fell, rubbing her sore limb.

"Fine," Bakugou snapped, "you owe me one. Don't ever think about chickening out next time."

He turned to go away, hands in his pockets, but he stopped when Aizawa's dark form blocked his path.

"Bakugou," the dark-haired teacher gruffed lowly to the teen, so that only he could hear, "next time you show that kind of behaviour in front of me, you'll wish I punished you to the lowest pit of hell. Understood?"

His threat was understood all right. Katsuki tched and went on, his head slightly bent.

"Whatever."

Only when he disappeared, did Philae realise that All Might had moved to her side, standing so close that she could feel his warmth.

He did not leave her until she got into her room safely. Standing in front of her door, he let out a small sigh.

"Bakugou sure knows how to hold a grudge," Philae tried to make it sound light, although she felt dreadful inside.

All Might chuckled.

"Sure he is, but he's got a good side, once you get to see it." After a short moment, he added, "And soon, you'll have your own gear to take him on, if you wish."

Right, the suit would be sent to the Support Department first thing the next morning, and she had not been feeling this excited since the day Kai had offered to take her to their favorite amusement park two years ago, when he was still in more or less good shape. She would soon be able to turn into Lady Dragon. She would just have to fit in her shoes.

The former hero must have thought the same thing, for he continued, "You'll need some more specific training, now that we know you can have Infuriae's support. I'll have to make a few calls, but I know a hero that could help you a great deal in exploring your draconic abilities. It'll lift some weight off Aizawa's shoulders, for which he'll be grateful. You'll still have physical training with old me, however."

Philae nodded, now in higher spirits.

"I don't want to get too far back on my studies, now do I. I'll bear with it."

He answered with his trademark smile.

"Good. Seven sharp tomorrow, then."

They exchanged their goodnights, and she flopped on her bed with a happy smile. Anubis leapt next to her, curling to her side with a sigh.

Bakugou be damned. In a few, she would take on his challenge and kick his butt. Infriae would have laughing material for centuries after.