A/N: Hey everyone! Yay for a new chapter! I have good news and bad news. The good news is that chapter six is already underway. The bad new is that I won't be able to post until the sixteenth. I'll be leaving on a foreign language trip to France and Spain for ten days. I promis to update right when I get back. I also wanted to thank everyone for the great reviews. The support is amazing. Anyway... read, hopefully enjoy, and review!

Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters.

This fic is based off of the book HAWKSONG by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Wind and Thunder Ch. 5

Ceremony

Cam released a sigh as he stepped out onto his balcony. Leaning against the railing, the dragon's mind replayed the events of the day.

/Flashback/

Hunter rose to his feet pulling the dragon with him. "Thank you. This means so…." The thunder prince's eyes grew distant.

Cam frowned. The jaguar's expression and the fact that he was still holding Cam's hand were putting the dragon prince on edge. "Prince Bradley, are you alright?"

Hunter blinked, returning his attention back to the person in front of him. "Sorry Cameron. It's just that reality is finally setting in. When we go through with the formal ceremonies, our lands will officially be at peace. The war is over." As an after thought Hunter smirked and added, "And it's Hunter, not Prince Bradley. If we're gonna get married, the least you can do is call me by my first name."

The dragon prince rolled his eyes. "Well if we're going to play the happy couple, it's Cam, not Cameron and could you please let go of my hand."

"Cam, ay? It suits you" Hunter blushed slightly and released the other man's hand. "and yes, here's your hand."

"Thank you, you're too kind."

"Oh! Is that sarcasm I'm sensing?" Hunter grinned at the wry look on the dragon's face. "It suits you. Much better than that blank face you dragons seem to love to wear."

Cam frowned, "Emotions aren't proper for social settings." staring at the jaguar. "Someone who can't control their emotions is not accepted in our society."

"Seriously?" At the other's nod he added. "It's hard to wrap my mind around. Here, concealing your feelings about something would be considered lying and people cannot trust a leader who would lie to their followers. If you're gonna be part of this court, then you're gonna need to open up a bit."

"And you are going to need to learn to control yourself if you are going to be part of the dragon court." Cam countered.

Hunter smirked. Even if he can't love his soon to be mate, at least the dragon will provide interesting conversation. "Touché."

Cam was growing impatient. "As interesting as this all is, I need to be returning soon or my absence will be noticed."

Hunter nodded and led Cam back through the Den to the gates. "Thank you again for coming."

"There wasn't ever a choice. The war needed to end; this is the only way to stop the slaughter." The jaguar nodded.

"You are to be crowned tomorrow morning, yes? After the ceremony, try to leave the Dragon's Nest and return here. I will present you to my people and we can perform the mating ceremony."

"I will come, but how did you know that the crowning was tomorrow?"

"Well, let's just say I have a few friends."

Cam's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He couldn't believe it. There were dragons in the Nest that were passing information on to the jaguar. "Will I be able to meet these friends?"

"If the peace holds, then I will gladly introduce you."

Cam nodded. "I should go."

Hunter watched as the dragon started to leave and was about to return to the Den, but was hit with the urge to do something else. He grabbed the dark haired prince's arm. "Cam, wait!"

The dragon turned at the sound of his name. His eyes met the icy blue pools of the thunder prince. "What?" He was being drawn in by the expressive eyes, just like the other times. He couldn't move as the jaguar closed the space between them.

Hunter closed the last inch of space between them.

The kiss was gentle, not like two that they shared in the avian palace. It was long and sweet, not violent and commanding like the first when they were alone or quick and mocking like the one the jaguar stole in front of his father and the rangers.

For a moment Cam was able to forget who it was that was kissing him and lose himself in the feeling as their mouths moved together, but as the kiss deepened he felt the small points of Hunter's eye teeth- the jaguar fangs that marked his heritage- and immediately stiffened and pulled away. "I have to go."

Hunter watched as the dragon streaked away.

"So… when were you planning on telling us that you were back?" Cam was forced out of his reverie by the angry voice of a pissed off water dragon. He turned to find Shane, Dustin, and Tori staring, waiting for his answer.

"There was nothing to worry about. I put out the candle, it's no big deal."

Tori was livid. "You were gone all day! Just because you put out the candle, it doesn't mean you can just vanish without telling us what the hell you were doing."

To Cam's relief Dustin intervened before he was forced to answer. "Calm down Tor." He placed his hand on her arm. "I'm sure Cam will tell us what's going on."

Shane stepped up next to Cam at the railing. "You are going to tell us, right?"

The dragon prince released a sigh. He didn't like keeping the full truth from them. They were his soul friends after all, but Cam couldn't reveal the plan yet. Not until he had the full title of king. If he revealed it now, they would try to stop him. "I can't tell you now, but I can say that the war is over. Only a few things remain to be done. I'll need your help. Tomorrow I have to leave again after the ceremony. I need you guys to cover for me."

"You're expecting us to help you without knowing what you're doing?"

"Tori, please. You'll know soon, I promise."

Shane and Dustin nodded and looked at Tori, who reluctantly agreed as well. "Fine, we'll cover for you, but you better tell us soon." Having said her share, Tori turned and left the room.

"Dude, you know you can trust us right?"

"Of course I know that Dustin." He watched as the earth dragon exited and Shane followed close behind.

"Good night Cam."

" Night guys….and Shane."

"Yeah?"

"Thanks"

"No problem Cam. Get some sleep. Tomorrow's gonna be a long day."

'

King Watanabe placed the silver dragon medallion around his son's neck. The dragon's eye- the emerald used to signify the dragon ninja ruler- hung at the hollow of Cam's throat.

"As ruler it will be your duty to provide for our people, to put their needs before your own. Do you swear by the ancient spirits to do so?"

Cam took a deep breathe. 'This is it.' "By the souls of all those that came before, I so swear. The lives and well being of the people will always be held above my own."

The former dragon king bowed. "May you lead us to a better future."

Kanoi Watanabe stepped back as Tori, Dustin, Shane, and the Dragon's Claw stepped forward. Shane walked up and kneeled before Cam. "By tooth and claw I pledge to protect you. You have my fire."

Shane moved to the side as one by one each member of the Dragon's Claw pledged to protect him with their life. Not only that, they pledged their fire- their dragon spirits- to him. Cam could only hope that he would live up to the trust that they had in him to pledge their fire to him.

"Relax dragon, the thunder ninjas won't bite." Cam looked up at the amused panther standing in front of him. Blake moved closer and placed a hand on Cam's shoulder.

"But seriously, try to loosen up. Everything is going to be fine."

"Sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about, just don't close yourself off."

"What do you mean?"

"The ninjas believe that their leader is presenting the love of his life to them. They will be wary when they see that his mate is a dragon, but if you lock away your emotions and show only a blank face they will not support the marriage. It is considered wrong for a ruler to marry for any reason other than love. You must play the part or this will not work. Can you do this?"

"I will do my best."

Blake smiled. "Good."

"You ready?" Blake and Cam looked up as Hunter entered the room. Cam had to admit that the jaguar looked good in the leather leggings and crimson silk tunic.

Blake moved toward the door. "I'll go check to make sure everyone has gathered."

Hunter glanced over at the silent dragon who had his back to the jaguar. The tight black pants hugged the man's body nicely and the emerald tunic was the perfect color for him. The jaguar's gaze moved down Cam's back. The upper half was exposed in the normal style of dragon clothing, to ensure free movement of wings in demi-form.

From his friends in the dragon court, Hunter had heard about Cam's apparent lack of dragon abilities. Hunter's eyes fell upon a tattoo half exposed on the dragon's back. He wondered what had happened to cause the dragon to loose his powers.

The dragon's silence was a little unnerving. "Cam, are you alright? Not having second thoughts are you?"

Cam turned and met Hunter's gaze with his own. "Of course not. I was just thinking."

"Want to share?"

The dragon never had the chance to answer. At that moment, Blake reentered the room. "Everything's ready."

Hunter hugged his brother. "Thanks Blake."

"No prob." Blake exited once again to take his place in the amphitheater that served as the Den's meeting place.

"Ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be."

"Fellow thunder ninjas, may I present to you my mate—"

Cam heard his cue and, taking a deep breath, stepped into the amphitheater next to Hunter.

"—Cameron Watanabe." Hunter wrapped his arm possessively around the dragon's waist.

Immediately following the announcement, the hall erupted with the voices of people all trying to give their opinion at the same time.

"Sire, Hunter, he's a dragon." One tiger's voice rose above the others. "How can you intend to take him as your mate?"

Hunter scowled at the man. "Are you questioning my decision Dominic?"

Cam bit back his apprehension and decided to play the shy role. Blushing he put his hand on Hunter's cheek and spoke in a soft tone. "Please, it's understandable. Don't be angry with him."

The blonde nuzzled the hand on his cheek and pulled Cam closer. "You're right." Turning back to the tiger he added, "You sure you're not just jealous that I found myself a gorgeous dragon, Dominic?"

Everyone in the hall laughed- including Dominic- but quickly grew silent as the former king Amino stepped forward with a small ivory box in his hands.

Approaching Hunter and Cam, he opened the box revealing two silver armlets. Both with intricate geometric designs carved into them and a diamond set in middle.

"Hunter Bradley, take this as a sign of your commitment and place it on the arm of your intended mate."

The jaguar picked up the armlet and placed it on Cam's left bicep. "Cameron Watanabe, wear this as a sign of my commitment to you. Will you accept me as your mate?"

Cam took the second armlet and placed it on Hunter's left bicep. "Hunter Bradley, I accept you as my mate. Wear this as a sign of my commitment to you."

Amino closed the box and bowed. "Your union has my blessing. May your love last the trials of time and bring peace between our two lands." The former thunder king stepped down as the hall filled with applause.

Hunter pulled Cam close and tilted the slightly shorter man's head up towards his. "May I?" he whispered.

In place of an answer, Cam closed the space between their faces. Forcing himself to not stiffen in panic, he deepened the kiss.

Hunter slowly drew back, taking Cam by the hand and leading him back towards the door they had entered from. "Come, it's too late to travel back to the Nest. You can stay here for the night."

Now that they were alone in the bedroom, Cam aloud himself to feel a little bit of panic at the sight of the single large bed in the center of the room. His attention returned to the blonde before him, who was taking clothes out of a trunk.

"Here," he said handing the dragon a pair of light, un-dyed linen pants. "these should be comfortable to sleep in." Catching sight of the way that Cam kept glancing back to the bed, Hunter smirked. "Don't worry. I don't plan on stealing your virtue." The jaguar pulled out his own pair of linen pants and started changing. "As newlyweds, it is expected that we spend our wedding night together. Although we must sleep together, it will come to nothing else. I promise."

Placated, Cam changed into the pants handed to him and apprehensively walked over to the bed and crawled under the blankets keeping his back to the jaguar that was getting in on the other side.

Hunter settled in next to Cam, understanding the dragon's coldness to him. They had just pledged their eternal love to each other. Love that they didn't feel.

Hunter wasn't exactly looking forward to not having a loving companion to share his bed with.

"Sleep well."

Hunter blinked in surprise at the sudden words from the dragon, but his surprise was soon replaced by a slight warmth. Maybe being married to the Cam wouldn't be so bad. "Sleep well Cam."

TBC

The second ceremony will be in the next chapter. Hope you enjoyed, please read and review!