Disclaimer: Jeez, how long am I gonna have to do these? All characters belong to their creators, which means I don't own any of them…

Talkie Thing: Ok, another chapter up! And thanks to all you reviewers! I luv the feedback! If you like Johan or think you're good at writing about him, check out the contest on my profile! Enjoy the story!

Chapter Three

Rain

A world of smoke and fire. The scent of brimstone thick in the air and the sight of bones bleached by the sun. Darkness creeping upon the land, screams echoing through the air. Fallen soldiers, slain demons…a shooting star streaking across the sky…the shadow of a dragon?

Jim jerked awake, feeling raindrops collecting on him, falling from the storm clouds above. What a nightmare! "Jim-san, are you okay?" Johan was beside him.

"How long-"the castle servant gasped. "Only a few minutes," the blunette answered, his turquoise eyes concerned, "That man is gone, now. Can you stand?" Jim nodded and got to his feet, putting a hand to his bandaged eye, it had ceased hurting, and he puzzled over what had happened. Johan helped him to the tool shed, where a green-scaled creature rumbled in greeting.

"Karen!" Jim smiled and patted the crocodile on the head fondly. He had found Karen years ago and rescued her from a trap. Since then, they'd been inseparable friends. Johan had offered to take care of her, since Jim wasn't allowed pets in the castle, and now they were all great pals.

"Oh yeah," Jim held out the roll to Johan, "I grabbed this for you, like I said."

Johan smiled and then saw the back of Jim's hand, "Jim-san! You're burnt!"

As he rummaged around for some ointment Jim explained, "Well, the head cook got me with a stirring spoon, guess it was still hot." Johan gently put some healing plants on the burn and took the roll. Jim watched him, and felt his stomach rumble, he hadn't gotten the chance to eat, either. Johan laughed at this, and split the roll in two, handing half to his friend. Karen stared at them both with her gleaming yellow eyes. Jim broke off a piece of his roll and gave it to her, "Here you are, Karen."

Even as the three friends were inside the tool shed, nice and dry, Judai stood on his balcony, feeling the rain soak him completely. Sho was inside the prince's room, hanging up the brunette's cape, "Aniki, you should come inside, you might catch cold."

Judai sighed, casting his gaze over the palace grounds, "That banquet was torture. And now I'm so confused! What was all that talk of demons and rebels?! I don't understand! Why did everyone but me know about it!?"

Sho shrugged, "I only knew because I'd overheard some of the higher ranking servants talking about it. But if you didn't know, aniki, then maybe there was a reason…"

"Like what?" the prince spat, his emotions muddled up, he needed to clear his mind. As the raindrops collected in his mop of brown hair, he looked over his shoulder at Sho. "Sho," he smiled, hiding his troubled thoughts beneath a mask of joy and mischievousness, "Let's go have a little slumber party!" He turned back to the rainy scene beyond the rail of his balcony and stared down at the tool shed, "We can bring snacks and play games!" Sho just had to agree, Judai's excitement was so contagious!

Together, they slid some food into a bag and pulled on their nightclothes before creeping down the stairs to the main hall. "Ready?" Judai swung open the huge door and they both stood before the rainy world outside.

"Ready," Sho answered seriously.

"Let's go!" Judai led the way into the downpour, and Sho followed. They threw their arms over their heads, trying to block some of the rain, laughing as it drenched them. Soon, they reached the garden.

Johan, Jim, and Karen all looked up as a knock came at the door of the tool shed. "I'll see who it is," Johan walked over and opened the door a crack, peering outside cautiously.

"Would you just let us in already, you scaredy cats?" a voice complained playfully.

Johan recognized it and opened the door all the way, "Judai-sama!"

"Yup!" the brunette said smugly, walking in with Sho at his heels.

"Why are you here?" Jim questioned, his un-covered blue eye wide, "Shouldn't you be in bed?"

"Well," the prince rolled his eyes, "I wanted to have a sleepover with you guys!"

Sho held up the bag of food, "We brought goodies to share!"

"Besides," Judai said, "I promised to come play later, so let's have some fun!"

Jim and Johan smiled and chorused, "Sounds good!" Judai dished out the treats, and they all fed Karen her own delicacies, except for Sho, who was still quite afraid of the reptile. And though the storm outside was great, the boy's happiness overcame the depressing darkness, and so they laughed and ate and talked until they all grew exhausted.

Sho was already asleep, his round glasses threatening to slide off his nose as he leaned against the wall. Judai had flopped down on the floor, using the empty food bag as a pillow. His chocolate brown eyes were slowly closing as sleep crept over him. Karen lay by Jim's side, her head in his lap, her slitted yellow eyes shut tight. Johan, too, was growing tired, especially after such a hard days work. He curled up on the floor in a similar way to that of a cat, and closed his eyes. Jim was sitting on the floor, stroking Karen's head rhythmically.

"Good night everybody," Judai murmured, his eyes closing.

"Good night," Johan and Jim replied. The prince smiled as he drifted into dreamland, he loved being with his friends…it put his mind at ease and made his confusion disappear like how the sun had evaporated the dew…

End Note: I love how Johan talks so formally! Kawaii! If you want more, ya gotta review, ok? See ya next time!