"Let's go." Skia snapped a salute and followed the centaur through the bramble. It wasn't easy, despite Firenze's brightly colored coat. The forest floor was covered with all sort of debris that threatened to trip her.
Firenze stopped and looked back. Skia was tugging at a stubborn bush that was determinedly clinging to her cloak. It just wouldn't let go. Stupid bush.
"Why do you not rip it free? The bush will lose a branch, nothing more." Skia wrangled one thorn free and started on another.
"Because," she said mock-patiently. "this is a valuable nut-bearing bush. There aren't many in this forest, and it seems like the forest needs more food these days."
Firenze watched as Skia finally managed to yank the hem of her cloak away. The rest of the walk was relatively easier as Firenze began to take what seemed to be a trail. There were slight signs of wear in the dirt.
"Is the boy Harry Potter well?" Skia glanced up from the trail and stumbled on a root. Firenze let her steady herself on his flank. It was warm and firm, the hair glossy and thick. Skia pushed herself off quickly. Centaurs usually hated it when someone lay on them. Something about not being mules.
"Sorry. Erm, Harry? He's alright. Slightly scared about a couple omens, but that's it." Firenze nodded and continued forward. Skia pushed a branch out of her way and yelped quietly when it snapped on her back.
"Do you wish to ride me?" Skia let go of another branch in shock and was thrown against a trunk.
"Ow…," she muttered. Trees were fun. From a distance. From a VERY long distance. She would be happy when she was out of the forest.
Something snaked around her waist and lifted her up. Skia blinked when Firenze placed her snugly on his back.
"I believe we would move more quickly on hoof," He said calmly. Skia blinked as they trotted through the forest.
"You do realize that Bane is going to kill you," Skia said conversationally, once her initial shock wore off.
"Yes, I do. He'll just have to make his peace with me later," Firenze said. Skia shook her head with amusement.
"You know, you act more human than the others," she said.
"Is that a compliment?" He asked dryly. Skia grinned, though he couldn't see it.
"Not really."
Yaddayaddayaddayadda(The comp won't give me double whatever it's called.)
"Skia, wake up." Skia mumbled something as she sucked contentedly on a warm surface. It was so nice and smooth, with a hint of blood underneath a surface. Yum….blood…..heh…
"Skia, we are at the forest's edge."
"Garmflarg," Skia grumbled.
Something poked her sharply in her side, making her sit upright with a squeak.
"Hey!"
"I apologize for invading your space, but you were sucking on my shoulder with no signs of waking up," Firenze said sardonically.
"You poked me!" Skia said indignantly.
"Yes, I believe I did. Again, you were sucking on my shoulder."
"Ew, hope you took a bath beforehand," Skia mused. Firenze twisted around with the oddest expression on his face.
"I told you that you were sucking on my shoulder and you ask if I took a bath?"
Skia snapped to attention at the disbelief written all over his voice.
"Oh, right. Sorry-for-sucking-on-your-shoulder-and-giving-you-a-hickey-so-Bane-is-probably-going-to-kill-you-for-fornicating-with-a-human-but-I-have-an-excuse-it's-because-my-mother-was-an-evil-bloodsucker-who-turned-into-a-good-bloodsucker-so-I-was-born-with-vamp-DNA-which-makes-me-want-blood-so-I-was-sucking-your-shoulder-to-get-blood," Skia recited in one breath. She took a deep breath.
"Also, I can't believe you poked me! Centaurs don't do pokes. It's just totally unheard of."
Firenze listened to all this with one lifted brow. Amusement, bafflement, and incredulousness ran all over his face.
"You are a strange little human," he said finally. Skia rolled her eyes.
"And you are a weird, insane horse-boy," She retorted. Before he could answer, Skia slipped off his back and sprinted towards the edge of the forest. She giggled breathlessly when she heard hoof beats following her. She tried to speed up, but lack of blood made her sluggish.
Skia fought back a squeal as Firenze picked her up from behind. Hmm, squealing? Somehow, this horse-boy brought out a more childish side. Or maybe she was going through a bipolar stage.
"Horse-boy?" Firenze inquired. She could sense his smile as he held her effortlessly. Skia rolled her eyes and whacked his shoulder.
"Fine, noble centaur! Let me go!" Firenze released her and Skia tumbled to the ground.
"Ow…" she muttered.
"I shall take my leave. Farewell, strange human." Skia looked up to find the last of Firenze's tail whipping out of sight.
"Centaurs," She groaned, rolling her eyes. "So damn formal."
Skia trudged past the last of the trees to find Krys pacing nervously just outside the forest. Little flickers of flame scorched the ground she walked, burning the grass and needles.
"Skia!" Skia let out a grunt of protest as Krys slammed into her body. Awkwardly, she patted Krys's back as Krys hugged her fiercely.
"I thought you were dead, or eaten, or shot full of holes-"
"Krys-"
"And Hagrid told me about acromantulas, and centaurs, and werewolves-"
"Krys-"
"And I was worried that you were lost forever-"
"Krys!" Skia's sister stopped abruptly.
"What?"
"If you don't let me go, I will be lost forever."
"Oh." Krys let go of Skia, allowing her to take a desperate breath of air. Once she recovered enough so that she wasn't wheezing, she glared at a certain smug-looking hawk.
"What," She growled. "Did Jake tell you to make you think I was dying?"
Krys waved her hand impatiently. " I don't really know. Just stuff like 'shot full of holes' and 'Dead' and 'evil horsies'."
Skia whirled around to stab an accusing finger at Jake.
"You! You evil, conspiring little wretch! You know how to speak words Krys can follow! What was up with telling her I was shot full of holes?" Jake only preened smugly. Skia threw up her hands in exasperation.
"Er, slightly lost…" Krys commented dryly. Skia ignored her as she berated the still silent hawk.
"Was this some kind of revenge plan?" She demanded. If this was just Jake's way of getting even, she was going to pluck him like a chicken.
This is merely a method to teach you not to go running into danger. I only told Krys that you MIGHT be shot full of holes, or that you MIGHT be lying dead, or that the evil horsies MIGHT be the cause of death, Jake said primly. If he were a human female, he would be folding his hands daintily together. It's not MY fault that she misunderstood.
Bull, Skia growled. My ribs are squished, thanks to you.
Ha, ha, and again, HA. My mission is complete. Maybe you've learned your lesson, and I won't suffer a near-heart attack in the near future.
Skia growled. Oh, that stupid, insufferable birdie. He thought he was so clever, did't he? She snapped her fingers, but Jake took to the air before she could conjure a fireball.
"Urgh!" Skia stomped back to the castle. Krys followed with a bemused smile.
Yaddayaddayaddayadda
"Skia, up." Skia groaned and shifted in her sleeping bag. It was around two when they managed to erect a tent on the grounds. It was for 'added security and to preserve the students' safety'. It was true, of course.
It just didn't help her aching ass.
"Uk off," She mumbled. Someone ripped her blankets off, and Skia squeaked as icy water poured over her body.
"SHIT!" She bellowed. Skia jumped to her feet and wiped water off her face, glaring venomously at Krys.
"Skia, don't curse," Krys scolded. "Honestly, I should spank Derek for teaching you two such language."
Skia struggled with laughter as the words sank in. "You should…spank him? Isn't he eighteen already?"
Krys opened her mouth to retaliate, then thought better of it. Slowly a smile spread over her face.
"Alright, it's slightly ridiculous, but honestly! You three curse like drunken sailors!"
"Only SLIGHTLY ridiculous?"
"Alright, it IS ridiculous."
"Try hilariously ridiculous." Krys huffed as Skia grinned impishly. She made to swat Skia in the head.
"Oh, get out of here, you….you ingrate!"
Skia complied, dodging the blow easily.
"I hear and obey, oh-spanking-mistress!"
"SKIA!"
yaddayaddayaddayaddayaddayadda
yaddayaddayaddayaddayaddayadda
AHHHHHHH! Don't kill me! I tried! Really! It's just that I moved to a new school and the homework was horrific. Also, I got some really nasty writer's block. But don't worry, it's over, and I even have an extra chapter if writer's block strikes again.