Summary: After four years of travel, Kurogane and the others finally wind up in Nihon. To his horror, he finds that a lot has changed in his absence. From Tomoyo getting married, to a mysterious force infiltrating Nihon, getting Sakura's feather back isn't going to be easy. Especially when Kurogane is forced to come to grips with a startling revelation that will change his life forever...
Pairings: KuroganexTomoyo, SyaoranxSakura
Disclaimer: Do I even need to do this? You ought to know this already.
Note: This fan fic is based on the manga, with a few extra tidbits here and there from the anime. It was first published on July 28, 2005, therefore set before Chapitre 91. A lot of theories here will coincide with the actual events in TRC, either because I added them later (evident in latter chapters) or because of some good guessing (evident in the first chapters). I also decided to use the official spelling for Fay's name (and Fei Wang Reed's name).
§·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·§
A/N: With the last chapter of the first part of this series, I decided to do a much-needed revamp concerning replacing a couple of phrases, some spelling mistakes, grammatical structures and misuses in punctuation, a phenomenon fairly evident in the first chapters, which are, in my honest opinion, horrible. They're short, crude, rough, and pretty boring. Thankfully, as time passed, my chapters became longer and much more elaborate in description. I still don't understand how the majority of my readers managed to stay interested enough to keep reading, but I'm grateful that they did. It was your encouragement that has made me what I am today!
It's been nearly two years since I started out as a fan fic writer and I can say without preamble that I've definitely matured. While writing my fan fic, I gained experience, so even though it was a laborious task rereading and editing it, I feel it was worth it so you could enjoy When Worlds Collide as it was meant to be. Constructive criticism is still greatly appreciated.
I hope you enjoy my fan fic!
§·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·§
When Worlds Collide
Chapter 19 — Fighting Destiny
By Mystic Dawn
§·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·§
"This looks like a good place to stop," Fay suggested brightly, pulling on the reins of his mount. He shaded his eyes and surveyed the small forest clearing. "The horses could use a break to conserve their energy for the rest of the day's trek." His amused gaze fell upon an exhausted Mokona dozing upon his shoulder. "And judging by the look on Mokona's face, I suppose we could all use a break," he grinned, hopping down from his mount.
Syaoran dismounted swiftly and turned back to offer Sakura his hand to help her down. After carefully balancing the sphere still containing her feather in the crook of her left arm, she reached out and took his hand. "Do you think we really should be stopping, Fay-san?" she asked the blond wizard tentatively as soon as she had straightened, stowing the sphere away in one of the packs.
"It's been a tiring ride," he replied truthfully, absent-mindedly patting his mount, "and besides, it's nearly time for lunch."
"But..." Sakura tried not to look at Tomoyo, who had just climbed down from her own horse, still clutching Kurogane's sword to her chest.
It was obvious to all why Sakura was worried. Tomoyo seemed to be oblivious to her surroundings, her expression numb and detached, as if she had fallen into some kind of silent misery that had deprived her of all her senses. Perhaps the ride had done her more harm than good, for when on a horse one usually only had their thoughts for company (as it was not exactly the easiest thing in the world to talk to someone while on horseback). And there was no question as to who was constantly on her mind.
"I know," Fay said softly. "I'm just as worried about her as you are." He drew closer to the two adolescents and lowered his voice. "Which is why we should act as normal as possible around her. It's the best course to follow in such a situation."
Syaoran nodded in agreement. "I think we should keep her preoccupied somehow, so she won't think too much about Kurogane-san..." His gaze fell in shame and he shifted his shoulders slightly, as if he had committed some sort of crime by mentioning his name.
"Are you sure there isn't anything we can do for her?" Sakura pressed desperately. "Some kind of spell or something...?"
Fay frowned slightly in disapproval and shook his head. "If we used a spell it'd only make things worse. After the affects would wear off she'd be back to how she is now... perhaps with even more pronounced symptoms. I'd rather not have you use that specific spell unless there's no other option to bring her out of her shock."
"Is it that serious?" Syaoran asked in surprise.
"No, it's not serious... at least not yet." Fay offered them a small smile of reassurance. "All we have to do is act as if nothing's wrong and keep her preoccupied. We can do that much at least, right?"
"I suppose so," Sakura sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. "There's not really anything else we can do for her... or for..." She fell silent.
Fay smiled again encouragingly. "Don't worry, Sakura-chan. I'm sure we'll be able to bring him back. Now, then..." He turned back to his mount and began to rummage through the packs. His brow furrowed slightly. "I'm afraid we're rather short as far as provisions go. I used up all the vegetables for our soup the other day." He straightened and sighed theatrically. "Ah, well. I guess we'll just have to make do with some bread and cheese."
"We could get more if we stop at a village or town," Syaoran suggested. "I'll check the map."
"Good thinking, Syaoran-kun," Fay nodded approvingly after his retreating back. "Now, let's see..." He turned his head and raised his voice slightly. "Tomoyo-chan, could you come and give us a hand over here?"
Tomoyo slowly raised her eyes from staring listlessly at the clearing, her gaze vacant and showing no flash of recognition. She made her way through the snow to him, still cradling Souhi in her arms. "...Yes?" she whispered faintly.
"Sakura-chan and I could sure use a hand preparing lunch," Fay smiled pleasantly. "I was thinking we could use some bread and cheese for our meal. What do you think?"
"I don't have a problem," she said softly.
He chuckled and bent over the packs. "It's not easy to force down dry food, though. Tomoyo-chan, could you fill our water-skins at that spring over there?" He straightened and dumped four leather water-skins in her arms.
Tomoyo had to adjust them slightly so she could still keep her grip on the sword, then turned around and headed for the pool.
Fay sighed in relief. "That's encouraging."
"What is?" Sakura asked curiously.
"Tomoyo-chan's able to talk with us and understand what's going on around her. I was afraid that she might have been suffering from some form of melancholia, but I can see now that it was a false alarm. She's probably just trying to sort through what happened while also trying not to be reduced to tears by it again." His relieved expression darkened. "But if she doesn't let out some of her emotions soon, she might actually be inflicted by it."
Sakura bit her lower lip in momentary worry before turning to Syaoran, shuffling through the snow to get to him. "Did you find a village that's nearby?" she asked curiously when she reached his side.
Syaoran did not reply at first. His brow was knitted in thought as he peered down at the difficult ideograms labeling each city and shrine on the large island. "We could head over to Matsusaka, a small town a little way to the north..." he said abstractedly. "It's not that far, actually. It'll only take us a few hours to get there..."
"That's good to hear," Sakura said. "I'll tell Fay-san—"
"Wait a minute," Syaoran interjected, his eyes falling back to the map. "There's something else I want to clarify first..."
His amber eyes were intent in their search. "Aha," he whispered triumphantly, tracing his finger along the faint brown line that indicated the Highway, the large main road that led to the biggest and most important cities and landmarks in both Nihon and Semba. A thinner line leading from it ended at a small design that read Solar Tower. Now, if he remembered correctly, the tower's balcony faced that small trail, which meant that they had done the right thing following it to the Highway. However, the road then banked to the right, clearly heading northward. He frowned deeply. Perhaps it had not been such a good idea to follow the Highway the last few hours. If he were in Kurogane's place, he was sure that he, for one, wouldn't have taken any roads into account, not if he were in a similar condition. That probably meant that Kurogane must have continued in a straight line, logically heading northwest. It was a rather shaky guess with no real basis, but Syaoran felt sure that he was right.
"Right," he murmured, folding the map and stuffing it into one of the numerous pockets of his pants. "Now we can tell Fay-san."
Sakura's expression betrayed her confusion, but she followed Syaoran back to Fay's side.
"I think we're going the wrong way," Syaoran promptly informed the older man, sitting down onto one of the smaller and rounder rocks to one side where Fay had prepared a makeshift table out of a large flat-surfaced rock.
"Hm?" He raised his head from slicing up loaves of bread, his expression puzzled. "How so?"
"I studied the map and I'm pretty sure that Kurogane-san must have headed northwest. It fits in accordance to the location of Solar Tower. But after a few hours of following the trail we took to the Highway again, which leads more to the north than to the west." He squared his shoulders. "We're heading too north."
Fay laid down the cutting knife and crossed his arms. "Things may very well be like you say, but he may have also followed a different direction altogether," he pointed out. "Either way, we can't be sure. Unless..." He tilted his head to one side, his eyes drifting to Sakura's face. "Do you think you could try to sense his life-force, Sakura-chan?"
Sakura started in surprise. "I... I don't know," she confessed. "I've never tried to sense anyone over long distances."
"But you've sensed him before," Fay reminded her, "which means that you can recall the specific pattern his life-force has, right?"
"Right..." she said, albeit a little hesitantly.
"Then it won't be too difficult for you to pinpoint his location for us."
Sakura did not answer at first. "...I think I can do it," she said after a few moments. "I just need some time to concentrate."
Fay nodded and motioned for Syaoran to give him the map. He took it and spread it out upon the snow, placing small pebbles at the end to keep it in place. Then he straightened, his eyes fixed upon Sakura's form.
Sakura drew a deep breath and closed her eyes. Nothing seemed to happen at first. But after a few moments a gust of air picked up, swirling her auburn hair about her face, and some sort of an invisible wall had erected itself around her. Syaoran could feel the empty silence creeping up upon them, and he involuntarily shivered. Several tense moments passed.
"I can feel him..." she whispered, her hair continuing to sway rhythmically with the wind. "He's... he's feeling very confused. And..." She frowned slightly. "He's... in pain. In terrible pain..."
"He's hurt?" Syaoran demanded anxiously.
"No... it's not a physical pain..." Sakura continued, her frown growing more prominent. "It's more like a pain... coming from his heart..."
"...What else?"
Syaoran and Fay turned at the new voice to see that Tomoyo had returned from the spring's banks, her long raven hair flowing in the breeze and her heart in her luminous violet eyes. She had apparently sensed the use of Sakura's magic, which had been enough to bring her out of her shocked silence.
"What else can you feel?" Tomoyo urged in a trembling voice, taking a few steps toward them. She clasped her hands together, her eyes mirroring her desperation.
"He feels guilty for something he's done..." Sakura muttered. "And he..." She wrapped her arms around herself and shivered. "He absolutely loathes himself for what he's become..."
Tomoyo's hands were visibly shaking. "Can you...?" She momentarily closed her eyes and drew a deep breath to steady herself. "Can you tell... where he is?"
Sakura nodded. "I think so."
"Show us on the map," Fay instructed.
Sakura knelt before the map, her hand hovering over their location. "He flew over here last night. He... he actually stopped here," she said, her brow creasing slightly. "And he met someone..." Her eyes suddenly snapped open. "He came into contact with Firebolt!"
"Firebolt?" Tomoyo frowned in confusion.
"One of his dragon friends," Fay explained. "She's a fire dragon, like him. But I had the impression that her territory was further north..."
"She could have learned about Kurogane-san's transformation from Ryuujin," Syaoran suggested. "He would have probably told the dragons to be on the lookout for him."
"Or she could have simply bumped into him by chance." He shrugged helplessly. "Anything's possible."
Syaoran's brow creased. "But is it a good thing or a bad thing that Kurogane-san's come into contact with dragons?"
"If he only has a limited time to complete his task, I suppose it's for the better," Fay decided. He turned back to Sakura. "Where is he now?"
Her finger trailed over the map. "Here," she said, indicating a pair of mountains. "He and Firebolt flew the rest of the night and most of the morning to get there. They've only been there for a couple of hours." She looked up at them. "That must be where all the dragons gather. I can sense more of them."
"How many?" Fay asked.
"Close to a hundred, I'd say."
"Only that many?" Tomoyo said in surprise.
Sakura nodded.
Tomoyo bit on her lower lip. "They're dying out..." she said faintly. "No wonder they need him." She looked up at them worriedly. "There used to be thousands of dragons in the past. If their number has been reduced to such a small handful... they're in desperate need of assistance."
"No wonder that mage appeared so worried," Fay said thoughtfully. "They're close to becoming extinct."
Syaoran peered down at the map and fished out a small piece of charcoal from his pocket. "You said he's here, right?" he asked Sakura again, indicating the spot with a forefinger.
"I'm sure of it."
He circled the spot with the charcoal piece. His eyes followed the direction to the mountains from their location. But for a rather large fir tree forest, a number of small towns and large rice fields, coupled with the occasional stream or meadow, there wasn't really any road to follow as he had hoped. "I think we're going to have to follow the Highway northward until we reach Yokka." He indicated a small village to the north, along the eastern coastline. "Then we could follow the left branch of the main road until Kutsasu, then take the trail that'll lead us closest to the mountains. It'll probably take us five to six days in total to get there on horseback."
"Couldn't we take these roads over here?" Fay suggested, pointing out smaller trails leading away from the Highway toward the west.
"It'll be easier and faster to travel on the main road as far as we can," Syaoran disagreed. "Smaller roads are usually less-traveled and more dangerous. And anyway, those roads over there don't lead us closer to those mountains."
Tomoyo knelt down beside him. She drew back a few loose strands of her hair, her eyes thoughtful. "It'd be faster if we take the Highway until Matsusaka, and then to Nigachi," she suggested, indicating a town somewhat northwest. "Since the Highway branches out in two a little above Nigachi, we'll be able to take the left route to Minakotsu and from there take the road leading to Jorsan. After that, all we'd have to do is take that small trail northward past the borders back into Nihon. By continuing along it we can hopefully be taken straight to the valley between the two mountains."
"How can you tell where the borders are?" Syaoran asked.
"They're in black." She pointed at the map. "See those black dashes? Those are the borders separating Nihon and Semba."
Syaoran did a few quick calculations in his head. He looked up at them and nodded. "I think Tomoyo-hime's suggestion is the best. If we traveled like that, it'd only take us four to five days to get there. It's certainly more convenient than what I suggested."
Fay nodded in agreement. "The sooner we knock some sense into him, the better." He flashed them a huge grin. "I don't know about you guys, but I found it very rude of him when he turned tail and flew away. He didn't even consider to sit down for a civilized conversation so we could clear things up!" He crossed his arms and assumed an all-knowing expression. "It would have saved us all a lot of time if he'd just stayed put like the rest of us to hear the mage out. Now we're reduced to chasing after him all over the place!"
Sakura and Syaoran exchanged amused grins, already used to Fay's peculiar methods of lifting their spirits. Maybe it was the wizard's natural euphoria, or maybe it was a talent he had picked up over the years that did the trick. Whatever the reason, it always managed to work, despite the seriousness of the situation.
Tomoyo's lips curved hesitantly. "I appreciate you trying to cheer us up, Fay-kun," she said softly. "But I don't blame him for running away." She lowered her gaze to the ground. "He's... he's probably afraid to face us. And he's probably ashamed of his heritage as well." There was a small catch in her voice. "He... he was trying to explain... before it happened. He tried to, he really did..." She forced a shaky smile. "But you all know him... he doesn't have a way with words..." She drew in an uneven breath, water welling up in her eyes.
Sakura half-raised her hand, as if she wanted to comfort her, but Syaoran shook his head slightly and murmured low enough so only she could hear, "I think this is what she really needs. She has to let it all out so her heart can heal."
Sakura sighed and helplessly nodded in agreement.
"He's... he's not a person who ever cries," Tomoyo continued, gasping weakly. "Can you believe that I'd never seen him cry before then? He'd always try to hide his emotions from everybody. He'd always try to face his problems on his own. But he can't understand that it eventually backfires, bringing forth more pain than was originally necessary... He's so stubborn..." She exhaled and ran a hand through her hair in frustration. "By the gods, I know he said what he did for my own good... because he wanted to protect me... but I felt so... betrayed. It hurt me so much to hear him utter those words..." She wiped furiously at her tears. "How... how can I hate him and love him at the same time?!" she finally cried out in despair. She looked up at them imploringly, her eyes desperately seeking an answer in their faces. "What kind of a person am I?!"
"A human," Fay said softly. "A human who loves someone so much that she'd be willing to sacrifice herself for him without a second thought." He hesitated slightly before taking a step toward her, drawing her into his embrace. "And believe me... that's the greatest thing anyone could ever ask for in all the Universe. I've never seen someone love another so deeply and so strongly than the way you love him." He held her at arm's length and smiled down at her warmly. "And the fact that he was trying to push you away only proves how much he loves you and cares about you in return."
Tomoyo blinked hard to fight back the tears and hugged him desperately. "I want to believe," she whispered hoarsely. "I want to believe your words so much."
"Believe them," he said solemnly. He suddenly cracked her a wide grin. "It's the honest truth!"
She laughed weakly, and, somehow, even though she had otherwise thought it impossible, she could see a faint glimmer of hope. She knew that Fay was right. He meant his words, and she could not even begin to tell him how grateful she was for his support. And not only for his support, but for the support that they had all shown her. In that aspect, Tomoyo was positive that she had found the most valuable friends that she could ever ask for in the world, perhaps in all other worlds, as well.
———————————————
The sky was an unusual crisp blue color, the bright noon sun casting its rays down in the Valley of the Dragons. The air was chill, bringing with it the smell signaling that more snow would soon fall. The surroundings radiated a serene silence that had the ability to bring peace and tranquility to any troubled soul. Most of the older dragons were resting in their caves at this time of day, but the young dragonlings had stolen the opportunity to hold some sort of head-butting match amongst themselves, knowledgeable of the fact that their parents would not interrupt them anytime soon. Their squeals and cries of delight drifted up to the low hillside, where Kurogane stood, lost in his own silence. He hardly took in the juvenile sounds, too focused upon the golden dragon standing before him and the story she had just revealed to him.
It was some time before he raised his head to look at them all; Goldenridge with her regal and magnificent bearing, Silverthorn with his tired yet wise ruby-red eyes, Firebolt with a surprised and approving look on her face at the same time, and Lightningstreak with eyes wide in stunned bafflement. The rest of the dragons had long since gone at Goldenridge's request—though that apparent request had sounded more like a command at the time—to Kurogane's relief. He did not think he would have been able to handle the truth with more of them present. But then again, even now he was still having more than a little difficulty in handling it.
Kurogane shuffled his claws in the snow. "So that's my task?" he finally said tonelessly. "To somehow stop this pointless war and bring peace?"
Goldenridge nodded solemnly. "As Ryuujin told me, in his very words."
Kurogane rubbed at his head and exhaled exasperatedly. "To be completely honest... I think you've got the wrong person," he said weakly. "I'm not peacemaker material. I don't know a thing about how to make peace." He snorted dryly. "And what do you want me to do, anyway? Just walk up to them and demand that they stop fighting? Is that going to solve anything?"
"It's a start," Lightningstreak muttered under his breath, earning himself a reproachful glare from Firebolt.
"You are the Dragon Lord," Goldenridge said confidently. "How can you not succeed at your task being what you are? Being who you are? This is your destiny. You were born for this."
"Born for what?" he suddenly demanded hotly. "To be trapped between two worlds? To be trapped between humans and dragons? All right, let's just say for a minute that I manage to stop your stupid war. What happens to me afterward? How am I supposed to fit in either society?" He could no longer keep his temper under control and he finally snapped. "I'm neither human nor dragon! I don't belong anywhere!"
"I understand that you're feeling greatly confused, but we need you. We don't have much time left. You cannot deny your fate—"
"Screw fate! It's shit like that that's made my life a living hell!" he exclaimed furiously. "Destinies, prophecies, fates... I'm sick of it! I'm sick of it all! First it's going from dimension to dimension looking for frigging feathers and now it's stopping a frigging war I'm not even a part of! Why can't you solve your own damn problems and leave me the hell alone?! I've already done enough!" He clenched his claw in a fist, so hard that his talons were digging into his scaly flesh. "Just... just leave me alone," he whispered vehemently, his shoulders trembling. "Leave me alone..."
Goldenridge opened her mouth to speak, but Silverthorn cut her off. "Methinks I should handle this," he said, turning to Kurogane.
Kurogane momentarily looked up at him, but quickly dropped his gaze in shame. He knew that his outburst had been totally uncalled for, but he couldn't help but feel as if he were being manipulated by everyone—as if he were a chess piece that was being thrust right into danger's way and abandoned to fend for himself. However so he felt, the look that Silverthorn gave him hurt him more than he would admit.
"Blacksteel... I believe that thou dost realize that I hold thee in high esteem, however, thy fury is unjust," Silverthorn said sternly. "If thy desire is to not aid us in our plight, then so be it. We cannot force thee to help us. However, thou art now dragon, belonging to our world and to our society. Therefore our problems art now thy problems. I believe it only fair to warn thee that thou wilt also be under the risk of being hunted down upon venturing out of the Valley."
Kurogane looked up at him in astonishment. "Are... are you implying that I'd actually be attacked... by humans?"
"Certainly. After all, they regard us as fierce and ferocious creatures with an unnatural thirst for blood. They wouldst not hesitate to try to bring thee down."
Even though he wanted to deny it, he knew that Silverthorn was right. He had seen it with his very own eyes on a number of occasions. Humans who would begin cheering and celebrating when brave and mighty warriors would return to a village with a dragon's carcass tied down in a large cart, laughing raucously at their fallen foe with its broken and abnormally-bent wings and its wide, vacant eyes, scoffing at its supposed greatness. Its once-beautiful scales torn and stained with blood, with its fangs and talons ripped out to adorn some coward's neck or other. An empty shell of what used to be a powerful and proud creature of the sky.
Kurogane would always burn with anger whenever chance had it and he was present at such gatherings. The bastards. They laughed at the dragon lying dead at their feet, but had they been laughing at it when it had been flying majestically in the sky? When it had been trying to defend itself until its last breath? Kurogane would never hesitate to kill someone in defense, but to kill for sport was repulsive and unjust. Sadly, he knew all too well that most humans were like that. Did he want to be part of a society that did not uphold honors and ideals? Did he uphold any honors and ideals himself for being a human?
Silverthorn had been eyeing him speculatively. "Art thou now willing to listen to what we hast to tell thee?"
Swallowing hard, Kurogane nodded.
"We don't have much time left," Goldenridge said heavily. "Ever since humans began to massacre us, there have been less births every year. As you probably already know, dragons live for hundreds of years, but older dragons cannot produce more offspring. A dragon can mate to reproduce only once in its life, and only at a specific age and season depending on what kind of a dragon it is. Most of us are killed before becoming of age, and those of us who do manage to mate only give birth to one dragonling. That is how it had always been, but with our numbers diminishing so quickly..."
"To two dragons there's only one dragonling," Firebolt offered. "And with only around a hundred and fifty of us left..."
Kurogane froze in stunned disbelief. "How can you be so few?" he demanded in horror. "I thought..." He bit off his words and exhaled heavily. "Never mind what I thought. It's obvious I was too quick to judge you all." He bowed his head. "I was acting like a selfish bastard..."
"Hell, yeah," Lightningstreak agreed fervently.
Firebolt shook her head. "It's all right. You didn't know."
"But still, that doesn't justify my reaction," Kurogane said bitterly. "You wouldn't have been so desperate for my help if things weren't this serious. I should have realized it sooner..."
"What matters now is that you finally understand," Goldenridge said. She drew herself up to her full height. "Will you now live up to your name and help us?"
Although her question was not phrased formally, it seemed to expect a formal answer. Kurogane nodded and drew in a deep breath. "I'll try to do my best and live up to your expectations."
Goldenridge smiled. "I'm sure you will accomplish your task. After all, you are the son of Ryuujin."
"But we must give thee fair warning that thou hast not much time to accomplish it," Silverthorn added. "Ryuujin revealed unto us that thou hast only seven days at thy disposal."
"I've only got one week to help?!" Kurogane asked somewhat indignantly.
Goldenridge nodded solemnly. "Before you become a full dragon."
His eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What do you mean by that?"
"As the days pass, you will begin to think and act more like a dragon than a human. Right now you are imperfect, an undecided battle between your two halves raging inside of you. But soon, your dragon half will take over, and then you will truly become the Dragon Lord."
"Take over?" he demanded warily. "Take over how?"
"I do not know," Goldenridge confessed. "Ryuujin did not elaborate."
Kurogane clenched his teeth together in exasperation. More incomprehensible riddles that did not make any sense. Why couldn't they be straightforward from the start? He hated dealing with vague explanations.
"I understand you are feeling frustrated at your unclear instructions, and if I could explain the situation better, I would. But not even I know what is in store for you. You will just have to make do with what you know."
Kurogane snorted dismissively. Easier said than done, he thought dryly.
"We hast other obligations to attend to, Goldenridge," Silverthorn reminded her in his deep voice.
"I expect we'll cross paths again soon, Blacksteel," she said in a fashion of farewell. Bowing her head to him once, she then turned to Silverthorn, and they spread their wings, taking off majestically into the air.
Kurogane sighed heavily, his brow creasing in thought at what Goldenridge had said. If his dragon half took over, what would become of his human half? Would it be like he had never existed?
"Well, that was certainly illuminating," Lightningstreak commented wryly.
Kurogane snorted and smiled slightly. "You never said a truer word."
"Ryuujin must have had a reason to be so cryptic with Goldenridge," Firebolt mused. "She's the most straightforward of us. If Ryuujin had told her more, she would have certainly said so. But... I suppose he probably wants you to figure this out for yourself."
"The deadline isn't helping," Kurogane grunted.
"Anyhow..." Firebolt said slowly as they started down the hill. "Do you think Silverthorn was referring to the Guardians? Rumor has it that there've been some problems lately."
"Probably," Lightningstreak replied. "From what Starbreeze told me the other day, she and Evenstar are having trouble keeping up the barriers."
"What're you talking about?" Kurogane said in confusion. "What are the Guardians?"
"The dragons that protect the Valley," Firebolt explained. "They make sure to keep up invisible barriers and illusions to prevent humans from discovering where we live."
"And Evenstar's one of them?" he said in surprise.
"She's the best of the lot."
"Along with Starbreeze, of course," Lightningstreak added proudly. "They're the two most powerful Guardians."
"Who's Starbreeze?" Kurogane said blankly.
"Only the most beautiful dragon in the whole valley," he said blissfully, causing Firebolt to snigger heartily.
Kurogane arched an eyebrow. "I take it this Starbreeze has caught our friend's eye over here?" he asked Firebolt knowingly.
"Only?" She grinned. "They've been going steady for months now."
"Really?" Kurogane demanded in disbelief. He frowned suspiciously. "Are you sure we're talking about the same Lightningstreak?"
Firebolt collapsed into the snow in helpless giggles. "That's just what I said when I first heard it!"
"It's nothing to be ashamed of," Lightningstreak said easily. "After all..." He motioned Kurogane closer and lowered his voice to a whisper, saying, "Firebolt's no saint, either."
"Excuse me?" she said snippily, her eye twitching. "Since when?"
"Wasn't there something going on between you and Serpentscale at one point?" he mused, scratching at his neck.
"Serpentscale?" Kurogane said quickly, his ears perking up. "He's one of my oldest dragon friends. His territory's pretty close to Shirasagi and we'd meet pretty often in the past." He shook his head and grinned in remembrance. "Wow, I haven't seen him in ages. How is he? Is he still as stubborn as always?"
Firebolt bowed her head and said nothing at first. "...Why did you have to mention him, Lightningstreak?" she whispered faintly.
"Why? Did I say something wrong?" Lightningstreak asked blankly.
"He... he was... killed... in one of the raids... remember...?"
Kurogane froze and felt his chest tighten.
"By Ryuujin's teeth, I completely forgot!" Lightningstreak gasped in horror, smacking his forehead. "Oh, shit, I'm such an imbecile! I'm so sorry, Firebolt!"
"It's all right..." she said quietly. "It happened years ago."
Kurogane shook his head dazedly. "Serpentscale... dead?" He ground his teeth together. "How did this happen?"
"A few years ago, when the humans had been patrolling the area close to his territory," Firebolt explained, swallowing hard. "They found his cave and he tried to escape... a spear... through the throat..."
"Damn it!" Kurogane growled, forming a fist and pounding the ground. "If anyone didn't deserve that, it was Serpentscale!" He gnashed his teeth together furiously. How many more of his friends had perished for this pointless blood feud? "What about Cloudbeard?" he demanded. "And Greenleaf?" He gripped Lightningstreak's shoulders and shook him slightly. "Please, tell me they haven't died, too!"
Lightningstreak avoided eye-contact with him. "Cloudbeard's all right... but Greenleaf died recently..." He drew an uneasy breath. "You know how small earth dragons are... he was overwhelmed..."
Kurogane released him in disgust and turned, feeling his chest tightening again. "Wasn't... wasn't there anyone there who could've stopped it?" he finally demanded in exasperation. "Someone who could've prevented it from happening?"
"By the time we found out, it was too late," Firebolt said softly. "None of us were close enough to get there in time."
Kurogane began to pace about restlessly. First Serpentscale, then Greenleaf... what other horrors would he discover before this was all over? Now, more than ever, did he finally understand why they needed him so much. Despite their society being complex and orderly with no governmental troubles, which was so common with humans, dragons were not unified. Humans were equally scattered, but they could manage with numbers. Dragons, unfortunately, didn't have such an option open to them, no matter how cooperative they were. And it wouldn't help the situation at all if they continued to be picked off one by one.
He was beginning to see that this wouldn't be as easy as he had hoped. If dragons were being constantly killed wherever they turned, then peace was not an option, not when humans would continue relentlessly butchering them. It was not so much as helping the dragons, but helping humans understand that killing off dragons was pointless. But how would he be able to do that in his dragon form? They'd attack him before he'd be able to bat an eyelash.
He wished that he could have stayed human. It would have been easier to prevent the blood feud continuing if they'd have told him from the start what he had to do. He would have been given a better chance to explain the situation, and more time to accomplish it. The way things were heading now, it appeared as if there was no hope whatsoever in convincing humans that dragons were virtuous creatures who simply wanted to be left in peace...
"Wait a minute..." he muttered. "That's it!" It wasn't about making peace between humans and dragons at all! It was about making peace solely for dragons! Creating a place where they would be able to live without worrying about humans ever attacking them, a place where they would be able to be free, without having to constantly look over their shoulders for danger lurking behind. To create peace... just as Ryuujin had said! To create peace for dragons! Already, they had made the start with the Valley of the Dragons. With a few more finishing touches, Kurogane would be able to secure their survival permanently.
"When dragons leave the valley to go hunting," he asked, trying to keep his excitement under control, "they hunt alone, don't they?"
Lightningstreak and Firebolt exchanged baffled expressions at his sudden question, which they believed to be totally irrelevant.
"That's how it is, isn't it?" he continued. "Outside of this valley I've never met any of you together. Whenever I've seen you you've always been alone."
"Well... yes," Lightningstreak said slowly. "Usually, the larger and stronger dragons go out and hunt deer, oxen, horses... anything large enough that can be shared with the others. The smaller ones usually bring back fruits, berries, roots... the earth dragons, being more in tune with nature than the rest of us, are the best for that job, especially now during the wintertime."
"What about water?" he demanded. "Is the water in the river sufficient? Is it enough for all of you?"
"We don't have any problems with the water," Firebolt said, perplexed.
"Shelter? Is there a lack of room or caves?"
"There're more than enough caves now that we're so few."
"How often do dragons leave the valley?"
"We leave to go hunting, exploring... we can't keep hunting or foraging in the same places so we continuously search for new places."
He frowned slightly. "Is the Valley insufficient for foraging?"
Lightningstreak pursed his lips. "No... there're lots of berry bushes and trees with nuts and fruit..."
"What about the animals that you usually hunt? I suppose they're aren't any in the Valley, are there?"
He shook his head. "Not as far as I know."
Kurogane nodded. "I knew it," he muttered under his breath. He turned to face them. "One last question... You said that the Guardians create illusions that keep the Valley hidden."
They exchanged looks and nodded.
"Have humans ever discovered the Valley?"
"Never," Lightningstreak said. "The Guardians have powerful Talent. If humans were to ever come near, they would only ever see an illusion of a landslide of rocks blocking the entrance. And if they tried to climb it, it would seem endless, created like that on purpose by the Guardians."
"How do you know the exact illusion?" Firebolt asked in surprise.
"It pays to have your girl in the business," Lightningstreak grinned.
Kurogane blinked. "Talent?"
"Oh... it's a term similar to your human magic, but it's not something we study. We're born with it being instinctive and we learn how to control it as it develops," Firebolt explained. "Every dragon has some form of Talent or other. Usually in accordance with which clan they belong to. You and I, being fire dragons, have pyrokinetic powers. That's out Talent."
"And my Talent is creating and controlling lightning," Lightningstreak said proudly. "And even though I'm a lesser air dragon, not all air dragons can do that," he added. "Most can simply read the weather."
"But elemental Talent is the only kind of Talent lesser dragons have. Basically, there are lesser dragons and greater dragons. The Heads of our clans can do more feats with their Talent because they're greater dragons and more stronger. The Guardians have Talent according to their elements just like the rest of us, but they've also developed other kinds of Talent, mostly dealing with psychological and spiritual aspects. Goldenridge and Silverthorn, being the strongest of us all, can do just about anything with their Talent. Once a dragon accepts the obligations that come with being either the Golden or the Silver Dragon, he or she automatically assumes the previous owner's Talent."
"I've heard it's a remarkable display. We're lucky that we're going to actually witness a transfer," Lightningstreak noted. He frowned. "I wonder who Silverthorn's going to pick. It's actually surprising that he's managed to last so long to die of old age rather than to be killed."
"And that's exactly how it's going to be with everyone else," Kurogane said strongly. "I'll have no more lives pointlessly thrown away."
"What're you going to do?" Firebolt asked him.
"I'm going to do just what Ryuujin wants me to do." Kurogane smirked. "I'm going to create peace for the dragons."
Lightningstreak arched an eyebrow. "And where do humans fit in this?"
"Simple." Kurogane met their gazes evenly. "They don't."
"They don't?" Firebolt exchanged looks with Lightningstreak. "What do you mean they don't?"
"Exactly that. We're going to create a real landslide to shut ourselves away from humans and stay in this valley. That way they'll think that we've finally managed to die out, and we'll finally be left alone in peace."
"I think he's interpreted the message differently from the rest of us," Lightningstreak murmured to Firebolt. "The only thing is, I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing."
"Well, it's something," Firebolt muttered back dryly.
"What we have to do is stick together," Kurogane mused. "When leaving the Valley we're always going to have to be in pairs. That way, we'll be able to cover each other's backs if trouble shows up. I don't think there'll be much trouble if we actually show how ferocious we can be instead of always running away, though. I've seen it with Pewterstone occasionally. He reveals his fangs, pulls back his lips, wrinkles the skin around his eyes a bit, and bellows loudly. That always makes humans run away if they're only a few of them. But a number over ten could prove a little difficult, especially the haughty type..."
Firebolt arched her brows and Lightningstreak titled his head to one side, both staring at him incredulously.
"Do you know what he's talking about?" Lightningstreak whispered.
"Do you?"
"The only real problem is food," Kurogane continued, pacing about in thought. "Specifically meat." He frowned. "Deer may be skittish but will be simple enough to drive in, however, oxen and horses are another matter... I wonder how big the Valley is so they'll be able to feed and breed without getting freaked out by our smell... horses are especially afraid of our scent..."
"I think he's lost his marbles," Lightningstreak muttered. "There's no other explanation for this endless babbling. I don't have a clue what he's talking about."
"Strangely... I think I get it," Firebolt said with a slow smile creeping up on her face.
"I beg of you, enlighten me. He's freaking me out!"
"He's suggesting that we keep hunting, but not alone, so we won't be easy prey for the humans. And he's suggesting that we actually try to bring animals into the Valley to keep and breed so we won't have to leave the Valley to go hunting."
"That would mean paradise for those of us with large appetites," he said matter-of-factly, nodding.
"Like you? I trust you haven't forgotten that we're a community and we'd have to split and give equal shares to everyone," she said pointedly.
"Drat," Lightningstreak pouted. "But... however strange it sounds, it'd be preferable, you know?"
"I think he's got it, I really think he's got it." Firebolt grinned at him. "This is going to solve all of our problems! Wow, I never thought Blacksteel would've ever thought up of something like this! I'd always thought he was... you know... the go-kick-their-asses-and-have-it-over-and-done-with type of guy. This is better than I expected!"
"Er... I think there's one teeny tiny drawback," Lightningstreak said hesitantly.
"Like what?"
He indicated the small group of dragonlings who were currently being scolded by their parents. "What's everyone else going to say to this?"
Firebolt paused. "...We're so screwed."
"Totally."
———————————————
Suspicious gazes met theirs as they trudged through the muddy slush in the small town of Matsusaka. Passer-bys and merchants shot them shifty looks as they hurriedly stepped out of the way of their mounts, the road (if one could call it so) being too small for more than one horse to pass at a time. Vendors and dealers paused from calling people to come buy their products, gawking at the four riders as they passed, their mouths hanging open.
"Doesn't look like they see strangers that often," Fay murmured dryly to the others. "I'm glad we had the good sense to change our clothes, or else I'm sure they would have been staring even more."
"This is more than enough," Syaoran muttered. "I don't like the looks on their faces."
"Neither do I, but we do need to get provisions," he pointed out.
"Are we going to stay at an inn?" Sakura asked.
Fay stroked his chin lightly in thought. "Since we're in a town..." He left it hanging, glancing back at Syaoran.
The young adolescent shrugged. "It'd make a pleasant change from sleeping on the ground."
With that settled, they continued along until they reached a small square, a number of carts and stalls set up along its ends, buyers scuttling to and fro in their haste. To one side of the square was an adequate and squat building, with a sign above it indicating that it was an inn—a rather shabby inn—with stables for mounts.
"There's an inn," Syaoran said, pointing at it. "We could take two rooms for the night, leave our mounts there, and continue on foot to look for a place where we can buy provisions."
"Do we even have any money?" Sakura wondered worriedly.
"Kuro-sama must've left his money pouch in one of his packs," Fay surmised, dismounting. "Hang on and I'll look."
Syaoran sweat-dropped. "Fay-san... are you sure you should go looking through his things...?"
"No sweat," he grinned easily, coming up to Tomoyo's horse. "I'm sure he'll understand." He reached for one of the satchels and undid the strings tying it. "Now let's see..." he murmured, looking down at the pack's contents. His smile disappeared to be replaced by a prominent frown. His right hand plunged into the medium-sized sack and he began rummaging through it, his frown deepening the more he searched.
Syaoran raised a nervous eyebrow at Fay's sudden radical change in behavior, his serious expression decidedly unnerving him.
"This is definitely the wrong pack..." Fay muttered. "Looks like he's stashed all of his weapons in here..." He suddenly yelped in pain and withdrew his hand quickly. His forefinger was sporting a small cut which dripped a surprising amount of blood. "Uwaa... I nicked my finger on one of those sharp star thingies..."
Tomoyo inhaled sharply and grabbed his hand before he could insert the finger into his mouth to suck on the cut. "I hope it's not one of the poisonous ones," she said anxiously.
"Poisonous?!" Fay repeated in bewilderment, appalled that he had nearly stuck his finger into his mouth. "I didn't even know he could use star thingies! And poisonous ones at that! I thought Souma-san used them!"
"All ninja can use them," Tomoyo muttered, closely inspecting his cut. "It's just that Souma prefers them more whereas Kurogane prefers the sword. And they're called shuriken," she added. After a few moments she sighed in relief. "It's not poisonous." She took hold of her white cloak and tore a small strip of cloth from it. "Just let me tie it up for you so the bleeding will stop."
"Thanks, Tomoyo-chan," he grinned sheepishly. "I guess I should've kept my nose out of his pack the moment I saw it was full of his weapons."
"You should have," she agreed sternly. She leaned back slightly to peer into the pack herself. "He doesn't have much... and they're not all weapons... a few daggers, some rope, flint... he's also got shuko," she said in surprise. "Souma must've provided him with those."
"What're shuko?" Fay asked curiously.
"Shuko are something like metal claws you put on your hands. They're pretty useful for scaling walls."
"Wow," he chuckled. He looked up at the horse where Sakura and Syaoran were sitting. "We learn more about Kuro-pippi everyday."
Syaoran peered nervously around them. "At least everyone's too busy buying and selling to notice us now," he observed. "This must be some sort of a market square..."
"Well, let's look in the other pack," Fay said pleasantly, drawing the other one to him. "Judging by the squishy feeling, he's probably got some clothes in here." He undid the ties and pulled it open. "Let's see... black, black, black... he's not one to wear other colors, is he?" He continued to search through it until he frowned again. "What's this...?" he said, drawing out something that was definitely not black. "A sash...?" He held it out to the others.
Syaoran took the wispy little thing from him and looked down at it. The fabric was of a fine silk and soft to the touch, and it was a pale lavender color. "It's more like a scarf..." He drew it to his face and inhaled. "And... it smells like flowers..." He flushed slightly. "Er... is this yours, Princess?" he asked Tomoyo embarrassedly.
"No," she said evenly, her violet eyes hardening.
Syaoran sweat-dropped and looked at Fay. Fay simply spread his hands helplessly.
Sakura was blushing furiously when she snatched it from Syaoran and hurriedly stuffed it back in the pack. "That's none of your business," she said firmly. "And don't start thinking that Kurogane-san's done anything because he hasn't, all right?"
This only made Fay and Syaoran stare at her incredulously.
"It's for Tomoyo-hime," Sakura spluttered, her cheeks reddening even more. "He got it for her when we were in Sembia. Oh, dear, and he wanted it to be a surprise. I knew we shouldn't have been looking through his things..."
"Let me guess," Fay said, lifting an eyebrow. "You sensed him?"
She nodded. "He was really pleased about it because he really likes the way the color matches her eyes... and he wanted to give it to her... in private... when..." She moaned and covered her beet-red face with her hands. "I didn't mean to sense him! I can't help it if he's head over heels in love with her and thinks about her practically all the time!"
It was Tomoyo's turn to redden in embarrassment. She hastily covered her flaming cheeks with her hands, as if trying to hide the fact that she was blushing like mad. "Well..." she croaked, avoiding eye-contact with them. "Now I know I'm not the only one..."
Fay snorted and tried to keep himself from laughing as he continued sifting through the pack. "Found it," he managed to gasp as he revealed the money bag, hurriedly covering his mouth with his hands as soon as he had climbed his mount again. But such a feat was impossible for him, and he ended up collapsing over the saddle in helpless giggles.
———————————————
Kurogane screwed his face in disgust. "What's this supposed to be?" he asked, nudging the dead carcass at his feet with a prodding claw. He was not at all eager to eat something that looked like it had been stepped on.
"What was once an ox," Lightningstreak replied. He licked his lips hungrily. "If you don't want it, I'll be more than happy to take it off your claws," he offered.
"Lightningstreak, he has to eat something," Firebolt scolded him, ripping off a piece of meat from the dead horse she was eating. "If he collapses from hunger it'll be on your head."
"I still don't get why I had to get the scrawny horse," he complained. "There was hardly any meat on it! Does Pewterstone have a grudge on me or something?"
"It was kind enough of Pewterstone to actually give us the horses and the ox, which he wouldn't have unless Blacksteel was with us. Word of what happened to Moonbeam and who Blacksteel really is traveled fast. And, as you noticed, he got the best. So shut up."
Lightningstreak's ears drooped. "But I'm still hungry..."
"Stop whining and leave Blacksteel alone."
Kurogane shook his head. "You can have it," he grumbled, trying to ignore his rumbling stomach. "The idea of raw meat makes me queasy for some reason."
"Blacksteel, I could worship you now," Lightningstreak thanked him fervently as he began to devour the ox he had so graciously relented.
"Let's not go that far," Kurogane said dryly, looking around.
"Queasy?" Firebolt muttered, frowning. "Oh, I get it. You're still influenced by your human appetite. There's not need to worry. It's just like Goldenridge said. As the days pass, you'll become more and more dragon." And with that, she lowered her head again to eat.
With what compensations? Kurogane thought bleakly. He shook his head and swished his tail restlessly. "I'll go browse around for a fruit tree or something," he said, turning from them. "It's hard to concentrate on anything else with my stomach interrupting me."
"I'm afraid you won't find anything now," Lightningstreak told him after a large swallow. "Nothing grows in the heart of winter."
Kurogane exhaled irritably. "I'll dig up some roots... or nuts... or... something," he mumbled.
Lightningstreak cut off a strip of meat with his talons and held it out to him. "There's only meat available in the wintertime."
Kurogane shook his head stubbornly. "No way am I going to eat something that's been dead for days!"
"Pewterstone killed it last night. It's as fresh as they come." Lightningstreak dangled the strip of meat in front of Kurogane eyes. "Come on, you've got to eat something," he urged, worried that Firebolt's predictions would prove true and Kurogane would collapse from hunger.
Kurogane's stomach grumbled rather loudly then, and his mouth began to water. His body was telling him that the piece of meat Lightningstreak was offering him was particularly delicious and juicy, but his mind was stubbornly clinging to the fact that it was raw and hardly edible. He struggled with himself, but, finally, his hunger won over. He snatched the strip and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing on it vigorously. His dragonish senses calmed as they savored the meaty flavor in his mouth, and he found that it was actually quite tasty. His eyes focused upon the carcass and he suddenly leaned forward and began to bite off large chunks of it with his teeth, gulping the meat down greedily.
Lightningstreak chuckled in amusement. "Boy, he sure is hungry!"
Firebolt observed Kurogane's eating-frenzy with a sour expression on her face. "By Ryuujin, he's acting just like you when you haven't eaten for days."
"Well, it's justified for him. He really hasn't eaten a thing for days."
"I suppose you're right." She shuddered. "You men can be such slops, though."
"It adds to our charm," Lightningstreak said smugly.
Firebolt snorted in disgust. "You think," she mumbled under her breath. She looked over at Kurogane again, who had managed to devour a good third of the meat by now. "Do you think we should go find Goldenridge and Silverthorn to tell them about Blacksteel's idea?" she asked the blue dragon.
Lightningstreak frowned. "Not yet," he decided. "I'm sure they'll suggest that Blacksteel tell the other dragons himself what he's thought up of, and his mannerisms are still... well..."
"Are still humanlike?" she offered dryly.
He nodded helplessly. "He sticks out like a sore claw."
Firebolt sighed, looking down at her own meal. "Seeing him eat like that made me lose my appetite."
"I'll finish it off," Lightningstreak said eagerly.
She shrugged. "Go right ahead."
As Lightningstreak bent down to polish off the rest of the horse, Firebolt edged a little to the side and let her gaze wander over the Valley. More dragons had emerged from their caves a few hours ago, and they were mostly keeping to themselves, as usual. Those who were close friends and acknowledged each other kept company, and all the small dragonlings were knit together like a small pack. There were only eight of them, however. Not enough for the next generation.
Firebolt sighed. She hoped that Kurogane's idea would be graciously accepted by the others, for she honestly believed that it was the only solution possible. She had originally thought that 'making peace' would involve having to get into contact with humans. She shuddered. She did not think she would have been able to stand it. However, Kurogane, when human, was different from other humans. There had been something dragonish about him even then, just as there was something human about him now as a dragon. He was certainly apart as he had furiously declared before. Neither a human, nor a dragon. Would the others accept him for this difference?
"Greetings, Firebolt," a voice suddenly rumbled behind her.
She turned around in surprise. "Thunderbell," she said with a smile. "It's great to see you again."
The large dragon bowed his head in acknowledgement, his turquoise scales gleaming in the orange sun's flickering rays. "I trust you are well?" His tone was formal, even though he did not speak using archaic language, which indicated his great age.
"Just fine."
"And...?" He cast a furtive look at Kurogane, who had just finished his meal and was now eyeing the pair of them warily.
"He's trying to adjust," she offered.
Kurogane nudged Lightningstreak and indicated Thunderbell. The smaller dragon nodded, and, swallowing one last bite, they came up to them.
"Long time no see, Thunderbell," Lightningstreak grinned sheepishly. "I'm afraid I'll admit that you caught us during lunch."
He raised a politely curious brow. "This late?"
"Yeah, well, we had a few matters to tend to before we could eat." He coughed and tilted his head slightly toward Kurogane.
Kurogane's eyes narrowed. "You could just say my name and get it over with," he grumbled.
"Blacksteel needed to learn about his task from Goldenridge and Silverthorn," Firebolt interjected, shooting a look of daggers at Lightningstreak.
Thunderbell nodded. "Goldenridge informed me of this when I spoke to her not ten minutes ago." His expression darkened. "Which reminds me of the reason I came to seek the three of you out."
"Specifically us three?" asked Lightningstreak in surprise.
Thunderbell shook his head sadly. "All of dragonkind, but Goldenridge asked me to specifically inform you three."
Firebolt shifted her weight nervously. "Has something serious happened for all of us to be needed?"
Thunderbell nodded, sighing heavily.
"What's wrong?" Kurogane asked worriedly.
"It is time," Thunderbell said solemnly. He met their gazes with his deep purple eyes squarely. "Silverthorn is dying."
———————————————
"I hope our supplies are going to last," Syaoran said anxiously, raising the heavy sack over his shoulder. It was too heavy for him and he nearly lost his balance, but he managed to catch himself before he fell over.
"Easy there, Syaoran-kun," Fay chuckled as he gripped the sack and raised it slightly so the brown-haired boy could straighten beneath it. "Are you sure you want to carry it? I could, you know."
Syaoran resolutely shook his head. "It's all right. I can manage."
"You sure?"
"It's okay." He hefted the bag slightly to get it in a better position and set off back to the inn with Fay trailing along beside him.
"I wonder what the girls are up to," Fay mused as he crossed his arms behind his head, his long strides a little difficult for Syaoran to keep up with the load on his back.
"I think I heard Sakura say something about bathing facilities." He smiled slightly. "She doesn't like getting dirty."
"No girl likes getting dirty," Fay chuckled. "They have a compulsive need for tidiness I'm afraid we'll never match. Not that I mind taking baths," he added hastily, "but sometimes it's a little difficult to properly bathe when outdoors. It's a great opportunity for all of us to get cleaned up now that we're staying at an inn, actually. I do have to admit I've got the impression that I'm getting quite aromatic, and I don't like the feeling."
Fay laughed and Syaoran grinned as they continued along the street to get back to the inn. They had been lucky that the store they had gone to for supplies wasn't that far—only around ten minutes away on foot. It was a relief that people did not pay them any notice now. Syaoran pointed this out to Fay and he replied that the incessant stares must have been due to the horses, since only people who were well-off could afford to purchase mounts.
They shortly arrived at the inn and climbed up the stairs, leaving the pack with the provisions in the room they were sharing before turning to the door next to theirs. Fay rapped on it smartly. "It's us," he called.
The door opened and they entered the room, Sakura closing it shut behind them. "That was fast," she noted as she settled down beside Tomoyo upon one of the sleeping pallets.
"The store wasn't that far," Syaoran shrugged, settling down on the other sleeping pallet across from them. "We got enough to last us a week."
"At least," Fay added, sitting down beside him and fondly scratching Mokona's ears. "Now all we need is a plan."
Sakura and Tomoyo exchanged looks.
"We've thought up of something ourselves," Tomoyo admitted. "We could use Sakura-hime's empathy to—"
"Empathy?" Syaoran interjected curiously.
"Her ability to sense emotions," Tomoyo explained. "It's called empathy."
Fay laughed weakly. "I could never remember that word," he grinned.
"As I was saying, by using Sakura-hime's empathy, I'm sure we'll be able to track Kurogane down. It proved so by pinpointing his location, after all. Once we reach those mountains, Sakura-hime will be able to tell us exactly where he is."
"But... wouldn't that mean coming into contact with other dragons?" Syaoran asked warily. "Not all of them take kindly to humans like Kurogane-san's friends. Won't it be dangerous?"
Tomoyo avoided eye-contact with him. "Of course it will be dangerous," she said quietly. "Which is why from then on, I'll be on my own."
"What?!" Fay said in surprise.
She nodded. "I can't put any of you in danger. It's too risky. I'll be safe," she assured them. "I'll use my magic to protect myself. Sakura-hime certainly can't come because she isn't that skilled yet in using active powers. Fay-kun has decided not to use his magic... and Syaoran-san doesn't have any magic..." She shrugged helplessly. "There's no other way."
"We can't let you go on your own," Syaoran protested. "Don't you remember what Tsukuyomi-sama said?"
"He'll start forgetting how it was like to be human and start becoming a real dragon," Fay supplied darkly.
"He might not even recognize you," Mokona piped up worriedly.
"Not to mention we have no idea how to change him back into a human," Syaoran added.
Tomoyo bowed her head and clasped her hands together. "I understand the dangers, and I realize the consequences..."
"Try to understand her," Sakura said, coming to her aid. "It's different for us and it's different for Tomoyo-hime. For us, it's our friend in danger, which would be enough for any one of us to risk our lives. But for Tomoyo-hime, it's her heart that's in danger. Kurogane-san means much more to her than to all of us put together."
Syaoran nodded in understanding. "I know how it's like," he assured the petite miko princess with a crooked smile. "And I know I'd do the same if I were in your place."
Tomoyo smiled warmly. "Thank you, Syaoran-san," she said softly.
Judging by Fay's expression, he was none too happy at the announcement, but he made no comment.
"Oh!" Sakura suddenly gasped and brought her hand to her chest.
"What's wrong?" Syaoran asked in alarm.
"I felt... something... just now," she said.
"Did anything happen to Kurogane?" Tomoyo demanded, her own hand flying to her heart.
"It's Silverthorn," she whispered faintly. "Kurogane-san's just discovered that... his oldest dragon friend is dying."
Fay bowed his head and brought his hand to his mouth, his expression serious. "You must've felt his surprise," he surmised.
Sakura nodded. "It was very sudden..." She bit on her lower lip. "Silverthorn was very kind to us, considering that he resented humans. I could feel it when we met him that he was close to his time... Kurogane-san knew it, too... but I could have never imagined that it would happen so soon..."
Syaoran sighed heavily. "He was a majestic creature..."
Mokona's ears fell and it climbed into Tomoyo's lap. "Kurogane must be feeling sad... I'd be feeling sad if a friend was dying..."
"So would I," Fay said sadly.
They all nodded in agreement.
———————————————
All of dragonkind had been summoned to Silverthorn's deathbed by the time Kurogane, Thunderbell, Lightningstreak, and Firebolt arrived. The dragons had come from all over the Valley—and beyond it—to pay their last respects to the Silver Dragon. It was traditional that each dragon say their last goodbyes him one by one, a feat possible both by their small number and by the fact that dragons were forewarned of their impeding deaths to accomplish it. Being over two millennia years old, Silverthorn was considered one of the oldest of their kind, and his death was a sorry event for them all.
Pewterstone nodded at the foursome and motioned them closer. His shiny steel-like scales appeared dark gray in the rays of the setting sun, and his expression was grim, heavily contrasting with his usual emotionless expressions. "Just wait for Sunbeam to finish paying her last respects, and then it'll be your turns." He forced a grin, a sign that indicated that he had been greatly affected by the turn of events as he almost never smiled. "Cutting it close, aren't we?"
"We were on the other side of the valley," Lightningstreak explained. "It takes a while to get here."
"Is Silverthorn in any pain?" Kurogane asked quietly.
Pewterstone hesitated before nodding. "Usually there is no pain; just a weary exhaustion. But he was pushing himself too much... what with the Guardians and your sudden arrival..."
A yellow dragon came up to them then, presumably Sunbeam. "It's your turn," she said quietly, before turning back to stand with the rest of the dragons.
Thunderbell nodded at Lightningstreak, and, swallowing hard, the younger dragon walked up to Silverthorn.
Silverthorn was lying on the ground, his wings unnaturally bent beneath him and his scales dimmer than Kurogane last remembered them. His chest heaved with his weak gasps for air, and he was taken over by racking coughs upon occasion. He was so weary that he could barely raise his head from the ground. Kurogane found it astonishing that he had appeared healthy and strong in the morning, heavily contrasting with his current self.
"But he looked perfectly all right in the morning," Firebolt said faintly, thinking along the same lines as him.
Pewterstone shook his head sadly. "That's because he was using his Talent to support himself. Goldenridge told me so. He wanted to continue with his obligations as if nothing was wrong."
Thunderbell frowned. "He should have known better."
"I think he did," he disagreed. "He just didn't want us to worry about him more than was necessary."
Lightningstreak returned to their sides at that moment and half-shrugged at Firebolt, indicating that it was her turn.
"Has he chosen his successor?" Thunderbell continued questioning Pewterstone.
"Nothing yet. But you know how these things are. After we've all said our last goodbyes, he'll declare it, the chosen dragon will step forward to receive his or her final instructions, and then he will die."
"Just like that?!" Kurogane demanded in horror.
He shrugged. "That's how it is."
Kurogane could feel hot grief threatening to overwhelm him, but he forced himself to remain emotionless.
A few minutes later, Firebolt returned, apparently shaken, and Thunderbell went to pay his own respects. After another few minutes, it was finally Kurogane's turn.
It was with a slight trepidation that he walked up to Silverthorn, the only person, counting both humans and dragons, whom he had ever held an unwavering respect for. Silverthorn had been his first encounter with dragons, the first one who had helped him understand what dragons were going through at humankind's expense. He had taught him their language, had advised him and cautioned him about his problems. And the best of all was that he had provided him with a father's kindness... a kindness that he had always longed for but had never found in his own father.
"Blacksteel..."
Kurogane was terribly surprised at how weak Silverthorn's voice had become. He nodded, swallowing hard. "Yes?"
"So... thou hast also come to pay homage to me?" His voice concealed a hidden note of irony that Kurogane recognized.
He shook his head and forced an awkward smile on his face. "I think I'll just settle on saying goodbye." He had decided that it would be better if he handled the situation with a dry sarcasm. Perhaps, by treating it lightly, he would be able to prevent his composure from breaking down and falling apart.
Silverthorn chuckled weakly, then was overcome by racking coughs. It took several moments for them to subside, and when they did, the silver dragon appeared more worn than before. "Art thou always... so droll... at a deathbed?" he croaked.
"I don't know." He shrugged. "This is the first time I've ever been present at one."
"But surely... thou art no stranger to death..." Silverthorn added shrewdly.
Kurogane had to hand it to him, he still had a sharp wit about him.
"It had always been evident... ever since our first meeting..." His glassy eyes regarded him intensely. "Thou art a warrior... and nothing can change that..."
Kurogane found himself frowning at his words. Had he finally gotten senile and was rambling? Or was he trying to tell him something more...?
"No matter how much... thou might hope for it..." Silverthorn continued, rasping. "Thou wilt never be able... to cleanse thyself... from all the blood... thou hast spilled..."
Kurogane bowed his head. If it was apparent to Silverthorn how deadly he was, then how apparent was it to the rest of the world? Would he ever be able to correct his past mistakes?
"However... thou hast changed... and greatly... since we last saw each other... years ago..." He coughed again, screwing his eyes shut in pain. He forced himself to continue speaking, his breathing difficult. "Thou... doth now realize... the true meaning of strength... even though... thy heart believes otherwise... when taking in account... all of thy crimes... both past... and present..."
Kurogane caught his breath in his throat. How did he know?!
"Thou!" Silverthorn finally managed to gasp, reaching up and gripping Kurogane's shoulder, pulling him down to him. It was surprising how much strength he still had left. "Thou... wilt be... my successor!" he croaked hoarsely.
The rest of the dragons began whispering excitedly amongst themselves, having heard Silverthorn's exulted cry.
"What?!" Kurogane demanded in stunned disbelief. "Me?!"
"Yes..." he wheezed, his breaths coming out in heavy gasps. "For... never before didst I encounter... such spirit... such loyalty... such strength... in one person... let alone one... who was born as a human..."
"But... but I can't become the Silver Dragon! I just can't!" Kurogane tried to protest. "I've already got too much on my hands! Don't put such a burden on me, please, Silverthorn!"
"Thou hast no choice... in the matter..." He drew a shuddering breath. "My decision hath been made..."
"Silverthorn! You can't do this to me!" he cried desperately. "I'm begging you, please, choose someone else! I don't know enough!"
He looked up at him through his glassy red eyes. "That is not the real reason..." he whispered accusingly. "Thou wished... for a chance to become... human again..." He coughed again, that same persistent, racking cough that made him weaker each time it plagued him. "Thou hadst a small hope... that somehow... thou couldst return... believing now... that there wilt never be a chance to return... if this burden becomes thine own..."
Kurogane momentarily stiffened, but he managed to brush the accusation aside, however true it was. "Please..." he said weakly. "Please, don't do this to me..."
"Doth this reluctance stem... from that princess... thou told me about once...?" he demanded, squeezing him, his talons digging into his shoulder.
Kurogane winced as he felt hot blood trickling down his foreleg, but he did not flinch under his accusing glare.
"Hast thou... feelings for her...?" he persisted, squeezing harder.
Kurogane gnashed his teeth together to withstand the pain, refusing to answer.
"Tell me!" Silverthorn began coughing again, his whole frame shuddering as he gasped for air. His eyes were slowly drooping shut, his grip steadily weakening. "Tell me..." he croaked.
Kurogane could feel the pain rippling through the silver dragon as if it were his own, and he was ringed with guilt for causing his old friend such suffering. "Yes, I do... I have feelings for her," he whispered, low enough so only he could hear. "I... I love her."
"And... thou wouldst be willing... to renounce all... to return to her...?"
Renounce all? Kurogane frowned, trying to understand what he meant. "I'd... I'd do anything for her!" he finally whispered vehemently.
"Renounce thy rightful claim... to success me... declare it... so all can hear!"
"Why?" he demanded, baffled at Silverthorn's strange behavior. He named him his successor and now he was encouraging him to refuse?
"Thou hast to... please..."
Kurogane could feel that Silverthorn was in agony, and he knew in that moment that he was dreadfully close to death.
"Quickly... there is not much time left..."
Kurogane swallowed hard and straightened, looking at the others. "I... I don't want to become the Silver Dragon," he said strongly. Gaining confidence from another squeeze, this time a gentle and encouraging squeeze, he plodded on. "I renounce my claim on Silverthorn's title... He chose me, but I do not choose it... I refuse to become the Silver Dragon!"
There was a stunned silence at his bold statement. The position had never been refused before, not once, not in thousands of years.
Silverthorn smiled up at him weakly. "And thy love... wilt be... thy weapon... for all is now clear to me..."
"Tomoyo?" he said in astonishment. "My weapon?"
He nodded. "Thou wilt be... nay... thou art even now in danger... of losing thyself..." His grip grew stronger. "Never forget... thou must decide... before thou wilt not be able to remember..."
"What are you talking about?" he asked faintly.
"Thou hast made a decision... for us... but thou must also make a decision... for thyself..."
"I don't understand," he protested.
Silverthorn coughed again, and this time he coughed up blood. "My successor... must willingly accept the title..." He turned his head. "Cloudbeard..." he said weakly. "Come closer..."
The startled pearly-white dragon hesitated before coming up to them. "Yes, Silverthorn?"
"Anticipating this... I have decided... that thou wilt be my successor..."
Cloudbeard appeared startled at being chosen, but he nodded determinedly, his worried blue eyes upon Kurogane.
Silverthorn looked up at the black dragon for a last time. "Remember her... do not forget her... or else... thou wilt forever be torn..."
"Silverthorn..." Kurogane clenched his teeth together. He could sense it. This was the end.
"Promise me..." he murmured in a small and hardly audible whisper. "Do not forget..."
He tried to blink back his tears. "I promise," he swore determinedly.
Silverthorn smiled one last time and sighed deeply. His smile did not waver even when the last remaining life in his eyes faded away. And he still held onto Kurogane's shoulder. A moment passed when nothing happened. Then Silverthorn began to glow with a silvery light. The light seemed to emerge from his body like vapor, and, hovering in the air, it flew to Cloudbeard and enveloped him in the same silver light.
"Silverthorn has succumbed to death," Goldenridge declared in a voice she tried to keep steady, "appointing Cloudbeard as his successor. May what you witnessed here be a confirmation that Cloudbeard is now the Silver Dragon."
As one, all of the dragons bowed their heads to Cloudbeard to indicate their respect and acknowledgement... all but for Kurogane, who had broken into convulsive and silent sobs over the death of his oldest and wisest dragon friend as he desperately grasped at the claw still holding onto his shoulder, mourning the loss of the only one whom he had ever dared to think of as something like a father.
§·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·§
To Be Continued
§·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·¤°°¤·..·§
A/N: Erm... yes, I made Kurogane cry again... but it was totally justified and necessary! I'd already mentioned Silverthorn's impeding death in Chapter 16 and Kurogane's reaction then needed to match his reaction now. And as you can see, I expanded on the term 'Talent' in this chapter. As I said before, though, in L.E. Modesitt Jr's Corean Chronicles, it's only a term that means magic. I gave it my own meanings and embellishments to suit dragonkind.
You can see that Kurogane's starting to doubt humankind. Seeing the horrific acts they've done against dragons brings him more to their side, however, he's not blind to the fact that dragons themselves are imperious and proud. And, yes, he interpreted the message differently because he was meant to interpret it differently. Basically, what he's thinking of is forting up the Valley. I'll expand on that in the next chapter... in a way, teehee.
Oh, yes, and all of those town names and villages I mentioned... Check out a map in Japan and you may see some similarities... XD
Tell me if you like it or tell me if you hate it. Please review!