Me: Sorry it took me so long to update! I'm a lazy person who had to get off my ass to update. Kept forgetting to, truthfully. Sorry! There are only 2 more chapters after this. I just want to put a quick note in before I begin. Crystal Persian, as I promised here is that chapter with the (cough cough) not telling (cough cough). You know what I mean though right, Crystal Persian? You should. We did make that deal and all. I better get going before Icefire gets loose.

Icefire: Is tied down with chains and locked in the closet

Key

"Talking"

'Thinking'

Memories

//Dragon's telepathy//

/Phoenix telepathy/

: Telepathy :

End Key

Chapter 22: The After Math

Jen groaned. She was so bored. She was covered in bandages. She, in her own opinion, resembled an Egyptian mummy. She was wearing the traditional hospital gown.

She occupied the room Chiro had not long before. The sheets were fresh and smelled of lavender. 'Chiro gets to be up and around while I'm stuck here counting ceiling tiles for the hundredth time!' She snorted mentally and wiggled into the blankets.

She closed her eyes. She was tired of looking at the damn ceiling. She heard the door open. 'I think I'll have a little fun…' She relaxed, faking sleep.

She heard a chuckle. Chiro. He stroked her head as an older brother would his younger sister. Jen forced herself not to laugh. She waited until just the right moment. Her hand shot out, grabbing his wrist.

Chiro jumped and made a girlish squeal of fright. Jen opened her eyes and grinned at him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Got ya."

"Jen!" Chiro breathed, his free hand resting over his pounding heart. "Don't scare me like that!"

Jen laughed and released his wrist. "I needed some excitement. Do you know how boring it is only counting ceiling tiles as entertainment?"

Chiro looked up at the ceiling. "How many are there?"

"241."

He looked back down at her. "Wow. You really have nothing to do."

"Duh. I'm not allowed out of bed, and this stupid collar prevents me from using my powers." Jen crossed her arms over her chest and huffed. "Leave it to Mom to take the fun out of everything."

Chiro laughed and ruffled her hair, ignoring her cries of protest. "You'll be better in no time." His laughter died away and he frowned. "We'll be leaving this evening."

"You are?" Chiro's hand stilled, it merely rested on her head.

He nodded. "Yeah, the others need us back home."

Jen looked away, eyes sad. "Just…" She looked back at him. "Just come see me before you leave okay?"

He smiled. "I will." He withdrew his hand. He turned to leave. He only made it to the door before Jen's voice stopped him.

"Chiro?"

He looked over his shoulder at her. "Yeah?"

"Will you do me a favor?"

Chiro turned to completely face her. "And what would that be?"

"Would you hang out with Krystal? Like you, loves you even. Would you please at least get to know her?"

"Sure, Jen. I'll get to know her."

Jen smiled. 'That was easy. Then again Chiro has always been kind hearted.' "Thanks. It means a lot to me. And it'll mean a lot to Krystal."

Chiro nodded and left the room, a smiled upon his lips. Jen watched after him for a moment before closing her eyes. She was so damn bored! Maybe Wish would come visit soon…

Chiro walked down the hall. He fully intended to do as Jen asked of him. She was a friend of his and had nearly died to save him. It was the least he could do.

He was wearing clothes Athelas had gotten for him. She had to get to the clothing makers before they put in the wing and tail holes. He was very grateful to be wearing something other than his pajamas or the hospital gown.

He wore a pair of baggy black jeans with zip able pockets. He wore a black sweater with green flames on the sleeves. He wore black and white sneakers like the ones he had back home.

He spotted Athelas in the hall. He waved to her. "Hey." He called.

She looked away from the door she was about to enter and looked at him. "Hello, Chiro. How do you feel?"

He approached her. "I feel fine thank you. Thanks again for the clothes."

"Don't mention it. I'm more than happy to have helped."

"Um, do you know where Krystal went? I need to speak with her."

"She's on the roof. She's up there with Kaze and Atsui. I believe they're watching the sunrise."

"Thanks!" He hugged her and backed away. "You might want to give Jen something to do." He advised. "She has the number of ceiling tiles in her room memorized and gets a kick out of scaring people." He warned.

Athelas laughed. "Thanks for the warning. I'll take that into consideration."

Chiro ran off down the hall leaving Athelas to her business. He ran up the stairs to the roof. He pushed open the door that read "roof" and stepped outside. As Athelas had said there they were.

Kaze was lying down in a way similar to a bird, his head tucked under his wing. Atsui was standing on the edge of the roof, watching the people below. Krystal was sitting, her back against Kaze's side. Her eyes were closed and her hands rested in her lap. Her chest rose and fell slowly and evenly.

The sun was rising behind the group, casting an orange glow. It made Kaze's feathers look almost gold. Atsui's feathers seemed to glow with a beautiful radiance. The way that the light hit Krystal's face made her look like an angel. Chiro found himself blushing.

Chiro slowly approached, not wanting to startle them. When he was within a few feet of them Krystal's ear twitched, hearing Chiro's footfalls. She opened her chocolate colored eyes and blushed. "Hi." Chiro greeted.

"Krystal looked down shyly. "Hi."

Chiro looked down at his feet nervously. 'Damn! Why am I so shy all of a sudden?' He shyly rubbed the back of his neck. "Would you like to go for a walk with me?"

Krystal looked up at him in surprise. "Yes I would love too."

Chiro reached out his hand and she took it. He pulled her to her feet. // Have fun, my youngling .// Kaze called.

Atsui looked at them. / And stay out of trouble. /

Krystal smiled. "We will." She went behind Chiro and beat her wings. She lifted him into the air and carried him off. "I know of a forest near by. It was this beautiful pool of water I wan you to see."

"Sounds good to me."

Krystal set him on his feet just beyond the trees and landed herself. She nervously slid her hand into his. They walked side-by-side into the forest. A silence filled the air. It built itself up brick, by brick to form a wall.

Chiro shattered this wall when he spoke. "So you've been living with a dragon for four years?"

"Uh-huh. Jen said you live with monkeys. You live with Antauri right? I think she said Mandarin lives with her."

"Yeah. Life is never boring. They're usually hyper active. Especially Otto, our mechanic."

"Sounds like fun." Krystal said.

"It is." Chiro's eyes saddened. "I miss them."

"I bet you do. You'll see them soon. Don't you worry." Krystal soothed and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

He smiled at her. "Thanks Krystal."

They came to a clearing that took Chiro's breath away. There was a crystal clear pool in the center of the clearing. There was maybe 3ft of grass between the pool and the trees. The light hit the pool, making it sparkle like it was made of crystals.

Krystal giggled at Chiro's reaction. "I've known of this place for a while. I used to come here everyday when I was younger. Until I got too adventurous and left home, that is."

Chiro turned to her. "Is that so?"

Krystal nodded. "I left home about four years ago. I ended up at the base of Long Mountain. I was weak and sick. Kaze, the feather dragon found me and took me in."

"That's kind of like me. I was an orphan who was rather adventurous. I stumbled upon the Super Robot and accidentally activated the monkeys and they took me in." Chiro related.

Krystal looked into his eyes and blushed. "We have a lot in common, huh?"

"Yeah I guess we do." He replied and blushed.

They leaned in toward each other. Their noses were almost touching. They hesitated. Krystal went the rest of the way, brushing his lips with hers.

Chiro wrapped his arms about her waist, pulling her close to him. Krystal wrapped her arms about his neck. They kissed deeply before they had to part for air.

Krystal smiled and rested her head contently on Chiro's chest. Chiro smiled. He had butterflies fluttering about his stomach, wanting to be free.

He had found love.

Me: There you go Crystal Persian! You got to kiss Chiro!

Chiro: (Is very happy)

Me: Anyway I've got to go type the next chapter now. Other wise Icefire's gonna kick my ass.