Me: There's one more chapter after this people! I kept forgetting to update. That's my excuse.

Icefire: You'd better be sorry!

Me: ...

Icefire: You are sorry aren't you?

Me: ...

Icefire: ... That's it! (Runs at me)

Me: ...! (runs away)

Key

"Talking"

'Thinking'

Memories

//Dragon's telepathy//

/Phoenix telepathy/

: Telepathy :

End Key

Chapter 23: Until We Meet Again

The afternoon sun warmed the felinadons as they went about their jobs. Some were fixing broken things, others were taking care of the injured. Some were gathering the bodies of the dead. A group of specially selected people was working on the Brain Scrambler.

They were double-checking its systems were in working order. They were making sure its fuel tanks were full and there were no leaks. Others were washing it so it shone in the afternoon sunshine.

Chiro held Krystal's hand tightly. He felt at loss. He had finally found love, only to have to leave the object of his affection behind.

Krystal's head rested on Chiro's shoulder. She didn't want him to leave her. She loved him greatly and wanted to be with him forever. Her chest ached at the thought of him leaving her behind.

Kaze stood not to far away. He watched his adopted daughter with mixed emotions. He'd never see Krystal so happy. He wanted to let her go. But he didn't want to let her go. He couldn't imagine life without her, but he wanted her to be happy.

He furrowed his brow as he watched the pair sitting on a bench in the shade of a tree. His sapphire eyes saddened. He had to make up his mind and quick. Chiro would be leaving soon. Within a half hour or less to be exact.

The door to Athelas's clinic opened and Jen came out. Wish was on one side of her and Mandarin was on the other. Both of them were trying to make sure she didn't fall. It was actually very amusing. Watching the two little monkeys try to keep her on her feet.

Chiro and Krystal looked over at Jen and the monkeys. "Hey Jen!" Chiro called. "What are you doing out of bed?"

"It took a lot of hounding, but I got Mom to let me come out. I had to promise I wouldn't do too much." Jen replied and sat beside Krystal. Wish climbed carefully into Jen's lap, Mandarin sat beside Jen.

"I should have known you'd come out to see us off." Chiro said.

"Duh. Hey where's Antauri?" Jen looked around.

"Huh? Oh he's off talking to your Mother, I think."

"Ah. It did take me a while getting out here. So I suspect they might be having a chat." Jen leaned back and sighed. Her cat ears twitched. "So… Krystal. I see you and Chiro had a chat."

Krystal blushed. "Actually we kissed."

Jen looked at her. "Oh?"

Krystal nodded and her blush deepened. She looked at her lap. "It was wonderful."

"Good for you. I've never kissed anyone. Never really had much of an interest in boys. Too busy with other stuff, I guess." She looked up at the leaves above them. She sighed and closed her eyes.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to bring up a painful subject." Krystal exclaimed.

Jen looked at the girl. "Hey, don't worry about it. It isn't a painful subject. I don't really even think about it." Jen smiled as emphasis.

Krystal sighed in relief. She didn't want to hurt anyone. She was glad she hadn't upset Jen in anyway.

// Krystal// Kaze had made up his mind. Those on the bench looked at him.

Atsui came to stand beside Kaze. She knew what he was about to do. She wanted to be sure he had someone there with him when he announced his decision. It was a difficult one to make, but he made it.

Kaze hesitated. / Go on. / Atsui encouraged.

// Krystal. I… I want you to go with him. I want you to go with Chiro. // The feather dragon looked down. // I can see that you love him and are very happy with him. I want you to be happy. It's very hard for me to let you go… but I am willing to let you go. All parents must let their child to spread their wings and leave the nest. // Kaze looked into Krystal's face. // I have to let you leave the nest now or it'll be harder for me later on. //

Krystal let go of Chiro's hand and stood. She walked over to Kaze and buried her face in his feathery chest. She buried her fingers in the white feathers and gripped them. Tears flowed down her cheeks. "Thank you so much! I love you."

Kaze bowed his head and pressed his chin to her back. // Your welcome my daughter. We'd better fetch your things from the den. Climb on and we shall go swiftly. //

Krystal nodded and climbed onto his back. Kaze spread his wings and beat them. He took to the sky, with ease. Krystal waved to those sitting on the bench. "I'll be back soon! I'm just going to go get my stuff!" Kaze flew off toward his cave.

Chiro smiled, his heart felt as light as a feather. His love was going to go with him. He wasn't going to lose her. She would remain beside him. He looked at Jen, who smiled. "I'm glad Krystal is going with you. You'll both be happier for it." Jen said.

"Yeah, me too." Mandarin agreed. After all the grief he had caused the boy in his life he was glad he was finally happy.

"Me three!" Wish exclaimed. She always wanted others to be happy.

Atsui came over to them and nudged Chiro with her beak gently. / You'd better take good care of my niece. / She warned. / Kaze is greatly pained. Having to let go of his only offspring. The only one he will ever have. Even though he wasn't her sire, she was like his own offspring to him. /

Chiro stroked her beak. "Don't worry. I'll take good care of her. I'm grateful to Kaze for allowing me to take the love of my life with me."

By the time Kaze and Krystal returned Antauri and Athelas had come out of the clinic. The Brain Scrambler was all set to go. Krystal and Chiro walked up the ramp side-by-side, having already given their hugs good bye. They climbed into the ship and out of sight.

Antauri spoke to Jen before he left. "Jen, I am forever in your debt. You nearly died trying to protect Chiro."

"Don't' worry about it." Jen replied. "I don't think you owe me anything. I'm just happy I was able to help. Chiro is liked a brother to me. You should know I'd help no matter what anyone says."

Antauri nodded. "True." He paused a moment before continuing. "I talked with your mother. We have both agreed it would be best if we kept in contact and visited every so often. She wants me to train you in the use of the Power Primate."

Jen's face was alight in a smile. "Really?"

" Yes. When you use it you do so to a great extent. You use way too much energy. I'll see you next week to begin your training. We're going to start out small, letting your body heal before we do to much training."

If Jen was able to she would have jumped on him and hugged him. "That's great! I can't wait to begin!"

"You have to wait a week for your body to heal itself some first. I'll see you in a week." He turned and went up the ramp. He climbed into the ship and started it up. They took off into space, leaving those below behind.

Atsui let out a song like cry and spread her wings. / Fare well. May we meet again one day. / She beat her wings, lifting her body into the air and flew away in the direction of the volcano she lived in.

Kaze lifted his head to the sky and roared. He spread his wings and leapt into the air. // So long, youngling of the alchemist. Our paths will cross again one day if faith decrees it. // He flew off in the direction of his mountain.

Jen waved as she watched them go. "Good bye! I hope we see each other again! Come and visit would you?!"

// Maybe I will.// Kaze's voice drifted back.

/ I might. Only time will tell. / Came Atsui's reply.

'I hope we will. I enjoy being with friends. Whether they are new or old. I always look forward to our next meeting.' Jen smiled and watched until they were no longer seen.

Me: Okay there is but one more chapter to go! YAY! (sniff sniff) This story is almost done. It's so sad…

Icefire: You're pathetic.

Me: Yes I am, but I am good at it.