Written in the Stars

Chibikan

Act One Scene Four

Dark Heart tore off his patchy red tunic and his holey pants and kicked off his sandals to run along the beach that was now his room in only his under shorts. This felt so much better. The sand getting between his toes and the wind blowing through his bright red hair. And what was more, he had the ocean. As if to prove it, a large wave came and soaked him. After letting the surprise go, Dark Heart threw back his head and gave a mighty laugh. This was freedom.

Star and Wind both smiled at the boy's childish behavior. They didn't see a lot of that here in their world.

"Well, it's good to see he's feeling better. I never thought I'd have to use my powers to heal one of our own." Wind told Star.

Star agreed. "He seems special. The Great One chose well. Look at that smile on his face." She couldn't help getting caught up in his happiness. His face was beautiful, she had to admit it. She recalled his eyes looking deep into hers. She'd never seen such clear pools before, not even the lake near their mountain could compare.

Wind sighed. "Look after him, Star. Protect him…" He requested. The woman looked up at the tall elemental. He saw the question in her eyes. "He's got that fire now. But we both know what life up here can do to one. We never had a chance, we were created up here, but he, he does have a chance. Don't let that fire die, Star." He kept his eyes on the carefree new-found god. That boy didn't even have a clue what he'd been pulled into. And he prayed, deep in his heart, that when the boy found out, that he would be able to stand up to it. "Well, I guess my job here is done. I will return to my brothers." He turned to leave, his majestic blue cape flying up behind him. "Remember what I said, Milady." And with that, he swept from the room.

At that moment, Dark Heart ran up to her. "Hey, where's he going? I wanted to thank him."

"Oh, he had to go back to his brothers. The Elements are rarely apart. Heck, they rarely leave their shrine. They prefer to distance themselves from the family." Although that was for good reason, she thought to herself. "So, I see you got the hang of the room thing. I'm glad you're better now."

"Yeah, I was worried there for a minute. The Great One had promised me freedom when he took me from my home." With those words, the joy in his eyes died and he lowered his head.

"What's wrong?" Starshine didn't like the sadness showing within him.

"I had to leave my best friend. I should have stayed to help him." Dark Heart told her. And he told her the story of how he'd been pulled into this land of gods. "I was selfish, and I left him for my own freedom. I was selfish…" His hands shook into the fists they'd been formed into.

The Priestess looked away. "I'm sorry." That had been cruel, for their leader to do that to the boy. "But, the Great One, he does know what he's doing. He's the ruler of the Earth." She looked thoughtful. "And at least now, you don't have to live like that anymore. Stealing to eat, you know."

The fiery one nodded. "Yeah, there is that….Cats would be happy, I guess. I just….hope he's safe." Although it wasn't a big hope. He knew how thieves were treated in that city. Many of them were executed outright, in the hopes of setting the example for other would-be wrongdoers. But he didn't tell Star that. It was too late, he'd made his decision. This was his home now. He decided he better change the subject. "So, tell me. Why did he call me Dark Heart?" he asked her. Surely she would know.

Starshine considered the question. "Well, the reason you were needed was to watch over the hearts of the mortals. To protect them from becoming wicked. So I guess he named you have your duties. A lot of us are named after our duties. So that's probably where he got yours. Do you not like it?"

"I guess it's okay, it just….it sounds like he's saying I'M dark hearted, you know. And I'm not. And he didn't even ASK me. And I like my old name better, anyway. How would you feel if it were you?" He stopped, realizing he was rambling. "But, I guess, I have to like it, don't I? I live here now. So I have to take orders from him, right?" When Star didn't reply, he assumed himself to be right.

She bit her lip. "Well, what was your old name?"

"Drake, my old name was Drake."

"You know, if you want, I can call you that in private. You can still be Drake, you'll just answer to another name too. He didn't take your name from you, just gave you a new one."

Dark Heart, Drake, smiled. Yes, he'd like that. He had a good feeling that he and the priestess would become good friends. And she was cute, so that was a bonus. Okay, maybe living here wouldn't be so bad. And maybe his best friend would be alright after.

Yeah, and maybe the sun will fall into the sea and plunge everything into another ice age, uh huh. Oh and maybe the moon will turn into cheese.

END CHAPTER

AN: Yeah, I know, another chapter so soon. I'm just going as my creativity runs rampant. I sort of modeled Wind off of Hatori Sohma from Fruits Basket gwomps the Dragon Juunishi PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW. I'd really appreciate it.