HEY HEY HEY Y'ALL! Didja miss me, my mineshafters? I sure missed you guys. So, uh...Yeah, I have no excuse for not writing, unless that I got bored and moved on for a while counts...? I don't think it does. I'm SO sorry for not updating DX So, as I work on Chapter 3, why not give you guys a little look at what I've done over the past few days? Not MUCH happens in the preview, but hopefully you guys will be excited for the rest of it!

When the brunette returned from sleep, there was one thing she noticed instantly. She was no longer leaning against the door of the room. Instead, she was in the bed, Zayliee curled by her stomach, grey fur brushing her arm. Amethyst ran a hand gently over her pet's ears, who raised her head with the movement. She smiled softly and sat up, rubbing her eyes and pulling a few strands of her brown hair from her mouth.

She lay there for a few moments, just cuddling with her wolf, until stiffening suddenly. Her sword. Where was her sword!? She flung herself from the bed, red sheets flying back, startling Zayliee. She began throwing things around the room in search of it, clearly panicking. She spun around back towards the bed, and she felt her shoulders slump and she sighed in relief as she saw it resting in front of the bed. She picked it up, relishing in the familiar weight in her hands. The blue glistened orange for a few seconds, and she sighed. She'd have to be careful about that around the boys.

She lay the sword on the foot of the bed and clicked her tongue to tell Zayliee to follow her, opening the door as she did so. Amethyst noticed she was the only one awake, as no lights were on and the door to Drake and Armen's room was closed. She couldn't see Grayson's, but she assumed it was the same. She looked at Zayliee, smiling. " Looks like we have the place to ourselves, Zay. You hungry, girl? " Zayliee barked at her, bouncing a few times. She laughed and shushed her. " Shh, girl. You'll wake the boys up. We don't want that, do we? " She put her hand on the animal's head. Zayliee leaned her head back, nuzzling her hand. Amethyst laughed once more and walked towards the kitchen. The grey beast followed.

She began opening the cabinets in the small kitchen, searching for something for her and her pet to eat. The brunette remembered hearing Drake complaining about how Grayson hid all the food, and refused to tell them where it is. She chuckled. He may not be able to find it, but he didn't a wolf trained to hunt and track like Zayliee was.

Said beast was helping her master in her search for food. She was scratching at the cabinet doors, pulling them open, and sniffing around, obviously on the scent of something. She began to yip loudly, clawing violently at the floors of one of the empty cabinets.

The girl walked over and nudged her pet out of the way. She began feeling along the bottom of the storage, until her fingers brushed along a tiny crack that ran around each side of the cabinet in the shape of a square. She grinned as she locked her nails, which had rather badly chipped soft orange nail polish on them, in the crack and under the wood. " Bingo. "

Beneath the wooden panel was all of Grayson's food. From uncooked meat- good thing the storage was freezing- to the apples they had eaten yesterday to what looked like cake- why exactly did Grayson have cake...? This man has everything down here!

She removed some of the meat from the storage, as both owner and pet had been lacking it lately; what meat is was, she didn't know or care to know. As she began to cooking the food, she turned to face Zayliee, who as now sitting with her tongue lolling from her mouth. " C'mon, Zay. It's freezing in here. You know how I hate the cold. Let's light the fire. " The wolf barked in answer and stood, following her master out of the kitchen.

Amethyst headed to the nearby fireplace, and the only one she knew about, which was in the entrance hallway. She knelt beside it, ready to light it, when she paused. She had nothing to light it with. She quickly looked around, eyes wide. Zayliee started at her in confusion. The girl looked at her and sighed. " I don't want them to wake up and see me doing this, Zay... " The grey beat responded to her fears by rubbing her master's cheek with her head. She smiled at Zayliee and turned back to face the empty fire again, extending her hand to it. She moved her fingers lightly and a small flame rose from them. Amethyst held it to the wood and it caught fire, soon spreading and lighting the whole fireplace ablaze. Warmth filled the room.

She sighed in relief and rose to her feet. " That's better. Now, let's see how our food is..." She trailed off as she headed back to the kitchen. Thankfully, it hadn't taken long for the food to cook, as it wasn't very much. She removed it and walked to the table, sitting in the seat she had taken over since she got here, Zayliee by her feet once more. She split the food in half, one part going to Zayliee and the other staying with her. They ate in silence, just enjoying the quiet.

When she finished Amethyst let her hand fall off the table, which fell in front of Zayliee. She started licking her master's hand, who started laughing. " Zayliee, stop. That feels weird! " She cried, pulling her hand away and rising. " I will never get used to that, Girl. " She told the wolf, wiping her hand on her pants, which Grayson was letting her borrow from him to replace her shorts. Zayliee made to stand, but she shook her head. " I'll only be gone a few moments, Z. I need to get something. " Zayliee whined but sat back down anyways.

Amethyst walked back to her room, returning a few moments later with the jacket Grayson was loaning her,her sword, a grey and green scarf, a scrap of paper, and a pen. She set the paper down, scribbling a few words on it, before turning around, putting the blade in it's sheath at her waist. She pulled on the black jacket. " Come on, Zayliee. We have things to do. " And with a click of her tongue, they were off into the cold once more.

Drake opened his eyes, feeling groggy. He groaned, rubbing them. Had he overslept? He rolled over, ready to slide out of bed, until he remembered that he's not on the bottom bunk; Instead, he's on the top one. He glanced down to the lower one, who Armen now lay, breathing still slightly raspy, for once having a peaceful look on his face. His black hair was messier than it usually was, and he looked much younger than he really was; looking to me late teens rather than the mid twenties he was. Drake smiled softly as he jumped down from his bunk, stumbling as he hit the floor. He gently shook his younger friend. " Armen, wake up. " he murmured softly as Armen's cerulean eyes opened and he looked sleepily up at Drake. He smiled, but it was awkward and unnatural, as if he was drunk. Drake struggled not to laugh at him. " Good morning, Armen.

The lazy smile remained. " G'morning, Drake. " he mumbled, slowly pushing himself up into a sitting position, as his wound, though healed, was still sore. " Think you can get up on your own? " Drake asked. Armen rolled his eyes. " Drake, quit worryin' so much. I'm fine! " he swung his legs off the side of the bed, wincing at the quick movement. Drake rolled his eyes at him, almost mocking Armen. " Yeah, sure you're fine. " He took ahold of one of his arms and rested his free hand on the younger's back, helping to push him to his feet. Armen glared at him. " I could have done it myself, Drake! " He muttered.

He laughed. " Well, all that matters is that you're up. C'mon, I think we overslept today. I don't think Grayson's up either, but since the lights are on I could be wrong. "

The black haired boy nodded as the duo left the room. Sure enough, there was no Grayson to be seen, but a fire was going and the room smelled faintly of cooked meat. Drake frowned. If Grayson wasn't awake, then who did all of that? He then remember that they had another member in their home who's door was open, had a note before her place at the table, and was nowhere to be se- wait, a note!?

He led Armen to a chair, helping him sit down before reaching across the table and grabbing the note. He leaned on the table as he read the writing, which was rather large, but thin, and the letters were close together, which made it difficult to read.

Left base w/ Zayliee

Be back whenever

Stay safe

-Thyst

He frowned. Amethyst had only been here for a little less than a week. She had hardly been outside. Where could she possibly be going? Drake set the note back on the table. Armen looked yp at him. " Armen, go wake Grayson up. I have to go after Amethyst. Make sure she doesn't do anything stupid, " He told the younger. The black-haired boy nodded. " Be careful. " He told Drake, who smiled. " I can say the same for you, buddy. "

After quickly grabbing a jacket and a weapon, he headed for the door. He waved to Armen before leaving the base after their missing companion.

The storm had only worsened when she left, almost as if it was trying to deter her from continuing on, to stop her from fulfilling her current quest. But snow didn't faze her. Sure, she hated it, and before joining the army she would have been terrified of it, as she had never seen it before, and it wasn't good for the being she is at all, but her fire kept her warm enough to withstand it. Zayliee had all her fur to keep her warm as well, so neither payed very much attention to the white swirl around them.

Amethyst had removed her sword once more, grasping it in her hand. It wasn't it's usual flickering soft orange color, but instead remained a solid, blinding orange color. She was close, and there was no chance that she'd pass up the chance she'd been given.

The muted sound of snow crunching underfoot reached the ears of both beast and master. The young brunette turned to face the figure behind her, eyes narrowed. " I was not expecting you to shoe up. I must say, I am quiet impressed. " her voice had slid back to it's usual, more proper speak, the way Alister had drilled into her head to talk. " Why are you here? "

" Well, you wanted me to come, did you not? " The figure, not revealed to be a man, asked, cocking an eyebrow at her. " Not here, with me. Out here in this winter wasteland, tormenting these poor men. Why? You have a kingdom to rule. People to defend. " She frowned, a look of sadness crossing her face. " A child you could have been raising. "

The man snarled. " You were the one who left our kingdom, Amethyst!" " I was no longer happy there! That's why I joined the army! And even there things weren't better, if not worse! I was considered a monster. A demon. A freak. Killer. Unstable. All because of YOU'RE actions! Because of all you have killed! All the chaos and terror you've caused. Ever family you've torn apart. I ca=ould never be normal because of you! "

" Yet you try. " Moving quickly, he grabbed her arm and yanked her bangs back, revealing two pupil-less eyes; one white, one gold, both filled with pure rage for the man before her. " You've tried so hard to be normal, and to fit in with everyone else, to hide who and what you are. But you can't deny who you are, Amethyst brine. " He leaned closer to her face. " You are, and always will be, my child. "

A snarl raised in her throat as she shoved him away from her, ripping her arm free. " Do not touch me. " She spat. " Go home, Amethyst. What I do here shouldn't concern you. "

" I cannot go home, Father! I am trapped here! There is no way for me to return to the army, or the kingdom, even if I wanted to! " Amethyst cried. Zayliee moved forward, in front of her master, snarling at her father. He scoffed. " Stupid mutt. " he easily tossed her to the side with a flick of his wrist, where she hit the snowy ground with a yelp. Amethyst gasped. " Zayliee! " She turned to face her father once more. Her eyes were glowing so bright you could hardly see her face. In a matter of seconds she lunged at her father and swung her blade at him. He bent back, dodging the flaming sword. Her eyes widened, and she blinked, before slashing at him once more. He dodged again, and when he straightened he grabbed hold of her arm, squeezing her wrist so she let go of the blade.

She whimpered as the pressure kept increasing. Thinking quick, she let her hand alight and she pushed her palm into his face. The sudden heat startled him and he let go, stumbling back. Amethyst picked up her sword once more and nudged the whining Zayliee behind her. Raising both hands, she formed a fire circle around them. Her father, having recovered from the shock, glared at her.

" How can I trust anything you say, Father? " Amethyst screamed at him. " How can i, when every time you speak, I only ever heard lies! " The fire circle began receding toward her outstretched palms, beginning to form a ball. " How can I ever believe you again!? You've lived to me about Mother. About why you were never around throughout my childhood. About the mortals...everything! Was there ever any truth to your words? " he didn't answer her. She growled, and sent the ball of fire straight at him. He threw his hands up, a force field of flames forming before him, deflecting the fire, which bounced off and disappeared.

She continued sending balls of fire at him, each being knocked away . Growing tired of his daughter's useless attacks, his force-field swirled back to his hand before he thrust it out, palm facing her. A wall of fire formed and rushed at her, knocking her off her feet with a grunt. He smirked at her, then in an instant was gone. She staggered to her feet, looking around with wide eyes, before groaning at his retreat. " Coward. " she muttered under her breath.

" Remember, Amethyst, " his voice came from nowhere. " I will return, and you will regret attacking and defying me. " " I expected nothing less, Father. " she responded coolly, dusting off her clothes. There was no answer.

Sliding her sword back into it's sheath, she clicked her tongue, and Zayliee fell in beside her, limping slightly. She frowned at that, not liking her closest companion being injured. Both woman and animal began heading back towards the base, hoping no one would question her disappearance, or Zayliee's limp.

When she got back, she took note that the door was wide open. She frowned. She'd closed it, hadn't she? She'd lit a fire before leaving; the door being open wouldn't change the temperature at all from what it originally was. She didn't want the boys to freeze to death when they were sleeping.

Upon stepping inside, Amethyst found herself being tackled to the floor. Startled, she threw the person across the room, eyes wide. Zayliee snarled, lips curling back at those who dared try and harm her master.

Who she saw that attacked her made her heart almost stop. Grayson was across the room, sword in hand, teeth gritted. Drake was off to the side, almost grasping a blade, glaring at her. Armen was behind him, staring at her with wide blue eyes.

" WHAT in Notch's name is going on!? Have you all gone crazy!? " She cried, voice going back to the fake one she had formed. " I could say the same to you, Amethyst Brine. " Grayson spat at her. Her eyes got impossibly wider. " Wh-wha-But how!? " She was honestly shocked. How did they know about her? She'd been out there alone!

" Drake saw your note. Went out after you to make sure you weren't doing anything stupid. Guess what her found. " Grayson was on his feet, moving towards her. " Amethyst, the stranger in the storm, fighting with fire against our current attacker, and that all could have been fine- until you called him your father, and he got a look at your eyes. " he held his sword out towards her. " Have anything to say for yourself, Amethyst? For lying to us, making us trust you? "

" I swear, to all, that I can explain everything you have witnessed today. " She breathed, stepping back away from the blade. " This does not have to resort to violence. I do not wish any harm upon any of you. I am nothing like my father expect in looks and skills. " She glanced around the room at each of the boys.

" I swear to you on my life, that I speak the truth. "

Well, there it is, y'all! GITS Chapter 3! I really hope you guys enjoy this chapter! It;s not as long as I would want it to be, but I've had a lot going on recently; My great aunt and uncle came up to visit, my grandpa's birthday was yesterday, my OTHER grandpa's birthday is tomorrow, school has been weighing down on me, I have two concerts coming up ( one on Sunday for choir, one of Monday for band ) I've been playing at basketball games a few times this month for my symphonic band, I broke up with my boyfriend, and ended up with a new one, like, 20 minutes later ( cause I told the boy that likes me I was single and he asked me out...yeah XD ) AND My birthday is next Saturday! I share it with my friend, Carter, so we're currently counting down the days. It's pretty fun X3

Ok, enough about my life. Things are moving a LITTLE quick in the story, but it had to happen pretty soon when Amethyst's true identity is revealed. She couldn't hide it for much longer. it just wasn't gonna happen.

Remember; if you have any questions, feel free to ask! I love knowing you guys want to know more about the story and, as I don't describe things well, knowing you guys are asking lets me know you actually wanna understand what's going on.

Keep on mining, my mineshafters~

-CaptainBat