I am so tired and my head fucking hurts...so much had to be done for this chapter, well it's my own fault for procastinating, but.

Anyway thanks so much for the reviews :) I mean wow, I have like 30 reviews, I've never gotten so many reviews so early in a story before, and sometimes I don't get reviews later in the story as well. Well my stories are unconventional.

This chapter of the new 'volume' was supposed to be longer but I thought it was too long so I split it. Yeah hopefully I can have the next part up soon. Maybe in days or so.

This is one of my favorite chapters, 'cause of the symbolism. Yuuki, Yuujou and Aijou. Courage, Friendship and Love. I wrote that part as a future scene and I really like it so I hope you guys will like it too. I'd like to hear your feedback ;)

Alright so this chapter has Butterfly playing later, 'cause I imagined it as an anime. But the song cuts halfway and so I've cut the song and posted the link to the cut version on my profile. If the link doesn't work, just copy and paste it, it should work. The duration of the pause is determined by me imagining the scene in my mind, with characters' voices and all, so if it's too long, sorry. But that's about the length it's supposed to be, I've listened to it a few times. If you have Audacity you can cut it if you want. Uh, lyrics are above the scene, Lyrics are read with the paragraph below it. Which means that while you read a paragraph/imagine the scene in your mind, the lyrics above it should be playing (Some paragraphs may seem too long but that's 'cause it includes the instrumental (piano) before the line). Except for the last line. As for where to start the song, I'll post it on my profile with the link to the download...just scroll down to the end. Haha. If it's too troublesome you can listen to the original piano version but there's no pause and it won't have the same effect.

Right, so enjoy.

Characters

Yagami Taichi: A Natural Fire Mage who wants to be a warrior. He is passionate like his Element, hot headed and stubborn, and seems to be the leader of the Chosen Ones. He is also cheerful and easygoing, though he can have his serious moments. His partner is Yuuki.

Yuuki: Taichi's partner. He is a griffin who can breathe fire. He has a cheerful personality like his partner and likes to tease him at times.

Ishida Yamato: Predominantly an Ice Mage, he is casual but can be as cold as his Element. He has an effeminate appearance due to his highly attuned senses to his element and with his neck length golden hair and blue eyes, can be considered to be beautiful to the extent that he is mistaken to be a girl, which irks him. His partner is Yuujou.

Yuujou: Yamato's partner. He is an ice dragon who can survive outside the cold. He is fiercely protective of Yamato.

Takenouchi Sora: Yamato's childhood friend. She is an Elemental Warrior and thus has had to dress as a male for most of her life. She is kind and understanding, and cares for Yamato greatly. She uses the Element of Fire. Her partner is Aijou.

Aijou: Sora's partner; a phoenix, a firebird thought to be a mere legend. She is cheerful like her partner and is a peacemaker. However, she will fight to protect her partner.

Taichi knew he was the leader. He had been excited to meet new people. He had been excited for this adventure. He knew there would be problems and fights and battles just like any other journey, but he didn't expect them to come so early.

And in such a big scale. A cyclone scale.

Was this the end of Yamato? What would happen if one of the Chosen Ones died?

Sora's loud wail cut through his thoughts and snapped him back to reality, "Oh my god, Yamato!" She sobbed in despair, "What should I do?! I'm a Fire elemental warrior but I'm not immune to fire!"

Immune…immune to fire! That was it!

Taichi forced his brain to think. He had a plan, but first, he had to recall something important- and hope desperately it was true.

Sora choked, "It's all my fault! If-If we weren't fighting- I could have been there to protect him-"

"Sora!" Taichi said and Sora stopped. "Don't blame yourself. You couldn't have known."

"B-But-"

"And do you think Yamato would have been happy if it were you trapped inside there?"

"But at least I'm a Fire elemental warrior! I can withstand it-"

"Sora," Taichi spoke in an unusually calm voice, "Don't worry. The situation isn't that bad. He can be saved."

"But how?!" Sora screamed at him, and he didn't need to look at her to know she had tears in her eyes, "Yamato's an Ice mage and he's in- in that fire cyclone!"

"Deal with one problem at a time!" Taichi barked, forcing Sora's panic to not affect him. She stared at him and he said, "You deal with that Metal Dragon! I'll go save Yamato!"

"Taichi!" Yuuki shouted, his gaze to the sky, "It's gone!"

"Eh?!" Taichi looked up. Sure enough, the sky was clear. The beast was indeed gone. Taichi gritted his teeth.

"Taichi, the fire's spreading out!"

Taichi snapped his attention back, "My memory must be right then, Metal Dragons are vicious creatures when angered and so the fire tornado will spread out," he said quickly, "Metal Dragons which control Fire, they were known to kill their prey slowly and painfully, by burning them to death while they're trapped in the cyclone."

Sora sniffed. "So that means…"

Taichi smiled, feeling relief flood his heart, "There's a good chance Yamato is alive!" He said. He nodded and turned to face Sora, Yuuki and Aijou, "You guys wait here! I'm going to save Yamato!"

"W-What are you doing?!" Sora got over her shock to scream as Taichi sprinted towards the fire cyclone, "You can't just run into the fire! We need a plan-"

"Screw plans!" Taichi yelled, without looking back, "I'm immune to fire!"

"What?!" Sora stepped forward, "What do you mean by that-"

But Taichi stepped into the fire, and Sora could only stare, her mouth open in shock, as Taichi passed through the wall of fire.

Yamato considered himself to be a logical person. He was cool, and calm, and kept his head even in dire situations.

He just never expected one of those dire situations to be trapped in a raging cyclone of fire.

His heart was hammering fast in his chest, and he could feel the heat all around him, melting away the ice barrier he had conjured on instinct. And that was when he realized he wasn't dead.

He was alive.

But he knew he wouldn't be for much longer if he didn't do something to stop the fire from closing in.

Gathering a huge amount of magic, the blond raised his staff and formed an ice wall around him.

As the flames licked away at the ice, Yamato sank to his knees, blue eyes staring forward as he felt his energy drained from him.

This was real. He had wished it was just some horrible dream, that he had fallen asleep under the tree, but it was real.

"I should never have left."

If he was going to die, he was going to die with pride. He was going to use every last bit of his energy, every last trickle of magic, to keep the fire away for as long as he could. He was going to use his ice to keep the fire away until he had no more energy left. Only then would he let the fire consume him, burn him to death, and he would die with the grim satisfaction that he had exhausted his capability as an Ice Mage-

"Who am I kidding?! I want to live!" The Ice Mage gritted his teeth, feeling tears of frustration burn his eyes as the ice melted around him, "I don't want to die! That stupid guy never warned me about this! What adventure-"

"YAMATO!"

Yamato stared. "Y-Yuujou!"

"Yamato! You're alive!" Yuujou shouted in joy over their telepathic link, "Where are you?!"

"Inside the fire-"

"Where in the fire?!"

"I-I don't know," Yamato said. He looked around, "In the middle?"

"T-The middle?" Yuujou stuttered.

"Probably." Yamato bit his lip, wrapping his arms around himself as sweat slid down from his pale forehead. "It's really hot here."

"I understand!" Yuujou said promptly with little hesitation, "Yamato, I'm coming to get you!"

"W-What?!" Yamato shot to his feet, glaring disbelievingly, "Are you crazy?! You'll die!"

"And you'll die if you stay in there any longer!" Yuujou shouted back angrily, his voice choked, "You idiot Yamato! I've been waiting for you for decades! How can I live if you die?!"

"I don't care how much energy it takes, or how much the fire burns me, I'm going to freeze everything until I find you!"

"Yuujou…"

"Wait for me, Yamato!"

"…Got it," Yamato smiled wryly and spoke with gratefulness in his tired voice, "Yeah. I'll wait."

Yuujou didn't reply, and Yamato guessed he was conserving his energy. Hands limp by his sides, he waited and believed in his partner to come save him.

The heat was getting stronger and stronger, and when Yamato looked up, he realized his ice barrier had already melted, and the wall of ice was melting away faster than he had expected. The Ice Mage felt his face drain of color and his knees wobble. His ice barrier had melted.

"I'm going to die." Yamato thought as he stared at the raging fire trapping him, melting away the ice he had conjured, "I'm going to die, the fire's too strong, even Yuujou can't freeze it all in time. I'm going to die and go to hell-"

"YAMATO!"

Yamato's eyes widened. "That voice…" he murmured.

"Yamato! Where are you?!"

Yamato gasped, "Taichi?!"

He stared as the brown haired boy burst out of the flames, brown eyes wide in relief, "Yamato!" He smiled widely, "I found you!"

"W-What are you saying you idiot?!" Yamato yelled, blue eyes wide in disbelief, "What the hell do you think you're doing?! How the hell did you get here?!"

"I ran through the fire!"

"What?"

"I'm immune to fire!" Taichi said the surprising fact like it was no big deal and Yamato gaped. His expression turned serious, "Come on, we have to get you out of here!"

"How?" Yamato said once he had gotten over his surprise, "You may be immune to fire but I'm not!"

Taichi paused, "That's true…" he said. "Can you teleport out of here?"

"If I could don't you think I would have done it already?" Yamato said dryly.

"Oh. Yeah, right…"

Yamato sighed, "It's too far," he said, "I don't feel I can reach that distance, and I don't want to try," he bit his lip. "And, it's Fire magic trapping me. There's an opposing force and I don't have enough energy to teleport…I can't even form an ice barrier strong enough to last until I get out of here."

"Yeah, the fire cyclone was really big…" Taichi murmured.

The fire was still raging around them. Yamato felt his heart sink, and what little hope he had disappear, "Taichi," he said softly, "Thank you for coming for me."

"Yamato…"

"But, there's no way I can get out of here," Yamato gave a wry smile, "The fire's too strong, and it's too tall. Even as we speak, it's closing in." He looked up into the dangerous flames blocking the view of the sky. Even Yuujou can't help me. And, he's an ice dragon. Fire is his weakness."

"What about Yuuki?"

"Eh?"

But Taichi wasn't listening to him. He was listening to the voice in his mind, "Taichi, where are you? Taichi!"

"I'm inside the fire with Yamato, Yuuki," Taichi replied. He inhaled, "Can you come and get us?"

"What? But I don't think I'm immune to fire!" Yuuki cried in surprise, "I mean, I may be, but I'm not sure!"

"I know." Taichi said, raising his gaze as Yamato looked at him in confusion, "But I have a plan."

"Do you trust me, Yuuki?"

"…With my life, Taichi." His partner replied seriously.

Taichi smiled. "Yamato," he said, "Where is Yuujou?"

"…He's coming into the fire," Yamato said, voice shaky, "He's trying to freeze everything to get to me-"

"Tell him to stop now!" Taichi said and Yamato's eyes widened, "He'll get hurt."

He smiled, "Yuuki and I will handle this."

"…Alright." Yamato said. He inhaled, and looked straight into Taichi's eyes, "I…trust you, Taichi."

Taichi smiled as his heart skipped a beat. He looked around, "The fire's closing in," he muttered, "Can you form an ice barrier around us?"

Yamato nodded quickly and held out his staff, and in seconds glittering glaciers had formed around them, leaving only the top uncovered by ice. "I…" the blond panted, as his staff disappeared, "Don't have much energy left."

"Don't worry, Yamato," Yamato blinked as Taichi grabbed his hand, closing his hand over his and smiling reassuringly, meeting his eyes, "I will protect you. I won't let you die."

"Fire is my element," the spiky haired brunet nodded, a determined fire burning in his eyes, "I will make sure you're safe."

"I promise."

Yamato said nothing, and despite his words, his hand was trembling. He bit his lip, and nodded, and Taichi smiled. He dropped their hands, but didn't let go.

"Taichi?"

Taichi thought quickly, "Yuuki, is Yuujou out there?"

"He just came out, he looks really worried-"

Taichi cut him off, "I know. Yuuki, I want you to get Aijou and fly to the very top of the fire cyclone." He said quickly, "Make sure Sora doesn't follow. Hurry! Yamato doesn't have much energy left."

"We're on the way!" Yuuki replied as fast, "Why her, though?"

"She's a phoenix, she's immune to fire," Taichi said, recalling what he had read, "But Yamato can't ride on her back, only Sora can. She'll burn him…I think."

"Anyway, I need her help in pushing away the flames."

"Pushing away the flames?!" Yuuki exclaimed, "But Taichi, you haven't tried with flames you didn't create-"

"I know!" Taichi said, voice trembling slightly. He inhaled, "But it's the only way to save Yamato!"

"…I understand." Yuuki's voice was serious. "I believe in you, Taichi."

"…Thanks, Yuuki." Taichi smiled.

"Taichi?" Yamato said softly.

"They're coming." Taichi replied to his unspoken question. He squeezed Yamato's hand reassuringly, "It'll be alright."

The ice was melting down around them, the heat so strong that Taichi was starting to feel it. He remembered this trait of a Fire Metal Dragon's fire cyclone- when it had spread out enough, it would start to close in until the top was narrowed and became a twister, and then this would be the part where the prey trapped inside would die a painful death. He let go of Yamato's hand and pulled him into an embrace, wrapping his arms around him and trying to protect him with his fire resistant body.

Yamato didn't resist, and Taichi's heart pounded in his chest as he lifted his hands onto his shoulders, bringing his own, trembling body close to Taichi's.

Taichi held Yamato close. He wanted to tell Yamato to not be scared, but decided not to. How could he expect Yamato to not be scared? He was an Ice Mage trapped in a raging fire, he had no more energy to conjure any more ice to protect himself for a limited amount of time, he thought he was going to die.

But Taichi wasn't going to let Yamato die. He would die before he let Yamato die.

"Where are you, Yuuki?!"

"Taichi! We're at the top!"

Taichi's head snapped up, "Tell Aijou to fly into the fire!"

Moments later, there was a phoenix's cry and Taichi watched as the firebird landed and Yamato looked up in surprise, "Aijou…?"

"Taichi! Yamato!" Aijou said, her blue eyes wide, "Are you alright?!"

Taichi nodded, "I'm immune to fire, but Yamato isn't." He spoke quickly, brown eyes narrowed, "I need you to help me get him out of here."

Aijou nodded immediately, "I will assist you in anything!" She said quickly, "What do you need me to do?"

Taichi smiled. He reluctantly released Yamato and turned to face the phoenix, "I'm a Fire Mage," he said, and Yamato's eyes widened. "Or rather, a Fire Warrior."

"Both of us control the element of Fire," the brunet spoke seriously, meeting the phoenix's eyes. He inhaled, "I need you to lend me your power. I know I'm not Sora, but-"

"Sora wants Yamato to be safe, and I do as well," Aijou said, nodding her head, her blue eyes anxious, "I will definitely lend you my power!"

"Place your hand on my back Fire Warrior, and draw the power of the element of Fire."

Taichi obeyed, placing his hand on the phoenix's flaming feathers. He closed his eyes and focused his senses attuned to the element of fire. He could feel hot energy flow into him, the energy the legendary bird of fire was giving to him.

The fire warrior opened his eyes. He withdrew, feeling his being pulse with energy, feeling the fire from Aijou, in him, and in the air, the fire surrounding them, the fire licking away at the ice; it was all under him. He could control it at his will. It was his Element.

"Yuuki, I'm going to try it now." He communicated to his partner, "Are you ready?"

"Yeah, I'm waiting!"

"Taichi?"

"Yamato," Taichi said, raising his resolute, burning gaze, "Watch."

He held out his hand and focused, focused all his control, his control over fire. "You are my element," he thought, brown eyes narrowed and reflecting the raging fire, "You will obey my will."

"Whether I'm a Mage or a Warrior, I control fire; I control you." Taichi smiled wryly, using his senses to communicate his will to his element, "Now, obey my command, and part."

The orange sun symbol on his hand glowed, and Taichi smiled in satisfaction as the flames obeyed him and parted, slowly revealing the blue sky, causing Yamato and Aijou to gasp, "Now, Yuuki!"

"Okay, Taichi!"

Yuuki's sharp eagle cry sounded and Taichi watched as an orange blur headed towards them from the clear space above, landing on melted ice. "I'm here, Taichi!"

"Right!" Taichi grinned in relief. His hand was still held up, and the orange symbol of a sun on his hand was still glowing with power as he turned to the stunned Yamato, "Get on Yuuki's back! He'll take you out of here."

Yamato shook out of his daze and nodded quickly. He climbed onto the griffin's back, wrapping his arms around the eagle neck and turning to Taichi, yelling, "W-What about you?!"

Taichi smirked, "I'm immune to fire, remember?"

Yamato bit his lip. "…Be safe." He said softly.

Taichi smiled. "Of course!"

Gokigen na chou ni natte kirameku kaze ni note

I'll become a happy butterfly, and ride on the glittering wind

The brown haired boy looked to his partner, who nodded and took off, crying out, "Hang on tight, Yamato! Taichi would never forgive me if you fell!"

Ima sugu kimi ni ai ni yukou

I'll come to see you soon

Yamato nodded, clutching tightly onto the griffin's neck as they flew through the storm of fire. He glanced back, sapphire eyes widening at the last sight he saw of Taichi grimacing, but his hand still glowing with an orange light as Aijou looked at him in concern, before the flames covered them completely.

Yokei na koto nante wasureta hou ga mashi sa

It's best to forget the unnecessary things

"TAICHI!" He screamed.

"Yamato!" Yuuki said sharply, not looking back.

Kore ijou shareteru jikan wa nai

There's no more time to be fooling around

The Ice Mage gritted his teeth and turned back around, squeezing his eyes shut as he rested his forehead against the eagle neck, "I know!" His voice was choked.

Nani ga wow wow wow wow wow?

What do you mean, wow wow wow wow wow?

Yuuki increased his speed, as if he too wanted to get out of the vicious fire. It was hot, so hot, and Yamato wasn't sure if he could take it anymore. He could just feel the angry flames around him, drawing closer, and closer, feel himself suffocating, and he was sure he would faint and fall into the fire and burn to death-

Kono sora ni todoku no darou

I wonder if we'll reach the skies

Yuuki seemed to sense his distress, for with a cry and a burst of sonic speed, they were out of the tornado of fire and into the open air. Yamato gasped, inhaling air into his tortured lungs.

Dakedo wow wow wow wow wow

But, wow wow wow wow wow

The griffin cried out triumphantly, and headed for the ground to where Sora and Yuujou were waiting. He landed heavily, as the two of them gasped.

Ashita no yotei mo wakaranai-

I don't even know what my plans are for tomorrow-

"Yamato!"

Yamato coughed. "S-Sora." He said as he got off Yuuki's back, "Taichi and Aijou are inside-"

"Taichi and Aijou are immune to fire, you're not!" Sora yelled, tears in her orange eyes. "You're an Ice Mage!"

Yamato blinked as the warrior grabbed his wrist and pulled him to her, "You worried me to death! I thought I was going to lose my only childhood friend!" She sobbed, "You idiot Ya-chan!"

Yamato's eyes softened. Sora never cried. Not because she was taking up the role and appearance of a male warrior of the Takenouchi family, but because she had her pride as Takenouchi Sora. He placed his hand on the back of Sora's head, murmuring, "I'm sorry, So-chan," he said softly, "I was careless."

Sora sniffed. She pulled back and wiped the stray tears away from her eyes, "I'm so glad you're alright!"

"Yeah." Yamato said with a smile. He turned, "Sorry Yuujou, I know I worried you as well."

The ice dragon was staring at him with wide red eyes, "Just don't do that again!" He yelled, "Yamato, I swear my heart stopped when you told me to not come to you!"

"I didn't want you to be hurt." Yamato smiled wryly, "Taichi is right. You're an ice dragon, Yuujou. You'll get injured badly in fire."

Yuujou made his way over to Yamato, lowered his head, and, as much as a dragon could, brought his arms around the blond human, "I'm sorry, I just couldn't stand knowing you were in there, all alone!" He said miserably, holding his master close, "You're an Ice Mage, Yamato!"

Yamato smiled wryly, "I know, Ice Dragon." He said, "Guess we're both weak to fire, huh."

Yuujou smiled weakly, "If only I had control over water!" He said. "I tried to make rain, but it didn't work!"

"Maybe you will," Yamato smiled, "You're an Ice Dragon, and ice is part of water. Maybe when you grow stronger, you can control Water someday."

"I hope so!" Yuujou said, smiling more genuinely now as Yamato placed his hand on his head, "I will grow stronger to protect Yamato!"

"Thanks, Yuujou." Yamato smiled gratefully as Yuujou released him and moved back. He shifted his gaze, "Now, we have to wait for Taichi and Aijou."

"It's been some time," Sora said worriedly, "But they haven't come out yet."

Yamato chewed on his lip, "He's alright," he said, as if to himself, "He said he would be, so he has to be!"

"He's immune to fire, isn't he?!" The blond looked up sharply, blue eyes narrowed, "Why hasn't he come out yet?!"

Sora looked at him sympathetically, "Yamato…"

Yamato felt tears prick his eyes as he stared at the raging hurricane of fire which was probably not spreading only because of Taichi's control. But how long could the fire warrior withstand it? Aijou would be alright since she was a bird of fire, but Taichi- he may be immune, but it wasn't as if he was literally blazing with fire like Aijou!

What if he wasn't actually immune to fire, just highly resistant? Being in that whirling tornado of fire for so long, surely it had to have some effect on him! Yamato gritted his teeth. Was that why he was not coming out? Because the fire was starting to take its toll on him?

What if that was it…and Taichi died? Because he wanted to save him?

Mugendai na yume no ato no nanimo nai yo no naka ja
Sou sa itoshii omoi mo makesou ni naru kedo

After an endless dream, in this world of nothingness
It seems as if our beloved dreams will lose

Yamato squeezed his eyes shut at the horrible thought, "Taichi!" He yelled towards the raging fire, "You bastard! Do you think it's funny?! Do you think you're playing a joke?! If you don't come out now I'm going to kick your ass!"

"Yamato!" Yuujou said in surprise.

"Aren't you supposed to be immune to fire?! Why aren't you out yet!?" Yamato screamed, tears building up in his eyes, "You said you would be safe! So why the hell aren't you here, safe for me to see?!"

Stay shigachi na imeeji darake no tayorinai tsubasa demo
Kitto toberu sa

Even with these unreliable wings, covered in images that tend to stay
I'm sure we can fly

He didn't know what he was saying, he just knew the feeling of terrible dread in his heart, that Taichi was badly injured or even dead by the fire because of him, that the fire was too much even for his immunity. He hadn't known the warrior for long, and Taichi annoyed him and had made him angry like few could, but he couldn't bear the thought of Taichi dying, of never being able to see Taichi's grin again, his brown eyes full of life, life which was being taken away because of him-

"Yamato, look!" Sora yelled, pointing at the sky.

Yamato blinked back tears, raising his sapphire gaze to the sky. There was nothing. He blinked, and a stream of orange and red flew out of the fire tornado, stopping in the air and Yamato stared with wide blue eyes as the brown haired boy on the mystical phoenix grinned down in triumph.

On my love