Dragon Flames

Chapter 4

By: Malaca

"Hey, guys, have you seen Malaca lately?" asked Kento on their way home.

"Why are ya' feelin' sorry for her now?" Rowen asked.

Kento glared at him and Rowen ignored him without a look.

"No, that's not the reason. I'm just sick of staying around the school forever, waiting for that stupid girl to come to her senses!"

"KENTO!" Sai yelled.

Ryo who was silent until then said, "She left us."

Sage looked over at his friend. His brow was wrinkled in concern.

"Hey, Ryo. She didn't leave us, she probably just needed some time alone. You know how it's been since the last attack. Kento is just short of killing her and with that new skill she developed; I guess she just needs to figure out some things," Sage said quietly.

Ryo looked up in to Sage's face, "Ya', I guess your right."

Raising his voice he addressed his friends, "Come on guys, lets go."

"It's about time!" exclaimed Kento.

He received a harsh glare from Rowen. Sai smacked him over the head hard.

"Hey what was that for, Sai?" Kento yelled turning to his friend.

Sai looked around innocently. Ryo sighed and walked off, followed closely by Sage and Rowen. A shadow watched the Ronin's walk away. The shadow smirked.

"Okay Revenge, we're here. Now what did you want to show me?"

Revenge snorted~ Does it look familiar to you?~

Malaca sighed and looked around. They were in a nice meadow filled with flowers and green grass. It looked no different from the rest of the forest on Mia's land.

"No, Revenge. It looks like everything else I've seen so far," she huffed crossing her arms.

Revenge rolled his eyes and stepped closer to Malaca's side. He pulled lightly on her shirt, making her step forward.

~Now, listen~

Malaca focused her mind to sounds only. She heard a wren calling to its mate in the surrounding countryside. Malaca listened to the brook gurgling intensely nearby, and she listened to the wind dancing in the grass. Malaca sighed again.

"Revenge, I only hear nature"

Precisely

Malaca looked at him with a raised eyebrow, "You made me come all the way out here to listen to nature?"

~No, I made you come all the way out here to learn~

"About nature?"

~No. What do you think you most learn the most?~

Malaca huffed, this was getting them no where.

"I think I must learn how to control shape-shifting," she answered.

~That is why we are here~

"Revenge, you aren't making much sense," she told him.

~Child, what do you think shape shifters are in tune with?~

"Nature?"

~Exactly!~

"You are confusing me, Revenge!"

~That's not hard to do~ he muttered underneath his breath.

Malaca smacked him in the head.

~Hey, what was that for?~ he exclaimed.

"For becoming more like Kento everyday," she answered.

~Hey, I resent that!~

"So?"

Revenge snorted and turned away from her ~Now, the reason that I have brought you here is to learn how to better control your shape shifting. I want you to shape shift in to that of a panther. Do you think you can do such a simple of a thing?~

"I'll try, Revenge. I'll try."

Malaca focused her being and took a deep calming breath. She closed her eyes and searched her soul. She felt an overwhelming urge in one corner. She grabbed a string of that power and whittled it down to a thread, and then to a strand. The golden strand in her mind eye, glared up, blinding her for a brief moment. Malaca frowned as she formed the strand in to a liquid and allowed it to roll over her body. Malaca's body glowed a golden color before flashing brightly, not allowing the watcher to witness any more than an outline change. The color flashed, and when it removed itself Malaca was no more. In her place was an oversized black panther. The panther growled fiercely

~Very, good~ Revenge told the panther.

The panther raised it's eyebrows ~Why did it take so long this time? It was a lot quicker when I needed it last~

~Well, there are several reasons why it was harder for you to change. One, you weren't in the middle of a battle, and therefore did not need to changed as quick. Your focus was weaker. Secondly, you did not change to your armor form. Your true form, or armor form, is your natural shape. That is besides human. You are a Dragon-child. One of the Dragons offspring. Thirdly, you need to practice your skill to develop it to the point that you just think about it and it happens~

~Cool~

~Do something~

~Nifty~

~I meant, do something. Don't talk, do~

~Neato,~ she exclaimed jumping into the branches of a tree.

Malaca winced as she felt her wrist flare up in defiance. She grimaced and pushed the pain to the back of her mind. Meanwhile, in another grove not to far away, Sage sat underneath a tree meditating. His eyes opened in dismay as he felt the white hot flash of pain roll through his body. His gray, violet eyes narrowed in one direction. He took off at a running pace. But, back in the meadow, Malaca was having her own troubles.

~Umm-, Revenge? I know this will sound like a stupid question, but how do I get down?~

~Jump, silly~

Malaca grimaced again, knowing the pain such a jump would inflict.

~All right here I come!~

She jumped from the branch and landed hard on her feet. The jolt caused her wrist to scream in pain. Revenge cringed as he felt the exchange of pain.

~I know you didn't want my help, or anyone else's' with that wrist, but I seriously think you should get it checked out~

~No~ she grunted ~I'll be okay. Just give me a sec~

Malaca took a deep breath and relaxed. She felt her feline form meld away and could feel her normal body parts. She rested against the tree in which she had jump from.

~I'm going to do some hunting. Are you sure you'll be all right?~

"Yeah, I'm all right," she answered in a grunt of pain.

~Okay, if you say so~ he answered.

Malaca rolled her eyes at the wolves retreating back. She sighed and laid back against the tree. It was near dark and the sun was just beginning to set. Malaca sighed and gently began to massage her injured wrist as she watched the magnificent sight of the sky.

"This is better than a light show," she said softly.

The light of the sun had begun to fade away to the nothingness of the night. Stars twinkled and sparkled like dying flames. A shooting star ran by, challenging the others to a race. A toad croaked a warning. Malaca stiffened and looked around in alarm.

"Relax, it's just me," a quiet voice told her.

Malaca turned around to see Sage leaning against the same tree. She offered a small smile.

"Don't try to lie to me, Malaca. I know something is wrong. What happened?" he asked kneeling down face to face with Malaca.

"Nothing is wrong, Sage," Malaca answered between her teeth.

Sage looked at her from the corner of his eye. He gently picked up her wounded right wrist that she had cradled against her body. Malaca squeaked out in pain. Sage gently began to massage it in a relaxing manner. Malaca stiffened as she felt her bones begin to move around. Sage stopped rubbing her wrist and looked at her carefully.

"Why didn't you tell us it was bothering you? You know that my armor has the power to heal."

"It's not bothering me. It's fine," Malaca said weakly.

Her shape shifting had weakened her senses so much that she hadn't realized Sage had been there until he had made his presence know. That worried her. If it had been one of Talpa's goons, she would have been dead right now.

Sage sighed and picked up her wrist higher, examining it in the light. He felt it gently.

"It's been broken awhile. You knew of this didn't you?"

He received no answer, that is for a grunt of pain on Malaca's part.

"It's broken in several places. When did this happen?" he prodded.

"It told you all that we should stay away from each other," she answered in pain.

"I just want to help you Malaca."

Malaca huffed, knowing that she had to tell somebody, "Artus did this to me, when she attacked Kento. I blocked her with my wrist. It snapped then."

"I can't heal this thoroughly, but I can help it along," he told her, asking for her permission silently.

Malaca nodded in response. She grunted as Sage accidentally pulled on her arm when he changed in to his sub armor. Sage gave a short smile in sympathy. Malaca glared at him.

"Sesh-, what is wrong with you?"

"I told you guys that I can't be around you anymore."

"But, Malaca, you live with us," he chuckled as he massaged her wrist.

His armor glowed a green that trailed down into her wound.

"Not for long. When my house deal goes through, I'm going to leave."

"Why? You know that would break Ryo's heart," he answered with a raised eyebrow.

"Because," she sighed, "I'm useless here unless all of the Elemental trust me. It probably will be better that I'm not around at all. Less fighting and all that."

Sage sighed, "Then I wouldn't keep quiet about this wrist."

"But-!"

Sage interrupted her, "Let me finish. I will tell them if you are going to go. We need you, Ryo needs you to stay. Separated we are weak, isn't that the reason you've stayed?"

Malaca was silent in thought.

"I won't tell them if you promise to stay."

"That's called black mail," she answered.

"I know," Sage smiled.

Malaca began to curse in different languages. He looked at her weird.

"What are you saying, and is that Spanish your speaking in?"

"I'm saying you are stupid in not a nice way. Yes, I am speaking in Spanish. Why?"

"You've still not answered my proposal."

Malaca looked at him sadly, "You know I wish I could, but Hardrock doesn't like me. You've must have noticed how I'm tearing your team apart. I can't do that."

"Promise?" he asked firmly.

Malaca sighed again, "Promise."

"Good," he said standing up, "I'll check on that tomorrow. Go easy on it for a while okay, and don't hesitate to tell me if you are in any severe pain, got it?"

"Aye, aye Captain Sage!" she answered comically saluting him.

Sage shook his head and offered his left hand to help her up. She accepted it and was pulled swiftly to her feet. Sage blushed as he felt her brush against him.

"Sorry," she blushed as well.

"No, it's okay. I know you are a little weak from whatever training that wolf is putting you through. I feel sorry for ya'!" his eyes twinkled in mischief.

"How did you-?"

"I knew because you didn't detect me until I said something. You normally would have sensed me on the way here. You must have some kind of radar."

"I wish," she answered softly, wishing that her power was just a radar and nothing more.

Radar's didn't get your friends killed.

"You know," she said looking up at his face, "Mia loves you too, you just have to ask."

Sage blushed, "I'll see you at dinner Malaca, bye!"

He darted away like a scared bunny. Malaca sighed and looked up at the sky.

'If only you were here Diagon, if only you were here.'

A loud snore shattered a peaceful household. Akira covered his ears and moaned. His friend in the bed over was obviously having a good slumber. He sat up and stretched, knowing that he wouldn't be able to sleep anyway. His blurry eyes glanced over at the clock; it read six o' clock. He looked back down at his friend. For once Diagon was sleeping soundly. Akira frowned. He knew if his friend wouldn't stop it, he would die by the next eclipse. Akira shook his head and watched the sun slip up from the horizon. Knowing Diagon, he wouldn't be up for a while. His demon blood would see to that.

"I'm going to kill him!" a voice yelled behind the door.

Kyna walked into the room with one of her sais loose in her hand. Daemon followed with a smirk. Akira winced; he knew Daemon had goated her to try to kill Diagon for his snoring. He did it everyday, what was different about today? Daemon didn't like the fact that Akira had been chosen to lead by the Guardian in Malaca's absence. Akira sighed and moved in the way of the sais blade. He held it firmly as Kyna struggled against him. Akira held no hand against her, for it wasn't her fault that Daemon was a dream master, the last of his kind. He held a glowing hand before her and rested it on her forehead. Kyna fell to the floor, asleep. Akira caught her and glared at Daemon. Daemon moved away in fear, knowing full well what Akira was capable of. He was almost as strong as Malaca when she led.

"Take her to her room," Akira said softly in his Irish accent.

Daemon made no reply. He picked up Kyna and walked away. He stopped at the door when Akira called after him.

"And if you challenge my authority again, you'll be removed from the Slayers."

Daemon stiffened, and paused. He walked gruffly out of the door and left Akira alone. Akira sighed and the door slammed shut at his command.

"Malaca, I wish you were back here. I'm not a leader," he said quietly.

Hey all-

I know it was short, but I didn't want to keep ya' all hanging from the last chapter. I promise the next one will be much longer. Also, this series will be many more chapters than "Dragon Wars," you must realize that by now. Dragon Wars was just an intro into what I hope to finish writing. It most likely be an epic story, long but to the point.

Malaca

PS-You must also notice that I am not hyper for once. Is it just me or is that a rare occasion?