| A little more than a week passed, and Itsu grew a little more each day. Her strength increased until she was able to keep up with her bondmate on walks, squirming her way through the grass and trees like a worm, or a snake. Then, Deborah came to visit her wyrm, and found Fae, standing nervously in Itsu's clearing, wringing her hands. When the elf caught sight of her friend, she hurried forward. "I'm so glad your back! Itsu's missing!" Before she could say anything, Fae continued. "I came to check in on her and she was gone! I looked all over the place, but I can't find her! It's like she just got up and walked away." Fae shifted worriedly throughout her whole speech. "Don't worry Fae, I'm sure she didn't go far. She is probably out exploring and lost track of time. You can go back to checking on the other dragons. I'll let you know, don't worry." Deborah put on a brave face for her friend's sake. It wasn't Fae's fault. She tried to smile at the elf to cover up her fright, but her smile felt forced and fake, but she hoped Fae wouldn't notice. Fae nodded, and hurried out of the Bishen's forest, while Deborah moved deeper into the forest, looking for her bondmate. She wandered through the tall trees, calling the dragon's name. She got no response. Finally, when weariness began to seep into her, she returned to the clearing. There, she found Itsu, sitting in the center, gazing at her with calm black eyes. "Itsu!" She gasped, and ran to embrace her bondmate. Suddenly, the human pulled back and looked at Itsu more closely. "You've gotten so much bigger!" Itsu stood, a smile on her face. Deborah's mouth dropped open. "You've got legs!" *Yep! I can run now. I bet I could even beat you.* The shrape boasted. "I bet you could!" She said, laughing. "But where did you disappear to? Fae and I were worried." Itsu's happy look faded a little. *I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you, but I went into the forest because I was growing again, and I just needed to get away.* A sly look came across her face. *Then I spent some time running. Things are so much easier to explore when you can run fast. I even climbed a tree!* Deborah smiled warmly at her bondmate while running her eyes over her new form. Itsu had grown much larger, and was now the size of a large dog. Her tail had grown much longer. Her four legs were long and muscular, made for running. Over all, she was a very beautiful creature. "Congratulations, Itsu." She smiled brightly at the shrape, who smiled back. "Oh! I almost forgot to tell you. Desiree told me that your father was going to come and visit you again once you grew. I'll have to let her know that you've grown. Kashi will be so proud of you becoming a Terran. You're so much like your father in so many ways." Itsu smiled, feeling very proud of herself. It was a good day� *** A few days later, Kashi and Desiree came to visit. Deborah had told them about Itsu's growing, and both were eager to see her all grown up. Desiree and Kashi stepped through the gateway Fae held open for them. Itus was shifting from foot to foot, eager to see her father. As soon as he was clear of the gateway Itsu ran forward to greet him. *Daddy! I'm so glad to see you! I have been looking forward to this ever since you said you were coming.* Kashi smiled at his daughter. *I, too, have been looking forward to seeing you.* Itsu looked up at Desiree and smiled. *Hello, Desiree.* "Hello Itsu. You've got legs!" Itsu nodded, pleased. "Hello Hachi-san." Deborah strode forward to stand next to her bondmate. "Hi Nen-chan. Hello Kashi. Well, lets leave these two alone to talk." Deborah and Desiree sat near the edge of the clearing, watching their bondmates talk. Kashi took something wrapped in paper out from behind his back. *For me?* When Kashi nodded, Itsu took it from his paws. Upon opening it, she found a beautful red rose. *Thank you.* She said, her black eyes sparkling with joy. She hugged her father, then set off to talking him into the ground. Deborah laughed as Itsu chattered away. "God, that dragon loves to talk." "Speaking of talking, I was wondering if Itsu would like to meet her brother, Toshida?" Desiree asked. Deborah called her bondmate over, and repeated the question, and was greeted with a stream of approval from Itsu. "I guess it's settled then!" The two humans settled back to watch their bondmates. *** A tall and wide portal slowly came into being, allowing those who were standing about the clearing a view of the world on the other side. Desiree stood from where the sat, and walked to where the portal floated a few inches over the ground. Kashi, Toshida, and the two guardians were also in the clearing, waiting to find out what the surprise Desiree kept ranting about was. The four sat forward as a shape could be seen through the portal. Eventually, a girl and a dragon stepped through, and the portal faded away behind them. "Welcome Hachi-san! And you too, Itsu!" The girl looked about the same age as Desiree, although she was blonde and taller, the seeming opposite of Desiree. The dragon was a Bishen, a green terran who looked about the clearing with curious eyes. Kashi smiled with his chest puffed out in pride, and walked over the female Bishen who looked just like him. *Welcome daughter.* Kashi said as he gave his daughter a draconic hug. *Hi Daddy!* Itsu returned his hug with enthusiasm. *It's good to see you!* Deborah stepped around the two dragons and smiled at the others. "Hello Nen-chan!" She greeted the guardians as well. "Good to see you all. Itsu has talked of nothing but today since you invited us over. And I'm sure she will talk of nothing but today when we get back." Itsu and Kashi have finished their greetings. *Hello Desiree. Everyone.* Itsu said, her big black eyes sparkling with excitement. "Ihen, Insei, this is my good friend Deborah," Desiree said, motioning to the new girl. "And Hachi-san, these are two that have been taking care of Toshida." Desiree sat next to the two guardians, motioning for Deborah to follow. Toshida snakes over to where Kashi stands with his daughter, his quiet eyes asking many questions. *Kashi, this is one of your siblings. Her name is Itsu* Itsu looks up at her brother, eyes a little wider than normal. She gives the pale blue a friendly smile. *Hello. My name is Itsu. It means peace and beautiful. What�s yours?* Deborah smiled at her bondmate's bluntness. She leaned towards the others and whispered: "Not one for taking it slow, is she?" Desiree whispered back to her friend, "Toshida is just the opposite. He's a quiet one, that's for sure." *Toshida is my name* The blue snakes closer to Itsu, looking into her eyes. He gives her one of his own smiles, one that lights up his eyes as well. "I can't get Itsu to sit still or be quiet for even a moment! She is just too full of energy." Itsu grins. *What a cool name! I like it!* *I like yours too* Toshida smiles again, warming up to the sister he had never known until now. Desiree laughs, watching the brother and sister talking. She pulls out a little basket from behind where she sits, a blanket covering the top. "I gathered some toys from Toshida's home for the two of you to play with," Desiree said as she took the blanket off. Toshida motions for Itsu to go first to the basket of toys. Itsu came forward, smiling at her brother. She poked her nose into the basket, pushing around a bit before pulling one out with her teeth. The toy she had chosen was a little Bishen dragon on wheels with a string tied around its neck. Itsu laughed when she saw what she had chosen, and took the string in her mouth, tugging the toy behind her, obviously pleased with her choice. Toshida snaked over the basket and slithered in. All that now could been seen of him was the top of his head and eyes, as he watched with humor his sister play with the toy. Desiree leaned towards Deb, "Toshida loves baskets, kinda reminds me of a sleepy cat� Hey," an idea seemingly comes to Desiree. "Why not have Itsu take that toy home with her? That way she can remember this day!" Deborah giggled at the sighted of Toshida. "Your right! He does remind me of a cat. And I think Itsu would like that. Itsu! Come here for a moment, please." Itsu trotted towards them, the string dangling from her mouth. *Yes?* "Nen-chan wants to know if you would like to keep that toy?" Itsu turned her gaze to Desiree. *Really? I can?* "Of course you can! We have plenty of toys to spare," Desiree finishes with a smile and pats Itsu on the head. "You look so much like your father, Itsu!" Kashi's chest puffs out with pride with the mention of his children. *Hooray! Thank you very much Desiree!* Itsu hugged her new toy to her chest, grinning from ear to ear. She smiled up at her father when Desiree mentions how much the two looked alike. "Yes, you do, Itsu." Deborah agreed. Itsu stood a little straighter, proud to be so much like her father. Itsu turned to Toshida. *I might be like our dad, but I bet you could beat us both at swimming!* She grinned at her brother. Toshida smiles, a bit embarrassed to be complimented. "Toshida's an excellent swimmer, he actually ends up feeding us two more than we feed him with all the fish he catches," Insei says, speaking up for her ward. Itsu laughed. *I've never been very good at catching fish. They are always too fast for me.* Deborah laughed as a memory came to her. "One time, Itsu tried to catch a fish she saw in the shallows of her stream. The thing darted away so quickly that she fell in face first." Itsu blushed a little, but grinned good-naturally. Desiree laughed and scratched Itsu on the head once more. Toshida snaked out of the basket silently and made his way to where everyone sat. The dragons played together and talked for a while longer. Finally, Deborah stood, looking at the sun to judge the time. "Well, Itsu, I think it's time that we were getting back." Itsu nodded and turned to her brother and father. *It was really fun playing with you Toshida. I hope we can get together again. Maybe you could come and visit me at my home.* She turned to her father. *And I hope that you, too, will come and visit.* Itsu gave them both a hug. *Yes, we must do this again* Toshida said as he hugged his sister back. Kashi looked happily on the two, pride swelling his chest once again. And with a few more token goodbyes, Deborah and Itsu walked through a newly made portal and left the Forest behind. |
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| The Shrape |
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| Name: Itsu Gender: Female Age: Shrape Color: Green Type: Terran Magical Object: ? Powers: ? Mate: None yet Parents: Juliette & Kashi Clutch Number: 7 ID: mc50f Adoption Date: 12/5/02 Birth Date: 12/9/02 |
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| Rose and leaf orb made by Desiree. |
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