A Burori Fan Fiction Part 3: Forgotten Instinct
She trained for seventy-three hours; he knew because he counted. Standing at the window of her dwelling that faced the plain, he stood motionless, his very breathing suspended it seemed, in anticipation of her return. Although the white-yellow glow in the sky never wavered in intensity, he could feel the minutes tick by in his mind. Once he had lived in a place that had had days and nights and hours and minutes, but here they meant nothing; they only tortured him as her absence dragged on from one long, relentless moment into another.
�Perhaps you should eat something,� a grainy voice said from behind him.
He did not turn. He did not move. He gave no indication that he had heard the concern in Percival�s voice or if he did, he simply didn�t care.
The chef turned to the nearest drake for support as Miracle�s cold indifference sank in.
Reading his worried expression, Peppermint shrugged from where she lounged. �I tried to get him to go catch some shut-eye a few hours ago,� she replied to his silent plea. �But as ya can see, I only got as far as gettin� him into his bunny slippers.�
Percival�s eyes followed the female drake�s gaze. There, peeking out from beneath the long, loose, white pant legs were two fuzzy, pink bunnies, one on each of the saiya-jin�s feet. The chef released a forlorn sigh and looked down at the large dish of cheese and potato casserole cradled in his claws that he had gone to the trouble of reheating.
�I�ve never known a saiya-jin to go this long without eating,� Percival insisted. He sent a sharp glance at the motionless Miracle. He turned back to his cousin. �Are you sure that he isn�t injured?�
Peppermint frowned. �Even if he were, sugar plumb, how would we know? You know that�s Solis�s department. But don�t worry,� she continued, �he was fine right after she left. He just worries about her, that�s all.�
Percival gave the saiya-jin an appraising glance. Was it possible that this male cared for Solis? Chewing on that thought, Percival turned to head back into the kitchen when a bright flash exploded at the corner of his eye.
�What in the world . . . ?� he grumbled.
Peppermint leapt to her feet and crowded with Miracle and Percival in front of the window in order to better see the expanding dome of energy encroach upon the planet�s surface. Although the fire ball stopped several miles short of where they stood, a burst of heat washed over them, penetrating the thick, rock walls.
�Great Iron Chef,� Percival said around his shock. �That one was a doozy.� Several beats of silence radiated through the little house before a thought occurred to the chef. �You don�t think that she�s hurt herself do you?�
Although his question was directed at Peppermint, Miracle tensed and stared harder into the distance.
Peppermint snorted. �Hardly. You should have seen the fireworks she was lettin� loose when she first arrived.� She gave a short crack of laugher. �I had to drag Miracle into the house.� She fanned herself. �That girl can make a heat-wave in nothin� flat, let me tell you.�
Clutching the casserole to his starched apron, the drake wondered aloud, �What could have upset her so much?�
Peppermint grinned shamelessly and gave Miracle�s shoulder a conspiratory pat before she turned back to her seat. �That, sweetheart, is Miracle�s secret.�
Percival turned his small, speculative eyes on the saiya-jin in question. �What on earth did you do?� He couldn�t imagine a situation that would cause Solis to lose control on such a scale.
Miracle�s fists clenched even tighter but he made no other reply.
Tilling laughter drew Percival�s shocked gaze back to Peppermint. She rolled her eyes. �Oh, Percy, darlin.� The fault ain�t completely his. After all,� she continued, �Solis kissed him first.�
Percival blinked at her. �You are jesting with me, Peppermint, and I am not finding any of this amusing!�
She grinned.
�Why, you don�t believe me, sugar?�
Percival eyed her with paramount suspicion.
�If you don�t believe me, just ask him.�
She motioned to Miracle.
Percival didn�t look convinced that Miracle was in a talkative mood.
Peppermint prompted him, �Miracle, sweat thang, would ya mind tellin� ol� Percy here what happened?�
�Old!� Percy huffed in indignation. �I am in my prime, rag-a-muffin.�
Peppermint hooted. �Yeah, that�s why your fudge always turns out lumpy as a toad�s hide.�
Percival screeched. �Hoodlum!� He raised the dish of casserole, preparing to fling it in Peppermint�s face when a hand stopped him.
Miracle�s black eyes were on the drake�s flushed face, and his hands were holding onto the dish. �I�m starving,� the man interjected smoothly, �thank you, Percival.�
Percival�s anger went to flushed embarrassment in a heartbeat. �I just don�t want you getting weak again. Solis would worry about you,� the drake said, stomping off to the kitchen.
Miracle watched him go, then turned and saw Peppermint grinning at him.
�And here I thought you didn�t care,� she crooned.
Miracle�s mouth twitched. He glanced down at the overflowing plate in his hands and sighed. His stomach felt as if it had just shriveled up and died. �Solis would not like to know that her study was covered in casserole,� he replied quietly. His gaze went slowly, inevitably back to the window.
�She wouldn�t know if you didn�t tell her,� the drake countered, grinning.
He shook his head. �I can keep nothing from Solis.�
�Except your past,� Peppermint reminded him.
He looked down, a pained expression clouding his face. �I . . . I am not sure that I want to remember anymore.�
Peppermint eyed him, waiting for him to continue.
�She . . . she gave me a new name. I have friends. And I care for Solis. What if I remember and I can�t be Miracle anymore?�
�Oh, Miracle, sweetie pie,� the drake laid her hand on the saiya-jin�s arm. �Solis will always think of you as her Miracle. Don�t worry your handsome self about it. Even if you remember, you�ll still be the same man. Don�t you know? You can�t hide who you really are. Solis would see through that in no time flat.�
The mention of time gave Miracle a start. �She�s been gone for a long time.�
Peppermint sighed. �Yes, she has. But she�s on her way back.�
He started. �How can you . . . ?�
Wordlessly, Peppermint indicated the white-yellow sky. Off in the distance, just over the horizon, a white spot in the yellow glow was proceeding steadily toward them.
�That�s her,� the drake told him.
His eyes widened. She could bleach the sky with her power . . . He�d never seen such a thing before. He�d never known that such power existed.
�She�s turned the sky . . . white . . .� he mumbled in amazement. The plate in his hands forgotten, he leaned closer to the window.
Peppermint laughed. �That�s not the sky!� she cackled.
Miracle turned back to the drake, startled.
�What?�
�The glow that never leaves Balite--that�s Solis�s ki energy,� the drake explained. �Solis comes from a long lineage of powerful saiya-jins and the only way for them to survive the demands of the ki energy they control is to release it in a constant stream. Solis�s mother had the same power.�
He frowned at her.
�You�ve wondered why a saiya-jin would want to live on Balite, right? Who would torture themselves by livin� on a planet with gravity like this?�
His frown increased. �She . . . With power like hers, she needs a planet with a large gravity factor,� he murmured. �Otherwise, her ki would blow the planet apart.�
Peppermint blinked at him in surprise. �Why, that�s right, Miracle! You sure are just as smart as a button, kiddo.�
Both of Miracle�s dark brows arched in surprise at Peppermint�s words. �You thought I was stupid?� he asked, startled yet his voice was mellow.
Peppermint looked awkward. �Well . . . ah . . . no, of course not. It�s just that, well . . . ya don�t say much. That�s all.�
Miracle smiled.
�Well that�s a sight you don�t see every day.�
Peppermint and Miracle started guiltily at the sound of another voice.
�Solis . . .�
�Sweetie, we didn�t even hear ya come in.�
Solis leaned heavily against the doorway to the study, bracing herself with her legs, locking her knees into place to keep from sliding to the floor in an unconscious heap. She forced her reddened eyes to focus on the couple standing in front of the large bay window. In the bright glow of the Balite �sky� they looked other-worldly, like the spirits in saiya-jin folklore. She closed her eyes and sighed. When she opened them, Miracle had come closer to her. She hadn�t felt him move; she hadn�t heard him, either. She needed to rest.
He reached out to her.
�Solis?�
�I . . .� She closed her eyes again. �I need to rest.�
Peppermint made a small, distressed sound. �Honey, what did you do to yourself?�
Her eyes opened but didn�t focus. Somehow, she tilted her head in the direction of Miracle�s dark head. �As soon as I rest . . . I�ll help you remember . . .�
He shook his head emphatically. �I can�t remember, Solis. I won�t.�
�My fault . . .� she murmured, her eyes closing again. �So sorry . . .�
She felt herself fall into blackness. Solis slumped against the wall, her feet slowly began to slide from under her. She was falling . . . She was beyond caring where she would land, or how, or when. She was falling . . .
And then she was floating in someone�s arms.
She focused her eyes. And met someone else�s. She frowned, trying to blink away the film that blurred her vision. Something moved. A hand. It reached out to her and wiped away the tears of exhaustion that had filled her eyes. She could see now. Miracle was leaning over her. And then it all came back to her in a mad, undisciplined rush. The rage, the hate, the need to do battle, to find a worthy adversary . . . She craved the uncertain, glimpse of death that every fighter must face. What�s wrong with me? I�m a healer, not a warrior. �Solis?� he whispered, his voice like a warm, sunlit breeze. She swallowed. �Are you alright?� Solis opened her mouth to speak. But she couldn�t answer. Define �alright,� she mused, disturbed. �Here,� he continued in that same soft voice. �Let me lift you up. Here�s some water.� She felt his arm slide under her head and raise her a few inches off of the pillow, enough to allow her a few sips of water. In silent pain, she accepted his care and waited for words to come to her. How could she explain the change taking place inside of her? How could she tell him that she�d finally realized why he couldn�t remember his past? How did she tell him what the cure would bring? �I�m fine,� she managed around the constricting pain in her throat. �Just tired.� Gently, he lowered her to the pillow. With a slow, careful sweep of his arm, Miracle moved her hair, spreading it out on the pillow so she didn�t tangle it beneath her as she laid down. His fingers lingered in her hair, arranging it on the pillow. She tried to ignore his consideration but couldn�t. �Have you been to see Audovauld yet?� He shook his head. His black eyes were watching the glow as it shimmered over her hair. �He was looking forward to meeting such a tall saiya-jin. The drakes always said that there was no saiya-jin bigger than my father.� �You�re speaking of nonsense, Solis. You are hurting right now.� She winced. He was right. �We�ve traded positions haven�t we?� she acknowledged. He gave her a soft, wry grin. �Not so long ago, you were here in this bed and I was feeding you water.� She sighed. �And,� Solis continued, �you were the obstinate one who insisted on over-doing it.� �So it�s my turn next time?� Solis laughed. �Yeah, you�ve got it.� She yawned. �You need more rest. Your body hasn�t recovered yet.� �Oh? So you have healing powers now do you?� she teased, but the effect was lost in the weariness of her tone. �Sleep, Solis.� �That had better not be some cocky, conceited, male saiya-jin attitude asserting itself while I�m not in the mood to deal with it.� �Cocky? Conceited? Not me.� �Better not be,� she mumbled. She closed her eyes. �Go with Percival and Peppermint to visit Audovauld and leave me alone, Miracle,� she told him. �Will you be alright?� �Knowing that if the three of you cause any trouble it won�t be in my house? Oh, I�ll be just wonderful.� �What if you need something?� She turned toward the pillow to bury her face in it. �Mruff furrr ooo.� Miracle hid a grin. �What was that?� Solis took a deep breath and lifted her face out of the comforting warmth of the pillow. �I�ll call you,� she told him. He blinked. �With your ki energy? You can do that?� �Umm humm. Go �way. Keep Cowgirl and Iron Chef from killing each other.� �Anything for you, Solis,� he replied. She felt him move away from her. She let out a long breath. She needed to have time to rest and to think. A touch at her temple . . . Miracle tucked a strand of hair that had begun to tickle her nose behind her ear. And then he left.
�Audovauld, you old buzzard, it�s your favorite sister. Open the door, you twichy barn cat!� �Pepper?� A loud sigh resonated through the heavy wood of the door. �Yes, Audo. It�s me. I brought ya a present.� �A present? Not more of Percy�s lumpy fudge? Lordy, gal, if that�s what you�ve brought me I�ll just cry. I�ve dug up every inch of the back yard trying to bury that stuff.� �Aaaaaggggghhhhhh!� �Pepper? Was that you?� There was a short pause. �No, that was Percy. Maybe you�d better not open up after all.� �Eh? Percy? Did you come to visit me, too?� A labored pause echoed on the other side of the door. �. . . Yes . . .� �What was that?� Pause. �YES! YOU UNGREATFUL CLOD!� There was a second, shorter pause. �AND I CAN�T BELIEVE THAT YOU SMUGGLED MY PRIZED FUDGE OUT OF SOLIS�S HOUSE TO HAVE YOUR BROTHER BURY IT! I CAN�T BELIEVE SOLIS LET YOU!� �Calm down, Percy. It was all Solis�s idea; she didn�t want to hurt your feelings. Geez. Don�t haul out an� shoot the messenger. I�ll start callin� ya Wild Chef.� �It�s Iron Chef, dammit. Don�t you people watch the transmissions that Teko intercepts?� Peppermint sighed. The sound penetrated through the solid door with crystal clarity. �Let us in, Audo honey.� �Well, why didn�t you just say something, sis?� The drake waved his gnarled, scaly hand and the heavy portal slid open without a sound. �Welcome! Welcome! Come in! Come in! Percy! Why, I must say, you make the best fudge I�ve ever had! When will you be brewing up some more?� Peppermint rolled her eyes. �It�s the only fudge you�ve ever had, Audo.� �You don�t know that, Pepper. Why, I never told you about my wilder days on my chosen world. The inhabitants-- Oh my great drake ancestors! This saiya-jin is huge! Pepper, why didn�t you tell me Solis�s intended was so enormous?� Peppermint rolled her beady, black eyes. �I did tell ya. In fact, I talked half o� your darned ear off about him. This,� she continued, waving her claws in the huge saiya-jin�s direction, �is Miracle.� �Ah . . .� Audovauld mumbled. �Like the divine act? Is it also spelled the same? Here, come in, come in. Watch your head. Have a seat. What can I do for you? Did the clothes fit alright? I see they did, they did. Good. What else do you have for me, hmm?� Miracle blinked. Percy groaned behind his paw. �The older they get, the longer they�ll chew at your ear,� Peppermint said, darkly. �The curse of being a drake.� �No,� Percy corrected, �it�s the curse of being a guest of an aging drake.� He sighed. �Poor Miracle.� Audovauld rubbed his roughened paws together. �Well, now it�s a pleasure to meet Solis�s chosen. A pleasure.� Percy leaned closer to his cousin and whispered, �What�s all this about him being chosen by Solis?� Peppermint shrugged. �My brother�s cheese has slid off of his cracker, for sure.� Audovauld turned to them. �Juveniles,� he said flatly. �You can�t feel the link between these two, I know. But trust me. It�s there.� Peppermint and Percival exchanged baffled expressions. �Now, young man, have you received the proper training for becoming a mate of the Guardian of Balite?� Miracle shook his head. �Oh, well, then! I shall summon Teko immediately. There are things you must know, young man. We�ll have nothing but the best for our Solis. Yes, sir. Not mates who are all thumbs when the consummation night rolls around. That would be unforgivable. Come with me, Miracle. I�ll have you trained in no time, no time at all.� �Dear drake ancestors,� Peppermint murmured. �Solis is gonna kill me if I return Miracle to her corrupted and capable of seducin� her.� Percy chuckled. �Serves her right for insulting my fudge. And it serves you right for going along with it. Mutinous insubordinators.� Peppermint watched in helpless horror as Miracle and Audovauld disappeared into a room behind the parlor. Audovauld�s aged voice echoed back to them, �Ah! Here�s my texts on female saiya-jin anatomy. You know anything about that, son?� Peppermint groaned. �She�s gonna kill me.� �No, killing�s too merciful.� The drake made a small, horrified sound. �You�re right. It�ll be a fate worse than death.� She looked up at her cousin. �She�ll make me eat your fudge.�
Gods, she was hungry. She grinned wryly. Percival was going to have drakelets when he discovered the enormity of her appetite. With a stifled groan, Solis rolled her aching body out of bed. The journey to the kitchen seemed extraordinarily long. Perhaps it was the hunger sharpening her senses and skinning her nerves. She didn�t know and she didn�t care. And when the first whiff of a heavenly aroma drifted across her nose, she closed her eyes and moaned. Whatever that was, she hoped like hell there was a lot of it. She stepped into the kitchen and halted in her tracks. One wrong move could result in the gravest of consequences; the food could be ruined. Unfortunately, she wasn�t sure what would constitute a bad move. The delicate ecosystem that had somehow managed to evolve in her kitchen while she had been resting could be shattered like crystal if she startled them. Wariness momentarily overcame her need for sustenance and Solis simply observed the odd behavior taking place. �Okay, Percival. I�ve finished adding the marshmallows. Now what?� Percival looked up at Miracle�s eager, shining face. �Now stir it until everything�s melted together.� Miracle nodded once, and then frowned down at a large pot. He seemed to contemplate the contents for a long moment before he dug in with the large spoon stirring with gusto. There was Percival at the stove directing Miracle on how to combine the ingredients for what looked like a monstrous serving of his infamous fudge. The novelty of seeing Miracle and Percival working together wore off as her mouth began to water. Before she could open her mouth to demand a taster�s spoon of whatever it was they were making, her stomach announced it for her. The growl rolled into the kitchen and echoed off of the stone walls. Startled, the two males looked up. Solis grinned sheepishly in the doorway. �Hungry, darlin�?� Solis turned and met Peppermint�s gaze. �Just a little.� Peppermint chuckled. �The power of understatement. I love it.� She looked around Solis to Miracle. �Hey good-lookin,� whatcha got cookin�?� Percival grinned. �Wild red berry pie,� he replied. He turned from the pie, his claws smeared with fruit and flour. Peppermint rolled her eyes. �Not you. I meant the good lookin� one.� Percy�s face darkened into a look that could only mean he had deliberated through his options of retaliation and decided that violence was the only appropriate method. Thankfully, Solis�s stomach rumbled again, distracting the chef from his conspiring. Relieved, her gaze went to Miracle. Her condition wasn�t improved by the fact that he looked positively edible, almost as edible, in fact, as the fudge-covered spoon he held. Against her will, Solis was drawn to the dark brown, massive glob. She could snitch a taste. She was sure that Miracle would let her. With lightning speed, she struck, carving a small valley through the chocolate and lifting out a portion for her very own. She quickly retreated to the other side of the island to postpone any confrontation that might result from her insubordination. With a gleam in her eye, Soli stuck her chocolate covered finger in her mouth. Her eyes crossed and then nearly rolled back into her head. �Oh gods,� she managed to moan. �Percival . . . why doesn�t your fudge turn out this good?� Solis collapsed in the nearest chair to savor the myriad of tastes overwhelming her senses. �Beginner�s luck,� Percival grumbled with characteristic antagonism. Very carefully, he set down the utensils he was using to prepare the pie and turned to Miracle. The saiya-jin was completely transfixed with the woman across from him. Smothering a silent sigh and ignoring the pleading expression Peppermint was launching in his direction, he took Miracle�s hand and used the saiya-jin�s large finger to scoop out another helping of fudge form the wooden spoon. Miracle looked down at Percival, startled. With a great amount of gesturing, the drake indicated that Miracle was to offer the fudge on his hand to Solis. A small grin lit the saiya-jin�s face. Peppermint bit back a squeak of horror as he leaned forward to do just that. Solis, sustenance deprived and wallowing in aphrodisiac ecstasy, quickly honed in on the scent of fudge approaching closer, closer. Without stopping to think, or even open her eyes, she reached for the object drawing nearer, and clasping it, attacked the fudge with desperate rigor. It was Peppermint�s horrified groan that brought her out of the sensuous wave of pleasure she was riding. Reluctantly she opened her eyes. She saw the problem immediately. She was eating fudge off of Miracle�s fingers, and if his ki was any indication, he was greatly enjoying it. He practically glowed with pent-up energy, making the chocolate, literally, melt in her mouth. Afraid of what she would see, Solis looked into his eyes. They were blue, glowing with a subtle intensity that had replaced the harmless curiosity of before. His hair had also turned to a blue-purple color. Every line of his body was drawn tightly. Solis swallowed, a reflex, and his eyes narrowed on her. She thought, Oh shit . . . . No longer was there the innocent, helpful Miracle who had frustrated her to the point of nearly killing herself from overexertion. In his place stood a sensual, determined male. And he was looking at her as if the urge to mate had never been a consideration to him until this exact moment. A small movement at the corner of her vision drew her from her fugue. Instantly, she identified the culprit. �Peppermint!� The drake started and then begun walking a bit faster. �I�ve . . . uh . . . just remembered. I . . . uh . . . have to be somewhere right now. Bye Solis!� �Oh no you don�t,� Solis grumbled. She launched herself at the fleeing drake, moving so quickly that when Peppermint turned the corner, Solis was waiting for her. The drake squeaked. �Now, Solis, honey . . .� �Don�t you �Solis, honey� me,� she growled. �What did you do to Miracle?� �Now just a cotton-pickin� minute! I didn�t do anything to-� Solis held up a hand. �Let me re-phrase that. What did you let Audovauld do to him?� Peppermint gulped and looked very uneasy. �Uh . . . Well, just some basics.� �The basics? Mating basics?� She wanted it clarified. �Uh . . .� Solis took that uneasy response for a �yes.� �What in the world made him think I would mate with Miracle!� She paused and stared very intently at the cowering drake. �You wouldn�t say such a thing, would you?� The drake put her scaly hands in front of her to ward off Solis�s attack. �No! No! No! When we got there he started calling Miracle your �chosen� and �betrothed� and stuff. I never said a word!� �My chosen? How the hell did he get that idea?� Realizing that she wasn�t out of the line of fire yet, Peppermint proceeded to step very carefully. �Well, he said that you two were bonded and when he realized that Miracle had no . . . um . . . training, he proceeded to . . . well, train him.� Solis fell hard against the wall. �Oh . . . my . . . gods.� Silence reigned for long moments in the hall as Solis sought to uncover some way to untangle the mess that had twisted around her while she slept. She closed her eyes. There was really only one solution. �Are . . .� Peppermint began very cautiously. �Are you absolutely sure that you don�t want Miracle for your mate, Solis?� Solis sighed. Slowly, she straightened. �I have no wish to discuss this further, Peppermint. If you have anything else you�d like to speak with me about, I will be in my study.� Peppermint blinked. Solis looked unusually calm, considering the circumstances. �The study?� she parroted. In answer, Solis turned and disappeared through the study doorway. Peppermint stood there blinking for a long moment, trying to get accustomed to this drastic shift. Although, in reality, this was the real Solis. The Solis who was never ruffled, never startled by any conceivable emergency, was back. Where she had disappeared to over the past short time after her guest had arrived was anybody�s guess. Peppermint had never seen such a drastic change take place in a saiya-jin. The drake could only think of one thing that would affect a saiya-jin so drastically. She stepped into the study. �Are you sure you�re not bonded with that saiya-jin?� Solis sighed at Peppermint�s speculative tone. Reluctantly, Solis looked up from the bare surface of her desk. �I never said that,� Solis replied evenly. �Of course we�re bonded.� Peppermint�s mouth fell open at the unexpected admission. �You�re . . . y�all are bonded!� Solis sighed again. �And ya didn�t tell me!� Solis winced at the drake�s harsh tone. �Calm down, Pepper. You�re beginning to sound like Percival.� Peppermint glared at the guardian. Arms akimbo, she demanded, �Well I wouldn�t if ya�d be kind enough to inform me of these developments.� �It wasn�t really a development in the technical sense of the word,� Solis replied. �In what sense, then, sugar?� Claws tapped an impatient staccato on the stone floor. Solis sank back into her chair and leaned her head on the back of it. �When Miracle first arrived, he hit the arrangement of rocks that I use for training. He was badly injured, barely conscious, and dying. I merged completely with him in order to stop the internal bleeding and save his life. The bond we share is a healing bond, not a mate-bond.� Peppermint, for the first time since Solis could remember, was at a loss for words. �A healing bond,� she parroted. �Yes, that�s what I said. So you see, Audovauld went to all of that trouble for someone else�s sake--not mine.� The claws once again tapped out a rhythm. �But, Solis . . .� Solis braced herself. It was rare that Peppermint was hesitant. �If you healed Miracle, then . . .� The drake fidgeted. �. . . why can�t he remember his past?� The energy suddenly left Solis. �How did I know you were going to ask me that, Pepper?� Peppermint tapped a claw against her rubbery lips. �This is scary. Now you�re not only a healer but a mind reader, too. Girl, I don�t envy you!� Solis covered her face with her hand. �Are ya gonna answer me or just leave me hangin,� sweetheart?� For a moment, and only a moment, Solis considered not replying. But then she said, �When I merged with Miracle, his mind was in chaos, complete chaos. The majority of it sprang from an isolated section of his mind. And so, I did to it what I had done to the rest of his internal injuries.� She paused, attempting to gather her thoughts. �I confined that part of his mind behind a block so that it could heal on its own. I had thought that the chaos had come from the pain; I have been told that it can drive one into insanity. However . . .� Solis rose from her chair and began to pace the length of the room. �It became clear to me as I was training. When I built the block in his mind, I did not shut out his pain only. I shut away his past, everything that he is. All of it I have taken from him and placed under my own control.� Peppermint stared at Balite�s guardian. �I don�t think I understand, Solis.� Solis leaned both hands heavily on the only window in the study. �When I tried to heal his insanity, I took away his past. Miracle is insane and his past is the trigger. He is mad.� Silence echoed through the glowing room. There was a very long pause before Peppermint discovered something to say. �Mad?� Solis nodded in defeat. �Totally insane?� Again, she nodded. �Absolutely, certifiably bonkers?� Nod. �The saiya-jin has left the building?� Nod. Nod. �The lights are on but nobody�s home?� �Great gods, Peppermint. How many ways do you need it clarified?� Solis demanded through clenched teeth. The drake blinked. �Great drake ancestors,� she muttered, �I just knew there was a good reason for why he didn�t take a shine to me right at first!� Solis�s head drooped even further. �Peppermi-int,� she nearly groaned. The drake cleared her throat. �So what are you planning to do?� Solis lifted her face and gazed out the window. Peppermint had an excellent question: What was she going to do? What could she do? She tried to tell herself that she owed it to Miracle to give him the choice but . . . But that darkness that craved battle had opened up inside of her, and it would not be denied. Below, a movement caught her eye. There stood Miracle, hands fisted on his hips, gazing up at her. She blinked, startled. Percival was rushing about the tall saiya-jin in a frenzied manner before diving back into the kitchen. Slowly, she felt herself narrowing in on his dark, intense eyes. What did he deserve? The darkness screamed at her; it was a wanton battle cry. �Solis?� She straightened away from the window. Turning back to the drake, the guardian of Balite forced a lie through her throat. �I don�t know.�
From the kitchen, Percival called back, �Don�t take it personally, Miracle. I�m sure she just needs some time to get adjusted to your, ah, interest.� Solis turned away from the window, her face resolute and filled with sorrow. An uneasiness replaced Miracle�s earlier assurances that he could win her affections. �She�ll probably go train for an entire year, now,� he grumbled with disgust. �What was that, sonny?� Miracle turned at the sound of Percival�s voice now beside him. �I thought you were rescuing the fudge.� �Been there, done that.� Miracle grinned. �You�ve got fudge all over your apron.� �That�s the best place for it.� A frown had creased the drake�s stiff, scaled brow. �Solis might not agree with you.� �What�s on your mind, Miracle? You look troubled.� Miracle turned back to the small creature beside him. �I know Solis deserves a good mate. But I do not know if I am that saiya-jin, Percival; I can�t remember.� Percival sighed. �My advice to you is, if she gives you any indication that she is attracted to you, do not second guess it!� �But what if I disappoint her . . . somehow?� �Miracle, for the short time I have known you, I find it difficult to believe that you would do or say something to displease Solis.� Miracle�s gaze became even more intense. �But, I have seen Audovauld�s pictures of saiya-jin anatomy. What if she finds my . . . proportions . . . unacceptable?� Miracle�s eyes dropped to the section of his attire that covered his groin. Percival�s eyes also descended to that area. For a long, silent moment, they gazed at the hidden anatomy, deliberating its affect of the opposite sex. After a time, Percival looked up. �Well, Miracle. You should know that times are more sophisticated now than when I was a drakelet. Size isn�t what matters anymore, it�s the . . .� Miracle looked into Percival�s ancient face, his expression hopeful. � . . . it�s the . . .� Percival tapped a finger against his apron, trying to recall the vital piece of information Miracle awaited. � . . . it�s the . . .� Percival screwed up his reptilian face. He sighed. Gently, he laid a clawed hand on Miracle�s arm. �You know, size does matter. I�m sorry, Miracle.� At the saiya-jin�s instant, crestfallen look, Percival hurried to assure him, �But I�m sure that your . . . proportions are adequate.� A smell wafted out from the kitchen, catching Percival�s nose. �Ah! The pie! The pie!� With a little start, the drake scurried back into the kitchen, leaving Miracle to do as he wished. Once more, a determined expression hardened Miracle�s face. �Adequate . . .� he murmured. �There�s only one way to find out.� |