The Volcano

It was sweltering and Angel, a winsome 17 year old girl, had lost her friends, she'd known at the time it was a stupid thing to

do.... But her friends had talked her round, saying it would be all uncanny and funny watching the guys freak out. Only it wasn't the guys that were freaking out it was her. Why on earth had they come to explore a tunnel under a dormant volcano?! One minute the group had been right in front of her the next they'd vanished... Her flashlight went off just then, and the darkness enveloped her. Angel began to scream for help, fighting back the tears, she began to run, not sure where she was going.

She felt along the side of the tunnel walls until she felt something. She stopped running and ran her hands across the wall again until she came to the.... the door handle! Only it was locked.... she remembered she had a few hairpins in so she pulled one out and began to pick the lock. It worked and she pushed with all her might until the door slid opened. It was brightly light inside and there were a few pieces of furniture in the vast room. And... and there were paintings all over the wall.... paintings of dragons.

As she got closer she saw there was writing on the walls as well, above most of the paintings was a title, 'The Bishel Dragons', or 'Bishen'. Angel looked at the painting in awe, they portrayed the Bishel dragons, or the Bishen, to be dragons the size of dogs. Then she saw some had subtitles, above a blue dragon with wings, and a snake like body was the word 'Arboreal'. Then over a red dragon with 4 legs was the word 'Terran', over a blue dragon with no wings or legs, simply a snake like body was the word 'Marine'. Then there was a picture of a green dragon, this one had two front legs and wings, above it was the word 'Hybrid'. Then there was the Bishel dragon life cycle. The first picture had no subtitle because it was obvious what it was, it was a green egg. Then there was a picture of a small worm like creature, it's subtitle was 'wyrm'. The next stage showed a picture of a Bishel dragon with 4 legs, above it was the word 'shrape' and in brackets (Terran type dragon). The next stage was written, not painted. It read 'Though the Bishel dragon has fully developed into it's type, it has yet to develop it's breath weapon. It develops it's breath weapon at a special gathering called 'The Shantel', where the oldest dragon, or 'Kailan' presents them with a magical item. Then they become known as full Bishen! It is a sacred event that both bondmate and dragon will never forget.' The next stage shows two Bishel dragons and a heart, there is no subtitle for this stage. And finally it shows a female Bishel dragon watching over her clutch. The subtitle reads: 'blue eggs are female, green eggs are male. Bishel dragons usually lay 5-10 eggs.' Angel moved on to read the rest of the writing. All of it was bout Bishel dragons, all except one.

I am going to search for a Bishel dragon egg tomorrow. I plan to look inside the volcano on some of the ledges. I have all the right equipment and I have read all there is to read. I hope I don't fall to the nadir of the volcano.... Maybe if I find an egg I will finally fit in and be loved.

Poor Julius, Angel thought, it can't have gone well or else there would have been a follow up. Her eyes filled with melancholy and her heart blead for the boy, all he wanted was to find a Bishel dragon, a companion. Something to love and nurture, and he had ended up dead. Tears stung her eyes yet she fought them back again. 'I wish there was something I could do to help him....' she thought, but alas she couldn't.

Suddenly she heard her friends calling for her, she ran outside and began to run towards them, then remembered the door.... She managed to shut the door, though it was hard because it was so heavy. Then she ran in the direction of the noise, calling out 'I'm here!!!' every couple of seconds.

That made a few people laugh, yet Angel remained sombre. How could they laugh and joke while poor Julius was lying at the bottom of the volcano? She knew she couldn't tell them about the Bishel dragons, they'd just laugh and say she'd gone mad.

"Oh Angel! You poor thing!" Sasha mumbled. "All alone in the dark with only the spiders for company!"

"Are you lot just gonna to stand here chatting or are we going to get outta here?" asked Nathan.

During school the next day Angel couldn't focus on anything, all she could thing about was Julius and the Bishel dragons. She decided to go back and search for a Bishel dragon herself after school, she would do it for Julius. She would even keep the egg in the room she'd found.

She spent lunch searching for Cali, she finally found her 10 minutes before the bell. She was walking with a group of girls Angel didn't know,

"Cali, you know when we were down that tunnel, and I was lost, well I found this room.... A boy name Julius has painted pictures of Bishel dragons all over the wall, I think he was about our age because his pictures were at our level. He even wrote about them. One day he said he was going to go down the volcano, only he never came back, or else there would have been a second part to his writing. I want you to help me go down the volcano, because I want to find a Bishel dragon. Oh Cali you have to believe me," Angel whispered.

Cali nodded, "wow Angel, I'm glad you've spilled and of course I believe you! I won't tell anyone about it either, don't worry. I'll meet you at your car after school ok?"

After school Angel drove to a row of shops picked up some special rock climbing gear before heading off to the volcano. She couldn't believe hardly anyone knew about the volcano.... then again it wasn't very big and hadn't erupted for centuries.

She parked her car in some bushes then her and Cali set off towards the peak of the volcano. She was glad she'd been able to confide in Cali, and she was elated that Cali had agreed to help her. She had been pleasantly surprised to learn that Cali really did believe her, for she could not have attempted to enter the volcano without some help. Even though it was hot Angel was dressed in trousers and a long sleeved T-shirt, just incase the rocks were rough, because she didn't want to come out all cut and bruised.

Together they set up the equipment, then Cali slowly and carefully lowered Angel into the mouth of the volcano. It was clear she was worried, but she was not about to let Angel go into a volcano on her own, which she knew she'd do with or without help, and if she didn't help Angel would only get herself killed. She sighed and wished she could wipe her brow, which was covered in sweat, but she was too afraid Angel would fall. She shivered, though it was not from the cold, for it was not cold, it was from fear. Everything about this place seemed dangerous, seemed to warn her... seemed to mourn. But for who? what? would she ever get to see this Bishel dragon? or was Angel going mad? so many questions... Yet she tried her best to keep her mind on the task ahead.

Angel was hot, no she was not hot, she was roasting, and oh how she wished to strip down to her underwear. She looked about the dismal volcano, the lava reflected in the walls, seemed to be cover them, but still there weren't any ledges. She must be at least 20 feet from the mouth of the volcano, and now things were really starting to heat up.

Finally Angel saw something! she yelled for Cali to lower her a little bit more then emitted a shrill 'stop'. She began to swing herself from left to right, every time she neared the adjacent wall she would push out using her feet, until finally, she managed to grasp the ledge and haul herself up onto it.

She spied a nest and eagerly approached it, nothing, the nest for empty. Typical. Angel leaned over the edge and saw the a couple of feet bellow there was another ledge, this one was much smaller, yet if she saw right, it led into a cave!

Cali obediently lowered Angel a couple more feet, getting onto the next ledge was easy, and Angel began to walk towards the cave.

She stepped in and was immediately embraced by bats. She let out an ear piercing scream and began to run further into the eldritch cave. She put on her flashlight and began searching the cave for a nest. 10 minutes into her walk there was a turn off, curious Angel turned into it as it appeared her other route led to a deadend.

This chamber was remarkably cool and seemed to have a mysterious air about it, and she kept hearing, these noises... Angel screamed when she saw what was making the noise. It was a disgusting creature huddled over a small azure egg, and it was trying to break into it! Angel knew immediately it was a Bishel dragon so she continued to scream, hoping to draw it's attention away from the egg.

She bent down to pick up some large rocks, which she then threw at the huge vulture like creature, which must have been at least as big as her. It squawked in pain as a rock hit it in the head and fell to the ground, stunned. Angel saw her chance and lunged at the egg, she scooped it up in her arms then ran towards the mouth of the cave. When she got to the end of the ledge she tugged on the rope, which was the 'pull me up signal', and moments later she was being hauled up. Then came the ghastly screaming, Angel groaned and began to panic, she knew the creature was coming after her.

Now Cali was hauling her up even faster yet it was not fast enough. Suddenly Angel felt a sharp pain in her right foot and realised it was the bird biting it. She kept kicking at it viciously until her right foot was free.

By the time she reached the top she was soaking and so hot she could barely breath, yet her egg was intact and that was all that mattered. She ran her hands over the smooth shell and kissed it, such a lovely shade of blue, it really was perfect in every way.

"Wow you found an egg!!! congratulations Angel! hey are you ok? you look like your burning up...."

Angel smiled sweetly, "thanks Cali, I hope your there when she hatches, and yes I'm fine, I just need to rest."

With that Angel leapt to her feet and began to make her way to the bottom of the volcano, with Cali in tow.

It was just as dim and bleak as Angel remembered, possibly even more, so Angel clicked on her torch, and then beam of light begin to dart about the chamber. She would have to buy some lanterns to keep down here. Occasionally Angel or Cali would cough due to the dust they inhaled, but that wasn't really anything serious, not like the egg. When they came to the door Angel handed Cali the egg and pushed with all her might, and it opened. Then she took the egg back and began looking for a cosy corner in which to put the egg. Once she found one she set the egg down, along with her bag, and pulled out a woollen blanket, then she wrapped the egg in it and patted it.

Her and Cali must have spent about 2 hours down in the room, just talking about things. Then after Angel and Cali had kissed Juliette goobye they left.

It was over a week since Angel had found the egg and the last couple of nights she'd spent camping out in the room, watching, hoping the egg may hatch. She'd promise to tell Cali when the egg hatched, but had said Cali couldn't camp out with her, after all, what if Juliette bonded with Cali instead of her? she couldn't risk it.

But at 1.47 am, just as Angel was falling asleep she heard something... she thought it was a cracking sound and instantly sat bolt upright. She took a deep breath and rubbed her eyes, she slowly got to her feet and made her way over towards the egg. It was hatching. She wanted to scream and cry, but she refrained, because it may scare little Juliette. She was so desperate to take Juliette in her arms she went to rip part of the shell away, but then thought, that too, may upset Juliette. There was a brief pause before Juliette began to hurl herself about the egg, trying to break free.

After a while Juliette had emerged from what remained off her egg. Angel felt her heart miss a beat, she had never been more blithe, and finally, the first tear fell. She stared into the tiny dragon's huge swarthy orbs and sighed happily before caressing it's smooth claret coloured skin, she was perfect. The petite wyrm emitted a sharp crooning sound which made Angel both laugh and jump. Then she remembered the food she had prepared for herself, there was some ham left as well an orange. She rummaged around in her bag for awhile until she came to the container, once she'd found it she pulled it out and Juliette wriggled towards her, her beady eyes locked upon the ham which she snatched from Angel's hand once she got within snatching distance. Once the ham had gone she took the orange, but instead of eating it she played with it, using it as a ball.

Juliette released a short whistling sound then, she grew bored of playing with the orange and began to rip the peel off. She gulped the segments down quickly then began to look around, it was clear she was tired so Angel picked her up, which she did not like, got comfortable in her sleeping bag, then put Juliette down beside her. Yet she could not sleep, she was too excited about Juliette, who had almost immediately fell fast asleep. Eventually she fell asleep after a few hours of watching the sleeping wyrm.

Angel awoke to Juliette nudging her face, she groaned and looked at her watch; it was 6 am and she usually got up around 10 am on a Saturday. The first thing that popped into her mind was the ball she'd brought for Juliette, which for some reason, she'd forgotten about last night. She instantly pulled it out of her bag and tossed it to Juliette who seemed to see it as her prey.... Seeing her little

baby attack the ball made Angel chuckle. She thought about phoning Cali but decided to let her know on Monday, but what about her parents? she'd couldn't keep sneaking out, but she couldn't leave Juliette. There was no food left and Juliette was no longer happy just playing with the ball.

Angel decided to go home and catch up on some missed sleep so she placed Juliette in her bag, which she padded with her jumper beforehand, and made her way out of the dark room. Once she was in the tunnel she turned her light on, she'd decided against wasting her money on lanterns which would go out quickly, and began to make her way towards the exit.

Juliette smelt the fresh air and tried to make a dash for it, but because she had no legs or wings, Angel was able to stop her from getting away by placing a hand over her wriggling body. She rolled her eyes when Juliette released a short sharp 'TREEE!!!', she could tell she expected to get anything and everything she wanted. When they got to the car Angel let Juliette out onto the back seat and turned the radio on; Juliette liked the music and began to whistle along to it.

When they got home Angel grabbed Juliette and went straight to her room, no one was up yet so Angel didn't have tp hide Juliette. Once in her room Angel collapsed onto the bed and crawled under the covers with Juliette, 10 minutes later she was fast asleep.

Angel was woken up by her mom calling her down for lunch. Juliette, of course, had already smelt the food and was at the door; but Angel had to leave her there. Angel ate lunch quickly and snuck some fruit up to Juliette, who wolfed it down.

Juliette spent Saturday night at Angel's, but on Sunday night, the two were back in 'the room'. Monday came and Angel told Cali about Juliette who insisted on seeing her after school, and wanted to know every single detail about Juliette. So Angel told her how she'd sing along to the music, about how she loved meat and sunlight, oh how she loved the sun! and about her attacking the ball... just little things.

After school, Angel and Cali paid Juliette a visit, who loved seeing someone other than just Angel; they played, ate, and left. Juliette hated them leaving and looked up at them with pitiful eyes, as if begging them not to leave, and Cali didn't even want to leave, but Angel insisted. She knew she'd have to figure out a way to spend more time with Juliette....

It must have been midnight when Angel recieved the call. She had been drifting off to sleep when she had heard the phone; she'd thought it was a stupid idea having a phone on her bedside table, but her parents had insisted. They'd said it was the emergency number so it would rarely wake her if ever. She'd abruptly snapped out of her tranquil trance, it had taken her only a few seconds to realise it was the phone ringing. She'd thought it was strange, after all what could be wrong? her parents had taken her little brother and sister away for the weekend so Angel could revise for a maths test and had already phoned to say they'd had a safe journey. She instantly reached for the phone, and after only 1 minute, her world had fallen apart, and then after 10 minutes, the person on the other end put the phone down. Angel began to tremble, she felt Juliette's beady eyes upon her, yet her body remained motionless. Then all of a sudden what seemed like 12 litres of tears exploded from her eyes, caressing her flushed cheeks. Seeing her pitiful sobs Juliette crawled over to her and nudged her leg. Angel removed her head from her hands and hugged the miniscule wyrm; all she wanted to do was cry. Mommy and daddy.... gone... Timmy... gone... and Sam... in a coma. That night Angel only managed to get 1 hours sleep. But Juliette it seemed didn't sleep at all; instead she lay by Angel's face, watching over her. Every hour, except the one she managed to spend sleeping, Angel would get up and make herself a fresh pot of coffee, and consume it all.

When morning eventually came Angel phoned her grandmother, but she got the answer machine. She wanted to see how badly Sam had been burnt and hurt... wanted to know what her parents had been doing driving around at 10 o'clock at night. Car crashes were nasty, and a collision with a large tree was sure to be fatal for most. Angel just wished there was someone she could blame, she felt so hopeless.

5 hours later her grandmother phoned her back, once Angel told her that her parents were dead her grandmother began to cry as well. The phone call consisted of lots of crying and Angel's grandmother promising to come over immediately.

An hour later Angel's grandmother arrived, and with Juliette shut in her room, Angel could begin to come to terms with what had happened. Angel looked like she hadn't slept for a week, she had thick black bags under her eyes, her hair was a mess, and she couldn't stop pacing, which wasted her remaining energy. She had everything figured out; when she had to go and see Sam she'd ask Cali to take care of Juliette. But Angel was dreading the 120 mile journey, why did she have to identify the bodies of her parents and her little brother? The thought was unbearable, it was like she was in a movie; everything seemed so unreal. Losing one family member would have been bad enough, but 3?!?!

That night Angel took several sleeping pills and slept from 9 pm to 9 am. Once Angel was awake the first thing she did was give Juliette a hug; but wait... there was 4 lumps! 2 on each side of her body. Angel began to panic and then she remembered Juliette still wasn't a shrape... and after that it didn't take her long to figure out the 'lumps' were legs. Juliette was going to grow into a beautiful Terran Shrape! and for the first time after the terrible news, Angel smiled and almost laughed. Typical her to panic and think the worse. Then cold harsh rememberance hit her, her mother would never call her down for breakfast again, she would never have Timmy begging her to play with him again, or have to babysit him. The thought brought tears to her eyes, how could she go on? life was not worth living without a family. Juliette nuzzled her leg affectionately, no she had to go on, she had Juliette to think about now.

Later that day Angel phoned Cali and asked her to look after Juliette while she was gone for a couple of day, Cali agreed of course and said how sorry she was to hear about Angel's family. So Angel took Juliette to 'the room' and dropped her off with Cali, who had got there before them. Then she returned home and her and her grandmother set off.

Angel got home on Tuesday evening, but her grandmother had said they'd have to stay in her cottage down South so they could be near the hospital which Sam was staying in. Which meant Angel would not be attending school for at least 2 weeks, but she didn't care. Angel phoned Cali to say she was back and then she went to pick up Juliette, who was over the moon to see Angel.

But that night Angel's grandmother came in, despite the fact Angel had told her not to, and she saw Juliette. Angel had sat bolt upright when she'd heard the door open, and when her grandmother had looked at Juliette Angel had tried to say something, but nothing had came out.

"ok, she. Anyway as I was saying, I know she's a Bishel dragon, your not the only one with secrets Angel. The truth is, I'm a witch, I don't do anything big, just healing spells, love potions, and of course flying.

"no, never, in my day we would have been punished, and well I never felt the need to tell anyone. My best friend knew of course, she was the one who got my interested in it, but I also learnt about mythical creatures, one of them being the Bishel dragons." She sighed, "I looked for one but I never found one... so, how did you find yours?"

"I went down into a volcano, it's not to far from here... Have you heard of it?"

"oh Angel you could have gotten yourself killed!!!! and yes I know of it. I found it when I went walking one time."

"Rocks... they're nasty birds and very dangerous, I'm amazed you got out alive, but then again, you always were a brave little soldier. Sometime I'll teach you to fly and use magic if you'd like?"

"wow that would be great!!!! can we fly down there again or do we still have to go on the train?"

"The train of course, if we flew down there we'd have to get up at 3 am, which wouldn't do either of us any good."

"Oh yeah I almost forgot, can we pleaseeeeeee take Juliette with us? I don't have anything sorted with Cali and I can't just leave her on her own."

The two of them talked a while longer before going to bed, and Angel felt a little happier than she had yesterday... until she thought about the 3 bodies... they had been burnt pretty badly, Sam was the least burnt. Apparently she'd not been wearing her seat belt, and because she always sat in the middle she'd just gone straight through the windscreen. But because of that, she'd had lots of cuts all over her.

They were off again at 7 the next morning, they caught a taxi to the station and left an hour and a half later at 8:30. Juliette behaved until she got hungry, then she began to struggle and whistle, so Angel quickly took out a turkey slice and some grapes, Juliette loved grapes and the thin turkey slices and wanted more, so Angel fed her till she was bloated. Then Juliette went to sleep and the rest of the journey went well. Then once they'd got off they caught a taxi to Angel's grandmother's cottage, which was basically in the wilderness. It was 5 miles from the nearest little town and was surrounded by beautiful foliage, infact the whole area was beautiful. It wasn't at all like some of the huge cities you saw today which were full of life; it was peaceful, there weren't many cars on the road, and everybody knew each other. Angel had always liked staying with her grandmother, every Saturday they would make a loaf of bread and some cookies.

Angel unpacked her suitcase then decided to take a walk; the fresh air would do her good after all. And being as Juliette loved the great outdoors, Angel took her along; for Juliette was swift, even though she didn't have any fully developed legs. So the two roamed the woods for some time, Juliette bathed on a rock, which was clad in sunlight, and it gave Angel the chance to really think about what had happened.

Over the next couple of days the two went for many walks together and Juliette's legs grew even more defined, then one day they came across some treasure, some of which Juliette carried home in her mouth, and oh how she loved them, they were just so beautiful.

Then one morning when Angel looked to the end of the bed, she did not see the miniscule wyrm, but a comely fully developed terran shrape.

And for the first time, Juliette stood, how proud Angel was, her precious little baby and adult now! yet still, she was not yet classed as a 'Bishen'; the shantel was still to come.

It was the night before the shantel and Angel had packed some belongings ready for the journey ahead of her and Juliette. Both her and Juliette were estatic, though Angel felt guilty for leaving her grandmother at a time like this it was Juliette's big day. And despite everything that had happened, Angel felt blithe and relaxed. She raised her head in pride everytime she looked at Juliette; who in her eyes, would always be her little baby. And Juliette was happy to play the 'baby' and bask in Angel's unconditional love and affection. Though Angel knew she would eventually seek a mate and maybe even grow apart; the thought was crippling and Angel refused to think about it. Instead she continued to prepare for the journey tomorrow.

And it was a long wait till tomorrow, Juliette didn't get to sleep till 4 am and then she woke up at 5 so poor Angel was shattered. There journey to the Bishel realm was a long tedious one; but it was worth it. Juliette was reunited with her parents and siblings, and now she would finally get to meet the famous Kailan. She and her siblings told their parents tales which were most interesting, and then they were instructed to get into line. Then Kailan gave his opening speech.

*Welcome, children of Athena and Jarod. Today is your Shantel. You will receive your magical object, which will allow you to use your breath weapon. Today, you will become Bishen, and full members of your clan.* He rustles his wings slightly. *Vienaguo, come forward.*

The first to recieve their magical item was Vienaguo; then Atlan, Keisne and then Mya. The waiting almost killed Juliette, but finally her turn came; she was fifth.

*You, Juliette, have been blessed with both outer and inner beauty. To you, I give a Spark Stone. This stone represents not only your fiery nature, but also your spirit. It allows you to breath flames and to sense the energy of anyone around you. Use it to help others.*

Juliette took her magical stone and walked lightly back into line. Oh how she had beamed with pride when Kailan complimented her on her inner and outer beauty, though she tried to hide it, for in truth, Juliette was slightly vain. And though her encounter, with probably the most respected Bishen ever, was brief, it was one she would never forget. The shantel was even more than it was cracked up to be, and for a moment, the proud Angel, was full of sorrow for those who would never have the honour of witnessing a shantel. And then finally after all the new Bishen had recieved their magical item, Kailan gave his closing speech.

*You now are full Bishen,* Kailan says, addressing the line. *Go and prosper. Use your gifts to help and to aid. Make our clan proud.* With that, he nods again to Athena and Jarod and leaves. The Second Shantel was over.

Juliette and Angel celebrated after the shantel for a while then bid the other Bishen and their bondmate's farewell and began to head away. But before they could leave the realm a women raced up towards them.

she smiles, "oh I don't need anything. It's just well.... we feel you made an exceptional job of raising Juliette and feel you should be paid tribute to fully, so we are awarding you a 'gold star parent' award." She removed her hands from behind her back and thrust the framed award forward;

Angel almost fainted, but she managed to steady herself and take the award. "Why thank you- I had no idea- I don't know what to say I'm still in shock...."

The women's smile widens, "it's what makes it all worth it. Seeing how happy Bishel dragons make people, and how happy people make Bishel dragons." She pivoted upon her heels and marched off, leaving Angel and Juliette to reflect.

"Wow, nice going Juliette, I think they should start a 'gold star pet' award! in which case, of course I would recieve one."

Juliette laughed as well, "why, don't you think I deserve one?" she said flashing Angel a demonic look.

"Of course," Angel said as she bent down and pulled Juliette towards her in a hug, "you are a wonderful pet! but I think it is you who owns I, not the other way around."

When the two arrived home they were greeted by Angel's grandma who had super ready for them, even though it was about 11 pm. Angel told her grandmother about the day's events and Juliette showed her the orb she'd recieved, 'grandma' as Juliette and Angel called her, congratulated the pair once they'd finished telling her their tale, before heading off to bed. Angel and Juliette went to their room soon after, but before Juliette got comfortable Angel spoke.

"I got you something to say well done..." she went to her bag and pulled out a paper bag and thrust it towards Juliette.

"Hmm..." mumbled Juliette who took the bag in her mouth before tipping it's contents out.

"Thanks Angel, now tonight I want you to tell me about when you found me, AGAIN."

Angel groaned slightly before laughing, then she got comfortable and began her story, Juliette loved this story and listened in awe everytime, and even though it took 30-60 minutes, depending on how much detail Angel included, Angel could never refuse the excited Juliette.

Once the story was finished Juliette nuzzled Angel goodnight then curled up infront of the fire on her bed along, along with her cuddly toy who she'd named 'Julius'.

The pair couldn't have been happier, 2 months later they were just as happy as they had been at the shantel, or so Angel thought. And though she felt terrible for no longer mourning her family, which everyone couldn't believe, perhaps it was magic, after all aren't dragons supposed to be fantasy? And she'd dropped out of school and came down to live with her grandmother, which her grandmother had not been happy about, but Angel didn't care, her life up north was over, even though she would miss not having Cali around all the time. But Juliette on the other hand was, secretly, sad; Juliette was lonely. For though she cared about Angel deeply, and Angel her, her life would never be complete without a mate. So one night when they were talking Juliette hesitated before plunging in.

"since when did we start keeping secrets and not telling each other everything?"

It was a good job Juliette was already red or else Angel would see how embarrassed she was and become tense, turning a simple comment into a nightmare. But as it was Angel didn't know, and she smiled.

"Why of course you do Juliette, I can't believe I never thought to ask!" she laughed at her own stupidity, making Juliette feel much better, "so uh... do you want to start looking or what?"

"No, I am going to wait a while and see if anyone asks me, after all for you humans, don't the males ask the females out?"

"That's not true... maybe way back, but now the girls can ask the guys, but I don't blame you, let the male worry about what you'll say rather than worry your silly little head."

"your welcome," Angel said before reaching out towards the light to turn it off, "oh and Juliette, some nice Bishen will ask you to be his mate, whenever that may be."

Juliette lay there contemplating whether or not now was the right time to tell Angel she was now mates with Kashi... ah Kashi. They had got in touch not too long ago, and he was very handsome, but above all he was kind and caring; the sort of male Bishen every female Bishen dreamed of. She had been chuffed when Kashi proposed, and when he gave her a pretty green and red orb which she thought symbolized them-Kashi the green terran and Juliette the red terran. She had been stuck for ideas when it came to making him a present, until then that was. She knew what she was going to make, so now all she had to do was tell Angel, make it, and give it to Kashi.

The next morning while Juliette and Angel were still lying in the bedroom, Juliette said:

"Angel I've got a mate. His name is Kashi and he's a green terran Bishen; I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner... but, but I just couldn't."

Angel nodded ever so slightly before replying; "uh... it's ok-about you not telling me so soon," but she did look a little hurt. "I'm really pleased for you," she said in a much more jovial tone; I can't wait to meet him! First we have to take part in the spring festival though.

Juliette bobbed her head in agreement, her mind at ease now she had told Angel and Angel hadn't minded.

*Name:*	*Sex:*	*Age:*	*Colour:*	*Type:*	*Breath Weapon:*	*Magical Item:*	*Parents:*	*Mate:*
Juliette	Female	Bishen	Red	Terran	Being able to breath fire and sense others' energy	Spark Stone	Athena & Jarod	Kashi (who she adores :))