While the crickets are making their noises and the stars were twinkling in the dark sky, I sat down with my back pressed against a tree. Hidden away from everyone else's view by it. I just wanted to sit alone for a bit. The others are still awake, but I think they're about ready to sleep for another night. I peeked around the corner of the tree, seeing Emily, Cora, Damon and Rick still sitting around the fire. The smoke rose from the burning flames. I was just about thirty feet away from them, not far enough for them to not know where I am. If they want to holler for me if there's some trouble, I'll hear them.

I grinned at Emily who was laughing along with Cora about something. Their laughter echoed all the way to where I am. I giggled lowly. Geez, wonder what they're talking about?

Then the memory of last night came forth again and now I was having a glum look. This feels like the same night, but only this is just a different night. When I think about it, I guess that's another reason why I decided to sit at this tree. Because I just didn't want to risk Rick, or me, getting angry again. I think sitting here is a good idea right now. We can't talk to each other if I'm right here.

My eyes concentrated on the girls, seeing them calming down from laughing loudly. Emily seems okay. Even though she was giving Rick glares a few times during today. Cora seems alright, as well. Knowing that what Rick said about me and her was so disgusting and rude. But Cora doesn't seemed to be affected by it still. She's acting like her own self. Well, she was more worried about me since I was the one who'd gotten slugged by my girlfriend's father, and she hates Rick now for hurting me. I formed a small hint of a smile while looking right at the short red dragoness. Gosh....The way she snapped at Rick today showed that she really cared about me. She wants friends, but she also doesn't want any of them hurt.

And I'm just one of them.

My eyes rolled onto Damon and Rick. Well, mostly at Rick. Ever since this morning he hasn't said much at all. Probably angry just as always. He's acting like he still has the same attitude as before.

Either that, or he's just acting tough. He probably doesn't want to show any guilt for his actions, and he secretly hates himself for causing so much drama with his daughter. I think that's the case. I looked right at the tall green drake that time, remembering that he made a commitment today to talk to Rick about everything. About his attitude....Towards me. And for making Emily so sad. Damon still hadn't talked to Rick about it, yet. Perhaps he's still waiting for the right time to do that.

Well, buddy, I'll keep hoping that you'll talk to him, and I hope he listens to YOU this time. He hasn't listened to anyone. We always argue with him, we always tell him differently than what he thinks, but he just resists. I can't keep doing this with Rick. Either he accepts me as Emily's boyfriend and let go that overprotective behavior, OR there'll be animosity between us still throughout the whole freakin journey, and back at home, and he'll lose Emily forever. Emily's tired of this, too. I can tell when she was crying. She gave her father chance after chance, but none of the chances work.

Cora has already met Rick since a couple days ago, and she's already tired of his attitude. Rick has NOT supported Cora to travel with us. He's treating her like she's Emily. A little girl. But both girls are growing up! Rocko accepted that about Cora, and Rick, of all humans, should accept that about Emily. Since the other night I don't know if Rick still wants Cora to go home, or has gotten over it finally. But point is Cora's tired of his attitude, like all of us in the group are.

Damon, I'm counting on you. Emily's counting on you. Cora's counting on you. PUT AN END TO THIS SHIT.

I took my gaze off the others and looked ahead, leaning back into the tree with my hands laid on my lap. My chest rose as I sucked in a lot of air. When I let it out, I dug around in my pocket and pulled out something. I held it up in my hand and looked right at it. It was the small photo of me, my brother and mother. The one that I've found in Mike's room back on the cruise ship. The one I decided to take with me before we all went off with Damon. I haven't looked at it in a while.

My gaze was focused right on Mike in the photo and sighed as I was just thinking about him. Gosh....I know that you have got into fights back then, but did you ever feel guilty after you get in one? I certainly have when I've fought with Rick. And since I literally know that you care for me and you've changed....You probably had felt it.

I guess, I know how you feel....Brother.

I pushed the photo back in my pants, had enough of staring at the faces of BOTH my relatives who are dead. Well....Mom died years ago, but I still don't know about Mike. None of us still haven't came across him.

I really don't want to think that he's dead. I can't.

Then guilt was rising up in my chest and it made me wince. Mike....I'm sorry I didn't believe that you were trying to change your whole life. God, if only I believed you sooner. But I thought you weren't at all and you were just lying to me....Like you had before.

I wish I could find you and tell you that I'm sorry.

Heck, since I'm travelling with the others....We could use your help. But of course if Rick doesn't change, you'll have to put up with his attitude like I have for days! I chuckled quietly to myself. Yep! You'll see how that feels when you're travelling with an overprotective jerk.

And heck, since you have been into fights before, PERHAPS I'll let you have a punch at him. He HAS said a lot of stubborn things about you. Rick, despite that you've risked your life for us, still thinks that you're just some bad guy who likes getting into trouble. Well, I don't think you are now. You saved me....Saved Emily.

And I'll never forget that.

Over the distant sound of crickets, I can hear somebody walking on the grass to where I'm at. I shifted a bit, looked past the tree behind me, and saw Cora padding towards me. She grinned as she made her way to me, curling those wings on her back. She spoke as she made it beside me, "Still keeping yourself out of sight from Rick?"

I giggled at that, "Well....Kinda figured that one out." I asked her in a serious tone, "So how're things going with that guy? Has he tried to look past the tree to see what I'm up to?"

Her giggle was deep in her throat when she shook her snout, "Pretty doubt he could look past it. You're well hidden. Made me wonder if you were sitting here the whole time. Like if you were....Kidnapped by our enemy without us knowing."

I shrugged one shoulder and one hand, "Yeaaah, I wondered if you guys thought that. I was just quiet."

She held up her nose, "Heh, before I walked here, I was thinking of using my nose to track you." The short red dragoness gave me a toothy smirk, "But don't think I have to. Not kidnapped at all."

I remarked with an amused look, "You're kinda overprotective of me."

Her tail swished behind her as she said with a bit of a concerned look, "Well....After what happened last night, I still sorta am." She motioned her paw at me, "I know you're fine now. You have been all day. But....Well....You're one of my new friends now, and I want to look after you." She shook her head in pity and worry for me, "You're such a nice guy, and what Rick said to you....That's wrong. I don't think you're....Evil." She formed a smile, "You did save my life when we met." Then she added with her shoulders shrugged, "Well, I didn't SEE it, but you had. And you grew concerned about me too....You know, evil dragons crushing my back and all."

Yeah, and evil dragons along with evil black cheetahs were about to rape you while unconscious or....Murdered and then raped. Yuck! Glad she never heard those monsters talking about that before we saved her. I mentioned after a moment of silence, "Well, I wasn't the only one who saved you and grew concerned over your back."

Cora playfully rolled her eyes, "Oh, I know." Then she peeked behind her shoulder to see the others around the fire, letting out a sigh, "Rick was just another person who rescued me. He was like another hero. But now....Ancestors. He isn't who I thought he was."

I joined her gaze by barely peeking between her red form and the tree I'm leaning into, "Well...He's not exactly evil, either. He's just angry....And overprotective."

Cora brought her eyes back on me, "Well, Rocko may be overprotective, but he would at least give my mate, if I ever have one, a chance. Unlike Rick."

My eyes widened up at the word 'mate', and I chuckled shyly, "Me and Emily aren't mates, remember?"

She narrowed her eyes, "Point is Rocko would give him a chance. Not call him evil, cause a huge fight, and say a lot of....Things that shouldn't have been said that are so untrue."

I nodded a bit, "Yeah....I think that sounds like Rocko."

Cora snorted, and I barely felt the air blown at my face, "Rocko's a lovable drake. But Rick....He ain't acting like it."

I thumbed past her form and the tree, "Well, Damon says that he'll talk to Rick about his behavior. He's tired of that guy treating me like I'm the bad guy." I gave her a very sure nod, "Trust me. By the look in Damon's eyes, he's not letting that go. He's pissed....Just like you."

Cora finally formed a smile on her muzzle, flicked her tail, "We're all pissed." She rolled up her eyes and shot her head sideways back and forth, "You're pissed. I'm pissed. Damon's pissed. Emily's pissed. And lastly, Rick's pissed." She stopped and just looked right at me, "Emily said that I'd like this group, but apparently we're the most pissed off group in Avarilan."

I shot at her, giving her a mock expression, "How would you know? Have you met another group of travelers that you didn't mention?"

She snickered, trying to hold in her laughter, "Hehheh.....Nope." Then we both shared a laugh together. As we're giggling now, she shot up her head, "Well, we don't sound pissed now. We're laughing."

I nodded, "True." Then I made a frown and looked up at the high tree branches above us, "Come to think of it, we weren't THAT pissed all day."

Cora said with a paw held to her snout, "I know. I was making a joke about it." She lowered that forelimb close to her chest, "We're not the ones who can't take jokes and act grumpy all day long. That's Rick." Then she let out another sort as she put on a glare, "AND I hope Damon gets him to change his attitude."

I asked as she wiped that glare off her face a second later, "Speaking of which, while I was sitting here did Rick say anything about me....Or anything else?"

One of her wings lifted off her back and pointed behind her. Back at the glowing fire in the distance, specifically at Rick, "To answer your question, he has talked a few times, but nothing about you. I don't think Rick's even thinking about you." She shrugged her shoulders and folded that wing back on her, "If I was him, I'd be tired of causing fights and getting angry. I think that's why he was just quiet most of the time."

I pointed a finger at her, "Or he's afraid you'll kick his butt if he causes trouble with me again."

She tossed up her snout, "That too. And if he thinks still that I should go home, I'll kick his butt so I show him that I could fight." She gave me a wink.

I held up my hands like I was in surrender, "Then I better not tell you to go home."

Cora then decided to lie down on her stomach beside me, "Oh, you can tell me. I'm not gonna fight you, too. I'm only going to fight Rick." She closed her eyes and held up her head to the night sky in smug, "And I'm still not going home if you do."

I smirked and nodded, "Good."

She shot her eyes open and tilted her head, "What? That I won't fight you, or that I won't go home if you tell me?"

".....Both." That earned me a smile and giggle from her, and then she took her gaze to look at the stars in the sky. I joined her a second later, a smile still on my face. But then another second later, my mind remembered what Rick accused about me and Cora alone together. Goodness, since she's right here with me, as crazy as it sounds, I hope he doesn't think that again. We're just sitting around! Not screwing behind this tree!

Then I made a apologetic face, feeling sorry for Cora. I still haven't apologized to her about what Rick mentioned last night. I want to do that now since we're alone. I turned to her, "Cora?" She casted her eyes on me, "Look....About what Rick said....About us....I'm sorry."

Cora shook her head and smiled, "Aw, I'm not mad." Her head then reared back and her yellow eyes had gone wide, "I'm just surprised he even thought about....Us in that way." She was shaking her head only three times and waved a dismissive paw, "I wouldn't want to be your mate. Besides, you already have one. So I wouldn't steal you away from her."

I wrinkled my face, "We're not mates. We're boyfriend and girlfriend."

She rolled her eyes, "Well, EITHER way, I wouldn't steal you away from Emily. I wouldn't do that." Then she lowered her gaze and muzzle in thought, "I'm wondering how could Rick think of THAT? I had never heard of two different species becoming mates. I....I think that's weird."

I nodded in agreement, "You're not the only one." I let out a sigh, "I think he's said that just to....Make me look like a weirdo and ruin my relationship with Em. But he hasn't. He just made himself look like a bigger jerk and also an idiot."

Then Cora's face wrinkled up in confusion, "But where did he come up with that?"

I giggled deeply and shrugged my shoulders, "Like I said to Damon, I don't know, but DON'T want to know." She giggled from the answer, but then frowned again as she was still trying to come up with her own answer. I smiled warmly at my friend as she was still deep in thought, "Cora....I'm glad that you weren't affected by what Rick said."

The short red dragoness smiled back and replied, "Thanks. I was just shocked, but I'll fine." Then she cocked her head at me, "Hey Scott. Can I ask you something?"

I formed a curious look, "What?"

"Well.....Rick said that you have a brother. Is that true?"

That question kinda did caught me by surprise. Then I remembered that Rick brought up my brother last night. I gave her answer with a nod, "Yes. I have an older brother...." I hung my head down to my lap, "Or I DID have an older brother." I slowly rose my eyes to look at hers, "He was with me, Emily and Rick before we met Damon."

She was making a worried face for me, "When your kind got attacked?"

"....Yes."

".....Is.....Is he.....?"

I let out a saddened breath and looked away from her, not exactly sure of the answer, "....I don't know."

Cora held a pity look for me, "Oh..."

I looked back at her and said softly, "....If he was here....You probably would've liked him."

Cora was changing her expression to a curious one, "I guess.....But I want to ask you something else. Why did Rick say some horrible things about your brother?"

I sighed and slowly got off my butt while waving her off, "I don't want to talk about it now....It's kind of a long story."

Cora got off her stomach and only sat up on her flanks now, "Oh....Ok."

When I looked at her face, that's when a thought crossed my mind. It was about the Lost Souls kidnapping humans, including me, Emily, Mike and Rick, to take us to that massive crystal. To be forced to get in that thing. One person at a time. Me and the others have told Cora how we've got in this world, how we were attacked and escaped, but we didn't bring up that big, glowing crystal. Same as we haven't told Damon. Now the gears were turning in my head.

What was that mysterious crystal for?

I wanted to ask Damon that a few times. If he ever heard of anything about that crystal and what it's for. But I haven't asked him that for days. Now with Cora alone with me....I have the urge to ask her that question.

It's kinda of a long shot, since she has NEVER travelled from her home before. So she probably hasn't heard of that crystal before. But perhaps, Rocko heard of it and told Cora that?

I need to know what's going on.

I said to Cora with a frown, "Cora?"

She tilted her head, tapped her tail against the ground, "Hmm?"

I let the question slip out of my mouth, "Look....This may be a long shot, but I want to ask you something...Something that me and the others didn't tell you before, when we met you....Have you heard of Lost Souls and Dark Dragons using these....Big massive crystals to force innocent creatures to get inside them as little white lights? Like these crystals are bigger than the ones living in your home?"

"....I don't understand."

"Look, Cora.....That's why those monsters had kidnapped a lot of my kind. So they would take us all to this....Weird, big, glowing crystal. So we'd be forced to get inside it or something. Have you heard of something like that?"

Cora shook her head softly at that, "No."

I gestured toward her, "What about Rocko? Did he ever mention something like that? Think, Cora. I want to know."

She shook it again, only slower as she was putting some thought in it, "....No....I don't think so. I've never heard it from him."

I stared at her for several moments before letting out a sigh....Accepting her answer. I knew it...Crap.

Cora stood on all four of her paws and said, "Scott, I'm sorry. I wish I knew what you were talking about. But....I don't." She hung her head as she just registered what I've told her, "Mmmm.....Now I really don't understand. I know why they'd kidnapped humans now, but....Why really?"

I shrugged and shook my head, "I don't know." I let out a breath as I was feeling tired, "But I don't want to think too much about it now....I'm tired."

Cora let out a yawn, "Yeah....I'm tired too." She started to turn her body back to the fire ahead of us, "C'mon. I think we're all turning in now." I nodded and we walked away the tree I was sitting near of. She was leading me the way back to the fire where the others are at, swishing her tail behind her. I looked past Cora and saw that she was correct. I saw Emily, Damon and Rick lying around on the ground ready to sleep.

Before me and the red dragoness could get any closer, I looked right at Damon who had curled around on his stomach on the grass as the firewood was being popped by the orange flames. I frowned at his green form. Maybe Damon knows what I was asking Cora. Maybe he probably heard of something that I was talking about.

He's gotta know.

I hope I can ask him that and I hope I'll get the answer.

*****

Bajara, while sitting on her haunches as the fire in front of her glared upon her red scales, made a huge smile on her muzzle, "So you have a brother, eh?"

I gave her a nod as I still sat with Luna beside me, who is laying on her stomach and wings fluttered on her back a bit, "Yep. And his name's Scott. He's about three years younger than me." I giggled and shrugged my shoulders, "Honestly, Baj.....He's kind of a brat. Acts like he's a smartass and thinks he knows everything."

Luna shot a snorted glance to me with narrowed eyes, "Don't make things up about him! YOU'RE the smartass here!"

I rose up a hand with one finger extended and proclaimed loudly, "And I'm freakin proud of it!" Luna groaned as she rolled her eyes at my proud statement. Bajara snickered, not taking her eyes off me.

It's been hours after both the dragons had their hunt, and after having my anxiety episode for Luna's well being. Now the three of us are sitting around another fire made by our host....On the last night of staying with her before me and my black scaled friend leave tomorrow in the morning. Just like last night, me and Luna are close together while Bajara's across the fire from us.

Honestly, I really love hanging with Bajara. She's like another mother figure that I've made here....Well, only in a bit of a more erotic sense than Merana. Gosh, I still can't get her 'first mating with a cheetah for the first time' sex story out of my head. I still think about the parts in it a little bit. Huh....But then again, maybe Merana was a bit erotic when she was younger and I didn't know about it? Eh, she probably was.

Point is I think of Bajara as another mother figure now. She does act a bit motherly towards me and Luna. Especially when she was reassuring me today that Luna's not hurt and assured that she would bring my friend back. I didn't show a lot of relief on my face, but on the inside I was happy to see Luna safe and sound again. We were kinda inseparable throughout the rest of the day.

I need to not let my anxiety get to me so much. If I don't, I'm just gonna drive Luna crazy.

Speaking of Luna, ever since she came back with Bajara....She gave me this odd look a few times and I don't even know what it was. Made me wonder what was Luna thinking about.

But I didn't let that look of hers bother me. Basically, with my mind at ease, me and Luna have hung out with the tall red dragoness all day. Since we both know that she loves our company and we wanted to spend it as much as we could with her....Before we leave her alone in that cave of hers. Hoping that she'd have some other kind of company to find her and spend time with her....Before they would leave her as well. Alone like Bajara has been for ten long years.

To be honest, a couple times when I think about the reason why Bajara lives out here alone.....I feel like I want to do something about it. I don't think Bajara deserves this poor treatment. She was in love and some bitch ruined that relationship. And if Perdrue didn't have cubs....He would've went with her. He would've been the best company for the dragon in front of me. I know Bajara thought that it'd be a bad idea for him to leave the village to be with her, but still....She loves him and he had loved her.

Anyway, we were with her all day and chatting as much as we could think of. For one thing, Luna was telling our host about how she became Dark Storm in the first place. Word for word. Like how she described it to me. And my heart had cracked hearing that sad story again and I just stood by her....Just in case she would cry in front of our host. But she didn't. After Luna's story of the past ended, that was when my heart began to repair when her face lit up and brought up the most good thing that'd happened to her after being alone for years.

Me.

And Bajara had gotten the picture of how we've met, since we told her that last night, but then she asked me how I took the news that Luna wasn't the dragoness I thought she was. Well, since I never did told her about that part, I had gotten to it. I told her that me and Luna have gotten captured by cheetahs and we were taken to their village, chained to wooden posts on a hill. I told her they thought Luna was evil still, and since they haven't seen a creature like me before, since I looked like an ally with Luna, they'd thought I was evil too. And that while I was convincing them that I wasn't is when I've found out what Luna was coming from them. I told Bajara I didn't trust her immediately and left her ass alone, since I was free and all. But then I also told Bajara I was confused as well. And she knew why I was. That Luna saved me on the mountain, and there was no way she was evil, but everyone else said so. Bajara said she didn't blame me that I was confused.

When she asked me how did I begin to trust her, I told her it was because of Merana. I told Bajara that after Merana told me to give Luna a chance, I went to Luna still chained up in the middle of the night and that was when she told me a little bit about herself. And that was when I knew she wasn't evil at all. And from that night, began a friendship that wouldn't change. I began to trust her. And Bajara even thought it was nice of me that I did. She said she would've done the same thing if she was on two feet and stood in my shoes. Luna found that sentiment sweet.

And then Bajara was giving me and Luna a strange look on her face...Like she knew something that neither of us don't. Kind of a....Dreamy look, or something.

I mean, seriously, both Luna and Bajara are giving me weird looks and I don't understand them. What were they both thinking? Well, I had ignored the look Bajara gave me, other than Luna's.

Since we came out here in the night and sat, fire burning in front of our faces, Bajara started talking about her family. How her mother looked absolutely beautiful and her father was just lovable. Her father's name is Bertaren, and her mother's Gertasin. The thing was her dad has red scales, which it's obvious where she got the color of her scales from, and her mother has yellow ones! But then Bajara made a joke that she took her beauty and curves from her mom. I can think that's true. Bajara does have a lot of beauty probably taken from her mom. She also talked about all the dragon friends she made while living in Wingspan, sometimes wondering what they're like up to this day. Sometimes wondering if they're all still alive since Bajara left her home all those years ago. Well....I don't know any of them, but things do change after leaving behind your home for so long. Who knows what happened to her friends. Who knows what happened to her parents.

After Bajara ended her tale about her friends and family, I think that was my cue to mention to her about my missing brother. I didn't tell her about Scott before, but I think tonight was the perfect time for it. So far, I told her that me and Scott were together, but he had wounded up in the same situation as I have. I think by that look in her eyes, Bajara found it amusing that I have a brother. Maybe she's wondering if he looks like me. Also probably wondering what happened to him. Why he isn't with me anymore.

I looked at Luna, after she groaned and made another statement that was pretty smuggish, "And I'm probably more smarter than him!"

Luna used her wing to point down at me, frowning at Bajara across from us, "See what I'm dealing with here? I'm dealing with a little guy who has an ego."

Bajara snickered again, "I know. I've met cheetahs and drakes back then who are full of ego." She eyed at me as she moved her tail along the grass behind her, "I believe he's holding a lot of it in that little head of his."

My jaw dropped at that, "What?"

She shot up her head, playfully confirming it, "You are, little guy." She gave me a wink from where she was, and Luna tossed her head back and laughed beside me.

I narrowed my eyes at the dragons, "Bullcrap! I do not have a lot of ego in me!"

Luna just giggled when she looked down at me, folding back that wing of hers on her back, "Yeah right! Seriously, if you even denied that again me and Bajara wouldn't be the only ones who'd say you are."

I folded my arms in my chest, "Yeah? Who else do you have in mind?"

Then she waved her paw at me, "Who you think? Scott would say it!"

Bajara joined in, "She may be right, Mike. He is your brother, after all. So he'd know that's true."

I stated adamantly, holding up my chin, "Whatever, ladies. I don't have an ego." Then I laid my hands on my lap and remarked with a big grin when another person crossed my mind, "Want to know who REALLY has an ego? You two never heard of him, but it's another male human named Barry. Trust me, he's the biggest egomaniac slash asshole of all time."

Luna rolled her eyes in disbelief, "Sure he is. Maybe I'd like him more than you."

I dismissively waved her off, "Eh....Believe me, you wouldn't like him."

The black dragoness giggled deep in her throat as she fondly looked at me again, "Mm.....Probably not. He's not you, so I don't think I'd like him well."

I rose a finger, "Also you wouldn't like him because he has an ego."

She snaked her snout down to my level with a grin, "I still think you're making that up."

I threw my hand in the air and back down in defeat, "Fine. I give up convincing you."

She giggled and nuzzled my forehead with her nose, "Good. Now are you gonna admit that YOU have an ego?"

I reached up to stroke under her chin, chuckling at her playful question, "Shut up, you freakin meanie."

Luna let out a laugh, drawing back her nose to playfully narrow her gaze at mine, "Yep. You have one." I rolled my eyes and lowered my hand back on the ground as she rose her snout high above my level.

Bajara made a pity look for me, "Scott....Well, Mike, I'm sorry that your brother has gotten involved in this sort of mess." The red dragoness shrugged both her shoulders and wings, "I sorta thought that it was just you in your family who has gotten involved. And heck, I never figured you have a brother."

My smile went away and then I let out a breath, ".....Yeah, well....I'm just sorry for all the other people who were with me and....Probably got killed."

Bajara stated, "That reminds me.....Do you know what happened to him? Was he-"

I shook my head, "I have no idea. All I know is that while I was escaping with him and a few other humans with us, I had distracted the Lost Souls chasing us into chasing me. He ran off in another direction." I thumbed at Luna, "And that was a bit before I used a teleportation stone and wounded up in meanie's mountain." Luna rolled up her eyes at the word meanie near me and curled up her wings on her back.

Bajara frowned, "You really don't know?"

"Nope." I let out a sigh, "And that sorta scares me. I don't know if he's alive or dead. I don't even know where that stone fortress was. And if I don't know where it's at, me and Luna can't even begin to track him down." I shook my head to myself with eyes drawn to my lap, "It's been days since I've escaped that scary place. I think if we did somehow find it, his trail's probably gone cold by now."

Luna interrupted the conversation with a lit up face, "But I told Mike here to never give up the hope that he's alive. Cause, he probably is."

The host of the cave held a hopeful look in her yellow eyes, "Yeah, sweetheart. Maybe he's alive. You just don't know what happened to him for sure."

I raised my gaze and smiled at her, "That's right." Then I gestured to the red dragoness across the flames, "Scott would've liked you. You certainly are a good host."

Bajara planted a forepaw to her chest, a modest look on her face, "Well...I try to be."

"Heh, I do like you when you act motherly to me. So I think Scott would like you acting motherly to him."

That's when I thought she held a sad look in her eyes and lowered them to the fire, "Well...I'm just a motherly dragon....Mike." I formed some concern on my face as I looked at her. I hope I didn't hurt Bajara or something. Cuz, she looks like it. But Bajara looked at me a few moments later, forming a smile on her snout, "You know....I wonder if he's handsome like you." She gestured her paw toward me, "Brothers can look alike."

My expression changed to amusement. I knew she wondered about that. I replied, "He sorta does a bit." Then I shut my eyes and held my chin in the air again, "Not as much as mwah!"

That's when Luna thrusted her talon at me, "See there? I told you, you have an ego!"

I shot a glare and scolded her, "Luna, did the human with an ego told you to ruin the moment he had with Bajara?"

She narrowed her eyes back, thumping her black tail on the earth floor, "No." Then she softened her eyes and smirked, "But I can add some things in the conversation." She turned her muzzle to Bajara and said to her, "Yes. I taught him to not give up that hope until he knows for damn sure that his brother's dead. And what else I'd taught him is pretty handy into helping me find him. See, when we're travelling to my former home I use the sight to try to find his brother. And Mike can help me out with that."

Bajara cocked her head, "What do you mean?"

That's when I admitted with a big smile, "Luna's taught me how to use the sight."

Her eyes widened in surprise, "What?!"

Me and Luna were laughing at her reaction. Then Luna loudly shot at her, "I know, right? I'm surprised too!"

Bajara stared at me quizzically, "You can use the sight? As in....THE sight? The ability that some dragons, including the great Illuminus, have?"

I proudly nodded at her, "Yeah, I can."

The red dragoness stretched out her wings a second before settling them on her back and flicked her tail on the grass, "Prove it. I want to know. Use it now."

I giggled in amusement at her eagerness to know of it, "Alright, then." Bajara and Luna both gazed to watch me while I closed my eyes. Clouding my vision in darkness. I wrinkled my brow as I started to search in my thoughts and then a moment later I saw someone's viewpoint. It was closer to me. Like it was right beside me. I knew in that very moment that I was looking through Luna's eyes. Seeing myself with my butt on the ground and my eyes closed. I heard her let out a snort and then she moved her gaze off me, and I can see Bajara in her sight now.

Everything went black as I was searching through my mind again. This time, trying to search for Bajara's viewpoint. And that didn't take very long either. As I could see a viewpoint staring at Luna and me across the fire. Then before a second ended, Bajara's viewpoint only moved up at the canopy of the trees. Barely seeing the stars through the tree limbs.

That was when I had enough and shot my eyes open. Seeing through my own eyes now. I glanced at Luna with a smile and she gave one back, and then I glanced towards Bajara who had her eyes on me once more, tilting her head in question. She asked, "Well? Did you see through my eyes? What was I looking at?"

I answered, "You looked at me and Luna for a moment." I shot my finger up towards the sky, "Then you were looking up through the trees to the sky."

Bajara had a wide look again, and then she was giggling lightly in both disbelief and amazement, "Wow.....That's remarkable. History in the making. Another type of creature using the sight." She giggled as she asked Luna, "Did you have any idea what you've accomplished? It's amazing."

Luna smiled warmly, "It wasn't easy. But he did."

I spoke up, tattling on her, "She didn't have faith in me! She thought I couldn't do it!"

She shot an annoyed look at me and whispered, "Now you're ruining the moment I'm having with her, stupid."

Then I held a hand to my chest and repeated some things from her own big mouth out of my own, "BUT I can add some things in a conversation." I winked and she gave me a snort in return, making me laugh at her.

Bajara showed a proud look and gave it to Luna, "I know Illuminus is always the teacher and figured he was the one who taught you how to use that ability. And I know that if he knows about this, he would be very proud of you, Lunasin."

Luna looked to Bajara, smiling at her in agreement, "He would." Then she moved her head and locked her eyes back on me, "And I'm proud of my student for his accomplishment." I smiled at her and she slowly lowered her head towards me. As she did so, she was nuzzling my forehead again with her nose and also licked it affectionately, leaving a bit of saliva on there and eliciting a giggle out of me. She lowered her snout a bit more, while I wiped off that saliva with my arm, and then I held her chin in my hands to kiss her nose in return. Her silver eyes looked fondly at mine and I heard her tail thumping again.

Then me and Luna heard Bajara sighing and we both looked to her. We see that she has a depressed look upon her face and I barely heard her mumbling this, "....Perdrue." Then I saw her eyes starting to mist and my heart broke seeing them. Oh....Bajara....

Luna held a lot of pity in her eyes and said her name, "Bajara?"

Bajara cleared her tightening throat and got her butt off the grass, "I....I....I need to be alone." With that, she trotted fast off into the woods away from the fire. Her red tail swinging fast behind her as she disappeared within them.

Luna rose her head after she left and sighed in pity, "Poor Bajara."

I shot off the ground, scraping the dirt off my pants, "Yeah....Poor Bajara." I let out a breath when I looked off at the distance Bajara went off to, "She probably imagined the two of us as her and Perdrue and now she's feeling sad." I shook my head slowly in pity, "I don't blame her."

Luna guiltily stated, "Makes me feel guilty doing that to her." She shrugged her shoulders and shook her snout, "We're not mates, but to her....We look like them."

I remarked, "Right now....Makes me wish that we could stay with her forever just to keep her company. But....Still also, what good will that do?" I sadly stated, "We can't stay here forever."

Luna glanced down at me, "So what do we do now?"

I looked at her, "I don't think it's a good idea to leave her alone this time. This is serious." I planted a hand to my chest and offered, "Listen, I'll go and talk to her alone. You just wait right here, alright?"

Luna tilted her head and wrinkled her face, "You sure you don't want my help?"

I shook my head, "Don't worry. I can handle it. Just stay here." I walked up and gave her warm black scales a kiss, "Ok?"

Luna smiled a bit and nodded, "Alright....I'll wait." She gestured her snout to the woods past the fire, "Mike....Make sure she's...." She trailed off and formed a look of worry in her eyes.

While I backed away from her black form, I nodded as I got the picture, "I will." Then I whirled around and walked in fast strides to look for Bajara.

Ok....Here I come, Bajara.

*****

I paced through a bush, eyes squinting in the darkness, trying to see anything tall and red around here. I shoved a very low tree branch away and kept moving. Sheesh, she must've walked for a long time and moved fast. I guess, she really wanted to be alone.

My face held determination. I won't let you deal with this alone, Bajara. I'm going to help you. I've helped Luna before, now I'll help you.

About a few minutes later I saw a red scaled form in a short distance. Her back turned and her head and neck hanging low. I think I can hear her crying softly. Now the look of determination was replaced by total pity for the older dragon. Gosh....I know that I sorta imagined the whole triangle situation, and imagined myself in Bajara's place. But....Since Gabby seemed really committed to being in the relationship with Barry, would I wander in the woods and cry like her?

Don't really know the answer, since both Gabby and Barry are dead. The only time that I did cry....Was losing Gabby's life in front of my eyes.

Jesus, now when I'm thinking about it.....I kinda want to cry beside her with the thought of Gabby floating in front of my eyes.

My brain held those tears back and I furrowed my brow. No.....You need to talk to Bajara. You can't cry now. You got another crying dragoness to tend to.

My shoes took step after slow step and I was about close up behind her. Her wings had sagged on her back, her long red tail curled around herself, and her head was still low. When I was right behind her, stopping in my tracks, I took a deep breath and prepared myself mentally for a moment. When I felt ready to talk to her, I strode up alongside her form and made my way to her front....And seeing a few tears falling out of her eyes as she let out a sob. Her eyes were shut tight so she hadn't seen me walk up to her. But I did see one of her ears twitch from one of my footsteps, so she probably does know that I'm here with her.

With my body really close to her crying muzzle, I spoke softly to her, "....Bajara?"

She sobbed again and only just cried in front of me a bit more before she finally lifted her gaze and looked right at me, another tear streamed down her scaled cheek. I rose my hand and placed it against her nose, rubbing it up and down comfortingly. I asked her in concern, "Are....You okay?" I knew the answer, but I couldn't help asking that.

Bajara blinked away a couple more tears as she answered, "....No." She sniffed her nose, closed her eyes in front of me, and went on with a trembling breath, "This isn't the first time this happened. But thing is....I can't remember the last time I cried about him. Feels....Like a long time." She sniffed again and opened her yellow eyes halfway, "Oh Mike....I-"

I shushed her, still rubbing her nose, "Shhh....It's alright. I get it." I sighed as a thought came to me, "Well....Bajara.....What I don't get is....I just don't understand why you couldn't just meet up with him OUTSIDE his village for all those ten years. You know....Snuck near his home to meet him. You were only just banned from his village, right? He does leave his home, right? To hunt or something, right? So....After all these years, why didn't you-"

"Because....Even though the whole village believes I'm untrustworthy and I'm not allowed in it....I still couldn't try to see him outside of it. I didn't want to risk causing anymore trouble. There wasn't any point."

"But you still think about him."

She turned her head away, only my hand's pressed to her cheek, and she closed her eyes again in sadness, "Y-Y-.....Yes."

I reached out to her chin with my other hand and gently pulled her gaze back to me. She didn't resist. Then I hugged her snout softly against my chest and was stroking at the underside of her head, "I'm sorry, girl. I....I really am. And....About me and Luna....We're sorry if we were looking like-"

I felt Bajara's nose rubbing against my chest in a affectionate way, "No.....It's not your guy's fault. It's....My memory of him that gets to me." She jerked a bit from my grasp and looked into my eyes again, "Don't blame yourselves."

I replied in a hushed whisper with a nod, "...Ok."

Her voice wavered when she said, "Mike....You really do remind me of him. When I cry, he always hugged me. And also.....You said about....My name....." Her voice cracked as another sob escaped her snout.

I think I knew what she was talking about. The moment when I complimented her name. Saying that it was beautiful. I remember how bashful she looked when I told her that. I figured it out, "....Perdrue said that your name was beautiful....Didn't he?"

Bajara made a weak nod, "He did.....More than once.....Actually the first time he said it.....Was when we first met near the river....Before he and the villagers took me in." Her nose drew in a long sniff as she rose her head to look down at me. A tear trickled down her snout and fell off of it as she continued, "Other than saying how beautiful I looked....He said my name was beautiful too." She made a tiny smile, "....Such a sweetheart."

I smiled right back, and then she glanced away. Possibly staring off at the direction of Perdrue's village, "You know something, Mike? .....I did tell you that I had felt like a cheetah at heart...For such a long time. And I'm just like the first cheetah who has ever been exiled from a village in history."

My smile went away and she went on, "I'll tell you something else.....You can't forget someone like him. When I'm sleeping....I feel his fur pressing against me....Like we were sleeping close like before. I....I wished I said goodbye to him.....I was so lucky to find love. And I sometimes wonder.....What would my mother and father think if they found out that their own daughter is not with her own species....But with a cheetah. I don't know if they would understand why....But I do." She sucked in a wavering breath, "I also wonder....What would Perdrue's cubs think of their father being with a dragon than their own mother." She let out a snort, "I know how Chira felt....When her mate's mating me behind her back."

I shook my head at her in pity, "Bajara...."

She closed her eyes, "I....I know that me and him wouldn't have hatchlings....Or cubs....I don't care which you'd call it. Nothing would happen if he mated me while I was in heat. But....I did want one with him. We had talked about that before and you want to know what he said, Mike?" I frowned at her, but I already knew what she was gonna say next, "He wanted one, too. He would love to have a cub or hatchling with me. But we both understand it wouldn't happen. Only....Here's the thing....His cubs are like my own. I love them too. They're like my own hatchlings." She opened her eyes and giggled deeply, "When he or their mother wants me to watch over them, I do so. And we play together. I let them ride around on my back. Not in flight....Just to stroll around the village....Make them feel alive. And when they grow tired....I'd let them cuddle with me on the ground, till their parents came back."

Bajara sniffed her nose once again and her wings fluttered, "I had been motherly towards them. And if Chira....Died.....I would look after them. Because I really feel like I'm their mother. I wouldn't replace their real mother, but I'd still take care of them." She let out a sigh, "I couldn't have cubs or hatchlings with my mate.....But the cubs he already have are good enough to fill that want. Oh....I wonder how things would get if me and Perdrue were the only ones to raise them. I love them both. I love my mate and his cubs. And....They're both gone....Gone forever....From my life...And it's all because of....Chira." Bajara said while shaking her snout, "Nothing like that would ever happen to me again."

My heart was boiling in anger and my fist actually clenched tightly. At the thought of Chira ruining her reputation and relationship with Perdrue.

Chira....You won't get away with this.

I spat out two words to her, "That's it." Bajara shot her gaze at me in a confused way, "This is crap." My face formed a defiant glare and I went on, "This whole thing has gone on long enough."

Bajara cocked her head, "W-....What're you talking about, young one?"

I groaned and shot my hands towards her, "THIS. This revenge plan that Chira formed. This is ridiculous. Jealousy has controlled her, and what she doesn't get is the fact that she and Perdrue never gotten along. And what she doesn't understand.....Is WHY he cheated on her with you. Because he doesn't love her anymore. He felt happy with you. Chira should've moved on like he had moved on to you. She should've just accepted that. But she continued to control him. She continued to berate him, but it's her own fault. She drove him away. He's found somebody who really cares about him. AND THAT'S YOU."

Bajara tried to speak, "Mike-"

But I cut her off, "Ten years. Ten FUCKING years. THIS IS BULLSHIT!" The dragon's eyes went wide in surprise as I went on, "Chira should never have any right to ruin your life! She should never have any right to tell a lie to the chief about you! And she has no right to control you with THIS!" I gestured both hands at her, "YOU control your life! Not her! You said that you love Perdrue! Well, you should've stood up to her! Stood up for him! You're the dragon, you should've shown Chira that you wouldn't back down! Hell, you should've told the chief the truth! Should've told him that you loved one of his villagers! Who cares what the other villagers and the chief think?! You love him!"

Bajara had an apprehensive look and tried to shake her head, "Mike...I couldn't-"

I rose my voice again, "WHO CARES?! You have been sad for a damn long time. You were driven away by a bitch. But ten years is long enough! Stand up for him! Stand up for Perdrue! Hell, if you have to, if nobody wouldn't let you back in the village to let you talk to the chief." I waved my hand behind me, "Then fly in the village, take your mate, and fly away! Hell, take his cubs too! You want to be a mother as well, right? Well, be a god damn mother! Cuz, Chira's surely not acting like a good mother. If her cubs saw their mother fighting with their father, then that shows them that their mother's no good for them. Do you think that MAYBE they're afraid of their mother? Maybe they have been for a decade? Or more? Well, you'd be a better mother than that fucking bitch! Be a dragon and be a mother! Do what you wanted to do for years! Go back to the village!"

"Mike....There's probably no point in going back to him." Bajara lowered her gaze in sadness, "Ten years....Perdrue could be....Dead by now."

I adamantly shook my head, "I don't accept that. You don't know that. This is like me with Scott. I don't know what happened to him. And you don't know what happened to Perdrue. Don't accept that he's dead until you know for sure!" I took a deep breath and huffed, lowering my tone, "I'm tired of Chira doing this to you, and I'm tired of watching you doing this to yourself. It's time to go back home." I pressed a hand to my chest, "And me and Luna are gonna help you reunite that love."

The host of the cave asked, "Mike....Why are you-"

I let out a breath and explained, ".....Because honestly....I know where you stand....When someone loses a love because of another person. Well....My brother lost his love one time and it was because of me. And it wasn't fair.....That was years ago. And when I think about it now.....I feel horrible." I formed a narrowed, determined look, "Look, I was a different human back then. But I've changed now. My point is you shouldn't go through that. There might be a chance to bring him back. And one other thing, about his cubs, when you describe the way their parents don't get along together, it reminds me of my own parents. They didn't get along, either." I shook my head a bit, "I don't remember much of that time....Since I was little. I don't remember every word they said. But.....I can remember the fighting and yelling. I will not let their cubs go through that anymore. They don't want grownups fighting, they want grownups to love each other. And you love Perdrue, not hate him. And me and my best friend will help you get him back."

I gave her a proud nod, "That's why I'm doing this. I'm doing this for you, Perdrue, and his cubs. Chira ruined you because of a damn lie. Well, the truth's about to come out....Tomorrow. Tomorrow, we are all leaving your cave and go to that village. Me and Luna will back you up, but you have to tell the chief and everyone the truth. Stop accepting that it's over. IT AIN'T!"

Bajara finally started to smile, "You...You really want to help me?" Then she curiously frowned, "But....What if-"

"Bajara, until I know that you're reunited with him, or until I know he's dead, I WILL NOT GIVE UP."

She smiled again and lowered her head down to me, nuzzling my chest lovingly, "Mike....I don't know what to say."

I just stood there and took it all in, smile appearing on my own face, "You don't have to say anything. I'm....Just a changed human who's trying to do good."

I heard her giggle warmly, "Nobody never did this for me.....Thank you."

I had an idea pop up in my head that would make her feel more better as my eyes were drawn to one of her ears perked up. I had the urge to scratch it. I slowly rose a hand and my fingers were touching it. When Bajara felt it, it twitched and she giggled again, "Mike." I jerked my hand back down to my side and she finally stopped nuzzling me so she'd look in my eyes, playful tone evident in her voice, "Your fingers are only reserved for Luna's ears, remember?"

I let out a small laugh and rubbed the back of my neck, "Heh, I know....Just a habit I've picked up." I pulled my hand off my neck and held at her face, twiddling my fingers in front of her eyes, "I don't think Luna would mind. Do you want a good scratching?"

Bajara chuckled, "Nope. Those fingers are for her."

I lowered my arm with a big smirk, "Well, at least I tried." Then I shone concern on my face and asked her, "So....Are you ok now?"

Bajara licked my cheek in gratitude, "I am....Thanks."

I let out a relieved breath, "That's nice...." I turned my gaze away, thinking about heading back to Luna and the cave now, "Well, what're we waiting for?" I locked eyes with Bajara and beckoned her with a hand, "Let's go back to your cave. We'll sleep tonight and then we'll all leave for the village in the morning. Alright?" Bajara nodded and raised her head high, getting off her haunches in front of me. I nodded back and started to walk off to my left. About to head off through another bush.

Before I could walk away any farther I heard Bajara's voice, "Wait."

My foot only touched air as I stopped where I was at. I turned around, seeing her just standing there with a serious look, "What, big girl?"

The tall red dragon padded slowly up to me, wings settling on her back and her tail moving behind her. When I looked up at her as she stopped right in front of me, she lowered her head and her eyes are now right in front of mine. She said, "I....I want to talk to you."

I frowned, "Bajara.....You're not acting nervous about trying to stand up for your love and tell everyone the truth, are you?" I shook my gaze, "Hey, don't be. Remember, me and Luna will back you up. You need to do this, woman. You're really tortured by all this."

But she shook her snout, "That's not what I want to talk to you about....It's something else. And you need to hear it."

Hear what? She looks serious. What could she want to talk to me about? I asked out loud, "Ok....What is it?"

Bajara replied, "It's about Luna."

I shrugged with one hand, "What about Luna?"

The dragoness paused for a moment and that's when she asked, "Do you care for her?"

What kind of a question is that? I didn't hesitate when I nodded, "Sure I do."

"How much?"

That made me wrinkle my face, "Uhhh.....What do you mean 'how much'?"

But the dragoness ignored that question and gave me another one, "Let me ask you another question....Do you want to go home?"

I nodded again, "Well....Yeah. I mean, isn't that the point in the quest with Luna? So she would take me to The Great One and he would find a way to get me home? So I'd think the answer to that question is....Yes."

She brought her face closer to mine, making me back up a step in surprise, "But do you REALLY want to go home?"

That's when I narrowed my eyes toward her, "Listen, big girl. I don't belong here. I don't belong in Avarilan. This world is just....Too dangerous to me. So yeah, why wouldn't I REALLY want to go back home? My brother would want me to do it, if he was dead or alive. And if you seen him and ask him the same question he'd say yes too." I softened my eyes and gave her a slight nod, "Yes....I REALLY want to go home."

Bajara formed a look of pity and sighed, ".....You know....I feel sorry for you. Like I would feel sorry for Luna when she sees that you're gone from her life forever. You just don't see it." She made a small hint of a smile, "But I see it. And I'm trying to open your eyes."

I tilted my head a bit in total confusion, "Open my eyes for what?"

She responded with a happy tone, "You and Luna have developed a connection....But you don't know what kind of connection it is. You two are lucky to have met.....But you do not know how much. One teleportation stone took you to her....To her mountain of all places. It could've took you someplace else....But it took you to her. You seriously have no idea how lucky you both are."

"Bajara....What are you trying to say....I don't get it." What sort of connection is she talking about?

Bajara said with a curious frown, "Let me ask you something.....Do you have ANY idea what would happen to Luna if you go home?" She bumped her nose to my chest, making me grunt a bit, "You do know you make her happy. You heard her say so. You make her happy, Mike. So do you know how she'd take it when you leave her....Forever?" She shook her muzzle as she went on with a bit of a somber tone, "She has developed a deep connection with you....And when you leave, she will never have it again. Do you think she will get another connection with someone else like she had with you? After how everyone just views her because of her past? Well, other than that problem, it's not exactly an easy connection to form. It's a special one. Let me ask you another question....What would she do when you're gone? And what about you? I can see you developed it too, and you're denying it, so what would YOU do when you don't see her again? I can only imagine...."

Honestly....A few times, I had wondered how Luna feels if I leave her. I can imagine she would feel sad, and....I think I'd feel sad too because I like being with her. She's my best friend, and I never had a best friend in my life. But.....What would she do when I leave her....

Maybe she'd feel alone. But maybe when I reunite her with Illuminus and Damon she won't feel alone....Right? Damon's her best friend, and Illuminus is like a father to her. I'm sure she won't feel alone when I go home.

But would she still....Despite she's with them? Because she enjoys my company so much, would she still miss me?

Or perhaps another question of the night is....Well, I don't think Illuminus is, since he's powerful and all, but....What if Damon has died years or sometime ago before she came back to her home with me? Illuminus would still be with her, but what if it won't be enough? What if Damon would be enough to fill that hole that had a....Best friend in it?

No way....Damon's not dead. He's alive. And....I can't stay in Avarilan. Maybe Luna would understand.

Then I remember all the smiles and laughter that came on Luna's face. Would she?

Then I can feel that urge that I've felt before that I want to stay in Luna's world with her. But that's when I was mentally brushing that off. Mike....I know you like being with her. But you can't do this. If Illuminus knows a way home, then you need to take it. You may never get that chance again.

Humans don't belong here. Not even you.

You know you have to go home.

Damon's not dead. She won't feel alone. We'll miss each other, but we'll still go on.

Bajara's voice cut through my thoughts, "Mike?" I shook them off with my head and looked at her gaze. She asked, "You're thinking about it, aren't you?"

I took a deep breath and let it out, "Look....Maybe I feel like I don't want to leave her. I mean, I do like being with her. She's my best friend. But....I can't stay with her forever. I can't give up on the quest to go home. I can't. I know she would miss me because we're best friends, but....She probably understands it."

"Best friends....You're still denying it." She shook her head, "You've got it wrong. That wasn't the kind of connection I was talking about."

I sighed and waved my hand at her, "You said that again. What connection are you talking about? What am I denying?"

A tiny smile appeared on her muzzle, "You and her.....Are like me and Perdrue." Her eyes showed fondness, "You have the same look as Perdrue gave me....When he developed something towards me, and you gave that look to Luna."

I knew she was hinting about something, and now....I think I've gotten what she was telling me.

What? Is that the connection she's talking about? Bajara believes that.....I'm in.....?

No....No way....

I shook my head at her with an unsure look, "No...We're not in...." I groaned and shook it a couple more times, "Bajara, I know what you're saying, but you're the one who's gotten it wrong. We sorta remind you of yourself and Perdrue, but that doesn't mean that we're in....We're best friends."

Her nose was about one inch from mine as she concentrated her gaze upon me, "Are you sure?"

"Yes. That's crazy."

She tilted her head, "Then why do you care for her so much?" She gestured me with her forepaw, "Why were you so worried for her safety? And....Why were you crying when you thought she was gonna die?"

I glared, "I told you. Because she's MY BEST FRIEND."

"I doubt it, Mike. I believe there is more to it than being best friends." I closed my eyes and turned my head away. Not believing a damn thing about this. I heard Bajara speak, "Mike....You have that look in your eyes. YOU LOVE HER. Despite that she's a dragon to you. And I believe right now, you're just confused. That's why you're denying it." I opened my eyes and slowly turned my head to her. Feeling the need to open my eyes and listen to her now. She went on, "I get the feeling well. And perhaps you felt weird before when you were looking at her, too. The truth is, Mike....That means something. That's another hint of the connection you have with her."

That was when I sorta knew what she was talking about. The weird feeling in my chest when I looked at Luna's silver eyes last night.

No....That can't be it.

Bajara said, tail swished behind her as she rose her head and looked down at me, "I want to ask you this, Mike, does she REALLY make you happy? Has anyone else back in your world done that? And one more thing....Have you made that kind of connection with a female of your species?"

I looked up at her and answered shortly after just staring at her, "Well...I did fall in love a couple of times....But I was never in that kind of relationship." I spread out my arms wide and chuckled a bit, "Hell....I never MATED before."

The red scaled dragoness remarked with a nod, "And we both know that Luna has never had a mate before, either. Now....Why do you think you both never had a mate?"

I groaned in disbelief, "Bajara-"

She held up a talon to cut me off, "I know, you don't believe that." She dropped her paw back on the ground, "Look, I did my job. I was opening your eyes for you to see what you actually feel. I had to do this before tomorrow. Before you and Luna leave me. And I did. You may not believe it now...." She smiled with a hopeful face, "But you will. It takes time for you to realize fully about how you feel. And when you do....You'll know it's true."

I tried to argue, "Bajara-"

"Mike....Just try to think about what I said. And here's another thing I want to ask....What if Luna loves you? Did you ever think of that? Would you leave her if she does?"

I was kinda speechless at the question, "I....Uh...." Wow....I doubt that's true. But goodness....

"Let me tell you this, Mike. She never had a mate in her life. And if she loves you, you may be the only chance at love she has. I believe THAT. She will never find a mate like you. And she's probably your only chance as well. Just think about it, Mike, when you're travelling with her. And I hope one day you'll realize the truth." She started to pad a bit past me, until the side of her form's right beside mine. She twisted her neck and head to look down at me, curling her wings on her back, "Mike....What would be more important to you? Your desire to go home? Or your love for someone close to you? Because Luna thinks you're important to her. If you leave her, it would break her heart. I hope you figure everything out before you find a way home. If you do, don't deny it anymore. Cuz, Perdrue and I haven't when we realized it. And when you realize the truth....Then I hope it'll be enough for you to stay with her." She giggled deeply and flicked her tail to where I'm at, "You two would make great mates."

Her chest was puffed out as she took a deep breath and let it out. She turned her head to look ahead, determined look on her face, "I'm going to bed. And wake up in the morning to take us to Perdrue's village. Speaking of great mates....I hope we can be together again. You were right. Ten years is long enough to be separated from him. I have to do something." She started walking away in the darkness, heading her way back to her cave, "Let's go, sweetheart."

I just looked over my shoulder, lastly seeing her tail disappearing in the dark woods. I still didn't move a muscle. I was still taking all the words said by Bajara to my brain. I looked down at my feet, a bit of confusion was shone across my face.

I don't believe it.

I'm not in love with Luna.

I cared and cried in worry for her because she's my best friend.

Then....Why did I have that feeling in my chest last night? Is Bajara telling the truth?

I shook my head to myself. No....It can't be true.

Besides....If I was....Luna wouldn't think about me in the same way.

We're best friends....Nothing more.

Then I had a feeling welling up in my head that Bajara noticed that I wasn't following her and I need to get to it. I sighed and spun around to run after Bajara. Luckily, she wasn't that far away from me. I slowed down to fast strides as I caught up alongside her.

I'm not gonna worry about what she said to me.

The only thing I care right now....Is reuniting her with Perdrue.

Tomorrow....Will be the day it happens.

*****

Damon was still curled around on the grass, his ears flicking at the sound of crickets still going off in the night. He grumbled in his sleep and lightly snapped his jaws, his long green tail also tapped on the ground and curled up beside his belly. He felt comfortable sleeping there. The companions traveling with him are sleeping well too.

After he snored, the drake can hear a footstep walking amongst the group. And that shot his eyes open. He trailed them from each human and one dragoness in the group, the fire in the wood near them was now reduced to embers now. The only one who's missing was Rick.

Damon heard another footstep and he rose his head off the grass and turned it to see Rick entering the woods alone. His mind popped up about the human. That he hadn't talked to him about his behavior. He didn't get the chance. Not even before they all went to sleep.

But since he's wandering in the woods all alone, now it seems to be a good time and place to have that conversation with Rick. Damon has to do it. He can't waste any time anymore. Damon slowly got off his stomach, swinging his tail behind him and stretching out his wings on his back. Then he twisted his neck to pop a kink and then he crouched to let out a big stretch. He let out a breath as he felt good doing that. Then he snapped his sight to where Rick walked off.

Alright...Here he goes.

The green dragon rose one paw and put it in front of the other one, following Rick's tracks. His scaly green body went through the bushes, his eyes adjusting in the darkness to try to find Rick. Only about a minute passed till he finally found him in a distance. His back turned and only his pants are down. Damon can also smell something in the air and he figured that Rick had gotten up in the middle of the night to urinate.

Damon decided to wait a moment, let the little human do his thing in private. Not very long, he sees Rick pulling up his pants and he can hear that guy letting out a breath of relief. Damon made a nod to himself. Now's his chance to talk to him. His commitment to protect Scott and Emily...Mostly Emily running through his mind. He shall not back down from the stern human. If the human acts like an ass as usual, then the drake will act like one too. He won't stop till things change PERMANENTLY.

The drake padded up behind Rick, and the older male human heard him, having him whirl around. Rick sighed as he found out it was Damon, "Gosh....You scared me a bit."

Damon stood firm with a narrowed look in his yellow eyes, saying with sarcasm in his voice, "Heard you moving around, saw you wander here alone and thought I'd come look after you."

Rick rose a brow, "Look after ME? Look after a grownup?" He actually giggled a bit, "....Did you forget who I am?"

That giggle actually infuriated the drake. Knowing everything Rick did is not a laughing matter. That human should be saying 'I'm sorry for hurting my daughter' or 'I feel guilty for what I did and I want to change'. That human should be saying those things. Not make a joke about something and pretend nothing happened.

He cannot ignore what he's done.

Damonen snorted, "Emily did say that you act like a hatchling and a brat...So I'll be looking after you as one."

Rick glared at him, "VERY funny, young man."

"I WASN'T being funny. You act like one. Other than acting like an ungrateful, overprotective asshole."

Rick crossed his arms across his chest, sighing as he begins to figure out there's a confrontation coming forth, "Alright....What do you want? Didn't you know that I already have been given the cold shoulder by everyone in the group? I think, I had enough crap for one day."

Damon growled at that, thrashing his tail behind him and it thudded at the ground, "Maybe you deserve that crap....Since you gave us a lot of it. You act like an ass, you treat Scott like shit, you don't listen to everyone including your daughter very well, you accuse me of being an evil drake, and you never supported Cora for traveling with us. I think you understand why we were giving you crap. Because we are ALL mad at you."

Rick tried to hold up a hand to stop him, "Okay listen, dragon-"

He let out another heated snort, "Don't call me dragon. It is DAMON to you." He shot up his head, "Or are you gonna call me by a different name? Are you gonna call me Domino? Dayton? Drayton? Daycomo? Damono? NO. MY NAME IS DAMON. And you better not forget it next time. Got that?"

Rick tried to say something, "Damon-"

Damon made a threatening step towards the smaller, two legged creature in front of him, "And if I were you, I'd better shut up and listen to this DRAGON standing in front of your little stubborn ass. Cause I am sick and tired of your attitude."

Rick sighed in defeat, "Fine....What do you want?"

Damonen's eyes were literally showing fire as anger welled up in him, "I am taking care of this when no one else can't. I am putting an end to your attitude. Me and the others are tired of it. WE NEED TO TALK."

Rick made a bit of a glare, uncrossing his arms, "About what?"

Damon can sense that usual attitude from that guy, and he wanted to swipe at him. Like he wanted to swipe at the ones who humiliated and tormented Luna because of her past. But he held himself from doing so and heatedly replied, "About what you did the other night. Everything that you said was so uncalled for. That was the worst I've seen from you. Even what you said about Scott and Cora was so embarrassing and humiliating, no one couldn't forget it. You even have the external balls to punch Scott. And I saw your daughter crying because of what happened. And it makes me furious." Damon bared his teeth as he snarled, "HOW DARE YOU?"

The male human was about to speak, "Damon-"

"Shut up, Rick. You had your chance to let out all that anger last night. NOW it's MY turn. How dare you....How dare you treat everyone like that? Even Scott. How dare you most of all treat him like he's the enemy? The only enemy that you thought about is YOU. You accused me of one when it was YOU who actually was. You're acting like one when you punched Scott and made Emily cry. She's your daughter....Your hatchling." He shook his snout and a growl emitted in his throat, "What you did to them, ESPECIALLY TO HER, is something that I won't tolerate. Watching Emily crying was the final straw."

Rick's glare went off his face and it was now blank. Damon said as he curled his neck into a shape of an s, "You think you can still be tough after what you did last night? Are you kidding me? You should feel sorry for what you did. Do you even feel guilty? Do you feel guilty making your hatchling cry? Or are you so heartless that you don't care and you want to relish what you accomplished? Well? Which is it?"

Rick took a deep breath and let it out, "....I am feeling guilty."

"Funny, you don't act like it."

Rick lowered his eyes like he was in shame, "That was because I didn't want to show it. But...I am guilty. I'm sorry for what happened....And I'm sorry for what happened to Emily."

Damon stated shortly after that apology, "I don't believe you." Rick shot his gaze back onto him, a glare on his face, "If you have felt sorry and guilty, then you would've changed. But you didn't. You still show that same attitude you had for days. You are lying."

Rick responded, "I am not lying."

"Then show that you are."

"Look, I'm her father. I'm the only family she's got here. I'm...I was...I was just trying to protect her."

"From Scott?" He flared his wings and stomped his paw to the dirt, making the ground shake a bit, "C'mon! He HAS been protecting your daughter! He has and you don't thank him!"

Rick argued back, "Damn it, you don't know what it's like to be a father."

Damon nodded, "I do have an idea. And if I was a father I wouldn't treat my daughter and her mate like that. And I wouldn't accuse her mate of mating a dragoness despite they're different species." Damon softened his look a bit and showed curiosity, "Why are you acting this way? I don't think you were always like that. What's making you act that way? Why are you so overprotective of your daughter?"

Rick just glanced away from those questions.

Damon snorted in frustration, "Not telling me?"

The human answered with closed eyes, "It's....A bit complicated."

He waved him off with a paw, "Well, I don't care about that. What I care about now is the others. Right now is mostly your daughter. She shouldn't have run off and cried. That should be you the one who's crying." Rick looked up at him and Damon's eyes formed pity, since the anger inside of him was starting to simmer away, "Emily loves Scott. And you should accept that. He's not the enemy. He protects her. Makes sure she's safe. Just like you want her to be. But you weren't protecting her last night. You were hurting her."

Rick dipped his gaze to the ground as Damon went on, "You've hurt her. And it was pure luck that she came back after running off. I'm glad Scott brought her back. But think about it....What if she never came back and it'd be your fault?"

Rick didn't reply.

Damon continued with a paw held to his scaled chest, a thought from the past crossing his mind, "Let me tell you something. I used to have a father who acted like an ass. An ass towards my mother. He was just too stubborn, he didn't listen to anybody. And I was just smaller than what I am now when he left." He shook his head, "I don't want you to be like him, Rick. I didn't have a dad, but Emily still does." He lowered his forepaw back on the ground, settling his wings on his back, "You're right, you are the only family Emily has right now. But if you don't stop being an ass, you're just going to lose her. Do you want to lose her like you've lost your mate? I know you did."

Rick didn't say a word. Then Damon said, "If you really are sorry then show it. Rick, she wants you to accept and trust her love for once, and just change your attitude. She doesn't like the way you have been acting. To her it's horrible."

The drake urged with a gestured snout, "Come on, Rick. I don't want to hate you. I want to be your friend. Even though Scott's mad at you, but he also wants to be your friend. At least change and accept him....For your daughter." He immediately made a glare, "You should know if you won't do what I tell you, then I'll MAKE you. I'm telling you the truth that I won't tolerate that crap." He held that look for a moment and his eyes were now only pleading, "Please, Rick. Don't be like my father. You love Emily, right? Well, do it for her. Show her and everyone, including me, that you are sorry and change. I....I don't want to see Emily cry anymore because of you."

Rick sighed and lifted his head a moment later, a guilty look in his eyes, "I don't either." His chest expanded and he said while letting out his air, "....I'll try."

"Do you mean it?"

"....Yes."

Damon can see something different in the human's eyes. It wasn't the same stubbornness they held....It really was guilt.

The green dragon actually believes him.

Then Damon, after looking into his eyes for a minute, told him when he lowered his snout to Rick's level, "Good enough for me. Just....Quit acting so rude and tough. Especially to Scott. He's a great guy. Apologize to him and everyone for everything, and SHOW it too. And lastly....Thank Scott for protecting your daughter. He deserves it and you know it, right?"

Rick nodded once, "Yes."

"Good." He raised his head and let out a sigh, "Ok....Let's go back to sleep. We still have a journey to move on tomorrow." Damon began to turn his whole body around on him, tail swung behind him.

When he had his back turned, he heard Rick's voice, "Damon." Damon's ears perked up at his name and he looked over his shoulder and wing at Rick. The human apologized with that guilty look on his face still, "I want to start with you....I already apologized to you about this, but this is different.....I really am sorry for how I accused you of being an evil dragon. I....I really was stupid. I shouldn't have judged you. You saved my life and Scott's from that wolfir, but most importantly....You saved my daughter's. You did care about her. I was wrong....And I'm sorry. And also....I'm sorry for what happened with your father....And what happened to your mother....I really am."

Even though Damonen told Rick that other than just saying sorry and he had to show it....That look on the human's face and the tone in his voice actually proved that he really was. Rick didn't have to do much. The green drake felt his heart warmed up by his words and gave him a smile, "Thank you." He gestured his horned head straight ahead, "Let's go." Rick smiled a bit as well and nodded, trotting up until he was walking ahead of the drake as Damon followed him.

Damon actually didn't hate him anymore. He saw a change in Rick's eyes. And the drake's proud of him for it. Rick's not like his father after all.

And Rick's change will be shown to the whole group tomorrow.