Latest Posts by crystalgirl259 - Page 3

Hey dude, are you posting the fics from your phone? Bc if you do from a computer you can put a read more so there's not a huge block of text to go through whenever we go into the tags, from the phone I understand if you can't, I'm not sure if there's a way

I did write these on my laptop but I didn't know about that, thank you for letting me know, and have a good day! 💖💖💖

How to Train Your Dragonblood 3: The Dragonblood Alpha Ch3

After Jay and Cole finally got Kai and Rocky to stop their little game of tug and war, they all flew towards the smoke to investigate it. Below them, the trees look like an orange, yellow blur below them and on any other day, Jay would be in awe. But as they flew further into the forest, however, the bright orange and yellow colors became a burned, gray forest. The place looked downright depressing. The trees were devoid of any leaves, standing like sticks among the ashes.

They flew through the burnt remains of the forest until they reached the ocean and saw a large and piercing structure of ice, with large protruding spiky icicles.

As they flew around the destroyed structure, Cole realized that used to be a type of trading post or battle fort. This fort looked like it was once a thriving outpost, complete with docks for ships, weapons, and what looked like cages. Jay really hoped they were for containing livestock and not something else. There were even raised docks for archers to fire. Despite Cole clearly identifying the fort as strong, something had reduced it to splinters and icicles.

At first, they thought it was an Ice Dragonblood, but judging but the size of the blast, it must have been an incredibly large and strong one.

They stopped in midair to take in the sight. Jay turned around to Cole, who shrugged helplessly. They had all seen Ice Dragonblood attacks before, but it wasn't just the ice that was strange. The way the ice shot out from the ocean suggested a Water Dragonblood, but the few scorch marks on the bits of wood exposed made Jay think of a Lightning Dragonblood, or possibly a Fire Dragonblood. Jay could feel Kai's hope through their link, but they both knew not to get too hopeful.

They had been disappointed in the past.

They flew closer to the massive hunk of ice, looping through a ring and around it until the man-made structure became more visible.

"What happened here?" Jay asked in horror, but none of his friends had an answer for him. As they kept flying around, the wood splinters on the ice made it seem as if the ice suddenly grew in the middle of a village. On the muddy ground around the ruins, two dragon-like footprints were seen. They looked to be around the size of the monster from the Dragonblood's Nest from five years ago, possibly even bigger.

"I really don't like this," Kai said through the link as he shook his head and Jay put his hand on his neck in reassurance.

"Easy, baby." He replied, but he couldn't hide his own unease.

"Jay!" Cole suddenly cried when he saw something down in the ice, but it was too late.

"Fire!" A man suddenly shouted from below as a net was launched from a trapped ship and Jay and Kai got out of its range just in time. Even though the couple had managed to dodge the net, Cole and Rocky were not that lucky. The Earth Dragonblood was caught in the net and they fell down. Cole was thrown off from the saddle during the sudden drop. The noirette cried out as he fell, but Kai to catch him in his claws. Rocky landed on the ground and men suddenly surround him, carrying shields and spears.

Rocky struggled to escape or transform, but the net seemed to be made from vengestone, blocking out all of his powers.

As the men closed in, Rocky launched rock spikes from his tail that struck a fallen mast. From behind the fallen mast, a man jumped out to join in the fight. The middle-aged man had messy black hair and sharp, sandy brown eyes with long sideburns and stubble around his mouth and chin. He wore a brown jacket with large pockets on the front and a patch on the right side, tan pants, and a black belt, and carried a brown whip. He was also wearing an eyepatch on his right eye with a necklace made up of large teeth from hunted dragonbloods.

"Watch the tail!" He shouted to the men as he leaped on Rocky and grabbed his snout and head spines, pulling him down. As the men tried to tie Rocky's legs, he grabbed a rope wrapped around his arm that he used as a muzzle when he was suddenly distracted by a loud roar in the sky. As he looked up he saw a red dragon crossing the sky above at blazing speeds. "Is that what I think it is?" He whispered as his eyes widened in shock and excitement.

"STOP!" Jay shouted as Kai flew lower with Cole still hanging from his claws. Cole growled in anger when he saw his friend in chains as he hopped down and ran towards his dragonblood, but was pushed back by the men holding up their weapons in a warning. Jay quickly stepped up, holding a flaming sword that he swung at them. They backed off in surprise and Cole took the chance to grab a random sharp stick from the floor.

"Back again?" The man sneered angrily at them until his eyes zeroed in on Kai, still in his dragon form, snarling and snapping behind them. His eyes widened in amazement as she stood up on top of Rocky, holding his left hand over his sword. "Well what do you know, that is a Fire Dragonblood." He smirked at Kai with a predatory stare. Jay's eyes narrowed as he kept his hand in front of protectively while the dragonblood bared his teeth at the hunters.

There was no way Jay was going to let these hunters hurt his boyfriend.

"Thought they were all gone for good." The man continued, sounding very pleased. "Looks like our luck has turned for the better, men; I don't think the Baron has one of those in his dragonblood army."

"Dragonblood army?" Kai mentally asked. Jay was also curious, but right now they needed to save Rocky.

"Look, we don't want any trouble." He tried to reason with the man but he laughed, mocking them, and carelessly gripped into one of Rocky's head spikes. Cole bristled, but fortunately, nobody saw it. The last thing they needed was a fight with their leader targeting Kai and Rocky still in chains while he and Jay were badly outnumbered.

"You should've thought of that before you stole all of our dragonbloods and blasted our fort to bits!" The man shouted angrily as he pointed to the remains of a structure that were impaled by ice. The other men holler in agreement, but the riders were even more confused.

"Wait, what are you talking about? You think we did this?" Jay asked in disbelief. The man huffed and placed one foot on Rocky's head as he scowled at them in contempt. Cole and Kai scowled right back and Jay gripped his sword tighter.

"Dragonblood trapping is hard enough work as it is without do-gooders dragon riders sneaking in to rescue them!" He shouted angrily, but this just confused the trio even more.

"What do-gooders?" Kai asked, but Jay said nothing as he and Cole shared a look before the ginger-haired man processed the whole sentence and turned around, sheathing the sword.

"There are other dragon riders?" He asked in shock. As far as he or anyone else from Ninjago was aware, they were the only ones who ride and co-exist with Dragonbloods. The people of Ninjago had tried for years to get the other islands to accept the Dragonbloods, but it was a painfully slow process.

"You mean other than your little thieving friend from last night? You tell me! You may have an all-powerful dragonblood on your side but we still have a quota to fill!" He sneered as she stepped down from Rocky and on the floor, slowly pacing in front of his people. "How do you suppose we explain this mess to the Iron Baron?!" The man demanded in rage and his people all shouted in agreement. As soon as he said that name, Kai visibly stiffened.

There was no way that fairytale was actually true.

He could swear he had heard that name before when he was just a hatchling, but everyone believed it was just a scary story their parents would tell them to make sure they stayed as far away from humans as possible.

"Kai? Do you know him?" Jay asked through their link, but Kai shook his head, confusing everyone but Jay.

"Never met him, but when we were little Mom would tell Nya and me of a giant human made out of metal trapping disobedient Dragonblood hatchlings and dragging them to the Cursed Realm to work as slaves in his monstrous forge for all of eternity," Kai explained, barely suppressing a frightening shudder. When they were little and told this story, Nya and her friends thought it would be funny to gather up and scrap metal lying around.

They then used it to make Kai think the Iron Baron was coming for him.

"Does anything you say make sense?" Cole growled, snapping Kai and Jay out of their private conversation.

"He's expecting a new shipment of dragons by tomorrow." One of the men said, looking torn between anger and fear. The man, obviously their leader, pointed his finger at the one speaking and nodded his head in agreement.

"The Baron doesn't take well to excuses." Another trapper wearing a hood added, batted his blade weapon at them.

"This is what he gave me last time I showed up empty-handed." The man said as he pulled down his coat and shirt to show them a scar burned into the front of his left shoulder. Cole, Kai, and Jay looked at each other mortified. "He promised to be far less understanding in the future."

"Look, we don't know anything about a dragon thief or an all-powerful dragonblood or your lunatic boss and his dragon army, okay?" Jay gulped nervously, not noticing as the man faintly nodded and other trappers behind them aim their catapults and crossbows at the two humans and Fire Dragonblood. "Just give us back our dragonblood and we'll go, you very strange hostile person whom we've never met."

"Oh, where are my manners?" He mocked as she bowed down and slowly clutched a knife strapped to his lower back. "I am Clutch Powers, the finest dragonblood trapper alive." He announced as he took the knife out of its sheath with a flourish. He looked up where the men turn a large crossbow. He smirked as he pointed the blade at Kai who growled louder.

"After all, it's not just anyone who can capture a Fire Dragonblood."

"Go jump off a bridge you one-eyed bitch!" Kai roared, even though Jay was the only one who understood him.

"This is my boyfriend Kai; he says we're going, now!" Jay snapped, standing protectively in front of his boyfriend, even though they both knew Kai could handle himself in a fight. All of a sudden, the hidden dragon trappers attacked and Kai barely managed to dodge the hit from the crossbows. At the same time, the men began to converge on them. Thinking quickly, Kai shot a fire blast at the ice above them. A large icicle broke off and fell down, causing the trappers to yell and duck for cover.

Clutch too was thrown off his feet.

Jay quickly activated the sword and the flames around it and quickly cut the ropes binding the Earth Dragonblood. With his dragonblood free, Cole, Kai, Jay, and Rocky fly away while Clutch got back up. By the time he was up the pairs were both back in the air.

"You will never hold onto those dragonbloods forever, you hear me? The Iron Baron is coming for them all!" He yelled at the top of his lungs furiously, as he started swinging around the knife. As they flew as fast as they could from the trappers, Jay looked back, concerned at those words...

****************

Back at Ninjago, Jay's friends were all flying around the island, having a playful race amongst themselves. It was just after lunch now and now that they were all refueled and well-rested, the riders and their dragonbloods were looking for anything to pass the time. Right now, that something was racing. Dareth cheered the loudest, currently in the lead, as the others chased after them. As they raced, Plundar and Adam suddenly flew near Ed and Edna's hut.

There Edna was trying to relax, scaring her and the few pigeons and seagulls perched on the porch around her.

The normally calm and sweet Edna grunted and shook her fist at the group of flies, but none of them paid her any mind. In the plaza, Cliff casually greeted the many villagers as he walked towards the forge, hoping Jay would be there. As he maneuvered his way through the crowd, he chuckled when he saw a small group of people either scowling or celebrating at the recent Dragonblood game. A few of them had placed bets to who they thought would win.

Honestly, Cole, Zane, and Jay, if he ever attended, were the only ones who actually won any of the games.

The others were skilled riders and fighters, but they always fought each other instead of focusing on the task on hand. As Cliff entered the forge, he saw Ed working on the grindstone.

"Any sign of him?" The village leader asked when he didn't see his son or Kai in the forge.

"He's probably flown off the edge of the world by now." Ed hummed as he walked next to a Wind Dragonblood in his dragon form and opened the mouth to work on his teeth.

"You sure you want him running the village? You can still delay your retirement." He continued, worried for both Cliff and Jay.

"He's ready, you'll see," Cliff promised as a roar was suddenly heard from outside the forge. Kai and Rocky soon landed with their riders, kicking up a cloud of dust. As soon as Cole and Jay jumped off their backs, the two Dragonbloods returned to their human forms. "Hahaha! Here he is! The pride of Ninjago!" Cliff exclaimed to everyone who could hear, grinning from ear to ear. Dragonbloods aside, his son was becoming more and more like a worthy heir.

Jay quickly took off his helmet and walked towards the two men, with Kai and Cole following close behind.

Rocky would have joined them, but after that close call, he wanted to spend some quality time with his mate and their hatchlings.

"Who finally decided to show up for work." Ed joked lightly as he made a few pretend swings of his hammer as Jay dodged with a smile. Kai and Cole smiled at the casual interactions of the three. Cole had never noticed how close Ed and Jay were but neither did they often banter like that in public. Despite it being five years, it was like a breath of fresh air to see the boy he had been ostracizing still so spirited.

"Sorry, got held up." Jay grinned as he followed his father deeper into the building, dodging any object hanging low from the ceiling. "Hey, um, Dad! Can I have a word?" He asked and Cliff looked positively pleased as he put his large hands over Jay's shoulders.

"Something you're itching to tell me? He grinned as he wrapped his arm around Jay and they keep walking.

"Y-Yeah, not quite the itch you're thinking off but yes." He replied as the Chief grabbed two aprons from a hook that he threw to his son and Kai. Jay put it back on the hook whereas Kai just dropped it on the floor.

"Ah, good man! Now lesson one, a chief's first duty is to its people!" Cliff happily exclaimed as they stopped at a post. From a hook in the wall hang numerous slates inscribed with Ninjago runes and Cliff took the one labeled forty-one.

"Well, can we just talk in private for a-" Jay tried to say but was interrupted as Cliff shouted out the number. People outside were yelling and one excited man was seen jumping up and down and waving his hands.

"It's me, that's me! I'm next!" He cheered as he ran up to the counter as Cliff turned to smile knowingly at his son, who held in an irritated groan. "Okay, okay! I want one of those high sitters with lots of spikes and a big storage compartment." The man squealed in excitement like a child on Christmas Day.

"Absolutely! You got it, sir." Cliff smiled as he wrote down the order and went back into the forge, gathering tools and materials and handing them to his son.

"Dad, this is actually a little more important than building saddles." Jay insisted.

"Yeah, you think you can stop with these little orders and listen?" Kai snapped, only to back off at Jay's glare. Thankfully, Cliff didn't pay Kai's comment any mind.

"Ah, lesson two; no task is too small when it comes to serving your people." He told the ginger-haired man as they got to a table with diverse instruments. Cliff began to look at them and dropped them in a box while Ed got Kai to re-light the forge's fire behind them.

"Dad..." Jay whined as Cliff pushed the box of supplies into his arms and he took it as they started to walk to another part of the forge. As they walked, Jay also grabbed several things that he placed in the box. "I really need to tell you about this new land we came across."

"Another one?" Ed hummed as Zane and Pixal appeared from his right.

"Any new dragonbloods?" The pale man asked in excitement as Cliff picked up a large piece of leather, looking completely focused on his task and unaware of the conversation going on around him.

"We didn't stick around to find out." Jay shuddered at the memory.

"Yeah, these folks weren't friendly." Cole agreed with a glare as Jay and his father stopped beside a big, wooden structure that was meant to represent a dragon's back. Cliff put the leather on it and began to inspect it.

"Aw, really? Your Fire and Earth Dragonblood didn't bring them cheering to the rooftops?" Plundar laughed at the scowls they all sent him.

"No, this was different." Jay insisted as he began to draw the outline of the saddle while Cliff pushed on a level that aligned the leather and the structure that it sat on. "These guys were trappers, dragonblood trappers." He gulped and all his friends seemed to freeze at that. Over the years, especially in the beginning, a few ships would attack the odd Dragonblood that was hanging around near the edges of the island, but when they saw the riders coming in to attack, they quickly fled.

That didn't make it anymore scary at the thought of one of their scaly friends suddenly being taken away, never to be seen again.

Jay often had nightmares about that, as did Kai.

"You should've seen their fort, all blown apart and stuck in giant spikes of ice, it was weird," Cole added, still really confused by it all.

"Do you think it was an Ice Dragonblood?" Pixal asked.

"It's possible, but there was something about how the ice was shaped that didn't look like the work of an Ice Dragonblood." Rocky suddenly said as he walked in with Adam. "There was also damage to the ships and scorch marks on the wood."

"So a group of dragonbloods?" Morro suggested.

"No their leader said it was one, all-powerful Dragonblood that attacked them last night, I've never seen anything like it; and worst of all, they thought we did it!" Jay cried in offense and shock. Sure they had an island full of Dragonbloods and a seeming one-of-a-kind Fire Dragonblood, but even they wouldn't just up and attack a base and risk any lives like that, human or dragonblood.

"You know, you kids are gonna get in serious troubles one of these days, not everyone appreciates this way of life." Ed reminded them all.

"Ed's right, son, best we keep to our own." Cliff agreed as he took the leather and walked over to a table with a giant saw, where he laid it down. "Besides, you have more important uses for your time once we make the big announcement." He smiled as he pulled a lever that activated the saw and rubbed his hands gleefully, thinking of seeing his son taking over as Chief. Jay didn't share his mood and stopped the machine to finally get his attention.

"They are building a dragonblood army." He said in a tone that showed everyone that this was no laughing matter. His serious tone drew the looks of the people waiting outside, and some even subconsciously held their Dragonblood friends and family closer. "Or-Or at least the guy they work for is... uh, Metal Barton or something." He continued, trying to remember the name Clutch told him but failed. As soon as Jay said that, Cliff's eyes widened and he shared a look with a terrified Ed.

"I'll bloody his fist with my face if he tries to take Tox!" Dareth exclaimed as he punched his fist in his hand as the overall mood dove in somberness. Ronin, Shade, and Tox all rolled their eyes at Dareth's declaration, knowing he was all talk. Nevertheless, Ronin shared his brother's determination, as did the others. Before Jay could say anything else, Cliff suddenly grasped his shoulders, pushing him back a step as he forced the ginger-haired human to look at him.

"Baron? Iron Baron?" He whispered in absolute terror, something Jay nor anyone else had ever heard in the chief's voice.

"Uh... Yeah, I think so." He nodded, feeling incredibly confused and uncomfortable with his father's sudden shift in moods.

"Wait! You know him?" Kai frowned, but Cliff didn't answer. He simply had a faraway look in his eyes as he gazed around in thought. There was only one thing to do...

finally watched the lego ninjago movie

doodled some ninjas, combined the movie and show designs plus some headcanons

Jay: Pakistani (like his movie va), has a bad eye n a notched eyebrow

Cole: Ainu Japanese, has a sort of greenish pallor due to the ghost stuff

Lloyd: Chinese on Garmadon’s side, Japanese on Mikado’s side, bits of oni traits

Zane: He’s A Robot™

Nya and Kai: Japanese/Mexican (like kai’s movie va), fraternal twins w/ Nya being the younger twin

These are so cool!!! 🧜‍♀️🧜‍♂️💖💖💖

Another Mermaid AU c:

More bizarro au 😔👊

Anyway screw it Ninjago inspired dresses

Jay/Lightning:

Kai/Fire:

Cole/Earth:

Zane/Ice:

Nya/Water (two versions! bc she doesn't like dresses but I was proud of the dress design and even more so of the suit design):

Lloyd/Green:

So like. If you decide to draw them in these I'm not gonna stop you

Life of a High School Vampire One-Shots 6 One Night Stand

WARNING! This chapter will include alcohol use and implied sexual content. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!

**************** Summary: After a high school drinking session, Kai is trying to slip out on his one-night stand when his date wakes up needy, but he quickly gets clarification on what real neediness looks like... ****************

Kai groaned in pain as the morning sun peaked through the curtains and into his closed eyes. He wanted to go back to sleep when his ears and brain were filled with the loud, annoying sounds of dozens of birds chirping loudly. His head was still banging from last night, it felt like someone was using his head like a drum and using ice picks from the drumsticks. He could hardly remember anything about last night. The last thing he could remember was Lloyd dragging him and a reluctant Jay out for the night.

All the schools in the city were gathering together for tournaments and some of the older ones were going out drinking, something Lloyd all but bullied his teammates into.

After that everything was a blank. Groaning, Kai sat up in his bed and he rubbed his sore head and tired eyes. He was never drinking alcohol again. As he opened his eyes, however, he made a disturbing discovery. This wasn't his dorm room. Looking around, he nearly screamed when he saw a strange man fast asleep in the same bed. The man had dark skin with shaggy, raven hair, bushy eyebrows and was snoring loudly. He was so muscular, that Kai thought he was in one of the sports teams that showed up last night.

That is until he saw a sweater from the uniform for the boarding school known as Marty Oppenheimer School of Performing Arts.

Kai didn't care about that, however, as he quickly backed off the bed, falling to the floor with a heavy thud and taking the covers with him. It was then he saw that they were both completely naked, with their clothes scattered around the room. Kai also took note that everything below his waist was aching, but he hoped that that was just from him falling off the bed. Unfortunately, he wasn't stupid. He wasn't a virgin and had been with both men and women, so he knew what that pain was.

As he got to his feet, Kai looked around the room and found a student lanyard with a badge.

On the badge was a picture of the man, showing his soft green eyes and his name; Cole Brookstone. That was when everything came rushing back to Kai. He remembered going to the bar with Lloyd, Jay, and dozens of other students from other schools. He remembered meeting Cole when he left on his own and they started talking. He remembered Cole confessing all his problems at home, school, and with his widowed father to the young vampire as they both got drunker and drunker.

Thankfully, Kai wasn't drunk enough to tell Cole he was a vampire.

The brunette looked the human over again and blushed when he fully took in Cole's body and sized. When his eyes reached Cole's feet, he burst out laughing when he saw it. However, the sound caused Cole to groan and Kai panicked. His instincts suddenly kicked in, telling him to either bite the sleeping man before he woke up and alerted other humans, or hide and escape before he got discovered. Kai quickly dove under the bed, trying not to gag at the hills of dirty laundry and take-out boxes, and waited.

Luckily Cole didn't wake up and soon started snoring again.

Not that the human would probably believe him anyway. Once he was sure his one-night stand was still asleep, Kai carefully crawled out from under the messy bed and started getting dressed. As he collected his clothes from around the room, he found large dumbells, many types of vinyl of soft rock, and dozens of CDs scattered around a large boom box. He also found a few framed pictures of Cole with what Kai assumed to be his friends and father.

He wouldn't be shocked if Cole turned out to be sarcastic and possessed a strong passion for music and exercise.

What shocked the vampire was a picture that showed Cole outside a concert hall with Jay, his and Lloyd's roommate. Kai wondered if should ask Jay about this strange conscious, but he decided not to. It wasn't like he was ever going to see this Cole person after he left. Just as he grabbed his bag, Cole groaned again and started waking up. Kai considered making a break for it but thought against it. He was curious to see how much this Cole remembered and what he thought about Kai.

After a few minutes of waiting, Cole's eyes slowly blinked open, only to cry out and jump when he saw Kai standing in the doorway in all his Gothic glory.

It took a few seconds for the human to fully wake up and calm down, and Kai could hear his racing heart return to a normal pace.

"Oh, sorry, I thought you were a ghost or something." Cole gulped as he stifled a yawn and sat up. It was clear to Kai now that Cole did indeed remember what happened between them last night, and that just made this more awkward to the vampire.

"You're sweet." He replied before adjusting his bag and turned to leave.

"Wait! You're taking off already?!" Cole shouted after him in confusion and hurt, causing Kai to stop and turn back to him.

"I didn't want to rouse you, you were resting in peace." He shrugged, figuring that if Cole wanted him to stay then he would creep the human out so much he would run for the hills, just like all the others.

"Yeah, sorry if those birds woke you up, they're like the worst." Cole chuckled lightly and glanced out the opened window as the birds continued to chirp. How anyone could sleep through that was beyond Kai. An awkward silence filled the bedroom until Cole cleared his throat. "Well, before you go, do you think I could get your, uh, get your number?" he asked with a nervous blush, catching Kai off guard.

"Why do you want my phone number?" He asked. Humans always either avoided him or mocked him, not ask for his phone number. The only ones who spoke to him on a near-daily basis were Jay and Lloyd, but that only because they shared a dorm room together.

"I don't know, so I could call you or something?" Cole replied in confusion.

"I don't really use a cell phone." Kai shrugged, not lying. When they found out he didn't have a phone, Lloyd got him one and had already put his and Jay's numbers in it, without the ginger teen's permission, saying that a phone was a necessity in a teenager's life. But Kai didn't believe that so he often left his phone at the dorm, just like he did last night.

"Cool, yeah, I don't want to be a prisoner to technology either... so that's awesome, I guess." Cole chuckled, trying to lighten the mood, but it just made things more awkward. "So I take it that you're not online either?"

"No," Kai replied harshly. The thing he hated more than humans were their dependence on social media. There were too many disadvantages of social networking. It caused a lack of emotional connection, gave humans a license to be hurtful, decreased face-to-face communication skills, conveyed inauthentic expression of feelings, diminished understanding and thoughtfulness, and caused face-to-face interactions to feel disconnected. This response just made Cole even more uncomfortable, which is what Kai wanted.

"Oookay, um, so how can I get in contact with you?" The noirette asked.

"I have an email address; inmemoryofKaiSmith ." He replied, trying to hide a smirk as Cole process that.

"That makes it sound like you're dead." He laughed.

"I like to plan ahead." Kai shrugged, but to his annoyance, this only seemed to make Cole more eager.

"Alright, so I'll email you then." He smiled at the brunette.

"Do you really wanna see me again?" Kai asked, feeling an uncomfortable mixture of anger, frustration, and confusion as Cole's insistence.

"Yeah, Kai, of course! I mean, I like you." He admitted with a blush, and Kai was horrified when he felt his own cheeks heat up with his own blush. "You're not like other guys I've seen in Ninjago."

"That's accurate." He smiled weakly, but he still didn't like the fact this human wouldn't take a hint.

"D-Do you like me?" Cole suddenly asked, soundly slightly worried but hopeful, but Kai saw this as another chance to get rid of the teen.

"You're alive, aren't you?"

"Yes?"

"You're welcome," Kai smirked as Cole paled slightly. He could tell this human was different from all the others he had met and it might be fun to see him again. "I'll find you when I'm ready to see you." He added as he grabbed his bag again and made to leave once more.

"B-But you don't have any of my contact information!" Cole exclaimed.

"Don't worry, you won't be hard to track down."

"Let me at least walk you out." Cole offered as sat up some more to get up.

"I appreciate the gesture, but your chains don't reach that far." Kai grinned mischievously and started walking again. Cole frowned in confusion and he made to get up, only to freeze when he felt something on both his ankles. He ripped the covers away and gasped when he saw a pair of thick, metal shackles on them and chains connected to them to the bed. Cole looked up again to ask Kai what was going on, but the brunette was long gone.

Before Cole could think of what to do next, a bone-chilling banshee-like shriek filled the air outside the bedroom window, followed by the birds going crazy and a sickening crunch.

All was silent after that. There were no birds, no people, or cars driving past for a few seconds before they returned. All except the birds annoying chirping. He just shrugged it off as a cat or two attacking and scaring the birds away. Cole sat in his bed for a few minutes as shock, fear, and excitement filled him. He couldn't explain it, but something about Kai thrilled him and he couldn't wait to see the brunette again. If he ever got out of these chains, however.

With a heavy sigh, Cole grabbed his phone off the bedside table and called a locks smith.

This was going to be hard to explain...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Passionate Fornication

!SEXUAL CONTENT IN THIS CHAPTER! !YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

****************

Kai felt his blood run cold. Unsure whether to feel upset or grateful, he, instead, felt baffled and numb. Like he had been told everything he knew about himself was a lie and there was a huge pit in his stomach, he couldn't fathom how it got there. He didn't understand. Cole gave him a small smile but his eyes were sad.

"I'm releasing you, you are no longer my prisoner, nor do you have to stay here if you choose not to." He repeated and the words made Kai's heart sink.

"I don't understand; you just told me how happy I make you, and then you turn right around and say I don't have to live here anymore?" He asked as he looked at the ground with wide eyes, uncertain what to say or what to think. "What are you saying, Cole? Do you want me to leave?"

"What? No!" Cole cried as he shot up, instantly concerned.

"Then explain it to me, Cole!" Kai demanded, his hands shook at his sides, and his gaze fixated on the ground.

"I don't want you to stay here against your will!" Cole said louder than he intended, causing Kai to shoot up, immediately confused. Panic flooded Cole at Kai's stare. Quickly, he opened his mouth to speak but only choked gasps escaped. His heart race picked up when he saw Kai's gaze return to the ground, his spikey bangs darkening his grim face.

"I never felt like a prisoner, Cole," Kai said, softly. "Maybe at first I did, but I can't remember when I stopped feeling like that." He reluctantly admitted, and before Cole could say a word, Kai leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "This has been the happiest time of my life, as well." He said as he pulled away with a small, sad smile. When Kai turned to leave, Cole, acting on instinct, grabbed Kai's hand gently, and forced words out of his strangled throat.

"Kai, please!" He begged, even though Kai still wouldn't turn around. "I know you're not a prisoner! I haven't thought of you like that for a long time, but as I said the fact still remains, and if you stayed here and things continued as they are, I would still feel like I'm keeping you here, or that you're only here because you're obligated to, and I don't want that; I don't want you to stay because you have to or because I want you too, but because you want to!" He explained, a hint of desperation in his voice.

Cole suddenly froze when Kai went rigid and shot up, but he still refused to turn around.

His heart sank when he felt Kai's hand slip away from his.

"What?" Kai asked with shaky hands. He didn't move in case his ears were playing tricks on him. He couldn't let his pounding heart override his rationality, no matter how much he wanted it to. Cole's eyes bulged when he realized what it was Kai meant. He mentally kicked himself for his idiotic babbling. This wasn't how he planned it, but then again by now he should have figured things in life hardly ever went as he planned. Regaining his focus, Cole straightened his posture, took a breath in an attempt to ease his rapid heart, and straightened his arms with his hands at his sides.

Regardless of the situation, he wanted to ask Kai, and he was going to, now or never.

He opened his mouth to speak but found himself stuttering. He cleared his throat and turned his gaze to the ground, not wanting to see Kai's face if he was rejected.

"Kai... will you stay with me?" He asked in a whisper, but Kai still heard it and the brunette was certain he felt his heart temporarily stop.

"Will you stay here with me, with everyone, at this castle, not as a captive or a prisoner, or as a servant or even a companion or guest, but because you want to stay here?" Cole stuttered unable to control the words pouring through his shaking lips. Kai still didn't turn around, but that was enough to freeze Cole's tongue. Kai soon looked up trying to keep his own voice steady.

"Do you want me to stay?"

"What?" Cole blinked.

"Just tell me, yes or no, do you want me to stay with you?" Kai asked as he whirled around and choked back a worried gasp, but failed to conceal the panic in his eyes. Cole looked at Kai like he was asking him why the sky was blue. Carefully, the dragon took Kai's shoulders and pulled him close so their eyes met. Cole's sharp emerald eyes burst with so much emotion it made Kai's own amber eyes bulge.

"Of course, I want you to stay, Kai! I want that more than anything!" He exclaimed with words that were loud and passionate but faded off as he looked towards the ground, his shaky hands loosely hanging off Kai's shoulders. "But, I don't want you to stay because you're obligated to by a rule or a debt, or even because I request it, I want you to stay only if it's what you want, you deserve the chance to make your own decision." He told the tanned teen.

Cole then carefully lifted himself up and looked into Kai's eyes, silently praying the younger understood what he was trying to say.

"I want you to stay, I want that more than I've ever wanted anything else, I want you to be mine." He finally said. It wasn't in the way he planned, but he no longer cared. He just wanted to know Kai's response. At first, Kai couldn't speak. His mind swam like a sea as his heart hammered so excitedly against his ribs Kai thought it was dancing. His entire body felt heavy and incredibly light at once. He felt tears in his eyes as his mouth unconsciously curved into a wide smile.

"Yes."

"What?" Cole gasped as he looked up only to find Kai smiling despite the small tears glittering in his eyes. Instead of answering, Kai wrapped his arms tightly around Cole's neck. The action too sudden for the Dragon Lord to prepare and he was almost thrown backward. Kai rested his chin on Cole's shoulder, happy tears streaked his cheeks, and he smiled when he felt Cole wrap his arms around him. Kai pulled back to face Cole, no doubt or hesitation marred his face or voice.

"Yes, Cole, I will stay with you, I want... I want you to be mine, as well." Kai blushed as he leaned forward and kissed Cole's lips. The dragon responded by wrapping one arm around Kai's waist and taking Kai's arm in the other, pulling him level with him and deepening their kiss. It was different from their other kisses. It was stronger, fiercer, and more forceful. Both of them pouring all of their emotions into a single kiss. Kai's arms subconsciously wrapped around Cole's neck and pulled himself closer against him.

Cole leaned down and pressed his lips deeper against Kai's, his claws wrapped around the back of Kai's head, kissing him harder.

When both their lips parted, their tongues coasted the others out of hiding. They tasted the other for the first time, but their kiss never lost an ounce of its gentleness. They moved against each other like they were one being, neither willing to break away unless they sensed the other about to do so, also. Cole's hands began to roam Kai's body while his tongue continued to explore Kai's inviting mouth. His tail slithered up Kai's leg, sending a delicious shiver up the brunette's spine.

The action caused Kai's grip on Cole to falter and his own hands began to explore the warm skin buried beneath the many layers of his clothing.

Kai's mind was spinning as feelings and instincts he had never felt before spiraled inside him creating a dangerous heat. Heavy pants and moans escaped him with each of Cole's touches. Each one made his body burn and feel more alive than ever. Cole wanted him more than anything. That thought alone made his rational thoughts dance away and his natural desires began engulfing his mind. He wanted Cole. He needed to feel those cool claws against his skin, and that contrasting body of flesh and scales pressed against his own.

The desire becoming too much to resist any longer, and Kai knew he didn't want to resist.

The sounds Kai made drove Cole mad with desire. His rationality vanished the second Kai kissed him. He could feel his restraint melting away and he no longer wanted to control it. All he knew was that he wanted Kai. He wanted to hold him, touch him, feel him, love him. He needed to feel Kai's skin under his claws, the tanned body arching beneath his. Cole wanted him like a drowning man wanted air to breathe, and Kai wanted him in return.

Cole used the last of his control to break the kiss, causing Kai to collapse into his arms.

Cole smirked at the look of bliss on his little flame's face. It felt wonderful to finally be able to say it.

"Don't tell me one little kiss blew you away?" He teased. Kai glared at him for a moment then flashed a smirk so devious it didn't belong on Kai's face. Kai grabbed the collar of Cole's jacket, pulled him down, and kissed him with so much force that Cole's eyes flew open completely caught off guard by the dominance. When Kai released him, Cole stumbled a bit. Kai's smirk curled at the corners.

"It'll take a lot more than that to wear me out," Kai boasted, deviously. He grabbed Cole's collar again, only gentler, and leaned up to Cole's ears. At first, Cole thought Kai was going to kiss him again, but instead, Kai whispered in his ear.

"Let's go somewhere right now, just you and me." He whispered seductively and Cole swore his heart just exploded with joy. His mind formed a devious plan in a matter of seconds. His grin matched Kai, and his tail uncoiled from Kai's leg and slipped Kai's feet from under him. Before Kai could even gasp, Cole had him tightly wrapped in his arms, carrying him like a bride. One arm tightly wound around his knees to keep Kai from kicking, the other pinned Kai's upper arms to his chest and against Cole's torso.

Kai growled when he found himself immobile.

"Cole! Put me down! You know I hate being carried!" Kai whined.

"That's exactly why I do it, now shut up and enjoy it." Cole teased, moving back towards the balcony doors. Kai flushed and instantly started to panic, scared to go back inside because everyone would see them. Cole laughed, only just able to resist teasing him. His room was the closest, but that would require him to carry Kai all the way back through the ballroom and up the stairs to his room, and Cole couldn't guarantee no one would see them.

Cole playfully taunted the brunette by turning to walk to the ballroom, purposely avoiding Kai's horrified face.

If Kai could die from embarrassment, he would have done so at that moment.

"Of course, I could always leap off this balcony and fly back to your room instead? If you prefer." Cole suggested, playfully spinning around and making Kai's body jerk.

"Do it!" Kai cried hastily. With a grin, Cole leaped elegantly onto the balcony railing. Kai tightened his grip on Cole's clothes. Once both were certain they were secure, Cole jumped into the air and flapped his wings, taking Kai into the air and above and over the castle. Beneath them, they could see the stained glass ceiling of the ballroom before Cole dove down and glided around the castle. Down below, the staff looked confused when a shadow crossed over the ballroom before disappearing.

Some of them recognized the shape and started to smirk.

When the rest turned to the balcony to see where their Master and his guest had disappeared to, all they found was Ronin leaning against the wall by the balcony with the giddiest smile on his face. Finally, he could no longer contain himself and burst out laughing. Even as everyone stared at him.

"Mission accomplished." The troll smirked when he finally stopped, whipping tears from his eyes. The second the words left his lips the entire room burst into cheers, excitement, and laughter.

"Now we can celebrate!" Jay announced grabbing another glass of wine...

****************

Kai was bewildered when the balcony Cole landed on had heavy, familiar curtains covering the glass doors. Kai's suspicions were confirmed when Cole open the lock with his tail and brushed the curtains away. The room they entered contained a familiar carpet, dark walls, and an inviting four-poster canopy bed with an iron frame, surrounded by mesh veils, in the center of the room against the wall.

"Wait, I thought we were going to my room?" Kai asked, suddenly becoming very nervous, though he wasn't sure why.

"Now why are you making such a fuss? Everyone knows I accompany you where ever you go; I doubt anyone would be surprised if they found you here, but to answer your question, I realized we'd probably have more privacy if we stayed here." Cole grinned as Kai looked surprised and confused at once. Cole could only find the look cute.

"Wasn't it you who suggested we go somewhere else, just you and me?" He grinned mischievously. However, there was a flicker of doubt in his eyes when they met Kai's that made him uncertain. "I won't stop you if you're uncertain, but I do want us both to accept what is between us." He added as his emerald eyes locked with Kai's amber ones, then turned towards the bed. Kai's eyes followed him and the teen gulped. He wasn't as naïve as people thought sometimes.

He knew exactly what was going to happen, and he also understood what Cole meant.

He was giving Kai the chance to decline now if he wanted to. It was a warning. It would have to be now or never, otherwise, he knew the prince could do little to control himself if Kai suddenly got cold feet. But was he truly ready for this big step? All his fears and insecurities, every conversation he had with his friends, everything he had been so afraid to voice to the Dragon King came back to him like a thick wad of blackness. The kind and understanding look in Cole's eyes quashed it, however.

The prince hadn't said a word.

He was waiting for confirmation. It was clear from the lust and desire Kai recognized that Cole knew what he wanted, but it was restricted. He refused to let the damn break. That alone made Kai smile, but was he really ready to surrender that much control to another person? Did he trust Cole enough to give him everything? Even if he already knew Cole would surrender it to him in a heartbeat? Kai said nothing as he shifted his position so Cole was holding him in one arm.

He wrapped his arms tightly around Cole's neck and kissed it in a form of confirmation.

Cole was stunned by the sudden kiss. His heart almost gave out when he realized Kai was giving him permission. He grinned like a cat and he leaped towards the bed and pulled the curtains away with his tail, feeling Kai burying himself deeper into the croak of his neck. Gently, Cole lay the beautiful brunette on the bed, but Kai was reluctant to let go of Cole's arms. He was determined to capture as much of the warmth and comfort Cole provided as possible.

Kai's heart thundered in his chest as his stomach suddenly felt like it was doing backflips and every inch of his body felt tender.

The slightest touch sent shivers up his skin. When Cole finally let him go, his knees bunched at his side, and his hands fell level with his head when he was propped against the thick pillows. Cole knelt over him, slightly, and offered him a kind smile.

"I know what you've given up for me." He said as he met Kai's worried eyes and rubbed his cheek delicately with his cool claws. "I know I've taken a lot from you, and what you've given up for me, to stay with me, and now I'm about to take something else from you, but I promise I will do everything within my power to make up for those losses." He promised Kai with a smile. He then kissed Kai's forehead and carefully maneuvered his body so he was kneeling above Kai's frame.

Kai moaned, meeting Cole with half-lidded eyes.

No words were spoken between them. Cole lay down next to him and pulled the brunette into his arms. Cole's wings lay limply at his side, content with just holding the smaller man and twirling his brown locks between his claws. Kai rolled onto his side, welcoming the embrace, and traced his fingers over Cole's chest and wings. Cole purred at the contact. The sensitive touches sent a shrill of desire through his being as he felt his animal instincts awakening.

He pulled Kai closer and maneuvered them so the teen was lying directly beneath him and kissed him roughly, which Kai returned.

Their hands roamed and petted determined to gain purchase of the other. Kai's arms wrapped around Cole, pulling him closer and turning the kiss more passionate. They broke away only slightly then kissed again, Cole unwilling to let their time apart be any longer than it had to. Despite how gentle they actually were, Cole's kisses were by far the most intense Kai had ever experienced. He finally broke the kiss himself and lay limp, panting heavily.

He didn't have much time to recover.

Cole replaced Kai's lips by kissing his jawline, his neck, his collar, and down to the patch of his upper chest exposed by his dress. Cole stopped to admire the choker. He smirked then proceeded to kiss and nip every inch of skin available to him while his hands ghosted up Kai's sides. Kai hissed at the contact, feeling Cole's claws dance along the skin exposed by the dress and his fangs grazing his chest. His head turned to the side and his fingers gripped the bed sheets tightly.

His breathing heavy and uneven and his heart thundered in his chest, lightning and pleasure flooded his veins.

He didn't notice Cole's claws undoing the ribbons of his dress, or Cole's tail removing his heels until the extra appendage discarded the unwanted shoes to the side. The dragon growled in frustration as he failed to remove the dress and decided to leave it until later. Kai then bunched his knees, trapping Cole between them. Kai looked up and saw Cole's eyes burning brightly with desire and want, but they hadn't lost a drop of their promise. Without taking his eyes off Kai, Cole moved towards Kai's dress.

He paused and growled in frustration, unsure how to remove it.

Sensing his annoyance, Kai pulled himself up with a smirk of his own and started removing the formal outfit with ease. Taking advantage of Cole's surprise, Kai kneeled up and started pushing Cole's coat off until they came to the hands. Cole pulled the coat off and threw it to the ground then pushed Kai back down beneath him. Kai leaned on his elbows and blushed, watching Cole pull his vest over his head and off his wings, revealing his bare upper body.

Kai had seen Cole topless before, but he had never fully been able to appreciate the man's form.

Now that he could, it made his face flush with awe and his body burn with desire. The dragon prince looked like a god. Subconsciously, Kai's fingers graced the delicious black and orange scales, licking his lips. He smoothed his hands up and down Cole's arms, massaging his biceps, loving the feel of the smooth, cool scales beneath his warm fingers. Cole blinked, surprised by the action. He stared at Kai with concerned green eyes.

"Are you sure, Kai?" He asked gravely. His claws clicked together, dangerously with a sharp screech that sounded like sharpening knives. "Even if I keep complete control, I could still hurt you, without even realizing it." He whimpered fearfully, but Kai suddenly covered his mouth with his warm hand. Cole blinked at the action, but couldn't help but think Kai's scowl looked more like a pout.

"I know what you're thinking, Cole, and don't you dare doubt yourself now! I want you to touch me!" He snapped, trying to think of some way to convince Cole that he wouldn't hurt him. His body was screaming to be touched and he had no idea how to stop it. Cole froze and stared at the teen beneath him, stunned by what he just heard. Beneath him, Kai fought in vain to hide the red spreading across his face once he realized what he'd just said.

He hesitated and looked down embarrassed.

"I think that came out wrong." He muttered in shame, but to his surprise, Cole smirked and pounced on him, kissing him roughly and pinning him to the mattress. Kai forgot to breathe and found himself falling into a limp mess when the kiss broke away, desperately trying to regain his breath. Moans and gasps escaped him as Cole's claws moved up his bare sides. He suddenly grabbed Kai's gloves and slid them down his arms, being sure to touch every inch of skin available to him.

Kai shuddered as he felt those claws dance up and down his heated skin.

Each touch made him shiver in delight. Cole smirked watching Kai wither and moan at even the slightest touches. Kai was a virgin so Cole wasn't surprised that he was extremely sensitive to even the lightest of touches. The dragon enjoyed taking advantage of that. When the gloves came off Kai's arms, he wove his claws and Kai's fingers together He pinned them level with Kai's head and feathered kisses on Kai's lips and collar. Kai arched and writhed under the touch.

He tried to move, but Cole kept him pinned in place.

His tail started to undo the buckle of his own belt. He ghosted the back of his sharp claws over the junction of Kai's thighs and pelvis making him release a loud sound akin to a squeak. Realizing what he just did, Kai's hand flew to cover his mouth, his eyes wide in mortified horror and he prayed Cole hadn't heard him. His hopes were dashed, however, when Cole looked at him puzzled then snorted.

"Kai, did you just squeak?" He asked in amusement. Kai flushed deeply at the amused tone.

"Maybe," He said with as much dignity as he could muster and Cole chuckled.

"I had no idea you were so vocal." He teased. Kai flushed at the comment and looked away, biting his lip.

"I never said that was a bad thing, now I'm curious to see what other sounds I can get you to make." Cole smiled and gently nuzzled the boy's cheek. Kai rolled his eyes then half screamed half squeaked when his dress suddenly ripped off, revealing his chest. His face went straight to crimson and his eyes expanded in horror and he clutched the garment to his chest. Cole burst out laughing at the site. He then gently pulled Kai's wrists out of their death grip, his tail throwing the dress to the floor with the rest of their clothing.

"I thought you weren't bashful about your body?" He teased, licking his lips as he scrutinized the chest, toned with small muscles and lovely tanned skin. Cole's smirk curled at the corners, revealing his fangs. His eyes suddenly became insanely brighter, burning with hunger. Kai was truly a beautiful human being. Kai blushed harder under Cole's intense eyes and worriedly laughed. He had never been afraid of anyone seeing him naked before, but now it sent a shiver he couldn't explain through him.

Cole chuckled, his claws climbing up Kai's chest until they came to his choker.

He had to admit, Kai was a sight in nothing but gold and rubies.

"I didn't know you're ears were pierced?" He hummed as he tilted his head mischievously, brushing Kai's ears, as Kai blushed again.

"Yeah, well, on one of our trips Nya got them done and convinced me to do it too, they looked cool so I agreed, but it hurt like hell; Mom wasn't exactly happy, though, so let's leave it at that." He explained, laughing lightly. Cole nodded and carefully removed the jewelry Kai wore and set it on the bedside table. Kai went to remove the choker but Cole stopped him.

"Leave it," He ordered as he braced himself on one arm and traced his own choker with his claws. "Do you know what these symbolize?" Cole asked, mischievously.

"No idea, but I have a feeling you're going to tell me," Kai smirked playfully and his eyes lighting up at the game.

"These were a birthday gift from my father who said I was to keep one, and the other I was to give to someone else; someone who is my soulmate in mind, soul, and body," Cole smirked as he winked at him. Kai blushed redder until he was certain it had to be hazardous to his health. Cole tilted Kai's chin to the side and kissed his neck, surprising the smaller youth. He then proceeded to nip and kiss every inch of Kai's neck and collar, not bothering with the choker.

Kai bit his lip but couldn't stop the strangled moans from escaping.

"Now when did you become so quiet?" He teased and Kai growled when he felt his face heat up. "We'll have to change that." He smirked as his fangs suddenly sank into the junction of Kai's neck and shoulders, sucking possessively. Kai cried out and arched his back. Two strong arms caught him and continued to suck on that spot leaving a lover's mark. Cole licked his lips, capturing as much of Kai's taste as he could, before returning to Kai's naked chest and littered it with kisses and nips.

His strong hands massaged the curves of Kai's frame as he cried out under the touches.

His arms wrapped around Cole's shoulders, pulling him closer while not disturbing his work. His trembling hands stroked Cole's back focusing on the junction between his wings, where he felt smooth scaled bumps along Cole's spine. Cole purred and growled at the touch, causing his own touches to become fiercer and his kisses rougher, making Kai mewl in delight. Cole's paws moved to Kai's back and started stroking his spine, making Kai arch into his touch.

The stroking of his back and the kisses against his front, soon became too much and Kai released his hold on Cole, but the dragon was quick to catch him and laid him back down with himself on top of Kai.

His tail hooked around Kai's waist and started squirming beneath the hems of his underpants. Kai's breath suddenly caught in his throat. He blushed and hissed when he felt Cole's tail stroking the sensitive junction of his thighs and pelvis, transforming his moan into a scream. Cole's claws stroked Kai's clothed hips, stroking his inner thighs and smoothing up his legs. Kai's hands flew to grab them, but Cole's tail ensnared them like a tentacle and pinned them above his head.

He was puzzled by his new position and tried to pull his wrists free.

Cole tutted and waved his finger teasingly, like a parent scolding a naughty child. Kai glared at him and hissed when Cole stroked his inner thighs up to his sensitive junction and teased the bare skin of his hips. Cole rose an eyebrow teasingly and used his tail to pull off his underwear. Kai screamed the cool air suddenly hitting his body. When he realized he was now naked before Cole, his whole body blushed and he tried to bunch his knees, but Cole was quick to stop him and kneeled beneath his thighs.

"None of that, my flame." Cole playfully scolded, releasing Kai's wrists and getting up from the bed. Kai looked confused and watched the prince dart over his dressers, his claws ghosting over various jars and vials until he came to one vial filled with an amber liquid. Cole smirked and returned to the bed. He set the vial down and moved to remove his own pants. They slide down his scales and off his legs with ease. He grabbed the vial with his tail and moved so he was lying over Kai with his lower half between his nervous lover's legs.

"I use this stuff to keep my scales from drying out, but I just thought of a better use for it." Cole smiled as he undid the cap with his tail and allowed the contents to spill over it. Kai gulped and lay still. Sensing his nervousness, Cole gently petted Kai's hair and kissed his forehead. "Don't be nervous, I won't hurt you." He soothed, lying flush against Kai's body, pinning his hands to the pillows with his claws again. Cole's mouth distracted Kai with kisses on his neck and chest.

He trapped Kai's lips in a simple but loving kiss, relishing in the intoxicating taste of his lover, and willed his tail down past Kai's sides and towards his entrance, massaging the ring of muscles.

Kai's eyes shut tightly and his legs shifted at the unusual feeling, but Cole kissed him again, willing his lover to lay still. Hoping to distract him from his discomfort, Cole let go of Kai's hands and instead pinned his hips to the bed. Kai panted heavily with his arms lying at his sides. His legs shifted to remove the foreign invader. Cole began nipping his chest, leaving a trail of butterfly kisses on the brunette's stomach, making Kai giggle, but it didn't ease the pressure he felt flickering uncomfortably around his entrance.

Cole's tongue suddenly slipped into his naval as one of his cool claws wrapped around his shaft, and Cole's tail began to push inside of him.

Kai screamed loudly as he tried to arch his back and buck his hips but Cole's claw kept his hip pinned in place. His mouth continued to tease his stomach and naval in a vain effort to calm the brunette down. Kai's hands flew up to grab something but all he could do was grab the comforter. He pulled tightly when Cole's cool claws clenched and unclenched his soft member, rendering him completely immobile. Kai tried to prevent the tail from moving but it did little good.

Every time he tried to move, Cole massaged his length causing him to fall back and throw his head to the side.

Cole's knees eased Kai's thighs further apart opening him up even more. He felt little pain, as Cole's tale was smooth and slicked with oil but the scaly object crashing against his sensitive insides felt foreign. Kai's hands flew to cover his head and face, his upper body curling in on itself. Cole did his best to distract Kai from the discomfort of his tail pushing deep inside his body in an effort to prepare him. He hated seeing Kai so torn between pleasure and discomfort, but long before they began he knew using his claws was out of the question.

The sharp objects were fine for teasing but preparation with them would only hurt him and Cole refused to let that happen.

Cole tried to soothe him but Kai refused to open his eyes. Kai shook his head and pulled himself tighter against his own body, desperate for anything to make the foreign object inside him go away. He couldn't shake the fact that it was Cole's tail. Then he felt it moving, not just pushing. A loud gasp was torn from his throat causing him to unwind himself and roll over so he was lying flat against the bed. Cole smirked when he found it. He let go of Kai's member and pinned the teen's hips to the bed, using his free paw to pin Kai's hand in place.

His actions proved correct when Kai jolted and cried out as his tail pushed hard against something incredibly sensitive deep inside his body, again and again.

Kai's scream shook the entire room. He collapsed onto the bed reduced to a mass of pleasure. That reduced his mind and body to a boneless mess. Cole smirked as he kept Kai pinned in place while his tail twisted and squirmed deeper and deeper into Kai's body, stretching the brunette's entrance by curling and circling it while the tip of his tail clenched and unclenched his most sensitive nerve. All Kai could do was scream in pleasure, and cry out as he was stretched to his limits.

His mind was completely blown to bits and his lower half-burned with heat.

Kai threw his head back, his pelvis jutting up on its own, despite Cole's claws, as the pleasure mounted more and more. It was becoming too much. Kai tried in vain to move, but Cole held him firmly but gently down. He didn't get to move as the object inside him twisted and turned and thrust powerfully just once. White light exploded behind Kai's eyes and he felt his entire body implode with the loudest scream he could muster. As it ended, Kai collapsed limply.

He hissed and squirmed, still feeling Cole's tail inside him, still twist and turn.

He hissed loudly when he felt it begin to withdraw with a strange sound. Cole swelled with pride at the sight of Kai's flushed, panting, boneless form. He then reached over to the nightstand and grabbed a cloth to clean the mess Kai's climax made from the teen's stomach. Kai moaned at the treatment on his stomach. His lungs desperately tried to regain some much-needed oxygen. His body felt heavy and spent, the foreign discomfort replaced by the pure pleasure that made his entire body feel like liquid and he was unsure if his bones would ever solidify.

He wasn't sure if he cared.

He did, however, notice the lack of warmth and attention paid to his unaccustomed body. He whimpered at the loss. He wanted Cole's warmth back. He wanted to hold it and never let it go. He panted unable to think or speak clearly. Cole smirked as he dropped the cloth to the floor and pulling his precious Kai into his arms. He laid Kai against the pillow with himself on top of him. Kai was positive his heart just exploded. Cole took the bottle off the bed and started pulling the blankets, sheets, and comforters over the two of them so only their hips and torsos were exposed in case anyone made the mistake of coming in uninvited.

"I'm going to make you mine and no one else's." He smirked and before Kai could question Cole further, the prince kissed him roughly, his claw releasing his hip and weaving with Kai's other hand pinning both his wrists level with his head. He would keep the gentleness for the actual act if he could control himself. With each passing second, Cole felt his control slipping more and more. His instincts were becoming stronger and stronger, threatening to control him and take the beautiful being beneath him as his own.

Cole pulled away, surprising Kai, and forced himself to calm down.

It was becoming even more impossible to control himself around Kai, but he had to be careful. He wanted his flame to know pleasure and love, not just wild passion and uncontrolled ecstasy.

"C-Cole?" Kai asked concerned like he had done something wrong but was unsure what. Cole ran a hand through his spiky hair and smiled as he kissed Kai's forehead.

"I don't think I can control myself much longer, Kai." He warned. Kai's eyes widened, for a second he swore he felt his heart stop beating. It finally hit him with the force of a tidal wave that after this, he would completely belong to Cole. Anything before now was just preparation and the only thing that mattered was what happened in this single moment. There would be no going back. Once they became one, he couldn't undo it. That realization exhilarated him and terrified him at the same time.

Kai's eyes wandered down the rest of Cole's form, realizing this was the first time he had actually seen Cole naked.

Kai flushed and gulped, unable to remove himself from the site of his prince's glorious naked form until he felt cool claws dancing under his chin forcing him to look up. His blush darkened when he came to face to face with Cole's boastful smirk.

"Like what you see?" He teased lightly. Kai's blush darkened but he said nothing, his eyes unyielding. He then grinned in a way Cole found irresistible rather than intimidating, his legs spread nicely and submissively. Cole smirked, pinning Kai to the bed again. Kai fell back, his wrists pinned to the bed by Cole's claws. Cole's tail uncorked the bottle from earlier and poured the rest of its contents on his length, hissing with delight and anticipation.

His gaze never left Kai's.

His eyes became bright with animalistic desire. Kai started shaking when he felt a blunt pressure touch his ring, sending all his senses on high alert. He whimpered nervously, just as a blunt pressure came into contact with his sensitive entrance. His lower body arched, but Cole kept him pinned firmly in place, staring at him with warm eyes.

"Don't worry, Kai, I'll be gentle," Cole promised and kissed his forehead. A cry of raw pain tore itself violently from Kai's throat. He threw his head back and screamed as something large and thick slowly thrust into his body, stretching him painfully beyond his limits to accommodate Cole's much larger size. Pain coursed through his veins as he was completely filled. It made him shudder violently as he felt the dick press against his gut, sticking out slightly against his skin.

His eyes shut as he screamed against the pain.

Tears glittered on his thick lashes. His hands fought against Cole's claws, seeking something to grab and hold onto but Cole kept him firmly pinned in place. This was different from Cole's tail. His dick was thicker, fuller, and hotter. So hot it made his insides blaze, Kai didn't think he could stand the burning heat much longer. It made him throb and sting and pant and shudder. Cole was completely sheathed inside and it finally hit him that this was it.

Cole was truly inside him, filling him, mating him, making love to him.

The sensation sent a thrill of raw pain and pure pleasure through him, but he couldn't tell which was which. He released a loud sob and tilted his head to the side. He struggled against his bonds, panting and something, anything, to latch onto. Cole released one of his wrists to pin his hip in place and Kai instantly pulled himself up and latched onto Cole's chest and buried his face in his collar. Cole's other hand wrapped around Kai's waist allowing the teen's now free hand to fall limply at his side.

He hissed and panted as the action made his pain worse, but he desperately needed the comfort.

A loud hiss erupted from deep in Cole's throat when he felt the tight, unbearable heat of his flame surrounding him. His wings flexed to their full length and fluttered lightly in their master's delight as his tail twitched at his side. He groaned at the sensation, relief filling his body once the impossible tightness consumed him. His instincts blazed to life, shattering any control he might have had, all but commanding him to throw caution to the wind and claim the delightful treasure beneath him as his own.

However, Kai's heart-wrenching screams were enough to shake Cole free from those animal senses and hold relentlessly onto the last of control he still had.

He wrapped his arms around Kai's waist, letting the brunette pull him closer, and gently stroked Kai's back with his claws. He felt Kai shudder at the touch and dig deeper into the crook of his neck. Again Cole forced his instincts into submission. He wanted him to know only pleasure and love. A kiss was placed on Kai's lips, the backs of gentle claws rubbed circles around his hips and up his sides, coaxing him to relax. Cole soothed the brunette as he kissed Kai's forehead and tried to soothe him by kissing his neck and face.

The taste of Kai's skin made his body shake, and he prayed his precious flame was ready.

He could feel the last sliver of his control slipping away and his instincts taking over. Kai held onto Cole tightly, panting against the pain, extremely grateful Cole had held still. But he could tell by the restlessness in his eyes and the shuddering of Cole's body, he wouldn't be able to hold himself back much longer. His tail and wings flicked with desire and his eyes burned with an uncontainable yearning for him. The realization sent a shiver of delight and pride through him, and he gave a small smirk.

He fell back against the pillows just as Cole pinned him roughly to the bed.

Kai opened his mouth to protest the position but instead released a surprised and pleasured gasp when he felt the invader inside him shift. Then he screamed when he was suddenly thrust into once again. The action caused his entire body to lurch forward, his arms pinned by Cole's hand and tail, his hips held firmly in place, his free hand gripping the comforter tightly until he heard the seams rip. He suddenly realized Cole had done this on purpose to keep him still.

He panted loudly, unable to comprehend the sudden rush that suddenly filled him.

Kai used his free hand to stubbornly direct Cole's face towards his and kissed the other's returned the kiss, gently pushing against Kai so their bodies were against each other, causing his hips to move. Kai hissed at the contact. Cole's dick gently massaged his tender insides, making him pant, and gasp and moan at the foreign but pleasant feelings suddenly electrifying his senses to life. Cole smirked and rolled his hips. He continued the same action, delighting in the sight of Kai writhing under the simplest of moments, and relishing in the sweet sounds he was making.

Every touch made the teen arch and press closer against him, every movement of Cole's hips and dick left him screaming and writhing for more.

Pants exploded from Cole's mouth, his eyes became dreamy under the torturous delight. He barely felt it when he felt Cole pull his hips back until he felt the other abandoning him. He whimpered loudly at the loss. Kai did, however, feel it when Cole thrust back in, deeper and harsher than before hitting something that made Kai's entire body spasm. His back formed a permeate arch and his mouth opened wide as a scream of pleasure and pain erupted from his mouth.

Pleasure quickly overcame the pain as Cole arched forwards and retreated from inside him.

A combination of a moan and a scream burst free from Kai's throat as the movement continued. His hips thrusting against Cole's claws every time he felt Cole pull out, determined to recapture the warmth. Tears of bliss and delight formed in his lustful amber eyes. Kai released his loudest scream yet as something familiar was finally struck making him go blind in his bliss. Cole's tail left his wrist to wrap around his neglected dick, squeezing it tightly in time with Cole's rhythm.

Kai's hands shot forward, latching tightly onto Cole's shoulders.

He pulled the other tighter against him even as Cole pinned him down again with his body, and began moving faster and stronger than before. The action made Kai scream louder and louder every time Cole moved. The noirette held painfully tight on Kai's hips, his claws almost pricking the tender flesh, but Kai only shuddered at the action. The teen's moans of his name and screams of pleasure were music to Cole's ears. Each time he removed his dick, a quick snap of his hips put him deeper inside the teen, making Kai arch further against him and scream even louder.

His flame was so vocal and sensitive.

Kai's insides clenching and unclenching around him drove Cole wild. Any and all caution he felt earlier vanished allowing his instincts to take control. Feeling Kai arch and writhe against him fueled him to drive deeper and deeper into the body. Before long they simply moved against each other harshly with no set rhythm, simply determined to recapture the warmth the other provided. Each time, Cole felt Kai clenched and unclench around him, perfectly massaging him, like the smaller had been created solely for him.

His wings roared loudly at his sides summoning gusts of air around him, and allowing him to drive deeper into Kai.

With every scream of his name, Cole's tail squeezed Kai's weeping member tighter, making him writhe evermore. Kai continued to scream as pleasure coursed through his entire body. He screamed until he felt horse, and even then, he continued to push himself against Cole. His eyes flew open and he pulled Cole close to him, kissing him. Their kiss as wild as their lovemaking. Finally, Cole's own pleasure exploded driving into Kai the furthest he had.

With a roar of satisfaction, he released his essence, claiming Kai for himself.

This caused Kai to release his loudest moan and scream of the night. The feeling of Cole's tight tail coiling around his member combined with his essences coating Kai's core with warmth proved too much for the teen. He released his own pent-up passion all over their stomachs before collapsing limply beneath his dragon king. He hissed in discomfort when Cole pulled out of him and collapsed on top of him. Cole apologized, rolling off Kai and onto his side, his tail pulling the comforter up to their chests and twirled the locks of Kai's hair between his claws.

Kai turned to his side and tried to catch his breath, content with just having Cole next to him for the moment.

"You are so beautiful, and I'm so happy that you're mine." Cole complimented, kissing Kai chastely on the lips and forehead. Kai smirked at that comment. His nerves were still burning with energy, and though he was tired, he could feel his strength returning, and the site of his precious prince so close to him, so beautifully relaxed and all his, made him shiver with possessiveness.

"And you're mine, right?" Kai asked with a cute tilt of his head, like a kitten scrutinizing a mouse.

"Of course," Cole smiled, assuringly.

"You're going to be extremely sore, my flame," Cole grinned the warning. "You might not know it since this is your first time, but I do; I can tell you right now, after all this and with your slender figure, you'll be lucky if you can move come noon."

"I don't care," Kai said grabbing Cole's shoulders and kissed him boldly.

"My mischievous little imp, I hope you don't plan on doing that again, you've completely drained me." Cole teased lightly, wrapping his tail around Kai's waist and stroking Kai's side with his wing. Kai chuckled hoarsely, his voice rough from so much pleasure.

"No, I can't go again, as much as I'd like to, I can barely move as it is," Kai admitted with a blush, and pulled the comforter to him, hissing when he moved his lower back. Cole smiled and pulled Kai against his chest, then pulled the comforter up to his shoulders, covering them both in the thick materials.

"You should sleep." He said as he stroked one of Kai's bangs out of his face, watching as Kai yawned cutely and snuggled against the pillows. "I doubt either of us will be moving any time soon." He added with a smirk. Kai chuckled and rolled over in Cole's arms. His attention turned to the starlit sky outside the glass of Cole's balcony wall. His eyes faintly wandered to the candle in the corner. He couldn't believe this. If anyone told him, the first time he saw that object he would be here now asleep in the Dragon Lord's arms, after a night of love-making, he would have been angered by the very idea.

So much had changed in his life.

He hummed to himself, snuggling deeper into Cole's warmth. A small frown marred his face. He had chosen to stay, but he knew that decision wasn't an easy one, nor was it over. There was still much he had to do, and a lot he had to consider before he could fully comprehend what it was he had decided, but he knew he couldn't regret his decision. He turned around and felt his heartstrings tug at the sight of the Dragon Lord's peacefully sleeping face.

He knew then that he would never regret this decision.

Content, he yawned and finally gave into his exhausted body's demands and fell asleep. Next to him, Cole peeked an eye open and smiled at the peaceful site of his lover at sleep. Gently, he petted Kai's hair and kisses his forehead.

"I love you, Kai, I love you so much, I never thought I could, but I do; I don't know how or why, but everything about you makes me feel whole again," Cole spoke his own cherished secret then followed his slumbering lover's example, not seeing Kai smile in his sleep. However, while the two lovers slept, peacefully content in the aftermath of their lovemaking and the rest of the castle rejoiced, a furious cry of pure and absolute rage and disgust echoed from the dark depths of the forest...

Alright, people, I was planning on releasing two new Ninjago stories but some issues have raised recently. When I posted Club of Flaming Passion on Fanfaction.Net I started getting some rather rude comments about the mature content, which were made by guests so I could remove them but I can't block the users.

I've also seen a few other authors going through similar things but involving songfics.

 People who have been using guest accounts to harasses writers, saying that they are breaking the law by using an artist's song without permission. With all this happening I'm not sure if I will be able to upload these new stories or update some of my others such as Club of Flaming Passion. But that doesn't mean I will never post again, I'm just laying low and trying not to draw attention to myself.

These are the summaries for these new stories:

Lustful Sinners - Kai thought he had it all. An incredible singing career, millions of adoring fans, a close family, and good friends. He thought he had everything he ever wanted, except the one thing his Omega wanted. An Alpha to love and spoil him. Unfortunately, when the Alpha he wants rejects him, Kai places a bet with his best friend that he can sleep with the married Alpha, Zane Julien...

Guilty Pleasures - A demon Kai and an angel Zane, longtime acquaintances who, having grown accustomed to life on Earth as representatives of Heaven and Hell, seek to prevent the coming of the Armageddon...

Body Of Anguish

SUMMARY: They hated how it made them feel. Not just because it hurt, but because the pain was a constant reminder of what they were lacking and what they were not. It was a constant reminder that their chest was too there, hips too wide, hair too long, voice too high. They hated it just about as much as they hated their name. It was almost frightening how much they hated that horrible name. They hated the way it rang in their ears and curled itself around their body like slim. Kylie Ashley Smith...

****************

Zane, Jay, and Cole could tell that something was wrong. It was little things at first, like the occasional weak laugh or smile that was offered up to them. Then it began to grow until it felt like Kylie was no longer the same person they had met all those years ago. She was no longer happy, even when she would smile and joke with them they could see past it, see the pain and anguish desperately trying to burst free. The way Zane put it, it was like Kylie was now constantly holding her breath around everyone.

She was holding something back, keeping a secret from her three friends and they could see it slowly starting to eat away at her.

They decided to take her shopping for the day, hoping to make her feel better and show that they were there for her. They had gone to her favorite noodle restaurant, had a small peak inside an electronics store due to Jay's begging, and had also tried out some fitness equipment at Cole's request. Zane had also managed to persuade them to buy him some state-of-the-art kitchen utensils and cooking books. It was turning out to be a good day so far.

It was almost like they had the old Kylie back, the happy Kylie.

Which was why they couldn't understand why offering to buy her new clothes would cause her to get that guarded, closed-off look that meant she was hiding her sadness and pain.

"We're not saying your clothes don't look nice Kylie, we just thought you might want some new ones," Jay said to his girlfriend's big sister while gesturing to the different clothes stores behind them. It was the favorite store for all girls these days, according to Nya, yet Kylie had an uncomfortable look on her face. She tugged at the baggy red jumper she had taken to wearing about a month ago which underneath hide her tight-fitting black top that showed off her curves and chest.

In fact, if the trio really thought about it, Kylie had started wearing the jumper when her chest started to become noticeable.

It was to be expected that it would happen eventually, she was no longer the ten-year-old girl that they met in the playground three years ago. She was now thirteen, a teenager, so her body was obviously gonna start changing.

"I don't know guys... I mean, I have plenty of clothes already." Kylie mumbled while glancing down at her feet.

"They don't all fit you anymore though Kylie; you're a growing young lady now after all." Cole pointed out which only made the young brunette look even more distressed.

"I know." She whispered and it sounded so broken, so downtrodden and hopeless that it had Cole sending a slightly panicked look to his other friends who just shrugged helplessly. Clearly, whatever it was that was troubling their friend had something to do with clothing. Was Kylie perhaps self-conscious about her body?

"Is everything alright Kylie?" Jay asked worriedly, watching as that fake weak smile slipped into place.

"Of course buddy." She said in a voice that wavered ever so slightly.

"Something is bothering you, has been for months now, you know you can tell us, right?" Cold asked in an uncharacteristically soft voice.

"Yeah." She replied, but it sounded so fake. It was so hollow that the noirette couldn't help but raise an eye ridge at the young girl whose face was starting to crumble.

"What's wrong?" Zane asked as he reached out, only to have Kylie jerk away from his touch, her eyes starting to well up with tears.

"Nothing, I just need some air." She snapped and just like that she was gone, running off like the hounds of hell were on her heels. All three of them stared after her, eyes filled with confusion and worry. Whatever it was that was troubling Kylie, it was starting to come to a head and she was near breaking point. She clearly wouldn't be able to hold her breath much longer at the rate she was going...

****************

They sat on their bed as tears streamed down their face. Each breath stuttered in their chest that felt like it was slowly being squeezed tighter and tighter. The jumper they normally wore was thrown to the side exposing what it had really been hiding. A chest that was surprisingly flat for their owner's age but when looked at more closely it became apparent why. A long roll of bandages was wrapped tightly around their chest, constricting their lungs and making their ribs hurt with each inhale of breath.

They hated how it made them feel.

Not just because it hurt, but because the pain was a constant reminder of what they were lacking and what they were not. It was a constant reminder that their chest was too there, hips too wide, hair too long, voice too high. They hated it just about as much as they hated their name. Kylie Ashley Smith. It was almost frightening how much they hated that horrible name. They hated the way it rang in their ears and curled itself around their body like slim.

When they strained their memory they could recall a moment when they wished their name had been Samantha because then it could have been shortened to Sam.

That was a name often given to young boys. Or even Ashley, like their middle name. That was a name for both boys and girls. It was almost as if the universe was taunting them with having a unisex middle name. The thought makes something ache deep inside them. Boy, male, he, him, his, son, nephew, and brother. The terms haunted them. Not because they disliked them but because they knew they would never be used to refer to them.

When they thought about it, really thought about it, they knew they had always wanted to be a boy.

They just never had to right words to describe how they felt until a month ago. A month ago, when their chest had started to develop along with other female changes which left them feeling so lost, confused, frightened, angry, and wrong. The feeling of wrongness had been the strongest and that had been what drove them to finally look up possible reasons for why they felt so disconnected from their own body. The word transgender had felt like a slap in the face.

It had left them feeling so relieved because there was a word for it, there was an actual reason for why they felt this way!

But it also left them feeling so terrified and hopeless because they knew it could never be. Their friends would never see them as a boy. Their little sister would never see them as a brother. The world would never call them he. Girl, sister, and she would forever be stamped upon their soul. They also knew they could never do that to their friends. It would be selfish to take away Nya's sister and Cole, Jay, Lloyd, and Zane's friend. They couldn't take away their parents' eldest daughter.

They believed if they told Nya and Lloyd then their friends would see it as them replacing the person they had grown to love and cherish so they just couldn't do it, couldn't do that to them...

****************

When Cole, Jay, and Zane got back to the Smith family house it was to find Kylie curled up on one of the small reading chairs with a game controller in her lap, despite no game playing. Nya and their parents were out, so they were alone to talk. When she saw them she smiled but they could see the faint redness of her eyes. They could also see the way her lips trembled ever so slightly. That same red jumper was still on her even though it was a boiling hot day and they could see her sweating.

"Sorry about leaving you guys like that but I remembered I left something on here at home." She lied, they could see she was lying. Why was she lying to them?

"Kylie." Jay sighed and that had her straightening up, a wary look washing over her face because the frecked teen never sounded so serious. Cole caught on and walked over to gently take one of her hands, preventing her from leaving.

"We know something is bothering you," Zane said, watching as Kylie tensed up.

"Kylie, we're worried about you, you're not yourself anymore; you don't smile as often, and when you do it always looks strained and fake, and you're not eating as much or sleeping and you're not happy, everyone can see it," Jay said, holding her other hand tightly.

"Just tell us what's wrong and we'll help you," Cole added. Kylie stared at them, tears flowing down her face as she tried to hold herself together.

"I... I can't." She whispered.

"Why not?" Zane pressed, watching as she bowed her head and gave a choked-off sob.

"Because you'll hate me." She gasped out.

"We could never hate you! Your our best friend and family! Whatever it is that's troubling you, we'll help you." Jay said as tears of his own began to form.

"These last few months, it's like we could feel you holding your breath! But you don't need to do that anymore; you get to exhale now." Cole explained, and that was when the body-shaking sobs began followed by the loud hiccuping breaths taken between them. All three of them moved in, forming a protective barrier around their friend who curled closer to them, seeking comfort and safety. HE sat in their arms, feeling the pressure leaving him as he finally accepted who he was.

Taking a deep breath he reached up to wipe his teary eyes, smiling down at Jay, who gave him a small hopefully smile back.

The fear was still there. The fear of rejection and being told he was wrong but at the same time, he knew he couldn't keep hiding. He needed to not only accept himself but he needed to make sure other people knew who he truly was.

"There is something that had been bothering me; it has actually been bothering me for my whole life but it wasn't until a few months ago that I finally figure out what was wrong." He sighed as his fingers picking at the tight-fitting skinny jeans that he hated so much.

"Go on buddy, we're here for you." Cole encouraged while gently nudging him on the shoulder. He smiled softly, shoulders slumping as he took a deep breath in.

"I'm transgender... I'm not a girl, I'm a boy and I always have been; I just wasn't born right, and when I was younger I never understood why it made me feel uncomfortable to be called beautiful or cute or why I felt this sense of wrongness when put in dresses; I didn't understand why I hated having long hair or why makeup felt wrong on my face, and I didn't understand why when I looked in the mirror, I hated what I saw; but in these last few months, with that wrong feeling getting to the point where it felt unbearable I went online and began to look for a reason and I found it." She confessed to three of her best friends.

It silent for a long time, so long that he began to panic, thinking they hate him and are disgusted by what he had just said.

He made to get up, to leave, and never come back when he was suddenly pull back into a bone-crushing group hug that makes him feel like something inside him is healing.

"We're so sorry buddy, we should have noticed," Cole mutters with tears of his own starting to gather.

"Y-You guys don't have to apologize." He begins only for Jay to shake his head.

"We've been hurting you, Bro." Jay sobbed and just hearing the male term of endearment left him feeling so breathless and giddy.

"We've been hurting you so we're sorry; we're sorry for making you feel like you had to keep this a secret and for not noticing the signs." Zane continued as he rubbed soothing circles into his friend's back. The brunette sat there, staring at them in awe not quite believing that this was actually happening. It felt too good to be true...

****************

It wasn't long before Cole, Jay, and Zane were all in the shopping center again, standing in another clothing store, waiting outside the changing rooms with bated breath. Cole could feel his feet tapping against the tile floor excitedly while Cole sat giggling within nervous energy. Zane had a faint smile on his face as he stared out the window at the rest of the shopping center. They then heard the door unlock followed by hesitant footsteps. All three turned, freezing in place as their faces both show shock before it melts away into proud smiles.

"Looking good there Kai." Cole offered a thumbs-up as Jay laughing brightly beside him and Zane nodded in agreement. Kai stood before them, a shy but excited smile on his face. He stood there wearing a pair of black boys' jeans that have small rips in the knees. On his feet were a new pair of shoes Jay bought himself that looked far more masculine than his old pair. Gone was the red jumper and tight-fitting blacktop and in their place in a loose-fitting white shirt with a red jacket.

If one were to look closely they would see a black article of clothing under the shirt that was the new half-black binder that Zane had gotten for him.

Kai smiled, looking at himself in the mirror, looking at his newly cut, gelled up hair, new male clothing, and flat chest. Kai Ash Smith looked at himself in the mirror and for the first time in a long time, he actually liked what he saw. For the first time, he finally felt like himself...

****************

AN: Alright people I wanted to do something Ninjago-related for pride month, so I made this is. Now, this isn't my story. Around a year ago, at least I think it was then, my friend was showing me these collections of Sonic One-Shots on and one of the chapters was about Sonic being transgender. I'm not really into Sonic (except for the videogames) so I wasn't really sure what was happening in some of the chapters.

But despite that, it was a very incredible story.

Unfortunately, I can't remember who wrote it. I think the username was Camelot-themed, such as King Arthur or Merlin or something like that. But I'm pretty sure it was of Jack Frost from the Rise of The Guardians movie(LOVE THAT MOVIE!). I tried looking for it online, but I couldn't find them, so I'm not sure whether it's been deleted or I've just been putting the wrong thing in the Google search engine.

I would ask my friend for the author's name but we had a falling out a few weeks ago so I can't go to him.

I really hope it hasn't been deleted because it was a really good story and I could tell the writer put a lot of work into it. This story is not made to offend Transgender people or anyone from the LGBT community. My cousin is transgender. She was born a male but identifies as a woman and she is the sweetest person you could meet. I myself am bisexual, even though I haven't told my parents, so I would never intentionally insult or offend anyone from the LGBT community.

Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy this One-Shot, and Happy Pride Month! 🌈❤ 💛💚💙💜

I love this! 

Is it a drawing for a fanfic or something?

❤🧜‍♀️🧜‍♂️

@merjago Day 7 - Clothing

Ray’s been caught trying to save his son, and Chen knows exactly how to reveal a mermaid in disguise.

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 33

Chapter 33: The Dragon's Dance

Cole sighed as he stood in the center of the ballroom, watching as all but Harumi and Griffin rushed about the ballroom, seeing to the last minute preparations. Echo polished glass, Neuro rearranged the spread for the fifth time, and Pixal arranged the flower vases and spreading blooms decoratively along with the table. It left Cole torn between putting his foot down and telling them enough was enough, or laughing in amusement. Fortunately, Ultra Violet beat him to the punch when she burst into the room and groaned loudly at the chaos.

"Will you all knock it off! He's coming!" She barked at them. Her words made everyone jump then finish what they were doing before taking their positions. It would be rude to start without the guest of honor. "You don't get any nasty ideas." She winked playfully at the dragon prince before dashing off, cackling all the way. Cole blinked she walked off, and turned around, following her with his eyes. Before he could ponder the matter he heard a loud angry cry of pain beyond the closed doors of the ballroom.

"Ugh! I hate these shoes!" Kai's angry voice echoed from behind the door.

"Hey! What did I say, about that, Kai?" Jay scolded.

"But that's the third time I've tripped in these things! They're a death trap!"

"Oh shut up, do you have any idea how long it took Griffin to make those!" Tox giggled loudly.

"Shut up you two! We're here!" Jay exclaimed and the doors swung open, revealing Tox and Jay to the whole ballroom. The two of them waited for their guest of honor but when all they heard was a string of curses, Jay rushed back out.

"Come on!" He cried out loudly.

"Don't push, you'll make me fall!" Kai complained, stumbling over his shoes, but Tox was quick to catch him and elegantly yanked him into the ballroom. The second Kai entered the room, time froze. Without realizing it, the brunette was commanding the attention of the entire room. He was truly the belle of the ball. Flowers slipped from Nelson's fingers, while Pixal's arms fell at her side. Neuro didn't notice the wine he was pouring was completely missing Harumi's cup.

Griffin beamed at everyone's stunned faces and Echo and Ronin's eyes widened with mystification.

Cole couldn't take his eyes off of him. Across the room, Kai didn't notice their stares. All he saw was the Dragon Lord standing in the middle of the room, looking every inch like a fairy tale prince. When Kai met his eyes he found Cole sported a blank expression, and stunning mystification caused his eyes to bulge, and his trembling lips refused to speak. Kai blushed, suddenly taking in everyone's equally stunned expressions.

"Is something wrong?" He asked sheepishly. Cole almost didn't hear him, too lost in the magnificent vision that was Kai Smith. He had wondered what Griffin could possibly create to make the brunette look more beautiful than he already was and never in his life had Cole been so happy to be proven wrong. The outfit Kai wore hugged his figure in all the right places. But all Cole could focus on was the choker around Kai's neck. Pride surged through him, as well as delight.

Unable to resist any longer, Cole approached him and pulled the teen into an embrace that made him stumble over the heels of his boots.

"You'll have to forgive them, my flame, they've just never seen anyone so beautiful before, if I didn't know them better; I'd almost think they were jealous you're with me." Cole purred as he embraced him. Kai blushed as red as the ruby around his neck, while Cole addressed Griffin and Harumi.

"Thank you both, you have truly outdone yourselves." He praised, before turning to the staff. "I'd like to thank you all for joining us this evening! Tonight, we are all friends, and my only request is that you all enjoy the night to your heart's content... and Neuro, keep Jay and Nelson away from the food!" He joked and everyone burst out laughing, except Jay and Nelson, who blushed as bad as Kai. With that, the party began, and Kai fully took in the grand ballroom.

Across the room against the walls, Neuro had set up an enormous spread across long tables covered with gold cloth and dotted with bouquets of beautiful flowers in marble vases.

The glass floor beneath him had been smoothed and polished revealing the pale gold tiles. The windows and walls were free of dust and the stained glass shimmered in the thousands of candles that lined the walls and flooded the enormous chandeliers overhead like thousands of stars. Above him was the stained glass image of an army of enormous dragons flying and roaring against a sunset background. Around him, music started to play, though Kai wasn't sure where it was coming from.

At the table, Ultra Violet and Griffin were devouring the food, while Neuro poured Pixal a glass of wine.

Jay and Echo were dancing in the corner while Tox mingled with everyone else. Zane had struck up a conversation with Ronin. Harumi was showing off her new dress and Nelson was devouring what looked like candy. Kai couldn't believe that this was really the ballroom he had seen when he first arrived. Before it was caked in dust and dead looking. Now it was the most beautiful and perfect room Kai had ever seen, not that he had much experience in ballrooms.

"I take it you're impressed?" Cole asked with a smirk, pouring the two of them a glass of wine.

"This is amazing, did everyone do all this?" Kai asked with a smile, taking the glass.

"They were ecstatic to have a new project, Echo was quite adamant that this place be perfect for the evening." Cole nodded.

"It is," Kai said as he sipped the wine. "Thank you, so much, I didn't think anyone would do all this for me." He blushed lightly.

"I'd do anything for you, and so would everyone else," Cole smirked and kissed his forehead. Kai smiled at that. Cole grinned, examining Kai from head to toe. When he saw Cole's roaming eyes, Kai grew more flustered and Cole's grin widened...

****************

The party continued throughout the night. Though the staff was not large, they had taken Cole's words to heart and mixed and mingled with both their master and their guest that whole evening. They drank the wine and devoured food and deserts. By the time the food was gone, even Neuro and Zane had found themselves smiling and laughing. Music started playing though Kai couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from. Cole took Kai's hands and met his eyes, gesturing towards the dance floor.

Kai gave him a nervous glance, but Cole was quick to crush it and swooped the boy towards the center of the room.

Kai had never been good at ballroom dancing. Cole just whispered to him to keep his eyes on him, and suddenly he found himself dancing to a familiar tune. Shortly after, Echo took Jay's hand and dragged him towards the dance floor. Jay, however, gulped nervously and exchange glances with Zane. When he caught the icy eyes he smiled, but his eyes were adamant. Though his expression did not change, Zane nodded and watched them. Ultra Violet bowed towards Harumi, which she humored.

Eventually, everyone joined, and before long the whole room was dancing.

Quickly, as the music picked up, the ballroom dance shifted with the change in the music taking a quicker and more upbeat pace. Once that had everyone tapping their feet against the glassy floor and dancing in circles. Soon everyone exchange partners, dancing faster and faster as the music picked up. They clapped hands and spun in circles, filling the room with the sound of tap dancing among the antiphony of music, and the clapping of hands in time.

Finally, both Kai and Cole spun until everyone once again traded partners.

They found themselves, face to face, hand in hand with one another panting heavily from the dancing. Around them, everyone clapped and cheered, until the softer melody returned. Kai positioned himself to dance again but Cole surprised him by pulling him against his chest and flapping his wings into the air. Kai gasped at first but Cole calmed him down and stopped when they were positioned directly beneath the stained glass dragon. Around them, the chandeliers blazed brightly.

Cole held his wings steady, allowing him to remain airborne. When Kai felt Cole's grip loosen he immediately, held onto him tighter.

"Don't be afraid," Cole reassured him as he gently eased Kai's hands off him. Kai gasped when his feet suddenly felt solid like he was on solid ground. He gasped in shock and Cole winked, childishly, and offered his hand to Kai. The young man smirked and accepted it and before long they were once again dancing on air. Cole suddenly let Kai go to spin him then pulled him close again Then it was Kai's turn to lead. Neither of them needed words, speaking with their eyes.

Their bodies moved in tune with one another in a breathtaking aerial dance while below the staff members danced with their lovers.

They danced across the ceiling until Cole unexpectedly picked Kai up and let himself float towards a set of doors open to a large balcony.

"Come with me, I want to show you something." He said, setting Kai down, and held his hand. He led Kai outside towards the balcony. Kai shivered slightly when the late winter air hit him. Despite the full moon hanging in the sky, night had veiled the castle ground in darkness. Still, Kai waited for Cole to speak. Instead, Cole closed his eyes and focused on the orange sparks flickering from his fingers until they took the form of a sphere. Kai's eyes widened and he resisted the urge to touch it.

When Cole opened his eyes again he lifted his chin and Kai gasped as the sphere floated from his hands and floated towards the sky like a shooting star.

Suddenly it burst, raining stardust across the night sky. Kai was in awe as he braced the railing with exuberant hands, his eyes lit with childish wonder and amazement.

"How did you do that?"

"Lots and lots of practice, I thought you'd enjoy it." Cole boasted, proudly.

"I love it! Thank you! This was the best night of my life!" Kai said happily and hugged Cole tightly.

"I'm glad because I want to ask you something." Cole smiled, feeling his heart swell at Kai's sudden embrace.

"Anything," Kai replied as he let go and listened intently, but his smile fell when Cole frowned and turned around to look at the sky.

"You've been here for almost five months now Kai, and despite the ups and downs, they were some of the happiest times of my life," Cole spoke, kindly, but there was somberness in his words that made Kai's sense feel unstable. "I still can't believe all this is happening, that I'm really this happy, and I can only hope I've made you half as happy as you've made me," He said as he looked down, hunching himself over like he was ashamed of what he was about to say next. "But the truth is Kai, you're still a prisoner; MY prisoner."

Kai immediately opened his mouth to protest, but Cole covered his lips with his claws, making him freeze.

"Let me finish, even though I haven't thought of you in such a way for a long time, and I know no one else does, it doesn't change the fact that you are one, and you can't change that; I, however, can." He told the brunette and Kai's heart dropped into his stomach, fear, and dread suddenly overcoming him when he realized what it was Cole was implying. He wanted to speak, to protest no words come to him. Only strangled gasps of air escaped his throat.

"I'm not a prisoner." He managed to choke. Sensing his distress, Cole placed a hand on his shoulder and bent down to Kai's eye level.

"Whether anyone thinks so or not doesn't change that fact, you deserve better than that." He smiled but his eyes were sad. "You deserve your freedom, freedom I took away from you; I truly regret that, but had I not done so I might have never met you so it is not a bad regret." He shrugged lightly, trying to lighten the mood, but he failed. Kai tried to look away again, but Cole wouldn't let him. "I'm bound to this place, but you are not, and I won't keep you here against your will any longer."

Kai felt hot tears peek the corner of his eye.

His chest suddenly felt heavy and hard like something was digging into it with sharp claws.

"What... What are you saying, Cole?" He whimpered fearfully. Cole sighed hesitantly then turned to Kai with a neutral smile.

"I'm releasing you, Kai; you're no longer my prisoner."...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 32

Chapter 32: The Art Of The Dress

Kai gulped under her stare as Harumi grabbed his wrist, and yanked him forward. They had to get Kai ready for the ball tonight. She took in the teen's messy hair, mud and slush caked riding boots and dirt-splattered riding clothes. He had just taken Flame for a quick walk around the castle grounds with Ronin when Harumi suddenly dragged him away and Ronin took Flame back to the stables. Kai was seriously confused. The ball was not until tonight, so he didn't know why he needed to get ready so early.

Harumi insisted that her absolute mess and they had less than six hours to get him ready.

With a struggle, Harumi managed to drag the stubborn teen inside. Kai looked over his shoulder at the troll for help, but Ronin just threw his hands up in defense and chuckled nervously. He couldn't save the brunette from his fate. Harumi scared Ronin more than Kai did. The harpy ordered him upstairs. Echo had put in too much work into this for Kai to show up looking horrible. Kai tried desperately to pry Harumi's hand on his wrist, fearful of his destination, but she shoved him into his room and shut the door.

Kai stumbled in his haste but regained his footing as he blinked at the chaos circling around him.

Pixal and Tox were both giggling with mischievous smiles while they set up the changing wall, Pixal holding a plethora of bathing supplies in her arms. Tox was in the joint bathroom preparing a large tub with dozens of bubbles gurgling over the rims like a cauldron. Griffin tapped his foot impatiently, holding a pile of clothing covered in red silk Kai assumed was his clothing. Jay, Echo, and Nelson set up a changing wall and Neuro sighed in the corner with his hand buried in his greying hair.

When they heard Kai stumble into the room their eyes turned to him.

Jay, Echo, and Nelson immediately sat on the bed. Jay and Neuro had sympathetic smiles on their faces while Nelson was trying hard to laugh. Echo crossed his arms over his chest with a wide grin on his face. Griffin's face twisted to a wicked smirk. The combination of looks sent a shiver down Kai's spine and he took a wary step back only to bump into Harumi, who was perched at the door with her arms poised to catch him. Her grin made Kai gulp and he turned around only to come face to face with Tox and Pixal.

The normally sweet girls both sported, devilish smiles, like giddy school girls with a new doll.

That realization made Kai wish he could sink into the floor.

"Why are you all looking at me like that?" He gulped, unsure if he truly wanted an answer to that question. He tried to take a hesitant step to the left, but Tox slithered to stop him. He faked right and waited for Tox to move, then went left. Too late he realized his mistake. Kai screeched when Harumi pounced from behind him and Kai was pinned by her strong grip before he could blink.

"What?! Put me down!" Kai demanded thrashing his arms and legs, stunned that Harumi managed to keep such a firm grip on his upper body.

"Oh no you don't," She taunted. "You're not going anywhere, we're going to scrub you from head to toe." She laughed as she dragged Kai towards the bath, but the brunette dugs his heels into the floor and tried to grab anything within reach to slow down his inevitable fate. He managed to free one of his arms from Harumi's grip, but Pixal grabbed his legs and Tox grabbed his wrists. The three women laughed and dragged him towards the washroom, ignoring Kai's rants and protests.

Kai flashed a pleading look over his shoulder, but the boys gave him the same fearful but sympathetic smile Ronin did.

"Sorry firecracker, we're sitting this one out," Jay smirked as he threw his hands up.

"W-W-W-Wait!" Kai pleaded, gripping onto the rim of the bathroom door with his free fingers, holding on firmly as the girls tried to pull him off. His nails scratched off chunks of wood when they finally ripped him off. Harumi shut the door and stripped him of his coat. A wicked gleam covered the three girl's faces.

"Don't worry, Kai, when we're done with you Cole won't be able to keep his hands off you!" Tox grinned wickedly. Kai gulped and backed into a corner before the three giggling ladies descended upon him. The girls had stripped Kai of his clothing faster than he could blink and shoved him backward into the tub of water sending a flood over the rim. Before he could protest, Harumi uplifted a basin of water over his head, drenching him. She then began attacking his hair with soap and her long nails.

"GET YOUR DAMN CLAWS OFF ME, YOU SHARP TALONED HARPY! I CAN SCRUB MYSELF!" Kai screamed a retort and shot to his feet, furious. He and Harumi exchanged glares but the older woman was adamant.

"THAT'S ENOUGH OUT OF YOU!" She scolded, harshly, and forced Kai back down by pushing his shoulders, surprising Kai with her strength. She shoved him under the water then hoisted him back up by his shoulders. Kai coughed and wheezed at soapy water filled his mouth, and released an animalistic growl but Harumi held him firmly by his shoulders while he lashed in the tub. Tox and Pixal then attacked every inch of his body with soap, scrub brushes, and a loofah sponge.

They battled the flailing limbs and the bathwater spraying all over them and the chamber floor.

"Hold still!" Harumi thundered, tightening her grip on one hand as she used the other to scrub Kai's back and shoulders

"Ow, stop that, Harumi, you're choking me!" Kai screeched, furiously. He tried to spray her with water to get her to let go, but missed and hit Pixal instead. Pixal shrieked as she was sprayed when she tried to scrub his hair.

"I've only got your shoulders, now stop that!" Harumi snapped. Tox shrieked rinsing her scrub brush in one of the basins then drowned it in more soap.

"My God, Kai, did you bathe at all this week? You're covered in grime!"

"No, I'm not!" Kai howled, insulted.

"The hell you aren't, I could grow Shade hundreds of ingredients in the muck I scrubbed off you!" Tox protested, returning to her crusade to rid the teen skin of any dirt. Kai wanted to insult them back, but he screamed in pain as a wave of soap fell into his face and stung his eyes.

"Ow! Pixal! Get that out of my face, you're getting soap in my eyes!"

"I wouldn't if you'd hold still!" She snapped, furiously attacking the floppy mane of brown hair. "My God you have so much hair! Tox, get me another basin! I'll need to wash this twice."

"The hell you are!" Kai protested angrily but Harumi dunked him under the warm, sudsy water and hauled him up for Pixal to scrub at his hair again. Kai thrashed furiously like a caged wild animal.

"This is worse than drowning in a frozen lake!" He cried as he thrashed his limbs, causing Harumi's grip to falter, but she quickly recovered.

"Harumi, don't let him go or he'll cause havoc!" Tox shrieked, concerned, grabbing another basin of water and dumped it over Kai's head riding his hair and upper body of soap, but it only worsened his already foul mood.

"Just wait until I get out of this you bitch!" Kai warned as Tox drained the bath and Pixal kept dumping water over him to remove the soap and shut him up...

****************

Cole heaved himself out of his private bathtub the second he heard the door to his room slam open. Water pooled at his feet and his heavy wings shook violently hoping to free the waterlogged limbs from the heavy water weighing them down. He ran a hand through his damp hair spreading raindrops everywhere before grabbing a towel and proceeded to dry himself as best he could. Once dry, he let his damp wings hang loose and wrapped the towel around his waist.

When he entered his joint bedroom, he found Ronin sitting on his bed about to fall over in his half-conscious state.

The boy jumped back to life when Griffin entered, dragging Jay, Echo, and Nelson behind him.

"You're not dressed yet?" Griffin shrieked. "What is wrong with you people? How am I supposed to make alterations if none of you try your clothes on?"

"Calm down, Griffin, there's still plenty of time," Cole snapped, drying his hair, while Ronin helped him dry off his heavy wings. Once that was done, Ronin threw the towels over the chairs and handed him the neat pile of clothing Griffin had laid out for him. Cole grabbed the breeches off the top and disappeared behind the wall while Ronin turned to his companions.

"Why are you three here again?" He blinked. "I thought you were supposed to be helping Kai and fixing up the ballroom?"

"The Ballroom's done," Echo boasted, thrusting his chest forward proudly. "Shade is just setting up the food right now, and I personally made sure everything is perfect!" The boy flashed a triumphant smile.

"You didn't go overboard did you?" Cole asked, coming out from behind the wall, and look at the rest of the clothes. "Could you help me out here, Ronin? You need three people to put this thing on." He asked and Ronin nodded. He helped his lord to the ties and buttons on the difficult outfit Griffin had concocted.

"No, I didn't," Echo answered with a proud glint in his eyes. "This is my far my grandest work!"

"I helped!" Jay smiled, wrapping his arms around Echo's waist, while Nelson laughed at his enthusiasm. Griffin scowled at their distraction as he thrust three sets of clothes into their arms and forcibly propelled them all into the bathroom. "It's time to get dressed!" He exclaimed as he shut the door and left the boys to change before turning to Ronin and the prince. "Are you two finished yet? Ronin needs to get dressed too!"

"I'm going as fast as I can! This thing has knots that have knots!" Ronin complained standing on his toes to meet Cole's taller height and snap the chains on the front in place.

"It isn't that bad," Griffin protested, sitting cross-legged on the bed, waiting impatiently for them to finish.

"This thing has at least six pieces!" Cole snapped.

"So what? It looks brilliant, doesn't it? Besides Kai's is worse."

"I believe it, but he's right you look brilliant! Kai's going to be speechless." Ronin sighed when he finished buttoning Cole's top. Cole smiled and spun around in front of the full-body mirror to test his new clothes from all angles. His ballroom outfit, which consisted of a golden vest over a white dress shirt with a white kerchief, black dress pants trimmed with gold, and a stunning black ballroom tailcoat trimmed with gold. Cole had also tied his shaggy black hair into a ponytail adorned with a silky black ribbon.

"I'll admit it, I didn't think it was possible, but Griffin's outdone himself." He beamed with pride. "Hopefully, it'll be enough to convince my flame," Cole mumbled to himself.

"Tonight he'll be yours." Ronin corrected earning him a confused look from the prince. "We all know what you're thinking, Cole, we wouldn't be a good staff if we didn't know what our prince was thinking! You have nothing to worry about." He added with a smile.

"I hope you're right, I know Kai's answer, but there's still a nagging disbelief that's there." Cole smiled, mentally scolding himself for doubting his staff's loyalty. His sharp claws ran through his bangs.

"Don't be nervous, Kai feels the same way about you, even if he's not ready to admit it out loud just yet, and everyone knows how you feel about him." Ronin reassured him and that made Cole smile.

"Alright, you, time to get you changed." The tailor insisted as he dragged the troll away. Before Ronin could blink, he had been thrown into the same room as his friends, stripped and redressed in a new outfit. Ronin groaned as he looked over his outfit. He knew it was rude to complain and he should be grateful but Griffin had decked him out in formfitting black pants with a pair of spiked-heeled ankle boots, and a shirt made of a smooth black material that was open in the back, but the bottom billowed over his hips.

There were no sleeves, instead, the top material was held with a double ring that hung loosely about his neck.

Long fingerless black gloves with rubies over the back of the hands climbed up his arms, held to the collar of the shirt by gold chains. It was a comfortable outfit, but Ronin had grown so used to lose clothing that covered everything but his hands and head that wearing form-fitting clothing that showed even bits and pieces of his skin made him feel exposed. Echo thought he looked like a girl as he took in his own outfit. They consisted of light brown, form-fitting pants and a white long tunic that was also turtle necked but pillowed almost like a dress near the bottom.

Long black gloves with wide ends that curved to points formed sleeves over his shoulders and a large gold bow half his size, tied in the back.

Jay thought his boyfriend looked spectacular as he tied the bow. His own outfit consisted of a navy blue militaristic style outfit with silver accents, black gloves, and knee-high black boots. Nelson sat on the bed watching them. He eased his boredom by picking at a loose thread on his white, knee-length pants that billowed from the calf down. His outfit was similar to Ronin's but the shirt was a sleeveless turtleneck and was dark purple, and his sleeves were fabric bunched up from the wrists to the upper arms.

Silver leggings peeked above his knee-high black and silver boots.

These were normally not his style, but he didn't mind.

"What did I tell you, Cole," Griffin boasted, loudly, clapping his hands together. "My best work!"

"I believe so," Cole nodded, brushing his black locks to perfection. "Now I'm curious to see what you conjured for Kai."

"I swear if he's not ready by the time I get there, heads will roll!" Griffin exclaimed loudly as he bolted for the door. Cole and his staff laughed hearing Griffin's rant echoing off the hallways.

"I believe that is our cue," Cole announced. The servants quickly proceeded to take their positions in the ballroom, Ronin was the last to leave but Cole stopped him.

"Before you go, will do me a grand favor, Ronin?"

"Of course, name it?" Ronin replied. Cole swooped over to a corner of the room and pulled out two strange silver boxes. He opened one and pulled out the most beautiful piece of jewelry Ronin had ever seen.

"Will you give this to Kai? Tell him if he still wishes to be mine tonight, he'll wear it, but if not I'll understand." He requested. Ronin nodded and bolted towards the East Wing as fast as his legs could carry him. Cole smiled before opening the second box and pulled out an identical chocker, only this one was silver with an emerald heart, and snapped it around his neck then descended down the Western entrance to the ballroom. He couldn't wait to see what Griffin planned for Kai...

****************

Kai growled as he sat on a stool in front of the vanity, his chin resting irritated in his hand while Harumi, Tox, and Pixal dried, brushed, and tried in vain to do something with his untamable hair. After two hours of vicious bathing, he had been dragged out of the tub, dried, dressed in a thin, silk bathrobe for the next phase of his torture. The light material felt wonderful against his tender skin, raw from having half his skin scrubbed off, at least that was what he felt like.

"My God, you have so much, hair! Someone get me another brush!" Harumi hollered over her shoulder. Neuro rushed in, now sporting his new clothing as opposed to his normal uniform. A long velvet grey frock coat, folded over and buttoned down the left side of the chest to hip in a militaristic fashion, and matching pants, white gloves, and black boots with gold buckles. It took all of Kai's willpower not to bury his head in his folded arm, but he knew the girls would shriek if he did.

He bit back and growl every time they came across a particularly stubborn tangle.

"I don't think we'll be able to do anything with his hair, Harumi," Pixal said letting the silk strands bounce back to their natural shape.

"I could've told you that," Kai snapped.

"Oh, be nice," Tox scolded playfully and Harumi pondered for a bit.

"I suppose we'll just have to touch it up with jewelry then." She beamed as she clapped her hands together. "Your ears are pierced, right Kai?"

"Yes," Kai replied looking over his shoulder.

"I'll be right back then! Thank God Griffin decided to go with the gold!" Harumi cheered as she vanished and emerged a moment later with a small wooden jewelry box and began digging through the pieces. Finally, she gave a triumphant cheer and gently titled Kai's head so it was facing her. "Hold still." She warned as she gently pierced his ears with dangling, gold, and ruby earrings shaped like a flying phoenix. She then placed a crown-like headdress shaped like phoenix wings curled around a large ruby on his head, allowing his spikey bangs to spill over it.

"There! You look wonderful!" The girls cheered, while Kai examined their work in the mirror. He had never been fond of gold accessories before but found himself liking them as he admired his reflection.

"Now all we need to do is get you dressed," Tox decided.

"Hurry up, Harumi!" Griffin suddenly thundered as he hammered loudly on the door. "There's less than three hours until the ball starts and I need to see if Kai's clothes need any alterations!"

"We're coming!" Harumi shouted as she threw the door open and the girls led Kai behind the changing wall to help him into the difficult outfit. After a few minutes, Kai was glad he had the girls' help getting ready. The outfit Griffin had created for the evening had more ribbons and ties on it than he cared to count. It would have been a bear to get the thing on properly by himself.

"Wow, you've outdone yourself, Griffin," Tox complimented over the wall. "He looks ravishing!"

"I told you he'd look splendid in gold," Pixal added and Harumi smiled as she laced up the back of Kai's clothing. Kai skimmed over what it was exactly he was wearing and blushed, taking in just how splendid the outfit actually was. Kai wasn't a huge fan of dresses, but he thought this was absolutely gorgeous. The bright, crimson red dress left the top of his shoulders uncovered, but did cover the sides and flowed down into a fancy heart-shaped neckline.

It was a loose fit which made the dress both enjoyable to wear and look at.

His had been left uncovered and in a way, help put focus on his soft tanned skin. The dress's waist was narrow, but it was a loose fit. A gold bow had been wrapped around his waist and positioned slightly to one side. Below the waist, the dress widened had glittering gold ends. The dress reached just above his ankles and was the same length all around. He was given a pair of shining, golden, high-heeled shoes, gorgeous on their own, an ideal match in combination with the dress.

To top it all off he was wearing a pair of simple, but stylish, red elbow-length gloves.

"Are you all sure about this? It is splendid, but I'll probably make it look ridiculous." He pouted as he gazed at his reflection. Before anyone could protest Griffin thundered over.

"I don't ever want to hear that come out of your mouth again!" He scolded swatting Kai's head with two fingers making him wince. "First of all, nothing I make looks ridiculous!" He spoke in a harsh tone, but it softened as he continued but did not lose an ounce of its authority. "Second, that's nonsense and you know it! You're just nervous; I could strip you naked and send you to that ballroom in nothing but a smock and you'd still look fantastic, and don't you ever let yourself forget it."

Kai blinked at the tailor's earnestness then smiled, suddenly feeling very silly.

"We're all done," Harumi announced.

"Good," Griffin smiled as he grabbed Kai's clothed wrists and pulled him back into his room. "Now then, you're done; just give me a few minutes to get everyone else dressed and we'll escort you to the ballroom, got to do this traditionally after all," Griffin winked, ushering everyone out of the room, leaving Kai alone. Alone, at last, he looked at his reflection and smirked proudly at the stunning being staring back at him.

"I do look good." He said out loud when a knock disturbed his play. "Come in!" He called out, wondering who it was. Ronin entered the room holding a box in his hand which almost slipped when he took in Kai's new appearance.

"Can I help you with anything?" Kai smirked, proudly. Ronin looked confused then blushed and straightened himself.

"Cole asked me to bring this to you, he said if you still want to be his for the evening he'd like you to wear it, but he said he would understand if you didn't."

"Thanks a lot, Ronin, I'll see you downstairs." Kai smiled. Ronin bowed and left. Kai sat on the bed and carefully opened the box gasping at the choker inside. It had a golden dragon curled up around a ruby love heart. His fingers gingerly traced over the elegant carvings and circled the beautifully cut ruby shaped exactly like a love heart. Carefully, he removed it from the box and clasped it around his own neck...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Human Again

Echo barked orders as the staff while digging a mountain of dust out of the candle holders and polishing them until the iron shined. Cole had only given them a day to get this ballroom perfect, so they had no chance to slack off. Not if they wanted this curse broken. Jay pushed a rag as big as him across the window clearing away trails of dust and leaving the clean stain glass glittering in his wake. Pixal sighed as she whipped her forehead from exhaustion.

She had been helping Ultra Violet and Harumi clean the stained glass ceiling, and her wings ached from their constant fluttering.

Harumi unhooked the tapestries and drapes and gathered them into a pile that Nelson gathered for washing. Down below Neuro and Tox swept away a century of dirt and dust from the frosty glass floor and out over the balcony. Unfortunately, once the chandeliers, ceilings, and windows were done, more dust caked the floor in dark clumps. Echo gazed over their progress from the chandeliers and groaned. After hours of cleaning the ballroom still needed a lot of work, but he was determined.

The first layer of dust and the cobwebs had been cleared from the windows and chandeliers, they just had to clean the rest of the place.

But with some of the staff still doing the regular chores and Shade still deciding what to make and gathering ingredients, they had little help. There was no point in asking Griffin. The second Echo told him about the ball, he had locked himself in his studio. It was only a matter of time before Harumi joined him. Sensing the poor team morale, Echo cleared his throat loudly, catching everyone's attention.

"Right then! You all know why we're here! We have exactly twelve hours, thirty-six minutes, and fifteen seconds to create the most magical, spontaneous, romantic atmosphere known to man or beast." He chuckled weakly at his little joke, but no one else did, so he got more serious. "Right then, I'm sure that I don't need to remind you all that if the flame goes out of the candle, the spell will never be broken!"

"Lighten up Echo and let nature take its course!" Ronin called out and the others all made sounds of agreement.

"It's obvious there's a spark between them." Nelson giggled.

"Yeah but there's no harm in fanning the flames a little; if we pull this off, and Kai is the key, we could all finally be human again!" Tox cheered with starry eyes.

"Let's not get too ahead of ourselves, Tox," Neuro chided gently.

"I don't think she's that far off," Harumi answered. "I mean it's obvious there's something going on between those two, and, think about it; have any of you actually thought of what it would be like to be human again? Finally human after all this time?" She asked and everyone in the room suddenly paused. They had thought of that. They still remembered the earlier days of their cursed existences when they could only take the form of the monsters they were cursed too.

How difficult it had been to change between their physical and spectral forms.

How tricky it had been to muster enough energy to maintain a physical body in their human appearances, but even then they only lasted a short time. Shade couldn't even leave the kitchen without the risk of fading away forever. He may not say it, but everyone knew it hurt the chef more than anyone. Over the last one hundred years, they had feared, hated, despised, and relished in their new existences. They eventually started doing what they had always done and lived their lives to the fullest and trying to make each day a little better than the last.

Even with the dark curse looming over their heads, they had had time to prepare for it.

To accept it. To come to terms with it whether the curse was broken or not. But when Cole had fallen into despair and nothing the staff could do could change his moods or bring him out of the dark, lonely existence he had accepted for himself, they too seemed chained to their fate by despair. But the past four to five months had changed all that. Kai's presence in the castle had given them a spark of hope and they were no longer afraid to continue to live their lives again.

This time they prepared for two outcomes.

Their end which if that was the case they would go to with no regrets knowing they were loyal to Cole to the end and knowing they lived their lives to the best of their ability. The other one was where the spell is broken and they become human and their lives began all over again. Even though all of them were hoping for the latter, it was still terrifying regardless. The thought of being human again. Of the possibility of a new life and the chance to either remain in the castle that had always been their home or to start over in a new one.

Either one promised its own laughs and tears, its own joys and heartaches, but wasn't that what freedom was?

Wasn't that what being human truly meant?

"I'm not sure what I'd do if I were human again," Tox pondered to herself."I don't really think I'd leave here, I mean, as much as I love to leave the castle for once and see the kingdom again and what's changed in the last century, I don't really think I'd have any other place to go, this is my home after all; I guess, I'd just live like I have been, doing what I love until the day I die, and to be honest, I am getting sick of constantly being so young." She smiled and looked at her hands with a chuckle.

"Oh, I can't wait to start aging again!" Nelson added, immediately.

"I am so sick of looking like a teen! I swear I don't care if I grow old and die, if this is what being young forever is like, then all those children's tales can keep their immortality and eternal youth nonsense," Echo chided, sweeping up a cloud of dust in his anger until a laughing Jay stopped him.

"I second that." Ronin raised his hand. "Honestly, though, I think I'd like to find something else to do, I mean I can't exactly be Cole's servant forever."

"I wouldn't mind," Jay added, pulling himself onto the windowsill to sit. His eyes wandered to Echo who continued to battle the dust in the window. "Though there is one thing I'd like to do if I were human again."

"What's that?" Echo asked curiously since he was the only one close enough to hear the mumble. Jay just smiled.

"I'll tell you later."

"Would you miss your spirit form, Jay? You know like being able to fly and control lightning and stuff?" Tox asked.

"Probably," He laughed. "But it was fun while it lasted, and you can only fly and be covered in fuzz for so long before it gets boring."

"Would you miss flying, Pixal?" Neuro asked nervously. "I know you can in your pixie form."

"Well, I think of it as a new experience, like when you jump in a lake for the first time; at the time the experience is amazing and it's a wonderful and fond memory, but if you do it too often, you get bored of it so, I think I will miss flying, but it's not like I won't be able to take the experience with me." She giggled.

"That's a good point!" Nelson added.

"I don't think I'll miss my spirit form," Ronin laughed, leaning against the wall. "My human body is certainly not as short that's for sure, I wonder how Shade will handle not being trapped in the kitchens?"

"I doubt that being bound to the kitchen is much much fun," Harumi replied and turned to Neuro. "What about you?" She asked and he blinked at her response. "It seems we've neglected your opinions on the matter?"

"Well, I think I'd like to be human again."

"Why's that?" Tox asked curiously.

"I know I'm alive and not knowing when I'll die instead of having a clock ticking over my head," He said with a small leer. With that said, they all returned to their respective tasks. If they had any hope of becoming human again, this night needed to get off without a problem. As they all worked and gossiped amongst themselves, Echo was surprised when Jay suddenly dragged him away from his work so they could talk privately. He almost stumbled over his own foot in his attempts to keep up with the faster male.

Again he cursed his youthful form.

He hated that his body had to freeze in time just as he was finally beginning to mature physically.

"Jay! We're almost by the dining hall!" The boy cried as he dug the heels of his boots into the stone of the floor, kicking up the rug as he did so, forcing Jay to stop and turn around, but he didn't release his hold on Echo's hand.

"You said you wanted to tell me something? Well out with it? I don't want to be away from the ballroom for too long."

"We won't be that long," Jay smirked.

"Don't even think about it." Echo growled and blushed.

"Actually, I wasn't, I just want to ask you something very important." Jay laughed. Echo crossed his arms and straightened himself.

"Well?" He asked impatiently. Jay took a breath and stiffened his back.

"Will you do me the honors of being my date for the ball? Not as a friend or as a companion but as mine and no one else's?" He asked with a sweet smile. Echo swore he felt his footing slip like the ground was about to give way beneath him.

"P-P-Pardon?"

"I want us to go to the ball together, where everyone will know we're together if they don't already," Jay replied as his serious eyes betrayed his normally perky expression, but it told Echo he had never been more certain of anything before.

"You really want to take me?" He asked, his voice was shaking, but from what he wasn't sure.

"Of course, I do, I love you, and let's face it we can't hide this forever, and I honestly don't want to." Jay smiled. Before Jay could say anything else, a force like a wrecking ball plowed into his chest with such vigor it knocked the wind from his chest and sent him reeling to the floor.

"Do you even have to ask me?" Echo giggled as he hugged him so tightly, Jay swore he felt one of his ribs crack, but the younger boy didn't notice it in his enthusiasm. Tears of bliss welled in Echo's eyes. "Of course I will Jay!" He exclaimed as he jumped off Jay and grabbed his hand. Jay stumbled forward as his little lover now dragged him back through the castle, impossibly fast for the boy's short stature.

"Now I have to make sure the ballroom is spectacular! I'm going to make this a night no one forgets!" Echo sang the entire trip back to the ballroom, Jay stumbling and laughing behind him...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 30

Chapter 30: The Greenhouse

Kai gazed at the card in his hands, before shifting his neutral eyes back towards his opponents. His four competitors all held their cards close to their faces, leaving only their deceiving eyes visible. Though there was no pot between them, they played with the skill and secrecy as if they were competing for a fortune. Finally, in turns starting with the one to the left of the dealer. Echo, who had never played the game until Kai started teaching him earlier that week.

They threw down their hands.

Jay slammed the cards down, revealing three jacks. Ronin smirked and revealed three queens. Tox threw down five low, mismatched cards, all in diamonds. Kai flashed a bright smirk and elegantly laid out three Kings and two fives. His grin doubled in size as his competitors growled, and he crossed his hands proudly over his chest.

"What have you got, Echo?" Kai asked, triumphantly. The boy fidgeted a bit, nervously looking at his own hand, then everyone else's.

"Well, I think I got two pairs," He said uncertainly and began placing down cards. "One pair and another pair." He told them and just like that, it was like someone flipped a switch. Tox and the three boys gasped, screamed, and dropped their jaws when Echo color-coordinated his cards. He placed the ace of spades next to the ace of clubs in one pile and the aces of hearts and diamonds in a second.

"Awe man!" Ronin threw down his cards and leaned back on his hands. "Echo always wins!"

"Are you sure you've never played poker before?" Kai asked with suspicious eyes and Echo blushed. "Beginner's luck? Or maybe I just had a good teacher?" He guessed as he flashed a guilty smile. Kai melted under the boy's eyes, flashing the same pleading look Lloyd used to get out of trouble. At first glance, it looked purely innocent. However, he had grown up with Lloyd and he knew full well Echo was far more mature than he let others believe.

"Don't try and butter me up, I'm immune to that," Kai smirked as he ruffled Echo's hair.

"Honestly though, I really think it's just luck." Echo laughed

"Let's try a different game," Ronin suggested as he gathered up the cards and started shuffling the cards, performing an impressive bridge.

"No thanks, we've been playing cards all morning." Kai sighed, leaned back against his pillows, and unfurled his crossed legs from their uncomfortable position. As much as Kai loved spending time with his friends, his confinement to this room, even for the sake of his health was driving him to madness. At least when Cole locked him in this room a few months back he could actually walk around and go out on the balcony.

"We could do something else?" Jay suggested sympathetically and Kai gave him a small smile. He knew Jay took his job as the castle entertainer seriously, but at this point, there was little he could do.

"Honestly, Jay, I just can't wait to get the hell out of this bedroom, I feel like I've been stuck in here forever," Kai complained, loudly. As if on cue, the door to Kai's room opened followed by the sound of large, leathery wings.

"Perhaps I can change that?" Cole said as he swaggered inside, slightly irritated Kai wasn't alone but ignored it when he saw the surprise on Kai's face. The young man was propped broadly against his backrest donning only a pair of red pajamas and a thick, fuzzy robe and it was mid-afternoon.

"Are you here to make sure I stay in bed like a good little boy?" Kai teased, sarcastically. Cole snorted and called his bluff.

"Actually, I was going to say that you've been given a clean bill of health and if you wanted to get dressed, but if you insist." He smirked as he turned to leave but Kai was faster and jumped off the bed and grabbed the clothes out of Cole's arms in less than a second, not even acknowledging the flowers.

"Thank you!" Kai said sweetly before disappearing into the bathroom to change.

"He's happy," Ronin laughed and swung his legs over the side of the bed.

"I'll bet, he's been stuck in here for almost two weeks and Winter's almost over." Tox hummed as she slithered off the bed and opened the curtains letting sunlight spill into the room.

"Speaking of that, I want your attention," Cole announced earning all of his servant's attention. "Echo, I've already given Zane an outline, but I'm planning a ball in a few weeks, and I need someone in charge of cleaning up the ballroom and making it spectacular, you up for it?" He smirked with a wink as he put the roses in a nearby vase. Echo looked flabbergasted then ecstatic.

"I'd love to!" He exclaimed, practically bursting from his seat, and grabbed Jay and Tox's hands. "I'll start right away! I make it look prettier than it did on your coronation!" He cheered and jumped with glee, dragging his two helpless captives behind him, his cheers echoing around the hallway. Ronin turned to his master with bewildered eyes.

"Aren't you going to join them? The ball is for the whole castle and it's going to take a lot of preparations." Cole chuckled. Ronin's eyes doubled in size before a wide grin of delight split his face and he bolted off after his friends, laughing giddily.

"Where did everyone go?" A familiar brunette suddenly asked. Cole turned around at the sound of Kai's voice and lost his breath. Griffin's latest outfit for Kai consisted of a long-sleeved shirt and matching pants made of dark crimson satin. Smooth, shiny cloth tightly hugged his arms, legs, and torso but flared at his wrists and ankles. Black lace adored the collar like black wings. The red of his sleeves stuck out at his wrists giving his outfit a flame-like appearance.

"You look ravishing," Cole purred as he licked his lips making Kai blush and grunt in annoyance.

"What's with all the lace?" He asked a bit put off by the feminine decoration. Cole shrugged, though his own clothing consisted of a simple green shirt and pants that bunched at the knees where his scales formed spikes and a simple black frock coat. Cole quickly leaned over, placed an arm behind Kai's shoulders and hooked his other arm under Kai's knees, and yanked him into a bridal carry.

"Cole! What are you doing?" Kai yelped and threw his arms around Cole's neck for support.

"What?" Cole asked in mock innocence. Kai growled and fidgeted fiercely in Cole's grip.

"I hate being carried, you know that! Besides, Echo and Neuro said I was fine, so let me walk on my own!"

"Correction, they said you were allowed to leave so long as you did not over-exert yourself, and you remained indoors."

"But I can still walk!" He complained, punching Cole's chest but became annoyed when Cole didn't even flinch.

"Now, come on, I have something very special I want to share with you." He grinned. Kai said nothing, preferring to crossing his arms and pout, but ceased his fighting.

"Alright, I suppose I can forgive you then, as long as I'm out of my room for the rest of the day."

"I guarantee it," Cole smirked. He held onto Kai when they came to the hallway and leaped onto the banister. Kai clung to him when they suddenly took to the air and screeched when Cole dropped. Cole glided on his wings until he landed on the main level, falling to one knee. Cole's breath suddenly caught in his chest and a pounding pain erupted right where Kai's elbow collided with his ribs. Cole growled at him then smirked wickedly. Before Kai could counter he was suddenly flung into the air and found his chest and chin whacking against Cole's hard, scaled spine, the tail of his coat flopped over his head.

A shiver raked his spine when he felt sharp, cold claws stroke his hips where the hems of his shirt exposed his skin.

"You never learn do you, Kai?" He said and Kai could just picture the smirk on Cole's face. Immediately realizing his position, Kai turned as red as his clothing, and his defenses erupted in a fit of anger and embarrassment.

"COLE!" Kai screamed and thrashed, flailing his limbs and pounding his fists as hard as he could against Cole's back, and pushed himself up so his body was somewhat straight. "Let go! I can tolerate your bridal carry obsession but I'll be damned if I'm carried like this!" He shouted and shrieked as Cole grabbed one of his ankles to keep the thrashing limb from striking him. He couldn't contain himself and burst out laughing at Kai's temper tantrum.

Finally, Cole took pity on him and wrapped his tail around Kai's waist then released his hold.

Kai released a combination of a yelp of surprise and a screech of fear when he was suddenly flipped over and found himself on his feet, Cole's tail securely wrapped around his waist. Cole hadn't stopped laughing.

"Don't get sick again, Kai, you're too amusing," Cole said as he choked out words between laughs. Kai growled like a caged animal. His balled fists, furious eyes, and twisted jaw were marred by his strawberry red face. He wanted to speak but his words turned to embarrassing snarls.

"Now don't be like that, I'm only teasing." Cole smiled and wrapped a wing about Kai's back in apology.

"At least I'm walking now." Kai snorted as he gave a small smile and let Cole led him down a familiar corridor. For a second Kai thought Cole was taking him back to the library. They stopped by the recognizable curved doors, however, he found Cole's attention on another part of the hallway. It was adjacent to the library entrance and opposite the enormous windows lining the hallway. At first glance, it looked like the rest of the wall. Kai could see the faint outline of ivory vines and stone flowers growing from the ground into a curved arch shape.

Cole shoved the doors open with a hard shove.

Light burst from inside and Kai could see that the ceiling was curved like a half-cylinder. It was made entirely of glass, flooding the room with sunlight. He covered his eyes with his arm and let Cole guide him inside. When he looked up, he found himself in the center of another world. His breath caught in this throat when he realized the world was actually a giant greenhouse. He quickly realized that the greenhouse was more than just an inside garden.

A field of grass was contoured by a sundry of hedges and bushes.

A fountain stood in the back right of the greenhouse, always tinkling with the sound of water. The flowers and plants were forming a miniature world of their own, full of mysteries and wonder. They were a delight for butterflies. There were some bird feeders scattered around and the sounds of many different birds echoed around. The hedges and bushes had recently been trimmed. A path of stepping stones curves around each bend in the garden, beckoning people to explore the garden and showing them the best sights at the same time.

Roots slightly disrupted the pristine look as they hungrily search for even more pieces of land to expand to.

The fountain eternally beckoned all visitors, drawing all attention toward it. The flowers and plants were surely a sight to behold, and the hedges and bushes looked fantastic. The focus was just simply on the fountain.

"This is the Queen's Greenhouse, a sacred place only those allowed by the Queen or someone invited by one whom she has personally granted permission may enter; even the staff isn't allowed inside," Cole explained and that hasn't surprised Kai. He could tell the room has been well cared for. None of the plants had lost their brilliance, the flowers hadn't lost their reality, and the little birds hadn't lost their beauty.

"I'm honored that you'd share this with me," Kai spoke graciously. Though the room was only the size of a tall living room, the walls and plants made it seem much smaller and worldly bigger all at once. Its oval shape blended everything without the disruption of corners. Kai was lost in the world the queen created until he felt firm hands grip his shoulders to steady him. In the corner of the room, he found a small stool in front of a shed and a stack of gardening supplies, jars of paint, and bowls of tools.

Next to the shed was a large statue of the couple he recognized from the portrait in Cole's room, lavished in beautiful wedding garbs.

The man held his bride in his arms. The bride held a beautiful bouquet of roses. Kai flinched when he felt Cole's wing wrap around his form. Kai turned to stare at him but Cole's gaze was in an unknown universe, a worldly smile set upon his face.

"I was a child when she first brought me here, I asked her if Dad ever saw it, and she laughed and said the first time she brought him here was to show him the statue she had made, the one of their wedding day." He smiled and Kai's eyes returned to the portrait. Just imagining the sheer joy the king must have felt when his wife showed him the statue their love inspired. "Then she finally told him the real reason why she'd brought him there, she'd wanted to tell him she was pregnant."

Kai's eyes widened, but Cole just smiled in an almost childlike way.

Cole wrapped his arms around the boy's shoulder, and met Kai's eyes with his own, glowing with something that made Kai's heart skip a beat. Kai tried to find his voice but found he could barely breathe. So much had happened, so much had yet to happen but somehow it all seemed less complex when he looked into Cole's eyes. Rationality and emotion warred against one another in a way that made Kai want to scream. For a brief moment, he despaired as to how such a glorious creature could find one such as him so special.

But just as quickly, he crushed those thoughts and relaxed his mind.

The hammering of his heart suddenly sounded quiet and the sudden wash of emotion made his eyes droop and his lips part. It took all of Cole's willpower not to simply kiss his captive senselessly and pin him against the floor. He knew Kai wouldn't stop him if he did, but the last nagging sliver of control had ruthlessly crushed those desires. It was getting harder and harder to control himself around him, but Cole promised himself he would wait.

He wouldn't take that step until they were both certain, but it didn't stop him from wanting to pull the smaller man into his arms.

Kai's half-lidded eyes and the slight parting of his lips made Cole lick his fangs. Fire and desire burned in his veins, sending his every nerve ending ablaze. His claws carefully danced up Kai's clothed arms before firmly taking hold of his tanned shoulders. The young man didn't flinch. Without warning, Cole broke his control and crashed their lips together in a rich, passionate kiss. Kai immediately parted his lips and gripped the collar of Cole's coat and shirt tightly.

He pulled the Dragon Lord closer against him, deepening the desire between them.

A fire burst between them, their limbs and lips moved and explored new territories, claiming whatever they could touch. The scorching touch between them made them both burn for more and more. They mutually broke away, their eyes never leaving the others. Cole's grip on Kai's shoulders tightened and he roughly pulled the teen forward until their foreheads touched.

"You make it so difficult to keep control, my flame." Cole panted each word.

"Then why not break your control?" Kai smirked as his eyes lit up at the challenge. Uncertainty flashed in Cole's eyes.

"You have no idea what you're asking." He warned as one of his hands reached for one of the objects near the gardening supplies. He held a thick metal container clearly in line with Kai's vision. With a simple clench of his wrists, his claws sliced it to ribbons of metal, his muscles crushing them together before Cole dropped to the ground. Kai rolled his eyes.

"That isn't what I meant, and you know it."

"Perhaps not, but the fact remains, I'm still a dragon, Kai." Cole frowned. "I have teeth and claws, scales and a tail and brute strength, if I'm not careful, I could kill you with my brutality."

"No, you wouldn't," Kai said confidently.

"How do you know?" Cole challenged, unconvinced.

"Because I know you," He said firmly, his gentle hands moving to cradle the dragon's face in his hands. "I know for a fact you would never hurt me, you might roar at me, but you've had to dodge a few of my punches too so I guess that makes us even." He winked playfully. Despite himself, Cole couldn't help but laugh.

"Are you sure? I'm not blind, Kai, I see the fear in your eyes." He smiled with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, you're right, I am scared, but not of you; I have taken your true form into consideration, and you can't fault me for finding the idea of losing my virginity to a dragon a bit intimidating, that and I'm not rushing into anything," Kai sighed as he flicked Cole's nose, but his stance assured him he was serious, despite the playful banter. "I mean it, I mean, technically, we haven't even been on a proper date yet." He winked.

"Then perhaps you'd like to?" Cole smirked. Kai blinked, making Cole grin wider. "I was thinking of hosting a ball soon since that ballroom hasn't been used in years and the staff has been dying to use it, so perhaps, having an event where the whole castle may enjoy the evening is the best idea."

"Really?" Kai blinked in surprise. He didn't think Cole was the party type and his only experience was the boring affairs Morro hosted. Then again, if Echo was designing the evening and Jay and Ronin were in charge under Zane's supervision, he had no doubt it would be an enjoyable night. Cole nodded with a smile as he leaned forward, wrapping his free arm possessively around Kai's waist.

"You would do me a grand honor by being my date for the evening?"

"I'd love to!" Kai burst, enthusiastically. Cole was taken aback by the suddenness but laughed at Kai's spryness.

"Are you sure, Kai?" Cole teased, releasing him slightly. "You wouldn't mind attending a romantic affair with someone old enough to be your ancestor? I am, after all, 121 years?"

"Nope, not unless you mind going out in public with an immature teenager who's not yet twenty, would you?" Kai countered, his eyes lighting up at the game.

"Not in the slightest," Cole responded. Neither of them broke eye contact until finally they couldn't contain themselves any longer and they broke into a fit of amusement. Their pearls of laughter could be heard all the way from the ballroom...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Brotherly Advice

Cole had to face it, making out with someone was not the worst thing the staff had caught him doing, but that didn't make him or Kai feel any better. Harumi had already left with little Nelson, trying to salvage the boy's remaining innocence while they still could. Shade groaned, crossing his arms with mock annoyance, completely unaffected by Cole's incensed glare. After he had heard Neuro screaming, he took a risk and abandoned his post in the kitchen.

He was shocked to find Neuro and their friends screaming along with Kai and Cole who were both in an awkward position on the bed.

It didn't take him long to figure out what had happened. Neuro just slouched in his seat and pressed his fingers to his lower temple. Across from them, Cole was growling like a caged beast. Jay, Echo, Tox, and Ronin all looked at the floor or off into space, unable to look anyone in the face without blushing. Kai buried his mortified face in his hands, refusing to even meet the perverse chef's smirk. After the incident, Kai had practically kicked everyone out of his room, grabbed the clothes they had bought him, and locked himself in the bathroom.

Though he could still feel the chill of his recent illness, Kai felt an instant relief being fully clothed.

If he simply been naked when everyone arrived he wouldn't have worried. He would have changed into the clothes just as calmly as he had since the day he arrived. However, being caught with his captor, the very Master of the Castle no less, in such a compromising position that shattered the youth's entire demeanor. Though he might be naïve in matters of seduction, he didn't deny that he had enjoyed his time with Cole before they had been interrupted.

Now Kai just wanted to curl up and hide until he forgot this was over.

Despite the thick sweater, warm overcoat, pants, gloves, and socks, Kai felt naked and exposed in front of everyone's awkward eyes. Unable to take anymore, he stood on wobbly legs and headed back to bed. He almost groaned when he saw everyone was still here. He might hide in the library until everyone forgot about this. He wouldn't delude himself into thinking there was any chance Shade wouldn't tell the whole castle about this if they didn't already know.

Shade interrupted, scooping up the abandoned teapot, poured the dark green liquid into a cup, and shoved it into Kai's hands.

"I fixed this for you and you better drink the whole pot while it's still hot 'cause I'm not bringing you another one." He warned and Kai opened his mouth to protest but after a hard look from Cole and Shade and looks of concern from the boys, he sipped the hot tea. Heat immediately filled his being but he grimaced and stiffened at the strange combination of bitter, mint, and sweetness crafting an unpleasant blend. He gasped after swallowing a large gulp and shuddered.

"What's in this?" He asked, pleadingly. The chef plopped onto the edge of Kai's bed, ignoring the teen's disgruntled scowl.

"Just something that should knock that chill right out of your system, and you better drink all of it, or you'll just break my heart." He shrugged as he refilled Kai's cup with a wink. Kai sank into the pillows and downed the cup quickly. His mouth and throat burned from the hot liquid and he felt heat suddenly flood into his system but the bland taste in his mouth made him feel sick.

"Ugh, this tastes awful."

"Most things that are good for you are awful, like staying in bed and getting plenty of sleep." Cole teased lightly. Kai glared and opened his mouth to protest but was instantly silenced when Cole tilted his chin and kissed his cheek. Kai forgot to breathe. For a moment, he forgot everyone else was there. Cole stepped away and fished the comforter off the floor and draped it over Kai's body that was now propped against the pillows. He then took a thicker fur blanket Harumi had left out from the previous night and added that as well until his flame was safely tucked beneath the warmth.

"I'll be checking on you every so often, so don't even think of getting up." He warned, kissing Kai's forehead and ushered his staff out the door. Neuro smirked and dragged Shade behind him back to the kitchen before he faded. Jay, Tox, Ronin, and Echo were not far behind him. Once gone, Cole handed Kai a second teacup. "Make sure you drink that as well, I don't want you dehydrating either; I'll ask Neuro to fix you something but I have no doubt the whole house will know you're awake by the time I get downstairs." He chuckled.

Monetarily breaking his trance, Kai shook his head and pulled on the neck of his thick sweater suddenly feeling very hot.

"Can I at least open the curtain? Get some light in here? It's too stuffy," He complained; the thick air felt hot and bothersome. Cole pondered for a moment before shaking his head.

"I'll put the fire out, but that's all; your immune system is still too weak, and the last thing I want is you catching pneumonia, too." He said as he got up and opened the fireplace across from Kai's bed. With a flap of his wings, the air blew out the flames. The resulting back wave sent a refreshing wind across Kai's front.

"Thank you." He said but glared at the teacup.

"Glaring at it won't make it go away you know," He chuckled and Kai growled in response.

"I really think this is all too much," He sighed as h looked away with a turn of his nose and set the tea on the nightstand.

"Maybe, but I don't like taking chance with someone I care about." He smiled warmly as he removed himself from the fireplace and swept to his flame's side and kissed his forehead. Before Kai could answer, the prince pulled away and left the room, a small smile on his face and he closed the door. Kai touched the cheek Cole had kissed and hissed at how cold his fingertips felt. A sudden lump in his throat made him cough violently until he grabbed the tea and downed as much of it as he could without coughing.

Maybe the tea wasn't such a bad idea.

Kai grimaced and set the empty cup next to the still steaming teapot. Kai pulled off the thick sweater, leaving himself in just his shirt, and gently tossed it to the end of the bed. Then he settled down beneath the thick covers and lied on his flat stomach. He rubbed his shoulders more out of confusion than cold. That had been the first time Cole had shown him any open displays of affection, let alone in front of his staff. Before, anything they had done together had been in the shelter of the library or Cole's room.

The most open they had gone was probably the dining room or outside, but even then it was only when Cole was positive they were alone.

Kai assumed that was for the sake of the servants. It must have been uncomfortable seeing their Lord partake in such open displays of affection, let alone with another person, no matter how much they encouraged it. A flush of heat darkened Kai's face when memories of that morning flashed before his mind. Embarrassment flooded his being at the memory of being caught. What they were about to do suddenly hit him with the blunt force of a sledgehammer.

He buried his face in his pillow dug one hand beneath the pillows, and another through his sweaty bangs.

Shade's bitter tea was working after all, and the crimson blush of the morning's events only made his body heat up unnaturally fast. He didn't know what he was going to do. The brunette released a muffled moan and collapsed as if sleep would erase all his confusion...

****************

True to his word, Kai had obeyed Cole's orders and reluctantly remained on bed rest until Neuro and Echo firmly agreed that he was fully recovered, but by the end of the week, the lack of movement and being trapped in his room had driven Kai to the last of his nerves. He would have left the room if he didn't fear the wrath of the gossiping staff. That and he was worried Cole would get upset if he disobeyed him again. Fortunately, despite Cole's insistence that Kai needed as much rest as possible, Kai had had lots of company since the entire castle had been more than ecstatic when Shade flooded the staff with news of his awakening.

That and the buzzing with gossip about what had occurred in his room after Cole had forbidden the chef from speaking a word.

Ultra Violet and Harumi had come to check up on him occasionally while Neuro and Shade would bring him food. Echo would check his health and on more than one occasion Nelson would be with him, making sure Kai ate or drank all of his medicine he had been given, though most of the time he would just talk to him. Kai had been extremely grateful for the conversations since on more than one occasion he swore he would go insane from lying in bed all day.

Thankfully the boy didn't seem to affect by seeing Cole and Kai making out.

When the brunette thought about it, with what that child and everyone also had been through, seeing two people kissing would be the least of their trauma. Nelson was not much older than Lloyd and Kai could cry at the thought of his little brother and sister going through anything like that. Then again, he could cry just thinking about them at all. He hoped that they were settling into their new normal, without him. Perhaps if things keeping going well for him and Cole, Kai might be able to convince the prince to let him visit them from time to time.

But with what happened the last time Cole thought he would leave, Kai didn't think it would be wise to ask.

That didn't mean he didn't miss them every minute of every day since he was imprisoned in this castle. He also missed the boys always barging into his room asking to play games. He didn't blame them for keeping their distances at first, knowing full well he wouldn't be able to look either one of them in the eyes without blushing. Fortunately, however, on an occasion when the staff was currently occupied, they had been charged with keeping Kai entertained as it was Jay's profession.

That didn't mean it was uncomfortable at first.

After a few awkward stares and embarrassing questions, they confirmed that he was fine. The four servants were happy to finally see with their own eyes that Kai was alright. They were so happy that they all sprang onto his bed and hugged him tightly. Kai thought he would burst, but he just laughed and didn't complain. For the rest of the afternoon, they had done nothing but play games. Since then the quartet made it their personal job to see that Kai was kept happy and entertained while he recovered.

During their time together, Kai admitted that he had been scared about doing the deed with Cole.

He did care about Cole, more than he had anyone other than his siblings, but he wasn't ready for that stage of a relationship. Maybe when he was a little older and dated Cole a little longer he would be ready. They would have to see how things played out between them. However, it didn't solve one problem that had been on Kai's mind for well over a week. Cole hadn't come to see him since the morning he had awakened...

****************

Cole sighed happily as he walked down a familiar hallway, a large bouquet of bright, crimson red roses and Griffin's newest lace creation tucked securely under his arm. His razor-sharp claws were extremely careful not to damage the delicate red petals. Once he concluded that the lace was simply for decorative persons and that the tailor was not attempting anything, he had gladly agreed to bring it to Kai. He had felt insanely giddy when Echo had come back from his daily check-up on Kai.

He confirmed that Kai was finally healthy enough to be up and about but that it was still best he remain indoors and continue to dress appropriately for the Winter to be safe.

Griffin, in his excitement, presented Cole with a new outfit he and the girls had been stitching in their spare time while the others kept Kai company. But at the same time, part of him felt extremely nervous. An emotion previously deemed unthinkable for the Dragon Lord. Yet for all his confidence and arrogance, Cole honestly felt like he had rather face an army than carry on down the hallway to his captive's bedroom. But still, he pressed on.

After all, it would be the first time he had seen him since the morning he and Kai almost slept together.

At least he believed that was the modern term for what it was. The memory made him growl in anger and shame at his own stupidity. How could he allow himself to lose control so easily? In this form with its superior strength, sharp claws, rough scales, and powerful muscle structure he could have easily damaged or severely hurt Kai with his brutality. Never mind the fact that Kai had just woken up from a coma and was recovering from freezing death.

Both of which Cole had caused thanks to his own paranoia.

Cole paused for a bit to cover his face, but his sharp claws gently poked his skin causing him to pull back. He glared at it with a mixture of hatred and disgust. He didn't have fingers, just curved claws that furled and unfurled according to his whim. His palms and hand was nothing more than a paw coated in rough scales and soft underpads. His scaled tail twitched almost arrogantly at his side. His disappointed wings hung limply about his back and he exhaled an exasperated sigh.

He had been very grateful Jay and the others had taken the liberty to keep him informed on Kai's reaction and feelings about what happened between them.

He knew he shouldn't have been surprised by them though. Kai was roughly the same age he was when he had first become interested in physical intimacy. Over the years, curiosity and loneliness had compelled the young king to seek relationships that branched beyond emotional commitments. It didn't surprise him Kai had the same urges. But Cole had to keep reminding himself that Kai was still young, compared to him. He was young enough to be his grandson, even if Cole's personality hadn't evolved much beyond his twenty-one years.

It didn't surprise him that giving himself to someone probably still scared Kai.

Again, he was grateful the others had taken upon themselves to keep Kai company and trusted him with the information they had received. Cole wasn't naïve. He knew even without his dragon form he was an intimidating figure. With it, it only made things more difficult. He knew even if his and Kai's relationship had been healthy and prosperous, and built on their mutual affection and trust in one another rather than the lust for physical contact, the desire was still there.

The emotional attachment only made the need much stronger, and that much more terrifying.

But it didn't change the fact that Kai was still human and he was a dragon and the physical difference created another problem. Cole wasn't about to deny that he wanted Kai, but he had known for a while it was much deeper than lust. He wanted Kai in a way he had never wanted anyone or anything else. Want couldn't even begin to describe what he had felt. Need didn't sound right either. He wanted Kai in mind, body, and soul, but at the same time, he had also wanted Kai to want him in the same way.

Just being near Kai was enough to heighten all of Cole's senses.

Kai's smiles and laughs and clever wit were enough to make him smile, even laugh for the first time in decades. Kai's fiery spirit and temper both challenged and delighted him at every turn, but Kai's kindness and gentle, fun-loving nature never ceased to amaze him, and though his hot-headedness and obstinacy annoyed him to the bitter end, there was simply nothing to dislike about his flame. The fact that Kai was by far the most beautiful person he had ever met.

He possessed gorgeous amber eyes that left him breathless with every gaze was only a bonus.

His flawlessly tanned skin looked like it had been carved by the very sun and glowed in the right light. Kai truly was a gem, and in the past, Cole's arrogant self would have said such a gem should only be his, but now he wondered if he even deserved the right to call Kai his. Not when he had taken so much from him. Not when there was so much he couldn't give him, even if Kai willingly gave him everything. Kai deserved so much more than what Cole could give him.

He deserved everything.

He deserved to live his life as free as a bird. He should be surrounded by everyone that cared about him. To be loved by someone who could love him more than anything else until the end of time. Not a prisoner to the man who tore him away from everything in hopes of using him to break the curse still looming over his head. Even if Kai did return Cole's feelings it wouldn't change anything. Cole swore that come spring the cruel mistress known as fate would return to reap his soul.

Kai deserved better than that.

"Are those for Kai?" A familiar voice suddenly asked and Cole was immediately taken out of his depressing thoughts by the innocent question, but the tone held ulterior motives. Cole stopped and followed the voice of his Steward. Zane leaned against a pillar with his arms crossed over his chest. Instead of his stoic expression, he sported a sharp, proud smile and confidence, almost arrogant eyes. Cole matched the steward's smirk with one of his own.

"As a matter of fact, yes they are, I thought he'd enjoy them, and Griffin was just begging me to let him try them on," Cole said with a confident flare and continued his quest. Zane didn't answer. Instead, he waited. When Cole walked past him he finally replied.

"He's pretty spoiled for a prisoner." He said, causing Cole to stop in his tracks, and whirled around.

"I beg your pardon," He spoke dangerously low. Zane's expression faded in an instant. His neutral mask returned.

"I'm only stating a fact."

"You dare jest about this?!" Cole accused, exasperated.

"I never jest." Zane cut him off and turned around to meet Cole's dangerous eyes with his own grave icy ones. "Think about it Cole, even though no one would dare even think of him as such, and he possesses an extraordinary amount of freedom, he is technically still your prisoner." He explained. Cole wanted to scream, protest, yell, and scold and dismiss his steward in a way that would ensure he never dared to disrespect him again.

Instead, he was silenced by his own anger.

Not at his steward, but at himself. There was no denying the truth in the man's words. He had just confirmed it not moments before. But hearing it from someone else, having that fact that the boy he dared call his own was, in reality, his captive, sent him into such a state of anger and remorse he couldn't speak. His body could only shake in fury. Zane said nothing to that but waited patiently for his Master to regain control of the emotion raging within him.

He watched Cole's trembling paw move to cover his face and run a hand grip his raven locks.

He watched Cole exhale and his posture become that of a man graciously accepting defeat.

"What would you have me do then, Zane? Though I am bitter to admit it, you're correct, Kai is still my prisoner, so how do you suppose I go about fixing it?" He asked.

"I thought that would be obvious; how else? Set him free." Zane chuckled. The words hit Cole like a hurricane knocking him off his feet. Each word dropped like a stone in a well. He had to set Kai free? Send him back to where he came from, away from his side, possibly forever? The thought clutched at his heart like a deathly cold hand squeezing the breath from his body, filling him with a viperous terror he couldn't see.

"How can you even suggest that? You were the one who suggested he might be my key and now you're telling me to send him away" Cole asked, his words were all breath. Zane raised an eyebrow, unaffected by the prince's outburst.

"You misunderstand, I said you should set him free not send him away."

"There's a difference?" Cole hissed.

"Let me finish; first, you should set him free, assure him that he is no longer a prisoner, then ask him to stay with you." He asked but Cole was dumbfounded. "Ask him to stay, not as a prisoner, or captive, or hostage or guest or even as the key; simply because you want him to stay with you, not out of any obligation, but out of his own free will," Zane answered his master's unasked question, his confident smirk more evident.

"You think I should ask him to remain with me, purely because I don't ever want to be parted from him?" Cole asked, bewildered.

"Don't you?"

"More than anything."

"I'm glad." Zane smiled as he removed himself from the pillar and leaned forward against the banister of the hallway. "Everyone in this castle cares for you Cole, we more than just respect you as our Master, we all want you to be happy and Kai makes you happy, and I have little doubt that he's the one for you; all you have to do is accept it and we'll accept you," Zane spoke with the purest of loyalty. Cole nodded, grateful for his Steward's words.

"And what of you, Zane?" He asked, his turn to flash the smirk of a cat with all the cream. Zane's eyes narrowed.

"I don't know what you're talking about," He replied, but in his voice, it was a lie.

"Come now, Zane, I know you're not naïve, nor are you oblivious, I severely doubt you haven't noticed your own brother's intrigue?" He smirked but Zane said nothing, choosing to close his eyes. His face was a cross between a pout of annoyance and a scowl of defeat. "How long have you known?" Cole asked, crossing his arms.

"I've known before he did." He answered, knowing it didn't exactly answer the question. A chuckle escaped him. "Back when they were too young to know what it was they were feeling; ironic how romantic feelings are obvious to everyone but those experiencing them."

"Perhaps, but perhaps that's the nature of love, it doesn't see with the eyes," Cole smirked as he leaned against the banister, next to Zane.

"That's true." Zane agreed though he sounded reluctant. Cole gave him a sympathetic smile.

"You do know no one can love him more than Jay does, I think that is more than clear."

"He's the one for Echo," Zane admitted, grudgingly. "I've known that for a while, too."

"You know he's not the child he used to be, Echo, I mean, I remember when he used to be a timid little boy who would follow you everywhere but was always exceedingly shy around you; I always thought that was because you acted more of a father to him than a brother, but not everyone has chosen to remain stoic this last century as I have, some of us have used this time to mature, evolve, and become stronger," Cole explained.

"Yes, Echo doesn't need a father anymore, he needs a brother and not one to take care of him, he has Jay for that, and he's mature enough now to know exactly what that means and what it entitles and to be completely honest," Zane spoke like he was irritated but there was legitimate respect and pride in his voice. "I truly do believe Jay is the one for him, and that just annoys me even more!" He growled as he gripped the banister. Cole couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh come now, Zane, you knew Echo would grow up eventually? That's no reason to treat Jay like he's trying to take Echo away from you."

"He is!" Zane snapped, before regaining his composure. "In a matter of speaking." He sighed and Cole laughed again.

"It's no wonder they've found it impossible to tell you?" He asked with another light laugh and Zane snorted.

"I really do hate being right sometimes." He huffed as he regained his composure and lifted himself to meet the prince. "So, will you be taking my advice then?" He asked and Cole remained still. His face neutral and his eyes betraying no emotion.

"I'm not sure." He replied and it was Zane's turn to smile.

"Do you doubt he will say yes?" He asked, catching Cole off guard. He pondered them for a moment, then turned on his heels and continued towards Kai's room.

"I appreciate your assistance, Zane." He called over his shoulder.

"That is my profession." The Steward nodded as he watched Cole disappear down the hall. A moment later, Cole found himself strolling down a familiar hallway. Zane's words continued to run around in his head. He smiled when he found himself outside Kai and room and shifted his clothed burden to open the door. He already knew Kai's answer...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 28

Chapter 28: The Letter

Blood smeared the knuckles when they made contact with the thick wood of the thickest tree trunk. The Sorcerer hissed and hollered as he banged his hands furiously against the tree. His entire body shook with rage at the evidence his newest spy brought him. He waited too long. He pulled himself away from the free and covered his face with his hand. Now it was only a matter of time before Kai gave into Cole's seduction. He banged the tree again, then composed himself and pulled the hood of his cloak over his raven hair.

He watched the cut of his hand swell and bubble until perfectly healed skin was revealed.

He waited too long. The second he suspected the teen had Occulti blood he should have acted! His growl morphed into a roar.

"Damn to the depths of my lust and pride!" He bellowed. He had known he had taken a heavy gamble when he decided to change his strategy, but it was too difficult to resist such a tempting specimen, especially since if his seduction proved a success it would devastate the Dragon Lord more than a thousand of the most vicious monsters. Now, his miscalculation had caused him a major setback. It was worse when it became clear exactly who this mysterious specimen was.

It had been easy to ignore the first instance as merely a single occurrence.

It wasn't uncommon for humans to discover untapped abilities in traumatic or near-death situations. Many people held biological connections to magical ancestors. The religions might have changed, but the blood certainly didn't, he himself was proof of that. Still, many lines had become so thinned by mundane human blood any inherited power could only be tapped through stress or shock and usually only once. But the skills used to defeat his monsters and the premonitions were too much to be a coincidence.

That Occulti whore was dead and she continued to be a thorn in his side.

A wicked smile curled across his lips as he approached the road. The raven sat immobile like a statue on his shoulder awaiting instructions. It didn't matter now. She failed then and she will fail now.

"I'm running out of time, and I'll be damned if I let some Occulti whore destroy over one hundred years of patience and hard work!" He thundered and looked to the crow. It shot up and waited for orders. "Watch them, if they do anything together, inform me immediately; I don't have much time to carry out the next stage of my plan." He commanded. The crow bowed its head and flapped away into the night. The Sorcerer's grin widened as he chuckled then burst out laughing when he came to the main road.

He turned around taking one last look at the castle in the distance.

"Enjoy your concubine while it lasts, prince." He smirked recalling the conversations his spies had recorded. Episodes of the life the boy had forsaken to appease the dragon's wishes. Memories of a high-ranking man who fancied him. Of the childhood instances experienced in Ignacia. Of the siblings he had sacrificed himself for, who were no doubt still terrified for their brother's safety. He may have feelings for the dragon, but Kai was like any other human when it came to sacrificing.

As the Sorcerer walked along the forgotten path, he noticed a cold stream still flowing and an evil idea formed in his mind.

He dunked his hands into the freezing liquid and used his magic to create a small ball of water.

"Enough talking, time for some screaming." He cackled as he blew into the bubble turning it into an ice ball. He then shook the ball violently before throwing it into the air. He smirked as it broke apart and a grey, shimmering mist blew through the wind towards the castle. That should buy him some time...

****************

Nya hollered and roared in rage as she slamming the door to her house shut. It screamed in protest as it suffered the force of his anger. The only thing the village idiots were good for was gossip and apparently, Morro's dismissal of Kai's fate had spread faster than an infectious plague. So much now even other towns were mocking them. No matter where she went to who she begged to help her, she was simply laughed at. One of them even suggested she join her brothers and started to believe in children's stories.

A frustrated hand ripped at Nya's raven bangs.

The only one who seemed remotely worried was the librarian, Dr. Saunders, but he was just one old man. As much as he wanted to, he couldn't go wandering through the dark forest, let alone take on a dragon-hybrid monster. She stormed into the kitchen, her angry steps echoing loudly in the empty room. Nya growled and started grabbing whatever her furious mind thought she would need and stuffed them into a bag she already had set up on the kitchen table.

If no one will help her, she would find that castle and get him back herself.

She stuffed the bag with food, maps, and anything else. She strapped it tight and threw it over her shoulders, donned her thickest coat to keep out the freezing winter air, her cloak, and her heaviest boots. Once she was secure, she turned to the staircase.

"Lloyd, I spoke with Mrs. Grumbmiller, you're gonna stay with her until I get back, is that alright?" She called loudly. Her words echoed through the house, and she braced herself for her younger brother's protests. Instead, she found only silence and she started to panic. She quickly realizing Lloyd hadn't run downstairs when she came inside. He didn't come crying and begging to know if anyone would help them like he had done every time she came home over the last two months.

When their previous attempts had failed.

After two months of trying, Nya and Lloyd returned home only to discover the town was debating what to do with their house and shop now that they were gone. It was only because of Nya's fury that the town would act so irresponsibly. Nya refused to leave their home unattended. Despite Lloyd's protest, Nya left him behind to protect the shop under Mrs. Grumbmiller's care during the lonely nights. Panic started to rush through Nya's entire being.

She bolted from the stairs, checking each room on the ground floor, painstakingly for her younger brother.

When her search failed she thundered up the old steps. Her eyes scanned every room, meticulously for any sign of the young boy. Nya's eyes widened when she entered her own room. Lloyd had been known to sleep there some nights when his worry became too much. Again she found it all empty, even missing a few things. The realization made her sick as she bolted upstairs, heading straight towards Lloyd's bedroom. She panicked and threw the door open but her heart sank into her stomach.

The room was empty, but dressers were left open, empty of clothes.

Her thick winter cloak was missing from the hanger as well as Lloyd's thickest pair of boots. The only evidence that the boy had been there at all was a note left on the bed. She grabbed it with haste and read it as fast as she could. Her eyes bulged with horror and fear as she read over each word, filled with tears.

Nya,

If you're reading this then I'm already gone. I'm sorry I didn't wait until you came back but no one is going to help us, I know that now. I can't leave our big brother to suffer in that horrible place. He's only there to protect me, so I've decided I'm going to go back to that castle, and no matter what I must do I will free our big brother. No matter what. I've already taken more than enough remedy so I won't choke, so don't worry about me.

Please don't come after me, Nya.

I know you and what you're planning. You'll try and switch places with Kai and I can't let that happen. That dumb duke is right about one thing, you two have sacrificed everything for me, now it's my turn to help you.

I love you, Ny-Ny.

Nya screamed and cursed, crushing the little note in her hand, cursing her baby brother's foolishness. Her hands clenched the window as she looked outside. Though Winter was fading quickly, new frost still encased the ground. Winter was still dangerous and it was the most hazardous time of year for someone with Lloyd's condition. She could also swear that those dark clouds rolling in were the signs of an incoming blizzard. A bad one at that.

Snow was already falling and getting heavier with every passing second.

She screeched as she tied on her boots and hopped down the hall, before finally falling over and stormed out the front door. If Lloyd died, she was going to murder him. As soon as she was ready, Nya bolted down the street and towards the woods for any sign of Lloyd as she vanished into the night. She was in such as rush that she didn't notice or hearing the hammer of footsteps approaching the now-empty home. The snow-covered any evidence of her footprints within seconds, masking her trail in the process.

Seconds after Nya left, Morro and Bansha arrived with Noble's collection wagon.

"Nya! Lloyd! Kai!" Morro hollered as he shoved the door to the dark house open, not even bothering with chivalry as Bansha stepped inside behind him. As soon as they entered, they saw that the house was vacant of light and life. The lamps had burnt out, the doors were locked, and no sound echoed through the rooms.

"Where are they? I thought Nya would be back by now!" The duke screeched like an angry owl.

"They're not here, Morro." She quirked, not wishing to be on the wrong side of the Duke's anger.

"This is ridiculous! How long do they plan on being gone? It's been four months!" He bellowed throughout the house. He hissed in a furious rage when no one answered him.

"Morro, you don't think... maybe..." Bansha trailed off nervously. She nervously rubbed her arms and flinched and looked at the floor when Morro's heated glare turned to her.

"If you are going to say what I think you're going to say, I don't want to hear it! There is no such thing as dragons or castles or any of this nonsense! It was a lie! A trick of their little minds!"

"But Morro, think of it!" She protested. "Kai's been gone for almost four months, and ever since his disappearance Nya has been going around town and asking anyone to help her, and Lloyd's been doing the same thing, swearing on their lives that he's been kidnapped and taken hostage by this dragon; they've even gone so far as to seek help from other towns! Why would they keep this story of a 'dragon' kidnapping Kai going if it wasn't true? What if Kai really was kidnapped?"

Morro glared at the girl and opened his mouth to protest but found he could not.

Instead, he stormed back through the door scowling.

"Alright, say this 'dragon' does exist and their story is true? Why would Kai stay with such a monstrosity?" He chuckled darkly.

"Well as you said, Morro, he would do anything to protect his family correct? Maybe, he was forced?" She suggested.

"Excuse me, duke." A smooth voice interrupted Morro as he was about to scream again. The two of them turned around and saw a tall man dressed in vibrant red and purple colors that made him glow in the darkness of the storm approached them. His hood shadowed his face and eyes and only pale streaks of black hair were visible.

"Forgive my forward intrusion, but I'm afraid I couldn't help but overhearing your plight, the plight of your town, and I think I may know what has befallen this unfortunate family." He said with the best fake saddest look he could muster. The pair exchanged equal bewildered glances until Morro's gaze hardened and he returned his glare to the man.

"And who are you?"

"My name of no importance to one of such caliber as yourself, sir." He bowed respectfully. Morro soaked the flattery up like a sponge, but Bansha shivered, catching the sinister smile crossing the man's face.

"Know only that I wish to aid you, I have traveled much in my lifetime, seeking wisdom and the destruction of injustice; if this creature is who I fear we must act quickly or I fear this boy, your fiancé's fate, may already be sealed."

"What are you talking about? What will happen to my Kai?" Morro demanded.

"My entire life, my lady, has been devoted to the destruction of a terrible beast who is responsible for the downfall of my ancestors." The man began. "A hundred years ago they ruled these lands until they were brutally betrayed by this creature, as punishment he was cursed to become a dragon and since then I have hunted him down in hopes of avenging my family's senseless destruction and it seems I have finally found him." He spoke with the passion of a tragic hero but remained focused on their reactions.

He could see they were both skeptical but there was fear evident in their eyes.

Fear that he knew was the perfect fuel for creating an angry mob or a rebellion or an army to obey one's will if it would promise the return of their safety.

"What does your personal crusade have to do with my fiancé?" Morro demanded again as Bansha's hands found his arm and squeezed it tightly, shivering at the frightening presence the man radiated.

"As I said, sir, the dragon is a monster." He spat. "He seeks an end to his curse, and unfortunately, that freedom includes the seduction of a beautiful and talented mortal, and apparently he's settled for this boy you've fallen for, so just you watch; he will descend his destruction on the entire town if given the chance!" The man spoke, emphasizing the destruction of the town and the word seduction.

"No!" Morro screamed and thrashed in fury and rage. "Kill him! Destroy him! Slice off his head!"

"Calm yourself, my lord." The stranger soothed in a sophisticated voice that commanded obedience. "There is still time to save the boy and his family, but I need your help, yours and this town's if you are willing to help me?" He asked as his eyes were soft and his voice pleading. "My only request is that you let me kill the monster, all I ask is to avenge my family, your land shall be yours once more and whatever riches are in the castle, I'm wealthy enough that I do not need such trivial things, all I seek is to avenge my family."

"Of course," Morro announced, throwing his cloak over his shoulder and howling in his delight. "We must get to the town hall immediately! Bansha, go and gather my council, tell them to rally the people, we have to rescue my fiancé!" He ordered, leaving no room for argument. Bansha shivered and nodded mutely, before rushing down the street desperate to get away from the man.

"By the way, who should I say you are when I explain you to the city?" The duke turned to the man as he hauled after his maid. He was shocked, however, to find the man had vanished into thin air. The only difference to before was the thundering of the incoming snowstorm clouds...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 27

Chapter 27: The Awakening

Cole woke up groggily, unsure if he had even slept at all. The previous night had been rougher than he thought. He froze when he felt an abrupt shift from the body next to him. The brush of bare skin made him groan until he shifted his position to get a good look at the condition of his sleeping partner. Kai was still unconscious, but his eyes weren't shut as tightly. His breathing wasn't as raspy and heavy as it had been the previous night. A small smile graced his lips in between breathing, but the flush of fever still danced across his face.

Carefully, Cole leaned over and pressed his lips to Kai's forehead while the back of his claws ran down the boy's chest and stomach.

He frowned slightly at the warmth of his forehead but smiled when the frosty touch of the boy's skin had faded back to its core temperature. Cole expelled a breath of relief and fished around for a robe or something to quickly throw on. He refused to embarrass his staff when Neuro or someone else returned to check on Kai's health. He found a large, black robe with two slits in the back sitting on the dresser with a note from Harumi. He donned it, making a mental note to thank the seamstress later, and lied down on the bed pulling Kai's shivering form closer to him.

He didn't have long to wait before Neuro and a satyr named Bolobo arrived.

Without a word, Cole let his precious flame go and let them work.

"His core temperature is back up, but it's too early to relax just yet," Bolobo explained feeling Kai's forehead, his chest, and torso and moving outwards his arms and legs. "My prime concern is that fever." He added as her hard brown eyes fell on the heavy red staining Kai's face when he rolled the boy onto his back.

"Is there anything you can give him?" Cole asked the satyr, crossing his arms tightly, his wings twitched with nervous impatience. Neuro looked from Kai to his basket and bit his lip.

"It's too dangerous to give him something while he's unconscious, but I might be able to make something external to reduce the fever." He replied as he dug through his basket and pulled out a corked bottle of pale pinkish-yellow fluid. He carefully uncorked the bottle, filling the room with a thick, woody odor. He set the basket on the floor, poured a few drops on his palm and fingers. He pulled the blankets down with his free hand flinching when Kai started to shiver again and gently rubbed the oil over Kai's chest in smooth circles.

The teen started to inhale deeply then started to calm down.

Neuro repeated the process once more when Kai's skin absorbed the oil, then wiped his hand on a washcloth and recorked the bottle.

"Any more is too risky," He answered before Cole could ask. "Bolobo and Shade will brew up a tonic for when he wakes up, but for now I think it's best to keep him warm and keep getting his body temperature up, he still has the chill in him."

"How long?" Cole asked with grave eyes. Bolobo and Neuro exchanged soulful glances then sighed.

"I'd give him another day or two, but if the hypothermia isn't out of him by then, then there isn't much else we can do," Bolobo replied. Cole nodded and bowed his head back to his slumbering captive. The two left without another word, leaving the two men alone. Kai's breathing was still a bit heavy and his face still flushed but the chill of hypothermia made itself clear each time he shivered. Worry clouded his eyes. Kai had been fine before so why was he shivering now?

Obviousness smacked him in the head like a blunt object.

Kai had his warmth then, being away from it for so long had caused him to relapse. Cole growled and without a second thought began removing his robe. He slid back under the thick blankets and began piling them over Kai's bare arms and shoulders. His wings wrapped around the teen and he pulled Kai closer. He gently rubbed his back in hopes of soothing him. The paste Neuro had used left a sharp, pungent stench in Cole's nostrils, but the aroma seemed to calm Kai a little.

A deeper sigh left Cole when Kai's shivering started to lessen and finally stop.

He smiled graciously when he felt Kai snuggle deeper into his warmth and felt him smile against his skin. He placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. Still too warm, but at least his body wasn't as cold. Shifting closer to the body, he gently stroked Kai's cheek taking in the sweet smile and the faint rosy color in his cheeks. His claws tenderly brushed over the soft, warm lips and traced the sloping curves of Kai's cheekbone. He jumped suddenly when he felt Kai burrow deeper into his warmth.

He couldn't help but chuckle.

Kai was the last person he would expect to be a cuddly person, but Cole wasn't one to complain. He gently brushed the spikey brown hair with his claws, smiling as the silk strands wove around his claws. His tail carefully moved under the blankets and coiled over Kai's hip and side like a snake. Anything to draw life back into Kai's body. For the first time in his life, he was grateful for this dragon body. The cursed form he had always hated was now the prime thing keeping Kai alive.

Even now he could feel his body heating up to combat the cold it felt when Kai pressed against it, and he held him tighter to force the warmth back to its source.

Never before did Cole not feel like a monster. Despite his staff's encouragement and Kai all but forcing him to see the truth, a small sliver of doubt kept a leech-like grip on his heart. The reminder that no matter how much Kai cared for him, Cole could never have such a precious gem in his arms as his own. The fact that he was, physically, still a monster was more than enough to shatter the fragile hope he had been building. Never did he consider himself more than what he was.

A man imprisoned in the form of a dragon.

Neither one nor the other but something dismal in between. He never dared to see the beauty of his form. He never thought to experience the gift of flying blessed upon a winged creature. Or realize the effortlessness it took to save another's life or the possibility that his form could do more than hurt, let alone give life. Yet somehow, Kai did. He never looked at Cole with fear or disgust. It was strange, to say the least. Even stranger to daring to hope that the emotions stirring within him were more than simple care.

That maybe, just maybe, the walls be built around himself had faded without his knowledge and that he had begun to do the one thing he knew was impossible, fall in love.

How or why or even when it happened no longer mattered. Cole had found the one person in the world who could understand him. He was sure of that now. However, the danger still remained. Even now, in Cole's arms, Kai was far from safe. Even if his flame woke up, did he admit his feelings? What if these emotions were simply concern or gratification? Would they vanish once Kai regained his health? No, he couldn't take such a risk. Not unless he was positive of himself as well as his heart.

Kai deserved that, at least.

That way, even if Kai didn't feel the same, Cole could die knowing he had found the one thing he desired most. Again, he kissed Kai's forehead and settled back into the comforting embrace of his presence, memorizing as much of the peaceful moment as he could, and believing, for once, that it would last...

****************

Kai hummed as he dreamed of his sanctuary. He found himself lying in a field of sparkling roses, glowing like jewels against the thick, lush, comfy grass. Above him, he could make out the castle. It shimmered against the clear sky as the stained glass windows sparkled like jewels. In the field, he could see Jay chasing Echo across the field with Nelson not too far behind, under the watchful eye of Zane. Ronin and Tox leaned against Bolobo under the shade of a tree.

Shade and Neuro sat on a picnic blanket making daisy chains.

On another blanket, Harumi laid with her head on her wife's lap while Ultra Violet twirled her bangs around her fingers, and Griffin laughed. Kai watched from the hillside, where he lied back against the roses. Except that he wasn't alone this time. Kai wove his fingers with his dream lover's claws, feeling a cool tingle running through them. For a moment they just lied there among the roses, their hands intertwined. Their heads turned and bright amber eyes met brilliant green.

Kai didn't need to see to know who his savior was.

His dream lover. His Dragon Lord. How could he have missed it before? It all made such perfect sense in retrospect. But none of that mattered. All that mattered was what was happening now.

"Come to me, my Flame..." He purred and Kai's eyes widened when his lover began to sing the words of his mother's lullaby in a deep soothing chime. Kai had almost forgotten about it. Even though he had sung the words himself for Lloyd and sometimes Nya when she got too stressed, they sounded so familiar, yet so different. Kai rolled onto his side met his lover's warm eyes with a smile and answered.

"I'm already here, exactly where I want to be." He smiled as he leaned closer so he and his Dragon Lord were only a few inches apart. He hummed when the Dragon Lord began stroking his hair. His eyes fluttered closed, soothed by the tender touch and the crystal chimes in the air. Words filled his mind as the music hummed in his ears.

"Come to me, my Flame..." The dragon repeated. Kai chuckled to himself and leaned a bit closer into his lover's embrace so his head was resting on his folded hands. He heard a low rush of wind then felt cool shade wrap over him.

"I told you, I'm already here." He sighed and his Dragon Lord chuckled, lightly.

"That wasn't what I meant." He spoke in a rich voice with a sultry rasp. Then he began to sing again. Kai could hear him move, and when he opened his eyes, he found his Dragon Lord leaning over him. Kai blinked in surprise and couldn't help but flush at the fact he was sprawled out beneath the Dragon Lord, but his savior just gave him a small smile and whispered.

"Will you be my key, Kai? Will you set me free?" he asked softly. At first, he couldn't answer. The concept sounded foreign but familiar all at once. When he did remember he mentally slapped himself for forgetting. The key to breaking the Dragon Lord's curse. The key to freeing his lover and all the people been nothing but kind to him. Kai smiled at the prince, no doubt or hesitation cloud his voice.

"Yes, Cole, I want to be your key." He promised as he leaned up to meet his lover's lips. Outside his dream world, Kai smiled in his sleep. But his lover didn't kiss him back. Instead, he turned his head, as if startled by a strange noise. Kai blinked and looked at his companion bewildered, even more so when his companion stood up hastily. His eyes focused on something foreign in the distance. Before Kai could ask what was wrong his savior broke into a run.

"Wait! Come back!" Kai called and chased after him, determined not to lose him. The hillside vanished and before he knew it he was chasing the Dragon Lord through a field covered in long grass and speckled in flowers that curled and blackened as they died. He wasn't sure how long they continued to run, but Kai refused to let the distance between them increase. Finally, his Dragon Lord leaped off the hill and vanished behind it. Kai could see his wings and head peeking over the greenery.

The Dragon Lord had stopped in a small clearing, his back still towards Kai, but his wings had fallen limp behind him.

Kai felt a surge of relief when he made it to the hillside and made to call to Cole, but the words were quickly replaced by a scream. At the base of the small hill lied the corpses of all the members of the castle. Red splotched their bodies and their glassy eyes were all frozen open. Thorny rose vines with withered, blackened blooms contorted around their spread arms and bodies. The corpses of roses and vines littered the area like thorny green skeletons speckled with blood shining like scattered rubies against the black ground.

In the center, where the ring of thorns and dead roses died was a circle of scorched earth, vacant of vegetation.

It was as if life knew better than to dare accumulate in that circle. That was where he found his Dragon Lord shaking and collapsed to his knees as if every movement hurt him. His beautiful wings, reduced to tattered strips of bleached leather, his clothes ripped to shreds and blood speckling the visible skin and scales. He turned to Kai with sad, pleading eyes, as if begging him for help. He was either forbidden to speak or didn't have the strength to.

It was then he heard a laugh like ice cracking on a frozen lake.

Kai's blood froze in his veins. He knew that laugh he followed the crackling sound to the man standing in front of his weakened lover.

"Get away from him!" Kai yelled, entering the clearing. There, he saw the same wine and amethyst-colored clothing and soulless eyes of the man who tried to kill him. Rage boiled in his blood as he suddenly recognized who he was. "You're behind all this!" Kai screamed in fury. The man said nothing. He just smiled a curled, mocking smile that set Kai's blood ablaze. His natural protective instincts and anger took over. Sparks crackled to life in his hands forming flames around his fists.

"Ah, so you've discovered your power, too bad it won't do you any good," He mocked the teenager and Kai saw red.

"I said get away from him!" He screamed throwing his hands forward, palms open and bright hot flames burst from his hands, roaring at their victim. But the man didn't flinch. His smile never faltered. Then he threw back his cape and raised a hand, sending a blast of purple fire back at Kai. The flames collided and he blocked the attack with ease. Kai's eyes bulged out of his skull and the man just laughed. When he brought his hand down again the flames and sparks retracted, forming a giant spell that bounced back towards its source.

Kai barely had time to scream before he was thrown backward with such force he skidded against the ground.

He coughed and groaned, aching from the force of his own attack.

"You can't save them!" The man's voice echoed dramatically around from everywhere. Kai shot up and turned to the closest corpse. Echo was lying only a few inches from Jay with their fingers just shy of touching. He got to his feet and crawled over to the boy's body and gently reached to touch it. He retracted his hand when Cole screamed, falling over and clawing at the ground until his wails transformed into a dragon's cry of agony. Lights clustered together above the victims spiraling into single orbs then blazed through the air all spiraling towards a single center.

Above the screaming and writhing Dragon Lord.

His limbs and back contorted. His spine cracked and the scales of his arms, legs, and back began to spread until they covered his entire form. He was no longer a man, but a dragon. Kai rushed to him, but streaming lights stopped him. The Sorcerer crackled like a madman, his laughter increased in volume as all of the lights came together in his hand. Around him Kai could see the ghost of each victim kneeling over their own corpses, weeping bitterly.

Some of them shrieked from despair, others just looked at him with dead, glassy eyes vacant of all emotion.

"I told you, boy, you can't save them," The Sorcerer chided, mockingly. When the lights died away it revealed the object in his hand. A crimson red wax candle with a bright, flickering purple flame. Kai's heart stopped in his chest when he saw it. His eyes fell on the dragon, writing on the ground. He groaned as he moved until their eyes met. The Dragon Lord's eyes were the only thing that was still human. They pleaded for him to run and save himself.

"He'll never be yours, you know." The Sorcerer said as he walked towards him. Kai took a shaky step away from him suddenly overcome by a nameless fear. The Sorcerer's smirk widened as he stepped closer, his intent naked in his eyes. Kai took another step back and stumbled over his own feet and landed on his butt but he continued to back away from the man. The Sorcerer laughed at his efforts and leaned closer so his eyes burned straight into Kai's.

"Even if you give him your mind and body and soul, he can give you his heart, he can give you his body." He smirked as he gestured with his arm to the ring of corpses, his grip on the candle dangerously tight. "But his soul and theirs belong to me!" He roared and suddenly crushed the candle in his hand...

****************

Electric fear shocked his heart and mind to life and Kai shot up panting. Only when he confirmed he was back in his room, and that the contents of his subconscious experience hadn't actually happened did he calm down. He concluded that it was a dream, running a nervous hand through his damp bangs. Or was it a disturbing premonition? He prayed it was the former and not the latter. Just the thought of it coming true sent a shiver of horror through his spine.

However, when he shivered again, he realized it was from cold.

His hands immediately flew to his shoulders and began rubbing his chest, hoping to bring warmth back to his form. He felt nothing between himself and the blankets confirming his suspicions that he was naked. A jolt of alert brought his senses into focus when he felt something wrapped around his torso and a leathery texture pressed against his back and sides. He had never been modest, but the sudden lover-like embrace sent a blush of embarrassment and fear surging through him.

He couldn't remember how he had to be gotten there.

He knew he had been sick, he still felt the weakness in his limbs and his weary body was abnormally pale. Unfortunately, his last clear memory was falling through the ice when he had been skating with the others, the rest were hazy recollections. He heard a light purring next to him, reminding him that he wasn't alone in the bed. Fear of what he might have done compelled him to simply slip away, but the desire to know compelled him to accept his actions.

Slowly, unwillingly, he turned around and looked down and found himself wrapped in the arms and wings of the slumbering Dragon Lord.

Unable to contain himself any longer, a loud, mortified shriek tore itself from his lungs. The sudden scream zapped Cole to life. He tried to take a battle stance but found the bed he was in too small for his massive form and instead he stumbled and collapsed in a mass on the floor. He swore as he got up, forgetting his lack of dress. He yelped and leaped into the air when his upper back and head were attacked. He whirled around and braced himself for a fight only to discover his assailant was a pillow.

Confused, he followed the source and resisted the urge to laugh when he found Kai bunched up, back pressed against the headboard on the other side of the bed.

He clutched the remaining comforter in his fist and held it to his chest like he was trying to merge the cloth with his skin. His free hand clutched braced himself against the mattress, clutching the sheets so tightly they started to rip. His eyes were narrow in embarrassed rage, his jaw twisted to grit and his face was bright scarlet from shame.

"What the hell are you doing here!" He demanded turning redder when the comforter shifted, revealing some of his skin. He used his free hand to cover it up, still blushing glaring. "Why am I naked? Or a better question is why are you naked? And in my room? In my bed!" Kai shrieked, positive he had a permanent blush on his face by now. Cole didn't answer. He had a blank look on his face, like was he momentarily stunned.

"What?" He questioned then looked down at himself. He grimaced at his own stupidity, scooped his robe off the floor, slid his wings through the slits, and clumsily tied it closed as he walked. It did little to cover him. Kai's heart rate doubled in speed watching the near-naked dragon came closer. Questions that needed answers swam in his mind like fish trapped in a net and Cole's silence only increased his panic. Instinctively, he inched away as the Dragon Lord came closer.

Finally, he backed up too far and he fell straight off his bed and landed on his back, only adding to his humiliation.

Cole paused, waiting for him to get up. When he saw this, Kai scampered to his feet as he took the comforter with him and backed away. He cursed when his back hit the wall. He stuttered an order and pointed at his assailant.

"What are you doing?" He demanded but Cole still didn't answer. His face was still vacant of emotion except for shock. He leaned closer and gently grabbed one of Kai's arms and held him steady despite Kai's yelps and stammering protests. "W-W-Wait! Stop!" He cried as he closed his eyes tightly, and struggled in the prince's grip until he felt the gentle touch of lips against his forehead. His eyes flew open and a small blush dusted his cheeks, but for a different reason.

Before he could question the action, Cole removed his lips and replaced them with the back of his hand.

"Your fever's gone." Cole breathed, still in shock. He double-checked, taking into consideration the temperature differences between them. "You're still a bit warm, but it's definitely gone." He added as the realization suddenly brought another concern to light. "You're awake!" Cole exclaimed as he jumped for joy. Kai's eye twitched in frustration.

"Of course, I'm awake! Why wouldn't I be? Now for the last time, Cole what the hell is going on?!" He growled but once again he never got an answer. Cole suddenly grasped his shoulders and pulling him into a tight, loving embrace like Kai would disappear if Cole loosened his grip. Kai was even more confused now. Cole released him and smiled at the confused boy. "What's going on?" Kai asked again, bewilderment all over his face. Cole stared at him like he was insane.

"You... you don't remember?" He frowned, then he pinched the top of his nose. "Of course, Kai, what's the last thing you remember?" He asked but Kai struggled to remember.

"I was skating with the boys and the ice broke, I think I fell in and, then it was all a blur; I remember a shadow, a light, music, and something... a voice calling out to me, but... I don't know if that was real or if I was dreaming... what does this have to do with anything?"

"Kai, you had hypothermia, you've been asleep for three days." Cole sighed with a grave look. Kai was glad Cole was holding him since if he hadn't been Kai was sure he would have collapsed from shock. "You were unconscious and freezing; everyone was worried sick, but thankfully, my body heat managed to get your core temperature back up." He smiled weakly but one look from Kai cut him off.

"Cole, what happened?" He asked. The sharpness in the boy's eyes and the gravity in his voice demanded the truth. Cole frowned but didn't look away. His face was conflicted. As if it was torn between two decisions that both promised a negative end.

"I dove in to save you, but I thought you were trying to leave so I threw you in the dungeon." He admitted in shame and Kai's eyes widened. "But after reading your gift, I realized how stupid I was and freed you but..."

"But what?" Kai asked, but Cole was hesitant.

"Nothing." He muttered, but Kai wasn't stupid.

"Cole, you saw him, didn't you? The man with the red cloak?" He asked, but it was clearly a statement.

"How do- How do you know?" He stuttered in disbelief.

"The night I... ran away, he... well, he made it obvious what he wanted, when I escaped him he sent that beast on me, didn't he? That's why you came to save me, wasn't it? You knew it was him? He did something again, didn't he? With that monster in the lake?" He explained with a frown like he had been keeping a terrible secret and had no choice but to reveal it to prevent devastation. Cole's hands fell limp at his sides and stumbled backward until he was sitting on the mattress.

He opened his mouth to speak but no sound would come out.

The words died in his throat. Kai's expression hadn't changed. Instead, he leaned over and put a hand on Cole's knee so they were face to face.

"Cole, I need to ask you something, and I need you to tell me the truth alright?" He said as the gravity in his voice was rivaled only his. Cole nodded. He said nothing but his eyes promised Kai the world. "That night, you and I saved each other, tell me... did I kill that monster with fire magic?"

"Yes, you did," Cole answered, sensing the desperation in his plea. Kai didn't look surprised. Instead, he fell to his knees, his arms at his sides, allowing the comforter to pull around his hips. His hair shadowed his eyes, but Cole caught the smile on his face. Cole knelt down in front of him, his wings braced to comfort him, but Kai just chuckled darkly. "So it did happen, that explains it."

"Explains what?" Cole asked confused, gently tilting Kai's chin so their eyes were even. He gasped in surprise when he saw the tears glistening at the base of Kai's lashes, but his twisted smile hadn't faltered.

"Everything," He retorted but regretted it when he saw the worry on the prince's eyes. Kai pulled away from him and pulled himself back so he was leaning against the wall. Feeling cold returning, he pulled the comforter up and wrapped it around his shoulders.

"It was you, Cole, I'd been dreaming about you." He growled as his hands started shaking and he looked at the floor, unable to look Cole in the eye. "After I arrived here, they started becoming clearer and clearer; now... now, I'm convinced somehow they're real, my dreams, my magic," He muttered as he looked at his shaking hands, remembering how it felt when sparks flew between them. "Now, I'm convinced something terrible will happen, and the worst part is that I don't think I can stop it."

Cole couldn't take anymore and rushed to the teen's side.

He gently ceased Kai's shoulders and pulled him closer. He hadn't failed to notice the tears abandoning his face.

"Kai, shush, don't worry about that, they're just dreams." He soothed, stroking Kai's bangs away from his face and gently running the smooth backs of his claws over his cheek to brush away the tears. Kai shook his head and whipped his eyes with his arms, angry at himself for his lack of control, but the tears of fear and sheer helplessness refused to stop.

"They're not dreams, Cole! I was naïve to think they were!" He shouted. The volume and intensity, caused Cole to fall back from shock. Kai's fist shook in rage next to him and his wild eyes were bright with unrivaled certainty. "I know about the curse, Cole," He whispered, trying to look away, but found he couldn't. "I pretended not to because no one likes to talk about it, but I know, and I know him... that man, sorcerer, whoever he is he's behind it, isn't he? If you don't break the curse by spring he's going to take your soul, right!? Tell me!"

Cole said nothing, but his neutral mask spoke more than a thousand words.

"I know no one can reveal the details of the curse or how to break it, even you, but that doesn't matter, I'll find a way." He promised as he shifted his position so he and Cole were face to face. Tears glittered on Kai's eyelashes, but he was smiling, happily, making Cole more confused. "Cole, I don't regret coming here, or choosing to stay; being here with you, the boys, everyone... I've never been happier than I am when I'm here, everyone here is so wonderful; no one's treated me like an outcast."

He paused for a moment, but no doubt or hesitation clouded his voice when he spoke next.

"Whenever I'm with you, I can't explain it but... I'm happier than I've ever been in my entire life." Kai smiled brightly, gently whipping aside a joyful tear. Reading the bewildered and almost blank look on Cole's face the entire time he spoke, Kai didn't know how Cole would react to his declaration. The moment Kai finished his sentence Cole pulled him into his arms and rested his chin on Kai's shoulder. At first, the sudden embrace surprised him, but Kai could feel the warmth and the passion behind it radiating against their bare skin.

"Cole?" Kai questioned, but it was more a statement of happiness than a voice of concern.

"I don't care about that stupid curse," He whispered against Kai's skin. He blinked and gently pulled away, confused. Cole just smiled at him and wrapped his arm around Kai's still covered waist and stroked his cheek. "I mean it, even if I lose my soul; even if I spend the rest of eternity in hell, I don't care! That bastard can do whatever he wants to me, it won't change anything, and do you know why?" He asked, but Kai didn't and Cole smiled again.

"Because I'll always be able to take this with me." He declared and Kai's widened at what the man was implying and a slight pink color rose in his cheeks. Cole chuckled and hugged him tighter. "You've made me happier too, Kai, happier than I'd ever thought possible, I'd given up hope that I'd ever been happy again." He said as he pulled away to look Kai in the eye and pressed their foreheads together. "I'm not going to lose that or throw it away for anything so I promise you, no matter what gets thrown in my way or who stands in front of me, I promise I'll protect you with every fiber of my being, nothing is going to take you away from me, my flame."

Kai didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Tears burst from his eyes and laughter exploded from his mouth.

He threw his arms around Cole's neck and hugged him with such force he was taken off guard and his scaled spine and wings crashed against the bed frame. They both laughed at the action, but when their eyes opened and locked once more, they wasted no time and closed the distance between them. Lips molded perfectly over the other, Kai's arms wrapped tightly around Cole's neck and shoulders. Cole's wrapped around Kai's waist pressing the blanket still wrapped around Kai's hips and torso, closer to his flesh.

One hand stroked up Kai's upper back as his tail twitched at his side.

The kiss slowly turned deeper. His body moving on its own, Cole kept one arm around Kai's waist and the other clutched the bed and hoisted himself up. His arm repositioned Kai so he was holding him bridal style with one arm. Kai's arms tightened their hold on Cole, not wanting to break away just yet. They finally paused to breathe when they fell back against the mattress. Cole took notice at how lovely Kai looked sprawled out beneath him on the bed.

Face flush, one arm level with his head the other at his side, eyes half-lidded with passion, his chest rising and falling with each deep breath.

Seeing that the dragon hybrid above him wasn't moving, Kai leaned forward and kissed Cole passionately. He pulled him closer against him, urging him to move, and Cole obeyed. His body was now flush against Kai's as their arms wrapped around the other. The loose knot of his robe had come undone long ago. The comforter, the only thing separating them, slipped further down Kai's waist until it finally settled just above his hips.

"Rise and Shine you too! Shade made tea!" Neuro suddenly shouted as he burst through the door, balancing a tray with a large steaming teapot and several teacups in one hand and used the other to pry Echo, Nelson, and Jay off his waist. Harumi suddenly shoved the articles she had been holding into Ronin's arms and tried to help pry the servants off Neuro. The sudden commotion brought the two men back to reality. Their eyes flew to the spectacle, which froze the instant it turned its attention to the two on the bed.

All of their eyes flew open at the sight of their Master, robe opened and sprawled on top of their guest, who was in nothing but a bedsheet.

Amber and emerald eyes widened in horror. The servants just stared, too shocked to do anything else. Suddenly, the entire East Wing erupted in eight different, horrifying screams. No one noticed the red eyes peeking through the crack in the curtains...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Cold Concern

Cole's eyes widened as his mind trying to wrap around what he was just told. After he had taken a shivering Kai back to his room, Neuro had examined the brunette, but the news had been grim, to say the least. His skin is still freezing, and his fever wouldn't go down and they couldn't give him anything because he was unconscious and it was too dangerous. Even if they did give him something to bring down the fever, it would only make the hypothermia worse.

It was very dangerous to treat hypothermia using medication.

Too much heat was just a dangerous as too much cold when it came to treating hypothermia. They needed to get the brunette's core temperature back up to a safe level. Unfortunately, that was impossible at this point because they couldn't do it anymore. It required something none of them were able to properly do long enough to bring up his core temperature. They needed body heat. Jay and the others tried to help, but Neuro dismissed them.

Their spirit forms didn't give off any body heat and their creature forms didn't provide enough.

That was when Cole said he would do it. He was the only one of them that was purely physical, and he was a dragon. His body's naturally warmer than a human's. Neuro advised against this, however, saying that Kai's cold body could have serious consequences against the prince's own body heat. Cole ran his claws through his hair, barely nicking his fin-like ears until he heard another haggard cough. His eyes shot to Kai, who was coughing again, barely able to move.

The boys held him down trying to keep him steady.

Cole made up his mind. He walked past Neuro, removed his clothes, and worked off his boots.

"Neuro, take the boys outside and tell everyone what's going on and check on Kai's vitals every so often until he wakes up; take shifts if you must."

"What? No!" Neuro cried. "I mean, it's possible, but what if it doesn't work? Cole's heat might get Kai's core temperature back up, but if he doesn't cool down in time, he could-"

"Would it give Kai a chance?" Cole asked, sitting on the edge of the bed, and gently scooped the protesting fox, bear cub, troll, and naga into his arms. Neuron's jaw dropped.

"Well, yes, but-"

"That's all I need to know," Cole decided, placing Jay and Nelson in Neuro's arms and Ronin and Tox in Echo's.

"This isn't fair, Master! Let us stay too!" Nelson pleaded, squirming to escape his prison.

"No!" Echo chided, gently. "Listen you four, I know you want to help, but the best thing we can do right now is waiting, trust your master." He told them and all four of them opened their mouth to protest, but Echo's smile silences them.

"You better know what you're doing, Cole!" Jay glared, but his worry was visible in his eyes.

"I do, leave us." He told them, undoing his belt. Neuro's eyes narrowed, but he obeyed and followed Echo outside.

"Don't bother with his arms or legs, that'll only work the cold back towards his heart and lungs, focus on his head, his torso, and his groin, and if he doesn't warm up by morning come find us immediately." He warned just before closing the door behind him. When the door shut, Cole stripped the rest of his clothes and slid under the thick cocoon of blankets. He carefully pulled Kai into his warm chest and pressed their torsos together. He hissed when Kai's icy skin touched his.

He bit his lip and pressed Kai's forehead against his collar.

He wrapped a wing around Kai's head and hair, the other around his back and hips. He tucked the covers into every crevice around him, making sure no cold seeped through.

"Kai, I'm sorry." He whispered, hoping his flame could still hear him. He rubbed the young man's back when he started shivering again. He hugged Kai closer. "I'm so sorry I didn't protect you, I never thought... I didn't think that bastard would go this far! I know I should've seen it, but..." His voice broke on the last part, and he had to stop to keep himself from breaking down. He lay his precious flame down again, smiling when Kai stopped shivering, but his skin was still cold, and his fever still high.

He gently kissed the boy's forehead and pulled him closer, wrapping him in his warmth and letting the coolness of Kai's flesh wash over him.

He hadn't realized just how hot he'd been until now. Already he could feel drowsiness overcome him.

"I promise," Cole whispered in Kai's ear. "I promise when you wake up, I'll protect you and I don't care what he throws at me; I'll never let that...that... monster anywhere near you, again! I won't!" Cole hissed as he clenched the blankets at his side, before settling down against the mattress, then the warmth of the cocoon the staff created for Kai and the soothing coolness of Kai's skin, lulling the Dragon Lord to sleep.

"Please... come back to me, Kai." He whimpered as a small tear rolled down his cheek, gently damping the teen's forehead. "I can't lose you too, Kai, I can't..." He said at last before the stress, anxiety, and terror finally took their toll on him and he collapsed into darkness. "I'm not strong enough too."...

****************

Zane sighed as he slid his back against the door to the room his younger brother shared with the three other servants. After a flurry of questions and concerns, panic attacks, and hours of reassurance from Neuro, he had finally got the three boys to settle into an uneasy sleep. He had been annoyed when Echo clamped onto Jay the entire time before finally falling asleep in the fox's arms. But he didn't have the heart to comment on it. There was too much unrest already.

"How are they?" Someone suddenly asked and Zane looked up to see Ronin standing in the hallway.

"They'll be fine, they're just worried like we all are," Zane explained and slouched against the door, anxiety taking its toll on him as well.

"I'm not surprised, who knows what those kids saw," Ronin sighed as he took off his hat and ran a hand through his dark hair, and closed his eyes. Just then Griffin sped in, having listening into their conversation, but Zane and Ronin didn't seem to care.

"Speaking of that, what exactly happened today?" He asked gravely.

"This was more than just a simple ice break wasn't it?" Zane also asked the troll. Ronin's eyes scanned the hallway, double-checking to make sure no one was there and gestured Griffin and Zane to come closer.

"I didn't want to say anything in front of everyone but something doesn't add up," He whispered. "I checked that ice meself and I swear on my life it was at least six inches thick and I think we can all agree there's no way Kai's heavy enough to crack it, let alone fall through, and something else was there, in the lake."

"What?"

"There was this little creepy-looking bird there, it let out this sound that scared Kai's horse and made it break the ice." He explained and Griffin's eyes widened in horror. He turned to the Stewart whose eyes were hard and unreadable.

"Zane?" He gulped but Zane said nothing. Then he closed his eyes and sighed.

"Double the guard, no one is to leave the castle without an escort and at least one of the guards, myself, you two, or the Master." He ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Until winter is over, everyone is confined to the immediate grounds until further notice; if our fears are correct, then we're not taking any chances."...

When did you say the story was going to end? Because as time goes by, I try to keep up to date with your story so as not to miss any detail.

I'm not sure.

If your talking about my Club of Flaming Passion story then there is around 80 chapters of that story and my Flame and Dragon story is almost over halfway done as well.

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Symphony Of Fate

Kai and Cole spent the next few minutes just holding in each other's arms as the servants danced and celebrated at their feet. A few such as Shade, Harumi, and Neuro had already left to their respective workstations for the night. As they finally pulled apart, Kai looked like he wanted to say something to the prince, something he had been meaning to say for a while, when suddenly the entire tower started to shake. Everyone froze as the tremor subsided.

At first, they all thought it was an earthquake, that is until another tremor hit, occupied by the sound of piano keys.

Instead of fading, however, the shaking only got more and more violent as the music grew louder. Cole vaguely recognized the sound as Beethoven's 5th Symphony, but no didn't seem time to worry about that.

"What is this? What's going on?" Nelson cried in fear as the entire prison tower shook violently.

"I don't know!" Tox shrieked as the tremors caused the room to crumble and chunks to fall from the ceiling.

"Hurry now, hurry!" Zane shouted as he tried to get everyone out of the road of the falling debris. Cole had to push Kai away seconds before a large rock impaled the spot where the brunette once stood. Kai could only look around in complete shock and fear as the dungeon around him was being reduced the rumble and his friends screamed and ran around, looking for an escape.

"Can you believe I never took a lesson?" A voice crackled through the entire castle as the music boomed. Cole's eyes widened in horror and anger, recognizing the voice almost instantly. Before he could do anything, however, the floor between him and Kai separated.

"Cole!" Kai shouted as he and the others were forced to back up against the far wall to stop themselves from falling into the seemingly bottomless pit.

"Kai!" Cole shouted back, but he knew there wasn't much he could do. The cell was too small and unstable to fly over. His best bet was to find the source of this dark magic and stop it before Kai or anyone else got hurt. He knew there was only one organ big enough to produce this much noise, with or without magic. He burst out of the cell and flew madly through the castle until he came to a room down the hall from his bedroom. He flew through the doors and snarled when he saw the old pipe organ with familiar black magic pouring out of it.

"YOU!" He roared with more fury than he had ever felt.

"Greetings your highness! I hope you like the song!" He mocked cruelly. "You can remain as you are forever and ever!" The disembodied voice laughed evilly as the music started up again.

"Enough!" Cole shouted as he charged at the organ, intending to destroy it. Before he could, however, the madman blasted him with some kind of music magic, knocking him into the wall...

****************

Back in the falling dungeon, Kai somehow managed to place one of the few fallen roof beams across the crack in the dungeon floor and began to lead everyone across the floor. They could hear Cole trying to stop the music, but when he went quiet, Kai feared the worst. He didn't know what he was going to do, but he just knew that he had to get down there and see what he could do to help stop this attack. He would give it everything he had to stop this.

Kai may not be half-dragon like Cole or have any real supernatural powers, but that didn't mean he was going to stay in this crumbling tower like some kind of damsel in distress.

The first thing he had to do was get his friends to safety before he went charging into some kind of battle.

"Be careful." He warned the servants and they all thankfully made it across the crack with little trouble. Once they were all safe, they all dashed towards the source of the music to try and help the hybrid prince. As they ran, Jay, Tox, and Nelson all froze by their master's bedroom as the others carried on. The door was wide open and they had a clear view of the room and the enchanted candle. The shaking had almost knocked the flicking candle off the table it was resting on.

"The candle!" Nelson cried in horror. If that candle went out or was damaged in any way, any hope of becoming human again would be destroyed along with it. When they said they would be ok with staying with the curse, they were only trying to comfort Kai and themselves. But now that they knew that there was still a chance of Kai lifting the curse, they didn't want to lose it again.

"I've got it! I've got it!" Tox shouted as she shot forward and caught the candle just before it hit the floor. Unfortunately, the tremors were still too strong for them to safely put the candle back in its resting spot. They would have to wait and hope Kai and Cole stopped this attack soon...

****************

When Kai and the others made it to the room where the music for coming from, they all froze at what they saw. The dark magic had warped the pipe organ into a monstrous creation as dark magic and music thundered and boomed from the twisted pipes. Cole lay on his back a few feet from them, completely motionless. For a brief moment, Kai thought the Dragon Lord was dead. Just then, Cole groaned in pain as he rolled over onto his front but was still too out of it to stand up.

Kai sighed in relief, but the moment was short-lived as the organ released another burst of power.

This caused more cracks and chucks to fall from the walls and ceilings, and the statues to break and shatter. Without thinking, Kai rushed to Cole's side in an effort to protect him. The servants attempted to follow, but the organ shot them all back. As Kai tried to wake Cole up, a peal of deep, evil laughter suddenly came out of the organ. This caused Kai to freeze before he growled and faced the instrument of destruction, recognizing the laughter.

As he did this, no one noticed Cole slowly start to regain consciousness.

He opened his eyes to the sight of Kai standing protectively in front of him before the giant organ.

"Well, well, well, the prized slut had finally arrived! I would have thought you'd have frozen to death in that cell!" The sorcerer cackled and Cole growled lowly at Kai being called a prized slut. "I don't understand why you would care so much for a monster who imprisoned both you and your siblings but also cut you off from everything you knew and loved and then threw you in a freezing, filthy dungeon just because you wanted to have a little bit of fun." The madman mocked and Kai hesitated for a second.

He hadn't forgiven Cole for those first three things, but he was getting there.

After spending so much time with the prince, he now understood that Cole was a good man underneath all those scales and anger. He was just lonely and desperate to find someone to break this horrible curse. Now Kai may care about Cole and the others, but he couldn't promise them that he could break the curse this sorcerer had put on them. But that didn't mean he wasn't going to try.

"You're the only monster here." He snarled at the organ. "Cole may have his faults, but he's a good man inside and I'd rather spend the rest of my life here than let you hurting him anymore you spineless bastard!" He shouted, shocking everyone, Cole mostly. "You're so pathetic that you have to rely on little birds and a rusty piano to do your dirty work! You haven't got the guts to face us yourself!" He laughed bitterly and the sorcerer roared with rage.

"Kai..." Cole muttered in shock and joy, startling the brunette. He didn't know Cole was awake and had heard every word. Before either of them could say a word, the organ suddenly blasted Kai in the back, sending him flying into the far wall. He let out a cry of pain as he crumbled down to his side, not getting up. "KAI!" Cole exclaimed in horror before turning his fury to the instrument. He wanted to destroy it, but he was too busy avoiding the weapon's attacks.

All of a sudden, Zane burst into the battle and charged at the organ.

The sorcerer was so focused on Cole that he didn't have time to react as the yeti punched the cold pipes of the organ. The music stopped and was replaced with a high-pitched, screeching echo that erupted into the entire castle. Everyone cried out in pain as they covered their ears, but this briefly cut off the sorcerer's connection. As Kai opened his eyes were a groan, he looked around and zeroed in on a stone mallet from one of the destroyed statues.

"Cole! The mallet!" He cried and Cole looked to where he was pointing. Knowing what the teen was thinking, he shot forward and grabbed the weapon. The sorcerer tried to stop him, but Cole flew high into the air, successfully dodging the magic with an unknown form of rage and determination. With a mighty roar, Cole launched the mallet at the organ, breaking it and ending the evil music. Once they were sure the tremors had stopped, Tox carefully put the candle back on the table.

After making sure it was secure, she and the others went to check on Kai and Cole.

They were surprised and a little scared to see Cole slamming the stone mallet into the remains of the pipe organ until they were both broken beyond repair. The force of the pipe organ falling ripped a hole in the wall, exposing the room to the cold winter air and the dark woods surrounding the castle. An unearthly shriek echoed from the metal remains as a sickly dark purple mist floated out and up into the shadows of the roof. Everyone in the ruined room was in stunned silence for a moment before Cole let out a shaky breath and turned to Kai.

He wanted to say something, but then he saw how pale the usually tanned teen suddenly was.

His body suddenly fell limp and he fell over coughing and shuddering. Cole caught him and realized that Kai's clothes were still wet from his unexpected swim in the lake. Cole started rubbing his back to help him breathe better, but all the teen could manage was a series of heavy, desperate rasps. When his eyes started to close, Ronin shot forward and slapped him hard across the face, waking him instantly. Cole wanted to break the troll's hand for that, but deep down he knew why he did it.

"Don't you dare go to sleep!" He commanded and started taking off the rest of his wet clothes. "Don't just stand there, help me!" He yelled at Jay and Echo. "We have to get him out of these wet clothes or he'll freeze to death!" He ordered and the couple nodded and started helping him. Cole shook his head to clear his thoughts at the sight of Kai's naked body and stood up. He removed his own shirt and wrapped it around Kai's trembling shoulders.

One of the advantages of being a dragon hybrid was being larger than others, so his clothes wrapped around Kai like a thin blanket.

Ronin felt Kai's forehead and cursed loudly. The teen struggled to stay awake, but his eyelids felt like lead and his body couldn't support his weight.

"Cole we have to get him out the cold, now! He's barely conscious!"

"I know!" Cole snarled, but everyone could sense the terror laced in the prince's voice.

"We got the blankets!" Harumi hollered and started wrapping them around Kai's naked form.

"You four, go and get whatever Neuro has for treating hypothermia and Zane, you take him back to his room," Cole ordered Nelson, Jay, Echo, and Tox as he scooped Kai bridal style in his arms, double-checking to make sure the blankets and coat were wrapped securely around his body, before handing him over to the yeti. Zane adjusted his grip and held the teen as close to his chest as he could to block out the cold. Once Kai was secure, everyone departed to do their separate tasks, leaving Cole alone in the partially destroyed room.

The prince stood there for a second, glaring at the remains of the organ before he made to leave and check on Kai.

But before taking off, he growled furiously and turned to the hole that revealed the woods.

"I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS YOU SON OF A BITCH! YOU HEAR ME?! I'LL HUNT YOU DOWN AND I'LL RIP YOU LIMB FOR LIMB FOR THIS! I SWEAR IT! I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO!" He screamed a terrible combination of a declaration of vengeance and the furious roar of a dragon determined to avenge its fallen comrades. With that, he turned around, flapped his wings flew back into the depths of the palace as fast as his wings could fly, roaring in anger and terror the entire way...

It’s based in the Omegaverse, meaning that there will be Alphas, Betas, and Omegas

Basically, after Cole(an alpha) breaks off his affair with Kai(an omega) when he becomes engaged with his alpha girlfriend, Kai starts venting with Skylor, Nya, and Lloyd. He claims that all alphas are all the same and just want whatever they could get

When his friends suggest he’s the problem,  Kai says that he can pull anyone he wants. He bets that he can get their old friend Zane(an alpha) into bed, despite the fact he’s already with someone.

Let’s just say this backfires badly for everyone involved. 😈😈😈

Story Help Please!

Hiya everyone!

I’m planning another Lavashipping and possible Oppositeshipping AU story called ’Lustful Singers’, but I need a little help. You see, I can’t decide what career I should give Zane. Should he be a chef? Or a doctor?

I’ve already picked jobs for Kai and Cole, the others I’ll sort out later, but I’m stuck on Zane; what do you suggest?

Thank you for taking the time to read this announcement and I hope you all have a good day/afternoon/night!

Story Help Please!

Hiya everyone!

I'm planning another Lavashipping and possible Oppositeshipping AU story called 'Lustful Singers', but I need a little help. You see, I can't decide what career I should give Zane. Should he be a chef? Or a doctor?

I've already picked jobs for Kai and Cole, the others I'll sort out later, but I'm stuck on Zane; what do you suggest?

Thank you for taking the time to read this announcement and I hope you all have a good day/afternoon/night!

ninjago aesthetics: trans kai smith❤

requests are open!

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 24

Chapter 24: A Cut Above The Rest

In the dungeon Kai leaning against the wall as he scanned his prison. It was smaller than his bedroom, surprisingly enough, with large stones making up the walls and chains like the ones currently shackled to his wrists hung from the ceiling. There were no windows and the door had a little opening at the bottom where the prisoners were served their food. Kai slowly let out his breath. It didn't puff out in front of him, which was good. It meant that it wasn't overly cold in here.

It was still pretty cold, though.

Goosebumps were prickling along Kai's skin as cold seeped through the thin, damp clothes he was wearing. With a tired grunt, Kai managed to cross his arms over his chest and pulled his legs close. Kai was at Cole's mercy, and knowing him it'd probably be forever before the prince freed him. Much to Kai's shock, however, a part of him still loved Cole, despite what had happened now and before with his siblings. Kai scowled, hugging himself tighter as he shivered.

The dungeon shouldn't be cold enough to be any sort of danger.

Cole wouldn't have locked him in here if it was, but that didn't mean that it wasn't uncomfortable. Kai started to fantasize about different ways of getting Cole back if he was let out as he waited, and waited, and waited. So far, his favorite idea was to dump bright pink glitter on Cole while he was sleeping. Kai's teeth started to chatter loudly. It startled him, and he clenched his jaw to stop it, which just made him all the more aware of how severely the rest of Kai was shaking.

Kai curled in tighter on himself, trying to keep what heat he had left.

It wasn't until Kai's face had gone numb that he reluctantly extracted his hands from where he'd been pressing them against his legs. He winced as the cold started to numb his fingertips. Kai tried to rub some warmth into his legs, but he couldn't feel his hands anymore. Even if he could, they were shaking too much for him to concentrate. He tucked them under his arms, not that it helped much at this point. The cold stone of the wall was leeching heat away from where his back was pressed against it, so Kai scooted farther into the dungeon as far as his chains would allow, still shivering.

He swore under his breath, hugging his legs to his chest and pressing his face into his knees.

He really hoped Cole came to his senses soon and let him out, or at the very least someone would just come and check on him. Then they might see his shivering and possibly give him a blanket of some kind. Kai kept coming up with ways to get Cole back, drawing inspiration from the pranks that Lloyd had played when he was younger. After a long time, Kai blinked, dimly realizing that he had zoned out. He tried to remember what he'd been thinking about before, but his mind was too fuzzy.

He had stopped shivering, but couldn't remember if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

Kai breathed out, letting himself relax a little bit. His muscles ached, not wanting to move. He was really, really tired. He should take a nap. That would be nice. There were sounds, though. They sounded like words, but they were far away. Then all of the sudden they were louder, closer, and Kai could hear them well. Not that he remembered what they meant. As his mind started drifting again, something or someone suddenly released his wrists from the shackles and caught him in their arms.

"Kai?" A timid voice whispered and Kai slowly opened his amber eyes, seeing the worried teary eyes of his friends. He struggled to look up and saw Zane was holding against his chest so he was in a seating position. Harumi suddenly burst into the cell from the open door, carrying a large duvet cover from the nearest bedroom.

"Here you go, darling." She smiled sadly as she wrapped Kai up like a newborn baby. The brunette offered her a grateful smile in return, a little disappointed that it wasn't Cole who saved him from possibly freezing to death in his prison cell. He curled up a little as he soaked up the warmth from the blanket and Zane's body heat. When his body finally regained most of its heat and he had stopped shivering, Kai sat up slightly and turned to his friends.

"Guys, I'm sorry." He said weakly. "Nothing's changed."

"I warned you nothing would change." Shade suddenly said, and everyone but Kai glared at him. "I warned you all that the master would not allow this, I warned you this was all a hopeless folly!" He shouted and Kai winced, looking down in shame at giving them all false hope. "But...I was wrong." He added, surprising everyone. "If we felt lost and lonely, with not a dream in our heads, your words lifted our spirits high."

"Yeah Kai, remember what you said?" Nelson asked with a heartwarming smile, but Kai shrugged, not sure what the boy wanted him to say. "That hope is the greatest of the gifts we'll receive, as long as our shining star shines above." He said and Kai's eyes widened for a second, remembering what he kept telling them and what he had even put in the story for Cole. Kai smiled and pulled the boy into a hug.

"You know what, Kai? I don't need to be human to be happy." Jay said and they all nodded in agreement. True, they missed being human, but as long as they had each other then perhaps everything would be alright.

"I suppose I can do without mistletoe." Shade sighed before suddenly pulling Neuro into a rough, passionate kiss.

"Well, I don't need tinsel." Neuro spat in embarrassment. He might love the cook, but he hated it when Shade got too physical when they were in public.

"Oh, I don't need holly." Shade counted.

"I don't need a wreath." Neuro huffed and his lover snarled. Kai turned to the others, but they didn't look fazed by the row. This sort of thing happened all the time.

"I don't need ornaments."

"I don't need turkey!"

"I don't need stuffing."

"I don't need pudding!" Neuro exclaimed and Shade looked ready to tear his hair out.

"To each his own my love, you know how to get me stressed, but if it comes to making things special I'm a cut above the rest!"

"If you could see facts clearly, you would say that I've been blessed!"

"You can't hold a candle to my timing!" Shade laughed bitterly as he flicked Neuro right between the eyes. Kai saw this as the right time to step in and, with shaking legs, stood up and approached them, still clutching the blanket around him. The couple stopped their fighting and helped to teen stay upright, worry clear on everyone's faces.

"You belong side by side, you should never be apart because if you're both together, you're really twice as smart." He told them both calmly, and the couple all shared a look before a smile appeared on their faces.

"Twice as smart? He does have a point." Shade smirked.

"Yes, well, two heads are better than one I suppose." Neuro agreed and everyone else visibly relaxed that a proper fight hadn't broken out between them. At that moment, however, a large frame suddenly appeared in the still opened door frame, blocking out the light from the hall, and they all turned to see Cole standing there. They all froze in fear when they saw him. None of them were supposed to be in here and Kai was supposed to be shackled up.

Instead of anger, however, the only expression the prince had was one of sadness and regret.

Without even acknowledging the servants, Cole walked to Kai, who was glaring at him and gently took his hands into his scaly ones. Kai made no move to pull away and when he saw the regret in Cole's green orbs his anger melted into pity.

"Can you forgive me?" He pleaded, looking ready to cry before Kai could answer.

"I'm sorry for leaving the castle when I wasn't supposed to,"

"I admit that I overreacted, but I would have been fine if you had just asked from my permission and told me where you were going, but I don't really blame you for that part," Cole replied, giving Jay, Echo, and Ronin a glance and they all gulped. He wrapped Kai in a strong embrace who looked up at him in his soft eyes. Kai felt an ugly combination of grief, heartache, and guilt burning in his heart.

"Does this mean you forgive me?" Cole asked.

"I'll forgive you if you'll forgive me," He replied shyly and Cole's response was cupping his cheek and turning to him.

"Always." He promised and kissed the brunette softly. It wasn't passionate, more like a shaky first kiss where someone didn't quite know what to do. Kai was stunned for a second, but recovered quickly and put a little bit more passion into it, realizing just how much he missed Cole's kisses, even though he might not have gotten many yet. The servants all cheered as their master and Kai reconciled their relationship. As they all celebrated, no one saw an inky black cloud of dark magic seep into the castle as look for the perfect tool of destruction.

It eventually found a large, seemingly abandoned giant pipe organ bolted to the wall.

It seemingly melted into the instrument, turning the grand pipe organ black as night. It suddenly began playing loud music, which shook the castle to pieces...

Why put on the Christmas special? Wouldn't it have been better to put it in another work like the special "How to train your Dragon"?

I was just trying to create more drama between Kai and Cole and show off the villain a little bit more.

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 23

Chapter 23: The Temptations Of Hope

Cole angrily paced around his room as the clock struck twelve. The only lights in the room were the moonlight reflecting off the untouched, white snow and the purple flame coming from the now almost completely melted red candle. His instincts warned him not to feel for Kai. Life was so much simpler before he came along, before Cole and the others dared to hope. Cole sighed tiredly as he slumped into a torn-up armchair. He had thought Kai was the one.

He didn't know why he continued to torment himself.

His eyes fell on the candle and an enraged growl bubbled in his throat. That was the symbol of his curse, and it needed to be destroyed and end these adolescent notions of love and redemption. It would end all of his pain forever. Cole growled and raised his arm to smash the weakening flame. Just as he was about to destroy it, a couple of cinders flew from the flame. Cole watched as it landed next to the gift, which Kai left for Cole next to the bed.

The prince's eyes widened in shock, recognizing the small, nice handwriting on the gift's little label.

The hybrid carefully picked up the lovely wrapped gift as if it was made of glass. He quickly ripped off the wrapping paper and was surprised to see it was a book Kai had written just for him. Without really thinking about it, Cole sat back down and started reading the story Kai had made. The incredibly detailed story inside talked about an enchanted castle and how the master seemed as cold as winter. His cries echoed through the stone wall of the castle, and though he was surrounded by servants, he was all alone.

It went on to say that thanks to that simple act of kindness, he knew someone cared.

Even though he didn't read much, even before he was cursed, Cole knew this was an amazing story. It ends it all off, Kai wrote about how that time of year was spent exchanging humble gifts, but the greatest gift that anyone received was the gift of hope. As Cole finished the book and put it down, he contemplated what the book meant by hope. Once he had hope that was hope to break the spell. But as the years passed, that hope had started to fade until it was almost nonexistent.

That is until Kai suddenly forced his way into his life and that hope burned brightly for the first time since he was first cursed.

Then Kai tried to leave the castle, despite his promise, and almost drowned in a freezing lake. It wasn't just the fact that Kai left, but also that he almost lost his life again because Cole wasn't there to protect him. Despite his anger, Cole still loved and cared deeply for Kai. He didn't want to see the teen get hurt and if that meant he had to lock Kai in a cell then so be it. It was probably the safest place for Kai since Cole was certain that he had just blown any chance with the brunette and any hope of breaking this curse.

As soon as that thought entered his mind, however, his mother's voices echoed through his very soul.

She used to say that regardless of how desperate things may seem, remember, people could always have hope. All of a sudden, Cole realized his idiocy and what he had done to Kai in his blinding anger. He promised himself there and then that he would do his best job to find the perfect way to beg for Kai's forgiveness if the begging wasn't enough in itself. He knew it was going to be hard, but he was ready for that. With that in mind, Cole stood up from his chair and bolted out of the room towards the dungeons.

He failed to see the enraged shadow made of dark magic scowling at his retreating form.

This was not part of his plan...

****************

He growled in rage as he watched the dragon prince flee to attempt to make up with Kai through his purple crystal ball. Despite all Cole had done, he knew that the brunette loved the hybrid and would forgive him. The man snarled as he ran his hand through his raven hair, pacing around as he tried to find a way to stop this from happening. He stared out of the small, empty window of his hideout in the ghost town of Kilmarnock hundreds of miles from any civilization.

What was once a wide avenue that led to Kilmarnock was unrecognizable as nature had begun reclaiming the now unused area.

The crisp and clean-looking town now looked more like a jungle as trees and gardens grew beyond their now unkempt boundaries. Many doors had collapsed as the rot was eating away their edges. The open doorways that were once perhaps very welcoming were now an eerie and unwelcoming sight. Broken cars and rusty pieces of metal littered some of the larger driveways, stripped from all but their most useless parts. Kilmarnock, once rich with life, hopes, dreams, and aspirations was now partially reclaimed by nature.

The sounds of insects, winds, and creaking wood of trees which were once drowned out by the sounds of people had returned as the dominant sounds once more.

The clock tower was somehow still rich with sounds, but it wasn't its bells and gears as those had stopped working a long time ago. It was a flock of crows that had made this once great pillar their new home. No matter how you looked at it this town was an eerie sight to behold. Lives forgotten, perhaps completely ruined and there was barely anything to show for it. But even though everything may seem like it was lost forever there was still a silver lining.

While this town was no longer home to the families that lived here, it was now home to families of wild animals.

The enchanted candle would flicker out any day now, and Kai had yet to proclaim his love for Cole. He couldn't afford for Cole to suddenly find the key to ending his curse and everyone's suffering. He saw red as he thought about what this could mean for his revenge when Kai and Cole made things up and confessed their love for each other. The prince got the one he loves and his curse would be broken, and then it was a happy ending for everyone.

The enchantment will be lifted, and that stuck-up brat and his family's suffering would fade into the background.

He refused to let them get off that easily. He used his magic to set the cauldron bubbling and boiling and opened his spellbook. He flipped through a dozen pages until he finally found exactly what he was looking for. He ran around his hovel, searching for the needed ingredients. These included red and white rose petals, pearly white swan and dove feathers, maple leaves, and a bright red apple. He threw them all into the black cauldron and the liquid inside turned a stunning crimson red.

"I call the darkness unto me, from deepest depths of earth and sea, from ancient evils unawoken, break that what can not be broken." He chanted loudly before grabbing another set of ingredients. These included a dead raven, a red poppy, blood of a black cat, and a human skull. "To blackest night I pledge my soul I crush my heart to burning coal, to summon forth a deathly power, to see my hatred foe devoured!" He bellowed and suddenly a blast of black smoke shot out of the cauldron.

It filled the room in a matter of seconds before it shot out the window like a bolt of lighting.

He cackled loudly as he watched the dark magic travel straight to Cole's castle, standing out against the white fluffy clouds like blood on a white wedding dress. They couldn't fall in love if they were dead...

A Lloyd caring for a Kai cat.

I would really like to see how @crystalgirl259 will make Lloyd love Kai in his cat form.

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 22

Chapter 22: The Frosty Rescue

"This is the best day ever!" Nelson cheered as they skated around the frozen lake. Everyone was still skating around, except Echo, who was sat on the bank with Kai's horse Flame. Kai couldn't help but agree with the child, really enjoying himself for the first time in years. As much as Kai loved his siblings, they were too busy trying to make ends meet to really have fun, with the odd exceptions of Lloyd. Their little brother was the only light Kai and Nya had in their lives.

The brunette really hoped his siblings were alright without him.

Despite things getting better between him and Cole, Kai still felt trapped within the castle, so it was nice to get out and do something, even if it was just some ice-skating. As they skated around, Echo looked up at the sky and saw the dark clouds rolling in. He frowned at this. He had thought it would be clear skies all day, so where had those clouds come from?

"We'd better hurry back guys, it's starting to get stormy." He called for the others. All four of them groaned in disappointment, but complied and started skating over to Echo and Flame. Kai mounted his faithful horse and the others transformed into their creature forms, and just as Kai was about the ride Flame home, the stallion suddenly froze. They looked past Flame's head and saw a small creature standing in the snow a few feet away from them.

It appeared to be a type of bird.

It had two small wings and four small, clawed legs, with a long tail. It had two eyes that sat lightly in its sockets with a thin, sharp beak. Its skin was thin but strong and it was covered in short, thin feathers. Its feather colors were mostly dark purple and black. It didn't look at all intimidating, being only the size of a tennis ball, but something about it set the others on the edge.

"What is that?" Ronin asked, and that set the creature off. It suddenly let out the loudest, banshee-like scream Kai had ever heard. The sound was so loud it actually hurt their ears. The sound scared Flame and he ran in the opposite direction towards the frozen lake. With the speed, he was running at Flame slipped and this caused him to break the ice, exposing the icy waters below. Kai and the others started to scream as Flame started to try and buck them off him, sending Nelson flying into the air.

He went flying into the water and sank into the darkness.

"Where is he?!" Jay cried as they jumped off the still scared Flame and started desperately looking for the child.

"HHHEEELLLPPP MMMEEE!" Nelson garbled as his head vanished again. Kai saw this and, acting solely on instinct, he jumped into the freezing lake after him. Thankfully Nelson was close to the surface so Kai could grab his arms. Unfortunately, there was a strong current pulling them away from the hole in the ice, and that combined with Nelson's added weight and lack of oxygen meant Kai couldn't swim them to safety. The others saw this and they sprang into action.

"Hold on, guys! We will save you!" Jay cried and they started scanning the ice for the pair. Jay soon found Kai under the ice, banging his fist up against it while his other hand gripped Nelson and his feet kicked furiously under them to keep them afloat. As soon as Jay saw them underneath the ice and called for the other. Ronin rushed over to Jay, pulling out his dagger, and stabbed at the ice, freeing Kai and Nelson. They both emerged from underneath the ice, cough up the water from their lungs and shivering as the cold air froze their sore limbs.

When he regained some strength, Kai fully pulled Nelson out of the water and onto the ice with the others, but he stayed in the water until he caught his breath.

"Oh, Nelson, thank God you're safe." Echo smiled in relief as he checked the child over for any injuries.

"I wasn't frightened." Nelson grinned and they all rolled their eyes. The moment of relief was shattered, however, what the little bird from before suddenly shot up into the air and stared down at the group. Kai felt like he had seen those cold, soulless eyes before. He gasped when he realized those were the eyes of that creepy man Kai had met in the forest where Cole saved him from that monster. Before he could tell the others, the bird dove into the water next to Kai and disappeared into the darkness.

It was so dark the others couldn't see what it was doing, but they could faintly make out a purple glow under the rippling water.

Kai tried to climb out of the lake to safety, but it was already too late. The bird had infected the pondweeds below with dark magic and the plants suddenly shot up underneath him and wrapped around his leg, pulling him back under the water. Kai screamed and clawed at the ice, but it was hopeless. The others all try to pull him back up, but he slipped underneath the surface. Kai struggled against the weeds around his leg, but he couldn't get away.

Suddenly he saw a dark shape floating beside him.

He squinted his eyes to see what it was and almost screamed when he saw it was the creepy man from before, giving him a sadistic and perverted grin. It almost looked like the man didn't need air. As Kai struggled, the man swam forward and suddenly forced a rough and passionate kiss on his tanned lips, catching Kai off guard. When the man finally let him go, Kai reflectively gagged, but instantly regretted it when the air in his lungs was replaced with icy water.

The evil man just smiled as he faded back into the shadows of the water, leaving Kai to his watery grave.

Kai floundered, panicked, and made things worse as he tended to do. He was mad at himself for letting this happen even. Maybe he deserved this for being so stubborn, or not thinking before he acts, or trading places with Nya and Lloyd, or being cruel, or leaving the castle grounds without Cole's permission. He could hear someone shouting his name from the surface, but he couldn't tell who it was. The water garbled the sound, and his hearing seemed to be the first sense to go.

He could taste and smell the dirty lake water choking his lungs, he fell numb to the chill of the temperature, and he saw that this was probably the end for Kai Ash Smith.

Drowning in a frozen lake after not only breaking his promise and being forced to kiss a pervert who was trying to kill. Now there was not any time to appreciate the fact he might've been friends with an actual prince. Not just any prince, but the legendary hybrid Dragon Lord. He coughed causing more water to seep in, and the sheer burn he felt in his chest told him that this was it. In his fading moments, Kai felt something big and strong wrap around him and the water rushed down past him.

All of a sudden everything came back into focus.

Kai hacked up what had to be a gallon and a half of water. Jay and Echo were stood not too far away, both looking rueful and on the verge of crying. Nelson was full-on sobbing into Ronin's shoulder as the troll tried to calm him down. But when Kai did a headcount, he saw they were all standing in front of him and none of them looked wet, with the exception of Nelson. In his exhaustion, he searched to see who had saved him from drowning and realized his feet are nowhere near the ground.

He looked up, finding his body rested in the arms of a large black dragon.

Before Kai could work himself to thank his savior, he saw the burning rage in Cole's green eyes as he looked straight ahead. His scaly face was not giving away his true emotions. Kai wanted to say something, but he felt the cold claws of sleep fighting to claim him. In his muddled state, Kai just assumed he was safe with Cole and retreated to dreamland. He rested his head against Cole's strong chest and falling asleep to the sound of his mighty heartbeat.

Cole huffed frosty air out his nose, but said nothing and started carrying Kai back to the castle on foot.

The others just stood there in a mixer of relief, fear, and sadness as they watched their master carry his pale, almost lifeless, captive back to his prison.

"What have we done?" Jay finally asked in a terrified whisper, but no one had an answer...

****************

Kai shivered as he sat on the floor of the dungeon, his wrists bound about his head in black, rusted chains. His eyes were closed and his head hung low as the cold stabbed into his tanned skin like tiny needles. A large granite door with a tiny barred window marked the only entrance to this dungeon's cell. Beyond the door was a large, dark, damp room. The cell they were in was full of rusty chains, rubble, and rat droppings. A single, dim torch allowed him to see carved out words in the stone walls, faded and forgotten by time itself, but Kai couldn't make out what they said.

When they returned to the castle, Cole had the brunette checked over to make sure he wasn't seriously injured.

Once he was sure Kai would leave, he dragged the teen to the dungeons and imprisoned him there. He didn't even bother to change Kai out of his torn, soaked clothes, and this caused Kai to shiver even more. The prince was now standing in the doorway, glaring down at Kai with burning green eyes. He hadn't said a word to Kai since he saved him, and that alone scared the teen more than anything so far.

"You said you'd never leave." He finally said, hurt, anger, and betrayal echoing through the cell.

"I-I-I wasn't trying to l-l-leave, I j-j-just wanted to have s-s-some fun w-w-with the others." He stuttered out, his entire frame shaking from the freezing air. He had thought that Cole might not have been pleased to learn he had left, but he had thought that he could reason with him and smooth it over when he learned that he had gone with Jay, Echo, Ronin, and Nelson and that he was planning on coming back. Unfortunately, Cole wasn't in an understanding mood or sympathetic to his suffering.

"You broke your word and for that, you will rot in this dungeon forever!" He snarled and stormed out the cell without another word. He made sure to slam the cell door as hard as he could as he left, the sound echoing loudly through the entire dungeon and causing Kai to flinch in fright, still not opening his eyes. As he listened to Cole stomping away, Kai couldn't stop the tears raining from his tightly closed amber orbs. He should have known better than to hope.

Cole would never be anything but a monstrous beast...