The Jem

~24~

The dark sky was covered with beautiful, shining stars that lit up the darkness. The moon was full and bright and the calming sounds of nature soothed the silence.

They had found a nearby lake, making a fire for warmth. Hunter rested as Crimson watched over him whilst the others stayed up around the fire.

Darya was practicing her magic, she had turned the fire off over and over again but all she was trying to do was make her water float around it.

"So your telling me that you can be anyone you want?" Deeja asked Jermine as she curled up by the fire and wrapped her tail around herself but still looked up at him, her green eyes gleaming from the reflection of the stars.

"That's right, kitty cat." He smiled proudly.

"Then how are you meant to be your real self when you need it the most?" Crimson now came to sit with the rest of them, her legs crossed and a thin blanket around her. The embers made her crimson eyes glint with power.

"It's more fun being everything else, like cats, fairies, elves anything really. I like change." Jermine transformed into Crimson. She gasped.

"Don't ever do that again! Wait a sec, do you get my powers too?" Crimson's eyes widened with curiosity.

"Let's find out." Deeja perked up, she was just as excited as Crimson and Darya who were now staring at him like hungry wolves that had just found their next meal.

He swallowed hard then placed his hands on the ground, nothing happened. "That's a shame, oh well I guess you can't do or be everything, liar." Deeja shrugged teasingly.

"Your just jealous feline! Wait till I turn into a dinosaur." He laughed.

"Well that will be exciting, but for now let's get some sleep. We have a long trip up ahead." Crimson said as she got up and walked off to the lake to get a drink.

~

Hunter woke up to see everyone sound asleep then he realised Crimson wasn't there, a moment of panic surged through his veins but when he turned around he saw her sleeping near him. She looked so peaceful. He smirked with relief then laid his head back onto the ground.

"Good nigh- As he reached for her face she grabbed his hand and her eyes flicked open. She grinned. "Are you feeling better?"

"Yes, But did we really have to stop because of me?" He inched closer to her, his gloved index and middle finger still clasped tightly in her left hand.

"We all needed to rest." Crimson closed her eyes again but still hadn't let go of his two fingers. He smiled broadly as she cradled his hand.

~

The next morning, the sun was glowing. The 5 of them began packing up everything, stomping out the fire and filling up their water canteens. Hunter was still a little weak but he could continue on the journey. They got back on to their-now well fed and rested-horses who looked happier than ever. Jermine turned into a grand horse.

"Get on feline." His request sounded more like a demand.

"Excuse me?" She crossed her arms childishly.

"I saw how tired you got after a lot of running." His intentions sounded kind for once, even though they still aggravated her.

"If anything, I should be giving you a piggyback, I don't need your help." She stuck her tongue.

"Save your pride kitty cat, I'm only trying to help." He shifted into a tiger, "suit yourself." He added.

"Suit your self, blah blah blah!" Deeja mocked.

Darya was laughing when Deeja turned around, her once braided her was now down and wavy. Her hair looked like the pure crystal oceans of Bahar. "What's so funny?" Deeja glared.

"You guys are like an old married couple." Darya laughed then went off with her horse.

She rolled her eyes, "Pffft, married to him? I'd rather be eaten by a dinosaur!"

"Deeja?" Crimson shouted.

"Yh, Yh. I'm coming!"

                                           ~

They had not stopped since the morning but none of them seemed bothered everyone was laughing and making jokes. Darya actually felt happy and safe for once in her life. Maybe this was one of the best decisions she's made. Crimson seemed like a person someone could trust and every hour she spent with these people she felt more closer to them and more comfortable around them.

"Give it back its my fish!" She heard Deeja screech. She knew it was Jermine pissing her off again.

"Give us a kiss first." He tapped his cheek. But she pounced at him. Hunter, Crimson and Darya began laughing.

"See what you did, you got my clothes all soaked you fool." Deeja began twisting her long, red hair to get the water out.

"Me? Your the one who attacked." The shifter defended his case.

"Ok let's go, we are really close to the 4th realm now." Darya's horse began trotting ahead everyone followed.