Dragon's Blood

Chapter Nine

        "Hey Akari, whatcha doin?"

Apple and Delia approached Akari from behind. The Psych Dragon was sitting on one of Sivath's many benches, sketching the scenery.

"Father says he likes to draw in his spare time, and he lent me one of his sketchbooks to try my hand." She glanced down at the scribbles on her paper. "I'm not really very good at it though."

"I think it looks awesome!" Apple peered over her shoulder. "Hey sis, will you draw me one day?"

"Sure."

"Who could have guessed that Sivath was such a calm and artistic person?" Delia mused.

"With a title like 'The Destroyer' you get a totally different picture." Akari agreed.

"He's like a real dad!" Apple quipped.

"He is a real dad, Apple."

Akari chuckled. She finally had a real dad.

"I wish my mother could be here too. I just know she'd be hapy to see my father again."

Noticing the downcast expressions or her friends, she quickly backpedaled.

"S-sorry! I didn't mean to make things uncomfortable..."

"We understand." Delia soothed.

"I really am happy with my life here with you guys."

Akari pulled them both close in a hug.

"Akari!"

Sanguis calling her got everyone's attention. He rushed towards them, very visibly agitated.

"Sanguis? What's wrong?"

"They're here. Sivath's other children."

"Our brothers?!" Apple's eyes became saucers.

"Yeah. They want to talk to you, Akari."

"Okay...?"

"Come on, Akari!" Apple pulled her along eagerly. "Let's go meet our brothers!"

        When they arrived back at the house, there was an unfamiliar voice booming through the doors.

When Akari entered the house, two tall figures turned bright green eyes onto her.

"Akari!" Sivath greeted.

"So that's our baby sister!"

The taller of the two, with dark hair tipped in the same green-blue as hers and bright eyes rushed to her.

"I'm Tatsuu!" He greeted her. "I'm the older twin!"

"Nice to meet you..." Akari said a bit nervously. Tatsuu seemed the easily excitable type, with a boisterous personality.

The other boy, who had white hair like she did, greeted her with a nod.

"Ryuu." He introduced himself calmly.

Akari gave him a warm smile.

"And I'm Akari. And these are our two honorary younger brothers, Apple and Albertine."

"I'm an early fledger!" Apple annouced proudly, and Tatsuu laughed.

"Just like pops! You really must be my brother, huh?"

At such ready recognition, Apple bounced excitedly, and the two of them began a heated discussion about some boyish topic or another.

"Akari." Ryuu got her attention. "There's a reason we came here when we heard father had found you."