Enslaved

Chapter 37

Kaida ducked under Kajeel's fist and rolled across the ground, her wings tucked in tight before she sprung back to her feet and whirled around, making sure to always have a clear view of him. The setting sun reflected off his scales and warmed her back, the slight wind ruffling her hair across her shoulders and nearly into her vision.

"Nice dodge, Kaida!" Kajeel called over to her, a smile on his face. "Now let's see you retaliate, little dragon!"

Kaida grinned back at him just before launching herself across the grass and lunging to the right, striking out with her left leg. She hit Kajeel's wrist and cursed silently, flapping her wings to get out of his range at the same time as she blocked her face with her forearms and backed away from him. He laughed and aimed a kick at her chest which she jumped over, twirling midair to clip his head with her left wing as she did. She landed and turned to face him again, her breathing hitching as she struggled to get enough air in her lungs. Kajeel turned to her, his breathing almost as heavy as hers and raised a hand in surrender, a smile lighting up his features.

"Enough!" He called over to her, flopping into the grass and spreading his wings out. "We've been at this since dinner and we practiced flying and running moves after lunch! You're a machine, Kaida, sheesh."

Kaida laughed and walked over to him, sitting down next to him and spreading out her wings to catch as much of the setting sun as she could.

"Come on Kajeel, there is still some sunlight left!" She half-whined, gently slapping his arm. "You would teach me a new move if you really cared about me!"

Kajeel laughed and actually punched her left arm, causing her cackle with laughter.

"Little dragon, we've been at this since Ryuu left. There isn't anything I could teach you right now that you would remember for tomorrow or be able to do with your limited stature."

Kaida gasped and lifted her left wing, slapping it down on his head and causing him to curse at her and shove her wing away, making them both laugh again. She went silent for a little while, watching as the first stars started to glitter in the sky as the sun finally set, shooting deep purples, greens, and blues streaking above her. She sighed, pulling her knees into her chest and propping her chin on them, her mind wandering to where it always ended up when she wasn't training or eating.

"Kajeel, when do you think Ryuu will be back?"

Kajeel sighed and she turned to look at him, meeting his eyes.

"Kaida, you must ask that about seven times a day." His tone was teasing but his eyes held gentle understanding that she wasn't sure if she herself understood. "I still haven't heard. He told me that the colony was only a day or so away so they either ran into trouble-" Her gut tightened at that. "-or it was further away then he thought."

She sighed again, her gaze returning to the sky.

"Is he okay?" Her voice was quieter than before. "Do you think they got caught by the Empire?"

Kajeel laughed, startling her enough to look back at him.

"No, I do not think they got caught." Kajeel's voice was surprisingly cold despite his earlier laughter. "Ryuu isn't one to do anything as stupid as that. Come on little dragon, you have to have at least a bit of faith in us! He's done this many times before."

Kaida blinked at him before giving him a small smile and scooting over to lean into his side, resting her head on his left shoulder as he wrapped his right arm under her wings and around her waist.

"I do have faith in you guys." She whispered. "I'm just worried about him. Them, I'm worried about them."

Kajeel chuckled but didn't reply or remark on her words, letting them drift into a comfortable silence. The stars were fully out now, any color from the setting sun gone from the sky by the time Kaida sat up and stretched, yawning slightly.