Silent Scream, Soundless Cry (Kaori)

[Jotari]

A blackened figure raced across the lava fields, blood streaming freely from various gashes and bruises covering her slim frame. Not far behind the female were five Muratian soldiers. They had already caught her once, tearing her scarlet dress viciously in the process. Still the raven haired woman had managed to escape and run away. She had to get out of Murate before she lost control, before Magrej knew she was here. Still, there was a strong limp from a twisted limb. While looking over her shoulder she had stepping into a hole.

The outlaw was a far cry from three days before. While leading a massive raid from Ohanzee, Black Star had sacrificed her freedom in trade for her Grellon's and refugees' safety. Black Star had one face to face with Magrej, had been imprisoned in his dungeons, but with the help from a rather interesting enemy, the outlaw had escaped. Unfortunately, her enemy, Rashok traitor of Kai, had set a few of his boys after her. Now she moved as quickly as possible, headed back to her beloved mountains.

Finally reaching the rocky piles, trading lava and pumice for solid stone, the outlaw was dismayed to find that the soldiers continues after her. Black Star was weak from blood loss and her injured leg throbbed with agonizing pain. But she could not head for the Grellon village. That would mean death for all her people. Instead, the outlaw queen went to a much closer location, Kaori's cave. Black Star did not care if Kaori was furious, she could not go on for much longer. She knew how he treated unwanted house guests and for what these men had attempted on her person, she was more then willing to hear their screams of pain.

Leaping like an injured doe the woman scrambled over the rocks and was grateful to feel grass again. Diving into the familiar woods she hoped to lose them, but to no avail. They were mere yards behind her. Black Star snarled but did not stop to fight. Ahead she saw the cave entrance. Black Star tripped and though she was quickly back to her feet this gave the guards even few more feet closer to her. The outlaw scrambled into the cave entrance, praying that Kaori was home.

But she could no longer run.

Exhausted and drained both physically and mentally the woman sank to the floor, unconscious. The remains of the scarlet dress, used as a disguise in her escape from Murate clung to the slim frame showing every curve and shadow. Ebony hair flowed around her limp head and those fiery eyes were closed in merciful senselessness. She lay on her side, one arm outstretched in pitiful helplessness. Blood all over, staining everything. There was still a deep gash on her face, open and bleeding. Usually tanned skin was deathly pale and marred with bruises. The usually strong and sarcastic Grellon outlaw was replaced with a poor delicate girl who carried the world's weight on thin shoulders.

But they did not see it like that. The five men had enjoyed their chase after the lovely creature. They had orders to make her pay and she would pay like any other good little whore, she would pay on her back. Racing after her was a giant game to them, like hunters after a vixen. They too darted into the cave, ignoring the various skulls and bones decorating the entrance like a welcome mat. Thrilled that their prey had finally fallen they did not feel pity, only lust. Laughing cruelly, they did not notice the certain smell of a dragon's cave or other warning signs, they were interested in caressing the woman's body. Running their ugly hands wherever the pleased, making dirty jokes and harsh comments not meant for any society polite or not. But they were foolish, not knowing just who's cave they were in and ho they happened to be molesting as she was in a forced witless rest.

These were five men though, who deserved to be roasted alive.

[Taske]

A small form could be seen nestled within the hay of the large dragon size chamber. It was a odd sight, a human nestled within the corner, dozing off. It must have been a brave human for sleeping in a dragons bed....

Smoke lifted from his mouth. Horns crested his head, the human form was non other then Kaori the Lord Dragon. is human form was used for one reason, to spend time with his lover, and boy did she wear him out! The fairy queen Titania had left him only a few hours before, so he went off to his bed to get a well needed sleep, something he would never do with her there, he would protect her with his life, so he stayed up watching her, and when ever she left he got sleep, in order to change to his real form or to get energy for her next visit.

But with the sound of scuffling feet and snort of lusting human males his horned head popped up. His fiery eyes became stormy. His strong since of smell kicked in, the huffing of lusting male, something he was all to familiar with now, was indeed coming from his front chamber, and so was a familiar smell or someone that he had not seen in over a month.

Kaori jumped to his feet then, his new baggy shorts hitting his knees and his furred jacket flying behind him as his dragon flight kicked in. He hovered into the front chamber, his eyes sharp and demanding, he knew once Black Star made her way back to her people she would come see him, for a few days before he had meet with her second in command about his disappearance, but she seemed to have brought unwelcome guests with her. Hostile guests. He landed a few feet from them, his red eyes looking the group over. Five males where advancing on his underling, hands outstretched, ready to take what they believed what was theirs.

A loud growl, one that seemed impossible for the human shape, lifted from his lungs, as fire swirled around his human form, lifting his hair and jacket. He advanced on the stupid humans, his dragons fire reaching out for there flesh. How stupid where theses men to walk right into the Lord Dragon's home? How dumb where those humans to think that Kaori would tolerate weapons and ill intents within his mountains!? "Do you know who's home you so rudely walked in on? Magrej's DOGS at that! I will enjoy this!" A growl lifted from him once more as the fire flowing around him stretched out and flamed the five men until only powder was left.

With the last of the mens smell lifted into the air the flam around him dispersed, his red eyes turned to the small tattered form on the floor as a Smirk lifted his face. "Well Well, it is about time you showed your face, well most of it." He crouched in front of her, his hand out and cupping her face, twisting it this way and that, looking at her blackened eyes and cheek, to the gash just above her black eye. "Here this will stop the bleeding." A small whist of fire twisted around one of his left hand claw as he pressed it to the the cut, the blood sizzled and formed a small scorched area, stopping the blood flow. The flame he used was no where hot enough to cause burning to healthy tissue, so she would feel a bit of heat, but nothing more.

He sat back on his heels and looked at her pathetic form. "So lets start from the begging, eh?"

[Jotari]

The first thing she felt was heat on her face and then a voice. Someone was touching her and animistic instincts kicked in, still remembering Magrej's hand going over her jaw. Still in an exhausted daze she bolted up and stepped back. Unfortunately, in her current condition being as it was, she fell back but continued to move away a few more feet before stopping, to tired to move. Breathing hard through dry lips she looked at him with dull dark grey eyes. Black Star couldn't fight. She couldn't even muster a sarcastic reply, something she had an knack for.

But after a few seconds the dull eyes glinted with the relization of just who that man was in front of her. She place her dagger back in its sheath and leaned her back against the rocky wall. Kaori in human form, that was new. The outlaw did however notice the piles of dust which brought a faint smile over her features. "You didn't leave any for me." Her voice was rough but joking in tone.

Using the wall for support she stood carefully, wincing and avoiding weight on her twisted leg. Black Star knew her way around his cave and knew that there was a place that he kept injured animals. She also knew that there would be some form of water. The outlaw managed to get some of the precious liquid, enjoying the sensation over her parched tongue and down her hot throat. Then coming back she returned to a place at the wall and sat down. The usually colorful eyes were a dull lifeless grey. But now she spoke to Kaori.

"Three days ago I was captured in Ohanzee. Magrej and I exchanged pleasantries, he gave me a few lovely new scars, but he did not recognize me. He does not know I am Jahanarwa. But his general does, it was Rashok. Rashok was my fiance's brother and the one who started this whole mess. He helped me out but sent those five goons of his after me. I've been trying to escape them for two days straight. I figured you would enjoy party guests."

The outlaw queen sat very still and winced every so often as some twinge of pain shot through her body. Black Star really didn't give a damn if he yelled at her for bringing in Muratian guards. Kaori had done a pretty thorough job of getting rid of them. She just wanted her leg to quit hurting.

[Taske]

The dragon stuffed a laugh at her reaction to him. Yes he knew she would not know him right away, but it should be a given who it is, the horns on his head should be enough. But then again by the look of her a man had taken his fist to her on more than one occasion, so it was understandable with her reaction. And that through brought a smile to his face. He was a scary dragon so fear always satisfied him... well unless his sweet heart feared him, that was a different story.

Kaori puffed smoke, a high and mighty grin on his face as she commented to his new prize. "Of course not dear, they came into my home with there human killing stones, trying to assault one of my sheep, it was the lest I can do." He leaned against the near wall, his arms and ankles crossed. Let hear her comment about his dragons fire again, not all dragons can burn a human body to ashes, it took the most powerful one in his prime in the least.

But the smile on his face soon lifted as her story started to unfold, His pride within himself faded into anger. So Magrej's own hand had made those bruises and cuts on her face. He growled His face twisting, he had used his hands on a woman that he only knew as a OutLaw. The dragons eyes turned into a blaze, he looked to his caves entrance, wanting to right then jump into the air and fly right into Magrej's castle and show him just how he should treat his outlaws!

But Kaori knew better then that, he would be forced to change to his true form, and that would leave him to exhausted to even fly to Muratian land let alone to Magrej's door. "So Black Star tell me, this Rashok, what is his angle on all this goings on? Why help you then send his dogs to chase you down." His voice went from a angry whisper to a loud boom.He could not hold his anger anymore, Muratians just made no since to him! His anger was rising, those people seemed to be nothing but dogs, they where all pests that need to be taken care of.

The dragon started to pace, his bare feet hitting the stone floor with small pats, he wanted nothing more then to kill every pest within his reach. But no he could not make any quick choices while angry. "Black Star, when the time comes I will go with you to get Magrej's head." He stopped in front of her, dragons fire swirling around him again.

[Jotari]

Black Star tore off the bottom of the skirt and was tightly wrapping her injured leg. It would get her home anyway. She just needed to rest. At least the pressure within her had lessened, she no longer had to keep tight clench of every movement for fear Magrej would sense her presence. Tying the cloth she looked up at the dragon male before her. For a moment, she was again the princess of Kai. Jahanarwa was there, regal and commanding. For a moment, she was the guardian. "Don't do anything rash dragon lord, I need you alive." Sighing she faded back into the injured and exhausted outlaw queen.

" Rashok is still in love with me, always jealous of Kasheem. But he is no fool, Rashok knew better then to simply let me free. He serves Magrej and desired to find my Grellon village." Black Star yawned and shook her head in attempt to clear it. Her aching muscles were relaxing now and she was exhausted even with the fire show in front of her. " I will leave you in peace as soon I can walk, Kaori. But I sense that something is about to happen, something bad. I do not understand this but I do know Magrej's magic is getting more active and stronger. But I cannot walk yet and even if you threatened to kill me I would probably rather sit here. She chuckled deep in her throat but her eyes were still that dull grey. But now her eyes were fighting to stay open. Black Star was exhausted but she knew better then to sleep with Kaori around. Kaori may not exactly like her here, goodness knows he was storming about, and until he relaxed a bit she was going to avoid becoming firewood. Still, her body was tired and hungry, though thankfully no longer thirsty. Black Star also knew that the Grellon would be very worried. She would need to tell them eventually. But right now, she needed to find a safe place to sleep and recuperate. If Kiyer wasn't so damn far she would have asked Alexa for refuge. But first to watch the dragon lord.

[Taske]

Kaori puffed smoke at her, his arms tightening accost his chest, like he needed to be told what to do, he was far older then her, so much so that he had watched the empire of Kai made then fall. To think that she in full princess mode had the nerve to tell him what to do. "Jahanarwa I do not need your advice, I am an old and wise dragon, I have not just hatched thank you."

Kaori stopped his pacing and turned to Black Star. "Rashok is a fool and so is his master." He puffed more, the ceiling filling with his smoke. He was tire, so tire of Magrej, tired in body and mind. He was so absorbed with his own tiredness that he almost missed Black Star slump and make up excuses for what ever she thought about him and guests.

"Stay Black Star, rest up, gain strength, heal. I am not going to eat you in your sleep, hell Why would I, you have done nothing that a vessel for a king wouldn't do. And besides humans taste nasty, and you would taste even worse then most." He did not understand why Black Star seemed to think the worst of him, he had done nothing but show her and her people kindness, but it was what it was, and besides the more she feared him the better, that always meant that she was careful where she traded, and that always saved him anxiety. "You get the guest room." He waved his hands at the room that she was slumped in, his eyes tracing her form as she slipped deeper and deeper into sleep.

Kaori huffed again and went off to his room, he needed sleep, but first, he turned his body filling out into that of his true form, the wings on his bad spreading out to stretch, He needed sleep now and then action later, he needed to remind the Muratian just who owned this mountains and anything in it, and remind them of his rules, but first... sleep. His large form dropped into a puff of straw in his bed chamber, her large blazing eyes closing much like Black Stars had a little while ago...

[Jotari]

The outlaw waited till he had left before allowing the faint grin across her face. Standing slowly she went into the guest chamber and allowed her tired body to fall into the fluffy stuff on the floor. Half-buried in the stuff like a wood mouse, the outlaw started drifting off. Black Star had never been afraid of Kaori, but she simply allowed him to think that. It was the same thing she had done with Rashok and Magrej wen in Murate. Magrej thought she was just a cheeky little outlaw. Rashok thought that she had pitied him for his stupidity. Neither of them knew her full hatred for them. But she had no fear or hatred toward Kaori, but then again she didn't have a horribly large amount of respect all the time either.

Kaori had his pride and Black Star intended for him to keep it. Perhaps it was not the most truthful thing in the world, but it kept everyone where they were most needed. One day, all of this charade would end. Her spirit would be free again. So she allowed her exhausted body to sleep.

The outlaw did nothing more then eat and sleep in the room for about three days. On the third day of her recuperation she tested out her limbs and found everything quite sound. The leg was a bit sore, but nothing more then that. Black Star went out and found a passing Grellon member who was stunned at her appearance. Many had privately thought her dead. He nodded at her orders and ran off. When the man came back he had several Grellon members with him but the real thing Black Star wanted was a certain leather bag.

The Grellon members did not approach the cave but Black Star entered and placed the bag in Kaori's treasure chamber. The outlaw never forgot any one's kindness or hospitality and she knew Kaori would enjoy the jewels and gold. The festival had been very good to the outlaws this year. Turning on her heels she shouted back as she left the cavern, " Try not to do anything stupid, old one! " The outlaw laughed, though her men were ready to dodge any fire that came out of that cave, and for the first time in days her eyes started to come out of the grey dull state.

Black Star was back.