Disclaimer: As the whole world Knows, Takeshi Konomi owns Prince Of Tennis and I own nothing. I just play in his sand box with some dragons and a demon or two......

I don't own Final Fantasy or the Albed language either....

Big Thankyous to all those wonderful people out there for your reviews and your encouragement!! The ending for this story was written by request by DSM who loves Mori-Tachi pairing! Hope you, the reader enjoy it too!

A quick character note: Kippei may come across as a calm person in the anime, but lets face it; his off court behaviour hasn't been too deeply explored and who knows, he may just have a weird sense of humour when the mood takes him. Also, in this story please remember he is a demon and has a certain level of mild mischief that's a part of his nature.

" "

Story: Tora Macaw.

Ed: Kerin

PART 2

Hastily turning his head while lowering his camera, Mori caught a glimpse of bright purple. Steadying his gaze, he found himself  glaring at Mizuki who was casually twirling a lock of fine black hair around one finger, while observing Uchimura with a predatory gleam in his dark eyes. Appearing to come to a decision, the teen from St Rudolf glided forward and closed in on his prey.

Unaware of being stalked, Uchimura attacked his breakfast while ignoring the Seigaku boys as they quietly discussed his presences.

Licking his lips, Mizuki rapidly closed the gap, only to stop when an arm suddenly dropped over his neck, and a low voice smirked into his left ear.

" Hello Elf. Going somewhere?"

Dark eyes briefly glowed bright red then dimmed, setting the sleazy young man's nerves jangling. He spent all of two seconds silently cursing himself for his carelessness, then assumed a cool, collected expression.

"Tatsu, I didn't see you."

Curling back his lips to give his tennis rival his other smile (the fanged one), Mori spoke as though quietly discussing the weather. "And now that you have, Go annoy some other poor unsuspecting victim."

"Annoy?"  Feigning shock, Mizuki dramatically lifted a hand to his chest, as a wounded look flooded his eyes. " Why, I only came over to wish Kyo here good luck for the regionals."

Puckering his lips, Mori blew cold breath in the dark haired boy's face, then let his lips part in an evil smirk." We will win Elf boy. Make no mistake!"

Confronted by a mouthful of grinning shark's teeth, Mizuki felt a sudden urge to bolt for the dubious safety of the counter. Instead, he curled his hair about his finger with one hand, while nonchalantly shrugging Mori's arm off with the other.

"Hmm... Our team is unstoppable, but..." Waving a hand with lazy indolence, the St Rudolf manager worked up a sly smirk of his own. " We have our Left handed killer and few other little surprises."

Mori drew back to raise a sardonic eye brow. "No chance elf. Fudomine is going to eat you... alive! "

Moving away, Mori returned to his seat, and retrieved the camera from its hiding place, to train the lens upon the doorway.

Catching the image of a face framed by coal black hair, the sharp fanged youth purred, "Now there's Kirihara, so do the world a favour and go bug prissy wings."

Mizuki gave the Rikkai singles-two star a sharp glance, then turned aside, one knee crossing the other, his right arm draped loosely over the back of his chair. Changing from twirling, he rubbed a dark strand of dangling forelock between thumb and index finger as he softly replied, "The demented mixed breed? Huh, I would rather play with a wounded dragon."

"Really?" Leaning forward, Mori's eyes glittered with demonic delight as he laid the camera aside. "You do know I can arrange that!"  Leaning back so his chair groaned and tipped alarmingly, the spiky haired teen laced his hands behind his head, then whistled quietly as he cheerfully studied the ceiling. "Now who can I... Hah!"   Shifting his weight so the chair legs hit the floor with one hell of loud bang that instantly caught the room's attention, Mori stretched his neck as he half stood to stare into  Mizuki's startled eyes at point blank range. " Akutsu is easy enough to stir up!"  Back snapping straight as he stood upright; Mori playfully informed his table partner to stay right where he was, and he would return with the bad tempered green before a tennis ball could bounce.

Gritting his teeth, Mizuki shot a quick sweeping glance to the room at large, frowned at how Inui was so obviously writing data on him, then placed his hands on the table to shove his chair back and push to his feet. Tossing a sly grin Uchimura's way as the young man glared daggers at the wan'na-be gigolo so close to his boyfriend, Mizuki ended the conversation by stalking up to the counter  to lean upon it and wink at the handsome young man making fresh sushi rolls.

Sighing with pleasure at having won that round, Mori suddenly noticed his camera fodder was strolling out the door. So hastily grabbing a scowling Uchimura, he set off in hot pursuit.

"LOCATION: The mall. Hidden amongst the morning crowds. Kyo wants ice cream. His so sweet!!

TIME: 11.52am"

" The wild Kaido and his mate appear to be searching for new adornment, or perhaps entertainment as they cast about in search of things to hunt."  Pausing in his narrative, Mori gave a glaring security guard a jaunty salute, hastily shoved the camera inside the concealing folds of his coat, then ducked behind booth selling fruit juices. Peering out from behind a large gaily coloured sign boasting energy giving syrup drinks, Mori watched as Inui wrote out Kaido's reaction to the drink the bandana wearing boy had purchased, then smirked at Seigaku juice fiends frown as he held the clear plastic cup up to the light. Withdrawing the camera once more, Mori held it up to his eye.

" After studying the mixture at great length, we see the wild Inui return the drink to his mate." Murmured the youth as he filmed.

"Ah, Tatsu? Ah, this isn't a good idea right now."

"Huh?"

Wondering why his boyfriend was repeatedly tugging his coat, Mori turned to face him, and for the first time noticed the three burly, black clad security guards baring down on them, an angry glint flashing across their dark glasses.

Across the wide mall, Inui broke off his latest formula explanations to stare with great interest at the strange sight of Mori Tatsunori and his short offsider Uchimura Kyousuke, as they galloped headlong through the milling crowds, leaping benches and crashing through various displays in their headlong dash to escape the wrath of an ever growing band of security guards. Glasses gleaming with malicious pleasure at his rivals misfortune's, Inui wrote up his most useful data yet, while Kaido sighed with relief that it was finally someone else's turn to have a really bad day.

"LOCATION: The back of the bowling alley.  Finally threw off those stupid humans after being chased for six blocks. Note to self: Human guards have absolutely NO sense of humour!

TIME: now 1.37 pm."

"Kyo, I've been thinking."

Giving his lover a sour glare, Uchimura irritably brushed imaginary dust from his jacket, then grumbled, "Dangerous past time."

Mori chuckled lightly as he reached out to rub the top of Uchimura's cap so it twisted annoyingly against his

scalp. "Very dangerous! Hmmm... I was thinking, we could do with a little help."

Thoughtfully tapping his chin, Mori strolled to and fro before his sneering lover as he plotted his next line of attack. Coming to an abrupt halt, Mori whirled about so fast that Uchimura eeped and jumped back from mild fright.

 "Tonight!"

"Excuse me?"

For a moment, Mori rubbed his hands together, then closed his eyes, pointing straight up with his left index finger, as his right arm folded behind his back. "Tonight I shall gather the team, and we shall hunt!!"

Uchimura's jaw dropped as he gazed at Mori in shear disbelief.  "Hunt? Are crazy? no, no, don't answer that. Look, we aren't Lyrium!!

We can't hunt the Seigaku regulars!!"  Starting to pace, the short youth shook his head with worry. "It's countered as Stalking Tatsu, and we are in enough trouble with the humans as it is!!"  Rounding on the smugly smiling Mori, Uchimura made one last ditch appeal. " Let's just scrap this tape, and start over. Then, maybe Mrs Matoh will let us live."

Voicing a snigger filled to busting with sadistic under tones that made Uchimura's heart sink, Mori wrapped loving arms about the shorter boy, then planted a firm kiss atop the grey cap's crown.

 "You worry to much, and that's one of the reasons your so cute Kyo, but we are going to do this!"

Sighing, Uchimura snuggled into his lovers strong arms. "I'm doomed, I know it."

Laughing, Mori slid his warm fingers under the shorter boys chin then bent to kiss him, but snapped up right as two familiar figures wandered into view. Snatching up his camera, he excitedly squeaked, "What wonderful luck!" and got down to filming while Uchimura sarcastically groaned, "Yeah, lucky us!"

Totally deaf to his boyfriends sorrow's, Mori rasped into the camera's mic; "Here we  clearly see the wild Kaido and his mate as they make their way back to their den. The wild Inui is tender as he delicately wipes the sweat from his mates brow, by using a clean face towel. Now, in a beautiful courtship display, The wild Inui feeds the Wild Kaido with the offering of a juicy ripe apple, which the wild Kaido accepts while turning a lovely shade a delicate red. With his back to the camera, the wild Inui seems to be ready to leave as he takes his mate in his arms and... Kyo! Look at... THAT! "

His arms wrapped around his lovers waist, Uchimura forgot his about misgivings as he joined Mori in excitedly leaning forward. Both started in wonder, mouths agape at the unexpected scene unfolding before them.

There, in the shadows of the alleyway before them, Inui held Kaido in his arms, then he lifted his right hand to his face, and when it slowly lowered, a pair of thick, squared off glasses dangled firmly between thumb and forefinger.

Almost dropping the camera in awe at catching this incredible sight on film, Mori hissed under his breath as the pair before him

kissed tenderly. "Turn damn it!! Come on you juice brewing freak, lets see...your eyes!"

Shooting his boyfriend an apprehensive glance, Uchimura quietly cautioned, " If he does look this way, then make damn sure you don't look! I can't make out with a statue!!"

 Keeping one eye firmly closed as a silently willed the disguised Basilisk to turn, Mori murmured out the corner of his mouth, " He can't freeze me through a camera Kyo. Oh boy, what a scoop this is!! I bet that snoop Shiba would pay a small fortune for a photo of Inui's naked gaze!! 

Silently wondering if even a mere photo had the power to turn things into stone, Uchimura clung to his boyfriends hips in a mixture of terror and awe as the pair of serpents broke the kiss to gaze lovingly into each others eyes. Sighing at the tender sight of Kaido reaching up to gently stoke his lovers long, lean face, the little Fudomine demon rested his head against Mori's waist and closed his eyes. But he opened them at his lovers sharp intake of breath and back jerking movement as he watched the couple in the alley way slowly turn his way.  "That's it... Oh yeah! Come on stone eyes, lets see those pretty gold peepers..."

The spiky haired head continued it's painfully slow twist, then both demons stifled a gasp, Uchimura ducking behind the shield of Mori's body as Inui began to face them. Keeping one eye tightly closed, Mori grit his teeth as the camera's eye piece dug uncomfortably into his flesh, and he felt his jaw hang loose as the corner of  Inui's right eye came into view with a golden gleam....

" Mada mada da ne."

Cursing the Imp's horrendously bad timed arrival, Mori almost threw the camera down with frustration as squared off glasses whipped back into place and Ryoma swaggered up to join his team mates.

"By Aion's accursed eagle, that stupid dragon blood!! Damn it!!"  Rounding on his startled lover, Mori held up his thumb and index finger to hold them a tiny space apart and thrust them at Uchimura's face while moaning through clenched teeth, " This close!! Damn it Kyo, I was this blasted close!! and that walking pile of dragon ash just Had to come and stick his nose in!!"

Shaking his head, Uchimura reached out to consolingly take his boy friends hand, only to step back when Mori whirled about to fix him with a fanatical bright gaze. "Sound the hunt call and gather the troops Kyo!"

" Hunt call? What the hell... Tatsu, for the last time we are NOT Dark Hunters!  We don't HAVE a Hunt Call !  Look, can't we just..."

"No Kyo, we can't. Damn it, I'm not giving up. If those two are getting together tonight..." Pausing, Mori slammed his fist into his palm then snapped " I want to know!!"

Swinging about, Mori watched his prey jog away along side Ryoma, then turned his head to observed Inui as he strode off alone.

Hefting his camera yet again, the young demon shoved his cell phone at Uchimura with his free hand. "You and I will follow Kaido, so call up the others and have them watch bassy boy. With any luck, we'll hit pay dirt if they meet later."

Grumbling under his breath, the shorter youth dialled Ishida's number, completely unaware they had an unseen audience. Crimson eyes glowing within concealing shadows of  his hiding place behind a huge dumpster, the silent watcher smirked with malicious delight. ' sound the hunt call. Hmmm, not a bad idea.....'

"LOCATION: The cinema. Hail hail, the gangs all here...except for Tachi, damn it!! Stupid family visit! Oh well....Sure are a lot of people around...plenty of humans...Hmmm.....some of the Shadow Rock clan...Hey that guy owes me money! Huff... now were was I? Oh yeah.....

TIME: 7.30pm"

Having completed his pre-filming notes, Mori beamed at his assembled team mates, then led them through the cinema's crowed lobby to sketch out his plan. "Here, take these." he said while giving each demon a note book and pen. " Once inside, we take up strategic positions around those two belly crawlers and make certain you miss nothing!"  Giving his hidden camera a little pat through the folds of his long, black leather coat, Mori  sniggered then whispered, "Kyo and I will be right behind them."  Straightening, he held out his hand and after a moments hesitation the others covered it in a comradely gesture. " Right, any last questions? Yes Masaya?"

" You promised me popcorn."

Mori airily waved a dismissive hand, then shoved a handful of notes at Ishida. "Buy him whatever he wants"  Nodding, the tall bandana wearing demon youth's face slowly curved into a sly grin as he slipped an arm around Sakurai.

" Can I have ice cream?"

" Long as you two clean up the mess, I don't care. Anyone else? Yes Akira?"

Lowering his raised hand to absent mindedly stroke Shinji's shiny blue-black hair, he calmly reminded his team mate to keep his dance promise.

"Two hours of Dance Dance Revolution, I'm paying. OK, got it. Shinji, anything to say?"

Directing his comments straight at Mori's nose, he mumbled, " High borns of Thleerium shouldn't be acting like low born donn. We are not hunters and this exercise demeans us all, plus I'm sure there's a law about taking video camera's into a cinema. I don't even want to see this movie as I've heard it's rather boring and I can't see why the Seigaku team would even consider watching it. Mind you, two of them are snakes so this movie holds a connection for them I guess. But when did you ever listen to me even though my birth clan is so much higher than yours. You are always so arrogant and if you weren't my team mate I would crush you..."

" Shinji..."

"What...."

"Shut the hell up or I'll get the rope and ribbons out."

"Promises....."

Slapping his brow and ignoring Akira's blazing stare of doom, Mori indicated with an elbow nudge and quick flick of the fingers that their quarry was on the move and disappearing through the large double doors amidst a mildly jostling crowd.

A few minutes later, the Fudomine demons handed their tickets to smiling young woman (whose expression switched to one of apprehension at the sight of Mori) then entered the auditorium. A quick glance about showed their prey to be sitting dead centre ten rows back from the screen, with the rest of Seigaku scattered in pairs throughout the large room and settling in comfortably.

Ishida and Sakurai took up seats to Inui and Kaido's right, while Kamio and Shinji slipped into empty chairs to the left.

Seeing the seats behind the Seigaku serpents already filled up with the seven regulars of Goykurin Chuu, Uchimura gave his boyfriend a sharp poke to the ribs then spoke quietly. "So much for your grand plan."

Mori sniggered in a disturbingly familiar tone that sent a couple of passing girls scurrying for cover as he turned into the eleventh row.

"Ordinary humans my love!  What's the problem? Just give me two seconds..."

Stepping with the feather light tread of stalking cat, Mori sidled up to the regional hopefuls then leaned over to quietly speak when they glared  at him resentfully. Coughing softly into his fist, the Fudomine youth then directed his remarks to Suzuki.

"You sir, have taken my seat."

Squirming slightly, the young man flicked his dark eyes briefly at the unwelcome intruder, then pretended to ignore him. Taking their que from their team mates defiance, the others sniggered under their breaths while shooting little glances of dislike Mori's way. Voicing a low, sinister chuckle, the spiky haired doubles one player almost draped himself over Inokuchi and Nakano to lower his head and stare into Suzuki's nervous eyes at point blank range.

" I can see you don't understand."

The Goykurin doubles one star was about to work up an angry reply to the veiled threat, when he jumped up in fright, his bladder almost losing control at the sight of Mori's eyes glowing scarlet in the dim light.

Suddenly realizing these seats didn't really suit his movie viewing pleasure at all, he snatched up his scattered snacks, then scurried off the find better arrangements, his team mates in hot pursuit. Turning to Uchimura, Mori smirked in triumph, then settled himself comfortably in the padded seat directly behind Inui.

'Did you enjoy that? I must thank you for the valuable data you have supplied me.

Wincing a little at the strong mind send then glaring at the human disguised basilisk's ridged back as the youth hastily took notes,

Mori concentrated on resetting his mental defences, then curved an arm over his boy friend's shoulders as the movie began.

Ten minutes or so later, he surreptitiously withdrew his little cam cord, and held it against his chest, its lens trained on Inui's back as he whispered, " The wild serpents are watching a movie that is no doubt a documentary about their own kind, in fact, the resemblance is striking..."

"Fisssshhhhh..."

Twin orbs of pale grey in a lean face that whipped about to glare savagely at him, briefly flashed bright green, then Kaido turned his attention back to the screen. Smirking, Mori gave his camera an affectionate pat. ' And he didn't even notice you my pet! Ah, what a joyous occasion! Those snake eyes will look so pretty on film..'  Breaking off his thoughts at Uchimura's elbow nudge to the ribs, Mori swiftly thrust the camera out of sight as a passing usher paused to eye him suspiciously, then he gave his lover a long, passionate kiss, breaking off only when the man growled in disgust and stomped away.

"Thanks for the warning Koibito."

Uchimura's only answer was a long suffering sigh, then he rested his head on his lovers shoulder.

More time past. Huge, terrifying Anaconda's filled up the screen, making Mori chuckle at Kaido's snide remark at how much one of them resembled his uncle Ralph in America as he secretly continued to film and add whispered comments.

' Here we see the family of wild Kaido's frolicking with their human pets on the silver screen. But the Kaido serpent is rough and untrained, thus it devours it's pets with the deep throat action all male's really enjoy. We see the wild Kaido is getting excited at the sight. Perhaps he too longs to swallow his prey whole like that of his Basilisk mate whom we see taking valuable data at this time...'   

" Excuse me sir, but we must ask you come with us."

"Wha...?"

Mori had been so engrossed in his filming and Uchimura was too busy being sick, to notice two ushers and a dreaded security guard  had sneaked up on him. Throwing a filthy look at Kaido as he positively hissed with glee over Mori's discovery at being in possession of an illegal video camera in a cinema, the outraged young demon allowed himself to be frog marched out of the auditorium while silently plotting dire vengeance on the Seigaku belly crawler.

The movie ended and the rest of Fudomine gathered around Uchimura to compare notes and discover their ring leader had gone missing. While the smallest team member fretted, Akira very calmly informed his friend that no human ever got one over the razor fanged demon and reassured him that Mori was no doubt just lying in wait some where. Agreeing, Ishida pushed through the milling crowds blocking the doorways, to have his jaw drop in mute amazement at the scene before them.

Sirens wailing, blue lights flashing, three police cars careened across the road way, in pursuit of a wild eyed Mori who was bolting for his life.

Another car appeared on the scene to skid to a side ways halt before him. Doors flew open, and gun totting police officers instantly took up the chase. Like a fox being pursued by a pack of yelping hounds, Mori charged about, constantly ducking waving batons, weaving away from grasping hands, and leaping over policemen as he ploughed into them thus knocking them off their feet, his long black leather coat billowing out dramatically behind him as he sought means of escape. Overhead, a helicopter trained its search light on him, its chopping rotor blades whipping up the air as it hovered several meters above the chaotic chase.

Jumping into the roof of a parked mini van, Mori snarled at his human hunters, his eyes briefly flooding with red. Catching sight of his team mates as they stood flanked by a wide eyed Kaido and that insufferable data writing Inui, Mori sent them an urgent mind send.

'I'm ending this farce now! Meet me on the Fudomine tennis grounds!'

Without waiting for a reply, he sprang off the van, sprinted straight at a large truck parked directly across his path, then gathered himself for one final leap. The back of his coat lifted, then fanned out to resemble big black wings as the force of his incredible vault carried him clean over the truck's high roof and out of sight.

All around, the watching crowd sighed with awe, then began to chatter excitedly while police offerers scratched their heads in disbelief, then regrouped to take up the chase.

Starting to move out, Akira paused when a familiar voice drawled close by. "Demons are such show off's, na Kabaji?"

"Usu!"

Shaking his head at the proud Hikari's obvious amusement, the flame haired Halfling shot a quick glance at a frowning Tezuka standing to his left, then joined his team mates as they left for their rendezvous with their trouble making friend.

Laying on his back in centre of a silent tennis court, his hands laced behind his head as one bent leg crossed the other at the knee, Mori sang softly as he studied the night sky.  Hearing  the steady tramp of boot shod feet entering the area, he turned his head to smirk at his team mates steady approach. Rolling onto his belly, he then hissed like a snake and laughingly sat up to ask, " What took you so long?" Seeing their bemused expressions, Mori sprang lightly to his feet then whipped out his camera with a flourish. Holding it high, he smirked, " Time to pick up the chase boys!" 

Assorted moans, sigh's and brow slaps met his announcement, causing the youth to frown. Then, his undefeated grin flashed out once more as he held up a cheery finger. " Now don't tell me you lot are giving up?" Akira and Shinji looked away while the others twitched restlessly. " Come ON, the night's still young and we have some serpents to film!"  Seeing his team mates look of uncertainty, Mori spread his hands in an imploring gesture. " These are the demons' hours my friends! Come and join in the fun!"

Glaring, Shinji cast a quick look around and fully satisfied that no human eyes were near, lifted his arms then transformed. With great Reddish-brown with a sheen of red bat wings curved out from his sides, long whip like tail curling primly about his legs and long, slightly shaggy blue-black hair waving on the gentle night breeze, Shinji; Demon prince of The Times Circle Clan, was an impressive and formidable sight. Stepping back a little, Mori fixed his eyes on the royal demon's well grown horns as they reared smoothly back from just above his large pointed ears, then let his gaze rest briefly on the leaf shaped patterns adorning Shinji's brow, before lowering to meet the stern gaze of dark crimson eyes.

For a brief moment, their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills, that ended when Mori looked away first.

Bridging the gap between them with two easy strides, Shinji placed both clawed hands upon Mori's shoulders then spoke quietly.

" May I remind you member of The Razor Fang, of the great pact of the Brotherhood. All those of mythic blood took an oath to protect and defend each other, and your insistent chasing of the snake breeds may be counted as an act of war. I saw tonight that the dragon king is displeased and such behaviour is a reflection on all of us. Yet I shall openly join you in your venter this night and ask the rest of us to accompany you, not just to keep you from causing more trouble with the mortals, but also due to, lets say, a personal matter."

Mori had sadly hung his head at Shinji's little speech, but now the spiky haired head shot up as he gazed at his prince in shear disbelief. Shinji actually wished to catch the Seigaku snake breeds on film? Wanted to AID him in his quest? Mind whirling at this unexpected turn of events, Mori found he could ask only one thing..."Why?"

Shrugging, Shinji resumed his normal human form, then started to walk, the others falling into place behind him as he answered his team mates question. " The Naga and the Basilisk intrigue me, as I've never seen them fully in their true forms. Plus, they are from Seigaku and it maybe interesting to annoy them and therefore take a mild revenge over a certain member who once did me out of the perfect grip tape..."

"LOCATION: Depths of the forest, hidden within the shadows of thick undergrowth.

TIME: 12.24am"

" After carefully tracking the wild serpents, we continue our study of the snake bloods as they perform their pre-mating ritual. Iridescent python and rippling black and gold scales shimmer in the soft moon light as it filters through the tall trees to gently caress the serpents, adding its own loving touch and warm glow to this marvellously romantic atmosphere."

"Hmm.." Remarked Ishida as he stroked his chin and half turned his head to wink at Mori as he filmed the quiet setting laid out before them. "Your pretty good at this. Ever think of going professional?"

Crouched down on his other side, Akira groaned "Oh god help us all." then dealt his larger team mate a rebuking shove.

"Hey! Quiet you two!" snapped Mori with a low growl, then he pointed towards the distant tree line where two sets of white eyes  hatefully watched the loving couple from their vantage point of an overhead branch.

Seeing a major drama about to unfold, Shinji warned everyone to stay hidden and shield their eyes while Mori kept filming and whispered,

" The mating serpents are about to have some serious company  as a pair of predators close in. We now see the hunters stealthy approach, but the Wild serpents have not been caught unawares. Note the elemental powers of the wild Naga as it whips up a mini storm to drive away the predators, but the foolish beasts attack once more. The great golden eyes of the wild basilisk now come into play, and the hunters prove extremely foolhardy as they attempt a kill, but find to there extreme sorrow that the tables have turned, and they themselves have now become the victims." 

"MR MORI!"

The teachers strident scream spilt the Monday morning air with it's raucous venom, bringing the spiky haired student to an abrupt halt. Reaching the youth in four big aggressive strides, she snatched his left ear then dragged him forcefully into her class room.

Releasing him with a furious flick of the wrist, Mrs Matoh slammed Mori's video tape down onto her desk so hard it almost shattered, then snarled into his surprised face.

"Explain yourself Mori!!"

Curling his lip in a satisfied grin, he calmly answered, "Explain... what?"

Throwing up her hands in exasperation, the teacher practically screeched, "HEAVEN HELP ME!", then slammed her tight clenched fist's down to face the impassive student.

"I give you and Uchimura a simple assignment, yet you completely take it over, then almost turn it into a national incident! First, I tell you not to STALK, then I see you evading police on the late night news!"

Pausing to draw breath, she fixed Mori with an angry, red-faced stare; then reached into one of her desks large open draws to remove then slam a large pile of papers down between them.

"Look at all these police reports! Filming old ladies, taking a camera into a cinema, creating a public disturbance... what the hell were you thinking boy!"

Mori opened his mouth to speak, but his teachers right fist crashed down on the desk once more.

"And when did I say you could turn this video into a special effects movie?"

Scratching his head in a puzzled manner, Mori said quietly, "Special effects movie? But Mrs Matoh...."

"NO BUTS!" she screeched as she shook her fist in his face. Snatching up the tape, she stalked over to a VCR then hastily stuffed it in. Fuming as the screen erupted into life, she tapped her foot then flung out an accusing finger.

"Right Mr! Explain... THAT!"

Fighting down the urge to yawn, Mori peered intently at the TV. A huge black and gold serpent gently twined it's self around the large python body of a half man, half snake, it's long tongue caressing the bazaar Halflings naked human torso and face as their lower half's joined in a blatant sexual display that made his teacher blush, then savagely grind her teeth. The scene shifted, and the serpents began battling what looked like a pair of demons!

Shrugging nonchalantly as the demons on film turned to stone, Mori half turned away with a casual, "It looks pretty good to me."

"Well I gave no such permission to add C.G'ing to this tape!!"

Seizing Mori's arm in a killer grip that made him wince, his teacher roared " You are going before the principle... NOW!"

Seated on a low stool by the office door, Mori listened with malicious pleasure to his teachers frantic rants. Knowing he had really out done himself this time to get such fantastic results, he leaned back to thoroughly enjoy the show. Rising from behind his desk, the principle placed his hands behind his back and silently stared out the window.

It was only when the shouting woman paused to breath that he finally spoke.

"Thank you Mrs Matoh, I can take it from here... you my go."

Once the fuming teacher had left, the middle aged, grey haired man sighed heavily then crossed the office to securely bolt the door.

Knowing they wouldn't be disturbed, the principle addressed his remarks to the inanimate wooden object.

"You disappoint me young Tatsu, truly."

At the simple, soft spoken statement, Mori hung his head and mumbled, "I'm sorry"

The sound of leathery wings rustled in the following quiet. "You don't sound sorry"

" But, I have displeased you... clan father."

Risking a glance up, Mori saw the tall, black haired demon silently appraising him, a look of tender concern washing the sternness from his deep purple eyes. Lips curled to briefly display sharkish fangs, then he flicked his tail out to lightly lash the youths knees.

The chastisement was more a caress than a slap, yet tears sprang into Mori's red demon eyes.

Folding his arms, the older demon held his wings stiffly at his sides, then spoke in a deep tone of gentle sorrow.

"The moral realm is not your playground Cbenymmehk yen. Shinji was with you last night, and I know what he told you."

Pausing a moment, he glanced toward the window then gazed at Mori's pale face as he continued. "You should listen to the prince young imp. The Times Circle clan are just below that of Dark Storm and his father is second to Lord Adion himself."

" Dark Storm" Muttered Mori. " Tachi's clan. He's a royal too, but he is different."

"True, but the Razor Fang is also respected. However, your little escapade among the humans and the snake bloods may have bought the wrath of the dragon lord upon our heads. Cbenym, may I remind you, it is they not us who protect the Brotherhood."

"And the Hikari protect them!! Those over grown rock lizards are nothing without the cloud dancers!"

"Yet those "Cloud dancers" have sided with Thleerium." Said the elder with a slightly menacing undertone that made Mori flush with shame. "Demons and Hikari are no longer at war imp. Times have changed and you would do well to respect them. Then of course, there is of still the matter of yesterday to discuss."

Flinching as his clan leader strode up to him, then carefully laid both hands on his shoulders, Mori hardly dared to look the taller demon in the eye, yet he patted the youths shoulders in a fatherly fashion as he sighed deeply.

" If not for the fact that you are my favourite Great Grandson... but you are my boy, and I can cover for you... again!"

Hope shone in Mori's eyes as he stood up for the fist time since the lecture had begun. "You mean...?"

"Yes imp, I'll clean up your mess and settle the dragon king, but this Cbenymmehk yen is the very LAST TIME ! Understand?"

A radiant smile lit up Mori's solemn face as even being called by his true demon name no longer cowered him. He was off the hook, and this time, he silently vowed to stay off it, for a little while at least.

"Oh yes Great Grandfather, I'll be as good as a new born Hikari babe!"

"That's what you said last time Grandson." Chided the elder gently while giving Mori's horns a playful twist.

The time had come to return to class. Closing the principle office door behind him, Mori was surprised by the soft voice that spoke by his ear. "So you got lucky Tatsu."

"Tachi!"

"Come here Baka!"

Pushing himself off the wall he'd been leaning on, Kippei pulled Mori into his arms and kissed him soundly. Breaking contact, he held Mori against his chest, then murmured into his hair.

"Your just damn lucky the principle is your Clan Leader as well as your Great Grandfather or you would be a steaming pile of charred dragon exhaust by now. I'm not about to loose you my love, so you had best behave 'cause if you don't, Uchimura will be missing his primary bed warmer and I will...."

Covering Mori's mouth with his own, Kippei left the threat hanging and Mori found he didn't mind at all.

End of third chronicle.

To be continued................

The Words: cbenymmehk yen.....means " Spiralling Air ".  Mori is an expert flyer and perfectly at home in the air which is his birth element.  

Kiobito: lover

Character notes: 2

Demons.  ( Thleerium )

Most numerous of the Mythic races, they dwell in the lower realm known as Thleer. Social status range from the high lords and nobles, to the " common " clans and lesser demons. ( Donn ) Based on " Chrono Crusade ", Thleerium can be helpful as they are allied with Hikari, but there are those who can be harmful or just plain mischievous.

Thleer is ruled by the Maou Adion. Older than his twin by two minutes, he over threw Aions rule shortly after the defeat of pandemonium.

Demons. ( Lyrium )

Known as Dark Hunters, they are elite fighters trained by Aion to seek out and steal the life force of powerful Mythic's. Most originate from the low-born clans, but a few high-borns have turned from Adion's peace to join the hunters as captains under Aion's orders. Lyrium dwell in the "Under Dark" of  Jigoku . ( Based on Japanese myths )

Final note.

Demons and Hikari are " breed compatible" but such unions are extremely rare.  Offspring of these couples are called Sluagh, and like "Saiyuki's " Gojyo, they are frowned on as taboo. As these offspring are uncomfortable in both the lower and upper realms they tend to live on the mortal realm.

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