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“They look good, you’ve made a full recovery.” said Midori, taking the last of his bandages off.

“Thank you.” he said, squeezing his hand into a fist. She rose and began to exit his room, but then stopped with her head turned around and her hand on the archway.

“You know, it wasn’t your fault. You don’t have to keep beating yourself up about it.” She said, now turning her body around and laying against the archway.

“Look, the truth is…I transformed into that monstrous form, that beast because of you.” He said leaning on his knees and looking at his hands.

“What?” she said confused.

“I went to that island early in the morning to get you something nice because…” He turned a little red but stopped himself. Midori noticed the halt, hanging on his statement. “I wanted to.”

“Oh…How sweet.” she said, smiling.

“But, I came upon something that I thought you would like. I went to the clerk and…

‘Hey, what can I do for ya bub?’ asked the clerk, lifting the tip of his hat.

‘I want this.’ I held up an emerald necklace. Although it was expensive, I felt you should have it. ‘It’s for my friend.’

‘Ah, trying to impress a lady? Not too shabby. But this girl can’t be better lookin than that new green cat girl.’ he said. My attention was immediately aroused. Another came from the back.

‘Oh damn! That girl’s a fine piece of ass!!’ said the clerk putting down his box and making a slapping gesture.

‘Yeah, no kidding, talk about one sexy babe. Anyway that’ll be—’ I grabbed him by the neck and hurled him through the back wall, immediately transforming to my dragon form and going for the other clerk.

“I was so overcome by rage, I had to do something to defend your name. By the time I turned into my demon form, I forgot why I attacked them.” he said, resting his face on his left hand. “I’m sor—”

His sentence was interrupted by a hug from behind around his neck, followed by a kiss on the cheek.

“Don’t be, not anymore.” She rested her head on his shoulders as he let his hair fall to cover his face, with exception of his mouth. “Don’t be sorry anymore, please.

“Y-yes, Midori.” he said.

Kona came to the staircase top, leaning on it and watching the frozen picture. She smiled at their pose, walking down the stairs.

Midori’s eyes had been shut all the while, but then they opened suddenly. She was a fiery red as Zatch rose up. He was confused; he didn’t realize that nothing actually affected her leaving him except for her own emotions. He held out a hand hesitantly with his mouth open. But she quickly rushed down the stairs, covering her face. Zatch’s hand fell slowly to his side; his mouth closed properly. A small tear slid down his pale face, washing away the sadness and bringing color to his cheek—it still burned with the surprise of her action. He sent a vine from the top of his wrist to the light switch, illuminating his room with a brightness not yet seen by any of them.

He was on top of the world now. The small meeting between the cat and dragon had released something in Zatch’s heart once more. What Midori didn’t know, was that the kiss she granted him was taken much more effectively than she originally intended.

He went back to training with his powers and sword, learning that it was a difficult task. The elemental powers bestowed upon him were used frequently, but on a basic level. The full potential had yet to be released and used. The energy output required to activate most of them was wrenching his spirit though—he became easily fatigued, easily exhausted, and easily weak. A few times, he asked the others if they could train with them; all times he had to promise not to perform any fatal moves, to which he heartedly laughed as they all did. With their exhausting training came a traditional picnic and laughter; their friendship was building quite strongly, as was another bond that was recognizable.

Midori and Zatch became more interactive with each other since the explanation of the cause of the incident and the event afterward. It was a traditional routine now: he would look at her with a smile and soothing grey eyes, her cerulean eyes and red face would turn away, she would either say stop it or slap a plate of food in his face, and then he would stare. She laughed at the expression on his face everytime.

Kona and Kumori noticed his changes and became closer with him also.
Kona would groan for him to come and see something like a whining child, to which he groaned back and came like a whining parent. They both sulked over the same thing, either that or she would make fun of the expressions on his face. The thing she usually obsessed over was a guy that she loved. To this he would stare at her and edge away with a sweat drop. Other times they would listen to music found somewhere that they both liked. Their singing was equally shaken.

Kumori preferred fighting over all else, but he did hang loose once in a while. The two guys would play wrestle and continuously act like fools. They became brotherly towards each other and were equally powerful in due time. They mostly leisured around the house or performed a dangerous stunt or two.