Aureus

If reluctance wasn't what was making Aureus not want to fight, it was the fear. 'Fear of getting hurt?' you may ask. No, he was fine with getting a few hits. He was scared of accidentally hurting her. He had watched Hare and Adobe spar when his followed his father and mother to other gang meetings.

When in the sky, he could see how smooth and graceful the two were, like they were flying on peaceful wings rather then deal blows to one another.

Aureus also knew Hare's favorite forms of fighting was: talon to talon, tail swings, and what he liked to call 'Aerial Surprise'. Aureus knew that if he even had a chance, even if it was slim, he had to make it long range, and make sure he could roll out of any leaps, lunges, or surprise tail strikes.

His hazel eyes looked into her blood red ones, taken back by how small her pupils seemed to shrink. It was like looking into the eyes of a predator, knowing that if he was hit by at least one of her powerful claws or bites, he risked getting big, nasty scars.

Hare's pose was lose and nimble, yet it was like the top of her shoulders were bunched, ready to run to the side to throw him off. He tried to think of a strategy, ear flicking as her heard Adobe.

"Ready, set, duel!"

It was the word 'duel' triggered a predatory instinct in the white dragoness, sprinting at him rather then to the side as he originally thought. Aureus jumped to the side, feeling her wing brush his as he narrowly avoided a sting to the cheek.

He rolled out of the way like he would do when Roadrunner would go to attack him during their old play fights, avoiding a slashing to the head.

Hare momentarily left her shoulder and chest out in the open, and if he wanted to, he could have delivered a blow.

'I can't hurt her,' he thought. 'I would never hurt her, no matter what.'

He narrowly avoided a gash to the head, Hare clearly aiming for blows to the head. She twisted in a quick, fluid movement, her tail barb clashing against the end of his horn as he ducked once more.

He grabbed a talonful of sand, throwing it up in her face, blinding her always sensation eyes. Hare jumped back, flapping her wings harshly, blowing up sand, blinding him in return.

Aureus let out a small noise of pain, sand scratching his eyes. He tried to get away, his vision blurry with the tears that rose from the scratches. He could barely make out Hare trying to see him, angrily rubbing her eyes. He turned, making out the fountain's blurry figure, rushing over and dunking his head in the water.

He forced his eyes to open, seeing bubbles floating around him. He took a large gulp, having an idea if Hare attacked him how.

Just as he suspected, he felt her talons grip him, ripping him out of the water. Eyes still a bit messed up, he turned his head around, spitting the water in his face. Hare let out a yelp, losing her grip on his shoulders. Aureus took the moment to get away from her, turning once more. He blinked in confusion, seeing her suddenly disappearance, looking around, before looking up.

Hare was high in the air, him barely making out her white scales from the other hanging clouds above. She closed her wings in, tipping herself backwards, bolting downwards her claws down, yet open.

Aureus took a small moment to think. Hare would be on him in less then a few second; boy running out of the way would be useless. Aerial Surprise still allowed her to make quick and sudden movements if she had to.

It was an aerial attack, obviously, so there was only one real away to deflect an aerial attack he had seen. One, he wasn't too proud to be making.

He felt the plume of fire start in the back of his throat, nearly choking on the smoke that escaped between his teeth. He hated fire breath, but it was few ways to take the attack.

He knew he couldn't breath it at her, so he came up with a moment, right as she jetting to him. With less then a wing between them, Aureus let the fire jet go; but instead of hitting her, her blew under her.

The sudden heat created a disturbance in the air current she rode, making her be thrown up into the air by the sudden shift. She faltered in the air for a moment, nearly tumbling out of it.

She straighten herself out, flying in the air, going back up in the air. Aureus narrowed his eyes, seeing her make a large loop, seeing her tilting her wings and begin to jet forward at him again.

He went to breathe fire again, before he saw smoke begin to wisp between her teeth as she flew forward. Aureus went to attack, before something caught his attention behind him.

He barely had time to react, jumping back and unfurl his wings to cover something behind him as he felt the heat of Hare's flames seeming to momentarily blister his back. He felt a faint burn appear. He had a feeling she was going to making a much shorter loop and go in again, and waited for only a few hard beat.

Aureus heard the noise of the air whistling; making him act quickly, a challenging roar escaped him as he suddenly gripped her by her horn. He staggered for a moment, trying to keep her from pushing him back anymore.

His other talon gripped her throat, which she grabbed, trying to push it away. For a fraction of a heartbeat, he swore he saw fear flash in her eyes.

She continued to struggle, making him growl. He gripped harder, letting out a loud roar.

"That is enough, Hare!"

He saw her flinch at his booming voice, seeing her begin to try and catch her breath. He let go of her horn and throat, looking back. Hare's eyes trailed to what he was looking at, her breathing momentarily hitching.

There was a small (maybe even a month old), SeaWing dragonet. She was looking up, shaking in terror at the two dragons before her.

Aureus looked at her, before looking to Hare. He saw the look on her face of shock, yet admiration in her face as she look to him.

"You saw the dragonet while I didn't, Master Aureus. Impressive," she said, smiling gently. The mother quickly rounded the corner, apologizing over and over for the trouble, and hurried to leave with her daughter.

Adobe let out a laugh, coming over. He looked over to Aureus, and put a wing over him.

"Good job, gold dust, you too, cotton tail. You passed the test!" He declared, and patted Roadrunner on the back. The older groaned and huffed, glared at him.

Aureus gulped nervously, realization coming over him. "Does that mean I'm next in line for the Pelt?" he asked, anxiety rather then happiness blooming in his chest.

Adobe chuckled, shaking him head. "Nah, I have to say that to make you do your best out there. The Pelt can be handed to either of you, there's not big fancy fight for it. Spider just wanted me to test out your skills," he answered.

Aureus let out a small breath of relief, smiling slightly. After going back to the hideout and treating their wounds, night shortly fell upon them.

~~~

In the middle of midnight, Aureus found himself awake once more. He didn't feel like playing his guitar, nor did the want to sneak out came. He had found as way around his father's rule of him sneaking out, yet the nasty scar on his forearm was a definite reminder not to get caught ever again.

He just had to wear a hood, wear an empty bag on his chest, and rip his burn off (the last one he was still working on).

His mind had been swirling with an idea that had been eating at him for almost an hour now, before he decided he needed to go and ask.

He got off of his bed, and walking down the ever familiar hallway. He padded to a door, knocking on it, waiting for the dragon inside to answer. It didn't take long as it was opened, there standing was to him, the most beautiful dragon.

His crush of Hare only grew from the time they were dragonets. He knew it was stupid, and seemed more of phase; but there was a aura around Hare he admired.

"Master Aureus? It's the middle of the night."

"I know, but I have to ask you something."

Hare had a curious look in her warm red eyes, the same eyes that made his chest feel warm when he looked into them.

"Ask away, Master Aureus."

Aureus gave a small sigh. "Please stop calling me that. Anyways, Hare," he took a deep breath, looking her in the eyes.

"I want you to train me how to fight."

~~~

Another chapter done!

I also want to thank everyone for almost 1k reads and nearly 100 votes, it means a lot, so thank you all!