Chapter Four

As the girls wake, they find Jade has gone missing�

The morning light streamed through the small clearing through the woods, awakening a small black form curled up upon a nearby rock. Its mouth opened, letting out a full length yawn; its sharp fangs catching the light of the sun. Star had finally awoken, slowly stretching out her back and hind legs as she took a quick look around the campsite.
To her left, she saw Tygra. She was still fast asleep within the tent, the morning light not yet able to reach her. Star then shifted her feline eyes to the right, scanning the area. But no matter how long she looked, or how hard, her first thought was apparent; Jade was nowhere to be found.
Where the hell did she go? Star thought sharply, though letting Jade disappearance pay her no mind. She was use to Jade's uncanny disappearances, ever so often they may be.
Star then leapt off the rock, taking long strides toward the lake. She peered into the now clear water. Every so often she could see a few fish dart out in front of her. At the right moment, she plunged her sleek black paw into the chilling water, snatching up one of the immense fish, to her cat form, and throwing it to the side.
She looked to her first catch with pure delight. This was the first time she had ever tried to do something like this, and soon found it to her liking. She peered back into the water, continuing her tentative hunt for her follow companions, or should it be companion? Right now, she didn't know what to think until Jade decided to return. That is, if she ever did.

                *   *   *

Tygra slowly began to stir within the tent, stifling back an oncoming yawn. She crinkled her nose. There was a rather odd smell coming from right outside of the tent. She propped herself up, and saw Star knelt before a newly made fire, frying what looked to her as fish speared through by a stick.
"You know," Tygra began as she crawled out from underneath the tent, "I could have just zapped you up something to eat. It would have been faster."
"Yeah, I know." Star said looking up at her with a smile. "But I was hungry and I didn't want to wake you." She then looked back down to her fish, her smile not leaving her face. "Besides, it was fun."
Tygra shook her head slightly in amusement. "You shouldn’t worry about that. It wouldn't bother me if you woke me." She then glanced around the camp, narrowing her eyes. "Where's Jade?"
"I have no clue. She just better not have left us her for a joke. I'll seriously have to kick her a*s!"
"You have to be kidding me, Star. Jade doesn't play jokes." Tygra took another cautious look around.   "I'm really getting worried."
From within the distance, a high pitched scream sounded through the woods. The two girls looked to one another, their worry replace with fear.
"What the hell was that?" Star exclaimed standing to her feet, her frying fish now forgotten.
"I don't know." Tygra said taking a step toward the sound, then stopped abruptly.
There, coming from out of the darkness, was Jade. She was holding something in her hand, which shined lightly from the sun’s light.
"Jade! Where the hell were you?" Star exclaimed concerned, studying her cautiously.
"Here," Jade said shortly, ignoring Star's question and tossed what she had in her hand to Tygra. "I believe that this is yours."
Tygra examined what Jade had tossed to her. "My necklace?" she asked, searching for the necklace around her neck with her free hand. It was gone. She looked back up to Jade. "Where’d you get this?"
Jade walked over to the lake and began to wash her hands and face free of what looked to be a mixture of dirt...and blood. "Something stole it." She explained, slowly standing to her feet. She then turned towards Tygra, who was studying her closely. "You should know, Tygra. There is such a thing as a counter spell for that little force field you did. I believe that it's called 'Devil's Port', is it not?" She asked nastily as she crossed her arms in front of her.
Tygra took a step closer. "Yes, I do know. But I'm surprised someone like you would know anything about it."
Jade's usual cool demeanor vanished as she suddenly began to laugh, as if what Tygra had said was the funniest thing she had ever heard. This surprised both Star and Tygra. They couldn’t even recall the last time they ever heard her laugh in front of them. That was, if she ever had laughed at all.
Her laughter soon stopped as quickly as it had begun; her original state returning. She looked right into Tygra's eyes, her gaze not once wavering as she peered into them, almost through them. "You obviously know nothing about me." She said looking up toward the sky, an almost sadden expression crossed her face. "The sky is changing, did you know that?"
"What?" Star asked, following her gaze.
Jade shook her head slightly as she looked to Star. "Obviously not. But, I guess I can't blame you for that. No one can really tell. Not until it's too late..."
"Too late? What are you talking about?" Tygra asked, narrowing her eyes as she was swept over with confusion.
"When I say too late, I mean too late. The world will explode on Drake's behalf. That is, if we can't stop him first." Jade explained, and looked to the two of them; studying the two of them individually.
The only thing Tygra and Star could manage to do was stare back at her. Millions of questions flooded their minds. Questions they wished to asked, but not knowing which one to start with. Jade had defiantly dropped a big one on them this time.
After studying the two girls for a few moments, Jade let out a long sigh. "Well, I guess I'll just have to tell you then."
"Tell us what?" Tygra asked suspiciously, not once taking her gaze off of her.
"Everything. From on where we're going, to why we're going, and who I really am." She paused for a moment and looked at Tygra directly. "And who the two of you really are." She then looked to Star.
"What are you talking about? I know who I am!" Tygra yelled angrily, grabbing hold of Jade's arm, allowing her nails to dig deeply into her skin. "It's you I don't know."
"The same goes for me." Star agreed now at Tygra’s side.
"I know what you're thinking, but trust me. Once I tell you everything, you'll understand. Now, let's go." Jade explained beginning to walk away from them, but was held back by Tygra's tight grip. Jade looked to her for a moment, "You either let go, or you lose that hand. What's it going to be?" She threatened, looking menacingly into her eyes. Tygra slowly released her grip not once lowering her gaze from hers.
Jade looked to her arm seeing droplets of blood beginning to soak through her black shirt. Just as I thought, she’s no weakling. She then turned from them, beginning to walk away.
"Where are we going?" Star asked shortly after.
Jade stopped walking and turned to her. "We can't stay here. It's too dangerous."
"Yeah, and I bet it's much safer the further we go on." Tygra said sarcastically.
"It's better than staying in one spot." Jade said and continued to walk.
"She’s got a point there." Star said, looking to Tygra innocently.
"Shut up." Tygra said in annoyance, watching Jade walk away from them. She noticed something. Jade's one stride was shorter then other, as if she were limping. "Hey-"
"Don't worry. It's nothing; only a scratch." Jade said as if reading her mind. "It'll heal on its own."
Star quickly walked out in front of her, stopping her from going any further. "Hold on a second." She said, bending down.
She found where her pants were torn, and pulled the fabric apart. She winced, looking up at Jade questionably. It wasn't a scratch; it was more like a gash. Whoever, or what ever did this, really did a number on her leg. Star couldn't figure out how she was even standing, let alone walking.
She then looked back to Jade's wound, placing her hands slightly over it, not on it; just as she learned from school the day before. She then concentrated on the wound, and only the wound. Any little mishap could cause dire consequences. Soon, a faded light was emitted from her hands, healing Jade’s leg instantly. She then examined her leg again, admiring her work. For her first time, she was a natural healer.
She then stood before Jade, smiling sweetly at her. "In case we have to run, or fight, you don't want to have any weaknesses."
"Thanks." Jade muttered awkwardly. "Now, we should really be going."
Star nodded, stepping to the side, allowing her to walk on ahead.
Tygra walk over to Star. "You're such a suck up."
Star rolled her eyes. "I'm just concerned Tygra." The two of them began to follow after Jade; her normal slow stride was back. "She has me worried."
"She has me cautious."
"That too." Star agreed with a sigh. "But, if she really wanted to hurt us, don't you think she would have done so already? I mean, we do live with her."
"I know, I know. But, why tell us all this now?"
"She has to have her reasons..."
Tygra remained silent for a moment. "Maybe your right."
"In any case we won't know until she tells us what's going on. We all heard those rumors about this Drake guy. Maybe she heard something else."
"And she's taking us on a wild goose chase?"
"No…maybe…I don't know." Star said with a shake of her head.   "We don't know Jade all that well. Maybe-"
"Are you guys done talking about me?" Jade called from in front of them.
The two girls stopped, noticing Jade was now a few feet before them, instead of a few inches. "W-what makes you think we are talking about you?" Star questioned flustered.
Jade laughed. "Come on. It shouldn't take too much longer. Then, I can answer all of your questions."