The forest was darker than it normally was.

Cory was pacing back and forth anxiously, ignoring the others chatting away behind him.

"We've already searched all over Hadari and asked everyone we can if they've seen Kasai.  No one knows where she is." Streak mumbled.

"Why do things like this always happen to us?" Katie whined.  "I don't like it when things like this happen!"

The sound of thunder suddenly boomed, earning a terrified screech from Flash as she clung to Zakk nervously, trembling.

Of course, this act earned confused looks from everyone else.

"...what? What are you looking at?" she insisted.

"...you're scared of thunder?" Zakk asked, confused and concerned...and slightly amused.

"NO! No, no I'm not! I just...wasn't expecting it!" Flash protested defensively, blushing.

"That's clearly an excuse." Doug growled.

"You don't have to hide your fears, Flash. We all have them." Sasha pointed out.

Flash just huffed in annoyance.

Rahasy suddenly emerged from the bushes again.  Cory was the first to notice.

"Let me guess.  Another mission?" he grumbled, rather rudely.

"How'd you know?" Rahasy responded with a shrug, completely unfazed about the sudden change of character from the formerly shy, nervous Cory.

Cory's personality really changed after Kasai ran away.  He became more quick-tempered and rude.  He usually tried to isolate himself from the others, but this was one of the acceptions where he gave in.

"Great.  And while we're still missing our leader." he muttered, rolling his eyes.  "Just what we need right now!"

"Cory, calm down!" Katie whined.  "I know you're worried about Kasai, but this is more important!"

"You don't understand!  Kasai and I have been friends since we were kids.  And don't forget about how upset her brother must be!" Cory snapped.

"...well, you have a point there." Zakk muttered.

Rahasy gave a quiet sigh.  "I'm sure she'll turn up eventually.  But for now, you'll need a temporary leader.  I'll leave you alone for now.  You know where to find me if you need me."

And like that, he ran away and disappeared into the forest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ • ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fuego sat by the window of his room, gazing out of it.

It seemed like ages since Kasai disappeared. He was beginning to worry. Even if phoenixes can't die, she could still be lost — or worse.

Tears streamed down his face as he thought of her. She had promised she'd be back. But she wasn't back.

"Hermana... ¿dónde estás? Where are you when I need you most?"

He looked at a calendar on his wall. There was a red circle around one of the days. The circle marked his hatch day (which is a birthday for phoenixes or dragons). It wasn't too far away. He had hoped Kasai would be back in time. But at this rate, there's no way his dream could come true.

He was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of his door opening.

"Fuego? How're you holding up, bud?"

"I'm not in the mood, papá." Fuego mumbled.

Zestó gave a quiet sigh before slowly walking over to Fuego and rubbing his back gently.  "Still worried about Kasai, huh?  Your mother and I are too."

Fuego stifled a sob and wiped his eyes.  "She said she'd be back.  Why isn't she back?"

"I don't know, Fuego."

"She has to come back..."

"I know, Fuego."

The two of them shared a few moments of silence before Zestó spoke up again.

"You know your hatch day is coming up soon."

"Mhm."

"Anything special you want?"

"Just for Kasai to come back."

Zestó went silent.  A single tear rolled down his cheek.  He knew how close Fuego and Kasai were.  They were inseperable.  Ever since Fuego hatched, he had always stayed close to Kasai.  She was the one who taught him everything he knew.  She was the one who comforted him when he was hurt or sad.  She never complained when he came crying to her for help.  She'd always be by his side, no matter what.

He sighed.  "I'm sure she'll be back soon."

Fuego didn't respond.  He just kept staring out the window, not even flinching when another roll of thunder boomed outside.

Zestó looked at him for a little while longer before slowly leaving the room.

He decided maybe it was best to let Fuego have some time on his own after all.