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Here we go folks chapter 15! thanks Ruth of Pern for editing

Chapter 15- Competition.

Richard sighed as he and Monet started walking towards homeroom. He was trying to start a conversation but Monet seemed to not be in the mood for one, so he decided to stay silent. He dared a glance at the small coyote girl. She looked quite cute in her uniform. She looked much more approachable in it. But sadly she was just as unapproachable at school as she was outside of the school. Go figure... They walked in silence for a bit longer before Richard couldn't take it anymore.

"So Monet," he started, desperate to break the silence that had fallen between them. He hated the quiet, it drove him mad! "What are some of your hobbies... uh... besides killing hunters and training... you know normal stuff?" He asked her shyly trying not to blush. He was very much thankful for his dark fur so he hoped the girl would not see it if he did start blushing.

"I like to draw," she responded politely, "I also enjoy playing the piano when I have time..." she muttered. "Is that all Mansfield?"

"Nope, anything else you like to do?" He inquired cheerfully. He was getting somewhere it seemed which was great. Maybe she would not be such an ice queen, "Any other hobbies, any at all?"

"I have little time for much else." She replied calmly. "In between my assignments, my training with Master Luo and school, my schedule does not leave much time for other things." She stated solemnly. "I do not have time to simply 'hang out' with other people. I have much more important things to do besides hanging out with silly children who have no knowledge about what hides behind the shadows."

"You are still a kid yourself Monet, you are only 15 remember? No matter how mature or intelligent you are you're still a silly teenager yourself," Richard told her kindly, "And maybe you should try hanging out with us... have you ever bothered trying to make friends?" Monet's fur just bristled at that... maybe he shouldn't piss her off... He didn't want to wind up like those Messengers or those Hunters from Seattle...

"Though I am young I am nothing like these... children! Who only care about fitting in so afraid about being the outcast. The shear amount of conformity is sickening... people like Mason who are decent people are shoved aside simply because they are different... I despise such narrow worldviews this intolerance of those who are different is why the Hunters and the Cabal exist." Not good... did she have to bring up the Cabal? He growled at that... off all groups it had to be the ones who had forced them to leave Scotland for Ian's safety...

"Not everybody is like that though... I don't think I ever met someone so cynical," he said secretly giving the girl an once-over. She was so tiny... only 155cm or so but she was very fit and toned by the look of it. Maybe he could get her to spill her workout regimen. Richard was very fit in his own right... While he wasn't as big as Ian or Greg, he had a lighter build more suited for a swimmer. He was on the swim team back home... he even held the record of fastest swimmer in the history of the school... but of course he doubted any of the other record holders were Water-Mages... he never actually cheated as such, though he was just an extremely fast swimmer... He would've continued his train of thought, but Monet started speaking again.

"I am not being cynical I am being realistic. Besides, I have no time for friends... they would only get in the way of my duties..." she said softly and his heart dropped a bit. Why couldn't this girl just admit she wanted friends... it was painfully obvious she was lonely and afraid to open up...

"You can't do everything by yourself Monet, and everybody needs friends even someone as amazing as you..." He could have sworn he saw Monet's cheeks flush for a bit. But he doubted it... that would be almost normal of her to do...

"You think I am amazing? How flattering," she muttered calmly, her normal polite tone back in full force. She refused to look him in the eye though for some reason. Was she really embarrassed? Maybe she wasn't a total Ice-Queen after all? He decided to continue this seeing just how much she would react... this could be a lot of fun.

"Yeah, you are strong, smart, independent and strong willed. I like that in a girl, but nobody can do everything by themselves... Ian would be hopeless without Greg and I rely on my family to help me out when I need them," he told her, "But yeah everybody needs to lean on somebody or they'd go crazy."

"Maybe so, but I have been able to manage fine without other people... I am quite capable of handling myself in any situation... I've never needed to rely on anybody..." She told him calmly.

Richard just gave her a lazy smile in return. He noticed the halls were quite empty it seemed. He guessed everyone else was already in homeroom, "Never said you couldn't handle things by yourself, I've seen you fight. There is no doubt you can handle nearly anything but you still need other people to back you up," he told her politely.

Their conversation ended for a bit before he saw a familiar face. "Hey Xander what's up?" He shouted at the Fox who was currently sitting outside the office. Xander jumped a bit before turning to see the two students.

"Oh, hello Richard, Monet..." He told them shyly. Richard just gave him the same easy smile that he gave Monet and he returned it with a small shaky one of his own.

"Hello Rose," Monet told him politely. "What are you doing here if I may ask?" She seemed quite curious at this.

Xander quietly spoke up and answered her inquiry. He didn't look her in the eye though. Richard was pretty sure he was a bit scared of her. Not that he blamed the pup; Monet could be quite scary when she wanted to be. "Mr. Jordan is helping me get into the school... I'm about to take the entrance and placement exams..."

"Oh, that is very good Rose. I hope you do well on your exams..." Monet told him kindly. Richard just nodded a bit and gave his own bit of encouragement.

"Yeah, they aren't that bad... I'm sure you'll do fine man."

Monet nodded before turning towards Richard. "Now we should definitely be getting to homeroom now Mansfield..." She told the wolf before walking off. "Good-bye Rose, we will see each other soon enough." She told the young fox as she was walking away.

Richard just nodded and started walking away as well, but gave the fox one last smile of encouragement and a slap on the back before turning around and hurrying after the coyote., "Yeah, I'll see you later mate!"

He and Monet walked in silence for most of the way before he started speaking again, "So, have you decided if you're coming to our house after school?" He asked her curiously.

She just shrugged before giving her answer. "I might, it depends... I've taken a week from my training with Master Luo so I could rest so I might have time but we will see I guess."

Richard just shrugged that was better than nothing he guessed. Eventually they finally reached homeroom right before the bell. The teacher Mr. Fairbanks was sitting at his desk grading papers it seemed. Richard looked around to see most of his classmates. Erin was sitting in the front row chatting with a Panda boy...Jin Meng he thought his name was... He also noticed the poodle from a few days ago, Mandy Royce glaring at Erin from the other side of the room...But Erin seemed to gleefully ignore the girl...Which only made Mandy glare harder.

He and Monet sat down in their assigned seats. Monet had the misfortune of sitting beside Mandy while he sat down behind Erin and the Panda. When she noticed him Erin gave him a big smile.

"Hey Rich, didn't think you'd make it in time! You've met Jin right?" She asked gesturing to the tubby panda. He nodded and smiled at the other boy who just flushed and looked away. Erin seemed to notice this and smiled. "You okay Jin?"

"Yes, I am fine Ms. Erin... Good seeing you Mr. Richard."

Richard just gave Erin an odd look. She just chuckled a bit before turning back to Meng. "There is no need to be so formal Jin, just call me Erin please..." She told him kindly. He just blushed again and looked away as if unable to look Erin in the eye.

"Whatever you say Ms. Erin," he muttered.

Erin just shook her head and rolled her eyes. Richard himself just sat back and relaxed trying to get everything settled in his head. The last few days had been a bit taxing on everybody, but he doubted he seen Ian happier. His brother had grown very attached to Erin's brother and it was very sweet to see. He kinda felt jealous almost... Monet didn't seem to like anybody and he wondered of all the girls to crush on he choose the one who was the most untouchable... the ice queen? Why couldn't he be crushing on Erin? She was pretty and very nice and an Elemental Mage... Oh yeah because she liked Greg. He just sighed at that.

"You alright man?" Erin asked him kindly. He just smiled and shrugged her off. He shouldn't be surprised... he was used to the girls he liked fancying Ian instead. Why would it be different from Greg? He immediately stopped that train of thought. It was stupid. No need to drag Greg into his issues with his brother... it just wasn't fair! Ian is gay! He wasn't interested in any of the girls who fancied him. It just wasn't fair! Not only that, but it was because of Ian he had to leave his friends and move across the pond to some random city in Canada! He knew it wasn't Ian's fault but he still felt like they looked more after Ian then him.

Eventually the bell rang signalling the official beginning of the day knocking him out of his poisonous thoughts. He quickly sighed and shook his head. It wasn't Ian's fault girls like him more...they just did... Richard just sighed and grabbed his bag and started heading to class. Pre-Calculus... Richard was an ace at maths thankfully. He had gotten halfway down the hall when he heard someone run towards him. 'Strange' he thought to himself. Both Erin and Monet had Spanish first thing so it couldn't be them. He quickly turned and saw the chubby panda from earlier charging up to him.

"Mr. Richard! Wait up please!" The wolf just sighed and stopped in his tracks. Come to think about it wasn't Meng in his class? As soon as they Panda caught up to the wolf he doubled over trying to catch his breath. Meng was tall enough around 180cm or so to Richard's 175cm though he was kinda flabby but not horribly obese...But still a bit heavier than he should be.

Curious at what the Panda wanted he decided to ask him, "What's up Meng?" he said to the panda when he'd managed to regain his breath.

"You dropped this!" he said handing Richard something.

He looked at it in shock, "My necklace," he muttered grabbing it and stuffing it back into his pocket. The Necklace was a long leather cord with a large shark fang on it he didn't wear it in school because it went against the dress-code, but he still always had it with him... it had been his great-grandfather Arlen's... from what his father said Arlen had during his travels... the man had travelled all over the world during his time... he had done work for the previous head Ronald. He had seen pictures of the man during his younger years and he always remembered the man's eyes. A bright minty green... the same eyes he saw when he looked at Monet. He shook his head. That was stupid... so they had the same eye colour... lots of people did... 'But both have the razor sharp intensity...' Something in his head muttered.

"Are you alright Mr Richard? And please call me Jin..." The tubby panda asked him breaking him out of his thoughts.

He shook his head. Arlen Mansfield was dead and buried... been dead for over fifteen years... his only memory of the man was him holding a newborn Richard. The man had looked so frail and sickly but those bright green eyes shined with joy... Why did he suddenly think about Monet when he was thinking about Arlen when there was no connection between the two? 'She did know about the man and the history of the Mansfield clan well enough though...' his inner voice said. 'How would a mere Mundane girl know so much?' He just sighed... he was getting himself in a hopeless situation... It was doubtful he would be able to get anything out of the girl.

"I am fine, thanks Jin I would've gone nuts if I lost this... it was my great-grandfathers..." he told the Panda.

"That is quite interesting having a relic from your ancestors Mr. Richard..." Jin replied politely.

"I guess it is... stop calling me Mr though!" He said half serious, as the two scurried onto Calculus.

~~~~

Greg just sighed. Today had been very tiresome. Ian was having trouble not pouncing on poor Lucas during the school hours. He was very well aware that the two had... consummated their relationship to some degree, and Ian was very affectionate by nature but Greg knew it definitely was not the right time for the wolf to come out of the closet. They were eating in the courtyard of the school right outside the cafeteria and he suddenly sensed another Mage presence besides their group. He noticed a young Snow Leopard about their age with pale silvery eyes look at him and nod... Santiago Parker. He presumed the second of Antonio Parker's sons... his older brother served as the protector Toby Ackerman the son of the head of the BC clans Donald Ackerman... he wasn't sure how old the youngest was...

"What are you looking at Greg?" He heard Ian ask him curious. "Wait is that...?"

"Santiago Parker... Yes I didn't know he went to this school... but I heard he had fallen ill... my guess he was home sick during the time we arrived." Greg reasoned and stiffened a bit. "And it seems he is coming towards us."

"What are you guys talking about?" Lucas asked curious. He stiffened somewhat when he saw the person walking up to them... "Oh crap! Why is Santiago Parker walking towards us?" he asked nervous.

"You know him?" Ian asked surprised.

Lucas just shrugged. "Of course I do... everybody knows Santiago Parker he is the star quarterback of the football team most popular guy in our grade..." He stated calmly. "And I always suspected he might be gay... I mean he's always ignored the cheerleaders... and he's been unusually nice to me for some reason..." He stated blushing.

Once Santiago got closer Greg saw the other feline smile, "Hello Lucas," he directed towards the fox giving him a suggestive smile making the Fox blush.

"Hello Santiago... um, I'm glad you are well?" Lucas responded nervously averting his eyes from the pale gaze of the Feline.

"I do feel quite a bit better, I had a very bad case of the flu... but I finally managed to flush it out..." The Snow Leopard then turned towards Ian and bowed. "Tis' good to meet you Master Ian..."

Ian gave him a pained look and Lucas just looked confused, "Master Ian?" he asked, looking towards Greg. Obviously he was looking for answers.

The Snow Leopard answered that before he could even open his muzzle, "He is a member of Mansfield Clan thus higher in station then me... as I am from a subordinate Clan he is also a Light Mage making his station even higher than me..." He then looked towards Greg with disapproval. "Though some seem to forget their station..."

Greg growled at that. He had gotten flak for being so 'informal' of his charge but it was what Ian wanted... The wolf hated being called Master. "My station is decided by my Charge, Santiago not anyone else... let alone you. I do not refer to Ian as Master because he does not like being called that. So I do as he pleases."

Santiago only nodded calmly.

"Wait, you're a Mage?" Lucas muttered surprised. Santiago just gave him that same suggestive smile.

"Yes, a Fire Mage to be exact..." he said leaning towards the Fox placing his hand on his shoulder. "And it seems like you are one yourself... hmm, a Dark Mage eh? I've always known you were special Lucas," he said whispering in the Fox's ear leaning in extra close. He snuggled his muzzle against Lucas' and Ian stiffened right up growling and glaring daggers at the feline.

"San...Santiago!" Lucas muttered his face turning bright red and his eyes glazing over. "What are you doing!?" he panicked, "We're in the middle of the Courtyard!"

The Snow Leopard just chuckled leaning even closer, "Flirting, everybody on the team knows what I prefer so I have no issue with that, and I've been watching you for quite awhile, I would be a much better lover then someone who is not ready to come out of the closet. I have had plenty of lovers and I would treat you quite well... plus I've always loved knots..." He said nuzzling the Fox's ears purring slightly.

Lucas' eyes were unfocused and seemed unsure what he would do... Ian also was fuming and Greg was worried about Ian attacking the Snow Leopard and about what the Feline had said! Greg knew that was directed towards Ian. He heard Ian growl as he stood up about to punch the Feline to submission. Greg was just about to grab the Wolf again before he calmed down a bit.

"Back off Parker," he growled at the Snow Leopard pulling him away from Lucas. He dropped his voice a few octaves so nobody except for them could hear, "He is mine... get your own boyfriend!"

The Snow Leopard just gave Ian a chilly smile, "Very well then, whatever you say Master Ian," he said before turning towards Lucas, "Oh and Lucas, if you ever grow tired of this silly wolf's games I will always be around..." he said before sauntering off.

Or he tried to until Monet blocked his path...That smile slipping somewhat. He didn't seem to want to mess with Monet much... "Monet, good to see you..." she just regarded him calmly.

"You will be good to keep Mansfield's secret safe Parker," she told him without emotion, "Because if this gets out we will know who is responsible..." Her voice never rose above a soft whisper but it gave Greg chills.

"Are you threatening me Monet?" he asked her coldly.

She just shrugged slightly as if he was nothing but an annoying and naughty child, "Take it any way you wish Parker..."

He just growled a small fire burning in his eyes and Greg felt the temperature around them increase... 'He wouldn't!' Greg thought to himself in shock... he wouldn't just use Magic in front of the entire school would he?

"You are threatening me... you filthy little...!" He never got to finish that before Monet quickly knocked him down. It was too fast for Greg to track but he could've sworn that it was a leg-sweep... pretty impressive how she could move much quicker than a Mage... Most Mage's had the speed advantage usually, and it was rare to see a Mundane out-speed a Mage.

"I would not finish that sentence Parker..." She told him sweetly, "And it would not be wise to use your powers in the middle of a crowded courtyard... it would not look good on you to expose your kind in such an unpleasant way..." she said getting off of him.

Santiago just got up and patted himself off...He seemed to be much calmer if a bit ashamed, "I guess that is true Monet," he started calmly, "I let my temper get the better of me again..." He then turned towards the other and gave Ian a small smile, "I apologize, I did not know you felt so strongly for the Fox. I will not expose your secret... as a gay man myself I have no right to oust another," he whispered towards Ian. "This is not over Lucas, if you ever wish to try some feline I will always be on the side-lines." He quickly leaned down towards Lucas and planted a good one right on the Fox's muzzle causing the boy to gawk somewhat and Ian to snarl. He continued the kiss for several minutes before breaking it leaving Lucas with a blank expression on his face. Santiago just smiled one last time and winked towards Ian before sauntering off fading into the crowd.

Greg just turned towards Monet, "Thank you Monet for handling the situation... I was not thinking of the chance he would try and expose Ian."

She just nodded and shrugged, "It is no problem Moore, I doubt Parker was ever going to really do so but I had to be sure... Parker is not a bad person and he is usually quite friendly to others... far nicer than most of the bigots on the sports teams... he often gets teased about being openly gay on the football team, but he ignores them. You could learn a thing from him Mansfield..." She directed towards Ian with a small bit of amusement. "It seems you might have competition Mansfield... Parker is very persistent in getting once he wants. You will not be rid of him easily."

She then turned towards Lucas, "Be flattered Mason, you not only have the heir to the powerful Mansfield clan lusting after you but the star quarterback... a gay teenagers dream I think..." She chuckled and walked off leaving everybody confused.

"Did... did Monet just make a joke?" Ian asked in shock... "I had no clue she even had a sense of humour..."

Greg just nodded silently he noticed Richard was walking up to them, "What just happened here? Did a tall Snow Leopard just kiss Lucas?" he asked curious...

"Yes... Santiago Parker... the school quarterback..." Realization struck in his eyes.

"Wait Parker you mean..."

"The renounced Parker family yes; it seems that the middle son is quite into our young Fox." He noted in a wry voice causing Lucas to flush and shiver. He seemed to still be recovering from the surprise kiss.

"He had always been oddly friendly to me... I just thought he was a nice guy... I had no idea he wanted in my pants..." Lucas said still blushing.

Ian was still glaring at the Snow Leopards back, "Well, he better stay back..." He grumbled.

Richard looked towards his brother in amusement, "Ian, you aren't jealous are you?" he teased and Lucas looked shocked.

"Ian? Are you jealous? Nothing is going to happen between me and Santiago ever... Sure he's hot, but I like you..." Lucas said, starting to panic a bit...

Ian just sighed, "I'm not jealous you guys..." he said then sighed. "Okay I'm jealous... very much so because he's right..." He whispered sadly mostly to himself. "I'm still terrified about coming out of the closest... I'm afraid of the scrutiny I'll get by my fellow Mage's... the controversy... not only am I one of the future heads of the family but I'm a Light Mage... the rarest type of Mages... I'm expected to have a bunch of kids..." He then looked away nervous. "Parker is already out of the closest pretty much... his family is nowhere near as high profile as mine and he's the middle of three sons. It would be much easier for Lucas to go for him..." He seemed really down.

Greg sighed a bit. Ian always got like this... it wasn't often but Ian did have occasional moody moments.

"But I like you Ian... I understand you are in a hard place but I can handle it... I will go through hell and back for you Ian... you are one of the first people to show me genuine love..." he said. Ian instantly went out of his dark mood and smiled broadly.

And he could bounce back just as quickly... sometimes Ian's random mood-swings have Greg a headache...

"You really mean that Lucas? Do you?" He asked shyly and Lucas nodded sincerely. Ian instantly pounced on him hugging him close and Greg and Richard had to practically pry the wolf off of the boy before he accidently strangled him. Greg just sighed. He hoped Ian was ready to come out of the closet soon because he sucked at staying in it...

~~~~

Xander just sighed as he and Mr Jordan walked back through the doors of the house. Today had been pretty exhausting but a good kind... he had aced his entrance and placement exams... he was going to be allowed to enter the 11th grade. He was so happy... it was if his life was starting to turn around!

"Do you want anything to eat Xander? The others won't be back for another few hours..." Mr. Jordan asked.

He just shook his head before walking down the stairs and into the basement. He just sighed bored...What was he going to do now until the others got home? 'Well, Richard did say I was Water-Mage... maybe I could test that out...'

He walked towards the containers of water and felt... power coming from them. He started to focus his attention on the water and watched as it started to slowly float out of the container. He nearly dropped it in shock but he held firm. He felt invigorated, like some part of him had awoken after being dormant for so long. He let his body flow some instinctive part of him telling him how to move and manipulate the water. He moved around and watched amazed as the water floated around him. He continued to do this watching amazed as the clear liquid flowed as he moved.

He kept on doing this until he was interrupted, "So it seems you are a Water-Mage after-all... fascinating... It seems Monet was right, I wonder what that means?" he heard Mr. Jordan's voice say causing him to lose control and accidently splash himself with the water.

"Gah!" he yelled out as the chilly water soaked his fur. Jordan gave a small chuckle at that. He was humiliated and dripping wet... it would take forever to dry his fur out.

Mr Jordan gave him a sympathetic look before speaking, "Sorry about that, here let me help." He said and Xander felt a warm feeling course through his body and his fur was instantly dry. He turned towards the wolf in amazement. "Fur drying spell... very handy when you are all wet..." he said with a smile.

"I... guess it would be Sir..." Xander muttered shyly he was still getting used to being treated so kindly. "Sir..." He stated meekly. He had no idea how to repay this man for his kindness except for one... he done it so many times before. This wouldn't be any different... it wasn't if sex was special to him... he was so used to giving himself away... at least this would be for thanks. So he walked towards the tall wolf and hugged the man. "Mr. Jordan..."

"Yes Xander?" the older wolf questioned curiously, but he hugged the boy back either way.

"Thank you... if there is anything at all... and I mean anything I will be glad to do it for you..." Xander muttered groping the taller wolf. Part of him felt filthy... this man gave you a place to stay and you are going back to your old ways?

The wolf quickly broke the hug but held the Fox at arm's length a look of pure pity in his eyes, "Are you propositioning me Xander? Please be reminded I am a married man and you are still a child... how often have you gave sex to someone for no reason? Did you sell your own body?" he asked concerned.

The small fox looked away. Terrified at what the older man would think if he was honest, "I would rather not talk about it Sir...please drop it..."

Jordan just sighed at that but decided it would be best not to force the young Fox to open up... he would open up in time, "Very well, I'll leave you to do what you wish... but remember you will be starting school tomorrow... so please do yourself well to get some sleep later today..." The tall wolf said before leaving the room.

Xander just sighed having no real clue what he should be doing. He just yawned and stretched deciding to take a small nap until they got home...