FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The wind whips past my face as I streak through the night sky, looking for a safe place to land. The various clouds glimmer in a dark radiant gray glow of the night as I dance in and out of their cover, feeling the cool touch of precipitation on my skin. The darkening sky looms overhead as nighttime slowly conquers day, dark blue morphing into purple and black. My body trembles with the exhaustion and thrill of the battle as I continue to soar over the vast landscape. My reptilian eyes fade as a headache starts to form in the back of my head.

Thinking back to Quin Shun, I race to find a sheltered place to land. I almost died back there! If I meet her again, I am going to have to go through some major training. My job with Play Station and Xbox will probably suffer because of my new occupation, but I can worry about that later. All I need right now is a nice and cozy place to rest and sleep until I can figure out what I am going to do next.

Flying below cloud cover, I try to regain my excellent vision to be able to land safely. My headache prevents that as it starts to pound incessantly within my head. Jeesh! It is almost as bad as that buzzing, at least that is gone for now.

My pants flap in the wind as I race through the air, slicing through the wind like a jet plane. My hair is a wild mess as it dances with the wind to a fast pace tune. My arms are at my sides and my head is held up, surveying the land while trying to think of what to do next.

An idea then comes to me, an image, a memory of a favorite isolated spot where I can hide out in until morning...Crap, Anea is probably wondering where I am. Wouldn't it be great if she was one too? Hmmm. Now that I think about it, she did react in a peculiar way some times. I think back to about every way she has reacted since I came to know her. There were some ways she acted that seemed suspicious, and Paul too! Quin Shun said something about others, didn't he? I don't know. This headache is making it hard to think straight. My mind wonders over the possibilities as I head in the general Northeast direction of my hideout.

_ ~~~~~Anea~~~~~ _

I stand as still as a statue, petrified. I could not believe that had just happened! How...Where were the signs! I know Paul definitely would not have told Colby about this. The rise in evil was too much for a protector who has just realized his powers. Hopefully, he went somewhere else and not to the... Oh no... He went to the bank. I am sure of it, but he would have had to take my car or steal another. I know he would not do that, yet, I am sure I would have let him take my car. Though I am doubtful he would have gotten there in time.

My legs start to shake unevenly as strong hands grab my shoulders, jerking me into consciousness.

"Anea! Anea! What's wrong?" says a gruff voice. My Papa tries to drag me away from the scene as he spots the open screen door past me.

"Come on Anea, we have to go somewhere safe, stop thinking about him. I am sure he can hold his own wherever he is." Papa say as, dragging me back while I go limp, my skirt trailing on the ground, mind a buzz of possible outcomes and consequences.

Papa then leans down to carry me like a child to safety, alarms and shouting float all around me as I gently close my eyes. The jogging motion of Papa's steps lull me into a light sleep.

People run back and forth, yelling orders, listening to said orders and then carrying out their orders in a neat and orderly fashion. Thankfully, as I later come to know, the rooms that were damaged had been vacant for some time, reserved for an unknown reason to me. Fire truck sirens and ambulances soon dance around in my mind. I feel myself being lowered into a chair while another; softer caring voice wakes me from my daze.

"Anea...Anea honey, wake up. Come on, you need to wake up." The voice says tenderly, lightly shaking me awake.

I roll my head to one side, groaning under the movement. My eyes flutter open to the view of one of the many lunchrooms in the hospital. The light from the room reflects off my misty turquoise eyes, creating a small glittering rainbow on my face.

"Um...uhh...wh-where am I?" I groan again as I rise slowly in the chair I was placed in. Looking around, I see that we are in one of the many lunchrooms, only this time with a crowd of people in it.

"You passed out as Papa carried you here. What did you see Anea? We need to know everything. If it has anything to do with the sudden loss of money and string of bank robberies, we have to know." Paul says earnestly, crouched down to look at me eye to eye. I blink uncertainly, slowly straightening myself out in the chair, pulling my rusty red long hair back out of my face, I respond.

"W-well, I only saw a speck of something in the distance." I answer slowly, regaining awareness of what happened. "B...bu-but it could not be him. I-I mean, where were the signs? I know whatever that stuff is that he got exposed to, it could not possibly give him the ability to fly, could it?" I ask uneasily while turning around carefully in my chair, faint signs of nausea pick at my mind as I survey who is here.

Paul, Papa, doctors, nurses, a few patients and equipment, other than that the room is empty save for the food and scattered tables. "I mean" I interrupt as Paul is just about to say something. "He wouldn't...Nobody has found a body on the ground...have they?" I ask cautiously.

My mind races to various possibilities as to what Colby could have done or seen. If he did find out what was happening, somebody would have to of told him what his duty is, and Paul would not tell him only to save his life again as an inexperienced apprentice.

"Anea," Paul says gently. "No one has seen a body at the base of the impact. For all we know...well, he could be anywhere." Paul nods his head reassuringly before continuing. "But if there is one person who knows where he is it is our guardian. He probably contacted him while you were with Papa." He finishes quietly.

Of course!_I say to myself as Paul turns to converse with the other doctors in the room. _I do not personally know his name or anything, but every protector knows something about them. Ten guardians that watch over many universes at once must be a tiring job after a while.*Sigh* It is every protectors, almost every protector's dream of becoming a guardian or defender on day, I wonder as I sink back comfortably into my chair, closing my eyes.

It is true we all live long lives, although some prefer not to accept that, but still serve their planet. Paul is the oldest one among us, that is to say it is very rare for three protectors to guard the same planet, I think meticulously. I am just an apprentice, and Papa is retired for reasons Paul or Papa have told me of. In truth, he is far older than Paul, maybe old enough to know where we all come from; I wonder curiously about that fact as I open my eyes to see Paul coming back with a troubled expression. I scoot forward slightly in my chair, hoping Paul has found some useful information.

"Anea," Paul says softly. He pauses as if unsure whether or not to continue, one of the few times I ever see him at a loss for words. The worst part about being a protector is that no one can know who we truly are. Secrecy is our best asset. We are also versed in a wide array of combat techniques and skills. Once we reach a proficient level in training, we then train in one specific area of skills were we excel the most in.

But as Paul starts to look slightly away, a frown on his face, I spot Papa glancing over in his direction. I might still be young in terms of how long we live, but I can still figure out when there is something that they are not telling me. I go with my last guess of where he could be and make my accusation.

"You know-" Paul starts as he turns back around, but I interrupt him. Having immediately guessed what he was going to say and where it would go, I go straight to the point.

"You know where he is, don't you?" I state plainly, legs crossed and arms underneath my chest, aggravated at the deliberate evasion of knowledge. To work together we must share every ounce of information that could possibly help us do our job: to protect earth from the forces of evil.

"I...uh...," Paul stammers before sighing. "Yes, I do know where he is Anea." He answers calmly, arms at his side while speaking.

I jump up, yelling at the same time, ignorant of any innocent civilians caught up in my verbal onslaught, my skirt moving like flames following my every movement.

"Then why did you not tell me!" I yell, arms moving in dramatic gestures of incompetence. "He could have gotten himself ki...Mpfh! Mpfh! Mpfh! Mpfh!" I try to talk as a big meaty hand comes over my mouth from behind. I stare wide eyes as Paul nonchalantly crosses his arms and shakes his head as he sighs in disappointment as another voice speaks from behind.

"Anea," Papa whispers into my ear. "This is not the place or time for that now," Papa says quietly and calmly. "Yes, we know where he is, but he was never in any real danger. We kept this from you for reasons I spoke to you earlier about if you have not forgotten." Papa finishes politely, a hint of annoyance in his voice while he slowly removes his hand, assured I will not yell out any more private information.

I stare stunned, motionless as everyone in the room turns around to look quizzically at me. Breaths are held and hands are stayed as an expectant hush falls over the crowd, waiting for an explanation to my outburst. Thankfully, I do not have to think of anything as Paul works one of his many talents.

Turning around, he uncrosses his arms and clears his throat. "Ahem...Sorry about that my friends, she is just worried as to where Colby could be, as we all are right now. Please, continue what you were doing, it will not happen again." Paul finishes his speech, a faint purple dusty aura settles over the crowd of onlookers. Looking bedazzled, they slowly start to look away to continue on with what they were doing.

After the spectacle had ended, Paul's shoulders drop imperceptibly as he turns back around to walk towards Papa and me. The great thing about being an illusionist is that you learn how to manipulate your surroundings to your will. Mastering the art is hard, as it requires decades and even centuries of intense training. For one to remain unseen, they have to blend into the open.

As Paul walks towards me, I remember all my training I have had over the years. It is never, NEVER a good idea as Paul has told me many times to talk about things that only protectors should know about. "Anea." Paul says gently as Papa turns around to head to the predestined meeting place, sighing as he goes.

Backing away slightly, I speak quickly to get my thoughts out before I am punished. "I know! I know! I should not have done that, I am sorry. It's just..." Paul stops me, nodding in understanding at what I am going through.

"It is ok, just go to the meeting place, I will be there shortly to explain everything." Paul says reassuringly.

I breathe out shortly as I turn to go, dress fluttering behind me obediently. I was relieved he did not react any differently than he did to my outburst. Everyone knows who the protectors are, but none know who we really are. If Paul was not gifted with the kind of powers he has, a lot of unanswerable questions would have been asked.

As I walk out the door, I can hear Paul faintly talking into a device he has in his ear. Even without looking back, I could tell some plans that I do not know about were being set into motion. Sometimes it is best to stay silent on most subjects, but on others, it is a totally different matter.

_ ~~~~~Colby Daniels~~~~~ _

Huff...Huff...Huff...

I suddenly dip lower in the midnight sky as exhaustion from both my battles and hasty escape finally set in. The vast stretch of trees behind, beside and in front of me continues on for a dozen miles, being a state park and all.

Crack!

I graze the top of the vast majority of trees as a multitude of branches sting my exposed chest, leaving many bruises and scrapes on the way. One particularly high tree hits me just right to make me tumble out of the cool night sky. I crash through the branches of many trees, slowly falling down to the forest floor.

Snap!

So close! I had not traveled as far as I would have liked, but I guess that is just to be expected since I only became a protector only a scant few hours ago.

Tumbling through the air while cracking many branches, I come to a stop on my back on the forest floor. Crash!...Oomph!...I lie absolutely still, eyes closed as my breath comes in great big heaving gasps. For now, I just focus on calming down and slowing my breathing. If I could only have gone for a mile more, I would have been at my hideout.

It is nothing special really, I think to myself as my lean chest, lightly packed with muscle, rises and falls to the command of my breathing. My hideout...I had actually built it myself for some strange reason when I was nineteen. I vaguely remember suddenly getting an inspirational idea to build a fort of sorts. I had been in the field of game testing for a few months by then and I guess I had nothing else to do. Between college, my job and life in general, I thought I had plenty of time. I had more than enough money saved up, and I had also taken a few courses in engineering, so I knew how to build, to a certain extent that is.

It took me awhile to decide on the location of my cabin. I had almost forgotten about it until now. I had made it somewhere near Harold Parker State forest. I had of course received permission from the state to build it, not that I would be doing anything there as I live with my parents...

I gradually open my eyes as my breathing eventually slows down. Blinking slowly, I turn my head to the right while my hands remain at my side, palm down. The trees rustle gently in the midnight breeze. Never in the time of my short adventure, would I not feel any fear by lying perfectly still in the middle of nowhere. The cool breeze somehow calms my nerves instead of making me frightened. The leaves dance their dance while the sounds of various birds and animals call in the night.

I just lay on the floor, chest rising and falling occasionally as I take in the eerie sights of the forest at night. It must have been a few hours and what felt like a trance, because the sky starts to brighten bit by bit. The forest must have put me in a trance of some kind because what happened next scared the bajezas out of me.

Morning: May 18, 2017

"Well," a wisely familiar voice says to my left. My eyes start to go wide as my head rotate ever so slowly in the direction of the voice. Cracks and groans of pain emit from my mouth as overly stiff muscles flex and contract after hours of being completely motionless, eyes scrunching up with the effort.

"It seems you handled that well enough. I would not have...Did not see the possibility of you using a plasma ball just yet, seeing as to how new you are at this." The voice continues. It sounds different than before when it was in my head. Before it was a hollow echo bouncing within my mind from inside a tunnel, now it sounds like one of those Chinese monks with a voice full of wisdom.

I finish turning my head to the left, breath coming slightly fast as I open my eyes to gaze upon the ethereal shape of Quin Shun. I stare at him in amazement as my mind tries to catch up to what is happening.

"Q-Quin S...Sh-Shun?" I ask shakily. Apparently I did not notice how cold it was either until I tried to speak. My words come out in a slurred bunch as my teeth start to chatter.

"Looks like you overdid it for your first time huh?" Quin Shun responds as a matter of fact.

"Ya...You th-Think?" I reply, teeth chattering while my chest heaves up and down erratically as I start to feel just how could and numb I am while my breathing becomes uncontrolled.

Quin Shun frowns seeing me in this position and begins to walk closer to me. My head is still turned in his direction to the left as I now begin to clearly see his form and what he is wearing.

Elegantly embroidered Japanese style robes hang loosely down his lithe frame. It is colored a dark crimson red with ash stained cuffs and flowing patterns that create random pictures on the front of his robe. The low hung robes on the sleeves remind me of a kimono. Two hard leather shoes adorn his feet, colored a sunset blue. As my eyes travel up his form to look at his face, he peers down at me as he replies to my response.

"You did admirably well, young protector. Your bravery to stop the robber and her two thugs is well commended," Quin Shun says with great praise in his rough voice of age and wisdom.

His long white, braided beard bobs up and down as he talks. It reaches down until it nearly touches the ground. Black crisscrossing bands of fabric hold the mass together. Two big white bushy eyebrows that drip over the side of his eyes rise and fall to the shape of his facial expressions.

"Although I would condone the use of the plasma ball for an apprentice, you're flying skills though look natural enough to me," Quin Shun continues.

A hazy image conjures to the right of his ethereal shape. We both stare at each other as the sun continues to rise. The morning light creeps through the jumbled mess of leaves and branches, creating small pockets of warm sunlight on the earthy ground covered in leaves and twigs.

"I think I see no more reason for you to remain in your position. If you are to become a powerful protector, I cannot have you freezing to death now can we ha-ha." Quin Shun chuckles slightly as the hazy form to his right now takes on a more defined shape.

A long stick, no...Staff, appears while Quin Shun raises his right hand to grasp it. The sleeve of his kimono slipping a few inches as his hand rises from his side. The staff seems to be covered in a multitude of designs; so detailed that it appears to be real vines. I narrow my eyes, frowning as I see leaves breaking apart and floating upwards like sparks from a fire. Before long, Quin Shun grasps the middle of his staff and what haze remained on it vanishes in a puff as a spherical blue/green energy expands from the staff in a shower of powder and sparks.

The main color of the staff is between an earthy green and a flaming red. Vines do cover the majority of the staff, moss dotting it here and there. My eyes widen as I see what was making those leaves rise like flames in a fire. The whole staff is alight in flame!

Quin Shun expertly spots my confusion as I look upon his elemental staff. Chuckling again, he answers my silent question. "I am a nature guardian. I have come here to begin your training." Quin Shun speaks softly as my eyes return to normal while I vainly try to control my erratic breathing.

"Now, let's get you warm." He smiles slightly as he takes one step forward and places the butt of his staff onto my bare and lean chest.

My back arches a few inches as a slightly unpleasantly feeling flame starts to spread through my body. It races up my arms and chest, up to my head and down to my legs and feet. The surge of energy re-awakens my mind to a flood of memories not my own, but not as strong as before. It sits patiently in the back of my mind, waiting to be used.

Visible flames then begin to lick against my bare skin as I continue to warm up. I turn my head straight and then press my chin against my chest shakily as the flames continue to spread, dancing and weaving in intricate patterns across my body.

Quin Shun does not press the staff into my chest with any great pressure, just a light touch. His staff rises and falls in time to each of my shuddering breathes. I start to wiggle my legs and lower body as the flame gradually spreads down to my legs and up to my neck. Quin Shun speaks in a calming voice, telling me to not be afraid.

"Please, do not fight it young protector, I am only warming you up." He says empathetically and with a small laugh.

Not that he sounds any less reassuring than a frightened man with a hostage, I listen. My wriggling stops as I resume my former position before Quin Shun came. The flames then start to change, to morph as I lay back my head and slowly close my eyes, oddly having a strange bond of trust for the old man.

The flames are not hot; they do not give off any heat. Instead, they create a layer of clothing, loose fitting gray robes not unlike Quin Shuns kimono but not as long or dangly in the sleeves that adorn my arms. While it puts the robes on, it also heals my various cuts and bruises on my chest that had been left numb and had just started to sting. The fire also replaces my torn jeans and shoes for gray pants and pitch-black shoes like Quin Shuns. As soon as it had started, it stops, the feeling of the flames disappear, along with the small pressure of Quin Shuns staff on my chest.

"Rise my young warrior." Quin Shun says. "It is time for your training."

My eyes open up in intervals as I peek out to see the sunrise of a new morning. The sun is now more prevalent through the foliage of the trees as the day warms up even more. I slowly start to move my limbs to try and sit up. I pull back my oddly refreshed legs, feeling the energy of many men running through my veins. I pull my arms back under me and push up to move into a sitting position.

I look down at my new clothes warily, fascinated and excited as to what Quin Shun did. As I look closer, pulling my legs into the lotus position, I see just what kind and color clothes he placed onto me. Dark grey pants and matching shirt adorn my figure. Thin black lines outline the cuffs, the bottom of the robe and my pants leg. They also run up the back of the robes and side.

"What are these for?" I ask hesitantly.

"Those are your training robes." Quin Shun answers slowly. "You will also get a training staff. As you train, the color and property of your robe and staff will change to your preference."

"What does that mean?" I reply, scrunching my face up in confusion.

Quin Shun chuckles again as he responds. "A lot of questions run through your mind young protector. There will be a time later where your questions will be answered, but for now, why don't you guide me to your hideout." Quin Shun asks mysteriously.

I look up cautiously at Quin Shun to my left as he pivots to his left, motioning with his hand to the right direction towards my hideout. I get up carefully, putting my right hand near the outside of my right thigh and my left hand in the middle of my legs. I push off and rise while dusting off my new gray training robes and pants. Turning towards Quin Shun, I walk calmly forward and head to my hideout roughly a mile away. Quin Shun drops his hand and follows closely after me as I wonder how he could know about my hideout. Probably because he was in my head earlier, I think to myself.

As we walk through the forest, my mind flies with a million questions that I could possibly ask Quin Shun. The morning sun sparkles brilliantly through Harold Parker State forest as we traverse the landscape. Various chirps and calls of the animals of the night recede as the animals of the day emerge to reclaim their territory. The wind whistles through the trees, ruffling my dirty hair and brand gray training robes.

I weave through the multitude of trees, ducking under some branches while taking a different path if the way forward becomes too dense. Quin Shun just walks behind me without complaint as we progress ever closer to my log cabin.

Birds of all species call through the canopy, playing happy melodies in the morning sun. Dark brown blurs whiz through the forest trail like many times before as life goes on. Various kinds of flowers open up their petals to soak in the majestic rays of the sun. The faint rumble of a waterfall echoes in the foreground accompanied by the loud cacophony of music made by the surrounding wild life.

Suddenly, Quin Shun increases his pace marginally to catch up to me to lay a wrinkled old hand on my left shoulder. My breath catches in my throat as I barely twist my head, straining my eyes to try and glance at him. All he does is chuckle in his old, raspy voice and speak cryptically.

"It will help pass the time." Is all Quin Shun answers as we continue on our way.

I scrunch my face up in a frown as I resume traversing through the forest. If it's one thing I have learned from movies, it is that wise sayings could mean a lot later on. Pushing the thought to the back of my mind for later, we trudge on.

Time seems to fly by as we eat up the distance between us and my hideout. I begin to spot the tell-tale signs that my hideout is near; high scratches with different colors of paint high up on the trees to guide us the rest of the way. With renewed vigor and a rumbling stomach, I increase my pace slightly to arrive at our destination.

I push a few more feet of vegetation out of the way before coming into a large, circular clearing with a ramshackle cabin to the left. A few old stumps dot the clearing as well as the distant sound of a waterfall. Stopping briefly just inside the edge of the forest while trying to catch my breath, Quin Shun drops his hand and strides a few more paces ahead of me to look at my cabin. Examining my work with a critical eye, all he does is let out a brief "hmm." And continue on to my log cabin. Mouth agape slightly; I jog up to Quin Shun to finish the journey with him.

Once we reach my creation, I let out a short whistle as memories come back of the inspiration and trouble I went through to build this cabin in a secluded spot. "Must have taken a few years to make this."Quin Shun states while waving a gnarled hand at my cabin. I look at him through questioning eyes, and then respond:

"Na, I had a few friends to help me build it. I stopped building it after my sister left though. I have not thought about or gotten a shred or inspiration to continue it after that."

"Well, it seems well built." Quin Shun replies.

"It's not finished on the inside, I mean." I respond as a few painful memories trickle through my mind, making me flinch. Without any more hesitation, I lunge forward hastily and open the door to the large, wooden log cabin.

With a few hired hands and a gang of friends, we had made a perfect place for a hangout...If it was ever finished that is. We started by clearing a good swath of earth and paving it over labor intensively. We then outlined the perimeter of the cabin and spent the following months cutting trees from elsewhere, putting up the walls and floorboards while having a fun time.

The inside, if you could call it that, was bare. The basic wooden floor, closed windows spaced periodically around the cabin and a lonely blue couch. An unfinished bathroom with no sink or plumbing occupies the far right corner of the interior. The blue couch sits dejectedly to the left, facing an unfinished homemade game system and no T.V., just a bare outline of where it would have gone. The bedroom, with two single beds and no door is to the far left, opposite the bathroom. Quin Shun stares quizzically at me as I walk slowly into my unfinished cabin.

"Good spot for training." Quin Shun says plainly.

I look back at him after traveling to the couch and running my hand over the top of the leather seat heads, my gaze travels down as my face droops into a sad posture, closing my eyes to stop the tears.

"Sorry." Quin Shun says apologetically. "Do you have anything to eat?" He questions, eyebrows raised in all their fluffy glory.

I chuckle slightly at his effort to divert the memories. For now, it works. I respond by heading beyond the couch and towards the back of my cabin. I turn left and head down a narrow hall hidden by the walls of my bedroom. Quin Shun patiently waits, casually exploring the unfinished design of my log cabin as I fetch some non-perishable food from the storage room.

I walk down the rotting steps while I hang onto the side rail for support. It had certainly been awhile since I have been here. The first blueprints we did were how to structure the storage room for heaps of canned goods on one side and certain types of candy on the other.

Once I reach the bottom of the stairs, I flick a light switch on on the wall, electricity provided by a small generator. I then look upon the neatly packed rows of food and candy. Basically the same size as the cabin, but only longer. Traditional shelves house various types of canned foods and candy.

Peas, corn, potatoes, spaghetti, etc, on the left side while Twizzlers, assorted gum and numerous amounts of other goods line the right side of the storage.

I walk down the left side, browsing the limited variety of canned goods, trying to decide on what to eat. I wonder down to the back of the storage room as my mind pulses with the potent knowledge of what I can gain, and possibly lose from being a hero. Heroes always have a hard life. I for one hope nothing particularly bad happens.

Randomly picking some canned corn, two preserved milks, bread, canned tomatoes, some broth for Quin Shun and some fruits, I return to the upper floor where Quin Shun awaits. Coming around my bedroom wall, I arrive to see my plain blue couch somehow pushed to the front wall of my cabin and Quin Shun meditating where the couch used to be. His staff floats a few inches above the ground in front of him, still wrapped in vines and on fire. Blinking in surprise, I slowly walk behind him into the middle of the cabin. Unsure of what to say, Quin Shun speaks for me.

"Well, I see someone is at a loss for words. You will be able to do this in the near future young protector. Patience is a strong virtue among us warriors. It is essential." Quin Shun says mythically.

Closing my mouth, I nervously circle him in a right curve, coming to sit face to face a few feet from Quin Shun while resting up near the wall. Putting my stash in front of Quin Shun, I rise to retrieve the can openers but stop when Quin Shun puts up a hand.

"No." He states firmly. "Training begins tomorrow, but observation and questions are for today." He says.

I sit back down closer to him this time and stare awkwardly at Quin Shun as his staff lowers to the ground and he finally opens his eyes. Taking a deep steady breath, Quin Shun reaches for the broth and milk as he sets his staff off the right side.

"Watch closely and try to see the flow of energy." Quin Shun instructs.

He grasps the broth firmly in his left hand while hovering his right hand, palm face down, over the top of the can. I stare intently at the can, hands holding my knees in anxious anticipation. With a soft mutter of vaguely familiar words, a light hiss can be heard from the lid of the can. My eyes widen slightly as a faint wave of pressure washes over me. I watch in amazement as a cascade of sparks then start to fly from under his face down palm. Over the course of a few second, the wave of energy steadies to a gentle pulse as the sparks travel gradually around the can. With a small crack and pop, the lid comes off.

"How did you do that!?" I ask in wonder.

Quin Shun takes the lid and sets it opposite his staff. With smooth motions, he sets the can down while flicking his other wrist in the air in a slight twitch. With a shimmer of red/green mist, various bowls and cups materialize on the wooden floor. I lean back a little as Quin Shun dumps his broth into a bowl and grabs a conveniently placed spoon.

"Whoa!" I state, leaning even further back.

"With the manipulation of energy my friend."Quin Shun says cryptically, answering my question. "I simply heated up a small target area near the edge of the lid. With accuracy, I carved a clean path to open the lid." Quin Shun responds kindly.

"Cool, just like one of those high powered plasma cutters."

"Yes, indeed. Now you try it."

"What?" I ask in confusion. "I thought observation and questions were today?"

Chuckling, Quin Shun answers. "To eat, you must use your powers. But remember, with great power comes..."

"Great responsibility, yes, I know, I have heard that phrase before many times. I promise I will be careful." I finish. Having power is one thing, using it responsibly is another. I definitely do not want to become evil like...whoever she was. Shaking my head, Quin Shun continues on, sharing his vast wisdom.

"Yes, but ignorance can also be a problem."

"Why is that?" I question.

"Not knowing what you're up against can cause you to either under or overestimate your opponent. Analyze everything carefully and with precision. One mistake can cost you more than a lost battle later on." Quin Shun says wisely.

"Oh...ok." I mutter passively.

"Now, open your food."

Looking down at my four cans in front of me, I take the can of corn and copy what Quin Shun did. With my palm face down, hovering over the can, I close my eyes and try to concentrate, trying to recall the flow of energy and power as I had felt like before.

A slight tremble of energy erupts from my face down palm while a gentle tugging sensation is felt within my mind. I grit my teeth, focusing, trying to condense the power into a heated source. It fades after a few second. Sighing, I open my eyes while raising the can to examine my work. Spotting a shallow dent on the perimeter of the lid, I smile victoriously and try again but at a different approach.

Closing my eyes and placing my hand over the lid once again, I slow down my breathing and calm my mind, concentrating on the task ahead. Another flicker of energy springs from my palm, dancing down on ribbons of power to the lid of the can. The edge of the lid begins to heat up, turning orange and gradually a dark red.

Quin Shun starts to look a little concerned as I continue to concentrate on opening the can. Before I know it, the power rapidly spreads to the rest of the can, heating it up to a vicious dark red. Immune to any harm by my own heat generated energy, my left hand clenches involuntarily harder on the can. Eyes flying open, I lean back while my legs spread out from under me. I toss the heated can to Quin Shun who has a surprised look etched into his face as his eyes go wide, raising his bushy eyebrows.

I quickly raise my hands in self-defense as Quin Shuns staff flies to his outstretched hand. Time seems to slow down for the next couple of events. My diamond hard shield returns as I reflexively try to duck the inevitable explosion.

The can rapidly expands while groaning under the pressure. With a loud creak and groan, the can of corn explodes. Time stands still as I wait for the scalding hot juices of corn to hit my face. After a few terse moments, my eyes flutter open to an astonishing sight, I see more clearly than last time the white diamond shield in front of me. Quin Shun has his staff held horizontally with the head of his staff in resting on the palm of his left hand. While Quin Shun has his faced locked in a grimace of concentration, I look upon the floating contents of corn.

"H...Wh...Ho-" I stare speechless as time seems to go in reverse. The corn and soup gathers while bits and scraps of metal reconvene to reform the can of corn. My diamond shield slowly dissipates as the can drops to the ground with a loud thud before rolling on its side.

"H-How did I do that!" I ask in astonishment. "More importantly, what did you do" I proclaim loudly.

Quin Shun only lowers his staff and releases a withheld breathe.

"Time-shift. It is a special skill we Guardians have." Quin Shun replies wearily, shaking slightly from the effort as his breathing increases marginally.

"Do I get any special powers?" I ask, desperately hoping for something just as cool.

"No." Quin Shun says plainly. "But when you have trained long and hard enough as a Protector, you will be able to train in a specific area in what you are most versed in as I said before. Your robes will then change property, style and color to whatever your preference is."

"How will I know what I am good at if I can't even open up a can." I raise my voice impatiently, getting a little frustrated.

Chuckling, Quin Shun responds calmly. "Patience young protector, you do show special talents, even for one so new. Your ability to fly, turn invisible, materialize a diamond shield and create a plasma ball is all very good, but patience and the will to train hard is what you need."

"Ok." I say slowly. "It did feel natural to me to fly. You will teach me how to properly, won't you?" I ask.

"Of course, but for now, try again." Quin Shun answers.

I look down at the can of corn, no dents or heat marks could be seen. With a sudden curiosity, I pick it up and speak once more.

"This time-shift you said you could do. Did you reverse the time around it so it wouldn't explode, or make a mess?" I query warily, turning the can this way and that to look for an imperfection.

"Precisely. That is the general use for our ability, although a slightly advanced one at that. Now, try again."

Grunting in acknowledgment, I re-position my legs and resume the lotus position. I gently close my eyes and concentrate on slowly heating just the edge of the can. I let my power flow through my arm and trickle down my palm. With a slight tugging sensation in my mind, I open my eyes and glare at the can. Tiny sparks start to fly around from my designated location. Narrowing my eyes, I lift my palm marginally higher while steadily increasing the power and flow just a tad.

The sparks grow and start to move around the lid, following my gaze. After a few tense minutes of concentration, the lid pops open, revealing a nicely warmed can of corn. Smiling victoriously and breathing a sigh of relief, I pour my food into a bowl and grab a spoon, looking up at Quin Shun to see how I did.

"Very good young protector, and on your second try as well. Keep what you felt in mind; you're going to need it for tomorrow." Quin Shun says. And with that, he digs into his own lunch.

We both take our time eating our respective lunch. Once Quin Shun finishes, he rises and says he will return tomorrow. I look up, flustered at the sudden leave, once again caught with a mouth full of corn. Swallowing hastily, I ask.

"Wait! I have more questions for you!"

Turning back around with staff in hand, Quin Shun replies. "Tomorrow my young Protector, I have some important business to attend to."

And with that, he steps out the front door. I quickly get up, almost spilling my bowl of corn and race to the door. I open it again to find Quin Shun nowhere in sight. Eyes wide yet mouth in a grin; I turn around to finish my lunch. Sneaky bastard.

After three more partially successful attempts to open the rest of the cans, I sit on the couch while collecting my thoughts. Quin Shun had left me with a lot to think about. Yet again the same white shield appeared to protect me from exploding corn...Pathetic.

Well, I can't get worse at least. He said patience is what I will need the most. Hmm... I look around my bare log cabin as I finish my milk and eat some bread. Plain, like baloney, but that does not last for very long. Hell, I was gone for about two years before coming here. Baloney would not even last a month. *Sigh*...

Getting up, I throw the empty cans away and go to my bedroom. I look out a small window and get the time to be somewhere after four O'clock in May. I pull back the covers and climb in fully clothed.

Damn. I did not think to create a separate wardrobe. My friends and I had contemplated it, before my sister left that is. Anyway, I get into a comfortable position and close my eyes. Within a few minutes, my breathing had deepened and my mind wondered. Before I drift off to sleep, I wonder at what Anea is doing or feeling.