Well, finally finished chapter five. Sorry for the wait. This one is for you KaizerFinalFantasy for your unwavering praise. Winks Thanks, love!

Okay, now here's the warning so listen closely – in this chapter I dare to get a little citrusy and mayhap overstep the border of shonen-ai. Can't handle that? Well, then hit that lil back button and pretend you were never here. Still here? Then read on and please enjoy!

Chapter 5 – Trials

The sultry summer rain came down in a slanted curtain on the rocks and brown pine needles on the ground around Avenger's cave. The ninja had always found the tranquil rain soothing. But there was little that would cool his hot temper today.

The ninja was seriously considering taking back his promise to help the Elusians. Besides, they had already violated their agreement as far as he was concerned. The bright sun had risen and set countless times, and still they had taught him nothing, not a single exercise in channelling his magical energies. They'd kept him so busy doing pointless tasks that he hadn't even the time to practice the few spells he had learnt as a young acolyte, If I can still do them after all this time…. Temple life never much called for setting fires or extinguishing light. Humph… Unless you're called Fallon….

Avenger sat in the rafters of the small barn, arms folded behind his head, lazing in the warmth of the mid-morning sun. He should probably have been out training during his free time, or meditating. But all he wanted to do was sit and relax for a while. The smell of fresh straw and hay permeated the air; the twitter of birds the only sound to break the still morning quiet.

The young man felt his eyelids beginning to get heavy and he yawned responsively, stretching stiff muscles. Maybe a little nap wouldn't hurt, he hadn't felt this at peace and relaxed outside the meditation hall in a long time.

Had it been any other time, he would have heard the stealthy padding of footsteps marking his arch-rival's approach…

Fallon took quick stock of the scene and grinned wolfishly at the sight of Avenger lazing on the beam above him. Ducking behind the beam support, he squatted in the straw and suppressed a cruel chuckle. I've been looking everywhere for you Theorn… I know you've been avoiding me after last week… But I just have to give you a birthday present. Especially now that you're sweet sixteen…

Reaching inside his loose fitting faded green jacket, he produced a leather pouch and emptied some of the fine powdered contents into his hand. It shone silvery in the morning light with a potent power. It had been hard work to smuggle even this small amount of the magical Everna dust from the temple. But it'll be worth itjust to see dear Theorn's face… Fallon smirked, blue eyes fixed on the black clad figure.

Tossing the dust skyward, he murmured the short incantation and shielded his eyes in anticipation of the result. Almost instantaneously, the air erupted in explosive cracks of brilliant white light, seeming to become charged with static energy.

Sitting bolt upright in shock with a soft exclamation of surprise, Avenger wobbled dangerously on the beam until he lost his balance completely and tumbled sideways to the floor. Landing with a loud thump that caused pain to shoot up the impacted shoulder, he instinctively gripped the wounded area in pain, struggling to his feet. His vision was still somewhat blurred, but his sight was returning and he looked around quickly with mounting panic and anger for his assailant, scurrying for where he thought cover might be provided.

Then, the air darkened abruptly, a sinister mist seeming to shut out the rays of light from outside as it crept around the spacious barn until it was thick enough almost to touch and completely pitch black.

Avenger once again stumbled, staggering for balance, but he couldn't tell up from down. He quickly found down as he landed prostrate on it when his foot caught something on the floor. Growling in humiliation and worry, the ninja tried again to struggle to his feet. This is ninja trickery…There's another ninja here! They can't be from the Temple of the Light –why would an ally attack me? I have to get away from here… his desperate mind babbled.

A foot between his shoulder blades, pinning him to the ground effectively halted his attempt. Grunting in surprise and protest, Avenger heard a low chuckle of amusement and his blood ran icy. Fallon…

"Who were you expecting dear Theorn…?" came Fallon's answering drawl making him realise he had spoken aloud. "I figured I should do something a little more extravagant as it's your birthday…"

"Get off of me you disgusting… worm!" Avenger spat vehemently, struggling to find words to express his anger, and failing to find anything he considered insulting enough. Swiping an arm viciously backwards, he attempted to knock the other boy off him.

Fallon laughed at the ineffectual struggle. "Theorn…"

"Don't you dare call me that! Release me now!" Avenger roared furiously, swiping out again with his arms and trying to kick out of the hold on him.

Fallon looked momentarily surprised at such a display of venomous anger from the younger boy. Smirking, he settled at the ninja's left side, holding the dusky-skinned hands in one of his own, restricting their movement with a painful lock that caused the dark haired boy to groan at the sensation. "I'll kill you for this…" he heard Avenger snarl in the darkness.

"How charming…" Fallon chuckled. "You know, Theorn, I'll miss all this…"

Avenger froze for a moment, feeling himself shudder involuntarily. His lips drew back, exposing pearly teeth in a grimace. "You wouldn't dare kill me…."

That cold laugh again. "Oh dear…. You really have a single-track mind, don't you, Theorn? I'm not going to kill you."

"Then, what? …. Beat me? Humiliate me more? Or both…?" Avenger spat back acidly.

Sun-tanned fingers traced the line of Avenger's jaw, brushing back the raven hair lapping around his collar. Warm breath tickled his ear, making the tiny hairs on the back of his neck stand up at the stimulus. Drawing in a surprised, shaky breath as he felt his earlobe nipped lightly and a tongue skim a warm trail where teeth had nibbled moments before, Avenger felt himself shiver responsively.

"Wh… what are you…?" he managed to mumble, struggling a little with the arm lock again.

"What makes you think I'm here to do any of those things…?" Fallon whispered huskily in Avenger's ear suddenly.

That response had not been expected and Avenger turned his head as best he could to gaze in Fallon's direction questioningly with suspicious gold eyes, surprised when the painful hold on his hands was eased a little to allow him a little freedom of movement. "I… I don't… What do you want, Fallon…?" he frowned slightly, finding it difficult to talk around a lump in his throat.

Fallon smiled thinly, lowering his face toward the younger man, cupping a dusky cheek with his free hand and brushing his lips over Avenger's gently.

Avenger seemed to recoil in surprise, but he did not struggle anymore. Pressing his lips to the younger ninja's firmly, he felt the slightest pressure in return against his own mouth after several moments. Cautiously releasing the grip on the dark-skinned hands, he entangled his own golden tanned hands into the luxurious mane of raven hair spilling around the café au lait skin of the boy's collar, savouring it's silky texture. Slowly drawing his tongue along the boy's lower lip, he pushed his tongue into the warm cavity of the mouth beyond, eliciting a surprised gasp from the younger ninja.

Avenger found himself rolled to his back, his hands still hovering uncertainly, and he moaned against the lips locked over his own, attempting to mimic roughly the movements of the tongue against his own. Moving slowly, gently, Fallon shifted to sit astride the boy, leaning down to deepen their kiss, noting with some amusement that the boy was almost as hard as he was. Maybe I should explore a little…

Drawing his hands slowly down the strong flanks of his partner, Fallon slid a hand under the thin wrap-over jacket, teasing the warm flesh with feather-light fingers and was rewarded with another gasp and an involuntary shudder. Breaking the kiss that left them both breathless, Fallon grinned into the darkness, listening to the shaky breathing of the other boy as he massaged the thin, but surprisingly strong chest. Growling something akin to a purr, he slid his hand under the tight sash and into the younger boy's trousers.

Avenger inhaled sharply in surprise with a small cry of alarm, his back arching off the ground. Oh God…

Counting the petals of a wild rose, he fumed, viciously plucking out the stamen of the fuchsia-coloured one he held. Inanity! A thorn found it's way to the tender flesh behind a fingernail, and he flung the denuded flower from him angrily.

Taen had left him the prickly pile of blooms with instructions to contemplate the essence of a rose.

"What in the Abyss does that mean?" he'd ground out.

"Thou must discover what makes a rose a rose."

"That's obvious. It looks like one."

Taen had smiled indulgently and said as he had left, "That wouldst be the conclusion of one who is not qhen."

At first, Avenger had swallowed his annoyance and risen to the challenge Taen had flung at him. He had become determined to prove he had as much patience as the Elusians had, and so he concentrated on separating the velvety soft petals with slim fingers. He held handfuls of petals to his flared nostrils until the spicy fragrance was as familiar to him as burning incense and moist earth. His tongue sampled both petals and stems until they no longer tasted bitter. But as time passed, measured by the number of petals he had plucked, his forced patience waned, then died.

Avenger slowly paced the confines of the small cavern Nathaniel had found for him as shelter from the elements. It was small, and certainly not homely, barely allowing for space to swing his sword. That is, when the Elusians removed the annoying splint from his right arm.

Bats and small birds had called the cave home before Avenger had arrived, but he had already scared them all off with a embarrassingly pathetic pyro spell. He had been glad no one was around to see it. A large puddle of water that probably sourced from the nearby river in the farthest corner was his only source of pleasure. On hot summer days and nights it provided pleasing refreshment from the heat.

At least it was dim inside the cave. Avenger pondered the Elusian's adoration of light. They needed sunshine; he sought the solitude of darkness. Why had he agreed to follow the training of creatures so opposite to his own nature? Greed, of course. The answer didn't shame him. Instead, it supported his decision to force them to teach him as promised.

Just then, Avenger froze and cocked his head to the side. Someone or something was approaching his cave. He scuttled to within a few feet of the opening where shadows would still conceal him without a single sound. Carefully slipping his left hand into his sash, he removed a razor sharp dagger, raising the point in readiness, his breathing dropping to nothing more than a whisper in his own ears.

Taen bounded through the opening to cavern. Shaking rain droplets from his luxurious hair, the Elusian took one look at the scattered remains of the roses. "Thou hast been busy," he commented, oblivious to Avenger's threatening posture.

The ninja stepped from the shadows in the foulest of moods, one eye half closed in a furious squint. "Don't you know better than to come running into a ninja's lair unannounced? I nearly turned you into a pincushion."

The Elusian looked neither surprised nor concerned. "I was aware of thee. Besides, I do not fear mine own death."

"Not fearing it and walking foolishly into it are two different things," Avenger growled back.

"Come, Avenger," said Taen as if the ninja had not spoken. He stepped from the cave. "The rain hath stopped." Still grumbling under his breath, the ninja followed the Elusian to the ridge of trees downhill from the cave, where Nathaniel waited cross-legged on the ground. "Let us see what thou hath learned."

"I've learned that I'm sick and tired of these games." Avenger snatched Taen up by the front of his green tunic and raised him six feet from the ground. "Either you teach me to shapechange right this minute, as we agreed, or you can pull some other hapless creature from the bowels of the earth to smell flowers."

"Doth a rose looketh like a badger?" Taen rasped from the pressure exerted on his chest. His expression was strangely serene. Nathaniel had not moved.

"Of course not!" Avenger snorted at the improbable question.

"So it is not a badger. Doth it hath the flavour of rice?"

"No! It tastes like a rose!"

"And how is that?"

Drawn into the line of questioning despite himself, Avenger set the Elusian down on the still-damp pine needles. "The wooden stem is acrid, and the centre is sweet compared to the rest."

"Wouldst that not describe an apple or an orange?"

"No…" The ninja paused and thought for a moment. "Yes, it would." He grew frustrated at this realisation. "What's the point of all this?"

Taen looked at him straight faced and said, "I think thou knoweth, even if thou doth not yet understandeth it completely."

Avenger's eyes narrowed. "Are you trying to say that there is a commonality between all things, and the differences are but nuance?"

Taen looked impressed. "Thou hath learned more than expected. All I hoped for was recognition of the distinctions." Adjusting his tunic back into place, the Elusian settled onto a rotted tree stump and wrapped his slender arms around his knees.

"Any magical being canst learn the rudiments of shapechanging," he continued. "But a master of the skill doth bringeth all of his other… 'essences' to his new shape, combines it with his complete understanding of the creatures whose shape he wouldst take." Taen paused a moment. "The result is a magical creature superior to the natural one. Anything less is simply a magically animated shell, no better than a golem." He nodded solemnly. "Thou art becoming qhen, Avenger."

Avenger was moved to silence. He could feel an almost physical transformation overtaking his body as he began to understand. The ninja shivered in the almost oppressive heat of the rain-dampened forest.

"I believe thou art ready to try thine arm."

Surprised, Avenger looked back to his shoulder eagerly where Nathaniel had begun to unleash the vines and remove the splint from the damaged limb. "Is it all right, Nathaniel?" he asked, not waiting for an answer as he gingerly extended the arm and stretched the muscles. "I've thought for several days that it was healed." The joint felt stiff, but not sore.

Reaching back, he drew the white steel sword, and it left its sheath with a grating hiss. Bringing the blade to bear, he attempted a short pattern of arcs and swings. Pain shot through his arm and the blade clattered to the ground dully as he tossed it away involuntarily as if burned, gripping his limb.

Breathing heavily, he kept his golden eyes turned downwards, examining the damp earth with critical approval. He felt Nathaniel at his side, silently examining his right arm. He didn't stop him, though he knew he wasn't injured.

"Thou wast trying too hard."

Avenger's head snapped up, eyes blazing angrily. He glared at the Elusian. "How can I try 'too hard' to do something I already know?"

"Thou doth knoweth how. But thine arm has become undisciplined and it doth needeth time and patience to fully recover. Thy body knows its own limitations."

"Are you saying I should just assume I can perform normally, and I will?" Avenger scoffed. Dropping his left arm to his side, he affected a look of disinterest. Still, he waited for the Elusian's response.

"No." Taen shook his head. "Though the skill is natural to thee, and the knowledge thou already possesses, thine limb is but newly healed and must be retrained. Thou must practice, but effortlessly, like a leaf falls from a tree. Thou must stop caring about performing thy movements and just do it. Thine body wilt let thou know when it hath reached it's limit and thou must rest, as is second nature to all." Taen could see that Avenger understood and agreed, yet his natural hostility had wrinkled his brow into a scowl.

"Stop thinking about being ninja, and just be ninja."

Avenger curled his lip contemptuously. The Elusian's gall was limitless! "If there's anything I know more about than you," he stormed, "it's how to be ninja!" With that, he spun on his heel, retrieved the fallen blade and thundered off to practice near the entrance of his cave.

Bringing the blade to bear, he prepared to begin a short and uncomplicated pattern of strokes and arcs, but at the last second he caught a glance of Taen, arms crossed expectantly as he watched. Whether from spite, or some emotion far more powerful, Avenger conjured a picture of himself performing the patterns he knew by heart. He stopped thinking of every move made, of steps taken, of the grip on the sword. He commanded himself to move, to step, and when he brought up the blade, he sent no conscious message to his arms or feet. He swung it upwards in a graceful salute. This was followed sharply by cat-like steps, glittering arcs, crisp strokes that cleaved the air without sound or effort, and powerful lunges.

He pushed himself on this first effort since he left his home, past the first ache of his joints, until the powerful biceps and triceps cramped as well.

Either he had practised too long, or he hadn't practised in a long time. Because when he finally stopped, his newly healed limb stiffened and the muscles shuddered involuntarily, sending bolts of pain shooting through his nerves crazily. Dropping to his knees, Avenger groaned as he tried to shift the limb to his side, to any position less painful, laying the sword down none too carefully on the pine needles.

"Not bad," said Taen, as ever at his shoulder. "Not good, but not bad. Next time thou wilt knoweth not to practise beyond thine endurance."