Sorry it took so long, but I can't update on my mom's computer. Here's what I got since Friday... I hope you guys like it, and I'll try to update soon.

Responding to one review I got- there is a section for Anne McCaffrey stories on this site, so I'm assuming that it won't get kicked off. Also, I am following the rules of her fanfiction to the best of my ability. If you think I break one of the rules, you can tell me, and I can try to fix it. (I realize I probably am bending one a little for this story, but I couldn't help it. :P)

Now, on with the chapter. I hope you like it, and review if you wish.

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As the new dragonriders left the Hatching Grounds with their partners, excited families came down to congratulate them.

“Oh, Kazuma, you got a brown!” his sister exclaimed.

Kazuma smiled. “Yeah, I did. Let me introduce you to Barath.”

Nearby, Kiyoshi was showing his green to his family, who were very proud.

“I’m only sad to lose one of my best fishermen,” his father said, a smile on his face. “Best wishes to you.”

It seemed everyone’s families were proud of the Hatching results- Hiei’s woodsmithing master had come to watch, being his caregiver, and told the boy how proud he was and that he would miss him. Kurama’s mother went on about how lovely his green was, and Koenma’s parents did the same. Though, they did admit they had initially doubted that he would get one, they were very happy he had gotten one, and early in.

Yusuke’s parents, however, were a different story. While they were glad he had gotten a dragon, his father seemed slightly disappointed it was a blue.

“I expected a bronze.” He didn’t say it, but Yusuke knew that’s what he was thinking.

...

“C’mon, Yusuke, don’t sulk during the Hatching feast!” Koenma pleaded, trying to pull the older boy away from the table. “It doesn’t matter what your dad thinks about your dragon- you’re a rider now!”

“He wanted me to be Weyrleader,” Yusuke grumbled, not affected by the other’s weak tugs. “and I got a blue. He’s disappointed.”

“So? Why should you care? C’mon, let’s dance. That’ll cheer you up.”

Yusuke hesitated for another minute, then sighed and stood. “Fine. Besides, I’d hate for us to upset our dragons over something stupid.”

Koenma smiled and the two headed over to where the harpers were playing.

...

Meanwhile, Kiyoshi was still in the Weyrling barracks, watching his dragon sleep. She was so beautiful… he was glad he had Impressed her.

“You gonna come to the feast, Kiyoshi?”

The blonde jumped, startled, and turned to see Kazuma at the door.

“Sorry to scare you- watching your dragon? She’ll be fine while we go have fun.”

“I know.” Kiyoshi looked back at Kuwath, a gentle smile coming to his face. “I just don’t want to leave her.”

“I left Barath, didn’t I? Everybody else left their dragon. She’ll be fine. Let’s go celebrate.”

Kiyoshi stayed where he was for a few more moments, then nodded.

Kazuma smiled. “Great, let’s go. I’m starving.”

...

Despite Kurama trying to pull him into the festivities, Hiei was staying at his table on the edge of the square, watching everyone. He wasn’t really a social person, though it seemed everyone else was.

He kept replaying the scene of him Impressing Soth in his head. He wouldn’t call himself the sentimental type, but he felt something warm inside of him whenever he thought of what happened. He couldn’t wait until he could start training with his dragon.

...

The next morning, the Weyrlings reported to their first day of training. The Weyrlingmaster, K’nebel, explained how to properly feed, bathe, and oil the dragons, and then let them loose.

Many of the riders still seemed tired from the day before. Some hadn’t gone to bed until well past the normal time, choosing instead to continue celebrating.

Kazuma was one of those riders.

“’M so tired,” he mumbled as he applied oil to Barath’s back.

“Then you shouldn’t have stayed up so late. Puuth told me to go to bed at least an hour before you did, I bet.”

Kazuma glared at Yusuke, who was cheerfully oiling his blue.

“Shut up- I wanted to have fun for a night. I’m not the only one, you know.”

Yusuke glanced around at the other Weyrlings. At least five others were yawning. He shrugged.

“Anyway… you have a smaller dragon, so you’ve got less work to do,” Kazuma grumbled.

Do you not like me being brown, K’zuma?

“No, no, that’s not it at all!” Kazuma hurriedly reassured his dragon. “I love you bein’ brown- I’m just sayin’ his is smaller, that’s all.”

Barath rubbed his head against Kazuma, and the rider scratched his eye ridges, grateful that he hadn’t oiled the head yet.

Kiyoshi, who was watching from a few yards away, sighed. They looked so wonderful together… Barath was a strong looking dragon, and his rider…

“Something wrong?”

Startled, Kiyoshi turned around to see Kurama sitting behind him.

“Sorry- I couldn’t help but notice you looked a little down. What is it?”

Kiyoshi blushed slightly and looked back at his dragon. “I’m just thinking about K’zuma and Barath.”

Kurama smiled knowingly. “I know how you feel. I have my eye on someone myself.”

“But…” Kiyoshi bit his lip. “He’s a brown rider…”

“It’s the same with me. You don’t always get lucky, but sometimes you find one who likes boys, too. I know Hiei does, he just won’t admit it. Just hang around him and see if he gives any signs. Watch his dragon, too.”

Kiyoshi’s eyes were wide. “How do you know so much? You weren’t Weyr-bred.”

Kurama shrugged. “I learn quickly. Now, excuse us. Yokath is ready for another meal.”

He rose and went to get food, his dragon following. Kiyoshi watched him go, then looked back at Kazuma. The older boy was almost done oiling his brown. He quickly went back to his own work.

Kuwath, how do you feel about Barath?

As soon as he asked the question, he mentally kicked himself. His dragon was barely a day old! How would she understand?

He seems strong. I would like to be friends with him and his rider.

Okay, that was a start. Kiyoshi sighed in relief as he finished.

You want to go eat now?

Yusuke watched the green rider leave, then turned his attention back to his dragon and chuckled. This was going to get interesting. He made sure to hide the thought from Puuth and proceeded to take his dragon for a meal as well.