The Others

Geomana's jaw dropped, he...he loved her? Nobody in their right mind would love her, but yet...thats all she ever really wanted. She only ever wanted to be worthy of love. And as long as she was telling the truth to herself, she might as well admit it, she loved him too.

She climbed the stairs in a sort of haze, trying to figure out how to tell him that. She was never good at these things and she was afraid that if she didn't tell him he'd think she didn't love him.

When she reached the top she turned and sat down, resting her chin on her palm, trying to figure out how to tell him that she loved him too.

She couldn't bring it up casually, she didn't have the guts for that. But if she kissed him...she could do that. Smiling she straightened up, when he returned, she'd kiss him and tell him without words what she wanted to say.

Sano climbed the stairs with Reiko on his back. When he reached the top Geomana was there waiting for him. he set Reiko down, "What you do now is totally up to you."

He got up and started to limp away with Sano and Geomana watching him go. Sano turned to Geomana, "Come on the harbors not far away."

They began to walk through town. People were busy with their everyday lives. Sano looked at Geomana, but she seemed distracted, "You okay?"

She looked up at him a little confused, like she came out of a dream, "I, ah." She looked around at all the people.

"What is it?" He looked around, but saw nothing suspitious. When he turned back Geomana grabbed his arm and began to run. "What is it?"

She didn't answer, instead she just continued to run. After a bit the came a top a hill over looking the harbor. The sun was rising mixing with the clouds to form a shade of yellow, orange, and red. "Beautiful isn't it?" Sano turned to look at Geomana, but the next thing he knew she was clamped to him. "Geomana.." but before he could say another word the were kissing under a tall oak tree.

(Not the best a romance)

After a few moments they pulled apart, "I'm not the best with words." She said, starting to blush. "I never really have been and I didn't really know how to say what i wanted to say with words so..." She started to ramble and her blush deepened to a scarlet color.

Sano seemed to understand because he kissed her again, breifer this time. Because they realized they weren't quite alone. They were being watched by a pair of humans, not dangerous humans, but they were making them uncomfortable none-the less.

"Come on," Sano said taking her hand, "the harbor's not far away."

Reiko limped into the police station and glanced at the coat rack. He had to look twice before convincing himself his coat really wasn't there...

"Reiko, you're worse than yesterday," Rendon said. She sounded less surprised than she was yesterday.

"Yeah," Reiko muttered, still gazing at teh racks. "Hiking accident."

"Hiking?" Rendon repreated, raising an eyebrow. "Nothing to do with Herskon?"

Unable to lie verbally, Reiko shook his head.

Rendon regarded him for a moment, then pulled something from under the counter. "Reiko, what's this?"

Reiko turned, and saw that she had his recorder in her hands.

"It was found in your coat pocket yesterday," she explained. "Would you like to hear what it says?"

Unconsiously, Reiko shook his head.

"So you already know what's been recorded?"

Reiko swallowed. "School project," he said simply. "It's for a film my group and I are making for...drama. It's a mystery, and some detectives find that recorder at--"

"You dropped out of school two years ago," Rendon interupted. She let him standin awkward silence for a while before continuing, "It was still recording when we found it. What were you doing before you came here for work?"

Reiko hesitated, thinking, then said, "A friend and I were playing around with that thing in the closet when her boyfriend came in and found us there. You know, in the closet." He forced a smile. "He didn't like that very much." It was part truth.

Rendon looked at him carefully, then said, "Reiko, is there a reason you want to lie?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"It's hard to believe that you would lie about a school project just to cover up for playing around with a friend."

Reiko sighed and turned away.

"There were two names in this tape," she continued. "Geomana and Sano. We haven't been able to track Sano, but Geomana is a known Herskon. Why were you recording this and what were you asking about?"

"Is this an interogation?" Reiko snapped

Rendon pretended not to notice his reaction. "You said something about Underground, and she said something about--"

"Officer Rendon," Reiko said, cursing himself for the pleading tone of voice. "Can't we just drop this? Let it rest?"

Rendon's face was still expresionless. "What about this Underground?"

"It's nothing. My theory about a hideout was wrong."

"You had a theory about an underground hideout?"

"Yes, but like I said, I was proved wrong."

"She didn't contradict you," Rendon pointed out.

Reiko winced. "Officer..."

"You said there was an All-Herskon bar that felt weird," Rendon continued. "Which one?"

Reiko took a deep breath. "There's one on the corner of Cinch Street and Bol's Plaza."

"you sure?" Rendon asked, gazing at him instensly. "Is the bartender going to say that he never saw you?"

"It wasn't the bartender that captured me."

Rendon pursed her lips and sat back. "A bartender knows what goes on in his bar. We'll know if you lie."

Reiko turned away, thinking fast.

"Reiko? Is this the right bar?"

Reiko wet his lips. "Yes," he said hoarsely. "Yes. It's the right one."

Rendon nodded slowly, then stood up. "you're coming with us, just in case."

Reiko's heart jumped ot his throat. "If you haven't noticed, I'm having difficulties walking." He glanced around, looking for his coat once more, but couldn't find it. "You wouldn't mind if I wnet home tonight to rest and came back tomarow morning?"

Rendon narrowed her eyes, studying him.

"Officer Rendon, it's not as if I'll run away. You know where I live, and you'll know if I lie. Besides, Where could I go? I don't have enough money for travel."

Rendon regarded him a while, then nodded. "Fine, then. If you're not here tomarrow morning, we're going to look for you."

Reiko nodded tightly and left the station, glancing around. He had to get out of the country, fast. He'd be hunted by tomarrow.

Walking down the hill the two let their trouble fly away. the wind blowing their hair and the spray of the ocean brushing their faces. When they reached the Harbor an old man approached Sano "Sano my boy, long time no see."

"Hello Allen, how are you?"

"Good I suppose. What brings you up here?"

"We need passage some where."

"Like?"

"India I believe."

"Why do you need to go there?"

"An old temple. There my be something there to help end the fighting."

"That's the best thing I've heard in a long time. Come, I have a ship leaving in about a half an hour. Please, this way."

Sano took Geomana's hand and they followed Allen adored one of his ships. "Better then flying?"

"Yes, better than flying."

Ten minutes later they were safely loaded onto the ship when Geomana spotted a form coming down over a hill towards the ships. Her werewolf eyes could tell who it was instantly.

She gripped the rail so hard it almost broke, but Sano's comforting arm around her calmed her down quite a bit.

"What's he doing here?" She asked.

Sano shrugged, "I don't know, we'll just have to wait and see won't we?"

By this point Rieko arrived at the docks.

"Why are you here Rieko?" Geomana demanded.

Reiko looked up, his face a little pale. What were they doing here, themselves? But he couldn't ask that. "Where is this ship going?" he asked.

"India," Geomana responded, her voice cold. "Why do you want to know?"

"India." With a sigh he turned and ran a hand through his hair. It was far enough. probably too far, but there wasn't going to be another chance. "Do you know how much the voyage costs?" He vaguely remembered that the ten dollar bill would've been ruined in the waterfall--dangit, his gun was too--but he'd have to worry about that later."i need to get out of here."

*Oh! *jumps up and down* i've always wanted to go to india! woot! lol, if you all dont mind, i am once again coming back in, this time hopefully to stay. things have just been happening kinda fast...*

Rei had been wandering around above ground for almost the whole day and was now sitting against a wooden pole on the docks, asleep. She had heard little to nothing from Geomana and Kersko since she left after dinner a couple nights ago. She hadn't really done anything in that time, other than stir up a bit of mischief here and there. Mostly she just wandered around or dazed in the sun, like she was doing now.

..."India. Why do you want to know?" a familiar voice said nearby, waking Rei. She opened one eye a slit and glanced over in a nearby boat. Of course, Geomana stood there, Sano next to her. Geomana had her hands on her hips and lips pursed, staring definatly at a man, whose face Rei could not see. She didn't think he was Herskon but oddly his voice sounded slightly familiar.

"India...Do you know how much the voyage costs? I need to get out of here." the man said, one hand clamped over his side and keeping the weight off one leg.

Rei stood up and walked over casually. "Someone say they were goin' to India? Well, Kersko isn't going to be too happy about that, now is he?"

"Well he'll just have to deal with that," Geomana said, "he can yell at me when I get back."

Rei raised an eyebrow, "really? You are coming back?"

Geomana nodded, "Yes i am, and then he can have his freak out then."

"So he doesn't know you're here then?"

"I left him a note..."

Sano cleared his throat, "Um...Geomana, he...kinda already knows."

Geomana turned on him, her eyes wide with shock, "he what?"

"He over heard us talking and made me promise not to let anything hurt you."

Geomana's eyes softened and she threw her arms around his neck, pulling him into a hug.

Rei sighed and smiled to herself. Slipping the money for a voyage to the captain, she stepped on the boat and went to stand by Geomana so she could see the face of the stranger.

"...Do i know you?" she asked.

Reiko pursed his lips. He recongized her just fine. She was the one who wanted to kill him when that wolf captured him.

But what was he supposed to say? "Yeah, I shot at you and your friends that one night I was eavesdropping on you..."

He took a deep breath and answered, "No. Your voice seems familiar, but that happens to me a lot."

Rei studied him for a moment longer with her gray eyes before shrugging She asked casually, "What's your name?"

Geomana answered before the man had opened his mouth. "His name's Reiko."

"Well, Reiko." Rei said, laying emphasis on the man's name, clearly stating that she did not trust him and could tell he was lying. "Why do you need to get out of here?" she raised an eyebrow and waited for an answer.

"Long story," Reiko said quickly. "Too long to explain now.' He turned to the captain and tentatively put the bill in his hand. "that's all I have," he said reluctantly. "Will it be enough?"

The captain carefully unfruled money, feeling how fragile it was, then shook his head. "Sorry, kid."

"I have more at the bank, of course," he said quickly, slightly panicked. "I'll pay you the full amount as soon as possible, I promise."

"I don't take credit. I'm sorry, but I can't."

Reikor pursed his lips and turned away, thinking quickly. He spun around and shouted at the Herskon, "The police are on the trail," he told them. "They're off for a couple of hours, but i've got to be out of the country by the time they find out they've been tricked, or they will find the Under--the safe haven," he corrected, unsure whether they trusted the captain or not. He was painfully aware how much of a bluff his story sounded, but it didn't matter now. He was desparate.