The Others

"Kresko, you there," said a voice as I picked up the phone.

I jumped in surprise. "Geomana," I excalimed, "how did you get this number?"

"Sano gave it to me. Are you all right?"

"Yeah, where are you guys?"

Geomana turned to Sano and whispered, "where exactly are we?"

"Somewhere over the Atlantic ocean."

"Somewhere over the Atlantic ocean," she relayed. "I'm sorry about just up and leaving like that, but if you knew, I was one hundered percent sure that you wouldn't let me go."

"Well, to tell the truth I knew you two had left, thats how Sano got the phone."

"So you're finally starting to trust me now? And Sano?"

"Yes I am."

"Wow, the mighty Kresko trusting somebody else."

"Just...Don't do anything stupid okay?"


**OMG!!! Idea, pm me if ya wants it**

When Geomana finished she gave the phone back to Sano. "Kresko, watch out."

"What do you mean?" He answered strangly.

"Geomana's kindnapping will spread and war will come soo, be on your guard."

"Right."

Hanging un Sano put the phone back in his poket. Grabing Geomana closer he put his arm around her sholder. Walking down to the lower level, they went looking for there rooms for night was upon them.

(Not much, but I did post like you asked.)

The next morning Geomana and Sano sat in the kitchen eating breakfast, when Rieko came in, turned around, and started to go out.

"Rieko, come back, you've got to be hungry," Geomana said pleadingly.

*i know its not much, but its all i've got.*

(That leaves me with nothing. We need Elven-Madian.)

(alas, I have barely any time nowadays....my school computer blocks this site )

Reiko glanced over at them, leery eyed. "I'm not hungry," he insisted. He didn't want to stay with them for dinner; it would be way too awkward.

Geomana raised an eyebrow. He hadn't been very convincing.

Finally Rieko sighed and limped over to the table and sat down.

*Hope this is good enough. I've got nothing..*head/desk**

Geomana put her hands on the table in a demanding gesture, "today and for the rest of the trip, lets pretend that we're friends, well...not friends, but let's not be enemies," her posture was demanding but her voice was pleading. "Please?"

"I will," Sano said, "but for you."

Geomana nodded and smiled, "that works for me." She turned to Rieko, "please Rieko, this ship will get uncomfortably small if we're fighting."

"And you owe her at least this," Sano reminded him.

Reiko winced slightly at Sano's words, but other than that he tried to keep his face tight. Geomana was making no sense to him. He had been nothing but enemies with Herskon since he was young, and wasn't the opposite of enmity friendship? It never occured to him that there were shades of grey.

"Alright," he said uncertainly, not quite yet sure how he was going to follow through on his word. But he didn't dare say no.

"Rieko," Geomana said pitifully, "I know you think that the world's just black and white, good and evil, human and Herkson. Do you really think we're all evil?"

Rieko didn't respond.

"The thing we're not is the thing we're taught to fear."

Still he said nothing.

"I understand your pain, and the ways of the world."

"How would you know how the world works? You're aching in innocence."

"Innocence is not ignorance," She streched out her hand and took Rieko's, he made a move to resist but didn't. "And innocence pays its price as well." She went on to tell him her story, and by the end she had let go and was crying into Sano's shoulder.

Reiko said nothing as Geomana sobbed into Sano's shoulder. He wondered what was worse; losing both parents at once or losing one at a time. Or whether actually seeing there bodies was worse than not being allowed to and imagining it instead...

Reiko took a deep breath. "My father was found in an alley, torn apart by a Herskon," he said quietly, unsure whether or not she had heard him. "I guess it was better that way, though. He was never the same after my mother was killed." He noticed Sano's look and glared back at him. "He hadn't threatened the thing first," he snapped. "He was attacked from behind and he hadn't even drawn his gun."

Geomana's sobs were dying down, though tears still ran down her face. Reiko wanted to stop, to leave his story there, but he kept going. "My sister collapsed with my dad when my mom died. And when he died..." he took a deep breath, catching himself before admiting his fear of the cycle claiming his sister, too.

He realized that his hand was still under Geomana's, and this time he managed to pull away. He shouldn't have gotten mixed up with Herskon in the first place.

"Killing us all won't bring them back," Sano said, "not all of us are bad."

"Most are," Rieko grumbled.

"We can't be worse than humans," Geomana said, "I very much doubt a human would be able to forgive you for what you did to me, and I managed to."

Rieko's head snapped up, "you forgive me? But...how?"

"I don't blame you for your hate for us, if you were just a biggot I couldn't, but you're on a quest for revenge-a stupid move by the way- and although i don't appreciate being a tool, i understand it."

"How is it a stupid move?"

Geomana whiped the remains of her tears away, "in all of the herkson's you've met, have you ever met a drug dealer? A gang leader? You haven't have you? I didn't think so. You see Rieko, in Herkson form we still have control over ourselves, as long as we are not starved."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying theres a chance your parents death was accidental, most herkson's wouldn't dream of killing a human unless attacked. So either your parents were part of a society to destroy us, or they were in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Rieko didn't say anything, he kept his eyes on his food.

"Look at the human world Rieko, look at all the jails, there are no Herkson's there. There is no need for jail in our world, even though there are a few that are more human than others, most of us aren't. So you need to ask yourself Rieko, who are the real monsters?"

Sano just looked a Geomana as she talked. He felt slightly revived from her words. he smiling slightly he got up. Before leaving he kissed Geomana on the fore head saying he needed some air and to join him when he was done. She nodded and Sano went around the table and put his hand on Reiko's shoulder, "Everyone deserves a second chance, even you."

Walking off he went above deck. the crisp sea air blew his face and he felt calmed. Walking to the edge he made sure his sword was fastened to his back. For some reason he felt nervous about the future and he wanted to be ready for anything.

Sano Geomana came up with Reiko following behind. he motioned to walk closer, but suddenly a figure brought a knife to Geomana's neck. "Sano!"

He drew his blade, but the assassin just brought the knife closer. Sano clenched the sword, he knew if he moved she would die.

"Don't move." Sano looked behind the man to see Reiko with a gun at the man's back. "You even twitch and I'll kill you."

The assassin looked back and Sano took it as an opening. Jumping he brought the sword down o n the enemies shoulder. he let go of Geomana and fell the the ground dead.

"There must be more, look out! This one was a Herskon!"

"How do you know?" asked Reiko.

"His shoulder bares the mark of the Herskon military."

Geomana klutched at Sano's arm, "I thought this was your cousin's ship," she mumbled, her voice shuddering. "Do you think he had anything to do with this?" She ran her hands across her neck, double checking for cuts.

Then, it seemed instantly, they were surrounded by the crew. It seemed half human half Herkson.

"Sano," his cousin said, "you're my cousin, I don't wish to hurt you, step away from your friends and you'll be alright."

Geomana was tempted to push him foward, just to keep him safe, but he held her hands so tight she wouldn't be able to get them free.

Instantly, Sano turned himself into his Herkson form, pulled Geomana and Rieko onto his back and took off faster than the bullets flying after them.

Reiko clinged to Sano's back for dear life, completly frozen in fear. He hated being near Herskon in animal forms; he was even terrified of a Herskon cat. And now he was on the back of a dragon.

He shivered and closed his eyes, wondering what animal Geomana was. He hadn't thought to ask her. It had never mattered. Then he found himself snorting in giddy chuckles. Like it mattered now.

Knowing that if he looked down he'd get sick, Reiko kept his gaze riveted to the night sky. But his stomach still lurched uncomfortably. He wondered absently how Geomana was doing.

(I really am lost at the moment. Any ideas?)