The Others

Geomana was clutching herself as closely to Sano as she could, utterly terrified at the thought of losing her hold or opening her eyes. She was absoloutly terrified. Not only was she afraid that if she opened her eyes she would lose her grip and fall, she was also afraid of losing last three meals.

Slowly Sano began to decend, which made Geomana hold on even tighter, going up was scary enough, but going down was worse.

As soon as they were on solid land, Reiko carefully slid off Sano's back onto the ground. He turned ot the horizon, remembering the one girl who was also on the ship with them. he felt guilty for feeling releif, but he was glad that she wasn't going to haunt him anymore. he had a strange suspician that she had recongized him.

"ummm..." he started, not knowing whether he should tell them the bad news or let them find out for themselves.

"I already know Reiko. I'm going back."

"What?" Geomana was worried. She latched onto his arm and refused to let go of him. "Why?"

"We left her behind. Your friend. I have to get her back." Sano turned to Reiko, "I'm counting on you to take care of Geomana. I put my faith in you now." He turned back to Geomana and gave her a kiss. Then pulled away and flew off.

Reiko was at a total loss of words as Sano flew away. He had no gun, no knife, and no clue where they were. He was still wounded and tired, and if anything happened to Geomana, he might as well kill himself.

Sighing, he turned away and glanced around. "Do you have any idea where we are?" he asked.

Geomana shrugged, "Somewhere on the African border I believe." She closed her eyes so he wouldn't see her slightly shift, listening and smelling for human life around. She shifted back and opened her eyes, "there's a town not to far away. I'd be able to help you there."

"How do you suppose we get there? Fly?"

Geomana smiled, guessing that he hadn't meant that to sound potientially literal, "we'll walk, most of the way at least, I'll carry you if it gets to that point." She smiled her shy little innocent smile and started to walk, letting him follow her.

After some time he asked, "how do you know where you're going?"

"Herkson senses are stronger than human ones, I can hear the town. Faintly, but i can hear it."

Before long they came across a run down but still habited. It was so creepy looking it caused shivers to run down her spine. But still she kept walking, she knew Rieko wouldn't be able to make it all the way back.

"I don't like this place Geomana, lets just go back and wait for Sano."

Geomana shook her head, "somebody's hurt here, all alone. I can smell their blood."

"I think its just my blood you're smelling."

Geomana shook her head, "I can differenciate between the two. This is defiently somebody else."

"Then let somebody else handle it."

Once again Geomana shook her head. She led Rieko over to a small park bench and sat him down, "you can't make it much further than this. I'll be back with some stuff to help you."

"If Sano-"

"I'll tell Sano what happened when he gets here because I'll be fine." She emphasised the last part, smiled, turned, and walked away.

Reik cursed and resisted the urge to pace where she had left him. It didn't matter what he told Sano if he returned while Geomana was gone. It was her innocent trust that had gotten her in trouble with him, and anything that happened once could very well happen again.

Gritting his teeth, he stood up again and followed her, albeit far behind and slow.

*Just out of curiousity, is DM still around?*

"So what exactly are we looking for?" Reiko asked, trying to keep up.

Geomana stopped and waited impatiently to let him catch up. When he had finally reached her, she said, "All I know is I can smell blood. someone's hurt, and we should help them."

"Why?" Reiko snapped, falling behind again. "What will we do when we find them? We don't have any way to help them."

She didn't hear him. Straight ahead was a broken down thatched shack, half decayed and half broken down. Geomana ran towards it, yelling something about the scent of blood being stronger then completly foregetting about Reiko behind her.

It was late when Sano found the boat. Quietly swooping down he landed on the side without making a sound. Pulling himself over he drew is sword and looked around the corner. There was an armed guard standing there alone.

Swiftly he leaped at him and brought his sword down cutting off the man's head. Taking one last look around to make sure no one saw he leaped up to the roof of a room.

Finding a small hatch he slowly opened it to see if anyone was there. When he was sure the cost was clear he jumped down. Moving around the room he found some papers on a table. Picking them up he read a brief statement. If we make the two armies attack each other. then those who would appose us would be dead.

Before he could read more someone began to unlock the door. Jumping back up he hid from who ever was coming in. When the lights came on Sano saw it was his cousin. As he walked to the desk he jumped down and brought the sword to his back.

"Sano, you returned?"

"You have someone here. Where?"

"The girl? Lower level, but why risk coming here for her?"

"She's a friend."

"Ha. Believing in your fathers words. They'll get you killed."

That's the last thing Sano remembered because after that something hit him in the back of the head.

When Geomana reached the door she quietly knocked. Somebody on the inside yanked it open and a herkson wolf jumpped out at her. Just before it bit her a dragon herkson ripped it off of her and threw it into the woods.

It quickly transformed back and helpped Geomana to her feet, "sorry about that ma'am, he hasn't eaten in a few weeks and lost control."

Geomana just stared at him, he looked so familiar, so much like Sano. She was about to ask him if he knew Sano when Rieko caught up with her.

"Geomana are you alright?" He panted.

Geomana nodded and went over to help him stand, "sir do you have a clean place to lie him down? He's injured and I'm afriad if he doesn't get some help soon he'll die."

"Of course," he led them inside and they tended to his wounds.

They spent two days there, and Geomana was starting to get anxious for Sano. "I'll be back either tonight or tomorrow," she told Rieko, "I'm going to see if Sano's on the beach or not."

"You're not going without me, Rieko would have my ass if anything happened to you."

"I'm going in Herkson form, I'll be okay."

"I wouldn't reccomend that," the dragon herkson said, "thats the number one way to get yourself killed."

"Then I'll go in human form, Sano will fly us back and we'll keep going."

"Did you just say Sano?"

Geomana nodded.

"Sano's my brother, how do you know him?"

"They're in love," Rieko said. "THey must be, or I'd be dead."

"He'll explain everything, hopefully before I get back."

He shook his head, "if you can melt my brother's heart you must be very special to him, you're not going alone."

Geomana ignored him, "i'll be back later."

Sano slowly awakened. His arms were bound, face covered in dirt and blood. His cousin had tortured him for ten hours straight but to no avail. He had a coy smile on his face and began to laugh.

Angry his cousin hit him acrossed his face, "Why are you laughing?"

"Because, I understand now." His eyes grew red, his skin slightly grey. Teeth sharped to a point, his nails for like claws. Hair growing longer he once again he sneered, "The power of the herskon is unity."

Breaking from his binds he grabbed his cousins throat. Slamming him into the wall he held him up. "Geomana is waiting for me." He threw him through the wall out onto the main deck. Quickly grabbing his sword he morphed to to his cousins body.

Slowly he turned back to normal. Falling to the ground panting he coughed up blood. Men appeared behind him. His eyes turning red once more he spun around and quickly slaughtered the two armed me.

Taking a deep breath he sheathed his blade and stood up. Pulling a lighter out of one of the mans pockets he lite it. Tossing it into an oil barrel he changed into a dragon and quickly flew away, the boat exploding behind him.

After an hours flight he made it to the beach where Geomana was waiting for him. it was thanks to her love he made it out. He owed he a lot.

"Sano!" geomana cried when he landed on the beach drenched in blood. She rushed to his side.

"I'll be alright," he insisted.

"At least let me look at it. Rieko and your brother are in a hut in town. Not more than a mile away, I'll be able to take care of both of you then," she helpped him to his feet and smiled.

"My brother?"

Geomana nodded, "your brother, he may even be following us."

Sano looked nervous.

Sano grabbed Geomana by the arm and pulled here back. Looking around frantically he look for his brother. Finally looking up he saw an emerald dragon coming at them like missile. they quickly jumped out of the way. Geomana shrieked and Sano held her close.

The sand slowly settled hand Sano's brother appeared walking slowly toward them. "It's been a while brother."

"Hikaru."

Sano set Geomana down and began to walk closer. They both stopped about ten feet from one another. they stood there for a moment until Hikaru finally spoke, "You don't seem happy to see me?"

Sano didn't reply. Instead he drew his father's sword, "Remember this?"

Hikaru smiled, "You still believe in dad's words. And here i thought you decided to take me up on my offer."

"What offer? Sano?" Geomana couldn't say anything else. She fell to the ground. She was awake, but had no energy.

"Geomana! Hikaru you Bastard!"

Hikaru just laughed, but Sano snickered right back. "What's so funny?"

Reiko appeared behind Hikaru with a gun at his back. "Guess i got here just in time."

Geomana tried to stand but couldn't get her feet under her, what was going on? She had to fight desperatly to keep her eyes open, which was a losing battle. The last thing she saw before she lost conciousness was Rieko appearing with a gun and Sano running at his brother with his sword drawn.

*Good spot for some action right here ~.^*

Sano- www.digitalmidnight.net/lxs/images/squall.jpg

Hikaru- www.pure-graphics.org/images/pacman/sign8.jpg
(YES FIGHT!)

Hikaru quickly grabbed Reiko's arm, spun him around and place the gun at his head. Sano stopped and readied himself. Reiko began panting and fell to the ground just like Geomana did. "I spiked their food with a drug."

"You bastard."

Hikaru took out two long daggers and readied himself as well. It seemed as if neither would move. A large wave crashed on the rocks making them both charge. Sano tried to attack, but Hikaru parried with one dagger and tried to slash Sano's face with the other. Just dodging Sano jumped back.

Hikaru smiled and ran at Sano. Attacking furiously Sano was struggling to dodge all the attacks, but managed until he pushed back and almost lost his balance. Hikaru took the opportunity to bring a dagger upon Sano's face.

Falling to the ground he rolled around in pain. Stopping he looked up holding the gash with his hand.

"Pathetic. I'll let you live, but make the right choice. I would rather not kill. you." He turned back into a dragon and flew off.

"Sano!" Geomana was regaining her streangth. Reiko as well it seemed.

To answer Jackie's question...I'm half here. Heh, anyone feel like filling me in? (PM me please, if you want)

-DM, the one, the only.