The old gears whirred as the device began its final act. Its engineering was solid in that the device only made the slightest of sounds and made no movement from the outside. The lights on the outer control panel blinked as the software went through the necessary built-in precautions and steps to awaken its sleeping occupant.

Air was slowly hissing out of the chamber, creating a visible steam on the outside. The temperature slowly increased so as to not put the occupant into shock. The fluids being filtered through the body changed color, gently waking the nerves and muscles. This process would continue at least for the next hour or so.

Her first sense to return was her touch. She could feel her body becoming warmer as her muscles gained more blood flow. She made no attempt to move any of them. She knew they were not ready. Her body slowly tingled, beginning from her extremities and slowly creeping up to her core. As her lungs continued to expand and contract, she could smell the outside air being filtered in. From the must, she knew she was in a cave still. As she breathed in more and more, she could smell traces of the old animals that had been there, and the new. Her eyes remained shut, with seemingly no intention of opening. She was not worried. All she would see was the inside of this contraption. She merely waited for the program to complete itself, allowing her brain to restore itself to its necessary functionality.

She did not wince as the tubes disconnected themselves from her. The contraption was going to release her soon. Her restraints snapped back, and the door opened, the only sound being the hiss of the hydraulics. She opened her eyes and looked around, remaining in the machine. She was unsure of how well her legs would support her. Extending her senses, she tried to find any dangerous presences within the area. Even with her abilities not at one hundred percent, she would still be able to determine if there was anything truly dangerous out there.

Her right leg lifted first and stepped out. She put her hands on the frame of the doorway to support herself, knowing her arms would hold. Her leg held as she slowly put weight on it. This pleased her. Still leaning on the frame, she put her weight on her right leg and moved her left. With both feet under her, she stood on her own two feet. The lights inside the chamber flickered before going out. It had done very well. She suspected it would live off battery power for the next hour or so before shutting down completely. She wondered how long she had been in there, and more importantly, if it was long enough.

She jumped to a defensive crouch, her hands on the ground and her legs under her, ready to strike if it got any closer. She had seen him before she sensed him, immediately alerting her to danger. How could he have remained so hidden from her? She knew her senses were low, but they were still quite good in comparison to the normal standard. She watched him and waited, not wishing to enter into any unnecessary conflict, especially now.

He came closer and squatted down, placing himself in full view. It seemed he too did not wish to engage into any conflict. She guessed he was slightly taller than her, but built the same way. She could see the muscles beneath his skin. Despite the cold, he wore nothing but a loincloth, and his brown hair had a wild look about it. His eyes were what drew her in. Although large and brown and framed by dark lashes, they had something primal behind them. His forehead was broad, and his jaw strong. His nose was slightly on the larger side, but it fit his face perfectly. His mouth was full, but it seemed to be slightly distorted by something. His neck was thick, proportionately to the medium bulk of his body. She was not sure what to think of him. He was dangerous in that she had not sensed him, and yet he was similar to her in a way she had never known before.

He began speaking to her, but she could not understand him. The language held certain elements from the language of her time, but the dialect was odd to her. Thankfully, the language chip implanted into her years ago was picking up what he was saying and translating them. Eventually she could understand him.

"What are you called?" he asked her, pointing at her to emphasize it, just in case she could still not understand him.

"Ryoko," she replied. Because she was unsure of the language, she did not attempt to ask him the question back. She hoped he would continue speaking so she could learn enough of the language to get by.

He pointed to himself. "Ryule. Can you understand me?"

She lifted a hand and made a so-so gesture.

He nodded, then studied her some more, wondering what to ask her next. She was a strange thing, similar to him, but at the same time different.

She put the sides of her hands together and began to open and close them, as if they were a book. If he had one, then she could learn the basics of the grammar, and even the more advanced forms and be able to communicate easily.

He pulled one out of a bag he carried around his waist and tossed it to her. Neither wanted to be too close to each other. They were still too unfamiliar.

She caught it and began to read. In a matter of minutes she had finished the nearly thousand-page volume. She tossed it back to him.

"Thank you."

He put it back into his pack, never taking his eyes off her. "So where did you come from?"

She backed up and looked at the monitor, still keeping him within her sight. She punched a couple of buttons and read the displayed data. She was shocked, but she hid her emotion and went back to her original position. "When would be the proper question."

He raised an eyebrow at her, wondering what she meant.

"Apparently I've been in there for ten thousand years. Tell me, when is this?"

"This is the 13th millennium."

"So it's true. Part of me was hoping it was a glitch. I wonder if this time will be any different."

He merely looked at her and smiled, his canines showing slightly. "You may be surprised. People don't change very easily. Creatures like us don't fit in with them."

She stood and turned to the capsule and took out two large, metal cases, then shut the door. "I can at least try."

Ryule remained seated, a smile still on his face. He knew there was no one like her with the humans, nor was there someone who would accept her. However, he understood her need to see them, and experience it for herself.

"There's a town to the south of this mountain. You'll be able to start your journey there."

She nodded. "I will remember your kindness. One day I will return the favor."

He watched as she left the cave into the clear night. They would not harm her. Her aura was too dark. She would return. He wondered if she would meet him on her journey. Only fate would decide.

"I wonder how much more you'll learn about yourself."