Next Chapter~

To LucaBlightis PUCA: I was actually thinking about taking him, but, for reasons I wont say, I needed 'normal' characters, which is why I chose Klaus for the final recruit. Also, the fact that we can see others Journal entries is because, well, I don't really know, but I think it helps show their perspectives. And, I'll try and make this one, as long as possible. :D - That was a lie. I read through it and made some changes, hope you like it. (:

Disclaimer: I will never own Suikoden. ;_;

Kuskus

Everyone awoke in the morning bright and early, except the young Viki. Though, she is only a child, and is probably not yet accustomed to our time schedule, probably. Templeton was studying his map, Eilie was throwing knives, a little dangerously I might add, Kasumi was picking up every remnant of the night before, Kinnison and Shiro were surveying the land, and Klaus was frantically trying to awaken the youngest party member, with no prevail.

"She is a heavy sleeper." Klaus whined and Kasumi sent him the death glare.

"She is a baby!" Kasumi piped and Klaus immediately softened.

"I'm sorry." He replied and slunked off to get the rest of his bags ready. Kasumi walked over to me as I was washing my face in the nearby stream.

"You don't have to be mean to him, Kas, you do know that, right?" I looked up at her and dried my face.

"I know I don't have to, but, for the time being, I will be. Plus, it's fun and entertaining watching his face become all pouty like that." She smirked and began smelling around the air. "Wow, Riou, that soap smells wonderful! Did Barbara give it to you?"

"No, it was a gift from Hilda. And thanks," I said laughing slightly. "I want to smell good." She giggled and bent down splashing water at me, getting me semi-wet.

"Hey! That wasn't very nice Kassss!" I laughed and tossed her gently into the stream. "Haha!" She pouted, but it was easy to tell that she was having trouble keeping a smile off her lips.

Kasumi had the prettiest smile, one that glowed, it was almost perfect, and the way she laughed warmed me up making every part of me, happy. Maybe there was something more to it, but- I'll leave it how it is, there isn't any use in getting worked up over something as mediocre as feelings.

"Give me a hand will ya?" She asked me and I pulled her out of the flowing clear blue stream with ease. Together we walked over to the, now spotless, campsite and whistled. Everyone began to walk up from all of the different directions they were in and stood in a kind of circle, while I began. "Templeton, what's the report on Kuskus?"

"Just about a half mile up, I can already hear the music, and the ports are in site." Templeton replied smiling slightly.

"Good, anyone else need to-" There was a loud yawn coming from Shiro's area, and a sleepy girl rubbed her eyes.

"Oh… Uhm, good morning everyone…. Did I oversleep?" She looked up at everyone gathered around with her big eyes and had sort of an apologetic look in her face. "I'm sorry."

She stood up and began to pet Shiro. And everyone murmured their acceptance and focused their attention back on me.

"Oh, well, anyways. Is there anything else you need to report before we make our way in to the city?" I glanced around at everyone, Kinnison, Eilie, Kasumi, no one spoke for a moment, all thinking on what to say.

"…Lord?" Klaus began. "I have received word from Fitcher. He has secured us a boat to Coronet in two days. We will have plenty of extra time in Coronet, so I was wondering if we could take part in their annual festivities that should be happening tonight and into tomorrow?" Klaus asked, as if he really wanted to go.

"I don't see why not? Seeing as we will be there for another day than planned, though when we get there, I expect a report on anything that doesn't look right, or looks out of place."

Everyone nodded in agreement, but it was obvious everyone was very excited.

Templetons Journal Day Three:

'I am quite happy that I seem to be needed, and I'm glad I am getting asked all of these questions about where to go and how much further. It's exciting to know all of these things, though I miss the sweet sanctuary of the library with Amelia.

I am very curious of little Viki though, older Viki and I were quite close as we were both very familiar with the land, but this one seems to know nothing! It is so frustrating trying to hold a conversation without her running off looking for Shiro. I hope she doesn't stay with us for too long, she is quite the annoyance.'

The town played familiar music when we walked in. Everyone seemed so excited to see Klaus and I, it was quite frankly, ridiculous. But it made me smile, anything to keep my head up now-a-days, I will gladly receive. I suppose they were excited to see Klaus because he is one of the most famous strategists around, and not to mention Kiba, his father, was a highly regarded general. One would have to almost live in a cave not to know about them.

"Nostalgic, eh Riou?" Kinnison chirped while looking around at the small but familiar town, smiling.

I nodded in agreements. This is where I had met not only Shu for the first time, but Richmond as well, and Stallion was always running crazy little circles around the square.

"Extremely." I laughed and he elbowed me.

We had pushed our way through the crowd and everyone eventually went back to work leaving the square almost quiet.

The day was gloomy, but not gloomy enough to rain on my parade. Eilie linked arms with me. "So, do we split up, or just go about this like a 'normal' day? Because, oh," She said flirtatiously, "It's hard to bear one moment without you!" She burst out laughing, and so did Kasumi, leaving my cheeks burning hot.

"You know, Ri, you shouldn't leave your emotions out in the open like that. You know, all over your face?" Kasumi giggled in delight. Any other day in the castle amongst people and she would be as quiet as a mouse.

"Be quiet.." I managed to say and rolled my eyes. "You two and Klaus stay together, while the rest of us will form another group and we'll meet up later?" I asked hurriedly.

"LORD! Don't leave me with them! Please…" Klaus begged, but I was already storming off. "Damn…" He whispered.

"What was such the hurry?" Kinnison asked with a smile as we were walking away from them.

"Kas just really gets to me sometimes, but whatever, I'll talk to you about it later."

Riou's Journal Day Three:

'Ugh, Kasumi and Eilie really get annoying when they are together. But, they're like sisters so I can't nit pick too much. :/ Kuskus is really boring right now, but that isn't what get's me thinking, it's still the whole Viki thing! Maybe she'll talk more about things later.'

The sun began to set and all was right in the area of Kuskus, my group ended up meeting with Richmond to try and get more details on how things were here, but he only said that after the Highlands had left, it was as if they had never shown up.

"Richmond, was is everything back here?" I asked. "Is it different than the castle life."

He kind of stayed quiet but managed a small chuckle.

"Before the castle, I've never really stayed in one place, my job had taken me all over, but, now that no one really needs me anymore, I can stay here, it's nice." He said after awhile.

We talked for a minute before he got up in left in a kind of hurry.

"Hey Riou! It's almost time for everything right? I heard things have been set up in the square!" Templeton yelled from across the room when the sun was fully down over the horizon, nothing is prettier than the sky when the sun had just left it's presence.

We all got up simultaneously and walked out of the inn. When we got outside, nothing had been set up, nothing had been prepared, and more importantly, no one was there.

"Hey, I thought-" I began, but something stopped me. There was Kasumi, Eilie, and Klaus, but did they not see me. They were walking and laughing amongst each other, but, they walked right past us. As if I were invisible, or, if they just didn't know me. But it wasn't just me. Kinnison, Templeton and I looked at each other while the sound of the world became completely drowned out.

I felt a tug on my shirt and there was grown up Viki standing next to me.

"Oops." Was all that her mouth could form, though I began to not hear anything.

"What's going on!" Kinnison tried yelling, but no words came out. We all stuck together as our world was falling apart, everything was being sucked into the line of space and time. Where were Kasumi and Eilie? Could I get them back? Thoughts were spinning out of control in my mind, and before I knew it, I had blacked out standing up, halfway between my time and the next.

A/N: I am so sorry for the super short chapter. I tried to make it longer, but it's late and I want there to be a lot going on in the next chapter, so stay tuned. :D