Chapter 10 An Ominous Warning

Keith stared at the diary in his hands for a moment, a slow smile creeping over his face. There was something inside…something that would lead him closer to his destination.

"Rem Saverem…" he muttered the name quietly. She was obviously related to Meryl's husband, judging from the last name. But how? He cracked the cover, turning to the first page.

January second, 2000.

Dear diary,

Hello. It's Rem. I don't remember the last time I wrote in one of these, but I feel it imperative that I keep a detailed log of the goings on in this ship.

Project Seeds is truly underway, a dream that I had thought would never come about. But here I am, traveling through space and time, in search of a safe place for us. Ever since the prophecy was written, by whom I still don't know, our race has been in turmoil. Earth, seemingly doomed.

Could it be that our beautiful planet will truly be destroyed? I'm not sure…but it is our mission to find a place for us, a place where we can go on living…

It is in our nature to survive. Earth was once such a good place to live. But, as the years have worn on, I wonder…will we use up the natural resources and have it waste away into a barren wasteland? Will humanity sacrifice one another in a scramble to continue to exist?

I hope I never see that day. Maybe, 'The One' from the prophecy will come to save us all…

I really don't know what else to write at the moment. So I leave off here. I'll write again soon…

Rem Saverem

Keith sat back, taking in the information. What did it all mean? Rem Saverem was part of the Project Seeds? He knew all about that, studying it extensively in his schooling.

He read on, absorbing Rem's words, his fascination growing with each entry.

"What is 'The One'?"

He had never heard this before, his curiosity doubling. When he reached the last entries, his jaw dropped. "Meryl Stryfe-Saverem…is The One?"

The fact that Rem had said that 'The One' housed great powers raised his eyebrows. Could it be possible…that Meryl had truly taken part in the Great Wakening? He smiled. So his assumptions had been correct after all. Meryl Stryfe-Saverem had played an even bigger role in the Great Awakening than he had ever imagined…

He knew at once that he needed to know more about this…it was essential to his plans now.

After Rem's last entry, the diary seemed to stop and he flipped forward a few pages to make sure. His eyes widened, his mouth curving into another smile. There were more entries. Only, the words weren't written by Rem.

They were Meryl's…

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"Look Hikari, the zoo!" Meryl said excitedly, trying to rub off on her daughter.

The little girl smiled brightly, pointing ahead. "The Zoo!"

Vash and Meryl looked at each other, smiling. Though she had woken in the middle of the night with the same nightmare she had been having for over a week now, Hikari seemed like she was acting more normal this morning, and they were both relieved to say the least.

"You guys go on ahead, I'll wait here for Shiori." Jesse sat on the bench right outside the zoo entrance.

"All right Jess, just contact us when you come in, ok?" Meryl ruffled his hair and he batted her hand away playfully.

He nodded, watching as the group went in. He sighed. He was glad to be away from them for a few minutes. They had been out together for no longer than two hours that morning and he had already had a run in with Knives again. He had bumped into the other plant by accident and he thought Knives would tackle him right then and there.

Even though he felt a small amount of release from his troubled mind when he spoke of his problems to Meryl, the fact that Knives hated him still weighed heavily upon him. An image of Blue crossed his mind. Perhaps he could pull her aside and talk to her about it…

"Hey Jesse, are you waiting for me?"

The blond looked up to see Shiori walking his way and he stood, smiling broadly. "Hey Shiori. Yeah, the others already went inside."

She smiled softly as she looped her arm with his, leading him towards the entrance. "Thanks Jesse. That was nice of you to wait for me."

Jesse tensed ever so slightly at her touch, but relaxed immediately, willing himself to remain calm. "No prob. So, you met your brother last night then?"

She nodded. "Yeah, finally."

"Why didn't you have him come?"

"Like I said, he's not really a people person, and said he had other stuff to do today. I told him I was going to be hanging around you guys until you left."

He looked at her, a little surprised. "Really?"

Shiori glanced sheepishly towards him, asking, "Is that all right?"

"Well, yeah! I mean, yeah, that's cool…" he tried hard to mask his happiness and Shiori giggled.

"I'm glad Jesse." She had known right away that Jesse had taken a liking to her, and she found it almost endearing. She might have even thought that she was beginning to feel the same way, but her sights were definitely set on a certain shorthaired plant. She didn't know if it was his good looks or his standoffish attitude that attracted her, but Knives had certainly caught her right from the get go. She was determined to get his attention one way or the other before he left Star City…

"Hey, where's the others?" she asked and he felt his heart sink lightly. He was enjoying their time alone.

"I'll find them right now." He concentrated, connecting with his sister.

'Jess? Are you two inside now?'

'Yeah Mer. Just barely. Where are you?'

'By the…hold on…let me read it…uh, the ostriches? Whatever they are…weird creatures…'

'All right. Wait there a minute, we'll be right there.'

Jesse stopped in front of the map that was near the entrance, searching for the ostrich pen. "Uh, that sounds right…" he read the name. "Never heard of those…"

"Did you find them?" Shiori asked and he nodded, taking a right and heading towards the group.

"Yep. Follow me."

They walked quietly, taking in the atmosphere of the zoo. Jesse felt his cheeks burn lightly when he realized that Shiori was still holding onto his arm.

"Oooh! What's that??" she jerked them to a pen on their left, housing two large creatures.

Jesse read the sign, trying to sound out the name. "Uh…a rhin…o rhinocer..os…rhinoceros? I'm not sure, but they look pretty cool, huh?"

"Yeah! Oh, look over here!"

Jesse grinned as she dragged him to the next pen down, ogling over the animals inside. She was like a little girl…

"Hey you two!"

The pair looked up to see Vash waving his long arm back and forth a ways down the path, where the others were waiting.

"Hey guys!" Shiori let go of Jesse's arm and he felt a prick of disappointment.

"It's about damn time…" Knives grumbled and Blue elbowed him, shooting him a disapproving look before smiling widely at Shiori and Jesse.

"Hey guys. How are you Shiori?"

"Great!"

"Let's get to the next pen. Hikari is begging to see more animals now." Meryl smiled, looping her arm with Vash, who had their daughter on his shoulders. "Oh, that's an ostrich brother." She pointed to the strange bird and he cocked his head to the side.

"Where do they find these things?"

Meryl shrugged. "No clue. I have never heard of most of these animals."

"Well, we saw one back there that looked like Vash. It's feathers stuck straight up." Tasuki said matter of factly and Knives pointed to a cage to their right.

"And that one looks like Tasuki."

All eyes wandered to his gaze, landing on a cage full of baboons.

Blue threw back her head laughing as she pointed. "You're right! Look at its face!"

Tasuki adopted an indignant look. "What the hell? I do not!"

Knives leaned into Blue, grinning. "No, I meant its ass." And all eyes fell on the monkey's red behind.

"Hahahaha! It's the spitting image!" Vash guffawed and even Meryl couldn't help the laughter that bubbled up and out of her.

"Yeah what the hell ever." Tasuki pouted like usual and Milly grabbed his hand as she shook with silent laughter. "Damn it woman! You might as well just laugh out loud with the rest of them!"

Milly looked at him, mouth curved into a large grin. "Ok! Hahahahaha!"

His eyes widened as he adopted a hurt look. "My wife is actually agreeing with you all! I look like that monkey's ass!"

"Hahahahahaha!" Knives burst out laughing as Blue began to find it hard to breath from her own laughter.

Milly wiped tears from her eyes, coughing as she tried to stop her laughing fit. "Oh honey! You know I don't!"

"Yeah right! You really sound convincing!"

Vash was laughing loudly as he patted Tasuki's back heartily, pointing to another pen. "It could be worse! You could look like that thing!"

All eyes landed on the animal in the pin and they began to laugh again, this time, Tasuki cracking a smile as he joined in. "What the hell is that thing??" he asked and they leaned in closer to the railing around the enclosure.

"The sign says it's a warthog." Meryl read between her dying chuckles.

"Damn! That's ugly!" The red head said, grinning to his wife and leaning forward to give her a quick kiss.

"Oh, so you forgive me then?" Milly asked and he shrugged.

"I don't know. I'll think about it."

The brunette shook her head, smiling as she looped her arm with his, continuing to walk with their friends.

Shiori trailed the group slightly, her eyes downcast as she played with her fingers absently. She glanced up, eyes landing on Meryl and she felt her heart thud with guilt for a moment. Had she done the right thing? Taking Meryl's book like that…it seemed that the woman hadn't noticed yet that it was missing. How would she react?

"Idiot, how would you react??" she thought to herself. She silently decided that she would visit Keith later and ask him to give it back when he was finished with it. Maybe then she could return it…

Her silver eyes followed Meryl for a moment until she found them wandering towards Knives, resting on the back of his head. How could she get his attention? He was always with Blue…

She sighed. She was being pretty stupid. He had a mate after all. Still, she couldn't shake the desire to get closer to the man named Millions Knives, to have him take notice of her. If she could just steal one kiss from him, maybe that would suffice…

Shiori had been content to stare at Knives the rest of the day, but was surprised when her eyes unconsciously found their way to Jesse. What exactly was it that she felt for him? She had only known any of them for a little over a week, so it was hard to gage what it was. Was she attracted to him? He was very good looking. He was different from Knives in both body and personality. Jesse was kind and caring, having boyishly good looks while Knives was crass and tough, his charm more on the darker side.

"But really Shiori, you don't have a chance with Knives and you know it." She silently berated herself. "But who's to say that you still couldn't have some fun with him?" she grinned, looking back to Knives. She decided to let the subject go momentarily, walking quickly to catch up with Jesse. She looped her arm with his again, smiling cutely up at him. He glanced down in surprise before smiling broadly.

Shiori felt her heart leap slightly at his look. Yep. She was definitely attracted to him…

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Kitaro muttered to himself, looking around the huge room. "How the hell am I supposed to find what he's looking for?"

'Brother? Are you there?' Shiori connected with him and he sighed as he walked to one of the vast bookshelves, staring up as it stretched high to the vaulted ceilings.

'Yeah sis. What's up?'

'Not much, just wondering what you are doing. Have you talked more to Keith today?'

'Yeah…he read the diary. He didn't tell me much, just said he needed some more information on something called 'The One.'"

Shiori was silent for a minute, responding, 'So, the diary was of some use after all?'

Kitaro nodded, picking up a book, giving it a look and setting it back. 'Yeah, I guess. He seemed very happy about it.'

'What is 'The One'?' she asked and he shrugged.

'No clue. I'm hoping I can find out.'

'Just let me know brother. I'll see what I can find out on this end.' She said, severing their connection.

Kitaro sighed as he threw up his hands in exasperation. "This place is huge!" he said out loud, earning a shush from the local librarian.

"This is a public library son! Keep your voice down please!" a little old woman came hobbling up to him and he smiled sheepishly at her.

"Sorry Ma'am. I'm just frustrated, that's all."

"Can I help you find anything?" she asked and he put a hand to his chin in contemplation as he stared at her.

"Maybe…I'm looking for some information on something called 'The One'. I have no idea where to start."

The woman's eyes widened slightly. "Why are you looking for that?"

He shrugged. "A friend wants to know. Do you know anything about it?"

She looked from side to side, leaning closer to him, shaking a finger at him. "Believe me when I say son, leave it alone! You don't want to become involved in legends that hold some semblances of truth behind them." The woman eyed him almost sternly before turning around and hobbling back to her desk.

He stared after her, a little surprised by the adamant tone she had. "Legends huh?" he thought with a smile. At least he knew where to start looking now…

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Blue walked the sidewalk slowly, hands clasped behind her as she strolled at a leisurely pace. She looked up, seeing that the stars were beginning to show as the sun disappeared behind the horizon, leaving streaks of pink and gold across the vast sky.

"The sunsets are beautiful here!" Milly spoke up and Tasuki squeezed his arm around her shoulder.

"Yeah…but it looks the same to me here as it does in Ship's Landing…"

"Oh Tasuki, men are so unobservant, aren't they?" Meryl spoke up, a knowing tone in her voice as she smiled sarcastically at him.

"What? It looks the same! Don't you guys agree?" he looked pointedly at Knives and Vash, who glanced to the sunset for a moment. After a brief minute, both nodded their heads, mumbling "yeah".

Meryl shook her head. "It may look similar, but it's definitely not, huh girls?"

"I agree. Maybe it's because we are in a different place…it makes things more unusual, right?" Blue smiled and Milly nodded.

"That's what I'm talking about!"

Knives looked at Tasuki and Vash, shaking his head as he shrugged.

Meryl whapped Vash's arm, saying, "Oh you men just think so much differently than us."

"Uh yeah, we are much more logical than women. I could have told you that." Tasuki grinned as the other men chuckled lightly.

"But sweet heart, aren't you always asking me what the right thing to do would be? So, doesn't that make me the more logical one and you the one who just pretends to be?" Milly said with a smile and Meryl and Blue burst out laughing.

"You know Milly, it's the same with Vash and I, and I can bet it is with Knives and Blue, too!" Meryl said between her chuckles.

"Gee thanks Milly for giving away my secrets…" Tasuki smiled broadly, drawing her closer and she giggled.

"What would you men do without us women?"

Knives shrugged. "Have less drama?"

"Knives! Thanks a lot!" Blue smacked his arm and he grinned, trying to defend himself.

"What woman? I only speak the truth!"

"Oh my Gods, the drama always comes because of men, isn't that right girls?" Meryl said and they all nodded.

"Yes totally." Blue folded her arms matter of factly.

Vash snorted, elbowing his wife softly. "Yeah whatever woman, we are the easy going ones, you are the high strung ones!"

"Yeah yeah, we could go in circles all night!" Meryl smiled.

"Mommy I'm hungry…" Hikari spoke up softly and she glanced down to her.

"All right sweetie. We are going to get some food right now."

The group stopped in front of their destination, filing inside the restaurant and sitting down.

Shiori sat in between Jesse and Hikari, picking up her menu silently. Jesse put a hand to her arm, getting her attention. "Are you ok? You've been quiet."

"Yeah, sorry…just thinking that's all." She went silent again and Jesse looked at his own menu. Something was definitely off with Shiori. She had been like this ever since they had come to the city and his curiosity was getting to be almost too much.

Shiori glanced up from her menu to look at the group. They sat there chatting amiably, Meryl and Tasuki poking fun at one another like always. She smiled softly. She really liked them all. Her smile slowly faded as she began to think. Was this whole thing right? Was she really doing the right thing? Why was she constantly second-guessing herself about this?

She blinked, looking down to Hikari when she felt the weight of the little girl's stare. She smiled at her, saying, "Hello sweetie. Are you ok?"

Shiori's smile faded again when Hikari continued to stare at her, not responding.

After a time, the girl finally spoke, her voice soft. "He will betray you."

Shiori's eyes flew open, a sense of unknown dread pooling in her stomach at the ominous words. She stumbled lightly over her own, finding her voice. "Wh-…who, Hikari?"

"The green-eyed man." She responded, breaking eye contact and turning her gaze towards the table once again.

'What do you mean? When? How?' she connected as she questioned and Hikari looked at her once again.

'He already has. And he will do it again.'

Shiori could only stare at her, her heart in her throat, tears threatening to well up. She swallowed, noticing that her throat was terribly dry and reached a shaky hand forward, grasping her water and bringing it to her lips.

"Shiori…" She nearly jumped at the quiet sound of Jesse's voice and she jerked her head towards him, eyes still a bit wide. "Are you…ok? Seriously…you look pale." He said in concern. He had heard what the little girl said and felt his curiosity turn into unease immediately.

"I…" Shiori tried to respond, her voice cracked. "Breath Shiori, breath girl. It might not be true…" she tried to convince herself. But she knew better than that. Hikari had predicted what would happen to Knives and was correct…but did that truly mean she could see into the future? Surely one incident didn't prove that…

She decided to try a test. Glancing back to Jesse, she said, "I'm ok…really…I just don't feel very well, that's all…" she trailed off, turning her full attentions to the little girl.

She made a connection with her, Hikari locking eyes with her once again. She was ready to think when Hikari thought first.

'You are testing me. You will ask me, what am I about to do? And, the answer is, you are about to switch our drinks around.'

Shiori's mouth dropped, her eyes ready to pop out of her head. 'How…how did you know that??' she thought, desperation fringing her thoughts.

'I told you before. I can see it before it happens.' Hikari severed the connection and Shiori stared at her a moment more before turning her head back to the table.

"What does it mean?" she thought to herself. Was it true…that Keith was going to betray her? But how?

"Shiori?" She blinked, realizing that all eyes were on her, the waitress at her side ready to take her order. She blushed in embarrassment and pointed to something random on the menu. "Um, I'll have that please."

The waitress nodded, jotting a quick note before telling them that she would be right back.

"Shiori, you look pale. Are you all right sweetie?" Meryl asked thoughtfully and Shiori thought she might cry.

"Don't speak so kindly to me…" she thought desperately, trying hard to control her emotions that were causing her turmoil inside.

"I…I'm fine…I just…have a question."

"What is it?" Vash spoke up and she felt her cheeks burn again as all eyes, even Knives', fell on her again.

"I was wondering…do you know anything about something called 'The One?'"