Hitomi came out of her room silently, hoping Yukari would not be out as well. Hitomi's hopes were dashed as she turned the corner into the living room. Yukari was siting at the breakfast nook with her back to Hitomi.
Hitomi quickly turned to leave, " Hitomi?" asked Yukari as she turned around. Hitomi nodded weakly and walked over to the other side of the breakfast nook. Yukari held out Hitomi's diary, " Sorry I took it." Hitomi received it with a nod. " I had no idea you could draw so well," she said as she gestured to the papers stuffed in the book.
Hitomi smiled weakly, " Those memories are the only things I ever feel like drawing."
" So what's Gaea like?" asked Yukari nervously.
" I really wouldn't know, I was only there during the war," she answered sadly, " but it was amazing."
" I wish I could have seen some of the things you did," said Yukari as she laid her head down on her arms.
" You would've had to bring several rolls of film knowing you," Hitomi and Yukari laughed. Hitomi stood up, " I'll be right back," she said as she disappeared into her room. She came out with several scetching pads. She set them down in front of Yukari, " I did these after I got back."
Yukari took the top one and opened it up. The picture inside was amazing, It showed who Yukari assumed was Van flying in the sky puling up Hitomi by one hand.
" Wow, I had no idea you drew like this. It's asome!" said Yukari. Then she got a sly look, " So this Van . . . .He must be quite a hunk."
Hitomi jumped back blushing, " um. . . .well . . . .he. . . ." she mumbled.
" Come on Hitomi spill," Yukari said smiling.
" Why don't we stick to the pictures," said Hitomi flipping the page in the pad.
" Ok," said Yukari flipping the page back, " Is he this good looking in real life?"
" Yukari!" yelled Hitomi.
" Well I went back to the pictures. So what's he like?"
" Yukari. . . ."
*~*~*~*~*~*
The room was very shadowed, with candles just bearly lighting it. A tall man sat in the center at a table, while another stood at attention at his side. " So this is Finailia's strategist?" asked the sitting man, as he fingered a photo. He had short wild black hair with silver streaks, and gray eyes. He wore a black cape, with dark gray, and black armor underneath.
" Yes, General Enyo," answered the other man, " one of our men got it using the devise called a camera."
" You are dismissed," said Enyo.
" Yes sir," said the other man as he left.
After the soldier had left Enyo talked to himself, " So this is the one who keeps cutting me off at every turn," he looked at the picture closer, " What a genius," he mumbled. " But don't worry Ry Alea, I will be sure we meet face to face," Enyo put the picture into the flame of one of the candles, " And then you shall die."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Ry growled in frustration again, as she brushed her hair out of her face. For once she had let it down, but it was getting into her face so much she was considering putting it back up. Her hair usually wouldn't have bothered her, but right now it was an addition to her annoyances.
Ry was in her apartment, pouring over another map of the city. This was her personal one that she kept. It didn't matter how long she sat there she couldn't figure out where the Zaibach main base would be located. Ry put yet another green push pin in the map marking possible locations. Half the map was filled with red pins, and the other with green, with a few blue ones representing allied bases tossed in.
Ry sat back against her chair and closed her eyes, with a sigh. She thought through everything she knew trying to eliminate some of the possible, but all she did was add new locations to the list.
This whole war seemed to boil down to the battle of wits between her and Zaibach's strategist. So far it seemed she was winning, but there was no way to be sure.
Whenever Ry was planing troop movement's or working on anything else like that she could almost feel the battle between them.
Ry felt a hand on her shoulder breaking her from her thoughts. " Soyanna, You should take a break, it's dinner time anyway," said Criet sitting in the chair opposite her.
Ry opened her eyes and looked at Criet. " Sono, I've got work to do," she answered. Her and Criet only called each other by their names when talking to other people, but when they together they called each other "Soy anna" ( little sister ) and " So no" ( big brother )
Ry grabbed a notebook and pen that had been next to her. She jotted a few thing down in it then set it aside.
Criet looked at the writing in the book to most people it would just look like a bunch of scribbles, but to a very few scholars and lore masters the symbols would form words. Ry wrote all her importain information in an ancient form of Domirian. Criet only understood a few symbols and words, but that was more than could be said for most people. Ry had learned it from an old, Domirian, lore mistress that had been the person to take care of her when she was young.
The lore mistress was the one who gave Ry and Criet their names. From what Criet knew his name, Criet Oton Alea, meant Sun Sky Warrior in the ancient language, while Ry Anivian Alea, meant Moon Star Warrior.
Criet stood up, " Come on, maybe we can go get something to eat," he said as he gestured to the door.
Ry shrugged, " I guess, but we'll have to switch the watch out first." she said as she stood up.
" We could see if they want to come along," answered Criet as he handed Ry her coat.
" Hopefully Hitomi told Yukari the truth," commented Ry as she adjusted her coat.
" If not we might as well," said Criet offhandedly.
Ry looked at Criet confused, " and for what reason?" she asked as a sly look came across her face.
" Well, . . . .um . . . .I just thought that. . . " Criet started. He quickly turned to the coat rack to get his own.
Ry put her hands on her hips, " I would have never guessed," she said with a mischievous smile.
Criet turned back to her, " What do you mean by that?" he said as he started to put on his jacket.
Ry was already half way out the door, " Oh come on Sono, you know exactly what I mean," she answered, then disappeared out the door. A second later her head popped back in. She put on a mock thinking look, " You know, . . . maybe I should go tell her," Ry disappeared out the door.
" Why that little . . .," growled Criet as he hastily finished putting on his coat, and disappeared out the door after Ry.
Ry was already at Hitomi's door waiting for someone to answer. After a minute Hitomi did, " Konichi wa," said Alex still smiling, "Jake and I were wondering if you and Yukari would like to come and get something to eat with us," she started, " Oh yeah, and Jake wanted me t . . . ." she began.
" to say that it would be nice if you two would join us," answered Jake as he glared at Alex.
Hitomi looked at the two and decided not to ask, " Is there any specific reason?" she asked.
" Well, if you really must know it would make our job easier," answered Alex, " no changing of the guard," she explained.
Hitomi crossed her arms, " don't you mean you're baby-sitting job?" asked Hitomi.
" You heard me say that?" asked Alex with a sheepish smile.
" Nope, but I figured you had," answered Hitomi.
" Ouch," said Alex, " That hurts. So do you two want to come?"
" Sure," answered Yukari as she came up. `We can discuss what happened earlier,' she thought. " But first I have to move some files from my old office," she said.
" Are you sure you can't do that later?" asked Alex.
" I'm sure, I just got a call about it," Yukari answered.
Alex smiled slyly, " Jake, why don't you go with her?" she suggested innocently.
Jake gave Alex a look then turned back to Yukari, " If it's okay with you?"
" Sounds good, where are we going to meet?" asked Yukari.
" How about back here?" asked Hitomi.
" That's probably best," said Alex with a smile, " see you two in a bit," she said to Jake and Yukari.
Jake and Yukari left Alex and Hitomi to get a cab. After a few tries one pulled up and they got in.
" West Admister's Mercy hospital," said Yukari to the driver.
" You work in a hospital?" asked Jake.
Yukari smiled, " I'm a doctor there," she answered.
" Well, you learn something new everyday," said Jake with a smile.
*~*~*~*~*~*
As soon as Jake and Yukari left Ry turned to Hitomi, "I take it you told her the truth?"
"Some of it," answered Hitomi.
Ry nodded, " We should tell her about me and Criet," she stated.
" Why?" asked Hitomi.
" It would also make our job easier," answered Ry. Hitomi nodded. ` No need to worry her about Zaibach,' thought Ry, ` It's probably best she thinks this ordeal's nearly over.'
*~*~*~*~*~*
As the cab pulled up to the front of the hospital, Jake and Yukari got out. Yukari turned to pay the driver. " I'll take care of it," said Jake.
" Okay, I'll meet you up on the twenty-fifth floor last door on the left," said Yukari as she entered the building and quickly got into the first elevator.
A ring signaled she had reached her level, and Yukari quickly got out of the elevator. All the lights were out on this level, it was going to be completely redone soon. All of the workers, and their patients had been moved to a new level. Only the last bit of paper work and things like that had not yet been moved.
Yukari made her way down the dark hallway and into the large room at the end, and made her way over to a cubby full of papers. The light of the city through the room's huge windows lit the room enough that Yukari could see everything. ` That's strange,' she thought as she looked at the other cubbies of patient information, ` they said I had to move these papers now, but no one else has moved theirs?' A sound behind her caught Yukari's attention, " Jake?" she asked as she turned around.
In the dark Yukari caught sight of a woman behind her. The woman's dark red hair was tied back into a ponytail. And her clothes were a mix of amor and cloth,, Yukari noticed she held a sword in her hand. Her green eyes focused on Yukari, " Uchida Yukari, so nice of you to show up." The woman smiled, " Now if you'd just come with me there will be no problems."
Yukari backed up to the wall, " Who are you?" she asked nervously.
" I am Eris, one of the generals of Zaibach," she answered, " So don't make me have to hurt you."
" I'm not going with you,' said Yukari summing up her courage. She remembered what Hitomi had written about Zaibach in her diary.
" Oh you're not?" asked Eris laughing.
" No she's not," said Criet from behind Eris.
She turned around, " I tell you what, if you leave right now I won't kill you," said Eris.
" Jake you don't understand what's going on," said Yukari, " Get out of here."
" Oh and you do?" asked Criet amused.
" That's it," said Eris as she launched herself at Criet intending to kill him. Immediately Criet unsheathed the sword hidden in his coat, and parried. Eris Jumped back surprised, " What? How?" she stammered for a second. Then she regained her composure, " Who are you ?" she asked annoyed.
Criet smirked, " Criet Oton Alea, second in command of Fanalia's Military."
" Well, Mister Alea you surprised me at first, but now I think you've used your trump. Like I said before, If you leave now I'll let you live," Eris slipped into fighting stance.
" Not a chance in hell," he said as he lunged at her. She easily parried him and attacked. He again parried her, Criet and Eris exchanged blows for a few minutes. Then they both pulled back just bearly out of the other's reach.
Eris was breathing hard, " You're better than I thought," she paused, " but I will win."
Criet was also breathing hard. He looked over his shoulder to notice that Yukari wasn't that far behind him. suddanly he got an idea. He stood up straight and sheathed his sword, then took off his coat.
Eris gave Criet a confused look, " What are you doing?" she nearly yelled.
Criet turned his back on Eris, " You said you'd win, so I guess you did." Criet shrugged. Suddanly Criet threw a chair at Eris pining her to the floor, then threw another threw the window. " Come on Yukari," he yelled as he grabbed her and jumped out the window.
They fell for a few seconds then white wings burst out of Criet's back. He slowly pulled up till they were flying level.
Yukari couldn't believe it. She looked over to Criet, " You're a Domirian?" she asked.
" I take it Hitomi told you about Gaea?" he asked.
" I read her diary," answered Yukari, " What did you say your name was?"
Criet smiled, " Criet Alea," he answered.
Hitomi quickly turned to leave, " Hitomi?" asked Yukari as she turned around. Hitomi nodded weakly and walked over to the other side of the breakfast nook. Yukari held out Hitomi's diary, " Sorry I took it." Hitomi received it with a nod. " I had no idea you could draw so well," she said as she gestured to the papers stuffed in the book.
Hitomi smiled weakly, " Those memories are the only things I ever feel like drawing."
" So what's Gaea like?" asked Yukari nervously.
" I really wouldn't know, I was only there during the war," she answered sadly, " but it was amazing."
" I wish I could have seen some of the things you did," said Yukari as she laid her head down on her arms.
" You would've had to bring several rolls of film knowing you," Hitomi and Yukari laughed. Hitomi stood up, " I'll be right back," she said as she disappeared into her room. She came out with several scetching pads. She set them down in front of Yukari, " I did these after I got back."
Yukari took the top one and opened it up. The picture inside was amazing, It showed who Yukari assumed was Van flying in the sky puling up Hitomi by one hand.
" Wow, I had no idea you drew like this. It's asome!" said Yukari. Then she got a sly look, " So this Van . . . .He must be quite a hunk."
Hitomi jumped back blushing, " um. . . .well . . . .he. . . ." she mumbled.
" Come on Hitomi spill," Yukari said smiling.
" Why don't we stick to the pictures," said Hitomi flipping the page in the pad.
" Ok," said Yukari flipping the page back, " Is he this good looking in real life?"
" Yukari!" yelled Hitomi.
" Well I went back to the pictures. So what's he like?"
" Yukari. . . ."
*~*~*~*~*~*
The room was very shadowed, with candles just bearly lighting it. A tall man sat in the center at a table, while another stood at attention at his side. " So this is Finailia's strategist?" asked the sitting man, as he fingered a photo. He had short wild black hair with silver streaks, and gray eyes. He wore a black cape, with dark gray, and black armor underneath.
" Yes, General Enyo," answered the other man, " one of our men got it using the devise called a camera."
" You are dismissed," said Enyo.
" Yes sir," said the other man as he left.
After the soldier had left Enyo talked to himself, " So this is the one who keeps cutting me off at every turn," he looked at the picture closer, " What a genius," he mumbled. " But don't worry Ry Alea, I will be sure we meet face to face," Enyo put the picture into the flame of one of the candles, " And then you shall die."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Ry growled in frustration again, as she brushed her hair out of her face. For once she had let it down, but it was getting into her face so much she was considering putting it back up. Her hair usually wouldn't have bothered her, but right now it was an addition to her annoyances.
Ry was in her apartment, pouring over another map of the city. This was her personal one that she kept. It didn't matter how long she sat there she couldn't figure out where the Zaibach main base would be located. Ry put yet another green push pin in the map marking possible locations. Half the map was filled with red pins, and the other with green, with a few blue ones representing allied bases tossed in.
Ry sat back against her chair and closed her eyes, with a sigh. She thought through everything she knew trying to eliminate some of the possible, but all she did was add new locations to the list.
This whole war seemed to boil down to the battle of wits between her and Zaibach's strategist. So far it seemed she was winning, but there was no way to be sure.
Whenever Ry was planing troop movement's or working on anything else like that she could almost feel the battle between them.
Ry felt a hand on her shoulder breaking her from her thoughts. " Soyanna, You should take a break, it's dinner time anyway," said Criet sitting in the chair opposite her.
Ry opened her eyes and looked at Criet. " Sono, I've got work to do," she answered. Her and Criet only called each other by their names when talking to other people, but when they together they called each other "Soy anna" ( little sister ) and " So no" ( big brother )
Ry grabbed a notebook and pen that had been next to her. She jotted a few thing down in it then set it aside.
Criet looked at the writing in the book to most people it would just look like a bunch of scribbles, but to a very few scholars and lore masters the symbols would form words. Ry wrote all her importain information in an ancient form of Domirian. Criet only understood a few symbols and words, but that was more than could be said for most people. Ry had learned it from an old, Domirian, lore mistress that had been the person to take care of her when she was young.
The lore mistress was the one who gave Ry and Criet their names. From what Criet knew his name, Criet Oton Alea, meant Sun Sky Warrior in the ancient language, while Ry Anivian Alea, meant Moon Star Warrior.
Criet stood up, " Come on, maybe we can go get something to eat," he said as he gestured to the door.
Ry shrugged, " I guess, but we'll have to switch the watch out first." she said as she stood up.
" We could see if they want to come along," answered Criet as he handed Ry her coat.
" Hopefully Hitomi told Yukari the truth," commented Ry as she adjusted her coat.
" If not we might as well," said Criet offhandedly.
Ry looked at Criet confused, " and for what reason?" she asked as a sly look came across her face.
" Well, . . . .um . . . .I just thought that. . . " Criet started. He quickly turned to the coat rack to get his own.
Ry put her hands on her hips, " I would have never guessed," she said with a mischievous smile.
Criet turned back to her, " What do you mean by that?" he said as he started to put on his jacket.
Ry was already half way out the door, " Oh come on Sono, you know exactly what I mean," she answered, then disappeared out the door. A second later her head popped back in. She put on a mock thinking look, " You know, . . . maybe I should go tell her," Ry disappeared out the door.
" Why that little . . .," growled Criet as he hastily finished putting on his coat, and disappeared out the door after Ry.
Ry was already at Hitomi's door waiting for someone to answer. After a minute Hitomi did, " Konichi wa," said Alex still smiling, "Jake and I were wondering if you and Yukari would like to come and get something to eat with us," she started, " Oh yeah, and Jake wanted me t . . . ." she began.
" to say that it would be nice if you two would join us," answered Jake as he glared at Alex.
Hitomi looked at the two and decided not to ask, " Is there any specific reason?" she asked.
" Well, if you really must know it would make our job easier," answered Alex, " no changing of the guard," she explained.
Hitomi crossed her arms, " don't you mean you're baby-sitting job?" asked Hitomi.
" You heard me say that?" asked Alex with a sheepish smile.
" Nope, but I figured you had," answered Hitomi.
" Ouch," said Alex, " That hurts. So do you two want to come?"
" Sure," answered Yukari as she came up. `We can discuss what happened earlier,' she thought. " But first I have to move some files from my old office," she said.
" Are you sure you can't do that later?" asked Alex.
" I'm sure, I just got a call about it," Yukari answered.
Alex smiled slyly, " Jake, why don't you go with her?" she suggested innocently.
Jake gave Alex a look then turned back to Yukari, " If it's okay with you?"
" Sounds good, where are we going to meet?" asked Yukari.
" How about back here?" asked Hitomi.
" That's probably best," said Alex with a smile, " see you two in a bit," she said to Jake and Yukari.
Jake and Yukari left Alex and Hitomi to get a cab. After a few tries one pulled up and they got in.
" West Admister's Mercy hospital," said Yukari to the driver.
" You work in a hospital?" asked Jake.
Yukari smiled, " I'm a doctor there," she answered.
" Well, you learn something new everyday," said Jake with a smile.
*~*~*~*~*~*
As soon as Jake and Yukari left Ry turned to Hitomi, "I take it you told her the truth?"
"Some of it," answered Hitomi.
Ry nodded, " We should tell her about me and Criet," she stated.
" Why?" asked Hitomi.
" It would also make our job easier," answered Ry. Hitomi nodded. ` No need to worry her about Zaibach,' thought Ry, ` It's probably best she thinks this ordeal's nearly over.'
*~*~*~*~*~*
As the cab pulled up to the front of the hospital, Jake and Yukari got out. Yukari turned to pay the driver. " I'll take care of it," said Jake.
" Okay, I'll meet you up on the twenty-fifth floor last door on the left," said Yukari as she entered the building and quickly got into the first elevator.
A ring signaled she had reached her level, and Yukari quickly got out of the elevator. All the lights were out on this level, it was going to be completely redone soon. All of the workers, and their patients had been moved to a new level. Only the last bit of paper work and things like that had not yet been moved.
Yukari made her way down the dark hallway and into the large room at the end, and made her way over to a cubby full of papers. The light of the city through the room's huge windows lit the room enough that Yukari could see everything. ` That's strange,' she thought as she looked at the other cubbies of patient information, ` they said I had to move these papers now, but no one else has moved theirs?' A sound behind her caught Yukari's attention, " Jake?" she asked as she turned around.
In the dark Yukari caught sight of a woman behind her. The woman's dark red hair was tied back into a ponytail. And her clothes were a mix of amor and cloth,, Yukari noticed she held a sword in her hand. Her green eyes focused on Yukari, " Uchida Yukari, so nice of you to show up." The woman smiled, " Now if you'd just come with me there will be no problems."
Yukari backed up to the wall, " Who are you?" she asked nervously.
" I am Eris, one of the generals of Zaibach," she answered, " So don't make me have to hurt you."
" I'm not going with you,' said Yukari summing up her courage. She remembered what Hitomi had written about Zaibach in her diary.
" Oh you're not?" asked Eris laughing.
" No she's not," said Criet from behind Eris.
She turned around, " I tell you what, if you leave right now I won't kill you," said Eris.
" Jake you don't understand what's going on," said Yukari, " Get out of here."
" Oh and you do?" asked Criet amused.
" That's it," said Eris as she launched herself at Criet intending to kill him. Immediately Criet unsheathed the sword hidden in his coat, and parried. Eris Jumped back surprised, " What? How?" she stammered for a second. Then she regained her composure, " Who are you ?" she asked annoyed.
Criet smirked, " Criet Oton Alea, second in command of Fanalia's Military."
" Well, Mister Alea you surprised me at first, but now I think you've used your trump. Like I said before, If you leave now I'll let you live," Eris slipped into fighting stance.
" Not a chance in hell," he said as he lunged at her. She easily parried him and attacked. He again parried her, Criet and Eris exchanged blows for a few minutes. Then they both pulled back just bearly out of the other's reach.
Eris was breathing hard, " You're better than I thought," she paused, " but I will win."
Criet was also breathing hard. He looked over his shoulder to notice that Yukari wasn't that far behind him. suddanly he got an idea. He stood up straight and sheathed his sword, then took off his coat.
Eris gave Criet a confused look, " What are you doing?" she nearly yelled.
Criet turned his back on Eris, " You said you'd win, so I guess you did." Criet shrugged. Suddanly Criet threw a chair at Eris pining her to the floor, then threw another threw the window. " Come on Yukari," he yelled as he grabbed her and jumped out the window.
They fell for a few seconds then white wings burst out of Criet's back. He slowly pulled up till they were flying level.
Yukari couldn't believe it. She looked over to Criet, " You're a Domirian?" she asked.
" I take it Hitomi told you about Gaea?" he asked.
" I read her diary," answered Yukari, " What did you say your name was?"
Criet smiled, " Criet Alea," he answered.