CHAPTER 6
TO DO OR DIE
Ayame sat next to Espio until he seemed to be back to normal. Eventually she asked. "What were you talking about?"
"Huh?" he asked, looking at her.
"You were talking about someone named Sherikan," the female chameleon explained, "you said he wants something but, you never finished your sentence."
"I don't remember what I was going to say anymore," he replied, "it seemed like that sword spoke to me. It said 'Sherikan wants' but I can't remember the rest. I don't even know who Sherikan is."
Ayame couldn't give him anymore answers. Instead she said. "Are you okay? Can you walk?"
"I-I think so," he said, "but I don't think I'll try to pull that sword out again. Something about it doesn't feel right."
Ayame knew what he meant. When she's put the sword back in its case she'd felt a strange energy coming from it. "I don't know why," she said, "maybe it has something wrong with it."
Espio stood. "If it does you find it."
She shook her head. "No, I don't think so."
"Whatever," he said picking it up.
He started walking away from her again. The female chameleon followed but never walked in front or beside him. She didn't feel right about it. She knew something was wrong but she couldn't quite figure out what.
Espio knew she knew something was wrong but he wasn't going to pay any attention to her. She didn't care about his friends. She only cared about that stupid sword.
"What kind of a friend is that?" he asked himself, "not one I'd want to be friends with."
Then he stopped. What's wrong with me? She didn't do anything!
He shook his head to shake off his nasty thoughts. I'm just worried she'd figure out I guess, he thought, I've never told anyone about my past. Not even Knuckles. I just can't though. If I did I don't know what could happen. I might lose everyone I care about!
Please don't cry,
Don't shed a tear,
Don't be sad,
For I am here.
I'm your friend,
Forever,
Trusting. Caring,
A comforter.
Don't hide from me,
I've done nothing wrong,
I only want to,
Sing this song.
I don't care,
How long you take,
I'll be here,
For your sake.
Please don't cry,
Or be sad,
Just remember,
The fun we had.
The words were then followed by a soft, sweet sound.
Espio turned and saw Ayame walking behind him, playing a blue sweet potato shaped instrument called an ocarina. He saw her eyes were closed as she concentrated on the notes, yet she knew where to step.
He remembered that song. Ayame had sung it to him once. Four years ago when he'd first started his ninja training.
He tried to remember the secong verse.
He had liked it alot:
Close your eyes,
And count sheep,
Soon you'll be,
Fast asleep.
Dream of laughter,
Dream of love,
Dream of flying,
Up above.
Dream of me,
There with you.
When you wake,
Joy will come.
Please don't forget,
I'm your friend,
I'll be with you,
Till the end.
Espio closed his eyes to try to hide the tears. He had never really paid attention to the words before, but now he realized what they meant.
Don't worry, Charmy, Vector, I'll save you, no matter what.
The two chameleons walked along without any words to each other. The only sound that could be heard was their footsteps and the sound of Ayame's ocarina as she played verse after verse of her song.
Espio saw the sun was beginning to rise and sat down to rest.
Ayame stopped playing her ocarina and leaned against a tree, her arms folded, her eyes closed, and her breathing shallow.
"How far away do you think they are?" Espio asked, looking up at her.
The female chameleon shurgged. "I don't know," she said, "it could be a few hours it could be a few days. Those guys have a knack of moving a lot."
"Are we even going in the same direction?"
Again she shrugged but said nothing.
Espio had the sneeking suspicion that she was ignoring him. He understood why. He had been a real jerk to her and she hadn't done anything to him. I guess I deserve it, he thought.
He turned to her. "Look, Ayame, I'm sorry for being so rude to you back there. I don't know what came over me. I guess I'm just upset about what happened to Charmy and Vector. Please forgive me."
"Forgiveness is like a bargin it can be given out freely or is has to be earned," was her reply.
"What?"
Ayame went back to playing her ocarina. She completely ignored him.
Espio knew then what she meant. She wasn't going to forgive him just yet. He had to prove to her that he really was sorry.
Now, how will I be able to do that? he thought, I don't know what she likes anymore. I haven't seen her in years!
Espio listened to the ocarina a moment.
Maybe that's a hint. Maybe she wants me to sing. No way! I can't sing! My voice stinks!
Maybe she wants me to play along with her. I don't have my guitar.
So instead of doing anything he just leaned against a tree and listened. He watched the sun rise and thought about how, in less then twenty four hours, his life had drasticly changed. I was hoping I'd never have to be reminded about my past again. But I guess I can't hide from it forever.
His mind began wandering beyond rational thoughts. Instead other things began playing in his tired mind. Scrambled words and sentenses.
Shadows. Maybe I can blend in with the shadows. Dark so dark. No light, not anymore. Where am I? Who am I? Why is this happening to me? Mom, where's Mom? Yuffie, where are you? I hurt. Pain. Don't go! You can't die on me! Please stay with me! I have to run! I have to get away from here/ But where? Where can I go? I have no where to go. I have to get away! Ayame, I'm sorry I must go. I can... no... longer...
Finally his tired and exausted mind and body shut down and he fell asleep.
"By the way, Sherikan, why do you think Espio could have stolen the sword anyway?" Vector asked after a long silence.
"I know he did,"
"How?"
"Because I know what he was before he became a ninja."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes, really. My master told me what Espio used to be. I knew anyway but I had to be sure. He told me Espio had tried to steal a sword four years ago. Instead of getting it he ended up learning how to be a ninja because my master felt sorry for him," Sherikan punched the tree trunk. "Ha! That didn't teach him to use his energy for something useful! It only made him a better thief!"
"Espio's not a thief!" Vector objected.
"Yes, he is," Sherikan growled, "that little bastard is a thief!"
"Hey, there's no need to use that kind of language."
"Shut up," Sherikan ordered, kicking the crocodile in the face. "I can say what I want. I know that stupid thief stole the sword. Yurai couldn't have been taken by anyone else."
"And why do you think he'll bring it to you, anyway?"
Sherikan grabbed Vector's face. "I have two someone's he really cares about. If he doesn't bring Yurai then those someone's he'll lose too."
"You wouldn't dare."
"Wouldn't I?" Sherikan scoffed, "Whether I get what I want or not, being rid of you and that bratty bee won't be on my concious. In fact I'd rather enjoy it. I don't see enough blood so as it is."
The Espio look alike turned to go.
"What if he brings it, then what?" Vector asked.
Sherikan looked back at him.
The crocodile watched as a hidious look appeared on the ninja chameleon's face. He saw him run his hand over something under the cloak the chameleon had on.
Sherikan threw back his head and laughed an evil laugh similar to that of Espio's quiet one.
"What's so funny?" Vector demanded.
Sherikan looked down at him, the smile still on his face. "I'll make him vanish. Or maybe I'll make him suffer. Either way, he's going to regret stealing Yurai in the first place."
"Why bother? He's bringing it to you. You have no need to do that."
"You really think I'm gonna let him get away with it? Think again, old man, he's going to get what he deserves. Too bad Tikato didn't teach him how to get out of a rope... AROUND HIS NECK!"
Before Vector could say anything to that the male chameleon turned and walked into the woods still chuckling to himself.
Vector looked up at the sky. "I hope Espio's okay. I hope he's smart enough to be careful."
Espio lay asleep on the ground by the tree he had fallen asleep against, dreaming.
It wasn't like any dream he's had before. It was like random words running through his mind without any images.
"Espio, protect Yuffie."
"What's wrong? What happened?"
"Where's mother?"
"I promise..."
"Stop! Leave her alone!"
"Mom!"
"Never forget..."
"Espio, is mother...?"
"Don't worry I won't leave you."
"Help me!"
"Let her go!"
"Espio!"
"Yuffie!"
"Say good bye."
"ESPIO!"
Espio sat up breathing heavily. He looked around himself. He didn't see anyone.
"Ayame," he whispered.
Silence.
"AYAME!" he screamed, hopping to his feet and dashing into the woods which were darkening as evening began.
He ran out into a field.
No Ayame.
"Where is she?" he asked himself, "where could she of gone?"
"Looking for someone?" a voice behind him asked.
The voice sounded so familiar... THAT'S MY VOICE!
The male chameleon slowly turned around. He saw another chameleon, wearing a black cloak, standing behind him. The chameleon looked just like him only a little older!
"Who are you?"
"Don't you remember?"
"No."
The look alike smiled. "Then my name is not important."
"What do you want?"
"The sword."
"I don't have it."
"Where is it?"
"I don't know."
A sword appeared in the slightly older chameleon's hand. "I think you're lying," he said.
"I'm not lying!" Espio protested, "I honestly have no idea where it is."
"Don't lie to me!" the looked alike shouted, pointing the sword in Espio's face, "I know you took that sword. You're a thief and will always be one!"
"No! I am not a thief!"
"Yes, you are," the look alike taunted, "my master told me about your past. But I knew before. I'm the one who stopped you from stealing Yarai."
Espio said nothing.
Suddenly the other chameleon's sword sliced a deep gash in Espio's arm. Espio cried out in pain and grabbed the injury to stop the bleeding.
The look alike grabbed him by the throat. "I want Yurai! Give it to me or you'll lose the people you care about, as well as your life."
"I don't have it!"
The older chameleon started to choke him. "Well then, you'd better get it and bring it to me!"
"I... I can't...," Espio choked.
"You can and you will," the look alike growled, lifting his free arm, "we'll meet again, Espio the chameleon!"
The look alike brought his arm down and struck Espio in the back of the head.
The ninja chameleon slumped on the ground, unconcious.
Sherikan grinned to himself then ran away, the wind blowing his cloak behind him as he went.
Ayame had gone for a walk after she'd woken up from a short nap. When she came back to the spot where she's left Espio sleeping she'd found him gone.
"Espio?" she asked looking around.
She noticed a trail in the woods. It looked like someone had crashed blindly through it. Maybe Espio did this, she thought.
She followed the trail until it ended in a field.
"Espio!" she called again.
She glanced around the clearing. She saw a figure lying on the ground.
"Espio?" she said walking up to it.
She stood over the figure. It was Espio.
The female chameleon knelt down and turned him over. He was unconcious.
She put her ear to his mouth. She heard him mumbling something.
It sounded like he was speaking in japanese.
She noticed the cut on his arm. Someone must have attacked him, she thought looking around, I have to get him out of here before they come back!
