What if...?

I don't know what's happening to me! I mean...I think my suikoden obbsession is fading away with the wind. I'm fading..don't worry..I'll go crazy when my birthday comes. Besides, I might get Suikoden graphic novels or Suikoden V (if it comes out). So I'll update sooner!

And..I seriously need glasses..(can't see why she can't type properly now)..Or maybe it's just me..I thought I was good at this..Yup! I need a BETA reader! OH, Blue Paladin..you review wasn't that cirtical like last time. Thanks for the lecture! Oh, thank you for all your ideas everyone..I shall..try to put them in..try..plus! I have a ten year-old computer! DON'T pressure me!

Oh, and this character I will introduce..I hope I got him right..Yeah, I will tell you when I finsih this.

Edit: OH...I think my computer is screwing so don't mind the format at the beginning of the chappie.

Chapter 17: A Week of Peace! Part 3

I pressed my hands onto the cold stone wall, I've been having these weird visions. Actually, I've been having them since I came here. I looked at my rune embedded on my right hand, I shook my head. Like I can carry this heavy burden on me, but why me? Why choose me when there's so many stronger people to choose from. I kicked the wall.

"You had to choose me," I grumbled, I punched the wall.

I was certain I could break down and cry, but I didn't. I wanted a answear, what about it was a critical answear? Or maybe, a answear you couldn't understand? I hated this, I wanted to go back home. That's the only place where I can actually have a nice time there! I hated everything, I dragged myself into a violent war. I got myself into a general..and...this mysterious woman gave me a rune I didn't want?

Like I was looking for 'power', I didn't want this 'power'. No, I hated this 'power'.

Day Five: Night of the Past

(Yes, I wanted to do a sidequest...)

"You're WHAT!" Nanami screamed at me, she slammed her hands on the table top.

This made everyone in the library look at us, I slumped down.

I looked at her, "Nan, you're giving us attention." I almost shouted at her, she gave me a look.

Nanami sat back down and said, "How long will this take?"

I shrugged "Depends..I need some time." I looked at her, she understood with a polite nod.

"Just..just don't be too long, or I will worry." she softly told me, she weakly smiled.

I nodded, I stood from my seat and left. "I won't be too long." I could have said to her, but I didn't. Nanami is worried, we all could tell. Riou is still in bed, they Highland could attack anytime. I needed to be there, I was needed for battle. Sure, I couldn't find the missing peice to control my rune. But, this is important to me. You could think I was crazy, some would understand. I needed to know more about my rune.

Demanding aren't we? she cooed

Ignoring that voice was the best way, plus she was getting annoying. She was always insisting me to get into things. I don't know why I was acting this way in thr first place, I headed to my room. I needed to get ready by noon.

Noon time...

I slung my backpack onto my back. I tied my should length hair back into a low braid, my hair was away from my face. I strutted to the entrance of the harbor, a mist of water swept passed my face. I took a breath and smelled fish. Boats docked against the boards of the harbor. It was always busy here, fishermen from Kuskus would come here for the fish.

"I wonder if I missed the boat to Lakewest.." I grumbled, I looked around.

"Looking for a boat to Lakewest, Little Miss?" a low voice asked me.

I spun and saw a man, he wore old fishermen clothing. It seemed he wasn't wearing pants, but I didn't seem to notice. He had black hair tied to the back of his head, he stood near a decent sized boat.

I nodded and asked, "You will take me there?" I came towards him.

He chuckled and nodded.

"Yes yes, I take travellers to Lakewest once a week." he extended a hand to me, "Name's Amada." he chuckled again.

I shook his hand "Noria.", I smiled.

Sunset...

"Thanks Amada! I hope to see you soon." I waved at him as I took a step of Lakewest's docks.

Amada laughed, "No problem, I hope you find what you've been looking for!" he patted my shoulder.

"I will..hopefully." I waved at him and headed at the Inn.

The smell of fish was everywhere in this town. Fish were drying on racks outside of houses, I even got to smell fried fish through windows of houses. My stomach grumbled of hunger, I knew skipping lunch was a bad idea. All I had was a peice of bread and it didn't fill me, I held my stomach in one hand. As I entered the small inn, I saw some travllers taking most of the tables where you eat. Some were already drinking, I sighed. I went to the counter, the innkeeper soon appeared. He looked a bit flushed, maybe because so much people were staying overnight.

"How much for a room?" I asked him.

He scratched he chin, "Hmm..well I guess 200 hundred potch, that includes meals for tonight and in the morning." he looked at me, "Is that a problem?"

200! WHAT! I cried on the inside, I looked in my purse. I only had 150 potch..noo..

The innkeeper got annoyed, "Look Miss, if you can't pay for a room and two meals..get out of here."

I sighed, I guess..I'll be staying somewhere else tonight. I turned to leave, I need to find a place to stay before it gets dark. As I entered the small town, the town seemed empty when it was almost dark. My stomach was talking to me, it needed food..badly..very badly. I cared finding a place to stay than hunger, but then everywhere smelled like fish. Back in Banner, fish..fried..fish..dried fish, salted fish. Salmon, trout-

Snap out of Noria! You have to think about a place to stay! Not hunger! I scolded myself in my head.

But, hunger was all I could think about. I had not much potch with me, actually I never knew I could be so poor. I sighed, nothing good is happening to me today. It was getting darker, no place to stay. I dragged my feet, I felt the gravel crunching against my feet as I dragged my feet.

Crunch.

Crunch.

I looked up, I saw a old shack. Maybe I could stay there for the night, I shrugged. Better than nothing. I approched the old little shack. I opened the little wooden door, it smelled of rotten wood. I didn't mind, I removed my backpack. I found a old oil lamp, I took out a match and lit it. The little lamp lit the whole shack.

"Good thing there's no windows." I muttered.

I looked around, some old crates filled with empty jars. There was some room on the ground to sleep on, I sat myself on the cold dirt ground. I retrieved a blanket from my bag, I was prepared for this I suppose. I wrapped it around my body. It got colder all of a sudden, the light made no warmth. I moved my legs up to my chest. I shivered.

I slowly closed my eyes, sleep will take over me for the night. Tonight, I'm in a different place.

I ran, I ran as fast as I can. Tears ran down my face. I cried as I ran, my sobs were echoing through all out the forest. I tripped over a rock, I layed there. Motionless, sobbing was only heared. I heard them calling my name, I didn't care. They could kill me for all I care. I closed my eyes tight, waiting for my death.

I'm going to die.

I killed my brother, my only family.

Becuase I carry a rune.

I killed him with a true rune.

A hand pressed against my bare arms, a warm welcomming hand. "Hey, are you okay, Neeks?"

I shook my head, "They..want..to..kill..me.." I repeated to my friend.

"Neeko...I'll carry your rune for you." she told me.

I looked up, my only friend. She would..?

I sat up at my best friend, I held her shoulders. She smiled, her orange streaks covered her eyes. She brushed it away from her face.


"Neeko..I can take the rune away from you." she grabbed my hand.

She dragged me to a clearing, she placed her right hand under my right hand. "Now focus on the rune, and affix it to my right hand." she commanded me.

I nodded. Opbeying my orders, I foccused my rune..I pictured the rune. I pictured her with the Snowfall rune pattern on her right hand. I see her summoning a spell, muttering the words to activate the spell. I felt my hand burning, I could hear her scream. I found myself screaming too.

As the seconds passed, I fell to the ground. I closed my eyes. My last words...to her.

"Run..run far away..where they can't find you." I told her.

I could hear her muttering some words and leaving something in my hand. If I knew what it was before I died.

I awoke, I flinged my eyes wide open. Sweat trailed down my face, my breathing slowed down as I calmed down. I felt cold still, the wind blew hard. I sneezed and felt I was sitting on ice. I shook my head and went back to sleep.

Day Six: Ruins of the Secret Village of Snowfall

I was at the nearing Two River City. I woke pretty early to get a good head start to get their by a quater to noon. Well it was already passed twelve o'clock, it was one thirty. I screamed in frustration, I can't take it anymore. I didn't have anything since yesterday! I didn't eat lunch or breakfast. Yup, I pushed my botton.

"ARGH! I hate this! Even though I'm near the city, I'M SO DAMN MAD AT MYSELF!" I shouted, it echoed.

I was hungry, I get mad without eating anything. So, as I passed through the arch of Two River city I see kids running around. I sighed, my stomach grumbled. I ignored it and made my way to the Wing Hordes' section of the city. Then the Kobolds, but I'm not aloud to Greenhill...whatever. I wanted to find something else, something I was looking for. When I walked to the bridge, a flash of purple passed me.

"Keeheehee..Suckeerr.."

I blinked, "Huuuh?" I looked around. "Oh my-- That thing stole my wallet!"

I looked up and saw it running to the Wing Hordes' area of the city. Why that, when I find that thing who stole my wallet they're so gonna pay! I ran and ran, passing Wingers who looked at me with crazy looks. A groan escaped my lips, my stomach did most of the talking.

"H-Hey! What's the kid doing? Don't enter the forest!" I heard someone said.

I ran to where is was comming from, a winger was leaning over a fence looking overhead to the deep forest.

I stopped and asked, "Did you see a person wearing purple pass here?"

She nodded pointed to the forest, "Over there..but I doubt that kid will come back alive." I frowned

"Well better go save the kid," I said bluntly and jumped over the fence, which was five feet above ground.

I landed with bended legs and gritted my teeth in pain. Ow, that hurt. I regained my composture and ran straight to the forest, that kid..ohhh you're dead now! I could hear the female winger yelling at me.

"HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING! ARE YOU MAD!"

No..I want my wallet back. I calmly said in my mind.

Noria no dilly daddling! Who cares about a stupid- I cut her off as usual.

No time for argue, I have other things in there! Shut up! Just shut up!

...Noria..I mean..nevermind you'll find out.

Find out what- I stared in awe at what I was seeing what was right infront of me. "What the heck.."

My eyes looked at something very scary. I was staring at some old ruins of a village, a very old village. The houses looked a wet and damp from decaying from water or something. It smelled of rotting wood mixed with dead bugs. I held my nose in disgust, I ventured farther. Looking at some houses that remained unharmed from whatever to make this village ruined. When I reached the center of the village, I looked at the totem pole infront of me. On top was a man under him was a woman then some bird, it had snowflakes and everything related to snow.

My right hand started to ache, I held it tightly. Something about this village scared me, like it had something to do with my rune. Is this the village where it all started? Where the Snowfall was born? So much questions raced my mind. I heared a twig snap, I turned my head. I saw a two kids, one boy who seemed older and a girl who was younger than the boy.

They wore some blue clothing related to the man and woman from the totem pole. The girl trembled in fear, the boy glared at me. In his hand he held a throwing knife.

"What are you doing in the Village of Snowfall?" he asked me sharply.

I looked at the duo and said, "I happen to find the person who stole my wallet, know who he or she is?"

The boy sighed, the girl shivered. "I told you Niicol went outside the village." she told the boy

I turned my back to them, the village of Snowfall? Shouln't it be the ruins of Snowfall Village. I shook my head, I looked at the totem again.

"You must be mistaken, this village is a ruin. You seem to be the only people left of it." I correct them.

I heard the boy muttering something but I never got to them.

"I..suppose..you..knew..w-we were the only people living here?" the girl tried to say.

I looked at them, the boy stared at the ground the girl stared at my hand. I covered it of course, something about them scared me. The boy looked up at me, his penetrating blue eyes scared the hell out of me. The girl had pale blue eyes, they had matching dark brown hair. Their style of clothing must be the village's clothing style.

"I'm Neriko. That's my older brother Neeko..I see you met our friend Niicol." the girl named Neriko pointed to her and her brother.

My eyes grew wide, "..Nee..Neeko..?" I asked Neriko.

Neeko studied my face, he knew I knew something. My dream..Neeko...Neeko. Wait..didn't he die?

"K'hey guys! What I miss- OH no!" I heard a voice behind me.

I twitched my eye, I looked behind me and saw the little twerp to stole my wallet. He happened to be a boy named Niicol, he seemed few years younger. He yelped as he backed away slowly, before he could get any farther I attacked him to the ground.

"WHY YOU BRAT! WHY DO YOU HAVE TO STEAL OTHER PEOPLE'S WALLETS! CAN YOU SEE I HAVE A SCREWED UP LIFE ALREADY! AHHH!" I shook him by the collar.

He frailed his arms, "Hey! HEY! HEY! You dropped your stupid looking wallet! I just passed you, you sooooo weird! Haha!" he laughed but looked like he was about to vomit though.

I let him go and stood up dusting myself, I grabbed my bag and turned to leave. As I passed Neeko and Neriko, Neeko looked at my right hand and stopped me.

"Where did you get that?" He asked me looking right into my eyes.

I pushed him aside, "I don't know..but I have no time-"

Neeko grabbed my hand, and tugged my arm. We faced eachother, his eyes scared me. I didn't budge, then my rune started to hurt more.

"We know you came from far away to look for answears..so we will answear the questions you ask."

I looked at him, then at the others. Neriko and Niicol just stared at us, I looked back at Neeko.

I nodded, "Okay."

Cheifton's house...

This was the only house in the whole village that seemed to be normal. It had good furniture, beds, chairs and tables. Neriko placed a tray of fuirts, I gladly got my helpings. Neeko was eating some, Niicol was somewhere around the house. As I gulped down my food, I looked over at the two.

"So, anything I need to know?" I asked one of them.

Neriko smiled and said, "The village was created over two hundred years ago. When the Snowfall first appeared at this part of the country." she looked over at Neeko.

"A settlement was created from the fifth bearer of the Snowfall rune. I was the tenth..." Neeko looked out the window, "Niicol's cousin was my best friend, she was the eleventh bearer. She ran away from here after that."

I looked over at my hand, no wonder I was looking at memories that the previous bearers saw in their lives who beared the rune. When I give up the rune to the next bearer, they will see what I went through. Neeko looked at Neriko, she echanged glances with him.

Neriko removed the tray and placed it on her lap. "You must be the thirteen for all I know." she smiled and headed for the kitchen.

Neeko sighed, "I heard she ran all the way to Felena and died there." he looked over to me.

"When did this event happened?" I asked him with curiosity

"About..eighty years ago,"

"WHAT!"

"Keep your voice down."

"...So how long did she live?"

"Not that much for all I care."

"..Then why are you still living?"

Silence fell upon us, a very akward silence.

"And why are Niicol and Neriko still living too," I added, "You three should be dead by now. The event happened eighty years ago and-"

Neeko stood up, "That's something to find out tomorrow, c'mon bedtime."

I looked out the window, it was already night! WHAT! Last time I checked it was 3 o'clock..weird. I stood up and went to the room I will be sharing with Neriko tonight. Neriko was is bed already sleeping. Her light snores fill the room, I closed the door. Something isn't right.

Neeko..Neriko..Niicol..should be dead by now..she repeated my words.

I narrowed my eyes. I was thinking that too..

Niicol..he didn't change at all..Neriko..doesn't stammer..Neeko..is Neeko..

Felena where's that, I changed the topic.

Oh shut up, you'll find out..go to sleep. she demaned me.

I changed quickly and went to bed. Hopefully, I will find my answears out sooner or later.

Day Seven, Final Day: Promise and Home

I shivered, it got cold all of a sudden. I slowly opened my eyes, Neriko's bed was empty. I noticed half of the room was damaged with decayed wood. It smelled real real bad again. I romoved the blanket away my body, I nocited I wasn't dreaming that Neriko, Neeko and Niicol were just a dream. They were real, they were..spirits who guard the village. They showed me where the Snowfall rune first appeared in the country, no one knows where it really did come from. But, this is the origins of the rune. I better go pay my respects then.

I quickly dressed and grabbed my belongings, I looked over the room. As I gazed at the room, I felt like I was back home. I blinked and held back the tears, I really did miss my mom's scoldings and Tsukou's demands. I rubbed my eyes, I wish. Oh nevermind, it was silly to say.

Wandering to find the exit of the house, I looked everywhere. As I found the door, I found a enovolope. I plucked the enovolpe from the floor, I ripped the thin paper. I saw the letter inside, there was no way of ignoring it now. I read it carefully.

Noria,

You're the last visitor of the Village of Snowfall. We won't be planning to have anymore in the near future, but before you leave please go to the shrine that keeps the Snowfall Rune in balance. That is where our graves lay with it. I'm sorry for all the trouble we cuased you to get here, but you were going through a hard time with the rune.

You are one unique true rune bearer, but Neriko sees you as a strong bearer stronger than me. She reminds you of Niicol's cousin. But one favor before discard this letter..

Promise us when you are done you're duties, please find some people who will rebuild the village. Who will follow the way of Snowfall. You can do it anytime..just please..I want to see the village lively again.

Former Bearer of the Snowfall,
Neeko

I folded the letter and placed it in my pocket. I should get flowers or something before I enter the shrine, but I didn't see anything colourful in the village except for Neriko's hair pin and clothes. I opened the door, I found a bush of wild daises. I smiled weakly and plucked some for Neriko, Neeko and Niicol.

Shrine...

I carried a decent ammount of flowers for their graves. As I entered the shrine, I felt a wave of magic pass me. Like I passed a barrier of something, I shook my head. Nothing. I was thinking crazy again. I saw the small tombstones of the three.

In the Memory of Niicol Reckor
A loving cousin of ...weird I couldn't read it.

In the Memory of Neriko Shui
Keeper of the Shrine

In the Memory of Neeko Shui
Tenth Bearer of Snowfall

I placed a small boquet on each tomb. I looked up and saw a larger picture of the Snowfall rune on my hand. The delicate pattern of a snowflake, my eyes gazed upon it. I looked at the tombs once more, I closed my eyes and whispered something.

"I promise..but not now...I can't do it just yet."

I stood up, I turned to leave. I could see the three smiling and waving goodbye to me...I waved back.

Dunan Castle...

It was four o'clock on the dot! I was back at the castle, looking for Nanami. What I heard Riou is awake and back doing missions. But wasn't that going to start tomorrow, I shrugged oh well. I walked to around, seeing if I would bump into my friends who will most likely hate me for not telling them I went somewhere in three days.

"NORIA!"

Too late...

Nanami glomped my from behind, followed by Millie and Bonaparte. Millie sighed in relief, I gave her a deseperate look. Nanami finally let me go, she sniffed.

"Noria..you've been gone for like..FOREVER!" she exclaimed

I gave her a annoyed look and said, "Nanami..three..days.."

"BUT STIILL!" she wailed at me.

"She means that she got worried..but not anymore..since..Riou." Millie tried to explain.

I laughed, I was glad I was back. But..Neeko..Neriko and Niicol will be in my mind for a while.

End of chapter 17.

WHHAA! Sorry sorry for the long wait! I WAS RUSHING! RRUUUSSHHHIINNGGGG! (cires a pond) WHHY! So anyways, I did a sidequest...and this has NOTHING..well okay it has SOMETHING to do with the plot..i think..dammit I have no plot..(sniff sniff) So anyways.

The next chapter will HOPEFULLY be when we go to TINTO! WOOT! WOOT! But I'm totally afraid of Neclord and his zomeb armeh! AHH! I get nightmares..last time I played that Tinto part..I almost screamed..ahhh...but it was totally fun finally deafeating NECLORD! MAUAHHA!

So review review..suggest suggest..and I get Blue Paladin's loooonngggoooomooonnggoo reivew..lol..and this must be the most confusing Author's Note ever!

-keasuke

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! If I don't update on the 28th of March or something. I shall be turning OLD! Mauahha..okie okie...somewhere in my teeennnsss!