What if...?

Whoa..I've been rushing all week to get the last chapter up. Thanks for the review, I have many reasons why I'm always late now. 1. I was chosen for Honour Choir (yes they still do that..) 2. My brithday. 3. Other..fandoms..(shifts eyes) But anyways, enjoy the chapter. I don't know..but I don't want Nori going to that Muse mission. Becuase..(confession) I HATE THAT PART OF THE GAME! (End of confession)

Blue Paladin: My grammar issues. Last chapter..I had like one day to write that. So..mind me I will take my damn time this time..I HATE THIS COMPUTER! But ranting won't help, right? I'll try to make this chapter 97.5 perfect! Oh, and I got a BETA reader!

Oh yeah, due to of my lateness of updates-- I am addicted to my new game called...Suikoden V! But I needed to beat it!

Chapter 18: Tied in Between

As we watched Riou, his party and Lady Teresa sail of for Coronet, I had a bad feeling in my gut. Highland wanted to sign a treaty to the City-State. Yeah right! It could be a trap! But no, Nanami and Teresa insisted to go to Muse. I respected them, but they're putting the City-State on the line here. As much as they want the war to stop...it just. Highland can't be wanting this? Can it? Oh, cut the crap!

"Viktor, Flik. I need you two to go on a little mission." Shu started.

I looked at him, ready what was he was going to say to them.

Later that day...

(A lot later)

I was at the lookout tower, looking through the telescope. I was pondering on too much things, way too much things. Shu sent Flik and Viktor to follow Riou and they're others to Muse! And the bad part was, Pilika was going with them! She was just a child; she was going to be used as a tool. I know I just knew her for a few days, but I had a little bond with her back at Greenhill. Shu told me, she had a connection with the King of Highland. So. That boy, Jowy, he cared for her. I shook my head; I thought what happened earlier,

Flashback...

I glared at Shu, he was told Flik and Viktor to bring Pilika with them. They already left, we were at the Great Hall alone.

"But she's just a child! Why are using her as a tool? Are you mad or something!" I protested.

"She isn't a tool, it will get Lord Riou out of trouble. He is to kind-hearted for his own good, he didn't see what was really Leon's scheme." he calmly explained.

"But..Pilika..how!"

"She seems to be close with the King of Highland, Jowy Blight."

Jowy...he. was Riou's best friend when they were little! Why would he turn against his own friend. I mean they've been through a lot. and now. this happens! I turned around and stomped out of the room.

"Noria, it is isn't you business anyways." he told me.

I blazed at him, "But it wasn't right!"

End of Flashback...

"...It still wasn't right." I muttered as I withdrew myself from the telescope.

"Talking to yourself, Noria?" someone asked me.

I turned and saw Nanami, she looked a little flushed. She smiled weakly, something bothered her. I tried to smile too, I knew she was feeling the same way. She saw Pilika, I didn't see until like this morning.

She looked down and said, "I heard from Shu you yelled at him because of Pilika."

"Yeah, I mean. now what happened to her?" I asked Nanami.

Nanami turned away and said, "She's with Jowy now. In good hands I suppose, I'm happy for her."

"...Good hands huh?"

Great Hall...

We both headed for the Great Hall. Nanami stayed quiet, me? I stayed extra quiet thinking about my little adventure! I had bad feelings, real bad feelings. Like in a scary movie, where the main character gets these feelings that the zombie is going to attack-- Why am I thinking of zombies again? Oh yeah, I had a bad feeling about something. Maybe it had something to do with vampires and zombies! On top of all that, I get creeped out by that stuff!

(Haha..too bad Nori, I'm making you see it all!)

We see everyone in there, we greet one another. I looked at Shu, he didn't seem to mind about earlier. I sighed and relieved. Just then, Riou comes in, with some other kid. Great, more younger people. Okay, this leads to some mission to risk your life! I want to be part of it! Oh, Riou, pick me! ME!

Optimistic all of a sudden? she asked me.

HAH! You are ignored. LOSER!

The boy looked at Shu, "I'm Koyu, one of the Lampdragon bandits. I'm concerned about my homeland, Tinto. You see," he paused, "we've been seeing these paled face guys, and when we attack them..they are still alive!"

Viktor tenses up, "You think its Neclord?"

Nec-whaaat?

Koyu looks at Viktor, "Well..we thought it was some creepy Highland soldiers."

"Well, Riou. You can go with Koyu to check it out. But I don't want to send a large army out to follow you, we'll be behind you with a small army." Shu informed Riou, "I suppose to choose your party who will accompany you."

Viktor had to butt in, "Riou, please take me with you. We have to defeat that Neclord once and for all!"

Tinto...

(WHAT! I like to skip!)

"I still don't see why you wanted me to come along." I muttered to Riou, he gave me the same look...a stupid shrug!

"Well, you seemed bored." he simply said.

I ignored him and walked on, Koyu looked at us. Viktor, Nanami, Riou and me looked at him back. I just wanted to get away from this stupid heat. We've been out in the damn mountains for six hours! I thought it was suppose to be cool up here! Wait, am I whining..yup. I looked at the busy mining city, everywhere were bulky men. Little children everywhere, and women inside their houses. We climbed some stairs and lead to Mayor's Gustav's house.

Guards greeted us, they lead us to the meeting room. It was nice and cool inside, thank god.

"Well well, Lord Riou! Haha, they say you're just a boy! And yet so strong! Boys your age have twice as big arms than you!" Mayor Gustav laughed, "We can drive the Highland in just one day!"

"I don't see why you're rushing things, Gustav." Viktor said to him.

He ignored him.

"Well, I see you're group are tired. We'll continue in the morning. Marlowe,"

"Yes sir?" a young boy at Riou's age piped in.

"Show Lord Riou and his party, their rooms." he told Marlowe.

Marlowe nodded, "Yes sir, please follow me."

That Night...

I was in bed already, sleeping in a soft sleep. Nanami, well snored...loudly. Wow, I never knew she snored! I turned my body facing the wall. Heat, sweat, I was hot. Plus, I felt like vomiting. That's a bad thing, I think I wasn't used to hot places like the Tinto area. When I was young, my grandparents live on a farm. But it got so hot out, I caught a fever and stayed in bed the whole visit. I felt my forehead, burning. My eyes closed slowly, sleep upon me.

I'm falling.

I can feel the wind pressing into my back. I'm falling?

My body landed into snow, soft white snow. Opened on eye, I opened the other. My surroundings, snow. Everywhere, snow. I must be dreaming, but it all feels so real! My arms, I can't move them. Well, I can't move my damn skinny body. I opened my mouth, I tried to say something.

Nothing.

Panicking wasn't the thing, right? I was just wearing my sleeping clothes, I was freezing to death. Tears fell into my eyes, whimpers came out of my mouth. I could hear footsteps crunching on the new fallen snow.

"Hello, Nori!" a older me happily greeted me.

I stared at her and mouthed, "...Why are you here?"

She giggled, "I'm here to help you, silly."

I glared at me, "I don't need helped." I mouthed at her. I turned my head.

I felt her warm fingertips over my forehead, "Yes you do, and Noria you're sick."

I screamed, "Shut up! I can take care of myself!" I found my voice.

My body moved, I sat up. Faced the older Noria, she looked at me. She held my shoulders, telling my to calm down. I struggled against her strong grip, I don't remember being this strong at this age.

"Don't touch me!" I blazed.

"Noria!"

"AH! I don't need you!"

Nanami shook my body, "Noria! Noria! Wake up!" she yelled at me.

"AH! No! No!" I cried, sweat all over my face.

I balled a fist and was about to hit Nanami, I was still sleeping. She dropped my body and stopped me before I punched her. My breathing, slowing down. Opening my eyes slowly, I saw blurry things. As my sight got clear, I saw Nanami and Riou. Viktor was there, I could tell. I sat up, my head throbbed, and I went back down.

"Hmm..my head." I whined.

Nanami placed a cold cloth over my head and said, "You have a bad fever. Maybe from the heat."

"It looks like she isn't used to it, she should be okay my tomorrow. C'mon we should head downstairs." Viktor headed out the door.

"No, I want to go with you guys!" I protested.

"Noria, you're sick!" Nanami protested back.

I stared at them and said, "You guys brought me with you so I can help! I don't want to be useless around here!"

Before the others could do anything, I slipped into my shoes and put on my belt. I stomped out of the room, went downstairs, and went into the meeting room. The others were following and watching my actions, well that couldn't blame them...I was sick after all. Ridley and Klaus finally arrived and were in the room. Gustav greeted all of us with a polite nod. Now, time for some business!

"We have brought a small army, instructed by Shu." Ridley informed us.

"Now getting onto the other matters--" Gustav started but, something just barge into the room.

A little girl with flaming red hair came in and cried, "Daddy! Daddy! Scary monsters are here!"

Gustav looking all alerts all of a sudden. "Well, let's see what they want!" as he said that he went out of the room. The small girl following.

"Daddy?" Nanami and I said in a puzzled tone.

Viktor looked all serious too, "I smell a rat!"

Riou nodded and agreed, "I do too, let's go!"

We all ran off to the entrance of Tinto. Why did Viktor looked so angry? How come I don't know anything 'bout this? Oh well, I'll soon find out. Actually, I feel a tad bit dizzy running outside. Having this fever, is making me a bit hot and tired. I'm not backing down! Not one bit! If only there was a place to vomit in, gosh. I think I should do it right now. Where's Luc when you need him? Oh well. I shrugged, we ended up in the entrance just in time. I looked around, my eyes grew wide when I noticed…zombies!

I tapped Nanami's shoulder and asked, "Nan? Why are zombies here? Are they going to attack us?"

Nanami smiled weakly, "Well, you see—Oh my…"

We looked at something very strange. A large army of zombies. Pale-faced, ragged clothed zombies. I gulped, seemed strange and scary. What are they doing here? Tinto has nothing but mountains and mines. Then I noticed something else, a person. He didn't look like a zombie, must be this Neclord guy. I tilted my head he looked like a vampire. A vampire! What are they doing here? I don't want to get bit by one, that's for sure. Viktor noticed him, he was all mad. Then they started to talk.

"Neclord! Why are you here?" Viktor yelled, "Are you here because you joined Highland?"

Neclord chuckled and said, "My army and I have nothing to do with their war, you see."

"Then why are you here?" Viktor asked again, tensing up.

"You see, here, Tinto. I could make a castle, for me and my slaves," Neclord chuckled.

He got out his sword, "Don't make me sick!"

"Viktor, stop right now…this is no time to fight right now!" I told him.

"You should listen to the Lady, there is no time to fight." Neclord reminded Viktor.

Viktor growled, "No, I need to finish some—" he approached Neclord.

Before he could get his hands on him. The vampire disappeared out of sight. His zombie forces move off, leaving the people of Tinto in peace, for now. Viktor mumbles something. I stood there, feeling dizzy. I leaned against Nanami. When my arm pressed against on hers, I knew she would start to ask me something.

"Noria, you look dead." She muttered to me.

I looked at her and said, "Yah think?"

Feeling Nanami's hand pressed on my forehead, I slowly closed my eyes. Sighing.

"Nori, you're hot! We should—"

That's all I heard, I was unconscious.

Later that day…

Slowly, I opened my eyes. Looking around, we were back at Mayor's Gustav's house. I sat up. Hearing Nanami's loud voice, I went back laying down. As she entered the room, she saw me awake. She smiled, it seemed she was tired but happy at the same time. So seeing me awake was good. But seeing me I was selfish earlier was tiring.

"Glad you're okay. You passed out this morning." She told me, placing a wet cloth over my head.

"…So this means I won't be fighting for a few days?" I asked Nanami

a short pause.

"Yeah, I guess."

"I see." I closed my eyes.

I could hear Nanami leaving the room to let me rest. There, I have a feeling someone is going to talk to me about something. But who...?

That Night…

Snores.

Blink.

Louder Snores.

Blink.

Nanami snores, I blink. Wow such a nice combination. I thought, very deep thought.

I turned to face the wall. I was sick my head aches badly. Nothing to do for the next few days would be a drag. Oh I know! I will feel better in the morning, like what happened in Greenhill!

Flashback…

I awoke in my bed fully dressed, but my boots were off. I slowly slipped outta bed and looked in the mirror, then looked down to my feet. Didn't I have a twisted ankle? I sat on the floor and my ankle was all bandaged up, how could it heal over night? I yawned blinked and grabbed my bag, I have a feeling I can't stay here anymore. Maybe I could hitch a ride with Riou and them. That would be fun, or maybe go see more of what the City-State has to offer for me.

As I walked down the hallways of the dorm house, I thought for a second.

Weird, my ankle feels better already. But I twisted it last night. I thought to myself. Looking at the Snowfall rune, maybe it had something to do with it.

"Hmm…I wonder." I mused.

End of Flashback

Smiling at the little memory. Yeah, that would be nice. I hear Nanami stop snoring.

"Nori?" she called to me.

I stayed silent.

Hearing her getting out of bed, hovered over me. My eyes were shut tight, she sighed. She went back down sitting on her bed. Then a knock on the door.

"Come in."

The door quietly opened, "Nan, you're still awake?"

A sigh, "Apparently."

That was Riou who entered the room. This began to be more interesting.

"Riou, I was wondering about…the fights in the future." She started, "And how Jess still thinks that you murdered Lady Anabelle."

Murdered? What in the name, Riou killing someone? I thought it shock.

"Riou, the Alliance chased us out. Like Grandpa Genkaku chased to Kyaro." She kept going on, "There's no reason to fight. Riou, let's just give up everything!"

Give up what? I wanted to get up and tell Nanami she's out of her outrageous mind! Riou has to do something, c'mon Riou don't agree with her. We need you I don't want Shu controlling the army. What about the war? Aren't you going to save the City-State! Riou pick one stupid move, I'm so going to whatever! Nanami is out of her mind. I'm here just saying stupid things. Sick, tired and hot. I was sweating under my blanket. Itching to scratch my leg, but I won't move!

"You know we have to stop Jowy from doing something else foolish. Let's go and find him, then we can live somewhere far away from this place!" Nanami declared to her brother.

"Nanami…I guess—" Riou started.

For a second, I thought time just stopped right there.

End of Chapter 18

Wow, sorry for the extremely long wait. Yeah if you guessed, I didn't beat Suikoden V just yet. I'm just stuck in the confusing Twilight Forest but I'll survive! About the chapter…it's short! REAAALLLL short. And I didn't bother to fix my spelling mistakes with my BETA reader. So anyways, I have one question.

Ridley? Or Boris? Of course, when I found out about how to get Boris I was shocked you have to make Ridley die in the process. Well if we go for Boris, I'm making Noria go search for Riou and Nanami with the others. Maybe she'll accompany Ridley or follow Riou behind his tail to meet up with Georg then stumble onto Shu. Or whatever, I'm out of ideas for her now. SUGGESTIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED for all I care. I'm dying on my school's shadow.

-keasuke