Heh...umm, hi! Yes, I know i's been over a week since I updated this fic, and I know it's one of the ones that I'm not supposed to update because of me and Polaris' agreement, but I did tell her I'd be updating one more chappy of each, so I guess this one is long overdue! In that case, enjoy!
Polairs18: Don't worry. I promised you a kiss (I think...), and a kiss you will get! Yes, it does take a genuis to figure out that Rio might have her cellphone with her. They really can be absent minded when they want to be, can't they? Thanks for reviewing!
CeTe: Nope, he didn't...at least not yet...Heh, I know how Rio will handle the news...but I'm not tellin'! Thanks for reviewing!
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Rushing back to the hospital, Rio burst through the doors and made a bee line for Ryoko's room. Once there, she ran through the door to see everyone in there, looking all but happy. Rio, however, only saw her friend, sitting up in her bed, "Ryoko!" she cried, and ran over to the taller girl.
"Hey, Rio." Ryoko said in a much calmer voice.
"Are you okay?" Rio asked, not wanting to jump on the other girl and hurt her, but having the strong urge to glomp her.
"I'm fine." Ryoko assured her, then got serious, "Rio..." she trailed off, not sure how to approach the subject.
"Huh? What is it?" Rio asked, looking around the room, and seeing that everyone had the same sad expression on, "Eyes? Kousuke?" she looked to the other Blade Children, "What's wrong?"
"Rio," Kousuke began, trying to put it gently, "We know who attacked Ryoko." he continued, nearly stumbling over his words.
"Who?" came the obvious question.
Of course, this was the question that no one wanted to answer. Fortunately, Eyes took the responsibility, "Nik." he informed her.
"No...that's impossible." Rio said, unbelieving, then turned to Ryoko, "You've got to be mistaken, Nik wouldn't do something like that!"
"I saw him, Rio." Ryoko said, hoping her friend would be reasonable about learning this information. They all knew Rio had a good head on her shoulders, but when she wanted to be, she could be quite foolish and stubborn, "He even said he was coming after you next."
Flashbacks of her nightmares flashed through Rio's head, but she ignored them. It had been Nik in all of those dreams, but she just couldn't believe that he would actually do something like that, "No...I don't believe you." she whispered, "He...he wouldn't..." Tears began to form in her eyes as she came to the sudden reality that he actually might. Once she thought about it, everyone they had met since they arrived here had been a Hunter. That was quite odd, and she wondered if they had known about their arrival. Rio slowly backed towards the door, needing some space and time to think.
"Rio..." Kousuke said, not wanting they grey-haired girl to do anything stupid.
Rio just smiled at all of them, as unconvincing as they come, "I'm alright...I just need some to think." she assured them, which was true.
Apparently they all understood, and nodded, "Alright." Kousuke sighed, and sat back down.
Back outside, Rio began walking nowhere in particular, her mind racing, "Okay, if it's true and he did attack Ryoko...that doesn't mean he's all bad. I mean, Kalelle attacked me, and I forgave him." It made perfect sense in her head; if Kanone, Kalelle, and Ayumu, who were all Hunters at one point, could join their side, why couldn't Nik? Rio was certain that it would all work out, and that if she just talked to Nik, he would explain, "Maybe he was forced to, or maybe he just needs the assurance that I won't reject him once I find out he's a Hunter." Yes, it was perfectly clear to Rio. Then again, love is blind...
Back at the hotel, Nik was waiting for Turner to get down negotiating some kind of deal. When the men he had been meeting with exited through the lobby doors, Nik stood. Knocking on Turner's door, he entered when told to, "Ah, Nik, what brings you here?" Turner asked, in a slightly better mood than usual.
"That's good." Nik thought, "Maybe he'll give me another chance if he's in a good mood." Nik smiled a little, "I'd like to talk to you...about the Blade Children."
Turner laughed, "Of course, what else would we have to talk about?" he asked, "Now, then, what exactly is troubling you?"
"Is it that obvious?" Nik wondered, but shook it off, "You see, Turner, it's that girl... Ryoko." he said after a moment.
"The one you killed?" Turner asked, confused, "Why would we need to talk about her?"
"That's the thing..." Nik trailed off, and prepared for the worst, "She's not exactly dead."
Turner stayed silent for a moment, then laughed, "I don't think I heard you right, I thought you just said that she wasn't dead."
"I did." Nik confirmed, cringing; this wasn't going to go well.
Turner lost his laugh and smile, "Why wouldn't she be dead after you killed her?" he asked.
"Apparenly he didn't do a very good job." Wallace commented, entering the office.
"Was there something you wanted?" Turner asked him, annoyed that he was interrupting.
Wallace shrugged, "Just seeing what you guys were talking about." he explained, "I guess no one can actually kill anyone around here."
"You're one to talk." Nik commented, under his breath.
Wallace was about to defend himself, but Turner interrupted him, "Both of you, be quiet." he snapped, "Wallace, if you don't have any business here, I'm trying to have a private conversation with Nik."
"Whatever." Wallace said, dismissively, going off to find something interesting to do.
Sighing, Turner turned his attention back to Nik, "I expect that you have the situation under control?" he asked.
Nik understood exactly what he meant, but hesitated, "I'm not so sure..."
"Not sure?" Turner repeated, telling him to get sure.
Nik decided that telling Turner that Ryoko had seen him, had probably told Rio now, and ruined his entire plan, wasn't the best idea. So, he just smiled, "You know what? I've got it under control." he assured the older one.
"You're sure?" Turner asked, not believing Nik, but hoping that someone around here could get done what they were supposed to. If things kept up this way, he'd have to get rid of all the Blade Children by himself.
Nik nodded, "Sure I'm sure." he said, "I'll have her gone in a week." Turner nodded, dismissively, and Nik took the hint and left. Walking out, he took a deep breath, "At least I'm still alive." he thought, but knew that if he screwed up again, Turner wouldn't be so patient with him.
"Nik!" called a voice from down the street.
Nik turned to see Rio, and smiled, "Hey, Rio." he greeted her, "She doesn't look pissed...could Ryoko not have said anything?" The possibility of amnesia popped into his head, but he doubted that Rio would be happy if Ryoko had amnesia.
"Hi!" she said, finally reaching him, and encased him in a giant hug. This, of course, made Nik suspicious, but he didn't show it, "Are you busy?" she asked.
Nik thought for a moment, then shook his head, "Nope. Why, what's up?"
"Nothing." Rio fibbed, "Hey, why don't you come up to my room, I want to talk to you, and it's getting cold out."
Nik hesitated, but knew that declining would be worse than anything, "Sure." he agreed, and followed Rio inside, wondering what she had up her sleeve.
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Hmm, I wonder what will happen up there...heh, no not that (dirty people!). Well, like I said, this fic won't be updated for a while (for Polaris' sake), so I hope this and my other fics will be good enough for now!