Ch.4

Long Time; Bad Dream

"so this is it. I guess I'll leave you alone to get settled in" Sami turned to leave.

Doyle was still dizzy with frustration and surprise from seeing Sami again. None the less he threw his things down and ran after her. " Hey where is the fire don't you wanna catch up a little" she turned around to see his eyebrow lifted and tried not to laugh.

"Sorry Doyle but you're one of my students now and that means anything between us is off limits."

" Alright then can you at least answer a few questions for me?"

"Sure last time I checked that's what teachers do"

"So you've been here for the past month, why?"

"You already know the answer to that one; it was a family emergency and you were the emergency"

"Yeah I got that but why hang out for a month did you know it was me?!"

"Don't flatter yourself, I love the Saturdays and it really wasn't a very large request but I was surprised that you didn't respond sooner. Drew really thought you'd take the bait sooner though." She huffed as if his part in this was inconsequential.

He was immediately perturbed by this and stomped off.

"By the way we start training tomorrow at eight in the gym don't be late"

At that he just waved a hand and let her saunter off .

The next day Sami came into his room at eight and plopped down on the edge of the bed.

"Hey sunshine, wake up." Doyle grumbled something that sounded like a plea for five more minutes. "Nope come on it's eight now we should be in the gym already" She rubbed his back try to stimulate some conscious flow. She was surprisingly gentle in her approach to waking him. She bent over a little and her necklace fell out of her shirt. She kept talking but when he opened his eyes a little he saw the necklace dangling in front of his eyes and started to reach for it. He sudden reaction to keep her necklace untouched was what stimulated his brain enough. He sat up and watched her tuck the necklace back into her shirt. When she looked up he made sure their eyes locked and for a brief second her guard was down and she was as open as she was the night they met.

He took this small window of opportunity to ask her about her necklace.

"so what's the story behind that"

"what do you mean it's just a necklace" she said defensively

"Well if it's just a necklace than why are you so quick to protect it"

Her mouth opened to say something but then shut it again. She jumped off the bed and headed toward the door. "I'll wait for you outside" as she looked back he could see her checks were on fire. He smiled behind her back at the new found satisfaction he'd get for teasing her about the necklace every time they'd talk. His new goal, to discover the reason why that simple piece of jewelry meant so much to either one of them.

The time spent in the gym was like a short visit to hell. She spouted various words that meant nothing to him and the physical retaining(that's what she called it) was a nightmare. He was forced to relearn everything he already knew again. She said his style looked sloppy like who ever taught it to him put a "rush job" on it. He was grateful to be dismissed. "you did really good for your first day!" he simply grunted in response.

"oh come on I wasn't that hard on you" her chipper smile masked her inner demon.

"You're right; having to be plowed face first into the floor and being forced to sit through an exasperated lecture really aren't so bad but its just the cardiovascular that killed me" He said as sarcastically as humanly possible. He laid panting on the floor for a while with Sami sitting up beside him. "Come on" she shot out a friendly hand and hoisted him onto his feet. " I'm sure you've got better things to do than lay here all day" she scooted him out of the gym door. "yeah like maybe go check out this little spot in town no reservations necessary" He said arching an eyebrow. " Nice try but I'm serious about nothing happening between you and I, I mean it Doyle" she poked him a little. He shrugged his shoulders " well don't say I never tried later" .

There days proceeded separately for the most part. Doyle tinkered with experiments that weren't his. Sami e-mailed her family and made a few long distance phone calls. They didn't reconnect until after dinner. Sami was in one of the research labs tinkering of some kind of little snowboard from what Doyle could tell. Then it started to emit some kind of bizarre light. He peeked around the door to see Sami's eyes were glowing an incredible kind of blue. Then the board began to hover. Doyle leaned in further to a point where the door slid open. He fell down face first through the door. Sami's concentration was broken and the board fell back onto the table. "hey you alright" she said leaning over him. He shuffled to his feet quickly "what the hell was that". Sami blushed slightly unable to put it into words he'd understand so she thought of what the Saturdays would have said.

"It's an experiment I was conducting to test the effects of my Kur power". He nodded

"you have a the power of kur! That's that thing Zak can do right!"

"kind of Zak's developed into and ability to communicate with the cryptids mine developed into the power to create strong energy currents and telepathy"

"So you can talk to cryptids too"

"No just people" She shrugged with mock disappointment.

"Wait, so you can read my mind, ew I feel so violated!" He crossed his arms over his chest as if she were able to see through him.

"Relax the telepathy isn't as easily accessed as you might think and even though I can read peoples minds I try not too" She returned her attention to her tinkering.

"so then what you're doing here…"

"Is a demonstration of my energy waves. This board is made of a special alloy that I've already wired to take flight without the excess energy but by adding my own energy it should increase the boards range of motion and speed"

"Cool can you make me one too"

"NO!"

"oh come please"

"no way"

"At least show me how to make one." He put his best puppy dog face on.

"Fine" She huffed "but it has to stay between us okay"

"Go out with me and you've got a deal" She glared at him. Her expression said please be serious.

"Alright it'll stay between us" They shook on it.

In her mind Sami knew she'd eventually regret giving the secret to him. She'd done a little research since she'd left him and found out that in the three years since she'd left him that he'd went back to his old way of life. He'd sell her secrets to the highest bidder without a second thought. It made her sad and ultimately putty in his hands. But just like she couldn't tell him about the memories she'd erased she couldn't openly tell him about the feelings she still harbored for him.

She directed her board and showed him how to create his own. The weight and length had to person styled to fit the person and the alloy would have to be shipped in. They'd have all the materials be the end of the week thanks to some of her own "special connections".

She looked up at the clock and saw it was well passed midnight. "Oh jeez" She yawned "I can't believe it's so late". Doyle nodded in agreement sleepily " Yeah we should get so sleep". "Yeah I'll see you in the morning don't worry we can start up at nine tomorrow instead of eight" She stretched as she exited the lab. While her arms were up away from her body Doyle swept her up boldly. "you could always come cuddle with me then you wouldn't have to worry about coming to get me in the morning." She frowned falsely "Something tells me your definition of cuddling would only keep us up longer…HEY!" he started to carry her out of the lab. She looked up at him and crossed her arms scowling at him "What, you didn't say no exactly" "yeah well now I'm really saying no." He placed her down gently and they laughed; he liked this new game of theirs. After the laughing had ceased they said their goodnights and headed of in their different directions.

Sami thought about the way they parted and realized she didn't like her life this way. So close to the one she loved, meeting for heart beats at a time then heading of in two different directions. It wasn't fare and it wasn't fun but it was the way things had to be. She had to put it out of hr mind if she wanted to get some sleep and so she did.

Doyle was having his own issues with that evening. He couldn't get over what he'd done, its not like he knew her that well. He was a well known player and tonight he came off totally swagger less. She didn't seem to mind and she even laughed with him later. He usually tried to come off a little bit sexier but this time playful affection took its place on the surface. He did enjoy it though; she felt so natural against his body. Her smile was so gentle and open like the night sky. He could see right through her false frowning and mockery scowls like she was an old friend he'd known forever. He wasn't even bothered by her kur power even though his mind told him he should have been. He rolled over in a desperate attempt to get his brain to shut up so he could get some rest.

It's humid and dark but he can see the moon from where he's sitting. He's morning a love gone wrong with a bottle to keep him company. He's just drunk enough to start crying a little. Once he sobers up he'll regret his loss of masculine but for now he cries like a baby. Someone stomps out a cigarette on the ground in front of him. He doesn't bother to shoo them off, there's just no point. The person pulls him in and hugs him tightly. And whispers a few kind words in his ear. Before he can think his body just goes on ahead and hugs the person back. After he stops sobbing he looks up at the person. It's a girl close to his age from what he can tell. She looks just like Sami but her eyes are the wrong color, they're to blue. They have the same kind of blue as the sky on a sunny day. Their eyes connect for a brief moment when suddenly he's thrown up against a wall and something is coming down on them. It's not human. Then the screaming starts…

CH.5

Calling Card.

He shot up and hour before he had to be up. He didn't even try to go back to sleep for fear that the dream would carry on to a horrific end. He just pushes himself out of bed and prepares for the day. After nine o'clock comes and goes he goes into Sami's room to get her out of bed to start there god awful morning. "Hey" he calls from the door way not wanting to invade to much. It doesn't work she is either to deeply asleep to hear him or she's just ignoring him. Either way he trots up to her bed and pats her back a little trying to rouse her. It doesn't work that well so he resorts to actually rubbing her back and calling out to her. Finally she reacts a little " I refuse to believe that its time to wake up!"

"Tough because it is time to wake up" he smiles a little as she throws the covers over her head. He continues to rub her back but the effect of that has dwindled. He slithers under the covers till they're noses are so close the could touch. "If you care about my living situation you'll open your eyes a little" she opened her eyes. "Thanks; now maybe you could work on sitting up" "Jeez you sure are demanding this morning" she said hoisting herself up onto her elbows then flops over onto his chest. "Five more minutes please" his body shifts into its new found auto pilot and wraps an arm around her back. "nope if I ain't get'n it you ain't either" He laughs as he sits up taking her with him. " Now why does that sound like it has an alternate meaning"

After great effort hoisting themselves out of bed, Sami scoots Doyle out the door and twenty minutes later they're in the gym. Once more Doyle was thrust into a violent and otherwise unpleasant training session. Just as he was about to keel over the emergency bell rang. Zak ran up to the door " come on Doyle there's major Kur activity going on in Death Valley!" Doyle was out the door and heading for the jet. Sami walked quickly lagging by several passes She stepped into her room quickly to pick up some supplies that wouldn't be on the Saturday jet. She joined up with everyone in the jet and Drew filled them in shortly after ascension.

"It looks like a rouge cryptids has been causing some problems out in the desert and doctor Cheveyo asked us to check it out"

"Well…Do we have any information on the Kur or a clue to what kind of cryptids it could be?" asked Sami.

"Well we really don't have much of a clue as to what we're up against. So Zak sweetie please be careful okay"

"Yeah mom…"Zak mumbled back embarrassed be his mothers doting.

"Good boy. Now, we can confirm that it is hostel because the only other cryptids out there are the giant sand worms, the wild salamanders and we know that a chupicabre or jackilop wouldn't be out that far."

"Wait go back to the salamanders, how can there be salamanders in a desert?" chimed Doyle

"The wild salamanders are more dragon like than salamander like. They have rock hard skin and produce fire from their mouths. They seem to only exist in the hashes conditions. For instance they also occupy the artic circle and the ocean ridges. Each location would be considered to tough for any life to be sustained in but the salamanders seem capable of adapting to each location." answered Doc.

"cool." said Doyle unimpressed. Doc just grumbled at the unenthusiastic reply to his intellect.

"Do we have any confirmed visual of the cryptid or any of the surrounding areas it's been spotted" Sami asked getting back on topic.

"Yes. Dr. Cheveyo managed to collect some satellite footage" Drew pulled out a remote and began to show a slideshow of the collected pictures.

"As you can see the sand looks as if it were melted and there are no foot prints. In the next shot we can tell that the creature is a biped, it walks on two legs, and is capable of achieving immense speed as the camera was unable to get it in focus. We can also tell in this next shot that it has the ability to fly thus explaining the lack of prints. We are fairly certain that it is hostel so everyone be ready" Drew took a seat next to Doc.

"Speaking of ready, is Doyle ready to be placed in such a high alert situation Sami" Doc asked mostly as a joke but there was some underline concern in his voice.

"Yes, I believe that he is prepared to handle such a situation although I'm still slightly concerned about his ideas on ethical behavior in teams I believe this will serve as an excellent training experience" Sami said authoritatively.

"Thanks for talking about me like I'm not here" Doyle noted grumpily

"Sorry Doyle-kun but you needed to her it anyway" She patted his head as if he were a child which quickly pissed him off. Before they could get into a confrontation the jet landed.

Fiskerton pointed out the window and said some intangible sentence.

"Yeah Fisk it does look incredible" said Zak now looking in the same direction. The desert sand beneath them was as smooth as glass. It had been melted into a crystal sea a glittering light. "whoa its so beautiful" said Drew and Sami at the same time. "Zak stay here for a second. Your mother and I will go out a head and just make sure the area is safe. After that your welcome to come with us" Doc said taking charge of the mission. "what are we supposed to do in the meanwhile" Doyle said.

"Well, Sami if you don't mind, you should come with us and use your telepathy to see if there is anyone near by who may or my not have seen anything. Doyle we need you on the ship incase we need your aril expertise to safely evacuate our boys safely" said drew taking back some authority.

Sami exited the craft with the Saturdays. The minute she stepped out side she felt that whatever had done all this was malignant in nature and had to e stopped. She couldn't hear the thoughts of anyone other than the Saturdays but she felt a wired energy that was quickly dissipating. A good sign; it meant they were in no immediate danger but the blood lust still lingered in the air. Drew being trained in the ways of the mystics would probably feel it to. " Drew-chan do you feel that" Sami asked a little tense. "Yes, I can't tell if it's near by though because the vibes are fading" said Drew equally tense. " I don't hear anything suspicious and the energy is dissipating so I'm fairly certain its safe" Sami said relaxing a little. Drew and Doc did the same and flagged Zak and the rest of them to come out. " Okay boys feel free to look around but like I said earlier be careful. Doc why don't we try to call Dr. cheveyo and try to get him out here." The tow went into the ship to take care of business leaving Sami and Doyle responsible for Zak and Fisk. Sami calmly walked over to Zak and leaned down like she was playing with the two. " Stay calm Zak but I'd like you to do a double check that this area is secure." Zak focused and felt nothing but the dwindling vibrations. He nodded that it was safe then returned to his fun. Sami stayed in a stiff soldier like stance; there was no guarantee that whatever was out there wasn't coming back. She didn't snap out of it a little until after Doyle patted her shoulder.

"you look super tense is it that bad" Doyle asked

"Yes" Sami answered soberly

"Well being wound up won't help. go sit down I'm sure things will be fine"

"hmmm…" was all that Sami could reply with.

None the less Sami skulked off to get her camera. She traveled everywhere with it. Despite the madness of her many current occupations she enjoyed photography most. It relaxed her and helped her document her life as well as evidence. She walked all around the area taking close ups of a the melted sand and a few funny photos of Zak and Fisk she even got one of her and Doyle. By the time the Saturdays returned she had calmed back down again. " Cheveyo is on his was he'll be here shortly. In the mean time lets up load some of your photos Sami ' Said doc. "Yes that's probably a good idea" They all walked into the jet and began to upload some of the photos she'd taken carefully examining all of the even the funny ones incase there was something useful in the back round. Their work was interrupted shortly by 's arrival.

"Hello Doctor" greeted Drew with a firm hug. "How did it go with collecting information" said Doc getting straight to the point. "Since there aren't any towns for a while I couldn't gather much in the way of eye witnesses but I found more recent satellite footage. It's much clearer than what we last received. You're not going to believe this but the creature almost looks human" he was right currently no one in the room believed him. They all gave him quizzical looks that questioned his sanity; all of them save for Sami. He noticed the young woman's stern expression as if she now had some idea of what they were up against. "You seem to know what I'm talking about my dear. As you know I'm Dr. Cheveyo and who are you" He inquired. " I am Sasami Kagoshima and yes if the video captured lives up to what you say then I think I know what our problem is." While the doctor brought up the video he inquired further into who she was. " You wouldn't happen to mean Kagoshima like the large clan in Japan."

"Yes, I see you've heard of use then"

" Of course; although your families work has helped expand the worlds technological recourses but its also said that you procure your funding through infamous deeds"

"What of it doctor. If we can bring the world further without damaging the environment who cares how we get the funding to do it." She and the doctor stared each other down till the video came up and they began to view it.

It started out as just a pan view of the desert when something came whizzing through. It stopped abruptly and landed. Then it discharged some energy from its hand then the hand caught fire but the creature didn't seemed disturbed. It simply extended its hand and released and aments stream of flames. Then proceeded to look up into the sky and give a wicked smile like it wanted to be caught in some devious act. The doctor was right it did look like a man with brown hair eyes and skin to match the only thing off was that his fingers seemed to long and that he clearly possessed a set of wings. He only wore a set of dog tags and jeans. His wings they had the shape of a bats and took to the sky's once again.

Horrified by the images yet still focused Sami called out, "get this jet up in the air, I need to verify something before we go any further with this" The Saturdays responded quickly.

Just as she suspected the melted areas of sand weren't random they were carefully selected to send out a message a very dyer message. " Look it's melted the sand to form a warning" Sami pointed out. "It's written in kanji " Stated drew sending Sami a strange look. " I'll take a picture then have the computer translate it" said Zak. " No need mini man I'm sure Sami could do it." Doyle threw a sideways glance at Sami. " Fine but Zak take a picture anyway we can study it later." she looked down at the writing in the sand "It says 'beware the demons have come to carry out our queen's revenge any who stand against us will parish' that's where it ends." She finished a bit shaken by the gravity of the situation. " Why would a 'demon' be writing in Kanji on American soil" Said Doc. " Maybe it was sending a private message to someone specific" said Dr. Cheveyo turning to look at Sami. Sami threw him a menacing glare " Doctor I can now asses that yes, I know exactly what we are dealing with but I have never personally encountered that one so why would it be looking for me?"

Just then something came down on the jet hard enough to send it spinning for a moment till Drew straightened it up. Outside two winged figures came to a halt then turned around to glare at the jets passengers. With out a second thought Sami started to take control. "Get going I think I can hold them off just long enough for you all to get away" Then she grabbed her board and jumped from the jet to meet her foes in aerial combat. She placed a kunai in her mouth and swiftly tucked her legs in to get her board ready beneath her. It was a good distraction; the two winged creatures came speeding after her. She had to wait till she reached a certain velocity to strike.

Meanwhile the Saturdays and company looked on astonished. They saw Sami descending prepared for battle. " She said we should go but it's two against one we shouldn't leave her right?" asked Zak unsure of what anyone's next move would be. "Right" said Doyle strapping on his jet pack and preparing to follow her lead. "Doyle be careful and just try to keep them at bay until we can get some reinforcements out here" shouted Drew. Then Doyle was off to assist Sami who at the moment seemed to be handling the situation just fine without him. It wasn't until she was knocked of her board did Doyle jump into the fray. He caught her and her board "What are you doing here Doyle; I could have sworn I told you all to get the hell out of her" She remounted her board and off she went Doyle following behind her. " I was saving you, besides you know that its not like anyone would just sit back and leave you. HEY WATCH OUT!!!" Sami ducked back in time to avoid a major blow but it wasn't enough to save her necklace. One of the 'demons' caught the necklace and smiled a wicked victory smile. "No! give that back you bastard" she screamed at him. "Fine my dear lady I'll let it go…" He released it and let it plummet toward the earth. Sami dove down after it then the dark one soared down till it was beside her. "He was only joking." he slipped down under her and gave her a swift kick in the stomach. It knocked her off her bored and she began to lose consciousness but not before she watched him crush the glittering onyx into a fine powder in his hands. Tears began to form in her eyes. She felt them start to slide around on her face as the world went black. Doyle didn't know what was going on. One moment his in the one demons death grip then all of a sudden it whispers to him "see if you can save her now or if you'll fail her again." then he lets go and calls out to hi companion saying they achieved there goal and that it was time to go meanwhile Sami is plummeting toward the earth. He dives down to get her, whether or not he'd make it, he had no clue but he had to try.

CH.6

New You

The world was spinning out of control. He was on his own against the abomination calling it's self the prim being and even though he killed it he couldn't totally destroy it. He wasn't ready for any of this but he wouldn't have had it any other way. At least he met Sami and found the family he'd been looking for. He realized things he wouldn't have if he had chosen to live an ordinary life. He knows that what happens next will primarily destroy his life as he knows it but it's the only thing that will keep everyone safe. He has to start again. He has to face thing s alone. His decision decimates the others but it weighs particularly on Sami. She's the only one who can help him if he had a chose he'd chose another but their can be no other. He lets her remove his memories and put them in the one place they'll be safe. He doesn't feel it right away but then like a man who meets death his best moments come out from the corners of his mind and then it's all gone. His life is no more. It never existed…

He lays in bed staring at the ceiling and as the memories come flow back into his mind he begins to feel sick and quickly retches in a near by waist bin. He collects himself and realizes he's in a medical bed and he see Sami recovering across from him and begins to remember the more recent events. Like after he and Sami return to the ship he get a vicious head ach. He's sent to the floor by the relentless throbbing and the pain of it blinds him. He knows not all of his memories have returned but the ones of her burn in his mind. It all starts to make scenes to him. His odd and overly intense infatuation for her even the bizarre informalities he shared with her. It also explains why she was always so comfortable with him. Everything felt so new and strange to him, as if he were two separate people at once .

The door to the medical room opens up and Drew walks in. "How are you feeling" her smile feels warmer and more reassuring than he seemed to noticed before. Perhaps that's because he didn't fully know what he had found before. "I'm fine I still feel a little wired though" his voice seemed much softer then it should have been. Drew hurried over to check his head. A smile spread across his face and he couldn't help but wonder if this is what there mother would have done. He shook his head, the thought was irrelevant and he stopped dreaming about his family years ago why did they matter now?

" Maybe we missed something in the CAT scan" Drew said franticly

"No you didn't miss anything it was just a bad headache. How's Sami doing?"

"She seems to be fine but her body sustained excessive damage from that single kick. He vitals say she's fine but she may be out for a while. You know the strangest thing is that she seems to be crying in her sleep. Since you brought her back on board she's been like that. I'm concerned that there may be some saver emotional trauma, but I can't think of what would have caused it. In all her years as a ninja she's never really suffered any saver emotional scaring or at least nothing she hasn't been able to handle."

"Maybe she feels guilty for something" said Doyle. As Drew caught his eye she realized that something had changed in Doyle. Maybe it was the same something that was effecting Sami's mind. She didn't want to frighten him but maybe she should make an excuse to run more tests. Just as she was about to make something up a glass began to float toward Doyle. She dropped her jaw and her dignity, she couldn't whip the stupid flabbergasted expression from her face.

" How did that just happen. I don't recall any signs of radiation and toughs things didn't seem to be Kur so…SO WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!"

"It's a long story Drew and I'm not a hundred percent sure I can explain it all the way. I'm gonna need Sami for that."

"But I need answers now"

"No, just be patient"

"Fine but in the mean time how will we explain it to everyone eles?"

"We won't; not yet besides until she wakes up it'll be to difficult"

"Fine. You know I don't know what's scarier the fact you seem to have a new skill or that all of a sudden you seem to have gained some wired maturate" Drew smiled warily and left the room.

"Glad to see you're handling things so well" He said as if drew were still there.