Disclaimer: If I owned it I probably wouldn't be writing fanfiction.

Outside of the Dream
By: Starlight – x1

Chapter 3: First Drops

Machika opened her eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling. For a moment she just lay there blinking and confused. Her body ached but nothing seemed broken. Carefully she sat up, looking around.

"Oh, you're awake."

Machika turned and saw a man in a white lab coat looking at her interestedly. A cigarette dangled from his lips and his dark hair was pulled back into a sloppy ponytail.

"Where am I?" Machika cast another confused look around her.

"I'm a doctor." The man reached forward and touched Machika's forehead. "No, fever, good. You're at my place." He walked away from her a few steps and began to pour something into a cup.

Machika watched him until something soft brushed her fingers. She looked down and watched, somewhat surprised, as an animal that looked to be a cross between a rabbit and a cat flopped contentedly on top her hand and licked her finger with a tiny pink tongue. It opened its eyes and looked up at her, giving Machika another shock as she realized the creature had three eyes.

"Don't worry, he won't hurt you." The doctor had turned back to face her, a steaming cup held in one hand. He walked over to her bed and held out the cup. "Here, take this."

Machika accepted the cup and took a sip. It was delicious, whatever it was. The doctor stood watching her. "A man brought you in." He finally said conversationally. "He gave me a message for you. He wanted me to tell you: Thank you for calling my name." The doctor took a drag from his cigarette and exhaled a long stream of smoke. "He doesn't get involved with people much." He finished quietly.

Unable to think of a reply Machika set the cup down in her lap, cradling it between her hands. The cat/rabbit stirred and began to investigate the contents of the now accessible mug. Machika stared down, watching it. Her mind replayed Rain's message over and over again. How lonely have you become to be grateful that someone simply called your name?

"So, what are you going to do?"

Machika looked up. The doctor had seated himself and was now casually flipping through a newspaper. He looked up and caught her confused look. "You're on the bounty list." He explained.

"Oh." Machika looked away. Actually, she wasn't surprised that she now had a bounty put out for her. She had pretty blatantly helped Methuselah to escape, although her only motivation had been to kill him at the time.

"You could stay here." The doctor offered. "I certainly could use an assistant and you're cute enough." He grinned disarmingly at her.

Machika offered a faint smile in reply, her mind still mulling over Rain's message. "Doctor, where did Methuselah, I mean Rain, go?"

The doctor took another long drag on his cigarette before stubbing the butt out in a makeshift ashtray. "I already told you he doesn't get involved with people much. In fact he rarely ever comes to see me. I was actually surprised to see you were the reason he paid me a visit. You're a rare occurrence, Shorty." He stuffed his hands in the pockets of his lab coat. "When he left he didn't tell me exactly where he was headed but he did mention something about going east."

00000

The sound of frantic scratching roused the doctor from sleep. He sat up and ran a hand through his hair, yawning widely. The scratching continued and was now joined with a high pitched "mii." The doctor stumbled from his bed and shuffled into the other room. Instantly he noticed Machika's bed was empty. On top of the neatly folded blankets was a small scrap of paper. He reached down and unfolded the note. It was written in a rounded, almost childish scrawl.

Doctor,

Thanks so much for everything you did for me. I wish I could pay you back but I don't have a lot of money. I appreciate your offer to let me stay here but there's something I need to do.

Thanks again,

Machika

The doctor looked to where the small animal Machika had fondly christen Kiki scratched frantically on the door and shook his head. Kiki turned to look up at him as he walked over and reached down to scratched behind the tiny creature's long ears. "So, you want to go with her do you?"

Kiki let out another "mii."

The doctor straightened. "All right." He opened the door and Kiki was out like a shot. He watched the tiny animal speed away and shook his head. "Stay with her. Heaven knows Shorty's going to need as many friends as she can get." He shook his head as he shut the door. "Methuselah, I sure hope you know what you're doing."

00000

Machika sat at the back of the wagon, her feet dangling. Kiki was curled in her lap making contented noises while Machika petted the little animal. She was headed for a town where all the rumors pointed to as being the last place Methuselah was seen headed for. Her journey had not been a smooth or easy one. Bounty hunters seeing her small size and apparent youth had thought to make an easy catch on more then one occasion. Machika rubbed at one of her more recent bruises and smiled. She'd disabused everyone who'd come after her of the notion that she was an "easy catch."

But still, it was exhausting, not to mention annoying, having to constantly check over her shoulder while she waited for the next bounty hunter to appear. Thank goodness for Kiki. Her traveling partner had warned her on more then one occasion of an ambush. Kiki lifted his head and let out yawn as the wagon jounced to a halt. The driver leaned around. "Far as I go, little lady."

Machika slid off the wagon and picked up her scythe and bag. Kiki had settled on his normal perch on her shoulder as she walked toward the front of the wagon. "Thanks for the ride."

The old man smiled genially down at her. "No problem little lady. The town's just a little further that-a-way." He gestured down the road.

"Thanks again." Machika lifted her hand in a farewell wave as the old man lifted his reins and urged his horses onto a side road. Then she turned and headed for the town that she could see in the distance.

When she reached the town she was hot, sweaty and hungry. She bit her lip as she walked through the crowds that lined the street. "What I wouldn't give for some water." Machika wiped at her forehead

"Excuse me miss, could I interest you in a constellation map?" A man stepped close and shoved a piece of paper invitingly at her.

Machika waved him off. "Sorry." She hunched her shoulders, trying not to be too visible. All about her were shouts.

"Remember tonight's the beginning of the Star Festival."

"Get your constellation maps here."

Machika heaved a sigh as her stomach growled. "Gotta find someplace to eat." Kiki started bristling. "What's the matter?" Machika reached up to soothe her pet as she glanced around. Her gaze fell on a couple who were pushing their way through the crowd toward her. "Not again." Machika moaned. "I don't have time for this." She darted away. From the shouts behind her she assumed the two bounty hunters had given chase.

Of course it ended in a fight. Machika made one bad turn and found herself in a blocked off alley. The two bounty hunters came in behind her, full of smirks and self satisfaction.

"Give it up honey." The woman advised. "There's nowhere you can run."

"Yeah, you wouldn't want to get hurt." The man grinned as he cracked the knuckles of his left hand. "I'll take her, easy." He told the woman.

"You're the one who's gonna get hurt." Machika said. Kiki leaped off her shoulder to safe spot and the fight began. It wasn't much of one. A single kick sent the man sprawling with a nosebleed.

"Let me go." Machika crouched ready for their next move. "I don't have time for this."

The woman helped the man up while casting wary looks at Machika. "Come on." She urged. "She's too much trouble. The money isn't worth it."

"Can't do that." The man wiped at the blood dripping from his nose with the back of one arm and only succeeded in smearing it all over his face. "That stupid bitch kicked me in the face."

Machika's foot slammed firmly into the side of his face once again. "Who're you calling a bitch?" She asked, seething.

"Damn you." The woman rushed her and found herself sprawled next to her partner. She pulled out a gun only to have Kiki attach himself to her arm. "What in world is this thing?" She shrieked, waving her arm as she tried to dislodge the animal.

"Hey you!"

Machika turned at the yell and saw a very pretty girl on a motorcycle at the entrance of the alley. "Who are you?" Machika stared.

"No time, get on." The girl cast a worried look toward the two bounty hunters. Machika followed her gaze and clambered on the bike behind her unexpected rescuer. Kiki released his grip on the woman's arm and leaped after her as they rode away, leaving the bounty hunters hollering behind them.

"Thanks a lot, you saved me." Machika smiled with relief.

"Uh," The girl sounded worried. "Save your thanks for later." She gave a nervous laugh. "This is my first time on a bike." She confessed.

The bike, Machika noticed, was heading straight for a hedge with no sign of slowing. "Oh no." She closed her eyes just before they crashed. The bike flipped forward sending both the riders flying.

"Ouch." Machika righted herself slowly, feeling new bruises added to old ones.

"Are you all right? I'm so sorry about that." Her rescuer had rushed over and now helped her to her feet.

"I'm fine." Machika assured her. "At least we got away."

"Yeah." The girl glanced back at the wrecked motorcycle and let out another nervous giggle. "We should probably get away from here too."

"You're right." Machika scooped up Kiki. At that moment her stomach chose to let out a rather loud growl. Machika could feel her face flush.

The girl smiled broadly. "Come on, I'll buy you lunch."

Machika considered the nearly empty state of her wallet and agreed.

00000

Rain sat on the balcony where he'd been led and ignored the crowd gathered below. Quite a lot of people had come, hoping to buy this night's attraction. Which was, of course, himself. Rain looked over to where the other auction item and the whole reason he'd allowed himself to get captured, rested. "Exciting Samsara," the game that allowed you to figure out your past lives and future ones. A game that had been developed using reasearch by the man he was fated to meet again very soon. Rain shifted in his seat, half listening to the auctioneer attempt to raise interest in the game. He winced as she threw his hat and violin into the bargain.

Unfortunately for her the crowd was having none of it. They had come for one reason only and they wanted to start bidding.

"Excuse me." Rain interrupted as the auctioneer was about to start bidding on him. "I want that." He nodded toward the game. "Whoever buys it can buy me."

There was a moment of shocked silence from everyone in the auction house before he received a sharp slap on the head from the auctioneer. "Shut up." She ordered. "You're not supposed to say anything."

"Come on, let's bid." Someone in the upper gallery yelled. Then the bidding started. Rain sighed and looked over at the game again. It hadn't worked. Of course he had known it wouldn't, but he'd had to try. He tensed, preparing himself for a hasty escape with the game when a familiar voice made him freeze and look down.

In the middle of the wide open space surrounded by the lower seating for the bidders, stood Machika. She stared up at him with accusing blue eyes. "Rain, you saved me and made me cry before you left. I'm going to get you back and then I'll never give you to anyone."

Rain watched, frozen, as she preceded to beat the auction house's special match fighter: the Invincible Burakio.

"The challenger won." The auctioneer sounded shocked. She cleared her throat before continuing. "Methuselah goes to the challenger."

It wouldn't be so easy. Rain watched as a tall woman dressed in an elegant evening gown and high heeled boots stepped into the ring. She spoke quietly to Machika and then lashed out with a swift heel drop that forced the girl to her knees.

Get up, come on, you can do it. Rain rose and moved closer to the balcony rail. Machika stayed kneeling, clutching her shoulder. Rain watched as the woman prepared to launch her high heel directly into Machika's face. The feeling inside him stirred again. He leaped down from the balcony, snatched Machika up in one arm and leaped again, landing on the upper gallery. He could feel Machika's stunned gaze riveted on his face as he effortlessly broke his chains.

Rain looked around at all the faces staring at him and held up "Exciting Samsara" in his left hand. "Goodbye." He said simply and crashed through the glass to freedom.

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A/N: Okay, just want to clear something up. In the first manga of Immortal Rain, Kiki is referred to by Machika as a female. But in later volumes Kiki seems to switch genders and is referred to as a male. To avoid any confusion I'm just making Kiki male the entire time.