Half-Life: Runaways

Chapter 8

---

"Hey listen, I'll join you in a minute yeah?" Kyasarin told the others before turning and jogging off down a dark alleyway to her right

Eraed liften an eyebrow but said nothing.

"Weird girl," Kumiko muttered, then glanced slyly, "Dustin what did you do to her?"

Eraed laughed then looked over at Dustin expectantly.

"If we're gonna get weapons there is something I have to get,okay?" asked Ki.

Kyasarin emerged five minutes later, with a black box under her arm. She nodded to the SUs, "Sp are we getting any weapons or not?"

Dustin's jaw dropped. "Do to..." he saw her jog out of the shadow. "Yeah, weapons good, lets go." His face went bright red as he glared at Kumiko and Eraed. "Whats with the box?"

Kyasarin noticed Dustin's blush but decided not to comment on it, "Just a laptop and software to order myself a new identity."

"Ok, good idea." He began to walk toward a weapon shop. "So, who needs what? I will be glad to get it." He smiled at them all as he entered it.
Inside where hundreds of weapons, none of which real, but where replicas. He saw nobody at the desk, and only one security camera. He smiled to himself, this is where his expertise came into play. "What do you lot need?"

"Just a couple of rounds for this," Kyasarin revealed her trusted gun, it was large and looked different to any of the guns in the store "But as it's a special issue NM6000 I doubt there'll be anything of use in here,"

Dustin smiled. "Never underestimate the resorcefulness of a master theif."
He dropped into the shadow, moving without detection into the next room. See what he wanted he grabbed them from the shelves. Then, looking into the far corner, he saw a sight he wished he had not.
He ran over to the thing on the floor, pulling off a little slip of paper. He grabbed a handful of rounds, ran back out to meet kyasarin an the others.

"Uh, they knew we where going to come here. and...." He froze "Run!!" He saw himself pick the note up again, and next to the body a red LED began to flash. "Its a bomb, run now" Looking up, he saw it was also an ambush. Snipers on every roof. He handed Kyasarin the rounds, the dropped the other weapons to the floor. Plicking up his own, and holding it out before him.
Placing a hand on each side he pulled, an two katana slid out.
A shot was fired, but Dustin's reactions where too fast. He swung a katana into the bullets path, forcing it to richocet of and hit another sniper in the fore-head. "Hope you look can fight."

Kyasarin swore and pulled a balaclava out of her pocket and ramming it over her head, "They don't know I'm AWOL yet," she explained "I'm on research in France for two weeks." She loaded up her gun she ducked down beside a window, aiming quickly she shot a sniper cleanly through the forehead. "How long we got before it blows?" She asked Dustin

Dustin looked at her, fear in his eyes. "Five minutes... but that was two minutes ago." He used his katana to deflect another bullet. "Hold on a sec." He held his hand up high, blue flame began to emit from his fingers, enveloping everyone. After another two minutes, the five of them where covered under a blue dome.
A sniper bullet hit the dome, and was sent at twice the speed bak the way it had come, destroying the sniper rifle and taking the gunners hands with it.
"Everyone get real close to me, the blast is still going to shrink the barrier." He looked at his watch. They don't know about the bomb, all those snipers will be killed.
"Thirty seconds left."

Kumiko growled; she had special ordered tonfas in Japan from her old weapons master. They had belonged to her old Grand Master, who had entrusted them to her upon his death. And now they were going to be caught in the blast. Ruined. She held her breath. Twenty seconds...I can use that.

Without warning the Saiba-Ukiyo darted from Dustin's electric blue shield, bulleting towards the detonated shop. Firing her body into the air, Kumiko broke in from the rooftop, killing two snipers quickly as she went.

Ten seconds. She spotted the bomb, searching wildly for her weapon. There. On the far shelf. Kumiko took hold of the half-open wood crate, proppelling herself back up through the hole at full agility. She would not die here. There was still something she had left to do.

Sailing through the cloudy air, Kumiko felt her limbs cry out. Three bullets, all lodged in her legs; Just like last time.

Just like when they took Rurik.

Ignoring pain she allowed gravity to throw her downwards, towards the speck of azure up ahead. She felt herself re-enter the blaze just as building before them disappeared.

Eraed did as he was told, since he was succumbed by so many emotions at once, thought was impossible, the fear of them all, the light panic, the intense anger, suspicion, confusion, every emotion any of them held berreted him, making him almost limp with it all.

Kumiko held onto the others, shielding herself from the blast. Even from the the great distance she could feel the heat, rippling from the explosion. For an instant the sky was white, then faded with several bursts of orange flames tainted in ebony mist. She coughed, the air around them was thick with the sound of snipers screaming.

Eraed forced himself into action, despite the well of terror that surged into him from the dying snipers. "W-We have to get out of here." He gasped, completely oblivious to the smoke around him, succumbed in pain and fear that was not his own.

She nodded hazily, grabbing Ki-Rule by the wrist and pushing Dusting and Kyasarin forewards. Standing was the hard part, she wobbled, bullet wounds scratching her bone. Grinding her teeth she ran, not at full power, but fast enough to leave the death site behind in a hurry.

Eraed panted, forcing his stength into his legs and running his hardest, he was way behind Kumiko but he managed to keep a steady pace that kept her in eyesight.

Ten minutes later they were out of sight, barely able to hear the passing sirens. Police, ambulance, firetrucks; they all mixed into one as the stampede of vechiles headed towards the disaster.

The groups stopped, scampering into an old alley way. Their only on lookers where a couple of young teens too drugged out of their minds to know what was going on aroung them. Kumiko breathed deeply, collapsing ontop of a garbage can. The sprint hadn't effected her much, but the loss of blood had. She reached into one of the grocery bags Eraed carried, ripping a new pair of jeans into strips to stop the bleeding. Grimacing, the SU300 pried three silver metal bits from her system allowing her body to begin healing. At least these ones weren't poisoned. Kumiko dressed her injuries quickly, making sure she hadn't left a trail of crimson for the police to follow.

---

Hours later..

Back at the apartment they were sitting when Ki-rule sensed a presense concentrating, he found it then someone crashed through the window and shot Ki in the arm. Luckily, it didn't hurt too bad with his free hand he blended the electricity,wind,and ice freezing the attacker in a pressurized fire-proof chamber. The attacker was stopped but it took a tole on Ki he fell to the floor unconcious.

Kyasarin strolled out of the bathroom, towelling her hair. "What the hell...?" she mumbled as she saw the young kid lying unconcious on the floor and a strange attacker standing seemingly suspended in the middle of the room.
"Agent Sandhawk?" the attacker gasped
Kyasarin swore and raised her gun, aiming it squarely at the attacker's face "Listen kid, I didn't want to do this." impassively she pulled the trigger. "This place is being watched," she calmly told the others, before turning and stalking out of the room.

Kumiko did not move from where she lay on the couch since the situation began. She growled at the nuscience, leaning on her side to get a better look at their attacker. Only human, she side, Unlike the one last night.... Kumiko directed her energy, putting the deceased enemy up in flames. She sat up, shaking her head wearily. Grabbing her bags, she locked herself in the bedroom, sacrificing the couch for Ki. Kumiko changed in silence, thinking of all that had happened the past week. 

Kyasarin flicked her laptop on and connected it up to the old I.D machine she'd bought. She took an old photo of herself and coloured the hair mousey brown and added glasses, soon the machine was reeling off two different I.Ds and a limitless credit card was on the way to the local post office. Ella Campbell, 18 year old high school graduate, taking a year out because she didn't get the grades for college. Parents separated at 13, rich father, music teacher mother that did very well out of the settlement. Straight Cs in all subjects, A* in french. Kyasarin fed into the machine. "Ok done," Kyasarin closed the laptop and packed it back into it's box. She only had the clothes on her back, her gun, and her computer. She severed the wires of the machine and melted them down with her mind, then took the butt of her gun and smashed it to pieces. Peeling up the floorboards she hastily hid it and returned to the main room. She sat by Ki who still lay unconcious, and shook the young kids gently.

Eraed made himself useful getting supper ready, he had decided on Hamburgers for the night, he stopped suddenly. "Everyone hear eat beef? If not I can make veggie burgers as well."

"I'm not really that hungry, a salad would be alright," Kumiko strolled out of the bed room in her newest outfit.

Tight-fitting leather pants in reflective blue-black outlined her figure as well blended her form at night. Her black, martial sash swayed to the side, gliding weightlessly with the movemtn. A blue and black styled tank-top was zippered in the front, biker-gloves hiding scarred knuckles. Contacts out, her gold eyes clashed with white/black hair studying the upcoming meal. She took a seat, taking the time to examine the tonfas she had salvaged earlier.

Eraed watched her as she came out, staring despite himself, his mouth half open. He blinked finally, getting control of himself, then realizing what he was doiong closed his mouth and turned back to the food to hide his reddening ears, although there were just as easily seen from the back. "So, uh, salad was it? I am making Garden salad, is that alright?"

Kumiko flicked her eyes casually in his direction, nodding. She grinned, unable to help herself. "Do you think Rudolph had red ears too?"

Eraed felt his face burn, and his ears must have been luminisent, but only shook his head. "He's a reindeer, their ears dont turn colour." Lucky stupid, deer. He thought. "So, um...Garden salad alright?" He fiddled with the burgers nervously. Why did she have this affect on him? With a mind reader now in the house, he kept his thoughts hidden, not that it wasnt blantantly obvious.

Kumiko stifled a laugh, getting up from the table she put her weapons carefully on the cracked counter. She patted his head mockingly, "Need any help? I can try not to burn anything." 

Eraed's eyebrows furrowed at the gesture. He hated condesending pats. He shrugged it off not letting it get to him. His face still burned but he tried to act like he didn't notice. "Um, sure Can you cut up tomatoe and cucumber? I have the hamburgers done, just need to finish up the salad."

"It's great that you two are playing house and all, but you've got a kid passed out on your sofa and a squadron of soldiers and possibly a couple of Agents heading this way." Kyasarin called into the kitchen, as she shook the child harder, trying to wake him.

"Hey do you wanna eat tonight? Food is important!" Kumiko called back sarcastically, dicing the vegetables frequently. "Besides...we can't do much until they come. How did they find us anyway?"

Eraed shrugged as he set the table and finshed everything off. "If they were about to attack I would know, and Dustin can sense their presence somehow as well. We have lots of time. Now come over and eat, the boy will come around when he comes around, no use shaking him to death."

"Oh I don't know, maybe something to do with the fact y'all just broadcast the fact you're SUs?" Kyasarin scrambled to her feet and walked into the kitchen "Looks infinitely better than the sh*t they gave us back in the HQ," she commented.

"Meh," Kumiko, stole a cucumber to nibble on, turning to Kya, "I try to disguise what I am as best I can, but if all else fails just let loose. Besides, in a month's time I'll be on the move again far from England. Those bastards sure have a hell of a time tracking. Maybe I'll try New Zealand this time; haven't been there yet."

Eraed looked around his home. He did not travel around alot, he never had to, being remarkably good at hiding his abilities. He sighed but said nothing. "I'm glad it looks good Kya." Was all he said, sitting down. 

Kyasarin quietly began to eat, "Have you never considered all joining together?" She asked, "With all the powers the SUs have, surely you'd be able to overthrow the Necromancers?"

Eraed shrugged. "It's a good idea, except I wouldn't be of any help, my powers are useless against the necromancers."

"It wouldn't have to be through use of your powers, you could be a tactical genius for all you know. You don't fully know what you're programmed with." Kyasarin pointed out.

Eraed blinked. Again a thought that had not occured to him, though he didnt think so. He put his analytical mind to work, thinking of what he could possibly do, classifying his abilities, trying to figure out how he could be of use.

"Oh shit." said Ki finally waking up,"I have a migrane like a bitch." he moaned.

"Food?" Eraed asked, indifferently, his mind working logically, in precise rythmn, going through all possible options and ideas.

"Please. You got veggies?" he asked still only half-awake.

"Garden Salad." He said simply. His mind whirled, but still he came up flat. He hadnt been doing as much thinking lately as usual, and his mind buzzed with the excitement of being used. He carefully checked to make sure his mind was blocked, it was, so he continued. What would happen, if they did not band together? Kumiko would leave in a month, he would have to move from the seclusion and privacy of the home he had found. Dustin would probably continue on as he was, doing who knew what...what about Kya? What would happen to her, her world was riding on this wasn't it? She could not go back to the Necromancers now. He sighed slightly as his mind went on.

"Don't swear," Kumiko scolded Ki-Rule, "You're too young."

She stuffed more salad into her mouth thinking. Sure, her life's ambition was to over throw the Necromancers. She spent her entire free life tracking them from one country to the next driven by the desire to avenge her loved ones. She'd killed the ones who had murdered her brother SU218 while in Japan, but was still tracking those who had killed Rurik in Russia. She sighed. The Necromancers had bases all over the world, one of their largest in Germany. They used the reconstructed site of Auschwitz as a base camp. That's where she had been created, awakening in a glowing green liquid. But it was too heavily fortified to take on her own. Kumiko chewed the last of her salad, dark mind deep in thought.

"If you want anything else feel free to get it." Eraed muttered absentmindedly. Do we band together? How do I feel about being the fifth wheel, only here because I happen to be special not really of use. It bothered him but he tried to shrug it off, if they did band together, would they even want him? Was he just a place to stay? He wondered, it had seemed the only thing he had contributed so far. Hadn't he convince Kya to stay? He shook his head, he didn't think so. He got up from the table, hardly aware he was not alone, and went into his room, to lie on his mattress, not sleeping, but staring up at his ceiling thinking.

Kumiko shook her head, wondering if her thoughts related to those of Eraed. Dumping her plate in the sink, she followed, leaning in the doorway.

"Knock knock," she half-smiled, "Can I come in?"

He looked over, the thought of how good she looked past through his mind, but he stifled it. "Yeah, sure. I was just thinking."

She smiled, lying down on the mattress beside him, "So whats on your mind? I'm guessing we're all thinking similarly."

Eraed shrugged. "Been to busy thinking to pay attention to the thoughts that occasionally slip into my mind." He sighed. "I am thinking about what to do, what will you do, or Dustin? What happens to Kya if we all go our seperate ways?" He shook his head. "Don't get me wrong, I know she can take care of herself, but she has infested so much in this, she is now like we are, out laws." he sighed again, and chanced a quick glance at his dresser than back again. "I am just thinking that if you all stay together, what my point would be. I seem rather useless to you in this fight." He turned his gaze, to look at her. "How about you?"

"I don't know," She replied, "Just thinking of how far I'll actually get. I want to get rid of the Necromancers, but it seems improbably alone. But...that's the other thing. I tried teaming up once, but it didn't exactly work out...I don't want mistakes to be repeated. If we were to stay together though, it would help Kyasarin out and Ki would have someone to look after him," She paused, "You think you'd be of no help, but if this were going to work, who do you think would keep us from killing each other? You of course."

She tussled his hair childishly.

He smiled, somewhat relunctantly. "So I'm a peace keeper am I?" He rubbed his stubbled chin for a moment. He had always been an early bloomer. "You know what? I think I like that idea." He nodded. His mind began again, and he forgot the world around him for a moment, as it went systematically through all the information, catagorizing it for future reference. "What did I ever do without you Kumiko?" He said jokingly.

She started to speak, hesitated and said nothing, forcing a smile. Kumiko rested her hand in his chest pushing herself up from the surface.

"I'm gonna go check on Ki-Rule."

Eraed felt his stomach clench at her touch and silently scolded himself. He had upset her and he knew it. Of course he knew it, he thought again scolding himself. You can read emotions! He slumped down onto the mattress as she left. How stupid did he have to get?

Kumiko sighed, hangin her head once outside the room. It wasn't that she didn't like Eraed; she did. But past events had taught her never to get too close; she might hurt him. Like she did Rurik. Absently etching into her skin, Kumiko re-joined Ki-Rule and Kya unable to hide the blankness in her mind.

Eraed lay there scolding himself for his foolishness. He sighed hopelessly, when would he ever learn? Feelings just complicated things. He only wanted to be her friend, he tried too convince himself. Nothing more, there could never be anything more, would never be. He had to get used to that, he had to face facts that that's all he would ever be to anyone, their friend.

Kyasarin got to her feet and walked into the bedroom, she pulled out her laptop and placed her hands on it, closing her eyes and losing herself in the technology.

Kumiko watched her idly for a moment or two before growing bored, unable to understand her link to technology. Instead she grabbed her Grand Master's tonfas and began to do her exercises; she was long out of practice.

Eraed sighed. Perhaps it was time for a walk. He got up reluctantly, and grabbing his coat, headed for the door. Maybe if he was lucky, he'd run into one of those agents and they'd put him out of his misery. He shook his head. He didn't say goodbye to anyone, to absorbed in his own thoughts to remember they were there. He walked down the hallway quickly, needing to get out into the fresh air.

He broke out into the afternoon air. It was a little after rush hour and the streets were still packed. He needed out of this damn city! He needed trees! He put all of his strength into his legs and bounded down the streets, looking for the nearest sign of something half country. He must have gone miles upon miles, his legs burned by the time he found his solace. He sat down in a clearing, lying his head on a tree trunk. He thought about just staying there forever but somehow he knew he wouldnt.

---

Ki ate his salad completely silent like the rest. It was weird in a way. I'll stay, he thought maybe I can find her.. He sighed melancholy over his loss. It had been too long since he saw his sister. Suddenly he realized something,"Hey where's Eraed?" he asked. Not that he was worried, Eraed could take care of himself. Ki did and he was supposedly "just a child". 

Kyasarin disconnected herself, she'd left a message in the NM database updating them on her 'research' on tracking the SUs, "Be a while before they realise..." she mumbled to herself. She clambered to her feet and switched off the laptop and walked back out to Ki, "Didn't you see him leave?" she asked.

Kumiko broke her routine, bringing the rapid swirling of blades to a complete stop. When she trained her mind came under a boundless trance, seperating her from the outside world. She hadn't even taken note of Eraed's departure. This rose a twinge of guilt inside of her; he probably thought she was ignoring him. Kumiko groaned.

She had forgotten just how much she had loved training in her old Japanese training hall or "kwoon". How it liberated her from life for a time. How she had fit in with the other martial artists. Part of a group. Maybe I can have that again...
 
"Hopefully he doesn't run into any trouble.." Both her legs and sides ached from their earlier encounter and her own last night. With him. Thinking for a moment she sighed in self-annoyance. When will I tell them?

"Yeah," Kyasarin agreed

Dustin picked himself up from the bed, looking around for his weapons, he shithed both Katana. Stepping out he saw everyone. "Is everyone ok? And how long have I been out of it?" He looked at his watch, which had stopped working.

"Only about an hour," Kyasarin replied "There's still some food left if you want some,"

"Ok then." Dustin walked toward one of the cupboards, opening it he saw some chocolate. Grabbing it down, he opened some and began to eat. "Anyone else for some?"

"No thanks," Kyasarin replied, going to the window and staring out. "We really need to think about moving on, setting a base up elsewhere."

Dustin looked up. "I gotta place, its small, but its impossible to find if you dont know where it is."

"That sounds perfect," Kyasarin replied, she turned to Dustin "We better gather what we need, clear out what we don't and scrub the place down to lessen any forensics."

"Alright calm down." He smiled. "Grab what you need, get rid of what links to this place. And, what shall we do about Eraed?"

Eraed sat there still having no inclination to move. He blocked off his mind in case any of them tried to track him that way. He did not want to be found until he was ready to be. For now he needed to be alone. They would have to leave his place, go somewhere else. If they stayed together, he reminded himself, it would not do to make assumptions. What would happen though? Where would they go? What would they do? He shook his head, letting it all settle for a time. He hated the way his mind latched onto something and systematically began solving it without his concent or provocation.


"I don't have anything so I guess we can go." stated Ki-rule. He started playing with his chain again.

"He'll be found when he wants to be I guess." Kyasarin shrugged, "Is there any disinfectent around here?" She asked searching under the sink, "Got it!" she pulled a full bottle out from the back "We better start cleaning everything anyone has touched." She pulled out a cloth "We need to burn anything like books, cloths, sheets - the covers of the sofa."

"Easy." said Ki and lifted the sofa out of the window and made it hover there then he caused it to burn and the ashes to scatter to the winds.

"Nice one!" Kyasarin exclaimed, she then looked at the child suspiciously, "If you're not an SU300 then what are you?"

He smiled at the complement,"Project Apocalypse."

"Apocalypse... that makes sense." She looked the boy up and down, "You an early or late version?"

He shrugged,"Don't know."

"Have any memories from before the age of eight?" Kyasarin was blind to the fact that she may be causing distress to the child.

"Yes. Why?"

"Means your not one of my designs," Kyasarin smiled and turned away from the boy, suddenly feeling guilty for making him feel bad.

"What else do you wanna know, or are you done?!" he barked.

"Nope, I'll let you know if I want to know anything else." Kyasarin replied drily, there wasn't time for amateur dramatics. The place needed to be emptied - and fast.

Ki closed his eyes for a moment,"Enough we better get moving." he glanced at the window and began playing with his chain while doing to some book what he did to the sofa.

Kyasarin methodically sprayed every inch of the kitchen with disinfectant and wiped it off. She even went so far as to clear out the cupboards and clean the packaging, "We'll have to decide what we're bringing food wise. And if you're gonna touch anything, for gods sakes use gloves!"

"I can carry anything we're bringing." he waved his hand and a back-pack flew through the window.

"You know Eraed's gonna freak when he see's what you did to the couch," Kumiko muttered, gathering her things so they wouldn't be smothered in Pledge, "I'd leave the bedroom untouched for now, he seems attached to that dresser of his. Photographs or something."

Kumiko shrugged, glancing over to their eleven y/o charge. He was amusing in his attempt to take command. She leaned onto the wall, then after a few yells from Kyasarin and her spray canisters, decided not to touch anything.

---

Relunctantly Eraed dragged himself up. He took another look around, then sighed. He didn's suppose he'd have been missed, but he thought it might be good to be getting back. They had plans to make. He again, prepared himself, and began to run toward his house. He could smell disinfectant from out in the hallway and his eyebrows furrowed as he opened the door to his home. "What the hell-"

"Surprise?" Kumiko made a pointless attempt to draw his attemtion away from the large burn mark lining the floor where the couch used to be, "Kyasarin thought it might be nice to do a little cleaning before we set off...I wouldn't touch anything if I were you she can get nasty."

Eraed's emerald eyes bulged out of his head. His jaw gaped open as he scanned what used to be his home. He blinked, trying to regain himself. Anger surged in him, but he stifled it. It was impractical and useless. He forced it down and sighed putting his head in his hands. "I-I guess it had to be done." He gace a half-smile, but it was weak. He came in shutting the door. "Kumiko, did she make her way to the bedroom yet?" He tried to stifle his anxiety about it, taking on an air of humour and indifference, but failed miserably.

"No, I managed to hold her and her crazed cleaning spree off it until you got back," she shook her head sarcastically, "I personally liked the couch. I don't know what that kid had against it."

Eraed smiled, a sigh of relief escaping him. "Thanks, I'll be back, I have to go back my things." He hurried into the room, grabbing his duffle bag, he hurriedly piled his clothes in, then opened the dresser wide, everything was neatly arranged and in a specific order, he hurled it all into the bag, the only few breakable things, he wrapped in his socks. It did not take long, he knew how to travel light, and fast. He had few things that truly mattered to him. Most of his CD's he left, grabbing only the Disney one's and his Garth Brooks one. "I'm good to go, can I help with anything?"

"If she'll let you," Kumiko gestured to Kya as she cussed Dustin out of the kitched with her mop. She cringed, "Highly unlikely though."

Kumiko herself was already packed, only taking her new change of clothes, tonfas, and the two pictures taped together she kept tucked deep in her sash. The ones nobody saw; she hid them well. Every night though, the SU would look at the images as if trying to remember something that was no longer there.

Eraed nodded. "I best stay clear, but what to do while I wait?" He asked sarcastically. He sighed, the truth was, he could use something to occupy his mind which had started, against his will, to use trial and error to find out where they might be going.

"Where are we going?" He asked finally, to the great distress of his mind, feeling cheated of a good problem. He looked over at Kumiko expectantly.

"Can someone scrub out underneath the floorboards?" She asked, as she wiped down the bathroom "That's the first place I'd look if I was hunting you,"

Eraed lifted an eyebrow, but did as she asked. The idea seemed absurb, but then again, he had always been good at hiding, not running.

"Are you gonna leave those other CD's?" asked Ki,"Cause if you're I can use them and I'll take them."

"No." Said Eraed flatly. "But leave them here, I mean it." His voice went suddenly hard and menacing. He was a good guy, but he hated the thought of his things being taken by others, especially things he knew he had to leave behind against his will. He shook it off, and continued his task.

"Clean them or destroy them," Kyasarin called. She knew how extreme she was being - but then she was a trained Agent, she knew the exact processes they would use. She'd managed to track down one SU in Italy from the remains of the burnt hovel it'd lived in.

Eraed nodded for Ki to burn them if he willed, and continued his task on the floor boards.

Dustin watched as the destruction continued. No one had thought to ask him to use his powers, he could have cleaned the place, and no evidence would have been left behind at all. "Ok" He said, looking at the empty apartment. "When I show you where my place is you will be shocked, but just remember how to get to it, as there is only one entry, and if you forget, you will never remember." He motioned for them to follow him. "How well can you lot climb?" He smiled at Kyasarin, knowing she was an expert at it.

"I can manage." Was Eraed's only response, he was actually quite good at climbing, but then again, he didn't know what they'd be climbing.

"No prob." he lifted the CD's all with the wind and his eyes went a glowing black, the Cd's shattered and he cleaned up the last specs.

"Put me down this instant!" Eraed roared, greatly perturbed.

Kumiko manages to boot Ki slightly, not hard enough to rip his young body in two, but with enough force to break his concentration.

"Don't do that again, especailly without asking," she murmured, promptly leaping out of sight into the air.

Eraed got up, brushing himself off, then waited for Dustin to lead the way, his duffle bag on his shoulder.

Kumiko hoisted her single bag of excess clothing, unsheathing her tonfas. After their last encounter, she didn't want to take any chances.

Eraed suddenly felt naked without any weapons as he looked at the others. "Maybe I should think about getting something, I have never used a weapon before though. 'Cept of course a hunting rifle."

"I think you'll be more of a danger to us that way," Kumiko chuckled hollowly, "Giving some a weapon who doesn't know how to use it is asking for certain death. No offense. You can do weaponless though right?"

She thought back to when they were at the dance club the night before. He'd shown strength then, but it was against a cowardly human. Still, there was no way Eraed had made it this far in life without being able to fight back.

Eraed shrugged. Of course he could fight, he had fighten off a Necromancer agent or two, especially when you can sense their intentions, but he did not want tell them that. He hated saying things about himself, especially things that made him seem more than what he was. It was better they thought little of him, that way he wouldn't be a disappointment.

I like to keep my mind, myself, my secret as well, Kumiko projected the thought purposely, But, since I can't hide, I think you better think about letting us get to know you too. Kumiko winked, up until now she had decided not to let anyone else know of her highly intuitive nature. It was a skill that came with living, only enchanced by her bloodlines.

Ocassionally, but very rarely, she was actually able to make out other's thoughts. She had only caught a scrap of Eraed's since his mind was so guarded. It actually annoyed her at times that he could see into others but keep himself in secret. It didn't seem fair. Then again, nothing was anymore.

Kyasarin was oblivious to the thought swapping occurring between the SUs, and picked up her bag which contained only her laptop and some guns. "Ready then?"

Eraed jumped alrightly and looked over at her, shocked. Had she been reading his mind secretly? How much did she know? His face burned, and he just nodded toward her, gulping.

"Chill," she patting him soothingly in the back, then turned to Kyasarin, "Let's go. I have a feeling if we stick around much longer, things won't go our way."

Eraed forced down the butterflies at her touch, but said nothing and nodded. "Let's go then. I feel someone presence."

Ki murmured something and unsheathed the two long hidden daggers he always kept on his person.

---

He looked down from the church's steeple, observing the group in silence. It was one of the old foreclosed sanctuaries, since the Necromancers had managed to convince most that man was God and thus, they were the creators of life. He smirked, acute hearing picking up the boy's reponse. Leaping, into the air he followed out of sight knowing he could have killed them all in one swift movement...

---

They shut the door and headed for the elevator. Once inside Ki closed his eyes and allowed his precognition to flow through him. Since it allowed him to become completely mental he could sense some types of mental emanations. He began looking around the building for any sights of Agents and the like. Then he found it . Whatever it was, it was bad. He kept his view even though it hurt. An image a clear image. He returned to his normal state, they were still going down. Then just as his full normality came back he fell on his knees and images of his sister came through. It hurt. It hurt to much he was about to cry and he knew it had to stop before Eraed felt it. He got up and focused on his necklace. Breathing deeply he calmed down feeling the scar on his shoulder burn.

Kumiko rested a hand on his shoulder kindly yet firmly. She knew the feeling. Human memories could be forgotten, and only left scars to the psyche. She and the others were those of the perfect memory and every horrible event was forever seared into their memory. Memories that never scarred, that remained open, fatal wounds no matter how long they lived. Not like twenty years is a long time anyways..

Four years.

Such finality was was depressing and she sighed, drawing in a steady breath. At least it was better then nothing.

Kyasarin looked around at the serious faces of the SUs. I hope this is worth it... she thought dejectedly, as she prepared herself to embark on the new life she was heading towards...

Ki got up and wiped the tears from his eyes, he mouthed the word "thank-you" to Kumiko. "We're being followed by someone, and he's not human by any means." he said solemnly.

Kumiko felt a chill radiate down up her spine. She had thought she'd sensed someone but had put it out of her mind. I hope its not him...

"We'd better get settled." 

Eraed nodded not saying a word, he had not much use of them of late, besides anytime he spoke he seemed to betray more about himself than he liked.

Dustin looked at everyone once, happy that they where all ready. "Ok, follow me" He said as the lift came to a stop. He walked out and bounded up to a small building with ease. "Its about three miles from here, hope no-one has a weak heart cos you ain't going to manage the last quarter" He smiled evily. He set of, running quickly, praying the others would have sense not to get seen by any mortals.

Kumiko followed with ease, gliding about as she flipped through the air effortlessly. No matter how often she did this, she never forgot the feeling of freedom, the near flight into Heaven. This would be the closest she'd ever get to it. Bounding from the lower level building's to the higher ones she was thankul for her new outfit. It made she acrobatics that much easier. 

Ki saw Kumiko jumping through the air as he ran and then he remembered how he had escaped. He concentrated the Wind,Fire,Earth, and Aqua inside him all blended as one and he jumped. As he reached 10 feet up he gave himself a boost of fire and began using the wind... finally freedom, he was in total flight he began gliding along quickly keeping up easeily.

Eraed had to work to keep up, not having anything but natural strength, skill and trained agility. He managed it though and was only a few feet behind the others at any given time.

Kyasarin followed at the same pace as Eraed "It's alright for those with ridiculous powers," she grumbled, as she forced herself to keep up

Eraed laughed. "Yeah, but it's good they have them, they might be able to run, but I can tell what the person who just saw them pass feels about that." He chuckled, working to keep up.

Dustin looked back, seeing that both Eraed and Kyasarin where lagging behind. He backflipped from one of the buildings and waited for the two of the to pass. As they did he called out. "Hay, down here, just a little bit futher"

"Good to know," Kyasarin grumbled slightly, as she pushed herself harder, overtaking Eraed and catching up with the two SUs

"Come on" He called as he heaved a heavy blast door out of place. "Everyone in, now comes the hard part." He smiled manicly. "You see those camaras up in the corners... well... lets just say you dont what them to see you. Its hooked up to an automated gun system. It will tear down anything it sees. Here is the climbing bit." He pointed to a very thin shaft. "Everyone up before me. I will know if you have been seen, and will try my best to save you. Oh, and sorry guys, none of your powers will help you. I built it specifically to stay safe, no power will affect it"

"Great system," Kyasarin commented enthusiastically, hopefully this place would be safer than Eraeds. She pulled herself up into the shaft and began to climb.

Eraed nodded, then followed Kya up.

Ki (lucky as he was) could still fly.

Dustin grabbed the kid by his legs. "Like I said, climb" He growled at the kid. "It will kill anything that uses energy not known to modern science." He forced him to start climbing. "Hold on at the top Kyasarin, I will tell you where to go from there, there are any paths, but only one will result in safty, not death" He smiled again. He had taken his security system from thousands of books, fictional and non, he had created the ultimate security, and best of all, it was inpenitrable, obviously except for small nuclear devices. It was also immune to EMP blasts.

Ki began to climb up easily. He had learned from his master when they trained in a forest.

Kyasarin pulled herself out of the vent and sat to one side, ready to help heave people up should they need her.

Eraed heaved himself up, exhausted, but did not show it. He sat down, sighing slightly. "Nice little work out, eh?"

"Yeah, getting the blood going again," Kyasarin grinned

Eraed nodded smiling. "That's for sure." He patted his flat stomach. "I may not look like it, but I am out of shape." He laughed softly.

Kyasarin chuckled "Doesn't look like that to me," she stretched her arms out slightly "Still, looks like we beat everyone else." She said, peering down the shaft and seeing only darkness

"Ahh, that's because I was manufactured, you forget." He laughed. "Yeah...guess we did." He looked down, getting slightly anxious.

"Alright for you then, I have to work to keep in shape," Kyasarin leaned further over the shaft, "Definately can't see anyone..."

Eraed gulped slightly, but didn't say anything. "Yeah..."

"Don't worry, we would have heard something if they'd been shot."

A sick grinding sound emergered, ringing slightly from below them. Like nails on a chalkboard, only this time belted into a mega phone. Kumiko's white-head peered up out of the darkness and she winced, sensitve ears ringing.

"Sorry," she murmured, digging her nails once more into the concrete. Deep gauges engraved themselves into the surface as she pulled herself higher, catching up to Eraed and Kya. "Haven't done this for a while...feels nice."

Dustins' ears pricked. Somewhere in the darkness a sound was heard, an automated turret springing to life. "No body move a mussle, if you do, your dead"
He watched everyone stop, then as he heard the gun find its target, he jumped up and grabbed Kyasarin around the waist, pulling her arond the steel gurder.
At the same moment he roar of a single, fifty calibre bullet was let lose, it buckled the metal as it hit home.
Dustin looked hopefuly at Kyasarins head, hoping that it was still atached to her body.
It was.
"Dont ever do that to me again" He chocked.

"What the hell just happened!?" asked completely confused with the gunfire. "It didn't make sense I thought we were safe up here?" he didn't understand.

"I built this thing, there is no safe. But, it picked up on the noise Kyasarin made, and the fast motion." He heard the turret return to its origonal place. "So thats why I was behind you guys, so I could grab anyone about to die. Now, take the first left when you get into the vent shaft, then the second right. You will see a small drop, slide down it and wait, from then on your safe."

"Yeah right... you said no safe." grumbled Ki-rule.

Dustin looked at the kid. "I mean you wont be killed, but its starting to look like you might. Just keep going, if you do what I tell you to, you will be safer than if you don't, now move... Oh... and Eraed, when you get to the bottom of the slope, dont move, the floor is electricuted."

Kyasarin swore as the gun shot at her. She listened to Dustin's instructions and moved to follow them, "I doubt anyone will be able to find us here," she mumbled mostly to herself, relived she hadn't ben shot

Kumiko studied the defense system, glaring slightly. She could take bullets and survive; that was for sure. But she'd already taken three that day and didn't plan on accepting any unnnecesary pain. Turning to Kyasarin, Kumiko blinked.

"What are you so worried about anyways? Can't you control technology?"

"I could if I wanted to," Kyasarin replied, "But I don't think Dustin would be too happy if I started fiddling around with his settings."

"True," she glanced at Dustin. He reminded her so much of SU218. "But it would only be temporary right? Otherwise, its only fair to warn that if I get shot again today I'll be prone to taking out stress on this little toy."

Kyasarin shrugged, with a quick burst of concentration she felt the delicate network of the connections between the guns. She held her breath, scared that a slip of concentration would bring their doom. Information chattered between them like spiders running across a web. She pulled herself out of the system before speaking "It's the most delicate system I've looked at," She said, almost gleeful at the prospect of learning it later. "I don't want to touch anything."

"Damn, you sure? Looks like fun," Kumiko continued heading towards the safe haven cautious not too make as much noise this time.

"Well, one thought out of place would result in a bullet through someone's brain," Kyasarin said "A bit like russian roulette. You feeling lucky punk?"

The SU laughed at the remark, "As long as its not mine being victimized."

"Oh I'll try my best," Kyasarin winked

Eraed had remained silent the whole time, looking around him in awe. He hurried on, following Dustin's instructions.

Kumiko didn't even bother to look down, yelling to Eraed who climbed directly beneath her. She grimaced sarcastically "Don't fall!"

A thought occured to her abrubtly. I hope no one's looking at my ass.

"Yeah, yeah." He said, smiling. Suddenly he let out a bark of laughter as Kumiko's thought broke through his mind.

"Hey no spying," she teased, and faked a glare in his direction. Climbing near the top she was glad to be almost out of immidiate danger.

"Sorry." He said smiling. "I am trying, it's hard though, since I don't really know how."

"Like hell you are," she grinned, pulling herself onto solid ground, "As if you don't adore seeing all our 'diary' thoughts persay."

She winked, the thin air must be making her giddy.

Vents...I hate vents thought Ki-rule. A few images of the training they gave him in vents went through his mind. His training had a part almost exactly like this.Half should do it. he closed his eyes using only half of his full precogntion to dodge any shots being fired. He climbed down alert to the slightest noise of mechanical movement as his precognition made his senses made him prone to anything.

"Stop using your power kid, you'll set off the triggers, and you might be able to dodge bullets but I can't." Eraed hollered up. He was staying perfectly still, not having any plans on being electrocuted. He turned to Kumiko, slightly hurt, but not letting show. Hopefully she didn't really believe that. He laughed slightly, pretending to take it as a joke.

"Sorry, reflex." Ki said genuily apoligizing.

Eraed nodded. "Just stop. It's fine."

Once everyone was on solid ground, Kumiko headed for the apartment space.

Dustin was waiting for them at the front door. His arms crossed across his chest. "Glad to see know one died, but you are still very loud. If it worked on voices I could safly say that you would all be dead by now." He noticed that everyone was looking at him in an odd maner. "You wanna know how I got in, right?"

Eraed laughed, he was only mildly interested, but he realized with a grin Dustin was more interested in telling them than he was in hearing it. So he nodded.

Dustin smiled. "I tell you what, I will lower the security for a bit, then i will teach you how the shadows can be your friends. Oh, yeah, and Kyasarin, dont mess with the eletronics untill you learn the language, I guarantee you don't know it as i created it, so i will teach you it soon"

"I realised I didn't know it as soon as I entered it." Kyasarin replied, she looked around the apartment, "Cosy."

Eraed nodded. "Nice place, and it's safe."

For now. Kumiko glanced around uncomfortably, unable to put her encounter at the back of her mind. He was so strong...not human. How did he...change? She was careful to put all of her energy behind blockading the thoughts and her emotions behind them. That was the most important thing. Eraed could not know about him...

Eraed sensed something was wrong, but couldn't catch it. He hurriedly blocked it out, ignored it. Trying not to dig deeper. He did not want to spy.

Glancing back at him, she put her 'luggage' down on one of the furnished chairs. "You okay?"

"Moi?" Eraed said, taken off guard. "Of course, yeah I mean, sure I liked that house, but I wasn't personally attached to it." He shrugged, sitting down. "How about you?"

"That's good to hear," she replied, forcing a smile, "It's nice to know we're safe here..if only for a time. And ya, I'm fine."

When I'm not covered in blood..

Eraed was exhausted, but tried not to let it show. He did not want to be the weak link. "Perhaps we all just need to clean up a bit, eh?" he said smiling, that same half-smile, trying to set the others at ease.

She shrugged, "Dustin, you got a shower?"

"En Suite" He said happily. "Its in the back, go ahead and use it" He looked at everyone else. "Drinks are in the kitchen, food is the same. My house is your house, now everyone get yourselves comfy."

Eraed nodded and went to unpack the food they had brought with them. He could at least make himself useful.

Kyasarin smiled at Dustin "Thanks," She shed her trench coat and dumped it unceremoniously in the corner of the room. She proceeded to scour the apartment, looking all over it to get a feel of the place.

Kumiko followed his directions, locking the door as she employed the steaming, joyous water. Slipping into it she subconsciously sang as she always did, forgetting anyone else was there.

Dustin watched as everyone went about there buisness, then, after a brief pause, he walked up to Kyasarin and took her by the arm. "Look in here" He said. He pulled back a small tapastry and revealed a well hidden door. Opening it, the faint hum of computers could be heard. "Its my creation, and I think you can help me with something"

Kyasarin looked arounda at the room before her "I can try," she said, stepping in and eyeing the computers eagerly

"Ok, just skim this then." He handed her a book. "Its the programing language I use"

Kyasarin flicked through the book, imprinting it into the technological side of her brain quickly. "This is the most advanced programming I've ever come across!" she commented

"Really?" He looked at her, a compliment, he thought. "I just used algorithms to change existing languages, the added a corrupter virus into it to see what I could do"

"Exactly, most programmers just stick with the algorithms." She shrugged "So easy to break through. Still, how can I help?"

"Yes, it is fragile, but it cant be repaired, so the turrets will just shot anything that moves." He smiled. "I need you to help me add this" He produced a small disk. "Its writen in the same language as this, but, it wont add. Its more fragile. It will add a new feature, it will change the language every five minutes, making tracing, and hacking impossible"

Kyasarin nodded. She inserted the disk to the computer and read the contents through in her mind. With closed eyes an a lot of concentration she gradually inserted it into the system, she had to interweave each stream of information sepearatly into the system. After 10 minutes of pure concentration the information on the disk was firmly implanted, and was running - so far there had been no problems. Kyasarin eased herself back into her body and spoke quietly "I think that's it."

Dustin listened. "No gun fire. It must have worked" He smiled at her, "thanks for that"

Kyasarin smiled back, "No problem. I'll send the bill later." She winked

---

Eraed finished what he was doing and slumped down on the couch, and despite himself, fell asleep quickly.

Toweling lengthy, seeping hair, Kumiko finnished zipping her top as she exited her former sanctuary. Seeing Eraed dozing, she grinned, wondering if she should wake him.

Eraed mumbled to himself, as he opened his eyes unwillingly, being the light sleeper he was. He turned and saw Kumiko, then smiled. "Feel better?"

"Everyone feels better when they're clean," she responded flatly, taking at seat at the foot of his couch, "Sorry if I woke you."

"It's alright, I shouldn't be sleeping anyways." He said smiling at her, something was wrong, but he couldn't figure out what, and he forced himself to try to control his power. It wasn't right.

"I'm going to practice," Kumiko sounded, tying her sash tighter as she headed for her tonfas. Her routine was sometimes the only thing keeping her sane. She swirled the double blades with ease, checking to make sure her footwork remained proper. Contradicting, wet strands of hair stuck to her face as she performed effortlessly. Gold eyes seemed to be locked in a trance.

Dustin watched Kumiko practise. After about five minutes he walked in, dodging both her blades with ease, then he took her by the shulder and said "Mind if I train with you, it will help, as I can be very good" He smiled. "I have only been training on VR so far, but its nothing compared to a real opponent."

Eraed sighed turning away. Something told him she didn't like him very much, he didn't blame her.

The curved blade stopped inches from Dustin's throat, stopped by her immoral reflexes. Grinning, Kumiko patted him on the head like a young pup and nodded, gesturing him to get whatever weapon he desired to train with. "Eraed, want to join? We might as well make it a group effort."

Dustin picked up his double katana. Then, as a second thought picked up one wrist bangle and fixed one of them to it. He began to rotate his wrist with skill, the katana that was fixed to it making a single, un wavering pure note as it swung. He stopped suddenly, and the katana stopped millimeters from Kumiko's nose. "Your not the only one who can do that" He said laughing. He lifted his other katana tapped Kumiko's weapons with it, then stepped back into a guard possistion.

Eraed lifted his head to look at them. "I don't know how to use a weapon. I told you, I can shoot a deer from 100 yards, or skin a it, but you give me one of those blades and I am just as bound to cut off my ear as I am to be able to practise. I have never learned."

Dustin laughed. "Sorry" He pulled a dagger out of his boot and threw it, still shethed at Eraed. "Its as sharp as my blades, so dont touch the blade itself. I can heal skin, but I can't put fingers back on, not with knocking myself out anyway"

"Dustin, do you have a dull one we can teach him with?" Kumiko asked, using a slender finger to push away his weapon. "I'd like to keep my limbs attached for when the actual danger arrives."

"Sorry I dont, its made sharp. Your good enough to block my attacks, so you will be able to stop him." He smiled. "Just in case though" he pulled a small package out of his other boot, "Stick that on the end." He handed over a small piece of the same metal, but it was rounded and would stop the blade from cutting anything.

Eraed nodded, and got up with a slight sigh. He was deadly tired, but again made sure not to show it. This should be comical, he thought cynically. "I am always willing to learn."

Liar though Kumiko, amused.

Dustin looked at him. "Ok, attack me. Anywhere you want, then I will show you how to block it well. I will give you some basic manovers then its up to you to adapt them to suit yourself"

"O real information Dust-Bunny," Kumiko replied, grinning at the nickname she had created, "Just watch your footing Eraed, if you don't have a strong foundation you'll wind up on your ass."

Dustin grinned. "Dust-bunny? What are you on?" He flicked his wrist and the blade atached went sailing toward kumiko's stomache.

The only thing Eraed knew about sword fighting was what he had done as a child pretending he was a knight, or had watched in movies. he looked down at his feet, spreading them slightly farther apart.

Kumiko blocked with ease, grinning. She spun around to Dustin's backside, allowing the flat side of her blade to impact with it. Completing her circle, the SU twirled in a deadly dance and smirked. "Unguard."

Dustin pretended to jump as the blade hit his backside. Grining at her "You just found yourself a fighting partner." He began to twirl his blade and held his other katana stationary ready to block anything that would come at him. He lunged forwards making a mock strike with his wrist blade, and brought his hand held katana around and placed the cold steel against Kumiko's check.

Eraed stood their watching. It was obvious to him what she could do, and what he would do. Perhaps he might be good at this after all, once he learned the skill.

She did not fall for the false strike. Instead, smiling innocently as she moved, Kumiko's elbow impacted Dusting, right between the legs. She sweeped his feet out from under him, knocking one of his blades as he went. It ended up in her right hand. Winking, she blew an immitative kiss.

Kyasarin settled down on the sofa with a glass of water and watched the SUs sparring with interest.

Dustin rolled back and liped himself into the air. As he did so he began to go black, then just as he touched the floor he disapperaed altogether. He then materialised behind Kumiko and grabbed her into a headlock, taking his katana back from her. "Hay honey, how are you?" He mocked.

She grimaced, her hand snaking up towards his face. Using the pressure point under the nose, Kumiko used two fingers to propell him backwards, accidentlty slicing the inside of his thigh as she went. "I'm doing just fine sweetheart."

Down went Dustin, Kumiko pouncing on top of him immidiately. She was on her knees, stradling his chest, using one to pin his right arm to the floor. Left hand shooting out, she trapped his other hand then used her remaining limb to bring her jaded tonfa up onto his throat. "Yield."

"You always find the right way to get to me dont you." He smiled, the brought up his leg, tapping his heal on the floor. A small blade stuck out of the end of his boot. He lifted his leg and put the blade agaist her spine. Taking advantage of the brief moment where her muscles tensed, he flipped her onto her back and sat on her knees. then he placed both her arms together and forced her to keep them on the ground.
He was breathing heavily.

Kumiko grinned. A little cheating seemed like fun. The air around her began to heat, fire surrounding her trapped body. She was carefully to to harm Dustin, only singe him a bit to get the desired reaction. His grip loosened and she was able to use that time to free herself. They stood in a draw.

Dustin smiled. "Nice" His body turned blue as flame began to creep up his body. "But two can play at that game." He focused the flame into his palm, the down both his bladed. The cut on his leg healed instantly and the burns on his body also healed. He swung a blade at Kumiko, then very quickly thrust the other at Eraed, hoping he would have picked something up.

Eraed saw the blade coming towards him before Dustin even moved, and suddenly he no longer had control over his limbs, the dagger swung, and blocked the Katana with surprising skill, and, catching Dustin off guard, flicked it back towards him, the Katana going to the other side of the room. Eraed stood perplexed down at his hands. Then over at the Katana, back down at his hands. "I'm sorry, I uh..."

Kumiko gave Dustin a wink, wriggling his katana from its place in the wall. "Seems he's not so much of a novice after all, eh?"

She patted Eraed heartily on the back, "you were programmed with the ability to handle weapons. I'm guessing you just never thought of it, being an Empath and all."

Kyasarin was impressed with Eraed's sudden burst of grace and finesse. Quick learner, she noted

"It wasn't on my abilities though." He turned as he head Kya's thought. Was that it?

Kyasarin knew Eraed was reading her thoughts and thought I can look for you if you want. I think you can absorb information easily. she hoped he'd pick up on it

Dustin took his katana from Kumiko. "Thanks." He looked at Eraed. "Nice skill, i may try to be a bit harsh in a minute" A blue flame imited from his hand and covered Eraed's eyes. "Those who fight blind will see most after the battle is done" He then cast the flames on himself. "Do not know where I am, feel where I am" He lunged directly at Eraeds heart.

Eraed gulped. He let himself flow freely in Dustin's mind, and blocked him just in time. When he fought he did not have control of himself, like something deeper took control. He blocked Dustin deflecting the blade, but made no offensive move.

"If you never attack you'll wind up dead," warned Kumiko in her coaching voice. She sat beside Kyasarin, observing how intently she watched the mock battle.

Eraed was nervous but he fought it down. He had to pay attention to Dustin's mind, his emotions. He waited for the next attack.

Kyasarin turned to Kumiko shaking her head "Man, I'm almost jealous of you guys now." She mumbled "Wish I could learn something that quick!"

"Dustin smiled. He could tell Eraed was reading his mind. Go for his weaker right side he lunged, but at the last moment changed the course of his katana and pierced the flesh of Eraed's left hip. Not deep, but enough for it to hurt. "Sorry, but you gotta stop relying on your ability to know what people are going to do. Just sense where I am, don't think where I am."

Eraed grimanced but did not let out any other expression of pain. His tired body didn't help. "How?" He didn't understand. Was it the same thing that made him such a light sleeper? Sensing someone's presence?

"You can't see me. But you used to be able to see the room. Remember what the room looks like, then find something that is odd about it, try and place me in it. You can hear better now too, am i right? It makes up for not being able to see. So place my voice, or the sound of my Katana when I move it. It makes a very distinct noise"

Eraed focussed recalling the room. Kumiko and Kya were over that way. He turned, hoping he was now facing Dustin. He waited, anticipating his attack.

Dustin thrust his wrist blade at Eraed, then with his second katana swiped at his feet, hoping that he would understand how to stop them both.

Eraed heard two knives coming toward him. He gulped, and just let his hands move for him. He jumped, and blocked the wrist blade with his dagger, thrusting it back, he came down on the katana blade, having it under his feet. He was lost to the fighting now. He kicked the blade, but did not knock it out of Dustin's grasp as he had hoped, then flung himself, using not fighting techniques, but one of his own hobbies, dancing. He flipped, his foot landing squarely on Dustin's chest, then came back to a stand. "Now give me sight back." He said laughing.

Ki sat on the floor in the other room. Focus come on, come on he made a ball of each element in a circle around him and made it swirl counter-clockwise.

"What're you up to?" Decidedly leaving the two boys to battle, Kumiko sat beside Ki, watching him with interest.

Not even moving an inch or opening his eyes, or even stopping he said quietly "Trying to do something I've been trying for a long time."

"Hmm." Kumiko nodded; the boy was obviously at work and did not need to be disturbed. Instead, she went over and placed herself between Dustin and Eraed, grasping each of their weapon arms before they could strike once more, "I think I'd like to have a go at this."

She placed down her tonfas, borrowing Dustin's metallic katana. She faced Eraed in guard's position. "Now don't go easy on me because I'm a girl."

Eraed laughed, "Alright, so long as you don't go easy on me because I am an imbecile." He smiled, glad to be able to see again. He looked down at the dagger next to the katana, and gulped slightly. It was the weirdest sensationbe able to fight and not knowing how.

In the blink of on eye Kumiko set herself in motion, making a butterfly thrust to his chest, low-line kicking to his shin as she did so. 

What was with the double attacks? He blocked the katana, but did not move in time and she clipped his shin with her boot. Making him grimance in pain. He hurled himself foreward, parrying her blows with the katana, then spun to the right, aiming at her side, while the katana was at her left, recovering from a block.

Kumiko turned in a blur black blur of leather, kicking up to knock Eraed's blade aside with her right leg while she recovered. Her katana slashed through the air, skillfully swirling in an X pattern down Eraed's side. 

Eraed stalled too long, and got a scrap on his side, but he managed to parry the blow in time to prevent any real damage. He was getting tired, really tired, and his muscles in their effort to block her attacks were forcing him beyond his limits. He felt the room spin around him, but he ignored it, fighting it down. He lunged to the side, and came up behind dagger to her throat, it was about then, that he collapsed from exhaustion.

Kyasarin knelt by his side "Smoothly done." She said Kumiko, "Let's shift him somewhere more comfortable while he sleeps it off."

"Poor Eraed, he's should have said something if he was so tired." Kumiko put away the weapons and helped Kyasarin to lift him into the bedroom. Stroking his hair back, the SU smiled. Whispering, "You've got to stop pushing yourself so hard."

---

Half-Life