She

by Tyria

Chapter 3:Kimiko

Dreams still survive... Hello, glad you're here, you know I'm not.... I'm
off somewhere, my eyes become large and the light that you shine can't be
seen.... I'm in a strange mood today, not hyper, just...strange.... I wonder
if it shows in my writing? I'm glad I was in this mood, made the scene much
better, and much less cheesy than it was in the rough copy... *Sigh* And if
I should fall.... Well, Enjoy!

"Thank you Sage. Now, let's... what's that?" I point at a growing dark
shadow a few feet away.

Sage glances up in the air, then tackles me to the ground. "Ow!! What the
fuck was that for?!" I yell, severly pissed off.

A low, primordial growl comes from above. A harsh computer follows. "Saving
you insignificant life, symbiot scum!"

I look at the source of the voice. I have to hold in my scream. It's like a
creature out of a nightmare! A reptillian creature the likes I've never
seen.

Its scales are completely white, as are the leathery wings it is closing.
Its eyes are blood red.

"Oh my god," I hear Sage say, shocked, "That is a velociraptor!"

"Is that bad?" Like it could be good...

"Very. Run!"

I try to run but the creature wraps its long tail around my neck and lifts
me into the air. I can feel its course scales digging into my neck.

"Before you die, symbiot scum, know that it is Kimiko who destroys you, and
inform you dark master."

She tightens her hold on my neck. I can feel my wind-pipe begin to colapse
in on itself. I hear a gurgling noise and realise it's comming from my own
throat...

"Let her go!!" Sage yells with abnormal fury. He normally remains so
reserved during battle, but right now, he stounds mad.

He kicks at Kimiko's neck. The tail loosens for just long enough for a
quick gasp of air, then its efort is redoubled.

"Armor of the Halo, dao chi!" He transforms to full armor.

~Mortal-Sage, see the device on her left fore-paw? Break it, it's stoping
me from helping.~

"Thunder bolt cut!!!"

With pin-point accuracy, he hits and breaks the device. Instantly, Sendo
takes control and, using several coils, pulls Kimiko away.

We fall to the ground. However, it's too late. My wind pipe has all ready
colapsed and I am choking on my own blood. Senod was still holding Kimiko at
bay, but as I lose strength, so does she.

Sendo attempts to call out to Sage, but she is using all her strength
against Kimiko.I begin to cough and feel revolted as I taste my own blood.
Sage sees it and falls to the ground next to me. He puts his hand on my
arm. I feel my blood and throat somehow put back to how they should be.
I open my eyes only to looks straight into Sage's. I gasp.

They're...amazing...His eyes...They're gray-lavender...so...,Sage...

He smiles slightly, then falls onto me, drained completely of his energy.
The same instant, Sendo's strength falters and Kimiko breaks free.

Just let it end...

Sage seems to realize the creatures advance and using the ground on either
side of me, manages to stand back up shakily to his feet. He turns to face
the beast.

"Sage, don't..." I say weakly. He can't do anything. He is so weak he can't
even lift his sword tip off the ground. And yet he stands his ground,
defiantly.

Kimiko ends her advance, fairly smirking at him. She keeps staring at him.
What is she doing? End it now, monster, we don't need to suffer...

Kimiko steps back a pace. "That's right, you horrid beast," Sage proclaims
bravely. So brave... "You'll not get her until I'm dead and buried."

Kimiko continues to stare. She spreads out her wings, portraying her
massive wing span, and bends down in a sincere attempt to...bow?

I manage to cough out a quiet, "Sage?" before breaking into a coughing fit
with my "new" throat systme still adjusting itself.

He runs over and puts his left hand on my back. After a moment, I stop
coughing, but my throat still feels god-awful.

"Are you all right?" he asks. I look up into the one eye not covered by his
hair. He looks really worried. I look into his eye a moment longer...
I nod.

~Some-bodies bash-ful...~ Sendo taunts in a sing-song voice. Isee Sage
blush at the same time as I feel my own cheeks redden. ~Two birds with one
stone!~

"Want a hand up?" I nod. He holds out his hand and I clasp it.

Unfortunaetly, he was weaker than he thought he was and he tumbles
backwards, accidentally pulling me down with him.

I land on top of him. "Ow! Your armor hurts!"

"Sorry." He powers down to his under-armor. its metal was cold, but at
least it wasn't sticking into me like the armor plates. I turn my face away
from his as I cough again.

~I could be really evil right now.~ Sendo states. Sage and I both blush
again. I push myself up off of him as gently as I can. I stand up.

I yelp and spin as fast as I can when I feel a scaly hand on my shoulder.
Kimiko looks straight into my eyes. I back up a few steps.

Her forked tongue shoots out of her mouth and back in as she turns her head
on her serpentine neck to look down at Sage.

"It's all right. Both of you, calm down. Well, three of you. Whatever."

Kimiko takes a few steps to the side of Sage, then bends down, allowing
Sage to grab her miniscule right fore-claw. Her hind talons make deep marks
in the Earth as she pulls him up. "Sage...!"

"Tyria, don't worry. She says she's sorry for tryin' to kill us, an' all."

Kimiko turns her head to look me in the eyes. Her tongue flicks in and out.
Her eyes don't have the primordial fury anymore, and look much more
intelligent, and caring. I realise that my description of blood red from
earlier was innaccurate. They are more of a deep, simmering crimson.

"But, how?"

~Mortal-Sage is linked somehow to Kimiko. He talks to her the same way you
do to me.~

I look at Sage, who I know heard Death's comment. He nods. I rub my neck as
I stare back into the deadly raptor eyes. i can still feel where every
single scale dug into my flesh...

I slide one hand gently over the glossy scales of her neck. She makes a
deep rumbling, similar to a cat's purr.

Sage walks over and tentativly puts his arm around my waist. A move that
would normally lead to his death.

Leaving my hand on Kimiko's neck, I turn and look at him. I hate to admit
it, but it feels almost...nice...to have his hand there. I smile.

He smiles back at me, a little bit surprised at my reaction. I take my hand
off the lizards neck and brush back Sage's unruly bangs. I only get to see
both of his warm eyes for a moment, but I don't mind.

I bring my hand back down to his cheek. I pull him towards me as I lean
towards him.

We kiss.

Kimiko pulls her head down and close to her chest so as to cover her eyes
with her claws. However, her claws were too small, so she put her tail on
top. She closes her wings around us, seperating us fromthe world.

~Ew! Get a room!~ Death exclaims, ~Not like it would help me much.~

Who'd have thought, death would have a sense of humor? Me, obviously. And a
bad one at that. If you think that scene was over-played and cheesy, I dare
you to read my roughs. She didn't even hint at liking him... It sounded like
she hated his guts, so I like this better. And don't worry about the other
guys, they'll all meet a special someone, maybe. Some will, i think. I don't
remember. Oh well. C&C always welcome, flames will be duly loved because I
never get anything, Ta!
Tyria