I seriously need to stop thinking of new story ideas. I don't think there are too many typos, but if there are, tell me and I'll correct them.

Language warning, but not nearly as bad as it usually is. ^^;

The Sky Goes On Forever

Chapter 1: Dreams of a City

I once had a dream.

A dream about a beautiful city, soaring above the earth, forever a nomad, never in the same place twice. I dreamt of beautiful buildings, beautiful skies, and beautiful people. I wanted to become a part of this city, so much that it hurt. But I never could. And I would ask why, why I could never be one of them, and the answer was always…

Because they hated me

TSgoFETSgoFE

Meiko was a fantastic researcher. She could pick up on things that no one else would ever notice, even the slightest shift in air pressure at the beat of a butterfly's wing. I was lucky to be working under her.

What did she research exactly? Well, nobody ever really knew the core of her studies. One day it was wind patterns and the next it was ancient humans. Sometimes she would even have off days where she mumbled, rambled to herself about artifacts falling out of the sky. Those were the days where the other assistants and I would try to avoid her, for our own good. She would demand answers out of us about things that we couldn't know. Sometimes she even had everyone standing outside and staring into the clouds for entire days. That was least pleasant when it was raining, but it wasn't like we could say no.

I suppose you could call her an ecologist of sorts. That was what we studied; the way things affect each other and changed. We researched the impact of weather and storms on society, as well as its impact on pre-historic man. The more I studied under Meiko, the more I realized just how little we understood about the world.

As far as my interests went, I preferred studying ancient peoples. There was so much room for new findings, and as I learned, I could only yearn for their experiences. I almost wished I could live among those people, just to learn hands-on about their ways and customs.

Meiko, on the other hand, had an obsession. She couldn't get over the idea of a species living today that had the same intelligence as humans did, but not human. She thought we were simply unaware of them, or, at least, we would be in the event that these people actually did exist. I… wasn't exactly sure myself. We'd definitely come across bits and pieces of information that suggested that we were missing some piece of the puzzle. A tool found in the ground surrounded by items of a different material and time frame, or cloth that decayed differently that the other articles of clothing around it. It was strange but… Okay, in all honestly, I thought Meiko was on to something. Something big. It's just that nobody knew what to call it yet.

Anyway, today was one of "those" days, where Meiko had us out in the field looking for things that may or may not be there. This time, she was absolutely positive she saw something fall out of the sky, so we were directed to find it, though it could be anywhere and, well, it could have just been her imagination. Many of the assistants, Neru in particular, complained about it, but I couldn't find myself inside in their conversation. I was almost certain I'd seen it, too.

"Any luck, Len?" Neru called at me. "You've been awfully quiet over there. Hiding something?"

"Nothing yet," I answered. "At least I'm looking instead of wasting my time with complaints, unlike somebody I know."

Neru scoffed. "Don't be mean, Len."

"I'm sorry. I'll try to keep it to myself next time." My foot hit something. "Ow. What was that?"

"Heh. Karma. What'd you do?"

"I stepped on something," I said. I moved my foot and knelt down to see what it was. "It looks like a… ring." I picked it up and examined it while Neru jogged over.

"Weirdest looking ring I've ever seen. What's that band made out of? Marble?"

I twisted it around in my fingers. "It definitely looks like it." The ring had a long, blade-like adaption on it. There was a weird inscription on the band and blade in a language that looked similar to Arabic… except not. "Agh. No wonder that hurt so much."

Neru examined it closer. "Should we show Meiko? Do you think this is what she was looking for?"

"I don't know, but—"

"Len! What is that?" Kiyoteru called.

"I think it's a ring!" I replied. "It might be what we're looking for! Get Meiko!"

I turned the ring around in my hands. A pang of familiarity hit me. I took a closer look at the writing. It almost looked like…

"Len! Is this what you found?" Meiko yipped in excitement.

"Uh, yeah. Do you think this is what you were looking for?"

I handed the object to her and she smiled, slipping it on and off of her thumb. "This is it. This is definitely it."

I grinned. "Oh, good."

She toyed around with it a little more, noticing its indentations and misfit imperfections on the perfect white surface. "You know what? Since you the one that found it, would you care to study it over the weekend? It looks like some sort of ancient language is inscribed on it. I know that's your specialty."

"Really? Yeah, I mean, I'd love to work on it."

"It's a deal, then," she said. "All right, guys! That's good work for today. I think it's best we take a break. Is anyone up for some Chinese?"

Everything sounded good after that allowance. Especially Chinese. I was starving.

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"Len how have your studies been going? You're still in college, right?" Kiyoteru was asking me.

"Yeah, I'm a junior. The geology is getting pretty boring as of late, but anthropology is still as fascinating as ever. Really, I just can't wait to graduate so I can start working under Meiko full time instead of this internship," I said.

"You're great with your work," Kiyoteru said. "I look forward to having you as a full time colleague."

"Heh. Definitely."

"Ooh! Fortune cookie time~" Neru chimed as the check showed up. "I hope mine's better than it was last time."

"What was it last time?" I asked.

"Something like, 'anger is a double-edged sword,' or whatever. Totally not helpful."

"Totally, huh?"

"Totally."

I looked across the table and noticed Meiko staring out into nothingness in the direction of a stone lion.

"Meiko, are you feeling okay?" I asked.

She snapped back to our planet and pretended like there wasn't something on her mind a moment ago. "Oh, I'm fine. Just spacing out again. As usual. Is it time for fortune cookies or something?" She smiled.

"Uh-huh" I said, grabbing one from the middle of the table and handing it to her. I got one for myself while I was at it.

"'The New Year will bring with it new luck.' Well, that's no good in March," Neru complained.

"Hah. I got yours from last time, Neru," Kiyoteru said.

"What did you get, Len?" Neru posed.

"Let me see…" I cracked the cookie open. My dull feeling of excitement was quickly replaced with the feeling of my stomach sinking into my abdomen.

Your life is in danger. Say nothing to anyone. You just leave immediately and you must never return. Repeat: say nothing.

Whatthefuck.

"So? What's it say?" Neru demanded, nearly snatching it out of my hand, but I put it away before she could get it.

"Oh, you know. The usual, 'don't count your chickens before they've hatched' thing. Nothing special," I said. "…Um, you know I just realized I have some studying to do for a big test coming up in… geology. I really need to go and do that. Sorry to leave so early. Ah, I'll see you all Monday, yeah?" I laid down a few dollars to pay for the tip as I threw on a light jacket.

"Oh, sorry to hear that," Kiyoteru said with half a cookie in his mouth. "Good luck with that test."

"Yeah, see you Monday," Neru said, waving.

"Uh-huh, thanks." I got up and got out of that restaurant as quickly as possible without drawing attention to myself, then, outside, I sat in my car and tried not to hyperventilate.

You must never return.

My heart was beating out of my chest and I had the sudden urge to throw up and pass out all at the same time. What the hell was that supposed to mean? Okay, think, Len. Why was I freaking out so much? It was just a fortune cookie, right? Probably someone's idea of a sick joke. I mean, what could anyone want with me, anyway? I was just a harmless college student. I never did anything to anyone. I was just overreacting. Yeah.

Of course, it was only a three hour drive to get to my sister Rin's place. Maybe it was time to pay her a visit. It was pretty long overdue. Plus she had an apartment next to the beach. Yeah. Very relaxing. That was a good idea. To Rin's it was.

I started up my car and drove, halfheartedly trying not to get a speeding ticket.

So my sister was a bit of the… spiritual type. Like, she always had too much incense burning and she was a vegan that only shopped at thrift stores. Okay, those things don't make her spiritual, but she was. Somehow or other, she managed to make a living off of palm reading and working at a local, overpriced grocery story. She was apparently good at that whole fortune telling, interpreting the stars stuff. I didn't exactly try to understand it.

In the meantime, I hoped that some music would help me relax, so I turned on the radio. Oh, good. Ten songs in a row.

And, so, my three hour drive in the dark commenced.

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I walked up to the floor of Rin's apartment. The building was grungy, to say the least. The paint on the wall was the worst color to ever be invented, and it was chipping off into the second ugliest. I tried not to imagine how many creatures had pissed on the carpet in the hallway, or how many years it had been since it was cleaned… if ever. Then, as I was walking, a large and intimidating man appeared out of nowhere, and glared at me like I'd just been rolling in STD's.

"What are you doing around here, punk?" he growled. "I've never seen you before."

Oh shit oh shit oh shit. "I-I'm just here visiting my sister, Rin," I stumbled.

The gian—man took a few steps closer and looked hard over me. A sudden light of recognition crossed his face and I sighed internally. "Oh, you're Little Rin's twin! I see the resemblance now. I'm sorry. I've got bad eyes. She said she was expecting you."

"I'm not surprised," I breathed.

"You go on ahead. Really sorry about that. In a place like this, someone's gotta keep it secure, ya know. Little Rin's place is just that next door to the right."

"Thanks," I said, nodding and walking quickly to Rin's door. I didn't even have to knock.

"Len! Come in, come in. I heard the commotion outside. I've been expecting you," my sister crooned.

I made sure I was inside with the door closed before I replied. "Yeah, so I've heard. So, ah, who's your body guard outside?"

"Oh, him? That's just Big Al. He's a very sweet man," Rin said. She walked slowly, calculating each step as if her future might change if her foot was just an inch off. She would smile sometimes, for no reason, as she walked. Of course, she had always been like that.

I took my seat in the small living room, breathing in the aroma of burning lavender and foreign spices. Her apartment was lowly lit. She had dark cloths with starry prints draped all around the walls, and a low table in the middle of the room with a blanket over it. There were plush rugs on her floor, leaving no trace of the original carpeting underneath. At least in here I didn't have to worry about stepping in rat piss.

"I'm making tea; would you like some?" Rin asked, in the kitchen, now. "I would have had it made already, but you came earlier than I expected."

"No tea, thanks," I said. "So, how did you know I was coming?"

There was a short silence before I realized Rin was ignoring me. She came into the living room and set two cups down on the table before sitting next to me.

She grasped one of my hands in both of hers and looked deeply into my eyes. "Len, why have you come here?" she asked me, squeezing my hand a little tighter. She examined my face with tight lips and hard eyes.

"Uh, I just thought I had been away from my sister for too long. Is that so wrong?" I eluded, trying to avert my gaze, but it kept drifting back.

"Don't lie to me, Len. You know I can always tell when you're lying. Now tell me. Was it the cookie? Or was it the ring you found today?"

My eyes widened. "How did you—" She shushed me.

"As soon as you found it, I had the fortune placed where you would get it. It's okay, Len. You can talk about it now."

I shook my head. "Rin, how did you know any of that?"

"Our mother told me."

"Mom?"

"No. Our sky mother."

Rin looked up to the ceiling. She did this a lot as a child. When we were young, we would be playing outside when Rin would suddenly stare up into the sky like she heard something. Then she'd get that smile on her face and whisper something before coming back to me and playing again like normal. We were pretty close when we were young. I didn't know if it was because I, or no one, really, could ever bring up the nerve to go against anything she said, or if it was something else. She just had that effect on everyone. Our parents worried about her a lot, though. They never sought out help because she always did so well in school, but I didn't know how. I always had to study my tail off for everything while she just meditated in her room. She graduated third in our class.

"Len, show me what's in your left pocket."

I didn't say anything that time. She always knew what I had in my pockets. Not even kidding. I pulled the ring out and she let go of my hands to take it instead. Her face glowed as she turned the artifact around and examined its materials.

"Marvelous," she whispered.

"Do you know what it is?"

"I know exactly what it is," she breathed. "It's the knowledge that could get us killed." She looked up, flashing that knowing smile of hers. It was more unsettling than not.

"Why?" I asked, a twitch of fear in my voice.

"Because we're not supposed to know who it belongs to."

I closed my eyes in thought, taking the ring for a moment to feel along the depressed edges of the foreign engraving. "Do you know what the inscription on it says?" I asked as I handed it back to her.

"Hmm…" She closed her eyes and bowed her head, humming out the same note. Suddenly she breathed like she just came up from underwater. "It's a name," she mumbled. "The name of… something. I can't tell what…"

"Can you read it?"

Rin shook her head. "No. I don't know this language."

"Really? Oh. It just seemed… I don't know, familiar, I guess."

Rin's eyes snapped open and I almost jumped. "Well, it should be familiar. Mother wrote in it all the time. Didn't you notice?"

"No. When?" Mother and I were never exactly close. She suffered from depression. She never left the house. There were many times where she would hole herself in her room, sometimes for weeks at a time. Then other times she would just come out of it and start being a mother again, like she was supposed to be.

"It was all over her personal journal. Really, Len, I thought scientists were supposed to be observant," she teased.

"I apologize for not snooping through my mother's personal things as a child. I didn't even know Mom kept a journal."

"Oh, she did. She wrote in it every night. Always in that language, never in English. I once caught her reading it aloud. It was very beautiful I think she used to sing to us in that language when we were babies," Rin mused.

"I wonder why she stopped."

"Ah, Len. You should know that I can only see the future, not the past."

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That morning, Rin decided to call in sick and stay home. We were walking along the beach, barefoot, just like our old visits to the coast. The breeze whipped my hair out of its ponytail and into my face.

The silence was comfortable, but I had to be the one to break it. "Why did you send me that fortune, Rin?" I asked. "Is… is my life really in danger?"

"When isn't a life in danger?" Rin said. She sighed. "But that isn't what you asked. Truthfully, I do not yet know if your life is in danger here, I just know that if you stayed…" She looked down solemnly and slowed her stride, more carefully placing each foot only where the sand was already dented. "Have I ever told you why I walk the way I do?"

I stayed silent so she took that as an invitation to continue.

"I walk so that I have the least impact on the world. I try to let nature work exactly how it was intended to. That's why I don't eat meat, you know. I am only an observer."

"I see…" I murmured.

"I was blessed with a gift that no human should be blessed with. It would be cruel to take advantage of a gift… don't you think?"

"I suppose it would," I said.

"You know, you have a gift, too. It is a very special gift, the kind that someone would kill for. Don't take it for granted."

I shook my head. "No, Rin. I don't have any gifts. I've been average all my life."

She giggled. "Is that not a gift in itself?" she teased. "It will show itself to you, when you most need it." She stopped walking and smiled into the sky. "This is my spot."

"Your what?"

"My spot," she repeated, removing her shoes and wading into the cold water of spring, humming a tune that she made up when we were children as she went. It was so familiar to me that I almost started humming it, too. She was almost waist-deep when she stopped. Then she just stood there, letting the waves crash into her, but staying motionless.

Almost a minute passed before she returned to the beach. Most of her body was soaked.

"What was that all about?" I asked her.

"The way the ocean moves tells me what to expect," she answered. "It's my way of learning what to watch next."

I noticed the bumps on her skin starting to rise as the wind whipped against her. "You're cold. Do you want my jacket?" I offered, starting to slip it off, but she stopped me.

"The wind is my most important tool," she insisted. "To cover myself from it would be like an artist tying his hands behind his back in order to paint."

"… I see," I said.

"No you don't," Rin laughed. She started her stride back toward the direction of the apartment, staying at the water's edge so each that footprint was erased.

I guessed she was right. Twenty years gone by and I still didn't understand my twin at all.

"But you will someday."

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Back at the apartment, Rin was making tea again while I tried to find something to make for lunch. The only things she had available were vegetables and rice, so I decided to attempt a fried rice dish. At least soy sauce didn't have any animal products in it.

"Are you cooking for me, Lenny?" Rin asked, using my old nickname. "It's been ages since you've cooked for me. I didn't realize how much I was starting to miss it." She placed two cups on a tray and poured in hot water.

"It's also been ages since I've cooked, so don't get your hopes up," I kidded. "And I've definitely never had to go vegan before, either."

"Oh, I know it'll be fine," Rin said, picking up the tray and starting her calculating stroll toward the living room.

"Hah. Are you sure your future sight is working properly?" I heard a gasp then a clang as the tray fell to the ground. I whirled around to se Rin staring at her shaking hands. I threw down whatever I was holding. "Rin! Are you okay!?"

"S-someone—" she sputtered.

I ran over to start picking up the mess when I got this pang, a twisting in my stomach that made me stumble. "What… the hell?"

"Little Rin!" Big Al yelled from the Hallway. "Do you have an appointment today? There's a woman here to see you."

Rin jumped up clasped her hands around my mouth. "Don't say anything, Len," she hissed into my ear. "Just, please, don't say anything."

"I'm sorry, miss, but it doesn't sound like Little Rin is in right now. Maybe if you come back la—GUHHHWKKH."

Oh, my God.

"Stupid human," the woman's voice muttered. She pounded a fist against our door. "Rin! Len! I know you're in there! I could smell you puny mutts from miles away."

"Mutts?" I mouthed. "Who is she calling a mutt?" Rin growled at me.

"Why don't you be good little doggies and open the door for me? Or should I do the honors?"

"Len, we have to get out of here," Rin whispered. "That woman out there is going to haveour asses if we don't leave right now."

"I'll give you to the count of three," The woman said. "One…"

"But how?" I jeered.

"The bathroom has a window. We go in there, lock the door, climb out, and run for the water," Rin said.

"Two…"

She dragged me to the bathroom. "But… we're on the third floor!" I objected.

She opened the tiny window inside the shower. "Do we have any choice?!" she snarled, pushing me toward it.

"Three!"

I went out without thinking. The fall was tremendously long, but I fell directly into the bushes underneath, rolling out onto the sandy mulch. Rin wasn't a second behind me, and we got up and ran like our lives depended on it. In fact, I don't think I could have come up with a better explanation. We sprinted to the water's edge, and Rin dove straight for the ocean.

"Are you crazy?!" I yelled.

There's an island out here, just out of eye's reach." She yelled back. "The tide is going out. If we go now, we have the least chance of dying. She can't smell us in the water." She was swimming away before she even finished talking. "Keep your head low!"

I jumped in after her, with no choice but to follow.

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Okay, so I blame solitaryloner for this. She said that I needed to write a Lenku story (actually that's, like, totally not what she said XD), since I mentioned liking the pairing and all. It's a fun pairing… Even though Miku hasn't even showed up yet. But she will. Soon, soon. Plus, the fun thing about this story is the adventure, right? Totally.

This is the absolute LEAST planning I have ever put into a story in my entire life. So please. Suggestions would be awesome. Even if I don't use them, they really help inspire me to write.

Thanks so much for reading and please review! Have a happy New Year!