Starwind

He wasn't here for Fujin, but he couldn't leave his friend hanging like that. He ran down to the gate as it opend up ran out front. The fire hitting the side of the building was intense, he could feel the heat burning the hair on his neck. He looked to Chrys "Fire girl, this is your feild her. I'll try to put out the fires." Emilio waved to the rest quickly and ran head long into the flames. His water kept him from burns, but even he couldn't keep it up forever. He could hear the cries of a woman coming from inside. He set his hand in the trenches in the road and pulled what little water he could, he coated himself and ran inside the burning building. He came out with a woman in his arms, she was burned, but still alive. He set her on the road and called for a soilder to take her within the castle walls. He looked back to the burning houses along the roadside "This is sick. I'm not sure if we can take care of this on our own." He looked back to the castle "I hope you have one hell of a plan Gale." He ran back off into the flame and smoke. He could hear the chanting of someone in the distance, it was one of the arch mages, he could tell. This was bad, he didn't stand a chance alone, but he couldn't leave this guy to go about his business. Decision time. Emilio choked for a moment "I hate this crap."

I'm going to say this as simply as I can. These nation aren't poor because they're a nation of dead beats, or they're just having an economic slum. These nations in Africa and South America are poor for other reasons, reasons we can't really help. 1. Over population. The most prevelant is in Africa and the middle east. Over there you have families that can consist of as many as twenty children. A good example for middle eastern over population; Di you know that Osama Bin Laden was one of fifty five children. Now we can send all the money we want to these places, but it will never be enough. No matter how hard you try at that, there are too many people to help and we simply don't have the money. 2. Lack of resources. Some places, like in South and centeral America, have poor soil and little to no natural resources. That's why the rain forests are disappearing, the farmers there have to keep cutting down the trees because the soil can't supposrt crops for very long. because of these things they have a hard time even subsistence farming. They have little or no major exports and as such have very little money. 3. Tyrannical, corrupt or even inadequate government. We mentioned Iraq before and everyone talked about how we did the right thing in de seating a tyrant, but why the favoritism I ask. People don't realize he is not the only one of his kind. We didn't go there to just de seat a tyrant, because their are hundreds more where he came from and they're all over the world. Or even like I said, inadequate government can be the problem. Some countries have so little government comtrol you have militia groups and drug cartels running loose unopposed. You think I don't know or am simply ignorant of what goes on, but you want to know something, I am very aware. I've seen a little boy crawl across the ground, wounded without medical treatment, as a vulture followed him waiting for him to die. I've seen the starved corpses so witherd away they looked like wooden husks. But this not an injustice we brought on them. We can't help all these people unless you can treat the under lying problem. I am an idealist, but even I have limits. Over population is beyond what could be asked of us to help with. We can't help these people with little or no resources. And unless you want to repeat Iraq, we can't relieve these people of there tyranical or incompetent rulers. I know you want to see people helped right, then go into things that could be helped. Right now the biggest killers in Africa are starvation and AIDS. We can't feed all these people, but you can help get cheaper and more effective treatment for AIDS, or even TB. This is a worth while cause adn a true source of injustice. Did you know that to treat the resistant strain of TB it could cost as much as $10,000. Because of this, people die of this very cureable disease every 30 seconds. As horrible as it is that happens to them, we can't feed the world, not matter what the people on TV tell you. You want the real injustice is that those shows I'm sure you either have or have at least considerd donating to spend 90% of your money on the show or themselves. If they raise a million dollars, the starving people of the owrld will only ever get ten thousand of that. And I know your thinking every little bit counts, but that doesn't help. That's like a man dieing of thirst and you throw him a damp sponge. You want to help, go after those bastards in who charge these ungodly prices for medicine and expect these people, who can't even afford bread, to pay these prices. I know you want to see the people of America and the free nations of the world stand up and give money and strength to these people, and that would be wonderful. But the bottom line is, at the end of the day you can't help them all, no matter how much money and effort you put into it. Neither this or any country has the power to make this better. The problem that is causing there poverty can only be helped by them, and sometimes not even that. In the time it takes you to read this, numerous people across the globe will have died of TB, again a very cureable disease. If you want a cause that we can help and is worht the fight, duke it out with them. Global hunger is an issue that we don't have the money or ability to make go away, I know you believe we can, but we already live ina time where som places have to lay off fire men and police officers because we don't have the money to pay them all. There are a lot of battles that should be fought that are largly ignored, but this really is one we can't win. Hunger isn't going to ever go away, as long as this world is subject to the corrupt and over population. Unless you want to talk genocide, we can't make this better. And unless you want another war, we can't get rid of these tyrant leaders.

Kazuma sat quietly on the plane. He had done this so many times it was just a simple task of normality at this point. In the years he had been kept in this dark world, he had gone to many places and killed even more people. He looked ahead to the young girl sitting just ahead of him. He was the new one they had obtained only the other day. She was playing with the fans they had gotten for her. Kazuma rose from his seat and went to the girl "I know what must have happend to you. It happend to all of us, and now you belong to them. Don't bother to try and escape, you belong to then now and forever, til the day your target kills you first." She just stared to him, to his cold and unalterd face, and looked as if she might cry. Kazuma nodded to her for a moment "My apologies." He turned and went back to his seat and crossed his arms. He felt naked without his weapons. They never gave him his weapons til it was time for a mission, he had used them one too many times to escape that way. He looked around and looked to the others sitting around various parts of the plane. He knew of them, but had never had to work with them before. He was so unpredictable they wouldn't trust him with others til now. But why did they cahnge this now all of the sudden? Was the mission really that serious? Or was it the simply they didn't see him as a threat anymore? Either way he didn't really care. He was simply going to do the mission like he was told, he didn't need anymore trouble. This was just a game of survival at this point, he killed to live. A bit of an oxi-moron, but it was the only way to keep going.

Emilio was resting in the deep and cool waters of the northern streams when he heard and tremmbling above, near the waters edge. He rose from the water and almost immediatly recognized the armor and insignia of the soilder standing on the waters edge, he was a Fujin warrior. Emilio approached, he knew if it was one of Gales soilders he had nothing to fear of this man "So, what brings you so far from home lone warrior." The warrior rose to attention at his sight "Prince Batou of the morthern demon clan, Lord Gale has requested you attend a ball to be at the castle of Fujin." Emilio nodded to the soilder "Yes, I'll be there. I haven't seen all of them in about a year." The soilder bowed to him and returned to the castle. Emilio stayed there in thought a bit longer. It had been quite some time since he had seen them and even longer since they were all together, he knew if Gale went out of his way to invited him no way he'd forget to bring the others to. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The following night, Emilio was running a little late. He expected all the others were already there. He approached the gate and waved to the guard, the gates then creaked and whiined loudly as they slowly opend. Emilio walked in and went straight for the castle. Once he walked in he was almost floored by a sight he never even imagined, Chrysanthema in a dress. He held a hand to his mouth to keep from laughing as he approached the group. He tapped Chrys lightly on her shoulder "Never imagined I'd be seeing you in a dress, Chrys. Hey, Achilles and Gale..... Well, I suppose it'a lord Gale now."

Name: Emilio Batou Age: 22 Race: Kappa (water Demon) Power: He can control and manipulate water and ice. Personality: He has in recent years reformed his once frigid persona, and become much more generous and complient. He's not exactly a good guy, but he is a moral one. Appearane: [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/SiegWarheit.jpg[/IMG] Bio: After the end of the war three years ago against his father Emilio returned to the northern mountains and to his homeland. He took his place as the next guardian of the great lakes, his peoples homeland and he would take this position when his mother passed on. Up to now she is still very much alive, and he still ventures from his home to go out and see the world that he has yet to see. In this time he has found his way to visitng his old comrades in arms a few times since the wars end. He has given up his life style as a mercenary, and now lives his life as the water demon prince.

Well I guess it's a matter of interpretation. If were talking about responsiblity then I can see where some people might have the right to say that. Let's face it, there are a lot of people ou there who don't take responsiblity for there actions. Now if werer talking about general goofing off, then they can just shove it, because whodies't still have fun just doing whatever and haveing fun with it. It all depends on how you use it I suppose.

I will have to agree with the majority here, it is and amazing film and definitly worth the buy because you'll want to see it over and over again. I'm a fan of the series an have recently started collecting the novel series (which now stands at 17 novels) As such all I can say is I might be showing favoritism because I just love the whole character that D is. He is deeper and much more identifiable then any other anime character I've ever seen. I have to go with Dagger on what she said on him. The animation of the first movie was good and the voice work was adequate. But this secone one almost floored me. The artwork was beautiful (at least I thought so) and the animation was solid. The plot developed at the perfect pace, you never felt like it was being rushed and they never seemed to drag. It wasn't just a mindless hack and slash, but it had lots of great combat scenes. The ending imparticular moved me in a way I can't really explain. I gotta give the thumbs up here.

As mad as he was he had to hurry. The tower basically ran on water, so Emilio pulled all the water he could to himslef and stated to pull the others to himself "Hold on eveyone!" The building shifted to the left, and they began to lose there footing. Emilio took them and he jumped form the window. The water he had slowly formed a bubble to hold them together as they rapidly fell to the ground. They hit with a thud, but no time to recoup, the tower was still falling. Emilio looked to the others quickly "Let's move." Eveyone jumped to there feet and ran for cover. As the tower collapsed, the dust and smoke filled the alleys and street of the city. Nothing could be seen for quite some time. It had taken all of 15 minutes before the firsts signs of life returned to the destroyed city. Gale was the first to move from the rubble, then followed by Chrys and Achilles. They all looked on for a moment and realized that Emilio had not come out form hiding. Worried he might have been hurt the face of the towers collapse they began to look for him. It took them only a few minutes to find him. Chrys approached him as she noticed him digging through the debris "What are you doing there, Kappa boy?" Emilio stood to his feet, clutched in his arms was the limp lifeless body of Kamilla. The others seemed a little surprised and confused by this sight, Achilles being the first to step forward "What are you doing? Why did you bother to dig up that bitchs body?" Emilio looked on to the lifeless body "I realize that in truth, I'm the one who made her the monster she became. What she did was as much my fault as anyone elses, even her own. I'm going to give her a funeral, it's the least I can do to apologize for letting her down like that."

Let me make something clear here, dealing with global poverty and oppresion is the job of the United Nations, not the US alone. The mission guide line for the UN is to relieve poverty and promote human rights, and achieve non-violent solutions to global problems. This is not Americas job, it's the UN's job. Go whine about them, they're the ones who took it upon themselves as a whole to help govern and aid the world in human rights and economical supprot. Another note, how does this country help out the poor of the rest of the world when we can't help the homeless living here. Our nation (as I stated above) in 7 trillion dolloars in debt. You do realize this right? We can't help people right now because as it is in some towns they're already laying off essential services like fire fighters and policemen. I know we are this great super power, but that doesn't mean we are the solution to the problem of every other nation. This all comes back to helping the home fromt first. IF we can't get the homeless taken care of here, how are suppose to help the impoverished people of South America and Africa, which again is the job of the UN, not us.

Bottom line, instigating a fight like that is bullying plain and simple. If you really need some kind of outlet for things like that then get involved in boxing or the martial arts like I have. Don't go out and pick fights with other people, don't assume it's not going to hurt you in the end because crap like that can get you in serious trouble and trust me when I say it will haunt you for years following. If you get arrested, which youcan get arrested for crap like that, it will tarnish your legal record and it will follow you on this record for years to come.

I'm not saying we need to be isolationist, I'm saying if we want security start at home, number one. Number two, since when is it the job of this nation alone to look after the rest of the world. Mind you, the people there didn't want us there and ahve made no short point of letting us know. It's not like WWI or WWII where we werer practically begged to step in. The rest of the world pleaded with us to stay out of Iraq, and we went anyway. We went to a nation, sure in turmoil, but none the less, that didn't want us there and made no small point to let us know they wanted us the hell out. We may be the strongest super power out there, but were not the only one. There were other nations there that could have dealt with it if they really felt like it was something that required attention. Or could have asked for our help, but none of this was the case. We stepped in agains the wills of many of our allies and with almost no support to a nation that didn't want us there, even in the face of the turmoil and torture they faced, they didn't want us there. I say "If they don't want us there, then why go?" It's like a stuck up little kid, they don't want your help, fine, screw them. When they want help, or someone else wants us to over see this legitimate threat, then get involved. You see, as we are the geatest super power, we have another responsiblity that is not policing the world. We have the responsiblity to not just throw our weight around because we can. We shouldn't step into a situation that has yet to threaten us directly, unless we are called upon by a nation that lacks the ablity to protect itself. I these people had been rebeling or trying to over throw him, again different story. But that's not the case in this story. Bush's favorite line "FIghting them there so we don't have to fight them here" is a load of crap to and I'll tell you why. Do you know how long those terrorists from the 9/11 tragedy had been in this country before hand? A little over a decade. If they're going to attack us, then they're already here. We need to step it up here. Since your obviously not aware of this, our security levels at our most vunerable terrorist locations (i.e. Chemical plants, Nuclear power plants and airports) are at record lows. How are doing this to ourselves again? It's not our job, or even our responsiblity to over there. I know this has probably got you fumming right now, but you know what, I DON'T CARE RIGHT NOW! You see, it's easy for you to say what we should be doing, but the bottom line is, you'll never have to pay the price. If we distract all our resources to the war and end up getting attacked again, it's use who will suffer, not you. If our economic spending on this war drives us deeper and deeper into this alread 7 trillion dollar deficeit, you don't have to worry about that. If the father of two kids and a providing husband is gunned down over seas in this war, for some good none of us understands anymore, you won't have to worry because you don't know him. I guess what I'm trying to tell you is, if you don't live here, don't tell us what our responsiblity is. I'm in the army and I have friends who had to go there and deal with the idea of having to shoot four year olds if they come over to you. Do you know why? Because these sick bastards strap bombs to the little kids and send them to soilders and have them give them a hug, then BOOM. You don't have to deal with that so don't say anything about it. Secondly, this has nothing to do with my question, I just want people to better themselves, because a better society is the starting point for a positive changes, but I am sick and damn tired of people who live in this country of ours telling us what we have to do. When you move here and join our armed forces and serve your term in Iraq just like the rest of us, then you can tell me what you think of being there. Til then, keep it to yourself. Sorry about the rant, but people who talk about us like that and don't have to face the reality of it just bother me.

Kazuma rose and a guard quickly moved in behind him to make sure he didn't try anything, not like he had anything in mind. Still, the gun was put to his back as he was escorted to the storgae locker where his equipment was kept. Kazuma is very paticular about what weapons he uses and won't use just anything. The guard cuffed him and went around and unlocked the locker in front of them and Kazuma called for weapons. Inside this locker was an esortment from blades to guns to explosives. Inside was a belt feed M-60, M-16 rifle, Berreta standard pistol, 50 caliber sniper rifle fitted with a unique shoulder rest and lacking a scope, a katana he called zengestu, a pair of butterfly swords, a halberd, a .45 luger, and a thompson sub-machine gun with extended round clip. He looked inside for a moment "Get me the M-60, the berreta, the 50 cal., and zengestu." The guard looked to him "You know he said no cutting off any heads?" Kazuma, without turning his head "I carry it for good luck." The guard simply shrugged and pulled out the equipment he specified and set it aside. He looked to Kazuma and handed him his ticket "The equipment you requested will be sent as cargo and you will recieve it only upon arrival at your next mission site. You know what'll happen if you attempt to run." Kazuma gave no response. The guard went on "I'll take that as a yes. You are to amintain minimal contact with the other agents til you reach you mission destination, at which point you will be given the specifics on your mission." Kazuma still gave no response. The guard removed the cuffs and Kazuma took the ticket. He was going on yet another mission to kill someone else, was this really all he had left?

Let me be the first taker here. I'm a softy for the cutcier girl, I can't help it but I have a soft spot in my heart for stuff like that. It's strange that I find myself attracted to some fan girls as well.

occ: Yeah, it's still about school time. Tommy was let go for personal reasons and everyone else is pretty much blowing off school cause they can. Tommy smiled a bit "Thanks, I think I'll pay this place a visit tomorrow." She nodded and smiled a bit herself "Yeah well, thanks for the food." She turned around and looked to the door "I'll see you tomorrow. I hope everything goes well for you." Tommy smiled and looked down the far hall toward the bedroom door at the far end, his mothers room "I'll be fine, I'm just worried about Sarah. She'll probably be home soon to. They probably already told her, and she's crying the whole way home." "Yeah, your right. I'll get going so you two can have your time to yourselves for a while. See ya" And she walked out the door. Tommy turned and sat back on the couch and waited. It wasn't ten minutes later that his little sister ran through the door crying as he knew she would be. She jumped to him and hled on to him, still crying about it. He tried to keep himself from crying to, he needed to be strong for her. He held on to her and told her it would be okay, that there mother was in a better place and that he would look after her. He ler her know eveything would be alright. After and hour of crying she fell asleep, she had just worn herself out. Tommy picked her up and brought her to her bedroom and set her in the bed. He went back out to the kitchen and started to make dinner for the two of them. She would be awake by then, and the extra time meant he could make something nice. He decided he'd make a beef stew, it was his sisters favorite. He got up and started to warm up the crok pot.

Emilio took to the small shaft located above the door in the back of the tower and took to the top swiftly. He could feel the overwhealming evil coming from the top of the tower, Dredick had become active. He must have found the others, if Achilles was injured then they're in serious danger. Emilio burst out to the top level, he could feel another great power coming from the area near where his father was, could this be Achilles, it was much stronger then before. Could heave finally merged with Dreadnaught? He would have to get there to find out. The floor shook and rumbled, the fighting had just started. In the distance he could see his father, at the sight Emilio jumped and sprung himself toward him. He drew a sword and swung at his father and missed the back of his fathers head after a quick evasion. He moved passed and landed next to Achilles "Hey, looks like somebody made an upgrade here." Achilles was a bit surprised for a moment, but his surprise quickly turned to a smirk "Yeah, that sword you gaeve me is finally figured out who's boss." Emilio smirked back to him and the two preped to launch another attack on Dredick as Chrys came in behind them "So, how'd things go with Kami? Did she escape again?" Emilio tilted his head slightly "No, I killed her. We won't have to worry about her. And father, she won't be giving you support. Your all alone here." Dredick smiled "And this is suppose to worry me. I can deal with you children like I dealed with thousands that came before you." The four prepared for the next strike. Dredick took a defensive stance as Emilio and Achilles preped in an offensive stance, while Chrys prepared for support fire. Emilio started "Incase your curious, Gale will be joining us shortly." The looks of all became the same as they all looked as if in disbelief. For they all still believed he was dead, but Emilio knew differnt "That's right pops, you failed to kill him before, and now he'll come back even stronger right." the group stood silent for a moment til Emilio jumped and took the first strike.

Name: Eric Meyers Age: 17 Gender: Male Appearance: [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Tanner.jpg[/IMG] Reason for being commited: Alcoholism. Commited after being charged with drunk driving and a disruption of the peace charge. And to top it off they also slapped a Drunk in public charge to sweeten the deal. Yrs to be served: 6 yrs Bio: He wasn't born to what you might suspect of a street thug and all around social reject. He was born to an upper middle class family living in suburbia, and he hated it there. All those damn rules just to avoid people of the inner city, it was such a stupid idea. He left that place at every chance he got to enjoy the city life. He lived by street fights, night clubs and $1 drinks. He lived the party lifestyle with reckless abandoned. He took tot he roads in his drunken stupor one night and was taken into custody before he did any real damage. His parents let it go since they had long since stopped caring about what he did. He was sent to this school for his "problem" in this virtual prison for reform. This lasted for a year, til the good agent gave him an offer he couldn't refuse.

Ron got back to his feet and set back to return to the rest of the crew who were still enjoying there down time. He took up some water and put out the small fire he had started for himself and began on his way back to the group. He walked straight passed them and was largly ignored, none of them knew him and he didn't particularly care if they did or not. He hadn't shared anything with them so they didn't need to know anything. He patted himslef off as he started to head back up on the boat "This has been one hell of a night." He said to himself as he climbed the rope ladder, back onto the deck and he immediatly made his way for his cabin. He stopped at the door to the deck and thought on this for a moment. He turned and instead of going to his cabin he went to the front of the ship and looked out on the rough seas ahead. It seemed like everything was restless tonight, even the high seas beat vicously. He thought to himself 'At least I'm not the only one'. He looked back to the deck door to the cabins and leaned back on the rail for the edge of the ship and looked straight to the roof of the cave. He didn't know what to think anymore, but he had to believe that there was some answer for him out here. There had to be, otherwise, what was the point in leaving if he couldn't find his tranquility?

[QUOTE=ForgottenRaider]At it again ey James? That extra line pointing out that it was a joke was added just for you though unfortunately as usual your keen sense of humour just ran right by. I often wondered why it is that with your need to defend the biggest super power on the planet on any little point and after awhile it just seemed that it is some thing you like to do. Your reasons are your own and I have learnt not to question them ? negative reinforcement - though please once in a while just let some thing slide? Now in defence of myself before I made that [i]joke[/i] I researched it and while your point of comparison to other far worse (in your opinion) regimes is valid (and to be fair I didn?t consider it fully) I still feel that my point of jest is valid or at least should provoke thought and maybe action on behalf of the American people to avoid it slipping down that long slope. My father often told me if you have to explain a joke to some one, [b]don?t[/b]. Interestingly enough my contempt for the American version of democracy that I held when compared to that of the English or Australian systems was replace with pure respect when I spent a great deal of time researching your founding fathers. In fact it was replaced by disgust at the degradation of their work and that their words of wisdom have been lost on the people of not only America but any one trying to maintain a democracy. So much so that the quote in my signature is sitting at the top of my list of favoured great words - and I whole heartedly agree with the sentiment. The group of people that created America were indeed smart and well thought men and I find it shocking that their works (there are a lot of them) and ideals aren?t some thing learnt in your schools. Also when they did create this system Jefferson (along with the others) predicted all of the current pitfalls and even which side of politics would cause them. At the time they stated it was the best system that they could come up with and mused that it would only last a few hundred years before corruption and fractures would appear by which time they had hoped that similarly intelligent people had updated it or replaced it completely with some thing better. This hasn?t happened and we are (as a world) dealing with the results?DMCA any one? I believe there was overwhelming support for a six month extension to the PATRIOT act. Enjoy. :) Unfortunately it isn?t his idea and even worse he didn?t even pull it off that well. This current fear of terrorism is just a created myth much like that of the Cold War and similar repeats through history. Sure the threats are there but there really wont be much behind them (I believe the term is paper tiger?). It is a very clever control mechanism where in you get a population to have absolute fear in some thing and they will agree with your choices if you present yourself as a strong leader. It is how tribes operate. Do you honestly believe that you will be killed in a terrorist attack? Look at it, there is more chance that you will die living your day to day life in the next hour than being blown up. So why live in fear of it? I love laughing at people who refuse to go to the shops because of the terror rating or that there [i]might[/i] be a threat. Seriously... One thing that does interest me is the thought that maybe it is the idealists just hiding behind the curtains around the place that slowly some how swing things back towards the centre (from the left or right of ideologies). I?ve never really thought about how this does happen; does any one know about this specific part of this topic in regard to historical points?[/QUOTE] Actually, while the PATRIOT act, which did in fact have large supprot only a few months ago, it has fallen in this incline ever since republican majority cahirman Tom Delay has stepped down from office the act has lost quite abit of it's support and will be coming to and end in the next month. I don't personally believe I'll die in a terrorist attack, but apparently a lot of people do. Did you know that after 9/11 gun sales in Amerca soared, as well as the sale of personal security systems, gas masks, and even trained attack dogs. Which won't protect you from plane hijacking, box cutter weilding terrorists but it sure as hell shows how scared people here are. As far as being killed goes, I know I've got a greater risk then most of dieing in a terrorist attack since I'm in the army so my chances are higher then normal, but I still don't see it happening. Like you said, this is something they've been setting up for years. If you've ever actually seen the papers on the PATRIOT act, it's litteraly a libray of works and writings. They've had this planned for years and have waited for a time of fear like now to launch it. A time when the people of this country would blindly say yes to it. I'm still pissed because there are legitimate threats to this country at this a time of war. We shouldn't be focusing our efforts in Iraq, we need to step up security at home before we worry about this "Fighting them ther so we don't have to fight them here" Bull crap. The reports on 9/11 taught me this, if they are going to attack us, They're already here. The men responsible for that tragedy had been here for little more then a decade before the attack. If there going to attack, then they're already here. We need to come home and look after the home front here. That should be our first step to bettering ourselves is by leaving the world alone and let those morons blow themselves up and protect the homefront, where they said they'd be covering us.

I would hate to be trapped with Straight Cougar from S-cry-ED. I know alot of people like him, but that rammbling would drive me up the damn wall. Just being trapped with him anywhere would be hell, let alone a desert island.

Kazuma sat silently in the small cell in which **** kept him. He had tried to escape one to many times and was now kept in confinement most of the time. He sat in complete solitude, his hope for leaving and for a future beyond this life had died to nothing. A guard hired by **** came to the cell door "Time to go, you've been summoned." Kazuma never moved his frozen gaze and face, he simply rose to his feet and went to the door. The guard cuffed his hands behind his back and opend the door to let him come out. The guard escorted him to the meeting room where **** was already waiting for him. ****'s dark smile sent chils down his spine "Welcome mister Uta. Are you feeling complient today?" Kazuma kept his gaze fixed on the man infromt of him. His eyes lightly glazed and lifeless. He said nothing. "Great, I'll take that as a yes, since you don't seem to be resisting." Kazuma was still motionless and speechless. **** went on "This will be the first misssion I've sent you on with anyone else. I hope you don't mind if the company." Kazuma's eyes turned up to look at him for a moment and then turned back down "Would it matter if I didn't want them?" "Of course not. Now please take a seat here Mr. Uta, the others will be here shortly." Kazuma turned and sat down in a chair nearest to **** on the right side of the table. He takes his seat and looks down to the table, not saying another word. Awaiting the arrival of the others.

I think December is suppose to be a time of family and friends. A time to care and to give, but over the years it has become very commercialized. It's sad to look at this time of the year and all one can think of is the hot new video game console (i.e. this year it was the Xbox 360), instead of just being happy for what you've got. It's suppose to be about giving not recieveing, but the only thought on everyones minds is "what are they going to give me" when it really should be "what am I going to get for them" That's all I really have to say on the topic.

I'll go with you on it. It's a decision they made so let them go on with it if they want. I personally would never do it though, but that's just me.

[quote name='James][font=franklin gothic medium']I've always thought that instead of predicting the end of the world, we should be thinking about how the world is always improving. Although it's a gradual process, so many things are getting better - education, human rights, political freedoms, etcetera. These things take time and there are deviations along the way, but basically I think the world is always moving in a positive direction.[/font][/quote] I would like to touch on this education comment for a moment. How has education gotten better in America. Last time I checked, amongst the free nations of the world Americas educational system was ranked second from the bottom, Cyprus being at the bottom. Now this made me feel better to know we weren't the worst, but that feeling quickly faded when I realized I didn't even know Cyprus was a country. I'll give you the fact that the word totalitarian may be unwarranted claim at this point, but do you really think this is the democracy first invisioned by the our founding fathers? Fortunatly certain clauses of the patriot act, which was the biggest slap in the face to the bill of rights in almost a hundred years, are about to expire and we can begin to return to normal. I love the idea that our presidents idea to solve the problem on terror was to create this color coded chart to induce terror. Has anyone else noticed that the alarm seems to go up whenever his administration is in trouble or any time a democrate actually works up the balls to say anything damning and bold. This angers me because we know there are legitimate threats out there, and he's using the thing like his distraction tool. How many of you were even aware he had not even a month ago, and no one did anything about it. Why? Because he has desensitized us to these things when there are real threats out there. One only has to look to England to know they're there and he makes us believe that theres nothing to watch out for. In short, I realize that the world can't be changed easily, but you can start bettering yourself everyday. Going out there and helping someone else, with even a menial task. A world is crafted by the human hand, if the people who live in it are better the world itself will be come better for it. How many of you saw the movie "Pay it Forward"? Just think along those lines. Someone does something for you and in exchange help three other people and tell them to do the same and elp three people themselves and have them keep the message going with each time. In know I'm an idealist, but for some people that's all that keeps them alive. I still have the scars where I used to cut myself. I still remember the nights of sickness that I induced with perscritption medication. I remember the all these horrible things, but to keep myself going I kept my head faced forward and never let myself look down. You talk of these people who are suffering in sweat shops, so what are you going to do for them? And don't say you can't do anything for them, because we both know that's total crap so don't even try to deny it. If anyone truly cares to help there fellow man, then you can make it happen. If you really feel sorry for them, find a way to help.

The air seemed to prick like needles, Emilio bored through the air like a spear while Kami danced like a feather. Emilio wore a heavy guantlet, while she danced with a light flail. Emilio fixed his gaze on her[B] "This'll be where we put our problems to rest. Here in my fathers blood STREETS!"[/B] Emilio dropped to slam Kami with his fist, as she danced around him. he quickly corrected and his stance and kicked her across the face as he plummeted to the earth. He caught himself on the roof of a building, and looked to Kami as she rubbed her cheeck [B]"I've missed this Emilio. I truly have."[/B] She cast her warm smile down to him and he returned it to her. Kami then dropped from the air like a bomb, her once elegant flail was now a heavy spined sheild. She intended to crush him where he stood. Emilio put up his guantlet and jumped straight for her [B]"IS THIS HOW YOU WANT IT TO END KAMI!?"[/B] He yelled as the two met with there weapons. In what seemed an eternity, but actually happend in an instant, the sheild shatterd as Emilio hurrdled at her with such force. The look on Kamis face, still not one of anger or fear, but serenity. The wind ringed as he drove his fist through he stomach [B]"Goodbye, my love."[/B] Emilio came crashing back to the earth, Kamis body still hanging from his arm. He let her drop off him, he then bent down and picked her up and cradled her in his arms. His eyes seemed more sad then proud. She had let him win, she never could have lost like that unless she wanted to. Emilio looked to her oddly peaceful face and kissed her forehead [B]"Goodbye Kamilla"[/B] This was the first moment of peace and civility he had felt in almost eight years. He held her body close to him, it was then that the stone given to him by Gale began to glow a vibrant and pure light.

Don was moving on assignment. He had been orderd to assist agent Ryan, presently on assignment in the middle ages. He wasn't a fan of that paticular time period, but he would just ahve to deal with it. He took up his spot and left for the time period. He arrived in the small cluterd forest, he was already picking up abnormal activity. One of them were near by, he just had to find them. He pulled out a recorder "This is agent NP3228, Donatello making record entry #119. I've picked up abnormal readings, due south. Agent ryan is believed to have already ingaged the target." With that said Don ran off for the source of the action. He saw the two figures standing face to face, and without even a thought he pulled out his sword and swung. The target turned quickly and intercepted his attack with it's mystic barrier, this one was a dreader. While distracted, he nodded to Ryan, who then drew his pistol and fired on the target. He blocked the bullets again, but in doing so his barrier on Dons sword waverd. Don ripped through the barrier, then the targets shoulder. This caused the target to jump clear of the strike to avoid a lethal blow and began to run. Don approached Ryan "Agent Ryan, sorry I'm late. Agent Donatello reporting in. I've been sent as support."