This was going to be interesting... as if the first time around for them hadn't been confusing enough. Now they were in a different time, different places. Some were seperated not by miles, but by almost an entire continent! The mist closed within the mirror once more and a soft sigh escaped into being.

"Now what will you do, shichiseishi... will your call draw you together once more?"

The scene shimmered, revealing two young men sitting in a cafe, talking across the table to each other in hushed tones. The younger of the two, dark hair awry, leaned over a mug, staring into the liquid as if it would answer each question his heart held dear.

"Tamahome... this time there was nothing to quell your anger. No outlet, save for that which you made for yourself. It will make you stronger in the end, but will you overcome the loathing for yourself that you carry?"

The other at the table brought a hand to his chin in thought, his lips moving occasionally with his gentle speech. His eyes belied his outer confidence, revealing the frightened boy that still lay beneath the surface. A slight chuckle could be heard before the gnarled fingers traced their way across the mirror's face.

"And you, Hotohori... you don't have an empire at your whim any longer. Will you bear yourself as strongly as you did then, or will your duty this time around make you its slave..."

The two seemed intent on each other, reconciling what one believed with his heart and the other simply accepted as possible truth. The image shimmered once more to a couple walking hand in hand along a nighttime street. Their smiles were real, and joy filled them both with the discovery of identity.

"Chichiri... my student... how you have changed. For the better, I know. You will be the guide once more, stable ground when all else crumbles. I have faith in you... you will stand the storm as you always have."

A smile crossed the wrinkled face as the scene played out, then shifted again... this time revealing a boy and man sitting in a small hotel room. The boy was nearly falling asleep but couldn't bring himself to do so. The elder of the two simply listened, intent on his companion's words.

"Chiriko, as always you will be the knowledge of this group. You alone have retained all of your memories, and will be called forward in a way you have never forseen. Your bravery was legend even back then... and it will sustain you now."

"Mitsukake... you remember as well, but perhaps not as much as you think. Sorrow was the road you wandered before, and now with a second chance, you chose to remain alone. You can't hide forever... but this time, you will see that not all sacrifices will be of those you care for."

The scene altered once more, showing the aged eyes a lone man sitting curled with his arms around his knees. His head rested against his arms, his body trembling.

"Tasuki, your road in this life was much harder, yet you perservered. My gift to you was not in vain, for it was an instrument in revealing you to yourself. Now, however, it is an uphill struggle. Once again, you are a criminal, by your own hand this time instead of by association. I had never intended you to go that far... but the life of your friend was all you saw." The gaze lowered for a moment and the words were whispered into the air. "Forgive me..."

The hand moved over the mirror, sending the image into disarray only to coalesce into another... perhaps more intimate moment. The soft hiss that sounded marked a moment that was unexpected, in both act and companionship. A slight figure lay in bed, curled around another larger form, the two intertwined and peaceful in sleep. Even as she watched, the elder seemed to sit up and gaze into the mirror as if he had seen it's presence. Blue eyes hardened in that instant and the image faded to black, much to the startlement of the one who watched.

"Nuriko..." Came the carefully measured word. "Do you realize what you've done... what you are doing? You hadn't met him before... you never saw... I only hope your instincts haven't failed you in this life."

The elder's head bowed then, leaving the mirror dark before her. No words were needed, they would only echo upon empty air. The silent wish went out... to perhaps make this time easier... but that could not be. Nothing was ever easy when fate lent its hand into the fray, and all of them had been chosen again. None knew why or what was to happen, but only time would tell.

To Chapter 1