Her mouth gaped, and her mind seemed to be laughing at the itself.

A hero?

Tousen stood with his arms wide open still after finishing his speech, while Gin twiddled his thumbs, amusedly looking down at the so-called hero. She looked at him, and returned her gaze to Tousen. "This…can't be right," she grimaced, trying to force down the idea. "You've got to be pulling my leg…there's no way –"

"Oh, but it's true," Gin stroked her hair dearly, the other man lowered his arms. "You're a hero, just like in the…stories!" Blackbird thought about this a moment. She pictured herself in shining armor, perched on a tall mountain looking down on the world with the wind blowing through her hair. A large sword rested in the hand of the more gallant version of herself. The vision made the pride swell in her chest; yet, she could not help returning to her more humble self image.

"There has to be a mistake…"

"Oh, but Birdie, I— Well, Tousen— saw it with his own eyes…wait, that still doesn't sound…" Tousen held his palm toward the the former speaker, signaling him to silence.

"It seems we have forgotten to explain who we are," Blackbird raised an eyebrow in confusion; her head swam once more. "My name is Tousen Kaname. I am the son of the great blind seer Teresa, who trained many very successful heroes in her time. Time amongst mortals has for her, though, expired. I have been left in her place to prepare my own share of heroes for their destiny. I am, too, a blind seer. I cannot see the future of a hero, for they choose that for themselves, but I can see when a hero is to be , and where," he paused.

"I can choose my own destiny…? But I thought things just…"

"Heroes can turn to either the side of good, or that of evil," he interrupted. "I saw when you when born, and we have been observing you closely ever since, waiting for your time to come," his face turned in Gin's direction, hinting him to begin talking.

Gin licked his lips, "I'm the guild master. I've almost the same as Tousen's job, 'cept the fact that I can see into people's minds, instead of the future," this statement caused a look of worry to appear on the girl's face. A reaction which he noticed, "Birdie, did you have a strange dream before we first met?"

Blackbird crumpled her lips and creased her brow, probing her few memories. "I think," She began, "I was in this little wagon-like house…reading a letter with a boy, I don't know who he was. He looked about my age. Then we said some things, and went outside. It was really cold, I remember that very clearly. Then there was a big mess of things, I can't remember 'em all. Then I heard a man say something, couldn't make out what it wash though. I heard a loud 'BANG!' before a 'CRASH!' And my head started to hurt…"

Gin made her sit in one of the chairs with a gesture. "Was there anything else?"

She looked at her lap, where her hands were now seeking comfort in each other. "Well, I think I said something."

"What do you think you said?"

Her head hurt even more now, "'Robin'…"

He frowned sympathetically and stroked the top of her head. "Robin was your brother's name. That boy you saw, he was your brother."

It was not a dream, but a memory. The only one she had of her past life.

Without turning her head, she flipped her eyes toward his face to study his expression. "My brother, Robin…He's dead. Isn't he?" Gin nodded gravely, kneeling down next to her.

"Yes," His voice was a whisper.

Large, hot tears came streaming down her face, burning her damaged eye and making her head pound all the more. Soon enough she was bawling violently, Gin pressing her against himself. He waited quietly until his own heart sank imagining her pain. "There… there, Birdie. Go ahead and cry hard for me, let it all out. But let me tell you, don't you know Robin died for a good cause?"

The name itself seemed to stab at her. Tousen stood to the side of them, listening to wails of misery. Gin nudged her ear with his nose, as if he were to whisper the secrets of the world to her in this awful moment of grievance. "Had he not died, it would've been you instead. You who are the hero, she who can save Albion from the devils who've vomited upon it. He died because he wanted you to live, see: when the first bullet was shot, the one more carefully aimed, more powerful, he shielded you with his own body. Then you where shot with the poorer, second bullet; which damaged you badly, yet you've survived it. A bullet to the head Birdie, that's not very common. 'course, we helped, but there had to be more to it. Your brother's with you, he's watching over you," She her sobs lowered down to sniffles. she turned her attention toward his face again, now that he held her close, like a mother to her child. His broad smile returned, encouraging her to smile back. "Show him how brave you are,"

"I won't let my brother die in vain," she announced, standing, drying her face with her sleeve. She looked at the seer determinedly, "Great Seer, I promise I'll become the best warrior you've ever seen," she pounded her chest with her fist mightily; "I want to be the best fighter, the smartest, the kindest. I will save Albion from the evils that pollute it. I'll slaughter mercilessly, if that's what it takes to complete my mission."

He started toward her, expressionless, Then dropped a heavy hand on her shoulder, and for the first time, his lips stretched into a large, proud smile. "Your words are still childish, but very powerful, at the same time."

She grinned, "Master Gin, I'd also like to know, 'cause if you can see into my memory, you probably know by now. You can probably see things there clearer then I do, too. I'd like to know, who was the man speaking in the memory?"

Gin ran his fingers through his hair. "I know who he is, but I can't tell you 'till the time comes,"

"So be it."