Probably another boring chapter but this would explain some of the strange happenings in the fic.

marze09: Exactly. xD I don't really like a romance relationship establishing too fast after two people meets.

Takawai: Thank you! I'm happy that you enjoyed it! Oh, I'm sorry. I will keep that in mind and make changes to the previous chapter!

I DO NOT OWN TO ARU MAJUTSU NO INDEX

The occupants in the room got themselves seated. Heaven Canceller had informed Yuriko to see him later and wouldn't be around since he had to tend to the other patients, leaving with only Kiyama, Misaka, Touma, Kuroko, Uiharu, Saten and Yuriko in the room. The older woman took her seat behind the desk while the others sat around the opposite table in an orderly manner, waiting to be explained of the current situation.

"First of all, you understand that the situation we have in hand is regarding Dual Skills Ability users, am I correct?" Kiyama asked. When the others nodded, she continued, "Dual Skills Ability users would be an incorrect term. We've already established them as Shared Ability users. It is a process whereby two individual share their personal reality with each other."

"But how is that possible?" Kuroko questioned. "And what are the risks to it?"

Kiyama nodded in response. "I was about to get to that. In order for it to happen, there must be a processor for it. The method to acquire this result could be alike to the method of the Level upper. But of course, the risks would be higher or lower depending on the users."

Saten could be seen visibly stiffening at the mention of the Level Upper incident. The ones around her felt it too but chose not to say anything about it. Although Saten claimed that she had moved on from that very incident, it was one of her very first and grave mistake she ever made in her life which affected other people around her. She wasn't proud of it nor she would forgive herself if she were to ever disregard that mistake.

"What do you mean by… depending on the users?" Misaka inquired.

"The conditions of a smooth 'transactions'. One, the number of users have to kept at a minimum more than one. Two, both users have to be one the same level with each other. Three, he elements of the abilities would have to be or almost the same. These factors would make the least risks affecting the users but of course, we can assume that not all of them would abide to the conditions," Kiyama explained.

"What about… the risks?" Uiharu asked.

Kiyama closed her eyes for a moment before answering. "The risks have a range of fatigue to a serious brain injury. First of all, one person should only manage their own personal reality. Having to share another developed one would put a strain on their brains. Small signs such as fatigue would only come from those who abide by the conditions."

"Aside from having only two to share each other's personal reality, their levels and abilities has to be kept the same?" Touma reaffirmed.

"Yes. Having to experience another level or ability similar to an individual's own, their brain might most likely be accustomed to it quicker and more efficiently thus lowering the risks of a strain. If a level five and a level one were to be partners, the level one wouldn't be able to manage such high level of processing power in their brain."

"Do you know who is behind all this?" Yuriko questioned this time.

Kiyama nodded slowly. "Heaven Canceller had requested your audience later on for that very matter. As for the rest of you, you might not need to know at the moment. It would be wise for the doctor to speak his mind to the girl first. I understand that this is already in Judgement's hands but what has to be done first has to be done."

Although Misaka, Kuroko and Uiharu tried to protest, Saten could somehow understand why Heaven Canceller wanted to talk to Yuriko first. Of course, this situation might have something to do with Yuriko. With what she had heard from Yomikawa, she could guess that the people involved are somehow related to Yuriko's past. A past which she wouldn't want anyone to know. And judging from Yuriko's personality, she would most likely have to be warned beforehand.

"If you said that the method is similar to that of a Level Upper user, we could assume that the users' brain could be affected in a form of music?" Kuroko asked instead.

"It is one of the possibilities. We. humans, have five senses that are directly connected to the brain. With this new sharing of abilities, it can also be possible that the processors used by each pair are different. Even in the form of music, the contents is to be shared with only two people and no one else."

"In other words… as different from the Level Upper, there could be different tunes for each pair?" Misaka questioned.

"Music could very well be one of the device. Each category will have their own sets of contents," Kiyama replied. "However, in each contents, there has to be similar piece that acts as booting code for the system. As of now, we are not sure what could the person in charge gain from this experiment," she further explained.

This was as far as Kiyama had gathered so far. However, it was already more than enough information to shed some light on the Judgement members and the others. Kuroko and UIharu knew that this would be an even more difficult case to crack than the Level Upper incident. But apparently for now, they had more helpers. Soon enough, they had decided to label this task as the 'Joint Skills' case.

"I will require you to find one of the tools used to bring about the reaction in order for me to find out more," Kiyama requested.

"We will definitely find it," Touma promised in determination while Misaka, Kuroko, Uiharu and Saten nodded in agreement.

After the meeting with Kiyama was concluded, Yuriko headed towards where Heaven Canceller is without a word. Saten had convinced her friends and Touma to head back to where they should be heading first as she would wait for Yuriko in the hospital since she didn't want her to get lost. Uiharu wanted to stay with her but Kuroko reminded her of the overtime work Judgement had piled onto their shoulders. Misaka merely gave a nod to Saten in understanding and followed the rest out of the hospital.

Saten took her place on a couch nearby and drifted off into thoughts. She wondered if she would be able to resist the temptation of using such devices again. Although it might not benefit much if she were to use to with a fellow level zero, no doubt she would experience her powers again if she were to team up with a higher level user. When she realized what she was thinking, she immediately shook the thought off and berated herself for it. There is no way she would worry her friends ever again.

Especially Uiharu.

Inside an office like room, Heaven Canceller and Yuriko stood opposite of each other after Yuriko had declined the offer to sit. Conversations with Yuriko were usually relatively quick as she'd rather listen to everything rather than speaking out her own opinions. Looking at the frog faced doctor's grave and serious facial expression, she knew that she would definitely not like what was about to come.

"Since Kiyama had informed all of you about our current plight, I do not think I have to re-explain it now. Instead, I will tell you that the ones behind this… is definitely a Kihara," Heaven Canceller said.

Kihara.

The name brought back memories for Yuriko. And they were downright unpleasant. Yuriko had met other scientists belonging to the Kihara family before but Kihara Amata was the one whom had really interacted with her. He wasn't the best of babysitter, Yuriko had to admit, but she gained her basic fighting powers through his lessons. Nevertheless, it was a family name full of idiocy which she grew to hate and despise.

"How are you so sure?" Yuriko questioned.

"Out of all the scientist family in Academy City, Kihara is the one whom would resort to any methods to get what they want. You could say that they are very ambitious, especially Kihara Gensei," Heaven Canceller pointed out. "We suspect that they might already had gotten ahold of Kiyama's experiment portfolios before the Child Errors she was taking care of went into a coma. Most of the scientists involved other than Kiyama and Gensei were members of the Kihara family."

"So you're saying that they took the portfolios and improvised?" Yuriko inquired with an eyebrow raised before smirking. "Hn. I wouldn't expect anything less from those filthy beings."

Heaven Canceller let out a sigh. "I wanted to let you know of this because I know of your past with them. I do not approve of you going after them by yourself but rather… I was hoping for you to help out Kiyama and the kids."

"What if I refuse?"

"Then there is nothing I can do," Heaven Canceller admitted with a serious face. It was as though he already knew what Yuriko's decision would be. "I'm sure you know that charging in recklessly without any leads is not going to get you anywhere."

"Tch. Don't mock me," Yuriko threatened.

Heaven Canceller gave a knowing smile. "I know of your strength. But during your 'journey', I know that you must've learnt and experienced many things. That the best course of actions would have to be taken with a group."

"Even so, they would be the least likely lot of people I would play around with," she grumbled.

"You hadn't changed too much, Yuriko. And that is why I am assured."

Yuriko gave the doctor a sharp glare. "Are you messing around with me?"

"Not at all," he promised.

"Tch."

-x-

After Yuriko had finished her talk with the doctor, she stepped out of the room and started to head back home when the corners of her eyes caught sight of a sleeping figure on the sofa. It was Saten. Yuriko frowned at that. Didn't that girl went back along with the others? What? Did she think that Yuriko would get lost? Even though she had only visited her dorm once, there was no way for her to get lost ever. She'd find her way back either way.

Letting out an irritated sigh, she went over to the sleeping girl and nudged the leg with her foot. It wouldn't do her good if she left Saten alone. If she did, Last Order would most likely demand her to fetch her back and if she refuses, Last Order would run off on her own. She didn't need the additional chain of events anymore than she had experienced.

"Mmmmgh…?" Saten groaned as she started to wake up from her nap.

"Sleeping comfortably, aren't you? Why not take up the hospital beds to sleep?" she grumbled.

"Ehhh…? Oh, I must've fallen asleep," Saten murmured while rubbing her eyes tiredly. "You are done talking with the doctor? How did it go?"

Yuriko clicked her tongue, something Saten was beginning to dislike, and answered, "It's none of your business."

Saten didn't expect anything more from that. If it really had something big to do with Yuriko's past, the albino was bound to be as secretive as a spy. She wondered if she should consult Yomikawa about this before the albino does something crazy like running off on her own and get herself into deeper trouble. It would seem like she was a trouble magnet as much as Yuriko would maim anyone who point that out.

"I see," Saten spoke instead and stood up, stretching her sore limbs. "Ow, I better not sleep on the couch again."

"Right," Yuriko quipped sarcastically and started to walk quickly. "I'm heading back now. You better hurry up because I won't be slowing down for you."

Saten made an indignant noise at that before she realized that Yuriko had stopped her movements and standing at the entrance of the hospital… waiting for her to catch up. She chuckled inwardly at the albino's behavior and jogged towards her. If Yomikawa had saw this, she would've remarked that the two had become more than just acquaintances now.

The development between Yuriko and Saten would be kind of slow but I will be sure not to drag it on for too long. Please review!