My whole body tensed up, and my fingers felt like icicles. For once, I was absolutely speechless.

The boy who claimed to be my twin brother stepped towards me. I admit, we did look similar: same red hair and blue eyes. Same face-shape. We were around the same height, too.

"You're twins?" Ritsu asked. I almost spluttered; I'd forgotten he was here.

"Yeah," Sho said. He reached out his hand, blinking, as if he were about to cry. "Arashi, don't you remember me?"

I stepped back.

"Did you know about this?" Ritsu asked me.

"No," I found myself saying. My voice was starting to fail me. "I don't… I don't know what's going on…"

"It was a while ago when we got split apart," Sho said. "You were very young."

"Twin brother…" I repeated. I shook my head. "No… no way." I clenched my fists. "Are you… associated with CLAW?"

"Our father is the leader of it," Sho replied, frowning. "He-"

"So you are associated with CLAW," Ritsu interrupted, glaring at me. I could almost sense a bit of… regret in his voice. "You've been working behind our backs."

"I have not!" I roared. Getting angry really brought my voice back. "Ritsu, you-"

"Enough," Sho said. He zoomed over to Ritsu, as fast as the wind, and knocked him out. I swear I saw a trail of smoke behind him.

"You're an esper," Was all I could say.

"Yes," Sho nodded. "So are you."

I rubbed my tattoo. "No I'm not. Trust me, my bro…" Could I even call Shigeo my brother anymore? A sickness churned inside me. "My… someone I know…"

"The quiet kid in the blue shirt?" Sho asked. "The one who you were travelling with before Takeuchi knocked you out?"

"Who?" I asked. That made me remember Shigeo. Oh, Gods. Shigeo. "Is Shigeo okay? He better not be hurt!"

"Oh, he's fine," Sho said. "Just a little bit angry." He smirked. "He's a very powerful esper. I guess us espers attract each other, huh?"

"I'm not an esper," I snapped. I clenched my fists. "Look, I came here to find out what the deal with my tattoo is." I removed my hand from my tattoo.

Sho raised his brow. "So that explains it."

"Huh?" I asked.

"CLAW must have found you, somehow," Sho said. "They did something to your memory."

"Seriously?" I asked.

"Not just your memory," Sho said. He took another step towards me. "Your psychic powers, too."

"I don't have psychic powers." I said, glaring into his eyes. It was almost like staring into a mirror. Or a male version of myself.

"That's what you think," Sho said. "Come with me, sister. I'll show you something."

"Why should I trust you?" I asked.

"Do you want to know the truth about your backstory?" Sho asked. "Where you got that from?" He pointed at my tattoo.

"Fine," I sighed. "But I'm watching you."

"I won't let anyone hurt you," Sho said, probably trying to be reassuring. "You are my lil sis, after all."

"Fantastic," I grunted. I turned back to Ritsu, who didn't look so good. His face was covered in little scratches, and a bruise was over his eye. "What about Ritsu?"

"Don't worry about him," Sho said. "You don't really care about him, do you?"

I stared at my adoptive older brother. I remembered the time he beat up some idiots with his powers (which wasn't that long ago), with little ease. They had no chance against him. I then realised he'd let me punch him, when he could've easily killed me. Why? Was it him showing his love? Or was he just toying with me? After all… he hated me. He was jealous of me. He didn't support my band. He either pretended I didn't exist, or was mean to me.

But… looking at him now… I realised I didn't hate him. I didn't want him dead. Despite everything, he was still Ritsu Kageyama, my older brother. Maybe, deep down, he didn't hate me either.

"Is he going to get hurt?" I finally asked.

"No," Sho said. "He'll be fine. Trust me."

"I don't," I grumbled. "But there isn't much I can do, is there?"

"Unless you want to lug his body around, not really," Sho said. "Don't worry. Come on."

I sighed, and followed Sho through more endless white halls. This place really didn't have interesting architecture. I stayed by his side, my hands in tight fists.

"So," I said. "You're my twin brother."

Sho nodded. "Yep."

"Our… father is the leader of CLAW," I said.

"Yes," Sho replied. He frowned. "Nothing to celebrate there. I don't agree with his plans at all. He's a fool."

"Then… why are you here?" I asked.

"I'm recruiting espers for my army," he said. "Planning a resistance against my father."

"He really is that bad," I commented. I bit my lip. "Um... so, how did… how did we get separated?"

Sho had a dark look on his face. "Look… just, when you see the memories, you'll understand."

"The memories?" I asked.

"Here," Sho replied, pointing to a silver door. He opened it, revealing a dark room. There were a bunch of glowing flat-screens on the wall that were the only sources of light. A chair was in the middle, a giant gun-like machine directly above it. The machine had two claws that were sitting above the top of the chair, like the hands of an evil deity.

"What the Hell is that?" I asked, staring at the machine. "Don't tell me I have to sit there."

"Oh, no, not there," Sho laughed. He pointed left. "That's where you'll be sitting."

He pointed to another chair surrounded by a bunch of huge needles. I almost fell over.

"I take it back the other chair is fine," I blurted out.

Sho continued laughing. "Knew you'd say that! I was just messing with you."

"You suck," I growled.

"Hey, I knew it'd get to you," Sho said. "I have trypanophobia too."

"Seriously?" I asked, tensing up.

"Seriously," Sho nodded. He frowned. "You will actually need to sit at that machine, though."

"Why?" I asked.

"You want your powers back, right?" Sho asked.

I sighed. "Fine."

"Just sit at the first one for now," Sho said. "I'll do some digging."

I obeyed and sat under the huge machine. Not going to lie, it did make the back of my neck prickle. I really wanted to bust out of there, grab Shigeo and Ritsu, and never look back. I still didn't trust this Sho guy. But my curiosity wasn't going to let this go.

"It's safe," Sho said, pressing a button on the machine. I heard gears grinding. The claws lowered, until they surrounded the sides of my head. "I'll be right back. Just stay calm."

"Sure." I grunted sarcastically. Sho ran off, and soon, I heard things moving around a little while away. Someone was opening and closing drawers. I tapped my fingers against the leather armrest, and swung my legs back and forth, like a little kid would. Sweat began to pool on my forehead.

Maybe I was going to die. Gods, what was I doing? I didn't want to trust this, but Sho had seemed so genuine.

"Arashi Suzuki," Sho said, his voice echoing. "Found it."

"It's Arashi Kageyama," I replied.

"You really love those Kageyama brothers, huh?" Sho asked, holding up something that looked like a VHS tape.

"They're my brothers." I pointed out.

"And so am I," Sho replied. "Hold tight. You're about to believe me."

That sounded pretty stupid, but I forgot all about it when the machine started whirring again. It got pretty loud, and flashes of white danced around the room.

"What the Hell?" I yelled. "Sho, what's-"

Then everything went white.

…

...

"Arashi…"

"Arashi!"

The young girl's eyes fluttered open. Her older twin brother, Sho Suzuki, was sitting in front of her.

"Do it again!" he chirped.

"But won't Papa get mad?" she asked.

"Papa won't notice," Sho said. "Come on, do it again!"

Arashi nodded. She held out her palms, forming a small burst of flame. It grew bigger, until it could rival a bonfire. Arashi and Sho stared at the burning cascade of orange, red and yellow in awe. It was amazing! Unfortunately, it also set off the smoke alarms.

"Arashi," a man's voice growled. Her father walked in, glaring at his children. "For the last time, stop wasting those powers. Save them for the war."

"But I don't wanna fight in the war," Arashi protested.

"You don't have a choice," the man growled. He stormed out of the room. Sho was glaring at his back. Arashi joined him.

"He's stupid," she said. "I don't wanna do anything with him."

Sho put his arm around his sister's back. "Don't worry, sis. I won't let Dad do anything to us."

…

"Happy Birthday, Arashi!" Arashi's mother chirped, hugging her daughter. "You're already getting so big!"

"Thanks, Mama," Arashi said, kissing her mother on the cheek.

"What would you like as a gift?" the woman asked.

"Let's go to the mall," Arashi said. So mother and daughter (and Sho as well) headed over to the local mall. They spent a long time there, searching for the right gift. Arashi didn't want anything like Barbie dolls or dresses, or even toy cars. Arashi's mother was beginning to get frustrated.

"Arashi, we've been here for two hours," she scolded. "Please hurry up and choose."

"But we've been to every shop and I just can't pick!" Arashi sobbed.

"We haven't been to that one," Sho said, pointing to a music store. So the three went to said store. It was full to the brim with many different types of instruments - trumpets, pianos, flutes, and of course, guitars. Arashi was drawn to one thing only: a small, brown ukulele, hanging on a lone shelf. She wasn't sure why, but she wanted it. It was like a calling.

"This one," she said.

"You sure?" Sho asked her. "Looks kind of lame. You could get a sick electric guitar!"

"This one!" Arashi insisted.

"Is this the one you want…?" Arashi's mother asked, coming over. She glanced over the ukulele. She smiled. "Of course I'll buy it for you, Arashi."

…

"Dad, please!" Arashi cried, her father stepping above her. "I don't wanna!"

"You must," her father demanded. "Unleash it!"

Arashi screamed. Flames erupted from her hands, flowing all around her. They burned the dummies in front of her to smelting piles of ash.

"Good," the man said. "Very good. That power must've been built up for a while, hmm?"

"I hate you," Arashi told the man. He simply laughed.

"You'll understand one day, Arashi," he said, "that the apple does not fall far from the tree."

Arashi clenched her fists. She yelled at her father, but he paid her no mind. Sho watched from the distance, glaring at his father.

He had a plan. That night, they would run away.

…

Sho shook Arashi's arm, awaking her from her slumber.

"Sho?" she asked, staring at her twin brother.

"We're leaving," he told her, hoisting a backpack over his shoulder. "Come on."

"Running away?" Arashi asked.

"Dad's just going to keep torturing us with this war stuff," Sho replied. "I won't let him hurt me, or you."

Arashi nodded. She climbed out of bed, and grabbed her ukulele, which she named Kumo. She'd thoroughly enjoyed playing on it, and took it everywhere with her. After her mother had left, it was the only thing that reminded Arashi of her. The two snuck out into the hall, and opened one of the windows. They climbed out of it. Without looking back, they took off into the dark night, free at last.

…

Sho and Arashi had been on the run for a few days, now. They'd been living off the food and money Sho had brought. Arashi wasn't sure where they were running to, but any place was better than being with her father.

Right now, they were sitting in a bush. It was a cool night, so they were sharing a huge jacket Sho had packed. Arashi had started a little fire with her psychic powers.

"So nice," Arashi said, smiling.

"Yeah," Sho said, smiling at her.

"Are you sure Dad won't find us?" Arashi asked.

"No," Sho said. "I figured out how to make us undiscoverable to other espers. He'll never find us."

"Undiscoverable, huh?" a voice asked. It belonged to a man wearing the uniform of CLAW. A group of lackeys were following him.

"No way," Sho said, "how did you-"

"You shouldn't have doubted the boss' power," the man laughed. He held out his hands. "Now you kids are coming with us."

Arashi felt a burning rage. She was not going back to her father, no matter what. And she wouldn't let them hurt her brother either.

"Leave us alone!" she screamed. Fire erupted from all around her, burning up the ground. Explosions boomed, shattering the ground. The CLAW lackeys cried out, stepping back.

"She's strong," the main man said, "but that shouldn't stop you!"

The lackeys reluctantly got up, charging at the kids. Arashi blew them back with more fire, and even exploded one guy to bits. The others weren't so keen on fighting after that.

"We may need the Scars here," the main man muttered.

"Got that covered," said another voice. A long, red whip appeared, wrapping itself around Arashi's neck. She screamed out in terror, her vision going blurry.

"Got her," the esper said, appearing before the lackeys.

"Arashi, wait-" Sho cried. "Give her back!"

Sho punched the esper's leg. He muttered a curse word.

"You take the girl," he told the lackeys. "I'll deal with this boy."

Sho kept yelling as Arashi was dragged away, falling into an unconscious slumber.

…

Arashi woke up, chained to a chair, her vision hazy. Her hearing kept blinking in and out. A group of scientists stood before her. She couldn't even tell whether they were from CLAW or not.

"A powerful one…" one of them said. "Something must be done about that…"

"... specific orders from the Boss," another one of them said. "... removed the powers."

"She'll be returned, one day," another said, her voice clearer, "but now, she will be a new person."

"Yes…" said the final, "she mustn't remember."

Arashi tried to use her powers, but she couldn't feel them anymore. There was nothing there. The only thing that happened was her shoulder ached. Said shoulder was covered in a large, white bandage.

A scientist appeared above her. He smiled.

"Don't worry," he said. "We'll see you again."

And then everything went white.

…

…

My eyes fluttered open. My head was hurting, and the cool metal was still wrapped around it. Sho was standing there, watching me with concern. I stared at him for the longest time, my voice completely… gone.

"Well," I finally said. "You… really are my twin brother, huh?"

Sho nodded.

I pushed the claw off my head and stood up. I walked over to Sho, stupidly holding out my arms. Together, we shared a warm hug. It felt like it was long overdue.

"Thank you," I said. "For showing me… all that."

Sho mumbled something into my collar. It was slightly awkward, but a good kind of awkward.

"What about my psychic powers?" I asked. Then I remembered the needle machine. "Oh… right. That machine."

Sho laughed. "Yeah. That machine."

I shivered at the thought of it. But if I wanted to have my powers back…

I could finally match up to Shigeo and Ritsu. I'd pose a threat against other espers. And best of all, I'd have powers! So freaking cool. I could imagine myself with fire all around me, looking like a superhero…

But would I be able to control them?

I (reluctantly) sat on the chair beneath all the huge needles. My skin crawled just looking at them.

Powers, I reminded myself. You're going to get powers!

My brother gave me a sympathetic smile, before he turned the machine on.

"I've never done this before," he said, "but it'll probably hurt. So I'll give you an anaesthetic. Look away."

I felt a prick on my shoulder.

"This is so messed up," I said. "You been keeping my memories and power here all along?"

"Just your memories," Sho said. "They've done it before. To children they've wanted to get rid of. However, you're the only successful attempt at actually hiding powers in your own body… with the help of the tattoo."

"Still messed up," I said.

"Trust me," Sho said, a dark look on his face. "They've done much worse."

The machine grew louder. I felt something dig into my shoulder.

"CLAW's scientists did this to me," I said, looking away from my tattoo. "Why, Sho? Didn't they know I was the boss' daughter?"

"I'm… not exactly sure," Sho admitted. "I think Dad thought you were too young to join his army. Your powers were pretty dangerous, and you had no control of them. He'd let you go for a bit, then he'd recruit you when you were older."

"Like I'm going to have any control of them now," I grumbled. "I don't want to help him. He hurt my adoptive brothers."

"Dad can be very convincing," Sho said. He smiled. "But I think you'll be strong enough to resist him."

I found myself smiling as well. Then it wavered with another thought. "What about Mom?"

"She's fine, but she hates Dad," Sho said. "She lives pretty far away from here. I talked to her a little while ago. She'll be really happy to see you, trust me."

"Glad to see I have one good parent," I sighed. We continued talking as my tattoo was taken away. I told Sho about where'd I'd been living, and all about Shigeo, Ritsu and my band. In return, Sho told me all about his personal army he'd been building to oppose our father. He was here to find espers to recruit for it. Well guess what, your girl was now one of those recruits. Being his sister gave me that leverage.

After a while, I felt heat race to my fingertips, and energy burning inside me. It was like a fire was building inside me. The psychic powers were coming, I assumed. Sho confirmed it.

"Good," Sho said, turning the machine off. "That should do it."

I flexed my shoulder. It stung; I muttered a curse word. Sho just laughed.

"Idiot," I rolled my eyes, and we kept laughing. Suddenly, from outside the door, I heard a lot of noise. Someone was yelling, and tons of people were screaming. Things were crashing as well, it seemed.

"What the Hell is going on out there?" I asked.

"I'm not sure," Sho said. He tensed up. "It might be Shigeo."

"Oh God," I said, breathless. I could only imagine how angry he would be. Did he know what happened between Ritsu and I?

Or how badly I'd failed to protect him?

The wall rumbled. I let out a yelp, and heard Sho mutter some curse words. The door slammed open, and golly, I couldn't believe my eyes.

Standing there was Reigen Arataka.