Part 4: The World Through Another Self's Eyes

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Do you want to see what you'd look like, had you fallen into the Spring of Drowned Girl? Himitsu asked. I can show you.

She pulled a full-length mirror out of nowhere and presented it to him. Aya looked into is, and saw himself. Or rather, herself. At first she glared coldly, as he was wont to do, but then her eyes warmed and she looked ready to smile.

Mindful that it was just a mirror, Aya assumed that the same expression was on his face. Hastily, he corrected it.

She smiled fully and waved a little.

He intensified his glower in a conditioned response before the look faded into confusion.

She laughed.

Even more startling, he could hear her laugh. she said. My name is Ruth. I'm your female self.

My what? Aya asked.

She is an exact copy of you, Himitsu said, with the exception of being female. In other words, she is your clone. More specifically, your heterogendered clone. Creating them is a hobby of one of mine. That same piece of me is the one who raised Ruth and her fellows.

Fellows? Then there were more of them?

Himitsu said, pleased. It really should be better if you voiced your questions aloud, but never mind. I'm in a generous mood.

Both Weiß and Schwartz have female selves,' as it were. Two, you already know, although I did not create them. Having first raised Ilde and then met Maki, I decided to let the rest of you have them as well. They form a group called Rot, led jointly by Yepa and Min. Their adventures are as interesting as yours, and I don't regret them one bit.

Thank you, Secret, Ruth said wryly.

Aya blinked.That's my name in English.

Himitsu made the mirror smaller, so that it showed only Ruth's head and upper torso, then handed it to Aya. Because Maki likes you , and because it seems you can think well, I'm giving this to you. When you feel you need to talk to Ruth, pull it from yourself. At the end of your conversation, let it dissipate. You will know if she wants to talk to you. With that, Ruth faded, the mirror faded, and Himitsu was gone.

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Schuldich was surprised when he felt the level of rage radiating off of his sister. Both she and Maki were seething. Apparently, the little old man named Happousai had not only raided their drawers and taken panties, but he'd fondled them both. Getting angry himself, they devised a plan.

Happousai went bouncing down the street, chortling and thinking of those two young women who had moved in recently. They really were a treat. And there was something special about them He'd have to pay them another visit. Speaking of which, there was the white-haired one.

He leaped at her, only to stop just short as she pulled up her bangs and down her shirt and he got a full view of those marks.

she snarled, and suffer!

He fell back in fright, and Ilde, hidden completely by the force of Schuldich's mind, took the opportunity to twist his thoughts into a never-ending circle. He stood there shivering and terrified, and didn't notice or resist when a mob of women beat on him, or when, later on, the police arrived and carted him off to the strongest cell they could find.

Tired but triumphant, Maki went to eat some ice cream, Ilde retreated to her lovers' arms, and Schuldich went to pester his favorite kitten.

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Dammit, Schuldich! Leave me alone for a bit, will you?

But it's so much fun to annoy you, Yotan, Schuldich smirked from his position on Yohji's bed. You know you'd rather I tease you than that you be bored.

You say that every time, Yohji said, sinking to the floor in exasperation. What do you want this time?

I'd like to see your girl form.

Whatever made me mention that in your presence? Nonetheless, he got up and tested the glass of water by his bed. Just cool enough.

Himitsu distracted you. I would have known anyway.

I know. Yohji dumped the water on his head and glared at Schuldich. You're helping me clean up, she said.

Schuldich met her gaze lazily, but then his eyes widened and he looked away sharply.

What is it?

**Something Mama told me about,** Schuldich replied, his mind-voice oddly thick. **It's very rare among humans because it requires telepathy and there's only one chance every 500 or so years.** He started quoting Himitsu, her voice and another, older, wiser one overlaid on his. **Heart to heart are lifemates bound. Soul meets soul when eyes meet eyes. It's called Recognition.**

this is it?

** yes.**

Schuldich looked at her again, startled.

I guess we're really very lucky.

You don't mind?

Why should I?

He chuckled dryly. Despite your current appearance, you are really a guy, and a ladies' man at that. I'd like to think of us as close but this

Soul to soul, Yohji said quietly, wrapping her arms around his neck. That means nothing else matters.

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Ilde smiled and buried her face in Farfarello's neck.

What is it?

Chris. He's found his One.

Like you have your Two? Brad asked from behind them.

Something like that, she replied, keeping her head where it was. Only we forced our bond. His bond forced him.

Farfarello hugged her. But he's happy?

She chuckled.

Then so are you. And that makes us happy.

Brad agreed, sitting down and wrapping them both in his embrace.

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Yepa fell back with a very startled look on her face. Snarling a split second later, she looked around to see if anyone noticed her slip. She was alone. Secure in her loneliness, she let herself fall back into the chair. What had that been? Something to do with Yohji, probably. Considering some of the other things she'd felt from him, she shuddered to think it would be something he repeated often. But it wasn't something so simple as being betrayed again. She was probably safe from that ever happening again. Probably.

She sighed. At least that one had an overtone of happiness.

A knock disturbed her reverie, and she paused a moment to make sure of the ice in her expression, before calling out to enter.

Smiling, purple-haired, brown-eyed, and ever-youthful, her mother bounced into the room and surprised a hug out of her. Hey! Kerry-sama and I thought you might like to know what that was. She then proceeded to explain what had just happened in the world parallel to theirs.

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Cursing himself for a fool should it not work, Aya reached somehow into himself' and pulled out the mirror. He blinked at it for a moment, amazed that it had worked. Then Ruth appeared on the surface.

she said, looking surprised herself. You wanted to talk?

I wanted to make sure that it wasn't a dream, he responded.

Oh. Well, it wasn't.

I know.

Is there anything you want to talk about, or are going to stare at me for a while, she said, somehow cheerful again. She reminded him of his old self.

Spurred by her comment, he said the first thing that came to mind. Yohji's been acting odd recently.

Ruth laughed. He just got Recognised. Of course he's acting strangely.

What's that?

Recognition is when two people's subconsciouses get together through telepathy and decide that they would be ideal mates. Then they yell at their hosts at the top of their lungs that they're mates, and don't stop until it gets acknowledged and acted upon. Usually, it happens between a man and a woman (and not among humans at all), but it seems that Yohji's girl form and Schuldich would make one hell of a kid. So they're Recognised.
Aya sighed and pinched his nose. So now we're really connected to Schwartz.
Ruth scowled at him. There's nothing wrong with them. I work with two of their female selves, remember? Bryn is so sweet and calming, and Min is an extremely kind and ideal leader. I love them both to pieces.

Wait. Bryn and Min. And you're Ruth to go with Ran

That's right.

So those are the female Crawford and Nagi?

In that order, Ruth said, smiling. I'm guessing that in 5 years, Nagi will be a truly great guy. I'd love to get together with him, but She sighed. I'm so much older than he is. What will everyone think? She laughed at his dumbfounded expression, and winked.

Disgruntled, he let the mirror dissipate.