Author's Note: Please review…or I will stop work on both fanfictions for a while.

Sosei, Reincarnation's Sequel

Chapter 2-An Unexpected Visit

Alexandria Castle

Early Morning

Kirika:

          I had over a thousand bandages all over my body, due to the fact that I did jump through a window. But that was the least of my concern for right now, we had higher things on our hands. Like the female genome last night. The most we knew about her was that she was a genome and she belonged to a group called the Black Tail.

          "We can't exclude Garland," Kuja snapped.

          I couldn't blame him for being irritable. After all, once the genome left we never really slept. Thanks to Amaranthine, I had lost more than a couple hours of sleep. I had lost my patience and that was not a good thing.

          "We know that Garland may be behind this, Kuja. But we aren't exactly in the shape to do anything," Zidane snapped.

          I sighed as Zidane and Kuja looks that surely promised death.

          "Enough! Look, it's best that we all go to bed and rest for a couple of hours!" Garnet shouted.

          You don't have to tell me twice, I thought as I stormed out of the room. There was the sound of chairs being thrown and random shouts from the door behind me. I shook my head and sighed, wondering how long this sleep depravation chain would last. I walked in my room and slammed the door behind me, making sure Amaranthine could not get in. I loved my dragon, but enough was enough. She was Kuja's problem now.

Black Mage Village

Mikoto:

          The containers were glowing a bright purple color, which illuminated the surrounding hallways. Kirika's energy was keeping my precious little children alive. And whom did I have to thank? Garland. I shuddered at the name. The fact that he came back annoyed me to death. This was my show, not his and I was determined to make him realize that. Killing him permanently would be difficult, seeing as he suddenly came back after Kuja killed him. I would just have to wait until another chance came up. But now, I wasn't sure how long I had to wait…

(A/N: New point of view!) Myou:

          "Big brother!" I glared at my little sister, Nat and sighed.

          "What is it this time?" I asked.

          I wasn't really upset or annoyed with Nat, it was just that I was worried. Worried about nothing in particular, but worried.

          "I think something is wrong with the girl we met the other day."

          That girl we met yesterday…

          "Trouble?"

          Nat nodded. It seemed to me that girl, Kirika Tribal, could handle herself quite well. Yet still, when Nat said there was something wrong, there was something wrong. My sister was a bit of a psychic at times.

          "Well, I suppose we could make a trip to Alexandria."

Two Hours Later

Kirika:

          After two hours, I succeeded in getting a small amount of sleep. However, that was my fault. Funny how the body decides to toy with you. I laughed dryly to myself and lifted the small mug of tea off of my bedside table. I took a sip out of it and sighed. The brew was especially designed to soothe my throat. All it did was wake me up. Oh joy. A series of random scratching at my door made me up.

          "What is it, Amaranthine?" I asked, my voice taking a low undertone.

          The scratching grew persistent. I growled and opened the door slowly. Amaranthine poked her head in the door and sniffed at my legs.

          'Mommy?'

          I narrowed my eyes at my pet dragon and opened the doors wider. She padded in and I noticed the letter tied to her tail. Someone is a sad excuse of a messenger, I thought as I pluck it off. The letter was blue in color and it was lightly scented. I opened it with my index finger and read over it. Someone has arranged a meeting with me. How nice. Hmm…I may as well accept the invitation. Amaranthine sniffed my hand softly and padded out of the room.

          "I'll see you downstairs, Amaranthine," I whispered after her and closed the doors.

          I opened the doors to my closet and pushed the clothes in there aside to reveal my two piece (belly dancer like) suit. It was perfect for the weather outside and besides…I want to look good don't I?

Kuja:

          I sat out amongst the tiles that lined Alexandria Castle and gazed out at the city longingly. It was hard to think of Alexandria as my home, due to the fact that I helped and or participated in destroying it countless times. So many lives were destroyed and those who survived loathed me. Nothing Zidane and Garnet could do could stop it either. After a while, I had to wonder whether my life was really worth living. The ridicule…and self-doubt…what could I do? Thanks to Garland, my life got a bit more hellish minute by minute. I needed to die…but who would let me?

          "Kuja."

          I turned around only to see Kirei's soft pale blue eyes peering at me. She looked like she hadn't gotten much sleep herself, but I knew better.

          "What is it, Kirei?"

          "Have you heard of dark trance?"

          Ah…dark trance…the result when a mage gains too much darkness in the heart.

          "That isn't happened to anyone, so why worry?" I muttered.

          "You never know, Kuja. You never know."

Kirika:

          "Come play Double Dutch with us, Kirika!"

          I blinked and glanced at the children with the jump ropes idly. Should I go play with them for a while? After all, I had just a few minutes before my scheduled meeting.

          "Sure! Start turning the ropes!"

          I watched carefully as the children giggled and started turning the ropes. I inched forward slowly, starting a new rhythm in my head. The moment the first rope lifted into the air, I jumped in and started jumping. After a few minutes of jumping, I waved to the girl on the right and mouthed the word 'Stop!'

          "Are you Lady Kirika Tribal?"

          I turned around and smoothed my hair back only to see the guy I saw last evening and his sister.

          "Yes, yes I am," I said, bowing respectfully.

          "No need for that, Kirika. I am Myou and I'm pretty sure you remember Nat."

          I nodded and smiled softly.

          "Of course I do."

Mikoto:

          Garland and I stood in the fields before the city of Alexandria. I wasn't really sure why we were down here, but I knew it had something to do with Kirika.

          "Black Tail, front and center," Garland shouted.

          Five cloaked figures walked up from behind the airship and filed in front of me.

          "Mikoto, meet the Black Tail."

          The five cloaked figures took off their hoods and smirked. They were all female and they had the addition of cat ears on their heads.

          "Pleased to meet you," The one in the front said. I turned to face Garland with a smirk.

          "Why are they here?" I asked.

          "Black Tail, give them, I mean Alexandria, a taste of your power!"

          The five genomes turned to face Alexandria and lifted their hands up into the air. Black mist poured out of their fingers and out on the field. It swirled up into the sky and formed into a swirling mist-like smoke.

          "You realize this could backfire," I said carefully, keeping the amusement out of my voice.

          "I am aware. But by the time Kirika realizes it, we'll have over half of her power sapped away."

          I doubt it will be that easily, Garland.

Kirika:

          The children had started up another game of jump rope as Myou and I talked the afternoon away. We had so much in common, I couldn't believe it! However, I could feel the Iifa roots under Alexandria stirring in discomfort and that meant trouble. The feeling of discomfort only grew as the moments went by and then the courtyard grew silent. I glanced around calmly and noticed that the adults on the back of the main street had dropped dead. There was a cloud of mist hanging around them. Wait…mist?

          "Everyone, go to the castle! Hurry!" I shouted.

          A few people broke out into a run, but the rest stayed. It was then that another person collapsed and the plaza broke out in universal panic. I rolled my eyes and pointed towards the double doors ahead. Once everyone had been accounted for, I took in a deep gulp of air. Bad mistake. My insides began to burn and both of my wrists throbbed. I struggled to stay on my feet, but to no avail. Whatever this mist was, it kept we weaker than normal.

          "Snap out of it, Kirika!"

          A rough hand grabbed me and dragged me down the street. Fresh air hit my nose, wiping away the burning sensation. Myou's face came into view immediately.

          "Do you know another way to the castle?" I nodded, trying to clear my head for thought.

          "Yes, give me a second," I answered while glanced around.

          I took off running northward and around one corner to the lakeside. The boat was way too slow to make it to Alexandria Castle, plus the mist seemed to be gaining speed.

          "What now?" Myou asked.

          I rubbed my chin and touched the whistle around my neck. I didn't have much energy left, thanks to the mist.

          "Silver!" I shouted and blew the whistle.

          There was no answer.

          "Come on damn you," I hissed.

          I blew into the whistle again. This time, there was an answering dragon call and a rushing of wind that parted the lake. Myou ran in front of me with Nat in his strong arms, not wanting to take a chance against the mist. The moment I stepped into the lakebed, a stab of pain shot right through my chest. I stumbled and pushed the wave of dizziness down as I ran through the riverbed. Almost there, Kirika. You can make it without the Life Crystal. Come on, damnit, come on! But my egging was in vain. Halfway across the lakebed, another stab of pain sent me to the ground.

          'Don't let the darkness get you, child.'

          "Darkness? What darkness?"

          'It is coming, Kirika. Are you ready, child of the Iifa?'

          There was another burning sensation in my chest, making me scream. The image of a little girl swam in front of my vision and I saw no more.