Chapter 2
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Tomorrow will be different.
How?
Tomorrow we will have a victory. Tomorrow we will show our new strength. Last time we battled, we lost. Tomorrow will be different. We have new power.
Why?
From a fearful mind, only fear itself can emerge.


Misaki woke up in the middle of the night, drenched with cold sweat. She struggled to remember the dream. There had been a small angel and a teenage girl in a wheelchair. The angel had walked towards Misaki. Coming from it was a warm darkness. It had surrounded her. She didn't know why it scared her. It had felt so nice. So soft. So wrong.
She got out of bed and pulled on her robe. She took Hikaru and placed her on the small practice layer that Ohjiro had given her when she had advanced to the national games six years before. Slipping the headset on, she plugged it in. The light from the machine made the shadows around her shrink back and lengthen behind the doors. Hikaru opened her eyes and smiled, awaiting further instruction.
Shouko woke up several hours later, and heard a faint strain of music. She followed the sound to Misaki's room and opened the door quietly. Misaki sat on the floor, her eyes fixed on Hikaru, who danced gracefully around the layer. Shouko heard a soft sound behind her and turned to see Shuuko behind her. Shuuko smiled and held up Athena. Shouko stepped aside as her sister moved into Misaki's room. Misaki jumped when Athena flew into the layer, joining Hikaru as she danced to the soft music. Shuuko slid onto the floor beside Misaki and pulled her daughter into a hug.
"Let's sleep," she said, "You need rest for tomorrow."
"O-O-Okay," Misaki yawned, leaning forward to retrieve Hikaru as the song died away. She slipped into bed and was asleep before her head hit the pillow.

When she woke up the next morning, the sun was streaming in her windows. She rolled over to go back to sleep, then sat bolt upright. She jumped out of bed and skidded into the kitchen five minutes later, pulling on her coat.
"Shouko-san! Why didn't you wake me up?" She yelled, and was surprised when her mother answered.
"Because you were sleeping."
"Where's Shouko-san?" Misaki asked, pulling on her shoes.
"She had to work today, didn't you know? And where are you going without any breakfast?"
"The tournament starts today," Misaki grabbed the lunch that Shuuko held out to her.
Shuuko looked thoughtful, "I had forgotten."
"WHAT?!" Misaki screeched, "But I have to go now," she raced out the door.
"That girl is always in a rush," Shuuko laughed, as the door slammed shut. She picked up the telephone and dialed a number.
"Hello?" Icchan's voice drifted through the line.
"Icchan, are you sure she should be fighting? If Misaki beats her, then she might-"
"It'll be fine. I have a lot of faith in her. I've got to go surprise Misaki now with a bit of friendly advice. See you later," he hung up, leaving Shuuko clutching the reciever.
"I'm not sure if I have the same faith in her as you do Icchan," she said softly.

*insert suspensful music here*
It might take me awhile to write the next chapter. Sorry.