Sephiroth stalked back and forth through the sancturary, floating with such an air of coldness, the sanctum itself seemed to be frozen over, untouched by the hand of time.

Sephiroth's P.O.V

day after day, night after night, I am forced to wander the depths of this world. Trapped inside this castle-this prison-like some common peon. After several millenia, I still cannot leave. I am bound to this realm, never again to set foot in the living world.

But that'll all change once my daughter reaches the thrid stage of the Exodius:Exodia Immortalis-Dark Angelus. Then I shall reign like I was meant to all those centuries ago.

The door to the sanctum flung open. Leviathan slithered into the room."Master, I have returned."

"With news I hope?"

"Yes."leviathan weaved in and out of the columns, the light from the pale moon reflecting off of his scales as he firmly twined himself around the pillar nearest me." Master,I was able to catch a glimpse of the mortal who has enthralled her eminence."

"And?"

Leviathan P.O.V

The master looked rather surly tonight. He must be in one of his moods tonights. "Well Sir, the mortal's name is-"

"Leviathan, do not bore me with such trivial information."the master warned, " I am not in the mood.I sent you to discover what his strength and weaknesses are but aparently you can't even do that right."

I lowered my head. I have failed the master." I apologize my lord." I said in a deep raspy voice." Although, I did find out something useful your greatness. When I was scoping out the area, I sensed a high negative energy level radiating off of the mortal. I am surprised lady misstress didn't sense it herself."

"Her powers must've been inactive at the time."the master said, pacing across the room and over to the Mirror of senescence. He seemed quite disapointed in me. I know somthing that'll redeem me.

"Anyhow, the boy bore the mark of the Letum."

The master stopped dead in his tracks. Many times her parted his lips to speak yet no words could deacribe exactly what he was feeling. The master then brought himself face to face with me. His teal-green eyes shining brightly in the moonlight."All right Leviathan, you now have my full attention. Are you positive it was the mark of the letum?"

"Yes master, I am absolutely sure."

At these words, The master hurried to the opposite side of the room to the Mirror of Senescence. It was a tall mirror, the surface remained cloudy at almost all times(except when The Master called upon it) It had a sterling silver frame with the markings of death, life and power engraved throughout the frame.

"Show me."he said to the mirror.

The surface of the mirror darkened. Many seconds passed before It let us see the mistress and her mortal.

Sephiroth P.O.V

I looked on anxious as both My daughter and that mortal traveled up the highland road. The mortal was toating a gigantic halberd on his right shoulder. How could a mortal possess the strength needed to weild that halberd? My daughter walked alongside him and his left. The two appeared to be deeplt in conversation. Too oblivious to notice the intrusion being place upon them.

"Closer" I mummbled.

The picture focused on the two. My daughter kept close to him. Too close for my tatse. It was amazing why I didn't notice it before. Now if only I could see the mark.

"Leviathan, where does the boy bear the mark?"

"On his forehead, sire."

Sephiroth swept his hand over the surface of the mirror."Kaze" he murmured.

A harsh wind howled through the highroad, taking the pair by surprise. My daughter had lost her balance and toppled over but the boy stood his ground, the wind ruffling his bangs showing off the infamous four-point star.

This was it,he really did bear the mark of Letum."Leviathan, do you know what this means!"

Leviathan P.O.V

The master let out a roar of laughter as he turned on his heels and disapeared onto his throne in one fell swoop of his cape. Muttering the word 'perfect' again and again and rambling on about how ripe an opportunity this was and how he would be a fool not to take advantage of it.

"Master, why is this such a perfect opportunity?"

"Quiet Leviathan," the master tented his fingers, " Let me think."

He meditated on his thoughts long and hard. I loosened myself from around the column, sliding down to the marble floor where I lay still on the tiles until master called on me.

Several hours passed. The master seemed to be in a trance. He didn't budge one inch or speak one word since he had sat down. After what felt like an eternity, he said, " Leviathan, I've found a way to take my child to the next level-the second stage of the exodius."

At first, I didn't entirely believe him. The exodius requires much discipline to ascertain it's true potential and achieve the next level. It takes hundreds of years to master-which for someone at her eminince's age and strength would be impossible for her to master. Let alone reach the next level.

"Sire, it'll be quite impossible for her."
"Have I taught you nothing? Anything is possible. You of all creatures should know that. If you strive hard enough, you can reach that which you thought was untouchable."

"But my liege, She-"

"Will reach the next level. All using the help of that mortal she seems so fond of."

"How can that boy be of use to us."

The master sighed. He was rather impatient tonight."Leviathan," he told me, " You're not listening. The answer is right in fron of your face. Think back to what you told me."

And I Did."The boy bears the mark of Letum."

"Correct! I don't know why I didn't see it before. The boy look almost identical to him.

" So, that means the legends are true."

The master nodded, " There's no other solution. This boy must the son of Bakajikara."

Kimiko P.O.V

"So you don't remember your dad at All?" I said as Bankotsu pulled me onto my feet. That was a weird kind of wind that just flew by.

"Nope. My mother always said I looked exactly like him though. I think that mad her sad. Sometimes she'd look at me then break out into tears."

"Oh..."It must've been so hard for him, " I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It's nobody's fault."

Bankotsu's past jurts him, I know. He's just to stubborn to let it get to him. I know he tries to stay stoic for us( the Shichinintai). In alot of ways, he reminds me of Tamahome. Tamahome never showed any weaknesses. I never even saw him cry. Not once, even when we were little kids. I think that's why I don't hurt as much when I think back to life in Konan-it's because Bankotsu's here. Even thought I carry my family in spirit, Bankotsu makes me feel like-in a way- Tamahome never left me. That makes me love Bankotsu even more.

He brushed down his bangs."I'll race you down the highroad."

I beamed at him."Why? You know you'll lose."

"Look Kimi-chan, I'm the one person in the Shichinintai that YOU can't beat."

"Bring it."

"It's already brought."

I laughed at him. He's crazy sometimes. We both knelt down to race."What about Banryuu?" I asked him, " Won't it weigh you down?"

"You just worry about yourself."

Bankotsu's P.O.V

I started to count down. " on your mark, get set..." Before I said go, Kimi took off down the highroad, laughing and saying 'IN YOUR FACE BAN-SAN!' I know she didn't think a head start wound help her win. I ran fater her, catching up to her easily. She picked up her pace and so did I.

We whirred around a corner. Kimi skidded to a stop. At first, I didn't know why until she pointed at something in the middle of the road. I looked up and the first thing I saw was Kyokotsu's huge physique. Mukotsu was standing between him and Ginkotsu. Renkotsu, Jaki and Yami(suikotsu) were standing opposite of them. I wondered what they were all huddled up about. Judging by the map in Renkotsu's hand, they must've been lost. I'm was shocked to see we caught up to them so quickly.

" What are they doing?" Kimiko asked, her face lighting up at the sight og her friends.

"I think they're trying to figure out which way is the right way."

"Why don't they ask for directions?"

"Why do that?"

Kimiko sighed and shook her head. " What is it with men and asking for directions?"

Jaki P.O.V

"Renkotsu, we should gor left." I told him. He just shook his head and told us we should cut through the canal. I argued saying that That canal is over 10 feet deep and not all of us can swim. Not to mention Ginkotsu would sink like a rock and get all rusted. Still...Renkotsu had to have it his way. I wish Bankotsu were here. He'd know what to do.

" I want Bankotsu back." I pouted.

" Well, he's with Anaki. I'm in charge."

"You're a sucky leader."

"Hey!" I heard someone call out to us. We all looked up. Was that who I think it is?

"Is that..."I held my hand over my eyes to sheild them from the sun." I...yes! It's ANIKI!"

" Who's that with him?" Ask Renkotsu.

"It's Anaki!"

Bankotsu P.O.V

I saw almost each and every one of them grinning.

" Looks like they-" I turned to Kimi but she had already started sprinting towards our friends. Mukotsu met her halfway.

Yami's P.O.V

Mukotsu ran up to her, laughing just as much as she was. I sneered. Rubbing my broken wrist. Kimi seized Mukotsu underneath the arms and lifted him up into the air, twirling around and bringing him into a tight hug. Jakotsu ran straight for Bankotsu, hugging him in such a way it looked inappropriate, even with clothes on. When Renkotsu walked up, Kimi let go of Mukotsu and Jumped Renkotsu, practically knocking him down. I didn't really know what to feel at the time. I watched Them all crowd around her. She threw her arms around Ginkotsu's hard body...or as much as she could hug anyway. Then she high-fived Kyokotsu. I was the only one who she didn't seem to notice.

Bankotsu P.O.V

I walked over to my comrades. I was sorta dragging Jaki because of how he was hanging on me.

" How did you know she'd wake up aniki?" was the first thing Renkotsu said to me.

" I just knew. So next I say it'll be alright, you'll believe me."

They all nodded." Yeah."

I searched around. Wait a minute..." Where's Suikotsu?"

We all stared down the road. Suikotsu(or Yami as you would say) was Leering at us. He had an expression that was like Shyness, embarrassment and guilt spread across his face. Everybody grew silent and back a coule spaces from kimi. She didn't say a word. She just started to walk.

She strode down the highroad to where suikotsu stood. When she came face to face with him, he turned away, gripping his wrist. Well, With kimi being as stubborn as she is, She circled around him ,trying to get a good look at him. Each time, Yami turned around until finally she kicked him in the back. I thought that was kind of funny, When I snickered and no one else did, apparently I was the only one who thought it was funny.

Kimi P.O.V

"Look at me Suikotsu!"

He grumbled a couple of words and started moving away from me. I grabbed the hem of his shirt." Suikotsu! Stop walking away! I"m trying to apologize."

Well, that caught his attention. He twisted around to face me." YOU'RE APOLOGIZING! FOR WHAT?"

" I hurt you didn't I?" I reached out for his hand and he smacked mine away.

" Don't touch me."

" Yami, don't be like that. I know what I did was wrong." She lowered her head. " I'm sorry."

Yami P.O.V

A saw a tear fall from her eye. Was she really crying?Over me? Now I felt really guilty. Why am I feelinh what that stupid doctor feels anyway? Or...are these my feelings? I could'nt stand to see her cry, that's all I knew so I did what I could to cheer her up.(weird, I know)

" Um...listen...don't cry. It'll make me look back."that was so stupid. I can't believe I said that.

She tilted her head to the side in amusement, sticking her tongue out at me. " HA HA! You fell for it."

" Exscuse me!"

" Look, Let's let bygones be bygones. You hit me and I hit you back. Fair is Fair." She beamed at me, " Let's put the past behind us."

" You nut! I already put that behind us." I said, poking her in the forehead." You are one strange little girl, you know that?"

" I'm only strange because of you guys."

" HA! Don't blame this one us. You were like this before we met."

" How do you know?" She said sweetly." You didn't know me back then."

I had just about enough of her mouth. I picked her up by the waist and threw he over my shoulder. Renkotsu and the others looked taken aback.

" Well, c'mon! We're not gonna make any money just standing around!" I yelled back at them. " Let's go!"

Bankosu P.O.V

Thank God! Everything was back to normal. Well, as normal as normal can be in The Shichinintai. We all joined up with Kimi and Suikotsu, continuing our journey together. As it should be, Not knowing what tomorow may bring.