A/N: Hello again! It's been nearly 2 month since the last chapter...

I. Am. Sick. Of. This. Hiatus. Shit. I'm ashamed it actually took me this long to update.

But no more of that! This is my very first fan fiction (in this website, at least) and I should be able to update it regularly. There are people out there busier than me and yet they manage to update their fics more often.

Maybe this is the first time I informed you of this, but I write fan fictions for the sake of training. I want to hone my writing skills to later become an actual, fiction writer. So if I can't be professional here I can't possibly be professional later.

But enough of this, I know you're here for the next chapter: "The Date at Last, Part II"

It was 6.49 A.M as Shido prepared to leave his home.

Origami had asked him to leave earlier before the other girls woke up- which, considering what happened to him last night, would be a good idea.

Therefore, the blue-haired boy took a shower and changed his clothes as quickly as he could, and wrote a note for everyone to eat the Soba noodles. After that, the white-haired Spirit watched him as he was about to leave.

Tying up his shoelaces, Shido glanced back to his 'girlfriend'.

"I'll be leaving, Origami."

"Take care, Shido."

Shido had to fight his urge to frown at her slightly tired tone. He was used to her monotonous reply, so even a slight change in her voice was easily detected.

"Origami, you and the others can skip school and get a rest for today, you know."

"...Thank you Shido, but we can't exactly skip our second day, can we?"

"Oh, right..."

He sighed. Of course they couldn't, this was literally the beginning of the semester. They couldn't be absent this early, could they?

"Oh well. See you later."

Origami replied with the brightest smile she could manage, prompting him to look away and quickened his pace in embarrassment.

She rarely smiled – well, she rarely expressed anything at all – but the few precious moments when Origami did, it was just as irresistible as an angel's.

Closing the door behind him, Shido sighed. Time for school.

"Let's go, Papa!"

The cheerful mental voice didn't fail to lift up his mood.

"Ah. Let's!"

Walking out to the street, the blue-haired boy took a deep breath as he readied himself for his day.

"Oh, yeah."

Turning on the communicator in his ears, Shido double-checked its functionality- he didn't want to be chewed on by Kotori for not telling her that it was broken, after all.

"Hello, Kotori?"

Shido had expected his sister, but what he got was instead a very sleepy voice.

"Ah, Shin."

"Eh?" It took Shido a second to recognize who it was. "Reine-san?"

"Yes?"

"Um, where is Kotori?"

He had to ask that. She was usually the one who led date missions, after all. Reine only took over when she was not present.

"Oh? She mentioned she had to go out for some personal business."

He raised a brow. "Personal business? What kind of?"

"We don't know. Kotori only asked us to wait, and if she doesn't return by the time you are done with school, we are ordered to begin without her."

"Eh?" His brotherly instincts were alarmed. "What? Do you know where she is going?"

"Unfortunately, no. I did ask, but she was not willing to answer."

Now he was worried. It's not unusual for Kotori to go somewhere he didn't know, but when she went without informing the Ratatoskr, that's a whole different story.

"Where is she going...?"

"Any clue as to where she is going?"

There was a contemplative 'hmm' at the other end, before Reine answered.

"We can try searching her Spirit siganture."

"Please do, Reine-san."

Kurumi was having a good day.

As the cold breeze of winter swept her cheek, as well as her exposed arms, shoulders, and back, the Nightmare Spirit smiled at the feeling- she could still feel cold, but her Astral Dress reduced the sensation to comfortable levels.

Standing over the tallest building in Tenguu City once again, the Spirit of Time took a glance at her partner's location, the Raizen High School.

"I hope she is not too nervous..."

She was honestly slightly worried about it. Even though she knew that her partner was strong- in many sense of the word, she couldn't suppress the concern.

Her Angel made her a force to be reckoned with, and despite her gentle and meek nature, Rinne was a mother-like figure underneath. She could handle things beyond Kurumi's imagination.

And yet, the Nightmare Spirit couldn't help but feel concerned for her partner.

"...Heh."Kurumi chuckled. "I'm getting soft..."

It had been a while since Kurumi was worried about Rinne this much. It irked her a little, since she wasn't even half as worried when her partner was away.

"Probably because she finally decided to execute her date."

The quest to find the truth. To find out the connection between Itsuka Shido and Sonogami Rinne.

It shouldn't concern her this much. They only wanted to seek the truth. She had formulated a plan as well. Nothing should go wrong.

Yet, something she could only describe as a bad feeling kept flowing in.

"...Huh?"

She turned around. One of her clones just arrived from the other side of the building.

"[Me]!"

Kurumi frowned at the clone's panicked tone. Only a few things could make [Herself] panicked like that, and that usually meant something bad.

"Ara?" The original spoke. "You look pale. What did you see? Come here."

As her shadow grew in size and became a dark portal, the clone quickly jumped in and disappeared.

"..."

Kurumi couldn't help but gasp in shock as the clone's memory possessed her. It was the clone who watched over Rinne.

Seeing what the clone saw -specifically, who appeared before her partner, and what did she do- Kurumi clenched her fists.

"How dare..."

"How dare she!?"

For once, Kurumi was unable to keep her rage in check, and she had no desire to. Her Spirit energy, accidentally unleashed by her emotions, caused cracks to appear across the rooftop she was in.

She gritted her teeth so hard that she felt her teeth would shatter under the sheer pressure. She gripped her knuckles with so much force she felt she would tear apart her own muscles.

"Phantom..."

This was entirely that thing's fault. Kurumi didn't even have it in her to blame the clone who watched all of this... and did nothing.

It was partially her own fault, she would admit. Kurumi had ordered [Herselves] to gather information.

When Phantom appeared, the natural thing to do would be to observe, especially since the enigmatic being had never displayed hostility to anyone.

But this time, Phantom had done the unprecedented- all because her clones didn't immediately attack her on sight.

Enough was enough. It was one thing to copy Rinne and replicate her mannerisms. But to actually display her Inverse form in front of the girl herself?

The gentle girl who was traumatized by the monster hidden under her mind, not for herself, but for her friend?

Kurumi was really itching to destroy something now...

"…Wait. No, not like this."

Deep breaths. Calm down. She had to be the master to her own emotions. Besides-

"Now is not the time for this."

Her partner could be seriously affected by that stunt Phantom pulled on her. Her Inversion was a sensitive topic -if only because Rinne blamed herself for that- and even Kurumi brought it up with caution.

There's no telling what was going in her mind now.

"Rinne..."

As much as she wanted to say otherwise, Kurumi knew she was not the best in cheering people up. Especially, not after last night where she basically chewed Rinne out about Inversion.

Not caring about others helped a lot when you had to do what you need to do... but it also didn't help one bit when you were trying to console people you did care about.

"...No."

She didn't need to intervene. Rinne could handle this by herself. Phantom was just trying to shake her resolve with fear. It wouldn't stop her. Ruler couldn't be stopped that easily.

Just like Kurumi tried with Shido. It wouldn't succeed.

Taking another deep breath, Kurumi closed her eyes.

"I have my own part to do, after all."

"..."

Rinne leaned against the hand-rail of the Raizen High rooftop.

She was not in the mood to sing anymore, but she held her lyre tight on her chest regardless.

At least it brought her some sense of comfort.

"Even she is trying to stop me..."

It was frustrating. Before, when Rinne first told Kurumi about her desire to investigate Shido, her friend too was against it.

It took a lot to convince her to help, and even then, it was not until yesterday that Kurumi finally gave her full support, after witnessing the 'connection' herself.

"And now her..."

Phantom had never agreed with her in the first place, but today was the very first time the enigmatic entity had ever tried to stop her.

"To display my Inverse form- she was trying to manipulate me."

Rinne hated it. That Phantom tried to use her own fear against her. But more than that, she was confused.

What connection did she have with Shido, that even Phantom was going that far to hide it? Was it that much of a secret?

"What are we? Shido and me... what connected us?"

"Shido..."

…

There was another intruder.

"Who is there?"

For once, Rinne allowed herself to glare hatefully to the door entrance, and hide her emotion from her voice.

She didn't want to sound impolite, but enough was enough. Rinne already had enough with Phantom who consistently came at her and Kurumi by sneaking.

"...We finally meet."

Rinne couldn't stop her surprise from showing as she recognized the feminine voice.

"Itsuka... Kotori?"

As if summoned by her mutterings, the redheaded girl stepped into the rooftop with her commander outfit and black ribbons.

Kotori's face was expressionless as she walked forward, before stopping a few meters away from her.

"Why are you...?" Rinne accidentally asked, but she stopped herself.

She supposed she shouldn't be too surprised. Last night, when she was reading [Web of Causality], she did saw that Kotori wanted to meet her.

Rinne hadn't expected her to do so in such a direct manner though. Wasn't Kotori suspicious of her actions? Shouldn't she be more wary of her?

The amount of questions Kotori's appearance had brought in her head began to annoy her.

"Calm down... she doesn't need to take the brunt of my wrath."

She found that she almost couldn't, however- she was very, very angry, and far from her usual self.

Still, Rinne barely managed a smile. Quickly, she curtsied.

"What a surprise. To what do I owe the unexpected pleasure?"

Kotori was slightly taken aback, Rinne noticed, but she recovered quickly.

"You and Kurumi are on the same length, huh? No need to act polite, Sonogami Rinne."

Befitting her powers, Kotori replied with heat in her tone. Rinne expected as much, though.

"Hum. We are partners, so her habits may be rubbing me off."

The redhead frowned slightly. "I suppose you are."

She had to giggle in amusement. Kurumi was right, Kotori was so stiff and fun to tease. It helped her calm down a bit.

Rinne wouldn't blame Kotori for acting that way, though. For the commander, she was a partner to an enemy. One that might endanger her dear brother.

Knowing that, shee had to be careful with her choice of words. Unlike the other Spirits, Kotori could basically call her Spirit strength from Shido at will.

A battle against [Camael] (Blazing Annihilation Demon) was going to drain a massive amount of her own energy, unless she chose to devour Kotori whole.

She had to admit though, beating Kotori into submission was kind of an entertaining thought. Kotori did almost kill Kurumi before.

That fateful day in this very rooftop months ago had her heart racing. Rinne had to intervene with her [Dance with Destiny], manipulating probabilities so the berserk Spirit of Fire's consciousness returned back at the last second.

That was one of the few times she had lost her patience. Although to be fair, Kurumi also crossed the line at the time. Sending Shido into utter despair by killing innocent people? Rinne couldn't accept that, ever.

But then again, Shido had also set Kurumi off by saying 'he would save her'. That... was not a good idea, concerning the Nightmare Spirit.

"...I really can't decide who is right and who is wrong, at times."

Now though, Rinne had no time for that. She had to talk with Kotori.

"Very well. What do you want from me?"

Kotori narrowed her eyes, as if what she was about to say was repulsive.

"...I need to talk with you."

Rinne pretended to be surprised. She wasn't supposed to know about that, after all.

"Me?" She narrowed her eyes on purpose. "What would you want to talk about? And with me, of all people?"

"I have a lot of questions," Kotori clenched her fists, "and I hope you can answer it for me."

Rinne had to resist commenting about how adorable Kotori looked when trying to suppress her emotions like that.

"What makes you think I will answer them?"

"Because..."

Kotori paused, and stared at her deeply. It was as if she didn't want to admit something.

"You are Tokisaki Kurumi's partner. That alone makes you can't be trusted."

Rinne frowned slightly. Kotori clearly didn't like Kurumi, alright.

"But," Kotori sighed, "our observation determined that you are not hostile, unlike her. So we decided to approach you."

Her frown was quickly replaced with a smile. That was high praise, coming from the paranoid and protective Spirit of Fire.

She decided that needed some sort of retort.

"I see... that's nice of you, Kotori-chan."

Kotori twitched at the almost-mocking choice of honorifics. Rinne chuckled at that and continued.

"You are not the patient one, aren't you? Feel free to begin your interrogation anytime, Itsuka sister. I can't guarantee I will answer all of your questions, but I can certainly be your chatmate until evening."

"Before the date begins, at least."

"...Very well."

Kotori took a deep breath, clearly mentally preparing herself.

"Let me start with this: Who are you?"

Rinne raised a brow. "Pardon?"

"I'm asking for your identity, Sonogami Rinne. You are a Spirit- and I'm sure you know that in Japan, every single case of Spirit appearances are recorded by the Ratatoskr, the JGSDF, and the DEM." Kotori elaborated.

That was a bit surprising, Rinne supposed. But she did see the point Kotori was asking.

The redhead continued. "However, while we can find records about your partner, Tokisaki Kurumi, we are incapable of finding anything about you. That's nearly impossible for a Spirit."

She decided to respond at that point. "In short, you want to know who am I, and how did I manage to stay under the radar until now. Am I correct?"

The young girl narrowed her eyes. "Yes."

Rinne thought about that for a moment. A private information to leak, but she supposed it was fine to tell her bits and pieces of her background.

She had to confirm something first. "Do you know that all Spirits used to be humans?"

"We do." Kotori replied easily.

"That makes it easier, then. Phantom gave me my Sephira Crystal five years ago."

Kotori widened her eyes at her statement, but Rinne wasn't finished yet.

"And before you ask, yes... it was on that day. 3rd of August."

Kotori's heart almost skipped a beat.

"3rd August!?"

It was the very day Kotori was transformed into a Spirit by Phantom. It was also the day Shido and Kurumi time-travelled to, in order to stop Origami from killing her own parents.

The Spirit in front of her smiled mysteriously.

"Phantom made contract with me after she did yours. What a coincidence, eh?"

"Coincidence? I think not."

That day was even more fateful than she thought before...

Regardless, she wasn't finished with interrogating the Spirit. "Did Phantom erase your memories, or did you keep them?"

The commander had to ask that. It seemed inconsistent, Kotori and most other Spirits had their memories erased immediately after contract. However, two recently born Spirits, Miku and Origami, didn't.

"I lost my memories." Ruler closed her eyes. "For an entire year, I spent my time without an identity, and all I had were my [Cassiel]. Fortunately, my powers did allow me to evade AST constantly, so I am quite lucky, I suppose."

Kotori didn't miss how the Ruler Spirit avoided to elaborate about her powers. "...How do you remember your contract then?"

"Didn't Shido tell you about Kurumi's ability to see past memories? She used that to recover my memories."

Kotori heard that from Shido, but she needed confirmation. So it was true- then, it could be concluded that Ruler encountered Nightmare sometime after turning into a Spirit.

"Unfortunately," the Ruler let out a sigh, "I cannot tell you about my Angel, or more of my background. Is that fine?"

"That's fine with me. Now, my next question."

The commander had already expected that. In truth, asking her questions weren't the only reason she came here.

Kotori wanted to find out more about this Spirit. Ruler was very suspicious- her methods, her behavior, her everything. Kotori might let Shido endanger himself, but not without her preparing for it.

If Sonogami Rinne had a malicious intent with this date, Kotori had to stop it. With force, if needed. Kotori promised she was going to help Shido... this counted as help, right?

So far though, the Spirit in front of her didn't display any signs of lying. She answered her questions with bits of information, meaning she was hiding the whole truth. If she was malevolent- lying would be much simpler.

Kotori met Ruler's gaze head on.

"What do you want with Shido?"

Ruler raised a brow at the question. It seemed to ask, 'what do you mean?' Did she really not understand?

Fine then, she would be blunt.

"Kurumi wants to eat him, does she? Do you share her goal?" Kotori couldn't stop the venom in her voice from leaking.

If they are planning to hurt Shido, then there would be no need for further concern. Kotori would stop her, right here and now.

Against her expectations though, Ruler only let out a tired sigh.

"Why do you antagonize her so much? I know she has her faults, but she doesn't intend to kill Shido, you know."

"What?"

Kotori was about to burst in anger and rebuke her at that point. Kurumi didn't intend to kill him? Nonsense.

However, patience was the key. And now, Kotori had to listen, not act.

"...What do you mean?"

"[Zafkiel] is an Angel that manipulates time. However, all that power comes at the price of the user's life. Do you think Kurumi has an option when she has to steal lives? All she wants are Shido's Spirit mana. She has no intention to kill him."

That received her attention.

"Only in his powers, eh?"

She had suspected as much, but receiving the confirmation clenched her thoughts. So the only reason Kurumi hadn't decided to eat her brother yet because she wanted him to gather as much Spirit mana as possible.

But Shido had the Spirit mana of 8 Spirits now, and she hadn't done anything to him yet. What sort of thing Kurumi would like to do with that much power? It was terrifying to even consider.

Regardless, Kotori had her own saying in the matter.

"That doesn't excuse her actions. I think, if my observations are right... you seem to disagree with her actions as well."

Rinne twitched at the sentence. It seemed that her deductions were spot on.

"Why did you," Kotori paused for emphasis. "befriend a killer? Why someone like her? I can't even imagine how you put up with her."

Indeed, Sonogami Rinne didn't seem to be the ruthless kind of Spirit. In fact, that's been getting on Kotori's nerves- how could a girl like her be partners with Kurumi?

"How did they even meet?"

Ruler's expression become eerily blank. The Spirit then let her head hung low, eyes fixed to the floor, avoiding Kotori's gaze.

"I know her actions are unforgiveable..."

Slowly, Ruler lifted her head.

"...But that doesn't mean I will let someone badmouth her without knowing her circumstances!"

Ruler suddenly faced her with a furious glare, her initially brown irises now replaced with pulsing crimson.

Kotori's heart leaped from the sheer shock. By instinct alone, she took a step back.

It was unmistakable, there was an intense pressure in the air now – no doubt coming from the Spirit in front of her.

"You know, it's impressive how easily you defeated Kurumi that day."

It was a praise, she realized, no matter how begrudging it was. Was Rinne talking about that confrontation in this very place?

Kotori's thoughts came to a crashing halt as Ruler's crimson eyes radiated brightly, its Spirit energy could be felt from the stare alone.

"I suppose that explains your confidence to come here by yourself. But, if you measure my strength by comparing it to Kurumi's, you are in for a world of pain, Itsuka... Kotori."

Kotori could feel chills ran down her spine at the way Ruler hatefully spat her name.

"I have to get out of here!"

Her mind told her to run, but terror had crippled her legs. The dread she felt earlier, from Ruler's photo, all came back full force at the front of her mind.

"Ara, why don't you stop right there?"

She involuntarily jumped at the unexpected interjection. The familiar voice came from right behind her.

Turning around, Kotori found herself face-to-face with a familiar face with mismatched, unnatural eyes.

The Nightmare Spirit.

"Tokisaki Kurumi!?"

Kotori didn't even register to her presence.

"How long has she been there!?"

She was about to get away from the dangerous newcomer, but Kurumi suddenly grabbed her chin with both hands, forcefully pulling her closer with sheer strength.

A cheeky smile formed on the Nightmare's lips. "Greetings, Spirit of Fire."

She snorted in disgust as she could feel Kurumi's breath on her face.

"You bastard- let me go!"

By reflex alone, she pushed the hands off her face and took a few steps away from the Nightmare.

Kurumi only grinned at her. "Ara ara, such a rude welcome."

Kotori opened her mouth to retort. Kurumi was never welcome-

"Kurumi? Why are you here?"

Ruler's voice brought back her forgotten fear. She couldn't resist turning around again, not leaving her back exposed to the undoubtedly angered Spirit.

"I'm watching, you know. Rather than that, I'm more concerned with you. Don't be angry like that, partner."

Kotori was almost surprised at how soft Kurumi was speaking. It was a far cry from her usual self.

"…Oh!"

Then, as if she just realized it, Ruler's expression morphed into one of shock: her eyes and mouth were wide open. Soon after, it turned into one of guilt.

"I... I'm sorry..."

Ruler's pulsating crimson irises faded, replaced with brown ones again.

Kotori almost didn't believe what she was seeing. Was… was Ruler apologizing at her?

"I... I was annoyed, I didn't mean to take it out on you! I apologize!"

Ruler's tone were frantic, and she bowed awkwardly. Apparently, yes, Ruler was apologizing at her.

"I..." Kotori tried to sort her thoughts. "Uh, it's-"

Before she could even begin, Kurumi twirled around and glared at her. Kotori quickly shut her mouth.

"I apoogize to cut into your conversation... but may I ask you to stop right here and leave? We need some private time."

It was not a request. Rather, from her tone, it was a threat. Kotori didn't bother to hide her frown.

…But with the two of them together, she stood little chance now. Both to continue questioning, or to use force. She had no choice but to back down.

Kotori sighed. It was not often she was forced to admit defeat.

"...I suppose I don't have a choice. I'll take my leave."

She took her steps without glancing away from the duo, until she reached the door.

Kurumi smirked mockingly. "See you later, Itsuka Kotori."

Rinne didn't say anything- her eyes were not even at her.

Frowning for a few second, Kotori closed the door on them.

Now out of their sight, Kotori released the breath she held.

Being forced to be away from the two of them was simultaneously relieving and annoying.

Relieving, because it was clear Ruler was about to do something she didn't want to know if Kurumi didn't step in.

Annoying, because Kurumi had practically kicked her out of the conversation.

It was not the Nightmare Spirit's fault, in fact, it was her own fault for messing up the conversation, but...

"Damn you, Kurumi..."

Kotori decided to curse her regardless.

Although, she supposed the conversation was not fruitless.

"...I understand now."

What she felt in regards to the Ruler Spirit.

And... that's it! I'm sorry to end this like that, and if the quality is somewhat lower (I feel it, at least) than the last chapter. Haven't been practicing for two months... damn it.

I can't express how guilty I feel for leaving this fic alone for that long. I was adapting to my new college- and haven't got time to rework my schedule.

But that ends this week- now, please just remind me with a message if I'm taking too long. Seriously, if there isn't an update in more than three weeks, chew me or something.

I need to be professional. That's why I am practicing my writing skills with fan fiction. This fic in particular, trains my skill to create slice-of-life scenarios within a supernatural setting, setting up a Reincarnation Romance, and picturing a true friendship- important skills. So I have to practice them -and update this fic- more often.

In exchange for my long hiatus, I will probably give you a gift: the plan for this story. I said it in my profile that Mayuri, Marina and Maria are gonna appear in this story. I'm telling you... expect Mayuri to appear soon.

Thank you for following the updates of "Alternate Reincarnation" so far!