Thanks to those who reviewed. In response to a question:

- Jake and Rose /might/ be in this fic. I'm not completely sure yet. I kind of wanted to wait until I found out what happened in Hong Kong Longs before adding anything about them. They would be in their twenties at the time this takes place, so what happens in that episode would definitely affect this. But, of course, I could just make stuff up. There's always that. I guess you'll just have to keep reading, eh?

Chapter Three: Our Separate Ways

#74 and I went back to our quarters that night slowly, making every attempt to go the long way around things and 'inspect' every wall for 'enemy tampering'. Eventually though, we were told off by one of the masters so we decided that it would be best if we just got on back to our room.

We both stayed up late, clearly aware that this night could be our last together. As I've probably said, we became good friends during our training. Although neither of us said much, I don't think it could have been more obvious that he and I were both wishing that by some freak chance, we would be assigned to the same base, and ideally serve both of our apprenticeships under the same master. I could see it in his eyes; however much I didn't want to let go of him, he didn't want to let go of me even more.

But was it really him that I didn't want to leave, or was it just this sense of being in the familiar. Much as I hate to admit it, the time I had spent in the Academy had formed a bond between me and my peers. I wasn't just me anymore. I wasn't a lost girl without a family. I had a family: the Huntsclan. I was part of something big now. Everyone in the Huntsclan – me, #74, the masters, everyone – was working towards something enormous. Eccentric, yes, but definitely huge. It didn't matter that I had no mother, or no father, or anything. The whole Huntsclan was my family, and that was all that mattered. I went to sleep that night with that same thought in my head. I thought I would be reassured, but I was not to be blessed by peaceful dreams so soon after the sight I had at the museum.

I was once again a spectator in my own mind, though this time I could see no one. I was in a house, and more specifically what seemed to be the room of a young girl. There was a crib in the corner, and stuffed animals scattered about the ground. Everything seemed achingly familiar, but I didn't know why at first. I took a few steps over to the window. The blinds were closed, so I reached to open them. But as I moved them to the side, there was nothing. 'Outside' was blank, like a canvas that was never painted on. I recoiled from them, my hand still suspended in the air, and my eyes widening in fright as the blinds swung back and forth, then finally came to a halt. I let my arm drop, and my hand came to rest on a dresser. There was a mirror, and I saw myself reflected in it. Not #73, though. This was me as I appeared when I first arrived at the Academy, two years ago. A slight smile crossed my face; I didn't often see this side of me. More often than not, I was decked out in my Huntsclan outfit, practicing Kung Fu moves, or something of the sort. But this was actually me, rosy-cheeked with softly curling hair.

The feeling didn't last, though. The sound of laughter began to grow behind me, and I turned about to look. There were three people: a man, a woman, and a child that didn't seem much older that a few months. I didn't tense up at the sight of people this time; I knew that I was as invisible to them as the outside of this room was to me. Instead of recoiling from them, I nonchalantly headed towards them, as if I were being guided by some unseen force. My gaze settled on the child, being held by the woman. Both had the same russet-colored eyes, and I could only assume that they were mother and daughter. And that would make the man the little girl's father. The girl raised her arms and began to reach playfully for her mother's face, her eyes gleaming with a mischievous light. But my own eyes were attracted to the girl's left arm. I could see a faint mark winding its way around her wrist, and…

In that moment, I realized why the room seemed familiar. It was my room, from long ago…from when I was very young and living with my parents. The little girl was me, and the man and the women around her were…my parents. My parents. Finally I got to see their faces again. But as soon as I realized this, the scene began to fade away, and I found myself being pulled away from them. Just as my family was about to fade away completely, the little girl…or, really I, began to cry, and my mother reached for her…my hand and held it tightly. I tried to move forward, back towards them, but then they were gone, and I was left alone. Once again, alone.

"Don't cry, little one. We will always be a family, and nothing can change that."

Even after the scene had completely faded away, that single phrase echoed in my mind. It seemed that multiple voices were speaking, but the sound was uniform. Despite what I was being told, tears began to form in my eyes. But they weren't tears of sorrow, they were tears of anger. I clenched my fists and ducked my head. My eyes were closed firmly, and my mind was screaming for me to do something, to do anything. But what could I do? Fate took me away from them, and fate put me here to become part of the Huntsclan. I was given this birthmark for a reason, and my 'family' just was never meant to be.

"You're wrong. We might have been a family once, but no more. We have gone our separate ways, and that's that," I said, every word dripping with antagonism and regret. It was true. Something had changed, and however much I might wish things had been different, we were no longer a family anymore. That little girl wasn't me. She couldn't be, because I wasn't myself anymore, and the sooner I accepted that, the better off I would be.

I blinked my eyes open and found myself curled up in my bed. Turning my head to the side, I could see #72 and #74 still asleep in the bunk they shared, #74 on the top bunk, and #72 below him. That was good. I would really rather not talk to them this morning; I could do without all of the sentimental, icky-gooiness that I'm sure they would both bring up. Soon, I would be up in the Hunts-council chambers awaiting my apprenticeship assignment.

I sat up and tried to relax. My legs dangled loosely over the side of the bed and my fingers tapped out a soft rhythm against the bed frame. Now would be the time that I would start to pack, but I didn't really have much of anything to call my own at the time. Figuring that I may as well make an early appearance at the council chambers, I dropped to the floor and set out, pulling my mask on, and not once looking back. I couldn't show weakness this close to my apprenticeship; the dream, my final day at the Academy…they were just part of my last training exercise here. Mere obstacles, that's what they were.

Sooner than I had expected, I found myself standing on the threshold of the council chambers. Two sentries stood at the doors, staffs in hand. One looked down upon me, apparently sizing me up. I returned his gaze coolly, and after a moment, he allowed me in. I bowed respectfully, and stepped inside, narrowing my eyes angrily. The look the sentry had given me…it was almost as if he was questioning my strength. No one questioned my strength then; I made sure of that. Skill, maybe, but never strength.

I kept a brisk pace as I made my way to the center of the room until I was standing directly in front of the Huntsmaster. My cool anger had all but vanished, and I was instead met with a feeling of nervousness. The Huntsmaster had a way of demanding respect without saying a single word – something I had sheepishly tried to mimic for quite some time, but could never pull off. But him…yes, just being able to look into his eyes without flinching was easier said than done. I bowed to him, crouching on one knee, as I waited for him to give me my assignment. My eyes were staring at the ground, though I could just barely make out the figure of the Huntsmaster tipping his head to look down upon me and the shapes of the council members lined up behind him.

"Ah, yes, number 73. You are here for your assignment," the Huntsmaster said. I tensed up involuntarily, wondering whether I should answer or stay still. But before I could say anything, he went on, "You were the top of your class, I see. There is one faction that is having trouble with a certain family of dragons. I think you would have the most worth there. Now, rise."

I got to my feet quickly, standing still as a board. I still hadn't a clue where I was going. I had heard from one of the masters that the twenty-fourth squadron down in the south was having difficulties completing their missions. I wasn't completely sure where that was, though – just that it was…south. But then again, there were lots of places south of upstate New York.

"Welcome aboard, Huntsgirl."

I had to hold myself back from delivering a sharp reply. Did I not deserve to know where I would be spending the next few years of my life? However, I was rather thrilled to have a new title. Being called 'Huntsgirl' was nothing to be taken lightly. The names 'Huntsgirl' and 'Huntsboy' were only given to one or two new apprentices in each generation, usually to those who had proven to be adept hunters straight out from the Academy. Although it was not unheard of for Huntsgirls and Huntsboys to train abroad, it was quite common for one or more Huntsgirls or Huntsboys to accompany the Huntsmaster's squadron on hunts, so that they would one day be skilled enough to compete for the title of Huntsmaster or Huntsmistress on the occasion of the death of the current Huntsmaster. After all, the Huntsclan could not accept anything less than the strongest of its members to be its leader. Therefore, Huntsgirls and Huntsboys were often revered almost as much as the Huntsclan masters themselves. The Betrayer was once called Huntsgirl, though she has long since been denounced from that title.

I nodded swiftly and turned around to leave the chamber. I expected that I would be flown by helicopter to my destination later in the day with any other Academy graduates headed in the same direction. As I left the chamber, the cheeky sentry from before once more watched me curiously, though this time…I daresay I saw a glimmer of respect in his eyes. I suppose he must have heard; the doors weren't sealed, after all.

I met #74 on the way to the helipad, but neither of us really had anything to say to each other. The look on his face almost killed me, though; there was regret there, as well as anger and hurt. There was an unspoken question between us: why I hadn't said good-bye. There was an awkward pause; I furrowed my brows in frustration at the silence. After a few moments, I tried to break through the barrier between us.

"So, 74, I guess I'll be seeing you," I said, hoping that he would reply with one of his sardonic remarks, meant more to joke than to sting. But I wouldn't be met with that luxury.

"Leave it, 73 - " he started.

"Huntsgirl, actually…" I interrupted. It seemed like almost an impulse when I said that, but I knew immediately that I shouldn't have cut him off.

"Fine, Huntsgirl. I'll see you in the field," he said, then walked away. From the way he was holding his posture, I could tell that 'I'll see you in the field' was his way of telling me that he had nothing more to say to me. And honestly…I couldn't blame him. I had told #74 that we would go around some of our old haunts in the Academy – namely, those where we indulged in the most mischief – this morning before I left, but I hadn't stuck around long enough to give him the chance to do that with me. That must have stung, and it was rather jealous of me to leave early just because I didn't want to deal with a good-bye.

It was my fault, but #74 and I were destined to go our separate ways. I knew I would miss his sarcasm and antics, but at the same time, I also knew that I needed to move on. I had my entire apprenticeship in front of me, and I couldn't falter in my step over one person. If he wanted to waste his energy dwelling on my decision, that was his problem.