He saw the other Ritsuka reading a book with a tall guy. The stranger was older than him, but he was a neko too. Ritsuka was watching his twin, feeling something strange. It seemed like he knew the other neko. "Seimei..." he murmured. He had no idea where did he knew his name, but he knew.

"Ritsuka." a voice called behind him.

The boy turned, seeing Soubi looking at him.

Ritsuka woke up. 'I am Soubi's Ritsuka. I have lived here since my master abandoned me. I like eggs. I have no painting skills... but I enjoy watching Soubi paint.' Ritsuka recalled his memories to be sure he still remember. He was afraid he would lose his memories again.

It was 2 o'clock.'I should be sleeping. I don't want to make Soubi angry.' he had thought when he heard a knock in the mirror. What was that? Ritsuka stand up and looked at his reflection. It was smiling. Ritsuka pushed his hand against his mouth, but the reflection was still smiling.

The boy ran to Soubi's bedroom. He stopped for a moment in front of the door, but opened it. The young man seemed to be sleeping. 'I don't want to wake him up.' Ritsuka thought feeling guilty. He needed Soubi's presence... but he did not want to upset his new master... No. Not master. Friend. He turned to walk away, but a voice called him.

"Ritsuka. What happened?" Soubi was awake and it did not seem like he had just woke up.

"I... nothing..." Ritsuka mumbled. He did not want to look like a coward, so he had chosen to live when Soubi stopped him.

"You don't look so scared for nothing." he said gentle. "What happened?"

How could he explain? He felt lost. He did not know if he was dreaming or something was wrong with him. He felt like the world was falling apart. What was reality? What was a dream? Which was more realistic?

Ritsuka had startled when Soubi put his hand on boy's shoulder. The blonde man puled him gently to the bed and invited him to sit down.

"Soubi... I am not dreaming, am I?" Rtsuka asked confused.

"This is your reality."

"I don't understand... What is reality? Why? Dreams... Reality... I can't tell them apart."

Soubi kissed his forehead. "Everything will be alright, Ritsuka, I am here for you." he whispered. "I will help you choose your way."

"What do you mean?..."

"I can't tell you now, but you will understand sooner."

Ritsuka was completely mystifyed, still confused. He wanted the answers, but he knew Soubi was not going to tell him. He simply knew.

The next day, Soubi came with a camera for Ritsuka.

"You can make photographs so you will remember faster what happened." Soubi said smiling. "You can make photos of people you meet, events, friends, places or whatever you like."

Ritsuka couldn't believe his eyes. He imediately took the camera and made a photo of Soubi. The young man smirked.

"Thank you very much!" Ritsuka exclaimed, then he smiled. It was the first smile he could remember. It became the greatest day he could remember. Ritsuka felt happy, he couldn't remember the last time he was happy... but he would remember this day... and the next ones for the rest of his life as long as he would have his camera.

"Let's make some memories!"

Now you understand why Ritsuka have always been so confused. Anyway you observed the happy reflection in the mirror? It looked like Ritsuka... but it was the first time he smiled. What do you think?