Ahh, back from Anime Boston and on a normal schedule again. It was exhausting, but a load of fun. And now that i've had a good sleep since then, here's another installment.

Chapter Eight: An Understanding

Saya sat down beside Yomi on the bench.

Yomi looked over at her. "Okay, what is it you want me to understand?"

Saya took a deep breath, then began. "There's…someone very precious to me that is trapped in that other world.

"Who?"

"Yuu."

Yomi blinked. "But Yuu's right over there with—"

"That isn't Yuu. Yuu is in the other world. That's Strength in Yuu's body."

"Strength?" That sounded familiar. Was that the name of a girl in Dead Master's world? Yes, that was it. The white-haired one with the arms. As Dead Master she had caught glimpses of Strength occasionally, though the two had never fought.

"How can that happen?"

"Yuu was constantly in pain back when we were in school; both in school and at home, Yuu felt like she wasn't wanted. She was the first one here to find out about the other world, and the way to travel between them. When her world reached a point where Yuu finally couldn't bear it anymore, travel there was exactly what she did. She traded places with Strength, preferring a life of constant fighting to this world. I had tried to be a good friend to her, though sometimes it was difficult. In the end, when she decided to leave this world, I promised to protect her as well as I could."

"If what you're saying is true, that means…"

Saya nodded. "Your Dead Master is dangerous. We've already seen that with what she did to Chariot; She would have killed Chariot if my other self had not intervened. As Dead Master is, she might even be more dangerous to that world than Black Rock Shooter herself. Now, I want to get you out of here, of course I do. However, protecting Yuu is the most important thing in the world to me. If Dead Master attacks her…"

Yomi gulped. "I understand."

"Your Dead Master is different from the Other Selves in this reality. If she dies, I don't know what will happen to you; maybe the same thing as what happens to us, maybe not. We don't know. But I can't allow her to threaten Yuu."

"I'll try and do what I can, but I can't really control Dead Master. You may have to."

"I'm sorry, Yomi-chan. I hope it doesn't come to that.

Yomi suppressed her desire to sob. "It's fine. Actually, I know someone who would do the exact same thing. If it were me in danger, that is."

The two of them sat in silence for a minute. Saya took another bite of her cotton candy.

Finally, Yomi spoke. "There's one thing I've been wondering."

"What is it?"

"I'm here in this world. What happened to this world's Yomi?"

"Well, you were sent here, so it's quite possible that she was transported to your world, and is undergoing the same kinds of things you are here."

"Back in my world…" Yomi thought about that for a moment, about the other version of her going to school every day in her classroom and uniform, meeting up afterschool with her Mato, coming home to her happy, loving mother. She felt a sudden pang of jealousy for what the other her had.

Something caught her eye from one of the vendors near them.

Yomi held up a small lanyard, on the end of which was a star-shaped pendant. She had a flashback to a very similar pendant that had been given to her. It had been a symbol of friendship then.

"Excuse me, sir? How much is this?"

The two girls had reached a dead end in the maze. They had been walking for what seemed like a long time; neither one speaking, neither one acknowledging the existence of the other. At the same time, it was as if a silent understanding had passed between them. Both knew that they shared the goal of finding the red-eyed girl.

Dead Master placed her hand on the wall. So close to their—her goal, yet so far. She could feel that something important was on the far side of the wall, if only she could get to it. Dead Master looked over at Black Rock Shooter. The other girl raised her cannon, pointing it at the wall. Understanding the girl's gesture, Dead Master stepped back. She heard the sound of the other girl's Rock Cannon powering up, then two explosions. A pair of light blue spheres of energy connected with the wall, throwing off a cloud of dust and stones.

Mato and Yuu were coming back. Mato was holding a large plushy bird with rainbow-colored wings.

"You're definitely an amazing shot, Mato!"

"Oh, come on, I'm not that good! I almost missed with two of the balls."

"I thought that last one was going to bounce out, but you made it in the end!"

"Looks like there's a reason you're one of basketball team's main players."

"Hey, Yomi!" Mato waved. "Sorry about that, but Yuu always likes me to play those kinds of games. Did you get along well with Saya-chan-sensei?"

Yomi nodded. "We talked for a bit."

Saya smiled. "Oh yes, we had quite a good conversation." Saya turned to Yuu. "Yuu-chan, if I remember right, you wanted to get a few firecrackers to set off?"

"Ooh! Yes! Thanks for reminding me, Saya-chan!" Yuu turned to Mato. "I'll see you later, Mato!"

Mato and Yomi waved to the two girls as they left.

"Saya seems nice," Mato said.

"She's alright," Yomi replied. She looked at the plushie. "You really must be a good shot at basketball."

"Eh, not really. I used to play against the boys on the block, so I picked it up a little from them."

"Don't be silly. You're an excellent player!"

Mato smiled. "Thanks, Yomi." She held out the bird to her. "Here, I won this for you."

Yomi took the plushy from Mato. "Thank you!" She held out the lanyard she had picked up from the vendor. "Here, I want you to have this. You can use it as a phone strap or on your bag." Yomi smiled. "Think of it as a symbol of our friendship."

Mato took it and held the charm to her chest. "Thank you." Yomi could tell that Mato was blushing, and from the heat of her cheeks, she knew that she was blushing as well.

There were several muffled booms from overhead. Yomi looked up to see bright, multicolored sparks in the sky above them. The fireworks had started. Yomi took Mato's hand.

As the dust cleared, Dead Master could see that the Rock Cannon's two blasts had blown a hole clear through the wall. The two of them stepped through, Black Rock Shooter closely following Dead Master. On the other side, they saw The red-eyed girl supporting the still-injured Chariot.

For an instant, all four girls glared at one another. Red, Yellow, Blue and Green, they stood rooted to the spot, poised on the brink of action. Finally, despite her injuries, Chariot stood. The red-eyed girl tried to stop her, but Chariot pushed her away. Raising her hand, Chariot summoned her sword. A moment later the red-eyed girl did the same. Black Rock Shooter glared and leveled her Rock Cannon. Chariot readied herself. Dead Master Smiled.

And then the battle began.