A/N: I'd just like to point out that how Amaterasu is portrayed in this is how I see her, and does not necessarily depict how she's supposed to look/act.

Chapter 6

Matt's bright red car pulled into the long, winding driveway of the Wammy House orphanage. Or rather, an orphanage for children with special gifts. Prodigies, if you will. This was where the great detective L originated from, and where his successors were trained. Among them Near, Mello, and Matt. Of course, no one in the facility had used their real names since the introduction of Kira. Only the people associated with the orphanage knew the children's names, thus protecting them from Kira's wrath, should the need arise.

Matt and Mello knew they were well past curfew, but they figured they had a legitimate reason. Roger, the operator of Wammy's House, would surely understand. Just finishing another cigarette, Matt stepped on the brakes and waited for his blonde friend to exit the vehicle, while he himself remained seated, leaving the car running.

Mello raised an eyebrow at the redhead, beginning to look irritated. "I don't think so, pal." His voice grew louder with each word. "You're going to make me explain why we're late and why you won't be back tonight? Alone?"

Even though his comrade's words were as piercing as daggers, Matt grinned. "Tell him it's not your fault, and I'll take all the heat when I get back. C'mon," he pleaded, "he'll understand."

The blonde sighed and opened the car door, starting to get out. He paused. ". . . Pick me up some chocolate on your way back." To Matt's surprise, his friend half-smiled as he got the other half of his body out of the car. As he pulled out of the driveway, he watched Mello walk up to the large entryway. Just before the house was out of sight, Matt saw his friend half-turn and shoot a small wave in the direction of the car. He had to restrain himself from honking the horn, not wanting to wake the younger members of the home.

Upon pulling into the parking lot of Winchester General Hospital, Matt realized how weird this whole thing was. He was at a hospital he'd never been to, going to visit a girl he hardly knew, and was going to stay by her side until she was better. For a split second, he'd considered turning around, going back home, and crawling into his warm bed. Then he figured that would've been even stupider since he was already parking his car. He locked all the doors and walked through the parking lot, entering the large building by way of the main doors.

As the doors automatically opened, that oh-so-enjoyable hospital scent hit him in the face like a brick wall constructed from disease and death. You know. . . That smell of old people, antibiotics, and latex gloves all combined into one lovely aroma. Trying to ignore it, Matt made his way up to the front desk and spoke to the nurse. "Excuse me, miss." His voice sounded foreign to him. He'd never had to be that formal before.

"Can I help you, sir?"

He nodded, thinking about how to word his next sentence. "Someone I know was sent by ambulance earlier, and I'd really like to see her. Her name's Sapphira . . . Jeevas." He spoke, remembering how she'd been waiting for her brother at the arcade. "I'm her brother."

The nurse flipped through her paperwork and shook her head slightly. "I'm sorry, we don't have anyone by that name here. . ." She paused, preparing to add something. "However, we do have a Jane Doe in one of our rooms, if you could tell me exactly what happened to your sister. . ."

Matt nodded again and explained to the woman what had happened to "Sapphira."

"Room 305," the nurse smiled.

". . . Ora . . . Eth. . . ." Aurora tried hard to understand the words being spoken to her. "Aura. . . Thea. . ." She focused on the voice. "Aurora Eshethea." Hearing her name, her eyes opened and she was instantly engulfed by a soft, white light. She sat up and looked around, seeing nothing. Am I hearing things . . . ? "Aurora Eshethea," the voice came again, "look upon me, my daughter." Again, the sixteen year old surveyed the empty space. Her eyes widened as a beautiful spirit materialized itself in front of her. Aurora couldn't help herself. "Am I dead?"

The spirit smiled good-naturedly and shook her head. "Not exactly," she replied, "This is what you might call 'an epiphany.'"

Aurora eyed her warily. The apparition had long, flowing onyx hair, which was done up in an elaborate style, and golden, slanted eyes. Her pale skin was adorned with rune-like designs and patterns, various colors of red that complimented her black hair. She wore a thick, decorative, Japanese robe that covered her feet. A. . . Aurora searched for the correct word, and a light bulb went off in her head. A kimono! She felt proud of herself, but the feeling faded into confusion as she looked the woman in the eyes again. "Who are you?"

Again, the spirit smiled. A motherly smile. "I am Amaterasu." Her reply was eerily simple.

Amaterasu. . . Aurora knew she'd heard that name before . . . In school . . . Her jaw dropped as she recognized the name, and the next words out of her mouth sounded crazy—Even to her. "Amaterasu as in the ancient Japanese mother goddess?!" Surprised as she was, she still hated hearing her voice crack like that.

Amaterasu laughed slightly at the youth's dumbfounded expression and nodded reassuringly. Her laughter subsided as she looked back to the now pale teenager. "Yes, I am she," the goddess explained. Her amber eyes seemed to pierce right through Aurora's skin and soul, causing the girl to inwardly shiver. "And . . . " She added, "You are my reincarnation."

Aurora's head spun and she was sure she sounded as stupid as she felt. "But. . . I'm not even Japanese." Her voice was weak and shaky. This couldn't be right . . . Could it? It didn't make any sense. Why would an all-powerful, ancient Japanese goddess choose her as her vessel? And if said goddess had been with her throughout the duration of her entire life, why hadn't she protected her and Evangelos from all of the shit they were put through? Instead of discovering this new-found power surging through her, Aurora felt her face get hot. She was so incredibly mad at this woman standing before her. "If you're so goddamn POWERFUL," Aurora spat, "then why the hell didn't you help my brother and I when we needed it?!" She'd never in her whole life sounded so. . . Powerful. It felt good, but scared her at the same time.

Amaterasu flashed a guilty look for a moment, but regained her composure just as quickly. Her voice was soft, but contained even more power and authority than Aurora's outburst. "You are not fully awakened yet. . . And your ethnicity is of no importance to me. I choose my vessels based on who can make a difference. Those who can change the world for the better. You, Aurora Eshethea, have that power." Again, Aurora's thoughts swirled around in her head, making her dizzy. The goddess continued to speak, however, disregarding the girl's dazed state. "When the time is right, you will awaken to your full potential as my reincarnation. Until that time comes . . . Be careful. There will be those who wish to cause you harm, but do not falter, my child. Stay strong, and I will come to your aid. . . Remember also, there are those willing to help you. The ones who will care for and protect you. Together, with these modern-day saviors, this earth can be saved from the impending doom it faces now."

As the spirit spoke her final words, Aurora watched her begin to fade away. She vanished completely, along with the comforting white glow, leaving her young incarnation to her thoughts.