what a terrible day it was, blearily he pulled himself from the strange things he had read the night before, he had not slept at all. the books on his grandfather confirmed what mizuki had said though why he was not sure, most of the information was exagerated or untrue, there were bends and mistakes in both the storys and the printed facts, it was no wonder luka's teacher thought he was something so scary, though what he found out about those supposed 'pure shadows' made him worried for a different reason. those men, no, monsters were more frightful than anything he'd imagine people could aspire to be, from dark summoning rituals to forced reincartation they sounded like bad news all over and strangest of all the small book he grabbed so unthinkingly was it seems a diary of one such person made from parchment and slate blue dragon hide, it could have been a hoax, certainly so, but it bothered him all the same, for one he saw the names 'luka' and 'mizuki' both reffred to, luka being the writer and this mizuki a subject of interest, he skipped most all of it but even so he felt nervous. he stashed the book under his bed wrpped in a lace kercheif ward made by his granna to protect it from detection. the owner must have been a hundred years dead by now given what the cover date said but still those two names sent a shiver up his spine, he needed to return the book as fast as possible to the library

Mizuki sat there at his desk. He had no idea what compelled him to do it but he brought his diary with him today. Brushing his hand over the slate blue scale Mizuki smiled as he placed his feet atop the desk as he opened to the first page and he began to read.

'Subject name: Luka
Subject age: 17
Subject race: human
Matter of documentation: Suspicions of being a "Pure shadow"

Day 1:

'Today I tried the wooden desk scare teqnue. Learning that the subject in question can not do elementle it raises my suspicions more.'

Day 2:

'Subject was told of the suspicions that he is a pure shadow. The reaction was what was to be expected.'

Mizuki flipped through a couple pages to come to his favorite page.

Day 208:

'He has mastered it! The power deep within the subject has been harrnessed within a chrystal! So pure and white is the color of the stone its almost blinding! After being the chrystal was formed and placed upon the males neck he rejoiced!....then proclaimed to me his love....'

Then Mizuki flipped to the last page...

Day 687:

'...I never thought this day would happen. Yet I knew it was going to be but this soon. Today on the 17th of febuary Luka past away by the hands of "Her". The power Luka had obtained has now been passed down into my own chrystal. I now have the wait ahead of me...the wait for his reincarnation...'

Mizuki read the last sentance and gave a little smile "Now I have found him and we start all over again." He said then paused "No...no this time will be different...this time I will not be late and I will save you from her" He said to the quietness of the room.

(hoo boy, i see this developing a parralle ff7 theme)

he made it to his teachers room a little early his haste brought on soley by adreniline from his earlier class of spell binding and a need to get through the day quickly so he could return his books, namly the talking tome and the little diary.

knock knock he tapped on the door and waited for mizuki to open it. 'ah, today is aweful, why is everything to do with this guy so unlucky, our stars surly are crossed all wrong' he let out a little sigh. it was times like this he missed his brother and his granna

Mizuki continued to look at the last page of the diary as he openend the door for Luka. His diary...the simple yet most revealing peice of work on "pure shadows" was a thing alot looked for. To this date only 3 were knowen about and have life.

the door swung open, this time inwards, luka was getting really confused about that door. as the door finished it's swing and luka took his first step in he saw mizuki close a slim volume much like the one under lukas bed, it was suspicious but luka pushed it momentarily out of mind. 'i am here sir' he said

(sorry, short posts ok?)

Mizuki looked up "I can see that welcome luka" He said and motioned with his hand towards the chair infront of him. "Today I have another test for you" He said placing his diary finaly down onto the desk the scale shimmering in the light.

"Your not going to like me" He said "Even though you already dont" Mizuki said in a laughing tone. With that Mizuki then proceeded to take out a candle from his desk. Placing it ontop he snapped his fingures and the curtens closed leaving the room in pure darkness.

Bringing his hand up to his lips Mizuki smiled and blew. As his breath traveled over his hand to the candle lighting it. "Today we do fire play" He said "All you have to do is make something out of that flame...anything. A bird...a dog...a tree, just something"

luka frowned, fire was the worst possible thing he could be given, it was as intangeable as air or water but it's dangerous nature was riskier than anything a spilled cup of tea could do. he looked up at where mizuki's face was he did not want this strange man as his master or his guide, he wanted to leave and never come back but it seemed no worse an idea than placing a bet on what the library books told him such men were capable of.

'under one condition' luka asked 'let me touch the candle while i do it'

Mizuki gave a very uncharacteristic smile to that "By all means" He said motioning his hand towards the candle. He was hoping that Luka would say that. It just confirms his theory more. Luka was the reincarnation he was looking for...almost certain of it.

luka was happy he was allowed this restriction, he had on a prop just for such an instance and considering the medium it was the best time for it, he hoped his cheating would go unnoticed and this man would only see what it was he was looking for, deseption was not luka's strong suit.

'ok, here goes' he grabbed the candle and sighed worriedly. the wax of the candle broke out almost instantly in runes and the flame jumped a small wolfling danced about in it and the candle melted. he had to jerk his hand away to avoid the hot wax, even so he still managed to burn himself.

Mizuki watched him with interested eyes. "You know....I have seen that same trick before" He said in an almost far off voice. Lightly shaking his head Mizuki reached into the same drawer and took out another candle lighting it the same way he did the other "Next...we learn music enchantment" With that Mizuki pulled out a short flute from the desk and raised it to his mouth. Taking a breath he began to play a soft whimsical melody.

The candle began to flicker and soon the light puffed out as if some evil god blew out the candle himself. Then a soft glow in an oval came to light. That oval soon cracked and hatched a fiery little dragon. That dragon stretched its wings gave a little roar and took flight. Flying about the room the little dragon gave light to the dimly lit room. Cursing back the shadows to the deepest depths of forgotten corners from which they came.

luka smailed to himself, finally he was thrown a break, this was something he could do without cheating or failure. he gave a siglent blessing to his mother for her blood and his family's forethought in being secretive in their ways. he did not need the flute to sing and would actually do worse with it than without but took it anyway so as not to give himself away. he wiped of the flute-tip with his thumb and put the instrament to his lips, a sad quick riff issued forthand the smoke from the snuffed candle writhed and danced and became another wolf, this time an adolecent, it bucked and pitched it's head to and fro

Mizuki gave a smile. Thats what he wanted to see the all to well knowen wolf. Little did Luka know that wolf would be a big part of his magic. Mizuki began to hum with the sad tune then began to sing soft words "In the darkness one stood alone. So brave and wild he roamed the trees and dared you to make a stand" With the words fiery trees drew about the wolf and created a seen infront of them.

luka's hunch about the wolf in the small diary paid off but in an unexpected way, it did ease any suspicions mizuki may have in the future but the projection was fully unexpected. a small forest made entirly from fire encompassed the little smoke wolf luka feared it would be consumed

Mizukis voice died off and as soon as it had appeared the fiery forest disappeared. And Mizuki just sat there in silence his eyes locked on some far away image. 'There is no doubt in my mind' Mizuki thought as he watched Luka finish his song and the little wold turned its head as if to look at Mizuki before the smoke slowly rose to the ceiling leaving nothing but the smell of burnt sandle wood.

dread pooled in his stomach as mizuki drew the forest closer around the young wolf, without any thought he did what his granna would have had him do, he sang, he sang away the world and sand the little apperition to sleep. he looked up worriedly at mizuki in the gloom hoping his mistake was not noticed, the other seemed lost in another place altogether. luka sighed again. he certainly got the answer he was looking for though he deperatly did not want it

Mizuki was lost in his own world. Nothing at that moment in time mattered to him in the slightest. All he could see was the man sitting infront him. Though the man infront of him and the man he saw where two different people. "Why....did you leave...?" The question was so soft and light he himself barely heard it. He then shook his head and blinked his eyes. Clapping his hands the currtains opened and blasted the room with light. "Thats all for today" He said to Luka.

he almost did not hear the words so sofly were they spoken, he almost felt sorry for that sad and whistlful face, almost wished to answer that question he had no words for. the moment was all he had before mizuki clapped his hands making luka jump. the curtains whooshed open blinding them both. barely had luka had time to raise his hands when mizuki warbled 'that is all for today' they boy was glad to leave even as his eyes continued to water. he changed his mind, he was going to read that book, there was too much coincidence in what little he read and saw and what happened today, he needed more information

Mizuki sat there and watched as Luka gaurded his face from the brightness of the sun but other then that did not move. Mizuki looked to time and gave a little imapatiant sigh "If you will so kindly to take your leave Luka there are other things I have to do today" He said to him. "Oh and before I forget...tomorrow meet me at the south wing garden for our next lesson" He said before waving his hand and having the door open "Good day to you" Was all he said befor picking up his diary and flipping it open to the page he found himself looking at more and more lately. The picture of 'HIM'.

(i assume you changed your mind about the flashback then^^: that's ok too it does not have to lead to romance)

the next day
he was woefully unprepared today. he intended on going straight to his dorm but was stopped by headmaster. the walked for a while as they would any other day in silence but something was afoot luka knew, finally aster several long minutes of walking headmaster let him in on the news luka he had said you graduate in a year, but you are ahead of all your peers by decades in several places, one of which being your prop casting and ward forming. luka felt a little sick but very excited, the current ward teacher was elephaba who was very old and rather sickly since the winter before when she cought pnemonia, it was common knowledge she would retire soon but noone knew who'd take her classes. he nodded along though trying not to let his anticipation show my dear boy, what this old man is trying to say is, you are graduating in a couple months, when that happens would you be willing to take her place? upon hearing those words he gave an uncharistic whoop, scarring the headmaster slightly but causing him to laugh as well. they spent the rest of the evening discussing how he was going about planning nextsemesters classes, his new sleeping arrangements, payment for work done, and taking his final tests in some classes and rearangeing his times in others to keep them from interfeering with his schedual.

this all of course left him in his current place, he was given excuse from all his classes today including mizuki's and allowed to spend the rest of it however he pleased before all the changes had to be made to adjust him nto his new role, he started the day cleaning up his dorm and packing what few things he had there, then he went to the record keeper's quarters and changed his occupation from aprentice librarian to novice master of wards with aprentice librarian as a second. next he went to the money keeper's office to end his dorm fees and get a refund for the rest of his year, he was to be moved to the teacher's dorms as soon as possible. while he was there he set up his future pay to go straight home, his family may have been the country's head librarians and binders for centuries but they were not a clan known for money-greed. their's was a clan obbsessed with blood power and stich magic any profit made went to dowries for sons and ink and parchment for daughters.

after what seemed like hours with the money keepers but was really only minutes he rushed to talking library, his last stop before he could go home to tell his parents, he had to find head librarian baqir, he found her as he knew he would elbow deep in the damaged pile, books on eiher side of her stacked to the ceiling though those around her were all within hand's reach, she was busy with a glue-pot and what lookd to be a book on herbs. he smiled at his cousin's work, they named her as a boy in hopes of teaching her to be clever because she was not strong. she suprized them all when on her tenth birthday, well before he was born, she sang out the entire nursery of books with a child's diddy, it was obvious she was destined to keep the most precious and dangerous books safe and happy.

he startled her when he finally spoke up and nearly put her out of her chair when he told her the news. she was happy he would not leave permenently and had the brains not to say what they were both thinking, he'd never take over as the head librarian this way with the death of his moher he became the sole member of the head of the family to take the keys, his brother's budding magic was aimed well far away from stitches and his heart from books. this would leave the second branch in charge, his cousin would have to stay a librarian until either he his brother had a child, preferably girl, to carry on the line. she smiled anyway 'no worries little cousin' she said 'you have three years yet until you are journyman, there is time' he smiled back at her then and left to go home and see his parents

(end part one of two for mizuki intermission)

((We talked about the flash back after I made that post lol))

Mizuki sat in his garden out back of his on campus home. Mizukis mind was crawling with different things...the biggest one as of late was his one and only student; Luka. He knew the man was special after the first day of meeting him. Mizuki and the head master of this school went back a long long ways. While the master himself changed and got old Mizuki didnt. His appearance do to his magic and and mixed race will never change.

At the begining of the school year the master had came to him and told him something that was very interesting...

FLASH BACK 1

"Mizuki" The older man said "This young male...could be him" Mizuki looked to him skeptical "We both know that looks dont mean anything" He said "My heart has been fooled far to many times from that" He said so sadly. The master hummed "Just come. Be a teacher at my school for a year. Do your own 'teachers test' for his power" As soon as the 'power' was mentioned Mizuki looked to him "Props" Was all he said and he recived a nod. "Alright....this is the last one..."

END FLASH BACK 1

Mizuki stretched out his arms above his head and leaned back into the tree he was under. Looking at the flowers around him his mind began to wonder away...

FLASH BACK 2

'Master...do you really think it wise for him to miss even one class?" Mizuki asked looking towards the elderly man with almost pleeding eyes. Mizuki didnt want this....every reincarnation had a trigger. One that would make them remember everything from past lives. Though the bad thing with that is that the trigger changes everythime. "We both know that if something soon dosent happen he-" But he was cut off by an old mans voice filled with knowledge. "Mizuki....he is strong. His heart hasnt changed from the begining" With that the headmaster stood and began to take his leave. Placing his hand on Mizukis shoulder he smiled to him "Do not worrie my old friend...he will remember....soon enough" With that the head master left Mizuki to his own thoughts.

END FLASH BACK 2!

The head master was all knowing he knew that...but...Ge wasnt sure if he wished to leave it be. And the fact that he was helping in the deture of his plan made Mizuki a little angry. Mizuki shook his head. No the head master knew what was going on from the first detail to the last. He would just have to trust in his plans.

the hour walk home gave him time to get out some of the adreniline he had and work ot some of the anziaty too, he was very happy to get the position it was one surly custom tailored to his magic style and restrictions, he did not even mind so much that he'd be teaching boys and girls only a couple years younger than himself. when he came into the compound he was greeted by sheep and children, the noise and dirt was not unwelcome but also a notible change from the quiet he left and would, when he got inside, be going back too. he walled along a side lane and into a small door, the warmth and quit folded onto him like a blanket, the smell of old books and new intermingled in his nose, he wandered through the binding storage and into the factory section of the great house, he turned into the narrow hall rooms to either side of him filled with aunts uncles and cousins, all in various stages of making and repairing books, the quiet murmer of song reached his ears and he felt safe in a way only home can be

The day was a long one. Mizuki was stiff and sore for sitting in the same place for so long but his mind has been wondering alot lately. Walking into his house then to his room he sat down at his desk. There he stared at the books open on his desk. Six...each different in there own way yet the same in many. "Reincarnations have triggers....they all do" He said to himself as he glanced over all the books "What is yours Luka...." He said to himself.

All the books infront of Mizuki where...documentations of the boys life. From day one to what he is now. When Mizuki first got the thought that Luka was in fact the one he had been looking for Mizuki needed to know for sure. Hiering a special kind of help Mizuki was able to get all the records of Lukas life.

For the past week Mizuki has been reading and rereading to find a connection to find anything that may indicate the boys trigger. The only thing he needed was the common conection but what...what was it!! Mizuki huffed angerly. No matter how much he read he couldnt find it!

Taking a deep breath he calmed himself down "Its here...some where" He said to himself as he picked up a book and flipped the page. Reading for awhile MIzuki placed the book back onto its space on the table and picked up another. Soon that book joined the others. "Everything....is a wolf" He said to himself out loud. Then it dawned on him...."THATS IT!" he almost screamed.

He was excited! Soon soon everything will be back to what he wanted...everything would be normal as soon as it was able to happen. Taking out his calender Mizuki looked to the dates and functions of the school. "There...the 17 of may" He said to himself "The day after Luka will graduate"

he continued until he made it to the living quarters where he knew his grandmother was, both his parents were several years dead so she stood once again as head of house. he hoped she would take the news well

(i'm sorry, i am dead, short posts for a bit until i find a string to latch onto again^^: )

Mizuki then walked to a room at the front of his home. Entering the dimly lit room he walked over to the broken staff and chrystal that lay there. "Soon we will take care of her" He stated to the items infront of him.

as he left the compound a few hours later he smiled, he was well received and though his grandmother had not understood his desire she had her own mother as an example to the bull-headedness of the line, she gave her blessing and he lunched that day back in the bussoms of his great family.


so it was in high spirits he passed back under the gates of the school, and with a smile on his face he passed all of his peers and supiriors through the halls. his joyous daze lasted all the way to his dorm. as he happily threw himself on the small bed he felt a little pain in his solar plexus, reatching under the small materess he pulled out the book, as the cloth over it slid to the floor he recalled the reason he had hidden it to begin with. his unease, which had been tosses away with the arriving pleasure of having been accepted as a teacher came back in full force, he half wanted to leave the room and take it back where he had found it, but the bizziare responce from mizuki when he had created the fire pup and smoke wolf told him he needed more information to unravel this frightful man, he laid back down on his bed, grabbing the fabric as he did so, and rolled onto his belly. he looked beifly out his window to assure himself that there was still plenty of time until his dormmates came back

diary entry one he read, this is the first day of my 2 month long attempt to record my daily life as per lady amiele's assignment. it was dream reading class then, this was one of a pair of books, he for a moment wondered if the mate was still in the library, though that this was written by a student meant it prolly was not even a library book at all. the head librarian must have scratched his head in confusion, luka thought, when he saw my post personally i think it is rediculous seeing as this diary will not be turned in, what a large waste of paper, but alas is the stupidity of teachers. he scoffed at the end of the first paragraph, what a little twat this luka was, the teacher provided two books so he could use the first to help understand the manifestations recorded in the second, it was to help give students an extra hand come the end of term. he frowned the first order of the day was to dress and go to breakfast, i ate an orange slice from the little trees we set out my first year here, strange to think it took 3 years to grow such a bitter little green fruit from that scrawny little chopped up plant luka paused, graphted orange trees were usually planted after a year, if it took three this was his fourth and last year unless he was left behind a grade, roughly 104-5 years ago by such counts, this boy would have been around the same age as luka was now, he shuddered after that i went to first class, it was dull, learned nothing, second class the same, third class was the same but for master blathering about the trees, third class was the same, lunch was dull, no more oranges thank the goddess, fourth class too, final class is aweful i don't like it she needs to shut up already, i have no paitence for it, why does she even want us to write if she is just going to talk throut the entir~ there the script ended as if he was shocked out of writing by something else, either way it was all that was written on the page, it made luka a little angry to see such a waste of paper, it was much harder to make that parchment and oughtn't have been wasted, but it was too late now for that. he turned the page the first order of the day was to dress and go down to breakfast, it was such a lovely day too, first class was not much fun but it could have been worse, actually the whole day was that way, what i really want is for that boy to come back, he has not shown up yet though, maybe he was in the wrong class? the teacher said nothing though, surly she'd direct him out if he were, though he is a week late all the same if he belongs, but all the same, and those eyes, i do hope he comes, i want to again the page ended prematurly. luka rubbed his eyes tiredly, this boy would have been a real puzzle to be around, bitter and rude one moment spazzy and airheaded the next. he skipped a couple pages until the entries begain to get longer i think i am in love. luka barked out a coughing laugh. what a way to start a class, writing such a thing. he quickly went back to reading, wondering what brought on such a silly opening line every day he sits there filling out his journal and every day right as he finishes he looks right at me an smiles. how i yearn for that smile each day, how i wish i had the courage to do more than smile back, i would give my right thumb and never write again for a kiss, oh a kiss, what a glorious thing that would be. here the writing devolved into hearts and swirls and other silly little doodles, luka assumed from this admission that both times the boy had stopped before was for this other, he did not understand how such a boy could have written such odd things in the begining of the book and and such frightful ones nearer to the end, he skipped a couple more pages, here and there small doodles in the margins caught his attention little wolves and dragons played and fought and....well there was one image he was going to pretend not to have seen.

he stopped again to read a post though by it's strange light and poorly scrawled writing he supposed it was written in a rush iknow dreams are for the other diary but a dream like this? that one not that is for dreams like this, no way i will ever share that, not in all my life, but as well there is no way i could bear to forget it, oh diary, if only our touches and caresses, our kisses, but like that? oh diary if like in my dreams then so happy i would be but dreams are not the place for it! if only in my waking hours, but where? maybe the dorms, but not here, no too many eyes, oh! the garden, those trees, maybe in the orange trees, noone goes there after the lunch hour, surly there, oh but what if he says no? a kiss is not that, even at our boldest it is nothing close, but those eyes, if they looked at me like in the dream, if i die let it be after that moment, i must, surly it is meant to be, oh but to tell him! the entry ended there but luka was not dettered, he was not sure what the strange confusing writing alluded to but he had a guess and hoped he was wrong. he turned the page. the page was blank but he saw a light seaming, stuck between the next two pages was a slip of paper, most likely from another student's book from the light color variation. there was only a single line on it south wing garden~ mizuki he dropped the paper. for a moment he thought it was his own mizuki and was frightend but he stopped himself by taking a deep breath, the south wing garden was the master's garden only a few teachers and the master himself could get in, of course they'd go there, it was empty durring the day only in the early morning and near dusk was it ever in use. whatever they were doing it'd be a good place not to be seen doing it. he turned the page.

Mizuki rushed his way to the head masters office. He knew the time was late but he had to talk to him! Reaching the double wooden doors Mizuki stood straight and gave a knock. There was nothing but silence. When Mizuki was about to turn around and walk away one of the doors slid open slowly to reveal a sleepy old man in a tattered old sleeping cap. "Mizuki...?" The old man asked "Yes head master it is me. I need to speak with you" He said in a rushed voice. The head master looked at him for a moment before he opened the door further and motioned for him to enter. "Oh thank you!" He said as he walked into the elaborite dimly lit room.

Covering the walls from once side to the other were books. Thousands and thousands of them. Anything from simple magic incantations to chants and even alchemy those shelves held it all. In the middle towards the back sat a large cherry wood desk. The top of it littered with different books and papers from that days work. Off to the side was a perch for a creature that hovered just above it. Covered in dark charcoal feathers with a bright blue beak not even Mizuki was sure what kind of creature was before him. Though before his mind could get deeper into thought the headmasters voice cut through the haze in mind "What is it that you need?" The head master asked. At that Mizuki sat down in a chair accross from the head master as he himself took his own.

"Its about the trigger" Mizuki stated looking to the man. A sigh was what he got back "Mizuki....I told you time and time again. The trigger will happen when it happens. Not even you can force something like that" The head master said in an almost regretfull tone. "No..." Mizuki said earning a look that said 'dont test me'. "Just hear me out" Mizuki said to him "I have been reading up on Luka" Right there the head master choose to speak "You...are reading up on the boys life?" He asked slowly and to wich he got a nod of the head from Mizuki. "You. You defied my words. Went behind my back and hired his help?!?" With each word the head masters voice got higher and more hostile "Even after I told you no! You need to-" "Its the wolf!" Mizuki said in a haste. He felt the room dropping in tempiture and the last thing he needed was the head master fully angry. At the sounds of the comment the head master relaxed a little. "I just need to take him to the south garden. You and I both know whats there...what you keep for me there" Mizuki said to him "After lunch when we are supposed to have class. Send him to the south garden instead" He said almost pleading. The head master didnt know what to think. but the pleading look upon Mizukis face let him make up his mind early "This...this is your one and only chance Mizuki" He stated in a matter of fact tone. "If this dose not work you have drop everything and I will be the one to carry on his studies. Is that in any way unclear?" The head master asked. Mizuki paused for a moment. Only one shot...if he failed it was over for good. If he succeeded he would have the love of his life back in his arms and everything would be okay again. Looking up he gave a nod "Yes...I agree" Mizuki said. "Very well" With that the head master took a peice of parchment and his quill to write the fallowing message.

"Dear Luka,
It is my duty to inform you that your class held after lunch with Mizuki has been moved from the left wing to the south garden. Be prompt and on time there is much to go through this day.

Head master"

With that the head master folded it and placed it within an envelope and sealed it with his well knowen wax seal. Holding it up in the air and owl swooped down and flew out the window to deliver the message to Luka promptly. "You wont regret this...I promise you!" With that Mizuki stood gave a hasetly bow then made his leave.

Running out of the doors Mizuki ran down the hallway, his silvery braid bouncing on his back with every step he took. Heading out side he ran towards the south garden. Comming to a halt at the south gate he gave his password to the gate he slipped inside closing the gate behind him. Running into the trees he gave a high pitched whistle. That was the last thing you heard from Mizuki that night but in the distance a wolf howling at the lonely moon could be herd.

(you tease!)

he woke to the sound of tapping on his window. the master's carefully trained owl was sitting on the ledge. he unstuck his face from the book, he had fallen asleep, and let it in, it bobbled about in the early morning light cheerful though it was close to it's bedtime for sure, he took the small scroll-box and popped the lid, a piece of parchment fell out

"Dear Luka,
It is my duty to inform you that your class held after lunch with Mizuki has been moved from the left wing to the south garden. Be prompt and on time there is much to go through this day.

Head master" luka awoke and paled, the book! he grabbed it and looked about, his roomate was quietly sleeping across the room none of his dormmates on the other side of the wall could be heard either. he blanched even further at the thought of going to the south garden, if what he had read was true....he shook his head as if to clear his mind by shaking the thought away. no, he would not run, he would not falter, they were the same those two mizuki's almost surly be he was nothing like the spineless luka of the book he would stop mizuki and he would not fail.

It was the day. The day that Mizuki had been waiting for! Finaly after how many years was he going to get him back. Mizuki was a very chipper person in the early morning. It was only by mid day that the events of that day seemed to catch up to him all at once. But not today...nothing could damper his spirits.

Taking the wicker basket that sat beside him on the counter in his home Mizuki began to pack a lunch. Taking some dried meat, bread and fruit Mizuki hummed as he worked. Running back and forth grabbing different things Mizuki needed to set up before class started! Running out of his home he headed for the south garden. Giving the gate his password he ran into the trees to set up the basket. It was only a matter of time before Luka joined him.

he found the garden easily enough, master had taken him here before a few times for his walks but luka had never entered alone, he was suprised to see the gate's wards undone, he walked it


(sorry i feel odd posting on a mule but i'm in a trade!)

Mizuki was standing at the front of a nest of water lillies in a koi pond. The spotted fish jumping up to catch flies in the late afternoon hot sun. "Good day Luka" Mizuki said with a wide and friendly smile.

he tried to smile, tried to remember the sad look of a man lost at sea that seemed to him so long ago to have happened. if failed him now and all he could offer is a tepid not-frown. he walked surly and steadily though proving if nothing else his legs still were working and able. he responded to the bright smile and cheery greeting with an equilly luke-warm 'hullo' he was not as ready as he thought, obviously he was in no more position to bear this than when he knew nothing more than a glimpse at a young man's diary art and a strange feeling in his stomache.however when he stepped past the gate though it was too late to turn back. he refrained from grasping the talisman in his pocket and instead focused on the necklace of the man in front of him refusing eye contact but also refusing to look away. no victories but also no failures.

Mizujki watched him as he stepped forward. Read his body langue and could tell Luka did not want to be here. "Come with me" Mizuki said as he walked forward taking luka through the trees to the very far back of the garden. When they where in far enough Mizuki stopped, then turned to face the slow paced Luka behind him.

"Luka" Mizuki said as he gave a look of almost simpithedic plee. "I need your help..." Mizuki said. Mizuki figured it this way. Tell the male exactly what was happening. For if there is no resistance the trigger will happen better, and faster. Though he would not indulge everything....just yet. "For a long time I have been searching" He said "Searching for the reincarnation of one that was very dear to me" He said "I beleive that you Luka are that reincarnation." Mizuki said so matter of factly. "I just want one more test. One final answer and I swear to you if it does not work you will never see me again" Mizuki said almost sadly. He needed Luka to agree to it.

luka could not help his words softly slipping out 'i....don't want to die' he shivered a little the only outside admission to his tears, everything he thought to say, all his studing and even the charm, a small blood ward in the shape of his sacred animal the fox, were forgotten. he felt ashamed and a lone and scared, he realized then that whatever mizuki may be, he, luka, was just a boy and he could do nothing to stop this man, this monster from fdoing anything he pleased

Mizuki looked to him shocked. How could he think that he was going to die? It kinda hurt to hear Luka sag that. "You will not die Luka." Mizuki said "I just want to show you one thing and one thing only and that will give me the answer that I need." Mizuki said looking to him. "You have my word nothing will happen"

'that is not true and you know it' he hardedned his voice and realigned his shoulders to a arrogent position. i am not what you are looking for, if you do it i will die, no worse, my mind will die and i will become one of those things, i am not your luka!

Mizuki was taken back... He did not expect an answer like that from Luka. "....You will not die, nor will you change" He said. "You simply gain memories from previous lives..." Mizuki said trying to convince the other male. But if he resisted...Mizuki was thinking of getting the item anyways. "And knowledge of power and ability's. This only helps you" Mizuki told him.

'if you succeed that is, this is doomed to fail, i am not who you are looking for, believe me!' he grew angry once more, his momentary lapse now forgotten and his earlier determanation set back in, he would no longer be able to trick the man out of his task but maybe there was still time to talk his way out all the same

Mizuki almost began to panic but his mind was still working a mile a minute. There had to be something to convince him. His mind was going over every peice of information that he new on the young male infront of him. Going over every minute they spent together. Then he remembered something...that day! He remembered that a day a little while ago the other male acted weirdly when zooned out. 'What did I say...' Mizuki thought. Then he remembered! And now the look made sence...it was a look of simpathy!

"Well.." Mizuki finaly spoke after five minutes of silence "It seems as tho I wont be able to change your mind" He said in a tone filled with sadness. Walking over to an orange tree he placed his back upon the rough and wrinkled trunk to slide down with much effort until his ass hit the soft grass below. Landing with a knee to his chest Mizuki placed his head upon it. "I guess my search continues..." He said to nothing.

three feelings went through luka then, shock that mizuki would try such a cheap ploy, sympathy for what he saw as a desperate man, and anger at himself for almost wanting to cave in, only the anger showed through and though luka directed it to himself the backlash of it showed through to mizuki.

...'Fine' Mizuki thought to himself. 'All you want to do is stand there and be angry...' Mizuki was almost at his limit. It was time to bring him in...the trigger. Lifting his head Mizuki looked to the other male before he gave a very low pitched whislte. No more then a couple seconds passed before an abnormally large wolf came from the trees to join Mizuki. "Hello old friend" Mizuki said as he reached out a hand and touched the head. Then a growl from the belly of the beast came "Thats what I want to see...Turn around" Mizuki said. The wolf licked his palm then turned to face the young male standing aways away. 'Please work' Mizuki thought.