http://clampfix.fanworks.net/x-overs/girl.txt </head><body><pre> Girl Hope I get there in time. Ah, there he is. My watch must be running fast again. Luckily for him I had something suitable for office wear in my closet. Chasing him down in my _real_ working attire wouldn't have been such a great idea. "Oh, sir! You left this at the office." He panicked a bit at seeing me on the street. He was with someone. Probably his wife. Not as bad looking as he said she was. Well? I'm not going to wait all day for you to get your wallet when I'm holding it right in front of you. "Thank you, um, Miss--" "Shidou. Don't worry about remembering my name, sir. I'm only a temp, after all." "I didn't realize your office hired high school students," his wife remarked. "I just give everyone that impression. I'm 20 years old already." "It's nice to see such dedication from a temporary worker. I hope the company can afford to keep you on as a regular employee." "Thank you very much, ma'am." I bowed gracefully, almost like Fuu-chan would, and added, "I'll be working harder with that in mind." If she only knew what _kind_ of work I did for her husband. Hmm, nothing scheduled for the next couple of hours. Might as well try to get in some shopping. Now where was that sale I heard about yesterday... Just then, I saw a girl. Seems like she's lost. In junior high, by the looks of it. "Are you going anywhere in particular, or is wandering aimlessly one of your hobbies?" I asked her. "Well, you see, I have to get to the Diet Building. Tokyo's such a big place." I noticed she had a dog with her. Not a real dog, but every bit as good as one. "I can see why you aren't afraid to go around in circles in a place like Tokyo. What's his name?" "You mean you can see him? That's great! His name is Inuki." "That's an unusual name for a dog. Did you name him yourself?" "Yeah, though I don't remember actually doing it. Oh yeah, my name is Yuzuriha Nekoi." "Hikaru Shidou. Nice to meet you. Would you mind If I called you Yuzuriha-chan?" "Not at all," she cheerfully consented. "I used to have a dog that looked a lot like yours. A real one, that is. His name was Hikari." She reminded me so much of myself when I was her age. "Since you can see Inuki, does that mean you're involved with the End of the World?" "That depends. Which world are you talking about? Because I was and I am." "That's awfully confusing. Worse than being lost." Maybe I should take it easy for while. Play big sister. "I'm sorry if that's how it came out. I think I got infected by the weird sense of humor a friend of mine had. Do you have to be at the Diet Building right away? I know where we can pick up a few bargains, if you like." "Really? I'd love to!" She really didn't know what she was getting herself into. I didn't either, six years ago. Fate. It just happened to be a four-letter word in English. For some reason, they call unpleasant and objectionable language "four-letter words." For me, fate was certainly one of them. If I had a choice, I would never have gone to Cephiro -- would never have had to do what I did. But, then I wouldn't have met Lantis and Eagle. Was it worth it all that, just to meet them? My mind tells me nay, but my hearts cries a resounding aye. And if I could do so much for a world not my own, what more for the Earth on which I was born and raised...and her children? What can I do to make sure what befell Cephiro does not happen on this Earth? I know the answer yet turn away from it, for it means becoming something other than myself. A part of me that has always been there but never awakened. Until now.</pre><p><a href="./">Back</a></p><p><a href=http://www.dreamhost.com/donate.cgi?id=216><img border=0 alt="Donate towards our web hosting bill!" src=https://secure.newdream.net/donate1.gif></a></p></body></html>