�So, you go to Cassie�s school, Selene?� the mother asked, spooning a bit of stew into three bowls.
�That�s right, Ms. Tokimono.� Selene whispered, avoiding Cassie�s eyes.
The mother smiled. �Call me Mariko, dear.� she said as she set a bowl in front of each of the two girls. �It�s beef today. And a bit of watered-down gravy. But that�s about it.�
�It looks great, mom.� Cassie sighed, taking a bite.
�It isn�t much.� her mother sighed. �And it won�t be for a while, if I can�t find a better job. I hope it�s alright.�
�It�s wonderful.� Selene sighed, starting to eat more quickly with a bit of a smile on her face. �My mom never cooks at home. We�ve just got some stuffy maid that makes these awful French dishes.�
She stopped, stroking the bird on her shoulder. He�d come back around moments earlier and hadn�t left his post since. Selene picked up her bowl and held it up to him. �Here, Cyprus. Try some.�
The bird dipped his beak into the bowl, but he telepathically whispered to Selene as he drank. �I know that girl from somewhere.�
�Maybe because she was making fun of us after school?� Selene whispered back so that the other two couldn�t hear.
�That�s not what I mean.� Cyprus whispered back. �I�ve felt this spirit energy pattern before.�
�Spirit energy pattern?� Selene asked, confused.
�Yes.� Cyprus continued. �Every life form has their own pattern which the energy in their spirit flows. This continues on in a great loop for their entire lifetimes, creating its own special pattern. Some are long and take many days to repeat a pattern, but some only take a few minutes. This girl�s takes exactly one hour to complete it�s full cycle.�
�So what you�re saying is that the spirit energy is like a finger print.� Selene muttered, understanding. �And once you know the print, you can tell who the person is without knowing them?�
�In a way, yes.� Cyprus nodded, letting her take the soup back. �Only special creatures can sense the energy patterns. That�s how I found you.�
�Found me?�
�Yes. Your energy is very distinct. I�ve memorized the spirit patterns of you and the other Zodiac Senshi��
�Other Zodiac Senshi?!� Selene almost forgot to keep her voice down, but neither Cassie nor her mom noticed. �Whattya mean, �other� Zodiac Senshi?�
�If there is a scout for Gemini, there must be some for the others, as well!� Cyprus sighed. �Of course, most were wiped out years ago. But a few may have been reborn here, as you were.�
�So you think Cassie is�?� Selene was cut off by the sounds of screams outside the window.
�What is that?!� Cassie exclaimed, standing.
Her mother opened the window and they gazed outside. What seamed to be a huge, moving blob of mud was clomp-clomping down the street below, picking people up off the street and throwing them down a moment later.
�It�s a monster!� Ms. Tokimono cried.
�What�s it doing to those people?� Cassie asked. �They�re not dead, but they look like�Zombies��
�He�s stealing their spirit energy!� Cyprus cawed in his raven voice.
�Stealing�Spirit energy?!� Selene gasped.
�Yes�� Cyprus sounded worried. �I doesn�t hurt their bodily functions, their heart beats and breathing stay the same. But it robs them of their personality. The victims are practically brain-dead, they�ll be in a coma.�
�So is this what I have this ring for?� Selene brandished her hand, the silver ring still shining on it.
�Exactly.� Cyprus would have smiled, had he a mouth. �It�s time for your first battle!�
�Right.� Selene whispered, then took out the door without a moment�s hesitation.
�Hey!� Cassie gasped, chasing after her. �Get back here!�
�Cassie, wait!� her mother cried, but she was already all the way down the hall after Selene.