< Don't back off. It'll chase you. > [ Saya's voice is speaking inside his head. Sorry for the sudden telepathy, but she's trying to avoid her other "self" overhearing. ]

[ Saya's black mirror self laughs. ] Ah, sister dear. Still soft-hearted for humans, despite all they've done to you?

[ Saya just sighs. ] You're not my sister, you're a sad facsimile. She was driven crazy by fifty years of torture, you have far less excuse.

[ The doppelganger shrieks in outrage and then attacks Saya, moving too fast to follow. Saya, hefts her sword and defends, keeping herself between the shade and Hijikata. ]

[ Saya's voice speaks inside Hijikata's head once more. ] < Can you light her on fire once I pin her down? I can't hold her still and do that at the same time. You can think the response back at me, I'll be able to hear you. >