Author's Notes: I'm really burnt out. No comments at this time. Read, enjoy, review!

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Chapter 4 – Encounters

They cling unto each other. Locked into an almost dream-like state. Their bonds returning. He kept her close to him until the girl calmed her tears down.

He looked at her and took a hold of her chin. "Yukianesa. How did this happen to you?"

"I don't know. All I remember is the two people you fought last night, the building, and then you."

He released her and then paced back and forth. "Those two people." He stopped, recalling the rest of the events that happened last night. "If I track them down, I may be able to find something out." He returned his look at her. "This is all very confusing. I have a feeling that what happened to you is connected to those two."

"So, you will find them then?"

"It's necessary."

She nodded her head. "Yes, master."

She swayed a part of her hair and placed a hand on her chest. "I am… Yukianesa."

"Yes. You are Yukianesa."

"I'm really glad that you finally believe me. I don't know how much more I can do to get you to understand."

Jin smiled. "Sorry." This is probably the last time he'll apologize to her. "You have such a personality. How should I say this? You are persistent, and some other things."

She leaned closer to him. "I've been with you for a very long time, after all." She smiled at him.

"You're weird. Let's get back to the topic: The two people I fought last night."

"Master?"

"I have to find those two. But, I couldn't do much for you right now." he said "I was temporarily unconscious after our fight."

She nodded.

He turned his back on her. "You will have to stay here for a while."

She pouted. "No. I'm going with you."

"Yukianesa, you cannot go with me. Not with your current condition."

"But master, I have always been with-"

"Yukianesa, you have to get used to the change for now. You don't always have to be with me."

"But, what if you need me?"

"No, I won't. Not now."

She pouted again and looked at him with betrayed eyes.

"Are you underestimating me?" he asked and looked at her.

"It's not that, master."

"Then, you have to listen to me." he took a step towards her. "This is also for your benefit. It's a dangerous world out there. With you like this…"

"That is why you need me!"

"And what can you possibly do?" he shot back.

She paused for a while looking for the answer. "I will use my magic."

"And how do you know that you can still use your magic?"

She hesitated. "I am made by magic. I am created through seithr. The power bred from the legendary 'Black Beast' itself. Don't you remember, master?"

"That will not help you right now." he replied. "It is still a question if you still have your magic in your current form."

He suddenly placed a hand on his lips. "But, maybe you have a point." he said. "I can still use my magic even though you are like this. However, I cannot use it that effectively. I may need you with me. Worse comes to worst. I am going to a nearby NOL Branch to find a temporary weapon to use for a while. Come with me. We will return here, afterwards."

She smiled and nodded at him. "I will never leave your side, master."

"Good."

The door behind them suddenly busted open, revealing a panicked soldier almost losing his breath.

Jin turned to face him. "What is it?"

The soldier saluted before speaking. "Sir, I'm sorry for barging in like this. But, we have an emergency!"

Great. Just great. Just when he started to solve the problem with the girl, duty calls already.

"Continue."

"Yes, sir!" the soldier paused a little and continued. "The 'Grim Reaper' has reportedly been spotted nearby, sir. His current whereabouts seemed to be in Orient Town. We sent soldiers to apprehend him, but all of them we're quickly struck down."

Jin's eyes heightened at the realization. The wanted posters he saw a few days ago. Could it be?

"Ni-nii-san…" he said in almost a whisper.

"Sir, we have another problem." he began. "Your secretary, Lieutenant Vermillion is currently missing after she was sent to investigate the Grim Reaper's current location earlier."

Jin couldn't care less.

"Sir, your orders?"

Jin shook his head to regain his composure. "Don't send anymore soldiers. I'll deal with him myself."

"But, sir-"

Jin furrowed his eyebrows towards him, making the soldier step back. "That's an order. For now, I want all of you to maintain the defense in this headquarters. Go!"

The soldier saluted once more and left the room.

Jin took time to gather what little of mind could regain. He didn't have any proper weapons to deal with the Reaper. Still, he wanted to meet him. Just to make sure…

He turned to look at the girl behind him. He heightened his eyes in confusion as he saw the girl's expression changed from what was before.

She was shaking. Her eyes almost building up tears. It seems she is scared. He was taken aback.

"Black Beast… Kill… Kill… Kill… I must…" She said in a quite tone which he didn't quite get.

He placed a hand on her shoulders. "Yukianesa?"

She ignored him. Muttering things he couldn't understand.

"Yukianesa?" he said the second time. He now placed both of his hands on her shoulder and shook her. "Yukianesa!" he shouted.

The girl's expression returned and she looked at him.

"Are you alright? What's happening to you?"

She just looked at him as if she didn't hear anything. It took a moment before she respond.

"Master!" she said as she hugged him.

"What is it, Yukianesa?"

She just kept quiet.

"Yukianesa. Along the way, I will meet up with the Grim Reaper. I don't why, but it feels like I have to meet him first…"

The girl looked at him and just nodded.

By the time both of them are about to reach the door, the girl suddenly dropped on her footing. She had to grab his shirt in with both of her arms to keep her from falling down.

"I guess, I have not learned my footing yet…" She said with shame.

Jin sighed and held her in support. The same position as they were last night when he found her. "We better go. But, I can't have you taking off before me. Do you hear me?"

"Thank you, master…" she said as she held unto him.

With that, they made their way out.

Outside, he walked with her with his hand around her waist as she held unto him with both of her arms. Anytime he would pull away a bit from her, she would grab hold of his hand. It would be a long trip. He would just have to shake her off from depending on him too much. It was as if he was taking care of his own child. How in earth would he get anywhere if she kept on clinging to him in every given opportunity?

She must learn that she isn't a sword anymore.

He kept her close to him. It would seem that they are close to the town the soldier spoke off earlier, as he could see bright lights fluttering ahead.

"We're almost there." He said as they continued their trek.

They arrived at the center of the town and they scanned the surroundings, hoping to find the said Grim Reaper.

A hulking, red giant appeared behind them.

They we're taken back by his huge size. Jin recognized him, however. "That's… Sector Seven's…"

Tager from Sector Seven. He doesn't belong in Kagutsuchi anymore than he do.

"What's the Hero of Ikaruga doing here?" the giant asked.

Jin released his grip on Yukianesa and she got behind him. "I am under no obligation to answer you." he said.

"There is absolutely nothing in this city that is of interest to you."

"I didn't need you to tell me that. Besides, I have no intention of extending my stay."

"Is that so…?"

He looked at Yukianesa behind him and then Tager. "The NOL has already issued a Level D alert in Kagutsuchi. I'm sure you're aware… That means, all organizations must suspend activity until further notice…"

Tager adjusted his glasses. "Sorry. But, Sector Seven doesn't take orders from the Library."

He didn't understand at first while Sector Seven is here. Perhaps for the same reason as he was: In search of the Grim Reaper. He assumed they we're after his source of power – or quite possible, harness it for their own purpose.

Whatever his explanation is, he sees him for what he is…

"… An obstacle."

He readied his battle stance, but then he remembered that he doesn't have his sword with him. He can still fight him, but without his sword, he can't utilize his magic more proficiently. But still, he wasn't about to back down from a fight.

"Hero of Ikaruga. It seems you don't have your sword with you." Tager said as he readied for battle.

Jin once again looked at Yukianesa and she just shook her head.

"You can't possibly defeat me…"

Tager then threatened him and raised his gigantic metallic arm as if to punch him. That's the time where Yukianesa got in front of Jin. Her fully extended to the sides, bravely shielding him. Tager was forced to stop his fists only inches away from them.

"You will not hurt him!" she proclaimed. "You have to get through me, first!"

"Yukianesa, what are you doing?"

She kept her piercing look towards the giant.

Tager groaned an annoyance, returned his stance to normal and adjusted his glasses once more. "Hero of Ikaruga. You have a very protective friend here."

The giant turned his back on the two. "I will leave for now. I do not harm helpless beings."

With that, the Red Devil walked away leaving the two pairs.

Truth be told, Jin was rather disappointed. He was called a "Helpless Being" by an opponent. For him, that was the Red Devil underestimating him. But based on his current condition, he might would have little chance of winning. He hasn't mastered fighting without his sword, yet.

He stood up and patted some dusts on his clothings. Yukianesa then turned to look at him in worry. She grabbed one his hands with both of her own. "Master, are you alright?"

He smiled a little. "I'm fine."

She smiled in relief and took a step towards him but fell on his arms. He held her close to him in support once more as they continued their search.

They appear to be in a mostly empty area of the town. Bright lamp posts and lights are still around them, and faint noises can still be heard inside the buildings. It seems the people around here refused to stay out. Maybe, atleast for now…

A few moments later, she is shaking again. Just like she did before. She scanned their surroundings, moving her head in every direction in worry as if she is scared of something approaching them.

"I smell Seithr." She finally said.

"What?"

Jin was forced to look into his surroundings. Seithr can't be seen nor smelled. Large amounts of it can be dangerous. However, seeing as the people here act normal, that was completely out of the question.

"I smell Seithr." She repeated. "It is foul." She suddenly tore out of his grip and took off running. The long skirt of her dress flying as she did.

"Yukianesa! Yukianesa!" He prepped himself up to chase after her, but then he heard faint footsteps behind him. When he turned, he saw the Grim Reaper in front of him, a few feet away.

They looked at each other. Jin immediately recognized him as his beloved brother, Ragna.

"Ni-nii-san?"

"Eh? Jin? What the hell are you doing here?"

Jin turned to look behind him, and then to Ragna. Confused as to who he should prioritize first. He then turned his back on him and took off.

"Hey, you idiot! Where the hell are you going?"

He ignored him and kept running. He really wanted to meet with his brother, but now he concluded that the Grim Reaper was indeed him. He didn't know why his conscience told him he should go after her first.

He found her lying beside an alleyway. A single street lamp illuminating her. Curled up like a ball. He knelt beside her and pulled a strand of hair covering her face. He took a look at the night sky and saw the moon. He quickly turned away and just as he did, he heard footsteps behind him. The moment he turned, he saw Ragna, but he wasn't looking at him.

He was looking at her. She proceeded to stand up and she looked at the Grim Reaper in return. He knew her, and she knew him. But, she never looked like this. Never looked so real in his eyes.

Yukianesa's identity.

"You…"

The moment he spoke, she screamed and fell to the ground. She closed her arms around her tightly, shaking as she did so. Her eyes are wider. She is literally in fear. "Bl-Black Bea-"

"Don't you say it!" He warned, and she quieted. Her eyes then fell on his right hand. Her gaze locked unto the red jewel artifact. The Azure Grimoire.

Jin then knelt beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder. She then wrapped her arms around him. He helped her up to her feet. He felt her shivering against him. She held unto him tightly.

He then looked at Ragna. "Nii-san, what did you do to her?" There was a growl in his voice.

Ragna just stared at him. "Nothing."

She began tugging on him. "Let's go. Let's go. I want to go." There is some sort of child's fear in her voice.

Jin ignored her, however.

"What the hell happened to her?" Ragna asked him.

"Nii-san?"

Did he actually know? Did he know that this girl is Yukianesa?

Ragna took a look at the both of them. "Damn it. You two are annoying."

"Nii-san!"

Ragna furrowed his eyebrows towards him and took a step forward. When he moved, Yukianesa dashed behind Jin. She tugged on him harder. "I want to go!"

He turned his head and snapped. "Yukianesa, stop it!"

Ragna moved again. But, Jin was having a hard time focusing. Even though he wanted to talk more with his brother, he had to deal with Yukianesa first before he could face Ragna.

It was a hard decision.

"I want to go! I want to go, now!" She took a tight hold of his hand and suddenly took off taking him with her. He gave in as they ran. He looked over his shoulder as he looked at Ragna as they went.

"Nii-san…"

He could barely pull out of her grasp as she lead him down the street. He was surprised on how fast she can run, and her grip was rather strong. He let her take him until she slow down. He was finally able to free himself and then took her by the shoulders making her face him. When he did, he could see that she was crying. "Yukianesa? Yukianesa, what's wrong? What did my brother did to you?"

She didn't respond. She just kept quiet and cried. He waited but nothing came.

He wrapped his arms around her and guided her. She leaned unto him as they went.

Silence would do for now. Just for now…

There was little to no interaction between them after that. Jin tried to get her to explain to him why she is so fearful of Ragna, but she refused to say anything. Since that run-in with Ragna, her brave nature was torned apart.

But somewhere around that, she was still there.

Suddenly, a Chinese woman was standing before them. She has a large noticeable bust. He knew her as well. A doctor in a clinic here in Orient Town.

Dr. Litchi Faye Ling.

She walked forward near the two.

"My, my, look who's here. It's Major Kisaragi of the NOL." She said in a coy tone of voice.

He felt rather embarrassed with all the people they are seeing lately. But before anything could go further, Yukianesa got in front of Jin and advances on her.

"Leave him alone!"

Litchi's eyes sparkle as she saw the girl. "Oh my, what a cute girl you are! So beautiful! That long, straight silver-white hair, those glacier eyes, and that body. Ohhh, you are so perfect!"

Litchi took another step forward towards them. "By the way, who are you?" She asked the girl.

"I am his wife." She proclaimed calmly.

Litchi's eyes went wide and looked at Jin. "Oh, my. You're married. I didn't know you were."

Jin slapped a hand on his forehead in embarrassment and annoyance. He is beginning to feel dizzy. Why couldn't this night turn out the way he wanted it to be?

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised" the other woman said. "But still, both of you caught me by surprise."

With that, Jin took Yukianesa by the arm and pulled her back to him. This is beginning to get embarrassing.

"Excuse me, ma'am. But, we must be going." He said quickly. "Sorry for the misunderstanding."

He pulled Yukianesa and walked away. Leaving the other woman in wonder. He kept his eyes forward and refused to look back.

Women. No wonder they annoy him.

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Author's Notes: That's a rather long chapter. I hope I got this one right. Tune in next time and leave some reviews.

Thank you so much for reading!~