Chapter 4: Reunited Once More

"You saved my life." Tsubaki gleefully smiled up at her savior as he continued to run further into the thick of the forest. Tsubaki still was unable to believe that she was just saved by one of her idols, one of the six heroes! It felt like god had blessed her this opportunity to meet him and Tsubaki's excitement bubbled to her surface. "Thank you~"

"Yer welcome, Tsubaki." Jubei replied as he set the red head down on the ground, believing this would be far enough away from Azreal to be safe for the both of them.

Tsubaki gasped however, shocked that Jubei of all beings knew HER name! "H-How did you know my name?!" She spluttered, obviously unable to cover up her growing excitement.

"Jin talked 'bout ya when we travelled to Ikaruga."

Tsubaki's cheeks began to heat up uncontrollably for the bare mention of this small fact. "J-Jin talks about me?" She mumbled as her heart began to pound as her stomach filled with butterflies. 'Jin... actually, talks about... m-me?' Tsubaki debated in her mind whether to ask what exactly he would say about her. Not wanting to invade his privacy she argued to stay quiet, but her mouth moved as if on its own and she spluttered out, "W-What did he say about me?" She asked sheepishly, unable to hide her infatuation towards the blonde man.

Jubei chuckled from this, knowing fully well that Jin had to be a idiot not to see the feelings she harbors for him. "He's said plenty of things yet, not much at all at the same time. You know him, he likes to keep to himself." Jubei felt slightly bad as he saw the disappointment slowly creep along on the red head's face. "Hey, com'on kid. There's no need to get yer'self down. He cares deeply for ya. After all, he was more focused on training with me so that he could save you." Jubei reassured her with his firm words as he placed a paw onto her shoulder in a comforting manner.

However, the word 'training' immediately caught her attention as she perked her head up and muttered in a shocked tone, "T-Train?"

Jubei held back a chuckle as he saw the girl get excited again, he replied, "Yeah, I offered to train Jin on our way to Ikaruga. He mentioned you being his goal and that he wouldn't fail."

Tsubaki covered her mouth with her hands as she held back tears of joy. '..Jin..' She smiled as she made her heart flutter once more. "I see..." However, more excitement filled her mind as she remembered what Jubei just said. "So, you're telling me that Jin actually got to be trained... BY YOU!?" Tsubaki shrieked with a giggle as she felt so many mixed, yet good emotions. "Oh my god! He's so lucky! To be trained by one of the six heroes! Ah, haha, oh my god, he's so lucky." She giggled in delight causing the cat to chuckle in response.

Jubei lent against a tree as he watched the girl for a moment before replying, "Well, if you'd like I could help train ya up a bit."

The moment the cat made that offer, despite her sore ankle found Tsubaki throwing herself into Jubei's chest as she completely pushed him over. She squealed in delight as she got off him, extending a shaky hand towards him as she spluttered, "I-It would be a honor, s-sir! I-I've always admired you, s-so it would be my g-greatest pleasure to- to be trained by you!" Her face went as red as a cherry as she admitted all of that. "T-T-Thank you, s-sir!"

The old cat chuckled from the girl's excitement as he shook her hand, causing the girl to tremble even more. "Hey, calm down miss." He teased, "First things first, we need to keep moving."

Jin pushed himself passed through massive crowed of people who darted around the busy markets like ants. His eyes briefly scanned over everyone's faces who passed him, making sure not to pass Tsubaki if she just happened to be there. As he continued to push past a multitude of people he finally came to a stop as he found himself face to face with Hibiki who stood a couple of feet in front of him, wearing a rather unusual outfit compared to his usual military uniform. Jin squinted at the captain who was clearly reaching for his blades, he let out a growl of a demand, "Hibiki... move."

"You know I can't do that, Major Kisaragi." Hibiki replied in an emotionless tone as Jin noticed that his hands were fidgeting with the handles of his swords. Jin took note of this, realizing that Hibiki wasn't going to budge and that he should prepare to slice the captain down if needed.

"You seriously think that you're going to stop me from going after her?" Jin questioned as his eyes stared sharply at the blade's being slowly withdrawn from their respected hilts of Hibiki's. Jin had to admit that he was impressed that for once the captain decided to stand up to someone like him, regardless though it was rather bothersome to Jin that the captain was getting in his way.

Hibiki didn't reply verbally as he rushed forward, darting to the left to right as he closed in to deliver a strike on the blonde who however, easily blocked the attack. A frosty mist immitted from the blade to slowly freeze over Hibiki's, coating the black blade thick ice chunks of ice. The crowd around the two men soon scattered to the other ends of the streets, completely deserting them as their shrieks became distant.

Hibiki then jumped back before swinging his blade forward again in a diagonal inward slash upwards with Jin responded to this movement by swinging his blade in a random pattern, counter attacking the skilled boy. Jin then shoved Hibiki back before throwing his fist forward as ice formed on his knuckle, creating a large wolf like head that attempted to consume Hibiki within its razor-like teeth.

Hibiki with his skillful moves managed to slip out from the wolf's grasp before he darted around behind Jin to deliver a few strikes, Jin deflected each one with his sheathed sword before kicking the captain backwards. Hibiki then ran up to a stack of creates as he jumped up onto them, giving himself leverage before propelling himself off from it as he soared in Jin's direction. In mid-air Hibiki twisted his body in a circular motion with his blades following suite, his body and swords acted like a sort of blender as he sliced Jin's in multiple places along his arms.

The blonde grunted from the sharp pain that came to his arms, only to dismiss it as he charged to where Hibiki had landed, bringing his blade up in front of him as it collided with Hibiki's raised blades. The two held their ground as they exchanged an eerie glare to one another. An unusual gleam held in Hibiki's grey eyes, a look that Jin only saw in soldiers on the battlefield of Kagura.

Hibiki took the moment as an opportunity as he dropped his body to the floor, delivering a swift kick that knocked the blonde to the floor below. He then reached over and stabbed at Jin, barely missing the blonde by inches as the Major would turn and roll over. As Hibiki went in for another stab he ended up with his blade getting caught in the ground, allowing Jin some time as the blonde pulled back his arm and hit Hibiki straight in the face, making the young boy clutch his nose with a sharp pain in it.

Jin then rolled away from the captain before darting up to his feet, he quickly drew his blade back out as he pointed the tip at Hibiki's neck. "Enough, Hibiki. You know for a fact that I will not back down!"

Hibiki let out a sigh before announcing, "Very well, I withdraw." He backed off from the blonde as Jin did the same, both men then placing their blades away. Hibiki then returned to his usual composure, one that didn't seem murderous like his eyes displayed a minute ago. He then spoke in a gentle tone, "Well it seems like there's no chance of me per swaying your thought, Major."

Jin grunted in response, "It was a pointless goal from the beginning. Where on earth did you get the brilliant idea that you could possibly defeat me?"

Hibiki chuckled under his breath slightly from Jin's ignorance, "Major, you're not invincible. After all, look at what Ragna the Bloodegde did to your body recently. You may of came out of the battle lucky, but luck doesn't last forever."

"Luck has nothing to do with this." Jin scoffed, "Now, if we're finished here I'd like to get going. I suggest you go back to base like a good lap dog." Jin began to walk away from the captain, only to hear the sound of footsteps following close behind.

Hibiki's voice then came from behind him as he replied, "I apologize, Major. I may have agreed to let you be. However, I've decided to accompany you on your journey." Hibiki gave the blonde a bright smile as Jin let out an irritable huff.

"Seriously? *Sigh* Fine but, stay the hell out of my way! You so much as step a foot in between my goal, and I won't hesitate to cut you down." Jin sternly warned the captain who silently nodded in response, letting a sigh of defeat escape his lips Jin then proceeded forward as he allowed the young captain to follow closely behind him.

"I hope you know that you are wasting my time, Dog." Saya grumbled as she rubbed the side of her temples with her slender finger tips while watching the Mad Dog slowly making his way through the thick of the brush, the sound of his feet stomping scared away any little critters that dare to scamper anywhere near his path. As Saya continued to watch Azreal's sluggish hunt she turned and glanced over to where the beast of Ragna slumbered, thinking to herself, 'Hmm, even if I can vanquish all those who stand in thy way, I need will need to ensure my future.'

She slowly strolled to over to Ragna's large snout then leaning down in front of it as she stretched her hand outwards to it, lightly patting him as she whispered, "I'll be back my love. Please, continue your dreams." She then leant down into the curve of his snout, wrapping her arms around the scales as she pulled her body into his for a tight hug. "I love you, brother." She then stood up from him as her hands began to glow a slight gold as she created a portal in front of her. She then stepped through it, leading her to a flooded ruin within Ibukido.

There in the distance she spotted a girl with short silver hair, marching through the gentle flowing water, grumbling to herself, "Damn it, at this rate I'll never find those bastards from Sector Seven." She stumbled from the height of the water against her thighs, making it near to impossible for her to make ground.

"How the hell did I end up here anyways?" She entered through a door less building, making her way over to a flight of crumbling stairs as she pulled herself out of the cold water. Once she reached the top of the stairs she was met with a completely open roof, giving her the advantage to see where she exactly was. "Okay?" She stepped to the edge of the floor, using an arm to shield her eyes from the bright sun that over hanged her as she looked out into the distance. All her gaze was met with was nothing but water that flooded over the terrain of this abandoned city.

"Son of a bitch." She snarled under her breath before turning back around to descend back down the stairs. As she trudged back through the water and out the front door, giving a sigh of defeat. "Well, too late in the day now. Might as well find somewhere to make camp for the night." As she stumbled through the water, her eyes examining each building she passed, looking for a decent one to spend her night in. Unfortunately, it took her a while due to their decaying features, to find a building with a second floor that was enclosed with walls and a decent roof.

Once she finally found the perfect place to stay the night she found herself in the top floor, she looked around to see all the walls and ceiling to be damp. She sighed deeply, it wasn't the best location to set up her camp, but she was literally left with no choice.

She looked around for anything that could use to make a fire with, noticing a few old tattered chairs and table in the dark corner of the room she walked over to them and grabbed a chair. As she turned around back to the center of the room she began to pull at the legs of the chair, ripping them off at a time before placing them in the center. Once she made a small pile of wood in the center of the room she brought out her knife and a small rock she always had carried with her. It took a little while, but eventually she was able to create a small spark that she used to lite the wood on fire.

The girl then sat beside the fire, allowing the embers to keep her warm. She then let out a grumble however, "Damn it, I didn't hunt for any food… Well this is a shitty night." She then looked up from the fire as she heard some footsteps coming from the dark corner of the room. She shot up from where she sat and readied her gauntlets. "WHO'S THERE!?" She yelled out as she spotted the silhouette of a figure standing in the corner.

"Heed child, there is no need for violence for I shall be here to guide you."

"Guide me?"

"Your name is Bullet, is it not? You are searching for answers about your fallen squad, is that not correct?"

Bullet squinted her ember eyes at the figure. "H-How do you know me?"

"I know all. Bullet join me. If you help me I shall lead you to the truth of your squadron."

Bullet stayed silent, eyes locked on the figure before she called out in a demanding tone, "Come into the light." The figure stepped forward, the glow from the fire revealing the face of a short woman with long purple hair who wore a traditional kimono for royalty. The women gave Bullet the sicken feeling of anxiety as she looked at her, a slender hand extended towards her from the woman.

"Join me and you'll see them all again, that I promise you."

"How do I know if I can trust you or not?"

"Are you really willing to skip out on the one chance you've been offered to find your squad?" The woman let out an eerie grin escape her lips that sent chills down the lone mercenary's back.

Bullet hesitated, but shakenly stuck her hand out to latch onto Saya's, shaking her grip firmly in agreement. "F-Fine. Deal."

"You made the right choice, young one." With that, Saya's hands began to glow gold once more as she created a portal in front them both. She then walked forward, stopping in front of the portal to look back at Bullet. "Do not fear it."

'I don't trust this woman at all…' Bullet thought to herself before accepting Saya's invitation into the portal, slowly walking through to find herself on the other side in what looked like a small cave. "What? W-Where are we?" Bullet however, was met with silence as a response as she found herself being shoved inside a room that looked like a jail cell. "AH! H-Hey!" Bullet ran up to the door and tried to pull it open, only for it not to budge an inch.

Bullet punched the door in anger before walking to the furthest wall of the room, leaning against it as she then slid down it to the floor. "Oh god, why did I come with her?" Bullet sat there mumbling to herself, trying not to let herself panic from the fear she felt. "Damn it.." The girl brought her knees to her chin before burying her head into them, acting like a child hiding from a monster.

"Come on, kid. Try to keep up the pace a little more, eh? Don't want that dog to catch up with us." Jubei chuckled as he continued to limp in front of Tsubaki who was caught up in her own worry about Jubei's injuries.

"S-Sorry, sir!" She replied in a shaken voice. 'His limp has gotten worse since we first began running. How much longer can he possibly go on?' Tsubaki wondered to herself as she felt a trickle of sweat roll down her forehead. She found herself then looking back to make sure that they weren't being followed and to her horror among the tree's she spotted the face of Azreal's, poking out from behind a tree with a murderous grin across his lips.

Tsubaki gasped, turning back around to face forward as she picked up her pace to match Jubei's. "Sir Jubei?" She now walked beside him as she lent down a little to whisper, "H-He's still following us. Azreal is literally behind us in the trees just… just s-staring." She choked on her words slightly as she let her fear set in.

Jubei spoke back in a gentle tone, "It's alright, he's just toying with us for now. Keep yer head forward and keep your pace on track." Jubei sternly told her which she complied to without any sort of debate, despite knowing that Azreal's gaze was still fixated on them both caused her skin to crawl. She just wanted him to give up and leave them alone. What on earth could he possibly want with either of them still baffled Tsubaki's mind. Noticing that Tsubaki began dortling behind Jubei quietly called out to her, "Come on kid, keep up." Tsubaki nodded silently as she lightly sprinted up to where Jubei limped, her heart began thumping harshly inside her chest as she felt her legs begin to shake. Walking silently like this was torturous and all Tsubaki wanted to do was hide away… away from those blood stained eyes.

'I-I wish Jin was here.' At that moment a grunt came from in front of the red head as she watched the cat in front fall to his knees. "Sir Jubei?!" Tsubaki gasped out as she lunged forward, despite her own injured ankle as she caught the cat in her arms.

"Sorry lass, guess my injuries are a lot worse than I thought." Jubei faintly chuckled, trying to lighten his tone of dread which she could easily hear through his façade.

Before Tsubaki could say anything both her and Jubei heard a deep cackle coming from behind them in the tree's, causing the red head to jolt with an audible gasp. She then without a more to spare hoisted one of Jubei's paws over her shoulders as she assistance the cat to walk. "Jeez, watching you both struggling like this is really tiring me out." Azreal yawned mockingly as he emerged from the bushes, slowly strolling up to the both of them, to Tsubaki's dismay.

"B-Back off!" Tsubaki growled as she positioned herself in front of Jubei and with her free hand raised her ruby dagger up at Azreal.

Azreal scoffed as he noticed how shaky Tsubaki's hand was. "You're kidding me, right? I expected you to be more… of a challenge." He then charged forward as he roared, "Fight me and prove your WORTH!" Tsubaki shoved Jubei to the side as she brought her shield up in front of her in time for Azreal's fist to collided into it, the sheer force of his fist sent Tsubaki stumbling backwards. "No point in running from me. It's time to face me!"

Tsubaki quickly glanced at her ankle which still ached a great deal and then her gaze turned to Jubei who was still gravely injured, however a single nod came from the cat as he stood himself up and readied his swords. Seeing this got Azreal's blood boiling with excitement, he cracked his knuckles with enthusiasm. "Ah, that's more like it! I prefer the fighting more than the chase."

With that both Tsubaki and Jubei charged forward to Azreal, both colliding their swords into either side of Azreal's fist as he easily blocked the attacks. First, he turned his attention to Jubei who was more of a threat; he threw a swift punch at the cat before quickly turning to Tsubaki which he used his powerful kick on, knocking her off her feet as she fell to her butt with a squeak.

He flipped his attention back onto Jubei who had his swords away and instead now had his razor-sharp claws out, swinging them back and forth as he sliced Azreal's arms apart. Before Azreal could retaliate; while on the ground Tsubaki returned the favor of a swift kick, knocking him over with Jubei following as he continuously swiped at Azreal. Without hesitation Tsubaki morphed her dagger into a giant mallet, quickly warning Jubei to move as she swung it downwards allowing its sharp edges to pierce Azreal with an agonizing force. "GRAH!" Azreal grunted, giving a left hook into the young woman's body, sending her flying into a nearby tree trunk.

Jubei darted over to where Tsubaki sat on the ground, coughing as she felt a piercing pain in her gut. "Are you okay, Tsubaki?" Jubei asked while leaving his eyes on Azreal as he watched the brute slowly get up to his feet.

"Yes, I'm fine thank you." She replied as she slowly got herself up. "W-What is he doin-" Tsubaki wondered out loud as she watched Azreal walked over to a tree before bending down, his hands sank into the soil below his feet as suddenly the tree next to him began to shift violently. A minute later he pulled the tree out of the ground as he slowly turned back to their direction, he then threw it in their direction.

"RUN KID!" Jubei yelled at the young solider as the two of them darted among the trees, a large crash being heard mere meters from behind them caused the earth to shake. Which was followed by a high-pitched squeal from Tsubaki.

Meanwhile in the outer parts of the city Jin and Hibiki felt the ground shake. "What the-" Jin gasped as he looked around.

"What on earth was that?" Hibiki wondered out loud as he too looked around frantically. The two then heard the high-pitched squeal that followed. "Was that-"

"I-It couldn't be… Tsubaki?" Jin mumbled as he looked in the direction of the city where it met up with the forest that surrounded it. "Maybe… Hibiki, come on. Don't loiter behind!" Jin growled as he sprinted off in the direction of the squeal with Hibiki closely following behind. 'Tsubaki, if any chance that was you. Please… hold on for me.'

"TSUBAKI!" Jubei ran over to where Tsubaki laid, struggling to move as her ankle was wedged underneath the thrown log. Despite what little strength Jubei could muster he leant down and placed his paws around the thick log before lifting it up for Tsubaki to drag herself out of the log; somehow lucky enough to come out with just some mere scratches on her legs and still that aching ankle of hers.

"Why won't you die?" Azreal screamed as he threw a kick towards them, barely missing Tsubaki as his foot slammed into a tree with the bark painfully piercing into his leg as he then tried to rip it out of there.

Tsubaki gasped as she threw herself out of Azreal's attack, once on the ground again Jubei offered a paw to help her get up. Once she stood up the two made their way from the Mad Dog which only angered the hound more. "GET BACK HERE!" He successfully ripped his foot out of the tree as he once more prepared to charge the two. His speed was relentless and the wounds of both Jubei and Tsubaki began to really show their effects as the two slowed.

"OH GOD!" Tsubaki screeched as Azreal gained on her, Jubei instinctively bolted in front of her to shield her away from Azreal's attack. In that moment they must've had a stroke of luck as a wall of ice erupted in-between them and Azreal, and in front of them was the back of a familiar blonde.

Tsubaki's eyes widen immensely as she stared in awe, her heart pounded with excitement as she called out to him, "J-Jin?" Her face lightened up as the figure slowly turned around, his warm smile greeted her with comfort.

"Hey, Tsubaki.." Jin's gentle voice replied which caused her face to flush red from the not so familiar genuine attitude.

Word count: 4,232

A/N: Hey everyone, I hope I at least improved between this chapter and the last. Confession I need to make, for the past year I had the smart idea that I could multitask while writing but, half way through writing this chapter I decided to fully focus on it without music or videos in the back ground so yeah… XD One paragraph every week with little to no sentence structures has now turned into 2,000 words per night with at least I hope better structures. XD I done goofed. XD Anyways, hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Please feel free to leave me a review I very much appreciate it and I'll see you guys in whatever I update next.

P.S Sorry if my work comes out slow regardless though, I am studying business now and… well yeah, it's a work load.