Author's Note: Change of plans. This chapter was originally supposed to be this one and the next one combined, but I decided against it because too much would happen in the chapter. The speed of the developing of the relationship, namely. Apologies for the delay, as well.
Looking at the never ending array of trees as she walked, Izayoi sighed. Where was she going? What was she doing? To say she was confused was an understatement. Abandoning her post would be the last thing she would ever think to do; defy the orders of the Librarium.
Her old friend's words came to mind. 'Would you really shed blood callously on your best friends?' Guilt cut through her gut like a sharp, rusty knife. My friends… Because of the Library, I… Everyone must hate me now. I don't know how they'll even begin to forgive me. She felt cracks forming in the levee in her eyes, holding back tears with little strength.
"Hey." Izayoi jumped from her thought when she heard a feral, familiar voice from behind. When she turned to look at the source, she felt her cheeks burn when their eyes locked. "Been looking for you for a while. Been tough, considering the shit that happened."
"Ragna…" Is he going to strike at me? I probably deserve it, though.
He took a step toward her. As if he read her mind, he said, "Don't worry. I don't want to hurt you. That might be the last thing I want to do right now. But if you want…"
Is he suggesting we fight? I… "I can't fight you. I have no motive for such a thing." She tried to hold in the tears longer.
Noticing her quivering voice and strain to hold back tears, Ragna walked closer to her. He was surprised by her answer. "Well… um, that's good. I mean, I came to talk to you."
Nodding though remaining silent, Izayoi sat down in the middle of the field. Ragna watched as she brought her head to her knees, buried her face, and sobbed gently. Her breathing was heavy. Ragna, with no clue what to do, walked towards her, eyes filled with concern. He seemed the best option to comfort her in silence. She did not notice him taking a seat next to her. After hearing another sob, he draped his arm over her shoulders, giving them a light squeeze of ease. "Hey, come on, Tsubaki. Cheer up."
Surprised by his actions as well as their proximity, she looked up. Her cheeks burned more. "…Why?"
"Huh?"
She sniffled, "Why don't you hate me? I deserve it. I've made so many mistakes."
Drawing the crying girl closer, Ragna said, "I don't hate you. Hell, I never considered it. I… believe you might have been confused… and yeah."
"I-I almost killed all of my friends, everyone I-I once l-loved. I let my jealousy take control; a reason for wanting to hate Noel. But now…" The red haired girl sunk into his enveloped arms. Leaning into the one-armed embrace, she pressed her face on his shoulder. "Everything… Everything I-I learned; I-It's all…it's a lie, isn't it? I… don't know what to do anymore."
He had no words for her. She was jealous of Noel? The hell did Noel do to her? Talking is really out of my forte, but… "I'm sorry, Tsubaki. Sorry that this all had happened to you. Sorry that you had to learn everything this way. Hell, I don't know if you believe me, but… I am."
"No, I… I believe you, Ragna." She sniffled again and looked into his eyes. They mesmerized her. She could feel her cheeks burning to the fullest. She had succumbed to the newly founded attraction. She wondered if he felt the same way. She could hope or dare to look away. "What… what do you thin I should do?"
At first, Ragna was lost for words. When he returned the look straight into her eyes, two crimson pupils greeted his. With no difficulty, he could read her like a book. The look upon her face, one who had lost everything, was recognizable. Almost like that day. The unforgiving truth was revealed to her. All was coming down too fast. From what he learned, she was dragged into his brewing war without second chance or warning. She did not deserve whatever fate had laid for them.
Blushing, he sputtered, "Um… I-I guess you should… um." He took a deep breath to regain his composure. "I think you should leave the Library. Hell, every one of your friends is fighting it. It ain't gonna go well if you stay."
Her tears ran down her cheeks slower. "I should… leave? But… my family… I'll have nowhere to go."
"You think I'd leave you on your own? If you want my help, you got it, okay?" The criminal gave her a soft, honest smile.
His smile left her lost for words. No matter how many times she had tried to admit it, he was right. The Library is a corrupt system, a threat to the peace the world strives for. Deciding not to struggle for coherent words that might have little meaning, Izayoi returned the smile. Her tears died at last. She shifted to turn to his general direction and embraced him tightly while her eyes closed. "Thank you, Ragna. You're… the only friend I really have left."
The criminal returned the hug. "Ain't a problem. You don't deserve this shit. No one really does." He paused to feel the warmth of her cheek against his, slightly wet from crying, but he didn't give a damn. "Um… What are you going to do now?"
"I… I need to find the true meaning of justice; find my role in this contention." She backed her head away to look at his face. "Ragna, thank you again for everything. I don't know where I would be without you. You helped me; been there for me. I… I don't know what I could do to repay you."
Her companion chuckled as he closed his eyes. "Like I said, you don't owe me nothing. I ain't as big as an asshole as the people make me out to be."
He felt something, soft by the feel of it, touch his cheek. It was just the slightest bit moist. Upon contact, he opened his eyes in shock to look at the source, but made no attempt to move his head. As Izayoi's kiss prolonged, he felt an indescribable, unknown sensation. A maelstrom of foreign emotions stormed into his mind. He did not know what to make of… this feeling. As her lips parted from his left cheek, his surge of comfort and bliss left as well.
Ragna gently, absently-minded rubbed his cheek, still slightly wet, face astounded. His face burned the same color as his jacket and Izayoi's hair. His heart pounded faster and harder. He stuttered, "Tsubaki… did you…?"
She smiled, but looked down, an effort to hide her blush. "Think of it as a token of my appreciation." She desired for more, but… how would Ragna react to that? She waited for him to utter a word, a sound, or make a sign. When she heard nothing, Izayoi at last relinquished her hold. As much as she did not want to leave, she knew that she had to go. "I… I should probably get going, Ragna."
Once he finally snapped out of his stupor, Ragna said, "Oh… um, right." He stood up, his friend standing up with him. "Be careful, alright. Shit can happen from anywhere. I guess… I'll see you again sometime?"
"Absolutely." She nodded with assurance and a smile. "I'll be waiting for you."
"Great. Look, once… all this shit is over, um… what do you say we go… get something to eat afterwards?"
…Is he asking me out? Does he really feel… like… that? "That sounds great, actually. I'd love to."
He smirked, satisfied with her answer. "Cool." He turned around and walked in the opposite direction. "Like I said, be careful, alright. I'll see ya, Tsubaki."
"Yes. Good bye, Ragna." With that, she headed for the other direction. As their distance gained, neither one of them noticed the lingering crimson blush on the other's faces. She looked back once more and smiled gracefully.
"If I'm not mistaken, he must be around here." Izayoi muttered to herself as she continued her trek.
She gazed upward, the sky draped with a blanket of soft, diffused light, the sun just under the horizon, greeted her attention. As she walked, memories flowed. She thought about her days in the Academy; her friends and colleagues. Her experiences with those she loved. Loved… still love? She didn't know. Noel, Makoto, and… Jin.
Her closest and oldest friend's face appeared in her mind. As they grew, her feelings toward him sprouted more. Somewhere, she knew she might have held a place in Jin's heart. But, why couldn't they take their friendship further? Why couldn't she tell him? With minimal warning, he was swept out of the school to fight in war. When he returned as a hero, he has changed. He possessed a cold nature towards everyone, including her. The revelation that he had abandoned his post a month ago had changed her perspective of him.
As she reached a fork in the dirt road, a figure of sudden white caught her attention. Izayoi darted towards it. As she got closer, the silhouette became more clear. With his white armor, anyone would have easily recognized him. "Sir Hakumen! Wait!"
The white-clad warrior froze in his spot, surprised the familiarity of the calling voice. He turned around to see the face he once fell in love with. "Tsubaki Yayoi, why did you come here?"
"I need to find the true meaning of justice. But, I cannot do it alone… I need your help, Hakumen, sir."
Hakumen remained silent for a moment. One question came to mind. He spoke, deep and slow, "Has the spell been placed on you been broken?"
"Huh? Uh… I don't know." She bowed her head. "I… I haven't felt anything after…"
He sighed, not needing her to continue her sentence. "I see. If the guess was mine, I would say that the vile weapon of yours has ceased the spell's power, for now."
Izayoi nodded, making sure to keep his declaration in mind. For now, it did not matter. "Hakumen, sir, what must I do?"
Her idol unsheathed his long sword. "Draw your blade, Tsubaki Yayoi."
"Huh? You believe I should fight you?"
"I believe you need to be tested, judged. I know you are capable in participating in this war, but I want to see, experience the Izayoi. I will be your opponent." Hakumen did not pause in his small speech. The words he said carried such weight.
Those words left Izayoi stunned. After a moment she gave him a dauntless smile. "Hakumen, sir" Her massive sword materialized behind her. After a second, it disappeared into her hands. "I accept your challenge. Help me understand justice, my justice."
Both attackers advanced forward, weapon in hand. A loud din was heard about at the moment their swords clashed. Both Izayoi and Hakumen retracted their weapons fast, only to deliver a low swipe. Once again, the unpleasant sound of ringing, crashing metal was heard again.
Hakumen used the second he had available to jump in the air. He struck downward, the same move to end the Black Beast years ago. Light on her feet, Izayoi twirled around to slash upward. Their attacks met.
Hakumen landed with both feet on the ground. Neither of their choice of attacks landed. Hopefully, he won't mean to overdo it. He is only testing her, seeing if she is ready. If he had his face once more, he would have smiled at this girl's intrepidity . But now is not to time to praise her. "Come, Tsubaki Yayoi. Show me the extent of your determination."
"Crap. Why the hell didn't I go with her?" Ragna spoke aloud. He walked and walked through the dense forest. He looked up at the sky. "Dammit, it's almost dark. Yet, I accomplished no shit."
Taking his eyes off the sky, he continued his trek. His thoughts did indeed return to a certain red-haired woman. "Hope I didn't look like an idiot around her. …Why the hell do I care about what she thinks of me, anyways?" Probably because I might feel that… way.
He tried to shake his head in denial. No way; she's my friend. I can't feel like that. Although he tried to push any attraction towards her, Ragna could still feel a small flame burn in his heart. The criminal didn't know what to feel. "I… I can't just leave her." He placed a hand on his cheek, on the spot where Izayoi planted her kiss. Even though they parted ways, he could feel sense of bliss still straying. "Maybe, I do… consider her that way a little. Hell, she's one of the few friends I've actually got."
As he heaved a heavy sigh, a small smile formed on his face. "Guess being alone all this time caught up to me. I probably haven't felt as happy and relaxed with anyone else." I need to find Tsubaki. With that, he spun on his heel and made a beeline in the direction she went off to.