Tsubaki moaned as her burning eyes fluttered open. It felt like she floated in a soothing sea; something held her, comforted her. It took a moment for her to realize who had an arm wrapped around her shoulders. I just spent the night with Ragna the Bloodedge. I can't…I…I'm just fine with it. Of course she was; she had insisted on it, after all. A font of warmth blossomed in her heart; violent and profane though Ragna was, there was no one she trusted more at the moment.

The wound in her leg seared up in pain as she shifted. Right. I still need to get to a hospital. I should just… There was no way she was just leaving without giving Ragna a proper farewell. She closed her eyes, sinking against him as she thought. After a few minutes of weighing her options, she whispered, "Ragna."

The only response she received was a snore, so she pawed at his shoulder and increased her volume. "Ragna."

"Huh…?" With a yawn, he opened his eyes. Drowsiness etched into his face, he blinked at Tsubaki. "Something wrong?"

"No, I'm fine. It's just that I really should get to a hospital."

"Oh, right." Groaning, Ragna sat up, Tsubaki still clinging to him. He shook his head to clear it of fatigue. "I'll go with you. Want something to eat first?"

"No, thank you." At long last relinquishing her grip on him, Tsubaki rose and limped into the bathroom. "I'll be right back. Just going to change."

"Alright." She disappeared and he headed over to grab a drink. Sitting at the table, he allowed his mind to wander. The poor girl…glad I could help her, though. Hope she decides to leave the Library; seems like she'd be a good friend…where the hell'd that come from? Gah, when'd I get so damn soft? …Well, I did pretty much care for her last night. Wouldn't Rachel be proud of my maturity? No, of course not, it would be "soft-heartedness" or something else that she'd just mock. Bitch. The door opened and Tsubaki emerged clad in her Zero Squadron uniform. Yawning, he stretched and rose. "So. Ready?"

She shook her head, looking over at the doors behind which her weapon was sealed. "I, um, would like to get my weapon, if possible."

"Oh, yeah." After Ragna held up his right fist in the direction of the cupboard, a seal flashed. He went over and retrieved the weapon. "Here you go."

She took it without a word, staring at the ground as her cheeks burned. Ragna quirked an eyebrow at her. "You doing okay? I mean, after last night?"

"Yes. I am now." Tsubaki leaned closer to him, the first smile in days coming to her lips. "Th-thank you so much, Ragna. For everything. If there's anything I can do repay you—anything at all—just let me know."

"It's fine. Really." He felt waves of nervousness pour over him as she drifted nearer still. "Just…reconsider your loyalty to the Library, okay? You said you've lost faith in them; if that's true, I don't see any reason for you to stick with 'em."

"…I will. You're right." And with that, she lunged forward to hug him. He stiffened for a moment before returning it. "And besides, I've already lost three friends because of my allegiance. I'd hate to fight another."

Ragna blinked. "…You mean me?"

"Of course I do. After last night, I can't not call you a friend." Tears threatening to leak out again, she buried her face on his chest. "The only one I really have left…I couldn't bear to have to fight you as well."

"…Same." After a while, he pulled back. "We should probably get going. The sooner you get those stitched up or whatever, the better."

She nodded and followed in silence as he led her back into the still-wet streets. People stared at them, no doubt wondering why an NOL agent was traveling with the Grim Reaper. Ragna paid them no mind as he strode past, his mere presence enough to clear a path for him and Tsubaki. After nearly ten minutes, they spotted a hospital and headed towards it, stopping just outside of its doors. With a broad smile, Tsubaki turned to give him another embrace. "I know I've said this a lot already, but…thank you so much. I don't know where I'd be without you, Ragna."

"Glad I could help."

"Um…" Tsubaki blushed. "May I ask what your plans are from here?"

"Gonna meet someone in a couple of hours. That blond chick you've probably seen before, Rachel. Why?"

"Oh, it's…nothing. Can I assume you'd be at the hotel until then?"

"Pretty much, yeah. Why? You wanna hang out with me or something when you're done here?"

"If I do decide to go against the Librarium, I doubt I could fight it alone. I'd want to at least have someone at my side. And…well…"

"You'd wanna travel with me." Ragna realized her cheek was brushing against his. This chick is getting a bit too close for my comfort…you know, I think that's enough of me thinking of Tsubaki as 'this chick'. "Tell you what. I'll stay at the hotel for two hours here. After that, I'm gone. Can't keep Rachel waiting; trust me, she's not a fun person to piss off. You wanna stay with me, you'd better come right down there. If not…well, I guess that would make this goodbye."

"…Yes. It would." Tsubaki pulled away and stepped towards the hospital doors. Although her smile remained, tears glistened in her eyes at the thought. "Farewell, Ragna."

"Yeah…you, too." He watched her disappear behind thick doors. God, I hope she makes the right choice here. Of course she will; she knows the Library's just gonna screw her over. She'll definitely join me.

Without a word, he spun on his heel and strode back the way he came. Don't stay with them, Tsubaki.

Ragna stared up at the ceiling. Two hours had passed already, and... She…she didn't come. Did something happen to her? Well, no helping it. Just gotta hope she isn't staying with the damned Library. Rachel's waiting, and she'll be pissed if I'm too late.

With a groan, he rose and collected Blood-Scythe and his jacket. He glanced around; the idiots who worked here could deal with the still-messy kitchen. As he made his way to the door for the last time, a light knock sounded. He found himself borderline racing to open it. He threw it open and grinned down at Tsubaki. It's like Rachel said once; care for a stray and it will follow you for all eternity. Of course, she was using that as an insult towards me, but… "You came."

"Of course I did." She stepped forward and clasped his hand. "Sorry I took so long. I…suppose you were just about to leave?"
"Yeah. Gotta go meet Rachel. Sorry I couldn't wait longer."

"It's fine, I understand." Her smile faded. "Um…do you think this Rachel would be okay with me being there? I mean, I imagine I'm still an enemy in her mind…"

"I might have to explain what happened, but she ain't gonna deny you. Really, I'd say the only allies of mine you might wanna watch out for are Hakumen and, sorry to say it, Makoto. She seems kinda pissed about you, but I can't really read her."

"…I'm actually pretty sure Hakumen will accept me. I've met him before. As for Makoto… I imagine we'll be able to work things out."

"Hope so. I'll take it you have no problems with Noel."

"I plan on talking to her as soon as I can to clear the air between us." With a tug on his wrist, she started back into the streets. "Well, let's not keep Rachel waiting."

"Yeah. Like I said, not fun."

After a few minutes of walking, Tsubaki stopped him. "Um, Ragna? Would it be okay if we took a small detour?"

"Huh? Why?"

"…The alley where Jin died is just around the corner. I want to do something for him. It…might take a while, but…"

Ragna nodded. "Rachel can wait. She won't be happy, but…oh well."

Without a word, she led him into an empty alley. Whatever fight had occurred there, all traces of it had been erased. Leaning down on the cobblestone street, Tsubaki crawled over to the alley's end wall and drew Izayoi, shaping it into a thick spike. For almost half an hour, she carved into the wall, writing something he couldn't see as she wept. Finally, she stood up, returning her weapon into its natural form. "Okay. I'm done."

Ragna stepped towards, reading her words. "'And if my promise ever does go, I give to you...my eternal soul'? The hell is…"

"It's…a promise me and Jin made to each other years ago. I know it's silly for me to have held on to those words, but…I couldn't think of anything else to memorialize him with." With a sob, she leaned on Ragna; his arm wrapped around her shoulders an instant later. "I miss him so much already, but…I have to move on. I'll continue his fight and bring those corrupting the Librarium to justice. We…really should get going, shouldn't we?"

"Probably. Your call, though."

Tsubaki nodded, rereading her words. Jin…I'm so sorry you had to die before I could break away from the Librarium. You will always be a brother to me. More than a brother, in fact. Here is my new oath to you; I will fight the Librarium so you may rest in peace. These words in the wall seal that promise. Ragna and I…we will… "Let's go, Ragna. We can't keep Rachel waiting."

A/N: Okay, that's done. Back to fluffiness or something.