Day 11

Normally, this would be about the most exciting day she could think of. Normally, she would be pacing her room, concocting fantasies of how such a meeting would go, as massive a grin as possible on her face. Normally, she would be frantically scouring her collection of memorabilia and trying to decide what would be the best book to have autographed. Normally, Makoto and…the other girl would be doing everything they could to stop her from exploding from sheer energy.

Normally.

That is not to say Tsubaki wasn't excited at the moment—far from it. But rather than the manic bout of fangirlism she always expected to find herself in when faced with meeting any of the Six Heroes, she simply sat on her bed, a light smile on her face. Happiness, a distant illusion just the day before, buzzed in her chest. She had no idea when Jubei and Hakumen were supposed to arrive, or when she would be brought to them. Slight worry gnawed at her, the ghoul of melancholy digging its claws into her yet. What if they couldn't meet with her? They were no doubt here on some anti-Librarium mission and their time must be important…

With a vigorous shake of her head, she purged the thought from her mind. Ragna said they would be able to meet her. There would be no more contemplating such matters. At any rate, the mansion was finally rid of Jin and Noel, departed that morning to strike at some Librarium branch. A lifetime of loyalty beckoned her to follow them, cut them down not only for their transgressions against her sovereign, but their betrayal of her as well…

She shook her head. How could she keep thinking like that? How could she want to end their lives, after all her time with them? If she went through it—not that she could without a weapon—guilt and grief would gnaw her apart from the inside. She had to drop this antipathy toward them; accept that in all reality, they had done nothing wrong in the least.

With a sigh, Tsubaki closed her eyes. No more negative thoughts. Think of what you will say to Hakumen and Jubei, what you will ask them. Maybe ask them about Bloodedge…? Maybe. If it feels right. If Ragna's there as well.

At last, a full smile came to Tsubaki's lips. After three days of agony, she would refuse to allow anything to ruin today.

O

O

"N' there ya have it, Rachel. I ain't got the foggiest why Sector Seven let him loose, but…well, ain't really our problem. Not yet, anyways." Standing just up to his companion's waist, Jubei took a sip of some rank liquid from a flask and leaned back against the wall. "Anythin' else ya got for us, or should we go back to yankin' Terumi around?"

"Hmm…I believe that is all." Rachel's gaze flickered from Hakumen to Jubei and back again. "I believe you can be on your way. Thank you for…"

"Waaaaaaaaaaaait waitwaitwaitwait!" The door boomed open and Makoto skidded to a halt, to the utter bewilderment of the others. "One more thing before you-"

"I do not believe I gave you permission to burst into my private quarters unannounced." Rachel's glare would have sent a demon running. "Begone, Miss Nanaya, lest I-"

"You can lightning me later, this is important!" With a dismissive wave in Rachel's direction, Makoto grinned at Jubei. "Um, anyways. I got a friend who's kinda down and I was thinking that, because she's like a super-fangirl when it comes to you guys, I could bring her here. Please?"

A mechanical snort of derision met her request. Hakumen shook his head. "You interrupt us for this? We do not exist for the-"

"Ah, pull that stick outta yer ass, Haku, ain't no harm in this." Another swig, and all present could have sworn Jubei wobbled a bit. "Sure, be glad to talk with yer friend. What's the matter, if ya don't mind me askin'?"

"Um…" Makoto rubbed the back of her head, gaze averted. "She…uh, kinda got rejected by Ragna…and isn't taking it well."

Another scoff from Hakumen silenced her. "I refuse to waste my time on such trivial matters. Terumi still roams free; such a monster demands attention over the prattling of a lovesick girl."

"Be glad to meet with her." A metallic clank resounded as Jubei delivered an elbow against Hakumen's leg, unbalancing the silver warrior for a moment. "And mind yerself, why don't ya? Bein' nice for once might be welcome."

"Hmph."

"Ooh, thanks!" Makoto turned to Rachel. "This is, um…fine, right?"

The vampire heaved a sigh. "…I suppose. It would be callous to leave her in such a state, and I doubt a brief meeting would significantly affect our machinations."

"Alright! Um, thanks." With that, Makoto scurried back out. Phase one—get Tsubaki happy again—was now underway.

Phase two…that would have to wait until Noel returned.

"Hey, good guy! Is lunch ready yet?"

With a twitching eyebrow, it was all Ragna could do to not turn around and snarl at his semi-feline companion. "You asked that two minutes ago. The answer hasn't changed. And it's not going to change any goddamn time soon. So stop asking, okay?"

"Meow? But…but Tao's hungry now!" In a display of anemic weakness, Taokaka dropped to her belly and pulled herself over to Ragna's feet, mewling. "Ohh…Tao can feel it, meow…the internal darknyess…if Tao doesn't eat right now…"

"She'll be just fine. And there's shit in the pantry if you can't wait five minutes." He gave the omelet an annoyed flip. "And are you paying attention at all, or are my instructions getting lost in your empty cavern of a skull? I'm trying to teach you this crap so you can cook for yourself."

"Meow…the end is coming…all Tao ever wanted…"

"I'm gonna dump water on you if you don't let go of my leg right goddamn now."

With a shrieked meow, Taokaka leapt to her feet. "Meow, why are you so mean to Tao, good guy? What did Tao ever do to you?"

"Mooched off of me 'til I was broke?"

"Nyeh! Why are you so mean, good guy? You never play with Tao anymore… Tao should call you mean guy, meow!"

Ragna snarled, thought up a response and stopped. "…Shit, sorry. Been…kinda occupied lately. Tell you what. You gonna be around tomorrow, right? I'll play with you then."

"Mew?" With a coy grin utterly at odds with her previous artificial anguish, Taokaka peered up at Ragna. "Do you promise, good guy?"

With a puff of laugh, Ragna turned to grin at her and pat her head. "Hell yeah. Ain't gonna leave a friend floundering."

"Mew? What does fish have to do with anything?" A gasp. "Good guy! Are you making flounder for Tao?!"

"What? No, I'm not. If I was making fish…" Ragna trailed off at the disappointed frown that glowed from underneath Taokaka's hood. "…Tell you what. Next chance I get? I'll make it for you, 'kay?"

"Ooh! Ooh, ooh, ooh!" In her exuberant joy, Taokaka pounced upon him, tackling him to the tiled floor with an almighty glomp. "Thanks, good guy!"

"Gah! Heh…ain't a problem, Tao." Ragna winced as pain jolted him, but smiled after the initial shock wore off. "Uh…mind getting off of me so the omelet doesn't burn?"

Before Taokaka could respond, a squirrel-eared girl poked her into the kitchen. Makoto suppressed a small smirk as she waved at Ragna. "Hey, Ragna! Jubei and Hakumen are here! Weren't you and Tsubaki…?"

"Shit, already?" After extricating himself from the catgirl, Ragna pulled Taokaka to her feet and put the finished omelet on a plate. "Right, I'll go see Tsubaki right now. Enjoy lunch, Tao."

Giddiness left Tsubaki all but trembling as she froze up in the entryway to Rachel's chamber. Two heroes, two icons of justice, two of the people she most wished to emulate…one of which held a half-empty bottle of scotch in his paw, and the other entirely absent. All at once, the exhilaration flowing through her died and she froze up mid-step. "S…Sir Jubei?"

Jubei glanced over, and his muzzle twitched in a peculiar way—it took a moment to recognize it as a smile. He gave her a wave from his lounge chair. Seated in the center of the oversized piece of furniture, he looked somewhat undersized. "Yayoi. C'mon in. Haku's procurin' tea from 'Hayn. Can't drink it, o' course, but he likes the scent."

The beastman shrugged. "I haven't the foggiest how he does that, either, but I ain't about to trouble."

"I...see." Cautious, nervous, Tsubaki stepped into the room and glanced about it. A pair of chairs waited across from Jubei's seat. After a moment of trying to settle her nerves, she took a seat and gave Jubei a nod, doing her best to ignore the bottle in his grip. "W-well, um...hi. Um...it seems you already know who I am..."

A light giggle slipped from her.

"Master." Ragna gave Jubei an absent-minded wave. He stepped past Tsubaki and took the other seat after shedding off the cushion on it. More comfortable, and if it irritated Rachel… "Settling in already, I see."

Jubei lifted the bottle in a salute. "Rachel's got spirits as old as her. I'd be a damn fool to pass on it. N' yeah, Ragna's mentioned a bit about ya. Glad to see yer on the right side."

"I see." Tsubaki turned a brief smile at Ragna before focusing once more on Jubei. "Um...well, truth be told, my loyalty is still with the Librarium."

Although Ragna was certainly going a long way to changing that. "Anyways, I was just hoping to speak to you and Hakumen for a bit..."

No sooner had she said that than the white-armored man stepped inside. And froze up entirely. "...Tsubaki."

Jubei blinked and shrugged. "Fair 'nough, long as you ain't runnin' with Terumi no more. I'd be willin' to call any side not his decent." He took a sip of scotch as Ragna scowled first at the name, then at Hakumen. "Haku, sit down before ya give me vertigo again."

Hakumen stood dead still, paying no heed to Jubei's command. "...What happened to you?"

"Huh?" Tsubaki blinked at the warrior. The stern voice quelled any further excitement from building up within Tsubaki. "What do you mean, Sir Hakumen?"

"Your friend informed me of your anguish." How such a strong woman could fall into depression was utterly beyond Hakumen. "What caused it?"

With a roll of his eyes, Ragna grimaced. "This again."

Wordlessly, Jubei tossed his bottle over to Ragna. After brief consideration, he threw back a long draught of scotch. In mid sip, he doubled over, tears stinging his eyes. It took a moment of heroic resolve for him to get it all down. Jubei snorted. "Told ya it was strong stuff."

"Like hell you did. You didn't say shit."

"U-um..." The mild distraction having passed, Tsubaki averted her gaze. "I...would rather not talk about what happened."

"Please tell me."

Okay, she wasn't getting out of it. Hakumen's determination leveled all resistance. With a sigh, she said, "...First, the man I...was in love with chose my best friend over me. Then Ragna-"

"What?!" Hakumen's hand shot up to the hilt of Ookami. His blank face whipped around toward Ragna. "What have you done, Dark One?"

"I turned Tsubaki down. Right after she had just got done being stepped on by Jin and Noel." Ragna gave Hakumen a sour look. He glanced over at Tsubaki, a chagrined look crossing his face. A warning from Rachel echoed in his head. "I'm not a rebound, and she's not a…a girl for me to just have a fling with and toss away after. Or someone to string her along when I don't feel the same."

He slapped a hand onto his face and dragged it down. "Or someone who can explain shit."

"...Hmph." Hakumen's invisible glare shifted to Tsubaki, who squeaked and shrunk back away from him. He sighed. That...was not his intent. "...You have developed feelings for such a man, then?"

"...Yes?" Tsubaki barely dared to move, so imposing was her hero. "Um...may I ask why you are so concerned with this?"

...This truly was not the Tsubaki he once knew, and he needed to keep that in mind. "It is nothing."

Jubei reached over and patted Hakumen's leg—the only part of him he could reach while sitting down. "Ease up, Haku. Least nobody's killin' each other."

He waved a paw at Ragna, who grumbled before tossing the bottle back over to his master. Rather than drink again, though, he simply cradled it in his claws and peered at Tsubaki. "They still teach 'bout us in the Academy? Pardon me for askin', but last time I visited, the place was just startin' to kick."

"Oh, yes, they do." Rather than glow at the thought, Tsubaki grimaced a bit. "Not nearly enough, in my opinion, however; it's only a small part of history classes. They only really touch on, like, two major battles and don't discuss what happened to you after the Dark War. I-I mean...they could have done so much more about you!"

Jubei considered, still nursing the bottle in his hand. "Well, the Dark War wasn't much of a war, anyways. Just a long damn runnin' battle against the Beast. Beatin' its face in, tryin' to slow it down a bit to give people a chance to evacuate."

The smiling curve of his muzzle faded in strength. "Didn't work, most o' the time. We found out later what seithr did to livin' things. Reckon half the casualties were people comin' back after it passed and dyin' from the stuff."

"I'd imagine. It's taught that the Beast destroyed half of humanity itself, but...that's not even taking the spread of seithr after its defeat into account." Tsubaki cocked her head; her studies had never been particularly clear about this. "Or...was the spread of seithr part of the Beast's death toll?"

"Naw." Jubei said, his tone turning grim. "That's what it did personally. Ain't exactly publicized, but only 'bout two billion people survived. Less than a third o' what was before the War. Close to a fourth. The Beast broke cities and drove people into the wilderness. There, people who got left behind got sick, died on the seithr. Or got ate."

He took another, longer drink of scotch. "There was a whole 'nother war there, fought by people just tryin' to survive, that ain't mentioned much. Military men ate by things no good soul should hafta see. They did their work just as fine as me." The old beastkin raised his glass in silent salute.

"Hmph. Don't downplay your own role, grimalkin." Despite his words, Hakumen's face remained pointed in Ragna's direction. "Were you not the one who organized the move to higher elevations?"

Tsubaki took two moments to process the implications. "...S-sir Jubei? The Librarium...was your idea?"

Jubei shrugged and glanced at the bottle in his hand again. After weighing it for a moment internally, he set it aside "More or less. I told people to go highlands, picked out a few people who shouted good, n' sent 'em packin'. N', of course, the one group strong 'nough to govern Ars Magus ended up becomin' a world government o' sorts. Probably a good thing, too, at least then; got all this Hierarchical City stuff organized. Still…ain't right for humans to have to rely on seithr for everythin' now. Losin' the Magic Guild was a blow. No two ways 'bout it."

Ragna's eyebrow twitched at Hakumen's continued staring, but at the memory of Celica he subsided, and gave a solemn nod. "Glad at least Celica helped a little. She was…"

Hakumen gave his equivalent of a snort. "I will never understand why she doted so much on Bloodedge..."

"Huh?" Tsubaki blinked. Something triggered in her, a reminder of who Bloodedge resembled. Celica Mercury had doted first on Bloodedge, and then had played mother to Ragna? And Valkenhayn's response had felt...off. A veil masking the truth to dissuade further questioning. "Um...sir Hakumen? Sir Jubei? May I ask if Ragna has any relation to Bloodedge? I mean...Bloodedge's jacket and sword were passed down to him, and they look almost exactly alike..."

"Can't say." The feathery lines of wrinkles around Jubei's eyes rendered them inscrutable as Hakumen stiffened. "But they are the same kinda person. Takin' on the world to make a little right in it again."

Ragna flushed slightly. "You're the one who got me doing this, old cat."

Tsubaki's stare shifted to Hakumen, who said nothing. She held back a sigh; figures they wouldn't give up the information so easily. "...Very well then. And I suppose that's why you selected Ragna as Bloodedge's heir?"

Jubei shrugged. "Owed him a favor. Just…settlin' debts, kid."

"...Alright." Setting aside the pangs of disappointment and mild annoyance, Tsubaki slumped back a little. "Then, um...may I ask why you're opposed to the Librarium?"

"Because of the evil that lurks at its heart." Hakumen rose and fixed her with a look. "Tsubaki Yayoi, do you realize what manner of monster pulls the Library's strings? That those you serve seek to undermine the very justice you fight for? That in fighting for them, you aid the world's condemnation?"

"…Huh?"

Ragna sighed and shook his head. "He means Terumi. Hazama. What the hell ever you wanna call him."

"Relius Clover too steers the Librarium; together the two bring the greatest evils the world has faced since the Beast forward. If you truly believe in justice, then leave the corrupt Librarium. Their fall may yet save the muddied reputation of the NOL."

Wary eye on Hakumen, Ragna nodded. "Pretty much, yeah. Both of them are just yanking everyone around. Including you, from what I heard from Jin." Really better avoid mentioning Noel here…

Hakumen extended a hand to her. "Join us, Tsubaki."

"I…" Tsubaki glanced from the hand, to Ragna, to Jubei and back again. This…everything was coming at her too fast. Yes, much of her wanted to join them right there. To fight evil at the side of Ragna and Hakumen… "…I'm sorry. This…is too sudden. I'd need some time to think it over."

Hakumen visibly faltered before giving a mechanical sigh and sitting back down. "I understand your concern. Take your time."

The sheer disappointment in Hakumen's voice struck Tsubaki as though it were physical. "I'm sorry. Um…sir Jubei? May I ask…?"

"Heh. Library itself ain't evil, not in my books. I ain't a fan o' Ars Magus, but shit, someone's gotta regulate it, after all." Jubei gave pleasant chuckle and downed the last of the alcohol. "Ya wanna stick with 'em, feel free, 'Baki. Hell, maybe you can fight 'em from the inside."

"I…" Tsubaki sighed and shook her head. Pressure to join them against those she served her entire life weighed down on her. But…the Librarium, despite who controlled it, fought for justice…right? "I will not betray the Librarium. However, I will keep your words in mind."

She stood up and gave a light bow, lips curved into a smile. "Thank you very much, Sir Jubei, Sir Hakumen. It was an honor and a pleasure to meet you."

Chuckling, Jubei returned the nod. "Ain't a problem, missy. Glad we could help."

"…I am glad you are well, Tsubaki." The edged tone of Hakumen's voice, ominous and with cold fury, froze everyone else. "Tell me. Why do you feel as you do for Ragna the Bloodedge?"

"H-huh?" Tsubaki stood dead still. "Well, to put it simply, he's…really helped me through my captivity. In many ways…"

"I see." Hakumen's mask swiveled to Ragna. "You have informed her of what you are…what you possess, have you not?"

Ragna stretched and yawned. "If you mean my grimoire, yeah, she knows I have it. The hell do you mean by what I am, though?"

"…Tsubaki. Reconsider your feelings for this man."

"What? Hey!" Ragna jumped to his feet. "You mind telling us exactly what the hell is going on here? What's it to you if some chick you just met ten minutes ago likes me?"

Tsubaki struggled to give a meek a nod. "…Thank you for your concern, Sir Hakumen. But…"

"The Dark One threatens us all with his very existence." Hakumen reached up and drew Ookami. "By siding with him, you put yourself in danger when I come to eliminate him and his threat. I will not warn you a second time."

"…And where the hell do you get off saying that kind of shit?" Wisps of shadow danced over Ragna's right hand as he snarled. "I ain't gonna do a damn thing like that."

"You do not have a choice, Destroyer of the World." Hakumen pointed his blade at Ragna; he shut out Tsubaki's petrified terror the best he could. "I will not allow-"

"Enough." Nobody even saw Jubei move. In the blink of an eye, he was up, scotch bottle held against Ookami to keep Hakumen from striking. The narrowed glare of his lone good eye stunned Hakumen. "Yer not helpin' Tsubaki with yer hogwash."

Hakumen stood still a moment longer. He had to protect Tsubaki, to free her from whatever snare Ragna had trapped her in. He couldn't just… No. This wasn't the Tsubaki he knew a lifetime ago. That one was little more than a remnant of his past, vanished into oblivion. With a heavy sigh, he sheathed his sword. "…Very well. But know this, Tsubaki: the man you adore shall be the end of the world."

With that, he turned and swept out of the room. Jubei sighed and shook his head. "Pleasant company as always, Haku. Sorry to sour yer meetin' with that, 'Baki."

"…It's fine." Coming out of petrification, Tsubaki smiled at the beastkin. "I'm really glad to have met the both of you. Thank you very much."

Ragna turned an eye to her, a worried grimace stretching across his lips. "Yeah. Thanks for doing this, master. Kick Terumi's ass for me, will ya?"

"Heh. If I get a chance, of course, kid." Jubei stood up as well and gave them a wave. "You two need anythin', let me know. See ya 'round. N' Tsubaki? Keep yer head up. May hurt like a bitch now, but it ain't gonna last forever."

As Jubei followed Hakumen's path out, Ragna turned to Tsubaki and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey. You alright?"

"Y-yes, thank you." Pink crested her cheeks at the contact. "You…really don't know what he meant, do you?"

"Not a clue. He's been pulling this shit for a while now, though." With a sigh, Ragna shook his head. "Shit…sorry about this. Thought meeting a couple of your heroes would help you, but…"

"Oh, trust me. It did." Subconsciously, her hand drifted up to meet his. Before it could, however, she stopped herself. "…Thanks for setting this up, Ragna."

"No problem." His frown remained, however. How could she be fine with how Hakumen acted? "Glad to hear it. Uh, wanna go…?"

"Whatever it is, yes." Her self-restraint slipped for a moment, and she stepped forward instead, wrapping her arms around Ragna for a brief instant. Hakumen's warnings worried her, yes, but the fact that he had shown such concern for her overpowered them. "Jubei's right; I will be fine."