XIV

Bestrafung

His head rested on the chair as the mechatendrils were almost finished with their task. "Do you have all of the needed bio-metric stats that you require?"

"I did my lord, it would appear that the damage to the cortex is only marginally." He relaxed a bit; it seemed his enhanced physique was already further with the healing of the injuries than he had thought. The sooner he could return the better, with this being most likely his only chance at redeeming himself as a scion it would a bad omen if he was kept down by such minor injuries.

Next to him sat Saeko with a nervous look as she watched at something that brought back a lot off bad memories for her, she didn't like operations or surgeries. "Will m-master be all right after this surgery?" She looked at Dogo although she preferred not to, he was one of those things in life she would likely never get used to.

"Are you questioning my capabilities newbown!" It was not a question aimed at her but rather a statement. "I am far more capable of dealing with any injuries or damage our lord might sustain on this world! Do not question me again! Do you understand me newborn!?"

"Stop calling me newborn, my name is Saeko!" She stomped her foot down on the floor though immediately afterwards she jumped back to her seat, somewhat feeling ashamed of the little outburst she had just displayed.

"Enough both of you! Dogo resume with your tasks, I need to get back." He ordered them both before his head turned to face her; Saeko didn't like the tone of his voice. "Saeko-chan, your concern for me is admirable but understand that Dogo knows what he is doing and I fully trust in his capability and so should you." She watched as he lowered himself again in the chair. "Did you find that information I requested Dogo?"

"I did my lord, though it has been troublesome to locate. The humans had it stored not digitally but on paper to make it worse, it is such an outdated modum for storing information over a prolonged period of time."

Saeko couldn't help but smile seeing as how Dogo seemed irritated to her, at least she knew that she could in some way push his buttons so to speak. That said she must rather wanted for him to be gone, she prefered to be alone with her master.

"Did you still manage to obtain the information? I am not interested in limitations of their storage means."

"It's all here my lord and for ease I have already transferred it into a digital format."

Saeko stepped forward to accept the data-slate that was offered to her. "I'll give it to him myself." She gave him a bad look as she handed the data-slate to Dreachon.

"This is less than I had hoped, it seems they really did not give much consideration to her."

"So it would appear but one vital piece of information is contained within the files, the girl's name." They all looked at it though Saeko wondered why, whose name was in there and was it somebody she knew. Still she knew that a name was important to that person.

"Excellent work Dogo, have you recalibrated the search parameters to account for this information?" She could hear him chuckle over what he had read, why did it make him smile.

"I implemented it the moment I encountered and verified it my lord. Shall I initiate your procedure now?" Dreachon simply nodded while Dogo vanished like always,

Saeko approached him as she could tell his eyes were starting to close. "I will stay with you; to keep you company my lord." His eyes opened sharply as she said the word.

"Don't get started on that as well, I already hate it that Dogo keeps calling me that."

She climbed on top of the chair as she placed herself in his lap. "Then why does he call you that?" She asked as she held on of his hands. Slowly she rested her head on his chest, listening to the nice sound she could heard.

"Because he is stubborn much like you. He adheres to protocol." She almost didn't notice what he said; listening to the sound was becoming much more pleasant to her. The rhythm of it was making her feel sleepy, how much she just wanted to close her eyes right now and just sleep.

"Saeko-chan, can you tell me what both the girls were talking about in the kitchen?"

"I didn't hear much but it sounded like Mayu-chan met a nasty man that tried to hurt her."

"Then that is something we shall deal with tonight." She closed her eyes as she kept listening to the sound, it was one of the prettiest sounds she had ever heard and listening further she started to close her eyes as she kept on listening to the rhythm.

"Ah Nozomi-chan what a surprise to see you here." Yuka shouted as she saw her friend walking down the street. "I wanted to ask you about your study, how is that going along?"

"Ah well my entrance-exams are coming up soon so I'm getting quite nervous." Nozomi was feeling hesitant about it, honestly she had not expected to bump into Yuka so soon already. really she had been thinking about what to say to her about this matter a lot the last few days but she was still in doubt about it.

"You know that we are always willing to help wherever we can."

"I know that and I want to thank you for all the help you've offered me over the last couple of months." She almost wanted to bow but Yuka halted her, she shook her head making it clear Nozomi didn't have to thank her at all. It had been natural for her to help out a friend.

"I offered to help you didn't I, you don't need to thank us." She looked at Nozomi and she know how much it must pain her friend to have such a fierce opposition from her family. Normally they should have been the ones to support her the most in her dream and yet they vigorously opposed it. "Also if you are afraid that they will find out then please have your post send to us instead, I will look after it for you."

"You would do that for me?" She didn't know what to say to such an offer, already Nozomi's concerns with her mail were a nightmare and a constant source of fear for being discovered that she had gone against the wishes of her family.

"I would do that for all the people I care for, you are one of those people Nozomi-chan. Off course I am going to do it for you."

Nozomi hugged her in response, thanking her for the kind words and gestures. "Then let me thank you by inviting you to drink something." She said as she released her grip on Yuka. "It's the least I can do to show you how grateful I am."

"You know don't have to that for me, just having you as a friend is already good enough for me." Yuka was all to quick to reassure her as Yuka herself now wrapped one of her arms around her. "But if you still insist, I still have a certain person's card." She giggled as she held up the card for Nozomi to see.

"Is it alright for you to still use it like that senpai?"

"He hasn't complained so far so let's go and enjoy that drink."

"Evening everyone!" Saeko shouted at the top of her lungs as she set foot inside the Maple Inn once more. "Do you think they know we have come back?"

"If they missed this then they must be dead." Dreachon commented as he followed her into the house. "Next time do not yell that loud, unlike them my ears are working just fine."

"I'm sorry, I promise to be good next time."

"Go on and see if you can do the chores."

Saeko nodded as she left to look for either Nana or Yuka, she didn't like to do these chores or whatever they were but she had told herself that she would accept the punishment for her actions. She didn't have to look far as she almost bumped into Nana in the hallway. "Nana-san, are you all right?" She asked as got up again.

"I'm fine thanks for asking but to be honest I didn't expect you to be here."

"I'm here to do your chores, so what should I do first?"

Nana didn't know what to say, there weren't many chores for today, really the only things that Saeko could help with was preparing the table and then help cleaning it afterwards. "Well if you really want I was about to go and make the table ready, you can help me if you want."

"But your chores are mine for this week." Saeko objected as it seemed Nana didn't want her to do the chores. "I'm supposed to do them as punishment for what happened on the stairs."

"Saeko-san, do you know how to prepare the table then?"

"Well I… I've seen Nyu-san doing it once." She was fiddling with her thumbs trying to find the right answer or trying to void Nana's glare as it was obvious that she didn't know it.

"I'll show you then; you just repeat what I do okay?" Both girls left to prepare the table then.

Mayu could hear them running through the hallway though it didn't bother her; it was good that her friends could get along with each other once more. She didn't want this family to break up no matter the reason; she had never felt happier ever since the death of her father. This was her family new and she cherished every waking moment that she could spent with it.

"Is this seat taken?" A voice asked her pulling her out of her thoughts, she looked up finding out that Dreachon stood before her.

"No it's not yet taken." He sat down in front of her and she already got a hunch he wanted something from her, letting out a quick sight she had really wanted for him to stay away but with him here now sitting directly opposite of her there was no more chance of escaping it. He likely had become aware of her trouble and although it was in a way kind of him to offer to help, in reality she didn't want his help because of what he did to Saeko.

"Why have you called upon Bando to help you?" The question was direct and blunt, she realized now that Dreachon must have overheard the conversation or at least part of it. Well to be honest it wasn't all that much of a surprise, with most others in the house knowing about it, it would likely only be a matter of time before he would find out.

"What did this man do to you that justifies the usage of a man who is far from subtle in his approach, what sort of harm has this man inflicted on you?"

"Why do you want to know, it doesn't concern you?"

"I gave my word to Kouta-san that I would see that this house and its inhabitants would be kept safe, since you are an inhabitant of this house it is my concern."

"I don't like to talk about it, besides it is being solved so please let it be." Mayu had by now dropped the book she was reading. Why did she have to go through this again? "Please let this rest, I don't want to be reminded of it all again." She sighed as she said the words, really she had hoped that Bando would have taken care of it before he could be involved but it seemed it was already too late for that.

"As you wish, I will no longer question you about this if you answer just one question." Mayu didn't like what she heard but it probably couldn't hurt to answer one little question. "Ask."

"How much do you value this family and its safety?" This was a question that she hadn't expected, besides it sounded like a rather dumb question as surely he would know the answer to it.

"I love this family more than anything in the world; I don't want to see it ever get harmed."

"Then I know enough, as promised I will not further press the matter anymore." He got up and left the room, leaving her wondering what he had meant. Outside the room the girls almost bumped into him as they came back with the dishes.

"Where are you going?" Nana asked as she noticed him walking back to the entrance.

"I am going for a little walk and to solve a certain annoying problem." He chuckled as he pulled on his coat. "Do not concern yourself with it; it'll be solved soon enough."

Nana kept watching as Saeko walked towards him. "Can I come with you Dreachon-sama, please master?"

"You still have chores to perform in this house, I won't be gone for long." He kneeled down as his petted Saeko on the head; she smiled as she grabbed the hand.

"I will wait for you."

"What is this problem?" Nana asked him. "How are you planning to solve it, have you been talking to Mayu?" She had gotten worried as a certain suspicion was starting to overcome her, who he must be talking about. "Mayu would not want anyone of us to become a killer." She could hear him chuckle over her words. "I want your word that you are not going to kill him."

"I am under no obligation to you but since i find myself in a good mood you have my word then that I will not kill this person, I will only scare him that is all." He left through the door but even with his promise Nana still had a bad feeling about what was going to happen.

"Saeko-san, I just remembered there still is something I need to get."

"But what about the table?"

"Go and ask Mayu, she will tell you what you need to do okay." Leaving the house herself Nana asked herself if it really was a good idea to do what she was about to do alone.

Bando wasn't happy at all, the weather was awful not to mention it was damn cold to him. He asked himself just how the hell he could have even considered the girls favor to him. "I must be a fool to even do this. How the hell did I let myself get talked into this?" He cursed himself as he kept looking, searching for this new target.

She had told him the route she normally took when taking her dog out and she had given him a description of the man he was looking for but so far he had little success, was the man aware that someone was after him? Thinking about it he got the urge to go back to the beach and wait for the horned bitch he was still after but then has been months since he had last seen her, was she even alive?

He kicked one of the trash bins thinking about it, it would mean that his chance for revenge was gone and that he had wasted so much of his precious time. But then isn't that what he would have done in her place, play dead until the heat was over and then have fun again. He grinned as he realized this is what must have happened; nobody had reported a horned girls body being found either. "Very clever, you still taunt me bitch."

He told himself as he kicked an imaginary Lucy, it felt good to him. As satisfying it was for him to imagine new way to fuck her up badly he forced himself to focus his mind on other matters, right now he had a certain person to find. "You just wait horned bitch, when I get my hands on you next time… oh sweet next time." He almost laughed attracting the attention of a few surprised bystanders.

"Mind your own fucking business idiots now beat it!" He yelled at them as the people just walked away from him, ah the street was becoming quiet and empty just the way he liked it best. "Now where should I go next to find our friend?" He looked around as he realized he had gone slightly off the route.

"Damn it, I need to go back." He spat as he walked back a few streets looking for the right one to take as his gut told him that something was off, something just didn't feel right.

"Come on, show yourself you bastard." He spat again as recognized which street to take once more, still from where he was standing know he guessed it would take him less than half an hour to get to where she lived, this search was starting to become a bit dull to him. "Just this last lap and then I'm going back to my hut." He growled at the thought of this becoming a fruitless hunt and then he started thinking again on how cold it was.

"Why the hell am I even doing this for a little brat like you?" He sighed once more at he shook his head in disbelief; of all the favors she could have asked him this was one of the dumbest. "Consider yourself fucking lucky the next time you dare to come with such a fucking favor!"

At least the lights were far better in this part of the city, in this area he could see further ahead.

Walking on he thought he could hear somebody call his name but who the hell would be dumb enough to do so. Moving towards the top of the stairs he heard his name again and as he looked back he could almost make out a person running towards him. Looking closer as the person was closing in he noticed it was a girl, a pink haired girl. "Of all the damned brats I have to meet this day, it just has to be you." He almost spat the words as Nana finally managed to catch up with him.

"Ah... Bando-san." She gasped as she tried to regain her breath, she had been running all the way trying to get to him in time. "I've... been... looking... for... you."

"And for what possible fucking reason could that be!? Now go away and leave me alone as I have a job to do here!"

"It's Dreachon-san, he's out tonight to hunt down somebody and I was afraid it was going to be you." Nana replied as she took in the look on his face, he didn't seem to be impressed at all by what she had just told him.

"Are you fucking stupid, why would that bastard be after me!?"

"Because he might have overheard the talk I had with Mayu about that bad man and we did accidentally mention you."

"So like the little brats you are you couldn't keep your damn fucking mouths shut could you?"

"It's my fault, don't be mad at Mayu."

Bando grabbed her by the scruff of her sweater as he took off his glasses. "You brats are going to be the death of me, I'm doing this favor for you and this is how I get repaid by you!?" He led go of her again. "I'm going to drop this problem you have, you can solve it yourself from now on!" He turned, leaving her behind as he walked back to his hut on the beach. Though he hadn't even reached the end of the stairs yet he halted as he could hear another voice coming from back up there where she was still standing.

"Well if it isn't the little pink haired present that Mayu-chan brought me, how nice of her." A man said as he walked from one of the alleys. Bando really didn't like the tone of the man's voice and as he turned he could already hear Nana yell. "Go away and leave Mayu alone you creep!"

"So that is the one then." Bando smiled as he had found the person he was after this night, perhaps he could have some fun after all. His muscles yearning for action he started to climb back up, perhaps he could have some fun at least this night.

"Get your hands off me!" Nana yelled as she hit the man in the face though it was only gently, she didn't want to become a killer. "Just leave us alone!" She stepped hard on his foot. She could hear the man curse.

"Why you little naughty brat, I need to teach you some manners!"

The man yelped in pain as somebody suddenly grabbed his arm and twisted it hard. "The only one being taught anything tonight is you pedo."

Nana watched as a growling Bando twisted even harder on the man's arm. "What kind of sick bastard are you for threatening a kid like that!" He punched the man in his face, breaking his nose in the process. "Really what is just fucking wrong with you damn people!" He snarled as he kicked the man in the groin, Nana could hear the man gasp from the pain.

"Bando-san, please don't become a killer because of this man."

"Don't be daft brat, I'm already a killer and besides killing this rodent here isn't the same as killing a real person." Bando remarked as he hit the man in the stomach which caused him to fold nearly double from the blow. With a loud clang he collided against the metal railing. "People like him don't deserve to live." He pulled out his gun, planting the muzzle firmly between the man's eyes.

"I really shouldn't waste a precious bullet on a low-life such as you!"

"W-wait you must be mistaking me with somebody else, this girl is my daughter I swear." Struggling and trembling the man tried to get up but the sight of the gun held against his forehead made him lower himself again.

"Like hell that horned brat is your daughter, you are really starting to piss me off asshole!"

"Who the hell do you think you are assaulting me like that, I'm going to call the police." The man moaned as he got back up, holding the railing to aid him.

"Shut up you disgusting pedo! I am the police you fucking dumbass!" Bando snapped at him as he kicked the man down, he gave a few more kicks just to make sure. "Keep that filthy mouth of your shut or I will do it for you!"Another strike drew more blood from the man's face which started to get swollen already from the repeating blows.

Nana didn't dare to watch, this is not what she wanted to happen. "Bando-san please let him go, he's not going to hurt anyone anymore is that right?" She addressed her question to the man who laid there against the railings. "You will leave Mayu alone and go away from here?" She kept asking but the man made no to response to her.

"Don't be ridiculous, people like him never keep their word but alright." Bando told her as he punched the man again in the face. "Hey asshole, the lady just asked you a question."

"Y-Yes… yes… I will stay away from her, I-I promise."

"You see Bando-san, he gave us his word so we are okay again." Nana mentioned happily as she knew that grownups wouldn't break their word once they had given it. She halted as laughter greeted them all. "Just please let him go."

"Is that what you truly believe, it's so childishly naïve but then it is what I could expect from someone like you.." Both her and Bando recognized the voice and as they looked back they could see Dreachon coming out of the shadows.

"So you are here as well, there have been some rumors going around about you."

"Rumors do not concern me Bando, what does however is your little business here." He looked down at the man, all bloodied and bruised. "So what terrible thing have you done rodent that causes a little girl to want you to go out of her life. What crimes have you committed." They could hear him chuckle at the man's pain and suffering.

"S-Sir, please you have to help me, these people are maniacs! They were going to kill me! They-!" The man pleaded to him desperately but the man's pleas led to nothing more than a swift kick from Bando as he growled and by the time he attempted to plead again he just lashed out violently as he had enough.

"And everything you say just pisses me off!"

Nana didn't know what to say, this man was lying she wasn't going to kill this man as she made a promise to Mayu. "That's not true; I tried to keep Bando-san from killing you."

"Is that so, it's very impolite to lie about a newborn." He kneeled down next to the man. "Really I can't blame that man for wanting you dead." Pointing at Bando who was still holding his gun. "To be honest I loathe you even more than he does so why should I even want to help a disgusting vermin like you." His hand shot out as he grabbed the man by the throat, lifting him cleanly off his feet the man struggled in a desperate effort to gain some footing again.

Nana jumped forward to stop him. "No please you promised me that you wouldn't kill him, you gave me your word!?"

"That I certainly did and unlike a rodent like this I am bound to uphold it, do not worry Nana-san for I will not kill him." He lifted the man over the railing, holding him high above the ground. "This is how you make sure they understand the consequences of their actions." The man who was by now realizing what was going to happen started to scream, trashing as he struggled to get free but it was al in vain as the iron grip that held him didn't falter.

"Dreachon-san please don't do this!" Nana almost yelled at him, she could use her vectors but how would either of them react to that. She looked over to see Bando was smiling, seemed that he didn't mind it at all. "How can both of you be this cruel!?"

"Because this is the only way that people like him will understand, fear is the only thing they understand." Bando remarked as he looked the man in the eyes. "You like to scare little girls but when they meet a real person that can fight back you cower underneath the nearest rock. You cannot even put up a modicum off a fight when it comes to that!"

"Please don't let me fall... I-I promise... I-I will stay away from her and I will go somewhere else!"

"Why should either of us listen to your lies!?" Bando snapped back at the man, his pleas had started to become annoying to say the least. For that matter why didn't that bastard just simply snap that worthless rodent's neck and get it over with.

"I mean it; seriously you have my word as a man of honor that I will stay away from them." He felt the grip holding him get even tighter, he could barely breathe, he gasped as he tried to get in enough air. The large one that was holding him still didn't move an inch.

"You dare to use that word to me, rodents like you have no understanding of even the concept of honor!" He spat to the man. "I should just skin you right here on the spot but such would be an all to quick end!"

"Please Dreachon-san, Bando-san, I beg both of you. Don't do this; it's not worth for you to become killers because of this man." Nana cried as she pulled on his clothes trying to get him away from the edge. "Don't make me use my vectors, I will do it if I have to."

"Do you really believe the death of one more human would be a burden to me!?" Dreachon snapped back at her as she swiped her away. "Killing is within my nature! I am a killer! Now back away and don't dare to bluff against me!"

"No, this is not the way to do it." She cried, she didn't want to use her vectors and certainly not against people she knew but to Nana it felt like she had no choice. "Please don't make me use my vectors against both of you."

"Are you threatening us now!?" Bando sneered back at her, annoyed by how she's trying to protect a rather disgusting man. "What the hell is wrong with brats like you, you first come and cry that a person hurt you and then when that person is about to get what they deserve you go all soft." He added to it as he pointed to man still hanging over the railing. "Your now trying to defend that fucking bastard!"

"Bando is right; if you plan on using your vectors then you should use them now." Dreachon added to the remark, seemed liked both of them were in agreement. "Either do it now or I will consider your threat to be null and void!"

"Yes you should listen to the little girl... there's no reason why... we can't resolve this without... using violence." The man coughed and gasped as he still struggled to get enough air. "I-I promise that... I-I will never get near to either of them again... just please let go of me."

"You swear that on your miserable excuse of a life." It was not a question but a statement, at least that is how it sounded to Nana.

Coughing and desperate for air he gave out one last gasp. "I-I... swear... I swear..."

"You heard the man, just let him go." She begged him.

"If you ever break your promise I will do even worse to you." Dreachon sighed reluctantly. "Be so foolish and i will show you the true meaning of suffering."

"I-I promise... I-I won't... oh please god... please... may let go off me." Eyes wide the man looked at them all.

"As you wish!" And with those simple words he then released the hold he had on the man, it took them all a moment to register what had just occurred even when it was happening right in front of their eyes. The man screamed for his life as he fell down, the road came rushing fast to meet him and as he landed hard on it both of his legs broke. He screamed like he had never screamed before in his life as the broken bones protruded from his legs.

"NONONONOOOOOOOO!" Nana screamed as she watched the man fall, she had tried to grab him but her reaction had been too slow. It had happened so fast that she barely knew what had happened until the man was already on the ground, she felt a grim amount of relief to see he was still alive though his screams and cries were making her sick. to think that she was standing up here with the men who had just committed such an act was beyond her.

"You could have killed him!?" She yelled as she pummeled both of them with her arms. "He could have died! You broke your promise to Mayu!"

"Don't be a fool; a fall from this height would not have killed him." Dreachon remarked as he turned around to look at her. Nana saw the look in his eyes, he knew it all along that this was going to happen.

"You were going to do this all along, you promised to me you were only going to scare him! You did this on purpose!" She was terrified at the thought of him having been so cruel, knowing exactly how far he could go without breaking a promise. "Why did you!? Why!?"

"Didn't he look scared to you when he fell? He certainly did to me."

She could see he was smiling about it, it felt so wrong to her to have any form of delight in the suffering of others. "How can you be so cruel to a person!?" She wanted to know this, why were people so cruel to each other.

Bando shook his head as he left. "You can sort this out with the brat yourself; I'm going back to my place as it's getting to fucking damn cold out here." He waved them off. Not planning on wasting anymore of time than he needed to he quickly disappeared into the shadows as he was going t pick a different route now to avoid the people this was bound to attract. His face hidden he cracked a smile as he too took a certain delight in how the man had been punished, it felt most appropriate to him.

"You haven't asked that man why he was that cruel to Mayu-san, why didn't you ask him what he has done to her instead." Dreachon now snapped at her, irritated by her remark and her ignorance and just like Bando had done before he he reached out and lifted her off her feet by the scruff of her sweater. "You have a misguided view of the world."

"B-But he... he didn't... it was wrong!" She yelled as she dared to look him straight in the eyes.

"That rodent did something worse to your best friend and instead of finding out what exactly you just turn and accuse me of being a monster, that's just sad." He held out his claw for her to see. "Tell me giving what I just witnessed would you truly have been able to deal with that man who invaded your house, the one who almost killed Saeko-chan and tried to rape your precious Mayu-san!? Could you have dealt with him!? COULD YOU!?"

It was becoming obvious to her now that he was starting to get very angry but then she realized it was a very good question, could she have really done it. "I don't have to answer that question you baka!" She yelled back at him.

Author's note: Please review, it would mean a lot to me. Thank you kindly. If you like the story, leave a little feedback.