AD 2204, 6/10, 4th Hierarchical City of Naobi – NOL Branch

First Lieutenant Tsubaki Yayoi of the Praetorian Guard hums thoughtfully as her conflicted blue eyes gaze at Kagura. "And you're sure he won't run away, Mister Kagura?"

Kagura continues to smile cockily. "Relax, Tsubaki. Clover isn't going anywhere so long as Kokonoe is breathing down his neck."

Tsubaki sighs, nodding her head, her long red locks swaying gracefully with the silver ornaments in them. "Alright. Then, yes. I'd like to see him." Her eyes open, serious. "But I can't guarantee that I'll let him go once this is over."

Kagura loses the smile, looking at her seriously. "Tsubaki, trust me. Clover will come around; I'll make sure of it."

Tsubaki hums again, looking unconvinced. "Carl's always been stubborn. But so am I, and I don't intend to lose him again." She rises, turning to the door behind her desk.

Kagura frowns slightly. "You sure you want Jinny to tag along?"

Tsubaki glances over her shoulder. "Of course. Jin's feelings toward Noel might be… complex, but he deserves to talk to Carl just as much as the rest of us." She knocks on the door before slipping through.

Kagura waits for a few minutes, turning over the situation in his head. Whilst Jin is Noel's brother, he has none of his sister's forgiving nature. If Kagura doesn't play his cards right, Jin could set Clover back a long way.

The door opens to reveal the scowling face of Major Jin Kisaragi, his cold green eyes doing their damndest to bore holes into Kagura. The man's blonde hair shifts slightly as he marches forward. "Kagura, what the hell are you playing at?"

Tsubaki sighs as she shuts the door behind them, but takes her place by Jin's side silently. She intends to let them have it out, Kagura muses.

Kagura huffs and quirks a dark brow. "Damn, Jinny. Not even so much as a hello? That's cold, even for you."

Jin's scowl darkens. "Tsubaki's told me all about your asinine scheme, so I suggest you drop the act and get serious. Why the hell haven't you put Clover into custody?"

Kagura frowns, narrowing his own eyes challengingly. "What good would that do? The kid would just break out and see us as the enemy. Then, we'd never get through to him."

Jin scoffs, crossing his wiry muscular arms. "Get through to him? Don't be absurd. If your information is accurate, then Relius Clover's machinations are still in play. We need to neutralize the threat."

Kagura rises, staring Jin down with authority. "Clover isn't a threat, Jin. We just need to give him a little more time, and we're golden. He got a hold of himself right after the Embryo. Near as I can tell, he's nothing like Relius."

Jin's anger rises like a chill wind. "How do you know he's not just playing you?"

Kagura scoffs, scowling. "You really think Clover could get one over on me?"

Jin opens his mouth, probably for some smart-ass comment, but Tsubaki thankfully intervenes. "Jin, you're being unfair. Carl is clearly sorry for what happened. We should hear what he has to say for himself."

Jin looks at her with annoyance, but she's long past budging, and he eventually huffs and looks away. After a moment, he turns his eyes back to Kagura. "I want to interrogate him first."

Kagura frowns seriously. "No dice. We can't just throw him in a cell right now. We want him to trust us, remember?"

Jin glares at him determinably. "I don't care. I'll go to the Imperator if I must, but I won't settle for some fireside chitchat. You might've forgotten how dangerous Clover could be, but I didn't. Don't get in my way."

Tsubaki looks at Jin thoughtfully, then turns her eyes to Kagura. "Mister Kagura, I think Jin should do it."

Kagura blinks at her disbelievingly. "What? Tsubaki, are you serious?"

Tsubaki nods firmly. "Yes. If Carl is as remorseful as you say, he should be amenable to this."

Jin looks at her with a seemingly blank expression, but Kagura can see the subtlest shine of gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you, Tsubaki. Now, Kagura, are you going to get out of my way?"

His green eyes are back on Kagura, whose expression screams conflict and doubt. Finally, he sighs and lowers his head, shaking it. "Fine. If that's the way you two wanna do this, I guess we can give it a shot." He looks back up with a deadly serious gaze. "But be careful. We've made too much progress for you to go tearing him down too far."

Jin huffs, and moves past Kagura, dismissively throwing over his shoulder. "I won't coddle him. If he can't handle the consequences of his actions, then he's of no use to anyone."

Tsubaki hums, giving Kagura a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Mister Kagura. I'm sure Carl can handle Jin better than you give him credit for."

She too exits the room. Kagura stands for a moment, deep in thought, then follows them, a worried frown tugging at his lips. "I hope you're right, Tsubaki."

AD 2204, 6/14, 6th Hierarchical City of Yabiko – NOL Branch

Carl hums Beethoven's 'Das Glück der Freundschaft' as he readies himself for the day ahead. He's just finished putting the bows in his hair when a knock comes upon his door. He pauses his humming, and carefully puts on his mask and monocle. He makes his way over to the door, idly wondering who would bother him this early, and opens it.

"Hello, Carl. It's been a while." Tsubaki smiles at him cautiously, her eyes guarded but honest in their appraisal of him.

Carl feels himself tense. The last time he'd seen Tsubaki had been when he'd chosen to protect Relius in Ikaruga. Back then, he'd taken her by surprise with his choice, even though he'd attacked her in Kagutsuchi before to find Relius in the first place. He breaks out of his reverie with a shake of the head, opening the door wider.

"Miss Tsubaki, please come in. It's good to see you." He offers a fragile smile, feeling unease tingling under his skin.

Tsubaki nods, her smile thinning somewhat at the sight of Ada, but nods to Carl. "It's good to see you too." She enters and takes a seat at the vanity. "How have you been?"

Carl shuts the door, crossing the room to take a seat on the bed. He consciously avoids his hat and cloak on the way. "That's… complicated. I'm sure Mutsuki let you know the situation."

Tsubaki hums, nodding. "Yes, Mister Kagura let us know what's happening." Tsubaki's eyes turn hard. "Carl, I'm not going to lie. I'm not sure how I feel about you."

Carl swallows, nodding with understanding, his guilt rearing its head once more, but he never looks away from her gaze. "I understand. I haven't been… kind, to you. I want you to know that I'm truly sorry for what I did back then."

Tsubaki peers at him closely for several moments, then nods to herself, looking thoughtful. Carl waits for her judgement patiently. Like Makoto, Tsubaki has every right to not forgive him for his sins.

After a few more moments, Tsubaki sighs, then firmly meets his eyes again. "Carl, I forgave you for attacking me the moment I found out what Relius did to you. But Noel… I need you to promise me that you'll never do that again."

Carl nods. "I promise, Miss Tsubaki. What I did to her was a mistake, one that I'll always regret. I swear I'll never do anything to hurt you again."

Tsubaki stares at him for a moment longer, then smiles softly, her eyes losing their steel. "Alright, I believe you. I'm glad Makoto was right about you. I missed you, Carl."

Carl returns her smile. "And I missed you, Miss Tsubaki."

Tsubaki's smile grows, and the two spend a moment simply enjoying the other's calming presence. Then, Tsubaki's face sobers into something professional, but her eyes are brimming with compassion still. "Carl, Jin has some questions he wants to ask you. Would you be willing to come with me?"

Meanwhile…

Jin huffs as he finishes the last of his paperwork, eyeing Kagura's pile of unfinished work with disgust and irritation. Honestly, how can the leader of the Praetorian Guard still be so work-averse?

As he idly eyes the clock, his mind turns back to this Clover business. He hasn't seen the younger blonde since he aided Trinity in stabilizing Platinum's existence. At the time, his fascination with souls had been convenient. After the Embryo, however, it'd been a liability.

While his relationship with Noel is less affectionate than what most consider normal, that doesn't mean he'll just let anyone get away with attempting to do her harm. Clover should understand the sentiment well.

He hears footsteps coming, and turns his head to the door expectantly. It opens, and Tsubaki steps through, her hand firmly grasping Clover's shoulder.

Clover himself has grown quite a bit. Jin frowns as he realizes the younger man must have at least two-and-a-half centimeters on him. He's held his long hair back into a ponytail. Jin quirks a brow as he spies the poncy bows tied at the top and bottom of it. He wears a monocle instead of those oversized glasses, and a mask. Jin can sense the disturbance lying behind it. Other than that, it seems the only adjustments he deemed necessary were getting rid of that stupid cowbell and replacing his shorts with sensible slacks.

As Clover takes a seat across from him, Jin notes that he's always keeping his bare hands visible. They look soft for a vigilante, unsurprising, given that Clover still relies on his dolls to fight. Jin glances down at Yukianesa, wondering if Clover knows about his… unique condition. They've kept it under tight wraps, but Clover's shown how far he'll go for information in the past.

Jin feels irritation creep up his spine every time he sees Clover. He's so far from the promising young boy Jin had known in the military academy. All that potential has gone to waste as he is now.

He returns his cold gaze to Clover, who, to his credit, meets him head ln with his own cool cerulean eye. Jin's almost impressed that he has the nerve. "Clover. It's been a while."

Clover nods. "That it has, Major Kisaragi."

Jin hums and leans forward. "What are you plotting?"

Clover blinks, then narrows his eye. "I beg your pardon?"

Jin huffs. "I know that you wouldn't go along with this ridiculous scheme unless you had some ulterior motive. Let me guess, something to do with our souls?"

Clover looks defensive for a moment, then sighs. "That's not… inaccurate."

"Elaborate." Jin narrows his eyes further but notices Tsubaki glace at him disapprovingly from her place beside him. He huffs in reply, and her frown deepens. She should know he's not letting Clover off easy this time.

Clover clears his throat, looking awkwardly remorseful. "I… I thought that if I could reconnect with you all, you might consent to a peaceful study. I've safely conducted my own research in the past with several willing participants, but none of them have the strength I need to see. But now… Now I just want to make amends."

Jin stares at him with chilling detachment for several moments, then quirks a brow, scoffing. "Is that really all you wanted out of this?"

Clover looks at him with hurt, and Tsubaki glares at him. "Jin, you're being unfair."

She turns to Clover, ignoring Jin's scoff. "Carl, if you want us to help you with your research, then you need to do more than apologize to us. You'll have to make it up to Noel, as well."

"As if we'd let him near her after what he's done. Tsubaki, you can't seriously be considering—" Jin's objection cuts short as Tsubaki turns to look at him defiantly.

"Of course, I am, Jin." She raises her chin to emphasize her point. Jin stares at her in disbelief for a moment, before Clover's voice cuts in.

"M-Miss Tsubaki, you'd really help me with my research?" Clover's voice is full of a soft wonder, like a child's.

Jin glances at him and does his best to hold back his irritation at such blatant swooning.

Before he can object again, Tsubaki responds with a soft smile. "Of course, Carl. I'll always help my friends." Her eyes become serious again. "But I meant what I said. You'll have to make it up to Noel first." She turns to Jin. "And Jin, you know that it will have to be up to Noel. If she wants to see Carl, you can't stop her."

Clover looks positively starstruck. Jin rolls his eyes and huffs. "She knows that he won't be happy about this, and I doubt she'd go against his wishes."

Tsubaki huffs herself, looking truly irritated with his stubbornness. "He can't control her any more than you can, Jin.

"You don't know him like I do, Tsubaki." Jin leaves the words unsaid, knowing it will only make the situation with Tsubaki strain further.

Instead, he turns his eyes back to a thoughtful Clover. "Alright, Clover. Since everyone seems determined to let you continue this reunion tour, I want you to know just one thing."

He leans over the desk menacingly. "I'm going to watch you. Don't try anything stupid, or you won't try anything again. Got it?"

Clover looks at him seriously without flinching, and Jin feels himself approving of the lack of fear. "I swear, Major Kisaragi, I won't lay a finger on her."

Jin intently searches his eye for hints of dishonesty and finds none, and so, huffs. "Good." He turns his head to look down at the next pile of work, waiting to hear shuffling feet. After a moment, he scoffs, and glares at Clover, nodding to the door. "Go."

Clover nods, rising to his feet and walking to the door, opening it swiftly.

"Don't worry Carl, if you truly mean to make amends, then everything will turn out right." Tsubaki smiles softly at Clover again. Clover smiles back and quietly shuts the door behind him.

Jin shakes his head and huffs as he gets to work correcting some reports.


Author's Note

This chapter gave me a lot of trouble, and it really put my writing to the test. Thank you for sticking with me thus far, please leave any thoughts you have in the reviews. Thank you for your time as well, and happy birthday, BlazBlue.