A/n

The 'night games' I already had an idea in mind at the end of the last chapter. Hope you enjoy this chapter it answers the last one and sets up for the next fairly well.

Chapter 11: Paths Crossing

-Sai's pov-

The faint sound of an air horn sounded, signaling the start of the first round of Capture the Flag! The setup was fairly simple; Luther, Olivia, Jia, and Cassidy would make up the defense, while Matt, Chifuyu and I would be on the offensive. Jia would be in the forest so that she would be able to pick off the first-year girls that would come this way. Olivia set herself at the inside edge of the forest to filter out our opponents further. Luther would act as the final line of defense should the need arise. Then finally, Cassidy, acting as the defense team leader, was on top of the temple as a watch person or lookout. Matt chose to make his approach up the east side of the forest, where I did the same on the west side. Chifuyu was making her way up the center and I feel kind of sorry for the girls that will be foolish enough to try to stop her! I'm well aware I said that this was only a game and it wouldn't be all that dangerous, but with Chifuyu, you can't guarantee where that level of danger will be.

I made my way, threading among the sea of trees, making as little sound as possible on my trudge in towards my opponent's base, especially after crossing the dividing line. I got to the edge of the forest and stopped, keeping out of sight and the light that the hotel side base had. I took a moment to study the current layout of the base and saw that half the girls were still there, meaning that the other half was likely making their way towards the temple. The girls weren't very organized for team movements as the gang, Chifuyu and I were doing. We couldn't afford to take such things for granted, we were outnumbered, so tactics would be what would provide the path to victory! Right now, the girls were set up in such a way, that making my way effectively to the gazebo, which is where I believe the girls hid the flag, very difficult without being caught. What to do about that? What I would give for a distraction at this time. As if my wish was a signal for divine intervention, it was at that time Chifuyu burst out of the forest with a wonderful amount of noise and commotion. THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!

I bolted out of the spot I was hidden in and sprinted into the back area of the hotel, while Chifuyu had the girls' attention on her. I was halfway to my goal when I heard a familiar voice, "Hmph, so, you did come then, my wife!"

Even with Laura Bodewig having seen me, I didn't stop but kept going. That of course, didn't prevent Laura from going for me and lunge at me. I leaped over her and she sailed under me and continued sprinting forward. Not looking back to see if Laura was okay, I was focused on the gazebo and reaching it no matter what.

"Yee Haa! Is that y'all can muster gals?! Even my younger kin could give me a better run around than this, WHEE HOO," hollered Matt.

Well, thanks to Matt, I now had little if any attention on me currently, it leaves me the freedom to find the blue flag. When I reached the gazebo and after glancing around, spotted the blue bandana and grabbed it. With the flag in hand, I turned around and began to run back towards the trees. I was almost halfway there when my luck ran out, some girls caught sight of me and took up the chase. It didn't take me long to understand that I had at least eight girls after me, with Maya Yamada leading them. Out of nowhere, Matt reappeared right behind me, with a flash of blue and the eight females after me, leaped at my best friend, tackling him to the ground. Bless the man! Matt is a real friend, he's even willing to take the fall to make sure that I could keep going forward.

"You won't get away Taichi," came the voice of Miss Yamada.

AW CRAP! I still got one is still behind me! I picked up the pace of my running, determined to make into the forest. My sub homeroom teacher was getting closer to me and I don't want to know how it would feel if she tackles me to the ground. Okay, maybe I'm a tiny bit curious, but not enough to let her do it and rob me of my freedom tomorrow. I kept sprinting hard for the cover of trees since then I would have Jia's help.

Just before Maya Yamada was about to reach me, a figure materialized. Chifuyu flew past me and took Miss Yamada down to the ground in a tackle… I knew that having Chifuyu on my side would save my rear, her timing is still nothing short of impeccable! I entered the forest and kept going along the pathway that leads to the temple, holding my current pace. I crossed the dividing line and was on my team's side, but that didn't mean that I was in the clear just yet. Until I reach the temple, or our flag is taken to the gazebo at the back of the hotel, this round keeps going.

I saw a couple of girls that totaled four in number ahead on the path, though they didn't notice me running in their direction… That's until Honne Nohotoke who was among a couple of girls ahead of me, "Yea! It's Houdini," she cried cheerfully.

Nice, energetic girl Honne is but at a time like this, it doesn't help me! Just as I thought I was in trouble, there came a call, "IYA!"

Jia, like she has some innate ability to simply appear out of thin air, did just that and came out from within the darkness. My Chinese friend tagged two out of the four females, thereby temporally making them unable to do anything to me due to the rules of the game. I kept moving forward and jumped over the two remaining girls and continued on my way to the temple. Those two had other things to worry about as Jia tapped both in quick succession, disabling them. In the next minute, I got to the temple and so the first round came to an end, with the gang, Chifuyu and I winning it, which was signaled by the air horn going off to end the round.

It took ten minutes to reset and get ready for round two, as the winning team, we got to pick which base we got to use. So, as the temple had worked out so well, our team decided to stick with it for our base for the second round. There would be a bit of a change-up so that the first-year girls wouldn't expect the same strategy as was used in the first round. Luther would still act as the last line of defense at our base, with his height and build, it was the ideal position for him. And then Jia would still be in the forest catching those who might approach the temple plus, she seemed to like doing what she did the last round. Matt would be taking up patrolling the nearest third of our half of the forest before the temple that Olivia had done before. Finally, I was on the temple playing the lookout and being the watchman for this round. For the offense team, Chifuyu was doing what she did before, going forward and set on winning this… very reliable my sister is. Cassidy was going to go up the east side and Olivia would take the west. We should be able to win this match and be done for the night and I earn a day of freedom tomorrow.

The air horn sounded for the third time, beginning the second match. The offensive team shot off into the forest towards our opponent's base. As for the rest of us, we were on alert and watchful for what might come. It didn't take long for the sounds of both sides meeting came in loud and clear… Closer to the hotel side of the field. Yet there was also a commotion that was closer to home base if my ears weren't deceiving me. I hollered out an alert to the others of the defense team. Moments after calling an alert, four figures came out of the cover of the trees, I quickly identified them as; Houki, Rin, Charlotte, and Cecilia. Great, this is what I was kind of afraid of, three or more of the quartet after my attention uniting.

I got down from the roof right quick and joined Luther moving forward to intercept the girls. I tagged Cecilia forcing her to stop and Luther managed to get to Rin. Both Luther and I scanned around the area to find Houki and Charlotte who had disappeared while we had stopped Cecilia and Rin. Two figures shot passed us and I caught sight of Houki and Charlotte; what really worried me, as I saw red in Houki's right hand, she had our flag! I twisted where I was and sprinted after the two girls, the chase entered the path through the woods. As the pursuit continued along the dirt pathway, Jia popped out of the dark and was able to take Charlotte to the ground, leaving just Houki left. My former roommate picked up her pace and gained a little distance between her and me. How this girl was finding the stamina to run like she's doing, I've no idea! Unfortunately, that lead to an unwanted outcome in this; that being the first-year girls won round two.

With the results as they were from the first two rounds of capture the flag, both sides had one win, meaning that there would be a needed to decide the win as it was to be the best two out of three. So, that requires that there be a third match to determine the winner. I fully intend the winners to be the gang, Chifuyu and I! I would rather not have to be at the mercy and whims of the first years tomorrow, for most of the day.

There would be some changes as to position on the field since the girls had won, they got to choose which base they got to work with and they wanted the temple. That left us with the hotel, which wasn't bad, but meant that we would have to do things differently than the last two rounds. The plan for this match was a bit desperate and yet, was genius enough to work. The team format would be the same in the way that the defense team would have four members and the offensive would have three. Matt and Olivia were watching the tree line like hawks do their prey, Matt was observing the west half and Olivia the east. Luther was defending the gazebo. And finally, Chifuyu was in the center of the lit area behind the hotel and would deter apporachiees.

For the offensive team, it would be Jia, Cassidy and me. Jia and Cassidy would go up the sides and go for the flag. As for me, it was going to be my job to take the major hit for the team to have the win by getting the girls to chase me, thereby giving the two girls time to get the flag. I wasn't looking forward to having to do that, but if I don't, then the chances of winning go down. Me keeping the attention of the first-year girls wouldn't an issue, that would be a piece of freaking cake. My motivation of not getting caught would be not being hugged, I don't want to feel the sickening sensation that comes on because of the bunny and doll, yet the girls won't make it easy.

The air horn blared, and the round began. Jia, Cassidy and I charged forward with me taking the center path through the forest. It took me a couple of minutes to get to the other end of the trees and I burst out of the forest. Instantly, a few things were clear, I had around fifteen girls staring at me. Well, time for me to play my role in this. yea and wahoo, "Hey ladies… Catch me IF YOU CAN!" I shouted and started running.

Within ten seconds, I had all fifteen girls following me just as planned and what's more, I had Miss Yamada along with the girls, that was a bonus in this. For the next few minutes, I dodged and weaved out of the grasps of the females that were doing quite a lot to catch me. I thought I would do fine for a while longer, but that changed when Maya Yamada started to organize the movements of the first-year girls to begin blocking my ways of retreat. However, I knew that what I was doing and was working for. I caught sight of Cassidy and she had the flag in hand and was heading back to the forest and our side. None were the wiser of this and I would keep it that way for as long as I could. Had to win, it was to earn my freedom for tomorrow. With the threat of what the girls could and would do, I was fairly desperate.

Then I made a mistake, I let my attention slip for just a few seconds and that's all it took. One of the girls managed to latch onto my hips bring the sicken sensation from hugging and then girls began getting a hold on me and dragged me down and piled on top of me adding to the sensation. Now, some might like the idea of fifteen girls piled on them, but the sensation and accompanying nausea certainly didn't make it nice for me. Combine that with the girls telling me what they had in mind of doing with me tomorrow… and some of the planned activities were worrisome in my view. The faint sound of the air horn was heard, and I swallowed nausea, "Sorry to disappoint ladies, but it won't happen as you have lost this round." I said with a somewhat satisfied tone.

The girls instead of letting me go clung tighter and whined, bring nausea back in full force, it was so unfair! My struggles to get my peers off of me were useless, if anything, then they clung more to me. In the end, Chifuyu and the gang had to pull off the first years to free me. I managed to hold back throwing up, but it was close. I hadn't been put to such a horrible experience of hugging since the later days with the two eccentric women I know!

Getting back to the room was a mercy, and the bed was better. When I woke up the next morning, I was well-rested overall. It felt nice to know that I was free from the clutches of the first-year girls today as was the prize for me as the gang and I along with Chifuyu had won in the end with two victories out of three. In fact, I decided to take a walk to celebrate my freedom that for the day that had been earned. I noted that Luther and Matt were still sleeping, but then, I was always a morning person where Luther isn't really, and Matt, even having grown up on a ranch definitely isn't an early riser anymore at least. I got dressed in jeans and a light blue t-shirt and then left the room and began just waltzing around the outside walkways of the hotel. It was nice and quiet at this time of the morning and I was enjoying the feeling of peace.

-Chifuyu's pov-

The morning brought on a splitting headache which resulted from drinking the beer last night. And I know I shouldn't drink, but beer does do things I like, but it comes with this kind of price. Another problem came after I woke up in the form of a 'text' from of all people, Tabane and I haven't heard from her in a while. All the message said was 'meet on the beach, bring all personal IS users, including Sai-tan and my little Houki-chan, see you soon'. It sounded like she would be here in person and that's rare for her to come out in the open. And there was at least going to be one 'personal IS user' that wouldn't want to see Tabane and I doubt there was anything even I could say to change that.

So, I rose and got my headache under control and started the rounds to inform those that would be involved in the 'meeting' that Tabane apparently was going to have happened for whatever reason she had in mind. I got through telling the girls to meet on the beach later this morning, which just left Sai himself and I wasn't looking forward to his response. In fact, I found Sai walking along the outside walkway of the hotel, "Sai," I called.

He bowed slightly to me, "Morning Chifuyu, you're up earlier than I would've expected, especially with the amount of beer you drank," he greeted. He then bowed to me, "Oh, and I'm sorry that I kind of manipulated you a tad last night, it was to guarantee my freedom for today so no hard feelings I hope. Anyways, what's going on with you today?"

Sai won't be as cordial with seeing me when I tell him what I here to inform him of. Sai's dislike of Tabane has built up over the years after he came to live with Ichika and me. He makes it clear as he doesn't call or refer to Tabane by name anymore, just calls her by rabbit and other similar terms. I might not know everything that has gone on between the three inventors, but I do know that there have been problems between Sai and Tabane, though I have no idea with Alice and them. I took a deep breath, "At least you apologize about manipulating another, the two that you learned the idea from don't do that. Anyways, there will also be a meeting later this morning which personal IS users will be at. Those who will be there will be; Alcott, Dunois, Huang, Bodewig, you, and Shinonono," I said.

I waited for Sai's response for I know it won't be nice when he knows Houki will be there. He'll connect the dots and know that Tabane will have something to do with it and likely be there. And with her blackmailing him, he won't want to be near her and I can't blame him for it. I want to have some words with Tabane on blackmailing Sai as she does things for stupid reasons. I watched as Sai's face twist into anger and fury before he forced his expression to be controlled, "As interesting as a gathering with those girls would be, I decline. Daytime is mine to work with unless there is a freaking emergency and said gathering isn't an emergency. I won't attend the said gathering, there will be no argument or debate on that Chifuyu."

I knew it wouldn't be a good response from him. Why Tabane thought she could have a meeting in person with Sai after blackmailing him, I haven't a clue. But, I might as well hear his reasons, "Care to elaborate why," I posed.

Sai glared at me with contained anger, and it was obvious that he would be holding back curses, "Gaw-osh Da-aang it!"

That the first two words out of his mouth are slurred words that would have been curses if not for the habit I instilled does not bode well. Sai continued, "Let's take some time to look at the f-freaking facts as they stand, shall we? We both know Houki doesn't have a personal IS currently unless she's been keeping such a fact a secret and is a master of deception, which she hasn't shown herself to be to me. So, going with that logic and taking into account that this gathering is for personal unit owners, then that would mean Houki has or more likely will be getting a personal machine sometime today. I can't see the Japanese government just giving her one, that leaves only the explanation of it coming from an outside source. Neither of us is so dumb to not see who has the da-ang interest and motivation to pull that kind of sh-shenanigans," Sai spat. He took a moment and calmed down a bit, "And in all da-ang honesty Chifuyu, I've no inkling nor wish to see that woman! I would be more likely to punch her in the face then cram the consequences she earns up her as-rear for what she's done to me, especially as of late before I slap her rear until I can't do so anymore. So, read my lips, I don't want to see or be around the Gaw-osh Da-ang metal-eared bunny!"

After the response, Sai spun around and stalked away from me. I had known that he wouldn't react well to the chance of seeing Tabane. But I was starting to wonder what Tabane had done to have Sai like this about her, it was quite a bit worse than it had been before.

-Sai's pov-

About five minutes after my 'talk' with Chifuyu, I came to walk by one of the small garden areas here in the complex. And as if fate was slapping me in the face with what I just talked to Chifuyu about, there was a gleam of metal that caused me to stop mid-stride, and glancing down and to my right, a feeling of anger flooded me. The sight that I saw got my blood boiling for it was one I couldn't mistake, how could I not know those metallic bunny ears that the tips were pink, and the upper half of the ears were white, and the rest was black. I'd had to see them for two years straight when I had lived with both the rabbit and the doll. The metal bunny ears were stuck in the ground, with a small sign just behind them saying 'pull me'. I stood on the wood walkway and stared at the rabbit ears with loathing and rage, as much as for whom they represented as to just seeing the metal ears.

There was a conflict warring within me that the outside world wasn't witnessing. That battle was to decide, whether to pull those ears out of the ground so that I would have the pleasure of delivering justice to the hasenpfeffer right here and now or just keep walking and ignore them and not have to deal with the bunny at all. Both choices have merit, but do I really want to deal with the woman that makes my life that I work so hard to keep semi-normal go to the depths of hell? The conversation with Chifuyu, I believe sums up the answer no, I don't want to put up with her. So then, keep walking, I saw nothing at all, there's nothing in that garden area other than plants and dirt! I see no evil, I hear no evil, it's the line I live by when it comes to the perverted Rabbit and it works the majority of the time.

I was able to calm down and let the anger and rage drain away fairly quickly and so, I was back in a good mood. It was then my cell phone rang and when I took it out of the pocket of my Yukata and glanced at the ID, it was blocked. That doesn't happen often, wonder who it is? I answered the call without any more thought, "Hello, this is Sai Taichi, may I ask who's calling?"

"Hello Mr. Taichi, it's been close to a year since I've gotten to talk to you," said a male voice that told me who it was, yet what reason would he call me for?

"Yes, it's been a while, fourth of July as I recall be the last, so what's the occasion John," I asked.

The man on the other end was named John Carter. I got to know him starting around two years ago and found him to be a good man. He had helped me out of a horrible bind, the one that the bunny threw me into and still has yet to apologize or give me an explanation as to why she pretty much put a knife in my back that she should've been taking herself. John works in the United States Government, he's one of my connections in it and has an awesome family, neat people. "Well Sai, I'm calling to ask you for help on a development that has happened. I'm calling in the favor that you owe me for helping you get out of the 'shadow dagger' incident when the Pentagon was hacked," John answered me.

I'm kind of curious what my friend is going to ask of me, for a favor means he can ask me to do stuff and I don't have much of an option to refuse. But first, I should see if this is something that is for anyone's ears or for a select number only. With the job John has, you never know, "Okay, is this favor something that can be discussed in the open or something I should be in a room that won't be spied on?"

"Behind closed doors, Sai," was his reply.

"Fair enough, I'll be bringing my friends with me, hope that's not a problem. If they need vouching, they have my complete confidence," I shot back.

"No, your friends should be fine, call me when you're ready," John said before hanging up the phone.

I raced back to the two side by side rooms, roused the gang and told them to get up and be quick about it. They did as I asked and then followed me as I headed to the one-room I knew would meet the requirements that John had asked for indirectly. It was the 'Operations Room' that the IS academy staff that were here setup in case there was a need. Didn't even miss a beat, just threw open the door and went in, luckily there was no one in the room right now. Cassidy shut the door behind us as I strode over to one of the consoles and turned on the portable version image transmission system. It's not as powerful as the one back at the academy, then turned to the gang. "Everyone, I feel that I'll need your help, however, before this starts, I have to ask that you say nothing about what you hear, see or learn in this room to anyone else, understand?"

My friends looked at me strangely for a moment, yet they nodded. I sent a text with information that was needed for using the IT system, to John and waited. I didn't have to wait long as the system started up fully and an image of my older friend was constructed by the system that was pretty much generating and putting out a holographic image of a person.

Now, the man Jonathan Carter or I call him John for ease of memory, an American in nationality, who's been a friend to me, stood at five foot ten inches in height. He was in his mid-forties, as far as I know, he doesn't look all that old, but he ain't young. He doesn't have any grey hair I can tell you! Actually, his hair is dark brown, short and is starting to recede a bit in the front on the left side. With fair white skin color and overall has an average build for your average adult male. John has brown colored eyes that are a little lighter shade than his hair. The other point of note was that his nose is slightly bigger in the bridge section than it would be on most people you see. Now the normal 'dress code' for John is a suit, so following that, he was wearing a white dress shirt with a blue tie, all of that under a dark grey suit. The image took a few seconds to clear and sharpen up. Cassidy stared at John, "Sai, I've seen him before, yet I can't place where. Who is he?" She inquired.

"Oh well, quite possible that you've seen him on TV a few times, he's the current director of the CIA, he was the deputy director when I met him," I said nonchalantly.

I got some really quizzical looks when I mentioned what John did and his position in the agency he works in. An awkward silence settled, I broke it by addressing John again, "So John, what's going on to have you come to me for help," I asked.

John adjusted his blue tie nervously… apparently, whatever this 'development' was worrisome for John and likely involved others, that doesn't bode well. My older friend then spoke, "Well Sai, this goes beyond my jurisdiction alone, so I'll be letting another explain the situation…"

A second image began to be built just as John finished. This one was also obviously male at a height of an even six foot. He looked a little older than John, but definitely had the same air of authority. As the image sharpened, could see the short black hair that was thinning in the front of this man's head, still no greying hair though. The man's eyes were hazel blue and a rounder face, but not fat by any means. He had the same skin tone as John did, though he was broader in the shoulders.

The guy was also wearing a black suit and was pretty damn crisp, I couldn't spot one wrinkle at all! However, instead of a blue tie, he had a black one and had the rectangles of awards one receives from the military on the left side of his suit coat. The particular award ribbon rectangle this man had was made up of six rows of at least four ribbons a row, probably for services in the military and officer achievements that had been earned. He even had two badges, one was from the US navy I think, other than that I can't say what it means. The second badge was partially covered so I couldn't tell what it was for, but probably navy like the other one. Once the image was completely formed, he glanced around at us all expressionlessly.

"Allow me to introduce you all to Thomas Grans, the deputy director of the National Security Agency," said John for the introduction.

Thomas Gran's gaze focused on me, "So, you're Sai Taichi, your appearance doesn't fit the things that I've heard and read about you. Carter speaks highly of you and thinks you could be of assistance in the situation that's developing," he said dryly.

Hesitating so that I could choose my words carefully as I feel this situation is not something I should take lightly. This Thomas Grans of the NSA doesn't sound or look like someone that I want to rub the wrong way if I want to live my semi-normal life once I fix the things that the bunny did. "I'll do the best I can and doubtless my friends will do the same, sir. So, if you could inform us about this situation you keep mentioning, then perhaps we can start helping Director Grans," I replied seriously.

Director Grans nodded and began the briefing of the situation that John had come to me for. The problem was quite something and it was clear why there was such an enforced tone of the need for secrecy. An IS unit that was built which was in the testing phase, named the 'Silverio Gospel', went rouge a little over six hours ago. The IS unit that was described to us was a cooperative effort third-generation unit that was built and developed by the US and Israel. The pilot was a female that I didn't know, she was going to be the second representative candidate for the USA along with me. We weren't given much information on the pilot as she apparently had nothing to do with this situation.

The big piece of the unit that was an 'advancement' for it, was the AI system or that's what it was considered, doubt the system would be the same as Corinthos or match it. The system was installed to assist the pilot by assessing the situation fast and giving accurate readouts, Corinthos can do the same. The part that perked up my attention was that the AI could take over the unit's systems and handle the combat situation should the pilot become incapacitated in some way. This IS was capable of flying at supersonic speeds up to around Mach two but requires lots of power, but this thing has a new power source that could go for a long period, like around two days when using moderate power consumption. We weren't told much at all about the armaments or much else about the machine.

With the information that we had been told thus far, I'm glad I insisted that my friend come along. It was obvious that I couldn't do this alone and even with my friends, questionable if we could do it without others providing serious assistance. The best option of those who might be able to assist would be going to Chifuyu and she could pick whichever girl or girls she believed would have the best chance of helping me. Plus, she could get the girls to keep their mouths shut about this whole situation, where I wasn't so sure I could do so. It was clear that the American Government didn't want this incident to become public knowledge and I can't exactly blame them. By what was said, someone had tweaked the AI and made it go rogue. That means someone messed up and there was possibly a mole, but that's not for me to get into.

"I've no problem doing this, but I won't be able to do this by myself, admittedly, I would be more likely killed. To prevent that event from hopefully happening, I think it would be wise to bring others to assist. And before you say no due to secrecy Director Grans," I looked the man straight in the eye, "Chifuyu Orimura and those she would deem necessary to bring in would not say anything."

John smiled and snickered quietly while Director Grans sighed, "Very well, you may call in Chifuyu Orimura. Is there anything else?"

I nodded, "Yes, could we please get the specs of the Silver Gospel, and I mean the full specs. I would kind of like to know what I'll be going against as I recall you saying anything about the unit's armaments or other systems besides the AI. They'll not be carelessly left out for anyone to see, I promise."

Both men accepted the request and sent the files with the information, after that they disappeared, and the image transmission system went back to standby mode. Now that we had the specs of the IS that I would be going against, the gang and I took a more detailed look at the data. It didn't take long for me to be glad that I had asked to have that full specs, this machine was nothing to joke around about!

For instance, the main weapon of this unit is built into the wings that it has and fires energy from them at the target or targets as this IS can take on single or multiple opponents. It doesn't end there, oh no; the energy that the machine fires, can be in either shot in one direction or just spray in all directions. This means that this IS unlikely has a blind spot, which makes things more problematic in the taking down of this unit. Then the other worrisome feature that stuck out to me, was the energy barrier that this IS is equipped with. Going by the specs, the field it puts out is sturdier than your average IS energy barrier and could take a real beating, or so the data says that it had undergone some harsh testing and had done well.

With the basic issues and facts in mind, I left the gang to keep looking over the data while I went to talk to Chifuyu. It's still morning now, which means… oh God NO! That gathering that Chifuyu had mentioned is probably getting started if it isn't already. Going to my sister means that I'll also be forced to confront the woman that's screwed with me. I really, REALLY don't want to see her right now, but I can't see a way around this, damn it! I might as well go and get this over and done with and not drag it out. Who knows, maybe I'll get a good punch or preferably a slap to her ass and give her a good reprimand. It wouldn't be the first time I've spanked her, she's gotten the idea more than the doll earned it. I changed my direction and began to head towards the private beach that Chifuyu had said this gathering would be occurring at.

-Houki's pov-

With Chifuyu having said there would be a gathering later this morning, I was curious. Upon arriving at a cove, I found that; Cecilia, Rin, Charlotte, and Laura were there. This gathering was odd, I mean, everyone else was a personal IS user but I wasn't so what's going on? And if this meeting involved personal unit users, there is one missing as Sai was nowhere to be found. There was a question if this had something to do with my older sister. I had contacted her last week and… she had excitedly said something about an IS unit, but she had been chattering like she normally does. However, Tabane doesn't come out in public often anymore, so what are the chances she would now?

Chifuyu then arrived shortly after I did, "Good to see that all of you are here," she greeted.

The five of us there lined up, "As you can see, all of the personal IS users in the first-year are here right now with one notable exception as they couldn't come on this trip in the first place," Chifuyu stated.

"Um, just a minute ma'am, Houki doesn't have a personal unit and other than Class Four's representative, there is another missing," Rin spoke up.

"Indeed, Sai is missing as well," added Charlotte.

Chifuyu sighed, "Yes, Taichi will not be attending this, he has reasons but it's complicated," she replied. "Then, with Shinonono, she will have a personal unit, likely by the end of the day were I to guess. Let me begin the explanation…"

I was about to speak to help Miss Orimura, but didn't get the chance, "WAHOO," cried a voice that I knew even if I hadn't heard it in person for a long while.

A frown formed on my face, and a glance at Chifuyu showed me that she felt the same as I do as she also had a grimace. We all looked towards the hillside to the left opposite of the water and the sight of my older sister sliding down the hill was hard to miss. Tabane then leaped off the crag of a rock, "CHI-CHAN," she yelled happily as she sailed at Chifuyu.

Chifuyu raised a hand and caught Tabane by the head and kept her at a discreet distance from her, more than arms' length. However, that didn't stop Tabane from trying to hug Chifuyu, it's so embarrassing to have to see how Tabane has chosen to be. "Hello hello hello, oh I missed you Chi-chan, it isn't the same after you left. It's gone all quiet and boring, now let's hug and confirm our love," Tabane squealed in joy still trying to hug Chifuyu.

"Have you not learned how to close your mouth and keep your hands to yourself, behave Tabane," Chifuyu returned sharply.

"Using the unforgiving iron claws again, aren't you," posed Tabane.

I had found a rock and was hiding behind it since my sister has always embarrassed me whenever she is around, and this time was no different. But then, Tabane appeared next to me showing where I was, "Ta-da! Hi Houki-chan," greeted Tabane.

"Yes, hello Tabane," I said back, rising up from my hiding place.

"Oh, it's been a while hasn't it? How many years has it been," posed Tabane. She smiled, "You grown so much bigger, especially your boobies."

With how my sister was moving her fingers I wasn't about to let her near my breasts! I drew a shinai from seemingly nowhere and brought it down on Tabane's head, "You come near me with those hands of yours, I will make you regret it," I snapped.

"Ow, you say that after you hit me. She can be a real dominatrix, can't she Chi-chan," Tabane complained. Then she stopped and looked around, clearly looking for something as she did she somehow was popping up and disappearing. She finally appeared next to Chifuyu, "Chi-chan, he isn't here, why isn't he here," Tabane whined.

Who she was talking about, I could only guess but that didn't make logical sense to me. Sai had said he had met Tabane a few times, so they couldn't know each other all that well, could they?

-Sai's pov-

It took me almost fifteen minutes to be within hearing distance of the section of beach that was my destination when I started to catch the sound of voices coming to me. "Who is this woman, Miss Orimura," came Cecilia's voice.

It would seem I might be too late to have the luck to miss seeing the rabbit, sh*t! "You know, it's basic manners for you to at least introduce yourself," barked Chifuyu.

"Ah, that's such a pain," said a voice I knew all too well.

It was HER voice, after all, none other than the hasenpfeffer herself. She's here in person as I suspected she would be with what Chifuyu had said! No, calm down… it isn't worth forcing her to bend over and assume the position for a serious spanking as much as I have the urge to do that, but not right now! There would be too many questions asked that I don't want to answer. I just need to get in, ask Chifuyu to drop by when she's free and get out before I get noticed, that's the plan and if I can do that, then I'm golden!

"Okay, hi everyone, I'm Tabane, the genius. Hello. That's all. That's it," the bunny said.

I see that her manners or rather lack thereof haven't changed at all, even the life-sized doll does better. Apparently, the rabbit still has yet to understand how to act around people, but why I would expect her to have changed in that, I never know, she hasn't changed anything in years. The woman doesn't get out of her hidey-hole often, if at all, so honestly, she doesn't get around people enough to learn how to interact with them anyway! I have forgotten how torturous being around her can be, I avoid the idea like a plague! Although I got to say, the girls' responses were fairly comical.

"You're Tabane," asked Rin in astonishment.

"As in Tabane, the brilliant scientist that invented and designed the IS," queried Charlotte.

"The Tabane Shinonono," posed Laura.

The image that the Rabbit has built for herself is stupid. It will doom her in so many ways when some country, organization or group finally gets ahold of her. However, if she wants to dig herself a deep grave, then she's more than welcome to do so, I won't be joining her in being so idiotic. By this time, I had come to the cliff overlooking the section of beach, I made my way down the path as silent as possible. I was beginning to think that I could pull off my plan and not have to face the bunny at all, but fate has to be whimsical…

"Now everyone look up to the Heavens," shouted the Hasenpfeffer with glee.

I thought the rabbit was trying to pull something, so I didn't plan to pay any attention, that was until I hear what sounded like a jet aircraft above. Glancing upward, I spotted something shooting downward towards where we all were. I reacted on instinct, plastered myself to the rock wall and covered my face with my arms, then steeled myself for whatever was going to come. I felt the impact, and after five seconds I uncovered my face and looked around. My gaze focused on a large silver diamond that had landed… I see the Hasenpfeffer still can't resist using dramatics. Amazingly, I was somehow, still yet to be noticed by anyone well, I'm not one to waste such good fortune. The Rabbit did a tune to announce her presenting something… like she used to back in the early days, still is annoying as hell!

-Houki's pov-

I could only stare at the IS that my sister was showing off, "This is my little sister Houki-chan's own personal unit, the Akatsubaki," Tabane said in a cheery voice.

"All its specs are way above any current models and it was hand made by me, Tabane, just for my little Houki-chan. It's the first fourth-generation IS," Tabane iterated.

The others were in shock that Tabane was working on a fourth-generation while the world was in the first stages of the third-generation models. But then, Tabane has never let what others do or say have any effect on her at all, sometimes I wonder if she even listens to anyone else. She appeared to be about to say more when she looked in the same direction she came from originally. I glanced that way, and of all people, I spotted Sai making his way towards Chifuyu, which none had noticed before now. Tabane got a big smile, "SAI-TAN," she cried in a happy tone.

Sai turned to face Tabane who had leaped towards him, her arms outstretched as she sailed to Sai. His face shifted into an expression of anger as he pulled back his right arm before he moved said arm forward and punched Tabane in the chest. The blow was not soft as Tabane was sent flying back from Sai. I was flabbergasted for Sai wasn't the kind of person to hit someone without a very good reason. Tabane hit the ground, but didn't roll, she just sat where she landed catching her breath. Sai was breathing hard after punching Tabane, but he also had taken two steps towards Tabane, before taking three steps backward. I was gaping at Sai, probably the most out of us here, "Sai, why did you just do that," I asked.

He didn't answer me, he just kept his gaze set on Tabane, who was sitting upright now, "Ow, jeez Sai-tan, why are you so mean to me," she asked in a hurt voice.

I turned back to look at Sai, and his expression morphed to beyond anger and loathing, all of that directed at Tabane. What I couldn't figure out was why Sai would be looking at Tabane like that, they didn't know each other much, right? "Mean you say, rabbit? Well, you would know all about being mean to others, now wouldn't you? After all, you get your kicks by screwing around with the lives of others, that's how it works with you, hasenpfeffer. So, stop acting like you're innocent of the sh-shenanigans that has been happening, for nineteen times out of twenty you're involved bunny," Sai returned coldly.

Wait, bunny? Sai had muttered something about a 'perverted bunny' before, could he have… been referring to Tabane?! If that's the case that would bring up the question of just how much Sai knows Tabane. Because I get the impression he knows her more than what one normally does after a 'few meetings' worth of time. But then, that would mean that Sai hadn't been telling the truth of knowing my sister, and he has said he rarely lies. If that was the case then with Sai's reaction, what could Tabane have done to him to have Sai like this with her?

-Sai's pov-

After I had told the bunny to stop acting innocent, the rabbit got a stupid look on her face. Then that shifted into an expression that was a confused apologetic kind of look, "Sai-tan, you're not still mad with coming to the IS academy, are you? I mean, look at all the good things you've got to do here. So, it all worked out for the best right," said the rabbit a bit nervously.

Is she trying to give me a reason to spank her ass multiple times, or is she just a natural at making me want to shout for her to assume the position? Both she and the doll know what it means when I tell one of them to 'assume the position' and it isn't something they can avoid, I personally make sure of that. I was shaking a bit with the effort I was putting forth to contain my fury at the woman that was no more than feet away from me. "Mad, that doesn't begin to describe what I feel Hasenpfeffer, da-ang it! Truthfully, I'm close to telling you to prepare yourself and assume the position!" The rabbit flinched when I said 'assume the position', "Do you have any fu-freaking idea what you put me through," I posed.

I continued to glare at the bunny who didn't stay out of my life, "I planned thirty-three credits worth of school, and still had time built in my intended schedule to work on my IS unit to have it operational by the end of the semester. But what others have in mind has never mattered to you at all," I jabbed a finger at the rabbit, who was muttering unintelligibly. "You were too intent on getting you kicks by seeing me go through hardships!"

"No Sai-tan, that's not what I was trying to do, please give me a chance," the bunny attempted to justify herself.

"Because of you Hasenpfeffer, I spent three freaking days apologizing to administration staff and those that would've been my professors for dropping classes at the last second. And I couldn't even tell them the truth of why I had to do it. Thanks to you, I had to come up with excuses and lie a good portion of the time to those I have earned a decent level of respect from. Yet, it's not like you have ever cared about my integrity or anyone else's, you seem to have more fun blowing them to hell," I growled.

"That's not true Sai-tan," the rabbit squeaked.

I kept going, not letting the stupid rabbit say more, "The second half of your actions, you blackmail me, and then you chuck me into an environment that you should know that I don't wish to be in. High school isn't a time I remember with any fondness, you can ask Chifuyu about those days I would come back with marks of being beaten up by 'classmates'. And because of you and the doll, I am sickened by sexual actions and situations, including flirting and hugging! Last night alone, I was close to throwing up as memories of what you two did to me came to mind with girls piled on me. So, putting me into a school of all girls… were you so idiotic that you didn't figure that's the kind of crap I would be forced to deal with, or was that the entertainment you wanted to see bunny?! Heck, you even screw the chances your younger sister had because of the crap you used to pull!"

I took a moment and a few breaths to calm down, "But, all of that is beside the point, so you're lucky today, you da-arn metal-eared bunny. I've more pressing matters to attend to so, I don't have the time to dish out the consequences that you, oh so da-ang richly deserve to be shoved up you're a-rear," I snapped. I turned and faced Chifuyu ignoring the girls who were still staring at me in disbelief, "Chifuyu, I have," I paused, "an issue that I really need your help on, and you know I'm not one to ask for help a good portion of the time. I can't say more than that here, please come by the operations room that the members of the academy staff have set up sometime today when you are available," I said in a flat, emotionless tone.

I spun around on the spot and began making my way back towards the pathway to the hotel. "Wait Sai-tan," the rabbit called.

I twisted around to face her, "Shut up bunny, or else assume the position right now and prepare to receive your medicine for I'll take the time to deliver it," I barked.

The Hasenpfeffer stopped trying to close the distance and I resumed my journey however, I was stopped before I could get to it by someone grabbing my right arm. Looking at who would be doing that, I found it was Houki holding on to me. I sighed, "Let go Houki, it would be for the best if I leave right now," I stated.

"Sai, whatever is going on, we can help… so, please stay," pled Houki.

I glanced around and saw for once, all the girls who normally fight over me were united in their wish to… I believe help me. Houki's voice made it somewhat harder to ignore them and leave. Nevertheless, they don't understand, me leaving has nothing to do with them and everything to do with the Rabbit being here! There's far too much bad history between her and me for it to be dismissed by others. Plus, other things need doing, the need to study the Silver Gospel specs, got to find the thing and tune-up my unit, just to name a few. I pulled my arm free of Houki's grip and shook my head, "Sorry, not a wise idea, it's nothing against you girls at all. Were I to stay, I would more than likely end out giving your sister what she has come to Houki and what you heard already is only one instance and there are others. I can't explain why in a way that you would comprehend. We'll see each other later today I wouldn't doubt," I remarked curtly before continuing back to the hotel and the operations room.

Chapter end.

A/n

There's chapter 11. The battle with the Silver Gospel will be in the next chapter and other stuff that I'll be keeping to myself for now to surprise you readers in the next chapter. As always, please take the time to write a review and tell me what you think of the story to this point. Until the next chapter.

GodX

Thank you for saying that you like what I write. As for Sai having Romance in his future… I'm thinking about it, but not going to start until at least after the next chapter; with whom… haven't decided really.