Noel: Yay! It's the new year!

Makoto: Yep! Another year!

Saya: This year was hard…

Kagura: Tell me about it…

Terumi: I hate the new year…

Saya: Why?

Terumi: It's another year I failed to kill you all. What kind of question is that?

Tsubaki: Your sick.

Terumi: Kind words will get you nothing.

Jin: Ok now… Let us discuss what happened last time.

Kokonoe: The school got fucking blown up, what the hell!

Tsubaki: Then that large rift opened… Man that was tough

Kagura: Tell me about it…

Ragna: Hey rabbit you ok? You seem…off.

Rachel: I am fine. Just thinking…

Ragna: About what? What tea show you have later on?

Rachel: No, so shut up.

Terumi: Aw look at the two love birds fighting… So cute.

Ragna: Fuck up.

Nu: If only Nu could spend the new year with Ragna! Nu and Ragna would have so much fun!

Makoto: You guys might have a little TOO much fun…

Nu: Nu knows. That's why Nu said it.

Kagura: Maybe we can get her and a certain someone under a mistletoe…

Ragna: Kiss my ass.

Nu: That would be great! Ragna and Nu would spend the whole day under there!

Saya: No your not!

Kokonoe: Damn right!

Jubei: I already know my Christmas present… It's gonna be wrapped in a beautiful bow just waiting for me in bed. What do ya say Nine?

Nine: What!?

Jubei: I need you kids to not be in the house. I might end up tearing it down if you catch my drift…

Kagura: You really are the best! Master please! Show me the way!

Jubei: You have a lot to learn my son. But you are not far!

Kagura: Thank you!

Makoto: Wow… Just wow…

Noel: Haha…

Jin: I guess it is the year of giving…

Nine: Not cool! The hell Jin!

Jubei: He's got the right mind set honey don't curse him out for it.

Kagura: So while their at it. Makoto? Kokonoe? How 'bout it?

Makoto and Kokonoe: Hell no!

Kagura: It is the time of giving.

Kokonoe: I don't care!

Makoto: Kiss my ass!

Kagura: Maybe I will. It's a win for us both.

Makoto: ARGH!

Terumi: Wait a minute...

*Terumi looks around around his face twists in rage*

Terumi: Did someone drink the last of the champagne!? I'll kill you!

Makoto: WOOP! Woop, woop woop.

Lambda: I think we should start now.

Valkenhayn: Ah yes. I believe it is about time to get moving.

Hakumen: Start the chapter.

Chapter 16: Beginning a new year

New years day and Christmas was coming around the corner and with the school now out of session they had all the time in the world to plan. It's been only a day since Sector Seven's attack on the school and everyone was either laying in bed or preparing for Christmas.

It was night time and everyone was already out and snoring. Everyone except Ragna who went downstairs for something to drink, a little on edge about the Murakumo he encountered before. He puts the empty glass into the sink and walks up the staircase. He makes his way towards his room, but stops as he hears loud groaning. He walks to where the groaning was coming from and looks to see it was Rachel's room. He knocks on the door. "Hey you alright in there rabbit?"

He hears another groan and decides to walk in to see what was up. He walks over to her to see her tossing around the bed. "Oh so she's just having a nightmare huh? Weird…" he looks to see her eyes open up, her crimson eyes lighting up the room. "Oh crap your awake? Shit my bad. Didn't mean to wake you up." She doesn't say anything and sits up. The silence from her was a little odd. She was awake, right?

Rachel turns her head to him and cocks it slightly to the right. "Hey, you there rabbit?"

He saw her fangs and electricity building up in her finger tips. He backed up a little as Rachel got up and started to stalk towards him. "You... I'll kill you..."

"H-Hey rabbit what the hell are you doing?" He looks to see her eyes had this odd murderous glare and it was directed at him. "Rachel!" he calls out, but got no answer. She lunges at him, but he quickly got out the way. She lunged at him multiple times, Ragna being able to dodge her but just barely.

"Damn it all!" he tackles her to the ground and holds her down to the ground. Ragna grunts in pain as the electricity started shocking his hand. "Rachel! Wake the hell up!" she gasps and looks around. "Wha? Why am I…" her vision was still a bit blurry. Her vision started to clear as she blinks a few times and looked to see Ragna holding her down. "Are you back now?"

"Ragna? What are you doing in here? More importantly, why am I on the floor and why are you on top of me?" He lets out a sigh and starts to explain. "I came in here because I heard you groaning. Then when I walked over to you, you attacked me. The hell was that about?"

"I see…" she looks at his hand to see was injured. It was injured badly, but it was still slightly charred. "What? Ragna… Did I do that?" He gets off of her and shakes his hand a little. "I'm alright this is nothing. More importantly what about you, you ok?" she gets up as well and dusts herself off. "I am unharmed. Did I say anything odd in my sleep?"

"You said something about killing…" she sighs. "So I was, was I…" Rachel goes back over to her bed and covers herself up. "Thank you for checking on me Ragna, but I shall go back to sleep now."

"You wanna tell me what the hell that was?" she shakes her head. "Please just…go to bed Ragna." He doesn't pry any further, reading her tone and walking out the room. Rachel closes her eyes. "It's been another year…" she says, her tone a bit on the sad side. "I wonder if I truly care anymore…" she exhales and relaxes herself, sleeping taking her away.

The next morning comes as she opens her eyes and looks at the time to see it was 2:00. She blinks a few times and let's out a very groggy yawn. She sits up and rubs the dew out of her eyes with her hand. "I have been out for quite sometime." She gets out of bed and starts to get herself organized for the day. She heads downstairs and looks to see Ragna watching some kind of Christmas program.

He heard her footsteps and turns to see Rachel. He eyes her expression, a little worry washing over him as he takes in her saddened visage. What was bothering her and why did she seem so upset, sad almost. With questioning himself going nowhere he asks her in a worried tone. "Hey you alright rabbit? You seem a little depressed." She groans. "It is nothing you should know or care about."

He sighs. "Man do you have to be a total bitch about everything? Just wondering why you look so sad. It's not a face I see on you a lot." She doesn't say anything and looks back to the TV. She read some of the side captions and came to reason that some sort of event was taking place in Akitsu soon. "So what is that? Some sort of festival?" she asks.

"Kinda. Every year for Christmas they have fireworks and all that. You can also think of it as a kind of new years party. I went there with Jin, Saya and the rest of them a few times and every time we went it was always hella fun. We were all planning to go again tonight, if you're interested you wanna come?" He asks her. "I appreciate the offer, but I am alright. I did not plan on leaving the house today."

"Oh? Is someone scared of a little fireworks?" he says with a cocky smirk.

"I never said that I was. I just do not wish to be in you're presence." Rachel spat. "Always with the comebacks, but seriously Rachel you should come. I think you'd like it." She sighs. "I shall consider it, but I make you no promises." With that she walks back, Ragna getting a bit more curious with her odd attitude. Everytime she spoke he heard a hint of sadness in her voice. "Ok… Maybe the old man can help me out with this." With a grunt he gets up from the couch and turns the TV off.

He throws on a jacket and goes outside. "Alright old man I need you're help with something." As he said that a portal opened up in front of him. Valkenhayn walks out of it and had a slightly scornful look on his face. "I'm surprised you actually came. Knowing you I'd thought you would just ignore me." Ragna jokes. "You would not call me if it did not pertain to madam Rachel. So what is it?" Ragna's expression becomes a bit more stern. "I don't know what's with her she seems sad about something. She been like that for a while now and I'm kinda getting worried. I thought you would know."

The butler sighs, a portal opens up behind him as he walks in. Ragna takes that as an invitation and walks after him. He looks around to see himself in Rachel's room. "Why are we here?" He turns his head and sees Valkenhayn standing near her dresser and looking over something. He walks over to him and looks to see him staring at what seemed to be half of a necklace and what looked to be a slash scarred into the center.

"This was a birthday gift from her mother." Valkenhayn picks it up and holds it by the chain, making it dangle a bit. He swings it and let's the pendant land in his palm, sadness clear in his eyes as he stares at it in remorse. "It was the very last gift she ever received from her."

"That doesn't really explain why it looks like it's been cut in half." Ragna saw Valkenhayn's fangs starting to show, his face twisting from his usually calm and collected expression to one of pure anger and hatred. "This was caused by Terumi. He tried to kill madam Rachel, but I got there in time to save her. However as you know her mother and father weren't so lucky."

"So that's why she's...!" Valkenhayn looks at him. "What are you planning to do?"

"I feel like crap right now… So I'm gonna make it right. That's all I'm gonna do."

Rachel roams the house aimlessly, bored out of her mind that their was nothing to do. She saw Jin and Saya preparing for that Christmas festival for later on and was thinking to herself if she should go or not, ultimately coming to the conclusion of not going. She noticed however while roaming around the house that Ragna was nowhere to be found. "Where is that idiot?" With that question asked she heard the door unlock and looks to see Ragna walk in and set his jacket down.

"Now where did you go?" she asks him. Ragna eyes her and walks up to her. "Rachel I need to ask you something." She furrowed a brow. "Ask me something? You are acting strange Ragna. Normally you just tell me what it is. So, what is it?"

"You're free later aren't you?" He asks. "Yes I am. Why?"

"I want you to go out with me later on." She stares at him for a few seconds, trying to process what he just asked her. Once it did her cheeks turned a dark pink color. "What!?"

"It's 2:35 right now, so you mind meeting me in the center of the plaza at around 5:00? I need to get something and it might take a while." She stutters a bit and nods. "Y-Yes… I can do that." He smiles softly. "Great. I'll see you later Rachel." He walks off, leaving Rachel in a bit of a daze and also a bit curious as to why he asked her out so suddenly. Not that she was really complaining, but couldn't help but be curious. Also his choice of words and his tone was a bit sincere, which was a little strange given how abrasive he is, no matter what it is. She looked at the time to see it was 2:40 and decided to get her clothes ready for later on.

It didn't take long for the evening to fly by, the time now 4:30. Rachel decided not to teleport, given that if she did it would cause some awareness in a heavy populated area, so she decided to walk it. Instead of her normal black dress she wore a blouse and black skirt and black knee high boots. It was a bit chilly outside so she decided to wear a black jacket with eight buttons coming down it, two buttons on each side. She threw a black scarf on her and wrapped it around her neck.

Rachel makes her way to Akitsu's plaza and looks around for Ragna. She felt something bubble up inside of her, a feeling she hasn't felt in a long time. She felt nervous and very anxious. Her feelings were then intensified as she looks to see him leaning next to a bench. He had on a black jacket with a scarf thrown around his neck and black pants with a chain hanging off his waist. She makes her way to him, Ragna hears her and looks in her direction, a slight smirk on his face. "You know I expected you to just teleport here. You actually walked? Their really is something up with you today."

"Shut up plebian." she spat. "I just felt like walking this time." He pushes himself off the wall and stretches. "Alright then, it's about time I take you around the festival."

"Huh? I thought you were going with Jin and Saya?" she wonders. "I was, but they've got plans and so do I. My plan is to take you around so you can enjoy yourself. So come on." He takes her hand and smiles. "You came all this way already. Might as well right?"

"Yes… I suppose so." He leads her off, his hand gripped around hers. 'Just what is he plotting?' She wonders, curiosity starting take hold of her. Her face started to heat up as she gripped his hand a little tighter, her curiosity dying down a few pegs. 'But I guess now really is not the time.'

The two make their way to the upper levels of the city. As they went up higher they saw Christmas decorations all over, people running around and laughing, little Christmas songs and jingles in the shops. "I did not know it was so lively here around this time of year."

"Yeah… It gets pretty crazy around this time. People from all over come to see when they have the chance. It even puts Kazumotsu to shame sometimes by how many visitors Akistu gets." Ragna looks to see a small white flake fall past him. He looks up to see it starting to snow already. "I just hope this damn snow won't get in the way much."

"I highly doubt that it would. But I must ask you Ragna. Why did you take me out this evening?" Rachel asks. "I'll tell you later. But for now," a genuine smile comes on his face as he continues. "Let's just enjoy ourselves. It's one of the main reasons I asked you out. So let's just skip the questions and try to have a good time." She doesn't pry anymore, seeing that she won't really get a real answer out of him. I guess now she feels just how Ragna feels with her cryptic responses and hints.

They finally make it to their destination and look to see it was packed. Food stalls all around and people in Christmas costumes running around singing and yelling, children running around with their parents and laughing. Rachel eyes one of the stands, Ragna quickly taking notice and looking at what she was glaring so intensely at. He looks to see it was a stand selling candied apples. He couldn't lie to himself they did look good, but one wrong move and say goodbye to your teeth. He thinks back to all the sweets Rachel eats and shrugs. "So you like candied apples?"

"To tell you the truth I have not eaten one. Valkenhayn would go out, get some food and come back. I never really stepped out of my home." Rachel says.

"Damn talk about a sheltered life… Well anyway now's your chance to get it, but just don't bite it. Unless you want to lose you teeth." They walk over to the stand to buy the candied apples. Ragna looks over them and picks one up that caught his eye. Rachel looks them over, Ragna looking her direction to see her actually starting to drool. She hovers her finger around the selection of apples and came to a conclusion. "I will buy six." Ragna didn't really take her seriously and just chuckled a little to himself. Picking up all those is basically casting a death wish on your teeth.

Ragna and the shopkeeper watch her actually pick up six and then smiles and picks up two more, both of them having the same expression and probably the same idea. Is this woman crazy? Rachel walks away from the stand, Ragna following close behind and eating his apple with care. She really doesn't value her teeth, Ragna thought.

He just watches her devour them all and to his amazement her teeth were still intact. He watches her actually bite into them, chew them up and swallow them like they were just regular old candy. "How the hell are you even doing that…?" He asks in an impressed tone. "I thought these were harder. Guess I was wrong. However I must say," she bites another one, a joyful and satisfied smile on her face. "These are quite delicious. Maybe I should've gotten more. If I act now I can get them all before others get them sold out." He looks at her in disbelief. "Are you serious… You're a lot tougher then I thought rabbit. I don't get how women can eat all these sweets and shit like that…"

"Maybe you are just that weak." She scoffs.

"Wow… I'm just glad this is all you can eat. If not I don't think I'd have anymore money for at least a good three months." She glares at him. "Oh? Now what are you trying to say Ragna? Please tell me. I want to know."

"Nothing at all…" Rachel looks ahead and sees another place that was selling candy. He looks ahead to see what her gaze was fixed on and sighs. "Listen if you get cavities and shit like that don't coming bitching at me. So for now I'm just gonna say I told you so."

"Shut up and let's go." Rachel walks off, Ragna shrugs and follows close behind. They walk up to the stand and eyes the candy the shopkeeper was selling. It was something he's never seen before. Even for him these were on the weird side. The shopkeeper called them "Tasmanian canes". They were basically large canes dripped in some kind of sweet coating. He looks it over for a bit, a little hesitant to eat it. He threw that worry aside and just bit into it. It was surprisingly soft, kind of like a marshmallow and the coating was a sweet cherry flavor. "Huh," he takes another large bite and swallows. "This ain't half bad."

"This has a nice orange taste to it. Very fresh." He raises a brow. "Orange? I got cherry over here." The shopkeeper smirks. "Yes that's right! All these sticks may look the same, but the flavor is completely different. So luck of the draw." He rings his bell as people start to gather around his shop. "Come one, come all for the candy lottery! Whoever can draw the banana flavored stick will get two front row seats to see the world famous singers Hikari and Haruko battle for top singer at the grand stadium here in Akitsu! Now, test your luck!"

Chatter starts to take uo the crowd, a cocky smile coming across Ragna's face. "I'm so winning those tickets!" Ragna says, his voice boasting with confidence. "You seem quite determined. I am not all that caught up on music, so do you mind explain who they are."

"Are you serious!? They're the two best pop singers in the world! Now I can see them for free!? Shit Kagura is gonna be so pissed when he finds out about this! Hikari is gonna wipe the floor with her!" Ragna boasts.

"I think you're wrong there my friend." Ragna turns his head and looks to see Kagura standing right next to him. "Kagura? The hell are you doing here?" Kagura smirks. "I was on a date with that girl that thanked me the other day and I overheard what that guy just said. I also heard what you just said. The hell do you mean Hikari is gonna win? Haruka is going to kick her ass!"

"What!? Are you retarded!? Haruko's got nothing on Hikari!" Ragna says.

"What!? Them's fightin' words!" Kagura says. "Bring it bitch!" the two run for the candy and start randomly taking, the whole crowd joining in. Ragna and Kagura started to gulp down all the canes they could get their hands on, Rachel just watching the craziness go down.

"Oh god I got a ginger flavor! Water, water!" one of them yells.

"Oh come on theirs a vomit flavor! What the fuck man!" a man hurls. Rachel eyes one of them and casually walks through the crowd. She picks it up and takes a bite out of it. She swallows and says. "I have found it." With that they all stop what they were doing and just stare at her. All their expression filled with disbelief and their eyes widened, ready to pop out and roll out their sockets. After a few minutes of staring they finally all said something.

"What!? How!?"

The shopkeeper rings his bell. "And that's game! Here's two tickets to see the maidens battle it out on new years day!"

Rachel receives the tickets and walks back to Ragna, everyone still stunned and just watching her. Ragna and Kagura's eyes were wide open. She felt triumphant for her good luck and easy victory. "It seems I would make quite the gambler. Wouldn't you agree Ragna?" she smirks and hands a ticket to him. "You may thank me later."

"I…owe you…big time!" without warning he wraps his arms around her tightly. She swings her around a few times and laughs, a big smile on his face. "You're the freaking best!" he looks at Kagura and says triumphantly. "Ha! Take that asshole! Now you gotta watch it on TV bitch!"

"You may have won this battle, but the war rages on! Haruko will win! Even though I might now be there, I will be cheering her on from my flat screen, ultra sound and high definition TV!" Ragna groans. "Ok now that was fucked up…" Kagura winks at him. "Told you. You might've won the battle, but the war rages on. Speaking of battle, I think the battle between you and Rachel is coming to a heated conclusion."

"What? What are you…?" He looks to see his arms wrapped tightly around her, her face bright red. He quickly let's go of her. "Ah crap my bad Rachel!" he looks back at Kagura. "You shut your fucking mouth! Actually, screw you!" he smirks. "I thought you would be screwing her not me." He groans. "Oh my god! Kagura I will knock your ass out! Just go!" Kagura laughs and waves as he walks off. He starts to calm down and looks to see Rachel's cheeks still a hot pink. He scratches his head. "H-Hey look Rachel I uh…"

"No it is alright. Let us go now." She started to walk funny, taking awkward slow step, almost like she was wobbling and ready to drop. Ragna scratches his head. "I'm so gonna get electrocuted when we get back home."

They walk around the whole place, night time coming down on them and the temperature quickly decreasing to below thirty degrees. It was about 7:30, everyone started to walk in a single direction. "I guess it's time already." She furrowed a brow. "Time for what?"

"Come on." He motions her to follow him. She doesn't ask why and just follows him, the two walking with the crowd. Rachel looks to see a few bright lights up ahead and a lot of noise and music. They walk until they end up in the back of the large crowd, but was still able to see what was going on. Their were a few women dancing in Christmas outfits in the middle, singing and carrying on.

"Ragna, what is this?" she asks.

"This is kinda like the middle show. Once the festival is half done they have a show to entertain the guests." Ragna explains. "I see. But now since we will be here for a while, I would like to ask the reason why you suddenly decided to ask me out." He scratches his head, his cheeks turning a little red. "Well I did it because…" he takes a breath and exhales. "Ok so I did because I wanted to say I'm sorry. I really am."

"Sorry? For what?" she asks.

"Your birthday… It was two months ago right?" she stays silent as he continues. "I understand what happened to you… The old man also told me you haven't celebrated your birthday since. So this wasn't also an apology, but a birthday redemption gift for all the years you missed." He reaches into his pocket and fishes out a small black case. "This is for the birthday that just passed and also for Christmas and new years." Rachel reaches her hand out, a little hesitant at first, but finally takes it. She opens it up, her eyes widened to the gift that was inside. "Impossible… This is just like…!" she looks back at him. "How did you know?"

"Like I said the old man filled me in. So this is the present I gave you. So," a warm, tender smile comes across his face. His tone of voice was gentle and caring as he says genuinely. "So happy birthday Rachel. Have a great Christmas and a happy new year."

"Ragna... I just… I don't know what to say… This is..." he places a hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to say anything Rachel. Just enjoy the gift." A smile comes across her face as they turn back to watch the performance. Dancing and laughing filled the area. All kinds of Christmas jingles played and acts performed. Rachel felt warm on the cold winter night, her heart felt like it was about to burst at the seams. She looks at the gift and smiles. "That idiot… He really is..."

After it finished the two decided to head back. Arriving on their block Rachel looks to see Ragna had a little mischievous smile on his face. "Now what are you plotting?"

"Oh nothing crazy." They make it back to his house, Rachel feeling a little uneasy about the whole thing. Ragna opens the door. "Go on in." She hesitates a little and walks in to see the place in complete darkness. Out of nowhere the light flicked back. "Surprise!" she jumped a little and looks to see Noel, Celica, Kagura and the rest of them standing in the living room. "W-What!? What is this?"

"To think you planned this doesn't fit right." Kagura chuckles a little and scratches the back of his head. "Sorry about earlier… I almost screwed this up." Makoto hits him in the arm. "You almost fucked everything up asshole." He rubs his arm. "Damn… I said I was sorry." Ragna walks in and glares at him. "I'm just glad you didn't do anything else stupid." He chuckles. "Yeah so am I. Well, happy birthday."

"I don't understand what's going on here…" Celica smiles. "Ragna told us his plan and we decided to help out. It was fun getting everything together. It was a real race against time!" Kokonoe puts a hand on her hip and sighs. "You seriously have no idea how hard it was to stop Noel from entering that kitchen…" Ragna bows and sighs in relief. "Thanks for that…"

"Hey!" Noel pouts. Tsubaki just laughs and pats her head. "We mean it like it would've been to good. We don't want to get hooked on your food then have you in the kitchen all day and night." Makoto chuckles. "Hehe… Yeah right."

"I heard that!" Noel says.

"Sorry…" Makoto sighs. She looks back at Rachel and smiles. "You should really thank him over there. The guy had all this crap planned. I didn't know his brain could even plan." A vein pops up on his forehead. "First of all, SCREW YOU! Second of all, I don't want to hear that from someone who got a ten out of hundred on a spelling test. That ten wasn't even from the spelling it's because you turned yours in early like an idiot."

"Shut it. We don't speak of that." Makoto says matter of factly.

"Oh yes, brother. You said you needed to do something today right? Just what did you do?" Jin asks. "I bought the rabbit a gift."

"Can I see it?" Saya asks. Rachel takes it out and opens the case. Saya eyes it. "Wait…" her eyes burst open. "This is expensive! Brother how much did you pay for this!?" Kagura walks over and looks at it. "Holy shit… Ragna…this is quality jewelry. Just how much did you pay for this?" He scratches his head. "That doesn't matter. I had some money saved over… So I bought her something with it."

"Just how much money was in your piggy bank?" Kokonoe asks.

"You don't need to know. She got her gift and liked it. I think that's what matters. So for now let's just get on with the party." Kagura smirks. "When they told me I heard just how important it was too you. Then you go and take her out on a date and on top of that you get her this? Damn looks like you do know a way to a woman's heart."

"I swear to god…" Ragna blushes a little. "Well she seems fine with it… So how about we just get this started."

"I'll get the cake!" Noel says cheerfully.

"I'll get the drinks!" Makoto says, Saya and Celica going with her. Kagura walks over to Ragna and drapes his arm around his shoulder. "Shit I know people that would do anything for the one they love, but damn! You've got my respect for that little stunt." He groans and pushes him off. "Shut up…"

"I…don't know what to say…" Ragna looks down at Rachel's shocked expression. He smiles. "You don't need to say anything Rachel. Just have fun for the day, I think you've earned it." They all came out with the drinks and food, chatting and laughing with each other. Celica turns to them and gasps. "Ms. Rachel!? Are you ok?" Ragna turns to her and looks to see a tear fall down her cheek. "Oh crap are you ok!?" he started to panic a little. "Shit did I do something wrong!? Damn I'm really not good at this mushy stuff…" she wipes her eyes. "No… You did nothing wrong Ragna... I'm just speechless… I can't believe this…"

"It's ok Ms. Rachel. I don't really know the specifics, but when Ragna told me he sounded so concerned and sincere. If anything you should just thank Ragna for this." He shakes his head. "What!? Wait hold on I didn't really…!"

"Don't hold yourself short there Ragna. I mean you were the one to come up with this so take so responsibility for it." Kagura smiles. "You really do deserve it man."

"I didn't know you could sound so sincere Kagura. I guess theirs more to the pervert then meets the eye." Kokonoe smirks. "Wow… Try to be a good person and I get a slap in the face. Looks who's not getting their Christmas present."

"Oh and look who's not getting his." Kokonoe says.

"Alright come on we're here to have fun not argue." Saya says, trying her best to keep them at bay and not have to situation escalated.

As they all started to talk Ragna looks down to see Rachel still a bit teary eyed. He takes his finger and gently wipes the tears away from her eyes. She looks up to see a warm gentle smile on his face. "Come on cheer up…" He moves his hand down her face and plants it softly on her cheek. "So for tonight I don't want to see you crying. Whether it's from joy or sadness. What I want to see you do is smile for me. You can smile every once in a while can't you? I think you've earned it."

"Ragna." He raises a brow. "Yeah?"

"Thank you."

"Aw look their having a moment." Ragna turns to them to see Kagura laughing. He blushes heavily and groans. "Shut up." He looks to see Saya pouting and asks. "Hey Saya are you ok?"

"Yes… I'm just fine." Celica laughs. "Come on Saya cheer up."

"I know…but even still I feel little jealous of her. Hey brother are you gonna throw a party for me too?" He smiles. "Like I'd tell you."

"Hehe. Then I'll just have to wait and see. I'll let you have him this time Rachel. Next time I will make brother fall in love with me!" he gasps. "Huh!?"

"That's one hell of a confession." Kagura says, a bit astonished by how easily she let that out. "Confession? Brother already knows that. I already kissed him and told him."

"You what!?" They all gasp.

"Let's focus on the party for now." Saya walks up to Rachel and grabs her hands, a genuine smile on her face. "Happy birthday Rachel. We worked really hard for this so we hope you like it." Rachel stares at her for a few seconds, a small smile coming across her feature. She couldn't help but start laughing. "So you say all that and then come to me and wish me a happy birthday? You have moxy, I'll give you that."

"I guess your not surprised since I already told you." She shrugs. "I suppose."

"So is their something going on that I need to know about?" Ragna asks.

"Nothing you need to know." They both say in unison.

"Now you two are in synch? Great… Hey Saya do me a favor and don't be like the rabbit. I don't need another…" Rachel raises a brow. "Oh? Now what is that suppose to mean Ragna? Hm?"

"Alright that's enough. Come on. Let's get this party started." Kokonoe says.

With that the party got underway. The house filled with laughing, conversation and a few arguments. A few games were played, some got out of hand and others got rather violent. Mostly due to Kagura being the guy he is and constantly hitting on Makoto and Kokonoe. Both of them occasionally beating him until he was blue.

Makoto opens the cake and smiles. She looks at both Noel and Rachel. "Hope you two like you're cake!"

"Yeah Noel come on. You two cut it." Ragna smirks.

"Wait… You guys!" Noel smiles.

"Happy birthday Noel!" they all say in unison.

"I thought this was for Ms. Rachel!" Ragna pats her head. "Well yeah, but it wouldn't be fair. So we decided to do a two in one. I think it was a pretty good call on our part wouldn't you agree."

"Ragna… All of you…!" she jumps onto Ragna, tears starting to fall down her eyes. Makoto and Tsubaki pat her head and draws her in for a hug. "Happy birthday Noellers…"

"Thank you…" Noel weeps.

"I see… That is quite clever Ragna. Has the new year finally blessed you with a brain?" He looks at her and frowns. "I swear to god Rachel…!"

"Ok that's enough you guys. Time for some cake!" Kagura rubs his hands together and snickers. "I can't wait…" After calming Noel down they finally cut the cake. The flavor was a rich, with vanilla cream frosting, but it also had a strange taste that they couldn't really describe. Rachel had a few pieces as Kokonoe ate it like a rabid dog. She ended up taking one off of Jin's plate when he wasn't looking and then when he turned back and saw Kokonoe eating his cake he was about to freeze her. Thankfully Tsubaki managed to calm him down a little before he turned the entire house into an ice castle.

Jin fishes into his pocket and takes out a small box. He hands it to her. "I forgot to give you your Christmas present Tsubaki. You gave me yours already and I haven't given you mine. With all the confusion with brother I was about to forget."

"Thanks Jin." She smiles and takes it out his hand. Tsubaki opens it up a gorgeous bracelet inside of it. "It's beautiful Jin…" she smiles and takes it out. Tsubaki puts it on. Makoto looks at them and smirks. "Look at the happy couple. Aw so cute."

"I'm not afraid to freeze you Makoto." He says coldly.

"Oh come on Jin! How about you two go under a mistletoe huh?" she nudges Tsubaki arm as she looks down, her face as red as her hair. "I think someone's thinking about it…" Makoto teases.

"You really are…" Jin groans.

Celica looks at Rachel to see she had a small smile on her face. "You ok Ms. Rachel?" She asks. "Yes I am. I am a little surprised still. I did not expect that moron to plan all this." Rachel says.

"Ragna's always been sweet. Ever since I've known him. He might act angry, but he really does care about others and goes to great lengths to help others. I mean look at tonight. He planned all this just to make you happy." Celica looks back at Ragna. "I really am glad... I'm so happy that I met him..."

"I suppose he does have his moments. He alleviates my boredom so I guess he is not such a moron." Celica giggles. "Ragna will be Ragna! An idiot with a big heart."

"Hey… I heard that Celica." Ragna groans. She covers her mouths. "I'm sorry Ragna, but it's true. You do have a big heart." He glares at her. "I heard that idiot part."

"Well you are an idiot Ragna." Kokonoe chugs down her drink and pours out more. "Accept it." He flips her off. "Go to hell."

"Alright, but I'm taking you with me." They all finished up the large cake, Ragna sighs in relief and licking the frosting off his lips. "Damn that was good… I could go for more." He felt the atmosphere of the room change all of a sudden, which was never a good thing. He looks to see Kokonoe's cheeks were pink as were Celica, Saya, Makoto, Tsubaki, Kagura and even Noel's. They all bad the same dazed expression. The only one he didn't see was Jin and Rachel. "Hey Jin what happened to them?"

"I don't know. Maybe they all finally crashed." Jin groans. "But I do feel a little dizzy myself."

"This started after we ate the cake right? Did you order the cake?" He shakes his head. "No. I think Makoto ordered the cake. Check it brother." He looks at the box and read the ingredients. He looks them all over and looks at the bottom of the list. "Oh shit."

"What is it?" Jin asks.

"This wasn't just a regular cake… She ordered a silver vine… Oh shit! They even added the alcohol coverage! How they hell did they even do that!? Where did she order it from!? And why would they give it to a couple of high school students!? Oh no…!" Jin and Ragna looks at them. "Their drunk…" they say in unison.

"So that is what that was." He looked to see Rachel was still normal and her expression wasn't like the rest of them. "Good your ok." She groans. "I feel a little light headed but that's about it. Now… How do we deal with this?" He shrugs. "I've got no idea…"

"H-Hey look…! I can see more then one of my brother! Haha!" Saya stumbles over to him and rests her head on his lap. "I'm so happy…" Celica pouts. "Aw…no fair Saya!" she walks over to him and tackles him, Celica laying down on him. "You're so warm." He gasps. "C-Celica!? Get off me!" she pouts. "No I won't! I won't be holding back the feelings I have for you!"

"Celica… What are you doing? Get…away from him." Kokonoe stumbles on top of him, she purrs slightly. She makes herself comfortable on him. "He's the perfect place to rest… Ragna. Don't move."

"The hell do you mean don't move!?" Ragna shouts.

"Haha… I can see stars…" Noel laughs.

"Ragna come on man… I feel like I'm about too… Ah…" Kagura collapses, Jin just looks at him. "He's one hell of a drunk. I wonder if that will turn into something more." He looks to his left to see Tsubaki staring right at him. He moves back a little as she stalks closer towards him. "H-Hey Tsubaki…"

"Jin…" she jumps on him and tackles him to the ground. "Hey Tsubaki come on! I know you're drunk but this is…!" she smiles. "Yay! Jin is here… When did you get here?"

"I was um…here the whole time." He felt like he should just try and hold a normal conversation and try to keep her at bay until she finally knocked herself out. Tsubaki chuckles, stopping every second as she hick ups. "You have nice eyes…" he forces an awkward smile. "Thanks… You have nice blue eyes." She giggles. "Thank you Jin! Hehe… You're always so nice to me. I'm always never able to…pay you back."

"Don't worry about paying me back Tsubaki. Just enjoy yourself and if you're happy then so am I." she turns her head so her chin was on his chest and her eyes were gazing right at him. "I think… Maybe I should give you a kiss." His eyes widen. "What!? No, no no no, no! You don't have to do ANYTHING Tsubaki! Just calm down a little ok?" she moves up to him. "I need too…pay you back. So I think…this is the best way."

"Hold on Tsubaki!" she sits up. "You seem hot… How about I take those clothes off of you…" she starts to take his shirt off, Jin quickly shuffling back. "What are you doing!?"

"You looked hot so I was removing your clothes." He shakes his head. "No I'm fine!" she pouts. "Fine then if you won't let me! Then I'll do it by force! Sealed weapon Izayoi!" Tsubaki summons her small dagger, Jin quickly starting to run and Tsubaki giving chase.

Ragna heard them running around the kitchen and upstairs and downstairs. But he couldn't help him, given the fact he was in a similar situation, but much, much worse. "You all…leave Ragna with me!" Celica pouts. Saya tightens her grip on him. "No! I already told you he's mine!" Kokonoe hisses her teeth. "Back the hell off… Unless you want me to turn you all into mincemeat."

"I'll show you my squirrel power!" Makoto shouts.

"Someone help me!" Saya moves up to him, her eyes glaring right into his. "Brother… Do you love me? I love you so much that it drives me crazy… Now we're like this is the perfect opportunity…" Kokonoe pushes her off. She moves down to his neck and licks it. She purrs. "Sorry, but I'm planting my territory here… Isn't that right Ragna?"

"Jin! Help me!" Ragna pleads.

"Kinda busy! Woah wait Tsubaki hold on!" Ragna heard a loud boom and Jin still running for his life. "I'm…on my own…" Ragna heard someone snap their fingers as they all fell asleep. He looks to see them all knocked out, snoring filled the room. He sighed in relief. "Thank god… What the hell was that though?"

"That was just a little sleep spell. They will wake up in a few minutes." Ragna turns to Rachel and sighs. "I owe you one. Wait, so is everyone besides you and me asleep? Even Jin?" she nods. "Yes he is currently unconscious. I wanted to speak with you and also put an end to that ridiculousness going on."

"Talk to me? About what?" He asks.

"Well Ragna… I um… I wanted to thank you for today. It meant quite a bit to me that you went through all this… So Ragna… Thank you." He smiles. "No problem. I just hope I didn't fuck anything up. Well besides the cake making everyone go crazy…" she chuckles. "I suppose that was a bit unexpected, but it was not unenjoyable. It did raise the moral in here I suppose."

"That wasn't moral raising that was life or death…" He looks around and says. "So should we leave them here or what?"

"I will not be taking them up, so yes." He shrugs and makes his way upstairs.

"Ragna!" before he could take another step he stops at the top of the stairs and looks to see Rachel following behind. "Yeah rabbit?" she walks up to him and doesn't say a word. She stops in front of him and slowly wraps her arms around him, pushing her head into his chest. "R-Rabbit?" he blushes a little, a bit confused and uncertain what to really do right now.

"Ragna. Thank you." She says genuinely and holds him tighter. "You did all this… I knew were not so bright, but to do all this…and for my sake. I do not know what to make of it."

"You know… I don't know if that was a diss or a complement…" Ragna questions.

"I am complementing you Ragna." He sighs. "Yeah I don't know about that."

"Ragna." She says softly.

"Yeah?" she snuggles on him a bit more. "Thank you. I really do want you to know that I appreciate what you did for me this evening. I am grateful for it and I am glad that I was able to celebrate it with you. So I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I mean it." He smiles and wrap his arms around her and puts a hand gently behind her head. "No problem… Anytime." The two stay in each others embrace, Rachel not wanting to let him go. She felt her face heat up a little, the feeling of his arms wrapped around her and his hand placed gently on her head made her feel giddy inside. She couldn't help, but smile.

After a few minutes the two finally let's go of each other. She tells him goodnight as she heads for her room. Ragna watches her walk inside and close the door, a smile coming cross his face. "I guess she really can be nice every now and again." He hears something odd downstairs and walks to the top of the staircase to see Kokonoe getting her coat on. "Awake already? Where the hell is she going?" He watches her quietly walk out, Ragna getting curious and decided to get his coat on and peek outside and looks to see she was walking the opposite way that she lived. "Suspicious…"

Kokonoe walks down the street of the snowy night, her breath visible as she exhales. She pulls her pink scarf up to her nose and shivers a little. She continues on and makes her way to the lower levels of the city. The place was crowded, people bumping into people, kids running around and throwing snowballs at one another, parents watching them and laughing. Kokonoe stops and looks upwards to the sky, some of the snow falling onto her face, but she didn't care, too lost in her own thoughts to really give a damn.

She sighs and continues walking onwards through the streets. She puts her hands in her pockets. "Shit… It's cold as hell tonight…" she groans. Kokonoe walks all the way to the other side of town. After waking for what felt like twenty minutes she finally comes to her destination. It was an old cemetery, snow covering the tombstones and the grass no where to be seen, buried under the layers of snow. She makes her way in and walks through the snow, her footsteps crunching in the white powder as she walked through the graveyard.

Kokonoe walks all the way to the back to see a single tombstone, the whole thing almost completely covered in snow. She dusts some of it off, even though she herself knew it was pointless. She takes a few steps back and looks over the grave. "Hey… It's been a while…" She sighs. "Sorry, but I don't got any flowers to put here." She found herself at a loss for words, unable to come up with anything to say and just stares at the tombstone. She scratches her head in frustration, a slight groan came from her lips. "Damn… I'm no good at this kinda crap."

"You're telling me…" she jumps a bit and quickly turns around to see Ragna walking up to her. "What the hell? Ragna? What are you doing here?" he walks up to her and stops right next to her. "I saw you try and sneak out. I got curious so I tailed you. So," he looks at the grave and continues. "Who is this?"

"It's that old woman I told you about. Instead of burying her in Kazumotsu they buried her where she lived. It makes things easier so I can visit her. I try to come here at least once a year, but this time I was a little late. I guess better late then never." Kokonoe sighs. "Hey Ragna I need to ask you something and be straight with me." He stays quiet, signaling her to continue. "This woman gave her life for me, but I don't feel any sort of tears coming down. Does that mean I just don't care?"

"Tears mean nothing. To be honest, crying over the death and someone and not crying isn't really a difference. Pretty much when you cry, you show the emotion you feel, whether it's sadness, despair or joy. To me though…crying just makes the pain get heavier. The weight of someone's death on your shoulders isn't an easy weight to carry. Just because you're not crying that doesn't mean you don't care." Kokonoe shrugs. "I don't know… I just feel like I should be more hurt by this. I mean it's my fault that someone lost their life. I feel remorse, but I don't feel sadness."

"You feel enough to come here yearly. I think that's good enough." Ragna and Kokonoe stare at the tombstone for a few minutes, almost as if they were waiting for something to happen. The snow started to pile back up on the tombstone as Ragna clears it off. " Hey, I'm gonna head back. You coming?" she nods and follows him out the graveyard, taking one last look before she left the grave's sight. The walk out of the graveyard and back house. As they walked Ragna mysteriously stopped. "What are you doing?"

"Well since we're already out, might as well have some fun. You didn't get to go to the Christmas festival because of me this year, so how about I make it up to ya." Kokonoe groans. "I don't know… It's probably done by now." He puts a hand on her shoulder. "It runs all night I doubt it's over. Hell if we go now, since it's this late we could probably catch the Christmas tree lighting up."

"I guess… Wait, just us?" she asks. "Uh... Yeah I mean we're the only ones here aren't we?" she nods. "Yeah I know that! C-Come on!"

"Ok…?" He starts to walk off, Kokonoe trailing behind him. 'Why the hell am I so giddy? I mean we are alone and everything…' her cheeks lit up like a fire, turning a deep crimson. She looks at Ragna and walks a little bit closer to him. She leans in closer to him, but not too close for him to really notice. Ragna looks down to see Kokonoe much closer to him them she originally was. He didn't really see a problem with it, but the strange part about it was that she was blushing.

Kokonoe, blushing? The hell has the world come too? Ragna thinks to himself. He chuckles a little, earning a glare from her. "What's so funny?"

"No it's nothing really. It's just your acting a little weird. Your face is as red as a cherry right now. You catching a fever out here? If that's it maybe we should turn back…" she shakes her head. "No I'm fine, just a bit on edge that's it."

"Huh?" she waves her hands dismissively. "N-No don't worry it's my own problem! Hahaha… Ha…" he stares at her awkwardly, giving her a suspicious glare. "R-Right…" he looks ahead and smiles. "Looks like we're here. Damn there is a shit ton of people here already. Can't even get a good view from here."

"I think I can handle that." She reaches into her pocket and takes out a small box. She throws it up to the roof of the house they were standing next too. Kokonoe grabs his shirt. "Brace yourself."

"For wh—?" before be could ask they started to fly up, the two landing right next to the box that Kokonoe threw. He started to pant, his face riddled with fear. "What…the fuck…was that…!?" she smirks. "Just a magnet I invented. I always gotta carry these things around just in case crap like this happens." Ragna groans and looks in the direction of the Christmas tree. They had a perfect sight of it from where they were.

The lights glimmering off the tree from the different kinds of decorations that hung from it. Ragna fixes himself and hangs his feet off the ledge, Kokonoe joining him and sitting down right next to him. They look at the fireworks being sent into the sky and exploding in a dazzling sparkle of lights. The fireworks explosions forming different faces and even ornaments on the large tree.

"So Kokonoe…feeling any better?" she sighs. "Yeah a bit. I feel much better then before, but still a little disappointed and bitter." He shrugs. "Well I'm sure you can handle that."

"Still, thanks for bringing me here. Definitely lighten my mood up. Thought I was gonna go all emo and depressed tonight on my way home." Kokonoe jokes. "Watch you go home and stay locked in you're room all day. Just…don't put on too much mascara." She groans. "I'm not going to do it you ass. Always riding me…"

"I should be saying that to you. Always on my ass." Ragna looks up to see them blasting the fireworks at rapid fire. Kokonoe looks up as well, looking at them all blow up almost simultaneously. They boasted the last few up as it spelled out "Merry Christmas" and "Happy New year". With that the whole crowd below started to go crazy. Jumping around, clapping, singing and dancing, conversations and laughs filled up the crowd.

Ragna gets up and stretches. "Well I guess that's it. You ready or you wanna stay?" she gets up and groans. "Na let's go. I think that's enough for one night." Kokonoe gets them down from the roof as the two start to make their way out if the Christmas festival and back to their own houses.

The night was cold, street lights turning on and illuminating their way through the quiet streets. A string breeze blew by them, the frosty chill slapping them both in the face. She felt as if the temperature dropped at least ten degrees. "Ok… S-So Ragna… Y-You got a-anything warm to drink?" Kokonoe shivers. He shakes his head. "I wish… It's not that bad out here though."

"How the hell are you not cold!?" He shrugs. "Dunno… Guess I just kinda got used to it while traveling with master Jubei." She sighs. "Of course… That makes sense…"

Ragna looks ahead to see her house coming into view. She groans in frustration. 'Already here!? Damn it I need to do something. I can't just end this here without at least…' she sighs. 'Oh man… I just can't work up the nerve…' They get closer and closer to her house, Kokonoe quickly running out of time. 'Come on Kokonoe…!'

Finally reaching their house Ragna turns to her. "Alright then Kokonoe. Guess I'll see you when I see you." He looks to see her with her head down and raises a brow. Just thinking about it, she's been awfully quiet for a while. He could barely see it, but he could see the red glow on her face. "Kokonoe?" she looks up and walks towards him. She was still quiet which worried him a bit. "Hey are you o—?" before he could finish she moves her head up and places her lips onto his.

His eyes widened, ready to pop out of his head. Her lips draped around his, smacking against his lips gently. After a short lip lock she lets him go, Ragna just staring at her, unable to talk. Kokonoe clears her throat. "Thanks for worrying about me... I…appreciate it.

"Sure… No problem." She shoots him a glare. "Don't you dare tell anyone about this! This is a secret between you and me you got that!?" He backs up a little and nods. "Y-Yeah of course!"

"Ok…" Kokonoe walks passed him and heads inside. She closes the door and exhales, feeling her heart rate skyrocket. "Holy shit… I really suck at shit like this…"

"Suck at what?" she jumps and looks to see Nine walking towards her. "N-Nothing!"

"You can't tell me nothing when your face is all red like that. Do you have a fever?" she decided to go along with it and nods. "Yeah I do! So I'm gonna go get so sleep!" she starts to walk passed her, but was stopped as Nine grabs her by the scarf. "Oh no you don't."

"Damn…" she groans.

"Now tell me what's wrong." Nine says more sternly.

"I told you… I have a fever." Nine just looks at her, Kokonoe turns around to see her glare going right through her. She gulps as sweat started to fall down her face. After a few minutes of her deadly gaze she sighs and releases her. "I guess it's personal so I won't pry anymore. If you're not telling me it has to be something embarrassing. Knowing you though…"

"No mother it's not that. I uh…need to ask you something though. Can we talk?" Nine just stares at her, a bit confused on how she was acting. First she wants to run upstairs and shut herself in her room and now she wants to sit down and chat? Honestly she was starting to get a little concerned. "Ok Kokonoe… So what is it?"

"Can we go in the kitchen?" Kokonoe asks. Nine says yes as the two walk into the kitchen. Kokonoe sits down at the table as Nine goes to the kettle and pours the steaming water into her cup. She stirs it around a few times and adds cups upon cups of sugar. Kokonoe asks for a cup of coffee as well as Nine pours in just as much sugar into hers that she did in her own.

Nine sets the two cups on the table. Kokonoe reaches for her own and chugs the whole thing down, Nine just watching her go. She sets the now empty cup back down and removes her coat and scarf, throwing them onto the back of the chair. Nine sits down and sips her coffee. "Alright talk to me. What is it?" she started to drink as Kokonoe began. "Well it's about…love." The moment she said that Nine's eyes shot open as she did a spit take. She pounded her chest and started to cough.

Getting herself under control she says in a shocked tone. "What!?"

"I want to know how to…have someone fall for me." Kokonoe explains.

"Ok… Wow just… Give me a minute… Sorry it's just that you've never really cared about love and even said you had no interest in getting married. I guess when you get older you change your views…" she nods. "Yeah I guess… I just don't know how to tackle the topic without falling apart."

"Wait… Is their someone you have a crush on now?" Nine asks.

"If I said yes…what would you say?" Kokonoe asks, her tone of voice much lighter then usual. "I'd ask for their home address so I could burn them to ashes!" Nine slams her cup onto the table. "Taking my daughters away from ME!? Hell no! Then you go off and the next thing I know your having kids with him!"

"Kids…"

"He would have you all night and then when you least expect it… BAM! You've got kids! Then you run away from home and go off and elope! Then—" she kept on rambling, Kokonoe couldn't hear a word she was saying and was off in her own little world. Just imaging it caused her face to turn crimson red. 'Me and him… Kids of our own…? That sounds…' she shakes her head. 'No what am I saying! But when he held me... He felt…so warm. If he was with me… I could have him… ' her brain started to leave her thoughts and head back to Nine. Kokonoe starting to hear her rambling again.

"All day and night! Eighteen kids and then I never get to see you all again! When I find the bastard I'm gonna carve him up and—!"

"Mother! Calm down a little…" she started to huff and puff a little. Calming down a little she asks in a more calming voice. "Ok then… So who is it?"

"It's uh… Um…" Kokonoe looked down and started to fiddle with her fingers. "Well he's… The person is… Someone you know…" she raises a brow. "Someone I know? Wait it isn't Kagura is it?" Kokonoe's eyes shoot open as she brings her hand down hard on the table. "Hell no! Me and that pervert!? I'd rather die then even think about that!?"

"Then who is it?" Nine asks.

"It might cause a problem between Celica and me if it gets out of control…" Kokonoe says. Nine started to tap her fingers on the table. "Hints huh? Ok so someone I know…and it could cause you and Celica…to fight?" she says in awe. "Wait a minute hold up. I don't think I've ever seen you two fight. About anything. How the hell… Ok who the hell is it? Now I'm curious." She sips her coffee and started to chug it down, finishing it. With a sigh she sets it down on the table. "Ok Kokonoe tell me. Just who is he?"

"It's…Ragna." Kokonoe says.

"Ragna… Wait…Ragna!?" her eyes widened. "You…ok what!? Oh man…" she started to rub her temples. "How the hell am I gonna deal with this…?" she started to calm down and assess the situation. "Ok so…you have a crush on him… Celica has a crush on him… Worst of all I can't give one person advice and leave the other hanging… Since Jubei isn't here I'm gonna have too… Wait actually it's a good thing he's not here to hear this."

"So mother…what should I do?" Nine folds her arms. "Let's see here… Knowing Ragna of all people… The only real advice I can give you for now is be yourself. I don't know just how much you like him and I don't want to push you."

"Well I kissed him before I got in here." Nine stares blankly at her. "You what?"

"Well he walked me here and I…didn't want to waste the moment…so I just…went for it." Nine nods in understanding. "So that's why your face was so red when you got in here… For now just try and act normal. Overreacting to this is gonna take up your time and make you go crazy. So for now, try and go at this with a leveled head."

"Alright. I'm gonna go to bed." Nine gives her a smile as she walks out. Once she left she let out a long sigh. "Things just got really complicated… I'm in for one hell of a future with this…" she leans back on the chair and looks at a picture frame on the shelf. She glares at it and pulls the chair back. She walks over to the small picture frame and picks it up. "This feels like so long ago…" The picture had three girls in it. One of them was Nine when she was smaller, the others were her sisters when they were smaller.

"Celia… Akahana… Just what is going through you're heads right now?"

Celia sits at her computer. Her hands moving at godspeeds on the keys. Lambda was floating inside of a tube in front of her. Her status came up on the screen as Celia carefully checked it over, reading every single one and paying carefully detail to one status in particular. "The Idea Engine synchronization seems to be working just fine. I've already had a few test runs and it seems to be working without any hitches."

She clicks a button as the water in the tube started to drain out. With the water finally drained, the door of the tube opens as a naked Lambda walks out. Celia tells her to put on her clothes as she does just that. Something was bothering her however. The way Lambda was acting was a little odd.

She's been like this ever since she got back. Celia knew she erased the data of that mission because she encountered a certain someone, but it seems to be still troubling her. Celia questions if maybe the memory of him is imbedded so deep in her psyche it maybe almost impossible to erase him for good.

Lambda finishes dressing herself and begins to make her way out the door. She was stopped however and looked to see Celia holding her arm. "Yes master Celia? What is it?"

"I'd like to ask you that Lambda. You've been acting a little strange lately. Are you ok?" Lambda looks down, her expression turning to a mixture of not only sadness, but confusion. "I don't know… Everytime I hear this name… I feel so happy and yet sad at the same time."

"Who's name?" Celia asks, even though she knew who. "Someone named Ragna… I think he's someone very dear to me, but he's somewhere far away. I…think I miss him. And I want to be by his side."

Celia couldn't help but feel a little bad for her. Ok maybe not a little, more like felt really bad for her. She felt the guilt she had in her heart about to burst it at the seams. "Lambda…" Celia takes her shoulders and brings her in for a warm hug. "Professor Celia? What's wrong?"

"I know me saying sorry won't fix this… When this is over you can have you're revenge on me. You can even kill me if you want. But all I'm asking…is that you put up with me for just a little longer Lambda." She didn't understand why she seemed so hurt. Lambda just stays there, wrapped in her warm embrace. "Master Celia… Can you please tell me why you seem so sad all the time?"

"Sad huh… Yeah I guess I don't mind sharing a bit of my past with you." Celia starts. "I have a family… At least…I used to have one. I was the youngest out of three girls. Their names were Konoe and Akahana. Our mother died early so it was just us and our father. However growing up…we found something out about him."

"What was it?" Lambda asks.

"The bastard didn't care about us at all… He just wanted to use us for his research and his research ended up killing him. With that we were all alone." She continues, Lambda paying close attention to her words. "We tried our best, but we were just kids, barely even out of elementary school. It wasn't all bad though. We had each other and learning to live by ourselves taught us to really treasure one another. It was nice…"

"What happened to them?" Lambda asks.

"My sister, Konoe, got tangled up into a big mess later in her life, a mess that I shouldn't have gotten involved in. It caused her to be more attentive to that then to me. You could say I got a little jealous so I wanted to help, but all I did was make it worse. As for Akahana, she just left one day. She had a strange look in her eyes that just didn't seem like her." Celia says.

"Did you ever find them again or talk to them?" she asks her.

"I did…at least to Konoe. Akahana I haven't talked to in years, but I know what she's up too. As for Konoe, she has a family right now with someone named Jubei. They worked together and eventually fell in love. I used to visit them every so often and talk with Nine. But I was a different person then… Hell…I'm the same now. Guess I took after my father." Celia chuckles.

"A different person?" Celia started to rub the back of her head and continued. "Yeah I guess… I cared about nothing but my research. I even studied my own nieces for research material. Then one day…I crossed the line from crazy…to plain inhumane."

"What did you do?" Lambda asks. Celia was a little hesitant to answer her, but did so anyway. "A boy, brought by Jubei, came to their home one day. That day I was spending sometime there. I noticed something strange about him and wanted to see what it was. So to do that…I kidnapped him. I performed various tests on him… God knows how many times he screamed. But I didn't care. All I cared for was results."

"Is he still alive?" she nods. "He is… It didn't take long for Jubei and Konoe to find us. After that mistake…on that day… I lost the one person… That I could call family. Now I'm all alone…all because of my own selfishness. I deserve it… The amount of blood I have on my hands… How the hell can I call myself human."

"Scanning… Scanning… Scan complete. Name is, Celia A. Mercury. Race is, human." Lambda continues. "I think you are human. My scanners are indicating that. Unless my scanners are malfunctioning then you are indeed human."

"Then you're scanners are definitely in need of some fixing." Celia chuckles.

"Master Celica… Do you want to make up with them? To see you're family and the people you care about?" Lambda asks. "I do… That's why I'm doing this. That's also why I know you're going to hate me when everything comes to light. So for now, please just put up with me for a little longer."

"Master Celia… You're doing this for you're family?" she nods. "I want to think that's why…"

"Do you know… I had a dream last night. I saw two girls that looked like me…and one boy that was with us. It was a little hazzy, but he was always so nice to us. That boy…I think that was Ragna. I want to see him again… I want to see them all again. Ragna…and my family… I want to see them. I dream of that day…" Lambda continues. "Professor Celia. What do you dream about?"

"Dream huh… Lambda. You know theirs something out there called the Azure. It can create the world you desire, if it thinks you're worthy of it. If I could get it…my wish…no…my "dream"…" she continues, tightening her grip on Lambda. "Is to set things right and talk to them… All I want is my family back… Is that…so hard?" she started to shake, Lambda feels something drop onto her cheeks and looks up to see tears falling down her eyes. "All I want… The only thing I've wanted is to be with my family… Instead what do I do? I put them in danger…! What kind of sister am I damn it!"

She started to fall down to her knees, Lambda falling with her and holding her. Her voice was trembling as she wept softly. "What…kind of sister…am I?" Lambda started to rub her hand on her back. She didn't know why, but she understood what she was going through. "I just want my family back… I want…to be able to talk to them… To smile with them! To laugh with them! Why!? Why couldn't it of just stayed like that!? Why did I have to drive them away damn it! Why!?"

"Professor Celia… I will complete my tasks… To the best of my ability." She got no answer and just louder weeps. Celia's head moved down to Lambda's chest. She could feel her top starting to get wet, her tears running down her face and flowing faster as she cried. Lambda rubbing the back of her head to comfort her, gently stroking her hair.

"I swear I will."

Hakumen walks through the city. Some people were eyeing him, but he just ignored them all. He turns a corner and stops in his track. "A great number of souls have just vanished. Yuuki Terumi… What are you plotting." He places a hand on the hilt of his blade. "Come out."

"Oh my. Aren't you violent." Hakumen turns around to see a man dressed in a pink komono walking over to him. "Observer… What are you doing here?"

"A major event is about to be played here. This event will tip the scales into the victors scales by a considerable rate. I'm just here to observe and nothing more." Hakumen takes his hand off his blade. "I must ask you something… Why did you answer my call?"

"I know just how important this is. The world's balance has been shifted by a considerable amount. If it is shifted any further, the world will start to fall apart." Amane says, his tone turning from his normally energetic and playful way of taking to a more stern and serious tone. "If they fail… Terumi is one step closer to the gate."

"I am aware of the stakes." Hakumen says.

"You are huh? Well what do you plan to do?" He turns around. "What I must and nothing more." He starts to walk away, leaving Amane alone with a small smile on his face. "The six heroes… They really are an odd bunch aren't they Izanami." Amane looks up to see her floating above him. She descends down to him. "I suppose so. However, you do feel that don't you?"

"I do." Amane looks at the NOL building. "It's the reason I'm here."

"If they succeed, it will be their victory." Izanami says.

"I'm aware of that. If the sword really is forged, then the master unit is as good as dead." Amane says. He stops for a bit as a small smirk comes across his face. "But I don't think we have much to worry about…"

"You seem to be putting a lot of faith into them." Izanami says.

"Those two are needed for this world to even have a fighting chance. Especially him." She folds her arms. "You speak of Ragna the Bloodedge. What if he brings calamity? What then observer?"

"Then I guess that's the way the world wants to go. But there are infinite possibilities in this world and I believe that they will choose the right one and pave the way for a brand new future. Not just Ragna the Bloodedge and Jin Kisaragi. All of them have just as good a chance as anyone to build a new future." Amane smiles. "Remember… The "stories" ending isn't set in stone. Not yet."

"To rely on possibility… You truly are an odd observer. I shall see what you plan to do as an observer… Uzume…" With that she disappears, Amane just chuckles to himself. "Uzume huh? I thought I abandoned that name… Oh well." He opens his umbrella and puts it over his head, leaning the sick on his shoulder and looking up at the sky. "I look forward to this fabulous dance. Do not disappoint. Ragna the Bloodedge."

Terumi looks down from the city from the altar and sighs. "Man I hate this time of year… Another year and this world is still here… It sucks ass…" A wide smile them at stretched from each ear was planted on his face. "Soon… Very soon… This world is going to taste true despair." He started to chuckle, which turned to snickers and then uncontrollable laughter. "This boring shitty world is going to come an end! This "story" is going to come to an end! With the stories end, a story will be written within it's blank pages! A tale of despair, fear and war!" he laughs.

"Destruction! War! Bloodshed! Hatred! Chaos will consume this world! Her divine blade will burn this shitty world to the fucking ground! Oh man this is gonna be amazing!" he opens his eyes, his venomous glare looking down onto the city. "It's time I bring this disgusting little "dream" to an end." he starts to laugh again, his breathing becoming more erratic as he took short breaks to catch his breaths in between laughs.

"Merry Christmas! And have a happy fucking new year! Hahaha… Hahahaha!"

That's it for this chapter. Not much story progression, but the next chapter will be continuing the story. Like always review and tell me what's up and as Terumi nicely put it, I wish you all a great new year and a Merry Christmas! Here's the preview for the next chapter:

Nine: Akahana… What are you doing here?

Jin: That strange sensation… It feels as like…the world is…shifting.

Ragna: Jin… You did it…?

Makoto: No way…!

Rachel: If they are able to forge the blade…!

Kagura: I can't believe it… Jin you really…

Jin: I'm the one… Who killed him.

Terumi: How about I show you… What true despair is…

Noel: I don't want this! I don't want this world!

Saya: This won't be the end! Noel I'm coming for you!

Next Chapter 17: Sword of doom