Author's Note: I didn't forget about the whole "having days within days" thing I mentioned a few chapters back. Not at all...heh. LOOK OVER THERE! We're venturing into the territory of OOC for some of the characters that are going to be introduced. Hakumen, you know by now, is one of those characters.

Day 21

With a moan, Ragna's eyes opened to the blindingly bright light of the living room. The balcony doors were directly in front of him, and the sun had chosen to give him a finger of monumental proportions by shining directly into his drooping, tired eyes. He got heavily to his feet and shuffled into the kitchen. As he waited for a cup of water for very strong tea to boil, he realized that it was unusually quiet in the apartment. "Hey? Nu? Lambda? Noel? Anyone home?" he called out. No response came. He shrugged and reached for the cabinet where he kept the tea and noticed a note was stuck to it. Neat, rigid and ostensibly feminine handwriting was on it. As he made his tea, he read the note aloud.

"Dear Ragna,

Noel, Nu and I have vacated the apartment for the morning to let you sleep in peace and get better. I was worried; I've heard you can choke to death in your sleep if you vomit, but you were fine this morning when we left, so all is well. We'll be out until sometime in the mid-afternoon. Meet us in Orient Town if you're feeling well enough for dinner.

With love, Lambda

P.S. The door is in bad shape; Nu wasn't interested in leaving you here alone and was a bit more…vocal in her protests."

Ragna looked over at the door. It was full of thin holes and partially off of its hinges. He took a sip of tea and then pointed his cup at the door. "Later," he said simply. He massaged his temples; his head was killing him. 'Could be worse,' he thought wryly, 'At least I can remember everything.'

Day 20

It seemed that each time he saw it, Ragna more completely comprehended why Noel's clothes were backless: the view was amazing. His hands held her hips as she slid rapidly up and down his shaft, her moans in rhythm with their lovemaking. Feeling he was nearing the end of his rope, Ragna began to bring Noel down with increasing force and speed; the spike in the pitch and volume of voice left no doubt in his mind that this was not unwelcome. Then, at the apex of sexual release, the door to his room flew open. A white, nailed foot had kicked it down.

"Whoa!" said a voice from outside, "Damn, sorry, I didn't know!"

Ragna stared over Noel's bare shoulders at the door, dumbfounded. That foot and the shin it was attached to had eyes. His eye twitching, he shouted angrily, "WHAT THE FUCK. HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF KNOCKING?" He lifted Noel off and set her aside on the bed. "Get dressed, or shower, or whatever," he added in undertone. He grabbed his jacket and threw it over himself, buttoning it to cover up. He stomped angrily into the living room to see a rather embarrassed looking Hakumen determinedly reading a large and dull looking book entitled, "Murokumo Unit Maintenance: Lambda Edition".

Hakumen slowly turned his head and said in a falsely cheery voice, "Ragna! There you are. Interesting book you've got here, have you read it all?" Ragna stared at Hakumen, his features painted with rage. "Uh, I guess not."

"Why. Are. You. Here," muttered Ragna dangerously.

Hakumen snapped his fingers and set the book aside. "Right, I was going to ask you something," he said, "I'm heading off to a bar right now. Tager will probably be there. I was interested in knowing if you wanted to come along."

Ragna was so surprised he forgot to look demonic. "What? A bar? I'm not much of a drinker Hakumen," he replied uneasily. He still couldn't fathom the fact that Hakumen had no interest in killing him…for the moment anyway.

Hakumen put his arm around Ragna's shoulder. "Come on now, Ragna," he said bracingly, "The misses can do without their husband for a night." Without another word, he marched Ragna towards the door.

"Hey! Asshole! I need to get dressed first!" said Ragna hotly. He broke free from Hakumen's grip and walked into his room. He stomped inside; Noel was holding the covers to bed over her chest.

"What's going on Ragna?" she asked timidly.

"Huh? Just going to a bar…with Hakumen," said Ragna. The words sounded odd coming out of his mouth. 'Never thought I'd say something like that,' he thought. He dressed quickly and gave Noel a swift kiss. "Well, off I go." He went back to the living room; Hakumen was waiting outside the front door. "Hang on." He excused himself from Lambda and Nu (Nu was quick to whisper a simultaneously terrifying and sensual threat into his ear about avoiding other women).

As the two walked off into one of the lower levels of Kagutsuchi, Ragna asked Hakumen why he was going to a bar in the first place. "Just to…relax? There's not really a real reason…" responded Hakumen, "I mean, does there really need to be? If you're worried about something though, there isn't anything up. I'm also pretty sure those three can take care of themselves."

"That wasn't what I was worried about," replied Ragna. Hakumen stopped walking and gestured to a door. They had arrived. Inside, Ragna found the bar to be…bland at best. Everything was wood-grained and stained the exact same way: dark, but the bar itself was at least well lit and the smell of smoke hung only faintly in the air. Seated on no less than six or seven stools was Tager.

"So, Hakumen and Mr. Reaper," greeted Tager, taking notice of them, "What's the occasion?"

Hakumen waved off the comment. "Nothing at all Tager," he replied, "Just out for the night." He beckoned the barkeep. It was Arakune of all people.

"Hey, Hakumen, what'll it be? The usual?" he asked in a mild tone. Hakumen nodded and held up two fingers, then gestured at Ragna. "Alright!" Horrifyingly discolored bones emerged from his shapeless black form and began filling two steins with amber liquid. He placed them in front of the two and with a flourish said, "Enjoy."

Ragna stared at Arakune and then looked down at the stein. 'It's not even worth getting worked up about at this point,' he thought miserably, 'I think coming to a bar was either the best or worst thing I've agreed to yet.' He picked up the mug and drank deeply from it; it tasted god awful, but he figured after a few more mugs that would hardly make a difference.

"So Tager, how's life at the lab?" asked Hakumen.

"Yeah, what is Kokonoe up to anyway?" chimed in Arakune.

"Oh," said Tager, taken by surprise, "Not much. She's still her irritable, sardonic self. A bit peeved…well, very peeved at you, Ragna." Ragna looked over his stein at Tager and set it down.

"For…what?" he asked, "I haven't done shit. I fucking work for you guys. More or less anyway. For fuck's sake," he held up his left arm, "I owe her a damned favor. As much as I'd rather not."

Tager sighed in a sympathetic sort of way. "Yes, I know that, and believe me, she knows it too, but she's upset that you haven't brought Lambda in once since she started living with you. She's…interested in what changes she's made since she's been with you."

Ragna spluttered, sending ale everywhere. With a "tut-tut" noise, Arakune quickly set about cleaning the bar. "What the hell is she interested in? I haven't done anything that interesting with Lambda at all! Fuck, I haven't even read the stupid manual she gave me!"

Hakumen chuckled. "I'm sure you've done plenty of interesting things with Lambda," he mumbled over his mug. He took a sip and set the mug down. "With everyone in that household really."

Ragna looked away; he could he feel the edges of his cheeks growing warmer. "Like that's any of your damned business," he said irritably. Anger rising, he continued, "Actually, that reminds me! You owe me a door asshole! You can't just kick shit down when you want to! The thing was fucking locked! Why didn't you wait or knock or SOMETHING?"

Hakumen began to laugh in earnest. "Sorry, I just wanted to mess with you," he gasped between laughs, "Just for a goof. I'll pay you back for the door."

Ragna muttered irritably into his mug and drained the rest of it. "You better, asshole." He wiped his mouth. Arakune picked up the mug and gestured if he wanted more. After a moment's contemplation, Ragna nodded, and a fresh, foaming mug of ale was sitting in front of him.

Tager scratched his nose absently. "Right," he continued, "As I was saying Ragna, Kokonoe has some interest in how Lambda has developed since she's been living with you. Psychological evaluations are her primary interest, such as emotional development. She's also interested in how much she's advanced in coming to terms with her past in favor of enjoying the present."

Ragna almost scoffed. "Heh; it's Lambda, so I won't be a sarcastic dick about it Tager; there is some baggage there, but given how she acts in…situations… I'd say she's well on the road to recovery…" A pastiche of images flashed through Ragna's brain, all of them involving either Lambda making love to him or otherwise being affectionate.

Tager nodded. "What about Noel?" interjected Hakumen, "I'm rather interested in the Child of the Azure…"

Ragna stared at Hakumen. "Hakumen: the eighteenth century or the twenty-third century-pick one," he said shortly.

"Why does that ring a bizarre bell?" asked Tager.

Hakumen waved off the comment. "Just explain Ragna," he said.

"Uh. Noel is fine. In fact…everything is fine. That's what bothers me. I mean...Terumi…Saya…the Amaterasu Master Unit…" Ragna paused and contemplated his ale; suddenly, he perked up. "Tager! You might be able to explain this-Lambda and Nu…how are they both…"

"Ragna, I'm not talking about that marginally important stuff!" interrupted Hakumen, "I'm talking about the important stuff."

"What? What the hell could be more important…" began Ragna.

"I think he's interested in her unmentionables Rags," said a voice.

Ragna spun on his stool and drew his sword. "Again? Don't you have other shit to do? Like...anything at all else to do? Even if it is evil? I mean…for fuck's sake Terumi!"

Hazama grinned and sat down at the bar. "Don't get so angry now," he said calmly, "I'm here for a drink, just like the rest of you." Hazama gestured to Arakune. "The usual, but twice as strong." Arakune set a glass down in front of Hazama a moment later. It was smoking.

"What the hell is that?" asked Ragna, wide-eyed. "You're going to…drink that?" Hazama merely smiled and took a sip. "Dear God…"

Hazama smacked his lips in a satisfied sort of way. "Nice job Arakune," he said, "Way to make sure tomorrow is a delightfully hazy mess." Arakune gave him a thumbs up.

Ragana looked between the two. "What?" he asked.

"No need to worry," replied Arakune, "It's just a strong drink is all."

"How strong exactly?" asked Tager.

"You'll see soon enough," responded Arakune.

"Yes, you will," cut in Hazama, "Now, tell us Rags, you must be pretty smug eh? I wouldn't blame you."

Ragna was thoroughly confused. No one was angry at Hazama. Why? "Okay. First things first, why is…"

"No one angry at me?" finished Hazama, "Because this bar is neutral grounds. There's no antagonism or favoritism within its walls. It's an ancient ars magus that seems to have seeped into the very soil beneath this building. Anyone that tries to stir up trouble is immediately shot out of the bar through the roof. It's a rather…painful…experience."

Ragna sneered. "You would know wouldn't you?" he asked. To his surprise, Hazama nodded rather glumly. "Oh. Alright then…Second, what am I being smug about?"

Hazama shook his head in a condescending sort of way. "Really, Ragna? You saw Mu-12. You live with Noel. If what you say is to be believed, you fuck her on a regular basis. You should know above anyone what we're talking about," explained Hazama.

Ragna looked back and forth amongst everyone. "What the hell, you want me to explain my experiences?"

Hakumen nodded. "Yeah. It's what we always do," he responded.

"What? Why? Why the hell would I explain something…personal…to you guys?" asked Ragna incredulously.

"Well, personally speaking, I just like hearing these kinds of stories," explained Hakumen, "Plus, I want to know if their personalities flip. I can definitely see that happening to Nu. Then again, I can see an awful lot of things happening with Nu…" He shook his head as if to shake away a bothersome insect. "Many of them are pretty creepy…"

Ragna rubbed his temples in an agitated manner. "How about I not tell you guys what they're like in bed and we talk about something else?"

Hakumen put an arm around Ragna. "Aw, don't be a stick in the mud Ragna," he said jovially, "I'm sure you've got some interesting stories."

"Yeah, it's the rule for being a part of this social group," interjected Arakune.

"But I don't…" began Ragna.

"Of course you do!" cut Hakumen, "Now, who should you tell us about today?"

"I'm rather interested in Noel," smirked Hazama, "Mu wasn't much of a talker." With a disgusted look, Ragna turned away from Hazam.

"Don't I get a say in…" began Ragna again.

"Of course not!" responded Hakumen cheerily, "Well, I'm interested in what goes on with Nu. Even if it is a little creepy…"

"Personally, I think any information I can gather on Lambda for Kokonoe would be best," said Tager evenly.

"How about a quick game of rock-paper-scissors to decide who the story is about?" asked Arakune.

"But I don't want to…" began Ragna futilely once more.

"Alright!" exclaimed Hazama, "ONE. TWO. THREE!" The moment the last number left his mouth, Hazama promptly collapsed forward onto the bar. With a shrug, Hakumen and Tager turned to each other and threw their choices. Hakumen chose scissors; Tager chose rock.

"Success!" exclaimed Tager, "Alright Mr. Grim Reaper, you've got no choice but to divulge more relevant information on Lambda's condition."

"Ah, but Tager, that wasn't what the game was for; we're here to listen to something more smutty and pointless," said Hakumen disappointedly, "Leave business for someplace else."

With a sigh Tager shrugged and drank deeply from his stein. "Hardly seems worth it to have beaten you in janken then Hakumen," he said glumly.

Hakumen nudged Ragna in the side and said, "So, go on. Sexy details please Black Beast."

With a loud belch, Tager cut across Hakumen and Ragna. "But Hakumen…hic….I won the game, I think Kokonoe would be pleased if I could return to the lab with…hic…some data to use," mumbled Tager drunkedly.

Ragna stared at Tager. Was he actually drunk? Suddenly, the entire bar seemed to enter a strange wobbling haze and he felt his body swaying; he hadn't noticed it, but he'd drunk his way through six or seven steins of ale. "I thought…I thought getting drunk…was a gradual process…" he said to Hakumen, his voice taking on a thick slur.

Hakumen stared at Ragna and tried to put his hand on his shoulder, but instead caught empty air. "I forgosh to meanshun…our metabolishms…they procesh alcohol differenshly…" he said with a thick lisp.

"G-god…damn it…" murmured Ragna. The entire bar was spinning now. Now tottering over in his stool, he turned to look at the passed out Hazama sitting next to him. With a shaky finger he mumbled, "Lucky bastard…"

"BUT WHY MUST MY GIGANTIC TAGER HAVE A ROCKET ATTACHED!" weeped Tager, "It's useless! Who the hell is interested in that kind of a terrible attachment?"

Hakumen clumsily patted Tager on the shoulder while sloppily drinking from his stein. "Ahh…ish okay buddy, I'm shure Kokonoe had a reashon," mumbled Hakumen bracingly, "Maybe shhhhhhhhhhhe likesh you."

Tager shakily wiped his eyes. "She's…hic…five feet something Hakumen…hic…I'd break her," he responded, swaying very visibly in his chair now, "Besides…hic…no one wants a monster like me…"

"Ahhhhh, don't say that Tager," blurted out Ragna without thinking, "Look at me. I'm the damn…damned Grim Reaper…" Ragna fell forward onto the bar, clinging to it for support and in hopes of keeping the room from spinning, "And I'm doing...okay for myself."

Tager nodded glumly and drank what might have been his fourteenth or so stein of ale. "Maybe…hic…maybe you're right…" he said resignedly.

"Come on," said Ragna, reaching over to Tager and falling flat onto Hakumen's lap, "I know what…what'll cheer…cheer you up."

"What…hic…will?" asked Tager, gazing unfocusedly at Ragna.

"There's this…this…song that Noel sings sometimes…around…around the house…" said Ragna, struggling to get his tongue to form words, "How…how's it go? Uh…" He hummed the tune… "I…I remember now…Owari naki sekai ni hitori umareta…"

Hakumen gave a thick chuckle, "I know thash shhhhhong…Ada…Ada shings it too. It goesh…Oto mo naku kodou ga nami wo uchidasu no."

Ragna laughed and got up, tottering dangerously on his stool, "You can't…can't carry a tune to sa…save your life Hakumen."

With a small grin, Tager gave Hakumen a massive pat on the back; his stool broke into pieces. "Thank..hic…you, both of you," he said with significantly more cheer. From the floor Hakumen gave him a shaky thumbs up.

Ragna lost track of time in the laughter and drunken singing, particularly around three a.m. when Bang showed up singing "Omae no Tettsui ni Kugi wo Ute" at the top of his lungs. When asked about why he was singing that song, Bang responded by bursting into tears. Through his drunken, thick sobs, Ragna could only make out the word "Litchi".

Day 21

Ragna shook his head. It was still pounding. He looked about. He was in Orient Town, and it was about 4 p.m. Lambda, Noel and Nu were nowhere in sight. Without warning, he felt something soft collide with his back as legs and arms wound themselves around his body. Ragna smirked in spite of himself. "Hi Nu," he said.

With a squeal of happiness Nu kissed Ragna happily on the cheek. "Nu is happy to see you," she said cheerily. Ragna turned around and saw Lambda and Noel looking rather exasperated and jogging up to the two.

"Damn it Nu, did you have to run?" asked Noel.

"How are you feeling Ragna?" asked Lambda quietly.

"Huh?" responded Ragna, "Oh, just fine actually. My head hurts and what not, but at least I'm not puking everywhere." He looked to his left, where Nu was busy rubbing her cheek against his. "Nu, you're helping me fix the door."

"What? But why Ragna?" asked Nu, her face falling.

"Because it's full of fucking holes!" he said, his temper flaring, "Honestly, why the fuck can't we keep normal doors in the house? Something always has to happen to them!"

Nu frowned and nodded. "Nu is sorry Ragna…"

"Whatever, let's go eat…" he said, shaking his head.

GAG ENDING!

Hakumen gagged and clawed at his mask. Nearby, Ada stood, laughing heartily. "Are you alright dear?" she asked amusedly.

"THROWING UP WHILE WEARING A MASK IS A TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE FEELING!" screamed Hakumen, "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, GET IT OFF!"

Hazama woke up at the bar and looked blearily around. "Where the hell am I?" he asked quietly. Dazedly, he walked outside and beamed at the sight before him: an entire pile of boiled eggs. Gleefully, he jumped into it and began rolling merrily around in them. "YES! YES! YES!"

Onlookers stared with confusion and fright; a creepy man in a dark suit was rolling about in a pile of trash…

Tager stomped into Kokonoe's office. With an irritated sigh, Kokonoe turned about and looked at Tager haughtily. "What do you want Tager? I'm busy?"

With a mighty flex and pelvic thrust Tager shouted, "Kokonoe! It's time we test out the capabilities of my GIGANTIC TAGER!"

And so this couple learned Kokonoe is incredibly sturdy.

Holy crap, that took forever to write. Sorry for the delay I've been astoundingly busy and suffering from writer's block. I'm on spring break for a week, hopefully I'll update just a teeny bit faster now. Or maybe not…Until next time!