A/N: Well in aim to keep the wait shorter between these, I've taken to writing a lot at once. The next chapter of a kaka's adventure continues where we left off, an energetic Taokaka dragging off Kageo towards his home base. What should be a simple trip often isn't, especially with a hyperactive Kaka on her way who is quick to forget...well let's see where we go!

Though a few terms first:

A.C.S.= Artifice Core System, an obsolete system of non-azure wielding energy that enhances the wielder's physiology, mental capabilities, and grants access to an experimental powersource known as 'Caeroule'; a scientific equation that weakly mimics the power of the Azure. Its properties while well studied are still somewhat unusual.

And that's it for now, let's take what we've learned and go ^^.

Chapter I: Enter the Kaka Clan

As Kageo caught his footing while Tao had dragged him quickly along the random street, thinking that she was headed towards this Sector place, when in truth her random directional choice ended up taking them somewhere towards Ronan-Gai, it was pretty fortunate for the male kaka to find that his fellow clanswoman had a terrible sense of direction and had grown bored. He hadn't really understood what exactly ran through her mind from time to time, she seemed to be determined to track something down and had no intention about letting her close friend go as of yet. Still the feline squirmed and attempted to find reason with the adamant teen kaka, hoping that he might evade serious trouble without mentioning her 'big sis' or 'tail lady'.

"Um, Tao don't you think we should split up to find this thing?"

"Why should we do that Kage Kage? We can find anything together!"

"Yes, but faster if we have two eyes looking in other directions?"

"Kage Kage's got a good idea there!"

This had him smile mentally, maybe she'd let him go then? He hoped to get to the lab and take only a scolding from the professor, he often hoped that she would not do more than that; but if she got mad that wouldn't happen. As he felt a weight on his chest suddenly, he yelped and fell back to the ground with Tao resting upon his chest, both of her paws resting on his chest while the look on her face was just the usual cheshire grin.

"But Tao likes this idea better! Being close to Kage Kage and playing.~" her sing-songy voice showing her amusement.

"We played earlier though Tao, before our second nap remember?"

"Annnd we can play again, though Tao doesn't know what yet."

The male kaka bit his lip and maintained a silent vigil for a moment to get himself free, for with Tao wiggling in his lap it was not helping any such cases. Unlike his friend, he was quite aware of the physiological differences between himself and Tao; who was most akin to a playful kitten. He was at the point of difficulty since he was looking at Tao in a way that only a hormonally driven boy would; even though he had better sense than to act on something so small minded. Still the bouncy kaka did not make it any easier on her friend through her actions, he would simply have to endure it. And that was going to prove for once, an inadequate response to her actions. As the grin only widened on Tao's face as she pawed at his chest.

"I know! Since Tao already has Kage pinned, then you can try to get up!"

A soft sigh rising from Kageo's lips came in result of her choice, the one game that he'd surprisingly lost despite all of the sense of tactical thinking that he actually possessed. None of it ever proved to be enough to outmaneuver Tao, whose instinct was just that good. But the game was already on, and the male kaka went to work, grabbing Tao's paws and rolling his waist to the left while shifting her to the right. The action managed to put the female kaka to his side while allowing him to roll away, even though she gave close chase and met him as he managed to get to his hands and knees. Just before making the move towards Tao, he'd met the energetic girl partway in midair. Though once again, she'd expertly pawed both of his shoulders and pushed him into the ground, to which way upon landing; he'd forced them into a side roll and pinned Tao down by her shoulders.

"Now the tables have turned!"

It was while he'd held her flat that she giggled madly and began to squirm, shifting her body from the left and then to the right, pressing back up against him with strength was incredible, it was to such a point that Kageo had enough trouble trying to hold her flat, when Tao's tail swatted his waist and made him jump; while she'd grabbed his waist and rolled him down to flatten him out against the ground. Pinning him and then sitting herself on his stomach.

"Meowhahaha! Not bad Kage Kage, but you lost!"

Though Tao's playful bouncing against his stomach wasn't helping, while the mood of playfulness was passing off for him, he was suddenly very aware of just how this was. It was obvious to him that she was oblivious to this and the effects on him, he'd took a move of desperation and tickled her wrists, before moving to roll her off of him, while he laid her flat on her back; it was only a few seconds that he'd held the pin before hopping backwards. He couldn't afford to meet one of his best friends in any light otherwise. He'd hardly figured it suitable, maybe the prospect would be decent after they'd both been older; but he knew that she had to do that on her own.

"What are ya thinkin' about, Kageo? You've been zonin' out the whole time since before! About 7 times during our game back there, heh you're so silly, meow!"

"Just stuff, I don't really focus much lest I have to."

"Nyao I don't think that, you get a deep look your eyes, Tao doesn't think you've been this bothered since a few weeks ago, mew."

Though realizing in that light that he'd been lacking a respect for Tao and the other kaka to a greater point, in one way flat out ignoring the depth at which they could read each other and the attention spans that he'd often mistaken for a lack of paying attention to details. It wasn't until a nuzzle to his cheek, stirred him from thinking too deeply again.

"Nyaha! Tao knew that Kage Kage's thinkin' about something! Sooo what is it? Tell Tao or suffer the consequences.~!"

Kageo blushed three shades of red and pulled back, preparing to draw back, he knew what Tao's consequences meant. Such a thing would expose him completely, he wouldn't be able to escape with Tao deciding that she had to know. He wasn't about to tell her, this would have been the worst idea amongst all worst ideas and he knew it. They'd played this game when they were younger and Kageo knew that Tao was not known for her mercy when tickling someone.

"A-Aww...come on Tao, do I have to? I-I mean, its embarrassing!" he'd pleaded with her, hoping there would be this moment that she'd have some kind of mercy in her.

"Nyo reason not to say it then, hee! Kage Kage's blushing! It must big!"

Did she have to say it that way? He'd tried hopping to her right and she met him there, with her grin wider than ever. Little more than her desire to break his guard and pin him flat until he talked, while the more intent feelings running through Kageo had been dreading the moment that she would try to grope him or something worse. While she'd done so with his chest, it was nothing that bad, he was fairly flat by comparison. Despite being well sculpted for his age, it was hardly enough to make him grope worthy, so she never bothered doing so more than that once. It helped him a great deal better, his heart had throbbed at the prospect of her pinning him again. Tao struck while he was in thought again, taking her friend down and once more managing to get him to his back. With only one saving grace on Kageo's side, the fact that his lower torso had been resting sideways. While Tao sat on his hip and looked down at him, her grin did not escape. She'd pawed his face and then sniffed at him, it had been something she missed earlier.

"Eh? Why does Kage Kage smell all musky?"

"Don't know what you mean...eh he, I gotta get up now!"

Managing to push Tao off of him, he'd gotten back to his feet and dusted himself off, the time to get going was right about the moment. It was only once he was free of his friend that he'd ended up mewing in surprise as he found himself spacially transferred from his standing position. It was something that happened on the spot, it was enough that the modified kaka actually had almost wondered what the cause was. At least until he'd heard a female clearing her throat, it was a straight reminder to him of just how much trouble he'd been in...the Professor was anything if not annoyed at him for taking so long.

"God Damn it, Kageo, why the hell do I have to teleport you back to the lab. Didn't I say, on the double, to your ass back here?!"

Cringing, the kaka's ears lowered and he cowered before her as he felt the glare only grow, even though it softened after a few moments. It was something Kokonoe hated that he could do, make her get a bit softer. While it was a pain in the ass, she knew also that he hadn't tried to keep her waiting; she knew full well that Taokaka was the reason why he was later than he needed to be.

"S-Sorry, Professor, I just...err...I was kind of..."

"I know, you were preoccupied with Tao, not like she isn't a hair brain, but she does love her playmates. And you two have been friends ever since I let you runabout on your own."

It was an almost jealous tone taken, more at the fact that she'd allowed him a lot more freedom as a kitten, more than she'd been allowed with the difficult turn that had come to her life. But she knew that he was always in a difficult position, being smart enough to know that he was a weapon, almost the property of Sector Seven...at least before he'd failed their tests. Keeping him out of the eyes of the council while making use of his status as a kaka had been useful to her so far. At least he wasn't too hapless like Taokaka, but he did manage to find himself into the most awkward of situations, time after time, she found. Kokonoe's nose curled up with a scent that she was vaguely aware of now and again, she would pay it no mind, since she'd already made the field agent of hers feel awkward and small enough as it was.

"At any rate, you know the drill, onto the table. We're gonna collect your battle data and information that you have gathered. I hope its a lot more useful than just screwing around with your friend back there." the statement again made him cringe, she'd grinned a little bit at the cringe. If anything, Kageo had an odd cuteness to him when flinching, he really hadn't done anything to piss her off so she wasn't actually mad.

This part of the process was perhaps the one thing that she almost hated, it was to see the pain on one creation that she had grown fond of since overseeing his raising. He trusted in her every word, had followed her missions with no questions, so very loyal to her cause. She witnessed that he was a lot more than just a tool, the moment that he'd told her he trusted in her. It was almost a bond similar to Tager; though far more child-like in the nature of his beliefs. It was exactly what made her want to take better care of where she sent him, since he would have marched to the death if she commanded him to. Would it be grudgingly? She was looking into this far too much, and by the time she'd finished thinking, the data collection was done. The numerous needles removing themselves from ports well hidden beneath flesh and skin. It was her subordinate's choice to allow the wounds to heal every time. But she imagined he liked to feel normal enough.

"Well at least you appear to have been doing your job, I've got quite a bit of data to look through."

"Is there anything else you require of me, Professor?"

That question surprised her, did he have plans to do something?

"What, you have a planned date or something, Kageo?"

The words made him blush, but he'd rapidly shook his head at her and had both sleeves up before his chest, while he looked up at her as if she'd said something that he perceived as impossible. Though he had given no words, she could still tell that he was thinking about something, but didn't voice it. She was well aware that he'd harbored a crush on her, it was a cute sentiment really, but she thought of it as nothing but a foolish pursuit. It was hard to consider what exactly his secret was. But she'd have to press him for more information at some point. But now wasn't the time for that, she would let it go and allow the kaka to retain a small degree of his modesty about what brought on his odd arousal; plus the plans that he was hiding from her as well.

"Your new mission is simple kid, I'll send you back to the kaka village, you're going to need to get some rest after the data gathering. You'd do best to actually hang around the Librarium chumps or some higher offices. Since I imagine your secrets are going to be a bitch to sift through. You don't fail my requests Kageo, just that not all of the secrets are remotely relevant to what I've been looking towards for the future."

Without another word, the bored pink-haired scientist had sent him off with the press of a button on her console, sending the kaka away with a warp. It was with a small sigh that she'd looked back to her screen. While she could've let the computer sort through the secrets, it would not have given her something that she was looking for without searching for specific keywords. It was through this method that she chose which allowed her to help keep others from trying to pry into her doings. She'd often been asked about details and the answer was always the same from her. 'There are none, so get the hell lost until I find something.' As Kokonoe considered her own personal thoughts about having the Sector looking in over her shoulder, it was just another technicality of the position she'd earned. Though she hated being monitored, it was to be expected when one had control of as many resources as she did.

-Back at Lost Town-

A confused Kageo found himself speaking to thin air, nothing but a few words uttered that did not seem to matter, it was enough that the kaka had passed something of a weak laugh off to himself about. Just before heading to his apartment, amidst the collection of old designed buildings that had lined Lost Town, the feline had taken one of the upstairs apartments as his own. Going inside after picking the lock with his seithr altered claw-tip, before going in and tidying up. It was a home of his own, just one more thing to remind him that while he'd become one of the Clan; still he was quite different from the majority of his brethren. It did finally seem that some things had calmed down. At least the kaka was going to be able to get some rest, the Professor had thought well of his needing them and sent him here. He was actually quite happy to do just that, to rest at home and be comfortable. While he'd felt that where he and Tao had left things at was odd, it was probably for the best.

Kageo headed into his apartment without another word, just remaining silent as he stepped in through the front door and nudged it closed with his hand. While the kaka was unsure of how he felt overall about things as they'd transgressed. Would it have been better to chase tail? He had thought about it in the past and long decided against it, he was above it; because he had to be above such things. He had seem human men and beastkin alike, they were such as the savage in the Librarius District where such carnality ran high. His mind lingered briefly on his last travel through the perilous region, had he been any less capable than he was, it would have been dangerous to travel through there. He was one to hear the varying answers of the same kind from the Village Elder and Kokonoe: male kakas were a rarity, if anyone figured out that he was, such would be the aim for grabbing him up strictly as a commodity.

While thoughts plagued his mind, the kaka had gone about his usual detail upon having any free time at home. He had placed his old kettle over the fireplace and lit it with a spark caused by his dragging a small piece of flint over one of his claws, having just enough burnable items to provide him with a tiny fire good enough to steam his water. A little bit of tea would do well to calm his nervous mind and help him to be rid of such gross thoughts. While he laid himself out on the old, but well kept couch that he had picked up some time ago, both of his red eyes glowered with mixed feelings as they toiled on the back burner of his mind. He seemed to wander across a few topics, straying far enough away from love while he bit his bottom lip. There was just a moment as he could've sworn that he'd heard something, it was enough for him to snap his attention back to the room.

"So...you're the secret that Sector Seven is using to gather intelligence?" The whispers coming from above, on a small beam in the center of the room, the words coming from someone that Kageo had not sensed, felt the presence of, nor heard initially. Who could have managed such a thing..?

"Who are you and how did you get in here?"

"Now now, does it really matter? I'm here and you should be more concerned for your safety."

This response drew only a small hiss and the cold response of an unsheathing of a twin set of glinting blue metallic claws, was the straight-forward respond that told of the male kaka's intentions of repelling his attack. That or capture if he could manage it.

"I beg to differ, entering a kaka's den is begging to be hurt, bad. That seems to be the fate you've chosen for yourself."

A giggle came from above as the shadow above drew a single weapon, something of a chained blade, where as from the shadows it was just visible in the dim light. Though it was the fact that no eyes were visible that annoyed Kageo, he could smell something that was oddly familiar; it explained why he didn't notice his guest. Finally did it come together, the reason why he didn't know she was there, was because she was one of his people.

"A kaka...but you play with little toys like that, its why you're going to lose."

"And you believing that your safe when you couldn't detect me, makes you the vulnerable one, meow."

"That mistake won't be made again, be you a tribe member or not, that advantage is gone. You have one last chance to make this smooth, tell me what your purpose is here and I may not need to get serious." His words followed by his nudging the couch forward with his heel, moving it so that he'd have some space to attack. He really didn't want to ruin his apartment.

"You sorely underestimate me, hee, but you are cute, mew~."

The teasing comment held no effect on his stance, he wouldn't be able to use his spear in this kind of setting, so his claws and hand to hand would have to do. It was the moment that he spied the fellow kaka's glowing red eyes that she'd disappeared from sight, it was perhaps in that instant he'd tried to focus on her that he caught visual of her around his back, with one arm wrapped around his neck and the pressure of a blade to his throat. Had she been that fast? It was not until he'd felt the breasts of his attack pressing into his back that he'd growled.

"Now what..? Such brave talk from someone who's at my mercy." her giggle broke out as she looked over his shoulder at his glaring eyes.

The teasing did not shake him, in fact, the kaka was already considering several options that he possessed. He could release a burst of caeroule and reveal one trump card that he'd possessed. Or he could use his tail to force her to move, it was a lot stronger due to his training; he was taking a gamble on the fact that she might not expect such a powerful limb. And his durability would come into play...as her blade wouldn't slit his throat in a single slide, he could count on being more solid than most other kakas and that was saying something.

"Aww, a little mewt aren't we? What's wrong...kaka got your tongue?"

"..."

"Heh, well maybe you should just do what I say and maybe I'll leave you alone.~"

"There is no information here, this is my private home and I possess nothing of value."

"Not to my employers, this is true, I should just kill you and be done with it, but..."

"There's nothing else to be had, but killing me is not so easy to achieve, assassin."

As her free hand came around his waist and hugged him firmly into her frame, she'd purred in his ear lightly, something that had annoyed the kaka. But she had not stopped there, her paw trailing down his stomach gently and reaching for his thigh. He'd finally snapped in reaction, grabbing her forearm and flipping her over his shoulder suddenly in reflex; something that while surprising did not throw her off. As his attacker simply pressed the blade into his neck more and threw herself into him, tackling him over and quickly making due with his ability to fight back by pinning him. She was now making sure that her breasts flattened into his chest through their jackets, while staring into his angry and defiant eyes.

"Now I've got you...why so timid?"

"Shut your mouth and get off of me the instant! I'll make you regret it otherwise!"

"I can shred your throat from this angle...my claws are quite sharp."

The words coming as she pressed her groin into Kageo's, while so sudden in its way, the small bite to his neck would show more of this cunning female's nature. Why he'd suddenly felt the power leave his physical body, it drew him off, while feeling her leg move between his closing knees; he'd panicked and tried to shove her off, just giving her more leverage. Her palm flatly pressing his left paw and letting the other slide around her side, while she secured that with her tail, she'd purred and flatly ground her hips into his. The mood had no place here and yet she was happy to let it rise. Though it seemed that her little male didn't agree with her, in fact as he managed to lurch a knee into her side and forced her to the side of the floor. Much to her annoyance, he was proving resistant upon realizing that she had no intention of actually slitting his throat.

"You can shred them like you could have ages ago, so why not just attack me already then? This pointless rubbing is annoying me."

"..Pointless? My my, you really are but a child aren't you?" clearly the male kaka had been planning on attacking her again, while her interests were in other aspects of his. This assassin was not one what would expect, but in the dimly lit house; her features were visible to her target.

As Kageo circled her, he chose not to engage just yet as he assessed the dangers of it. While the figures rolled around in his mind quickly, he was able to come to something of a fast conclusion: she outsped him, but his durability would prove to be in his favor. The kaka was considering his misfortune of having to study the advantages that this skilled assassin held. Though he wasn't one for understanding what she wanted from him, even if it was more just that he actively chose not to seek the understanding of.

As he raced in and thrust his left claw for her face, something that had been ducked beneath quickly, while he brought his knee up towards her face and midsection; the assassin grabbed his knee and swept his other foot outward and dropped the kaka to the ground. As he felt the impact of the floor, the assassin sat herself upon him and looked down at him; with something of a glossy look to her eyes. As she burrowed her right claw into the center of his groin, it was maybe three seconds of groping that she'd manage, until a very sudden shockwave emanated from his body. The blow had been quick enough to stun her and give Kageo a chance to jump to his feet and bring his right claw down on her. Something that she'd managed to block with both of her paws. The tables had turned and for the better as modified kaka attempted to press the claw to her throat. As he found that he was thrown back, a swift kick to the male kaka's waist made him stagger backwards and would allow the female to stand.

"Guh...tricky little thing...but that's as well, next time, you won't be so lucky." with a growl she'd leap out of the window that was just to her right. A clear moment of her shattering the glass to his window narrowly before she'd escape into the virtually abandoned street below. There was nothing but a bunch of red eyes looking around curiously. Several kittens awakened from their naps outside, while Kageo frowned, he imagined that his brief scrap had not gone unnoticed by the Professor.

Though he waited for some kind of reaction, he got none and this left him at least in some minor concern. Well it did not seem that his enemy was anywhere within the radius of his home. However he would feel several pounces against his side from several kittens.

"Whooa what happened to your house?"

"Why is Kage Kage's window broken?"

"Glass glass everywhere~, but Kage! we wanna sleep!"

As Kageo turned to his three visitors, Calikaka, Fiestykaka, and Rowdykaka, he'd patted their heads and then looked to the glass. He had to clean this up and close off the window before they'd go. It wasn't a really an option, his cleanly habits had always been one of those things he preferred to do. While the kittens had gone about doing various things: with Calikaka hanging on his back, to Fiestykaka checking if he had extra food in his pot, and Rowdykaka waiting on the bed impatiently. The teenage kaka was full of some laughter, despite having been attacked minutes ago. The kittens made his life a bit easier at some times and while he swept up the floor, the kittens eventually hopped onto his small bed and meowed all at once. As Kageo put his small take in front of the window space, so at least if anyone came through he'd hear it. They called to him, for his to come sleep!
"Hurry Hurry Kage! Let's sleep! We're tired, meow!"

"Alright alright, you silly kittens, I'm coming."

Yeah it was just another night for his life, it continuing strangely before regular life for him would return to normal, or rather as normal as that seemed that it could be. Kageo would join the kittens on his bed, while his face nestled into the cushion, it would be the comfort of having a small kitten pile upon and around him that lulled him to sleep.

(End Chapter)

A difficult and hard place already! I wanted to throw in some strange tension, a mysterious enemy, give a few small instances to help guide us all along this odd path of a lifestyle to chase. What happens next? We'll find out for our silly Kaka agent. Until then, adieu~!

-Quentix