A/N: A bit of doing since the last chapter has brought about a rise in a good idea. Let us unveil how training is going for our pair of Kakas. What will come of the results of such deep impact training? Greatness is the idea! Let's witness together, how they come forth in one fell swoop.

(End A/N)

Chapter VII: The Spirit of the Kaka

With Marinkaka things had been tense since she realized that she was herself being hunted. Her employer had sent a number of people after her in order to 'clean up the mess', as one of her victims told her. It wasn't that hard for her to get one of their scouts and bleed him out to get him to talk. Wasting no time with the realization hitting her, Marin took her chances deep in Kagutsuschi's Industrial area. Presently hiding on the second floor of an old factory building that was maintained by Ars Magus and the occasional maintenance team sent in, while not luxury it did allow her to lay low. Though she had caught the signs of irritation in her benefactor's voice, she didn't expect such a quick response of clean up.

"Stupid bastard, I warned him about this quick response, about double crossing me. Because I'm pissed off." Marin's tone only helped to indicate such, as did her whipping tail.

First she had to establish a basis of action, like how she was going to deal with the hit squad. Based on her intel she was dealing with at least 5, a group of cleaners who came in and cleansed an area. She'd have to watch her back, better than she normally did on part of their skills and equipment. Then she'd have to pick them off either in pairs or one at a time. she knew that there were those who were better at hits and those better at cleaning in a squad of five, it was only natural.

Though she didn't know who they'd send in to test her and this meant that she had to prepare carefully, as she couldn't reveal what her specialty was through her kills. This meant that her favorite types of torment and quick finishes were not to be allowed. At least not until she got to the leader and even then all of this was going to have to be methodically planned. She was being taken further away from her original goal.

"Tch. Little Kaka boy, you'll have to wait for me a little longer...Big sis has to play with some dopey idiots trying to make a buck." Marin was not happy with that fact either, she had been tracking Kageo and making plans to attack his little encampment. Even with three of them, she thought abduction wasn't out of the question during one of their exercises.

Now she was really going to have to focus on her own survival, well at least it wouldn't prove to be boring. As she imagined that he'd paid some first class group to come in and clean up after her and nab Kageo, no atter the cost as it were. Though she wanted her employer dead...it would be better to hurt him through his assets first. He had only so much of the family fortune to spend before they started questioning what he was blowing it on. his plans would be exposed if he went too far and that was one thing that she looked forever up to as a plan.

"So...round 1 hit squad, our little cat and mouse games begin." Marin said this with a slight smirk, surprisingly unafraid of the odds, despite them being stacked against her. She knew from the fee she was paid that the benefactor had deep pockets. The game was on and she was ready, that was a strong suit for her and she'd play it accordingly.

-With Kageo and Tao, in the Training Grounds-

Going off for training had been a really bad idea in Tao's mind. Though they were playing games, they were ones that made Tao think more. Sure she could do it, but she didn't want to do it all this much. At least it wasn't boring and they were getting to play with Tora a lot now, her and Kageo were often teamed up against her. At least she was with her best friend, as there was no way they could lose!

Still the Kaka was presently kicking her feet while bored, they had just finished another game of hide and seek and they were going to clash with Tora once again. Though they were hiding, her and Kage had been in the woods, in the hollow of a tree right now. Tora was the seeker for once and it was a long lasting game, it had been a whole 10 minutes since they'd been hiding! Tao was bored and thus she turned to Kageo in order to get his attention. He could solve her boredom, that was for sure!

"Kaaagee, I'm bored, tell Tao something funny!" she said this in a low enough tone that Kageo didn't chastise her for talking aloud.

"Well Tao, how about this bark?" Kageo had prepared several distractions, this one in particular smelled like a bit of nip and he thought it might keep her busy.

"Bark? Give Tao! It smells reaaaallly good, mew.~" Tao said this suddenly very interested in the bark piece in his hand. She grabbed it once he held it out and started to investigate it.

To Kageo's fortune, it not only worked, but she was actively sniffing and nosing the piece of bark. It kept her mostly quiet, though the noises could give them away. Still 10 minutes was longer than any original time they'd been hiding over the past two weeks. Time was flying and they were learning to work as a unit. The two of them were reading into each other's actions and Kageo had found instinct speaking to him.

It was a silent language that his body knew instinctually, he was deftly aware of everything around them even now. His eyes were shut and he expanded his sensory feelings outside. Parts of his mind and that just natural sense of his could feel the falling leaves. Still though he had this new sense, he could barely catch Tora's movements. She was so adept at hiding from this sense, that it was just as bad as being blind.

Tao was nose deep in the bark when he heard the rustling. She had only a moment to respond though, as she dropped the bark and tumbled to avoid her sister's pinpoint kick. They were found out in around 12 minutes and 40 seconds, it was a new record at least. Tao turned on a dime and rushed her sister, with both claws sweeping in a rising cross slash. Though she hit nothing and felt Tora actually pressing a foot down on her shoulder and pushing off to leap higher into the tree's hollow base.

Kageo tumbled out of the hollow and had watched Tora kick down where he had been. Tao tried to tackle her sister and was again, leapt over. Tora made her way outside after bouncing off of the wall and headed out towards Kageo, as she knew that Tao would follow her. As Tora met Kageo's palm with a punch, she opened her opened palm and pushed inward against his guard; then pushed her palm outward and opened his defenses and lashed out with a second palm strike towards his chest. Kageo blocked the attack with his left forearm, though he was staggered by the force.

Tao came from overhead, having leapt into the air and while using her hang time; she propelled herself with a claw directed outward in a forward strike towards her sister. The speed of the attack finally had her meet success, as she felt an impact against her claw; it had been Tora's left claw sweeping across in an outward motion to catch the speedy attack. As she managed to meet her sister's attack with enough speed, once Tao began to fall towards the ground; Tora kicked at her waist with a wide arcing kick. The veteran warrior had only so much time, a her kick connected with Tao's torso and sent her towards the leaf covered ground; she'd parry Kageo's own jumping kick with her forearms being used to absorb the impact of his kick. Tora was smiling mentally at the success of her lessons, the two looked for openings and moved in without need for a word or even visual cues.

As she avoided an incoming attacks from the pair, she was gradually speeding up more by the moment. Taking no risks with taking a hit, since it was looking to be a harsh blow. Though she was finding that even her full skill was proving this to be a very difficult set of blows to avoid. In fact, she could sense it as she avoided a narrow slash of Tao's, that she'd be getting hit soon. Jumping back on her heel, she avoided another slash of her sister's claws, before blocking both claws with her own.

Then it happened, Tora was hit after another three passes. She took a slash, but despite the wound, she persisted and countered with a slash of her own. While she and Tao traded attacks, the use of seithr became more heavy: with blow after blow called in large amounts of seithr from the surrounding woods. Both Kageo and Tao were being dealt some heavy blows as well, with each having been slashed twice or more by Tora; with the final blows coming to pass the battle ended. There had been some success with teaching those present both how to hide and evade capture, before the skill of combat was tested again.

The successes gained over the two weeks had been extensive as the simplistic nature housed both elements for Tao and Kageo to pick up. They were all very easy to teach, easier than she had earlier when they started. This was the proof she hoped to witness, both unity and some gains in strength. They hadn't even gotten to the proper state of training: the strengthening aspect training. Still, they had room for much growth as long as it was possible for them to ascend this far.

"Brilliant...I think we'll move to the strength training tomorrow. For now let's retreat to the Kaka Hotspring for these wounds." Tora's idea was shared in sentiment.

It was something that both agreed with, as the pause in combat let them feel the pain. It was pretty harsh, bruising from the earlier conflicts. The day had been riddled with hide and go seek, then when they were found, a fight would break out. The whole exercise had gone on for over 13 hours, with breaks for eating and other things of that nature. But now the day long training was over and it would provide a bit of relief to those participants.

There was a loud sigh as Tao plopped onto her bottom on the ground. She was more tired than she'd ever been as playing today had really worn her out. The running around had been an incredible thing, it was intense and exciting. So at the mention of the hotsprings, she perked up since she always enjoyed time there. Tao eventually rose onto all four and stretched out, as if her tired spell disappeared completely.

"Tao can feeeel the hot water already, let's go!" The teenage kaka grabbed Kageo's wrist and started tugging him off.

"Gyah! W-Wait, Tao!" Kageo had been dragged off, pulled by Tao's surprising strength and momentum.

Eventually he regained his balance and caught himself in mid step. Still he managed to keep along with her once he was back on track, Torakaka followed closely. An amused smile rested across her features as she watched the two moving with haste. It was such a lovely thing to see, the connection of youth and friends who were slowly becoming more. She was utterly ecstatic as this was one of the few couples of young Kaka she'd seen forming.

-At the hotsprings-

Once the three had arrived at the springs, they headed to the changing rooms. It was a short matter of preparing for the time to relax and heal their wounds. The three had already changed into suitable bathing attire. The move had been a simple one for Tao, as she just tied up her bust and had gone in some shorts. It was surprisingly modest, but suitable for her and Tora. Kageo had taken up something similar in this case, shorts and shirtless. The three Kakas sat there and chatted about the battle they'd had, as today was very interesting.

It had been one of those long days of full training, and of the variety that Tao was getting used to. While she did complain, it never lasted, since Tora always made it worth her time. As the energetic Kaka sat next to her sister in the hot spring water, she'd given off a soft mewl of enjoyment. She always enjoyed the spring, the catnip in the water was great for the body also relaxing, and helping to heal the body in the same moment as well. She'd been promised meatbuns for her efforts, so there was no way that she wanted to do anything less other than enjoy the soak and then go straight to the part of eating the meal.

In his case, Kageo was thoroughly enjoying the soak and with eyes shut, he was basking more and less contemplating on aynthing. For once, his mind was quiet and the ease of the hot water soaking into his body, he no found no more or less of a reason to embrace the situation as it came to him. In this case, nearly falling to sleep in the hot water was a thing for him, at least until he felt a nudge against his side. With both eyes opening up in a lazy manner, he found Tao resting against his side pawing him with her hands.

"Hey Kage Kage, don't sleep! Stay awake, talk with Tao and Tora.~" the prodding from his best friend certainly got him up.

Tao didn't let up despite him reacting and being awake, she flopped over him partway and lazily lay against him. Sighing in her happiness with the new position, she looked back at Tora and decided to ask her sister something.

"Sooo sis! Cat person wanted you to train us, why again?" Tao asked since she naturally forgot, but had enough sense to ask her sister again.

"Cat person is hopeful that you two can help assure the success of our friends." Tora chose to be vague, though sticking to the truth. The path was very uncertain and she knew it, but that was why she was giving the pair the essential training.

"That's right, that's all I need to know, Tora. I can't thank you enough for helping me this far, just seeing what I didn't know about instinct...the world is so alive now for me." Kageo was truly grateful for the whole experience. The crash course in what was normal for all Kaka was still a shock to him, at least in the fact that he didn't receive it right away.

Tora gave a knowing smile and nodded, it was what she was asked to do by Jubei, as she knew that her sister and Kageo were going into serious territory during this next run. It was going to be a difficult place to be and their new skills would help them survive. As she soaked in the water and let her own mental woes melt away, she thought about getting in contact with Totokaka in order to inform her of the progress. Between that and the astounding pace that the two were growing together, only made her happier as her predictions were quite right. Tao just needed a little focus and with it, her potential was truly the greatest amongst the Kaka Clan thus far.

For Tao, she was by far happy and comfortable as she wished to be, good and close to her best friend and her sister within arm's reach, nothing beat this.

"Mew~, Tao could fall asleep riiight hereee..." Tao in fact did just that, shutting her eyes with her head resting along Kageo's shoulder, she started snoozing within moments.

Tora let off a soft giggle and then shook her head, that was her baby sister. Always so quick to find sleep as long as comfort was there, this was no different.

"I'm happy that you and Tao are so close, the two of you have really gotten better over this time together. You're getting closer and that will make you stronger together, never forget that. And a little advice for down the road, don't be afraid of what you see before you. It may be an illusion or truth, and when the time comes, you will know which." Tora's advice was enigmatic, and though Kageo nodded towards her, she was sure he didn't know what she was referring to.

She was sure that he'd get it later, as the wiser of the two, when it happened the advice might click in. Still as she judged the wounds along her body, it was about time for the remaining tests to happen. She figured that pressing the issue wasn't necessary, they were both getting to know what it meant to be close. Kageo was a little more timid than she had imagined, it was mixed in with good manners and that was still a pleasing trait of his. Torakaka imagined that Tao was going to be the one to pass his own limitations, as it was only nature when one liked another.

Having no regrets about her own life up till this point, seeing the next generation of warriors settle together brought her great hope. Their people were still in the proverbial shadow of life, but as long as they continued to struggle and fight hard, they would succeed. One day they would soon touch the light, as soon as they gathered the proper funds, they could move into the light of the sun. That was all the dream was for the clan now, to not be in the shadows a they had been for so very long. While Tora lingered in her thoughts and the younger kaka pair cuddled close, time marched on and before long a few hours had passed.

-Three Hours later-

After having soaked for the night, the group returned to their camp and had settled into their bunks for the night. As Tora left the two alone to their bunk for the evening after the three ate lots of meat buns, both Kageo and Tao were once again cuddled up and on their nightly resting position. Kageo was resting on the cot, propped up against a few pillows and idly nuzzling Tao's hair, nibbling at it on occasion. While Tao lay over his stomach and chest and lay there in a half sleepy daze. Today had been especially tiring and she was really worn out for a good reason, especially since Tora was singling her out a lot today for combat.

"Wow, Tao is beat! Tora-sis was all over us today, y'know? And when she knocked you out the way, then it was whoosh!" she made gestures with her hands, waving her sleeves around as she looked around.

"I couldn't agree more, every time I attempted to get involved, she just stopped me and pushed me aside. It was very frustrating for me, I can't say that I expected any less...I have much to learn." ever the humble student, Kageo knew he needed a lot more skill on his part. He recalled how easily Torakaka parried his every attack, the slight movements were slowly becoming more obvious to him. Her positioning and the sleight of hand on her part when it came to adjusting his direction.

It was a concept he knew well, as he developed something similar in his own R.C.T. combat form. Though he did realize he might be thinking about it too hard, Tora was serene during the movements and had a grace to her that was natural. It meant that she was trusting her body to know the response while she thought of something else. Kageo figured that was why he lost that particular clash, not even just skill or technique, but a natural understanding of what one's body may or may not be doing at one time. Though he wasn't left thinking for long as he felt Tao's gaze upon his face, which made him quite aware of the expression he wore on his features, and not long after he was meeting Tao's gaze.

"Hee...you always think so much Kageo, Tao knows why though. Kage Kage still doesn't know how to take it easy and stop thinking! You're still learning what it means to just be, instead of trying all that focus stuff all the time, meow." Tao's grasp of his persian flaw was quite good, it made him smile, as she said it without being too silly, as it was simply all true.

She traced one set of fingers along his chin and then leaned up and nuzzled his cheek. It was while looking upon his features that she strummed back some of his hair idly. That part in her stomach tickled at the feeling of just being close, but for tonight she didn't start too much with it. Tao wanted Kageo not to be afraid of it, she told herself that he wouldn't be after training. She knew that he was embracing instinct and she could wait a little bit for that, for all this silly friend of herself knew was that she liked him a lot and he returned that.

Another part of her felt sure that feeling went deeper than just liking and to a subject she was foreign to all together. She was going to find out with the time to explore it, with her best friend they could find out what all that lovely rubbing feeling and the pressing of lips did. Tao had never felt that fire before within her body, it was in the pit of her stomach and seemed to warm something a little lower to. But with no real grasp of what that was, she paid it no mind for now since her sister Tora and the Elder warned her to wait until she was absolutely sure that who she felt this way about felt as deeply as she did about it. During the training she began to realize there was a big difference between what she felt towards "Good Guy" and what began to define itself a bit more in Kageo.

"Meow~, Tao thinks we should sleep, I'm so tiiired." she'd yawn and then shut her eyes as she lay her face tucked into her best friend's neck.

"Me too Tao, I agree, let's sleep." as he felt her tucking herself against him, Kageo did the same and settled into a more comfortable pose for the night.

It hadn't taken long for Kageo to doze off moments after Tao, and for the young male Kaka, he could only be pleased with the comfort he had in Tao's closeness. Touching her excited him as much as kissing her did, but this was simply not the time for that. It would not do to give into carnal anything right now, the training was most important and he knew that they had only a week now of training. It was almost over and soon it would be time to settle into the real deal. As darkness fully claimed the pair and they slept deeply in each other's comfort, the clouds over the horizon spoke only of the trouble that lay ahead.

This was going to be the trial that tested everyone involved, as the events that lay before them would be without mercy. They were all going into a web of lies, deceit, and battle unyielding and all they would have is their training and one another. So the last moments of peaceful reprieve were at their end.

(End Chapter)

here we have the end of the chapter and the last chapter before we start to get into the unfolding events of Chronophantasma! I think it's going to be very telling, with how close our pair of Kaka will be during this event. Not just that! But the unveiling of someone that Kageo has yet to meet, What will he do with this? Wait and see in the next chapter!

Until then I bid you adieu!

-Quentix