A/N: A bit of time in between this and its previous chapter, it took me a while to find a decent time to start writing this. But I have a good base and platform, hopefully this means a jump in frequency! Life is a really big jumble some days, but I have not quit writing. That much remains a stable thing in my life, to all my readers: worry not, even if it takes time these will continue to come out!

But now, it is time to move onto the upcoming chapter!

Terms to know:

A.C.S. Poles Upgrade refers to the upgrade applied to Kageo's Artifice Core System, the original prototype is upgraded in running strength, excess pieces are removed making it smaller, and it is re-established as the Artifice Core Major-North and its functions are connected subsequently to the twin system that it was both synced with and paired with, Artifice Core Major-South. Between the systems combined power, the upgraded lesser cores are tripled in their original capacity in terms of storage, capability with negotiation of strain on Kageo's body when empowering him in battle, and capacity for self-repair on themselves and healing has also been boosted. An overall big upgrade that allows Kageo to compare to the fellow agents with which he works alongside. The upgrade has also been applied to Kagennotsuki, in order to ensure no errors occur when awakened.

A.C.S. Successor refers to the upgraded and more complete system that sits within Kagina-kaka, designed to be superior to the origins unit and prototype held by Kageo-kaka. The system's output boasts an increased output in terms of raw power, ability, potential, and is generally the greater of the two systems. Considered to be a more complete version of the long outdated prototype originally designed by Relius Clover. This design features far less downfalls to the wielder and increases potency, giving Kagina room to maximize her designed genetic limits with ease.

(End A/N)

Chapter VIII: Upgraded, while under the gaze of Death's Maiden

Over the past few weeks, the training had been a great success, as Tora trained the pair, Tao's recognition of things only improved as it seemed that as long as there was the proper stimulus. The facts remained that Tao was able to effortlessly adapt to the scenario at hand. Instinct almost ran the aspiring Kaka Village Guardian's life but at least with the training, she seemed to gain a little more agency. All of this had never been about maturing her sister as much as it was to give her the tools that she needed to do so on her own. Tora felt that she'd eventually manage it on her own without much help, since it was always the way that her kid sister managed.

Kageo on the other hand was gradually developing a basis for his instinct to work with his other senses. The proper execution of this was something that he discovered on his own with guidance from Tora and the training she planned out. It was perfect to teach him to layer his many senses and mechanical additions so that they worked in harmony. Nothing ever had to clash, as long as it was directed properly. The training had reached just at its end when Kageo was called back to base. He'd been called back by the Professor for a major upgrade and maintenance just at its end, with a special request from Kokonoe to keep Tao occupied since she needed Kageo for at least three days.

The time flew quickly as she got him in and the surgery started, Kokonoe needed it done and over with as quickly as possible. During this time that she applied the upgrade to his A.C.S. System, as both a major power boost and the proper means to allow him to use his newest weapon upgrade as well. Even though a successful instillation and it proceeding greater than Kokonoe herself expected, the two extra days were for Kageo's recovery and adjoining of the weapon knowledge to his database. If anything it seemed to be steadier when applied to him as he recovered, it was going to make him both more durable and far more capable. The Professor was pleased with the numbers she was reading: he took to the upgrade quickly and his numbers were comparable if not slightly higher than his twin's.

His recovery was not complete exactly, but he still returned to the Kaka village. The training itself, while all but complete had some final things to cross up with. Combined with the Kaka Springs themselves, it was going to allow the modified agent to recover at a much faster rate, as long as he adhered to both the diet and the regimen given him by Dr. Faye-Ling he'd be fine. It was one of the few times that the Professor allowed such a thing, as she simply didn't have the time to focus on healing his body enough to ensure his being 100% in a short time frame. At least this way, when she found that she was going to scramble that collecting him would be easily done.

-By the third day of recovery-

"Finally, feeling good enough to sit up." the male kaka's body ached with the previous day's incisions made along his body, no less than three days ago. Still while he was happy with the readings, his body read all green. Everything was within tolerances and even the pain numbing had been activated to ease the feeling, at least he was going to be walking and moving with less issue today.

The new upgrade: known as the A.C.S. Poles, had involved manual upgrades to the initial system, a downsizing of it, so that the second unit could be inserted and linked to everything. His body was re-synced with the additional device within his body, which essentially tripled his original capacity when compared to his sister's single unit. The formation of the pair gave him advantages that even his sister did not have, if only because he could set the systems individually, once he figured everything out that is. Caeroule was upgraded in terms of power and output, with the new constant something that allowed him greater damage potential on a target. This alongside a stable version of the Indigo Haze emission, which was now weaponized to the purpose of attacking a target with the amounts he might need.

It was the kind of upgrade that he'd hoped might be in the works for him, since he was only able to compensate for the original unit's faltering moments. He was sure this meant no more adjusting on his own, everything was going to be 100% operational and aside from regular diagnostics (which happened on their own) and other checks there would be no problems. His thoughts were cut short as he felt arms wrap around his shoulder from behind and a familiar voice chiming in as he heard the sing-songy voice of his ever constant companion.

"Kage Kage is uuuup! Yaaay~" Tao's tone was one that both happy and energetic as she was always known for. She'd missed being allowed near Kageo and the days had been an eternity that she was already forgetting about.

"Yep, I'm up and at'em Tao. So what do you wanna do first, get food? Perhaps find a sunny spot to lay down?" Kageo figured it might be something more common that the pair often enjoyed together.

"Sunny spot first! We're gonna nap and snooze, I haven't had much company in daays, meow!" Tao said this, even though the truth of the matter had been it was her and the kittens. Though Kageo was missed, both by her and the kittens.

"Okay, okay! Napping it is." he said this with a jubilant tone in his voice, even though he was bed ridden for days, it was that general feline nature: sleep for hours and then move a little and sleep some more. It was a thing that Kageo only indulged in when he was with Tao.

Though before the two could get moving to that sunny spot, there was a sudden transmission from the Professor sounding off in Kageo's mind.

=Kageo! Finally you're reading normally. It's good, because I need you here. Now.=

=Affirmative Professor, though I was hoping to get a short moment to-= while trying to respond, he was cut off mid-sentence by a familiar sensation of being enveloped by energy.

"W-What? Oh..!-" while he gasped, he noticed that Tao never stopped holding onto his side.

"Tao feels all kinds of funny, what is..meeow!-" her surprise came as the pair disappeared instantly, teleported across time and space, with the destination: Professor Kokonoe's Lab.

-In Professor Kokonoe's Lab-

It was something that neither Kageo himself or Torakaka could have known that Kokonoe's plans changed within a matter of hours. The Professor had called Kageo back to base and in fact, had teleported him the moment he was asking for some time to finish things up. The training, thankfully, was complete beforehand, as such it avoided being cut short by the hasty action. Tora was about to send him and Tao towards the destination: Ikaruga. Of course, nothing was without complications, this one coming in the shape of an uninvited guest who came with Tao during the teleportation process.

"The hell is Taokaka doing here, huh Kageo?" the slightly surprised tone coming from Professor Kokonoe, who was expecting her agent and him alone. Though the answer to that question was not something that he could answer exactly.

"Uh, Tao kind of jumped onto me before you teleported me, Professor. There was zero chance to warn you of her coming along." it was a matter-of-fact statement from the Kaka that achieved only in getting him glared at.

"No shit, smart ass. Now the real question is how to deal with it." rubbing her forehead, she looked on and thought of how to deal with this little tidbit, at least that was her initial thought.

"Deal with what, Tail lady? Tao remembers you! Let's play!" Tao was unable to help just being herself and immediately sought to do one of her favorite things. A bit of playing with her 'big sis', naturally one of the many things that she knew Kokonoe as. She smelled just like the Cat Person, so it was a very welcome thing to her.

"Uh, Professor, if I may. Tao has business in Ikaruga as it is. She and I have been training a lot together, so we can just go there and get the mission done. With her help I cannot fail." Kageo interjected this statement quickly, before the Professor tried to consider some means of taking advantage of Tao's being here. Since they were going to Ikaruga, as the dossier on the next mission read: it was the target of his for scouting mission. He was looking ahead to see what dangers lay ahead likely, it was pretty straight forward he thought.

Kokonoe decided a response in all but three seconds, she didn't need anything more than to hear Tao trying to explore the lab and Kageo managing to keep her attention before she decided that was best. She did NOT need a wrecked lab, so this was her best bet. Tao was annoying at her worst, but at least she respected her enough not to just jump all over her, especially since she loathed anyone that close to bug her.

"Yeah, that's a good idea. She's your support as long as her focus remains, otherwise you are to meet up with an agent already on sight. Some advanced scouting has already been done, you are to meet up with the Agent in question and combine efforts. Find out the Library's movements out there, keep your eyes open for intrusive parties. Do not engage them, retreat and report: this is Scouting, not combat. Am I clear?" she said this while not looking in Kageo's direction, already back at her laptop and typing away madly.

"Of course, Professor." the answer was a confirmation, but the fact that she looked in his direction, eyeing with her piercing gaze made him stiffen up slightly.

"That's good for small time answers, Kageo. Make this top priority: retreat even if you are attacked, if you get disabled then you are useless to me. I need both you and the other agent at full strength, so don't you dare get hurt." her words were full of her usual irritation and even a bit of annoyance, though the underlying tones surprised Kageo.

"Affirmative, Professor. Orders confirmed as top priority: Retreat at all costs undamaged if possible." his eyes briefly flashed blue as he affirmed this in his ACS system's mainframe. Her orders, especially ones of this magnitude, superseded all other thought, focus, and pride in any such matters. His body would force him to retreat, even if he wanted to stay and fight. This just meant it was as serious as he imagined.

The serious air was ruined by Tao suddenly chiming in.

"Yummm, these are greeat lolly things!" she said this with a mouth full of three silverine pops that were from Kokonoe's private stash in her drawer.

"Damn it, Tao! Those are MINE!" Kokonoe's irritation jumped a few levels while Kageo grabbed his friend around the waist and drew her close.

"U-Uh alright, Professor. We are launching at once!" he said this while Tao continued to nom on the lollipops, the taste was simply incredible to her senses. Clearly the same reason why Koko herself was so addicted to them.

"Yeah, get to it." she grumbled since getting mad at Tao wasn't going to go anywhere, especially since she had no concern about ticking folks off, especially when food was involved. She was very much a kitten and logically, the Professor knew this and allowed things not to escalate beyond her annoyance.

With that, the pair headed back to the previous pad they landed. Leaving Kokonoe to input the coordinates manually from her computer. Things were set and now it was a matter of time of seeing just how things played out. With the almost comedy moment acted out, it seemed to be fitting and clear that this was going to be quite a 'show' of sorts. She sent the pair off quickly and while replacing the now finished silverine pop in her mouth, she was unable to see this going through perfect.

"Whatever in the hell...let this damned circus act play out, since I don't have anyone else readily available for this task." the two tailed professor huffed in annoyance again and whisked her tails while she returned to other work. More coordinating, more calculations, and plans to continue to work away at.

-On Site: An alleyway in Ikagura-

With the site teleportation complete, Kageo looked around at the alleyway and found that this was probably the safest landing that he'd had yet. Being in Tao's company only made it easier on him, he smiled at the fact that they hadn't ended up in an awkward position. Now that they'd landed, the first mission was to confirm that they were in Ikaruga and then track down the other agent mentioned by the Professor. He'd get the data that was gathered, confirm it, and then they would team up for the remainder of scouting Ikaruga: from top to bottom. At least unless anything changed, that was what he and this agent in question were doing.

"Alright, Tao! The Cat Person asked us to help make sure our friends succeed here. So let's see if we can find someone!" Kageo's energy was being vocalized in order to draw Tao into the task. He figured she wouldn't mind wandering.

"Well, suuure thing, meow! If the Cat Person wants us to help people, we can get food as well! All the good kind of food in Ika-rooga, meow!" she said this with a wide grin, still ever present.

As Kageo's stomach gurgled with hunger, he for once did agree with Tao. That was sounding like a very good idea in his mind, as long as he still did his mission-a task which his scanning systems would automatically attend to, they could kill two birds with one stone. It was nice having a lucid mind that helped him balance what he had to do, what he may have wanted to do, and finding a nice negotiation between the two without ever really losing that balance he was so fond of. There was enough to be said about the fact that he wasn't told of who the agent was, it was probably just something not safe for the airways. Of course, he had no idea that he was presently being watched by said agent at the very second.

(Kagina's POV)

Who was she to be watching both Kageo-kaka and Taokaka, two people that she knew so well and yet, they knew nothing about her. If not from genetic inheritance from her older, genetic twin, Kagina would be the lost one. Though that was just the trick: as she was not a simple clone, but rather a perfect copy with slight variations within her genetic code to ensure that she wasn't going to come forth with an almost natural aberrations placed in by the Professor. Created meticulously after her brother's semi-success as the Artifice Core System prototype, she was the successor to his original model. There was nothing that the Professor ever revealed to her to Kageo at any point during her development or during her functionality.

She was so eager to meet up with him, the chance was running through her mind and making her skin itch at the chance to see him. While not literally the case, she was still having a pretty hard time staying back. They were mere minutes from meeting now, she was going to make herself visible shortly and then finally she'd get to meet him! While she turned over on the rooftop she was presently crouching on, she hopped over to the opposite side and jumped into the alleyway. It was kind of funny how she was supposed to be his better in every way by design, even though she did not think such was true.

He had experience, something that the normally lab assistant kaka was lacking in abundance. With all of the studying that she'd done on her twin: from his earlier assignments, to studying his training videos from his childhood and throughout his relatively short career as a Sector Seven Agent. She took to studying his weapon skill, a self-taught hand to hand style, typical use of tactics, and anything else that she could immerse herself in. There didn't seem to be a limit as to how much she was engrossing herself in anything she could manage to fit into her free time. She wondered if it was normal really? All this want to meet someone who couldn't possibly imagine that they'd had a twin, even one born in secrecy.

She could sense him and Tao coming around the corner, while she leaned back against the wall of the alleyway, looking up from her perch on a small box. She acted like a typical kaka, even though many weren't seen beyond Kagutsuchi, it was enough that those who did see her paid her little mind. She rested there, while hearing the loud complaints from Taokaka about wanting food. Her stomach gurgled and she whined a little mentally to herself. Then again it wasn't that big a deal, as she heard the voices get closer, she hopped off of the box and landed on her feet. No more waiting for her meeting him, she stepped out of the alley and spoke the secret phrase.

"They say Salmon used to swim in the oceans."

"A long time past, who talks about that anymore?"

"Historians used to."

"Then catch up with the times."

"Tao's confused, you can't eat a history, the Elder said so!"

A very simple exchange that sounded both silly and almost pointless within its own right. Again completely ignored by anyone passing the three kakas by now. The statements left Tao very confused, which for the moment was paid no mind by either Kagina or her twin. Her heart was racing as she looked down at him, since this marked one of the 'improvements' of hers over her brother's physique: she stood at 5'5" as opposed to his 5'0" frame, she simply stoked and had to fight hard to maintain the professional air around her. It was easy to keep her eyes straight on his, as his eyes rose to meet hers and began to widen in realization. This was what she was antsy about: how much she'd have to explain to him or tell him to keep him calm.

(End Kagina's POV)

The initial statements during the first meeting had not surprised Kageo, she identified herself with the proper phrases and he was about to get to business. Though his first surprise was finding another kaka standing before him for one, then the scent was so similar to his own began to throw him off, and while he could not see her face (only about as much as one can another kaka's glowing eyes and expression) some part of him knew who she was. Instinctively, he knew that this was family right away. Like Tao had Tora, he could feel the connection like electricity on the spot. Though he was wondering whether or not it was because she had an A.C.S. System as well that caused that? The resonance of recognizing another like yourself was another thing that this particular phenomenon could have been.

"Brother...I know this is a massive shock, I can see you're surprised but...to make a long story short: I was created after your success some years in. Professor Kokonoe designed me, based off of you specifically and utilized your DNA, I'm your genetic twin sister...um...Kagina-kaka." she said this softly, realizing how it sounded. She braced herself to be rejected by him or even hated, but it didn't matter.

"...Sister. This is a lot to take in, I'm not mad...but I am surprised beyond words." the measured response came from his lips as he looked to her and offered a soft smile.

"Y-You aren't mad? You don't...hate me?" the tiny voice was lit by the torch of hope at his first words, she stopped flinching and moved closer to him and parted her arms.

"Of course not! I can't hate you, for what? Being born with a better system? That'd be debatable after my upgrade." Kageo's laugh came out of nowhere as he moved into her arms and hugged her tightly.

The embrace was joined at random by Tao as well, since she was surprisingly quiet throughout the entire exchange. Though she did not understand all of it, she did know that Kageo could never hate anyone! He was far too loving and sweet himself to hate someone else, she rubbed the familiar smelling and yet unfamiliar female kaka as tightly as Kageo did.

"Meow! Kage Kage can't hate anyone! He's the best friend Tao has, does everything and feeds Tao too! He'd never be mad at you, in fact you might just be hungry as much as meow are!" Tao brought the situation right back to food.

"Um, Thank you." Kagina knew who Tao was, but wanted to meet her formally, there was a whole lot to discuss; though it was going to have to wait until later. She leaned into the friendly embrace and offered her cheek and shoulder a nuzzle.

For a moment, it was a nice round of just a warm embrace. Perhaps no more than two minutes of a straight and quiet hug between them. At the very least things were the best possible, at least until the sound of gurgling and growling stomachs let all three kakas comically share a laugh. Though Tao made a face and acted dramatically suddenly, leaning over Kageo's shoulder and grabbing her stomach while she let off a light cry of agony. Of course, Kageo supported her and held her up straight while listening to her complain.

"Oh Meww...Tao is dying Kage Kage! Needs food...only food can save, Tao.~" as she said this, he laughed gently and nodded.

"Yes Tao, we all need food before we get to work. We aren't the only ones who are hungry, so let's get some food Kagina!" the happiness that ran through his mind and the raw excitement of just something nice to get wrapped up in sounded nice.

"O-Okay! Let's go, brother!" her simple words conveyed all of her emotions, the joy towards the situation had become something much greater, it was positively the best feeling; to be accepted by her brother without more than a little hesitation.

"Yay! Tao's getting to eat, as much as she can too, meow!" that giggle and big smile came following her.

"Yes, all we can eat." he said this while he let off a wide grin and drew back from the embrace, naturally the three agreeing to this.

Suffice to say the mission was postponed while the three kakas all ate their fill in terms of a meal, there was little else going through their minds. After all who did a good job when starving? Even the most effective person needed fuel for the effort and in this case, it was going to be a good long refuel for the trio. Finding a local restaurant didn't take long, but upon running the restaurant's food supply into the ground. Despite being able to pay for it (thankfully that the pair had money saved up from their missions!), there was some resentment towards the Kakas. Still they were thanked for their patronage and they went on. While talking, the three of them seemed to be at some ease during this.

-Several Hours Later-

The success of mapping the entirety of Ikaruga came with some hasty speed, as right after dinner Kagina went straight to work, eager to get done with the task at hand so that she could ask her brother a million and one questions about everything! She also hoped to work more missions with him now that she was no longer a secret from him. It did not take very long for her happiness to grow as she returned from her side of the city. She was heading to join her brother and Tao once more, since the two had been clear companions part of her was a little jealous. Not in the sense that she was concerned about Tao's closeness to him, but rather that she wasn't hanging out with her twin at the moment.

Of course, these thoughts were easily sidelined as she came back to reality, racing along part of the rooftops, she remained in focus on getting to the rendezvous point as they planned. So far they had not been detected by the Librarium, at least as far as they could determine. After all, seithr was everywhere and their own emissions of the element were suppressed and absorbed by their systems. Much the same was happening for Tao, for as long as she was with Kageo, his system would draw in the emissions for extra energy and thus keep her seithr signature to a minimum. Normally she didn't waste so much time on pointless thoughts, but she couldn't help it with her mind focused on a few number of things.

It wasn't until she heard the sound of metal hitting something solid that she gasped and increased her pace. Ahead was the rendezvous, were they discovered by the Library soldiers?! She was thinking that it may have been the worst case scenario somehow, though she didn't know how it happened. After all, neither her or Kageo used communications after their meet up earlier. Especially since they'd gone over everything in person and they made sure no one was around for a good enough distance that whispering couldn't be heard by someone. Though she was focusing too much on the how and not the present, without need for a reason, she reached back to her weaponry of choice: two Tachi blades that she drew quickly and placed together at the base of the hilt, before speaking the command words to activate its awakening.

"Shed the lost tears of blood, Jinzou Aichou (False Azure Memory)!" the words spoken in her haste, as the two blades gained a bright blue glow, she whipped them around in her hands as she came into the open of the street.

It was the sight of downed Librarium Soldiers that spooked her first, did her brother do this? That thought was quickly erased as she spotted her brother pulling backwards from a large man...he was a giant. Towering over herself, Taokaka, and all else present, his long wild mane of blue hair seemed to emanate with ripples of strength. Such that it made her shudder where she stood, though there was no way that she was stand back. As she stepped towards him, she could hear that voice of his; deep and primal in tone.

"Another cat come to play? You don't smell like this one here...he smells of blood, combat...you have a little blow on your claws. But you are 'her' pet aren't you? I can tell y'know. Maybe you can tell me where I can find Kokonoe. Though if you refuse like him here, I'll be happy to give her something to cry about and get a little snack out of this." the man promised keenly with fighting intended. His oppressive aura and the fact that Kageo and Tao looked a little winded gave her the hint.

"You know the answer, Big guy. I'll be helping to stop you, instead of wasting another word." Kagina said matter-of-factly.

"Come on and try little kitten, the fact that these two are still alive surprised me. All of you the old types...should make this some fun for me." it was only natural that Azrael was excited, if anything he know it was going to be worth his time.

A chance to stretch out some more, between this and the fact that they wielded some interesting toys did catch his interest. He was looking on and smirked with a little bit, stepping back with his arms resting casually at his sides. It almost through Kagina off, as she jumped over him, using some balance to keep her upright during the high jump. As she landed, her eyes never moved off of his features and he never made a single move. It was like he wasn't worried about the fact the three of them were together as a unit. She looked to her brother for an answer, since she knew he was going to be able to break it down.

"He's...he's too strong, Kagina. When the opportunity arises...we have to go." Kageo's words came in a soft whisper, since this whole situation was just too threatening.

"...Rating SS+, Extreme Caution." Kagina was a little intimidated, he actually rated higher than she could scan for, but as it was the best the system could provide, she took it.

"Grr...he wants to hurt Tao because he called her old relic thing, but he's so tough...he hurts!" Tao's complaint came as it was a ready fact of the earlier clash with him.

"Enough talk, I'm hungry! Show me something or you'll never walk again." he said with a look at them and a laugh as his red aura burned around him.

A raw, dark power coming from him, something that made the Kaka trio shiver, though the plan was to attack him a few times. Kageo stepped to the right, with his bladed spear's edge gaining an indigo hue. Kagina took the signal to walk towards this man's left side while her blades burned with a desire to pay this man back for his threats and all that he'd done. She waited though, as Tao moved forward, claws presently sheathed as she rushed towards him.

"You're going to get it nooow, Tao's mad! Meeow!" she said this just before starting in on Azrael, kicking off with a quick burst in her speed.

There was a coordination between Kageo and Tao, with Kagina left to pick up what was going on based upon her brother's very subtle signal pulses with the A.C.S. system. Fortunately, Kagina not only received them but she also understood what he was trying to indicate through the effort. The three struck simultaneously from their three sides against him. An effort that he met with little effort, the initial clash caused a spill of seithr and indigo haze to shoot off of the initial impact. Azrael let off a cackle of amusement, as he pushed out against the strikes against his forearms and the claws pressing into his abdomen.

Tao was stunned to feel her claws actually flexed off, as his stomach pushed her back with some force. Enough that she had to step back to regain her footing. Much like Kageo turned in a 360 degree circle and thrust his spear back at Azrael's chest. During this time, Kagina was forced to land and take three steps in order to gain her step. This time the muscular man grabbed the spear and tossed it away from him with light force, something that the modified kaka had to tumble with in order to break the fall evenly.

"Heh, not bad! You kittens have a little force at least, I won't be bored." he said this as he stepped forward.

If that was what it could be called a 'step', as the single movement caused Kagina to do a double-take as he was suddenly in her face. Her body already lurching backwards to evade the punch thrown her way. Even though the strike whiffed, the force knocked her over into a backwards somersault. In the following moment, he took another one of those rushing steps and briefly escaped the vision of Kageo's, though his sensors were already reading the motion. The modified agent dropped into a side split, as it was the fastest maneuver he had. It narrowly allowed him to avoid feel more than a missed strike's force, which sent him down onto his back with a thud.

His body curled up and he tumbled away rapidly, somersaulting somewhere around seven or eight times as he heard the ground crunch where he once was. After hearing the noise did cause shivers to run down his spine, the effort of this man was akin to breathing. Was he even a man with this kind of power? It wasn't possible...he didn't suffer so much as a scratch from their efforts yet. Azrael moved on Kageo again and punched at the ground, narrowly missing the Kaka's torso while again smashing the ground beneath the blow with ease. While the spry felines made their way back together again, prepping to do something, Azrael's laugh echoed throughout the local area, this was just enough that he could have some fun with it!

"Ha ha ha! You are still alive after my little stretching session, I'm happy! Since that means we can have a bit more fun together. You might just be worth more than a few morsels, almost worthy of being called appetizers." the grin on his face became more sinister as he stepped towards them.

The next move came in a flash as his fist launched forward and hit both Kagina and Kageo in their raised weapons. Any attempt to dissuade him from hitting the pair failed miserably, with that both of them were sent both back with the effort of trying to block him. Was there even a chance to parry? As Kageo hit the side of building's wall, he bounced off of it and immediately dropped down to his knees and slid under a punch, almost perfectly aimed to remove his head. The move missed him by a hair, though the force dropped him onto his back. Still he was not helpless, he thrust his spear at Azrael's lower back and hit him against the side of his right oblique, only to have the energized spear halted with ease.

As Kageo rolled forward and jumped back to his feet, Azrael walked towards him, before casually turning his head to the side and avoiding a double slash from Kagina. While she missed her initial attack, as she landed, she reversed her right hand's blade and whipped it back around violently, igniting the blade in a shimmering blue light. The Mad Dog of Sector Seven grabbed the blade and tossed it away from him. He was so casual about it that all she could do was remain focused on checking him for a weak point. While Kagina took a graze along her shoulder, her arm buckled backwards as she drew back with three hops and grunted before leaping onto the low, one-story rooftop. It was truly hopeless, they couldn't fight him, he was just too strong!

"Secret Technique: Bobbing Bubble!" Kagina raised her blades overhead and began to form a large black and red lined bubble. Something that grew to the size of a man, and began to expand before that. This trick wouldn't work more than once and she knew it, she was hoping he bought into the size as a means of intimidation.

"Huh? Oh you're gonna try that on me huh? It must be some secret, all that seithr and its just getting bigger...heh, go ahead, try it!" he cackled and raised both arms out, it looked like fun to him. The way that bubble crackled with energy, it was working its magic on him.

Kageo drew back and looked around, what happened to Tao? Where had she gone? He recalled her being here for several minutes during the initial attack and now he couldn't tell where she'd gone! Part of him was worried, even as he took cover. He didn't know the technique exactly, but his body was well aware that the construction of the bubble was sticky, more of a shroud than an actual technique of attack. They'd have to track Tao, he hoped that they would and soon also, especially since he was worried as to what his best friend was up to during such a crucial time of battle.

-With Taokaka-

"Nya? Where am I? Kage Kage doesn't smell close by...how does that work, meow?" she was blinking, how had this happened? One moment she was attacking the scary person and the next she found herself standing in a strange area. There was something in the air that felt wrong, her instinct made her well aware of its danger. She didn't know who it was...how did she know it was a who? Tao's mind did hurt, but it wasn't because of overthinking it.

She stopped talking as her tail frizzed up and immediately without questioning it, she ducked backwards and avoided the green serpent-like head of the iconic Nox Nyctores lashed out at her. While missing its target, the spines along the body whipped around towards her as the head returned to its source from shadows. Tao's claws went into action, slashing her left outward to counter the attack aimed for her neck and chest, which proved successful towards parrying it. While Tao couldn't tell where she was, the strange darkness seemed unnaturally long. As she swept backwards again to avoid the slash of the spearhead shaped snake, she kicked the spines away from her while leaping backwards.

The attacks came again from the west, the east, from above, Tao managed to parry most of the blows. Though it was not without its tax as her claws were starting to ache, much like her waist where she was bitten. How many times had the attacks come? She felt that she'd been blocking for at least a few hours, though she had no way to measure it. This space didn't feel right, in fact it still felt pretty terrible in general. Her aches were nothing that couldn't be ignored, since her friends were counting on her!

She felt the pain of the bites on her body, those spots that were bloody from being hit by the green chain, yet still she powered through them and faced down the worst of the pain with mental fortitude. Of course, Tao didn't know anything less that she could not stop here and something possessed her suddenly! A surge of determination and strength burned in her veins as she tensed her body and let off an angry growl.

"Tao can't stop here, rrrr, this thing is fake! Tao's nose knows, meow!" Tao did know that the space was wrong, it was not real and her instinct told her that much. She was seeing through it and taking to a new phase of action.

The instant that she ceased her thought, her body gained a sparking red and black glow that flickered like a pulsating light source. Black and red glimmered around her as the seithr focused itself into a focus on the edge of her claws, she was prepped to escape, even though she didn't know exactly how. A part of her told her to make the next move, before the snake chain came through to hit her again.

"Dreaming Slash thingy: Chaaarge!" Tao invoked something, a power hidden away within her, the very essence of not just the Kaka, but the power base that made the Kaka lineage special. Her claws moved together and tore in front of her from right to left adjacently, and seemingly the fabric of space was shredded like paper.

As the illusory magic was torn around her, the shell of darkness shattered and freed Tao from her prison, one that she didn't even know had bound her. The shell bled away and she found herself standing on an unfamiliar street, though she knew that Kageo and his sister, Kagina were at least close by. She could smell the pair and the fact that they'd been off from her side meant that something happened! Tao's heart raced a little bit as she felt a wave of anxiousness hit her, just before she dropped to all four and raced off quickly, the intent was simple: find Kage Kage and Kagi Kagi. Her name for his sibling was already decided, though she hadn't a moment to test how big her boobies were yet...maybe that after she was sure they were okay!

"Hang on Kage Kage! Tao's coming, you'll be alright sooon, meow!"

With her goal straight ahead of her, she continued down the street, following her nose and trusting her senses. She'd find Kageo wherever he was, as sure as a certain part of her heart knew where he was. That and she felt some part of her deciding just what he was to her, he just might be that perfect companion and her heart fluttered at the thought of it. Perhaps she'd tell him after they ate again, all of that fighting made her very hungry and so fast too, she was sure he wouldn't mind! Yes, the food was definitely going to be something they did afterwards, when she saved Kage Kage, she was already thinking of what she wanted to order now.

-Back with Kagina and Kageo-

The bubble had done its job well, trapping the mad dog in a viscous and sticky seithr trap while the two escaped. By now they were several blocks away from him, having made tracks the moment he was trying to break free of the bubble's sticky embrace. The pair had suffered minor injuries when engaging him and yet, it was enough that the two were still huffing with the effort of the escape even some 15 minutes after escaping. Kageo was still amazed that someone was that scary, just so very strong that no skill they showed had amounted to anything. There was just no closing the gap of raw power between them and him, a frightening fact they learned while fighting him: even 3 versus 1 had made very little different.

"Too...strong...how is that possible?" the question came from Kagina, who was aghast still at the fact he was so effortless in his actions.

"Honestly, I'd be damned if I really knew the truth. Such strength is just...unnatural, he's not human, he can't be!" Kageo was floored by it, the entire effort: even stabbing him several times hadn't even been a remote inconvenience to him!

Though the two sat there in a pocket of silence after sharing a long look, somewhere around five minutes of passing during the time. The moment finally ended with Kagina wrapping her arms around her brother gently and hugging him closely. The pair had just narrowly survived a bout with someone who could've killed them both very easily, that realization was still sinking in for Kagina. She'd only just gotten to meet her twin, to be accepted by him and his friend with ease, and now she almost lost that and her own life! She trembled against him, while the two were embraced, there was still huffing softly and trying to get over the fact that it could've been over had any one of those hits reached either of them.

Kageo nuzzled against his sister's shoulder and nestled his face into the crook of her neck before shutting his eyes. For the moment he just basked in her comforting embrace, trying to ignore his brush with death. Something that he still felt through his aches which had merely been grazes, there was never anything of a direct hit simply because the man had not cared to try. Azrael, the Mad Dog of Sector Seven...was he ever truly an agent of theirs or just one who relished in death and destruction? He imagined that he was giving that creature too much credit, he was after the simple pleasures of a good battle that proved worthy of his time. His mind was too stuck on the matter and he knew they had bigger things to be concerned with.

"Sister, we have to find Tao, she's missing."

"Yes, I know Kageo, I haven't located her as of yet."

"Then we should get looking, now that we've managed to get away from him."

"I agree, let's go to her quickly."

The twins did find agreement on the plan as Kagina became aware of Tao's rather surprising clueless nature which lead her to miss simple things. Though she was more than certain she could easily handle herself, the point was that they shouldn't remain separate if it could be helped. Though she couldn't help but wonder if they were just let go? It wasn't as if he sounded serious about them, given the way he spoke about them being fun and some kind of light 'snack' or morsel was not particularly flattering either. They were just at to him: small fries and not worth following...which she could live with. Life over pride in this instance, it was very easy to be happy with an insult over trying to prove the statement itself wrong. The thoughts from her mind cast aside, she rose on the slightly higher two story rooftop and stood tall beside her brother. They had managed to escape pretty far without much aid, and it was just something that she kept in mind for the near future as a place to hide.

With Kageo looking around over the back end of the building they were on, keeping low as to stay out of sight, though he was looking for any movement. Trying to see both if they were being tracked or that he might be able to spot Tao from this angle. Though he found nothing, he did decide to take that direction, trusting in his gut feeling about where he might find Tao.

"I think she's that way, Kagina."

"Then let's go, we can't afford to wait, given what the Mad Dog is capable of."

The two didn't waste another moment, they simply nodded towards one another before jumping from the rooftop where they stood to another. It was something that the pair would find would not bring them closer to their friend so easily. The search was only beginning, as both Tao was in search of the twins and they too, were in search of her. Over the next few hours, Kageo and Kagina had to stop, since they were a little off of mission parameter. They were still canvasing the city in the quadrants they searched, but in truth: they had no actual way of tracking Tao that was working for them yet.

How far had she been teleported from them and where was that location? That was the real question at this point, neither of which had a straight answer for either of them. The questions continued to mount with no direct answers in sight, it was not yet done, whatever strange thing interfered with them earlier and he knew it. Furthermore they could never know that they were all being watched, monitored, and well under the watchful eye of the Imperator herself. Watching as they scurried around like fools, many with plans, all going towards the same path though with a different goal in mind. It mattered not as all of this was going to be the fault and failure of so many dreams.

While she watched from the space where Takamagahara System dwelled, the Imperator looked on with an amused smirk upon her features and shook her head. "Nothing but worthless actions, it matters not...how few of you are aware of your own deaths. The time shall come when I announce it to you all, prepare yourselves all for death."

Though spoken to herself, these words marked the fate of all, as the plan stood to exterminate all and any before her path, these cats were no less than specks of dust on her road to the world's death.

(End Chapter)

Another chapter done and things are left high, after a clash with Azrael, the three Kakas are forced to scatter! The newly acquainted twins shall continue the search for Taokaka, while Marinkaka attends to her own matters of pursuit, what will come of all of this madness? Stay tuned for the next chapter!

Until then adieu

-Quentix