Chapter V: Reason and Faith

(Cue BlazBlue Chrono Phantasma: Lust Sin II extended)

Makoto ducked as Yukianesa's blade arced over her head. Even though she had dodged the blade, she could still feel the ridged cool of the Nox Nyctores's power. She gathered her strength into her left arm and slammed her tonfa into Jin's side. The attack never hit its mark, as the Kisaragi heir deflected her attack with his katanas sheath. Makoto then grabbed the sheath and used her strength the push her opponent in order to get him off balance.

"Comet Cannon!" Makoto yelled as she summoned her magic into a sphere form in front of her. She then brought her fist back and hit the sphere which as much force as she could. "Break Shot!" The shot went sailing towards Jin with destructive force. Jin barely managed to deflect the shot with Yukianesa, but this left him open. Makoto rushed towards him and delivered a crippling jab to his gut, which connected this time.

"Hgn-!" Jin grunted in pain.

"'I'm not done yet! Corona Upper! (*cough* Shoryuken!)" Makoto yelled as she uppercutted Jin into the air and followed him. She then quickly charged her impact to full power and followed her attack. "Meteor Dive Level Three!" Makoto shouted as she blasted her old schoolmate to the floor. Jin literally bounced off the floor before he rolled back and landed on his feet. He sent a barrage of three ice swords towards Makoto. She dodged the blades left and right with relative ease.

She and Jin then rushed each other once more, through the encounter there was the clashing of tonfas and katana. Makoto's adrenalin was putting her in high spirits; she hadn't expected to do this well against the major. Then again, she hadn't exactly been sitting on her tail since the academy. After a long period of scuffling the two jumped away from one another, both breathing heavily.

"Wiped the… floor with me… in seconds, huh? I think things… might have changed Jinny!" Jin only growled at her for using his very much hated nickname. "Tell me something *phew*. Why are you trying so hard to kill Ragna?! Everything he's doing has been for you and you try to kill him for it!? What's wrong with you!?"

"You don't understand. The only reason my brother exists in this world is to endure pain and suffering. I'm here to end that for him. Nothing else matters, this is what I have to do!"

"Nothing else matters huh?" Makoto asked completely downcast. "Does that include Tsubaki?"

"What?" Jin paled; did he really mean to abandon his closest friend? "Of course not…"

"Then prove it! I know she's in Kagutsuchi because of Hazama, you have to make sure she gets through this!"

"….Fine, I'll go." Jin sheathed Yukianesa and proceeded to walk towards the path that lead him towards the NOL's lower levels.

"Oh, and Jin?"

"What is it?" the irritated major snapped.

"I know you need to find Tsubaki, so I'll let it go this time. But, if you every try killing Ragna again, classmate or not, I'll murder you." This was a side of Makoto that Jin was unused to seeing. Protective of her friends, true, but this almost seemed possessive.

Oh… you've got to be kidding me. Jin let out a small chuckle. Not a maniacal chuckle, just a simple, human laugh.

"Wha?" Makoto expressed confused. "What's so funny?"

"Heh, of all the people the hyperactive beastkin could fall for; I thought my brother was the least plausible on the list. Who would've thought?"

Makoto could feel her cheeks turn crimson at Jin's accusation. "H-h-hey! It's not like that, and at least I'm better then you and Tsubaki. Remember that one time at the academy when you two were-"

"*cough* Well said, Makoto, well said. I'm going to find Tsubaki." And with that, a very flustered Jin ran off. One time! One time and she still brings that up. Is she ever going to let us live that down?

When Jin had left Makoto gave a small giggle. "Too easy, the entire time I've known him, all you have to do is bring up Tsubaki and he almost becomes human."

"Dontcha think that's a little harsh?" spoke a rugged voice. "Still, you did manage to stop a fight b'tween those two, so thanks for that."

Makoto turned to the source of the voice and found… a somewhat banged up cat. The two beastkin stared at each other for a moment before Makoto decided to speak up. "Sorry, but who are you?"

"Name's Jubei."

"Jubei of the six heroes, wow, Tsubaki would flip," Makoto said before realizing an important fact. "Wait, doesn't that also make you Ragna's teacher?"

"Yeah, that'd be me. Honestly didn't think the kid could do it, but he's managed to keep the BlazBlue in control for a while now." The elder beastkin gave a small smile of pride. "Anyways, I never got your name."

"Makoto Nanaya, ex-NOL intelligence department, and Ragna's new partner."

"Partner, huh?" Jubei said looking genuinely surprised. "I always figured Ragna to be a loner type."

"Yeah, well maybe I can change that. It doesn't look like he's really lived until now; maybe I can get him to be more outgoing."

"…Be careful what you wish for. Ragna might be rude, but he's on the path that he's decided. I already told him there's no turnin' back."

Makoto sighed. "Even his teacher, why won't you admit that he's a good person? Sure he might be foul mouthed, but he doesn't give up especially when his friends are involved. I had only met him and he still save my life from an NOL colonel. Don't you get it, he saved the life of one of his enemies, and even most heroes won't do that."

"I'm not talkin' 'bout Ragna as a person." Jubei had a sad look on his face. "There some things about the kid that he just doesn't have any control over."

Makoto glared at Ragna's adoptive father. "Please, you make him look like he's the Black Beast."

Jubei was silent for a moment. She's already put 'er faith in Ragna, let's see how far that faith goes.

"Makoto… Ragna is the Black Beast…"

Should I have warned for spoilers? I think pretty much everyone knows it at this point. Not a whole lot of humor at this point, but overall I'm satisfied with this chapter. Be on the lookout for the next chapter, it's going to be one to remember. Also thanks to everyone who reviewed or followed my story. Ciao.

I don't own BlazBlue… yet.