Chapter Three:
The Embers Of Yesterday: Fire

"Then we have to see if it's true!" Luna screamed, forgetting about Ragna or Sena, and just focusing on what the vampire had told her. She had jumped up, the beige cloak falling to her sides. The hood was left down to show her peach blonde hair. That cowbell she wore was visible, as always.

"You do realize that I have no evidence to back this claim?" Rachel looked annoyed, but more importantly frustrated when she said this. "I only traveled to the filthy place you call an apartment because I knew both of you would want to know what I told you."

"Wait," Ragna said, balancing the many emotions and thoughts that danced in his head, "We need some more information. How did you even find this out?"

Rachel shuffled her feet, and hesitated before saying, "The Tsukuyomi Unit is the guardian of time. You are well aware that it is in my possession. However, if someone's 'time' - so to say, life - has ended, my magical abilities would falter and I would know."

"So you're magical abilities are tied to the Tsukuyomi Unit?" Sena inquired.

"Correct," Rachel answered.

"Well then, where the Hell is the old man at?" Ragna questioned, leaning against the dust-covered wall.

"If I knew that, I wouldn't be here wasting my time away in this horrendous household of yours," Rachel snapped, a frown settling on her lips. Her eyes were squeezed shut so that the stress from being annoyed went away a little.

"If it doesn't suit your uptight needs, then leave," Ragna gestured to the door, "Be sure not to let the door hit you in the ass."

Rachel smirked. "I bet you would enjoy to see that, wouldn't you, Ragna?" Out of all of the sadness, all of the pain and sorrow and grief, there had been little time for jokes. There had been little time for hope.

"Ye- Wait… Hey!" Ragna's cheeks flushed a shade mixed of red and pink. Embarrassment gripped him again. He felt as if he couldn't get a break. He had always felt that way, but now more than ever.

Sena chuckled. "If you're implying affection, Rachel, I don't think it'll work," Sena observed, "I think his heart is already set for Luna."

"What? Hey!" Luna shouted from their body, taking control once again.

Ragna steamed. His cheeks were just a few shades away from a surprisingly dark red. "If you guys are just going to keep torturing me, I'm going to leave!" Without giving them any chance to reply, he marched to the front door, its rusted hinges screeching in protest as he slammed the door behind him.

Now to get finished what I already had planned.

Rachel stayed behind to chat with Luna and Sena for a bit, while Ragna went about his business. Ragna would never admit it, but he secretly enjoyed their company. A warrior walked a lonely path sometimes, but his friends kept him grounded. He was thankful for the laughs, and even for the embarrassments, because they would always have a special place in his heart.

However, he wouldn't have expected the worst to happen, at probably the worst time.

"Let… me… go!" She screamed, breaking the walls of her prison. She had to be somewhere before it was too late.

Something broke, but her feet (feet?) didn't mind. She ran. Her legs (legs?) burned and each gasp or pant felt like a stab to her lungs (lungs?). It was probably overworking herself, but it was so hard to finally break that one thing from freedom.

"Right when Kokonoe leaves, too! Secure the area! We can't let her get out!" The second in command barked orders at the nearby scientists. Everyone scrambled to get everything together and working properly. However, she had evolved.

"Where is he? What did you do to him!?" she cried. She had to find him. If she couldn't at least find a way to save him, she'd be a failure.

She would break down a door, but he wasn't there. She kept breaking the doors, but no one was there. It was empty and the loneliness felt… cold. She felt someone grab her, and with one forceful push, broke free. She kept running.

One of the pursuers had reported that a man got seriously injured. It had pushed something into his airway and was choking him. They had secured the airway, but it's believed that it got into his blood already.

"Dammit," She muttered, "And on the day Bullet actually wanted paperwork, too."

Exhaustion got the better of her, but she pushed past already impossible limits. Her body felt… worn down, and like her own body was slowing her down. Ever through the fatigue, she knew one thing was clear.

If she couldn't find him, she'd find the cure for him.

After all, wasn't he long gone by now?

"Close Gate A9!" the commander screamed, but she was able to slide underneath it before it closed.

She had to find the Azure. She had to find the Azure. She had to find Azure. Had to find Azure. For… him… It was for him…

Azure…

"Dammit!" she exclaimed, "Send every field operative that we have out there! I want her found!" The people rushed to carry out their orders. She walked down the middle of the corridor, her underlings making sure to get their work finished and to get out of her way. She made her way towards her office, and slammed the door shut.

Quickly scribbling something in her notebook, the commander made a holographic call to Kokonoe.

The genius scientist answered it. "What the Hell is it, Cajun?" Kokonoe snapped.

"It seems we have a problem, Miss Kokonoe," the blonde-haired girl sighed, "Litchi escaped. We have all of our field operatives out looking for her. Shall I send for Bullet?"

Kokonoe let out a slew of curses. "No. I think I'll be able to find her," Kokonoe told her, "but be sure to send Makoto to Kazamotsu. I'll rendezvous with her there." With a rude click of a button, Kokonoe ended the hologram chat. Cajun called for Makoto in her office, and she appeared in her doorway a few moments later.

"You know, it's complete chaos out there," Makoto remarked, leaning against the door frame. She was wearing the black, NOL issued coat.

"Yes, I'm well aware, Makoto," she sighed, a small smile on her lips, and repeated what Kokonoe had told her.

"Where in Kazamotsu?" Makoto inquired.

"She didn't say," Cajun replied, "Besides, aren't you the informant here? You'll have no trouble at all finding her."

"True," Makoto said as a smile tugged on her lips, "Anyway, I should probably get going. Kazamo-mo or whatever is a long way from here."

"Yes, it is," Cajun said in a formal manner, "You are dismissed."

To the anonymous reviewer that has taken a liking to this story: Who are you? I hope you aren't who I think you are.

R&R