A/N: Sorry for the wait. That shouldn't happen again; in addition to this, I have first drafts of the next three chapters done. So, yeah; updates should start coming a lot faster for a while.

And if anyone's confused, yes, this is Cheap Is Cheap. Just changed the name.

I don't own anything related to BlazBlue.

Panting, Ragna leaned against a wall, but made sure to support Taokaka. "That's… the last time… I'm ever dragging… a wounded anything… up twelve freaking flights of stairs! Seriously, why the hell don't they have an elevator built here?"

"Kagutsuchi still isn't fully developed." Tsubaki was just as tired as he was, but far less irritated. "Come on; we can't rest until we get to the hospital."

With a huff, Ragna started forward again, noting the slender alley they were in with disdain. No place to run to and an injured cat-girl to defend. If anyone was going to try and ambush him, this would be the perfect time. He shook his head. Paranoia talking; the general populace distrusted the Library too much to bother with his bounty, and Tsubaki's presence should ward off any NOL officers… well, if there were any in Kagutsuchi. The empty halls of the branch haunted him. He had taken them as a blessing during his storming of the building, but now they filled him with dread. If Terumi was involved…

"Stop right there, villain!" A raucous bark sounded and turned Ragna's worry into annoyance. Or I could run into a vigilante. That works, too. But god damn it, did it really have to be this idiot? A man pointed down from a rooftop, long red scarf billowing in the wind. "How dare you injure my precious disciple, Ragna the Bloodedge! And you! You're an officer of the Library, are you not? And yet you seem to be an accomplice of a known criminal… I, Bang Shishigami, shall deliver justice!"

"…What?" Tsubaki blinked, stunned by the sudden accusation. "We're just trying to help Tao. Where'd you get the idea that-"

"Ha!" Bang jumped down from the building. "Irredeemable lies!"

"No, no, scruffy man, you've got it all wrong." Taokaka didn't quite understand what was going on, but she didn't like where it was going. It would be no fun if they played while she had to watch. "Squiggly hurt me, so good guy and eye woman are taking Tao to see boobie lady! Good guy's just being a good guy, meow."

Bang took a moment to work his way through the nicknames. With a nod, he folded his arms. "I see..."

"Good. Now, if you'll just get the hell out of our way…"

Ragna tried to pass by him, but found Bang's finger inches from the bridge of his nose. "You are even more despicable than I thought!"

"What."

"By callously injuring an innocent Kaka, who just happens to be my disciple, you hoped to enter Miss Litchi's clinic and commit unspeakable atrocities, did you not? And to think that an officer of the hated Library is in on it as well…"

Tsubaki winced; everything about this man gave her a headache. "Tao just said that she was attacked by Arakune; were you even listening?"

"Yes… a believable tale for the average person. I, however, see straight through you! You have hypnotized my disciple into doing your bidding!"

"…What."

"Enough talk!" Bang sprang back, entering a battle stance. "Your time has come, Ragna the Bloodedge. Prepare to be defeated at the hands of the hero who fights in the name of love and justice, Bang Shishigami!"

Ragna slid Taokaka off his shoulder, letting her rest on her back. "Tsubaki, watch her. I'll deal with this idiot."

Tsubaki reached out to stop him. Too late. "Ragna, don't-"

"Dead Spike!" Ragna swung at the advancing ninja and dark energy in the shape of a monstrous head extended well beyond his fist. It knocked the ninja back, but he stayed on his feet. Perfect. Bang was too slow to block a chest-high kick that tossed him into a wall. He chucked a nail at Ragna's feet; the criminal jumped to the side and roared. A dashing punch caught Bang's face and a wave of darkness threw him so hard against the building, its walls cracked. Ragna smirked as he lunged at the fallen ninja once more with another burst of the Azure's darkness. Guess I'm starting to adjust. This should be easy.

Bang's fists glowed with a fiery aura and he plowed through the attack to strike Ragna with enough force to slam him against a far wall. He bounced off the brick and came down on his knees, groaning. He raised a gloved wrist to block an incoming nail. "Damn bastard. Gauntlet… ohsonofabi-"

Ragna threw himself forward, expecting to strike a flying blow to Bang's head. Instead, he flung himself well over his target and crashed face-first into another brick wall, which broke into a spider's web of cracks. He slid down the rough surface, motionless. Bang turned to glare at him, a trickle of blood running from his lip. "Are you mocking me? Rise, Ragna the Bloodedge. It is against my master's teachings to strike a man when he's down. Or do you mean to surrender?"

Ragna groaned. It felt as though he had shattered his entire skull. "That doesn't give me much incentive to get up. I think I'll just lay here and lament the fact that you made an idiot out of me."

"Honestly, I think you managed that yourself."

At Tsubaki's words, Bang turned to her, bruised but still in fighting spirits. "And now, it's your turn to face my judgment, evildoer. Or if you wish, I could simply turn you in. My victory is assured and I'd rather not strike a woman."

From where she crouched beside Taokaka, Tsubaki glared at him. "This is your justice?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Attacking on an assumption…y ou consider that fighting for justice?"

"Well, I suppose that's technically not… wrong." He crossed his arms, a serious look on his face. "I am a man of the people. As such, it is my duty to protect them from the evil that haunts these streets. I have enough experience that I can tell when one is up to no good; I can almost feel the evil emanating from you. And Ragna… well, he needs no explanation."

Tsubaki's face contorted as she balled a white-knuckled fist and approached him. "So you go around, attacking those you think might commit crimes? You, a citizen with little or no authority, have the gall to just appoint yourself judge and executioner?"

"I generally only go after known criminals or obvious threats, but… yes. Sometimes. It is best to nip crime in the bud, after all. Um, where are you going with this?"

Apparently, a fierce punch to his face was where Tsubaki's train of thought was headed. As she stood over him, she snarled, Izayoi in a tight grip. "So, you attack people, even if you have no proof of wrongdoing. You're no more a hero than the criminals you hunt!"

Rubbing his jaw, Bang cowered away from her fury. He remembered the cruelty of the Library in the Ikaruga war; surely this girl was no different. His hands searched for a nail. "I am driven by the pain of Ikaruga to bring peace to my people. If it protects the innocent, if it keeps evil off our streets, then I fail to see the problem. Not that one from the Library would understand, especially one who flaunts her power the way you do."

"The problem is you potentially attacking the 'innocent' you claim to protect!" Her grip tightened further; for a man to be this dense… "And what do you mean by I wouldn't understand? I requested my position because I want to preserve peace."

"A criminal's accomplice, claiming to fight for peace? Such blatant lies, they wound me!"

"Well, it's the truth, although you'll no doubt refuse to see it no matter what I do." Tsubaki faltered. Stating her reasons for joining Zero Squadron had reminded her of her duties. "Tell me. What good is fighting for peace when you just cause further strife? What do you achieve by attacking an innocent in a misguided belief they were 'evil'? What on earth do you accomplish?"

His hand stopped poking around for a weapon, but Bang wasn't ready to admit defeat yet. "Me? Attack an innocent? Inconceivable!"

"It's very conceivable, considering that's more or less what you just did to me."

"You are traveling with a known criminal! Why should I trust your words?"

"We're traveling together for many reasons, including getting medical help for Tao. And you didn't answer my question."

Bang sighed. "I… you're right. It would terrible if I did such a thing. However, are you seriously suggesting that I should just allow criminals to commit their heinous deeds? I shudder at the thought."

"You help those you can and stop what evil you see, but you realize your limits. If you stretch them too far, nothing good will come of it." Tsubaki lowered her weapon, shamed that she'd allowed herself to show such anger. "I'm glad that you are trying to help the Ikaruga refugees. Really. I doubt you'd believe me—your hatred for the Librarium seems too strong. But if you attack people because they merely look suspicious… well, you're going to create more problems than you solve."

Looking down at the ground, Bang nodded, defeated. "I… suppose there is a certain degree of wisdom in your words. If you truly seek to protect those in need, then I apologize for my assumption. But… well, if you plan on arresting me for my actions, then…"

"I have no plans to arrest you. You didn't actually attack me, and I'm pretty much off-duty at this point." Not that Captain Hazama would be too happy about that last part… "Besides, you say you fight to protect the people. As long as you change your methods, I have no problem letting you go."

"I thank you. May I ask your name?"

"I'm Tsubaki, of the Yayoi family."

"A noble?" He was surprised that one of the Duodecim could show such kindness; he doubted any others would be the same. After dropping to his knees, he lowered his head in a respectful bow. "Again, I must thank you, Miss Tsubaki. I, Bang Shishi-"

"Will you stop saying your name?" Ragna had not budged since his collision, deciding just to let Tsubaki deal with the annoyance. His pounding headache didn't exactly inspire him into action, either. "We got it already, damn it."

"…Anyways, thank you. I will take your words to heart."

Tsubaki's face flushed, embarrassed by having someone bowing before her. "Please, Mister Bang. There's no need to bow. Um... Ragna and I should really get going."

"You are taking Taokaka to Miss Litchi's clinic, are you not?" Bang stood back up, a smile on his face. He wiped away the dried blood on his chin. "If you wish, I can accompany you."

"Oh…no, it's all right. We'll be fine. Well, if Ragna's okay, that is." They both headed over to where Ragna lay. Tsubaki knelt beside him. "Um… you're okay, right?"

"Just wonderful. Only had my face smashed in. Nothing big."

Rolling her eyes and suppressing a chuckle, Tsubaki reached into some part of her uniform and produced a handkerchief. Gently, she wiped away the blood streaming from his forehead and nose. "That better?"

"...I guess that helps. A little. Thanks." With a grumble, he sat up, the world spinning around him. He clutched his head and wondered if the impact had concussed him. "I swear to God, I'm gonna kill Luna. As soon as I get Blood-Scythe back, I'm gonna take it and-"

"Please spare me the details. The image of you bisecting a ten-year-old girl really isn't that pleasant." She pulled him back to his feet and prodded him over towards Taokaka; his dizziness threatened to knock both of them over. "Um… are you going to be able to help Tao?"

"I… think so. Just give me a few minutes." He glowered at Bang. Or at least the midpoint between the two Bangs in his vision. "And you. You can leave anytime now."

"If you truly do not require my assistance, then I shall be on my way." Bang nodded. "Farewell, Miss Tsubaki… Ragna."

After slamming something down onto the street, Bang disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Coughing in the thick mist, Ragna and Tsubaki headed over to where Taokaka lay, the criminal leaning on Tsubaki's shoulder for support. Taokaka's ears drooped when they approached and hefted her onto their shoulders. "Hey, good guy, you don't look so good. Do you need to take a nap neow?"

Ragna took a moment to respond; staying on his feet with Taokaka's added weight took all his concentration. Once he was sure he could walk halfway straight, he shook his head. "Nah. I'll be fine. Besides, your leg's a bit more important than a headache."

As they headed toward the clinic on Taokaka's directions, a cold pair of eyes spotted them from a distance. There was no mistaking that mess of spiked hair. Their owner's face cracked into a psychotic grin. "Well, Ragna. Didn't expect to find you here."

Litchi sighed. Not a single person had come in that day; most unusual. With so little to do, she considered wandering the city in the hopes of finding Tager. She needed to talk to Kokonoe before… Well, she didn't want to think about what could happen to her. Will I end up the same as him?

Her depressive line of thought ended as the door creaked. Pleased to finally have a patient, she smiled and rose. "Come in."

The door flew open and revealed the last person she expected. Ragna the Bloodedge. And slung over his shoulder… "Tao! What happened to you?"

She glared at the criminal. "If you had anything to do with this…"

"Oh, it's you." He frowned as he and Tsubaki entered. He'd met her when he first reached Kagutsuchi; she was the only reason he hadn't killed Arakune then. Of course, if he'd killed that atrocity then, Taokaka would not be injured now… He shook off the thought. That kind of reasoning never led anywhere remotely positive. "And no, I didn't do this. Arakune attacked the village."

"Arakune did that?" Litchi shivered. "Please… tell me you didn't-"

"He's still alive, don't worry. Not for lack of trying on my part, though."

"I see…" She turned her attention to Tsubaki, a wide grin cracking on the doctor's face. Oh, she's just perfect… "And who's your friend?"

"I'm Tsubaki Yayoi." Tsubaki was rather unnerved by the woman's smile. It looked sweet enough, but there was something… wrong about it. She and Ragna placed Taokaka down on an empty bed. "I'm hardly his friend; he's just helping me find someone."

"I see." Litchi pursed her lips as she looked over Taokaka. She didn't know how much she could do for her leg. "Tao, did you ask to be taken here?"

"Of course! Boobie lady always helps Tao! And Tao gets to play with-"

"I-I'm sorry," Litchi said, an attempt to cut off the Kaka before she could say anything too embarrassing. "But with this kind of injury… you two should have taken her to an actual hospital."

Ragna scoffed. "I can't just go strolling into a hospital with an injured girl. Well, unless I want the Library coming down on my ass. Besides, Tao didn't say anything about it being so small. Do you even have any… assistants or anything?"

"I have one, but she's off doing some shopping." Litchi sighed. "I suppose I can treat her. I doubt I'd do as well as a proper hospital, but…"

She trailed off and examined the leg in great detail. With Litchi's smile still ingrained in her mind, Tsubaki asked, "So, how much do we owe you? I can pay you up front, if you want."

"Oh, don't worry about it. It's on the house for helping Tao." Of course, if you insist… She looked up at Ragna's face. "What happened to you, anyways?"

"Oh, just had an encounter with some dumbass from Ikaruga."

"…Bang?"

"Yeah."

Despite looking straight at a mutilated leg, Litchi broke into a fit of giggles. "Oh, my. The Grim Reaper lost to Bang?"

"Well… technically. I am kinda missing my sword, though." And now, my pride. Stop rubbing it in, damn it.

Tsubaki smirked. "To be fair, Ragna pretty much did that to himself. He was doing quite well until then. He's just having… trouble adjusting to not having his sword."

"Thanks, Tsubaki. Thanks. Really wanted her to know that."

"So, basically, Ragna the Bloodedge is at his weakest? And despite being with the Library, you're not trying to capture him?" Litchi gave Tsubaki a knowing look. "When you said you weren't his friend, you meant there was something more. Am I right?"

"What? No!" Tsubaki scowled deep at the suggestion. "I don't like him, not at all! He's just taking me to meet someone; in exchange, I won't capture him or report that I even met him. It's nothing like… that."

Smirking, Litchi turned her attention back to Taokaka. "What do you think, Tao?"

"Tao thinks good guy and eye woman are great together, meow! Why, before their combined might, even squiggly ran away! Tao likes them, mew."

"Why the hell does everyone keep suggesting that?" Ragna buried his face into a palm. His headache hadn't abated yet, but at least he could see straight. "It's just convenient, okay? Sheesh, this is getting annoying..."

Litchi's smirk faded. "Well, anyways, thanks for bringing Tao in. Unfortunately…"

"You can't have the Grim Reaper hanging around." Ragna nodded to himself. "Figured."

"I'm sorry, Ragna. But if anyone else from the NOL saw you in here… well, it would be my death warrant."

"Yeah, I gotcha. Let's go, Tsubaki." He turned to leave, but found the door already open. He and Tsubaki both paled at the blond man who stood there. Blue uniform smeared with blood, katana held by its sheath… "Jin, you bastard. What the hell are you doing here?"

Jin's face cracked into a sinister grin. "I saw you a while ago, brother. I've been following you."

"God damn it…" Ragna snarled, stepping back. Of all the people run into with Blood-Scythe missing…

Jin laughed, the sonic incarnate of madness. "So, brother. Why don't we have some fun?"

Yukianesa slid out of its sheath and slashed at Ragna's throat. The criminal fell back, cursing. Agony still pounded in his skull. Litchi was up in a flash, a staff in her hand. "Excuse me, this is a clinic. I can't allow fight-"

"Shut up, woman." Jin hacked at his brother and paid Litchi no further mind. Ragna rolled away and clutched his right wrist. Son of a bitch, I'm gonna have to use the Azure Grimoire…

"Jin! Stop!" Tsubaki's command echoed through the room; tears had gathered in her eyes. This can't be Jin… he's never acted like this before. She remembered what Ragna had said about Jin; that he went utterly insane whenever he met his brother. She'd refused to believe it, but now…

It was though she had said nothing at all; Jin didn't even look her way. Bloodlust had rooted itself too deep within his mind. A sword of ice formed in midair and plunged into Ragna's arm. As the criminal cried out, clutching his shoulder, Jin sneered. "What's the matter, brother? Why aren't you fighting back? I know all about your grimoire; why don't you use it? Killing you again just won't be any fun otherwise."

"Oh, I'll give you a fight, jackass." Ragna snarled. "Restriction 666 released…"

His eyes widened as the katana slashed straight at his face. He braced himself, but the blow never came; a translucent red blade intercepted it. Tsubaki stood at his side, eyes watering. "Major Kisaragi! Stop this at once!"

"Tsubaki. Why are you with my brother?" His voice turned cold and contemptuous; closer to the Jin she knew, at least since his return from the Ikaruga war.

Her trembling quelled itself when she looked into his eyes, icy but sane. "I have my reasons for traveling with him. Please, Jin. Stop. This isn't like you."

"Yeah! Go away, ice man!" Taokaka punctuated her command with a hiss.

Ragna shook his head. "Shut up, you idiot; you'll just make everything worse."

"Hmph. Know your place, cat, or I'll be forced to teach it to you." Jin's glare flickered back from Taokaka. "And if I don't stop? Would you side with Ragna?"

"Yes, Jin. I would." Tsubaki's voice held conviction; her mind, despair and utter terror. Their blades pressed harder against each other. At such close proximity, she could see where blood had drenched his white undershirt. "I… have orders to terminate you. I'd rather not fight here; not with an injured girl to get caught in the crossfire. But if you insist on it… I will have no choice. You're wounded. You couldn't hope to defeat me and Ragna."

Litchi's grip tightened on the pole. "You'd be fighting me, as well. Hero of Ikaruga or not, you'd be outmatched."

"I see." Jin's face softened, the frost of his eyes melting, and he lowered his weapon. "Who gave you these orders?"

"The orders had the seal of the Imperator. The person who delivered them is inconsequential."

"Hmph." Hazama. Has to be. He wheeled around and slid Yukianesa back into its sheath."Tsubaki, whoever gave you those orders… don't trust them. I do not wish to fight you, so I'll relent today. You're the last person I want as an enemy, but if you continue to stand in my way in the future, I'll have no choice but to cut you down."

The warning wounded Tsubaki worse than any cut from Yukianesa ever could. The so-called 'Hero of Ikaruga' looked back once more, manic grin plastered on his face. "I'll let you live today, brother. But you'd better give me a better fight next time we meet."

Giggling with madness, he slammed the door shut. As he clutched his bloody arm, Ragna stood up and glanced at Tsubaki. "Damn, that's twice today you've talked a nutcase out of killing me. How the hell do…"

Her breathing heavy, Tsubaki stormed out the door and left him in stunned silence. Despite her pain, Taokaka smirked at Ragna, a coy expression that did not agree with his mood at all. "Wow, good guy, you really suck at talking to girls!"

"Yes, Tao, it's all my fault. It clearly has nothing to do with her friend going absolutely batshit in front of her." He started for the door and paused to give Litchi a look. "Um, there's gonna be another Kaka coming by in a bit. Name's Torakaka. If she gets here before we come back, just tell her we'll be here shortly."

What do you mean, when you come back? I thought I said… Litchi smiled and focused on treating Taokaka. "I can do that much."

"Thanks." He headed out the door to look for Tsubaki.

Tsubaki sat in a nearby alleyway, hugging her knees. Confusion, terror and torment were rolled into a single, crushing emotion. That couldn't have been Jin. There's no way…for him to snap like that…

Anguish turned to ire. Ragna. It's because of Ragna. It's all his fault. She cursed herself for letting her hatred for him slip in the past day. Even if he seemed pretty decent, he was the root of Jin's madness, of Noel's desertion, of everything that had gone wrong recently…

Her fingers dug into her skin. Why did she even take him up on his offer in the first place? She had no reason to trust him; no reason to believe him, even. She just took his words at face value out of shock, never even considering that he could be lying about being trained by Jubei. I should have captured him right there. I should capture him right now. Everything's his fault; I…

Why didn't she hate him? She had every reason in the world. Even if he hadn't driven Noel to betrayal, even if he didn't drive Jin to insanity, he was still the greatest enemy of the organization she served. The simple fact she'd aided him would be a death sentence if it ever got out. But if she captured or killed him now, there was no chance she'd be prosecuted, no matter what stories Intelligence dug up. So why don't I want to do it? Is it because he is willing to fight to the death for others? Is it because he claims to be fighting to help this world, even if it means being hunted by who he's trying to protect? Or… or do I just like who he is, regardless of what he's done?

She had no time to wonder where that last thought had come from. A shadow cast over her and she glanced up. Speak of the devil. Ragna took a seat beside her, face almost as morose as hers. She looked away. "What do you want?"

"The hell? I just came to talk. See if you were alright and shit." Ragna regretted his words as soon as they were out of his mouth. Perfect way to start: curse at whoever you're trying to comfort. "Um… sorry 'bout that."

"…I'm used to your language." She didn't look away from the ground. "So, why do you want to talk to me?"

"'Cause, the way I see it, I'm the root of whatever's going on in your head. Even if I didn't do anything directly."

His words surprised her. "And I'm supposed to believe that you care?"

He sighed and matched her in staring at the street. "Well, for one, you've saved my ass twice since you said that you wouldn't help me. Three times, if you actually wanna count Bang. And… I'll be honest. You seem like a decent person. A damn rarity these days."

She snorted. Even in her mental torment, he still managed to amuse her. "I'm honored the Grim Reaper has such a high opinion of me."

"I'm serious. You're rational, you actually care about the people you fight for if that lecture you gave Bang is any indication... Really, you're by far the most tolerable person I've seen since I got here. Pretty much everyone else is trying to kill me, is annoying or is Noel."

Tsubaki blinked at that last one. "What's wrong with Noel?"

"Nothing, really. She just got really weird after a while." He shook his head at the memory. "Wanted to talk to me for some reason."

"So, when Noel tries to talk to you, you rebuke her, but when I storm away, you seek me to try and talk to me?"

"Well… yeah. Like I said, I'm responsible for everything that's gone wrong for you lately. And…" He felt uncomfortable saying such a thing, but since he'd already started, might as well finish. "Uh, well… sorry that I've managed to completely screw everything up for you."

"Don't apologize. Please." She met his eyes. Thoughts of Jin, pistons the crushed her heart, welled up again. She couldn't evade them any longer. "Ragna… do you mind if I… um…"

"Ramble about Jin? I'd be doing a lousy job at this crap if I said no."

Again, Ragna managed to bring a small smile to her face. It died within moments. "He's… well, he was like a brother to me for most of my life. Still is, I guess. And at one point, maybe more; I'm not really sure. He was a bit ahead of me at the academy. But then…"

She trailed off, but Ragna could guess what was coming. "The Ikaruga Civil War."

She nodded. "Yes. I'd heard that war could change a person, but I never expected... well, this. He had been caring, friendly, determined; he came back cold, condescending and apathetic to everything but himself. Even me."

Ragna had no words for her; nothing he could think of seemed remotely appropriate. He wasn't surprised; talking was far from his forte. Instead, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, the only action that felt reasonable. An instinct screamed at Tsubaki to slap it away and rebuke him. He was an enemy, she shouldn't allow him to touch her. She let it scream itself into silence, refusing to acknowledge it; it felt nice, regardless of whose touch it was. "I haven't talked to him much since he returned; he was appointed Major for his actions, so he was always busy. But even when we did meet…"

She couldn't bring herself to go on. She had taken his impersonal demeanor to be simple professionalism. After his actions in the clinic, she wondered if he just saw everyone else as possible obstacles to overcome. Silent tears welled up. "I… I know I have my orders… but I don't know if I could bring myself to even fight him, much less kill him..."

"You sure seemed willing to a few minutes ago." Ragna felt an urge to slap himself. Why can't I keep those kinds of thoughts to myself? For the briefest moment, he thought she would react with anger—that he'd managed to completely screw up talking to her.

But no, her expression didn't even change. "My only goal there was keeping Tao from further harm. I don't know if I actually could have gone through with it."

And in an instant, misery took her in its cold clutches again and tears finally leaked out. "I don't know what to do anymore… I joined Zero Squadron to maintain peace…"

"And they turned around and sent you to kill the two people closest to you."

She nodded. "I want to help him. I want help to both of them; but…"

There's nothing I can do; not when they're my enemies. She didn't want to admit that. No, there was one thing she could do; deliver Ragna to the justice he deserved, like she should. At the very least, that would bring Jin back to sanity… Tsubaki sighed. She wasn't going to do that, not with Ragna going out of his way to help her. And would it really help Jin in any way? She looked up at Ragna. "I know you're the last person I should be asking, but… what do you think I should do?"

"Huh?" He blinked a few times. "You're actually asking me?"

She nodded and he heaved a sigh. "I don't think you're gonna like it, but…well, don't go through with your orders. Picking a friend of Jin and Noel to kill them? Intelligence would've known you were close to them. To me, that says something's up."

"In other words, you want me to desert."

"Hey, I didn't say that. If you really believe them to be protectors of peace or whatever, I'm not gonna try to convince you otherwise. You wanna help Noel and Jin? Talk to a superior, see if you can't get reassigned. Hell, you might even be able to get at least one of them acquitted if you talk to the right person."

"Thanks for the suggestion, but order is from the Imperator."

"Well, shit." Ragna frowned. There went all of his ideas. Or the legal ones, at least. "Well, I don't know what to say then. Have you talked to your father? He's the head of the Yayoi family, right? Maybe he could do something."

She closed her eyes. "I can try, but I doubt anything would change."

"Look, Tsubaki. You really shouldn't go through with this; I can just tell it will have a crap ending. For all three of you. Remember what you said to Bang? About knowing your limits and not stretching them too far and all that crap?"

"Mhm."

"I think you're gonna have to against that idea. The Library limits what you can do for them; you'd have to break free from it." He sighed and looked down. "And I'm sorry I suck so bad at this."

"Well, thanks for trying at least." To his utter shock, she leaned against him and rested her head on his shoulder. "You're actually pretty nice."

"The hell I am. I just… I dunno."

Although sorrow still gnawed away inside her, Tsubaki gave him a smile. "Even if you won't admit it."

He nodded, trying to shake off his surprise. "You know, I'll be honest; I wouldn't mind helping Jin myself."

"Even though you hate him?"

"Yeah. It'd be nice to have one less psychopath out for my blood. Plus, I'm sure Terumi had something to do with it."

Tsubaki nodded, feeling all the blame she had aimed at Ragna evaporate. There was someone she could hate, a true evil that had sown the seeds long before she'd even met Jin. Her tears died as conviction overpowered melancholy. If Terumi was as evil as Ragna claimed he was—something that fit with many of the tales she'd heard about him—she'd have no qualms doing everything possible to bring him down, even if it meant joining forces with the Grim Reaper. She gave Ragna a quick hug around the waist. "Thanks again, Ragna."

The hell? First she says I'm nice, now she hugs me? "Uh, yeah. No problem. When did you get so touchy-feely?"

She chuckled. "Well, I can't really say I hate you anymore."

"Even with all the shit I've done?"

"…I hate your actions against the Librarium, yes. But at the same time, I am starting to believe you are trying to help the world… in some way."

"Some violent way. What convinced you?"

"…Pretty much everything you've done today."

"I haven't done that much…"

"No, trust me, you have." They both fell silent for a few moments. Tsubaki rose, Ragna's arm sliding off her shoulders. "I… think I'm ready to go back now."

"She's not here yet? Damn it." Irritated by Litchi's words, Ragna wandered over to Taokaka. "So, how's Tao doing?"

"Well, the cuts aren't as bad as they look." Litchi finished bandaging the leg. "However, that's a terrible break in her leg. I've done all I can for it."

"Yay!" Taokaka sprang from her bed and landed on her wrecked leg. Naturally, it crumpled beneath her. "Owowowow! Boobie lady, you said you fixed Tao's leg!"

Ragna swatted a palm against his forehead. "She said she's done all she can, not that she fixed it. Idiot."

As Ragna leaned down to help Taokaka back up, Tsubaki joined him. "Tao, I'm sorry, but you're not going to be walking for a couple months. At least."

"Aww…" Taokaka's ears drooped as she was placed back on the bed. "But Tao's supposed to be getting strong, meow. What happens if the squiggly attacks the village and Tao isn't there to stop it?"

Litchi smiled at her. "I'm sure that someone will take care of it while you're gone. But in the meantime… I can have you study. I'll teach you everything I can."

"Ooh! Teach me, boobie lady!"

Ragna facepalmed at Taokaka's exuberance. Does she even know what 'study' means? The door opened behind them and Ragna's eye twitched. "I swear, if it's another person trying to kill me, I'm gonna…"

"Don't worry, it's me." Torakaka entered, tail twitching. "Eye woman. I can take you to see cat person neow, if you wish."

"Yes, please." Tsubaki darted over to the Kaka, giddy with the prospect of meeting Jubei. The excitement was enough to wash away her sadness for the moment. As she reached Torakaka, she looked back and smiled. "Well, Ragna, thanks for everything…"

"Hey, why are you acting like this is goodbye?" He walked over to the two girls. "I'm coming, too; gotta talk to Jubei myself, thanks to Luna. Hey, Tao!"

"Mew?"

"There's thirty meat buns in it for you if you don't try walking until Litchi says you can. Deal?"

"Ooh! Ooh! Thank you, good guy! Tao will not leave this bed, mark my words! Meow!"

"Alright, good." He and Tsubaki followed Torakaka into the streets, heading in the direction of the NOL branch that overlooked the entire city. Tsubaki, almost shaking with excitement, tapped Torakaka's shoulder. "Um, if you don't mind me asking… where is he meeting us?"

"Cat person's waiting in a park not too far from here."

Ragna frowned. "Why the hell didn't Jubei stay with you? That would've made things a lot easier, you know."

Torakaka didn't look back at Ragna. "Cat person said he had something he wished to do first."

"Seriously? Ugh, if the rest of the day's any indication, something bad's gonna happen..."

He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Tsubaki, an excited smile on her face. "Relax. We'll be fine. I'm sure the three of us can fight off pretty much anything."

"Unless I toss myself into another wall." Ragna sighed. "I guess it's fine. Sorry, I'm just sick of today already. First Arakune, then that idiot, then Jin…"

Tsubaki's smile veered towards becoming something wry, teasing. "Are you all right?"

"Besides the broken face? Yeah. Why?"

"You've apologized at least twice in the last hour; I was just thinking something might be wrong."

He rolled his eyes. "Funny. I could ask the same of you. When'd you get so friendly?"

"Touché."

They fell silent as they trailed behind Torakaka. After about fifteen minutes, the streets turned to grass. A bit ahead, a small figure rested beneath a tree. Their guide came to a stop. "Cat person is just ahead. I'm sorry, but I need to return to the village. With Tao injured, I'll need to protect it in her stead."

Ragna nodded. "That's fine. I'll see you around, Tora."

"You too, Ragna."

She darted off to one side and disappeared into the crowd. Ragna started forward again. "Ready?"

"Of course." Tsubaki's smirk faded when she saw his expression. "What's wrong, Ragna?"

"It's…" He heaved a sigh. "It's just that if we meet again after this…"

"It'll likely be as enemies." Tsubaki nodded. "I know. If I don't get a chance to say this later… thanks for everything, Ragna."

"No problem. Thanks for not trying to kill me; a nice change from pretty much every other god damn person in this place."

They wandered under the branches of the tree where the figure, a feline beastkin only about four feet tall, smiled at them. A basket of steamed buns waited beside him. "Ah, Ragna. Didn't expect ya to come as well."

A/N: With apologies to Jin fans... of which I'm one... don't worry, he'll get some level of redemption. And like I said, I've written a draft of the next chapter already. Could easily be up within the next few days, too.