I'M BACK!*ducks tree branches*

I'm really sorry for the long wait. There was the lunar new year, stuff and more stuff. Then there was even more stuff.

Still, have this chapter to sate your thirst. The usual blabber goes here and big thanks goes to Ban3 again, as usually for editing this.

Apparently, my name is a pile of shit. It literally is a series of random names cobbled together for the sake of identity. Then again, most of our names were. Project Youkai candidates came from wide variety of different sources and one doesn't mean location. I discovered files that labeled my closest companions and me as a Triangle of origins. Apparently, they want to see if a team assembled from three different origins would have any sort of variations, even though we don't have much memory of our pre-project past. Some were born from a well-selected gene pool, via the help of surrogate mothers. Others were taken from orphanages, the result of genetic tracing. The lucky or perhaps, unlucky ones where those who were selected from families, loving mothers and fathers who would see their dreams shattered by sudden loss. They were allowed to keep their names and had a world to return, as different as that world was. The process of returning was hard on both sides, more so for the candidates, whose only experience of a family was the fellow comrades they had. Meanwhile, Security and Secrecy concerns dominated minds of the planners of these events. The meets took place in utmost secrecy and only after long consideration. Society cannot be allowed to discover us. We would not let the relative freedom granted by the Project fall be exchanged for the peaceful laws of a fragile system.-Notes by Office of Physics operative(ret) Dutch Kotozaki, submitted to the Crypt for storage(Vault Ember).

Human village

If you told Dutch that he would be in danger of dying at the hands... or rather the blades of humans in a world made to preserve non-humans, he would probably agree with you, at least on the homicidal humans part. After all, predictable human behaviors rarely change across the lands. Those living in wild lands were bound to be suspicious, even of their own kind.

But if you said that he would be in danger along with a beautiful woman of non-human origin while mentally bonded with an adorable avatar of a device of extraterrestrial design, well, he might believe you. Barely. After all, at this point the tale was so impossible, so out of this world that it could very well fall in the realm of possibility.

All of these thoughts were far from his mind as he watched the circle of men that surrounded him. What was closer were urgent thoughts regarding what would come next, even though it would be easy for him to turn it around very quickly.

Glancing around, he knew exactly where each of them were aiming. If he so wished, lines showing each and every one of their trajectories could appear in his vision. He could force them to fire and then use Fastsight to get him and Tenma down onto the ground before the bolts could reach either of them.

He knew which shots would connect, would strike to rip the life from the bodies of these villages. He would take care of the rest via blade and pistol, the required actions, necessary to finish them had already been planned and committed to muscle memory. All it would take was a spark, a single action to set off this sequence of events.

As he tensed up, his body coiling in anticipation of the attack, he shook himself out of the battle haze. He blinked as his vision blurred between the present and future, his view switching between a standing circle of men and one formed by bodies on the ground.

'You're letting your instincts get the better of you, Ember 3...'

He started, glancing behind him wildly. That voice, so comfortingly close and yet so wispily faint. No, it couldn't be. It was impossible. She was on the other side of the barrier.

"Nora?" He breathed, so lightly only Tenma could hear. Her eyebrows tightened infinitesimally as she heard that name.

Their opponents, unable to see the events past, simply kept their rifles up.

"What's your business here?" One of the villagers asked.

His question went unanswered as Dutch broke through the battle haze in his mind. These were simple villagers, not bloodthirsty mercenaries. He should not treat them the same as those from his past.

"Just passing through with my partner." He returned, placing emphasis on his companion. "We mean you guys no harm."

"Oh yeah? Well I don't trust you. You and your youkai..." The man spat the word out, as if it was a dirty word."...can just turn around and leave. We don't need the likes of collaborators like you here."

"And on whose authority can you turn them away Kei? Whose, pray tell?" A cold voice inquired from behind them. The circle split to show a man, his hair hued with the salt and pepper colours of age, one long scar ran along his forehead, glaring at the armed men.

The leader of the group choked under his breath. "Jack!" He shouted fearfully.

"Tell me. Otherwise get out of my sight." He growled. The leader slunk dejectedly back towards the village.

"I apologize for the rude treatment that you received but we have to be sure. Have to watch for shape-shifters trying to get in. You don't look like someone from around here though." The man, now named Jack, stated.

"Indeed. I'm from the outside." Dutch answered.

"I see." Jack answered, as his eyes froze. "Perhaps you would like to tell me what is the capital of South Africa?"

"Pretoria, Cape Town, or Bloemfontein? Their government is divided among three different cities after all." Dutch remarked.

His answer made Jack smile brightly. "He's genuine people. Let him go."

The villagers surrounding them lowered their weapons. Jack walked forth and stuck out a hand, one Dutch shook gratefully. "I must apologize again for this. We had shape-shifters use that excuse before."

"I see." Dutch mused as he and Tenma followed Jack, who turned around and walked back to the village.

"They use that excuse as a free get in card, since it allows them to claim ignorance. After a few incidents, we had to question everyone using that excuse." Their guide explained.

"What about that man, Kei?" Dutch questioned.

"Him? He can go sulk back home. Your... partner isn't a feral youkai. We have no issue with her."

"I see."

Memory

Depth Watcher

"Why did you do that?" Vale asked as Nora dabbed a cotton swab on her forehead, where a line of red crossed it. The entity winced as the alcohol came in to contact with her skin.

Nora smiled. "He's letting his instincts take over him. Haven't you noticed his reaction to fighting humans? The very idea of fighting them brings back all his skills, his memories. Just like Tenma, he needed to break the hold the memories had on him, otherwise something bad could happen. My voice suffices."

Her job done, she packed away her medical kit, which disappeared immediately afterwards, and walked to the railing of the helicopter deck, taking a long breath of the salty air. Her eyes twinkled in the light as she sifted through the memories, searching for one that would mean something.

"You're feeling desperate about him aren't you? After all, by taking the Sage's mission, he's exposing himself to serious danger, I'm right aren't I ?" She questioned.

Vale nodded fearfully. "It's like...I was made to be with him. And to know that I can lose him...it feels so hollow, just the thought of it. It's like we are together and alone in our minds. I can feel him, right now, his presence. A strong presence. When he's gone, my head just feel empty and…and I don't want it to be empty." She whispered.

"Then it won't be. He will return. If you don't trust in his loyalty, trust in his skills. He won't go down that easily."

"But still..." She continued. "Haven't you felt the same?"

Nora nodded. "More so for him and his fellow. Those two would throw themselves in front of a car for me and I have to make sure that never happens."

She walked back to the entity, pulling out a sphere of memory. "Come then. This one is a mix of his and mine. You are not the only one who needs him."

Ukraine

3 years ago

Nuclear Denial Operation

Safe house

"We are running out of time guys." Nora warned, as she watched the camera footage transmitted back to her via helmet-mounted cameras.

"Why don't you come over here and help? We could swap places." Dutch shot back, as he took out a man with a series of pistol shots.

"I think we all know why I'm here." Their partner answered, her voice thick with exasperation, as she pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.

"Aye. I was actually surprised that you got out of those restraints that fast. We shouldn't have left you in the kitchen." Aden quipped, keeping a squad of men behind cover with a quick burst of his RPD light machine gun. His targets were soon taken out of commission with a well timed grenade, thrown by his partner.

"Just keep yourselves safe and get the nuke."

Dutch grinned as he leaned against a door. "Well, seeing that it is behind this door, I say the latter is easily accomplished."

"On three. One, two, three!" Aden yelled as Dutch kicked the door down and he rushed in, his light machine gun firing away. But there was nothing for it to shoot at, just a grey oblong device in the middle of the room.

"We have the nuke. Disarming now." Dutch announced as his partner moved to cover the door.

Taking out the contents of a tool kit from his pocket, he proceeded to unscrew the screws, which connected to a panel.

As he worked, he asked their female partner jovially."So Nora, you want this gift-"

Nora frowned at the sudden cut. "Dutch? You suddenly cut off."

But her question got no answer as the two screens in front of her gave her only static.

"Guys?" Came her fearful query when suddenly, every single electronic device around her died. The two screens in front of her simply displayed blackness.

"No, no no no..." Nora whispered as she rose from her seat drunkenly, her heart clenched with fear.

She ran to the window, where light blazed through it like a high intensity spotlight, but she chose to ignore it. Because the answer was too painful.

As she looked out the window, her eyes zoomed on a bright spot in the distance, where an ominous mushroom cloud rose above a man-made sun.

"No!" Nora cried.

And she shot out of her sleep. Panting frantically, her eyes scanned the room wildly, searching for proof that her dream wasn't real.

Trembling, she got off the bed, her feet mindlessly bringing her to the door, her heart dreading the answer. Desperate eyes sought a sign, any sign, that her nightmare wasn't true.

She peered out into the darkness of the corridor, where light beamed around the edges of a door. Her body slouched in soothing relief, the fearful energy that held her dissipating into nothingness. Her limbs suddenly powerless, she sat down at the door, legs tucked in, and sobbed quietly there.

"Nora?"

The young women looked up at one of her constants. Dutch knelt down to her, his face full of concern as he put aside the cup he held in his hand.

"I'm okay." She choked out. "It was just a bad dream."

"Sure doesn't look like it. Come on, we got space in our room." Her fellow invited as he helped her up. Nora followed him quietly, letting him lead her to the room.

Inside, Aden typed on a laptop as he lay on a king sized bed. He looked up to give the two a curious glance.

"Nightmare." Dutch filled him in. The blond man nodded as he shifted position to make space for their latest bed-mate, moving as far as he could to the side of the bed.

Carefully, Dutch brought Nora to the bed, as if she was a delicate piece of glass. He helped her onto the bed, letting her make herself comfortable before climbing onto the bed.

"How are you feeling?" Aden asked softly.

"Comfortable. Why do the two of you share beds?" Nora whispered back.

Dutch grinned softly. "Makes it easier for us to compare reports. That way, no one is going to fault us for bad bookkeeping. But it's not about us, it's you. How bad was it?"

"I thought I lost you both. I..." She whimpered.

"Shhhhhh. It's okay. We're here now and we'll still be here in the morning." Aden whispered.

Their female partner nodded silently. With a relieved sigh, she closed her eyes, sleep soon claiming her.

The two men regarded the sleeping woman in between them. "You know, someone told me that she seemed the strongest out of all of us." Aden noted.

Dutch smiled. "She's strong because we're here to hold her up. Let's keep it that way." He announced as he covered her sleeping form with a blanket.

"Aye. Sleep well woman. We will protect you for as long as you need." Aden whispered.

"Oh. Wow." Nora breathed.

Vale stared at her tear stained face as the woman hurriedly wiped more from her eyes.

"It's nothing. No really. It's nothing." The brunette said as Vale closed in for a hug.

"I understand." The entity whispered.

The memory fragment openly let her tears out, wet emotions coursing down her face. "It's just...just that they cared so much about me. They were always so accommodating. They saw me for what I was, a scared girl who was the weakest out of them and turned it about. Held me up on a pedestal and supported me all the way."

She choked on her words as they both held each other. "They willingly tied me up and left me behind because they thought that at the end of the day, if I lived, then they had done something right. That I was worth more than them."

"So please, don't be hard on him. All he wants is for you to be safe in any event and he's not afraid to sacrifice himself for it. By all means, discourage him and turn him away but don't hurt him over it. It's simply him doing what he thinks is right."

Vale nodded. "I will."

She released herself from the hug and stepped back into the portal that appeared behind her. Nora was left alone, as she stared at the paused memory, proudly watching as her two constants guarded her.

Human village

Even though they were in a different place altogether, with completely different populations, Dutch felt the behavior of the people here was only slightly different from those of the Youkai Market.

One of the differences was that the target of the attention was diverted away from him to his youkai partner. The people regarded her with indifferent aversion, like she was a distasteful part of the background. He received far more emotion, although the kind of emotion given was pretty insulting, in his view. He could see pity in their eyes, as if they gave him their sympathies for being with a being different from them.

Even then, he could see suspicion, a wary regard of his obviously outsider appearance. Given their background, he wouldn't be surprised that most in this village held a conservative view of life and thus, would be guarded towards him. Still, the generosity of the old lady from the last time reminded him that there is kindness in the village.

Their guide though, seemed rather casual about his situation, if his lazy grin was any indication. Dutch made a note to inquire about any tavern that had a recent change of ownership. If Yukari had kept her word, then he had a base from which to start. A small favour, one that could not measure up to the enormous price she put on his head.

Now that he had a long time to think about the changes he wrought, he saw a clearer picture. The addition of the projectile change to the spell-card rules was too easy, too simplified. Ironically, it was Yukari who unveiled part of the picture for him, with her observation that the sequences that he created for Vale were flawed magically. It would mean that the changes that he set in had to be flawed as well, since it was set at a time when his experience of the vault was essentially nothing. Even now, his own knowledge of the vault was infinitesimal.

That could only mean one thing. For a flawed equation to work, something had to be changed. And since he would know if any change happened on his side, that meant that Yukari must have set up in anticipation for such an endeavour. The question now became that of whether he was a pawn all along, or not.

Not that it mattered to him. The answer would mean little to him, for his decision would still be the same. Once more into the breach.

As he indulged in his musings, a brush from Tenma disrupted his thought. Both her and Jack stared at him, awaiting his return to reality.

"Back to the land of the living? Good. I was wondering if we would fall asleep before you actually came back." Their guide started.

"Jack Morris, at your service. I must apologize again for the welcome you received. Ever since the awakening, the guard has been pretty jumpy about new visitors. Plus, with your companion, extra caution had to be taken, and that's not including shape-shifters."

"I see. What do you mean by awakening?" Dutch questioned.

"A week or so ago, everyone got awoken in the middle of the night. It was strange but nothing else happened, other then the forest fairies being mildly irritating. Still, we decided to beef up security for a while. A pity you came today. We were about to order a stand down tomorrow."

The outsider human nodded. "Well, bad things happen I guess. Still, I guess we should thank you for your intervention."

Jack grinned. "No worries. After all, we are all perfectly fine rational beings aren't we?"

"So what would you suggest we do now?" Tenma inquired.

The villager scratched his head. "Frankly, I would recommend that you leave as soon as possible. Don't get me wrong, I have got nothing against you but most folks here don't really sit on the fence. In fact, I would point you to the mountain villages. The guys there are friendlier towards youkai and the lizardman population have some really strange customs. A lot more entertaining than boring old here."

Dutch grinned. "Sitting on the fence? That doesn't seem like something someone here would say."

"And it isn't. Fell in here twelve years ago and have been stuck here ever since. Got this souvenir when I was being a cocky fool, trying to go hunting with a gun." Jack said, pointing out the scar on his head. "You're pretty much stuck here just like me, so take it from me, be cautious."

"I have had my fair share of knocks." Dutch returned. "We have matters to attend to here, so I regret that we'll be in your hair for a while. Got a suggestion for where to stay?"

"Well, most taverns wouldn't dare provide lodging for your company but there's the Green Fields, if you want. It's on the outer edge of the village, so contact with the people would be reduced. And on the plus side, I heard its new owner is pretty open to anyone."

"I see. Anything else?"

Jack nodded. "Just a tip but if you are going to shop here, I recommend that you do it around this area." He indicated. "This place is mainly for people from the Outside and their attitudes about your partner should be more casual. Not to mention all the stuff here definitely caters more to outsiders."

Dutch nodded as he scanned the place, noting the more modern design of the buildings around him. "Thanks for the info. You got a map of this place?"

"Yeah, right here. It's on the house."

He took the paper and stuck out his hand. "I don't think I introduced myself yet. Dutch Kotozaki and his partner Teri. Thanks for all the help."

Jack shook his hand, nodding. "No problems. Good luck and watch yourself here. You better find some lodging quickly. Sun's going down soon and even Tengu aren't invincible. Now if you don't mind, I must return to my duties."

The duo watched as the man turned around and walked back the way he came. "Friendly guy isn't he? If only I had the same escort from your village." Dutch teased as he opened the map.

"We too were on alert. In fact, the only reason that I summoned you was because your appearance after such an event was suspicious. Attacking the Hakurou was a side note, a convenient test, one that I didn't think would succeed." Tenma answered.

"And look where we are now. Two travellers, on a path to save the world. Not exactly a series of predictable circumstances."

"And yet, I feel little regret. You have given this Karasu an adventure to experience... A break, as you so wrote." The silver haired woman returned, as her hand held his for a quick, hidden squeeze.

"You know, I wouldn't call it a break if the wrong ending results in the destruction of what you love." Dutch muttered.

"Well, then, let's not let that happen." Tenma answered.

They had been walking for a while now, and Jack's words were fulfilled, as the setting sun once again cast its orange and gold glow over the land. A grey-bluish tinge seemed to descend upon the land, as light slowly faded away in tandem to time.

The couple were still making their way to the tavern, as Dutch glanced at his map ever so often to ensure that he did get lost. He noted that the tavern was situated close to one of the routes entering the village along its outskirts, a good position to be considering the apparent open nature of its owner, allowing it to easily receive guests while keeping the common folk away with distance.

The increasing scarcity of people as well as the decreasing number of residential buildings told him that he was on the right track. And with lesser people, it helped to discern the suspicious ones.

A quick glance behind confirmed his suspicions. A pair of men, dressed in everyday shirts and pants walked casually behind them, their faces any but that. A bored glare discouraged any staring but he had seen enough. Those two had the look of a hunger for power, of the need to intimidate.

After running though the possibilities in his head, Dutch concluded that Tenma could be a draw for them. While she had wisely removed her Tokin, any magically inclined person could easily spot her youkai nature, although not her tengu type. He allowed a small grin at the thought of her easily handling these two, even if they came equipped to hurt her.

But he perished the idea afterwards. It would be a bad move to draw any sort of attention right now, especially when his opponents did not even know of his existence. Discretion was the key now, not action.

So he checked his map and his eyes found a detour route that entered into one of the village main roads coming up along a turn that would suffice. Casually, he guided the two of them to the side of the street, following the path of the street before turning into the street ahead.

As they looked into the daytime crowd returning back home, Dutch guided Tenma into another turn, bringing her into an alleyway. Signalling for her to be quiet, he watched the entrance as the two men walked into view, standing still as if annoyed that their prey had seemingly vanished into the busy road ahead. However, they carried on, walking into the road, away from their quarry.

"Those two had the look of trouble about the, so I diverted us for a while. We'll wait here for a while before returning to the road. Right now, our opponent does not know of our existence so not drawing attention to us should be our priority." He explained, eyes scanning the entrance just in case.

"I see." Tenma intoned as a small thrill arose in her, at the thought of being hunted in a village full of people. A small thrill, but it was a thrill that revealed something to her. Like the final chip of a carving, it revealed a desire that was slowly building up in her.

"I bet you never had such an experience in a village before did you?" Dutch proclaimed as he watched the entrance of the alley.

A hand on his shoulder made him turn to his companion, who secured her hold with her other hand on the corresponding shoulder.

"No, I haven't." She said, before leaning in.

Just like before, Dutch was taken by surprise by the kiss. And his partner was more assertive compared to his soulmate, pressing him against the alley wall, her eyes closed as her human responded in kind.

They broke apart to stare at each other, Dutch lost for words. He realized he expected this eventually, unconsciously, and his body gave up any protest to her move, just like before.

"Thank you, for everything you have given me and for everything that is promised in the future." She whispered, her silky voice drawing him in.

"It's my pleasure."

She kissed him again and he deepened it in return, light moans issuing from both of them as their hands joined each other. Try as he might, Dutch couldn't fight her for long, his defenses crumbling under her power as she entered and pillaged the inside of his mouth, seeking, it seemed, to leave a mark on him. The tastes of both sides flooding their minds as she pressed herself against him, trapped between a wall and a lovely woman.

Finally, she broke away from him. Their breaths fluttered as they stared into each other's eyes, a satisfied flush on Tenma.

" Congratulations, Dutch. You have won this tengu's affections. I hope you are prepared for the price." She whispered, her silky voice clotting his thoughts, before releasing him and leaving the alley.

Dutch stared at the wall as he marshaled his thoughts. And yet it was everything, but a mess. In fact, they formed a painting, drawn by emotion, a master-crafted canvas that was already complete. Yet in his hand was a paintbrush, the liquid within holding the power to change forever the content of the canvas.

Would he choose so? A single stroke, and the canvas would be completely different. And Dutch realized that was the heart of his relationship. Either Vale or Tenma.

He took in a shuddering breath. He had to choose, to answer to himself.

Time. He needed time. Time to learn and time to decide his heart.

He let out his breath in a sigh. He would have a better place to think in a cozy place if he reached the tavern. Taking the map from his pocket, he unfurled the paper and checked the map. It was close.

Folding the paper, he took a couple of breaths before turning and leaving the alley.

Tenma glanced at him with questioning eyes.

"We're close. Just a short walk." He answered. She nodded as they both trudged on.

The journey was a silent one, each deep in their own thoughts. Dutch searched for his soul mate, a slight tugging at their bond.

'Vale?'

He got a yawn in return, mental images of her stretching out her sleepiness as she rose from a bed appeared in his mind. As he looked at the images of her, Dutch felt as if he was looked at her anew.

He admired her crystalline wings, the feathered appendages spread out in their full glory. Her adorable face, sky blue eyes still clouded with sleepiness, giving her an lovable awakening look. Her body, moderately developed for her age look, completing the image of her and making her seem like an angel.

His heart ached as he realized he wanted to hold her in his arms, to feel her presence close to him. That youthful lively presence that filled his time with peace.

'Dako?' Vale asked as she rubbed her eye awake.

Originally, he only wanted to hear her voice. But now, Dutch knew what he had to do. He had to promise her.

'I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said those words. I promise to be less reckless.' He apologized.

Vale nodded, Dutch feeling her answer like it was his own. 'It's okay. I understand.' She answered, her presence reaching over their bond to wrap around him, like a hug that reached deeper than touch, flooding him with her emotions. It gave him a small, peaceful smile.

'Thank you. I'll see you soon.' He finished, his soft words as loud as day too the angelic entity.

'Hmm.' Her angelic voice mumbled tiredly.

Returning to the present, He looked up at the tavern they had stopped at, the simple two story building exuded a warm homely feel. Light gleamed from the windows as shadows and silhouettes danced behind them, the sound of merry chatter drifting through the walls.

"Well then, shall we?" Dutch opened the door and invited as he motioned to her to enter first. Tenma nodded as she entered, Dutch following her into the cool interior of the tavern.

"Good evening guests." A scarred man greeted as he bowed to them, veiled surprised in his eyes at the newcomers.

Dutch nodded slightly behind Tenma's back, his eyes signalling for the man to carry on. Respectfully following, the man continued, seemingly unfazed by the communication.

"We have been expecting you. Please, follow me." He continued. Dutch and Tenma joined him as he lead them into the tavern, passing rooms of chattering men and woman, most dressed in travelling attire.

"Lodging have already been reserved for you. Your companions have also already arrived and are waiting for you in a private room." The man continued.

"Business seems good for you." Dutch noted.

"It may seem so but I still have much to learn."

They continued on until they entered into a much quieter part of the tavern, where the rooms were closed off and the sounds were gone.

"Each room here has a silencing ward, for you to discuss your matters in quiet. Your words are safe here." Their guide informed them, stopping at a door. He bowed again, before leaving them, head lowered respectfully.

Dutch grinned. "Well then, let's see what behind the door." He said before sliding it open.

The two occupants, sitting down at a low table, inside made him smile brightly. "Maribel, Renko!" He exclaimed as he reunited with his companions. Renko was the first to rise, smiling in return at the reappearance of their friend.

"Renko, stop!" Maribel shouted, leveling a danmaku bolt at Dutch.

"You're not Dutch! Who are you?" She demanded as she called forth more bolts.