Author's Notes: First of all, I'd just say this chapter was difficult to edit. Add my reports, project and exams and it delayed the release of this chapter quite a bit. Icefriend reviewed about asking Kaori Kanzaki being implemented into the story. No fear, I already had it planned months ago! lol. I hope my romance scenes are better now too .. I realized as well that Index has been rather predictable so I wanna work on that as well. Anyhow, I'll be working more to fill in depth on everything else. I apologize in advance for any delays and I hope you enjoy reading and reviewing this work of mine.

Chapter 5: Diplomacy

Downloading Target Designation

Kamijou Touma – Priority One

Accelerator – Priority Two

Misaka Mikoto – Priority…SYSTEM ERROR

Redownloading Target Designation…. SYSTEM ERROR (1)

Redownloading Target Designation….SYSTEM ERROR (2)

System is unable to comply, error logged.

Diagnostics log one week prior to the loss of PROJECT DEMON

"Are you sure the material is correct?"

"Of course it is nya." Tsuchimikado Motoharu's voice spoke through the phone. "Was I ever wrong? Or maybe your thoughts are somewhere else like Kamiyan."

"You're ridiculous!" Kanzaki Kaori disconnected the call. She gripped the cell phone tightly, threatening to crush it into pieces. She looked around the Onomichi Temple of Chugoku. She had been requested by the Archbishop Laura Stuart to investigate the Roman Catholic's plans here in Japan. They had been doing something and it's something probably to break the balance between magic and science toward their favour.

Her search has led her to this particular region. It was a matter of reviewing travel documents for religious members of any Christian churches. Getting the documents had been part of other Necessarius intelligence network's work such as Tsuchimikado. One group had travelled here numbering two dozen. It felt right to follow this trail. Now in this temple, she knew it was right. She smelled the cool air and said. "Come out whoever you are." Silence answered her. She raised her sword and chanted. "Nanasen." Her metal wires sliced through the floor at a pillar of the Shinto temple. It made deep cuts but it didn't slice through. Not that it was intended in the first place.

A young sixteen year old girl with purple hair stepped away from the damaged pillar. She was unhurt nor was the brown bag she carried. "Was it necessary Supreme Pontiff?"

"I had to make sure it's you Itsuwa." The Supreme Pontiff lowered her blade and returned it to place. "What are you doing here?"

"The same thing you are doing, investigating patterns of the Roman Catholics." Ah, this is unexpected to Kaori. She was expecting to do this herself. The Amakusa church had been recruited to this information reconnaissance mission as well. It must be the doing of Laura Stuart.

"Are you alone?" How many of the Amakusas have been pressed to service?

"The others are in the other cities and states." Itsuwa answered. That would imply about everyone uninjured during the rescue of Orsola Aquinas.

"What do you know about the Roman Catholic's plans here?" Kaori wanted to bring them both to the same page.

"Based on the travel logs, they have a group touring here. I was asked to check up on this." So Itsuwa followed the same trail as Kaori as well.

"The same goes for me. If this is the case, then this group should be nearby. Let's go find them." The two resumed their search for answers.

Meanwhile back in Academy City…

"You look like a scratch stand." Yori pointed out. Touma nodded in agreement. His face is full of bite marks. They are fresh, having gotten them just ten minutes ago. How did it happen this time? Touma accidentally stepped on the hem of Index's robes as she went for the bathroom. A highly fatal blunder nearly occurred but it was still considered unforgiving for the nun. The result is Touma the scratch stand.

Touma gave a sigh. "Sometimes I wonder if it's a real misfortune to have found Index. She really wants to kill me these days." They were walking down the streets in search of a hideout. Whoever revived him is bound to be looking for him…even without the tracking beacon. Thus, staying at Touma's place in the long term is dangerous. Academy City may be big but when there's a will, there's a way.

"Then it must be my misfortune to being alive again. I've already made my peace with life." Yori shrugged.

Touma retorted. "You're thinking too much." He pushed the topic to something more important. "Are there any particulars you need?" They are discussing on the criteria of this hideout.

Yori flexed his inhuman arm. To anyone else who doesn't know the machinery underneath the skin, it looks practically normal. "These things will need a recharge. I'm going to need a large power source for them. Regular households won't have enough juice." Regular households need electricity from one hundred and ten to two hundred and forty volts depending on country. Commercial and industrial areas take much more than that due to the greater load they bear.

"That's going to be complicating." Touma noted.

"By the way, you have school today right? You go ahead while I look. I'll contact you when I found a place."

Touma looked at his phone's clock. "Yeah….YEARGHH! I'M ALREADY LATE!" With that, he became as fast the Flash. Yori relaxed his shoulders.

"At least I don't have school anymore."

"Good job on that one."

"That guy was easy. What's the next hit?"

"It's in Academy City. This should be an interesting hit and run. Everything's been prepared."

"Okay, I'm up for a good run."

Two months and two weeks ago…

Chirp… chirp come the grasshoppers

Ribbit… Ribbit leapt the frogs.

Hoot…the owl watches patiently.

"I've been thinking…" Touma said as he and Misaka sat on a bench beside a lake. The time is night with the moon shining brightly in the clear sky. The lake mirrored the moon with its wavy reflections, making the serenity twice as much. Touma's left hand remained wrapped around Misaka's hips. Nobody's around. The animals and insects did not bother them, instead contributing further perfection to the environment.

"What have you been thinking?" Misaka curiously enquired.

"I was wondering what to name them whenever we get married and have kids."

That came to his girl as total shock. "EH? That's! That's just too early!" Misaka was fully red like a tomato.

"Maybe I am thinking things too far ahead." Touma admitted sheepishly. It became quiet for a moment. It was an embarrassing topic for the mighty Railgun.

Misaka broke the silence. "Touma. What do you think?"

"Think about?" He gave a counter enquiry.

"The names of course!" Misaka can't get any redder than this. Anymore and steam might just exhume from her ears.

"I don't know. If it's a boy, maybe I'd name him Kichirou for good fortune."

Misaka laughed at that. "Trying to bring him away from your so called bad luck eh? What if it's a girl?"

"I don't know. What do you think?" Touma asked for a suggestion.

Misaka pondered a little before she suggested. "Hmm…maybe Hikari? It's means radiance."

"That sounds good too. We have a long time to decide on that anyway." He looked up to the night sky. "The moon is shining bright tonight. It shows how bright my love for you."

"You're just trying to flirt with me." Misaka playfully swatted him in the neck.

"You're my girl. Should I even bother flirting?" Touma pulled her closer to him. He could smell her fragrance along her smooth skin. He smelled the fragrance of her silk soft like hair. Beyond her beauty is her essence that is pure yet burning strong like fire.

Misaka frowned. "I'm not someone that easy to catch. Think again."

"Hai hai." Touma gave a smug. It was Misaka's natural tendencies. He knew it somewhat a little so far. The fostering of a strong relationship remains in the boundaries of the unknown. Discovering the facts of one another is one of the joys that bond them together.

Misaka rests her head against his shoulder. Her fingers intertwined with his. "Rest assured Touma. I love you too."

"Honestly Kamijou Touma, you really need to bring yourself trouble so much?" Fukiyose Seiri sighed at Touma at the end of the first class. He had ended up late as usual. He had put himself with trouble, as usual. He got himself berated by his teacher, as usual. Last but not least, he got himself another set of remedial classes, as usual.

Touma sighed. Such misfortune. He turned his attention to the class rep. "I had a friend who came over from…" Where did Yori come from Japan? That part of Yori, he doesn't know about it. Well, he didn't really know a whole lot about Yori. Let's go back to the beginning on that. Yori is a

Twin pistol gunslinger with a short sword for melee

Orphan who lost his parents to a guy named Takeo

Lost his uncle in America again to Takeo

A former member of the underworld in Japan

Moved into Academy City to find Takeo

Expert Torturer and free runner

Has ability to control rate of time

Has quite a large bank account

Yea, that sums about Touma's knowledge about Yori. That's not a lot to go on for Touma. They really should be talking more on the normal stuff instead of death defining moments. That means socializing, sports, hanging out, enjoying school that kind of stuff not assassins or mercenaries or serial killers.

"From…?" Fukiyose wanted a finished answer.

"He's from…America. Yeah, so he wanted to find a place and I forgot about the time hah hah hah…." Fukiyose raised an eyebrow. It felt like he was lying but Yori did stay in America….right?

Fukiyose merely said. "You should wear a watch and be mindful of your time management. Additionally, you should take some Omega 3 supplements for your poor memory. Otherwise you might even forget that you have school." She left him for work on something else. Touma didn't have time to sigh for something else came to his attention.

"Kamiyan, so who is this friend of yours?" Aogami sat beside him enthusiastically. Aogami Pierce, his good Delta force partner. He is a good friend at times, a pain in the butt at the other. He also got himself berated by Komoe Sensei for his poor grades today but he's all cool with that. He must be living quite a carefree life eh?

"Don't even think about your girl fetishes Aogami. It's a guy." Touma initiated the pre-emptive strike of words. It was definitely coming and thus, Touma has already prepared.

Aogami however had a counter counterattack already prepared. "My God Kamiyan…you're adding guys to your harem too?" The response was a punch in the face. Aogami one, Touma, zero. Oh wait…which way should the score go again? The punch definitely had to hurt since Aogami's now on the floor with stars spinning birds tweeting around his head.

"What's wrong with your perverted mind?" Tsuchimikado wasn't in class, skipping for unknown reasons. Otherwise, he'd probably get the same thing. Then again, Tsuchimikado has skills in combat. It wouldn't be just as easy. His other classmates didn't bother with Touma. This kind of stuff is the norm. His phone minded him of a received message. He read it.

I got a place. Sending you the location shortly.

Yori.

PS: Misaka and Kuroko are coming over too.

"I'm so bored…" Index moans with her pet Sphinx in her hands. She was talking to Tsuchimikado Motoharu's stepsister, Maika, as per custom is sitting atop a cleaning robot that spins round and round and round and….

"You're not studying or working so it's natural to have too much time." Maika explained Index's predicament.

"Touma doesn't even play with me these days. He brought Buffet boy back to his room late night too." Maika flustered red as the wrong ideas appeared.

"What did they do?" The maid in training asked.

"Nothing, they just slept on the floor." Index cleared the confusion. "Maybe I should go play with Himegami. Buffet boy went out to find another home. He said that maybe he'll play with me later."

Maika felt a drop of sweat forming. "Isn't Himegami in school as well…?" A great number of students are now in school, studying their various fields of expertise. Only a certain number like Maika here are out on practical training or research work. Oh, don't forget the delinquent students either.

Index nodded. "Oh, that's right." She drooped a little. "That means Himegami can't play either…" Back to the drawing board oh my little nun. What is she going to do to spend the time? "Maybe I should go find Buffet boy…"

Maika presented the problem for that. "Uh…do you know where he is now?"

Hearing that, Index plopped to the floor in defeat.

"Ehhh!" Saten Ruiko was totally surprised. "How did Yori survive?" The two schoolgirls were supposed to meet up with Misaka and Kuroko at Joseph's before heading to Yori's place. They just got a message from Kuroko.

"Kuroko doesn't know either. Although she said he's different than what we know."

"So when are we going to see him?" Saten was excited to a sudden return of a friend.

"Kuroko said they'll meet us before going to Yori's place." Uiharu explained the Tokiwadai girl's plans.

"Okay, that's good. I think we have some issues to handle with him." Saten cracked the knuckles of her fist.

"What do you think happen to Yori? Didn't he die from the explosion?" Uiharu was curious now having recollected the past. Yori had supposedly died from an explosion when Misaka, Yori and Touma went to save Kuroko from Takeo and Ryu. From Touma's recollections, he had been stabbed clean through by a long blade from Takeo. Takeo had fallen shortly after in a hail of bullets. For someone to survive such injury takes a great deal of technology or luck.

"Hmm? To be honest, maybe he did survive unscratched. It has been three months after all. Maybe he went to this vacation holiday in some nice beach with beautiful fireworks, after recovering of course." Saten imagined the possibilities.

Uiharu rolled her eyes. "That's a bit farfetched Saten." I have to agree with that Uiharu.

"Or maybe he became a superhero for some village in some country! Or maybe…"

The city of Onomichi was a quaint one. It is located along the Seto Inland Sea in eastern Hiroshima Prefecture. The city extends from the mainland across some of the neighbouring islands. Small ferries operate between the downtown area and the nearby islands, adding to Onomichi's nostalgic port town atmosphere. The city motor factory and shipyard have brought much needed employment and growth to the city. Now, the modern arts of civil engineering too compete with their former aesthetic predecessors.

The two magicians now search throughout the city for their target that will lead to the answers. The trail from the travel logs they have led them to the church of Onomichi. The building they stand outside now is the newest church in Japan. The physical structure of this church isn't so different from the originals. Wherever the Roman Catholics go, this will likely become their base of operations.

"This should be the place." Kaori Kanzaki said as the two magicians entered the Onomichi Church. Inside, the place is atypical of a church. There are the wooden rows of long chairs, the altar and the painting of Jesus. It is however dark right now. The lights are off and the windows are covered with the dark black shades of curtains. The church isn't operating yet. There is no Father here as of yet.

"We're not alone." Itsuwa said suspiciously. Itsuwa was already assembling her weapon on instinct.

"I concur." Kaori agreed. She raised her sword to a battle stance as the room filled with robed men. They are armed with all kinds of medieval weapons. There are so few groups that still use medieval weapons. One of them is just so obviously the answer, Roman Catholic Church. She analysed the group that surrounded them. There are thirty of them. There are more than the expected two dozen. Still, it should not be a problem for a Saint and member of the Amakusa Church. After all, a Saint is equal to a nuclear bomb.

"Stop." A voice spoke from the shadows. The armed men lowered their weapons. He had blonde hair, a very sharp nose with silver framed spectacles resting on it. His face is masculine not for strength but intelligence. He wore a grey coloured white striped suit with a blue shirt and red tie. Add black pants and a pair of Prada black leather shoes finished the picture. He said with humbleness "I apologize for their lack of courtesy emissaries of England."

Kaori and Itsuwa remained cautious. "Who are you?" The former head of the Amakusa demanded.

The man in the suit introduced with a gesture towards himself. "I am Anthony Hugh. I'm from the 55th Division of the Roman Catholic Church." He made his counter demand. "I would like to ask you to leave in a respectful polite manner."

"Who are you to make such a demand?" Kaori shot back.

"My… Oh my. Please my ladies. We should have a proper dialogue with manners." Anthony leaned back against the altar. He gestured to the long chairs. "Please feel free to have a seat."

The girls refused. "We're not inclined to take a seat."

Anthony shrugged in response. "It's your wish then. Now, let's continue. Why are you here?"

"Why are you here as well?" Kaori countermanded

"How normal, answering the question with another question. That happens a lot to me unfortunately." Anthony rested his fingers under his chin. "We have our own duties for the Roman Catholic Church. We wanted to oversee the state of this church. We wanted to see the community here and their understanding of our faith. We must prepare for their education. What are yours here?"

That presented Kaori and Itsuwa with a dilemma. They can choose to not answer and be caught guilty of espionage or to answer the truth and still be caught guilty. A lie of course can work; it still won't be easy for this person seems very perceptive on the arts of language.

"We have our reasons of checking the communities of our own church. There are more than just the Roman Catholics here." The Amakusa Church influence is around Japan for it was born there. There are not many people devoted to serving the Church but there remains elements of society that still have faith in the combination of Christianity and Shinto.

"I have to agree with that." Anthony accepted her words as that. "Nevertheless, entering this church when it isn't open can be considered illegal trespassing. You do not have business in here. As brother and sisters of Christianity, we have lived to accept and forgive. Thus, I suggest you leave politely."

"What if we don't heed to your request?" Itsuwa challenged them.

"I would prefer performing an official complaint to your Church of England. I can also report to the local authorities on trespassing. My last unofficial and last resort however, you two probably will have to suffer grievous injuries and die. I would like to avoid any conflict of relations between our churches of faith." Anthony goaded them to force his hand.

Kaori considered Anthony's words. Careless action would lead to triggering a dangerous conflict between the English church and Roman Catholics. If that conflict escalates beyond that, it would turn into a World war. If it came to that, definitely her Amakusas will also be heavily involved in danger. She lowered her sword. "We'll leave."

"I appreciate your decision." The ring of men parted to give an exit. "Have a nice day." Anthony waved goodbye as the two girls walked out the front door.

"Touma…I'm bored." Index complained from her bed. Touma was making a drink for himself. A simple glass of water it is.

"Don't you have the TV?" Touma asked as he loosened his joints. School can be very tiring. Touma didn't have physical education class today so it wasn't as tiring. However, sitting in class until evening can harden the joints quite a lot.

"There's nothing interesting to watch." Index replied. Her favourite shows aren't on today. The programme for today consists of complex dramas, Historical documentaries and news. Complex dramas are certainly not meant for kids like Index. Historical documentaries? Good luck with that as well. News…har har.

"Then why don't you go play with Maika or something?"

"I already did. Maika has work right now." Index answered. "Himegami said she's busy with club activities. Buffet boy's out. Nobody's free."

Touma said in resignation. "Then you'll have to figure something out. I'm heading out to meet Yori."

"Buffet boy? Can I come along?" Index asked with curiosity on her mind.

"Sure, I don't mind." Touma opened the door. "However we'll be meeting Misaka and Kuroko at the place. You don't mind them right?"

Index tilted her head. "I don't mind. Are you sure Short Hair doesn't mind?" Index had incidentally played a part that lead up to the separation between Touma and Misaka. It is only much later then did she know of such separation. Naturally, she didn't feel good about it.

Touma contemplated it a bit. "Honestly…I don't know." While he had gotten to know MIsaka a good deal during the three months they've been together but he hadn't met the presumptuous side of hers.

Index looked unsure. "I don't want Short Hair to be hurt again. Maybe I'll just stay for now."

Touma closed his eyes and nodded. "I'll settle it when I meet her. That way you two won't be having any problems."

"Okay." Index answered as Touma closed the door.

Touma is now on his way to the place messaged by Yori. If he uses Academy City's public transportation system, he is going to take overall an hour of travel. What he didn't expect was to be met with an unpredictable anomaly. That anomaly has brown hair, dull eyes with the Tokiwadai Middle School uniform. She wore the electric goggles on top of her head. She is Misaka Imouto. "How are your injuries?" He asked as they waited in the monorail tram.

"Conditions are optimal. Misaka reports her physical status." Misaka Imouto replied.

"That's good." Touma acknowledged. His stop is six stations away. "I presume the prototype threat is now non-existent."

"That is affirmative. Misaka confirms." Misaka's tone remains at its mono state. Her dull eyes looked at him. "I have an enquiry. Misaka affirms her curiosity."

"What do you want to know?" Touma egged her to proceed.

"Misaka would like to understand the romantic version of a relationship." Misaka 10032 explained her question.

"Hmm…well, it is like having butterflies in your stomach. Your heart feels as though you cannot live without your other half. Their pain feels as your own. There are really a lot of things that happen… a lot of good things." Touma explained from his short lived experience.

"I see… is it possible for us to have this relationship? Misaka requests." Touma nearly choked to death from hearing that.

"You got to be joking!" Touma exclaimed. Other passengers stared at him which shut him up.

"Misaka is not conducting humour, Misaka corrects." Misaka's answer remains a monotone.

"You're seriously overthinking this." Touma said in dread.

"No, there are no further variables for calculation. Misaka confirms."

"God, this type of things is not to be played with." Touma warned.

"Why is it so? Misaka requests." Misaka Imouto tilted her head slightly to the left.

"Because these relationships will lead to other things such as marriage and children!"

"Having marriage or children is not an issue. Misaka affirms."

"Such relationships aren't made just like that!"

"How are they made? Misaka asks for a solution."

"It takes time and commitment between the two parties." Touma explained further. He shouldn't have said that.

"We have spent a considerable amount of time. Have you not been reminded of this commitment? Misaka demonstrates." Misaka Imouto undid her skirt and revealed the striped underwear of hers to him. Does she not know embarrassment?

Now, the crowd in the train were glaring at him. The air filled with auras that simply screamed at him. Touma wished he could just vanish into thin air and disappear. The thing that comes to mind is simply…Such Misfortune.

Whir….Whir….

Yori stopped the portable power drill. He put it down as an old door opened. Misaka Mikoto, Kuroko Shirai, Saten Ruiko and Uiharu Kazari entered the hideout. He said as he spread his arms wide. "Welcome to my workshop." It is a small place. It has two sections. One section is a table with a myriad of hand tools neatly arranged on the wall. The other section is an open area meant for larger sized projects. The workshop also has a set of stairs leading up probably to the bedroom and the kitchen.

Saten's face filled Yori's. "Where have you been? You disappeared for three months!" Yori pulled his face back.

Yori was a bit awkward by the suddenness of Saten's actions. "I lost three months of memories. Don't bother asking."

Saten pulled back with a bit of remorse. "I'm sorry to hear that." Yori gestured that it's all cool for him.

Kuroko said as she looked around. "How did you get this place?" They are in the 16th District, an area that focuses heavily on Commerce.

Uiharu interrupted as she analysed some red stains in the open area. "Why is it so dirty here?"

Yori answered grimly. "This was a hiding spot for the captured mercenaries if you recalled. There had been a night attack on Tokiwadai Middle School Dorm by hired mercenaries due to an error during a weapon smuggling shipment. Saten and Uiharu had been taken hostage during the crisis. Yori pointed at the red stains. "Those were a left behind present from one of them." That is a present of blood.

Seeing the unease from her two friends, Misaka quickly changed to another topic. "What are you going to do now?"

Yori grabbed the power drill. "I'll first find out who brought me back to life." He revved the motor once. "And I'm going to find out why."

The door to the workshop opened again. This time, Touma entered. Yori greeted again. "Welcome to my new home."

Touma said. "Misaka, I need to talk to you in private."

Kuroko stepped in between them. "You have no right to talk to her you barbarian." She even prepared her nails for an attack.

Misaka said sternly as she brushed her kouhai gently aside. "Kuroko, that's enough. I'll resolve this."

Yori raised his drill. "In the meantime, I could use a few hands on my work. Please do assist for a bit." The three girls turned to lend a hand while the former couple went outside.

"So what do you want?" Misaka asked as she leaned against the white wall. Her tone was neutral, void of emotion. She was only here to listen to what he has to propose.

Touma leaned beside her. "I don't know what you think. I don't know what you felt that day. Whatever you think I did wrong, I just want to say that I'm sorry." Misaka didn't answer.

It was a long moment of silence before she replied. "Apology accepted but it's over for us."

"I….I understand." Touma accepted the compromise. "Then, at least we're still friends right?"

"Friends…yeah. Friends…." Misaka ended the conversation and went back into the workshop. Touma followed suit to see the four finished with their current task.

Yori lifted his latest project. It has a name italicized into its body. Its name is Speagle. Its partner Devil's Trigger is on the table, also slapped a magazine into the Desert Eagle and chambered a round. "I'm back in business."