Hello and welcome to another chapter of "Tao and the Art of Love." I would like to announce that I have been graced by a few reviews in the past few days, all of which I appreciate deeply. Thank you to those who have reviewed my work and please, continue reading this little story I've come to call "Tao and the Art of Love!"

Disclaimer: I own nothing from Blazblue except a decent winning streak as Tao and Ragna

Chapter 3: Mine

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~REBEL 2: START!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hey booby lady?" The question was rather restrained and demure from the young Kaka known as Tao, her soft voice at ends with her normally boisterous and excited tone. Litchi turned to Tao, surprise seeping into her speech as she responded, "yes Tao?" Tao's paws fidgeted slightly as she stared at them, "Tao thinks something might be wrong with her..." Litchi was now concerned; the book she had been trying to read was forgotten as she listened intently to the subdued Tao, "What do you mean?" "Tao has been feeling really weird lately, nya," Tao confessed, her paws coming up to her chest, "Tao gets really warm right around here, sometimes it almost burns, nya."

Litchi's concern deepened as she tried to diagnose any disease that caused burning in the chest, "burn? Did you get hurt in a fight Tao?" Tao shook her head, "no, Heart Guy always keeps Tao safe when we fight bad guys." Litchi's concern for the moment subsided and was replaced quickly with curiosity, "Heart Guy? Has Kagimaru been helping you catch fugitives?" Tao nodded excitedly, energy returning to her like a tidal wave, "Nya, Heart Guy is a vigi-lanta just like Tao! Heart Guy and Tao have been all over the city catching bad guys and getting lots of meow-ney for the Kaka village!" Litchi's curiosity peaked as a small smile slid onto her lips, "oh really now? Does Kagimaru keep any of the money you two get?" Tao nodded her head after a bit of thought, "Heart Guy gives most to Tao but keeps a little bit, nya. Is that bad?"

Litchi's shoulders shook with a silent giggle, "Not at all Tao. What else have you and Kagimaru been up to lately?" "Well Heart Guy has gotten Tao lots of food and he takes Tao to these...are-kay-de things in the city! Tao really likes the game where Tao can dance to music; it's like a party in the Kaka village but all for Tao! Heart Guy has even come to the village a couple times to meet the Kaka, nya! He's really fun to be around and all the kittens like playing with Heart Guy too! Even the Elder likes Heart Guy because he brings good food and money to the village..." Suddenly Tao stopped her gushing rant, a paw coming up to her chest, right over her heart, as she spoke with worry in her tone, "Booby lady...it's happening again." Litchi stood up, placing her fingers on Tao's pulse, her expert knowledge telling her that Tao's heart was beating twice as fast as normal. Litchi barely restrained the knowing smile as she asked, "So what do the kittens do when they play with Kagimaru?"

"Well they mostly play hide and seek with Heart Guy, but it's so funny! One of the little ones hid on Heart Guy's back for a really long time and he pretended not to neyow-tice! Then they played tag and Heart Guy was so good at dodging the kittens they asked Tao to play, Tao got Heart Guy in one round, nya!" Litchi could feel Tao's pulse quicken, her heart speeding like a runaway train easily confirming Litchi's diagnosis. Litchi pulled her hand back and smiled at Tao, "well Tao, I know what is going on with you." Tao perked up, grinning ear to ear, "really booby lady?" Litchi nodded, "Yes, really. But there is some bad news Tao." Tao's ears slowly flattened, "bad...mews?" Litchi nodded, "right now you're sick Tao, and I don't have anything that can cure it. In fact I don't think anything in the world can." Tao whimpered, her tail shivering in fright as she asked, "What...what does Tao have?"

Litchi smiled brightly, "my diagnosis is that Tao is love sick."

Tao sat there for a moment, her eyes wide as her mouth hung open, "...wh...what?" Litchi softly laughed, "Tao has a crush on someone. Her heart beats faster, her body feels like its on fire, she can't stay away from them for too long, Tao is definitely love sick." Tao was still slightly dumbstruck, her eyes barely blinking as she asked, "who...who is Tao love sick with?" Litchi almost, almost considered not telling Tao for her less than flattering nick name. However, she opted for the next best thing; teasing Tao just as Tao had teased her, "Well how about we figure it out together hm? Can you imagine being in your favorite sun spot Tao, the one on the outskirts of the village?" Tao nodded, her eyes closing with a calm smile spreading across her cheeks at her relived memory. "Can Tao imagine that no one else is around, that it was Tao's own private spot for a while, with the nice warm sun coming in?" Litchi asked, watching Tao relax even deeper into her trance. "Now can Tao imagine that she isn't alone?"

Tao tensed for a moment, hanging on Litchi's every word as she spoke, "can Tao imagine that someone is holding onto Tao, that Tao is being held closely by someone?" Tao gave Litchi a slow nod, her eyes closed but her body tensed with a sense of unease. "Now can Tao visualize the person holding her," Litchi almost couldn't stop the girlish giggle in her voice, "can Tao imagine that it's Kagimaru holding Tao?" Instantly Tao relaxed, her whole body releasing all of its tension as her smile widened. A faint red tinge burst across Tao's cheeks as her ears bent forward, an adorable expression crossing the young Kaka's face. Slowly Tao's paws came up to the front of her jacket, the bare tips of her claws toying with the collar and the two long strands of her hair as she imagined the scene. Litchi was fairly certain she could even hear Tao's faint purring, a light rumble echoing from Tao's smiling mouth.

"Now does Tao know who she is love sick with?" Litchi asked her smile cheery and bright on her beautiful face. Tao reluctantly left her mental scene, one last fleeting image playing in the back of her mind as she softly replied, "yeah...Tao knows." Tao sighed, her ears twitching with delight as she smiled. She could almost feel his arms holding her tight, her body melting against his as the sun bathed them in its rays...she loved every second of it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Spatial Rend / Roar of Time~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Heart Guy!" rained a shout from the sky, Kagimaru reacting just fast enough to dodge the clawed pounce Taokaka had launched. "Whoa!" Kagimaru said with a chuckle, watching as Tao sprung up from her crouch, "do you wanna catch me in one of your "beat'em up" pounces?" Tao stuck her tongue out at Kagimaru before grinning brightly, "so what is Heart Guy up to today?" Kagimaru held up a small clinking bag, "I was actually headed over to the Kaka village to drop off some money I got from a recent fugitive." "Nya?" Tao tilted her head slightly, "why is Heart Guy giving the money to the Kaka? Heart Guy earned all of it." Kagimaru chuckled, "the only use I have for it is to eat and sleep Tao, and I can get by on very little. I figure that if the Kaka need it more than I do, then why not give it to them?"

Tao's smile threatened to split her face in half as she semi-pounced on Kagimaru, "Thank mew Heart Guy!" Kagimaru knew his face was heating up with a blush, Tao's body pressed so freely against his causing his pulse to quicken and his mind to fog over. He could feel every soft and subtle curve of Tao's body as she unabashedly grabbed onto him, a happy murring sound springing from the over energetic Tao as she held him tighter. As he wrapped his arms around Tao to return the hug he received a wonderful sample of her scent, a bright mixture of wildflowers and water.

Tao was not much better off; mere seconds away from erupting in a thunderous purr she happily gripped Kagimaru. Her face was a soft crimson hue as her smile shone brightly from beneath the shadows of her hood. Tao's luminous ruby eyes were closed in joy as her ears twitched, her nose eagerly drinking up Kagimaru's musky metal and earth scent. Tao couldn't control herself as she buried her nose into Kagimaru's shoulder, slightly nuzzling him as she attempted to imprint his unique smell into her memory.

Slowly Kagimaru separated from Tao, his blushing face hidden to the best of his ability as he spoke, "what are you up to this far from the village Tao?" Tao's ears flattened slightly as her tail swished in annoyance, she was not used to this thing called patience but, as Booby Lady had said the other day, "patience Tao, look for the right moment and he'll be all yours." Tao mentally nodded to herself, confidence building as she gave Kagimaru a bright smile and calmed her unintentional actions, "Tao was just looking for Heart Guy actually! The village Elder said there was something she wanted to talk to Heart Guy about, something reallllllly important, nya!" Kagimaru smiled but was inwardly confused, "what could the Elder want with me?" Tao shrugged, her big paw reaching for Kagimaru's hand, "Tao doesn't meow, but let's go Heart Guy!" Before he could register it Tao had grabbed hold of his hand, a firm yet gentle grip as she happily skipped down the street. Kagimaru held on for dear life, rushing behind Tao and praying he didn't trip along the way.

With Tao leading the way it was a short trip, Tao's number of shortcuts greedily devoured the journey and turned the path from a half hour walk to a ten minute skipping sprint. At the end of the run Kagimaru was panting, holding himself up by his knees as he wheezed, "wow...that...was...fast Tao..." Tao smiled brightly, bouncing slightly from foot to foot, "yep, Tao thought since it was super important Heart Guy would wanna be here fast, nya!" Kagimaru smiled at Tao, stand upright after he caught his breath, "alright Tao, let's go talk to the Elder." Tao nodded, reaching for Kagimaru's hand once again. However, this time instead of Tao grabbing Kagimaru's hand, Kagimaru gripped Tao's paw, grinning as he started walking for the village Elders home. Tao smiled brightly and let her be led at Kagimaru's slower pace; her rapidly beating heart was more than enough exercise for her hyperactive nature.

Once at the Elders home Kagimaru and Tao entered, releasing each other's hands as they were welcomed, "hello Elder." The Elder looked to the two, slowly hobbling over as she spoke in a kind voice, "Ah, Kagimaru, it is good to see you again." "And as always it is good to see you too," Kagimaru said with a courteous bow, "I brought something for your village, a token of friendship that I received from my latest bounty." Kagimaru gently handed the parcel of money to the elder, having the older cat woman take the sack with a pleased voice, "oh thank you so much Kagimaru. Dr. Litchi and you have been wonderful friends of the village, even if you have only started visiting us not to long ago." Kagimaru scratched his head in an embarrassed manner, "Thank you for the honor Elder. I was just telling Tao that I have no use for anything but food and shelter so I see no reason to do anything but give most of my bounty money to the village."

"Oh you must let us thank you Kagimaru," the Elder began but Kagimaru held up his hands, "Oh no I couldn't, thank you but I-" Without warning Kagimaru felt a sharp jab in his side, Taokaka nudging him not so secretly as she whispered, "what are you doing Heart Guy? Accept it; it's a huge honor, nya!" Gently rubbing his side Kagimaru rolled his eyes at Tao before turning back to the Elder and bowing, "On advice from a very dear friend I think I will accept." The Elder laughed brightly, "Oh ho ho that is indeed wonderful! Fukaka, will you come in here please?"

At that exact moment Tao and Kagimaru turned to another, Kagimaru with confusion while Tao's tail flickered wildly, "Fukaka?"

Entering the room through a beaded doorway came another Kaka, dressed in the same cream colored jacket that Tao wore. However unlike Tao this Kaka's hair was springing from its hood, blondish spikes cascading from the front while a pair of long pigtails sprouted from holes in the sides of the hood. Tied with pink ribbon the hair danced with each movement as a pair of luminescent green eyes shone from the shadows of the hood. "Hello Kagimaru," a slow sultry voice spoke, "I've been waiting to meet you for a while."

Kagimaru was slightly stunned, "um, I'm sorry you are?" The Kaka approached with a slow walk, smiling within the depths of her hood, "Fukaka, daughter of the clan Elder." Without warning a cream blur appeared before Kagimaru, Tao stood before him with her tail puffed out and a low hiss slipping from her throat, "Fukaka...Tao doesn't like Fu." Simultaneously both girls released their claws, Tao's elegant straight blades contrasting Fu's hooked barbs. Where Tao's claws were for slashing and dicing, Fu's were meant to hook into prey and eviscerate mercilessly. Kagimaru felt the tension in the air spike as the two Kaka stared each other down, any moment now there would be some sort of horrible battle...

"Both of you calm down."

The quiet and simple voice of the Elder caused both Kakas to calm down, their claws retreating sharply as their heads bowed to the Elder, "we/Tao are/is sorry mother/Elder." The Elder nodded to the two and approached Kagimaru, her voice never breaking that permanent calm she seemed to have, "Kagimaru, as repayment for helping the Kaka village I would like to give my daughters paw in marriage to you." The silence was nearly palatable, Tao's mouth was open in disbelief while Kagimaru quickly held up his hands in protest, "oh no, no, no, I'm sorry Elder but I couldn't possibly..."

"Hey Kagimaru," Kagimaru turned to his side, confused about the sudden voice and its owner. What he was met with was a beautiful face, pale and smooth with fantastically shimmering emerald eyes. The face tapered elegantly, a playful smile dressing the soft pink lips as they formed the words, "gotcha." It was at that moment the realty came rushing in, Kagimaru was staring into the face of Fu, and by the laws of her clan...they were to be married.

"My, my I haven't seen that in quite some time Fu," the Elder said with a smile, "what a lovely young Kaka you've become. So Kagimaru, are you familiar with the laws of our clan?" Kagimaru was without words, seeming to choke on the very air as he knew what trap he had fallen into. Fu had just successfully cajoled him into marriage without his consent and he didn't want to find out what would happen should he refuse it. Kagimaru nodded solemnly, looking down at the ground as he acknowledged his capture. "Good," the Elder said with an innocent happiness, "we shall begin the wedding plans immediately if that is alright with you?" Kagimaru looked up to see Fu's happy and utterly smug smile, something he was certain he would see daily from this point. Glancing over at Tao he couldn't manage to hold it together for long, all he could see was her form slumped forward in defeat. Kagimaru, resigned to his fate, took a deep breath and let his voice coming out with his sigh, "alri-"

"NO!"

Everyone turned as a massive wave of energy exploded from behind them, Tao's body seemed to radiate pressure as she glared at Fu, "NO, NO, NO, NO! Tao won't let thisssss go!" The Elder took a step toward Tao, her cane eliciting a thunder bolt crack against the floor instantly dissipating the rush of power, "I am sorry Tao but Fu's face is the first and only Kaka Kagimaru has seen." Tao's paw came up swiftly, roughly grabbing at her hood and nearly tearing it off as she bared her face to everyone present. "There! Heart Guy has seen Tao's face too!" Tao shouted, her eyes catching Kagimaru's quickly. For a moment time seemed to crawl along and Kagimaru realized that Tao's features truly were exquisite. The softness to her cheeks, the lovely curve of her jaw line and her fragile chin were all so wonderfully delicate. Her olive tanned skin complimented her lovely scarlet eyes, her energy and intensity projecting through a simple stare. Her white tipped ears were flat against her head but they held a charm to them he found irresistible. Her lips had the color and softness of two rose petals, at the moment cleaved in her anger to show the purest ivory of her fanged snarl.

"You can't do that Tao," Fu said with a grin, her sleeved arm wrapping around Kagimaru's, "I have already shown him my face so you're too little too late." Tao twitched in anger, glaring at Fu with rage in her gaze, "That isn't true! Tao showed Heart Guy her face LONG before Fu ever did!" Both Fu and the Elder seemed surprised, curiosity touched the tone of the Elder as she asked, "How long ago was this Tao?" Tao turned to the Elder and gave her best attempt at being polite in her hyper agitated state, "When Tao met Heart Guy, Tao accidentally showed Tao's face to Heart Guy." The Elder turned to Kagimaru, "Is this true Kagimaru?" Kagimaru gave a slight nod, "Yes Elder, Tao accidentally showed her face to myself and Dr. Litchi."

"Ah ha!" Fu said with a triumphant laugh, "It doesn't matter then. If Tao showed her face to two people at the same time it doesn't count does it mother?" Tao's eyes shot open to the size of saucers as she looked to the sighing Elder, "That is true, if two people witness the face of a Kaka for a first time and they are not related to the Kaka in any sense, none involved have to be wed." Fu gave Tao a victorious smirk, "Sorry Tao, you lose." Tao growled and hissed, her body tensing wildly as her eyes sparked to malicious life, "Tao won't lose." Tao stomped over to Fu and got right in her face, "It doesn't count for Fu either so I challenge Fu for Heart Guy!"

Fukaka scoffed at Tao, "Challenge me? On what grounds Tao, you have nothing to challenge with." It was Tao's turn to grin, pointing her claws up to the ceiling, "Fu and Heart Guy are still inside Fu's home, Fu is free to show her face to anyone without having to marry." Fu suddenly choked on her words, flinching away from Tao as the enraged Kaka growled out, "Again, Tao challenges Fu for Heart Guy in front of the village Elder! Does Fu accept?" Fu turned to the Elder, the elderly voice calling out, "This is true Fu, Tao is well within her rights in the clan. Do you accept Tao's challenge?" Fu turned back to Tao, her teeth clenching in a heated growl, "I accept!"

Kagimaru looked between the two women, their energy clashing like invisible steel...he knew today was going to be long...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~END~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So what do you think? Please leave a review and I hope you enjoyed this installment of "Tao and the Art of Love."