Well hello there good people of Kagatsuchi! How have you been? Me, I've been having a blast playing Continuum Shift, all except Arcade mode…I swear it must be me because unlimited Hazama is just a bucket of anger and fail. But other than that I've finish all of story mode, unlocked all of the characters, gotten most of the DLC content, and have become a pretty good Makoto player. All in all it has been very productive in terms of inspiration so I think it's time I pass the good karma onto you! I hope you enjoy this chapter in my story, and since I have a bit more information on Tao's past as well as the newly introduced Torakaka you will be seeing some of that later. As for now, I hope you enjoy this fresh new chapter of Tao and the Art of Love!
Disclaimer: I own nothing except a once decent record which has been shattered over my back by unlimited Hazama…
Chapter 5: Fear and Scars
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~REBEL 5: START~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So what exactly does this mean?"
"Hm?"
"Elder...are Tao and I really...?"
A soft chuckle echoed through the room, the Elders gentle laughter echoing as the pale blue glow spread in ripples from Tao's forehead. The young Kaka had yet to regain consciousness, her bruised and battered body multitudes worse in comparison to Fu's less injured form. The Elder's power emitted a vibrant blue hue, a bright glow of sapphire spreading across the walls of the home and the small bed Tao rested fitfully upon. As the Elder's skills worked their magic Kagimaru sat beside Tao, a single hand on her sleeved paw as he watched the bruises vanish and cuts miraculously seal on their own. "Are you really what?" The Elder questioned, her wooden staff suddenly swinging to the side and releasing the luminescent glow in a shower of soft blue sparks. As the last bit of the Elders sparks faded Kagimaru responded in a tentative whisper, "Are Tao and I really...engaged?"
The Elder spoke as though behind her mask resided a great smile, "of course Kagimaru, Tao fought hard for you and she won before the entire clan without contest. It would be foolish to think otherwise...why do you ask?" As the Elder faced him Kagimaru blushed, turning away from her gaze just slightly, "I...I was just wondering..." "Oh worry nothing of it Kagimaru," the Elder spoke as she rose from Tao's bedside, "even if one of the clan desired her or yourself it wouldn't matter, Tao has already spoken her claim of you and that is more than sufficient to make the betrothal real." Kagimau's blush intensified, his hand coming to the back of his head to scratch a nonexistent itch, "Oh right...that...I don't think that's what I'm worried about." "Oh?" The Elder asked in amused curiosity, "what else could be worrying you?"
Kagimaru turned to speak but a sudden groan interrupted him, his vision shooting directly for the hoodless face of Tao. Slowly, Tao's mouth opened in a great yawn showing off a row of pearly white fangs, her little pink tongue sticking out as her arms stretched out far above her head. As her wakening stretch came to an end her eyelids began to flutter, her bright crimson eyes gradually sliding into view as she took in the world with freshly woken lethargy. "Mmmmmeow, good morning," she yawned as her teary eyes finally took in the first person in her direct line of sight, Kagimaru. In a flash her face burst into a blush, her mouth open in a dumbstruck expression before her teeth clenched in a wild grin, "Heart Guy!"
With a speed Kagimaru wasn't prepared for Tao leapt from the bed, her sleeved arms wrapping around Kagimaru in a tight hug as she, quite literally, tackled him right out of his seat. Both hit the floor with a thud, Kagimaru landing with a surprised exhale of air as Tao began to purr, her face nuzzling into Kagimaru's chest almost immediately, "oh it's so good to see you Heart Guy! Tao was worried, nya!" Kagimaru couldn't stop his smile, his arms wrapping around Tao gently as he spoke, "and I was worried about you too Tao, you've been out for quite a while." "Nyaaa," Tao meowed, turning her eyes up in confusion to Kagimaru, "How long has Tao been sleeping?" Kagimaru smiled down at Tao, "About six hours." Tao smiled brightly, "So about as long as one of Tao's naps!" Kagimaru chuckled, "that's true, so how do you feel?" Tao smiled brightly, her eyes closing in her joy as she nuzzled back into Kagimaru, "Tao is doing very good if Heart Guy is here! This means Tao won, Tao was worried about that, nya!"
Suddenly a feeling of dread hit deep within Kagimaru as he shakily responded, "What do you mean?" Tao looked back up to Kagimaru, her innocent features staring at him with a vaguely confused look, "Tao doesn't remember much after Heart Guy left Tao and Fu...but if Heart Guy is here then that means Tao won and Heart Guy doesn't have to marry Fu, nya!" Kagimaru felt a small part of him shatter, a small bit of his soul crumble to dust as those words passed Tao's lips. Despite that a slightly cracked smile came across Kagimaru's lips as he reached up with a hand, gently scratching behind Tao's ear on instinct, "That's right Tao, and you were pretty amazing." Tao was suddenly erupting with purrs, her head leaning into Kagimaru's hand as her chest rumbled in joy, "rrrrrrrrrrrrreally?" Kagimaru's smile turned just a shade brighter as Tao's vibrations echoed in his own voice, "Yeah."
Suddenly the Elder's quiet chuckle broke the moment, both turning up to the Elder with reddened faces, "As interesting as this is, I have a small request for you Kagimaru." As Tao extracted herself from Kagimaru, he spoke with embarrassment in his tone, "anything Elder, what would it be?" The Elder nodded, "I would like it if you could escort Tao up to the surface to receive treatment from Ms. Litchi, as skilled as I am I can only do so much."
"Huh? But Elder I-" Tao began but as she rose to her feet her paws immediately went to her stomach, a spell of dizziness hitting her like a bullet train as she fell to the bed by her side, "on second thought...nya, good idea." Kagimaru felt a flash of panic and it easily made its way into his tone, "Tao are you okay?" Tao nodded as she slowly sat up on the bed, her paw holding her head so as to steady the world around her, "Tao is okay Heart Guy, she probably shouldn't have done so much right after a nap." Kagimaru chuckled with relief, "Probably, next time relax a bit alright Tao?" Tao nodded with a bright smile as the Elder spoke up, "Kagimaru, could you possibly grab another of Tao's jackets? The one she is wearing is less than decent." Kagimaru nodded, "of course, where is her home?"
After giving Kagimaru directions the Elder and Tao were alone, silence penetrating the room for quite some time before the Elder let out a quiet sigh, "is there a reason Tao?" Tao's head immediately swiveled to the Elder, "what do you mean Elder?" The Elder's masked gaze met Tao's, wisdom seeming to pore from the inky sockets, "is there a reason you lied to Kagimaru?" Tao's ears and tail stuck out in surprise, her eyes shooting open before slowly relaxing, "Elder knew didn't she?" The Elder nodded as Tao's surprise passed, "Why did you lie?" Tao's head sunk a bit as her paws began to play with one another, "Tao is...scared. Tao doesn't know what Heart Guy thinks about it...Tao doesn't want to ask him, Tao's too afraid of the answer." Tao smiled brightly as the Elder, a false reaction if the wizened Kaka had ever seen one, "Besides, if Heart Guy finds someone better than Tao then it would be easier for him if Tao didn't remember a thing."
Before a response could be made Kagimaru returned, his hand holding up a spare of Tao's outfit in triumph, "Found it!" "Thanks Heart Guy," Tao said with joy as she carefully stood, "Tao was feeling a little icky in this dirty jacket!" Without warning Tao began to strip, her paw gripping the massive zipper on her coat without a second thought. Kagimaru's face turned a bright red, the last thing he saw was a flash of smooth tan skin before he dropped the new jacket, turned on his heel, and walked out of the room in utter embarrassment.
He could barely hear Tao's confused questions or the Elders quiet snickering...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Spatial Rend Roar of Time~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Tao can make it Heart Guy!"
"You've fallen three times now..."
"But Tao can do it! Nya, trust me a litt-ah!"
Kagimaru let loose a quiet sigh, his eyes looking down at Tao as she rested upon her sore rear, gently holding the base of her tail as she moaned in pain. "Ouch, that hurt," Tao mumbled as she attempted to climb to her feet, an act which had happened with persistent frequency since they had left the Kaka Village. With each step Tao's strength seemed to sap away from her body, her muscles refusing to do any strenuous work and at times purely collapsing from activity. Kagimaru sighed in exasperation, walking over to Tao and passing her without a single word. Tao looked up in confusion, about to voice her annoyance at being left in such a weakened state, when Kagimaru suddenly stopped. Instead Kagimaru stood before Tao for a moment before kneeling slowly, holding out his arms behind him in a gesture toward Tao, "come on."
Tao felt heat rush to her face as she quizzically spoke, "Nya? C-come on what Heart Guy?" Kagimaru turned his head, just enough for Tao to see the corner of his piercing blue eyes and his amused smile, "Hop on my back Tao, I'll give you a ride to Litchi's clinic." A lump formed in Tao's throat, nearly stopping her next words, "Nya Heart Guy, I can walk!" In a moment of sheer bravado Tao leapt to her feet, attempting to prove her limitless vitality. However once again her legs gave way beneath her and she found herself falling face first into the ground. Yet, despite her sudden fall Tao landed not on the hard cement but rather the broad back of Kagimaru, his hands gently curling around Tao's legs as he secured the cat girl to his back. As Kagimaru stood up Tao's arms reflexively reached around his body, holding onto his neck from pure instinct. The soft chuckle emanating from Kagimaru could easily fool one into believing he had planned it.
Tao's face was covered by a warm ruby blush, her normally exuberant attitude silenced by Kagimaru's sly set up, "Heart Guy that was mean!" Kagimaru chuckled again but didn't respond; instead he calmly set off for Litchi's clinic, his calm and even pace at ends with Tao's usual super speed. Instead of arguing, as Kagimaru had fully expected of the young Kaka, she remained quite sullen, quiet and lax as Kagimaru took his sweet time. In a way the change was pleasant, Tao's silence was welcome after so long of her complaining about falling. However, it was also disheartening, a worried look crossing Kagimaru's face as he wondered what Tao's expression was.
Had he taken the chance Kagimaru would have been graced by Tao's luminescent ruby eyes, the soft glow emanating from them seeming to lock onto Kagimaru's chestnut hair. Tao's expression was unreadable but she never ceased her stare, instead she calmly laid her head against Kagimaru's back and allowed her arms to tighten just the slightest bit.
For quite some time Tao was silent, Kagimaru gaining peace long enough to make it from the Kaka village to Orient town at his own pace without a single peep. Judging from Tao's rhythmic breathing Kagimaru guessed that Tao had fallen asleep, her injured form just too exhausted to remain conscious. Kagimaru was nearly convinced that he wouldn't hear another word from Tao until she softly muttered, "Heart Guy?" Kagimaru slowed his pace slightly, glancing over his shoulder as he spoke, "Hm? Are you okay Tao?" Tao's head was bent forward, her hood seeming to swallow even more of her features as she tentatively responded, "...yeah, Tao is fine...Heart Guy, could you tell Tao something?" Kagimaru's attention had been fully captured, his pace slowing even more as Tao spoke, "Yeah, what is it Tao?" Tao was silent for a moment, her eyes invisible behind the cream hood of her jacket...
"Does Heart Guy like Tao?"
Kagimaru was thrown into an instant stop, his mind grinding to a halt as he tried to face Tao the best he could. For a moment Tao remained in her previous spot, her head bowed as she refused to present any information on her well being. "Tao?" Kagimaru asked quietly, concern lacing his tone as he looked at the vulnerable Kaka. Suddenly, with a surprising whirl of energy Tao smiled up at Kagimaru, her voice still soft yet holding her natural tremendous energy, "Tao just wanted to know cause Tao likes hanging around with Heart Guy so much, Tao thought she should ask in case she was keeping Heart Guy from his other friends, nya!" Kagimaru could feel something behind Tao's smile, it seemed...off for her. Almost...tense. Despite this Kagimaru returned the smile with one of his very best, leaning his head back and lightly bumping Tao's skull with his own, "I like you Tao, don't worry about keeping me from anything because I'm at my happiest when I'm right here with you."
The rest of the path to Litchi's clinic was full of Tao's contented purring, her paws gently draped over Kagimaru's shoulder as she drooled all over his back, a pleased smile on her sleeping face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Spatial Rend Roar of Time~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The wound appears to be healing very well Kagimaru. Even with its slow regeneration rate it should be completely healed within a week or so."
"Thank you Dr. Litchi..."
"You should feel lucky Kagimaru, not many people can walk around with an open wound like that for so long. Medically speaking it shouldn't even be possible, especially since all of your other injuries heal so quickly..."
"I understand," Kagimaru spoke with a sigh, his eyes holding the listlessness of a steel grey sky. His normally vibrant blue eyes were icy, glazed as his attention was far from the doctor before him. Litchi raised an eyebrow as she spoke, "and your wound should swell up to the size of a watermelon and explode." "I got it Dr. Litchi," was Kagimaru's only response, his eyes still unfocused as Litchi sighed. With a soft rap upside the head Kagimaru suddenly jumped to attention, "wait, what?"
Litchi smiled softly, "You didn't seem to be listening Kagimaru." Kagimaru smiled sheepishly, "Yeah, I'm sorry Dr. Litchi, my mind has been elsewhere." Litchi nodded, "Well as I was saying, your wound looks very good with all circumstances considered. Even with the odd coloration it appears as though everything is healing and it should be completely closed within a month if not sooner." Kagimaru smiled a bit brighter, "Oh thank you Dr. Litchi that is a relief to hear." Litchi set down her medical chart, acknowledging Kagimaru's response but as she pulled up a chair, there seemed to be more that she wanted to speak about.
As Litchi sat down her gaze met Kagimaru's, "So what has happened between you and Tao?" Kagimaru almost choked on air alone, his throat barely squeezing out his response, "W-what?" A concerned smile crossed Litchi's face, "lately Tao hasn't been calling me booby lady as often or been yelling her head off every time she enters the clinic. Now here you are, sitting in my clinic and hearing the news you have been waiting for only to completely ignore all of it."
Kagimaru considered lying for a minute, if his previous thoughts were not troubling enough he didn't want to have the only doctor he knew send him away without any further treatment. However, he knew it might be just as bad to lie as it was to tell the truth...so he told her everything. He calmly retold the entire story, from the moment Tao brought him to the Kaka city to the moment she declared him to be hers. Even the walk to the clinic was told in accurate detail, his tale ending with a gentle sigh, "and that's just been buzzing around my head so much lately..."
For a moment Litchi seemed speechless, an unreadable emotion on her face that either denoted confusion or surprise. In seconds the expression changed with a wide smile, her eyes closing with the brightness of her grin, "Why does that bother you so much?" Kagimaru blinked in surprise, "...huh?" Litchi giggled at his clueless response, "Tao has had feelings for you for quite some time Kagimaru, if her actions the other day haven't proven it then I don't know what could." Kagimaru sheepishly smiled, "True...but she doesn't remember any of it, what if I suddenly break out and say, 'hey Tao, we're engaged because when you won you claimed me as yours.' She would think I'm making the whole thing up..."
Litchi sighed internally, it was almost painful the way Kagimaru was handling Tao's blatant lie. Yet, she felt the urge to be matchmaker rise again so she chose her next words carefully, "well Kagimaru, what if you look at it this way. Tao fought to keep you with her right?" Kagimaru nodded and affirmation so Litchi continued, "Which means she's had feelings for you and they were not a sudden emotions correct?" Litchi could see the blush erupt across Kagimaru's face, "Yeah." "So what makes you think that Tao getting a little bit of amnesia is going to change?" Litchi said with a helpful smile, a delicate finger curling under her chin as she watched Kagimaru's reaction.
It was like watching a dim light turn into a burning bulb, his lips slowly turning into a reserved grin which did nothing to hide the bright emotion behind it. "That is..." Kagimaru's smile widened, "very true." Litchi giggled softly, "Think of the engagement as something you don't need to concentrate on at the moment. Take your time, introduce her to it in your own way. I bet she won't mind at all." Kagimaru hadn't heard the last part, his mind had already taken to forming images of the lovely Tao; her incredible form by his side, curled up in the ray of sun, hunting fugitives for the Kaka clan, the night they finally wed...
Having Kagimaru's face turn a bright red hue concerned Litchi for a moment before his hand came up to his face, the wide palm trying to hide the massive grin and embarrassment behind it. Litchi gave Kagimaru a knowing smirk as the unfortunate vigilante attempted to stifle his thoughts the best he could. A few moments later Kagimaru and Litchi were winding down their conversation, Kagimaru learning more about his prognosis and the recent positive change Litchi had seen in his unique condition...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Roar of Time~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Without warning the door to the clinic creaked open, a very familiar shape taking up space in the doorway for the slightest of moments before darting in soundlessly. From shadow to shadow the shape moved, zipping along at inhuman speed until it reached its destination. Wordlessly the shape came to a room full of voices, the only option in the clinic on such a quiet day. With a quiet giggling, the shape gently gripped the door handle and prepared for its spectacular surprise.
In a flash the door to the private room burst open, Tao leaping into the small cell with a ridiculously happy smile and jubilant voice, "Hey booby-lady! I'm he-" Tao's breath caught in her throat, her natural energy put to a stop once she took in the contents of the room. Sitting at the doctor's desk was Litchi, a common scene to be sure, however it was the other occupant that caused her sudden silence. Sitting on the examination table with his back to her was Kagimaru, his body bare from the waist up to show something Tao had never seen before. From Kagimaru's left shoulder blade to just above his tail bone was a massive scar, a wide wound that appeared to be still open despite the scared tissue surrounding it. Deep within the darkest pits of the wound there appeared to be an odd green hue, an emerald glow peppering the depths of the wound.
It took a full three seconds for Kagimaru to register Tao but when he did he was fast to act, quickly turning around to meet Tao's surprised gaze with a crimson blush tainting his cheeks. His hands shot to the side and quickly grabbed his sleeveless sweater, rapidly pulling it onto his body. When his face reappeared he gave Tao an embarrassed grin, a hand nervously scratching his head as he spoke, "uh...hey Tao."
Tao's mood earlier in the day had been so very good. She had a huge tasty meal, a delightful undisturbed nap in the sun, and she was able to get a nice easy bounty all before the Elder asked her to go to Litchi for her checkup. Tao could have gone her entire day in that blissful state...however, considering what she had just seen that wasn't possible anymore. Tao's first emotion was confusion, what was Heart Guy doing at the clinic? Next came her embarrassment, does he still remember what happened at the village? Then a touch of jealousy, why was he shirtless with booby lady? And finally came her one and only voiced emotion, concern, "Heart Guy!"
Kagimaru was slightly surprised by Tao's speed, her body already behind him as she spoke again, "What happened to you!" As Tao gripped the bottom hem of his sweater he quickly pulled away, his cheeks tinted red from embarrassment as he spoke, "What are you doing?" Tao gave Kagimaru a look of concern, "How did Heart Guy get that? Does it hurt?" Suddenly her features went angry, rage pooling around her as she violently hissed, "Who did this to you Heart Guy? Tao will rip them to pieces!" Tao was just about to turn around and stomp out the door, her claws already tensing for a battle with whoever gave Kagimaru such a large cut.
Suddenly, Tao's body was wrapped up in warmth, the strong arms of Kagimaru holding onto her tightly as he spoke, "whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold up there Tao!" "Grrr," Tao growled, struggling in Kagimaru's grip, "let Tao go Heart Guy, Tao has to go kick the ass of whoever hurt Heart Guy!" Kagimaru felt his normally strong grip begin to break, Tao's body seeming to radiate energy as her eyes glowed a bit brighter. With all the strength he could muster Kagimaru held on tighter, keeping Tao as still as possible as he shouted out, "Wait Tao! I don't know if anyone did this, I just woke up with it one day!"
Tao suddenly stopped her thrashing, her muscles still tensed to their absolute maximum as she asked, "Are you telling the truth Heart Guy?" Kagimaru nodded, "I promise Tao, I don't know if anyone did this to me. One morning I woke up and it was like this, Dr. Litchi has been treating me for a few months now because it has healed very slowly." With his answer given and Tao's struggles ceased, Kagimaru gently put Tao on the ground once more, thankful that the encounter was over. Kagimaru suddenly felt Tao's paw smacking him across the face, a soft hit meant to stun more than anything else, "Why didn't Heart Guy tell Tao!" Kagimaru, completely wordless, stayed quiet as Tao continued her rant, "If Heart Guy was hurt that badly Tao wouldn't have kept Heart Guy out hunting bad guys for so long! Heart Guy should be resting, not out being a vigi-lanta!"
As Tao continued to tear into Kagimaru, Litchi had a free moment to watch the two, a simple observation on their interactions. Despite Tao's loud words and energetic anger her tail was swishing quickly, her joy at seeing Kagimaru present in her uncontrolled mannerisms. The same could be said about Kagimaru, despite his surprised and submissive stance his eyes appeared to gleam. There was a touch of amusement in his gaze as he attempted to defend his case from the agitated feline. Litchi sighed as she stood up from her desk and approached the two, she would never get anything done with those two here. With a sharp flick of her wrist two hollow cracks echoed within the room, Litchi's manten staff twirling between her fingers as Tao and Kagimaru rubbed their sore skulls.
"Now Tao, be nice to Kagimaru," Litchi chided, "he didn't want to worry you and have you react in the exact way you are right now." Taokaka gave a submissive mew along with a moan of pain as she rubbed her throbbing noggin. Before Kagimaru could get smug Litchi turned to him, "and you told me you weren't doing any strenuous bounty hunting. We talked about what activity could do to the wound." "I'm sorry Dr. Litchi," Kagimaru apologized, his hand resting on the growing lump on his head. "Good, now Tao you're here for your check up right?" Tao nodded, her ears low and her tail between her legs, "alright then. Just hop up on the examination table while I show Kagimaru out."
Kagimaru, hand on his head, gave Tao one last smile before he followed Litchi leaving behind Tao, her teeth shining in a bright grin...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~END~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whelp there you go, something interesting to wrap up this chapter and give me enough wiggle room for the next. I really do hope you enjoyed, remember to review, and I hope you have an excellent day!