Epic V: Moving On

"To think someone would ever die within my own castle walls," Argus muttered as he looked at the spot the former swordmaster had died. The ground still covered in blood and mixed with the early morning dew. "Well... close enough to them anyways."

"A tragic loss your majesty, meow," Torakaka told him. "Many of the students of this academy spoke very highly of swordmaster Varis's work."

"Indeed..." a fellow swordmaster of a different class said. "Still, what would push him to drink himself into such a stupor? I've barely seen the man drink at all much less alone, but his body positively reeked of alcohol... Was he celebrating in his Reapers victory over your Sisterhood by chance?"

"Victory, meow?" Tora questioned. "I believe you had the wrong idea, who's been telling you such things?"

"I've overheard it from many of Varis's class of Reapers, which might explain the news I was brought," the swordmaster admitted. "Why? Did the match instead end in your favor?"

"That's a... difficult question to answer," Tager admitted. "Most of the boys were actually defeated by only one of the Sisterhood's warriors." While he wasn't above bragging about his daughter merits and abilities, he did notice that this was a more serious setting and there'd be time for that later. "Of course, one of the Reapers managed to defeat the rest of the group including their top warrior."

"That sounds like a victory for the Reapers," Argus admitted. "So why would Varis... Was it the Devil? Was he the one that defeated the rest?"

"That's indeed true, meow," Tora told them. "And from everything that's been revealed, it appeared that Varis wasn't trying to train him in the slightest. In fact, I'd say that he was trying to break the young boy's body... meow."

"Is that right?" Argus questioned as the King appeared to be deep in thought. "And I've heard rumors that Jubei's taken him under his wing..."

"I can also confirm that," Tora admitted as she thought back to the meeting with her old teacher the day prior. "He's also taken a young student named Zack Fair under his tutelage as well... It had seems that young Ragna has found a friend."

"Ragna?" Argus asked with confusion, it also appeared that the fellow swordmaster shared in his confusion. "...I take it that's his name then?"

"Yes, meow," Tora told him.

"Ragna... Ragnarok," Argus repeated before shaking his head. "I suppose for now I'll trust Jubei's judgment. But that still leaves us short a swordmaster to train the Reapers."

"I am more than willing to take them under my tutelage until the situation has been resolved," Tora told the others. "Perhaps the boys in Varis's unit might learn a bit of humility while my own unit may grow more accustomed to the men... meow."

"Make it so," the King commanded. "And for the replacement..."

"Yes, my lord?" Tager asked, wondering where the king was going with the sudden pause.

"Make sure you find one with a fair mind to all of the students," Argus said. "Something about this supposed Devil..."

"My lord?"

"...Even now that he's been accepted… something about this just doesn't seem right," the King said looking at the spot where the sword instructor had lost his life. 'For now I can only wonder…'

Later -Training Grounds-

'Seriously, what's with all of the glares I'm getting today?' Ragna thought to himself with a sigh as he continued to swing his weighted practice sword around, practicing the techniques that Jubei had taught him. 'I mean I know I get glared at normally, but this is just... more intense than usual.' Indeed Seno and others were mind their distance from the Reaper, obviously taking about him behind his back as the glared daggers his way. He wasn't worried, he knew how well he could take them… but it was an annoyance.

"Mornin' Grim," Zack said as he made his way into the training fields with a yawn.

"Hey Zack," Ragna said in return without stopping in his practice. "How's your arm doing?"

"All healed up and rarin' to go!" the young soldier told him confidently. "Though... I guess Aerith did tell me not to go all out just yet, doesn't want it to break again just yet."

"Listen to your girlfriend, she knows what she's doing," the young Reaper told him as he continued swinging. "By the way, you know what everyone's problem is? I'm getting glared at today a lot more than usual."

"Probably just the fact that you showed 'em up yesterday," Zack told him before thinking to himself. "Actually... it might have something to with Varis."

"Yeah, what about him?" Ragna told him, performing a series of slashes with enough force to create a small whirlwind around himself.

"You haven't heard? He's dead." That news was enough to make Ragna stop mid-swing and the wind to harshly dispured, causing Zack's hair to sway from the force. "I overheard the news from one of the instructors just a bit ago when I was walking with Aerith. Apparently a bunch of people saw him getting drunk after yesterday's matches... and then this morning they found his body outside of the castle walls."

"So in summary, he got so drunk that he fell over the side," Ragna guessed. "Kind of a screwed up way for him to go... Wait, do they think that I did it?"

"No, everyone knows it was an accident, but I guess the fellow men of our unit would love to find a way to pin this one on you," Zack told him with a sigh. "Anyways, I guess we're really just waiting here for another instructor to show up or for someone to tell us to head home."

"Doesn't make much difference really, I'll be training myself either way," Ragna told his friend. "...I guess at least this way I might not have to hit the stand."

"Yeah, I still can't believe Varis was trying to put you on that thing every day," Zack admitted to him. "Up until the end he thought the damn thing can break you..."

"Well, right now I barely even feel the weight on me, even when he adds something to it I can adjust in half an hour tops; it's the boredom that's going to kill me," the Grim Reaper said as he resumed swinging his sword.

"You say that now, but..." Zack couldn't continue as he saw the skeptical look Ragna was shooting him. "Alright, fine. I'm bored out of my mind too, training with Jubei and sparring with you have been the only challenge I've gotten in a while."

"Thought so," Ragna told him with a smirk as he became covered in a familiar shadow once more. "Oh no..."

"GOOD GUY!" Tao shouted as she plowed into the Reaper. This time Ragna didn't scream, just deciding to take the sudden 'attack'. "Heya Good Guy! Didya miss me?"

"Not really, I mean we saw each other yesterday... Twice," Ragna told her as he pushed Tao off him with a grunt. "Anyways Tao, shouldn't you be with Tora and the others? Training's about to start isn't it?"

"Well big sis Tora told Tao to come here, meow," Tao explained. "She said something about elbow training today."

"...Do you mean joint training? Like we'll be training together?" Zack questioned as Ragna made his way to his feet.

"That's it puppy person!" Tao said happily, causing Zack to groan as she used his most hated nickname. "Oh, here's Tora now."

As the Kaka warrior and the rest of the Sisterhood piled into the training ground, Ragna let out a small groan and joined the rest of the Reapers to stand at attention and listen to the morning announcements.

"I assume that the rest of you have heard the news meow," Tora said. No one objected. "Varis's funeral will be held tomorrow, so lessons won't be held then. The funeral will be a smaller affair, but you can come if you so choose... Until we find the proper replacement, I'll taking charge of your unit of the Reapers meow."

'I can live with this,' Ragna thought to himself. 'Tora's a lot nicer to me than most of the people in this damn city.'

"The first change I'm making is we won't be needing the Stand as a form of punishment meow," Tora told him. "So for now we should-"

CRACK!

Everyone turned in shock at the sound of wood breaking. Only to see Ragna diving through the object of his long standing torment with a vicious axe kick. It was impossible not to see the harsh smile on his face as the wood gave way beneath his heel, turning the entire construction to splinters. When Ragna finished the attack, only a pile of broken wood lay before him. Giving a smirk at his work, he headed back to stand in line with the others.

"...What?" he asked as he noticed the entirety of the Reapers and the Sisterhoods staring at him in awe.

"...I was going to say to move it the side meow," Tora finished from her earlier statement. "But I suppose turning it to fire wood works as well."

"Ragna, you idiot," Zack groaned as he facepalmed.

"Good guy totally jumped too soon meow," Tao said with a cattish giggle.

"Hypocrite," the dark haired swordsman muttered.

"If there's nothing else, neow we can get to the lesson," Tora told the rest. "For the first part of today's training we'll be doing a partner exercise in unarmed combat. To get all of you used to the idea, and since we have the same number of students on both sides, all of the teams will consist of one Reaper and one Sister."

"Partner up, eh?" Seno the Ass said to his cronies with a cocky chuckle. "I wonder what kind of girls are going to line up to-"

"All of them went to Ragna when Tora finished talking," Zack informed.

"WHHAAAAAT!?" Seno shouted as he stared at the girls surrounding Reaper.

"Hey Ragna, want to team up for the lesson?" one of the girls asked him, trying to be casual.

"No, team up with me; I gave you good fight yesterday didn't I?" another one insisted more harshly.

"Hardly, I lasted with him almost twice as long as you did!" a third shouted.

"Come on, we both know that Ragna had the most trouble against my lance," a fourth asserted proudly. "I don't think I should be stuck with those idiots today, don't you agree Ragna?"

"Uhhhhhhh... Pardon?" Ragna himself asked, rather unintelligibly.

At this point the rest of the Reapers were glaring at Ragna with both a strong hatred and a deep disbelief at their mortal opponent's new-found popularity. Tora watched with a mischievous gleam in her eyes under her hood while Tao cackled with laughter at Ragna's awkwardness. Bullet merely watched on with confusion while Zack...

"MY MAN!"

...Was Zack. Ragna sent said friend a scowl, telling him to shut it.

"B-b-b-but-! Why him!?" Seno shouted. "What makes him so much better than us?"

"Maybe because he actually managed to fight the warrior woman and treated them with respect meow, maybe because he didn't lose to Bullet without lasting even lasting a ten count meow, maybe because they'd want to work with someone who cares about improving their skill rather than making insulting passes at them… meow," Tora suggested, getting the men to glare at Ragna as the Grim Reaper tried to pick out a sparring partner for the exercise, only to receive protests from the other girls as they tried to declare their combat prowess. "Not to mention, they don't look kindly upon men that use Drake's Blood just to get an edge in combat."

Seeing their bodies go ridged, Tora shook her hooded head. Varis had been a proper influence upon these boys when they'd first started out, but after feeling threatened by the Devil's growth he'd gone to... less than desirable practices. Though, she felt that blaming Ragna purely for Varis's breakdown of character would be unfair towards the current Reaper.

"Calm down all of you, meow," Tora told the girl. "I've already decided on the teams in advance." The look of disappointment was clear on most of the girls' faces as they got paired up with one of the boys from yesterday that had cheated and still been trounced easily. Taokaka ended up being paired with Zack, who was unsure of how to take this as he remembered the devastating kick that she'd delivered to his gut when they'd first met. That left Ragna with... Bullet.

"So... no hard feelings?" he asked as the two stood side to side and waited for instructions from Tora.

"I'm not so immature that I'll hold it against you for beating me once… in fact I think we could both agree that match was practically a draw." Ragna didn't argue. "Besides… now that I know you can take it I finally have a partner that I don't need to pull my punches against," Bullet said with an almost excited look in her eyes.

"This is training… so try not to forget that," Ragna told her, worrying that he'd end up bruised and bleeding by the end of the training.

"If you're not ready to give it your all against me then you might as well leave now," Bullet told him. "I won't be holding anything back, even if it is just practice."

"Great… sounds fun," Ragna muttered sarcastically with a groan.

"To start with we'll be working on using our forearm guards," Tora explained as the students began by putting on heavy leather bracers. "Even if you don't care a kite shield or even meowdest buckler, you'll always have an option to defend yourself from lighter attacks with the small bracers that you wear, be it knife, arrow, or even certain lances if you become skilled enough at using it."

"With something like this? I don't buy it," one of the Reapers noted, finding Tora's claim exaggerated. "I mean I think most knives would pierce through this thing easily."

"You are correct meow," the teacher explained. "But this is only because you are using one of the practice pieces of equipment. The real guards are made from some of our better metals and weighs a good bit heavier; these however will be as effective for blocking unarmed strikes as training."

'Dammit,' both Ragna and Zack thought to themselves as they both knew that their selective partners probably hit harder with their bare fists (or Tao's… paws) than they would with real weaponry… maybe they should have been given the metal ones for this exercise.

"Meow, now everyone parter up," Tora said and the students did so, standing straight and at attention (except for Ragna who stood with a slouch and Tao who kept playfully bouncing on her feet). "You'll try to land a hit to your opponent's torso whilst defending yourself from attack; I want no funny business on either side; no groping, no dirty shots."

'At least she's not biased…' Ragna sighed to himself as he readied his guard from beside Zack.

"Begin!" Tora called.

Result in that exchange were… mixed. Some of the Reapers managed to strike through the Sister's guards, while some were either hit first or had their attacks blocked by the bracers. Ragna and Zack had both known that Bullet and Tao would be too eager to strike first and decided to focus on blocking. Zack had managed to guard against Tao's attack and struck back, but instead of blocking Tao bounced out of the way and unleashed a flurry of punches. Zack was left fighting for his life as he tried desperately to defend himself from Tao's assault. From next to him, Ragna had blocked the attack… but Bullet's force managed to send him skidding back a good ten feet on the ground.

"What the hell!?" Ragna swore as he felt his arm throbbing in pain from that single attack. Narrowing his eyes, he noticed that Bullet's tanned skin had become the slightest bit red as she tapped into her Oni heritage. "...Isn't that cheating?"

"That's cheating!? Then what am I dealing with!?" Zack shouted as he continued to endure Tao's full onslaught of punches, not even able to find an opening himself as Tao's attacks became a blurred onslaught. "Tao! Calm down! My arm's supposed to be on the mend!"

"Now now you two, I think is for your own good" Tora said to both of them with mischievous smile. "You two focus far too much on your offense; you'll need to improve your guards to stay alive, won't you?"

'Dammit, I should've just said yes to that chick with a spear,' Ragna thought to himself as Bullet began to turn the heat up.

Meanwhile -Midwife's Quarters-

"Okay… just need to make sure we're still stocked on Aqualeaf," Celica thought to herself as she looked over the herbs selection, careful scanning for the picked plant. "Aqualeaf, Aqualeaf, where can I find the Aqualeeeeaf~?'

"It's to your right," Celica's fellow student, Aerith Gainsborough, noted as she helped the redhead's sense of direction. While Celica's… quirk, the fellow midwife-in-training felt like she was both a nurse and a nanny at times, but the redhead's talent for helping others and immovable positivity made it impossible for her to even consider complaining.

"Ah, there we go," Celica said as she finally managed to find them. Counting them over she made note that they would have enough for the time being, but it was time to think about restocking. "So I've heard about the funeral tomorrow…"

"Yes, apparently we're not going to be called in then in honor of the wake," Arith told her. "Were you planning on going to the funeral?"

"Not… really," Celica admitted. "I mean… I didn't exactly know Varis that well and this seems like its only for people that knew him personally."

While there was certainly some truth to what Celica was saying, a reason that she didn't disclose was Varis's treatment of Ragna. Celica was far too pure to ever wish a form of harm on anyone, but that didn't mean she was willing to go and honor someone that had constantly tried to put down someone that she cared deeply for. She wondered if Kokonoe would be in attendance… but again, it didn't seem likely that she would attend a funeral for someone she didn't hold a major grudge against.

"I don't think Zack's going either," Aerith admitted, surprising Celica as she knew that Zack had been one of Varis's students for over a year. "Even before Ragna, the two of them were… having a bit of a falling out… also Zack doesn't do well at funerals."

"Oh," Celica said simply, having more trouble than usual locating herbs for her work with all of these heavy thoughts on her mind.

"To your left," Aerith cut in.

"Thanks again," the redhead said as she took a look at the second herb. "So… do the two of you have plans for tomorrow then?"

"Provided the weather holds, I was thinking that the two of us would go on a picnic," Aerith said as an idea took form. "You and Ragna should come with us, I mean it doesn't sound like either of you are going to the funeral."

"Oh, and if I get Ragna to come I might be able to get him to cook," Celica realized with a happy smile. "I've been meaning to get the two of you to try some of his cooking."

"Two of us? You mean Zack hasn't stayed for dinner?" the fellow midwife asked before smiling. "Does Ragna or Kokonoe chase him off before your eat?"

"Hehe, I don't think they have to; every time training ends Zack's just in a hurry to go and see you again," Celica told her friend, forcing Aerith to give a small smile and blush.

Later

"Kill me…"

"You're overreacting."

"I can't feel my arm…"

"You gave it back as much as you got it."

"My entire body's covered in welts..."

"So is mine; it'll heal…"

"Yeah, in like a day. Meanwhile I'm stuck looking like this for a week," Zack sighed as he and Ragna walked out of the training barracks. "...Is it bad that I was actually starting to look forward to Jubei's training?"

"Whatever gets you through man, whatever gets you through," the white haired Reaper sighed to his friend. The training that the two had been in was some of the most difficult yet, especially for Zack who was unused to unarmed combat compared to Ragna or his opponent. It hadn't ended in a disaster, but it was clear that losing a weapon in most of the student's current skill range could be fatal save for a few standouts on either side.

"Just go easy on me tonight, alright? I don't want another broken arm," Zack sighed as he looked at his still healing limb that had already been put through hell for two straight days now.

"Fine fine, I'm a little more reasonable than Tao," Ragna sighed as the two headed into Jubei's yard, the cat sitting outside and waiting for the two.

"Damn, th' hell did you two pick a fight with?" Jubei asked as he noticed his beaten students.

"An overly hyper cat with crazy strength," Zack muttered.

"A woman that can charge her body with fire and doesn't know the meaning of restraint, even during training," Ragna added.

"Right… Tora probably had to take over both classes today with Varis… out," Jubei said, making it clear that he'd heard the news. "...Anyone giving you crap kid?"

"They didn't today… but then again Tora had probably run everyone far too ragged to try anything," he assured.

"Oh, almost forgot," Zack said before scratching the back of his head with an awkward smile. "I was uh… kinda hoping to opt out of training tomorrow." This earned him a speculative look from Jubei's good eye.

"Judgin' by yer tone, I take it's not for the funeral?" the cat demanded.

"No… I… I sort of made plans with Aerith," Zack told him before placing his hands together like he was praying (which he sort of was). "C'mon, I'm just missing training for one day… I'll be back the next day ready and well rested."

"...This is probably beside the point, but Zack's arm has been put through a ton of abuse these past few days," Ragna noted, feeling a little guilty as he was one that had prompted the cycle of injury.

"...Truth is, I'm expected to go to the funeral m'self," Jubei admitted after a moment, leaving Zack to give a relived sigh. "Meanin' I'll have to put you both through hell to make up fer it."

"Even when I was already planning on training tomorrow?" Ragna sighed, right as he noticed a shadow starting to cover him. 'Okay, I think I'm done with this.'

"GOOD GU-"

Tao had been about to scream her standard greeting as she flopped on the ground where Ragna had been standing an instant before. The cat laid motionlessly after taking the sudden face plant before looking up and seeing Ragna glaring down at her.

"You've been doing that a lot lately," the Reaper muttered as he crossed his arms, trying to look authoritative.

"YEP!" Tao said happily as Ragna's intent flew over her head. Ragna continued to stare her down for a long moment before giving up and rolling his eyes.

"Tao! Where the hell did you go!?" came Bullet's voice which caused Ragna to freeze; why was Tao here? Eventually the Oni-blood came into view as she finally found Tao, which turned to surprise as she noticed Ragna and Zack. "Is… is this where you were taking me?"

"You finally caught up Butt Lady!" the Kaka said joyfully, earning a blush from Bullet and a facepalm from Ragna and Zack. "Tao thought it would be a good idea if we kept playing!"

"Playing?" Zack repeated as he looked to Ragna with a face taught with horror, an expression shared by his brother-in-arms.

"Tao… as much as I want you to keep training, I don't think you should be bothering the One-eyed Lotus when he's already teaching these two," Bullet said with a sigh, not bother to question if Jubei was allowed to train them. Ragna and Zack both gave sighs of relief… something that didn't go unnoticed by their teacher.

"Ha! Nonsense! We'd be more th'n happy to have ya!" the cat said, causing the two grow horrified. "Fact of the matter is I need someone to whip these two slackers into shape."

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SLACKERS!?" Ragna and Zack angrily shouted in unison.

"...Is that so?" Bullet asked as she looked at Ragna… he didn't like that her hungry look was starting to return. "In that case, I'd be honored to help."

"Tao's ready too!" she helpfully input as Ragna and Zack realized that there was no getting out of this.

"Make sure you don't go easy on 'em," Jubei said, effectively sealing Ragna's fate. "Gotta make up for lost time an' all that."

'...God damn cat,' Ragna swore to himself as Bullet rushed forward with no further invitation, already starting to glow from her Oni blood.

Later -Ragna's Bedroom-

"Arg!" Ragna hissed as he grit his teeth. "Is it just me or does that friggin' stuff sting more than ever now!?"

"It's probably not just you," Kokonoe told him as she rubbed ointment on the welts and wounds he'd received courtesy of Bullet and Tao. "I've been trying out different ingredients to try and increase my mix's potency so you'll probably be feeling a stronger sting from that."

"Try and make it easier to handle for god's- GAH!" Ragna gave a pained shout before glaring behind him. "Watch where you're putting that stuff!"

"Uh… hehe… sorry," Celica said with a guilty laugh as she'd put a rather large glob of one of Ragna's worse welts, located squarely on the middle of his back.

"I told you I could handle this myself," Kokonoe's said as she took careful consideration over the welt's she applied her ointment, namely how severe the wounds were and how much she'd put on them.

"I mean… I'm supposed to be my healer, so it's my job to help you both," Celica told her… while putting on another oversized lob that nearly caused Ragna to scream at the pain. "Besides, I had something important that I needed to ask Ragna!"

"Important enough that it couldn't wait for after dinner?" Ragna demanded before deciding this was all he could take. "Alright, alright! Rest will heal on its own!" Before the others could protest, he moodily stomped to his bed and begun putting his shirt on.

"Most men would be in paradise up there," Jubei sighed to himself from downstairs, able to hear all of the goings on with his enhanced hearing. "Then again, they aren't exactly like most girls either."

"So what was it you wanted?" the Reaper demanded as he finally stuck his head through his clothing, wincing as it made contact with the ointment covered wounds.

"I was just… did you have any plans for tomorrow?" Celica asked him, looking hopeful.

"Training and staying away from the funeral, what else?" the Reaper muttered to himself. "Even if Jubei put me through hell today, he's not going to let me off easy."

"Probably not," Kokonoe reservedly agreed, right before noticing that her cousin was growing deflated at the news. "What did you want this idiot for anyways?"

"Hey!"

"Well Aerith said that she and Zack were going on a picnic and that we should join them!" Celica told him with a bright smile which Ragna didn't comment on. "C'mon, you've already been doing nothing else but train."

"And making dinner, which reminds me…" Ragna was about to make his way out of his room and drop the conversation there, but Kokonoe nonchalantly kicked the door closed while looking over her notes. "...Seriously."

"There's no reason you have to be so moody about this," Kokonoe reminded, not looking up from her parchment.

"You're no sunshine yourself," Ragna bit before turning to Celica. "...Fine, I'll go. Anything else?"

"Well… I may have promised Aerith that you'd show her some of your cooking," the red head admitted, leaving the Reaper to sigh.

"I'll… save some dinner for tomorrow then," he promised before turning to Kokonoe. "Can I go now?"

"I don't know, can you?" came Kokonoe's ever-so-witty response… Unfortunately for her, Ragna was in a poor mood and simply stormed downstairs to make dinner.

"What a drag," the Reaper grumbled to himself as he passed by Jubei in his rocking chair and paused. "The hell are you smirking at?"

"Nothin', jes…" Jubei smiled. "You might have more luck than yer given' yourself credit for."

"...That's not even funny cat," Ragna muttered, heading into the kitchen as his teacher laughed behind him.

The Next Morning

"So… mind telling me how this happened?" Zack asked as he lead the group to their chosen picnic spot. Ragna was the only one close enough to hear his question.

"...Jubei caught wind of what was going on and said that she had to come with us, something about not spending enough time in the sunlight and my daughter's turning into a hermit, so do me a solid, that sort of thing." Ragna knew Kokonoe could easily hear him bad mouthing her in her father's words, but he was nothing if not blunt. "On the plus side, Jubei grabbed us some fish for me to prepare so there's that."

"Huh, so that's what brought her to join us," Zack said as he looked at the picnic basket in his hands before back to the girls. Celica and Aerith were talking like they usually were while Kokonoe was nose deep in a book. The two midwives were trying to get her involved in the conversation, but despite their attempts Kokonoe gave no comment. "...Did she have to bring that tome of hers along?"

"It was her compromise for coming with us… kinda surprised she didn't ask me clean that pigsty she calls a room," Ragna commented, again earning a growl from Kokonoe.

"Hey! What are you two talking about?" Celica asked from behind the boys.

"Nothing much," Zack said as he gave Ragna an understanding smirk. "Ragna's just asking for advice on how to court Kokonoe there."

The reaction from Zack's joking was about what you'd expect. Both Aerith and Celica's faces turn red with a blush, but Aerith managed to keep it under control while Celica turned beet red. Kokonoe merely groaned at the display while facepalming with her freehand and holding her place with the hand holding the tome. Ragna didn't say anything… only making a note to get even the next chance he got.

"We almost there there?" he demanded, keeping his rage under control for the moment but already making plans to get his revenge later.

"We're just about there," Zack promised, giving his friend a good smile. "Trust me, with the sky this clear, the weather to good, and all the food you packed we're in for an awesome time, might even help us forget those beatings we got yesterday."

"...That'd be the real miracle today," Ragna muttered darkly.

Zack hadn't been exaggerating (though it was still hard for Ragna to ignore the sting he still felt from all the ointment forced on him the night prior). The spot that Zack had been talking about was a small bluff that overlooked the clear waters of Lake Gustral. While it wasn't a very large lake, the waters were clear, it wasn't very crowded, and the sun reflected perfectly against the water's surface. While the bluff wasn't too high up, there was still a cool and pleasant breeze and the foundation seemed sturdy to keep everyone up. Everyone then started to set up for the small picnic (save for Kokonoe who still reading); Ragna got out the small pot of boar stew and the small grilled fish cuts he'd made on the side, Zack cleared their spot of sticks and twigs, while Celica and Aerith started pouring drinks into the goblets they'd brought with them. Now everyone was ready to dig into the food and begin their meal in earnest.

"Just a quick sec everyone," Zack said, stopping Ragna from enjoying a rather juicy looking piece of stewed boar meat. "Got a few quick things to say."

'That's a surprise,' both Ragna and Kokonoe thought sarcastically.

"Now I know that none of us really saw… eye to eye with Varis," the swordsman began, making it clear he didn't feel comfortable talking about this either. "I mean heck, the first chance he got Ragna broke that damned stand of his to pieces."

"...I'm not apologizing," he told his friend.

"Figured you wouldn't, but even if Varis was a bit of a pain to deal with the man's dead so we should at least say… I dunno, have a good afterlife?" Zack said before scratching the back of his head. "I'm really bad at this."

"We've noticed," Kokonoe said before finally closing her book. "He's dead, it's over with, I say we start eating and honor him by not cursing his name out."

"That's rough… but I guess it's fair," Ragna decided as he began digging into his own stew. Despite doing his best to keep it covered it was a little colder than he'd like it, but it'd do.

"This… this is really good," Aerith said as she finished her first bite of stew before going for another then another. A sound of slurping from beside her alerted her to her boyfriend shoveling down the stuff like a madman. "Zack!" The dark hair stopped stuffing his face long enough to give a guilty blush.

"Hee hee, told you Ragna's cooking was amazing," Celica told them.

"And you never invite me in for dinner? Dude, you've been holding out on me," Zack muttered as he began munching on some of the grilled fish (careful to pick out the bones).

"...Promise you won't tell Tao about this, she'd eat us all out of house and home," Ragna said remembering how the two had first met.

"Yeah, point taken…" Zack had to agree before smiling. "But seriously, I can't cook anything without almost burning it or letting the meat come out completely raw. How'd you get so good?" Kokonoe and Celica gave each other nervous glances as the both of them knew to never ask about Ragna's past. "...Did I say something?"

"...I learned it when I had to provide for my family," Ragna told them with a look that made it clear that he wanted to drop the issue there.

"R-right," his friend said with a nervous smile, making it clear that he now knew better than to bring the subject up.

"Switching topic," Aerith began, an idea everyone was only too happy to follow, "Zack's always telling me about the great fights and training that you've been getting in together. He'll always boast and say he's probably twice as strong than he was when he first met you."

"...That right?" Ragna asked as he turned to Zack who was giving an embarrassed blush. "...Well I guess he's a good partner to have… Back when Varis was still teaching the class I couldn't even watch the lessons so Zack was willing to show me what I'd missed."

"I knew it; despite all of your fighting, the two of you are really good friends," Celica noted, happy that Ragna had someone he could relate two.

"We are… though I guess I'd appreciate it if Ragna didn't have to hit me every chance he got," Zack said with a sigh.

"Half the time I hit you it's for training, and the other half you clearly earned it," Ragna told his friend passively.

"That's something I can believe," Aerith said from beside Zack as her boyfriend only gave a grunt of pain at the statement. Giving a small chuckle, Ragna figured that maybe this was a far better way of getting even than breaking Zack's arm again.

Later -Tager's Office-

"Sorry for keeping you out so late," Tager said to his guest seated across the desk. "I know you don't usually get out this much, so if I'm keeping you from something-"

"It's fine, kids made some plans today anyway so I can't be missed," Jubei said as he looked over the paper. "'Sides, finding a new instructor for Varis's unit comes first."

The funeral for the deceased swordmaster had ended recently, a ceremony attended by the other instructors, certain members of the staff, and most of the cadet force. Not a single eye was wet at the passing during the funeral, not out of apathy or hatred for the man the ceremony was celebrating, but because this was a warrior's funeral and showing any form of resent or sorrow would be seen as a disrespect to the man they were honoring. By now several of the students were likely out drinking and holding toasts to their swordsmaster's name, but Tager had more pressing business to handle in his selection for a new instructor.

"Funny, thought I heard that Cromwell had gotten 'imself killed in a bear hunt last year," Jubei noted as he looked over one of the documents.

"That just shows you how unorganized this parchment is," Tager agreed as he looked it over. "It's a shame too; he might've made for a decent instructor if we could pry him away from his post at the eastern keep."

"Big if there… not that it matters now," Jubei noted as he set the paper off to the side.

"We might consider Rosewen, even if she was on leave to start a family," Tager noted as he looked through the documents. "...Unfortunately, I can't see how much respect our group of Reaper's would be willing to give her. Even with Tora as a replacement for a few days, tensions are starting to become… strained between a few of the groups."

"Not like it's 'er fault," Jubei reminded the half-oni.

"Did I ever say it was?" Tager countered before there was a knock on his door. "It's open." The door opened to reveal Azrael, looking bored as usual as he made his way into his office. "Lord Azrael… to what do we owe this visit?"

"Boredom mostly," the Mad Dog muttered as he leaned against the wall. "Heard the two of you were looking for a new swordmaster so I was wondering who the frontrunners were."

"For starters there's-"

"Who I'd have heard of," Azrael interrupted. His criteria for remembering someone was a simple enough; the stronger you were and the more potential you showed, the easier it was for him to remember. Don't show enough of either and you'd instantly fade into obscurity. It took Tager a moment, but he shifted his documents to a previous one under consideration.

"There's Duran of the Dawn's End mercenary faction," Tager noted. "He's written to us looking for work a few times already and his last letter came from just a few towns to the south. From what the rest of his unit's told us, he's giving them lessons regularly so he has experience as a teacher."

"...You can't be serious," Azrael muttered with a sigh. "That guy's your best bet? Not matter how much you promise to pay him he won't take the job. Has he ever written for a teaching job specifically?"

"Now that you mention it, no he hasn't," Tager admitted. "Any reason why that would be a problem?"

"Let's just say he has a strong vendetta against warrior women and leave it at that; he'd refuse to work anywhere with a group like the Sisterhood," the king's brother told them both. "Anyone else?"

"We have warrior that goes by Arthur of Blades; someone who's skilled in all manner of weapons and styles," Tager tried for a second time. "I believe you've met."

"Still no good; can't hold his alcohol for shit and always insists on carrying a full flask with him wherever he goes," Azrael denied yet again. "I'm still surprised he's still alive out there."

"It might mean he knows something about fighting that we don't," Tager defended.

"True… but that doesn't mean he'd stay sober long enough to be a decent teacher," Azrael told them.

"Tch, enough of th' song and dance," Jubei said as he glared back to his former student. "What 're ya really here to say?"

"Just that you're being stubborn, right when we've got an amazing swordmaster right here in this kingdom," the Mad Dog then gave a toothy grin. "Right here in this room in fact."

"...I'm retired," Jubei reminded. "Besides, I don't train just anyo-"

"Right, you only go for the future kings," Azrael once more interrupted. "...Them or Devils, I mean."

"...Jubei?" Tager questioned as he looked at the cat. He'd already heard the news (and had a slight suspicion), but he wanted to hear it from the cat's mouth personally.

"What else was I supposed ta do? Let Varis have 'is way and fail Ragna? You know I couldn't sit back when he wouldn't show him the first damn thing about sword work," Jubei growled more to Azrael than Tager.

"Easy cat; I'm not here to pick a fight with you." 'Yet.' "Still, that runt seems to have turned out okay, wouldn't you say? I think the rest of his unit could benefit from a teacher like you."

"Still, the lessons Jubei is supposed to teach-" Tager tried yet again.

"He won't have to teach them the lessons meant for the kings themselves… just the ones that'll help them live through their first battle." Azrael then headed to the door before pausing. "You know what a lot of the potential teachers all have in common; most of 'em are religious zealots."

"What's yer point?" Jubei demanded.

"...Compared to them, Varis might've been tame; at least he never tried to roast a Devil's innards." The warrior gave a final haunting smile at the cat. "...Just food for thought."

'...Damn Dog.'

Author's Note

Well… it's been a while since I've updated THIS story. Despite the smaller following, those that does pay attention to this fic are of the more… dedicated variety. Not sure how well I delivered given the long hiatus, but here it is. Now for the reviews.

Black Savior: Son…? Okay…

Darklight of the 0 arcana: Knowing how long it's been, hopefully you've put said inspiration to work. Also, thanks for your patience.

Marconator360: Pain and welts… pain and welts came out of that first fight.

PokeSega64: Hopefully you're still with as I go on.

Paladin9800: Here's a damn scene that takes place in a bedroom. Happy now?

NiamhTheAzureWarrior NEO: Thanks, I try to make interesting concepts from… ideas.

Lovnag: This is sort of an old school (by now) story of mine.

Tobi 0: ...When you say next…

Xionrabbit: Don't go! I'm still here!

Until next time, I gotta go and celebrate my mum's birthday. Ciao!