Chapter 11 – Reunited

After a few days of wearing a cast, Jacky was finally allowed to do whatever he wanted. He thanked Kokonoe and Violet for the help and prepared to head out, grabbing a couple more boxes of the suckers with Kokonoe's permission.
Violet decided to head out with him as she had nothing better to do, with no assignments looming over her. Jacky told Violet about how Rachel could teleport someone to a certain location so long as the person she's transporting has a mental image of the area or individual they want to visit. Violet, totally fascinated by the idea, decided to give it a shot. Jacky thought of Ragna and Violet teleported them. They disappeared and reappeared in midair and fell down, landing on top of someone. They got off of him and helped him up.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Ragna asked after they helped Bang up. "We're paying you a visit, Ragna," Jacky said. "Look, I already told you I have no idea who you are. Why are you following me around?"
"Hey, don't be rude," Violet snapped, "He's just concerned for you."
"I don't need his concern."
"You're so rude, it's unbelievable!"
"Bite me!"
Jacky stepped forward and interjected in the argument. "Not that I'm not enjoying your little tiff, but how's about you tell me who this guy is?" Jacky asked, pointing at Bang. Ragna was about to respond, but Bang responded quicker. "I am none other than the great ninja of Ronin-gai! I am a vigilante that fights in the name of love and justice! I am Bang Shishigami!" Jacky plugged up his ears, because Bang was practically screaming in his ears. "I can hear you perfectly fine, so please lower your voice," he said over Bang's voice.
"So, how are you still here, Ragna? You came here around two weeks ago. Why'd you stick behind?"
"First, this big guy wanted to fight me, so that came the day after I arrived. Then Noel came by and started pestering me about constantly traveling. I would have left here ten days ago if it weren't for her. Also, Tao's having a field day in this place. The old man is constantly giving her food whenever she asks for it."
"That can't be healthy," Violet groaned. Upon hearing her name, Tao came leaping out of Bang's home. She hugged Ragna and looked over at Jacky and Violet. "Who are you guys? Are you friends of Good Guy's?"
"'Good Guy'?" They both thought to themselves. "She means me," Ragna muttered, "One day, we met in Orient Town and I gave her a meal. Now she calls me 'Good Guy'." Tao climbed off of Ragna and approached Violet and began to nuzzle her face in her chest. "What are you doing!?"
Tao withdrew before long and muttered, "Definitely not as big as Booby Lady." Violet resisted the urge to crush her with Gravity Seed as best she could as Tao took a look at Jacky.
Much to his discomfort, Tao had started to sniff him all over. "You smell like one of those lizards I cook for dinner," she stated. Then she started to drool and space out. "Don't go getting any funny ideas, alright?"
"That sticks it! I'm going to call you 'Tasty Guy'!" Tao exclaimed, pointing at Jacky. "Please don't," Jacky replied exhaustedly. Tao pointed at Violet. "And I'll call you 'Lavender Lady'!" Violet's name wasn't very original in the least. She had violet hair, violet eyes, and she even dressed in different shades of violet. Her nickname did kind of make sense.
"Please don't," Violet said, echoing what Jacky had said before. "It's too late now, guys. When Tao comes up with a nickname, she sticks with it, no questions asked. She's too stupid to remember our real names, so don't even bother telling her to," Ragna called out.
"B-boss, boss, it's an emergency!" A man, clad in light clothing that concealed his face ran towards Bang and stopped to catch his breath before telling him what was wrong.
"There's someone in the center of town beating us down for answers!" Bang seemed greatly upset by this and headed out. Jacky, Ragna, and Violet followed Bang out of curiosity, while Taokaka simply followed them because 'Good Guy' was going. By the time everyone had vacated the area, Noel had stepped out of Bang's house, only to find everyone gone. "Where'd they all go?" She thought out loud.
"I don't know, but here's a better question for you. Where, oh where, did our poor Kusanagi go?" Noel turned to face Terumi and jumped back to get some distance from him. "W-where'd you come from?"
"I got teleported here. Am I not welcome?"

Bullet was beating down all of Bang's subordinates with virtually no effort whatsoever. "Your pals need to work on their technique, Bang," Bullet called out. "Bullet, what are you doing here and why are you attacking my subordinates?"
"Your subordinates pissed me off. They keep saying I'm suspicious-looking and villainous and stuff."
Bang groaned exhaustedly. Although disappointment was hardly felt by him, he was certainly feeling it now. "Men, this young woman is a friend and I must ask that you do not insult her any longer," Bang shouted. They all backed off immediately after hearing this. "I had heard you were trying to get answers out of my men, Bullet. For what do you need answers for?"
"I'm looking for Kokonoe. I need to ask her a few questions that only she can answer. She doesn't exactly go out in public though, so I have to ask around. Your men were rude, so I gave them a lesson they won't forget."
"A lesson they won't forget indeed," Bang said with sigh. Jacky and Violet averted their gaze away from Bullet, not wanting to meet her eyes. However, upon catching sight of Jacky, Bullet focused her attention. "Haven't I seen you somewhere before?"
"Kind of, yeah…"
It took Bullet a while before she finally recalled her brief encounter with Jacky. "You're that Beastkin I ran into in Ibukido!" She grabbed Jacky by his shirt and lifted him off the ground. "If you're a Beastkin, then you might know where Kokonoe is, right? To each, their own, as they say!" Bullet yelled.
"What the hell kind of logic is that!?" Jacky screamed back. "Just shut it and tell me where Kokonoe is!"
"I don't know where she is, damn it!" It was true. Jacky had no clue where Kokonoe was. He's never seen the exterior of where she resides, so he has no clue as to her actual whereabouts, despite standing next to her in the past.
The sound of screaming in the distance shook everyone and begged their attention. "That was Noel!" Ragna exclaimed. Panicked, Jacky wrenched free of Bullet's grasp and ran back to Bang's house with Ragna, Bang, and Violet, leaving Bullet and Taokaka confused.
Noel was trying to keep Terumi at bay by firing at him with Bolverk, but just kept dodging her attacks without much effort. "Woo-hoo, you're really giving me a good workout," he cried out as he dodged yet another blast. Noel continues to fire Bolverk, preparing to run from the ever mobile Terumi. Just as she turns to run, Ragna and the others arrive and draw their fists and weapons. "Aw, did you come to save your little friend? That's adorable!"
"Clearly you are a villain harassing a young woman. I, Bang Shishigami, will not allow such an unforgivable crime to continue. Prepare yourself, villain, for the vigilante of love and justice!" Terumi laughed at Bang's declaration. "Where is he? All I see is a barking dog baring his teeth at me."
Bang charged forward swinging his fist towards Terumi's chest, but he just dodged the attack. "Oh, is that it? What is it you called yourself? The 'Vigilante of love and justice', right? Man, oh man, if you can't even touch me, then you're just delusional."
Jacky and Ragna charged in to help Bang, swinging their swords, flanking to his left and right side. Terumi jumped back, avoiding their blades.
Ouroboros
What appeared to be a metal snake with a black, endless chain appeared and closed the distance between Terumi and Ragna, slamming straight into the center of his chest. Jacky attempted to strike back at Terumi, but the Ouroboros redirected itself and slammed into his back. "Aw, is that all? I think I broke my toys. Maybe that bitch vampire can fix them."
The two rebels got back on their feet. "Oh, never mind. I think I can play with these two a little while longer." Jacky swung his sword, fire flowing from the blade towards Terumi. The head of Ouroboros blocked the fire and went straight for him once again. Noel shot the head of the chain away before Ragna and Jacky took this as an opportunity to strike. Ragna managed to cut Terumi across the chest before he could dodge, but the wound wasn't very deep, so it was not fatal, much to Ragna's dismay. "You finally got a hit in, Rags! Not bad for useless hound. Come on, I can play a little while longer." After this was said, he fell to his knees; a force was pushing him downwards. "What the hell?"
"This is…Magic, but how?" Terumi finally turned his attention to Violet who was concentrating on her Gravity Seed. "Who the hell taught you magic?"
"You think I'm just going to tell you that, Terumi?" Violet called out. Terumi growled and watched as Ragna and Jacky were preparing to finish him off. "Phantom, teleport me right now! Hurry up!" Just before Jacky and Ragna's swords could make contact with Terumi's head, he vanished.
"Damn it, we almost had him," Ragna growled. "Noel, are you alright?" Jacky asked. Noel nodded her head as she dismissed Bolverk. "I'm alright. He didn't do anything to me."
"That's good to hear."
Ragna turned to Jacky as he returned Blood Scythe to its harness. "So why did you come here?"
"I came here because I want to rebel, Ragna, and who better to fight the NOL with than the man with highest bounty on record," Jacky explained. "Listen here, I've already got Noel and Tao to deal with as travelling companions. The last thing I need is another one."
Jacky thought for a moment before finally getting an idea. "How about we fight each other then? If I win, I get to travel with you. If you win, I'll leave you alone. Does that sound fair to you?"
"What? You're getting into another fight?" Noel moaned. Violet walked over to Noel and pat her on the shoulder. "Just leave them be. Men will be men."
"Fine, I'll take you on. Just don't go crying when I kick your sorry ass."
"We'll fight with our fists, though."
"Why?"
"Come on, Ragna, are you scared?" Ragna felt a strong sensation jolt to life.

"Wait, hold on a minute! Don't go running off!"
"Come on, Ragna, are you scared?"

"There it is again, that feeling," Ragna thought to himself. He looked up at Jacky, the feeling growing stronger. "Fine, we'll have a fist fight." Ragna and Jacky raised their fists and charged forward, punching and kicking at each other over and over again.
"I can't believe Jacky's starting a fight," Noel groaned. Bang was watching the fight anxiously. "I like that young man's spirit! He's even fighting without his weapon! He is a man amongst men!" Violet and Noel remained silent. Tao and Bullet had finally arrived at this time, watching the fight on the sidelines, with Tao cheering Ragna on.
Jacky hit Ragna in the side with a roundhouse kick before flanking to the left and swinging the back of his fist into his face. Ragna stepped back and growled in frustration as Jacky continued his assault. "Don't tell me that's all you've got, Ragna!"

Ragna was racing Jin around the church. Jin was taking the lead and Ragna was trying his best to keep up. Then he heard someone call out, "Don't tell me that's all you've got, Ragna!"

That feeling grew stronger as the fight dragged on. Jacky delivered another roundhouse kick into the side of Ragna's head while he was distracted and knocked him out cold. "He seemed distracted," Jacky muttered as he looked down at him, "That was way too easy."
Noel helped Jacky carry Ragna back into Bang's house and they began to prepare dinner.

Ragna was playing with Jin and Saya inside the church when the front doors opened up. Sister Mercury looked down as Jubei brought in a young Beastkin child. "Oh, hello Jubei, what brings you here? And who's this young man?"
"Found this kid wandering Shinatzu during my visit. His parents were killed and he's got nowhere else to go. I know this ain't no orphanage, but d'ya think you can take care of 'em for me?"
"Of course, Jubei, I don't mind. What's your name little guy?"
The boy remained silent, his tail swaying back and forth. "He says his name is Jacky." The boy silently nodded his head, confirming what Jubei told Celica. "I'll be checking up on ya later, kid, so don't cause any trouble," Jubei called out to Jacky as he left the church. The young Beastkin was nervous. His parents were dead and he couldn't live on his own, he knew, but it was so strange to live in a place unknown to him. Not to mention, he would be living with three other children. What would he say to them? Ragna remembered thinking of him as shy and socially awkward. However, as the months passed, Jacky managed to lighten up and be more sociable. All the memories of him came rushing back. From teasing Jin to playing with Saya to all his pranks, Ragna slowly began to recall everything.

As Ragna began to wake up, he smelled food and left the room he was taken to and found everyone gathered around the dining room, eating meat buns, red curry with chicken and fried rice, and Kaka Clan Special Soup. Ragna sat down as Bang welcomed him to the table. "It took you quite a while to wake up, Master Ragna," Bang stated. "Yeah, we were worried you wouldn't wake up in time for dinner," Tao added, "Good guy's gotta eat too, meow!" Ragna chuckled and sat down, serving himself a plate of everything. "Who made dinner?" he asked.
"I made the curry sauce and fixed the fried rice, Bang made the meat buns and prepared the meat for the curry meal, and Tao made the soup," Jacky explained. Noel seemed disappointed as he told Ragna this. "I wanted to cook too, but no one would let me."
"You would have killed us," everyone except Tao and Bullet thought all at once. "Well whatever. Thanks for the food and all that," Ragna said before taking a bite of the chicken used in the curry meal. The next thing he knew, he was spitting fire. "Damn, that's some spicy shit!" he exclaimed. "But the taste is incredible."
"Thanks for the compliment, Ragna. I'm a pro when it comes to spicy foods," Jacky declared, feeling pride welling up inside him. "Well yeah, you would know how handle spicy foods, considering you breath fire and all," Ragna replied with a laugh.
"Hey, I only did that once and it hurt like hell!" Jacky shouted. "Oh yeah, you ate all kinds of spicy things even before all this fire power came to you, huh?" Jacky stopped for a moment and focused his attention on Ragna. "H-how do you…?"
"I don't know how, but you really knocked the memories out," Ragna said simply as he at some fried rice. The Beastkin felt himself choke up and he felt like he was about to cry. He quickly stuffed his mouth full of curry sauce and rice, attempting to distract himself. Too late.
"Why are you crying, Jacky?"
Jacky swallowed his food and looked up at Ragna and said, "I'm just happy. That's all." Tao saw Jacky's tears and asked, "Yeah, why are you crying Lizard Person, meow?" She just called him 'Lizard Person', didn't she? Jacky's Armagus seal must have slipped again. Maybe Jacky wasn't setting it up properly. "I'm fine, Tao, seriously." Violet wrapped her arm around Jacky and raised her glass. "Don't be such a wimp, Jacky," she said, her face red. Her words were a little slurred and lazily spoken. That's when he smelled her breath. "WHO SPIKED VIOLET'S DRINK!?" He yelled, jolting upward. He noticed Tao holding a bottle and couldn't believe it. "Come on, Lizard Person, drink some and you'll feel better!" She declared.
She started to push the bottle towards him, demanding he drink some. "No, I'm not drinking alcohol! Get that bottle of Sake out of my face, Tao!"
The night got a little wild after that, but eventually the excitement died down. Everyone slept peacefully that night.

Author's Note:

Finally, Ragna remembers Jacky. It felt like a perfect time for him to do so, so I went for it. As for Terumi, he's being a little sadistic bitch as usual; no surprise there.
Bang Shishigami is still a sucker for manly spirit, Bullet's still a racist, and Taokaka is still Taokaka.
In the dinner scene, the food that was laid out for everyone staying at Bang's house is all things I really want to eat. Curry meals are my favorite food, especially with fried rice. I've never had meat buns before, but I really want to try them. The Kaka Clan's famous cooking is just as much a work of fiction as Taokaka is, so, unfortunately, I can't eat that. Besides, I'd feel a bit discouraged if the soup had lizard meat in it. I'm not sure why, though.
As for Violet getting drunk, I couldn't help myself. It was something I HAD to do. There are many dinner scenes in Manga and Anime and even Video Games in which a character's drink is spiked with alcohol and they start acting out of character. I wanted to take that scenario for a spin. A few questions regarding Jacky's backstory may be raised, but I promise to explain it in the next chapter.

Reploid7,

Signing off!