(A/N): A major update was added to the submission guidelines and roster. Go ahead and check it out to see what's changed.

Approaching the timeskip fast so we're nearing the 1/3 point of the entirety of the story.

Hope you guys are enjoying it so far! This chapter was a bit short I know but I'll pick it up in the next one, scouts honor.

Chapter 7: The Path Of Vengeance

One Week Later- The Kānēshon

"Matilda! Could you bring out a bouquet of pink roses!" shouted Nana.
"All over it!" replied Matilda.

Nana then turned back to the customer in front of her and bowed graciously.

"Just give us a moment sir; we still haven't completely unpacked as yet," she said.
"Not a problem," replied the customer.

Matilda then appeared with a beautiful bouquet of pink roses as she stepped forward to hand them to the man. Unfortunately for her, she had completely forgotten about the footstool in front of her and her right foot kicked it, causing her to completely lose her balance. The bouquet flew into the air, only to be caught by Hanna who had come out of nowhere.

"You're such a klutz Matilda," sighed Hanna.
"Well excuse me for not seeing a footstool! I'm the only one here with glasses you know!" she said with a pout.

Nana sighed and laughed nervously as the man handed her a small bag with coins inside.

"Thank you; I needed this for my wife's birthday, I'll be certain to tell everyone about this place," he said with a smile.

He then took his leave as Nana turned to the still grounded Matilda. She was in an absolute mess; her clothes were completely disheveled, causing her to reveal a great deal of her skin and her fall had caused the large bookshelf to spill its contents all over her.

"You're hopeless..." sighed Hanna.

The door around the back opened and much to everyone's surprise, Fang appeared...without Takashi?

The wolf approached Hanna before rubbing her head against her cheek. Hanna rubbed her head, delighted that she had forgiven her for what happened a week ago...

One Week Earlier

"I...I didn't watch out for Fang and I got myself into a bind...which resulted in her getting hurt,"

Takashi looked at Fang.

"It's true master...but I do not blame her for it because I was reckless myself,"

Takashi closed his eyes and let out a deep breath.

"If Fang does not hold anything against you then I can't either...so don't worry about it," he said.

I sighed in relief but upon looking at him, I noticed something in his eyes...sadness?

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

His eyes narrowed.

"It's something I have to take care of on my own...so I'll be gone for a few days, don't tell anyone where I've gone," he said.

I opened my mouth to question him but he turned away from me, picking up a bag and his bow.

"Why do you have to go through this alone? We're your family," I said.
"There are some things that family can't help with...this is something I need to handle alone,"

Before I could say another word, Takashi jumped through the window, leaving Fang and I alone.

Present Time

"Are you okay Hanna?"

I snapped from my thoughts and looked at Nana.

"Is everything alright? You kind of zoned out there," she said.

I nodded.

"Was just thinking about something is all," I replied.
"I'm back!"

Everyone turned to the door to see Akio with Relia in tow. He was carrying some boxes while Relia had a basket full of seeds.

"Oh! The shipment came in?" asked Nana.

Relia nodded as she handed the basket to her.

"Good...now all we need is for Takashi to get back so he can sprout these," said Nana.
"I'll put them around the back!"

Matilda shuffled the books off of her and reached for the basket. However...as luck would have it, she slipped on an open book, sending her tumbling into Akio, causing him to drop the crates he was holding. Once all the dust and papers cleared, Akio's face was completely smothered by Matilda's massive bosom and somehow, most of her clothes had gotten torn up or flew up into a position to do the opposite of their function: hide her skin. Nana slapped herself in the forehead as Hanna pulled Matilda off of Akio, Relia helped him up as he sighed deeply, his face now very red.

"Stay around the back before you destroy the front of the shop," snapped Hanna.

Matilda pouted as she took the seeds and walked around the back without a further word.

"Anyway...where's Takashi?" asked Nana.

I looked away and sighed.

"I'll be upstairs," I said.

The door suddenly opened as Zekko walked through.

"Has anyone seen Ayame or Takashi?" he asked.

Everyone shook their heads, including me. Zekko put a hand to his chin.

"Come to think of it, I've seen very little of either of them this past week...wonder what's going on?" he asked.
"Maybe Takashi finally decided to make a move on her; I could see from a mile away that he had a thing for her," said Nana with a snicker.
"As true as that could be, Ayame doesn't look like the type to want to go out anywhere...so it sounds like trouble," said Akio.

Meanwhile- The Tavern

"Are you sure you saw him come in here Meiryo?"
"Positive,"

I looked around for any sign of him...but not couldn't find a single trace.

"Why are you following me?"

I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized he had suddenly appeared behind me.

"You've...been distant this past week, what's going on?" I asked.

He was silent for a few moments.

"I was doing some digging around...I believe I may have found the slave traders who wronged us both," he said.

My heart skipped a beat.

"But...how?' I asked.
"It doesn't matter how I know; what does matter is that we make our move...they have my mother and they will disappear across the sea, never to return in one week," he replied.
"You spent the last week searching for intel about them?" I asked.
"Yes...I had to be sure the information was accurate," he replied.

"...I'm leaving tonight to get my mother, whether or not you come with me is up to you," he said.

I shook my head.

"It goes without saying that I will come...but why all of the secrecy? Why didn't you tell me or the familia?" I asked.

I heard him let out a breath.

"This is something I have to handle on my own...the only reason I'm here is because I promised you that we would take them down together else I'd already be gone...so are you coming?' he asked.
"Yes,"
"Meet me outside of the city gates at sundown...don't be late,"

I then felt a piece of paper enter my pocket.

"Give that to Hestia...and tell her I'm sorry,"

I tried to turn around to face him...but he already disappeared.

Later That Evening- Hestia's Church

"You wanted to talk to me about something Ayame?"

Hestia approached me as I swallowed hard.

"I...have something I need to take care of and I have to leave town for a while," I said.
"How long will you be gone?" she asked.

I shook my head.

"I'm not sure,"
"Is it the group of bandits that killed your family?" she asked.

I nodded slowly.

"And that's why Takashi disappeared...isn't it?" she asked.

I handed her the slip of paper.

"He said to give it to you,"

My eyes widened as I saw tears come to her eyes.

"I have to go...or he'll leave me behind," I said.
"Go...bring him back to me," she begged.

I nodded as I looked to Fang.

"Let's go,"

...

I flipped the paper over...knowing the kind of message that he would've written on it. I had long since dreaded this day...the day where he goes to rescue his mother from the clutches of the ones who wronged his family. I had always encouraged him to become the strongest he could possibly be. But I always knew that he was only a single elf...there's no way he could hope to take down an entire trade corporation on his own.

But he never cared about the odds...he always put his others above him. He didn't care if he had to fight an entire army...only that the mission was completed. I had faith in his ability...I always have but this...I wasn't prepared for this.

~ o ~

Dear Hestia,

The day I spoke of all those years ago has finally come...now the time that I go to rescue my mother. I wish it would've been later; I really began to warm up to everyone and I truly felt at home. For that...I cannot thank you enough. You've done so much for me...sacrificed even more and you were always there for me...no matter how cold I or ignorant I was.

You showed me the same unconditional love that my mother showed me...you saved my life and you made me into the man I am today and for that...I will always be grateful.

I'm glad I was able to do what I did for you...I'm glad I was there to see your familia grow so much and I'm glad that I was able to make you proud...but now, this road has come to an end. Now, things will change.

I don't expect to return from this alive; what I'm about to walk into is very unlikely for me to escape from...all that I ask is that if I do not return, I will make sure that Ayame and my mother do.

Please...take care of everyone. They need your guidance...they need your love.

I will always love you Hestia...with all of my heart.

Takashi

~ o ~

I broke down on the spot, screaming into the pillow in front of me. The door burst open as Nana came running.

"Hestia? What's wrong?" she asked.

I continued to cry loudly as the paper fell from my hand. Akio followed her into the room and picked up the paper as Nana grabbed me in a hug. Akio gasped audibly.

"Shit...that fucking idiot, trying to take it all on his own," he growled.

He tried to run out of the room but I stopped him with a shout of his name.

"Hestia?!" he snapped in disbelief.
"He...he has to do it on his own," I said.
"Are you insane?! There's no way he's coming back alive from this! It's fucking suicide!" he growled.
"And also the day he's trained his entire life for...he became an adventurer to become strong enough to get her back and now is his chance," I said.

Nana shook her head.

"She's right Akio...if we interfered, he would never forgive us," she said.
"So we're just supposed to sit here and wait for news of our friend's death?" he replied.
"Ayame went with him...the same slave traders that killed Takashi's family are the ones that killed hers too," I replied.

He clenched his fists and punched the wall.

"...He better come back...or I'll never forgive him,"

Outside Orario- The Woods

I looked around for any sign of Takashi...but found nothing. Fang then barked and as I turned around, he jumped down from a tree. He had his hood over his head and his mask over the lower half of his face.

"What we're about to do is practically a suicide mission...there's a very strong chance that neither of us are going to come back from this," he said.

I shook my head.

"At the very least...we'll get revenge on all of those bastards for what they did to our families," I replied.

Takashi nodded as he looked to Fang, who approached him and rubbed her head against his stomach. He gently rubbed her head as he turned back to me.

"The stronghold is one day's travel from here...are you ready?" he asked.

I nodded confidently.

"Then let's make them pay for all the wrongs they've committed,"