A/N: Welcome back and Yes I changed the Story Pic, and yes it is A.I art because I can write but can't draw for shit though this is more or less how I want Kaiser to look like since A.I diffuser is still...wonky (Real Artist will always make a more Quality and Superior piece but hey A.I is good for the Layman.)

Anyway This chapter will be Asuka Focused and there will be some liberties with the Taimanin Timeline since I am combining RPGX,Action Taimanin, and Taimanin 3 all together so the Timeline will be this: Taimanin 1,2, and Murasaki have occurred with ONT conflict resolve and Fuma Revolt coming in second and the Igawa Revolt happening last before the start of this story.

With that said let's get on with the story.

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING BUT THIS OATH I MADE TO AVENGE THE FALLEN! ALL PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERS BELONG TO LILITH SOFT AND OTHER COMPANIES.


Chapter 17

The Cost of Hate and the Curse of Love

Before Kaiser could ponder anymore, there was another knock on his door as he quickly stopped healing his wounds before the door opened, revealing the last person he was expecting to see him.

Asuka stood at the doorway with her hand on her hips as she winked at him while having her other hand make a peace sign.

"Ya-Hoo Kai-kun! How are you doing?" She asked curiously.

"Huh? Asuka?! What are you doing here? I thought I wasn't supposed to get any more visitors."

Asuka giggled at Kaiser's surprised face, "(Giggled) So sorry to ruin the party for you but it seems that you have are dress for the occasion."

Kaiser looked down a bit embarrassed, not realizing he was still naked as he tried to cover his privates, "Ahh! Fuck! Uhh... right... sorry about that."

He reached over the side of his bed, grabbing his underwear and hospital robe, and slowly started to put them on as Asuka closed the door behind her.

"How did you know I was here?" Kaiser suddenly had a suspicious thought as how she found out about his condition since it was all supposed to be kept under wraps.

"Easy, my little man crush; the teachers and your sibling have all been looking for you, but no one knows where you disappeared off to," she said in the flirtiest tone she could muster as her bubbly attitude was hiding her true intentions.

"Uh huh...well, as you can see, I'm alive, and well, so you can tell the gossiping hens to shove their rumors up their..."

Before Kaiser could finish his sentence, Asuka interrupted him.

"I'm glad you're okay... I was worried when I heard you were attacked by a strong demon." Asuka dropped her Gal attitude as he gave Kaiser a sad and worried look.

Kaiser saw this and knew that Asuka was genuinely concerned for his well-being when she heard he was hurt; this made him think that there was more to the girl than meets the eye.

"Thanks, but don't worry too much. I'm not going to be dying anytime soon." Kaiser gave Asuka a reassuring smile that made the flirtatious girl blush.

"Hehehe... oh hey, did you know what kind of demon that you fought? They must have been strong." Asuka asked as her eye carefully watched Kaiser's face.

Kaiser shifted in his bed uncomfortably as he told Asuka his cover story.

"I dunno... all I know is that she was stupidly strong and insanely fucked in the head... I would rather not face her again if I can help it because you can never know what a crazy person will do, let alone what a crazy demon would do." Kaiser said as he noticed Asuka getting close to him as she was now crawling on top of him on his bed. "Uhh...Asuka...your umm...your getting kinda close to me right now." He nervously stuttered.

"Is the big bad wolf afraid of a little ol' me? Hmm, maybe your all bark and no bite." Asuka teased.

"No, that's not the problem, err...but shouldn't you be worrying about your mother Asagi or someone coming in?" Kaiser replied back at her.

"..." Asuka's eyes suddenly scowled at the mention of her adopted mother as she remembered what she originally came here for.

"That is exactly why I am here, here, Kaiser. I know my... Mother", Asuka bitterly replied, "Came by and talked to you. Now usually I wouldn't care what Asagi does, but when it involves people, I am interested in well. . . I tend to be a bit proactive." Asuka had a fiery passion in her voice.

"And? What's that got to do with your mothe..." Kaiser stopped himself as Asuka glared at him,"I mean, what's that got to do with Asagi talking to me? She is the headmistress, so obviously I'm going to interact with her from time to time." Kaiser said as he was trying to get Asuka to stop asking questions he really couldn't answer.

"Sure, she is the headmistress of Gosha Academy, but the fact that you are you is a key person of interest who has many people's attention well... I know that she has started to take personal interest in a person who has earned the ire of the Elders and Japanese Government, as well as other parties who I can't are someone who is quite popular with people when you claim not to be." Asuka said shrewdly as she observed Kaiser to get a read on him.

Kaiser moan once again as he felt a headache coming.

"I really wish I wasn't as 'popular' as you claim me to be, but yeah, you got me. Your mother did come talk to me about something."

"What was it?" Asuka asked curiously.

"Look, Asuka, its really nothing to worry about; besides, how did you even find out? It's not like I had the chance to tell anyone."

"Well, let's just say I have my sources, and please don't forget I can still call them up." Asuka answered back smugly.

"Tch... Damn, I forgot that you had those."

Asuka could tell, despite Kaiser's efforts, that her mother has told him what she has instructed for him to say. This was the first of numerous things her mother had ordered her not to act on as Asagi tried her best to keep Asuka away from Kaiser and his influence.

"(Sigh)...Your mother asked me to join the Taimanin Task Force." Kaiser relented, as he knew sooner or later Asuka would find out, and he would rather avoid her getting into trouble trying to find out.

"I see, so that does verify what I heard about her trying to make arrangements with the Section Three... but there is something more... isn't there?" Asuka said inquisitively as she got closer to Kaiser's face.

"Yeah... There is... You need to stay away from me. Trust me, it's you don't get involved with me anymore."

"And why is this?" Asuka questioned further.

"It is best not to ask...but let's just say you would regret it."

"Oh, now that makes me even more curious. Come on, Kai-kun won't you let me in on your little secret? Pretty please." Asuka said in a sultry tone, hoping to finesse Kaiser of this important information.

"No, Asuka... Let's just leave it at that." Kaiser sighed as he knew how stubborn and headstrong Asuka could get. "Please trust me when I say that I'm involved in something that I would rather not become involved in."

"...did it have to do with you being attacked recently?" Asuka asked as she analyzed Kaiser for any hint of lying.

"Asuka... please understand that I usually don't give a fuck when someone tells me to do something, but this time... things are different. Asuka...I got into deep shit, and I don't want you getting hurt because of it... or do something incredibly stupid." Kaiser with a serious expression on his face.

Kaiser usually doesn't care what people do in their personal time since it's their business, but with people he cared about, he took it as a personal responsibility to make sure his decisions didn't affect them.

"So now you are telling me to stay away because of the risk that it would pose to me."

"Yes..."

"But you are now taking orders from Asagi because of you being inducted into the T.T.F. due to your last battle and after your last incident with your last mission, The Elders have redacted it due to it being approved by an government official who is now under investigation. And now you would just tell me not to get involve with you because you are now suddenly being kept under guard for your own benefit."

"I don't know how you found out half of that information, but knowing you... you definitely have your ways; regardless, these aren't exactly the normal circumstances that I am currently in. Look, Asuka, I'm asking nicely... and plus, the less you know, the better it will be for all of us." Kaiser said he was saying he was hoping Asuka would drop the subject.

Unfortunately, Asuka was not willing to back down either, because when she sets her mind on something, she will pursue it until she gets what she wants. She was an ambitious girl with a strong sense of justice who won't take no for an answer when things didn't go her way. Her main problem is that she jumps the gun and acts on her emotions without thinking things through, which is sometimes a good thing but sometimes a bad one.

"Look, Kai-kun... The last few years... I have been waiting and working for this moment... I just couldn't let my chance slide. Besides, the old geezers and the other elders may have plans for you to work for them... but regardless of all of that, I need to know Kaiser...did you fight Edwin Black?" Asuka as said that name, Kaiser froze up. She saw his face freeze up knowing that his reaction told her all that she needed to know.

"..."

"I see... Kaiser-san, please, I need you to tell what happened between you and him." Asuka asked; she waited for Kaiser's answer.

"..." Kaiser kept quiet as he debated with himself as to what he should say next. If he really told Asuka everything about his encounter with Black, then there is a very high possibility that she might have a death wish once she gets what she needs out of him, and then... Kaiser would rather not think it. This was the thought that flashed through his mind as he tried to find the solution this predicament.

"Asuka, listen; this isn't a conversation that we should hold here... I would prefer that you leave before the others find you here... Just, please listen to me. I always respected you for trying to carve your own path away from your mother, the fact that you made a name for yourself as the 'Hawkwind' Taimanin, speaks volumes to your power and skills, which is why I'm telling you... you don't stand a chance against Black. I couldn't even lay a scratch on him."

Kaiser finally relented, as he figured since Asuka already knew so much about his fight with Black there was no reason to even keep it a secret from her.

"I can't tell you anything more other than he's strong, like really strong. That's all I am going to say since I promised your Mother, Asagi, that I wouldn't tell anyone about what happened to me." Kaiser stated his voice, betraying his frustration and the regret he was feeling deep in his heart.

"I see... thank you anyway."

"Just out of curiosity, how did you find where I was and get inside without alerting anybody?!"

"Well, let's just say I have someone keeping tabs on you and leave it at that. After all, a girl has got to have secrets." Asuka said jokingly.

"...Asuka I'm serious about Black. You can't beat him without a plan or some help. Asuka, you have to promise me that you will not pursue Black." Kaiser grabbed both sides of Asuka's arms as he stared at her, wanting her to swear to him to not do something foolish.

"Whatever happened, whatever he did to you is not worth your life, Asuka."

"I'm sorry, Kaiser-san, but I'm not willing to give up or run away from him!" Asuka replied in a calm but cold tone.

"Damn it, Asuka! This isn't a game!" Kaiser yelled.

"I know you care about me, but I can't give up either. I will kill him! This is the only way I can feel free and avenge my clan!" Asuka yelled back, as she was being emotional. "Would you give up avenging your family if that Bastard killed your mother and little sister?"

Asuka said that Kaiser looked down, biting his lip, as he knew what Asuka was saying—something he could sympathize with—but the difference between them was that Kaiser would get revenge no matter what—even if he had to wait and suffer a million years, he would eventually get his revenge.

"I would hunt him down and destroy anything that gets in my way." Kaiser said coldly.

"Then you understand why I have..." Asuka said before Kaiser cut her off.

"But I wouldn't throw my life away just for a shot at it. It would be disrespectful and downright an insult to those who I loved if I died before I could avenge them. Asuka, what happened to you to make you thirst for revenge?"

Kaiser knew the look in Asuka's eye as resembling his own when he was dead set on doing something without giving a damn about the consequences. In a way, Asuka was like him in more ways than one.

"Do you know what happened to the Koukawa Clan 13 years ago?" Asuka got up from Kaiser's bed as she slowly walked to the window in his room.

"No. All I remember is from what I heard others tell me, that they were a small clan of Taimanin that built a compound not to far away from Gosha Village. There was an attack, and most of them were wiped out. Their leader, Oboro, went mad or something and was later executed for treason after wiping out her own comrades and starting the ONT conflict."

Kaiser told Asuka as he had not first hand knowledge of the major events that had happened as he was an Outsider, so he wouldn't know when a couple of major events happened, like the Fuuma Revolt or the Igawa Revolt that happened soon after. He was kept in the dark of what happen with the clans, as the Taimanin didn't trust him.

"I was young when the first revolt with the Fuma ended, so I didn't know all the details, but from what I was taught, the clan was corrupt and a disgrace." Kaiser said as that was all his mother told about the clan and conflict.

Asuka got up from Kaiser's bed as she walked towards the windows of the infirmary room as the rain had stopped as the moon began to peak out from the clouds.

"My father, Lord Touga, was the patriarch, the strongest and kindest man I have ever known. He and Oboro joined the side of Asagi for both revolts before the unification of Gosha Village. After which there was peace among the Taimanin, but my father and Oboro, though they trusted Asagi, couldn't trust the Council of Elders due to the infighting and politics among themselves. So they thought that it would be safer if the Koukawa Clan was positioned outside the village, as it shows that we supported the unification, but at the same time we kept our distance so to be free from the internal strife of the Elders." Asuka was drawing pictures of flowers on the stream-covered window as the clouds cleared to reveal the night sky and Full Moon before she continued," however, it was what led to our doom."

Asuka clenched her fist as anger and sorrow filled her heart. Kaiser saw this and decided to get up from his bed as he slowly walked over to Asuka to comfort her by putting his hand on her shoulder, but she pushed it away as she turned her back away from him.

"It was February 14th, Valentine's Day. The moon was full like tonight. My mother had just finished giving my father his Valentine's Day chocolates, as I also gave him mine. Hehehe... What was funny is that I knew my chocolates were terrible, but my father was a man who couldn't turn down people who had an honest heart and so he accepted them...he just that kind of man. It was supposed to be a day of love and happiness... but it slowly turned into a day of hell for me."

Asuka held her breath, trying to steady herself and steel her resolve before she continued, while Kaiser stood there waiting patiently for her to continue.

"It was quite, and everyone had turned in for the night with a few guards patrolling the compound before it happened... I remember my mother coming into my room scared and covered in blood as she tried to wake me up. I was confused and afraid as the scent of blood and fire filled the night air. I heard fighting and screaming as my mother tried to lead me to safety as we looked for my father. It was then I saw him."

Asuka's anger stared to boil inside her as she remembered the face of the man who had ruined her life so many years ago.

"With hair as white as snow and red eyes like rubies, his face could be considered handsome. If only it had anything resembling human emotion, he walked as though all the deaths he caused as though it didn't bother him; to him, killing my family was nothing more than an inconvenience and a chore to him."

"Asuka If it's too much, you don't have to." Kaiser said as he reached, but once more Asuka stepped away from him as she held up her arm to quiet him.

"Please... I've already gotten this far. Let me do this." Asuka said before she continued. "My mother was the first to fall. She didn't stand a chance, as she was cut down by Black before I could even react. Her death was quick and sudden, while the bastard smirked as though he were crushing an ant underneath his heel." Asuka gritted her teeth as she held nothing but contempt for Edwin Black. . "It was then I realized that my family was dead... everyone I knew was killed by Edwin Black and his demons. I was powerless, weak, scared, and useless. I stood there as my mother was killed by Black, but the ultimate insult was when Black used me as a hostage.

Asuka's Asuka's tears started to fall as she remembered the death of her mother that would forever traumatize her, as well as the feelings; she remembered on how she was used like some pawn for some twisted game for the Vampire that was a nightmare for her.

"Asuka..." was all that Kaiser said, as he didn't know all this pain and sorrow that Asuka was carrying within her. He had always assumed that she was trying to prove to her adopted mother, Asagi, that she was her own person and not just 'The Daughter of Asagi', but now he saw that the reason why she pushed herself so hard when they trained together. It was all for the sake of not being powerless, of having to never see everything you loved ripped away from you... This made Kaiser see Asuka differently.

"I thought that it was all over...and then she appeared." Asuka looked out towards the window once more at the full moon."The strongest of the Koukawa Clan... Oboro Koukawa. Apparently Black wanted her to join NOMAD, but Oboro refused, challenging Black to a dual instead on the promise that I would be left alone. She fought with all her might, but in the end, she was killed by Black. Though the bastard stayed true to the duels rules and let me live, he took the body of Oboro with him. The rest of the clan was destroyed, and all other members were killed, with most of our homes being burned down."

Kaiser saw Asuka shivering as she struggled to keep herself together. He wanted to help her, but he knew that this was her story to tell, and he, who was an outsider, had no place or say as to how it would end for her.

"After the dust had settled... only I stood alone in the ruins of my home. Ash and blood were all that remained of that faithful night. Later I heard that Fuma Tokiko arrived first, but she was unable to do much outside of buying time for my escape before the others arrived. I was saved by the Igawa Asagi and your mother, Mizuki Shiranui."

Asuka finally calmed down as her eyes were dried of tears and her face filled with melancholy as to the event of that horrible fateful day.

"After that, I was adopted by Asagi and taken into the Igawa Clan, after which everything else is history."

Kaiser stood silent as he understood the purpose of Asuka telling him her story. The reason for her vengeance and her stubbornness of wanting to find out about anything related to Black.

"I see... now... it all makes sense... I'm just a means to an end, huh? Well, it's not like you're using me or anything, but it seems that I got wrapped up in things more complicated than I could've imagined. (Sigh)... Asuka, I won't pretend like I know better or tell you some bullshit excuse about revenge not being the solution. That would make me a hypocrite, but you need to understand. Your not strong enough to face off against Black." Kaiser answer remains unchanged, as now he can say that wit full context as to why Asuka will continue to seek out Edwin Black.

"Why...why would you say such a thing?" Her voice starts to crack as she tries to hold her feelings back. "You don't...know anything...about Black..."

Asuka's words are filled with a cold resentment as her eyes gaze down at the floor; she feels anger at his refusal to lend her his strength.

"He's a monster and total evil demon beyond redemption, but... he is also a strong, Asuka... even I, Kaiser Wrath, the strongest student of Gosha Academy and supposedly the next person in line to be the next 'Almighty Taimanin' after Asagi... I couldn't even lay a scratch on him before he took me down... bastard was only toying with me as he toss me around like some pup... I only survived due to Asagi, Sakura, Murasaki, and my mother's intervention. If they hadn't shown up, I wouldn't be here talking to you right now."

Kaiser would tell Asuka the truth even after her pain was laid bare for him to see, even after she told him of her sorrow-filled past, even after she displayed countless times that she was willing to do anything to get what she wanted during their time he had known her. He had to tell her the truth no matter how unpleasant or how upset she would get.

"If you chase after Black right now, you'll die, or worse, Asuka. Even I am hesitant to face him again after my fight with him. I need more strength if I even plan to face Black again, and that is if I have a plan to begin with. Asuka, you are too weak to carry out your revenge and will only get yourself killed."

"Shut up!"

Kaiser knew his blunt words were hurting her, but this is for her own good. He had seen firsthand just how much power Edwin Black had, and he knew that he wasn't even strong enough to even be a threat to him, so what chance did Asuka have against him? Asuka's revenge had been put aside many times for more important matters, but Kaiser knew she was beginning to become restless and reckless.

"Asuka, you need to get stronger, or else you'll stand no chance against Edwin Black as you are now. I want to help you, but you going out on your own will not achieve anything but your demise. Please rethink your approach towards Edwin Black."

"No! Black is an unforgivable demon, and I will destroy him and everyone who gets in my way. If it weren't for him, my mother and father, and the Koukawa clan would still be alive."

"Asuka, you know nothing can change the past. All we can do is live in the present and have hope for the future."

"Do you have any idea as to the hell I have gone through because of him?" Asuka yelled as she was getting fed up with Kaiser telling her that she was weak. "I would have thought that you of all people would support me, Kai. I thought you would understand. But I guess you're just like the others."

Kaiser winced at hearing those words as they stung him deep in his heart. He wanted to tell her that he wanted to fight right at her side against Black, tell her that everything would work itself out in the end like he always had; it was not true, nor was it the way the world works, that her idealistic view of justice was doomed before it even began.

"We are done here, Asuka."

"What?!"

"I won't tell you anything more... I refuse to see my friend charged to her own death because of my actions. You can hate me all you want, but I refuse to see you die due to your own desire for vengeance. Do what you must, but don't involve yourself with Black. Now please leave."

"...Fine."

Kaiser said nothing as Asuka turned around and walked out the door.

"Damnit Kaiser... why did you have to be such an asshole... if only Asuka knew how strong Edwin is...fuck me... Everyone must be asleep by now."

He couldn't help but feel bitter towards Edwin Black for all the suffering he caused, though it must have shocked Asuka to see her hero be killed and supposedly come back from the dead only to wreck havoc on her former allies. Asuka must have felt responsible for being taken as a hostage during the massacre, but still... Kaiser felt a dull pain in his heart as his thoughts wandered towards Edwin Black.

It was as though feelings and thoughts from a past that he couldn't remember began to resurface. If Kaiser had to compare it to anything... it was like smelling the ocean but never seeing the ocean with your own eyes; your mind would fill in the blanks as to what the ocean looked like, only going off the scent or sound. That is what Kaiser felt like as he fought Edwin Black; a brief flash of forgotten memories that were not his own gave him a sense of anger and despair from a time that he couldn't remember clearly. This all frustrated Kaiser to no end, as the answer was in front of him but it was just out of reach.

"(Sigh)...what a day... why me?" Kaiser said his signature catchphrase as he got himself dressed in the clothes his mother left behind. A simple long-sleeved white T-shirt with dark blue boot-cut jeans and a pair of basketball sneakers. After he finished dressing himself, he opened the window to his infirmary room before looking up at the full moon.

"The moon seems nice and bright tonight. A nice night for... an enthusiastic walk."

Kaiser takes a deep breath of fresh air as he jumps off the third floor of the infirmary as he does a flip before landing on his feet unaffected by the fall. The moon seems bigger and closer than when he last saw it, which is odd, but Kaiser quickly shakes off those thoughts and proceeds to make his way towards Gosha Village.

It would take at least an hour to travel there by human means, but thanks to his training as a Taimanin and his strength, Kaiser makes the trip within 10 minutes without any difficulty.

"Ahhh, it's nice to get out of that stuffy room and move around. Man I swear, the Infirmary felt more like a prison than a place of healing." Kaiser joked as he saw a vending machine. He walked over to it to see what selections it had to offer as Kaiser put his money into the vending machine.

"So here is some black tea, one green tea, some canned coffee, and... a soda. Hmm, not sure one I should get first to drink," Kaiser said, not caring about his surroundings as he selected the mocha canned coffee and walked over to sit on a nearby bench.

As he drinks his cold canned coffee, his mind wanders back to the Rinko, his mother, Black and NOMAD, and now Asuka. His life was so simple back then: avoid people, piss off the authorities, kill demons, and come back home to his family, but now... Kaiser wishes his adopted father was with him...but at the same time was glad he was not here. After all, he was fucking the wife of his adoptive father, who was also had feelings for him... It was complicated.

As Kaiser's mind was wandering off, a woman took a seat next to him.

"My, oh, my, it's not been a full day, and already you are still causing trouble after you were warned. My, my, it seems that my pupil may need some more of my 'private lessons'. Don't you think so? Kai-kun."

Kaiser was immediately taken back as he accidentally choked on the canned coffee as the liquid went down his windpipe, causing him to cough.

"The (cough) (cough) Fuck! (cough) (cough) Rin-Sensei!" Kaiser coughed out, completely shocked.

"I am guessing this was not you had exactly planned a meetup with me since the last time we met you were getting discipline for being a naughty boy." Rin giggled out loud.

"How the hell did you find me!?" Kaiser angrily demanded as his anger quickly faded as his instincts that were beaten into him made Kaiser fear his old combat instructor, Rin Uehara, as she was just staring at him, not saying a word.

"If this is about me beating up Shikanosuke, I apologized already, and I also didn't know she was your cousin... Are you mad?" Kaiser said in a comical fashion as he started to sweat nervously.

"~fufufufu... No, I am not mad about that, but thank you for reminding me, Kai-kun. No, I am upset because you are supposed to be back at the infirmary and recovering since I got a call this late at night from Ms. Himehagi, that her patient mysteriously disappeared when she went to check on him; she was worried sick that something happened to her precious patient, who I happened to find here on a park bench drinking a canned coffee." Rin said as she smiled at Kaiser, who chuckled nervously while Rin tried to keep her boiling anger in check.

"That was not my fault! It was so boring there, and I was getting thirsty in that prison—I mean, the infirmary. Come on, Rin-sensei, even you have to agree Asagi is being unreasonable when she said I needed a chaperon, I'm not a fucking kid that needs to be sheltered or protected! Also, you can tell Saki-san that I'm fine; sheesh, she is such a worrywort about the littlest things." Kaiser protested as a vein began to throb on the right side of Rin's face.

"Do not test me, young man; what you did was a disrespectful act by not taking medical advice of Mrs. Himehagi and staying at the hospital. Saki, Asagi, and all the other Taimanin would have been in big trouble if someone found you out here without supervision after what had just happened... Kai-kun why don't you just listened to them. You are already in hot water with The Elders, so you have two options."

Rin held up her hand as she listed Kaiser's options.

"Option 1. You come back to the infirmary and apologize to Dr. Himehagi for making her worry, or Option 2. I take you back by force and have Dr. Saki treat your wounds, again, and then you apologize to her." Rin said seriously, with her anger now directed towards her old student.

"Shit..." Kaiser cursed quietly. "Fine, I'll go back to the infirmary; I don't feel like getting shocked by lighting tonight."

"Alright then, but don't think you will get out of going out any time soon without me. You and I both know that isn't going to happen." Rin glared at her old student, who simply smiled and put up his arms in a mock surrender.

"Why do I have a feeling the next few months are going to suck ass?" Kaiser groan as he followed his old teacher back to Gosha Academy.

As they were walking, Kaiser decided to make some small talk.

"So Teach... how have things been going for you?"

Rin gave her old student a suspicious look as the two of them walked through a very large Japanese forest.

"You asking for personal reasons or something else. We may be teacher and student, but just because I haven't mentioned anything does not mean everything is alright."

"I'm not sure, but is something happening that I should know about? Like the rumors, I guess?"

"And what might those rumors be, Kai-kun?" Rin's curiosity peaked; she was not too concerned; after all, she had dealt with far more serious issues and problems than this wayward student of hers getting into trouble.

"Well, a lot of different rumors, but they have all got a thing in common... (sigh) me."

"Ah," Rin exclaimed. "I see. Well, to be honest, there have been many rumors after your hospitalization from you finally turning rogue to you eloping with..."

"ELOPING! WITH WHO!" Kaiser yelled as he did a spit-take with his canned coffee that he was still drinking. "(Sigh)..are you fucking kidding me..and anyway, who would want to elope with a guy like me? I mean, I know I am not exactly the catch of the year or whatever."

"Oh, stop being such a downer. Besides, not everyone really thinks that, at least until the rumors started. In fact, most Taimanin, especially the ones your age, don't seem to mind and would even join in on the speculation as to who would tame "The Mad Dog of Ruin." I heard that Asuka and Rinko are tied, with Yukikaze coming in 2nd and strange enough Kirara in third."

Kaiser's reaction was almost comical. His face had gone completely red.

"S-shit, why the hell are those guys saying now?! Ugh! Well whatever. Let's change the subject, any idea as to who I'm supposed to be partnering up with tomorrow? I know that most T.T.F. members are assigned teams, and I know I don't play well with others, so I would like to know beforehand just so that I can prepare myself mentally."

"Hmm, I actually have the answer, in fact. All I will tell you is that you already met them, and that is all I am saying. Oh, and another thing."

"Yes, what is it, Teach?"

"If you can keep a cool head and listen to your teachers tomorrow, then I may let you have a little treat at the end of this walk."

"…. Ok, deal."

"Alright then, I hope you learn to behave while in the T.T.F."

"Huh, don't worry, Teach. I promise to not kill them... too much... I'm joking, by the way."

"(Sigh)... Kai-kun, please try not to be too difficult with your new team. You need to stop this rebellious streak of yours. Aren't you worried about how this will affect your family?" Rin asked as she was trying to get through her most stubborn pupil.

"Of course I am. Every damn minute of every damn day. It's my fault that my mom had to save my ass after I rescued her when she had gotten captured. If I had trained harder and were stronger, she would have never gotten kidnapped. Then maybe she and Yukikaze wouldn't have to cover my dumbass every time things go wrong...I need to be strong to make sure that nothing can hurt them... to hunt down those who try to... I found who was targeting my mother." Kaiser replied.

"Oh, you found out who was targeting your mother? But Kai-kun, if you start another incident where you think it will end? If you start down that path of ruin again, how do you think things will end for you?"

"Teach, you know I won't be the first person to become a rogue to the Taimanin... If you told me to choose between following the rules and my family... I think you already know the answer to that, Rin-sensei."

Rin stopped. She placed her finger on her chin and gave off a contemplative look.

"Kai-kun, do you really want to be known as the 'Mad Dog of Ruin'?"

"I only go by that name because that's what others want to know me by, and I could care less about what others call me."

"..."

"After that's all there is to Kaiser Wrath, I'm just a 'Mad Dog' who destroys whatever he pleases and does whatever he wants. No one can control him, and he listens to no one—just some Bloodthirsty Hound looking for his next hunt."

"Wrong!"

"Huh?"

"You must be better than a 'Mad Dog'... you must become a Taimanin that brings justice and compassion to all... You must be the hero that Yukikaze and the others see in you."

"Well, it would be nice if other people saw me that way. Unfortunately, no one will believe that... after all, most of the Taimanin don't see me as one of their own."

"Is it wrong for me to wish you a peaceful world filled with joy and love?"

"If only such a world existed, then maybe there would be no need for a 'Mad Dog'. If things were that way, then maybe we all could live a peaceful life and I could live like a normal human... but those aren't in the cards for me. So until then, this 'Mad Dog of Ruin' will protect those whom he is sworn to protect regardless of how others or the world see me as. I have no need for justice that allows for evil to flourish when it is convenient. The only justice I need is my own."

"Your logic is twisted, Kai-kun... it will only lead to your suffering."

"Yeah,so? What else is new with me?" Kaiser scoffed as he bitterly accepts this truth. From the day he woke up in the forest alone and empty, he knew instinctively that his life would be one of strife and suffering...as that voice claim, so shall it be.

"(Sigh)... well, the next best thing would be for the Taimanin to stop treating you as a threat or as a rogue. It's part of the reason why we made you an official member of the Task Force as well as keeping an eye on you to protect you from Edwin Black."

"Hmph... why would I let them brand me an officially dog of the government just to appease The Elders?"

"Because it will be enough for the elders and others to stop looking at you with fear and mistrust. You are a good kid deep down, one who's heart is filled with kindness for those who seek help."

Kaiser stops for a moment as he looks up at the lonesome moon. He takes a deep breath as he looks at his former combat instructor, Rin.

"Even after all this time, you still believe in me. (Sigh)... What a failure I turned out to be for you, huh."

"No, you are not a failure; I haven't stopped believing in you. You may have some flaws, but you always try to fix the mistake that you make, and you keep trying until you get it right. There are many who aren't able to say that."

"Thanks Teach... Well, we are here at Gosha Academy. It seems the night is coming to a close, and I have a long day ahead tomorrow."

"Kai-Kun, close your eyes for a second," Rin asked as she had a mischievous smile.

"...Fine, whatever. I trust you, Sensei." Kaiser said as he stood in front of the school with his eyes closed. As Kaiser stood there, he felt a soft hand lift his bangs up, exposing his forehead. It was then that he felt a pair of soft lips on his forehead as Kaiser heard giggles before he could open his eyes. His old combat teacher, Rin, was gone. "...(Chuckles) This day is just keeps getting more and more stressful."

With that said, Kaiser walked towards the academy's front gate as he made his way to the infirmary. After leaving Rin's sight, he walked down a dark hallway towards the elevator that led to the Himehagi Saki office.

"Sup Saki, late nite, huh?" Kaiser said nonchalantly as he stood at Saki's doorway to her office.

"KAISER WARTH! Where were you!" replied an annoyed Saki. "Seriously, Mr. Wrath, leaving the infirmary before your wounds have even healed and without notifying the staff... do you know how worried I was?"

"Yeah, I guess it might have been a bit too brash; hehehe, sorry I had stuff to do." Kaiser scratched the back of his head.

"Like? What kind of things would make you get up and leave late at night?"

"Just the usual: killing demons, playing video games, taking naps, training, and getting something to drink. You know... stuff."

"So just a regular night out for you." Saki sighed as she had gotten used to Kaiser sneaking out of constantly while he stayed at the infirmary in the past. "Mr. Wrath... Kai-kun, you need to think about what you do and how your actions affect others!"

"I'm sorry for making you worry."

"Well, I guess as long as you understand... how are you feeling, Kai-kun?" Saki asked worriedly.

"Oh, I feel pretty good. The bandages and gauze on my body are bugging me a little bit, and the wound on my back is still tender, but overall I am fine; don't worry."

"Ok then, well, take it easy from now on. Also, I suggest you sleep in one of the guest rooms tonight; it is not safe for you to return home yet after all, I have been informed of your current 'situation'."

"(Sigh) Well, if it'll make you feel better, I will, and thanks for being accommodating, Saki."

"Your very much welcome, Kai-kun." Saki said.

"... Maybe I should take you out for dinner as thank you for putting up with me."

"A date?!" Saki gasped.

"Huh, no, I meant as like friends, not as a couple, not that I'm against couples... Ok, this is getting awkward." Kaiser quickly added, as once again his blunt manner of speaking towards Saki makes him put his foot in his mouth.

"Hehehe, Ok, I'll consider it and thank you, Kai-kun, for the thought." Saki said, smiling, clearly having a nice laugh at the other end, while at the back of her mind she wouldn't mind going on a date with a young man like Kaiser.

"Hah, well, I'll promise not to cause too much trouble. Anyways, g'night Saki." Kaiser smiled awkwardly and headed away.

"Good night, Kai-kun." Saki said before yawning and heading herself into the bedroom.


A/N: I was trying to flush out the Koukawa Massacre as there wasn't much on it since it happened in the Past but I feel like this incident shaped Asuka's personality as this will affect Kaiser later in the future in a big way. As I continue the story I hope to make sure that all the hints I dropped get resolved or become relevant down the line as I am a firm believer of Chekhov's gun, in that irrelevant things should not be in a story as it doesn't help it in the long run and my dudes and dudettes, Doggie is here for the long run.

Who will be Kaiser's teammates? What plans does Edwin Black has for Kaiser? What new things are waiting for our find out next time in...

Chapter 18

The Idiot Resolve and the Stray's Desires