Chapter I: Another Possibility

The thirteenth hierarchical city; Kagutsuchi. While still in development, this city is known for having a large amount of culture, diversity, and tourism. From the beautiful gardens in the higher district, to the colorful markets of the central levels, to even the unnoticed Kaka Village tucked away in the city slums, Kagutsuchi has many wonders to behold. However, one certain man wasn't here for sightseeing. He was searching for answers.

What a pain… he thinks to himself. First that mad scientist Kokonoe tries to eighty-six me with a Murakumo unit that looks like the one that impaled me through my freaking chest, THEN she tells me not to face Terumi, and NOW I find out that something's wrong with that Noel chick, who looks so much like Saya it's painful, and I don't even find out what's going on or where she even is!

This is no ordinary man, this is Ragna the Bloodedge. The most wanted criminal in history, carrying a bounty so high you could by a small country with it. He currently finds himself in the market place trying to avoid contact with the local law enforcement; his actions are successful as he slips past them without making a scene, blending into the crowd as Jubei taught him, before leaving onto an unoccupied street.

Maybe I can ask the rabbit if she knows anything about Noel… It's worth a shot, but I have to be careful, I don't have time for anymore surprises. No amount care or consideration could prepare Ragna for what was in store.

-BlazBlue-

"Oh man, I'm late!" Makoto shouts as she runs through the streets of Kagutsuchi, her intelligence department cloak flowing in the breeze as she runs.

The squirrel beastkin is currently on her way to the Kagutsuchi museum in order to confirm an information exchange with Sector Seven, one of the most powerful groups outside of the Novus Orbis Librarium. The problem is she's new is Kagutsuchi, so her usual sense of direction is off.

"I know it has to be around here somewhere… I know let's try this street!" she says before turning onto a new street. The sooner I get this job done, the sooner I can find Noel and find out what's really going on. I can't believe her to be a traitor.

After running onto the new street she confirms two things. The first being that she clearly isn't going the right way, nothing even remotely resembling a museum is nearby. The second, this street is only occupied by one other person; a man wearing a red coat over a black hamaka, sporting a giant sword. She recognizes him immediately… despite his face being different than his wanted poster.

"Ragna the Bloodedge!" she exclaimed causing the man in question to let out an annoyed grunt. Luckily for him, since the street was empty, no one else seemed to take notice.

A member of the intelligence department, and a beastkin at that? Doesn't look like she's here for me… "What do you want?" he asks harshly, keeping his hands away from his sword, Blood-Scythe, to avoid provoking a fight.

"Where's Noel you bastard!? I just heard that she was charged with treason in helping your attempt to destroy the NOL branch in Kagutsuchi!" Makoto was livid as she faced a man who was solely responsible for having her best friend facing execution.

"Noel, you mean Noel Vermillion? Why do want to know?" He asked glaring at her. "You want to take her down and get all the credit yourself, is that it?"

"Don't you DARE say that! Noel's my best friend, practically my sister! I promised her if anyone tries to hurt her, they'll never find their remains once I'm through with 'em."

Makoto continues to glare at Ragna, who bluntly sighs after dropping his own glare. Makoto's response had hit him pretty close to home. Sister huh? She says she's just trying to help her friend… I guess I can respect that… "I don't know where she is, I'm actually trying to find her myself before that bastard Terumi or Hazama gets to her. If I had to guess, he's the one who framed her with treason."

Makoto felt her blood go cold. Her superior was the one responsible for Noel being branded a traitor? In reality, she could believe it. Hazama was always a cold and uncaring man, so she had tried to avoid him in whatever way she could. She had also done some research on him, but had found that, aside from being appointed a captain less than a year ago, the man had no history, NOL or otherwise.

And come to think of it, Tsubaki had said that it was Hazama who had given her the order regarding Noel and Major Kisaragi's termination. But how could Ragna the Bloodedge have known about that? It didn't make any sense. Did he know something about the NOL that she didn't?

Ragna saw the worry in his would be assailant's eyes. Dang, she really is worried about Noel. Maybe I could… No Ragna don't! *Sigh* Why am I doing this? She's still with the NOL damn it!

"Tell you what uh…" he started, before realizing he didn't know her name.

"Makoto. Makoto Nanaya."

"Makoto then, I'll make a deal with you."

"A deal?" Makoto asked somewhat dumbfounded. When did the Grim Reaper make deals with the NOL? Answer: Never, he killed anyone for just being affiliated with the NOL and enjoyed it.

"You seem to be new in town and having a hard time getting around, judging from how I saw you running around earlier." Makoto admitted this with a nod before Ragna continued. "I've been here longer than you and I've studied the layout of Kagutsuchi, so here's what I propose. I help you track down Noel and make sure we get her somewhere safe, in return you don't turn me in to the NOL. Sound fair?"

Makoto weighed her options. On one hand this was still the 'Grim Reaper' they were talking about, and he was still somewhat responsible for getting Noel branded in the first place. But he wasn't wrong when he had said he probably knew the city better than she did. Not to mention, if the NOL was after Noel, she'd need Ragna if it came to having to fight through them for Noel's sake.

"All right, you have a deal," she decided. "But the first racist comment I hear about squirrel brain or climbing trees, it's over."

Ragna smirked. "Well, unlike some certain NOL pricks, I honestly think that beastkins are pretty awesome. Truth is this is my first time meeting a Squirrel beastkin. Anyways, don't worry about any racism from me Makoto; I'm just as likely to beat up anyone who calls you a freak as you are."

This surprised Makoto, but she simply nodded as the two started to walk toward Kagutsuchi's higher levels. He thinks that beastkins are awesome, that's the first time anyone's said that to me. Maybe Ragna isn't as bad as I was lead to believe.

Author's Box:

So, this is my first chapter to my very first fanfiction entry. I feel that Ragna and Makoto is one of the least done couples in BlazBlue, so I thought that I'd give it a shot myself. I should be able to put the next chapter up within a week, so stay posted. Reviews are welcome along with constructive criticism.

The story shouldn't differ too much from the original storyline during the Continuum Shift arc, but I may make some changes during Chronophantasma. Until next time.

I do not own BlazBlue or any of its characters.