He should have known that this would happen.

Despite Louise's somewhat pompous declaration that he would now be given an opportunity to proudly represent her illustrious family, Saito could only watch with a growing sense of disappointment as the pinkette tried to do this on the cheap.

While he was grateful, and more than a little bit surprised that she would spend a large sum of money to help him recover from his injuries, it was becoming readily apparent that she would soon blame him for her lack of funds, and thus would be responsible for being armed in a way that could only bring shame to the house of Vallière.

The store owner wasn't exactly helping matters either.

"I'm sorry miss, but I'm afraid that I can't sell you this item for what you're offering. All I can offer you is something from our discount bin. And even then, its highly unlikely that you'll find what you're looking for".

Having grown up in an environment where her status of birth afforded every courtesy without complaint, Louise was not taking this rejection well.

"How dare you treat me like I'm just some common peasant. Do you have any idea who I am? Which family I belong too"?

Looking at the infuriated girl with an expression of disinterest, the shop keeper replied with a bored sort of tone.

"No I don't. And frankly I don't care. If you were of someone of importance, then you would have come in here with a heavy bag of money. But since you only have 4 gold coins on you, then it's clear that you can't be anyone worth knowing. So either buy something you can afford, or get the hell out of my store".

Looking at the rather seedy man with an expression that clearly wished for him to die a most painful death, Louise angrily turned to her nervous familiar.

"This is all your fault. If I didn't have to waste my money for your earlier foolishness, then I still could have found something worthy of my status. Now hurry up and choose something from the rubbish bin so we can be on our way. It's a long ride back to the school, and I don't want to waste the remainder of my day with a dog like you".

Irritated by the attitude of his flat chested master, and unwilling to accept the blame for their current predicament, Saito opened his mouth to offer up what he suspected would a useless protest, only to be interrupted by the suddenly joyful tone of the seedy looking shop keeper.

"Good afternoon sir. How may I help you today"?

If he was somewhat annoyed by how quickly the shop keeper dismissed his business, Louise's reaction was unsurprisingly far more vocal.

"HEY! WERE NOT DONE BARAGINING YOU PATHETIC SHOPKEEP. I DEMAND YOU SERVICE ME TO MY SATISFACTION BEFORE YOU GO AROUND DOING THE SAME TO OTHER CUSTOMERS".

Backing away from his unmistakably infuriated master lest she decide to blame him for her current circumstances, Saito was uncertain whether he should be shocked, or amused by the newcomer's reply to his master's outburst.

"Father, why have you brought me to a bordello that seems to cater to preteen girls? I thought we were supposed to be shopping for a weapon, not for the experience of watching an 11 year old girl play with the sword of a man who's old enough to be her grandfather".

And despite knowing he would probably be severely whipped for his reaction, Saito couldn't help a small chuckle escape his lips as the older of the recently arrived dup offered up his own comment.

"Now now son be nice. I'm sure this is just a misunderstanding. I've known this man for many years, and I am a certain that his personal tastes do not include a desire to sample unripened fruit. That being said, you should feel ashamed of yourself girl. I know that females mature at a faster rate than boys, but I think you wait until you're at least a teenager before you try and pressure a man into servicing you".

…

Fighting the urge to laugh at the infuriated expression that was currently adorning the young girls' face thanks to my subordinate's comment, and catching the amused eye of her oddly dressed companion, I decided to hold my tongue as I was presented with a highly informative, as well as amusing spectacle.

"HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO ME THIS WAY? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO I AM? I AM THE 3RD DAUGHTER OF KARIN DE LA VAILLERE, AND I WILL NOT BE MOCKED BY SOME COUNTRY BUMPKIN WHOSE MIND IS CURRENTLY DIRECTED TOWARDS ACTIONS OF A PERVERSE NATURE".

Though I quickly schooled my expression so that I was portraying the appearance of an apologetic peasant who realized that his only chance to survive his master's wrath was to grovel without any sense of shame, internally I was already visualizing all the nasty ways in which I could make this amusingly undeveloped girl's family pay for teaching her attitude.

For this right here was an excellent example of why I decided to form a movement that was determined to punish those nobles who were completely unprepared to acknowledge the magic lacking population as human beings deserving of respect.

"Now come on Louise, I'm sure he didn't really mean anything by it. Besides, you can't really blame him for the misunderstanding. Even if you're really 16, your lack of figure, not to mention what you shouted at the store keep, could have easily fool just about anybody".

Not bothering to contain my amusement at the boy's rather astute observation, I allowed myself to join in with the combined laughter of the store's male inhabitants, which oddly enough seemed to be somewhat louder than what would be expected by 4 amused males.

Of course nothing lasts forever. And despite her rather young years, the pink haired member of the family managed to join the rather short list of youngsters who, not for the first time, made me regret my decision to place an age limit on those who would be spared the rigors of revolutionary justice.

"YOU STUPID DOG! I DECIDE TO TAKE YOU OUT SO YOU CAN IMPROVE YOUR USEFULLNESS AS A FAMILIAR, AND WHAT DO YOU DO? YOU JUST STAND THERE AND LAUGH WITH THOSE WHO ARE INSULTING YOUR MASTER'S HONOR. I HOPE YOU TOOK THE LIBERTY OF EATING AFTER YOU GOT OUT OF THE INFIRMARY, CAUSE YOUR NOT GETTING ANOTHER SCRAP OF FOOD FOR AT LEAT A WEEK".

Wincing in sympathy every time the girl's riding crop made contact with the poor boy's skin, I had to applaud Nathan's attempts to resolve the situation while I pondered the value of the information I had just been provided.

…

"Now now Miss LOOK UP NAME, theres no need for that. Tell you what, since I am the one responsible for upsetting you, why don't I make up for it by being the one to buy your servant a weapon that will allow him to bring further glory to your name"?

Breathing heavily as she ceased her violent assault of her familiar to glare into face of the apologetic man, Louise offered a curt nod as she picked herself off the floor.

"Very well. I suppose that will serve as adequate compensation. However, I suggest that you don't waste too much money on this lowly dog. He can defend himself with a stick for all I care considering his disloyal nature".

Wincing in pain as he slowly hauled himself back to his feet, and ensuring that there was a great deal of distance between himself and the overly violent pinkette, Saito had to keep himself from grinning as the older man gestured towards the pile of swords that had proven to be more expensive than Louise was willing to pay.

"Why don't you pick something from that selection my friend? A tough skinned lad like you needs a sturdy weapon, and while I confess that my knowledge is somewhat lacking when it comes to selecting a sword, I can tell that these swords will serve you well".

Eagerly accepting the man's advice, the Japanese teenager started to make his way to offered pile, only to be interrupted by a rather dismissive voice.

"You don't want any of those swords kid. While I admit they are far more useful in battle than that hunk of junk the old man was trying to con you into buying, I can tell that a boy of your talents needs something far more unique. So to that end, I humbly volunteer my good self in your quest to achieve greatness".

Pausing in wonder to stare at what was undoubtedly a talking sword, and somewhat oblivious to the fact that both his pink haired master and the younger of the two newcomers were looking at him with slightly calculating expression, Saito ended up forming the beginnings of a partnership that would have consequences that few, if anyone could have predicted.

…

Apologises for the shortness of this chapter...But I feel that if I dont end it now, Its gonna take even longer to get it done XD

As you can tell from my other stories...currently in a different frame of mine that is somewhat detremental to updating this story on a regular basis.

That being said, this story IS NOT abandoned. Just slow in being updated lol.

Anyways...hopefully you enjoyed this chapter, short tho it may be.

Hope to hear your thoughts on the direction of the story.

And will update when my time (and imagination) allows me to work on this lol.