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Now before we begin, there's gonna be a slight canon divergence in this chapter. I'm putting it out there because it might be the only one, or there could be more, depending on Bard's actions moving forward this chapter on. Some might be large effects, like say who lives/dies, the fate of the Empire, etc.

Chapter 8: Jaegers

Esdeath's Manor: Noon

Bard was slipping on his armor, but leaving off the helmet. It took all he had to not heave a sad sigh. It was two weeks after his date with Esdeath, but those two weeks were fraught with events that shook the foundations of his current lifestyle to its foundations. How one would ask? Listing it off from bad to worst the events are as follows.

One, his friend from the military police, Seryu, ambushed and barely escaped an encounter with Night Raid, even possibly killing a member. Two, Esdeath ordered for her all Teigu team, the Jaegers to be formed, and he was to attend the introductory meeting with the members. That could be listed as good, but Bard had a feeling Esdeath was going to pull something in this meeting to ensure everyone was on their toes to fight, including him, regardless of his position as a reserve member.

Third and worst of all, The Three Beasts were defeated by Night Raid, resulting in the sinking of the Ryuuzetsu. Official reports states Daidara and Nyau were listed as KIA. Former General Liver was discovered by responders in critical condition. The last part struck a blow to Bardulf worse then any of the other news.

It dredged up older memories. Memories of Honey Mead brewing, memories of the loving arms of a mother who loved him unconditionally, memories of when he first met Liver when he and Esdeath attended the military academy.

5 years ago: Military Academy

Esdeath celebrated her sixteenth birthday by sparring with several of her peers her level. A thirteen year old Bardulf, one month shy from turning fourteen himself was busy with a training dummy by himself. Of course, this makes him the lone target for the local bullies, including the son of a Minister who threw such weight around. Speaking of which, Bardulf was suddenly pulled backwards by several people, being lead by said person.

"Hello Bard. Some of us haven't appreciated how a young northern nobody managed to figure out the answers to today's classes." He said with a grin. "Without Bluey around You're not so tough, are you?"

"Hurry up Syura, we haven't got all day." Said one of the bullies. The leader chuckled as he pulled out a knife.

"Rough him up first. Then we'll put a smile on this melancholy face." They did thus, several punches and kicks quickly overpowered Bard as Syura grabbed him by the head. "We'll just say this was a training accident, alright you Bastard?"

Everything was a blur after that, but memory serves that Syura didn't cut Bard, but somehow the former ended up with an injured face. He however was left on the floor, angry tears forming until he noticed someone watching him.

"Are you going to get up and prove them wrong Cadet? You can't help anyone on the ground like that." The General Said.

"Yes sir." Bard responded as he stood up, pain began to wrack his adolescent body that threatened to push him down. "I've got to show them. Show Esdeath too. But I just keep falling and screwing up every step of the way."

"Do you know why people sometimes fall?"

"Sir?" Bard responded, confused.

"It's a simple truth, really. It's so we can learn to pick ourselves up." General Liver offered his hand. "Come on now. Take my hand. I'll make something nice to help take your mind off the pain."

Present

Bard chuckled ruefully as he recalled that was also the first time he tried his cooking. It ended up giving him a stomachache that actually did do the job at that point. He clenched an armored fist as he punched the wall.

"Damn it! Why do I end up with the emotional brunt of it?!" He yelled at no one in particular. He went off to the meeting room where he opened the door. He took note of those present, a blonde haired man with a golden feather on his head, a naval officer with a rather large fish, a man in a mask, Kurome the Assassin, and-

"Guardsman Bard!" A shout was heard, followed by crash and an "Oof!"

"Seryu, good to see you too, You're recruited too?"

"Coro and I look forward to serving with you again!" The ginger imperial police officer shouted with glee as the aforementioned biological Teigu barked.

"So this is Bardulf. I've heard stories about you." Said the blonde man. "I'm Run. It's a pleasure."

"Hope those stories aren't anything bad." Bard responded with a smile. "I've heard stories about Kurome too and-"

"You can't have any." The aforementioned Assassin turned away from The Navy man, holding her bag away from him. Then an eccentric surgeon with glasses came in with a flourish of flower petals. Then made a slight pass at the Navy Man.

Bard blinked several times in order to process this. What sort of people was she letting into this House!?

"And the rest of you are who?" Bard asked.

"Oh I'm Wave, Wielder Of Grand Chariot." The Navy man responded.

"I'm Bols, Rubicante." The large man in the mask said.

"Dr. Stylish darling, my Teigu is Perfector!" The surgeon said. Bardulf assumed at that he was the medic.

"And I have said my name, but I of course am Bardulf. My Teigu is Gleipnir. I've just now started tapping into some of its power." He then walked to his seat and rested there.

"You're all to be a part of a power team. I'm your reserve member. General Esdeath will tell you the details later. Any questions other then my love life with the General are welcome."

"Wait did he say love li-" Wave began to ask when all of a sudden, the doors burst open and Bard's eyes widened. "Who's That!?"

"What are you all doing here?" The Masked Woman asked back, Bard was choking down what Seryu would later determine as a mix of Laughter and Horror.

"So that's her game? Oh no..." Bard thought as he realized what it meant and saw her charge at Wave. "Whoa on your toes Wave!" He raised his hand, as a length of chains extended and wrapped Wave by the waist and pulled him back a bit to avoid the incoming attack.

"I hate hazing rituals." Bard muttered as he let go of Wave and charged out with The other Jaegers in the fight. "For the Em-OGHOW!" The Kick he received was slightly dampened by the blow, but it did the work of stunning him for a brief moment.

"Guardsman Bard!" Seryu shouted.

"Just keep fighting her!" He shouted as he motioned for Wave to get in on the fight whilst drawing Gleipnir, only to notice their 'enemy' knocking the wind out of him. "OH NO! This fight is already making one of my new teammates look bad!"

With this he charged Imperial Arm in his right hand he took a swing at the enemy, only for her to chop at his arm with her hand, barely noticing his left shot out a chain to try and trip her but with skill and grace dodged and causes it to hit Run on accident.

"Watch where you throw those!" He shouted at Bard.

"Sorry if my enemy is graceful and lovely in her fi-Gggh!" Bard was suddenly gripped from behind in a worse bearhug as he heard a whisper.

"Say It." She whispered. She then squeezed harder. "Say it.~"

"Guhhhh-Yamate! Yamate!" The amber eyed northerner shouted as she dropped him, moving back, barely avoiding Kurome's slice.

"Yasustafa is indeed sharp." The lower half of the mask broke off to reveal an amused grin. "Well done everyone. Some have shown some worth, some we'll have to work on, Wave is the prime example."

"Huh?" Wave Asked, finally getting his breath back as Esdeath unmasked herself.

"As for you Bardulf," She said as she smiled wickedly. "I beat you again. Which means I'm the big spoon next cuddle session.~"

"Gah! They don't need to know that detail dear!" Bardulf shouted, turning redf in th face. Several snickers from some of the guys were heard. "Oh.. no..."

"With this, I officially say welcome my Jaegers! I am your Commander Esdeath. I see you've already met each other. Let's get down to the rest of this meeting." She said with a satisfied grin.

Needless to say, the rest of the day was pleasant enough. Thus went another day in Bardulf's life.

Omake Antics!

No. 8: Confessions (1 year Anniversary Special)

"That was reckless." Esdeath stated to a bandaged up 17 year old Bard.

"I know." He replied.

"Honest will probably put you on Imperial Guard duty." She continued.

"I know."

"So why did you go and fight the enemy like that?!" Esdeath shouted angrily.

"Because I'm tired of waiting to prove I'm not weak! I want to be the strongest I can get!" Bard shouted, "I want to live and grow old with the people I've befriended, I want to grow old with you, I want to be with you, I-" He clamped his mouth shut as he realized he spoke too much.

Esdeath's eyes widened at the statement. "Be with me? Bardulf, are you saying you..?" She felt her heart beating as fast as a drum right now. "This is it, he's asking me to be his! He's finally mine! Wait! I'm the dominant one!"

"Well, I..It's a Y-" Bardulf couldn't finish as Esdeath presses her lips against his.

"I love you too, dearest. I've been waiting eight whole years to say that to you." She said, as she hopped onto the bed with him. "Now let me recheck those wounds."

"Don't you dare poke them!" Bard shouted.

Review Response time!

Imperial Warlord: Thank you so much!

Drakedragon297: Wow, actually seeing someone say my story is one of their favorites makes my day. Thank you so much for that.

Roman (Guest): Hope the Omake sates your need for BardxEsdeath fluff, cause that flashback I pulled in this chapter made me feel like it needed it.

Imfactum: Thanks for The encouragement. I try hard to make a schedule, but it sometimes ends up flat on its back. So taking my time is usually the best way to make this, and any other stories move along.

Speaking of this story, it's on the fast approach of reaching one year old, hence the celebration. I know it might be a bit early, but I wanted to at least get this chapter and it's Omake (which serves as the anniversary special) out there. That being said, I still wish a huge thank you to grither55 for the prompt.

Remember to review!