Sixth Shed: Turn-over

I do not own any of the original source material.

The Late Noboru Yamaguchi owned Zero no Tsukaima and all of its characters and contents.

May he rest in peace, God bless his soul.

Masashi Kishimoto owns Naruto and all of its characters and contents.

*Story begins*

*Kabuto's POV*

Walking sedately towards the academy's main entrance, I was promptly halted for a brief check-up by one of the security guards. A gruff snort and a few nods later and I was already on my way to query a certain bald-headed professor. If Longueville was to be believed then Jean Colbert is the only person that could possibly answer some of my questions, if any at all. A depressing thought to be sure but it was better than naught at all.

Unfortunately, it was already midday by the time I have reached the academy's compound. Common sense would dictate that the professor should still be busy teaching magical theories by now. So it would make sense to search for him later when he is less preoccupied. That leaves me some spare time to tie up some loose ends before then.

"Sage Mode." I uttered in silent whisper.

With Sage Mode active, I could begin to feel hints of foreign energy signature that dwells within. A sensation I've yet to fully explore during my time in the Elemental Nations. As more chakra was absorbed, I frowned slightly as mysterious visions of supermassive beasts began to cloud my mind. Deciding that caution is the better part of valour, through a mental command, the flow of chakra was abruptly stopped. As soon as it did, the vision began to fade and eventually ceased.

I shudder at the thought of these 'elementals'. They were ethereal beings whose chakra potency could rival even a tailed-beast. Perhaps it was better to leave it as food for thought later. Even if the natural chakra here is more or less tainted with impurities, it does little to restrict my ability to sense other living energy signature.

Through bodily stasis, the mind and body of a Sage melds with nature; perceiving a world far more vibrant and chaotic than the world of the living. As if looking through a spyglass that sees energy in the form of coloured fog and lines, my vision spread far and wide. Eyeing even the minutest life force within the vicinity, I found my transformed clone standing amidst two others within the main tower.

Specifically, the Headmaster's Office.

*Scene Break*

*Tristan's Academy of Magic: Headmaster's Office Entrance*

As soon as I reached my destination, I took notice of a shadowy silhouette donned in robes standing by the entrance. By instinct alone, I knew who she was before I even saw her face. Immediately, she took out a scroll from one of her pockets and tossed them to me as if she already knew I was coming.

"The man's a real sly bastard." She uttered simply with a barely noticeable scowl as she turned to face me.

I gave the clone an amused smirk as I pocketed the scroll away from prying eyes. Whatever my clone has gone through to acquire these information, it must have cost her.

"Any significant changes as of late?" I asked the demurred clone to which she nodded again. "And?"

"The professor, Jean Colbert and the headmaster has been privy of your recent outings. Through scrying magic, they were able to track your movement to as far as a few leagues outside the academy's perimeters. They are unable to hypothesise your reason to journey so far north and concluded that further surveillance is required, however…" She sighed for the first time since I've breathed life into her existence and subsequently looked bothered by something.

"However what?" I asked in a calming tone.

"Through a vague elimination process devised by the old coot, I was chosen to keep an eye on you whenever possible," she coolly brushed her hair before giving me a blank stare, "…things are progressing from slightly good to crappy with that last attempt you pulled off. Now this has to happen."

I turned to her with a slight frown. "Explain." I ordered with narrowed eyes.

I caught a glimpse of dread in her expression before she continued, "Please do not misunderstand. When that bastard announced that I were to keep an eye on you, he insisted that I carry his familiar on my person at all times as an emergency precaution." That caught me by surprise though I hardly showed it.

"I take it that his familiar is not with us now?" She nodded albeit with a disapproving expression.

"Of course not. He said that it would only be necessary to do so once you're not on the Academy's ground." she replied with a sigh.

"How quaint of him to make such a mistake." I supplied without losing a beat.

"I also felt a disturbance in the surrounding. You used the Sage Arts, didn't you? I am sure you have already known this but how will you plan to avoid suspicion? I am still brimming with chakra but even with a generous reserve, it will not help in the long run if I am expected to carry that bastard's familiar on my person from here on out. A familiar does not require chakra to maintain corporeal form… but a clone does and mine would eventually run dry." She looks on to me with a questioning gaze, as if waiting for my cue to respond.

"You seem to have put a great amount of thought into this for a clone that I'm honestly surprised." I admitted candidly as I stroked the rim of my glasses in tandem. Old habits die hard. "However, a stroke of bad luck can still be a godsend if used correctly."

"You're planning to use the familiar for yourself." She responded not as a question but as a statement. She is a part of me so it would not be surprising to one day learnt that our thoughts were somehow linked.

"And somewhere along the way, Miss Longueville encounters a band of bandits before forfeiting her life and the familiar's in the process." I supplied in response.

"Ridding me would save valuable chakra and also resolves our current predicament." She caught on quickly but before she could continue the door which is the entrance into the headmaster's office creaked open.

"I wish to thank you for your continued support towards the prosperity of our great nation and sovereign, Osmond." A dignified figure that exulted an aura of importance spoke as he ambled from the inner chamber alongside the headmaster which indicated that this man is at least on par with the old mage in terms of ranking hierarchy if not greater.

"There is no need for that. The Crown's wishes is as much as the nation's wishes. Even if that wish is somewhat questionable." The headmaster opined with as much enthusiasm as a sloth; which is to say none at all. The first figure seemed to have caught on with the headmaster's discomfort.

"Careful there. It sounds as if you are against the Crown's wishes. It is not within our authority to question the Crown. Only to give action to their decree and as the royal messenger of the Crown, my word is essentially the Crown's." He retorted haughtily before taking his leave towards the stairs with both me and my clone caught in between. "Miss Longueville, still the ever beautiful lady. I am sorry you had to wait outside. As you know I deal with confidential materials and such. How does life fair you under the service of Osmond?" He asked her as he took her hand and kissed it.

"You flatter me, Count Mott. Working with that old coot has its own brand of catch but it is far better than any vacant alternative. One could even say that I am fortunate enough to land in the service of a lesser evil." She said expressionlessly before she retreated beside me.

The headmaster gave a mock hurt expression to which he responded, "You hurt me, Miss Longueville."

"Then stop suggesting what undergarment I should and should not wear and do not think that just because I let you touch my rear once is an excuse to grope me again." She deadpanned before taking her leave down the stairs. Now I know why she had little tolerance towards the headmaster. The man was an honest to goodness dirty old man. One that affects even the fragment of my own metaphysical psyche.

"Such vibrant. Such audacity. Surely you could do something about her contract, Osmond. I am rather fond of her type and I would pay a handsome price for her service." The man, Count Mott as my clone had called him, licked his lips in mad glee as he turned to face the headmaster once more. "Everyone has a price. Name me yours."

"As I have mentioned before, her contract is not a permanent one. Hence, I have no right to presume that she is mine to do as I please." The headmaster shrugged dismissively. "Maybe you should just stop lusting over my secretary. Have a good day Mott… and you too, Kabuto." He added as he went back into his office. The door promptly closed with a loud thump, leaving the two of us alone in the hallway.

"Humph, how dare he refuses my offer!" He scowled darkly at the now closed entrance. I watched silently as the man snapped his cane in half in an effort to cool his temper and threw it on the floor before making a beeline towards the stairs.

As we passed, I picked up a cool breeze mixed with a heavy scent of brine coming from the man. The saltiness that permeated the hallway was almost nauseating to the point of sickly disgusting. A sign of magical potency in the form of the water element. A man of influence and literal power.

A man with uses.

*Scene Break*
*Tristan's Academy of Magic: Second Year Classroom*

My ongoing search for the bald professor has ended with a lack of success. There was just too many people in the towers to accurately pin-point where he could be. In addition to that, I have yet to fully acclimatise myself with his energy signature along with everybody else's. That had forced my hand to search his whereabouts through the old fashion way.

I stopped before a group of students some five meters away and produced a light-hearted smile.

"I'm sorry to intrude but I require directions. Where might I find one Jean Colbert?" I asked in a mellowed tone to help reduce the risk of the students simply fleeing in terror. As expected, the group gave a look of worry and fear to my presence. If this fails, perhaps a little illusion could provide some persuasion.

"Faculty's lounge." Luckily, one of the boys stood forward and pointed towards a wooden door behind them. My gaze followed in tandem and to my own amazement, the entrance itself looked rather ancient and frankly speaking, it appeared to be on its last leg by now with only a single white board written with Halkegenian letters adorning it. This is the faculty's lounge? It was too convenient. I turned to the boy with incredulity colouring my features.

"Are you sure this is not just some ill-thought plan to hastily rid of me?"

"Honest. That is where all the professors and other staffs usually are. Well, most of them actually. I do not know if Professor Colbert will be there though." He retorted defensively as he had both his arm in a cross position to further prove his point.

"I see. Thank you. You may go." I gave a light pat on the boy's shoulder as I walked away towards the door.

As I neared the decrepit looking door, chakra pooled around my arms in an almost lazy flow in preparation for any unexpected events. I'm more than aware of the fire mage's unnatural gait from the beginning. However, it was too early to assume much without evidence. If he really is the person I expected him to be, then he might pose problems in the future. That alone is a reason to find him and learn of his motivations and ideology. If one could ascertain those traits in a man, one could even predict that person's goals and etc.

The door itself had some enchantment that emitted an energy signature similar to that of a sealing technique. Of all things, they enchanted the door to a lounge? I would have pondered on the notion a little longer however I was pressed for time and thus I knocked without much anticipation as I waited for a reply that simply never came. Strange. I knocked again. This time with far more force into the effort. Ancient as the door may appear, it had not only withstand my mini onslaught of knocks and beatings but even managed to cast a defensive spell that reflected all incoming strikes with an opposite and equal force.

"Hm." I paused for a minute as to think of a better way in dealing with this problem. "Perhaps there is a spell that the local professors and staffs utilise as a key." I mused aloud. Then it would be prudent to avoid breaking in by force.

Even in a place where war is almost non-existent, where there are people, there will always be conflicts, no matter where it is in the world. And where there are conflicts, there are always ways of keeping certain aspect of things behind closed doors. With a quick succession of hand signs, I focused my chakra towards the entire parts of my body and my clothing. In short order, the technique began to liquidate my innards and weakens the very bonds that holds my existence in place.

The door may have been enchanted by spellwork. It may have been designed to deter would-be intruders. However, I doubt they had the knowledge and resources to fortify and enchant the walls, ceilings and floors itself to deter a shinobi. With most of my body locked within a semi-liquid state, I sunk into the marble floor like I would on water and breached the lounge without much trouble as I slowly emerged from within the floorings like some ghost ship out of a fairy tale. There was no one around on the other side of the door. That explained the lack of response. And from the amount of vibrations within the stonework, I estimated that the lounge was mostly empty.

Once inside, I took note of the lavish interior that adorned the lounge with spoke of excessive opulence. With each step into the chamber, my senses grew more sensitive. Further in, I heard several voices that echoed from deep within the lengthy corridor. Focusing as much chakra as I dared into my ears and slowing my breathing to a third of its normal rate, I approached the source of the voices and listened in on their conversation.

"…with the coming autumn, things will surely become far busier than it would now." A woman's voice trailed off, her voice deep yet feminine.

"I agree. Not to mention the magical trials that will be held in the coming months." Another voice chimed in, perhaps two octaves lower. This one was definitely a man's.

"Well, speaking of trials, there is still the second year Familiar Presentation Ceremony. If anything to look forward to, by the end of the day, we shall lay witness to the treasure of Tristain in full bloom." The woman opined.

"Treasure? You mean the princess? Really?" The man asked incredulously.

"You do not sound too pleased with the thought." The woman observed.

The duo was in a brightly lit room just at the end of the corridor. I peered into the chamber and from my observation, it appeared more like a pantry than a lounge or anything similar to it. The room was surrounded with numerous hanging wooden cabinets entirely made from what seem to be ebony coated in a very dense veneer. Beneath them were the countertops made from marbles and every other valuable stone imaginable. In the centre of it all was a large dinner table that sported a surface made of crystal while the legs were constructed from exotic metals. It came complete with ten identical dining chairs of similar make.

"No. That is not it. It is just that…" the man sighed aloud, "…I just… I do not need another overtime just to protect another princess."

"Pfft…" the woman laughed as she wrapped her arms around the man's shoulder with a teasing smirk, "Yes, I am fully aware of your situation and while we are on the subject, not everyone is pleased with this whole debacle of the princess coming over to attend the ceremony. At least you have kids to look forward to after work. Of course not forgetting the flower of your life."

"Stop teasing me." The man insisted as he took a sip from his tea cup in obvious discomfort.

"Aha. Big boy is having a rough time back home? Maybe he need some pleasurable company to take his mind off of it?" The woman offered seductively as she began to massage his shoulders.

"Sure. And maybe you should go find a man to get you off your high horse. You are what, twenty, thirty years old?" He retorted jokingly. The woman did not seem offended by his comment and continued with her massaging silently. After a pregnant pause, the man asked, "Hey, Mrs. Yvonne? I saw you talking to the royal messenger this morning. What did you two talked about?"

The woman was silent for a while as she pondered for a reply, "He asked me if I wanted to work for him as his personal secretary with some… added benefits." The man scoffed at the mentioned of the royal messenger as he turned to face the woman.

"Wait… You did not accept, did you?! He asked frantically as he stared into her eyes as if it had the answers he seek.

"I politely refused, of course. As a noble, petty as it may be, I will not allow myself to fall beneath my station." She replied haughtily, pouncing her chest with confidence which earned her a chuckle from the man. "What is so funny?"

"Nothing. It is just that I could barely imagine the look the Count would have don after being rejected like that." He replied as his form shook with mirth.

"Yes. But I fear that he would retaliate. He is a prideful man. If he decides to kill us all, he could do it with a flick of his wand. His epithet as The Torrent suggests all but gentleness."

'It seems that this royal messenger, Count Mott from our earlier interactions or rather lack thereof, has a knack for beautiful women. I can exploit that once the time comes.' I thought inwardly as I distance myself from the two nobles and made my way back outside. Looks like Jean Colbert will just have to wait for another time. Learning the nature of the voices in my head may have been the only thing infesting my mind recently but my search for immortality still stands. Thus, I have a new priority. Namely, a Count with a considerable amount of power and wealth as well as influence tied to his name.

*Scene Break*

*Tristan's Academy of Magic: Grand Alvis Hall*

*Louise's POV*

I sauntered towards the massive entrance of the Alvis Hall in silent. An act that was in contrast to everybody else's as they went in excitedly. So eager to fill their bellies, to exchange words and gossip and to unwind their accumulated stress. It has always been a strange wonder to me. The simple things like having to gossip and laugh at someone else's expense or even a company during meals sans my own family.

Instead, I was the black sheep of the herd. The one whose failure is the gossip on everyone's mouth. The one whose proud heritage was an unfortunate but hilarious blunder. As always, I was alone. This was a routine I had endured for the last year. Although I did not and would not admit defeat, I persevered to stay true to myself. I have cursed those who had affronted me. I have denied manners to those who had done the same. I have erected a barrier to shield me against the verbal abuse. My cold indifference was the persona that I wore to protect my waning resolves.

"So why do I keep thinking about it?" I asked myself in wonder.

Really, there should be no reason to feel pity for myself. Those are sentiments for the weak and the poor. It has been this way for so long that sometimes I forget how painful it felt to be treated this way. No. I purposely chose not to think about it because it was painful. So when did I started to think about it again?

"Lady Vallière!" I looked up only to face a beaming Siesta who looked more than happy to see me. I looked away in an instant as I remembered the beating scene from the day before.

"…wha…" I barely spoke my first word when she tugged at the sleeve of my blouse with an almost unnatural enthusiasm. I naturally followed the maid as she directed me to one of the nearby vacant dining area. One I am loathe to admit that is far better than my usual one simply due to a single redheaded Germanian and her teasing.

"Well~ hello there, Vallière." I froze immediately at the familiar voice to which I snapped to my right. Lo and behold, my illustrious luck has struck once again, or the abysmal lack of it.

"Kirche." I spoke simply to which the Germanian redhead waved in return.

"One and the same, darling. Say, have you seen your familiar around?" She prompted as she and the ever-present bluenette took a seat, "Me and Tabby over here has some unfinished business with the man."

"I… do not know where he is. The last time we saw each other was when he… tried to…" After a poignant pause, I walked towards one of the empty seats and just sat there; turning pensive at the thought of Kabuto's recent action, or should I say transgression instead?

"Tried to what?" She teased and, as if magically, appeared behind me and wrapped her arm around my neck in the process, "…well? Tell us what he did". What made it worse was that the teasing worked as I felt blood raced to my head as the heat subsequently made me slightly sweaty.

"Later," I heard Tabitha said in her usual monotone voice, "…lunchtime." The Germanian sighed dejectedly as she lets go of me and quietly went to the other side of the table. I stared at the duo for a while but the Germanian simply smiled back with that smug face of hers. I really wish I could punch the living daylights out of her, or blast her with one of my infamous explosions. Yes. Exploding Kirche sounds fun.

"It is not nice to stare, Vallière, but I guess my charms are irresistible even to you." That remark earned her a solid hit to the head by the bluenette. Sometimes I wonder how their dynamic relationship worked despite their obvious disparities.

"What is going on?" I asked demurely. Ever since Kabuto and the others had left, I was left to ponder about his recent revelations by myself.

There was no words being exchanged after that. Kirche simply closed her eyes and kept silent while Tabitha did not make eye contact as though she was deep in thought. After a while, Siesta returned with several dishes neatly stacked one on top of another on a trolley as she expertly navigated through the throng of students like they were not even there.

"Here you go." The beaming maid once again disrupted my train of thoughts as she placed the numerous dishes on the table without as much as a drop or sound. "Is there anything else?" The maid quarried with a smile. And why is she so happy all of a sudden?! Does she not feel distraught being so close to the source of her recent sufferings; of being so close to me?

"Well, you look rather happy. Why not join us for lunch?" The Germanian offered as she pulled the maid into an empty seat.

"W-what… I cannot dine with…" The maid could only stammered as she desperately tried to leave her offered seat but was subsequently held in place with a levitation spell courtesy of the tanned redhead.

"Relax. I do not bite… much." That earned the redhead another hit to the head. "Ouch! Tabby, why do you keep doing that?!" She asked angrily.

"Indecent." Was the bluenette only retort. I really do not know how these two could become friends in the first place and still maintain it to this day. Friends. These two are the exact opposite to each other but… they are also the best of friends. An unlikely bond unlike ones formed through formal soirée and such.

I looked at the nervous maid for a moment as she squirmed under the influence of the spell before giving her a thin smile. She ignored it of course likely due to the situation she is in. I think I started to understand it now. Friendship is being with the people we care about. Be it for better or for worse. Sounds like a marriage vow.

"Smiling. Good." I turned to the petite bluenette as she spoken those two nearly inaudible words. Did she just…complimented me?

"Finally out of that cocoon now are we? We feared that you might never leave that satin shell of yours. Did you played with yourself too?" The redhead quipped again which earned her another bob to the head. "Ouch… you are ruthless Tabby."

"Jokes aside, is this why you planned all this? To cheer me up?" Did these two really thought that much about me?

"Brilliant, right?" The Germanian crossed her arms and legs as she gave a cringe-worthy smirk.

"Not particularly." I replied with a thin smile of my own. "By the bye, why is Siesta here though?"

"I…"

"Hear this, she's a friend of Kabuto." The Germanian interjected before the maid could say anything to respond. "Why else would Kabuto allow himself to be led away by a maid?"

"In all honesty, I am merely an acquaintance of Kabuto." The maid responded weakly which the redhead merely shook her head and sighed at the maid's response.

"Do you have a general idea what Kabuto might be up to right now?" I asked the maid.

"Nay. The last time I have seen him was in the Vestry Courtyard." The maid responded with an embarrassed expression. "Before that, we had some…small talk."

"It matters little now. We will just have to wait for him to come to us. I get the feeling that he is out there somewhere tinkering with his magic and all." I remarked as I thought of the snake tamer inwardly.

"So little old Louise is not afraid to come to terms with her love interest?" I rolled my eyes at the expected teasing from the Germanian. Really, it is like her entire vocabulary is composed solely between sex and passion to fooling around and just outright tease everyone for the fun of it.

"Oh just go to hell will you." I spat as I began to chew on the savoury steak with relish; blatantly ignoring the strings of cajoleries spewed by the redhead for the next hour.

*Scene Break*

*Tristan's Academy of Magic: Tower of Fire's Lobby*

"And then Kabuto simply unclipped her pendant and started disrobing her of her habiliments." The redhead retold the maid of the events that occurred this morning with vivid gestures. I held my tongue as the maid gasped for the umpteenth time at the retelling of Kabuto's acts of indecency. Urgh!

"And did he went through with it? Did he… finished the gesture?" She asked in the most unappropriated tone.

"Unfortunately, the strange man stopped what he was doing as quickly as he started it." The tanned redhead replied as she shook her head, "I admit that that man baffles me to no end. He is an enigma I find to be most troubling and fascinating."

"It would even be more baffling if you had indeed figured him out in the short time you have spent time with him when I had not fared any better as his master." I quipped at the opening before finally reaching the end of the hallway.

"Finally admitting defeat I see." The redhead retorted a tad seductively to which I shuddered. For all her prodigal talents in practical arts, she was a fluke in the art of exams. In a battle of wit however, this woman is not one to be trifled with. Best not to incite her further lest I fall into her colloquial trap.

Upon reaching the door to my room, I turned towards the small entourage that accompanied me and gave a light bow.

"This is it. Should you find that blasted familiar of mine, please inform him that his master wants to discuss matters of importance. On another note, I wish to… thank you… for today." And just like that, I entered my room in haste and left the trio to their own devices.

I walked towards the bed in a dead-like state as I dragged my feet across to reach my destination. I let myself to be embraced by the comforts of my bed where my diminutive form easily went between the sheets as my weight pressed against it – as if I was slowly sinking into a puddle made of pure softness.

"Now I have done it." I mumbled to no one in particular as I continued to brood towards the ceiling, "I expressed gratitude towards a Zerbst." I cringed as I slammed my arms on the not-so-hard mattress. No one is to hear of this. Especially mother and big sister Éléonore. Oh Brimir, mother would tear me a new one if she gets hold of this information.

My heart was racing a thousand times a minute at the thought. While Kabuto can be scary at times, it simply pales in comparison to mother. If Kabuto was a dragon, then mother would be an elf. One very, very scary elf to be exact. It had taken the pre-emptive courage of fighting against a dragon to utter those simple words. The indignity of expressing gratitude towards that cow, let alone to a maid and a minor noble, was so beyond humiliating that it hurts to think about. But, even so… it felt good, better even. This feeling… I wished that…

"I could have more." I murmured aloud before falling into deep slumber.

*Scene Break*

*Tristan's Academy of Magic: My Room*

"Hm?" I pried my eyes open at the sound of light knocking on the door. Who would be coming over for a visit? I stood from my bed and walked over to the door and opened it with caution.

"Evening, strawber-"

"Finish that sentence and you can consider yourself dead." I implied dangerously.

"Volatile as ever I see." The snake tamer commented as he pushed the door wide open before letting himself in.

"I do not remember giving a pervert like you permission to enter." I told him to which he simply shrugged it off. To be honest, I was still taken aback by his actions, even if just by a little bit. Over time, the shock gradually declined to a more manageable level. It was still there, thus I am still somewhat cautious around him.

"I did knocked before entering and in my defence you had not barred my entrance in the first place." He replied in his trademarked easy-going nature before his expression turned serious, "Louise, I need information."

"Information? What sort?" I asked him as I closed the door behind me.

"The royal messenger of Tristan, Count Mott." I stumbled as I heard the snake tamer's request.

"And what do you intend to do with such information, pray tell." I inquired of the snake tamer with an unreadable face.

"…you disapprove?" The snake tamer responded with a raised brow.

"Even if I did I am sure you would find alternatives in seeking what you want." I admitted as I went to my bed and sat on it dejectedly, "Tabitha warned me that you are a nonconformist. A rebel to our traditions and culture."

I gave the snake tamer a brief look. So far he has yet to make any threatening moves against the other students and professors. No corpse of some unfortunate sob has been discovered. No valuables has been stolen either. Can I even trust my own familiar? Ironically, Kabuto is the one person I trust the least. He had shown that he is not above using underhanded tactics. He is enigmatic as well as secretive in the most absolute sense. However, I feel like I need to believe in him. If a master cannot do that much for his familiar, then I would be a failure.

"A nonconformist and a rebel you say? That's quite the assumption, yet although, I won't deny Au-chan's claims." He replied nonchalantly as he too went over to the bed and made himself comfortable, "Though I am more of a renegade than anything else."

"Whatever." I said with disinterest, "At least grant me this, what do you plan on doing to the Count?"

"I'm planning on getting the Count to our side. He will serve as my eyes and ears within the political walls of this nation and continent. His assets and influence will also prove beneficial for my research." I gave him a worried look as I pondered on his plan.

"Kabuto, I hate to break it to you, but Count Mott is not some pushover you can simply take advantage of, even with force." I told him in earnest. Going against a noble is one thing. But going against one like the Count is a generally bad idea. However, Kabuto has proved that he is more than capable to succeed. "So, how do you intend to follow up with this plan of yours?" I asked inquisitively which earned me a wide grin from the snake tamer.

"That's for me to know and for you to find out." He snickered almost mockingly, "However, if my plan comes to fruition the Count may not live to see another day."

I cringed inwardly. "Yet you still insist on pursuing with the idea? Please… do not do this." I doubted my words would stop him. I doubted that whatever I did would do anything at all. I was powerless against him. Who is the master and who is the familiar between us? It was neither. Because there was never such a thing to him. "If you are caught, then I… no, the both of us would surely be severely sentenced."

*Scene Break*

*Count Mott's Mansion: Outskirts*

'Nonsense, I am a shinobi. An assassin who specialises in combat, espionage and additionally, medical support. Low profile is what I do for a living.'

Those were the words he told me just hours ago. An assassin for a living. One who primarily specialised in medical support. In Halkegenia, medicine and potions were not uncommon. Water mages and Alchemist were often hired or recruited for their ability to heal wounds and cure ailments of various sorts like the flu and fever. However, Kabuto explained that his level of aptitude were above and beyond that. Surgery; Anaesthetic; Physical modifications; Gene alterations and many more to which I have no knowledge of.

The sound of leaves ruffling from behind prompted a sigh from my lips. "Kirche, if you disagree with the bushes tingling your rear, then you should have just stayed behind." I droned with obvious annoyance at the squirming Germanian.

"I can't help it!" She whispered in anguish as she tried to burn off some of the scrubs with magic. "Fine! You want some? Come get some!"

"Stop that! You will burn our cover away, you twit! Be quiet or you will never see this again." I warned threateningly as I snatched her wand away, much to the redhead's displeasure.

"Sheesh, fine." The redhead conceded. "Are we really going to do this? This is Count Mott we are talking about. A royal messenger in case you have forgotten." She asked worriedly.

"He may have the advantage of terrain and numbers." The snake tamer began, his eyes carefully scanning the mansion for traps and patrols, "but that means nothing to me." He took out a scroll from his robe and unsheathed three of those black rods from earlier; giving each one to Tabitha, Kirche and myself. "I'll lend you these. Remember the plan?"

"Make three teenage girls on the edge of angst run around a mansion with a big, black rod while knocking people out cold without sounding the alarm. Sounds fun." The tanned redhead quipped sarcastically to which the snake tamer merely nodded in approval.

"Good. Do your worst." The snake tamer ordered before he disappeared in a whirl of leaves.

"Louise, are you really sure you wish to go along with his plan?" The redhead suddenly asked as she grabbed my wrist just as I was about to leave in order to keep me from running away. "Once, you made it perfectly clear to us that going through with his plans was a big mistake. Now… now you are carrying out his plans like it was one of your own."

"That was before I learnt of his nature. He will not stop seeking whatever it is that had him spellbind in pursuing it. The fact that we have no idea what his research entails scares me." I confessed begrudgingly as I tore my wrist from the redhead's grip. "An impossibly skilled and powerful combatant; a healer with extensive knowledge and skills beyond our very best; a practitioner of an unknown magic branch. What else is there for him to pursue but death itself?" I gave the redhead and bluenette a grim look, "Whatever it is, I can bet that it is beyond the scope of our understanding because Kabuto, he is lost in his own delusions."

"Jumping to conclusions again? There is no way you could have deduced all of that within the three days since he was summoned." The redhead retorted to which I fully agree. But it was something I felt rather strongly about. That the man known as Kabuto was an empty man. Full of only empty ideals and disillusions. I do not know why I have these feelings but it was better than knowing nothing at all.

"Mobilise soon." We both turned to the bluenette as she spoke. Right. We have a job to do. Distrust issues notwithstanding.

"I will take care of the guards outside and keep watch once they are all out. If anything happens, cast a fireball spell to notify each other, just in case." I said as I primed myself with several fireball spells and sprinted towards the gates.

*Scene Break*

*Count Mott's Mansion*

"How do you suggest we go about this, Vallière?" The redhead inquired to which I simply pointed to the four guards stationed at the main gates. "Storm right through the main gates, huh? Now you are talking my language."

"We will do this together. I will take out the two on the far left with a wide-area explosion while you both take care of the rest. Tabitha." I gave the order to proceed as Tabitha erected a barrier that enclosed the area with a silencing spell.

"Fireball." I muttered as I saw the four guards fell to the ground in perfect sync. The blast of my explosions worked wonders as they had an area of effect which were ideal as it had enough force to knock someone unconscious but not outright kill anyone.

"I can do this." I mumbled to myself as I primed more spells for the next wave. "If memory serves, there were seventeen guards in total that patrolled the perimeter of the mansion. Four served as guards at the main gates, another four at the main entrance into the mansion while the other nine patrols the area in a group of two-man and three-man cell."

"Be quick. The silencing spell lasts for around five to ten minutes and Tabitha cannot recast it without alerting the Count inside. And also, do not get caught. Godspeed, Louise." Was the last words I heard from the Germanian before she and Tabitha – enchanted with wind magic – sped with superhuman speeds across the yard and infiltrated the mansion through one of the undefended windows with a lock spell.

"I could say the same to you." I replied to no one in particular as I pressed onwards with the Rule of Steel as my mantra.

*Scene Break*

"Fireball!" I intoned dryly as I trudged my way across the distance between me and the downed guard. The silencing spell had only a few more minutes of activity before it runs out. Hence, I cannot afford to dawdle if I am to succeed. That was until I realised it was easier said than done as I panted heavily from the continuous usage of willpower. The number of patrolling guards has dropped down by half since the beginning of this ludicrous plan. The question was however, could I keep up without failing in the process?

While the silencing spell does not necessarily mute all sounds, it does cripple those trapped inside with reduced hearing. A guard may be able to converse with his buddies in the same room but anyone outside the room would have remained oblivious. The spell also inhibits the transmission of sound further than a few paces from its source. Unfortunately, this also heightens the guard's vigilance as they seemed to have been alerted by the lack of ambient noise in the surrounding.

"I am Steel. I am Steel." I repeated the mantra in whispers. It was the one thing that had kept my mind free of interference and other thoughts like 'What in the name of Brimir am I doing?' kind. My mind wondered however to the possibility that Kabuto could somehow teach his brand of magic branch. Even the thought of learning to control his snake familiars is a tantalising idea. No matter how blasphemous, I yearned for it. The power to escape my accursed fate.

Without much warning, the ground shook with great force – enough force to cause a structural collapse on the second and third floor of the west wing of the mansion – which caused me to stagger in confusion and fear. There was no sound of an explosion or the sound of debris and rubbles collapsing from the higher floors which meant that the spell was still active. Before I know it, cracks began to appear on the solid ground like splinters from a cracked window and large columns of gaseous matter were flung several hundred paces into the air.

"God damn it all!" I cursed as I took off in an effort to escape the impending danger with speeds I never knew I had until now. With renewed vigour, I sped across the yard, sped passed the multitude of guards that were still caught staggering from the effects of the collapsing mansion, sped beyond even the thick gates as I blew it a new one into it with a full-on explosion spell.

Finally reaching my limits, I collapsed under my feet as I breathe in hard and fast as a galloping stallion. I turned around and to my shock and awe, half of the mansion was destroyed in less than a minute. 'What is going on here?!' I mentally cringed as columns of gas and water towered in the distance with incredible force.

"Vallière!" I heard a familiar voice calling out my name in the distant. As expected, I saw the Germanian running away from the disaster that was currently unfolding. I refuse to admit that I felt relief that she had survived the collapsing mansion with Tabitha trailing not too far behind. But I digress. There were more important issues at hand.

"Kirche, where is Kabuto?!" I yelled as yet another explosion ripped through the air and the shockwaves reverberated throughout the entire plain.

"He is fighting against the Count! He ordered us to remain on standby and make sure no one makes it out of the area! Dead or alive!" The Germanian exclaimed loudly as she took out her black wand and cast a levitation spell on herself, "I shall cover the skies and illuminate the area while Tabitha will assist me in rooting out the remaining abled guards. You keep those gates guarded! If anyone leaves, incapacitate them. If they resist, kill them!" She finished as she levitated towards the half ruined mansion with a stream of hot air propelling her further forward.

"Wait, what!" I shrieked at that. Knocking the guards unconscious was one thing. Incapacitation could mean a lot of things apart from maiming. But killing?! "Kirche!" I cried but she was already too far away to hear it anyway.

"Tis fine. Just unconscious. No need to kill." Tabitha said good-naturedly as she too dashed from her spot and into the flaming inferno with her wind-enchanted speeds, leaving me appalled over the situation at hand.

"Fine!" I conceded reluctantly. I knew from the beginning – I always had – that if I followed through with his plan, I would be an accomplice of high treason. I had initially planned to dissuade him in his endeavour but got caught in the middle instead. I requested Tabitha's help and she accepted without a word which got Kirche to tag along as well. But I have made a grave mistake. Tabitha and by extension, Kirche, both had their own ulterior motives. I know not of Tabitha's but I am damn sure that Kirche still coveted those techniques he possesses and the black wands he had loaned to us. That and also she has a thing for the snake tamer.

As I ran towards the mansion I detected a poignant stench that grew ever worse as I get closer, causing an involuntary reflex to vomit a stream of bile matter that puts most water mages to shame. Wiping the vomitus away, I blanched at the sight of numerous blackened human-like figures burnt to a crisp. Most had similar postures; lying prone on the ground. This little titbit was enough to indicate that these victims, who were most probably guards, had been running away from the fire and some still had their weapons and armours where the melted metallic plates, chainmail and blades still held a distinct amber hot tint. No amount of ordinary fire would be hot enough to melt metal. This was the work of high level fire magic.

"Kirche." I intoned in horror. Another explosion had taken place not too far from where I was standing. Whatever that had held the mansion together had finally met its match as the mansion buckled under its impressive weight and crashed loudly to the ground. "…oh no…" I muttered under my breath, "This is not happening…"

I ran and I ran and I ran – as fast as my aching feet could carry me – I ran past the corpses and stop just yards away from the searing heat. The flames licked what little was left. Wood became ash, porcelain turned to dust, and mortar and even metals turned to molten rock. None was left untouched.

"Louise?" I froze. That voice, "Louise, are you alright?" I turned and glared the tanned redhead tensely.

"Kirche… why did you do this?" I sounded awkwardly, sounding neither angry nor impassive. The redhead flinched in obvious discomfort.

"Wait! This is not my work! I swear!" She denied vehemently, "Did you not saw them?!"

I gave the redhead a dubious look but decided to give her the benefit of the doubt, "Then what, pray tell, was I supposed to see apart from that…atrocity?!" I pointed in the direction of the spot where burnt corpses littered the ground.

"The black flames!" She exclaimed loudly. It was clear that Kirche was not lying, at least, not that I think she is. "Flames as dark as night!"

"Black flames." I parroted before I scowled at the redhead, "Kirche, who are you trying to kid?!"

"Tabitha, you saw it too, did you not?" The redhead asked as she turned to the taciturn bluenette who eventually nodded. Her confirmation gave me pause.

So even Tabitha saw these so-called black flames. If so, then there were some truth to Kirche's story. Further queries revealed that they had saw no one within the burning mansion who could be responsible for the arson. There was only one mage who resided within and that was the Count, a well-known water mage. That leaves only one other candidate.

"Kabuto."

*End of Chapter*

Author's Note:

Um… hiya guys. Sorry for the tardy update (again). I have no excuse (actually I do but I'll just stay quiet for the time being). You may bash me for that but after that last chapter, I had mixed feelings about writing fanfiction. My grammar is still all over the place and my writing just plain suck in general. Hence, it takes a lot out of me to post this online. No worries now since my muse is back with more enthusiasm than ever before (not really but I can't help but exaggerate). Since I'm planning on revising the older chapters (aka; purging errors and the sort, generally polishing everything up to point), the next chapter may take a little more time as is just barely in its bare bone state so don't hold your breath. So in the meantime have a cookie. Just to keep any new reader informed, this is an alternate universe. Expect some things that are a little different from the original Zero no Tsukaima especially the magic system. If anything, the only non-canon in my fiction is the magic system (I'll be altering them to better suit the story) but not by a lot.

Please R&R.

Yours Truly; FranKey

Written and arranged by FranKey AdeL

Special Thanks;

Beautiful art cover of Kabuto with Louise and Co. courtesy of a friend from the Philippines, Dame Mil. Thanks Mil! ^^