Howl, Makai Knight! (Garo/Senran Kagura)

This is usually the place where one puts a necromancy joke. Except, I totally planned this timeskip. Honest!


"They asked what? Alright, I am going to laugh now. Ohohohoh!" On the cellphone Baskerville laughs with gusto for a few seconds before abruptly stopping. "Wait! Not now, this is something that is best done right in their faces. Bring them to the Site this evening. Don't say anything, I want it to be a surprise."

On one hand, what Baskerville is planning is really mean and doesn't sit well with me. But it's still my direct superior, and orders are orders. There are very few circumstances where I would be willing do disobey Baskerville and the Order, and this is not one of them. "I understand, Baskerville-sama. Have a good night." I remember the time. "I mean, have a good day."

I end the call and, with a soft sigh, turn around to address the five girls sitting at my table. 'Look at the bright side, Tetsuya.' Mikazuki tells me through our mental link. 'Maybe the Wathdog is not going to only laugh in their faces.'

'I hope so.' Those girls went through a lot, they deserve good news. "Baskerville-sama said it is willing to meet with you this evening."

"Your boss, right?" Homura asks with a frown. "Why do you call it a 'it'?"

"Watchdogs are the middle-persons between the Makai Knights and the Makai Order." I explain. "While the final decision lies with the higher-ups, I believe Baskerville-sama's opinion holds considerable weight. Please be aware that I do not know about the rules pertaining the recruiting of new personnel in the Order, so I can't tell you more." I was only a child when I joined, so everything was handled by the adults. "And I use a neutral noun because Baskerville-sama's gender is uncertain due to its appearance and not-human nature."

"The first and last time I asked it looked ready to tear us a new one." Mikazuki adds. "So look: just, don't ask, alright?"

"Not-human?" Haruka tilts her head. "What kind of creature is it then?"

"I don't know, it is not a topic addressed often." I cover my mouth with one hand and yawn, the fatigue feeling stronger than even. "Now, if you'll excuse me I would like to go back to my bed before I end up falling asleep on my feet."

They all nod. But instead of standing up they remain seated around the table while looking at me in silence. "...Is there something else?"

They look at each other before Homura clears her throat and addresses me again, just a little amount of pink on her cheeks. "Can we...sleep here until the meeting? We currently lack both money and the equipment to camp outside."

I blink. "Uh. Yeah, sure. Just..." While scratching my head I walk to the closet and open it. "I am not sure I have enough futons. Yes, I don't."

"It's alright. We're very adaptable." Yomi says with a smile. "As long as there is a roof and a heating system any place is like paradise."

True, excessive comforts weaken the character and fester vice. Though, that level of moderation sounds a little excessive when one lives in a modern city. Eh, I'll think about it more when I'm not feeling dead tired.


I woke up twelve hours later, feeling not completely recovered but enough to walk around and answer to an emergency, even if I hope there'll be none. I lead the five Shinobi to the closest entrance to the Watchdog and, after opening the passage, inside it. Haruka seems very interested in the whole process, and only reluctantly drops the matter after being urged by her comrades.

"Welcome, Tetsuya Kurogane and guests." Baskerville is waiting for us on its usual seat, Senjuuro and the Saikoro siblings standing on both sides.

"Baskerville-sama." I greet it with a polite bow before moving to stand by Senjuuro's side.

"So then." The Watchdog covers its mouth with a sleeve while looking down at the five Shinobi. "I have been told you have a request for the Makai Order. Let's hear it."

Asuka and others, san Hikage, blink owlishly at Baskerville. The black-haired girl points a finger at the Watchdog and open her mouth, only to immediately lower the first and close the second. Shaking her head she then glares at me. "Is this a joke?"

I shake my head as fast I can without being impolite.

Mikazuki groans. 'Oh boys, things are looking bad. They are looking so very bad...'

"Is my appearance not to your satisfaction, child?" Baskerville's tone is mirthful, its eyes closed.

Homura scowls and crosses her arms. "The only child here is you. Now can all of you drop the comedy and tell us who the real Watchdog-"

Just like it happened with Katsuragi something passes next to the five shinobi before the floor around them simply disappears, leaving behind only a deep circle and the signs of fangs.

"I thought respect for your betters was the first thing they teach you in a Shinobi School." Baskerville's tone is so cold it seems to freeze the air into ice cubes, killing intent so powerful it could be almost physically felt holding the five Shinobi into place. They have gone completely still, their skin pale and eyes wide.

And even after I told them to be polite. I suppress a sigh, silently wondering why Homura was so disbelieving of Baskerville's appearance.

"Though, maybe I shouldn't have expected much from a school overseen by Dogen of all people." It chuckles, the man's name spat like he's the worst of traitors. In a way, he is. "But since I am a kind and merciful individual, I will give you a second chance. Introduce yourself, child, and state your business here." Baskerville commands with a glare.

The next moment the wave of killing intent stops, and the shinobi release the breaths they were holding. Haruka hisses something to Homura, who gulps and nods before taking a step forward and bowing. "I...apologize for my previous words." She stands up, back straight like a soldier. "My name is Homura. Those are my comrades Yomi, Hikage, Mirai and Haruka. Until yesterday we were students at Hebijo Girl's Academy for Shinobi." She bites her lower lips. "I'm sure you know what happened there. Even if he betrayed all of us I still turned my sword to one of Hebijo's investors. This is treason: I couldn't stay at the School, and my comrades decided to follow me. And...instead of becoming Renegade Shinobi, we thought that a possible solution to our current situation is to get hired by an organization that both Good and Evil Shinobi are not willing to antagonize, hoping they decide hunting us is not worth the effort."

"An interesting reasoning." Baskerville comments casually. "So?"

"Please!" Homura bows again, followed by the others. "Let us join the Makai Order!"

"Mh. Mh." The Watchdog hums and nods. "I see."

It rests both hands on its lap and, pulling its head back, begins to laugh loudly. "Ohohohohoh!!"

Rokuro and I exchange a glance. He shakes his head and sighs, prompting me to also sigh.

As Baskerville keeps laughing in mirth I see the confusion on Homura's face slowly turning to outrage. Even if the Watchdog gave proof of its strength I think I have a good enough grasp of the girl's personality to predict...she may very well do something she will regret if things continue this way.

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It's good to be back