Kuroshi watched as Tetsuya yelled several times over a gray tombstone while Serrano watched not too far away. The neophyte knight let out a frustrated groan as his shield failed to manifest for the hundredth time.

"Why won't it work again?" Tetsuya asked, shaking his head. He stared at the tombstone, trying to hold back the tears forming on the edges of his eyes.

"Relax," Serrano said, walking over to his cousin. He put a hand on his shoulders. "Your back is tense. Perhaps that's what's keeping you from activating it."

"You really think it's that? I activated it during the midst of battle, that's more stressful than this."

"You are overthinking things," Kuroshi said, emerging from behind an old apple tree. He reached his right hand out and directed his eyes toward the cousin. "Serrano, hand me Aventine."

"Huh?" Serrano said, eyes wide.

"You heard me, hand it here. This time it'll be my turn to test Tetsuya."

Serrano glanced at his cousin, who showed the same look of confusion. Neither understood how he would be able to use it as Aventine only transformed for its chosen ones. Nonetheless, the blue-haired knight removed his crystal earring and tossed it at the masked man.

Kuroshi grasped it with both hands and chuckled. Flares of dazzling purple light shot out of the areas between his gloved fingers. Once the light faded, a rust-colored sword appeared in his hands.

"No way," the cousins said. "How did you do it?"

"Woah there, you two are twins or something?" He chuckled as he swung Aventine slightly, creating a gust of wind capable of sending the two cousins flying several feet away.

"Such strength," Tetsuya said, his arms crossed over his face.

"He's not even Aventine's chosen," Serrano said, grunting against the pressure of the relentless wind.

Kuroshi ran a gloved hand through Aventine's sleek blade. The look he was giving it was like that of a man reunited with a beloved friend. "Tetsuya, try to protect your cousin."

Tetsuya tilted his head at the man. "Huh?"

Kuroshi glanced up and charged at Serrano, prompting Tetsuya to push his cousin aside. Quickly, Tetsuya raised his right arm over his face as if that would be enough to stop Aventine.

The sword came to a halt as the edge of the blade was one centimeter from striking his arm. Yet, Tetsuya's right sleeve was torn, and the multi-pound weights hidden underneath it shattered. Dark red blood oozed down the arm as the shards of his weights came crashing down, sinking several feet into the ground.

Kuroshi whistled. "You were actually carrying all that? Well, you're lucky you were. Otherwise, your arm would've met the same fate as those weights."

Tetsuya glared at Kuroshi yet at the same time smiled. "Yeah, I guess you can say I am lucky."

The masked man lowered his sword as his eyes shifted toward the silver and gold bracelet remaining on Tetsuya's right wrist. "I was sure that your shield would activate if I attacked your cousin. Maybe if I attack the princess, then it'll work."

"You won't be attacking anyone else!" Tetsuya yelled as he appeared behind Kuroshi. The man gasped as Tetsu threw a punch at the speed of sound.

"Good, at least your fighting skills have improved in this past month," Kuroshi said, blocking Tetsuya's fist with his pinky.

Tetsuya's eyes widened. He hadn't even seen him move!

"Alas, this still isn't enough," the man continued. "You and the others need more power if you desire to protect those you hold most dear!" He flicked the air.

Before Tetsuya knew it, he had been sent back by the incredible air-pressure the flick had generated.

Like a spirit, Kuroshi appeared above him and lightly stepped on his stomach before jumping off. Still, the momentum from his light step remained, sending Tetsuya crashing into the ground.

The brunette knight groaned as he found himself several meters underground. His body hadn't ached this badly since he fought Suzuki, even compared to this, that was but a flesh wound.

"Come on, giving up already? I haven't even warmed up," Kuroshi called out from the edge of the crater as he pointed Aventine at him. "Imagine how disappointed the previous owner of this mighty blade would be if he were here."

Tetsuya closed his eyes. Hot tears dripped down his face, causing a stinging sensation to run down his face.

He knew it already. He didn't need to hear it from him or anyone else. There was no way he would ever be like his father, especially when he couldn't even get his angel tool to transform at will.

The masked man shook his head. "How sad."

"Aventine, return!" Tetsuya heard Serrano yell. Aventine flashed out of Kuroshi's hands. "Who do you think you are? Talking to him like that? You don't know anything about what he's been through! I am sure that if given a chance, Tetsuya will surpass my uncle! As will I!"

Kuroshi chuckled. "Bold words, coming from someone who could barely move after teleporting a few miles."

Tetsuya clenched his fists tighter. He couldn't believe his ears. Someone actually dared to insult Serrano in front of him.

Serrano let out a smug chuckle. "I won't deny it. I might be considered the strongest of the Seven-Hills of my generation, but I am still not at my uncle's level. Nor that of others in his generation when they were my age. While I seek to one day overtake them, know that I do not live in their shadow!"

"Such resolve. You truly have matured," Kuroshi said before vanishing from Tetsuya's view. Tetsuya's eyes widened as he saw Serrano being flung around in the air like a living ping-pong ball. "Yet, you must know that resolve isn't all! Just watch your whimpering cousin, his resolve isn't enough for him to awaken Agnes again!"

Serrano suddenly came to a halt directly above the crater as a light-blue aura encased his entire body. He had somehow managed to stop Kuroshi's fist. "You may insult me, but do not ever insult Tetsuya!" Serrano screamed as the energy around him grew thicker. It was so great that small burn-like marks had started to appear on the fist he was clenching.

Kuroshi let out a deep laugh. "Very good. I can see that it was the right choice to choose you as Aventine's successor, after all."

The lanky blue-haired young man smirked. "Thanks, now if you would so kindly leave this place."

Kuroshi sighed. "Sorry. I can't do that. I must retake Agnes. While Tekeshi made the right choice with you, you didn't do the same by picking his youngest son. Perhaps one of his other children would've sufficed."

The cyan aura around Serrano intensified anew as he shot Kuroshi a death glare. "I didn't pick Tetsuya because he's my cousin! I picked him because, for me, he is a hero! He might hold a somewhat child-like image of what a knight should be, but to me, that is why he is the right one. Sometimes a little idealism is needed!"

Tetsuya closed his eyes and smiled despite the pain doing so caused to his face. He stuck the dirt with his hands, pushing himself off of the ground.

"Hero, huh?" Kuroshi asked. He scoffed. "How did a feckless youth such as himself earn such a title from you?"

Serrano took a deep breath as he let go of Kuroshi's fist. He landed on the ground as the aura that had washed over him faded.

"Hmm? I was pretty sure you were going to attack me? Don't tell me that it took all of your energy to stop that insignificant punch?" Kuroshi mused. He reached his hand out. "Aventine!" Serrano gasped as the sword returned to Kuroshi. "Render!"

"No, you don't!" Tetsuya yelled as he jumped out of the crater and took the full force of the attack.

"What are you doing?" Serrano yelled as he stood up. He watched in horror as a mixture of bright light and dust devoured his cousin. "I could've dodged that! You idiot!"

"Hey, what happened to the confidence you had in me a moment ago? Don't tell me it was just a bunch of pretty words."

The Seven-Hill let out a muffled laugh as the dust cleared. "You idiot! Don't scare me like that!"

Tetsuya stood in front of Kuroshi with a silver shield in hand. "You were saying? Mr. Death Angel?"

Aventine vanished, returning to Serrano's hand. Kuroshi took a step forward and clapped his hands. "Well done, kiddo. I knew you could do it."

Tetsuya frowned. "Do not call me that either, unless if you wish to take my father's place in that right there tombstone."

Kuroshi gawked at the tombstone. "You're threatening me? When I haven't even used my full power? You know what, I take back what I said before. You are an interesting guy after all.

I am looking forward to seeing how you grow... Though perhaps I am getting ahead of myself. You still need to transform Agnes at will."

The muscular youth closed his eyes. Agnes returned back to its bracelet form. He took a step back and tried to recall the sensation he had both times he had changed Agnes' shape. A bright silver light radiated outward, blinding both Serrano and Kuroshi.

"Is this good enough?" Tetsuya asked as a cocky grin dotted his face.

Kuroshi shook his head, trying to get the floating green dots to disappear. "Yeah."

Tetsuya chuckled before shutting his eyes anew. His knees buckled, causing his weight to shift forward.

"Woah, easy there, kiddo," Kuroshi yelled, appearing in front of Tetsuya. He held the young man up. "This isn't a good place to have a nap."

Serrano chuckled. "Not again. He really is starting to develop a habit."

"Oh right, he was falling asleep after your battle on the day we met," Kuroshi said, chuckling. He put one of Tetsuya's arms around his neck. "Mind helping me out, Serra?"

Serrano grumbled.

"It's Serrano for you. Only my family may call me Serra. Even then, I don't like it when they do that," the silver-eyed Seven-Hill said as he walked over to help with Tetsuya.

"What's going on here?" a voice boomed. Running over to the three was Anis, who carried a bouquet of flowers preserved by an aura of mana which only Kuroshi could make out.

"For me? You shouldn't have," Kuroshi said, chuckling.

Anis rolled her eyes at him. "These are for Tekeshi, not Kuroshi," she said, putting the bouquet behind her back. "Now, what happened to little Tetsuya?"

Kuroshi ran his right hand through his shaggy black hair. "Stop that, you're starting to sound like my mother. If Tetsu were awake, he would be mortified to hear you speak of him like some infant."

The violet haired woman gave him a stern look. "Wait a moment, it was you, wasn't it? You did this to him!"

The masked man laughed nervously. "Uh, maybe..."

"Maybe?" she snapped at him. "Don't maybe me, mister! Go get him home right now and tend to his wounds!"

Kuroshi nodded. "Yes, ma'am." He lowered his head and snickered. This must be how my pa felt with Ma. Pa...

***



[Night- Tetsuya's House]

Anis removed her pearl necklace and placed it into her drawer. It was the only piece of jewelry she owned. However, it was more than a simple jewel, far more.

"Noticed that you've been avoiding me most of this time. Still mad about my entrance in the morning and my harsh training methods?" a voice spoke into her ear. Her breath escaped her lungs. He looked up and saw the masked man reflected in the mirror.

"What are you doing here? How did you get in?" she asked, standing up from her seat.

The man rose to his full height and snickered. "I've been here for a while now. It seems that these last two and a half decades have dulled your senses."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "My senses are perfectly fine! I am not rusty at all. As for you being here..." She stomped toward him and pushed him toward the window. "Ever heard that it's rude to enter a lady's room without permission? Now, get out!"

The masked man sighed. "Awww, come on now, I just wanted to figure out why you're giving the cold shoulder to your old acquaintance."

She stopped and turned around. Her hands hugged her shoulders. "It's been so long. That's all. Seeing ya again after all these years is awkward. Never expected ya to return to my life like this."

Kuroshi snickered. "Your accent! It's back!"

Anis' face flushed. She faced him once again and stomped her foot on the purple carpeted floor. "Wha? It's not, ya idiot!" She clasped her mouth. Damn, he got me...

The maker of the five weapons of prophecy snickered. "Cute!"

Tetsu's mother turned pinker. "It's not!"

"It is!"

She puffed her cheeks and averted his gaze. "Jerk!"

"Ha, just like old times," he said, pumping his fists into the air. "I win!"

"Honestly, you're more insufferable with that stupid mask on. Is it too tight that it prevents oxygen from reaching that brain of yours?"

"No, it's not," he said, leaning in. "Though if you want, I can take it off, and perhaps more."

Anis's face went from pink to bright red. "You pervert! I won't take your harassment!"

Kuroshi grinned behind the mask. "Then kick me out. I know you have the power to kick me out, not that I will put up any resistance. I am a gentleman, after all."

Anis rolled her eyes and scoffed. "What kind of gentleman barges into a woman's room and flirts with her while she's getting ready to go to bed?"

He shifted to her right and extended out a hand, pressing it against the wall adjacent to the plain white door out of the room.

Anis found herself between the wall and him.

The masked man lifted his mask and leaned in closer. "You sure do play hard to get," he said before drawing closer. "Though I know that you pine for me just like when we were younger."

Anis' body tingled as she felt his warm breath against the nape of her neck. "I-I really hate you," she mumbled before wrapping her arms around his waist. Kuroshi's eyes widened as her moist lips touched his. It had been years since he had last felt this warmth.

Kuroshi broke away and grinned. "You say that despite holding me like this?" he asked before stealing a kiss of his own.

Anis released her grip from around the man's waist and pushed him away. She gave him a sly smile. "Alright, perhaps I don't completely hate ya. Unfortunately, that's all ya be gettin' from me tonight."

The blacksmith grumbled before smiling. He stepped closer, but she backed away. He pouted. "What? Hey, ya serious? Ya can't do this to me! Not after that!"

The woman chuckled. "Seems ya own accent returned," she said as she leaned in closer and kissed him again, pushing him back as she did so. "There, a little extra," she said, breaking away yet again.

Kuroshi smiled. "Come on, stop teasing me!"

She put an index finger against his lips and grinned widely.

"Maybe if you were less of a jerk, then I would have given you a little more."

"So if I behave, will you?" he asked, grinning. If his tail was it, it would be wagging.

She snickered. "Perhaps." Her grin grew wider. "Alright, I do have something else."

She stepped back and lingered there for a while, causing Kuroshi to gulp as he anticipated her next move. After what felt like an eternity, she stepped forward and began to unzip his black shirt. Kuroshi gulped as the woman ran her slender fingers down his adonic chest, causing his face to heat up even more than it already was. It had been ages since he felt such excitement.

Anis smiled shyly as she leaned in. "Good night, Shi," she whispered in a seductive tone.

He snickered. "Good night?"

Kuroshi gasped as she slammed her palms against his chest, sending him falling back. He turned around and saw the still wide-open window. The man turned his gaze back at her in amazement even as he fell.

"I'll be sure to lock the window real tight this time!" she yelled as he landed on the ground with a loud thud.

He rubbed his head and stood up. "I take back what I said about you growing rusty!" he yelled as he heard Anis laugh as she closed the window.

Anis laughed. "Ya better!"

He grinned.

At least I made her laugh. Sure brings back memories... Ahhh! That reminds me! I forgot to tell her Osamu's message! Well, guess I'll leave that for tomorrow. For now, I need to find a place to sleep. Darn that woman, still playing hard to get...

His smile widened as he put back on his mask

However, she must know that it only makes me desire her more and more. Oh well, she'll come around eventually, just like before.

**Solar Note: What did you think of Kuroshi? Quite the character, isn't he? As is Anis xD. Next chapter marks the true start of this story's second arc :3**