When Shin left, Naoki knelt down on the ground in front of Akio. Even pretending to be loyal, which he had done from the beginning, filled him with shame. He had no love for Akio, and only his spell kept him bound to him at all. But still he went through the motions. And his recent failure only filled him with bitterness.

"Master," he said without inflection.

"I'm disappointed, Naoki. I thought you were better than this."

He did not reply. There was nothing he could say in his defense. His only regret was he had not seen Tsukiko one last time. He looked at the ground, preparing for Akio's judgment and his punishment.

"I am not going to kill you. I am not that crude," Akio said.

Naoki did not lift his head, lest he show his shock. "What do you plan on doing with me, then?"

"I have need of you. War is coming and there is yet time for you to prove yourself."

"And the witch?"

"I will deal with her in short order. But I suspect this is just a taste of her meddling." He frowned. "We will need to be even more vigilant than ever."

"Yes, Master."

"Do not disappoint me again, Naoki. I will not be as forgiving next time."

He bowed deep. There was still time, another chance to find this woman who could free Tsukiko. He knew Akio was being generous because he had won, but then and there he swore to himself: This was not the end. He would find Tsukiko and he would end the guardian's life with his bare hands.

What was one Hanyou's life compared to Rin's?

tex, Ux