CHAPTER 1: A NEW BEGINNING
After the days of silence in Honnouji Academy following the downfall of Ragyo Kiryuin and the Life Fibers, things at the Academy were getting back to normal. The only difference was that school was still out, and students were replaced with construction workers who endlessly worked on the structure. Satsuki Kiryuin, as always, stood at her perch, standing above the rest, only Ryuko accompanied her, arms folded across her chest. A gentle breeze blew through Satsuki's hair, and she turned to face Ryuko. "I suppose you'll enjoy your days off with the Makanshoku family, huh?" A hint of disappointment was in her voice. Ryuko picked up on it, and nodded. "Yeah, I'll need to stop by, but only to tell 'em that you were kind enough to sleep on the floor and give up your bed for your 'lil sis to crash at your place."
Satsuki raised an eyebrow. "That so? I don't easily give in to demands, but I can make arrangements for a place to sleep for you." Ryuko frowned. "Aw, sis. Here I thought you had a real big bed you were lookin' to give away, but I guess I was wrong." Satsuki laughed softly. "It certainly wouldn't be the first time." Ryuko rolled her eyes, and stared down at the workers below. Obnoxious clanks and bangs were coming from their work, but Ryuko had picked up selective hearing from Mako. "So this is how you feel standing above everybody."
"Are you acquiring a taste for it?" Ryuko laughed. "Ha! I'm getting nauseous just standing up here!" Satsuki scratched her brow. "You fell from space without a parachute but you're afraid of this?" Ryuko looked away in silence, painful memories stabbing at her heart. Satsuki took a look of concern. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up Senketsu again." Satsuki was well out of character compared to her normal composed self. She was trying hard to develop a sisterly relationship with the only family she had left. "Oi, I'll tell you what. We'll go shopping later to get you some new clothes!" Ryuko eyed her. "Why would we do that?" Satsuki chuckled. "You've been wearing my spare uniforms." Ryuko blushed lightly, then nodded. "Yeah, okay." Satsuki cracked a smile. "Sorry sis, but I need to get down to the Academy and meet with the Sewing club." Ryuko nodded again, and Satsuki walked off. Ryuko started a brisk pace toward the tram that would take her to the slums where the Mankanshoku family lived.
Ryuko kept her head down because everywhere she looked in the academy she saw Senketsu and herself, and memories lurked in every corner of the school. She knew that Senketsu would have wanted her to be happy, and be glad for the time spent with him, instead of mourning the time stolen, but she couldn't move on without her closest friend and of the only things left behind by her father. Not only a uniform, but a friend made just for her. Now all she had were the scissor blades, which she did not restore to one piece.
Stepping onto the tram, Ryuko sat alone, leaning against the window, looking down to her destination in the slums. She tried to think of ways to explain that she was leaving her "adopted" family to stay with her sister for a while, but she couldn't think of a method that wasn't blunt. She doubted she would miss the mystery ingredients in her food, but she would definitely miss the first few to treat her like family.
"Oi, Mako, are you there?" She rapped her knuckles on the door, waiting for a response. The door crashed open, and every member of the Mankanshoku family was present. "Welcome home, Ryuko!" She scratched at her scalp. "Uh, hey guys. I'm going to be staying with my sister for a little while, but I will definitely visit. I want to thank you all for your hospitality." Mr. and Mrs. Mankanshoku bolted forward. "No need, dear, you're one of us. Enjoy yourself, and don't hesitate to visit!"
"Okay, well I'll see you guys around." Mr. and Mrs. Mankanshoku charged forward, embracing Ryuko in a bear hug. Mataro and Mako clung to her hips, and Guts was stuck fast to her ankle. Standing awkwardly, Ryuko backed away, saying her farewells, then returned to the academy.
"Satsuki, I looked at the pieces you've recovered, but I can't guarantee that I'll be able to make anything from them, especially not what you're asking!" Satsuki wore an annoyed expression. "Fine, I'll take care of it by myself." Satsuki took the box of fabric and ran off. Looks like Iori will not fulfill my wishes, so I'll have to do it myself. On the way home, she "bumped" into someone. "Ow! Hey wa-, oh, hey Sis'." Ryuko sat rubbing her rear, and Satsuki dusted herself off. "Hello, Ryuko. I just finished consulting the Sewing Club with their matters of business without life fibers. They are going to just make clothing as humans have been, excluding REVOCS, that is." Ryuko followed her. "So, where are we going?" Satsuki scratched her chin and thought for a moment.
"Now that I think about it, let's go shopping now!" Ryuko looked down at her borrowed clothes. "Yeah, okay." The two stormed down the hall, first to stop for cash, then to the stores in the finer residential areas of Honnouji. Unfortunately, Satsuki and Ryuko have completely different tastes in clothing. Where Satsuki would find a dress or a formal suit, Ryuko would look for more casual clothes, like shorts and t-shirts. "Okay, Satsuki, this isn't working. We need to find a compromise." Satsuki thought for a moment, then snapped her fingers. "I've got it!" She grabbed Ryuko by the wrist and sprinted out of one store and zipped through the streets to another.
Ryuko waited patiently while Satsuki tore through aisles, and looked up to find her holding a black t-shirt with a tight pair of jeans. "Like it?" Ryuko shrugged. Satsuki frowned, then darted back into the aisles and returned with the same shirt and a pair of shorts. "How about his?" Ryuko was a deeper red than a lobster. "Aren't those... a little short?" Satsuki frowned, then sighed, once again disappearing into the store. She returned once more with a black button up shirt and a black pair of jeans. "Alright, this, or you get my outfit in your choice of color." Ryuko rolled her eyes. "Whatever, I'll take it." Satsuki darted to the counter to purchase the outfits, including the ones Ryuko wasn't a big fan of, then grabbed Ryuko and took a cab back to the academy.
"I grabbed you a few extra outfits, so that's done. Now I've got a surprise for you!" Ryuko raised an eyebrow. "Should I be concerned?" Satsuki giggled, and tapped the cab driver's shoulder, then whispered in his ear. "Right away, Miss Satsuki." Before Ryuko could get further information from Satsuki, the cab stopped. She turned her head and read the sign on the building. "Throw Hot Springs: Throw your worries away!"
"Satsuki? I don't think this will be... fun." Satsuki gave her a daring look. "What's the matter, still afraid to be naked around others?" Ryuko blushed. "No! I just don't think this type of thing is for me." Satsuki chuckled. "Of course it is, and besides, you've been living with the Mankanshokus. An image of Guts came to mind, and Ryuko swallowed loudly. "Hey Satsuki, what's with the drastic change of character?" Satsuki looked back at her. "Did you think I'm some sort of dictator? I did what I had to do to combat life fibers. Of course I'd be nice to my sister!" Ryuko drooped her shoulders and muttered. "I sure wish you knew I was your sister a long time ago..."
Before long, Ryuko was following Satsuki down a hall to a changing room, then to an isolated spring. "Enjoy, ladies." The woman bowed, and exited the room. Out of habit, Ryuko checked for the Mankanshoku boys before dropping her towel and joining her sister in the water. "Ahhhhhhhhhh, this feels nice." Satsuki was grinning. "Yeah, but I never had someone to talk to in here before." Ryuko peered into the water, staring at her feet. "So this will be our everyday life from now on?" Satsuki gave her a curious look. "I suppose, but we will have variety. I understand we don't have large duties like before, but you'll have school soon, and I run that very school, so we'll be busy." Ryuko frowned at the mention of school. "Can't you just let me graduate early?" Satsuki laughed. "Then you'd never learn a thing." Ryuko eyed her, then laid back. "I wish I had this when I was tearing through those monkeys you sent after me." Satsuki laughed, and slapped her shoulder. "Then you would have never become so strong!" The two sat in silence for a few moments, broken by Satsuki. "We should sit down one time and plan things like our birthdays and holidays." Ryuko laughed. "I don't think you should count your birthdays old lady!" Satsuki growled. "I am not so much older than you, whippersnapper!"
Ryuko burst out laughing, and Satsuki joined her, until bubbles arose from under Ryuko, causing her to blush. Satsuki shot out of the water, and grabbed her towel. "By the smell, you ate with the Mankanshokus, right?" Ryuko was a deep red. "I only had a bite..." She then rose from the water, and followed her sister back to the changing room, where Satsuki handed her a new pair of clothes. "They don't look half bad on you." Ryuko rolled her eyes. "Whatever makes you happy, Satsuki."