Disclaimer: Shinkenger is not mine but Toei's.

The Imposter

Chapter One: These Strings Are Thin

A/N: A little idea that ran through my head at the preview for Shinkenger Act 44.


"Imposter."

Soon, Shiba Takeru was thrown to the ground groaning in pain while the rest of the shinkengers stared blankly at the figure in front of them.

There stood ShinkenRed, only, ShinkenRed was a girl and expressed a bland intent to get rid of the other ShinkenRed.

"Tono-sama!" screams Ryuusouke and Kotoha. Whether they are calling for Takeru, or the other ShinkenRed no one was really sure.

"I am Shiba Kaoru. The true lord of the Shiba manor, come, the Gedoshu will not wait for us" the female ShinkenRed orders the vassals. There is not sudden reply; everyone is hesitant, tension thick in the air. Do they follow the orders of the now lord, or Takeru? "If it is loyalty that causes your doubt, then I will eliminate it." Kaoru raises her sword and slashes swiftly at Takeru who is still on the ground, beaten and shamed.

Suddenly, as if déjà vu happens, Mako jumps in front of Takeru blocking the hit with her sword. Kaoru is appalled by the action. "You are MY vassal. You listen to me. Get away from him." Anger seethes from Kaoru's voice.

"No. I never agreed to be your vassal. I put my life in his hands, not yours." Mako says as she slowly stands up to guard Takeru.

"Mako…" The fallen lord whispers. The time with Dayu and Juuzo playing in his head, her taking the hit for him, her talking to him, asking him to remember their promise.

Suddenly with a blinding pink, ShinkenPink stands before Takeru, fighting stance ready and alert. ShinkenPink turns her head slowly towards Takeru locking gazes with him through her helmet. "Do you believe in me, Takeru? I believe you, so you have the only hands I will put my life into willingly." She turns back and stares down ShinkenRed, "And you. I will never follow you, even if my life depended on it."

"Fine. Have it your way. But know that you have created a enemy far worse then what you have dealt with ever before. The rest of you, follow me." And she turns and walks away, haughty and head held up high in the air.

Ryuusouke is stumped. He has devoted his life to his lord, but now there were two lords. Who do I follow? He looks at Kaoru's retreating back and Takeru's withered form. Closing his eyes, he knows he will regret what he will do. Takeru is his friend, but he has pledged his whole life into serving a lord. If Kaoru is his Tono-sama, it is only the correct and honourable thing to do by submitting his life to her. I am sorry Tono- Takeru.

Kotoha stares longingly at Mako's and Takeru's backs, she has replaced her sister's role as shinkenger, something that took forever until recently to accept. Tono-sama…is Tono-sama she remembers saying. But…Tono-sama is no longer Tono-sama. She thinks about the new revelation too. She is not as strong as Mako, who has long before separated the order to serve and the choice of friendship. Kotoha look's down to the dirt under her feet, should she stay with Takeru? Or follow Kaoru and hold onto the one thing both her and her sister had worked so diligently for? Nee-san, what decision is right?

Genta has no decision, in facts he laughs at the audacity Kaoru has to command him away from his friend. Genta would rather throw away his sushi dream then to even think twice about betraying Takeru. Take-chan. Don't worry, me and Daigoyu are by your side.

Chiaki is simple minded to say the least. Takeru has let him have years of fun and slacking before calling him to battle. Kaoru has done nothing but beat up Takeru and stick her nose far too high in the air for his liking. I still need to beat you Takeru, so I am not leaving just yet.

Chiaki breaks from his thoughts and looks up at the sounds of footsteps. Ryuusouke's face is hard and eyes are full of regret. "I am sorry Takeru!" he yells as he bows to the fallen lord before walking off and following Kaoru.

"Tono-sama..." Kotoha looks at Takeru with pleading eyes. Before turning and following Ryuusouke away.

Takeru in the arms of Mako looks at their retreating backs, while what was left of the shattered shinkengers closed their eyes in disappointment.