The days seemingly trickled along for it was not unusual for elongated stretches of time to pass between ranking matches. With sluggish eyes, Risa mindlessly gazed across the city's scope. Evening began to set and Santa Destroy began to wind down. Cars drifted down empty streets, buzzed walkers stumbled lightly across the sidewalk. Risa eyed the Pizza Bat building located off center of the city. The shining, neon lights were what kept her from dozing into slumber – a commodity at this point.

The young woman contorted her body, lying on her back and pointing her toes to the sky. The sensation of rapid vibration nudged her closer to consciousness, turning her head and brushing her hair from her face, Risa yanked the phone, the caller stunning her. "Shinobu?" she murmured, sitting upright quickly. Nervously, she answered the phone, "H-h-hello?" she stuttered, butterflies spinning quickly. There was no sound on the other line for a brief moment. "I didn't think you were still alive." Shinobu chuckled softly. Risa struggled to return laughter.

"It's been a few months, I've called you God knows how many times!" Risa quipped, clenching her teeth. Shinobu released an incensed sigh, "I'm sorry that I didn't tell you where I was." She moaned irritably. Risa huffed, "Fine, whatever. What's the news?" "I'd rather tell you face-to-face. Meet me in front of the Burger shop." She stated, hanging up before Risa had the chance to reply. She shut her phone and gathered herself. Scooting towards the rooftop doorway, she slipped down the ladder, quickly grabbing her much needed belongings.

Risa stood in the misty wind for all of about ten minutes until Shinobu arrived. Her appearance was drastically dissimilar. While her pure white hair remained the same, her clothing was not. Shinobu's exterior had matured, her black, spaghetti strap ruffled dress, exposed her chest. Her black lace stocking and shining sword stood out. Risa was amazed.

"I'm assuming you're happy to see me?" Shinobu greeted, extending her arms. The two embraced. "Where in the hell have you been?" Risa shouted, catching the attention of the arbitrary customers. Shinobu silenced the woman immediately. "Look, I had to do a bit of training. I couldn't tell you where I was." She explained. Risa was not satisfied with this answer, but made no other sound.

Clarifying Risa's life details, the friends made up for lost time. Within moments, a sharp ringing and searing light shot through the curtains of Travis Touchdown's motel room. Both women gawked at the sight. "What the fuck is that asshole doing now?" Risa groaned, shifting from the chair, her beam katana at her side.

Shinobu and Risa sprinted across the street, skipping up the motel steps leading to Travis's room. With either woman on each side of the door, Shinobu kicked the wooden door with might, breaking it in half. "WHOA! Can you fuckin' knock?" he bellowed, rushing to fasten his jeans. "Ugh, Geez Travis, that's pathetic." Risa commented, waltzing into the room.

"What's it matter to you?" he retaliated. Risa walked to the source of attention, peering into his bedroom. A grey stone pod in the shape of Henry was in the beginning stages of thawing. Henry was seemingly mumbling violently in this slumber. "So, this is what happened to the poor fellow?" Risa mocked, flicking a piece of paper at the bed ridden man.

Her statement went ignored as Travis and Shinobu were locked in a heated conversation. "Look, it's just not right!" Travis plead, Shinobu held a defeated expression. Travis immediately dashed from the room, hearing his phone ring loudly. Shinobu sat on the small couch, her head in her hand. "So, what do we do with this ol' coot?" Risa shouted back to her.

"By the looks of it, he'll be completely unthawed in a few hours. Someone has to stay here and watch him." Shinobu informed, gazing at her own cellular device – which began to vibrate. Risa glimpsed over her shoulder, irritably. "Don't tell me that's Christel?" she mumbled. Shinobu merely glanced up and bobbed her 'fro. "Yeah, I'm sorry, but I have a ranking match." She announced, rising from the seat and exiting.

Risa turned her head back to the capsule taking up enormous space on the bed. "Well, it looks like it's just you and I." she sighed, kicking off her boots.

The hours trekked by rather slowly, daylight began to creep in the window. "Well if it isn't the lovely and ever so beautiful Risa Jenkins." Henry said, hovering over her. Risa jolted upright, her face meeting his chin. "What in the hell? How long have you been awake?" she quizzed, tossing on her jeans. Henry eyed her, "For quite some time now. His appearance was disheveled, as if he'd been in his own match. "Don't worry, there was no funny business." He assured her, fixing his clothing. "You might want to hurry, we've got business to take care of." He shouted at her from the living space.