Ryuko felt her back folding in dark, wrought-iron. Rolling off missed Satsuki's slicing through it, how they got to the lattice tower something neither cared to question. Her bones rattled when her blade smacked another, again, and again on the fall back to a ground they couldn't see from their place in the clouds. Any in the way tore apart twisting with the pair and not so quick to reform.

"Is this the extent of your new worth, Matoi?!" Satsuki grimaced.

"Shut! The hell! UP!" Ryuko snapped.

On the twirl she flung her blade into Satsuki's riposte. Tall claws popping from her wrists ready she turned her waist to throw her left hand with her right cutting past Satsuki's defense. She shoved her heel into a firm gut hearing the whistle as their drop hastened. Junketsu's eye fired a pronged hook opening the skin of her cheek, and her arms swung to return the favor. It was too late for her attempt as Satsuki's back opened cement, the highest level then the second lowest, finally stopping for a first floor with nothing but cracks and the dampened pain of the impact.

Ryuko shot a glance to see her blade planted in the ground some ways off. Springing from Satsuki's long legs when they spun she dove for it snatching it loose and remaining in her crouch. Swinging it out stopped metal carving past her to open one wall at two ends. Her lungs burning with each breath she noticed Satsuki's heavy bosom moving back and forth...and how she didn't peek at how everything behind her was flattened.

"This was what?" Ryuko caught her breath. "Another ploy to piss me off? It won't work!"

Satsuki kept the sharp edge of her blade about-face. If anything her bent-knee stance left no way in. The clamor not so bothersome anymore it was the dead silence that came after.

"So it would seem," she said like it wasn't so pressing.

Ryuko stood on her own two, her blade grip in both hands and keeping a straight line to protect her middle. The armor-tips poking from her hair felt hot to the touch, not unlike her whole body. The sensation was different. Pleasant. She exhaled for how good it felt.

{What should we do?}

"That's up to her," she said with renewed calm.

Satsuki's longer locks chasing the wind it was easy to hear the crackle of fires she helped start. She was fast. Too fast. When her motion stopped Ryuko heard the slide of metal against stone...as three, towering structures not within arm's reach were cut in two. She turned surprise to her enemy standing still like she didn't move at all.

"RYUKOOOOO!" she heard Mako shout.

Not wanting to take her eyes from Satsuki the small feet pattering at her back were a sound she wanted. Mako brought Son with her, Mikisugi and Tsumugu with guns in hand. As curious was Satsuki's Elite Four lining to her rear in depowered garments she could tell were recent. She puffed her perky chest out and held her blade before it.

"We can do this all day," she ran her mouth.

Even Satsuki's sheathing her weapon opposed Ryuko's brash; slowed, calculated, with perfect symmetry.

"The Nudist Beach is no more. I've accomplished everything I set out to do," she said. "Son. Things are not always what they seem. If she refuses to understand this I assume you will."

Son walked for a spot between differing ideas.

"We want the whole story. I ain't so sure I can cool her jets anymore."

Satsuki denied herself a smile because smiling hurt. She hated the fluttering in her stomach and she hated that he was the cause. Her chopper's rotor blades getting louder it was a sight to see Soroi standing by its exit ramp, balanced, despite the air rushing in. It touched down and no one moved.

"Miss!" he had to raise his voice.

Her Elite Four separated to allow her through bowing as was their custom. When they could follow her they chose to. Junketsu reverting to a less hardened state Mako watched Senketsu mimic the choice. Satsuki not all the way aboard she stood firm to demonstrate why she outshined even the stars. She put her foot down.

"Do not think this an ill-gotten victory, Matoi!"

And as her point was made her ride sealed her in.

{...We did it.}

"Without me losing it," Ryuko sighed her relief. "She still strikes a pose like none of it mattered. Tch. Figures."

{Everyone's survival is the important thing.}

When she turned to see the result it left her humbled.

"Except everyone didn't make it," she muttered. "This can't happen anywhere else."

The glove over her left hand a "Seki Tekko" she brought it up to stare in wonder as she didn't feel when it drew her blood anymore. Her skirt tickled her thighs, like her fringes moving over her brow. She had her strengths and she had friends. She had him. Son took a place at her side to try a different kind of bold. His hand felt as rough as her uniform when it slid along hers. They didn't laugh for Mako's bug-eyed staring like it wasn't their "norm" because it was. Ryuko squeezed his grip, unashamed to.

"Thanks for keeping her safe," she said. Turning to face Mikisugi and Tsumugu's quiet she wasn't about to let Son's hand go. "What now?"

"Satsuki did as she said. She took out our hideouts. Not our people." Mikisugi rubbed the mousse in his hair back. "A lot of the equipment is still intact. Mostly."

"Then it's settled! We take it to 'em with everything we've got!" Mako narrowed her eyes. "I gotta protect my mom, my dad, and my snot-nosed brother. And Guts. And everyone one in Honnō City! And my bottle cap collection!"

Her soft brown eyes lost their warmth as she meant every word.

"...You're all insane. Her especially," Tsumugu grumbled.

"INSANITY IS RELATIVE!" Mako stared for his backing down.

"Mako's got something at stake too. If she wants to help she's gonna," Son cosigned.

He felt Mako squeezing his arm as he angled himself from her as best he could.

{Is there something you want to say, Ryuko?}

Ryuko felt at her sailor-fuku and she was pleased that it was in one piece.

"I'm done talking," she put on resolve. "Mako's right. Enough is enough with the games."


The problem wasn't her bathhouse with its diamond-encrusted walls and overabundance of space. She let the towel wrapping her hair and body be, glad that she was alone, at last. She didn't realize how sore she was until she dipped a toe in the hot spring and winced as it stung. Braving it she let her cover drop and waded in. She sighed for the stiffness melting away from her hips to her neck.

"How does she do it? How can I?" she thought, and she surprised herself in thinking it too bright when she opened her eyes.

"I had no doubt the Raid Trip would be a complete success," her visitor said.

"Mother," Satsuki gasped.

Her arms wrapped her bare chest as if by instinct. Ragyo always surpassed her in confidence. She always wore a smug smile because she knew she did. The seven scars on her back not seen like her hourglass figure Satsuki wondered if she ever blinked a day in her life. Watching her take her time made her skin crawl.

"The Great Culture and Sports Festival can wait for its Student Council President. You'll need to be at your best," she said.

"...Yes mother," Satsuki lowered her gaze.

Ragyo eased herself next to her starting with her hair as she removed what held it over her shoulders.

"It excites you, doesn't it? Or is your enthusiasm for something else? Someone else," she said.

Her daughter relaxed, or tried to, her back against a warm edge as her mother knew precisely where and how to touch. Blocking it out didn't stop her quiver. Ragyo never rushed anything, cupping her daughter's breasts and pinching softly at their erect centers.

"Saiyans. Life Fibers. Kamui against Kamui. I forget your youth. That you've never been with a man. Less so with one as intoxicating. Such is a rare thing. Cherish it. Know that your mother still shares your burden."

As if by design Ragyo worked her hand between her daughter's thighs. Satsuki didn't know whether the tear she shed was for the worst kind of discomfort or the best kind of pleasure.

"Poor child. So deprived," Ragyo smiled for her squirming. "All of that will change with his arrival. The true climax of what COVERS will be. We will bind the heavens, the earth, and mankind, covering all."

Feeling wet fingers stroke in places no daughter's mother ever should Satsuki submitted to the tingle and the faster rush of her blood. Her aching body went limp as it was no longer listening to her. The euphoria only producing shame she clenched her shut eyes tighter, hoping. Any thoughts of him she wanted to be rid of especially when Ragyo whispered, "...Your next objective is a simple one. Bring me Son Goku. Alive..."


x.x.x

"See. Bukūjutsu is a piece of cake," Son said. "I bet you and Satsuki didn't even know you weren't using Senketsu and Junketsu to do it."

Ryuko was less surprised at the remains of the mansion they practiced by. Her sneakers were above the ground with her staying put as long as she thought to.

"I can...fly?" she watched her hands.

{You can. The Shippu form you deemed I take was never needed.}

"...Senketsu...," Ryuko didn't believe it, not feeling the strain and eyeing the collar under her collar, then Son on the ground with his arms crossed.

When her feet touched flat she let hers drop. It wasn't that the morning didn't have sunshine and a nice breeze to compliment the news. Like her Son watched what he used to know in remembrance.

"Here's hoping Mako's family find a safe place in Tokyo," he said.

"Dad wanted the money he left to go toward something that mattered. We didn't need all of it to make do," she said. "Honnō City's not where anyone should have to call home. Let the uppity have their slice of the pie. The looking down on poor people. We'll see how long that lasts."

He noticed no agitation in her expression. Just a focus she didn't fake. She caught him staring.

"...Spit it out jerk," she grinned.

"Heh. Seeing you get stronger is awesome! I told you it would be...not that you ever listen to me."

She socked his shoulder for play and took one step forward. Reaching for the etchings of her father's name, hers, and the manor that once was it wasn't yet rubbed away from the stone missing chunks.

"Saying goodbye shouldn't be this easy, should it?" she turned to ask.

"I don't know. Maybe it isn't a real goodbye," he said.

She didn't amble her way into his personal space to dote on the wisdom.

"Look who's got it all figured out," she said.

Son enjoyed her lettermans jacket smelling like mango. Ryuko didn't mind her softer hands in his, nor her watching his boyish looks as if to wait for the go-ahead. The intent was less about his wild hair or her eyes having a shape only she could lay claim to.

"We might not live to see it," she mentioned, which was truth.

"Maybe not," he smiled to make her less sure. "What's better than going all in? If we lose then it just means we weren't ready."

As much as she loved to fight her face wasn't bruised nor rough when he caressed it. She was gentle to take him by the wrist, offering him her all, or implying she would.

{...Ahem. You two should head back. Mako could return at any moment.}

"Right," she had to grin. "Thanks for the heads up."

She hushed her chuckle and Son wondered why.

"You okay?" he asked.

Ryuko flipped her hair as it was in the way.

"Yeah," she said. "C'mon."

He could stare at her small chin and sometimes sultry gaze for hours but they didn't have the time. Less conspicuous, they had Mako's scooter, so they made their way to it without needing to discuss anything else.


Ryuko preferred the start to her day over the end of it. Where she first "met" Mikisugi turned into something else flat-panel screens took up much of one of its walls and cast everything in green. Mako's snoring couldn't out-noise each one serving as a feed to something or another. She wished Tsumugu and the one who asked her there put on some more clothes.

"The Great Culture and Sports Festival," Ryuko read from one of the screens but its fuzziness made it a chore to. "What the hell is that?"

"A video feed from hidden cameras I had set up inside Honnōji Academy," Mikisugi said. "Don't ask me how."

"If even Kiryuin Ragyo is involved, this must be something big," Tsumugu spoke next.

"Kiryuin Ragyo?" Ryuko repeated like just hearing the name annoyed her.

"The leading figure of the Kiryuin Conglomerate. She's currently using her position as REVOCS CEO to sell clothing laced with Life Fibers all around the world."

Mikisugi shared a glance, or waited to, as Ryuko only mugged at the screen she fixated on.

"Good grief she's blinding!" Tsumugu griped for the abrupt brightness. "She's gaudier than Satsuki!"

"Like mother skank, like daughter skank," Ryuko scoffed.

As they saw the trucks rolling on one of the lower feeds Ryuko glanced to Mako.

"What's this?" Tsumugu leaned.

"They're bringing in Life Fibers by the bulk," Mikisugi said. "...It's for the final experiment! There. At the academy!"

"You mean to tell me the freakin' school is nothing but a massive cage and WE'RE the lab rats?" Ryuko said matching Tsumugu with her arms folded over her chest and a scowl for her doubt.

"That's exactly what I'm saying," Mikisugi nodded. "Why else would she hand out uniforms to the students? It's the only way to test their resistance to it. Give the best to the most useful, subjugate the other schools with military force, and offer everyone else as human sacrifices."

"...To do that you get them to come to this festival crap and convert 'em all at once," Ryuko guessed.

"That doesn't explain Son's role. It's not like they need him for that," Mikisugi wondered.

"Who cares. It ain't happening. Not now. Not ever," Ryuko balled her hand.

{Ryuko.}

"Don't worry. I won't freak out like I did. Your bitter tears were a one time thing."

She watched Tsumugu cock one of his SMGs, which couldn't wake Mako.

"Mako got her family out," she wanted to smile, but didn't. "I don't care if it's with her, her mother, Nui or all of 'em at the same time! I'm settling this thing with Satsuki. Once and for all."


x.x.x

Son had the gall to take himself through the schoolyard. All new the walls remained too high for his tastes. Too white-stoned like they were more important than the lives he hoped to spare. He didn't mind too many heads to count not blocking his path, at his left and his right. She had her Elite Four, Iori and Soroi, but none of her guile. She kept her chin raised from her place on her stairs and locked eyes with a problem she couldn't fix. As she descended all the way Soroi followed.

"Well. I'm here," Son said making sure to not get too close.

The light wasn't so irritating and her appearing from it set the tone. He had to admit she often affected without meaning to.

"I never meant to mislead you," she said.

"Miss," Soroi said as he was concerned.

He kept his mouth closed as she raised a hand.

"But you want me to surrender," Son knew.

He expected someone else in the crowd to object. Satsuki stepped closer, not needing anyone there to kiss her boots nor to protect her. She held her sheathed weapon out as a token.

"If you believe my intentions are not pure...destroy it," she said with a straight face.

"Lady Satsuki!" Gamagori disagreed.

"SILENCE!" Satsuki shot him a cold glance. She wanted to calm herself and tried to. "...Please. This is important to me, Gamagori."

"Milady," Gamagori reached.

Son looked to her hand, what was in it, then everything and everyone around to see the gesture.

"It's special to you," he said. "What kind of guy would I be if i did that?"

Her eyes widened.

"You...mean to comply willingly?" she asked.

"Sure. Getting to the bottom of this is something I gotta do. Everyone's depending on it," he said, and per his usual, he kept it simple.

Satsuki tired of it. When she opened her eyes her arms were around his neck and she was hugging him tighter than she meant to. Even if her berried scent was invasive Son kept his hands off, like if he touched her uniform or otherwise it would incite a riot. She abruptly backed from him. Her heart was beating a mile-a-minute. She didn't have to see the red in her face to know she felt hotter all of a sudden.

"Miss?" Soroi said as he was the only one not stunned.

"I'm...It was just...," she tried to say.

She had to remind them.

"B-bind his hands! At once!" she barked.

Statues weren't so stiff when they animated. Son held his wrists out and made no fuss. Her walking off was worse for her. She couldn't look him in the eye. Not with so many people keeping him from her. Not as they led him towards the new and improved academy building as fast as she willed it.