Ryuko could control her fall with Son, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, covered in his worn undershirt as he thought she would catch a chill. She could see what was her doing. Damage to the main deck smoldered to make her rethink mistakes.
{Ryuko!}
She saw Senketsu able to short hop himself over to her, Mako no worse for the wear, and Satsuki wearing something else. He jumped to wrap her arms with his sleeves.
"Chill. I'm all right," she said, a tad sheepish, forgetting how tight he could squeeze.
"We thought you two blew each other up!" Mako held her with him.
Son took his shirt back when she offered it, turning to let her change.
"You gave us a scare, transfer student," Nonon said.
"Trust me. I got my comeuppance. That thing hurt like hell to take off." Ryuko rolled her neck, pulled her glove on. "Where'd it go?"
"We gave its remains to Iori. He'll know what to do," Satsuki said.
They looked to Mako waiting with the biggest smile. She extended Ryuko's weapon.
"Thanks," Ryuko grinned, taking it. "I say you trash it."
"That would be a BIG no no. I made that just for you luv!"
Gamagori moved front and center as he was the furthest ahead of the group.
"Nui Harime. Of all the times to show your disturbing face!" he said.
Nui closed her parasol as she didn't need it to land on ruffled pink shoes.
"No one was talking to you naked ape," she lowered her higher pitch. "Speak out of turn again and I'll skin you alive."
If her allies were unsettled Ryuko wasn't. Like Nui, she was on the move with her weapon down.
"Everyone stay back," she said.
Those behind her didn't see Senketsu harden. His imposing edges revealed too much of her short statured shapely, not a blemish on her, none of her recent injuries stuck.
"Since we're on the subject...you're gonna give me what's mine," she left no room for arguing.
"Oh. You mean this?" Nui drew hers and twirled its opened handle around her wrist to taunt. "Come and get it."
"She's baiting you, Matoi. If you snap again there's no way we can take the both of you," Sanageyama said, forgetting Son and Satsuki were there, holding the tanto Satsuki offered him at his fore.
Instead of fear at the claim Ryuko's glance met Satsuki's, then Son's. If she was waiting for them to agree with her they didn't have to say they did. She calmed her expression with the intent. Nui's lunges arched by her left and her right too quickly for some. Those that could see the gap knew how large it was.
"Hup hup!" Nui replied with pep. "You're a lot more fun to play with now, Ryuko!"
"And YOU'RE losing your edge!" Ryuko swung once yet it seemed as if she didn't.
Pushed along her squared heels Nui nearly tripped over herself. Her enemy felt no strain when lifting her knee, curved her weapon three times, stopped behind her target to hold it out as its tip reached to the left of her. Nui had to look to feel it; her arm was missing and the sting always waited for her to notice before it pierced. She shook for the mental anguish taking a toll.
"... You can never just die like a good little skank can you!?" she mumbled.
Triggered, she ran as fast as she could at Ryuko keeping her nerve.
"RAAAAHNHHNH!" she cried letting spittle leave her mouth.
It cost her another limb and the blade she didn't let go of when it flew off. Ryuko caught its purple sheen before it scraped against the deck, splashed by the geyser that was Nui's blood pooling around her heels. There were no words she could muster, she finally had both in hand. They all heard the approaching chopper but didn't see the woman in white hanging from a roped ladder until it came and went. Nui squirmed like a wild beast to free herself. They were a ways off just as quickly. Ryuko clenched her teeth. She wanted so badly to jump.
"We shouldn't just let her go like that!" she glared at it until it was less noisy.
{You've lost a lot of blood, Ryuko. I won't let you make the same mistake again!}
Her muscles stiff, she couldn't move, realizing Senketsu wouldn't let her. Huffing, when she turned, Son was there. Her uniform went limp to fall as something gentler, her fringes relaxing over her eyes.
"Tell me what's up," Son worried.
He was near enough to touch. Looking at him longer than usual wasn't awkward anymore. She blamed their kiss in the clouds, among other things. Ready to drop her blades she figured then and there wasn't the right time.
"We finally got both of 'em," she said with them out like she needed him to see.
Son grinned for it, then backed off as several of the anxious were on the way. Mikisugi arrived with armed men and women in a hurry, the clanking of hand grenades on their hip holsters not as loud as their rapid steps.
"We're tracking them," he stopped to say.
"Don't bother. They're headed back to Honnoji Academy," Satsuki shared. "Matoi. Son. Come with me. It's time you learned the whole truth."
Everyone looked to the three like they were the last vestige of hope. They only considered the elephant in the room.
x.x.x
Nui kept her heel to Rei's chest drenching her in the fluid that had yet to stop squirting all over the helicopter's cargo hold.
"Let me out!" she fumed. "Who asked you for help?! I haven't been beaten yet!"
Not fazed at all, it was ice cold, Rei wasn't as quick to open her mouth.
"Please calm yourself, Grand Courtier. What can you possibly do in your condition? How do you intend to apologize to Mistress Ragyo for losing both of your arms...again?"
Realizing she wasn't out of breath Nui's heaving stopped. She smiled like she was the victor, like she heard nothing Rei said.
Head held high she turned her nose up and spun in place. "... What I intend is none of your business. Hurry back to Honnoji Academy!"
Her blazer ruined Rei noticed more than Nui's sudden change of attitude. Her only eye wasn't steady as it turned her way.
"When this is over, I'll teach you what happens when someone mouths off at me," her voice quivered.
Rei ignored the threat, barely amused with what she didn't think to let her in on.
x.x.x
"Soichiro...our father...knew what Ragyo was. What she thought to do," Satsuki stood in a room's brushing her longcoat in shadowy red.
Poor lighting didn't help the ambiance. It didn't please her to see Junketsu's pieced together ogling from behind its protective case. She thanked Son, Ryuko, and Iori's presence to keep her distracted.
"Will it be ready?" she asked ignoring it.
"Fused with a mixture of Mat...forgive me...Ryuko's, blood, yours, and Senketsu's Life Fibers," Iori said. "You should be resting, Lady Satsuki."
"I should be dead," she wanted to smirk. "Will you give us a moment?"
"Of course," Iori bowed.
He set one of his tools on a tray holding several. Satsuki thought it odd to see him without his preferred labcoat. Son leaned to the wall nearest the only door feeling it lift when Iori left, then fall to leave him alone with a new problem. He glanced to Ryuko with her arms crossed, opposite her sister. She thought she would hate the term, what it really meant. She didn't. An at peace with it reaction scared her more.
"So we're dealing with a guy that may be stronger than Son," she said. "Because, you know, Ragyo and her giant ball of string ain't enough."
"Muten Roshi-sama's training, directly or otherwise. It's why we feel it in the pit of our stomachs. A sense of what," Satsuki said.
Their new powers weren't the reason for unease and Son's silence. Neither expected his brushing it off. They had seen a similar anticipation in him before. He casually lifted his shoulders with his hands.
"Then we should head to Sado Island," he stepped between them.
"What's there?" Ryuko asked.
"Think about it. Kuririn's no slouch. We'll need him. Old Turtle Hermit's is the safest place in the world. Mako can lay low there, if she wants."
"Mako? Lay low?" Ryuko didn't mean to joke.
"Yeah. I know," Son shrugged again. "It's AN idea. Didn't say it was the right one."
"It is," Satsuki stood tired of sitting. "Iori and The Elite Four will aid the Nudists effort. The COVERS aren't an end all be all. Perhaps Ragyo always knew. Her mistake was underestimating father's determination."
Son extended a compact screen so she could see the fruits of their labor. Ryuko wasn't blind; Satsuki stood much closer to him, unabashed, her body leaned to his. Thinking it should rub her the wrong way she simply smirked for it.
"There's something else you wanna say so just say it," she said, cocking her head to the side, setting hands over her hips.
Satsuki barely had to turn her face as Son's was just next to it. They stopped sharing the device in her hand. She turned it off first.
"Yes," she began. "... I was denied you. My blood. I searched for you my entire life. The sister I always knew I had. Father planned for the day it would happen. Maybe you didn't care. Maybe you pretend not to, even now. But I never gave up searching. Rest assured. My intention isn't to get in your way. What Son feels for you is between you and him. I did what I set out to do. I found you."
Ryuko left her mouth open wrestling with part shock, part being caught off guard. She glanced to Son wide eyed and as taken aback, though he kept his mouth shut. Satsuki's cold confidence returned. But something else was there. Flustered, Ryuko struggled to put a finger on it having no comeback that wouldn't make her sound spiteful.
"Relax," she went with which made her feel even more like the less mature of two siblings that barely knew each other. "I got no beef with you. Not anymore."
Embarrassed, she kept her arms crossed and looked for consolation in her sneakers. Because she couldn't see it, as the chamber was already darker than normal, Satsuki's brief smile went missed. Son gawked, oblivious, not knowing how he should respond. It wasn't until he had their scrutiny, how they barely grinned to confirm nothing, and everything, that he finally understood.
*Coordinates are set. You guys plan on leaving us tonight?*
The three of them breathed a sigh of relief for the interruption.
"At dawn. Tell Mako to get some sleep. We are almost finished here," Satsuki spoke for them.
*Copy that. I suggest you kids do the same. We'll need you at your best. Mikisugi, out.*
x.x.x
They didn't attack in unison. They chased him over around and along overcast hoping to knock him out of his flight path. Shouldering one he took it by a slick orifice to hurl it into another changing course. They had the speed to toss hard limbs at his blocks twirling in the raise of them all going out in sidewinds. Where his wrists weren't his knees were. The ambush were too many objects coming all at once.
"Hrraaaaa!" he cried setting the rest of the flying crowd ablaze.
Outstretched arms let the light expand to match how much it shimmered against his body. When he blinked his elbow rammed another chest through. He blinked again and he was smashing in a featureless middle and watching it dart for the clouds with their breaking. The next thing he noticed was his foot plunged through the not yet dry sand of an uninhabited beach, except it was inhabited, and the COVERS were trespassing. The coast stopped rattling so he could get his bearings. He wasn't out of breath. He turned to see his teacher keeping his walking stick in hand spinning it around his back then to his front with style to boot. How he moved denied his old age. He took his ruined footwear covered in thick gray fluids back with a step. Some of the pieces falling by him had the heft to disturb the peace.
"... Kuririn!" a familiar timbre came from above.
Looking to the sky he caught it; Son's childlike smile he definitely recognized. He had no words for the one he carried on his back and the two at his sides able to levitate.
"Son?" he said.
His careful walk turned into a sprint. "Son!"
Feet on the ground Son set Mako on hers but he didn't stop. He ran up and bent forward to grab Kuririn's hand when he was close. Appreciating how their unique handshake ended as a fist bump they gave each other space.
"Man that was awesome! You've really gotten a lot stronger!" he didn't hide how excited it made him.
He noticed Kuririn hadn't grown much; no less a physically fit that most weren't he mimicked him in how his sleeveless apparel was white layered over blue.
"Jerk. Could've told me you were gonna drop in at the last second!" he said.
"Oh! I almost forgot," Son smacked his forehead. "You remember Satsuki right? You never met Ryuko. And this is Ryuko's friend, Mako!"
"Hiiii Kuririnnn!" Mako was the first to perk up as she waved.
"Uh. Heya," Kuririn shied from her, and those reading him, putting on a grin he thought looked stupid, waving.
He didn't mind how the three mentioned were easy on the eyes. He didn't say so out loud either.
"C'mere for a minute," he pulled Son aside.
He stole one more glance at his visitors.
"So. We got word from those Nudist guys. Couldn't believe my ears to be honest," he said.
"Yeah. We wanted to make sure you guys were up to speed!" Son kept grinning like he won the lottery.
"I get that. It's just...we also heard about you. And Satsuki. And Ryuko. All you went through," Kuririn said.
"What? Is something wrong?" Son's brow raised.
"No. Not at all. It's just weird. If some of the rumors are true. You're, y'know, doing that thing people do. A guy and a girl that like each other do things together. Hang out. Whatever. Sometimes a guy might have more than one to, ummm, hang out, with? Not that I'm judging!" Kuririn rubbed the tension from the back of his neck.
"Ryuko! Who do you think has the shinier head? Short stuff or gramps over here?!" Mako grinned sitting on Roshi's shoulders and his nearly having a heart attack.
Son swore he could see tears streaming from his teacher's lenses.
"Son. You've done well my boy. Bringing me a fine piece of as...I mean some friendly company aside from Kuririn is a welcome change of pace," Roshi spread a near toothless grin, tilting his head back to peek at Mako's top, and the healthy bosom under it.
Ryuko pinched the bridge of her nose suddenly uncomfortable in her depowered uniform. Satsuki stepped forward in hers, bowing her respect. She revealed the dual condition of her Bakuzan.
"Muten Roshi-sama," she said. "We have a favor to ask."
Roshi took her sheathed weapons, flipping them over, in deep thought. They all took stock of the beaten COVERS sprawled everywhere. Some were washed away by the sea with others unable to contain their human hosts gasping for air. Roshi got on Ryuko's nerves if he got too close. He made eyes at Satsuki's as distracting bust size and waist to hip ratio. Son laughed at Mako's pestering. How Kuririn blushed and his knees locked if ever she invaded his personal space.
"Sorry if it took too long. You mind if I grab a bite while we talk it over? I could eat a horse!" Son said too loudly.
Roshi led anyone interested in following for a storied house. The red letters above the porch weren't all the way faded, the pink paint wasn't chipped, and trailing behind, Son stopped to take it all in. Lifeless bodies he had remorse for aside he felt like he had finally returned to what he knew best.
x.x.x
Kneeling in a chamber suited for it those that knew their place were an afterthought. A window, more curved than flat, wasn't just plated and see through and looking through it didn't quell a want to kill. Honno City, his prize, any activity beyond the academy's walls were for his benefit. Those hard at work to accomplish his, and her, will. He didn't laugh when he could have.
"Which one of you attacked the girl?" he asked.
He didn't turn to face the weaker. His help wasn't limited to Nui, weaponless, and Rei, in control of any fear. They swapped nervousness in watching his tail wag through his skin tight pants with the knowledge of what he was. One of them mustered the courage.
"I-I did, Lord Turles. Matoi failed us. Isn't her death what you and our Mistress wanted?" Nui asked masking well that she pleaded.
He didn't need but a tiny fraction. The will to do it seized his victim and kept her small frame over the floor. He wasn't touching her. He didn't so much as look to the effort.
"It wasn't. Ragyo's daughter is allowed to breathe. Know why? Because I say she is," he remained calm. "You, however, can offer one final contribution."
If they didn't watch it Rei could hear it. Nui's back snapped with a crunch that made her flinch. He didn't stop narrowing his glare to twist her body in any way that wasn't natural balling her up with the idea, not caring for the pinkish mess he made. He ignored blonde strands falling, her corpse hitting the floor and its bursting to bits as a nasty puff. He ignored the feeling of excessive strength heightening. His burly arms took in the fibers making his blood rush.
"Let that serve as a reminder, Rei," he said, deep voiced, yet one to enunciate when making his point.
Rei kept her head down. She braved a moment to glance. He was handsome, wilder haired than whom he looked just like, his face finally cleaned. Wearing no top armor left his chest bare, the deep lines on his back visible with broad shoulders appearing too muscular, even at rest.
"Now. Fetch your "Mistress." We need to speak," he said.
As Rei quickly left automated doors lifting and falling weren't worth his attention. The lighter brown in his eyes matched the fashioned silver of his new bracers, the purple rubies centered high on both glowing. Thinking of the ways in which he would make his sole ally pleasure him ended, for a time. Future offspring could wait. Revenge against old enemies sounded better.
"Bardock's seed. Here? Hmph ..."
He didn't ignore what it could mean.
x.x.x
" ... the global military effort to quell the disturbing phenomena unsuccessful. Talk of the United Nations considering nuclear warfare all travel, foreign and domestic, has been banned, indefinitely. Civilians are encouraged to stay in their homes. Failing that you are urged to report to the nearest PDL shelter as soon as possible. Martial law a worldwide norm local ... "
"Jeez. It's times like this I'm glad we live out in the middle of nowhere," Kuririn shook his head.
"Satsuki. Be sure to contact Soroi. He must be worried sick," Roshi held her attention.
"He is. If I may, Roshi-sama. Should you allow him to stay here for the time being it would be a help to me," she said politely for his agreeing before she could finish.
Gathered around a tube television that still worked Son was too antsy to sit and watch. He took a tour of what felt familiar, yet different. The main room had been modified to fit the actual outer walls. The kitchen was gone, just part of the main room, on his left. The toilet had been shrunk, a small room in the left corner he walked by. The placing of the living room furniture and closet was altered, too. The stairs he stopped by winded a little. He smiled warmly for all of the windows in the inside matching the windows seen from the outside.
"Son?" Kuririn said prompting everyone to glance.
"... Can't stand the waiting," Son watched his bare feet.
Satsuki, sitting on the couch with her legs crossed, posture straight, watched his pacing back and forth.
"Rushing in blindly is unwise, Son. Let the Nudists do what they do best. We will need the intel," she said.
Son glanced to Ryuko making herself comfortable on the carpet, casual in how she leaned back into the flat of her hands. Sensing a reason to Kuririn stood.
"Uhhh. Roshi-sama. Mako. Let's step outside for a bit," he pointed with his thumb.
He smiled for Mako's chummy, her marching to the beat of her own drum. Roshi shared a slight nod with him before leaving the door open. Kuririn's was for Son not knowing why he bothered, and then he too was gone.
"We all agree that we felt it right?" Ryuko blurted out when they were alone.
"Yes. Nui is dead," Satsuki said. "I find the sensation...strange. Knowing when something ceases to be. How do you and Kuririn manage it?"
Ryuko joined her in waiting for Son to answer. She left her spot.
"With time," Son finally said. "Not gonna lie. Having more people like us, what we can do I mean, it's comforting. Makes me think we have a real shot."
His smile infectious, seeing it, Ryuko's spread, and she glanced for Satsuki fighting the urge. As it was night cricket chirps took the place of talking. They wrestled with thoughts of life and death yet no one had to mention why.
"Okay," Ryuko started. "and here's where it gets weird."
"What do you mean?" Son said.
"She means to ask you if you've made a choice," Satsuki knew finally on her feet but not moving anywhere. "Your timing is impeccable, Matoi."
"Bite me," Ryuko grinned wryly.
"What choice?" Son chimed in.
He waited for Ryuko to move closer. He had to look down. She had to look up.
"It's like she said. This may not be the best time, I get it," she said setting her small hand flat against his chest. "But I gotta know where your head is."
They glanced for Satsuki's standing tall, tucking some of her hair behind her ear, assuming she had to keep her distance. She looked from the floor to see Son and Ryuko watching her.
"You're sisters. If we make it out of this alive you can finally try to get along. Why would I get in the way of that?" he said.
He gently took Ryuko's chin between his fingers to lift it.
"The old timer wanted it more than anything," he added.
By then Satsuki didn't give a damn. She set aside opinions, reservations, and huffed for the fatigue of not just taking what she wanted. Ambling until she was next to Son she slipped his free hand into hers lacing her fingers through his as they opened. Having them both that close, at the same time, wasn't the usual, but he made no fuss. The modified Junketsu couldn't speak. Senketsu understood that he shouldn't. Son thought he would discourage Ryuko for pursing her soft lips, his leaning in to oblige so he could taste the tang of the peach she ate for lunch. Letting him be she didn't mind when he turned his head for Satsuki's warm palms on his cheeks. She dared anyone to profess pulling his mouth to hers and his smelling mint when it stayed there. She took charge again, done with coy, it lasted until they thought it shouldn't. When he could Son chuckled breathily for feeling the weight on his shoulders disappearing with apprehension. Satsuki's arms around his neck, Ryuko's around his waist, he pulled them as close to him as he could, softer pressing in firm, their embrace something they put off for too long. If they survived to see it their imaginations ran wild for what the future could be.