Hey guys, it took longer than I expected, but I'm back! Things aren't going the best for me right now, so unfortunately I wasn't able to get this done as quickly as I'd hoped. Fortunately, the next few chapters are ones I think I'll enjoy writing quite a bit. Hope you like what I managed to get done.
Disclaimer: I do not own Kill la Kill. This is a fanmade work purely for entertainment purposes. KlK is owned by Studio Trigger.
.-.
As she slept, Ryūko once again found herself enveloped within an infinite void. Yet somehow, the darkness seemed… Deeper. Bigger. She wasn't sure how it was possible for infinity to get bigger, but that was the impression she got. And just as before, the girl could only stare straight ahead and assume her eyes were open.
Remembering what her nightmare contained the last time, Ryūko's heartrate began to climb in fear and anticipation. Even though it wasn't real, watching Senketsu plead for his life in terror had been harrowing, and that was when she still considered him little more than clothing. Now that she had accepted the Kamui as her brother, the impact was sure to be immensely greater than before.
Yet, the imaginary visage of her newfound sibling never appeared before her.
Instead, Ryūko's subconscious mind conjured a light. At least, she thought it was a light. A bright, lurid orange light that shimmered and twisted with a predatory glow, slowly filling the void until it was all she could see. And as that light grew, so too did the shadow it cast, until finally they entwined, that shining darkness consuming her vision in its black radiance, her heart beating faster and faster until she swore it would burst.
And then something scraped at the back of her mind.
Like nails on a chalkboard, only the chalkboard was her soul. Ryūko's entire being shivered as a presence far older and far stronger than her slowly and deliberately prodded at her. Without words, it began to speak to her, forcing her to remember the combined sensations from every time she murdered-
No, that is not the right word.
Every time she killed-
No.
Every time she… hunted somebody.
Good. You are different from them. Superior to them. They are nothing more than food for you, my child.
Nothing more… than food? The sensations scratching and gnawing at her sanity were so very similar to the urging she would get when she needed blood. The vampire girl's fangs started itching again and a haze filled her mind. All she could think about was blood. Food.
The taste of blood as it ran down her throat or surged through her veins and prolonged her life, all the many different flavors from all the humans she'd ended, starting with her very first and continuing until her arrival at Honnōji.
She'd never gotten to taste Mako's blood, but Ryūko was sure it was delicious, just like Koji's. The only one who'd ever willingly offered himself to her, his life tasted the sweetest of all.
Slaughter them. Slaughter them all like the cattle they are, and grow strong. Once every human in this town is dead, you will be strong enough to destroy Satsuki.
Slowly, Ryūko regained her focus and drove the clouds from her head.
What?! No! I don't want to kill anyone!
Except for Satsuki. Your goal is to kill her and avenge your father. The rest of their lives are meaningless.
Forget it, whatever the hell you are! I'm not killing anyone, let alone my friends!
The dark light seemed almost to laugh at her defiance, before shining darker, as if Ryūko was being drawn into it. The presence in her head grew stronger.
You have already devoured so many. What difference would it make to consume your… friends? Though, perhaps they would make excellent servants for you, the boy especially. You have that power, you know.
Ryūko's heart jumped into her throat. She knew exactly what the voice was talking about. Very early on into her 'life' as a vampire, she'd accidentally killed a stray cat that had taken a liking to her. And in her panic, she'd done… something to it that brought the poor creature back. A shambling corpse, bleached pure white save for a red net wrapped around its head. It was horrifying to see, so Ryūko killed the cat a second time, and swore to never do that again.
And this presence, which the girl was convinced was some Jungian manifestation of her vampiric instincts wanted her to do that to Koji?
Fuck. That. I'm the only one who'll have to deal with this bullshit. And for the last time, I'm not. Hurting. My. Friends!
Foolish girl. Do you honestly believe you are the 'only one' of your kind?
What the hell does that mean?!
It matters not. You will take your rightful place eventually. No matter how many times the cycle must run.
The presence faded into the brightness, leaving Ryūko alone in the empty, dark void. But not before leaving her with one final, haunting message.
You are a monster.
And in response to said message, Ryūko merely shook her head and scoffed as she awoke from her slumber, Mako snoring peacefully next to her. Showing off her fangs with a wide yawn, the girl stretched and rubbed her eyes.
"Pfft, monster… Tell me something I don't know."
"That voice was wrong, Ryūko. You are not a monster."
Ryūko stood up and smoothed out her feathery black hair before turning and walking over to Senketsu.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I've long accepted- wait, did you have the same dream as me?"
The Kamui seemed to nod in response to his sister's question.
"Indeed. I am not sure as to how, but it appears you and I shared that vision. I also feel as if I know that voice, yet I cannot say from where…"
"Tch. I'm sure it means nothing. Just a stupid nightmare." With a single, practiced move Ryūko swapped outfits, removing her pajamas and wearing Senketsu in their place. With the Kamui's familiar warmth resting on her again, the girl felt her heart slow to a normal pace. It was time to put the night's vision behind her and face the day.
"Mako… Hey, Mako." Ryūko gently shook her friend's shoulder in an effort to wake her up, but the Mankanshokus slept like rocks. "Eh. Guess she'll meet us there."
"You care for these people quite a bit, don't you, sister?" Senketsu asked as Ryūko closed the front door of the Mankanshoku house behind her and set off for school.
"Did you just call me 'sister', Senketsu?" The girl replied, looking down and meeting his eye with her gaze.
"Indeed. I believe it to be fitting, since you are the one who proposed the idea of us as siblings. But I will stop if you wish, Ryūko."
"Nah, don't worry. I don't mind. Just a bit surprised with how serious you tend to be." Ryūko walked on in silence for a moment, taking in the sights of the slums and the breeze on her face. Over time she'd come to realize that despite it all, the people of Honnōji were fighters. It intensified not just the guilt she felt for having fed on them, but the gratitude she felt towards Mako's family.
"You're right though, Senketsu. Mom died when I was young, and then Dad sent me off to boarding school, so I don't have a lot of experience with family stuff. But, I think thanks to Mako and her folks I'm getting the hang of it. I used to think eating alone and all that was normal. But now it seems like meals taste better when eating with the whole family. Could do without the peeping toms though."
"In that case, I am happy to be a part of this family with you, Ryūko."
The girl smiled as a sound from behind caught her ear, a familiar voice calling out to her.
"Ryūko-chan! Wait for meeee!" Shortly after the bowl-cut wearing Mako crashed into her, the two girls falling to the ground, laughing before they picked themselves up.
"Sorry Mako, but I did try to wake you up!"
.-.
Later in the day, the two teens found themselves back on the giant rusty chains, which had become a favored meeting spot for their group. Thanks to redoubled efforts on part of the Gardening Club in the wake of Tsumugu's attack, a fresh patch of grass had been planted nearby. Ryūko thought it was a nice break from the oppressive atmosphere the school usually had. She placed a pink lunchbox on her lap, removing the top to find it packed full of Mrs. Mankanshoku's signature croquettes, each stuffed with tomatoes, fish, crab, or a mystery meat.
"Ooh, that look good!" Mako said before excitedly opening her own lunch to reveal the same contents.
"Thank you for the meal!" Both girls said at once. Mako immediately began shoveling croquettes into her mouth with surprising speed, while Ryūko only brought a single one up to her face before the sound of cutting air caught her ear. Shortly after, a throwing knife buried itself into a crab head with a loud thunk.
Ryūko's eyes narrowed as she stared at the knife, her mouth hanging open in an expression that could only be interpreted as 'what the hell?'
"Ryūko Matoi!" A voice called her name from a nearby roof. Searching for the source of the noise, Ryūko quickly noticed a student wearing what at first glance appeared to be a modified One-Star Goku Uniform. It had the same coloration, only with white stripes across the arms and legs, which also had several knives sewn into those areas of the fabric. The uniform's wearer had longer, thinner knives attached to each of his fingers by rings he wore, and by the glowing mass of Life Fibers sharpened to a point on his head, Ryūko came to the realization that his hair had somehow become a switchblade pompadour.
Oh my God, that looks completely ridiculous. He's definitely a Two-Star.
"I, Jack Naitō, president of the Knife Throwing Club, will take you down!"
In response to the provocation, Ryūko jumped from her seat to face the intruder, while Mako happily continued eating.
"You've got some nerve ruining the lunch Mako's mom made for me!" Her anger incensed, Ryūko forcefully grabbed Senketsu's transformation trigger on her wrist and ripped it out. "You're gonna pay for that! Life Fiber Synchronize, Kamui Senketsu!"
A sphere of violet light covered her transformation before Ryūko flew out of it with the Scissor Blade already in Decapitation Mode, aiming to take Jack down in a single swing. Just as she intended, a lone swipe and cry of "Sen-I-Soshitsu!" saw dozens of knives batted aside and a Two-Star Goku Uniform torn and tattered, the knife pompadour shattering as Senketsu absorbed the Banshi. She jumped down off the roof back to ground level, ready to finish her lunch only for two elongated sudare screens gouged into the dirt just behind her landing spot.
While the vampiress turned to look at where the attack came from with a slightly intrigued expression, a sneering, nasally voice assaulted her ears, sounding off from a short male student with a shaved head and a ring of beads around his neck, his uniform consisting solely of the sudare screens.
"The one who will defeat you is me, Nanjing Lily Club president, Kagesaburo Kagero!"
Kagero's arrogant boast came to a swift end as Ryūko appeared in front of him too quickly for him to see. An exasperated, disinterested expression on Ryūko's face contrasted with the panic on Kagero's, the boy barely having time to react before the Scissor Blade deftly cleaved his uniform apart, sending him spinning through the air.
"Sen-I-Soshitsu." Ryūko said with a sigh, twirling her weapon around her finger. Mere moments later, a plunger connected to a red and white striped cord connected to the wall, and an overweight female student wearing an exaggerated clown outfit stalked towards her. Ryūko was sure the girl was saying something about she would totally be the one to take down Matoi, but she'd tuned it out as she effortlessly destroyed another Two-Star uniform. Finally having a chance to return to her normal state, she sat down on the chain with her back facing Mako, who'd taken to using one of Jack's knives as a utensil.
"A Knife Throwing Club, a Nanjing Lily Club, and a Tightrope Walking Club? What's with all these ultra specific clubs popping up out of nowhere?"
"Oh, those guys used to be the Acrobatics Club." Mako explained, gesturing towards where the three defeated students lay in a smoking pile. "They split up because of you."
"Because of me?"
"Yup. If someone beats you, they'll jump up to Three-Star status! But since only club presidents can get Two-Star Goku Uniforms, they all founded new clubs and came gunning for you."
Mako stabbed into a croquette with the knife and held it up to Ryūko, who casually ate it off the weapon.
"Yeah, and guess who has to put all those new uniforms together?" A tired voice the two girls had come to recognize interjected. A moment later, Koji half sat, half fell onto the chain next to Ryūko.
"You all right, Narukami?" Ryūko asked, pulling the boy up by his arm and steadying him as she took notice of the purple bags forming under his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. Just didn't get a lot of sleep last night, I had to stay late working on a bunch of new Goku Uniforms. Thanks for trashing them so soon, by the way."
"No problem, any time you want to feed me and Senketsu some more 'quality' work like that." Ryūko smirked, making a lighthearted joke at his expense.
"It's not easy making three Two-Stars in one day, you know."
"Why'd you have to stay late, Koji-san?" Mako asked.
"My punishment for going after Mohawk Man." Koji responded with a yawn. "Just so you know, Matoi, there's going to be a lot of new clubs coming after you. And I have to stay late every day until all of the new Two-Star uniforms are finished."
"Jeez, why so many?"
"More stars means a better life." Mako said, having craned her head to gaze at the clouds. "They're all desperate."
"Damn, this school's system is messed up…" Ryūko said, just before a lightbulb went off in her head. "But wait, we can take advantage of that. Sorry Koji, but I'm gonna have to make some more work for you."
"I figured as much, after that little- hmm? Can I help you?" Koji's attention was taken by a No-Star student who'd approached the three, a short boy with spiky brown hair.
"Um, yes. My name is Akira Tajiri, Second Year Class D. I was hoping you'd be able to help me with my homework, Senpai?"
"Tajiri-san, you don't have to call Koji-san Senpai just because he's a One-Star!" Mako interrupted cheerfully. "He's in the same grade as us, after all!"
"Mako, I'm a third year." Koji corrected in a monotone voice.
"Whaaaaaaaaaat?! You mean, you're my Senpai, Koji-Senpai?"
.-.
Ryūko forcefully stuck a board of wood with the words "Fight Club" sloppily written on it into the ground, dead center of the courtyard. Satisfied, she sat in a metal chair she'd brought and crossed her arms, daring the onlooking Gamagōri to say something. Koji and Mako stood off to the side, watching with slight concern.
"What are you playing at, Matoi?" The giant of a teen asked with his eyes narrowed.
"What, are you blind now? I'm starting a Fight Club, obviously."
"Quit trying to screw with us."
"What? You guys're the ones screwing with me! That stupid bounty on me or whatever is making students form a bunch of shitty two bit clubs and pilling work on Narukami. I might as well return the favor. Say hello to Fight Club president Ryūko Matoi!"
"Did you seriously think I'd approve a ridiculous request like that? Honnōji Academy already has an MMA Club."
"Oh shit, really?"
"Indeed. You are of course free to join it if you wish, but as I've said your request for a club so similar to an existing one shall not be-"
Gamagōri cut himself off as Satsuki Kiryūin's signature backlight shone down from on high.
"I will approve Matoi's request for a Fight Club."
Ryūko bared her fangs at the other girl, who in turn paid no attention to the threatening gesture.
"There she goes, looking down on us peasants again… How annoying."
"Are you attempting to integrate into my system, Matoi?" That single question made Ryūko shiver in disgust. But…
"You moron! I'm gonna bring your precious system down around your ears, and if I have to do it from the inside, so be it!"
Sastuki smirked at the remark, curious to see what would come of Ryūko's new club.
"How amusing. Take care not to get swept away." The light faded as Satsuki made her exit, Ryūko scowling at her all the way.
"Khh, just you wait, Kiryūin Satsuki."
"Very well then." Gamagōri said, breaking Ryūko from her thoughts of vengeance. "Let's begin with the paperwork."
"Ehh? Where'd this desk come from?" A procession of One-Stars appeared from the void, gathering around the Disciplinary Chairman. "You switch gears real fast, huh?"
"Lady Satsuki has spoken, and I must abide by her decision. I suppose you will assume the role of club president, Matoi?"
"I already said that, didn't I?"
"Very well then." And with that acknowledgement, a large stack of papers labelled 'documentation' fell onto the desk in front of Ryūko. "Club presidents are required to submit a club activity log every Friday."
Ryūko's eyes widened at the statement, realization that she may have dove into the deep end settling over her.
"At the end of each month, expenses are settled and expense applications for the next month are filed. You must also file a club room use request form, club member organization chart, and family member lists." With every word Gamagōri spoke, another ream of papers fell from the sky, steadily obscuring the vampire girl's vision. "You are also required to attend Club President Council meetings, which are held every morning at seven am! Tardiness will not be tolerated!"
A stiff silence followed, with the tallest tower of paper collapsing shortly. Ryūko stared down at the desk with a vacant bewildered expression, her right eye twitching.
"I told you it was a lot of work." Koji commented from her left side.
Suddenly, Ryūko sat straight up in her chair and began gesturing towards Mako with her right thumb.
"Um my friend Mako Mankanshoku says she'll be the club president!" Koji's hand met his forehead with a sharp clap.
"Ehhhhhhhhhhhhh?!" Mako yelled in shock and confusion.
.-.
"That was so, so mean!" Mako cried as the three friends made their way to the new club room. "How could you go and make me club president like that, Ryūko-chan?"
"Yeah, that wasn't cool, Matoi." Koji agreed. "Starting the Fight Club was your idea in the first place."
"Aww, come on guys!" Ryūko started to defend herself. "Koji, you've had to do some of that stuff before, right? Do you really think I could handle all the crap presidents are supposed to deal with?"
"And you think Mako could? Err, no offense, Mako."
"No, you're right, Koji-Senpai! I can't be a club president! I can't can't can't can't can't!"
"Look, everything's perfectly set up." Ryūko said. "The focus of the Fight Club is fighting. When I beat the other club presidents, our achievements will be recognized and your reputation will skyrocket!"
"And you're sure this isn't just an excuse for you to start fights without getting trouble for it?" Koji asked with his eyes narrowed.
"Hey man, you're the one who said starting a club would improve our living conditions."
Koji sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "True. I just hope you know what you're doing."
.-.
And so a new daily routine was formed for the three friends.
By day, Ryūko and Mako would deal with the Fight Club, the former challenging various club presidents to battles she would invariably win, and absorb the Life Fibers from their uniforms. By all accounts, she had the easy job.
MORNING ASSEMBLY
The various Two-Stars of Honnōji Academy, plus Mako, Koji, and a few other vice-presidents sat or stood at rapt attention in a dark classroom while the Elite Four (minus Sanageyama) prepared and organized the contents of the day's meeting. Well, everyone except Mako was at attention. The brown haired No-Star was fast asleep, a large spit bubble forming from her mouth. Koji nervously shifted his eyes between Mako and Gamagōri, noticing that the Disciplinary Chairman's patience was waning.
"Psst, Mako." The blond quietly whispered to his friend. "Wake up, or else you're going to-"
Crack!
One of Gamagōri's whips shot out and smacked both of them in the face, causing Mako to snap to attention, a spurt of blood shooting out of her nose.
.-.
After just a few days, however, Mako had grown to be exceptionally skilled as a club president. Though the nights were long and the work arduous, Mako's determination and desire to see her family happy had truly brought out the best in her. Ryūko also jumped at the chance to take on Satsuki's underlings on her own terms, leading to the Fight Club's name to spread far and wide throughout the school, just as she'd predicted. And soon enough…
.-.
Koji staggered through the doorway into his room, tossing his bag off to the side with what little strength he had left before flopping uselessly onto his bed. He let out a loud sigh, laying still for several minutes before finally rolling over to take off his shoes. The blond yawned deeply, happy that the day was over. There were, of course, several things he needed to do, but for the moment all he wanted to do was relax. So he placed his hands under his head and closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of tension leaving his body. He'd almost drifted off to sleep when knocking sounded at his door in a familiar pattern.
"Come in."
With a slight creak, the boy's bedroom door opened to reveal Ryūko, dressed in Senketsu as expected. An usual expression of serenity and contentment was worn on her face, and in one hand she held an item Koji easily recognized- a garment bag.
"Hey Bloodsucker. Wasn't expecting to see you today."
"Yeah, your mom let me in." Ryūko responded, cracking her knuckles against her thigh. "Hadn't seen ya in a while so me and Senketsu wanted to make sure you hadn't died from overworking."
"Well, thanks for checking up on me." Koji pulled himself up and swung his legs off the bed to make sure he was facing the vampiress. "My hands are killing me. I'm not used to doing so much work in such a short time."
"Yeah, I can't believe Kiryūin's forcing you to sacrifice your work quality like that." Ryūko said in a mocking tone. "Or maybe you're just losing your touch? I've been ending fights in a single shot!"
"Not my fault you've got freakish vampire strength, you- hey!" Koji's retort was cut short by a ball of crumpled up paper Ryūko picked up from his desk and threw at him. The two laughed at each other.
"So, you done anything with that piece of Senketsu yet?" Ryūko asked while taking a seat at Koji's desk.
"Nah, not yet. I've got some of my blueprints ready though. Just need one last bit of inspiration and to think of a way to actually work on them without Kiryūin finding out. Anyway, how's the Fight Club going?"
"Oh, the Fight Club's going great!" A wide smile lit up Ryūko's face. "Matter of fact, it's going so great that me and Mako got these!" A quick toss sent the garment bag through the air and into Koji's waiting hands. He pulled down the zipper to lay eyes on a sailor uniform printed with a single black star.
"Whoa! You and Mako are One-Stars now!"
"Damn straight we are! I don't have any need for that uniform though, because I've already got my bro here. I figured you'd get more use out of it."
"Wait, Ryūko, are you sure? If anyone finds out you gave me this we're both dead."
"Then don't let anyone find out, man!" Ryūko tapped her head with her index finger. "If anyone asks me where it went I'll just say Senketsu absorbed it."
"Well that wouldn't be untrue…" Koji sat in thought for a moment, wondering how to plan out the next day. "Thanks, Ryūko. Because of you I've finally got a fighting chance against Kiryūin."
"Hey, no problem. Taking her down's our whole thing, right?"
"So, how's the One-Star life treating you?" Koji asked, setting the uniform aside.
Ryūko crossed her arms over the back of the chair, leaning forwards. "Well, I've only been a One-Star for about a day, but I think I like it so far. Everyone looks so happy now, it's insane. Oh yeah, me and Mako's new room is so full of cutesy hearts and stuffed animals it almost makes me want to vomit from sugar shock. B-but, I guess I can put up with it." A light blush filled the tough girl's cheeks.
…..
"Hey, get that smirk off your face before I bite you."
"Sorry, sorry." Koji apologized, struggling to hold back small laughs. "It really is nuts how in your face they are with the whole 'school performance affects social class' crap huh?"
"Definitely. But, to be honest… I get why you work so hard now, Koji. Sure, the Fight Club might be why we're having this conversation, but there's plenty of One-Stars that aren't in clubs, right? If I have to do a bit of studying here and there, I can live with that."
Ryūko stood up and stretched her arms, giving her friend a small wave before turning to the door. "Well, I gotta get going. We're having a big celebratory dinner tonight. You and your mom can come by too if you want."
"Thanks for the offer," Koji said with a smile. "But maybe some other time."
"Eh. Suit yourself."
.-.
"Men, Dou, Kote!" The calls of a Kendo practitioner rang out through one of Honnōji Academy's gymnasiums as Uzu Sanageyama, now a member of the MMA Club, repeatedly threw heavy strikes at a training dummy. Rearing back, he poured all his might into one final swing, tearing the dummy's head clean off. The severed head bounced around before slowly rolling to a stop at the feet of Kenji Shibusawa, MMA Club president.
"Not a bad shot, Sanageyama."
"Tch. Not a good one either. I've still got a long way to go before I'm ready to face Lady Satsuki again."
"Strange." Shibusawa commented, picking up the dummy's head and tossing it in the air. "Ya'd think sewin' yer damn eyes shut woulda been enough for someone like Kiryūin, with how much she values 'resolve'."
"I hope you wouldn't be talking that way about Lady Satsuki if I were still a Three-Star, Shibusawa." Sanageyama warned, turning around to reveal a long band of neon green cloth had been tied around his head, concealing his eyes.
"Heh. Didn't mean any disrespect. Just wanted ta see if it was yer own decision ta stay a No-Star."
"Of course it was. Lady Satsuki offered to reinstate me as a Three-Star, but I decided I'd be better off without a Goku Uniform for now."
The memory of that encounter played itself over in Sanageyama's mind. The night that Lady Satsuki returned from visiting her mother, a storm had settled in the area. Soaking torrents of rain fell from iron clouds as Lady Satsuki's private helicopter touched down on the Academy's helipad, with Sanageyama down on his hands and knees as he waited, paying no mind to the freezing cold water that continuously doused his body and the bandages he wore.
How was your mother's mood? He had heard the voice of Soroi say.
I explained to her why I took out Junketsu. You needn't worry, Soroi. Lady Satsuki's unmistakable voice replied. Shortly after the sound of their footsteps stopped, as did the small splashes of water. Sanageyama couldn't see them, but he didn't need to anymore. I've no time for losers, Sanageyama.
I was overconfident in my eyesight. Give me another chance! I'll defeat Matoi for certain next time!
Pathetic. Lady Satsuki rebuked him. I have no need of a fool who lacks resolve.
Resolve I have! Here is the proof! Sanageyama raised his head to give his mistress a clear view of what Iori's work had wrought, in the same instant as lightning flashed in the night. Shortly after, she turned her gaze towards the swordsman, a small grin growing on her face.
So you do, Sanageyama. Very well then. As requested, I will allow you to face Matoi again at your discretion. I will also order Iori to recreate your Goku Uniform.
Thank you, my lady. I am deeply grateful for your generosity, but I must decline the Goku Uniform you have offered.
Oh? And why might that be?
Nothing more than the sound of rainfall met their ears as Sanageyama was silent for nearly a minute. But eventually, he spoke again.
My eyes weren't the only thing I relied too heavily on. I put too much faith in my Goku Uniform as well. I won't take any chances with Matoi this time. I will face her again… But only after I've become strong enough to defeat you without Junketsu.
A bold prediction, Sanageyama. In a month's time, let us test it.
"So it's personal strength yer after, eh?" Shibusawa said, snapping the green haired swordsman from his thoughts. "That's what I like ta see in my club members. Life Fibers are neat, but they can't replace yer own ability. Speakin' of which, what do ya think of the Fight Club?"
"Fight Club? That's the one Matoi started, isn't it?"
"That's right. I'm lookin' forward to when she comes after us myself. It'll be tha perfect chance to test out a Kamui."
"You're not worried about losing your uniform and getting knocked down to No-Star?" Sanaegyama asked the other boy, who laughed in response.
"Not at all. My uncle's a Yakuza boss, see. No matter how much I fuck up here I can just go work fer him. Only reason I came ta Honnōji is ta pit myself against strong fighters. Still, I gotta wonder what Kiryūin's thinkin' lettin' Matoi get so deep inta her system."
"Hmph. Lady Satsuki wants Matoi to get this deep in, I guarantee you. Testing the strength of her resolve." Sanageyama took a drink from a water bottle as he sat down on a bench.
"Heh heh. Guess I'll just hafta wait an' see if she's as bloodthirsty as tha rumors say."
.-.
Ryūko picked up the framed picture that had been taken the day she and the Mankanshokus had moved into their Two-Star mansion, gazing longingly at the happy, carefree expressions on everybody's faces. A closer look at her past self's open mouth let the vampire girl see her own fangs, which had been left on full display in her awe at the building she now lived in.
"Huh. I bet they all know anyway, and just don't care." Sighing, Ryūko set the photo down and moved to take her seat at the table, trying not to notice the gaudy, golden bust statue of Mako's father, with sunglasses and a cigar in his mouth. Slowly, she cut a piece of steak off from her meal and began chewing. Objectively speaking, it was top quality. But something was missing.
"I see you're back to eating all on your own, sister."
"C'mon, Senketsu." She said after swallowing. "I'm not alone so long as I have you."
But she couldn't ignore the hole in her heart.
.-.
After dinner, Ryūko decided to relax with a hot bath, but only found herself staring blankly up at the ceiling, not even paying attention to the various rubber duckies on the edge of the tub. By chance, her gaze turned to the window. She stepped out of the bath, and with one arm covering her breasts, moved over to the window and opened it.
"No, they wouldn't be out here."
.-.
"Tell me, Ryūko." Senketsu began as his sister fell back onto her bed and gazed up at the canopy. "Is this really victory?"
She didn't know.
.-.
Knock, knock, knock
Ryūko rapped her knuckles on the door to Koji's house and waited for him to answer the door. Shortly after the sound of the lock coming undone could be heard from inside, but when the door opened, instead of the One-Star boy she'd gotten used to, a full grown man with dark blond hair and a short beard was the one who answered. His clothing was all grey, and though his shirt fit fairly loose it was still obvious he was well muscled.
"Well hello there, little lady." The man said with a clear accent to his Japanese. "What can I do for you?"
"Uh… I-I'm looking for Koji. Is he home?"
At the mention of Koji's name the man's expression changed from curious to a wide smile.
"Oh! You must be Ryūko Matoi! Come in, come in! My son's told me so much about you."
"Wait, you're Koji's father? I'm very sorry sir, please forgive my rudeness!" Ryūko hurriedly said as she bowed to the Narukami household patriarch.
"Ha ha ha! Well now, you're a bit more polite than I was led to believe. Koji's in his room working on something. You know where it is, right?"
"Yes sir, thank you." Ryūko stepped past Koji's father and into the house, offering a quick wave hello to Mrs. Narukami on her way to the One-Star's bedroom. When she reached it she knocked a few times.
"Yeah?" Came Koji's voice from inside.
"Hey Narukami, it's me. I need to talk to you." Koji's curious face as he opened the door quickly became one of concern when he saw Ryūko's own, but the girl remained silent as she led her friend out of his home and to a balcony in the complex where they had a good view of the No-Star slums.
"So? What's going on, Ryūko?" Koji asked, the cool night breeze gently blowing through their hair.
"How're your hands?"
"What?"
"Your hands, dumbass. Do they still hurt?"
Koji blinked in confusion, following Ryūko's gaze. It seemed like she was looking in the direction of the old Mankanshoku house. And now he had a feeling he knew what was going on. He pulled a hand from his pocket and looked over where some bandages had been placed, a few slipups with his needles.
"Yeah, I guess. It's not a big deal though, I finished the last of my punishment work today."
"Tch." Ryūko clicked her tongue, but was otherwise silent. She stared up at the moon, spacing out as she got lost in the glittering night sky. Eventually she dragged herself back to reality, working up the nerve to get on with what she'd called Koji out for.
"Do you think I'm a monster, Koji?"
The One-Star boy found himself blindsided by the question. Ever since the night he first gave Ryūko his blood and they'd become friends, he'd had a hard time thinking of her as anything else. But the truth is the girl was a vampire, which was about as close to 'monster' as you could get.
"No. I don't."
"Really?"
"Really really." Koji firmly nodded and gave Ryūko a pat on the back. "Sure you're a bit different than other girls, but that doesn't make you a monster. Your brother is a set of living clothes, do you think he's a monster?"
Ryūko's eyes widened slightly. The black haired girl looked down at her chest to see Senketsu's eye looking up to meet her. As usual, he was expressionless, but she could still tell what he expected.
"No, of course not."
"Monsters are made, Ryūko. Not born. Made by actions. Kiryūin's a monster, you aren't."
"Please, I've killed more than my fair share."
"Sure, but you only killed to keep yourself alive."
"Hmm." Ryūko studied her friend's face, trying to find signs he was lying. She'd become rather skilled at doing so, but he seemed honest as could be. She felt the pit in her stomach close up somewhat. "Do you think… greed can turn people into monsters?"
"Easier than anything." Koji answered without hesitation. "Why? Is everything going all right?"
"Oh yeah, it's great. Mako's done so well as Fight Club President she got promoted to Two-Star."
Ah. "You don't seem too happy about that."
"No, no, I am. Really." Ryūko sighed and placed her elbow on the guardrail, resting her head in her hand. "Mako's family finally get to live the life of riches they deserve. As long as they're happy, I'm happy. Just wish I didn't have to go back to eating alone…"
"Ryūko…" Koji said, concerned. "Are you sure you're okay with whatever's happening? Because if you aren't, then I can't help you. You just have to trust yourself."
She didn't answer, instead choosing to dart her eyes around the skyline and the Hono slums underneath. Her enhanced vision caught on to the old back alley clinic she used to live in only a couple weeks ago. Ryūko narrowed her eyes.
"Thanks, Koji. By the way, I've got a fight booked with the MMA Club president tomorrow. You should come watch me kick his ass."
.-.
And surely as the sun will rise, the time came for a bout between Ryūko and Kenji to determine which of the two clubs was supreme. An arena had been constructed in the Academy courtyard, much like when Satsuki had first battled the black clad insurgent. This time however, the spectator stands had been arranged in a horseshoe pattern and built from stone. A smaller stand covered in spikes stood in the gap of the others, where the remaining three members of the Elite Four sat waiting to observe the coming battle.
And in the middle of the makeshift arena stood Mako Mankanshoku and Kenji Shibusawa, presidents of their respective clubs on opposite ends. Mako wore her One-Star uniform and a pair of thick sunglasses, staring ahead with a confident and determined expression.
"The day has come for us to face off against the MMA Club, and after that the Elite Four! When we win these battles, the Fight Club will reign supreme over the Student Council! We'll have both honor and all the luxury we can stand!"
Golden sparkles could be seen radiating from Mako as she began laughing maniacally.
"Yer really sure of yerself fer someone who ain't doin' her own fightin'." Shibusawa said, though he went unheard. "Mmm? …Took her long enough."
What had caught the boy's attention was the sound of approaching footsteps, belonging to none other than Ryūko, star member of the Fight Club. But as Shibusawa watched the girl approach, he noticed something off.
"You're late, Ryūko!" Mako reprimanded as she turned to face her friend with a hand on her hip. "The final showdown is about to begin!"
Whap.
An envelope smacked Mako in the face, pulled down into her hands by gravity. "What's this?" She asked, a hint of her former carefree attitude slipping in.
"My letter of resignation from the club."
"Huh?! What are you saying?"
"I'm quitting the Fight Club." Ryūko averted her gaze, looking down at the ground.
"You can't! If you quit now we'll be sent back to the slums!"
"Huh. Guess I won't get a fight taday after all." Shibusawa commented, though both girls pretended not to hear him.
"…I'm fine with that." Ryūko said in response to Mako.
"Well I'm not! I'm never going back there!" Mako yelled in anger, unaware of a whistling noise and a growing shadow behind her. Suddenly, a large object crashed into the ground just near Mako's position, carving a small trench into the dirt and sending the girl tumbling to the ground in a faceplant. A quick look at the object in question confirmed it be a large dresser cabinet on wheels.
"What the-?" Ryūko's question and incoming curse were cut short by a familiar light shining from the Academy's tower.
"Fight Club President Mako Mankanshoku!" Satsuki Kiryūin called down from her radiant perch. "Your Two-Star Uniform is inside that wardrobe!"
"M-my uniform?" Mako asked in confusion, picking herself up off the ground.
"If you wish to keep your current social standing and lifestyle, fight and defeat Ryūko Matoi! Defeat Matoi, and I will grant you a Three-Star Goku Uniform."
"That's dirty, even for you Kiryūin!" Ryūko snarled at the older girl with her fangs bared.
"The choice of whether to accept lies with Mankanshoku, not you."
"You bitch." Ryūko spat, quickly pulling the trigger on her glove. Senketsu burst off of her and reformed into his battle mode. "Life Fiber Synchronize, Kamui Senketsu!"
"Don't be so hasty," Satsuki responded to the transformation. "I'm not the one you face today."
"Huh?" An array of glittering stars shone from the wardrobe before it exploded, steam erupting from where it had once stood. The steam cleared to reveal Mako, now dressed in a Teo-Star Goku Uniform. Uniquely compared to other uniforms, it appeared to mostly be an accessory to her original No-Star uniform. An oversized black and red overcoat lay draped over her shoulders, with red spikes on its own shoulders and cuffs, along with gold spikes on the collar. Around Mako's skirt was a belt bearing the familiar stars, similar to Fukuroda's old uniform. Her shoes had been replaced by a pair of geta, and on her right hand was now a set of star shaped brass knuckles bearing her name. On her right arm was a vibrant, spiked crimson wristband, and to complete the banchou look was a black cap with a golden moon, and a grass reed in her mouth.
"Fight Club Spec…" Mako began, twisting her cap to the side, "Two-Star Goku Uniform! Fight Club President, Mako Mankanshoku!"
As the two friends stared each other down, the onlooking crowds could almost see a geyser burst from the ground beneath.
"They're having a falling out?" Aikuro Mikisugi wondered aloud from up in his classroom.
"Now see, if sixteen is equal to eight elevenths, what you need to do is divide sixteen by- wait, who?" Koji questioned suddenly, looking up from a desk he was sitting at across from a No-Star student.
"Matoi and Mankanshoku. I'm surprised."
Koji's face paled, the chair he'd been sitting on crashing to the floor as he shot up and ran to the window, staring down at the courtyard.
"Oh no. Ryūko was supposed to be fighting the MMA Club president, how did this happen?" Turning back to the desk he rushed over and shoved a textbook into his bag before running to the door. "I'm really sorry Tamura, but I have to get down there now!"
Mr. Mikisuigi said nothing as he watched the boy leave.
"That's Lady Satsuki. She plays dirty." Jakuzure said with smug pride from down in the Elite stands.
"Does she really though?" Sanageyama replied, having appeared from thin air.
"What are you doing here, loser monkey? Can't be watching the fight, since you're blind."
"I don't need eyes to see anymore."
"Ryūko-chan, say your prayers!" Mako said, rushing forwards and delivering a powerful dropkick Ryūko managed to block with the Scissor Blade. Pushing off from the angled surface, Mako sprung up into the air and threw out a shower of dozens of golden weapons. Ryūko easily parried most of them, but a mace dropped onto her forehead with a thunk one would expect from a coconut. As a cloud of dirt and dust covered her, the vampire girl ran at Mako, jumping over the other girl's head and twisting to slice with her weapon, only to be blocked by Mako twisting around with a spiked baseball bat. The force of their collision threw up another cloud of dust, and when it cleared the two were caught in a deadlock.
"Mako, cut it out! This isn't like you!"
"I can't! Not when we finally have a life of luxury! I can't go back to being poor!"
"Can't, or won't?"
The continuous hum of an engine and the screeching of tires broke Ryūko's attention from the fight momentarily, causing her to turn towards the sound.
"Mr. and Mrs. Mankanshoku!" Ryūko called out as Mako's family drove towards the arena in an expensive sports car painted a shade of silver so bright it hurt her eyes to look at. They were dressed in the same gaudy, showy clothing Ryūko had come to expect, but aside from wearing more valuable outfits their outward appearances hadn't changed much, except for Sukuyo, who'd started wearing a huge pastel pink hairpiece resembling a hermit crab's shell.
Mako used the break in Ryūko's concentration to her advantage, pushing forwards and catching the edge of the Scissor Blade under one of the nails in her bat. Mako quickly spun around and tossed Ryūko away. Tumbling through the air, Ryūko managed to land on her fight, a few meters in front of where the Mankanshoku family's car had come to a stop.
"Mako, what are you…" Mr. Mankanshoku trailed off, the entire family trying to process what was going on.
"Stay back!" Ryūko warned, holding her arm out as if to shield them. "Mako's not thinking straight! You'll only get hurt if you try to stop her! …Huh?"
To Ryūko's surprise, Mako's family had already made their way into the stands. They hadn't been sitting down for even a second before each of them began crazily waving around and yelling at the two fighters.
"What are you standing around for?! Hurry up and beat the tar out of Ryūko!"
"Yes, rush her now!"
"Send Ryūko straight to Hell!"
"You guys aren't going to at least tell her to stop?!" Ryūko yelled back. Moments later, a gold chain encircled her body, snapping taut just underneath her breasts and restraining her arms behind her back.
"Sorry, Ryūko m'dear. But we can't give up on the life we've become accustomed to."
"Don't give us that bullshit!" A voice called out from below, interrupting whatever Mako's mother was about to say. "You live one way for a couple weeks and all of a sudden it's impossible for you to live how you'd spent most of your lives?"
"What?! How dare you talk to the Mankanshoku family like that! Show yourself!"
"Very well." A moment later, the voice's owner jumped clear over Mr. Mankanshoku's head to land square in the empty seat next to Mataro, revealing itself to be none other than Koji.
"K-k-Koji! What are you doing here?"
"My two best friends are trying to beat the shit out of each other over stupid nonsense, why wouldn't I be here?" Before a response could be made, the blond turned himself back to face the ongoing battle. "Mako, you gotta stop thi-"
Unfortunately, Mako couldn't hear him over Ryūko's screams as she was hurled up into the air, giving Koji a full view of her underwear. Koji lost track of whatever he was trying to say, reduced to blushing fiercely.
"Observe, Matoi!" Satsuki Kiryūin suddenly shouted down from atop the school, an unusual mania in her voice. "This is human nature in its purest form! Prosperity leads to greed, and greed will lead to their downfall! Once they have tasted worldly pleasure, they're enslaved by them forever! They have become slaves to this academy I have created! They are pigs in human clothing! Pigs which must be tamed by force!"
Koji wanted nothing more in that moment than to refute Kiryūin's claims, to stand and shout back to her that Mako and her family weren't weak like that. But he couldn't deny what was right in front of him. As Mako, that sweet, innocent girl brutally thrashed and whipped her supposed best friend all about the courtyard on a chain, reminiscent of how Gamagōri had executed Suzuki, Koji found himself wondering if Kiryūin was right.
And as Ryūko broke free of the chain, using it to pull Mako in for a bone shattering kick, the look in her eyes made Koji wonder if Ryūko could fight her nature as well. Swiftly recovering from Ryūko's attack, Mako jumped back into the air and pointed her bat down at Ryū bat split apart to reveal a missile that rocketed forward. Ironically, Ryūko held her Scissor Blade like a baseball bat in preparation for the impact, only for the missile to explode the instant it made contact with the blade's point.
As an immense column of smoke and flame filled the air, Mako stared ahead, the fire's orange glow filling her eyes. And yet, when the flame died and the smoke dissipated…
"Huh?"
"What's the matter, Ryūko?" Senketsu asked his sister, who had disengaged her transformation.
"Don't worry. I'll be fine."
"Matoi's chooing friendship over her own life?" Gamagōri questioned from his seat.
"Interestin'." Shibusawa said with a grin, stepping back to stand next to Sanageyama. "You been payin' attention? 'Cause it looks like Matoi ain't the vicious killer ya thought she was."
Impossible. Sanageyama thought as he clenched his fist. There's nobody else it could be.
The ensuing beatdown was brutal. Mako rushed Ryūko down, battering her with an endless barrage of punches and kicks that tossed the vampiress around like a ragdoll, staining the ground with her blood and grinding dirt into her wounds. But even as Mako pummeled her with a rush fast enough to impress even the protagonist of a certain post apocalyptic manga series, Ryūko took everything without a single move to fight back. Eventually, the sun began to set.
Lifting her fist with the brass knuckles to the sky, Mako triumphantly declared "It's over!" and ran at Ryūko to deliver the final blow. Her family cheered her on the entire way. Koji decided he'd finally seen enough and leapt out of the stands, placing himself firmly between his two friends. Ryūko looked at the back of his head with surprise, though it quickly shifted into a smile when she looked into Mako's eyes.
"Get out of the way, Koji-Senpai!" Mako yelled at the One-Star, her fist held inches away from his face.
"No."
"Move!"
"No. You're better than this, Mako."
"What would you know?!" The girl suddenly cried out, tears streaming down her face. "You've never been poor!"
Koji opened his mouth to respond, but no words came to him. He just stood there gaping until he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay, One-Star." Ryūko half whispered to him. "I still trust Mako."
He turned to look at the girl behind him. Despite her numerous bruises and injuries, she could still smile and nod confidently. With a slow nod of his own, Koji stepped away from the two. Mako reared back for a massive punch while her family cheered her on with "Get her!" and "Finish her off already!" Closing her eyes, Mako threw her fist forward.
Only to once again stop just before making impact.
"W-why?" She quietly said, fist shaking before she slowly slid down to the dirt. "Why aren't you stopping me? If this goes on, Ryūko-chan's gonna die! Mom, Dad, Mataro, why aren't you stopping me?! And you call yourselves a family?!"
Even the normally reticent One-Stars in the stands, who hadn't so much as smiled throughout the entire fight, looked on in shock at the sudden outburst, but not as shocked as Mako's own family.
"Y-you're mad at us?" Her father confusedly stammered out.
"When I became club president and our lives improved, I thought we had a sparkle in our eyes." Mako said as a giant pool formed beneath her from her tears. "I thought we were all glowing, but we were just blinded by greed! The twinkle in our eyes was just a dazzling glimmer of a glint!"
"We're the worst!" Mako smacked her hand on the ground. "Dad and all you guys! And so am I!"
Pulling back her arm once again, Mako drove her fist into the ground with enough force a bright light could be seen shining from the point of impact, just before a massive explosion burst forth and completely tore up the area. The stands were obliterated instantly, tossing the One-Stars all throughout the courtyard, Koji included. Even the Three-Star seating hurtled through the air, though it, its occupants, and the figures of Shibusawa and Sanageyama hanging on to it were otherwise fine.
"Heh. I guess it's a good thing you were holding back, Mako." Ryūko said when the dust cleared, pulling Mako's attention away from the giant crater she'd created. "I'd be done for if you slugged me that hard."
"You knew Mako never struck you at full force, and that's why you stood there and took the beating?" Senketsu asked.
"Yep. But Mako was fighting a tough battle of her own, huh?"
"I-I'm sorry, Ryūko-chan…" Mako whimpered with the beginnings of more tears in her eyes. "I'm so, so sorry!"
"Heh." Ryūko smiled at her friend, glad their fight was over. "Then take that silly thing off."
Outside of the crater, Koji picked himself up and shook off the ringing in his ears, dirt and dust covering him. The ringing faded just in time for him to hear Ryūko yell out.
"Kiryūin! Humans aren't as weak as you say they are! People can overcome their desires through sheer willpower!" A moment later Koji watched as Mako's Goku Uniform was hurled into the air, Ryūko immediately following with her Scissor Blade ready. "Finishing move: Sen-I-Soshitsu!"
Instead of being absorbed, the uniform exploded into a marvelous fireworks show, painting the dusk skyline in green, blue, purple and yellow. Ryūko, Mako, and Koji each watched the show with bright, relaxed smiles. Had any been close enough to observe Satsuki Kiryūin, they might have sworn the empress of Honnōji was smiling herself as she turned away.
.-.
Later that night, Koji sat awake in his room, the darkness consuming the space, save for a small patch of light from the lamp at his desk. His phone lay forgotten on his bed, open to a text message Iori had sent him.
Lady Satsuki plans to 'rebuild Honnōji Academy's order' from the ground up. Prepare yourself for the Reprisal General Election.
Koji pulled open the lowest drawer on his desk and fumbled around in the darkness, before depressing a small button that opened a false bottom he'd installed. From that he produced a portable safe, and after entering the proper combination, the safe opened as well. Koji reached in and pulled out the fragment of Senketsu he'd acquired so many days ago. It had since lost its shape, being separated from the Kamui's body for so long, but it still pulsed with more power than any mass of Life Fibers he'd held before.
As the red glow of the Life Fibers danced across his face, the blond One-Star narrowed his eyes. Mako's Goku Uniform had given him just the inspiration he needed.
.-.
NEXT EPISODE
Disciplinary Committee Chair Ira Gamagōri, a man so loyal he'd enroll in driving school to become Lady Satsuki's personal chauffeur. Sewing Club Vice-President Koji Narukami, a boy who'd do anything to protect his schoolmates. Will their skills be enough for their respective tasks? And do they share more in common than they think?
Next time on Kill la Kill Polaris: No Tears But The Rain.
.-.
I decided it was about time to hint at what's really going on behind the scenes here. I wonder how many of you've already figured it out? Oh, and don't worry about not seeing Shibusawa in a serious fight. A perfect opportunity for that, and a certain rematch involving Sanageyama, is coming up very soon.