Hello everyone, I'm back again! Sorry this took so long, but now that we've started getting into summer where I live work's gotten more demanding and tiring of me. That said, we've more or less reached the point where bigger changes start making an appearance. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Kill la Kill. This is a fanmade work purely for entertainment purposes. KlK is owned by Studio Trigger.

.-.

"The hell are we out here for?" Ryūko irritatedly questioned anyone in earshot who could provide an answer. She shuffled her foot at the ground in the courtyard, building a small dirt pile before kicking it over.

"Apparently Lady Satsuki has some kind of announcement for us." Koji responded, careful to hide his animosity for their overlord where more loyal followers might hear. "This is the first time since I've been here that she's called the entire school together like this, though."

"Well, I wish she'd get whatever it is the hell over with already." Ryūko complained as she began scraping at one of her fangs with a fingernail. "Having this many people in one place makes me all antsy."

As if in response to Ryūko's discontent, Satsuki Kiryūin's signature backlight shone down on the masses, the empress herself appearing within it shortly after. As usual, she stared at the pigs in human clothing that were her subjects with a domineering sneer, perfect posture as she held the sheathed Bakuzan in front of her. Yet, something about her demeanor was different that morning. Ryūko and Koji both tensed up in anticipation.

"Today," Satsuki began, clenching her teeth angrily between words, "I am giving the Honnōji Academy Student Council system a fresh start! All students have the right to attack other students! Secret meetings, schemes, backstabbing, nothing is off limits!"

Koji and Ryūko tensed up as Satsuki spoke, feeling hundreds of eyes drilling into them. While Ryūko began planning a quick escape, Koji found himself cautious of how seemingly perfect an opportunity this was.

"Seven days from now," Satsuki continued as a large banner reading 'FIRST HONNŌJI ACADEMY NATURALS ELECTION' appeared behind her. "Reach the schoolyard alive! And then, use your strength to lay claim to your social standing once again! This shall be Honnōji Academy's First Naturals Election!"

"'Naturals Election'?" Ryūko repeated while the mass of students began murmuring to themselves. "The hell does that mean?"

"It means you're a bigger target than ever before." Koji whispered to her. "I appreciate the pun, though."

"In this election," Satsuki Kiryūin's commanding voice boomed over the grounds again, instantly silencing the crowd. "You will not be choosing a candidate to represent you! You will be representing yourself! Your ideals! Your strength! Your way of life! At exactly eight thirty am, seven days from now, a sudden death runoff election will be held with the survivors who arrive in this schoolyard! Fight one another! Emerge victorious! And I will grant you your Goku Uniforms anew!"

Satsuki halted her speech for a moment, observing the faces of those gathered in the courtyard beneath. A dark malice had fallen over many of the One-Star students, evil smirks having taken over their faces. A quick stamp of Bakuzan against the platform she was stationed on produced a loud clanging, an informal starting shot before she truly declared the beginning of the 'election'.

"And now, fellow comrades of Honnōji Academy! Fight!"

There was silence in the courtyard as Satsuki and the remainder of the Elite Four turned away, save for the opening of a door as Gamagōri held it for his lady. When the door had closed and the ruling class of the school was no longer present, the gravity of the situation fully set in, the courtyard erupting into a massive war cry as hundreds of voices yelled out simultaneously.

"Aww, shit! Get ready to run, Narukami!" Ryūko cried, barely audible over the din filling the courtyard as the countless gathered students tore into each other, behaving more like ruthless animals than humans. A pair of One-Stars lunged at her and Koji, each throwing a punch. Koji deftly stepped to the side and grabbed his attacker's arm, spinning the other boy around and tossing him into an approaching mob. The girl who had attacked Ryūko crumpled to the ground shortly after making contact, whimpering as she held her now injured hand. Ryūko threw her own haymaker at a student that had tried sneaking up on the oblivious Mako, teeth flying away from his face in spurts of his blood.

"Come on man, let's get out of here!" Ryūko swept Mako off her feet and up into her arms princess style, the delinquent girl racing away from the courtyard and towards the school with Koji close behind. Once inside Honnōji's main building, Koji pushed the doors shut and leaned on them until he was sure nobody had attempted to follow them in. Sighing heavily, he slowly stepped away from the doors and over to his friends.

"Good thinking, Ryūko." He said. "I really wasn't looking forward to the idea of punching a No-Star or my classmates."

"Don't thank me yet, Narukami. We're both top targets, and those dipshits outside will figure out we're in here eventually. Let's keep moving." Mako happily nodded, following her friend's lead. Koji lingered behind for a moment before taking up the rear.

"Where are we going anyway, Matoi?"

"To see Mr. Mikisuigi." Ryūko responded as the trio entered a stairwell.

"Huh?" Koji blinked in confusion, unsure what the teacher could do for them.

"Yeah, didn't I tell you? He wants to see Kiryūin eat dirt too."

.-.

Ryūko, Koji, and Mikisugi leaned out the window of the teacher's classroom, staring up at the tower which contained Satsuki Kiryūin's private quarters while Mako snored away behind them. A few moments after they began staring, a hissing noise emanated from the tower, followed by sprays of Life Fibers from either side. Gradually, a giant gourd like barrier formed entirely of Life Fibers took shape around the tower, ensuring Satsuki was fully protected and impossible to reach- Exempt from her own rules, as usual.

"What are they doing up there?" Ryūko questioned the males in the room, expecting them to know the answer.

"They're circulating finely chopped Life Fibers at a speed of over one hundred meters per second, creating a high velocity Life Fiber jammer." Mr. Mikisugi helpfully explained while adjusting his sunglasses.

"I get the concept, but doesn't that seem kinda slow?" Koji asked. "Ryūko's way faster than that."

"Regardless, any and all attacks are neutralized by that barrier. Even Senketsu's power may not be enough to get through."

"Damn, and here I am thinking this was my chance to challenge her directly. She whips everyone up into a frenzy, then sits behind an impenetrable wall?" Ryūko smacked his fist against the windowsill in frustration.

"I think that may be what she wants." Koji commented.

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"Think about it. Lady Satsuki's ruled with absolute power here at Honnōji. The entire academy hinges on her every word, and by shutting herself away like this she's forced the school into anarchy."

"Narukami's correct." Mikisugi agreed with the One-Star. "Take a look down below."

In the courtyard beneath, the heated battle that had begun that morning continued to rage just as fiercely, perhaps even fiercer. Occasionally a figure could be seen emerging from the gigantic cloud of dust, usually a No or One-Star, but several members of the Football Club could be seen as well.

"I swear, I'm so sick of her…" Ryūko sighed, resting her head in her hand.

"What about you, Koji?" Mikisugi asked the One-Star boy.

"H-huh?!" Koji hurriedly stammered out in shock.

"Relax, Narukami." Ryūko said to her friend. "I told you, you can be honest with this guy. I wouldn't say he's reliable or anything, but he won't rat you out."

"….I despise Kiryūin with every fiber of my being." Koji reluctantly admitted as he watched the Elite Four casually stroll through the chaos in the courtyard, any and all attackers crashing uselessly against them like a fly into a window. "She's the embodiment of everything you could possibly hate about an authority figure jacked up to a damn thirteen. And you know what? I'm sick of hiding behind Ryūko. In seven days I'm going to cave Kiryūin's imperial skull in myself."

"Damn, dude." Ryūko commented with widened eyes. "That's the most violent thing I've ever heard you say. I like it."

"Would I be correct in assuming that's why you held onto the piece of Senketsu all this time, Koji?" Mikisugi asked half absently, one hand rubbing the back of his head.

"How did you know about that, sir?"

"Oh, I forgot to tell ya." Ryūko spoke up again. "This guy's part of some super secret organization dedicated to bringing Kiryūin down. Mohawk Man's part of it too, by the way."

Koi's hands clenched into fists, remembering that day and the battle that took place. "You're working with that lunatic who tried to kill my friends, Mr. Mikisugi?"

"We're part of the same group, yes." Mikisugi said with a sudden smoothness in his voice. Koji noticed a sharpness in the man's eyes that he'd never seen before. "Tsumugu's a bit impulsive when it comes to Life Fibers, but I can promise you he has good intentions. Neither of us can know for sure the other won't throw Ryūko to the wolves, so we'll just have to trust her trust in us."

Slowly, Koji nodded and relaxed. "Alright, that makes sense. I'm willing to trust you if Ryūko is." Turning to face Mako, the blond pulled a pencil out of his pocket and popped the spit bubble she'd been blowing in her sleep, snapping the cheerful girl awake.

"Mako, can I ask you a favor?"

"Sure thing, Koji-Senpai! What is it?"

.-.

"You want us to do what, Koji?" The One-Star's mother said while holding her husband's arm. The sounds of roaring flames, roaring yells, and the occasional explosion echoed throughout the One-Star condo district. A quick glance out the window saw an entire floor of a neighboring building violently erupt into flame.

"I want you and Dad to stay over at Mako's house until this election stuff is over. It's chaos over here Mom, you aren't safe."

"Honey, I know you're worried about us, but we can't just up and leave our home." Mrs. Narukami's violet eyes gazed into her son's own. She understood Koji's concerns, and even shared them to an extent. But…

"Hang on a minute there, Aoi." Koji's father said. "Our son knows how this school works better than almost anyone else. If he thinks it's too dangerous for us here, maybe we should listen."

The black haired woman frowned and placed a hand over her chest.

"I know, Victor." She began. "But then we'd be leaving Koji here all alone. As his parents, we shouldn't be leaving our son to fend for himself in a situation like this!"

"Don't worry about a thing, ma'am." Ryūko said from behind Koji. "I promise I won't let your son get hurt again. As soon as we have you safe and sound, I'll come straight back here to keep an eye on him."

Ryūko had put slight emphasis on the word 'again' as she spoke, reminding both Koji's mother and herself of the wounds the boy had suffered from Tsumugu. After a somewhat tense silence, Aoi relented and nodded with a deep sigh.

"Alright. You make sure nobody hurts our son, understand young lady?"

Ryūko nodded herself in response to the older woman, who squeezed her husband's arm tighter. The two of them paused to give their son a hug before walking out their front door with Mako right behind them. Ryūko turned to leave herself, but paused with one hand on the doorframe.

"Whatever you're planning to turn your uniform into, it better pack one hell of a punch, Narukami."

Koji gave the vampire girl a grim but determined smile that she returned with a fanged grin of her own and a small wave. Once the door had latched closed behind her, Koji quickly walked over and turned the lock. Sighing deeply, the boy looked back to his room and down at his uniform. It was time.

In his bedroom, Koji reached down to the bottom drawer on his desk and opened the false bottom, pulling out and opening the hidden safe containing the Life Fibers from Senketsu. He placed the bundle of fabric on his desk, then dropped to his knees and reached under his bed, pulling out another safe, this one containing the Life Fibers from the One-Star Goku Uniform Ryūko had been given.

It's a little weird nobody even asked for it back when Ryūko and Mako got demoted… Koji thought to himself. Everything about this situation seemed too good to be true, now that he thought about it. Kiryūin just happens to announce what was essentially a free shot at her head right after he'd acquired the necessary materials to create a Three-Star Uniform of his own? Shiro did say she saw some kind of 'potential' in me. Did… Kiryūin know what I was planning?

The thought shook his nerves. But Koji drove the idea out of his mind. It didn't matter why this was happening, only that it was. And it was probably the only real chance he'd get. Removing the shirt of his uniform, Koji draped it over the back of his desk chair and sat down. The first thing he needed to do was determine the exact differences in the Life Fiber samples. The sample from Senketsu was clearly more powerful than a regular sample, and his absorption didn't entirely explain why, since Koji's two samples were of equal proportions and density.

To the naked eye, the two samples were identical. Koji reached over for a microscope on his desk and pulled it closer to him, pinning the Life Fibers from the standard One-Star uniform in place. Peering through the scope's lens revealed nothing Koji didn't already know. The Life Fibers were structured in a similar manner as standard production clothing from REVOCs, the world's largest clothing manufacturer, though the stitching was of far higher quality.

The sample of Life Fibers from Senketsu was a different story, however.

"What the hell?" Koji said aloud. Though the appearance of the stitching was slightly more angular and jagged than, it very clearly resembled the spiraling double helix shape of human DNA. He stared down at it through the microscope, trying to process what he'd learned and what it could possibly mean.

"Something catch your eye, Narukami?" A smooth, familiar voice spoke from just to his right.

"Gaaahjesus Christ!" Koji yelled out, suddenly jumping up from his chair and slamming his knee into the edge of his desk. Hissing in pain, he fell back onto his bed with his eyes clenched shut, rubbing his knee with one hand. Slowly he opened his eyes to see a tanned girl in a suit standing over him.

"No, just me." The girl said, smirking.

"N-Nakata?! How the hell did you get in my house?" The One-Star deftly jumped from his bed and clear over the intruder, pulling a seam ripper from his pocket and brandishing it threateningly. Nakata was unfazed.

"Cards can be used for more than simple tricks, Narukami." Nakata winked at the boy while twirling the Queen of Hearts between her fingers. "Picking your lock was simple, however. And you may put away your tool. I'm not here to harm you, quite the opposite in fact."

"Oh." Koji slowly lowered his seam ripper and moved back to his bed, tensing up slightly as he passed Nakata. "I guess that makes sense. We haven't finished our game, after all. But if you were hoping to play now, I'm sorry to disappoint you. I'm really busy at the moment."

"Working on some sort of secret weapon to defeat Lady Satsuki, right?"

Koji froze.

"I take it from your sudden halting of movement that I'm correct, yes? Don't worry, I have no intention of exposing you. I'm actually interested in how your project will turn out."

"…I appreciate that, Nakata." Koji said with a tense expression, reaching for a pencil and notepad. "But how did you find out?"

"I made an educated guess." Hinata shuffled a deck of playing cards before turning her attention over to a couple of manga volumes on Koji's shelf. "Someone who cares for the students of this school the way you do would surely be incapable of tolerating the way it's run. And given the current circumstances, if you were to make a move against Lady Satsuki, it would be now. Really, I'd be surprised if there was anyone who didn't at least expect you to turn against her."

"I guess I'd better make it count then." Koji responded to the girl. "Thank you for looking out for me, Hinata."

A small, soft smile crossed Hinata's face, the gambler brushing a lock of platinum blonde hair out of her eyes. "You're very welcome, Koji. I hope you'll give us one hell of a show."

Pulling a volume of the manga on Koji's shelf away, Hinata turned and left his room, making her way to the couch in the Narukami household's living room. A quick snap of her fingers set the Aces of every card suite to hover by the front door.

.-.

"Alright, I don't understand how you guys can be so calm and philosophical right now." Ryūko said with an expression halfway between concern and confusion. "There's fires and riots throughout every corner of this city, and an entire damn army's worth of One-Stars have willingly entered the slums."

"Oh, a little craziness in town is no reason for us to go crazy, Ryūko dear." Mrs. Mankanshoku contentedly sighed, sipping from some warm tea. Mako's family, along with the addition of Koji's parents, were gathered around a small wooden table with a teapot in the center. Each of them had the same relaxed look on their faces, even Guts.

"And, due to that recent incident," Mako's father began, "We learned that obsessing over short term wants isn't any good."

"How wise, Barazō." Koji's father commended, nodding sagely. "It's always better to prepare for the future. Speaking of the future, remind Aoi and I to compensate you for your generous hospitality."

In a moment, Yen symbols seemed to spring up in Mr. Mankanshoku's eyes as the man suddenly remembered that as a One-Star family, Koji's parents were relatively wealthy.

"Well, I suppose a little focus on the present isn't so bad." He said quietly. Ryūko could've sworn she saw a short twinkle in the man's eye. But it wasn't malicious like when the family had let their greed consume them, it was more mischievous like when Mataro would set up a rigged cup game.

"Yes indeed, there is luck in the last helping." Mataro stated as if on cue. "If I wait until everyone's exhausted from all the fighting, I'll be able to lift two or three wallets easy!"

"Mataro, you never learn!" The boy's mother angrily pinched her son's cheek as a form of reprimand.

"What a clever little boy you have, Mrs. Mankanshoku." Koji's mother said, resting one hand on her cheek as she carefully sipped her tea.

"Oh, please. Call me Sukuyo." In an instant the Mankanshoku matriarch had forgotten her issue with her son's behavior, with the rest of the room laughing lightly at the contrast.

"In that case, do you mind if I borrow your scooter, sir?" Ryūko asked, turning her attention back to Mr. Mankanshoku.

"I swindled it from the store's owner specially for you, Ryūko. Use it all you like."

"Oh wow, thanks!"

Ryūko excitedly ran outside and set up the scooter, grabbing hold of the handlebars and placing one foot on the ground to keep her balance. Near instantly after, Mako appeared in the doorway, holding it open.

"Where are you going, Ryūko-chan?"

"Oh, nowhere specific. I was gonna let Narukami know his parents are alright, then just drive around for a while."

"Oh, just tooling around, huh?" Mako asked, suddenly appearing in the passenger seat behind Ryūko, with her hands on the other girl's waist. "I'll go with you!"

With that, Mako tightly squeezed her arms around Ryūko's chest, causing Senketsu no small amount of distress.

"Hey!"

"I'm not letting go, Ryūko-chan!"

Ryūko's concerned frown slowly turned into a smile, the vampire girl finding herself comforted by Mako's cheery attitude. "Oh, what the hell. Senketsu, you're just gonna have to grin and bear it for a while."

"I… can't… breathe!" The Kamui protested, though it fell on deaf ears. With a pair of light, cheery laughs, the unlikely friends sped off, leaving a small cloud of dust in their wake.

As she and Mako drove down the highway lit by the setting sun, Ryūko found her heartbeat slow to a relaxed pace, her mind soothed by the continuous sound of the engine running. The scooter was rather weak compared to the vehicles she preferred, but it was nice to be in control of a motor again. She could hardly remember the last time she drove anywhere.

"Aren't you gonna fight in the election?" Ryūko asked Mako, slightly turning her head to look over her shoulder.

"Nah, I'm a No-Star. I don't have anything to lose. Rather, I'm happy because it's like a week long vacation!"

"You've got a point!" Ryūko turned her attention back to the road. There weren't any other drivers out, but she still didn't want to crash into a wall.

"We'll all be outside cheering for you and Koji-Senpai in the Sudden Death Runoff, so you two fight hard, okay?"

"…Will do!" Ryūko pressed a bit harder on the accelerator.

.-.

"I don't fully understand what I'm looking at yet," Koji said aloud to himself as he peered through a microscope, before pulling his face back to check his notes. "But it looks like after a certain point, Goku Uniforms need to have some kind of transformation. Whether that transformation unleashes or suppresses power is another question."

"What exactly do you mean by that?" Nakata asked as she returned a manga volume she'd been reading to Koji's shelf.

"Uhh, well… How do I put this…" Koji said, scratching the back of his head with a pencil. "You know how the Two-Star uniforms all look different from each other?"

"Yes, because they're specially designed for each club president's use. My suit is nice, Narukami, but I don't see what you're getting at."

Koji turned his notes to a specific page before handing them to Nakata. On the page was drawn sketches of each type of Goku Uniform he'd seen. One-Star, Two-Star, Three-Star, and an image of Senketsu's eye represented a Kamui.

"Two-Star Goku Uniforms are specialized to draw out power in accordance to their wearer's talent. So don't you think it's a bit strange how Three-Star uniforms look so similar to One-Stars?"

Hinata's eyebrows raised in realization of what Koji meant. Turning the page, she found another sketch of Sanageyama's old Blade Regalia, or at least as accurate a drawing the boy was capable of. If anything fit the idea of "specially designed", it had.

"Ah, now I see what you mean. That is strange. So you suppose that the Three-Star uniforms have their 'battle' forms designed first, and their more subdued appearances are some form of power limiter?"

"Exactly. It would make sense, given that Two-Stars are the only uniforms where you can see Life Fibers just by looking. Though, imagining a uniform so powerful even the Elite Four need limiters… It just makes people who can wear a Kamui even more impressive."

"Indeed." Hinata checked the time on her watch, turning her gaze to Koji's front door. "And speaking of Kamui, Matoi's right on time."

Sure enough, mere seconds later the door clicked and opened thanks to a copy of the key Koji had given Ryūko.

"Yo Narukami, we're ba- Hey!" Ryūko stared at the blood dripping from her arm in an X shaped pattern with a bewildered expression. Shifting her eyes to the side she saw a playing card embedded in the wall. Without moving her head any further, Ryūko muttered out in a murderous tone "The fuck are you doing here, bitch?"

"Ryūko, wait a second," Koji warned, standing up from his desk and stretching his limbs. "This is just a misunderstanding, Hinata was here to keep me safe until you got back, I swear."

Baring her fangs, Ryūko repeatedly looked between Koji and Nakata, focusing on their eyes and body language. Deciding he was telling the truth, the vampiress forced the bloodlust out of her head and calmed herself.

"That so, huh. Alright then, get the hell out of here." Ryūko jabbed her bloody arm back as she pointed behind her, flinging a few more drops onto the floor and wall. With a sigh, Nakata recalled the cards to her hand and winked one eye at Koji before turning to leave.

"I can't wait to watch your performance, Narukami. Good luck." The Two-Star politely waved at Mako as she stepped out the door and blew a playful kiss at Ryūko, the latter still glaring until the door was shut and locked again.

"Here." Koji passed Ryūko an antiseptic wipe.

"Thanks. So, how've things been going here?" Ryūko asked while cleaning off her arm.

"Oh, not too bad. I learned a lot from studying that sample of Senketsu, so thank you for that." Koji directed his attention to Ryūko's Kamui at the end of his sentence, the living uniform blinking in acknowledgement. "I'm getting kinda tired of sitting at that desk for now though."

"You're in luck, Koji-Senpai!" Mako said excitedly, appearing behind her friend. "Ryūko-chan just got a brand new scooter, and we were wondering if you wanted to go on a ride somewhere!"

"A ride huh? Yeah, that sounds nice! I think my dad keeps an old sidecar for his motorcycle around here, let me go get it and I'll meet you two outside!"

"You got it. Ryūko flashed a thumbs up before opening the door again and waiting with Mako outside. Gathering his materials and the results of his observation, Koji placed them under lock in his secret safe, running a hand through his hair and exhaling a deep breath after he did so.

There wouldn't be any point installing a limiter on the Goku Uniform he planned to create. He planned to confront Satsuki Kiryūin in battle, and there were only two possible ways for that to end.

.-.

When the scooter came to a stop and the three friends had arrived at their destination, Koji took a look around, finding himself in an area he'd never seen before. Just ahead he noticed the remnants of a large building, stone columns and pillars scattered about like a house's bones, with charred wood and ash surrounding them. In confusion, he got out of the sidecar and turned to the left as Ryūko and Mako walked up to the wreckage, catching sight of a worn and tarnished gold nameplate.

"Is this…?" Mako started to ask.

"'Isshin and Ryūko Matoi.'" Koji read aloud after brushing aside some ivy. His eyes widened. "Ryūko, this is-"

"My family's house, yeah."

"A wreck like this? Wow, so you were poor, too!" Mako innocently asked.

"Mako, I don't think Ryūko lived in these ruins." Koji corrected as he approached the other two.

"Eh?"

"It was a regular mansion, but it burned down." Ryūko said, walking closer to the ruins.

"Oh, was? Wait, does that mean you're a rich girl?!"

"No, of course not. …I already told you guys that my mom died after I was born. And my dad was a scientist, who only ever had time for his research and never spent any with me. Since we never got along, I started living in the dorms in elementary school. I turned into a bad kid and got into fights all the time. By my first year of high school, I'd become a full blown juvenile delinquent."

As Ryūko spoke, Koji imagined what she would have looked like as a child and how her life must have gone., starting with other kids mocking her, and quickly progressing into the other kids starting fights with her. When Ryūko described her time in high school, he thought up an image of her as a gang leader.

"And then, six months ago… I got a message from Dad saying he wanted to talk, so I went home for the first time in ages."

"Is that when the fire happened?" Koji asked.

"Yeah." Ryūko affirmed. "I found my father bleeding out on the floor with the Scissor Blade stabbed deep into his chest. I don't understand everything he was trying to tell me, but he said if I took the Scissor Blade I'd have to fight… and that I'd find his killer. So I did."

Reaching into her pocket, Ryūko pulled out the Scissor Blade and expanded it to full size, stabbing the weapon into the earth, her knuckles bleeding white. "Fighting's all I was ever good at anyway."

"Ryūko-chan…"

"That must've been terrible for you to see."

"When we lived apart, there were times when I hated him." Ryūko pulled her weapon from the ground and began walking, with her friends following close behind. Shortly after they passed under a large stone archway, the ground paved with concrete beneath. Koji and Mako took up positions on large pieces of rubble on either side. "But when he died, I realized I never knew anything about my father."

The Scissor Blade stabbed into the ground again, with Ryūko leaning over it this time in an attempt to hide the tears forming in her eyes. But despite her efforts to hold them back, a single drop rolled down her cheek and fell.

"So I wanted to at least find out who killed him, and why. And what he was trying to tell me. What this scissor is. I want to find those answers."

Ryūko's right hand moved to her chest, any sadness gone from her voice. "And, I want to know why our dad created you, Senketsu."

Surrounded by a familiar cloud of red lights, Senketsu suddenly transformed around his sister. Raising the Scissor Blade high above her head, Ryūko slammed the weapon down, caving in the ground beneath her like a tin can. Mako slowly slid down into the hole she'd made on a rope while Koji looked down from above with a hand shading his eyes.

"There's nothing here…" Ryūko said as she searched through the dusty basement laboratory where she and Senketsu first met.

.-.

Shortly after Ryūko's failed treasure hunt, she and her friends had returned to the scooter and were rolling down the highway once more, wind in their hair. Well, Ryūko was. Mako and Koji had both fallen asleep on the way, with Mako somehow maintaining her tight grip on Ryūko's body.

"I thought we might find some kind of clue down there," Ryūko began talking to Senketsu. "But I guess it was a waste of time."

"Mmm, Mikisugi's doing, no doubt."

"Probably."

After a few more seconds of quiet driving, a sputtering sound reached Ryūko's ears as the scooter began to slow down, eventually coming to a complete stop with the headlight flickering weakly. Exhaling weakly through clenched teeth, the vampire girl stepped off the scooter and gave Koji's sidecar a swift kick. "Oi, Narukami. Wake up."

"Huh, whuh?" The boy's eyes opened with a start, his hand sleepily rubbing at them before he realized where they were. "Outta gas, huh?"

"Yep."

"Guess we'll have to push. Hey, Mako."

"Sorry, Ryūko-chan." Mako apologized after the three had gotten up and started moving the scooter together. "Dad bought home a messed up scooter."

"Man, I can't believe the gas gauge was busted."

Sure enough, when Koji leaned over to check, the needle was stuck just a bit too far past 'full'.

"Say, Ryūko-chan."

"Huh?"

"You have us now. You're not alone. It's not just Senketsu. Me, my family, Koji-Senpai, we all love you, Ryūko-chan."

"Huh? What's this about you being in love with me, Narukami?" Ryūko turned to face the boy with a mocking smile.

"Cut it out, Matoi. You know what Mako means."

Ryūko laughed at the red on Koji's face before giving her friends a serene smile. "Sure, I know that."

"Then let's hitchhike!" Mako yelled as she suddenly pulled out a sign and began waving it around like a madwoman.

"Say what?"

"Hey, hey hey!"

"Is that a good idea?" Koji asked. "What if we run into one of the Elite Four?"

Suddenly, a bright pink convertible rushed past the three, producing a huge cloud of dust. In between the fits of coughing, Ryūko managed to sputter out a curse at the driver.

"Jackass! Watch where you're driving!"

Marked by a distinct beeping noise, the car slowly backed up towards the group, allowing them to see who the driver was.

"What's the matter? Did you break down?"

"Ch-chairman Gamagōri!?"

"Gamagōri! You followed me all the way out here?" Ryūko immediately took a defensive stance, hand nearing the trigger on her glove.

"Calm down. I have no intention of fighting you here." Gamagōri assured the girl as he released the locks on his car doors.

"Come again?"

"My fight with you will be on Sudden Death Runoff Day, and not a moment sooner."

"Oh. What do you want, then?"

"Get in." Noticing the confused expressions on the faces of his fellow students, the Three-Star decided to explain further. "I am Ira Gamagōri, Honnōji Academy Disciplinary Committee Chair. If we come across a Honnōji Academy student in trouble off campus, it is the duty of Disciplinary Committee members to assist them. That holds true even for you. Get in."

"But we can't just"

"Ah, come on, Ryūko." Koji dismissed her concerns with a wave as he climbed into the backseat of the car. "Your scooter's out of gas and would be way slower than this car if it wasn't. Besides, you can trust Chairman Gamagōri."

Koji's statement was partially to help keep up appearances, but he was being honest. Out of all Honnōji Academy's ruling class, he felt that Gamagōri was the most trustworthy. His dedication to the rules and regulations of the school was well known, and if the giant of a teenager said he would help them, so he would.

"Yeah, come on Ryūko-chan!" Mako said, having suddenly jumped to the front of the car. "Let's go for a drive! His license is so shiny and new! Get in, get in, let's go!"

And so, for the first time, Ryūko Matoi gave in to peer pressure.

"On a drive, on a drive! On a drive to Hell! Goin' totally upside down to the bottom of the pit! Hey! We've left the track and are gonna crash!"

"Matoi, Narukami, one of you please make her stop that god awful singing." Gamagōri requested two of his passengers. His voice and gaze were as focused as always, without him saying so nobody would have known Mako's singing was bothering him.

"Do you really think anyone can make her stop?" Ryūko asked half sarcastically, dangling one arm out of the car.

"True. Mankanshoku has never had a red light."

"That's right! My life's traffic lights are always yellow!" Mako bragged, ironically stopping her song right as Gamagōri acknowledged that it would never end.

"'In life, proceed with caution'. There is wisdom in that."

"I'm not sure that's what Mako meant." Koji whispered to Ryūko, who snickered quietly.

Nevertheless, Mako did cease her singing, and the drive continued on in silence for a while. Gamagōri continued to adjust his gaze towards his mirrors every so often, seemingly searching for something behind him. As the tension continued to rise, Ryūko got an idea for how to break it.

"Oi Koji, how'd you and this big guy meet, anyway?"

"Huh? Me and Chairman Gamagōri?"

"There's no need to be so formal outside of school, Narukami." The giant Three-Star said, locking eyes with Ryūko through a mirror. "But I must agree, why the sudden interest, Matoi?"

"Eh, just curious." Ryūko shrugged her shoulders. "You two seem to like each other well enough, and I was wondering why."

"Huh. Alright then." Koji nodded to the girl and looked up at the night sky, gathering his thoughts. "Well, I know your backstory now, so I guess it's only fair you know mine. Would you believe me if I said I used to be a delinquent like you?"

"Ehhhh?! You used to be a bad boy, Koji-Senpai?"

"Honestly? Yeah, I'd believe it." Ryūko said bluntly, in contrast to Mako's reaction. "I get the feeling you weren't exactly the popular kid at school so you fell in with a bad crowd the same way I did."

"That's about right. A lot of other kids made fun of me for my hair, even when I told them it wasn't dyed. Actually, some got worse about it after. It didn't help that my dad was out of town on business trips most of the time, so there were a bunch of nasty rumors spread about my mom because of it. Eventually, I fell in with a gang and became what everyone else already thought I was."

"We're more similar than I thought." Ryūko commented. "I got a lot of shit for my hair and not having my dad around too. What made you change?"

"Well, after the gang I was in started a huge fight with a rival gang, my parents had seen enough and transferred me to Honnōji. I guess they figured going to a military academy would calm me down."

"And it worked out so well," Ryūko said with obvious sarcasm tinging her voice. "You're more or less Mr. Perfect Student now."

"Mind your tongue, Matoi." Gamagōri reprimanded. "Narukami's progress is praiseworthy. You could learn a thing or two from him. In fact, I'd say he's already rubbing off on you. Your attitude and academic performance have improved quite a bit recently, disregarding the incident with the Fight Club."

"Yeah, yeah." The vampire girl waved off the Three-Star's statements. "Come on though, Koji. There's gotta be a more specific reason you dropped the gangster act."

Koji sighed in response, thinking back to his first day at Honnōji Academy. He'd been dressed in a slightly torn school uniform with the jacket unbuttoned and spread wide, slumped against the outer wall of the courtyard, ignoring the dirty stares several of the other students kept shooting at him. Looking over to the side, he'd seen a small group of female No-Star students whispering to each other and pointing at him. He'd tried to listen in a bit closer to hear their gossip.

Check out that garish blond hair… The obvious leader had said. There's no way that's natural, what a loser!

It looks good on him though, he's kinda cute… A second had commented.

Eww, Mio, you actually like that fake dyed look?

Hey, check out his roots, it has to be his real color.

Ohh, guess the rumors are true then… His mom has got to be super loose if she got knocked up by a foreign guy that's never around.

Koji's hand had curled into a fist, the boy pushing himself off the wall and walking intently towards the group, too absorbed in their laughter to notice until he'd roughly shoved the leader up against the stone behind her.

Unnh! W-what the fuck do you think you're doing, asshole?! The girl protested with some fear in her voice.

I could ask you the same thing. Where do you get off talking about my mom like that, bitch? Koji threatened, pulling back his fist. A clicking sound from his side drew his attention away, and Koji had found himself aware of a knife pointed at his neck.

I suggest you put my girlfriend down before we find out if you're white on the inside too, boy. Another No-Star with an unbearable smug tone of voice was the one holding the blade to Koji's throat. Don't know if you noticed, but none of your little gang buddies are here to help you out!

Breathing deeply to calm and focus himself, Koji slowly released the pressure he'd been putting on the girl, who ran off as fast as she could with her clique following close behind.

That's better. Now, to say you're sorry, why don't we cut off your little- Koji's fist promptly smashed into the other student's face, sending him reeling and forcing him to drop the knife.

Oh, that's it! I'm gonna kill you now, you skirt stitching fairy! The No-Star yelled, wiping blood from his mouth. To the boy's credit, he wasn't a bad fighter. Both he and Koji ended up taking more hits from each other than they would admit, and soon a ring of students had surrounded the two, cheering them on. Yet, shortly after, the ring scattered and the cheers vanished as a giant shadow fell over the two fighters.

And just what exactly do you two think you're doing? Ira Gamagōri's authoritative voice questioned as he stared down on the now frozen boys with narrowed eyes.

Tch. Stay out of our business, you dumbass! The boy that had drawn the knife yelled, throwing a vicious haymaker at the Three-Star to zero effect whatsoever. He barely had any time to process what had happened before long, studded whips shot out of Gamagōri's uniform and relentlessly battered the boy before finally picking him up and throwing him straight over the elite's head. Koji watched on in sudden horror, finding any will to fight completely drained from his body.

Now then. Gamagōri said, without any change in his voice. I will ask again, and hopefully you will be a bit more cooperative. What exactly do you think you were doing?

W-well, I-I… Koji stammered out, barely able to speak. T-that kid's girlfriend c-called my mom a whore, so…

I see. Defending your family's honor is admirable, but needlessly starting fights is not. What's your name?

K-koji N-narukami, s-sir.

Narukami? Ah, you must be the new transfer student, then. As it is your first day at Honnōji Academy, I am willing to overlook this incident. However, be aware that should you act out of line again, I will not be lenient. Am I understood?

Y-yes sir! Thank you!

"So it was all because of Gamagōri, huh?" Ryūko said after Koji had finished explaining. "I guess that's why he seems to like you so much."

"Indeed." Gamagōri affirmed from the front seat. "And as I'm sure you've no doubt seen, In the year or so since, Narukami has not only become a well respected member of Honnōji's community, he has become a shining example of what this academy values in its students. Ah, there's the gas station."

A run down and seedy looking twenty four hour convenience store and gas station came into view, with Gamagōri carefully pulling his car up nearby. Ryūko, Mako, and Koji exited the vehicle and stretched their limbs out before popping open the trunk and removing Ryūko's scooter, which the vampire girl promptly began filling up the tank on.

"Be careful," Gamagōri warned, "They say 'a picnic is not done until you reach home safely'."

"Jeez, it's not a picnic…"

"Merely an expression, Matoi. That said, let tonight be a lesson for you. And a reminder for you, Narukami."

"Huh? A reminder of what?" Koji asked in confusion.

"A that force is not the only way to solve your problems. We do not speak as often as I would like, but I truly do admire you and your contributions to Honnōji Academy. I have faced similar struggles and judgments as you in life, and through diligent effort I was able to dispel them and become student council president of the junior high school Lady Satsuki and I attended."

"…I see. Thank you. One more question, if you don't mind."

"I do not."

"Why do you follow Lady Satsuki? N-not to say there's anything wrong with her, but what specifically inspired your loyalty."

"Ah, well. Lady Satsuki passes no judgment on a person other than of their ability and resolve, and she protected the students of Rinne Junior High in ways that I could not. You and Matoi may not fully believe me when I say this, but Lady Satsuki has only ever concerned herself with the safety of others, much like yourself. Any other questions?"

Koji shook his head no, having been shocked into silence. Just as Gamagōri said, he couldn't believe what he just heard.

"I'll be waiting for you at the Sudden Death Runoff Election, Matoi." Gamagōri said, turning his attention back to the black haired girl. "I will prepare a suitable location for our battle."

"Come again? What about that crap you just about how 'force isn't the answer'?"

The Three-Star ignored her question as he pulled his car out onto the road, driving off into the night.

"I don't get that guy at all." Ryūko huffed, arms crossed over her chest. "Alright then, let's get back to your place, Koji. Hope you don't mind me and Mako staying over for a few days."

"Hmm? Oh yeah, sure…"

.-.

As the rest of their free week passed by, Ryūko and Koji would spend their days exercising and training together, while at night Koji would continue work on his secret weapon. When the two were resting, they found themselves either watching movies, anime, or playing games with Mako, her cheery attitude giving them the motivation they needed to work even harder. In the blink of an eye their time was up, and all the students of Honnōji Academy gathered in the courtyard once again at eight thirty am to hear Lady Satsuki's proclamation.

"Fellow comrades of Honnōji Academy! You have done well to struggle through seven days of mortal combat to gather here and take part in the Sudden Death Runoff Election!" She paused in her speech for a moment to take in the sight of the crowd. Among the mass of students, she made out the figures of Koji, her Elite Four, and Ryūko, locking eyes with the girl a moment longer before she resumed speaking.

"However, your battle has only just begun! Every battle over the last seven days has been recorded. With that in mind, I will begin by designating new Three-Star students based on the results of the battle here!"

No sooner had Satsuki finished speaking did the ground begin to violently shake, knocking many of the gathered crowd off balance and causing Ryūko to pull out her Scissor Blade on instinct.

"What the-?"

From beneath their feet, five enormous spiked pillars rose, catching many One-Stars off guard, carrying them up only for them to lose their grip and fall to earth.

"There are five pillars in the schoolyard. Those who stand atop them will be considered front runner candidates in the election!"

"There she goes, being devious again!"

Koji stared up at the pillars with a grim expression, fearing that he'd be forced to fight against Ryūko. But, looking down at the left wrist of his uniform, he decided to put confidence in what he'd created, and steeled his mind.

"Fine by me!" He and Ryūko unknowingly said at the same time, both charging at the pillar nearest to them. As the two friends ascended the middle pillar, Ryūko running straight up the side and Koji jumping across the spikes, the Elite Four watched intently, already seated firmly and comfortably on the other pillars. Nearing the top, Ryūko jumped straight into the air and crashed down on the pillar with a defiant yell. Koji prepared to jump as well, only for a stranger to suddenly step on his head and send the One-Star tumbling back down.

"W-what? Who?"

As dust cleared from around the figure and they stood up, it became clear to all the intruder was none other than Kenji Shibusawa. The Two-Star had a proud, confident grin as he faced Ryūko with his arms crossed.

"Eh? Who the hell are you?" Ryūko asked, brandishing her weapon.

"Heheh. That ain't important, Kanto Vagabond." Ryūko's eyes narrowed and she grit her teeth upon hearing her nickname from a stranger. "All that's important is I've been waitin' a while fer a chance ta fight ya."

The boy cracked his knuckles while the Elite Four and Satsuki Kiryūin stared on. "Now, accordin' to tha rules, I got up here just a bit before ya did, but I'm willin' ta fight ya fer it. If yer not afraid, anyway."

"So all you want is to fight me?" Ryūko asked, keeping the Scissor Blade held high. "Cool. I could use a warmup before I start tearing into Kiryūin's goons."

"My lady," Gamagōri began, turning towards where Satsuki was located. "Is this acceptable? We of the Elite Four would have proposed something similar, but…"

"Ridiculous." Satsuki dismissed. "The rules of the Election are clear. As Kenji Shibusawa claimed the pillar first, Matoi Ryūko is hereby disquali-"

Satsuki's words were cut off in a fraction of an instant as an intense, rainbow colored light shone from behind her. Her eyes widened in the first instance of genuine shock that Ryūko had ever seen.

Turning to face behind her, Satsuki saw four figures emerge from the light, her adopted brother Drake among them. Another was a teen girl in an exorbitantly pink dress, her blonde hair fashioned into massive drill shaped pigtails held together by a pink ribbon. A purple eyepatch covered where one of her sapphire eyes was presumably missing, and a wide, chilling smile never left her face.

Another figure was a young, dark skinned woman with light lavender hair, wearing a pure white suit and green aviator sunglasses, standing stoically next to the final newcomer, and source of the light.

A woman even taller than Satsuki presumably in her mid thirties, wearing an elegant silver dress stood with her head held high, looking down on everyone with maroon colored eyes. Her hair spread out behind her in a sort of fan shape, a combination of both silver and rainbow, just like the light she radiated, and with it an aura of complete and utter dominance. Satsuki Kiryūin herself bowed to the woman.

"Now Satsuki," The woman began, with a deep, sultry voice that could entice even the strongest of hearts to do her bidding, "Surely there's time for some entertainment before you begin the main event, isn't there?"

Slowly, Satsuki Kiryūin drew herself back up to her full height. "As you wish, Mother."

.-.

NEXT EPISODE

A King of the Hill style final battle! At least, that was the original plan. But the appearance of a strange woman Satsuki calls 'Mother' has called off all bets! The first match of the Sudden Death Exhibition is between Ryūko and Kenji! In order to reach the Elite Four, she'll first have to defeat the powerful MMA Club President!

Next time on Kill la Kill Polaris: Follow Your Instincts.