ARC II : AWAKENING

. . . SEVEN MONTHS LATER . . .

"... Mako. That leaves less to the imagination."

"If you've got the bum show it off. I mean, look at it!"

"Hey!"

Blushing as she was pinched she wanted to be anywhere else. Standing inside of a store that smelled like cherries, surrounded by garments she wouldn't be caught dead in, she remembered leisure. Longer fringes falling by her eyes she kept her hands in her letterman's pockets, the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, squeezing lint balls between her fingertips. She leaned from Mako's pressing lingerie to the jeans covering her hips, embarrassed as her friend was shameless.

"Too skimpy. Not skimpy enough. Too good girly. Too lady of the night-lite," Mako rambled taking clothes from racks as quickly as she swapped them out.

Ryuko sighed her grin. "Mako."

"Hm?" Mako stopped abruptly, a hanger in her mouth and her hands full.

"Son's not the kind of guy that cares. About any of this. Like at all," Ryuko said taking a lace bra from Mako's lips so she could speak again.

"Oh. So he's all about in-the-buck huh?" Mako said through her winning smile.

"In the what?" Ryuko's eyebrow rose.

"Ya' know. Your birthday suit! He'd rather gawk at that," Mako leaned her head in.

Ryuko waited until the red in her face left.

"Sure. I think," she mumbled glancing at anything else.

As she had she made her way into the bustle of a familiar strip. One of Tokyo's finest malls wasn't so busied. Hanging advertisements varied in color that could change automatically. Its glass ceiling was a nicer distraction, like the clear blue in the sky beyond. She thought about traversing it on a whim.

"I've seen THAT look before," Mako wormed her stare in.

Ryuko flashed her teeth for the numerous shopping bags she lugged around. She was amused at her casual for their date: straw sandals, short-shorts and a midriff exposing top that was the brightest yellow she had ever seen. They walked aimlessly and nowhere.

"Things are goin' good. Better than I deserve," she said keeping an eye ahead of her.

"Nonsense! You guys saved us. It doesn't matter if everyone in the world doesn't know. I know. Kuririn does too!" Mako said, pouting. "If anyone deserves the good life it's you!"

Ryuko shot a smile her way.

"So. You and Kuririn? Somehow that makes too much sense," she said finding it funny that of all things they were then discussing boys. "God I'm losing my edge."

"His head's super shiny. He's short but, like, totally jacked. What am I missing?" Mako watched the ceiling, counting with her fingers.

"Never thought I'd see the day," Ryuko shook her head. "Mako with a crush. I'll pray for him."

"Kinda dopey ...," Mako said to herself.

Aware, Ryuko saw it coming before the glass snapped.

"Get down!" she yelled at the bystanders in the way.

Catching a chunk that nearly cut them in two, she jerked her head to their running off with several through a thick cloud of dust, the floor beneath her sneakers shaking.

"Mako!" she called through the noise.

"Here!" Mako raised her hand, picking herself up.

She dropped her bags and ran for a spot behind Ryuko keeping her attention raised.

"R.y.u.k.o M.a.t.o.i!"

What spoke formed into a man; at least nine feet tall with a metallic front missing a mouth and nose. As it thought to burn away a pair of innocents with its optic cavity, she shot off.

"I don't think so!" she spat pressing a fist against its back before it gained the chance.

Her effort took her and it through plaster, glass, and as harshly, the mall's opposite end. Slowing her slide off Ryuko watched it roll onto one of its knees scraping through the pavement. She glanced for a parking lot, plenty of space, and those in the way were scattering. She cocked her head to one side.

"The hell are you supposed to be?" she mouthed off.

"Ryuko-chan!" Mako caught up, letting the person she helped from the building run off.

"Stay back Mako!" Ryuko held her hand out.

It pulled its fingers from the street beaming from the face to let off a burst she smacked away with her bare hand. She leaned left to fly into a spiral for its right, dipping low, sweeping it up. Before it hit the ground she caught it with her knuckles, creasing its chest in. Seeing it open a storefront before it ruptured its back end Ryuko felt Mako's hands on her shoulders.

"Listen jerk! You're messing up the vibe here!" she braved.

"I told you to scram," Ryuko focused.

" ... T.e.r.m.i.n.a.t.e ... "

They could feel a slow stomp in their direction. Hairless from head-to-toe sections of its body flared as much as they rattled. As it charged for Mako Ryuko snatched to lift it, spinning once to press her foot into its gut and watching it fold in the passenger side of a smoking car. She vanished. Glancing for the noise above her Mako could see where. Ryuko was already backing off from the punch it threw at her wrist. It hit hard. So hard that she was thrown back a bit. It could move as quick, there when she blinked. They touched down.

"... Red Ribbon bastards," she grimaced. "You wanna go? Let's go."

It emulated how she brought an upturned fist to her hip, a hand that wasn't yet a fist in line with the side she kept to it, and how she lowered her center of gravity. Her boyfriend taught her why it worked. Blocking out sentiment their fists hitting was too much on their surroundings popping all of the detached rubble within the block. Taking the kick she caught she spun its head into a light pole letting it go by the ankle to tear through several. It took to the sky. At its back before it turned a closed hand into her squeeze blew the wind from its course. The sound behind her could burst eardrums. The beam leaving its eye widened missing her soaring twists to avoid getting cut in two. She appeared to its left, to its right, above, then down dropping what it thought was her fist but was actually her foot against its head.

Hurled off then shooting back it slammed everything but her face with wild punches she let pass her. Sparks from it circled their hitting each other, tapering off, then meeting to do it again. She caught its fists and held on tight. Meaning to slam its head to hers it trying hit her elbow. When it came to she was further up. Opening her hand formed the red half of her blade, her fingers wrapping tightly around the grip. Boosters in its feet took it to her faster than any jet known to man. Expecting a small smear at how hard it lunged...no one was there. If it tried to go higher, Ryuko appeared lower.

"Over here prick!" she swung her arm out, her spin exacting as she tightened her chest and belly.

She ignored the fiery red parting the clouds as it carved a path, dissipating after. Lightning fast processing couldn't save her enemy from half of its body shifting away to arc off with it. She hurried, lunging with her blade to split open its middle. Instinct told her to yank it out, to twirl her finisher, holding her hand out up until the last twist. She heard the wiring tear from the alloy. She wasn't blown back by it detonating with enough force to flatten the district. Lowering it to her side her flaming weapon disappeared. As she exhaled she opened her eyes. Aside from the charred bits of her enemy falling around her the sky was clear again.

x.x.x

"... Should I come to you?"

*Nah. Took care of it. It's not me I'm worried about, Satsuki. Catch my drift?*

"All too well," she said evenly. "I am relieved to hear Mako is unharmed."

*Like you had to worry. Anyway. Just wanted to give you the heads up.*

"It's appreciated."

Taking her cell phone from her ear a repurposed office wasn't for the deceased she often thought of. Even in death her mother mocked her, the memory of her an ongoing nuisance, and more so as she sat among what was once her preferred space. No less opulent, seated behind the desk she remembered the new CEO was perfectly suited for it. As she could see her eyes for once they were naturally prettier. Rei's white blazer and pencil skirt a brighter contrast to Satsuki's, their regard for one another lingered. The former didn't know what to make of her once-boss's hair not touching her shoulders like it used to.

"Honestly. That's a tall order, Lady Satsuki," Rei spoke, keeping her fingers intertwined as she leaned into her chair's leather.

"Just Satsuki please. Consider me your peer now. Not your superior," Satsuki stood as she followed suit.

They shook hands, exchanged warmer grins, regardless of the awkward position change. Satsuki wandered the room pleased that its feel wasn't so uncomfortable.

"I'll try my best then. Can't say I'm for the idea though," Rei said as she stayed where she was.

Done reminiscing Satsuki turned in place. "It is all I ask. There are new dangers we must prepare for. I don't need to tell you why."

"No. You don't," Rei glanced for her toes. "Look. I...never thanked you. For saving my life."

As the sparkle coating the walls wasn't important, Satsuki's gaze left it.

"And you never have to," she said.

Feeling it rumbling in her jacket pocket she pulled her phone out to see its busied screen. She skimmed through text messages she needed to check. A finger swipe opened an application that could track the strenuous progress of another.

"He's insane," she whispered.

"What was that?" Rei said.

"Trouble at home," Satsuki turned to smile.

"Yeah. That sounds about right," Rei smirked. "You should go then. Check your e-mail when you're back. I've already sent the dailies."

"Thank you," Satsuki lightly nodded.

Two of Rei's bodyguards walked into her office, dark tied and suited, not thinking to emote unless she said they could.

"Escort Miss Kiryuin to her car," Rei waved her hand. "See that she receives the package I left her before she exits the lobby."

"Yes ma'am."

"Yes ma'am."

Both shifted aside to let Satsuki through. They stayed at the back of her good mood, unaware at her pleasure in knowing her company was in capable hands.

x.x.x

Underground, boxed in by a silvery finish, he missed the smell. It wanted to smother him, beads of sweat leaving his brow to mix with the blood leaking from his nostril. He had too many targets hitting his guard as he tossed it left, up, down then right. He felt metal knock the taste from his mouth to send him careening for the wall. His back hitting it, he quickly rolled, caught in the stomach as he struggled to keep himself afloat. Trembling, his knees found the floor as his attackers were ready to burn him to a crisp, the shine of where they would fire from glowing brighter.

"Off. OFF!" a voice rang from the room's entrance.

He lost sight of an enemy as the image flickered out. The room traded a dark red for plenty of light and a less harsh atmosphere.

"Dammit Son!" the voice ran closer.

She dropped to her knees to catch his slump before his head hit the floor. Ryuko quickly took her jacket off, placing it over him in the hopes he wouldn't catch a chill. As his vision stopped blurring Son looked to her black tank-top as his face was pressed to it.

"R-Ryuko," he muttered.

"Shut up for a sec," Ryuko held him close. "Vitals."

'HEART RATE AT THREE-HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FIVE BPM ... BLOOD PRESSURE OVER TWO-HUNDRED AND TEN MILLIMETERS OF MERCURY,' the chamber answered.

She disregarded its monotone sounding like her older sister's.

"I swear to god. If I ever come back here to find you dead I'll kick your ass," she fussed.

She fidgeted to reach into her pocket pulling a wipe she remembered she had to clean his nose.

"W-wanted to test...myself," Son said.

She wanted to sock him, sorry for his state, annoyed with him never listening.

"I get that. Just...know when to say when," she said. "We need you alive idiot!"

"Teh. Yeah," he said fine with her fingers tracing his smile.

She helped him stand, eyes on his torso definition and the wetness coating it. She kept one of her hands to him. Forgetting indecent thoughts they combed the room like it reminded them of home.

"... Man. It's good to see your dad's lab again," he said. "Fixed up. Ya' know?"

"Sure. Fun fun. Maybe try to remember you don't live down here," she stared until he glanced for her.

They shared familiar, with her pulling his head to her lips as she palmed his cheeks. Son chuckled for her short stature yet always ballsy take. She softly punched his chest.

"Bet you could eat a horse right now?" she said.

"Definitely! Guess you could say I worked up an appetite!" he beamed.

Ryuko rolled her eyes, took him by the hand, but was gentler when pulling him. Son had no qualms with staring at her backside, her tighter jeans accentuating what about it he liked, as her nonchalant glancing back egged him on. She kept her smile wry.

"This way dummy," she said pointing with her thumb.

There were no consoles to manage. Everything remained a cold, lifeless alloy, then silenced. Voice activated the chamber powered off at the snap of a finger. They abandoned its pitch black darkness for a well lit lift.

x.x.x

. . .

. .

.

Son thanked the cricket chirps beyond a closed off patio. He thanked the modest size of their wing of a home needing some more work and its one level. The only basement an escape where he could push himself as often as he thought to. He glanced to Ryuko kicking her feet up on a couch bordering a dark brown coffee table, holding her iced water. Chewing the hunk of meat in his mouth, a glance to his left found Satsuki reading a cookbook, slightly flustered as learning a new skill wasn't always a joy. Both of them chose one of his t-shirt's with little else, it reaching past her thighs, not yet touching soft knees as she leaned one of them forward.

"This is ridiculous," she huffed, unsure of herself, which was rare for her.

"It taste's fine," he said.

"No. According to this recipe...the seasoning is everything but fine," she said turning her nose up at a pan's sizzling.

"If he inhales three or four plates of it, that's a win," Ryuko chimed in.

She peeked over the sofa cushion to check.

"Take it easy Miss Everything I Do Has To Be Perfect," she said for Satsuki's disgruntled mumbling.

Satsuki didn't hide her leer, making her smirk. She moved to Son standing next to his looking like he was in trouble.

"... You are telling me the truth," she said.

"Yep," his cheeks bulged as he tried to convince her with a grin.

Taking him by the head she pressed her lips to the fore of it, playfully pushing his face, leaving him be to return to her task.

"Unlike you Son understands that the thought is what counts," she said humored at seeing Ryuko flick her off.

"Wish I could've been there to see Ryuko take on that machine thing," Son said feeling cooler air against his skin.

Remembering he was shirtless, he wondered how much Satsuki paid for the device that controlled it. He caught Ryuko's head poking over her seat.

"That's the price of fame," she said. "We save their asses and this is how they repay us?"

"Hardly. We represent an unknown. Something they cannot control," Satsuki said setting her bottom to the marble countertop she worked by. "Those that know better would naturally level the playing field."

"Then bring on every last one of 'em," Ryuko balled her hand, clenching it. "Things have been too quiet. Too...normal. That's how you know somethin's up."

"You said Red Ribbon? Kind of a stupid name for an army," Son scratched his head.

He perked up. "Ryuko's right. Maybe they'll send stronger guys after us. We can really see if our training's payin' off!"

"No Son. We must wait to hear from Kami-sama," Satsuki reasoned. "He would not want us to rush off half-cocked."

Son smacked his palm with a fist. "Oh yeah! That's right."

Ryuko left her seat to join the debate. Walking by the circular width of the table he sat at, she stopped to set her hands on Son's shoulders. Satsuki uncrossed her arms, sighing.

"Patience, Ryuko. We will deal with our enemies soon enough," she said.

They locked eyes, with Ryuko cooling her temper, and Satsuki quietly appreciative. All attention rested on Son.

"We owe you for this Satsuki," he lowered his base. "I wish your dad could've seen you two. Bonding, I mean. It's what he always wanted."

Ryuko looked to Satsuki's countenance warming for the idea. Their smiles were slower to form.

"... Get up dummy," Ryuko said.

As he stood she took one of his hands watching Satsuki shuffle to lace her fingers through the other. Leading him, Son didn't mind Satsuki's prolonging when she kissed his cheek. Ryuko's keeping her head to his shoulder as they ambled where they would. It was a short pace to the bedroom they found. As he opened their way in, he let them enter first, careful to close the door behind them.

A/N

Just wanted to say a quick thanks for the views while I've been away. The focus of Arc II will most definitely be our three heroes. Their budding relationship kind of took a back seat in prior posts. Writing how they interact when they have some downtime is an absolute blast! Expect a lot more of that as well as the craziness I have planned for this part of the story.