Kill la Kill: Again
Chapter Three
An iron gate marked with the regal golden "R" of the Revocs Corporation slid open as the limousine pulled up to it. The faint orange-pink glow of the setting sun settling behind it and causing a splendor to dance across its façade. Built to house something sinister it was of beautiful design and luxury and from a distance that was even more acknowledgeable.
Satsuki, within the vehicle let out a sigh, she had spent time and effort rebuilding what the Primordial Life Fiber had destroyed ten years ago. The house was made from the ground up, but something about it still stung. A familiarity within her core that she had trouble repressing in her typical stoicism. Those days, weeks, months, planning and plotting almost to have it undone in a single night at her mother's hands.
Rei sitting opposite, noticed Satsuki's hands tremble slightly and nodded knowingly. "Lady Satsuki, are you feeling well? I can call Ryuko Matoi to cancel if you are not."
Satsuki's nerves steeled and she shook her head. "No Rei, I am fine. It is just a thought of the past, nothing more."
"I see. It will be nice to sleep in my own bed for a change, not that I dislike moving about the world," her assistant remarked adjusting her glasses to the waning sunlight. A faint glance away keeping her eyes from meeting Satsuki's.
A chuckle parted the tension in the air and Satsuki cracked the faintest smile. "Yes, laying on woven mats and in sleeping bags can be uncomfortable surely. So, rest to your hearts content Rei."
"Thank you," her shoulders slumped losing the formality she had to keep up so often on their exploits about the world. "Would you mind if I left you and Ryuko alone then?"
"Not at all," Satsuki said as the limousine pulled to a stop. "I did not want to come across rude, Rei. But I would actually prefer to talk to my sister face to face alone, so if you could make yourself comfortable elsewhere it would be appreciated."
Rei's head bowed humbly. "Of course, Lady Satsuki."
The driver clad in black tuxedo and driver's cap opened the door of the limousine gently. "Lady Satsuki, Miss Rei, welcome home," he humble bowed, his wrinkled features turning to a pleased smile.
"Thank you, Hanzo, take the rest of the evening off," Satsuki smiled as she left the interior.
"Oh, why thank you, Lady Satsuki. I appreciate that greatly," he smiled following the slender heiress out of the vehicle before turning back to the door. "Miss Rei, you enjoy your evening."
"Thank you," Satsuki's attendant bowed her head, her braids bobbing ever so slightly as she did so.
Satsuki took a breath in and let it out. "Home again," she smiled approaching the door with gentle footsteps, her short dark blue hair bobbing in the motion. Each step caused her polished boots tap against the ground while her white gown blew across her body.
As she approached the front door it opened, a familiar wrinkled face looking out to greet her. Bearing a navy blue tuxedo with white gloves and ever balding hair, was Soroi, her trusted attendant and butler. In his raised right hand a silver cloche raised high while he kept the door open with his left. Eyes following the lady of the house as she approached in gentle steps.
"Lady Satsuki, welcome. I have tea brewing as we speak, but would you perhaps like a cup while you await Lady Ryuko's arrival?" he asked with kindness as the woman passed by.
Satsuki looked to her trusted butler and smiled. "I have not had your tea in a very long time, I would like a cup yes."
"Would you like me to try to sweeten it, Lady Satsuki?" he questioned as Rei bowed to their driver and followed behind the lady of the house.
"No, I prefer it the way you make it normally."
"Very well, and Miss Rei?" he raised a brow to the attendant.
She smiled politely while bowing to him. "No, I do not need a cup. I will be taking leave to allow Lady Satsuki time to speak with her sister."
Soroi nodded. "Understandable, enjoy the rest of your evening."
"The same to you," Rei quickly moved about the manor, passing the two in the hallway.
"Is something the matter, Lady Satsuki?" Soroi asked shutting the door behind her.
She gave him and look that he had seen numerous times before. To which he gave a somber nod.
"Then, make your way to the sitting room. I will bring you a cup of tea as quickly as possible," the aging butler said humbly before bowing.
"Thank you, Soroi," Satsuki finished as she took to the lofty sitting room and its ornate furnishings.
Several minutes later...
A black limousine rumbled into the driveway, sliding gracefully over the asphalt. Adorning its door was the Isshin Brand logo that reminded of the woman inside's Kamui. It pulled along the drive and to the door, the door to a place she had only seen in misty false visions from being with Junketsu. The thoughts that robbed her of being herself and having her own will.
She smiled opening the vehicles door once it stopped with a smile, stepping out onto the asphalt with her own high heeled shoes behind her a silver suitcase. Her crimson bang blew in a cold wind that crossed over the yard just the streamers of sunlight began to fall away from the manor's exterior. Her black dress waved as she shut the door quickly behind her. The moment it shut the limousine rolled off without a word from its driver.
'Pretty nice, hafta give it to you Satsuki. This place looks as elegant as ever,' she mused to herself while approaching the door. Each step causing her hair to wave before her brilliant blue eyes.
Her hand reached for the door handle when it suddenly opened, her feet stepping back to avoid contact. Standing there in the doorway was Soroi, head lowered with a respectful bow to the new visitor.
"Lady Ryuko, welcome to the Kiryuin Manor. Lady Satsuki is in the sitting room awaiting you," he spoke with respect as Ryuko looked at him with a muted surprise.
"Thank you, uh," she tapped her chin trying to remember his name with a curious glancing upward. Her long black hair draping off to the side as she tried to figure out his name. "Soroi, that's who you are."
"No problem, Lady Ryuko, I am just a humble butler," he kept his head bowed.
"Uh, yeah, guess you're right," Ryuko's expression changed for only a moment, as she looked down upon him. "She's straight ahead in a sitting room then?"
"Yes," Soroi nodded as she walked by wheeling in the case.
Satsuki felt it as much as she heard the suitcase's wheels ringing down the hallway. There was a pressure coming forward, one that she had long forgotten about in her time away. Each step brought it closer and closer as Ryuko hummed to herself while admiring the décor. Then, she saw it in the mirror over the fireplace, Ryuko's gait. Her young sister approaching in earnest.
"Yo, Satsuki," Ryuko waved in the mirror from just beyond the entrance to the room. Her features had sharpened some since they had last seen one another, but the image was still Ryuko, a calm Ryuko coming to greet her.
"Sorry I sounded a bit harsh over the phone, y'know how running something can be somedays," Ryuko continued while entering the room, her gown sweeping while the silver chain at the belt clanked. Her blue eyes traced the back of Satsuki's head as she passed, caution even now was common between them.
Satsuki placed her tea cup back upon its saucer and sat it down, before uncrossing her legs and standing up. A sigh of relief escaped from her nose as she turned to face her little sister. "I do yes, it's good to see you again Ryuko," Satsuki walked around the chair and approached.
"I didn't expect you to wear something so gaudy though," the Kiryuin heiress commented looking at the gown and its rather outspoken design.
Ryuko shrugged and smiled. "It isn't gaudy, it's fashionable."
"I am just joking, Ryuko," Satsuki continued her approach with a relieved smile.
"Satsuki Kiryuin making a joke, still find that hard to believe," Ryuko chuckled as her sister continued to approach.
"Times change, Ryuko. I have no need to be as cold as steel, it is really is nice to see you again," Satsuki commented pulling her sister in for a hug.
Ryuko stiffed at the gesture before returning it. Her right hand finding purchase on her sister's lower back, something the made Satsuki stiffen. "I know, it's nice to see you again too, Satsuki. Been a while," she smiled as both released.
Satsuki seemed a bit shook by her touch, but kept composure. "You should sit, I will pour you a cup of tea."
Ryuko strolled by with a shrug. "Yeah, I was plannin' on that. Getting served by the Satsuki Kiryuin though, that's a different story."
"It's the right thing to do for a guest. I haven't been able to do this in some time either," Satsuki followed her and reached for the pot.
"Yeah, I can tell," Ryuko sat on an opposing lounging sofa and crossed her legs.
Satsuki reached over and pour tea into an accompanying cup and saucer, a faint trail of aromatic steam rising from its surface in a coil. "You said work was causing you be stressed? About what exactly?" Satsuki raised the pairing and handed them to her sister.
"The Takarada conglomerate were playing hard on shipping material from Osaka. I had to go there myself to sort things out," Ryuko spoke, raising the cup to her mouth. A smile crossed only briefly on the last words before she took a sip.
"I can see where that could be trying," Satsuki nodded in agreeance while drinking from her own glass.
Ryuko placed her glass down and sighed. "It was but once we met face to face, he understood what my point was."
"And how about you?" she placed an elbow on the sofa's armrest and leaned forward crossing her legs. "How has it been traveling around the world, Satsuki?"
"There are a lot of inequities in the world. I have seen some things that have solidified that the world is not inherently fair, but we have also improved on those conditions across the board, so I cannot complain too much," Satsuki answered honestly, noticing her sister's prying eyes.
"Tryin' to balance things out even for the little people? Yeah, that's a good thing, maybe I should get some of your channels into those places and send some of my clothes," Ryuko hummed leaning back from her curious position.
"Perhaps we can arrange that at a later time. We should not talk too much about business away from the proper setting," Satsuki took a drink from her cup.
Ryuko nodded her head. "Yes, I can see what you mean. The world needs clothing though, so it'll be a pretty short talk."
Silence filled the space between them, Satsuki leering at her sister from just beyond the lip of her teacup. Satsuki cleared her throat, breaking that moment. "Well, how is Mankansho, no, Mako," she paused trying to speak less formally about her sister's friend.
"Oh, Mako's doing great. I talk to her pretty often," Ryuko smiled looking to her sister with a smile. "She went to school to be a doctor to help out her folks, and is pretty good at it. Even if the Mankanshokus are still just back alley doctors, they always make sure to do what they can."
"I was more curious if she was still-" Satsuki paused for a moment trying not to offend.
"Yeah, she's still Mako. That girl is crazy energetic," the black haired woman replied laughing.
"She really does worry about me. I get three calls a day somedays just to make sure I'm doing well," she hummed before picking up her cup and drinking it.
Satsuki smiled at that. "I see, you were her only friend Ryuko and the two of you had been through quite a lot together."
"No thanks to you," Ryuko jokingly said lowering her cup.
"That may be true," Satsuki humored her sister.
Ryuko returned to her quizzical position leaning toward Satsuki. "Alright, since we're on this, spill it, what have the Elite Four been up to?"
"Gamagori is working with his uncle's steel refinery. Though if it were up to him, he would be my bodyguard. There are few people that have dedication like he does," Satsuki mused with a smile. "No matter where in the world Rei and I go, he calls once a week to assure our safety. On one trip to Russia he was willing to charter a plane to reach us."
"That is what I expect honestly. He was the one that stepped in front of my punch after, y'know, you snapped me out of Junketsu," Ryuko blushed slightly looking away.
"Yes, and I thank him and the Elite Four for stepping into that situation," Satsuki added taking away Ryuko's embarrassment.
"Now, about Jakuzure. She is currently a recording artist with a large music firm in Tokyo funnily enough," Satsuki continued cupping her chin. She then looked to her sister. "Unlike you and Mako however, I have not talked to my friend in some time. I much rather prefer she move on from myself and all of the things that I brought her into."
Ryuko tilted her head and nodded, knowingly. "I get that Satsuki, you kept track of her though. That has to amount of something."
"It does yes," came the elder's nod.
"Then, onto the other two, what about those guys?"
"To my knowledge Inumuta has a job in cybersecurity with the government. He is a man with very particular skills. I met with him to check the Revocs website five years ago, to make sure it was a secure as possible, but I have not spoke with him since," came her answer.
"Huh, pretty cushy job, have to admit."
"Yes, but one that requires a lot of focus," she replied leaning back cup of tea in hand, the steam dancing slightly before her nose.
"That just leaves, Sanageyama. You know what he's been up to or not?"
Satsuki shook her head. "No, he returned to Northern Kanto and has been off-grid since. Perhaps he is working in a kendo dojo or somewhere else. Sanageyama was not one for flash and substance, he was a warrior though so whatever he is doing he is doing with respect."
"Hehehe, out of all of them he was the one I was most curious about. He was pretty hard on himself," Ryuko laughed fixing her hairclip.
"He had a lot of people back home that looked up to him. Even as a delinquent he was well respected," Satsuki answered with a knowing nod.
The CEO of Isshin Brands, looked at her sister intently. "Well, wherever he is, I sure hope he's doing well."
"As do I Ryuko," her sister agreed taking another sip from her cup.
Ryuko looked around the room with barely contained curiosity. "How do you keep this place so clean when your away all of the time? I can't keep my penthouse clean for a week if I'm busy."
"Soroi is still employed by the Revocs Corporation, so he lives here and cleans it while Rei and I are away. He seems to enjoy the quiet of not having many people in the house while I am away I can assure," Satsuki smiled taking another sip from her tea.
"And you cannot keep your penthouse clean? Why am I not surprised, I saw the apartment you were living in when you were studying in Kobe," coyly the older sister teased.
Ryuko leaned her head back. "Hey, not all of us have a butler, Lady Satsuki."
"But, honestly, it's all of the scraps of cloth and paper from designs y'know? It gets everywhere and I'm either at work or going home to sleep, not a lot of time to clean."
"Why not take time off then, Ryuko?" Satsuki inquired.
"I can't leave my work to anyone else, I'm the sole designer at Isshin Brands. I have a seamstress sure, but when it comes to designs, if you're not right on top you're falling behind. And I can't let someone else make clothing cuter than Senketsu," astutely Ryuko assured.
"Aren't you taking that promise a bit too literally now? You are the CEO of a clothing company, you surely have made clothing that would meet that criteria by now," Satsuki sat her cup down looking to her sister.
Ryuko leaned back on the sofa and huffed. "After we launch this next collection, I can take a break. Getting those fibers shipped from the Takaradas as soon as possible is gonna make the launch happen real soon."
"Speaking of the next collection, you wanna take a look at the dress I brought for you to see? Try to tell me what you think about it?"
Ryuko paused looking at her sister with a nervous glance. "I mean it'll just be me showing off a design of mine. If you're still up for it of course," Ryuko spoke fumbling over her words as she got up to go to the suitcase she brought.
"Well, you went through the effort of bringing it here, I see no reason not to see it," Satsuki placed her cup upon its saucer and crossed her legs while her sister ventured to in front of the mantle.
"Great, this is from the newest collection too!" Ryuko opened the suitcase, a smile forming over her face.
What she pulled free was a mannequin that bore a long blue gown. A stretch of white fabric seemed to orbit around it in a sash, with eye patterns of a deep red and orange in the center. The bodice was marked with steel-like ribbing that sat at either side attacked at the waist of the gown. The dress's sleeves reached down into long flowing veils that tapered off into thin wisps that barely missed running against the floor.
"Oh," Satsuki paused feeling her heart catch in her throat at the sight.
"What do you think? Do you wanna try it on, sis?" Ryuko asked curiously, leaning on the mannequin's shoulder with her left arm. A smile was present on her face, a pride in craftsmanship.
Her heartbeat hastened at the sight, for a reason she could not put a finger on. "I want to yes, though it doesn't look to be my size," Satsuki looked at it with a mixture of awe and concern, the craftmanship was excellent even from this distance she could see that, but it was off somehow. Something about it caused a shiver to ride up her spine.
"Alright, well let's get to it," Ryuko smiled readying herself.
"Come on, let's get you out of those travelling clothes," Ryuko smiled and that shiver of excitement that ran along Satsuki's spine grew more intense.
'Clack!' Ryuko's heel hit the ground and that overwhelming stigmatic aura that the Kiryuin carry exploded out. The room became bathed in crimson light as rays danced from behind her and stretched to the wall. Pressure seemed to building in the room, the two tea cups situated on the table being pushed back as if by a powerful wind. Satsuki herself found her back being pushed into a chair, a skip of her heartbeat following.
"This Satsuki is the next evolution of humanity, the pinnacle of my fashion, isn't it beautiful? An example of the Shinka collection, something that advances change in all who wear it, isn't it cute?" Ryuko asked her eyes filled with wonder as her overwhelming force of her personality.
Satsuki gulped trying to move forward but finding herself unable to. 'What is happening?' she thought eyes darting about the room as Ryuko approached.
"It took your breath away, didn't it Satsuki?" Ryuko leaned forward with glee ever growing across her face.
"That's okay. You have such a high affinity for Life Fibers that it is nearly impossible to resist being awestruck by their presence, ain't that right Satsuki?" Ryuko's touch met Satsuki's cheek in a gentle caress. Satsuki wanted to resist, but the touch was so soft she leaned forward into it.
A growl parted Satsuki's lips when the finger left her face. "Who are you really? My sister wouldn't dare," she managed to say against the aura. "She's no servant to the Life Fibers!"
"Servant? It isn't servitude when you get what you want! Can't you see, the only way to make clothes cuter than Senketsu is to use Life Fibers! I'm just doing what I promised, what are you getting so angry with me? Didn't you want to wear it? Don't you want to evolve?" Ryuko asked leaning forward, eyes shaking with pleasure and madness.
"I want to-" Satsuki found Ryuko's hand caressing her neck, taking her strength away. Her head growing light and thoughts growing fuzzy with a haze of heat. Her voice even though she wanted to think differently escaped in the manner her heart desired most.
"Sure you do, the only reason you resisted before was because of Ragyo," Ryuko continued to cup her sister's face. "You wanted to give in, but not to her, but she's dead, we killed her. Come on Satsuki, evolve, and feel the pleasure of being worn by clothing!" Ryuko's words went in her ear, making her skin grow with goosebumps as her heartrate increased. A familiar pleasure overwhelming her senses
Satsuki's voice began to escape in hasted pulses and writhing as she pulled up from the chair. "No, this isn't right, Ryuko! Ryuko stop!"
"What geez, stop yelling," Ryuko huffed from behind her, hands having tightened the dress onto her body.
"What?" Satsuki huffed her head turning to find her younger sister, behind her making sure it was on correctly. "What just happened? You're not..."
"Not what? You were the one that wanted to put it on, and you knew you'd have to deal with the pressure. If you didn't have such a big bust size, it wouldn't be so tight!" Ryuko growled pulling back on the laces to make sure it fit correctly.
Satsuki winced feeling the pressure as the gown tightened across her body. " There, I think that's as good as we're gonna get. Phew," Ryuko stepped from behind her taller sibling to get a front view.
"Ryuko what are you-" Satsuki mumbled trying to process what just happened.
"Yeah, that's pretty good. Doesn't quite fit you, but I could see you wearin' it," Ryuko mused, cupping her chin.
'What was that then? A daydream, I remember asking to put it on, did I just, doze off?' the Revocs chair felt her mind continuing to race as Ryuko looked at the design, expecting a reply.
"You could definitely wear it," she nodded her head again, a proud smile appearing across her face.
'Calm down Satsuki, this is normal. What were you dreaming up?' she gulped trying to steady herself. "Do you really think so?" Satsuki asked looking down over herself with a raised brow. Her heartbeat was racing though, that felt too real to be a daydream.
"Sure do, I think people should wear whatever they want to, preferably what I make but it's their choice. Though, if you want to keep this it'll need some tailoring," Ryuko sighed looking at Satsuki's stressed face.
"While I appreciate the gesture, it is not an everyday type of dress. I do not go to special occasions that would require fashion like this," Satsuki answered, a bead of sweat still rolling down her neck. 'That weird feeling I got from Ryuko, was it all just my imagination? She's talking like herself and isn't doing anything strange.'
Ryuko slumped her shoulders, her long black hair falling slightly. "Fair enough, you're trying to make Revocs reputable, and wearing high fashion may prove to be a bit like pandering to the people you wanna help, right? Heheh, ah well, guess the Shinka Collection isn't going to be flying off anywhere with you. Still think we should send some of the utilitarian stuff I've made out wherever you go next.."
"If you have utilitarian clothing, I don't see a reason why not," the CEO of Revocs said nervously. At the same time, Satsuki saw her sister laugh and eased some. "Ryuko, can I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead Satsuki," Ryuko took a relaxed seat on the couch, taking a sip from her cup of tea.
"These clothes that you make, they aren't made with Life Fibers, are they?" Satsuki's bushy eyebrows narrowed, her focus locking on her sister.
Ryuko lowered the cup from her mouth and tilted her head. "The hell are you talking about? I don't think there are any Life Fibers left after we killed Ragyo."
Satsuki lowered her shoulders and nodded. "I just had to ask, a force of habit perhaps."
"Nah, it's fine," Ryuko mused adjusting her hair.
"It's been three years since we last saw one another, we should be talking more about our lives now not some weird thoughts that just came to mind. I'm sorry, Ryuko."
"It's fine, we have all night, I cleared my schedule," Ryuko smiled setting her cup down. "Speaking of all night, how about we trade some stories? You seem a little tense, sharing a secret or two'll do you good."
'I must be overthinking things. This woman is Ryuko Matoi through and through,' Satsuki shivering the last of her anxiousness away strolled back to her seat, continuing to wear the dress. " Well, to make up for my rather distasteful line of comments, I'll humor you first. What are you curious about?" Satsuki sat picking up her cup before crossing her legs.
"I just wanna hear something crazy that you've done."
"That certainly doesn't narrow it down, but let me begin," Satsuki smiled and began to tell a tale.
Far later (outside)...
"Ryuko, are you sure your driver is awake at this hour? Why not sleep in one of the guest rooms?" Satsuki asked, having returned to her previous clothing.
Ryuko shrugged and chuckled. "He'll be awake, don't worry about me. Thanks for having me over for tea, Satsuki."
"If I am in the country you are always welcomed back here, Ryuko."
"Thanks, sis," Ryuko winked as the gate opened and the black limousine made its way back up the driveway.
"Real bummer that you didn't want the dress, I only brought the one because I thought you'd love it," Ryuko pouted.
Satsuki shook her head. "It has nothing to do with your fashion sense, Ryuko. I just prefer my clothing to be more practical."
"Yeah, I know. Hopefully we see each other real soon. Glad to see you aren't walking around with a sword, keeping that promise is a big deal."
"It was yes, and I am living happier because of it.," the elder of the two sisters said smile.
The limo pulled in front of Ryuko and the doorway, leaving the CEO to approach. "Okay, have a good night, Satsuki. Don't wind yourself up again, okay? You kinda had me afraid with the dress."
"Yes, I'll try to relax, Ryuko."
"Alright, Satsuki, be seeing you around," Ryuko smiled opening the door and sliding into the back.
Ryuko leaned back in her seat, suitcase sat to her side. A coy smile crossing her face as she looked forward at the mirror in the front of her limousine. A thin rainbow hued thread leading from her raised right index finger to the front of the limousine.
"Ah, man, what a killer headache. Driver, take me home," she flicked her finger seemingly unknowingly as her left hand rubbed her temple, and the care drove off.
Illusion or truth? Was it merely Satsuki's nerves or is something truly wrong with Ryuko? And no matter what what was that shift about? Was it real?
Hey, thanks you checking out the next chapter, stay healthy out there folks,
~Dan