A/N: I was going to wait until I had completed at least two chapters, but I was too excited that I finally wrote a new one that I couldn't wait.

I hope to not disappoint, but here's a new chapter. I hope you like it :)

Nishi could only imagine his mother's reaction when she found his letter, and now, only thanks to Kurono, he had another chance. Nishi curled his hand into a fist by his side, feeling like he owed Kurono something, but visions of his final moments played through his mind, and he dreaded the mission more than before. There was a large part of him that couldn't help but fear betrayal. Kurono spoke about changing things, but who's to say he wouldn't change his mind when it came to survival? If Nishi got in trouble fighting one of those aliens again, would Kurono really help? Kurono knew how Nishi felt about teamwork, so it really wouldn't surprise him if he didn't. It would anger Nishi greatly if he did work with Kurono, only to have that small bit of trust broken. All you have to do is work with them long enough to survive this mission, he told himself. After that, you're free, so their lives won't matter anymore.

Nishi wondered if sacrificing his beliefs and instincts for one mission was worth it. The teen took his letter out of his jacket. He was far from his home now, but he didn't post the letter because it would just tempt fate, wouldn't it? The answer was yes; he'd risk everything if he could go back home. Nishi ignored the thought that he might survive the mission but still not gain enough points. Nishi wouldn't risk his life to save anyone, he made that clear to Kurono, but for the sake of surviving this mission for those 10 fucking points, he'd form a team, and should they get themselves killed, it wouldn't be his fault if they didn't listen to him.

…

Nishi glanced left when Kurono and Kishimoto appeared in the room together, and he noticed that Kurono did, in fact, have his suit on. "I still can't believe you actually survived before without your suit," Nishi commented with slight annoyance.

Kurono shrugged with a lopsided grin. "I didn't just survive, I kicked ass. And wasn't it you who said I'd be the first one to die?"

Nishi narrowed his eyes slightly before turning his head away. "Fuck off."

Kurono chuckled and then became serious. "Anyway, I think we should decide now how things will go before the others get here. Nishi, you're probably better off with the old lady and the kid."

Nishi suddenly looked horrified. "What the fuck is wrong with you? How is that better off? Are you trying to get me killed? If you think for one minute that I'm helping that old hag and the brat then you're delusional."

Kurono knew it would be difficult to convince Nishi of anything. "Nishi, there's a lot of these things and it will be a lot easier if we work in groups. You know from experience that you can't fight the damn things alone."

Nishi curled his hand into a fist. "If I team up with them, I'll be on my own and end up dead anyway!"

"They put on the suits, didn't they? You said you'd help those who fight and pay attention, but you have to give them a chance to do that first."

Nishi frowned. "I did."

Kurono laughed. "Oh yeah, you did. I'm almost sure insulting them isn't the same."

"You call it an insult, I call it the truth. It wasn't my fault none of you could take it."

Kurono gave a derisive snort. "You're seriously telling me that all that shit you spouted before was what, advice?"

Nishi clicked his tongue; he didn't want Kurono to get the wrong idea, but he couldn't think of a way to deny it. "I thought I'd be free after that."

Kurono tilted his head. "Parting wisdom from a Gantz veteran?"

Nishi rolled his eyes. "Just shut up."

Kishimoto didn't understand the conversation and the repour the two had going on, so she kept quiet, silently worrying about what was to come.

Silence descended upon the room after that.

"You hate Kato," Kurono said after a few seconds. "And I doubt you'll like teaming up with Hojo very much." Nishi raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeh, he's the model teenager." Nishi grimaced. "And don't you think your chances of survival are at least a little higher with the old lady than they would be with either of the bikers?"

Nishi frowned. "Correction, their chances are higher."

Kurono rolled his eyes. "Well, that too." Then he grinned. "Besides, she's a grandmother, so she's got that kind of natural maternal instinct."

Nishi scrunched his nose. "That's a really lame persuasion."

Soon, Kato appeared, and the four began discussing groups to split into, and even though Nishi wasn't happy with Kurono's insistence on killing the boss, he was left with no choice since the older teen already knew how to kill it.

"Nishi?"

Nishi turned his attention to Kurono from his place beside the ball as they waited for the others to arrive. "What."

"I've been wondering something. What happens to our bodies when we die on a mission? I mean, if we're really just copies of our original, I wonder if our bodies are just left there to decompose without anyone ever knowing about it since they can't see us."

Kishimoto and Kato pale at Kurono's theory. The girl covered her mouth in disgust. "Kei," Kato mumbled. "That's really...wrong."

Kurono looked at his friends and truly wondered what he said that was so disturbing. It was a genuine question, wasn't it? When Kurono looked back at Nishi, he was surprised to see a similar expression on the boy's face.

"And I'm the screwed up one," Nishi said.

Kurono huffed. "You get excited at the sight of blood and shit, and it's that which disturbs you, seriously?"

"I'd just rather not think about my own body lying there getting walked on and no one can see it."

Kishimoto hunched her shoulders; she didn't want to think about it either, but added, "It does give the whole 'walk over my grave' a new meaning."

Kato grimaced. "Can we stop talking about this."

Kurono smiled. Kato was always the squeamish type. "I was just curious is all. It's not like Gantz gives us time to bury the dead or anything."

Kato shivered at the thought of getting buried. "Let's - just say that we disappear, and our original bodies show up somewhere...maybe."

"That makes sense," Kurono replied. "Anyway, so we're agreed, I'll take care of the boss and try to get that Tetsuo guy on my side. Kato, you and Kishimoto work with Hojo. Nishi with the old lady and the kid, then that leaves the rest of the bikers."

Nishi glanced at Kurono. "Well I think it's safe to say we don't really care what the hell happens to them."

Kurono shrugged. "Maybe not, but the more that survive tonight, the better our chances will be next time. Because trust me, this mission will seem like a breeze in comparison."

...

Kurono, Kato, and Kishimoto stared at the four bikers as they appeared on their front. Kato turned to Kei with surprise etched on his face; even though he was aware of Kurono's prescience, it still amazed him. "You were right Kei, four guys, and they all appeared first." Kurono nodded in reply.

Nishi stood in the left-hand corner of the room behind Gantz, glancing their way. "Followed by the self-proclaimed actor and his groupie," he mumbled. "And then the old bag and the brat."

In that order, Hojo and Sadako appeared, followed by the elderly woman and Ryouta.

Nishi observed from a distance while Kato and Kurono attempted to explain. Nishi had told them to keep the explanation simple to new players, not because he'd rather they didn't know anything, although that part was true, but because they didn't have time for details, just the basic concept of Gantz and what they should expect.

Kurono frowned angrily when two of the bikers began to laugh hysterically; he looked back at Nishi, who tapped his suit underneath his slim, dark grey jacket with a zip running down one side; it hid the Gantz suit extremely well.

Kurono grinned and turned to face the bikers. "A little demonstration perhaps?"

Kato and Kishimoto looked at Kurono with confusion as he stepped in front of Tetsuo. "Kei? What are you doing?"

Kurono ignored Kato's question and held his hand out to the red-haired biker.

Tetsuo glared down at Kurono. "Get the fuck away from me."

"What, are you scared? I'm just asking you to shake my hand for a sec." Kurono gave a slight curve of his lips.

Tetsuo hesitantly reached up his right hand, despite the protests from his biker friends. Once Tetsuo's hand clasped his, Kurono began to grip it hard. Tetsuo's eyes widened, and he cursed loudly when his bones ground together. Nishi grinned to himself as Tetsuo shouted, "Fuck! What the fuck!" Kurono let him go and tilted his head with a slight grin.

"The power of the suit, they're important. It's your decision, your chances are a whole lot better with it."

Haruya growled and pointed at Kurono. "And look as fucking retarded as you? Fuck that! Wouldn't be caught dead in some gay-ass shit like that."

Kosuke snarled with a raised fist. "You're full of shit dickwad, ain't nobody here believing anything you said, so shut the fuck up."

All the shouting caused Ryouta to cry loudly, and the old woman wrapped her arms around him. Nishi rolled his eyes; why did Kei think this would be any different than before?

Tetsuo sighed and turned to Kosuke and Haruya. "Just chill, alright? He just said it was our decision."

Haruya scoffed. "Damn straight. You wouldn't put that shit on would ya?"

"Obviously not."

Kato stepped forward when he saw Kurono getting annoyed and approached Hojo. "Please believe us, it's for your own safety-"

The Gantz ball began to sing, causing the bikers and Hojo to gather near it.

"Pay attention," Kato said. "It'll show the alien we have to defeat soon."

Suzuki alien.

Traits: strong, refreshing, bird.

Likes: Birds, sweets.

Catchphrase: Ha, ha, ha.

"Is that the alien, Kei?" Kato asked.

Kurono frowned. "Yeh, that's it alright." Kurono glanced at Nishi, who turned away from him, looking frustrated. Kurono returned his gaze to the ball. "Let's do this."

…

By some miracle, they persuaded most new players to wear the protective suit and grab a formidable weapon. The only ones without a suit were Kosuke and Kenji.

The team was transferred from the room and scattered over the bridge close by one another. Kurono was vigilant, knowing the first alien was nearby. Once we kill this one, it'll be a lot easier to split up. Kurono looked over at Nishi, who had his back to the group, gun in his hand. At least he hasn't ditched us yet.

Nishi glared down at the water under the bridge and couldn't help the memories conjuring up in his head; it sickened him. This was the place he died, cold and afraid. How was he supposed to trust it wouldn't happen again?

"So what now Mr. hotshot?"

Nishi turned his attention away from the river when the voice of one of the loud bikers sounded from afar.

"We got our gay fucking suits on, so where's this so-called alien at?" Haruya and the rest of his group approached from the opposite side, followed by the other players. They stood in a closer group now, simply waiting for further instructions, and needless to say, the bikers were becoming impatient. "I'm starting to think you don't know shit." Haruya moved in front of Kurono, gritting his teeth.

Kurono glared up at the biker. "I'm not lying, the aliens are around somewhere. We just have to stay alert and find them, they don't come to us."

Haruya laughed. "What shit you smoking!"

Kosuke and Kenji laughed with him when Haruya jabbed Kurono in the chest. "Fuckwad. I don't know what gang you're from, but your bullshit story isn't workin, so fuck you, we're going home." Haruya turned to Kosuke and Kenji. "Let's get ramen and then go get some action."

Tetsuo sighed heavily; while he really wanted to go home to his family, he had a feeling that leaving wasn't that simple. Something told him to take Kurono and Kato seriously.

"I hope they don't fucking breed," Nishi commented as he stepped beside Kurono, causing the other teen to chuckle.

Kato reached out a hand toward the retreating bikers. "You can't go! We have to work together, you'll die if you leave the area." Kurono sighed in annoyance, about ready to give up on them; at least he could say he tried.

"Stop wasting your time," Nishi said. "If their tiny little brains can't process what's right in front of them, then they deserve to die." Kato turned to frown at Nishi, and before he could say anything, Haruya swerved around and growled.

"The fuck did you say you little shit!"

Kurono couldn't blame Nishi for snapping, he was surprised the boy lasted this long, but if Nishi started killing players again, teamwork would become a problem.

"You wanna say that again, huh?" Haruya stalked back toward where Kurono and Nishi stood. "I'll fucking-"

"Look! Check it out," Hojo shouted suddenly, drawing everyone's attention several feet away to the right of them. "Is – is that the alien? It kinda looks like the thing that ball showed us, doesn't it?"

The group of players watched it slowly make its way toward them with a strange, surreal smile on its face.

"Wooo shit! That's a weird looking midget, what the fuck is that?"

Kurono frowned. "It's the alien."

Kosuke laughed. "That's the alien? But it ain't nothing but a fucking midget robot, even I can tell that much." Kosuke gestured to his friends to follow him, and before the others could stop them, Haruya, Kenji, and Kosuke began to approach it.

"Look grandma, it's a real robot, can I look too?" Ryouta was about to leave, but the old lady stopped him. "But grandma, it looks so cool."

The woman smiled down at him. "I think it's best if we get you home, you can pick out any robot toy you want next time, how does that sound?"

Kato turned to them. "No one is leaving the area, you die if you do." Kato's words failed to reach them as they started to leave.

Kurono gritted his teeth; he felt like a broken record. This is so not what the plan was! Now I know why Nishi never bothered. With a sigh, Kei reluctantly attempted to stop the bikers from doing anything stupid since they had yet to leave the area, but a pull on his arm halted him, and he turned to see it was Nishi.

"You're really going to help them? Wake up idiot, do they look like they give two shits about what's happening?"

Kurono frowned and yanked his arm back. "I said maybe, but if they start to anger the damn thing before we get a chance to kill it, then we'll lose our chance."

Nishi pursed his lips. "Then use the morons to distract it."

"I won't do that."

"Then let them die. They're nothing more than a group of useless fucks that will get us killed."

"Nishi, just-"

Nishi narrowed his eyes. "I thought you were different, but you're even worse than before. Even though you were a coward, at least you had sense. Right now, you might as well be another hypocrite like Kato."

Kurono's eyes widened slightly when Nishi turned to walk away. "Where are you going?"

"I'll leave this to you. Deal's off. None of you are worth my help." Nishi glanced over his shoulder with amusement. "Try not to die."

Kurono's expression was full of anger as he watched Nishi disappear. That – cocky – little – "Nishi! You fucking-"

"Aww! Was that your little friend there? I'm sorry…"

Kurono turned his attention angrily away from where Nishi stood, and his expression instantly changed to horror when his eyes fell upon a squashed little bird on the ground, killed by the heavy foot of Kosuke. Oh shit, you gotta be kidding me.

Kato, Kishimoto, and the rest could only watch with a mixture of shock and annoyance as three of the bikers continue to taunt the robot alien, who already bared its teeth angrily.

Kenji laughed and picked another small bird up, this time, from the alien's shoulder. "Don't try and tell us robots have feelings or some shit." Kenji began to squeeze the bird.

Tetsuo frowned. "Kenji, just knock it off now."

"Stop it!" Kato shouted. "It's going to attack if you keep hurting them."

Kurono gritted his teeth, still angry over Nishi's abandonment and stalked over to the group.

"Even if you are an alien, you're still a robot, ain'tcha, freak." The bird squealed before its eyes burst and body cracked, leaking purple blood through Kenji's fingers.

Kurono's eyes widened slightly, and he stopped momentarily.

Be careful, Kurono. Gantz isn't the sickest one here. The sickest ones – are human.

Kurono curled his hand in a tight fist. You got that right, Nozaki. Was Nishi right?

Suddenly, the Suzuki alien opened its mouth with a loud scream, its eyes narrowing into slits.

Kurono began to run toward them. Right or not, I won't be a coward. He's the coward for ditching us!

"Look out!" Kato tried to warn.

Tetsuo, Haruya, and Kosuke managed to step back enough to avoid the attack, covering their ears in the process, but Kenji froze on his feet and grabbed at his face, screaming. "Fuck!" Before any of his friends could help him, a solid sonic wave left the alien's mouth, and Kenji's head blew up.

The three bikers gasped loudly in horror and watched their other member fall headless to the ground.

Hojo stared at the scene with a mixture of fear and disbelief. "Fuck. This really is real, isn't it," he said, tightening his hold on his x-gun. "This is no game."

Kurono ran past Kato and shouted, "Kato! I'll grab hold of it, and you shoot!"

Kato gaped in shock. "But Kei-"

"Just do it! It's the only way!" Kurono ignored the bikers' taunts and sidestepped quickly when another attack from the Suzuki alien shot forth, causing the players behind him to seek cover.

"Kurono!" Kishimoto voiced her concerns clearly, but Kurono quickly wrapped his arms around the robot.

"Shoot Kato!" Kurono tightened his hold, his suit bulging around his upper body.

Kato frowned slightly with a small nod. "Yeah…okay." Kato raised his gun up with a chew of his lip. I have to shoot… I have to…"

"Kato!"

Kishimoto looked at Kato worriedly and ran forward. If he can't shoot, then I will. Kishimoto raised her weapon.

The Suzuki alien started screeching and thrashing when it realized it was trapped in Kurono's grasp. Angry, the robot began to float upwards hastily in an attempt to fling Kei off.

Kurono clung to the alien, gripping it even tighter. Holy shit! Why am I up in the air again! Fuck! "Someone shoot it!"

Kishimoto frowned with determination and pulled both triggers, remembering the demonstration Kurono gave her while they were in a secluded area.

Kato looked at her in surprise. "Kishimoto?"

Kishimoto glanced at Kato with a slight smile. "I'm sorry. But if what Kurono told us is true then… if we have to kill to go free… I don't think we have a choice."

"Look out!"

The players snapped their heads up when they heard Kurono shout.

"It's still attacking?" Kishimoto screeched. "But I shot it!"

The group avoided the sonic blasts the best they could as the ground cracked in a few places.

"I told you those toy fucking guns were useless!" Haruya shouted. "Or maybe you just got a lousy aim, big tits."

Hojo scoffed. "Why don't you try then?"

"Cause I don't give a shit, you fucking retard!"

The group's attention was shifted to the alien once more when they heard a loud pop and an increasing scream from Kurono as he descended toward the ground. "Shit!" The ground cracked under Kurono's weight when he landed with a thud against his knees and hands, trying to lessen the blow.

Kato and Kishimoto ran to him with relief. "You're okay."

Kurono stood up and breathed a sigh of relief before smiling up at his friends. "Thanks to Kishimoto."

Kishimoto blinked in surprise and looked at her gun. "Are you sure that was me?" She looked back at him for an answer.

Kurono smiled. "The guns have time lags, remember?"

Kishimoto nodded. "I guess so."

Kurono turned his back and looked around. I wonder if – pfft, nah, no way that bastard came back just to help us out. Although I can't help worrying. You better be alive Nishi, just so I can kick your ass when we get back. Kurono revealed the device on his arm and motioned for anyone who'll listen to come closer. Hojo, Tetsuo, Kishimoto, and Kato gathered around behind Kurono as he showed them the map and the other aliens' location.

"Tetsuo, let's go, we don't need to listen to their shit, come on," Haruya said loudly as he and Kosuke began to walk away.

Tetsuo hesitated with a frown; on the one hand, he felt obligated to stick with his friends since he was their leader, but on the other… what they just witnessed was surely proof enough, right? Tetsuo sighed and turned to Kurono. "Tell me straight up kid. Are we in danger if we go off on our own?"

Kurono frowned. "Your chances aren't great. And I told you before," he pointed to the map that expanded with a push of a button. "If you leave this area, you'll die." At least it looks like the old lady and kid are still in the safe zone.

"I see."

"Tetsuo!"

Tetsuo swerved on his heel. "Shut up! If you don't believe him, then go on ahead, but I'm staying."

Haruya and Kosuke exchanged glances before Haruya glared back at Tetsuo. "Fine." Haruya flipped him off. "Fuck you Mr. fucking leader. I hope you die!"

Kurono scoffed; while he understood Tetsuo's obligation to stick with his gang, he didn't understand why he'd want to. "Some friends you got there."

"Kei, are we really going to let them leave?"

Kurono huffed in frustration. "Nishi, the old lady, and the kid have already left. And we've only got thirty-four minutes left as it is, we gotta get moving."

Kishimoto sighed. "Nishi left, wasn't he supposed to help us?"

Kurono narrowed his eyes, trying not to get angry. "Yeh, but you can bet that little shit is around somewhere, probably going after the other aliens." Dammit Nishi, we had a fucking deal.

"So what now?" Hojo asked, glancing over his shoulder to look for the girl who always followed him. Hojo spotted her easily, half hiding behind the bridge end wall.

"We split up."