A/N: Yay. I updated in only six days this time, I feel accomplished hehe.

Sorry if I have yet to reply to your lovely comments, I will do so, work has been a bit crazy. :) Regardless, thank you so much, and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

00:12:35.

Kurono glared with gritted teeth at the entrance to the building. I should have known Nishi would try something this stupid; after all, it was all about the points in the end. I know how desperate he was to end it, to get those last ten points he needed, but dammit, I didn't think he'd risk going after the boss himself! Why the hell should I risk my neck for him anyway. He fucking ditched us! Kurono looked at the old woman and child. Then again, he helped those two, so I guess he didn't completely abandon the plans. Kurono turned his attention back to the building. And I won't forgive myself if he dies again here.

"Hey!"

Kurono glanced at Tetsuo, who was glaring impatiently.

"If you wanna save that kid, then we better move it."

Kurono nodded. "Yeah." Just before the two made their move, they were interrupted by a furry animal dressed in the assigned Gantz suit. "The Butter-dog?" The group watched the dog bark and run into the building. Kurono held his hand out. "Hey, wait!"

Tetsuo blinked in surprise. "That was weird." The biker looked at Kurono. "Some kind of attachment there?"

Kurono shrugged. "I don't know. The only thing I know is that it's been in this game as long as Nishi, I guess."

"Grandma, it's him, it's grandpa's dog, it's Rice!"

Kayo placed her hand slightly over her mouth, welling with emotion. "I believe you're right, Ryota."

Kurono tilted his head in confusion. Its name is Rice? Aww, but Butter-dog sounds cooler. Wait a minute, don't tell me that old woman is the lonely housewife. Gross!

"Are we going or not? That kid is probably already dead by now."

Kurono frowned. You better not be dead, Nishi, you asshole.

Rice scampered into the corridor, ears perking up when he heard loud noises. The six aliens halted their attacks once they spotted the dog, and a strange smile appeared on their faces. The dog let out a scared whimper before slowly padding across the floor, ears pinned low. Rice lowered his head and opened his mouth to take Nishi's jacket collar between his teeth. Nishi grunted low in pain as Rice began dragging him away from the aliens. Blood covered Nishi's arms and legs of his clothing, leaving a trail as he was dragged.

The aliens' faces suddenly turned angry once more when they spotted Kurono and Tetsuo standing at the end of the corridor, guns aimed. Kurono gritted his teeth at a quick glance down to Nishi. "Get him outside, boy," he told the dog. "Tetsuo, once they're gone, we start shooting."

Tetsuo grinned. "Yeh, I'm down with that."

Rice continued to drag Nishi away from danger, despite his painful protests.

00:08:12.

Kato, Kishimoto, and Hojo ran toward the building, immediately spotting the old woman and child. "What's going on?" Kato asked.

"We saw that there were more aliens here," Hojo said as he looked at his device.

Kayo turned to nod. "A young man and a biker have gone inside to fight them, I believe. They wanted to help the younger boy."

The three exchanged concerned looks before turning their attention back. "Is one of them Kei?" Kato asked.

"Kurono did tell us he wanted to kill the boss at the end," Kishimoto replied.

"Look!" Hojo shouted. "Someone's coming out."

They all waited anxiously. Half wondering if it might be an alien, Kato, Kishimoto, and Hojo raised their weapons, and Kayo held Ryota close. Kato blinked in surprise. "It's – it's the Butter-dog," he said slowly.

"And look, isn't that Nishi?" Kishimoto said, covering her mouth.

"That's the kid alright, and he doesn't look so good," Hojo explained.

Kato and Kishimoto knelt down once Rice had dragged Nishi far enough away. "Nishi, are you okay?"

"Can you move?"

Nishi looked at them through half-lidded eyes, unable to ignore the searing pain shooting through his limbs. "My arms…and my legs… they're completely fucked. I didn't – I didn't know…so many." Nishi tried to move one of his arms, but he felt no connection to them, almost as if the muscles had ripped. "Fuck…"

Kato frowned, torn between his concern for Nishi and that of his childhood friend. "Did you see Kei?" Nishi closed his eyes for a moment like he would pass out, but Kato's voice pulled him back. "Nishi, did you see Kei? Is he alright?"

"How the hell – should I know…"

00:07:34.

The heads of the Suzuki aliens bulged and exploded upon the shots fired by Kurono and Tetsuo. Blood sprayed the walls and splattered along the floor, causing the small birds to squeak loudly. "Holy shit," Tetsuo muttered. "These things really pack a punch."

Kurono narrowed his eyes when the large bird, the boss, the only one remaining, moved forward and screeched angrily. No telling how many points I got this time, but that's not important right now. The important thing is that I take that thing down. Kurono grinned. Yeh, just like before. "You might wanna leave," he told Tetsuo confidently.

"Say what?" Tetsuo pursed his lips. "Oh, I get it, take my help and then dismiss me like I'm useless? Fuck you shitwad."

Kurono chuckled. "No way, it's not like that at all. I just think I know a way to take this thing down, and the quicker I do, we'll all be safe, and you can get back to that wife and kid of yours."

Tetsuo stared in shock; no one had given a shit if he had a family before, but the teen in front of him seemed to do just that, and Tetsuo started to wonder if he should re-evaluate who his friends were. "Have it your way then."

Kurono bared his teeth, and his muscles rippled through the suit as he jumped at the bird. Oh yeah, I'm pumped now!

Tetsuo ran out of the former restaurant just as the roof exploded and the building collapsed.

"Whoa! What caused that!" Hojo said as he and the rest of the team watched in horror.

"There's a big-ass bird alien in there," Tetsuo explained. "That crazy kid has some guts."

"Grandma! Look how big that bird is! Wow!"

"Oh dear."

"It's huge!"

The bird violently flew out of the building, swooping low, flapping its terrifying wings in an attempt to strike. Kato and Hojo lifted their arms to shield themselves against the strong wind force, almost lifting off their feet. Kishimoto yelped in fear but instinctively moved her body to cover Nishi and the dogs. Kayo bent down and cradled Ryota, ducking between two narrow walls as the bird circled over them.

"Fuck, what do we do now!" Hojo shouted as they watched fearfully up into the sky.

Tetsuo scoffed loudly. "Well, you know, we could try shooting it!"

"Yeah, but where's Kei?" Kato asked, looking around in concern.

00:05:06.

Planks of wood fell from the pile of ruins, and a fist punched into the air, followed by Kurono. "Dammit, fucking bird-brain dodged my move."

Kato smiled in relief. "Kei, are you alright?"

Kurono nodded and stepped out from the rubble, gun still held tightly in his hand. "Don't worry, I got this," he smiled. Kurono took a quick glance at Nishi before tilting his head up toward the approaching bird high in the sky. "Better tell me that he's still alive."

Kishimoto looked down at Nishi and nodded. "I think he'll be alright."

Kurono sighed. "Good." Kurono raised his gun into the air. "I'm gonna end this, right – now." The bird spotted Kurono and let out a fierce screech before hastily swooping down. "Bye bye birdy!" Kurono's team gasped when the boss alien approached closer and closer. Kurono pulled the triggers three times once he was confident his gun had locked onto it.

"Kei!"

"Kurono!"

"Move you idiot!"

The bird span sideways, and Kurono yelped as its head blew up, and it plowed right into Kurono, causing them both to skid across the asphalt.

"Kei!" Kato ran to where the bird had landed, only to stop when Kurono lifted himself out from underneath the bird's carcass. Kato sighed in relief. "You're alive, thank god."

Kurono stood up with a half-smile, but annoyance shone in his eyes as he then looked at the dead boss. That totally sucked; I defeated that bird-brain way more kick-ass last time. Oh well, at least I still got to kill it. Kurono looked over at the other members. And more people survived this time. Kurono smiled lightly. "Time to go home."

00:04:13.

One by one, Gantz's members appeared in the room as follows; Kurono, Kishimoto, Tetsuo, Kayo, Ryota, Nishi, Rice, Kato, and there was surprise as another biker appeared also.

"Haruya, you're alive?"

Haruya clicked his tongue and growled angrily, clenching a fist toward Tetsuo. "No thanks to you shit-head! You call yourself a fucking leader, Kinji's head just fucking exploded. I don't even know why."

Tetsuo sighed. "How is that my fault? Maybe if you had listened to us in the first place, he might have-"

"Fuck you!"

Nishi curled his hands inside his jacket, the loud-mouthed biker was getting on his nerves, and his struggle to deal with his idiotic attempts to kill the boss wasn't helping either.

"I won't forget your cowardice, so don't think I'll spare your ass if I catch you around. You can just kiss the gang leadership goodbye and cozy up to your new buddies."

Tetsuo didn't reply; he frowned, but a part of him felt guilty. "Whatever."

Kurono stepped beside Nishi, who was waiting impatiently for the scores to start, knowing already he hadn't gained enough. "You want to explain what the hell happened back there? I told you the boss was mine; you almost died again."

Nishi narrowed his eyes. "Well, I didn't. And I told you the deal was off. Besides, I might not have gone inside if you had bothered to tell me about the other aliens."

Kurono frowned. "You're blaming me? And I thought I did tell you. How was I supposed to know you'd go after it so recklessly?"

Nishi scoffed. "Obviously you don't know me very well."

"You never were that reckless before, always hiding and waiting, isn't that right?"

Nishi hesitated before replying, "I used to be, reckless that is. But then my points were taken, and I had to start over."

Kurono cringed when he remembered that Nishi had told him about losing all your points if the time runs out. I guess it makes sense now. I mean, would I be this reckless if I were close to a hundred points and then lost em? Heh, I can't imagine Nishi even being that reckless; he's such a scrawny brat. Kurono laughed inwardly.

"Something funny, boner boy?"

Kurono shook his head with amusement. "Nope, not a thing."

"I'm telling you the truth," the two heard Kato speak with frustration and turn their attention to the group. "The ball will score us, and then we get to go home. We're alive."

Kurono sighed. "They still don't believe us?"

"And I said, shut the fuck up and stop telling me what to do!" Haruya raised his weapon toward Kato, but before he could land the blow, Tetsuo struck him hard across the face, and he fell on his ass, holding his mouth, groaning loudly. "Fuck!"

"I'm getting pretty sick of your big mouth, so keep it shut before I shut it for you," Tetsuo told him with a glare.

Nishi chuckled in amusement. Watching those idiot bikers clobber one another is good entertainment, too bad I didn't see the other's face when Gantz blew the biker's head off. I bet he shit himself.

Haruya stumbled to his feet, still holding his mouth. "You wanna say something brat?"

Nishi grinned. "Not really, you probably wouldn't understand anyway."

"You fucking-"

Tetsuo grabbed Haruya's jacket. "Didn't I tell you to shut your mouth?"

Tetsuo and Haruya glared at each other, until eventually, Haruya backed off, knowing Tetsuo was actually stronger.

Kato looked at Tetsuo and lowered his head slightly. "I appreciate the defense."

Tetsuo scoffed. "He was pissing me off anyway."

The Gantz ball began to inform them of their scores. "Finally," Nishi commented.

"See, Kato wasn't lying," Kishimoto said with a frown.

"Go suck his dick," Haruya snapped. "Or maybe you wanna get off with a real man, like me."

Kishimoto stepped closer to Kato before turning to face the ball.

"So, what's it scoring us for anyway?" Hojo asked.

Kayo smiled. "It's giving us an opportunity to escape, if you get a hundred points, you supposedly get to leave for good." Kurono, Kato, and Kishimoto became shocked by the information told by the old woman.

"Old bag, how do you know that?" Haruya asked.

Kayo ignored the biker and looked at Nishi. "Isn't that right, young man?"

All attention turned to Nishi, who closed his eyes with a sigh of frustration. Goddammit. Nishi avoided their gazes long enough to draw their attention back to Gantz.

"Just watch," Kato said.

Dog. 0 points.

You gained no points, but you helped save Nishi, so hooray, your biggest achievement!

Nishi narrowed his eyes; he vaguely remembered getting dragged from the building, but he didn't realize… I knew someone helped me escape, but I didn't know it was the fucking dog!

The dog barked happily when he sensed he had done a good thing. Kishimoto bent down and stroked his head. "Good boy, you're a good boy."

How embarrassing.

Kato-cha. 0 points.

Even the dog achieved more than you, too bad.

Nishi grinned. "Still couldn't shoot? You'll surely die next time if you keep being a hypocrite."

Kurono glared at Nishi. "Shut up."

Nishi shrugged, unfazed by Kurono's anger toward him. "It's the truth, isn't it?"

Kurono turned to Kato. "Don't worry, we'll make it."

Kato nodded. "Thanks Kei, and I will – I will get better."

Miss Melons. 15 points.

Total 15 points.

85 more to go!

Impressive, go big tits, go!

Kishimoto hunched her shoulders, unsure whether to take the words as a compliment.

Kurono smiled. Wow, she got five points more than last time. She's so hot.

Nishi. 5 points.

Total 95 points.

5 more points to go!

Nishi sneered at the ball; he was sure he'd gain the last of his points this time. Even big-tits scored more than I did, fuck.

Kurono glanced over at Nishi. He didn't get a hundred points? But I thought – shit, with five points still to go, that means he's gotta survive the next mission, and what are the odds of that even happening? Nishi doesn't know what he's up against this time. Only I know. Man, this sucks. Nishi locked eyes with Kurono when he felt him staring. I bet he blames me. Tsk, at least he survived, sheesh.

Sadako. 0 points.

You follow that fag around too much. And you disappear too much.

Kurono cringed when he saw the display. Whoops, I forgot about that. Poor Hojo. Then again, if I didn't know already, I'd make a guess it was Nishi. I mean, the way he calls me Kei-Kun is too creepy. Even though I know he calls me that just to piss me off.

"Alright losers," Haruya piped in aggressively. "Which one of you faggots is a homo!"

Nishi tilted his head toward the annoying biker. "Maybe it's you and that's why you're getting defensive," he said calmly with a smirk.

Haruya's eyes widened in anger. "I'm gonna blow your fucking head off you cocky brat!"

The sudden yelling made Ryota cry, and Kayo immediately tried to calm him down, causing Nishi to roll his eyes.

"Great, now you got the kid crying again, big mouth," Tetsuo said in annoyance.

"Shut up, you're as freaked out as I am!"

Hojo glanced over his shoulder to the girl hiding in the corridor and then gasped with a blush when he suddenly realized. Following the fag… oh shit.

The Fag. 5 points.

Total points 5.

95 more to go!

Hojo jumped to his feet. "No, I'm not gay! I'm not, I swear!"

Haruya pointed his gun at Hojo. "Take another step and I'll fucking kill you."

"Sick. Should have known it was you."

Kurono almost laughed, but he probably owed it to Hojo to defend him. After all, it was partially his and Kato's fault for sending him into that temple alone with newbies. And I'm sure he and that chick got together during the mission, so there's no way he's gay, but how do I explain that without telling them I know stuff.

Bikie number 1. 15 points.

Total 15 points.

85 more to go!

You've got an unpleasant look in your eyes, and you're too bossy.

Nishi frowned. This is what happens when you tell everyone. Nishi knew deep down that it was his own fault, but he was too angry to admit it.

"The fuck?" Tetsuo bent down for a closer look. "Oh, hey, I got fifteen points, I guess that's not too bad."

"How the fuck did you get fifteen points?"

Tetsuo stood up and grinned at Haruya. "Cause I didn't scamper off like an idiot. So who's the coward now fat-ass."

Bikie number 2. 0 points.

You're too loud and forever Bikie number 1's shadow.

Tetsuo laughed. "Ha! Even Gantz knows you're pathetic!"

Haruya growled. "Fuck you! We'll see how tough you talk when we're outta here!"

"I thought you didn't believe all that earlier?"

Granny. 5 points.

Total points 5.

95 more to go!

You actually gained points. Good for you.

Kayo smiled. "Thank you."

Nishi rolled his eyes. "That wasn't a compliment, idiot."

Cry-baby. 0 points.

You rely on Granny too much, and you cry too much.

"How come I don't get any points grandma?"

"Oh, well, I'm sure it's-"

Nishi pushed off the wall. "Because you didn't do anything, you sniveling brat."

Kato frowned at Nishi. "There's no need to talk to him like that, he's just a boy."

Nishi clicked his tongue and leaned back against the wall. "Bout time he grew up."

Kayo smiled down at Ryota, looking up at her with watery eyes. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get some next time."

Not likely, Nishi and Kurono thought unknowingly in unison.

Kurono. 23 points.

Total 23 points.

You're the tough one, but you still dig Miss Melons, haha.

Kurono blushed. Oh, goddammit. Gantz, why'd ya have to say shit like that?

Kishimoto looked at Kurono with slight concern, but Kurono just smiled. "Don't worry about it, it's all good."

"So now what? Are we really going home?" Tetsuo asked.

Kato nodded. "Yes."

"No kidding?" Hojo said.

"He's right," Kurono said. "But there's some things I have to tell you about first; it'll keep you from getting your head blown off."

Nishi shook his head. And that's my cue to leave. Kurono spotted Nishi walking past and tried to stop him. Nishi sighed. "You don't need me to hold your hand while you explain the rules, do you?" Kurono snorted. "Good boy. Now, unless you want me to be the cause of someone's head exploding, I suggest you let me go."

Nishi quickly left the apartment, leaving Kurono, Kishimoto, and Kato to their own devices.

…

Nishi tiredly walked into his motel room and shut the door. "Fuck, I can't believe I only scored half of what I needed. What's worse is that I was saved by that useless mutt." Nishi collapsed on his bed, sighing when his head hit the pillow. "What a joke."

Nishi looked at the nightstand when his phone notified him of a message. Nishi opened up the text when he saw it was Kei-Kun.

Meet us at the Ratenin temple in two hours. We have to plan this mission carefully. It's important we strategize.

Nishi grimaced and dropped his phone on the bed, couldn't they just leave him alone?

"Bastard."

A/N: Hope there wasn't too much dialogue. I'm trying to save the best action scenes and ideas for the Buddha mission :D