A/N: This chapter doesn't follow directly after the cliffhanger on the previous chapter. I want to build up to the explanation and just leave you all wondering what was said with tiny little hints haha.

Now on to my favorite mission, and even more so now that my favorite character is there too! :D

Kato gently lay his hand on the small of Kishimoto's back to pull her closer as the two deepened their kiss. Kishimoto moaned lightly when Kato pushed his tongue against her lips for access, which she granted. Blushes on their faces, the experience of sex would be the first time for both of them, but they were ready. Kato's other hand that had been resting beside them moved to slide across Kishimoto's thigh, and suddenly, the moment broke, and she placed a shaky hand against Kato's chest to push him back. "I'm sorry, I should have asked," Kato replied guiltily, though he wasn't quite sure what he was guilty of.

Kishimoto shook her head without removing her hand. Neither of them had removed any clothing yet. "You don't have to apologize…it's just, all of a sudden, this doesn't feel right yet."

Kato blinked and lay both his hands on her arms. "Do you want to stop? It's really okay if you do."

Tears clouded Kishimoto's eyes, and she gazed down at the bedsheets with a look of shame on her face. "I'm sorry Kato. I really do want to…but your brother is in the next room and…."

Kato knew that wasn't the reason and couldn't help feeling like this had something to do with Kurono somehow. "Is it Kei?"

Kishimoto immediately shook her head, slightly annoyed that Kato would even ask her that, but she couldn't blame him. Kurono was nice to her, and she knew he liked her, but she knew they would never work. Besides, Kurono said it himself; he was waiting for someone. Kishimoto tightened her hold on Kato's shirt.

"What's wrong?" Kato asked with genuine concern.

Kishimoto looked up as a few tears fell from her eyes. "Kurono said that in the next mission we all died apart from him. I know he's going to do everything he can to make sure it doesn't happen again, but that doesn't mean it definitely won't happen."

Kato started to rub Kishimoto's arms and gave her a warm smile. "We're not going to die this time. I won't let anything happen to you. We're going to make it."

Kishimoto lay her head against Kato's chest. "I wish I could be that optimistic. I'm scared of losing you more than my own life, and I don't want to take this next step with you unless we make it back again. I feel like if we survive again, then we've won. I know that's not possible without a hundred points, and it sounds stupid, but that's how I feel." Kishimoto looked up with a smile despite her tears. "So let's wait, okay?"

Kato smiled as he placed his hands on either side of her face and wiped her tears away with his thumbs. "I don't think it sounds stupid at all. Let's wait."

…

Nishi appeared in the Gantz room and realized he wasn't the first. There was already another person, but he didn't know them. Nishi's intention was to completely ignore the newbie, but the guy began to speak directly to him as soon as he appeared. Great.

"I see you have come also. Do not be afraid. You have stepped into the room of passing judgement."

Nishi raised an eyebrow and leaned against the wall, hands shoved into his cream-colored hoodie. Nishi would have rather not worn the jacket he died in before, but he didn't have many clothes to be picky. A wannabe priest. Terrific. Though a little ironic considering the next location.

"You may ask of me anything you wish to know, and I will do my best to answer."

Nishi simply glared at the man waving beads in his direction, wondering how brave he wanted to get by coming any closer. The man wore a typical priest robe, tied similar to a kimono. Nishi laughed.

"Do not dare to laugh at such a misfortunate situation! It is blasphemy to take this atonement lightly." The priest rattled his beads in Nishi's direction with frustration. "Should you choose not to heed my warnings and pray for your soul, then I cannot save it for you!"

Nishi laughed again. "Even if some of what you said was true, it's way too late for that." Nishi leaned off the wall and took a step forward. "I suspect you're not a real priest are you. Aren't you one of those televangelists who preach about beliefs? But judging how you're acting, my guess is that you probably scam those who listen, right? Which means the 'funds' go directly into your pocket."

The priest's eyes become wide, and he jumped up and down before flailing his beads and shouted, "That's a misguided accusation, and if you do not pray and believe, you will be sent to hell!"

Nishi grinned darkly and stepped close to the priest. "I hate to break this to you, but you're already there, and I can't wait to see the look on your face. We'll see how much preaching you do then." Nishi stepped back and leaned against the wall once more. "And if you shove those beads in my face once more, I'll fucking strangle you with them. Now piss off."

…

By the time Kurono appeared in the room opposite Gantz next to Nishi, there were six other people in the room. "Hey," Kurono greeted Nishi as he stood against the wall.

Nishi tilted his head up. "You're lucky you got here when you did."

Kurono glanced at the younger teen. He could tell Nishi was annoyed. "Why's that?"

Nishi nodded in the priest's direction with a frown.

Kurono sighed; he probably should have warned Nishi about him.

"If you arrived five minutes later, you might have one less on the team."

Kurono shook his head and glanced over at the 'new' members. Yeah, they're all here, exactly how I remember them. Hey, wait a minute. I'm sure there were more than this. Let's see, there's the annoying priest, the black belt, whoever those two are, the sniper… man, we should probably learn their names this time, I guess. Kurono then set his eyes directly onto Sei and couldn't help the smile forming on his face. There she is. I can't believe I actually missed her. I guess I did like her after all. But – who's missing? Kurono looked around the group one more time. That gay guy dressed like a soldier isn't here, neither is that one with the glasses, and the one whose head got blown off. Shit, what does that mean? Did something change? Should I be worried?

"That the girl?" Kurono snapped out of his thoughts and turned to Nishi.

"Huh?"

Nishi nodded over at the group. "Is that her, the one that fucked you."

Kurono blushed slightly, not expecting Nishi's blunt question. "Yeah…"

"So? You said you wanted to change things, but technically, you're still a virgin if you don't go for her."

Kurono snorted. "Shut up."

"Unless you're still hoping that Miss Melons is going to fall for you?"

Kurono frowned and sighed. "Of course not."

"Then what's the problem? Doesn't she become your girlfriend right after?"

Kurono couldn't face Nishi directly. "I can't believe I'm even having this conversation with you. It's just not the right time yet. It's too…early."

Nishi chuckled. "I suppose timing is important. I just didn't figure you to be that type."

Kurono flustered. "The hell did you think I did, jump on her?"

Nishi shrugged.

…

Once the rest of the players arrived, the priest had at least three of the newbies chanting with him. Hojo, Kato, and Kishimoto stared in disbelief. Kayo and Ryota watched with confusion while Nishi looked ready to kill them all.

"The fuck is this shit?" Haruya shouted. "That ball gets just about any weirdo in. Now we got a priest too."

Tetsuo glanced around the room, not quite expecting so many players. If there's this many, then it makes for more of a chance.

"Hey, Tetsuo. What kind of freaky-ass alien thing do you think we gonna face this time?"

Tetsuo glanced at his former comrade. "You talkin to me?"

Haruya scoffed and gritted his teeth. "Who the fuck else!"

Tetsuo kept his cool and looked away. "Oh. I could have sworn you said something like I hope you die or some shit."

"Ah shut up pussy. I ain't got no one else to talk to."

"Too bad. Doesn't matter anyway. There's no gang left. All I care about is surviving and going home to my family."

Ryota pulled on Kayo's sleeve. "Grandma, why are we back here again? I don't like it here."

Nishi rolled his eyes. Even if he is only in kindergarten, the damn brat should at least understand the situation by now.

"Nishi, am I right that if I get a hundred points, I could get my husband back?"

Nishi looked at Kayo, annoyed that she was even talking to him. Kayo looked at him expectantly; it was clear she wasn't going to leave him alone until she had her answer. "Yes. But if I were you, I'd think a little more selfishly."

"What do you mean?"

"We both know he'd rather not see you here. He fought hard to free himself, so how do you think he'd react if he comes back only to discover that you were the one who did it?"

Kayo looked down. "I see."

"Same goes for him."

Kayo looked at Nishi in shock but didn't reply.

…

Kurono smiled at Kishimoto. "How are you? I mean, how is living with Kato?"

Kishimoto turned her attention away from Kato's attempts to explain the rules of Gantz. "Oh, it's fine. It's really nice."

"That's good. Sorry to make you leave like that, but I guess it all worked out."

Kishimoto nodded. "It did. I'm grateful actually. It gave me and Kato the push we needed to confess our feelings."

Kurono tensed but smiled. "Good." Fuck. I guess they really are meant to be.

Haruya was practically laughing his ass off at Kato trying to convince everyone, even more so when Hojo and Tetsuo jumped in to help.

"Stop. Don't listen to them! I care about saving your souls. You must all pray to the buddha or else it's to hell you go!"

Nishi stepped forward, and Kurono stopped him from going any further. "Cool it," Kei told him when he saw the angry look in the boy's eyes. The room fell silent, and all eyes were on them.

Nishi glared at Kurono and yanked his hand away before stalking into the hallway.

Kurono sighed and turned to the priest with a frown. "Shut the fuck up already. You don't know shit about what's going on, and unlike the people you've met, or should I say, scammed, they're not gonna fall for your bull."

Haruya laughed. "Well they sure ain't falling for yours either!"

Kurono looked at the biker. "Big talk for someone who hasn't got any friends left."

"Fuck you!"

Kurono looked at the others. "Trust me everyone. We're telling the truth." Kurono locked eyes with Sei. "We are alive, and we'll stay that way if we work together."

Sei blinked in confusion. I felt for sure he was only talking to me just then.

Kurono walked into the corridor to find Nishi leaned against the wall beside the draws. "Congratulations, you didn't kill anyone."

Nishi glared over at Kurono. "I don't have a gun on me right now, so they should count themselves lucky."

Kurono chuckled. "Alright. Well, try and be a bit more patient, they'll come through, trust me."

Nishi didn't understand Kurono's confidence in the other players. "Not everything will happen the way it did before."

"I sure hope not."

Nishi stepped forward. "Get your head out of the clouds moron, you know exactly what I mean."

Kurono understood Nishi's concern and wasn't about to dismiss it entirely, but only he knew what truly happened on this mission and would be damned to let things play out the same way. No matter what other risks he had to take. Kurono took the gun from his holdall and gave it to Nishi. "You left this at my place."

Nishi's eyes slightly widened in surprise. Kurono was either really stupid or… actually, that was it, Nishi couldn't think of another possibility. "Sometimes things need to change, and with this many experienced people, I have hope."

Nishi took the gun and placed it in his pocket with a scoff. "I thought you said it didn't make a difference."

Kurono laughed. "Well, thing is, there's three missing from the new ones I remember. Any idea why that might be?"

Nishi inclined his head to the ceiling. "Could be that there are more survivors from the previous mission than before, less to replace, who knows."

"Makes sense."

…

"Did you just say that ball will start singing?"

Kato nodded. "Yes. An old exercise song."

"You must be joking!" shouted the black belt fighter.

"Just ignore him," the priest interrupted.

"My name is Shion Izumi, and I've come to warn you."

Nishi looked at Kurono for a moment with hesitation and clenched his fist unseen. "Kei…"

The Gantz ball interrupted them, and Nishi closed his mouth.

Kurono sighed. "It'll start soon. What were you going to say?"

Nishi merely grinned. "I was just wondering how you got someone like that girl to have sex with you when you didn't even know her name."

At first, Kurono looked like he didn't believe him, but Kurono was too offended by the meaning behind his words to worry. "Are you saying I'm lying? I swear it happened asshole."

Nishi tilted his head. "So?"

Kurono huffed. "Well, the last time I was upset about Kishimoto."

"Aren't you still moping about that?"

Kurono frowned. "Not really. Anyway, she said my tears at the time touched her, or something like that."

Nishi's grin widened. "Oh, is that all. I can help you with that."

"Huh?" Before Kurono had any chance of asking Nishi what he meant, Nishi quickly kneed Kurono in the groin, causing him to bend over with a yelp. "Fuck!" Kurono gritted his teeth as tears sprang to his eyes. "What the fuck Nishi!"

Nishi glanced toward the exit and saw Sei standing there looking surprised. Nishi chuckled and belt down to Kurono, who was crouched low in pain. "You're welcome."

…

While everyone worked out for themselves whether to listen to Kato or not and began reading the ball's instructions, Nishi reappeared and gave Kishimoto a small smirk, and she looked at him skeptically. "What."

Nishi shrugged. "Oh, nothing."

Tetsuo looked over at Kato and said, "I hate to say it, but I think Haruya's right. I don't think they're gonna listen, at least not until they see it for themselves."

Kato sighed. "Maybe you're right."

Nishi began to get extremely annoyed. "I've had enough of this shit. You're all equivocating way too much and it's pathetic. You're giving them too much time to think and not enough proof."Nishi walked into the center of the room. "You all better start paying attention to the smaller details and think very carefully about what that ball is telling you. Face the facts idiots. If you can die just like that and come back here without a scratch, don't you think just about anything is possible? Soon enough, that ball will give everyone weapons with which to defend themselves against very real and very strong aliens. That is your only ticket of survival. Try to think of it as your second chance. After all, everything comes with a price, right?"

"He is lying! You must all pray for your salvation! That is your only choice if you want to go to heaven!"

Nishi swerved on his heel and yelled for the man to shut up before punching him hard across the jaw. "No one here gives two shits if you choose to believe or not. They don't even care if you die. Keep your scamming act to yourself and stop trying to drag everyone else down with you, coward."

The priest held his face with a loud whimper, almost rolling around on the floor.

Everyone stared in disbelief, and no one dared to speak a word against the boy who sounded more convincing than any of the others. Nishi pulled his gun from his pocket with a grin. "If anyone has any other doubts, I'd be happy to show you another demonstration."

Kato stepped forward. "No. I think you've made your point." Nishi glared at Kato as the man stepped in front of him, holding his hand out. "Thank you for the help."

Nishi clicked his tongue and slapped Kato's hand away right before the Gantz ball opened.

Kato looked up and stepped past Nishi. "Now that you're paying attention, yes, those showing on the ball are the aliens we have to face, and those are the weapons we can use. Oh, and the cases with your name on are your protective clothing to keep you safe from certain bodily harm, but be careful, it doesn't keep you safe from everything."

"Got a way with words, don't you kid," Hojo said.

Nishi glanced over his shoulder. "Don't get used to it. I was just sick of hearing all your pathetic rambles. I wouldn't expect much from me once the mission starts."

Hojo frowned. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Kato took two of the cases from the ball. "You can always wear your suit under your clothes if you feel weird, but without them, your chances aren't very good."

Nishi rolled his eyes. With or without the suit, their chances are slim.

Kato handed Kishimoto her case with a smile. "I think you should go first this time."

Kishimoto nodded.

Nishi glanced over at them, and with a grin, said, "I'd wait a little longer if I were you."

Kishimoto and Kato turned to Nishi. "What do you mean?" Kishimoto asked hesitantly.

Nishi chuckled. "Just trying to spare you from embarrassment, that's all. It's a rare thing for me to do, so you should probably listen." By the tone in Nishi's voice, Kishimoto couldn't tell if he was sarcastic or not. Nishi shrugged. "I'd give it another five minutes, but if you're that curious, go ahead and get changed."

…

Nishi looked to his left from his position near the doorway when Kurono and Sei appeared. "Done already," Nishi teased with a smirk.

"Fuck off."

Nishi looked at Kishimoto. "I think the coast is clear now," he said smugly.

"Better go grab your case," Kurono told Sei.

"If you say so," she replied with a smile.

Kurono looked around the room and was surprised by the fresh player's attentiveness. "What gives? Did Kato persuade them?"

Nishi scoffed. "Kato couldn't persuade shit."

Kato frowned but didn't react and followed Kishimoto into the corridor.

"Well you can't convince me they followed on their own."

Nishi grinned. "No, but I was very convincing."

Kurono blinked in surprise and then looked at the priest still whining about his bleeding mouth. Kurono looked back at Nishi. "Seriously?"

Nishi shrugged. "I warned him."

…

After further instructions, the players were now in their suits, except for the priest. By now, Kurono and Kato knew their names and had an idea of their skills to use during the mission, which Nishi thought was absolutely pointless, but there wasn't much point in arguing.

Kurono turned to Nishi. "Listen, I'm not gonna tell you what to do, but since you've only got five points left, it makes sense if you get up on the roof with the sniper. At least that way you'll have a better chance."

"You know I wouldn't risk anything if I don't have to, but since you're that concerned, I'll play along if you want. It might be fun."

Kurono didn't know why Nishi suddenly agreed; he had a feeling there was something Nishi wasn't telling him, but they'd have to talk about that after the mission was over.

…

"Okay, now that everyone has their weapons of choice, we have to stick to the area and work together as much as we can once we get outside," Kato told them.

Most of the new players had an x-gun, while those who had experience held the x-rifles. Nishi, Kurono, Kato, and Kishimoto also had an x-gun in the holdall on their leg.

"Is this shit really for real?" Tomashino asked.

"Dude, are you questioning it again now?" Kondo replied.

"No, I guess not. I was just thinking out loud."

"So now what?" JJ asked.

"We'll be transported to our location really soon," Kato told them.

Nishi checked his gun over before glancing at Kei. "You said everyone dies, right?"

Kurono turned his attention to Nishi, unsure if the conversation was necessary when Nishi already knew the answer. "Yes. I was the only one who managed to survive. But I admit, I don't know how the final boss was killed. I'm sure it was Kato who killed it."

Nishi huffed. "Well a lot of help that is to us. Are you sure this time will be different?"

Kurono grinned. "I'm positive, so try not to die, got it?"

Nishi gave him an annoyed expression. "Tsk."

Soon, the timer on the Gantz ball began.

1:30:00.