Hey guys, sorry this one took a LOT longer than expected. Be prepared for lots o' dialogue and plot advancement. A little shorter too :x

R&R!

Chapter 6 - The Black Kampfer

Natsume's breathing was sporadic, her face was flustered, and her body seemed to tremble underneath the sheets. Natsuru awoke to find the girl in such a state, groaning as if she was in constant pain. He touched her forehead with his hand, it was hot to the touch. Was it the flu? A fever? Natsuru tried to diagnose her condition, but there was one thing he noticed that was very peculiar. She was not sweating. He moved in closer to her to put his forehead to hers. It was extremely warm, but no sweat.

"Natsuru…", she said with heavy breaths. She clutched his arms with great force and pulled him closer. He stumbled down to her level and grabbed her hand. He looked at her, her face was cringing in pain.

"Natsume!", he yelled. "What's wrong?" All of a sudden, a bright light caught his eye, which had originated from the bracelet on her wrist. It glowed a light blue and continued to get brighter. Natsume's pain seemed to intensify as the light of the bracelet got brighter. She was holding back her screams of pain, letting out only small bursts of groans and whimpers. Then, she let out a painful scream and dropped her head to the pillow as she lost unconsciousness. Natsuru looked in terror and much worry, as the unconscious girl in his bed slowly closed her eyes and fell into sleep. He switched his gaze from Natsume to the bracelet on her wrist. It was no longer glowing, but rather left something that bewildered him. The color of her bracelet had turned from blue to black. He looked to his own bracelet on his wrist, it had turned black as well without him noticing. Natsuru had a look of fear rather than anything else as he examined the bracelet. He looked back to Natsume, she was no longer breathing heavily and seemed to be in a more stable condition. Natsuru felt her forehead once more, and found that she was no longer burning up. This was all very strange. But he was glad that Natsume was no longer in pain.

"Yes Natsuru, what's up?", said Shizuku.

"Ah, Madam President. I just wanted to let you know that I won't be going to school today. Something uhh…came up", said Natsuru.

"What happened?", asked Shizuku.

"Well, I woke up this morning to find Natsume suffering from a fever or something."

"Natsume? Is that her name now?

"Y-Yes…but anyway! Something strange is going on. Could you meet me at my house afterschool? I don't want to leave her all by herself."

"…"

"Hello? Prez?"

"Ah, right. Very well, I'll let Akane and Mikoto know."

"Thank you, Madam President."

"Yeah", said Shizuku followed by a click.

Natsuru set his cellphone down on his desk and sat back in his chair. He turned his chair to look at Natsume, who was sleeping soundly. He looked down to his wrist to get another good look at the black bracelet. 'What could this possibly be?', he thought. He didn't feel any different from the usual. He outstretched his arm with his palm out to the ceiling as if he was holding something. His hand lit up in flames. He didn't feel much change in his powers either. Natsuru turned back to his desk and slumped over, letting out a sigh and closing his eyes.

"Hey Disemboweled Tiger", said Natsuru. Disemboweled Tiger hopped down from the bookcase above his desk. "What's up?", he said.

"What can you tell me about this", said Natsuru while showing the black bracelet to Disemboweled Tiger. DT looked at it for a second, "Yes", he said plainly.

"What? Well why didn't you say something before?", shouted Natsuru.

"Well you didn't a-"

"Don't give me that bull crap!", said Natsuru slamming his fist on the doll's head.

"Ehhh", said DT as he recovered. "Hehe, well from what the Moderators have told us, it was an unexpected side effect from the apparently forceful separation of a Kampfer and their host. Namely you two. Now this new Black side has been created as a byproduct."

"Wait, so this new Black side was just created out of thin air?"

"Not necessarily, all I know is that a new faction has been formed, and that they are in opposition of the Proxy War.

"Well that doesn't really explain much."

"Sorry, that's all the information that was given to me so far."

"Eh, whatever. But I'm guessing that since I am now a Black Kampfer, my purpose is to go against the Moderators and the Whites?"

"Probably", said DT with a shrug.

"Wait, the Moderators told you all this knowing that you're affiliated with me?"

"The Moderators only told me what happened, something else told me why it happened."

"…That makes sense…I guess."

Natsuru looked over at Natsume again with a sad face. "Do you know what's wrong with her?", he asked.

"That I don't know."

Natsuru continued to look at her sleeping face with a sullen expression. He wasn't sure about what was going on exactly. All he knew was Natsume was suffering and that he was unable to do anything for her. But the worst part was not knowing, not knowing what caused this, when she'll wake up, will she be okay, and who's to blame. But for now, all he could do was watch over her, waiting and hoping for something to happen.

Natsume slowly opened her eyes to the sight of the white ceiling in Natsuru's room. She laid there for a moment before looking around and trying to move her body. She pulled the covers off of her and sat up on the edge of the bed. She groaned and rubbed her temples with her hands while scowling. 'What happened?', she thought to herself. She tried to replay her last known memories in her head, it was when she and Natsuru were attacked by Kaede and the Whites. 'I must have overexerted myself', she thought as she stood up. As she stood up, her legs gave out and she came crashing down onto the floor with her hands in front of her. She cringed and tried to get up, but noticed the bracelet on her wrist. '…Black?', she thought.

"Natsume!", said Natsuru as he lifted her up back onto the bed. "Are you okay?"

She sat up, "Yeah…", she said tiredly. "What happened to me?"

"You…were in a coma for a week", said Natsuru.

"What? How? Does it have something to do with this?", said Natsume as she pointed at the black bracelet.

Natsuru hesitated for a moment. "Most likely." He grabbed her hand gently and set it down on her lap. He embraced her, surprised, she tensed up a little, but quickly loosened up and brought her arms around him as well. "I was so worried."

"About what?", she laughed.

"About you of course! Worried that you might not wake up", said Natsuru as his eyes dropped along with his head. Natsume brought his chin up with her hand and looked him straight in the eyes with a soft expression.

"Well, I'm right here aren't I?", she said with a smile.

"…Yeah", said Natsuru smiling back.

*Ding Dong*

"That must be Shizuku again."

"Shizuku? She's been coming by?"

"Yeah, Akane and Mikoto too."

"Mikoto?"

"Yeah don't worry about her, I told you she's not all bad", said Natsuru. "I'll go answer the door, be right back." Natsuru went into a brisk jog out of the room and down the stairs. *Ding Dong* "Coming!", he said as he opened the door.

"Yo! Senou!" It was Higashida. "How ya' been? Haven't seen you around at school for a while, so I decided to drop by!", said Higashida.

'Well that's pretty nice of him', thought Natsuru. "Well I'm fine now, I was just uhh, sick for a while."

"That's good to hear! Oh yeah, you had a package in front of your house", said Higashida as he handed it to Natsuru. He wasn't expecting a package anytime soon, this was a little strange. Natsuru went back into the house and set the box down on the table in the living room. He looked at the shipping label, no return address or anything. He grabbed a knife out of the kitchen cupboard and proceeded to cut through the package. He pulled out an object that was wrapped in layers of newspapers, it was very light. Natsuru tore through the newspapers to find a fuzzy doll, an Entrails Animal. It was a panda, with the usual piece of intestine hanging out of its stomach. It looked like a pretty normal panda plushie, save for the guts spilling out.

"Is that an Entrails Animal?", asked Higashida.

"I guess so", said Natsuru. He just stared at the thing, perplexed that he had received such a thing in the mail. Who could have possibly sent it?

"Who's it from?"

"I don't know", said Natsuru as he sat down. "The shipping label didn't have any information on it."

"Doesn't Sakura-san collect those things? I remember she threw out a couple at the culture festival."

"Yeah she does, but I don't think she was the one who sent this to me." Natsuru set the doll on the table and stared at it, as if he was waiting for it to do something.

"…Uhh hey man, you feeling okay?"

"Huh, yeah I'm fine, just spacing out a little." He would have to postpone his investigation on this matter until after Higashida left. "Hey by the way, have you seen Sakura-san at school lately?"

"No, can't say I have. Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering…"

"Mmm, well, have you given any thought to our discussion at all?", asked Higashida.

"Discussion? What was it about?"

"You know! I was asking you about the photo shoot with the infamous, Senou, Natsuru!", he said with zeal. "The female one of course."

'Oh crap', thought Natsuru. It had slipped his mind that the President of the Hottie Research Club was in his house, and that one of the Three Beauties of their school was living with him. This situation has turned into a very sensitive one for our hero.

"Oh! Uhh, I haven't asked her yet", said Natsuru.

"Can you text her?"

"She doesn't have a cell phone."

"How about calling her house phone?"

"I'll ask her when I get the chance!"

"Alright then, I'll hold you to it!", said Higashida. Natsuru let out a sigh as Higashida looked at his watch. "I should probably get going."

'Thank goodness…', thought Natsuru. He walked Higashida over to the door. "Thanks for stopping by, even if it was to pester me", said Natsuru.

Higashida laughed. "Wait…", he said. He hunched over a little and grabbed his stomach, looking like he was about to puke. "BATHROOM!", he yelled as he made his way up the stairs.

'OH SHIT', thought Natsuru. "WHY THE HELL ARE YOU GOING TO THE BATHROOM UPSTAIRS WHEN THERE'S ONE DOWN HERE?", yelled Natsuru as he chased him. Higashida busted through the bathroom door to find a half-naked maiden in front of him. She was wearing a long-sleeved button up that covered her thighs. She looked up at Higashida from the sink.

"Umm…Hi?"

The three of them had gathered in Natsuru's bedroom. Higashida was standing up, Natsuru was sitting on his desk chair, and Natsume was sitting cross-legged on the bed.

"Senou! How could you keep this a secret from me? Your best friend?", said Higashida with tears.

"Well!...Cause it'd be more trouble for me if people found out! Can you please just keep this a secret?", asked Natsuru with his hands together.

"Hmmm, okay. But on one condition!"

"Oh man, alright what is it?"

"A photo shoot session with her!", he said while pointing at Natsume.

Natsuru sighed. "Is that okay with you?", he asked.

"Sure!", she smiled. "But I have one condition as well. Natsuru has to be in them!" She grinned.

"But…", hesitated Higashida. This was like a once in a lifetime opportunity, so he had to take it. "Fine with me", he said.

"Alright Higashida, now that you got what you wanted, I must ask you to leave. She's not feeling too well."

"Is that so? That's why you've been missing from school huh?" Higashida bowed, "Sorry for disturbing you! Please excuse me!"

Natsume smiled at him. Higashida made his way out of the room, leaving with the front door shutting behind him. Natsume looked at Natsuru by his desk, he seemed to be irritated. "He's a good guy", she said.

"Yeah…I know, but he's stubborn at times."

"Like someone I know", she giggled.

"Ha ha", he said sarcastically. "Anyways, are you hungry? You haven't eaten for a while."

"I don't feel all that hungry for some reason", she said puzzled. "Just a little weak is all."

"You two seem to be getting along pretty well", interrupted Disemboweled Tiger.

"Yeah yeah, whatev- that's right!", said Natsuru. He ran back downstairs, grabbed the Entrails Animal, and ran back up.

"Where did he come from!", asked Disemboweled Tiger.

"I don't know, he came in a package today. It didn't have any info on it. Just this guy." Natsuru set the doll down on his desk, next to Disemboweled Tiger. The three of them huddled around the Entrails Animal, waiting for something to happen.

"…Stop…Staring…" It spoke! Well, no surprise there.

"Who are you?", asked Natsuru.

"Who am I? Who the hell are you? Get out of my face", said the doll. The doll was then promptly hammered into the desk by a devastating force that was delivered to his head that seemed to resonate to every fiber in his cute body. He got punched by Natsuru. "What the hell was that for?", he exclaimed.

"Welcome to my world", said Disemboweled Tiger.

The Entrails Animal got up and unnecessarily dusted himself off. He then noticed the black bracelet on Natsuru's wrist and let out a groan. "Don't tell me this is the guy…"

"Huh? What are you talking about?", asked Natsuru.

"Listen here, I am Endangered Panda, a messenger sent by a faction within the Moderators. A splinter cell group, if you will."

"Splinter cell group? Can you elaborate?"

"Sh, I'm getting to it. As you know, the Moderators oversee the Proxy War between two sides that are at war with each other somewhere in the universe. But the Moderators did not reach a perfect consensus when they were dealing with the idea of the Proxy War. The minority group, the ones that believed this idea was wrong, were shunned and ignored. While the remaining majority went on ahead with establishing the Kampfer system. The minority group had always wanted to change it, but they had no opportunity to, until now. When a rogue Moderator shifted the Kampfer system without consent, it created such needed opportunity."

"So…we're on the good side, right?", asked Natsuru.

"Yes idiot, you are." Endangered Panda looked to Natsume, who was standing next to Natsuru. "I'm assuming she is your Kampfer form. Not bad…not bad at all."

Natsume laughed.

"You little-"

*Cough* "Now, moving on. The Black Kampfers have different techniques of fighting. Well, not really different, but they are limited in some cases. For example, if your partner were to get too far away from you, your fighting ability would be reduced to a regular human's."

"We know that much already", said Natsuru plainly.

"Very well then. That's all I have to say, other than that, keep it up with the fight against the Whites. Woo…", said Endangered Panda. "Questions?"

"Yeah, why was she going through so much pain when our bracelets turned black and why is this happening to me?"

"That's a loaded question, I'll just start from the beginning. There are of course other Kampfers spread out all over the world, and your case is definitely not unique. Unique in the sense that you are a male host. You see, the 'good' Moderators had been planning to interrupt the Kampfer system for a while, by making some of the chosen Kampfers males. They were waiting for a chance to implement their own faction in the system, which was just recently applied. A Kampfer uses the host's energy to stay active and fight, so when the splitting occurred, the Kampfer is cut off from the host's energy. Kampfers cannot regenerate energy on their own, which is why they rely on the host. She probably collapsed not too long ago, correct? That was because she depleted her already dwindling energy."

"You're not answering the question…"

"I am getting to it, just hold on…shit." Natsuru pulled back his arm, getting ready to smack the disrespectful doll, but was stopped by Natsume.

"Patience", she said softly.

"Thank you, as I was saying. As planned, the Kampfer that is drained of her own life force will form a symbiotic bond with their host so that the 'bad' Moderators will have no jurisdiction or anything over them. That's why, as you've probably already figured out, you feel what he feels, save for physical sensations other than pain."

"So if I keep using my powers, will Natsuru be drained of his life force?", asked Natsume.

"No, none of that Asura Cryin' stuff applies. Humans are capable of regenerating their own life energy through food and sustenance. Even if Kampfers alone eat food, they are not able to produce their own life energy."

"Okay, that's all fine and dandy, but how are these Kampfers sentient?", asked Natsuru.

Endangered Panda shrugged.

"Okay, you keep referring to the Kampfers as a different person altogether, why is that?"

"Because they are. The Kampfer and the human host are two different entities, since regular humans are incapable to summoning magic, weapons, enhanced strength, and agility, the Kampfer form was created to make such things possible. That's why you have that bracelet, to tap into your Kampfer form so you would fight."

"Alright…so what do we do now?"

"Isn't it obvious? Your goal now as Black Kampfers is to defeat any and all whites, including the rogue Moderator."

"Rogue Moderator…?"

"The one you call Sakura, Kaede."

"Kaede? A rogue Moderator?", said Shizuku. Everyone had gathered in the library for a small powwow of sorts. "Well, that does seem to fit the picture. But what of us Reds and Blues? You said that the Blacks' purpose is to stop the 'bad' Moderators and the Whites, so do the Reds and Blues just stop fighting?"

"I don't know", said Natsuru. "But I do know that we have to stop them."

"Don't worry about us", said Akane. "We'll fight by your side! Right Mikoto?" Mikoto nodded, "Of course!"

"I appreciate it, but I don't think you guys should involve yourselves so quickly. We still don't know if the Moderators are able to manipulate the Kampfers in any way", said Natsuru.

"Well, if they had wanted to, don't you think they would've taken away our powers already?", Akane pointed out.

"She's right", said Shizuku. "Perhaps they're just keeping us as a means of surveillance?"

"Then that means our cover is already blown", said Natsume.

"We don't know that for sure yet.", said Natsuru.

"Then what's the plan, Mr. Genius?", said Mikoto.

"I guess all we can do for now is wait. No one has seen Kaede or those four girls around the school or anywhere else. But that doesn't mean we can relax."

"I agree with Natsuru. Let's head back to class, we'll be late.", said Shizuku.

"Wait a minute Madam President! How come she gets to be with Natsuru?", exclaimed Akane.

"Yeah! That's not fair", said Mikoto.

"Just think of her as Natsuru's bodyguard", said Shizuku.

"If he needs one then I'll be his bodyguard!", said Mikoto.

"No more complaints, my decision is final", said Shizuku with a smile.

"Wha- Akane! Help me out here!"

"Unfortunately, I must agree with Madam President. She is the most capable out of all of us to protect him, a necessity even", said Akane. She gave a sharp look to Natsume, "But that doesn't mean he's all yours!"

With that, Akane leaves the library along with Mikoto who reluctantly followed. "Guess we should get going too", said Natsuru. "Come on Natsume."

"Okay!", said Natsume. She was stopped by Shizuku, "You go on ahead Natsuru, I'd like for us to speak in private."

"Alright, just don't be late!", said Natsuru as he left the library. Shizuku waited a moment for the library to clear out. She turned to Natsume, who was looking a bit confused.

"So Natsume, how are you today?", asked Shizuku.

"Uhhh, I'm good I guess?", replied Natsume.

"Well that's good, how are things between you and Natsuru?"

"What do you mean?"

"Just wondering."

"You don't trust me, do you?"

"You seem to be misunderstanding me. If I didn't trust you, why would I have agreed to your idea of attending classes with Natsuru?"

"Oh…well uhh…"

"What is he to you?", said Shizuku sternly.

The question caught Natsume off guard, she hesitated for a moment, "Huh?"

"You heard me." The two stared at each other, Natsume, unsure of how to answer, clenched her fists.

"He's…he's my host!"

"Are you sure? There must be something more."

Natsume looked down. She went into her subconscious and asked herself the same question. What was he really? Her gaze shot back to Shizuku, "A person of great importance to me", she said.

Shizuku looked at her for a moment, and then nodded in acknowledgement with a smile. "Very well then", she said. She left the library leaving the blue haired girl alone. Bewildered, Natsume casually made her way to class, even though it had started about ten minutes ago. 'Why'd she ask such a strange question?', thought Natsume. She shrugged it off as she came to the sliding door of her new classroom. She entered the classroom and was greeted by the teacher, "Ah, Senou-kun, welcome back. Please take your seat", said the teacher. She bowed and walked to her seat behind Natsuru, resting her chin on her hands on the desk.

Natsuru turned around to face her, "Where were you?", he asked.

"Just conversing with Shizuku", she said.

"Really? What were you guys talking about?"

"Don't worry about it!", she said with a smile.

"*Ahem* Excuse me, but this is a classroom, not a date", said the teacher.

"S…Sorry", said Natsuru looking down with embarrassment.

Natsuru sighed and looked up to the peaceful blue sky. He was walking home from a long day of school, with an empty stomach on top of all that. Walking beside him was Natsume, who seemed to be in a cheerful mood. Things have been relatively quiet lately, which was of course a good thing, but it made Natsuru feel a bit uneasy. Having turned into Black Kampfers, he assumed that more trouble would follow the both of them, and possibly even the others. The thought poked at him in his head, making him feel more and more nervous the more he thought about it.

"Hey", said Natsume as she tapped his arm. "We'll deal with it when the time comes", she said optimistically. He smiled, "Yeah…guess so."

The two of them ended back home, having just finished eating dinner, they lazed around the living room watching t.v. and enjoying a popsicle. Natsuru hadn't done this in a while, ever since his parents pretty much left him the house, he didn't have anyone to laze around with. It was actually a luxury that he actually got to enjoy just sitting around, what with all the hectic things he's been involved with.

"Hey Natsuru." Natsuru looked over the girl. "Hmm?", he said.

"Let's go somewhere!", she shouted.

"Huh? Why all of a sudden?"

"Well, you've gone with Shizuku and the others already, so why not!", she said.

Natsuru sighed, "Where do you want to go?"

"Hmmmm how about the beach?"

"Sounds good to me, then we'll go this weekend?"

"Yeah! Oh, but don't let anyone find out."

"Huh? Why not?", questioned Natsuru.

"I think you know why…"

"…Right."

If my whole Black Kampfer thing seemed to be copy pasta'd from the other stories, it wasn't! Or at least I hope it wasn't, I didn't really read them.

Anyways, thanks for reading.

つづく！