Epilogue

Ryuushin returned to his apartment and was about to get ready for bed when he sensed an additional presence. He turned on the lights and his eyes narrowed at the overcoat and top hat wearing man sitting in his living room.

"Who are you and what the hell are you doing here?" Ryuushin demanded.

"Mr. Ryuushin I presume," said the stranger as he stood up and faced Ryuushin.

"That depends on who wants to know." Ryuushin didn't like intruders in his personal domain. He would kick this guy's ass before sending him packing if he proved to be dangerous, but some bantering was okay…for now.

"I am just a simple businessman," the stranger said. "Here's my card." He tossed Ryuushin a card which Ryuushin caught.

"Topper?" Ryuushin read. There was a top hat logo on the blood red card too. Now, where had he heard the name Topper before? For some reason he couldn't recall it.

"I wish to make a deal with you," explained Topper.

"What kind of deal?" Ryuushin asked.

"How would you like power?" asked Topper.

"Power?" Now Ryuushin wasn't stupid, but he was still curious and interested in power.

Topper showed Ryuushin the Anti-Cross system. Ryuushin didn't recognize it. It looked like a hi-tech belt but it was different from Ryuji or Kenzaki's. Still, it was special. Ryuushin could just sense it. Topper elaborated, "You fight as my representative in this world and nothing more. Once you get tired of it, I'll come back and take it back."

"So, I get this power and when I don't want it anymore you'll just take it back? What's the catch? How do I know this isn't a trick?" Ryuushin questioned.

"It's no trick, but there is a small price you need to pay to use this power," said Topper. "Each time you use it, you need to give up a year of you life."

"Pretty steep," Ryuushin remarked.

"One doesn't get something for free. There's always a price to pay," Topper said casually. "Oh, and not to mention you need to give a bit of your blood." Topper tossed the belt to Ryuushin who caught it. "You'll know what to do with it. Au revoir." With a snap of his fingers he was gone.

Ryuushin inspected the belt and then he touched the buckle. A part of it popped out and clattered to the ground. He picked it back up and looked at it closely. It looked like a hi-tech knuckle duster with a short triangular blade. He wasn't sure what to make of it. He walked into his living room and sat down, placing both items to the floor.

"Maybe I should've asked for instructions," Ryuushin mumbled. A sheet of paper fluttered in front of his face and he caught it before it landed on the floor. He scanned the page and realized it was a set of instructions. "A payment of blood? I see…"

A/N: This short story introduces Yuuki as a Rider for the upcoming series...as well as a few new surprises.