The group managed to arrive at Kotonoha's beach house. Neko passed Tessa into Kotonoha's arms. The little girl was crying for her father.
"You all stay here!" ordered Kenzaki. "The three of us are going back to help out Warren."
"What the hell is going on!?" shouted Taisuke. "Why are there monsters here!?"
"Urusei, bakayarou!" snapped Ryuji. "Just stay here and don't go anywhere!"
"What can you do?" demanded Makoto.
"A lot more than you think," growled Ryuji. He wasn't sure if Makoto and Sekai still remembered that Warren had powers from the last time but he wasn't going to tempt fate. Things were serious now. It always was with Yoma.
"Let's go!" exclaimed Neko before the three of them ran back to the beach. Otome suspected that the trio knew something. Furthermore, how did Warren make that sword appear out of thin air? Otome was going to find out no matter what.
"GIRLS' NIGHT IN, BOYS' NIGHT OUT"
Warren was slashing his way through the field of Yoma, making his way towards the girl. However, he had underestimated the number of Yoma and was finding himself overrun.
"Ryuou Giri!" shouted Ryukendo as she unleashed a flurry of slashes on several Yoma, killing them instantly. They exploded from the intense energy forcibly pumped into them from the slashes.
"HAH!" Ifrit shouted as he skated through the horde, freezing them in ice with expert swipes of his blades. They then shattered to pieces as a result.
"Hiyah!" howled Garoh (Hunter Form) as he used his Gasher and sliced off the heads of several Yoma with his flying blade.
"What are you all doing here?" Warren asked.
"Do you need to ask?" Ifrit shot back. "We're here to help you out!" Inside, he was saying, 'And I was getting bored too. I've been itching for a fight!'
"You let us handle the small fry while you take care of the big boss!" added Ryukendo.
"You need an invitation? Just go!" Garoh said gruffly.
Warren smiled widely. He charged through the Yoma that were still paying attention to him and swung his blade at the girl, only for several tendrils to appear from her hair and stop the blade. "Hm, so you are an Awakened Being," said Warren with a grin.
"How did you guess?" asked the girl with a smile.
"A simple Yoma wouldn't have been able to stop my blade." Warren then pushed with more force, cutting through the tendrils. The girl countered by growing more tendrils and throwing Warren back. Warren flipped in the air and landed on his feet. He flicked his wrist and flexed his hand. "Judging by your strength, you're a former Single Digit, weren't you?"
"Correct, I am Rosemary, a former #2."
Warren's grin widened until he looked like his face would tear if he kept going. "Good…It's been a while since I could really cut loose!" He then called out, "Shatter!"
Meanwhile, Ifrit was slashing at Yoma left and right like crazy with his swords. He estimated that the army was in the hundreds. Luckily, the civilians had all fled so there weren't any casualties. Well, that wasn't entirely correct. There were casualties, just not any human ones as Ifrit made one fall after another with precise swipes of his swords. Blood gushed out of their open wounds as Ifrit went on a rampage but even this was too much for his swords.
"I need something with power!" Ifrit said to himself and then he got an idea. "I know!" His swords turned into blue flames before morphing into the shape of firearms. The flames then solidified and turned into a pair of shotguns with retractable bayonets and could also double as tonfa. He blocked a swipe at his side with one of his guns and then fired a shot that froze the Yoma's head before it shattered, the body slumping backwards. "Now this is what I'm talking about!" He then started firing with his guns, freezing any far away targets while striking at anyone close by with his guns. The bayonets slid out and he used those to slash at the Yoma. "BANZAI!!"
Ryukendo watched as her dark brother had fun fighting Yoma. "Ojou-sama, duck!" alerted Gekiryuken and Ryukendo ducked under a swipe.
"Ryuou Kaen Giri!" Ryukendo cried as she swung her sword in a diagonal arch, slashing the unlucky Yoma with a flaming blade. The fire enveloped the monster as it cried in anguish. She ignored it as she went to kill a couple more Yoma. "Ryuou Raimei Giri!" She thrust her sword upwards and lightning bolts struck down from the sky, electrocuting a total of twelve Yoma around her. A few were charging at her so she executed her, "Ryuou Hyoketsu Giri!" and froze them in their tracks. She then used her "Ryuou Kaze Giri!" and slashed their frozen bodies to pieces. "Kuso, how many of these freaks are there?"
"I'm estimating less than 200 now," stated Gekiryuken factually. Ryukendo sighed. That had been a rhetorical question.
Garoh was slashing at the Yoma with his scimitar, targeting their heads and waists. Body parts went flying as blood splashed against his armor. Still, he kept on fighting. This wasn't like fighting Imagin but it did come close. Both Kenzaki and Okami were enjoying the fight as they continued to hack and slash at the monsters.
The three Riders were fighting the horde, leaving Wraith to deal with the strange girl who identified herself as Rosemary. Black chains and long, dark green tendrils clashed as Wraith swung his arms to send the ghostly metal at the girl. She was swinging her head around, her hair turning into tendrils as they swung toward the Rider.
"Wow, you're pretty good. No wonder you were a former #2," complimented Wraith. "Now, why don't you stop playing around and show me your true form?"
Rosemary smiled. "Very well…" All at once Rosemary's energy was released. She grew to enormous size. Her long hair turned into tendrils and her hands became claws. The tendrils trapped her and Wraith together as if in a cage. "So, tell me. I've told you my name, what is yours?"
"Warren Smith," answered Wraith. He then lifted his blade. "I hope you're prepared to die, Former #2 Rosemary."
"Are you?" retorted Rosemary.
"At one point I was, but a lot has changed since then. I can't afford to die."
"That is too bad," said Rosemary as the tendrils enveloped her and Warren, trapping them in a sphere of the Awakened Being's command.
Ifrit continued to slash, bash and shoot at the Yoma using his twin guns. The weapons he had now, though mainly used as guns, could be used as tonfa or swords. He crushed several skulls and slashed off heads with ease. An uneasy feeling swept over him and the Ifrit Rider turned to see the cocoon of tendrils Wraith was trapped in. "Damn it!" he cursed. They had to help but the Yoma weren't making it easy for them. Ifrit ducked under a swipe aimed at his head from behind before spinning on his heels and slicing off the Yoma's legs. He then finished it off with ice shots that froze it before it hit the ground. The demon shattered into pieces.
"OKA-BYA-RAI-BURA! EMPEROR FORM!"
Garoh had called on the rest of his Imagin teammates, combining with them to form his Emperor Form. He stood with Ryukendo, back to back, as they were surrounded by vicious Yoma. The bodies of dead Yoma lay around them, pools of blood covering the beautiful beach.
"This was not the thing I was expecting for my vacation, Ken-kun," grimaced Ryukendo as she gripped Gekiryuken tightly.
"Well, who says life was fair," he remarked, holding the GaroGasher in its scimitar mode.
"At least I'm by your side," said Ryukendo. "There's nobody else I'd be more proud to fight with than my boyfriend."
Garoh acknowledged the sweet words but the tender moment was ruined as Okami brought them to reality, "Oi! Shonen! Get your head in the game!"
Garoh agreed and summoned his Violet Fierce Ki. He allowed it to envelop his entire body like violet flames. The Yoma could sense his power rising.
"Ojou-sama, use the ultimate attack!" instructed Gekiryuken. The Dragon Rider of the Gekiryuken nodded as she focused on her power, a blue aura surrounding her as the gem in her chestplate glowed.
"CHARGE AND UP!"
Garoh howled and then charged at the Yoma in front of him with his charged up blade, energized by the energies of the belt and his own Violet Ki. Ryukendo's blade was also glowing as an aura shaped like a dragon surrounded her.
"IMPERIAL SLASH!"
"KYUUKYOUKU RYUOU GIRI!"
Garoh tore through the Yoma quickly and mercilessly as Ryukendo swiped her sword down, sending a gigantic blade of energy at the Yoma. Both attacks decimated the Yoma easily, some were even vaporised and ceased to exist.
"FULL CHARGE!"
Ifrit leapt upwards as his guns began to charge up. He was ten feet in the air when he aimed them down at the Yoma under him. "GET READY FOR A NEW ICE AGE!" he roared before pulling the triggers. Instantly, the two guns fired and blasted the Yoma with a literal blizzard that froze them in the tracks. The blizzard also threw Ifrit backwards through the air. He landed on the ground and dug in his heels as he continued to fire, the recoil causing him to slide a few feet backwards.
When he stopped, there was a slight mist. He strode forward to see the entire area he'd been aiming it was now covered in ice, along with the Yoma. He tapped one of the Yoma and watched as it shattered into a million pieces. This caused a chain reaction and as a result the rest of the frozen Yoma also shattered into tiny little pieces. He hefted his guns onto his shoulders and said, "Cool..." Admiring his weapons, he decided to name them, "I guess the 'Sub-Zero Shooters' is a good name for you." He banished them and decided to see if he could help his sister and her boyfriend.
"Hey, are you two okay?" asked Ifrit. Both Garoh and Ryukendo were standing in front of the cocoon of tendrils and neither of them could get through. Ifrit could see a lot of dead Yoma littering the ground. Still, he was concerned for Warren. As annoying as Warren could be, he was one of the only people he could call friend.
"Don't worry. He may be stupid most of the time but he's strong," said a voice behind them. The group turned to see none other than Warren's loving wife, Raven/Rachel.
Suddenly the ground began to shake and everyone's attention was brought back to the writhing cocoon of tendrils. The orb the exploded in a giant eruption.
Moments ago, within the orb…
"I'm sorry to say this, Rosemary, but you're no match for someone at my level," said Wraith with a hint of sadness in his voice. Despite her being an enemy, he hated to raise his blade against a woman.
"Quite full of yourself, aren't you?" sneered Rosemary as two tendrils shot at Wraith but were instantly destroyed. Rosemary roared as she fired more and more tendrils at Warren, trying to kill the Rider. But each time the tendril was sliced to ribbons by Warren's blade.
"I'll make your death quick," said Wraith. "But first, I need to escape from this place. So, I honor of your former position, I'll show you fifty percent of my power." Warren's body then began to glow with dark energy. "Please forgive me for this."
Raven was able to protect the three Riders from the explosion by concealing all of them within a protective barrier made from her own magical energy. Ifrit looked ahead to see if he could Warren and he did.
Warren stood at the centre of the crater, his blade at Rosemary's neck. "Goodbye, Former #2, Rosemary." Warren then swung the blade forward and in one swift motion, sliced the girl's head clean off. He let out a sigh as he banished his blade before turning around to see Raven, Garoh, Ryukendo and Ifrit staring at him. "Oh, hey guys." He eyed Raven and gulped, "Hi, honey."
Raven strode forward and gave Warren a hard slap across the face. She demanded, "Where's my daughter?"
"She's safe," said Ryuji as his armor fell away, "Tessa-chan is back at Koto-chan's beach house with the others."
Neko's armor vanished as Gekiryuken turned into his medallion form that hung from her neck. She blanched and said, "How are we going to clean this mess up?" The entire beach now looked like a warzone after a huge battle. Dead Yoma littered the beach and their blood soaked the sand. Even the water was polluted by the blood. "Thanks to us this beach has turned into a mass graveyard."
Kenzaki sighed. His armor also shattered into shards like Ryuji's and fell away from his body. "I guess we need to call in some help."
Ryuji's slightly higher than average hearing caught the sound of movement and he spun around. His eyes widened when he saw Otome and Taisuke staring at them with shocked looks on their faces. "You..." he growled.
Otome's eyes were wide with shock, "You're...you're Ifrit?"
Taisuke paled at the revelation, even more so that he finally found out Ryukendo was a girl and it was Neko. "No...No...way..." he couldn't believe it. The Riders had been right under their noses the whole time?
"You followed us," Ryuji said angrily, "When we told you not to." His hands became engulfed in blue flames. He had little reason to trust these two. One had bullied Kotonoha and the other had tried to rape her. They were still on his list and now they knew the Riders' secret.
"We...were curious," said Otome. "We saw Warren with that sword...and..."
"We...we wanted to know what you guys were up to," Taisuke swallowed. The look in Ryuji's eyes was of cold rage and he'd seen it the night Ryuji had beaten him up without mercy.
"Ryuji-chan, don't," warned Neko.
"They know, Neko-nee," Ryuji remarked. "We can't take the risk or else they'll blab."
"We won't tell!" Otome denied. "Honest!"
"Sorry, but I don't believe you..." Ryuji growled. Otome and Taisuke were frozen in fear as the temperature dropped.
He stalked towards the two, fingers curled into claws. The two teens were in shock. They would've never had guessed that the hero they worshipped was the guy they feared. This was just too much for one day.
Ryuji then whipped out his SB-Cell. He grinned and said, "Smile!" before flashing them with camera lens, which also erased memories. The two wore blank expressions before they collapsed.
Neko let out a breath of relief before slapping her brother's arm. "Don't scare me like that!"
Ryuji snickered, "Hey, I've always wanted to scare those two like that." He sniffed the air and grimaced. "And one of them just wet themselves."
"We'll take care of them later," said Warren. "But the question is how we're going to clean this up?"
"You mean before the authorities and a news crew gets here, right?" questioned Kenzaki.
Raven pointed. "I don't think that's going to be a problem."
They all turned to look at the beach and corpses and were surprised to see them fading away. Even Rosemary's body was fading away. Seconds later, there was not even a trace of the Yoma left, not even blood stains.
"Alright, what just happened?" demanded Ryuji.
"Temporal displacement," said Kenzaki. "I'm not sure how it works but I'm thinking they were transported back to their realm."
"They didn't belong here, so they just disappeared?" Neko asked.
"Exactly," nodded Kenzaki.
"Well, that's two problems solved," said Warren. "But the others saw me summon my sword and..."
"Let me take care of that," said Ryuji, waving his phone. "You need to talk with your wife."
Warren looked at Raven sheepishly. "Don't worry. Before doing anything I made sure she was safe," said Warren hastily.
Raven sighed. "I knew you would, and I know it's not your fault Tessa is here. Given the chance, Alex would have snuck aboard the ChronoLiner to follow you too. Why do they have to look up to you so much?"
"Because I'm just that awesome?" answered Warren with a grin. Raven then lightly slapped Warren in the face. This caused him to laugh slightly as he moved in and planted a quick kiss o her lips. "Come on. I know where there's a little girl who's looking for her daddy."
Kenzaki and Neko carried Taisuke and Otome, respectively, as Ryuji led them back to the beach house. Once there, he quickly erased the others' memories of the Yoma attack and seeing Warren use his powers. No doubt the Yomas would be considered a result of mass hysteria once news of it got out, but the lack of evidence would support it. It would also mean the beach being closed for investigation as foreign contaminants in the water may have been the cause of the hysteria, but that was no longer the Riders' concern. Only the Riders, Kotonoha and Raven would know the truth.
Warren took Raven to his room where Tessa was sleeping. The violet haired woman gazed lovingly at their daughter who was sucking on her thumb with a blanket covering her.
"She's beautiful, isn't she?" said Raven.
"Just like her mother," agreed Warren.
Later that night, both Kotonoha and Ryuji were on the balcony. The girl was resting her head against her boyfriends shoulder as he had his arm around her waist, holding her close. He'd told her about the fight and she'd been worried sick.
"Beautiful night," said Ryuji as he looked at the sky. It was times like this that he cherished with Kotonoha the most.
"Yes," she agreed. "The moon and the stars look nice too." She heard him sigh. "What's wrong?"
"No matter where I go or what I go, trouble just seems to follow me around," he told her. "I'm starting to wonder if I'm just a magnet for trouble."
"You're not," she objected.
"Aren't I?" he responded. "Remember our first date?"
"I do, and except for the part where you almost died, I enjoyed it," she told him honestly.
"Well, most of the time we try to spend together, an Imagin shows up and I have to go fight it," he said. "I love to fight, but leaving you sucks."
"Then make me a Rider," she requested. He was shocked by the request. "Make me a Rider too, Ryuji-kun. That way I can fight by your side."
"I can't," he shook his head.
"Why not? Neko-san and Kenzaki-san do it."
"Well, Neko-nee has years of experience and training. I know you can fight, pretty well when you're motivated, but not really as well as us."
'Then train me and make me stronger," she insisted. "You've been teaching me the basics to defend myself but I want to learn more."
Ryuji saw the determination in her eyes. She really did want to play a more active role but he really couldn't put her at risk like that. 'She's already at risk being with you anyway, so why not give her an edge?' Kotonoha could use his Pass and transform with Athena's aid, but since Ryuji was the primary user, Kotonoha would need to get her own Rider System. He could ask Ant for it but he wasn't sure if he wanted Kotonoha to help. She wasn't as a good as a fighter as he was, but then again Athena would be in control of the body so that was a moot point. Still, he really didn't want to put his love in harm's way.
He tried to think rationally. On one hand it would make his job easier if he had a full time partner. On the other hand that would mean Kotonoha would have to live a double life. And then of course Kotonoha would probably get herself killed. Then again, Ryuji takes the same risks all the time whenever he fought but unlike Kotonoha he wasn't human and could heal rather quickly. This was a dilemma. The only person he could go to with this would be his...sempai.
"She said what?" Warren questioned as he, Kenzaki and Ryuji sat in the living room after everyone had gone to sleep.
"She wants to be a Rider," Ryuji spoke.
"Was she serious?" asked Kenzaki.
"I'm pretty sure she was," Ryuji nodded. "So, what should I do?" He looked between the two. Warren's wife was a superhero while Kenzaki's girlfriend, who was also Ryuji's sister, was also a Rider in her own right. So, right now, he would need their help to resolve this issue.
"What did you tell her?" Warren asked.
"That I would at least think about it," Ryuji replied. "And I am, which is why I can't sleep."
"Bummer," Kenzaki frowned.
"You're telling me," sighed Ryuji. "I love the girl and I want her to be happy, but I don't think she can be a Rider like us. There are way too many risks involved and unlike us she doesn't have any special powers."
"Neither does Robin and he's a pretty good Rider," reminded Kenzaki, referring to Robin's use of the Titan Gear.
"He's also a trained acrobat and martial artist," rebutted Ryuji. "He doesn't need powers when he's already skilled."
"So, because of her lack of skill, she can't help?" Warren frowned, leering at Ryuji.
"What's with that look?" Ryuji cocked an eyebrow.
"Kohai, when you were in a coma, she and I went into your head," Warren told him. "And I could see what she could do with a dozuki. Trust me when I say that she has skills."
"I did tell her to keep it on her for emergencies," stated Ryuji.
"You tell your girlfriend to carry a saw with her all the time?" Kenzaki remarked.
"Your girlfriend uses a sword," Ryuji pointed out. "My girlfriend needs a weapon to protect herself."
"But even with that, you don't think she should be a Rider?" Warren commented.
"Exactly...I think..." He rubbed his temples. "Ugh, I don't know!"
"Well, there is this one idea…" began Warren.
"What?" asked Ryuji.
"Make her go through a complete day of basic Rider training. If she makes it through the day with no serious injuries, we put in a request with Ant," suggested Warren.
Ryuji did recall what basic Rider training involved and shuddered. It had been harrowing for him and he was afraid for Kotonoha. "You do know what that means, right?"
"Yeah," nodded Warren. "We need one of the Riders to help us and I know just the man...the original Kamen Rider, Mr. Takeshi Hongo."
Just as the Riders predicted, the beach had to be closed down for investigation by the local Health Department. A lot of people had to leave as well and many had to have their blood checked if there was any trace of the contaminants still in their system.
The gang left on the next plane back to Japan, their holiday plans now revised. Well, at least the cherry blossoms were in bloom now. They all went to the park the following day to watch the cherry blossoms. They had a picnic at the same time too. There was a lot of food to be had that day and there was also entertainment. Just a small karaoke machine for them to sing with but it was enough. Raven, Warren and Tessa joined them as well for it. The little girl loved to watch the beautiful cherry blossoms in bloom. They were like tiny snowflakes in the spring.
The cherry blossoms reminded Ryuji of a peaceful time in his life. He had Ryuki's memories and both shared many of the same thoughts and emotions, just different ways of interpreting them. At least they could both agree upon the start of spring when the cherry blossoms were in the bloom. Also, Kotonoha had first met him many years ago when he'd ventured into the past and given him a bouquet of cherry blossoms as a reward for saving her and her family.
Several days later, the girls made plans for a girls' night in. In other words they were going to have a big slumber party together at Kotonoha's. That left the boys with making plans of their own.
That was why Ryuji was sitting in a van with Kenzaki, Taisuke and Makoto on their way to the camping site. They would be doing some 'male bonding'. Warren was driving them there and would be joining them too. Vash was also part of the group, sitting in the passenger side next to Warren. Thankfully, he was asleep. Ryuji had his eyes closed. Looking at the two boys who'd hurt his girlfriend was not something he wanted to do the for the whole 3 hour trip. They were headed to a forest just outside of Sakakino City where they would learn how to survive. Ryuji would consider this training. The good news was that he could lose both Makoto and Taisuke in the woods. Unlike them, he was an excellent tracker and would just leave them to suffer while laughing at their misfortune.
Ryuji still hadn't talked to Kotonoha about the basic Rider training she would need to go through to become a Rider. From his experience it would be the most strenuous exercise she would have to perform. She would have to push her limits. The enemies were monsters so she needed to be as tough as monsters. There would be a time when she couldn't rely on the armor to hold off an opponent. The only problem was that she didn't have any powers unlike Kenzaki, Warren, Neko and himself. That was what worried Ryuji the most. She could get killed. At least with Takeshi Hongo coming she would have a good teacher to guide her. Ryuji would've gladly volunteered but he would be way too biased due to his relationship with Kotonoha and may, though not purposely, go easy on her.
"Having fun, Ryuji?" asked Kenzaki. The Wolf Rider had noticed his fellow Rider's silence.
"Yeah, this should be an interesting trip," replied Ryuji. Secretly, he was planning different ways Makoto and Taisuke could "get lost" in the woods. Maybe he could take them hiking and they'd "accidentally" fall off the side of the cliff? That way he could deny having anything to do with their unfortunate demise.
Unfortunately, there were several problems with that plan. He and Sekai had become pretty good friends since he started hanging out at the Radish restaurant and got to talking with her. She was a pretty decent person most of the time and he could tolerate her. What'd happened between her, Kotonoha and Makoto was all in the past now and she did seem remorseful. He had crossed her name out of his list already. Killing Makoto would just upset her and Kotonoha. Also, Makoto was not all bad. He was just a victim of circumstances which spiralled out of control. Of course, he barely tolerated Makoto's presence most of the time. Taisuke, however, was still close to the top of his list since his attempted rape of Kotonoha. He would never forgive the guy and watched him like a hawk. He once threatened to beat the guy up if he even looked at Kotonoha funny. The guy was a walking bag of hormones ready to explode. If only he realised that Hikari liked him. Of course, Ryuji wondered what any girl could see in the guy.
"Planning on doing anything interesting?" asked Kenzaki.
"Oh, just a few things," responded Ryuji. "Maybe do some training."
"Need help?"
"Sure."
While Taisuke and Makoto would go through normal and basic wilderness survival training, Ryuji was thinking of doing some combat training. He did remember a few of the exercises Ryuki's grandfather had put him through, such as tracking and camouflage. If one were to fight in the woods, one would have to be one with the woods. The terrain itself could be used to ones advantage once one became familiar with it.
As for the wilderness survival training, Warren was the best choice to lead. When it came to surviving, almost no one could compare to Warren. Ryuji knew this from the time they ended up trapped on Warren's world during World War II. Warren had already been stuck there for a year and even managed his way through six months in a concentration camp, followed by four months in the wild before finally meeting up with some American troops. Warren still wore the tattoos on his wrist as a reminder.
Otome, Nanami and Hikari all marvelled at Kotonoha's home. They knew she was rich but to see her home for the first time it made them feel inadequate. Only Neko and Sekai didn't react since the former had lived in a mansion for most of her life while the latter had come to visit awhile back.
"Come inside," Kotonoha invited. Her parents were away on business while her little sister was sleeping over at a friend's house, leaving the place all to the girls.
"I feel like an ass now for all the times I've treated her," muttered Otome. Her other friends who used to bully Kotonoha didn't accept the invitation. Maybe it had something to do with pride? Otome did feel distant from them after befriending Kotonoha but maybe they couldn't handle nor understand the change. They'd bullied Kotonoha up until Otome decided to put a stop to it. She never really took the time to really get to know Kotonoha and felt foolish for doing such things to the girl.
The group of girls entered and removed their footwear before putting on the indoor slippers. They'd stayed at Kotonoha's family's beach house so they knew what to expect. Still, it was a lot to take in for them.
Kotonoha, of course, had her mind elsewhere, wondering what Ryuji was doing. Since he would be away with Taisuke and Makoto, she feared he may do something to them. Her boyfriend did tend to get violent but with her around he managed to keep his temper under control, but since she wasn't there…she would pray for Makoto and Taisuke later.
"Um…Katsura-san?" asked Sekai.
"Yes, Saionji-san?" responded Kotonoha.
"Did Hasuma tell you anything about that camping trip he's going with the boys on?"
"Well, it's basically training for Ryuji-kun," replied Kotonoha. "Makoto-kun and Sawanaga-san would get wilderness survival training."
"With Hasuma with them, I doubt they would survive," quipped Otome.
"Ryuji-kun won't hurt them…unless they did something that made him angry," defended Kotonoha.
"Which can be anything," added Otome. "Katsura, your boyfriend doesn't like that many people. He gets annoyed and angry very easily. He just doesn't act out as much around you." She asked, "How do you even keep that guy on a leash?"
Kotonoha smiled, "Ryuji-kun…he's a good person deep down. I also asked him not to hurt them and I know he won't disobey my wishes."
Otome blinked. "You really trust him that much?"
"I do, and he trusts me," Kotonoha smiled. She knew all of his secrets, all of them which he had entrusted with her.
"OK, so what are we going to do now?" asked Hikari expectantly.
"How about we all sit in the living room and watch some movies?" suggested Kotonoha.
The group of boys arrived at the forest. They van stopped and they all exited the vehicle to stretch their legs. Ryuji was surveying the surroundings, thinking, 'Plenty of places to hide their bodies and…no, I promised Koto-chan, but it's so tempting.'
"Hey, Ryuji!" Kenzaki called. "Help me pitch up the tents."
"Hai, hai," said Ryuji in a bored tone. He went over to help pitch up the tents.
"I'm going to find a source of water," said Warren. He pointed to both Makoto and Taisuke. "You two should go fetch some firewood." He tossed the two a compass and a map. "If you get lost, use those."
"I hope they do get lost," Ryuji muttered as he watched the two boys leave.
Kenzaki shook his head at his fellow Rider, "You can really hold a grudge."
"Just like you," Ryuji retorted. "12 years of swearing revenge? Ring any bells?"
Kenzaki glowered but then sighed. "I already let it go. Katherine's still out there but as far as I'm concerned I've avenged my family."
Ryuji rolled his eyes, "Yeah, whatever. At least you've given up on revenge to be in love with Neko-nee…"
"Yeah…" Kenzaki smiled wistfully. "Still, you did promise you wouldn't hurt those two."
"Cheh, I can always just sit back and let the woods do it for me." He then asked, "So, any leads on Nanimo?"
Kenzaki frowned at hearing that name and shook his head. "No, but we do know he sent those Yoma."
"No doubt," agreed Ryuji. "Or maybe Katherine and he are working together."
"Don't even joke about that," warned Kenzaki.
"Sorry, sorry," Ryuji apologized. He called to Warren who'd come back with a kettle of water, "Hey, Warren. Kenzaki and I are going to find a clearing to do some training. You can take care of the bakas while we're away, right?"
"I can, but can you wake up Vash?" Warren pointed at the van. "He's still asleep."
'That's because I slipped sleeping pills into his coffee,' thought Ryuji. During the whole trip he'd wanted some peace and quiet. Also, the reason Vash was here was because...
"Backup?" Ryuji quirked an eyebrow. "What do you mean by backup?"
"Well, I can't always be here," stated Warren. "The same can be said about Kenzaki and Neko."
"You all drop by when it conveniences you," Ryuji huffed. "Besides, I don't need anymore backup. I already got Loki as well as Koto-chan's Imagin, Athena. That's all the help I need."
Warren didn't seem convinced. Ryuji had gotten himself captured before and caught off guard by an Imagin before that. He was Ryuji's sempai so it was his responsible to protect his kohai. "Sorry, but I must insist. As your sempai I must assign you a new partner."
'Again with this sempai crap,' thought Ryuji bitterly. "OK, fine. Whatever makes you happy."
"That's what I want to hear," nodded Warren.
"So, who's my backup?" Ryuji asked.
At that very moment, HE came in. He had spiked up blonde hair and wore a long red coat. Ryuji recognized him instantly and looked horrified before turning towards Warren. "Oh…you have got to be kidding me…" Ryuji spoke.
"Ryuji, this is your backup," said Warren, "Vash."
"OH HELL NO!" Ryuji exploded. "NO FUCKING WAY!!"
"I told you this wouldn't work," said Vash.
"Sorry, Ryuji, you don't have a choice on this. Back on Ryuki's world, there's something big going down. A lot of us are dealing with that. On top of that, I have my own mission to work on. Finding six kids in the entire Multiverse ain't easy."
"So, you expect me to work with this drunken slob?" Ryuji pointed.
"Hey!" Vash was offended.
"Why not? You've worked together before," Warren reminded. "He did help you save Kotonoha."
Warren had a point. If it weren't for Vash, then Kotonoha would've died. And, besides, Vash wasn't all that bad. It was just Ryuji was still mad at the guy for tossing him into the air without even a warning.
Ryuji would've preferred anyone else other than Vash. Still, there probably wasn't anything he could do about it. That didn't mean he couldn't complain about it.
All the girls had changed into their pyjamas and were sitting in front of Kotonoha's television. They were currently watching movies, in this case a romance, which was leaving them all teary-eyed. Kotonoha had wanted to see a horror movie but she'd been overruled but even she had to agree that this romantic movie was good.
"That's so beautiful," Hikari sniffled as the main characters of the film finally found each other.
"Yeah," Otome nodded as she wiped her eyes. "I wish I had a guy like that."
"Reminds me of Ryuji-kun," Kotonoha sighed dreamily.
"Wow," Neko sighed dreamily. She just wanted to hug Kenzaki right at that moment. Still, he was off on his camping trip at the moment.
"Why can't real guys be romantic like that?" asked Nanami.
"Because they don't know how," Sekai sighed. "Makoto tries, but he really doesn't know how sometimes."
"Ryuji-kun can be romantic," Kotonoha argued.
"Mr. Tough Guy?" asked Hikari incredulously. "This I have to hear!"
"Maybe it's best that I show you," said Kotonoha as she reached under her nightgown. She then pulled out a heart shaped crystal pendant which made all the girls gaze at it in awe.
"Wow," Nanami blinked.
"Beautiful," added Sekai.
Blushing, Kotonoha explained, "It's the present Ryuji-kun gave to me on Christmas Eve. It's supposed to represent him giving me his heart." Originally, it'd been an ice crystal but Kotonoha had it made into a pendant only recently so that it would always hang near her heart.
Otome was now envious of Kotonoha but happy for her too. Still, she stared at it. The pendant looked like it was made of diamond. "So, is it real?"
"What do you mean?" Kotonoha questioned.
"I mean I don't think Hasuma could afford something as a real diamond pendant, or crystal for that matter," Otome elaborated.
"Oh, it's not made of either of those," Kotonoha said. She couldn't tell them he'd made it for her. That would mean telling them about his powers. "But it's real, I know it is."
Otome reached over to touch it but recoiled when she made contact. "It's cold."
"Cold?" Hikari blinked. She went to touch it. "Ah, it is cold!"
"Like ice," added Otome.
"It's been like that since I got it. I like it though," Kotonoha smiled. "I don't think I need any more gifts other than this."
"Maybe a wedding ring then?" teased Neko. The comment made Kotonoha blush brightly, but the silly smile on her face was completely unmistakable.
"You are so lucky!" Sekai pouted. "Makoto doesn't give me things like that! At best I get some earrings or something! Hasuma gave you a stone like that?"
"He gave me another one for Valentine's Day, but as a ring," Kotonoha blushed happily.
"No way!" Hikaru cried. "You are so spoiled!"
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but," Otome gulped before she turned to Neko. "Hey, you got another brother, right? Is he seeing anyone?"
"Sorry," Neko giggled. "My brothers are taken. Better luck elsewhere."
"Damn," Otome grimaced. Why were all the good guys taken? Everyone looked up when a knock came at the door.
Kotonoha stood up and went to the door. "Yes?" she asked as she opened the door. She was surprised to see Raven standing there.
"Sorry I'm late," she apologized.
Kenzaki and Ryuji panted, both facing each other with intense glares. They'd been sparing for hours, relying on their skills and only their skills. None of their special attacks or powers had been used the entire time. The trees around them had suffered from their spar judging by the marks on them.
"Gonna (pant) quit yet?" questioned Ryuji.
"You first (pant), Ifrit," huffed Kenzaki.
Ryuji went into another Ifrit-Ken stance, both hands in front of him facing Kenzaki and fingers curled into claws. He spread his legs and bent them at the knees. "Never," growled Ryuji before bringing his legs back together and lunging at Kenzaki. They both tumbled along the grass. Kenzaki kneed Ryuji in the knee and then kicked him off him. Ryuji landed roughly on him back but rolled onto his front before pushing himself back to his feet. He ducked under a punch and elbowed Kenzaki in the gut. Kenzaki couldn't feel pain but it'd been a hard hit still.
Meanwhile, back at camp, Makoto and Taisuke had collected the firewood, not getting lost thanks to the compass and map Warren had lent them.
"Hey, where are those two?" asked Taisuke.
"Training," Warren said offhandedly as he started the fire. "Those two feel more at home sparring here."
"Weird," muttered Makoto. He never knew anyone going so far for martial arts training but that had been before he met Ryuji and then Kenzaki.
"Not as weird as going on a one year trip to master his skills," commented Warren. "Let's just say Ryuji takes his training really seriously."
"No doubt about that," Makoto agreed. Ryuji had skills to back up his strength.
Warren had heated the water. He'd found a stream not too far from where they were. Vash was still asleep and he was starting to wonder if Ryuji had anything to do with it. He had seemed a little too happy leaving Vash like that.
Raven was the oldest of the group of girls but she was no stranger to slumber parties. Having endured a few with Starfire and the other Titan girls, Raven knew a thing or two about them. Now that she was able to express emotion, she could have fun at slumber parties…if she wanted to. Girlish giggling was still annoying to her, except if it was her daughter that was giggling.
Kotonoha, unlike the other girls, Raven was an offworlder but she didn't mind the older woman's presence. In fact she welcomed it.
Now the girls were sitting in a circle with an empty glass bottle in the centre, playing a game called "Truth or Dare". They had played for 5 minutes now and had spilled their guts or performed embarrassing dares which were still in good fun.
Somehow, Kotonoha had been lucky enough to not have the bottle land on her but her luck was about to run out. Now it was Hikari's turn. She'd been forced to switch underwear with Nanami and well it wasn't very comfortable. In fact she was starting to itch.
Hikari spun the bottle and the girls were gripped with apprehension, wondering what Hikari would plan for them to do once the bottle landed on them.
The bottle pointed straight at Kotonoha who gasped in shock. What should she choose? Truth, or Dare?
"OK, Katsura-san," grinned Hikari. "Truth or Dare?"
Kotonoha gulped. 'Should I choose dare? Oh, I don't want to embarrass myself. But if I choose truth then Hikari will ask me an embarrassing question and I have to answer. What to do? Should I choose the lesser of two evils? Which is the lesser of two evils?'
"Hey, Katsura," Otome tapped her knee with her fingers. "We don't have all night here. Just pick something."
"Alright," Kotonoha sighed. "Truth." 'What have I got to lose aside from my dignity?' Hikari grinned. 'Maybe I should rethink my decision.' She took a sip of soda to calm her nerves.
"Well, I was wondering…how good your boyfriend is in bed?" Hikari asked and Kotonoha immediately spat out the soda she was drinking, straight at Sekai who was sitting across from her. Sekai was drenched in soda now, causing the rest of the girls to laugh. "Gomen, Saionji-san," Kotonoha apologised.
"It's OK," Sekai smiled. "I just need to get myself cleaned up."
"I'll show you to the bathroom and…" Kotonoha was about to stand up when Otome pulled her down. "Katou-san?"
"Oh, no," Otome grinned. "Neither of you are leaving until we hear this."
"I don't think we need to hear this," said Neko nervously.
"Ano, Ryuji-kun and I have never…"
"Don't lie," Hikari said. "We know all about you and Hasuma."
Kotonoha paled. "Y-You do?"
"Back at your beach house when we went to Hawaii, you got a little drunk," explained Sekai. "And you said a few things…"
Kotonoha was almost afraid to ask but she asked anyway, "Things like what?"
"About how you really felt about everyone," said Sekai. "It's alright, it was an eye opener."
"You also cursed, a lot," added Nanami. Kotonoha blushed. Had she really…?
"And the biggest one was hearing about your sex life," giggled Hikari. "So, tell us."
"She doesn't have to tell you if she doesn't want to," Raven defended.
"But, Rachel-san," Otome grinned. "This is juicy stuff."
"Rachel's right," Neko agreed with Raven. "I don't think I want to listen to this. It's my brother for goodness sake!"
"But we're all curious!" said Hikari.
Kotonoha was now mortified. Ryuji had told her she'd gotten drunk but didn't divulge anymore information beyond that. She needed to have a talk with him about being more honest with her but now she was going to bare all…
"Alright," Kotonoha sighed. "If you wish to know, Ryuji-kun is…" All the girls leaned in to listen, except for Raven who thought this was just so immature. Kotonoha bit her lower lip, "Ryuji-kun is…" How was she supposed to word this without making it sound dirty? She finally got the answer and used that, "Ryuji-kun is an amazing lover. He knows how to touch me. He can be gentle and rough at the same time that it takes my breath away."
"Is that it?" Otome blinked. She would've thought the guy liked it rough.
"Well, he does bite me," Kotonoha blushed, a hand going to the spot Ryuji would usually sink his teeth into whenever they made love. The girls grinned. Now it was getting interesting, "And I claw at his back every time I…" She shut her eyes, hands to her cheeks, remembering the feeling again. "Ohhhhh!! He's just so wonderful!"
"That's it," Neko raised her hand before standing up. "I'm going to the bathroom to puke." She turned away and got away from the circle as fast as she could towards the bathroom.
"Damn," Otome quipped. "You make it sound he's the best you ever had." She then realised, "Wait, was he your first?"
"My first, only and last," said Kotonoha with pure conviction. "The only man I will love from now on."
"Are you sure?" Sekai questioned. "I mean what if…"
"He won't break up with me," said Kotonoha.
Neko return, having relieved herself and had heard Kotonoha's words. Neko sat down, saying, "She's right. No way is Ryuji-chan going to break up with her. It's tradition."
"Tradition?" Nanami, Otome, Sekai and Hikari said quizzically.
Neko explained, "The men and women in our family are firm monogamous. That means when they choose a companion, they are faithful to the very end. To use an example, my other brother, Ryuki, had a few girlfriends in the past and he was faithful to each of them until circumstances forced them to break up. Now, the members in my family CANNOT break up with people so it's the other person's job to do the breaking up." Giving Kotonoha a nod, she finished, "So, Ryuji-chan will never, ever, split up with Kotonoha-san until she wants it to happen, which will never happen, am I right?"
Kotonoha nodded, "That's right. He told me himself."
"That's one very devoted family," said Sekai in amazement.
"That's why there has never been a case of divorce in the Hasuma Clan, ever." Neko pointed out.
Now Otome was really interested in snagging a guy like Ryuji, well not exactly like Ryuji but just someone in his family. "So, any cousins or relatives that I can…"
Neko shook her head, "Not that I know of. Sorry."
"Damn it."
"Hey, how was your nap, sleeping beauty?" teased Ryuji as Vash got out of the van, yawning and rubbing his eyes.
"Something was definitely in that coffee," muttered Vash. "How long was I out?"
"8 hours and it's already dark," Warren pointed. They were all sitting around the campfire.
"Now I need to take a leak," Vash stated. Warren tossed him a flashlight. "Thanks."
"Don't wander off," advised Warren.
"If you get lost we might just leave you behind," joked Ryuji. Vash gave him a glare before walking away to take a leak. "So, anyone in the mood for ghost stories?"
"And when the girl turned, she saw it in the darkness and..."
"OK, stop the story!" exclaimed Hikari. "That's too scary for me."
"Aw, come on," Neko pouted. "I was just getting to the good part where the monster strips her flesh off her bones and…"
"I said stop!" Hikari tossed a pillow at Neko who caught it. "That's to gross! Somebody else tell a story!"
The lights had been turned off with the only source of light being several scented candles Raven had brought placed in the centre of the circle. They'd been taking turns telling scary stories when Neko's turn came up and her story was starting to freak them out.
Raven volunteered, "Well, I think I know a good story and this one really happened."
"Sounds interesting," grinned Neko, "Come on, Rae-chan."
Raven cleared her throat and began her tail, "One Friday night a group of friends decided to watch a movie together in their house. They were all housemates, you see, and did everything together. Now, this movie was said to be cursed. After joking about it, one of them, Gar, put the video in and they began watching…"
Raven went on with the tale, retelling her entire experience during the episode "Fear Itself". The girls were all at the edge of their seats, listening, enraptured.
"Now, only one of them was left…" Rachel smirked, "She was all alone and all her friends were gone. She had nowhere to run and then…" The candles all extinguished suddenly, bathing the group of girls in darkness and a loud scream was heard.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" Vash screamed girlishly, still holding up his pants as he ran back to the campsite. Taisuke had jumped into Makoto's arms when he heard the blonde's scream.
"We gotta get out of here!" shouted Vash, opening the van door and jumping inside. "Now! Let's go! Let's go!"
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Ryuji demanded.
"I saw a ghost!" Vash answered. "Now, come on and let's get out of here!" Ryuji and Warren dragged the frightened gunman out of the van. "Lemme go! Lemme go!"
"Oh, quit being such a baby!" Ryuji growled.
"There are no ghosts here," said Warren. He would've sensed it if there was.
"I know what I saw and I say we beat it!" struggled Vash as he kicked his legs up and down.
"I'd like to beat in your skull," muttered Ryuji as he and Warren dropped him down with the others.
"OK, Vash, I know you don't do drugs, at least s far as I know, so tell us what exactly happened," said Warren.
"OK, OK," Vash said, managing to calm down. "I was taking a leak and I saw something."
"Can you describe it?" asked Kenzaki. Maybe it was an Imagin.
"Well, it looked like a woman, dressed in a white kimono," continued Vash, making Makoto and Taisuke shiver. "And when she turned around…she had NO FACE!"
"OK, I agree with him!" Taisuke panicked. "Let's pack up and go!" He started to stand.
"Sit down!" Ryuji ordered. Taisuke did as told. "There are no ghosts here. The idiot here must've been imagining things."
"I am not!" denied Vash.
"Not an idiot or not imagining things?" asked Ryuji. "Pick one."
"I know what I saw! It was a ghost! It gave me the chills, man."
"Oh, for the love of Kami…" muttered Ryuji.
"How about we have some dinner first?" suggested Warren. "Then, we can go to bed. We'll leave first thing in the morning."
"I'd like it if we left now," Vash mumbled.
"If you're going to bitch all night, do it in the van," Ryuji jabbed his finger at the vehicle. "I'm not in the mood to listen to your whining." Being away from Kotonoha like this just didn't feel right.
"OK, fine, I will," Vash crossed his arms, "But, don't come crying to me when you see a ghost too."
"When pigs grow wings and fly," snorted Ryuji.
The lights came on and Hikari exclaimed, "I felt something brush up against me!"
"What was it?" asked Nanami.
"I don't know but it felt…furry."
"A rat?" grimaced Sekai.
"No," Neko said as she pulled something out from behind her back. "A cat, actually." In her hands was a cute little cat with orange fur and black stripes. It was a bit on the tubby side. "Meet Garfield." She gently dropped the cat in front of her.
"Kawaii…" all the other girls, except for Kotonoha and Neko cooed at the cat who just stared up at them lazily.
"How did you get him here?" asked Otome.
"Neko-san actually brought Garfield-chan here yesterday," said Kotonoha.
"He kinda left a mess back at our place," said Neko. She didn't want to go to deep into detail. Garfield had been a handful lately on the GaroLiner. So, Neko had to take him out of the train for a bit until it was cleaned up. She just hoped Kenzaki would let her keep her pet.
"He's so cute," cooed Hikaru. Garfield looked up at her lazily before going over to his owners lap and snuggling himself upon it. Neko pet the cat gently, smiling.
"Alright, I know I'm the last person to be complaining about sleeping arrangements," spoke Ryuji in annoyance, "But why am I sharing a tent with them?" By 'them', he was referring to both Taisuke and Makoto.
"We all drew lots," Warren reminded. "You three got the same ones so you share the same tent."
"I would prefer sleeping alone," muttered Ryuji. "Maybe I can sleep in the van too. There's plenty of space."
Kenzaki chuckled, "I thought you liked 'roughing it'."
"There's a limit," Ryuji narrowed his eyes. "And sleeping with those two is already crossing that limit."
Warren sighed, "I know you don't like them that much, but you have to learn to get along with them eventually."
Ryuji scoffed, "Fat fucking chance."
"You've held onto this grudge for half a year," said Warren. "I gotta say that you should've already let go by now."
Makoto and Taisuke were of course discussing about the sleeping arrangements too, albeit more fearfully.
"We'll be sharing tents with him?" Taisuke gulped.
"I'm sure it won't be that bad," said Makoto reassuringly but he had some doubts too.
"The guy hates us. He may kill us in our sleep."
"He won't do that."
"Itou's right," said Ryuji from behind them, causing Taisuke and Makoto to freeze. "I prefer it if my victims are WIDE AWAKE when I kill them. It makes it more satisfying when I can see and smell their fear." Both boys weren't sure if he was kidding or not.
"You don't really want to share a tent with us, do you?" asked Makoto hopefully.
"Personally, I'd rather sleep up in a tree," stated Ryuji. "But there are no good trees out here so there's nothing I can do about it."
"Oh man," Taisuke gulped.
"Oh, another warning," Ryuji commented as he looked up from his gear. "I am a light sleeper so watch it. If I'm having a good dream and you guys wake me up for no reason, prepare to die."
Both boys gulped audibly. Still, it was to note that at random intervals, Taisuke's consciousness would be swapped between his brain and his gonads. Upon hearing about good dreams and knowing about Kotonoha, his gonads ripped control for themselves.
"Soooo," he grinned. "Would good dreams involve Katsura?"
Ryuji's death glare immediately brought Taisuke's control back to his head, "Don't make me kick your ass, preferably in the most painful way possible."
Warren watched as Taisuke dashed off screaming into the tent. He just shook his head and went back to the fire.
"He's getting better already," Vash pointed out. "He would have killed that perv for a remark like that."
"So, what's it like to be married to a guy like Warren?" asked Hikari curiously. "And you really don't mind him having a relationship with another woman?"
"Teresa and Warren have a special bond," Raven explained. "He loves me, I know that to be true, but he also loves Teresa. That is why I allow him and Teresa to be together, as long as I am included of course."
"An open marriage, huh?" Nanami spoke. Raven nodded. "Didn't it bother you that you'd have to share him?"
"For a while, it did, but when I realised that they both loved each other and that I've started to love Teresa as my own sister, it was something I could live with. Warren loves us both, in different ways but also the same. Besides our love of Warren, Teresa and I have a lot in common."
"So, what made you fall for Warren in the first place?" asked Sekai.
"Well, before Warren, I had only been in one relationship," began Raven. "He merely used me to get what he wanted. I already had trust issues, and that was the straw that broke the camel's back. When I met Warren, he was a notorious flirt. He simply wouldn't give up so I gave him one date to get him to leave me alone. It turned out to be a really good night. Given the chance, Warren can prove himself to be quite the gentleman. With him, I can be myself. He's the only person that I will ever love."
"Couldn't sleep either, huh?" asked Warren as he saw Ryuji sitting at the campfire, poking at embers with a stick.
"Between the B.O. and drool, no," grimaced Ryuji. "What's your excuse?"
"Oh, no reason," Warren shrugged. "Just wanted to see how my kohai was doing."
Ryuji rolled his eyes. Again with this sempai-kohai crap, but he'd learnt to tolerate it. "Just doing a little thinking."
"Did you hurt yourself?" Warren joked as he sat down next to the world's Rider. Ryuji gave a him a cold hard glare. "Sorry, please continue."
"I don't really believe in fate, coincidences or soul mates, but the more I think of it, I knew there had to be a reason we ended up here," said Ryuji.
"Do you really not believe in fate?" Warren questioned.
"I think it's the idea that I have no actual free will that bothers me, that all my actions have already been determined," admitted Ryuji. "My life is my own, nobody is in control of it."
"You don't like to be controlled," Warren reasoned.
Ryuji stretched, "I'm a free spirit by nature. I follow my own rules and the path I pave for myself. If I find out that all my actions were in fact arranged by a god, I would be so pissed off."
Warren knew this well. Though Ryuki had forgiven his father, Libra, by now, Ryuji still held a grudge. Then again, his father had pretended to be dead for more then a decade so it was justified. That would be the root of Ryuji's problem, that he felt that Libra had been controlling him like some sort of puppet from the start.
"So, do you believe in fate and soul mates and all that junk?" Ryuji asked his sempai.
"Me?" asked Warren. "Not one bit. Fate just doesn't appeal to a guy like me. Why do you think my motto as a Rider is to 'shatter fate'? If I were to believe in fate, every thing I fight for would be pointless."
Ryuji gave a soft smile, pleased that his sempai was understanding and could agree with him. Suddenly, he noticed something at the corner of his eye. He wasn't sure what it was. It'd moved fast. Now Ryuji was on high alert as his eyes glowed ice blue. Maybe it was that 'ghost' Vash had been ranting about.
"What's wrong?" Warren asked.
"I saw something," Ryuji stated. "And I don't think it's anything good." He started to run off.
"Hey, not without me, kohai!" protested Warren as he began to follow.
"And quit it with that kohai crap!" Ryuji snapped.
"Never!" proclaimed Warren.
The girls were once again watching a movie only this time it was horror and Raven had brought it with her. It was the one movie that had actually scared her to the point of losing control of her powers but when she'd come to terms with her fear, it was alright. She'd gotten the "Wicked Scary" DVD with Japanese subtitles and language tracks and well all the girls were freaked out by the movie. Well, almost all of them. Raven had grown used to it and as for Kotonoha she was captivated. She was a true horror fan. Neko wasn't scared either and wanted to watch more while munching on some popcorn.
As soon as the movie ended and the end credits rolled, Kotonoha turned on the lights to see all her friends and gasped as they looked towards the TV screen, unblinking, with eyes wide open and clutching the cushions like their lives depended on it.
"What happened to them?" Kotonoha asked.
"I guess it was too much for them," said Raven and then she ejected the DVD and turned off the TV. "It was for me too."
"How long will they be like that?" Kotonoha asked worriedly.
"A few minutes," said Raven, "If the movie didn't completely traumatised them. This is the Director's Cut version with more blood and gore."
"Why are Americans so fixated on such movies?" sighed Kotonoha.
"I don't know but well I'm wondering why you're not scared," said Raven. "And you too," she aimed her eyes on Neko.
"Well, I've seen scarier things," Neko shrugged.
"And why should I be scared? It's only a movie. Besides, there are more frightening things," said Kotonoha calmly. True. She'd seen Sauron and her boyfriend fighting Imagin. Reality was more frightening than a movie. "But, I do pretend to be scares so I can cuddle with Senshi-kun."
Raven learnt quickly that Senshi-kun was the nickname Kotonoha had for Ryuji.
"Devious," Raven noted. "So, are you wondering what your boyfriend and my husband are up to right now?"
"A little and I'm..."
"Worried?" Raven supplied.
"That and I miss him," sighed Kotonoha. "Maybe I should give him a call but it's already late."
Raven said soothingly, "There's no need to worry. What's the worst that can happen to them?"
"Give him a call," Neko encouraged. "Which reminds me that I gotta give my Ken-kun a call too."
"See anything?" asked Warren.
"Again, no, and that's the 5th time you've asked me already," grumbled Ryuji.
The two were looking for the mysterious apparition that Ryuji had sighted. They were both holding flashlights to light the way and had wandered deep into the forest. So far they'd found nothing.
"So, you really don't know what we're chasing?" asked Warren.
"It's not a ghost because you would've sensed it by now," retorted Ryuji and suddenly he heard a loud boom. "What was that!?"
"Sounded like thunder," answered Warren. He then realised something, "Oh, no..."
Ryuji suddenly tensed up at the mention of thunder. He hated that loud crack that followed after lightning. It just hurt his ears and made him vulnerable. He HATED feeling vulnerable.
"Kohai, relax," said Warren. "There's not a cloud in the sky so it can't really be thunder."
Ryuji managed to calm down before another boom was heard. He was clutching onto the flashlight and shivering.
"Calm down," advised Warren.
"I am calm!" Ryuji snapped, unconvincingly. "Just, shut up and follow me."
"Zzzzzzz," Kenzaki snored as he slept away, dreaming of Neko and the stuff they could do together.
Suddenly, a ring tone sounded off, breaking Kenzaki out of his snores. Grumbling, he tossed his pillow over his head, "Shut the phone off!"
"Nnn!" Taisuke groaned from his tent. Kenzaki heard the tent entrance unzipping before the sound of the ringing phone could be head flying through the air.
"Dammit," Kenzaki groaned. "Lazy-ass perv."
Getting out of his tent, Kenzaki stumbled across the ground and grabbed the phone. Looking at it, he realized it was Ryuji's phone and Kotonoha was calling. Tapping the accept button after flipping it open, he held the phone to his ear.
"Yo," he yawned.
"Kenzaki-san?" Kotonoha's voice asked. "Where's Ryuji-kun?"
"Dunno," Kenzaki sighed. "Not here. Taisuke threw his phone out here and he's still alive so he must be with Warren."
Now Kotonoha knew she shouldn't worry. Her boyfriend was strong but he'd also gotten kidnap before so she had a good reason to be worried for his welfare. "Are you sure you can't find him?"
"Hey, he's got Warren watching his back so I don't see a reason to worry."
"Just, tell Ryuji-kun to call me back. Bye."
"Bye." Kenzaki flipped the phone close and wondered if something was wrong. Ryuji leaving his cell behind was downright careless if not stupid. Still, if Warren was out there (wherever it was) with him he didn't have to worry but knowing how Ryuji could get in trouble made Kenzaki feel a little concerned.
Kotonoha was up in her room sitting on the bed and looking at her cell phone. She had called to check up on her boyfriend but instead got Kenzaki. Something had to be wrong. Ryuji-kun NEVER went anywhere without his cell phone. Sand spilled out from Kotonoha and Athena formed, wearing a look of concern as well.
"Are you unwell, My Lady?" asked the Amazon Imagin.
"I'm just worried about Ryuji-kun," admitted Kotonoha.
"Well, he is a male, and they do tend to get into a lot of trouble by themselves," stated Athena. Kotonoha giggled at the joke.
"That's true, but I'm feeling a little uneasy about Ryuji-kun leaving his cell phone," said Kotonoha. She scrolled through the photo album inside of her phone and brought up a photo of herself and Ryuji, together and smiling at the camera. Ryuji rarely smiled except when he was with her.
The cell phone she had was an SB-Cell, just like the one Ryuji had and was technologically superior to the other phones of this world. It had a Vid-Phone option that allowed the speakers to see each other while they communicated, unlimited internet access, and a tracking device. In addition, it could convert into a gun for self defence or release a bright flash of light to blind and stun any attacker. Ryuji wanted Kotonoha to be safe so he'd gotten her the phone for her birthday.
It was as special to her as was the ice crystal he'd made for her and she knew it was something to keep her safe when he wasn't around.
Still, she couldn't help but worry. What was happening with Ryuji now?
"Do you get the strangest feeling that we're being watched?" asked Ryuji.
"All the time," replied Warren as he pointed up to the sky.
"Not what I meant," remarked Ryuji.
"I know," Warren chuckled. "And to answer your question, the answer is no. I don't feel like I'm being watched."
"Well I do," Ryuji growled. "And I don't like it."
As the two boys continued walking, the forest around them seemed to come to life, literally. In all the tree trunks, eyes began to open. All of them scanned the scenery, but then aimed down at the two young men. All the eyes then narrowed dangerously.
"Warren?" asked Ryuji.
"Yes, Ryuji?" Warren responded.
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?"
"If you mean the eyes on trees looking right at us, then I am."
"Oh, OK. For a minute there I thought my mind was playing tricks on me."
The eyes continued to stare as the boys stared back silently before...
The clasp of the necklace around her neck suddenly broke and Kotonoha watched as the ice crystal Ryuji had made for her fell from her neck to the floor with a soft 'thunk'. She picked up the precious crystal hastily and examined at it. No cracks, thank goodness. But why had the clasp suddenly come undone? It didn't seem damaged.
She looked out her window, wondering what her lover was up to. Despite his powers, strengths and abilities, he was still human (so to speak) and had weaknesses and vulnerabilities. The time when he'd gone missing and had been broken was still fresh in her mind.
She was also concerned for both Taisuke and Makoto. Even if they'd hurt her, they were still friends but because Ryuji could hold a grudge for a really long time she was worried for their safety since they could unconsciously raise Ryuji's ire. They had done some things that Ryuji saw as inexcusable. Makoto had broken her heart and Taisuke had tried to take advantage of her.
Ryuji, while hormonal like most boys, could rein in his urges, at least to a certain extent. Still Kotonoha would also seduce him at times which would end up with them making love, sometimes for hours. Those had to be the best times of her life.
Glancing back at the pendant, she wondered if it was a sign or warning that it'd suddenly dropped from her neck. Ryuji had already vocally told her that he didn't believe in fate, destiny or even soul mates, but she still clung to those beliefs and he never once ridiculed her. Maybe, deep down, he did believe they were soul mates but was too stubborn to admit it. Regardless, the fact that he'd met her in the past while chasing after an Imagin was proof enough for her. Ryuji was her soul mate that fate had brought for her. He was hers as she was his, now and forever.
Meanwhile, in the Sands of Time, a certain time train known as the ChronoLiner was carrying a special passenger. This one had red eyes and wore a bored expression on her face as she sat in the passenger car. She had in her hand a photograph of herself with a beautiful white-haired woman and a younger girl with short black hair.
"Damn it," she muttered. She looked out the window. Not much but a barren desert with some rock formations, hills and mountains. She wondered if she could do some rock climbing here on her free time.
"Rosie-chan would've liked seeing this," the passenger said as she looked up at the rainbow colored sky. "Yep, she definitely would've loved this."
The young woman was going to visit some relatives who lived in an alternate timeline from her own. They would be surprised to see her and she was going to make an impression. Sitting next to her on the aisle seat was a boy, no older than 15, with blonde hair, gold eyes, and whisker marks on his cheeks. He was playing a PSP and basically ignoring everything else and had on earphones so he could listen to the sounds of his game.
She gave her younger companion a glance before returning her gaze towards the window. She was no babysitter but this boy was her partner, whether she liked it or not.
Why couldn't she have gotten someone older and more mature?
ZK Chromedragozoid: Wonder who's coming to visit? Is the forest truly haunted? Well, if you want answers, then wait for the next chapter!