NOTE: I do not own either RWBY or Kill la Kill. RWBY belongs to the late Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth, and Kill la Kill belongs to studio TRIGGER…
It was a bright day at Honnoji Academy today.
The sky-crowded up by the occasional cloud here and there-had a nice hue of blue to it today. The moon, barely visible, sat up in the sky, sharing its space with the sun as the two made their way throughout the day.
It almost seemed to be a rarity this year. To have nice days like this once in awhile...he was sure his sister would love to have a relaxing stroll across the countryside, or the beach, or anywhere under this nice blue sky...
...That was a long time ago. Now, it only provided him with two comforts: memories...and visibility.
He walked to the edge of the academy wall-the oppressive tower fully visible in front of him-and stopped at the edge, the courtyard fully viewed from up on high.
Tsumugu Kinagase removed his sunglasses, his steely grey-blue eyes looking upon the place with a mix of stoicism and tranquil contempt, before he crouched to his knees and opened the case he carried with him. He opened it, revealing a gun that looked like a sewing machine. Yet, as he himself had learned to figure out long ago, if you fired it, it operated much like an Uzi. Inside with it were several modifications for the gun...his preferenced one at the moment being the sniper rifle mod.
He set about his business quickly, pulling back the tab of his gun, connecting it in with the mod, adjusting the scope. With his preparation complete, he lined up the sniper rifle and put his eye to the scope.
Honnoji's tower was silent-it's all powerful overlord Satsuki Kiryuin nowhere to be seen. He shifted to the gate, equally as dead. No students in the slightest walking under the star-shaped arch that made what was essentially the front door of Honnoji…
...Where are you…
He shifted his attention to the school windows...and found exactly what he was looking for.
It was subtle, but enough. A small flash of red that his eye barely managed to catch. He readjusted his scope, zooming in on the one particular classroom.
Bingo.
She yawned, clearly bored with the class that she was in. A girl with a mop of black hair and a distinct red highlight with it. On her was a black and red uniform that looked nothing like the other uniforms on her.
...I've found you, Ryuko...Matoi?
He paused for a minute, as his eyes shifted to another source of red in the classroom-more pronounced and vivid from Ryuko's. The girl sat down in an outfit that was even more contrastive with a school uniform. In fact, it wasn't a uniform in the slightest, but something much more different. The girl had on a red cloak, which could completely cover her dark red-tipped hair and somewhat pale skin-tone if she had it up.
Tsumugu was somewhat surprised-he had never been told about this mystery girl before, making this the first time he had seen her. He ended up becoming even more surprised when, most likely out of boredom, she looked out the window...and seemed to take notice of him as soon as she looked in this direction.
The thought of someone spotting him from that distance didn't come to his mind. And to make sure that the girl was in fact looking at him, he pulled his hand away from his gun and raised two of his fingers in a V-sign.
The girl-her silver eyes enough to captivate someone in their reflection-blinked, before she whispered a single word from under her breath. It was clearly impossible to hear from this distance, but Tsumugu could read her lips from this far enough anyway to understand exactly what she said…
"Peace?"
He grimaced. A girl could see him from this distance, despite all of the setup he went through to make sure that he wouldn't be found, he had still been compromised.
The decision went through his mind like a jolt of electricity: Either he take out the girl along with his intended target-not killing her, but certainly knocking her out-or he spare her, kill his target, and risk getting ID'd by her. Which one should he choose? Neither seemed particularly appealing to him, and both would definitely have an impact on his operations…
...The decision was a hard one. But-as he soon realized with the sound of footsteps a fair distance behind him-he quickly found out that the world seemed to have made the choice for him.
Dammit.
His nostrils flared as he closed his eyes and stood up from his position-the rifle still in his hand. Without having to turn around, he addressed the Two-Star student flanked by One-Stars behind him. "What do you want?"
He heard a small cackle. "I see that you've been looking after our flowers! So we thought we would offer a little thank-you."
Oh...the flower-bed...of course. Tsumugu thought to himself as he pulled out a cigarette-remembering he had walked through the flowers behind him while on the hunt. He let out an inaudible growl as he pulled out a lighter and set the tip of his cigarette aflame.
"HEY, This is a non-smoking area!"
Oh, so it's also a non-smoking area...well that just made my day. He sighed, exhaling smoke. "People who rely on Life-Fibers aren't entitled to complain."
"H-How do you know about those!?" He detected a hint of shock in his voice. Tsumugu let off a small smirk before turning around, the cigarette held out from his hand…
"...I don't need to answer that, either." Tsumugu said, flicking away the butt of his cigarette right into the flowers behind him.
The leader of the student-a boy with distinct glasses, a two star uniform that didn't look much different from the others save for what seemed like pails for hands and a large pack on his back-flinched upward, his face contorting with rage. "H-H-He threw a cig-cigarette butt into the sacre-sacred flower bed!"
Within seconds, the One-Star students flanking the boy pulled out their pails, swinging them over the pack of the Two-Star and pouring water into what he saw was soil packed into the top.
"You'll pay for that!" The Two-Star yelled. Just a second after, a large plant started growing out of proportion from the pack, before large, toothy maws grew out and started shooting right for him. With this, the Two-Star smiled. "Gardening-spec, Green Thumb -enhancing Two-Star Goku uniform! That shall be the uniform that buries you!"
Tsumugu leaped up on top of the plants as they smashed into the wall under him, before finding a foothold and running on top of the plants themselves. Then, he leaped off-disengaging the sniper rifle mods from his gun. Dodging a few more plant limbs, he landed on one and opened fire on the crowd below him.
The One-Stars all fell instantly-the barrage of sewing needles from the gun too much for the weakest of Goku Uniforms. The Two-Star, on the other hand, sneered even as several needles found their way into his uniform. "Fool! A mere gun is useless against a Goku Uniform!"
A larger mouth burst out of the ground, it's shadow far eclipsing Tsumugu's. Regardless, without a single shred of fear, he aimed and fired at the massive plant...even as it seemed to shrug off everything that hit it and lunged at him…
...The beast smashed into the small piece of debris that he used as a foothold...and Tsumugu seemed to disappear. Kusanosuke Yaguruma smiled and started laughing haughtiy...until his plant started to wilt and finally die, his face turning to shock.
It was at this moment that he realized that he himself had grown weak. He looked over himself as he fell to his knees, spotting the various needles and realizing exactly what they were for…
"Impossible! The needles...drain my uniforms power…" He said, not realizing Tsumugu walking up to him before it was too late.
Tsumugu stood over him and pointed his gun at the student. "...Let me tell you two useful pieces of information…"
"One: I smoke wherever I want, whenever the hell I want…"
"Please spare me-" the student failed to finish his sentence, as the sewing gun was pressed ever closer to his face.
"Two: I hate...being interrupted!"
The student could only watch as Tsumugu's finger pressed harder and harder on the trigger before the inevitable…
"Are you sure, Inumuta?"
Satsuki Kiryuin sat in her chair, the Student Council Chambers lit by the massive screen she watched with a scowl on her face.
On the screen were several pictures and clips of a small green crystal-the "Dust" that Sanageyama had picked up after Matoi had defeated Takaharu. The crystal was shot from multiple angles, and a few videos showed the crystal being chipped...with the result either being it fading into literal dust or having a small, volatile reaction. To the side of this all, a small stream showing a stoic Inumuta blanketed a good half of the screen.
Inumuta nodded as he responded. "Yes, Lady Satsuki. Despite extensive research on the Dust crystal found by Sanageyama, we have only found little in what it actually is…" He sighed, clearly intrigued yet slightly frustrated at the same time. "...As you can see in the video, the crystal being chipped only resulted in two things: the shard falling apart, or exploding-not fatally so, but explosive nonetheless. Similarly, we once tried simply cutting the crystal in half…"
"And?"
"...It's results were...poor, if I say so myself." He quickly flashed a quick picture of a One-Star student with second-degree burns before continuing. "In general, the volatile nature of the crystal makes experiments on it rather tricky to perform."
...I see, so it is more serviceable to have an expert handle the usage of such a mysterious power...exactly like what she was telling us the day she showed everyone this "Dust." Satsuki sighed mentally as she looked back on the screen. "Understood, Inumuta. Any thoughts on this Dust?"
Underneath the high neck of his uniform, she could tell that he was smirking. He pressed several buttons on his side as even more pictures and videos replaced the previous ones. "Going on account of its reactivity, I would say that this Dust is something akin to a "resource" of sorts for Miss Rose-perhaps a sort of alternating substance for her weapon's ammunition or as a way of allowing her to move at speeds faster than most vehicles. It is nothing more than a guess, but I would put it into consideration, m'lady."
He pulled up one video-the particular incident where she introduced Dust to them all-and widened the video for more clarity. "In another note. I will likely hypothesize that this Dust is both malleable through some procedure, and that there are multiple kinds of this resource, considering the canister and the different colored crystals she showed that one day. What each source does, of course, we'd have to discover through more observation…"
The tone at the end of his sentence indicated to Satsuki all the information she would get at the moment, and she nodded. "Thank you, Inumuta…"
"You're welcome...It looks like you have a guest, M'lady." Inumuta said, no doubt looking at the figure standing in the room behind her. She nodded again. "Yes, Inumuta, you are dismissed for now…"
Inumuta saluted, before cutting out his feed. With the conversation done, she turned her seat around-more pressing matters at hand for discussion at the moment.
She opened her eyes and looked at the Baseball Club Captain standing a few feet away from her, his hands leisurely in his pockets as he looked up with a smirk on his face. He had short blonde hair stuck under a Honnoji Baseball cap, and hazel eyes that looked up at her with a jovial, yet ominous mirth to them. The Honnoji Baseball League uniform-or better known as the Baseball-spec, Home Run-enhancing Two-Star Goku Uniform-went up from his neck to his shoes-his name printed in bold lettering on his back above the number thirteen.
She heard a small exhale under his breath before he spoke. "Does he always make it an effort to sound like a soulless, analytical super-spy?"
"I would watch your tongue. Inumuta is a part of the Elite Four, far above your level…"
The Captain held out his hand in surrender. "Please, Please. I was simply trying to lighten the mood in this rather dark room, nothing more." He pulled his hand out from his pocket, and dropped to the ground with one knee propped up, bowing in her direction. "Baseball Club Captain Kazuya Ichiro at your service, Lady Satsuki."
She looked down at him. Kazuya Ichiro-or fast strike Ichiro, as many students nicknamed him-was a Two-Star student. He was known for his impressive skills with a baseball bat, and his jovial nature towards his own club and other students...something that unnerved many others, considering the behavior of the other Two-Star Captains. She didn't mind as he paid respects to her, and never fell out of line with the Elite Four.
She stared, before starting. "Ichiro, I have a task for you. You know of the past events in the previous days, do you not?"
"The ones involving a certain Ryuko Matoi and Ruby Rose, m'lady?"
"Exactly…" She stood up from her chair, bringing Bakuzan to rest in front of her. "...I have called you here for one express purpose. Are you capable enough to handle it?"
His eyes lit up, and he smiled. "More than capable, m'lady…"
Kazuya exited the Student Council chamber, the information given to him still going through his mind as he made his way back to class.
It seems I will have to make a plan for this particular occasion...perhaps...no, that would be far too risky. Maybe if I-
The distinct sound of a crashing sound guided his eyes to the window, to the wall below, and the sight that was unfolding below…
...It was a few seconds afterward that the sirens started to sound off…
...mmmhm-damn sirens. Ryuko thought as she was stirred awake by the sound of the period ending, her sleep-riddled eyes adjusting as she quickly wiped drool off with her wrist.
It's almost lunchtime, isn't it? Ryuko looked over to Ruby's desk...only to see that she wasn't there, but that a note was left behind.
Ryuko blinked, before she got up-moving through the small throng of students-and looking closely at the note.
"Meet with me at lunchtime."
"-Ruby."
"Lunchtime, huh?" Ryuko said, wondering what exactly she wanted to discuss with her. Ryuko pocketed the note, before turning to the other desk beside hers. "Alright, Mako. Let's...go?"
Ryuko looked at the empty desk, as she realized that Mako was no longer there. Meaning that she either disappeared on her, went to the bathroom...or got captured by a school club.
"Dammit."
On the wall, Tsumugu peered at the Life-Fiber banshi he had in a small container, before pocketing it and turning back to the school, his target making her way out from the classroom. Without a moment's hesitation, he gathered up whatever he had missing, and disappeared into whatever this academy had for a hiding spot. It looked like he would have to catch his target later for now…
Looking out from the window, Ichiro watched the figure disappear and smiled to himself, as an idea started to formulate itself in his head.
Looks like I'll have a plan for you after all...Miss Rose.
Crimson Incandescence
Chapter 6: Seek and Destroy.
Lunchtime...is he anywhere nearby?
Ruby Rose looked up towards the edge of the walls, before moving on to the rest of the school around her. She wasn't looking for Ryuko, nor was she looking for Mako. No, she was looking out for the man with a red mohawk,
She saw him earlier, when she looked out the window. She didn't know why, but she a strange sensation of being watched, and the sight of a man on top of the wall about a mile away, with a sniper rifle pointing directly at her, seemed to confirm her suspicions…
...At least, she thought he was watching her. She did remember seeing him flash a peace sign at her...that, and he didn't seem to open fire on her. It seemed like he was just...watching her.
But what reason would he have to be watching me?
There could've been multiple reasons. Perhaps he was another one under the thumb of Satsuki Kiryuin-or maybe the Kiryuins entirely. Maybe he knew about her being from another world, and is watching to make sure she doesn't cause a large ruckus.
Of course, it could also be possible that he isn't after her...it could've been possible he was also watching Ryuko.
She couldn't find it too much of a far-out idea. As while she knew little about Ryuko's past, she had figured out from various discussions at home that she was known as the "Kanto Vagabond" and the "Guitar Case Drifter." It could be entirely possible that she built up a large amount of enemies or interested parties during that time. The question's that comes out of this is: Who exactly is he, and who does he work for…
...Actually, the real question was: Where's Ryuko and Mako? She kinda expected them to show up by now-
"Don't delude yourselves into thinking that you can beat me with tools you'd use on carp and frogs!"
-Oh, that's where.
Ruby looked upwards at the main building as it promptly exploded outward. Several desks, biology tools, and One-Star students (that looked like normal students on half their body, and muscle made of Life-Fiber on the other) following the dust as it all fell toward the ground. Emerging out of the cloud, Mako started falling, smiling and laughing as she was inching closer to the ground. Following afterward was Ryuko Matoi, falling with her scissor blade in Decapitation mode.
{Finishing Move: Seni-Soshitsu!}
The Kamui clad (or would it be more appropriate to say a lack thereof) girl landed among the rubble blade first, standing on top of it before setting her feet on the ground.
Once again, a small red thread floated in the air before darting toward Ryuko and absorbing itself into the outfit before the transformation finally stopped, and Senketsu turned back into a normal sailor fuku uniform.
Ruby smiled, before she remembered Mako, got up from her perch, and quickly darted upward-catching Mako without a problem and landing on her feet in the process. Mako looked at her and grinned. "Hello, Ruby!"
"Good Morning, Mako." Ruby turned back to Ryuko, who was walking over with her scissor blade in her hand, and the other rubbing the back of her head.
"I guess that wraps it up-GUGH!"
Ruby watched as Mako launched herself at Ryuko, hugging her around the neck and thanking her. Unfortunately, she flew too fast, and spun around Ryuko one time before her velocity sent her in the opposite direction of where Ryuko was walking-causing the two to fall on the ground.
She paused, then giggled, walked over and offered a hand. "Are you alright Ryuko, Senketsu."
"Fine-never better"
{I'm alright...it's not like Mako would injure me even if she tried.}
The three sat on a large chain, as Ryuko raised her scissor blade and, without a single problem, started to shrink the blade down until the blade could only be gripped with nothing more than a finger. Mako cooed at the sight, and Ruby let out a small "Cool" as she watched-both reactions earning a grin from Ryuko.
"You can change the size of your scissor now, Ryuko!"
"Pretty much, it's no big deal now-not having to lug around that big guitar case."
Ruby smiled...until a thought entered her head. "Ryuko, when did you figure out how to do that?"
Ryuko blinked before looking at her. "Just last night. Why?"
"How much training have you had with the blade?"
"Umm...professionally, or on the road?"
Ruby looked at her. Apparently there was no difference to her. "...None. I've often had to learn from either past experience or as I go along." Ryuko said, once again scratching the back of her head. At this, Ruby sighed, her head hanging low as she registered her words.
"Which means if you had been trained you would've learned how to do that sooner wouldn't you…"
"D-Don't blame me. The only one who could've trained me was killed when I found it." Ryuko said, a tinge of sadness to her voice.
"Ryuko. You're scissor blade is a sword. You could be observing the Kendo Club or Sanageyama and still learn something…" Ruby said, earning her a small glare from Ryuko, who puffed her cheeks up.
"W-Well then how did you learn how to use your weapon!? That obviously needs training to properly use." She pointed out.
Ruby blinked, then smiled as she pulled out her weapon and unfurled it into it's full weapon form. "Crescent Rose? Yep, my uncle Qrow taught me how to use it. I would've been garbage before he showed me how to...wield...it." She heard the sound of muffled giggling beside her and looked at Ryuko. She was huddled away, clutching at a surprisingly engaged Mako's shoulder as she held in barely contained laughter. Ruby frowned. "...What's so funny?"
"Uncle...hmh...Crow? That is such a-ha-a cliched name to use?" She tried to hold back another wave of laughter as Ruby stared daggers at her.
"It's not cliche, that is his legitimate name!"
"It is sooo cliche...haha…"
Ruby's own cheeks puffed up as she looked away from the two. As Ryuko continued giggling, Senketsu sighed, before looking up at the one wearing him. {Getting back onto topic here, Ryuko. I should let you know that your blood has been salty lately.}
Ryuko stopped laughing and looked down at her uniform, it's single eye focused on her. {Don't you think you're getting a little cocky lately?}
"You have been rather confident more lately…" Ruby added in as Ryuko started to frown.
"You can tell that from how my blood tastes?"
Senketsu continued to stare. {I can tell any difference or change to your physiology immediately. Starting from your weight and height to your BMI}
As soon as Senketsu stated this, Ryuko's face flushed red, while Ruby-though also somewhat flushed-started smirking. Ryuko whipped her head around, looking at both Ruby and Senketsu, before looking down at the uniform. "B-B-Butt out of private stuff like that!"
{You've been eating too many of those croquettes, Ryuko.}
"No, that's called butting in where you're not wanted!"
"Yeah, Senketsu, those are secrets that a girl herself should know." Ruby said, before bending her head close to the uniform and whispering. "Which I have no problem hearing about, tell me more!"
"DON'T ENCOURAGE HIM!" She yelled at Ruby (who could only respond with her smirk growing wider) before looking down at Senketsu. "I don't have time to waste on chumps like these guys!"
{Calm down. Impatience is bad for you. As is greasy food.}
"Give it a rest already! And wipe that smug look off your face-both of you!" She said, pointing to both Senketsu and Ruby-who seemed close to break out in laughter. Senketsu, on the other hand, only gave out a curt retort.
{I'm incapable of having a smug look on my face. Because I don't have one.}
"QUIT NITPICKING EVERY LITTLE THING I SAY!"
"No, keep nitpicking! This is a riot!"
"YOU QUIT IT! AND DIDN'T YOU WANT TO SEE ME AFTER SCHOOL!" Ruby paused, remembering what had happened earlier. Before she could respond though, Mako-who was watching the entire scene unfold intently-spoke up before her.
"Wow, you're amazing Ryuko! You're doing a comedy duo act all by yourself!."
Ryuko paused, as she had to remember for a moment-only her and Ruby could hear Senketsu for some reason, while Mako-or anyone else for that matter-couldn't hear him. She looked over at Mako, who was simply smiling as she reached into her bag for a bento box. "Oh, you were talking to Senketsu, weren't you? Sorry, sorry!"
Mako continued to talk in her own little world as Ruby and Ryuko both watched with somewhat wide eyes. While she did that, Ryuko glanced back to the girl right next to her. "Why did you ask to meet, don't we do that every lunchtime."
Ruby blinked, before her brow furrowed and she looked around-as if to make sure no one was watching. After seemingly registering that there was no one around, she edged closer and whispered into her ear.
"Earlier today on the far wall. Do you see it?"
Ryuko looked around and spotted a wall in the distance-the repair team working quickly to fix it. "You mean that wall over there?"
"Yes. There was a man watching our classroom with a sniper rifle-red mohawk and darker skin tone. You should keep watch in case he's targeting one of us."
Ryuko paused for a moment. A red mohawk? Interesting. She nodded and said thanks, before Ruby sighed. "Right, now that I got that business out of the way...I have to go use the bathroom!" Ruby said, jogging in place as she got ready to bolt to the nearest bathroom.
Ryuko blinked, before yelling out to her to wait. But it was too late, and Ruby's form disappeared in a fast, red blur flanked by rose petals. Sighing in frustration, Ryuko looked off in the distance-the sound of Mako's constant talking the only thing she heard.
As she sat there, Ryuko became lost in thought. A guy with a sniper rifle and a red mohawk for a hair style. He was watching our classroom, and from what I can gather with the broken wall in the distance. She eyed the top of the wall with the repair crew. It could be he was either beaten to within an inch of his life by a Two-Star. Or he has some means of combating Two-Stars...either way, I should be on edge...probably get out of the open as well…
Ryuko breathed in as she started to turn to Mako. "Alright Mako, Why don't we move our usual lunch spot for the...day?"
It took Ryuko a moment to register what had happened. Mako was flying backwards-her lunch flying out from the bento. In the center of her forehead was a large sewing needle. As Ryuko's eyes went wide with shock, more needles flew from out of nowhere, riddling Mako with them as she slowly fell backwards over the chain.
"Mako!" She dived behind the chain-using it as cover from wherever the needles were fired from-as she crawled over to her friend. "Hey Mako! Are you alright, say something!"
"I Got her out of our hair for a while." Ryuko flinched backward, looking through the massive chain to spot a man walking toward them-a red mohawk for hair.
"She is unharmed. Thanks to the effects of those needles, when she wakes up, any fatigue-any sickness-will be gone. And She'll wake full of vim and vigor...your uniform, however, will have no mercy from me."
He's after Senketsu! Without a moment's hesitation, Ryuko picked up Mako and ran farther back towards another wall. Sitting her friend down, she checked over her.
Covered in food...frozen stiff...but there's nothing else wrong...heartbeat? She pressed her head against Mako's chest. A faint beating could be heard from inside. Still has a heartbeat. So this mohawk guy's telling the truth. Gotta find Ruby before this get's bad.
{Ryuko!}
She turned quickly, spotting the mohawk standing on the massive chain. Without a second thought, Ryuko quickly darted across the open space-pulling out her scissor blade in the process. She seemed to be doing well, dodging the needles that came her way, and almost seemed close to getting out of harm's way…
...Then she felt something catch her wrist, and she lurched to her side, falling on her back. Looking to her left, she saw her hand stuck in some...clamp? Whatever the hell it was! She released her scissor blade and started pulling on the clamp, managing to budge it free in a second...only for another clamp to slam said wrist back to the ground.
OH COME ON! She started reaching for her scissor blade once again, before mohawk's boot came down on her other arm, trapping her completely. Yelping in pain, she looked up to see a...sewing gun in her face?
"W-What the hell. Are you a lackey of Satsuki!?"
"-Take off your clothes."
"Wh-WHAT!?" Ryuko yelled, her anger flaring up at the question. "NO, I'M NOT GONNA TAKE MY CLOTHES OFF, YOU PERVERT! THIS IS THE ONLY THING I'M WEARING TODAY! AND IF YOU THINK I'M GONNA TAKE THIS OFF FOR A PERVERT LIKE YOU-"
"Let me tell you two useful pieces of information." He said, silencing her instantly. "One: I'm not a pervert." He pointed to the clamp around her wrist. "Two: You are unable to transform in front of me."
Shit. She looked over at her Seki Tekko clamped to the ground and growled. The Mohawk simply stared daggers at her as he held her down with the sewing gun to her. "If I fire at this range, you'll die. Take off your clothes."
For a minute, Ryuko said nothing, before she grit her teeth. "Just try it, you bastard."
"You'll leave me no choice, then." He grimaced, his finger slowly tightening around the trigger…
...Until a needle smacked itself into his hand. He growled as he pulled his gun back and looked-spying the piece of paper wrapped around it. With reluctance, he released his foot from Ryuko's hand and started walking away.
Ryuko reached over for the clamp instantly, pulling it out and looking over at the mohawk as he walked away. Before he left, he stopped in his step, and his head turned to eye her. "I'll be back...to strip you tomorrow."
He continued walking away, only hearing from Ryuko a loud yell. "We'll see about that you perverted fucker!"
Ryuko sat there for a minute, processing what had just happened. She had been attacked by the mohawk guy-who was after Senketsu-and was utterly helpless to do anything about it. She grit her teeth as her hands tightened into fists.
Dammit!
She sat bitterly, her mind going to thoughts of the incident-her father's death, and what led her here. She continued to think about all of the events that had happened in the past few months…
...When a large chunk of concrete slammed into the ground right in front of her. She jumped back as the debris shattered at her feet, startling her. Her eyes wide, she looked up at the building above-spotting the massive hole in the wall.
As she started to register just what was happening, a projectile flew right into the side of the hole, blowing it open even further. As more debris fell to the ground, Ryuko yelled out to the hallway above.
"Ruby!"
Rinse, rinse, wash away. Come again, another day!
Ruby repeated the verse in her head as she finished washing her hands, before pulling out some paper to dry them. As soon as she was finished, she tossed the paper into the bin and made her way for the door.
"ahh...Always good to relieve yourself." She said with a smile on her face as she exited the girls bathroom. Stretching her arms she looked outside, seeing the sun shining over the wall as the next period started to close in. "I should head back to Ryuko and Mako…"
She started to walk down the hall, before a two One-Stars ran past with a stretcher, demanding everyone move. As Ruby stepped out of the way of the medical crew, she saw it.
A Two-Star-about as short as Fukuroda-with sunglasses, freckles, and buckteeth. He laid on the stretcher, groaning in pain every time they moved.
Ruby's interest wasn't exactly as piqued as many others, and she started to walk away...until she heard the Two-Star yell-bolting off the stretcher in the process. "Those who wield Life-Fibers aren't entitled to judge! Those who wield Life-Fibers aren't entitled to judge!"
She turned and blinked. Life-Fiber users aren't entitled to judge? What does that mean...was he attacked by the mohawk man?
The three continued on their way towards the infirmary, leaving Ruby frozen stiff as she had to work with what she just heard…
...Before she could make an answer, however, a large smash echoed right next to her, and she looked over to see a massive impact on the wall's surface-a Life-Fiber infused baseball lodged in it's very center.
"W-Wha-"
She turned to look out the window-now falling apart from the force of the hit-and managed to move her head just enough to the right before another baseball slammed into the wall behind her. The impact blowing out debris and dust and as the entire hallway practically exploded around her.
From a small section of the courtyard, Kazuya Ichiro grinned at the sight a good mile away. From all around him, the Honnoji Baseball team roared in applause and cheering for their captain, who stood up and waved his arms out-a Life-Fiber infused bat in his right.
"Alright! Good job team! After school today, I say we all go to the local ramen place for a meal! All on me, whaddya say!"
The team roared once more in approval, before an endless cheer from them could do nothing but drown out any noise from the world around them. Ichiro smiled at the team, before looking back at the building a mile away...and his smile immediately grew from ear to ear.
"Look alive boys, we still got a live one!" The team went silent and looked towards the building.
None of them had the excellent eyesight that Ichiro had, but they all could make out the red in the building. Ichiro saw much more though-seeing Ruby Rose on her knees breathing heavily. She turned to look in their direction, maybe even spotting them from this distance. Hell, he even considered it looking as her eyes lit up the minute she spotted him.
He grinned. "Look at that, boys! She can see us! Let's give her something to watch why don't we!" The baseball team yelled in agreement. "PITCHERS! Line it up!"
Within seconds, the area in front of Kazuya opened up, and was soon populated by a line of Honnoji baseball pitchers at the ready. He drooped his knees and brought his bat back behind him. He smiled and closed one eye-which was all he needed to deal with Miss Rose.
Ruby seemed to notice the set up they were making, because he noticed her finally get to her feet, her pace quickening until she was running through the corridors. Kazuya looked at the pitcher before him and nodded. Said pitcher raised his one leg, pulled back his arm, and lobbed a baseball toward him…
...He hit it hard enough that the impact between the ball and his bat caused a shockwave. For a minute, the world seemed to freeze as the force of the ball collided with the force of the bat. Both fighting for control of which one would go first...the answer, of course, was rather obvious.
The weight behind the ball gave out under pressure of the bat, and the ball was flying, breaking the sound barrier in a second and causing several of the team to cover their ears. It wasn't even a minute before the ball reached the building, smashing through the wall and into the hall-which promptly exploded from the impact. Ruby barely had enough time to react, using her super speed to barely dodge it.
Kazuya smirked as he asked for the process to repeat. And once again, a pitcher stood before him and threw him the ball, which he smacked toward the girl at speeds that only fighter jets could fly at.
Repeatedly he did this, each time figuring out something within the first few hits. Ruby Rose is an extremely fast individual, possibly capable of seeing at distances a normal person's eyes couldn't look at. She's seemingly panicked or frazzled from the sudden attack out of nowhere, therefore making her initiate the "flight" part of a fight or flight response. Due to this, she's also not counterattacking with her weapon-presumably too focused on not getting hit to notice. This also means that she's focused on my baseballs that are sent right at her...and not at the ones sent in her general path, or at her feet. The main source of her speed...bingo-
"-I've got you now." He waited for the next pitcher, who pitched the ball at him. "Strike one: You falter!"
He hit the ball and sent it flying, but not towards Ruby herself. For a minute, Ruby seemed confused at what he was really doing...then she felt something smack her right foot-sending her flying off her feet. It was only after looking down-and feeling her Aura practically do a flip-that she spotted the baseball continuing onward from where her foot had just stepped.
Kazuya wasted no time for the next one. "Strike two: You're knocked out!"
It came so fast that all Ruby could notice of it was the impact between the ball and where her ribs would usually be hit, if not for her Aura. Nonetheless, the blow practically made her heave air and spit, and she smashed through the nearby wall-her Aura disappearing entirely from the attack.
Kazuya smiled, knowing that he had won this. The last pitcher took up a position and threw the ball at him. "Strike three-"
He felt the baseball connect with his bat…
"YOU'RE DONE!"
"NOT A CHANCE IN HELL!"
It happened quickly enough that Ichiro barely had enough time to react, putting the full force of his arms behind the bat. The baseball it had smacked itself against the moment it tried to fly off was cut in half, both parts spiraling off in different directions. The first grazed the Honnoji walls, sending debris flying as it quietly flew off into the sky, until it's velocity sputtered and it fell to the ground quietly…
The other one flew right into the building itself, smashing through several walls. It's path barely avoiding several No-Star students...then suddenly being stopped in it's tracks as Ira Gamagoori-currently walking down the hall at the time-catched the ball with one bare hand and turned to look down at his hand.
Gamagoori stared at the one half of a baseball, growled and crushed it in his hand. He then turned to the window and looked down at the courtyard. He spotted Kazuya Ichiro instantly-his bat locked with the scissor blade of Ryuko Matoi in Kamui form.
Damn Ichiro…
Ryuko pressed hard against the bat of the Two-Star before her, a sly grin plastered from ear to ear on his face that only served to piss her off.
"Ryuko Matoi, a pleasure to make your acquaintance! Tell me, what honor am I being given to be graced with the...rather fine figure you have today."
"Perverted bastard. You know damn well why! Why attack Ruby!"
"Oh, such an interesting question! If I remember correctly, when you two assaulted Satsuki Kiryuin, you both essentially came to oppose us correct-" She looked back in her mind to that day. While she could disagree with "them assaulting Satsuki" any day, she couldn't deny that Ruby did join in the whole "bring down your army, and kick your ass to kingdom come." The Two-Star smiled. "-So it's only natural that there would be a few that would target more than just you and that lovable airhead, don't you think…"
"...Fucker…"
"Oh, what uncouth language...but enough about Miss Rose. My name is Baseball Club Captain Kazuya Ichiro, and these fine gentlemen around us is my team. I would love to stay and chat, but I'm afraid that I'm out of time for today...So-" He pushed forward, throwing Ryuko back a foot at she rushed to regain her footing. It was at this time that one of the pitcher's pulled an underhand throw between them...and Ichiro had raised his bat over his head. "-With that in mind! I'll see you two next time!"
With a smirk, he slammed down on the baseball, smashing it against the ground so hard that it properly formed a crater on impact. Ryuko jumped backwards and skidded to a stop as she went to cover her face from the dust and dirt flown upwards.
It was a few mere minutes before the cloud cleared, but by that time every One-Star and even their shithead of a captain were gone-having retreated from the scene. Ryuko grit her teeth as her grip on the scissor blade tightened. For a minute, Ryuko thought about chasing after them, kicking each and every one of their asses, and making sure that if one even thinks of attacking Ruby, then they might as well die trying. It was only after Senketsu spoke up that she quashed those thoughts instantly. {Ryuko, calm down. You're blood is boiling...and besides, I think it's more important to focus on Ruby for the moment, wouldn't you agree…}
Her grip slackened. As soon as she heard Senketsu mention Ruby, she sighed. "You're right…"
Senketsu transformed back into his uniform form, and Ryuko turned to look at the building, where the wall was collapsed, and spotted Ruby. She was barely struggling to stand up, with her form having to lean on a wall for support. Her breathing was ragged, and one of her hands was gripped on her side where the baseball had hit her. She looked over at Ryuko and, with a pained smile, raised her other arm-giving a thumbs up to her as a way of saying "I'm alright."
Ryuko gulped as she started to walk in her direction, putting away her scissor blade in the process. All through this, she only had one thought going through her head as she made her way toward Ruby.
What the hell just happened today?
What the hell just happened today, Tsumugu?
Aikuro Mikisugi sat at the bar, having discarded the traditional disguise he usually put on for missions like this. He wasn't entirely naked, but he was instantly more recognizable without the floppy parted hair, stubble, and sunglasses…
...And considering what had happened today, it was probably more appropriate to stay out of costume, unless he wanted Tsumugu to smack him in the jaw…
...Speak of the devil he thought as he noticed the small sewing needle floating perfectly in his sake. He sighed, not even giving the red mohawked man a passing glance, before he started to speak. "I hate being interrupted." That's what you want to say, right Tsumugu?"
The man planted himself against the bar, his hands in his pockets and his face in a permanent scowl. Without a single change in tone, he spoke succinctly. "Why did you call me?"
Aikuro smiled. "Pull up a seat! The Kiryuins don't have eyes down here-"
"Why did you call me?"
He recoiled slightly, before he slumped forward-sighing. He really doesn't like being interrupted, huh? He sat up straight, not bothering to look at his colleage. "Leave Matoi alone. This is a crucial period."
"I can't do that." Tsumugu said, getting up to leave.
"Satsuki Kiryuin's national school conquest is nearly complete, with Kansai being left."
This got Tsumugu to stop in his tracks, as Mikisugi continued. "Thwart the ambitions of the Kiryuins by using the Kamui." That was Dr. Matoi's goal, and that is the path that Nudist Beach has chosen. By attacking Matoi's child, you interfere with that path…"
He heard Tsumugu draw a cigarette, light it, then exhale. "That uniform is too dangerous."
Aikuro smirked. "And what if Matoi proves herself to be a powerful ally?"
He grabbed a small bottle of sake, and started to bring it over to another empty cup to his right. However, before he could pour, Tsumugu stopped him. "If she's consumed by that thing, it'll create a threat even greater than the Kiryuins. That's why...I'm going to terminate it now. Before she get's consumed and becomes a monster."
...Alright then...I'm gonna hate what I have to say next. Aikuro thought, as a single question came out of his mouth.
"People and clothing aren't enemies." Isn't that what Kinue said?"
He heard the glass shatter, followed by silence. After about a minute of people mingling in the background, he finally heard Tsumugu speak. "I owe you a debt, and I'll do anything you ask...Except whenever it comes to a Kamui."
Tsumugu turned to leave. Aikuro, in the hopes of convincing his friend at least one more time, spoke up. "If HQ finds out, they'd confiscate all of your gear."
"I would still go after the Kamui...Naked Nudist or otherwise…" He started to take another step, before he remembered the incident from earlier. "...Before I go. The girl in the red hood...who is she?"
"...Her name is Ruby Rose. As for if she's a friend or foe, you can ask her yourself...provided she doesn't try to stop you from hunting down Matoi."
Tsumugu was silent for a second, before he continued his exit-only leaving behind a single sentence. "Nothing can stop me-not even a girl in a red hood."
With those last words, Tsumugu walked out into the moonlit streets of Honnoji City's slums. No one paying him any attention, and no one making an effort to stop him as he headed back to his forward base…
"...Ruby Rose...where have I heard that name before?"
Title Reference: Seek and Destroy-Metallica.
I nearly fucked up the chapter title. THANKS A BUNCH, BRAIN!
*sigh* Getting that out of the way. WOOHOO! JUST IN TIME FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY, HELL YEAH! AND JUST AROUND THE SAME TIME THAT RWBY Vol. 4 IS ANNOUNCED UWWWAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH-
* has stopped working. System reboot initiated.*
-WHJA-WHAT! Where am I...oh-I'm back at my computer, that's right. Hello ladies and gentlemen, It's CrazeStasis with CHAPTER 6! YAAAAY, I DID IT MOM! I DID IT!
-And it has-*gasp*-an ORIGINAL CHARACTER!? WHAT!
Alright, first, let me explain. Recently I've had some ideas for the story, ideas about potential sequels, and where to take them all. And while I would generally save the likes of OC's for a fic that is more along the line of "Original" (as in, it's a story directly from the writer, and not copied completely from what the fic is based off of), I've been having a very enticing idea waddle through my noggin for the last few days.
So yep. Baseball Club Captain Kazuya Ichiro. I'm kinda trying something different with this guy. As most of the Club Captains seen in Kill la Kill don't seem entirely bright in certain ways. So I tried to make a captain that had a semblance of intelligence behind him, and therefore makes him more dangerous.
Now, for those that are hating this decision already, don't worry! Ichiro will only be around for this small little arc with Tsumugu. Even then, I may have a special treat down the line for those that don't mind. (Manic laughter heard in the background).
Now, with that out of the way. Let me just say that MAN, I feel back in the zone already! I don't know if this chapter is good, but I did have a good time writing it! Sure, I'm quite confident that someone will find something weak about it but in all honesty, I'm really happy with this one.
Of course, for those that don't know it already, this chapter can easily be distinguished as set-up for the next one-which could ONCE AGAIN be rather lengthy upon being fully written. I won't exactly know how long-especially considering this next chapter will primarily be a large clash between A.) Ryuko and Tsumugu and B.) Ruby and Kazuya. But considering how much may happen, it may be very long or just the same length as always...who knows. For now, we'll have to wait and see.
And as for Kazuya's "plan..." well, it's rather simple, but surely effective. We'll just have to wait and see what he's cooked up next time, won't we.
Well, that's all for today, I'm afraid. For now, just remember to REVIEW-and if you want to, you can favorite and follow to your heart's content. I'm not stopping you.
Alright, so what's the chapter title clue of the hour this time...oooh…
Chapter 7: Treat' em like ladies, that's a fact! You know the chase...is better than the catch!
*whew* Now, for Fun, Fedora's and-BizZIIT-What the hell...Why am I going all static-FZITZZ-WHAT! WHAT'S GOING ON. OHH NOOOO! SOMEONE'S -KZZIZZZZZZITTTTTT
He sat on the ground of the Honnoji City slums marketplace for what seemed like an hour. His full frame was covered in dark, grimy rags-with the only unique trait to define him being the cap popping out from under the hood.
He looked up, having waited for the one person he was looking for, and spotted her instantly. Young, but old enough to be a mother. Similar looks, caring-if ditzy-attitude. Bingo!
The lady made her way towards his direction-several bags of indistinguishable food scraps wrapped in multiple plastic bags of various sizes. As soon as she was close enough, he held out his hand to get her attention. "Excuse me, miss! Excuse me! Are you perhaps out shopping for groceries this afternoon!"
The woman blinked, then smiled as she answered. "Oh! Why yes! In fact, I was wondering what I could get tonight for what little money I have tonight."
"Are you, ma'am. Well, if I could hold your interest for just a few minutes at best. Could I show you something that I'm sure your daughter would absolutely love!"
"Hmmmm...does it have to be for just my daughter...why not my whole family."
He coughed. "Well ma'am! This is the strange thing. What I'm offering will give tons of good luck to mothers and daughters that have this meal-provided you can deal with a stomach ache for a day or two. Feed it to your entire family, on the other hand, and tons of bad luck will befall your family! See where I'm getting…"
The woman nodded, her face in a stony frown. "I see, so my daughter will get really lucky if I feed it to her."
He nodded in approval, and for a minute, the woman paused in silence as she thought about the offer being made. Then she smiled. "So what is this, exactly!"
"Right here, ma'am!" He pulled out a large piece of candy, which the woman eyed quietly, before looking past it and right at him.
"How much do you want for it?"
"How much do you got?"
"Six hundred yen."
"I'll sell it for two hundred!"
"Done!"
She handed him two hundred yen almost immediately, while he handed her the piece of candy. Within seconds, she was walking down the road, smiling as she looked at the candy. Before she did leave however, she looked back and, with a smile, said thanks to the boy as she continued down the street.
The boy smirked, adjusted his cap, and looked over at the lady as she walked away. "-It was a pleasure doing buisiness with you, ma'am…"
Kazuya Ichiro stood up, put his hands in his pockets, and started down the opposite direction. "...I'll be sure to put it down the tab for tonight's dinner…"
For Fun, Fedora's, and Insanity...PEACE!
-CrazeStasis.