NEW LIFE CHAPTER PART 11: GUILT

"BLACK 13?" Mion cocked her eyebrow. "What do you mean BLACK 13's been talking to you. You're-" Mion cut herself off at the end when she saw his expression. "Oh, Shin-chan. I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine," Shinichi said. "Maybe it's just my imagination."

"But what if it isn't?" Rena asked worriedly.

"BLACK 13, whether you like it or not, is part of your past, Shinichi," said Rika. "And that makes it part of who you are."

"Guys, I really don't wanna talk about this," remarked Shinichi. The bell was heard. "Come on, we're going to be late." He walked past them and entered.

"Shin-kun..." murmurred Rena.

"Man, so much is going on with him," said Keiichi.

"Last night we saw him kill one of the NUMBERS," said Satoshi.

"Actually, it gets worse. He was using the Higurashi no Yaiba as well," said Hanyuu. "Who knows who else knows about it?"

Oryo was reading from a scroll retrieved from the clan's records. It was the same as Rika's. It depicted the Higurashi no Yaiba and the legend behind it. It held the power to vanquish demons as well as granting great power upon the wielder.

"A weapon like that does not belong in the hands of an outsider," Oryo spoke to herself. She coughed. Despite having to show a strong and cold exterior, she was growing old and week. However, as clan head, she could not show weakness. "Soon, Mion will be taking over. She must learn of how important this is to the Sonozakis."

Shinichi wasn't really paying attention to his work. His mind kept going back to when he'd killed Dancer, again. He'd killed another Rider like himself.

'I did the right thing,' Shinichi thought. 'He was threatening innocent people. I had to do it. He would've gone after my friends.' His eyes scanned the classroom. 'No...' he corrected himself. 'They're not just my friends. They are my comrades. They are...my family.'

'But No. 05 used to be a comrade as well,' a darker voice spoke in his head. Shinichi's eyes widened and he yelped in shock.

"Shinichi-kun, are you feeling alright?" Chie-sensei asked.

"I'm...I'm fine," he said. His friends looked at him with worry. He gave a chuckle. "I'm just fine, guys. Nothing to worry about," he assured them. 'That voice...'

During lunch, the Gaming Club sat together. Shinichi was eating his food slowly. His mother had made him bento with deep friend breaded shrimp, slices of tomato and cucumber, and fried rice with bits of chicken inside. He ate slowly, and even poked and proded at his food, earning worried looks from his friends who'd been chatting idly with one another.

"Shin-kun, are you okay?" Rena asked.

"Oh, I...just don't have much of an appetite," Shinichi said. He then overheard two of the younger boys in class talking about last night.

"The Kamen Rider totally beat that centipede guy," said one boy.

"Yes, it was awesome!" the other boy agreed.

Shinichi frowned. There was nothing to boast about nor feel proud about last night. He'd killed an actual person. Dancer had been like him. They had been taken by GIN-SHOCKER and turned into weapons. Dancer used to be human!

Rika noticed as he clenched his chopsticks tightly in his hands. Reaching over, she placed a hand upon his trembling hand. His gaze fell on the young shrine maiden as she gave a comforting smile.

"Don't worry about anything, Shinichi," Rika assured him. "We're all with you."

Shinichi felt relieved when he heard that. However, he couldn't help but feel a bit guilty. Fortunately, he didn't have to isolate himself and feel alone. He had friends now.

'But for how long?' the dark voice said.

'Shut up! You're not real!' Shinichi snapped back mentally.

'I'm as real as you are. Did you really think you could erase me? I'm part of you, as I've always been since that day you were given the title of No. 13.'

Shinichi ignored the voice and went back to eating.

'The only reason I still exist is because you never got rid of your...' and the voice went silent.

Shinichi was glad to be rid of that voice, but then he felt nagged by what was at the end. What was the voice trying to tell him?

Whatever it was, it could not be good.

"So, what are we playing today?" Shinichi asked. It was after school and time for club activities.

"Oh, it's nothing complicated," said Mion. "Just a little game I'd like to call...JENGA!"

In the middle of the floor was a tower made of rectangular wooden blocks. Each storey was three blocks placed adjacent to each other along their long side and each storey was placed perpendicular to the previous.

"The rules are simple. We each go one at a time and take a block from the tower and stack them to the top. The one who makes the tower drop, loses," Mion said. "We'll take our turns in clockwise order starting from me!"

"Sounds simple enough," said Keiichi. 'OK, I am not going to lose!'

Everyone were thinking along the same lines.

And so the game began.

One by one they took their turns. They sat in a circle and took turns in a clockwise order. After Mion was Shion, then Keiichi, followed by Rena, Satoshi, Satoko, Rika, Shinichi, and finally Hanyuu before going back to Mion.

After about 15 minutes, the once sturdy tower now looked completely unstable. Blocks were missing from its main structure, stacked onto the top which slowly grew taller as it became more unstable. The base was now a single block in the middle without the flanking blocks to keep it strong. The tower also looked a little wobbly and the slightest breeze would knock it over.

Now it was Shinichi's turn and he gulped. He took a random block and slowly and carefully pulled it out. "Nobody breathe," he warned his friends. They watched in anticipation as he got the block free.

'Fall! Fall! Fall!' Mion mentally urged. She really wanted Shinichi to get a penalty for losing.

Shinichi held his breath and put the block slowly on the top of the structure and carefully released. Once his hand was away, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"OK, looks like it's Satoshi's turn," said Shinichi.

Hanyuu whimpered as she saw the tall tower sway. From the beginning of the game she had felt nervous. She was afraid the tower would fall each time she took a block and stacked it up onto the top. Luckily, they were playing on the floor so Hanyuu wouldn't need to struggle to reach. However, that didn't calm her nerves well enough.

"Au...Au...Au..." Hanyuu whimpered as she reached for a block but as soon as her fingers touched the Jenga tower, it fell over. "AU!"

The tower fell and broke apart into separate blocks. They lay sprawled on the floor.

"Looks like Hanyuu-chan is the loser," said Keiichi.

Hanyuu looked ready to cry. She hated losing. Rika reached up and gave her friend a pat on the head.

"So, who gets to give her the penalty?" Shion asked.

"Well, it should be the one whose turn was before Hanyuu's, so..." Mion looked to Shinichi. "OK, Shinichi, what will you have Hanyuu do?"

Shinichi's eyes focused on Hanyuu. He then spoke his request, "I want you to ask Yukinojou to spar with me."

Everyone gawked at him.

"What?" Hanyuu blinked.

"I need a sparring partner," said Shinichi. "I keep getting attacked by NUMBERS so I'll need to improve. Yukinojou is the only member of the NUMBERS not actively trying to kill me."

"Shin-kun, are you serious?" Rena asked.

With narrowed eyes Shinichi answered, "I am. I need to practice fighting without the risk of hurting anybody."

"You could hurt Chiaki-san!" protested Hanyuu.

"I could, but I doubt it," said Shinichi. "And, I believe if I ever gave him the chance he would want to beat me to the bloody pulp. However, I need to spar. Training on my own can only get me so far."

"You really are serious about this, aren't you?" asked Mion.

"I need to become stronger so I can protect you guys and Kaa-chan," replied Shinichi. "Can't you understand that?" Shinichi felt a hand on his head.

"Shin-kun, we can help you fight," said Rena. "We've helped you before." She was referring to their fight against Gebok where he'd used his powers to augment and transform them into pseudo-Riders.

"I can't risk it," said Shinichi. "Just because I give you guys Rider powers doesn't mean you can beat the NUMBERS. They...I mean we were trained to fight for ten years. They aren't like the Cyborg Mutants either. They've got more power to them, like I do," said Shinichi.

"You seriously underestimate us, Shin-chan," said Mion.

"I don't think so, Mion," he retorted.

Mion and Shinichi's eyes were locked. The glare she had was one belonging to the future head of the Sonozaki clan. However, the glare he was giving her was that of a hardened soldier.

Neither broke their glare. The others grew uncomfortable as they watched.

"If it's training you need, I can set up an obstacle course," said Satoko.

"We can help you train too," said Keiichi.

"You don't have to go it alone," added Satoshi.

"Shin-kun..." Rena said pleadingly.

Rising to his feet, Shinichi answered, "I'm sorry, but this war is between me and the NUMBERS." He collected his bag and went to the door. "See you guys tomorrow."

Rena quickly got up and gave chase after him. "Shin-kun!" She ran outside and saw him starting the engine of his bike before he drove away from the school. "Shin-kun..."

Rika watched Shinichi leave. She said, "He feels like he has the whole world on his shoulders. His past is a burden he must bear. This is his burden as a Kamen Rider. However, he does not need to bear it alone."

Up on the roof of his apartment building, Shinichi was training. His workout clothes were his gym clothes. He was wearing combat gloves and a sweatband. In front of him was a stack of cinder blocks.

"Hyah!"

SMASH!

With a single strike he smashed them to bits. The roof was his private training area. The view was great and all and calmed him, but he was anything but calm. The guilt from his victory over Dancer still ran deep. He just couldn't get rid of it. He couldn't remember actually killing them the first time, but killing Dancer the second time brought up feelings of self-loathing within him.

And there were plenty more cinder blocks to smash.

Shiori had invited Rika and Hanyuu to come for dinner. She had seen Shinichi come into the apartment but then he left in a haste. She knew he'd gone to the roof, judging by his clothes. When the doorbell rang, Shiori smiled. "Ah, Rika-chan and Hanyuu-chan are here!" She moved towards the door and opened it to reveal Rika and, instead of Hanyuu, Rena.

"Rika-chan and Rena-chan! Good evening! Where's Hanyuu-chan?" said Shiori.

"Hanyuu...had something to do," said Rika.

"Is Shin-kun home?" Rena asked.

"I think Shinji's up on the roof," said Shiori. "He akways goes up to the roof to exercise."

'Exercise...as in training,' thought Rika.

"I'm going to see Shin-kun," said Rena. "Thank you, Shiori-san!" Rena then went for the elevator. Rika entered Shiori's home and thanked her for her hospitality. The woman, while not really her mother nor was she her guardian, yet, Rika felt close to the woman. For a long time she'd been without her own parents who'd been murdered years before, leaving her as the head of the Furude Clan. She was, however, still a young girl and while allowed to attend council meetings, she was not required to due to her young age. She did, however, insist she be allowed to attend to voice out her own opinions. Though she was young physically, she had a sharp and wise mind. However, she liked the way Shiori treated her. She liked having a mother again.

The idea of Shiori becoming her and Hanyuu's guardian appealed to her. Shiori was already thinking of moving into a house in Hinamizawa. The Sonozaki clan had a lot of land and empty houses so Shiori could buy one for her own use. In fact, Satoko and Satoshi's old house was still available. However, there were still painful memories associated to that house and Satoshi and Satoko still weren't ready to go back into it.

The decision for Shiori to become Rika and Hanyuu's guardian also needed to be agreed upon by the village council. Shiori really detested politics, but there was nothing she could do. While she could convince Kimiyoshi (who was secretly a fan of her work), Oryo was a huge obstacle. The old woman didn't like her and the feeling was mutual for Shiori. However, Oryo was getting old and that would leave Mion as head of the Sonozakis.

Still, while not legally her guardian, Shiori decided that she would still treat both Rika and Hanyuu like her own daughters. She'd wanted a daughter before Shinichi vanished all those years ago.

On the living room table were sheets of paper filled with writing. "Are you working on a new book?" Rika asked Shiori.

"Oh, ideas have been slow lately," Shiori said. "Don't go peeking, Rika-chan. That's for older eyes only."

Rika nodded. Maybe in a few years she would be able to read them. In the meantime she should just stay a kid.

"Now, what would you like for dinner, Rika-chan?"

Hanyuu was joining Chiaki for dinner at his campsite in the forest. As usual it was fish roasted over an open fire and delicious porridge. Hanyuu had told him about Shinichi's idea.

Chiaki had agreed.

Chiaki had written his answer, stating that sparring with him would be beneficial for the both of them. Chiaki may not possess the same versatility as Shinichi, but he was physically strong.

Hanyuu, "So, you won't kill him while you spar?"

He shook his head.

"And you really want to help him?"

He nodded.

"Because of me?"

He nodded again.

"That's good!" she beamed.

He returned the smile with his own.

They were also being watched.

Shinichi was surrounded by smashed cinderblocks and was now practicing with his shinai. He swung his bamboo sword, using kendo moves he'd seen and read about in books. He had no formal training in kendo but that didn't stop him He had another source of training to draw upon; his ten years in GIN-SHOCKER.

He performed a sharp thrust and then spun and swung his bamboo sword horizontally. He held his training weapon vertically before him and swung down. He then spun and did a blocking move by holding the shinai horizontally above his head before holding it in a reverse grip to block an imaginary strike from the side. He stopped to take a breather and heard clapping. Turning around, he saw that it was Rena.

"Sugoi!" she applauded.

"Rena-chan," Shinichi blinked. He wiped his face with the towel he had hanging from his neck. "What are you doing here?"

"I was worried," Rena told him.

"You don't need to be," he told her. Rena approached him and placed her hands on his shoulders. He hid them under his clothes, but he had a muscular and athletic build. After reading a few of Shiori's books, her dreams had become quite...wet. She wanted to feel their nude bodies pressed against each other. The images were vivid and always left her breathing heavily and sweating as well as becoming moist right between her legs.

She kissed him deeply and Shinichi, after recovering from the surprise, kissed her back. He dropped the shinai and wrapped his arms around her waist, holding the girl close to him.

The kisses they shared were special, but couldn't compare to the first kiss they shared last year. They broke the kiss, a line of saliva connecting their lips. Shinichi then pressed his lips against hers again, wanting to taste her. His hands went down her waist to cup her behind. Rena gasped but relaxed. Shinichi was a pervert but he was her pervert. If it had been any other guy, she would beat them up or cut their 'little buddies' with her cleaver.

They broke the kiss but then he planted kisses on her face before kissing her neck. She moaned as she clung to him. He nibbled on her neck. He wanted to leave his mark on him.

'Take her,' the infernal voice encouraged. 'Take her now. She wants you to take her. She's practically throwing herself at you. Throw her down and take her. TAKE HER!'

Shinichi's eyes snapped open and he pushed Rena away from him. "Shin-kun?" Rena uttered as she stared at him. His eyes were wide and his pupils were dialated.

He mentally tried to block the voice of BLACK 13. It was tempting him, trying to make him do evil things. It was actually urging him to take Rena against her will. That was the worst thing he could ever do to the girl he loved. That was the ultimate act of betrayal he could commit against one he loved so dearly.

"Shin-kun, are you okay?" She placed a hand on his shoulder and he stiffened. He then felt her pat his head. "Shin-kun?" He gazed up at her, his indigo eyes locking with her blue eyes. He relaxed. The voice was gone, at least for now.

"I'm fine," he told her. "I'm just..."

"BLACK 13 was talking with you again," guessed Rena.

"Rena-chan..."

"Shin-kun, I know what it's like to hear strange voices. When...when I lived away from the village, I heard voices too. It was Oyashiro-sama's voice."

Shinichi's wanted to correct her, telling her that Hanyuu was Oyashiro-sama but bit his tongue. Rena was a devoted believer of Oyashiro-sama and so breaking her views of the deity would probably cause her to react violently.

"So, you're not alone," said Rena. "Because, I know what it feels like to feel helpless and alone, but I'm not alone anymore and neither are you." She reached to his bands and brushed away the hair conceiling the scar. The scar was his brand and proof of his former identity as BLACK 13.

"No. 09, must you read that filthy thing in here while we eat?" a female member of NUMBERS asked. She was deathly pale with black lips and dark brown eyes which had black mascara on them. Her hair was black with blood red highlights and she was wearing a black sleeveless dress with black cuffs around her wrists, black fingerless gloves on her hands and black nail polish. She wore a short, frilly and poofy skirt with black and white striped socks and black boots with platform heels. She also wore a choker with a pendant shaped like a spider. Her hair was done up in a ponytail with a pair of hair sticks stuck in it. Her name was Hana Nekozawa.

Sitting at a cafeteria table with her was a boy her age. He had spiky brown hair, green eyes, and wore a black blazer over a green shirt, cargo pants and sneakers. In his hands was a book and his eyes were on the words, reading intently. His name was Yokoshima Ryuunosuke.

"Oh, just chill, No. 07," he said to the Goth girl. "It's pretty good. A woman actually wrote this."

"No. 09, isn't there anything else that you can read?" 07 asked.

"Well, I do have 11 other books in my bag," he answered.

"That's good."

"All written by the same author," he added.

The girl gave a snort of disgust and proceeded to poke and prod at her meal. She really didn't have much of an appetite but she was still a bit hungry. She was sick and tired of the other NUMBERS talking about how they would kill BLACK 13. It was like they had nothing else to talk about.

The loss of No. 05 was a blow to their pride, but aside from that the Centipede Rider was not missed. Nobody cared that he'd died, only that it proved he was just weak.

07 actually wished she was dead again. There was no reason for her to live at all. The only thing stopping her from killing herself was her self-preservation programming.

She didn't remember her life before GIN-SHOCKER. Like the others she'd been taken young and went through the procedure that would make them loyal soldiers for GIN-SHOCKER. The scientists who worked on them became their guardians.

But now they were all under Gebok's watch. She really didn't like the man. He was creepy and she was a Goth!

07…Hana didn't interact much with the other NUMBERS. There were only a few whom she spoke to, like 09, 11, 08 and 02. They were the more sociable and saner member of the NUMBERS. 04 was a psycho, 00 had no real personality and by the book, 10 had an ego, 12 thought everything was a game. 03 was a coward and a cheat, 06 was obnoxious, and as for 01…he was just someone who seemed bored with life in general and found excitement in fighting.

They certainly weren't a bunch of people one could have a conversation with that did not involve BLACK 13. At least 08 was a musician and 02 was a good listener. As for 11…that girl was spacey.

"Hey, whatcha doing?" No. 11 said. She was a cute girl with tanned skin, long black hair and hazel eyes. She was wearing a green t-shirt that exposed her midriff and tight blue jeans. She was also eating a banana. Her real name was Michiru Misami.

"No. 09 is reading another one of his perverted books," stated 07.

"Can I have one?" asked No. 11.

"Sure!" No. 09 handed No. 11 a book.

No. 07 just palmed her face in dismay.

At least a conversation with them would not devolve into an argument about BLACK 13.

Slasher stood protectively in front of Hanyuu as he faced against one of his former comrades in NUMBERS. His armor was based on a dobsonfly. His armor was brown and worn over a black bodysuit. He had circular shoulderpads and his torso was styled after a dobsonfly's abdomen. His helmet was styled after a barbute with insectoid eyes and a mouthplate with dobsonfly pincers for horns. In his hands were pincer-like swords and hanging from his back were insect-like wings that hung like cape. An 'X' was on his right shoulder, representing his number. He was No. 10 of the NUMBERS, Kamen Rider King.

"You're really too much trouble, No. 02," King stated. "Zero wanted to let you live, but I think it's best that you die if you're not going to kill BLACK 13."

Slasher's chainsaws came to life. He was ready to fight in order to protect Hanyuu.

Slasher then charged at King and their weapons clashed, causing sparks to fly as the chainsaws tried to cut into King's swords without success. Sparks continued to spill around their feet.

Rena's father was out with friends so that meant Rena could join Rika and the Banabaras for dinner. They conversed over dinner. However, in the middle of dinner, Shinichi's scar began to throb. Trouble was afoot.

"May I be excused?" asked Shinichi. "I…need to use the bathroom." He got up from his seat and went towards the bathroom, locking the door as he entered. Inside, he activated his transformation, whispering, "Henshin. Let's Ride: Showa." When his transformation was complete he whispered, "Let's Ride: Biorider."

Slasher made no sound as he was struck repeatedly by King, with Hanyuu powerless to do anything as she watched.

Well, nearly powerless. While she hadn't displayed her powers as much before, knowing how people would react, she had to help Chiaki. Thus, she focused her attention towards a few rocks on the ground and reached towards them. Using her telekinesis, she lifted them up and threw them into the back of King's head. King stopped his assault on Slasher and turned his attention towards Hanyuu.

"After I kill this traitor, you're next," King threatened.

Hanyuu, eyes red with anger, shouted, "NO!" and a blast of telekinetic energy slammed into King, slamming him against a tree, hard. With a grunt, he glared at Hanyuu. He roared and with his wings flew towards her, but while in midair, Slasher came down on him and smashed him to the ground with the heel of his foot. He pushed Slasher off him and picked himself back up.

"Die, traitor!" King roared as he swung his sword down on Slasher but his target vanished right before his eyes. "Huh?" He stumbled forward. His eyes then locked onto Hanyuu, with Slasher by her side, fleeing from the scene. Hanyuu was holding onto his hand and pulling him along with her.

She had temporarily stopped time and dragged Chiaki away. His armor had deactivated due to the damage it sustained and he sounded like he was panting. Snorting, King prepared his finisher. The black crystal in his belt buckle glowed with power. The energy crackled around his arms and into his swords. He then swung at their retreating forms, sending ebony and crimson energy blades that would slice them to pieces.

The blades never hit as a green energy blade slammed into them and the attacks cancelled each other out.

King then saw who'd interfered and growled, "BLACK 13…"

"Shinichi!" Hanyuu cried out in joy.

Bedecked in his Higurashi Form, Showa hefted the Higurashi no Yaiba on his shoulder. "You two get out of here. I'll deal with this guy."

Nodding, Hanyuu continued to escape with Chiaki.

"It's been a long time, BLACK 13," said King. "You've changed," he admired his foe's armor.

"A lot has changed," Showa answered. "So, let me guess: you came to kill me."

"Actually, my plan was to show you your place and then kill you, but I also plan to kill No. 02," admitted King.

"That guy, even if we're not close friends, deserves to live in peace here," Showa defended. "I won't let anyone disrupt that."

"Oh, so you're going to kill me like you killed No. 05?" King mocked.

"If I must," said Showa sternly.

"Well, then we should get this show rolling, shouldn't we, BLACK 13?"

Showa's eyes narrowed. "Don't call me that name."

"Then come and stop me," dared King.

"Gladly!" Showa charged and King charged right back. Once they closed the distance between them they clashed. They struck at each other with their swords, sparks flying as the metal blades connected. King laughed as he managed to push Showa back with a double sword swing but then had to jump out of a way from a sword slash that sliced the tree behind him in half. Showa aimed a kick at King which hit him in the gut, causing the Dobsonfly Rider to growl in annoyance. He put his swords together and formed a pair of scissors. He tried to catch Showa between the blades but Showa jumped over him and landed behind him to land several hits in quick succession on King's back. King whirled around, disconnecting his swords and tried to slice Showa's head off, only for Showa to perform a split. With a grin, Showa jumped up and slammed the top of his head into King's chin, knocking him backwards.

"You…bastard!" snarled King.

"So, when is the part where you 'show me my place'?" Showa taunted.

King was about to charge but then he heard something. "What the hell?"

Showa's eyes narrowed, "Darkloid…"

Out of the darkness a massive creature arose. It looked like someone crossed a cat with a crocodile. It had the body of a crocodile, but the head of a cat, and covered in fur. Patches of its fur were missing to reveal scales. It was a really horrendous sight. It roared at Showa and snarled, spittle flying from its mouth.

"Hmph," huffed King. "Guess that's my cue to leave. Have fun playing." King's wings spread and he took to the skies.

Showa didn't give chase. He had something else to deal with right now. He smirked and bent down beckoning with his fingers, like one would do with a normal cat.

"Come here, you ugly freakshow," Showa taunted.

The Darkloid roared and leapt at him furiously, striking with its massive claws. Showa stepped back to make some distance and blasted it right in the face with beams he fired from his sword. The Darkloid howled in agony at the damage of it now ruined eye. It took another swipe at Showa who jumped & spun in the air to land in front of the creatures face. He blasted at its fangs as it tried to bite him and the massive teeth shattered. He then jumped upon its face and began shooting at it again.

The CatCroc Darkloid roared as it shook Showa off. Showa landed on the ground harshly and before he could get up he was grabbed by two Darklings. He cursed, "Damn, I must've miss them."

The CatCroc roared in delight as it swiped at Showa, sending him flying and destroying the two Darkling holding him to the process. Showa crashed against a tree.

"Damnit," Showa grunted, hand on his chest as the CatCroc Darkloid stalked forward. Suddenly, Showa noticed something coming from the sky. 'Needles!' his mind screeched.

He rolled out of the way as the barrage of needles flew. He was barely able dodge them. The CatCroc wasn't as lucky as its body was now covered in needles. It let loose a dying screech as it blew up.

"Crud I thought with Zero's powers you would be killed quickly." Showa turned around to see who'd spoken. His helmet was covered by a metallic hood and the mouthguard looked like a circular mouth filled with razor sharp metallic teeth. His torso was covered in black armor and he had circular pads on his palms that looked like suckers.

"Who are you?" Showa demanded.

"No. 01: Scanner," the Leech Rider introduced himself, "Of the NUMBERS and your death."

"Heard that one already," Showa shrugged. "Look, if you want to kill me there's a long list. So, how did I kill you again?"

"Well, I'd spare you the gruesome details," said Scanner in a bored tone, "But the short version is that you tore my tongue out."

"And that killed you?" Showa remarked sarcastically.

"I bled to death. Now, I'm going to do the same to you."

"Just try it!" dared Showa.

"Gladly!" Scanner lunged, hoping to sink his suckers onto Showa, but instead his hands gripped the blade of Showa's Higurashi no Yaiba. Scanner grinned. "Give me the sword!" he demanded.

"No!" Showa denied and the Higurashi no Yaiba reacted. It let loose a song of a thousand cicadas before letting loose a blast of power that sent Scanner flying. He rolled along the ground and lay face up. He stared at his hands in horror as they were scorched and smoking.

"My hands!" shouted Scanner in despair.

"Guess my sword doesn't like you," joked Showa.

Scanner rose to his feet and fired a needle storm at Showa. However, Showa countered with his sword, deflecting the needles with the blade as he swung repeatedly. The needles fell at his feet without harming him.

"Damn it!" cursed Scanner.

"My turn!" Showa dashed towards Scanner. "CROSS CLASH!"

SLASH!

SLASH!

"ARGH!" Scanner screamed as he was struck. He stumbled backwards in pain. Showa had the tip of his sword pointed threateningly at Scanner's throat.

"Leave," Showa commanded, "Leave and never return."

Scanner backed away in fear, and stuttered out, "You-you'll pay for this!" He then turned and fled, disappearing through the trees.

With a sigh, Showa took to the skies. His mother still thought he was in the bathroom.

"You were in there a long time, Shinji," remarked Shiori upon his return.

"Well, you know…" Shinichi shrugged. He looked to Rena and smiled. Rika smiled back at him knowingly.

KR Chrome: This chap introduces a lot of NUMBERS

01/Scanner and 09/Yokoshima Ryuunosuke were created by milord-z 2.0

07/Hana Nekozawa was created by Ten-Faced Paladin

11/Michiru Misami and 10/King were created by Iron-Mantis