TREASURES CHAPTER PART 1: IRREPLACEABLE

The underground torture chamber of the Sonozaki Clan was as disturbing now as it was when it was first built when the Sonozaki Clan helped found the village. While the Kimiyoshi Clan was the symbolic figurehead and the Furude Clan was the religious figurehead, the Sonozaki Clan was the true power behind Hinamizawa, ever since it was known as Onigafuchi before the Meiji Era. It was down here where those who'd broken the laws of the village would be punished, tortured inhumanely. The torture devices here, however, unlike the ones in the Saiguden were well maintained and would be used during necessary times. There was also an underground dungeon with cells and a deep well where the bodies would be dumped. Indeed, the Sonozaki Clan was a demon clan, as they would claim. They were respected and feared and had many dark traditions. These traditions were enforced in order to create strong clan members and Mion Sonozaki would one day take her grandmother's place. As much as she disliked acting cold during clan meetings, she knew that she'd have to do this all until her grandmother's passing. Then she would be able to make changes in the clan.

Like the Furude Clan, the Sonozaki Clan also had a treasure from the days when the village was founded. It was locked in the vault with protective charms surrounding it. It was both a sacred and unholy relic. When seen it looked like a samurai helmet but on closed inspection one could tell what it truly was. It was a skull, crafted into the form of a helmet. It was crafted from the skull of a demon vanquished by one of the three Great Founders and the first Sonozaki in Hinamizawa. The helmet was known as the Oni no Hone (Bone of the Demon).

It was said that the wearer would gain the demon's power but only those with a strong will could do so without succumbing to the demon's dark influence. It was a powerful and frightening relic. It could not be destroyed, not even by the strongest of weapons. Bone white, with no visible cracks, and with dark sockets where the eyes once resided. The jaw was in a constant grin filled with sharp fangs and the helmet was crowned by a pair of long horns that extended past the forehead and curved over the top. However, its appearance was less frightening than its actual nature.

Briefly, the Oni no Hone's eyes glowed before dimming.

It was August and the start of summer vacation. The Tanabata Festival had gone by and in about two weeks or so there would be the Obon Festival. For Shinichi and his friends who'd gone through these festivals, it would be different since Shiori would be able to enjoy them. Also, so that Satoko wouldn't be left out, she would still retain memories of events before Shinichi used his Return to the Past power.

A lot had happened to Shinichi in the previous timeline before he reset time. His mother had been put in a coma after a hit and run, he went and killed the person who sent her there, and succumbed to the darkness in his heart. Not only that, he was captured by WHITE 14 and kept prisoner until Hitomi appeared and saved him. He owed the hammer-wielding man his life. There was also Kentaros Magi, a friend among enemies.

After a confrontation with WHITE 14, he stood victorious and then asked Hanyuu to lend him her power. With her power, the Higurashi no Yaiba, and the Return to the Past system, he was able to turn back time to before his mother was hit by a car and saved her. The reset also brought the NEO-NUMBERS back to life. WHITE 14 had killed them in his image. It was a good thing they did not remember being killed, though they did remember a lot of the things that happened before that.

And because it was summer vacation, that meant no school and time for fun. However, there was also homework to be done but like most students his age he was going to work on it later. He wanted to have fun first and do his homework later…much later.

Besides, he was busy. His mother encouraged him to continue his story. She would proofread his chapters afterward. Her plan was to slip his manuscript with her own and have it published as one of the short stories in her next book.

As the mother and son continued writing, they giggled for a few seconds before continuing with their work.

They were perverts, and proud of it.

Hanyuu, meanwhile, was spending time with Chiaki at his campsite. She was happy to see him alive. The memory of seeing his body spiked by his throat to the tree still remained and it was an unpleasant one, but after seeing death repeatedly she managed to put it behind her.

Right now, they were roasting marshmallows over the fire. She looked to the young man who gave her a smile. He'd pulled his scarf down so his whole face could be seen. Seeing his whole face made the little goddess blush.

Rika had come down with a bad cold. Actually, it was more like a bug. She wasn't the only one infected. Satoko had it too, and also a few of the kids in the village had come down with a bad cold as well. Satoshi had brought them to the Irie Clinic for a checkup and get medicine. Michiru was handing out numbered tickets as Hana called to them. Dr. Irie was the only doctor in the village so he was a very busy man. Still, he was happy to be helping all the villagers.

And Irie still made perverted jokes about marrying Satoko and having her dressed as a maid for him. That just served to worry Satoshi.

Shion was at Angel Mort, working. Because it was summer, she had long shifts in the day. She was hoping to go on a date with Satoshi once her shift ended. At least she had weekends off. For now, she would tolerate the men staring at her. The waitress uniform was definitely tailored for fan service, showing off her figure, cleavage and her slender legs. The first time Satoshi saw her in the uniform, he nearly passed out from shock. He'd always thought she was attractive, but the uniform really brought it out. It was Shinichi she couldn't stand at times and even Keiichi was just as perverted. They would ogle her and Shinichi would take pictures. She enjoyed attention, and having her beauty appreciated, but even she had limits. The way the fake Shinichi was coming onto her creeped her out. It was a good thing WHITE 14 was gone.

Keiichi was at home, reading, but the book he was reading was one written by Shiori Banabara. His eyes scanned the words before he flipped the pages to see what would happen next. He grinned as he continued to read it. It was the novel entitled 'Twincest: Sisterly Bonds" and he kept imagining Mion and Shion in those positions.

"Man, what I wouldn't do to see that happen!" he snickered again as he continued to read. "Woah! Nice…"

Rena was busy cleaning her room. In it was the cute stuff she kept like stuffed animals and gifts Shinichi had given her. Mounted on the wall was her trusty cleaver. She made sure to keep it clean and sharp. While she was generally a cute, sweet and gentle girl, when she got angry she could be really dangerous. Among the cute things was the cutest thing of all. It was a picture of Shinichi. It was in a frame and set on her bedside table. Every morning she would kiss the picture.

"My Shin-kun…" she would sigh. He was her boyfriend and despite his perverted tendencies he was faithful. She recalled that time when they made love. She did it to comfort him. She recalled the intense feeling of having their nude bodies pressed together, slick with sweat, their hearts racing, and tasting each other as they ground their bodies together. She had lost her virginity to him but because Shinichi had reversed time, it was like it never happened. The only proof was in their memories. She secretly yearned to be with him again and was making plans. She would make sure they were alone and then set up the mood. He would be all hers again.

"Ooh…Shin-kun." She really wanted to try all those positions written in his mother's books.

Mion was at home and staring intently at the Oni no Hone. Her grandmother warned, "Don't look directly into its eyes, Mion."

"I know, Oni-Baba," she answered. "But it's so ugly," she frowned. Oryo bopped her on the head.

"Watch your mouth, child. This helmet has been in our family for generations and it is a symbol of…" Oryo went on and on as Mion tuned her out. She'd heard the story so many times that she could remember it by heart. "And so despite its appearance must be taken care of."

"Yes, Oni-Baba," nodded Mion. Oryo tolerated how her granddaughters referred to her. Due to her attitude it was fitting. Mion looked back at the Oni no Hone and frowned. There was something about it she didn't like. It was creepy when she first saw it as a child and still creepy now.

Kiichirou Kimiyoshi, the village chief, sighed as he gazed at the box hidden deep within his clan's home. The box contained one of the three sacred treasures of Hinamizawa. It once belonged to his ancestor who founded the village along with the ancestors of the Furude and Sonozaki Clans.

Inside the box was the Kage no Hoshi (Star of the Shadow).

"Higurashi no Yaiba, Oni no Hone and the Kage no Hoshi," recited Jin Majutsushi, No. 06 of the NUMBERS. "Those treasures will be mine," he swore as he clenched his fist. He then slammed his fist against his wall, leaving a dent. "And BLACK 13 is not going to stop me this time…"

KR Chrome: That's the prologue for this arc. We see the stuff the gang is up to. Not much, but it sets the stage for things to come.