PURGATORY CHAPTER PART 4: STARCROSSED

"What a pleasant surprise," said Shiori with a fake smile as she sat in the living room with an elderly woman. She wore a deep green kimono and her greying hair was in a proper bun. Wrinkles were visible on her face and she had an intense glare fixed on Shiori, you'd assume she had been born with it.

This old woman was none other than Natsumi Banabara, Shiori's mother-in-law, and mother of her late husband Shotaro Banabara.

Rika and Hanyuu had been sent out earlier while Shinichi stayed with his mother. He could sense the hostility that radiated from both women. Shiori had mentioned that she never liked dealing with old women and finally found the source of her dislike.

"Yes, indeed. When I heard you moved from the big city to this small village I was quite skeptical," said Natsumi.

"Well, here I am," Shiori remarked, "And here you are too."

"Yes, and while you're here I'm surprised you haven't yet corrupted this village with your deviant ways," Natsumi mocked.

Shinichi watched as his mother clenched her fists so tight that the knuckles were turning white. 'Kaa-chan…'

"So, Shinji," said Natsumi in a tone that suggested she did not believe Shinichi to be who he believed himself to be, "Your mother eventually found you, is that right?"

"That's right," Shinichi said neutrally

"A little too convenient, I think," said Natsumi with a scoff. "She lost you for eleven years and then finally found you when she came to the town neighbouring this village. I find it highly suspicious."

"Call it fate," Shinichi retorted.

"Whatever you wish to call it, it just seems too convenient and too coincidental that after all this time you've found each other," added Natsumi.

"I assure you that Shinji is my son," insisted Shiori, "The blood tests confirmed it."

"Is that so?"

"What is it you want?" Shiori demanded.

"To take my grandson away from your corruptive ways, you cursed woman," Natsumi answered without shame. Shinichi stiffened as his teeth gritted in his mouth. "I've said this once and I'll say it again. You're a disgrace and a curse. My son, Shotaro, was too blinded but because of you your son went missing and my son died. It would do the boy some good if he came to live with me. Unlike you, I can provide him with anything he wants and a proper education in a proper school. His upbringing will be proper, unlike the way you are raising him."

Shiori was about to answer but Shinichi beat her to it, "I don't think so, old woman."

Natsumi's eyes went to Shinichi who was standing and glaring at her intently with his indigo eyes. He continued, "You have some nerve coming into our house and making demands."

Natsumi, not liking where this was going, began, "Now, listen here-"

"No, you listen!" Shinichi snapped angrily, shushing her. "I don't care if you're rich, or have big cars and a big house! I don't care about any of those things! I care about Kaa-chan and this village and this is where I'm going to stay! No amount of money you offer me will make me change my mind!" Natsumi froze when she heard this. "So, whatever you're selling I ain't buying. I don't care if you're Tou-chan's mother! You are not welcomed here so get the hell out of our house!" Shinichi pointed at the door. "The door's over there. You can see yourself out." He sat down, crossed his arms and then his legs.

Natsumi, her face red in anger, stood up and said, "Well, I can say that this will be the last time we'll see each other!" With a huff she walked out through the front door and entered her car before she told the driver to take them away from the village.

Shiori applauded Shinichi, "That was amazing!"

"Hey, I've had to deal with Mion and Shion's grandma, and GIN-SHOCKER has way scarier Kaijin than her," Shinichi stated.

Shiori smiled and gave her son a hug, "My hero. I wish your father was here to see you right now. He'd be so proud."

"Yes, I bet he would be."

Yokoshima was down in the basement, vacuuming the floor of the medical ward. He wiped the sweat off his brow. He was grateful that Shinichi got him this job but he wished he'd gotten a better deal. He sat down on one of the bed to rest a bit and fanned himself with one hand. "I could use a massage right now."

He felt a pair of hands on his shoulders and gasped. He shot forward and spun around to see someone he had not expected to see. "Asmo-chan!"

"Hi!" Asmodeus of Lust waved at him, sitting on the bed. She was in her usual cute outfit. "So, is that offer still open?"

"Offer?" Yokoshima stared at the strange girl oddly, wondering what she meant. She giggled.

"The date, silly!" She floated off the bed and wrapped her arms around his right arm. She pouted, "Or have you forgotten? You said if you won I'd have to go out on a date with you, isn't that right?"

"Well, I didn't know how to contact you, and I didn't think you'd want to go out with me," said Yokoshima, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.

"All you had to do was call my name, Yoko-kun!" giggled Asmodeus.

"Ahh, that's good to know, Asmo-chan," Yokoshima smiled, "In that case let's meet again after I'm done with work. I'll give you a date you'll never forget."

"Glad to hear that," Asmodeus said smiling.

Shinichi rolled his bike into the parking space in front of Angel Mort and dismounted with Rena. He spotted the Wrecking Ball parked a few spaces away. "Guess Yokoshima's here again. As usual." Like Shinichi, Yokoshima was a loyal customer of Angel Mort and a fan of the waitresses. He just liked to leer at the girls in their revealing black uniforms.

"Why don't we say hi when we see him?" Rena suggested.

Shinichi shrugged and answered, "What's the harm?"

Shinichi entered the Angel Mort with Rena. When Shinichi saw Yokoshima, he expected the Pill Bug Rider to be alone and trying to pick up girls. However, what he saw was Yokoshima sitting with a blonde girl with her hair in twin ponytails. She was wearing a long sleeved white blouse with a red bowtie and a red vest. She also wore a knee length black skirt with black stockings and brown shoes.

'That girl looks familiar…' Shinichi thought and when he heard the girl giggle at a joke Yokoshima had told her, he finally recognised her as she opened her eyes to reveal red irises. 'She's one of those sisters! What is she doing here with Yokoshima!''

"Is something wrong, Shin-kun?" Rena asked her boyfriend.

"No," Shinichi said to his girlfriend as he continued to watch Yokoshima and the blonde girl intently. "I just don't think we should disturb Yokoshima. It looks like he's on a date."

"Oh, I see that," said Rena as she saw Yokoshima sitting with the girl. "Oh, she's cute. I wanna take her home."

'Yokoshima, what do you think you're doing?" frowned Shinichi.

"Thanks for bringing me here, Yoko-kun," said Asmodeus as she enjoyed her parfait.

"Well, you seem like a girl with a sweet tooth so I just thought you'd like the sweets here," Yokoshima replied. He was having chocolate cheesecake.

Asmodeus finished her treat and then called, "Can I have another one, please?"

Yokoshima smiled, congratulating himself on his good luck. He'd tried to pick up girls in the past but was always shot down. That was until he took a chance and asked Asmodeus to go out with him. Sure, the circumstances were a bit unusual since they were going to fight but Yokoshima did like Asmodeus. Not just because she was cute but because he could sense there was a lot more to her.

He'd learnt that, like he, she wasn't completely human. That didn't bother him at all. She did mention she was in the service of the 'Golden Witch', whoever that was.

When he felt Asmodeus' lips on his cheek, he blushed and touched the spot her lips had touched. His lips then curled up into a goofy grin. It was too soon for a love hotel, so he had to take things slow. He'd observed the way Shinichi interacted with Rena and even asked about their relationship. Despite a few quirks, Rena and Shinichi had a stable relationship. The only problem was that Rena worried about Shinichi constantly whenever he went out to fight.

Asmodeus was laughing as she told Yokoshima another story about her sisters when she stopped. "What's wrong?" Yokoshima asked.

"I've been summoned," said Asmodeus, frowning. "Yoko-kun, I'm sorry, but I have to go."

"I understand, Asmo-chan," nodded Yokoshima. "I'll pay for everything. You go and use the bathroom." She gave him a hug.

"Thank you." She got up and went to the bathroom. Once inside, and after making sure she was alone, she vanished as her body turned into golden butterflies that fluttered away.

Yokoshima left the money and sighed as he exited Angel Mort, dejected. Shinichi watched him go.

"Rena-chan, excuse me, but there's something I need to do," Shinichi said to Rena who was enjoying a slice of strawberry shortcake.

"Shin-kun, you're leaving?" Rena asked.

"Only for a little bit, but I'll definitely be back. Promise." He followed Yokoshima out.

At the parking space, as Yokoshima was getting on his Wrecking Ball, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Shinichi looking intently at him. "Hey, Shinichi. What's up?"

"Oh, I'm fine, but how was your date?" asked Shinichi.

"Date? Oh, she had to leave early…" Yokoshima answered.

"Through the bathroom? Sounds like she ditched you and couldn't wait to escape," Shinichi remarked. Yokoshima frowned.

"Not funny, dude."

Shinichi's frown deepened as he said, "You and I need to talk. I know who she is and I know what she is."

"Time and place," Yokoshima stated.

"Right now, and follow me," responded Shinichi.

The two motorcycles rolled into an empty lot before their riders dismounted. Shinichi and Yokoshima removed their helmets before placing them atop their seats.

"So, you really like this girl, huh?" Shinichi asked. "Even after knowing her identity?"

"That's right," Yokoshima answered. "What are you going to do about it?"

"Well then, I guess I have to force you not to like her anymore," threatened Shinichi. His belt formed. "Henshin!"

"You can't force me to do that, Shinichi," Yokoshima retorted as his own belt formed. "Henshin!"

As their armors formed, Showa charged at Armadillo and kicked at him with his legs repeatedly. Armadillo backed away, holding his forearms out in front of him to block the onslaught of kicks from Showa. He then punched at Showa, only for his opponent to sidestep the attack. Armadillo stumbled and was backhanded in the back of the head, knocking him to the ground face first. He turned around onto his back only for his eyes to be looking straight into the barrel of Showa's Showa-Blaster.

"Let me ask you this: even after knowing her true nature, are you prepared to fight for her, even die for her?" Showa asked.

"Yes," Armadillo answered firmly and instantly without hesitation. He stared defiantly at the gun. "If you don't think I'm making the right choice, then go ahead and pull the trigger. Just remember that Asmo-chan will come and kick your ass when she finds out you offed me." Showa was silent for a moment before he withdrew his gun from Armadillo's face.

"Well, I'm convinced," said Showa. He offered Armadillo his hand and helped him up. Armadillo looked at Showa in confusion.

"So, this was all a test?" Armadillo asked.

"You could say that," replied Showa. "You see, I know where you're coming from. Rena-chan isn't as innocent as she seems," he said as he recalled her sin in one of the previous worlds, her bloody sin, "But I love her anyway, and I love her enough to fight for her and even give my life. I wanted to test your convictions in that regard."

"So, you're really alright with me dating Asmo-chan?" Armadillo asked. Showa patted him on the shoulder.

"Just take good care of her," Showa advised before getting on his bike. "Later!" he saluted before driving off. Showa's armor came off as he headed back to Angel Mort. Hopefully, Rena was waiting for him.

Later, Shinichi and Rena were lying side by side atop her van in the junkyard, looking at the night's sky and gazing at the stars. Unlike the big city that had too many lights that obscured the stars, one could view the stars much clearly here in Hinamizawa. They were holding hands with their fingers intertwined.

The couple was just watching the stars silently when Shinichi broke the silence, "Rena-chan?"

The girl turned her eyes away from the stars to look at her boyfriend. "Yes, Shin-kun?" she responded.

"Do you believe in witches?" Shinichi asked.

Rena blinked and replied, "Witches?" She could think of one 'witch'. Her mother.

"Yes, witches," Shinichi repeated, "Magic and all that."

"I believe in a lot of things, like Oyashiro-sama, but I don't think I believe in witches unless I see one," Rena answered. "Why do you ask?"

"I don't know," Shinichi answered, "I just wanted to ask, that's all."

"Do you believe in witches, Shin-kun?" Rena asked him.

Shinichi didn't answer. Did he or didn't he? They heard footsteps and sat up to see who was approaching.

"You love hanging out in this place, don't you?" Lucy commented as she approached them. Lucy had her hands in her pockets, smiling at the couple.

"It's Rena-chan's special place," Shinichi answered.

"That's right," added Rena, "Rena's mountain of treasure."

Lucy looked around. Indeed, judging by the place and Rena's character the girl embodied the saying that one man's garbage was another man's treasure. "Well, we all have to have our own special place, don't we?" Lucy commented.

"What brings you here, Lucy?" Shinichi asked.

"Look, I don't like to beat around the bush, so I'll be straight. While my Papa's away I'm your supervisor," Lucy said firmly.

Shinichi's eyes narrowed at that. "Supervisor?"

"You report to me while Papa isn't around," Lucy clarified, "And if I give you orders you're expected to follow them."

"And if I refuse?" Shinichi retorted. Suddenly, Shinichi felt something cut into his skin and his cheek bled. Rena gasped.

"You won't like what happens if you do," Lucy said coldly.

Shinichi wiped the blood from his cheek. "How did you do that?" Shinichi asked.

"Oh, I've got a few tricks up my sleeves," answered Lucy, grinning.

Shinichi frowned but then his twin ahoge twitched. "They're here." From the shadows the Darkling crept out. Lucy snorted.

"Just like Horrors trying to score a meal," Lucy said as she took out her Orga phone and dialled in the transformation code.

"Rena-chan, get in the van and stay inside," Shinichi instructed. Rena nodded and quickly got into her van and locked herself inside. Shinichi jumped off the van and stood next to Lucy. "Are you ready for this?"

"Standing By."

"I was born ready," said Lucy as she locked her phone into the hollow centre of her belt. "Henshin!"

"Complete."

Golden streams formed a pattern over her body. In a flash of gold light she was donned in her dark-colored Dark Rider armor. She was now Kamen Rider Orga.

"Henshin!" Shinichi called out. "Let's Ride: Showa!" Jigsaw puzzle pieces enveloped his body and became his black and white suit of armor. His green eyes flashed as the transformation was complete.

Orga's visor and photon streams glowed in the dark as brightly as Showa's green eyes.

Orga stood still as Showa went on the attack. She watched as Showa slammed a fist across a Darkling's face, knocking it to the ground. A kick from Showa into another Darkling's midsection knocked in into a pile of garbage.

Orga sighed and ordered, "Duck!"

Showa blinked and turned to look at Orga. "Huh?"

"I said duck!" she repeated her order. Showa did as told and suddenly the heads of several Darklings were sliced off by an invisible force. "That's how you do it?"

"Telekinesis?" Showa guessed.

"Not even close," Orga answered as she drew her Orga Stylanzer. She then charged at the remaining Darkloids, cutting them down with ease. Slash after slash, the Darklings were taken down.

"Showa-Blaster!" Showa aimed and pulled the trigger, gunning down Darklings one after another.

"Too easy," Orga stated.

"It's not over yet," Showa warned. "Something is coming out."

"You mean a Darkloid?" Orga inquired.

"Yes," Showa confirmed as a huge creature crept out from the darkness. It resembled a monitor lizard with 6 eyes and spikes along its spine. Its forked tongue slithered out from its mouth. It rushed at them and snapped at them, only for the Riders to jump away and avoid. The Lizard Darkloid spun around and swung its tail at them, knocking them into piles of garbage.

"Damn it…" Orga cursed, seeing red as she narrowed her eyes.

Showa aimed and fired with his Showa-Blaster, causing the Lizard Darkloid to hiss out in annoyance. He then charged at it, continuing to fire. As it snapped at him, he leapt over its head and landed on its head. "Eat lead!" Showa cried out and fired at point blank range. It threw its head back and threw Showa into the air. It watched as Showa came down and opened its jaws wide.

"Exceed Charge."

Orga charged up her blade and swung, the photon energy around the blade extending into a photon blade that cut through the Darkloid's jaws. The Darkloid thrashed as its jaws fell from its head. Showa landed in front of the Darkloid and positioned himself with his gun aimed straight at the Darkloid. "Rider Charge!" Energy flowed from his armor into his Showa-Blaster. A green energy ball grew at the front of the barrel.

Orga pressed the Enter button on his Orga Phone again.

"Exceed Charge."

The pronged tip of the photon blade extended and captured the targeted Darkloid, not giving it any avenue of escape. Orga watched as Showa finished charging up his attack.

"RIDER BLAST!" Showa called out as he pulled the trigger. A large burst of emerald energy was fired from the Showa-Blaster, causing recoil that tossed Showa backwards. The Darkloid was hit by the full force of the attack and was engulfed by it, vaporised completely as it exploded.

Orga reversed the charge of her weapon before putting it back in its holster. She took out her Orga Phone and pressed the End Call button. Her armor vanished in a flash of gold as the golden streams receded into the belt. Shinichi's armor fell away in the form of jigsaw puzzle pieces.

Lucy approached Shinichi and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Good job. I see why my Papa thinks so highly of you." Lucy thought, 'He wasn't kidding when he said Shinichi had a lot of power.'

"Same to you," Shinichi responded. The two Riders shook hands but then Shinichi was pulled away by Rena who had her arms wrapped around his left arm possessively. She was staking her claim as the look on her face expressed that Shinichi was hers.

"Hey, don't worry, Rena," Lucy said to the 'cleaver girl', smiling, "I'm not gonna steal your man. I have a boyfriend." Her boyfriend, Kouta, was also her childhood friend. He was the first normal person who accepted her despite her horns.

Rena relaxed, but did not loosen her grip on Shinichi. "Is Shin-kun okay?" He responded with a kiss.

"I'm fine," he answered.

Kamen Rider Chrome: And that's the last chap of Purgatory Arc. Hope you enjoyed it!