12: "This is a Congratulations Kiss"

Satsuki's good friend from the sewing group, Iori, began to work his miracles that evening. First, he reassembled Junketsu, injecting it with the blood of Satsuki and me, and adding a few of Senketsu's Life Fibers. These measures would ensure Junketsu's "will" would coincide with Satsuki's. She would no longer need to struggle to control Junketsu, and they could fight in unity. Iori also started production of Ultima Uniforms using the Life Fibers gathered from defeated COVERS.

After checking on Iori's progress, Satsuki returned to the main deck and explained to everyone there the nature of Ragyo's true plan. Life Fibers reproduced at the cost of all other life on Earth; they would, if awakened, cover the Earth and then explode, spreading "seeds" to other planets and galaxies. Ragyo intended to wake all the Life Fibers and have every last human engulfed by their clothing. Every country in the world used at least some clothes from REVOCS Corporation, meaning they were fitted with Life Fibers. But while COVERS were running wild across Japan, the rest of the Life Fibers of the world had not yet reawakened.

The only sure way to reawaken all clothing was to attach the Original (and thus strongest) Life Fiber to a large transmitter at Honnouji Academy. The bundle of ancient Fiber would then send a signal up ordering all Fibers to awaken. A satellite in space would catch this signal and relay it all across the world. The hacking master Inugami had verified that Ragyo and the massive Original Life Fiber were headed toward Honnouji. Our mission was to destroy the transmitter, and/or destroy the original Life Fiber, and/or find a way to kill Ragyo and Nui for good.

"There's just one thing we weren't expecting," Inugami said, looking at the ship's radar. "We have incoming enemies."

After a rain of bomb-like Life Fiber bundles hit the ship, we all knew it was time for battle again. Satsuki and I would try to kill Ragyo. Mikisugi and the Elite Four would focus on getting the ship back over to Honnouji Academy to destroy the Transmitter. (Unbeknownst to me, Mako would soon be given an Ultima Uniform and fight to help protect the ship from COVERS.) Satsuki wore Junketsu and I wore Senketsu, and the two of us were about to take off to find Ragyo, when I heard Satsuki's kind butler through my comm. Link headset. He told me to take care of Satsuki.

For the first time, I thought of Satsuki as my older sister. In a way we had always been like this: while she acted like a bitch in the name of "making me stronger", I had always hated her and admired her at the same time. However, try as I might, I could not call Satsuki "Onee-chan." Satsuki told me not to worry about it, and that it was enough to have my blood in Junketsu, calming the savage Kamui.

"Now that we know we're sisters, though," said Satsuki as we flew through the air avoiding Life Fiber missiles, "I AM going to tease you like an older sister should."

"Yeah," I shouted, "and I'm gonna keep calling you a bitch just like a little sister should!"

Satsuki and I had two advantages: we both had weapons capable of completely severing Life Fibers so that regeneration was impossible: my twin scissors, and Satsuki's two blades made from her old sword Bakuzan. We also knew that if we broke the inside core of the Original Life Fiber, that gigantic flying mass of orange Fiber would be stopped in its tracks. Ragyo's advantage were her own two swords, strong enough to break Life Fibers but not enough to prevent them from regenerating for good.

We tried several times to beat Ragyo in a clean battle, but her defenses outmatched our attacks. We knew, too, that the ship behind us was crawling with COVERS. So in an instant, I devised a trick plan. I charged in trying to decapitate Ragyo, she literally cut me in half, and I fell into the ocean no doubt looking dead.

Somehow, through the psychological shock and pain, I regenerated my halves back together under the water. Satsuki continued to fight Ragyo—and get her ass kicked. She acted as a decoy so that Ragyo didn't see me rise from the ocean again and then dive deep inside the Original Life Fiber. I transformed my scissor blades into ultra-long double-edged blades and began cutting into the Life Fiber's Core.

After a few minutes, through the strain, I thought I heard Mako's voice calling my name. Then the ship, with its "Great Naked Blade" attached to the stern, came crashing into the Life Fiber. I could hear Mako screaming my name. She was using all her energy to propel the ship forward. With my blood running hot with adrenaline, I combined my strength with the ship's great blade, and we broke clean through the Original Life Fiber's Core. Still riding the ship, we came flying out the other end of the Life Fiber, and crashed into the wall of Honnouji Academy. The Original Life Fiber fell limply into the ocean.

We knew the Battle had a-ways to go yet. As everybody climbed from the broken ship, alive mostly thanks to their Ultima Uniforms, we received a warning from Nui that the real fight had yet to begin. She temporarily retreated to Honnouji Tower with Ragyo, so our side took the opportunity for a quick break as well. Satsuki praised Iori for recreating the Ultima Uniforms for the Elite Four and all the rescued captives of the COVERS. The kindly butler Soroi made a huge batch of tea for everyone.

While Satsuki was toasting with Iori and the Elite Four, I pulled Mako behind a huge, broken piece of the ship. Here, we would not be seen by Mr. and Mrs. Mankanshoku or teased by Satsuki.

"What are you doing, Ryuuko-chan?" asked Mako blankly. "I wanted to drink some delicious black tea! And my mom is heating up the last croquets we saved from the ship! I want to eat!"

"Don't worry, I'll let you eat all you like in just a second."

I embraced Mako and gently pushed her till her back rested against the wall of broken ship. I leaned forward and kissed her. She put her arms around me and stroked my hair and sides. I pressed my body against hers and it felt amazing. I kissed her again and neither of us wanted to break out of it. We were "French-kissing" before we even knew what we were doing, and passion began to overtake me.

"Hey," said Mako, stopping suddenly. "This is a congratulations kiss, right? You're not being stupid and thinking of this as a goodbye kiss, are you?!"

I backed away and caught my breath. "Of course I'm not saying goodbye, Mako. I know you'll want to come with us when we charge into Honnouji. I can't stop you, and to be honest, nothing helps me fight better and think clearer than having you with me."

Mako grinned, hugged me, and kissed my cheek. "I'm going with you, alright!" she exclaimed. "But first I'd better go eat some croquets! Oh, and I guess I should tell my family to stay safe behind the wall with Soroi and anybody else who can't fight."

The ditzy girl ran off, her hair bouncing, her Ultima Uniform looking absolutely adorable with the black hat and cloak. I followed more slowly, and saw Satsuki finishing her tea. Mako had leaped over to her family and all of them were now eating croquets. Satsuki suddenly surprised me by placing a hand on my shoulder.

"I hate to tell you this," she said her half-smile, "but I think several people besides me just saw you and Mako together. She's got to come out of the closet soon."

"None of your business, big-sister-bitch!" I snapped.

"What's the matter?" Satsuki asked sarcastically. "Can't I get a congratulations kiss, too?"

I couldn't come up with a smart retort before I heard Mr. Mankanshoku saying to Satsuki, "Well, Mako is in your hands now! If anything happens to her I'll sue the Kiryuuin conglomerate for every cent you have!"

"I'll keep that in mind," said Satsuki politely.

"Let's go!" cried Mako.