It wasn't enough to just close her eyes. It turned her on. She savored its heat. Animated strands thicker than water hoses sucked in anything it could. Some of them clung to the people that once served her without question. Some of them were attracted to living white suits that were no longer useful. What was once so large it dwarfed any chill the space had, its heart was greedier. She could see him glowing brighter than the stars.
"Mistress Ragyooooo!"
Her butlers and handmaidens shrieked their last, dragged away, the flesh tearing from their bones the closer they got to it. To press the matter, the coliseum hiding it shook. Her object of worship changed; split open like a popped pimple to leak something alive all over a damp floor. It was reluctant to drop a man on fire. The rest of it drifted higher, the ceiling gave out when it did, but it stayed put at her whim, and she stood tall in her high heels. His rejuvenated skin lost its color, left ashen in a way that most would mistake him for the living dead.
"... R-Ragy-yo," he tried to mumble, able to press brawny weight on his scarred hands and knees.
He vomited a clear fluid, but when he reached for her, she was there.
"Here." Kneeling ruined her expensive dress.
Trapping his head between her palms, studying it like it was a prized jewel, she waited for his breathing to even out. She wanted to be sure. His wet tail wagged once. She let him touch her face, which ended with his hand closing around her neck. She bit her lower lip, satisfied with how intense his grip could be. He let her go so she could wipe the gunk from his eyes, both deep set, and dark. Of all things, and to match her enthusiasm, he offered her the faintest grin.
x.x.x
Ryuko could control her fall with Son, her hand in his, covered in his undershirt as he thought she would catch a chill. She could see what was her fault. Damage to the main deck burned as a reminder.
{Ryuko!}
She saw Senketsu able to short-hop himself over to her, Mako no worse for the wear, and Satsuki wearing something else. Senketsu jumped and wrapped her arms with his sleeves.
"Chill. I'm all right," she said, a tad sheepish, forgetting how tight he could squeeze.
"We thought you two blew each other up!" Mako held her with him.
Son took his shirt back when she offered it, turning around so she could change.
"You gave us a scare, transfer student," Nonon said.
"Trust me. I got my comeuppance. That thing hurt like hell to take off." Ryuko rolled her neck, then pulled her glove on. "Where did it go?"
"We gave its remains to Iori. He'll know what to do," Satsuki said.
They looked at Mako waiting with the biggest smile. She extended Ryuko's weapon.
"Thanks," Ryuko grinned, taking it. "I say you trash it."
"That would be a BIG no no. I made that just for you luv!"
Gamagori moved front and center, as he was the furthest ahead of the group.
"Nui Harime. Of all the times to show your disturbing face!" he said.
Nui closed her parasol as she didn't need it to land on her ruffled pink shoes.
"No one was talking to you naked ape," she said menacingly. "Speak out of turn again and I'll skin you alive."
If her allies were unsettled at all, Ryuko wasn't. Like Nui, she was on the move with her weapon held down.
"Everyone stay back," she said.
Those behind her didn't see Senketsu harden. His imposing edges revealed too much of her shapely figure, not a blemish on her.
"Since we're on the subject...you're gonna give me what's mine," she said.
"Oh. You mean this?" Nui drew her half of the Rending Scissor and twirled it's opened handle around her wrist. "Come and get it."
"She's baiting you, Matoi. If you snap again there's no way we can take the both of you," Sanageyama said, forgetting that Son and Satsuki were there.
Instead of fear at the claim, Ryuko's glance met Satsuki's, then Son's. If she was waiting for them to agree with her they didn't have to say it. She calmed herself. Nui's lunges arched by her left and her right too quickly for some. Those that could see the gap knew how large it was.
"Hup hup!" Nui replied with pep. "You're a lot more fun to play with now, Ryuko!"
"And YOU'RE losing your edge!" Ryuko swung once yet it seemed as if she didn't.
Pushed along her squared heels, Nui nearly tripped over herself. Her enemy felt no strain when lifting a knee. She curved her weapon three times, stopped behind her target to hold it out as its tip reached to her left side. Nui had to look before she felt it; her arm was missing again. She rapidly shook for the mental anguish taking its toll.
"... You can never just die like a good little skank, can you!?" she mumbled.
Triggered, she ran as fast as she could at Ryuko's keeping still.
"RAAAAHNHHNH!" she cried, letting spittle leave her mouth.
It cost her another limb and the blade she didn't let go of when it flew off. Ryuko caught its purple sheen before it scraped against the deck. She was splashed by a geyser that was Nui's blood pooling around her heels. There were no words for the victory, as she finally had both of them in her hands. They all heard the approaching heavy-lift chopper, but didn't see the woman in white hanging from a rope ladder, until it came and went. Nui squirmed like a wild beast to free herself. They were soon too far from anyone just as quickly. Ryuko sighed out. She wanted so badly to go after them.
"We shouldn't just let her go like that!" she said, glaring at it until it was less of a bother.
{You've lost a lot of blood, Ryuko. I won't let you make the same mistake again!}
Her muscles were stiff, she couldn't move, and she realized Senketsu wouldn't let her. Huffing, when she turned Son was there. Her uniform went limp and fell over her body, her fringes relaxing over her eyes.
"Tell me what's up," Son said, worried.
He was near enough to touch. Looking at him longer than usual wasn't awkward anymore. She blamed their kiss in the clouds, among other things. Ready to drop her blades right then and there, she figured it wasn't the right move.
"We finally got both of 'em," she said and she held them out like she needed him to see.
Son grinned for it, then backed off as several of the anxious were on their way. Mikisugi arrived with armed men and women, the clanking of hand grenades on their hip holsters not as loud as their rapid steps.
"We're tracking them," he stopped to say.
"Don't bother. They're headed back to Honnoji Academy," Satsuki shared. "Matoi. Son. Come with me. It's time you learned the whole truth."
Everyone looked to the three like they represented something else. Son and Ryuko only considered what Satsuki meant.
x.x.x
Nui kept her heel against Rei's chest, drenching her in the fluid that had yet to stop squirting all over the cargo hold.
"Let me out!" she fumed. "Who asked you for help?! I haven't been beaten yet!"
Not fazed at all, it was ice cold, and Rei wasn't as quick to open her mouth.
"Please calm yourself, Grand Courtier. What can you possibly do in your condition? How do you intend to apologize to Mistress Ragyo for losing both of your arms...again?"
Realizing she wasn't out of breath, Nui's heaving stopped. She smiled like she changed her mind, like she heard nothing Rei said. Her head held high, she turned her nose up and spun in place.
"... What I intend is none of your business. Hurry back to Honnoji Academy!" she said.
Her blazer ruined, Rei noticed more than Nui's sudden change in demeanor. Her only eye wasn't steady as it veered her way.
"... When this is over, I'll teach you what happens when someone mouths off at me."
Rei ignored the threat, barely amused with what she didn't think to let Nui in on.
x.x.x
"Soichiro...our father...knew what Ragyo really was. What she thought to do."
Satsuki ignored the chamber's brushing her long coat in a misty red. Poor lighting didn't help the mood. It didn't please her to see Junketsu pieced back together. It ogled her from behind its protective case. She secretly thanked Son, Ryuko, and Iori's presence. It kept her focused.
"Will it be ready?" she asked, ignoring it.
"Fused with a mixture of Mat...forgive me...Ryuko's blood, yours, and Senketsu's Life Fibers. You should be resting, Lady Satsuki."
"I should be dead." She wanted to smirk for the concern on Iori's face. "Will you give us a moment?"
"Of course," he bowed.
He set one of his favored implements on a tray holding several. Satsuki thought it odd to see him without his preferred lab coat. Son leaned to the wall nearest the only door, feeling it lift when Iori left, then fall to leave him alone with a new dilemma. He glanced at Ryuko with her arms folded, opposite her sister. She thought she would hate the term and what it really implied. She didn't.
"So we're dealing with a guy that may be stronger than Son," she said. "Because, you know, Ragyo and her giant ball of string ain't enough."
"Muten Roshi-sama's training, directly or otherwise. It is why we feel it in the pit of our stomachs. A sense of what," Satsuki said.
Their new powers weren't the reason for unease and Son's silence. Neither expected him to brush it off. They'd seen a similar anticipation in him before. He casually lifted his shoulders with his hands.
"Then we should head to Sado Island," he said as he stepped between them.
"What's at Sado Island?" Ryuko asked.
"Think about it. Kuririn is no slouch. We'll need him. Old Turtle Hermit's is the safest place in the world. Mako can lay low there, if she wants."
"Mako? Lay low?" Ryuko didn't mean to jest.
"Yeah. I know." Son shrugged again. "It's AN idea. I didn't say it was the right one."
"It is," Satsuki chimed in. "Iori and The Elite Four will aid the Nudists effort. The COVERS aren't an end all be all. Perhaps Ragyo always knew that. Her mistake was underestimating our father's determination."
Son extended a compact screen he held, so she could see the fruits of their labor. Ryuko wasn't blind; Satsuki stood much closer to him, unabashed, with her body leaning into his. Thinking it should rub her the wrong way, she coolly smirked.
"There's something else you wanna say so just say it," she said, cocking her head to the side, resting her hands on her hips.
Satsuki barely had to turn her face as Son's was right beside it. They stopped sharing the device she took from him. She turned it off first.
"Yes," she began. "... I was denied you. My blood. I searched for you my entire life. The sister I always knew I had. Father planned for the day it would happen. Maybe you didn't care. Maybe you pretend not to, even now. But I never gave up searching. Rest assured. I don't intend to get in your way. What Son feels for you is between you and him. I did what I set out to do. I found you."
Ryuko left her mouth open, wrestling with part shock, part being caught off-guard. She looked at Son, wide-eyed and just as taken aback, though he kept out of it. Satsuki's confidence returned. But something else was there. Flustered, Ryuko struggled to put a finger on it.
"Relax," she said, which made her feel even more like the less mature of two siblings that barely knew each other. "I got no beef with you. Not anymore."
Embarrassed, she kept her arms crossed, and she looked for consolation in the scuff marks on her sneakers. The chamber was already darker than normal so Satsuki's small smile went unnoticed. Son gawked, oblivious as per his usual, not knowing how he should respond. It wasn't until he had their full attention. How they barely grinned confirmed nothing and everything.
*Coordinates are set. You guys plan on leaving us tonight?*
The three of them breathed a sigh of relief for the interruption.
"At dawn. Tell Mako to get some sleep. We are almost finished here," Satsuki spoke for them.
*Copy that. I suggest you kids do the same. We'll need you at your best. Mikisugi, out.*
x.x.x
They didn't attack in unison. They chased him around and along the sky, hoping to knock him out of his flight path. Shouldering one, he took it by a slick orifice and hurled it into another changing course. They had the speed to toss hard limbs at his elbows, twirling in the rise of them all going out in odd directions. Where the sides of his hands weren't his knees were. The ambush was too many objects coming at him all at once.
"Hrraaaaa!" he cried, setting the rest of the flying crowd ablaze.
Outstretched arms let a bright light shoot out of both. It copied how much it shimmered against his body. When he blinked, his elbow slammed another in the chest, all the way through. He blinked again and he was bashing in a featureless middle, watching it zip into the clouds. The next thing he noticed was his foot plunged through the not yet dry sand of an uninhabited beach. The coast stopped rattling so he could get his bearings. He wasn't out of breath. He turned to see his teacher keeping his walking stick in hand, spinning it around his back then his front with finesse. How he moved denied his old age. He took his ruined footwear covered in thick gray fluid back with a step. Some of the pieces falling by him were heavy enough to disturb the peace.
"... Kuririn!" he heard someone call from above.
Looking to the sky he caught wind of who; Son's smile he definitely recognized. He had no words for the one he carried on his back, and the two at his sides able to levitate.
"Son?" he said, unsure. His cautious approach leaned into a sprint. "Son!"
Feet on the ground, Son set Mako down on hers, but he didn't stop. He ran up and bent forward, grabbing Kuririn's hand when he was close. Appreciating how their handshake ended as a fist bump, they briefly admired one another.
"Man, that was awesome! You've really gotten a lot stronger!" Son beamed.
He noticed Kuririn hadn't grown in stature much; no less physically fit in ways most humans weren't. He mimicked him in that his sleeveless attire was always white layered over blue.
"You jerk. You could've told me you were gonna drop in at the last second!" Kuririn said.
"Oh! I almost forgot." Son smacked himself on the forehead. "You remember Satsuki, right? You never met Ryuko. And this is Ryuko's friend, Mako!"
"Hiiii Kuririnnn!" Mako waved excitedly.
"Uh. Heya." Kuririn shied from her, and from those reading him, putting on a grin he thought looked stupid.
He didn't mind how the three Son brought along were easy on the eyes. He didn't say so out loud either.
"C'mere for a minute," he said as he pulled Son aside.
He stole one more glance at the others. "So. We got word from those Nudist guys. I couldn't believe my ears, to be honest."
"Yeah. We wanted to make sure you and Roshi-sama were warned!" Son kept grinning.
"I get that. It's just...we also heard about you. And Satsuki. And Ryuko. All you went through."
"What do you mean? Is something wrong?"
"No. Not at all. It's just, weird. If some of the rumors are true. You're, y'know, doing that thing people do. A guy and a girl that like each other do things together. Hang out. Whatever. Sometimes a guy might have more than one girl to, ummm, hang out with? Not that I'm judging!"
Kuririn nervously rubbed his hand over the back of his neck.
"Ryuko! Who do you think has the shinier head? Short stuff or gramps over here?!"
Mako smiled into her cheeks, sitting on Roshi's shoulders, as he nearly had a heart attack. Son swore he could see tears streaming from under his teacher's sunglasses.
"Son. You've done well, my boy! Bringing me a fine piece of as...I mean some friendly company aside from Kuririn is a nice change of pace."
Roshi spread a near toothless grin, tilting his head back to sneak a peek under Mako's loose shirt. Ryuko pinched the bridge of her nose, suddenly uncomfortable in her depowered uniform. Satsuki stepped forward in hers, bowing her respect. She revealed the dual condition of her Bakuzan.
"Muten Roshi-sama," she said. "We have a favor to ask."
Roshi took her sheathed weapons, flipping them over, slow to wonder about both. They all could see the beaten COVERS sprawled everywhere. Some were washed away by the sea. Others were unable to contain their human hosts gasping for air again. Roshi got on Ryuko's nerves if he got too close to her. He made eyes at Satsuki...with her distracting bust size and waist-to-hip ratio. Son laughed at Mako pestering everyone there. Kuririn blushed and his knees locked if ever she invaded his personal space.
"Sorry if it took too long." Son listened to the hunger pangs in his stomach. "Hey. Do you mind if I grab a bite to eat while we talk? I'm starving!"
Roshi led anyone interested in following to a storied house. The red letters above the porch weren't all the way faded, the pink paint wasn't chipped, and trailing behind everyone, Son stopped to take it all in. Lifeless bodies he felt remorse for aside, he also felt like he had finally returned to what he knew best.
x.x.x
Kneeling in a chamber suited for it, those that knew their place was an afterthought. A window, more curved than flat, wasn't just plated and see-through. Looking past it didn't quell a desire to kill. Honno City, his prize, any activity beyond the academy's walls continued without a lull.
"Which one of you attacked the girl?" he asked.
He didn't turn to face the lesser. His help wasn't limited to Nui, weaponless, and Rei, in control of any fear. They swapped nervousness, watching his tail wag through his skintight pants with the knowledge of what he was. One of them mustered the courage.
"I-I did, Lord Turles. Matoi failed us. Isn't her death what you and our Mistress wanted?" Nui said, masking well that she was really pleading.
He didn't need but a tiny fraction. The will to do it seized his victim and kept her small frame suspended over the floor. He wasn't touching her. He didn't so much as look at his effort.
"It wasn't. Ragyo's daughter is allowed to breathe. Know why? Because I say she is. You, however, can offer one final contribution."
If they didn't watch it Rei could hear it; Nui's back snapped with a crunch that made her flinch. He didn't stop narrowing his glare while her body was twisting in a way that wasn't natural, balling her up with a thought, and not caring for the pinkish mess he made. He ignored the blonde hair strands drifting in midair, her corpse hitting the floor, and it bursting into bits as a nasty puff. He ignored the feeling of excessive vigor gaining a boost. His burly arms took in the fibers, making his blood rush.
"Let that serve as a reminder, Rei," he said, deeper voiced, yet one to enunciate if he was making a point.
Rei kept her head down. She braved one moment and stole a glance at him. He was chiseled, with wilder hair than the one he looked just like, his face finally clean. Wearing no top armor left his chest bare, the deep lines on his back visible, with broad shoulders appearing too muscular, even at rest.
"Now. Fetch me your Mistress. We need to speak," he said.
As Rei left in a hurry automated doors lifting and falling weren't worth the attention. The lighter brown in his eyes matched the fashioned silver of his new bracers. The purple rubies centered high on both were glowing. Thinking of the ways in which he would make his ally pleasure him ended, for a time. Future offspring could wait. Revenge against old enemies sounded better.
"Bardock's seed. Here? Hmph ..."
x.x.x
" ... the global military effort to quell the disturbing phenomena was unsuccessful. Talk of the United Nations considering nuclear warfare, all travel, foreign and domestic, has been banned, indefinitely. Civilians are encouraged to stay in their homes. Failing that you are urged to report to the nearest PDL shelter as soon as possible. Martial law now a worldwide norm, local ... "
"Jeez. It's times like this I'm glad we live out in the middle of nowhere." Kuririn shook his head.
"Satsuki. Be sure to contact Soroi. He must be worried sick," Roshi said and it got her attention.
"He is. If I may, Roshi-sama. Should you allow him to stay here for the time being it would be a help to me," she said politely, but he agreed before she could finish.
Gathered around a tube television that still worked, Son was too antsy to sit and sulk about bad news. He took a tour of what was familiar, yet different. The house's main room had been modified to fit the actual outer walls. Its one kitchen wasn't gone, but merged the main room, on his left. The toilet was smaller, and tucked inside of a small room in the corner he walked by. The placing of the living room furniture and the closet was altered too. The stairs he stopped by winded a little. He smiled broadly for all of the windows on the inside matching the windows on the outside.
"Son?" Kuririn said, prompting everyone to listen.
"... I can't stand the waiting," Son said as he watched his bare feet.
Satsuki, sitting on the couch with her legs crossed and her posture perfect, watched him pace back and forth.
"Rushing in blindly is unwise, Son. Let the Nudists do what they do best. We will need the intel," she said.
Son glanced at Ryuko making herself comfortable on the carpet, casual in how she leaned back into the flat of her hands. Sensing a reason to, Kuririn stood up.
"Uhhh. Roshi-sama. Mako. Let's step outside for a bit," he said, pointing at the front door with his thumb.
He smiled at Mako's chummy response while she left. Roshi shared a slight nod with him before leaving the door open. Kuririn's nod was for Son's confusion, and then he too was gone.
"... We all agree that we felt it, right?" Ryuko blurted out when they were alone.
"Yes. Nui is dead," Satsuki nodded. "I find the sensation...strange. Knowing when something ceases to be. How do you and Kuririn manage it?"
Ryuko joined her in waiting for Son to answer. She left her spot on the floor.
"With time," Son finally said. "I'm not gonna lie. Having more people like me and Kuririn, that can do what we can do, it helps. It makes me think we have a real shot at this."
His smile was infectious, and seeing it, Ryuko had to, just as she saw Satsuki fighting the urge. As it was night cricket chirps took the place of talking. They wrestled with thoughts of life and death, yet no one had to mention why.
"Okay," Ryuko said suddenly. "And here's where it gets weird."
"What's weird?" Son asked.
"She means to say have you made a choice?" Satsuki was finally on her feet, but she didn't move anywhere. "Your timing is impeccable, Matoi."
"Bite me," Ryuko grinned wryly.
"What choice?" Son asked in all seriousness.
He waited for Ryuko to move closer. He had to look down. She had to look up.
"It's like she said. This may not be the best time, I get it," she said, setting her small hand flat against his chest. "But I gotta know where your head is."
They glanced at Satsuki tucking some of her hair behind her right ear, assuming she had to keep her distance. She looked from the floor to see that Son and Ryuko were watching her.
"... You're sisters. If we make it out of this alive, you can finally try to get along. Why would I get in the way of that?"
Son gently took Ryuko's chin between two of his fingers. It helped to lift her attention.
"The old timer wanted it more than anything," he added.
By then Satsuki didn't give a damn. She set aside opinions, reservations, and huffed for the displeasure of not just taking what she wanted. Ambling until she was right beside Son, she slipped his free hand into hers, lacing her fingers through his when they opened. Having them both that close, at the same time, it wasn't the usual, but he made no fuss. The modified Junketsu never spoke. Senketsu understood that he should let it play out.
Son thought he would discourage Ryuko. She pursed her lips, and he leaned his in to oblige her. He could taste the peach she ate for lunch. Letting him have a moment she didn't mind when he turned his head for Satsuki. Her warm palms flattened on the sides of his head. She dared anyone to profess, pulling his mouth into hers, and he could smell mint as she did. She took charge again, done with coy, and their kiss lasted longer than he expected it to. When he could, Son chuckled breathily. He felt a weight on his shoulders disappearing. Satsuki's arms around his neck, Ryuko's around his waist, he pulled them both as close to him as he could. If they survived to see it...their imaginations ran wild for what the future could be.