The Crimson Thread

Chapter 8: The Upper Echelon

Hawk steadied himself as he followed behind Shiro and Jakuzure down the hallway leading toward where they'd be meeting Satsuki. As they walked down the hallway, Hawk looked down at the spotlessly clean floor. It was so spotless that he could see his reflection, but the person looking back at him wasn't himself. Instead, it was Crimson Tyrant, who evilly smiled as he gestured for Hawk to keep quiet.

Eventually reaching the door to the next room, they entered to find that there were three other people in the room. Hoka Inumata, Uzu Sanageyama, and finally, sitting in the middle of the room in a pseudo-throne was Satsuki Kiryuin.

Satsuki was wearing Junketsu in its unactivated form. She, for all purposes, appeared to be at 100%, but Hawk could spot the bandages that peaked through the collar of her outfit. It seemed that the scar he left along her back was still fresh, and it was likely excruciating for her to even appear to have strength still.

Satsuki: "Shiro...Mr. Branwen." Her tone became more serious as she glared down at Hawk, who remained undeterred.

Hawk: "Satsuki. You look well. As much as anyone can look after what I put you through yesterday."

Sanageyama: "You shut your mouth! Speak to Lady Satsuki with respect."

Satsuki: "It's quite alright, Sanageyama. I am not that prideful to admit when fairly beaten by a superior opponent."

Shiro: "Lady Satsuki. What is the purpose of this meeting?"

Satsuki: "Inumata informed me of your meeting with Mister Branwen yesterday. I find it odd that you, my most trusted subordinate, would conspire with the one individual who overcame me and Junketsu."

Shiro: "Lady Satsuki! I would never do such a-"

Hawk: "There is no conspiracy. None of any kind."

Inumata: "Then do explain why you stole the artificial Kamui that Shiro made. Only those within the Elite Four and Lady Satsuki knew its existence. And no digitized files were ever created for it."

Hawk: "...Dumb luck." He says with a straight face.

Sanageyama: "Really?! You expect us to believe that out of all the Goku Uniforms, you could have taken, you just so happen to take the one that was supposed to be as powerful as a real Kamui?"

Satsuki: "Very well." The three Elites turn to her in shock.

Jakuzure: "Lady Satsuki?!"

Sanageyama: "You can't be serious!"

Hawk: "Shiro visited me without my knowledge to discuss a deal to allow him to study his creation further. In return, I would serve as a personal guard, removing my involvement in your operations."

Satsuki: "Shiro...is this true?"

Shiro: "...Yes, my lady."

Satsuki: "Very well then. From this moment forward, Mister Branwen is your responsibility. His actions and how he carries himself will be your reflection. Any mishaps or problems he creates for Honnouji Academy will be on you, Shiro. Am I understood?"

Hawk: "I'm not some damn pet."

Shiro: "Yes, mam. I greatly appreciate your kindness."

Satsuki: "Be sure to inform Inumata of the test results from your eventual test on the artificial Kamui that Mister Branwen here is wearing. The information you can gather will be most helpful in producing more effective Goku Uniforms."

Shiro: "If that is all, my Lady?"

Satsuki: "For you, Shiro, yes. But not for Mister Branwen. We are continuing this conversation. Shiro, you shall return to your work with the Sewing Club." Shiro looks concerned as he bows and leaves the room. As the door closes, Hawk slightly tenses as he feels the death glares.