The Crimson Thread

Chapter 19: The Shadow that Trails my very Soul

Ryuko: "Senkestu!!" Ryuko shouts as she shoots up from her unconscious state.

Instantly seeing that she was in front of company and in her underwear, she immediately pulled the blanket that she woke up with to cover her body.

Pyrrha: "She's awake! I'm so glad you're alright." She kneels in front of the couch Ryuko is sitting on.

Ryuko: "Your...your Hawk's girlfriend, right? Where am I?"

Aikuro: "Don't worry, kiddo. You're at my place. We found you like this. Care to tell us what happened?" He steps up and hands Ryuko a cup of tea.

Ryuko: "It was Nui Harime. She tricked me into fighting her...and I couldn't draw out Senkestu's power. But I couldn't, and now Senketsu is gone."

Pyrrha: "Well, you didn't lose everything. When we found you, I managed to snag this." She hands Ryuko the shrunken version of her Scissor Blade.

Ryuko: "Thanks. Wait? Where's Hawk? He isn't out there trying to find Nui, is he?" She tries to get up, but Pyrrha gently ushers her back onto the couch.

Pyrrha: "Don't worry about Hawk. He's returning to the Mankanshoku house to grab you some new clothes. He should be back any minute."

Mankanshoku Household

Hawk: "You sure this'll fit her?" He holds a set of clothes that seem rather small.

Mataro: "Of course! I stole them myself! They were a little big for me, so they should totally fit Ryuko."

Hawk: "Uh-huh. I guess that will have to do. Thanks, Mataro. I'll tell Ryuko you said hi." Hawk takes the clothes and begins to head out of the house.

He stops at the doorway of the room he stayed in. He eyes the Artificial Kamui. Seeing the shadow of the Crimson Tyrant manifest leaning up against the dresser the jacket hung on.

Crimson Tyrant(mirage): "Come on. You know you need me. Do you think all this extra gear will give you the advantage? You're going to need the power I can give you."

Hawk: "*sigh* No...no, I won't." He doesn't look at the shadow as he walks past the room.

Crimson Tyrant(mirage): "*tch*...Yeah. Whatever."

Hawk leaves the house but not without grabbing some extra croquettes for himself and Ryuko from Miss Mankanshoku. Walking down the street, he could see the convoy of Honnouji Academy vehicles leaving the school. Satsuki had begun her Raid Trip. Which meant he had to hurry back. He begins to run down the street straight toward Aikuro's apartment, but he is soon stunned as a pair of motorbikes drift to a stop in front of him.

As the dust cleared, he was surprised to see both Ryuko and Pyrrha driving said bikes. Ryuko seemed to have already been given an outfit, and she had the guitar case on her back while she had the last piece of Senkestsu wrapped around her neck like a scarf.

Pyrrha: "Hop on! We've got a lot of ground to cover!" Hawk smirks as he tosses the clothes Mataro had given him to the side and hops on the back of Pyrrha's bike.

Ryuko: "Let's go get Senkestu back!" She revs her bike as she speeds onto the highway, tailing the convoy with Hawk and Pyrrha close behind.

Hawk: "Uh...Pyrrha?"

Pyrrha: "Yes, honey?"

Hawk: "You do know how to drive this thing, right?"Pyrrha doesn't respond. "I'm gonna die."

Ryuko: "So! Your girl said you had a plan, Hawk! Lay it on me!" She shouts from ahead of them.

Hawk: "Right! Satsuki's split her forces into Kobe, Osaka, and Kyoto! Osaka is going to be her toughest to break through! The plan now is to head for Osaka and beat back Satsuki's forces! Drive her back to Honnouji!"

Ryuko: "Even better plan! You two head for Osaka! I'll head to Kyoto and Kobe to get back Senketsu, then I'll meet you in Osaka! Got it? Good! See you then!" She rides off an exit toward Kobe.

Hawk: "Wait! Dammit! We can't let her go on her own!"

Pyrrha: "Maybe you should try trusting her. It might prove better than you think."

Hawk: "*sigh*...Yeah. Your right. Y-"

Pyrrha: "I'm always right. Yes, I've heard you say the line a thousand times."

Hawk: "Doesn't make it any less true. Come on. We've got a lot of ground to cover!" Pyrrha smiles as she increases her speed as they rocket down the road, the city of Osaka in sight.

Pyrrha stops the bike as she and Hawk soon look out over the battleground that Osaka had become. Buildings were on fire, and fighting could be heard from all across the streets.

Pyrrha: "Oh my Oum."

Hawk: "Yeah...tell me about it."

Pyrrha: "This much for just a school?"

Hawk: "Shiro said Osaka would be tough, but this is insane."

Pyrrha: "It's almost as though the whole city is against Satsuki."

Hawk: "That'd make sense. Osaka is a money hub. Lots of shops and stores, which means a lot of people and money. The Takarada Family handles that money. They're about the richest family in Japan, and it looks like Satsuki is finding out how much wealth they have at their disposal."

Pyrrha: "How do you know that?"

Hawk: "I paid attention in class. I said I would come here to learn. Guess it paid off in the long run. Even if it's just exposition."

Pyrrha: "Well, it looks like we have much work to do. I'll focus on getting the bystanders out of that way you focus on finding the leader of this assault."

Hawk: "Uzu Sanageyama. I told him he would get his match against me. All I gotta do now is make it there in one piece."

Pyrrha: "Here. Take the bike. I'll head on foot." She gets off the bike letting Hawk take control.

Hawk: "Wait! But I don't know how to drive?!"

Pyrrha: "You're smart. You can figure it out." She slapped him on the back, which caused his wrist to tighten, and he uncontrollably rocked forward on the bike. "Oops! I'm sorry!" She waves as he rides off.