Shock & Awe

Chapter 15: The Disease

"We have one day left. Then they begin the raids on Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe."

Thomas sighs turning around to face his brother. "And what do you want us to do about it? She's gone dark in the last few days and Tomoko's currently still out scouting Kyoto along with Jack and Austin. Not to mention CR4ZY's in Osaka preparing for an attack of his own against the force. While you and I are still here in Kobe."

AJ stares into the middle distance with his binoculars, not really focused on anything. "I know. signals have been messed up for the past few hours. And it's all our damn fault."

"Here, I have an idea, why don't you go back to Honnouji and try to cheer her up."

"You sure? I'd rather stay and fight the raiding force."

Thomas scoffs. "Yes. Go with your girlfriend. I can handle myself."

"Fine, I'll stop to see Jack, Tomoko and Austin on the way."

Thomas shrugs. "Sure."

AJ stops after grabbing his motorcycle and points to Thomas. "Also, not my girlfriend." AJ then jumps on a motorcycle and drives off as Thomas smirks taking a breath.

"Alright then. Let's go, Kobe high schoolers! Let's shore up those defenses, now!"

AJ rides his motorcycle driving through the city noticing his signal getting better the further he gets from the schools.

"Hey, B.B, how fast do you think I can go?" [B.B.: Please don't try anything.] "Sorry, did ya say something?!" [B.B.: AJ! Don't you dare!] "Well either we should hurry."

He speeds up speeding his way into Kyoto once reaching the school he notices a red dot placed on the visor of his helmet he raises his arms before taking the helmet off.

"Tomoko! Jack! Come on, you know I'm not the enemy!"

"Oh Yeah! You're from Honnouji as well! So as far as we know you and those three are cohorts with Satsuki Kiriyuin!" One of the random student say from their defensive positions.

"Look kid, once her raiding party has passed we'll leave you in peace, you just need to stall them until my friend can get here. Now where's the group."

"Why should I tell you?"

"I'm giving you five seconds to tell me where they are before I break your neck."

The kid scoffs "I'd Like to see you try."

"One. Two. Three. Four. Five"

The sick sound of a neck snapping is heard as everyone watches as the kid on the ground, his head turning a complete 180, his body still the exact same way. His friend behind him looks horrified.

"Where is she?"

"O... On the roof..." He says petrified.

AJ walks by the kid as three more run at him holding small blades he draws his knife and cuts into their necks sending blood flying. He enters the building punching and kicking every student that approaches him; he turns towards the door to the roof and knocks on the door before punching a kid that ran at him from the side. He opens the door finding Austin looking around bored; he looks over to Jack who's trying not to yawn at the predicament of being tied to large pieces of wood, and Tomoko who's confused by the duo's calm state.

"Really you two? Could you at least look somewhat interested."

"Yeah, but, they're not really a threat."

"How dare you make fun of us!"

AJ sighs. "Not dealing with your shit today."

He chops the kid on the neck as Jack pulls forward on the ropes holding him to the piece of wood. Austin rolls his eyes and slowly slides his body down freeing himself almost instantly, AJ meanwhile frees Tomoko who hugs him in response.

"So is there a reason she's clingy today or...?" Jack starts but silences slowly at Tomoko's glare.

"Just go to Osaka."

Austin smirks. "So we're abandoning Kyoto?"

"Yeah. I'm heading to Honnouji to check on Ryuko. Jack, take her to Kobe with brother I'll be heading back soon after I meet with Ryuko."

"Whatever."

Jack and Tomoko get on a motorcycle and drive towards Kobe as Austin gets on another and heads to Osaka. AJ places his helmet back on before driving to Honno City. He stops the motorcycle just outside the city and walks to the house he's been staying at. He walks to the door and watches it slam open and sees Ryuko pushing a person out.

"I'm not gonna fight for other people! Now give it up already and get the hell out!"

"I won't give up, Matoi!! You're my only- no, wait! You're Honnouji academy's only hope, Damn it!" He sighs bringing his thumb to his lip to figure out another way to get to Ryuko She finally pushes him out as he rushes to a window. "You gave me the courage to -woah!"

"Is there a reason you're here, boy?"

"Y-You're A-AJ, right?"

"Yes. Now, if Ryuko doesn't want to talk to you then stay out of my house."

"But-?"

"I said, scram!" AJ kicks the male sending him flying away when he hears Gamagori from the distance.

"How dare you almost hit Lady Satsuki's tower! Have you no discipline?!?!"

AJ enters the house seeing Ryuko sitting on the couch with Mako. He looks to the side to see Senketsu hanging up as she wears her pajamas.

[Senketsu: Ryuko.] "Just... shut up."

He looks at her and sits down next to her. She goes to lay down but finds herself on AJ's shoulder.

"Gah! When'd you get here?!"

AJ shrugs eating a chocolate bar. "When you threw an idiot out of my house."

"Oh." She deflates.

AJ shrugs again. "Its fine." She returns her head to rest on his shoulder as he rubs her shoulder, his arm around her. "Look, I know you don't trust Senketsu right now, and I'm not going to try to force you to wear him at the moment, but, and don't interrupt me, we do need you. If what she said is true then your the only person that they don't have as much information on."

"Yeah, but what if I lose my top again, what if-"

"Ryuko. You lost your cool, because that's what Nui does. She makes her opponents angry, humiliates them then watches as their anger takes over. That's her style. She, like me, was taught to first make fun of our opposition, show dominance, then watch as they fume in anger. She's a master at it."

"But, you don't fight that way."

"Not anymore. It's a style that can very easily backfire should you not be able to back up your words. My style has always been to lure my opponent into a false sense of security. Or simply blitz them." AJ takes a deep breath looking at Senketsu and dawning a small smile. "You know, I always thought that Kamui's were a curse. A curse that my family was stuck with and only us. Now, it's not the Kamui's I see as that curse... it's the Kiriyuin clan."

Ryuko glances to him. "Huh?"

AJ smiles, seemingly fondly. "Heh." He stares into nothing or rather at the coffee table, clearly reminiscing. "You see... B.B. wasn't it's original name. Hell, I only call it Blackberry because it's a way to remind myself why I fight."

Ryuko glances over to AJ curiosity taking hold. "Why do you fight?"

AJ sighs. "It's a tale if you really want to hear it."

Ryuko smiles. "I'm down."

She kicks her legs up on a new coffee table that AJ had placed in the house only two days prior.

"Well, your already sitting so let's get started."

Chapter End.