My sword shined in the light, glancing off from the sun was a ray of white. Satsuki stood before me, sword out and glowing a cold blue. My hair was steadily losing the white dye, and Kibonochi was billowing around my shoulders. Satsuki circled me, her eyes piercing me down to the roots.

"Despite you having a Kamui, you still know not how to use it," she said. I shot forward, Kouheisei and Bakuzan clashed white on black, blades scraping and I struck low, my foot meeting nothing but air as Satsuki dodged and Bakuzan screamed at me, the blade glanced off my own.

She was still stronger than me. Chest heaving I brought my sword in close, guarded, blade outward, feet out and one back. Eyes trained on Satsuki as she smirked. Slowly circling around each other, feet shuffling on the mat below us, sweat running down our backs

I calmed myself, closing my eyes and concentrating, listening for anything that might clue me in as to what her plan was. She was still quiet, until a rush of air blasted me in the face, clashing once more and feeling the breath on my face, feeling the desperation in her strength. A flurry of slashes followed, both clashing and flowing against one another.

My muscles screamed, my chest jolted, blade scraping against hers. Satsuki seemed calm, but why was I shaking so much? Why was I so scared? I broke the clash harshly, swallowing my fear and continuing my attack. Vicious, fast, loud.

Slowly we were going towards the wall, Satsuki was running out of options. That was the thing with me, I was a relentless force. Clashing was becoming less and less of a challenge and more of an extinct animal.

She drew her sword back, but I tackled into her, our swords both crashing to the floor as we did a helter skelter roll into the wall. At the end of it, she was on the floor. Her blue eyes met my golden ones, black hair spread out below her on the mat.

Her breathing was harsh and erratic, eyes wide. Her hand grabbing my wrist. So close, so close and soon she calmed down. Her breath is softer now. For a moment I was worried there. Scared that I cut her or I broke something.

Satsuki didn't smile, she just slowly pushed my hand off her shoulder, cheeks a little flushed. I moved off her.

"Don't… tell… anyone, Kazuma." She said, getting her breath back.

I nodded, "Right. I… I'm sorry." I stuttered out. She just dusted herself off and picked up Bakuzan from the floor, sheathing it. Silently she walked away. There was a brief pause before she looked back at me, a slight smile on her face.

"You won." She stated gently, "I commend you for a duel well fought," for some reason I felt off about it. Soon after I was in the shower, the water cut into the sweat on my body, imagining the cold hands of my guardian running on my chest.

The steam turned cold, and the glass clouded, the hiss of the water became deafening. I always felt exposed in a shower or bath. Like I was at my most vulnerable.

"Dear… do you actually think you can run away from me?" the thing asked, tracing my muscles even more. I flinched and it faded as soon as it came. I wanted to just run away from my past, to find where I was before her. For Satsuki's sake…

She shouldn't get too attached.


Episode 2, Marching Orders.


Honnouji Academy, a way for me to find who I was. There are gaps in my memory, fuzzy and full of static. Certain fears do trigger when presented with such stimuli. Inumuta and Iori have been scanning me and Kibonochi, today will be another day like that.

I have been keeping this journal ever since Satsuki gave it to me.

Inumuta typed quickly, his fingers blitzing over the keyboard, striking decisively. His green eyes focused on his task and not wavering for a second and his collar folded back from his face.

"Sir, are you certain you want to test your Kamui on today's mission?" he asked.

"Inumuta, sometimes you have to run before you can walk, but…" I grabbed my hilt and then rubbed the back of my head sheepishly, "What's the mission again?" I asked.

Inumuta blinked, shaking his head. "In layman's terms there's a girl that REVOCS is targeting, your goal is search and capture. You and her share a ninety nine percent genetic match, and she knows some secrets about the other rebel factions,"

"So she's… like my sister or something?" I asked.

"Yes,"

"Huuuuhhh… never thought I had another one," I mumbled, "Then again, she mighta grown up since I last saw her…"

Inumuta sighed, seeing me get on my motorbike, normally Mother or Satsuki would come to see me off but I knew that Satsuki was busy. I missed her. It wasn't like we didn't see each other, but between orders and managing the sports teams and the matches with Uzu and discipline with Ira…

I was busy. Sometimes I wished I wasn't so I could spend some time with her. I missed her so much. She wasn't a sister to me, she was more of a friend. Someone who I could count on no matter what.

I got on my bike, turning it on and feeling the engine rumble below me. I closed my eyes, remembering something from my childhood. A promise.

It was a bright sunny day out in the yard. Rei was keeping an eye on me that day as Satsuki and I played around together, it was a shining gem of a day and I was in a good mood. Mother was extra proud of me today and I felt hay.

Satsuki and I stared up at the clouds, feeling the sun and just wishing I could go out like she could.

"Hey, Satsy, when I get out… Imma buy ya the best ring money can buy!" I exclaimed.

"But…"

"Hey hey hey! When I say Imma do it, then Imma do it! That's the Kazuma way!"

"I guess that's why Mother likes you so much… Satsuki sighed, But sure, you can buy me a ring,"

The villas sped by, my bike rumbling beneath me with vigor. I gunned it towards the location on my tracker. My blade perched on the side of my bike, my Kamui billowing behind me. Everything was quiet on the way.

The location was just… a lonely road in the middle of nowhere. Standing on the side was a girl with long blond hair and dark blue eyes, shining with some kinda excitement. She was wearing classic military fatigues, a longsword on her shoulders with hooks on the sides.

Her smile was girly and her right eye had a vicious scar on either side, she motioned over to the other side, her sword swinging down and I got Kouheisei off the side of my bike. An odd twinge was at the back of my mind the instant I put my hand on my hilt.

A small house with this girl sitting in the yard sobbing her eyes out, with me handing Kouheisei over to her. She was younger. The girl standing before me now had a smile on her face.

"Kazzy! You came!" She exclaimed, "I knew that Kiryuin would send ya out here to face me!"

I rolled my eyes, quashing the memories of the girl before me. I got into a centered stance, my fingers clenching my blade as the girl twirled her blade around her, the blade glowing a reddish gold.

I felt the heat build up in me, my eyes widened, Kibonochi's eyes widened too as the maw of him consumed me, tightening and revealing his synched form.

Kamui Kibonochi had changed! His coat became a torn white cape with blue flames at the bottom, his pants became gray tight pants, with my blade shining with my blue flame sunglasses. My cape was held up by some chains with Kibo's eyes on either side of the fabric.

"Life Fiber Combination: Kamui Kibonochi!" I radiated my own golden aura as I crossed my arms. Military girl unshouldered her longsword and I readied my blade. Another memory snarled at me, baring with its fangs an image of the girl in a poofy pink and white dress on the ground way younger with baby doll blue eyes sparkling with tears.

Her knees were scraped red and her pudgy hands clenched into balled up anger and pain trying hard to not cry.

Back in the real world I dodged a rather fast barrage of slashing fury, my sword calmly deflecting the striking with precision and almost deliberately easy movements. It felt too easy, too smooth. Kibonochi was just a set of clothes but here he is boosting everything and full throttling everything.

'Is this the point of a Kamui?' I thought, dodging yet another slash. Making my little sister try to hit me a little better. Of course the adrenaline rush of battle really makes me feel like I could topple mountains. My sister broke yet another clash with her long sword hooked around my fabric, trying to yank it off me. Kibonochi howled through my head as I spun helter skelter away, sword tearing up the blade, forcing my cape out of the hooks.

With my cape billowing in the stiff, breathing through a thicker than sin sponge gale, I had my mysterious little sister at my mercy. She sat there, sword clattered near her dainty hands, her small frame heaving and long blonde hair frazzled and waving like willow leaves.

I calmly sheathed my blade, feeling Kibonochi return back to the normal military like coat. My harsh golden suns of eyes met her wide, innocent baby blues. Her eyes filled with tears as she realized that I didn't know her.

"Kazuma… yer the only family I have…" she whimpered, "Mommy is gone and… and Daddy too…" she reached up and with pleading eyes started flooding her cheeks with tears.

"I wanna go home!" She yelled, "Kazzy, let's go home!" Another memory grabbed me, this time she was a baby, a small pink bundle of baby chub and wispy fuzz for hair. Her innocent eyes opened and her tiny lips stretched into a small smile.

My little sister was still on the road, sniffing and trying to not get too emotional. I walked over to her and knelt.

"C'mawn, Nui…" I sighed, hugging her, "No more cryin', dork!" I wicked her u and she squeezed me tightly. I felt a hole in my chest get filled just a little. Nui dried her tears and I carried her to the bike, her sniffling died down.

She clung to me as I rode back to the Academy, with Nui realizing where we were going. I belted our swords on the side of the bike, making sure she was

"K-Kazzy…" she stammered, "Hey, Osaka's that way!"

"We're not going there," I stated, "I have my orders, now stay quiet and maybe you'll get out okay,"

Nui shuddered, "What? No, no no no… I gotta get back!" She squeaked, "I thought Maaaaybbbeee you could bend the rules a little for your sweet little sis Ni-Ni?" she asked.

"No." I denied shortly.

"Awwwwww! No faiiiirrrrr! Hardass!" she whined.

"Brat!"

"Hardass!"

"Brat!" We snapped back and forth. She suddenly grabbed the handlebars and jerked us towards Osaka. I jerked back towards the Academy.

"I have questions, Nui!"

"I have answers, Kazzy! Just lemme get us to Osaka!"

"Nah! I have a track record! I'm not gonna let it jeopardize my reputation!" I snarled, "My relationship with the Elites and… and well!"

Nui irked me by doing this, "Oooooh! Is Satsuki your Girrrrrllllfrieeeeennnnd?" she asked, making me stop the bike and glare at her.

"Not. A. Word." I hissed.

"Ooo! You DO like her!" Nui exclaimed, "How about if you let me come with I can tell ya about Mommy and Daddy and I wont tell Kiryuin that you like her?"

I sighed, backed into a corner on this. It's odd in a way that I can't describe how I feel about Satsuki, her blazing cobalt eyes, her long silky hair, the way she carries herself… how she'd have such a subtle smile and tone lift when she saw me.

"Fine. But be on your best behavior so you won't get thrown into detention by Gamagori,"

Nui saluted with a giggle, "Aye aye!"

I could only wonder if Nui from… from that place and this one were just two different versions of one whole person. I guess I could ask her. My comm crackled to life.

"Kazuma, status report."

'Shit! It was Satsuki! Okay, play it cool… just try not to die on her…'

"I got the package, heading back now,"

"Good. I'll see you when you get here."

The comm went dead as I gunned it towards home. Nui stayed oddly silent, watching me with her wide blue eyes, my tenseness, my desire, my need all making an appearance. Satsuki was the only other human other than Soroi in that house.

The only other that could understand me. Kibonochi billowed slightly as I pulled into the parking garage on the backside of the academy. Sticky and gross sweat was all I felt against my back and Kibonochis eyes were wilty.

Nui slid off the bike seat easily enough with me dismounting, Kibonochi looked up at me.

"You're tense, Kazuma." He stated.

"Of course I am…" I sighed, She's my best friend.

Nui lightly walked alongside me, our swords were in my possession. She stared at me with her hand grabbing mine, her hand was so small and I flinched a little. Not expecting it at all. She smiled and I took the lead, seeing Inumuta and Iori.

Nui grinned, "Well well well! If it isn't the Spider and the Dog!"

Inumuta scoffed, "Your data was woefully cut short, sir…" he looked at Nui's blade and grunted, "Because of this eyesore,"

"Eyesore?!" Nui snarled, "This eyesore is my Mommy's blade! And I came here willingly!"

"Now everyone, calm yourselves…" Iori cautioned, "Miss Kaguya is a valuable asset." They were taking her to the cells as I wandered away, my coat billowing as I carried the two blades. I put Kouheisei back in the glass case in my room, the other blade leaned next to it on the other side.

I sighed and took off Kibonochi, sliding on a clean shirt underneath, making sure I didn't smell like a shithouse too. Satsuki and I always had dinner together, it was our favorite tradition after missions and other errands. Soroi would always come to collect me when she was ready so I waited patiently.

Instead, Satsuki herself was at the door. "Kazuma, I understand the mission was a success," she greeted calmly, always straight to business with that small smile and twinkling eyes. Her uniform was clean and perfect, not a seam or fold out of order.

While I was over here tired, smelling like fresh deodorant begging for a shower or something to ease my mind, "It was no trouble, Satsuki," I stated, 'Goddamn liar…' I thought, 'You almost got Kibonochi torn off you!' Satsuki nodded.

"Are you sure Kaguya gave you an easy time?" Satsuki asked, "Inumuta seemed frustrated, and of course you're being dour,"

We sat down at the table, Soroi setting it calmly as we stared across at each other, what the hell was I supposed to say? That Nui had information about my family? Satsuki just focused on the meal before us.

"A meal is always better after a mission, don't you think?" she asked, trying to ease me out of my funk. I nodded, looking at the rotisserie chicken like it wanted to tell me how dumb I was. I noticed her leaning forward, reaching across the table to feel my forehead.

Her strong, gentle hand met my forehead, moving the screen of darkening hair out of my eye. Lips in a scowl and she just sighed.

"You get that kicked dog look when you're thinking, Kazuma…" she just put her fork down and squished my cheeks together. "Tell me~" she cooed, moving my cheeks around and my lips and face with it.

"Tch, fine! As long as you don't do that!" I snarled, making Satsuki's smile return. My cheeks went hot as I looked away, "Well! Kaguya did give me some trouble! But… How are there two Nuis?" I asked.

Satsuki backed off and sat back down, "That's a question only your Nui would know the answer to, how are your stars feeling?"

I ghosted a hand over my scars, "They feel fine, Satsuki." I stated, "Just fine," her expression hardened a bit but I stood my ground.

"Kazuma… how many times do I have to tell you… you're not alone in this," she huffed, "How many times will I have to stop you before you do something reckless?!" She ranted, blue eyes harsh and cutting, tone sharp and reprimanding, lashing me with scorn and concern.

I noticed some potatoes, ignoring Satsuki about the whole reckless thing, stabbing one with conviction, then another with malice, then fixed her with stare, slowly cooking aloofness boiling to the surface.

I just ate the potatoes, glaring at her, "What I do is none of your concern," I mumbled through the potatoes, swallowing quickly.

"It IS my concern! Just as you're concerned for me! When will you realize that I… I…"

"Say it," I said.

Satsuki snarled and got up, looking down at me with ure rage and ent u feelings behind her eyes. She stormed off.

"Lord Kazuma, was that necessary?" Soroi asked.

I huffed, "No… but thanks for the meal, Soroi," I said. Rising from my seat and going back towards my side of the office. Gamagori and Sanageyama joined me in the hallway.

"Well, that was shit…" Uzu sighed, his silver eyes meeting my gold with a slight sigh. He was slightly taller than me, the silence in the clean hall between my office and my fellow council members dented my walk with urgency.

"Lord Kazuma, how was it?" Ira asked softly, he dwarfed both me and Uzu quite handily. I just looked off towards the personal quarters. Knowing that the training room was going to be filled with the anger and blade strokes of my beloved Satsuki.

"Ain't it obvious, Gamagori? Kaz bombed it!" Uzu snarled, "He was this close," he held up his hands, a little closer together due to my 'progress' as it seemed. Ira huffed and glowered at him.

"Sanageyama, that's not a good metric for gauging the feelings Lady Satsuki holds for Kazuma!" he thundered, breaking the silence of the corridor. I just marched right to my quarters and tossed off Kibonochi, going back into the shower to wash the thoughts of her out of me.

The showerhead growled and hissed at me, hot bolts of water lashing my skin and body, my scars having rivers of rain in them. Divots like the scars of a canyon. I just stood there under the hot water, trying to banish the smile and the shine of her face from my mind.

After all… I couldn't get away from her...

I couldn't get away from Ragyo...


I attacked my bed with sheer malice, letting my emotions go, "That bastard!" I roared into the pillows. The training room was insufficient. I wanted to just grab Kazuma by the shoulders and shake him. So the pillow would have to do.

"Why can't you understand, Kazuma?! I! Love! You!" I thundered at it, shaking it to death and throwing it into the corner of my room, the immaculate space now a common victim of my wrath. Why did I have these feelings for him? Why did I always think of him on lonely nights here while he was away for hours?

I arose from my hell wrecked bed, crossing over to the pillow and imagining an old fairy story of the princess and the prince that got their happily ever after. There was no happy ending to life. Yet, I worried over trivial things.

Of course normally I have no shame about my body, but every time Kazuma was around I studied myself. My breast size, my posterior size, the luster of my hair, if I shampooed it enough or even if it was at a satisfactory length.

Even my diet was under scrutiny. Yet here I was, studying my body once more. Hands ghosting over my body, hair ruffled by an unseen individual. It wasn't Kazuma I was trying to impress with my looks, or even worry over them.

My mother was always the one to inspect us. Every inch of us. Kazuma would whine and cry and fight every time, yet that only sealed his fate further… My mother was the mistress of our bodies and minds. I went to lay back down and the second I did I wanted to sleep with Bakuzan.

'She's not here, why would she be?' I thought, 'Mother is in Tokyo.'

I hoped childishly that it would stay that way.