Double and Kiva: The Great Monster War

Chapter 5: Bishop, Rook, and Queen

Written by: CMR Rosa, busterleader92 and Despicable-D

Yokai Academy, backwoods

"If this map is correct, it should be around here somewhere." Wataru wandered through the thick forest, a map in hand. Classes had ended not long ago and just as the young Fandiri was heading home, he found a note from Hokuto Kaneshiro taped to his dorm room door, explaining that several core members of the ANTI-THESIS wished to meet Wataru in person. Contained within the envelope was the map, leading him to the Academy's backwoods. The sun would be setting soon, and still Wataru had yet to see any sign of the supposed meeting point.

"What's that?" Wataru was about to give up hope of finding the meeting point in time when he noticed a strange red marking across one of the trees he passed by. On close examination, it appeared to be an arrow drawn in red paint across the bark, and it pointed deeper into the woods. "I guess this is the way." Wataru deduced, noticing more arrows as he walked deeper into the forest.

He followed the markers for several more yards when he found his destination.

It was an old building. The outer wall was shabby, broken and covered in even more graffiti like on the trees. The roof was covered in moss and vines extended from trees. Wataru looked at the building skeptically, not believing that a place this run down would house the group fighting for equality between all monsters.

"Is anyone here?" He called, tapping on the door to get anyone's attention from inside.

"Help me!"

"Hmm?!" The shriek was coming from back into the woods. It was a woman's voice, a very frightened woman. Kurenai's instincts kicked in as the Fangire markings spread across Wataru's face. He dashed back into the thick, tree lined maze, following the voice.

"Please, save me!"

Kurenai finally skidded into a clear break in the trees, finally spotting the source of the shrieks. A young woman with long black hair was being man handled by a group of teens, a particularly menacing member of the group wearing a black leather jacket and a crescent shaped scar cutting across his forehead holding the woman's arm behind her back, keeping her from running.

"What's going on here?!" Kurenai demanded as he stalked toward the group, fist clinched.

"None of your business, princey," A member of the group with medium length hair and piercing, reptilian eyes spat at Wataru.

"We're just teaching this half breed chick to mind her manners around her betters," The last member of the group, a boy with shaggy black hair and squinty eyes explained. "She had the nerve to pass by us full-blooded Yokai without showing respect. You must understand, being a Fangire and all."

"You claim to know who I am. But you clearly know nothing about me." In the blink of an eye, Kurenai had disappeared from the group's view, only to reappear beside the taller, scarred member of the group. Kurenai grabbed the much taller teen by the wrist, forcing him to release his captive as he forced his wrist up. "I have no patience for those who arrogantly proclaim superiority to others while abusing those they see beneath them."

"What's your problem? She's just a damn half breed," Squinty exclaimed as the two other teens turned on Wataru preparing to fight. The man Wataru had by the wrist only looked down at the Fandiri, seemingly gauging him with his eyes.

"I'm half human as well. Do you consider me your inferior?" He looked to the mouthier teens for a rebuttal, they nervously backed off a step as his glare swept over them. "I also have two witch friends who have been labeled as lesser beings by Yokai as well. Will you so boldly call them inferior to my face?" Still no reply, they had lost their bluster under his silent fury.

"Very impressive, Kurenai-kun." A slow clap resounded in the clearing as Hokuto stepped from the tree line, a pleased smile on his face.

"Hokuto-san?" Wataru retook control as he noticed the others around him seemed to relax, even smile amongst themselves, including the woman "victim" who went to meet Hokuto with a smile, taking his arm between her own.

"Splendid, truly splendid Kurenai-kun," Hokuto repeated as the other teens flanked him as well. "On behalf of all of us senior members of ANTI-THESIS, I welcome you into our group."

"You're all in ANTI-THESIS?" Wataru inquired shocked.

"Pretty much," The shaggy haired teen replied with a grin. "Hokuto-san wanted us to know your feelings on half breed abuse first. So he had us stage this little show to get you to react as 'naturally' as possible to show us you meant business."

"And did you ever," The teen with piercing eyes sighed in exasperation. "I thought me and Mizuki here were gonna be goners. But I was more worried that Midou was gonna blow the whole thing." He pointed to his taller friend who seemed to barely listen to the conversation.

Hokuto continued, "This has been a test to see how you naturally react to the injustice that goes on in our world. You have displayed not only compassion to the abused but also restraint towards the offender. That is an admirable quality."

"I just wanted them to stop what they were doing without actually trying to hurt them," Wataru admitted.

"Exactly," Hokuto agreed. "That is why you are perfect for this role. You protect others without displaying cruelty or aggression. You are already well respected among the student body for these qualities. With your help we will be able to bring in more and more students to our side. Now follow me, I'd like to introduce you to the whole gang." Hokuto took Wataru by the shoulder as he led the group back towards the run down building.

"The name's Mizuki Ueshiba by the way," The shaggy haired, squinty eyed boy introduced himself to Wataru with a smile. "He's Moroha." He then pointed to his friend whose hair covered half his face save for his single piercing eye. "And the strong silent type trudging in the back is Midou-chan." He gestured to the tall teen with the scar across his forehead with a snicker.

"It's Kusabi Midou," He corrected with a grunt, not crazy about the honorific.

"Whatever. So let's all get along. Okay, Kurenai-kun?" The ANTI-THESIS member offered his hand with a wide grin.

"Hai, Ueshiba-san." Wataru returned the handshake and smile wholeheartedly. He soon found his arm pulled away from Mizuki as it was held by the female member of the group who looked to the Wataru gleefully.

"My name's Reiko by the way. You'll get along with me too, won't you handsome?" She pulled Wataru's arm closer to her chest; much like a certain succubus he knew and loved would do to get his attention, and it was because of this that Wataru noticed that she was wearing a white school button up shirt with a red bow tie as well as a very short mini skirt that showed off her long and flawless legs. Wataru also noticed how incredibly beautiful she was and that her gold eyes were looking at him expectantly for an answer.

"Uh…of course, Reiko-san," Wataru nodded sheepishly.

"Uh-oh. She's gotten her thorns into him already." The group had just reached the run down building when they met up with, as Wataru assumed, another ANTI-THESIS member. This boy wore a jacket over a t-shirt with jeans and wore a wide brimmed hat on his head. He had hair that messily fell out from the back of his hat. He didn't seem too attentive to the group coming to meet him, as he stared at an empty piece of wall on the building with a spray can in hand. Wataru deduced he was the one who left those trail marks for him.

"This is our resident tagger, he prefers to go by Graffiti," Hokuto explained gesturing toward the teen who only waved back nonchalantly, more keen to focus on his canvas than his colleagues.

"Basically his job is to go out and mark areas of the school and other place with messages from our organization. Some consider what he does defacing of property but we call it free advertising," Mizuki joked, gesturing to some of the pictures displayed across the wall that expressed messages of equality, a pair of monster and human hands shaking, a face that was half human and half ogre, even Wataru's own symbol of Kiva with the name ANTI-THESIS printed in its center.

"Just some preliminary designs. I can do better," Graffiti promised as he shook his spray can, preparing to "create".

"We have one more member waiting inside," Hokuto said as he led the group inside, save for Midou who found an empty spot on Graffiti's wall to lean against.

"Ah, the gang's all here."

"Kurenai-kun, this is my second in command, Yoshii Kiria-san." Hokuto gestured to the lone young man seated among an empty row of bleachers. He seemed to be around Wataru's age. He wore a crisp, black coat over what appeared to be a school uniform that wasn't the Academy's. He had silvery white hair that was parted at the center. His eyes were different colors, one red the other green, and what caused Wataru to raise his eyebrow was that both his eyes were vertical slits, much like a vampire's.

"A pleasure, heir of Kiva," Kiria grinned in a friendly manner, offering his hand.

"Ah, likewise," Wataru agreed but when he reached out to shake Kiria's offered hand the spritely looking boy pulled away and addressed Hokuto.

"Can we get down to business already, Hokuto? I find all this waiting around incredibly boring," Kiria suggested, yawning to accentuate his point.

"Right, right," Hokuto agreed, apparently used to his associate's lack of an attention span. "To start off, I think we should first express gratitude to Kurenai-kun for his past deeds that have helped further our goals."

"What do you mean?" Wataru asked perplexed. He knew absolutely nothing about ANTI-THESIS until Hokuto had approach him about joining. He didn't remember any such events that may have helped the organization.

"You beat that bastard Kuyo, remember. He would have been the biggest opposition to our group's goals," Moroha explained.

Wataru could not argue that logic. Kuyo despised humans with a passion, and half breeds like Wataru and ANTI-THESIS would have been hunted down the instant they came forward with any plans of working towards equality among all monsters.

"Kuyo was a threat not just to us but also regular students. His tyrannical rule coming to an end thanks to Kurenai-kun is a blessing we'd only prayed for. And with your brother now taking over the Disciplinary Committee, our future looks all the brighter," Hokuto expressed with a pleased smile. "Our chance to come forward with our message of equality to the other students is soon to be at hand."

"What can I do?" Wataru said expectantly. "I'm behind you all 100% and I want to know what I should do to help."

"Actually, we'd like your help as well as the help of your friends in the Newspaper Club," Reiko explained.

"Same as with Graffiti's tagging, we need to keep the message of equality alive in the heads of the student body, so we'd appreciate it if you could write an article about us in your paper. We'll give you all the information you need," Mizuki asked with hope in his eyes.

"That does make sense," Wataru agreed. "Okay. I'll make sure to write an article to grab the eyes of the entire student body."

"That's all we could ask for," Hokuto returned the younger man's smile. While the group was going on about their future plans and how Wataru could help with them, Kiria stepped away from the group, joining Midou and Graffiti outside.

"So, what was your impression of the Fangire Prince, Midou-san?" Kiria asked with a fanged smile.

"He's strong for sure," Midou said, not changing his position of resting against the wall. "But he's soft, and too trusting."

"That's good for us though. Let Hokuto-san and the others play the part of the gallant revolutionaries. Our part will come soon," Graffiti grinned, first crossing out the Kiva symbol he already had previously sprayed before covering the whole thing up altogether.

Ring! Ring!

"Hmm?" Wataru's excused himself from the group as his cell phone suddenly went off. "Hello? Nii-san?" The caller on the other end had begun to talk urgently, worry coming clear on Wataru's face. "I understand. I'll be there soon." Wataru hung up and turned back to address his new friends. "Sorry but I have to head back. Nii-san says there's something really important he wants to talk with me about at home, so I have to leave."

"Oh, don't leave so soon," Reiko pouted sadly.

"We understand, I'll contact you as soon as there's another meeting," Hokuto assured him.

"Thank you, I'll get to work on that article as soon as I can." With that, Wataru hurried out of the old building, bowing to Midou, Graffiti and Kiria as he passed them at the entrance. He did not notice their stares boring sinisterly into his retreating back.

Castle Doran

"Tadaima!" Wataru called as he opened the large double doors to the castle's throne room.

"Welcome back, Wataru-sama." The Arms Monsters plus Ruby greeted their master with bows and a curtsy as he entered the wide room. Wataru greeted each of his attendants one by one with a nod, until he came across who stood at the back of the line.

"And you are?" Wataru inquired with a raised eyebrow. He did not recognize this new face among his attendants as he appeared to be a teen of similar age to his own, wearing an Academy uniform and with black, spiked up hair.

"Greetings, Kiva-sama," The teen bowed once more with a smile. "I will be joining these fine Mazoku and lovely Witch from today on as yours, King-sama's, Queen-sama's and Maya-sama's attendant."

"Eh?" Wataru uttered, shocked. He looked to his brother and mother who lingered around the small wood chair meant to act as the King's throne. They sent him looks that said they were just as off guard about this as he was.

"Kiva-sama!" Wataru could only turn his head to the sound of someone calling him before he was glomped from the side by a young girl with short red hair who also wore an Academy uniform. She rubbed her cheek against Wataru's affectionately and seemed to purr in joy as she did. Wataru was utterly dumbstruck by the girl's behavior and found he was unable to remove her vice-like arms from around his neck, thank god she wasn't choking him; which was also probably good for her too as her survival instincts kicked in, prompting her to leap away from Wataru as he was instantly flash frozen in a block of ice.

"Shoot, I missed and got Wataru by accident," Mizore grumbled as she, Moka, Kurumu, Yukari and Mio entered the throne room, having just witnessed some girl they didn't recognize hug Wataru.

"You hussy!" Kurumu growled, bringing her nails to bear. "Where do you get off hugging my Wataru?" The strange girl hissed in defiance, her gold eyes glowing with menace and stain glass marks appearing on her face.

"A Fangire!?" Moka gasped in shock.

"Don't let it get away!" Yukari warned as she brought her wand to bare.

"Rey-Kivat!" Mizore called out, prompting the white Kivat to come flapping to her side.

"Shall we go? Graceful yet violent!" Rey-Kivat stated nobly as he bit into Mizore's hand, prompting a black belt similar to Kiva and Saga's to wrap about her waist. Mizore took a firm hold of Rey-Kivat as the Fangire girl's eyes seemed to alight with delight. She took a stance as Mizore prepared to lower Rey-Kivat to the buckle's perch.

"Hen-!"

Bop!

"Tabitha. No," The spiky haired boy said, taking a rolled up newspaper and lightly swiping it over the top of her scalp in a reprimanding manner, which seemed to work as the girl was instantly pacified, covering her head with her hands and getting a sulky face at being reprimanded. "We are guests in this house for now. Please try not to pick fights with Wataru-sama's friends while we are under his roof."

"I'm sorry, Souji-kun," Tabitha sulked looking to her friend with a guilty look. She then turned to Mizore, Moka, Kurumu and Yukari, bowing apologetically to each of them in turn. "I'm really sorry for overstepping my boundaries."

"Um…that's okay?" Moka asked as much as she responded, looking to Maya and Taiga to show how confused she and the others were.

"I guess we should introduce our new friends properly," Taiga sighed, scratching his head in an agitated manner. "This is Souji and Tabitha. They're Fangire youths who've come to join us in Yokai Academy. They're also…" Taiga paused, apparently not quite sure how to explain his next few words. Souji raised his hand to take up the baton for Taiga.

"I am the new Bishop, meant to serve in Taiga-sama's Checkmate Four," He declared, holding up his hand to reveal the Bishop symbol on the back of his hand.

"And I'm the new Rook!" Tabitha declared proudly. "And I'm so happy to serve my heroes Kiva-sama and Saga-sama!"

Wataru, after being thawed out by Mizore, the Arms Monsters and the girls all looked to the two youths, eyes wide and mouths hanging open. Taiga, Maya and Mio all watched the group's reaction with mixtures of exhaustion, amusement and worry.

"You've gotta be kidding me!" Jiro bellowed furiously, scraping his nails across the ground, sending blue sparks jumping into the air before taking his true Wolfen form. He dashed to face Souji head on, grabbing the young man by the collar and bringing his claws to bear threateningly. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't tear you apart right now."

"I understand your anger, noble Wolfen," Souji stated, not afraid despite the real fact that Jiro can and would rip his throat out before he finished talking. "What mine and Tabitha-san's predecessors did to you, your kind as well as those of your comrades' kind was terrible and monstrous. But, I can assure you that we are nothing like them." He explained as calmly as he could, not blinking under Jiro's piercing glare.

"And why should we believe that?" Yukari demanded. "We've fought the old Rook and Bishop before in the past. Your friend there seems just as vicious as her predecessor."

"And you smell just as treacherous as the old Bishop," Jiro scrutinized, his red eyes glowing with murderous intent.

"That's enough!" The order cut through the entire room as everyone looked to Taiga who scrutinized the situation with a tired grimace. "I've promised them the chance to speak on behalf of themselves and by my observation they've yet to fully do so." He turned to Jiro, gesturing with his head. "Release him Jiro, let him speak." Jiro growled in irritation, not liking the situation one bit, but he complied to his master's elder brother's orders, releasing the young Bishop and retaking his human form to join his comrades, who placed reassuring hands on his shoulders to try and calm him down.

"Thank you, Taiga-sama," Souji bowed in thanks and Taiga signaled for him to continue. "Well, to be honest, the only evidence we have to support our claim of loyalty is the evidence of our duties." He explained as they both held up their symbols again. "These marks appeared on our hands while our predecessors were still alive and active."

"How is that possible?" Ramon asked. "The Title of Checkmate Four passes after the death of the previous members."

"That's not entirely true," Maya spoke up, garnering everyone's attention. "How would you explain me being alive during Mio-chan's rule?" She smiled coyly at their perplexed faces. "I had lost the favor of my husband, the previous King, the day he found out I had fallen in love with Wataru's father, a human."

"And Rook and Bishop were certainly not in my favor after they attempted to kill Wataru and destroy the Academy," Taiga was beginning to catch on.

"So, that must mean you two…" Wataru started.

"We were chosen as Rook and Bishop because we were the most in tune with our new King, just as his new Queen was," Souji finished with a happy smile.

"Which is great because we didn't like the old ways at all!" Tabitha added, loudly. "Fighting people can be fun, but killing is wrong."

"I can't believe this." Jiro ran a hand down his face in exasperation. "The old Checkmate Four must be rolling in their graves right now."

"But how do we know you won't try to attack Wataru for being half human? Fangire's hate humans and Fandiri don't they?" Kurumu asked suspiciously.

"No way!" Tabitha shot back. "Kiva-sama is the coolest. He beat the Legendorga and the Old King. Souji-kun and I really respect him for that!"

"To Tabitha-san and I, Wataru-sama is also a King we must serve. We have no more intention of betraying him than we do Taiga-sama," Souji alliterated.

"So you don't care that he's a Fandiri?" Moka asked again to confirm.

"Certainly not." Souji shook his head as he spoke. "If we were concerned about the blood in our King's veins, we as formerly low-born Fangire would have no right to our current roles."

"A sound answer," Maya responded pleasingly. "My children, you should feel lucky to have comrades like these."

"We will serve you loyally, until our predecessors' misdeeds are forgotten to all but time," Souji proclaimed, taking a knee and placing a hand to his chest.

"I just want to stay beside my heroes. I don't care how I compare to the old Rook," Tabitha added. "Please take care of me while I watch out for you!" She stood at attention with two fingers resting on her brow in a salute. Wataru, Taiga and Mio looked back and forth between each other, unsure what to think at this moment. Out of nowhere, they gain the two missing pieces of their broken Checkmate Four, in the form of seemingly devoted, albeit wildly multi-faceted, young Fangires.

"Taiga, didn't you need more members for your Disciplinary Committee?" Maya hinted with an amused smile.

"That's…true." Taiga looked to Souji and Tabitha thoughtfully. They were both capable fighters, they were also loyal to him and based off their proclamation of denying the Fangires' tyrannical heritage, he felt he could trust them to not abuse any authority they may be given. Taiga grinned at his mother, she must have thought this through from the beginning. "Very well. I have a proposition for you two." Souji and Tabitha looked to their King expectantly for him to issue their first orders.

The Hinata Inn

"Auntie, I'm back," Keitaro called as he entered the Hinata, his new guest following in his wake.

"Welcome back," Haruka replied but then noticed Keitaro hadn't returned with the group he left with. "Where's Kanako-chan and Tatsuma-kun?" She asked curiously, still eyeing the dark haired man behind Keitaro.

"We had a slight mishap." Keitaro was embarrassed to admit. He quickly got his aunt up to speed on the day's happenings. "Kanako refused to come home until she got her Memory back so Tatsuma went with her to continue looking. I came back because we just happened to meet up with a substantial source of information." He gestured to his hard faced companion.

"So who is he?" Haruka asked outright.

"Nago Keisuke. 19 years old. Known occupation: Bounty Hunter. Real Occupation: Elite Agent of the Aozora Association." Phillip trotted down the stairs, book in hand as he chanted of information ID-ing Nago.

"You must be Urashima-san's brother, the reported brains of the operation, Phillip-san. Correct?" Nago deduced. A showy brow from Phillip confirmed his inquiry. "We never met when I first worked with Urashima-san, though I overheard Urashima relaying information to you over the phone."

Phillip closed his eyes and tapped his head in thought. "A case 2 years ago. We were both tracking a serial murderer by the name of Sugimura Takahashi. I helped Keitaro track him down and you apprehended him." This time it was Nago's turn to nod in confirmation.

"Anyway, Nago-san seems to know a lot about the particular kind of culprits we're dealing with so we came here to swap info. Keep us posted if Kanako and Tatsuma come back," Keitaro said as he led Nago towards the living room of the inn. They found the room quite crowded with Naru, Kitsune, Motoko, Mutsumi and Mizuho sitting and chatting amongst themselves.

"Ah, Kei!" Kitsune, as well as Mizuho, smiled and waved in greetings while the other girls seemed intent on their plan on giving him the cold shoulder, not turning their attention away from each other as if Keitaro had never even walked into the room.

"Not wishing to disturb you girls, just gotta talk with an old friend about a case, we'll just sit in the kitchen." Keitaro really did not want to make the girls any madder at him than they've been lately, so he opted to not shoo them from the living room. He gestured for Nago and Phillip to follow him as they bypassed the women, which Nago scrutinized quizzically as they passed.

"You seem to have a large number of women living with you in your office," He stated, not hiding his mounting disapproval.

"Not by my choice at first," Keitaro tried to explain. "My grandmother owns this inn and a while back she turned it into a boarding house for women. Dear old granny volunteered me to watch over the place while she was on her travels, so I've had to deal with a lot of headaches from my tenants while also trying to make this place my office for my private detective business."

Nago found the explanation sound, still. "You aren't up to anything sinful with your tenants are you?"

"What?! Why would you think such a thing?!" Keitaro demanded, hurt by the accusation.

"Well, currently Nii-san is dating Kitsune-san. And even before that he has run into a multitude of incidents where the girls have either punched him, kicked him or tried to murder him with a bokuto sword because they stumbled upon him in incidents they perceived to be perverted." Phillip stated matter of factly, Keitaro's jaw hanging open because his brother just outted him without batting an eye.

"Well what about you?!" Keitaro shot back. "First night we were here you popped your head through the hole to Naru's room while she was changing and if I'm not mistaken, you are currently dating a girl several years below your age!"

"Kaolla and mine's relationship is currently on an intellectual level. We have planned to wait till she has grown up a little before we take things further."

"The hell is that?!"

As the Urashimas quarreled back and forth between each other, they had yet to notice the piercing stare Nago was pointing at both of them. Any respect they had garnered from him had just flat-lined.

"Urashima-san, please slow down!" Kurogasa called as he tried to quicken his pace to match Kanako's. Tatsuma had called him down to request he help them find Kanako's Skull Memory which they explained had been stolen in a recent battle. The young man agreed without complaint, volunteering to look after Kanako while Tatsuma covered more ground on his own. If worst came to worst, he had his own Memory on hand, passed to him by Tatsuma and only to be used for emergencies. However, at the moment, the only emergency was how often Kanako was moving away from his line of sight as she obsessively searched for her Memory.

"Have you seen this man?" Kanako demanded to the clerk of a Ramen stand. Kurogasa was relieved to see she finally stopped beside it. She showed him the picture of the man who had apparently stolen her Memory, taken by the Bat Shot which had been on the scene snagging pictures out of sight from everyone.

The clerk shook his head, shrugging in apology. Kanako scowled in frustration and stomped away, not at all concerned she had disturbed the shop while it was serving customers.

"Urashima-san, that was rude." Kurogasa reprimanded, the goth turned her steely eyed glare on the boy, causing him to step just out of her reach in fear she may take her anger out on him. "You need to calm down." He pleaded, still hopefully out of range.

"How can I keep calm knowing that freak is out there with the Chief's memory? How can I keep calm knowing I'd done such an irresponsible thing?" Kurogasa suddenly noticed how her fists were shaking and the moisture forming at the corners of her eyes, his expression softened to one of understanding as he realized her frustration came from shame and guilt instead of anger.

"Look, Tatsuma-san and I are with you on this. And even if we don't find it right now, you're brothers will be on the case real soon. I'm sure getting that Memory back is just as important to them as it is to you," he comforted, while maintaining a respectable distance.

Kanako looked to the young man and saw his reassuring smile. She quickly wiped the sides of her eyes dry and turned away preparing to walk off again, though just before she did, she whispered, "Thanks." just loud enough for him to hear. Kurogasa nodded and followed after her, relieved that she had slowed her pace a bit this time.

The two had been searching for over an hour, walking up to several people and asking around multiple shops and stands for any clues as to whether anyone had seen their thief. But as luck would have it, their perp had learned fast it seems and was making sure not to be seen too much around town.

"This is getting us nowhere." Kanako sighed. "He's clearly figured out how to get around this city already we'll never be able to find him by word of mouth."

"I'll call Tatsuma-san, see if he's had any luck." Kurogasa suggested reaching for his cell phone in his pocket. Kurogasa was so focused on fumbling inside his pockets that he didn't notice until it was too late that he was going to bump into someone.

"Oof!" Kurogasa and the young woman he bumped into collided, both of them falling back.

"You okay?" Kanako asked as Kurogasa rubbed his sore side.

"Fine. Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was…ma'am?" Kurogasa and Kanako both realized that the woman he had ran into had yet to pick herself up, she was still lying on her side, her long black hair covering the upper part of her face. "Ma'am, are you alright?" Kurogasa asked, kneeling at the woman's side and rolling her onto her back.

"Haa! Haa ha!" Both teens blanched when they saw the face of their charge. Her face was pale and sickly. Her eyes had bags under them and belayed the exhaustion racking her. Any other observer would have noted this as a cold or the flu due to overworking, but they knew better as the saw the undeniable markings of a Gaia Memory Bio Port on her neck above her collar.

"This woman…" Kanako stated urgently, pulling back slightly in suspicion. "She has the symptoms of heavy Memory use."

"This looks incredibly severe. She's just barely conscious." Kurogasa noted that they were beginning to draw attention to themselves. "Help me with her, let's take her to some place she can rest and we can figure what to do with her," Kurogasa suggested as he began to take the woman's arm and carefully lift the woman's upper body off the ground.

"Are you nuts?!" Kanako hissed. "If she has a Gaia Memory who knows what she may do?"

"If it comes to that I will act, but she's clearly in no condition to try anything so please Urashima-san, help me!"

Kanako grimaced under his pleading gaze but in the end she gave in, taking the woman's other arm as the two teens led her to a nearby bench. They laid her back against the seat and sat down beside her supporting her while trying to get her attention.

"Miss? Can you hear me?" Kurogasa asked as the mysterious woman panted for breath she was having difficulty grabbing.

"Who…are you?" She asked through breaths, her eyes fluttering tiredly as she did.

"We saw how sick you were and we know why," Kanako explained while Kurogasa got out his phone, preparing to call Tatsuma to regroup.

"If you have a Gaia Memory, please surrender it to us. It's killing you!" Kanako urged while placing a supportive hand on the woman's shoulder. Now that she got a good look at her, Kanako realized that she was around her brothers' age as well as Mizuho's. Her features were quite pretty so it was a shame to see her in such a state.

"Gaia…Memory?" The sick woman repeated. "I don't…ahh!" She suddenly placed a hand to her temple as if trying to answer was sending a twinge of pain through her head. "I'm sorry, I don't know."

Kanako looked unsure if the woman was telling the truth but she had to admit the woman was in pain. "Please, what is your name?" Kanako asked kindly.

The woman panted weakly and paused as if she was having trouble remembering. "My name is…"

"Yes?" Kanako asked.

"Ma…yumi."

Once the two Urashima brothers had ceased quarreling, Keitaro led Phillip and Nago to the kitchen where they commenced in swapping information. Phillip started off with an inquiry. "So…your organization are the specialists in dealing with the Fangire, am I correct to assume?"

"You are," Nago confirmed. "Since the 1980's the Aozora have developed specialized weapons and tactics for battling the Fangire. Our crowning achievement has been this, the IXA System." Nago pulled out the gold knuckle weapon from his jacket for Keitaro and Phillip to see.

"So this thing can fight Fangires?" Keitaro asked, recalling the moment Nago suited up the Fangires seemed to reel back in fright.

"Fight and destroy them," Nago corrected as he re-pocketed the device. "Though in its early stages it could only ward off the Fangires, forcing them to go into hiding. The latest model has the power to actually destroy them."

"Then I'd like to state an observation," Phillip suggested. "When you came onto the scene your actions seemed strangely unhostile. For a Fangire Hunter you were uncharacteristically diplomatic."

Keitaro had to agree with his partner on that point. When he first met the bounty hunter years ago he was incredibly hostile and self-righteous. Often he would threaten the detective with violence if he interfered at all with capturing their shared culprit. And when they finally trapped their perp, he wasted no time in brutally and mercilessly apprehending the man.

"Right, that," Nago sighed as he leaned back in his seat with his arms crossed. "Believe it or not, the Aozora's no longer engage in monster hunting of any kind. We have made peace with the Fangire and created strong bonds with their leaders, a youthful group of Fangire Nobles."

"Wait, you're friends with the Fangires now?!" Keitaro asked in disbelief.

"The newest generation of Fangire Royalty has shown restraint and compassion towards mankind. In fact, a dear comrade of mine is a half human/Fangire hybrid, who has counseled his brother and fellow Fangire to work for a future where they can live in peace with humanity. He now goes to a special, secluded academy where he along with other young Yokai are educated to live in human society."

Keitaro stared dumbstruck at Nago, his mouth hanging open. Phillip kept a hand to his chin as he listened in fascination but even he was wide eyed in perplexion. Even the girls had stopped chatting in the living room and were now peeping into the kitchen to listen to Nago's explanation. They were all looking at the bounty hunter as if he was crazy.

"All that is…a bit hard to swallow," Keitaro admitted as he set his hat down and scratched his head in thought.

"Kei, are you sure this guy's right in the head," Kitsune asked nervously.

"I assure you, I am quite sane. Through my young Fangire friend, I have learned a great many things about the Yokai who live secretly within Human society. Thanks to that I am no longer the same man I used to be and fight for the sake of protecting innocent lives instead of just eradicating evil," Nago explained with his head held high. "For this reason I ask that before the next time we meet with the Fangires on the loose in your city, we make contact with my allies within the Fangire and see what they think of the situation."

"Are you certain that's wise?" Phillip asked, unsure of the request. "These Fangire have shown they have no concern for human lives. I don't believe they possess any intentions of working toward peace with humanity."

"Yes, my friends have kept me updated on their progress and as you'd believe there are many Fangires who are against their leader's advocating for peace or have serious issues adapting to life without hunting down humans for sustenance. Still I believe that if judgment is to be dealt by anyone it should by their own kind."

"Justice at the hands of an unbiased court huh?" Keitaro repeated, not denying the sense Nago was making. "I suppose we can arrange that, if we can actually apprehend these two. Me and Tatsuma together couldn't bring one of those things down and even though you certainly bring the fight in our favor, they've proven just how easily they can slip away from us."

Nago took Keitaro's words into consideration as he mulled over a solution. "I can call down some of my friends, they may be able to convince them to give themselves up or at the very least help us overwhelm them with sheer numbers."

"I suppose as Fangire themselves they would be able to control the situation better," Phillip surmised.

"Of my comrades I can say only 3 of them are Fangires, the rest are various Yokai and among them there are four Kamen Riders." Nago saw the group's dumbfounded shock and wide eyed looks with a satisfied smirk.

"Other Kamen Riders!?" Mizuho's eyes lit up with astonishment and expectation of having even more Riders to investigate.

"Riders of a supernatural variety?" Phillip pondered in fascination. "This will require research." He quickly scooped up his book and rushed up the stairs to his and Keitaro's office to begin his newest line of investigation. Keitaro didn't stop him from leaving, he was still in shock.

"These Yokai students are Kamen Riders?" The detective asked as if he wasn't certain he heard correctly. Nago nodded in confirmation. "Well then you've got to call them down here as soon as possible because I would love to meet them. I'm certain we can close this case in no time with their help."

"So we have a plan then?" Nago inquired though his smile showed he knew the answer.

"We're in business." Keitaro offered the bounty hunter his hand which Nago shook vigorously.

"I just informed Tatsuma-san of the situation and our location. He says he'll reach us as fast as he can." Kurogasa informed Kanako though he was concerned by her puzzled look. "Something wrong?" He asked as Kanako stared inquisitively at the woman apparently named Mayumi.

"Mayumi…where do I know that name?" She asked herself, wracking her brain for the answer.

"Umm…Urashima-san. We seem to be drawing attention again, we should move," Kurogasa suggested, referring to several of the people among the crowd of passersby stopping and staring at them. "Tatsuma-san said he was coming from the direction of the police station so we should head there and try to meet him half way."

"Good idea," Kanako agreed. "Mayumi-san, we're moving again, c'mon." Kanako helped the weak woman to her feet as the two teens lead her away from the exposed park. Per Kurogasa's instructions, they walked in the direction that would lead them to the police station, but they were barely out of the park when the two noticed they were being followed.

"We have this under control." Kurogasa tried to dissuade their followers from getting involved, just in case their charge did in fact happen to be dangerous. Still the pack of men and women pursued them, even more fervently now.

"This way," Kanako ordered as they slipped onto a branching path that lead through the woods. This path lead to more branching paths which the group took in order to lose the pack of people chasing them.

"Umm…aren't we going to meet your friend?" Mayumi asked weakly, not enjoying being jostled around as her benefactors quickened their pace through the winding paths.

"Something isn't right," Kanako stated looking back to see that there were indeed people still following them. "If they wanted to stop us they would have done it already. It's almost like they're herding us."

"That's because they are. We've been cornered," Kurogasa sighed dejectedly. Their escape route had taken them out of the woods and towards an underpass filled with abandoned masonry and construction materials. Several teenagers used this spot as a hangout and were in the process of using it at the moment, and they too were staring at the trio with the same focused look as their pursuers.

"What do they want?" Mayumi asked fearfully as the teenagers created a wall to keep them from progressing and the people behind them closed in from behind to form a fence of human bodies.

"Why we want the return of one of our own of course," A shrill, feminine chortle rang out through the underpass. The teenagers parted slightly to reveal the woman who had spoken to Kanako and Kurogasa. She was pretty with long red hair she kept hidden under a long brimmed black hat. She wore a sleeveless black dress that hugged her slim figure and stopped just at her knees, she wore black stiletto shoes and black clothes. She was sitting cross legged on what at first appeared to be a makeshift chair but on closer inspection the teens were appalled to see that she's sitting on the backs of two teenage girls younger and smaller than she was. The two seemed to pay no mind to their burden and only stared blankly at the ground like the others around them.

"Who are you?" Kanako hissed in disgust, not pleased at what the older woman was putting those younger girls through. She then realized that Mayumi was trying to slip from hers and Kurogasa's grip, stepping back with a look of pure terror on her face.

"Aya-san…" Mayumi whimpered terrified as she tried to retreat as far back from the black clad woman as possible, but was quickly stopped and held in place by one of the woman's other cronies.

"Now Mayumi…" The woman named Aya tutted as she got up from her "throne" and dismissively stepped past Kanako and Kurogasa to stand face to face with the frightened dark haired woman. "You should know by now that you can't ever escape me. We've been best friends since high school after all, we have to keep hanging out for the rest of your life," She said the last part with a sneer.

"Now I remember!" Kanako said aloud shocking Kurogasa and making Aya stare back in annoyance at the "brat" who dared to interrupt her. "You! You were the one who black mailed Mayumi-san into being your slave. You nearly ruined her life!" Kanako pointed an accusatory finger at Aya, the disgust on her face even more evident than her tone.

"My…" Aya turned back to Kanako with a finger on her chin, a curious smile on her face and a mad look in her eye. "Just how do you know that old story, little girl? Surely Mayumi didn't tell you."

"My name is Kanako Urashima! My brother Keitaro was the one who put an end to your cruel actions and made sure you got what deserved for your crimes!" Kanako proclaimed the last bit with pride.

"Keitaro Urashima's…little sister?" Aya mulled over this information, her face blank and almost calculating. Her eyes suddenly returned to their mad gleam and she suddenly burst out laughing, a laugh like that of a witch, shrill and dripping with arrogance. "Oh Mayumi-chan!" She suddenly turned to Mayumi with a wide smile and stars in her eyes. "You've brought me the most wonderful present! I can finally take revenge on another of the bastards who ruined my life. Oh you really are a wonderful best friend!" She suddenly grabbed Mayumi's cheeks and forced her lips to her own. Kanako and Kurogasa blanched at the sudden display of affection and were further disturbed by Mayumi's whimpering and crying as her tormentor deepened the kiss. "You've made me so happy, Mayumi-chan!" Aya finally broke away from the sobbing Mayumi and snapped her fingers, prompting her minions to stand at the attention. "Everyone, bring that girl to me at once. I don't care in what condition and you might as well kill her twerp friend." At her order, the throng of misty eyed people mindlessly turned on the two teens who cautiously stood back to back in preparation for a fight.

The human drones each suddenly pulled from their pockets, purses, or whatever they have, a familiar black flash drive with white bone markings on its sides.

"MASQUERADE!"

"They're all…?!" Kanako gasped in shock at the sight of so many Gaia Memories in the hands of what looked like normal civilians.

"Yes!" Aya chortled as she raised both her arms in show, prompting two of her drones to take her outstretched arms and lift her up off her feet. "They are my loyal Dopant subjects. And I am their Queen! Queen of the Masquerade Ball!" She too held out a black Memory, this one with pink bone markings however, and lowering the device to her chest where it was absorbed into her Bio Port. Her drones followed her lead, activating their Memories but to Kanako and Kurogasa's dread, they did so without Bio Ports.

"QUEEN!"

"MASQUERADE!"

The drones were instantly donned in their forms where their faces had become jet black with white skull like markings across their face. Aya however had undergone a full body transformation as the two goons who held her up released her so she could suddenly levitate into the air, her body crackling with violent pink energy. She was suddenly robed in a violet-pink Victorian style gown, its skirt being extremely wide, almost dome-like as she hovered in the air like a saucer. Her dress had long sleeves that ran right to her wrist with cone like ends that practically blocked her hands from view and a high collar at her neck. Her skin had become jet black like that of a Masquerade Dopant, with black claws for hands and her face becoming similarly donned in a black skull mask with the addition of a golden eye mask and a three pointed white crown on her head. In her hands was a scepter with a thick mace end shaped like a crown as well.

"Queen?" Kanako gasped in shock, recalling the T2 version she and the others had collected during the battle with NEVER in Futo months ago. The Memory was found before it could find a host so she had no ideas what kind of powers it possessed. And she definitely didn't want to find out when she herself was without her Skull Memory.

"Subjects, attack!" Aya commanded, prompting the pack of Masquerade Dopants to charge as one at the two teens.

"Not good!" Kurogasa stated urgently as he pulled out his own white with gold trimmed Memory and inserted it into the Bio Port on his forearm.

"LIGHT!"

Kanako and the Dopants had to shield their eyes as Kurogasa's body was suddenly wrapped in brilliant golden light. Kanako suddenly felt herself being picked up bridal style and lifted into the air. She held on tight to Kurogasa's new Dopant form as they hovered upwards toward the top of the overpass. Several cars stopped in their tracks as the drivers could not help but stare in awe at the sight of the angelic figure suddenly soar above them and then land in the middle of the halted traffic. The figure clad in pure white armor with a set of phantasmal blue wings shaped like a star gently let the gothically dressed girl down and levitated back into the air once more.

"Find Tatsuma-san!" Kurogasa ordered Kanako as he prepared to dive back down into the fray of Dopants. "I'll save Mayumi-san."

"But-!" Kanako began to say but stopped herself. What could she do? Capable a fighter as she was, a human's strength could never match up to a Dopant's even in a fair fight. She silently nodded and ran off, hiding her regret under her white fedora. Kurogasa watched her go, satisfied as he dropped back into the fray, leveling his axe-guarded sword at the Queen Dopant.

"Release Mayumi-san at once," he commanded, a very real threat in his voice. Queen merely snickered at his demand.

"Not gonna happen, twerp. But this did just get more interesting for me," She cooed as she crossed her arms in thought. "I wonder how my employers would reward me if I bring them the prototype Light Memory that was stolen from our labs, as well as the little brat who wields it. I just might be promoted from a lowly distributor to an executive officer."

"So you work with that organization?" Kurogasa stated under his breath. "Then I have further reasons to stop you and your lackeys here and now!" The memory of his father's murder by the Museum's hitmen flared in Kurogasa's mind and he took a spread legged stance with his sword held vertical beside him. Tatsuma had taught how to properly wield his sword and how to channel his anger into his fighting ability without letting it control him. He planned to use both these lessons to use and put an end to any Museum goon he crossed path with, so he wouldn't lose anything ever again!

"Tough talk brat but can you back up those words with any actual action?" With a flick of her wrist a trio of the Masquerade Dopants broke off from the pack to face him down themselves. They were all dressed averagely like their comrades, quite different from the usual tux clad Masquerade Dopants. He was also a bit confused when one decided to just haphazardly rush him, no guns, no knives or any combat discipline at all displayed. It just rushed him with arms swinging.

Kurogasa easily sidestepped the charge to kick the Dopant square in the back, sending it tumbling straight into a pile of dirt leftover from past constructions. The next two came in at once, though they too just swung at their superior foe with no form of style or training, just swinging and hoping to hit someone hard enough. The Light Dopant easily caught the incoming fist of one of his foes while slamming the thick guard of his sword into the other's chin in an uppercut. And now that he had gained some breathing room, he pushed the Dopant he blocked away only to swipe his blade across its chest in a diagonal slash, sending it crumbling back and to the ground.

"Your troops are un-trained my lady." Kurogasa mocked as he grabbed the one he had sent tumbling into the dirt by the collar and prepared to smash his sword's guard into this one's jaw as well.

"Perhaps, but then I did just conscript them from off the street today."

"What?!" Kurogasa held his blow back as he looked over his victims more closely. Indeed they were all dressed very averagely, so average that he would have sworn they did not even look like they knew they would be getting into any kind of fight today. And the way the Dopant in his grip vainly tried to claw and swing at him instead of removing his grip on its collar ultimately seemed more like he was single-mindedly focusing on attacking Kurogasa. Even the Dopants he had injured more brutally were already picking themselves up on shaking legs, as if they ignored the pain they were feeling. A terrible thought came to his mind.

"You're manipulating them," he accused as he glared at Queen who nonchalantly hovered overhead watching the fight play out.

"BINGO!" Aya gave a mock applause and her entourage followed suit. "I can make any weak willed person into my loyal and unquestioning servant. They would die for me, if only I asked. They would kill for me as well." She pointed forward with her scepter, commanding the entire pack of over 20 strong to attack Kurogasa as one. The young Dopant wasn't feeling so confident anymore as he had to swerve and dodge so many blows aimed right for him and having not the will to attack back.

"That's why none of them have Bio-Ports, you're just using them as meat shields," Kurogasa snarled in disgust. "Don't you know what happens to those who use Memories without a Port?!"

"True, but it would take so long to give everyone I manipulate the surgery, and besides, they're only using weak Masquerade Memories. They'll only be a bit sore…for several weeks," Aya giggled the last part as if it was a hilarious punch-line.

"Dammit!" Kurogasa suddenly spread his translucent wings out, leaping into the sky and away from the clawing hands of Aya's innocent slaves.

"Oh now that just won't do."

"Huurrgh!" Kurogasa suddenly felt incredibly heavy as his wings were struggling to keep him aloft. "What going on?! My body…it's like its resisting me!"

"To be expected of the user of the Light Memory. You have a strong will. You can almost resist my control completely. Almost," Queen sniggered as Kurogasa slowly began to sink closer to the ground and the waiting Dopants.

'Dammit, gotta think fast!' He pondered as he forced his body to stay aloft despite its urge to want to sink lower. He noticed that Mayumi was left mostly alone with the exception of only one Masquerade Dopant holding her in place. "Gotta try!" He decided as he used every last ounce of his will power to force his body to push higher so that he could gain a bit more altitude. It took some unbearably slow seconds but he finally gained enough height and instantly shot toward Mayumi and her captor, dive bombing them with his fist pumped forward.

"Sorry!" Kurogasa grimaced as he was forced to slam his fist into the lone puppet's face but it was all he could do to get him to release Mayumi. Kurogasa quickly took Mayumi by the hand and began ascending furiously to escape the horde rushing toward them. Aya watched the attempt with smug confidence as she rested her chin on her hand.

"A brave attempt but I'm afraid my dear Mayumi-chan isn't interested in younger men. Isn't that right, Mayumi-chan?" Aya suddenly pulled out a light greenish Memory which she tossed toward Kurogasa and Mayumi. And to the Light Dopant's dismay, Mayumi caught the device without hesitation.

"Bird!"

Mayumi's eyes had become glazed over the same as Aya's other puppets had and she quickly pulled back her collar and inserted the greenish Memory into the Bio Port on her neck. Kurogasa was forced to release his grip on Mayumi's hand as her body began to change. He was in so much shock that he was unable to raise his sword in defense as a fire ball of red plasma struck him in the chest, nearly sending him crashing to the ground.

"Your new look suits you, Mayumi-chan," Aya giggled at Mayumi's new avian kaijin form complete with green feathers covering her body, a long neck topped with the silver head of a bird and yellow toothed beak where her head had once been, a pair of small bird wings sprouting from her shoulders and a pair of long, metallic talons growing from her arms. The Bird Dopant flapped menacingly between Kurogasa and Aya, as if she was blocking Kurogasa from reaching her tormentor. "Do me a favor and get rid of this little worm for me." Aya commanded and Mayumi charged for Kurogasa unquestioningly.

Aya could only look at the redhead before her in abject fear and anger, having been on the receiving end of a merciless beating from the young man.

"What…what the hell are you?!" She screeched all of her rage out at him, defying this outcome to the bitter end.

"You know…" the redhead shrugged, turning back to her with an almost unreadable expression. To her honest confusion, the guy started laughing, tears welling up in his eyes betraying how bitter he sounded.

"I honestly don't know anymore. I mean, yeah, I still look human," he trailed off as he paced around the defeated villainess, "but with everything that's happened so far, can I still consider myself a part of this world? A part…of my family?"

Sighing, the redhead redirected his ire towards Aya, his golden eyes flashing darkly before he issued one last warning.

"You only have one last chance, Aya-san. Lay down your arms and come with me to face trial the right way. If not, I cannot truly say just how I will handle you from this point onward."

Aya automatically spat in his face. "If you think this is over, you fucking idiot, then you're living in a dream world!"

The redhead immediately appeared in front of her face, snarling like a wild beast.

"That attitude is EXACTLY what got you into this mess, you damned idiot motherfucker!" he roared, his anger finally at a peak. He then grabbed her collar with both of his hands, hoisting her into the air. "All you have to do is agree to a trial and start the process of reform! It's the only real way this can end peacefully!"

Aya barked at him with cruel laughter. "You can't honestly think that works in real life, kid!"

"Then what do you really want?!" he shouted in greater rage.

"What's the worst you can do, boya?" Aya sneered at him, daring him to do anything at this point.

He stiffened, lowering his head down before the criminal in front of him.

In a flash, though, Aya was struggling to break his grip on her neck. As she felt her breath fill with fire, the redhead brought his head back up – but, much to Aya's shock, he was actually crying.

"So this is the one true test of my humanity, huh?" he chuckled bitterly. "Well, whoever's responsible for this, you've finally gotten your wish. I now know what being human truly means…"

To Aya's further shock, she could see claws sprouting out of a strange circle, all of them bloodied and well within the dozens.

"We really do make our own demons." She heard him lament. "And now, with this…I'm sorry." Now he started crying in earnest. "I…I don't have a choice anymore!"

He threw Aya back onto the ground, now grasping her head with his left hand while his right was cocked back, now taking the shape of a white, reptilian gauntlet.

"You had your chance!" he roared one last time, the tears staining his face as he brought his fist down.

And then Aya could feel nothing – no heat, no solidness, and no air.

Of course, as the approaching face that seemed like hundreds of tormented souls stitched together came at her with an earth-shaking screech proved, she could still do three things:

Void herself in realization of how badly she screwed up, see her impending doom, and scream.

Even where he was now, Kurogasa could do nothing but hear the tortured, dying scream of Aya Kuroda as she was dropped face-first into Hell, the only other proof that she was dead being the cold body now beside him as he let loose his sorrow to the sky.

Is this really the only way? Is being human…still worth this?

CMR Rosa: Again sorry for the long wait, I was having problems with my computer and working on other stories. I hope this chapter was worth the wait.

busterleader92: Looks like the new Bishop and Rook joined the Kiva gang while Nago and Keitaro formed an alliance to find the Fangire who stole the Skull Memory. However the Queen of the Dopant make her evil appearance and attacked Kurogasa and Kanako. But more importantly, what's going to happened to Kurogasa and the Queen Dopant?