The Stars of Another World

[[Independent Multimuse RP Blog for different gender Kamen Rider Fourze characters from another world]]

[switchonthestars-blog]

"Ryuuko?" Taya looks to the familiar face with the biggest smile and slight tears in her eyes "Is that really you?"

Ryuuko smiled back at Taya, although it was dwarfed by the smile on her friend’s face. “Hi, Taya. It’s me.” She reached over and batted the top of Taya’s head. “Don’t cry, dumby. Save that for what I brought you.”

[friendshipstates]

Gentaro defers to Unity. “By Gate Switch, you mean a…” She launches in an extremely complex scientific term for the whole process. Her jargon leaves Gentaro, Ki and Carter shaking their heads, while Parse just tells them to nod and agree.

“I’d like to help you remake it, if you’ll have me, Kaede.” Unity says, after a moment.

[fourzefriendship]

Taya smiles. “We will try to get Kaede to you so she can help you Yuki, but it might be a bit before we get there.”

Ryuuko side glances at Unity. “I wouldn’t ask her that. She doesn’t like people touching her stuff. Especially if she doesn’t know you. She didn’t want me touching it when I first showed up.”

[switchonthestars-blog]

Kaede’s lips twitched. “I appreciate the offer, but I do prefer to work on my own with calibrating the switches.”

On the screen, Karen got a thoughtful look on her face. “I could use a little extra help though, if you wouldn’t mind working with me.” She smiled at Unity. “Anyone who understands what these blueprints mean would be a welcome assistant.”

Juri rested a hand on Ryuuko’s shoulder is quiet support.

[miichigoariyamakikusui]

1993.09.16

[shining-glimmering-jewelz]

[themonkeyriderz]

LOVE ><

[lierdumoa]

[switchonthestars-blog]

"Ryuuko?" Taya looks to the familiar face with the biggest smile and slight tears in her eyes "Is that really you?"

Ryuuko smiled back at Taya, although it was dwarfed by the smile on her friend’s face. “Hi, Taya. It’s me.” She reached over and batted the top of Taya’s head. “Don’t cry, dumby. Save that for what I brought you.”

[switchonthestars-blog]

Yuki’s face lit up as he took in the people in the room. “Taya, you’re back! Ryuuko, you found her! Kaede, they got you back! … Juri, right? Yay! Ryuuko found you!”

Kaede waved at her first friend. “It’s good to see you, Yuki. How are things going with my mom’s research?”

Yuki bounced where he stood, full of excitement. “We found it! The notes for how to create the gate switch again!”

Shroud stepped forward at this point, finally speaking up. “A full report, Jojima.”

Yuki snapped Shroud a salute. “Yes, sir!” Even though his tone was serious, he was still smiling and bouncing a little. “With help from Karen-chan and her assistant, we were able to sort through the possessions of Utahoshi Rikako to find some useful research, most notably the blueprints for the Gate Switch.”

The camera was turned to show a woman in glasses and rather fashionable clothes accompanied by a blank-faced girl in purple. “Hi Utahoshi. Your mom’s work is as impressive as ever, but we managed to figure it out.” Her eyes flicked to the side to where Yuki had stuck his head back in frame. “You’ve got quite the assistant there. Mind if I keep him?”

Kaede raised an eyebrow and countered. “Depends, Steinbelt. You willing to do a trade?”

Karen looked back over her shoulder at the silent girl behind her before looked back at the camera. “No chance, Utahoshi. Chase stays with me.”

Kaede shrugged. “Then no deal.”

[friendshipstates]

The fact that this world’s Yuuki is working with Steinbelt brings a grin to his face. He waves to the space geek and the genius. “Hey there. I’m the Kisaragi from the other world. I’m here to help you guys anyway I can. Nice to meet both of you. Let’s get along!”

He’s not sure if they can see his whole team behind him, but they’re all waving nonetheless. Even though they’ve just come off a major rescue mission, they haven’t lost their ability to smile.

“You’re going to get the Gate Switch to work again? That’s fantastic!” Gentaro cheers for that news.

[fourzefriendship]

“Yep!! It is great to be back! Although I wish it was to better conditions.” Taya said stepping up to Kaede’s side.

Chase rose an eyebrow at Karen’s request for a new assistant. She shook her head before going back to looking at the blue prints.

Ryuuko nodded to Yuki. “Nice to see you again, Yuki now about the plans for the gate switch. Do you have one working or are you still working on it?”

[switchonthestars-blog]

Yuki’s eyes widened, and so did his smile. “Another Gin-chan? Awesome!”

Karen raised an eyebrow. “And how’s that going for you, Utahoshi?”

Kaede’s lips twisted into a grimace. “I’m trying not to think about it too much.” She looked back at Yuki. “Yes, how far did you get?”

Yuki frowned for a moment. “It’s been hard finding the blueprints for the equipment that you had to calibrate the switches in the hutch, even with Chase-chan’s help.” He bit his lip. “So we haven’t been able to actually create the switch. Sorry, Kaede.”

Kaede shook her head. “It’s fine. Once I get there, I should be able to rebuild it. I made sure to understand all the equipment I worked with.”

[starminesister]

Hirose Suzu (Chihayafuru) in J Movie Magazine, vol.02 (2015).

[switchonthestars-blog]

"Ryuuko?" Taya looks to the familiar face with the biggest smile and slight tears in her eyes "Is that really you?"

Ryuuko smiled back at Taya, although it was dwarfed by the smile on her friend’s face. “Hi, Taya. It’s me.” She reached over and batted the top of Taya’s head. “Don’t cry, dumby. Save that for what I brought you.”

[friendshipstates]

Gentaro stands back as Kaede and Shroud trade data, but when the communication comes through, he smiles. Someone that joyful in such a bleak world is proof that there’s still hope. But as Shroud made clear, it’s not his world, so he remains quiet, waiting to hear what this person has to say.

The rest of Gentaro’s team gathers around him, and Carter starts tending to their wounds, if they have any.

[fourzefriendship]

Taya follows after Kaede curious as to what she had found for shroud but seeing the reaction must mean Kaese had found Phoebe.

Sonoda nodded and handed the book to Hayami and rested on the chair in silence letting the two girls sleep if they needed.

Ryuuko turned to the video screen to see the male waving to them. “Hey Taya! Yuki’s on!

Tay perked up when her friend was mentioned and ran to the screen. "YUKI!!”

[switchonthestars-blog]

Yuki’s face lit up as he took in the people in the room. “Taya, you’re back! Ryuuko, you found her! Kaede, they got you back! ... Juri, right? Yay! Ryuuko found you!”

Kaede waved at her first friend. “It’s good to see you, Yuki. How are things going with my mom’s research?”

Yuki bounced where he stood, full of excitement. “We found it! The notes for how to create the gate switch again!”

Shroud stepped forward at this point, finally speaking up. “A full report, Jojima.”

Yuki snapped Shroud a salute. “Yes, sir!” Even though his tone was serious, he was still smiling and bouncing a little. “With help from Karen-chan and her assistant, we were able to sort through the possessions of Utahoshi Rikako to find some useful research, most notably the blueprints for the Gate Switch.”

The camera was turned to show a woman in glasses and rather fashionable clothes accompanied by a blank-faced girl in purple. “Hi Utahoshi. Your mom’s work is as impressive as ever, but we managed to figure it out.” Her eyes flicked to the side to where Yuki had stuck his head back in frame. “You’ve got quite the assistant there. Mind if I keep him?”

Kaede raised an eyebrow and countered. “Depends, Steinbelt. You willing to do a trade?”

Karen looked back over her shoulder at the silent girl behind her before looked back at the camera. “No chance, Utahoshi. Chase stays with me.”

Kaede shrugged. “Then no deal.”

[straydogmiaow]

広瀬すず♪

[switchonthestars-blog]

"Ryuuko?" Taya looks to the familiar face with the biggest smile and slight tears in her eyes "Is that really you?"

Ryuuko smiled back at Taya, although it was dwarfed by the smile on her friend’s face. “Hi, Taya. It’s me.” She reached over and batted the top of Taya’s head. “Don’t cry, dumby. Save that for what I brought you.”

[switchonthestars-blog]

Kaede rolled her eyes, but made no argument and put up no resistance as Taya brought her over to the couch.

-

Hayami chuckled quietly, but didn’t add anything, silently agreeing with the others.

Natsumi stayed quiet as she drifted off, taking this brief respite to get some much needed sleep.

-

Juri scrunched up her nose when Ryuuko poked her forehead, then nodded. “Lets.”

- 

Shroud had just got back and was examining the display in front of him when Gentaro came in. He turned his head to the side, regarding Gentaro. Finally, after a moment of silence, he spoke. “You may.”

[friendshipstates]

“The others tell me you have a daughter. Will you tell me about her?” Gentaro takes a seat on a bench and looks up into the bandage-wrapped face before him. “I just want to know more about the heroes of this world, and right now, everyone in the other room deserves some time with the most important people in their lives.”

He maintains eye contact with the other man. “And if you’re like the Shroud I know, then your daughter is likely your most important person.”

[fourzefriendship]

Taya smiled and sat down enjoying Kaede’s company for the r&r they deserved.

-

Ryuuko walked in to the main room to see Taya and Kaede snuggled together on the couch and rolled her eyes. “"Having fun over there Kaede?”

-

Sonoda smirks at the two sitting together sleeping. He looked to the door and wondered what the next plan was going to be.

Yuka was peacefully sleeping but kept an ear out if anything happens.

[switchonthestars-blog]

Juri shook her head, a slight, fond smile on her lips. “Ryuuko... Don’t bother them. They looked comfy.”

Kaede straightened when Ryuuko came in and commented, a faint blush on her cheeks. “Shut up, Sakuta.” Then she blinked, and stood. “Oh, right, I need to give Shroud that.” She headed out of the room to where Shroud was.

-

Hayami exchanged a look with Sonoda and silently pointed to the book on the night stand, asking for him to pass her it. 

Natsu stayed snuggled close to Yuka, appearing fast asleep.

- 

Shroud stared at Gentaro silently for a long time, the temperature in the room rising as he did. When he spoke, there was a dangerous tone in his voice. “Whatever your relationship with my counterpart in your world, it is not your relationship with me, or the others of this world. You’d do well to remember that.” Before he could say anything else, Kaede walked in. “Utahoshi, you should be resting.”

Kaede held up a usb drive. “Later. First, I need to give you this.” There was a faint smirk on her lips as Shroud took it. “You know, the main problem I was having with your request was getting into the system. Then they just let me right in.”

Shroud stiffened, his grip tightening on the drive. “Then this is...?” 

Kaede nodded. “It is.”

Before Shroud could reply, a video window popped up on the display, and a cheerful looking boy with black hair and a starry shirt that said “I need some space” popped up. “Star Stash to Base. This is Stardust. Can anyone read me?”

[switchonthestars-blog]

"Ryuuko?" Taya looks to the familiar face with the biggest smile and slight tears in her eyes "Is that really you?"

Ryuuko smiled back at Taya, although it was dwarfed by the smile on her friend’s face. “Hi, Taya. It’s me.” She reached over and batted the top of Taya’s head. “Don’t cry, dumby. Save that for what I brought you.”

[switchonthestars-blog]

Kaede let out an irritated sigh, while letting him patch her up. “That’s the problem. I can handle one of them. I don’t even want to try dealing with two.”

-

Natsumi rolled her eyes. “What a prize lot we are, huh?” She rested her head against Yuka’s and closed her eyes.

Hayami leaned back against her pillows with a wry smile. “You won’t hear an argument from me on that.”

-

Juri stuck out her tongue. “Stating facts isn’t being pessimistic. Compared to you lot, I am.”

[friendshipstates]

“Strangely enough, her running into her alternate self is probably the best case scenario.” Carter finishes patching any remaining wounds and stands up. “Had it been anybody else, they probably would have tried to do this alone. But doing anything alone is something that Gentaro and Taya can’t do. You have a clean bill of health, Kaede. However, I would suggest spending the next few hours cuddling with someone important to you. It’s good for the soul.”

Gentaro claps Carter on the shoulder in thanks and walks back into the other room to find Shroud.

“Excuse me, Shroud. May I ask you something?”

[fourzefriendship]

Taya smiled at Carter. “Your right Carter! I am always best when I have my friends around me!” Taya then helps Kaede over to a couch to sit and enjoy the quiet for a bit

-

“Of course we are quite the group.” Yuka closed her eyes to rest as well

Sonoda rolled his eyes, but nodded. “Me either.”

-

Ryuuko unfolded her arms and tapped Juri on the forehead. “Can’t exactly be depressing with Taya as a friend now can I? Anyways lets get back to the main room and talk with the others. They may want to talk about the mission.”

[switchonthestars-blog]

Kaede rolled her eyes, but made no argument and put up no resistance as Taya brought her over to the couch.

-

Hayami chuckled quietly, but didn’t add anything, silently agreeing with the others.

Natsumi stayed quiet as she drifted off, taking this brief respite to get some much needed sleep.

-

Juri scrunched up her nose when Ryuuko poked her forehead, then nodded. “Lets.”

- 

Shroud had just got back and was examining the display in front of him when Gentaro came in. He turned his head to the side, regarding Gentaro. Finally, after a moment of silence, he spoke. “You may.”

[switchonthestars-blog]

"Ryuuko?" Taya looks to the familiar face with the biggest smile and slight tears in her eyes "Is that really you?"

Ryuuko smiled back at Taya, although it was dwarfed by the smile on her friend’s face. “Hi, Taya. It’s me.” She reached over and batted the top of Taya’s head. “Don’t cry, dumby. Save that for what I brought you.”

[friendshipstates]

Gentaro’s ears perk up when Kaede says the part about two of them and walks over with a grin. “Kisaragi Gentaro, the Fourze of whatever the hell alternate earth I’m from. Let’s be friends, Kaede!”

Carter pushes Gentaro over to one side. “Handshakes later, First Aid now.” He takes out his first aid kit and starts looking over Kaede. “Any bruises, bleeding or demonic sigils that you’re aware of?” 

Parse walks over to Gentaro. “Do you think we might need more Sentinels for this? Today’s mission went well but…”

“The Freedom Five and Sentinels have their own issues, Kim.” Gentaro shakes his head. “But I’m thinking of pulling in the Squad if possible.”

[fourzefriendship]

Yuka sighed once again and went to sit with Natsumi at the foot of Hayami’s bed. Sonoda looks at the two with a raised eyebrow only to get a shake of the head from Yuka to not say anything at the moment.

-

Taya tilted her head in confusion. “What’s wrong Kaede? Is there a problem with a male verion of me being here? If so I feel bad since he is the only person i befriended before finding out you were taken.”

-

Ryuuko looked down. “I am glad that you aren’t going to go for power that’s not your own but you are indeed powerful in your own right. So stay positive or I am going to send Taya or her male counter part Gentaro in here and give you a friendship speech.”

[switchonthestars-blog]

Natsumi wrapped a hand around the pouch that held her switch. “He doesn’t get it. He never will.”

“No, none of them will. But that’s why we’re here, Kijima.” Hayami’s voice was quiet as she sat up.

-

Kaede gave Taya a scathing look over her hands. “There is not enough patience in this universe to let me deal with two of you.” She lowered her hands as Carter came over. “… Demonic sigils?” She shook her head. “You know what, never mind. No recent bleeding, but some bruises and cuts, yes.”

-

Juri stared at Ryuuko. “That’s cruel and unusual punishment, Ryuuko. You would really do that to me?”

[friendshipstates]

“Sorry, it’s my training. Have to be prepared for anything in my line of work.” He’s not going to say anything more about that unless asked. With hands that have patched wounds and extinguished fires, he deals with the bleeding and bruises, wrapping her up. “Don’t be so hard on Gentaro. I’m sure you know from dealing with Taya that Kisaragis are a full steam ahead kind of people.”

[fourzefriendship]

Taya blinked then shrugged knowing that Carter was right about her being a handful. Taya took a seat next to Kaede as she was getting patched up.

-

Yuka and Sonoda nodded silently their agreement. Yuka deciding to lay her head on Natsumi’s shoulder telling her that she was there.

-

Ryuuko raised an eyebrow. “Are you going to keep saying you’re weak then try me.”

[switchonthestars-blog]

Kaede let out an irritated sigh, while letting him patch her up. “That’s the problem. I can handle one of them. I don’t even want to try dealing with two.”

-

Natsumi rolled her eyes. “What a prize lot we are, huh?” She rested her head against Yuka’s and closed her eyes.

Hayami leaned back against her pillows with a wry smile. “You won’t hear an argument from me on that.”

-

Juri stuck out her tongue. “Stating facts isn’t being pessimistic. Compared to you lot, I am.”

[switchonthestars-blog]

"Ryuuko?" Taya looks to the familiar face with the biggest smile and slight tears in her eyes "Is that really you?"

Ryuuko smiled back at Taya, although it was dwarfed by the smile on her friend’s face. “Hi, Taya. It’s me.” She reached over and batted the top of Taya’s head. “Don’t cry, dumby. Save that for what I brought you.”

[friendshipstates]

Gentaro’s ears perk up when Kaede says the part about two of them and walks over with a grin. “Kisaragi Gentaro, the Fourze of whatever the hell alternate earth I’m from. Let’s be friends, Kaede!”

Carter pushes Gentaro over to one side. “Handshakes later, First Aid now.” He takes out his first aid kit and starts looking over Kaede. “Any bruises, bleeding or demonic sigils that you’re aware of?” 

Parse walks over to Gentaro. “Do you think we might need more Sentinels for this? Today’s mission went well but…”

“The Freedom Five and Sentinels have their own issues, Kim.” Gentaro shakes his head. “But I’m thinking of pulling in the Squad if possible.”

[fourzefriendship]

Yuka sighed once again and went to sit with Natsumi at the foot of Hayami’s bed. Sonoda looks at the two with a raised eyebrow only to get a shake of the head from Yuka to not say anything at the moment.

-

Taya tilted her head in confusion. “What’s wrong Kaede? Is there a problem with a male verion of me being here? If so I feel bad since he is the only person i befriended before finding out you were taken.”

-

Ryuuko looked down. “I am glad that you aren’t going to go for power that’s not your own but you are indeed powerful in your own right. So stay positive or I am going to send Taya or her male counter part Gentaro in here and give you a friendship speech.”

[switchonthestars-blog]

Natsumi wrapped a hand around the pouch that held her switch. “He doesn’t get it. He never will.”

“No, none of them will. But that’s why we’re here, Kijima.” Hayami’s voice was quiet as she sat up.

-

Kaede gave Taya a scathing look over her hands. “There is not enough patience in this universe to let me deal with two of you.” She lowered her hands as Carter came over. “... Demonic sigils?” She shook her head. “You know what, never mind. No recent bleeding, but some bruises and cuts, yes.”

-

Juri stared at Ryuuko. “That’s cruel and unusual punishment, Ryuuko. You would really do that to me?”

[switchonthestars-blog]

"Ryuuko?" Taya looks to the familiar face with the biggest smile and slight tears in her eyes "Is that really you?"

Ryuuko smiled back at Taya, although it was dwarfed by the smile on her friend’s face. “Hi, Taya. It’s me.” She reached over and batted the top of Taya’s head. “Don’t cry, dumby. Save that for what I brought you.”

[switchonthestars-blog]

Natsumi listened to Gentaro’s speech, her expression never changing. When he finished, she took a moment before responding… by doubling over laughing. “Kisa-kun, you are too much!” She quickly straightened, a smirk still on her face. “And while this isn’t your world, Kisa-kun, I do have one question. If the Cancer of your world never took it, why would I?” She turned away. “Thanks for the laugh though. I always appreciate a good joke.” Then she left.

-

Kaede sighed. “Fine, but you’ll have to take me there.” She froze, turning red. “I-I m-mean, since I don’t know what he looks like!”

-

Juri gave her a sad smile. “Because I am. I’m always dragging you down with me.”

[friendshipstates]

Gentaro shakes his head. This conversation is going to be more difficult than he first believed. But he looks back to Natsumi. “One day, I will be your friend. If it happened for my version of Kaede, it can happen for you,  Natsumi.”

Carter walks in and heaves a sigh. “There’s a towering inferno where the holding facility used to be. Are we sure we got all the important people out of that building?”

[fourzefriendship]

Yuka sighed and went after Natsumi to be silent support in case Kijima decided to blow anything up or do something reckless. Yuka then rolled her eyes knowing that Gentaro will do it even if Natsumi refuses.

-

“Alright, plus I can introduce you to the other me!” Taya smiled and lead Kaede where Carter and Gentaro were hanging out

-

Ryuuko sighed crossing her arms. “You are not dragging me down. You are trying your best to be strong and I will keep telling you that until you believe it yourself.”

[switchonthestars-blog]

Natsumi’s expression wasn’t as controlled when Yuka caught up to her, her rage and distrust clear on her face. She didn’t stop, or slow down, though, her path leading her to Hayami’s room, where she dropped down to sit on the floor at the foot of her bed, pulling her knees up to her chest.

-

Kaede blinked. “The other...” Her eye twitched. “There are two of you?” She buried her face in her hands. “Nope. I’m just going to smother myself with my hands.”

-

Juri looked to the side. “Trying my best... huh?” She sighed. “It’s okay, Ryuuko. I’m not going to reach for strength that isn’t my own anymore.”

[switchonthestars-blog]

"Ryuuko?" Taya looks to the familiar face with the biggest smile and slight tears in her eyes "Is that really you?"

Ryuuko smiled back at Taya, although it was dwarfed by the smile on her friend’s face. “Hi, Taya. It’s me.” She reached over and batted the top of Taya’s head. “Don’t cry, dumby. Save that for what I brought you.”

[friendshipstates]

The rejection hurts him more than the slap. “You think I don’t know? I may never held a Switch in my hand except to turn it off. But you know what I have done? I’ve stayed up for seventy-two straight hours to make sure a former Dopant didn’t hurt herself in her withdrawal. I’ve had to explain to a crying mother why her son was marking a constellation in the palm of his hand with his sister’s makeup. I’ve seen my best friend on a sacrificial stone table as her darker side was about to kill her to summon aliens. And I’ve watched a woman break down in tears when she realizes that she no longer has a Lockseed or the means to use it.”

He turns his back to Natsumi for a moment. “Gaia Memories, Zodiart Switches, Lockseeds, Advent Decks. I’ve seen what happens when a person is ‘given’ great power and told to run wild. I’ve watched them lose everything that was precious to them. Family, friends, lovers, a future, all broken by one person’s desire for power. And while I never could claim to know what’s going on inside your head, Natsumi, I know that you’re suffering. I saw it in the eyes of the Aries, Taurus, and Aquarius of my world. I saw that the power had become the only thing they allowed to define them. One went mad, one was sent into space before I could help him. And one had her mind wiped when she was no longer useful to one who gave her the power. I saw that happen to people I wanted to have as friends, and I said to myself ‘Never again. Not on my watch.’

Unity is staring at Gentaro with wide eyes that are starting to cry. She’s never seen him like this. But she knows he’s on a roll now.

Once again, he turns to face the two Horoscopes.

“There is something inside both of you that rebels every time you hear the Switch calling out to you. Whether or not you want to admit it, your humanity, your soul is still inside, fighting to hold on to the person you could be without that Switch. 

So just to sum up, Natsumi. I do not know what’s going on inside your mind. Only you do. But I want to help. I want to give you the chance that the Cancer of my world never took. I want to be your friend.”

[fourzefriendship]

Yuka raised an eyebrow and knew that this conversation was not going to end well. Yuka was keeping to the side so in case Natsumi blew up or something along those lines.

-

Taya pouted as Kaede tried to stop Taya from knowing what went all. “Okay. I will drop it for now but can you at least go see Carter for medical attention, please?”

-

“You are not a bother to me and you never have been. You are my best friend. why should I think that you are a burden to me?”

[switchonthestars-blog]

Natsumi listened to Gentaro’s speech, her expression never changing. When he finished, she took a moment before responding... by doubling over laughing. “Kisa-kun, you are too much!” She quickly straightened, a smirk still on her face. “And while this isn’t your world, Kisa-kun, I do have one question. If the Cancer of your world never took it, why would I?” She turned away. “Thanks for the laugh though. I always appreciate a good joke.” Then she left.

-

Kaede sighed. “Fine, but you’ll have to take me there.” She froze, turning red. “I-I m-mean, since I don’t know what he looks like!”

-

Juri gave her a sad smile. “Because I am. I’m always dragging you down with me.”

[switchonthestars-blog]

"Ryuuko?" Taya looks to the familiar face with the biggest smile and slight tears in her eyes "Is that really you?"

Ryuuko smiled back at Taya, although it was dwarfed by the smile on her friend’s face. “Hi, Taya. It’s me.” She reached over and batted the top of Taya’s head. “Don’t cry, dumby. Save that for what I brought you.”

[friendshipstates]

Gentaro and Unity enter the area as Natsumi and Yuka start talking. “It’s the Switch, isn’t it? Even with the precautions, you still feel the temptation and the desire to misuse it.” He looks at a card in his hand, which immediately goes back into his pocket. “You’re trying so hard to do good, or at least be a better person than most of X. But that Switch is still whispering to you.”

Unity decides to walk away, not having anything to add to the discussion.

“Even though we just met, Natsumi, I want to help you.” He says, offering his hand to her gloved side. “If you’ll let me, I will do what I can to help you out.”

[fourzefriendship]

Yuka raised an eyebrow at Gentaro’s offer before Yuka turned back to Natsumi and makes sure to be next to Natsumi if she needed the help.

-

Taya blinked at Kaede’s response. “Kaede… Foundation X did this to you didnt they… You can tell me. Friends help each other right? So let me help, please.”

-

Ryuuko stiffened when she heard Juri say that and held Juri at arms length to look her in the eyes. “Yes I was worried but I knew you could take care of yourself. I just wanted to know you were safe or at least know where you are.”

[switchonthestars-blog]

Natsumi stiffened for a moment before looking at Gentaro. Placing one hand on her hip, she smacked away his outstretched hand with the other, a condescending smirk on her face. “Kisa-kun, you shouldn’t mess with things you don’t know about.” Her eyes were hard and distrustful.

-

Kaede turned around. “It’s over now. It doesn’t matter anymore.” She reached out to poke Taya’s forehead. “So don’t worry about it, baaaka.”

-

Juri looked down. “Still, sorry. I know I’m a bother to you, but I’ll make sure not to get myself in any more trouble.”

[switchonthestars-blog]

"Ryuuko?" Taya looks to the familiar face with the biggest smile and slight tears in her eyes "Is that really you?"

Ryuuko smiled back at Taya, although it was dwarfed by the smile on her friend’s face. “Hi, Taya. It’s me.” She reached over and batted the top of Taya’s head. “Don’t cry, dumby. Save that for what I brought you.”

[friendshipstates]

Gentaro leads Unity out into another room, away from the happy couples and reunited friends. 

“What’s the deal with mentioning Shroud’s kid, Gentaro?”

“You remember that girl we met back in Chicago. Ivy?” Gentaro says, not looking at his friend.

“You mean the one who…Oh.” Her voice drops, as she connects the dots. “There’s someone like that in your world?”

“Yes. And he’s dangerous in the wrong hands, and a balancing influence in the right hands. If it’s the same kind of Shroud, then them having his daughter is a terrifying idea.”

Unity can’t help but shiver. “This isn’t just a rescue mission, is it? We’re going to help these guys with their revolution, aren’t we?”

“I’m pretty sure we are. But let’s wait until they ask us for more help. Maybe I can bring them into play.”

“Dude, if you bring them into this, Foundation X is going to be Capital S Screwed.”

“Good.” Gentaro crosses his arms. “Come on. Let’s go back and join the others.”

[fourzefriendship]

Taya groaned but let Kaede drag her away from the room to let Ryuuko and Juri have their little reunion before meeting up with the rest of them. Taya then took note of the little scratches and bruises on Kaede. “What happened while you were with them Kaede?”

-

Yuka raised her eyebrow giving Natsumi a ‘I am not Kisaragi’ look. “Whats wrong?”

-

Ryuuko blinked before walking a few steps before running and hugging her friend in a bear hug. “I thought you were gone forever.” Ryuuko whispered trying not to cry.

-

Sonodo rolled his eyes and agreed to tell Hayami when Shroud needed them to teleport him back to base. Sonoda took a seat by the door to keep an eye on the conversation in the other rooms and the radio.

[switchonthestars-blog]

Kaede didn’t look back at Taya, but her shoulders stiffened. “It’s not important. But I managed to get some information that I’ve been hunting for.” Taya didn’t need to know. Not this.

-

Natsumi laughed and shrugged. “Okay, you caught me.” She stuck her hands in her pockets and looked away. “What do you think it is, Prez-chan? The same thing it always is.”

-

Juri blinked, startled, as Ryuuko pulled her into a hug. “Ryuuko…” She lifted her arms up, returning the hug. “Sorry it took me so long to get back. I worried you again.”