The Knights Himura

Tsukiko was fast asleep when the sound of pounding on her door woke her up. She was used to it by now, so she just groggily pulled her jacket and skirt back on and stepped down the steps and over to the front door of her home. Fumiko stayed in bed, letting herself sink back into restful sleep.

The pounding continued as she turned the knob and opened the door, Haruka standing on the other side, only taking a second to greet her sister before making her demands. She wanted the both of them to follow her somewhere, but she wouldn't explain where. Tsuki would've ignored her and gone back to bed, but this time, Haruka's expression looked different. She wasn't asking, she was begging. Haruka looked desperate.

With no more explanation, Haruka led Tsuki and Fumi through the city on a long, complex, winding journey. No matter how many times they begged her for any kinds of answers, Haruka would only look back at them, not saying a word.

Eventually, they arrived at a decent looking neighborhood, hoping they were finally getting close to their destination. Soon, Haruka stopped the girls in front of the most dilapidated house on the street. The paint on the exterior walls was peeling off, and all the grass had gotten overgrown and patchy. The metal on the fencing had rusted down through the years, and the windows looking into the house were covered by blackout curtains. The place looked abandoned.

Haruka ran up to the front door and started slamming her hand against it. "Open up in there!"

Tsukiko stood right behind her. "Hey, I don't know if this is a good idea or not."

"I know you're in there!" Haru shouted as she stopped to press her ear against the door.

"C'mon, let's go. Why're we even here in the first place?" Fumi complained, leaning from side to side to ease her aching feet.

"We can't give up yet." Haruka pounded harder. "Open up, you fuck!"

Fumi approached Haru and grabbed her hand. "You really wanna risk a noise complaint? Seriously, forget about it for now."

Haruka started slamming the door with her other fist. "The lights are on, Fumi. Can't you see!"

"Maybe they died in there." Fumi joked.

"Shit, don't say something like that." Haruka started panicking, tugging on the door knob.

Tsuki grabbed Fumiko by the shoulder and pulled her away. "Might as well wait."

Haruka turned back. "Help me tear this door down, Tsuki."

Tsuki turned away. "No thanks."

"Help me, Tsukiko!" Haruka spoke with a menacing tone.

Tsuki groaned, and then approached the door. "Fine."

"On one, slam into the door, ready?" Haru pressed her shoulder against the door.

"I'm gonna feel this one tomorrow." Tsuki complained.

"One… Two… Three!"

They both leaned back, and slammed into the door with some force. The door didn't budge, not even a little.

Tsuki winced in pain. "Shit, it didn't work, Haru."

"Quit whining and try again!" Haru shouted at her sister.

"Why don't you kick it?" Tsuki suggested.

Haruka backed up a bit, before running at the door full speed and putting all her energy into one kick. Her boot bounced off, making no real impact.

"Oww, goddamnit!" Haruka grabbed her foot in pain, before falling to the ground.

"Was it really that bad?" Fumi scratched her head.

Haruka sat up straight. "…no, not really."

"Let me show you how the pros do it." Tsuki boasted.

"Yeah, yeah." Haruka moved out of the way.

Tsukiko placed both of her palms flat against the door. She pulled her right arm back before slamming her palm against the door repeatedly.

"Wow, you guys are so strong!" Fumi laughed.

"I don't see you tryin', Nakano!" Haruka screamed.

Fumiko grabbed Tsukiko and pulled her away from the door before stepping up to the plate herself. She raised her arm, but before she could even touch the door, it opened for her, revealing a woman inside.

"Who the hell're you and why're you pounding on my door?" The woman looked at the three with a flat, emotionless face.

"Hey, it's me, Haruka and Tsuki. You remember Tsuki, right?" Haruka stood up with a smile.

The woman slammed the door shut.

"C'mon it's important!" Haru cried.

"Leave me alone, damnit! You say everything's important!" A muffled voice cried from within the house.

"No, it's true!" Haruka pressed her body against the door to hear the responses.

"C'mon, let's just go." Tsuki tugged on Haru's jacket.

"No, I'm not leaving." Haru pushed Tsuki's hand away.

"Let the lady be, Haruka." Fumi stared off into the sky.

"You're not even gonna greet the Third Knight?" Haruka shouted.

As soon as Haruka said it, the woman opened the door. "Third Knight?"

Haruka grinned. "Yep, that's the Third Knight Himura!"

The woman sighed. "Fine, get in."

–

The only real light inside was the sunlight coming in from the front door, and a dim white light coming from the end of a rather long hallway. To the side, Tsuki could see some stars that led up to a second floor, but other than that, it was too dark to make out any detail from the first floor rooms, all of them either closed off or much too dark to see inside.

The woman led them to the white light in the distance, eventually opening up to a decently sized, yet somewhat empty room. When they got inside, the woman kicked away some empty bottles, the absolute minimum courtesy she could offer her guests. Inside the room, there was hardly any furnishing, only an LCD computer monitor and tower on the food. Tsuki glanced at the monitor and saw that it was opened to a plain looking message board, a few notifications blinking at the bottom right.

"What do you want, Haruka?" The woman leaned in very close to Haru's face with a rather flat expression.

Haru leaned back. "Brush your teeth, Shizuka."

The woman then turned to Tsukiko, staring for a moment, before leaning in close, the miniscule gap making Tsukiko feel deeply uncomfortable. She struggled to keep eye contact with the woman, only noticing that she looked familiar, but not enough that Tsuki could identify her.

Her eyes were dark and tired, sunken in a little from exhaustion. Her irises were red, just like Tsuki and Haru's, but they had deep ring grooves in them, their color shifting ever so slightly. Something in the way they seemed to look right through her made the woman feel intimidating. Her hair was thick and messy, curling slightly in parts, and reaching down all the way to her hips, like it hadn't been groomed in quite some time. Despite the neglect, it still seemed soft and clean, just lacking in care.

"Who're you?" The woman spoke.

"Himura Tsukiko." Tsuki tried her best to keep a strong demeanor.

"Tsukiko…" The woman paused to think before speaking again. "You the Third Knight?"

"Yeah." Tsuki nodded.

The woman grabbed Tsukiko by the chin and inspected her like a horse. "Hmm… Aurelia's got a knack for color, huh?"

The woman twisted Tsukiko's face with almost no effort, as though she carried an immense amount of strength. She shuddered, feeling as though she could snap and kill her in an instant. Still, as her hands squeezed on her jaw and cheek, there was something familiar about her, something like quiet kinship.

Eventually, the strange woman let go. "Haruka. This is your younger sister, isn't it?"

"Uh, yeah." Haruka raised an eyebrow.

The woman rolled her eyes. "Well, duh, no shit."

"You alright, Shizuka?" Haruka looked concerned.

Shizuka sighed."Do I look alright?"

"You're in nothing but underwear. I'm expecting either really good or really bad." Haru chuckled.

"Haha, real funny, I… Wait, what the fuck?" The woman looked down at her body.

"How long have you been like that?" Haruka's laugh became an awkward one.

Shizuka was clearly startled. "I… don't know, actually."

"When was the last time you showered?" Haru grabbed Shizuka's hair.

"I-I don't know." Shizuka admitted.

Haruka put a hand on Shizuka's shoulder. "You're dirty. C'mon, let's go get you all cleaned up."

They both left the room, stumbling into the hall and into one of the hallway's many doors. They closed the door behind them, a faint light escaping the crack underneath.

"…holy shit." Tsuki looked around the room.

"What?" Fumi laughed. "Surprised people like this are real?"

"A little…" Tsuki admitted.

"I know this site." Fumi stared at the computer screen. "Good taste."

"Do you still visit?" Tsuki asked.

"A little." Fumi nodded.

"I wonder if we've ever posted on the same threads." Tsuki blushed. "Small world."

Fumiko frowned. "Don't you feel bad?"

"Why?" Tsuki asked.

"Look at this place. She just… I dunno… I guess this all hits a little close to home." Fumi sighed.

Tsuki frowned too. "I get it. I think Haruka's got it covered for now."

"Yeah…" Fumi checked the hallway.

"Don't trust her?"

"I'd rather not get involved, but… I don't know." Fumi put her hand under her chin. "Haru's not really the responsible type, y'know?"

Tsuki sighed. "Let's just wait and see, alright?"

They were silent for a moment.

Fumiko's lips curled into a smile. "This place kinda reminds me of your room."

"No… I'm not this messy." Tsuki shook her head.

"It's got that same feel, though." Fumi chuckled.

Tsukiko raised an eyebrow. "What feel?"

Fumi sniffed the air. "It's got that same weird smell your room has."

"…do I really smell that bad?" Tsuki frowned.

"I think it's cuz you do all your eating in bed, actually." Fumi teased.

Haruka returned with Shizuka. "C'mon, c'mon, sit down."

Shizuka was now wearing a black t-shirt and grey sweatpants, her black hair tied into a loose ponytail, but she still looked just as tired as before. Her eyes made her look exhausted and broken, the slight bags underneath and inconsistent color making her look frail. She wasn't an ugly or unattractive woman, but she wasn't all there. Her body looked soft, and pudgy, out of shape.

"I-I'm sorry, Haruka." Shizuka had a shameful look on her face.

Haru avoided eye contact. "No… it's fine…"

"I should probably introduce myself, huh?" Shizuka motioned for them to sit down in front of her.

Tsuki tried to be respectful as she and the others tried to sit down with her. "So, who are you, miss?"

"My name is Himura Shizuka." she bowed her head slightly.

"…Himura?" Tsuki asked.

Fumiko folded her arms. "So you're the First Knight?"

Shizuka's eyes pierced through Fumi. "It would seem so, wouldn't it?"

"But you're so…"

"Weak? Disgusting? Worthless? A complete waste of--." Shizuka leaned forward a little more with each insult.

"Quit it." Haruka interrupted.

They both went quiet for a second, the mood souring quickly.

Tsuki spoke up. "Can I ask you something?"

"…sure." Shizuka agreed.

"Why'd you become a Knight?" Tsuki looked at her.

Shizuka had a pained look on her face. "I was a kid, y'know? I was dumb."

"C'mon, be more specific." Tsuki prodded.

Shizuka sighed and opted to speak rather bluntly. "I wanted to protect someone that I cared about. They didn't care about me, though."

"Oh… I'm sorry." Tsuki's hands awkwardly writhed around.

"What're you apologizing for? It was my problem, my fault." Shizuka frowned.

Tsuki blurted out a strange question. "Why?"

Shizuka leaned forward. "I… wasn't good enough."

"Or maybe they weren't good enough for you, Shizuka." Fumi spoke with confidence.

"Heheheh, are you blind, miss?" Shizuka laughed. "Or are you just a fool?"

"If you're willing to fight for someone, I think you deserve some respect. To know the person you love is willing to risk it all for you…" Fumi edged closer to Tsuki. "You'd have to be heartless to not appreciate something like that."

"Don't act like I don't know who you are, Nakano." Shizuka turned to Fumiko.

"Huh?"

Shizuka smiled. "I'm talking about your father."

Fumi shut her eyes. "Then he definitely didn't deserve you."

Shizuka sighed. "I don't know."

"He's nothing but a cold bastard. Don't worry about him anymore." Fumi spoke firmly.

"Fumi…" Tsuki tugged on her arm.

"I'm not gonna apologize." Fumi shook her head.

Haruka cleared her throat. "Listen, we came here to ask you something."

"Shoot." Shizuka scratched her head.

"We want your help in taking down the Shakudos." Haruka looked her in the eye.

"That's what you're asking for?" Shizuka yawned. "Not interested."

"But I thought--"

"Look at me, Haru." Shizuka looked down at herself. "You know I can't do any fighting like this."

"Maybe this'll get you out of the rut!" Haruka reached out to grab Shizuka's hand. "You've been sitting around so long…"

Shizuka took a deep breath. "For the last time, this isn't just something you can drag me out of. I'm not some damsel in distress, damnit. Life isn't a game."

Haruka tried to speak again, but she couldn't.

"I know we can't ask much of you." Tsukiko frowned. "I understand your situation."

Shizuka turned. "Do you? Do you really?"

"I do." Tsuki repeated herself.

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"So, what're you here for, Tsukiko?" Shizuka smiled.

"I'm not really sure. Had I known, I probably wouldn't have come. I wanna keep this between me and them." Tsuki gave the most honest answer she could muster.

"You and them? They do something to you?" Shizuka leaned in close to listen.

Tsuki paused before responding. "They… they stabbed Fumiko."

Shizuka's eyes widened. "They… stabbed you?"

Fumiko nodded.

Tsukiko scratched her head. "She's really important to me, so--"

Shizuka cut her off. "You're doing this out of love."

Tsuki turned red. "…yes."

Shizuka cracked her knuckles. "That changes things, doesn't it?"

"What do you mean?" Tsuki asked.

"Your sister has a knack for pissing the wrong people off, so I assumed she dragged you into it." Shizuka yawned.

"Hey!" Haruka whined.

Shizuka ignored Haru completely. "But I don't think I'd be much use to you."

"Don't fight anymore?" Tsuki cocked her head.

"I'm afraid not, Tsukiko. I gave it up a while ago." Shizuka laid back on the floor.

"Huh? Why?"

Shizuka shook her head. "I don't really know what to fight for anymore. To be completely honest, I just kinda sit around waiting for the day I die."

"Shut up." Haruka groaned.

Shizuka glared at Haru before turning back to Tsuki. "Sorry, I'd just rather not get involved."

Tsukiko looked down at the floor. "I see…"

"I feel like… I'm not Knight material anymore." Shizuka laughed weakly.

"Why not?"

Shizuka shrugged. "Even if I did help you, I'd probably end up running away again."

"Again?" Tsuki asked.

"No." Haruka stood up and walked to a closet, and then tore the doors open. "Put 'em on right now!"

A few articles of clothes fell to the floor.

"The hell is your problem?" Tsukiko stood up.

"I'm not putting them on!" Shizuka shouted.

Haruka stomped over to her. "Do it, Shizuka! Put on your jacket!"

"What's this gonna prove, huh?" Shizuka cried.

"I don't want you to give up. I don't wanna see you like this!" Haruka demanded. "Not anymore!"

"Why's it matter to you, huh?" Shizuka refused.

"I love you!" Haruka yelled.

There was a moment of silence.

"You were one of my closest friends. Tsuki was too. She's back in my life, and I want you in my life too. I got into this cuz of you, remember?" Haruka teared up. "You're family, damnit it. I'm not leaving you behind, not now, not never."

Shizuka watched Haruka for a while, not knowing what to say. It was clear she was deeply uncomfortable with the situation, her eyes darting between Haruka and Tsukiko. Eventually, she just lowered her head, as if trying to hide.

"Fine, I'll wear it if you'll stop crying."

Shizuka took off the shirt and sweatpants, then pulled on some black pantyhose, and a golden yellow undershirt. Over it all came a jacket very similar to Tsukiko's, inky black, with two gold bands on each sleeve.

"There, you happy?" Shizuka sat back down. "It's just an outfit. If you're so damn concerned about the Knights, then start patrolling the streets on your own again. I…"

Haru shut her eyes. "Can't you ever let me win for once? Do you always have to complain? Can't you show just a little bit of appreciation?"

The same harsh silence they'd been fighting against before returned.

"Wow, Aurelia really knows how to make those jackets." Fumiko tried to lighten the mood.

"Huh?" Shizuka turned to Fumi.

"You look good in that." Fumi remarked.

Shizuka was taken aback. "O-oh…"

"I'm kinda jealous." Fumi pouted. "I wish she'd made me some cool clothes…"

"We should get going." Haruka started for the exit.

"Are you actually giving up this time?" Shizuka turned to her computer. "Leaving behind a lost cause?"

"That'd make me just like you." Haruka's words were sharp. "Just like my hero."

Shizuka stopped typing. "Shut your mouth, Haruka."

"What was that?" Haruka turned around.

"Shut your mouth, you little brat." Shizuka leaned back and laid on the ground.

"After all I've done, that's how you treat me?" Haruka grit her teeth. "...I never did this for your kindness, I did this cuz I cared about you. I shouldn't ever have expected you to be grateful, but some day–"

"Haru, c'mon, leave her alone. She has her reasons." Fumiko looked up at Haruka.

"They're dumb, shallow reasons." Haruka raised her voice.

Fumi stood up. "Shouting isn't gonna fix a damn thing."

Haru slammed her fist against the wall. "That's all it is, isn't it? I'm always wrong! I'm always the stupid one, I'm always--"

"I get it, Haruka." Shizuka paused. "I'm not useful anymore. I'll just hold you back."

"I don't care if you're useful or not, I just want you around. I don't wanna lose you!" Haruka pleaded.

"You're not losing me! I'm right here…" Shizuka's voice grew quiet.

"Then stop saying you wanna die. Stop saying you've given up. I'm not gonna let you give up, not now, not ever!" Haruka's voice cracked.

Shizuka hid her face again. "Don't cry for me, Haru."

Haruka couldn't take it anymore. "Sorry… sorry… I'm really sorry."

Shizuka got onto her feet and leaned in close, making intense eye contact with Haru. "Live your life, Haruka. I'm a liability out there. There's nothing wrong with me staying here."

"You're not a liability, Shizuka, you're family! I love you!" Haruka began to cry.

Shizuka refused to react at first.

It became very clear from the look on her face that she was holding back tears of her own. "I said don't cry. Stop saying all that stupid shit."

"Why wouldn't I cry? You wanna sit here in this room till you die. I just want things to be like before." Haruka wiped her eyes. "Don't you?"

Shizuka leaned forward and hugged Haruka. "I-I'm sorry, Haru."

"Try."

"I--"

"Just try, for me, okay?" Haruka begged.

Shizuka lowered her head. "Kid, you can't--"

Haruka pushed her away. "Quit being so damn stubborn!"

Shizuka bit her lip. "Fine, I'll try…"

"Promise me." Haruka begged.

"...I promise." Shizuka let out a sigh. "I promise I'll try."

Haruka stood there, sniffling and wiping her face with her jacket's sleeve. Shizuka had gone all red from embarrassment, struggling to get her words out.

"You… you three should head on home… alright?" Shizuka turned to the others. "And… gimme some privacy with the Third Knight, okay?"

Fumiko wrapped an arm around Haruka or support, and then led her back down the hallway.

"Tsukiko, support your sister." Shizuka sighed. "That's all I can ask from you."

Tsuki looked Shizuka in the eye. "And what about you?"

"Don't worry about me, I don't--"

"Promise me you'll do whatever you can to make my sister happy." Tsuki demanded. "I can't protect my sister if the person she cares about isn't taken care of too."

Shizuka turned away. "I already said--"

"You're a Knight, act like it." Tsuki spoke harshly. "If I have to risk my damn neck for the people I care about, then you should at least be grateful."

"...support your sister, and I'll do whatever you ask." Shizuka bargained.

"I'll try." Tsuki agreed. "You'll try too."

Shizuka motioned for Tsuki to sit down. "It's not a joke."

"Yeah, I know." Tsukiko sat down with her.

Shizuka got close, her terrifying eyes staring into Tsuki's soul. "Asking you to help her is the least I could do. If it weren't for her, I'd have starved months ago."

Tsuki hesitated. "Has she been feeding you?"

"Yeah, and sometimes she puts my clothes on for me." Shizuka had no filter.

"But--"

"Yep, I'm just about to hit thirty. Depression's a bitch, Tsuki." Shizuka lowered her head. "It's… if I didn't have obligations, things to do, and my stupid little hobbies, I'd probably still be asleep by now. I'd be lyin' in bed, never waking up."

"Yeah, I get it." Tsukiko avoided her eye contact.

"I can read you like a book, y'know." Shizuka chuckled.

"Huh?"

"Heheheheh." Shizuka laughed to herself.

"Am I really that easy to read?" Tsuki didn't know how to react.

"…you remind me a lot of myself back when I was your age." Shizuka spoke like an old woman. "You think like I think, I think."

There was a moment of silence.

"I thought you were depressed, what's with that big smile?" Tsuki smiled too.

Shizuka shook her head, still smiling like an idiot. "I… I'm just stubborn."

"What?"

"Deep down, I know everything Haruka said was right. Being with her-- No, meeting you all was the highlight of my year, probably. Still, I'm scared. I don't know what I wanna do." Shizuka took a deep breath. "Life's not easy, Tsuki."

"If I've learned anything in the past few days, it's…" Tsuki laughed weakly. "Sometimes, you can't do everything alone."

Shizuka cocked her head. "Is that so?"

"Yeah. I got into this, wanting to solve it all on my own, just trying my best to end it as quick as possible. I didn't think I'd be meeting my long lost aunt, or making all these new friends. Hell, a week ago, I thought I'd never see my sister again."

Shizuka stared for a moment before speaking. "You really do remind me of myself when I was your age."

"Huh?"

"I dunno… You're so stubborn. Why won't you just leave me be? Why doesn't your sister just leave me be?" Shizuka stared off into the distance.

Tsuki shook her head. "Sounds like you're the stubborn one."

"...probably." Shizuka looked away. "...but you're not like Haru. You actually get me. You know how to talk to me. It's… It's nice."

There was a short pause.

"Hey, do you have a phone?" Tsukiko pulled out her own cell phone.

"Huh?" Shizuka looked like a deer in the headlights.

"Got a number or a way to contact you?" Tsuki held her phone out.

"Why would you want to contact me?" Shizuka still had no idea what to do.

Tsuki shrugged. "I dunno, I just wanna keep in touch. It might be fun."

Shizuka closed her eyes and smiled. "Can I say something embarrassing?"

"Shoot." Tsuki tried to stay more casual.

"Alright, Shizuka, don't say anything stupid." She took a deep breath after talking to herself. "I haven't had anyone ask for something like that in ages. My heart's actually pounding out of my chest right now."

"Hmmm…"

"Oh, I said something embarrassing, didn't I?" Shizuka hid her face.

"No." Tsuki smiled. "No need to be embarrassed around me, we're family after all."

"Oh, you're too precious. Much kinder than that idiot." Shizuka praised her.

"She's trying her best." Tsuki defended her sister for once. "She's done a lot more for you than I have, hasn't she?"

"I know that… Really, I should do better for her." Shizuka looked rather guilty.

"Do better for me too." Tsuki added.

"Huh?" Shizuka cocked her head.

"I wanna get to know you better. How am I supposed to know who the First Knight really was if they're all depressed and cooped up all day?" Tsuki urged. "So please, just… live. Let me into your life. Let me get to know you. I have a lot to learn from you."

Shizuka closed her eyes and smiled. "You wanna get to know me better? That… sounds fun."

After they exchanged contact information, Tsukiko stood up. "Well, I should get going, see ya."

"I… kinda want you to stay now. It's been a while since I've had a good conversation without getting scolded." Shizuka turned red.

Tsuki grabbed her hand. "I'll come back, I promise. Please be more patient with Haruka. I understand why she's upset and I think you do too."

Shizuka's face twisted into a look of powerful sorrow. "I know, I know. I just… I haven't felt motivated in a long time. All of my energy kinda vanished."

"Taking the first step is what matters most. I'll be here when you want to take that step. Family sticks together, Shizuka." Tsuki stood up.

Shizuka choked up. "Thanks, Tsuki."

"...if you ever need anything, just call… or text, whatever's better for you." Tsuki reminded her. "Anything at all."

Shizuka bowed her head. "Seriously, thanks."

--

"God, what took you so long?" Fumiko complained.

Haruka and Fumiko had been standing around, waiting for Tsukiko to come back out. Haru had regained her composure, but Fumi was still trying to comfort her the best she could.

"C'mon, let's go back to Aurelia's." Haruka motioned for the others to follow.

They stepped away from Shizuka's house, and onto the street.

Suddenly, a voice bellowed. "Ain't we lucky, boys?"

They turned and in their path stood three Shakudos, one of them was holding an aluminum baseball bat.

"Oh, goddamnit!" Haruka readied herself for a fight.

"So the gang's all in one place, huh?" One of the masked figures laughed.

Tsukiko pulled Fumi behind her. "Stay behind me."

"Here's what I'm offering!" A female Shakudo spoke. "We'll let that girl go if you two get on your knees and beg!"

"Fuck off!" Haruka shouted.

"We're only after the lady in that house. Doubt she'd put up much of a fight, so let's have some fun." The Shakudo with the bat laughed.

The female Shakudo had a bizarrely ornate mask, with a very detailed, golden floral design. She was in constant motion, moving from side to side, gently and holding her fists up like a boxer.

Haruka made the first move and ran forward, starting the brawl with a fast kick. Her flowery opponent was almost as fast as she was, quickly throwing herself back to avoid the blow.

Tsukiko opted to go after the other two, letting her sister go after a more worthy opponent. Luckily, these two weren't too quick, but they were definitely tough. At first, she struggled to wear her targets down. The man with the baseball bat swung it around wildly, screeching and hollering like an animal, trying his best to intimidate. The other did his best to distract her in any way he could, trapping Tsuki between avoiding the bat, and having to take jabs from someone she couldn't fight off.

Haruka fought in lockstep with the girl in the floral mask, spinning and curving around her enemy like a snake. The woman in the mask tried her best to break through, swaying side to side in wide motions. The girl's unpredictable movements made it impossible for either side to gain any ground. As one landed a blow, the other hit even harder. In a last ditch effort, Haruka landed a blow on the Shakudo girl's jaw, nearly knocking the mask clean off.

With time, Tsuki started to see a pattern and rhythm in the way the armed Shakudo swung his bat, slow and repetitive enough to create an opening for her. Tsuki managed to cut through and hit him hard in the stomach, finally giving her enough time to turn to her other attacker who'd been a thorn in her side all along. His mask shattered as she struck him in the face.

Across the path, Haruka had fallen down to the ground. Somehow, the Shakudo with the baseball bat had gotten Haruka on the ground. Just as Tsukiko tried to move forward, the woman with the floral mask grabbed her by the neck.

"I told you to stop, didn't I?" The woman growled.

"Haruka!" Tsukiko shouted.

"This is for your own--"

In the corner of her vision, Tsuki saw someone wearing black run past them both to Haruka's attacker, tacking them and knocking them to the ground, the bat making a harsh sound as it hit the pavement. The woman in the floral mask lost her grip on Tsuki's neck as they turned back to defend their partner.

Shizuka'd come in at the perfect moment, saving Haruka at the very last second. The now disarmed Shakudo tried his best to defend himself as the former First Knight Himura shoved him against a wall, beating him to an absolute pulp. Neither the floral masked Shakudo, nor Tsukiko, dared move a muscle as they watched in awe.

As her opponent fell, Shizuka finally turned back. "Well? What the hell are you waiting for?"

The three Knights then focused their attention toward the final Shakudo. In a desperate bout, she ran toward Fumiko, wrapping an arm around her chest and holding her like a shield.

"C'mon, you really wanna do this?" Fumiko sighed.

The floral masked Shakudo remained silent.

Tsuki looked down at the discarded baseball bat on the ground, before moving her attention over to the road sign next to it. She reached out and wrapped her fingers around the pole.

"…the hell you doin'?" Haruka watched.

"No way…" Shizuka smiled.

Tsuki's hand turned red, then pale, as she forced the road sign out of the pavement. She pulled it up and held it with both hands like a weapon.

"What the fuck?" Haru's eyes widened.

"Holy shit, she did it!" Shizuka clapped.

Tsuki turned her attention to the now trembling Shakudo. Her grasp on Fumiko loosened.

"Back away, man!" The floral mask's movements got sloppy.

Fumiko dropped down and bit down on the Shakudo's arm. She let out a scream and lost her grip on Fumi, who dove out of the way as Tsukiko swung the street sign and hit the floral masked girl with the blunt end. She fell to the ground, grasping her now injured shoulder, Tsuki planting her boot on the Shakudo's back to stop her from escaping.

"Tell the others. If I ever see a Shakudo threatening my friends ever again, they're heading home in an ambulance."

A powerful kick sent the girl reeling.

Shizuka sighed. "I'm nothing but trouble, huh?"

Fumi reassured her. "Nah, this time we brought the trouble to you."

"…I guess you're right. Never thought I'd be wearing this again. Whatever, I'm kinda sleepy. I'm gonna go take a nap." Shizuka mumbled.

The First Knight opened the door to her home, and slammed it shut behind her, disappearing once more.

"Wait! Shizuka? Shizuka!" Haruka ran to the door and started shaking it.

"C'mon, Haru, let's go." Tsuki tore her away.

–

They sat in Aurelia's shop once more, face to face.

"You think she's okay?" Haru looked stressed.

"I think she's fine." Tsuki replied.

"How do you know that?" Haruka leaned forward.

"I just… I just know, y'know?"Tsuki spoke vaguely.

"What'd she tell you?" Haruka whispered.

"She told me in private, Haru. I can't tell you." Tsukiko shook her head. "I can't betray her trust the first time I meet her."

Haruka lowered her head, feeling defeated. The secrecy was more painful to her than she'd ever be willing to admit. She looked about ready to cry, the stress of it all clearly getting to her.

"How was your aunt?" Aurelia appeared at the end of the table.

"I didn't expect her to be so…" Tsuki trailed off.

"Depressed?" Aurelia frowned.

Haruka sighed. "I'm just glad she hasn't gone and offed herself…"

"Shizuka was always so admirable. She was a true hero." Aurelia smiled again.

"Was? She's still a hero, damnit." Haruka balled her hand into a fist.

Aurelia chuckled. "Yes."

"What's so damn funny?" Haru growled.

"You do not have to defend her honor. Shizuka has done more than enough to prove herself in my eyes." Aurelia's eyes glowed for a moment. "I have known her far longer than you have. I know she will be alright in the end."

Haruka's hand opened up as an awkward silence settled over the room.

"Please, trust me, Haruka." Aurelia extended her hand.

"Trust. I don't think she trusts me at all." Haruka laid her head down on the table.

"I think she does." Tsuki assured her.

"C'mon, Tsuki, you were there. She always tries to push me away…" Haruka lowered her head.

"Shizuka has been stuck in this cycle for years now." Aurelia explained. "She wants to be independent, but she cannot bear being alone. She has spent far too much time on her own, and it is hurting her. I think this will be the catalyst for her to change."

"Am I just not good enough?" Haru stared down at the table. "Why can't she just appreciate me? Appreciate us?"

"It's not about being good enough, Haru. These things take time." Tsuki comforted her sister. "Especially if she's felt this way for a long time."

Once again, the Second Knight started tearing up. "I'm just sick of seeing her like this…"

"She'll get better, I know it." Tsukiko grabbed Haruka's hand. "She's still strong. You saw her fight. She just wants to protect you, and this is her way of doing that."

"Driving people away is protecting them?" Haruka glared at Tsukiko.

"...I never said I agreed with it." Tsuki frowned.

"I don't wanna be protected, I want my friend back." Haruka sighed.

"Shizuka may have retired, but she has not given up. She still has a fire that burns within her, but it is weak." Aurelia looked serious.

"I can't tell you what she told me, but… There's something in there." Tsukiko offered a bit of support.

"Haruka, I have known your aunt long enough to know that she is not weak. I know she can recover. Especially with your support. This is the same woman who, just a few years ago, fought over forty men to protect you." Aurelia smiled.

"Wait, forty?" Tsukiko's eyes widened.

Haruka raised her head, her tears still staining the big smile on her face. "Yeah, you shoulda seen her. She was tossing guys left and right, it was amazing!"

"Likewise, do not forget that you yourself rival her strength." Aurelia looked Haru in the eye. "Your own strength comes from your heart. If your heart hurts, you will be weak. Understand that she only wants to protect your heart from pain."

"I just wanna hang out with her again. I wanna see her smile again." Haruka wiped her face. "I don't care if she's a sad sack the whole way, I want her to let me try."

"Some people need purpose, Haruka. Seeing you and Tsukiko together, supporting her, may be the push she needs. Remember how you felt when you drove away your sister." Aurelia scolded Haruka.

"…then I'm gonna make her strong again. Even if it kills me." Haruka took a deep breath.

Tsuki put a hand on the table. "Me too."

"Huh?" Haruka turned to her.

"How would I ever be a good Knight Himura if I never get some lessons from my big sister's teacher?" Tsukiko smiled. "And she sounds cool, and she's family, right?"

"Of course she's cool, she taught me everything I know." Haru's toothy grin stretched across her face once more.