Ranma 1/2 used without permission. Spider-man used without permission. ====================================================== Hikaru Gosunkug: The Amazing Spiderman Issue Ten: Lessons (Part Three) ====================================================== Nabiki was exhausted, as if she had just completed a marathon across Tokyo. The stars in the night above were muted by the lights of men below, yet a few still managed to shine despite their artificial competition. What have I gotten myself mixed up with? Nabiki nearly barked out a laugh at the question. All this time, and she was asking *now*? The police interrogation had been rough, even by her standards. Nabiki was unaccustomed to being on the business end of repeated questions, of getting a small taste of her own medicine. It was *not* what television made it out to be. She had wanted to corner Hikaru afterward, but the little twerp had vanished. Whatever he was involved in, it was much more than just pictures of Spiderman. And now, she was in it as well. What was Miku's involvement? Was she in the same boat as Nabiki herself? Nabiki slipped in through the front gate of the dojo, thankful that the lights were off. Kasumi must've gotten daddy to go to bed, otherwise he would have been on her as soon as she set foot on the grounds. Even so, it paid to be cautious. The house was pitch dark, yet Nabiki knew exactly where to step. She knew which spots of the floor would creak under her weight, where each piece of furniture lay, and where each entryway was. Such came in handy whenever she had snuck out, which admittedly hadn't been too often. Almost there, she thought just before she heard the breathing. Oh, shit... "Nabiki, it's after midnight," Kasumi whispered from behind. Nabiki repressed a jolt, knowing that if she ran into anyone, it would be her. "I lost track of time. Sorry I missed dinner." "Little sister, you never lose track of anything." Kasumi had her there... "Listen, it's nothing to worry about." "You've never come home this late. Is something wrong?" "No. I'm going to bed. School tomorrow." With that, Nabiki hurried up the stairs to her room. Oh, this just kept getting better and better! How long could she keep this a secret from her family? As long as it takes, she vowed to herself. I am *not* going to get them involved. This is way too serious. She entered her sanctuary, stripping off her uniform and reaching for some bedclothes. Too late for a bath. Tomorrow, Hikaru, it's going to be you and me. Come hell or high water, you are going to tell me what is going on. =========================================================== Why? It was the question that wouldn't leave Hikaru Gosunkugi alone. Why her? Why him? Why did life have to become so damn complicated? Why am I doing this to myself? Miku had, obviously, been kidnapped, but by whom? And why? Damnit, that word again! She had looked so distraught, almost devastated, when she had asked him to meet her. She'd had questions for him, questions about a certain wall-crawler. But why would she want to ask *him* about Spiderman? Okay, Gos, he said to himself, think this through. He stared into the darkened kitchen, a half-empty bottle of soda sitting patiently in front of him. One: Miku Tachibana was in serious trouble. That much was apparent, now. Therefore, she had probably wanted information on Spiderman in order to get his help. Get *my* help, he corrected. So, what should he do? Stay out of it, that's what! the rational part of his mind exclaimed. Let the police handle it! Then why did I just... Damnit, don't get involved! This isn't your fight! What if it is? At that moment, Hikaru recognzied the voice for what it was. His own cowardice. All his life he had been a weakling, too afraid to ever take a chance. To ever make a stand. Miku wanted Spiderman's help, he said to himself. She obviously didn't want to go to the police. She had been counting on his help. On Spiderman's help. No, he ammended, our help. How do you know that? the voice asked again. It sounded weaker now, less sure of itself. I don't. See? But I can't afford to take any chances. Not anymore. But... But... And if I don't do something, and the police don't find her - or worse, I'll never be able to live with myself. Gosunkugi became filled with courage, well beyond what the first occurrence of his powers had brought. He had learned something in those hours just after midnight. With power must also come responsibility. He had the power, ergo, he had to use it. And he finally knew what for. The costume had dried, Hikaru was pleased to discover. It was funny, really, that of all the Spiderman momentos he had destroyed, he had missed the one spare outfit he had set aside if he had ever decided to make a new costume. It felt good, sliding the material over his skin. No, it felt better than that, it was just... right. He slid the cowl over his head, and the transformation was finally complete. Gosunkugi didn't have all the answers, but that would soon change. Miku's aunt would not be able to answer questions for a day or so, but at least her wound hadn't been as severe as he had first thought. For a moment, he thought back on how Nabiki had rushed in to wrap a pressure bandage over the injury. Well, it was no surprise she knew first aid, considering the madhouse she lived in. He pushed all thoughts of Nabiki's softer side away. There was only one thing to focus on, and that was Miku. Hikaru slid the window open, the cool air nipping at his skin for a moment before his heightened metabolism nulled the effects. He crawled out, glad to be find that he could still stick to walls with the best of arachnids and made his way to the roof. Gedo High. That was where Miku had gone to school before transferring to Furinkan. Just on the south end of Juuban, only an hour trip by train. Maybe twenty minutes by webbing. "Look out, Tokyo," he said to the darkness, "Spiderman is *back*!" His voice took on a lower, more dangerous tone with his last words. "With. A. VENGEANCE!" ======================================================= Awright, partner. Keep on rollin', baby. You know what time it is. Ahh... I missed this, Hikaru tought as he sailed through the air above the nightlife of the city. Muscles he had not used in days tingled with the warmth of exertion, all but cancelling out the effect of the cold air. But I still wish I had some thermal tights, he groused as he banked sharply to the right. The streets below were still filled with people, mainly drunken businessmen who had felt to unwind after a hard day of sucking up to the boss. The jumbled mass of laughter and shouts reached him as a soft roar, the wind in his ears and his distance from the ground conspiring to mute the noise below. One in the morning, and they're *still* at it? he thought incredulously. How do they get any work done? The buildings took on a more neglected look the closer he got to Lower Juuban. The acrid odor of industrial pollutants grew thicker in the cool night air, signs of life dropping off significantly since he had left the lights of the active nightlife. There's high school out here? he thought as he arced left and dodged a billboard. Bad place to put one. A few more minutes of swinging brought him to the gates of Gedo High School. What the hell happened here? Hikaru landed softly on the outer wall of the school, muscles warm from the exertion of swinging all the way to Juuban. The grounds were coated with shadowed debris, what few security lights left struggling to light up at least a small portion of the area. He was scarecly able to make out faded grafitti that stained the outer walls of the school itself. "This place is a *dump*," he muttered softly. Hikaru glanced to his left, finding the front gate in a twisted ruin on the ground. "Miku used to go to school here?" The image of such a girl in such a place contradicted nearly every impression he had gained from her in those few days, save one. That she was mixed up in some bad stuff. Okay, Hikaru, think. Why in the hell are you out here at one in the morning? You *know* you won't find anything! Truth be told, he had to do something. Miku's aunt wouldn't be able to answer any questions for a day at least. This gave him an excuse to... Gosunkugi leapt to the right just before the small blade sliced the air he once occupied. He landed in a crouch, spider-sense picking out where his attacker lay in wait. "And here I was thinking I wouldn't find anything," he said to the shadow which lurked just outside one of the security lights. "I just *knew* you Ketsume geeks would come back." The voice was laden with malice, giggling lunacy lurking on the edges. "Ketsume?" "Come on, dipwad. Don't play dumb with me." He stepped into the light, a slight man in baggy purple clothing. A tattered vest covered an equally threadbare turtleneck, a plain bandanna holding up mounds of spiky blonde hair. His eyes gleamed with the blades he held in each hand. "Gotta admit, you got some good moves at least." "I'm flattered," Hikaru deadpanned. "Who are you, with the exceptionally large hairdo?" "They call me Edge." "As in, over it? I can see that." "Real funny," Edge leered. "Now, time to pay, Ketsume!" "My name isn't *Ketsume*! It's..." "Hey, you're that Spiderman guy, aren't ya?" "The one and only." Gosunkugi eyed his opponent critically, searching for an opening. If it hadn't been for the spider-sense, that knife would have turned him into a shish kabob. He was good with those things, no doubt about it. "Shoulda known you'd thrown in with those Ketsume losers." "For the last time, what are you talking about?!" "Shut up and..." "Wait!" Hikaru shot a look into the shadows, the sense picking out another form laying in wait. "Who's your friend back there?" "My name is Daigo." He stepped out, impressed that the Spiderman had managed to see him. His eyes took in every detail of the stranger. The costume was an almost black shade of blue, fitting snugly to a lean physique. A red spider design was emblazoned on the front, the legs arcing over the shoulders and around the abdomen to the back. The pattern was echoed on the lower legs and the forearms. "I'm surprised you were able to see me, Spiderman." "I'm just full of surprises." "He's full of somethin' all right." "Eiji! Quiet!" The younger man's face flushed an alarming shade of red at the use of his real name. Daigo knew it would get him. Daigo turned his attention back to Spiderman, who was crouched atop the outer wall of the school. "Why are you here?" "I need some answers," Hikaru replied. "And you came here?" "Listen, big boy, do you know someone named Miku Tachibana?" Gosunkugi watched carefully for any reaction from the impassive giant. Daigo was easily one of the largest men he had ever seen, with a face that made stone seem soft. The uniform betrayed his status as a student. "No. Should I?" "She went to school here. Well, she used to." "We said no!" Hikaru glared at Edge, and knew the boy was lying. It wasn't his spider-sense that told him rather than plain intuition. "Spiderman, we cannot help you," Daigo replied in an implacable tone. "Is that why you came here?" "Well, if you can't tell me about her, then what's with the Ketsume crap?" "That is our concern, not yours." "Like he said, we can't help you," Edge said. "But if you came here to fight..." "I wouldn't waste my time on you two." Hikaru leapt into the night, chased by Edge's screamed curses. "Get back here, you fucking coward!" Edge screamed to the retreating Spiderman. "Calm down," Daigo admonished. His eyes tracked the swinging stranger until he vanished from sight while his mind churned over this latest development. What did you want here, Spiderman? he asked silently. How do you know Miku? "How'd he know about her?" "I don't know, Edge. I have a feeling that something may have happened to her." Daigo took a deep breath before turning away. If anything had happened to Miku, Akira would be so upset. He doubted she would take it very well. "The Ketsume's got somethin' to do with this," Edge snarled as they walked back into the night. "On that, we agree." But what? "But, Spiderman will return." "How do *you* know?" "Call it a hunch." Hikaru swung the trip back to his apartment, hardly noting how the drunk execs below had reduced since he had first come. Those two knew more than they had been letting on, that was obvious. Part of him had wanted to pummell it out of them on the spot, so great had his anger been, yet he had relented. Violence didn't solve absolutely everything. That didn't ease the rising flames in his chest, nor stay the red haze that began to lurk at the edges of his vision. =================================================== Hikaru awoke, his limbs sore from the previous night's webslinging. He groaned as he sat upright, working the stiffness from his muscles. He'd definitely have to get used to that again. He looked over at the clock, finding he was four hours late for school. "Damn," he muttered. "No point in going, now." Miku still occupied his thoughts, worry gnawing at his brain. With each passing hour, her chances grew slimmer and slimmer. He had to find her, and fast. Gosunkugi rose from the sheets, gathering some clothes for a quick shower. He would see Miku's aunt today. She had at least some of the answers he needed. Maybe if he confronted that Daigo guy with some of those, his lips would loosen. But, how to go about it? Hikaru stepped out into the hallway, bare feet slapping against the hardwood. He could go as himself, say he was her nephew or something. They couldn't disprove it, after all. Going as Spiderman would be easier, but Hikaru felt leery of using that approach. Spiderman lurking into a woman's hospital room would draw a bit of attention that he didn't want. Whatever method he used, he just hoped she would be able to help him. Nabiki glared about the schoolgrounds, her anger reaching new and dangerous heights. Gosunkugi was nowhere to be found, and that irked her to no end. How dare he not show up when she fully intended to grill his skinny ass! But, he's not so skinny any more, is he? Now that she thought about it, Hikaru Gosunkugi wasn't looking quite as wimpy as he used to. He had put on some weight, and in just the right places to boot. Truth be told, he was bulking right up. Aw, jeez, now I'm noticing Hikaru Gosunkugi's body? I gotta lay off this... ======================================================= The hospital was much the same as any other, a towering structure that screamed sterility and disease inside four square walls. Hikaru stood outside the doors, incensed at the staff's stubborn refusal to let him see Miku's aunt. There was only one option left, risky as it was. Gosunkugi found an empty area of the grounds after changing into his costume, tensed his legs, and leapt up to the wall. Hands and feet adhered to the rough surface and he began his climb. Just hope nobody sees me, he thought as he reached the third floor. I'd have a hell of a time trying to explain this. He knew which room she was in, having gotten a peek at the registration files the admissions clerk had running on his terminal. Hikaru peeked in through a window, and saw a nurse taking blood from an elderly patient. Other windows revealed much the same, with no sign of Miku's aunt. "Ah. We have a winner," he whispered when he finally saw her. Akemi Moroboshi lay on the bed, thick gauze bandages wrapped around the top of her head. Her eyes were closed, chest rising and falling beneath the thin sheet in a slow and steady cadence. He gripped the edge of the window and pushed the sliding glass open. Hikaru climbed inside and instantly braced for his spider-sense. Nothing. No company coming yet. He stepped quietly over to the sleeping woman, nerves alive with anxious tension. "Mrs. Moroboshi?" He placed a hand on her shoulder and gave a gentle shake. Seeing her there made him afraid of moving her too hard, as if she was made of fragile glass. "Hrmm...?" Eyelids fluttered open, a drug-hazed stare fixing on his face after a few moments. "Spider... Man?" "That's me," he replied gently. "What... Why are you here?" "Listen, I'm trying to help you." "Help me?" "I want to find Miku, your niece." Man, they must have her really doped up... "Miku, they have her..." "The Ketsume?" He was rewarded with a small nod of her head and Hikaru's chest began to constrict. "Who are they?" "Ketsume are a gang, outside of Juuban." "Miku was involved with gangs?" Hikaru never would have guessed! "No! Miku was a good girl," Akemi said, the drugs giving her voice a dreamy monotone. "Then why would the Ketsume want to kidnap her?" "Shigeru." "Who?" "His name is Shigeru. He was fond of Miku-chan." "Really?" Hikaru really didn't like the way all this was adding up. "She didn't want anything to do with him. We thought that moving her out here would protect her..." "Is Shigeru part of the Ketsume?" "He's their leader..." "Where do I find him?" Had he thought about it, Gosunkugi would have regretted letting his voice drop to such menacing tones around Akemi, but he was rapidly going beyond thought. Shigeru was going to pay. "Don't know... Sorry..." With that, Akemi Moroboshi dropped back into peaceful slumber. Hikaru stood over her a few moments more, fighting down the urge to shake her awake once again. There had to be more, there just had to! His spider-sense flared to life, and Hikaru leapt out the window without looking back. He had a name, now, and a place. It was time to leave the questions behind. The nurse stepped in with a tray of medicines, glaring at the open window which let in cold air. "Honestly," she grumbled, "who left this window open?" She closed the window and began to check Akemi's chart. ====================================================== Gedo High School lay in one of the most dangerous areas of Tokyo aside from the infamous Nerima Ward. Bordered on three sides by rival Yakuza Narawabi, or territories, gang wars within the area erupted on an all too frequent basis. Two rival gangs held the most influence in Lower Juuban, the Ketsume and the Riding Skulls. The conflicts between the two were often and fierce, hatreds set deep into those of both sides. Daigo, leader of the Riding Skulls, had cemented the gang's hold on Gedo High in his freshman year. The stoic leader had then consolidated most of Gedo's other groups under his command through his strength and surprising intellect. Some called him the Riding Shogun, a nickname which he did not mind. "Daigo-san!" He stopped in midstep as the underclassman trotted up to him. He was in no gang, Daigo recalled, yet he regarded him with the same respect he accorded to all who were not his enemies. "Yes?" "I have news on the Ketsume gang." Daigo's eyebrows arched up in surprise. Most of the neutral students, of which Miku had been one, tried to steer as clear of the Skulls and the Ketsume as possible. "What is it?" "I saw it, Daigo-san," he said, quivering despite himself. "Three Ketsume were walking down the street just under my window." "And?" Daigo was beginning to lose his patience. People knew better than to trifle with him. The underclassman gulped and continued his story. "Out of the blue, one of them gets snatched up into the air!" "Oh?" "I saw him come down, jumped right off the top of another building. Five stories like it was nothing!" "What did he look like?" Daigo was becoming slightly interested. If a new enemy of the Ketsume had come, then perhaps he should meet him. "The outfit's different from what I saw in the papers, but it was him!" "Him who?" As if I can't guess, Daigo thought with rising concern, "Spiderman," the other replied in a hushed whisper, as if saying the name could summon him. "And believe me, he looked *pissed*! I think he really hurt those three." "Very good. Thank you." The underclassman left hurriedly, vanishing into the milling crowd of Gedo's students. Daigo continued his walk, face as expressive as iron. I knew he would return, Daigo thought. And now, he's after the Ketsume. Why? It was obvious, really. They *did* have something to do with Miku Tachibana's disappearance. Daigo briefly wondered if Spiderman was after Shigeru, their leader. But, how would he know about him? This keeps getting stranger and stranger, he thought with rising irritation. Spiderman is trying to mix it up with the entire Ketsume gang, and if Miku is still alive then he could do more harm than good by striking at random like this. He recalled his little sister's face when he had told her the news of Miku's disappearance, and knew he had no choice. He would have to intercept Spiderman before the wallcrawler did something stupid. A thought struck Daigo then. If he could perhaps convince Spiderman to help get rid of the Ketsume... It was worth a shot. He could ill afford having to deal with both them and Spiderman in a three-way war. ================================================== Noriyuki kept eyeing the rooftops as he sat in the cramped alley. The air seemed colder somehow, even through the sweatshirt he wore which bore the logo of an American clothes designer. "Hey, man, you listening?" "Huh?" he asked, snapping his gaze to his friend. "Jeez, what's wrong with you?" Noriyuki resumed his vigil of the roofs, hugging his elbows for warmth. Somehow, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. "You heard about last night, Kato." "Yeah, so what?" "You mean you ain't spooked? I heard that spider-guy's one tough bastard!" "Shit, Nori, he ain't nothin about ten guys can't stop!" Kato exclaimed with exaggerated confidence. "He jumped three guys and got lucky." "I don't know," Noriyuki said at length. "I mean, why's he after us? They weren't doing anything..." Kato's startled cry brought Noriyuki up short. He spun about and found the space the other had occupied suddenly empty. "Kato?" he called hesitantly. Silence was his only reply. "Kato, come on. Stop foolin' around!" His nerves were beginning to fray as a cold certainty crept into his awareness. "Who's... here..." His eyes travelled upward and discovered Kato encased in silvery webs and hanging from the fire escape. "Oh, shit," he whispered as he searched the surrounding shadows in jerky, desperate glances. He was *here*, he was *here* he was... "Up here." Noriyuki jerked his head toward the source of the voice and found him crouched high upon the shadowed bricks. "SSSHHHHIIIIIT!" The silken threads encircled his torso and he felt himself roughly yanked off the pavement. "S... spid.... spider..." "You just stuttered the magic word," Spiderman said, one hand easily holding him suspended in space. "W-what do you w-want?" "I want Shigeru," the other growled. Noriyuki could imagine the face behind the garish mask, like something out of a nightmare come into the waking world. "I want him *bad*. And I want him *now*!" "I... I don't..." "Wrong answer," Spiderman replied. "I don't know how long I can hold you up here." Noriyuki swallowed past the growing lump in his throat, the threat cutting through the haze of fear that had clouded his brain. "Again," Spiderman began, "where can I find Shigeru?" "We.... we don't see him!" "You know, my arm's getting tired..." "I SWEAR! HE NEVER SEES US!" "For a guy who leads such a big gang, he's awful secretive." "W-w-we deal with his... lieutenants!" Noriyuki felt something run down his leg as his fear overran his rationale. "*Now* we're getting somewhere!" Spiderman jerked Noriyuki closer to his mask, the emotionless white eyepieces betraying nothing of what lay beneath. Noriyuki wasn't certain if that was more terrifying than knowing what actually *was* behind there. "Next question: Who are they, and where do I find them?" "Best bet... Matsuhara Nijomu..." "Matsuhara..." Spiderman repeated in a low, dangerous tone. "I'll start with him, and work my way up the food chain. WHERE IS HE?" "Game Day..." Noriyuki could feel his control fleeing him and the darkness beginning to rush in. "Excuse me?" "Game Day. It's an arcade... downtown... he goes there almost every night... Now, please..." He felt himself being gently lowered to the alley floor, yet his eyes never left Spiderman as the latter began to shrink into the distance. His feet hit the pavement, the silky tether dropping to the ground as Spiderman leapt up and out of sight. Oh, man... he thought as his knees gave out. Screw this gang crap. I'm out! Oh, wow, the young man in the shadows thought as he saw Spiderman swing off into the midday sky. Daigo-san will reward me for this! ================================================== Shigeru glared out the barred window, hands flexing at his sides. He was a tall sort, corded muscles concealed by the sharply creased white uniform of his school. Coal-dark hair was slicked back over his head into a long ponytail at the back in stark contrast to the deathly pale hue of his taut skin. "Is that right?" he whispered to the informant behind him. His voice was deceptively calm, masking the lunacy that only those closest to him really knew. "Yes, Shigeru-san," the other replied. "Spiderman is moving against us. I have word that two more of our men have been attacked just this afternoon." "Be gone. I must think." Shigeru's cold blue eyes narrowed when he heard the door click shut. "Spiderman..." he repeated the word like a mantra, his right hand moving to pinch the bridge of his nose as he often did while in thought. "What do you want? Why are you so far away from your web, little spider?" That he was attacking his own Ketsume was no coincidence. He had reports that placed Spiderman at Gedo High, unconfirmed until just recently. But why? Had he thrown in with the Riding Skulls? "Why, why, why... too many questions..." "Mrrph!" Shigeru turned his attentions toward her, his love, his prize, his *property*, damn it! "I'm terribly sorry about all this, Miku," he said as he took the few steps to the chair to which she was presently bound. He gently lowered the gag and was then assaulted with her shout. "Shigeru, damn you, untie me!" "Water? You must be thirsty." "Let me *go*!" He placed the glass to her lips and the water spilled down her throat before she was ready. He removed it as the coughing fit passed. "I can't do that, Miku," he said in a gentle tone. "Not yet. I'm not ready." "Shigeru, please, let me go home." Miku looked into those blue eyes, brimming with madness, and felt her hopes begin to die. He raised the water glass again, and this time she accepted. No sense in dehydrating herself. "I'll take you home," he said, "and then we can be together, as we once were. As it was meant to be." "I..." The cloth was in place again before she could finish. Miku screamed ineffectually into the damp gag as Shigeru turned to stand by the barred window once again. "I wonder why Spiderman has all of a sudden taken an interest in my organization?" Spiderman, she thought. Hikaru, oh, I'd forgotten all about him! It had been a faint hope at best that he would know enough about Spiderman to enlist his help. Fainter still that the masked... man?... would accept. Hikaru had to have seen the apartment, she thought to herself as she stared down at her tied legs. He puts two and two together, and gets Spiderman. He must really have some pull with the man to get him to look for me. But how would he find her? That was the million yen question. He had to have known enough to look in Lower Juuban, maybe he could trace her to this place, wherever it was. She had never seen it before. The decor was spartan, a table and two chairs occupied the center of the small room, one of which she was tied to. The lone window was covered in black steel bars, floor and walls immaculately neat as was Shigeru's preference. One could never call him a slob, at least. Miku Tachibana moaned softly into the gag, wondering just how she had allowed this to go so damn far. ================================================= "Is he, now?" "Yes, Daigo-san," the young man said. "Tonight!" "Very good. Thank you." The younger student bowed deeply before running off down the sidewalk. Daigo, for his part, cracked his calloused knuckles. "I'm startin' to kinda like that Spiderman freak," Edge said from his left. "Pickin' off Ketsume left 'n right, the man has got style." "We are going to Game Day tonight as well, Edge." "Yeah?" the smaller one said. His voice was loaded with excited anticipation. "We're gonna get front-row seats, or we gonna take Matsuhara out before Spidey does?" "We are going to stop him." "We're... WHAT?!" "I know what Spiderman wants, Edge," Daigo said in a stern tone. "He wants Shigeru." "Hell, don't we all?" Edge screeched. "Why not take down one of his goons too?" "Do not question me, Eiji," Daigo rumbled. "I have my reasons." "Ya know, boss, you're gettin' kinda weird on me." "If all goes well, then the Ketsume will be destroyed by tomorrow morning." And if all did not go well, then it was very likely that Miku Tachibana would never be seen alive again. ===================================================== Hikaru Gosunkugi studied the street below him, in particular the neon sign which bore the name Game Day Arcade. He hoped he could perhaps pick out Matsuhara Nijomu before he went in, possibly take him right off the street. Wouldn't that give the salarymen down there a show? He reached into the belt for another granola bar. All the swinging and intimidating worthless Ketsume had worked up an appetite. He pulled his mask up past his nose before unwrapping and demolishing the snack. Hikaru hardly tasted the granola as he watched the river of people on the street below him. The sun had set an hour ago, and the inactivity was beginning to drive him insane. He needed to find Nijomu, needed to pound the living daylights out of the little prick... He shook his head, his anger dispersing for the moment. Where had that come from? I can't act like this, he thought to himself as his eyes moved away from the arcade's entrance. I'm not some jock martial artist and I can't let my anger get the best of me. The rage retreated, yet Hikaru could still feel it lurking in the depths of his mind. Part of him regretted being so rough with those Ketsume members earlier, especially the one to whom he had nearly given a crash course in falling. Gosunkugi pulled his mask back into place and resumed his vigil. Off to the left of the entrance, barely visible amid the throngs of people, were two men he had never expected to see. "Daigo? Edge?" he muttered. "What are you two doing here?" He studied them intently, standing about as if they had nothing better to do. Their presence disturbed him for some unidentifiable reason. Why would they be hanging around... Hello, he thought when their heads turned as one. Hikaru followed their line of sight with his own eyes. They had been *waiting* for someone! But which one were they looking for? He was slight, clothes hanging off his bony frame. Limp green-dyed hair draped across an angular face. His skin was pale as a sheet, and by all appearances a good stiff wind could have knocked him over. "That's who they're lookin'," he said. "But who is he?" Wait. Was it possible? Hikaru watched as he vanished into the arcade. Daigo and Edge hung about for a moment more before following suit. Could that scarecrow had been Matsuhara Nijomu? Only one way to find out, he thought as he sprung off the wall. Matsuhara Nijomu eased through the crowds of people in line for the machines. The noise assaulted his ears with mingled voices and sound effects from the myriad games lined in rows all throughout the floorspace. Game Day was a modest place, as far as arcades went. It was dimly lit as most were, the glow from the screens bathing the faces of the paying customers and spectators in unnatural light. The only unusual feature of the arcade was the vaulted ceiling. Rumor had it that it was left over from a failed plan to construct a second floor to the place. He found the game he wanted, Capcom Vs. SNK. Both spaces were occupied, a situation he could easily remedy. Matsuhara placed a slender hand on the shoulder of one of the boys playing. He looked up at Nijomu's face and hastily relenquished his place. "Little punk," Edge growled. "Let's take him!" "No," Daigo said before taking a sip of his soda. "If Spiderman is going to appear here, then we should wait." "How do you know that kid wasn't lying?" Edge growled. "Look up." "Huh? Oh." Daigo nodded. He had seen it as well. Things were about to get interesting, indeed. Matsuhara whipped the joystick around, executing a move that easily penetrated the other's block. He enjoyed this, fleecing the kids for money. Everyone knew his reputation for being a sore loser, and his connections to the Ketsume gang didn't hurt either. The noise began to taper off into a thick silence. Matsuhara finished trouncing his opponent before noticing the utter lack of sound from the other people. "Looks fun," a voice said from behind. "Mind if I play?" He turned around and froze at the sight. There, hanging upside-down right in front of him, was Spiderman. "What the... HEY!" he shouted as a gloved hand lashed out and grasped the front of his shirt. Matsuhara's feet left the floor mere seconds before he felt gravity lose its hold on him. "Have a seat!" Spiderman shouted as Matsuhara bounced off one of the machines. He slowly picked himself up, pain throbbing throughout his back. Spiderman released the web he had been holding with his other hand and hit the floor with a deft flip. "What do you want?!" "I want Miku Tachibana," the other growled as he took a few menacing steps forward. "And then I want the man who has her." "Say what?" Matsuhara felt a shiver despite himself. How did *he* know about Shigeru and Miku? "Don't play games with me. Either you tell me now, or you tell me after I have some fun with you." "I..." He began to frantically search for a place to run, or at least an ally. The other gamers had formed a wide circle around the two. Most of them gawked openly at the drama being played out. Matsuhara Nijomu, one of the Ketsume's top dogs, was getting faced down by a masked man some had thought to be only a publicity stunt by a few newspapers. "Spiderman!" Hikaru turned his head at the shout. Daigo came charging through the staring crowd, shoving many of them aside. Edge ran along with him, and Hikaru groaned. Why now? "You want this guy?" he asked. "Take a number and get in line." "This is not the way to find Miku," Daigo said. He stood proud and defiant, a giant among the gathered kids and teenagers in the arcade. "You had your chance, big boy," Hikaru replied. "You wouldn't help me before, so get lost!" "Better watch that mouth, Spidey!" Edge shouted. "Before it gets ya into trouble!" "I don't have time for this!" Hikaru hollered just as the sirens came into earshot. Cops? Aw, shit! He glanced around for Matsuhara and found him scurrying away toward the rear exit. The sound of shouts and pounding feet came from behind, and Hikaru knew he had lost this one. Without a word, he leapt up to the ceiling and crawled up the air conditioning vent he had used to get in. ===================================================== Hikaru Gosunkugi was beyond angry, mired deep in the realm of Severely Pissed Off. If those two *idiots* hadn't shown up, he would have gotten Matsuhara out of there long before the police would have arrived! He glared down at the pavement a story below him as he swung, still unable to find a trace of his quarry. His one best chance of getting Miku back was now gone, and he was left with no idea where she was, and... His eyes fell on the forms of two very familiar people below, and a leer formed beneath the mask. If he couldn't have Matsuhara Nijomu, then Gedo High's two resident Yakuza-wannabes would have to do. Daigo strained to keep his anger in check, all the while cursing Spiderman for his blatant stupidity. The man simply refused to listen! "Gotta admit," Edge said, "I like the man's style, if nothin' else." "Quiet, Edge." Daigo needed to think, so much was riding on what could happen tonight. He turned down an alley he knew well, nestled inside Riding Skulls territory. He wasn't in the mood to take the scenic route home. The two walked deeper into the darkened corridor, their footfalls the only sounds until Edge spoke. "So, things didn't go as... HURK!" Daigo jumped clear just as the blob slammed into Edge's back, forcing him to the pavement and holding him fast. "The fuck!? Get this shit offa me!" Daigo's eyes scanned every shadow, alert for any sign of Spiderman's location. His temper rose to the occaision, bringing warmth to his muscles. If a fight was what the wallcrawler wanted, then that was what he would get. "SHOW YOURSELF!" Daigo bellowed into the night. "Nijomu was my only link to finding Miku," Spiderman's voice snarled from the darkness above. "If you two hadn't fucked things up, I'd have rescued her by now!" Daigo summoned his ki, his battle aura flaring to life. He forced himself to remain mostly calm. If he lost control, he would lose the fight. But who says there has to *be* a fight? a dissonate part of him asked. "Does Miku mean so much to you?" Best to stall for time, feel Spiderman out. If all this was just about the girl, then maybe he could make this work out after all. "If I don't save her, nobody will," the other's voice replied. "But, why do you want to help her? What is she to you?" "I don't have time for Twenty Questions!" "Spiderman, listen to me," Daigo rumbled. So impatient this man was. "I know where Shigeru lives." "Where is he?!" "I can take you there, but you *must* do as I say." "I don't think you..." "Damn you, Spiderman, shut up and pay attention! Miku is in even more danger than you know!" The other remained silent, Edge's struggling curses all the noise in the alley. Taking Spiderman's silence as consent to go on, Daigo continued. "That man was one of Shigeru's lieutenants. By now, he's already told him about you, and that you're looking for Miku." "What are you trying to say?" Spiderman sounded less certain now. "Shigeru is obsessed with Miku," Daigo explained. "He feels, so I'm told, that if he cannot have Miku, then nobody can." "God..." "There is one chance to save her, Spiderman, but you have to be willing to help me destroy the Ketsume." "I don't care about your little gang war. I just Miku back safe." "Release Edge, and follow me. There is someone you should meet." ================================================= Hikaru landed next to Daigo, whom he had followed from above for a few blocks. The houses in the area were worn and old, some covered with graffitti and dirt. He had never once been in an area of Japan like this, though he had heard about them off and on. Places in the industrial areas were often dingy from the pollutants and the less savory types that hung around. "Come in," Daigo said after releasing the last lock on the door and stepping past. The home was far cleaner on the inside, though the furniture was beginning to show its age. "Akira!" he exclaimed. Hurried footfalls answered his call as a small girl appeared in the living room. She was shorter than Hikaru, even, pale denim pants and yellow tanktop smudged with grease. Short dark hair hung over shy, narrow eyes yet her arms showed muscle tone above what Hikaru had seen on other girls her size. Her gaze fell on him and widened slightly in surprise. "Um, Daigo," she said in a soft voice, "why is Spiderman standing in our living room?" "Akira, please take Spiderman to the garage." "Why?" "Little sister," he said in a gentle deep voice, "Spiderman wants to help Miku, too." Hikaru noticed the hope that rushed across her face before the shy mask fell back in place. "I have some calls to make. I want you to tell Spiderman about her. And about Shigeru." "Yes, big brother," she said. Hikaru studied her carefully. The prospect of discussing Shigeru obviously didn't sit well with her. "Spiderman," she said, "follow me, please." Gosunkugi took a handy spot on the wall while Akira went about clearing a place for her to sit. The garage stank of petroleum. Tools and parts lined the workbench across the room while others sat beside the mostly-assembled carcasses of two motorcycles. So that's why they're called the *Riding* Skulls, he thought. Akira dragged a stool over to one of the bikes and hopped atop it easily. She looked up at him with a puzzled expression before asking, "Do you always crouch on the wall?" "Hey," he said, "I'm Spiderman. It's what I do." "Right. Anyway, you wanted to talk about Miku?" "Yeah." A hundred questions suddenly flooded his throat. Did she live around here? What did she like to do? What was she like? "How do you know her?" "Miku's one of my closest friends," Akira replied. "We met when I started high school." "Was she... you know... mixed up with all this gang stuff?" "No. She wanted to stay out of it. I don't blame her." "So, how'd she meet Shigeru?" Hikaru really wanted to hear this one. "If she'd wanted to steer clear of Lower Juuban's gangs, why'd she get involved with him?" "She wouldn't listen to me at first," Akira explained. Her voice was tight, her hands balled up at her hips. "I warned her that he was the leader of the Ketsume, that it would draw fire from the gang in our territory." "Is that what happened?" "No. She didn't stay with him long enough." "Why?" What Daigo had said in the alley came to the forefront and Hikaru suddenly felt his limbs grow cold. "He... he tried to own her, I guess you could say. He always called her, had his men spy on her, even tried to tell her she couldn't leave her own home without a Ketsume present. Miku didn't like that much." "I can see why." Shigeru was gonna pay. Oh, yeah... "She told him it was over..." "Let me guess," Hikaru interrupted, "Shigeru wasn't too pleased." "Not in the least," Akira replied. "Miku's mother had the number changed, but he'd always find it. Letters would show up in her locker at school, people would tail her wherever she went..." Akira had to stop speaking for a moment while she brought her anger back under control. "Did he threaten her?" he asked. Hikaru's own rage rose in kind to that of Akira. Shigeru, he thought, just wait 'till I get my hands on you... "When they started, her mother had her transferred. She wouldn't say where. Like that mattered." Akira spat out the last as if it left a bitter taste in her mouth. "Why didn't she call the police?" Hikaru asked. "Her mother did, but it didn't do any good." "Why?" "They couldn't prove it was him stalking her, or so they said." Akira picked up a crescent wrench and absently twirled it between her fingers. "Shigeru is rumored to have some connections in the Koban." "Well, don't worry," Hikaru said in his most confident tone. "I've dealt with *real* Yakuza before. This wannabe's small potatoes." "Don't get cocky! Shigeru's tougher than you think!" The room fell silent again, each lost in their own thoughts. Hikaru, for his part, now regretted having gone after Ketsume the way he had. If Shigeru had been tipped off to just why he was webbing up his boys, then he may have just placed Miku in even more danger. This was another reason you quit, came his fear again. Hikaru ignored it. Being a hero was much harder than manga and anime made it look, that was for sure. Maybe there really was something to that whole thinking things through stuff. "Let me ask you something," Akira said. "Shoot." "Why are you looking for Miku?" "A... friend told me she had been kidnapped." "Oh? Was he a friend of Miku's, too?" "Yeah. Yeah, I think he was." Man, these questions are bloody uncomfortable. "Who was he, if you don't mind my asking?" "Can't say," Hikaru replied curtly. "I don't think he'd like it too much if I told a lot of people about... how we know each other." "Okay," Akira replied, apparently sated for the moment. "So, why are you here?" "Huh?" "Why are you with Daigo, I mean. Are you helping him fight the Ketsume?" "I don't give two rats assess about his little war," he spat. "All I care about is getting Miku *away* from Shigeru, preferably in one piece." "I see," she said with a small grin. "You're really not so bad, Spiderman," she said. "Thanks." The door opened slowly, revealing Daigo on the other side. "Spiderman, come with me. I have a plan." "Music to my ears," he said. Hikaru let himself drop from the wall and landed gracefully on the cool concrete floor. ====================================================== "Miku." She stirred slightly as her name cut through the dense fog of sleep. "Miku-chan, wake up." Maybe it had all been a nightmare, she thought. Shigeru hadn't really kidnapped her, and her aunt was trying to get her up for school. A lot to do today, girl, get a move on! "Wake up!" Hey, that voice is wrong! Miku tried to rub her eyes and was slightly startled when her arm met with strong resistance. Nothing would move, and as her mind slowly awoke, the ever present feel of the nylon ropes re-asserted themselves. She opened her eyes, blinking them several times to clear the blurry images into something cohesive. Miku tried to yawn and found her lips firmly sealed. Her tongue and throat were dry, the cloth in her mouth damp from her own saliva. "Miku, I think you've been a bad girl." She gazed up into Shigeru's face and felt her blood turn to ice. His blue eyes were wild and fierce, lips drawn back into an evil sneer. "Wrmmph?" She felt the ropes tighten severely and she let out a short screech into the strip of silver tape which now covered her mouth. He had loosened the ropes before she had fallen asleep, she remembered. It wasn't as if she could go anywhere, after all. "One of my chief men was paid a visit tonight," he whispered. He leaned over until his face was mere inches from hers, eyes drilling into hers. "Guess who it was?" "Mmmph!" "Spiderman, of all people!" he screamed. "And you know what? He was asking about *you*!" Miku felt her heart skip a beat. He *was* looking for her! Hikaru really did get him to find her! Her moment of elated hope vanished when Shigeru dealt her a harsh slap. Miku's head rocked to the side. Stinging pain radiated from her abused cheek as tears tried to well up in her eyes. I will not cry, she thought. I won't give him the satisfaction. He's intimidated me long enough! "You were supposed to be MINE, damnit!" he screamed. "And here you go whoring yourself to that... that FREAK!" Miku's anger rose up like an unchained dragon. It rushed throughout her mind like a thing alive, and hungry. Another blow fell against her other cheek. Miku growled deep in her throat and began to strain against the ropes. She knew they wouldn't give, not from they way she had been tied, but be *damned* if she was just going to sit here and take this! "Well?!" he shouted. "Don't you have anything to say?" I'm gagged you fucking moron, she thought. And you'd better be glad I'm tied, too. Shigeru pulled his fist back and delivered a harsh punch directly into her abdomen. Miku's gorge rose in response as sickening pain washed over her again and again. Don't puke, she commanded herself. Don't puke, you don't want to die this way. Not here, not because of him. Slowly, the urge receeded, though the pain remained strong. The tears finally began to fall, and she could not stop them this time. "You know what I'm going to do?" he asked. "I'm gonna bring Spiderman here, and he's gonna watch while I tear you to *shreds*!" With that, Shigeru turned and stormed out of the room which was her prison. You think so, don't you? Miku thought, glaring daggers at the now-closed door.