Sunset ^beta

It's not until their consciousnesses are linked that Kiana realizes just how little she knows about Fu Hua. It shouldn't come as a surprise. They met as adversaries, Kiana stuck in the thrall of Shocker brainwashing and hellbent on eliminating the rogue Grasshopper Augment-01. Once freed from Shocker's grip and united as allies, their time together was a whirlwind of clashes with Shocker's minions and desperate retreats to recover from their wounds, up until the confrontation with Butterfly Aug where Hua sacrificed herself.

Her memories from those days are jumbled, so little of them clear but for the sharp impressions Kiana's mind can't shake. Racing along the road on her motorbike with Hua at her side on the Cyclone, the rejuvenating bite of the wind in her face. The crack of her fist against the carapace of an enemy Aug and the sharp pain of claws sinking into her flesh in retaliation; those same claws tearing away from her body as Hua savagely drags the Aug off of Kiana. Nights spent in safe houses, curled up inches from Hua in hopes of feeling like she's not alone, too exhausted to move yet kept awake by the sharp, lingering scents of blood and sweat from the day's battle and fear of the inevitable nightmares when she finally drifts off to sleep.

The memories of Hua from those days are indelibly imprinted on Kiana's spirit, and she understands her well in their roles as one-time adversaries turned comrades in arms. As short as their time together was, she quickly learned to trust her in combat, effortlessly coordinating thanks to their twin grasshopper instincts. But outside of battle, the other woman remained a mystery to her, a quiet, steady presence who spoke little and opened up even less. Now, though, their thoughts mingle every time she dons their helmet and they fight together as Kamen Rider No. 2+1. Kiana can sense not only Hua's razor-sharp intuition for the flow of battle but her emotions as they fight. She feels Hua's excitement when Kiana executes a particularly difficult maneuver as soon as the idea flashes from Hua's consciousness to her own. She feels the sharp jolts of fear whenever she deviates from Hua's suggestions for a reckless and risky counter. And she feels Hua's suffocating sorrow each time they eliminate another Aug, unable to hide from Kiana the voice in her head that wonders every time—'This could have been us,' and 'If Kiana could be freed from Shocker brainwashing, do they too not deserve a chance at salvation?'

Kiana hadn't realized the depth of concern Hua carried for her, and it makes her chest ache, wishing they could have opened up to one another while she was still by her side and fully corporeal. When she first accepted the helmet from Einstein and Tesla and resolved to carry on the mantle of Kamen Rider with Hua, it was out of a sense of duty, determined to carry on Hua's wishes even at the cost of tying herself to an organization she still doesn't fully trust.

She dons the helmet sparingly at first, inexplicably nervous to intrude upon Hua. Or maybe it's the knowledge that, with their minds connected, she is just as exposed to Hua as Hua is to her that makes Kiana reticent. But with each successive time, she puts on the Rider helmet and binds her soul with Hua's, it quickly grows apparent to Kiana that this is a feeling she can't let go of. The colorful spectrum of Hua's emotions in battle and the elation that overflows into Kiana whenever they ride together on the Shin-Cyclone, chasing after the winds that guide them, settle into Kiana's heart and permeate her entire being.

Carrying on the fight as Kamen Rider No. 2+1 is no longer a burden she bears to honor her friend, but a precious treasure that Kiana eagerly chases more of. She wears the helmet as much as she can, even when there's no purpose besides being close to Hua. Sometimes it's enough for Kiana just to feel her presence, but most of the time she'll talk with Hua incessantly, sharing any and every thought that comes to mind. They talk about simple things, so mundane she could almost imagine they're two regular friends and not Kamen Rider partners desperately battling for humanity.

Kiana learns her favorite color (blue), her favorite food (Hua swears she doesn't have one. Kiana doesn't see how that's possible.), and her favorite animal (Any bird—'Even those annoying seagulls that poop in your hair when you're just trying to spend a nice day at the beach?' Kiana counters, but Hua doesn't grace that with a response.).

Even as she learns all the little things that make Hua tick, Kiana still knows almost nothing about her life before they met—only that she'd been pulled into the mess with Shocker thanks to Professor Apocalypse, an old mentor from university. So when she asks Hua what she was like as a kid one evening, she doesn't really expect to learn much.

Nearly a minute without a word and Kiana is just about ready to change the subject and pretend she never asked when Hua's quiet laughter chimes in her head. 'You really want to know?'

'Sure! Why not? We're partners now, right?' Kiana does her best not to sound too interested.

Her next response comes almost as slowly as the first. 'Awkward.'

'Awkward?'

'Very awkward.'

'Really? But you always seemed so cool.' Kiana gestures wildly with her hands.

'Not when I was 15! There weren't many kids my age where I grew up, so when I left home for school I barely knew how to talk to my classmates. And I had such a big growth spurt over that summer I couldn't even manage the daily training regimen I'd done for years without tripping over my own feet.' She lets out a long sigh and adds, 'Back then I was sure I was the only one feeling so hopeless every time I opened my mouth or took a step, but I'm old enough now to know it's like that for everyone.'

'Nuh-uh! Not me! We Kaslanas are the perfect physical specimens and I've never been awkward or clumsy in my life! I'm a natural at every athletic feat I've ever attempted.' Kiana wiggles her eyebrows, raises both arms, and flexes to underscore her point, as a barely stifled giggle exposes the claim for the tall tale it is. She'd have given a serious answer, but Hua's voice in her head is so somber that she badly wants to brighten her mood.

To her surprise, Hua plays along. 'If only I had you to help back then,' putting on a tone so sincere that Kiana can easily picture her tapping her chin and wrinkling her nose in thought. 'It was bad enough being so far from home and the family dojo—my father could have helped me adjust. But with the unparalleled Kiana Kaslana, I'd not even need him.'

'Your father runs a dojo! You must be like his number one student. No wonder you always beat me whenever we would spar together! I thought I just needed more practice.'

'I could teach you if you'd like.' The offer is quiet, almost nervous, and Kiana pictures Hua fidgeting with her glasses and shifting uncomfortably as she waits for her answer.

'You'd really do that for me?' Her mouth hangs open dumbly for a few seconds until she realizes and snaps it shut with a click of her teeth.

The rush of affection that overflows from Hua and settles in Kiana's stomach like a warm spring breeze is answer enough, but Hua still attempts to give voice to her thoughts. 'Shocker grows stronger every day. I can mentally guide you in the heat of battle, but we need you in peak form to secure victory.'

'We do need to defeat Shocker,' Kiana nods sagely, 'but I think maybe you just like me, and that's why you're choosing me to pass on the top secret techniques that have been in your family for generations!'

'We don't have top secret techniques. It's just normal martial arts!' Hua is incredulous at how quickly Kiana switched from sounding touched that she would teach her anything whatsoever to preening over Hua choosing her as "the sole successor to the Great and Forbidden Arts of the House of Fu," but can sense a losing battle when she sees one and doesn't argue anymore. When Kiana finally runs out of steam, she adds, 'We can start your training tomorrow morning. Be ready.'

Come morning, Kiana quickly learns that Hua is a strict taskmistress, starting only with the most basic of moves and repeating them until they're hardwired into Kiana's brain. Her body is unsteady at first, used to triumphing in battle through pure athleticism and a relentless barrage of attacks rather than the precise and measured techniques of Hua's fighting style, but with repetition, her forms should become easier and more precise. She wants to impress Hua, to prove she's worthy of her family's "secrets," but Hua seems completely indifferent to Kiana's progress, merely observing and sporadically offering advice.

As the sun creeps towards its apex, restlessness mounts within Kiana, curling her gut into knots and prickling under her skin. The heat wears away at her distracted mind and her motions grow ever less sharp as she loses focus on the constant repetition. 'Kiana, slow down. You're getting sloppy.'

"We're already moving slowly!" Kiana snaps, abruptly tearing off the helmet and falling into a crouch. She holds it to her forehead and closes her eyes, the cool metal soothing against her skin, grateful for once to Shocker for the heat regulation system that keeps it cool to the touch even in the unrelenting summer heat. Given a moment of respite, her agitation dissipates. The moment of calm is not to last, as embarrassment at her childish behavior and guilt at abruptly cutting off her connection to Hua settles in its place.

Kiana stares into the wide red eyes of the Rider helmet and absent-mindedly rubs a thumb under one eye. She can almost pretend she's looking into Hua's own eyes like this. She knows it's a foolish flight of fancy, as childish as her earlier outburst and as unrealistic as thinking she could learn in a day what Hua has spent a lifetime perfecting. The guilt coils heavily in her stomach, and Kiana knows she has to make things right.

She touches her forehead to the helmet once more, holding it there for several seconds before exhaling loudly and slipping the helmet back on. Hua's presence floods into her mind immediately, a cool and calming sensation. Though unmistakably Hua, her exact emotions are indistinct and Kiana can't gauge where they stand.

Testing the waters, Kiana calls out, 'Hua? I'm sorry for how I acted before. I know I'm a terrible student and it wasn't right to cut you off just because I was angry. I understand if you want to stop teaching me.'

'I don't want to stop teaching you.'

'Even after my outburst?' Kiana’s chest flutters, unsteady as a leaf in the wind.

'Yes. Even after that. I know you well enough not to take it to heart. What I want to know is do you want to keep training with me?'

'Of course I want to keep training!' Kiana answers almost too quickly. 'Because it's with you,' she thinks and flushes, knowing she can't hide these thoughts from Hua while they're connected like this.

Kiana doesn't know if she's relieved or disappointed when Hua gives no indication that she heard the last thought. 'Okay. But we need to get it right this time. You're strong and you're capable of executing the most physically demanding moves I have to teach, but that won't be enough in a real fight against Shocker's forces. If you can't master them, there's no reason for you to use my techniques over what's already effective. But if you have the discipline to master even the basics, you'll have more ways to overcome whatever Shocker sends our way.'

'Got it. Let's try again. The same move as before?'

'Yes,' and Kiana readies herself to resume the repetitions when Hua adds 'but this time try not to think about what techniques will come next. We'll master one thing at a time. And I'll be with you every step of the way.'

The shift in the atmosphere of the training is instantaneous. Forgetting about what she might learn next, it's much easier for Kiana to focus on the current lesson, and Hua's more frequent feedback keeps her engaged. With almost every repetition, she comments on Kiana's mechanics, praising what she does well and suggesting adjustments. Even though it's only words, Kiana can easily imagine Hua standing behind her, steadying hands at her back to adjust her form. The ghost of her hands sends a shiver down Kiana's spine, and she swallows hard.

As agonizingly slow as the first half of their day passed, the afternoon is a blur, both Hua and Kiana utterly absorbed in their training. Even as the sun starts to set and the pair decide to call it quits for the day, Kiana furiously chatters with Hua about everything she's learned today, what she still needs to perfect, and how she can incorporate it into their next run-in with Shocker. It’s only when she settles down for a bite to eat before bed that the conversation dies, Kiana forced to remove the helmet that connects them to reach her mouth. Mind and body at a standstill, the exhaustion from a day's hard work finally starts to set in. Her muscles ache with the pleasant aftereffects of a good workout, a welcome change from the pain she's used to nursing after a battle with Shocker.

Meal finished, Kiana unwraps her bedroll, slips the Rider helmet back on, and lies down to rest.

Kiana often falls asleep at night with the helmet still on, and tonight is no different. It's not the most comfortable thing she's ever slept in, but feeling Hua's presence in her head helps her sleep and keeps the nightmares at bay. When she closes her eyes and focuses wholly on the sensation of being with Hua, it feels like the old days. Kiana can almost trick herself into believing she's sleeping side by side with Hua, near enough for their limbs to brush and to feel her breath on her face.

Tonight Kiana stretches out on her bedroll, gazing up at the stars and relishing the ache in her muscles from a day of hard training. She can sense that Hua too is satisfied with the work, no matter how parsimonious she is with doling out her praise.

'Do you even need to sleep the way you are?' Kiana asks, stifling back a yawn.

'Not really. But you're loud enough that the quiet at night feels nice.'

"Hey!" Kiana bolts upright, pouting in spite of herself. "Am not."

Hua's only response is a powerful wave of mirth laced with smugness. Kiana sits with her arms crossed tightly over her chest, as if trying to prove she can, in fact, be quiet. After a long stretch, Hua breaks the silence. 'You just shouted. When we can talk to each other with our minds.'

Groaning dramatically, Kiana flops back onto her pillow in defeat. 'Okay, maybe you have a point.' She wrinkles her nose, trying not to pout again. 'But just a tiny one.'

Another silence, long enough that anyone that didn't share her mind might mistake Kiana for asleep. 'Hua? It's not a bother, is it? Being stuck in my head all the time? You were right. I know I can be loud, annoying even, but I don't ever want to annoy you.'

'No!' Hua's response is instantaneous, with a conviction so intense it cuts like the wind. When Kiana flinches at the sensation, Hua pauses and tries again. 'No, Kiana. You're never a bother. And I chose to be with you for a reason.'

She hesitates for a moment before explaining, 'When we faced the Butterfly Aug, I knew he was powerful, and I knew I might not make it to the other side in one piece. We hadn't known each other long before that day but I was certain that whatever happened to me, you would keep on fighting as a Kamen Rider. There could be nobody else in the world on your side, but you'll never stop until Shocker is defeated or you go down fighting too. I—I didn't want that. I didn't want you to be alone. And I didn't want to be alone either.'

Not for the first time, Kiana wishes she could still touch Hua, still gather her up in her arms and hold her close to her chest. She wants to make her feel like she isn't alone, as surely as Hua has for her. She knows that's no longer an option, but sharing a head opens up new ways of communicating that a physical gesture could never match. It doesn't even take any extra effort. Kiana's never masked her emotions well, and with a mental link in the equation, it's near impossible. All the better, she supposes. This way, Hua can feel every bit of the affection and gratitude Kiana carries for her, as surely as Kiana feels the wind at her back as their motorbike soars along the boundless roads.

What they have together isn't perfect—far from it. As long as Shocker still threatens humanity, their lives will always be at risk. Hua might never have a physical body again, and Kiana's will never be fully human. But united together as Kamen Rider No. 2+1 and bound by their shared oaths to fight for the world and each other, it's enough.