Alright we had quite the episode two weeks ago but what was the fallout of these shocking events.  Let's find out in episode forty-four of Kamen Rider Gaim "The Futures They Each Seek".  We kick things off with Rat and Chucky finding Kouta's unconscious body.  They are shocked to see him in such a state but he is still hanging on and they get him back to Gaim HQ.  Meanwhile Mai finds herself in the events of the prologue from episode one.  She is stuck her until the future of the world is decided by either Kouta or Kaito.  After the opening we see Mai's body disappear as Kaito and Minato get back from the fight from last episode.  Sagara tells them of Mai's fate at the moment and to inform them of how she went back in time.  Micchy is still down on himself and has essentially given up.  Kaito on the other hand hasn't and will fight to get Mai back.  Back at Gaim HQ Kouta is recovering faster than normal and meets with Mai in his dreams.  She apologizes for not being able to change their fates.  Kouta tells her to not suffer alone and that he will fight with her.  She warns him of what will happen but Kouta has made his decision long ago and he will go forward with his choice.  This comforts her but she fades away telling him that Kaito has another future in mind that is different from Kouta's. 

          Minato in the meantime positions herself as his guardian in the coming fight.  Kaito warns that he is not a kind king and she is okay with this.  The next day the Nutastic Trio run into Kaito on a bridge.  Jono and Zack are happy to see him but Pierre notices something has changed about him.  He summons two Inves in front of them and declares to destroyed to old world.  Minato and Pierre get in a quick fight before the two transform along with Jono to fight her and the Inves.  Zack is left shocked that Kaito turned his back on the world doesn't know whether to fight with his new allies or his old leader.  Kaito enters the fight and transforms to show his new form.  We quickly cut to Gaim HQ to see him tell everyone there about Kaito changing for the worse.  Zack confronts Kaito but gets his question thrown back at him and question on how he will win his future.  He transforms and attacks Jono and with Minato's help destroy his belt and Lockseed.  Pierre soon follows suit falling at the hands of Kaito.  The two are left alive to tell the others to join up are face his wrath.  The two tell the others at Gaim HQ what happened and Kouta heads off to confront them about it. 

          Kaito summons an army of Inves to begin his conquest before Kouta arrives.  Kouta is told that one must be left standing in order for Mai to come back.  Kaito transforms to Banana Arms to defeat Kouta and claim the Golden Fruit.  Kouta after getting knocked around transforms as well into Orange to fight back.  Kouta eventually goes Kachidoki and knocks Kaito down with a Charge Attack.  Kaito is not amused by this and goes into his Inves form to continue the fight.  Kouta is shocked by this and after being knocked away has his wound start hurting.  Kouta goes Kiwami to defend himself and maybe stop Kaito in the process.   The fight it out but Kouta is still hurt and is starting to lose badly.  Zack intervenes to knock Kouta away and tell him to back off for now.  Kouta gets away and Kaito scolds Zack for stopping his duel.  We end with Kouta wondering what Zack is up to. 

          This week much like many others was a lot of set up but it also is clearing the board of the other riders to set the stage for the finale.  Jono and Pierre have their belts destroyed and now can do nothing to help Kouta in his fight against Kaito.  Kaito continues his downward spiral as he sets himself to become the one to rule the new world he will make from the embers of the old.  Kouta sets himself to be the one to stop him but will need to heal up before that can happen.  Not much else can be said since the big episode to talk about is forty-five and we will get to that later.  This was a good episode that serves to set the stage for the finale to come.  Later today Zack makes him to stop Kaito himself, Minato protects her King, and Kouta and Kaito begin their final duel.

          If you want to see the show for yourself check out Aesir Subs or TV-Nihon for subbed episodes every week or check out http://taima.tv/r/TokuNMecha for Super Hero Time, Ressha Sentai Toqger and Kamen Rider Gaim, live at 6:30 p.m. EST on Saturday.  Join the discussion either in the comments or on the forums on the site and check out TGSR Saturdays at 9:00 p.m. EST for both me and my co host Rampant Epsilon as we discuss the show further.