Had a couple good reviews, and I'm ahead on chapters for another fic of mine, so going to try to hammer out another for this...

Thanks for the reviews, I hope this chapter, almost twice the size of my usual length meets with your approval.. And yes, it might seem slow moving...

Thank you Mangaman, Ethan, rovan, and toane, I appreciate your responses!


O - - O

Minato had his head down. It was a matter of weeks before his finals, and he was studying hard. He was a full year ahead, ready to graduate with an advanced class. The problem was it had marked him as a target. Not that he wasn't one already. Stress he could deal without, and his grades had fallen behind.

"Minato, make sure you study hard" his obaa-san called to him from the kitchen. The older lady had taken more time to be at the house in lue of his mother, who had found herself earning promotions over the last year, requiring her to neglect her children. Least that's how Minato felt.

"Yes obaasan" he responded as he glanced up at the late afternoon paid programming on the television. Some bald guy with large muscles trying to sell his get rich with property scheme. How he bought and sold property in Tokyo.

The raven haired youth turned the device off, 'enough of that crap, not even GOOD background noise...' He muttered to himself. A moment later, he flipped a text book closed which he had been studying from, and disappeared into the small fenced backyard.

It had been about year ago he had made the decision. About the time he had been pushed to skip ahead a year in schooling. The idea had sprung from one of the text books he opened more for his own edification, and not for any specific goal he had in mind. Tokyo when he arrived, would afford him an opportunity to escape, and to commit some sort of change.

His mind thought back as he began to stretch. Six months of self taught Tai Chi. He could have taken a class or two at the dojo's in town. He had not been confident enough, not with the distance, and certain others around.

"Hey Minato-san" the voice came over the small fence, the eyes peering just over it upper edge.

Minato smiled, "Yasaka! I was just about to start."

"Mind if I join you today then?" the smiling lad inquired.

"Naw, come on in then, you remember what I pointed out last time right?"

Yasaka, nodded "Hey, Im still glad you found something to distract you from the troublemakers around here". Yasaka was perhaps the only person in his native town, much less in his school, who he could trust, who he could call friend.

"You know, if you came over more, it might make it more interesting for both of us"

"Yea, I know. With Oji-san and Oka-san traveling to Tokyo every day for nee-san, well. You know how it is." Yasaka looked at his raven haired friend as he followed in tune with each action, following the excersize of Tai Chi.

"Yea. Same with Oka-san, always off working. How is your onee-san anyways?"

"Oka-san told me it wasn't good. She will likely be in hospital for the rest of her life" he frowned. The pair fell silent. Minato had just nodded, not knowing what to say, his friend knowing and accepting the silence. For the next hour, their bodies flowed through each stretch, each movement. In truth, Minato enjoyed the peace of mind, the opportunity to quiet his inner voices. His worries, not to mention the difficulties of dealing with his own Oka-san, and nee-san.

The pair had shifted their bodies after the follow up stretchs, and sat crosslegged on the grass. "Hey Minato?" his friend inquired cautiously.

Minato closed his eyes, for a moment then looked over to his friend "Yea?"

"Y.. You know Yukari-san.. does she.. she ever say anything about me?"

"Not really. She's too busy dominating the school yard, and my life". Minato scratched the back of his head with a sheepish smile.

"Y.. You know, would you think about putting in a good word for me? I'd treat her.." Yasaka was interrupted with Minato's answer.

"You really want her to kill me don't you. I even make a suggestion like that, I'll have a goose egg that wont disappear for a week" came the raven haired boys reply. A moment later he continued, "But yea, I might drop hints, if I can, without getting clobbered. Its the least I think I can do".

Yasaka smiled, nodding "I knew I could count on.."

"Don't go assuming she wont kick the crap out of both of us either for the mere suggestion". Minato honestly felt he owed his friend this much. Now the terror would set in. 'Good gods, now I have to survive not only nee-san, but Oka-san's anger if they think..' his mind then suddenly went a mile a minute. The peace, and calm of his Tai Chi session shattered.

"Y. You know I always found your nee-san cute.." Minato decided to change the subject, and turn it around on his friend.

"I know. But with her being sick, I don't think.. But you know, I can ask her next time I visit her.." his friend smiled. "But. You know" he paused, "It might help her to think someone is thinking of her other than family".

For the next half hour they talked, they talked about school, about where they might be in a year or two. About the substitute western teachers at the school who seemed clueless to customs of Japan.

"You wanna come in and help me study?" came the final question as Minato prepared to stand, stretching out his body from having sat cross legged so long.

"Naw, I think I'll head home. Oka-san is due, and tonight she wanted me home when she got there"

"Alright, I'll see you later. I'll try to save some of my Obaa-san's chocolate chip cookie for you. MAYBE" Minato grinned, looking over his shoulder. Minato knew how Yasaka coveted the older womans baking. Specially her cookies. Whatever she did to them, made them extra delicious.

As Minato slipped into the house, he heard the phone ring, his Obaa-san picking it up. He watched as a look of concernation came over her face. She placed the older style phone on its cradle, and turned to look at Minato. "Forgive me. Dinners in the oven. Take it out in an hour, I have to go. Its.. " she paused what seemed an eternity, "There is an issue at home. Seems the basement is flooding.." she frowned.

"Hai Obaa-san, its fine. It can't be helped right?". Minato decided to check the timer, and the food in the oven and then disappeared to the other room. Time to crack another book. It was ten minutes later, that his obaa-san was out the door. 'I hope its not too bad' he mutters to himself, unheard. The house empty, he turned his attention back to his studies.

It took at least a quarter hour to set various daydreams aside, the worries he had of Yasaka and Yukari, of Yukari plummeling him for trying to -give her away- to his best, no, to his only friend. By the time he managed to get his head back into studying, Yukari came storming in, and the timer went off. Sighing, he set the textbooks aside to check on dinner, and his sister.

- o MBI o -

Takami sat at her desk, tapping a pencil at the desk as her eyes surveyed the latest data on her computer display. She would occassionally tap a key, that would scroll it downwards, or flip to another subject. Takehito sat laid out on the couch in her office, regarding the woman.

"I tell you Takami, he's going to far with this. I love the man as much as you, but he IS certifiable".

Takami nodded to him, "yes, I know, but what can we do?" she paused as she read another portion on her screen before turning to him.

"You can tell him not to do it. Those things are far to dangerous. If No 1 says...", and he was interrupted by her next words.

"You know a well as I do, the moment he KNEW they existed, there wasn't a blessed hope in hell he wouldnt escavate them", her eyes glaring at her long time college friend. "Minaka might be crazy, he might be insane with some of his ideas for this grand game of his, but look at what he's built so far. Maybe it wont be too bad. IN the meantime, maybe we can do something about.. those THINGS. I might be able to convince him, in time."

"Oh dont delude yourself. You know he's already setting up a lab to research, and experiment with them? The last couple are not even in his grasp, and he's funding research that requires all of them"

At this Takami just shook her head "You have to admit, he has been bang on about a lot of his theories".

"No, I dont. Not with a madman like him. Hell I wouldnt be surprised if the offices, and labs are bugged." Takahito paused.. looking around the room suspisciously for a moment. "Althought I cant imagine the bastard would dare bug YOUR office" . Takami eyed him for a moment "Don't joke. Besides, you don't want to give him any bloody ideas" she half muttered.

Takami's eyes where drawn to the entrance to her office, as her assistant appeared "Im so sorry for intruding. It appears Takehito has a visitor, a Seo-san?", the young womans gaze shifted from her direct superiour to the other on the couch.

"OOOOH, Good, goodie good good good!" Takehito's hands clasped together in joy, as he grinned. "You remember Seo right?"

Takami paused, "Thats not.." she sighed, then massaging her temples as if a headache was coming on. "What are you doing with that trash again Takehito? You know he and Minaka brush each other WRONG"

"OOh, nothing Takami-san" he grinned, adding the honourific for good measure, "I have a couple jobs for him, and its ALWAY better to threaten him in person, to ensure he gets the job done eh?". A pause later, he winked at her.

She shook her head yet again. "I swear, you're gonna be the death of me one day, if not, I'm gonna kill you." After a moment she smiled back, "Your almost crazier then Minaka. You know that right?"

"Yea. But at least I didnt have TWO children with him" he called back jovially as he disappeared through the door. Takami growled. "ENOUGH of that" she called out after him as her eye returned to the assistant, still standing at the doorway. "Is there something else?" she glared at the woman.

"Y.. Yes Ma'am. Th... Th.. There was another call. Its regarding No 9. There was.. wa.. was a problem" the woman started studdering. She dearly hated bringing the woman bad news.

"I see, what happened?", Takami was pinching the bridge of her nose, 'if it not one thing, its another'

"Th.. There was a problem with her last adjustments in the lab.. She is inbound from her caregiver within two hours."

"Alright, set up a lab, have her taken straight there.

- o Elsewhere MBI o -

The twins laid on the pair of cots in the lab. The TV turned on as they bantered back and forth, Hikari hollared at the idiots that appeared on stage. "Bastard, she should kill you" the slightly older twin angrily carried on as the speaker asked questions of the obvious deadbeat whom the camera cut to.

"So, are you willing to step up and be a father if the DNA says little Saki is yours?"

Hibiki, the slightly younger, more composed of the two, just laid there "I really don't know why you watch that crap. Its fake you know. Its all staged to get you going". A glance from her sister brought a smile to her lips, "But you go on thinking what you want. I honestly can't see why the woman puts up with him if he's that big a creep".

"It doesn't really matter tho sis. Not like we'd even have to worry about human trash like that right? I mean, our ashikabi's gonna be a prince among men.", and with that, she turned back to the TV, watching the supposed drama play out, "Now hush. The DNA results come back soon".

Outside the door to their room, unknown to them, Takehito had arrived, and glanced in through the small heightened window. Turning to Seo, he smiled "I have a job for you. Depending on what happens here, you'll have a huge job, with great benefits, with one condition".

Seo looked at the man carefully "Listen, I don't want to get into anything thats gonna cause me grief yaknow. That bastard boss of yours hates me enough as it is.". His eyes darted around, watching for security "The last time I was here.. Well lets just say my ass still hurts".

"True, that I dont doubt, but here, I want you to meet two ladies I think you'll get on just fine with, you already know about the sekirei, from helping Miya at the house, so.." he smiled, delighted with his plan. he turned, unlocked the door, and slipped inside the door.

"Hikari-san, Hibiki-san, I hope you ladies are doing well today?" he grinned as he heard the drama on the TV display "If you would shut that off. Im sure you can catch up on it later" he continued, he turned, and motioned for Seo to enter.

"Who's that?" Hibiki inquired, half suspicious of the man right off.

"This is Seo. He's a man of good intentions, and I hoped that you and him might be fast friends. Maybe he might even be your future Ashikabi.

Hikari eyed him a moment, then smiled. "He... " she paused her eyes not parting far from him for long minutes. Hibiki looked at her sister, astonished, and shook her head "You haven't known him more then a minute, whats so fascinating about him? Take a minute and think sis."

"Well, I have an idea, and it only works if you both have Seo as a ashikabi. SO I want you three, to get to know each other for a bit. I have some things to prepare" and with that, Takehito left, locking the door behind him.

Within Moments Seo was between their beds, looking them up and down "So, you beautiful ladies, what ya want to know..?" he inquired.

Takehito took a glance inside through the window, smiled, and within a moment departed. 'Now, for a little bit of lab work' he smiled to himself. He would put a plan into motion.

- o MBI, Street Level o -

Time had passed, and Takami found herself at the buildings Adjusters specific entrance. She watched as the car slowed to a stop, and the elder woman slipped from behind the drivers seat, and moved to the rear door. "Come on, lets go" the elder woman stated dryly, not to pleased.

"What happened?" Takami inquired right off, she puffed on a cigerette as she prepared to listen.

"The little brat went nuts while I was out, and that bloody relief you sent me so I could take care of something YOU aught to be doing, was completely useless." she paused, "Now the basement is flooded, the equipment is ruined, and needs to be replaced. I hope MBI is gonna fix the mess SHE caused." the old womans temper was obviously flaring up, as she gave the young blond a firm smack on the ass. "Get your ass in there."

"Well, lets do a checkup, and see what we can do. You have her latest data from the house?"

The blonde girls adjuster nodded "yea, luckily it was upstairs in my bedroom when the pipes burst.." The older woman and the blonde sekerei fell into step behind Takami, as they disappeared down the corridors of MBI.

- o o -

"Uhm. nee-san?" Minato looked at his younger sister as he took a bite. She had set the table, he had portioned it out. They had been eating slowly, both using the time to study while eating.

"Yes onii-san?" she smiled looking towards him, giving him her complete attention.

"Uhm, you . You remember Yasaka.. right?" the raven haired boy inquired, watching his sister carefully, with a overly healthy amount of fear building.

Yukari nodded, frowning a bit "What about him?"

"W..W..Well, he A..As..asked today.. about I..if.." he studdered.

"STUPID STUPID STUPID onii-san. You trying to sell me off to your only friend?", Yukari had stood, and glared at him, grabbing the wooden spoon which he had used for serving.

Minato's hands went up, defensively "No.. NO nNO NONO Y... You misundestand" he cried out.

"Then explain it to me, carefully" she scowled at her brother.

"Well, you see. he L.. L.. Likes you. he just.. wants to know if... you'd maybe walk to school with him once or twice a week til the end of the exams?". 'Not really, but if I say anything more then that, Im dead!' he muttered in his thoughts to himself.

Yukari eyed her brother carefully, "and what do YOU get out of it. Im sure there has to be something. Your not usually stupid enough to suggest.. " she eyed him, her wrist flipped back and forth, brandishing the wooden spoon as if it was weapon preparing to parry.

Minato looked at her, trying to fake a hurt feeling, as if he would try anything of the sort, his mind raced. He knew far better then to lie to his sister, he couldnt lie worth a damned. He wasnt good with the stress involved. A moment later, he had the words composed, though his heart skipped a couple beats when he said the words..

"He.. He... he knows I like his sister, his ILL sister, who is lonely in the hospital" he let the words spill from his mouth, watching her expression grow ever more angry.

"You. You.. ASS!" she raised her voice to him, the spoon flipping about ever closer as she leaned over the table. He could literally feel the air shift back and forth as the utensil flew back and forth in her grasp. "You'd have me spend time with that.. good.. for.. nothing.. friend of yours to get you a sick girlfriend? I'm worth much more then that" she then crossed her arms angrily, the spoon still twitching in her grasp. "What.. What exactly did you PROMISE". If looks could kill, he'd be dead 20 times over.

"No.. Its not like that. I said.. " he took a big gulp, swollowing his fear. "I just.. he just.. " Minato just closed his eyes, quieting his mind, using some of the techniques he had taught himself to settle his mind. 'Oh gods, this is gonna fail, Im dead for sure' he thought. Taking a deep breath, he started again. "I. I told him I would ask only, that there would be no promises. HONEST" he rambled.. and then fell quiet.

Yukari studied her brother carefully, her eyes watching for the various tells that she knew her brother had, 'he isnt lieing.. but still. Im gonna let him sit, and stew, thinking Im gonna kill him' her devious mind thought. 'Make him pay for even suggesting.'

Minato all but cowered, his eyes went back to his text book, trying to read and re-read the previous two paragraphs, something to focus on. It seemed an eternity passed, torturously.

"Ok, I guess it can't be helped" came his sisters voice.

Minato's gaze shot up at her, looking at her oddly, 'had she just..' he appeared flabergasted, he must have cause he heard her repeat herself. "I said ok, it can't really be helped. I mean, my worthless onii-san isnt gonna get a girlfriend any other way. If its walking to school, OR home from school, ONE a week, it shouldnt be too bad." she paused "But if he isnt where I am, I aint waiting, understood?"

Minato sat speachless for a moment, "Don't get me wrong, he has no chance ever, but.. for you.. ok" Yukari added. Minato nodded slowly another deep gulp "thank you" he whispered.

"Just don't do it again" he heard from Yukari as she took her plate, her text books, and disappeared to another room.

'Not like I have another friend who would..' Minato thought, cutting his own thought process off.

- o MBI o -

Akitsu stood near the large windows of her prison. It was little more then a guilded cage in truth, she couldnt go out. She wouldnt be permitted. Her eyes scanned the horizon, and the hustle and bustle that took place before her. Each human, small, or smaller like ants scurring about below.

A tear rolled down from her eye, as she bemoaned the fact she would never discover him. The fated Ashikabi. It was then, that she heard the door's locking mechanism unhook itself, drying her eye, and composing herself as the frost queen persona she had put forth since that day over a year ago, it seemed natural now.

An old lady entered. She recognised her, as one that was often with Takami when she visited. She glanced over some details on the charts. "Takami-san asked me to come in her place Akitsu. Seems you are due for another shot today..". The woman turned, and slowly, unlocking one of the cabinets, tookout a vial, and a syringe, she began to prep.

"Its not ever gonna end... is it?" Akitsu inquired coldly.

The old lady sighed, and looked over the paperwork before her, flipping a page or two. "No, Im not gonna lie to you, I know Takami-san wouldnt, so.. I wont. It looks like you have tests scheduled for the next year." she paused a moment, the syringe in her hand prepared, the elastic tournique drapped over her shoulder. "To be fair however, it seems to be all very small, experiments. Things that will help the later sekirei".

The old woman had sat down next to Akitsu's bed, and placed her hand softly on its surface "Come, lets get this over alright? You can tell me about the last thing you watched on that contraption up there" he motioned to the TV hanging from the swinging arm attached to the ceiling.


A/N: not bad, managed to hammer out a second chapter within a week. I'm taking the slow but steady course here, hoping to drive a more indepth story.

This does happen to be one of my longer chapters. Not sure if it means anything, just a lot to pack into the prelologues..?

again, no idea when the next update will be.

edit: fixed Yasaki's name.. It's Yasaka.