The Eighth Spell
In the late afternoon, Harry was on his way back to the hospital to see how Chiho was doing. Standing on a street corner waiting for the light to change, a young couple came up beside him.
"Are you Harry Dresden?" the boy asked quietly.
"Maybe, who are you?" Harry asked in return. The boy looked nervous, the girl was watching around them like something was after them. OK, he felt she was a Sekerei, but not a very strong one. Her aura was dim compared to most.
"We want to flee the city," the boy said.
"You can't leave?" he asked.
"No! MBI will kill whoever tries!" the boy said in a hiss. "I don't want to risk Mayu's life fighting! We were going to leave with my friend and his Sekerei. They got partway over a railroad bridge, and they were attacked! Michi was ran though with a sword, and Ken was beaten to death!" he said fearfully. "Their bodies were being dragged when we fled."
Harry raised an eyebrow and asked, "Who did this?"
"They called themselves the discipline squad," the boy said. "We got out of there before they found us."
"What do I have to do with this?" Harry asked.
"The gray haired woman with the big sword who killed Ken, we saw you sent her flying though the air," the boy said.
"Karasuba," Harry stated.
"Yes," the girl said in a quiet hiss. "They say no one can beat her, but you can! We saw you!"
The light changed, Harry walked across the street. The couple went with him. "You saw Karasuba kill someone," Harry said to get it straight.
"We did."
Harry got across the street then motioned them to follow as he turned the corner. He led them to an alley. There, he said, "Do you know of anyone else who wants to escape this stupid Sekerei game?"
"We do!" the boy stated. "I love Mayu, I don't want her to die! I know other guys who feel the same."
'Everything we hear about this Sekerei war game, it's getting worse and worse,' Lash thought.
Harry agreed. By the way these two had their hands tightly clasped together, he had no doubt they were in love. He wasn't sure how yet, but he was going to help them. He made a quick writing spell and picked up a scrap of newspaper on the ground. He wrote the address closest to his sewer grating cover.
"Get them together, come to this place in two days. Don't use MBI phones or your credit cards, they are being tracked. By then, I'll have a place to hide you until I can figure out an answer."
"Thank you, Harry,"
"Git, I have to get moving too," Harry said and walked back out onto the street.
So, MBI was murdering people who tried to leave the city. Harry decided he had to do something about that. Lash agreed and gave suggestions on who to kill first. Harry disagreed. It wasn't about who to kill first, but how to let enough people see what was happening here. Harry also wanted to know what Minato's mother had to do with this plan. She knew something, for he was getting the idea Karasuba was her messenger girl. As for Karasuba, he planned on giving her no slack the next time he saw her.
Harry got to the hospital, going in on the shortest route to Chiho's room to minimize any possible damage to vital equipment. He found Uzume there, talking to her. He knocked on the door casing. "Hey, can I come in?"
Chiho sat up and waved him in. Uzume glanced at him, then looked quickly away. Sitting up, Chiho waver Harry to the other side of the bed that Uzume was on sitting. He sat down and Chiho hugged him.
"Thank you Harry!" Chiho beamed. "The doctor says I need to be monitored, but he says I'm getting better. The disease is fading away."
"That's good news," Harry agreed. "You'll be getting out soon then?"
Chiho shrugged and said, "The doctor says it may be a false remission, so that might mean I need a medicine change. I am feeling great though."
Harry noticed Uzume was quiet. She glanced at him, then outside. He had the idea she wanted something, but wasn't sure what that was. Focusing on what Chiho had said, he asked, "A false remission? So you're feeling better... but not better?" he asked.
"I think they are just being careful," Chiho said. "After all, I woke up and , wow, I felt fantastic. The doctor said that's not possible, so it has to be fake."
Harry frowned and cautiously said, "I'm beginning to think your doctor's fake. Chiho, how do you feel?"
"Great! I got up and even walked today, but I was told to stay in bed," Chiho said with a frown.
"What do you think, Uzume?" Harry asked her.
"I think we should find another hospital," Uzume said firmly. "I applied for a transfer, but I got no replies."
"They want Chiho to stay here," Harry stated.
"Yes."
"Given your experiences here, I think if nothing else, you should find another hospital." Harry said, then asked, "Any ideas?"
"MBI Hospital," Uzume said. "We can take Chiho there."
"Chiho?" Harry asked.
Chiho grabbed Uzume's hand and asked, "If they won't do a transfer, how do we get there?"
"Walk," Harry stated.
"Walk," Uzume agreed.
Chiho nodded and got up. She stood all right, but her legs were thin. Uzume got on one side of her. Harry took up her other side.
Harry gave Chiho his coat. They got out of the room and were headed for the front door when several nurses who felt like Sekerei came from the sides to block their path.
A red head said "Stop, you can't leave!"
Harry eyed them and said, "I believe that is for Chiho to decide."
"Why do you want to leave?" another nurse asked.
Harry felt Lash prod, so he announced, "So Chiho can be treated someplace and not be kept sick so Higa can keep using Uzume here to kill for him."
Chiho gaped at Harry. Uzume dropped her head, turning red with guilt.
"I want to go!" CHiho stated firmly.
"So, are you people going to move, or do I move you?" Harry asked.
The red head scowled at him and said, "You don't know who you're messing with, mister! Get her back in her bed or else we will teach you what pain is ..."
Tired of her monologue, Harry retorted with one word. "Fuego". Fire launched from his hand to spread down the hallway. A couple monitors popped, the women dove to the sides as the fire alarm and sprinkler system went off. Harry then cast a shield around Uzume and Chiho and said, "Let's get out of here."
Casting a hard eye at the women who gaped at him from where they landed, Harry guided Chiho and Uzume outside. He was primed for them to try something, but none of them did.
Uzume caught a cab, and the three piled in to head for the MBI hospital. Riding in the middle of the back seat, Chiho asked, "Harry, how did you do that? Are you a Sekerei like Uzume?"
Harry cast her a brief smile. "No, I'm not like Uzume. Uzume is a fine, pure hearted woman. You should be proud of her."
"You didn't answer my question," Chiho said.
"I'm not a Sekerei," Harry told her.
"Then, what are you?" she asked, gazing at him curiously.
Harry thought about that. OK, he was a wizard who'd lost his body and was pulled into some boy who died. Was he some kind of demon now?
'He who IS,' Lash offered.
Harry smirked. It was a play off from He Who Walks Behind. He liked it. "Let's just say I am, He Who Is." he told her.
"What does that mean?" Chiho asked.
"I'm still finding out," Harry said honestly.
"Thank you, Har-ry," Uzume offered.
"I owed you one," Harry told her. "From what I've seen of this Sekerei war game, you both had better find a place to hide. If you want to leave the city, I can arraign that."
"MBI kills anyone who tried to leave the city," Uzume stated.
"At the moment," Harry agreed.
Chiho said, "Please don't make Uzume do anything dangerous."
He glanced at Chiho, she did look afraid he was going to force Uzume to do something. "I don't intend to," he assured her. "At the moment you two have a date with a doctor. Just worry about that for the moment."
.
They arrived at the MBI hospital and Harry sensed Sekerei all over the place. Two were sitting on a bench outside. A smaller girl that wore a ripped pinkish kimono who didn't know pony tails went on the back of the head instead of on the side, and another with dark clothes that would have been indecent if she wasn't wrapped in bandages under them. Harry noted they watched as he, Uzume and Chiho got out of the cab.
Uzume noticed them also. Harry got between them and the other Sekerei. "Just keep waking in, no matter what happens out here," Harry coached Uzume. "Your concern is getting Chiho in to see a doctor."
As he suspected both Sekerei got up and walked towards them. Harry stayed outside as Uzume hurried inside with Chiho. He turned to the pair.
Harry smiled at them. "Hello ladies, I have to say, it's not often I see a pair of beauties dressed in such horrendous outfits. If there was an award for hideous fashion sense, you would win, hands down," he said with a smile.
The pinkish one scowled at him. The one in bandages returned his smile.
"Who are you?" the smaller, pinkish one asked.
"Harry Dresden, wizard deluxe, at your service," he said with a bow. To the dark and bandaged clad one, he asked, "Is this your daughter?"
"Daughter?" the Dark one asked. "No, this is Benisubasa. She's just flat chested. I'm Haihaine."
Itching an ear Harry asked, "Wow, does she like, have to wear her bra backwards of something?"
Haihaine laughed. "He he, he he, "Benisubasa has to wear her bra backwards, hehe, hehe."
"I do not!" Benisubasa barked, not happy at him.
Harry got the idea Haihane like to pick on the Beni-chick. He shrugged and said, "Who knows, it might fit better."
Haihaine looked at the Beni-chik, pointed and laughed so hard she had to grab her stomach as she bend over, then dropped to kneel she was laughing so hard. Beni-chick turned red and scowled at Haihaine.
There was something else Harry noticed. Karasuba came flying down off a building and strode towards him. "YOU!" she yelled. "Benisubasa, back off, he's MINE!"
"Oh, you got it wrong," Harry called. "Bennie there isn't after me. Besides, she's WAY too flat, kinda like a warped board, warped the wrong way."
Haihaine laughed louder and pounded the ground with a fist and kicked her legs. OK, one was down and out of any action for a moment.
"Out of my way!" Karasuba snapped. Benisubasa moved to the side.
Harry regarded Karasuba. "You like killing, huh?" he asked and walked toward her.
Karasuba cocked her head slightly. "Shouldn't you be afraid of me, boy?" she asked with a sneer.
"You? Don't make me laugh," Harry replied in a grating tone. "Already told you, I've handled much nastier things than you. You're nothing but exercise for me. This killing impulse you have needs to be squashed."
Karasuba slowly drew her sword. "I can't kill you, but I can make you hurt."
"Fuego," Harry intoned. Only ten feet from her, Harry's fire slammed into Karasuba's stomach, splashing out over her body.
Karasuba shot to the side and spun fast in a blur to try and put the fire out. She threw off her cloak to let it burn on the ground. Her face bracketed by singed hair, she growled, "You'll pay..."
"Forzare', Harry intoned, interrupting her. Karasuba shot away from him. Flying back, she hit a passenger van, caving in the side door and rocking the vehicle up on it's side before it bounced back down on it's wheels.
Harry walked towards a smoking and cursing Karasuba as she struggled out of the van.
"I'll kill you!" Karasuba raged, and ripped a hole in the van to escape it.
Harry felt something close behind him. Haihaine had stopped laughing. She grabbed him by his upper arms from behind. "Stop," she said flatly.
Harry looked at the hands holding him by his biceps. "I see, you're bullies. No such thing as a fair one on one fight, huh?" he asked.
"You are not Sekerei, stop fighting," Haihaine stated. She turned him around and marched him across the parking lot.
"Haihaine, let him go. He's mine!" Karasuba raged as she strode closer.
"No. He's an Ashikabi, we cannot hurt Ashikabi," Haihaine insisted. "We take him to MBI."
Karasuba, tendrils of smoke wafting off her burnt clothes, ran ahead and blocked the way. "Let him go," she growled.
"Count your blessings, crispy critter, she's saving your life," Harry told Karasuba.
"ARGGGH!" Karasuba screamed and raised her sword.
Harry flipped his hands up at Karasuba. "Pyro fuego," he intoned. Fire erupted from both his hands. This time instead of an orange fire, it was a blue-hot fire that knocked Karasuba back, setting not only her clothes, but her flesh on fire as well.
Karasuba dropped her sword as she blossomed into flame, screaming and flailing. She stumbled into the hospital entrance, flailing and looking like a human sized torch, which set off the fire alarm and the sprinklers.
Harry was turned around from behind by a jerk on his arms.
"Stop that, Ashikabi cannot fight!" Haihaine said sternly.
"What? are you going to spank me?" Harry asked. He then turned his head and added, "Please?"
Haihaine grew a grin and chuckled. "You're funny," she said.
"You really liked that bra joke, huh?" he asked.
"Hehe, hehe, Benisubasa wears her bra backwards, fits better that way," Haihaine said chuckling.
OK he got it. By the heavy frown the pink robed girl was casting Haihaine, Haihaine liked teasing her about her lack of breasts.
"Let me guess, even in the shower, people have to ask her if she's a girl?" Harry asked.
Haihaine laughed harder. The hold she had on Harry now was helping her stay upright as she walked Harry along.
Benisubasa strode up, and barked, "Stop it, that's not funny!"
"Let me guess, She's still a young girl, maybe that's why she's so flat?" Harry asked.
Haihaine let go of Harry to clasp her stomach as she cackled her way to her knees. This was his chance.
"Infriga," Harry intoned and made a pulling motion at Benisubasa. The pink robed girl was encased in ice. Haihaine was laughing uncontrollably, Karasuba was inside the entrance, rolling on the floor and still smoldering and screaming as she was being put out by the sprinklers and a couple paramedics.
If Harry stayed, he knew the two near him would be distractions. He performed an obscurement and walked away around the side of the hospital. Leaving the chaos behind, Harry jogged down a street.
'Think she got the point?' Harry asked as he jogged along.
Lash was strangely quiet
.
Takami came to the MBI hospital to find Haihaine and Benisubasa outside standing to the side as the firemen finished up clearing the entrance. Who she didn't see was Minato or Karasuba. Walking up to Haihaine she asked, "Where is Minato? Karasuba called and said he was here."
Haihaine pointed to the entrance. "Karasuba was burning, she ran in and set off the sprinklers. Medics helped put her out and took her inside. Minato left when I was laughing."
Turning her finger to point at Benisubasa, she added, "Benisubasa turned into an ice sculpture, still flat chested." She then giggled.
Takami asked, "Why was Karasuba on fire?"
"Minato threw fire on her. Twice. He ran away after I told him he couldn't fight," Haihaine explained.
"Minato was fighting Karasuba?" Takami asked, surprised.
"He was kicking her ass," Benisubasa stated. She pointed out the mangled van and said, "He burned her and threw her into that van. Haihaine stopped him and was trying to take him away, Karasuba came back to keep the fight up. He caught Karasuba on fire, made Haihaine laugh so hard she let go of him. He did something and I was frozen in a block of ice. By the time I could get out, he was gone."
"Minato did that," Takami said, stunned. It didn't seem possible that Minato held any kind of power. How did THAT happen?
"Minato also knows we intercepted runaways on the railroad bridge. He knows Karasuba killed one. If the fight had gone on, I think he would have killed Karasuba," Haihaine said.
"Where is she?" Takami asked.
"Burn unit, medics helped put her out, doctors took her in." Benisubasa said.
Takami went in to see Karasuba. In ICU, she was in deed the Black Sekerei, visually. All her clothes and much of her skin had been burned away. From what the nurse said, if Karasuba wasn't one of the strongest Sekerei she would be dead. People didn't normally survive 73% of their body being burnt. Even though she was alive, Karasuba was in agony. At the moment, heavy sedatives kept her from flailing blindly at anyone who was close. Even being a Sekerei, it was going to take time for Karasuba to heal.
Takami shook her head slowly in disbelief that Minato had the capability to do something like this.
.
Musubi and Akitsu met Harry about half way back home. They had sensed he was in trouble, and came running to help.
"Please tell me you didn't leave from the Maison Izumo," Harry asked.
"Oh no!" Musubi said brightly. "We went to the sewer room first, that was much quicker to get across town."
"What happened?" Akitsu asked in her flat tone.
"Not much. I got Uzume and Chiho to the MBI hospital so Chiho could get checked out there," Harry said.
Musubi frowned at him. "You got upset because of that?"
"You were upset, Harry. We felt it," Akitsu stated.
"Yeah well, I met Karasuba too. I wasn't happy she's been killing people. It's no big deal," he told them.
Harry walked on, the two fell into step on either side of him.
"You fought with Karasuba, didn't you," Musubi accused.
Akitsu hooked her arm into his. "Harry, we go with you from now on." she stated flatly.
"It's ok, really," Harry offered. "She didn't attack me," he said. Well, that was kinda true, he didn't give her the chance.
"Ashikabi, we are suppose to fight for you," Musubi said firmly.
"Sorry, I wasn't planning on fighting. I only wanted to get Chiho to a hospital where she was out of Higa's reach," Harry explained.
They took him back to the grating they used to access the sewers. Once they were sure no one was watching, Akitsu pulled the grating up and replaced it after they were all in. Just past the illusionary walls, they met Kusano. Kusano had grown a few more vines that clung to the walls. On the vines, tiny bulbous flowers glowed looking like stars, lighting the passage in a soft glow.
"Big Brother!' Kusano said cheerfully. "Doesn't the walls look prettier?"
"They do," he assured her.
Musubi asked, "Kuu, where's Ikki? You said you'd stay with her."
Kusano pointed back to the main room and said, "Ikki was sparing with Landlady. I got bored watching, so I came through the Door to see if Musubi and Big Brother was here yet. He wasn't so I grew some plants."
'Ikki doesn't know about the door,' Lash reminded Harry.
"We better get back," Harry said, and lead the way.
.
Up in her secret room, Matsu had been watching Minato intently. His collection of Sekerei was growing. Hacking into a MBI satellite, she had watched him toss people, around, freeze them and now cast fire. He wasn't a Sekerei but had powers on par with any Sekerei. Not just one, either. Watching the altercation with the Discipline Squad, Matsu felt her heart race. This boy was powerful and made it clear he was against MBI.
She wanted him.
On a monitor, a Hentai scene displayed what she wanted to do with him. Sweating from imagining it was her on her hands and knees getting pounded from behind, her breasts swinging u and down, she let out a perverted giggle. Minato was the ultimate Ashikabi. The only problem was that with all her monitoring capability she stole from MBI, there were long tracks of time she had no idea where he was. Even in his room, he would enter and remain perfectly quiet.
Today, he had been in his room most of the day. Musubi and Akitsu went in. She was hoping for some good, perverted action, but all was still quiet in there. The little girl went in, and still not even a peep. Now, the Ikki girl was running around, calling for Kusano.
Matsu opened the secret panel and slipped out of her room. Stocking foot, she walked quietly down to Minato's room and listened. Nothing. Carefully, she cracked the door open and peeked in. Not seeing anyone, she peeked in farther. Then a little farther. The room was empty.
Slipping in, Matsu eyed the shut window. Had they gone out that way? Seeing a door drawn on the wall, she noted strange symbols on it. She face the door and studied the symbols, tying to figure out what they were. They were not writing of any kind that she knew about, and they weren't pictures.
Harry stepped through to bump into Matsu. With yelps and a tangle of arms and legs, they tumbled to the floor. Matsu ended up on him, her arms around his neck. This was her chance, she wouldn't get a better one. he gaped at her, she planted her lips on his. Harry's eyes went wide, his arms windmilled as Matsu's wings erupted in a bright yellow display.
Laying in front of the door, Musubi and Akitsu added to the pile on the floor as they tripped over the bodies n the floor. Kusano managed to keep her feet and walk over them. Ikki also took that time to frantically look in the room as she searched for Kusano.
Seeing the pile of bodies with Harry on the bottom, Ikki let out a gasp and yelled, "Hey, not fair, he's MY Ashikabi too!" She jumped in the pile.
Harry thought his eyeballs were going to pop out of his head as Ikki jumped on them. "OFF!" he yelled.
.
Everyone untwined and sitting in a circle on Harry's floor, Matsu explained to her new Ashikabi, "I am Matsu, Sekerei number 2. I have to hide from MBI. I've been watching you, and I've seen what you can do, as well as the Sekerei you're saving. I've always wanted such a strong and compassionate Ashikabi!" Hugging herself, she blushed and let out a giggle, "And of course, after a day of saving others, you can come hme and ravish me to your heart's content..."
"NO! Me first!" Ikki said, frowning at Matsu. "You're just an old woman, I am young and supple..."
"NO! Me first," Akitsu said in a flat voice.
"Who are you calling old?" Matsu asked, glaring at Ikki.
"He was MY Ashikabi first!' Musubi stated, raising her fists and casting them a glare.
"STOP it!" Harry barked.
'OH Harry, you need to be fair. Have them all strip so you can decide who's the best!' Lash chuckled. 'Or maybe you want Kagari?' She then laughed heartily.
Harry rubbed his head, trying to ignore her. Lash was having way too much fun at his expense. "Look, everyone. We have things we need to work on here. There are Sekerei and Ashbi … whatever you call them, who want to leave the city and get away from this battle thing going on."
"You are called an Ashikabi, Harry," Akitsu said.
"Fine. The point is, they just want to live their lives and not get killed. I really need to help them, I need to make more magic, which means I need to work in my lab more. I also need to know what MBI is up to, and how to counter what they do."
"I can help with that!" Matsu said, raising an arm and sticking her chest out. Ashikabi, in my room I can show you how I hack into their computers."
Damn did every girl have triple d cups here? Computers. His bane. "Who are you again?" he asked.
'They only go to double D, harry. She would he a size F maybe?'
'Thanks for the input'
"Sorry, I am Matsu, Sekerei number two. I'm a computer expert. I can hack into any MBI system."
Harry shook his head. "I can't go in your room then. I'd blow your computers up. Those things really don't like me." he explained. Looking at his Sekerei, he said, "How about this. Akitsu, go into Matsu's room with her. I need the sewer plans for the area of the city my lab is in to a waterfront, and the closest sewer like to the MBI building. Matsu, can you show those to her?"
"I can, I will give Akitsu a printout for you," Matsu promised.
Harry turned to Ikki and said, "Wonderful. Ikki, I need you to guard Kusano for me, and Kusano, you need to stay with Ikki. Ok?"
"Yeah, and don't run away from me," Ikki said, scowling at Kusanno.
"But, I want to stay with Big Brother," Kusano whined.
"I'm sorry, Kuu, I want you to stay safe. I can work better if I'm not worried about you, Please?" Harry asked.
Kusano turned her lip down and crawled into his lap. "OK, Big Brother," she said in a pout.
"Good girl," Harry said and patted her head. To the others he said, "Matsu, I also need to know what does MBI have or is doing that is making all the Sekerei fight? I want everything you got on them."
.
Uzume left the hospital holding Chiho's hand. The first place they went was to get Chiho some decent clothes.
"It's hard to believe I'm cured. The doctors said there is nothing wrong with me," Chiho said. "Har-ry is that strong? I remember it looked like he just pulled the disease right out of me. It burst in the air like tiny sprinkles of light."
Uzume bit her lip. "Har-ry is that strong," Uzume said with a tiny smile. "I really like the idea of leaving with you so I don't have to fight any more. I don't know how, but I am sure Har-ry will find a way to get out whoever wants to come." Uzume also decided that she had to do something very special for Har-ry to pay him back for saving Chiho from that disease, and Higa's blackmail.
.
In a secret meeting, Hirohito Minaka sat at the head of his conference table. To his right was Takami Sahashi. On his left was Natsu, the Ashikabi of Haihaine and Benisubasa of the Discipline squad. Both Sekerei stood behind him.
At other end Izumi Higa sat, with a pair of his Sekerei. Kakikazi sat near him, holding his official complaint.
"We have had a patient stolen from us," Higa intoned. "She forcibly left out of facility where she was being treated. We want her returned to us."
Minaka turned to Takami. "What do you know of this?"
"Nothing."
"Hidaka Chiho was a patient receiving vital medicine to keep her alive. Sahashi Minato and Sekerei number 10, walked her out of the hospital after assaulting the nurses there! Chiho needs to be returned to treatment!" Kakikazi said firmly.
"Is this Chiho in our hospital?" Minaka asked.
"She is not," Takami replied.
Minaka spread out his hands and said, "There is nothing we can do."
"You can find the kidnappers!" Higa stated.
Minaka shook his head. "I looked into this when you called. Number 10 is Hidaka's Sekerei. I cannot interfere with what they do."
"How about Sahashi Minato? He is the one who assaulted our nurses!"
"And how did he do that?" Minaka asked.
"He threw fireballs at them!" Higa stated heavily. "He needs to be arrested."
"You have proof of this claim?"
"Eight witnesses."
"Then inform the police," Minaka replied.
"You OWN the police!" Higa stated. "That is why we came here, to get justice!"
"If someone wishes to leave the hospital, they may do so. As long as it is clear they do so against doctor's orders, you can't stop them," Minaka said.
"We intend to show Hidaka Chiho was not in her right mind, therefore unable to make her own decisions," Higa said.
"Then go get your court order. It still does not concern me," Minaka told them.
The men shot to their feet and left. Minaka watched them go, then asked, "Takami. Explain what happened to Karasuba to me."
Takami glanced at Haihaine and Benisubasa, They has seen the whole thing. "Minato burned Karasuba with fire," she admitted.
"More like barbecued her," Natsu stated. "Over seventy percent of her body was burned black, her clothes were ashes. Both my Sekerei here are witnesses to the whole thing. Minato is not a Sekerei, but he is something very dangerous."
Tanaka nodded and said, "Takami, you will bring Minato in for study. If you cannot bring him in, I'll have police bring him in, unconscious or however they can. You don't want that, do you?"
"I'm sure there is an explanation," Takami insisted.
"Minato is harboring a broken Sekerei, and now he had seriously injured another. There is no explanation. If he is not in our custody within the next 24 hours, I am putting an alert out to bring him in, dead or alive." Minaka stated. "I am sure that will make Higa happy."
Takami cast Minaka a shocked look. "You can't do that!"
"I will unless he is here, in custody in the next 24 hours," Minaka stated. To Natsu, he said, "Use the discipline squad to find him if you can."
"They will succeed," Natsu said confidently.
.
Uzumu and Chiho got back to the Maison Izumo to find Kusano there with a younger blond Sekerei playing a tile matching game on the floor.
"Hi, Uzume," Kusano waved. "You found a friend?" she asked.
"This is my Ashikabi, Chiho."
"Hi, Chiho, I'm Kuu, this is Ikki."
Ikki looked at them and asked, "If Chiho is your Ashikabi, does that mean we fight?"
Uzume raised a finger and said, "Fighting is forbidden at the Maison Izumo."
"Oh, darn," Ikki grumbled. "Harry is still out with Musubi and Akitsu. I hope they will be back soon."
"Hello, Uzume, and I see Chiho is back," Miya said pleasantly as she came in from a side room. "Welcome home Chiho."
"Hi Landlady! It's great to be home. Is Harry here?"
"He's not back yet," Ikki said with a frown. "He's out with big boobed girls."
"Fu fu fu," Miya chuckled. "Perhaps he will refrain from attacking Sekerei."
Uzume winced and shook her head. "This time he took on the Discipline Squad."
Ikki perked up. "Did he win?" she asked brightly.
Uzume let out a sigh. "We hurried inside, so I didn't see, but what I found out was ... he did manage to slip away after leaving Karasuba in ICU, and Benesubasa was frozen in a block of ice."
"Yes!" Ikki said thrusting a balled fist in the air.
Weakly, Chiho said, "He heard Karasuba was killing people."
"So, he punished her?" Miya asked curiously.
"I bet he did!" Ikki announced. "I have the greatest Ashikabi ever!"
Kusano jerked on her sleeve. "We do," she said.
Ikki nodded. "We do."
Miya looked at Ikki and said, "Go get your practice sword I made for you, dear, we need to spar more instead of playing games."
"We can?" Ikki asked eagerly, then race to get her sword. She skidded to a stop to look back and say, "Kuu, don't go hiding on me." she then went to go get her sword..
.
Kagari got up for the afternoon and heard all about Minato beating Karasuba so bad, she was ICU at the MBI hospital. He wanted to find out the full story, but no one knew, and Minato himself still wasn't showing his face anywhere. He had dinner with Miya, Uzume, Chiho, Ikki and Kusano. Seeing Chiho was up and around, He said, "It is very good to see you are finally out of the hospital. We were worried."
"Harry cured me," Chiho beamed. "He and Uzume got me out, the nurses there didn't want me to leave."
"They tried to stop you?" Kagari asked.
"They did, but Harry threw this fire ball at them and they jumped to the sides. The sprinklers cane on and we walked out quick so we wouldn't get wet," Chiho told him.
Kagari's eyes widened. "Harry threw a fireball?" he asked in a squeak.
"It was more like a long flame. It worked, no one else tried to stop us," Uzume told him.
"How can he do that?" Kagari said to himself. He remembered when Harry had drained the heat off him when he was burning up. Was Harry capable of storing energy?
"Harry said he's He Who Is," Chiho explained.
"What's that mean?"
"We don't know. I don't think Harry really knows either" Chiho offered.
Matsu came down with a huff. "Hi everyone … Chiho! It's good to see you back."
Chiho eyed Matsu and asked, "Do I know you?"
Matsu put a hand to her face and giggled. "So sorry, I'm Matsu. I have seen you around, you just haven't seen me."
"Where's Harry?" Ikki asked.
"He's around. I just gave Akitsu what Harry was looking for. They should be down shortly," Matsu said. She waited by the table.
"You can sit down," Ikki told her.
"I'll wait for Harry." Matsu replied.
.
Musubi watched, intently, hands on her chin, as Harry carefully sewn in wards into his black coat Musubi gave him. "What's that?" she asked.
"This is a protection against projectiles. The one below it is a protection against cutting. On the other side are protections against fire, magic and impacts," he said slowly as he stitched the ward in place.
"So if something like that hits you it won't hurt?"
"I hope not," Harry said dryly. "These should work as long as I stitched them in right."
'You did, Harry. Maybe you need a protection against boobs too?' Lash then chuckled.
She guided his sight to Musubi's very generous cleavage. It looked bottomless. Harry turned back, refocusing his concentration. 'I don't need distractions right now, Lash.'
'Awww, but she's so innocent too! I think she'd love a good rub and suckle.'
'I'm working here.'
'You could be working at something else. Or are you waiting to give Akitsu a good fondle when she wants another kiss?'
'Stuff it, Lash.'
Akitsu came in with a handful of printouts. "I got them Harry," she announced.
Harry put the last stitch in and turned to her. "Good! Put them on the side, there,"
Akitsu did, then held her hand out. "Dinner time, and a kiss," she stated in monotone.
"A kiss?" Musubi asked, perking up.
Akuitsu gave a single nod.
"Can I have a kiss too?" Musubi asked excitedly.
Harry ignored Lash's chuckling in his head.
Harry folded his coat on the table and took Akitsu's hand. She pulled him up and wrapped her arms around him to give him a deep kiss. He no more than pulled back when Musubi spun him around, threw her arms around his neck and gave him a glorious lip lock. He hugged her back, noting she was pressed tight against him. Wow, she was soft in all the right places!
Musubi's face was blushing in bliss. "More?" she asked hopefully.
"Dinner first," Harry told them, and guided them to the door.
They were upset they had to go through the Door one at a time and couldn't hold hands.
.
After chiding Harry for being late, Kuu insisted he sit with her - on his lap. This pleased Ikki, because she was right beside him. Getting their kisses, Akitsu and Musubi were satisfied to sit on the other side of the table, grinning at him like fools. Matsu took note of this, as did Miya. Unlike Matsu who was dreaming of erotic adventures, Miya didn't look happy.
"Mr. Dres-den, what were you doing in your room?" Miya asked in a musical tone.
"We weren't in Harry's room, we were in the lab!" Musubi announced happily. "Harry was working on the coat I got him!"
"I thought you wanted a black leather coat?" Kagari asked.
"I did, Musubi got me one too," Harry told him.
'Oh, Harry, look, the boyfriend is jealous.' Lash sang in his head.
Actually, Harry saw he was a bit put out. "I couldn't tell her no," he explained. "And the rate that I go through clothes, it's best to have two." To Lash, he thought, 'You do know that's getting old, don't you?'
'It's still funny.'
"You have a lab? What kind of lab do you have in your room?" Miya asked.
"I'll show you after dinner, and it's not in my room," he told her.
Miya gave a non-commital nod. Seeing everyone was all but done she got up and asked, "Uzume would you help me with deserts?"
"Yes, of course," Uzume said and went into the kitchen with her.
A knock came at the door. Miya answered it to find Takami there, looking nervous.
"I am sorry to bother you. If you see Minato, it Is vital that he comes to my place. MBI is looking for him, and soon, they will be getting very violent about it. Please, if you see him, tell him to turn himself in," Takami begged.
"Fu fu fu," Miya chuckled. "I take it they are upset because he beat their Discipline squad?"
"You know about that?" Takami asked.
"Everyone knows. Instead of hunting Harry, I think they should be fearing him. I will make sure the word gets passed." Miya said and shut the door.
Miya went on her way to the kitchen. She had a feeling things were about to get very interesting.