Lemme tell ya, I'm really liking the direction this fanfic's heading in. I've been really busy with school and that damn job, but I'm gonna try to keep crankin' out new chapters as often as I can manage! Anywho, here's Chapter Two of The Accidental Ashikabi! Hope you enjoy, and be sure to follow, fave or write a review if you've got any thoughts on it!
I am Number One-Oh-Five, Benitsubasa, and you… are my Ashikabi.
"Um… what?" Rei stumbled backwards, his hands held in front of him. "I… who the hell are you?"
"I already told you that, you moron," Benitsubasa said, her hands on her hips. Rei's eyes ran up and down the strange young woman, taking in several aspects of her appearance. Pink hair in a side ponytail, with flowers tucked into it that rustled slightly in the breeze. A short black kimono with a large red bow tied in front of her waist. Fighting gloves that looked a bit like the ones Rei's cousin used for kickboxing. Eyes… a deep pink, a shade darker than her long hair. He was caught in them for a second, but he pulled his gaze away as he turned his back on her, crossing his arms and sighing.
"What'd you call me? Your… Ashikabi?"
"Yeah, you're…" Benitsubasa blushed, and she growled in frustration at her body's attempts to sabotage her tough persona. The man standing before her was tall and lean, and she was now very aware of the fact that he was shirtless, his tanned skin smoothly running over his well-defined back muscles. "I… I think I'm reacting to you, so that means you're my Ashikabi and I'm your Sekirei."
Rei looked back at her, his piercing eyes still showing his confusion. "Okay, you're gonna have to start explaining yourself, crazy-girl, 'cause if you don't, I'll get my scary landlady to come out here and-"
Benitsubasa's body was being overcome by the heat, and she felt as though an invisible hand was tugging at her chest, pulling her very essence towards the young man. His body, the way his sleek hair stuck up at all angles, his pale, inquisitive eyes… she needed this boy, and she knew it with more certainty than she knew anything else. She finally snapped, and after shaking her head in exasperation at her own emotions, Benitsubasa stepped forward quickly and grabbed his shoulders, standing up on her toes to bring her lips crashing against his.
His eyes shot wide open, then slid closed as the pink-haired stranger kissed him; Rei's mind went totally blank, trying in vain to explain what was happening. Her lips… they're so… soft… He tilted his head a bit, pulling her deeper into the kiss, and his hands found the curve of her waist, seemingly of their own accord. He'd kissed girls before, but even though he and Benitsubasa remained still and didn't open the kiss up at all, he felt as though he was on fire.
After a few moments, the two teens broke apart, their faces flushed. When Rei finally opened his eyes, he gasped when he saw a glowing array of crimson wings floating behind Benitsubasa's back. "Wh-what are those?"
"You've winged your first Sekirei, you dummy," the blushing pinkette said with a smile. "And you didn't even introduce yourself first… how rude!"
"I'm Rei… Rei Kinuhara," he said, still dazed from the electrifying kiss. "I… I winged you? Are you an angel or something?"
"Not quite," Benitsubasa said with a sly wink, prodding Rei's bare chest with her elbow.
Shaking his head as she laughed at her own joke, Rei said, "Well can you at least explain what you are, then? And what does it mean that I'm an Ashikabi?"
"I can take over from there, I believe." Rei and Benitsubasa both turned to the source of the masculine voice, and the Sekirei sighed when she realized who it was.
"The name's Higa Izumi," the man said, straightening the collar of his snow-white suit as his dark eyes met Rei's. "Congratulations on your conquest, Ashikabi… welcome to the game. I was hoping to wing this one myself, but it seems that I'll have to settle for diplomacy with her master instead." Two women were standing behind him atop the fence, but Higa kept Rei's attention as he went on, "To answer your question, we Ashikabi are special people able to form contracts with Sekirei, powerful fighters and loyal companions who'll soon be forced to fight each other in the massive battleground of Shinto Teito."
"This whole cityis the playground of these things?" Rei asked, but he was then slapped on the back of the head by a glowering Benitsubasa.
"We are not things, we are Sekirei, and we have feelings too!" she hissed.
"Or so your kind say," Higa said coolly, making Benitsubasa glare at him. "Anywho, you're now part of this war, Ashikabi. I would suggest that you make some… allies before you find yourself outgunned and sure to lose."
"And who would you suggest as an ally? You?" Benitsubasa's eyes widened at Rei's tone, and when she looked at him in her surprise, she was caught off guard by the defiance she saw in his eyes. He held himself confidently, his fists balled at his sides and his feet planted wide as if he was ready for a fight. "I don't like you, Higa Izumi, and while I appreciate the fact that you filled me in on some things, I think it'd be best if you left now."
Higa laughed, the sound grating on Benitsubasa's ears. "You're either incredibly brave, or very stupid." His face then grew serious, his eyes glowering under his sharp brow. "Turning down an alliance with me is sheer foolishness!"
"So is running your mouth like a spoiled schoolboy." Ignoring the other Ashikabi's indignant gasp, Rei turned and walked towards the back door of the inn, making a quick gesture on his right so Benitsubasa could see it. "C'mon then, I guess we'd better get acquainted… I get the feeling that you're gonna be sticking with me for now, so I'll have to introduce you to Miya."
"You'll pay for this, you insolent brat!"
"Yeah yeah yeah, that's what my old principal told me. Didn't stop me from breaking his son's leg in a Judo tournament, though."
When Rei turned around, Higa and his two little friends were gone. He sighed and shook his head, then slid the door open in the back of the Maison Izumo. As he looked to Benitsubasa, she punched him on the arm. "Ow! What the hell was that for?!"
"Stop trying to get yourself killed this early into the Plan, you idiot!" She glared at him, her eyebrows scrunched together. "I'm your Sekirei, which means that I'm supposed to protect you! I do not need you making my job any harder!"
Rei rose an eyebrow as he looked down at his 'Sekirei', and he chuckled inwardly at her outburst. Seems that she's got a temper, he thought. I'll have to tread carefully… that prick in the suit said that they're fighting machines, and judging from the gloves this one's wearing, her temper could easily leave some bruises. "All right, I'll be more careful in the future. Okay?"
Benitsubasa blushed slightly, then nodded. "Okay. Thank you, Rei-san."
"Don't mention it, Pinky," Rei said, and as he stepped into Maison Izumo, Benitsubasa sent him flying through the doorway with a swing of her fist.
"I can't believe this!" Rei said, flopping back onto the floor in front of the inn's TV. "I can't leave the city until this crap is over? What about my tournament?"
"That should be the least of our concern," Benitsubasa said, sitting with her legs crossed next to him. "Now that you've been officially inducted into the Sekirei Plan, we're gonna have to get ready to fight!"
"I keep my fights inside the ring," Rei said flatly.
"Now now, Rei, try and stay positive! Though my late husband never approved of the Sekirei Plan," Miya said, "you should at least try to keep your chin up until it's over."
"She's right," Kagari said as he entered the room, Minato and Musubi trailing behind him. "And if I were you two," he said, pointing at the two Ashikabi, "I'd get out there and try to find some more Sekirei. Don't force any of them into it, of course, but at least see if any of 'em react to you."
"No way!" Benitsubasa shouted, her eyes flashing as she shot to her feet. "I'm plenty strong, and I"m the only Sekirei that Rei needs!" Kagari raised an eyebrow, and the others' eyes widened at Benitsubasa's declaration.
"I dunno, Benitsubasa," Musubi said, and the pink-haired Sekirei glared at the other girl. "I don't really wanna share Minato either, but there's safety in numbers. Besides, we could still fight to be the ones that get to keep them, right?"
Benitsubasa thought for a moment, then nodded and flashed her compatriot a smile. "You're right. I mean, who could possibly compete with me?"
"Someone with a dash of humility, perhaps?" Rei said with a small roll of the eyes, earning a laugh from Minato. When he'd met the other young Ashikabi, Rei's first impression had been one of mild disappointment… the boys were very different, especially in the somewhat spineless way Minato responded to things. However, Rei liked him, and was glad to have a fellow Ashikabi who was on his side for the time being.
"What's that supposed to mean? Am I not good enough for you?" Benitsubasa barked, her voice shaking in anger.
Rei looked at her for a moment, and as the room went silent, he smiled. "I haven't known you for very long," he said as he made his way to his feet, "but from what I can tell, I'd say that you're the best Sekirei a guy could have." The fighter blushed, making a small humph noise as she turned away, refusing to make eye contact with her Ashikabi. "Now before we go out and try to accomplish anything Plan-related, I'm gonna go out back and continue working through my forms." After the others responded kindly to his statement, he left the room.
A few minutes later, the group of Ashikabi and Sekirei dispersed. Minato and Musubi went to rummage for food, Miya left to run some errands and Kagari vanished back into his room. Benitsubasa wandered the halls of the inn, deep in thought about the Plan and her new partner, until she suddenly found herself standing at the second-floor windows, looking down on a training Rei.
"I like him."
Benitsubasa jumped, then turned and growled at a giggling Matsu. "What do you want, four-eyes?"
"Hey now, be nice," Matsu said with a devilish wink, "I'll keep my hands off of him… for now." She cocked her head slightly, her braid hanging lazily over her shoulder. "Does he know?"
"Does he know… what?" Benitsubasa said, her voice suddenly growing soft as she turned back to the window.
"That you liiiike him," Matsu said childishly, making the other Sekirei shoot her a glare. "Oh stop it, it's to be expected. I mean, when a Sekirei reacts, she can't keep the guy out of her head, ya know?"
"How would you know?" Benitsubasa asked coolly.
"Well, I haven't been winged by him yet… but I'm pretty sure that Minato's my Ashikabi," Matsu said, her face glowing. "So I know what you're feeling… I bet you're just aching to taste him again…"
"Shut up."
"Why don't ya make me?" A furious Benitsubasa spun on her heels, and when she saw Matsu drop an obnoxious wink, she snapped.
"Oh I will make you, you bitch!"
"Ohhh yeah, talk dirty to me, one-oh-five!"
"I'm gonna rip you to pieces!"
I know, this one's a little shorter than my usual chapters, but there's a lot planned for Chapter Three, so bear with me! Be sure to fave, follow or review! 'Til next time, adios!
