SEKIREI: MUSCLE HAREM

PART III

by chuckiboo

Sekirei ©Gokurakin Sakurako

Minato laid still in the bed, sleeping. In his mind, he had no idea of what happened, where he was, or if he was dead. All his memories could recall was coming from Homura's room, dragging against the wall, and then blacking out. He didn't know how long he's been unconscious, but he knew that he was still breathing, and he wanted to see his friends again. Yet, he did hear one voice calling out to him.

"Minato," the voice said softly, "Minato, please, if you can hear me..." then sobbing followed, "wake up, please..."

He felt someone's hands laying on his chest, as well as their head. He wanted so much to open his eyes, but didn't have the strength to do it; it was as if all of it was drained from his body, leaving him completely limp and useless. At the moment, there was nothing more he could do, except wait, for something; what, he didn't know.

Time went by, as his sense of sound kicked in, and different voices were heard in his room. He knew one was his mother, that was for sure, but the others he wasn't sure about. Focusing his sense elsewhere, he heard someone else's voice, one he recognized. Talking in jumbles, he couldn't decypher what was being said, but he did hear his name mentioned a few times, more in concern than in ridicule. Not one to stay cooped up for a long time, his mind worked fevorously to activate his other senses. Soon he felt his eyes moving around in his sockets, as well as making a small sound with his closed mouth. Now he was getting somewhere, as he slowly moved his head in different directions on the pillow. But he wondered, who was laying on him?

Yukari Sahashi had been at the bedside of her older brother since they brought him in when he fell unconscious at Izumo Inn a few days ago. Their mother knew what had caused this, but was just as surprised that it was her son who suffered it. On the outside, she and another colleague talked about something, while her daughter stayed in the room. As Yukari was waking up from another night's sleep bedside, she noticed something, as Minato began to move his head back and forth slightly, and his eyelids and lips moved similarly as well. The girl got excited as she jumped up and ran to the door.

"Mom!' saying hotly, "he waking up!" She and her mother jogged back into the room, as he continued stirring.

"It's taking a while for his physical energy to return," she said, "he was drained to the point of death."

Yukari's eyes shot open at what her mother said. "Are you serious? You mean-"

She nodded her head. "Yes, if we hadn't arrived in time, he would technically be dead now."

"And all those women-"

"Those are his Sekirei. He winged each and every one of them. Even Homura. They care for him to the point of wanting to protect him, period." She sighed in grief. "And it almost killed him."

"So, will he be alright?"

"Yeah, he'll have to spend another week or two here to replenish his energy and renew his spirit, so he'll be fine."

"He had no idea of what happened, does he?"

"No, but he'll be in for a very big surprise when he goes back home to Izumo Inn."

The atmosphere at the Izumo Inn was quite somber, as all six Sekirei thought about the well-meaning actions they took that nearly cost the life of their beloved ashikabi, Minato Sahashi. Though all their heart's desire is to live their life with him and protect him, it in return nearly killed him, by indirectly draining his physical strength, and weakening his strong spirit. Miya was still in high spirits, as she talked with the half dozen now amazons, as they sat in the dining area eating.

"I know you all meant well," talking while eating some curry, "but realize, Minato is his own person, as all you are. He treats you all with the love and respect that you never had. He only wants the best for you, and is willing to sacrifice for you, as he already proven."

She swallowed then continued. "Though what you took from him is now a permanent part of you, let Minato be himself." She hung her head down, as she brought it back up, blushing. "We love him, don't we?"

All six girls were wide eyed at the statement, and were surprised at the reaction of No. 1.

"What are you saying?" asked Kusano in her slightly mature voice.

"I'll...tell you later," straightening herself up, "but right now, let's get this place cleaned up, okay?"

The others smiled as the sadness turned to optimism, waiting for the day that their friend and owner comes home.

On Friday, the inn got word that their new resident was just discharged and on her way to her new home. Riding in the car provided by MBI, Chiho smiled at the thought of living someplace else than inside a hospital room. Having no known relatives, her only friend was Uzume; though she was now gone, she has new friends to help her and keep her company. Arriving outside the Izumo Inn, she stepped out of the car on her own two feet, for the first time since her childhood and before the disease that took away her mobility years ago. And at the gate stood Miya, smiling.

"Welcome to Izumo Inn," she said happily, We're glad to have you, Chiho Hikara."

The girl smiled. "Thank you," as she bowed her hear in respect, "but where's Minato Sahashi? He was to meet me here as well."

Miya's look turned a bit grim. "There was an unfortunate accident with Minato, he's in the hospital recovering, it'll be another week before he'll be home."

Chiho felt bad, to know that the one person who saved her life was fighting for his now. "Where are the ones who helped me?" she asked.

"There're here, but they've undergone a 'big' change," smirking, as she led the girl and her bags into the house. And what she sees will shock her pretty good.

Minato finally regained consciousness a couple days later, to Yukari and their mother's relief. All through the following week, his recovery went great, though still a good bit weak due to losing so much strength, he was up and about, albeit slowly. Regaining his balance was the hardest, as his equallibrium was thrown off dramatically, and needed time to readjust. By Thursday, he was ready to be released, as his mother personally drove him home to Izumo Inn. Sitting back thinking, he was just glad to be back home with all his caring Sekirei and Miya after this hardest of battles.

The now older Kusano, in sweats covering up her now teenage buffed form, was on the balcony, as she spotted a black car coming down the street. She ran inside where the others were.

"They're here!" she said excitedly, "onee-chan's home!"

Everyone, in excitement, ran downstairs to see their friend return after three weeks in the hospital, because of them. But before they could reach the door, Miya stopped them in their tracks.

"Hold on," she said respectfully, "we must be gentle with him, he's still weak, and you all need to cover up properly, so you can surprise him, okay?"

Though they sighed, they knew she was right, and went to change into better clothes. Chiho came out of her new room to hear the flurry of activity.

"Is Minato back?"

"Yes," Miya replied cheerfully, "and we're glad to have him home. Wait here." She went to the door and opened it, just as Minato was getting out of the car, and his mother pulled off. Walking through the gate, Miya came up to him and hugged him.

"Welcome home, Minato," she greeted, as he smiled.

"I'm glad to be back," he replied, as they slowly entered through the door into the house.

"Everybody missed you greatly."

"I know, but I still don't know what happened."

Miya stopped walking and faced Minato. "You know your Sekirei care for you very much, right?" He nodded. "And that they will go to great lengths to protect you." He nodded again. "That is their heart's desire, individually and collectively. You love them as family, as so them with you. Each wants to live their life with you, to love and protect you, through any and everything. But it had an adverse side effect."

Minato's brows piqued. "When they kissed you in sincerity, they in part took some of your strength, that contains love, courage, confidence and respect. But because they didn't give you a part of them to replace what was taken, your body shut down, and you nearly lost your life."

He closed his eyes. "I...would give my life for them, regardless," he said in response, "they're my family, my 'wives', if you wanna put it that way. They've always been a part of me, just not in that manner."

Miya smiled. "But realize, there was another side effect to it as well."

"What is it?"

"Not yet," she said blushing, "but I have to tell you something. Since you've became a powerful ashikabi, I've been having the same feelings the others have. And I was wondering...though I was winged long ago, and my mate is no longer here-"

Minato knew where this was going, and he smiled. "You want to be... my Sekirei?"

Miya nodded, as she drew closer, blushing heavily. "Please, I'm so lonely," she panted lightly, "please, re-wing me.."

He placed his hands on each side of he face, bringing it to his, as he planted a tender kiss on the woman's lips. Breaking it, she stepped back, as the Sekirei symbol appeared, and reaffirmed its place on her back below her neck. She then again drew close to her new ashikabi and smiled.

"I feel so much better now," saying happily, "thank you Minato."

"You're welcome," he replied, "but tell me, what was the side effect of taking my strength and giving nothing back in return?"

Miya took his hand and led him down the hall to his room and opened the door. And there stood six women, his friends, his Sekirei, but completely different physically. Abrim with large, sculpted muscle, broad shoulders, bulging biceps and large quads, each was built like tanks but retained their original beauty. Musubi, Kusano, Matsu, Tsukiumi, Kazehana and the now fully feminine Homura smiled, with hands on their hips, as they said in unison "Welcome home Minato!" The young man was wide eyed at the sight of his girls.

"Whoa," he sighed in amazement, "you all...are...just as beautiful as you were...before..."

Kusano walked up to him and gently hugged his chest. "I'm so glad onee-chan's home."

The others surrounded him as well. "For all you do for us," Matsu said, "you're worth protecting."

"We love you so much Minato," added Musubi as she hugged him, while the others got in on touching action.

"We're sorry for what we did," whispered Kazehana in his ear, "and we're willing to make it up to you, after this..." licking him in the ear. Chiho walked in, to see this reunion happening.

"Minato?" she asked.

"Ch-Chiho! Welcome!" he managed to say, as the girl smiled.

"Uzume was right, you have a lot of people who care about you, for what you do for them, you oughta be proud."

"Yeah, I am," he said meekly, "it pays."

"Want to have lunch later?"

"Sure, as soon as I take care of this," as the amazons gathered around him in love. Miya looked at them sternly, as Chiho went back to her room.

"Hey, he my owner too now," she said confidently. The others' eyes grew wide.

"What!" saying in unison.

She just smiled. "And because it's my inn, I have first dibs on 'im."

"Hey, that's no fair!" one piped out, as a friendly struggle broke out. One thing they all know now, a good man is hard to find, but a strong owner is worth keeping. And with these girls, it's an endless fight for affection, until the 'Sekirei Plan' enters into its final phase. What will happen, only the stars know.