Well then, firmly inspired by the response to the first two chapters I'm gonna see how quickly I can continue to work on this one. Apologies but due to the stupid 'Share' bar popping up recently and messing with the layout of the top of the page on this site I will be sticking in author's notes even when I have even less to talk about then usual.


Second Feather

Miya was out.

He had taken several long moments to breath after he realised this. Miya, the singular order of Izumo Inn. The only thing keeping anarchic, law of the wolf from descending upon them. The one thing that stopped each and every one of his Sekirei jumping his bones and doing all manner of...terrible -not desirable at all- things to him. That he'd didn't want them to do...definitely.

Miya was out. With the speed and agility that had kept him alive through -far too high- a number of supernatural fights, he ran. His mind suddenly cranked into overdrive. He hadn't been taken yet which means they didn't yet know. He still had time. If he could get to his room, dress and head out then he'd be safe, no amorous women fighting each other to steal him away.

Only far less amorous women trying to kill or kidnap him about the city. Which he could deal with far more easily and with a lot fewer mixed feelings.

He had made the stairs, small signs and clues telling him where they all were. Just as they had told him of Miya's absence even before he found the note speaking of visiting another Inn in the city. Something about trade secrets and understanding the competition. An area of condensation on the wall before the kitchen door, Akitsu had entered there, her powers chilling the wall as she opened the door.

Slight scratches on the floor, the corridor to the back yard, Haihane was going to train. That likely removed at least Musubi and Tsukiumi from the setting as well, however they would soon realise the landlady was not here when she didn't arrive for a session with them.

To his left, on a small table. A vase of flowers he had put out this morning perked up slightly.

Stopping the headlong rush along which he had been making these split-second observations, skidding on the floor he got a hand on the ground to aid his stop. He slowed and stopped, immediately ducking into a cupboard.

He did so just in time. Kusano's adorable voice ringing along the hall in a song about cats. He remembered reading a name that kept coming up in it. An animé for pre-teen children, one which was coming on shortly, he silently cursed his idiocy in not remembering it sooner. Another voice joining Kusano's and totally stopping his breath.

Homura was following close on the heels of the Green Girl and it would seem that she was singing the same song. Her tone was both low enough not to be heard outside the hall (and the cupboard he now found himself in) and at the same time happy enough to dispel the notion she was singing it simply to humour Kusano.

'Did she like it before she became a girl? Interesting question, don't think I'll ask. She probably doesn't want anyone to know.'

On the one hand Homura seemed rather happier since she'd nearly killed him three times in two days during her first period (still didn't even beat Yukari's lowest score). On the other hand she was even more touchy about anything girly she did, seeming to want to hold onto her remaining testosterone fiercely.

Since even as Kagari her traits had been somewhat woma-calm, refined, not womanly of course. Well anyway this wasn't a bad thing, her violent outbursts when embarrassed about it definitely were.

She would probably stop abruptly when they reached the living room, by the scent of Sake in the area Kazehana was in there. Sure enough Homura stopped the instant the door opened. Seeming to bob back and forth for a moment she took a step back then opted to settle against the door frame while Kusano skipped inside.

Flopping back and fully closing the door Minato almost sighed in frustration. He was so close! Still he supposed it was only to be expected, it was already incredibly lucky that Matsu was napping...

Matsu was asleep, so her 'super-special-secret-passages' about the Inn...

Feeling carefully and near silently along the roof of the cupboard he found a tiny lip in the wood.

'Yes!'

He pushed upwards gently but firmly, the hidden flap folding neatly upwards. Feeling about he found no shortage of places to get a hold. A grab, an easy hoist and he was up in the roof and floor spaces. Closing the entrance he had used he felt his way along, trusting his sense of direction to guide him.

It was doing an excellent job, right up until the adrenaline faded. The danger now seemed a far off thing. His mind calming down, once more able to think clearly and over a broad range of thoughts. What this meant is he went from thinking quickly and logically to doing this and then second guessing himself a dozen times an instant. His condition now neither focused enough nor relaxed enough for him to think well.

As such he became lost, turning away from his path, sure he had messed up earlier. He did this around three feet from the trapdoor to his room's closet.

He would be crawling about these cavities for a long while, plenty of time for the other residents to find out about Miya's absence.


'Where the hell is he!'

Variations on that thought could be assigned to any one of the eight women frantically searching for Minato throughout the Inn. A nameless something within each of them also told them he was both nearby and unharmed. For the less optimistic among them the tracking device Matsu had planted on him confirmed it.

Unfortunately due to the counter measures Matsu herself had installed they had no way to pinpoint him, therefore no way to hurry up the search.

"Ah, Minato if you don't hurry and appear...our time of freedom will be...over..."

"You should not say such things while Miya-sama is gone, Musubi knows that she has only good intentions." interjected Musubi, her own worrying interrupted by the need to defend the landlady's honour. Surprisingly given their rivalry and her own reticence Akitsu spoke up in Haihane's defence.

"I am inclined to agree with the steel pussy-cat on this, Ooya-sama is indeed acting as she believes to be right. However, I wish dearly for Minato-sama to use me as he wishes, repeatedly. Her absence is an excellent opportunity."

"Sh-shameless woman! I-i-i-if a-an-anyone is t-to-to do th-th-tha-"

"What's the matter, Panties. Afraid he'll get a taste for real women?" sniped Haihane, the normally friendly barb sounding vicious. Her worry getting the better of her.

Tsukiumi almost took a step back, she might have waved it off as what it was (concern for their Ashikabi coming out as anger) but for Kazehana's sudden arrival and words, "You're right Hai-chan, I doubt he'll care for second best once he's unwrapped me. An easier prospect then in your case, hmm?"

"I suppose you're right, once Minato-sama's done with me. He won't have much interest in the rest of you."

"Mina-tan is not so fickle! Anyway aren't you a little cold to be warming his bed?", hissed Matsu, attracted to the others by their slowly rising voices. A rare anger seemed to have taken hold of her: her failure to gain information on something so important, and that she could find him were it not for the safeguards keeping her from being found both provoking the normally well-tempered girl.

Standing not far behind her was Homura, looking like she was fighting not to start shouting.

"If it's a contest of being womanly, Musubi definitely won't lose"

Musubi's bear-aura accompanied declaration was the spark that blew up the armoury. All seven Sekirei diving at one another. Foregoing their weapons and powers and even any martial prowess. Instead opting for more traditionally angry methods, hair pulling, slapping and even biting. Such attacks swiftly filled the brawl. All of them rolling and kicking and shouting at each other on the floor.

Then it stopped.

A single small noise stopped everyone dead, a tiny sob emanating from the last of Minato's Sekirei. The sound was swiftly followed by several more, their owner standing and looking at her various 'Onee-chans' fighting. She didn't even seem to have the spirit to use the plant pot now clutched to her chest, instead just standing and shaking with grief.


In another part of the building entirely, Minato felt the vaguely worried emotions of his Sekirei escalate into a sea of anger and frustration, one swiftly frozen by a wave of sadness and disappointment. Guilt flowing in it's wake. Galvanised by this Minato found himself moving again after collapsing for a few moments rest after more then an hour of crawling in too small tunnels.

Focused enough to engage his mind and sense the small pointers he had been almost noticing for a while he was moving again quickly. Determined to stop his Sekirei's pain.


Meanwhile his Sekirei were themselves struck by it, through their Ashikabi they had a stronger telepathic link then several could have ever managed with another Sekirei otherwise. Mostly dormant it was now streaming the feelings of their youngest to them all. Piling more guilt upon that which they had felt already.

Any attempts to speak were quickly aborted, then stopped entirely as Kusano said in a shaking voice, "This is why...sob...Onii-chan is hiding from everyone...sob...even Ku-chan. Onii-chan is so kind, he hates fighting, so why...sob..."

They hurried to pick themselves up, taking pains to help each other. Muttered, awkward apologies were said. The tension somewhat broken by a few giggles at how cowed they sounded. Moving quickly to Kusano's side she was enveloped in a hug by them all.

For long moments they stayed like that. The contact slowly calming not only Kusano but all of them. More then just the fact Minato was missing and seemingly hiding from them, the sudden release from Miya's control...they had been hoping for something like this, placing too much feeling into such an event. Feelings that had turned sour when things hadn't gone as planned even before the discovery of Miya's absence.


Incidentally they would later learn that, sighing with relief at the cessation of their pain, Minato had promptly second guessed himself again. Decided he had been going the wrong way the whole time he was rushing and got lost again.


The silence shifted from painful and sad, to slightly awkward, and finally to comfortable. A few whispers and giggles in the huddle stirring the silence. Then Matsu's hesitant voice broke it, "You know, I doubt he would leave if he thought we were going to fight, he'd try to make us get along...but..."

Akitsu voiced what Matsu couldn't get out, "But we do cause a lot of trouble for Minato-sama..."

"He is always being...punished for our...", Haihane continued. Words coming slower, less confidently then usual.

Homura finished for her, "Our antics I suppose, we get excited and he usually ends up in trouble."

"We're selfish lovers...can we even call ourselves that. We've never got him out of trouble he would have been in without us." Kazehana's voice was just as subdued as the others, her normal exuberance replaced an almost tearful remorse.

At that Haihane found herself staring at her hands, remembering...a squeeze to her arm lifted her from her daze. Kazehana giving her an encouraging smile before letting go. A smile which faltered somewhat at Matsu's next words.

"Most likely Mina-tan was trying to leave before we found out and failed. I can see why, he knows us so well, of course he knew what we'd act like without Miya here, "I wouldn't have wanted to deal with that either.

"Onii-chan wouldn't leave for that...right?"

"Minato-sama realized we'd fight over him. He probably thought things would be more peaceful if he left for the evening."

"Musubi doesn't know what to do, she wants to make Minato-sama happy, but...are we really..."

Having stayed silent throughout the conversation, her head bowed in thought. Tsukiumi now brought her head up and spoke across them all, he words not only breaking the morose silence but pulverising it and washing away the dust too.

"Are my rivals really so pathetic! To give up when you realise yo-we, we have made mistakes! I had thought you all worthy of the title of concubine but if this is the depth of your love... !"

Stepping back from the stunned group Tsukiumi calmly delivered her finisher, " I suppose that if those I considered my precious friends are so easily discouraged, then it remains to me as legal wife and strongest, to prove I can be peaceful and get along. I will show him my demure grace as his wife!"

That the last had been said with a clenched fist raised and a battle aura forming did nothing to dull the impact of those words. As one the others stepped forward with their assurances that they too would learn from the mistakes they had made. They would not be troublesome Sekirei, no more fighting over Minato was the gist of the words exchanged. Apologies also filling the air. As well as a few comments about 'legal wives' and 'concubines'. Friendly comments.

"How should we proceed, if we are avoiding sexual actions, with the aim to enjoy the evening together; then this time is even more wasted by Minato-sama's absence."

"So we need something to do to prove that we're getting along, and some way to get Mina-tan out of hiding."

"Musubi doesn't have a way to find Minato-sama if he can hide this well, but she was going to make curry for dinner tonight. What if everyone helped to make an extra special meal."

"Food as well as life, is meant to happen with love."

"We could wait until the end and then tell him," Homura spoke up, blushing a little, "That way he will have a pleasant surprise before bed, he will be more likely to forgive us and...let us...sleep..."

Smiles were exchanged now, Homura's shyly stated idea being well received. Even without anything more then some revealing clothing (or lack of it in Akitsu's -admittedly unintentional- case) to excite things, the idea of sleeping beside their Ashikabi...and they realised, beside each other. They were a family.

"Let's get to it then, I guess just sleeping is also wonderful if it's Mina-tan. And the smell of food should bring him out of hiding. He skipped lunch today."

The eight women gave sounds of affirmation and went towards the kitchen. Determination shining from their faces.


Some say that great things end not with a bang, but with a whisper.

This was true of Minato's exit from the tunnels, a panel opening almost silently beneath him. However due to the meaningfully silent opening, he did not climb down but rather fell. Bouncing off the linens in the closet, out his closet door (opened in the earlier search) and on into the room; about three feet off the ground.

Bang

Well there goes that idea.

Picking himself up Minato found himself to be tired, hungry and rather miserable. He had recognized that he would swiftly start to feel lonely without them. He'd known that he missed them all when they weren't near. That really didn't make it easier.

With a resigned sigh Minato dusted himself down ad made ready to head down the stairs. He would need to grab a snack, sort out whatever little arguments had formed while he was lost, probably get glomped half to death.

Yet again telling himself that there was absolutely nothing pleasant about the last one Minato stepped out of his room and went downstairs. Rather then feel calmer with each step he descended he found himself more and more worried, where was the yells. At the very least there should be a conversation being conducted too loudly.

Starting to worry he found himself in the dining area in a few more seconds. He did not however make it past the door, his surprise freezing him in the doorway.

Rather then a half passed out Kazehana and the room otherwise empty he found the room filled by a table already set with a meal -curry- and by seven winged Sekirei. All of those in the house with the exception of Musubi were seated politely around the table, speaking quietly and happily to each other. The former of those two being almost as odd as the fact he was still standing.

'Why haven't I been tackled yet, not even Tsukiumi...oh they must be really angr-'

"Minato-sama you are here. We hoped you would emerge for dinner. Please...I..."

Minato was about to attempt an apology, the guilt at his accidental disappearance only getting larger at the sad expressions on each of their faces. However before he could begin they cut him off, each addressing a fervently spoken apology to him.

"...What are y-?"

Once me he was interrupted, this time by Musubi's presence at his back. The lack of the hug she usually gave him when so positioned was a little disconcerting. Instead she politely asked him to move aside and she stepped into the room to lay down the last two plates piled high with curry.

She then turned to Minato and addressed her apology, "Minato-sama, Musubi is sorry. We all know you hid so that we wouldn't fight and get angry at each other."

It felt like there was more to be said there but he was distracted by the others speaking. His own half formed stutterings going unheard by the focused girls.

"Minato-sama I have behaved immaturely, I again must apologise."

"Wai-"

"I'm sorry Minato-kun, I haven't been doing very well at being the oldest have I."

"Bu-"

"Minato...I keep messing up...thank you for being so kind to me about it."

"You haven-"

"Husband!" Tsukiumi as usual, spoke boldly enough to still his tongue completely. However her presence shrunk back a good deal as she said, "I must acknowledge my failings as your wife, I have bothered you, had you not done as you did I am sure I would have made some kind of trouble, I a-a-a-ap-apologise."

Homura spoke next, her calm voice a little shaky, "I know I have been very...sensitive lately. I must ask for your forgiveness again Minato. It's getting to be a bit of a habit."

He turned to face Matsu and Kusano, vaguely hoping for the world to get back on track and someone to tell him why in hell everyone kept apologising to him.

"Mina-tan, this Matsu has to apologise. I have caused you trouble and I couldn't find you when you hid and..."

"What are you all talking about?"

"Onii-chan, Ku-chan is sorry that we're always making things difficult for Onii-chan. Please don't hate Ku-chan."

He stood for a moment more then crossed the floor to Kusano and knelt to take her into his arms.

"How could I ever hate any of you? Now...uh, shall we eat?"

It wasn't exactly the best line ever spoken, but every word shone with the honesty and kindness that had drawn them to him in the first place. Warm smiles spread through the room like wildfire. Those not already seated found their places and they dug in. Minato finding himself between Tsukiumi and Akitsu.

"Itadakimasu!"

He had not noticed while sitting down but even his portion was unusual today, normally every one of his Sekirei seemed oblivious to the fact that as a human he could eat a lot less then they could. Today he found his portion had been reduced, something especially odd as he knew that Musubi would never have thought to do so.

Reflected in a soy bottle in the table he caught Homura looking at him, she turned away a moment later but she had definitely been giving him an uncertain, hopeful look. Gazing at the table, rather more decorated then was necessary, small items having been added to help the aesthetic, the layout neat and engaging. A fingerprint in everything in front of him, one he knew very well.

"Ah! Homura-chan, thank you. I always feel bad about leaving so much food uneaten."

Had he not been watching her carefully Minato was certain he would have missed the flash of victory in Homura's eyes before she lowered her gaze firmly to her food. Her reply was nevertheless delivered in the same composed tone as normal.

"I figured you must be having difficulty eating the full portions Musubi likes to make."

"Sorry, I guess my body just doesn't need as much energy to run."

'Wait that might have come out wrong.'

"Wait Minato, maybe we should feed you up...otherwise you...might not have enough stamina."

A lusty wink accompanied that comment from Haihane. The combination nearly made him drop his fork. He somehow avoided spilling his food and instead got it into his mouth. His first thought was that while if anything it was even more delicious. This was not Musubi's curry, or rather it had been changed a lot.

His curiosity got the better of him and he quickly took several more mouthfuls, chewing each one thoroughly to try to figure out the difference.

"Enjoying your meal Minato-kun?"

Swallowing carefully he turned his attention to Kazehana, letting himself drift into the conversation around the table. He kept some of his thoughts on the curry trying to analyse the flavour even as he made sure to speak to everyone of those around the table. He was relieved (and puzzled) by the lack of food being rammed down his throat, he had not expected such behaviour since Tsukiumi and Akitsu both hardly ever got to sit beside him for meals.

Yet the oddly refined behaviour continued throughout the meal, easy conversation flowing as the food was consumed leisurely.

'Yes, the meat has definitely been cooking in wine of some sort, a little much of it I can taste some alcohol still in it.'

However as he turned his attention to Kazehana he could only guess she was as used to cooking with alcohol as she was to drinking it. The amount not boiled off in the kitchen just enough to give a tiny kick to each bite. He did keep a careful eye on Haihane. Her tolerance for alcohol was beyond awful.

He continued to find hints in the meal as to the involvement of each and every one of his Sekirei, the most striking being when he noticed the shapes of the potatoes in the curry. A smile lighting his face as he did so.

Even in a curry he could tell the irregular shape of Tsukiumi's badly peeled work, few things tasted sweeter. Even more so when he noticed a smooth edge beside the jagged cuts. A brief thought of Musubi helping his stubborn Tsukiumi to peel potatoes making him smile.

He realised with a start that it was that which they felt, they should apologise more, they had come together, cooked, and even apologised because they were worried he was having problems with their bickering.

Well he was but not to that degree, things had gotten a little more heated between them lately and he had indeed chosen to exit the Inn to avoid such problems but to go so far...They had been so worried, so afraid they had displeased him. With how independent they were he easily forgot that some vestiges of the Ashikabi's power of them would remain for a long while yet. It wasn't fair to them, yet he could do nothing to stop it.

Nothing except this. He looked across the table. Meeting the eyes of all eight others at the table as he said, "The curry is lovely everyone, I'm glad everyone could work together on it."

Some part of Minato felt a twinge of satisfaction at it being everyone else surprised this time. He supposed they had meant to surprise him.

'I'd rather they knew that I cared, that I noticed. I do want them to get along but for themselves. Not for me.'

So it was that the rest of the meal came to be finished, happy words exchanged over good food. With that done and considering the lateness of the hour. They decided to go to bed as soon as the things had been cleared away. Minato making his way upstairs to wash up for bed. It took him less time so going first only made sense.

He brushing absently at his teeth, now it was time to go to bed he would be lying if a part of him -both literally and metaphorically- did not want to take up one of the girls on their constant offers. He was after all a twenty year old male virgin...

'Not right, not while they're still having reactions like that to such a minor thing.'

He was not going to use them to please himself on a whim, they meant far more to him then that. That decided, if indeed there was any true decision to make, he made his way to bed and grabbing a random, trashy book from his table made ready to read himself to sleep.

Kentaro was just about to unmask the fiendish Kaitou when there was a knock at the door. Slightly confused he got up and opened it.

To reveal a range of nightwear from lingerie (Kazehana and Matsu) to shifts (Tsukiumi, Musubi and Kusano), as well as some rather fluffy looking pyjamas (Homura and Haihane) and a sleep yukata with a very suspiciously loose knot (Akitsu). All of this was at his door being modelled by a range of perfectly, voluptuous forms...and Kusano.

'And I've been staring at them and, oh dear.'

Retreating as quickly as he could into his own room Minato found little solace. His Sekirei following him inside.

"We have a favour to ask of you Minato-sama."

"Something Musubi would be very happy if you would do for her."

"Maybe we could take care of your...problem in return?"

Sitting on his futon and taking care to angle his legs and gut tight to each other, the former drawn up to the latter. Minato noticed that much of Haihane's bandage's had been loosened and removed, she had also put her hair down. As had all of them. Something he had taken far too long to notice and he was staring again dammit!

"Mina-tan you can look all you want later but right now we need your answer."

"A-a-a-answer?"

"Yes Onii-chan, is it okay if we all do it together."

Oh gods no, no way. He refused to even think that for a good few years yet. His disturbed expression drew a sullen one from Kusano and amused ones from the others. His refusal cut off by Kazehana's finger on his lips.

"Mi-na-to-kun. We just want to sleep, with you my love."

'Oh...why am I so disappointed?'

"Is that okay...we can return to our rooms...if it bothers you too much."

"We just wished to show you that we too can hold back."

"Minato-sama doesn't have to worry about us like that."

"We should have tried to get along by ourselves sooner. I am sorry husband."

"...You don't have to try for me, any of you. It's me who is lucky to have you."

His serious words cut across the air, he continued before anyone could make of them another misunderstanding. "I just got lost trying to use the tunnels Matsu has. I was trying to leave but that doesn't mean I don't love you. And I would love nothing more then for you to sleep with me tonight."

He couldn't help but blush as he said the last of that, the words sounding...intimate. Fortunately several teasing comments broke the air. A mentioning of Akitsu's bed getting far too cold by herself drawing a comeback about her staying dressed if she was cold. And a comforting hand drawing her into Homura's side, Kusano hugging the lonely number's leg.

Minato smiled at the sight, and that of his other Sekirei as he helped them get this room ready to sleep all of them at once. The same faces, happy. Smiling. Exactly what he had not expected them to be if he stayed home tonight.

'Maybe it's me that needs to change, maybe I need to have a little more faith in them.'

"Let's go to bed."

.

.

.

Well it wasn't like it had ended happily and neatly just like that. Putting aside the obvious attempts of first Matsu, then Akitsu to seduce him anyway, there was a less expected such action by Tsukiumi...and Kusano, followed by her sulking at Minato's totally different reaction to the last one.

Even once things had settled down the question of who slept where remained. There were several arguments, one near fight, two tantrums, a tug of war utilising Minato as a rope and several passive (and not so passive) aggressive hints at Minato to get involved.

He didn't stop smiling for an instant.

No matter how much they worried him, how much they fought over him, how much they could make him feel he was having a full-on nervous breakdown. His life before them now seemed pale and grey. Like a black and white picture, good at the time but now outdated. This insane, terrifying life, this life with them. It was the best thing that had ever happened to him.

That night -held lovingly by eight incredible women- Minato slept more soundly they he ever had before.

Second Feather; Potatoes


Yes I know that it doesn't make much sense for them to fail to find him for an entire hour and half or so. I'm acknowledging it and handwaving it. You see, just waved my hand. No more problem.

This might not flow as well as the previous chapter, I apologise but it was very difficult to get out in places. I hope you enjoy it. Drop me a review with any comments you have...or don't. Your choice XD