IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE REWRITTEN CHAPTER 2 PLEASE GO BACK!
It was a pretty hasty of me to rewrite previous chap but I have to say I like how it turned out :)
I borrowed some character from other series such as Jormungand, Detective Conan and KHR
Second Flight: Spiral of Emotion
MBI Tower
Sahashi Takami was not a happy mother, in a way that words could not describe. She always knew Minato was a genius, he was always a bright child and she was grateful that Minato had none of his father's eccentricities. He was a genius that could blend in and socialize like any other functioning member of society, unlike a certain genius psychopath that stuck out like a sore thumb. Since the truth of their family was revealed, Minato tried his best to be the perfect ideal son she wanted. She was naive enough to just take her son's achievement to breeze pass junior and senior high school in such a short time for granted. Her son wanted to make her and Yukari happy and proud, but Minato became too secluded from his schoolmates. He was much younger than them and spend most of his time with his family. At least until a certain research idiot wound up to her son's life and took him by the storm. She was also to blame for not being hardened enough to deny Minato from the only teacher/father figure the young boy desperately needed back then.
Then again, she was up against Asama Takehito, someone she knew she would lose against before the match even started. Asama introduced her son to the wealth of knowledge she couldn't dream to offer to Minato, and more than anything he became the center of Minato's world. That was her first failure as a mother, she and Asama thought Minato was a talented prodigy who should grow to his fullest potential. They neglected the fact he was very much a child, and thought only to indulge him with knowledge and achievement.
In spite of his far than normal childhood Takami believed Minato was happy. Until she saw how much her son struggled to not break when his teacher and father figure passed away, and Minaka of all people let Asama died. The only reason Minato stayed in MBI back then just for the sake of sekirei his teacher left behind, a legacy he wanted to protect no matter what. She could do nothing but watch her son clung to that one purpose for the sake of his deceased teacher. And then he met 'her,' and for a short while Takami believed her son would be alright. But even 'she' was taken away from him, all he could do was holding her lifeless body as he cried.
Her son was falling apart, Takami knew that much.
In her desperation to keep her son from falling apart she let him go. She let him to stretch his wings to wherever he wanted. Until today, Takami didn't know if her decision to let her 15 year-old son to disappear for almost two years back then was the best decision she ever made or the worse she would come to regret. The son she saw came back to Shin Tokyo one year ago if anything puzzled him to no end, Minato came back as if nothing had happened. It was as if he had never disappeared at all, and he had became too foreign to her, to a point she doubted if this was still her son.
When she tried to ask what happened in the last two years, Minato just smiled at her. Takami didn't dare to hope more than a short answer such as 'wandering all over the world' or 'making discovery' or some sort.
"Someone offered the key of the world to me, and I made a bargain with that person to lend it to me."
He had grew up became an enigmatic persona, much to her ire. That kind of cryptic answer was something she would never expect coming from Minato, she wondered where he got that from. Asama and Minaka were genius but cryptic? They were anything but that, too cooped up in their own world to read between the lines or be bothered with it.
She was worried, but there was simply nothing could be said to reach out to her son. Desperation once again drove her to desperate measure, thankfully the bastard Minaka was very agreeable when it comes to make sure in Sekirei plan every novelty should be thrown in the mix. To other people it might be her way or MBI's way to put a leash on the only student of Asama Takehito. She could care less of what they thought.
With that in mind she finished the sixth cigarette and the last she had on the pack, staying up so late in the office must have addled her mind. "That stupid son of mine better be not up to something stupid." She growled murderously, typing furiously and abusing the poor keyboard in the process.
Minato's house
Minato shuddered on his sleep, he was sure he had turned on the air conditioner to warm the room so why did he feel chill ran through his spine? He was snapped out of his thought when he felt two warm bodies snuggled closer to his. He gazed to the left to see a girl dressed in loose kimono for sleeping had claimed his left arm, her hair was loose and tied on the end by a red ribbon. His right hand was claimed by a girl dressed in the same way as the first but her hair was brown, her grip was stronger to a point Minato thought she would accidentally rip it off if he tried to pull his hand off of her.
When his mother entrusted them to him, this was not in mind at all. He had heard Miyajima also raised the sekirei she adjusted, but he wondered if the senior scientist had to deal with this. He didn't mind them seeking comfort, but he didn't want them to be too depending on him.
He took a deep breath, "Musubi... Kaho." The supposedly sleeping girls tensed, "I know you guys are wide awake, what did I say about sneaking to my bed again?"
The brunette identified as Musubi opened her eyes, looking up at him with doe eyes. "Don't do it because it's... impro..."
"Improper?" Continued the girl on his left, both still latched on his arms and unwilling to let go anytime soon. "But Minato-sama... we're just." Kaho trailed off, she was always the more mature of the two but never hesitate to discard it when it comes to Minato.
Puppy eyes, a shame they used it too many times for him to fall for it. Then again since he worked as a bartender, the time he spent with them decreased. It was not like he was angry they sneaked in, but this shouldn't be a habit of theirs if he wanted them to at least more independent. "I am understand... only for today... " He sighed, "It's five AM now, so you guys can stay for two hours before you begin your morning routine."
They lighted up at the offer and hugged his arm tighter, Minato suppressed a wince for his right arm that Musubi claimed. Unlike Kaho, Musubi was a power type thus she had less control on her power until her adjustment is finished. Thankfully she had enough control to not rip it off, there was a small comfort in that.
"Minato-sama." Kaho began as Minato closed his eyes.
"Hm..." He hummed, a gesture to let her know that he was listening.
"What would you like for lunch?" Musubi on his right asked cheerfully. Minato would sleep past breakfast so the sekireis had learned to prepare lunch when it was his shift in bar.
Minato was sleepy but he could think a number of dish on top of his mind he craved in chilly winter. "Seafood Nabe with lots of clam..." He muttered sleepily.
"As you wish Minato-sama!" They chorused with glee.
2 Hours Later
They wake up right at six as usual, it was still a bit dark outside but it was enough to dimly light the room through gaps of the curtain. Musubi and Kaho looked at each other, then up to the sleeping boy between them. He was still sleeping peacefully, and he won't wake up anytime soon. Kaho was the first one who release her hold from Minato's left arm reluctantly, it was never easy for her. Musubi looked at her tearfully before followed her sister sekirei's example. They tiptoed from the bed to the door, careful to not make any sound on the way.
They started their morning routine with cleaning the house and their yard. Minato usually joined in, but if he was working at night Musubi and Kaho would do it without him. It was an easy chore since their house was small and in the end of winter there was not much snow to scoop out of the walk path. Their house had three bedroom, the master bedroom was Minato's simply because he had a lot of things he needed to be kept in privacy of his room; things Musubi and Kaho were taught to not touch without permission. They could have their own room but Musubi and Kaho preferred to share one room together, so the last bedroom was unused but kept in pristine condition. The living room was located next to dining room and kitchen, all were moderate in size since it was designed for a small family.
Their yard however was much bigger than the house and pretty bare, especially in winter. Underneath the snow actually was well kept green velvet of grass, with a couple of ginkgo trees on the side. They also had a shed that was half size of the house and located in the corner of their yard, it functioned as Minato's workspace and library. It was the only place aside from his room that Minato always cleaned personally, because there were too many delicate and dangerous pieces of equipment to be handled by amateurs.
It was seven thirty in the morning after they finished the first chore, they went to dress themselves then proceed to perform a warm-up routine for a light sparring session. By the end of it they were all sweaty and would have went straight to the bathroom if not for some crater they created on the ground. Musubi and Kaho knew they should be careful but it was just hard to keep their power in check while their adjustment had not been completed yet.
The thought of completed adjustment made them felt giddy and impatient. "Kaho-chan, when will our adjustments be finished again?" Musubi asked excitedly, skipping as they made their way back to the house.
Kaho giggled at Musubi, "In two months! In two months!" She chanted excitedly, while she was the more mature of the two she couldn't suppress the bubbling excitement of what came next after their adjustment was completed.
"Minato-sama... " Musubi sighed dreamily, as they walked through the corridor to the bathroom. "He'll really become our ashikabi!" She sang as she opened the door of the bathroom or rather tore it off of the frame, "Oops."
Kaho sweat-dropped at the sixth door that fell victim to Musubi for this month alone, "Musubi-chan... don't forget to fix that later after we take a bath." She reminded the close combat type sekirei.
Musubi laughed sheepishly as she let Kaho to go in first then she put the door back sloppily back for the time being, "Hai! I will fix it later!" Both of them had became very good in fixing because they had caused too much damage to the house. Minato sometimes joked that they could work as repairwoman already. It was a wonder how the house was still standing until today.
Izumo House
"Ara... "Miya put a hand to her mouth at the sight of wide awake Homura at 10 AM in the morning, very early for the host to wake up after his work. "You're so early today. What a surprise all my tenants, Matsu excluded become early riser..." She joked the last part.
Homura smiled at her, " Uzume went out again? She is visiting that special someone of hers again..." He muttered softly, " In my case... I just can't sleep, I am going to take a walk for a bit." He was already dressed in his normal clothes, a white shirt and black pants. It was still chilly outside so he also had a long black coat on.
The purple haired landlady narrowed her eyes, "I see... do you want breakfast first? It's a bit late but you shouldn't walk with empty stomach."
"... I will eat outside." He muttered softly, "Don't worry Miya, I will be back soon. I just need some fresh air."
The moment he was out of her sight, she glanced at the altar on the dining room. She closed her eyes, "If only... you are here Takehito-san."
Hiyamakai Hospital
"A sekirei keeps visiting one of our patients?"
"Yes, Higa-sama... " The secretary answered, "She has been seen sneaking around in various weird costumes and visiting Hidaka Chiho."
"Hm..." The man had light auburn hair and eyes in the same shade, he wore white suit and looked every bit of a young heir of a prestigious company. "Interesting. Which sekirei we're talking about, Kakizaki?"
Kakizaki cleared his throat, "Number 10, Uzume. Her weapon is a cloak and according to Kochou, number 10 is almost as strong as some single numbers... after all she is adjusted by Asama Takehito himself."
Higa smirked, "Interesting... observe her and Chiho Hidaka for now, and don't make any moves before I say so."
The secretary pushed his glass up, "Why don't we just capture and wing her to you Higa-sama?" He asked.
"The game just started and I don't want to risk losing my pawn so early in the game... beside the more attached that sekirei becomes to Hidaka-san, the easier for me to control her even if she is not mine..." He smirked, "There's more than one way to gain what you want."
Minato's house
Musubi and Kaho were in a pinch, at least they thought they were. When they were about to cook the seafood Nabe Minato requested they found that they had run out of Napa Cabbage, kombu, enoki mushrooms and carrots. They had to go shopping and fast before their tuner wake up. He usually would wake up around 1PM, it's two hours from now. It should more than enough time if he didn't wake up any earlier than one, the shopping district was a bit far from their house.
It should take them around thirty minutes to go and come back, and they hopefully had enough time to finish cooking before Minato wake up. Musubi and Kaho counted the time they had on their head, relieved they had enough time. They looked at each other determinedly, silently agreeing to the course of actions they planned.
The two sekireis rushed to the shopping district, hopping through the rooftops to their destination. Once the shopping district was in sight, they ducked to the small alley nearby so no civilian would see them. Their regular seafood shop was the nearest so they decided to go there first. It was easy to get kombu but much to their disappointment, the shop was run out of clam. They got the carrots they needed in grocery shop but the shop run out of Napa Cabbage. In this chilly weather everyone had the same idea for their meal so it was not odd for a lot of shop to run out of Nabe ingredients.
"So you don't have cabbage anymore?" Kaho asked with disappointment evident in her voice. The shop was the third one they tried.
The owner of the shop sighed, "I am sorry girls but we'd just run out, why don't you go to the big supermarket in Kotou Street? I am sure they have everything you need, a bit more expensive than our stuff though." The elderly woman added.
Musubi turned to the other sekirei, "Kaho-chan, let's try there then."
Kaho was reluctant to go somewhere they're not used to, but for Minato-sama's sake. "I guess... "
"By the way girls..." The shop owner called their attention, eyeing the two sekireis curiously. "Why did you go shopping in cosplay like that?"
The two sekireis froze the moment they realized what they were wearing. They hastily excused themselves and ran to the nearest alley much to the shopkeeper's confusion. They hopped to the rooftop, eyes darting wildly to their surrounding as they caught their breath. "Kaho-chan..." Musubi whimpered, "What should we do? We went outside in our sekirei outfit!"
Kaho hugged herself as if she could cover her shrine maiden clothes, "We should have notice." She muttered weakly.
Minato had warned them many times to never ever going downtown in their sekirei outfit when their adjustment hadn't finished. There was a reason why their house located near the border of Shin Tokyo, the least crowded area of the capital. Currently even though the game was still in baby stage, there were already two major power budding in the east and south side of Shin Tokyo. All sekirei usually had a crest of sekirei on the back of their outfit, a rule MBI established to avoid confusion among the participants of the game. While it was for a good cause, for unwinged sekirei sooner or later this rule would backfire. The info of forced winging sooner or later would leak to these power thirsty ashikabis, and it was extremely dangerous for any unwinged sekirei to walk in their territory.
Their house was located in Northern area, a relatively safe area but the shopping district was located near the border to the East. Minato wouldn't be pleased if he found out how reckless they were. Their tuner was always gentle and kind to them but he was also stern with rules he made for their safety. They had broke that rule, and went to venture very close to east area. In outfit that would reveal their nature no less.
"Kaho-chan..." Musubi called her worriedly, "Should we go back now?"
Kaho shook her head, "But the nabe..." She muttered, she didn't want to give up on making her tuner's request. "Let's go to supermarket that nice obaa-san told us! We will go back as soon as we can before Minato-sama wake up!"
The close combat sekirei titled her head to the side, contemplating Kaho's suggestion. "I guess it would be okay if we stick to crowded place..." Minato had told them sekirei should avoid crowded area whenever they were about to fight, sekirei plan was a secret and all participant should obey this first rule of the game. It should be relatively safe as long as they walked in crowded area.
The weapon user nodded, "We can take public transport too just to be safer!" She pulled up her cellphone from the pocket of her hakama, "I will look up where is Kotou supermarket, ah there it is!" She paled when she saw where the location displayed on the screen, "It's really close to east border Musubi-chan..."
"Would it be okay if we go there?" She asked nervously.
Kaho nodded weakly, "It should be, if we stick to the plan for public transportation and crowded place..." At least she hoped so.
Minato's house
Minato groaned on his sleep when he heard familiar beeping sound. If it was his cell phone he would be more than happy to ignore it. "Stupid time zone..." This was why he always got calls in odd hours. He grumbled as he rummaged the drawer of his bedside table, it was easy to find the black object the size of antique mobile phone with a large retractable antenna. While most iridium phone nowadays looked the same as normal cellphone, his still looked like the old one due to many features added on it to prevent tracking, spying and so on. He would rather bring the bulky object rather than risking safety anytime soon for aesthetic purpose.
Blearily he picked up the phone, "Hello?"
"Ah, Hello Hashi-chan!" The familiar sing song voice rang through the phone.
Minato almost fell from his bed at the shock, "Amada... Minami-hakase?"
"Aiyah... it's been a while!" Amada Minami said cheerfully.
His mind was still sleepy so he didn't really think properly of what to say in reply, "Uhm... yeah?"
"Have you invented anything interesting Hashi-chan? Anything for Marchen? Anything you make will sell like hotcakes!" Minami gushed out.
Minato took a deep breath, "Doctor Minami, I told you to not call me unless it's urgent." He muttered tiredly, "Please tell me you're not calling just for asking that."
The robotic scientist huffed, "You're so impatient Hashi-chan! Why do you and Shiho-chan always brush me off whenever I try to make a small talk? I am older than you two! Respect your elders!"
"Then act your..." Minato trailed off, almost falling to the familiar routine whenever the card 'I am older than you' came out. "Doctor Minami, please keep it short. What is it?" He stood up then walked out of his room, there was no way he could go back to sleep again.
There was an awkward silence prevailed after his direct question, and then he heard the scientist draw in a sucking breath. "Well... actually Hashi-chan..."
"Doctor Minami," Minato began, his feet lead him to the kitchen. "You're smoking now?" An awkward 'urk' answered his sudden question. Minami was used to be a heavy smoker, thankfully since one year ago she stopped but when she was stressed she went back to her old way to deal with the stress."What's going on?"
Kotou Supermarket
"You don't have clam?!" They chorused to the poor staff of supermarket who was in charge of seafood section.
The old clerk looked a bit flustered at the two beautiful girls who were looking at him with devastated teary eyes, he felt like a jerk to inform them their supermarket ran out of clam after a sale this morning. "Uhm yeah, we're having sale this morning... " They looked like they were ready to cry so the clerk hastily added, "The seafood market in the next block should have it!"
They beamed at him, "Really Sir?"
He nodded, "Yes, it's a pretty big seafood market so I am sure they have more stock than us."
Kaho looked up at him, "Uhm... then we will go there after we buy vegetable. Thank you very much for your kindness!" They bowed deep in gratitude.
"It's nothing girls... by the way what vegetable you need? We're having a sale in five minutes for vegetable too." He informed them helpfully.
"Cabbage..."
"Nabe huh?" He guessed, "Just the right food for this season." He nodded approvingly, "You guys better be hurry, the stock is limited!" He said then he excused himself after a younger clerk called him for an assistance.
Musubi and Kaho looked at each other with determination, "Musubi-chan, go get the cabbage and I will go to the next block to buy clam."
Musubi nodded in agreement, "Now it's 11:45, so we have around ten minutes to buy everything."
Kaho titled her head to the side, "As long as we get back before Minato-sama wake up, it should be fine!"
MBI Tower
"Doctor Miami?" Takami echoed, "Yes, I ever heard of her. Or rather... who haven't heard of her? One of the best scientist this country ever produced." She muttered with a scoff, offended that Minaka dared to ask something that counted as common knowledge for a scientist like them. "A robot specialist who work for Marchen, a German toy company. It's a pity some of her genius inventions is misused by military though..."
Minaka nodded with maniacal grin, "So true... she is one of few genius scientists I respected." Then a cloud of gloom suddenly hovered above him, "She refused my invitation to join MBI though."
Takami silently applauded her fellow female scientist, "Well... good for her."
"That's not the point!" Minaka pouted at her, "I am worried!" Sounds like music to her, the idiot Minaka was worried. She never knew he was capable of that. "You see... there are a few scientists who could be considered as Asama-kun's equal, if they belong to government I won't care much. " He sighed, "However there are four freelancers who may become a threat to Sekirei plan. Ironically they were all Japanese descents ha ha ha!"
"If they'd ever be interested in this mad game." Takami pointed out lazily. "The freelancers you're worried about? Who are they anyway?"
Minaka grinned at her, "The first one of course... Amada Minami, the robot specialist. She is better known as Doctor Miami. While she is in contract with Marchen, the toy company have next to nothing control over her... She currently lives in South Africa." Takami rolled her eyes, wondering why she couldn't move to remote country too. "Second is Miyano Shiho, also known as Doctor Sherry. She is a half Japanese-American, a well known pharmaceutical scientist. She live in LA and in contract with a number of major medical company but just like Doctor Miami, she has no solid ties." Minaka took a deep breath, "The third... is a robot specialist like Doctor Miami but he is better known as genius programmer, Irie Shouichi. His current residence is in Palermo. He worked for a private company there but like the other two, he is very much free to do as he pleases."
"And the fourth?" Takami urged him to continue.
Minaka scoffed, "No real name known, I only know he was moving a lot in the last few years, he is a Japanese and a bioengineering specialist, also a pretty good programmer. According to a rumor, he has a very bad personality though... he pissed off CIA too many times to count. CIA even assigned a nickname for him, Loki, the trickster god." Minaka laughed softly, "One time CIA's European branch chief managed to meet face to face with him, Loki dared to say this to the CIA guy. 'Do me a favor and drop dead already, you guys tail me a bit too much.' before stormed off and blew a small bomb, leaving the CIA agent covered in soot. P.O.O have been out for his blood since then."
Takami rolled her eyes, "Fascinating story... so what? Four geniuses you couldn't get your hands on, what threat they could impose to MBI or Sekirei plan anyway?"
Minaka sighed, "Each of them alone I have nothing to worry about, but since last year they have been in contact with each other." Minaka scoffed, "It's no secret they're up to something in a world scale, and if it would interfere this game in any way... I am afraid as the game master..." He trailed off with a grin.
He didn't finish that sentence because Takami had smacked the back of his head with her clipboard, "You! You're spying on them?! Have you lost your mind?!" Takami screeched, "All of them have connection with military forces around the world! The only reason military organization around the world ignored us is because whenever they tried meddling in the past they suffered too many damage! Can you imagine how they would react if they found out you're eyeing those four like a hawk?"
"So?"
"In the last few years they're convinced we're not going to invade anyone or anything. We leave them alone and they will do the same! Keeping an eye on those four prominent figures would bound to make them suspicious of us again! It's not about whether we can handle them or not!" Takami pointed out hotly, "Back then our base was an uncharted island in the middle of nowhere! Now we're in a CAPITAL city! A crowded city full of defenseless civilians!"
"That's bad..." He admitted thoughtfully.
"You just realized that NOW?! Have you no common sense?!" Okay, stupid question there. If he had any, he won't become the game master of this damn game. Why did she fall in love with this guy again?
Minato's house
"CIA bastard following me like annoying parasite, industrial spies are everywhere..." She listed on in bored tone.
Minato rolled his eyes, his free hand opened the fridge and took a bottle of soya milk. "I see..." Those were pretty common for the scientist of her caliber. Anyone who could invent toy that could be used as weapon guaranteed such attention to themselves. The world watching them to make sure the won't go mad scientist anytime soon, or so those intelligence agencies and military dogs claimed. There was a reason why two of three secretaries Miami hired were ex-soldier.
"Heh!"
"The usual stuff, what's the problem? Did one of your secretaries accidentally kill that annoying CIA guy who keep following us? His name is Kakashi... Scarecrow or something?" That pest had been the bane of their existence, following them like leech all over the world. "If they did, send them my thanks." He was never one to pray for someone's death, but there were a number of people he didn't mind dead for the good of the world. Minaka was on the top of the list.
"If it's Scarecrow-san you are talking about, Moko knocked him out with a frying pan. He is still very much alive though." She informed him gleefully. "We've sent him to the nearest hospital."
"A shame..." He droned. "Send him my condolences, but I still can't see what problem warranted this call." He reminded the older scientist.
"The problem is the two guys who were hiding in the same bush as Scarecrow-san was in when Moko caught them." Minato raised an eyebrow, a CIA agent hiding in a bush? Not to mention together with two guys? "You see, when Moko checked their belongings." He sighed, and then brought the tip of the bottle to his lips, taking his first sip. "I found an MBI staff card on them, care to explain why MBI is spying on me Hashi-can?" She asked in confused tone.
Minato choked on his drink, the milk went down the wrong pipe. "WHAT?!" He choked out.
"Oh! I also receive emails from the other two about the same situation..." She informed him helpfully.
Minato felt all his strength was being sapped at the news, he was in big trouble! SHIT! "Ah ha ha... Shouichi aside, Shiho-san must be pissed at me now? Isn't she?"
"You should see how colorful the language she used on her email." He had no wish to see it just to know the extend of how pissed his fellow scientist was at him for something he was not even involved in. Now he feared what he'd see when checking his inbox. "She wanted me to read it out loud to you, but it's too much for me. I think I would have to wash my mouth if I did, I never knew Shiho-chan to have such a wide array of curse words though and I think I didn't know at least forty percent of it before."
Minato groaned, "I am not even involved! MBI shouldn't even have any reason to bother with you guys!"
"I believe in you Hashi-chan." The robot specialist assured him, "But you know how Shiho-chan is with spies, so she lashed out to the closest person she could get to blame." The implication that Minato probably involved in someway indirectly was never aired, he had close ties with MBI and nothing he could do to deny that.
"Ugh...such bad timing, I asked her for a favor recently too... "He muttered in annoyance, "I really need her help so badly, what should I do if she won't help me?"
"Brush up your skills to butter her up?" The robot specialist suggested cheerfully.
Minato rolled his eyes, "Is that even possible?" He wondered out loud, "Anyway... I will try to speak with my mother and do something about this problem." Hopefully if he succeeded, the pharmaceutical scientist would agree to do that favor for him, "I will call her later."
She hummed approvingly, "I am counting on you then, Hashi-chan... "
Homura sighed as he swallowed the third bite of his sandwich, the food just couldn't go though his throat. Maybe the idea of looking for fresh air was not the best idea after all, he should spend it on bed. He looked to the side, sweat-dropping at the sight of seafood market across the road. Whose idea to built a cafe while across the street peoples were hanging dead fishes like laundry. Not to mention when wind was blowing in the wrong direction, the fishy smell reached all the way to the cafe.
His attention was drawn by a shrine maiden who went out of the small alley beside the cafe, "A sekirei?" It was easy to recognize his kin especially when MBI provided all of them with their crest sewn on the back. "What is she doing?" He wondered when the shrine maiden sekirei rushed straight to the seafood market across the street.
He watched her talking to the shopkeeper, nodding vigorously when the middle aged man pointed at a pile of clam on his stall. It was quite comical to see her so fidgety when the shopkeeper was putting her purchase on a bag and weighted it. Homura wondered why she was such in a hurry, cooking for her ashikabi perhaps? She looked ready to bolt the moment the shopkeeper handed her the purchase, shaking her head when the shopkeeper showed a big snapper and tried to strike a bargain. She bowed repeatedly before rushed back like a bullet to where she came from, leaving the dumbfounded shopkeeper.
The flame sekirei chuckled at the sight, "How cute..." Homura titled his head to the side and from the corner of his eyes he saw something reflecting the sunlight, he winced at the glare. His eyes widened when he saw two feminine figure on top of a building near the alley, one of them undoubtedly was holding a weapon. His eyes narrowed in suspicion when the two sekirei rushed to another rooftop, obviously following the first sekirei he saw to the alley. "I have a bad feeling about this." Homura muttered as he walked out of the terrace of the cafe and followed the two sekireis to the alley.
Minato's house
"Hm... Kaho and Musubi have been away for a while..." He muttered, curling up in the living room with a blanket wrapped on his body. "What's take them so long?" He had found a note stuck on the door of his bedroom, informing him that they went shopping for lunch. They have been away for more than one hour, or 73 minutes and 28 seconds to be exact. "Maybe I should call... "He trailed off as he flipped open his mobile phone, and then closed it again. "No no... I shouldn't be such a worrywart."
His mother was not amused when she watched him listing down rules to keep Musubi and Kaho safe, or when the four of them went shopping and Minato kept telling his sekirei to not go too far, don't walk on the side near the road of pedestrian walk, and so on. His mother scolded him for treating them like children and being overly overprotective. Minato had to admit his mother was right and since then vowed to let Musubi and Kaho to be more independent.
"No calling Musubi or Kaho, they can take care of themselves. They are fine on their own!" Or so he said to convince himself, he was snapped out of his thought when his mug of hot soya milk suddenly had a crack out of nowhere. "...Maybe I should keep my mouth shut." He narrowed his eyes at the crack, "Aah... I don't like this at all."
That time... it's also like this...
It didn't take long for Homura to catch up with the shrine maiden sekirei, just in time to witness the two sekireis jumped from the rooftop and blocking her way. The alley was dark and it was easy for Homura to be unseen behind stacked wooden box nearby. While he would help the lone sekirei in a heartbeat when needed, the flame sekirei was also curious of what the two wanted though it was obvious it was anything but good.
The two sekireis definitely older than the shrine maiden sekirei, both of them wearing skintight spandex that hugged their curvaceous body, revealing their cleavage, midriff and tights. The first was wearing purple and white,long black gloves and boots which were attached to leather straps that led to a belt placed high on her hips. A sekirei crest visible in white part of her top, right above her left chest. Her hair was dark with greenish sheen. She was also holding a red staff made of metal, which without doubt was the weapon that alerted Homura of their presence before. The second sekirei was as tall, her hair was the shortest in female sekirei Homura had ever seen. She was dressed in purple and yellow, long black thigh high boots and short black gloves.
Homura narrowed his reddish eyes at the two, "A weapon user type and close combat type." He guessed.
The shrine maiden sekirei looked startled at the two who blocked her way, but it didn't take long for her to compose herself. She straightened her posture, and looked at the two in the eye. "Good afternoon, pardon me but I am in a hurry so I would like you to let me pass." She requested in sternest tone she could muster, followed with a curt bow.
The two looked at her with amused smirk, "Well, good afternoon ojou-chan." They greeted her back, amused by her politeness to her would be attacker. "I am afraid we can't let you pass."
"Number eighteen, Ichiya," The short haired sekirei announced herself, "Number sixteen, Toyotama," the staff wielder added on, Their grin was feral as they eyed the shrine maiden like a predator would their prey.
"If you intend to challenge me to a sekirei battle, I am afraid... I can't accept it." Homura had to applaud the shrine maiden's insight to not reveal her name and number, doing so would be equal of accepting the challenge. "I have not gained my wings and thus ineligible to accept your challenge." She stated confidently, "There's no reason for you to keep me here. Once I gained my wings I shall accept your challenge honorably, as for now please let me pass."
Toyotama titled her head to the side, an amused smile visible on her lips. "And I am afraid you're mistaken ojou-chan, it's because you've not gained your wings we would like to keep you."
Ichiya continued, "Our master will be pleased to wing you... an ojou-chan with guts. He would like that..."
Homura thought it was about time for him to interfere but the shrine maiden said something that made him pause, "I see... it seems the information of 'forced winging' have been leaked." She muttered calmly, her eyes were unwavering as she eyed the two. The flame user noted that, the two also paused at the shrine maiden's calm response of their proposal. They're definitely not expecting it. "However... as far as I know, no sekirei and not even brain type could access this kind of information from MBI."
It was obvious all brain type sekireis would hack into MBI system, which was why MBI had an accessible database that only contained information that safe to be leaked, such as basic information of sekirei. However sensitive information like forced wingging, disciplinary squad and adjustment process were secured heavily in separated database. There was a possibility it was discovered if any power thirsty ashikabi tried, in fact MBI had expected them to find out. However at this point of time it was still too early, the number of released sekirei barely reach thirty percent of their population. Then again her tuner always said, MBI was still a company with human employee, no matter how infallible the company was the employes were very much human. It won't surprise him if the information leaked as long as they knew the right person they could force to spill.
"How your ashikabi could get his hands on such a thing?" She inquired, narrowing her brown orbs at the two.
They just smiled at that, "Well... " Toyorama began, "Our master has his way... "
Ichiya grinned as she continued, "Some people in MBI happen to have a skeleton or two in their closet."
"...I see, however you're not hesitant at all to tell me about your ashikabi's dirty work." Kaho pointed out skeptically, "Then again, have you no shame or pride to do this despicable thing?!"She asked, her voice grew hard. "As sekirei we're loyal to our ashikabi, but to guide them to ascension a sekirei should know what make their ashikabi worthy of such!"
"Well... ojou-chan, this conversation is intriguing and all... " Toyotama droned, titling her head to the side."But I am afraid playing time is over." She purred, the blade of her lance pointed at the shrine maiden who didn't even flinch at the blade that just inches from her face.
Ichiya stepped forward, feral grin painted on her lips. "Just come with us quietly sweety. Our master is waiting..."
Kaho took a deep breath, "So, there is no way out other than fighting..."
Her eyes narrowed and then without a word she dropped the bag of clams she was carrying. The two sekirei were distracted for a moment, their eyes widened when Kaho took a arm sized bundle she kept on her sleeve pocket. Toyotama was the first to react as she brought down her staff at Kaho who used the bundle as a shield. The staff pulled through the cloth, revealing a naginata with collapsible metal shaft. Kaho jumped backward as she unfolded the metal shaft of her naginata, revealing it's full length.
Toyotama, as a fellow weapon user sekirei, she couldn't help but grin, "Eh... interesting way to conceal your weapon, ojou-chan."
Kaho glared at the two sekirei. "I don't want to fight but if you insist I will defend myself!" There was no way she could win against two winged sekirei, and judging by their attitude so far Kaho had no delusion the two sekirei would hesitate to beat her senseless if that's what it takes to capture her for their master. All she could do was to find an opening and ran to nearest crowded area, that was her only chance.
"Well said!" Ichiya shouted then she jumped high to the air to land a kick Kaho blocked with the shaft of her naginata. The kick was heavy and pushed Kaho at least five feet away. "Good job blocking that ojou-chan."
"Kuh!"
"Then how about this?!" Toyotama brought down her staff upon Kaho, their weapon clashed but it was obvious who was the stronger one. Her eyes widened when Kaho shifted her hold on the naginata, Toyotama's staff slide down the length of the naginata and the power she put on her attack made her lost her balance for a moment. But that short moment was enough for Kaho to attack her open side, Toyotama hissed in pain. "You!"
Kaho was used to spar with Musubi, a close combat sekirei who was superior in power and speed against her. While Toyotama was largely like Musubi was in technique, Toyotama had a weapon she had to use with both of her hands, thus in close combat it was easier to attack her opening. "Your side is open." But her weapon was longer than Toyotama's; she had longer reach but in disadvantage if the older sekirei caught her in close range. The tactic she used just now would only work once. Kaho continued avoiding a direct clash of weapons with Toyotama, as direct contact would only result in her pushed away by brute force.
"Don't forget about me ojou-chan!" Ichiya reminded Kaho of her presence, once again a flying kick was thrown by the short haired sekirei at Kaho. The shrine maiden sekirei rolled to the side hastily, barely able to dodge the powerful kick. The clumsy dodge however cost her to lose her balance, she stumbled on her step. Kaho gritted her teeth, these sekirei really had no qualm ganging up on her.
Toyotama saw Kaho's stumble as a chance to attack, her staff raised to the air but before she could strike the younger sekirei a stream of fire burned a third portion of her staff. "What the..."
"Two against one, you don't have that much pride huh?" A male sekirei stepped out from the shadow, dressed in all black with a mask covering the bottom half of his face. "Then again if you had any, you won't pick on an unwinged in the first place." He muttered as he stepped forward, putting himself between the shrine maiden sekirei and her attackers.
Toyotama looked at her ruined weapon and scowled at the male, "Who are you?! How dare you do that to my staff!"
Homura snorted, a smirk was visible even with his covered face. "Following this lady's example, I'll give neither my number nor my name to you. "The flame sekirei declared, "This is a not sekirei fight as far as I concerned, but defending one of my kin from an unscrupulous ashikabi and his sekirei." On each of his fingers a ball of flame erupted. "Now leave us or else... "
Toyotama narrowed her eyes murderously at the newcomer, "Who do you think you are? Threatening us like that?!"
Ichiya observed the flame sekirei skeptically, "A single number?" She guessed, "An elemental type is rare but most of them belongs to single numbers and low numbers..."
The staff user turned to her partner, "What?!"
"Not to mention his fire is strong enough to destroy your weapon so easily..." Ichiya added with a scowl, "What do you want single number? Playing hero?"
Homura snorted, "I see you have a good head on your shoulder, I still won't give my number though... " He muttered dryly then he glanced to his left where Kaho was standing, staring at him wide eyedly. "Are you alright? Ojou-san?"
Kaho blinked, for a moment wondering why all sekireis she met today kept calling her ojou. "Uhm hai!" Then she stepped closer to her savior, "Thank you for your help..." She said, bowed deeply at her savior.
Homura nodded approvingly, "Save that until we get out of this." He advised before turned his attention back to the two sekirei. "If you leave now, I will let you go unhar..." Before Homura could finish his sentencem he moved from the spot he occupied a moment ago, dodging Toyotama's weapon with minimal movement. "No? Too bad." He scoffed, then a snake shaped fire slithered out from his fiery palm. "Jaen!"
"Ugh!" Toyotama hastily somersaulted back, in fear if what left of her weapon would be consumed by the fire. "Damn it! Ichiya! Get this guy! I will handle the girl!"
Ichiya easily agreed with the arrangement that at first glance seemed unfair, but a weapon user like Toyotama was in heavy disadvantage against sekirei that could destroy her weapon thus it fell on Ichiya to fight Homura. "Very well... by the way single number." She walked toward her opponent with feline elegance stalking their prey, have it been any weaker sekirei they would have been intimidated by her. "Information about you guys have been flying around this capital, about how you're stronger than average sekirei and so on... "
He had heard about that from Matsu, and also how Minaka purposely leaked the info to make the game more interesting. "But only number 05 Mutsu has been winged." She licked her lips. "You may be stronger than me, but my winged status may compensate for that..." Homura rolled his eyes inwardly, he couldn't really refute that logic. "Especially if you have to protect that ojou-chan. You will be another offering for our master..."
Homura narrowed his eyes, "How greedy, I would like to see you try..."
Kaho pointed her weapon at Toyotama, "I will not let myself be a burden." She declared boldly.
The two sekirei smirked, taking a few stack backward to distance themselves from Homura and Kaho, "You will regret this."
Kaho turned to her temporary partner in battle for a brief moment before turned back to their opponents, both duo were sizing each other. Kaho took a deep breath then whispered low enough just for Homura to hear her. "Anoo... if possible I would like us to look for opening to escape. This fight is pointless."
Homura couldn't help but smiled at her words, "My thought exactly, but it's not like these two would let us go easily." They had seen what the he and the naginata wielder were capable of, Homura could see the way these two eyeing them like a piece of premium meat. Even if they escape today Homura could guess the huntresses would go after them again and again, and probably wouldn't be just the two of them. It's just their rotten luck. For a moment Homura wondered if he should try to ask his bartender friend to... NO! He took a deep breath to clear his mind, he should concentrate on sekireis in front of him.
"Let's roll!" Ichiya roared as she charged toward Homura who blocked her kick with his arm. "Not bad." Ichiya spoke to soon. Fire wrapped her leg that came in contact with Homura, forcing her to jump backward. She swung her leg back and forth to put out the flame, scowling at Homura who threw a barrage of fireball to her direction. "Not easy to deal with they said?" She grumbled under her breath.
Homura had no intention to let Ichiya to catch her breath, a fire dragon flew from his right arm. "Enryuu!"
"Shit!" Ichiya cursed.
Kotou Supermarket
Musubi fidgeted, looking at the long que line to cashier. "Moo... !" She wailed, "Why the line is so long! Kaho-chan is waiting for me!" The close combat fighter couldn't tell why but she felt restless and if not for the long que line she would have jumped over to look for her sister sekirei.
The old lady behind her scowled, "Stop squirming young lady!" She scolded the brown haired sekirei, "It's unsightly to see a lady acted like that! You also dressed indecently!" She ranted on, "What kind of Japanese woman would cut hakama that short?!"
Musubi winced, "I am so sorry!" She wanted to go so badly, 'Kaho-chaaaan! Help me!'
Toyotama gritted her teeth as she saw how Ichiya fare against Homura from the corner of her eyes, her own fight was not going that smoothly either. Kaho was weaker and slower than her, but the naginata user had longer reach and knew how to deal with physically superior opponents like Toyotama. It was frustrating fighting against an efficient fighter like Kaho, she barely used any power when their weapon clashed and let Toyotama's staff to slide on her Naginata's shaft. Toyotama who had been winged unconsciously putting immense amount of power on each of her attack, easily misdirected and lost balance, creating a chance for Kaho to strike with her longer reach. The cut the shrine maiden made was shallow but repeatedly, while one or two was easy to ignore cuts all over her body was different matter. No matter how indifferent she could be to pain, there would be a halt in her movement because of it.
Kaho panted as the last clash led both she and Toyotama jumped backward to distance themselves from each other, it looked like she was winning but she knew it was just about time before she ran out of energy and collapsed. She couldn't afford to prolong the fight or it would be her lose. "Here I come!"
Homura in the other hand had the same problem, elemental type sekirei was superior in mid to long range battle but physically they were no match against close combat type like Ichiya. If the combat type sekirei chose to confront him directly, he could easily overpower her. However Ichiya was not foolish enough to confront Homura directly after the first taste of his fire. Ichiya was limping because the burn on her left leg but she was still capable enough to keep dodging Homura's attack. Had he been like other single number he would have no problem with Ichiya prolonging the fight, in the other word an endurance contest. He however had no luxury of recklessly using his power as he wished, he was already as unstable as it was with his body reacting to his would be ashikabi.
He was snapped out of his thought when Ichiya almost landed a solid kick to his face, he dodged but with a cut marred his skin. Thankfully his mask was still in place. Homura winced when a sharp pain and familiar burning sensation invaded his body, it seemed his body had decide to voice its protest for overuse of his power. Homura leaned against the brick wall of the alley, wincing when he saw the contact with his body left scorch mark on it. He was running out of time, and if he didn't finish this now...
Loud crash drew his attention to a fight that not too far from his. Homura's eyes widened when he saw the shrine maiden sekirei was on her knees, using her naginata to support her. She appeared to be mostly fine, only few cut on her clothes and bruise on visible skin of her arms. He had a few glance at how she fought, surprisingly managed to hold her ground against number sixteen. He cursed inwardly for forgetting her unwinged status, no matter how skilled she was the girl was still inferior than the winged one. The kind of tactic she used would bound to make her run out of energy.
Homura jumped to the left to avoid another flying kick from Ichiya, sending a barrage of fireball to two direction. Ichiya dodged the fireball that aimed to her direction, Toyotama who was aiming to strike Kaho was not as lucky as she lost another portion of her weapon. The flame sekirei placed himself in front of Kaho, glaring furiously at the two sekireis. "Get away from here! Now!" He shouted at her.
Kaho panted as she struggled to stand, "But I can't just..." She couldn't finish her sentence, her eyes were wide in fear. "Watch out!"
The flame sekirei didn't need her warning, he could tell the two were charging at him like a vicious predator. There was no way he would move from his spot and let the younger sekirei to take the brunt of the attack. Homura steeled himself, if self-immolation was inevitable he might as well do so for the sake of helping one of his kin and bringing these two down with him. "Honoo no Kabe!" He shouted, and a wall of fire erupted in front of him.
Ichiya and Toyotama stopped, the heat of the flame driving them away. Ichiya who had been fighting for some time with Homura wondered if it's just her or the flame felt hotter than before? She was snapped out of her thoughts when another barrage of fireballs attacked them. "Enryuu!" This time the attack didn't disappear the moment it missed them and burned the stack of wooden box behind them.
"What the hell are you..." Ichiya trailed off before she froze at the sight of Homura. The flame sekirei was obviously not alright, hunching instead of standing straight proudly like he always did. However Homura if anything looked no less dangerous, if anything he looked murderous to them. "Oi oi... you doesn't look too good single number-san." Ichiya was well aware of the fear that laced on her voice, her taunt didn't carry the same edge it usually did.
Toyotama who stood by her side gulped, "Oh my... this is bad." She stated the obvious, there was nothing more dangerous than a monster that ready to take its opponents down at the cost of its life.
Homura smirked underneath his mask, some part of his sleeves and pants had started to burn bit by bit. "Don't you know? Flame will burn its fiercest before it died down..." He said sardonically, "And that flame shall be your funeral! Enryuu!" A fire dragon twice the size of what they had seen before roared at them burning everything on its path. The two sekireis managed to escape it but a good portion of their clothes were burned, there was a second degree burn on Ichiya's left leg while Toyotama was forced to cut half of her hair or the fire would've burned her whole.
Ichiya was the first one to recover her wits, "It's a pity sekirei of flame... but I have no wish to be cremated here."
Toyotama scowled, "So do I... " She muttered, Ichiya limped to her side. The staff wielder discarded what left of her staff which just one third of its original length, with both of her arms free she supported her partner to stand. "This is not the last time you will see us!" They shouted as they jumped as high as they could and disappeared to the rooftop.
Homura wheezed as the last of his flame died down and he fell on his knees. It was a close call, if they decided to linger any longer he would have been completely lost control of his power. It took all his power to put down the fire, he almost injured the sekirei he wanted to protect too. "What a troublesome body..." He scowled angrily.
"Are you alright?!" Kaho asked worriedly, running to Homura to help him.
"Stay away!" Homura snapped, and the younger sekirei stopped one feet away from him. "My power is unstable..." He wheezed, "Don't... touch me, I can't... control my power..." He gasped out, struggling to lean himself against the nearest wall. His breath came in short pants, he fumbled to pull out his phone out of his pocket. Kaho watched him with worry. He pulled out his phone out of his pocket only to find it had melted because of the heat of his body.
Kaho gasped when she saw the concrete ground under Homura's palm started to melt, and smoke "Your flame!"
"Leave me be." Homura hissed, "It's dangerous for you to stay close to me..."
"Bu..but!" Kaho stammered in panic, how could he ask her to leave him? He was injured! "I won't..."
"KAHO-CHAAAN!"
A familiar voice came from above, startling Kaho but she quickly composed herself when she saw Musubi landed right by her side."Musubi-chan!"
"I have been looking for you!" Musubi chirped, she was about to say more but her attention was drawn by smoke Homura's body emitted, "Aah! This person... smoke! Fire!" Musubi stammered frantically, sensing Kaho's distress only made her panicked even more. "What happened Kaho-chan?!"
Kaho shook her head, "I don't know... but..."
RING RING
Kaho gasped when she felt phone on the pocket of her hakama rang, while it might be not the correct time to pick up a phone in front of a dying man Kaho didn't think twice to pick up the phone hastily. She was thankful she did the moment she heard who was calling her. "Kaho? You and Musubi have been away for almost an hour and a half, is everything alright? The tone was sheepish, obviously embarrassed of himself to give in to his protective urge in the end.
"Mi... nato-sa..." Kaho rasped out before she regained her bearing, "MINATO-SAMA! HELP!" She cried, tears streamed down her cheeks. "He is pain!" He is burning! Please help him Minato-sama!"
"Minato-sama!" Musubi cheered, "If it's Minato-sama, he can be saved!" She said to Homura who seemed ready to fall over, barely registering what the newcomer said to him.
"Ha? What?" Minato stammered to the phone, confusion was evident on his voice as he listened his sekirei frantic plead."Kaho, calm down. Who is burning? Where are you?"
Author Note:
Yes, Kaho is chosen as part of Minato's harem so congrats to ShadowUzumaki39 ^^/
The reason I choose her simply because it will lead to more drama, and backstory from her. I can see how Karasuba's ignorance of her lead to inferior complex even though she promised Yume the same thing as Musubi. ^^ I also can use the event of her saved by Homura in my own retelling.
Other candidate Uzume, Akitsu, Saki, Kuruse, Yashima, Shi, and Yomi. Some of them regretfully is out, Yomi and Shi in particular -.-; I am sorry but as implied in first chap Minato's sekireis are part of Sekirei Guardian Squad, and these two's personality just doesn't fit for this job. Yomi seems content to be with Mikogami from what I see so I can't imagine she is forcefully winged. Shi... while developing her to be a better person would be a challenge there's too little info about her for me to develop and in midst of other Sekirei of Minato she will be overlooked (by me) she is too much work DX
Saki and Kuruse are treading between yes and no since there's next to nothing about them other than short info I find in Wiki, means I can develop them myself but that's also... feel like inserting an OC DX
Uzume and Akitsu, I bet nobody will not welcome them :D so they're safe LOL
Yashima... still considering but even if she is not in I will promise her a better life than in canon. Shi could be given the same unless I am being cruel and let her to be winged by Higa again, or maybe she can be his morality pet?
Minato's past as implied in this chapter, at one point after he met Takehito he become part of MBI. More or less Takami in her musing implying the rough sketch of what happened when he was working with MBI. Minato is also a tuner, but this doesn't mean he know or ever meet other sekirei. In manga and anime it's implied tuning Sekirei is considered one big project. In Green girl episode Takami admit she has no idea what happened to Akitsu or how she escape because Takami is busy since she was in charge of Kusano.
In Minato's case it would be the same, Musubi and Kaho is his charge but he probably never meet or know the other personally. Timeline in sekirei is DAMN sketchy so I took privilege to create my own. What have been known so far is like this according to Minato's age.
Age 8: find out about Minaka
Age 10: His first meeting with Takehito and Miya, he has just graduated from junior high (skipping grades)
Age 11-15: Start working for MBI in the same time of starting colleague, majoring in bioengineering (which I presume is a relevant major for his work in MBI)
Age 15-17: Traveling all over the world, also kind of missing contact completely with his family and MBI. Activity unknown for now.
Age 17-Now: Back to Japan, work as bartender in the same club as Kagari. He is also tuner for Musubi and Kaho.
Imported Character:
Amada Minami/ Doctor Miami (Jormungand)
Miyano Shiho/ Haibara Ai/ Sherry (Detective Conan)
SHouichi Irie (KHR)