Well chapter three is up. Keeping with the seven day scheduled so far.
Of course I don't own Sekirei or anything of the like.
Please enjoy and review if you want to.
Beating Faster
Minato was halfway through his stance practice when the two women returned from shopping. Out back behind the boarding house in the space between the main house and the bathhouse he regularly let off some steam by working through it in this fashion. Normally his mother might join him in a spar when he got like this, but after she returned from the market she had hurried off to the kitchen to prepare dinner, even after he said he needed to speak to her. Minato was fairly certain he put the importance of what he needed to talk about into his tone, but she had insisted on getting the meal ready. Miya said that they could talk after if he still needed to.
After the two left to find something for Akitsu to wear he sat right there against the wall in his room for nearly an hour thinking it all over, everything he had been told, and how he understood it. There were still plenty of holes that didn't make any sense to him. Where did these Sekirei actually come from? How had he gotten mixed up in this battle royal between all of them? Most of all what bothered him was the imparting knowledge Matsu had left with him. Akitsu loved him.
Quickly he swung his practice Bokken in a wide sweeping arc low then brought it up after turning in a move to cleave an enemy that was not there. Back when he was just a child he remembered the first time he watched his mother go through this very practice. At the time it had looked like something of an enchanting dance and from the outside it still appeared so. Anyone that practiced the step with the serious nature that Minato and his mother did felt the history behind each move and how they had been employed in history. The way of the sword was about respect and responsibility. The act of going through all the stances just solidified that in one's mind, it had a very calming effect on the dark haired guy.
That was until he released the wooden sword with his left hand and slashed to his right using the remaining hand, the force of his body to carrying into a strike high only to fall low once more. Curling his toes Minato into the sand when he came to a stop finally he realized that he was not alone, someone had come out onto the back porch that ran the length of the house.
"We made it back Minato-chan!" Mastu said grinning ear to ear from under the baseball cap she always wore when leaving the boarding house, "I wish you wouldn't have stopped…you look very manly when you do that." She tried, but it was impossible to hide completely that perverted giggle of hers following the questionable comment.
He had to turn to see her since when he came to a stop the house was behind him, when he did his eyes widened. They had gone to that store, Minato darted his eyed towards the red head in silent question only getting that same smile in response. Did Akitsu suggest they shop there?
Under his appraising eye Akitsu stood a little taller it seemed she waited for him to say something, if anything about the way she was dressed. That was just the problem, it was traditional clothing, couldn't argue that. Still…she was wearing it so…distractingly. It was the piece he had seen her looking at early that morning, a pure white kimono with lightly tan autumn leaves swirling about in detail covering it. Out front the Obi was tied in such a way that the Sekirei couldn't possibly know the connotation of unless Matsu had told her, so she probably had, it was a solid black to offset the lighter shade of the fabric as a whole.
"I….you…," Minato tried without success to say exactly what he wanted to while he continued examining her look leaving the distracting bits for last.
Normally one wore a kimono in a more modest way, concealing near the entire upper torso, Akitsu was wearing hers open near to the shoulders exposing a good portion of porcelain skin. This showed for the first time what he had been trying to ignore since he had met the woman thinking he was just interested in helping her. It was the fact that she was a rare beauty. That and she had a very curvaceous form. The way the top of her kimono was tugged outward to her shoulders it should have fallen right off of her save for the Obi she wore, well the Obi and the chain. Right…the chain. Across her ample cleavage there was a length of finely crafted chain connected the each side of the kimono keeping it from falling all the way open. This was not some pretty jewelry chain, this was heavy, the kind of stuff in size you might use for some sort of construction job, and it had no real reason to be used as a fashion accessory. If that was not enough it was not the only length of chain she added to the ensemble.
Almost angrily Minato shot another look at Matsu, "Chains?"
Before she could answer though Akitsu spoke up, "Ah…" her quiet voice somehow drew both of their attention to where she was stroking the length that curled completely around her neck, leaving the two ends of the metal falling somewhere between her breasts hidden by the kimono, "I like them…"
"Yep, she was very adamant about going to this particular store near downtown…said you had promised to get her something from there?" Matsu questioned looking back over to the Ashikabi then back to the newly dressed Sekirei, "The chains are a bit odd, but when she started to put them on I of course encouraged her…I know your secret tastes from your mags," she said with a lowered tone there near the end.
Almost on reflex Minato lifted the wooden practice sword and leveled it right at the red heads throat speaking in a level un-impressed tone, "There are no such magazines in my room Matsu…"
"Oh?" she smirked placing a finger on the threatening length of wood so that she could inch it away, "I wouldn't be so sure…"
Inwardly he cursed and needed to remind himself to thoroughly check his room this evening to find where she had stashed the magazines this time. It was not the first time Matsu had hidden something elicit in his room in hopes to bring about his 'manly urges'.
"Do you not approve Ashikabi-sama?" Akitsu broke in stealing his attention once more. That expressionless look she wore gave nothing away as to how she was feeling, but he had been on enough dates believe it or not in his time not to be a complete idiot. Despite the lack of his interest in those sorts of things Matsu suggested he was into she did look rather good.
Minato lowered his practice sword back down his side and found him unable to meet his Sekirei's eyes when he finally praised her, "You…you look very beautiful in that Kimono Akitsu, and I trust you got clothes for other occasions as well?"
Those cold eyes of hers softened to something of warmth, if you could call it that with her and she nodded quickly, "Hai, Matsu helped with purchasing many sexy outfits."
Suddenly he was overcome with a real need to put his palm up and cover his face. The fact that he was more angry then frustrated was the only thing that kept him from doing that. Grumbling he turned.
"Matsu…are ANY…of these other outfits going to be at all reasonable?" he should have known that trusting her with such a task was going to end up like this in the end, "Please tell me she has other things to wear."
Matsu tucked her hands in behind her back and took a careful step back towards the door that led into the main house before answering, "But of course ASHI…kabi-sama….," something about the way she drew that word out was provocative, actually of course it was, "Though we did manage to get some boring things. I know how much of a stick in the mud you are after all."
Thankful he relaxed, "I will pay you back."
"More importantly, did you come to any understanding while we were away?"
That was the whole point he had not gone with her himself wasn't it? That he needed time to try and sort some of all this out, the fact that she loved him was at the center of that. Minato couldn't say that he loved her, that had already been decided, but there was something he did notice when Akitsu left. As soon as he realized that she was gone, really knew that she was outside of arms reach he had felt this sore feeling within himself, like a muscle that had been overused and it had bothered him. At the time he had put it off to stiffness from the morning antics, but the second he saw her standing there in that provocative kimono the feeling dissipated.
"I can't say that I love you yet Akitsu," he said plainly unable to overlook how her eyes fell after this reaffirmation. This hurt him to see, physically hurt him the feeling returning if only for that instant and caused him to close the distance between he and his Sekirei so that he was standing dangerously close. Still she kept her head down, her light hair shadowing her face until he guided her gaze back up assisted by a well placed couple fingers curled under her chin so she looked at him, "There is something here though…what it is I am not sure, I am not like you two, I am not a being of love like Matsu put it earlier. It will take me time to understand what is going on. Can you give me a bit more time Akitsu?"
Between them she lifted her hand and looked like she wanted to grip the front of his shirt. When she didn't Minato frowned and caught her hand placing it where she had been reaching, rewarded by the feeling of her digging those fingers into the fabric he wore, scraping somewhat against the skin below with her nails. It felt good giving him a chill.
"Ah…" she said unable to look away from his face this time even without his guiding hand, "Akitsu is not going anywhere Ashikabi-sama."
Right, that title. Minato tilted his head down and pressed his lips to her forehead where the mark that named her as a scrapped number used to be eliciting a shudder from the girl under his affections that was obvious only to the two involved, he really rather she cut back on calling him that though.
"Please call me Minato," he spoke softly continuing to ignore the look of pure pleasure Matsu was giving off at the sight of the both of them. Minato was fairly certain this was only going be fueling her fire.
Akitsu gave one of her minor nods and curled her lips into a small smile, she looked like she wanted to kiss him and he was inclined to the idea, that was until they were interrupted by his mother.
"Minato Asama…a word."
Behind Matsu his mother had appeared, at what point he couldn't be sure, she smiled pleasantly towards the three of them in her way that she was anything, but happy. Minato was just happy that Matsu was the closest.
With some luck they had not been struck down right there when found and instead it seemed his torturer of a mother wanted to lengthen his torment inviting them all in to the prepared dinner. It was a lavish meal, they always were right after his mother had first gone to the market then they dwindled to something simpler until she went again. Across the table from his normal place his mother knelt down with Matsu considering skipping the meal all together, this line of thought silenced after a smile from Miya. She sat beside his mother within the closest striking distance. Minato took his normal place at the table and reached for his chopsticks. Beside him Akitsu, dressed as she was fell to the spot beside him with a serious knit to her brow.
No one reached for any food.
"What do you have to say to me Minato," Miya challenged keeping her small knowing smile. This she really enjoyed, tormenting her boy.
His chopsticks were set back down and he opened his mouth to say something in response, but suddenly the light haired Sekirei beside him leaned over after setting her hands on the mat they were all resting on and took up a deep bow.
The other three had not been expecting this and only Miya spoke, as was the unwritten rule right now, "Oh my…"
This must have been what Akitsu had been waiting for because she spoke in a hurried voice, it might have been the quickest he had ever heard her get something out, "I am terribly sorry Miya-sama. You wished not to bring your son into Sekirei business. There was a promise made between the two of us and it has been broken. There is nothing I can say to make up for this discretion other than that I am terribly sorry."
Minato darted his eyes from the low bow Akitsu continue to hold to his mother across the table, which at the girl's words lifted a hand to cover her lips a small giggle escaping them. Akitsu must have not been expecting such a reaction because beside him the woman tensed more considerably at the act of lightheartedness. Her son had seen the action many times from his mother, it was a good sign. Hopeful to convey some sense of comfort Minato slid his hand closest to Akitsu across the matt until he could cover her knee with his fingers. Under the touch she shifted somewhat, he couldn't read what it meant, but he hoped that it helped.
"Tell me Minato, did you make a bond with this woman?" Miya asked with her hand still raised to cover a portion of her face, "I believe I stated that the act was impossible did I not? Still I get the impression that you have tried none the less."
His mind raced back to the seconds full of information that he had taken from his mother before rushing out the door to find her that very morning. Miya had stated plainly that it should be impossible for him to bond with the woman whom was humbly hoping for forgiveness or something close to it. She had seemed certain of this fact before, still…Minato was fairly sure that they had succeeded despite what she had told him.
"I…Have…" he tentatively responded wondering just what her response to this was going to be. If he remembered correctly and he knew he did because it was near all he had been thinking about for the past couple hours after they left to find something for his Sekirei to wear. This bond was very important to the race.
Miya dropped her hand and did something no one at the dinner table expected, she bowed just as low as Akitsu was and spoke in a warm welcoming tone, "Congratulations Akitsu-chan." When she was sure that the other woman was going to lean back up from her bow she did as well, but only then and smiled leaving her hands now placed one over the other in her lap keeping that practiced poise from her sword training, "Though I did expect this to happen."
Again the other three froze, just like they had when she found them out on the back porch a little while ago. Matsu didn't even try to catch her glasses when they slid off the end of her nose and bounced off the table top. Akitsu, only halfway out of her lowered bow froze and looked to her Ashikabi not understanding what his mother meant. All he could do was gawk at his mother easily the most confused of the three.
"Excuse me?" Matsu got out reaching for her glasses and to her credit she only missed grabbing the table instead twice, "You knew he would be able to wing her? She was a scrapped number!"
Beside him and under his fingers Minato felt Akitsu tremble, her expression unchanging, at the use of the title that had belonged to her for so long. He couldn't say anything about it right now so instead he just curled his fingers a bit where they gripped hoping to give her some hint of strength.
Miya hid her laugh again behind a raised hand taking in the look of shock on Matsu's face. "Are you really surprised my dear? He is my son after all." Those motherly eyes that had watched him grow up fell once more on Akitsu, whom she now considered part of the family even if Minato didn't know that much yet, then to her son giving a nod and a small smile, "I am proud of you Minato."
She was proud of him? His mother herself said that no human would be able to ever wing Akitsu, that she had been changed in hopes of making it possible for others to react to human DNA. After some consideration, something he was wondering after the moment he kissed the girl, now he was certain.
"You are a Sekieri," Minato stated making it clear this was not a question.
Across from him his mother reached for her cup of tea and took a lengthy sip hopeful that her son would not take this badly, "Hai…by now you know the Sekirei found aboard the ship are numbered. I am number Zero One."
This hit him like a ton of bricks, she didn't even try to deny it, "Zero One…are…are you even my real mother?"
He might have not meant it to hurt when he said it. Still his mother stilled her hand that was setting back down the cup of tea then admired him once more with her matching hazel eyes that Minato had always ignored the red mixed within.
"Of course you are my son and I love you very much, "she smiled with all the motherly warmth she could muster, "And I loved your father just the same. I see him in you every day."
His mother was an alien. Minato reached his freehand up and ran his fingers through those shaggy black locks of his. There was a real desire in him to get up and run from the room upon hearing this information, but he didn't. He didn't because Akitsu added her hand atop his own that was resting on her knee giving a soft squeeze attempting to repay his kindness of strength.
"Sorry…this is just a lot to take in all of a sudden…," Minato sighed looking down at the table. Realizing he wanted to ask something he shot his eyes up across the table to Matsu who he noticed was looking at him with the same expression she used when she was deep into one of her hacking projects, "Did you know about this?"
The red head parted her lips and glanced at his mother who only gave a small nod at her gaze, she did look back at him and give him his answer quick enough after that, "No Minato, I swear I didn't know anything about you being part…well…us? Frankly I am a little surprised it is not something I have dug up while hacking MBI over the past two years."
Miya reached for her cup again and sighed gently after taking another sip from it, "MBI does not know everything Matsu."
Beside her Minato's favorite tenant nodded hesitantly, "I…I am starting to understand that."
"So what does this all mean going forward?" Minato asked the whole table really for this answer.
His mother said what the other two were thinking, "You will have to make your mind up regarding the Sekirei plan that I am sure has been explained to you by now."
Minato didn't even have to think about his response.
"I want to protect them. The Sekirei shouldn't have to fight."
Akitsu leaned somewhat closer to her Sekirei at the stoic words and his mother reached for the kettle so that she could pour more tea. It was Matsu that had the only real reaction to this. She leaned forward and set her elbow on the table so that she could lay her head into her own palm watching him.
"That's a mighty fine thing to say Minato," she spoke wearing one of her mature smiles, "Still…just how are you going to go about doing that?"
That was the real problem wasn't it? Anyone could say a thing like he had just, but the act of doing was always the issue. MBI was a huge corporation, hell they were so mixed in with the government these days they practically ran the country itself. How could he do anything against a machine like that as an opponent? Minato was just a second year college student at Tokyo University, an average one at that, all he had under his belt were his kendo accomplishments and he doubted that the company was likely to bow down to a single guy with a wooden sword.
Regretfully he sighed, "I am not sure…" Minato hung his head seeing no direct approach to stop them right now.
Beside him Akitsu squeezed his hand again and with a serious expression shook her head looking at him, "No Ashikabi-sama you can do it."
It was cute, it really was, she wanted to cheer him up, but it simply couldn't be done.
"Thank you Akitsu…really…but its impossib-," he tried.
With sharpness to her voice she demanded he look at her with a hand at his cheek, "No, you do not get to say that word Minato-sama."
God, she was so adamant, she believed he could do something about the situation. She really did. Minato could see it in her icy blue eyes. Behind that look was a sure belief that he could do the impossible at least in her mind. Minato softened his depressed look he wore after Matsu called him out on his plan when he realized why she was acting like this. To her he could do the impossible, he had proved it once already.
Not sure why he felt the urge to do it, the warmth her hand brought the skin of his cheek demanded a return so he tilted his head enough so that he could graze the skin of her fingers with his lips in thanks. Minato did pull away after that though and Akitsu retrieved her hand turning back to the dinner table folding it away on her lap. Still neither one of them was giving up the touch they shared out of sight beneath the meal, nor was at least Minato willing to bring attention to it between the two of them.
"Now then the food is getting cold we can talk a bit more while we eat or it is all going to go to waste," Miya said watching the budding couples exchange with an interest.
They all reached for their chopsticks save for Akitsu who held off on eating just yet so that she could ask a question.
"If it is alright with you Asama-sama I would like to share your son's room," that deadpan voice of hers was back, the one that left little doubt that she was speaking the truth.
Did he hear someone calling for help? Minato was fairly certain that while she was asking this question he had heard someone asking for assistance promptly…say…twenty blocks away. He should probably leave to handle that.
"My, my...such manors asking the mother Akitsu-chan…," Miya said eating a bit of rice with a smile that was seemingly unaffected by the abrupt question her son had not known his Sekirei would want to ask.
Minato wanted to curl into a ball under the table to escape the wrath of his mother at this point. Damned be his pride.
She looked at her son out of the corner of her eye, never taking her eyes off the assertive 'girlfiend' and smiled at the way he was sweating bullets at the simple question, "Minato is your Ashikabi now I really think that is a question better left up to him. It is my house though isn't it…"she smiled lifting a hand up to rest a finger on her chin for a lengthy amount of time, "You may Akitsu."
Like it was an agreement to lend a book between the two of them Akitsu nodded and reached for her food, "Thank you."
What just happened? Minato couldn't read either of the women involved as to what had just been exchanged, but it felt like something important had just transpired again. If he looked shell shocked at the whole ordeal Matsu, the self-proclaimed information Sekirei, was trying not to lose her glasses again. They caught each other's looks and she shrugged giving a small nervous laugh sure like he was that some terrible beating or something of that nature was still to come.
Dinner was pretty stiff after that.
"Ashikabi-sama may I enter?"
Minato looked up from his laptop that he had been studying with for the better part of an hour. Akitsu had insisted that she help with the dishes after dinner was finished and his mother looked like she wanted to talk with the woman a bit more anyways so they two disappeared into the kitchen leaving him to get some actual work done. He got through three practice quizzes when he was finally left alone, but none of them had turned out promising. The university put on extra tutoring every other week at the main library and after the last failure on his last quiz he was considering going in for some tomorrow. It was not something he had ever done, gone in like one of the weaker students asking for help just did not sit right with him. Still, if he was going to past this econ test Monday he was going to need some help.
"Only if you call me by my normal name for once Akitsu," he said leaning back in his chair so that he could see the door where the voice had come from.
Just behind the traditional paper and wood door a shadow moved uncomfortably in her kneeling position and Akitsu tried again, "May I enter Minato?"
Not even an honorific, quite a jump for her, it just showed how much she was trying.
"Of course, come on in," he said with warmth in his voice pleased that she had finally called him by just his name.
Shadowed hands reached up and pulled the door open revealing a kneeling Akitsu sitting there on the other side; idly he wondered how long she kneeled there waiting to ask if she could enter. Akitsu rose and again Minato was reminded of the alluring dress she was in causing him to flush slightly. Minato forced his eyes back down to the laptop and sat forward in his chair. Out of the corner of his eye he watched her come to stand beside him, she looked like she wanted to say something after looking over and noticing that he had drug an extra futon from another room with bedding all set out for her. If anything she appeared to be disappointed at the kind gesture.
Instead of kneeling she clasp her hands together just behind her back and spoke softly the chains she wore making a gentle sound when she moved, "The hour is late Minato, will you be coming to bed soon?"
Late? Those hazel eyes checked the digital clock on his desk and he swore it had gotten pretty late. If he wanted to get to the library in time for one of the tutors to be available it meant he would have to get there very early. Inwardly he groaned and shut down the laptop along with the lamp there on his desktop and rounded so that he was facing her where she stood. It was dark now that he shut off that desk lamp, no other light in his room was on, but the curtains were drawn back from the two windows on the far side of his room and a considerable amount of moonlight gifted the space.
Carefully Minato looked at her eyes, only her eyes and smiled, "Yeah…I got to get up kind of early for tutoring at the University."
He got up from the chair and crossed the room over to where his futon was already and froze. Those eyes of his once again turned to look at Akitsu realizing that he normally slept in just his boxers. Minato had a handful of girlfriends growing up, but nothing ever serious. Certainly not, sleep in the same room as, serious anyways.
Awkwardly he made a little spinning gesture with his hand at her and asked, "Could you turn around I am going to get undressed for bed."
Akitsu looked confused, but slowly turned around. Once her back was turned he slipped out of his clothes down to his boxers, set the in his dirty clothes hamper then fell back onto his futon with a sigh pulling up the comforter to cover him. Looking over at the other futon he put out, a couple feet from his own, he blushed considerably happy it was dark in the room because it might not be noticed when he thought of the prospect of her sleeping beside him all night.
"May I turn back around now?" she asked still sounding confused as to why he had asked her to do it in the first place.
"Uh…"he stumbled, "Yeah sorry."
The ice Sekirei turned and found him already laying down covered in his futon, her eyes looked mildly disappointed at the sight, but the reaction did not spread to the rest of her expression. Without a word and under Minato's gaze at least for now she reached for the Obi at her waist and undid the tie there in the front. With little effort she worked it free so that it pooled around her. The kimono now unrestricted by the confining cloth belt hung open loosely exposing a good portion of her smooth skin below. It was dark, but the light from the windows illuminated her perfectly.
Almost instantly Minato turned his head away and rolled over to his side his back facing her where she stood, his face couldn't possibly get any more red at this point, "So…sorry…"
There was a silence and Minato wondered if she was going to get into bed at all because he had not heard her move to get into her own. Right when he was going to suggest that she do just that his roommate spoke up in a surprisingly sad tone, one that nearly mimicked the one she had when he found her on that rainy street that felt like months ago even though it had been a couple days. Akitsu sounded devastated.
"Yo….you do not li…Ahiskabi if I repulse you...?"
"It's not that!" Minato quickly responded hating more than anything that he drew this feeling out of her again, "Do not ever think that."
From somewhere behind him she was fighting back the same sort of tears he had seen once before, "But my Ashikabi will not look upon me…and after agreeing to share a room wishes to sleep apart." Akitsu did not seem sure that she was not being lied to for her own confidence. It would not have been the first time such a thing had been done for her.
Slowly, very slowly, Minato rolled back over on his futon so that he could see her. Akitsu stood just where she was when he turned away, with the kimono hanging loose on her form threatening to fall. Those eyes turned away looking off in some other place in the room when he tried to meet them, he would have to be blind to not see the pain there. This meant an awful lot to Akitsu. Minato kicked back the comforter that was covering him and he pushed himself up so that he could stand. Akitsu looked back his way after he moved to stand a few feet from her, but she didn't steal her eyes from their attentive look they shared with the floor.
"What can your Ashikabi do for you Akitsu?" what could he do to remove that saddened look of hers that he was enduring just as she was. It was the first time that he could remember using the title to describe him; honestly he was not terribly comfortable with it, but it had the desired effect.
Icy blue orbs took in his own full of question and sadness instantly after he used the tile. Those tender pink lips parted and she exhaled a breath she had been holding to give him a request, one from Sekirei to Ashikabi, "Admire me...?"
Minato didn't want to be distracted by the feeling of heat following into his cheeks so he didn't give the embarrassment the pleasure of looking away from the woman. Instead he nodded, not trusting his words not to betray him in stumble or to be misplaced right now. All he could do was watch her and he hoped that would be enough.
Under his gaze Akitsu moved to finish undressing, it was not an overly complicated task. All that needed to be done was a shift of the fabric covering the edges of her shoulders and the chain that covered her breasts connected across the kimono to be released. After that the fabric cascaded down across her body then pooled at her feet like the Obi had, she wore nothing under the garment. Almost hopeful that he would look upon her she lowered her head somewhat and turned her eyes to the floor between the two of them.
In the faint moonlight of the room her pale skin glowed almost like energy was coming off of it, or a fine mist. Minato started at her shapely shoulders and roamed his eyes down her body. Akitsu trembled like she could feel his eyes touching her when he took her in completely. Standing there bare before him in such a vulnerable way made Minato want to reach out and take hold of her, but he stilled his hand even though he was fairly certain she would have enjoyed the action. The chain around her neck she had not removed and now that he could see all of her the mystery of where it ended was revealed. Down between the alluring swell of her breasts the two lengths trailed across her taut stomach then flared out to either side around to her back where they met connected in the small of her back. It was one circular length of chain used to give off the appearance.
He had to ask, "Akitsu…why do you wear the chain even now?"
The ice Sekirei didn't look up from the floor her voice gaining some of the confidence it lost when he didn't look at her while she undressed, "It marks me as yours…It marks this one as your Sekirei. We all have the mark below our necks on our backs, but…Akitsu needed more. Akitsu is very happy and somewhat prideful to have an Ahsikabi finally. "
Coming from just about anyone else he knew that might have sounded a strange thing to do, from Akitsu though it made a lot of sense given her history. The fact that wearing it gave her a sense of pride she could show off made him swell with a sense of happiness for some reason that he couldn't explain. Was it because he was pleased that his Sekirei thought so highly of him? Or was it something else?
"Ah…" he teased her using one of her usual mannerisms to draw out his response, "I like it…"
Minato extended a hand, content to finally touch her, though carefully on the left hip with just the tips of his fingers. At least that is what he meant to do, but upon feeling his contact Akitsu stepped into the embrace and the whole of his hand slid across her skin while she gave off a contented murmur at the affectionate touch. Something so small seemed to mean the world to the girl.
"Minato-sama is not…disappointed with Akitsu?" she asked looking up at him from behind her lightly shaded bangs asking a question that certainly had no need to be asked.
Not responding with word, Minato kissed her. He lifted her chin with his free hand and pressed his lips to her own. Unlike before when she had sealed the contracted between the two of them there on the sidewalk it was he that was initiating this exchange. Akitsu' lips felt soft and she relented to his rougher treatment of them with another of those soft murmurs. Minato deepened the kiss taunting her to let him in with a flick of his tongue across her lower lip that was met with her own only a second later. The two of them embraced for the first time without a heavy implication hanging over their heads or any reason whatsoever other than a feeling of need to do so. Somewhere in the back of his mind Minato questioned his own sudden actions, but the taste Akitsu's lips and the feel of her body pressed against his own denied any threat of rational thought.
Gasping they parted, having to come up for air, the only reason Minato reluctantly let them part. Those eyes of hers were filled with happiness and warmth unable to look from him now. Unsure of why he couldn't contain it himself he looked back just the same. This was…unexplainable…how his feelings were advancing at such a rapid pace. Did it have something to do with the fact that he was part Sekirei? They certainly seemed to develop their emotional attachments at a startling pace.
Thankfully she didn't seem the least bit confused about how he felt for her. Gone was that look of sadness at his possible disappointment with her.
"W…We should get some rest," reaching for the comment had been hard with the lingering feel of her lips against his.
A hint of red clouded her cheeks and she finally looked away to the two futons laying a few feet away, "Hai."
Reluctantly Minato released the hold that had developed to a firm grip on her hip throughout the kiss and stepped from her. Kicking back some of the comforter that was messed about on his own futon he moved to lay down watching her head to the other to do the same.
"No," he said quickly then paused wondering why he had just after laying his head down on the pillow there, "…I mean…you don't have to sleep over there if you don't want to. There is plenty of room for two on my futon."
It was such a brash offer to make he surprised himself making it. After the way she had reacted to him looking away from her and the kiss they shared though he had not questioned making it. Akitsu was in the process of pulling back the comforter on her own futon when he spoke up. At first she looked confused when he stopped halfway through, but when he finished she gave a small nod. A flush that brightly colored her cheeks down to her collar bones flooded her features. Still, she carefully lay down beside him where he was stretched out on his back and scooted up to his side.
This was new territory for him, sharing a bed with a woman, but he was certain it was one of those things you couldn't really screw up even if you tried. Minato watched her lay her head down upon his chest and settle in a bit more snuggling up to his side their bare skin contacting in many places. It made him heat up considerably just at the implication, but Akitsu thankfully chilled him.
"Goodnight Ashikabi-sama…"she stated quietly unable to hide the sound of pleasure in her voice at the turn of events.
Minato blinked taken out of his running thoughts of her bare form pressed up beside him long enough to set his hand, with the arm curled under her, on her bare hip holding her close, "G..Goodnight Akitsu."
It was terribly early on a Sunday at the University and still there were people all about. There were some classes on what was usually a day off for most people, but the bulk of people gathering around the library were there for studying and some of the free tutoring that was put on today. Minato was just like the rest lingering waiting for the doors to be opened. He checked his watch after pushing up the sleeve of his sweat shirt and grimaced, six thirty, way too early for him to be up. Thankfully it had been so early he was able to carefully slip out from under Akitsu without waking her.
When the doors opened everyone started to file inside the library. Unlike most of the people there he guessed this was his first time coming, his mother always got onto him about not knowing when to ask for help. Inside the main entry way there were two tables set up with a couple volunteers behind each. Each student was to file into one of the two lines the tables represented and request to see if there was a tutor for their subject available. Minato hoped he had not come all the way down here for nothing.
Idly he got into the second line and adjusted his backpack strap while he waited. There were only two people in line until it was his turn, a lucky break. The guy in front of him was dressed in an expensive looking suit and right when Minato caught his eye he man reached for a ringing phone so he didn't have to give a greeting.
"Yes Mr. Higa?" the man spoke quietly into his cell phone, they were in a library after all.
This is why Minato didn't carry the things, waiting in line minding your own business and someone bothers you. More trouble than they were worth if you asked him. The guy eyed Minato and offered a small bow in apology for the sudden phone call and offered to let him past since it looked like he had to take that.
Offering a small bow in return to the gesture Minato stepped up to the table overhearing the man behind him apologizing for not being able to find someone. He stilled when he heard the word Sekirei thrown around, but he figured it would be better to keep his head down so he just gave the volunteer a smile and put his name down on the sheet.
The volunteer returned the kind smile and checked what he wrote down, "Ah. Econ…been there. You are going to want to be paired with Ko probably, not sure there is anything she does not know really."
"Yeah I could really use some help," Minato said embarrassed scratching the back of his neck trying to play it off without success.
"Right well you can use study room four, I will inform her and she should head over pretty quickly."
Minato gave a small bow in thanks and headed off. The man behind him finished his phone call and gave him a look, but it seemed there was not some large target on his back that painted him as an Ashikabi because the man didn't say anything. Still he hurriedly made it around the stacks of books to the required room and closed the door behind him.
There were several study rooms at the library like this, just a room with a table and four chairs set out. Some of them had a computer, but this one was without. Didn't really matter he had his laptop anyway. While he waited Minato sat his bag down and started digging his things out of it. By the time the door opened and his tutor started to come in Minato already had his laptop set up as well as some worksheets on the table was seated going through a mini quiz.
"Good morning Mr…" the woman eyed the sheet she was carrying for his name while she turned to close the door behind her, "Asama. I understand you need help wit…." Ko trailed off when she turned and saw him.
Kochou's hair was shoulder length and a grey that boarded on silver. She was not old, couldn't be more than two years older than Minato himself so it appeared to be colored. Like someone else he knew she wore a traditional purple dress without sleeves, a simple cloth belt keeping it closed around her. It had a high collar that covered the whole of her neck from view as well. Those grey green eyes apprised him with a mix of shock and surprise behind glasses that had a strap that went down around her neck so that she could remove them letting them hang. There was even a dot on her forehead looking like something a Buddhist might do, but the only thought Minato had that came to mind about her right away was that she looked just like what he pictured the Librarian looking like. That is if she didn't appear so young.
Confused by her halting speech Minato looked up from his quick quiz, "Something the matter? Sorry I don't know your name yet the guy up from just called you Ko." Realizing he should probably introduce himself he stood up from his chair, which was only proper, and gave a small bow, "I am Asama Minato, please take care of me."
Slowly the woman seemed to regain something of a string of thought and she pulled out her own chair giving a small bow in turn, "You can call me Kochou if you like."
Minato smiled at this and sat back down hitting the enter key for the final answer on the quiz that he had been working on, "Kochou-sama they said you might be able to help me with Econ?"
With a shaky hand she reached out and took one of the worksheets he had there and forced her eyes to look away from him. If it was something she was not familiar with she didn't say, instead she snuck a look over the sheet at him a fierce blush developing across her cheeks. Minato noticed this right when she came in. Right when she saw him her reaction had been dramatic, flushing red, losing her train of thought, and he didn't miss her looking anywhere but at him after the glance. It really looked like he was making her uncomfortable somehow.
"Ye…Of course I can," she stuttered clutching the worksheet far too firmly sure to tear into it at this point, "Asama was it?" Kochou asked moving around her chair so that she could come and look at the computer quiz he had been taking. At least that is what it looked like to him she was doing.
Looking over from the screen Minato made a mental note of how close she had just moved beside his chair, how could he not, she was stunning. Even with those librarian glasses of hers he said inwardly. Her hands…she had set them on the table one right next to one another gripping the side of it to the point that white showed in her knuckles.
"Kochou-sama are you alright?" he said glancing up at her face worriedly. Whoa, that flush had gotten a lot worse and her breathing was near ragged. Maybe she was sick? "If you are not feeling well please do not push yourself."
That expression didn't show strain from illness, it almost looked like she was torn over something. Quickly those hands that had been set on the table top rose and snatched him by the back of his head digging her fingers into his shaggy black hair. Before he could say anything Kochou leaned over and pressed her lips to his own. Like one time before Minato experienced a mix of electricity between him and another. It was not a feeling one forgot. Behind Kochou and just seen out of the corner of his eye Minato saw a pure white wing extend and curl again the walls of the small study room.
When Kochou relented on the kiss those wings tucked in around the both of them and helped to frame her tremendously overjoyed face.
"Kochou Sekirei numer twenty two. I will protect and be by your side forever."
She was a Sekirei! Alarm bells shot through his mind, but the lingering feel of her lips kept him silent.
Oh god, what was Akitsu going to say?
