Like, half a year late… but on we goo.


A frozen heartpart 2

Matsu had started to worry. Her Ashikabi should have been home by now.

To be exact – considering the distance to and from her Ashikabi's work and his walking speed – he should have been home exactly 23 minutes ago. That number might sound oddly precise but this was what she did, what she specialized in. Of course she'd added potential distractions her Ashikabi might encounter on his way home, into her calculations.

He should have been home 22 minutes and 52 seconds ago.

As Matsu shifted her weight from where she sat in front of her many monitors she could feel a tiny ting of guilt in the tip of her stomach. She'd really screwed up, letting herself be the first Sekirei he winged. She originally intended for him to wing a few other Sekirei before she claimed him herself, but after getting in such close proximity to someone who she had been reacting to for the last two weeks, she just hadn't been able to contain herself.

Matsu was a powerful Sekirei. She could contribute great things to all kinds of confrontations, but that only applied if she had someone to fight for her, someone who could follow her directions as a tactician. If another hostile Sekirei decided to confront Shioon now, Matsu would have no power to protect him. She really should have made sure he winged others before her, because that would have been safer, and because she knew he would.

As an Ashikabi he was incredibly powerful. Using her many surveillance devices, Matsu had been the first to notice Shioon as he approached the small inn and at the time, she hadn't thought much of him. That was until he'd walked past her hidden room, after which her face had heated up like a furnace and her heart started beating like a steal drum. She, a single number, had reacted so strongly to someone who found himself at the other side of a wall. He would wing others, this she was sure of.

So for the last two weeks he stayed at the inn she would use her many spy-cameras to watch him. Find out what kind of person he was.

His background check showed next to nothing, or to be more precise, he didn't have a background to check. As far as the net was concerned, he didn't exist, so she had to gather whatever information she wanted herself through observation.

She noticed a few things which could be considered odd. He was good at hiding his behavior in the company of others, but he was constantly looking over his shoulder. His movements were slow and measured, like he was constantly expecting someone to jump out and attack him. This behavior had originally worried her but since it didn't seem to directly hinder his social abilities, she'd decided to drop it, at least until she could confront him about his behavior in person. Another thing she noticed was the way he would tense up in the presence of Miya. It was like he saw something when he looked at the landlady. Matsu didn't know what her Ashikabi saw but it was clear that something about Miya's very presence made him uncomfortable.

Matsu almost jumped out of her seat as she heard Izumo Inn's front door open and close. Finally! He was home.


The crisp, cold air bit into his skin as the wind blew past but he ignored it.

He was still holding onto Akitsu's hand as he led her through the streets, slowly guiding her towards the small inn.

Normally he'd probably feel awkward about holding a girls hand, and to be completely honest he actually was a little embarrassed, but letting go apparently wasn't an option. He tried once, assuming she'd follow on her own but instead she just stopped in the middle of the road. So he'd sighed before reaching for her hand again and then continuing puling her along behind him.

Occasionally he felt her eyes staring at the back of his head but when he turned around to meet her eyes she immediately turn her head down to stare at the ground. He could also swear he saw a small coloring of pink on her pale cheeks, every time she diverted her gaze. He tried striking up a conversation a few times but since she often answered with just a few syllables, having a normal conversation was easier said than done.


Swiftly standing up, Matsu immediately left through the hidden door and headed towards the inn's entrance, but then promptly stopped in her tracks. Shioon stood in the entrance, smiling at her. It was not Shioon she focused on however, but on the Sekirei that was standing behind him, expression calm and emotionless. Matsu recognized the new Sekirei immediately.

Formerly known as Sekirei number 07, Akitsu, now though she was nothing but one of MBI's failures. A failed product that was never meant to be released, nor be allowed a part in the game. Which could only mean one thing. Number 07 was currently taking orders directly from MBI. How else could she possibly have been allowed outside?

When Akitsu shifted as if to grab ahold of Shioon the hacker Sekirei tensed. Matsu knew the powerful corporation wouldn't leave her alone after she'd stolen the Jinki, but to think they'd sink so low as to specifically attack her Ashikabi. It didn't matter, Matsu wouldn't let them; wouldn't let this puppet of MBI even touch her Ashikabi.

What Matsu did next was not a decision founded on logic. Somewhere in the back of her head she knew she was no match for the enemy Sekirei – she couldn't stand up to any combat Sekirei in a direct fight – but it didn't matter. Her Ashikabi was in danger and she'd be damned if she let anything happen to him.

Whit an angry roar she flung herself over Shioon before aiming a kick towards the face of the opposing Sekirei. The kick never landed however as a thick block of ice spontaneously formed as a shield, blocking the attack. Matsu grunted in irritation, how could she have forgotten the broken number had the ability to manipulate ice? Kicking back towards the ice barrier, Matsu hurled herself away from the ice wielder, dragging Shioon along with her who let out a slight yelp at the sudden motion. Matsu's landing was clumsy as she almost fell back but managed to steady herself at the last moment, Shioon secured safely in her arms.

Flinging the boy behind her, out of harm's way, Matsu screamed. "You touch even a hair on his head I will…?!" Matsu's threat died on her lips as Akitsu appeared right in front of her nose. What? She hadn't even seen the ice wielder move. How was it possible for any being to travel so fast? Next came the strike, moving at incredible speeds towards the hacker's center. Matsu braced herself, there was no way she'd be able to repel an attack of this level, if she was lucky she'd walk away from the exchange with nothing more than a broken arm.

"Stop!" Matsu heard her Ashikabi scream in the background and although she appreciated his support, the outburst wouldn't make a difference. It wasn't like the broken number would stop just because Shioon told her to – just that she did, immediately retracting her fist right before it hit its mark. With a nod the Sekirei took a step back, the small coating of ice around her attacking-hand slowly dissolving into the air.

"Yes master." Came the immediate reply from the ice user.

Matsu frowned. Master? Had she heard that right?

"Master?" Shioon sounded just as bewildered. Matsu turned to Akitsu with the goal to question the ice user but once again felt her words die in her throat when she saw Akitsu's expression. It was by far the most complex emotion she'd seen on the face of the emotionless Sekirei. Fear, coupled with self-hatred.

Face turned down, her voice small and piteous, Akitsu whispered more than said. "Do you not want me?" Her voice was filled with self-loathing.

Shioon to must have recognized the devastation in the ice Sekirei's voice since he instantly started panicking by waving his hands above his head and shouting. "No, no, no! That's not what I… I mean… I wasn't sure…?" He sent Matsu a helpless, pleading look, as if to ask what he was supposed to say or do. Matsu raised her shoulders and shock her head, she was just as clueless.

"Ara, ara. What's this?" Matsu's hair suddenly stood on end as a frightening, yet at the same time far too familiar feeling washed over her. Shioon and Akitsu must have noticed the change in atmosphere as well as they both whirled towards the source of the new presence. "I believe I made it perfectly clear there would be no fighting in Izumo inn."

"Miya, whatever do you mean?" Matsu said while trying to sound inconspicuous. Then inwardly winced when she noticed the state of the inn's hallway. It seemed like the short skirmish between her and the other Sekirei had left more damage then she'd first realized. The shelf that kept their shoes from touching the floor had its front legs ripped off, a few of the floorboards had cracks in them, and the entire hallway was covered in a thin layer of ice. Uh, oh.

The smile that covered the landlady's face wasn't scary at all. No it most certainly wasn't. Yup, yup. "You are not trying to weasel your way out of this are you, Matsu?" Matsu didn't answer. She couldn't because the shape that had started forming behind the landlady truly petrified her. The pressure continued to build, oozing of the smiling landlady in waves.

Akitsu had changed position again, standing protectively in front of Shioon with a few dozen icicles floating above her head. Matsu could admit she was impressed. That Akitsu dared stand up to this kind of power even though she probably knew she was outclassed spoke well of her bravery. Obviously none of them where in any real danger, both Shioon and Matsu knew that although Miya could be damned scary she would never actually hurt any of them for real; but the ice Sekirei didn't know that.

The pressure vaulted when Miya's accusing eyes landed on the broken Sekirei – or to be more precise; on her forehead – and as Miya's eyes widened in outrage, Matsu actually thought the landlady would incapacitate the ice user, but instead the landlady's face lit up in understanding, her eyes turning from accusing to sympathetic. A second later the pressure vanished, along with the strange shape that'd started forming behind her.

"I think both of you need to talk." Miya directed her statement towards both Shioon and Matsu. "I will prepare tea." And with that said the pretty landlady swiftly turned around and walked back into the kitchen. Matsu turned to sneak a peek at Akitsu who had once again placed herself right behind Shioon, slightly to his right. By now it was obvious the emotionless Sekirei was not a threat, but that still begged the question why she was with Shioon in the first place, and why MBI had released her even though she couldn't be winged. Matsu creased her eyebrows. Maybe she'd escaped?

"Um… shall we?" Shioon looked questioningly at Matsu as he motioned towards the couch. Matsu nodded. They definitely needed to talk.

Shioon sat down in the middle of the couch, while Matsu sat down to his right. Akitsu followed Shioon to the couch but when he sat down she remained standing, looking at his left side with a questioning look on her face.

"Uh-um," The only male in the room creased his eyebrows as he questioned. "Would you like to sit down?"

Akitsu chanced a glance in Shioon's direction before quickly adverting her eyes. Then she nodded, but remained standing.

Matsu shifted next to her Ashikabi before explaining with a low voice. "I think she wants your permission."

"I don't think…" Shioon started to say but when he saw the look on the ice Sekirei's face he immediately quieted down. He then cleared his throat. "Please sit down?" It still sounded like a question but seemed to be enough as Akitsu slowly moved and sat down next to him. She didn't look at either of them, but instead focused her vision in her lap.

"So…?" Shioon started. "There is a lot of things I'd like to ask but let's start with, why did you attack each other?" The question was more directed at Matsu than Akitsu, which was lucky since it didn't look like the ice user was going to answer.

Matsu scratched her neck as she explained. "I am not in the best of relationships with MBI right now…" That was quite frankly a bit of an understatement but Shioon didn't need to know that. "Since she's a broken number I thought there was no way MBI would have released her, which was why I assumed she had been ordered specifically by MBI to get to me by harming you." Matsu lowered her voice as she narrowed her eyes. "Which leads me to ask, how and why are you here? MBI can't possibly have released you, so that leaves only two options. Either you're working with MBI, or you're on the run from them."

Akitsu didn't answer with the truth, but there was no malicious intent behind her lie. She had been promised much, yet given nothing – abounded and then discarded like an old shoe. Minaka had promised her freedom, the chance to be one of the first Sekirei to be winged, and in exchange all she needed to do was participate in a small and 'completely safe' – as Minaka had put it – experiment.

A single failure, a malfunction in the equipment, had then left her broken and miserable, ready to give up on life. Then, when she reached the very bottom, when she had given up all hope, he appeared out of nowhere. Shioon knew nothing of her situation, yet offered his hand, and she had accepted and followed. The facts still stood however, MBI was probably still looking for her, ready to capture and hide their failure. Would Shioon still want her if he knew she'd escaped from MBI? Would he still agree to let her remain at his side if he knew she was so damaged that MBI had never intended to release her? What if he thought she was dangerous? That that was the reason why MBI hadn't released her. Akitsu didn't want to lie, the thought of doing so sickened her, but she couldn't lose this opportunity, because if she did she would lose everything she had.

She didn't want to lie but she still did. "They did… they released me. They let me go…" She said quietly, still not looking anyone in the eyes.

Matsu could immediately tell it was a lie. The hacker Sekirei narrowed her eyes but kept her voice low as to not anger Miya. "There is no way in hell that's true. They wouldn't release a Sekirei which can't be winged. Did you approach Shioon because you wanted some kind of protection from MBI? Because you wanted to use him as a shield?"

At this admission the emotionless façade on Akitsu's face temporarily cracked and a multitude of emotions seeped out. Was that true? Was she putting the boy in danger with her very presence? She turned towards Shioon with a panicked yet at the same time pleading expression. "N-no… I didn't realize… that wasn't my intention." She spoke with lower volume than ever before, yet the quiver in her voice could easily be heard, as well as the pleading tone.

"I feel for you," Matsu began "but I just can't trust you without good reason. If you won't tell the truth then we can't trust you."

Akitsu's emotionless mask was now back in place, hiding her grief from the world. I guess I somehow knew this would be the end result. She thought. I don't understand why I ever thought…

"She can stay." Shioon cut into the conversation, completely ending Akitsu's train of thought while at the same time silencing Matsu. "I will speak to Miya about renting a second room," he turned to Akitsu, "but for now you can sleep in my room while I sleep here on the couch. Is that alright?" The question was directed towards Akitsu, but she didn't answer, she was too shocked.

Matsu on the other hand was quick to voice her worries. "Wh-what? Can we really trust her? She clearly lied about her relationship with MBI."

"And?"

"W-what do you mean 'and'? She lied." Matsu had now stepped in between Shioon and Akitsu, a weary look directed towards the ice user.

Shioon sighed as he clarified his reasoning. "If she doesn't want to explain her circumstances she doesn't have to. Plus, I trust her."

"Trust? How can you trust her so easily?"

"I… I'm not entirely sure. Guess I just do." Matsu noted there was an uncertainty in his eyes. When he turned to regard Akitsu however, all doubt just disappeared, replaced by determination. "I'm a good judge of character."

Turning to Akitsu he questioned. "You called me master before. Does that mean you want me to be your Ashikabi?"

Akitsu's nod was minuscule, could barely be seen, but it was a nod nonetheless.

"Well then." Shioon started as he turned to the ice Sekirei who was looking at him with wide eyes and bated breath, before extending his hand towards the stunned girl, a small smile on his lips. "Will you be my Sekirei?"


Matsu sat in her hidden room, quietly observing the sleeping frame of Shioon's newest Sekirei in one of her many monitors.

The ice Sekirei had been absolutely exhausted, as she'd fallen asleep almost immediately after hitting the pillow.

At the start she'd seemed slightly… anxious, but after Shioon assured her he would be there when she woke up she'd finally agreed to lay down on his bed.

Matsu could admit she might have been a little to hostile towards the other Sekirei, but she could hardly be blamed could she? The ice wielder held tremendous power after all, power Matsu couldn't hope to compete with; and the fact she couldn't be winged meant her allegiance was not assured, and could falter in a moment of weakness. If Akitsu turned against Shioon, Matsu wouldn't have the power to stop the ice Sekirei, which had become apparent after their brief bout in the hallway.

Then again, if looked on from a different perspective and assuming Akitsu could be trusted, Shioon now had a powerful new defender who probably only some of the stronger single numbers could beat. Matsu would keep a watchful eye on the ice wielder for sure but if the new inclusion meant Shioon would be better protected then Matsu could afford to trust the ice user.

The fact that she lied when asked about MBI was worrying though, Matsu would need to investigate further, see if she could find anything in MBI's personal database. Hacking into the server of the large conglomerate was risky, but far from impossible for the skilled hacker.

Still, Matsu could agree with Shioon's assessment that the ice wielder probably didn't have any hidden hostile intention towards either of them. She had, after all, been willing to stand up to Miya in order to protect the boy; that was impressive and showed enormous loyalty.

Although it probably should be noted that Shioon's trust in the ice wielder most likely stemmed less from this fact and more from the fact that Akitsu was a young and attractive woman, who was in dire need of help. Matsu sighed to herself as a small smile started spreading across her lips. He was a health young man after all, she couldn't blame him.

Matsu turned her head slightly, smile still on her lips, when the door to her hidden room suddenly opened, allowing entrance to said health young man. "I can see Akitsu-tan is finally asleep." Matsu said with a smile.

"Yeah…" Shioon mumbled before creasing his eyebrows as his eyes landed on the video screen. "I think I asked you to remove the cameras in my room." He sounded more exasperated than upset.

"Oh, yes you did."

"And?"

"Didn't want to." Matsu's voice was friendly but teasing. "Since you won't let me sleep next to you I need other methods of keeping an eye of you."

"Not that me forbidding you ever stopped you from creeping into my bed…" Shioon muttered. Since winging Matsu he'd woken up next to her a multitude of times, often with her legs wrapped around his from behind with a pair of large objects pressed against his back. Shioon couldn't help but blush when he recalled the memory. The first time he awoke next to her, he'd let out a loud and girly scream before half jumping-half falling out of bed. Matsu really wasn't good for his heart.

"So… what can I do for you?" Matsu then smiled impishly before pushing out her chest and spreading her legs suggestively. "Or perhaps you're here to do something to me~~"

Shioon momentarily faltered as he blushed but managed to regain focus when he adverted his eyes. "Uh… what? N-no… uhm…" he then then sighed as his whole body slumped "…I wanted to apologize. I made the choice to let Akitsu stay here on my own, even though my decision would obviously effect you as well."

Matsu sighed as she stood up, before making her way towards her Ashikabi. "Perhaps you were a little too quick to make your decision. But I can understand why you were so protective of her." She stopped just in front of Shioon, but still not so close that they touched. She probably knew Shioon would move back if their chests touched. "The broken number have obviously been through a lot. Your protective nature isn't something you'd have to apologize for."

"I wish you'd stop calling her that." Shioon muttered. After finally managing to put the ice wielder to bed, Shioon had asked Matsu what it meant to be a 'broken number'.

He hadn't liked the answer.

A failed experiment had left Akitsu's abilities unstable, resulting in her winging herself. She could no longer be winged by anyone. He didn't completely understand why that was a bad thing. If the winging ritual was a way for a Sekirei to release their full power, didn't that just mean Akitsu didn't need to rely on anyone else in order to use the full extent of her abilities?

Not that his opinion mattered though, only Akitsu's did. It was strange, and Shioon didn't understand why or how, but somehow he almost felt like he could sense the ice user's emotions.

When he looked at her he saw hopelessness, grief and torment, the emotions rooted so deep inside her that they'd become a part of her, like they represented her. And the worst part was that Akitsu actually believed it, she believed she was useless, that no one would ever want her, that her existence didn't matter. Shioon couldn't imagine what Akitsu must have been through in order reach such a low opinion of herself. It made him angry, it made his blood boil.

"Yeah… sorry. I will try not to call her that again. I guess I might have been a bit too hostile as well." Matsu explained. "Her presence means more security should an enemy Sekirei decide to attack, which is important since you haven't winged any battle oriented Sekirei yet."

"Yeah, guess you're ri…" Shioon stumbled on the sentence when Matsu's full statement settled in his head. "O-other Sekirei?"

"Well yes." Matsu looked oddly at him.

"Is it possible to wing more than one Sekirei?"

"Well… yes." Matsu started. "This Sekirei plan is a battle royal after all. Obviously the chances of winning would significantly increase if an Ashikabi winged more than one Sekirei. Not that all Ashikabi is capable of attracting multiple Sekirei, but you are a particularly powerful Ashikabi and will most likely wing more than one." She then added as an afterthought. "The only reason you haven't winged any other Sekirei is probably because you haven't encountered any."

"Oh… okay?" Shioon wasn't sure how he felt about that. Though it did prove a suspicion he'd previously had. Matsu's affection, the 'love' as she called it, probably didn't actually mean much. Matsu's explanation regarding what the winging ritual actually meant or entailed between the Sekirei and Ashikabi had been foggy and unclear, but as far as Shioon understood, the winging ritual or 'the bounding' as Matsu had called it, was essentially a way for Sekirei to reach their full potential and acquire power which were essentially sealed. A way for them to survive this so called game which Minaka had devised, and in a way, this was doubly true for Matsu.

Her physical proves while impressive, couldn't match that of a battle orientated Sekirei. Matsu needed protection, and in a way perhaps her Ashikabi – him in this case – could provide that. Nothing in the way of battle obviously, since the average (none murimin) human couldn't stand up to the powerful race, but instead by providing a safe home and someplace to fit in society. A safety net so to speak.

Matsu's affections for him were probably a type of defense mechanism, a way for her to improve the chances of survival in a game where the existence of an Ashikabi meant a huge difference. She wasn't trying to be deceitful, she probably did it subconsciously. Shioon shock his head and cleared his mind as he asked. "Does that mean I should be looking for other Sekirei?"

Matsu remained quiet a little while before answering carefully. "Well… not really. The Sekirei Plan is still just in the beginning stages which means only about… maybe around 40 % have been released. Sooner or later you're gonna run into other Sekirei." Matsu looked up as she tilted her head cutely. "Plus, I have to admit I do enjoy having you all to myself."

There it was again. That seductive smile accompanied by an enticing giggle. He did get hot behind the ears and his checks were probably a little red, but because Shioon knew she wasn't being serious he at least managed not to blush. He sighed before righting his posture slightly. "You don't have to do that you know."

Matsu sent him a questioning look. "Do what?"

"I know this so called game can't be easy for you. Constantly having to look over your shoulder for enemy Sekirei. But I'm not going anywhere so you don't have to continue doing… uhm… this." He gestured towards the hacker Sekirei.

Matsu creased her eyebrows as her smile became a little less full. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying I would never abandon you, so you don't have to pretend like you love me."

Shioon immediately knew he'd said something wrong when the smile instantly died on Matsu's lips, replaced by an angry scowl. It was not the reaction the young martial artist had expected. That's when she stood up; with such speed and force that Shioon had to take a step back, thinking she was gonna hit him.

She did the opposite. She kissed him.

Pure wings of light sprouted from her back. Not that Shioon paid them any attention as he was far more occupied by the lips soft as cotton and the tongue which pushed itself into his mouth, sending small shivers of pleasure down his body. Matsu was a damn good kisser. Shioon thought the kiss ended far too quickly as Matsu pulled back, face red and out of breath. They were still close enough to feel each other's breath, the tip of her chest toughing his.

Matsu's smile was back in place, teasing and mischievous but at the same time oh so content, which was why what she said next was so at odds with her current expression. "You say something like that again I'm gonna smack you." And with that admission Matsu turned on her heel as she exited her hidden room, hips swaying behind her, leaving a bewildered and confused Shioon in her wake.


Ha! Finally done… god this chapter was difficult to write. Had to rewrite it at least a dozen times. I just didn't know where I wanted it to go. Hope it came out alright.

Some more Akitsu as well. I really like her, so I hope I did her character justice. I just hope having Akitsu lie wasn't to OOC. As stated before, Akitsu will be winged, although not yet.

And yeah… Shioon is still damn dense but honestly, would Shioon really be Shioon if he didn't at least start out dense? He won't remain clueless forever however. His denseness is going to be an actual plot point.

Not sure when the next chapter will be released but hopefully it won't take another half year.