Waking up in a groggy state, John found that he was sore all-over, a black eye, a bruise over his left shoulder and his vision was a little blurry. "oh swell" he groaned.

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The Izumo inn was quiet as everyone sat at the table eating slowly, except for Ishi who hadn't even started. Placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder, Miya smiled, "I'm sure he's fine, go on eat". Shaking her head she replied, "he hasn't even called, do I mean so little to him?". This time it was Kagari that spoke up, "he cares too much about you, he probably just got caught up with finding a job". Raising an eyebrow Kazehana chuckled, "you noticed?, maybe your feminine side is getting the better of you", a blush quickly crossed his face, "you're one to talk, you practically hit him over the head with a club and dragged him off to your cave the other night". Before anything could happen a demonic visage appeared behind Miya's shoulder, "Violence is not permitted in the Inn".

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Glancing at the door John sighed, "5 bloody hours!, the waiting is worse than the beating!" he mumbled. His 'Cell' was actually a room in what he could only assume was a level of some high-class hotel, in which he was tied to a chair, oh yes very original, he thought. Reining in his annoyance he went over what he knew for at least the seventh time. He was knocked out by that blonde girl, taken by her, the grey-haired woman, the swordsman and that spoilt brat and then locked up in this room for what seemed an eternity and a half.

The door creaking open John noticed the Grey-haired peeking through, her expression saying that she was watching the zebra at the zoo she had already seen 100 times before. "Oh hey, I didn't realize this was a peepshow" he snorted, ignoring this she closed the door behind her and crossed the room. His eyes flicking to her forehead he noticed a Sekirei symbol, "you're different". Nodding in reply, "yes, it is because I am a scrap number, a Sekirei that cannot be winged", she said as if stating fact, with what he could have sworn was a hint of sadness. Before he knew it she was undoing his bonds, "won't your Ashikabi be pissed that you're trying to let me know!?!" he hissed, "I have no true contract with him, as I said I am a Scrap number". Standing up John suddenly became extremely aware that she was standing less than half an arm length in-front of him.

In what seemed a desperate look she gazed into his eyes, "please, I…" her voice breaking, "I must know", she said as she cupped his face in her hands. Looking into her eyes he nodded. Both leaning in their lips touched and wings of cold blue light sprouted from her back, her crest moving from her forehead to the back of her neck. A smiled gracing her lips she pulled back, "I Akitsu number 109 pledge myself to you now and forever, Ashikabi-sama ".

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Peeking around the corner, John found two Sekirei, the blonde one from before and another dressed in a Kimono that he didn't recognize. Quickly surveying the room he also found the exit, Dam!, he mentally swore.

Glancing at Akitsu, who's hand he was holding, he whispered, "this shouldn't be too hard, you freeze them and we make for the exit", turning back to the guards, "the only problem should be if..his name is Mutsu right?", his companion nodded, "if Mutsu shows up then we may not be able to get away". In what he assumed was ment to be a reassuring tone she replied, "if number 5 finds us I will be able to bide you enough time to get away". Tightening his grip he shook his head, "theres no way in hell I'm gonna let that happen!", quickly changing the subject he nodded towards the two Sekirei barring their way, "time to work your magic".

Slowly a mist worked it's way across the floor, noticing this Mitsuki shouted, "this is so not funny Aki…", before she could finish she and her companion were frozen solid. Grinning from ear to ear John patted Akitsu's shoulder, "good work Akitsu", if he had been watching her he would have seen a slight blush. As they slunk towards the exit another entered the scene, "so you've betrayed us Akitsu-san". Reconiseing the voice from when he was kidnapped, he cursed under his breath before he shouted, "Run!", he rushed through the exit. Freezing their tracks the steps before them began to crack and crumble, "Shit!" he swore as he pulled them into another door labeled 'floor 7'.

After another minute or two they found themselves in a large suite overlooking the northern part of the capital. Remembering something Ishi had mentioned the other night John turned to Akitsu, "hey you can jump really high right?", nodding in response, "yes, all Sekirei can". "Great!" he smiled, looking around the room he found a chair and picked it up, "that will make this easier". Smashing the window with said chair Mutsu broke through the wall, "finally got you!". Grabbing Akistu by the waist John smiled again, "no, not really", With that they leapt into the night.

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Watching the night sky Ishi sighed, "funny I though earth was your element", chuckled a slurred voice. Nearly jumping out of her skin she turned around, sure enough a slightly inebriated Kazehana was standing further up on the roof, "oh Kazehana-san, I didn't realize you were there". Sitting down herself she smirked, "waiting on your Ashikabi huh?", hanging her head Ishi mumbled, "yes".

Taking a swig of her Sake, Kazehana sighed, "it's a shame he seems like such a..nice young man", adding under her breath, "he isn't proving himself very well either".

Both Sekirei looking up as a faint and familiar voice rode the wind, "SSSSHHHHIIITTTTT!!!!" it screamed. Looking up they saw the outline of John and Akitsu descending and then eventually landing in the yard.

The instant he touched the ground he groaned and fell to his knees, "Master!" gasped Akitsu, "are you injured?". Nodding weakly he looked back up, "I'm…I'm fine, my heart hurts a little, that's all". Managing to get to his feet he was assailed by a certain concerned voice, "John-Sama, are you ok?, where were you?, did they do anything to you…", then her voice trailed off as she noticed Akitsu. Putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder, "its ok, this is Akitsu, she is my Sekirei now", not sure how to react Ishi nodded, "it's a pleasure to meet you Akitsu-San".

A tired smile on his face John turned towards the roof of the Inn, "Hello Kazehana-San". A surprised "Oh!", came from behind the top of the roof, "how did you know I was here?", she said as she came into view. Another smile crossed his face again, "I just have a feeling about you".