A/N: Alright ladies and gentlmen, good news and bad news. Good news first. My surgeries are over. Bad news: Now I have to find a Job to pay for everything. Still, I'm feeling a bit better now. Really. Kinda. Sorta. I'm hanging tough though, having just come out of the woods...only to work my ass off as a bloody dishwasher! Not fun! Not fun at alll! UUUUUGH! I'm woking almost daily and I feel like crap, as to that effect. But nevertheless, despite this pesky little hiccup-I wanted to get word out any way I could, and since for some strange reason the site is being buggy, I wasnt able to work on this anywhere near as much as I would've liked. Still...
I love you guys so much! *Cries*
Now, this chapter might be a bit confusing consider I haven't updated in awhile. With good reason! My job has been beating the living hell out of my as of late! This was REALLY had to write with being tired from work; exhausting, actually. But I'm proud of it, and I hope you enjoy it as I finally get some rest.
On another note, I really enjoyed this chapter. It was funny as hell to write, and we get to delve deeper into Benitsubasa/Naruto's mind and see just what makes 'em tick. Hope ya'll enjoy it! As someone pointed out last chapter, this Naruto isn't entirely as normal as I've claimed. And you were correct, sir! Remember, how I mentioned his mother works at MBI? Lets just say, Naruto has a good reason not to like her. On another note, this is rated M now, folks! You'll soon see why...
Well...here ya go! =D Its a looooong one!
"Oh death, where is thy victory? Oh grave, where is thy sting?"
~?
Breathe
"FUCKING! APOLOGIZE! NOW!"
Naruto had to give Benitsubasa credit where it was due; she certainly did know how to lay down the law. In the short time that it had taken him to recover from that terrific impact and reclaim his bearings she'd already laid waste to her adversary in typical Red Sekirei fashion; hoisting the larger woman off the ground despite being a good six inches shorter than her opponent and soaking wet from head to toe. Whatever had happened while he was out, it had obviously been brutal. Who would've thought there were Sekirei in this inn?
Craters pockmarked the street-with the inn somehow being intact-a lampost having fallen, and by its dented state, it seemed as though it had been used as a battering ram. Or a club. He wasn't sure which worried him more; that Benitsubasa had flown into an apocalyptic rage the moment he'd been hurt-or that she'd done this much damage before finally having sated her lust for violence. The other woman was attractive in a way he supposed considering how beaten she looked, what with her blond hair, blue eyes and voluptuous body. Then again, big breasts really weren't really his thing. Besides...
He liked Beni's better.
"Tsukiumi-san!" a voice called from the yard, ripping him out of that fantasy. Naruto caught sight of a head of dark hair rushing past him, still difficult to see with his vision screwed up, but he knew an Ashikabi when he saw one. Terminating the boy's Sekirei probably wasn't the best way to ingratiate themselves to the inn's owner. No matter how much Benitsubasa might want to. He knew that's exactly what she would do if he left her to her own devices; the sound of a fist meeting flesh merely confirmed those fears. Benitusbasa was an absolute terror when she was angry; he wasn't even sure it was within his power to calm her down anymore.
"Ano...are you alright?"
Naruto flopped himself onto his back, cringing slightly at the way his body protestd. He didn't know what he was looking at. A shrine maiden? Another Sekirei? He wasn't sure. Well, at least this one wasn't attacking him like the other, at least. That made her alright in his book.
"Could you give me a hand?" he asked.
"Hai!"
"Whoa! Easy!"
She tugged him upright with one hand-despite the fact that he was just as tall as her, helping him to his feet with ease. That settled it. Definitely a Sekirei. If she was at all concerned for the plight of her friend, she did little to show it, though. Or was she really that naive? One could only wonder.
"You...You're stronger than ya look, aint'cha?"
"That's because I'm a Fist Type!"
"...Right." Like Benitsubasa, then. He'd have to remember that if they ever fought.
"Are you certain you're alright?" she was staring at his leg he realized the awkward way upon which he stood.
"Fine. Just...fine." Grunting, the blond propped himself up as best he could, trying not to put too much weight on his injured leg, and craned his head out towards the road. It wasn't easy. That water Sekirei's first blast had done more damage than he'd thought-just standing proved difficult. It was weak and sore, he doubted he could do much with it.
His voice was another story.
"Beni!"
"Naruto?!" the relief in her voice was so thick it was almost tangible, though he couldn't make out her expression from here. "Are you alright?!"
"Just fine!" His vision was beginning to clear now, he could clearly see that she had the other Sekirei in a stranglehold. But a terrible feeling was roiling in the pit of his stomach, a nauseating dread that something very, very, very bad was about to happen to his beloved Sekirei. Naruto couldn't explain it, only that he knew. "Quick! Drop her!"
Something certainly could be said for the strength of their bond; because Beni reacted instantly and without hesitation, releasing her beaten enemy to the street and backing away. Just in time too; scarce had she done so than a lance of water pierced the air, tearing open the left side of her cheek. Now, Naruto didn't consider himself very smart. But he knew what had just happened. If the pinkette had disobeyed him, and still held on to this "Tsukiumi" person in spite of his order, she would've bee gone. Had she not relinquished her hold on the blond, that hardened water would've pierced her throat. He would've lost her. Lost. Her.
Suddenly, it was Naruto who felt anger.
"What the hell was that?!" He was suddenly on his feet, moving despite his bad leg, interposing himself between Benitsubasa and Tsukiumi, wrenching the former away and out of harms way, grabbing her adversary before the blonde Sekirei could hope get another strike in on her personage. Just in time, too. He felt his jacket open-the hard leather parting as a blade of hardened water cut into his unprotected stomach and open another very much unwated rent in his body. Naruto hissed and doubled over in pain, eye eyes a thin rivulet of blood leaking down the back of his jeans. To his credit, he didn't let go of Tsukium's wrist. What was it with being attacked by the enemy these days?! That was twice now! If this continued he'd start to think himself a masochist! How did he get himself into these situations?!
"Fool!" the other sekirei admonished him, withdrawing her watery weapon-but not her arm-with a scowl. "Unhand me! This is a fight between Sekirei! Know your pla-
Naruto's left eye twitched. "Now!"
"PULVERIZER!"
The clenched knuckles of Benitusbasa's red, sparking fist shot over Naruto's shoulder and plowed into Tsukiumi's cheek with all the force of a tank; silencing that syllable. For a moment the ninth Sekirei simply stood in shock, baffled as her cheek bent inwards from the sudden strike. Then velocity took over wrenching her free of the boy's surprising grasp, bodily catapulating the well-endowed woman into the road within a devastating crack of gravel meeeting and greeting her skin. If it had been just that, she might've been able to get back up and continue the fight.
But momentum wasn't quite finished with her just yet. Nay, the water wielder found herself flying, powerless to stop her advance as she unwillingly-unwittingly-performed another bounce then another, and another and another still, skidding and slidding across the street until she slammed into the Maison Izumo with a splintering crunch. Ouch. Naruto very nearly cringed aside as he watched the veranda disintegrate under her harshly unexpected landing. Whomever owned that house wasn't going to be very happy when they saw that...
"Tsukiumi-san!"
There was that boy again, wailing piteously now as he struggled to dig his Sekirei out of the rubble. He almost felt sorry for him, offing his Sekirei like that. Naruto sighed and tried to stand-
Bad idea. Very bad idea.
Without warning, his leg buckled under his weight, nearly toppling him. Benitsubasa was suddenly there, grabbing him and leaping away to safety as the debris exploded in a deluge of water. Tsukiumi was still alive. And if that angry shriek was any indication, she wasn't very happy. Benitusbasa's own growl wasn't very encouraging, either. Gods, it was so easy to forget somtimes that she was a monster when it came to physical strength. He was pretty sure she could bench press a bus if she wanted to.
"Nrgh!" He cringed, his wound flared up as they landed.
"Naruto?!"
"I'm fine." he hissed, only gasping when his wound decided to betray him. How the hell had this happened? They'd gone looking for a place to stay and been drawn into another Sekirei battle. And once more he was injured. Again. His weakness infuriated him-his inability to be anything more than a shield for his Sekirei. He'd been able to beat that scum of an Ashikabi, but against someone like Tsukium, he simply couldn't hope to stack up. He hated that, being powerless while Benitusbasa did all the fighting. Oh sure he had a bat and some skill in martial arts but he'd already seen what little good that did against a Sekirei. No, he couldn't hope to stand up against somone like Tsukiumi and win the day. Naruto didn't like that.
Hated it.
"Snap out of it!" Beni jarred him out of his own self-loathing with her own words. His Sekirei was supporting him, helping him stand. Just like she always did.
"You need to be more careful, godamnit!" she admonished him teary-eyed. Her face was so close to his he could easily make out the pinkest of tints on her cheeks and just how wonferfully red those unnaturally colored orbs were. He could feel her breath rolling over his face, warm and soft, bringing with it the scent of peppermint.
"You're right." what the hell was he thinking, letting that get to him? Yes, he wanted to become stronger for her sake but not if it meant losing her. "Thanks. You snapped me out of my funk, there." He reached down, a hand ruffling her sakura-colored tresses with loving tenderness. "I'm really glad you're my Sekirei."
"Naruto-kun...
Really, he shouldn't have been surprised when Benistubasa decided to kiss him. Brilliant ruby red wings burst from her back, spreading across the street. Not a moment too soon; because it appeared that Tsukiumi had somehow dug herself out of the rubble and reclaimed her second wind, despite her Ashikabi's quailing protests.
"Impudent sow!" She swore, wiping a driblet of blood from her lips. "I'll kill thee! I'LL KILL THEE!"
Neither Ashikabi nor Sekirei heard her.
"I won't disappoint you this time," Benitsubasa whispered as stared into his eyes, whirling around to face her opponent. Impossibly those wings seemed to glow even brighter than before. They were larger too, violently stretching across the street. Abruptly they shrank, enfolding her a sinister scarlet aura, wreathing her in bower from head to toe. Thick cutlets of crimson lightning swarmed her body, veins standing on end just beneath her slender skin This was it, he realized. Her Norito. He'd never heard it before. Incredible power, the like of which he'd never seen.
"This is the-
She never got to finish.
Instead Benitsubasa gasped, her Norito sputtering and dying on her lips the power fleeing her before it could take effect. A wave of terrible dread settled over her shoulders like an invisible ocean, rooting them in place, preventing her from taking so much as another step forward. She found herself face to face not with Tsukiumi, but a dark eyed woman with redy eyes, her hair the color of lavender. Not much to look at, but one glance in those cold orbs inspired utter dread. And she wasn't even looking at her!
"Tsukiumi-san," the devil herself smiled benignly at the blond, "I'm almost certain I've told you violence is unacceptable in Maison Izumo." the watery woman seemed to collapse in upon herself, the will to fight literally leeching out of her body as she met that hellish stare.
"B-But Miya-dono-
"You attacked her Ashikabi first." the lavenderette replied politely. "Did you not expect her to retaliate?"
"The damages to the inn-
"Will come out of Sahashi-san's rent." the smile didn't fade in the slightest. "After all, this only happened because he failed to keep you under...control." There it was! Naruto and Benitsubasa quietly quailed when they saw the Hanya whisper into existence over her shoulder, its eyes and tongue writhing madly. It took everything they had not to faint outright,...and they weren't even the focus of that massive malice. What had Uzume been thinking, recommending this place to them?!
"WHAT?!" A wail from the black haired boy confirmed his identity.
"Is that a problem?"
"N-Not at all Miya-san...
Beni squeaked and hid behind Naruto.
"Don't let her hurt me!"
"Me?!"
"Please forgive Tsukiumi's reckless behavior," the woman continued, turning her glowing gaze upon them. "She can't control herself sometimes. Perhaps you should leave, before she slips again? I might not be here to control her next time."
Benitsubasa was all too happy to concede!
"Y-Yeah, maybe we should look somewhere else...
"Oi! Miya!" A familiar voice interjected before the pinkette could finish speaking. "Stop! Don't scare them off!" Uzume all but flew out of the inn in her haste to prevent them from leaving, her shoes digging great gouges into the roads. "These are the two I was telling you about! The ones who'll treat my Chiyo!" Just like that, the hanya dissapeared, Miyra was a harmless landlady once more. But Naruto and Beni weren't fooled, he knew full what he had just seen and so did she...it was like staring into the ninth circle of hell!
"Oh my," she apologized, "I had no idea you were looking for a room. If you're still interested, please come inside." Without another word she turned and walked away, all grace and lethal poise. Was that a sword she'd had in hand? Where the hell had that thing come from?! Naruto gulped, suddenly painfully aware of just how close they'd come to death.
"Damnit that was close," Uzume seemed to deflate in onto herself the moment Miya was out of earshot. "Sorry if she scared you guys-
"SCARED?!" Benitsubasa thrust herself between Naruto and the other Sekirei with an angry shriek. "She almost killed us! What the hell kinda place is this?!"
"Ehehehe," The brunette chuckled, "Its kind of a long story." Abruptly, her gaze softened, swiveling to Naruto. "Neh, Chiyo's in my room, and she's not doing so good without her treatments. So before you leave, could you at least...
Benitsubasa and Naruto exchanged a significant glance, contemplating. Temporary. The same thought seemed to flicker through their minds. Neither wanted to live overlong with a woman who could make a single digit quiver in her boots like that. Anyone who could so was someone to be feared and avoided at all cost. Honestly, it was times such as these that Benitsubasa regretted not mentioning MBI's little black card to Naruto. She had thought about doing so once or twice but that meant exposing them to MBI and that was something she wished to avoid at all costs. Beisides, Naruto seemed to genuinely love working and the idea of telling him he couldn't simply because she didn't like it was wounding, somehow.
In the end, pinkette and blond agreed.
"We'll stay." Naruto decided. "But only until Chiho-chan is better."
"And only 'till then, damnit!" Benitsubasa was quick to add, though she tried hard not to stare at those watermelons. Naruto noticed.
"Hey," he said softly, earning a look from his only Sekirei. He placed a hand on her head, ruffling her pink hair gently. "I get it. I'm glad you're still with me. You okay? No injuries or anything?" He saw her shrink down, trying to hide under his palm and conceal her flushing face. It didn't take her long to give up on that though and she instead moved closer to him, turning her head into his hand.
"Umm, are you okay?" she asked, looking up at him. Her eyes were big and bright, and filled with worry.
"Yeah." He smiled reassuringly, touching a hand to his tomach. "Just a scratch."
"You worried me."
"You worried me, baka." Naruto fired back, smiling. "Godamnit, you're always so reckless...but I guess that's what I love about you."
"I-Idiot! Don't say it in public!"
"Ho?" Her Ashikabi grinned foxily. "What's wrong with saying I looooove you?"
"Moh! C'mere!"
They shared a chaste kiss, her wings blossoming brilliantly once more in the muggy afternoon.
"Aw," Uzume cooed. "Aren't you two sweet?" Just the sight of them reminded her of what she missed with her Chiho. Hopefully all that was about to change soon. If Naruto could heal her Ashikabi, she wouldn't have to work with that bastard Higa ever again. She could be free. It was the promise of such freedom that had inspired her to bring Chiho here in the first place. MBI was absolutely out of the question after what she'd done to help Matsu and even then, she didn't trust them not to blackmail her, either. No...
...Naruto was her only option.
"Oh, that's adorable!" Kazehana swooned, earning baffled looks from everyone involved. "Aren't you two the cutest couple! I wish I had an Ashikabi that devoted! Or any, for that matter!"
"Indeed! Why aren't thou like that with me, Minato?!" Tsukiumi demanded of her own partner. "I am thy rightful wife, after all!"
"Musubi want's a kiss, too!"
"Ku, too!"
Just like that, the battle was forgotten as Minato's Sekirei had him in their sights.
"Heh?!"
In the end Naruto and Benitsubasa settled in rather swiftly, despite their own inherent fear of Miya.
Naruto didn't have that many belongings to begin with beyond his medical supplies, and she had even less on her personage. Just the as-of-yet unrevealed card and her outfit. That was it. In any case her Ashikabi was trued to his word, swiftly getting to work treating Chiyo-under Uzume's watchful eye-leaving her to wander the halls of Izumo and meet he fellow tenants, temporary though they might be. It was...difficult not to make a face at some, or lash out at others, despite knowing only Tsukiumi was responsible for wounding her precious person.
It grew even wors as time dragged on.
By twelve, her nerves were pulled like violin strings knobbed to their tightest. By one, the strings drew close to shearing; by one-thirty they began to snap. Taking a nap in her room killed at least five hours, but waking up alone to the sounds of Minato's Sekirei only reminded her of this god awful situation. She had to get away now; immediately; flee to some shadowy corner or even better punch something; maybe drag Naruto out of Uzume's room and screw him silly. Something. Anything, to relieve her stress.
She had to.
For her sake, if not that of Naruto's.
It hadn't been at all bad at first. That Kusano girl actually seemed kind of nice. Matsu was a little creepy, but a swift punch to the solar plexus had prevented anymore gropping. Musubi seemed...nice? Benitsubasa's temper did have a limit, but that limit had been obliterated by the simple-minded girl. She was nice. Weak as hell when compared to her, but still nice. In a naive, high hopes sort of way. The idea that she would be terminated by an enemy Sekirei someday-or worse, by herself-was almost sad. But even then, she'd been able to hold herself together, albeit barely.
Naruto would've applauded her for not punching someone's lights out, she thought. He was always swift to point out her good points. Yet another thing she loved about him...no matter what he gave her. Unbidden, she reached up to touch at her hair, fingering the daisy clips he'd bought her. One of them had broken during her battle with Tsukiumi, she could see a few stray strands of pink poking into her peripheals. But, even then, it was precious to her. This was her first gift. A sign of just how much her Ashikabi loved her. She almost shuddered to think of what would've happened to her had they never met...
"Ara, whatever's got you so down?"
Benitsubasa nearly swallowed her tongue when she saw Kazehana sitting out on the verranda. The buxom blackette was just ahead of her, cradling of bottle of sake to her bossom was though it were a long lost lover or something. It might very well be, the way she she deep-throating it. Even from here she could smell the stuff on her. Oddly enough the woman's face seemed a good deal more flushed than it should be; this was no act of over-indulgence at work, but if not that then...
No.
Stubbornly dismissing that terrible thought, the crimson terror folded her arms and glared bloody red daggers at the single-digit.
"Whaddya want?"
"My, so rude. Here, come sit." Kazehana smiled, patting the spot beside her. "I just wanted to talk."
"About?" The Red Sekirei's back shot ramrod straight.
"About that brilliant boy of yours." came the even reply. "He's very dedicated, isn't he?"
"He is." It took everything Benitsubasa had not to school herself into silence and not slug her for that remark. Naruto was beyond dedicated. That word didn't even begin to scratch the surface. She could launch into an hour long speech and even then she still wouldn't be able to describe her feelings for him, or her to hers. Eventually she relented and took a seat beside the sake swindler. Wow. Even at this distance, she could feel the heat radiating off her body; she was like a human furnace. It had nothing to do with the sake. A niggling doubt pushed at the back of her mind, but the pinkette stubbornly ignored it.
"Thirsty?" Kazehana offered her the bottle. For a moment, Benitsubasa considered refusing. Then her anger got the better of her.
"Gimme that!"
She snatched the bottle out of those pale hands and took a long draught...and immediately regretted it. The sake was strong, her eyes watering, the liquid burning her throat and threatening to come racing back up her throat even as she swallowed. What was this, pure alchohol or something?!
"Guh...what is this stuff?!"
"Why, sake of course." Kazehana smiled benignly.
"It tastes...awful!"
All she got to that was a shrug.
They sat there in silence, the quiet only broken by the sounds of Minato's Sekire somewhere deeper within the inn.
"Your Ashikabi's very loving." The blackette said at last. "Are you his only Sekirei?"
"Of course!" Benitsubasa snapped, flushing and glowering all at once. "I'm the only one he needs!"
"Really?" Kazehana titled her head, genuinely baffled. "I would've thought he'd have more by now...
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?!"
Her senpai simply stole another sip of sake. A forlorn wind seemed to stir between them, tugging at their hair.
"Oh, nothing...
Beni wasn't sure what to make of this woman. She certainly wasn't one of Minato's Sekirei that much was certain but that didn't make her feel relieved. If anything, it only put her even further on edge. She'd seeen the way Naruto had gawped at her earlier. It had only been for an instant, bu,t she had seen. And so had Kazehana. Whatever girly game she was playing her, Benitsubasa wanted no part of it. But was she even playing at all? What if she was entirely serious? If she was truly reacting to Na-
"Careful you don't lose him." Abruptly the wind-wielder rose, severing that thought with a single smile. "I'd hate to see a love so pure be cut short." Before Benitsubasa could reply, she was gone in a swirl of wind. Grrr, that no good hussy!
That settled it! Benitsubasa did not like the way Kazehana was making eyes at her man. Her Ashikabi! She'd descended into something of funk before when she'd caught the windy woman staring at her destined one but now, with that admission, her feelings of dread only worsened. Yes, she knew that it was perfectly reasonable for Kazehana to be reacting, but the very thought of sharing him with someone so well-endowed was not pleasant. It...hurt. More than she had any right to. More than that niggling annoyances; just the thought of being compared to someone like that, was enough to invoke old insecurities and make her start second guessing herself all over again.
Kazehana had it all; charm, wit, and a body to match both. Her skin was the color of cream, the perfect blend between pale and tan. Her lips, those hips...she had everything Benitsubasa didn't, power she could never hope to wield. Being a single digit certainly helped her case. And then there was her power over the wind; she could end an adversary before they could even get close. Benitsubasa... only had her fists. Time and time again those fists had been enough, but twice now they'd failed to prevent her Ashikabi from being injured.
To make matters worse, Sahashi Minato-the fool!-had to walk up and introduce himself and worsen her mood. It took everything she had not to snap his neck.
"Ah, I know we got off on the wrong foot," he said, meekly extending a hand, "but I just wanted to thank you for not terminating..."
"Touch me and you start losing limbs," Benitsubasa warned in a low monotone.
The poor boy jerked his arm back as if he'd been scalded.
"U-Um...
A muscle jumped in Benitsubasa's jaw.
Somewhere in the back of her mind Benitsubasa knew the boy wasn't truly at fault for the injuries her Ashikabi had suffered. Junichi was to blame for the first injury and Tsukiumi the second. Minato wasn't to blame for either of their actions. He was, however, unable to control his Sekirei and if not for her timely intevention, Naruto might've suffered a great deal more than a flesh wound. That was utterly unforgiveable. If he was going to wing four Sekirei, then he should be able to control them! But instead he let his girls run rampant, with no control over them! And because of that Naruto had almost...almost...
"A-Alright, I understand that you're not happy-
"HAPPY?!" That did it; Benitsubasa's emotions, the strings that had been snapping for the last half hour, exploded! "Your stupid bitch hurt my Ashikabi! And now...now...I'm in the same building as her! OF COURSE I'M NOT HAPPY, YOU FUCKING JACKASS! I'M FUCKING PISSED OFF! AND ITS ALL YOUR FUCKING FAULT!"
Poor Minato looked like he was going to wet himself in that instant.
"I...ah...that is to say...
"Oi oi oi, what's all the screaming for? Am I missing something here?"
Naruto was suddenly there, striding toward her down the hall, a towel slung over his shoulder. He looked a good deal more relaxed since she had seen him last -and he was no longer limping- but that easygoing visage evaporated the moment he saw the hurt look on Minato's face, the hot sparks of anger dancing in his girl's eyes.
"Where were you?" Benitsubasa frowned.
"Bathouse." he replied, effortlessly deflecting her attempt at evasion with a strained smile. "Don't give me that look. Its been a long day, and I need one. Now, what did you do to this poor kid?" Benistusbasa didn't try to reply, she was suddenly assaulted with a mental image through their bond. Theirs was an unusual one, sometimes she could feel what he was feeling or in rarer cases, see what he had seen. That was happening to her at this very instant, and what she saw hit her with all the force of a typhoon; made her blood run cold.
"Ara, Naruto-kun, whatever are you doing out here?" she saw Miya through his eyes, and nearly quailed at the sight. Apparently he'd gone more than just bathe since tending to Chiyo. She couldn't see anything beyond what he saw, but she could feel his emotions; concern, worry and very real fear.
"Looking for you, actually...Miya-dono."
"Oh my," she replied, touching a hand to her cheek. "Whatever would you want with an old widow like me-
"Cut the crap." Naruto snapped, his words harsh and biting. "You know what I want; why I'm here. Teach me how to use my old man's sword. Now."
"And why should I do this?" Something seemed to spark in those dull red eyes of hers, a predator, ready to pounce. "That weapon has been in my possession for quite some time now. I don't see why I should hand it over to you so suddenly." There was something in them that went beyond mere recognition. They knew each other she realized. She didn't know how Naruto knew this frightful woman only that he did, and the way he spoke sent shivers shooting down her spine.
"I..." His vision snapped to the side, and she could feel a heat in his cheeks. "I need to be able to protect her."
She didn't ask who "she" was.
"You may have your father's blood, but, you are still not a Sekirei." Miya warned; there was a steel to her tone that made Beni want to curl up in a corner and cry. "I can't guarantee you'll survive if I show you how to used the blade, much less beat a years worth of experience into you in one day-
"Earth to Benitsubasa!"
"H-Hai?"
She blinked, realizing he was still staring at her, the flashback sputtering and dying. Naruto knew Miya? And he was learning how to use a sword? What was going on here? Why was he keeping secrets from her? What had suddenly caused this change in him? Why was he hellbent on protecting her so badly?
"I asked you a question, sweetheart." Naruto's voice tugged her back to reality once more.
"I-I didn't do anything...
Naruto groaned.
"Beni."
"This asshole was annoying me!" she snapped, jabbing an insolent fnger at a baffled Minato. "It's not m-my fault! Not like I did anything wrong, and it wasn't wrong, I mean...ah...I should proably just shut up now."
She babbled under Naruto's questioning stare. Didn't he understand? Minato was Tsukiumi's Ashikabi. That made him an enemy in her book. The jury was out on the rest of his flock, but if they made any moves on his body, she'd slaughter them. Crazy landlady or not! She wasn't entirely sure about Uzume either-though she seemed to care more about her Ashikabi than anything else. It was cute really. Benitsubasa could understand that level of devotiion; because she felt the same for Naruto. Which was exactly why she didn't want to share! The very idea of a harlot like Kazehana-or anyone-forcing their way into this happy bliss Beni'd built up just for the two of them was enough to send her into tears-
Her Ashikabi was suddenly there, enfolding her in a tight embrace.
"Well," Naruto sighed at Minato, tucking the smaller Sekirei under an arm. "You'll just have to forgive whatever she said. She's very protective." He nuzzled her cheek and just like that all those negative feels were gone again. Here in his arms, she was happy as a lark. Nothing could touch her. The one person who could hurt her the most was the only one who never would. She knew him, trusted him implicitiy. Naruto would sooner try and end himself than hurt her by this point. That was why she loved him. His attention, his love. His everything. He was devoted to her as she was to him. Forever and ever. There was just no way he'd ever betray her, not-
"OH MY GOD YOU'RE THE BEST!"
That line of thought withered and died as someone slammed into him-violently-from the side, all but ripping the battered blond from his grasp.
"Mmmph!" Naruto found his face muffled between a pair of much larger breasts, the breath alll but quashed from his lungs. "Uzume...san?"
"She's healed!" The star-wearing Sekirei was all but dancing such was her glee, swinging the baffled blond round and round like an out of control carosel. "I don't know what you did, but she's healed! She's even up and walking! I don't know what you did but thank you! Thank you thank you THANK YOU! I could just kiss you!" Impossibly she crushed him even tighter to her chest, seeminigly ignorant of the boy's flailing limbs so caught up was she in her glee. Needless to say, our resident Red Sekirei didn't take kindly to that.
"Baka! You're killing him!"
His first reaction was thus:
"Uzume...san...suffocating...
"Oh, crap!"
"Ara, it would be such a shame if I had to kick you out for killing him." Miya was suddenly there with a benign smile but there would no mistaking that aura. Or the Hanya.
"Sorry, Miya!"
"Gods, that's it!" Benitsubasa had suffered through all she could today; growliing, she ripped her precious partner away from the busty brunette and began to drag him back to their room. She desperately needed some one-on-one time with her Ashikabi to soothe her frayed nerves before she hauled off and destroyed the inn altogether. It certainly didn't help that the sun had long since set-even with her nap it felt like a mountain had settled over her shoulders, weighing her down with each and every step. Thankfully, she knew the cure for that.
"Oi!" Naruto cringed at the firm grip she had on his arm. "What're you-
"Bed!" She growled. "Now!"
"Oomph!"
Naruto felt the breath burst from his lungs as Benitsubasa bodily tossed him onto the bed. "What's the rush for cryin' out-!" Even as he began to rise she was suddenly there, pinning him with her body, caging him with her lips. She was pleased to see that didn't protest after that, silentlly seceeding to her superior strength. Tongues tangled. Hands wandered.
"Massage." she demanded imperiously, sliding off him with a subtle shiver. "I'm feeling stiff."
"You're awfully bossy today." Naruto chuckled and raised his hands, preparing to do just that.
"Very funny! I'll have you know that-
The words trailed off into a sputtering flush as his lips graced her cheek.
"Yes, your highness."
"Hmmph! Just because you're good at this doesn't mean I'm not building up a resitance to your methods or mmmmmmmmmy GOD!"
Tiny mewls of pleasure fled from her lips as he attacked the tension in her shoulders, strong fingertips working out days worth of tension in a matter of moments. Needless to say Benitsubasa was reduced to a quivering moaning mass in short order. Naruto gave the best massages. Human though he might be, she always found herself relieved and relaxed after even the lightest of massages. She turned, prepared to grant him the very same courtesy, ready to slide onto him once more-
Then the door flung itself open. A smiling Miya stared back at them, her eyes glowing dangerously.
"Ara, I'm not certain if I told you this but...
Trollishly, her smile deepened.
"Illicit activities are not allowed at Maison Izumo."
"This is going to hurt, isn't it?" Naruto blanched. Benitsubasa quivered.
Impossibly, Miya's smile only deepened.
"I suggest you run, Naruto-kun."
Everything went downhill after that night. Not only did our intrepid couple discover that sex was forbidden in Maison Izumo that night-the action of which resulted in a merry chase around said inn, but their own actions seemed to inspire a new craze amongst Minato's own Sekirei. The poor boy would be bemoaning the loss of his virginity for weeks to come...
After that fiasco, Naruto resolved to stay and monitor Chiho's condition for another three days before packing up and leaving. Benitsubasa knew the real reason he was staying-to train under Miya. She also knew trying to talk him out of such folly would be fruitless, even if he didn't seem to improve by leaps and bounds. There was so much she wanted to ask him and yet she couldn't; not without revealing that she'd accidentally dove inside his head an rummaged through his most sacred secrets. It made her feel filthy. Dirty. She couldn't bring herself to say anything though, not without risking her relationship.
So she held her silence, waiting and praying for Chiho to recover enough so that she might finally be free of the hell that was Maison Izumo.
Then it happened...
...they arrived.
They came out of nowhere; Minato went out with his Sekirei the one day and when he returned, he had company. Benitsubasa had no idea who they were. She assumed one, a rather plain looking boy, was an ashikabi and that the girl, also plain looking by the standards of their species, was his sekirei.
The boy was nondescript in every sense of the word, from his light jeans to his dark shirt. The only thing that really stood out about him were the green eyes. He was short, too. Benitsubasa didn't know much about the anatomy of humans, but it was almost laughable that she taller than him by a good two inches. The girl was even shorter, her pale, blonde hair, and body not utterly lacking by even the Red Sekirei's standards. At least she had some sort of figure...this little waif of a girl didn't even have was only her blue pleated skirt and tunic that made her stand out as anything other than ordinary.
And yet...
"I've got a bad feeling about this." Benitsubasa stared pointedly at the pair. Naruto couldn't help but agree with that sentiment. Chiho was up and about again with no trace of the virus that had crippled her only a mere day before. By all rights they should have been gone hours ago. But, on some level, he'd wanted to stay and bid Minato farewell. Benitsubasa had finally worked up the nerve to reveal her little black card, and while the idea of having a home of their own was more than appealing...this place had been a Haven to them, however temporary. It just didn't feel right for them to leave without giving their goodbyes to everyone first.
It was the mistake of a lifetime.
"Oh thank kami, you guys are still here!" Minato heaved in relief upon seeing them.
"Yeah," Naruto replied, shouldering his pack. "We were just about to leave, actually."
"Dumbass here wanted to say goodbye first- ITAI!" Benitsubasa started, only to yelp as her Ashikabi elbowed her in the ribs. "What?! You said it yourself! I want to be shut of all this and get that house we were looking at the other day! Those were your words!" She was ready to be done with this place and that blue-balling landlady; they hadn't been able to have any sex or anything remotely close to it for the last three days because of her! It was torture! She didn't think she'd be able to last another day with a lack of that kind of intimacy! Or that crazy Kazehana!
"P-Please don't leave yet!" Minato begged!
Blond and pinkette craned their necks aside, a question mark popping up over their heads.
...hai?"
The ronin student quickly cleared the way for the other boy.
"Shigi-kun, this is who I mentioned." he started. "P-Please!"
"Um, yo? I'm Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto introduced himself, looking like a deer caught in the headlights. "And you are...?"
"Haruka Shigi," the newcomer nodded, nervously eyeing the weapon buckled to the blonde's belt. "So, he can help?" Shigi glanced at Minato. The latter winced clearly unprepared to answer that question. Naruto's gaze cut right through him like any blade, promising a great deal of pain if this situation wasn't explained. And soon.
"Ano...that is to say..." Minato chuckled nervously.
Benitsubasa pursed her lips, her eyes narrowing dangerously. Help? Help with what?
What were they about to be asked to do?
"Minato-kun..." Naruto spoke with a strained smile. She could see his knuckles already going white as he clenched his fists around the hilt of his newly acquired blade. It was painfully obvious what was about to happen, he was going to be drawn into something, and Benitsubasa with him. "Would you kindly tell me what the hell is going on here before I chop you up into little pieces?"
(One lengthy explanation later...)
"ARE YOU FUCKING INSANE?!"
Minato and Shigi both cringed beneath this verbal assualt, the younger boys' wincing as their elder shouted them down in vehement fashion.
Matsu's own explanation had already strained the limits of his incredulity but this; the naivete that they would simply be able to escape from the capital without being caught was almost laughable-nay! It was laughable in every sense of the word! Naruto considered himself a good person; he always willing to help others, but even he knew when a plan was doomed to fail. What rankled him was that everyone seemed to support it. The entire in-minus Tsukiumi-had rallied around the idea! Even Uzume wanted to help! Help, after she'd only just gotten her Ashikabi back! Didnt she see how risky this was?!
"Bro," the brunette started, "You helped heal my Chiho. I thought you'd be up for this?"
"No." his eyes were ice, his words colder than the antartic. "I'm not doing it. Throw your life away if you want, but I won't."
"Naruto-san...
Naruto's gaze snapped to the Ashikabi in question, his former patient staring quietly at him in silent defiance of his arguement. She smiled softly at him, fidgeting slightly. He couldn't help but blanch at her. It was true, without his interference, Chiho would still be ill, and Uzume would still be under Higa's control. But no matter how much they might want him to-no matter how the others might rant and rave, he simply couldn't afford to yield to their plea. He wasn't afraid of dying, but he was risking more than just his own life.
If Shigi and Kuno didn't want to fight, that was their business! Not his! He wasn't about to start waving his sword around just so two runts could escape! No matter how much they might love each other...no! Gah! Stay strong Naruto! Resist! You can't risk Benitsubasa over this!
Benitsubasa tugged at his sleeve. Her bright red eyes stared longingly into his.
"We should help them." she said.
Jaws dropped.
"But...I...
"Ara, of course you should help!" Naruto started in surprise, bristling as Kazehana draped herself over him. The blackette had become awfully clingy as of late; finding excuses to speak with him, or even touch him from time to time. She wasn't his Sekirei, damn but she acted like it though! For once he didn't shake her off.
"I can't believe I'm saying this," Benitsubasa pinched her nose in aggravation, "But the bitch is right. We need to help these guys. 'Sides, I know what you're thinking, baka. Don't worry about me," she made a fist, her knuckles popping menacingly. "I'll destroy anyone who gets in my way!" There was a silence as everyone stared at him, awaiting his answer.
In the end, the blond uttered only a single word.
"Fuck."
An escape plan.
Somehow, someway, they'd been bound up in it, helpless to the whims of fate this strange and sordid fate. Naruto had been adamant against it at first. Once, in another life, Benitsubasa would've laughed at such a thing ; she would have scoffed at such a notion, scorned the fact that such a weakling want to escape the capital. But for all their weakness, Kuno and Shigi loved each other and that was something she understood. Naruto was her everything. If this little one loved her Ashikabi as much as she claimed-and she certainly did-then they were honor bound to ensure they made out safely. There was just one problem.
The Discipline Squad.
They'd come out of nowhere, making a mess of things despite everyone's best efforts. It certainly didn't helpt that Tsukiumi had decide to abstain from the battle. Stupid bitch and her stupid morals. Perhaps, had she been here, things might have been different. As things stood, Uzume was busy battling back Haihane and Musubi was...
...not active.
A muscle jumped in Benitsubasa's jaw. If only she'd been quicker! She'd let her fellow fist-type go first as something of a courtesy...and she'd lost. Godamnit! Shit! In her time at Maison Izumo, she'd come to see the impulsive girl as a sister of sorts, and now she was...gone.
Benitsubasa glowered at her opponent. She wasn't much to look at; a tall, slender young woman with raven black hair. Those ebony tresses framed an angular face from which odd, and mismatched eyes shone; one orb was the color of dried blood and bright like the sun itself, the other duller than the darkest depths, its rippling violet swirls seeming to stare into space. She was eerie to look at all things considered; especially as one consideredher outfit consisted almost enitrely of black spandex. Definitely an S & M freak, the Red Sekirei decided. Now if only she could figure out how Musubi had been downed without even being touched. She was a good deal stronger than her fellow fist type, so she had some confidence in herself. She just had to get in close...
"Nice to meet you!" Her adversary grinned toothily, exposing pearly white teeth. "I'm No. 103, Hageshiomoi. I do hope you'll entertain me more than that girl."
A muscle jumped in Benitsubasa's jaw. Musubi...! Clenching her teeth, she slid into a stance, readying herself for whatever eerie power the girl wielded. That same power had knocked Musubi and Minato flat, both were still as statues. She'd have to be careful. But first, introductions. It was only fitting that her foe know the name of the one who'd defeated her.
"No. 105, Benitsubasa."
"You?! Ha!" The girl laughed, it was a strange, tittering sound. "You're No. 105?!"
A growl hissed through her teeth.
"What's so fucking funny?!"
"Oh, its nothing." she giggled, stifling her mirth in a palm, her mismatching eyes cutting across to Naruto. "I'm just grateful, really. What, you really didn't know?" At Benitsubasa's baffled expression, her shrill laughter only continued, grating on the pinkette's ears. "You poor girl-don't you understand! The researchers made a mistake! You were supposed to be a part of the Discipline Squad! But someone must've screwed up, because here you are and here I am! Instead of being forced to wander the streets of the capital, I have my beloved Natsuo-kun to care care of me. You have...that thing." Those eerie orbs narrowed scornfully upon the blonde, disgust swimming in their depths. "I almost feel bad for you really, stuck with a sorry Ashikabi like that."
"Oooh." Naruto whistled. "Scathing. You know what they say, sticks and stones can break my-
"Shut up, you insolent monkey!" Out of nowhere Hageshiomoi's personality did a one-eighty, her eyes flashing once more as power burst from her body. Naruto nimbly leapt backwards as the invisible push threatened to overtake his position, alighting upon a nearby beam on the already battered bridge.
"Take her out!" he shouted.
Benitsubasa intended to do just that.
...I'm going to enjoy this."
"As will I!"
An invisible slap knocked her backwards, sending her sprawling. With a surprised grunt, the smaller Sekirei went flying down the bridge, a trail of dark blood following her body through the fallling debris. Naruto's breath caught in his throat and he found that his legs refused to move. He watched as Benitsubasa's limp body slammed against the asphalt once gravity took hold of her, her skin skidding across the street as the momentum continued to drag her over the road. His feet were suddenly free from the ground as his boots carried him over the battle-marred ground.
Love...
"Beni!" worry tore through him, his fingers flying to the hilt of his black blade.
It's love!
Naruto skidded to a halt, a fraction away from drawing his weapong. What was...eh!? Why the hell was Musubi's body glowing?!
Ah...there is so much love here...!
Still Musubi's body continued to rise. The movements were slow and fluid, spreading out into the wings behind her back. Her eyes snapped open, irises flaring. And there upon her bare stomach, for all eyes to see; the number 08 was reborn. She stared back at him as the glow faded, a brilliant smile forming on her lips.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Naruto-san!"
Naruto blinked.
"Ah...Musubi-san?"
"Nope," A voice whispered in his ear. "That's not Musubi. That's Yume." He felt a familair pair of arms wrap around him from behind, a warm body pressing against his back in all its feminine softness. Naruto didn't have to look to know who had grabbed him, the teasing subtle scent of flowers and sake was more than enough to confirm her identity. "Ara, its such a shame that Minato-boy is missing all this, wouldn't you agree?" A water filled explosion resounded from Uzume's postion, signalling Tsukiumi's arrival as well. Naruto was
"Gah! Kazehana! You again!" Naruto wriggled, trying to ignore her breasts pushing against his battered back.
"Moh, aren't you going to give me my wings...?"
"It has been some time, Kazehana." 'Musubi' smiled. "You look...happy."
"Yo, Yume-chan! How have you been?"
"Arlight," Naruto frowned, "The human is confused. Somebody want to tell me what just happened?"
"Well-
"Aaargh, what am I saying?!
"That's not important! Beni-
"Kazehana I swear to Kami, you keep your hands offa him!" As if choosing that very moment, the Red Sekirei wrested herself out of the wreckage. She stood woodenly on weake legs, her eyes burning on the adversary ahead of her, but her words biting on the one at her back. "The second that I finish with this bitch...you're mine!" She could taste blood in her mouth but that suited her just fine; it had been ages since she'd last faced an adversary like this. No way in hell was she backing down!
"How do you like that?!" Hageshiomoi grinned, sneering down at her from her superior position. "Did my Shinra Tensei make you quiver with fear?"
...not really." The pinkette twitched, a tick marking forming on her forehead. "Its not focused enough. Managed to scuff my knees, though. Now its my turn."
"What?!"
"My limiter...release." Benitsubasa exhaled and reached deep into herself, that untapped well of power that was her tama. She'd always held back against her opponents in and out of battle, terrified of her own powers, fear that she might hurt someone precious. Miya had taught her to suppress that fear. As one she felt all the locks, all her limiters, click free, a well=spring of strength and energies opening up beneath her. Bright eyes burned red and...vanished, the softest of swishes the only indication of her passing.
"Ah." Yume sighed blissfully. "I can feel it! Her heart is brimming with love for Naruto-san...
Naruto sweatdropped. "You call that love...?"
"Ah, don't question the small things!" Kazehana cooed, cuddling up to him.
"Geh!"
"What are those fools talking about...?" Hageshiomoi scowled. "And how did that bitch reactivate?! It doesn't make any sense...
"You really should really pay attention to the fight!"
Benitsubasa suddenly crashed down in front of her adversary, her fist creating a spider-web of fissures in the street below. Hageshiomoi sneered.
"You missed!"
"Did I?" she arched an eyebrow.
"Yes, there's not a scratch on-
"EXTREME QUAKE!"
The lesser number yelped in surprise as the earth upheaved beneath her feet, angry tears of energy ripping through the bridge, her focus slipping for just an instant. It was all the opening Benitsubasa needed.
"Blood Festival!"
Too late, scarce had Beni's feet touched the ground than she was gone again, blurring backwards in a brutal burst of speed. Hageshiomoi lashed out again and again and yet again, another unseen blow crackling through the air as she tried, and failed to slow the Red Sekirei down. Benitsubasa barreled through. Whatever power her opponent wielded it proved no match for her speed; only three days under Miya proved a dramatic increase in her form and agility. She was untouchable. Unstoppable. Hageshiomoi's first hit had also been her last. The same could be said of Benitsubasa.
One hundred and three blanched, her push dissipating harmlessly as the pinkette took hold of her collar.
"This is for Naruto!"
'No! This cannot be happening! I'm invincible! The strongest! The absolute strongest! No no no no NO!'
"Clench your teeth!"
'No!'
"SHOCKWAVE!"
It all ended in an instant.
"Ah, It looks like she disappeared...
Karasuba sighed from her perch atop the bridge as she watched 103 sail off the edge of the bridge, her broken body twirling end over end. Just before she sank to the depths, she caught sight of her bac, devoid of the crest-Natsuo's mark-that had once adjourned it. How said. Another little wing torn apart. However, with one wing gone, a rather familair person had emerged...but that didn't interest her. Even as she leapt down from the bridge she was gone, Musubi once more. That left only one thing to interest her...and now she could complete the mission she'd been given.
"Karasuba-sama?" Musubi blinked, baffled by her sudden arrival. The Black Sekirei ignored her, she only had eyes for Benitsubasa.
"That was an impressive move, girl."
Benitsubasa bristled at the sight of the sinister spectre standing before her. Karasuba. Number four. The Black Sekirei. Dog of MBI. What was she doing here?! She wanted to grab Naruto and run but her muscles could not-would not-obey; her body was truly and horribly frozen by fear as she stared into the dread eyes of her adversary.
She couldn't move.
"I'm here to take you home with me, Beni-chan." her smile -that tone- brooked no arguement. "The Disciple Squad has need of you." Her gaz slipped to Naruto, scowling behind her. "Both of you." Something in those words made her blood run cold. The Discipline Squad? Aaaargh, this was what she got for helping with that damned escape plan! Stupid Kuno! She'd felt so bad for the girl that she'd had to do something; not it would seem that something was about to end with her forced back to MBI or impaled upon her senpai's blade. Neither of which was very appealing, mind you!
"Fuck that!" Naruto stepped forward then, thrusting himself between them, an unyielding rock against which Karasuba's stare broke. He didn't seem to care. She blinked at him, as though baffled by his resistance. Her thin lips pursed tight in an angry scowl at last, uncaring as he dared to raise his bat to her. She was used to getting her way, and the very idea of a mere human challenging her was enough to make the normally calm Karasuba scowl in tight-lipped anger.
"Move." she said.
"No." he refused to obey. "If Benitsubasa doesn't want to go, then she won't be going." That evoked a change in the woman, her patience evaporating before his very eyes.
"You're annoying." she said, raising her blade. "I've changed my mind about you."
"No! Don't! Naruto, get away from her!"
Benitsubasa twisted around, stealing his lips and throwing a hand between him and the onrushing sword in the same instant. At that very moment, Kazehana lashed out, a gale slamming into Karasuba only an instant before impact. It was all that saved Benitsubasa's life. Pain ripped up her palm as that cold blade descended, opening her flesh. Naruto gasped as her wings burst, a barrier forming between the two of them, her blood boiling away to coat her wounded fist, a fist that would've sure been severed had the blade struck true. The Black Sekirei twirled away and cut a small typhoon apart, scowling at her immediate superior.
"Are you going to get in my way, Kazehana?"
"Sorry," the windy woman smiled. "But I can't let you kill that boy just yet."
"Whyever not?" the silver-haired Sekirei sneered. "He's weak."
"Perhaps, but he's going to be my Ashikabi."
"Don't I have a say in this?!" Naruto groaned.
"And besides," she continued, ignoring him. "I've given that girl more than enough time now."
"Wha-
"GRRRRRAAAAAAH!" A furious shout reminded her of the prey she'd failed to kill. "That's it! I've had enough of all of you!"
"Beni...!"
"Ho?" Karasuba blinked, bemused. "It looks like you might entertain me after all...
"This is the heart and soul of my pledge!" Benitsubasa screamed, her eyes flashing slitted. "Eliminate the enemy that stands before my Ashikabi!" Crimson wings engulfed her body once agains, wrapping her from head to toe in a shroud of sinister scarlet. And then she was upon her. Karasuba didnt even have time to so much as bat an eyelash; one moment Benitsubasa stood across from her, battered and blooded. The next, she was all too close, drawing a fist back, clenched knuckles hurtling torward at her head.
Blood.
It was a novel sensation, her head snapped upright with the punch, the force of the blow actually lifting her upright and off her feet. Grinning, she brought her blade crashing down-
Gone.
Benitsubasa was suddenly behind her, overwhelming her with a series of well struck palms to the back. Another swing of the sword. Another afterimage pierced. Time and time again she struck outward, and each time, she only struck empty air. For each miss Benitsubasa pounded another hit home, punching holes in her defense as though it were nonexistent. And then it was over. Her blade passed through space for a finalk time, as she braced herself for another hit...that never came.
Too late; Benitsubasa was already above her, about to punch a hole in her head. Power swollen knuckles cracked together, a lone fist snapping back with incredible strength.
"OBLITERATION!"
There was no time, The Black Sekirei realized. Even with her God Impulse reflexes, she knew she wouldn't be able to get her blade up to sever that arm, much less defend before that incredible burst of power hit home and ended her. Even had she been able to do so it wouldn't have mattered. Benitsubasa's Norito was too powerful; too focused and concentrated by the little hellion above. Karasuba had time for only one more word as the Norito flared around her, the great swathe of destruction roaring down onto her and boiling her alive.
"Oh."
Then the world flashed a brutal, bloody red.
A/N: Aaand there you have it! NarutoxBenitsubasa! Naruto is slightly different the norm that I write; primarily in the fact that this Naruto is normal. No super powers. No Sage Mode. Just some knowledge of hand to hand combat, enough from what you expect out of a mordern day version of him. Slightly stronger than the average Ashikabi, but, against a Sekirei? He'd get his ass beat in no time flat, though he is slowly becoming stronger than the average human. In case you haven't guessed, his pops was a Sekirei in this story, hence Naruto's own inherent and very odd ability to heal.
That's right, our little Uzumaki is a half-breed, part human and part Sekirei!
But no, he won't be tossing around Rasengans left and right. Also, Benitsubasa is his ONLY Sekirei, so no harems here for once. Shocking, right?! Lol The focus was on almost entirely on him this chapter, although Beni stole the spotlight towards the ened. She's such a strange character; I can't help but enjoy any scene she's in, and wonder what she might've been like if she wasn't a dog of MBI and didn't have that grudge with Musubi. As we've seen, she's very devoted to her Ashikabi...
Next chapter we get right down to the nitty gritty! It'll be out soon, providing my health holds, so look forward to it ya know!
So...in the immortal words of Atlas...
...Review, Would You Kindly? And of course, enjoy the preview! Hopefully it will tide you over until later this week! Dark times are ahead...
(Preview)
Naruto whistled softly as he beheld the luxurious corridors of the penthouse. Luxury didn't even begin to define it. This place was downright opulate. The money that must've gone into building this place...it was astounding. After what had happened to Karasuba and that telekinesis chick, he was surprised they hadn't been executed outright. Instead they'd been ushered here, and left behind.
"So this is MBI...
"Geh," Benitsubasa blanched. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I liked Maison Izumo better."
"That's telling."
Before she could sneak in a retort, the door whooshed open.
"Greetings." A rather handsome man introduced himself. "My name is Natsuo. I understand that we'll be working together, Naruto-kun." Benitsubasa frowned, scowled. Blinked. This? This was the Ashikabi that Hageshiomoi had so espoused? He was just a pretty boy! Natsuo?
Yuck!
"Look, I have no idea what's going on here...
"Why he's here to welcome you, Benitsubasa-chan! Naruto-kun!" The blond spun toward the plasma tv in the center of the room...
And found himself face to face with Hiroto Minaka.
"On behalf of MBI, I proudly welcome the two of you to the Discipline Squad!"
R&R! =D