Harry didn't return home immediately. Instead, he followed the group out of the Botanical Garden, watching them part way before trailing Kuu, the young Ashikabi and the shrine maiden Sekirei, whose clothes were still tattered, but she didn't seem to mind.

Harry couldn't help but be grateful that Benitsubasa wasn't that… carefree. Or else his life would be much harder than it already was.

It took quite sometimes for those three to get back to where they lived, since Kuu fell asleep midway, and the young man had to carry her, slowing them down a little. When they finally arrived, however, Harry couldn't help but be awed by the building.

Not that he didn't like his current house. No, Harry was satisfied by his choice of living space. What he was looking at, on the other hand, looked more like an inn than a normal house. Completely Japanese style with a large yard, and even an open air onsen. Yup, Benitsubasa was going to love this.

His attention was diverted from inspecting the house further, as a familiar feeling crept up his spine. His eyes snapped to the entrance, where a lady in purple hair was greeting the young man's group. If one could overlook the obvious signs of fighting on them, the scene would be quite normal, a little heartwarming even, when the lady smiled at the sleeping Kuu. However, it was exactly because of those signs that it became strange.

But then again, that lady could hardly be called normal either. The aura around her was reminding Harry of his meeting with the pervert woman in the dark alley - the aura of a murderer.

But why did they agree to live here if that's the case? Harry wondered. Those three were decent sort of people after all. Could it be because they didn't know? It wasn't like they could tell someone was a murderer or not. And he had to give it to the purple haired lady. If not for his special ability, Harry doubt that he would be suspicious of her either, with the gentle way she was acting and carrying herself.

While he was thinking of a course of action, the group below had already gotten into the house, with the lady being the last. Before stepping in, however, she turned around and looked directly at him, in his raven form, and smiled before disappearing behind the closed door.

Harry froze at the sight. That lady saw through his Animagus transformation, or was that just an accident? Somehow he thought it was the former. In that case he better got away from here as quickly as possible.

Harry would ask the snakes to keep watch on the house. He needed to make sure that nothing bad would happen to Kuu, as well as keeping an eye out for the entire situation. Even if the purple haired lady wouldn't do anything to harm her, she was still someone Zero Three had his eyes on. That couldn't be a good thing.

For now, Harry needed to meet up with Benitsubasa and hear her story, after that, answering the questions that his Sekirei no doubt had. And more importantly, he needed to rest. Harry had spent more magic than he intended to.

"Benitsubasa?" Harry called as he walked into the house. He knew that she was home since the lights were on.

"In my room, Harry," came her reply from the second floor. Harry raised an eyebrow as he ascended the stairs. Something was odd with her voice. Had she been crying? It was rather difficult to imagine the sight. Benitsubasa was a little quick to anger as well as having her soft side, but it wasn't normal for her to cry.

"Can I come in?" He asked in front of her door. After receiving her approval, he pushed the door and get in. Benitsubasa was sitting on a chair next to the window, looking outside so he couldn't see her face. On her bed, however, was another person. A girl with messy blond hair who was either sleeping or unconscious. A blanket was pulled up to her neck, but if Harry's guess was right, the girl had a rather petite frame, maybe even smaller than Benitsubasa.

"Is everything alright?" Harry asked, feeling rather stupid hearing his own question.

"No. Can't you tell?" Benitsubasa turned back to glare at him. Her eyes were red. Her features soon softened though, when she looked at the other girl. "I rescued her like you said. She fainted due to exhaustion and starvation. I took her back here, washed her and gave her some clothes. But I can't make her eat anything. It appeared that she had been wandering around for quite a long time. Weeks, maybe even months. Also, she's a Sekirei, but you've already known that."

"Actually I haven't," Harry sighed and ran his hand through his hair, making it even messier. "Why didn't you take her to a hospital?"

"Normal hospitals aren't equipped to treat a Sekirei, and MBI labs won't accept her unless she has been terminated," said Benitsubasa before her gaze hardened and turned back to him. "And what do you mean by you haven't? Wasn't that the reason you told me to rescue her? To add another Sekirei into your team?"

"I can wing more than one Sekirei?" Harry's eyebrows raised before he remembered something he saw earlier. "Ahhh, that makes sense. I saw an Ashikabi with a pair of twins Sekirei awhile ago. But that's not why I sent you to her. Heck, I didn't even know I can wing her."

"Is that so?" A flicker of doubt flashed across Benitsubasa's face. "Then why…?"

"This is gonna take awhile," Harry sighed and dragged another chair to seat next to her at the window. "Truth is, I've got an information network here in Shin Tokyo. Today, they reported their finding to me when you're taking a bath about some suspicious activities. One was this girl there," he motioned toward the unconscious girl. "They said she was dying. The other was at the Botanical Garden, I went there to check it out myself and sent you after her since we wouldn't make it if we travelled together."

"The Botanical Garden?" Benitsubasa's eyes widened as she sprang up from her seat, reaching over and grabbed Harry's collar, much like the first time they met. The difference was that this time, she had no intention of kissing him. "You fucking idiot. What were you thinking, going after the Green Girl all alone? Did you even stop a moment to think that all Sekirei and their Ashikabi would be there, and I… I couldn't be there to protect you. Because you sent me away!"

She punched his shoulder. It hurt despite Benitsubasa holding back her power.

"I'm sorry," said Harry as he looked at her. She was shaking, either with anger or was just trying to suppress her tear, he couldn't be sure. "But like I said, if you had gone with me, that girl, your sister, would have died. Besides, I'm safe. See, not a single scratch," He raised both his arms sideway, as if telling her to check if she wanted.

"I couldn't careless about her," Benitsubasa gritted her teeth. "All I care about is you, my Ashikabi. If you continue to risk your neck like that, you will die. A Sekirei battle is our place, my place, not yours. If you die…"

Her voice trailed off as she shivered.

"What happens if I die? And I thought Sekirei aren't allowed to target Ashikabi?" Harry asked, his voice barely louder than a whisper. It's not like he could die that easily, but Benitsubasa didn't know that.

"Sekirei can't, but there's no rule to prevent Ashikabi from targeting each other. I told you not to worry yesterday because I assumed that we would always be together whenever a battle occurs. Besides, if you accidentally get into a Sekirei's attack and was injured, or killed, that wouldn't count as a violation of the rule," Benitsubasa said and took a deep breath.

"And for your other question," she glared back at him and yanked him closer before resting her head on his shoulder. "If you die, I, or any Sekirei winged by you, will cease to function."

"You mean if I die, you will die as well?" Harry started stroking her hair, trying to offer a little comfort.

"Terminated, to be exact," she said. "We will be transported back to the lab, unconscious. But you have to know, for a winged Sekirei, not being able to be with her Ashikabi is a fate worse than death itself."

So that was what got her so angry, Harry sighed and looked out of the window. There were still a lot of things he needed to know about his companion. They were stuck with each other, and it wouldn't be very fair if Harry could just act however he please. He had no idea Benitsubasa was that worried, as well as the consequences of himself getting into danger.

Still, that level of devotion, a 'love' that borderline obsession, was a scary thing. Right now, Harry would be lying if he said that he didn't have any affection for Benitsubasa. Not love, but not just companion either. He was a little scared of thinking about the future. If they ever got to that stage, would he be able to love her as much as she loved him? And if he somehow managed that, there was still an issue that Harry was, in fact, a pseudo immortal Agent of Death. He wouldn't age. He wouldn't die of any mundane cause, and he sure as hell couldn't just tell another Agent to help him to off himself. Any attempt to escape from Death's grip would be met with horrifying punishment.

Harry knew that he was being irrational. It was a very long shot, and the entire situation might not happen at all. Still, he didn't think that he could bear it if any girl became his lover and then died.

On the other hand, for the time being, that curse was actually a blessing in disguise. At least Harry could be assured that his Sekirei wouldn't be terminated because of him dying.

"It's not going to happen, Benitsubasa," finally Harry told her in his most confident voice.

"How can you be so sure?" She whispered.

"Because I'm your Ashikabi," he grinned and was glad to receive a chuckle in return.

"Right, idiot," she said softly. "Just… don't ever go anywhere alone again."

"I'll try," he said and received a light swat on his unhurt shoulder. The two of them stayed like that for a short while before Benitsubasa finally released him and sat down on her own chair. She looked exhausted, but apparently, still got something else to say.

"Can I tell you about how I rescued her?" She asked and Harry nodded. Something in her voice told him that this was important.

"Right, so I left after you told me to. Quite angry if I may say," she sighed.

"Sorry," Harry said but she waved it away.

"Anyway, an order is an order, so I got there as quickly as I could. Then I saw her lying unconscious in a backalley. But… She wasn't alone."

"Who else was there?" Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Many, I don't know, about two dozens or so," Benitsubasa shivered. "They were...strange, very strange."

"How strange?" Harry leaned forward and looked into Benitsubasa's eyes. This wasn't good.

"It looked like they couldn't even walk properly, you know. Tumbling, dragging their feet," she closed her eyes as if trying to remember the details. "But their appearance… They were so pale, and looked… dead. Now that I think about it, it's kinda like some of the zombie movies that you human usually watch."

"What happened next? Are you alright?" Harry grimaced. So the Botanical Garden wasn't the only target of Zero Three tonight. But why didn't the snake mention the Infery in the alley? It only warned him of some vague danger.

"Obviously I am," Benitsubasa opened her eyes. "Well, you told me to rescue her. So I did. Jumped down from the roof I was on and picked her up. I managed to get a look at those human's face though…" She shivered again. "I don't think I can ever forget that sight."

"I understand," Harry nodded.

"They charged at me," she continued. "But I was quicker and was back on the roof, out of their react. Until… One of them leapt after me."

Harry felt like a Hippogriff just slammed into him. Human Infery couldn't do that.

"Don't tell me…" He murmured.

"One of my sisters," she nodded. "But only not quite so anymore. I tried to talk to her, but all I received were moans and shrieks. She chased us. I tried to terminate her by erasing the Sekirei crest… Here, touch it and recite a… prayer of sort," Benitsubasa turned around and let the back of her kimono fall down a little, showing her smooth back. On it was a crest that had the shape of a bird and a yin yang symbol underneath. She then fixed her clothes and turned back. "Normally, the crest will disappear and the Sekirei will be terminated. But for some reason she could still keep moving, attacking us. I had to break her legs before getting away."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Injuries like that are to be expected in the Plan. And I have no hesitation to fight them, or even kill them, in order to stay with you. Many of my sisters will agree with me," Benitsubasa said, a little steel returned to her voice. Harry didn't like the talk of killing, but he acknowledged her feeling nevertheless. "It's just… It was clear that she wasn't a Sekirei anymore. I'm not sure if she was even alive anymore, like those zombies. Just what could make them into… that? I know you know the answer, Harry. Tell me."

"Yeah, maybe I should," Harry sighed again. Things were escalating faster than he expected. With Zero Three targeting the Sekirei, keeping Benitsubasa in the dark might prove to be more dangerous down the road. She had made it clear that she wasn't going to leave his side, and what she said about Sekirei's devotion was true, if Yomi's reaction earlier was any indicator. She would need to have an idea of what they were going up against.

"I'll tell you, but it's better if we move somewhere else," Harry glanced at the unconscious girl.

"Your room then," Benitsubasa said. "Don't worry. I won't ask to sleep over. Someone needs to keep an eye on her after all."

"Do you know her name or number?" Harry nodded and asked.

"No idea. Ask her yourself when she wakes up."

It took almost half an hour of convincing and demonstrating until Benitsubasa finally relented.

"So," she asked, smiling for some reason. "Magic is real, and you're a wizard? Not the kind that do those tricks on shows, right?"

"No, a real, wand waving, magic casting wizard," Harry sighed. He had been showing her all kind of transfiguration and charms, draining his reserve even further.

"But that's so cool," her smile widened as she launched herself at Harry, pulling him into a hug before remembering that she wasn't supposed to 'assault' him. The pink haired Sekirei slowly got back to her seat.

"Sorry about that," she said, blushing a little. "But seriously, I'm so glad that my Ashikabi isn't a weakling, not that I wouldn't love you otherwise, but… You should've told me sooner."

"This is serious, Benitsubasa," Harry frowned. "You can't let a word of this get out to anyone. Not MBI, not your sisters, not a random stranger that you run into on the street. Absolutely no one, you hear me?"

"Of course, since there are others like you that want to keep magic a secret, and we will get into trouble if that secret is leaked to public," she nodded. Harry still couldn't be entirely certain if telling her was a good idea. His Sekirei's enthusiasm was making him worry a little.

"Big trouble, yes," Harry nodded.

"I understand," Benitsubasa smile returned. Her expression soon turned serious, however.

"So, you're a wizard, and from what you told me, you took out No. 43 all by yourself," she said. "That's impressive, alright, but don't think that I'll let you run around alone because of that. Yomi is weak, and she was exhausted, frightened by those...eh…"

"Inferi."

"Right, Inferi," she nodded. "That doesn't mean you can just go around fighting my sisters all on your own. Many of them will kill you as easy as eating a pie or something."

"I have no intention of doing so," Harry shrugged. "And… well, since we're here. Might as well put your mind at ease."

"What do you mean?" Benitsubasa raised an eyebrow.

"I mean you don't have to worry about me dying," he said. "I'm immortal."

Stunned silence.

"You're...what?" She asked, almost a minutes later.

"Immortal," Harry repeated. "As in I won't die, I won't age, all that crap. On my first day here I was stabbed through the heart by a Sekirei whose name I still don't know. But you see, I'm still here."

"Okay…?" Benitsubasa was still staring at him with wide eyes. "What if… no, never mind, it's too painful for me to even think about it. So that means you won't die, you will live forever?"

"There are only a few ways to kill me, and as far as I know, only seven people, myself included, know how to do so."

She nodded dumbly. Harry waited for her to say something. When nothing came, he continued.

"One of them is in the city."

"You mean other than you?" Benitsubasa asked.

"Yes," Harry nodded. "That's why I'm here in the first place, actually. He… kinda turned out to be a dark wizard. My job is to catch and bring him back, or kill him if he resists. He was the owner of those Inferi that you encountered earlier."

"So this dark wizard… He turned them into that with a spell?"

"More like a ritual, but yeah," Harry could see Benitsubasa shaking again, so he reached out and took one of her hand into his. "Sorry for not telling you earlier. He is very dangerous, and I want to keep you out of it for as long as possible. However…"

"Now that he started to target Sekirei, you decided to tell me, so that I can prepare, or something along that line, right?"

Harry nodded.

"I'll take a more...active role in the Plan as well," he said. "This seems like the only link to him that I have at the moment."

"Idiot," Benitsubasa sighed, placing her other hand on his. "You should've told me from the start. You know I'll keep your secret even if it costs me my life, no?"

"I don't want to put you into that situation…"

Also because Harry didn't fully trust her at first. But there was no way he could tell Benitsubasa that.

"Yet you have to anyway," she cut him off. "We're together in this, and I'll help you to the best of my power, either with the Sekirei Plan or with catching that dark wizard. Just tell me what to do."

"I still need time to think up something, but I'll tell you when it's ready."

"That's my Ashikabi," Benitsubasa smiled as she leaned forward and kissed him softly. "Is there anything else you wish to drop on me?"

"No, that's all," Harry shook his head.

"Aww, so you aren't secretly a Prince of the wizards or something?" She fake pouted.

"You wish," he grinned, and Benitsubasa joined him soon after.

"Alright, I'll put the dream of living the royalty life aside for now," she stood up and stretched. "It's been a long day and I'm sure you're exhausted. I'll let you rest. Good night, Harry."

"Good night."

After Benitsubasa left, Harry laid in his bed and thought about their conversation. He still wasn't sure if letting the pink haired Sekirei know that much was a good thing or not, but at least, by doing so, a great weight had been lifted off of his chest.

Besides, he could use magic freely around the house now. Plus Fidelius Charm.

Benitsubasa had been surprisingly accepting of his words. Which, when Harry thought back about, wasn't that much of a surprise. He had been as sincere as he could, and the evidence was clear as day. Although the fact that she had seen a fair share of magic-like battles might have helped speeding up the process a bit.

He just hoped that she wouldn't be placed in danger in the future because of his decision today. The girl's, or rather Sekirei's determination could be frightening sometimes. That very determination could someday put them in unwanted risk if he wasn't careful.

With a sigh, Harry turned on his side, trying to find a more comfortable position to fall asleep, but many thoughts keep running around in his head.

Of course, he hadn't told her everything about himself. Such as the fact that he was an Agent of Death, or that he was originally from another dimension. Those stories could lead to a line of questions about his past, which Harry wasn't very eager to share at the moment, so he decided to keep them for himself. Not to mention that they weren't crucial for their goal at the moment.

After that, Harry spent the rest of his waking time trying to think of a plan. Eventually, he managed to drift into sleep.

A week had passed since the Green Girl incident in a relatively peaceful manner.

The life at Harry's house had fallen into a schedule. In the morning, he would work on the wards, while Benitsubasa taking care of the housework, or going shopping if the need arose. In the evening, chores became Harry's job as Benitsubasa went out to search for any sign of Zero Three, or more precisely, his Infery. They couldn't go together, because one of them needed to stay home to watch over the unconscious girl, and Harry couldn't go alone simply because Benitsubasa didn't let him. In the end, she became the best person for the job.

Harry had instructed her not to engage in combat unless absolutely necessary. This upset Benitsubasa, but since Harry had relented in their debate about him going out alone, she agreed to compromise. Her job was only to observe, but apparently it didn't stop the pink haired Sekirei from taking out two of her sisters on the way. From what she told him, she was attacked first, and Harry could see that her opponents were quite weak. The damage she suffered was also minimum, only a few minor scratches.

Didn't mean he had to be perfectly happy about it. Still, Harry had been careful not to let his displeasure show too much. He knew that if they were to take a more active part in the Plan, then battles between Sekirei were unavoidable.

The girl that Benitsubasa rescued, as mentioned, was still unconscious. However, even Harry could tell that she was getting better. The morning after her rescue, he finally got the chance to venture into Shin Tokyo's magical district to get some of his much needed supplies. Not being constrained to the limit of fifty Galleons like he originally thought, Harry was able to buy himself the best possible potion making set, loads of ingredients, though he only chose what he was familiar with, and finally a wide range of potions as well as all kind of salves for treating injuries after battles. Too bad, poisons were illegal to sell, as well as some of the more… exotic kinds of potion. For those, Harry would have to make himself.

Still, Merlin blessed the MBI card.

Benitsubasa had insisted on joining him, however, Harry refused, because again, they couldn't leave the girl alone. He did promise to take her once their charge had woken up though. Harry was positive that she was going to wake up any day now, since the potions he was feeding her were clearly working. Her complexion was getting better. Color had returned to her face, and her breathing had become much more peaceful as of late.

On a particularly hot afternoon, Harry and Benitsubasa were lazing around in the living room, enjoying the cool air from their new A.C (frankly just because they could, Cooling Charm was overrated). His Sekirei didn't have to go out on her patrol until the evening, so they chose to spend their free time chatting about anything that they could think of. From what to eat for dinner, the hot weather, how Benitsubasa wanted to go swimming, to more serious topics like the series of missing people, the Sekirei Plan, and Zero Three.

"You know, I've been meaning to ask," said Harry as he sipped on his tea on the sofa. Benitsubasa was clinging on his arm with her head on his shoulder. It had become her favorite position whenever they were lounging around, and Harry had become used to her presence even before he realized it.

"Hmm?"

"You remember the Green Girl, right?" He asked.

"Uh huh. What of her?"

"Well, you know how I rescued her from Yomi, and before that, the Infery, but she had already chosen her Ashikabi prior to that, right?" said Harry and Benitsubasa nodded. "Well, after the fight, I tailed her and her Ashikabi back to their home. My spies have been keeping an eye on that house ever since."

"Why?" Benitsubasa asked.

"She was one of the dark wizard's target, so I can't exactly leave her alone," Harry shrugged. "Besides, there was someone else in that house that I feel the need to look out for."

"And I have the feeling that you're going to tell me who that person is," she grinned.

"Actually, I was about to ask you who that is," he laughed. "I don't really know much about her, except for the fact that she gave me the same feeling I had when I was stabbed on my first day here. She had purple hair. Any idea?"

"Purple hair?" Benitsubasa's eyes widened as she lift her head and looked at him. "Is she wearing white and purple miko outfit as well?

"I think so, yes," Harry nodded and his Sekirei groaned. "Why, is she bad news?"

"Not really bad," she shook her head. "But she isn't someone you want to go against either. Miya is super strong and scary that not a single Sekirei or Ashikabi dared to bring the fight near her Izumo Inn. That place is truly a safe house if you ask me. I heard that a lot of Sekirei are living there without fighting each other."

"She is that strong, eh? Is she a Sekirei then?" Harry mumbled. He wasn't exactly surprised about this information. That Miya did see through his Animagus form after all.

"That's the problem. No one knows for sure if she's a Sekirei or not," Benitsubasa said. "Well, maybe some does, but they refuse to say anything about it at all," she paused a little before looking up at him. Her eyes narrowed. "If you're planning to go after her, better think again. She will wipe the floor with us both."

"No, that's not what I'm thinking. Just curious," Harry said. His Sekirei then gave him a satisfied nod and leaned back against his shoulder.

The truth was that, Harry had been considering the possibility of having a talk with Miya. It sounded crazy even inside his head, given how similar to that woman she felt. Still, she hadn't displayed any hostility toward him during their first brief encounter, and so far she had been staying on the sideline when it came to the Sekirei Plan, contented with providing shelters for whoever needed it.

If possible, Harry wanted to form an Alliance with her, to borrow her power against the others, or at least against the Sekirei who 'killed' him. There was no way in hell Harry was going to let Benitsubasa fight her. He knew that one day they would run into each other again.

His thought was cut short by the sound of the doorbell. Harry raised an eyebrow, wondering who could be visiting at all. He had no acquaintance here, and hadn't ordered any service either.

"Let me get it," said Benitsubasa as she separated herself from him and went to get the door. That was when Harry realized it.

"No, Benitsubasa," he sprang up and dashed after her. That feeling… What in Merlin's name is that woman doing here?

Harry was too late. When he braked himself at the end of the hallway, the door had already opened, revealing their visitor. A scowl settled on his face at the sight of her - grey hair tied into a ponytail, black top and skirt, grey coat over her shoulders, as well as that damned katana.

The feeling of it going through his heart came back in waves, making Harry feel sick.

"What's wrong, Harry?" Benitsubasa's eyes widened as she looked at him. "Let me introduce you, this is the leader of the Disciplinary Squad - No. 04, Karasuba."

End of Chapter 4.