A/N: I continue to try to pre-write my ff's at least a week or two in advance. I'm going to set a personal goal, to not go more then two weeks without a chapter. Again, with Ashikabi of Fate, this has leeway, but still, its good for one to give oneself a goal. Even if you fail miserably.
I also want to pump up the word count on the chapters for Ashikabi of Fate. The story content Im hoping to be closer to 4000 words, than my customary 2000. It seems everyone wants more, so as long as I don't get writers block, and the chapter calls for it, More it is.
MangaMan: Thanks
MickDunD: True, it is slow going. I wanted to try to minimize 'flashback' scenes later, there will still be some, but minimal I hope, and only those that are really key to being laid out in their place. 'Storytelling' flashbacks if you will. The prologues are just that, the needed flashbacks that I presonally wanted to expand on, and use to shift the story a little bit to how I see it playing out.
Vienx. I hope by now you have seen a couple more characters, each one is going to have a pivotal roll in Minato's life. We will have Seo and the twins, as for Miya, well, I do not plan on changing her much from the original manga/anime. Honestly, my mind have wondered about a lot of details within the sekirei world. Uzume, Yume, Musubi, Akitsu will be a primary focus as I explore some of it. I love Benitsubasa myself, just not sure how well she would fit into my version, and if I take her out of the disciplinary squad, who do I replace her with. I hate also seperating her from Haihane..
Finishing touchs are being put on prologue pt 5, and pt 6 has started. At least three deaths have been written, and at least one Karasuba storyline put into motion. Also.. watch for No 55 to pop up from time to time. She is a spy after all.
- o -
Takehito reclined at home, looking at the night sky as his finger slowly worked through the long purple hair that laid in his lap.
"Are you sure you did the right thing?" came her voice, glancing at his strong but gentle face.
"Yes. I am, while MBI allows for great research, and great possibilities, I cant.. I just cant take part in any of his madness any further." he paused a moment and looked at her. "For the sake of your people, I just can't" he frowned. It was a look she hated to see on his features.
Her hand raised to cup his cheek softly. "I know, I just wish Minaka knew the true nature of.."
Takehito smiled, her voice had faded "He won't listen. He is far to struck with this idea of Fate, Gods, and this game he wishs to put into play."
"He isn't completely wrong" came her voice.
"Oh you know as well as I do, how he misinterpreted what he was told, the interpretations he got from the ships computers, tales of tournament and such. It didn't mean you all had to compete like how he intends..." it was his turn for his voice to fade off.
"I know, but from an outsider, I can see how.."
"Stop making excuses for him, I stopped over a year ago, and began looking for ways.." he fell silent, looking around not exactly trusting his own environment. 'I wouldnt be surprised if Minaka managed to have my own house bugged'. Takehito's fingers played through her hair still, he lowered himself slowly and kissed her slowly on the lips. The embrace lasted an eternity for the pair, before he broke it and spoke again. "I do wish however, you could one day experience what the others will. Finding an Ashikabi. I can't even begin to wonder what it might be like for each of them. The wonders. I'm excited, maybe one day I'll get to look into the physiological changes of a proper emergence, or winging" he sighed then, as he glanced towards the MBI tower on the horizon.
"Anyways, its done. I quit. I won't return. At least not without certain assurances he will put this game aside"
Miya nodded to him, smiling. "Thank you dear, I love you so much more for that". She embraced him once more, her lips against his.
- o o -
Minaka stood at a control panel, with a couple other researchers assisting him. A gathering of 9 platforms stood about, each numbered, 8 surrounding a single. The design followed what had been discovered during the escavation of the singular item held on the middle scounce.
"Ok, ready to trigger powerup." Minaka called.
"Yessir" a voice acros the room replyed, she flipped a sequence of switchs and a generator hummed, providing an abundance of power to the room, and the mechanism holding the device
"Applying one tenth of a hundred percentile of power to the jinki", Minaka called out as his fingers slowly worked over a control board
"Power stable, output stable" another voice from the other side of the room answering him, calling out frequent updates on a display.
"Stable - stable - still stable" the voice called.
"Increasing by a factor of one thousandths" called Minaka, his eye watched the jinki carefully, as it slowly began to shimmer from its depths. His mind drifted for a single fraction of a moment, 'I really hate this fine detail stuff. I wish HE was here to do it..' suddenly, his mind was brought back to reality, and what was before him.
"STOP, its unstable, the reactions and power output are slowly climbing exponentially came the voice again, hollaring loudly in a panic.
"Initiate shutdown Immediately" Minaka's fingers slid again on the controls, reducing the power sent to the device before him. His eyes grew wide as it continued to climb, the voice verifying the same. "Any response?"
"Negative. Still climbing. It should have reduced by now".
"Shit, Throw half the breakers, leave the rest, someone get me Takehito, I want everyone else to Evacuate!"
A pair of eyes watched from a dark corner as mayhem spread, 'Ku Ku ku.. Interesting'.
The assistants nodded quickly, doing as told, quickly departing. Minaka was swiftly on the cell phone. "Takami dear, we have a problem..."
- o o -
Takehito had been working silently in his lab, his hidden lab, working on some gene samples left over from his experiments. He pinched the bridge of his nose as he looked at the results, the phone rang as he heard her call out. "Takehito dear, Its MBI.."
He sighed, and shook his head 'If that moron thinks he can persuade me to come back.. he's got another thing coming..' he began planning his response to each and every thing the man might say to cajol his return. He quickly left the lab, and emerged from the stairwell near the phone. Nodding to Miya, he took the reciever. "Minaka, I am not returning unless.." he was halted mid sentance".
"I see.."
"But.."
"Wait, did you try.."
A voice on the other end seemed to grow more paniced as Miya stood there watching her husband.
Takehito sighed, and finally gave in "Fine, I'll be right there, but you owe me big for this". He half slammed the reciever on the old fashioned base. He turned to look at her, frowning.
"You have to go, he did something foolish didnt he".
Takehito nodded "Yea. If I don't go, innocents could get hurt.. or worse". Almostly without pause he reached for his jacket, and shifted to slip on his shoes at the door. A moment later, the purple haired woman in classic kimono was in his arms, their lips touching each other, kissing deeply, erotically.
"I.. I want to tell you not to go but.. if you don't.." came her words.
"I know. You know too that i won't forgive myself if someone gets hurt" he smiled weakly. "Don't worry, I will be back, and you can scrub my back"
Miya nodded as her husband, departed from their home, their Inn. 'ooh my love, if you could just say no once, he wouldnt step all over you.' she thought, smiling 'but then, maybe thats why I love you so, your hopeless romantisism, never turning away someone in need..'
Takehito slowly disappeared down the street, on the way to MBI. The Limo met him not far from the house. Every minute of the essence, time was of high importance.
- o o -
Minato was smiling. He was sitting in his desk at school, smiling. The world around him could fall to pieces, and he would be left there, suspended in a void, and it wouldnt interrupt his mood. he was looking at his last exam results. The report Card stating his over all marks.
"Perfect"
He blinked, in rapid processon, each time looking at each individual exam, then at the final report handed to him. 'Next year, next year Tokyo. Shinto teito University, here I come. success, here I come, Bullies goodbye and success here I come, watch out world..'. he still couldnt believe it, but it was there in front of him, evidence his possible future might come true. The ability to change his life.
"Without exception, we had only ONE student perform remarkably well, and will be graduating with full honours next week" the teachers voice came. "Officially there will be an annoucement to the entire school, but its my pleasure to let you know Sahashi, Minato has earned perfect marks, not only in this years, but next years classes."
A great deal of eyes fell on him suddenly with the words, Minato was however in his own little world. That was, up until the spitball found its mark. Bullseye. Right in his left eyeball.
Minato grimaced as he was forced from his private little world where everything was perfect.
"Tamiko-KUN, YOU are causing the class to be interrupted", the eyes of the teacher fell on Minato's classmate, singling him out.
Minato had to be thankful that the teacher hadn't singled him out in class. 'Damnit, now Im gonna catch it during lunch, or after school. Im not getting away from this one that easy.. Unless.. someone targets Tamiko instead..' he muttered in his thoughts knowing it would be unlikely, his eyes however returning to his exam results, a smile reforming.
Thankfully, Yukari had rushed to his classroom doors the minute the bell had rung. Her teacher had celebrated the class average grade point by dismissing everyone at least 5 minutes early then the other rooms, with the stipulaton everyone departed quietly.
"So Onii-chan, how'd you do?; and if you failed to get less then perfect, Im gonna THUMPIFY you but GOOD" she raised her fist, motioning to take advantage.
Minato waved his hand greeting her, with the papers and report grasped in it "read it and weep Onee, absolutely perfect. Full graduation with the final year next week!". Yasaka had emerged behind him, grinning "Congrates, now you can marry my onee". A moment later Minato felt a elbow jutting into his ribs. "Kidding, geez, she might still deny you yaknow".
"Geez Yasaka, I've not seen her in four years, and lets wait til I visit her in Tokyo before you start making more jokes about that." Minato just shook his head, hand to his rib where he was jabbed in good nature, his gaze fell onto Yukari, who was frowning.
"Uhm, I guess this.. this means I wont be able to THUMPIFY you eh?" came her voice, seeming a bit depressed, "Im gonna miss that".
Minato smiled, gleefully at avoiding Yukari's self declared right to punish him for being less then perfect if his grades reflected it. "I am sure, that you will find plenty enough reason to -thumpify- me before I leave for Tokyo."
"Did you hear from your oka-san?" Yasaka inquired, watching both Yukari and his friend.
"Obaa-san said she promised to be at the graduation. I've not heard from her for weeks, she hasn't even been home. Something about important evaulations at work" Minato answered, frowning a bit "But, she cant miss this, this is important!", his features returning to a smile.
"Right!" Yasaka cheered "She will be there!"
Yukari however, smiled and spoke "I think she's trying for some sort of promotion. Last time she was gone this long, She celebrated for a week, and wasn't home for a month".
"Yea, but Im graduating. She'll be so proud!" Minato continued, looking at his sister cheerfully, he wouldnt let anything bring him down today. Today was his day.
For the most part it was. They managed to make it to the house, with only minor incidents, ones that Yukari managed successfully to manage to keep minimal.
- o -
Miyajima stood there, the young blond girl, sitting in the chair before the projection board on the wall. The older lady clicked a small device in her fingers as a large display changed "Now, I want you to study this, Men want their women to know many things, I would be remiss if you did'nt know at least some of what they desired. For your future Ashikabi's sake."
Tsukiumi shook her head, angrily "NO" she yelled at the old woman, the image was fresh in her mind from the last trip to MBI. "I hate Ashikabi, I dont need one". Her mind dwelling on the example of Ashikabi Seo left in her imagination.
The old lady smiled, and shook her head "Then someone, maybe all of them will be stronger then you, and take you away forever".
"Wont happen Obaa-san never" the young girl quipped back at her, she raised her hand as a small ball of water began to form. "I shalt not be touched by a monkey. I need no Ashikabi"
"Now now, no using powers in the house. You know what happened last time" the old woman eyed the sekirei carefully. "Besides, if you behave, the final growth injection will be given in the next month, and you'll be allowed to go outside by winter with any luck"
This was news to Tsukiumi, she had been refused an answer to when she could wander freely. Her eyes clearly on her adjuster "Really?" she inquired. The ball of forming water disappated just as quickly as it appeared.
"Miyojima" came the voice from upstairs, 'You got my dinner on?"
"It just needs to be warmed up love, its in the microwave" the old lady called back up, then turned to Tsukiumi, "If you don't study these, I will tell the president of MBI himself, that your not ready, that you do NOT know what to expect from society".
A glint in the old ladies eye, begged the young blonde to call her bluff. The young girl shook her head, knowing better. "I..I.. I'll study it.. Please, I want to be able to.. go outside.." and with that, she turned to study the display on the wall. "doth not mean I have to like it" she muttered crossing her arms, as the old lady meandered up the stairs.
- o Later o -
It was much later that night, Miyojima had tucked the young Sekirei in bed, with a glass of water on her night stand. "Adults will be up late talking, so get lots of sleep k?". The old lady gave her a brief kiss on the forhead "Now sleep tight".
For the longest time, Tsukiumi laid there, images dancing through her mind, the unnamed man at MBI accosting and touching a pair of sekirei. The nice Takami-san screaming at him for his disgusting actions. The images that where projected on the wall, a Biology lesson the obaas-san had called it. She blinked her eyes, trying to wipe the images from her mind, it failed miserably. Her eyes fell on the clock, 5 Minutes, its only been 5 minutes... the girl thought as she closed her eyes again, fighting to find sleep, past the images floating across her mind.
It took nearly an hour, her glass on the nightstand was empty, and even tho she was the water sekirei, when one must relieve oneself, it must be done. Only so much could be held for so long. She rose up, and slowly, sneaking out of the room, made her way down the hall to the water closet. Strange noises coming from the Obaa-san's room next to it. She tried to ignore the sounds, moving swiftly to relieve herself, and was about to head back to her room when... she heard it, the muffled scream from the room next to her. She turned, and looked in through the door opened a crack.
What she saw, horrified her. It was burned into her mind, as she turned, and ran THUMPING back to her room. The old lady, crying loudly "noo, dont.., nooo.. Ooooooh!"
Tsukiumi burried her head in her pillow, covering her ears with her hands, crying, 'Th.. Tha... That.. Doeth that..?' she muttered to herself in fear.. the images of two wrinkled old people, bodies presed against each other, doing unimagined things, The man doing -things- to the Obaa-san, some examples of which had been shown on the wall display earlier, had the young girl wishing someone would come terminate her right here, right now. If she was going to find sleep before, she certainly would not be able to now. 'Even worse, she cried for it to stop but he.. he.. didnt' her thoughts came across..'such torture, such things.. ' her mind got carried away with her in the long minutes that followed.
Miyajima's voice came softly not ten minutes later.. calling out to her inquiring if she was awake, Tsukiumi ignored her, feining sleep.
- o MBI HQ o -
Minaka looked at Takehito, who had finally arrived. "Thank the Gods, your here, I can't.. I can't do it.." he muttered as he pointed at the feedback levels displayed on control panel.
"Minaka!" the man cried, "What did you do? You told me, you promised me you where at least a YEAR away from testing this" the voice bit angrily through the growing tension in the air.
"I know, I know, but with you gone, I had to take a hand in research. I couldn't let things fall behind" his fingers continued to dance over the control board, trying desperately to reduce the feedback. From time to time it would respond, only to spike again moments later.
"But still, even you are not THIS big a fool.."
"Forgive me my friend, I got impatient, We fed only a a miniscule amount of power into the device, it wasnt supposed to do this"
"I warned you, I warned you didn't I? Miya warned both of us about the danger of those things, but no, you just have to mess around with them, for the sake of your Master plan, your so called Sekirei plan" Takehito growled angrily still as his own fingers began working the controls. His results not much better then Minaka's.
"Sir, the entire building is evacuated. Everyone but the sekirei, yourselves, and Takami-san are remaining behind." came the voice of Minaka's personal assistant, whose head popped in momentarily.
"Over one hundred Sekirei's lives are at stake Takehito, please, do something, the game will end, their fates decided right here if we can't stop this" Minaka was close to begging "Show me what I need to do, you where always better at this.."
A quick glance at the gauges and displays told Takehito one thing. "Look, if we let it blow, its going to encompass the entire city... If I can bring it down.. " his fingers worked hard, turning dials, flipping sliders to various positions in a way a mad doctor might, in an experiment when lives would be on the line.
"Takehito? what?" Minaka looked at him, and motioned the assistant to depart.
The former researched looked at Minaka, frowning "I know what I need to do..." he paused, looking at the controllers.. "I've managed to limit it to about a square mile essentially MBI's property here.." he continued.. "still, that doesnt solve the danger to the hundred some sekirei.."
Minaka looked at him, as Takehito's eyes gave that look, the look of the one chance in a million which would save countless lives. An answer to a promise he had made long ago. A promise to Miya.
"Minaka, it's just us, right? You, me, a hundred so sekirei, and Takami?" Takehito looked at his friend, and former employer. No humans? No non- ashikabi, no non-sekirei are within the property lines?". A look of deep troubling though showed through.
"Yes, all evacuated, but, you said you had an.." It was then that Minaka was cut off.
"There is only one solution old friend..." He continued as his fingers worked the control board, fighting to minimize the feedback. "First, this isn't unlike surfing, but there is GOING to be a spike that wipes me out, it's jut a matter of time, I CANT stop it, and I CANT keep up long." His eyes held onto Minaka for a minute, it was ten seconds more than he should have. The feedback started spiking wildly, and for a brief moment a minute later he once again had it under control. "I have no choice, I have to invert the feedback, and negate the power flow completely." He explained, "the results..."
Minaka's eyes flashed, "no, no, no, there has to be another way, something else. What your planning will save everyone but kill..." The president of MBI didn't gave to say it, Takehito finished the sentence.
"... Will kill me, I know. There is ONLY one other solution Minaka.. ", Takehito's fingers continued to dance along the control panel, reminiscent of a pianist in professional performance.
"What.. Tell me, I can't let you.."
It was then, that Takehito cracked the joke at his friend, laced heavily with stabbing scarsism. "Get in your TARDIS and stop yourself from doing this". Minaka froze, eyeing his friend, "so, this is THE ONLY way?"
With a nod, Takehito watched his friend carefully, "I have a request, a last request... No, two..".
"Anything, it's yours" Minaka declared still paniced but resolved to the loss he was about to experience, knowing what was on the line, the lives of himself, but more importantly, Takami, send over a hundred sekirei...
"Listen to Takami, and I mean CLOSELY, she's second only to me on this shit.." He paused, making sure if sank in.. "And more importantly, Miya.. You, MBI, MBI affiliates, the disciplinary squad, anyone in your damn game.. YOU LEAVE HER OUT OF IT, the inn, it's a safe haven for her, understood?" Not even a moment later, the controls and alarms started sounding again, Minaka didn't even have a chance to verbally agree to the conditions. Takehito flipped a switch, shifted a handful of slider controls watching Minaka nod as a explosive shockwave erupted from the centre device holding the jinki.
The concussive blast echoed from the MBI building. Power flickered, alarms sounded for miles as storefronts, businesses, vehicle owners reset alarms within a mile of the massive building. The major effects however, were managed to be kept with MBI campus grounds.
The sounds of emergency services heading for MBI could be heard from as far away, further even than a small unassuming inn in the north of Tokyo. A small, but proud woman with long purple hair stood there, shocked as she witnessed the shockwave which shot out from the building. A shockwave familiar to her, as familiar as a mushroom cloud would be to any human. Its power, far more destructive in comparison.
Miya covered her face with her palms, erupting into tears.. "No.. Please god, no.." She found herself before the alter that Takehito had setup for prayer, burning incense and quietly praying to whomever would listen, that would grant her husbands return.
- o -
Minaka blinked. He had been thrown against the nearest wall when the concussive blast hit. He could feel the pain. First it was the pain in his back, he moved his hand to the back of his head, and felt a huge goose egg forming, bringing his hand forward ear ringing, he saw blood. It took another full minute to realize someone was with him "Takehito?" He found himself muttering in a daze.. 'No.. No, not Takehito, it was a woman's voice...'. He strained for a minute to focus on the figure before him, the dizziness slowly began to subside...
"MINAKA, MINAKA, " the voice was hollaring loudly. Takami had her fists enclosed over the collar lapels of his cloak, trying to shake a response out of him. " Minaka god damn you, if your dead I'm gonna kill you" she continued, her hand suddenly slapped the face of the MBI president fiercely at the mention of Takehito. "Minaka, what happened, where is everyone.." She insisted seeking answers.
"The.. The sekirei?" Minaka started as he became more aware of what had happened.
"Fine, all seem fine, and you and I are here so, what.." Takami just looked at him a moment, her eyes catching the white work coat that was Takehito's in the distance.. "Who.. Who as here?"
"Takehito.. He..." Minaka replied weakly, "he.. Reversed, inverted the feedback..caused a.." He wasn't able to finish before he felt a punch to his gut, and felt his body again slammed against the wall, only to sink to the floor once again.
Takami, tears in her eyes rushed to the site where their friend, Miya's husband had stood, working. A heap of clothing laid there, a pile of nothing but dust evidence someone had worn them. She slowly lifted his science frock from the jumbled mess of clothing. "... There isn't even a body Minaka.. How could you..." She then fell silent..
"Yara yara yara, he did something honourable in the end Takami-san" Karasuba smiled. She had been standing to one side, watching the entire time. "It was so interesting Takami, Minaka begged him.. Begged him to find another way..."
Takami's eyes shot a deadly look at the sole present disciplinary squad member. One that even Karasuba might be hard pressed not to grant respect for. "You could have...".
"Could have done what? Stopped Minaka from playing with the jinki? Stopped Takehito from inverting whatever?" Karasuba fell silent a moment, "or perhaps I should have protected him, Minaka, and everyone else by somehow pulling off the impossible and dieing myself? I don't think so. If you humans are to stupid to know what's beyond your understanding, you all deserve to die. Ashikabi or not."
"You don't need to be so fucking cold you bitch." Takami stood, and backhanded the black sekirei.
Karasuba just stood there, "yara yara yara, you get that one free Takami, because this whole thing amuses me, do not touch me again however.." She grinned menacingly, ".. Unless you want to die, after I torture, and kill your precious children".
Takami growled, but turned, throwing Takehito's science smock at her. "Fine, then you can find interest in telling Miya you let her husband die." She walked back over to Minaka, still laid out against the wall, barely following the exchange. His ears were still ringing. 'And if she kills you, we'll all be better off' Takami couldn't stop herself from thinking.
"Yara, yara, yara, indeed I think I might just do that. She might just draw her sword. I can't wait!" A moment later, Karasuba was gone.
- o -
Miya sat at the back porch, sipping her tea quietly. She was reflecting the last days events. Replaying it in her mind. She even replayed her telling Minaka about the jinki years ago. Replayed Takehito leaving for MBI, a company he quit. She reflected 'maybe it would have been Better if he hadn't gone. At least.. At least the Sekirie wouldn't have to play this game.. At least Minaka would be dead. The world... ' she broke off as she felt a tear escape and work it's way down her cheek as she heard his voice. 'I want all, all of you, each one, to experience the joy. The joy of finding your destined partner. Of finding love.' She heard his voice inside her thoughts, remembering the tender moments they had together. 'I was lucky to find it twice. Even more blessed to find it with you'. The tears flowed freely now, as the sun slowly climbed to its noon hour apex. 'Look, I've spent half the day commiserating my lover.. No, my husband, my ashikabi's death.' No, he hadn't winged her. 'Although I couldnt emerge like the others. No, i will remember him as my everything. Wasn't that what an ashikabi is?'
The next set of thoughts intruded and kept at bay only in Takehito's memory, and a promise to him made long ago. Her minds eye recalled Karasuba, smirking as she arrived, his science smock over her shoulder. She had been laughing like a giddy school girl over his.. Over her loss. Her eyes shifted to her sword, laid at her side. It took everything in her power not to take it up, to correct an inaction from last night when she came with the news. It took every ounce of her being to honour him in this moment, this moment of her greatest loss.
Miya remained unmoving, time to time only rising to refill her tea. Ignoring the world. She wouldn't even have a body to bury, she knew the power of the jinki far, far to well.
- o o -
Minaka sat at his desk, hands clasped together, fingers pointed as if forming a steeple. His mind was far away, and not paying attention to the department heads as they gave their reports. Some experiments or something had been spoiled. Destroyed as a result of the shockwave. Expensive ones, ones that where needed for new medicines. Medicines needing approval soon.
Minaka raised his hand and halted the reports, looking towards Takami. I want you to deal with this for me, later. He sighed softly, a memory from the night before weighing heavily on him.
He turned, various heads of departments where departing, as Takami's eyes fell on his. "I know, he's gone, but it feels .. " Minaka nodded to her words, finishing her sentance, "surreal? Like he's going to come stomping in and demand one thing or another?"
The silver haired mother of two nodded. "Yeah, that".
They both allowed silence to envelop them both for long minutes, before Minaka spoke, looking seriously through his glasses. "Takami...?" He inquired.
"Yes?" She looked at him knowing she would have mixed feeling about what would come next.
"I was going to do this next week, but with him gone, not even a phone call away... I want you to take charge of the sekirei plan. Your now Vice President of sekirei research. You answer only to me." He finished, Takami remained silent. Looking at him.
"Your shitting me.. Cause if your shitting me, you'll be right next to Takehito, burried with no body"
"No my dear. I need someone I can trust." He sighed. "I got confirmation, From Matsu, that one of our competitors know far to much, and there is evidence..one or more of the researchers have been seen near their offices in the east."
Takami shook her head, "you'll need infallible proof.. Before you take action".
"No, not really, but I'm already working on it. I dispatched number 55." He paused, "I expect a report tonight actually."
"Minaka.. If you want me truely as head of all things sekirei, then you need to listen to me.. And take me seriously."
"You'll have all access Takehito had.. "
"No, I want all access YOU have Minaka, all or nothing. If you can't trust me, screw you." Takami responded, staring him down, "and you even flinch over it, I'm out the door. Our friend is dead because you had zero patience, whose next, me? I have two children.." She then rose, and headed for the door.
"Ok, ok, same access as I do, but you share.. The responsibility for it.."
Takami nodded, and departed. "I'll start with sorting out the mess YOU made, oh, and Minaka, leave his poor widow alone, touch her and I'll leave anyways".
Minaka starred at the door closing behind his erstwhile friend and sometimes lover. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
A/N: I might publish two chapters in a coming week. Assuming I get 4 chapters ahead in writing. I'm almost there, I just need to buffer a couple chapters to account for writers block and direction.
See you next week.