Waking up that morning with Akitsu still laying her head on his shoulder, Ryuuji thought back to yesterdays events. Having witnessed her power, he felt a little more confident that as a team they could make it. Yet, there was still that nagging feeling in the back of his mind. His thoughts drifted to the idea of multiple Sekirei. It would be pertinent to understand the advantage of having multiple Sekirei, but wouldn't that also lead to the elimination between his Sekirei until only 1 remained? Or was it based on just the Ashikabi who was last that would win? Another thought that plagued his mind was how would having another Sekirei affect the relationship between Akitsu and himself? Ryuuji looked down at Akitsu and started to play with her hair softly. She began to softly moan and cuddle even closer as he continued. He couldn't help but smile at how beautiful and adorable she was, even in her sleep. Moving out of the bed slowly to not wake her, he went into the bathroom and started washing his face. Standing in his mesh shorts, staring at his silver blue eyes in the mirror, he began to rethink about the events of yesterday. He clenched his fist and could feel a coldness start to form in his hand. Looking at it, he saw what seemed to be a cold mist being generated from the middle of his palm. As an experiment, he focused on it and tried to recreate the flower Akitsu had made the first time he saw her abilities. Slowly, the flower bloomed out of small ice fragments. He gasped at what was happening when her heard Akitsu start to stir. He released his focus and the ice flower dissipated back into nothing. Still in slight shock, he felt it better to just ignore it for the time being. After all, he wasn't beyond thinking he was just imagining thinks, nor beyond the idea that maybe it was due to his relationship with his Sekirei.

Sitting next to her on the bed, he leaned in and kissed her passionately. After ending the kiss, she just stared at him with a smile, completely content and incalculably happy. "Akitsu, what do you think about the idea of having more Sekirei? Is that something we should explore?"

She let her head fall to his shoulder, contemplating her answer. "I believe it would be best to win the game to have other Sekirei at your side. Not only would it be advantageous, it would also be easier to protect you."

Smiling, he looked at her. "You don't have to worry about me. I can take care of myself."

"Sekirei aren't normal humans Ryuuji. And the Ashikabi might try to play dirty by going after you. If you are eliminated, so is our bond. I won't ever let that happen, but I could not bear it if I failed to do so."

Returning her head to his shoulder, Ryuuji contemplated her words. It was true that given their last fight, 3 opponents were not much. But if there were more? That uncertainty always left an undesirable feeling within him. If only on instinct, he knew that such was not only possible, but probable. "So, should I run into another Sekirei who reacts to me, you would be alright if I winged that Sekirei?"

Nodding, she looked into his eyes. "I think that having a bond between an Ashikabi and Sekirei is something precious. I don't think I could deny another that happiness. But, I do want to say this." Before she said another word, she grabbed his face and kissed him with a heated passion that seemed to last for several minutes. With his eyes still closed, Ryuuji felt Akitsu finally separate. "I love you, and will always do so. And as long as I have your love, I will always be happy. Now and forever."

Ryuuji couldn't help but blush at her declaration, simply nodding with a smile. "I love you too. Now and forever."

Having the day off, Akitsu and Ryuuji set off to explore their new neighborhood. They walked hand in hand, meandering around the area. Occasionally, they would look at each other and smile. It was a simple moment, though it could also be considered a date. And, given that they had not once gone on one since meeting, it was a welcome change of pace. Throughout the streets, they found grocery stores, convenient stores, a few other miscellaneous shops. They would stop every once in awhile to check out the stores and see if there was anything they wanted, but had yet to purchase anything at this point.
They had made almost a full circle around the neighborhood and were making their way to a restaurant for lunch, when the couple saw a woman being chased by another. This one had two nodachi in her hands as a woman veiled by cloth sheets was following after her. Looking at each other with a nod, Akitsu started leaping from roof to roof in pursuit. Watching her leave, Ryuuji started running towards where they were heading. Akitsu was gaining on the two, watching as the veiled Sekirei was lashing out with the pieces of cloth, destroying roofs where the blade wielding Sekirei had just jumped from. Ryuuji could only see them get further away, smirking at the distance that continued to grow.

Akitsu finally had made it within range of the two Sekirei and started raining icicles down around the area of the veiled Sekirei. "I believe that Sekirei has given up; there is no need to pursue her around the city destroying it." Both seemed to stop on their respective roofs, looking at the newcomer.

The veiled Sekirei was hiding her face in the long pieces of cloth as she looked with a serious look at Akitsu. "This doesn't concern you. You know the game is to fight each other."

"Fight, yes - but fairly. Chasing an opponent that has given up lacks honor." They continued to stare at each other as Ryuuji appeared on the same roof as the dual blade Sekirei.

"Are you okay?" She turned around, and for the first time Ryuuji got a good look at her. She was wielding two nodachi, though he did not see any sheath for them. Short brown hair and brown eyes, wearing a chinese style shirt, bloomers, and white thigh-high boots. On the left thigh was the number 19. She looked at him carefully as he stood a few feet from her, turning his gaze to Akitsu. "Are you alright Akitsu?"

"I'm fine. This shouldn't take long." Akitsu kept her gaze on the veiled Sekirei. "If you want to fight, I will be your opponent." With her hands clenched, icicles started to form around her body. They started to float up and down before their points were aimed at the veiled Sekirei. With a moment of hesitation, the other Sekirei left bounding off the roof away from the group.

Akitsu let the icicles dissipate before leaping next to Ryuuji. He gave her a gentle smile and put his hand into her before turning to what he thought was Sekirei number 19. "I hope weren't interrupting something, but you looked as though you could have used some help."

Letting her blades fall to her side, she sighed before looking at the couple. "Thank you. May I ask for your name? I am Sekirei 19, Ikki."

Akitsu gave a gentle bow, "Sekirei 7, Akitsu."

"I'm Ryuuji, her Ashikabi. We were about to get lunch; would you like to join us?"

Ikki thought about it for a moment before bowing slightly. "I would be honored."

Akitsu nodded to Ryuuji as she put her arm around him and hopped down from the roof. Ikki followed suit as they walked together conversing. It was mostly simple conversation, but in their musings they found out Ikki was still unwinged and for the most part had been wondering the city before she was cornered by the veiled Sekirei. Their lunch had been similar to their walking - simple conversation with some smiles and laughter. It seemed like it was no time at all, but a couple of hours later they had finished their lunch and were leaving the restaurant.

"Thank you so much for the meal. It was delicious." Ikki bowed to them, smiling as the couple smiled holding their hands.

"It was our pleasure. I wish you luck in finding your Ashikabi. Farewell." Akitsu and Ryuuji gently bowed and turned toward their apartment as Ikki was watching them leave. She put her hand over her heart, feeling the quick beat within her chest. She looked at Ryuuji's back as the distance between them grew. Feeling flushed, she looked down for a moment. Her fists clenched and stare hardened as she lifted her head.

Rushing after the couple, she caught up with them quickly. "Ryuuji, Akitsu, wait!" They turned to see Ikki stopping in front of them. "Please, wait. I...I..." Before she continued, she jumped into Ryuuji's arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him deeply. Akitsu watched with a small smile, seeing Ikki's back bloom with bright wings. At this, she felt happy for Ikki. Looking to Ryuuji though, she noticed something that baffled her completely. On Ryuuji's back, bright wings of light were also coming out of his back. As Ikki let go and separated, she had the widest smile on her face. She was still blushing while staring at him. "Sekirei 19, Ikki; I am yours, now and forever." The smile on her face still apparent, she turned to Akitsu to see a worried face. "I'm sorry Akitsu. I just had this reaction and I..."

Cutting her off, "No need to apologize Ikki. That's not why I'm looking at Ryuuji this way." She looked into Ryuuji's eyes as he returned her stare with a questioning look. "Ryuuji, you had the same wings of light as us. How is that possible?"

Ryuuji looked at her with a questioning look, still unsure of what had happened, or how it had happened. "I don't know."