Sekirei Blackthorned
Arc of Ascension – Episode 5 – "New Homes, New Dangers!"
(A/N: I originally was going to do Episodes 2 and 3 in one, but went against it because I had plots to attend to and set up. Glad I didn't do that, before this was pretty long. About 16 pages long...with more than 7k.)
Last time on Sekirei Blackthorned, Ryder helped Minato make the first step obtaining Musubi and growing a bit confident in himself. Now they were all in Miya's yard as in canon, but how will Ryder handle Miya and Maison Izumo? Find not now!
You'd think I, Ryder Blackthorn, would and should know better than to gawk at a deadly beauty. But I was an idiot for a beauty. Miya was one of those type of women, a dangerous flower. In my male gaze, I realize that despite all the Sekirei sometimes having similar looks, Miya was the most Japanese influenced in skin tone. But I could stop gazing into those deep brown eyes. I only snapped out of my thoughts when I realized Miya's sword was at my neck.
"Excuse me, I asked why you're on my yard." Miya said to me kindly.
"I'm sorry, I came to check on my friend because he crashed in your yard." I responded. "I'm sorry for not speaking sooner. I was lost in those eyes of hers."
I would later kick myself for saying the bit about her eyes. Miya actually blushed red for a split second before Minato tried to get up only fall because of his messed up knee.
"You're hurt." Miya said helping Minato up.
Soon enough, he was in new clothes being patching up and Musubi was in a kimono. Introductions between them came and it was mostly the same. However, Kagari was eyeing me nervously, but I tried to play it calm and cool. She knows me already, but I was going to pretend we never met. I don't think my Sekirei recognized her except for Akitsu. She smartly kept quiet about it.
"I believe you haven't told me your name or your entourage, Mr. Bushido." Miya said crossing her arms.
"Oh right, Miya. My name is Ryder Vega Blackthorn, and these are my Sekirei, Yashima, Shi, and Akitsu." I said calmly to her.
Minato panicked but I nodded that it was okay.
Miya introduced me to Kagari and Kagari returned one. So we joined them all for dinner, and I ate like a starving man because Miya's food was heavenly. The pork, the noodles, no everything was good.
"Master, you ate like you hadn't eaten in days." Akitsu said finishing off some noodles of her own.
"Akitsu, this food is heavenly." I said between bites.
"You've eaten nearly fifteen plates!" Miya said surprised.
Musubi only had six.
"Sorry Miya, I was only hungry. How I make it up to you and cook for you on occasion? For you, I'm make a storm for your delight." I said without thinking.
I was unintentionally turning on the charm. Then Uzume came down for dinner in only her panties and a tank top, and sweet mercy, I forget how foxy she was. Minato and I had nosebleeds at the same time.
"Uzume, it's good to see you again." I said wiping my nose.
"Hey Ryder. Surprised to see you here, and I heard we had new guests." Uzume said casually.
So we were given the explanation that was a boarding house and I got to witness Miya's hanya stare on Uzume. Strangely enough, I had mixed feelings, but none of them fear. They were more of amusement, finding it adorable, and arousal mix. But I stopped Minato before he could beg to live here.
"Miya, I want to ask if me and my friend can stop here. I'm new in town and he got shafted out of his apartment! Please!" I said playing that I was desperate.
"Well of course. The rate is 50,000 yen, however." Miya said to us.
I had a smirk on my face and asked if she would accept US Dollars. Miya found it strange judging from the look on her face, but nodded. Now fifty thousand in yen was merely near five hundred in US Dollars. So putting my duffel bag, I go into it putting my BlackTab. Under the premise I'm rummaging, I use the BlackTab to spawn fifty thousand US Dollar.
"Found it." I said taking out the roll of US Dollars.
I gave it to Miya, "50 grand in US Dollars. I believe that equates to 5,099,272 and change."
Minato's jaw dropped along with everyone else's at the amount.
"If you can carry that much money, why stay here?" Uzume said without thinking.
Miya cut her a glare, but didn't bring up the oni strangely, which that silenced Uzume from speaking any further.
Miya lived a modest living with Takahito before his death and so had never seen so much cash offered to her. This young man was anomaly to her. He carried a sword, showed no fear to a sword to his neck instead focusing on her eyes, and didn't flinch at her stare.
"Is he even afraid of me?" Miya wondered.
With the cash in her hand, she was essentially made a millionaire. Miya hadn't wanted much in life. However, even though she liked her traditional and modest living, she still had wants. She remembered that nice yakama was made of a fine silk. Miya wanted to obtain it, but it was a little out of her price range. Miya asked if this was to pay for both of their rent.
"It's pay my rent for next year and half of Minato's for the next year. The rest to cover groceries due to my appetite and for you to get something for yourself." Ryder stated with a bow.
Minato sighed knowing he'd have to work to pay the other half, but he was glad the strain would be less.
Calculating the rent, groceries, and the insurance out of the equation, Ryder gave her essentially two million for herself. She almost would have been wary of this, but her eyes filled with ideas on what to do with the cash. It was almost like instead of Miya, it was Nami who had taken her place. Then Miya snapped back and got serious.
"While I thank you for this, I will have to fill in the rules. Don't think you'll be spared." She said giving him the oni stare.
She was expecting him to cower, but he didn't. He smiled and said he wouldn't have any other way. Miya didn't expect that reaction, but filled them both on the rules.
"I don't what it is…Miya. But around you….I feel both safe and terrified." Shi stammered.
Miya assured her she wouldn't bite unless she broke the rules. Then Kagari took Miya aside.
"Miya, are you sure you should let them stay?" Kagari said to her concerned (she was mostly iffy on Ryder). "Two fall out of the sky and four show up after them. And the five million!"
"Kagari, it's fine. Those six ended up here by fate." Miya said to her.
"Funny, I threw them there." Ryder snarked in his thoughts overhearing their conversation.
"But we don't know them. Minato and Musubi are fine, I guess. But it's Ryder." Kagari said to her in a heated whisper. "He's the Phantom Ashikabi I was telling you about. He fought Karasuba and beat up her enough to leave bruises on her face!"
"Oh my, how surprising. Well, I'll let him stay. Any person willing to fight Karasuba has my instant respect. The fact alone him injuries her makes him….interesting." Miya said trailing off.
"But he could dangerous." Kagari said.
It was then Ryder smartly stopped listening in to continue eating. He had a feeling Miya would definitely let him stay.
"Are you discounting that I can't fight him, Kagari?" Miya asked.
Kagari admitted that he wasn't sure, and Miya assured Kagari she'd be all right. However, Miya did return to the dining room to ask Ryder a question.
"One thing Ryder, do you have any ties to MBI?" Miya asked him.
"Miya, let me say it to you. Forgive me for being crass though. To have ties to that fifth ridden organization would mean I'm working for Minaka. I'd sooner pour battery acid on myself then work for that loathsome shit-eating turd." Ryder said cutting his own serious glare on her.
And with that Miya was sold on having him stay. She wondered about his sword and if he could use it, among other things.
Sweet! I got into Maison Izumo with no issue. With me and my Sekirei taking what would be Tsukiumi's room meaning Tsukiumi owes me big time because they all get to stay in Minato's room and Miya can't separate them. I was putting my stuff when my BlackTab rang but this was different. The ringtone was "Moon White" and that meant it was another BlackTab. I knew I had to slip out to answer this. Then Akitsu came up to see me a bit concerned.
"Master, are you all right?" She asked concerned.
"I'm fine, Akitsu-chan. I need to deal with something really quick." I remarked leaving the room.
Now that I think about it, Mikogami was supposed Akitsu in episode two or was it a flashback? Regardless, I had a feeling I messed with canon by just being here.
I neglected to worry about Matsu, however. Why? Well if I had remembered, I would have adjusted my tablet's frequency. Little did I know that she was preoccupied.
(A/N: A small warning. To all Akidearst fans, I am sorry for the following joke…almost. To Aki, if you read this, I mean no ill will. I literally was walking home from college and this gag popped into my head. I had to do it. :3)
As the resident tech support, she monitored everything in the house for Miya. She eyed down the new two tenants with interest during dinner. However now, she was busy. She was enjoying one of the many benefits of a technopathic Sekirei could have, hacking sites to get free adult movies. Right now, she was naked with her hand down her snatch moaning in ecstasy over what was on the screen. She was watching a hentai called, "アキのエロ冒険と触手様" starring a woman who wasn't a YouTuber in this universe.
"Tentacle-sama! If you kept that up, someone will come in this empty classroom!" the female lead screeched before a tendril entered her mouth.
"Aki, my dear. Don't worry about it!" Tentacle-sama said in a low roguish voice. "I locked the door."
"I'm so jealous of her." Matsu screamed achieving her climax early. "Oh great, I finished before the hot spring scene."
If Matsu was paying attention, she would have noticed her computers detected a foreign signal. Ryder hopped up to the roof, and immediately checked on what Matsu was doing only to see the hentai she was watching.
"So Aki in this universe…" Ryder said looking her up on what she did in this universe. "writes hentai with those guys?!"
Ryder was almost inclined to look that up, but immediately got to focusing on the important stuff. Namely slipping in a program in Matsu's system to ignore his tablet and SekiDex. Then he proceeded to open the file sent from him.
(A/N: While I will explain the file a little, I recommend you read "Within the Twilight – Kenji Arc 3" for the full context of it. Yes, the other Blackthorns will get this message.)
Ryder was quite surprised by this revelation.
"So I'm half Endurion. All this time…that's what my father was. It does explain the healing factor and the crazy endurance. It's funny, I'm like Deadpool except I am the fourth wall." He thought to himself.
The next day, Minato returned to her old apartment with Musubi to retrieve his things. Ryder came along with Akitsu. He didn't want to take all three of them with him for Ryder wanted to rotate his time with each one. Akitsu got first dibs due to her being unable to be winged. Ryder wore a black, double-breasted suit with a tie and a long-sleeved, blue buttoned shirt with pinstripes. However, the shoes were combat boots worn by martial artists. His BlackTab and SekiDex were clipped his left side of his belt. Akitsu wore a suit as well but stylized (think ala Mature's suit from The King of Fighters XIV). Both wore their forehead protectors.
So here I was, cleaning Minato and Musubi pack up with Akitsu. Akitsu and I would help, but I was still in shock from the Endurion thing. Of course, I did tell my Sekirei (they had to know), and Minato (I trusted him enough.).
"Still in shock, Ryder?" Minato said packing up books and material.
"Yeah…but I've been doing research on my race. My teeth are tough enough to bite though steel and I can absorb electricity. Which explains why the lighting twins couldn't hurt it. I wish I could use electricity in a fight, but it's limited to "those blessed by Voltias" or whatever that means." I responded.
Then Akitsu came up asking to get a beverage and normally I'd spawn one up with the BlackTab. However, I don't want to rely on it too much due the signal it sends out. Last thing I need is MBI picking it up. So until I can adjust it, I'm minimizing usage. (Besides if I need information, I can still use the laptop.) Taking hold of Akitsu, I use the Kai Kai (Instantaneous Movement) technique to merely beam myself and Akitsu to the nearest convenience store.
I gave the clerk quite the scare as he stumbled back falling on his chair. Akitsu was confused by this, but went to grab some items. Thankfully, I spawned more US Dollars to spend beforehand. So I picked some snacks for my own and something for Shi and Yashima. Akitsu had me buy a lot of ice cream sandwiches to the point where I just bought three boxes. Bags in hand, I use the technique again to zip back to Minato's apartment. Now I should have sensed out the place because Yukari was there. Akitsu and I came back when Musubi was about to say she was a Sekirei.
"What the hell?!" Yukari screaming falling flat on her behind.
"Ryder!" Minato said nervously. "This is my friend, Ryder, and his girlfriend, Akitsu!"
"Sorry about that, I should have sensed out the place. You must to be Yukari." I said playing up the charm.
"Oh…Minato, you didn't tell me you had sexy friends as well as a hot girlfriend." Yukari said with a surprise hint of jealously.
Minato blushed, and I had to smile at that. Soon enough, everything was packed and we were all downstairs. This time around Minato assured Yukari he's okay with her getting into college. Then she groped Musubi like in canon.
"Bet you haven't given these a squeeze?" Yukari said teasing.
"Girl please, he has." I said cutting in for Minato.
"He has? Well I guess I can't tease you anymore, Minato." Yukari remarked.
She told Musubi she wanted a bath together, but she offered it to me and Akitsu too. I twitched at it. So she went on her way. Now we had the bag of Minato's stuff to carry.
I almost wanted to kick it all the way to Miya's…..almost.
Musubi hoisted it up, and we were on the way back. Because I already explained Sekirei already, Minato and Musubi didn't have the conversation about the Norito on the way. Instead….
"So Ryder, you said you knew my destiny, right?" Minato asked me.
"Yeah." I remarked.
"Well can you tell me more details about it?" Minato asked again.
"Sorry Minato, but I can't let you know too much of your future. One, you would try to change it and that's my job. Two, you might puke at the dark details. Three, there are two prime timelines." I explained.
"Two prime timelines?" Akitsu mused.
"The prime timeline is the main universe that follows the main event strictly. As a warper, I am not to interfere with those. Some universes have two prime timelines due to….well I can't explain that part until later." I said keeping a certain part of it.
"Oh…ok. Can you at least tell me as we go along." Minato pleaded.
"Oh all right, I'll spill once in a while." I agreed.
I know I'd have to tell him about Kusano a little early for preparation, but I'll leave Matsu a surprise. So we were back at the inn, where Kagari was getting ready for work. Now after the canon conversations they had, I wanted to step in and mess with Kagari's head a bit.
"So you work at the host club?" I asked feigning innocence. "Aren't host clubs the places where sexually ambiguous young Japanese men work, get women drunk, and sleep with them to make themselves popular."
Kagari did a double take and Minato looked at me like I was crazy. Musubi and Akitsu blushed and Miya had her eyes on me.
"I can assure you that I don't need to sleep with them to get them coming back." Kagari said adjusting his suit.
"Oh don't lie, Kagari. The smooth skin, the hair, and the androgynous look. Women would devour you." I said slyly.
I made a light jab at the gender thing and Kagari blushed clearly embarrassed. He hurried out and I swear he was literally smoking a little. Then I turn to Miya.
"Hey Miya, you'd think I'd make a good host?" I asked her.
"Well….you do look delectable in that suit." Miya responded.
She had to have said that without thinking because she immediately covered her mouth in embarrassment. Then I started laughing and thanked her. Miya was a little upset, but she could see that I just teasing. So while Minato and Musubi were shown to their room by Miya, I returned to mine where Yashima and Shi were waiting for us.
"We're back. I brought snacks!" I said putting down the bags.
My room was already unpacked. However, I had to go a mile away, spawn the items, and have me and Yashima carry them in. So my room had a desk for my laptop and my literature to the left and on the right was my mini-fridge to hide snacks from everyone else. I had a workstation for me to craft smoke bombs and sharpen my sword. Akitsu put in her ice cream treats in there and warned the other two they were for her and me.
"I will freeze you to a wall if you dare take any." Akitsu warned.
Yashima decided to go watch television downstairs, Shi crashed on the bed, and Akitsu wanted to sit up on the roof. So I decided to work on my plan, and thankfully, I positioned myself in a way it would make hard for Matsu to see what I doing. So I got to keying my code for MBI. I thought things would go smoothly. However, I was wrong….so wrong.
Musubi was having a bath with Uzume and being taught to immediately fight and kill any Sekirei near her got into a fight her. Now Ryder hearing them, immediately went into overdrive. Saving his work and locking his laptop, he zipped down to Minato in the backyard. Part of him wanted to stop the fight, and the other half wanted to watch it in glorious HD. When Minato touched the tree and got the vision of the green girl, Ryder informed him it was Kusano, a Sekirei he yet to meet. Soon enough, the fight between Musubi and Uzume broke out. Uzume was more focused on getting the hell away from Musubi who blows smashed up the bath. So Uzume had the most reasonable thing to escape. Why bust through a window onto the fence of course! However, unlike canon, her towel fell off of her completely much to Ryder's surprise and Minato's shock.
I needed to defuse this before Miya comes. Not because of canon, no. I kinda wanted to show I was a good tenant and play peacemaker.
"Get your hands off of him, this instant!" Musubi said a tint of anger.
"Musubi, please don't…" Minato said before I stepped infront of them.
Uzume held Minato tighter, and I unsheathed my sword.
"Musubi, listen good and well. Uzume is under my protection. She might not be my Sekirei, but I make this vow here and now that nothing will happen to her. So if you want, you'll go through me." I said with a sword swing to show I was serious.
"…wow, thanks." Uzume said with a bit of a blush.
I wasn't going to let Uzume die, not like last time. Before Musubi another move, I used a ki-fueled judo flip to send her to the ground and had my boot on her back.
"Musubi, please don't do this. You could damage something. I don't want the landlady to get upset! Do you remember there's no violence in Maison Izumo?" I said to her.
"I'm sorry, Ryder. I won't do it again." Musubi said struggling to get up.
I had an iron grip and Musubi couldn't break free until I let go.
"Wow, you restrained a Sekirei. That's some strength, Ryder." Uzume said as I handed her my suit's blazer for her cover up.
Right then, Miya came out with a ladle in hand. She apparently saw me take down Musubi, but didn't thwack me for fighting Musubi. Instead, she hit Musubi three times. One for fighting, one of going out barely dressed, and the third for making me have to restrain her. Rule of three! I put my sword in his sheath immediately.
"I won't dare asked what caused this, but I know it will never happen again because there's no fighting in Maison Izumo." Miya said. "Do l make myself clear?"
She gives us the oni stare, and everyone was frightened by it. However, all I had was a look of glee seeing it. It surprised Miya bit, but she went off on her way saying dinner will be ready soon. She did thank me for breaking it up.
"Freaky! Don't you think Miya's freaky when she's mad?" Uzume asked us.
Minato gave an "uh huh", but I said, "I think it's attractive…."
Uzume looked at me like I was crazy, and I would regret saying that. Mostly.
Little did Ryder know, Miya heard that remark he made. Miya didn't expect that. In all her years, that stare struck fear in everyone. Everyone. Even Karasuba would shrink away. But someone being attracted….or turned on by this was unthinkable to the landlady. Miya couldn't help but blush at the complement, but she had mixed feelings.
"I don't believe this. He approaches me with little fear, teases me, and he's not scared by my stare! It's nice to be seen as attractive, but this is a bit strange. He might make things interesting at least." Miya thought.
Night came, as Ryder made Miya some tea. Now Miya had her suspicions about him. So while they drink up on tea, Miya asked if he was buttering her up to get lenience if he breaks the rules.
"Miya, I'm doing this, but I want to show compassion who's been alone for some time." Ryder insisted.
"Besides if I wanted to be intimate with any of my Sekirei, I'd do the smart thing and go to a love hotel with one of them." Ryder thought.
Miya realized he was referring to her being a widow and Miya did apologize for accusing him. She still intended to do a little research on him.
"I just don't want you to get upset. So I stepped in to prevent you from doing so." He said sheepishly.
"So what? You think you're some kind of dark knight?" Miya said with a chuckle.
"Then I'd be serving a princess. No, you're way too mature for that. I'm be serving a foxy queen." Ryder remarked.
Ryder immediately regretting calling her foxy, but Miya let it slide for that. Ryder got up saying he was going to go out for a bit and if she needed anything.
"Well Dark Knight, I need you to get me some cooking wine. The convenience store should have." Miya said about to hand him money for it.
He insisted he'd cover her and went upstairs to change. He now wore a black Capsule Corporation jacket, an aqua blue tank-top, gray pants, and golden boots. Unknown to Miya, he had his laptop and sword stored in the capsules case clipped to his right. His SekiDex now shifted up to his pocket, and his BlackTab clipped to his belt on the left. In addition, he wore a black cape (think the white one Tien wore in the Majin Buu saga). Miya had no idea why he dressed up like he was some superhero.
"Well I'll be back soon." Ryder said. "Tell the girls, I'll be fine. I'll call if I need them."
Ryder's Sekirei were already asleep as Ryder left Miya alone. Miya was wondering what he was up to. Ryder leapt from building to building going for some exercise.
I saw Homura and Tsukiumi go at it again, and Tsukiumi was left screaming to sky about her purity. I was so inclined to tell her that she had to kiss someone to be winged. However, watching her be an idiot was more fun. Before she saw, I dove down to street level where I landed in front of Homura. Damn! We looked at each other awkwardly, before I up and left, leaving her confused. I zipped from building basically as my way of training myself. Reaching a small convenience store in the North, I got the wine. After paying for it, I go up to the roof to add more to the code. While at the same time, leaving a little present for Minaka. Now I couldn't send him a virus, but I did send him something. After an hour of adding to the code, I return the laptop to its capsule. So I decide to visit Chiho because I figured that I'll spend time with her because she's cooped up. However, first, I swing back into Maison Izumo to drop off the wine. Walking down the road, I finally adjusted the frequency on it to ensure MBI won't detect it. I didn't know if they detected it the last times I used it, but I wanted to be sure. I spawned a batch of snapdragons and sweetpea flowers to make a bouquet for Chiho. Getting close to the East, I raised two fingers to my head. I was going to teleport right into Chiho. I was in no mood for Higa or his cronies. Besides if anything, I doubt Chiho would question why I could teleport, hell she'd be happy I'd show up.
It was another lonely night in the hospital and Chiho was suffering aliment worse than her sickness. That was boredom. TV could only rot your brain so much. Didn't help that there was nothing on TV. Right now, she was watching the news. Apparently, Even President Clinton and Vice-President Trump of the United States were capable to being under Minaka's grip. She flipped through several channels. She wished Uzume was here.
Then Ryder suddenly appeared in her room next to her from Instant Transmission.
Now the normal person would scream, but Chiho was just glad someone snuck in just to see her.
"Hey Chiho, brought you some flowers." Ryder said coolly putting them in water with the other flowers there.
"Ryder…how did you?" Chiho said before Ryder shushed her saying, "Ninja."
"So Chiho, how's things?" Ryder asked concerned.
"Between you and me, it's awful. But I try not to complain about it, for Uzume's sake." Chiho said warmly.
"Speaking of Uzume, she nearly got into a fight with someone. But I took of it, even making a vow of protection…" Ryder said shyly.
Chiho sighed a defeated sigh. She wasn't here to help Uzume once again. She felt useless here on hospital and despised this place. Even though, he smiled at the fact that another Ashikabi was willing to protect her Sekirei for her.
"Ryder, thank you for watching over Uzume for me. You risked yourself for her and for me by coming here." Chiho said to him. "Thanks for spending time with me."
Ryder spent an hour with her giving her having a modest conversation. Somehow, the conversation took a turn to favorite literature. Ryder ended up spawning something for her saying it was something to keep her "entertained". However, when a nurse rolled by hearing them, he went to check. With a hasty goodbye, Ryder had to teleport out of the hospital. The nurse, known to Chiho as Mark, entered the room.
"Miss, you all right? I thought someone was in the room with you." Mark said gazing around.
"Just the TV." Chiho said pretending to be bored.
"Well…you should get some sleep. It is a little late." Mark remarked. "Good night."
"Good night." She responded robotically as he left the room.
As soon he left, Chiho got the manga Ryder give her from her pillow. Ryder had given her a very special manga.
"Black Lagoon?" Chiho said reading the title. "Sounds mysterious."
While she started read, Ryder ended up a short distance outside the hospital. Where sadly, he was spotted by one of Higa's Sekirei. She wore a purple, yellow, and black outfit that wrapped around her and she held together by a small metal ring right below her breast. Portions of her midriff, her sides, her arms, even the outer portions of her thighs were exposed, while the rest was checkered back and forth with purple and yellow. She had long black thigh high boots and short black gloves to finish it. Her hair is less than an inch long, framing her skull closely. This was number 18, Ichiya. Ryder was in for a fight.
In my haste, I ended up still in the East and now I was in trouble. Out of nowhere, I sensed danger. I dodged a flying kick. I would have scanned with the Dex, but I had a feeling I wasn't going to get the chance.
"What the hell's your problem?" I screamed getting up.
The person who attacked me was a Sekirei, a long legged one. I recognize her as Ichiya and I had a shit feeling about this.
"Sorry, but I was hunting for Sekirei. However, I got bored and since you're here" She remarked. "I'll fight you instead."
"Does everyone who works for Higa is crazy?" I said getting into fighting stance.
It's then under the lone streetlight I recognized her. This was Ichiya, and she was to be Higa's last remaining Sekirei in the manga at least (which doesn't matter considering I'm not letting MBI get to the Third Stage). Nevertheless, I had to fight her if I wanted to leave alive. She charged at me with her long legs for a sweeping kick which got me in the face. I did not fall down as I returned with a ki-powered punch into her stomach. I was actually peeved by this considering the fact that if it wasn't me, it would not be some unlucky innocent. Ichiya staggered back from my blow surprised I was even able to fight back but she aimed to leave marks on faces with her punches. I dodged each one and I noticed her energy was oddly lower than the other Sekirei. Then again, the only people who could give me a run for my money are Karasuba, Minato's Sekirei, Uzume, Kazehana, Mutsu, and Miya. Or I could be overthinking it. But I remember that Higa's "relationship" would weaken them. The only thing is that gear Sekirei was still balanced in stats to be a threat. I had no idea what stats she had because I dare not use the Dex.
"All you can do is dodge me! Did you only have one punch in you?" Ichiya taunted.
So I caught her left fist giving her an iron grip and I stared her down.
"No, I have more punches. But…." I said before delivering a blow to her head sending her down into the pavement. "I only need to give you one."
"You…you…you're just a mere human. How? How did you…" She said before slipping into unconsciousness.
I looked down at her and realized I could easy call the girls to clip her to add another victory. But instead, I scoop her up and take her up on the rooftop of some building. I lay her here and wait for her to wake up. In five minutes, she awoke bruised but alive.
"You know I could have called my Sekirei to terminate you." I said to her. "But I didn't."
"You're an Ashikabi?! But why?" Ichiya asked confused. "You had the advantage."
She seemed to expect me to take advantage of her which really set the bar how low Higa is. It's like watching him in the anime was a taste. Living in the same universe with it was getting a turd shoved down your throat.
"Because unlike your Ashikabi, I believe in a fair fight." I responded. "It wouldn't be fair to my Sekirei because they need to actually fight you. But know that I didn't have to, Ichiya. I needed not to show mercy to you. I didn't even need to watch over to ensure nobody else did something to you. Hell, I could have tossed your unconscious body into Higa's front yard."
Ichiya sat there confused and I take off for home. I didn't know if showing mercy and compassion would benefit me later, but it didn't matter at the moment.
Ichiya was at a loss of words over what had happened. This Ashikabi not only beat her, but spared her from termination. She didn't why he didn't just know it.
"He clearly could be ruthless with me if he wanted to, but he spared me. Why?" Ichiya mused to herself.
She did not even get his name and he up and left. She decided not to tell Higa of this. One thing being her pride being really broken into pieces. She decided to call in a night and return back to Higa's estate. As she slipped in, she noticed Kochō looking like hell. She had been working for four hours without a break. Kochō was getting herself some cream for her coffee when Higa came down. Ichiya strangely hid herself having a bad feeling about this. He approached Kochō from behind, groping her with a sneer on his smile.
"What now, Higa? Can't I just get some cream for my coffee? I need to finish research on the….nyah!" Kochō said before Higa squeezed harder.
"Don't worry about him. I need you now, so you can break from work." Higa said leaving for his room.
Kochō knew this meant another round of bondage, humiliation, neotori, and shame for her. She hated sleeping with him the first time, but now she was used to it.
"Kakazaki…" She thought to herself as she drank down her coffee.
She left for upstairs and Ichiya had mixed emotions. However sadly, the one most prevailing thought her mind was why he didn't touch her like that. Back in the north, Ryder returned to Maison Izumo tired and exhausted. Miya was waiting for him.
"Good, you're back in one piece." Miya said.
"Thanks and good night." Ryder said scampering off to bed.
"Well tomorrow, I got to help Minato save Kusano. By now, he's probably talking to her in her dreams or woken up from it and went back to bed. Let's hope nothing else goes wrong." Ryder thought in his mind as he readied for bed.
While the warper drifting, there were two up late at night. At the docks, an Ashikabi and Sekirei were hiding out in one of the storage units. Aaron, or at least his parents, owned it. With intent to not take part, he hid out with Krurse here for past days forming his own plan. While he wasn't planning to fight Minaka, he planned to blow town. Kruruse was sitting on an old couch as Aaron paced.
"All right, I have a plan. We can hide here because this place is under my father's name. I managed to get myself a job working in the docks. If I work extra hard, I can make enough money to have this unit shipped with us on it." Aaron said after he stopped hard.
"Aaron, I want to help. There's a convenience store a walk away, I could work there." Kuruse insisted. "I don't want you to work yourself raw."
"Krurse, that's sweet. But I can't risk you being seen by the Discipline Squad or any other Ashikabi." Aaron insisted.
"Can't I disguise myself?" Krurse suggested.
"I suggest I can dye your hair and get you contacts. But I love your hair…." Aaron said trailing off.
"It's just hair, plus it'll grow back." Krurse said leaning in close with a sly smile. "Plus, I got that hair you like in other places."
"Heh. Your right, I guess a disguise is in need. I'll call a buddy of mine to see if I can get you a fake I.D." Aaron said shyly. "But first, what color you want to dye your hair?"
"I could go for being a redhead." Krurse remarked.
Aaron nodded and left the unit to trail up to the same convenience store, "Red Lantern". He came in and got to buy some supplies. A deposable cell phone for Krurse, red hair dye, condoms for them to get out their stress, and some green eyed contacts. After paying, he stepped outside make a phone call.
Like Aaron, Karin Jin had a bone to pick with MBI. She was the head of a small business making IDs for companies and so forth. When MBI contracted her with a huge job to IDs for them, she accepted. She found that Minaka went to the Donald Trump school of screwing over the middle class and the Hilary Clinton school of hiding it. Karin's company was absorbed by MBI, and she was torn out of her livelihood. She now had to resort to making perfect fake IDs and work as a manager for Minaka-Mart (Yes, Minaka owns Wal-Mart and it's slightly less bad than before. It still sucks.). She hated her job and Minaka for ruining her life. She had finally saved up enough money to leave Shinto Taeito for good. She was packing her things in her old office building where she had to live in when her phone rang.
"Hello…" Karin said wearily.
"Karin, it's me. Aaron." Aaron said.
"Aaron, it's good to hear from you again. Especially since it's my last night in Minaka's hellhole." She said.
"You're made enough for you to leave. Well I need a favor, and you owe me two." Aaron said.
"If it's for sex, we can have one last…." Karin said before Aaron stopped her.
"It's not that, although one last go would nice. Listen, I could wound up with MBI." Aaron said.
Aaron explained what happened and what MBI was doing. Karin was nothing short of disgusted with the information.
"No wonder they took so many businesses. They wanted to be rich enough to pull this stunt." Karin spat. "If that means sticking it to Minaka, I'll make your fake I.D. Even throw in a driver's license so she can drive."
"Thanks, I'm at the docks by the Red Lantern." He responded.
"I'll drive there." Karin said. "But I want one thing form you."
"What?" Aaron asked.
"One last go." Karin purred.
"If she's ok with it. Fine." Aaron said before hanging up.
He and Karin were friends in their childhood. They grew up together on the mean streets of Tokyo. The two were close almost like siblings. When Aaron's mother and father left the country, he stayed with Karin's family until he was old enough to live on his own. Now the two had could possibly had a relationship, but were too causal. Aaron remembered when she was leaving for college she those years ago, she gave him a goodbye present. Her virginity which she had been saving…for him to take. That was the last time he saw her. They hadn't talked until now, this was mostly due to Karin running her business and being swallowed up by MBI's paperwork. Soon enough, she rolled her in her sports car.
She still had those fierce crimson eyes, fair skin, and the red hair that Aaron remembered. Aaron noticed she had the hair short and spiky on the right side, while longer and straight on the left side. She wore a plum wine business suit with a short skirt and top to show some generous cleavage. However, it had a worn and weary look to it.
"You've grown." Aaron remarked.
"You too." Karin teased.
So Karin was introduced to Krurse, she went to work on the fake IDs. Aaron helped Krurse with hair dye and contacts. Krurse looked like a completely different person.
"She looks like me…..Aaron?" Karin asked in a suggestive manner.
"She asked to be a redhead." Aaron said plainly. "So the IDs are done?"
After five more minutes, she had done, but all she need was the name to put on it.
"Krurse, any suggestions?" He asked her.
Krurse was a blank and Karin came up with a name for her. Krurse now had a new identity, Katsumi Lee. With that, the IDs were done. However, Karin had intended to make the night one Aaron would burn into his memory with the help of Krurse of course.
Ryder had gotten Minato into Miya's home safe and sound. However, the next challenge awaits him with saving Kusano. How will he aid Minato? Has Miya met her match? Is Ryder too kinky to torture? Will Chiho get better? Will Ichiya see Higa for the prick he is? What does Karin have in store for Aaron? Find out next time!
(A/N: I'm actually glad this episode had a little downtime. It allowed me to shift to the others to give them some spotlight. I wanted to give Ichiya a bit of time seeing her as a potential wildcard for Higa. As for Aaron and Krurse, I wanted to expand on him and how Minaka really screwed over him and others he knew. And I apologize for the political references, but Minaka reminded me of them so much.)
Season 1, Episode 2 completed!
Cheers! Here's to five chapters! I might not have that recommendation or trope page yet, but I'm going strong with close to 4k views (for now!). My followers, I give a big thanks. To those who added this to your favorites list, you rock! To my reviewers, thanks a million. Keep it up! I'm still taking questions so ask away while you review! – Yoshi3000
