The day of choices

Sekirei chapter eight

The next morning after the events of yesterday with Matsu's winging. Minato awoke pressed up against the valleys of two beautiful Sekirei. Uzume was pressed up behind him garbed in white laced panties with a matching white bra barely containing her voluptuous breast. Her arms wrapped around his neck nudging the back of his head against her chest. In his line of eye sight he saw that Matsu his newly winged Sekirei had one hand gripping his sleeping crotch. He was very thankful for his sleeping member not to awake as he took in the sight of the brain type Sekirei. Her orange hair covered over her face, but the outline of her lips were contoured into a small smile as her head was content on his shoulder. Her choice of clothing was a citrus colored bra with orange laced panties.

'If I get anymore Sekirei that is it... I am going to die.' The now flushing faced ronin thought as his arms had somehow in the night snaked its way around Matsu's waist. His nostrils inhaled the pleasing scent of his Sekirei one of chestnuts, and the other of sweet tangerines. A soft sigh of delight escaped the ronin's lips he felt that today just might be good. His thoughts lingered on the encroaching date of his exam only a week away. He knew that in his studies he was fine and got the questions correct perfectly, but when exams came the ronin felt to much pressure from the stares of others and his thoughts wandered off to the disappointed tone of his mother and sister.

'I won't fail not this time.' Minato thought with resolve in his head clinching his left hand which was still around Matsu's waist. The action of his hand squeezing her waist made the sleeping pervert slightly moan in her sleep mumbling the name of her Ashikabi against his shoulder.

Ten minutes later Matsu awoke with a small yawn gazing up into the coal colored eyes of her Ashikabi. She turned her gorgeous eyes in the direction of where she felt Minato's arms around her and started to giggle. A gleam of mischievousness sparkled in her eyes as she licked her lips in a enticing oval manner.

"Minato-sama shall we start the experiments now?" Matsu asked already thinking of plenty positions they could do before Miya arrived and rubbed his crotch with her hand. The Sekirei of technology pressed herself closer into the arms of her blushing Ashikabi; who was trying his hardest not to get aroused this early in the morning.

"N-No Matsu-chan n-no experiments," Minato stuttered out with an embarrassed blush on his face trying to find a way out of the Sekirei sandwich he was in. He tried squirming away from Matsu's beautiful figure. It did not exactly help that Uzume was behind him still sleeping with her voluptuous figure pressed to his head. 'Please someone or something stop this.' Minato prayed still blushing red as Matsu continued to tease him like a cat.

Minato's prayers were answered by his cell phone ringing and Matsu pouted releasing him from her grasp to answer his phone. A frown edged across her face at the identity of the one who was calling Minato. Why did it have to be her?

"Hello mom how are you?" Minato greeted his mother with politeness thanking her silently for the much needed save.

"Cut the crap Minato you know exactly how i'm doing. Minato I will see you at 11 o clock sharp in front of your apartment. We need to discuss a few things," Takami muttered inhaling the robust smell of her cigarette before ending the call. Let it be known that Takami was not the one for long conversations. She looked out a window from the room she was in having finished the last adjustments for Sekirei Kochou. The analytical brain type Sekirei sighed to herself in boredom after Takami finished adjusting her.

"Alright done Sekirei number# 22 Kochou you can now leave MBI," Takami stated in a professional tone of voice exhaling the smoke of her cigarette away from the Sekirei. Kochou merely gave Takami a bow of the head in show of thanks before leaving the room. Her short silver hair swaying with each step she took.

'Damn this job and Minaka. To him this is a giant game giving away birds to find an owner who will 'take' care of them. This is bullshit and I still am going to pay the bastard back for putting Minato in the game. Though, this is my son's fault in the first place.' Takami groaned while smoking the last drag of her Sekirei and crushed it in a ashtray. She had specifically told Minaka after adjusting her first Sekirei to have an ashtray an every room meant for adjusting. The woman couldn't help being addicted to smoking at this job.

"Takami! come into my office we have much to discuss with the black dog!" The boisterous Minaka exclaimed over the intercom above her. Takami rubbed her temples in annoyance at the man she use to love and left the adjustment room. Glad more than ever she was going to see her son in two hours.

Izumo inn (10:00 A.M.)

Minato an hour later after his mother called him had gotten himself dressed and ate breakfast with Miya and the others. It was a quiet breakfast with not much to discuss after breakfast Matsu dragged him into her secret room hoping for some alone time with her Ashikabi. Though that did not happen since Miya and Uzume trailed the perverted brain type Sekirei into her room.

Matsu sighed at the failure of alone time, but did have something important to discuss with her Ashikabi as she typed on one of the computer terminals. Minato set behind Matsu listening to the very fast sounds of clicks on a keyboard.

"Matsu-chan why did you call Minato-kun in here again?" Uzume asked while sitting beside her Ashikabi.

"..."

Matsu did not respond instead typing faster into her computer before smiling in victory and turned around facing Minato. The screens of her computer showing two different things on one side it showed what appeared to be an exam sheet and on the other it showed a list of names.

"Matsu-chan what is all of this?" Minato asked taking a look at both screens his eyes widening at what he saw on the first screen. "A-Are t-these the questions to my entrance exam?" Minato practically shook in his seat at the opportunity Matsu gave him. A part of him though felt guilt in his chest at spotting the first few answers to the test.

"Yes it is Minato-kun you see I hacked into the mainframe of your testing site and voila found your exam." Matsu further explained pointing to the right side of the screen "Also, on this screen is the list of Ashikabi and Sekirei winged to them," Minato looked at the names and saw that Mikogami currently has 11 Sekirei and another male by the name of Higa has over 16. Seo had two Sekirei apparently he must have found one more since yesterday.

"Matsu-chan how come Kai isn't up here?" Minato asked worried that his childhood friend was out of the game. Uzume patted her Ashikabi's head maybe he had forgotten about yesterday with the twins. The Sekirei of Veils was also curious about it a few ideas coming to mind of why Kai had not winged his Sekirei.

"Minato-kun I am not completely sure on this, but maybe your friend does not want to compete in the game. How long has he had his Sekirei?" Matsu questioned finding it strange that the Ashikabi did not wing the twins yet. She knew the discarded number did not count because she technically winged herself on accident.

"I believe almost around a month Matsu-chan," Minato replied which caught Matsu and Uzume both off guard. Even Miya was slightly surprised by this information true she wasn't gong-ho about Sekirei being winged in one day unless it was by their true Ashikabi. But to have your Ashikabi wait that long something had to be wrong there and it was definitely not the twins.

"T-That's u-umm... wow..." Matsu did not have the words to describe that kind of situation. Was that Ashikabi trying to defy the plan in his own way? or was he simply not going to wing them and risk losing his Sekirei? this led Matsu to many different theories on the manner before putting her mind back on the main task at hand. "Okay well let's leave your friend subject alone not our business anyway. But more importantly Minato-kun do you want your exam?" She asked pushing the rim of her glasses up on her nose.

"Yes I would," Minato replied rather quickly which earned the eyes of a disappointed Miya who left the room saying she had to go clean. Matsu nodded printing out the exam sheet and placed it within an envelope for him. Minato thanked Matsu for help and left the room leaving Uzume behind ,who looked at Matsu feeling a bit betrayed by her sister Sekirei.

"Why did you give him that Matsu?" Uzume clinched her fist tightly not knowing which emotion to feel more strongly on either anger or betrayal.

"Uzume have faith in our Ashikabi this is his future and it's our job as Sekirei to make his future possible. That and win in the Sekirei plan so our Ashikabi can win the grand prize," Matsu stated turning around to her computer and typed again. Uzume left the room clinching her teeth in anger and went outside the veranda; Miya holding her nodachi at a tree. The two Sekirei said nothing as Uzume's clothes turned into her garment of veils and lunged at Miya.


An hour later Minato and Takami set inside of bakery chewing on a piece of cake. Minato's choice of cake was devil cake while Takami's was angel food cake.

"So your apartment got broken in and your place was trashed. Kai's bag was stolen let me get that part straight and now you live in a inn." Takami chewed on her piece of cake it was not a question, but a statement. Minato gulped down a lump of cake in his throat with a nod to his mother's words. Takami sighed at his nod and clinched the spoon in her hand.

"Are you going to pass this time on your exams?" Takami asked sipping from her cup of black coffee. She had constantly drank coffee during long nights at MBI.

"Yes I am mother," Minato replied with no hesitation in his voice drinking from a cup of warm honey tea. He was sure about passing this time.

"Good i'm sure you know that your sister Yukari has already taken her exam and now just waiting for the results. I expect them to be good," Takami lowly smiled either from praising her daughter or from the cake Minato couldn't tell. The atmosphere around the two was tense indeed.

"Mother are you disappointed in me?" Minato suddenly asked not knowing where that came from and was about to take it back. His mother looked at him intensely not expecting that question either and shook her head at his question to pat him on the head. Takami did not feel that way about her son not at all she was just never the one to openly praise anyone.

"I'll be taking my leave now," Takami stood up from her seat after finishing her cake and coffee as she proceeded up to the counter and was about to pay the cashier until Minato paid for her. In doing that Takami walked to the front door of the bakery leaving as her son followed suit.

Outside was a black limousine waiting for Takami to get back to work she took out a cigarette and was going to light it when she saw the look on Minato's face. Takami looked at her cigarette rolling it between her fingers before putting it away.

"Come here Minato." Takami ordered in a tone of voice she used for Sekirei. Minato obeyed stopping a foot away from his mother and looked at her with a puzzled expression before being pulled into a hug. Minato was caught off guard by the hug stiffening in her grasp, which made Takami feel like a bad mother. He had forgotten just how long his mother last held him in a hug. Was it pre-school? no it was when he was only a baby the first and last time he had been held by his mother that is until today. She was about to let the hug go when Minato held her in the same hug a soft smile on his face.

The head adjustor of MBI released the hug a few minutes later and stepped into the limousine watching her son's face as the limousine drove away.

"Aww look at you Takami getting soft for our son," a familiar voice teased the driver being Minaka with a grin on his face. Takami's response to him was to kick him hard in the back of the seat. 'Good luck Minato.' Takami pulled out the cigarette from earlier and this time lit it inhaling the smoke. The smoke making Minaka gag hating the smell of the rancid stick of death.

Minato watched the limousine speed off into the distance and pondered on what to do next. He could go back to the inn and study for his exams, but he was certain he was going to pass thanks to Matsu's help. For now he decided just walking down the street with his white scarf around his neck. Fifty minutes later after walking for quite some time he stopped in a park to sit down on a bench gazing up into the sky to think.


'In just a few days I'll be taking my entrance exam and when I pass. I'll be making my family proud and achieve my dream of being someone who can help others out. But once I get accepted into the university will I have to leave everything behind?' Minato questioned in his head thinking of his time spent in Izumo Inn with the friends and Sekirei he's made. Would something have to give for his future?

"Hello... Hello are you alright?" A woman's voice pulled him out of his musing and looked in the direction of the voice. It was a girl in a wheelchair who looked around Yukari's age her brown hair bristling in the wind as she gave Minato a warm smile. The girl wore a long white dress that fitted her beautifully in Minato's eyes. It was the kind of smile that would make birds sing and it caused him to blush a tad.

"Y-Yes I am alright. Just thinking about my future is all," Minato replied to the girl who smiled even more at hearing that. Minato bashfully rubbed the back of his head. "Who are you? if you don't mind me asking. My name is Minato Sahashi," he told the girl extending out her hand to him.

"My name is Chiho Hadaka it is very nice to meet you Minato. Sorry if I intruded your personal space, but I just go where my wheels take me," Chiho smiled despite being wheelchair bound she made a small joke about it. Minato smiled at her joke, though was afraid to laugh at it.

"No you did not intrude Chiho. I actually needed someone to talk too. Would you listen to a story of mine?" Minato asked the girl who nodded she was quite the listener especially when your in the hospital all the time. Minato smiled and told her story about a man in a game with a bunch of birds all fighting for a prize and right now that man was stuck between the crossroads of what to do next.

"Well Minato that is quite the story even though that man is stuck right now. He should follow his heart. Once that is taken in account, I think the man can decide then on what road he should walk," Chiho replied with an earnest tone in her voice staring up into Minato's coal eyes a warm smile on her face once more. Minato returned the warm smile thanking her for the answer.

"Chiho do you have a story of your own?" Minato asked the woman. It was only fair to ask, since she did listen to his tale. Chiho looked away with a small blush twiddling her fingers nervously at his question.

"Y-Yes I do, but no one wants to hear a story of mine. It's not exactly happy," Chiho told him turning around to face him taken aback by his shake of the head.

"Then could I be the first one to listen?" Minato inquired which made Chiho smile brightly and tried to embrace the man, but her wheel chair was being evil today and caused her to fall out of her chair.

Minato being the nice guy he was gently picked her up into his arms bridal-style causing both pairs to blush as he set her on the bench and took the sit beside her. The park was quiet just the two of them with a few birds flying overhead chirping in the delicate last rays of the morning.

"Minato my story is about a young girl stricken with an incurable illness who lost her parents when she was very young. Her grandparents are using up every cent of money they have to keep their granddaughter in the hospital. To the girl's misfortune her grandparents died a few weeks ago when a parking lot got destroyed... barely leaving her enough money to stay in the hospital for five months. The young girl was very lonely that is until she met a man who made her feel better in the heart before passing away," Chiho told him her story with a small amount of red hue on her face making Minato blush yet again.

"That is quite the story Chiho-san about our stories hmm... we both know they are not real, but if I could be the man who made the girl feel better I would," Minato admitted making Chiho blush bright red and shake her hands and head.

"I-It's only a story Minato-san nothing m-more," Chiho blushed not wanting him to be that man and feel sad when she ended up gone. "B-But i-if it were possible I-I would like to be one of those birds and be cared for by that man..." She mumbled looking away from him covering her face with her hands.

Minato felt his cheeks flush red at hearing that looking away from her as well agreeing with her. Both blushing young adults looked at the other and started to chuckle at their ridiculous blushes. A few minutes later after laughing the two continued to sit on the bench just enjoying the time spent with the other. It was rare for Minato to talk with a woman openly and not feel demeaned by them. Chiho was happy that someone finally listened to her and made her laugh.

Checking the time on his phone Minato scratched the side of his cheek nervously he had been out here with Chiho for two hours. Standing up from the bench Minato looked down at Chiho who smiled up at him.

"I'll see you again," Chiho waved him goodbye seemingly knowing that he had to leave just by his body language. She was very good at reading people ever since being locked up an a hospital this was her new free time once a week.

"I'll see you again," Minato replied with a warm smile about to ask her if he should put her back in her wheelchair. Chiho merely waved him off and got herself into her wheelchair she was not a paraplegic it was just walking put to much strain on her legs, because of her illness.

Chiho watched Minato walk off hoping that she would see him again as the person who would wheel her toward the hospital came in a black suit with two women beside him. A woman with silver hair wearing a teal dress with glasses enhanced the look of smart beauty this was the Sekirei Kochou. While the other Sekirei was of Ichiya who looked very broken after what Higa did to her she looked lifeless.

"Ready to go Chiho?" The suited man asked walking up to her with a fake smile on his face. Chiho paid that smile no mind and wheeled herself towards the hospital a sorrowful sigh coming from her lips. Why did she have to be in that hospital controlled by an evil wealthy man? life certainly liked to screw over nice people. She berated herself internally for having to do what she did earlier to become the cat that watched the elusive owner.


Over the next week Minato spent his time divided between his Sekirei, finding a job which he found at a cafe that was hiring, chores for the inn, watching Uzume spar with Miya claiming she wanted to get stronger for some odd reason, and coming back to the spot he met Chiho out at the same time on Wednesday. The two young adults talked about their lives and what they wanted to do in life. Chiho wanted to be a pianist healing people through music.

Now here it was the day before the exam and Minato stood outside the home of his childhood friend. His childhood friend certainly had a very nice house than again Kai did come from a wealthy family of rock climbers. Beside Minato was Uzume in casual attire for herself blue jeans and her purple shirt with a yellow star on it. Kagari couldn't make it saying something about a client he had to meet.

Matsu could not come because she was wanted by MBI and could not risk going outside. Miya could not come due to the anniversary of her husband's death tonight. The person who did manage to show besides them was Kazehana with a bottle of sake in her hand. Minato asked Uzume who she was and she told him it was a friend she made three years ago and continued to hang out with.

Minato rang the doorbell a little impatient since the walk to Kai's house was more like an hour long walk due to Kazehana falling on top of Minato every ten minutes. The doorbell sounded like a mix between happy and depressing. It gave Uzume the creeps and Kazehana giggled having drunk a little sake on the way. The door immediately swung open revealing Akitsu dressed in a revealing blue nightgown who looked at the three of them quietly. After five minutes of looking at them Akitsu nodded her head almost sleepily, though it was only 10:00 P.M.

"Come in," Akitsu finally spoke allowing them inside as the group of three came in. Uzume and Kazehana blinked at what they saw in Kai's home sake bottles were already on the table with red roses in a vase. A snack table was set out different assortments of snacks including types of pocky. The pocky being from Akitsu who had a hand in what snacks should go out. All in all it felt like a fun party more so than a casual one.

"Hey Minato glad you could make it!" Kai exclaimed jumping out from behind the couch dressed in a black nightgown with the twins behind him in matching purple nightgowns. The twins had their fingers race with electricity forming shapes with their electricity; it being of a purple dragon breathing out enough voltage to make Minato's hair stand up. Kai was not done yet pulling out a remote from his nightgown and clicked on it a white banner coming out from the ceiling. The banner read 'Congratulations pre-ceremonial passing of your exam Minato!'

"Yay..." Akitsu dully clapped in applause for her Ashikabi's efforts.

Uzume and Kazehana looked at the discarded number as she clapped and then looked at Minato before bursting out in tears of laughter. Minato's childhood friend pulled out all the stops for this it was just to much.

"A-Umm... Kai-kun was all that necessary?" Minato questioned his longtime friend it was going a bit overboard to celebrate something like this. Sure the thought was nice, but this was way overboard at least to Minato. Not even his birthdays were filled with this kind of work.

"Necessary? of course it was necessary! did you not see the awesome banner or the amazing dragon that reminds people of new years?"" Kai cheered in such a way one could not help, but think the man had a few screws loose.

"Sure Kai-kun... also thank you Hikari, Hibiki, and Akitsu for doing this. I know you didn't have to do-" Minato was stopped mid-sentence by Hikari who was practically releasing high amounts of voltage and pointed to Kai.

"Oh believe me I do not want to do this. Kai practically begged for me and my sister to do this!" Hikari shouted more than a little angry at her fated Ashikabi who had yet to kiss her or her sister.

"Now, now, calm down Hikari let's just enjoy the party." Kai tried to lighten the ever temperamental Sekirei's mood by gently massaging her shoulders. She could be such a drama queen.

"Fine... though in the morning your paying for this," Hikari relented calming down at the massage before moving away to sit at the snack table gorging herself on melon bread. Kai chuckled glad to have dodged the bullet on that one. Akitsu took her place behind her Ashikabi and pointed to the buffet table where steak was. Both Ashikabi looked toward the table and heard their stomachs grumble in unison at the succulent smell of the steak. Racing over to the table both men ate the steak like hungry hounds.

"Uzume-chan your Ashikabi is quite the strange one. Now time for us to have sake!" Kazehana licked her lips at the brands of sake at the table preferring the strongest ones at the table, which made her throat burn in joy. Uzume shook her head at her sister Sekirei antics indulging too in the sake.

"Drink up Kazehana or do you accept the dare?" Uzume asked the Sekirei who was still deliberating on the dare. It was a simple one just flash her breast and that was it.

"Fine I'll do it, but your drinking malt liquor," Kazehana smirked calling over Minato after he finished his steak with Kai. Uzume kept herself from giggling as Kazehana took off the top of her cheongsam and showed off her perky mounds to Minato. The ronin barely had time to think as all the blood rushed from his head into his commander which strained a tent in his pants.

"Got you Uzume so drink up," Kazehana smirked watching the Veiled Sekirei drink down the cup of liquor and coughed after drinking it. Apparently the wind Sekirei did not care about modesty as she left her breast out of her dress not minding that Minato stared. Hell she was enjoying his gaze.

"Aghh damn that stings alright fine what do you want to do truth or dare?" Uzume asked the wind Sekirei pouring herself another glass of liquor.

"Easy I dare you to take off your shirt and kiss this stud right here," Kazehana's turned into a vulpine one wondering if she would chicken out.

"W-What kind of game is this?" Minato asked the two as Uzume already took of her shirt and crashed her lips passionately to Minato's caressing his lips with her tongue. Making sure to press herself against him loving the fact he had stiffened up. She was even more of a little bit giddy to feel her Ashikabi's bulge press up against her pants. As her wings emerged from behind her illuminating the pristine living room in a gorgeous white.

"Damn... feisty little devil. It's a game stud truth or dare. Every time she does the truth or dare I drink from this cup of liquor," Kazehana told him while gulping down the burning drink with a grin. Minato's face was full on watermelon red after that kiss with Uzume and blinked a little trying to regain his sense of balance.

Two hours later into the party Ashikabi and Sekirei alike set on the couch except Hikari who set on the floor along with her sister claiming it was to cramp. They were watching Sailor Moon due to Akitsu having the remote, since she wasn't drunk or even halfway drunk. Kai was half drunk while Minato was tipsy after his first cup and did not want to drink any further. The other Sekirei were drunk especially Kazehana who was cradling three sake bottles to her chest for dear life.

"H-wey Akitsu are the S-wailor scouts vwinning?" Kai drunkenly slurred he was aware enough to tell that the Venus was not in a good position to fight.

"Yes Ashikabi-sama they will win," Akitsu replied hugging on to the arm of her Ashikabi nuzzling his shoulder. Despite his smell of booze for the night she did not mind it, and would have giggled at his drooping eyes if she had more expressive emotions. Instead she pulled out a camera she secretly hid underneath the couch and took pictures of her Ashikabi. The flash was not on so he wouldn't be alerted she also took pictures of the others in there inebriated state planning to put it in a book. Her Ashikabi told her the term was scrapbook.


Once the program ended with the sailor scouts winning due to Sailor Moon scepter magic. Akitsu looked at her Ashikabi who was fully asleep along with the others of the house. Standing up from the couch Akitsu picked up her Ashikabi hoisting him over her shoulder effortlessly and picked up Hikari too. She walked all the way to their room and placed them beside each other on the bed beneath the blanket.

"Goodnight," Akitsu whispered parting the strands of Kai's hair to kiss his forehead gently. The kiss on his forehead made Kai smile in his sleep mumbling her name as she left the room. Next she grabbed Minato and Kazehana placing them in the guest room of the house. Returning to get Uzume who held her arms around the ice Sekirei's neck mumbling Minato's name. Akitsu placed Uzume beside Minato and put the blanket over all three of them bidding them a goodnight. She was unaware that Kazehana wasn't actually asleep, but feigned her tiredness so she could sleep beside Minato.

"Oh well no plan is perfect," the wind Sekirei drunkenly mumbled adjusting herself into a more comfortable position against Minato before falling asleep.

Akitsu returned to the living room seating herself on the couch once more staring blankly at the TV screen. While Hibiki who was still up lazily spread herself out on the floor like a cat. She did not partake herself in the drinking of booze mainly staying up due to thoughts plaguing her of when Kai would wing her or Hikari.

"When will he wing us?" Hibiki grumbled to herself while staring at the TV she wasn't expecting Akitsu to reply or anything.

"When Ashikabi-sama is ready." Akitsu stated like it was a simple fact of life. At least Hikari and Hibiki could get winged, though she would never say it aloud. Hibiki nodded at those words and looked to Akitsu, who never took her icy blue eyes away from the television seemingly lost within her own world.

'I wonder how she feels to wing herself?' Hibiki thought not in a patronizing or pitiful manner. She was generally curious about Akitsu's stoic behavior and planned to know more about her in the upcoming amount of time they would spend together with Kai.

The following morning Minato awoke to a pair of odd shaped pillows that were very soft and comfortable. He yawned into the pillows getting a reaction from there occupant who giggled at his cute expression.

"Mmm... good morning Minato-kun quite the daring young man aren't you? to seduction and now using me as a breast pillow," Kazehana giggled gently rubbing a hand through his hair. Minato jumped in surprise at hearing Kazehana and realizing what these pillows were and immediately raised his head from his position. A cherry red blush adorning his face trying to recall all the events from last night.

"You know now you have to take responsibility Minato-kun," Kazehana whispered sultrily into his ear enjoying the teasing of this young man. If Minato was red before now he was developing into a full on neon color.

"D-Did we do it? I-if so t-then I will take responsibility..." Minato spoke trying his hardest not to pass out from his massive blush. Of course Minato would take responsibility it would be shameful if he didn't. Kazehana couldn't take it anymore and laughed at his expression holding on to her sides at the gut wrenching joy she was feeling.

"I-I'm s-sorry, but your face is so priceless it's only a shame that Uzume is not awake to see this too." Kazehana somehow managed to say through her laughing fit kicking her legs up in the air in joy. That young man was a sure relief from her hangover. Minato's jaw dropped it was all a joke and at that his blush immediately went away as he rubbed one of his cheeks now in embarrassment.

Getting up from the bed Minato left the room checking his phone to see that the time was 6:48 A.M. good his exam was less than an hour away. Checking that everything was in order and he had his exam ticket Minato quietly left Kai's home unaware that Akitsu watched him leave his destination to his exam site.

Not even five minutes later did Uzume wake up feeling a lack of warmness beside her and looked around the room spotting Kazehana on the floor.

"Hey Kazehana where is Minato-kun at? did he leave without receiving my good luck kiss?" She inquired a faint pout coming on to her face as she yawned stretching her arms over her head.

"You could say he left in a rush. Just what the doctor ordered thank you Uzume-chan," Kazehana mildly giggled getting up from the floor to open a window preparing to leave. Uzume shook her drowsiness off at hearing Kazehana's words not liking the sound of them and manipulated the bed sheets to wrap around the giddy Sekirei.

"What did you do to Minato-kun?" Uzume questioned in a serious tone of voice slowly shaking off her own hangover, but failing at it as she rubbed her throbbing forehead. This being evident by the control of the bed sheets loosely lying around the feet of Kazehana.

"You should know not to use your powers when your still hung-over like that Uzume-chan, and don't worry I did nothing to severe to Minato-san. I just teased him is all he is quite the blusher," Kazehana giggled once more in a scolding fashion before waving her hand goodbye leaving Kai's home in what one would look like a midnight stand if passerby people saw.

"Ughh... I need to find a bathroom," Uzume muttered holding her stomach in pain from it catching up with the drinks last night. Staggering out of the room she was surprised to see a fuming Hikari and a red slapped cheek Kai coming down the hall.

"Did you have to slap me Hikari-chan? damn my hand only slightly squeezed your breast so sue me... you have nice breast." Kai mumbled not liking the way he had to wake up and rubbed his stinging cheek.


"Shut up we were just about to kiss and you had to ruin it by grabbing my breast so soon. At least give a Sekirei some time," Hikari replied to his mumble a small blush adorning her face at how nice his hand felt on her chest and what sounded like a compliment from him. It was just her natural reaction when someone grabbed her breast so suddenly. Hikari and Kai both stopped in their tracks at seeing Uzume.

"Is it always this lively in the morning bro?" Uzume asked the two of them quietly chuckling at hearing their conversation as they came down the hall. The two were quite loud if Miya was here she would have said something along the lines of no decency.

"Yeah it's a real great party with this guy," Hikari replied hardly hiding the heavy sarcasm in her voice as she walked on by leaving Kai with Uzume.

"Sorry about that she's just mad my hand felt up her breast," Kai apologized on Hikari's behalf and felt the sting in his cheek dissipate as he noticed Uzume still had her hand on her stomach.

"You know that's not a great sounding apology bro, but whatever. Anyway do you know where a bathroom is?" Uzume asked feeling a little green in the cheeks now, which Kai noticed and told her where the bathroom was. The veiled Sekirei thanked him and dashed off to where the bathroom was immediately releasing the contents of her stomach.

"Somebody drank to much..." Kai mumbled with a small sigh walking into the living room to start making breakfast; taking notice that Akitsu shadowed behind him as he entered into the kitchen.

"Want to help me cook breakfast?" Kai asked the stoic face Akitsu who took a moment to respond and nodded. The ice type Sekirei pulled out from the refrigerator three cartons of eggs, one bag of flour, and milk going to work on making muffins.

The lightning twins Hikari and Hibiki who set at the table watched their fated Ashikabi and sister Sekirei in what appeared to be a dance as they cooked together. Hibiki noticed that Hikari was biting her lip slightly in anxiousness a blush still on her cheeks for some reason.

"So what happened between you and Kai-kun?" Hibiki asked assuming that was the reason for her sister's lip biting and blush. Hikari came out of her thoughts and looked at her sister thinking of the best way to respond.

"Kai touched my breast..." was all Hikari could say and Hibiki nodded figuring out the rest from that statement leaving Hibiki to sigh in annoyance with her sister. She had a perfect opportunity to get winged by her Ashikabi, but her old tendency acted up and ruined that chance.

"There's always next time nee-chan," Hibiki told her sister gently patting her head in a endearing manner. Twenty minutes later Uzume walked into the living room feeling much better after what happened in the bathroom. The first thing that caught her attention was the smell of fresh blueberry muffins wafting in the air on the table with Hikari and Hibiki who ate a generous six between the two sisters. The second thing that caught her was the fact that Kai and Akitsu were cooking together in some sort of harmonic unspoken rhythm.

"Woah! bro you cook?!" Uzume asked in utter surprise walking over to the table and set down treating herself to a muffin. The taste of the blueberry muffin was exquisite to her and she couldn't help but eat the remaining six muffins on the plate a wide smile on her face. Hikari rolled her eyes at seeing Uzume scarf down the muffins what a freeloader.

"Actually, yes I do cook. Had to cook ever since I was about twelve my mother thought it would be a useful in the future in case I had a wife. Though in my case... it would probably be wives or some sort of the term..." Kai replied showing that even if he was cooking he still paid attention to his surroundings. As he lowly mumbled the last part putting the finishing touches on a few omelets he made and carried them over to the table on seven plates.

Akitsu looked at her Ashikabi with that same neutral expression as always, but couldn't help contain the small tinge of pink that lit her cheeks. Was her Ashikabi considering of letting her be his wife even though she could not be winged? that thought alone spread her small blush out to a full burst of pink.

"You have some major skills bro and this food is amazing! better than Miya's, but please don't let her know I said that." Uzume told him while eating into the omelet fearing the wrath of Miya if she were to have found that out.

"Umm... sure glad you like it by the way where are Kazehana and Minato?" Kai asked Uzume who was still to busy eating into the cheese and bacon omelet.

"I saw Minato-san walk out of the house Ashikabi-sama at 6:50 A.M." Akitsu reported like a soldier to her captain as she took her place at the table beside her Ashikabi having strictly reserved that seat.

"Oh... well that sucks now he won't be able to taste my cooking. But his exam doesn't start until 8.00 A.M so he could have at least ate." Kai muttered in a dejected manner, while eating an omelet gaining questionable gazes from the lightning twins and Uzume herself.

"U-Umm... bro are you in Minato-kun close?" Uzume asked a blush forming on to her face at her very dirty thoughts that would give Matsu competition imagining it now. Even the lightning twins had on red faced blushes at the insinuation.

"Well yeah Minato and I are close. We're close friends." Kai responded not understanding what she was implying as he continued to eat.

"Kai-kun what Uzume means is that are you and Minato-san buddies?" Hibiki couldn't even get the words out of her mouth as she gestured instead with her index fingers touching together repeatedly. Kai blinked slowly at figuring out the insinuation and shook his head rapidly coughing into his hand. Akitsu patting her Ashikabi's back in a helpful way not understanding what was implied.

"N-No Minato and I are just close friends from childhood were not gay," Kai replied thanking Akitsu for her help.

"But if you were..." Uzume insisted her blush growing darker and darker by the minute feeling the urge to sing a certain song.

"It certainly would not be with Minato and no not gay Uzume-chan." Kai sternly told her fixating her with a cold stare with his red eyes. Uzume gulped a tad at his cold stare feeling like she was with Miya, but shook it off with a small chuckle. Kai is a human so she had nothing to worry about just because his stare could be intimidating. The lightning twins on the other hand found his stare quite intoxicating even Akitsu felt her cheeks tinge pink again.

An hour and a half later Minato was currently inside his exam site looking over the questions on his exam sheet. They looked easy enough especially from all the studying he did, and from Matsu's help so as he put pencil to exam he meticulously started. Minato felt strangely calm during this exam he didn't feel antsy or a whole bunch of pressure from the other students who were agitated by the exam.

'Why do I feel so calm now? is it because of all the studying I have done? Sure I studied hard before on my first exam. But I cracked under the first thirty minutes of the exam and couldn't take it anymore so I just scribbled in answers it was to much pressure and stress. I guess Kai's celebration party was a success because I feel like I can ace this exam!' Minato inwardly cheered writing out the answers as it all came easy to him to recall the answers now. As the next half hour passed Minato and the other examinees left for a quick 20 minute break. Some catching water and others starting to shake from the pressure of this exam. Minato drank from a water fountain still cool as a cucumber nothing was going to bring him down.

After the twenty minutes passed Minato and the other examinees went back inside still doing their exam it was around the other half hour mark did someone collectively snapped under the pressure of the exam and broke there pencil. Minato and the other examinees looked at the man who gripped his head from the stress and quietly exited the room. They all knew you only got one shot to take this exam and if your pencil broke before the pen portion of the exam you fail. Yes these exams were very cruel, but only the best could get into a University of such high class as Shinto University.

Minato looked at his writing left hand seeing it not even shake as he continued writing in the answers. 'I remember my first time taking the exams I-I couldn't stop shaking and almost went into hyperventilation just to get through the pencil portion. But now here I am just going through it like walking.' Minato thought back in reminiscence of how much pain he was in. He never wanted to go through that again.

"The pencil portion is done now you will all go for break and then you shall finally do the pen secession don't croak," the instructor made a joke at the expense of everyone and as the examinees left for break. Minato saw a majority of them look worse for wear and called either their parents for support or someone just to make it through. At seeing that Minato took out his phone at feeling it vibrate and looked at it receiving three messages appearing.

'Good luck Onii-chan I know you can do it! if you need to call I am here From Yukari P.S. I love you!' Minato couldn't help but smile at reading the message remembering how last time on his first exam. He was a sniveling mess and tried calling his Mother for support, but she said she was tuning something judging by her tone it was a rather loudmouth person. He had also called his sister who supported him with encouragement to pass his exam that really lifted him up and kept him from leaving under the pressure.

'Hey Minato you probably forgot about me since you never called me once. But this is your bestfriend Hayato Mikogami telling you to fight on!' Minato sheepishly rubbed the back of his head having forgotten about Mikogami during all of his studying and Sekirei related stuff along with Kai coming back. After this exam was over Minato planned on talking to Mikogami possibly inviting him to the Inn.

'Hello Minato-kun! this is Uzume I swiped Kai's phone from him and he told me you were taking your exam. You left without your good morning kiss meanie . Just do your best I believe in you and so does Matsu. She called about an hour ago telling us about your exam. Oh crap! Kai's coming back from the living room Love you Minato I really do ^_^' Minato did not know how to feel about the last message, though a heavy blush stained his cheeks glad that his Sekirei believed in him it made him want to pass all the more. Spotting the other examinees slowly walk inside Minato followed behind them getting shoved a bit as his phone vibrated, but couldn't feel it go off.

"Welcome back examinees now you know this is the last part remember don't choke," the instructor chuckled darkly and gazed directly at Minato. Minato for once did not cower or look away he stared back calmly before taking out his pen, and began to write on loose leaf paper. The final exam being an essay of about what the examinees wanted to do in there future a broad topic to say the least, but manageable.

Writing out what Minato wanted to do in life it was so simple he had talked this over multiple times with Chiho and Miya privately at times. What he wanted to be was a doctor so he could help the sick. It was partly due to seeing Chiho being wheelchair bound and wanted to help her out too. The ronin was just to kind as he continued on writing out the reasons why he wanted to be a doctor. His thoughts drifted him away from the exam and on to Izumo inn.

'Hmm... what am I doing here? I know i'm still taking the exam, but why here of all places. Sure it's nice being here at the inn, but if I pass this exam I can go and achieve my dream of going into Shinto university. T-That way Mother, and Yukari will be proud...' Minato thought as he saw himself leaving the inn waving goodbye to Uzume, Miya, Kagari, and Matsu. That made him feel sad as he watched himself go down the road he spotted Kai and his Sekirei companions fighting other Sekirei and losing badly.

'Wait stop! this can't be real just mild stress from taking the pen portion this isn't real...' Minato told himself as he saw his childhood friend fall to the ground bleeding all over. It only got worse from there as he saw the hospital where Chiho was in burn down to the ground hearing choking sobs coming from the building.

"What the hell is going on?!" Minato shouted coming out from his stressed state back in the exam room now apparently an hour had passed. The instructor and few examinees remaining looked at him wondering what happened to his calm facade did he break?

"Examinee do you know what happens to those who yell and disrupt the order of this exam?" The instructor warned since this was the last part of the exam. If anyone talked during the last part there exam was immediately taken for grading.

Minato could only nod his head as he looked down at his hand feeling it tremble now getting up from his desk. He took one last look at his exam seeing it completely filled out and sighed. Leaving the exam room Minato kept on walking out of the site a sigh escaping his lips. Would he pass? what was all that stuff about in his head? did his leaving make all of that happen? whatever it was about Minato tossed it in the back of his head for later thought as he left the exam site.

On his way to the train station Minato couldn't help but feel relief after that exam was over and pulled out his phone blinking at the message.

'Good luck Minato.' It was from his mother. Maybe his mother had a break off work and had time to tell him that it certainly was an eye opener. A small smile graced his lips as he looked up to the sky the warm breeze of the day made him feel chipper.

"I know what I am going to do," Minato smiled up at the sun as the train came to a stop people leaving the train one after the other. Once they were gone Minato hopped into the train noticing a woman with dark short brown hair a black cloak wrapped around herself gazed out the window. The cloak accented her features well it displayed her hips in a curvy fashion, while leaving enough underneath for a mysteriously. Though the cloak did not help hide her bust size that looked bigger then Uzume's if possible. Her eyes shaped strangely in what appeared to be a yin-yang fashion when their eyes met a warm bright smile came from the woman.

She stood up from her seat to walk over to him a blush forming on his face as he saw her beautiful face and licked his dry lips. The beautiful woman set beside him now and gazed into his eyes coal eyes with a smile that threatened to outshine the whole sun.

"Hello I am Yume it is a pleasure to meet you." She spoke in a gentle tone of voice that calmed his soul as he held out his hand to her in a formal handshake.

"My name is Minato Sahashi."

Sorry for the delay, but I had to move around and get a new home then had no internet for two months it's been hectic. Sucks that Hikari can't get those wings yet and neither can Hibiki, but soon they shall. Yes now things are getting interesting Minato took his exams and now has met Yume this is where the plot gets interesting. Hopefully it won't take me this long to update chapters again.