The Plan

Ekai and Kazehana sat down on the roof of the Inn as the rest of the household made a ruckus over nothing as they finalised their plan. Kazehana gazed at Ekai thoughtfully and his green hair gently fluttered in the air.

"You haven't said a word to me since you got here, you know" Kazehana softly spoke, a more maternal side escaping her as she spoke to the Sekirei with green hair.

"I'm waiting for an explanation. We have the same Ashikabi, you've been here with Yu… Musubi. Yet, you have not once come back and made any contact with us. 6 years you've been gone." Ekai's raspy voice slowly made its way out of his mouth as he barely moved his lips whilst speaking, pushing Kazehana's hand away from him as she waved a bottle of sake in his face.

Sighing, Kazehana continued "I know. But this is not even the guy that I was in love with" Kazehana ran her fingers through her hair, readying herself for the reaction she expected her former companion to give.

"Figured. This guy would have been much too young 6 years ago. It was his father, I know. Tora wouldn't believe me. But I know you, Kaze… I knew you very well" Ekai shook his head and chuckled. Sharing a gentle laugh with Kazehana.

"So, you and Tora-ni…"

"Please, I would rather not."

"Why? You never told me why. You never once told me why you loathe the clone of your best friend so much"

Ekai looked Kazehana in the eyes, without a movement of his head, his eyes displaying a mixture of dread and disgust at the word 'clone' – in his eyes, her 'clone' was not a 'clone' but a bad, painful memory of an incident he will never forget. He promised himself. He promised himself so badly that he will never, ever talk to her again.

"There is no need to know the reason why." Ekai stood and jumped down, off the roof. He walked in to the Inn in hopes of being able to aid the plan being made.

"Musubi-sama, is there anything I could do to help you?" Standing a great distance behind her, Ekai spoke to Musubi.

"Ummm, I'm not sure. Maybe ask Miya?" responded Musubi.

"Actually, there is." Minato began to speak "Ekai-san, you and Tora-san had been friends for a very long time. I would like to know of her physical abilities. In the case that someone would have to fight her"

Please, do not ask about the other her today, Ekai thought to himself "She is a close combat fighter, so I would always suggest: use those that would not have to physically touch her to harm her. I.e. Musubi-sama. My biggest suggestion is Kusano as she would be able to bind her up then use someone such as a joint attack from Tsukiumi and Homura to knock her out and make her drowsy. She's vulnerable to things like that as she needs her entire body completely functioning in order to be able to attack effectively. Within moments, she would be out cold." Well done Ekai, now whoever does bring her up is getting poisoned…

"But Ekai-san, what about her clone?" Musubi innocently asked.

Ekai growled in his head, having an undesirable image of pouring poison on to the head of Musubi and grinning as her hair falls out. Pull it together. They only have the same soul. They are not the same person… "Oh, well… Her clone is vulnerable to that as well but a lot more resistant as a whole"

"So why can you not use your poison gas to knock her out as you did to both Kuu-chan and I?" walking through the door was Tsukiumi, who was eavesdropping on the conversation from a different part of the house.

"Because she is immune to mine." Ekai looked down and sat himself down on the floor, resting on his knees "There is nothing I can do to help regarding Tora"

"Is that why you've been avoiding the plan, Ekai?" Kusano spoke up.

"Y-yes." He looked at the young girl speaking to him, not knowing how to react or feel towards her. He smiled and nodded, opting that her innocence and strong sense of determination was admirable, even if she was the youngest Sekirei. "I… She is my strongest weakness because she is immune to all my strengths"

"So let us use this to our advantage" Miya spoke, smiling quietly.

…

Matsu smiled as she sent Minato a text indicating that everyone should be in her room soon, preparing herself for the endless questions that people will be asking. First to arrive were Homura and Ekai, who were both, in deep conversation with one another.

"Please, explain to me why it's Shinto tradition? I did not enjoy being dressed up as a girl for so long, it's totally embarrassing!" Homura rolled his eyes, nodding at Matsu as she welcomed the both of them quietly into her room.

"Homura, you have breasts." Ekai looked straight ahead, attempting to avoid glancing at his friend's chest. "That have grown recently, if I may add"

"I know. As if they weren't a hassle before"

"If you would like, I could examine the both of you and compare the differences and conclude as to why Kaga-tan's breasts have grown and Ekai-tan's breasts are non-existent"

"You say it as though it's a good thi-" both Gender-Benders spoke, glaring at Matsu. "Continue and let's see your new hairstyle once"

"heat gets involved"

"poison gets involved" Both Homura and Ekai spoke simultaneously, each saying their respective element.

Musubi gasped "Ehh, you want to give her an afro?!" She had walked in to the room quietly as Matsu was speaking, taking a seat beside Homura.

The rest of the group walked in, all crowding around the three men: Minato, Ekai and Homura.

Everyone took a seat and Minato began to talk "This is the drafted plan: Every person here will meet at Sakura Bridge which is a 10 minute walk from the MBI's headquarters…"