Chapter 25

Tobias ducked beneath a right hook to the head before straightening and aiming a punch for his opponent's midsection. Said opponent jumped up and over him, spinning into a kick upon landing. Tobias saw this and blocked with his forearm, eyes glinting.

"Very good. You've gotten better at attacking and dodging Yahan." Tobias nodded in approval as both fighters dropped their stances. Both of them were bruised and scratched in some places, but neither looked too tired. In fact, both of them were smiling.

"Thanks for doing this Tobias. I never really had any fighting ability." Yahan admitted while rubbing the back of her head in embarrassment.

"No, you just never used your potential for fighting," Tobias corrected her. "You never had any real training and just depended on your shadows to get you out of trouble and attack from behind. But overall you're a decent fighter, you just need training and experience. And you're better, much much better then you were when we started."

Yahan blushed slightly at the praise but smiled happily at it.

"Now, again."

Both of them got into stances in the center of the garden before starting again.

"He's a good teacher," Dante noted from his spot as he watched Tobias aim a left straight for Yahan, which she sidestepped before throwing an elbow for the chest. "His movements are sharp yet flowing, he's technique is flawless, and he's patient while explaining things and giving tips."

It was a half hour after Dante and the others had come out of the TARDIS, Dante smiling like the cheshire cat while Tobias was shaking his head in disbelief. They had then gone on their normal business with Dante helping out around the house for a bit along with his Sekirei, while their 'guests' had been taken out by Jenny to get some new clothes. Currently he was helping Miya hang up the laundry to dry. But what had surprised him was when Tobias had been in the middle of helping Kazehana with her exercises, Yahan had asked him for combat help. So he had Kazehana keep doing the leaf exercise he had given her before starting some hand to hand spars with Yahan. It had been slow going at first, but there was definite improvement.

"He is." Miya looked at them with her regular smile. She rather liked that Tobias was connecting with his Sekirei well and also helping them develop their powers and strength to better defend themselves. "I don't think I've ever seen Kazehana control her powers so well." She added as she looked at Kazehana sitting underneath her normal tree. Before, she struggled to keep up three leaves floating around her hand. Now she was easily holding six over both hands without looking tired. The difference was extraordinary.

"Huh, funny. I was under the impression you've never seen Kazehana use her powers except for those exercises Tobias gives her. Or am I mistaken and you've seen more then you let on?" Dante shot a look at Miya, smirking slightly. They both knew Dante knew her past, but he never pried or disclosed that information.

"I'm simply making an observation based on what I've seen of her powers. Take it how you will." Miya hung up a sheet before keeping them up with some clothes pins. Dante chuckled at the response. He then heard a thud, grunt, thud and looked back to see Tobias on his back while Yahan was standing over him with her fist out. She looked almost surprised at what she had done. Tobias sat up, rubbing and stretching his jaw.

"Good job Yahan," he said approvingly as he got up. "You're getting to the point I'll have to start kicking it up a notch."

"Wait. You've been holding back?"

"Eehh, kinda. Part of my fighting style is I use air currents to increase my speed. I also use air blasts to hit them. At the moment I'm just doing my regular fighting style without air currents or powers. But I'm not easily taken down regardless." He finished approvingly. Yahan blushed at the praise. "Why don't you go through those stances again while I see how Kazehana is doing."

"Ok." She nodded before she got into the motions he had taught her while Tobias went over to Kazehana.

"How do you feel?" He asked while looking at both her hands and the leaves she was holding and moving in mid-air. Kazehana smiled.

"I feel good. Before I couldn't do three leaves that well, now I'm handling twelve. I wouldn't have believed it if I wasn't the one doing it."

Tobias smirked before using his own powers to snag one of the leaves and hover it in front of him. He considered it for a minute before nodding.

"We've done all we can with simply floating leaves. Now we'll try something a bit different, unless you're content with your current level of finesse."

She considered it for a minute. On one hand, she had gotten farther with her powers then she could have ever gotten on her own. On the other, she didn't really see what doing more would help her.

'But Tobias's powers are still much more diverse than mine.'

With that in mind, she shook her head. "What's next?"

"Well, floating leaves are easier than what I have in mind now," He sat down and crossed his legs while holding the leave in front of his face. "Floating them is similar to holding to them with air. When you were balancing them, were you holding them on something similiar to a platform for each leaf?"

"Yes."

"Well, this will teach you even finer control. What I want you to do is this."

Tobias left the leaf go, leaving it in front of his face and concentrated. After a moment, the leave ripped in half height wise. Both halves then split again, leaving them in quarters. He then let the pieces flutter to the ground.

"What I want you to do is try and tear a leaf in half, using only your air powers. Not cutting, tearing."

Kazehana nodded in understanding but Tobias smirked.

"And if you're wondering why I'm giving you control exercises, think of it like this. When you use your powers and then rage while attacking, you're using a lot more then you need to, and I'm guessing that wears you out." Another nod. "Well, these exercise will not only help with your control, but get you use to doing things with less power. Get it now?"

She did and accepted the explanation. She did feel a bit tired whenever she finished a fight, but for the reason Tobias was giving her these exercises. She was use to letting her power rage around her and she had never taken any time learning how to reign it in. But if these exercises helped with managing her power and stretching it out to last longer, that was another reason to do them.

He kissed her before getting back to his feet. "If you have any trouble, don't hesitate to come ask me for help ok?"

"Ok." Kazehana instantly picked up a leaf and got to work with it.

"Yahan!" The dark skinned Sekirei stopped and looked at her Ashikabi. "We're done for the day. Take a break, I'm going to take a bath."

Yahan nodded before smirking mischievously. "Care for some company?" She was surprised when Tobias actually looked like he was considering it.

"Uh, I wouldn't recommend it Yahan." Dante called, making them both look as he finished hanging up the laundry with Miya, who was watching them. "You know Miya doesn't approve of opposite sex bathing."

Everyone then looked at Miya, Tobias and Yahan nervously while Dante was discreetly crossing his fingers for her hanya mask, loving the reaction it got out of people sometimes. Miya considered both of the people in question, a war apparently raging in her mind. On one hand, she didn't approve of bathing with male and female, as it sometimes lead to acts she didn't tolerate in her home. On the other, Tobias had never shown intent to do this. In fact, he was normally saying no and rejecting the acts, if gently. That had to count for something.

Miya sighed quietly. Really there was only one answer considering the circumstances.

"Go enjoy your bath."

Dante blinked. Tobias and Yahan blinked. Kazehana lost her concentration and let the leaf fall to the ground as she blinked. Dante then started rubbing his ear. "Sorry, must've had something in my ear. I could've sworn I just heard you say go ahead."

"No, you heard me right Dante." Miya smiled at him, eyes closed. "If it was anyone else, like, say, you and Matsu, I would've said no..." Dante frowned at the well placed jab, but he couldn't dispute it, considering how true it was. "But I think I can trust Tobias enough to not do anything inappropriate in the house. Right?" She turned to Tobias and let the slightest hint of purple mist leak from her, making Tobias's hands clench and Yahan slightly shiver. Tobias nodded his head, not trusting himself to speak.

"Good. Enjoy your bath then." Miya stopped leaking mist before picking up the basket that had previously held the laundry and going inside. The garden was quiet for a few seconds, people still trying to get over what had happened. Tobias then rubbed his head and said, "I swear, she's River with purple hair and a sword."

That broke the silence as Dante snorted and Yahan giggled at the comparison. She then grabbed her Ashikabi's arm and started pulling him. "Come on, let's go take that bath."

Dante watched them go with a slightly raised eyebrow and smirk. Things were certainly getting interesting.

Dante finished chopping up the carrots and added them to the stir fry he was making for lunch while looking closely at the chicken he had cubed to make sure it was cooking properly in the oil.

"How's the broccoli coming Akitsu?"

"Ah. Almost finished."

It was lunch time and Dante and his Sekirei were back in the kitchen making it. Today he figured chicken stir fry, with some carrots, broccoli, potatoes, and some fried rice. On the side would be some some broiled salmon and fruit skewers with blueberries, strawberries, grapes, and orange slices. He had taken chopping everything and doing the stir fry and fish, Akitsu was doing her slow and methodically washing off everything, while Musubi and Ku were taking care of peeling the oranges and making the skewers. It was a lot to do, but they did it all quickly and easily. Plus with two new house guests and all the Sekirei, Dante figured this would be barely enough to fill everyone.

"How's it coming in here?" Jenny asked from the doorway of the kitchen, but stayed out to prevent an accident. She had come back not that long ago after helping Haruka and Kuno get some new clothes to replace the ragged ones they had been wearing.

"Stir fry will be done in 5 minutes since I still need to add the broccoli, fish another 10 before it's ready."

"Well I recommend hurrying up, people are getting a bit restless out here."

Akitsu finished washing the broccoli and silently handed it to Dante. He took the vegetable and started tearing of stalks from the bunch before laying them flat and cutting off the ends and making smaller pieces as the knife made the tap-tap-tap sound on the wooden board.

"You can't rush perfection Jenny," he told her as he finished as slid them into the pan with a sizzle responding as they hit hot oil.

"Just giving you heads up. Oh, and by the way, Tsukiumi is complaint about seating arrangements."

"Tell her to take it up with Miya. Also, can you grab some plates and chopsticks please?"

"Sure." Jenny grabbed some that Dante had taken out earlier and left, bringing them back to the dining room.

A few minutes later Dante was bringing out the enormous amount of stir fry and the fish while Akitsu followed him, watching closely, and Musubi and Kusano both held a large plate of fruit skewers. They set them on the table and every took up their normal spots. Dante sat down and Musubi managed to grab the spot to his right while Matsu was sitting to his left. That left Akitsu to sit between Yahan and Chiho, who had their respective Ashikabi or Sekirei on either side of them. Speaking of Yahan, she and Tobias looked cleaner and better as they chatted back and forth easily. Tobias was switching between both his Sekirei with ease, listening to both and talking while considering the other. The multitasking was impressive.

Chiho and Uzume were in their normal spot as Jenny and Kagari were sitting next to them. At either ends were Miya, at the head, and Tsukiumi at the foot and not looking happy. But two people were missing from this set up.

"We seem to be missing two people. Anyone seen them?" Dante asked everyone in general.

"They should be coming in a minute," Musubi responded, though she never took her eyes off the food. She looked like she was barely restraining herself from attacking it. "They were taking a nap when Jenny went to get them."

These words proved true when the people in question came through the door, ruffled and drowsy, but also dressed in much better and cleaner clothes. The sight of food also made them perk up and quickly sat down in the two empty spots. Now that everyone was seated, they held their hands in prayer and said the traditional "Itadakimasu" before diving into the food with gusto.

After everyone had loaded up their plates and eating peacefully (or as peaceful as you can get at the inn), Dante broached the subject.

"So, I think I might have a plan for getting out of the city."

Haruka and Kuno, both of whom were basically mauling their food, stopped and looked at Dante in surprise. Haruka said, "How? You haven't even had 12 hours since we asked you to help us."

He responded by tapping his right temple. "True. However, I always like having an escape route in case things go south in any situation. I already had most of the information I needed before you two even came here." Of course that was a slight lie. He had already had this plan in his head long before they had even rescued Shina and Yukari. It was just a matter of keeping track of changes and adjusting his own plan accordingly.

"So spill. What's the plan?" Haruka demanded.

"Well, I've had Matsu monitoring MBI's transmissions..."

"You have?" Matsu asked confused. At least until Dante shot her a look and she changed her answer to, "I mean, he has."

"...and from the sounds of it they've done a decent job securing the island," Dante went on. "They've closed any and all bridges, roads, or tunnels leading in and out of the city. Anybody who wants to leave is forced to show something that identifies them, drivers I.D., work I.D., work history, etc. They also make sure each station they set up has a list of Sekirei and their Ashikabi's, as well as pictures of both. If you're either and try to leave, you're detained and transported to the center of the city before being released."

"Ok. But, can't you fly?" Haruka directed this question to Tobias, who gave him a look. Haruka looked slightly bashful. "Sorry if that sounds weird, but it's just...there was a rumor going around that you could fly."

Tobias responded, "I see. Well, to answer your question, yes I can fly in a sense."

"Ok. So, why can't he just fly us out of here? We wouldn't need to risk any bridges or anything and he could just set us down on the opposite side of the border."

"Good plan, except for three things." Dante ticked them off on his fingers. "One, MBI not only has the land and water routes closed, they've also set up helicopter patrols around the city. Anything that's not authorized to come into or leave the city is issued a warning before being shot down."

"Yeah, no offense, but I don't plan on going down blaze of glory style just yet. I got too much worth living for right now." Tobias looked at both his Sekirei when he said this, making them both blush and smile that they meant that much to him.

"Going down after being blown or shot to bits isn't pleasant," Dante admitted. "Second, they not only have helicopters, but people that watch the skies at both day and night, equipped with heat vision goggles, missile launchers, and machine guns to, again, shoot anything small out of the sky. Thirdly, they also have state or the art satellites, equipped with a high powered lasers that are able to shear through anything it can be pointed at, regardless of thickness or density." He mentioned that last one up solely to get his point across: flying was out.

Haruka was looking decidedly pale after this explanation and Kuno not much better.

"So," Dante set down his chopsticks and leaned forward on the table. "My plan is simple in theory, it's just difficult to execute considering how many people it'll take. Firstly, I made a list of the bridges that are in the city, then had Matsu hack MBI's database to figure out the amount of personal posted at all of them at any time. Using this, I found the weakest point. A bridge over the Araha river, near the north side of the city. If you were able get over the bridge, then you would officially be beyond MBI's reach."

Everyone was silent until Uzume said, "I'm sensing a 'but'..."

Dante sighed. "But, despite MBI being weakest here in the north, it would be extremely easy for them to simply send reinforcements to the bridge to stop us. If we made a break for it now, we'd be caught before we got onto the bridge."

"We'd need a really big distraction, or distractions around the city to draw MBI's attention away from us." Tobias thought out loud. Having been raised by a woman who had done some insane things for escape plans, including launch herself into space and jump from 50 stories up in a skyscraper, you could say he had a unique perspective about escaping. "Not to mention take out their satilies to make them blind and prevent them from just killing us with those lasers you told us about."

"I doubt they would kill us, but you're right. Matsu, would it be possible to hack those satilies and take them down for...10, 15 minutes?"

Matsu bit her lower lip in thought. "It might be possible if I had my Norito active, but even then hacking into MBI's satellites like that wouldn't be easy. But they have 52 of these satellites under their direct control and it wouldn't take long before they realized what happened and try to wrestle back control. Plus I can only control one at a time."

"But could you shut them all down at once?"

"That's far easier than controlling all of them at once, yes. But like you said, you would only have 10-15 minutes."

"You're still missing something." Kagari said, setting down his chopsticks to add to his own input. "Even if you take down the satellites, they'll still be able to respond effectively and get you all before you could run."

"True. So, what I propose is this..."

"Can I ask why we're going to see Seo?" Tobias asked as he watched the city blur past the window.

"Because we need their help and it'll be easier to convince them in person rather than over the phone."

The past few days of planning to help Haruka and Kuno escape Shinto Teito had been proceeding smoothly. Much of the plan itself had already been done; the basic course of action, as it were, was all there. All Dante needed to do now was convince a few more people to help him, so he would have some extra hands to accomplish the tasks he couldn't have his Sekirei do.

That was why he and Tobias was here, sitting in the bullet train as it sped down Shinto Teito towards one of the less populated residential districts just outside of the North's jurisdiction.

Sitting beside him were Akitsu and Musubi, who he had decided to let tag along for the ride. Kusano would have likely come as well, but she had been very tired recently because Dante had started training her more extensively in her powers. She was likely still sleeping in Uzume's room. Tobias had decided to leave Yahan and Kazehana at home to let them train.

"This is so exciting!"

Musubi was bouncing up and down in her seat. The shrine maiden presented a stark contrast to Akitsu, whose upright posture and rigid bearing made her look like a block of ice. A very sexy block of ice, but still a block of ice.

"Isn't this exciting Dante?" The busty girl with the naivety of a child asked as she turned to face him. Dante gave Musubi an indulgent smile.

"We're just going to see Seo and the S&M twins." He reminded her.

"I know that," she said, puffing her cheeks out a bit. "I'm just excited because we're going to be helping Haruka and Kuku."

There was a slight pause in their conversation. All four of them cocked their heads to the side. Maybe it was just them, but they could have sworn they heard someone wailing "its Kuno! Not Kuku!" somewhere in the distance.

Huh. Must be their imagination.

"I'm really happy that Dante decided to help Haruka and Kuyo!"

Another pause ensued. Was it really just their imagination that they were hearing? Or was that actually the despairing wails of a certain Sekirei whose name no one but Dante and Tobias seemed to remember?

Musubi gave Dante soft smile that made his stomach twist into knots. "That's why I love you so much, Dante. Even though you try to act like you don't care, helping people is in your nature." She took his hand in her own. Her smaller hand seemed to fit into his larger one perfectly, like they were made for each other. "That's why I responded to you. Why you're my Ashikabi."

Dante smiled and rubbed Musubi's hand. "Glad you approve of this."

Tobias looked at the pair with a cocked head as they talked. Truth be told, he was still a tiny bit nervous about having Yahan and Kazehana as his girlfriends, for lack of a better word,but since he had gotten to know them much better, he had felt better. Lighter, freer. It almost made him forget his past.

"You can never forget," a voice in the back of his head whispered when he looked at Dante. "And you can never forget why you were born."

Tobias shook his head mentally to dislodge those thoughts. For once in his life, he was happy, and nothing was going to ruin it.

The rest of the trip to Seo's apartment was mild. They exited the train when it reached their station, then walked to the complex that the man Miya often called 'trash' was staying at.

The apartment complex Seo lived in was not glamorous by any definition of the word, but it was a right sight better than the one he had been staying at before Dante gave him the job of keeping the timelord up to date on anything interesting going on in Shinto Teito.

The complex itself was very large, had a number of balconies sticking out on all four sides, and a flat roof. Like all buildings in Japan, this one was built 'up', meaning that rather than the complex being spread out over a wide area, it was confined to a small space and simply expanded into the sky.

Entering the apartment building, the group walked over to the nearest elevator and got in. When they were all inside, Akitsu press the button for the fifth floor, which was where Seo resided.

It wasn't long before the trio found themselves standing in front of a door with the number 526 etched into a small plaque. Yet, despite arriving at their destination, the three were hesitant to actually let their presence be known.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN YOU SPENT ALL OF OUR MONEY ON ALCOHOL!?"

ZAAPPPPPP

"GRAAAAA! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY!"

"SORRY ISN'T GOING TO CUT IT, SEO! THAT WAS 65,000 YEN YOU JUST SPENT! ALL THAT MONEY WE HAD BEEN SAVING UP FOR A RAINY DAY IS NOW WASTED THANKS TO YOU!"

ZAAAPPPPP

"Do you think we should go in?" asked Musubi.

"STOP SHOCKING ME, DAMMIT!"

"NOT UNTIL YOU'VE LEARNED YOUR LESSON!"

ZAAPPPPPPP

"Why don't we wait outside until they're done," Dante suggested as several more 'zapping' sounds came from behind the door they were standing in front of. The group stood there, listening silently as the noises that could only be human flesh getting shocked by lightning rang clearly through the door to them, along with the screams of said human who was getting shocked. Eventually, the sounds stopped coming, meaning that it was safe for them to knock on the door.

"Just a second! Dammit, Seo! Get your ugly ass out of the way!"

More sounds of someone getting shocked occurred, as did more screaming, though now it sounded like a dying pig squealing. Looking down at the bottom of the door, they could actually see the pale blue light of lightning coming in through the crack.

A second later the door opened and Hikari stood in the doorway, a rude look on her face. "Look, whatever you're selling, we don't want... oh..." she blinked when she saw who was standing in front of her. "It's you guys. I take it you have a new job for Seo?"

"One that could potentially earn back all the money your Ashikabi just spent on booze." Dante replied.

"Well, don't just stand there!" The door opened more fully and the lightning user moved out of the way, her invitation obvious. "Come on in!"

They did as told. Stepping into the threshold of the room with Tobias, Akitsu and Musubi following close behind, the teens finally got to see what had become of Seo after he had been zapped with somewhere around several thousand volts of electricity by his girls.

The man looked like he'd stuck his finger into an electric socket. His entire body was black and crispy, and his hair looked like something you'd see on a mad scientist who just had an experiment blow up in his face. Steam was wafting off his body, rising lazily into the air like smoke from a small fire.

Dante thought the whole scene was just amusing.

"Still letting those two walk all over you, I see," Tobias commented to the groaning, moaning pile of burnt flesh.

"I'd like to see how you do when getting double-teamed by a pair of girls that can shoot lightning from their hands," Seo ground out from where he lay on the ground.

Dante took one look at Hibiki and Hikari, one who was glaring at him and the other who looked away as soon as their eyes made contact. He smirked. "Been there, done that. Didn't end well for them."

"What was that!?" Hikari glared at Dante. She clenched her left hand into a fist and shook his menacingly at the universe time traveling teen. "You wanna go!? Cuz if that's the case..." blue arcs of electricity began coursing through her arm, her threat obvious.

"Need I remind you the last time you tried that, you ended being electrocuted by your own lightning bolts?"

"And that I sent you two flying every time we met?" Tobias asked.

To add more to this argument...

"Hikari..." Hibiki gripped her sister's shoulder and began shaking it. "Did you forget that these guys fought Higa's Sekirei to a standstill?"

The lightning stopped. Hikari's face took on a look of consideration, then grimaced as she too remembered that fight; the fight where these two human fought against two Sekirei and came out unscathed.

Hikari grimaced some more as she conceded the points made by her sister. "Alright, fine. I won't fry him to a crisp."

Hibiki sighed in relief. "Good."

"But you'd better watch what you say, buddy," Hikari was back on Dante again, giving him a fierce stare. "Make a comment like that again and I won't hesitate to shove several thousand volts of lightning into you!"

"Sounds fun," Dante commented, smirking at the way Hikari bristled at his statement. "But I'm afraid that will have to wait for another time. I've come to talk business with Seo."

"Business, huh?" Seo stood up, having recovered from getting God-only-knows how many volts of electricity shoved into him. He walked over to the couch, where he flopped down like a sack of flour. His feet swung up, the heels smacking against the coffee table with a clang as he leaned back against the headrest, completing his lazy-boy image. "You don't usually call me for actual jobs. I take it you've got something big for me?"

"Big enough that I needed some extra hands," Dante said as he also sat down. Sitting on the couch opposite of Seo, he was joined by his two Sekirei. Akitsu sat as close as possible so that she could set her head on his shoulder, while Musubi was simply looking around the apartment in curiosity. Tobias opted to sit on his own air cushion in between the two groups and to the side. "Does it have something to do with those two strays you took in?"

Dante was not surprised that Seo knew about Haruka and Kuno. Despite the man's appearance, he was surprisingly good at finding things out by keeping his ear to the ground. If it wasn't for the fact he was better at information gathering, Dante might consider hiring the man to be his eyes and ears. Though he might do that just so the man had some money for food and rent.

"It does. It seems that Haruka and Kuno wish to escape Shinto Teito."

Seo raised an eyebrow. "And you've agreed to help them?" When Dante nodded, the much younger man blinked. "I'm surprised... I can't see you helping out two complete strangers. I mean, you've helped Uzume and Kusano when they needed it, but one was your Sekirei and the other someone you lived with. It doesn't seem like your style to help two people you don't even know."

"I'm like an onion. You peel back one layer, you find something new and refreshing compared to what was peeled away," Dante said carefully. "But in any case, I need your help, you in or not?"

"If you're paying," Seo said with a shrug.

"Perfect. Come by the inn in two days and I'll bring you up to speed." Dante stood up to leave and his Sekirei and friend followed. As Tobias got up, Seo looked at the teen and seemed to consider him for a minute. Tobias noticed this and asked, "What?"

"You seem different. If I had to guess, I'd say...you got closer to Kazehana and Yahan?"

"Ye...wait, how'd you know about Yahan? You haven't been at the inn in days." Tobias asked with his eyes sharpening. Seo shrugged carelessly.

"What can I say, I hear things. But you are definitely different then when we last saw you."

Tobias scrutinized the man before grunting. "Yeah, I've gotten to know them a bit better. What of it?"

"Nothing. Like I said, you just seemed different."

"Well, let's get going. Don't forget Seo!" Dante called over his shoulder as he opened the door and everyone followed him out, Tobias sending him one last look before turning away.

As the door shut behind them, they heard Seo say, "Hey, Hikari! Get me a beer, would you!"

This was soon followed by a shout of, "Get your own damn beer!" before the sounds of crackling lightning and Seo's screams filled the room.

The man just never learned.

Tobias finished taking off his clothes and wrapped a towel around his waist before heading into the bath house. After they had gotten back he felt like relaxing a bit.

"Hey Tobias."

He looked to see Jenny was sitting in the tub and looking over her shoulder as he back was to the door. Her hair was also up in a bun and her face slightly red from the steam and hot water.

"Hey." He responded casually before pulling up a stool and bucket before starting to wash himself off. Jenny cocked an eyebrow. "You know, most guys would've been embarrassed to walk in on a girl taking a bath."

"And most guys wouldn't have air powers, a vortex manipulator/TARDIS, and two girlfriends that are aliens," He shot back as he scrubbed off his arms with a sponge. "And the girl wouldn't be timelady."

"Fair point." Jenny concede before turning away from him and leaning her head back to rest and enjoy the water. For a few minutes all she heard was the sound of water in a bucket and a sponge against skin. She then heard someone else get in and cracked an eye open to see Tobias in the tub now, relaxing with his own eyes closed across from her. "You've changed."

"Not yet I haven't. I will once I get out."

Jenny snorted in amusement. "You know what I meant. You're...happier than you were back home."

Tobias looked at her and she looked back challengingly. He then sighed and lifted his head up. "You're not going to let this go are you?"

"You know me better than that."

"Sadly yes." Tobias ran a hand through his wet hair, moving it back. "All right, yes. I'm happier here then I was back home with River."

"And that's due to Kazehana and Yahan."

"Yeah." Tobias smiled. "I admit, I like being around them. Certainly more than I liked being around anyone else back home." He then noticed the pout on her face and corrected himself, "Besides you." The pout got deeper. "Alright, and River, even if that woman did torture me."

"Oh stop exaggerating, she didn't torture you." Jenny waved aside the comment.

"She woke me up every morning by firing that pistol of hers next to my head." Tobias dead panned. "I am now incapable of not waking up every morning at6:00 A.M and have to force myself to go back to sleep."

Jenny laughed and said, "Well she never did you bodily harm."

"I could make a book about what she did."

"Nothing permanent."

"Did you see the things she sent after me!? Or rather sent me into!?"

"I didn't say physically permanent."

They traded back jabs for a few minutes before they fell into a comfortable silence, enjoying the warmth of the bath. Jenny then asked seriously, "So, what do you think of Dante?"

Tobias shrugged. "He's...interesting. Plus seeing him after hearing about him from River, it's different meeting him."

"I'm sure. But that wasn't what I was asking." Jenny went across the tub and sat next to him, careful to not let her chest go above the water. She looked at Tobias closely and he didn't meet her eyes. "You're going to have to tell him who you are Tobias. And where you came from."

"And then what? I'm supposed to live in the same house with him? Everything stays the same once he finds out how I was born and why? And not only that, what are Kazehana and Yahan going to do when they find out what I am?" He looked at her and she saw a good amount of anger and something more subtle, underneath the anger. Fear. "Things are fine the way they are Jenny. Let's just leave it alone."

She glared at him for a few seconds before sighing and looking away. "Fine. But you should tell them Tobias."

He sighed and looked down at the water. "I know. But I'm scared of what might happen." He whispered.

Jenny took his hand and he gripped it tight like a life line. She said reassuringly, "You shouldn't be. You've got me, you've got River, and you've got your Sekirei. We'll all stand by you."

They stayed for a handful of seconds before Tobias breathed in deeply before letting it out. "All right. I'll tell him soon. I promise."

"Good."

The moment was interrupted when they heard someone suddenly cough loudly. Or rather someone suddenly suck in breath and apparently choke on something. Both teens looked up and saw Kagari was standing in the doorway with a towel around his waist and chest bare. He was also blushing so red it was almost glowing. Jenny actually squeaked with surprise and let go of Tobias's hand, blushing almost as much. Tobias, though, was remarkably calm considering the situation.

"Hey Kagari. What's up?"

"Uh...I-I was just planning to take a bath..." He responded, but his eyes were glued to Jenny's.

"Ah. Well, don't let me keep you." Tobias grabbed his towel next to the tub and wrapped it around his waist as he got up. "I'll just leave you two be."

"Actually I'm about done." Jenny started getting up, then remembered she wasn't wearing anything and Kagari was staring at her. So, she was essentialy stuck.

"No, you stay and just enjoy the bath. I'll just let you two enjoy yourselves." If possible, their faces turned redder with Tobias's comment.

He walked out of the bath house with a wide smirk on his face he air dried himself. He had actually known Kagari was in the changing room with his Air Pulse. He probably should've left, but the chance to actually see Jenny blush and look embarrassed was too great to pass up.

"Yahan is rubbing off on me." He chuckled as he slipped on his shirt and ruffled his hair to make sure it was dry. "I'm not normally that bad."

One week. That's how long it took for Dante to "plan" and take care of everything he needed to make it so what he had in mind work. But he was ready.

He and all of his Sekirei along with Tobias and his Sekirei, Seo and the bondage twins, Uzume and Chiho, and Jenny, Kagari, and Kuno were standing around the long table in the dining room of Izumo Inn. Miya was also there, standing off to the side, but as she was not going to be a part of this daring mission, she was not actually a part of the group. Her role here was merely as an observer.

"Ok, let's make sure everyone remembers their roles. Uzume?"

"I'm going to be the one escorting Haruka and Kumo to their extraction point via roof jumping," Uzume recited dutifully. Naturally, she and everyone else ignored the mutter of "it's Kuno..." from the Sekirei in question just like every other time she spoke. It was as if she wasn't even there. "Don't worry about a thing, bro. I got this in the bag."

"Be careful, Uzume," Chiho asked of her Sekirei. The young Ashikabi looked at Uzume in concern, causing the busty brunette to squeal.

"Oh, come here you!" Before Chiho could comprehend what was happening, Uzume had pulled the girl's head down to rest upon her bosom. "You don't have to worry about a thing. I'll be back before you know it! Then you and I can have some passionate, raunchy sex!"

"Ahem," Miya coughed into her hand before plastering a sincerely false smile on her face. The aura of death and despair she was exuding did not help make those present feel any more comfortable around the woman then her smile did. "What were you saying, Uzume? I don't think I heard you probably."

"Ah... Hehehe," Uzume swallowed, "What I said was that Chiho and I would be... uh... um... cuddling! Yes, cuddling. As soon as I got back we're gonna snuggle under the blanket and just cuddle. Nothing else. Certainly not erotic, steamy, hot..."

"Uz-u-me!"

"We weren't gonna do the nasty, I swear!"

"Uzume..." Chiho sighed.

"Yes?"

"You're just digging yourself into a deeper grave."

"...I think you're right. I'll be quiet now."

A large trickle of sweat fell down the sides of several people's head as they stared at the cloth user.

Several seconds later, they all decided to ignore what had just happened. It really wasn't worth the trouble.

"Haruka."

Haruka straitened up as Dante addressed him. "Yes?"

"Here." Dante handed him a typical flip open cellphone that he looked at before looking Dante again. "I put a number on that cell phone. Once you and Kuno are outside the city, call it. The person you'll be talking to is a good friend who owes me big time. He'll help you get out of MBI's reach for good. So don't lose that phone."

"R-right." Haruka carefully pocketed it before sending him a grateful look. "Thank you for doing this."

"Thank me after this is over. Uzume, I want you to start escorting them to the bridge when the fireworks start."

"You got it, bro!" Uzume gave the teen a playful salute, winking as she did so. "You know, you're pretty good at this planning thing. Have you done this before?"

"You could say that."

Uzume pouted. "That's not much of an answer, bro."

"Well it's all you're getting." He ignored her pout as he turned to Seo. "Seo, you and the twins will hit the power plant I showed you. Once you do and the grid shuts down, pull back and wait for any calls of help if any come in."

"Got it."

"Now, Jenny, Kagari, Akitsu, and Yahan. I want you to take out the guards near the bridges entrance and then delay or stop anyp thing MBI sends after us. Akitsu, focus on air units while Jenny and Kagari take care of ground. Yahan, you stick with hit and run tactics. Don't get pinned down. And all of you watch each other's backs."

"Sounds easy enough." Jenny confirmed with a nod.

"Ah."

A pause. Everyone stared at Akitsu, waiting.

"Don't worry, Ashikabi."

"...Right," Dante shook his head. "Everyone else will be with me and Tobias. We'll be cleaning out a path for Uzume to follow and looking out for any surprises MBI may have set up. Matsu will be the one keeping all of us in communication with each other via those earbuds I gave you. She's also going take control of one of the satellites once they take the bait."

"Leave it to Matsu!" Said red-haired, perverted hacker thumped her chest. "Matsu will get the job done, Dante!"

"What about Ku!" Kusano pouted as she looked up at Dante, her arms crossed over her chest. "Ku wants to help too!"

Dante stared at the Green Girl for several seconds before kneeling down. He gently ran a hand over her hair, causing the girl to squirm under his ministrations.

"You're a bit too young for this, Ku," he said kindly, a stark contrast to how he usually spoke to others. "Plus, you still don't have full control of your powers." Kusano pouted at her Ashikabi. Her cheeks puffed up in childish consternation. "Besides, I need you to keep an eye on Matsu while we're away. Who knows what kind of trouble she might get into with Miya if there's not someone constantly keeping her in check."

"That's a mean thing to say," Matsu gave him a childish pout that would have suited Kusano more than her busty frame and adult face. "I don't get into that much trouble..." she trailed off as everyone looked at her, deadpanned. Rubbing the back of her head, she laughed nervously. "Okay, so maybe I get into a bit of trouble with Miya. It's still a mean thing to say."

Dante shook his head. Returning his attention to Kusano, he asked, "Can I count on you to keep an eye on her?"

Kusano seemed to think about his proposition for a moment. Several seconds of silence passed before she nodded her head, slowly. "Ku will keep Matsu out of trouble." As Matsu pouted even more, the life giver gave her Ashikabi and imperious stare. "But Ku expects big brother to play with her more later!"

"Of course." Dante leaned over and placed a tiny kiss on Kusano's cheek. The young Sekirei's skin took on a darkened hue, flushing in pleasure at her "big brothers" affectionate gesture.

"Now isn't that sweet."

Dante sent Seo a sharp glance. "You say something?"

"No, no," Seo took a step back, his hands held in front of him in a universal gesture of peace. "I didn't say anything."

"Didn't think so." Dante stood up while thinking. "That should be about everything. Just don't panic, and watch your backs. MBI may be sending Sekirei under their control after us. If they do, then fight smart and if you get into trouble, get out of there or call for help. Understood?" Nods all around. "Ok. Then let's get this show on the road."