Kagedansu came around in his brother's apartment, still fully clothed, on a spring mattress covered with Steelwing-emblazoned bed sheets. His head felt like it was caught in a vice, with the world's most sadistic torturer turning the screw. His left cheek felt very pleased with itself for some reason, like it had been privy to something his brain had missed out on. He sat up, hand to his face, as the sounds of the building knocked about inside his cranium.

"Is it still today?" he asked groggily. He then realized that no one was in his room with him. At least, that's what he thought at first, until his mind filtered out one of the sounds as his brother's gentle breaths as he lay passed-out on the bedroll. It seemed his brother was punishing him by usurping his turn. After all, it wasn't every day that a man got to sleep on the floor of his own home.

Locating the clock on the side-table, Kagedansu could see that he'd been passed out for a good six hours or so, as it was almost midnight. Knowing of his brother's tendency to snore, and not wanting to make his headache even worse, he flopped back down on the bed and closed his eyes. He was just going to sleep this off.

Hard to do when thoughts of a certain brunette's smiling expression kept bringing him back around.

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"So, how exactly are we going to pay for all this?" Minato asked, looking at the cavalcade of food (and sake) that was spread before him on the checkout counter. The noonday sun shone through the glass windows at the entrance, casting a warm glow about the outside.

"We're given an allowance by MBI, though mine got slashed after they found out what I was spending it all on," Kazehana said sheepishly, pulling a black debit card out of her cleavage and turning to her other compatriot. "Musubi?"

"I forgot mine when I left the Tower," Musubi said.

"You didn't go back for it?" Kazehana asked.

"I knew my Ashikabi would take care of me, so I decided I wouldn't eat until I found him!" she declared. "It wasn't a great idea…"

Kazehana sighed. She might've figured as much.

"It's fine," Minato said, pulling out his wallet. "My mom gave my allowance a boost now that I've passed my exams."

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"You're finally here," Chiho exclaimed, in as excited a voice as her weakened state would allow.

"Of course! Where else would I be right now?" Uzume asked.

"Well, after our little talk yesterday, I thought you might skip your visit…"

"Chiho, nothing would stop me from seeing you," Uzume said, leaning down and hugging her Ashikabi. "I know how much you love seeing me."

She then pulled back just enough so that she could lean in again and tentatively kiss Chiho on the lips. Her white wings emerged from her back as that familiar cascade of absolute euphoria descended down from her chest. Her tongue pushed its way in and began circling around the younger girl's, their kiss growing more passionate. Uzume felt Chiho's hand trying to move beside her hips, but her Ashikabi was too tired to manage on her own. So, Uzume gave her an assist, gently taking Chiho's hand and placing it over her breast. Right away, the girl started to fondle her Sekirei, making the effort despite her weakened body. Uzume gave a little sigh of contentment as Chiho did her best to tenderize Uzume's sweater-bunny. The brunette then proceeded to hike up her pink shirt, until Chiho's hand was caressing her tit directly. For all that it was, Uzume loved every minute of it, pulling Chiho closer and pressing her hand further into her bosom so as to increase their contact. In Chiho's state, it was all Uzume could hope for, but it was more than enough.

Finally, they separated, Uzume's cheeks a little more red than when they had started. Uzume smiled at her. "If you're happy, then I'm happy."

"You do like making me happy, Uzume," Chiho remarked.

Instantly the Sekirei snapped out of her affectionate revelry. She knew she was being set up, and that whatever it was, Chiho would probably get her way in the end.

"Because," Chiho continued, "now that you mention it…"

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Kagedansu blinked and raised his eyebrows, completely nonplussed. "What?"

"Just a get-together," Izanagi said, deadpan as ever as he finished tuning his guitar. "It's high time you met some new people."

"At a movie theater, alone, with what I know is going to be a girl. Why?"

"Because they're showing the Tao Te Ching of all rock music tonight, and the first time you see it needs to be on the big screen."

"That's not what I-" Kagedansu stopped as a more calculated question entered his mind. "If it's the final doctrine of rock 'n' roll, why aren't you going?"

"First of all, it's not the final doctrine. That's the sequel." It must've been one hell of a movie, then, if Iza-kun felt the only thing that could surpass it was the follow-up. "Second, because I'm staying here to listen to the soundtrack, and third, because you need to get over your crippling paranoia about my health." Izanagi switched on the music. "Learn the ways of the Great Ones."

"The who now?" Kagedansu frowned, utterly perplexed by his brother's turn of phrase. He attempted to remedy this by picking up a second guitar and attempting to keep up with the music.

"Just be there," Izanagi commanded. "Trust me, one way or another, you'll have a grand old time."

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"And all this is from some guy you just met yesterday?" Uzume asked.

"Uzume, this is a hospital, not a back alley. I don't think I have to question the integrity of everyone who walks in, especially when they don't have to."

That hurt, Uzume thought. Chiho's sentiment hit her right in the guilt.

"And what are you worried about?" Chiho asked, managing to reach out and take Uzume's hand. "You're a Sekirei. If there's trouble, I know you can handle it."

Uzume laughed. It seemed Chiho had left her no way out but her way. "Yeah, I suppose you're right."

"But enough about that," Chiho said. "Anything new happen since yesterday?"

They continued for hours, and probably would've gone on longer had Uzume brought one of her costumes along. After her visit with Chiho concluded and she left Higa's hospital, the thought crossed her mind to simply not go. She could just skip it and go do something else, spend time with Kaze-chan, maybe help her drink the city dry again. But Uzume lied to her Chiho enough already, and to her friends, so go she would.

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Finally, the groceries were loaded up into an enormous bundle, Musubi volunteering to carry it. Being a more physical kind of Sekirei, cumbersome loads were no problem for her.

The walk home was uneventful until about halfway there. Out of nowhere, Minato had sensed someone following them, and he'd turned to see a familiar black dress cascading down a familiar pair of ivory legs clad in ebony thigh-high stockings. Tsukiumi had stopped with the rest, her arms folded, saying nothing.

"Hi, Tsukiumi-san!" Musubi chirped. "What are you doing here?"

Tsukiumi studied the sidewalk. "Tis but coincidence. Ye happen to travel the same path as I."

"Oh, is that all?" Kazehana teased, burying Minato's arm between her breasts and resting her head on his shoulder. "Are you sure it's not some other reason?"

"What business is it of thee where I walk?" Tsukiumi snapped, suddenly very defensive.

Kazehana broke from Minato's arm. A whirlwind began to blow about her and suddenly the situation became very tense.

"Let me tell you something, Nine: the only people who get to talk to me like that are Number One and the Gamemaster," she declared, before turning to her Ashikabi. "And you, Minato."

"Thou seekest battle, Three? Then bringest it!" Tsukiumi cried, a ball of water appearing in her hand. She hadn't come looking for trouble (oddly enough), but if this trollop was eager to face termination, then The Water Sekirei would not be one to refuse her!

"No, stop it!" Minato was suddenly between them, facing Tsukiumi's opponent. "Kazehana, you can't fight her!"

Kazehana stood her ground, unmoved. "And why not?"

"Because if you do, one of you will get taken away. I…" His head drooped. "Please, just leave her be."

Kazehana's momentary disdain was no match for her love for Minato, nor her desire to dispel his unhappiness. Her wind quieted with her ire.

"All right," she conceded, daintily brushing her ruffled hair back over her shoulders. Minato turned and saw that, much to his surprise, Tsukiumi's own hostility seemed to have receded. Her beautiful blue eyes, which only moments ago had been filled with fierce aggression, now showed… Was that tenderness he saw? No, wait, it wasn't just that. There was a hint of something else; whatever it was, it disappeared in an instant as Tsukiumi's prideful demeanor reasserted itself.

With that, the quartet had resumed their trip home, with no more words exchanged between them and the newcomer.

Tsukiumi stopped as they reached the front gate, watching them enter the inn, her expression unreadable. When Minato met her gaze on the porch step, they'd locked eyes for a moment before Tsukiumi took off, leaping off into the city.

Musubi had joined him as he'd stood in the doorway, watching Number 9 depart.

"Give her time," Musubi said. "She'll accept you when she realizes what a wonderful person you are."

"Maybe," Kazehana said, appearing next to her. "But sometimes when a woman wants a man, she likes it when he takes charge."

"I'm not so sure that's a good idea, Kazehana…" Minato muttered, having not-too-fond memories of his encounter with The Water Sekirei during "Operation Kill-or-Be-Killed."

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As night fell, Kagedansu nervously waited at the theater entrance. His brother had promised to stay at the apartment while he was out, though the Shadow Sekirei had still been reluctant to leave him alone. Nevertheless, Izanagi had refused to allow Kagedansu to remain, all but kicking him to the curb when enlightenment, comradery and "one of the greatest soundtracks in rock movie history" awaited him.

Kagedansu sighed and leaned up against the wall, still wondering when this mysterious so-and-so would show herself (and he was still dead certain it would be a "her"). He felt something sticky against his back and immediately pushed off, reaching back to touch it. He pulled something gooey off and held it in front of his eyes: pink, wet, and no matter how many times Kagedansu flicked his hand or rubbed his fingers together, some would still cling to him.

"Before my life is over, I will find the one who did this," Kagedansu uttered through clenched teeth. "I will find them, so I can explain to them, very carefully…"

The subsequent series of indecipherable grumbles and mutterings was interrupted by a familiar shout.

"Kagedansu? What are you doing here?" Uzume trotted up to him the moment she spotted him.

"Finding out how gross some people can be," The Shadow Sekirei replied. "Also waiting."

"Waiting? Who for?"

Kagedansu shrugged. "No clue. Izanagi just said I'd meet someone here. Is it you?"

"I'm not sure. Have you met my Ashikabi?" Uzume asked.

"I dunno. What's he look like?"

"Well, that's a 'no' then," Uzume said, sighing. She hesitated before speaking up. "Do you… Wanna wait together?"

"Sure," Kagedansu replied, quicker than he would've liked.

And so Uzume leaned up against the wall, Kagedansu making sure there wasn't any gum on it, and stood next to her friend. About five minutes before the movie was about to start, she finally gave up.

"Whoever it is, I guess they're not coming," she sighed, rolling off the wall and turning to leave. What a waste of time this had been.

Kagedansu placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. She felt a small piece of paper fluttering between her shirt and his palm.

"I went ahead and bought two tickets for the show," he said. "You want to watch with me?"

Uzume answered by reaching up and sliding one of the paper stubs out from under Kagedansu's hand. She then turned and looped an arm around his own.

"Shall we?" she asked, beaming up at him.

Kagedansu returned her smile and swept a hand towards the theater entrance. "Lead the way."