Standard Disclaimer
Well all the parties and celebrations are over and time to get back to work! Got a nasty cold right now and making life a real pain, and my office chair is broken, double win!
X-X
On Angel's Wings
Chapter – 6
Misato loved a lazy Sunday, rarely got them, so whenever she had the chance she tried to maximize the laziness of it. Life really hadn't allowed for much 'lazy' as late, what with eldritch attacks and her knowledge of super-human fighting tournaments going on. Have to learn to roll with the punches though or you go insane. Though if she was ever in a closed room with that Minaka she might see if she could shove those glasses up his ass! Who does this type of thing? Release these Sekirei into the world, have them form bonds with people, and then threaten to take them away if they didn't fight for you? Wait, correction, fight and WIN for you. Lose and your friend/lover is taken from you. That was evil.
Listening to the soft rock playing on the radio, Misato sipped a late morning coffee as she watched Kusano coloring at the table. "Well we don't have to worry about that 'win a fight' now thanks you Ku-chan," Misato reached out and patted the girl's head. In typical Ku-chan fashion she looked over, smiled that blissful grin of hers and went back to coloring. Kid was easy to please, quick to bite though if she wasn't getting her Ashikabi's attention and he was in the room, and just adorable. Listening to the approaching footfalls, "So Ku-chan what are you drawing today?"
"Oh dear, they didn't take her with them? That wasn't very polite of them, it should have been an outing for all of them," Miya blew a stray bit of hair away from her face. Hovering into the room, woman never seemed to actually touch the ground, she poured the last of the coffee into her own mug (compliments of Shinji) and joined the duo at the table. Clutching the mug to her chest, "What is it, Katsuragi-san?"
Up until Shinji gave her that coffee mug two days ago woman had been a stanch tea drinker, now however it was random. Never one NOT to poke when given the opportunity, "You know you could just drink tea out of that and not my coffee. Just because it called a coffee mug doesn't dictate that is the only thing that could go into it." But Misato was starting to think she had a little competition over Shinji's parental figure. Why the hell this woman was so fixated on Shinji's upbringing was starting to come clear. It was time to have this talk.
Adding a liberal amount of cream, the signs of a new coffee drinker, Miya just batted at Misato, "Just trying it is all. It has its charms. And that is an adorable drawing Ku-chan, but what did I say about Duck-san?" Picking up the drawing, it showed Shinji, Kusano, Musubi, and…it could have been anybody else. Kids drawings were never easy to understand, and the rubber ducky was there. Giving the small child a rather nasty glare, she bounced back when Misato rapt a rolled up newspaper against her head. Rubbing the spot as if it hurt, "Katsuragi-san?"
"Lay off the kid! It's just a drawing after all, nothing wrong with it. The duck brings the room together, makes you realize it's a bathroom and not a pool or something. No reason to go all oni-mode on her," Misato unfurled her paper again. She was all for rules and structure, but only when necessary. Scaring a child for being a child though was a bit much. Finding her place again, Misato smiled at Kusano, "And I think Matsu-kun has plans for Shin-chan and Musubi-chan that might be a little to adult for Ku-chan here. Though I think she deserves a present for her little victory yesterday. Would you like that?"
Nodding fiercely at Misato, Kusano gasped out happily yet kept her voice inside. Girl did talk, just very rarely and often only at her Ashikabi. Pointing at the picture a few times, Ku-chan took a few fugitive looks at Miya and then back at Misato. Girl had been taken with Shinji the day before for a little grocery shopping. Shinji wasn't aloud out without a Sekirei after blond attacked him, but it had been early in the morning so they just let Ku-chan go. Well a lone Sekirei took Ku-chan's size as a sign of weakness and attacked…she was quickly surrounded by various vines and trees and was sealed out. Not the biggest victory, but who cared requirement achieved!
"Well if you all wore bathing suits I guess a little group bath wouldn't be too much. Just have to make sure Musubi-chan doesn't go too far. As for what those three are doing now, I think you're indulging them too much. You give any leniency to The Perverted Four-Eyes and you'll find simulations of yourself and…" Miya quickly blushed and shook her head hard. Setting her cup back down, running her finger around the rim of her gift, she found Misato again watching her, "Yes?"
Setting the paper down, Misato slowly raised her own Shinji provided mug to her lips and drank heavily. Both women were shocked when Shinji had given them their little porcelain gifts, each colored for them, but accepted them giddily. Stupid kid was hard to read at times, made the small things really stand out. Misato used her mug exclusively for all non-Yebisu drinks. "You do know they're likely at a love motel right now right? Matsu-chan left her laptop out, likely on purpose, and I saw something labeled 'Experiment-3'. And I'll do the dishes this morning while you plan every possible way to make Ku-chan's gift as bland as possible," Misato reached out for the mug.
Flinching away from Misato's hand, pulling the cup to her chest, Miya lips drew in so tight her mouth seemingly vanished. As Misato laughed, she relaxed a little and set the cup back on the table. "Am I so transparent about this? Such a simple thing…likely only two-thousand yen at most but it is a cherished object. And yes I saw Experiment-3 as well, she never forgets her computers, but pretends to. Though I doubt it works, young Shinji-kun is to shy for such. Though after the announcement of the Second phase last week…I wonder if something was interrupted," Miya did subtly move the mug away from Kusano's grasping hand. Pushing the girl's nose like a button, "Ku-chan, I believe you'll have something similar when he gets back."
"Can't refute you there. Those two are a little more touchy feely than they used to be, but not to the level Kaji and I were when we first…" Misato stopped and her head dipped. Kaji, he was back and he brought a slew of old memories both good and bad. Folding her paper back up and adding it to a stack waiting for recycling, Misato shuffled to the sink. Debating filling the coffeepot for another cup, she opted not. Washing out the last of her with a little water, "So what do we do regarding him, Shinji-kun? You can lie to the others, but I see how you act around him. What are your aims for my ward?" Hanging her mug up to dry on a hook, she stood behind Ku-chan as she started another drawing, of course it started with herself and Shinji.
Pausing the conversation in desperation, Miya forced down the last of her coffee and visually struggled to do so. With as much dignity and flourish as a woman with a dribble of coffee down her cheek could, she stood and approached Misato. Hand to her chest, "I simply with to be there for him in ways he requires. He is a delicate young man, with a very sad past, forced into not one but two situations that are above one his age should be forced to face. I cannot be his parent, but I can be there for him regardless. He needs somebody with a level head, to not exacerbate his state."
Clutching Kusano's chair, Misato's knuckles popped as she felt that last bit was aimed at her. Doing her best to keep her tone level and not fall into the bait, "But you're just his landlady, if I deem it necessary we can just move on base. Musubi-chan is his registered bodyguard now so she's cleared for the base." A hand fell on hers, small and sticky, but Misato ignored it. Then something struck her, Miya mentioned Shinji's past, how did she know about it? Leaning in, accusatorial glare, "And what do you know about his past?"
"You know of Matsu-kun's abilities regarding technology, if not I have misjudged your capabilities," Miya confessed without actually confessing. Getting closer to Misato, nearly nose to nose now, both women were standing tall and not falling back. A small little vicious curl in her lips, "I may know even more than you do Captain, about a few things. And if you think you can just up and leave, you're woefully underestimating MBI and their reach. Leave here and you'll only hurt him in the end."
That tiny hand was not tugging on her leg, but Misato shook it off, "I know she's skilled, but the MAGI are the pinnacle of super computers! And I doubt that little tablet Matsu-chan has is capable of showing its log-in screen! And that doesn't answer my question, what do you know about his past! That is classified information!" And Misato thought some of what she read was a little off, didn't add up in the end, did Miya know more?
Not it was Miya's turn to shake her leg as something clung to it, that superior look took a hit as she unconsciously looked up at the attic. A tell Misato noticed, Miya could lie perfectly, but if visual evidence was nearby she would look at it…the attic held something Miya didn't want others to know about. "I know what truly happened to his mother, if that is what you are alluding to. I also know you nearly flunked out of college due to staying at a…you called them love hotels correct," Miya was on the attack.
"Yes, I had a lover before, not something you'd understand. What with your archaic feelings towards sex, nobody would stay with you that long. Fridged old woman that is trying to steal MY ward because she'll never have a child of her own!" Misato wasn't going to let Kaji be thrown at her as some sort of knife! He had been a vital part of her life in the past, she HAD loved him…and part of her always would. But just as much as she cared in the past, the break-up had been very painful.
Hands going out in claws, intercepted by Misato's, the two women pushed viciously at one another. "My-my, are you maybe projecting your own maternal desires onto me! He is your ward, not your child! And I had a husband, do not-OUCH!" Miya pulled her hand out of Misato's grasp and shook it and started to blow on it.
Doing the same, jumping up and down and spinning as the pain was vibrant and blinding, Misato hissed, "Ku-chan, what did we say about biting people! We weren't fighting or ignoring you, we were just…" Misato stopped lying. She had wanted to hurt Miya, wanted to knock the woman down a peg because…she saw Miya and Shinji and was envious. Those two clicked in a way that Misato knew she couldn't replicate, saw their closeness and worried he'd replace her with Miya.
Kneeling down, Miya brought Kusano into a light embrace, "Sorry for ignoring you or scaring you. Katsuragi-san and I were agitated is all. We care about your Ashikabi in a different way than you do." Smoothing the girl's hair, the child was calming in the woman's embrace, Miya did look back up at Misato with resignation all over her face. After a long sigh, "I apologize, Katsuragi, I went to far. You are not the woman of your past. I just was not prepared for this conversation, though we both knew it was inevitable. Shall we set aside some time in the future to go over this with clearer heads?" Standing up, taking Kusano with her…a little koala bear clinging on…Both women went ridged when the door opened. Somebody was coming!
"Hey, Miya-san, hope you don't mind me coming a bit early, wanting to talk to Ikari-kun. Girls are working and…oh hey, I interrupt so-something? You must be new here?" a rather slovenly looking man, not unattractive though, wiped his hands on her jeans and extended one of them to Misato, "Seo Kaoru, I solve problems for a price!" Winking at Misato, he flinched his head at her and his open hand.
Ah so this was the guy Shinji mentioned before, encountered during the arboretum incident. Taking his hand, Misato gave it a good hard squeeze, maybe to hard, "Katsuragi Misato, and you just mentioned coming here to see my ward did you?" Guy had a nice firm grip, but what would a full grown adult be looking for HER ward far?
"Do not talk to scum like him, Katsuragi, he isn't worthy of your time. And I would request you leave the young Ikari-kun alone. Would not like him being infected by your lack of common sense. Or are you not also here for food?" Miya was already one handing bags of rice onto the table. Woman went from resigned yet content to barely contained contempt in a matter of moments. Stepping between Misato and Seo, Miya held a very defensive posture.
Taking a step back, putting his hands up in submission, "Ouch, Miya-san, little harsher than normal aren't you. And I was just wanting to make sure he was doing well on this second phase business. Hikari and Hibiki already won a match, and I see a blond running around un-winged. Wondering if he had any plans for…Katsuragi-san you say your name was?" He side stepped Miya a little, eyes going over Misato in a very appreciative manner.
"Tsukiumi, Shinji-kun says that is her name…I hear him in his sleep. Much like Ku-chan here, he's been seeing her in his dreams," Misato patted Kusano who murmured. Guess the small girl was asleep in Miya's warm embrace. Was this guy wanting a quick win if he wanted, or was he genuinely concerned? Misato considered herself a good judge of character, and this Seo did appear to worried about Shinji.
Shouldering the bags of rice, Seo stood a bit taller, "Knew that kid was something special. I have a nose for talent and since he gave me his lunch and…" Seo dodged low as Miya's hand swung over his head, "OH yeah…sorry about that. I'll not take his lunch again. My-bad. Do you know when he'll be back, I really want to talk about things with…" They all stopped when Misato's phone rang, it was a custom tone that Miya and Misato recognized instantly, the emergency number.
"Katsuragi here, what is it…" Misato held her hand up to silence the two. It didn't take long for the news to sink in, head dipping down, Misato felt that fear and anger grow back into her. An angel was spotted off the coast, it was necessary to call in the pilots for a mission. "I'll call him, get Asuka in and suited up," hanging up the phone she shared a pained moment with Miya, "Angel sighted. Have to ruin Matsu-chan's little experiment."
X-X
Sitting on the edge of the rather nice bed, Shinji was felt a strange mixture of euphoria and anxiety. It finally happened, Musubi and he finally stepped over that bridge that they approached last week. After they broke into their old place and got interrupted it was a foregone conclusion this event would happen. But to have it actually take place, to finally make love to Musubi, well it filled the lad with a whole storm of alternating feelings.
"It was so…unexpected," Shinji muttered yet smiled. He'd didn't know if he should thank Matsu for her tricking them into this event or chastise her. Listening to the shower in the other room, Musubi was still showering, he knew he'd have to thank Matsu. This wasn't something to be afraid of, to shun, it was a marvelous bonding sensation. Physically it was nice, well very nice, but emotionally it was a little overwhelming. Musubi was just so, "She was so exuberant, so doting…energetic."
Patting his stomach, damn he was hungry, Shinji paced the room and worried they'd exceed the hour that Matsu duped them into. 'I have to make a quick run, you two stay here for an hour while I deal with it,' had been her little lie to get them here. "What do I say to either of them…to Misato-san or Miya-san?" Shinji clenched his hand a few times. Looking out the window over the city, idly scratching his stomach, it looked so calm right now, so peaceful.
A simple day out getting Kusano a little gift and some groceries turned into a life altering event. Shinji had wanted to get Misato and Miya a small gift, a show of affection that he wasn't sure how to do. Since breakfast was one of the few times everybody got together typically, Shinji opted for a small token for the two. Well he saw how Musubi and Kusano reacted to that, so he knew he'd have to get them something as well. Kusano was first since it was hard to get a gift for a person when they were with you. Well Matsu asked to come alone, and since she was a shut-in he had been glad to include her, and well…Matsu was an expert manipulator of hormonally challenged Ashikabi and Sekirei.
"And how are you feeling Shin-tan?" Matsu asked from a crack in the door to the outside world. Peeking in, seeing Shinji clothed she hurried in and shut the door. Hands clenched together, arms fully extended downward, Matsu was a little timid, "Not hurt or anything…I took the liberty of deleting the footage from the hidden camera in the room…but I did see you two finally…" Her breathing increased into fairly large puffs, her chest heaving and her glasses slide off a little.
Eyes popping open, Shinji spun around and nearly fell over in stunned horror! She was here, Matsu and actually seen his initial humiliation followed by…well…uh…well Shinji and Musubi had a lot of emotion to work through. "I-uh-well…little t-tender, but…footage?" Shinji looked about the room but did not see any cameras! Look, he knew he was young, he had no interpersonal experience, so of course he wouldn't last long the first time!
Picking up the wrapped bag containing the elegantly painted floral plastic cup with Kusano's name on it, Matsu winked at Shinji. Giving a very obvious peek at the lads crotch, "Just a little tender? You two were really going into it, what you said, what SHE said? Yeah I deleted that, it was for just Sekirei and their Ashikabi to know." Walking over to the lad as the sound of the shower shut off, Matsu timidly reached out, jerked back initially when she touched his hand, but when he didn't fall away she took it again. "Your hand is very warm, and yeah there is a camera behind the mirror over there. I disabled it for another three hours," Matsu's thumb ran over the flesh between Shinji's thumb and forefinger.
"T-thanks for that. It IS private, be-between us," Shinji was still not used closeness to beautiful girls. Matsu was awfully close as well, face flush, looking him right in the eye. She set this whole thing up, was being blatant enough for Shinji to understand, and was she…was she leaning in? Was he ready for any of this, no, was he going to try to be, yes. Putting his hand atop Matsu's shoulder, she shuddered for a moment, closed her eyes, leaned in, and…
The bathroom door opened and Musubi charged out, "Shinji-sama we should thank Matsu-san for…oh she's here! Are we going to stay longer? I'd like to try a few things! I was thinking while I cleaned and…" Musubi thankfully broke into the growing emotionally tangled mess that was Matsu's experimental minefield!
Stumbling back from Matsu, Shinji's hands went out and as he tripped he was shocked when Musubi caught him!? "Huh, wha?" she had been so far away and within seconds crossed the room and caught him! She wasn't that fast before. But damn he loved being in her arms, she was so warm and…no think like this and they'd never leave! "M-Matsu-chan and I were just talking about…well this. She's worried about us, and I feel I owe both of you so much. You've given me so much, going through this crazy fight stuff. And…" Musubi was just so jovial and loving right now! Guess she was feeling what Shinji was, just better at showing it.
"Yeah, both of you owe me, just remember that Musu-tan! Today was a gift from me to you, and I can help you get even better…" Matsu's voice shifted from the tender shyness to a more authoritative one as she fixed her glasses only to stop when Shinji's phone rang.
The room looked at Shinji's pocket, and he felt that growing chill go down his spine. Misato was a lazy person on Sunday, and it wasn't even past lunch yet…why would she be calling. Pulling out the MBI enhanced device he felt his mouth go dry before answering, "Yes, Misato-san, what do you need?" Did she know? Was this Misato going to be yelling at him, disappointed in him for…confirming his affection.
"Shinji-kun, we need you at the base. We have a pattern blue off the coast a few miles. Need to get you and Asuka out there. Are Musubi-kun and Matsu-kun with you? We need you here faster than the better," Misato's face popped up in its holographic glory. Thankfully the tech only let the callers see one another, and not the room around them and their companions.
An angel, a fight, and maybe death. Shinji nodded, thankfully the camera picked it up, "I'll be right in, and yeah they're with me. B-be right in." He couldn't help but see their feared expressions, both Sekirei were not having a good time with their newfound knowledge. Swallowing hard, his throat hurt, "A-anything else?"
Giving Shinji an apologetic shrug, "Sorry for ruining your shopping trip. Hope I didn't interrupt anything," Misato concluded and her image vanished. Pocketing the phone, Shinji felt it weigh his pocket down impossibly, a bowling ball in attached to his hip.
"Musu-tan you get him to that base, I have to get back to the Inn and my computer. Don't worry Shin-tan, I've got your back on this!" Matsu hurried out of the door after kicking open one of the hotels windows. The wind cut in and made the messy sheets billow just in time for the Angel siren to start pealing its horrid death wail. She was out of the door before Shinji had a chance to even comment, Matsu was driven and that was a scary thing.
Rushing to Shinji, scooping him up and snuggling him extra close, "I hate those things. I hate you fighting things I can't help with. But I'll be here when you get back. Shinji-sama…today was…I'll never lose, never be away from you." With a kiss to his cheek, Musubi tore out the window and was a blur of action and speed. Leaping, ducking, sliding under signs, and one time punching through an ill placed building that had the audacity to exist in her world. Yesterday Musubi was a force of nature, today she was something beyond that and Shinji hoped the next fight she was in…she didn't kill her opponent.
It was a rapid deployment if there ever was one. The moment Shinji was on base, complements of Musubi tearing through the gate as if it were tinfoil, he was taken by Ritsuko to suit up and get into Unit-01. Being cradled by the woman he adored, gave him time to think. Only able to see her as the world rushed by him, he cemented it into his heart, he would not lose. Could not, as it would cause her harm or pain…nothing he'd allow! It gave him, courage, the solidify core of reason was not emboldened and reinforced with determination!
It took less than twenty minutes to get from base to the air, those at the Izumo Inn he hoped were safe and sound! Did they need a shelter, or were they safer at the Inn? "H-how are you feeling over there, Soryu-san?" Shinji asked over the comm system. Asuka had that smug look that Shinji envied, Ayanami had that confidence…he needed to check on Ayanami. After their last talk she had some sort of procedure and was sick since.
"Huh, what? I'm excited! This is going to be my debut battle in Japan, and my first solo fight! I'll show you what I am capable of," Asuka said after popping an earbud out of her ear. How she got a music player in past Ritsuko, and risking it being ruined, was beyond Shinji. Thumbing at herself, she was full of all the bravado and energy Shinji wished he felt now, "So just you sit back and watch, Shinji. This is how a real pilot acts!"
"Alright you two, cut the chatter. We've got touchdown in five minutes. Angel detected just off the coast, Ritsuko you tell MBI to shut the fuck up, we have permission to leave Tokyo! We do not know this one's capabilities, but it doesn't have the range that the Fifth had, so there is that. When you two land, Shinji is on point due to past experience, Asuka you provide support," Misato was in her no-nonsense mode. Whenever Shinji saw Misato like this, it was a real eye opener, she was so divergent in her personalities. This Misato was a mental dynamo, one that did not just ask for respect but took it from all around her.
Readying himself for the decent, if this was like Jet Alone the pain would be more than jarring, Shinji got into position and into the stirrups. Please let this be easy, let it be like his first sortie again. Run in, tear down AT field, and…well he didn't know how the Third actually ended but it ended well! Watching the city below turn to grassland and beach, Shinji chucked the spear down into the entry area, and reassured his pallet rifle was set, "Alright…ready."
Both Eva's were detached from their aerial support and fell like a whale and a bowl of petunias to the ground. When he hit, his teeth rattled and the pain went up his spine as expected. Yeah, just like Jet Alone. "A-alright, I'll go in and…" Shinji reached for the spear only to see it torn away by Asuka.
"Asuka stick to the plan, you are on support not offense!" Misato yelled over the comm. Asuka did not heed the call, and rushed with the spear towards the stationary angel. In one show of superior skill, Asuka cut the angel nearly in half.
Twirling the staff around and planting it into the ground, Asuka appeared in Shinji's monitor again, "That is how a battle should be. Simple and elegant, no waste. How is THAT for opening battle!" Asuka's voice sounded twenty feet tall and Shinji mentally projected Asuka's nose growing five feet long. That was when the angel split into two.
Firing a few rounds at each, hopefully getting Asuka back from the mental parade she was throwing for herself, "Its not down! It…it isn't taking any damage! Asuka snap out of it!" Shinji wasn't about to fail here, not after formally throwing his whole being into this! When he hit one angel, he noticed some strange effect on the other, they were mirroring each other!
With the angels between them, Asuka wasn't paying attention until one of them pierced her shoulder with its claw. The mirrored angel shattered Shinji's rifle, raised in defense against it. Howling in fury, Asuka was not happy, "What the hell, can't you have just died like you should have!" Swinging a horizontal strike through the core of her opponent, she didn't see what Shinji did where his opponent healed it!
"Shin-tan! They're mimicking each other, you have to both hit their cores at the same time. I've a trick to help, but you have to get that little girl to act! In ten seconds strike forward in a twenty five degree arc to the left! Have Red go right!" Matsu cut into Shinji's comm.
Feeling a haze of pain and agony as the angel continued to poke and stab into him, Shinji nodded and grunted through clenched teeth. This angel was to fast, didn't react to pain as it was always healed…but he had to trust Matsu. "Asuka…something is going to happen in ten seconds…attack to the right when it does alright?" Shinji hoped she heard, but she was likely suffering just like he was.
Drawing his prog-knife, he cut into the clawed hand only for it to keep going thanks to that stupid healing factor! Calls to withdraw, to get organized, and countless other people yelling at them, Shinji shut them out in favor of Matsu. Whatever Matsu was going to do, he hoped he recognized it! The dance was uncoordinated and painful for Shinji, he was slashed, clawed, and pierced as he tried to keep his partner close to Asuka's.
A blast from the sky hit not far away from him, then another, and another! Another angel or was it Matsu? How was she able to attack from the sky, don't worry about it, go with it. Countless blasts from the sky forced both the angels and Eva's closer and closer, and when Shinji heard Matsu scream at him, she did what she said…and it hurt. He had to go through the claw and it pierced his chest, his lung exploded in massive pain, but he saw his goal achieved! Then another piercing occurred in his other stomach, he vomited in the plug due to the pain. Looking down he saw Asuka's spear.
Matsu's laser attack forced the angels to converge again and their coordinated attack was successful! Only it was…well…oh god was it painful.
"Shinji, where did those hits come from? How did you know to…Shinji? Shinji?" Asuka tried calling out to him, but Shinji was already fading from the pain and lack of adrenaline. After the angel was down, vaporized, he fell to his knees and patted at his imaginary wounds. Battle over, victory…check please? Shinji opted to take a nice little nap. He'd ask Matsu about what she did, listen to the inevitable browbeating for ignoring orders, and talk to Asuka about her breaking orders and skewering him like an olive when he woke up.
X-X
"Haven't seen you taking tests in over two weeks, why is it either Shinji or you are always exempt from testing?" Asuka asked as she shut her locker. Three days post battle, Asuka was still feeling that needling sensation of unease. Today's test was over, why they needed to test so much Asuka had no idea, but surrendered to it as payment to operate her Unit-02. Sauntering over towards the annoying and cold First Child, Asuka contemplated what she wanted to do now. Leaning at the waist just a little, "Not going to answer me again? Nobody is ordering you to answer." That would always miff Asuka, Ayanami's attitude.
Clad in her school uniform, seriously didn't she have other clothing, Ayanami had a small bead of sweat on her temple. Shaking her head slowly, "I was excluded as I recovered from my operation. Ikari-kun had his test earlier today." The teenager looked tired, far more so than normal, and even paler than normal. Clenching and unclenching her hands, she stared at them as if they were alien to her. Slowly she turned back to Asuka and her head tilted just a little, "Does it matter to you?"
Being questioned by this creature was not something Asuka technically avoided, so she stood back up and turned away from the sickly girl. Hadn't she overheard Akagi saying something about Ayanami and some procedure? Would make sense she wouldn't test if she was sick or something, but Asuka just forgot…or didn't care enough to remember. "No it doesn't," she settled on, "just wondering is all. You need…help or something?" Not that Asuka wanted to help, but she wasn't bereft of sympathy. Inching away from the heavy pulsating shoulders of the girl, rounding her towards the exit like one would a coughing person.
"Akitsu is waiting for me outside," Rei just continued to sag and cradle her stomach. The sweat continued to form on her, small shivers worked their ways through her body, but Ayanami didn't say anything else. Just sit their cradling herself, nodding, and Asuka thought she saw a small rash forming on the back of the girl's neck.
If Ayanami said she was fine, if she didn't want Asuka's help, then Asuka wasn't going to force it on the girl. Shrugging and heading out, "Well if you need anything, I'm sure you could call Shinji." He helped everybody, even if he got stuck in the gut for it. Already in the hall, heading towards Ritsuko's little cubby of an office to get her results, Asuka came to a halt. It wasn't her fault she hurt him! It was an accident, she was acting on her instincts, her training! How as she supposed to know he was on the other side of the angel like he was! Grumbling as she started off again, "My debut battle ruined by team damage!"
Finding the aloof and antiseptic smelling woman at her computer, Asuka just walked into the office. "Did you have my scores ready? Ayanami said Shinji had his testing earlier today?" Asuka hated that timid way she said his name! He saved that botched mission, the one she messed up, and she put him down for it. Do not feel guilty, do not feel guilty, do not! Getting a small thrill when she saw that irked expression appear and then fade back into the makeup covered old hag's face, "Not bothering you am I?"
"Wasn't expecting you this fast, and yeah he did. Ikari-kun had his test after he was released from observation. Your test results are on that screen over there, go help yourself," Ritsuko was already back on her screen. Always so prim and proper, so much 'better' than everybody, Asuka hated this woman's attitude so much. Hammering away at the keyboard, rubbing her pencil against her temple, Ritsuko waited a whole three minutes of having Asuka in the room before she looked away, "Was there something else?"
Enjoying her increased scores, Asuka continued to hover around just to annoy the woman a bit. "Not much, just what was with those lasers, and any hope of me being moved off base? I talked to Katsuragi about it, but nothing has happened yet," she wanted to ask about Shinji but couldn't. To ask about him would give the wrong impression, that she cared…she didn't. Leaning against the door, Asuka noticed a cigarette butt on Akagi's desk. Did Akagi smoke? Only person she knew that did was Kaji…did she ever see Akagi smoke?
"To answer your second question first, you have to keep on Misato or you'll live here until eighteen, she is responsible," Ritsuko thankfully took out a pack of smokes and popped on in her mouth. Not lighting it, rules were what they were, she at least put it into her mouth. Reclining into her chair, it creaked to the point it sounded nearly broke, "As for the first question…MBI is claiming it was a misfire that burnt out. If they have more of those, they aren't telling. Awfully convenient if you ask me. Sounds like it was hacked to me. Now if you've nothing else, I'm busy with Ayanami's reports."
Hacked, MBI was hacked? Laser equipped satellites? That was sounding massively over powered for a telecom/pharmaceutical company to have! Well she had her answer…Asuka just inched out of the office. The fervor in those glassy eyes was disturbing, and they were bordering zealousness. Maybe she'd tell Misato about this, and about Ayanami being sick. Heading out of the base, heading into the shopping district, a little light shopping would break up the monotony of it all. "Maybe I should call Hikari, school should be out by now," Asuka wasn't feeling lonely at all, just wanted to talk a little.
A wave of déjà vu washed over Asuka as she saw her phone's friend finder. Not far off from the fountain, in an alley, Shinji's icon was clear and reminding Asuka she owed him an apology. Scanning the quad fervently, Asuka quickly put the device back in her pocket. Hurrying over to him, Asuka tried to force her pulse to return to normal but it was reluctant to listen. Why was this boring kid causing her so much trouble! It was just an accident, he was a boring kid! Yet he kept popping up in her life, he and his strange Sekirei things! Knowing when she was outgunned Asuka did not want to get involved with that madness.
"Just going to apologize and be done with it, that is all. See that he is fine, apologize, and be done. Maybe if he's alone let him take me out to supper or something," Asuka reassured herself. Food on the base was terrible after all, so it would be a form of repayment for her breech of orders and all that! Nearing the alley, Asuka summed up her courage and as she rounded the corner she saw three figures rushing towards her! Throwing her arms up in defense, she didn't feel the impact, but she did nearly get toppled over by the wind force as the trio leapt over her as if she was a trashcan!
Rushing after the departing two Sekirei, the trailing third was recognized as Musubi, "Get back here and fight me! Nobody threatens my beloved Ashikabi. By the fists of my contract, shatter the misfortunes of my Ashikabi!" Vaulting over Asuka, no more a speed bump than a coin on the street. Musubi's feet ripped up the concrete and sprinkled some of it on Asuka's face.
All around them, people pulled out phones and started filming the pursuit, gawking and cheering. These idiots still thought this was some production stunt, a game, or other faked event?! How could these idiots not realize a woman shouldn't be able to crinkle the ground like tinfoil! Yet Asuka watched the fools point and watch. Asuka was terrified at the physics breaking events she watched. Musubi was punching so hard it caused airwaves that knocked one of the girls out of the air! Topless, using on arm to cover herself, Musubi beset the departing two and after her punch knocked one down fell upon that one and…how could a one armed woman put on such a one sided fight!
"I don't want to see this," Asuka forced herself into the alley to avoid the brutality. Musubi did say something about attacking Shinji, maybe he was hurt again or something. It was darker and smelled nasty back here, and very moist. Water dripped from everywhere, "Hey, Shinji, you alright? You down here?" His phone was in here somewhere. So either he dropped it, was unconscious, or worse if he didn't answer. Calling out louder, "Hey, Idiot, are you alright?"
The yells from the idiot masses back in the quad distracted Asuka as she shuffled further down the increasingly damp alley. When she turned away from the bright light of the quad, her vision acclimated to the dim light, "Hey, say something." And she saw it, and she nearly fell over.
Huddled against the wall of the alley, much like the last time she saw him in an alley only much worse. Bleeding about the face as his head and shoulder were leaning against the wall, Shinji forced his head to grind against the bricks to see the source of the questions. "Oh…hey…s-sorry. Tsukiumi was attacked…I was stupid and got in the way…" Shinji tried to point but was to tired or hurt to do so.
Following to where Shinji tried to point, Asuka felt even more light headed at what she saw, "That is the woman…she attacked you?" Nearly as beaten and bruised as Shinji was, the blond woman stood with her shoulder to the wall. Her fancy clothing in tatters, blood dripped and mixed with the water cascading off of her. But she didn't stay there, inching away from it, her left leg was ridged and drug behind her as she hopped towards Shinji. "H-hey lady, stop. Didn't you do enough?" Asuka called out.
This woman, Tsukiumi if Shinji was right, didn't speak. No, she reached out for Shinji and continued to hobble towards him. Falling down with a meaty twack and grunt from the woman, she just started crawling! Crawling towards the prone idiot! Where was that Musubi girl to help him, or that cute little kid with the plants, hell where was anybody that could do…
"Stop what you're doing or I'll have to do something!" Asuka skittered stepped closer. Nothing to use as a weapon, she readied herself to do something! This woman was hurt, bad, so maybe all she had to do was push her off of the idiot and drag him away! Closer and closer Tsukiumi crawled, to the point Asuka HAD to act. Rushing to the pair just as the woman's head was inches away from Shinji's, Asuka pushed against the woman's shoulder.
It was like pushing a refrigerator! Even punch drunk and hurt the woman just muttered something about Ashikabi and tried to get closer to Shinji! Was her bloodlust so great that she'd push on to kill him to her last?! So Asuka pushed harder, and for a moment she was terrified that nothing could stop the blond from killing…then they shifted and tumbled.
Much like an avalanche, Tsukiumi slid off of Shinji and rolled over to his side taking Asuka with her. Can't push against a wall with full force and not fall with it when it dropped. "Just lay here and…I don't know, lay here," Asuka ordered. But she felt those hands grasping her arms now and drag her forward. Fear lanced through her brain as the superior strength pulled her closer and closer. With no place to really put her hands, aside Shinji's stomach and Tsukimi, Asuka was dragged and felt Tsukiumi wrap her arms around her waist in a backbreaking hold.
"My beloved Ashikabi…I pray forgive my stubbornness. I submit to you, my chosen one," Tsukiumi muttered through closed eyes. Drawing Asuka in, the teenager resisting at much as possible, Tsukiumi kissed Asuka and instantly opened her eyes and shoved Asuka away, hurling her against the wall. "No! No! Not…not this…not you….who ARE you? No…no-no-no stop…no!" Tsukiumi called out angrily as she spun over and out of her back a pitifully small and dirty pair of wings blossomed for a few moments and faded away.
Head spinning and back awash with fresh agony, Asuka saw those wings and felt she just was dragged into something she shouldn't have. And that she ruined something that might have been beautiful. "What the hell are you talking about. I couldn't let you hurt him, I owe him a favor for before!" Asuka tried to get up, but the pain in her back was alive with agony.
"Shinji-sama, Shinji-sama I won! I…she was winged? Shinji-sama did you wing her?" Musubi dusted Shinji off and helped him get to her feet. Once Shinji was up, Musubi did the same with Tsukiumi, "Are you my battle sister now too?"
Shoving Musubi away from her, Tsukiumi pointed a gnarled finger at Asuka, "NO! I have had my beloved Ashikabi-sama stolen from me, stolen by a thieving tart who not know her own place nor the scene she haft seen! As my heart finally be open to the truth of love and affection, ripped from me by a jackknife in the dark!" Tsukiumi rushed towards Asuka, water raising from the ground and forming into tendrils about ready to strike.
"Stop! She didn't know…accident," Shinji croaked out and touched Tsukiumi's shoulder. And like that the water fell back to the ground, washing dirt and filth all over. Pressed against the wall again, Tsukiumi crushed her head against his chest and sobbed. The boring little boy just hugged her, and through his muck and filth covered face gave Asuka one bitter and angry look before hugging the woman and closing his eyes.
Shambling over to Musubi who was just as confused, Asuka didn't know what the hell was going on, "What is she babbling about? I see that one try to throttle that idiot, push her off, and then she rambles some Ashikabi nonsense and she kisses me! Then I get thrown at a wall, and I'm the bad one here?" Asuka did not understand any of this insanity!
"You winged her? Oh…I hoped Shinji-sama would. He saved her from those two either Sekirei, I beat one of them," Musubi found a discarded bit of cloth and made a makeshift top for herself. Manhandling Asuka a little, Musubi spun the girl around and examined her wounds, "Did…did you see her wings when she kissed you?"
Pushing Musubi off, Asuka did not like seeing those two crying in one another's arms as if she had shat on their bed and broke an family heirloom! "Yeah, it was a dirty brown little thing, I'd have thought she'd have prettier wings. And what is the issue, can't I just unwing her so she can do that stupid thing?"
"No" but Shinji and Musubi said together.
"Once a Sekirei is unwinged they go back to sleep until…we don't know when. A Sekirei's wings are a showing of their love for their Ashikabi. What you saw was…well how she feels about you. Well, we should get them back home before somebody tries to attack your Sekirei in her weakened state. You can stay there if you don't have a place to stay now that you can't go home," Musubi informed Asuka as she tended Tsukiumi.
Ok, Asuka needed a lot more information about all this madness. So she took Shinji back while Musubi tended to Tsukiumi, who just glared at Asuka once the tears subsided. Once they were at what was soon to be her new home, Asuka was informed of the burden she had thrust upon her, and started to realize what she had interrupted. Instead of helping that jerk, she made things worse for everybody. Just great…but just because she was Tsukiumi's Ashikabi, did that mean the blond couldn't still love that idiot?
X-X
Minaka was making big headway into getting his master plan back into his control! Gendo's little bump in preventing the shut-down of Tokyo-3, and Hiroto KNEW it was Gendo to blame, wasn't going to stop him! This was HIS game, the Sekirei plan was his to orchestrate and control! Sitting at his massive bay of computers, monitors, and scanners, he watched numerous battles happening. The Disciplinary Squad was making short work of those little cowards that ran. If they couldn't stay in the city, they didn't deserve Sekirei!
Tapping his cheek as a small irksome memory forced itself back into his mind, Hiroto pulled up the video of the last Angel though. "Damn things, they just had to show up and try and ruin my plan! And I won't punish those two for leaving, they did HAVE to," Hiroto wasn't bereft of all logic. If the angels did attack and destroy everything, that would prematurely end his plan, so Nerv…so the pilots got a free pass. Pulling up Tsukiumi's file and the unexpected Ashikabi, he did pout a little, "Had hoped Shinji would have winged her, would have done both of them a lot of good." But he was not going to break the rules he set for anything!
It was what it was though, so few Sekirei were left to be winged and it was going to be a grand battle for the last few. Pulling up the remaining Sekirei, Hiroto wasn't shocked that Kazehana and Homura were among the last dozen. A buzzing he had tuned out continued its insistent presence until he noticed it was a call from outside his office, "What is it? I am busy right now." Whoever was bothering him likely only had stupid selfish issues that they were concerned about.
"I know sir, but you told me to let you know when Akagi showed up, and you've had a call waiting from the UN for about ten minutes," a pretty blond that Hiroto never bothered to learn the name of stammered over the vid-call. He had a lot of secretaries come and go, who would have thought they expected some sort of quasi-relationship with their boss. They tended to quit when they learned it wasn't the case with him.
Ah yes, Nerv's resident scientific genius, Hiroto was going to utilize her to maximum efficiency! Woman was nearly as enamored with the Sekirei as he was, and had access to materials he didn't! And she was a wicked second player to some of his games…a side diversion but everybody need side-hobbies. Clearing his throat he actually smiled at the girl, "Ah, tell Akagi that I'm sorry and have her sent to my private office, I'll join her after this call." Let slip a few more details, provide a little genetic material, and maybe Gendo loses his dragons! Closing out the call with the secretary, his eyes going glassy, "He needs to hurt as he tried to hurt me. He is not better than me, my Sekirei Plan is far more important than Gendo's little scenario!"
"Minaka, you have some gall keeping me on hold for as long as you did! I could have you brought up on so many sanctions for things that I know about you!" the voice was instantly recognized as a man Hiroto had in his pocket. The aid to the UN representative of Japan, man had the ear of even the Prime Minister, and he had a few choice MBI devices in his home.
Not even humoring the empty threat, "Kazama-kun, maybe drop the theatrics. I am a busy man, I cannot drop everything for every call you make to me. Now, make this quick as I have a pressing engagement that I cannot be late for." He had a new game he wanted to try, it dealt with moving black and red marbles over various shaped wooden slats, and a lovely young faux-blond to goad into betrayal.
"Care to let me know about reports of Sekirei fights occurring outside of Tokyo-3? We had your word that people wouldn't be forced to stay in the city. Now we have video evidence of your little pet dogs attacking a woman and her little toy outside of Hokkaido! You're going to be called into session tomorrow to explain this!" Kazama was tugging on his collar. Man was violating protocol by informing Hiroto early, could lose his job, but a good dog protected its master.
Waving his hand about, he didn't care, Hiroto just dismissed it, "A few little birds were recalled as their Ashikabi proved unworthy. I'll have the video purged from the networks by morning and then it'll just be a myth. The customary hush package will be given to their families, and I will remember this goodwill you showed me…new holo-emitter sound fair?" Hiroto jotted down a few notes, he'd deal with this in the morning. Already standing up, chugging the last of his water, he had to force himself to drink enough as he forgot to eat/drink quite often.
Nodding quickly, Kazama had a small addiction to holo-movies, go figure the technology wasn't commercially available yet. Swabbing his head with a cloth, "That will be fine. Just remember you didn't get this info from me, and you better purge those videos as soon a…" Hiroto closed the connection mid-sentence. The man was nothing but a leech, trying to force himself into a position of importance beyond his station! It was rare to find a person that generally earned Hiroto's respect.
"How old is this?" Hiroto asked the sandwich sitting on his desk. Giving it a sniff, the stench assailed his nostrils with its pungent rancid stink, and he tossed it into the can. He'd order something for Akagi and himself. Heading to the door that lead to his private office, he came to a stop when he saw the hallway wasn't empty. "Kazehana, what are you doing here?" he was not wanting to have this conversation again.
Kazehana held a large bottle of open saki by the neck, her luxurious purple hair curled about her due to the unkempt nature of it, the beauty the buxom Sekirei had was marred by booze addled cheeks, her high-riding thigh hemline was uneven as she tried to pull off an alluring walk, but couldn't walk in a straight line. "I came…to give you ONE last chance," Kazehana slurred just a little.
"How many times will I have to tell you, you have to stop this, you have to leave," Hiroto held his hand up as he dodged a clumsy lunge she made. The drunk bounced off the wall, knocking a painting off center, but he didn't help her. This song and dance occurred before, thankfully it had been several months since the last attempt. Squaring his shoulders, remembering just why he didn't need this, "And I thought you could handle your liquor."
Hiroto could hear her walking closer, but stopped when he held his hand up warningly, "Things at the Inn are…confusing. Been watching them all act like love struck fools, got me thinking…we could be like them! Why do you refuse me. They seem to be having so much fun, fun I could easily have with you."
"We cannot as I don't love you, I had one love, and that was all I needed. I have my plan, and you have your place in it, but not with me. Leave, and don't come back," Hiroto accepted his reasoning. He had loved Yui, but unlike Gendo he wasn't planning some insane gambit to bring the woman back. Yui was gone, and her memory would remain inside. A few hacks to the 'super computer' that was far inferior to MBI's found a few insane rambling documents Gendo tried hiding, his brother had lost his mind when Yui had her accident.
The bottle Kazehana held was pitched over Hiroto's shoulder and smashed against the door. Shouting, "Fine then! Pine for the one that got away…or died…or whatever! This was your last chance, I won't waste my life trying to get you to…to…I hate you!" A lovely drunken showing of emotions and not a lot of actually thought. Kazehana tore out of the office and destroyed the door to Hiroto's public office. Likely caused a lot more damage on her way out, but hopefully it truly was the last time she'd try this pathetic display.
"Maybe Shinji will wing her, she'd be a good Sekirei for him, and maybe he'll temper her more dramatic edges," Hiroto hoped at least. Boy was doing well with his three Sekirei, Hiroto had really hoped he'd have four by now, but human action would always be the bane of rational thought. Kazehana was strong, Homura was also at the inn…and the wild card that was Miya was an unknown. Hiroto did not expect Miya to be tapped, that woman still had the false hope that her departed husband might return.
Opening his office, a room very few people ever got into, Hiroto saw his current game piece. "You look good today, Akagi-kun, something good happen?" Hiroto noticed the nicer clothing she was wearing. Women were dangerous creatures, had to be careful around them or they'd strike from the most unexpected positions.
Semi laying on the plush leather couch Hiroto had for these meetings, Ritsuko had a charming black skirt and button up white frilly shirt, woman looked lovely. Sitting up now that she wasn't alone, "Sorry, this couch is evil, nearly knocks me out whenever I sit on it. And yeah, my gene-therapy is starting to show some real results!" Ritsuko had explained her thoughts about Ayanami and the Sekirei genetic pattern in the past, no real secret here. Grabbing her drink, sitting on an obsidian table, she knew where he kept his bottles, "Was worried it wouldn't take, that it might go bad. But after last few days of observation I think she's on the mend."
Ah yes, step one complete! Yes Gendo, your prized scientist was converting his little freak doll into something that would listen to HIM! Hiroto smiled widely at that and sat down across the table from the doctor. "Excellent, I knew you could do it! Now how has everything else been going, it seems your latest pilot has been brought into my plan," he fixed himself a rum and coke, the table had a built in fridge. Pulling out the game as well, he started setting it up as he let the drink settle.
"Is that the case? I haven't been paying Asuka much attention, she can be a bit of a pill. A razor coated pill of pure ego, demanding we all do what she asks instantly. Sorry, had a drink before you got here, been a long day and I need a bit of relaxer," Ritsuko might have winked at him or it was just an involuntary twitch. No matter, he wasn't interested in her like that, just like Kazehana it was a doomed hope. Shaking her head hard, she scooted closer to the board and examined the rules, "Any report of that satellite discharge? Gendo was not happy to learn about that, betting a lot of people are very worried you have too much power."
Sipping his beverage, just the right sweet to mask the nasty, Hiroto put his first black marble on the board, "I'm going to be summoned before the UN council tomorrow. It is supposed to be a surprise, but somebody leaked it to me. I have no doubt it will come up. Now you seeing any powers starting to immerge from the prototype?" Faux Sekirei, that would but a wrinkle in his plan if he didn't have control. But if they had the Ashikabi conditioning, they would fall in line.
Laughing at the breach of decorum, something that would normally be a scandal, Ritsuko was just enjoying the shear inanity of it all. Playing the game to the best of her ability, a skilled mind she adapted faster than Hiroto did for the first game, "Nothing yet. Her physical is showing increased physical abilities though. No crazy powers yet, but she only has had the base conditioning. Think we should have Ikari-kun try and wing her." Just like Kazehana, Ritsuko had the red cheeks of alcohol.
Frustrated at the board state, he couldn't win with it now, next game, Hiroto surrendered and reset to base. "I don't know if it's a good idea for him to try winging a faux Sekirei, don't know for sure what will happen. If she is winged by him and something happens to him during those fights, it might cause a chain reaction," and Hiroto needed Ayanami to turn the screws to Gendo. Gendo had to suffer for trying to take control of the Plan, nobody had the right to change Hiroto's grand design!
"You keep saying stuff like that. What happens if an Ashikabi gets hurt or…dies? Gods, Misato would just about break down if that kid ever does get hurt. To think she'd be so taken by a kid. Really is a shocker," Ritsuko fixed herself another drink as the second round started. Woman took a page from Gendo's book and rarely mentioned Shinji by name, she slipped from time to time, but it was the elephant in the room that paraded around. She wanted to know, but feared asked…who was Shinji's father?
If she wasn't brave enough to ask, he wasn't going to just give her the answer, Hiroto had his morals. Doing much better during the second game, more equal with no clear winner, he played his best, "They are bound together. If an Ashikabi falls, his Sekirei fall as well, all of them. So if the prototype is linked to him, and if something happens, your whole tank might feel the effect. Assuming you keep the mental conditioning dump you've been doing." That tank of clones, Hiroto wanted control over it! Ripe that away, hold it over Nerv, and then he wouldn't have to worry about losing more control.
Going a little pale, Ritsuko put her hand to her throat and swallowed hard, "Yeah that would be a risk. I didn't think about the Dummy Plug or the sync process, guessing if her mentality changes because of this, it would hit the tank. Might need to keep those two apart. Misato said they've been a little chummier lately. Oh and, do we have to worry about Sekirei getting pregnant? I've been giving suppressants to keep little bundle of joys at bay, but it appears that the event finally happened."
Putting a potentially game winning marble down, Hiroto stood up with a cheer, "Yes, Ashikabi can get their Sekirei pregnant. But I have confidence in your pills. Ah, I actually feel a little hungry, you up for some delivery?" He'd have to give Shinji a little call soon, congratulate him on letting down the walls and letting his little birds in. Gendo did a horrible thing to that kid, and Hiroto was upset with himself for not catching it. Had he been less focused, had he known better Nerv's plans, Shinji would have been aided far more than the non-existent.
"Sure, I'm good with food. And never saw a grow man so excited about a board game. You are one of a kind, Minaka-san!" Ritsuko fell over onto the couch laughing. Let her think what she wants, let anybody think what they want, that was Hiroto's way. He knew the truth, that was what mattered, and that was how he wanted it. Let them scurry and plan all they wanted, it would all come to nothing in the end. Playing more rounds, eating a little take-away, enjoying a nice drink, he had a car take Ritsuko home after she moved from subtle cajoling into Kazehana levels of drunken flirting, he doubted Ritsuko remembered the latter half of the evening. But she left with a few tainted samples.
X-X
Laying on her futon, Tsukiumi could hear the house about her. It was alive with life and joviality, things she lacked. A little over a week of living with these people, well being in their house as she didn't leave the room other than to use the washroom, and she still felt regret. Once she accepted Shinji as her Ashikabi she did not expect to have it ripped away from her just moments away from attaining it! And as much as she wanted to blame her Ashikabi, it was her own fault. She didn't open her eyes, going for a grand romantic gesture, and now she was punished for it.
"Low be me, the fates have decreed I am a creature naught but for suffering," she muttered as she turned to her side. She didn't want to go out again, her Ashikabi was doing her schooling or maybe not, she didn't know or care. And that was the crutch of the problem, she didn't care or even know her Ashikabi. Emotions, even negative ones fueled the power of the winging…Tsukiumi hardly knew her Ashikabi, avoided her for existing.
Tossing a shirt over Tsukiumi's face, Asuka scoffed, "If you can talk like that, you can get out of this room. That idiot is worried about you, he has your breakfast again. I suggest you eat it this time, as when you don't it makes him sad, making him sad upsets Misato and Miya, and I'm afraid of those when angry." Asuka could be heard rifling through clothing and books, putting things into a bag.
Sitting up, her normally gloriously maintained hair was matted and bent in odd angles, "Talk not to me of things that need and not need doing. What do ye know of the loss I haft suffered, and to allow my chosen to provide for me yet I be denied him be a shame upon my honor!" Balling up the shirt that hit her, Tsukiumi tossed it at the back of Asuka's head expertly. Adding just enough moisture to the shirt to make it heavy and clingy, Tsukiumi was happy to hear that wet slap.
"Bitch, I can only apologize so much alright? You were both beaten and bloody, last time I saw you and him together you promised to kill him. What would you have done in my place?" Asuka fought to tug off the shirt prison. It didn't work so well and she fell over back onto her own futon. Rolling about, she finally tugged it off, readied a throw, but just dropped it. Wiping off some of the moisture, "I don't understand any of this bull. I didn't want a slave, I don't want you. So why don't you just serve him and not me?" Asuka drew her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, "I don't…I don't understand any of this."
Reaching out and grabbing her plate of food, it smelled heavenly, Tsukiumi ate despite her reluctance, "True a mystery you haft been tossed into, but not all were alien to your mind. Shi-Ikari-san must have explained some as ye knew of abilities naught natural to your stature." The food was delicious, masterfully seasoned and mellow, perfect for breakfast. Drawing the blinds back, letting light into the room, Tsukiumi saw the confusion and frustration on her Ashikabi's face…she did not like that look. Tapping on the futon to get Asuka to look up, "I be unable to shift my master as ye be able to summon the moon into thy hand."
Flopping down onto her back, arms stretched out wide, Asuka grunted, "So he can't be your 'master' or Ashikabi or whatever that is. Doesn't mean you can't…I don't know date him or something! I refuse to be the person that you blame for this shit! I did good, I did what anybody would have! So…he can't be your slave master, go after him like a normal person would! Wouldn't that make you better than those others if he likes you more and he ISN'T forced to like you or something?" Her anger and frustration boiled over into a back flip back to her feet. Gathering her bag, "Look…I didn't mean to cause you this little pity party, either of you, but aren't you taking this one thing to far? Go for what you want, to hell with what the rules say."
To stunned to speak, Tsukiumi just sat there as Asuka left. Eating her breakfast in silence, well mostly silence, she let what her Ashikabi say sink in. What was 'going after him like a normal person'? Such things weren't issues she ever thought about. Ever since Professor Miyajima modified her and trained her, she hadn't considered anything other than her Ashikabi being her chosen one. Hearing screams and shouts coming from the window, she forced herself up and peered out. The landlady and…that other woman…were sparring! Ikari's first Sekirei, Tsukiumi felt that growing blackness of jealousy! They were so happy together, even Kusano and Matsu were so full of joy around him…but not her!
"Oh you're up…that is…good," Matsu cringed back from the door a little. Sliding the door open with her foot, hands behind her back, the bespeckled woman had a hint of regret, "How you feeling this morning sleeping beauty? Growing mushrooms yet?" Cringing her lower half back behind the door, she had every indication this interaction was not wanted.
It was time to get up, time to start doing…something! Maybe, maybe what her Ashikabi said was true. Maybe she could find a way of getting Ikari's attention in some other way! Staying here in this room, avoiding reality would only result in defaulting in the Second Phase and being put back into slumber. Slumber would mean she couldn't be near her chosen, her true chosen, and that sounded worse than this existence. "What doth thou be hiding behind thy back, and why doth thou seem distraught to know of my able mindedness?" Tsukiumi stood up and fluffed out her sleeping attire. Inn should only have females in it now, no reason to change yet.
"Nothing, just curious about the newest resident. Your Ashikabi is…troublesome when upset. Hoping you might talk to her about abusing Shin-tan as she does. For a girl that claims all men are perverts, she tends to demand a lot out of him," Matsu retreated to Tsukiumi's advance. Walking backwards towards the outer deck, she increased her pace as her pursuer did. Finally yelped and running, she didn't get far before tendrils of water wrapped around her leg and pulled her backwards, "Don't damage it! It's got a lot of great footage! I haven't copied it over yet!"
Stepping over the groveling woman, Tsukiumi picked up a portable camera, a very high grade camera. Flipping open the viewer she scoffed, "Ye wished to film me as I lay still? What form of degeneracy did thee wish to…oh sweet maiden of affection what haft thou done?" Accidentally hitting the play button, the Sekirei of water got an unabashed view of Musubi and Ikari doting upon one another so ravenously. Slamming the viewer shut again, she nearly broke it but stopped. What she had seen had not been forced, had not been against eithers will…it was an act of love. Setting it down on the ground, Tsukiumi now knew the score, "What would ye have needed video myself asleep?" Watching Musubi and Miya spar, there was skill there, but Miya was leagues above.
"N-nothing…little experiment is all. Musubi-tan opened the door to paradise and I intend to bask in all its glory. Shin-tan…yeah…yeah," Matsu gathered the camera and started doing a little filming of Tsukiumi. Nothing bad, just a base image but she had a rather uncertain aura about her, her mind not something Tsukiumi understood enough yet to gleam. Skittering away much akin to a cockroach, the woman vanished around the corner of the hall and ended with some slam from above, strange.
Stepping out into the actual sun for the first time since her winging, Tsukiumi closed her eyes and let the warmth wash over her. Yeah, yeah, maybe this wasn't the end of the world as she had thought. A challenge, something to overcome, and then she would the victor. Spotting another unknown sitting on the veranda watching the spar, the long purple hair made Tsukiumi initially think Katsuragi, but it was longer. "And who might you be, I haft thought I knew all that stayed here," Tsukiumi stood with arms crossed. Talking to this lewdly dressed woman was just a cover as she watched this Sekirei fight, her rival.
Sipping from a small saki dish, Kazehana patted the bench next to her and flinched her head towards the waiting bottle. "Oh there are a few people you haven't meet here yet. Kazehana if you've forgotten," she turned just enough so Tsukiumi could actually recognize her. Refilling her cup, "And how are you doing, you had Shin-chan all worried about you. That is something that gets a lot of attention around here. And from what Musubi-chan said…he got pretty roughed up helping you. Quite the manly thing," she tittered just a little hand going to her chin as she propped it up and continued to watch the fight.
"Drinking in the morning and talking of such things, you Obscene Exhibitionist, what were you doing in his bed this morning? You shouldn't be so forward with one you've no relation!" Miya kicked a rock at Kazehana's face. It didn't reach as the relaxing Sekirei caught it effortlessly.
Such speed and agility was impossible, the landlady wasn't even looking at Kazehana and the blow would have been spot on! Taking a few steps away from the target zone, and trying not to think of what she just heard. Making small faints and pantomiming Musubi's actions, getting into a phantom version of the fight, "I doth not deny it. He saved me from a worse fate than what befell me. At least mine Ashikabi be not cruel, even if we be distant. And she haft given me an idea for mine future that may be neigh as grand." Drawing out a tendril of water and making a faux strike at Miya only to see she countered it while still fighting Musubi…insane.
"Such love for his Sekirei, even the pervert in the attic, getting hurt and worrying over a wayward princess that has only herself to blame. I think I might actually take him, maybe this is my destiny after all…and if you're going to attack me, do it with full force!" Kazehana challenged Miya as the woman stopped her current spar. Drinking the last of her saki, she handed the bottle over to Tsukiumi with a wink, "What Miya, I need an Ashikabi as well. You might be the only one exempt from that rule. Problem with him having a sensual teacher, one that might even get your little protégée up a few pegs!"
Rushing forward with her broom at the ready, Miya's face was a demonic visage that left Tsukiumi intimidated! Growling out, "Do not take his feelings lightly! If you are serious that is one thing, but just a whim!" The broom sailed through the air only to get caught by a torrent of air and deflected. A followed up kick towards the Kazehana's head sent the match into actual motion. The pair leaped into the air and rushed off fighting while hurling various insults and accusations.
"This place be a den of mad women who are overburden with strength?" Tsukiumi watched the pair dash off into the distance and fade from view. Left in the green backyard, she saw the only other person left around, "What are you staring upon me for? Am I so abhorrent to ye that I to be made a spectacle?" Crossing her arms again, she did not want this woman to look down on her. Yes Ikari was the one to stand between her, beaten and open, and her attackers but it was HER that drove them off.
Fixing her top, it had been pulled down and nearly flashed her skin, Musubi just smiled and shook her head. "I'm just glad you up! Think you might want to be my sparring partner? Uzume doesn't like to, Miya-san is great…but more training is always better! We have to protect our Ashikabi-samas'," flexing her gloved hand, she held out the other in friendship.
Approaching Musubi, Tsukiumi held her head up high, "Maybe if I be better dressed for the occasion. One should bare all for a skirmish, less one think it a trick to fool the viewers. And…I thank you for aiding me in the past. But know that I shant lose to you." Her hand took hold of Musubi's and felt that crushing strength yet felt no malice from the woman, it was just pure strength. So she matched it as best she could.
"And I won't lose to you either! But unless we HAVE to formally fight, why should we? You wanted Shinji-sama to be your Ashikabi right, he's been worried about you since you were brought in," Musubi released her hold and followed up with a quick left-right combo. Guess this woman was fight first and talk second.
Using her water manipulation to small circle Musubi's fists away without touching, Tsukiumi dropped to a spinning kick with a little water whip as well. "Need everybody remind me that he worries? It was not by my hand that such worry be created, had nobody worried about my spirit and needs?" she grimaced as Musubi deftly avoided both the faint and main swipe. Without looking, feeling the air pressure chaining, she rolled forward and lashed out with a wayward splash. Getting back up, her bedclothes dirty and marred with mud and leaves, she saw Musubi the same.
"Of course we did! But your Ashikabi said to leave you alone, and we have agreements here to not enter one anothers room without permission. Miya-san is very strict on that. So we waited, and now you're here! So how about we take a bath to get to know one another!" Musubi did not take the draw in stride and simply forced Tsukiumi back into the house and towards the bathroom. It was populated by the woman that informed her of her new home and position as her Ashikabi's bodyguard Katsuragi and a small child. "Look Misato-san, I've a new sparring partner! What you playing with Kuu-chan!" Musubi forgot Tsukiumi as she rushed to the other two.
Disrobing, the clothing was slathered in dirt and much, Tsukiumi felt a moment of unease. She was not daft, heard the people talking in the house over her few days here, knew Shinji was special to all three of these people. Did they blame here, did they hate her? If Musubi was smarter, Tsukiumi might have thought it a trap. "I do apologize for my dramatics o're the last few days. My mind was set adrift in seas of uncertainty, but my Ashikabi haft sent my course. And it be to insure that she and your inferior Ashikabi be brought up to a standard befitting Sekirei of our status," puffing her chest out, she got into the water and just tried to ignore the sense of family she was outside of. In time though, if she truly wished it…maybe it would be better. Now that she had all the time she needed to watch and appreciate…maybe this was truly the best way. Not forced by winging, but willingly and without constraints.
X-X
Notes
Trying to make some divergences from the Sekirei cannon and not follow it verbatum. I want to try exploring the whole affection between a Sekirei and somebody not their Ashikabi. We see hints of it, but think this could be interesting and give Tsuki a new avenue to explore.
Later
Mercaba
