Sekirei: Battle of the Gods

by Blackshadow999

Hiroto Minaka thought the Sekirei and what came from their space ship made him a God. But he didn't know of the world that was unseen, yet hidden in plain sight. How long can that last and how will Sekirei do against those who have been around for longer than them? Read and find out! Currently being redone.

2. Flows Changing

A/n

First new chapter in this rewrite that wasn't in the story originally. This still is set years before the start of the Sekirei plan's start. But enough from me, on with the story.

Chapter 2: Flows Changing

-Ashe's pov-

In the weeks that past after Takehito and Miya came to live at Izumo Inn, none came around asking or looking for them. Yet, I decided to start selecting those that would have the best chance of infiltrating MBI and not attract notice. With the things that Takehito said Hiroto Minaka has done and was thinking to do, I wanted eyes and ears on him going forward. I already had a few in mind that I was confident could do the task I had in mind. I said nothing about my plan to have others keep watch on Minaka to either Takehito or Miya. I may later perhaps, but at this time I saw no reason to inform them of my concern and response to it. Besides, it would likely take time to get those agents into MBI and they not be noticed or suspected of anything.

The other point that was changing was due to a series of events that I hadn't expected which involved Miya. Of course, I found her to be beautiful more so than others I'd encountered before, but it wasn't just her appearance that was drawing my attention. With her time around Izumo Inn, her cold personality seemed to fade away and she showed herself to be curious and eager to learn new things. I could understand the interest of learning ideas that you don't know, it is just rare for me to have happen, but it was a motivation that can drive me. And yet, it wasn't just Miya that was experiencing new things, I was too and I admit that Miya is the one that was bringing about the changes with me.

It was on one evening that two of those that are loyal and work with me came by to visit that I really came to admit my realization. Miya and Takehito had retired for the night when Anya and another woman came by. The other was a young-looking woman with bronze colored eyes and long straight brown hair lengthening up to her back. She was a tad taller than Miya herself and has an average feminine figure. Her facial features denoted her European descent as that was where she was born originally. Her name was Nina Kirk and we had met decades ago when I had been visiting Europe during the end of the second world war. She was currently wearing dress pants and a blue colored blouse. Nina was also one of those that I had been thinking to have to infiltrate MBI as she has a science-type personality so she would fit right in around MBI.

"Anya, Nina, welcome, I hope things are going well with both of you," I greeted.

Anya bowed, "Indeed my Lord, thank you for asking, your concern is heartwarming," she replied.

"Ja," agreed Nina in her German accent and language, "Anya says you had a task that would need my skills and talents Lord Hitoyoshi."

I nodded, "Yes, that is correct Nina, I have a job in mind that your talents would do well with," I said before I paused, "Have you heard of an organization known as Mid Bio-Informatics?"

Nina blinked, "Are you talking about MBI that was created by the quack Hiroto Minaka sir?"

I nodded again, "Yes, that is to what I refer Nina, and I take it that you then know of it," I posed.

Nina sighed, "With how Minaka blusters and rambles to a number in the scientific community about what he has come up with, it would be nigh impossible for me not to know about MBI. Rest assured, there is not a small number in the world, in and out of the scientific community who aren't the most pleased with the man and his actions. So, why do you bring him and his 'company' up Mr. Hitoyoshi," asked Nina.

I put a hand to my forehead, then glanced over at Anya, "You said nothing then about our trip to Kamikura Anya," I questioned, to which she shook her head.

Nina stared at me, "I know you have mentioned that you have been to Minaka's island that he boasts about yet never allows any to visit, but I have never heard why."

"A friend of mine worked for MBI for a time," I returned simply.

"I take it they don't any longer then sir," Nina questioned.

I shook my head, "No, not after an unknown military force attacked the island and was massacred." I paused and frowned, "Minaka said something to the effect of my friend's work and talents were best used for fighting and war. You understand how it feels to be told something like that Nina I believe."

Nina's gaze fell, "Yes, I do indeed my Lord and I disliked being told that point even if there is truth to it," she replied soberly.

I got back on the topic of why I had Nina here, "The reason I brought up MBI Nina was I would like you to get inside the organization. I want you to be eyes and ears for me, keep a watch and Hiroto Minaka as I don't trust him nor do I like the idea of him being left to his own devices," I iterated.

-Miya's pov-

In the time that had gone by since Takehito and I came to live at the house that Ashe had which he called Izumo Inn, my life had changed so much. The first time I had met Ashe had been truly a life-changing experience without me even knowing it at the time. Takehito had asked me to come by the day before so he could do some testing which was fairly normal. Takehito was really the only one I interacted with around the ship to great length.

MBI had been busy 'adjusting' Sekirei so that winging would happen 'more easily', at least that was what they claimed. To me, that had been wrong what MBI were doing as it altered our nature to have winging occur with just a single contact as they were trying to make it. So, I hadn't participated in those or any other adjustments even though there had been some of the scientists that were insisting that I should. I threatened them, and they left me alone normally going forward, and for those that didn't, they would after I shooed them away a few times.

So, when Takehito had me come by to visit the last time, he mentioned that he had been talking with a friend it had sounded odd to me. I had been curious as Takehito had not mentioned he had 'friends' around the ship, he was just nice to them. There had been one that he seemed to be on good terms, a woman by the name of Takami Shashi but that was all. So, back at the time, I couldn't think of who Takehito was referring to. Then, when I entered the room, I had caught first sight of Ashe and it had felt like time had just stopped. The first sight I had gotten of Ashe had been truly unlike anything I had known before.

Then there had been the escape from Kamikura Island with Ashe's help and then coming here. The explanation Ashe gave for how he knew Takehito did explain a bit as to why Takehito was different than others around the Sekirei ship. His interactions with what Ashe called the non-human world clearly had a good influence for him which had stayed with him when he came to work for MBI. To learn that humans weren't the only intelligent species of this world was somewhat comforting. Sekirei had already begun suffering from Minaka in charge deciding what would happen to them, but there was hope I feel with others that weren't human in this world as that meant those like Minaka weren't the ones that ran things.

After that, life became much simpler though the worry about the other Sekirei wouldn't leave me. Takehito and even Ashe attempted to help me not worry and it was nice of them to try doing that. No one from MBI had come around looking for Takehito or me, which was somewhat odd at first. However, I came to accept that for the time being, whether or not that would change in the future is different.

And yet, I was finding myself unconsciously spending time around Ashe and I couldn't explain why I had the urge to do so. It mystified me, but I could tell it wasn't a fluke as it happened around Ashe and not others. And Ashe didn't seem to have any issue with me spending the time around him that I did. The unknown reaction I appeared to be having confused me and there came a point that I decided to try and talk to Ashe about it.

So one night after Takehito had gone to his room, I headed towards the ground floor to start looking for Ashe to talk to him. But as I was coming down the stairs I heard voices, one which was Ashe's, another was the woman that had been with him around Kamikura yet there was also another that I didn't know. I stopped to listen to what was going on, "I have no real issue with such a task," said the unknown feminine voice. "Other than tolerating an idiot who probably does not know how to shut up and loves the sound of his own voice."

"You have been around those kinds of individuals before Nina correct," inquired the woman that had been with Ashe before.

"Oh yes, I have Anya, more than I care to say and a number of them were Nazi fools," answered the first woman who was referred to as Nina.

I didn't know who was being referred to, but whoever it is, they were not being referred to nicely. And then the term 'Nazi' was one I was unfamiliar with, it meant nothing to me but the tone made it clear that it was not a good reference. "Yes, and it is because Nina has been around such and blends in so well that I ask this of her," Ashe remarked. There was a pause, "Will there be any issue for you Nina?"

Nina I believe giggled, "Oh none whatsoever sir, I can tolerate the ridiculous personality type. Albert's was something else in that respect as were others that worked on some of the same projects he did. So I can certainly do the task, was there anything else Mr. Hitoyoshi?"

"Not that I can think of right now, thank you for your time Nina," Ashe replied.

The next series of sounds indicated that one individual left before there was a sigh from Ashe. "You seemed more troubled than you usually are my Lord," said Anya.

The term Lord that some call Ashe hadn't made complete sense to me, he had made it clear that he wasn't fond of formal titles. It seemed more a term of respect from others for Ashe but that was the best explanation I've been able to come up with. "I am not fond of those like Hiroto Minaka," Ashe returned, which sharpened my attention. "Those like him who care only for themselves are common enough, but with the growing influence he is getting makes him problematic. If left unchecked it will sow seeds of chaos and sorrow, more so with what Takehito iterated the man was interested in doing."

"The fighting of Sekirei you mean," Anya asked.

The plan that Minaka had in mind for Sekirei was horrible as it was a fight to the death for us all. It would be a failure on my part as I was supposed to protect the little birds and encourage them to find their destined one. It was one of the major things that were weighing me down lately and wouldn't leave me alone. Ashe spoke again, "Yes, but there's more to what irks me than just the fighting. It is portrayed as a contest or competition and one that is for entertainment, such should never be done. Killing is not and should not be a sport for a number of individuals to view as entertainment like it has been sometimes in human history. It is a trait that demonic beings hold and no others should develop or cultivate. It only causes pain to those involved and doing that knowingly is evil and wrong."

There was a moment of silence, "And your interactions with Miya have been amplifying these feelings Ashe," posed Anya.

That one line caught my attention for it implied that Ashe may not see the time we spend together as simply nice. "I suppose they have Anya, I don't exactly know what to think with Miya yet," Ashe replied. There was a pause but then Ashe continued, "I have been feeling and experiencing things that I have not for centuries now, not since," Ashe trailed off and there was pain in his voice.

"Not since Itsumi," Anya stated.

There was a moment of silence, but the name Itsumi that was mentioned did seem to hold meaning that I didn't know of myself. "I'm not sure if it is right to open myself up again, it has hurt more than words can say in the centuries that have past," Ashe said with strained tones. "After what the demon did," Ashe's voice caught, "things have never been the same since then."

I could not explain why I felt an urge to go to Ashe and comfort him at this moment, but it welled up in me. And it was that which made me start to realize that I was beginning to react to Ashe. I had thought it originally impossible and if it was somehow possible then someone like Takehito would be the best chance of it happening for me. And yet, the signs were clear to me now that I was reacting to Ashe, I was being drawn to him unconsciously.

"Forgive me if I am being too informal my lord," stated Anya, "However Ashe, you deserve a chance of happiness more than most do with the good that you do unto others. The lives you have changed for the better, and I speak as one of those whose life you changed for the better, take a chance. Happiness is worth the risk taken, and the opportunities for such that are lasting don't come frequently as you yourself well know."

I made my way back to the room I had quietly as to not interrupt, but what I heard was going around in my mind. In the week that followed, the interactions between Ashe and I kept occurring more frequently. The strength of my reacting to Ashe kept growing, which came with both warm feeling and pain as well. Then came one day that Ashe seemed to disappear, at least when I looked around for him, I could not find him. I even went to Takehito to ask him in order to find Ashe, "Takehito, have you seen Ashe today?"

Takehito looked up from the notes he was writing, "Have I seen Ashe? Now that I think about it, I haven't seen him which is a tad unusual," he said. Then Takehito glanced at a calendar that was nearby, "Let's see, what is today?" A moment later Takehito's expression fell, "May thirteen, that explains it."

What Takehito said made no sense to me in relation to what I had been asking, what should the date have to do with where Ashe could be? "Explains what Takehito, what does the date have to do with Ashe not being around," I asked.

"That's right, you wouldn't know about this," Takehito said and he was silent for a moment. "This is the day of the year that Ashe mourns those he knew that are gone. So, this day of the year is a somber one for him and he is rarely around to talk to and if he is, he's extremely melancholy. I would assume that he is likely visiting a graveyard at this time."

Something within me urged me to find Ashe, I couldn't explain what the urge was or why it was so strong. I don't think it is just me reacting to Ashe, I believe there is more to it than just that, so I left the house searching for him.

-Ashe's pov-

The day of May Thirteenth is never a pleasant one for me, no matter how many years pass by, it is a day of mourning those I could not save. It is also the day that a woman that I had known well had been killed, murdered by one I should never have trusted. It had been my fault to an extent that she had died though she would never blame me for what happened. Her name had been Itsumi and what a woman she had been.

Itsumi had been a kind souled individual, wished well those that crossed her path and did good unto others. Her child-like wonder of the world was intriguing as well as amusing to me when we met. After getting to know each other, we became close and perhaps it is that which is causing such confusion now with the emotions that are involved with Miya. I had begun to learn and know what love was with Itsumi, but her life had been ended before that had gone too far. I was now having many of the same emotions around Miya and it was tugging on my heart hard.

And so, I was as I always was on this day at the graveyard that Itsumi's marker stands though this year was the four-hundredth anniversary of her death. However, it wasn't only her marker I was visiting here, there were others I had known buried here and I cleaned up their markers as well. Yet, every time I always end out in front of Itsumi's marker dwelling on the might have beens had things been different. At memories of Itsumi, tears came to my eyes, "Itsumi, I am truly sorry," I whispered. "I know you wouldn't blame me for your death, but I still played a part in it. I let a demon around you and I saw him for what he was, but I did nothing, so I still led you to your end. I am a horrible individual and this pain I've been in is well-earned by me, but even still, I cannot tell you how sorry I am," my voice caught for a moment, "I should have done more to save you."

My misery and sorrow were the strongest on this day and it was why I stayed away from the house so that those there wouldn't have to be pulled down by me. Really, I hide this pain from others though it gnaws at me continuously. Only children can help for a time, and it had been years since any had been around Izumo Inn. Few if any came to this graveyard, and so I wouldn't be disturbed while I was here. "Ashe," questioned a feminine voice I was coming to know.

I twisted around to view the source and to my horror, I saw Miya coming into the graveyard. I have no idea what she was doing here, but I didn't want Miya to see me as I was right now. She shouldn't have to see me like this, not with what has been weighing down on her shoulders. During the times we chatted, Miya had mentioned how she felt like a failure with Minaka doing what he would to the Sekirei. I could understand the failure of watching over and protecting others better than most, what occurred with Itsumi was a prime example. I did my best to mask my current emotions, "Miya, what has you out and about today," I managed to say evenly.

"I could ask the same of you Ashe," Miya replied.

I hesitated as I don't like to lie to others unless absolutely necessary and this situation wouldn't count as that. "I'm visiting some I once knew who have passed," I said in a distant tone.

I hoped Miya would go and leave me be as I wasn't in much of a good condition to chat with another right now. I'm dealing with the pain that comes from recalling those I couldn't save from their demises.

-Miya's pov-

After searching for a short period, I had found Ashe around the graveyard that was near the northern shrine. He was kneeling in front of a grave marker whispering things that I couldn't hear from where I was. I drew closer and then I began to hear what Ashe was saying, "but I did nothing, so I still led you to your end. I am a horrible individual and this pain I've been in is well-earned by me, but even still, I cannot tell you how sorry I am," Ashe stopped for a moment, "I should have done more to save you."

The tones in Ashe's voice were extremely painful to hear for me for it was clear he was hurting. I had never heard him talk like this nor seen him as he was now and I couldn't just leave him like this. We had come to the point that we wanted to help one another through the pain and sorrows we have experienced. "Ashe," I questioned.

Ashe twisted around to look at me and an expression of horror flashed across his face briefly, there were also tears coming from the corners of his eyes. The expression and the tears brought a sharp pain to my heart, but then the expression disappeared and a blank face replaced it. "Miya, what has you out and about today," he said evenly.

Ashe was still in pain even if he was hiding the expressions from the outside, I knew that no one can have a true mood change like is being portrayed. "I could ask the same of you Ashe," I replied.

He didn't answer right away, there was hesitation from him, "I'm visiting some I once knew who have passed," Ashe said in a distant tone.

It's not that I don't believe Ashe, I do, but there is more to what he is saying than the words he is giving state. He had also been blaming himself for something, likely someone else's death with how kind Ashe is. "And would those that you were visiting be some that you blame yourself for their ends," I posed.

Ashe didn't say anything, but his gaze fell to the ground which got me to move forward closing the distance between us. And without thinking, I embraced Ashe which felt right and the insistent urge to be close to Ashe quieted down somewhat. "Ashe, you yourself told me that keeping things inside rarely helps," I said using my hands to bring his face to see mine. "Isn't about time that you heed your own advice Ashe?"

Ashe shook his head, "It isn't the same," he said, "It's my fault they died…"

"Ashe," I said to gain his attention, "As you said to me, you shouldn't blame yourself for things that have already happened that cannot be changed. Blaming yourself only holds you back from moving forward and," I started.

"And let go of the problems of the past," he finished slowly.

It had been what he had told me many times, normally when I was feeling low and in thoughts of how the other Sekirei were going to have done to them. It was quite the piece of wisdom that apparently Ashe hadn't always followed himself. "Ashe, you shouldn't go through this alone, none should," I said keeping him in my embrace. "I wish to help you, but I can't unless you let me do so."

-Ashe's pov-

I had at first asked Miya to leave me be, to leave me to my misery and not have to see me as I was currently. However, Miya had not heeded my pleas that I could muster with the pain I was feeling. And yet, I couldn't find it in me to lie to Miya, there was something about her that just affected me so that I could not do it. Even when I admitted the truth that I bear some of the blame for the deaths of those who rest here, Miya didn't leave. I'm a horrible individual that she should want nothing to do with yet she does this. She even embraced me for some reason and tried using my own advice to I believe comfort me.

I did my best to gently get Miya to go, to tell her I wasn't the person she pictured me as, but she didn't listen. "Ashe," she said to gain my attention though I didn't look her in the eyes, "As you said to me, you shouldn't blame yourself for things that have already happened that cannot be changed. Blaming yourself only holds you back from moving forward and-"

At hearing the line I would often say to others in rather bad straits, it came differently to me this time than any before. It was as if an epiphany came to me and a better understanding of what the wisdom implied that I thought I understood came to me. Nevertheless, I had been letting the past hold me back for centuries now and those who had died wouldn't have wanted me to do this to myself. Yet, it had taken Miya telling me my own wisdom that it had sunk into my own mind and I couldn't help but finish the line, "And let go of the problems of the past," I finished slowly.

Itsumi had told me similar things, but it was now that the words became more than just mere words and gained a personal meaning. I had told Miya the same wisdom when she had felt down about things, and it had helped her. And I do not know what it is about Miya that effects me so, but this isn't the first time she has completely surprised me in some way. This certainly was towards the top of the list on surprises Miya has sprung on me. But the surprises weren't finished, "Ashe, you shouldn't go through this alone, none should," Miya continued keeping me in her embrace, "I wish to help you, but I can't unless you let me do so."

Could I really open myself up again? Expose myself and risk pain coming to me from losing those I care about? It had gotten close to destroying me four-hundred years ago, nearly turning me into something close to the same kind of demon Oda had become. It was only realizing what had been happening to me that I had closed my heart and my soul to others to stop myself from becoming a complete monster. Do I risk taking a chance again?

"Ashe," Miya whispered, "Don't push me away. Let me help you in this, let me help you move forward as you have been helping me."

A warmth began spreading out from my heart and it was drowning the pain I had been feeling for so long. My arms wrapped around Miya as did my tails that came out of their own accord. For the first time in a long while, I started feeling like I used to before all the wars I had lived through. I know not how Miya was able to do this when others who were loyal to me had tried so many times and failed. However, in the end, it didn't matter I suppose, it answered the questions that had been going through my mind. There may be risk involved opening myself up again, but it could be worth it in the end. As Anya had pretty much said, 'a chance at happiness', that is something I wish to experience.

The moment between Miya and I may be unexpected, but it certainly was wonderful by the end of it. We were not interrupted by any which I was glad for I wanted this moment more than even I realized until it happened. We did leave the graveyard, my mood was far brighter than when I entered the place and Miya seemed to be much the same. It was as if the world had been grey or clouds covering over all keeping the sun from shining through them. But now, the clouds had broken up and sunlight was coming through piecing the gloom and sorrow. I only wish this had come to me earlier, but that is what it is and it can't be changed, the outcome is what's important.

Miya and I didn't return to Izumo Inn right away, we walked around the northern sector of Tokyo, enjoying each other's company. And when we returned to the house in the evening, both of us were in much better moods than we started with at the start of the day. Even Takehito took notice that there had been a change with Miya and me staring at us and our interaction with each other.

Miya went off to clean up while I headed for the kitchen to prepare dinner and was getting down to the task when Takehito came into the room. "I must admit," began Takehito, "this is definitely the most chipper that I've seen you on this day of the year."

I shrugged, "I suppose it is the best mood I've been in for a while on a day like this," I remarked. "You bring the observation up for a reason Takehito?"

Takehito chuckled a bit, "Ashe, I've known you long enough to know that you don't change a lot without a reason, beings like you have that quality in common most of the time. This day of the year has always been a bad one for you," he started. "You become like a ghost, are distant and are like that for the whole day. Yet this year, you're an entirely different person and not a hint of how you normally are. Could you fill me in on what happened to you to change that, or does it have something to do with Miya?"

I paused and glanced at Takehito who was gazing at me expectantly, and I gave him an indifferent look. "It could be, hard to say at this point my friend," I commented before I returned to preparing the evening meal.

That was the first night of things changing for me and honestly, it was a very nice and welcome change. A few months past by in what seemed a short period and during the time, Miya and I spent more and more time together. Keeping each other's company always made a day feel brighter and though I couldn't explain why I was caring less about the reasons the more time Miya and I were together felt so wonderful. I was no fool, the feelings I was experiencing were clear to me and I wasn't going to deny them anymore. It was love that I was feeling towards Miya and the feeling was growing the more time I spent with her. And from what I could tell, Miya was feeling the same towards me as she was showing small tokens of affection to me.

Itsumi was the last I felt anything like this around, but it wasn't to the extent that I was feeling with Miya. That and Miya was helping me learn how to use my heart to feel again and it had been a while since I had used my heart like I was now. And I was becoming more and more grateful that I had met Miya as she was changing my life in ways that I hadn't imagined.

There came a point that I decided to do something I thought I would never do in my existence, yet I had wanted to. Now with my extremely long lifespan thus far, there are those that would ask what I could possibly not done yet. I would answer them there are quite a few things I have not done for a variety of reasons which are my business. In this case, this experience was one I just haven't had the right opportunity to do until now.

The planning I put into the event was more extensive than I made it seem for I set the scene as well as the mood for the event. I chose the area around the Meiji Shrine in the western sector of Tokyo as the venue for what I wanted to do with Miya. The reason I picked the place I did was the forests and garden around the shrine, which could also provide some privacy if needed. I was keeping my intentions secret from Miya as I wanted to surprise her the best I could with what I had in mind.

So as summer was coming to its end that I took Miya out to see the shrine to which she agreed to accompany me. We rode the train to the Haraiuku Station which was the closest to the shrine in the morning. When we arrived, Miya found the grounds of the shrine very nice which I took as a good choice for the venue. We strolled around the forest around the shrine for a time and enjoyed the time and one another's company.

Then I led Miya to a small grove off the path that visitors would normally walk, and by this point, I had my fox ears out and a few of my tails as well. Miya was giggling a bit as she faced me once more, "Ashe, you're up to something, what are you doing," she asked.

I smiled, "Hmm, I thought I was doing rather well at keeping my actions from arousing suspicion," I replied simply.

-Miya's pov-

Ashe was up to something, he planned all of this from the trip to this shrine to the stroll. What I couldn't figure out is what Ashe was trying to lead up to with all of this. I have found that Ashe does like to play tricks and pull pranks, so I feel he is building up to do that again. I gave him a slightly chastising expression, "Ashe, what are you up to," I posed.

Ashe's answer was to spin around and catch my left hand with his, then he went to a kneeling position. I was trying to process what Ashe was doing but I was unable to comprehend what his actions were meant to convey. "Ashe, what are you," I began.

Ashe interrupted me, "Miya," he said then looked into my eyes, "Would you do me the deep honor of spending the rest of your life with me by marrying me and being my wife?"

I was shocked at what I had just heard as it was something I had thought I wouldn't hear from Ashe until sometime in the future. I knew what it was to be married, I had asked Takehito about the subject during one of the testing times we had. He had told me that for the general definition for marriage was a commitment of two individuals to one another. A family came as a result of marriage which was a sign of the commitment which also included children at some point. The idea is much like what the relationship between an Ashikabi and Sekirei is supposed to be like from what I understood.

To say I had been wishing and hoping for the kind of relationship that marriage has been described to me as was an understatement. So, if Ashe was asking for what he says he is, then I couldn't be happier about his request. "Ashe," I questioned, "do you really mean that? If this is you pulling a prank, then this is outright mean-"

Ashe put a finger to my lips stopping me from speaking, "I mean what I say Miya," Ashe said. "I would not joke about this, not with you." Ashe gave me a genuine smile, "You have changed my life in ways I thought and had come to accept would not happen Miya. I wish that to continue into the future for as long as it can, so would you spend your life with me and have us move forward together?"

My heart was racing by this point with the things Ashe had said to me and my cheeks were flushed as well. And it was but a moment that I couldn't hold myself back and lunge forward wrapping my arms around his neck. Tears of happiness came to my eyes, "Yes, yes, my answer is forever yes Ashe," I sobbed.

We clung to one another momentarily before our eyes met again and we drew closer to each other. It felt longer than it likely was but the second our lips met, and the time spent to reach this point was instantly worth it. Joy filled me finally kissing Ashe like I was, it felt right to me and I wondered why I had not done this earlier. A moment after initiating the kiss I felt burning warmth surge through me, and I realized that I was experiencing emergence. The process of emergence was something I thought I wouldn't ever know, but with Ashe now I could understand for myself what it felt like. It was the most wonderful event I have ever known and that it was with Ashe made it all the more amazing to me.

-Ashe's pov-

When Miya had said yes to my request to marry her, happiness and joy the likes of which I had not felt in centuries… no, in millennia filled me. I held her to me never wishing to let her go now as Miya returned the gesture. Yet our eyes met again, and we drew closer to and our lips met in a kiss, which was our first together. Warmth filled me as the kiss continued, and a light appeared behind Miya. When I looked, I saw twelve lavender colored wings coming into existence and unfold. A moment later magic began weaving around the wings and it took me a second to realize the magic was my own. After taking that in, I let my eyes closed and enjoyed the continued kiss with Miya.

What amount of time passed with Miya and I had our moment, I cannot say accurately for I lost track of the passage of time. However, I don't think either of us minded the private time we shared together last as long as it did or it being uninterrupted. The intimacy and closeness that we had were wonderful and I understood how much I had wanted this kind of relationship. Also, it showed how worth taking the risk of opening myself up again was as the reward was so amazing. We walked around the Meiji Shrine even happier now with what had occurred between us. The ring on Miya's left ring finger gleamed silver while the sapphire glimmered from the sunlight.

When we made the journey home to Izumo Inn, the happy air that had been around us did not leave. Takehito certainly took notice of there being a difference with Miya and me when we got back. And once Miya and I parted, my friend did come up to me, "You're in one of the best moods I've seen you in," he greeted, "So what went on between you two this time?"

"Oh," I started, "We enjoy a pleasant stroll around the Meiji Shrine grounds."

Takehito sighed, "Why do you see the need to lead and string others along Ashe, it can get irritating you know."

I smirked, "My dear friend, life is much too boring if answers to questions are simply given to you with little to no effort expended for them," I teased.

"You can say that as many times as you want Ashe, and in your view, I wouldn't doubt its true," Takehito said tiredly. "But for the rest of us, when we ask a question, we tend to expect an answer that gives relevant information."

I shrugged, "And there within lies the root of a number of problems humans have and create for themselves Takehito," I reasoned. "Having an expectation of things given with just asking or rather the feeling of entitlement of receiving with little to no effort is the source of many issues humans have, but that is a discussion for a different time." Takehito was gazing at me with a look that said to get on with what I was getting at to which I sighed, "You make this less entertaining Takehito," I replied flatly, then I continued. "Well if you must know," I paused for a moment trying to recall how the event is referred to, "oh how is it put these days? Ah yes, now I remember, I popped the question to Miya and she said yes, hence why I'm in such a good mood."

Takehito blinked, "Wait, you what?"

I smiled, "I said I popped the question, at least that's how I think it's said nowadays," I remarked. I put a hand to my chin, "I've also heard it said going to a knee or asking the big question as well. Why the idea is referred to in those ways, I have not figured out other than the employment of slang by the rising generations." Takehito was still staring at me like I was saying something that I shouldn't be, so I waved a hand in front of his face, "Takehito, are you still there or have you gone off somewhere else and left your body behind? That is not something I suggest you do often if at all, it can be hard to undo and put you back together."

Takehito shook his head hard, "You're telling me Ashe that you asked Miya to marry you," he asked incredulously.

I nodded slowly, "Yes, I did Takehito, why do you sound so surprised," I asked. "With how much time we've been spending together, it was the likely outcome eventually."

"Yes, but," Takehito started, "with how you tend to distance yourself from others to a point that you don't let others be too close to you, I just thought-"

I exhaled heavily which got Takehito to stop talking, "I will admit, that I've been rather aloof before now, and there have been reasons for that." I paused for a moment pensive on the reason things had been changing, "I suppose Miya has been able to change that with me as unexpected as it is." Then a smile formed on my face, "Although, I have to admit, I was more than pleased when she said yes to me."

The last line got Takehito's gaze to snap back to me, "Miya said yes?!"

My smile widened, "Indeed she did my friend, and the experience explains a great deal to me upon what others have shared with the overwhelming feeling of happiness that comes with it." I stopped for a second recalling what had happened with Miya during our kiss, "Although, I do have a question for you Takehito."

My friend blinked, "That being?"

"Is it natural for Sekirei to have wings appear behind them," I inquired. Takehito's eyes widen to the point I was kind of worried about if my friend was okay, "Uh Takehito, are you okay?"

"Ashe," began Takehito, "You're telling me that colored light wings appeared behind Miya?!"

I stared at Takehito for a moment, then nodded slowly, "Yes, lavender-colored ones as it happens and twelve of them if I saw correctly, why?"

Takehito didn't answer me directly but began talking to himself, seeming to forget that I was in the room with him. "How can that be? How could Miya have been winged, she was the least likely to have that happen," Takehito muttered.

My friend went over to one of the chairs and picked up a notebook and thumbed through it. And it was that, which told me that I wouldn't be able to reach Takehito for the time being, he was going off on one of his theoretical tangents. Takehito is brilliant, don't get me wrong, he has proven that to me many times and he is ahead of others in multiple subjects. However, like all beings, Takehito has faults and what he was doing now is sort of a show of one of his in a way.

When my friend begins thinking about the why something could happen, he starts what I call a self-discussion. He talks out his thoughts and theories on the why of something and ignores everyone else in the room, aside from perhaps an occasional question. So, I went over to one of the sofa's in the living room and sat down to wait for Takehito to finish his self-discussion. I did listen into the tangent he was going on and though I didn't understand it all, it was educational overall.

The tangent subject was Sekirei, specifically upon a subject Takehito referred to as 'winging'. From what I was hearing, the idea was the establishment of some sort of connection with another called an Ashikabi. The term Ashikabi was one I was not aware of myself, but I could ask Takehito later on after this tangent is done. Much of the rest of the tangent was not very sensible to me other than the mention of non-humans a few times, but I didn't interrupt Takehito.

Around midway through, Miya did come into the living room while Takehito kept going in his discussion and took the place next to me. She did watch Takehito for a bit, then looked to me and I shrugged in response to say this was Takehito. Miya then leaned into me with a smile forming on her face. I snaked an arm around her back to keep the position we were in as Takehito kept going. His tangent went on for over an hour which is about average for him hard as it may be to believe. Some of his other ones have gone longer, I think the longest was the dislike of some youkai of other youkai. Takehito's self-discussion ended with one line, "Perhaps there can be a difference in interactions between Sekirei and non-humans compared to humans and Sekirei."

"That is possible," I stated, "there are differences between the two even if they are not stark."

Takehito looked to just now notice that I was still in the room and Miya was leaning up against me. "Oh my," Takehito uttered then looked at me, "I went off on a tangent again didn't I?"

I nodded, "For around an hour and a half or so my friend," I replied. "Although it was fairly interesting and informative sometimes, then again most tangents I've heard from you are like that."

Takehito rubbed the back of his head, "Well honestly, the subject of winging and emergence for Sekirei is theories and no actual case of it happening. There was some information on this ship, but not a great deal that made sense," Takehito iterated. "From what I had seen and my test with Miya had shown, I didn't know if she could be winged by anyone, so I'm quite shocked that you were able to do so, even if you're different among non-humans."

Miya hummed, "You were not the only one that was taken by surprise Takehito," she remarked as she snuggled against me, "but you won't hear me complaining about this."

That not only got a wide smile to form on my face, but two fox tails also came out forcing me to shift my sitting position before they began wagging with vigor. I'm not fool enough to deny Miya what she was doing, snuggling with Miya was simple yet so gratifying.

Chapter end

A/n

This is where I'll leave off here for this chapter. I hope that you readers are enjoy seeing more of how the relationship between Ashe and Miya kind of developed. This chapter was quite neat to write along with the next one. As I say in any of my given stories, please take the time to write a review or PM me and tell me what you think.