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.

13. Equal Retribution

A/n

Here is the new version of chapter 10. One other note for this chapter, bolded words are not said normally, usually having magic involved, while italicized words are said in a different language.

Chapter 13: Equal Retribution

-Yume's pov-

Ash and I had been returning from 'business' that he had been asked to help with by others. It had been interesting to see how Ashe mediated for others to attempt to solve problems without them turning into a fight. Ashe made the idea look like an art form, the way he could assist other individuals to see and comprehend views that they didn't see before. It was so different from how situations tended to be settled within MBI, where it was either argued who was right or those in higher positions coming in and saying their way was right. Professor Minaka was rather infamous for stating his view and opinion was right and for others to do what he tells them.

Yet, on the way back to the house, Ashe seemed to register something and whatever it was, got him to break out into a quicker pace. After we reached Izumo Inn, Ashe and I discovered that the structure and the immediate area around had been turned into a battlefield. Outside the house, there were bullet holes spread all over, though focus mostly at Izumo Inn. There was also damage to the street itself, and at least one place showed that something had been slammed into the asphalt hard.

As I looked around, Ashe rushed inside the house, and I don't blame him, this was his home and those who lived here were important to him. Yet, a feeling of fear and anger came to me and the two emotions didn't make sense as I don't believe they were mine. I shook off the odd feelings and followed Ashe inside the house. After entering, I was horrified to see the house's interior was worse off than the outside. It appeared that there had been an intense fight in the house and the surroundings had suffered for it.

I was looking around and taking in the damage done when Ashe came back into the front hall. His expression was of fear mixed with rage, the fox ears and tails were visible again, and they were quivering. Somehow, the fear and anger from before returned, which made me realize that the emotions were somehow coming from Ashe through our bond. And seeing him like this really worried me as I've never seen him as he was now. Granted, I haven't known my ashikabi all that long, a night and a day so far, but he doesn't show emotions as most others do. "Ashe, what happened here," I asked.

He didn't answer me, he appeared unable to use his voice at seeing what had happened here, whatever it had been. However, as Ashe was attempting to come up with something, we were interrupted by others coming into the house. When we looked to the door, I saw that the small group was made up of three individuals… who had cat ears on the top of their heads, kind of like Ashe has fox ears on his now. The oldest of them, appeared to be injured, for he was being supported by the other two. "Master Hitoyoshi… I beg for your understanding and your forgiveness," the man pled weakly to Ashe.

Ashe being referred to as some kind of 'Lord' is odd to me, I don't understand the reason as to why others do that besides showing deep respect for him. The plea only seemed to confuse Ashe as much as it did me, "What are you talking about? What happened here," asked Ashe in a pained tone.

Ashe's foxtails multiplied from one that I had just seen a moment ago, to two and then as I kept watching, a third appeared though Ashe didn't seem to notice or simply didn't care that they were out. Honestly, I didn't know he could have more than one tail and it makes me wonder more about Ashe and made me realize how little I know about him. Ashe's fox features quickly took up to thrashing around in what appeared to be an angry motion.

The older man spoke up again, "A group came here earlier and left a short while ago, and it was clear that they were not here to talk. I was not the only one around here that inquired what they were here for, the answer received by us, was to be thrown out of the way and beaten for 'good measure'. A fight quickly broke out… *cough* I have to say, my Lord, your wife is an amazing warrior, very gifted with the blade she is," he began.

A group came here? Could it have been some from MBI? But, what reason would have them come here? Almost all within MBI fear Miya's capabilities and don't want to prod her into possibly going on a rampage that could destroy MBI. Minaka might think about it, he does sometimes go off on ridiculous tangents of thought and entertains them, but normally enough people around him would put their foot down and stop his foolishness when it comes. "You say a group, could you describe to me what type of people made up that group, please? Anything helps," Ashe requested.

I listened for whatever more information we could get, and it was a young teen that answered, "There were a number of men dressed in black and were armed with guns as soldiers would be, the letters 'MBI' were on their backs."

So, it was MBI that caused all of this, but even that sounds suspect, yet the girl continued, "Then, there was also a man in a formal suit and he was accompanied by three women. The three women were wearing black clothing with grey Haoris over the shoulders I think. One of them had pink hair and wore red gloves, another had grey hair and was wrapped in bandages over what parts of her body could be seen other than her head along with metal claws. But, the one in the lead had a nodachi with her, and she was by far the most menacing and dangerous, the feelings coming from her… they were terrifying," she said, shivering as she talked about the third woman.

Wait, those descriptions… the whole Discipline Squad came here along with Natsuo with them?! But why would… *sigh* unless Karasuba had done some manipulation as she does sometimes to get what she wants. She has wanted a fight with Miya and just never has gotten one since Miya left MBI, then for them to come while Ashe was out… that couldn't be a coincidence.

Then, the middle-aged man spoke, "Your wife put up a real fight Lord Hitoyoshi, she took down two of the odd women, but the third one managed to overpower her somehow. None of us saw the fight's ending as it was happening in this house, your wife was simply carried out and taken by the intruders."

Miya was defeated?! For Karasuba to have somehow been able to defeat Miya is something that I thought would never happen. I glanced over at Ashe and clearly saw that he wasn't happy about hearing that Miya had been taken. Plus, I felt… other odd emotions, a flare of anger, but it wasn't the feeling I was experiencing myself, but the strongest was the pain. That brought to mind something Miya had mentioned to me that she could feel what Ashe felt through their bond and that Kuu and Akitsu had described something similar. I think Miya had been telling me that for future reference, like such might start occurring for me at some point. So perhaps, the anger and pain I felt could be coming from Ashe, I couldn't say with certainty.

The older man bowed to Ashe, "Forgive me and the others who tried to stop them, my Lord! You have shown us all such kindness and generosity over the ages, you gave us a chance when others would not, gave us a place when we had nothing. Yet when a chance to repay your great kindness comes, we are unable to watch over and help protect the family you have. It is to our shame that this event comes and we are unable to do more," he admitted.

Just by what was said, it sounds like this older man knows Ashe on a more personal level, though I can't imagine how they would know each other. Ashe appeared to compose himself, "Calm yourself Izzy, do not blame yourself. In fact, you have my gratitude for trying to stop this from happening, but this is now my concern and business that I will settle. Please, go home and recover from what was done to you by these invaders, I wouldn't doubt your family is worried about you, do not forget that you have them to think about. I would not doubt they would like you to be around for a time long Izzy," Ashe assured.

Ashe's reply definitely said there was more history unsaid, but I didn't ask right now as the situation was what it was. The three visitors left the house while I just studied Ashe and the longer I did, the more worried I became about him. After a long moment, Ashe turned to me taking a deep steadying breath, "Yume, I need you to do something very important for me," he said evenly.

I focused on my ashikabi, not knowing exactly what to think right now for it was clear that Ashe was not feeling as he normally would. "And that is," I asked.

Ashe paused for a moment, but his tails had started thrashing around more wildly and violent manner. "I need you to go and find Kuu and Akitsu, please… find them and protect them from harm and preventing them from falling into the hands of MBI. I can't protect them and put things as they should be with how things stand. So please Yume, find them both and make sure they're okay," he pled.

From simple observation, Ashe looked to be having a horrible internal conflict and one that was tearing him up on the inside. He was trying to hide it, but he was losing that battle and I believe the strange emotions I was feeling were from him. Feeling for him, I moved forward and hugged him showing Ashe I cared about him and it seemed to help if only a little. "Of course I will Ashe but, are you sure that you can get back Miya from those who have taken her? Miya being overwhelmed… it was something I did not think would happen," I trailed off.

I somehow knew that Ashe intended to go to Teito Tower to get Miya back, he was the kind that would risk anything for those he cared about. But the odds he would be going against scared me greatly, especially since I didn't want to lose Ashe after the length of time it took to find him. Yet, nor did I want him to do things that might have him harm or kill others, his kindness was a quality I didn't want him to lose. The next time my eyes met Ashe's own, I froze as his eyes had changed from the ones that I have come to know. His eyes had turned from grey to gold and had a dull gleam to them, the pupils had morphed into slits as well. Plus, there was something I couldn't put into words that came from looking at Ashe's eyes as my instincts yelled at me there was a danger with them.

"I will take back Miya from those who subdued and then stolen her from her home, the place she truly belongs and from those who she belongs with. If Hiroto Minaka", Ashe snarled, the last two words said in a way that made me flinch. There had been I swear a secondary tone there for the last two words, but I could have imagined it, I don't know. Ashe kept going, "thinks that his belief that he owns all Sekirei entirely, means that he can take any of them back, away from those who care about them at any time, then he will be forced to see the truth!" The odd tones kept coming back for a few words then disappear, I couldn't explain what it was, but each time I hear them a cold trickle went over my heart. Yet, Ashe kept going, "Minaka isn't superior to others, nor is he a god as he fools himself into believing! He is a delusional fool that is in desperate need of a lesson, which I will teach him in a way that he can't shrug off nor ignore!" Ashe growled in a rage.

-Ashe's pov-

I was breathing a little harder after ranting about Minaka, which showed that my emotions were gaining strength and momentum. I'd also been unable to prevent the magically infused tones to come out of me as I had been raging. It was one of the powers I kept when I left my original home, and it causes fear and usually obedience in human beings and they couldn't easily wave such off.

No one had managed to cause agony and fury like this within me since the humanistic demon Nobunaga Oda, and I wouldn't let it stand unchallenged or unanswered! Yume had stiffened at hearing the secondary tone that came to my voice, but she agreed to do as I had asked in the end. She looked back at me for a long moment before she headed for the door to search for Akitsu and Kuu. I hope more than words could say, that she does find them quickly and that they are not in danger.

The more understood what had occurred here entailed, the more my emotions boiled and forced me to put forth the effort to control them. Fury I felt when I looked around the place I called home in its current messy and battered state, caused my rage burned hotter within me. In fact, so chaotic was the growing maelstrom of my emotions, which my fox features reflected. My ears were twitching and were not standing up but were halfway between standing and lying flat. My tails, which started at a number of two and steadily grew in number as time moved forward, were thrashing and sending things flying.

Izumo Inn held so many memories, more good than bad ones that had occurred over the years since it had become home for me. So, for others to attack it like this, it was more than a knife being plunged into my heart. Then, since that apparently wasn't enough to satisfy, the ones responsible go further by twisting the knife in my heart deeper, even though it wasn't needed nor appreciated. Minaka does that by attacking Miya, who fought against those he sent before she had been subdued and taken. It didn't help that I have no clue or inkling where Akitsu or Kuu was, or if they had been taken at the same time that Miya had been stolen. Add to that, hurting my neighbors who were standing up against the injustice that was being done in front of them. The anger and rage I felt, I've not had to experience this magnitude from wrongdoing or trespasses in centuries!

If Hiroto Minaka truly believes that he can do this stunt, even if it's by vicariously sending others to do his dirty work, and not face consequences, then he WILL be shown his error. Until now, I have tolerated Minaka and his actions with the Sekirei and others, along with his view of the ownership of Sekirei belonging to him, which are wrong in many ways. Now, with what he had pulled here, the man has crossed the line and has made the issues he creates, both knowingly and unknowingly, my business and personal for me! If Minaka wants to take away what gives me happiness, then he shall suffer and pay the same for his actions!

Once Yume was far enough away according to my senses, I put up a barrier and then cast a particular spell, to summon specific individuals to me. There was work to be done which would involve get Miya back as well as teach Hiroto Minaka a much-needed lesson! Current evidence clearly shows that Minaka cares about no one else but himself. However, like other living beings, Minaka has an idea that the values and that's his obsession with Sekirei. So, affect Sekirei, specifically the Sekirei Plan and Minaka would at some point have to take notice. Then, if anyone does anything to Miya, I promise there will be horrible events that would occur! I would make sure that Minaka's precious 'Sekirei plan' spirals into the worst ruin possible, while he will watch helplessly for as long as it takes for me to destroy it! I swear by the heavenly plains of Takamagahara, I will do just that if Miya is harmed in any way making Minaka watch as I do it!

Seconds after I cast the spell, there was a flash of light and six individuals appeared around me. Those who appeared included; Anya, Ryuu, Leia, and Alex, along with two that were some of the most loyal to me and have been around me the most. The first of the two was a man, was an inch or two taller than myself, had the same skin tone as I do and looked fit like myself. His mid-torso length straight hair was white. While his face was regal like my own, just a little less so and what drew attention, was his blue eyes that had a slight glow to them. He wore predominately white robes and a dark blue hakama, had gauntlets on his hands and forearms. Lastly, small arcs of electricity travel his body at random. The man's name was Raiden, and he was a trusted friend as well as a follower of mine, even leaving our original home shortly after I did. He was one of the few I could call a friend from the early times of my life and the only one from our original home.

The other of the six was a woman, had an athletic figure overall with fair skin. She was native to Japan or was before becoming a yōkai. Her three measurements were eighty-three, seventy-two and eighty, with her standing at 157 centimeters. She had hazel eyes, long silky black hair that fell to her waist. The woman wore an outfit that was common for female ninja before any from the outside of Japan came. The clothing was a neutral blue and kind of skin tight, but that was how ninjas tended to make their clothing. The reason that her clothing was the same as how ninjas used to wear, is she was a ninja when she was a human. Her name was Towana Tsuwabuki by birth, yet she answered to Saki these days.

All six individuals faced me, knelt and bowed, "My Lord," they all greeted me with deep respect.

"Thank you for quick response to the summons all of you," I replied flatly. Then I got down to business, "I have assignments for all of you."

All of those I summoned gave me their complete attention, "Leia, I want you to erect a barrier around Tokyo. Hiroto Minaka is to no longer have the ability to leave Tokyo in any way, shape or form without my permission and mine alone, understand? I don't care if he somehow gains the ability to use magic or move faster than the speed of sound, he is not to leave unless I say so until further notice," I stated seriously.

Leia nodded in understanding of my 'request'. Leia is actually capable of doing what I asked of her, the magic she knows, and practices can create barriers that can stop someone from having the ability to leave a place. I then turned to Ryuu and Raiden, "Ryuu, Raiden, your assignments will have you working together," I said.

Both waited for me to give them details, and what I was going to request of them wouldn't be small. I intended to have them take control of Kamikura Island and make it so MBI had no control or influence with the place at all. Losing Kamikura would take away Minaka's ability to fulfill his unsaid but implied the threat of 'deactivation' for Sekirei if they don't participate in his game as he won't have the means to effectively use the Jinki. The Jinki were devices that utilized an idea that I was somewhat familiar with, a rarer form of magic. Miya hasn't mentioned anything about them, but I always thought it was a sore subject, so I didn't get into it. Nor did I tell her that I happen to have two of them in my possession and stored them in a safe place when Takehito entrusted them to me.

Plus, the loss of Kamikura would also mean that all the records and research on the Sekirei ship would be inaccessible to MBI as well going forward, causing further chaos within MBI. To me, that is the "fair" exchange, Minaka took what I value most, so shall I take what he covets the highest, the ability to control and enforce his game and have it go forward. To tell the truth, I'd been considering taking Kamikura Island for a period of time now, just didn't have a real justifiable reason until now.

With those facts in mind, I began stating the details I expected of both Ryuu and Raiden, "You two are to travel to Kamikura Island. There is to be a change of management tonight, and you two are to help that happen. The head of MBI has shown himself to be too irresponsible for the have access to the island or any of its resources. All connections by and with MBI are to be cut off completely, no exceptions, no debate about it, complete severance. I would prefer the least damage and injuries occurring in the transition period, but I leave what is needed up to your judgments. You will have the assistance of those there that have been keeping me informed, so that should help. The transition must be done as soon as possible and needs to finish before midnight, so get going and go about the work, both of you," I ordered.

Ryuu rose, then bowed to me, "Consider it done, my Lord."

Raiden inclined his head in my direction, "It will be as you say," said Raiden in his baritone voice.

Ryuu and Raiden left after that to do what I asked them to, which left me with Leia, Anya, Alex, and Saki. Yet, Leia also got up and bowed to me before leaving to go back to the Shrine of Inari to do as I'd asked. The remaining three were looking to me, waiting for their instructions, "As for the rest of us, we'll be making a visit to MBI's Teito Tower here in Tokyo. I can guarantee that none of us will be welcomed nicely or be given a guided tour by those there. Honestly, I need you three to be distractions to keep those there from paying attention to me. I am sorry to ask this of you, to put your refined and honed skills to such simple and menial tasks, but that is what I ask of you now," I iterated.

"My Lord do not be sorry for any of the things that you ask of us. You have given us here and others like us, a second chance to live, something that so few can give and there are even fewer of us that are truly deserving of it," replied Anya sincerely.

"If not for you Master, we would be forgotten and unable to be of service in any way now or in the past," added Saki in her soprano voice.

"It is why we are so willing to do what you ask of us, sir. You gave us the precious gift of life when ours were taken early and that is something that we can never fully repay," remarked Alex.

"In other words, we are fine with whatever you ask of us Lord Hitoyoshi," Anya summed up.

I was silent at the showing of their loyalty to me. Yes, I've seen they are like this with me, and some of it was bred into them, but this goes beyond what I had come to expect from them. Yet, before I could say anything to this display, the sound of the front door sliding open brought our attention to the doorway to the front hall. The sight of Morgana appearing in the doorway was very much unexpected at this time.

"Oh my, have I dropped by at a bad ti-" Morgana's voice stopped as she took in the changes with the house's interior. "My, I see that there has been redecorating since the last time I was here. I would assume that you are not responsible for the changes Monsieur Hitoyoshi?"

It should be obvious by the state of the house and to be asked such a question merely serves as a reminder of the horrible insult that had been done against me and my family. However, I managed to merely sigh at the foolish question and not give a furious glare instead. "You would assume correctly Morgana, you would do well to not remind me of the change. Dare I ask why you are here, for I'm not in the mood for issues from you right now. Actually, better that I not ask, I'm not that interested in hearing your reason, I'm dealing with my own issues currently."

I was about to dismiss Morgana, but then I had a thought. Morgana has a skill set that one doesn't come across often if at all, she could help in the looming task. All it would take is giving the motivation that would be appealing to her since she wouldn't help another unless it somehow benefits her. I did notice that Anya was not happy to see the woman, though she never is, and she wouldn't like what I was about to do, but now isn't the time to be picky. I stepped between the two, before facing Morgana, "Actually Morgana, I take that back, your timing is quite good. You can be of assistance in the task we're discussing the particulars of, especially with the skills you have," I said evenly.

Morgana was silent for a moment, simply staring at me, "You know I am not inclined to do things for others if it does not do something for me. So, why Monsieur would you even suggest I can or would help? I am not saying that I do not appreciate the safe haven that you have provided for me, but I can find other ways to make meaningful use of my time," she replied flatly.

I figured that she would reply to a plain offer like that, that's Morgana's attitude to helping anyone, "what's in it for me". I'm not fond of what I'm about to use as motivation for Morgana, but right now, I'm at the point that I'm willing to lower my standards somewhat and look the other way about stuff I wouldn't most of the time. I focused my gaze back on Morgana, and then plastered on a disappointed expression and spoke, "I see, that is a shame, and here I was willing to look the other way upon things I normally do not. Nonetheless, since you are not interested in such, an opportunity lost on your part I guess. If that's the case, then I suppose there is no reason to go further."

Morgana paused at my statement, "What kind of things are you referring to Monsieur," she asked with a mix of suspicion and curiosity.

I put a hand to my chin, "Oh well, I was thinking that if you were to help out, I would ignore things, like say any of your work that should pop up, that is as long as it was cleaned up and contained properly," I said.

The lich woman openly gaped at me, clearly thinking she had heard me wrong, "Are you… being serious?!" she questioned in French.

I nodded in answer, "As I said, as long as you clean up and contain them properly, indeed I am Morgana," I returned carefully.

Morgana gained a wide smile, "Of course I will help then! What will we be attending to?"

I knew that she would agree, after all, I was giving her an opportunity she hasn't had in more than a century, a chance to test her work on human subjects. It had been a standing no-no with me and the one time she did "let" that happen, she had regretted it. I chained her down in an open field before dawn and then had her stay out for an hour after the sun had risen. Morgana had started shouting obscenities at me, and that had morphed into her screeching at the pain and begging me to stop and release her as her body began melting.

The discussion continued, with the little change in the plan of their being four distracters rather than three. The point of the event that was now being planned, was, of course, assault MBI's Teito Tower. Those here would attract and hold all the attention of MBI personnel and keep it on themselves. Meanwhile, I would go in unnoticed and search for Miya until I found her and then I would take her away from those who are ready and willing to take and destroy the happiness of others. I would get Miya back and there would be nothing that would stand in my way of accomplishing that goal and it anything or anyone tries, woe be unto them! If getting my wife back from those who kidnapped her requires that I bring MBI's skyscraper headquarters down to the ground, then I will do just that.

I was well aware that the waiting for the distraction to have the desired effect would be one of the hardest parts of this for me. However, the current plan had a better chance of success overall than me just going to Teito Tower and doing what I wanted to. The idea of going into the tower, ripping it apart until I found Minaka, then give him a true view of agony and Yomi, such had crossed my mind more than once. But, the trail of blood and bodies that would come as a result, stopped me from doing that for the moment. I would not cause a massacre because of Minaka's actions, I won't sink to his level of selfishness!

It was around midnight that Ryuu and Raiden sent the message that the Sekirei ship was now under control and separate from MBI. Once I knew that we all headed out from the house, in route to MBI's Teito Tower to begin the other half of this. The tower was in the center of Tokyo, and its height, I think is where it is because Minaka wanted to make a foolish point or statement. The evidence I've seen, says that Minaka is crazy and has either lost or thrown away enough of the good humans tend to have by nature, for him to be close to evil entirely. Nonetheless, my focus and priority were still to find Miya first and foremost, bringing justice upon Minaka's head can wait until later if need be.

-Anya's pov-

Lord Hitoyoshi led us towards the tall structure that humans call skyscrapers, which was 'Teito Tower. Ashe divided us into two pairs, Alex would work with Saki and go around to the southern entrance to the tower and enter there. That left me to work with the "Harbinger" and though I know that he knows of my hatred of her, I put the feeling aside. My wish to help my lord take back his wife was more important than my desire to see that Morgana truly dies once and for all. Lady Miya had brought about changes in Lord Hitoyoshi than none of us who serve him had been able to in the four centuries or more years that we have tried. So, for both my lord and lady, I will do everything in my power to serve and protect them! Besides once inside, I can separate from the Harbinger, so the sooner we enter the sooner we can part company.

Ashe stayed back as the four of us continued forward towards the tower, completely undetected by any watch. I still donned my samurai armor, which covered the lower half of my face, better not to be identified in this right now. So, as the Harbinger and I approached the tower, two groups came into view, who were fighting one another. We ignored them and closed the distance between us and the tower itself, which oddly had none guarding the structure. When we reached the entrance, there was a metal slab blocking our way in. I drew one of my swords took a deep breath, covering my blade with crimson flames, increasing its sharpness and cutting power. Then I made six slices in quick succession, and a second later, there was a blast before the slab of metal crashed around us in pieces. This left the entrance wide open to Morgana and me, which walked in before alarms began going off.

There was a second explosion as Morgana and I stepped inside, meaning that Alex and Saki had made a way in as well. Shortly after that, the Harbinger went to the left and as I have no inclination to be around her, I went right. As I jogged down the corridor that I went down, a number of men in black came into the hall from a side corridor. I didn't slow down my pace, more sped it up a bit and readied myself by shifting my blade on my right. When I got close enough I swung my sword, slashing faster than any of my opponents could comprehend as I passed. The sound of a metallic ring resounded in the hallway before the cries of the men whose lives I just ended echoed and their blood bathed the corridor.

The next thing that any, myself included knew, all the lights went out as the power for this place disappeared. Ashe must have taken away the electricity that humans are so dependent on. I continued forward, causing as much chaos as possible as I went as that's what my lord had asked of myself and the others. We were to take the attention off of him and keep it on us instead. So, I kept moving around this floor, catching glimpses of both Alex and Saki doing the same task I was. Once we were done with this floor, we would move up to the next and do the same that we were on this one.

-Takami's pov-

I was standing where I was looking at a scene that I didn't ever want to see. In the park close to Teito Tower, my son Minato was a distance away with his Sekirei facing off against Karasuba. The odd points of this scene, first there was Matsu, Sekirei no. 2, she was odd since little had been heard or said about her after she disappeared shortly before the Sekirei were released. Next, Karasuba was here by herself as both Haihane and Benisubasa weren't up for fighting. They had been brought to me and others to 'help' them hours ago, and they had been seriously injured. The extent of their injuries was more startling than any Sekirei had been brought in with before now. I'd asked those that carried them in what had happened, and I was simply told that a situation had gone badly.

After examining the two Sekirei, I was less inclined to believe the explanation I'd been given. The series, types and extent of injuries that Haihane and Benisubasa had, more matched what I saw from Sekirei after a fight between one another only to a degree that none of us that did the medical work had seen. Other and I had done what we could, but they would need time to recover from whatever they had gotten into. Honestly, it's becoming very annoying, the things that go on behind the scenes which none talks about and most don't know!

Yet, as Musubi and Tsukiumi were about to battle Karasuba, the sounds of an explosion going off, shortly followed by a second one were heard. Then alarms going off came from behind us and upon turning, it was obvious that the alarms were coming from Teito Tower. There were two plumes of smoke coming from the skyscraper, one from the northern entrance and the other from the southern entrance to the tower. …It just seems that it will be one of those kinds of nights tonight, the long and arduous type of nights I hate so much.

The fight was postponed as Natsuo called Karasuba back and those two, along with Minato, his Sekirei along with myself headed for Teito Tower. Once inside, it was instantly clear that chaos was running rampant and whoever was causing this, was making a mess the likes of which were unknown at this point. I was about to head to the central security station when all the lights suddenly went out and everything else just stopped working. I quickened my pace to the security station to find out what the hell was going on! Natsuo was a short distance behind me as I went, not that I cared much right now.

When I arrived, the room was in turmoil, the consoles were operating, but panic was heavy. I tried to restore order, but didn't have much success, though I did get the impression that something had happened with the power, yet not to what extent. I couldn't help but grumble at the current situation, "What it the hell is happening here?"

There was no answer immediately, but after half a minute I did get an answer, "The definition of chaos Takami," said a female voice from behind me.

I turned and saw one of my coworkers, by the name of Nina Kirk. She looked to be around the same age as me with bronze colored eyes and long straight brown hair lengthening up to her back. She was a tad taller than me and has an average feminine figure, while her facial features denoted her European descent as that was where she came from. Nina was currently wearing dress type pants, a magenta colored blouse, and a white lab coat. "Nina, please tell me that you know at least something about what is happening right now. I'm not in the mood to deal with more excuses at the moment, no offense intended," I remarked.

Nina shrugged, "None taken Takami. Unfortunately, I can't say I'm aware of why all of this is happening, though I have an educated guess. However, I have been gathering the information on what is going on, not the whole picture I think yet, but enough to know this mess is just getting started and will be horrible when it does finally come to an end," she replied.

"Please start with the what has been going on, then you can get to the rest," I said tiredly.

Nina frowned and nodded, "The first point, which I don't doubt you already can see, the power is out, and it won't come back anytime soon."

"Why do you say that Doctor Kirk," asked Natsuo.

Nina twisted to face Natsuo, "Because Natsuo, all the relays have been blown, and not just blown, but damaged beyond repair. By what the technicians said to me, it appears that all fifteen of them were overwhelmed at close to the same time which is quite odd."

I gawked at hearing that since that shouldn't be possible under normal circumstances at all. Teito Tower had fifteen heavy duty power relays that drew power from the city's electric grid. Each one had its own failsafe breaker device that should prevent overload from doing harsh damage to the relay by activating before damage can occur. Then, the power in the city's grid shouldn't have enough electricity to overload them all at the same time without at least half of them having their breakers activate! It would take a massive amount of electricity to do such, like a lightning bolt and the skies were clear, not a single cloud up there, so it couldn't have been lightning. "But that can't be Nina, the relays are designed to not suffer issues from overload like you are describing," I reasoned.

Nina nodded, "You're right Takami, but what I saw done in the basement says that something was able to fry the relays, probably quicker than the breakers could prevent." I was trying to wrap my head around such an occurrence, while Nina took charge, "Do we have communications with any of the security teams and active labs? If not, then they are to report in immediately."

One of the operators turned in their chairs, "We're trying to reestablish communication lines right now, but there are a number of teams that aren't responding Doctor," they said.

Nina sighed at the reply, while I refocused on the current situation, "Nina, you mentioned that you had a guess as to why this might be happening, you care to tell the rest of us," I posed.

My coworker and friend turned to me, "Well honestly, my guess and assumption is that Minaka went and screwed with someone that it would have been far wiser that he not have. We both know the enjoyment he gets messing and screwing with others in order to watch their reactions. I'm inclined to think he picked a dangerous person to do that with this time with the magnitude of this growing mess. Plus, he is by what I last heard, in his office cackling about something again, he usually only does that when he's pulled a stunt off," she answered.

Nina wasn't wrong about Minaka having an interest and worrisome hobby of screwing with people just to see how they react. I've been on the receiving end of that before now and he does it sometimes still, to which I smack him for. And for him to be cackling about something lent credence to Nina's assumption. But if what is happening right now is due to Minaka screwing with someone, then I'm scared to ask just who Minaka crossed this time. I suddenly feel the urge to find him and slam something into the back of his head right now among other things I wish to do.

-Ashe's pov-

My contribution to this task was to send a surge of plasma energy, which is usually referred to as "lightning" by those who aren't familiar with magic. I directed the energy into the ground and to the metal lines that humans run energy along to supply power to their structures. The lights that had been shining from Teito Tower vanishing shortly after I sent the surge, which told me the surge of plasma had done what I intended it to. It made MBI personnel work without their power and meant that their security devices will not work well if at all.

After the lights disappeared, I kept observing the tower as signs quickly started appearing from the chaos that was being created inside. I waited while the others cause chaos and mayhem, which would distract all those inside the tower and make it much more difficult to pay attention to little if anything else. Even while this had been planned out for the best chance of success, I disliked the agonizing waiting for there to be enough chaos for me to go in. The next several minutes, I can't accurately say how many minutes, were long and pain-filled. However, finally, it appeared to me that the chaos had spread and taken root enough that I wouldn't be noticed by those within the tower.

Using a teleportation spell, I appeared in Teito Tower and upon looking around, I saw that it was the fifth floor of this place. The corridor I was in was dark and empty, there was sound from below, but with the distractive chaos that's going on, I would be surprised if it wasn't audible. The whole point that I had with asking Anya, Saki, Alex, and even Morgana to do what they were, was to have all the attention off of me, while I searched for Miya. However, right now there were two things different than I normally had them; those being my appearance and what magic I had going currently.

Where my overall appearance is fairly consistent, with silver-grey hair, average proportions, pretty much normally enough to not attract unwanted notice, that's not what I looked like now. My proportions themselves didn't shift notably, but some of my other physical qualities did change. The color of my hair went from silvery-grey to pure white and it had increased its overall length down to my waist in both the back and the front. My facial features had become more regal looking and also included cyan markings around my eyes, forehead and the outside of my face. My eyes were not only gold but also glowed a little as well now. My outfit still had the style of a kimono, but the color was now white for the outer one and blue for the inner one, both infused with magic. Over the top of the shoulders was a gold band over the center and two black loops that connected at the collar and at the outside of the shoulder itself. The Obi that I had around my waist was black with a smaller gold-plated band over the obi. The other notable point about my appearance now, was that my fox features were out, both my ears and all ten of my tails.

The second change I made, the magic that was active around me, had been merely a simple illusion to have people dismiss any inkling of there being anything odd about me that might come to their minds. I instead cast a spell that is known as "Phantasma Dream", which has any who look at me to see something that will look ordinary to them entirely. Only those who have strong protection or wards against illusionary magic will think to give what they see a second look at all. The spell was the best I could think of to cut down on the possibility of killing any I should come across and leave a trail of blood behind me.

My mood and thought processes had quickly reverted back close to what they had been during the latter half of the Warring State's Era. I had come to the point that I didn't care about others much at all killing people and others dying had mutilated my heart horribly to the point that it had fully "frozen over", and I became cold. Life had lost pretty much all meaning back then and it had done so to a degree again at realizing the possibility that Miya had been taken from me forever. So, ending life was little to any consequence right now, I just don't care anymore. That said, any that cross my path or attempt to slow me down, they will meet their end tonight.

The strongest feeling that was in me was the drive to find my wife, the one who brought light and happiness to my world. I could still sense the bond we shared with one another, for it was still completely intact, though little activity from it. There could be a couple of reason for that to be the case, none of which I liked nor wanted her to be in within a place controlled by MBI. But, as long as that bond is still there, it means I have a chance to get Miya back and away from here. So, I made my way forward, scanning around as I went looking for any signs of others approaching me. It was still possible even with the chaos below me, it wasn't uncommon for a number of those employed by MBI to work during the night hours apparently.

The floor I came in on was empty, so I didn't meet anyone as I made my way to one of the lift devices that humans have come up with, "ele-a-vators" I think they are called. I opened the metal doors, which were pushing back a bit, but once fully open, there was a dull thud on either side of the archway and the force from the metal doors ceased. The box that went up and down the shaft was not lined up with the floor I was on was lower than me leaving the cables that held the box where it was visible. I pushed the box down more so that I could reach the metal cables directly. Once I got ahold of the cables, I used my skills with fire magic to melt the metal and within less than half a minute, there was screeching of metal and then both metallic lines snapped, and the box fell downward gaining speed as it went.

Even as the crash of the box hitting the bottom of this shaft echoed up, I snapped my fingers before I began walking forward. My feet stuck to the wall of the shaft just as they would if I walked on the ground as I turned and started making my way upward. As I 'walked up the metal sides of this shaft, the feeling from the bond Miya and I have grown stronger, meaning that I was drawing closer to where she was. I strode past one door to my left and ignored it continuing on to the next one. I stopped at the doors and forced them open with magic before I came onto the floor and dismissed the spell I used to walk up the shaft.

As I moved forward, I took in that there was MBI's security personnel on the floor, none of who seemed to be paying any attention to the chaos on the floors below. They were alert and appeared to be on edge, evidence that there was something going on nearby that they were preventing interference to me. That there was security on this floor was out of place especially with the chaos down below. The first few I passed didn't even react to my presence as the spell I cast upon getting here was affecting them. However, the ignorance didn't last, for one of MBI's guards did take a second look and noticed something.

My hollow dead expression didn't change at all as the gun the man had come up to point at me. The bullets began flying at me, but they came to an abrupt halt a foot from me as the barrier I have to prevent projectiles taking me by surprise did as intended. It was a spell which had become second nature to have during the Warring States Era and I haven't stopped using the magic, it had become such a habit. The number of bullets quickly grew, and the sound of the gunshots drew the attention from the others on this floor. I raised a hand and pushed forward, sending all the projectiles that had been shot at me, back in the direction in which they had come from. The storm of bullets caught the man as he was inserting a clip into his weapon. The vest he was wearing did nothing for him, the bullets had become enchanted with magic, so the bullets went through the man who was wearing things that would probably protect him from the bullets normally. The man dropped dead to the floor after the bullets went through him lying lifeless where he had fallen.

A commotion to my right got me to glance that way and see four more figures, guns ready to use. I snapped my fingers, pointing in their direction and an instant later, intense blue-white flames appeared and engulfed the four. The flames swallowed them quickly enough that their screams were cut off before they were able to reach full volume. The smell of burning flesh hit my nose though I didn't react to it at all, that despondent and unfeeling was I right now. It took less than half a minute for the four to be reduced to nothing but char and ash, the flames I had created were some of the more vigorous and powerful kind that I can create and work with.

There next came a more muffled bang from behind me, and upon turning, I spotted a man with a small gun shooting at me. The expression of desperate fear grew on his face as it became clear that the bullets were having no effect as they stopped before reaching me due to the barrier in place. One of my tails shot out at the man which seemed to go unnoticed, that is until said tail wrapped around the man's neck tightly. My tail began squeezing and putting on the pressure to cut off the man's windpipe denying him air. The man quickly started wheezing for air, the sound of the gun hitting the floor was only matched by the bullets he had shot falling to the floor at around the same time. The man's hands grabbed my tail making desperate efforts to remove what was denying him oxygen, yet to no avail.

As this was happening, another soldier came rushing at me from a different direction, a knife in their hand, raised to strike me. I sidestepped the attack and shot out a hand and grabbed the soldier's head and lifted them off the floor. The soldier groaned as my hand applied pressure to their skull, their hands flailing at my arm attempting to get me to let go. There came a series of cracking from the one I held, the soldier shortly stopped struggling and went limp as I fractured their skull to the point of crushing it and seriously damaging their brain and causing death. I tossed the soldier I held with my hand to my left down the corridor to slam into the wall at the end.

Moments after the crash of a body hitting the far wall, the man had been rasping for air as my tail choked the life out of him, thrashed around harder for a moment until there was a loud crack when my tail squeezed hard enough to break the man's neck. My tail unwound and released the man it had choked, and he collapsed in a heap. With all the interferers dealt with, I resumed walking forward as if nothing had happened. Yet, in a few steps, I noticed a light in one of the rooms ahead of me, which brought feelings of panic to me. Miya was on this floor, I am sure of that, and if there are MBI scientist on this floor, they might be preparing or doing things to her. That thought got me to make a quick split-second decision and cast some of the meaner magic I happen to know.

The spell came in the form of black mist spreading out from where I was which some call "Nightmare Miasma". The reason that the black mist got that particular name was what it does to those that come into contact with it. Any who touch it or is in its influence will instantly experience their worst memories, fears, and terrors, and those will feel as real if not more convincing than the world around them. Nightmare Miasma is invisible to those who are ignorant of magic, but the stuff will still have its effect if they are in it. This spell can also have the unfortunate side-effect of doing damage to the mind of those who are touched by it for all that long. So like I said, it's rather mean and dangerous magic though thankfully the knowledge of it has faded into the dark depths of history. Yet, I was at the point that I didn't care what befell others, my normal aversion to such magic was dismissed with Miya perhaps in serious danger.

The black mist flooded through the halls and poured into rooms while I walked forward, screams rapidly began to be heard from the lit room ahead. When I came to be in front of the door to the lit room, I pointed a hand at the box that works with the locks on rooms in places like this and shot an amount of plasma into the box. The metal box was blasted apart and there was also a clunk in the wall, the lock moving I wager, I then, pried the door aside and stepped inside the room. There was a small number of people inside, all of them obviously in incredible pain and were screaming. I cast a sleeping spell and all in the room went silent as they slumped and became still as the nightmares and terrors vanished from their minds with slumber extended mercy to them.

My gaze next fell on an examination table and stopped for Miya was laid upon it, restraints holding her to the table. I raced over to the table looking the love of my life over searching for signs of any changes that might have been made or if anything had been done to harm her. She was unconscious, completely unaware of the world around her and it didn't feel like it was being done naturally, which left a few possibilities as to the cause. Most of those possibilities were not ones I liked to contemplate.

I wasted little time and ripped off the cuffs which bound Miya to the table and threw the cuffs behind me, and they shortly crashed against the far wall. Next, I took off my white kimono and put it over Miya, covering her nakedness and wrapped the clothing around her. Then, I lifted Miya and brought her close to me first listening for a heartbeat and second checking whether my wife was breathing, which she was giving those signs of life. I tried to check on her through our bond, but I received no response other than feeling that the bond was there.

Miya was alive I could tell that fact instantly, but she wasn't responding to me at all. If she had been killed, then this structure would be the first that I would bring crashing down preferably with Minaka among the rubble! However, even knowing Miya was alive her not to respond in any way to me scared me a great deal. All I could think to do was to hold her to me lovingly as well as protectively while loathing the feeling of powerlessness that was coursing through me. Then there came the sound of someone coming into the room, but I didn't turn around immediately. "M-Mr. Hitoyoshi? What are you," began a female voice, but it stopped abruptly.

I turned to look at who it was that was behind me, even though I already knew by the voice for it was one of my informants by the name of Nina Kirk. Nina was currently wearing dress type pants, a magenta colored blouse, and a white lab coat. And at the moment Nina was looking over the room and her gaze came to halt on me and flicked to Miya in my arms. Her eyes widened at seeing Miya, she began shaking her head, a hand to her mouth, "No… no no no no, this shouldn't be happening. Nein! No one should be up here at all tonight… so why?!" Nina then fell to her knees, faced me and pressed her forehead to the floor, her long black rabbit ears appearing. "Lord Hitoyoshi, I beg for your forgiveness for this situation, I am so sorry! I did not know this was being done, I had no idea, nor any inkling that anything of this sort was planned at all! Please, I apologize deeply for this grave oversight of mine," she begged, the last sentence being said in her native German language.

Nina's begging helped move along my heart to start feeling again, even if the emotions that were coming to me were as painful as they were familiar. "It is not your fault Nina, I would be very surprised if you had any clue about this at all. This is the results of a stunt Hiroto Minaka planned and had carried out recently. Rest assured he will pay the price for it, even if it does not happen now, this will not be overlooked. Do not blame yourself for this," I said tiredly, yet when I said Minaka's name, the magic-infused secondary tone came out again. I looked at Nina a little closer and saw she was rather pale, "Nina, why are you pale?"

Nina shrugged, but her ears drooped slightly, "Passing through Nightmare Miasma is never ever nice to do sir. I, unfortunately, am forced to recall times when my homeland of Germany was under the control of the terrible Nazis and those were beyond horrible. I used a spell to lessen the effects, but they are potent even when lessened. And now what has been happening tonight makes much more sense, I will be more vigilant going forward upon Minaka's activities sir."

Oh yes, that's right, I did bring Nightmare Miasma here, didn't I. I snapped my fingers and dismissed the miasma and the black mist faded and vanished. "I am sorry about that, I… panicked for a moment and resorted to it. Do see to getting these people out and… get them some help, I wouldn't doubt they will need it," I replied.

Nina nodded, "It will be done my Lord," she returned.

I rose and left the room after that, with Miya securely in my arms. I headed for the windows on the current floor, used magic to shatter them and remove the majority of the glass. With the glass out of the way, I didn't hesitate for a moment, just leaped through where the glass windows had been and out into the night. As I sailed downward, I used magic to tell those here with me that the time to leave was at hand. By the time I was halfway to the ground, there were crashes from Teito Tower behind me and I sensed the other four falling in following me. I cast a spell to slow my descent and I touched down to the ground softly and then we all raced off to the north.

As soon as the five of us left the sight of Teito Tower on fire burning behind us, I led the way back to Izumo Inn. My appearance shifted back to what it normally was along the way to the house. I kept Miya in my arms wrapped up in my enchanted white kimono and yet, she still showed no visual signs that she was fine and was still unconscious. The longer that this was the case, my worry for my wife's health and wellbeing, was increasing.

Once we got to the house, Alex and Saki took up positions in order to guard the house against any that should come with ill intent in their mind. I told Anya to keep an eye on things as I knew that I wouldn't be in any state to do so for a time. I had no idea where Minato nor any of the other tenants were, for none of them were here right now, not even Matsu. Arrangements had to be done since it wasn't safe for the time being to allow any on the second floor as the structure of the house is currently. So, my Sekirei would sleep in the master bedroom, while Musubi, Tsukiumi and Minato would be in one room, Uzume and Matsu would share Kagari's room for the time being. As for why I put whom with whom, there were just those I trusted would not try to do something they shouldn't more than others. Honestly, I don't see putting Matsu in the same room as Minato being a good idea in any way unless I want a reason to kick her out for what she would do while I am unable to stop her. And I would know if she committed such acts, the feelings that come off those who are that intimate can't be missed.

The second we entered the house, Morgana bolted to the pitch-black closet and sealed it shut behind herself, but I expected that. It wasn't all that long from the dawn, certainly not long enough for Morgana to easily get to her place and she doesn't teleport well. The female lich, like pretty much all of those who are "undead", have serious issues with sunlight. It's toxic to them to a varying extent and tends to 'cook' or 'melt' them when they are exposed. I've seen the process, their flesh does start running off, though it doesn't turn black, seeing the visible bone and breaking down muscle isn't appealing to witness. It's why Morgana only comes out after the sun has gone down and no earlier.

I ignored Morgana's actions and left Anya in charge of the management of Izumo Inn until further notice after explaining how things had to be. Or rather Anya would be in charge of running the house until I am up to doing the job, for I am not fit for doing so right now. I trust her judgment in upholding the rules and making sure the necessities were supplied. After informing Anya, I carried Miya to our room, laying her gently on the futon and sat next to her. She was breathing and if I hadn't taken her away from MBI's Teito Tower, I might have thought she was just sleeping, but that's not how it is. With what I could tell, nothing had been done to Miya by the scientist, but there was definitely something that wasn't right. It hurt to see Miya like this not able to wake up due to whatever MBI personnel did to her, and I being able to do nothing.

Miya means the world to me, it's because of her I've been able to experience the true happiness that I have. She has done so much for me, most of which I had come to believe I wouldn't come to know or understand myself fully. It's because of Miya that I've learned what it is like to love someone with all your heart and beyond. By the heavens, Miya helped me find my heart again after I had lost it so long ago and relearn how to use it. She thawed my soul and helped me find a reason to continue forward and not let the past weigh and drag me down. Because of Miya, we both became parents of a child which we brought into the world, I cursed the point that I had such difficulty having children of my own with almost all others. I had come to painfully accept that I wouldn't get to know what it is to be a parent of a child of your own, but then Miya had changed all of that for me.

What I was feeling right now was low and agonizing pain, close to what I did after Nobunaga Oda murder of Itsumi. But, even if this pain had a different flavor to it, not a huge or large amount better though. The hollow feeling settled in my chest and it unpleasant, gnawing and miserable. The feeling was that of miserable loneliness and the pain of loss and it had been with me for more than four hundred years.

I leaned down and touched my forehead to Miya's own like I would show affection and love to her. Yet, after a moment I couldn't keep myself together any longer, the pain and worry began coming out of me in sobs. Tears trickled from my eyes, my shoulders shook, and my heart ached as thoughts and horrible imaginations of what life would become if Miya wasn't in it. The passage of time was lost to me as the pain and sorrow washed over me, so I have no real idea how long I was shedding tears while I was lying over Miya. My soul was wracked and tortured in being so powerless to do anything to help the love and light of my life. I hugged Miya, even though she didn't react or respond to my action before I left the room, in order to find a way to deal with the pain tearing me up on the inside.

-Anya's pov-

After being called off from causing chaos for those that had trespassed Lord Hitoyoshi; Alex, Saki and I followed our Lord, the Harbinger along with us. Once we got to Izumo Inn, Alex and Saki took up positions in order to guard the house against any that should come with ill intent in their minds. I followed Lord Hitoyoshi inside the house as it was clear that he would need those loyal to him on hand to assist him. The second we entered the house, the Harbinger bolted to a pitch-black closet and sealed it shut behind herself. But then, it wasn't that far from the sun rising, which she has issues with. Morgana, like pretty much all of those who avoid death, has serious issues with sunlight, it's toxic to them, it will 'cook' or 'melt' them when they are exposed. That was the price an individual paid to cheat death, they gave up the ability to live in the light of day going forward forever.

I merely rolled my eyes at her actions, for she often disgusted me with her way of doing things, but I have a bias against those who cheated death, I see them as fear filled cowards. However, Morgana is worse than others like her I've met, for the Harbinger spread death to others with her creations and thought nothing of it. By the heavens, she more enjoyed observing people suffer and see what her work does to its victims! I reined in the feelings I have towards the lich, and I focused back in on my lord, for he had come to a halt.

"Anya, I ask you to stand in for me in the management of this house," Ashe said in a shaky voice, "I will not be able to fulfill the required duties as things are right now."

I bowed my head, "I am more than willing my Lord. I'm no stranger to leading or management, I had that position within my clan while I was human," I answered.

Ashe then listed details to me of arrangements as parts of the house were in poor condition among other things. Especially as it wasn't safe for the time being to allow any on the second floor as the structure of the house is currently. With that being the case, Ashe would have his Sekirei sleep in the master bedroom, while the tenant named Minato with two of his Sekirei, called Musubi and Tsukiumi would be in the room across from there. The ones named Uzume and Matsu would share the room that the other male tenant called Kagari was assigned.

Lord Hitoyoshi explained, that the reason that he put the individuals where he did because there were some of the tenants that had shown that they weren't trustworthy. The one called Matsu specifically I was told she had a serious inclination to ignore and disregard rules. Apparently, she had already broken both rules a little while ago, and why Ashe didn't toss her out is beyond me. I would have chucked her out of the house without hesitation and not looked back at all, moving on with one less problem to have to worry about. My personal guess is that this Matsu somehow was able to get Ashe to feel sorry for her and taken advantage of his near-infinite well of kindness. Yet still, Ashe told me that no one was to step foot on the second floor until further notice along with the rules being followed. After telling me all of that, Ashe went off with Lady Miya likely to their room, yet I still could see the pain he was feeling.

It was horrible to see Ashe like this, the last period of time that this came was during the latter half of the Warring States Era, but those had been dark times for Japan. I decided to set up some spells to make sure the rules of this house were obeyed since there were those that had made it clear they aren't inclined to. Then I started cleaning up and putting things back where they belonged to while I waited for the other tenants to return.

I've always felt that Ashe was a bit too lenient with some of the people that came to him for safety and/or help. It is to his credit as it shows the depths of kindness and generosity that he has, and for a leader, those are good qualities to have. And for some individuals, they had taken that chance Ashe gave them and changed for the better. There were countless examples that history has names recorded for even if there is no mention of how or why they changed as they did. Yet that is of little consequence and of no real matter at this time.

But then, you have those who did the opposite and abused the chance they had to stick to their troublesome habits. And those who do such I believe should be punished for their actions and their lack of honor. This Matsu woman in particular out of Ashe's current tenants by what he said about her didn't sit well with me at all nor would it ever. She had been given not one but two chances so far when she clearly hadn't deserved either of them. Ashe has stated the signs had been there that the woman was inclined to skirt around things, rules included.

And Matsu had proven the point by taking the first chance she had been given to break the set laws as much as she could. Ashe had even had warned her of the consequences that awaited her should she cross the line by breaking the rules. Yet, that hadn't stopped Matsu from breaking one rule and about to do the same with the other when she was caught. Nor had Matsu shown any sign that she had or would change anything other than how she practices her habits or actions. Individuals like her frustrated me, rules and laws are in place for a reason and that is not to be skirted around just because one has the ability to do so!

I was brought out of my thoughts and to a halt in the cleaning when a sound that I'd hadn't heard for centuries came to my ears. Hearing it forced me to turn around and face in the direction of the master bedroom of Izumo Inn as sobbing came softly. Lord Hitoyoshi hadn't shed tears of pain and sorrow like he was now for a long time. The last time I had heard this was the night after Itsumi had been murdered. Being forced to listen to the sobs made me feel like I'd failed in some way in my dedication of service and life to him. I sunk to my knees and lowered my head in shame for the first time in many, many years. I was silently praying for Ashe and begging for forgiveness from my ancestors for this dishonor to them.

To fail in serving the one you have dedicated and vowed to serve in full wounds the pride and honor of any samurai even myself. All the years of training when I was younger added to the weight of shame as the code of the Samurai had been drilled into me heavily. For one's lord and master to show sorrow like Ashe was right now and knowing it could have been prevented is a mark of failure due to the lack of active attention. Those from MBI had been getting bolder over the last month or two, it should have been clear they might try and take Lady Miya. And yet, nothing had been done to curtail such a possibility and looking back there should have been.

My ancestors would be chastising me were they able to right now to let something so basic slip my notice. A samurai is to guard their lord with their life along with their family even if it requires laying down one's own life as payment for that. That is a rudimentary part of the samurai's code and I had not been doing that and this night's result proves that. Nonetheless, I also was burning with anger at the one that had committed the trespass upon my lord to bring him to this state. And my anger was producing an aura of heat around me as a result and even the enchanted weapons I had became somewhat visible. Although the heat didn't ignite anything as I kept it from doing that, the weapons hovered around me and remained visible.

I had heard several things about this Hiroto Minaka from others around the city and most of what I had heard wasn't encouraging. He was seen as a power-hungry nutcase simply put, but because of the influence that MBI had, none say that to him directly. How such a fool got to the position of power he has, I will never understand, they should not be given heed to and ignored for the foolishness that they produce. Although there are unfortunately those that listen to such and are influenced, it was that way before and still is now.

For the half an hour that went by, I was forced to listen to my lord sob for pain in his soul and it was akin to torture for me. I had to stop in my work more than once, drop to my knees, bow my head and pray for Ashe and for forgiveness for the failure as it is mine to bear. He deserved none of this, he had done good unto others and brought happiness to those around him. Yet, he suffers for it an amount of the time and it hurts those of us who serve him. And what hurts more, I could do nothing for him in this time of pain and sorrow he was going through and I detested the feeling of being unable to change a situation.

But, when Ashe's sobbing stopped, he made his way to the dining room, the air coming from him saying to leave him alone and I did as he silently wished me to. And I don't doubt that Alex and Saki are suffering in the same ways that I am at sensing our lord and master in the mood he was in right now. We were here when he needed us and that was the most we could do for him at this point.

It wasn't too long after Ashe had gone to the dining room that the front door opened and three came inside. The three were the Sekirei that had a connection to Ashe other than Lady Miya, all of them looking like they were feeling sick, at least they appeared to be in rather poor spirits. The youngest one was visibly shivering and looking to be filled with sorrow and the one I didn't know seemed much the same as the child. The one I have encountered the night before this, she showed some of the same emotions, but not to the same extent as the other two. The woman that I've seen before appeared to recognize me, "You're the one that fought off Karasuba last night," she exclaimed.

Karasuba? Perhaps that was the name of the sword swinging woman that had been attacking Ashe last night? That woman had been all about strength and swing around the nodachi she had like a mad fool. Thankfully, technique will beat out pure strength most of the time and I've had centuries to refine my skills. I folded my arms, "My name is Anya. I know not of this Karasuba you mention, but if that was the name of the battle-crazed woman swinging around the nodachi last night, then yes, I fended her off and disarmed her," I stated.

The child looked at me with sorrow in her eyes, "Where's Ashe," she pined.

I gestured towards the dining room, "I believe he went to the dining room a little while ago," I started. But I didn't finish what I was going to say, as the blonde girl raced off towards the dining room, to which I sighed, "I was about to say it would probably be better to leave him be for the time being," I muttered.

It was around half a minute later that the three of us heard the child's voice, "DOGGIE!"

The three of us raced to the dining room and the scene there wasn't nice to see, even for me. Ashe was slumped over the table, clearly unconscious while the blonde girl was trying hard to rouse him, but with no success for her efforts. The woman named Yume I believe, moved forward to the blonde girl, "Kuu, calm down, panicking won't help in this," she said.

'Kuu' gained tears, "But Ashe isn't waking up Yume, why isn't he waking up?! First, everything felt cold, then empty, what is happening and why," she cried.

I recall Lord Hitoyoshi saying that Lady Miya could feel his emotions to a degree, something to do with their bond I believe was the theory. If that is true then It is possible that these Sekirei could do the same for what the child has described was pretty much what Ashe had been feeling since he discovered Lady Miya had been taken. As the three were going back and forth with one another, my gaze came to stop on a crystal bottle that I had not seen for a long while. The bottle contained a liqueur called "Ambrosia", which is stronger than anything humans or non-humans can equal with their alcoholic liquids. It's a drink made by and for immortal beings like deities and if any other than them consume it, the drinker could very well die for it and normally does. Ashe can drink it without fearing his end, and that's saying something about him, which most of us that serve him don't bring up.

For Ashe to resort to drinking Ambrosia, things were worse than I thought though the sobbing had indicated there was the possibility he would drink the stuff again. Yet, he didn't touch drinks like Ambrosia often at all, only when the pain he would feel reached a point that it was ripping him apart and he wished for an escape even if only for a time. The last time he had drunk this liqueur had been the night after Lady Itsumi had been murdered by Oda. And with the growing intimate relationship they had, to have to see her murdered with his own eyes had been heartbreaking.

He hadn't been the only one that had felt pain with Itsumi's death, there had been a number of us that missed her, myself included. She had been such a kind soul, truly a rare gem that doesn't get seen often at all. So, it was both understandable and frightening to have seen how close Ashe had been to losing himself. It was what had ended out causing Ashe to shut out his emotions and him becoming cold for centuries.

What had happened tonight, it must have brought back memories of those we lost in the past and that kind of loss can't be felt and not affect those who experience it. Memories can be triggered by events like these and said memories are horrible to recall and relive. It made sense seeing Lord Hitoyoshi being driven to a point that he would resort to drinking to forget. However, it does not hurt just for him yet also those of us who serve him as well for we know him for the real kindness and good Ashe has in him. We have seen what he had gone through more than most, definitely those that are around him lately other than Lady Miya.

Nonetheless, because of that fact, I do not wish these three to think poorly of Ashe for we all have low moments, and this was one of his. My Lord is the kindest individual that I have ever encountered in my existence and I have seen many individuals. There are far fewer individuals that are kind and mannered these days than previous, but that is due to degenerating values. So, I exhaled, which gained the attention of everyone else, "Please, do not judge Lord Hitoyoshi harshly in this, there is so much more to why he is like this than you could know," I requested.

"Why do you and others call Ashe Lord Hitoyoshi? He has stated he doesn't prefer or like formalities," asked Yume.

I took a moment to consider how to answer the question for as I understand it members of the Sekirei species might not understand the subjects of; honor, service or the traditions that brought them about originally. But after a bit, I took a breath and began, "It may not make sense to any of you and I cannot speak for all others. Nonetheless, as for myself, Ashe showed me great kindness. He gave me purpose, he gifted me with a second chance when I was about to lose the single one I had." I paused for a moment then continued, "Since I was but a child, I have been taught to dedicate myself in full, my whole mind, body, and soul to the one I would serve. All the skills and abilities that I have learned and practiced were to be at the command and service of my lord. That is the code of the samurai who are ancient warriors and protectors of this land. That is what I've always been taught, and I fully believe that, and Ashe is who I serve. I am honored to be able to do so, for I owe him my life and the lives of others who I knew long ago," I iterated.

It was true, Ashe had done much for me, I remember our first encounter very well and many after that. I was to become the head of my clan however, in the years before that, I had met Ashe by chance. I had known that he wasn't human, it was easy to tell with the training I'd had before that. Yet, he was different than any I had come across previous to that time and that was saying a great deal. Then had come the day that things had changed, it had been when I had been with some of my brethren and we were ambushed. Ashe had intervened and saved us from our demise and asked nothing in return from any of us.

He showed qualities that a lord which any samurai would wish to devoutly serve and so I felt that as well. It had not been long before I was given the offer by Ashe to follow him and leave the life I knew behind forever. I had considered the offer and accepted it and Ashe had changed me into a Youkai. I had chosen an individual to take the position of leader of my family clan in my place as I wouldn't do that following Ashe forward. That had been long ago now, and though the clan I was a member of still exists, I rarely interact any of them.

Still, I hesitated at recalling that how Ashe was now… such wasn't unheard of before he met Lady Miya. In fact, seeing him like this brought back painful memories of the past, and the hollow shell that Ashe had been for the last few centuries. Some of us, including myself, had tried to help Ashe, yet all of us had failed to rid him of the pain. Only Lady Miya had managed to free him of the chains that had been holding him down and for those that serve Ashe, we are in Lady Miya's debt for what she did. "It may not be visible to any of you, or others that live here now, but Ashe was different before he met Lady Miya. She was able to help him in ways none of us that serve him could and fervently wished to do." I paused, "The best way to put it, is Ashe lost his heart and closed off his soul due to horrible past events. Lady Miya changed that and helped him move forward again."

Glancing back at Ashe, I saw the signs that he was now in a deep sleep, and it would be better if he did not sleep at the table. I asked both Yume and the other woman with her to help Ashe get to his room so that he can sleep off the effects of the Ambrosia. After getting Lord Hitoyoshi to his room, I told his three Sekirei that they would be sleeping in the same room for the time being. I headed back to the living room, where I would wait for the other tenants of this house as they were not to go up the stairs to the second floor.

A/n

I'm leaving off there for this chapter, okay, lots to say and hopefully clarify. First, I know that in this chapter Ashe seems like a cold sociopath for a while, then a broken mess the next. My justification still is that Ashe doesn't get hit so close to home often and he lost it for a time. Lastly, I know it may seem that Ashe is untouchable and undefeatable with what he did in Teito Tower, I assure you that's not the case. Ashe just has the wisdom, knowhow and experience to know how to kick butt and own others better than many do.

Summing up, as always, I ask some of you to take the time to write a review and tell me what you think about the chapter or the changes I made to the story overall. Each review is appreciated, and I do read them, even if I don't always answer or comment on them. Anyways, thank you for reading the chapter and I hoped you enjoyed it and I will see you all when the next chapter is done.