Chapter 3 is here. Enjoy, if you can.
Year 2013. Tokyo, Izumo Inn.
"Congratulations!" came an annoying voice from the TV, which turned itself on as if guided by the hand of fate.
Harry turned towards the apparatus, wondering why it malfunctioned now. Inside it he could see a slender, bespectacled man with tall and spiky white hair, who seemed to be entirely wrapped in the colour white. He didn't know why but somehow the man seemed familiar.
Shrugging, Harry looked away, searching for the remote to shut the device down.
"Wait, I'm talking to you, Mister Potter!"
Harry frowned, realising this wasn't a show but more like video call. More importantly, how did this guy know his name? "So, who are you and what do you want?" he asked curtly with his arms crossed across his chest, sitting down on the ground.
"I'm surprised you don't know me. You should read a newspaper from time to time." he frowned and held up a newspaper with a picture of him in it, but introduced himself all the same. Pose and all. "My name is Minaka Hiroto, CEO and chairman of MBI." then he smiled and exclaimed dramatically. "I was going to congratulate you on being chosen as the very first Ashikabi by a Sekirei, as well as informing you about the great game you've been chosen to participate in!"
"This 'Sekirei Plan'? You mean it's real?" Harry asked with incredulity in his voice. "Next you tell me Akitsu really is an alien." while he could swallow much in terms of bullshit due to magic, aliens were a bit much. Seemed even more far-fetched that these Sekirei looked so close to human.
Laughing obnoxiously, the man explained. "Oh, it's very real." grinning from ear to ear, he said. "And she very much is an alien."
"Right." Harry replied, just so refraining from rolling his eyes. Though, he assumed it wasn't completely out of question. Deciding he needed more information to discern if he said the truth or not, Harry inquired. "How do they differ from humans then?"
"I hadn't planned on answering any questions, but you're the first Ashikabi in this little game of mine, so I'll make an exception." Despite his words Minaka was apparently glad that his partner in conversation seemed to play along and so answered Harry's question. "As you're already aware the physiology of a Sekirei is very much like humans appearance-wise. They also have similar requirements, such as the need to eat food, drink water, and breathe oxygen. On top of that they are even capable of reproducing with the human species." here he pushed his glasses up for dramatic effect. "However, they also have significant differences that set them apart: Sekirei have greater strength, speed, and stamina than is possible for humans. In addition, each Sekirei has a core that is the source of their power and very existence; Sekirei who lose their core cease to function."
Tilting his head to the side and sitting down on the bed, Harry commented. "Interesting. What's an Ashikabi? Akitsu told me I was hers, but I have never heard of the term."
"Good question." Minaka praised slightly condescendingly. Harry was used to that and able to ignore it. "Ashikabi are individuals with specific genes to whom Sekirei become attached to, in both a contractual and emotional sense." the white-haired man made some grand gesture and continued. "The winging of a Sekirei is done through an exchange of DNA through mucosal contact, usually via a mouth-to-mouth kiss, which results in wings of energy to emerge from their back. Hence, the name of the process."
"So what? She has bound herself to me and is dependant on me in some manner?" the last Potter dearly hoped that was not the case. It sounded too much like House-elves, plus kisses. While he wanted company in some form, this seemed a step too far. Not to mention that it explained why Akitsu reacted like a normal House-elf would in the face of possible rejection.
Minaka nodding enthusiastically and confirming it caused Harry's stomach to drop to his knees. "Exactly. For many Sekirei, the reaction to their Ashikabi is one of deep love and fondness and most would do anything for their Ashikabi."
"That sound suspiciously like some 'Love at first sight' bullshit. Which in most cases, is only infatuation and not love. Two fundamentally different things." Harry pointed out, more than a little annoyed now that he knew why he felt that way about Akitsu. His experience with being connected to other people by some vague bond was not such a great one that he'd want a repeat.
"You don't sound very happy about being an Ashikabi?" there was curiosity and surprise in Minaka's voice as he inspected Harry.
This time Harry snapped back. "Of course I'm not happy about it! Why would you think I am? There's too many questions. Are these feelings even real or manufactured? Does this bond enforce them on both parties?"
"Well, most men would be thrilled to know that there's a gorgeous women loving him forever and waiting to do whatever he wanted." Minaka commented, not bothered by Harry's snappishness. Much the opposite, his grin seemed to grow by the second.
"Loving me forever?" Harry snorted in derision. "Let me tell you something, Minaka." A mocking chuckle escaped Harry's throat. "It's stupid to think someone will care for you always and be there for you all the time. Because one day you'll blink," he snapped his fingers. "and that's when you learn it the hard way." the last Potter chuckled again, dark amusement in his emerald eyes. "You learn that there's a thousand ways to lose your mind, a thousand ways to bend until you break. It only takes a few. Sometimes the easiest one is falling on your face, just trying to fight for you and them. Among the countless ways to make your worst mistake the easiest for me right now is sleeping soundly in a room nearby."
"Do I feel attracted to her? Am I fond of her more than I should?" being on a tangent, Harry zoned everything else out. "Yes, on all accounts." the problem was if it was even real. Not to mention the suddenness of it all. Still, he couldn't deny that were was something that made him at least fond of the woman. As well as not wanting to be separated from her.
Harry took a breath to calm himself and continued. "However, there's a difference between feelings and commitment and love isn't just a feeling, but also a choice. Love is a mutual commitment to find something about each other to adore even on the ugliest days. A choice to look each other in the eyes even when the stars long since faded from them and to keep looking until they're found again."
Harry had thought long, hard and often about this after the Battle of Hogwarts. His lifelong experience on the matter and the betrayal of his friends saw him come to that conclusion. 'Too bad that nobody except my mother and father chose me.' Harry thought somewhat sadly. He shook his head and went on. "Where was the choice for Akitsu and me in all of this? Does she stay with me only because of the bond and not on her own volition?"
The room was silent for a moment before Minaka exclaimed a little less loud than before. "You're an interesting man, Mr. Potter." his grin absent from his face for once. His bespectacled eyes staring at Harry. "But choice has nothing to do with the Sekirei plan. Fate decreed it and you shall be a player of the game."
"We'll see about that!" Harry glared back stubbornly. His anger rising as sure and fast as the tide. Fate could kiss his ass as far as he was concerned. "If I know one thing then it's that there is a way for this bond to be broken." There always was a way to do so. Not always pleasant, but when was his life ever easy or pleasant?
Minaka gleefully answered. "You're correct! One of you just has to die." maniacal laughter followed. It was technically true. Being deactivated was just like death for Sekirei. Though, he wouldn't tell this to this intriguing man whose past he couldn't dig up. After all, he wouldn't be a good Game master if he let the first player do a runner!
'Of course.' Harry snarled inside his mind, giving outwardly no reaction to his displeasure. Though, Harry was also aware that the dude could simply lie to him and resolved to look into it himself. Afterwards he ground out, his arms crossed angrily. "Anything else I need to know?"
"A few things." Minaka replied just as loudly. "You cannot tell anyone about the Sekirei Plan or MBI will be forced to deal with you."
"Right." Harry snorted, not knowing what a company of Muggles could do to him.
Seeing that he understood, Minaka continued. "Second, when the Sekirei Plan is fully in motion you won't be allowed to leave Shinto Teito." at Harry's confused expression he corrected himself. "Tokyo." he was still bitter about the fact that his proposal to rename the city was rejected. Eh, he'd just have to amass more influence and it'll go through in the future. "You'll be notified once the plan is fully in motion."
"I'm guessing you have some way of tracking me down if I shouldn't comply or try to flee?" Harry questioned and already knowing the answer. "After all you knew where I was and that I 'winged' Akitsu. Taking into account the fact that I'm not even here for a day that means it's probably Akitsu you can track and or monitor in some way. Most likely her location, as well as some details on her health, considering you knew where we were and that she was 'winged'." trusting his instincts and experience to be true, Harry went on. 'MBI being the powerhouse that it is means satellites are involved and hiding would be difficult if not impossible in the Muggle World.' he thought annoyed. Not to mention that he didn't see any kind of tracker on Akitsu and she didn't have much to hide it with. That meant it was either inside her or they tracked her in some other way by looking for some energy signature of some kind.
Even more intrigued. "You're correct. If everyone is a promising and fascinating as you then this will truly be bring the Fated Age of the Gods."
The TV was promptly destroyed as a metal fist was forcefully inserted inside. Harry's temper having finally snapped. He considered it an improvement on how he would've blown up much sooner in the past. Still, he couldn't really pay for a destroyed TV. Luckily, that was nothing a quick Reparo couldn't fix.
After changing his clothes and putting the magical eye inside his mokeskin-pouch Harry tried to catch a wink of rest.
Sleep didn't come easily as his annoyance and agitation of this new situation refused to be quenched. Technically, all he had to do was ditch Akitsu and be done with it. However, she reminded him too much of himself in his younger years. Eager to please and not thinking much about herself.
A sigh escaped him after half an hour of trying to fall asleep. Finally he decided to meditate and calm himself down enough for sleep to claim him. While circling through his Occlumency exercises he got his emotions back under control.
'Tomorrow I explain to Akitsu that I'll look into a way to break this bond.' he finally resolved, ignoring the now dulled uncomfortable feeling of his twisting heart as Morpheus finally embraced him. 'There have to be more Ashikabi out there. Ones better suited for her and dealing with all that shit and not a wreck like me.'
Satisfied that his Occlumency could block out these sensations he went to sleep.
Back at Minaka's office the man was berated by his head researcher, Takami Sahashi.
"Why didn't you ask him how he managed to wing Akitsu?" she yelled in his face, rage clear to see on it.
Unfazed by that Minaka just laughed. "Ask him? Of course not, trying to figure it out is so much more fun. It's been a long time since I've had to deal with something I don't know about, I should thank him!"
"Uh-huh." was all Takami said as she looked for things to throw at him. Preferably sharp objects, but heavy and blunt ones were fine too.
"What the fuck did we just see?!" Uzume exclaimed out loud and then ducked out of habit to escape Miya's ladle that was sure to come for her swearing. Only, it never came.
Looking at Matsu, Uzume saw the woman with red cheeks and an intense look in her eyes. Practically devouring the sleeping man with her eyes alone. Entranced the redhead answered. "Ashikabi-sama." the Brain-type Sekirei felt her cheeks heat up, her breathing growing laboured. Not to mention the soaked mess her panties devolved into. The cherry on top was that he told Minaka to stuff it. Not much else penetrated her skull through the haze of euphoria.
Miya stared too, but for different reasons than Matsu. Worried that this man might really try and break the bond with Akitsu. The mention alone would surely break Akitsu more than she was before. She had to stop herself from marching to his room and giving him an earful. He clearly had no idea what their Ashikabi meant for a Sekirei. That went more than double for Akitsu, due to her previous circumstance.
Being a scrapped number meant more than just being unable to be winged by an Ashikabi. It meant you were unable to feel love, unable to ever be truly complete. This man practically delivered Akitsu from her own personal hell straight to heaven. To take that away would certainly rip the woman to shreds. 'Seems like I need to explain some things to him.'
Finally she answered Uzume's question with an answer of her own. "A broken man." with her experience it was easy to spot that he was someone who lost much if not all he held dear. And was afraid to trust again, lest it be taken away once more. She saw the same loss hidden in her own eyes every day.
"I more meant the fact that he apparently repaired the TV he punched through a moment earlier as if by magic." Uzume replied somewhat shrilly and incredulous as to why the other two seemed to ignore that. "I mean that's not normal, now is it?"
"Hmm." Miya said absent-mindedly before blinking and saying nonchalantly. "Indeed, it is not." Though Miya was more concerned with the fact that he seemed to have winged Akitsu, a single number who had been 'scrapped' on top of it. That meant he was an extremely powerful Ashikabi already. She wasn't surprised Matsu showed signs of a reaction, but she was worried he'd reject her. As well as possible future Sekirei.
"Anyway, we imposed ourselves long enough on the privacy of another." she clapped her hands for emphasis. "Let's eat breakfast!" still smiling pleasantly she summoned her aura of fear to get them to comply. It had the effect of a cold shower on Matsu.
Now slightly more lucid, Matsu squeaked out in chorus with Uzume. "Yes, Miya!"
Once Harry woke up he was pleasantly surprised that he did have an undisturbed sleep. Neither nightmare nor vision had plagued him during the night. Instead he found himself well rested. While normally the case for his body it was a different matter for his spirit and mind. Only mastering Occlumency had helped him to mitigate the nightmares and even control his dreams. He didn't want to have his mind messed with again after all. Sadly, such sleep wasn't deep or satisfying in the least as he had already discovered. While it rested the body his mind and spirit were a different matter.
That meant either enduring nightmares or feeling drained. Not a pleasant choice in the least and Harry didn't fancy being addicted to Dreamless Sleep Potions. All in all, a truly restful sleep was rare for him.
He had fully expected to not feel rested today, especially after the conversation with Minaka, but he was.
His surprise didn't stop there as he woke fully. Mostly because of the fact that another body was sleeping close to him. A female body, judging by the breasts pressing into his chest. Opening his good eye he looked directly into Akitsu's own eyes. She lay on top of his chest, snuggling close. The blankets haphazardly kicked away and only covering the pair partially. His arms resting around her hips having held her close in his sleep.
From what he saw and felt she only wore a smile.
"Good afternoon, Ashikabi-sama." Akitsu greeted in her monotone manner, which was apparently normal for her. Though there was a heavy undertone of happiness in it.
"Good afternoon, Akitsu. I think to remember that I have put you in another room." He said calmly, trying to pull his hands from her hips. That was prevented by the Sekirei, who put them on her rump instead, a clear invitation.
Putting her head in the crook of his neck, she replied after sighing in content. "Ah, I had a nightmare. I still was a Scrapped Number." she held him tighter as if to make sure he was really there. "Came here to confirm you're real."
Harry grimaced, the uncomfortable feeling now settling in his gut. How could he tell a woman who was apparently emotionally dependant on him what he wanted to? 'It'd do the same to her as was done to me.' his earlier resolve now as firm as wet parchment. It was one thing to think about abandoning her and actually doing it.
Changing the subject while cursing himself for his cowardice, Harry asked. "A Scrapped Number, what do you mean with that?" it was the fist time he heard about that.
"Each Sekirei needs to be adjusted. The one responsible for me made a mistake. Made me unable to be bonded. I thought I'd never have an Ashikabi." she explained, her voice a little muffled as she spoke into his neck. Though he could hear her choking up a little at the for her painful memory. "But you found me and we'll be together forever and ever."
When she started to grind herself against his morning wood it took Harry's considerable willpower to not simply give in to the softness of her skin, the warmth of her body, the sheer comfort he felt at simply being held. As well as the promise she basically gave him. Yet, the last part also hardened his resolve, remembering his so called friends who promised the same. He held her still and pushed her up so she straddled his hips.
She looked quite adorable with her flushed face and confused expression. "You can't rush something you want to last forever." he explained, not noticing that he took her hands in his own. He took a deep breath and made to explain to her what he resolved before going to sleep. "Listen..."
A knock on the door interrupted what he wanted to say. "Mr. Potter. Dinner is ready."
Not knowing if he should be relieved or annoyed, Harry called back. "Thank you. I'll be out shortly." looking at Akitsu he sighed out. "Let's get dressed." what he wanted to say could wait a little longer. Sadly, Akitsu still had to wear his clothes, not that she seemed to complain about it, much the opposite actually.
'Still, I should get her some proper clothes at least.' he thought while putting his magical eye back in place, dressing himself quickly and walking down to breakfast shortly after. All the while calling himself a coward inside his own head for chickening out. 'Some Gryffindor I am.'
Dinner was a subdued affair, with only Miya and a redhead who introduced herself as Matsu in attendance with them. Miya told them the other two residents were out in town.
"So what do you do for a living, Harry-tan?" Matsu asked, leaning forward on the table and using his first name upon his request.
Blinking at the strange form of address, he answered easily and smoothly. "Up until yesterday I worked mainly in Archaeology, but I also took jobs in security, as a bounty hunter, an escort and even as a gardener from time to time." that was mainly due to the fact that there also went a lot of preparation into each Curse-Breaking Site. On some days there was little to nothing to do, but with his debt hanging over him he looked for other sources of money on the side during those times. Bounty hunting came from the fact that there were surprisingly many aspiring Dark Lords looking for artefacts, Dark Lords with a bounty on them to be precise.
"You can raid my tomb any time you want." Matsu purred with lidded eyes, causing Akitsu to glare at her.
Caught off guard, he sputtered, barely preventing the food from going in the wrong pipe. Thinking he heard wrong. "What?" Akitsu immediately knocked him on the back to help stop his coughs.
Miya then stomped on Matsu's foot under the table. "Ouch!" Matsu then seemed to get more demure, which somehow didn't suit her. "I mean, I thought of getting a garden myself, but I'm not very physically able." her glasses reflected the light, hiding her eyes as she grinned mischievously. "I'd appreciate it if you'd plough my fields as deep as possible to loosen the whole thing up, spread the seed all over and fertilize it real good!"
Harry did have considerable experience with the fairer sex, despite having been much too busy with earning money, paying off his debt and surviving to strike up any kind of relationship. Neither were visits to red light districts all that possible because, again, he couldn't spend the money for such things. That left flings with female co-workers or women he met in a bar to blow off some steam. As well as the women that paid for his services as a male escort. More because of his celebrity status than anything else. It was true, on old horses you learned to ride. Well, most were more like middle-aged, but still.
Due to that even he knew the quite heavy sexual innuendo the woman just delivered was basically an open invitation.
Luckily Miya intervened before he had a chance to answer the question. "Matsu, I see you're incapable of refraining from illicit behaviour. What did I say were the conditions for you joining lunch?" Miya had only allowed Matsu to attend because she was reacting to this man and Matsu begged her to. Though, if she couldn't behave then the landlady had no qualms throwing her back into her room.
To get her point across better she added her Hannya mask, making Akitsu and Matsu shiver in fear. Though, Harry was unaffected, as evident by his confusion as to the others' fear. 'Interesting, he isn't afraid of death.' Miya thought intrigued, knowing that only people afraid of death were affected by that aura, otherwise known as killing intent. Another reason could be that hers was too weak for him to notice, but she doubted that very much.
"I'll be good." Matsu promised while nodding rapidly and growing quiet. Akitsu didn't say anything, but was clearly ready to fight for her Ashikabi.
After things calmed down and everyone was finished, Miya took the opportunity to talk to Harry alone. "Mr. Potter, a delivery for you arrived an hour ago."
"A delivery?" the surprise and suspicion evident in his tone, not knowing what she did that had Akitsu in such a state, but being weary nonetheless. He also was aware of only one person that knew he was here and that person was not living in the Inn.
Miya nodded, saying. "Indeed. Come with me and I'll show you where it is." standing up and looking at Matsu, she proposed. "Matsu, why don't you entertain Akitsu?" No.02 noticed that it wasn't phrased as a suggestion, but an order. From the look and narrowed eyes on Harry's face he noticed it as well. He sent Akitsu a look and said. "Don't worry. I'll be right back."
The landlady heard him follow her to the entrance, where she pulled a box out from under the stairs. "This arrived while you slept." she explained. "It contains clothes for Akitsu and an MBI credit card with no limit, but I don't accept that form of payment."
Taking the box from her, Harry asked dryly. "I guess no limit means, so much until it gets inconvenient for MBI?" his good eye having never left Miya's face. "Anything else you want to tell me?" his gut was telling him she didn't separate him from the others just to tell him such a trivial thing. His gut was usually correct.
Miya took a deep breath and during that one moment briefly debated with herself if this was a good risk to take. On one hand he was an unknown, but after witnessing his altercation with Minaka she was sure he wasn't some spy or otherwise out to harm the Sekirei race. He didn't even know just what they were.
"I know that Akitsu is a Sekirei." she began. "As you may have noticed Matsu showed a rather interesting reaction to you."
Harry sighed. "She's a Sekirei as well, isn't she?" looking Miya up and down he mused. "Are you one as well? Or how do you know these things?" Minaka's words of him being the first Ashikabi kinda only left that as a possibility. He grew pale as the possibility of her separating him from the group was because she wanted to 'wing' herself. "Please tell me you're not reacting to me." he begged with a groan, hoping it wasn't so.
Miya nodded slowly, her lips twitching in some bemusement. "I am a Sekirei and no I'm not reacting to you, but Matsu most certainly is." before he could say anything she continued. "Which is part of the reason why I want to talk with you, to explain some things."
"Which are? I mean I already have a Sekirei. How can I have two?" the nature of that bond seemed like it would be an inconvenience to have more Sekirei around.
"Sekirei are not human and you shouldn't hold them to the same standards." Miya explained."Also the stronger the Ashikabi the higher the chance of attracting Sekirei. Seeing that you winged Akitsu, which was supposed to be impossible, I reckon you'll encounter many more Sekirei that are attracted to you."
All Harry did was facepalm and mutter at his stupid Potter Luck kicking in.
She continued with an undertone of worry like a mother had for her child. "I know I'm a stranger and have no right to ask such things of you, but please don't discard her. It'd quite possibly kill her. All she did was follow her instincts."
Hearing the woman's heartfelt plea was something that penetrated all of Harry's defenses easily.
"How do you know that I don't love her?" he asked, looking away.
Looking at him directly, Miya said bluntly. "I know a broken man when I see one. You don't think you can be loved. You are convinced you don't know how love feels and that you'll be alone forever." seeing that her words had an effect, she told him. "The simple fact that you haven't discarded her already tells me that you haven't given up hope on love just yet."
"Fine. I'll try" he growled out, picked up the box and left. Not knowing if he just lied or not. Or if he simply told her what she wanted to hear to get away quicker.