Chapter 11: Certain Vows

"Master Alesandro? Is everything all right?"

Snapping out of his funk the male quickly replied, "Yeah, it's fine."

Four dubious gazes met his own as the Ashikabi amended, "Ok, things aren't fine, but it's nothing you need to worry yourselves with."

That statement didn't sit right with the royal sisters, shared glances of vague unease and disappointment passing between them as they briefly wondered about what they could do to disabuse their Ashikabi of such a notion, the front door of their newfound home fast approaching as they disembarked from the taxi they had called.

...But that was something easier said than done. Before today the most unusual thing they had to deal with was the odd passerby or heckler remarking on their looks or dress. And in the span of less than twenty-four hours their Ashikabi had cast into doubt the very nature of their existence, bringing to light revelations and circumstances about their race they had never so much as questioned.

Add in the presence of the Sirens, MBI's plan to offer up potential doomsday weapons as prizes in a tournament that sounded more like an ominous battle to the death than it did exhibition match...the four sisters were well and truly rattled, unsure if they could realistically convince their Ashikabi that they could share in his apprehension when they barely understood the stakes themselves.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you four couldn't help me, or that you were useless."

Startled at their Ashikabi's sudden words Formidable quickly reassured him with, "You needn't worry about us, master, we-"

"You don't need to spare my feelings, I could feel your response through the bond just fine."

Wincing at their inadvertent slip a snort of mirth left the towering man, tone amused as he reassured them with, "While I'm sure this won't be an easy thing to become used to you four honestly don't need to constantly be worrying about offending or upsetting me with any singular action or misspoken word. That's your conditioning by MBI speaking, not normal interaction between people."

Illustrious slowly nodded, replying, "We shall endeavor to meet your expectations, master Alesandro."

A brief moment of awkward silence permeated the group...that was ended by the Ashikabi sighing, wryly observing, "Sorry. I just got done saying how I don't approve of you acting one way then immediately tell you to do so in another. Bit hypocritical, aren't I? Especially when none of this is any of your fault to begin with."

While the concern was touching Victorious was quick to reply, "T-there's no need for such regret, Alesandro! While you're not wrong about your wishes being hypocritical they're undertaken only with our best interest in mind, that we don't act as mindless slaves. That isn't a wish to be remorseful of."

Formidable nodded her ascent, quietly adding, "To desire someone be only beholden to their free will is no great evil...only in the way it is undertaken."

Shaking his head at their words the tall man wryly remarked, "I think you four might be a little too good for me..."

"Big brother is saying nonsense again..."

Unicorn's firm tone seemed to dispel the last remaining vestiges of awkwardness as the Sekirei could feel their Ashikabi relax, his hand gently petting the smaller Sekirei's scalp as she blushed in equal parts embarrassment and glee.

The five had left Izumo Inn after a tense and loaded discussion on how they were to proceed, a vague plan of sorts being arrived at.

Miya wouldn't make any outward or obvious movements against MBI—no doubt the company kept a close watch on such a powerful player in the game—while she asked a friend to look into some matters for her on the down low, relaying that information to Alesandro through an anonymous message so that the company couldn't track it.

While the Sekirei descendant had been skeptical of her friend's ability to do all of that and remain undetected Miya had assured them that the mystery individual in question was perfectly suited for the task, the five of them eventually departing with a tacit agreement to share any information they might discover during their investigation.

"Master Alesandro? You didn't seem particularly pleased with miss Asama's past actions. You hid it well but we could feel it through the bond, that you were upset with her decision to abandon her post as the Pillar."

Huffing out a breath as they entered the house the dark-haired male responded to Illustrious's inquiry with, "While I sympathize with the fact that she was under a great deal of stress and operating with almost no concrete information the Pillar's were very much the guardians of the Sekirei when they first came to hear that one basically gave up their post to grieve and sit in idle retirement while their charges were experimented on and turned into glorified science experiments for some madman's ambitions is...disquieting."

He huffed out a breath of annoyance.

"It just made me wonder if she's the exception to the rule or if the other Pillars were just as flighty and irresponsible as she was. Never meet your heroes and all that."

Victorious gathered her Ashikabi's arm close to her chest before offering a reassuring smile, confidently stating, "Well I, for one, am most glad to have met my Ashikabi and for him to be a sterling example of a Human being. Mostly Human, if you're going to quibble about the specifics of these things."

Alesandro snorted, giving the blonde a mock expression of admonishment as he replied, "You've known me for maybe a day."

"And what a day it has been!"

Laughing at Victorious's optimistic and cheery tone the male freed his limb, stretching out his arms and back—his flock gazing with blatant interest at the play of muscle and flesh through the fabric of his shirt—as he more relaxedly announced, "Alright, we've had a busy day and I think we've accomplished just about everything we can for the moment, anyone feel like having dinner?"

A thunderous growl accompanied the ending of his statement, all eyes turning to a flushed Unicorn as she embarrassedly whispered, "Unicorn is a bit hungry, big brother..."

Chuckling at her admission Alesandro announced, "Alright, it might not be much but I can whip us up something-"

"Actually, master Alesandro, if you would allow my sister and myself the freedom to make some purchases at the local market we can create a spread that will satisfy all of our appetites. As your flock it is only right that we aid you in such basic chores at all possible opportunities."

Raising an eyebrow at Illustrious's words the Ashikabi replied, "While I'm not going to argue if you're certain it's honestly not a burden, I would have to make my own meals regardless unless I was ordering take out."

Formidable fielded that one, serenely stating, "Be that as it may, sister Illustrious and I are quite skilled in the culinary arts...we seem to be low on dessert-like foods, baking a cake or other confectionaries would be a welcome set of circumstances, yes?"

Alesandro felt himself begin to bend on the matter at the mention of something sweet and generally unhealthy, caving in short order as he stated, "Okay, you've got me...but be careful on your way there and back, don't be afraid to call for backup if a Siren or MBI flunkie tries to accost you, alright?"

Both Sekirei happily smiled at his concern, Illustrious replying, "Of course, master Alesandro. We shall be back within an hour at the latest."

Without further comment the duo went on their way, leaving Unicorn and Victorious alone with their Ashikabi as the blonde once more wrapped her arms around his waist, grinning with blatant enthusiasm as she stated, "The food my sisters are capable of creating is most delicious, Alesandro. I think you'll appreciate it once you've had a proper taste~!"

"Big sisters Illustrious and Formidable are very talented in the kitchen, big brother...worth the wait."

Nodding at the sister's words the Ashikabi asked, "Do you want to go outside and wait for their return? It's a nice night right now."

"We would be happy to, Alesandro."

Unicorn just nodded along with their words, following her Ashikabi and older sister as they strolled through one of the outside doors to the small backyard the house had, a table with six chairs and pleasantly maintained bed of flowers accentuating the area.

"With the chaos of today I haven't really had the chance to actually speak with any of you...it's actually rather shameful how I haven't bothered to learn anything about you personally, only the most basic of facts that are a poor substitute for actual conversation and familiarity."

Both Sekirei showed their happiness at the interest in their individual lives in their own unique ways, Victorious openly beaming while Unicorn hugged her toy to the front of her chest with extra strength, quietly suggesting, "Bis sisters Illustrious and Formidable will be jealous..."

"I'll ask them when they return about their own wants and worries, don't worry...we already talked about how going swimming would be fun, Unicorn...but is there anything you, personally, like to do? Or how about you, Victorious?"

The smaller Sekirei lightly played with her toy, shyly stating, "Unicorn likes to swim, yes...but Unicorn also isn't a, umm..."

Her hypnotic eyes danced and darted between the ground and his attentive gaze, eventually stating in barely more than a whisper, "Unicorn isn't a good girl..."

Raising an eyebrow at what that statement could possibly mean he looked towards Victorious for elaboration, only to find the blonde valiantly trying to restrain a giggle as she leaned across the seat and affectionately placed a kiss on the smaller Sekirei's head.

"What my dear little Unicorn wishes to say but cannot admit is that she has a healthy interest in some more...extreme kinds of romantic novella~. I see nothing wrong with such a passion but she is ever so embarrassed about such a hobby, as you can see."

"B-big sister Victorious?!"

To the tiny Sekirei's mortification her Ashikabi began to openly chuckle, the girl feeling like the ground was about to swallow her whole-

-and instead jumped in her seat as the much taller male set a hand on her head, grinning at her with a reassuring expression as he said, "If you think I'm going to lambast you over being into sexual stuff I don't think you understand how most guys would react around a pretty girl like you, Unicorn."

The Sekirei flushed crimson and hid behind her toy, trying desperately to keep her cool and failing miserably in the process as her mind exploded into wild thoughts of things she and her Ashikabi could begin to do.

Chuckling as the girl descended into a private zone of thoughts that she probably wasn't going to be coming out of anytime soon the Ashikabi turned to Victorious, asking, "And what about you? Any favored pastimes you want to share?"

Setting her head in her hands and leaning forward onto the table—accentuating her generous assets in the process—the blonde stated, "While sister Formidable may be the final word on baking cakes and other confectionaries I myself am rather accomplished at crafting chocolates...if I manage to acquire the proper ingredients at some point I shall have to have you try a few~!"

"Well I'm not one to waste the opportunity at trying some excellent treats when being offered them so sincerely. But you strike me as the type of girl who takes good care of her body...runner, perhaps?"

Nodding happily the blonde bombshell responded, "I always enjoy a good jog in the morning. It always helps to clear the mind. Would you care to join me sometime, Alesandro?"

"Absolutely. As naturally sculpted and enhanced this physique is it by no means takes care of itself."

To the male's surprise the Sekirei fell silent at that, eyes turning distant as Unicorn noticed the change as well, cautiously asking, "Big sister?"

Victorious's gaze turned intense and incredibly focused as she zeroed in on her Ashikabi, seriously asking, "Ashikabi? How skilled are you in the art of combat?"

Unsure of where such a question came from Alesandro tentatively replied, "I'd like to think that I'm okay at it-"

"Modesty is not appreciated right now, Alesandro. I saw you defeat Urion in the span of seconds with nary an injury...you know how to conduct yourself in battle."

"Mostly because he was a fool who repeatedly exposed his innards to an opponent who can freely manipulate water, there wasn't any great stratagem involved-"

"He beat me. Soundly."

The yard became deathly silent, Victorious trying her best to impart upon her Ashikabi the seriousness of her request.

"If he had attempted to fight you in hand-to-hand, at his full strength...would you have won?"

Alesandro held her gaze, the moment stretching...and he released a sigh.

"Most likely. Actually, almost certainly. Urion wasn't as experienced or dangerous as he liked to claim and I've been raised in something approximating a modern day warrior culture...the man Illustrious met with, Lander? He served in various 'private security' firms during his younger years and carried with him a lot of the lessons and scars, things he passed on to me."

The blonde nodded, firmly stating, "Then during the course of this war—and afterward, if it strikes your fancy—I would like you to train me."

Blinking in surprise at the request Alesandro clarified, "You want me to train you—a Sekirei who at this moment is guaranteed to be much stronger than I am—in battle?"

Victorious offered a solid nod, stating, "I am quite certain that matters of mere physical strength will not be an issue. I am the sole frontline fighter of my sisters, Formidable being the closest thing we have to another melee combatant and she has her own kind of speciality...if I am inadequate in my level of skill then there is no one else who can replace me."

The pair once more exchanged unwavering looks, Unicorn's eyes darting between the two as she nervously hugged her stuffed toy...and released a breath of relief as their Ashikabi smiled, nodding in acceptance as he stated, "If you think I'll be able to help you...then I'd be happy to give it a shot and see what we can accomplish."

Victorious's expression was nothing short of radiant as she smiled with wild glee, eagerly crossing the table in a single bound that landed her in her Ashikabi's lap, nuzzling against him as she purred, "Ooh, I knew you would be the perfect Ashikabi~!"

"Big sister Victorious, don't hog big brother..."

The male couldn't help but internally sigh even as he outwardly enjoyed the sensation of a buxom young lady happily pressing herself against him.

"This is going to be quite the interesting time ahead of me, I can tell."

"Sisters, does our Ashikabi seem a little...stressed to you?"

Illustrious posed the question even as she expertly dropped a collection of diced tomatoes into the bowl of mixed greens she was attending to, their Ashikabi in the living room and locked in conversation over the phone with what sounded to be some of his associates, expression tight with focus and vague sensations of seriousness transferring over the bond they shared.

Victorious sighed as she sat at the dining table, staring at her chosen with a melancholy expression.

"And here I had thought that we had successfully turned his mind away from work with our earlier conversation..."

Formidable seemed pensive as she calmly mixed a cake batter and poured it into a pan she had found, remarking, "Is it not possible that he will relax to a much greater extent once this battle is over?"

"Maybe...but I'm starting to get the impression that he takes things like this seriously, like it's part of his natural born duty or something along those lines..."

The blonde's observation caused the four sisters to frown slightly, unsure—yet again—how to best go about setting their perplexing Ashikabi at ease.

"Perhaps Unicorn and her bis sisters can...release big brother's stress?"

Unicorn's context-laden statement caused the older three to share a blushing glance, knowing full well what their deceptively innocent looking sister was implying.

And, quite frankly, the mere thought set their hearts to racing.

"That...well...if he wants to I would by no means be against it..."

Formidable agreed with Victorious with a brief nod, returning to her work with a light dusting of pink adorning her fair skin as she suggested, "An enjoyable proposition, but how do we decide who goes first? Or do we all wish to share, at least for the first night?"

More blushes, none of them having any particular disagreement with such an arrangement—they had spent a fair few nights warming each other's beds on occasion—but the fact that such an occurrence could now happen with none other than their Ashikabi made the whole situation...embarrassing.

"If my sisters are amenable to this course of action...shall I propose it to master Alesandro? We may create a schedule or other organizational method afterwards."

Illustrious took the lead in finalizing such a plan, a moment of hesitation passing between the quartet...and then nods of acceptance were passed around, the pale-haired Sekirei finishing the meal she was working on before commenting, "Very well...then after dinner I shall ask master Alesandro if he desires to, ahem! Spend the night together?"

The four shared a blush and a giggle, thoughts alight with racey images and scenarios that they would hopefully get to act out in just a few short hours.

...They doubted their Ashikabi would turn them down. After all, he had showed no shortage of interest in them already.