Chapter 15: Norito

"So if I had to go out on a limb here I'd say that MBI's adjustments to your bodies included restricting your ability to properly make full use of your powers without an Ashikabi present. Stories suggest that the original and baseline Sekirei had considerable power with or without their chosen around to aid them."

Alesandro's expression soured at that admission, his flock staring at him with open curiosity as he continued with, "The more I think about what Hiroto and his company have done to all of you the more I find myself not inclined to let them off the hook..."

"Big brother doesn't need to worry about Unicorn and her sisters...they're happy just being with their Ashikabi."

Offering a wry grin to the smaller girl the male responded, "While I appreciate the sentiment, Unicorn...this is more a matter of principal. That man and his organization have freely tampered with my distant ancestors, basically making a mockery of our heritage."

Realizing that his words were yet again implying that his flock were imperfect and flawed Alesandro quickly added, "Of course, for a 'mockery' you four make me not really miss the originals."

Illustrious smirked from where she stood next to him, aiding in the preparation for a quick lunch of sandwiches and leftovers from last night. If there was a singular flaw to having his flock around him it was that food expenses were going to become quite...demanding. Especially since he himself was by no means a small eater.

"It is fortunate that we are somewhat familiar with your speech mannerisms at this point, master Alesandro. That was a rather crass statement to make."

Sheepishly grinning as he continued to efficiently slather the bread with mustard, lettuce and tomatoes the Ashikabi responded, "Yeah...turns out I'm not the best when it comes to not sticking my foot in my mouth. Sorry if—or maybe I should say when—I inevitably say something that's rude to the four of you."

Internally grateful that the quartet of Sekirei were the understanding sort—or maybe that was just another result of MBI's meddling—Victorious placed her elbows on the dining room table, cupping her recently washed face with her palms as she said, "You seem to place significant weight on the supposedly hurtful things that you say about us, Alesandro. Have you considered that perhaps we are now aware that you do not mean all of the statements you proclaim?"

Ruefully chuckling the tanned male wryly stated, "Better safe than sorry. And you forget, I can tell through the bond if something genuinely makes you uneasy or unhappy. Which includes some of my earlier comments about MBI and your adjustments."

"Ah. That is true."

Noting the sheepish tone of the blonde Sekirei Formidable came to the rescue with, "What were the original Sekirei like, master? You have often spoken of them as myths and tales of old...but do you carry firsthand reports or stories with you of them? I will admit I'm quite fascinated how our unaltered brothers and sisters may have behaved..."

Nodding at the question Alesandro replied, "From stories passed down through the generations the original colonists were not very restrained individuals, having strong personalities and wills. Perhaps most importantly, they didn't overly focus on what their Ashikabi desired."

He raised a hand to forestall the inevitable questions, continuing with, "Make no mistake, the search for a bonded was still incredibly important but they very much had their own agencies and wishes, often embarking on quests or adventures that captured Humanities imagination, giving birth to modern day legends."

A smirk appeared on the male's face, tone amused as he stated, "Rumor has it that the Sekirei often used those adventures as a sort of vetting process, to see if those that travelled, explored or fought with them were worthy of being their Ashikabi."

His flock listened with clear interest, Alesandro turning to face them before gravely announcing, "This is why I was so worried about the adjustments MBI was making. By altering all of you to be so utterly obsessed with your Ashikabi's wishes and subservient to their desires they're essentially removing a great deal of free will your ancestors possessed, which enabled them to find the best possible partners."

Illustrious slowly nodded, stating, "I can see why you would be so worried, master Alesandro...and I suppose it is quite lucky that we ourselves found such an excellent Ashikabi."

"Aww, I like flattery."

The snowy-haired Sekirei playfully smiled at him, Formidable quietly musing, "But for those of our sisters who would not have the fortune to be Winged by such knowledgeable or caring individuals..."

"Exactly. They would be stuck in a relationship with a subpar person that is neglectful either out of ignorance or genuine malice, aforementioned person gaining the unquestioning loyalty and affection of a man or woman that only desires love."

A clear grunt of disquiet left the male as he finished the platter he was working on, bringing it to the table as they all eagerly began tucking in.

"The more I think about what MBI is doing the less I like it...and I was already not much of a fan."

"Unicorn...better understands some of big brother's frustration now."

Conversation ceased for a short while as they polished off lunch, the male eventually stating, "Well, on to a more pleasant subject...ready to try out the full extent of your powers?"

Four expressions lit up with eagerness as Alesandro shook his head in amusement, knowing perfectly well what they were looking forward to.

"Whoever designed the Norito's restriction to be undone by kissing? You're both a degenerate fool and someone who's work I appreciate."

"Alright, Victorious. We'll see what you can do first."

The blonde joyously bounced forward, all beaming smiles as she stood at proud attention before her Ashikabi, jutting out her generous chest before announcing, "Of course, I shall offer up a showing most dazzling~!"

Resisting the temptation to roll his eyes at the Sekirei's grand proclamation—for all that he enjoyed their austere and royal mannerisms some were just outright amusing—the Ashikabi lightly gripped the back of his Sekirei's skull, turning her proud and confident demeanor into one of blushing embarrassment as a squeak left her mouth, the male bending lower slightly so that he could bring their lips together in a searing kiss.

Even as Victorious moaned into her Ashikabi's mouth wings of golden light sprouted from her back, a breathy sigh of satisfaction escaping her as she quietly intoned, "Sing at the top of your lungs for me, o' beautiful world..." before a nearly blinding glow ensconced her body, similar to her usual ability but obviously magnitudes more powerful.

"Sister Formidable? If you would?"

Without comment or question the ashen-haired woman launched a simple but powerful punch at her sister's arm, the hit barely even jostling Victorious as the ethereal glow seemed to shine all the brighter-

-and an irreverent swing of the blonde's arm unleashed force many times more powerful than what she'd been struck with, the interior of the room shaking madly and their hair jumping upwards with the passage of the wind.

"...Well I'll be. Don't hit Victorious when her Norito is activated."

A single, plain punch was turned into that? Alesandro was impressed. Something that didn't go unnoticed by the Sekirei as she proudly allowed her Norito to fade...and sent the Ashikabi a childish pout, complaining, "Was such an aggressive kiss necessary? Allow a maiden a chance to properly prepare herself!"

Raising his hands in surrender at the frankly adorable sight of a pouting girl who had the body of a supermodel he turned to Formidable, asking, "Feel up to the challenge?"

"Of course, master."

Normally placid features were replaced with an eager smile, the woman standing before her Ashikabi with a patient air as she closed her eyes, Alesandro lightly cupping her chin before gifting her a gentle but deep kiss, grey sails manifesting behind her back before they parted, the red-orange eyes of the Sekirei filled with satisfaction as she confidently chanted, "The time has come for the curtain to be lowered!"

As she completed her mantra the male felt something like early morning mist settle on his skin, shades of grey enveloping his form-

-and the world slowed, his balance impaired and brain tossed into a thick porridge that almost had him falling on his face, had arms that maybe belonged to Formidable not caught him and held him upright.

"...ter? I...for...apologies."

The thick muck seemed to flee from his body, the Ashikabi violently shaking his head as Formidable helped him upright with a blush of embarrassment as her sisters also seemed off-balance, although not as much as the male.

"Yow. Formidable, that ability is scary. You could single-handedly turn the tide of battle with that...provided there's a way to keep allies from being affected as well."

"Agreed. That sensation was quite disturbing, dear sister."

Illustrious's wry comment caused Formidable to somewhat sheepishly nod her head in agreement, Alesandro comfortingly laying a hand on her shoulder before motioning to Illustrious, asking, "Ready?"

"Oh quite so~!"

Gracefully striding forward on bare feet the Sekirei curtsied playfully, remarking, "Please be gentle, master Alesandro?"

"I aim to please."

Drawing her into a slightly modified embrace that had her lifted off the ground somewhat their lips met, no noise escaping the pair aside from a soft flutter of the pale sheets that billowed from Illustrious's back, the duo separating as the Sekirei flushed with euphoria.

"Holy light, grant me power..."

At that proclamation several panes of gray, hexagonal shields sprang to life with tinkling chimes around them, rotating in random directions as the male carefully tapped one with his finger, finding it to be as solid and unyielding as any metal.

"Do you think you can control these, Illustrious?"

Setting the Sekirei down she closed her eyes in concentration, nothing happening for a moment...and the shields snapped into a perfectly airtight array in front of them before once again dissipating into a rotating cage, Illustrious happily stating, "It seems I can, master Alesandro."

Dissipating the shields the pale-haired woman gently pushed Unicorn forward, the smaller Sekirei hesitantly stating, "Big brother? How will we test Unicorn's powers?"

Offering a reassuring smile as he picked her up like she weighed nothing, bringing their faces to an even level he told her, "Don't worry about it, we'll find out a way to test it."

And with that he passionately lip-locked with the lithe woman, a far more vocal moan of enjoyment escaping Unicorn as angelic wings of purple unfurled from her slim back.

"Unicorn...will now do her best!"

Showing a great deal of enthusiasm contrary to her quiet demeanor the Sekirei jumped to the ground below, palms tingling with verdant energy as she looked around-

-and faltered, grasping Uni more tightly as she asked, "Big brother? What should Unicorn be doing right now?"

"One moment."

Ignoring the four sister's confused glances he unfurled a pocket knife...and rammed it through his arm with a hiss of pain, avoiding anything vital but still drawing serious blood and agony.

"B-big brother?!"

Unicorn was frantically grabbing at his arm within a second, shouts of alarm emanating from the other Sekirei as an overpowering emerald glow suffused the man's limb, the lithe girl's face scrunched up in concentration as an intense and unabating itching sensation crawled across his flesh...before numbness then warmth ensconced it, the male's eyes going wide as muscle and skin reknit itself before, in less than a minute, his arm was as good as new.

"Incredible...OW!"

Rubbing his leg as Unicorn pinched it with a teary gaze the tiny Sekirei complained, "Don't scare Unicorn or her sisters like that, big brother."

Rubbing his neck in mild regret and sheepishness he quickly explained, "Sorry, but I felt that was a pretty safe experiment to run. Since all of your powers were essentially enhanced versions of your baseline abilities and Unicorn can heal, a simple flesh wound wouldn't be too far outside of her capacity to fix. I'll admit she surpassed my expectations with how quickly it went, though..."

The male trailed off as he noticed the collection of cross and irritated expressions being sent his way.

"And I get the distinct impression that isn't a good enough rationale?"

Victorious smacked him across the arm as Formidable pinched the bridge of her nose, Illustrious frowning heavily as she stated, "Master Alesandro, do give us warning if you are to perform such self-harm in the future. Seeing our Ashikabi injured—no matter if it is intended or not—is incredibly distressing."

Recognizing the genuine unease he'd caused the four he bowed his head, tone apologetic as he stated, "My apologies, I'm...more used to home life with the Custodes Avem than I am with everything else. Injuries and other stuff like that are considered a manner of course there, consequences of being descended from a warrior culture."

He shrugged helplessly.

"Nowhere near as Spartan as we used to be but there's still some pretty heavy leftovers, as you can no doubt tell."

Victorious huffed out a sigh.

"Understandable, Alesandro. But do attempt to not take undue risks. As our Ashikabi should you perish we will do so right alongside you."

Feeling his lips quirk in amusement he teased, "As nice as that is to hear I don't think that's quite the case."

Silence filled the room as the sisters glanced at each other in confusion, slowly dawning comprehension lighting up their features before a clearly nervous Formidable turned to their Ashikabi, hesitantly clarifying, "Actually, master...that was a literal statement. A Sekirei bonded to their Ashikabi would perish if the Ashikabi were to die. MBI was quite explicit about that part."

A tender silence spread throughout the gym room...and the four sisters violently flinched or recoiled as a wave of unmitigated fury—thankfully not directed at them—washed across the bond they shared.

"So...the alterations even went that far, huh?"

The quartet of Sekirei winced as Alesandro closed his fist so tightly that the bones within cracked in quick succession, none of them daring to look at the snarl that decorated their Ashikabi's face.

"Alright, Hiroto...enjoy your last days on Earth, I guarantee they'll be Hellish ones."