Minato left the bathroom after having a quick shower, he passed by Kochou's room knowing that she is still sleeping and probably recovering from their night together. He went downstairs and heard Matsu and Miya talking about something that he couldn't hear but it had to be something important. The conversation grew clearer the closer he got to the kitchen.

"-Coming here." Matsu said

"Do you where she is?" Miya asked and he heard some pots and pans being moved meaning that she is in the process of cooking breakfast for everyone.

"No, she wandered into the park and from there I lost her." Matsu said just as Minato entered the kitchen. "Akitsu escaped from MBI." She told him.

"When?" Minato asked looking at the two women in the kitchen.

Matsu brought up a laptop that was sitting on the kitchen table and showed him security footage of Akitsu escaping from MBI. "She escaped last night, and I lost her in the park." She told him showing footage of Akitsu heading into the park.

"And she hasn't shown up yet?" Minato asked.

"No. She went into the park and hasn't shown up." Miya said taking a pan off the stove. "It's safe to say that she is headed here but since she hasn't left the tower."

"She doesn't know where we are exactly." Minato said finishing Miya's thought.

"Yes, most likely she is relying on the feelings of her reaction." Matsu said closing the laptop and setting it aside. "Right now it's unclear if she even can feel her reaction but given how she broke out and started to make her way north. It's unknown."

Minato gave Miya a hand with a breakfast dish before turning to face Matsu. "Keep an eye out for her and when she does resurface. Send Karasuba to get her and bring her back."

"Is that wise?' Miya asked looking at Minato with a questioning look. "Trusting Karasuba with such a task?"

"She gave her word and I need to see if she keeps it." Minato said holding her hand. "She needs to earn our trust."

"I'll go with her and make sure she does her task." Miya said earning a look from both Matsu and Minato.

"Are you sure?" Minato asked and Miya squeezed his hand lightly.

"Yes, it's time to for me to start taking a more active role in protecting our family." Miya said looking at Minato and the two shared a kiss and after they set out the breakfast for the Inn now that everyone save for Uzume is now starting to wake up. The residents came down one by one to partake in the breakfast and chat with each other.

"What are your plans today?" Minato asked the twins sitting next to him.

"Search a little more for another potential Ashikabi and if we can't-" Hibiki said before getting cut off by her sister.

"We'll go with Seo." Hikari said with a heavy sigh.

"I wish you luck." Miya told the twins before looking at Karasuba. "We need to be on standby toady."

"What for?" Karasuba asked setting down her teacup.

"Akitsu has escaped, and we have reason to believe that she is coming here."

"She can't be winged so why is she coming here?" Karasuba asked before looking at Minato and giving a light chuckle. "Guess I shouldn't be surprised. I'll be ready to go, it'll be fun working with you again."

"I'm sure it will be." Miya said ending the conversation and the rest of breakfast went by quickly, they made sure to save a plate for Uzume when she wakes up. Hibiki and Hikari left the inn after getting dressed to search for another potential Ashikabi. Matsu and Kochou went back to their rooms to continue monitoring the city and the other Sekirei through the many cameras in the city and the tracking program that MBI uses.

After helping clean the table and the dishes Minato decided to go for a walk in the city and Karasuba volunteered to go with him in case "trouble shows up" in her own words. So after they got dressed the two left the inn and walked towards the shopping district.

"We could have drove, so why the walk?" She asked walking side by side with Minato.

"A walk helps me think and we do need to have a talk." Minato said leading the walk to a park.

"Don't trust me?" Karasuba asked putting her hands in her pockets.

"I do but I know your history thanks to Matsu and Miya." Minato said stopping under a tree and looking at the leaves. "I know you will fight because of the tournament. What I need to know is are we going to have a problem when the fight is over." He asked looking Karasuba in the eyes making her sigh and look out to the skyline of the city.

"I don't know." Karasuba answered honestly. "From the moment I was awoken on this planet I was told my only purpose is to fight and protect the others. It's all I've known."

Minato looked at Karasuba in a new light seeing a woman who doesn't know what to do with herself when there is no fighting. Matsu told him that she would train and hone her skills during their down time and he saw that the few times he stumbled upon her doing sword training.

"Is that when you started to look down on humanity?" Minato asked leaning against the tree.

"According to Miya, my genetic code is geared towards fighting and the challenge of fighting is always thrilling." Karasuba said removing her hands from her pockets and looking at Minato.

"And since you haven't lost a fight against a human. You grew bored and that grew into hate." Minato surmised and the nod from her confirmed it. "You hated the fact that a human couldn't give you a real challenge aside from Miya and me."

"Yes, and now I have a fighting chance to rise to her level." Karasuba said getting close to Minato and wrapping her arms around his neck. Minato put his hands on her hips bring her closer. "I may not surpass her, but I can get on equal terms with her." She purred closing the distance and the two shared a kiss, soft at first and slowly became passionate when she pushed Minato against the tree pinning him.

Minato broke the kiss first earning a small whine from Karasuba. "Later and not when we're in public." He said seeing a blushing couple do a U-turn and walk away from them.

"I look forward to it." Karasuba said before gently biting his neck. "I'll show you the difference between Miya and me in the bedroom."

"Should I be worried?" Minato asked seeing a mischievous look in her eye as she let go of him and backed away from him.

"You'll see." Karasuba said with a smirk making Minato nervous as to what she has planned for their night together. "You're right about the walk, it puts things into perspective."

"We still have things to do, and our walk is far from over." Minato said and Karasuba nodded gesturing for him to lead the way. The two left the park and headed for the shopping district, along the way they spoke more about things such as where Minato is from and where he trained. He gave vague information knowing that they in public and that MBI is listening through the cameras. Plus he knew that she seen his memories when she emerged but he answered her questions as best he could while out in public.

The two made it to the shopping district and bought a couple of things for themselves and for some of the other residents, small things really nothing to large that they need a vehicle to get it back to the Inn. After shopping they stopped at a small diner and ordered some food for lunch and while they waited for it to be delivered Karasuba decided to ask more questions.

"The place where you grew up. What was it like?" She asked.

"It was beautiful." Minato said with a sigh having not really thought about the temple where he grew up in a long time. "The grounds around the temple were always green, the trees always in bloom all season round. People coming and going mainly to speak to my mother and father." Minato said with a chuckle at the memories of the Jedi Council coming to visit the temple to speak with his parents and then leaving disappointed.

"I remember spending time with my mother in the gardens when she wasn't teaching the new students." Minato said smiling at the memory of them spending time in the temple gardens going over lightsaber forms. "My father and I would spend time working in the shop, he taught me everything I know about mechanics." He laughed at a memory of his father showing him the internals of HK and accidentally turning him on and having HK yell at them for exposing his chest to any potential dangers.

"It sounds nice." Karasuba said feeling some of his emotions through their bond.

"Hmm…it was." Minato said and Karasuba felt his emotions change to negative ones. "Everything changed that day. Thankfully my aunts and uncles were there for me, and the teachings left behind by my parents."

"Shaped the way you are today." Karasuba said holding the teacup in her hands. "You've come a long way since then."

"Yeah, the first couple of years were bad." Minato said just as the food arrived and ended the conversation for the moment. They thanked the waiter who refilled their drinks before leaving to wait on another table leaving them alone.

"What happened?" Karasuba asked interested in the yearly years of her Ashikabi.

"I was consumed by rage and hate." Minato admitted. "I wanted nothing more than to get the man who hurt my family." He said choosing his words carefully since they are in public. "I was so focused on completing my task that I ignored everything else."

"I've had that problem." Karasuba said. "Usually happens when I'm hunting a target."

"Hmm, a single mistake was all it took to make me realize that anger hinders more than helps." Minato said looking at Karasuba. "After that I changed my way of thinking."

"And here you are." Karasuba said setting down her eating utensils. "Married to Miya and on MBI's watchlist."

"Should I be proud of the second?"

"Depends on how you view things."

"Then I'm not proud of the second." Minato said looking out the window to MBI's tower in the distance. "This game will end soon."

"I look forward to it." Karasuba said following his gaze to the tower. "It'll be fun to tear that tower apart."

"I thought you agreed with the Director." Minato said looking at Karasuba with surprise that she would open to destroying the company she fought to defend.

Karasuba looked at him with anger in her eyes. "I never agreed with him nor his game. I care for my sisters and the only reason I defended MBI is because I was bored and sometimes, they gave me a fun job."

"Matsu always said you didn't care for your sisters. That you also believe that the strong rule the weak" Minato said.

"Then she doesn't know me that well." She said looking at a camera tucked in the far corner of the diner. "As for the second, is it wrong to think so? Throughout human history the weak have been ruled over by the strong. They protect them and guide them.

"I've known people that have that mentality, and it didn't work out for them." Minato said thinking back to some of the Sith he fought in the past

"But they did have followers because they proved to be the strongest to lead." Karasuba offered her counter argument. "They didn't become a leader because they were weak, they did so because they were strong and had the strength to back it up."

"By that definition wouldn't that make you weak and me the strongest for being the leader of the Inn?" Minato asked and he saw the briefest flash of anger in her eyes before she smiled and chuckled a bit.

"Yes, I guess it does." Karasuba admitted. "The only other person who made me feel weak is Miya."

"Do you feel weak now?" Minato asked wanting to know.

"Not anymore." Karasuba said taking a sip of her tea. "Ever since I met you, I no longer feel that way. And I look forward to fully reaching my potential." She said the last part with a wink.

Minato blushed lightly at what she is suggesting. "Miya said something about you wanting me to train you?" He said changing the subject.

"Heh, yes I do." She said smiling at the obvious subject change. "Is that ok?"

"Yeah." Minato said with a nod. "I'll train you with Miya the next time we get together."

"Sounds fun." She said with a smirk before going back to eating her lunch.

Minato took a quick sip of his drink and looked at Karasuba. "You never answered my first question." Karasuba stopped eating and looked at him. "Matsu said that you didn't care for your sisters."

"Matsu isn't really the best judge of character. She spends all her time in front of a laptop and doesn't speak to anyone save for Miya and our sisters."

"What about her adjuster? Didn't she speak with him?"

"Takehito?" Karasuba said. "She rarely spoke with him other than voicing concerns about the security systems in place and the adjusting process. Like I said she only spoke to us."

"She's changed a lot since she ran away." Minato said defending Matsu. "She's a lot more open and talkative."

"Hmm." Karasuba simply said before finishing her tea. "I care for my sisters even though it may not seem like it. I was there watching over them in the beginning and continued to do so as they grew. I may not know them personally, but they are still of my race, my sisters."

With that the conversation ended and the two finished their lunch, paid the bill and left the diner to return to the inn along the way the two talked a bit more about small things.

"Excuse me." A female voice behind them asked and they turned around to see a petite, slim young woman with black hair cut just above her shoulders with blue eyes. She wore a brown school uniform.

'Yukari Sahashi.' Minato thought to himself upon seeing the only daughter of Takami Sahashi. "Yes?"

"Do you happen to know the location of Izumo Inn?" Yukari asked waving a piece of paper around frustrated. "These directions my mom gave me are bad, then again I shouldn't be surprised. She is pretty bad at giving directions. She only told me that it's in the North."

"We're headed there as well. You can tag along." Minato said while Karasuba chuckled behind her hand at the comment of Takami being bad at directions.

"Really? Thanks." Yukari said scrunching up the piece of paper and throwing it into the nearby trash can. "So… how is the Inn? I couldn't really find anything about it online."

"It's nice, peaceful, and quiet." Minato said leading the way with Karasuba beside him. "The owners don't really advertise the place online hence the lack of an online presence. She prefers a more traditional method when it comes to advertising."

"Meaning?" Yukari asked.

"Flyers and word of mouth." Karasuba explained.

"That is old fashioned." Yukari said shielding the sun from her eyes. "So… are you two married?"

"No." Karasuba answered before Minato could. "Minato here is married to the owner of the Inn. They do however have an open marriage." She said coming behind Minato and wrapping her arms around him bringing him close.

"Uh…" Yukari said unsure of what to say to what she's been told or the sight in front of her. "That's nice…?"

"It was a decision that we both made years ago." Minato said after Karasuba let him go and he saw a brief smirk no doubt happy to make the poor girl uncomfortable in their presence. "Most of the residents at the Inn are female with the only exception being myself and another resident that works nights."

"That sounds like a bad hentai plot." Yukari said shaking her head. "What happens if they can't pay?"

"Then they can do chores around the Inn." Minato said looking at Yukari. "The Inn stays clean as a result and the residents continue to live at the Inn."

"What about the open marriage part?" Yukari asked. "You or your wife don't sleep with the residents as another form of payment?"

"No, the residents know about our open marriage but never acted upon it." Minato said turning down the street that leads to the inn.

"I wouldn't say that." Karasuba added from her spot. "They never approach us, so we have to make the first move."

"This Inn sounds… interesting." Yukari said shaking her head. "I hope mom didn't make a mistake sending me here." She said the last part to herself.

"Here we are." Minato said stopping outside the gate to the Inn and opening it for Karasuba and Yukari to pass through, he closed it behind and the trio walked up the steps and entered the Inn.

Minato gave the bags to Karasuba who took them and left the two alone. "Follow me." He told Yukari leading her to the dining room where Miya said drinking tea with two cups set out.

"Welcome back, Minato." Miya said with a warm smile. "And we have a new guest."

"Yukari Sahashi." Yukari introduced herself and bowed feeling a powerful aura coming from the woman in front of her that she usually felt from her mother whenever she did something wrong. "I would like a room if it's possible."

"Welcome Yukari Sahashi to Izumo Inn." Miya welcomed her with a bow and a warm smile that instantly put the girl at ease. She gestured to an open seat that Yukari claimed and took a small sip of the tea set out. Minato sat down next to Miya and took a sip of the tea.

"Ahh…" Yukari after tasting the tea, the warm liquid calming her nerves. "I would like to rent a room if possible."

"Of course, we have plenty of rooms for you to choose." Miya told the girl. "You can move in today if you wish."

"Thank you, I'll take a room then." Yukari said with another sip of her tea. "I don't have a lot of stuff so I can move in later this evening." She said standing up and bowing at the couple. "Thank you so much."

Miya and Minato watched as Yukari finished the rest of her tea and left to get her things from wherever she is staying at. "Do you think her mom sent her here?" Minato asked looking to Miya.

"Without a doubt."

"For protection or something else?"

"Protection." Miya said refilling her tea. "Takami is very protective of her daughter. She knows that this is the safest place to be when the tournament enters the second phase."

Matsu entered the room with a phone held in her hand. "It's Takami." The redhead said approaching the two and putting the speaker on before setting on the table.

"Hello Takami." Miya said looking at the phone. "Spying on us?"

"Miya, and yes. The Director placed a standing observation order on the Inn and its occupants."

"Is that why you called?" Minato asked. "To let us know that MBI is spying on us?"

"It's nice to put a voice to the man in the mask. No, I'm calling regarding my daughter."

"We've already given her a room. She'll be safe here."

"…Thank you. With the second phase approaching any day now, there is no safer place for her than at the Inn."

"There is the possibility that she may attract a Sekirei while staying here." Miya told Takami. "The North has become a refuge for any unwinged that remain. She is after all your daughter."

Takami sighed on the other end of the call. "I know and I'm hoping its Homura at the very least. He's been helpful to me these past couple of months and there is a strong chance he might react to her."

Matsu shook her head in the background.

"We can't control who we react to." Miya reminded Takami. "Whoever reacts to her will be up to fate."

"I've never been a big fan of fate." Takami said. "Thank you again for giving my daughter a room at the Inn."

"I would never have turned her away, Takami." Miya said. "The child doesn't share the parent's sins."

"Thank you, Miya… I'll do what I can to help."

"Your help is welcome but not needed at this time." Miya told her. "When the time comes, that is when we need your help."

"Got it. Thank you again." Takami said before hanging up and ending the call. Matsu took the phone back and looked at Minato and Miya.

"Homura won't react to Yukari."

"Why?" Minato asked curious.

"He's reacting to someone else, and his body is changing." Matsu said looking at him and he put and two together.

"Oh…"

"Yes, Homura is reacting to you and his body is changing." Miya explained having seen the signs of a reaction.

"So, I'm causing his body to change." Minato said realizing how the silver haired man started to appear a bit more feminine in the past few days. "That's why he appears more run down. It's my fault."

Miya put a hand on his shoulder comforting him. "It's not your fault, Homura is a rare breed even among our people. They have the ability to change their sex based upon their Ashikabi's preference but due to Minaka's tampering that ability has been damaged resulting in his abilities growing unstable. My late husband did his best to repair the damage and the only way was to permanently set his genetic code to that of a male."

"And now that he's reacting to you, even if he ties to deny it." Matsu whispered the last part. "But since his Tama is damaged and held together with glue and tape. The transformation is taking a lot out of him both physically and mentally. Most likely it is also affecting his abilities and his control over them."

"I'll… talk with him when he returns." Minato said after a brief pause to think about what he just heard. He doesn't want to be the reason why Homura's body is changing against his will, in a way its almost like he's having that choice taken from him. "It's his choice and I won't take that from him."

Miya and Matsu nodded and smiled at the comment Minato made. Matsu returned to her room leaving Miya and Minato alone to relax and enjoy their tea while the others are off doing their own thing leaving the Inn quiet.

"I offered to train Karasuba during our next session." Minato informed Miya who didn't say anything and sipped her tea making him worry slightly.

"It's fine, I actually want to see how strong she can become." Miya finally said setting down her cup. "She has always pursued strength and now it's finally within her reach. I imagine she wants a proper spar sometime in the future to test how far she's come."

"I get the feeling you two could destroy the entire city in a serious fight."

Miya smiled at the comment. "I imagine we would. We still have some time before the others come back for a quick session with her."

"Alright, I'll track her down and see if she's up to it." Minato said finishing the rest of his tea before kissing Miya and leaving to track down Karasuba. He found her sitting in the courtyard cleaning her blade she looked up when he approached her. "We have some time before the others come back for a quick session."

"I look forward to learning from you." She said with a smile and sheathed her sword before standing up and following him to the basement. She set aside her sword and grabbed two wooden swords, tossing one to Minato before taking her spot on the mat while he took his.

"First lesson: Never rush-" Minato blocked an overhead strike from Karasuba who rushed him. After the block he countered by sweeping her legs knocking her onto the mat. "When you rush your opponent, you give them the edge. Attack their defenses and find an opening."

Karasuba didn't say anything and got back up rushing once again and again. Each time Minato blocked and countered her attacks, as the spar went on he noticed that she still rushed him but more carefully using feints to try and find an opening. Her fighting style remined him of the fallen jedi that like to use force to overwhelm their opponent and was one of the first foes he learned to counter and defeat. During the spar Karasuba wanted to know why he wasn't using his Force abilities and he responded by saying that she needs to improve her form before he starts using the Force to attack. She accepted the answer and the two continued without interruption.

Minato ended the spar after two hours after seeing an improvement in Karasuba's form. She even managed to land a few good hits on him making her smile after each hit, they put the training swords away and she grabbed her sword on the way out making sure to thank him for the lesson before leaving. Minato left a few minutes after Karasuba making sure to clean the sparring room for the next occupants, once clean he left the basement and headed for the dining room to check in and see what's needs doing around the Inn.

It was roughly around 2 o'clock that Uzume returned to the Inn with Yukari and another guest based on the voices Minato heard from the dining room where he is relaxing by reading a book. The voices grew louder and Uzume entered the dining room with a few shopping bags in one hand and a suitcase in the other. Yukari followed right after her with a large suitcase and backpack, her things most likely. And behind them is Chiho wearing a pale blue sundress and large hat, like Uzume she is carrying some shopping bags.

"Welcome back." Minato greeted them with a smile as he set down his book. "Looks like we have another guest."

Chiho removed her hat and bowed politely in greeting. "It's good to see you again, Minato. I'm here because of the invitation you extended to me when you helped me."

"I'm glad to see that you accepted it. Feeling better?"

"Yes, though I'm still weak but well enough that the doctors felt ok about releasing me." Chiho replied with a smile.

"That's good to hear." Minato said also smiling. "Feel free to choose a room and get settled in. I'm sure Uzume will be happy to give you a tour of the Inn when you're ready. That extends to you as well, Yukari."

"Thanks, but I'll explore on my own." Yukari said picking up the large suitcase and heading upstairs to pick out her room.

"Follow me." Uzume told Chiho setting down the suitcase and the bags before showing her options for her room. The two women left the room to scout out a potential room for Chiho leaving him alone again to continue reading. An hour passed when the three women returned to the living room minus any bags or luggage, Uzume is currently giving Chiho the tour of the Inn while Yukari hung back a bit. She waited until the two women left the dining room before sitting down at the table across from Minato who looked at her.

"Yes?"

"Who are you really?"

"I'm the husband to Miya and co-owner of the Inn." Minato said closing the book and looking at Yukari. "Why do you ask?"

"I'm no fool." Yukari said with a sigh. "I know my father is the director of MBI and most likely at the head of whatever is going on this city."

"What do you mean?"

"Property damage, whole blocks destroyed, and Higa Izumi attacked. All within the past two weeks." Yukari said listing off the strange things that have been happening all around the city. "My mother is probably also involved in whatever is going on."

"How much do you know?" Minato inquired, curious about what she knows.

"Not much at all other than the weird things that I listed."

"Then you'll learn in time."

Yukari sighed in frustration. "That's what I was afraid you'd say. Worth a shot, though." She got up from the table and left the room leaving Minato to his book when he heard the front door open and heard footsteps coming towards the dining room. Homura entered the dining room looking haggard and dripping wet for some reason.

"Busy day?" Minato asked taking in his appearance, his face appeared more feminine and his body slenderer.

"Ye-yeah." Homura said his voice slighter higher in pitch before he coughed, and his voice returned to normal. "Had a run in with an old friend."

"That explains why you're wet."

Homura blushed slightly at his choice of words and turned away. "I should get dried off and get some sleep for tonight." He said leaving the room.

"Homura…" Minato said stopping him right at the door frame. "We need to speak when you have the time. It's about your situation."

"Sure." Homura said leaving the room for the bathroom to dry off. He thought back to what Minato said about talking and he felt his heartrate go up making him stop and lean against the wall for support when his body started to heat up. "Not now." He willed the heat to die down and for once it obeyed him and the heat slowly died making him pant.

"Are you okay?" A female voice asked behind him and when he turned he saw a younger version of Takami with black hair.

"I'm fine, I get lightheaded at times." Homura said finally meeting face to face with Takami's daughter. "Are you new to the Inn?"

"Yeah, I just moved in earlier and now exploring."

"Cool, I'm Homura. A tenant here for a while." Homura introduced himself and offered his hand.

"Yukari Sahashi." Yukari also introduced herself and shook his hand. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine, I just need to rest."

"Okay, take care and see you around." Yukari said leaving Homura in the hallway and resumes exploring the Inn.

Homura watched as Yukari left the hallway and he looked at his hand forming a fist. "I didn't react to her." He whispered to himself and unclenched his fist and quickly went back to his room to rest and to think about what happens next.

Nightfall fell upon the city as workers left their offices for home or to the nearest bar to unwind with coworkers and talk about their day. For one person in the park, it is a different story for them it is time to resume their journey to find the one they seek.

Akitsu stood on top of a tree to get a better view, she looked up the city seeing the streetlights glow and light up the city making it a majestic sight to behold. Since she spent all of her life within MBI headquarters she didn't get to see much of the outside, but she still received the same training the others did and she really didn't get much time to take in the sights when she first escaped MBI being more concerned with having the Discipline Squad sent after her and being taken back to the tower after seeing her Ashikabi.

"Where are you?" Akitsu asked the wind and of course received no answer, she held a hand over her heart feeling that same warmth she felt from before though not as strong as when she felt it in the dream. She felt the warmth guiding her to the North but it didn't give her any more direction than that. She sighed to herself and jumped down landing gracefully and kicking up dust.

A clapping sounded throughout the forest, Akitsu quickly turned around to the source of the clapping and saw a slim teenage boy with brown hair, he wore a white formal suit with gold highlights in certain places and by his side a Sekirei that Akitsu didn't want to see again.

Sekirei number 5, Mutsu of the first-generation Discipline squad.