Chapter VII


Staring out the window at the motionless street was somewhat calming. Zeilla's head was full of her observations of both Yashima and Yuuma and she was attempting to determine a course of action that would not hurt her overly attached Sekirei yet did not encourage her attachment further. The two opposing desired results waged a war in her mind even late into the night. The quiet and stillness would aid her - or so she hoped.

Something else was nagging away at her in the background, but she hadn't the faintest idea what. The distraction was only prolonging her considerations.

Suddenly Yashima gasped and sat up, eyes wide and searching the room. "Z-sama!"

"Hmm?"

The girl panted for a few moments, searching the room even after finding her Ashikabi at the window.

"Yashima?"

"Its... It's nothing... It must have been a dream..."

There was a knock on the door and Yuuma poked his head in. The two Sekirei locked eyes for only a second but the tension in the room shot up a hundred-fold.

"Yuuma, out. Both of you back to sleep." Zeilla ordered, leaving the room herself.

Perhaps some air will clear my mind. Never before has sleep eluded me. Is this a side effect of being an Ashikabi?

There was still that nagging feeling. It had gotten greater too. Zeilla could feel worry, fear and a little spark of pleasure. The feelings were completely unrelated to her headspace.

Something strange is going on here. I think I'll see what information I can extract from that MBI hospital.

Without the risk of being seen by ordinary citizens Zeilla was free to use her augmented strength. Without Sekirei at her side either there was no need to restrict herself to the rooftops. The Spartan took full advantage of the lesser gravity compared to Reach by cutting loose and running as fast as she could. Bounding several meters with every stride it appeared more like how one would bounce on the moon.

Reaching the hospital didn't take long at all. By her standards, it was a short sprint north-ward and through into the north-western side of the city center. Only then did she ascend to a roof and climb a high-rise to spot the hospital standing clear of all other buildings.

Zeilla took a moment to collect her thoughts before leaping down across a few buildings and into the parking lot, then headed inside.

As she entered a security guard looked at his phone, then her hooded face, then his phone again. Zeilla frowned at that and made a mental note to investigate later.

"Good evening- er, morning, how can I help you?" a middle-aged nurse asked as she neared the front desk.

"I am curious about potential complications of winging." Zeilla said cautiously. "Is there someone I can speak to regarding the bond between Sekirei and Ashikabi?"

The woman nodded and flipped through a folder casually. "If you take a seat and wait a minute I'll have one of the scientists come down and collect you."

Sensing the dismissal Zeilla decided to comply. It would give her more time to prepare questions for this scientist.

In ten minutes a man of around sixty exited the elevator and came towards her. He showed all the signs of unhealthy stress levels including profuse sweating.

"I'm a researcher with MBI studying the bond." he said quickly by way of greeting, sounding annoyed. "I am very busy so let's get right to answering what questions I can. What seems to be your problem?"

Zeilla narrowed her eyes under her hood as she barely had to look up at the short man. "What is the nature of this bond? Besides the signs of winging and the forming of a crest are there any evidences to its existence."

The man swallowed. "Yes, though no Ashikabi has permitted an examination yet. Sekirei at the health checkup reported a kind of rudimentary telepathy with their Ashikabi, and those Sekirei of the Ashikabi of the South mentioned a greater sensitivity to not only their master's emotions and thoughts but also of each other."

"Telepathy." Zeilla repeated.

"Yes, telepathy. We have yet to discover a case of more than the most basic feelings being transmitted and received clearly but as far as we can tell it is largely an unconscious process. Theoretically, bonded beings could communicate as clearly as speech or perhaps more so considering the emotional connection but such a bond requires much effort on the part of the Ashikabi." he rattled off hurriedly. "Is there something else or can I get back to work? I really am under a lot of time pressure."

"Just a moment. What must Ashikabi do to progress these telepathic bonds?"

The researcher sighed and stuffed his hands in the pockets of his lab coat. "To become more powerful an Ashikabi typically must bond with more Sekirei. The easiest way, that is. Over time as the two become more familiar with each other the bond strengthens. There is a theory buzzing around that falling in love with their Sekirei would significantly boost an Ashikabi's power. The focus of my own research is the physical effects of-"

"How does this telepathy manifest?"

He huffed at her interruption. "Sudden feelings not your own, greater understanding of the other's thoughts, occasional unnatural awareness of the other... Not much has been documented as nobody has bothered to give us the chance to study them."

Zeilla scowled. She did not like the idea of people being able to read her mind one bit. "Thank you, I believe this will be helpful in my situation."

"If you wouldn't mind dropping by for tests some time I would be happy to arrange a session with my superior or you could leave your contact details with the nurse at reception." he told her tiredly and left without waiting for a response.

Zeilla was about to depart herself when one of the security guards spoke into his radio.

"Lock down the roof access. If Sekirei are fighting up there we can't let them get in and endanger the staff. Keep them out and hope they go away."

A Sekirei battle? I could do with some insight into the way they fight.

Zeilla quickly exited the hospital and circled around until she found a solid looking drain pipe, then carefully ascended to the roof. Voices and the clashing of metal reached her ears. The Spartan padded towards the sounds and peered over the edge of the peeked roof down at a lower level flat roof with railing around the edges. A squat structure in the middle appeared to be a fire escape door.

Two young women were in a standoff, one seeming angry and the other merely irritated. They clashed blades for three seconds before disengaging again for another stare down.

Zeilla studied them in the stillness.

One had shortish brown hair, a tight green short dress with a blue line down the right front and the orange-red Sekirei symbol on the left. To account for it ending too high for modesty she also wore black shorts and light green thigh high boots. She held a pair of short slightly curved swords in her hands, blades along her forearms and ready to defend.

The other had a black vest exposing half her stomach under an olive-green jacket that clearly once had sleeves before they were hacked off roughly. She also had short shorts though belted and her knee boots were red, tightly laced up the shin. Well-worn bandages were wrapped around her hands, elbows and knees. This fire-haired girl totted a silvery polearm with a 'H' shaped blade held at the bridge by two pointed forks. She was tense, probably the lesser of the two, despite being the aggressor from what little Zeilla had seen.

Wait... I've seen that colour before... The young ginger owner of that cafe! Same height, same build, hair about the same length but up in a high ponytail.

The dual wielder suddenly gasped and brought a hand to her chest, flushing and staggering back a step. The redhead took a step back too in surprise.

"You're unwinged! How can you defend against me so easily?" the tomboy growled.

The older alien smiled and panted. "You are quite high on the scale, number one hundred and two. I am number nineteen, Ikki. Such a gap puts you far below my strength."

"Ah, but now you are reacting to an Ashikabi." the halberd wielder smirked. "If they come closer you won't be able to fight me off any more than if you were blind."

Ikki laughed a little and blushed heavily. "But my Ashikabi is right over there." she breathed triumphantly and pointed with her left sword hilt.

The redhead followed her gaze... Right to Zeilla.

Crap.

"Hey! That's my Ashikabi!" the redhead snapped angrily.

Oh shit...

Ikki's brow shot up. "You have your wings and still can't touch me?"

"Shut up! We haven't kissed yet is all. I came here to do it properly this time but you had to show up and get in the way!"

"I came seeking my Ashikabi." Ikki countered. "Wait... Hotaruso... If you didn't kiss..."

"I sampled her saliva off a glass she drank from yesterday." 102 pouted. "I knew her other Sekirei would never let me close enough if she saw me going for it."

What the hell...

Zeilla dropped down to stand between them. "Hotaruso, are you telling me that you winged yourself without me knowing it, let alone agree to it?"

"It's just Ruso." she said, ducking her head a little. "I didn't want to have to fight before getting your seal. I would have done it properly if it weren't for your other two sitting there, I swear!"

The Spartan groaned. "I can't believe this is happening."

"I couldn't believe Id met an Ashikabi so perfect for me." Ruso countered. "You have red hair and green eyes. You're tall and strong too - just like me- hey what are you doing?!"

Suddenly Zeilla was forcefully spun around and Ikki dived in for a kiss before she could respond. The Sekirei kept it short and moaned happily as bright teal wings burst into the night.

"My Ashikabi, now and for many years to co-"

Ruso kicked Ikki aside, seething. "I haven't even kissed her yet!" she roared, then she too assaulted the Spartan's mouth but far more roughly.

As the orange wings flared out behind Ruso Zeilla realised in less than twenty-four hours she had gone from one Sekirei to four.

What the hell am I going to do now?! She screamed in her mind.

Ruso suddenly recoiled from her passionate kiss looking afraid and confused. "Did... Did I do something wrong? I studied kissing a lot to make sure I'd be good at it."

Ikki snorted. "No, she is angry that we didn't give her any warning."

"Hey, shut up you! You don't even know our Ashikabi's name!"

"Oh? And you do?"

"Yes. Her second Sekirei called her Zeilla." Ruso declared with pride.

Ikki's smug murmur darked the other's mood. "Thanks for telling me."

"Dam... You sneaky little-"

Sneaky? Me? You winged yourself with a glass!"

"Ladies, please stop everything and be quiet for a minute." the Spartan commanded over any retort.

Both Sekirei seemed to agree their Ashikabi's words were more important than fighting each other.

"It's been a long day." Zeilla began. "Out of nowhere three Sekirei have decided it was a good idea to wing themselves to me. Right now, I'm short on sleep and have the three of you to consier in how I live my life. Do you see what I mean?"

Ikki nodded and sheathed her blades at the back of her belt but Ruso looked angry.

"We were supposed to celebrate, just you and me. It's all her fault!"

Zeilla held up a hand to which Ruso reduced herself to unintelligible mutterings. "It's about half two in the morning. Let's all go back to how we were before and meet back here in twenty-four hours to sort everything out with all four of you present. Any objections?"

Ikki shook her head. Ruso looked like she wanted to argue but at the last second clamped her jaw shut and folded her arms over her modest bust with a grunt.

"Good. Go home and sleep, you crazy aliens."

Ikki snickered. "And I thought you were the crazy one. Did you know the MBI soldiers have called you the 'Ashikabi of War' ever since you broke out? They were no match for your tactics at all."

Ruso became starry-eyed and edged closer to the Spartan. "They really call her that? That's awesome!"

Zeilla rubbed her face with her hands and exhaled slowly. "Off with the pair of you and I don't want you rocking up outside at sunrise either. Get going."

Ikki laughed and waved, then took a running leap into the sky and vanished from sight.

"My 'Ashikabi of War', now and forever." Ruso uttered with barely contained anticipation as she edged closer again. "I can't wait to fight beside you. We will slaughter all who stand against us."

"Go home." Zeilla deadpanned.

"A kiss for the road?"

"No."

The Sekirei pouted and shuffled back a few steps. "Okay, too much too soon. But I'll be here early tonight waiting for you!" she decided and got herself fired up again. "Later, Z!"

Ruso couldn't have sprung away sooner in Zeilla's mind. "She is going to be a handful. At least Yuuma doesn't push. Ah, crap, Yashima won't like this at all." she hissed and began climbing down off the roof.

If anyone needs time to adjust its Yashima.


As soon as Zeilla stepped inside Yashima came hurtling through the air and almost tackled her outside again. The Spartan managed to shuffle around and shut the door behind her but moving further into the flat was going to be problematic unless she could calm Sekirei #84.

"Yashima?"

"I won't let them take you away, Z-sama!" she sobbed. "I can beat them! Don't leave me, please!"

Zeilla swallowed. She had a feeling this might happen. "So, you could feel the winging through our bond."

The teen nodded and hugged tighter.

"Remember Hotaruso from the cafe? Sekirei number one-oh-two. Also winged to me is number nineteen, Ikki. Both are weapon users. They tracked me down at the MBI hospital." she explained. "Ruso is devious despite her seemingly short temper. Ikki is certainly the most mature Sekirei I've run into besides Kagari."

"Where are they now?"

"I sent them both away for now. At two AM tomorrow all five of us will meet on top of the MBI hospital where we can sit down and discuss everything together. Plenty of time to prepare yourself."

Yashima sniffed. "At least Yuuma doesn't do anything, even if he does irritate us all with his attitude. But two more girls? This is a nightmare - I want to wake up and have it just us again."

"Wishful thinking gets nothing done, Yashima."

"I know... But... Can I just dream a little longer?"

Zeilla sighed while Yukari wandered into the entry way rubbing at her eyes. "At some point, you will have to face reality. Better to prepare in advance because reality doesn't have fragile feelings."

Yukari took a moment to analyse the scene before her. "Is this what I think it is?"

"Depends entirely on what you think it is." Zeilla replied. "What 'this' is... It is the result of two more Sekirei deciding to wing themselves to me."

Yukari's eyes bulged. "You have four! Wow!"

Yuuma arrived with a yawn. "Its past three AM. What's the fuss? It's just two more Sekirei."

Yukari's pupils darted between Zeilla and Yuuma. "You knew already?"

"Clearly so did Yashima." Zeilla said, then cleared her throat. "Let's deal with this in the morning because miss Eighty-Four here certainly needs her sleep."

The aforementioned Sekirei sniffed and nuzzled into her Ashikabi's abdomen. "I'm not letting go." she mumbled. "They'll steal you away."

The Spartan resisted the urge to express her growing frustration.

I doubt I shall be blessed with sleep tonight.


"Aww... Another dead end."

Zeilla was growing concerned. Yesterday - besides all the other stuff - she and Yashima had shadowed Yukari and Shiina around the city but found no child that fit Shiina's description or felt like the one they sought. Today Yukari was irritated and took her frustration with the situation out on various people. The latest victim was an Ashikabi's manly pride... And potentially his ability to produce offspring. It wasn't enough for Yukari that Shiina had easily defeated every Sekirei they encountered, the girl had to get a few shots in at someone.

It's still morning. How bad will she be tonight, or tomorrow?

Yukari's phone rang and she answered it excitedly.

"Shiina is so strong." Yashima said, admiration clear in her voice. "I heard rumors about the elemental Sekirei but to see him overpower everyone else..."

"From what I've seen you are all balanced. Elementals are powerful but physically lesser than weapon users like yourself." Zeilla countered simply. "Those who fight with just their body are even stronger but less versatile than a weapon user which is in turn more limited than an elemental. It's all about application - how you use your abilities."

Yashima bobbed her head thoughtfully. "Elementals are dependent on their power, aren't they? Being so strong and all."

"Yep. In that regard Sekirei like Benitsubasa likely have the greatest advantage. She can take some punishment and keep pressing but an elemental probably can't."

"Then I must be closer to the fist-types than the elementals." #84 concluded. "I was born to wield a hammer. My only power is my Norito and I am strong because of my weapon's weight."

Zeilla nodded. "Now let's think about Shiina. He isn't very strong by Sekirei standards. It will take a long time for him to build muscle, so how would you train him for combat in the mean time?"

The teen hummed and knit her brows together.

"Hey, Z-chan, Ya-chan! My brother just called." Yukari shouted up at them, oblivious to Shiina clapping his hands over his ears. "We're going to meet in front of the station. Want to come?"

Zeilla gave her a thumbs-up and looked for a good route she could take across the rooftops.

"I think I got it. He needs to fight smart, not hard. Maybe a martial art?"

"Good thinking. Something fast and strategic or makes use of the opponent's strength against them."

Yashima grinned, then bowed her head and sighed. "But we don't know any martial arts."

Zeilla smirked and ruffled her hair, upsetting the placement of her ribbon. "How do you think such arts started? I know some techniques involving disarming an opponent so we adapt those and make the rest up by experimenting."

"Uh, Yukari and Shiina are getting ahead of us."

"Thanks. Plant our little message in the Ashikabi's pocket and catch up to me. Then we shall discuss Shiina's training in more detail while she chops another bunch down to size."


In the last fading light of the sunset Shiina wiped the sweat from his brow and let himself off the roof to the ground. Zeilla watched as he returned to Yukari's side for a break by the fountain, trying to see what it was about being near his Ashikabi that revitalised him enough to return in mere minutes to continue sparring. It was a pattern they established in the hour the four had waited for Yukari's brother: Zeilla and Shiina would fight until he was defeated, Yukari would towl him off a bit and cheer him on before he returned for some instruction and another fight. Yashima, well... Yashima had fallen asleep some time in the first half hour.

The Spartan sighed. Shiina was reasonably quick to learn if you could keep him thinking of what they were doing as protecting Yukari, but otherwise he clamned up with worry that he might access his power.

Another matter of some concern was the tardiness of the older Sahashi. It was getting late for any dinner arrangements and Yukari was getting restless, divided between anger at her brother and frustration over the Ku-hunt.

Also, tonight would be another short on sleep.

Zeilla rolled her shoulders back and shook out each limb, then picked up her workout from where she had left off last time Shiina had given in. If the kid was ever going to be a competent fighter, he would need a lot more work than she had put into Yashima's training.

Still, the Spartan would prefer it if Yukari's brother would arrive so they could get the day finished.

Sooner than expected Shiina leapt back up to the roof. "Yukari's brother had a sudden errand to run and couldn't make it." he said, sounding a little glum. "Sorry we wasted your time."

Zeilla rolled her eyes and went over to wake Yashima. "Shiina, pardon my French but... You need to grow some balls. Yukari's brother wasted all our time if anyone did, but we still managed to make use of the situation."

The male Sekirei blinked. "French?"

"Never mind, forget I said anything. Let's return to base."

Due to the late hour Zeilla had Yashima carry Yukari so they could cover distance rapidly. She wasn't game to ask Shiina for several reasons - including but not limited to his recent exertion.

Once back in Yukari's flat they found Yuuma laying on the floor in the kitchen with his shirt off, resulting in Yukari needing to be distracted by Shiina asking what they would do for dinner. Number 50 quickly vacated the room.

"Yuuma, do you make a habit of impersonating a sloth?" Zeilla asked as she tracked him to the bathroom.

"No, but the cool floor felt good." he replied, voice void of emotions besides boredom. "I just got back from the gym. Being winged has given me a lot more energy and I feel stronger too. I lost track of time."

The Spartan raised a brow. "I just realised I never asked about your specialisation and power. Do you mind enlightening me?"

Yuuma finished splashing water over his rather defined torso and put his shirt back on, ignoring how it clung to him and leaning against the vanity. "To be frank I've never considered myself much of a fighter." he drawled, feigning disinterest. "I can form a thin but highly dense and resilient material over myself - and if I choose to - an object that I touch, rendering myself and the object practically invulnerable ... But the price is mobility. Whatever I envelop is then unable to move. The material doesn't discriminate. I can't breathe either."

Zeilla ran the information around in her mind several times. "You're an elemental Sekirei, then. An interesting ability, I'm curious to see it in action. How about your Norito?"

The man shrugged. "I never asked the scientists for a projection. I didn't care. Now? Eh... I think I should figure it out at some point."

"I see. What is the material?"

Yuuma shrugged again. "Never asked, but I don't think MBI knows either. I've just always called it 'Iron' because of its dull grey colour."

The Spartan folded her arms in thought. "As I understand it your power is all defensive, not offensive. How are you supposed to fight like that? Can you localise the effect? Envelop your fist but not your whole arm?"

He blinked a few times, evidently surprised. He raised his right arm, formed a fist, then narrowed his eyes. Suddenly a dull grey colour rapidly spread from his hand and all over his torso, barely stopping above his ankles. Yuuma dismissed the 'Iron' material and hummed.

"Might need more practice at that." he mumbled. "Clever idea though. Knew you were a good pick for an Ashikabi."

Zeilla snorted. "You Sekirei are too simple in your thinking. Humans are always finding new ways to kill each other, you may one day realise. I am trained for combat so using everything I can as a weapon, tool or shield is an important survival skill."

He nodded. "I can imagine. I can use my 'Iron' to repel any attack but doing so leaves me vulnerable to execution. Sekirei can still touch my crest through it."

"I see... But what about your activities at your gym? Why do anything at all if you don't care?" Zeilla asked, glad she had the chance to confront him about his attitude through a topic that mattered.

"Well, mostly to hide better from other Sekirei." he shrugged. "I picked up boxing out of curiosity and just stuck with it."

"Boxing?"

"I'm not very good compared to the hardcore guys who train there but thanks to my DNA and all the training I can endure longer than they can keep punching."

"Boxing could work well with your power." Zeilla thought aloud. "Use 'Iron' to take the attacks you can't dodge and harden your own strikes for more impact... In a team... You could raise defense screens for allies using something flexible... But the immobility..."

Yuuma smiled. "Quite the handicap."

"Your feet were free when you used it just now." Zeilla reminded him with a shake of her head.

"So?"

"So, practice. Work at focusing on specific areas. In time, I believe I can make a considerable combat asset out of you, Yuuma."

The Sekirei rose a brow, a little smile spreading across his face again. "Well, if my Ashikabi wishes it then I will do what I can to grant it. I will start experimenting with my control tomorrow."

"Good. As well I would like you to teach Shiina what you can about boxing. Being a stereotypical 'manly' sport, it could give him more confidence while helping with his combat awareness."

Yuuma hesitated. "You openly aid another Ashikabi and a Sekirei not your own?"

"We are allies." Zeilla stated bluntly. "I don't like this game. Minaka is a tyrannical terrorist manipulating Sekirei and endangers innocents with his designs. I am looking to remove Minaka, failing that, the bulk of MBI."

"Ambitious. You know what MBI is capable of." he said cautiously.

Zeilla nodded. "That's why I'm building up Yashima and Shiina. Now that you, Ruso and Ikki have busted into my life like she did I may as well build you up for real combat too."

"Ruso and Ikki...?"

"Numbers one-oh-two, Hotaruso, and nineteen, Ikki. Both are weapon users and winged themselves last night."

"Ah." he nodded. "That's what woke me up and made Yashima panic."

Zeilla paused. "You are quite in tune with these bonds, aren't you? Yet you claim not to care about anything."

Yuuma chuckled and tapped his temple with a finger. "Not much going on up here means I see and feel more of what's around me. I'm thinking it's your head full of schemes and soldier stuff that distracts you from feeling the bonds. You need to 'empty your mind' as they say."

Zeilla snorted. "A common misconception. If you empty your mind, then it lets anything come to life in the space you make. By focusing on something you can push aside all the rest. Fill your mind with something and roll it around to see every side of it, Yuuma, and you will come to better understand it. The trick is searching one's self and determining what it is that needs investigating. Until Ruso and Ikki I have been drowning the bonds with you and Yashima in other data. Now it's coming to the surface anyway."

"You really do have a lot going on up there." the man chuckled. "It will be good for you to be more in touch with Yashima and these other two."

"Whoa whoa whoa, if you want to get steamy please take it to a hotel! I don't want you to destroy my maiden's pure mind!" Yukari exclaimed suddenly from the hall.

"We were talking."

"While he's in the bathroom?"

Zeilla blinked. "Problem?"

Yukari shook her head and muttered something. "Anyway, dinner is ready. Yashima was really stressing out over making it good so you'd better come quickly."

Zeilla and Yuuma nodded, then followed their hostess to help move the food.

"You are going out later, right?" Yukari asked after a minute. "Do you want Shiina and I to come too?"

Zeilla shook her head. "We are meeting on the roof of the MBI hospital so I doubt there will be anything we can't handle."

"If you say so. Come on, let's eat. Yashima really went all out tonight!"

#84 flinched and ducked her head shyly. "Just a little."

Yuuma made an amused noise as they all sat down around the table. Something he seemed to be doing a lot lately. "Thanks for the food."