Rise of the Warrior
Chapter 6- Unexpected Surprises
Tetsuya faked a yawn as he stretched one arm out before slipping it around Tsukiumi's shoulder before pulling her closer to him. Tsukiumi shot him a sharp glare that quickly softened into a blush as she snuggled closer to him in the semi-deserted theater.
It was two days after the first match of the Fourth Stage and Tsukiumi had asked him on a date, with no small measure of difficulty on her part. He had taken her to a movie at a local theater and they were mid-way through yet another chick flick, but at least Tsukiumi seemed to be enjoying it.
They watched the rest of the movie in silence. Tetsuya had secretly made reservations for a romantic dinner for him and her, during the movie when he'd faked going to the bathroom, afterward but as soon as he exited the theater, his work phone began to ring,
"Shit." Tetsuya swore under his breath as he turned to face Tsukiumi.
"Tsukiumi honey, I'm so sorry. But that's Minaka. I gotta take this." he apologized to the Water Sekirei.
"'Tis of no consequence. Converse away." she said haughtily as she turned away.
"Tetsuya here." Tetsuya said as he hit the call button on the phone.
"Tetsuya, it's Minaka." the Chairman answered
"No, really?" Tetsuya said with a faked gasp.
"Return to the Tower at once, you will be participating in the 3nd match of the 3rd Stage today, and we need to ensure the exosuit is properly synced before the match. Minaka out." the madman finished with a click as the line went dead.
"Tsukiumi honey, I'm so sorry but duty calls, I was hoping to do a romantic dinner with just the tow of us, but I guess it'll have to wait." Tetsuya replied apologetically as he rubbed Tsukiumi's forearms. The blonde Sekirei looked down in disappointment before her blue orbs lifted to meet his own steel-gray ones before she replied,
"It is... all right. I have had a wonderful time with you today. We should most definitely do it again post-haste." she finished as her cheeks darkened to a crimson blush.
"Definitely." he replied with a grin as he gave her hand a squeeze. With more than a little effort he broke their eye contact as he turned to go back to his motorcycle...
Back at Maison Izumo...
"So, to sum it all up Miya, even after Minato winged me, I still keep having the feelings and thoughts about Tetsuya. I can't block it out, it's almost all I can think about." Matsu finished explaining to her landlady. Miya's face was unreadable as she scrutinized Matsu for some infinitesimal detail that would answer her unspoken questions.
"Hmm, this is most unusual. As most of Tetsuya's Sekireis only dream of him... Perhaps your bond with Minato was weakened by your preexisting bond with Tetsuya and his growing power as an Ashikabi eroded it even further, causing these feelings to bleed through." Miya commented as she put a hand on her chin.
"What does that mean for me then?" Matsu asked sheepishly as she hugged her stomach. The Sekirei of Wisdom was obviously very distraught.
"Well, it seems the solution is simple. You choose: either, to strengthen and deepen your bond with Minato, or break it and join Tetsuya." Miya replied sagely as she folded her hands in her lap.
"How do I choose though, I love them both." Matsu asked pleadingly as her landlady stood up before saying,
"You must decide that on your own, Matsu. Only you can make that choice." Miya said as she left the Wisdom Sekirei to ponder her options...
Back at Teitou Tower, later that night...
"Karasuba, are you feeling alright?" Tetsuya asked worriedly through the bathroom door as Karasuba retched into the toilet bowl.
"Fine! Just some bad sushi." Karasuba barked back between heaves.
"You didn't eat sushi. Are you sick?"
"No! Sekirei don't get sick. Now go away!" Karasuba shouted back. Tetsuya heaved a sigh as he made his way back to the common area of his floor. He had to get ready for the match in an hour as he made his way back to his room.
The game was a battle role that would continue until only one Ashikabi had any Sekirei left. During the match, MBI would monitor the Sekireis location and terminate any who attempted to retreat from the battle with the Jinki. However, their was no rule saying he couldn't retrieve the Jinki alone while the other combatants battled it out.
He was gonna bring Benitsubasa, Haihane, Tsukiumi, and Karasuba in case things got too hot. However, with Karasuba's puking, he wasn't sure anymore. Instead settling in on the idea of bringing Akitsu with him instead.
The other participants would be Yukari and Minato, with Hayato bringing the total to four Ashikabi. Tetsuya made his way back to his room before going into the corner of his room where a large metal frame with various mechanical tool arms hung off the sides around a powered exoskeleton suit that Minaka had bought from one of the world's top defense contractors. Next to the rack sat a large sword sheath clipped onto a plat set in the wall where his mother's katana sat inside a new high-frequency oscillating grip that increased it's cutting power by several factors.
The whole setup reminded Tetsuya of the game Metal Gear Rising he'd played growing up when worn under his already near-bulletproof armor made him nearly invincible while not slowing him down in the field.
"Already, I'm good now. Let's get ready to go." Karasuba commented as she walked in to his room as he began to put the suit on.
"Karasuba, I don't think that's a good idea in your condition. I want you to sit this one out, I'll take Akitsu instead. You can go back out when Takami gives you a clean bill of health." Tetsuya said as the suit closed and buckled securely over his arms and chest.
"I'll never get her to sign off on that within an hour?! Don't think just because we're friends that you can tell me what to do." Karasuba growled at him.
"Karasuba, I'm just worried about you. So yes, I am telling you what to do. If you try to leave without her permission, I will have you sedated. I'd rather not, though." Tetsuya said, he loved Karasuba to death and beyond but he was not letting her fight in her condition. She had been acting weird for the past week anyways, and he was starting to worry. Karasuba scowled at him before heaving a resigned sigh,
"Fine, Tetsuya. Just be careful, okay." Karasuba said quietly, before turning on the spot, setting her cape fluttering behind him as she turned and strode from the room without another word. For some reason, her sudden resignation only worried Tetsuya even more...
Later that evening, inside a chopper directly above the location of the 3rd match of the 3rd Stage...
"Alrighty girls, I want you to hang back behind the edge of the arena. I didn't bring you all out here so you could risk yourself needlessly in this fight. If things get too out of hand, it'll be your job to help me get things back under control. But tonight, I hope none of you will have to fight another Sekirei." Tetsuya said as he pointed to the lot filled with shipping containers across from the Styrofoam plant where the match was being held.
"What why aren't we fighting? We could win this, easily." Benitsubasa protested as she slammed a fist into the armrest of her chair.
"Because, the best way to win a fight is not to have it. Besides, Minaka tells me players are getting antsy after the business with Higa. Hopefully not putting you in the open will minimize any risk of surprise attacks from other players." Tetsuya finished as he deployed the breath mask on the exosuit, the feed was almost pure O2 so as to supposedly increase red blood cell efficiency and prevent him tiring as quickly.
"Besides, don't you trust Tetsuya, Benitsubasa? He's a big boy, besides we'll be right there if he needs us. I for one think it's kinda sweet that he worries about us still." Haihane commented with a blush, not usually the one to be so forward, especially in front of company.
"Utter nonsense! A Sekirei's place is on the battlefield, if anything, you should be hanging back. You are our Ashikabi, and hopefully my future husband, you can't be doing such foolish things because you're worried for us!" Tsukiumi countered.
"Tsukiumi, that is your opinion. I firmly believe the only places for Sekirei are at their Ashikabi's side or in their arms. Besides, I promised myself I wouldn't ever put you in danger unless absolutely necessary. Now please do not argue this further, you will not dissuade me. I'm going to enter the factory alone, please do as I asked." Tetsuya said as he leaped from the chopper without waiting for a reply.
He hit the ground and quickly made for the front exit, not caring who saw him. After passing through the interior door he saw the factory appeared to be empty, that didn't mean anything though, much of his view was obscured by hundreds of enormous Styrofoam blocks, about six feet tall and three feet on every side, stacked high enough to almost reach the ceiling along with countless others in smaller formations all over the floor. He continued until he reached a large, open area where all the Ashikabi had gathered. Fortunately, they hadn't noticed his presence yet.
Minato was joined by Musubi, Oriha, and Kaho, all ready to spring into action. Tetsuya cocked an eyebrow at the sight of Higa's Sekirei with Minato, but supposed it was bound to happen after Tetsuya had stripped Higa of his ability to wing Sekirei. Minato's sister, Yukari, was joined by Sai, Kaiha, Ichiya, most of of Higa's former Sekireis. Hayato had brought Yomi, Mitsuki, and Mitsuha with him, apparently Minaka had forgotten to mention there was a limit of three Sekirei per Ashikabi to Tetsuya, not that it was important now.
Tetsuya stepped out from behind the wall of Styrofoam and strode confidently towards the competitors, showing them he was unafraid, even with three Ashikabi and nine Sekireis against him. Most of the participants noticeably started as they caught sight of him. Before anyone could cut in though, Minaka's voice came on over the PA system,
"Welcome challengers to the third match of the Sekirei Plan's Third Stage. The rules are simple, four Ashikabi head to head in a battle royale until only one Ashikabi has any Sekirei left. Any participants who try to run will find their Sekirei terminated before you can get too far. Also, there are two Jinki at stake here, one is hidden in the factory somewhere, the other will be given to the winner of the battle royale. Put on a good show now!" the speaker said before silence resumed.
"Well now, it's a shame you came here alone Mr. Warrior. You'll pay for what you did to my fiancee, Izumi Higa" Yukari sneered as Ichiya cracked her neck threateningly.
"I'll say, this is the perfect time to remove MBI's dog from the game." Hayato chimed in, his Sekireis nodding in agreement as their faces split into malicious grins.
"Guys, that's not fair. Tetsuya doesn't wanna have to be here any more than the rest of us! Besides Yukari, you're too young to be getting engaged, especially to some guy you just met!" Minato said defensively, before Tetsuya cut him off with a wave of his arm.
"It's fine Minato, I can defend myself. But, think of this, I tangled with Mutsu and survived, I defeated the private army Higa hired, I took everything from Higa, even his ability to be an Ashikabi. I can do the same to all of you. Even if you beat me, you still have to beat everyone else here, that'll probably be next to impossible after fighting me. Now... who wants to go first?" he said as he unsheathed his mother's sword, which flickered dangerously from the MBI upgrades to it, twirling it smoothly around himself. Tetsuya watched looks of apprehension appear on every face in the room before leaping atop a nearby tower of Styrofoam blocks. He wasted no time in severing its taller neighbors on either side of him, dicing it up into neat large chunks that rained down on the other competitors he jumped to a nearby enormous cube of Styrofoam to search for the Jinki.
Tetsuya stopped a second later to try out an interesting function Minaka had put in the suit, hitting a button on the forearm as he heard BOOM by P.O.D. blare through the P.A. System. He continued searching through the factory, careful to avoid the fights between Ashikabi that had broken out. He spotted the Jinki atop the break room on the supervisor's desk. Before he could reach it though, Ichiya landed squarely in front of him with Sai to his left.
"Nowhere to go now, asshole. Prepare to die." Ichiya snarled as she tensed her legs, preparing to charge him.
"I know, an unwise decision on your part." Tetsuya said as held his blade at the ready, obviously not afraid of either of them. Ichiya wasted no more words on him as she launched herself at him as Sai's barbed whips flew towards him.
Tetsuya ducked under Ichiya's incoming kick as he slammed the butt of his scabbard into her stomach, knocking the wind from her as he dramatically flourished his blade in an infinity pattern as his blade effortlessly clove through the metal tips of Sai's whips and shredding the leather. Before Ichiya could regain her breath Tetsuya brought his blade up through Ichiya's right leg at the knee and her right arm at the elbow, removing both limbs completely before she tumbled to the ground as he seized several of Sai's whips in one hand as he yanked her toward him and clothes-lined her neck with his other arm sending head smacking down hard onto the styrofoam.
"Huh, I've never tried to terminate a Sekirei, I don't know if I can. Let's find out." he said as he reached for Ichiya's Sekirei Crest, his fingers closed to within an inch of her crest when his suit's built-in Bluetooth headset began to ring.
"Hold that thought." he said as he turned around and placed a foot solidly on Sai's chest to restrain her as he hit the Answer button.
"Yes?!" he hissed impatiently, not in the mood to be interrupted. There was a tense silence for a second before,
"Tetsuya, it's Takami. You need to return to the Tower ASAP. It's about Karasuba..." she said solemnly, her tone, gravely serious.
"Is everything alright?" he asked, the impatience in his voice replaced with desperate concern. He'd been absolutely sure that Karasuba has been acting strangely lately. He should have sent her to Takami sooner, now it may too late. He steeled himself and made himself take a breath and collect himself. MBI had the best medical technology in the world, if anyone could fix a medical problem, they could.
"Just get back here, I have important news for both you and her. It can't wait." Takami replied, her tone still grave.
"Be right there." Tetsuya said as he hung up.
"You live today." he said to the two fallen Sekirei, before turning towards the Jinki, even if he was terrified, he needed every advantage he could get in the Fourth Stage, nothing was more important than that.
He grabbed the Jinki before sheathing his sword and taking off at full sprint to the Tower as he gave Akitsu a call,
"Hello Tetsuya, is everything alright?" Akitsu asked, her typical soft, caring voice.
"I have to go back to the Tower now. I have a Jinki with me now, the last goes to the winner of the fight. If any of them look like they're gonna follow me or pull a dirty trick, terminate them all." Tetsuya finished before he hung up.
He flew down the streets, his exosuit-enhanced Sekirei muscles propelling him faster than all of the cars on the road, even as he cut down the highway.
"Please be okay, Karasuba." he pleaded under his breath as he raced home.
Takami's office, nine minutes later...
"Thank you both for meeting me on such short notice." Takami said as she sat down across her desk from them, a manilla folder in hand.
"We work in the same building, it's hardly a marathon." Karasuba replied, obviously irritated for some reason.
"Is it serious Takami? How bad is it?" Tetsuya asked desperately from the edge of his seat. Takami cleared her throat before replying,
"It is serious, but not bad. But it is... staggering." Takami said hesitantly before continuing,
"Karasuba, you said you were complaining of mood swings, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, along with a few other... ahem- personal symptoms."
"Yeah. So what's the big deal, probably just overworked. Plus, I've been kinda stressing out more lately, I'm trying to turn over some new leaves, so to speak." Karasuba said, trying to sound nonchalant about it. Tetsuya was a little worried he had upset her or maybe caused her condition somehow. His worry evaporated though, when Karasuba gently grabbed hold of his hand in hers.
"Well, I'm not positive, we don't have a huge amount of expertise in this field... but it looks like... you're probably pregnant." Takami finished before looking out at the two of them as she waited for her guests to process the news.
"I'm pregnant... I'm... gonna be a mom?" Karasuba replied, her expression one of shocked bewilderment at the news. Tetsuya was similarly quiet as he tried to wrap his head around the news.
"It looks that way, we may be able to confirm with an ultrasound in a few weeks. Congratulations though. On the bright side, you two are both in great positions to be parents with your employment at MBI. Oh, and Karasuba, MBI has a great maternity leave set up. I realize this isn't ideal but I'm sure Minaka could be swayed to keep you out of the game. We'll deal with his plans for your possible baby later." Takami began when she noticed Tetsuya's lack of response while Karasuba at least seemed to still be functioning,
"Are you okay, Tetsuya?" she asked worriedly.
"Uh-huh, yeah... I'm... gonna be a dad..." Tetsuya said as his voice trailed off before he pitched forward and collapsed in a heap on the floor as everything went black...
Author's Note: Alrighty 4 Chapters and the epilogue left. I'll try to update soon, but things are hectic right now. Reviews are appreciated. This is The 19th Angel, signing off...