Hello Everyone. Yes I know I'm months and months after the first chapter. I can promise that this story and Escaping Umbra are not abandoned, simply at a glacially slow update speed. I should be trimming it down here in the near future but don't hold your breath too much. Thanks to everyone who reviewed and without any more waiting here we go.


Thud

Thud

Thud

"Aren't your fists sore yet Beni?" An ashen haired woman asked.

The pinkette she was addressing ignored her and continued to methodically punch the oak.

Thud

Thud

Thud

"C'mon Beni, I'm hungry and we haven't eaten since last night." The woman whined. She began poking the dirt with a massive clawed gauntlet before letting out a petulant huff. "Look, I know you're sore about las-"

"Don't talk to me about last night Haihane, just don't." The pinkette growled. "I don't want to hear any more about Minaka-sama's hare brained idea."

Haihane kept her mouth shut, realizing that Benitasuba was on edge. The pinkette turned back to pummeling the tree, but not before the gauntlet wielder saw tears welling up in her eyes.

"I hate him. I hate him." Benitasuba chanted in a mantra. Each time she punched the tree trunk did nothing at all to erase a creeping sense of despair. Having to continually remember that malicious phrase from last night that had taken an insidious toll on her.

"It is with great pleasure that I tell all of the Third Discipline Squad that they are free to participate in the Sekirei Game. As of this moment, the Discipline Squad is dissolved and all members will have to find their chosen Ashikabi."

She'd finally had her dream. Finally achieved something she'd longed for. Only to have a smirking madman take it away from her and tell her to "Go play the game."

She snarled deep in her throat and continued her assault on the tree, ignoring everything around her.

Two years devoting herself to passing the strenuous tests for entrance into the Discipline Squad. Another six months before there was any mention of a possibility of an Ashikabi for the Squad. Now she was simply supposed to go along with Minaka's insanity and abandon everything she'd worked for?

The Sekirei grit her teeth and ignored the worried look Haihane was shooting her way. She wouldn't be broken by this. Sh-

"You're holding your elbows wrong."

Benitasuba couldn't even understand what had been said for a moment. Elbows...?

Understanding hit her with all the grace of a falling meteorite. Someone was correcting her fighting form? Fresh rage bubbled up and replaced her confusion.

The pinkette swung around ready to verbal shred whoever dared interrupt her venting. She had barely caught sight of an athletic female before she began yelling in anger. "I didn't ask for advice!"

The unperturbed woman brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and continued as if she hadn't heard the outburst. "You're rotating your elbow out on those punches. It makes them easy to block."

Something snapped in Benitasuba at those words. Rage at what she had recently suffered along with extreme frustration at being treated like a novice caused her to throw a fist at the woman. Dimly the Sekirei heard Haihane start to yell for her to stop.

It was too late for that. That stuck up nos-

The Sekirei stumbled to the side as something slammed into her arm. Her forearm flared with pain, feeling like someone had just hit her with a titanium rod.

"Like I said before. Watch where your elbows go." The stranger said, her left arm held forward in an obvious block.

Benitasuba snarled in humiliation, all rational thought lost in a rising storm of emotion. She charged back at the confident woman, still ignoring her companion's worried voice.

She began throwing furious punches, only for each one to end in pain as the stranger slammed her arm into every blow. The Sekirei struck harder and harder with nothing but pain to show for it.

As Benitasuba reeled back from yet another block, she sensed a violent movement right in front of her face. She slowly opened her eyes and saw the woman's fist was sitting right before her face, ready to strike.

A numb realization fell over the Sekirei. She was outclassed. Even a human was better than her. Tears that Benitasuba had held in started to slowly trickle out, running down her cheeks.

The fist pulled back as the woman began assessing the Sekirei with her steady gaze. Benitasuba ignored her surroundings as she finally started to break down. Sobs began wracking her shoulders as she sprawled in the park's grass.

Just like every time Benitasuba had had a bad time, had needed a shoulder to cry on, long bandaged arms softly wrapped around her. A calming voice began whispering soft consoling sounds to her while a gauntlet began delicately stroking her hair.

Benitasuba finally let go and let herself weep for the loss of her dream. She sobbed, uncaring of who was close by. Quietly Haihane held her, gently rocking her friend back and forth.

After several minutes, the athletic woman's voice slowly intruded into her sobs.

"What's your name?" The athletic woman quietly asked, kneeling down to look her in the eye.

Benitasuba was comforted by the way Haihane's arms defensively tightened around her at the intrusion. It reminded her that no matter what the ashen haired woman was there to support her. Every triumph that she'd had, as well as every failure that had haunted her, Haihane had been there right beside her.

She laid a gloved hand atop her friend's gauntlet and gently squeezed to reassure her before responding to the question. "I'm Benitasuba."

The woman nodded slowly before responding. "My name is Arisawa Tatsuki."

Tatsuki paused and then continued. "You have the speed and strength of a high level fighter, but none of the experience. How come?"

The woman frowned and then spoke again. "What I mean is you obviously have trained to fight, but it is as if you got to a brown belt level without anyone teaching you the basics for any sort of fighting."

Part of Benitasuba wanted to yell at the woman that she hadn't ever had a teacher, but she quietly suppressed the fresh irritation.

"That's because I haven't so far." She replied, a terse edge bleeding into her tone.

Arisawa nodded before focusing more intently on Benitasuba. An assessing look entered her eyes and then she spoke to the the Sekirei quietly. "Why haven't you had a teacher yet?"

Beni debated for a moment on what tell the woman, only to hear Haihane's voice. "Where we lived before was a real pain about what was proper."

Arisawa raised an eyebrow at the comment on but remained quiet. Benitasuba hastily cut in to fix the mess Knife Hands was getting the two of them in. "What she meant to say was that our guardians wanted us do specific things in life but were very strict on what we could and couldn't do."

Arisawa nodded for a moment. "Next time you're trying to withhold something from someone, make sure to be more relaxed. Well that and make sure your story matches whoever your with."

Benitasuba began to retort again before she held her tongue. Sometimes even the violent Sekirei could take advice. Her musing was interrupted by Arisawa addressing Haihane with a curious tone. "Those claws are real weapons aren't they?"

Haihane smirked back at the woman, claws gleaming as she gently moved her fingers. "You bet your ass they are."

The Gray Sekirei scrutinized at the woman who interrupted their morning. Her lips dipped into a frown for only a second before she started talking again. "Now I have a question for you Arisawa. Why did you behave the way you did with Beni?"

The black haired woman didn't hesitate for a moment answering. "I saw someone who needed training. A teacher always instructs those who need it."

Any retort the two Sekirei had was cut short by a plaintive growl from Haihane's stomach. Benitasuba began giggling at her friend until her stomach echoed the call for food. Both Sekirei sheepishly looked at each before being interrupted by a loud guffaw from the woman standing before them.

"How about we continue this over food?" Arisawa said with a faint smirk.

Benitasuba shared a quick look with Haihane before nodding. "We can do that."

"Is Mickey D's alright?" Arisawa asked as she picked up a book bag off the grass .

"What's that?" Benitasuba replied, confused as to what sort of restaurant that was.

"McDonalds. Mickey D's is just a nickname for it." The athletic woman replied as they slowly started walking towards the park entrance.

"Is it any good?" Haihane asked.

Arisawa raised an eyebrow and looked over at the white haired woman. "Have you never had any before?"

Both of the Sekirei shook their heads, eliciting an amused huff out of their companion. "Must be some strict guardians you two had not to have ever had McDonald's before."

Haihane let out a nervous chuckle. "You could say that."

Both of the Sekirei felt a rush of relief as their companion simply looked skeptical and didn't question any further. Benitasuba shared a weary look with Haihane. Fitting in outside outside of MBI was much harder than expected.


Sado blinked and stared at the vision of beauty he saw before him. He knew he was not awake, and this was not a dream but the sight before him had caught him in its spell.

Slender fingers danced across keys, never stopping their intricate dance. Smoky eyes analyzed flickering screens from behind sinfully red glasses. A small pert mouth sensuously mouthed words that were never spoken.

He was no stranger to beautiful women, but she drew his attention like a moth to a flame. Something deep in his soul growled in approving tone before quieting down.

Before he could try and speak to the woman, she. turned to him and simply froze for a moment. The two gazed at each other in confusion and wonder, broken only by the clattering of a keyboard.

Finally the woman managed a jerky nod of welcome before quickly looking back at the screens again. All the while her fingers continued blurring across the keys. Images and files flashed across the monitors, too fast for Yasutora to keep track of.

"Why are you here?" Her voice asked, serious and inquisitive.

Chad paused, genuinely confused as to why he was there. His thoughts flowed slowly and nothing immediately came to mind. Even as the giant wracked his mind for the answer to her question, an answer emerged from his lips. "To grow stronger and... and to fight."

The gray haired woman adjusted her glasses before replying. "Then why come to me?"

The Fullbringer thought for a moment before answering again in his bass rumble. "I honestly don't know."

Silence followed his words as both parties paused. Neither even knew the others name. The quiet dragged on as both individuals tried to think of what to say.

Yasutora decided someone had to break the ice and drew himself to his full height. "My name is Sado Yasutora. May I ask what is yours?"

"Kochou." She replied curtly. The woman remained silent and gazed at him as if measuring his worth. Sado simply raised an eyebrow at her display and took the opportunity to look where he was at.

He was standing in a small living room that was clustered with computer equipment. Despite the sheer number of items, there was organization apparent in their placement. Monitors hung in ordered rows, while racks of computer equipment lined a nearby wall. A low background hum of computers running and ventilation drawing away heat permeated the room.

Before he could continue any further with his observations Kochou stepped into his personal space. The woman nodded and then laid a hand on his chest. "We'll meet again soon Sado."

And then Sado Yasutora woke up.

He stared at the ceiling for a moment and then slowly swore in Spanish. The Fullbringer didn't know why but he felt as if he had missed a chance, a vital opportunity.

After staring up at the apartment ceiling for a few seconds more, Yasutora felt around his dresser. Feeling the blocky shape of his cell phone, the man picked it up and proceeded to check his messages.

He had one from Yuzu telling him to make sure to keep in touch. Sado quickly shot back a short message promising he would make sure to. The Fullbringer then noticed that it was already seven in the morning. He had his introductory classes starting at eight thirty and that meant he had no time to waste.

As Yasutora began preparing for his day his mind drifted to the challenge he had with Ichigo. He had six months to figure out how to train and become strong enough to challenge his closest friend. However, Sado knew he was already operating at a massive disadvantage.

Kurosaki Ichigo had been his best friend since early in Sado's first year at Karakura. That meant the Fullbringer had a rare insight into how the Substitute Shinigami thought and acted.

Sado knew that by being the one who issued the challenge, Ichigo was planning to go fullforce against him. There would be no holding back from the being who was known for crushing not one, but two godlike beings.

As much as it hurt his pride to admit, Sado knew he was outclassed in every respect. Ichigo was known for adapting quickly in a fight, being insanely tenacious, and one of if not the fastest fighters in the afterlife.

Sado paused for a moment as he trimmed his goatee. No matter how far above him Ichigo was, he had promised on his Abuelo's coin. The question wasn't if he could do it, but how he would do it.

Plans on how to train began filling the gentle giant's head as he continued his morning routine on autopilot. The first order of business would be to find somewhere to train in the city. While Shinto Teito might not be as spiritually active as Karakura, Sado didn't want to chance being discovered by someone.

He also would have to be on the lookout for Hollows and possible rogue factions. While the Winter War and Quincy Blood War had crushed two of the biggest enemy factions, various splinter groups had been appearing in their aftermath.

The Fullbringer pursed his lips as he released some of the underlying problems facing him he hadn't even considered. Still he wasn't going to back out simply because things had become more difficult than originally planned.

Shaking clear of his thoughts Sado made sure to grab his backpack and guitar before heading out. There would be enough time to worry about everything after his classes.

With one last look at his apartment the Fullbringer nodded and set off to begin his day.


Kocho awoke from her dream, panting harshly for breath. Her usual cool mask lay shattered beneath the waves of need pulsing through her. She had thankfully managed to keep her calm while meeting the man who was supposed to be her Ashikabi.

Now however, the woman whimpered atop her bed. Heat pooled low in her stomach and her entire body felt as if fire was coursing through her veins. Her normally clear mind was clouded with lust and an overwhelming urge to find her Ashikabi howled through Kocho's thoughts.

The Sekirei managed to grab the small flip phone next to her futon and shakily call the only contact. After only a single ring the phone was answered.

"What's going on?" A confident voice asked. Kocho gasped and tried to keep hold of what she needed to do despite her rampant desire. With a small strained voice empty of her usual dry wit the hacker replied. "Met my destin...dest...destined Ashikabi in a...oh...oh...in a dream."

The Semirei whimpered and tried to carry. "I'm so hot. Burning up Yahan. I need help. Please."

Before she could utter another word her door flew open and her fellow Sekirei ran into the room. Yahan slid to a halt next to Kocho, worry and concern painted across her face. "Shhh, it's going to be ok."

The assassin climbed onto the futon and slipped into the covers. Kocho instantly wrapped her arms around her fellow Sekirei, and buried her face into the woman's chest. She whispered a small scared voice still devoid of her usual confidence and poise to Yahan. "I didn't expect it to be so overwhelming."

Kocho slowly pressed her mound against the assassin's thigh and began to slowly grind on it, thoughtlessly performing an act she and Yahan had shared many times before. "My body wants to find him and claim his as Ashikabi."

Kocho let out a low lustful mewl, still slowly easing her core along her lover's thigh. "I feel so aroused Yahan. It reminds me of the time you wore the corset in Spain."

Yahan nuzzled the Kocho's hair, and began to rub slow circles along her back. Without any warning the hacker began to tear up and sniffle. "I feel so confused and scared. I've never even met him and already my body can barely function without him."

The tawny skinned killer simply continued to comfort Kocho and let the hacker continue to talk. Beginning to cry harder, the Sekirei held onto Yahan for dear life. "What if he doesn't like me. Wh-wha-what if he's cruel? Ya-ya-Yahan..."

Ceasing her grinding the woman simply clung to Yahan and sobbed in confusion. Betrayed by her body, and unsure of her future Kocho clung to the one she could always trust and cried.

Finally breaking her silence the executioner calmly and affectionately whispered into her lover's ear. "Shh shh shhh. It's ok. I'll be here babe."

One of her hands, with long slim fingers, drifted up to Kocho's hair and began to stroke the short strands. "We'll see what he's like first alright. And if he's cruel or doesn't want to deal with you, I'll take care of him alright?"

The assassin felt the head buried against her breasts hesitantly nod. Yahan gently cooed to her lover and let the woman to relax and enjoy the comfort she offered.
They both stayed locked in their embrace, content to simply stay together.

Kocho eventually raised her tear stained face and spoke. "Thank you Yahan. Thank you so much."

The shadow user simply smiled and crushed her lover to her chest. She kissed Kocho's lips once, than twice. Yahan finally kissed her one more time and then a roguish smirk appeared. "Hey, it's no problem babe. You know I'm always for you."

Kocho felt a grateful smile blossom across her face at those words. Unbidden a dark pink hue flooded into her cheeks, and made the hacker fidget in slight embarrassment.

The assassin's smirk widened and she regarded her lover with amusement. A throaty chuckle tumbled from from her mouth as she reveled in Kocho's embarrassment.

With a exasperated huff the hacker simply rested back against Yahan. After a short pause she spoke. "I need your help to move today. My surveillance programs traced the Sekirei back to Higa Izumi, a pharmaceutical CEO. I'm assuming that he will move in soon now that he knows where I'm at."

Yahan nodded unhappily at the news. "I'm assuming you already have rented out near the university?"

"I have. I also packed all of my equipment for the move. That means until I set up again, the Intel I can provide is limited." Kocho replied with a matching frown.

"That's ok babe. The important thing is that you're safe."Yahan quietly said. "Now, I remember someone being a brat and teasing me about being a Mistress."

As the hacker stared into eyes dark with desire she could only manage a single word.

"Eep!"