I know I said I would update soon, but I (being to klutz I am) tripped on my adapter for my laptop and broke it, so I had to buy a new one and until I did, I couldn't use my laptop unless I wanted it to run out of power. But now I got a new one and I can use my laptop again. SECURE, just read, I never planned to disregard the fact that Sekirei become stronger through having strong bonds with their Ashikabis.
Chapter 17
Sanada Nishi was busy cleaning his bike while his Sekirei watched when he got a text.
"The Ashikabi of the North wants to meet with us? I wonder what he could want?"
He finished his last inspection before he hopped onto his bike. "Come on girls! We're going on a little trip!"
His Sekirei cheered in excitement and hopped onto his bike.
Meanwhile, Minato was sitting on a park bench surrounded by his Sekirei.
"Where is he? I sent him a text an hour ago." He was interrupted by the roar of a motorcycle engine. He looked up to see Nishi's bike headed straight at him. Just as it was about to crash into him, it stopped on a dime. Nishi hopped off and took his helmet off.
"All right, why do you want to see me?"
Minato got up from the bench.
"I need your help."
Nishi was taken aback, "Wait, you mean you need my help?"
If this guy can't handle something, it must really be dangerous.
Minato nodded in response, "There is no way that either of us can beat Higa alone right now."
"Wait, what do you mean?"
"He's developed a way to remove the power limiters in his Sekirei. As far as I know, he's only used it twice, but if he uses it on all of his Sekirei, there's no way that anyone can stop him at that point."
"This is a lot to take in." Nishi said as he took a seat on the bench.
"Look, are you in or not? If you're not, I need to know now so I don't waste any more time than I already have."
Nishi stood up, "You bet I'm in. There's no way that I'm going to let Higa stomp all over us!"
Minato smiled, "Nice to know."
Nishi frowned, "But how are we going to fight him? Even with our Sekirei combined, there's no guarantee that we can beat him, if what you say is true?"
"My Sekirei have come up with a plan. If we follow it, we should be able to beat Higa."
"So what do you need me to do?"
Minato handed him a packet, "Everything you need to know is in there."
He and his Sekirei began to walk off.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm doing what needs to be done."
Higa was looking out of the window that made up a wall of his office when he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye.
"Do you have something to say Saki?"
Said Sekirei kneeled in front of her Ashikabi, "Yes Master, Minato is on his way right now. He seems intent on declaring war on you. He's already met with Nishi, and the two of them are likely planning an attack on you."
Higa smiled, "It's a good thing I took precautions then. I hate to leave things up to chance."
Just as he spoke, there was a knock on his door.
"Speak of the devil." He muttered as Minato entered, followed by his group, which included Kochou this time.
"Higa, I'm here to end your crazy plan!"
"You can try, but you won't succeed." He snapped his fingers and Minato was instantly surrounded by dozens of Sekirei and their Ashikabis.
"They haven't all been modified, but I assure you, there are enough of them to take you down." Higa laughed as he walked out of his office.
"Don't worry Minato, we'll protect you." Akitsu said.
Minato nodded, "Then first, let's keep our distance." Kazehana released an explosion of wind that knocked back the Sekirei surrounding them.
The Sekirei then got in a circle around Minato.
"How are we going to do this?" Benitsubasa whispered.
"Don't worry, this is all according to plan." Minato said. As soon as he spoke, the window shattered and a motorcycle went barreling into the crowd of Sekirei. Three figures jumped off into the crowd, causing a panic.
"Nice of you to show up." Minato said as Nishi got off of his bike.
Using the distraction, Tsukiumi fired a stream of water at three Sekirei, slamming then into a wall. As this was happening, Yomi began to slice at a group of Sekirei, leaving them open for Uzume to tie up in her veils.
"Higa's trying to get away." Benitsubasa said as she pointed out of the shattered window, where Higa was entering a limo with Saki.
"Kusano, can you help us out here?" Minato asked.
The girl nodded and made the plants outside grow into the shape of a slide.
"Kochou, you take over here, we'll go after Higa." Minato said as he and Benitsubasa jumped into the plants and gave chase.
Higa noticed the two figures approaching the limo, "Let's get going." He told his driver, who nodded in response and floored it.
"We can't catch up trying to run after him." Minato said, running out of breath.
"Grab on." Benitsubasa ordered. As he did, she leapt up to a rooftop, keeping a close eye on the limo.
They followed the limo until it reached the park.
"That's it, we need to end this." Higa said as he got out of his limo, followed by Saki and Toyotama. He stepped through the darkness and stopped as they reached the sole light left in the park.
"They've stopped in the park." Minato said to Benitsubasa, who nodded and landed in front of Higa.
"You have nowhere to run Higa." Minato said as he let go of Benitsubasa.
"Who says I want to run? I have you right where I want you. You have no one who can help you here." Higa sneered.
"He's right, we're too far away to find help, and he has two Sekirei." Benitsubasa said to Minato.
"Not to mention, they've both been modified." Higa said, "Now then, I think that we need to finish this."
Saki pulled out her sword and Toyotama readied her staff. In response, Benitsubasa got into a defensive stance, trying to keep her sight on both Sekirei.
With a roar, Toyotama sped forward and swung her staff at Benitsubasa, who blocked it expertly. However, she didn't notice Saki, who sprang forward and sliced at her arm.
"Ah!" Benitsubasa jumped back as she inspected the small cut on her arm.
The two Sekirei gave her no time to rest as they quickly moved to attack. Benitsubasa found herself desperately fending off two simultaneous barrages and slowly backing up.
"You're getting tired." Saki stated.
"Still, I won't let Minato down!" Benitsubasa cried out as she switched to the offensive. However, every punch she dealed out was quickly repelled, either by a sword or a staff.
She slammed her fist to the ground in frustration, creating a small shockwave, but Saki and Toyotama simply jumped behind her.
"You left yourself open." Toyotama said before her staff connected, sending Benitsubasa into a tree.
"You put up a good fight." She said as she raised her staff again and brought it down.
"No!" Minato yelled as he dove in front of Benitsubasa, taking the blow intended for her.
"Minato!" Benitsubasa cried out.
"You know, I have to admit, you have guts, but that still won't save you or your Sekirei." Higa said with a laugh.
"Why would you do that? You can't take a hit like that." Benitsubasa said as she cradled Minato's head.
"I can't bear to see you get hurt. It's hard to see someone you love get hurt." He replied weakly.
"You idiot." She choked out as she pressed her lips to his, causing wings to emerge from her back.
"That's not going to do you any good." Saki said as she readied her sword.
Benitsubasa silently stood up and stared down the two Sekirei with fire in her eyes.
"Does it suddenly feel like she got stronger?" Toyotama asked as she felt a shiver go down her spine.
"It doesn't matter, she still can't take both of us!" Saki said as she sped forward impossibly fast and slashed at Benitsubasa.
With an equally fast reaction, Benitsubasa caught the sword between her hands. With a roar, she snapped the sword in half.
"How did she do that?" Higa growled. "She can't be that strong!"
"You forget that true strength in a Sekirei comes from the bond they have with their Ashikabi." She said as she grabbed Saki and threw her into Toyotama, sending both of them to the ground. Before they could get up, Benitsubasa slammed the ground, causing a massive earthquake to hit the two.
The two got to their feet just in time to see a fist coming at them. Toyotama tried to block, but, Benitusbasa's fist went through Toyotama's block and into her face, knocking her to the ground. Benitsubasa then whipped around, slamming her fist into the right side of Saki's head and turning the Sekirei into a crumpled heap on the ground.
"You clearly don't love your Sekirei enough." She spat at Higa.
She then viciously punched out both of the dazed Sekirei. She put her hands on each of their necks and recited her Norito, removing the crests from their necks.
"Get out of here. I'm in a good mood today, so I won't kill you. But let me warn you, if you try anything like this ever again, I will find you and I will kill you." Benitsubasa said coldly as she walked over to Minato.
Higa nodded and ran off to his limo, leaving Benitsubasa and Minato alone in the park.
"Minato, are you okay?" She inspected him quickly, finding a large red mark where he was struck. She grimaced a little. His lower back was completely reddened and a very painful bruise would definitely develop.
"Are you kidding? I'm fine." Minato tried to sit up, but pain shot through his body.
"Actually, just give me a minute."
"How could you have done that?" Benitsubasa asked.
"I don't know what I would've done if you lost back there. I already felt terrible watching other Sekirei get taken away from their Ashikabis. Can you imagine how I would feel if I saw you on one of those MBI helicopters?" Minato said as an MBI helicopter landed and picked up the two unconscious Sekirei.
Benitsubasa studied Minato's face, which was full of sorrow.
He feels bad about beating Higa's Sekirei, even after what Higa's done.
After watching the helicopters depart, Benitsubasa looked back at Minato, "Do you regret meeting me?"
"What?"
"I mean, do you regret becoming an Ashikabi? Would you do it again? Even after all of this?"
Minato looked up at MBI tower, which was like a lighthouse in the darkness, "Of course I would. If I didn't, I would never have met you or any of the others. I would never pass up having friends like you guys for anything."
Benitsubasa smiled a little at his answer, "Do you still love me?"
Minato was taken aback by the question.
"Of course, I care for all of my Sekirei."
"You know that's not what I meant. Look into my eyes. Tell me if you really love me."
Minato looked into her eyes, "Yes."
Elated, Benitsubasa pulled him up into a hug.
"Not to ruin this moment, but can you set me down? It still kinda hurts to sit up."
Benitsubasa laughed, "You really know how to kill a moment, you know that?"
At this point, I'm not sure if Homura will be winged by Minato. I do know that he will pop up later in the story, but whether he's part of the Discipline Squad or part of Minato's group remains to be seen. Thanks for all of the reviews! I really appreciate all of them. Hopefully they keep coming.