Thanks to everyone who's reviewed this story. Guest, whoever you are, I gave Seo Homura because, well, you'll find out soon enough. This chapter is a few short scenes, but they are all going to tie into the ending.
Chapter 19
Minato was sitting on the couch inspecting his newly won Jinki. He carefully ran his fingers over the smooth faces, pausing to look at the number.
"Minato, I need to tell you something." Minato almost dropped his Jinki in surprise at another voice.
He looked up to find the owner of the voice, "Yes?"
Matsu leaned on the couch, "You know how I said I stole a Jinki?"
"Yeah, I remember." Minato replied.
Matsu began twiddling her fingers, "Well, I kinda don't have it."
Minato stood up, "What do you mean you don't have it?"
"I kinda left it in my room at Izumo Inn."
"Wait, so we have to go back there?"
Matsu nodded.
"All right. I don't want to face Miya since I haven't paid back your rent yet, but I guess we can make the trip."
Minato hesitated for a moment before he knocked on the front door. The door swung open to reveal Miya in the doorway.
"Hi Miya, we just need to get something." Matsu said quickly before she shuffled inside. Minato was about to follow her when he felt an iron grip on his shoulder.
"Hold up there." Miya handed him a shopping bag. "I'm making lunch soon, and I need extra groceries since someone decided to show up uninvited." As she said this, the familiar mask popped up behind her head, "Consider this paying off part of Matsu's rent."
Minato nodded and turned around to leave for the grocery store.
Minato came back half an hour later to see Matsu waiting at the door.
"I got it." She said.
"Good, now let me get these groceries inside." Minato replied.
As he walked into the dining room, he noticed a familiar mop of black hair.
"What are you doing here?" Minato asked.
"Because he is scum." Miya said casually as she grabbed the bag from Minato's hand. She then handed two bags of rice to Hikari and Hibiki.
The two immediately got up and began apologizing.
"We're so sorry! We're so incredibly sorry for bothering you!"
"Don't worry about. It's not your fault your Ashikabi is trash." Miya said with a smile.
"Hey, that's a little far don't you think?" He turned to Minato, "Anyways, I know we didn't get off on the right foot, but let's start over. I'm Seo." He held out his hand.
"Minato." Minato grabbed his hand and shook it.
"Say Minato, you look like a guy with a lot of problems."
"I do?"
"If you ever have any problems you need to be solved, just call this number." He handed Minato a business card.
"We solve your problems for a price." He read aloud, "Wait, you charge people to help them?"
Seo shrugged his shoulders, "I'll give you the friend discount, don't worry."
"Sorry to grab your new friend, but I need to talk to Minato." Homura said as he got up from his seat.
"Sure thing." Seo said as he stood up and put his arms around the twins, who zapped him with lightning.
Homura led Minato to the hallway, "Minato, I need to ask you for some help."
"Really? What do you need?"
Homura looked around to see if anyone was listening in, "I'm going to attack MBI Tower."
Minato was taken aback, "Why?"
"You know why. Minaka is crazy, and he's making innocent Sekirei fight for his amusement. I want to stop him."
Minato was concerned, "I know that he's all of that, but I don't know if we can beat him right now."
"I don't know if you know this, but Miya is onboard with us, and she is immensely powerful." Homura said.
"Really?" Minato took a look at the landlady. Sure he was scared of her, but immensely powerful? He never would have guessed that.
"If we had your help, we could beat him. The Discipline Squad would not stand a chance at stopping us."
"I don't know though. I would be putting my Sekirei in unnecessary danger."
"Minato! What's taking so long?" Matsu cried out.
"Look, just think about it, all right? We're going to attack in a week. You have until then to decide. We're going, with or without you."
Minato nodded, "I'll think about it."
"This is a big decision Minato, do you really want to go through with it?" Benitsubasa asked as Minato finished explaining Homura's proposal to his Sekirei.
"I'm not sure. I don't want to put you guys in unnecessary danger though." Minato replied.
"When it comes down to it, we'd have to fight each other anyways." Uzume said, "So we will get hurt, no matter what."
"If we have a chance to stay with you, we'll take it." Akitsu said.
One by one, his Sekirei agreed.
"Then I guess we don't have a choice, we'll help them." Minato said with conviction.
"So we're coming along too, right?" Yukari asked.
"Sorry, but it's too dangerous." Minato replied.
She pouted, "I may be your little sister, but I'm not a kid anymore."
"I made a promise to Mom that I would protect you."
"Trust me, I'll be safe. Shiina is really strong and he won't let anyone hurt me." She said. For some reason, Minato believed her claim.
"Fine, you can come along."
"Yes!" Yukari cried out.
"But, only if you listen to my orders. And if things get bad, you have to run away."
"Got it big brother." Yukari pretended to be a solder and saluted.
Minato sighed as he walked back to his room, "She doesn't take things seriously enough. I just hope that she won't get hurt.
On the top floor of MBI Tower, Minaka watched Minato on his monitor and smiled.
"I applaud you for coming up with a creative solution, but I can't let you stop my plan."
He turned his chair to look out of his window, which offered an unobstructed view of Tokyo.
"Get me my phone, I have a few calls to make." He ordered. His secretary immediately left the office to get her boss's phone. As she did, Takami silently slipped inside of the office.
"Be prepared Minato. If you play with fire, you will get burned." He laughed manically and Takami left the office, as silently as she came.
Takami sighed, "Minato, what have you gotten yourself into?"
The next chapter is going to be the ending of this story. I like having things in increments of 10, so I think Chapter 20 is where I'll end. I might add an epilogue, but unless people want one, it's likely that I won't. As always leave any feedback or constructive criticism you want.