Hey you all! Its Alito again! College life is taking a lot of my time these days so I hardly have time to do fanfiction these days either. Even so, I try to find time but I doubt it'll be long. So, I've been looking more into both Prototype and Sekirei, and I've been doing much research on characters, but enough on that, let's get to the next chapter.

Disclaimer; I own NOTHING

Chapter six: A new bond; Hope Virus or Alex Mercer

The four Sekirei leaped from rooftops with the single human being held by Musubi, while the virus hooded being was leaping ahead to the destination of Izumo. While on their way there, Tsukiumi couldn't help but stare down Mercer from afar, making sure he doesn't leave her sight for a second.

"Jeez, why don't you just plow the guy?" Tsukiumi was startled by the sudden voice speaking to her from the side.

"W-What art thou suggesting?" Tsukiumi questioned.

"Oh, come on now." The raven haired Sekirei winked, "Don't tell me you wouldn't go all night with a guy like him, would you?"

"I've killed thousands of people, consume humans no matter what gender, and I can grow claws." Alex replied, startling both of them. He then looked over his shoulder to them with an almost annoyed expression. "You sure you wanna fuck me now?"

"Now see here, Mercer!" Tsukiumi proclaimed, "Thou will never hinder me off guard, nor will thou defeat me so long as I draw breathe from—!"

"Okay, just stop talking right there." Alex said rudely, "If I wanted to listen to old Shakespearian language, I'd read Hamlet."

"H-How dare thee?-!" Tsukiumi yelled, forming water on her hand.

"See? That's your speech em-pedi-ment." Musubi smiled.

"Um, I think you got that wrong…" Yashima noted.

"Don't encourage them…" Minato sighed.

XXX

Izumo inn was currently going through its biggest issue at that moment; re-fixing the roof from the previous damage due to the untimely arrival of the red Sekirei. Fixing the roof from the inside was the residence of the Inn which was Homura, Matsu, and even Kuu, while at the front of the inn, the purple haired land lady was simply sweeping the lawn, humming lightly and had a warm smile on her face.

"Miya-san!"

Miya looked up to see a two familiar descending Sekirei land to the ground feet first with Minato along with them.

"Well now, it's nice to see you two again. I assume that you've captured the red Sekirei who damaged my Inn?" Miya said kindly, but that Hannya mask was obviously seen looming behind her with a devilish black smoke around it. "And I assume you've also apprehended Alex Mercer…Right?" Suddenly that one Hannya mask grew here times larger than it originally was. All three had a chill go down their spines from the very darkness of Miya's anger hidden behind that kind smile.

"W-Well…" Minato said fearfully.

"W-We kind of had Mercer…but…He got away." Musubi said nervously, "B-But we did get Minato-san back in one piece!"

Miya's anger was about to grow, but she decided to calm down as it was a good thing that Minato was safe and sound from danger, and at least away from Alex Mercer. "Well, that's good at least. And the damage to the Inn wasn't too large."

"That's great." Minato said with relief. Still he couldn't help but think of the hooded man as a potential threat to him and his Sekirei. What if he had really decided to "consume" him? Just the thought of it was enough to frighten him a bit. Even so, he decided not to tell the others. He didn't want them to end up going after him and possibly get hurt, or worse.

"So, I have yet to see Uzume about." Tsukiumi noticed, looking around. "Has she departure to her Ashikabi once more?"

"Yes, she did." Miya nodded, "She should be back soon. Her Ashikabi's illness, from what I've heard, is getting worse."

The three of them grew disappointed and sad for the poor girl that is Uzume's partner. She has to suffer through such an incurable illness and could at some point die along with Uzume. Even so, they knew Uzume was trying to keep her alive as much as she could so that she wouldn't leave her.

"I hope she somehow makes it…" Minato said solemnly.

"Me too." Musubi nodded.

"As do I…" Tsukiumi nodded.

The four were silent for a few minutes until suddenly, someone came running out of the inn frantically.

"You guys!" called out ginger haired glasses wearing woman in a white dress. She was panting as she reached them and seemed to have a look of urgency.

"Matsu-chan, what's the matter?" Minato asked.

"Mina-tan, thank goodness you're okay." Matsu said in relief, but then looked at them with a stern expression, "I-I've gotten info on this Alex Mercer guy. And trust me when I say this; it's…horrid."

XXX

The sunny afternoon of the setting sun turned to the moon filled dark night as the city glowed with the lights of the city. And standing at the highest building third to Higa's building and Minaka's tower was none other the hooded virus, Alex Mercer, and his two Sekirei. Yashima was swinging her giant hammer in practice, while Kazehana simply sat back on the roof's door entrance, sipping her Sake in satisfaction. Alex was looking down on the city below him with his foot on the edge and an arm resting on his lifted knee.

"Ahh~ that's some good sake." Kazehana sighed. She then looked over to her silent Ashikabi as he stood and looked over the city. Though she's been content to be by his side and destroy Minaka, she couldn't help but wonder as to ask what he was? Though Miya knew about him, Kazehana knew next to nothing about Alex Mercer at all. Maybe such a question shouldn't be asked until she knew more about him personally. And she knew that would be a while. "So, what's our next heroic duty?"

"I don't know about heroic, but our goals are a liberator for Earth." Alex said, "But so far, I now know that Heller is raising his own army of Sekirei."

"How do you know that?" Yashima asked.

"Because, when I went to return that picture a few minutes ago, I saw her." Alex confirmed as he looked over his shoulder to the hammer swinging Sekirei, "He's got a Sekirei now. And I'm betting it's the pink haired girl, and the clawed girl as well."

"That's no good…" Kazehana said almost fearfully.

"Don't worry. Heller is strong…but I'm stronger now." Alex said with a smirk on his face. "He won't stand a chance if we face him all together."

Kazehana stared at Mercer, begging to question him on what he was really after and who he really was. "Mercer."

"Yeah?"

"Tell me something…what are you really?"

Alex turned back to Kazehana and said, "You really wanna know?"

Kazehana nodded. He then looked to Yashima, and she nodded meekly.

"Alright." Alex began, "I'll begin…with Hope, Idaho."

XXX
One hour ago…

The night was set over a long tower that over-looked the city, but was still pale in comparison to Minaka's tower. Inside, the couch held an unconscious pink haired Sekirei who was currently lying under some covers. Her eyes fluttered open as she sat up right quick, but hissed at the sting of her side. She remembered that she was hurt pretty badly, but seemed to only suffer from a hurt rib.

"So you up."

Benitsubasa quickly looked to the corner of the dark room, with only the lights of the city below offering the source of dim light. Even so, she saw the tall dark skinned man in a black leather coat, leaning on the corner of the wall with his arms crossed.

"W-Who the hell are you?-!" Benitsubasa demanded.

"I wouldn't try to get up if I were you." Heller instructed, "You still need to heal from your injuries…plus you're naked under those covers."

The pink haired girl saw that she was indeed naked and her covers had slip off her shoulders, revealing her immaturely flat breast. She instantly blushed and grabbed the covers to cover herself.

"Y-You saw…?-!" She said almost angrily.

"Honestly, I don't care about your small tits right now. I got other things to worry about." Heller said firmly. He got off the wall and walked to the couch next to the one the red Sekirei was sitting in. "Your one-handed friend is layin' in the room behind me. She'll be fine though."

"So…you healed me?" Benitsubasa asked.

"Yeah, I did."

"Heh, what a stupid thing to do." The pink haired girl smirked, "You do know that I'll just beat the crap out of you once I heal up, right?"

"You can try, but you won't do much to me." Heller warned her, "Plus, you'll just re-open your wounds."

"So what?-!" The pink haired Sekirei exclaimed, "Just you wait, you bastard! Once my Ashikabi gets here, he'll give me the power I need to wipe the floor with you."

"Your Ashikabi?"

"Oh, you don't know what that is either? Heh, pathetic human." Benitsubasa scoffed, "What, did you just save me for some sick perverted reason?"

"Trust me, I already got someone…or at least I will again." Heller corrected himself. He didn't want to show his pain so he buried it in order to keep a firm expression on his face. "And this Ashikabi you're talkin about…"

"Yeah, what about him?" She said rudely.

"His name was Natsuo Ichinomi, right?"

"Yeah…how do you know…?" It took a bit for her to get what the conversation was leading to, until of course she saw the rather guilt-filled expression on his face as he lowered his head. Finally she felt a pain in her chest as she asked fearfully, "W-What happened…what happened to him…?"

"He…He's dead."

That was the killer. That was the shot to the chest that hurt her deeply; the undeniable suffering that she was forced to experience within herself. She didn't even consider how she was still alive even though her Ashikabi was dead. All she did was have a mournful expression on her face as she lowered her face.

"Who did it…?" She shot her head back up in rage and welled up tears in her eyes. "Who killed him?-! I swear I'll rip their damn head off!"

He knew this might happen. From what he got from Natsuo's memories, he could easily tell that Benitsubasa was in love with Natsuo and if anything happened to him, she'd probably go out for blood. He could say it was him and have to face her wrath (which he could easily handle)…but then something else popped into his head. Though this was a bit under-handed and a dirty trick to do…he knew that this was for a good cause; the resurrection of his wife who was unfairly taken from him.

"It was…Alex Mercer." Heller answered.

"Alex…Mercer?" Benitsubasa questioned.

"Yeah. He wears a hood and a black leather jacket."

"Wait…hood…leather jacket…" She put two and two together, until she finally realized who it was! "I know him! I saw him! Him and his Sekireis!"

"Sekireis?" Heller repeated coldly, "So now he's got two. Fuckin' perfect…"

"Well they won't last long, and neither will he!" Benitsubasa said harshly as she clenched her fist and held a very agreed expression on her face. "I swear! I'll get him for this! I'll destroy him and rip his head out for my Natsuo! Alex Mercer will die!"

Heller knew that he was wrong for doing this, and lying to her, but this was the only way he could see her joining him in helping to kill Mercer once and for all. And if this is the only way to do it, then so be it. Anything to have Minaka fulfill his end of the deal in bringing back his wife.

"W-Wait a second…" Benitsubasa questioned, "…How am I still alive if my Ashikabi was…" She struggled to finish the sentence, but was too angered and saddened to even finish it. Even so, she filled in the blank; "…was…disposed of?"

"Good question." Heller lied, "Either way, you're here now. And now, we both got the same enemy." Heller stood up and offered his hand to her. She looked up to see his cold, dark eyes stare into her young dark pink eyes. "Join me. And I promise you'll get your revenge."

Benitsubasa was hesitant at first in joining this dark skinned man, but she also didn't want to let a chance to take revenge for her dear master go to waste. Plus she naturally assumed he was a simple human acting tough, and if he tried anything, he was dead.

She stood up with the covers wrapped around her with her single hand holding it on, and her other hand extended to him. She then shook tightly and said, "Deal."

"Alright…now I'll just wing you and we can get—"

Before Heller could even finish those words, Benitsubasa instantly went red in the face and backed away from Heller in shock! "W-What the hell do you mean you'll wing me?-! I have an Ashikabi!"

"Had." Heller corrected.

Another sting was shot into the heart at the realization that her loving Ashikabi was indeed dead and gone. And now she was master less and would ultimately be powerless and thrown out of the Discipline squad. Or worse…Karasuba finds her. She finally calmed down and took a deep breath on this.

"S-So…If you wing me…you'll be my Ashikabi?" The pink haired Sekirei said with furrowed eyebrows but red cheeks.

"For the most part, yeah." Heller nodded. "Trust me I don't like it anymore then you do, but that's how it's gotta be."

Benitsubasa wasn't comfortable kissing a middle aged man who apparently said he could handle her, though she already knew that this was an obvious lie, so she figured what was the worse he could do? But then there was the issue of if he died. Then she would too. But then again, she shouldn't be alive now since Natsuo died. But he did look like someone who can handle himself, so there wasn't much worry there. Plus, she needed an Ashikabi now or she'll die in this Sekirei game.

The pink haired Sekirei sighed. "Fine…let's just get this over with."

She slowly walked to Heller, and was now close to him. She pressed her flat chest on to his, and blushed with a tempered expression. "If you say anything about my breast, I'll rip your arms off."

"Been there, done that." James smirked.

Benitsubasa closed her eyes and soon enough felt the warm lips of the dark skinned leather coated man. Suddenly a strange, unfamiliar feeling washed over her. It was a strong blast of power that entered her body and wiped away all exhaustion within her. It was like nothing she's ever felt before, even comparing it to Natsuo. She truly felt she could punch mountains with a single punch! Finally, her wings appeared behind her, only this time they were a dark black n' red color with black vines growing out of them.

The wings vanished and Benitsubasa felt Heller back away from her. She still stood there with her eyes closed; expecting more, only to finally open her eyes and blush intensely at how euphoric she felt.

"God I hope I never have to do that again…" Heller said disgustedly, "…Nothing personal, but kissin' high school girls isn't my thing…"

"W-What?-!" Benitsubasa exclaimed, "What the hell makes you think I'm a teenager?-! I'm almost in my twenties!-!"

"Yeah, sure." Heller waved as he turned from her, "And for God sake, put your fuckin' clothes on."

Benitsubasa looked at herself, and squealed shyly as she noticed her blanket fell off her naked body while she was winged.

While she went looking for her clothes, Heller happened to look on the drawer by the window, and was surprised as he found a photo on the desk that wasn't there before. He picked up and was surprised to see that it was a photo of his wife and girl. He assumed he must have left it there and forgot about it.

But little did he know that there was a man in a hood who happened to be passing that building.

XXX
hours later…

"…And that's the story."

Alex looked at his two Sekirei who both had expressions of both shock and pity for the walking virus. All that he has shared with them was an entire different world outside of Japan, and into the darker more sinister world that He has created to added to the terror that Blackwatch did. Not only that but the story of Elizabeth Greene was enough to scare the hell out of them already. Yashima was more frightened, while Kazehana was concerned at the most.

"W-Whoa…That's…just so much to take in…" Yashima said tremblingly. "I-I don't think I'll even be able to sleep at night after hearing that…"

"I will say it is an interesting story." Kazehana said, "But I will also say that in the mix of all that…it was all really your fault." Yashima looked to Kazehana in shock that she was challenging their master like this. "You were the one who spread the virus. You were the one who killed millions for your goals. You were the reason New York was NYZ." She then stood up and looked towards Mercer with stern eyes as he still had his back turned to her. "Even though you say that you're not Alex Mercer and you're just a virus, you still carry that man's name, and intern, you are still held accountable for releasing the virus at Penn Station."

"No. It was Alex Mercer who fucked up." Alex corrected.

"I don't believe that." Kazehana denied, leaning back on the wall. "You know what I think? I think you just don't want to admit that you're the one at fault here."

"What're you—?"

"Come on, Alex. You can't have me believe that just because you're not technically Alex Mercer that you don't have any relation to him? That makes no sense since you look like him, have his voice, and have his exact DNA."

Alex said nothing.

"So why don't you stop with this game and live up to what you've done." Kazehana said sternly once more.

"You're wrong…" Alex replied coldly.

"Deny it all you want, but you are Alex Mercer; the killer of New York."

"You're wrong…" Alex said with a bit more anger.

"Or would you rather be the same virus that killed almost millions in Hope, Idaho? Is that what you'd like to be ca—?"

Suddenly, everything happened in the blink of an eye as the hooded man suddenly appeared in front of Kazehana with his clawed palm open in front of Kazehana's face with the bladed talons stabbed into the brick wall that she leaned on. Kazehana herself did not falter nor did she flinch at all. She simply leaned on the wall with her arms crossed with no fear in her stern eyes.

"Don't…you…EVER put me and that virus in the same sentence!" Mercer said with ferocious anger in his voice and his eyes glowing an eerie red. "You're lucky I'm letting you live now!"

"If you hate being called the Hope virus, then say YOUR name!" Kazehana ordered. She then grabbed Alex's palm and pushed it away from her, then held it tightly as she stared into Mercer's red eyes. "You're not a monster! You're not Ragland! You're not Elizabeth Greene! You ARE Alex Mercer! And let me tell you something; being Alex Mercer is a hell of a lot better than being the Virus of Hope, Idaho!"

Alex was stood almost astounded. To think that this woman would actually not only question him, but also talk back to him even when he threatened to kill her with no concern how she felt. For her to be so straight forward in the face of possible death and still hold fire in her soul to stand by her own words…it was almost unbelievable to him. But it did allow him to see something he didn't think he'd see in any creature before…a burning confidence.

He simply hid his face in the shrouded darkness of his hood…then chuckled to himself. And finally, a full on, face to the sky laughing of almost complete hysteria. It scared the shit out of Yashima, but Kazehana simply smiled as she let go of Mercer's clawed hand and said, "I see you're back to yourself."

Alex stopped his laughing fit as it slowly faded into a large exhale of air and finally, he looked back at Kazehana with a grin on his face. "Best laugh in years."

He made his claw into his hand again, and walked back to the edge of the roof, looking over the city once more. He didn't know what he was feeling at all, or why he was feeling it, but for that moment and from then on, he felt…excited. He felt thrilled of the events going on, he felt cocky like he could take on the world, he felt power beyond what he's felt in the past, ready to slash through all the enemies that threatened the world. For the first time in months…he felt alive.

"Alright then." Alex said with that same smirk on his face, "You two should rest up. Because tomorrow…we got work to do."

"You mean, finding another Sekirei?" Yashima asked walking to the ledge with her master.

"Sounds exciting." Kazehana smiled as she too walked to the edge of the roof, downing the last of her Sake. "So, who will it be?"

"That's the fun part of it all." Alex said with interest of the results, "Who else shall join my Mercer army…who. Will. It. Be?"

XXX

"Huh?"

She looked out the window to see the moon in the full as she realized how late she is. She really over-stayed her time, and by the time she got back home, a certain land lady would kill her with her death glare.

"You should be going back home." Said a young cute woman sitting in her bed. She had blond long hair and green eyes with skin as pale as snow. "I don't think the hospital will allow you to stay for so long."

"Yeah, I guess so." Said the other woman who was sitting on a stool, playing cards with the blond. This beautiful well-endowed woman had long brunette hair with a lock of it in a long pigtail and brown eyes. She wore casual clothes of a pink belly top with a yellow star on it, Capri jeans, and sandals. "Guess I'll be going."

"Okay. See you tomorrow, Uzume?"

"Of course Chiho." The brown haired woman smiled as she stood up to place a kiss on the blond's forehead. "I'll always come back. And you'll always be mine…just as I'm always yours."

"Forever?" Chiho smiled as she extended her pinky.

"Yeah." Uzume replied with a smile as she crossed her pinky with the pale woman's. "Till the end."