Chapter 14: An Interesting Move
Amelia Evans woke up lying in her designated bed, in her own room at West Genetics School. She couldn't of been happier. The last few weeks had been emotionally rough for the young E-Pandora.
Her eyes flickered open, staring at the biege ceiling and her chandalier-esque light fitting. She smiled, feeling her two favourite people gripping her arms while they slept. On her left, Uzume #10, and on her right #109, Sasori.
She did see another Sekirei gripping onto #109, not that it bothered her to have someone who cared for him, but it did make her feel a tad jealous at moments. Karasuba was not as emotional as the other two Sekirei in the room, but she was nonetheless close to her Sasori, soundly sleeping.
Recalling the events of the day before, she lay in silence. Her brain going back to seeing Sasori return with Karasuba, beating Satellizer - whom she felt sorry for, she would no doubt still be in medical care - Then shocking the group to the fact he was now a disciplinary squad member, shortly before re-winging himself on her.
So much had happened, and while she was glad and overjoyed at his return, she knew Sasori's personality had changed, aswell as his incredible new-found powers. She was slightly sad to see her old Paladin disappear, knowing Sasori could... never really be the same.
But she loved him, and she wanted to be with him till the end. To say it had fueled their relationship with his absence was an understatement. They spent the rest of the day with each other with Uzume tagging along.
The E-Pandora noted to make more of an effort with Uzume, who looked as if she was the third wheel in the group. 'She is my Sekirei too, and a person who I hold dear.' Amelia thought to herself further, in silence still.
'I can't let her feel as if she's not wanted. She may not have been my first but she does mean something... no, a lot more than something to me.' The ashikabi continued to think to herself.
Another few minutes went by in quietness, Amelia's alarm sounding off after those quite minutes had flown by. She wrestled her arm from her first Sekirei to smack the top of the alarm, shutting it off.
Overhearing groans of tiredness from next to her she smiled again. Grateful of who she had known and what had been gifted to her, a comfortable life at West Genetics, two Sekirei who were both off the charts in their beauty-scales, and a technical success in the E-Pandora project. Although two of those three came with some bad memories, she was thankful for her opportunities.
"Ugh, what time is it?" Uzume groaned.
"It's 7:30 in the morning, Uzume." Amelia turned to face her, it became apparent that the alarm hadn't woken up the two members of the Discipline Squad within the room.
"Heh, that's far too early for me." She said lazily, her face sliding back into the pillow, face down.
Evans chuckled to herself. She decided to do something very uncharacteristic of her. "Sorry you got woken by it. I unfortunately have to get up for work. But here's an apology for you."
Uzume was listening to her ashikabi, but when the last bit was said she perked up her face coming from the crater her head created in the pillow.
"And what wou-" Uzume's question was interrupted by a stern kiss. She was surprised at Amelia's newfound forwardness but wasn't about to complain about it. Her veiled wings sprung from her back and lit the room.
The morning surprise ended as their lips parted. The two noticed after that Sasori and Karasuba were beginning to stir. Evans turned back to #10, and gave a playful 'shush' action by putting her left index finger to her mouth with a wink as she got up and began to get dressed for work.
Uzume smiled to herself, enjoying the feeling of her wings sprouting because of her Ashikabi. 'I hope she does that more often, I like that Amelia' she thought.
Karasuba was now fully awake still lying by Sasori's side. She decided to try and make #109 wake up. Her brain tried to think of the most annoying thing to do to her Ashikabi, or the one she considered her Ashikabi.
Her right index finger rose over Sasori's face as she now leant over him, covered in a white gown. She poked his right cheek once, then again, and repeatedly poked him in the cheek, whilst poking harder after every one.
"Quit it" he groaned. She didn't 'quit it'. "Jeez, alright I'm awake!" he said in a more lively voice, a scrape appearing on his cheek from the viciousness of her annoying antics.
"Ara ara, Sa-So-Ri-Kun, time to get up." her signature smile appearing. He faced her with grodgy eyes, it was blatant he hadn't slept that well, the little sleep he had gotten being taken away from him when Amelia's alarm rang.
"Five minutes."
"Nope." she replied cheerily, pulling his legs so he slid down the bed on the verge of falling off.
He lay face down still. "This is so unfair," came a muffled voice.
Karasuba sighed, giving up, she hadn't the patience to argue with him over something trivial. "You have three minutes then that's it. Otherwise I cut your legs off."
Sasori continued his muffled replies, "That's fine, I don't have to walk to sleep."
"Whatever, I'm getting dressed."
#4 walked into the shower, noticing it was occupied by the only Ashikabi at West Genetics. "Well, this is awkward." There was something strange to Karasuba's chime after being winged by Sasori. Her expression hardly ever changed from the creepy, happy smile she carried with her.
"I have no problem if you don't." Evans' replied. Earning a nod from Karasuba. Luckily in the shower there were two shower-heads to use, taking one each they got their jobs done.
Conversation sparked through an expected topic; "So... How did you end up falling for Sasori?" Amelia asked, a little hesitantly.
Karasuba had noticably stopped her trademark smile, obtaining a grim stare at the Ashikabi. "Why do you want to know? ... does it bother you?" finally came the reply.
Amelia stopped scrubbing her arms and looked round. "It doesn't bother me. But I thought you were already winged."
"I was."
Evans' sighed. "Look, I don't want to pry and push, but there's very little I know about you guys. The little Sas has told me, the fact you're essentially aliens, your powers, what was going to happen to you in MBI's game. It leaves me with very little to converse about with you all, and not quite sure what to ask."
With her rant over, she finished it off with a last ditch attempt to gain information; "I guess I just want to know more about you, and your brethren."
"I suppose I could do that. But I'm not interested in boring points like that."
"What are you interested in then?"
Karasuba giggled lightly, "Killing... It's fun."
Amelia let off a small gulp. The grey haired Sekirei beside her didn't overhear it thankfully, it showed weakness.
"Where do you want me to begin then, Amelia-san?" It was the first time Karasuba had used an honorific in her name, having never really called Amelia by her name previously. The need for it never arised. It took her by a bit of surprise.
"Well, where did the Sekirei come from?"
"I don't know that. Next."
"Uhm... How did you get so interested in killing?"
#4 let out a small 'hmm' of pondering to herself. "I guess it just stemmed from my DNA. I always latched onto my sword and wanted to hit something. Through either annoyance or hatred of weak beings."
"Fair enough. What about Sasori though, how were you able to be winged by him?"
"I don't know that either. But I know someone who might. I can only assume something erased the previous bond I had because it was so weak."
"How could the bond be weak?"
"You answered your own question."
"Huh?" Amelia was dumbfounded.
'Do I really have to play Sensei here?' Karasuba thought to herself, getting a little annoyed at the stupidity.
"Bonds can be weak. The bond between Sasori and yourself for example is strong because of the... feelings... you have for each other." she stopped briefly, taking in what she was saying.
"The bond I had was weak due to the fact there was no feelings there. We were both 'empty'. to explain it easily."
Both of them stood silently for a minute, slowly washing themselves in the process of thinking the information through and the other wishing the questions would stop.
"I apologise for pushing the questions. I know it must be annoying."
The bloodthirsty Sekirei sighed oncemore, "It's alright." She relented her usual killing attitude. She couldn't kill her... Ashikabi's, Ashikabi?... She needed to speak to the only person who could tell her and the others what was going on. But she didn't want to.
"But you ask something that's considered extreme by myself I may have to kill you should you gain information that you aren't supposed to know."
"I won't let you do that Kara-chan." A male voice came through the glass door of the shower. Sasori was stood in the bathroom blatantly collecting something on the outside of the cubicle.
Karasuba opened the door, revealing their nakedness to Sasori who had a light blush but played it off cooly.
"You won't let me, huh?"
"You know the consequences of the chain reaction if that would happen. But even then I don't think you'd do it. You're better than you think yourself to be." He finished his reply with a smile, collecting his undershirt that he had left the night before.
"Looking good though ladies!" he said loudly on his way out, knowing it would probably wake Uzume in the process.
He left them with blushes as Amelia quickly closed the door to finish off showering. "He certainly makes things interesting, as do you, Karasuba."
"I take that as a compliment." she smirked.
"It was meant to be one." Amelia smiled with genuine happiness as they carried on cleaning themselves in silence.
-X-X-X-X-X-
The monitors showed #4's rewinging in the more-than comfortable office suite. "Very interesting. I didn't think this would happen at all!"
He switched the monitor to find who #4's new Ashikabi was. "Oh my." The screen showed a young Ashikabi, a unique one. "I shall have to speak with them. By the will of the Gods, I can make this work! My game shall continue!"
Minaka hit the intercom on his desk at the top of Teito Tower, situated in the center of Shinto Teito. MBI had the Sekirei taken by the Chevalier due to them finding out about the unique and friendly alien race (for the majority of Sekirei being friendly...).
"Get me the Discipline Squad, without members #4 and #109." he stated. With a prompt, "Yes sir!" from the other end, presumably a secretary down the bottom floor.
A few minutes later the Discipline Squad Ashikabi, Natsuo and now, his only two Sekirei appeared in the entrance of Hiroto Minaka's office.
"You called, sir?" He asked, bluntly and emotionless.
"Yes I did. In fact, I need you to sign this." He pushed a white sheet of A4 paper forward across the desk with a pen.
Natsuo walked toward it with Benitsubasa and Haihane (#105, and #104) closely in tow. "What is this?" he asked.
"It's a mutual termination of contract sheet. By the will of the Gods it has been forseen that your efforts here are no longer required, Natsuo Ichinomi." Minaka gave his answer, with a wicked grin.
"May I ask why you desire this?"
Benitsubasa was about to jump in, but Natsuo stopped her. He knew it would be a waste of energy to do so against Minaka.
"My dear boy, there have been changes, and obvious ones. No doubt you have felt the loss of #4 from your bond."
"I did, is she terminated?"
"Now this is the interesting part. She isn't... In fact, she's re-emerged to a different person. The strongest is no longer in your group, Ichinomi-kun. That's all there is too it. I find it difficult to believe that if some Sekirei were to do some indecent acts such as create problems for MBI and myself, the fact you only have #104, and #105 alone may not be enough."
"Understandable. I will take my leave then." He signed the paper, with a twinge of regret. He wondered silently as his pen crossed the page who he had in mind. No doubt he would cross #4 again at some point. There was no love lost there, despite his orientation, Karasuba never cared about him nor the other way around.
"You may take your leave Natsuo Ichinomi. You did well for the short time you were here." Minaka gave the young man a kind gesture to at least make sure he didn't kill himself after leaving. He knew Natsuo was a husk of sorts, no emotion or caring to his character.
Natsuo merely bowed and thanked his former employer before heading out to the streets and eventually home.
"Yes... all the plans will come together with this. It just needs a certain someone to agree." Minaka stated as he began cackling about his plan and the will of the Gods.
-X-X-X-X-X-X-
It was later on in the afternoon after Amelia's guard duty shift for Scarlet Oohara, whom she still despised since the Alaskan project. It was difficult for her, there were mixed emotions of hatred and regret when she saw her.
She arrived in her room to be greeted by Uzume with a welcoming embrace. Uzume was the only one in the room as Karasuba and Sasori were in Discipline Squad duties, mostly patrolling and spying for MBI's chief.
They sat by the window with a circular table between them. "So what's the plan this evening?" Uzume asked her Ashikabi.
"Not too sure actually. Is there anything you want to do in particular?"
Uzume was never really the decisive type when picking something to do. But she thought of soemthing that most Sekirei would ultimately choose if they were alone.
"Well... there was one thing..." A slight blush coming to her cheeks.
"Not at the moment. I know exactly what you're going to suggest. Not that I don't appreciate it."
"You don't even know what I was going to say!"
"I do."
"At least hear me out?" she pouted playfully.
"I feel if I did, I'd leave myself open. But perhaps another time. I'm not ruling it out forever." she said, a twinkle in her eye. Quite uncharacteristic again. Slowly Amelia was getting used to having a ... well... to put it bluntly, a harem. It only really consisted of Sasori and Uzume but due to Karasuba it could hardly be called a Love Triangle.
Uzume took her answer with a pinch of salt, a little disappointed. To her knowledge even Sasori and Amelia hadn't 'done it'. It made her feel a little better that she wasn't missing out on anything that her fellow feathers had done.
Suddenly the little TV on top of the dresser in the room sparked to life.
"Ah, welcome to the age of the Gods!"
"Damn it, how'd that turn on?" Amelia questioned, reaching for the remote.
"No! Wait, don't turn it off!" The man in the screen screeched in his white cloak and suit.
"Oh no." Uzume mumbled, just loud enough for her Ashikabi to hear.
"Who're you and how are you doing this?"
"My dear Amelia! You should be happy at a time like this! You're winged not one, not even two, but three Sekirei in only a matter of time!"
"Wait, how do you know about Sekirei?" Amelia asked, turning to Uzume for an answer.
"He's Hiroto Minaka... CEO of MBI and enabler of Sekirei... if you can call him that." her answer being in a solemn, distasteful tone.
"Now now #10, don't be so callous. I merely called your Ashikabi to welcome her to the game! And if I have to be so bold to do so, I would like to make a proposal to you, if you would be so kind to meet me at Teito Tower in Shinto Teito tonight."
"I... wait... hold on a second. A proposal for what?"
"You will have to find out when you get here! Do not worry about the others. I will make arrangements to have Karasuba and Sasori meet you when you arrive. For now they are out on a little task I gave them."
"Fine, I'll be there within two hours. This better be good... Minaka."
"For the sake of your Sekirei, I'd highly advice keeping the happy attitude you had, Amelia-san. Afterall you're part of the glorious game of the Gods! Farewell and I'm looking forward to seeing you!"
With that the TV shut off leaving Amelia and Uzume sitting there in a distasteful silence. "What's his deal?" the ashen haired E-Pandora asked her Sekirei.
"Not sure. He's planning something."
"And what does he mean by the game of the Gods?"
"Did Sas ever tell you what we Sekirei were going to do had it not been for Chevalier's interference?"
"Fight until the last one... right?" she answered correctly, a slightly gentler tone with it.
"Yeah. That's his plan still. I know it. I never cared for fighting much, it's fun to a point but there's no gain from winning anything unless it's in his game. What he could want you to do I don't know though. Although I'm concerned about something..."
"What's that? The fact he's come to me only it seems?"
"No, not that. He said you had three Sekirei. Which means it's not just Sasori and me."
Amelia let out a small 'hmm' of contemplation. "Unless he means..." "No, it can't be. We've never even had mucosal contact... ever!"
-X-X-X-X-X-X-
After the two hour monorail journey, which seemed to pass slower than it did, Amelia and her Sekirei #10 walked to Teito Tower, which took ten minutes from the station. She made it there at just after six in the evening. They walked into reception, where a short lady behind the counter asked them what business they had.
"I was told to see Minaka this evening." Amelia answered straight.
"Ah yes, Amelia Evans. Take the hallway to the end and the elavator to your right and wait till the door closes."
"Thanks." she said nonchalantly as they headed for the destination.
Another couple of minutes went past as they travelled up the floors that went into the hundred mark.
The lift doors finally pinged open at their floor, leading to a large hallway with a door at the end. It looked very movie-esque in style, as if it were created to add tension to the walk. A knock was heard at the door followed by a; "Enter!".
Uzume walked in first and Amelia followed. "Ah, Amelia Evans. A pleasure." Minaka turned around in his spinnable office chair. Having a profession air about him this time.
"The pleasure is all mine." she replied, having a bored and cautious ring to her voice.
"Now, this proposal I have for you. Due to you winging a certain Sekirei had me do some thinking. It can be very advantageous for you if you so desire it."
"Advantageous how? And what is this proposal already...?"
After her questions the door opened again. In came two figures in their grey and black haoris. "We're done with what you request...ed..." Sasori began, until he noticed the other two people in the office.
"Minaka, what are you planning here?" he added to his statement upon entering.
"Ah, Sasori and Karasuba, welcome back. I trust you enjoyed your task?"
Karasuba let out a hmpf, "I didn't get my sword dirty, most disappointing."
"Likewise, I had no trouble either." he threw a small docket on the desk. "Printouts of what you asked for."
"Thank you #109, you have been very useful. Now, back to topic." he started, "Amelia Evans, do you know what you were able to do, while this may be unbeknownst to Karasuba, a few weeks back?"
Karasuba's left eyebrow perked up, "I don't know what?"
"Ah you'll see!" Minaka sounded too giddy for her liking.
"You tell us now or I slit your throat. I'm itching to get my blade dirty..." a smirk appearing on her visage, showing bloodlust and a desire to let loose.
"Now now Karasuba, all in good time!" he turned to Amelia again. "You were able to wing #4!"
Karasuba's eyes shot wide. What happened? How? "And how the hell did that happen? I winged myself to Sasori, not her!"
Minaka now had a devious smile to his face, showing he was happy with the results of fate and his 'game'. "Ah #4, but what did Sasori do before you made contact with him?"
"He kissed... wait..."
"Ah, bingo!"
Karasuba ran at Sasori who readied himself as she thrust him up against the wall. "You bastard! I'll gut you right here!"
"Karasuba! Stop!" Amelia shouted, earning her the attention she possibly would regret obtaining.
"Shut it."
Sasori coughed at the impact, "Kara-chan, just wait... for an explanation..."
She grunted and let go, causing him to slide down the wall. "Well Minaka, thanks for that."
Hiroto merely smiled at what was transgressing in his office. 'This reminds me of Takami a little. How funny.' He thought to himself.
"Please stop this for now." Amelia begged the Ashen haired Sekirei. She accepted, just...
"Anyway, as I was saying I had a proposal for you Ms. Evans. I need a new Squad to help MBI and it's priorities."
"A new Squad?" she replied, a little confused.
"Minaka... You can't be serious." Sasori interjected, knowing where he was going with it.
"Deadly, #109. Amelia Evans, I propose that you head the new Discipline Squad as part of MBI's specialised corps. You will have certain advantages, one being getting away from that 'nasty' Dr Oohara of yours." he smiled, awaiting her reaction.
'That would be rather nice. Letting her rot with someone else who has to take care of her instead. I might actually get some free time to see my brother...' She thought, the last part earning herself a regretful visage.
"You alright?" Uzume asked her quietly, bringing her out of her trance. "O-oh yeah, fine... sorry about that." she replied in the same manner.
"Ms Evans I need an answer tonight! The will of the Gods wait for no man! And... bear in mind that the... condition of your Sekirei... is in my hands also." A devious smile appearing.
"What do you mean?"
"Ms Evans I have the power to deactivate every single Sekirei in this game. Yours are no exception."
She was beginning to hate this man even more. Forcing her into a corner was the worst thing she could imagine. It was what led her into the E-Pandora project because she had no where else to turn for her brother's treatment.
Amelia hated this feeling, she didn't want to work for this man... but the people she cared for were being threatened. Be it their lives or being hurt. Even though she didn't have any proof of this power of Minaka's, she had to take it as a true threat.
"On one condition."
"And that would be...?"
"You terminate my contract with Chevalier to guard that bitch Dr. Oohara, and I get paid, a lot of money."
"You would get a lot of money anyway Ms. Evans, we have to let you look the part! But granted, I will arrange a termination of contract between yourself and the Chevalier. On that note also, you will have the entirety of floor ninety-seven at your disposal. Bedrooms, lounge, training area, yada-yada."
She was cautious, and could feel her Sekirei's worry over her, apart from Karasuba's. It was blatant she was having trouble coming to terms with the whole thing, even though she had a cool face on.
"Alright, fine. But if there's anything you try to pull on me while I work for you, I'm sure Sasori, Karasuba, and Uzume would love to take a pop at you."
"Oh I'm sure they would! But I'm glad you've agreed to the proposal. Welcome to MBI and your new career, Amelia Evans! I'm expected great things from you..."
Okay guys, with that it's Chapter 14 done and dusted! I wish to make a special thanks for Godric Kharg who allowed me to use his idea for this chapter, and if you guys enjoy fanfics on Sekirei then you should check his out (Sekirei: Ashikabi of Fate), it's a great read!
Thanks again to the reviewers, keep 'em coming! I enjoy reading and replying to the comments and critiques of the story.
I apologise if there are any spelling mistakes or parts that don't make sense (while I don't actually think there any in this chapter, I could very well be wrong), so don't be too harsh on me, haha.
Take it easy folks! I'll be sure to get the next chapter out my Christmas or just after New Year's. Depends how work goes and if/when I decide to intake too much alcohol :D