Chapter 9: Who Would Have Known?

Yuki grumbled under his breath as he threw the only clothes that Matsu had left in his room out the window. A couple of dresses, a skirt and a single t-shirt with a crown and the words 'Drama Queen' written on it. Yuki smiled at that though, thinking 'Touché' and then throwing it out as well. He did, however, keep the things she put in his drawer. Three bras and a couple of other things. Never know when I might need them, he thought, then, kicking himself, corrected his mistake, Actually, I do, very damn soon. He cracked his back and put on a loose fitting black cotton shirt and a pair of jeans. He breathed deeply and went back outside, ignoring his throbbing finger.

Yukari smiled when she saw him, "What was that about?"

"She got me back for yelling at her last night. I don't know how she did it, but she changed all my clothes for girl's clothes. I have to watch my cabinet from now on"

She shook her head and went to walk away, "Ok, if that's all it was. I thought she'd done something to your sword while I was sleeping. The reaction you had would definitely be the same"

"No" Yukari turned to look at him and saw a dark shape curling around behind him and glaring at her, "I would have killed her"

Yukari stepped back, freaked out by the thing behind him. He smiled, "But she didn't, so I won't" He turned to go downstairs, "And I probably wouldn't anyway" as he walked down the stairs he spoke quietly, just so Yukari could hear a couple of words, "I didn't kill Benitsubasa after all"

Yukari watched him leave, scared once again of Minato's friends.

Minato smiled and waved to Miya and the others as he, Yukari, Shiina and Yuki prepared to leave. Miya had said that Yukari, who was definitely able to look after herself, would be best off protected by Minato and Yuki. Actually, what she said was, "I think it's best that you take someone to guard her as she goes home, and while you're at it, we need these ingredients for dinner". Yuki smiled as he thought to himself, 'She definitely wasn't worried about Yukari'. They turned and left.

Yukari and Minato walked in front, about five metres ahead of Shiina and Yuki. They were talking about Minato's choice in lifestyle again. Yuki and Shiina's conversation was almost as awkward;

"Why did you try to tell me you were Yukisoma?"

"I did?"

"Don't pretend like you've forgotten, you said 'Take a guess' and pointed at the clothes you were wearing. It doesn't make sense"

Yuki looked away, and just in time too. He leapt forward, tackling both Yukari and Minato as the axe swung where their heads would have been. Yuki's hair lost an inch. He caught the locks and his eye twitched.

The assailing Sekirei was a rather beautiful girl with the appearance of being about seventeen. Her weapon was about her height in length. The blade was as wide as her shoulders and came off the pole like an executioner's axe from the dark ages, except, double sided. She spun the weapon around her head and pointed it at the group, "I'm number 83, Rangiku. Fight me"

Shiina looked at Yukari, who gave the slightest nod. He stood and announced, "I am Sekirei number 107, Shiina. I will accept your challenge"

The girl grinned, "Lets go then" she lunged and he lifted his hand. He shook his head, "Death Garden"

A bubble of decay flowed from his palm, but didn't affect her, she just went right through it. She grinned as her blade pierced his skin. The weapon didn't kill him though. Yuki grabbed his shirt and yanked him out of harm's way, "You alright, Shiina?"

The small boy coughed blood and his eyes widened, "Yuki!" he gurgled.

The axe blade pierced through Yuki's back and out of his left breast. He collapsed beside Shiina and gasped for breath. He felt the power flow out of his back and knew that he was stopping. In seconds, he would cease functioning.

Minato and Yukari rushed forward, both concentrating on a different person. Yukari hovered over her Sekirei, wondering whether it was safe to pick him up or not. Minato sat on his knees next to Yuki's prone body. He was whispering the name 'Yuki' over and over. He grabbed the young boy's shoulder, sticky blood coating his hand. He lifted the body and checked. The Sekirei Symbol was gone from his back. Number 19 had once again stopped functioning. This time, though, Xenovi wasn't there to save him. Minao felt a tear well in the corner of his eye. He saw the shadow approach him but couldn't move. Th girl was about to swing her weapon and take off his head when they both froze. A voice was speaking from the ground.

"I didn't get the chance to say this before. But I swear to do whatever it takes."

Yuki threw his head into the air, pain erupting from his wound. He screamed to the heavens words whose power could be felt even where Yukari sat. Her head turned as she listened.

"By the blade which signifies my pact, draw from life and death, from the crack of dawn to the end of time, Revel in my ashikabi's goodwill!" he closed his eyes, "Second wind"

Minato fell backwards as his Sekirei stood, his wakizashi appearing in his hand. He glared at the girl as his back and breast healed over. He cracked his neck and put one leg forward, like a runner at the start line, "Blade Tempest!" he flashed behind her, a line of fabric appearing behind him as he did. He was almost completely naked bar a pair of black briefs as his favourite jeans and shirt was shredded from the wind resistance. His blade was horizontal by his side. The girl collapsed onto the ground and her own symbol dissipated. Yuki took a straight stance and dismissed his sword. He waited for MBI to show up, his bare breasts dripping his blood. He shook his head and collapsed, exhausted.

END

Now we're talking. Sorry it was short, by the way. The last one should make up for that though ^_^