Ice Chronicles

Chapter 13: A New Ally Pt. One

Jason and I were running through the alleyway with this girl we saved. He continuously made sure that she was right behind us, being sure she was alright. We reached a corner, and I told them to wait. I peeked behind the corner and looked around. Thankfully, I didn't see the enemy; but it's still dangerous out.

"We're safe for now, but we need to stay focused. I think it's best to rest for a little bit," I told them. Jason and the girl agreed. She was terrified, but Jason made sure to comfort her.

"Everything's gonna be okay; don't worry," he reassured her. She nodded and rested her head on his shoulder. I peeked behind the corner again, but immediately looked back when I saw the enemy.

"Crap, they're right around the corner," I whispered.

Earlier

It was ten in the morning and for some reason, I felt really sleepy. I walked into the living room and saw Tskumi sitting on the couch. She was in deep thought again so I decided to leave her to her thoughts. I walked outside to get some fresh air; it felt nice outside, the wind was blowing, the sky was blue, and there were a few signs of clouds. I was enjoying the scenery, but someone put their hands over my eyes.

"Guess whooo," they said. I smiled.

"Hey Uzume," I replied. She giggled and wrapped her arms around my neck.

"Good morning darling. Listen, I'm sorry about this, but I'm gonna have to go out with you another time. Chiho is feeling better now and I wanted to go visit her," she told me. I put my hand on top of hers.

"It's okay; I understand. Give her my regards and be careful. We can go out another day," I said. She stepped in front of me.

"Thanks Ren. Just go with Tskumi today and I'll go after Matsu instead," she replied. I nodded and she kissed me on the lips then jumped away smiling. I was thinking on what to do know, until my phone scared the hell out of me. I answered the phone and asked hello.

"Hey Ren, it's me," Takehito stated.

"Oh, hello Takehito. What can I do for you?" I asked.

"I need you to come to the inn so we can talk," he told me. I got a really bad feeling after he said that.

"Okay, I'll be over shortly," I said.

"Great, when you get here, just come in," he replied. "What I have to say won't take long

"You must either trust me or you know Miya will kill me if I just barged in," I stated. I could hear him laughing on the other end.

"Both actually; I'll see you soon," he said and hung up. I did the same and went to tell my girls and agreed to bring Tskumi and Kazehana with me. Matsu said she would need the others, which honestly made me a little nervous. When we finally arrived, I just did as Takehito said and walked in, hoping he was right and Miya wouldn't kill me. The three of us walked into the living room, where we saw Takehito, Miya, and Jason with his sekirei. There were three other people here as well.

"Hi there Ren," Takehito greeted.

"Hi everyone, I hope I'm not intruding," I replied. Tskumi and Kazehana walked in and greeted everyone.

"Oh Kazehana; I never knew Ren winged you. The problems he's gonna have now. Matsu was bad enough, but now it's even worse," Miya stated.

"Don't be like that Miya; Ren and I get along nicely," Kazehana retorted hanging onto my arm. Tskumi did the same thing out of jealousy. That's when this man stood up and looked at me. He was a fairly tall and lean-built man with brown hair. He was wearing a shirt and a pair of jeans.

"So you're this Ren I've been hearing so much about. I'm gonna be honest, you're not who I expected you to be," he said.

"I sort of get that a lot," I replied. The other two then turned around, and I instantly remembered them. It was the lightning twins, Hibiki and Hikari, but they were wearing maid outfits. Hikari must've remembered me too because she pointed her finger at me and stuttered.

"Hello again; I want to say your name is Hikari."

"You! What are you doing here?!" Tskumi shouted. Hikari then pointed her finger at Tskumi.

"I should be asking you the same thing," she said. "We still have to pay you back for last time."

"That's my line!" Tskumi exclaimed. She formed an orb of water while Hikari summoned her lightning. I immediately got in between them and held my arms out.

"Hold on Tskumi calm down," I told her.

"But Ren, you know what these two did," she pointed out. I lowered her hand.

"Yes Tskumi, I know what happened; but that's not why I stopped you. Please tell me you remember whose house we're in," I replied. "If you do remember, then I'm gonna tell you; I really don't want to die."

She finally realized what I told her and dispelled the water.

"I apologize for my behavior," she said. I sighed in relief and turned around then noticed Hikari canceled her lightning as well. We say Miya clapping her hands and smiling.

"Good job on setting her straight Ren. I'm glad you remember the rules of the inn unlike some people," she said summoning her demonic aura and looking at the man and the lightning twins. She lowered her aura and the atmosphere became normal again.

"Well now that that's settled," the man said. He wrapped his arms around the twin's shoulder and purposely groped Hikari's breast.

"My name is Seo, I'm these girls' ashikabi," Seo greeted and continued groping Hikari, who got pissed and electrocuted him.

"Uhh, nice…to meet you," I stated.

"Don't worry about him Ren; he's just trash someone left behind," Miya stated. "And he is Takehito's best friend so I have to put up with him."

'I'm not even going to ask.' I said in thought.

"Okay then, so what did you need to talk about Takehito?" I asked.

"It's about the plan. As of now, there are only a few sekirei left unwinged and it's almost time to start the third phase," he explained. "Let me ask you, have you encountered any ashikabi's recently?"

"No, everything's been peaceful so far," I replied.

"I see. That's understandable, but don't let that fool you. When you least expect it, will something happen. How about sekirei; have any more reacted to you lately?" Takehito asked.

"Only Kazehana; I haven't encountered anymore," I told them. "Though lots of times I feel like I'm being watched by someone; but because one of my girls was with me, they didn't attack. I don't know if that's the case or they're just observing. What about you Jason?"

"I haven't had the being watched feeling, but I do be having dreams about multiple sekirei. I remember Ikki telling me that an ashikabi can see the sekirei reacting to them in their dreams," he told me. It was the same with me.

"By any chance Jason, in one of your dreams, were two sekirei being chased by another pair and I was walking with you?" I asked.

"What? You had the same dream?" he asked back. I nodded yes and explained to him what I dreamt. So far, both of our dreams were the same.

"So since both of your dreams were the same, that means both of you will meet your respective sekirei at the exact same time," Takehito explained. "I suggest you two be on the lookout. Just because you dreamt about your sekirei doesn't mean someone else won't take them."

"Understood," Jason and I said in unison.

"That's all I wanted to talk about," Takehito replied.

"Ren," Miya called out. "I'm sorry to impose, but can you and Jason run an errand for me before I you leave?"

"Hey don't go ordering the kids around, they're not your errand boys," Seo stated. That's when a frying pan flew out of nowhere and hit Seo in the head, and he fell to the floor. Everyone's attention immediately shot towards Miya, who had her fingers bended down as if she threw something. The entire time she had a smile on her face. Then she mysteriously pulled a giant rock out.

"I don't recall asking for your opinion," she said and summoned her demon. "However, I will forget what you just said if you apologize."

"Yes, you're right. I'm sorry," Seo stated with blood coming out of his forehead. Miya died down the aura and turned my way. When she did, everyone except Takehito and Seo were hiding behind me.

"Yeah that's fair," I said sarcastically. "You guys are shielded and I'm face to face with death."

"Come on Ren, take one for the team," Jason stated.

"Surprisingly, it didn't penetrate," Kazehana pointed out. I felt a tug at me pants and looked down. I saw Kusano and hanging onto my pants.

"Thank you big brother Ren," she stated.

"That's actually amazing. Maybe you're useful after all," Hikari stated earning her a blast to the face from Tskumi.

"Don't insult my husband!" She yelled at her. Hikari stood back up and conjured up her lightning, but Miya summoned her demon again, and Takehito joined in as well. Everyone froze and I was directly in front of it.

"Since Ren shielded everyone, I'll allow it; but next time, there will be punishment," she stated. I was the only one that could nod. The two dispersed their auras.

"Now then, Ren, Jason; would you do that errand for me please?"

"Sure; I don't mind," Jason said.

"What do you need?" I asked.

"I just need you guys to pick up some things for me. Let me write a list so you'll know what to get," she said and left the room.

"As for Tskumi and Kazehana, I need you two to stay here. I need to confirm some things," Takehito stated. The girls agreed, probably wanting to avoid his demonic aura. Miya then came back into the room with a piece of paper with items on it. Jason and I quickly left with the list and to our destination.

"Man that was intense," Jason stated.

"Easy for you to say, you were hiding behind me the whole time. What was I supposed to do?" I questioned.

"Hey I wasn't the only one. What about your sekirei and Seo's?" he asked back.

"It's a man's duty to protect his girls. As for the other two, I guess I can't complain," I replied. "Speaking of Seo, what was he doing here?"

"I was playing with Kusano, and he just barged in saying, 'Miya feed me.' Then those twins just kept apologizing when Miya showed up," he replied.

"I never thought Miya would be so scary," I stated.

"When I first met Miya, I never thought she would be scary either; and Takehito is even worse. You would never think someone so beautiful could be so scary," Jason told me.

"Sucks for you, I have my own place," I boasted. "The only thing I have to worry about is some of my sekirei walking around half naked."

"Actually; I have to ask, have you had sex with any of them?" Jason blurted out.

"I'm not gonna lie, I have had sex with two of them; my first sekirei and my fifth sekirei," I told him. "What are you and Ikki going to do? Since one of Miya's rules is no elicit relationships allowed."

He wiggled his finger back and forth.

"See for that, I have a plan. I'm a good negotiator and I may be able to convince them one night alone with Ikki. And if that doesn't work, I have an alternative," he replied. We continued talking as we gathered all the items Miya requested. After we got everything, we were walking back to the inn.

"Ren, did you hear something?" Jason asked and suddenly stopped. I stopped as well and listened to the surroundings, but I didn't hear anything important.

"No, I don't hear anything. What did you hear?" I asked back.

"I'm not sure, but it sounds like a cry," he replied.

'A cry?' I pondered.

"As in a weeping cry or a cry for help?" I asked. He looked at the ground with a serious expression.

"Sort of both; I can't explain it, but when I first encountered Ku, I heard the same sounds," he told me.

"So what are you gonna do then?" I asked. He looked at me.

"Me?" he asked.

"Yes, you're the one who can hear it and if it's anything like how you met Kusano, then there's no doubt that it's a sekirei. So; are you gonna ignore that call or are you gonna do something about it?" I interrogated. He didn't even respond. Instead, he took off running and put the items we gathered in a safe location. I followed after him smiling.

"You do know Miya's gonna kill us for taking so long," I pointed out.

"I don't care," he stated. I kept following him until he suddenly stopped. He turned his head and hauled ass again. I tailed him until we saw three women. One was backing from the other two. Before I could make note of what was happening, Jason dove and pushed her away from the two. He picked her up bridal style and looked at the duo. One was a girl with short blond hair, wearing a black leather top up from her belly and lather bloomers and stockings. The other was a woman with short black hair. She wore a purple, yellow, and black outfit that wrapped around her and is held together by a small metal ring right below her breasts. Portions of her midriff, sides, arms, and thighs were exposed while the rest was checkered back and forth with purple and yellow.

"Who the hell are you?" the blond one interrogated.

"I'm this girl's ashikabi; and she's coming with me," Jason stated confidently. The blond one gritted her teeth.

"Now that's where you're wrong. Our master ordered us to terminate her, so I suggest you back off before you get hurt little boy," she said.

"The one who's little is you," Jason retorted.

"What did you say?" she angrily questioned.

"Calm down Sai, he's only trying to get under your skin," the blacked haired one told her.

"I don't care what he's trying to do Ichiya; I'm not gonna let him talk to me that way," Sai replied. She suddenly pulled out a bunch of strings with blades attached to them.

"You are aware that it's forbidden to attack an ashikabi," Jason pointed out. Sai smiled.

"Yeah, I'm aware; but I also don't give a fuck," she replied. "Now I'll tell you one more time. Back off and leave the girl."

"And I'll tell you one more time, she's with me," Jason declared. She grr'd.

"I warned you," she replied and was about to launch her weapon; but I threw a rock at her hand and stopped her.

"Ow!" she cried. She looked around angrily.

"Who did that? Show yourself!"

"That would be me," I replied. Their attention shot towards me as I walked forward with rocks in my hand.

"And who the hell are you?" Sai questioned.

"I'm an enemy of your master, that's all you need to know," I replied.

"Is that so? Then you die first; I'll think of this as payback as I rip you to shreds," Sai stated. She was about to act, but Ichiya yelled at her saying Jason ran with the girl. I only laughed as her expression changed.

"One major rule when it comes to battle; always keep your eyes on your surroundings," I said. She launched her weapon at me, moving it like a puppet master. I jumped back out of its range and took off down the alleyway. I stopped just in time to see Jason around the corner.

"Thanks for the distraction," he said.

"No prob," I replied. "How's the girl?"

"Thing is, she fainted when I pushed her out of the way and she still haven't woken up yet," he told me.

"Can't blame her, but now what are we gonna do?" I asked.

"You're going to die!" Someone yelled. We turned around, only to have a blade fly straight at us. We barely managed to dodge it, but it cut me in the face. I could feel the blood trickling down my cheek. Then, Sai and Ichiya dropped down out of nowhere. Jason picked the girl back up.

"You should've kept running; you would've lived longer," Sai stated.

"Any ideas Ren?" Jason asked. "I'm drawing a blank right now."

"I have my phone so I can call for backup," I said. I slowly reached for my phone and took it out, but Sai saw me and launched her blade. I moved out of the way, but my phone got pierced and practically blew up.

"Damn it, my phone. Well, calling for back up is out of the plan," I said. Sai started laughing.

"Even if you call for backup, there's nothing they could've done," she said. "We would've terminated them right on the spot."

"Please; my girls would whoop you any day of the week," I boasted.

"What?" she questioned.

"You heard me, I have seven sekirei. Six are fighters while one is a brain type. You're actually lucky you destroyed my phone. If I would've said I got into trouble, they would've been here in seconds," I replied. Then I started smiling after I realized something.

"What's with the grin?" Ichiya asked.

"My brain type; she's incredibly intelligent," I said.

"No duh dumbass," Sai stated. I then started laughing.

"Now what's funny?"

"You didn't let me finish. She's so intelligent that she can hack almost anything electronic," I replied.

"Just get to the point already!" Sai said irritably. I pointed upward.

"Thanks to her, I have a satellite at my disposal ready to fire," I finished. On cue, a red laser came from the sky and hit the ground. Jason and I used the distraction and escaped.

"If you can hear me Matsu, thank you very much. I owe you one," I stated.

"Ren, how did you know we were being watched?" Jason asked.

"Honestly, I didn't; but I'm glad we were," I told him. We managed to find another place to hide. Jason put the girl down and I peeked behind the corners.

"You know, I just realized something. We don't even know who this girl is."

"Does it matter?" Jason interrogated.

"No, but I wish she would wake up," I said. As if on cue, the girl mumbled and slowly opened her eyes. She looked at us and immediately started backing away.

"Please don't hurt me," she said with tears in her eyes. Jason kneeled in front of her.

"It's okay, don't worry. We're not gonna hurt you I promise. We are going to help you, but you have to trust us okay. I promise I'll protect you; I won't let them hurt you," Jason told her. She started blushing. Jason stood up and held his hand out. Timidly, she reached for it and placed her palm on top of his. He helped her up and she smiled.

"Thank you," she stated.

A/N: I'm going to end the chapter off here. I'm sorry if it's a short chapter, but hopefully I can make up for it with the next one. I think I chose I good cliffhanger for the girl. I will not reveal her so you're gonna have to read to find out. In the next part, it will start from the present time. Also, I may not be able to upload as frequently because I have some important things coming up and I may not have time. Thanks to those who have sent me some ideas, I really appreciate the help. Note that I will increase Jason's sekirei count. To end it off here, I have a quote. See if you can figure out what it means. There's no reward I'm sorry.

"Victory is sweetest when you've known defeat."