Chapter 3

Noctis and Akitsu finally reached the shopping center. It was quite awkward walking all the way over here. Akitsu, for whatever reason, walked near him at all times. The woman barely left any breathing room for him. That in turn caused people around them to look and stare. It didn't help that Akitsu clothing consisted of sweat pants, a plain shirt and shoes that were too big for here.

All the more reason to get this over with. Noctis wasn't exactly looking forward to this but it was either now or later. Noctis preferred to get it over with now. They stepped inside the mall. Nothing fancy, at least when compared back to Noctis's old home. It had it's share of clothing stores for various people, a place where people can sit down to eat and they even have a game room.

Noctis will be sure to visit that when this over.

"Where are we, Noctis?" asked Akitsu.

"A mall. You've never been to one?"

She's never been to one? Noctis found that odd. At some point in this woman's life her parents had to have taken her to something like this for clothing. Even now Noctis felt the need to clarify what he just heard.

"You really have never been to a mall, Akitsu?"

She shook her head. "No. I've only seen them on t.v. I've never been to one before."

Parents to poor to take her? Maybe there's another reason as to why? Noctis himself didn't really visit the mall till his teen years. There was never really a reason to visit them when he had no friends and all his clothes all came from tailors who worked for his father. Noctis wasn't really sure why he is not surprised by Akitsu not knowing what a mall is. Maybe it's because of the woman's odd personality and abilities.

"Well, in case you don't know a mall is where people gather to come shop for clothes and trinkets. There is also a food court where people can get a bite to eat if they're hungry." Noctis began to walk and talk with Akitsu staying close to him. "We'll get you some clothes here."

"Are the clothes free?" asked Akitsu in her soft spoken voice.

"No. You have to pay but don't worry. I got you covered for today." He did not notice the blush on her face as he said that. Noctis was too busy looking around to see what might be a good place to start. The first thing she needed for sure was underwear.

It actually didn't take all too long for Noctis to find a place for that. The two passed by a store that had exactly was Noctis was looking for on display. A lingerie and clothing store that looked to have a variety of options. Noctis looked through the windows and could see multiple women shopping through the merchandise. Now all Noctis needed to do was to get Akitsu in there and let her do whatever it is girls do when they shop.

"In here, Akitsu." Noctis lead her to the entrance. "Alright, this is where you want to shop. Just go in there and wave to me when you're ready to pay." Thankfully Noctis had enough funds to buy a few clothes for the woman. Now all that he had to do was just wait outside as Akitsu does her thing. He waited for his new roommate to enter. Yet for some odd reason she wasn't going in. Rather the woman was just staring at Noctis with a blank expression on her face, as usual.

"Akitsu, what are you waiting for?" Noctis found it odd that she wasn't going in.

She didn't say anything at first after Noctis finished his question. Rather she looked to Noctis, then to the store and then back to Noctis. "I can not leave your side Noctis."

Wait, what?

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

"As your Sekirei I must stay by your side at all times." said Akitsu. "To leave my ashikabi alone would be wrong."

So it was a sekirei thing? That didn't really explain anything, it only made Noctis want to ask why a sekirei needs to stay by their ashikabi. She made it sound like something bad will happen to him if she left him alone for just a few minutes. Still this whole staying close to him thing that Akitsu was doing wasn't anything new. One of the reason's why Noctis hasn't really said anything about her closeness is that he was kinda used to it. Gladio and Ignis always made sure to keep Noctis in their view. It was their duty as the royal advisor and sworn shield. They would go wherever Noctis would go.

With Akitsu it brought some sort of familiarity. He remembers how at times the group wouldn't do anything until Noctis came to a decision.

Wait...so that means…

"Akitsu, if I go in will you follow me?" She nodded. "Yup, figures." Just like his friends back home, nothing would be done unless Noctis himself made the decision. He was the king after all...he had to be the one to make the decisions...

"Noctis?" Akitsu called out to him and it brought Noctis back from his thoughts.

He shook his mind free of those past thoughts. Noctis then resigned himself to his fate. He entered the store and true to her word Akitsu came in soon after. It was bit uncomfortable. The moment they entered a few of the customers took notice of Noctis and Akitsu, who was standing right next to him. The former king could see the women in this room look at them and began to giggle and flush. No doubt they were coming to some sort of conclusion that was absolutely incorrect.

Whatever, Noctis ignored them. He lead Akitsu towards the back of the store where a bunch of underwear were set on display. Just getting close to it made the Noctis uncomfortable. It didn't help that Noctis could still feel the eyes of the other women just staring at the both of them.

"Akitsu, pick out something you like and please be quick about it." The longer they stay in here the worse it will become for Noctis. Thankfully Akitsu actually did start looking at the stuff around her. Curiosity seemed to have gotten a hold of her as the young woman was picking through various clothing and holding up for her to see. Noctis wasn't the only one who noticed that. A young female, who looked like she worked here, approached Akitsu.

"Hello." The worker said in a happy voice. "Are you finding everything okay?"

Akitsu stopped looking at the underwear to address the woman. "Ah...yes. Thank you." Her soft spoken voice clashed with the fact that she held up some rather provocative underwear.

"I see that you checking out out lingerie. May I ask-" The woman sent Noctis a sly look. "Who this is for?"

Noctis was about to tell this lady that it was none of her business. That is until.

"Ah, it's for him." Akitsu pointed to Noctis, who had to look of utter shock on his face. It didn't help that the young female worker, along with the other women in the store, all began to flush and giggle.

"I see." The woman looked like she just had been given the best gift ever. "Is he your boyfriend?" The question was the final straw. Noctis was about to intervene and tell the women to mind her own business. Unfortunately, Akitsu had other plans.

"No, he is my Master."

"M-Master?"

The face of the female worker froze completely. Not only that but her face had gone from flushed to full blown scarlet. Noctis didn't fair much better. His cheeks were slightly red but his mouth practically hit the floor. He stopped moving when the female worker shifted her attention to him. As if asking him if what Akitsu just said is true. Before the former king could clear up anything the women shifted her attention back to Akitsu.

"Put these away!" She grabbed the underwear off Akitsu's hands and placed them back in the shelf. "A relationship like that deserves something far better. Come with me." She lead Akitsu, who was putting up no resistance, to the back. Noctis made to follow them but soon stopped. The lights were much more dimmer and instead of white the colors were all pink and black light bulbs.

Oh,no. Noctis knew exactly what type section he stumbled in. The type that no man wanted to go in. Yet he had to, lest he leave Akitsu all alone with that worker who has nothing to do than stick her nose into someone else's business. With a deep breath Noct took began walking. It didn't take long to find Akitsu. He found her near a corner, along with the worker, looking at outfits and underwear that looked like something you would find in a strip club. It looked like the women was advising Akitsu to get something like that.

No way Noctis was going to let that happen.

"Hey Akitsu." Noctis called out to the ice women before anything else happened. Though it was hard to talk to her while she held what looked to be racy underwear.

"Ah, Noctis." Again, her carefully calm expression was very out of place. "Can we buy this?" Not only did she point out to the underwear she was holding but also to an outfit. An outfit that made Noctis's eyes go wide.

"You...want to but that?" Noctis crossed his arms.

"Yes."

Noctis became skeptical at her words.

"Why?"

"The woman said that the outfit means possession." Noctis shifted his attention to the female worker. To her credit, she did not shift or squirm under when there eyes met.

"A Special relationship such as yours deserves special clothing." A part of Noctis wanted to correct her, to say that everything was misunderstood. However the lethargic part of him said no, instead to simply leave and never come back.

Noctis chose not to respond to the worker. Rather he wanted to ask Akitsu a question.

"And you're okay with that? Being referred to my thing?" Noctis wanted to emphasize the point in hoping that Akitsu would get it. The look on her face said two things. Either she didn't or she did but she did not mind.

"Yes. Having you as my master is what I want. Wearing this outfit will show it" A calm expression meet a hopelessly confused one. Noctis didn't want her to wear this outfit. Noct wouldn't want anyone women to wear this type outfit. He didn't think any type of women in the world would want to wear something like that in public.

Yet here was Akitsu, asking if he could purchase that for her.

"...Pick out something to sleep in. Something modest." The last words were referred to the female worker, whose stood there the whole time. She nodded, and after giving the outfit to Akitsu, took the sekirei away to find something to sleep in.

Noctis followed them closely. Just to make sure she didn't make Akitsu buy anything too outrageous.

"Oh everything looks so good. What do you think I should get Yume?" asked Musubi, her eyes sparkling like stars as she looked at all the food options that were available. Yume couldn't help but chuckle at her actions. It made it all the more better with her little shrine maiden outfit that was white at the top and pink at the bottom. It was a stark contrast to Yume's black and grey. Something she was been meaning to get rid of now that she is no longer part of the squad.

"Whatever you want Musubi. It's my treat." Yume had invited out Musubi to come and eat with her. Especially since the poor woman loses her MBI card and can no longer purchase food for herself. It was refreshing seeing Musubi. Her honest heart was enough to brighten anyone's day.

"Yay! Thank you Yume." Musubi went back to looking at the menu, determined to make to her mind before there turn to order came.

Yume, on the other hand, kept her vision to the crowds of the mall. So many people here, men and women. Yume looked at every single one of them. Trying to see which one would spark something in her. So far, nothing has happened. Not to Musubi either. Still the day was still young. No point in giving up hope just yet.

"Ah Yume, were next in line!" Yume snapped out of her daze and saw that it was indeed their turn to order. Musubi went first and then Yume. The two grabbed their food and found a seat to dine in. Both of the girl had order a simple burger and fries, after sitting down to two began to enjoy their meals.

"Oh, this is so good!" exclaimed Musubi.

"It's not bad." Yume said in agreement.

For just a few minutes the two ate in silence. Musubi chewed on her food with a huge smile. Yume ate in small bites while she kept her eyes on the crowds of people walking around them. Eventually Musubi noticed her actions.

"What are you doing Yume?"

"Ah, um…" the question caught her off guard. "I'm...just looking for my ashikabi, that's all Musubi."

"Oh, have you found him?" Musubi perked up and began to look around as well.

"No, I haven't." Yume said with disappointment. "Sorry Musubi, I didn't mean to interrupt you eating."

"Oh, don't worry about it." The girl shook her head. "I want to find my ashikabi too. I can't wait!"

Yume only nodded with a smile and Musubi's words. Even though she hasn't found him yet, Musubi remains as cheerful as ever. Yume wished she could have to same attitude. All these years have left the veteran sekirei filled with doubt. Especially as she saw other sekirei, who were much younger that her, get winged. Try as she might, Yume could not fight the feeling that she may never find her destined one.

"Hey Yume?"

"Hm? What is it Musubi?"

"I can't wait to find him." Yume stopped eating and looked to Musubi. She sounded different. Not serious but not cheerful either. Like the shrine girl was thinking about something pleasant. "I remembered all the stories you told me as I got older. How our ashikabi is the one we're supposed to be with. How he'll treat us with love, and that he'll care for us."

Yume listened to her words, as she did a smile, matching Musubi, came to her face.

"I hope our love will blossom. I want our love to be special. I want to hold him and for him to hold me." Musubi closed her eyes and placed her hands onto her chest. "I want to find him, I can't wait."

"You will Musubi." Yume reached over to Musubi and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "And when you do, a strong love will no doubt grow between you both." Yume took her hand off Musubi's shoulder. As she did the older sekirei could not help but admire her attitude. Musubi's desire for love is something that all sekirei should strive for. It's what makes them strong, it's what makes them grow. Yume only hopes that Musubi's ashikabi will be a kind one.

"Well then Musubi, how about we finish our food and then you and I could lo-" Yume pause when she look at the young girl's face. It was...frozen. Like a deer caught in a headlights. Musubi wasn't looking at Yume, but something past her. As she did Yume noticed that the younger sekirei was displaying visual changes. Her cheeks were becoming red, her chest was rising a bit faster and her fingers were slightly shaking.

It didn't take long for the older sekirei to figure what was happening. Musubi was reacting.

"Y-Yume? What's going on? Why do I feel so strange?" The poor girl sounded confused. Yume didn't blame her, Musubi was still young compared to the other sekirei. Not only that but she was also very naive. Emotion like these are something new to her.

Still...Yume had seen other sekirei react back at the lab. This was nothing like what she saw before. Musubi's reaction was much more powerful. To the point where the people around them began to look at the corner of there eye's to see what is causing all this.

"Breath, Musubi, breath." Yume tried her best to calm her friend down. They can't cause a scene here, MBI wouldn't take to kindly to any sekirei putting on a public display. The existence of the alien race is meant to be a secret. "Listen to me, Musubi. You're reacting."

"Reacting?" repeated Musubi, as she continued to keep her eyes, not on Yume, but on whatever was causing her reaction.

"Yes, which means you found your ashikabi." And given how powerful the girl was reacting the person causing this must be a powerful ashikabi in general. Yume gave her a proud smile. "Congratulations Musubi."

"T-Thank you b-but how do I get this to stop?" said Musubi in between heavy breaths.

"Well Musubi, what is your body telling you?"

Musubi didn't answer at first. She simply kept her eyes on the person that was causing her reaction. Yume continued to keep her eyes on the younger sekirei, just in case the reaction becomes a bit too much for her.

"I...I want to kiss him. I want to kiss him, really badly." Given how she was reacting, Yume wouldn't put it pass Musubi if the girl wanted to do more than that. Still that can be at a later time, for now Yume needed to help her friend get the person she was destined to be with.

"Alright Musubi, I'm going to turn around know, please don't do anything rash." The girl didn't say anything in response, she only nodded her head. Slowly, Yume turned around to see who was responsible for causing such an extreme reaction to her dear friend. "Who is the one doing this to you Musubi?"

"The one in the white shirt, with black spikey hair."

Yume looked for just a bit more until finally she laid her eyes upon the ma-

Yume's heart started to race, her face became hot. Yume continued to look at the man. He looked young, couldn't more than twenty. Black hair just like Musubi said. Wearing a white shirt and a pair of jeans. He stood there, waiting in line for food with a bag in his hand. He was looking at the menu, it didn't look liked he nocitced her of Musubi staring at him.

"Yume?"

When Musubi called out to her, the older sekirei turned her head so fast that she almost got whiplash.

"Yume…" repeated Musubi. "Your face, its red."

Noctis stood in the never ending line. Shopping for Akitsu clothes have gone (somewhat) successfully. She now had a pair of pajamas that could pass for moderate, though that outfit was something else entirely and even something for her feet. Had the women not be so determined in getting it Noctis would have tried to persuade her in getting something else.

He looked to where Akitsu was sitting. The women had be adamant on staying in line with him but when Noctis had asked that it be better that she get a table for the both of them she backed down. As you wish, Noctis. That was what she said to Noct. The former king could see her looking right at him. Despite the distance between them the women was set on keeping him in her sights at all times.

Noctis chalked that up to a Sekirei thing, which is something he still doesn't fully understand. He needed to find out exactly what this relationship entails. Problem is, Noct doesn't know how to do that. While shopping Noctis used his phone to look it up. When he typed in Sekirei the man got nothing. Asking Akitsu resulted in vague answers. It seemed less like Akitsu doesn't want him to know and more on she simply doesn't know much herself. Which is weird, but then again Noctis remembers how he didn't know about the royal arms till he was twenty. So it was weird but not to the point were it drew suspicoins.

"Sir?"

But just where could he learn it? The library? That doesn't seem like a good option for Noctis, considering just how little luck he's found on the internet.

"Hello sir? Are you ready to order?"

"Ah, what?" Noctis had been so preoccupied in his thoughts that before he knew it, his turn had come. "Sorry, spaced out. I'll have a…that. Two of that's" He pointed to the menu. That was another thing Noctis needed to get used to. The food, it was different here. The 'Japanese", as they call it, have much different food and candy compared to his old home. The only thing that was the same like in Eos was the cup noodles. In fact, they seemed to have even more variety than back home.

Gladio would go absolutely mental if he was here…

That is what Noctis ended up ordering, a pair of cup noodles. He only hoped that Akitsu liked it as well. The young man asked her earlier what she wanted but Akitsu simply told Noct that whatever he got was fine. He hopes she like's cup noodles.

As Noct made his way back to the table something caught his eye. To his left there was table occupied by two women. Normally this wasn't something that caught the chosen king's interest, but unlike the other tables these two women were staring at him. Rather intensely too. Noctis looked to them and saw that it was a pair of twins. Both were women who looked to be around his age. Both had short brown hair and brown eyes. The only difference that Noctis could spot from this distance was the outfits. One was dressed in something pink and white, the other was in all black.

Unlike the two girls in question, the young man did not make his starring as obvious. He simply looked from the corner of his eye. He wasn't sure why these two women were looking at him but Noct didn't like it.

"Noctis, is something wrong?" So busy was he in looking at those two women that Noct didn't even notice that he'd reached the table where Akitsu was sitting. He handed Akitsu her food before sitting down himself.

"It's…" He considered telling Akitsu but decide against it. "Nothing, let's eat and then we can get back to shopping." It was probably just some girls who considered Noctis attractive. That wasn't a new experience for the former kind of crown city. Back in his old home girls would always come to him because of his title. Best to just ignore it like he always does and eat his food in peace.

"Noctis?"

"Hmm?"

"You are being watched." It looked like Akitsu took notice as well, much to the young man's surprise. He looked to Akitsu and saw that the usually deadpanned and calm women had a stiff body posture, with her eyes narrowed and vision locked to her right side. Noctis recognized that, he saw that countless times during his journey.

That's the posture of someone getting ready to fight.

"Akitsu." Noctis called out to her to grab her attention but it didn't work. She kept her gaze firmly past him. "Akitsu." He called out again only this time it was louder. It worked, Akitsu moved her eyes to him but her posture remained tense. "I know I'm being watched. Just some girls probably looking for a guy to spend money for them. Leave it alone, let's finish eating and get back to what we were doing." Whoever these two girls were could not be worth sending a person who can summon ice. Noctis will do what he always did back at school.

Ignore it.

Yet It didn't look like Akitsu was okay with that. Throughout the entire meal Noctis would see her occasionally glancing at the two women. That was fine, Noctis will take what he could get. Once the two finished eating Noct quickly got up with Akitsu trailing right behind him. Whatever those two women where after Noctis wanted no part of it.

Just out of precaution he took one last glance at the table were the two women at.

It was empty.

The two women had left the table…and started walking towards Noctis and Akitsu. He could see them, their heads poking out through the crowds of people.

"Okay, maybe there not here to find some guy with money." They were following them, that much was obvious. What wasn't obvious was why. Noctis has never met those two girls in the short time that he's been here. Then again...maybe it's not him there here for.

"Akitsu, do you know those two?" asked Noctis as the two continued walking.

"Yes...I know the one girl in black. Yume." So that was her name? Noctis gave another glance back to them and could see that they were still following them.

"How do you know her?"

"She is a Sekirei, like me."

A Sekirei? That itself made everything even more complicated.

"Okay. Do you know why she's following us? Is she after you?" If this women was enemies with Akitsu then things were about to get dangerous. All the more reason to leave the mall before anyone gets caught in the crossfire.

"Perhaps."

Noctis was confused with her answer. "What do you mean perhaps? Akitsu, I really need you to be certain here."

Noctis was trying to piece this all together. A task that was proving to be quite difficult.

"I can not be certain, for I do not know if they have an Ashikabi." The ice woman looked back to see the two girls who were indeed still on their trail. "I believe they do not."

"An ashikabi? Why would that matter?" asked Noctis as he grabbed Akitsu wrist, which caused her to blush, and guided her towards the exit of the mall.

"..." Akitsu stayed silent. Noctis looked to her and saw that she did not want to make eye contact with him. Which was odd, considering how the woman has been keeping her eyes on him nonstop.

"Akitsu?"

"I...do not know master." Two things set Noctis on alert. That obvious lie in her voice and the fact that she was calling him master. The two finally made it towards the exit and began walking outside. It became easier for the two to move now that they don't have to deal with a crowd of people.

"Akitsu…"Noct turned around to see if the two were still following them. To his shock and annoyance the two girls were still after him. In fact they were no longer being discreet about it.

"Just perfect…C'mon Akitsu, I have an idea." Running away may not be an option anymore. Fine, Noctis never did like playing the part of a coward. If it's a fight these two sekirei want then it's a fight they're going to get.

To be continued…

Hello! This chapter was late, sorry. I didn't want to rush it and I was also stuck with thinking how to end this chapter. I didn't want any winging so I thought about introducing the lightning twins but that didn't work out either so yeah…

Also hope everyone likes the Yume and Musubi for Noctis. I didn't want to replace Musubi as she is the sekirei with the most screen time. That being said I don't want a copy paste story with Noctis just taking Minato's role. That's why I added yume, to spice things up.

Hopefull the grammar is on point at least, my last chapter for my other story was full with errors.

Again, sorry for the late update. Had to deal with a hurricane, was not fun.

Thank you for reading, see you next month!