Aurthor's note is at the bottom. TLDR: I'm alive. Life happened. I'm back.

Chapter 9: Welcome to MBI

*Story Start*

*Shirou*

Something was wrong.

The thought permeated my dreams, dragging me towards an unwilling wakefulness. I tried to fight it, to burrow back into unconsciousness, but the sudden sharp intake of breath and the tensing of the body next to mine dashed that hope entirely.

Instinctively, my eyes snapped open and scanned the room.

Dark.

It must have still been the middle of the night; the room was doused in inky blackness. Akitsu shifted, letting go of my hand and raised herself up on her elbows –something only visible by the thin beam of pale white moonlight creeping in from the opening doorway.

"Karasuba." Akitsu hissed. A chill crept through the blankets and floor. Her voice was quiet, but as cold and hard as the ice she wielded. Yes, standing in the doorway, silhouetted in the pale moon light, was Karasuba. "I will not allow you to harm him."

"You can relax." Karasuba scoffed. Why was she here? I was tempted to ask myself, but it didn't appear that either woman noticed that I was awake. There was a flutter of cloth and the thin stream of light was momentarily cut off, plunging the room once more into absolute darkness. When the light returned, Karasuba's alabaster skin shone in its reflection; she must have removed her overcoat. "Despite my better judgement…I'm not here to kill anyone tonight."

The dubiously good news still didn't explain why she was here. Something deep inside, some long buried instinct, told me that the two of them being here without my conscious arbitration and intervention was a bad idea. The animosity each woman felt for the other… I didn't quite understand – maybe it was something in their nature as Sekirei.

But my curiosity, oddly, got the better of me. So long as violence didn't break out, I wanted to see what would happen if I didn't step in. I forced my body to relax and continued to feign sleeping.

"Although, you couldn't stop me if you wanted to." There was a soft clink as Karasuba removed her nodachi from her belt and set it gently against the wall by the door. "You may have had the upper hand before, but now there is nothing stopping me from gutting you and sleeping – quite comfortably, I might add – with my Ashikabi in the rapidly cooling pool of your blood."

Akitsu tensed further, but made no further movement. Her lack of denial was disconcerting: it probably meant that Karasuba was probably correct in her statement. I'd have to remember that for later; if the ritual for binding a Sekirei also granted them an ability boost, or if when our mana intermingled it opened a Servant-like link to my reserves.

"Unfortunately, Shirou would probably get mad if I did that." She continued, kicking off her shoes and leaning down to peel off her thigh high stockings. "And as much joy as your death would bring me, and it would, I didn't come here to fight. I came here to sleep."

The jangling sound of metal on metal signified the leather straps and pouches hitting the floor. Dressed now in only her tunic and skirt, her picked her sword off the wall and closed the door, plunging the room back into darkness.

"So be grateful for my benevolence." Soft footfalls came closer and stopped next to my futon on my right side. I almost jumped out of my skin and pin-cushioned the room in swords as two arms encircled my right arm before a soft, warm body wrapped around it.

I could feel the leather of her sheath as it lay across my bicep from where she still gripped it in her hand.

This was… hardly ideal. I should get up and throw them both out… but despite going to bed alone tonight (and the night before, and quite a few nights prior) I had woken up with company. There was no doubt in my mind that, should I reveal my ruse and toss them out, I'd find them right back next to me in the morning.

I wasn't sure how long I lay there debating with myself before the breathing of the women on either side of me settled, other than that my arms fell asleep long before.

Sleep did not come easily (or restfully) for the rest of the night.

*Yukari*

I think I finally understood the phrase 'the cat that caught the canary.'

Well, in this case it was more 'the cat that ate pancakes,' I mused, taking a rather syrupy bite of said pancakes. The breakfast table was surprisingly (and delightfully) full, and I wasn't talking about just the spread Shirou had provided.

Today had started out… interestingly. With mom out of the hospital and back home and my former plans to go back to the country canceled so I could be here, I had taken the opportunity to sleep in a bit. Shirou was already in the kitchen hard at work (as usual) by the time I'd gotten up.

This was not the interesting part, but rather the boring, every-day part.

Okay, scratch that – I amended, taking another bite of syrupy fluffy goodness – this was a pancake day. That was better than a normal day. The rest of the point still stood.

Anyway! Distracted. Where was I?

Oh! Right.

The interesting part was when I heard the spare bath running. Sneaking past Shirou (not hard), I had decided to join Akitsu in the bath; she had proven to be an all too supple and willing bath mate yesterday, but I hadn't been in the proper state of mind to really enjoy it then.

That certainly wasn't the case this time and I wasn't ashamed of abusing her trying to get into big brother's good graces for my own personal gain.

Only… it wasn't Akitsu I found in the bath. It was the nice ashen-haired woman from the other night.

Sure, I was banished (rather forcefully) from the bath until she finished, but not only did I get to use the time to (successfully) persuade Shirou to make something foreign to eat for breakfast, I also got to share the next bath rotation with the lovely (and afore mentioned both supple and willing) Akitsu-chan.

Yes, I grinned into another bite, it was a good day to be me.

"We should head out in another hour or so." Shirou commented, eliciting a non-committal grunt from mom as she glared at the other side of the table over the rim of her coffee mug. Mom had been feuding with him since she returned from the hospital. Well, less feuding and more ignoring Shirou's multitudinous imploring to chill out and stop being angry with him. Shows he didn't grow up with mom, Minato and I knew a lost cause when we saw one. Still…I wasn't exactly sure what mom was angry about specifically, but I had some definite suspicions.

Definite with a capital D.

My fingers twitched at the thought and I tried not to smile all shark-like.

Said thought that brought me right back to this morning's… entertainment. The only thing that would make today better would be for Minato-kun and his new girlfriend to be at the table too. Then we'd really have a full house.

"You're looking pretty dapper today, big brother." He was wearing the two-piece suit I'd found in his luggage. I think this was the first time since visiting his old neighborhood that he'd worn it. The blue and silver tie still didn't really match his complexion though. Note to self: get him a darker colored tie. I was thinking… red. "Are you going to run some errands after dropping mom off at work?"

I flashed a quick glance to the perfectly exposed, creamy white globes stationed next to me. Akitsu was on my left, wearing the same outfit that I'd mistakenly picked out for her the other day. And in hindsight I did realize that I had made a mistake, though not because Shirou got all disappointed and adult on me (granted, the unfamiliar flush of shame was more hurtful than I thought it could be). It was because it was the wrong choice.

Bigger brother Shirou wasn't at all like meek little big brother Minato. With Minato, that kind of move would have had him red-faced and stuttering (and completely helpless) for days. Minato was predictable like that and showing a little skin was super effective against him.

There was hardly any challenge to it anymore (didn't mean it wasn't still fun).

"Ah, not quite Yukari." He sent a somewhat tense smile at me as mom began to growl and chew on her fork. Now I had a whole new brother to break in. One who was a lot harder to crack than Minato, as my first (admittedly heavy handed) attempt had shown. I needed to do some research before I could go about repairing our relationship and trying again from a different angle.

"Yes." Mom addressed me, though she continued to glare at Shirou. "He'll go straight home after dropping me off and stay there if he knows what is good for him."

Thankfully, this time I had… assistance. Mom always had the innate talent to know exactly how and where to hit someone (usually verbally) to affect them the most. It was like magic, really. Even after spending my entire life (up to this point) trying to recreate the mystery of her gift, it was still amazing to see a master at work.

"Now, Takami, is that any way to treat our newest hire?" The last member of the breakfast table spoke up, flipping her still somewhat damp ponytail off her shoulder.

Tsk. I wasn't sure if I should be disappointed or impressed by her deflection and defense of Shirou. Judging by his resigned sigh and the twin glares directed at the statuesque woman, I was leaning towards impressed. Plus, one point for style – wait what?

"You're going to be working with Mom?!" That was so cool! I wonder if I could use some of that good old nepotism too! Er, after I was done with my schooling of course. I was slightly jealous – Shirou might be the first of us to personally meet dad! Also, that was totally unfair!

I have been saving articles and interview clippings (hidden away so mom would never find them) for years! And even those didn't really give me a good impression of the man (other than that he was a bit eccentric).

No wonder mom was ticked. I was almost excited enough to forget my current dilemma. Which would be bad; this might possibly be one of the most important decisions I'd ever have to make. Especially with the Minato situation seemingly wrapped up.

"Er… not exactly 'with her,' but I'll be in the same building." Shirou didn't exactly elaborate. I sent him a pleading look – though I was interested in what he was doing and I wanted the full story, I also wanted a bit more time to think and put my feelings into perspective.

Alas, it looked like he was just as competent at ignoring my puppy dog eyes as he was mom's scorching glare. What kind of protagonist training did he undergo?

Note to self: Text Taiga…

"It has to do with your mother's accident; she and a few others were injured when one of the larger product tanks exploded." It was not Shirou who spoke, but the reason why Akitsu's outfit was a mistake. Still a good outfit (and it did wonders for her), but a mistake nonetheless.

See, my mysterious big brother Shirou brought home a girl last night. A girl who was not Akitsu. More specifically: a girl who was not Akitsu, whose clothing was lying strewn across Shirou's room (as I discovered while she was in the shower) and for whom he cooked breakfast the next morning.

"Okay, but what does that have to do with Shirou working with Mom?" I said around a mouthful of toast with fried egg on top (yum!). It probably had something to do with how he was a mechanic, or was he an engineer? Either way, the more important aspect was that, as a little sister, I now faced the harsh choice of which woman vying for my older brother's attention to throw my support behind.

(I dutifully ignored the twin calls for me not to talk with my mouth full. I mean, priorities!)

"Well, it turns out that particular type of tank is made exclusively overseas and is shipped over once it's finished." Shirou started, slapping away a pair of encroaching chopsticks from the gray-haired woman with his own. "Normally, in order to repair it they'd either have to ship the tank back overseas to the manufacturer or fly someone here to take a look at it and then ship it overseas to be repaired. Of course, buying a new tank would also mean waiting for additional replacement equipment to be shipped over."

"And that relates to you how?" I struggled not to moan out 'booooring.' Really Shirou, couldn't you ever just cut to the point?

"Long story short: Your brother is both qualified to take a look and more importantly already here." The gray-haired woman – Karasuba! Shirou just sighed her name in exasperation – interrupted him. As someone who aspired to be a strong, confident, take-charge woman who didn't take shit from anybody (just like mom), I saw a lot of those qualities in this new woman. I mean, it took a lot of balls to see and know what you wanted (in this case, Shirou) and just go for it (him).

To do so irrespective of any other challengers (and succeed?) was all the more impressive. So, she earned a lot of points in my book. It didn't hurt that Shirou apparently liked strong women. Had I known that, I would have avoided the whole submissive thing entirely.

…well, not entirely… The look did fantastic things for Akitsu and she seemed to like it.

Speaking of, on the other hand there was Akitsu. My eyes involuntarily (they were good eyes) flickered over her.

Akitsu had huge boobs.

I mean, Karasuba was cool and all, but she was flat. Well, not like, tomboy flat, but she was severely lacking in that (almost all) important department. She might have the initiative, guts, cunning and strength of character to catch, hold and keep Shirou's attention, but when compared to a woman of Akitsu's caliber… Shirou might be able to do better.

Plus Akitsu let me play with them.

"So, thank god for nepotism?" I quipped. Ugh, it was such a hard choice! How could I possibly choose without more personal time with each girl? Wasn't there supposed to be some sort of custom where they came to me for their blessing? (Hmm… note for later… get Akitsu a sexy nun outfit) "So we're sure it won't explode again, right? I mean, it's not every day you get a new older brother and I'm not sure if the warranty is still good on him."

It would have to be me, given mom spent more time glaring at both girls than she did saying anything. I mean, I could kinda see where she was coming from in Karasuba's case (there was probably some dumb policy about dating at the workplace), but Akitsu was such a sweetheart! Maybe it was just a mom thing… she could be overprotective sometimes, even if she found weird ways to show it.

"Yukari!" Mom barked and Shirou sighed in unison. Hehehe, no wonder they had such trouble getting along: they were too similar.

"On that happy note, we should probably finish getting ready." Shirou sighed and rose from the table, collecting several (empty) dishes to bring back to the kitchen.

"I don't suppose there is any way to convince you not to go, is there?" Mom sighed. I meant it jokingly, but now I was starting to regret the comment about exploding again. Was it really so dangerous for Shirou to work with mom? And what did that say about what she usually did? I pushed my plate away, the food no longer as appetizing as it was a second ago.

"Shirou-sama." Akitsu paused. Normally I found it so cute I wanted to squeeze her and never let go… but I just didn't have the energy this time… Maybe in a few minutes.

"There isn't any real danger though, is there?" I interrupted.

"Not really." His voice echoed from the kitchen. "Keep in mind that this is the sort of thing I do for a living." I wouldn't admit it, but his nonchalance did set me at ease. Not that I was worried or anything!

"Don't worry your little head." Karasuba smiled over at me. Grr, she just lost some points for the 'little' comment. Wait, no… she was directing it at Akitsu, not me. "I'll be right next to him the whole time. After all, as his liaison it will be my job to keep him safe. Not to mention take care of anything he needs."

"Shirou-sama!" Akitsu scowled at the other woman so menacingly I could swear the air turned frigid. I think that twitch that went down her arms was her almost slamming her hands on the table. Okay, Karasuba definitely won points back on sheer brazenness. The woman was not afraid to strut her stuff and she knew how to work it well.

"That's it! You!" Mom pointed at Karasuba. "Out! Shirou. Things! You." She pointed at Akitsu. "I don't like you either: also out! Yukari, don't turn into a good-for-nothing-doesn't-listen-to-his-mother-who-only-has-his-best-interests-in-mind like your brother."

"Yes, Mom!" I had to contain the 'which one' that threatened to burst from my lips, if only because mom didn't look to be in the mood. Plus, Minato was a total momma's boy; there was no way he'd go against mom on anything.

We trained him too well for that.

"Right, right, things." Shirou came back from the kitchen carrying a rather nice red coat that I'd never seen before (which considering I went through his things was really strange). As he maneuvered behind mom to grab her chair, he casually tossed the coat across and over the table.

I giggled as the coat landed on Akitsu's head, covering her in a red shroud. After a pause, her arms raised to catch it waaay too late. "Well, you heard her. Akitsu, it could get cold out there so put that on and come along; I might need an extra pair of hands. Karasuba…"

He paused as the two of them locked eyes. Ooooooh.

"Get out." Awwww.

Karasuba shrugged (but not before complaining about Akitsu being dragged along) and the four of them (Shirou was wheeling mom) made an ungainly path towards the door and left (trading barbs and banter the entire time).

Stifling my giggles at the display of 'teamwork and coordination,' a thought occurred to me.

If today's breakfast had shown me anything… it was that maybe, I just might not have to choose…

Of course!

There had to be some sort of Good End I could aspire to, right? Then I – I mean Shirou – could have both girls! This type of situation happened all the time if manga were to be believed, and everyone knew that manga never lied.

Shirou would need some help (from me) though; he was way too serious to ever think of such a compromise on his own. I bet it wouldn't even occur to him what to do with two girls unless one of them showed him.

(Taiga and that nun woman alluded to otherwise, but since Shirou was annoying tight lipped so that rumor was still unconfirmed)

Now, how best to navigate the route…

*Shirou*

I could say: if I had known this was how my 'clever plan to investigate the reasons behind the Sekirei War and destroy it from the inside' was going to start… I might have rethought the whole 'not killing everyone' idea.

"No, go right here, not left." Mother ordered brusquely. "Stop following the postings and follow where I'm pointing! See? See? Pointing!"

"Yes mother." I sighed, continuing to wheel Takami around the incoming foot traffic instead of through it like she kept demanding. "I see you pointing."

I could also say that, if I ignored her comments of 'being able to crawl faster than this' and 'if they can't dodge a rolling chair they didn't deserve to get to residency,' following her lead made navigating the massive structure that was Mid Bio Informatics' main headquarters a lot more manageable. It went to show that the labyrinth of stairs, hallways, cubicles and security doors that Karasuba navigated us through yesterday could be easily avoided if we only did one thing: take the elevator.

Or had a halfway capable guide, but I don't think I'd risk saying that one aloud. Not within sword distance anyway.

Of course, I wouldn't have actually gone through with it, I tried to tell myself. Seeing the passing faces, even if I didn't know their names, helped prove how many people would have suffered (or more likely died) if I had chosen differently. And yet… the inkling feeling, the cold logic that it was better if they all died (innocent or not) than risk a greater tragedy asserted itself.

Was this how Saber felt as she ordered one village to be sacrificed so that the others would live? I already knew the answer before the question had crossed my mind. I had seen her entire life play before me – a consequence of the Dream Cycle: the visions that a Master glimpsed into the true past of their Servant.

No, King Arturia… Saber wasn't a monster.

The sight of Takami Sahashi being rolled up quickly earned itself an empty elevator, though I couldn't be sure if it was her or the two flanking Sekirei. Karasuba did garner both several terrified looks (and some intrigued ones) and a rather wide personal bubble.

"You know, if we put a cattle catcher on you, we could make a game of it." Karasuba chuckled as we stepped into the lift. "Just carry around a bunch of pink slips and give them to anyone you roll over."

"That sounds like a great idea." Mother let out a short chuckle – one that sounded worryingly breathless. "Karasuba, stand still for a minute."

"Ah." Akitsu perked up behind me. "I can hold her for you."

"I can kill you." Karasuba shot back, her thumb caressing the catch to her nodachi.

"No killing," I sighed for the umpteenth time, ignored as Takami inserted herself once. I think I found my answer on what I felt about Karasuba: I hated her.

Even when she wasn't trying to stalk me or bait me or tease me or flirt with me or steal from me or threaten me or try to kill me, she still found new ways to make life difficult for me.

Every time she moved (mostly snuggling into my arm, creepily enough) last night I'd jolt back awake (if I had even fallen back asleep at all). I wanted to turn and throttle her, demanding why the hell she was there and what the hell she wanted. A small part of me even preferred for her to go back to trying to kill me: that at least I knew how to deal with and how to respond.

But both my arms had been asleep, the traitors.

Plus… she did help me get into MBI peacefully (if I turned my head to the side and squinted really hard). And well… when she was sleeping… she looked peaceful. And quiet. And was surprisingly, comfortably warm.

I had said before that Karasuba could be considered an attractive woman. Alien. Thing.

That is, if one ignored her caustic and sarcastic personality, her total disregard for common decency, the constant (and I strongly suspected habitual) aforementioned attempts to steal from, rile me up, injure and/or kill me (though that was a newer bent and hadn't been repeated yet) and her constant belittlement of myself, Akitsu and my mother (and wasn't that still a strange thought) ... where was I going with this again?

Oh! Right!

The only thing worse than unexpectedly waking up to Karasuba breaking into your home (not for the first time), having her lock you out of your own bathroom (again), steal the hot water (like she did every time) and fight with your injured mother…

…was to be trapped in a car with the two of them.

How they ever got any work done (or didn't kill one another) when all they did was snipe at each other was a mystery. Oh god, it was just like being around Rin and Luvia and shit… I forgot to call Rin last night to let her know I was still alive.

Again.

"Where am I dropping you off again, Takami?" I sighed, trying unsuccessfully to head off another fight. Last time we were in a metal coffin traveling horizontally… I didn't really want to experience the three women fighting in a smaller metal coffin traveling vertically already suspended (five floors and rapidly counting) above the ground by a thin metal wire. "I still have to find where I'm supposed to meet with Natsuo-san."

"Due to your ill-thought-out decisions last night," She punctuated the pause with a glare up at me. "We had to reschedule the rest of the meeting I was supposed to be in for the first thing this morning. It is set up in conference room 912B, so wheel me there first."

"Sadly, I need to be there too." Karasuba affected a sigh, but the smirk on her face made it easy to see through. "As captain of the Disciplinary Squad I am required to be there. Natsuo is probably there too as my human counterpart."

I see. Well, that was probably where I should go too. Even if I couldn't sit in on the meeting, I could probably spy on it easily enough. Plus, with Natsuo and Karasuba inside I didn't have anywhere better to go and didn't exactly relish the idea of getting lost on my first day.

Minaka would be there too, I realized as the elevator dinged on the ninth floor. I felt a small, somewhat irrational flush of anger at the thought. Returning to the age of gods… even if he didn't mean to literally restore the gods of old, it was a foolish thing to do. Worse even then the doomed and damning pursuit of the Root of the World.

If the end goal of this battle royal was similar to that of the Grail War… then maybe history would repeat itself and I'd be forced to purge –

– I smelt saltpeter.

The abrupt change of scents from Karasuba's heavy smell of blood and Akitsu's thinner bite of winter broke my train of thought. It was a sharp, sudden spike that momentarily broke through the stronger scents of the women near me before fading once more.

Benitsubasa and Haihane must be around – wait. Just Benitsubasa. Haihane smelled very similar to Karasuba; less intensely, and the honey had a more potent scent over the blood (like a fresh wound and not a dead body). I had forgotten about the pink haired girl who was the origin of the sulfuric, alkaline scent.

Sure enough, as we turned a corner there was Natsuo, standing outside a set of double doors and speaking to two people.

The first was a European man with straight blond hair so pale it was almost platinum. Unlike Natsuo or the sharply dressed young woman next to him, he wasn't wearing a suit, but a rumpled button up (and not even that nice of one at that) under a more-or-less pristine white lab coat. I think one or two of the buttons may have been mismatched, but at least his shirt somewhat matched his khakis. To complete the picture there were a pair of large round framed glasses resting on his nose, the lenses obscuring his eyes with reflections of the overhead lights.

Was every light in this building designed to do that? Judging from Minaka tilting his head to do just that trick in every room I'd yet to see him in (including his phone and television appearances) …. I wouldn't be surprised if that was indeed the case.

The woman next to him was short, even with the (admittedly small) brown kitten heels she was wearing, she just barely topped five feet. Standing next to Natsuo (who, like me, was rather tall for a Japanese man) and the European doctor, she looked tiny. She was dressed in a well-groomed brown suit jacket over a crème-colored blouse with a matching brown pencil skirt. Her dark brown, almost black hair was tied up in a professional looking bun, though her bangs were swept to the left in the front and held by thin black clips.

Huh, that was odd. I didn't see – no wait, there she was. Coming around the corner opposite the hallway from us was Benitsubasa. Idly, I wondered where Haihane was. Now that I was supposedly responsible for her too, I should probably start keeping track of where she was and what she was doing.

I didn't want a second Karasuba, after all.

…actually, I didn't want a first Karasuba either, but that was neither here nor there.

"Emiya-san!" Natsuo raised a hand, waving us over as our ungainly party wheeled into view. "I was hoping to ambush you here. My apologies, but I had forgotten last night to tell you where we were meeting this morning."

"That is not a problem." I waved off his apology. Neither of us had exchanged numbers. "Last night was a bit… hectic."

"I suppose that's one way of putting it, yes." He laughed. "You sure caused quite the upset."

"Bad?" I asked, feeling somewhat guilty, if only because he seemed nice and probably didn't deserve (or appreciate) the extra work my heavy handed and completely less-than-subtle (though arguably successful?) attempt at inserting myself into this war must have caused.

Takami didn't even try to hide her irritated snort. Yes, I couldn't forget what my actions must be doing to her blood pressure… mostly because she wouldn't let me if I tried.

"I'm afraid that remains to be seen." Natsuo shrugged non-committedly, but without enmity. "After all, there is plenty of work waiting for you now too."

Ah, I see. So that's how it was. As far as revenge went that was (hopefully) pretty tame, not to mention whatever he had in store for me was (probably) in my own best interests. The more I knew and the more access I had, the better I could prepare for… whatever it was MBI was trying to accomplish in the city.

"Hn." Takami grunted in dismissal. "We should proceed inside, don't you think Natsuo-san? Dr. Yokubo-san?"

"A moment please, Dr. Sahashi." Natsuo declined with an apologetic smile. "I need to speak with Emiya-san for a moment."

"I'm ready." The European, Doctor Yokubo, answered, stepping forward. "May I take you in?" He asked Takami, who nodded. Relieving me of her chair, I held the door open so he and Takami could pass into the board room.

"She's a wonderful girl, Emiya-san." Dr. Yokubo said as he passed me. "Take good care of her."

"Don't give him any ideas." Takami shot as the door closed behind them. Ouch. That was uncalled for; what kind of man did she take me for? I blamed Taiga for the misunderstanding.

On a related note, take care of whom now? Was he talking about Karasuba? Because 'wonderful' was a horrid exaggeration and a word I wouldn't really use to describe the woman and 'girl' made her sound innocent. Karasuba was anything but innocent.

Maybe he meant Haihane? I… honestly knew nothing about her. Huh. Akitsu? Probably not. I hadn't made an issue of it, but the wariness Takami and Akitsu treated one another with spoke of a mutual history. Maybe she knew what had happened to make Akitsu so like –

Sempai

–she was. It would warrant further investigation. Later. I shook the static out of my head.

"Emiya-san, if I may have a moment." Natsuo caught my flagged attention. "I have someone here you should meet. May I introduce you to miss Junko Mui." He gestured to the woman beside him with a wave of his hand.

"Hello Emiya-san, I've been told a lot about you by Ichinomi-kun and Hiroto-san." Mui-san said with a friendly smile, belying her more serious demeanor. "I look forward to working with you. Please take care of me." She finished with a small bow.

"Shirou Emiya," I responded, refreshed to be dealing with someone in a traditional, mundane way. I did wonder why Natuso felt introducing her before anyone else was so important, however. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"She is to be your new secretary slash liaison during your contract with the Disciplinary Squad." Natsuo answered my unasked question. It made sense, If I was to be working under Natsuo as the only other human in the Disciplinary Squad. It would be less trouble to assign someone lower on the totem pole to keep an eye on me as well as see me situated into their business model than it would to have Natsuo constantly shadow me.

"Why didn't I hear of this?" Karasuba interrupted.

"It was a recent development." Natsuo replied, looking somewhat contrite. "You know that we were searching for a proper candidate for the position. Fortunately, it seems that Miss Mui's work with Dr. Yakubo has finished early. Minaka only just approved the paperwork a moment ago."

Ah. That's the who then.

"I'm sorry if my reassignment upsets you Karasuba-sama." Mui-san said, though her crisp tone didn't exactly match with her apology. "I promise to work hard to quell any reservations you may have."

"Hmph." Karasuba merely snorted in response before turning abruptly and entering the board room next to us. "See that you do."

"I apologize for her lack of manners." I sighed. I was really, really regretting putting my faith in anything having to do with that unreasonable woman. "I hope my presence didn't interrupt your work with…" I trailed off, forgetting the name of the (relatively) young European doctor.

"No, my work with Dr. Yokubo has concluded." She picked up quickly. "Thank you for your concern, but you haven't caused me any trouble. If anything, I should be thankful." At my inquisitive glance she continued. "My transfer to acting as your liaison and personal secretary is something of a promotion. It doesn't hurt that working with Karasuba also grants a 15% hazard pay increase. Honestly, given what I read in the survival manual, I think our first meeting went very well."

"Survival guide?" I blurted out. Also, hazard pay? Since I was now technically an MBI employee (if only by technicality), did that get factored into my pay too? Would I even be getting paid or did my situation with Karasuba somehow exclude me from that?

Thankfully I now had someone to ask.

"Yes." Natsuo answered for her. "I'm surprised you weren't given one: all new hires that have the chance of interacting with Sekirei are given a survival guide as to reduce the risk of accidental injuries or bonding. There's a whole chapter on Karasuba and how to avoid her attention – specifically her ire." He gave a little bit of a satisfied smirk. "We are very thorough in our psych profiles."

That… would have been worth its weight in gold given the amount of trouble that conniving crow has caused me thus far. Okay, my first order of business for my new assistant would have to be getting me a copy of that book and hoping it wasn't too late to learn something from it.

"So, where should I be while you are in your meeting?" Given that everyone I knew at MBI would be attending it, I wasn't exactly sure where that left me. Unless, of course, the purpose of introducing me to Mui-san was to have her show me where and what I should or should not be doing.

That was a more than reasonable proposition.

"Actually, if you don't mind, I would like for you to accompany me to the meeting." Was Natsuo's unexpected response. Quite the opposite of what I had expected, really. My confusion must have shown as he elaborated. "He won't say it aloud, but Minaka decided to allow your gambit not because of Karasuba's affection for you," I had to hold in a snort at that term, "but because you provide a unique perspective on the current state of the game."

A unique perspective, that snort I couldn't hold back.

"I would not be so dismissive. In the time that we were still investigating Takami's assault and debating our response, you quickly planned and executed a means to deal with the situation. It may not have been the one we were prepared to implement, but you saw a problem and took decisive action to bring it to a suitable conclusion. That sort of mentality is highly valued here, especially in the Disciplinary Squad. Minaka hired most of us because of one thing: we get results. That's why I want you with me today."

Was that why Minaka wanted me here, despite my (admittedly after the fact) possibly unwarranted aggression towards him? He knew how to identify the right people for a given job and had latched onto me as the solution for whatever was going on in his death game.

Or was I right about him and the direction this scenario was heading in… which would make my aggression perfectly warranted, bordering on the verge of not nearly enough.

I hated jobs like this…

"I don't expect you to contribute anything on your first day, but I want you to listen in. This will give you the opportunity to provide your unique perspective on the way we operate. You might not see it now, but we are all working for the same cause: to protect and preserve lives and to see to the conclusion of the game in a safe and timely manner."

That was… I found myself somewhat awed by his impromptu speech.

"In that case, I'll start on printing out all of the new hire forms." Mui-san added before tilting her head up and slightly to the left. A classic thinking pose. "If I start now, I might even be done when you get out."

With that ominous statement, she bowed to us and turned on her heel, walking calmly and swiftly off to do… whatever it was secretaries did.

I think I might have gotten in over my head on this one…

*Shirou*

The board meeting was… just as dense and over my head as I had feared. There was a good reason why I had never held a traditional job: I was a high school graduate doing part-time manual labor and a mechanics hobby to being a glorified cleaner for a magical goon squad. I never went to college and while my magecraft did involve the study of higher order math and physics… I never studied economy or business or… whatever eldritch and arcane studies these people had undergone to make heads or tails of what I was seeing.

Engines, working parts, magic (to some extent), hand-to-hand combat (both unarmed and armed)… those were the things I was used to dealing with. Those things were easy to understand. Organizational charts, plant metrics, drug efficacy, overnight marketing numbers? I felt like I was back in the Clock Tower during my failed attempt at partaking in study there.

Doomed to confusion and failure (Karasuba even rounded out the odd murder attempt).

So here I sat between Natsuo and Karasuba, trying to remain alert and pay attention to… quite frankly I had no idea what was being said right now – with varying degrees of success. Karasuba was a lost cause; playing idly with the tassel connecting her nodachi to her belts – her feet kicked up on the table – she was truly the picture of an ideal worker. In her free hand was a magazine, but I wasn't sure if she was actually reading it or just staring at the pictures.

Natsuo, on the other hand, seemed to take up her slack in involving himself in the minutia of the day to day running of the company. The helpful little notes he jotted in the margins of the portfolios were keeping me somewhat abreast and made paying attention easier. Actually… he might have been jotting them down because he knew I was following them, and they made the dense corporate jargon somewhat understandable.

Reading his notes was also a suitable way to keep myself from being distracted by Benitsubasa, who was currently leaning against the wall behind Natsuo and fiddling with the cell phone she'd pilfered from him. Akitsu, thankfully, was much more composed than either of the other two Sekirei; immaculate posture perfectly maintained from where she stood behind me. If I didn't know better I'd think she was a statue.

Or would that make her an ice sculpture? Man, I was bored.

"… and that leads us to the last order of business." Minaka's change in tone from serious (and somewhat soporific) to the more childish excitement I had strangely come to expect from him snapped me from my woolgathering. "There is currently a forest growing in the middle of the city. What do we do about it? Toumo-kun, the figures, if you please."

"Of course, sir." The softly spoken reply came from across the table by a woman. Toumo… Tsuki-something-or-other? Her rather long brown hair was tied up in a loosely curled braid that hung over her left shoulder. "The damage subject 108, designated Kusano, caused is estimated at 30 million dollars not including the cost of repairs or reparations to the families of those lost in the incident." She read off the report in her hand. "If we factor those, we are looking at closer to 90 million."

"Do we know how many casualties?" Takami asked.

"Thankfully it seems that most of the damage was limited to nearby structures and reports indicate only a few fatalities thus far." She shook her head. "Unfortunately, with much of the affected area impassible, it is tough to know how many people have been injured or have died until we recover all of the bodies. We're currently working with local police to compile a list of missing people to check against records."

"There are numerous injuries, however, and some quite serious." Broke in Dr. Yokubo. "We've been moving them to our central hospital to be treated as we find them. We're covering the cost of their treatment ourselves, since we're the ones at fault. Projected cost for treatments should be finished by the end of the day."

"Well, this is a rather ugly black eye." Minaka snorted. "Phase one hasn't even ended yet and we already have a major disaster. How are we dealing with the forest itself?"

"Slowly." The oldest man in the room answered. Which was odd considering that though he was by far the eldest, his military cut hair was solid black was in a room half full (if I counted myself as well) of grey- and white-haired individuals. He also openly carried a pistol in a shoulder harness over his suit and a light duty concealed vest. "The underbrush, so to speak, isn't too difficult to cut away. The trees, however, require heavy machinery and some locations are just unfeasible to get to with the current terrain. Add in that the larger roots and trunks are too impractical to even try to cut down without taking another building with them and we are facing serious logistical issues."

"This forest was created by subject 108's power going out of control, yes?" Dr. Yokubo tapped his pen on the table as he tentatively asked the question. "Is there any way she could reverse the changes she made? Speaking of the girl, what resolution came of the incident? Have we managed to recollect her?"

"Unfortunately, utilizing Kusano-chan's abilities is out of the question." Takami spoke. "As per my last report, her talents lie in the manipulation of 'positive life energy.' In other words, she can only focus her power in one direction: that being the control and growth of organic material."

"Not to mention as of this morning, number 108 is officially out of our hands." Minaka cheerfully interrupted. His happy look did nothing to calm the immediate sense of panic that gripped me. No, if anything, it caused a surge of anger.

That little girl caused this level of damage in what? A matter of seconds? Minutes? The report in front of me hadn't specified the exact time, but the forest reached its full growth in less than an hour; the majority of which was rapid and explosive growth covering over a city block.

I clenched my hands on my knees, more to stop myself from jumping up and shouting at them. What did he mean by 'out of their hands?' Was she abducted by one of MBI's rivals… or worse, someone (or something) on the arcane side of the world? Who knows what kind of terror her abilities could unleash in the wrong hands? Hell, it looked like her power in her own hands was devastating enough!

I wanted to wring the smile off his face and scream 'how is this something to be happy about?' From where I sat, this was a disaster.

I should have killed her yesterday when I had the chance.

"Shut up. Don't interrupt me." Takami snapped. "Unfortunately, Minaka is correct: as of a few minutes ago, Kusano made contact with the Ashikabi designated 'Minato Sahashi' and is now officially part of the game."

Minato? That was… I unclenched my fists. That was arguably good news, right? He could be trusted not to abuse the young girl for her… wait, what was I thinking? That merely put him and anyone near him at ground zero should 108's powers go off again.

"As to your other question: fortunately for us, Kusano came as only one part of a matched set of powers. Her other half is still under our care. If I may direct you to page 57 of the briefing, subject 107, Shiina, has the opposite power of Kusano. In this case, he causes spontaneous decay and necrosis. His power should be able to neutralize and reverse Kusano's influence on the 'Garden' in a safe and timely manner."

"Utilizing 107 in this manner would reduce our demand for manpower…" The older gentleman in the military cut suit hedged, discomfort obvious in his voice.

"It would also reduce the cost of manually tearing down the forest." Toumo added. "Not to mention we are hardly equipped for such an undertaking. I thought he was ready to be released from the Nest. Would he be willing to assist us?"

"Yes. While his adjustments have been finalized, I had hoped to keep him until we finished Kusano's regimen as well. Seeing that she found herself prematurely released…" Takami shifted in her chair. "Holding him now is a moot point. That said, I have no doubt he would help us with one last task before we send him on his way."

"I see. In that case the course is set." Minaka hummed. "Takami-kun, if you would please go procure the young Shiina's services for us. Yokubo, please give Mrs. Tsukihime the projected expense report as soon as you have it available."

Said parties nodded and shuffled their papers amongst a bit of side comments to one another.

"Not that I'm concerned, but I should be present as well." Takami commented. "As his adjuster, he is my responsibility until we release him into the city. I should be there to help direct him and just in case he needs anything."

"Agreed." Minaka nodded and sent a significant glance over to Mr. Totally-ex-military-but-I-couldn't-recall-his-name-for-the-life-of me. "Do the thing then."

"Right. I'll set up a security detail for the two of you, Dr. Sahashi." He mused, jotting down a few notes. "We'll need to redeploy and back up the perimeter guard after the Sekirei attack yesterday as well."

I stopped listening.

"Natsuo." I whispered, trying to get his attention. It worked. "What does he mean by 'security detail?'" I felt dumb, but I had to ask. If the elderly gentleman was who I thought he was, then why wasn't Natsuo being consulted as well? Hopefully, I was missing something because the alternative was… well, bloody fucking stupid.

"Standard operational teams." Natsuo whispered back, most of his attention still directed towards the meeting. "We have our own private security firm that we hire out and train. Generally, security teams are comprised of teams of ten soldiers each. Takami's in good hands: armed guards and armored cars."

"That's unacceptable." The words were out of my mouth before I knew it. "You need to do something."

"About what?" He spared me half a glance. "Security is General Kirito Tamaka's department. Ours is rule enforcement. This is clearly their jurisdiction."

"You know as well as I do that –"

"What are you whispering about?" Karasuba butted in, interrupting our conversation.

"Not now Karasuba." I didn't turn to her. "Natsuo, you know that normal people can't –"

"Hey, don't ignore me!"

"What are we talking about?" Benetsibasa chimed in. God, could I not get even a single word in about –

"Is there something you'd like to share with the rest of us?" A stern voice interrupted our… well, it started as a whispered aside, but the unwanted and unwarranted inclusion of the two Sekirei turned it into more of a quiet shouting match. I looked up to see General Kirito semi-glowering in our direction.

Worse, I seemed to attract exactly the kind of attention I had hoped to avoid by asking Natsuo to say something as Kirito's eyes narrowed in recognition. "Ah, this must be the Disciplinary Squad's newest member." His tone colored in derision. "Did you have something to add, Mr. Sahashi?"

I turned to look at Natsuo for guidance since he all but promised me that I wouldn't have to say anything. He had to know where I was coming from as someone who dealt with Sekirei on a daily basis – particularly Karasuba. However, all I got was a nod and hand gesture to 'proceed.'

"Emiya, actually, and yes I do." Swallowing down my apprehension, I nodded and stood. "Forgive me if I don't understand the entire situation or am speaking out of turn, but I do have a serious concern. From my understanding, the current plan you are proposing is to send m-Takami back out into the field, this time while injured, with another – notably unpartnered and vulnerable – Sekirei to the same location she and the previously unpartnered and vulnerable Sekirei were both assaulted… with only a perimeter guard to protect them? Am I correct in my understanding?

I saw Takami open her mouth to respond, but she was preempted. "Your concern for your mother is touching, but I can assure you that –"

"There is nothing to stop what happened to 108 from happening again to 107." Rude, yes, but from the way he turned a mottled purple meant it was also effective. "That is correct. As previous events should have demonstrated, your men are not prepared to handle Sekirei in combat."

"I'll have you know that –" The General stood, slamming his hand on the table.

"General!" I barked, interrupting him once more. "How quickly can you draw and fire your sidearm?!"

The first step to direct conflict – hit fast, hard and never let your opponent find his footing. The rules worked as well in physical combat as verbal.

"What?" He balked. "Just over a second, but – "

"Karasuba, how long would it take to kill everyone in this room?" An extreme example, yes, but perhaps a necessary one.

"Does that include you, Benitsubasa and the trash?" She drawled, looking calm as ever from where she lounged in her seat, but the spark in her eyes belied her interest.

"Humans only for now, excluding myself." I emphasized the 'not me' portion of that only because… well, Karasuba.

She snorted and turned back to her magazine. "Two point eight seconds, give or take. Less if I sit up first."

The expected nervous silence met her declaration. Good.

"Takami and the Sekirei were in the company of one of your security teams when they were attacked." I spoke slowly. Deliberately.

"Two teams, actually." Natsuo added.

"Alright, two." I nodded. "And of those… twenty?" I checked with Natsuo, who confirmed. "Twenty men, how many did it take to subdue her attacker and secure the safety of your charges?"

"Now see here!" I had seen the bodies yesterday and felt his anger.

"General, quiet!" Minaka, for once serious, spoke over the general outrage that followed my question. His eyes bored into mine. "Shirou, if you have a point, I suggest you get to it."

"Right, apologies." I accepted, chastised. "My point is this: We have evidence that one or two security teams may be an obstacle for human assailants, but they are not a deterrent to a Sekirei. Sending Takami and another Sekirei into the exact same scenario as the last time is asking for an Ashikabi to attack and try to steal away this one too. After all, if the first attack was successful – and it was!" I pointed out as the General started to speak over me again.

"If the first attack was successful and no appropriate action is taken to prevent another, then another will occur – likely with the same results. Thus, my proposition is simple: in addition to your planned teams, assign a Sekirei to the security as well."

"As head of the Disciplinary Squad, I have to agree with my subordinate." Natsuo followed up immediately, though it was odd to be referred to as a 'subordinate.' "The Disciplinary Squad was created for the purpose of enforcing the rules and punishing infractions. In this case, ensuring the protection of company assets Dr. Sahashi, Sekirei 107 and our security forces is well within those criteria. If I may add to Emiya-san's… not so tactful summation, an increased level of cooperation between the Disciplinary Squad and our Security Forces would only be to the company's overall benefit."

"And what? Give operational jurisdiction to your department?" Despite the bite in words, he seemed to be giving the idea some thought.

His questions caused Natsuo and I to share a look. This was his expertise, not mine. I was the hands-on tactical sort of guy. He was the suit.

"No. Shirou hasn't undergone any of the requisite training, nor has he filled out the requisite paperwork to undertake such an assignment, let alone supervise." Natsuo spoke, taking my look for what it was. "Unfortunately, until he has, I will be required to supervise him, so neither of us will be available to oversee the operation."

"In this instance, as a first case scenario, while we create a suitable set of operating procedures, why don't we give the Security Department jurisdiction?" Takami volunteered. "If we think about the Disciplinary Squad's addition as the inclusion of a special asset, we can probably cannibalize a lot of our existing procedures to shoehorn in a working operational model and fix the details as time goes on."

"I find myself in agreement." Mrs. Toumo added. "Until we can set up a more appropriate set of protocols, the Security Forces are more experienced and have specific training needed to properly assess and direct any unseen event, especially with the unfortunate inability for our Ashikabi to provide local support. In the light of these reports and the involvement of the Disciplinary Squad in the resolution of the incident, having our own asset on site seems prudent."

"I think that is a suitable compromise." Minaka said, taking in the various nods and positive comments around the table. "Does anyone object? Any clarifications? No?" At the lack of opposition, he rapped his knuckles on the table like a gavel. "Good. So, who will be assigned to the detail?"

"If I may?" I spoke up, waiting for Natsuo to give me the go-ahead. Good. Time to try and buy back some of the good will I just lost. "Whoever is chosen should be someone trustworthy of autonomous action, who practices good judgment, is willing to follow procedure – in this case the orders of Takami and the security team's leadership – to the letter and whose highest priority is the safety of those under her protection."

Karasuba snorted at, well, several portions of my speech, and turned back to her magazine, ignoring me.

"Which is why I would nominate Karasuba for the job." I concluded. "Is that acceptable?"

"Sure, fine, send in your – wait, what?" Karasuba almost falling out of her chair as what I said caught up with her. What, did she think I was going to ask to have Akitsu protect my mother? I had to keep the smirk at her loss of composure off my face.

"You are the logical choice, are you not?" I asked. "Forgive me if I'm mistaken, but the three members of the Disciplinary Squad are you, Benitsubasa and Haihane." Akitsu, though Minaka allowed her to be utilized under my authority, was not officially a part of the team.

"Of the three of you, aren't you the strongest? If you're concerned about your ability to handle such an assignment on your own, I'm sure that is understandable. I can always ask Haihane when she shows up. Unless you would like the job, Benitsubasa?" I was baiting her, and by the way she bit the corner of her lip she knew it. Of course, she was also prideful. By calling her out on that, we both knew she had to accept or admit to a shortcoming.

Benitsubasa opened her mouth, startled, but whatever she might have said was lost in the click of her jaw clamping shut under Karasuba's scathing glare.

"Fine." She growled. "I'll protect your damn mother, but you owe me."

"Of course." I smiled. Oh, did I owe her; I owed her suffering as I have suffered.

Besides… while I might trust Akitsu more than Karasuba, Karasuba was inarguably (after the conversation between the two I overheard last night) the strongest asset I had (an unfortunate prospect to be sure). Even if they couldn't stand each other, I could trust Takami would be – while maybe not comfortable – safe in Karasuba's claws. Plus, I would need Akitsu nearby for my own safety on the more-than-likely chance I walked into a trap while working with MBI.

"Well, that's all wrapped up then." Minaka dusted his hands. "Please have all reports submitted to my desk by the end of the day. Kirito, update me with your list before its finalized and cc Takami-kun and Natsuo-kun. Meeting adjourned."

*Haihane*

I have an Ashikabi. I have an Ashikabi! I hummed as I tightened the last strap holding my gauntlets in place. It was earlier (like waaaaay earlier) than I usually even began to think about getting started on getting ready, but I think I was all set now to meet my new Ashikabi. Er, meet him again.

Heehee, the thought sent a pleasant tingle through me. Which was good; it helped counteract the fact that I didn't really sleep all that well last night. I was all tossing and turning all night. No matter what I tried I just couldn't fall asleep; possessed by a nervous energy that still hadn't really gone away.

You'd think that traversing half the city during the night would have burnt some of it off – the thought being that if I couldn't sleep, I might as well do something fun – but no. Plus, my plan to go get a proper introduction to Shirou-kun had just one, tiny little problem…

…I didn't (and still don't) know where he was.

A factor that had not stopped me from looking! Though, in hindsight the exercise may have only exacerbated my current exhaustion, I did find out some important information.

One: the other girls in the Nest were gossipy liars full of shit. Two: Sekirei do not have some kind of magical link to their Ashikabi that tells them where they are. Nor their proximity. Or even general direction. Really, if it wasn't for the warm light of my core that wasn't there before last night, I might think the whole thing was just a dream…

…which might explain vivid, waking dreams I had in the brief instances I had actually managed to fall and stay asleep during the night. After seeing so many…maybe my weapon was a sword like sempai's after all?

There! Got it! I let go of the thick leather band from between my teeth with a muted trill of triumph. With the last band finally tightened I was ready to start the workday (somewhat) fresh and (most definitely) prepared!

Clothes?

Never before worn (and thus not cut or tattered) button up blouse in a dark navy that accentuated my slight bust and lithe figure (or so I thought anyway, and I did think it made me look damn fine)? Check. It was what I had planned to wear when my Ashikabi was to be finally assigned to me… and while I mourned that plan, the memory of my true Ashikabi manhandling me left me slightly flush. Among other things – Hey! Energy!

I paired it with a flirty but still appropriate (according to MBI company regulations) skirt and leggings to match (and to cover the multitude of tiny white scars criss crossing my legs)? Check and without a single rip, tear, loose thread or bandage in sight!

Hair?

Washed, conditioned, combed and smelling great! I even wove a black velvet ribbon through to style and keep my hair off my face (for once), held in by (almost invisible) pins. I had to remember not to give in to the urge to sweep my hair away… stupid force of habit.

Also check.

Gauntlets?

Sharpened and polished to a mirror shine. Armguards too. Straps replaced with fresh leather bands and fitted quite snugly – I took an experimental swipe with each hand. Heavy as always, there was no shifting, clanking or pinching. Good. Everything was properly secured then.

Double check!

Shows?

Uh… they should be good? Er, that's what the last person I… encouraged to assist me… said at least. I still hadn't mastered the new DVDR I asked MBI to set up for me. Really, I should have asked them for help or a non-flimsy, non-paper manual to set the thing up with instead of being forced to whisk people off the street.

Speaking of… Note to self: sometimes Sempai's suggestions should be taken with a grain of salt.

Final check complete and it was still an hour before I normally woke up, let alone left for MBI! Maybe this getting up early (or not sleeping?) thing was better than not if it left me being so productive in the morning. Though… I giggled at the thought of sleeping in and being re-productive in the mornings now that I – had – an – Ash – I – Kab -I! I hummed, skipping over to the door, I reached out to clear the last hurdle and properly begin a brand new day –

Clink!

– Only for the tip of my claws to ping off the handle.

Huh? That… wasn't supposed to happen. I tried again but couldn't find purchase; my blades sliding across and off the metal with a harsh scraping noise. No good.

I just couldn't get a good grip on the damn handle with my gauntlets on. Why the hell did it have to be a knob? If it was a lever, then at least I could use my wrist or elbow. Hell, I could open it with my feet (or boots in this case) for that matter!

Arg! I huffed, folding my arms in what was definitely not a pout. Okay, calm down. It's just a door. You go through it every day. You're okay; this is just a minor setback. C'mon, Haihane, how do you usually do this?

Oh…right. I'm usually running late and end up just carrying my gauntlets with me in the mad dash to headquarters and asking Karasuba-sempai to help me put them on when I get there.

So… that probably wasn't going to work. I clicked the tip of my claw against the handle as I thought, my other hand idly toying with the buttons to my blouse.

Well, I could always tear the door down… but then I'd have to pay for it. Plus… then I'd have no door until it was fixed and I was already on my, what was it, seventh? Yeah, seventh or so warning about damaging the apartment and I really didn't want to have to move back into the labs.

Or worse, with Benitsubasa.

I mean, I might be a little forgetful, but that flat-chested pipsqueak was such a slob. No, there had to be another way I could bypass the–Shnickt!

I half-hissed, half-gasped a breath that strangled in my throat, my body frozen stiff in disbelief and dread as a button popped into view and pinged off the door in front of me before skittering off… somewhere.

"No." And then a flush of horrible realization – followed quickly by pain – burned its way through the numbness. "Nonononono!"

That didn't just happen! I refused to believe it! I pawed at my shirt, trying to stretch it so I could see for sure that I did not do what I think I just did – only to be rewarded by horrid tearing noises instead – oh god, I am making it worse! I am making it so much worse!

Stop! Just Stop! I had to grip my hair in frustration, a scream bubbling in my throat. The tattered – and now bloodstained – remains of my brand-new shirt flittered down to the floor. Not to mention the multitude of new bloody wounds I'd opened across my chest.

No! Don't think that! We're still good here. I have another hour before I usually even get out of bed. I can patch myself up. Get the spare brand-new never before worn shirt out of the closet and –

A black piece of fabric dropped in front of my eyes and wafted gently to the floor. Something thick and sticky slowly dripped down my forehead and turned my vision red.

My… My ribbon…

"Bandage!" I shrieked. "Bandage!" I bolted, rushing to the bathroom –

"Gaah!" I cried and tumbled over a chair, the sound of flesh on wood and shattering wood as I slid across the floor. "Bathroom! Bathroom! Bathroom!" I ignored the sound of ripping fabric, the gouges in the floor or the streaks of blood I was leaving behind in my frantic, desperate scramble to the bathroom.

*Shirou*

"Alright!" Junko cheered, sounding just as exhausted as I felt. "I think it's time for a break, don't you?"

"God, yes!" Karasuba erupted from where I had sworn she'd fallen asleep on the couch in the lounge Junko, myself and Natsuo had settled into to sign my new hire paperwork. "Finally!"

"I don't see why you're so excited." I glowered at her. It wasn't even like she had stayed here the whole time – unlike poor Akitsu who had to be ordered to move to a chair instead of remaining kneeling on the floor. Karasuba had left two words into Natsuo reading the Mid Bio Informatics Code of conduct and Integrity aloud.

"Because this is boring and I'm hungry." She whined. Er, as close as Karasuba ever came to actually whining – say what you will about her (and I did), she did accept her lot and didn't complain (much). She took the proactive approach and made others more miserable until she felt better.

That said, food did sound like a really good idea right about now, as my stomach was quick to assert. Akitsu was only a second behind her own stomach in giving her approval of the idea, though it was (mostly) drowned out by Benitsubasa's cheer and demand for takeout.

"I think I can say that is the general agreement." Natsuo quipped, neatly stacking a sheaf of freshly signed papers for processing. "It looks like we've made some good progress too."

Wait… progress? Hours toiling away in a dark room over contracts and tax forms and prior work experience (most of all of these were either forged or things I didn't have, mind you) and we weren't done?

"Shall I order from the usual place while I get the next batch of forms?" Junko's smile didn't put me at ease. There had to be several stacks of pages – booklets really – reaching almost if not a foot high! "I think it's our turn for the printer que again."

"Natsuo?" I hedged.

"Excellent." I was ignored. "In the meantime, I'll take the requisition authorization and release forms downstairs and get Shirou kitted out."

"Yessir!" She mock saluted as she stepped out the door. "I'll get another order of the usual, plus one for you Shirou. Oh, and you too Akitsu!"

"Wait! Don't you need our orders?" My call to her was lost as the door swung closed. "Doesn't she need our orders? Shouldn't we see a menu or something? What are we eating?"

"Don't worry about it." Natsuo spoke over the dual comments of 'eh, it's alright' and 'it's the best,' both given with varying levels of volume and enthusiasm. "I'm sure you'll both be pleased." His expression softened slightly as he rose with an arm full of papers. "If it makes you feel better, consider it a form of initiation into our little club. Next time you get to choose your own meals."

"Man up Shirou." Karasuba snorted as she too rose. "You should be grateful to receive such generosity." Her parting shot landed just as the door swung closed behind her.

"Benetsubasa, go with them." Natuso continued over his Sekirei's groan. "Yes, yes, but we don't want her to eat it all by herself again, do we?" A crimson blur rushed out the door with the faint cry of 'not again you ravenous bitch'… or something like that at least. Either way it was good to know that Karasuba was a problem for everyone, not just me.

Not very comforting, but whatever.

"Well, now that they're gone, why don't we take a little field trip?" Natsuo hefted his load of papers towards the door. "You can't tell me you aren't curious as to what all these papers are for, now can you?"

"Alright, I'll bite." I grimaced as my spine popped back into alignment as I stood. Ugh, I was not made for sitting at a desk. Graceful and silent as a shadow, Akitsu was already in my wake as I followed Natsuo out the door. "Where are we heading?"

"Downstairs." He answered, leading us to the elevator. "Last part of the tour is the motor pool – also the unofficial official workspace of our resident soldiers. You know how those military types can be." I did, but probably not in the way he was implying. Organized (and unorganized) militaries and I had a bad habit of not seeing eye to eye on many occasions. "Well, it seemed easier for everyone to just let them take over the motor pool for all their gear and personnel. Which means our destination – the requisition officer for your new gear – is down there."

"New gear?" I couldn't help but chuckle. "Don't tell me Karasuba was serious when she said the black suit was standard issue?"

"I hope you like it. It should fit like a glove – we already had your sizes." Natsuo smirked at my gob smacked expression.

"Karasuba?" I sighed, hoping against hope that the most likely source was not in fact the culprit.

"Karasuba." Oh how swiftly my hopes were crushed. Though that would explain the one time I woke up to find her in my room with a tape measure. "Although if the suit doesn't fit right we can always have it adjusted. We in the Disciplinary Squad do have to look our best when representing the company. Minaka's orders."

Of course they were.

"And they come out of your first paycheck."

Of course… dammit. Well, it wasn't like I was in this for money. Or used to getting paid for things. Why was I complaining again?

"You know, I do have my own clothes." I grumbled anyway as the elevator dinged open, spilling us onto the concrete garage that served as Mid Bio Informatics' hosting area for their…

Static filled my vision–

God.

I could hear the ringing of gunshots. The mussel flashes giving brief staccato of light like a stop motion picture. A slide reel of horror and violence and–

Damn.

The taste of gun powder in the air. The acrid scent of burning flesh. The rotting fruit smell of bodies in the sun–

Private.

The cloying, metallic taste of too fresh blood. You try to wash it of but you can't because your covered in–

Army.

"Emiya-san?" A hard yank on my arm nearly landed me on my ass back in the metal death – elevator? "Shirou-san?" What was I – right! Yes. Natsuo was calling my name. "You look pale all of a sudden. Are you alright?"

"What? Yeah." I waved off his concern and straightened from… half leaning on Akitsu? She must have caught me when I tripped coming out of the elevator. "Yeah, I'm fine. No need to worry. Thank you Akitsu."

"I see…" Natsuo said in a way that clearly implied he didn't believe me. "Ahem, well I'll remind you that there is no smoking inside or within twenty feet of Mid Bio Informatics property." He directed a pointed stare at me.

I blinked. Akitsu's hand steadied the lighter I was fumbling with. Ah. Right. "Ah. Right." I probably shouldn't bring up my multiple infractions I'd already stacked up regarding that rule then, I mused, even as I stuffed the cigarette back into its crumpled pack. "Sorry about that. I'll try to be more considerate."

"See that you do." Natsuo nodded in satisfaction and waved us through the angrily dinging doors and into MBI's motor pool.

Holy hell.

I couldn't help but stare. I mean… I had seen the equipment MBI's forces were packing yesterday in my excursion with Karasuba but damn... Motor pool was a bit of a misnomer for what I was seeing here. Jeeps and Humvees were parked in neatly aligned rows, crews of people in urban camo fatigues moving over and between them as they moved gear, tuned engines, replaced parts or otherwise performed the myriad of preventative auto-maintenance on the vehicles.

Further down, along both sides of the high-ceilinged garage were dozens more of those heavy APC's from yesterday – more than that, I could identify several different variations of the vehicle loadouts and kits. In between the vehicles were soldiers, dressed in various states of full, partial kits comprised of the same black body armor and/or uniforms I had seen yesterday. Each one was emblazoned with the same three white letters.

It was, in a word, surreal.

Despite my familiarity with what I was seeing (after all, I was no stranger to the battlefield), I couldn't help but stare. SDF members who were chatting around their work as they poured over gear or vehicles, joking and laughing in little groups, small squads doing CQC or tactical movement drills between parked cars or even the group doing PT that were forced to jog around us lest our slower moving group block them (I still noticed that they gave us a wide, wary berth as they ran past).

Maybe it was because in my duties as an Enforcer, or even my independent actions, I had never seen this side of larger organized and unorganized military (and paramilitary) groups. The feeling in the air was so different from the nervous tension that suffused the moments before a battle or the resigned despair that dragged down the last moments… or the hollow feeling of walking away afterwards. Hell, there were even a group of people sitting at a cheap, fold up table playing cards! The stark difference was making me itch and–

–Fucking hell, was that a fucking tank?! No. Not a tank. There were several tanks. Several god damn motherfucking tanks – and not the few years out of date, military surplus kind of tanks you saw in the national self-defense forces or that popped up in grassroots militant groups, but state of the art, brand new main battle tanks.

Considering everything else I had seen in the garage; I had thought I knew (or at least had a very good grasp) the scope of MBI's capabilities and that of their 'private security.' Damn was I wrong. In the light of current events… the sheer level of man and firepower MBI had brought to the table was frankly ridiculous.

"Surprised Shirou?" Natsuo commented on my blatant staring. "You really shouldn't be. While I admit you had a good point earlier today – something I agree with you on – we are more than adequately prepared for anything the Sekirei can bring to the table. We should know after all, we literally raised them from birth."

"Actually, I was wondering if all this would be enough." Servants they may not be, but Karasuba at least could move fast enough to dodge a small amount of gunfire and while I didn't see Yomi's encounter with Takami's security detail… I also didn't need to. I had seen the aftermath and that was enough. "We've already seen that soldiers alone can't stand up to Sekirei."

"That is true." Natsuo conceded. "But they aren't really supposed to. Their job is to ensure all participants stay in the city and no outside parties try to pull anything. It's up to us to enforce the rules and curb any unseemly behavior the participants decide to engage in."

"So you're saying something along the lines of 'Sekirei must defeat Sekirei' then?"

"Ah, well, sort of." He chuckled at the awkward phrasing. "Keep in mind that this is also the first time most of us have participated in something even remotely like this Sekirei Project. It isn't every day one gets pitted in a city-wide free-for-all against a bunch of unknown strangers after all. I think that we, as the administrators and overseers, have just as much to learn about running the project as the participants do in competing in it."

"That doesn't fill me with the greatest confidence." I grumbled in protest.

"Oh, don't be like that." He chided. "And if its confidence you want, you're at the right place." I followed the jut of his chin (he couldn't really gesture with his arms filled) to the large cage that had been put up at the end of the line of vehicles. Cases, crates and lockers lined the inside and back of the rather large space bound within the confines of the barrier.

"Only if you have the right credentials." An accented voice interrupted him as a – Yankee? – woman with wheat colored hair said as she popped up from behind a screen of lockers. Her accent didn't place her from anywhere I was explicitly familiar with and, given MBI's apparently eclectic hiring policy, an American wasn't out of the question.

Of course, I may have been more than a little more focused on the assault rifle cradled in her arms. But she seemed to ignore us, merely rechecking the sightings and alignment of the grips. Nodding with apparent approval, she stowed the rifle into one of the racks before turning to us. "Now, who do we have here, eh?"

Natsuo smiled. "Hello Sergeant –"

"No!" She interrupted slamming her hands on the stack of papers he tried to shove over the counter towards her and (tried) to push them back towards him. "Request denied! I don't care how many times you've filled them out or whose signatures you have on them telling me otherwise; you already hit your maximum ammunition requisition for this period!"

"Ah, dear sergeant, you wound me." Natsuo chuckled despite the death glare being sent at him. "All kidding aside, I'm here on official business this time."

She glared at him from the cage. "And I'm the bloody queen, ya? I told you once, I've told you a thousand times: You can't conjure up a pencil pusher to requisition for you." She gave me a once over, "Must admit he's not as scrawny as you. Finger calluses too." She grabbed the top sheet of the forms. "Mr. Shirou, wait, backwards, eh? Mr. Emiya then?"

"Emiya is correct," I dipped my head. "Please take care of me."

"I 'spouse I could later," She looked me up and down again. Wait, what? "Right, let's get a good look at you. Even calluses and tone… I'd accuse you of cowboying, but you don't look 'Merican, do ya. Your English is top notch. Native or deployed?"

"Native, but I've spent the past few years in Europe and the Middle East." She had good eyes.

"Oliva –" Natsuo tried to say before being interrupted.

"That's Sargeant Campbell to you, sir" Campbelll interjected.

"– Shirou here is the newest member of the Disciplinary Squad." He continued. "He'll need the standard setup. Anything more he can come to you on his own."

"I'll expect some weirdness then, eh?" She chuckled. "I can file these for you then. Will take a few days to process, but then you'll have access to the motor pool and ranges. You need anything, you come to me. Do you have firearm experience?"

"Cursory." I admit. "Enough to get by, they aren't my preference by any means."

"Right. You'll be taking some safety and training courses before you can pick up your service weapon then."

"Service weapon?" A weapon for being a glorified babysitter? The Situation didn't quite apply to myself since I had proven I could match them in close combat but giving a normal Ashikabi a gun wouldn't protect them for long against and attacking Sekirei. "Why would I need one of those?"

"It's an operational policy for us to have one Emiya-san," Natuso replied. "It may seem silly to say since you and I have more experience around the Sekirei, but the weakness of a Sekirei is its Ashikabi. If we are incapacitated or captured, then so is the Disciplinary Squad."

"So we'll train you not to shoot yourself in the foot while we come rescue you, eh?" Campbell finished.

I hesitated. If anything, a good bow or swords I wouldn't have to pretend were real would be much better.

"I have one too, see?" He matched my gaze and lifted his left arm slightly to reveal the butt of a pistol. "Besides, it's just a safety net. If you don't want to use it, you probably won't ever need to."

"Don't like guns, eh?" The stack of papers disappeared. "If you want you can always file the paperwork and I give you some custom gear. We've access to the foundries the eggheads use on the Birds."

"Custom gear?" Foundries? Birds? Well, it wasn't a leap to assume the capital B birds was a reference to the Sekirei named after a wagtail. Especially with the occasional glance the room had been giving Akitsu as she stood silent and unmoving behind me. The foundries had my attention, however.

"Yeah, we get some of the rejected gear they make in the basement. Good quality things." She nodded. "We've been taking the opportunity to swap out the bayonets and knives for the stuff they make down there. Don't know what weird science they practice, but the blades are lighter, more durable and hold an edge like a motherfucker."

"Am I limited to what I can ask for?"

"Looking for a bow?" Natuso asked, startling me. "It came up in your files. You might not believe it, but our Mr. Emiya here was a record holder for archery in high school."

"No shitting." Campbell's look was anything but interested. "I'd rather a good solid rifle to a wood chucker myself, eh? Hold on a moment, I think I got something you might like. Worthless to me anyway." She disappeared into the cage, rummaging.

"If you can get something of the material Karasuba's and Haihane's weapons are made of, I would have some requests." Already the idea to make mock versions of Kanshou and Bakuya percolated in my head. If I 'had' those blades made for me, then I had a ready excuse as to how the Noble Phantasm versions could always be on me with a bit of care and preparation. "I can draw up some –"

"Right, here ya go," My froze, breath and words caught in my throat.

Unlike Natsuo's pistol, the object she held out to me was automatically scanned, logged and copied into my reality marble: Unlimited Blade Works, the collection of every 'sword' or 'blade' I have ever seen preserved for all time in a forge that never stops. From Karasua's exotic nodachi, mundane kitchen knives, to Artoria's fey given Excalibur, I could recall the history, materials, forging process and wielders of any object that called dwelt within my soul.

I reached out with slightly trembling hands as I grasped the solid black bow; its metaphysical presence instantly slotting itself in my internal world right beside an almost identical bow I first saw years before during the grail war…

The bow that Archer, the future version of myself, wielded to launch broken versions of noble phantasms like arrows. I had never been able to pin when in his life he got his bow, nor where he got it from. I did know it was late in his life, just before it ended, and that he had it custom built with a special material I hadn't been able to identify despite the nature of my magic.

I shifted my grip on the bow to a ready draw, turning my body to the side. I didn't have to think, the motions so well-tuned in my mind and body. In Kyudo, accuracy wasn't as important as the frame of mind. It was a meditative exercise, the belief that if you became the arrow and saw the shot in your mind before you ever drew the bow, then the arrow would follow the path. It was a skill I had mastered before I quit the archer club back in the day… and the skill that granted the future me the class of Archer upon his death despite our affinity for swords.

I knocked an imaginary arrow and drew, the bow's draw so heavy I had to Reinforce myself to be able to pull it fully taut. This wasn't Archer's bow… but it was damn close.

The action drew a whistle of appreciation. "I take it back, you're no pencil pusher. None of my guys got that deep a draw, eh? I've no use for it so if you want to keep the bow, I can help you with the paperwork. Helps me out too since I'm buggered as to where to keep it."

"Sure…" I didn't like the confluence. Caren handing me the mantle, now finding the secret to making the bow… and later this year was… "I think I'll be back for those requests soon."

*Haihane*

The air burned. Also my lungs. Fucking trees. The place was swarming with contestants even though the Green Girl event was over. Or would that be flocked with them? The wince and a sharp pain that followed wasn't caused by the pun, per se, but chased the laughter away as it always did.

At least the outfit was already ruined.

Shut up, no sad thoughts. Shirou was nearby! I think. Assumed, really. Sempai wouldn't be off duty and she would drag him in her wake as she did us all. So, (my lack-of-sleep addled mind supplied) the perfect solution to not knowing where my Ashikabi was to find the other Sekirei.

All she had to do was follow the trail of tears (not hers) and spice burning in the air. Any doubt that Benitsubasa had really found her destined one was put to rest with the amount of spice the two ate. "You know what they say about redheads." I giggled, not really knowing what they said. The internet said a lot though, and it all mostly had to do with heat and explosives in various contexts, so the joke probably worked as intended.

"Haihane, there you are." Simple words, but I felt as if I'd grown wings with how much lighter she felt. He was looking for her too! I leapt…well, tripped, but I tried to leap, towards him.

My Ashikabi.

He reached out to me too, to meet me.

But instead of embracing me his hands – gently – but firmly grabbed my wrists under my claws, turning them outwards and away from his body. A twist took him a step to the side and an arm righted me back to my feet, and then away as he gently and absentmindedly turned away both my affection and my weapons.

"I'm sorry if you've been having to work alone while I get up to speed." His smile lifted me up as it killed me. I could see his eyes cloud as he looked me over. My knees almost wobbled at his rueful, self-depreciating smile, and I might have swooned if not for him also physically lifting me up – which brought back memories of last night's – and then those hands left as he stepped past me, following Natuso towards our lounge area. "The other girls should be back with food by now."

"Um…" I stared after him. This wasn't the first (second?) meeting I wanted with my Ashikabi. Nothing was going how I planned at all! I could almost pull my hair in frustration

"Ah…"

–A cold hand on my shoulder aborted the motion to raise my hands halfway up. I locked eyes with another Sekirei? I don't remember her from the Nest, but she looked vaguely familiar in the eye-catching red long coat she was wearing. My Ashikabi's coat, actually! I vaguely recalled someone else with Sempai and Shirou-kun last night.

Her eyes shifted, following my (our?) Ashikabi as he walked away, and then back to mine. Was I… the third? I thought I was sharing with Sempai…

She turned back to me. Here it was, the threats about my place in line. I'd accept that from Sempai because she's Sempai; strong enough to do what she wanted and not interested in the things I very much was. But like hell I was going to play third fiddle to some ice-faced audacious bi – her eyes weren't cold, or arrogant; she shared the same, longing and long-suffering look I must have pinning after the man ahead of us.

And she had a mark on her forehead.

Oh... Sympathy.

Another tap to my shoulder (comradery? What a strange feeling) in solidarity and that poor girl followed in his wake.

That was… something my brain would definitely supply the words and feelings for after food. And a nap. And shit, fucking my absolute brains out…which probably wasn't going to happen over my unused desk like I hoped it was because…

My Ashikabi might be…

Completely oblivious to the way he absolutely slayed me (us?!). Had I winged myself (or rather, had destiny winged me) to a male Karasuba-sempai?

No…No! He definitely looked down my shirt, (not that there was a lot left of it) when he caught me! I mean, he could have just been looking at the red-stained bandages there, but he couldn't have missed my breasts if he did! I wasn't Benitsubasa, after all! And at the moment mine were unavoidably there (I cupped them to check).

Yes (also OW)! I cheered and picked myself off the floor, rushing to catch up.

I'd just have to apply the charms then. Amply. Liberally. Supplely? That one might not make sense. I'd look it up later. The world wide web was full of useful information about humans and mating tips. Less spiders than you'd think though…

Giggling to myself, I caught up to the others, the smell of the usual lunch place wafting ominously out.

"Natuso…" My ashikabi started, trailing off as the food was unveiled in its bubbling horror. The accompanying wave of heat chased the unnamed (or I just forgot it) Sekirei to the other side of the hall. Smart. I wanted to do the same. "…is that… Mapu tofu?"

Karasuba was sitting down at the purloined conference table they used for group meals, stirring the boiling pot of lava in front of her. The spoon glowed, melting like a candle and then plopped into the bowl. With a shrug, she took a bite. One day, I thought through the tears of pride, I would be as strong as Sempai too.

"Oh, do you not like hot things?" Natsuo looked up from his neatly arranged meal, already a few bites in and as implacable as always. Benitsubasa, on the other hand, looked like she barely paused to breath between bites. Ugh, she and her Ashikabi really were alike in a lot of ways. A good, if unfortunate match. I would have been a part of that. It would have been nice, I think. For a human, he was pretty cool. I mean, he wasn't Ashikabi-kun, but there was a reason he was going to be. That wouldn't have been too bad… even if I wouldn't have been able to ever get what I wanted.

Things were going to be so much better with my destined one.

Eventually. Definitely. It helped that he eyeing the 'food' in question with the skepticism it deserved. Food was for enjoyment, not pain. Other things were for that.

"No." Shirou-kun responded in a way that really said the opposite. "No, but I don't think Akitsu –" Ah! I think I remember that from last night. Most of my recollection of out meeting was a fever dreamish – hot in a different way that the food or that weird place I dreamed of last night. "Is a fan. I think I'll go see if Takami has eaten yet. I'm sorry you went out of our way for us."

"Of course. In the future we'll have to work out a rotation then."

"That sounds great, thank you." Shirou-kun turned to me. "Haihane, would you like to join us?" Me? "I would like to get to know you better if we'll be together from now on." Together from now on!

"Actually, I need Haihane for a moment." Sempai the dream ruin-er broke the hearts from my eyes. Lunch, sempai! He invited me to lunch during work! Everyone knew (or so the internet also told me) that lunch was really going to be my desk getting that oh-so needed workout!

"Ah. Another time then." Nooooo.

I sulked my way over to Karasuba instead of following their exit.

"It looks like I'll be given an assignment for the upcoming days that will occupy much of my time." Sempai spoke, calmy taking small, deliberate bites between speaking. "While I am indisposed, I need you to do something for me."

"Yes, ma'am." I (mock) saluted.

"The trash. Akitsu." The other Sekirei following our Ashikabi. For a second I thought back to the mark on her forehead and shuddered.

"Is she to be assigned to the Squad?" I said soberly. It would be… uncomfortable, having her around. Not her fault! It just… that tragic fate was a serious matter.

"Probably unofficially, since she's stalking our Ashikabi." She scowled. "But I wont allow her to become a part of anything. She's lucky Shirou is as lenient with her as he is. Which is why I need you to watch her for me while I'm not around. I don't like," Ah, Sempai is jealous? That's adorable (I struggled not to laugh or show any expression, lest she realized and took offense). "Her, nor do I trust her. You shouldn't either."

Those sad eyes. Okay, I nodded my confirmation. I could do it. For Sempai. And for Shirou-kun.

"Good. Hands." I raised my claws so she could unbind them. We didn't want a repeat of last time I forgot to take them off and reached for the… demon tofu. Containers split, metal heated, people (mostly me) were screaming and spice does not mix well with blood. "Now run along then." She said, waving me off as soon as my hands were freed.

"Huh?"

"I gave you a task." Her lips quirked up in her 'too-serious-to-smile' way that she tried to hide her affection for us. "If you go now, you should be able to catch up."

I grinned, bolting.

Best. Sempai. Ever.

*End*

The average human reaction time is .2-.25 seconds. The record for fastest quick draw is .208 seconds. The More You Know.

Also, Haihane is suffering (and thirsty).

A/N: Hello readers. Some of you know the story, but for those of you who haven't: I have been working to death and had a lot of life come up the last few years that took away all time and motivation to write. I kept up my notes and storyboards, but I couldn't write a part of a chapter to save my life, despite many, many attempts. But I'm alive again now. I want to give a huge shoutout to the following readers for digging up my grave: ParadoxicalThought, HibernaLupus, and OctZ. So news: the story continues. I am rewriting some of the earlier chapters to be more in line with the vision I have of the story and fill in some gaps. Also, there were a number of scenes I had reserved as 'fragments' that were going to be cannon, just not quite in the narrative of the story that I have promoted to full story chapters. The ones taking place earlier than this chapter are going to be included in the chapter rewrites, so be on the lookout for those changes.

I will be leaving this story up unedited, and publishing the rewrite under the name Shattered Blades: Reforged. I will be adding the chapters to this story as they come out as well. Thank you, old fans and new, for your patience during my long break.

I am also on AO3 under the username: Urzasdisembodiedhead. The titles of the stories will be the same there as they are here. I will still update both sites.

For those of you who like my work and are in the place and mindset to do so, I have a kofi at:

ko-fi drakevalkyr

Thank you all, new readers and old, for being so patient with me during my absence. I hope you enjoy.