"Have a safe trip, Miya-san!" Yomi said waving her hand in a slightly wild manner.

"Thank you Yomi-san." Miya held a bouquet of flowers, her eyes closed with a sad smile on her face as she stood at the front door. It was the anniversary of Takehito's death, and on schedule she was going to visit his grave.

"Are you going to visit a grave?" Minato asked with a confused expression. Musubi stood at his side with her hands clasped over the other in front of her listening intently. While Kusano was standing on his other side his arm laced in her own as she clung to him a curious expression on her face. Uzume stood by her with a faint smile on her face her placed on her hip.

"Yes. Today is my late husband's death, I'll be gone for a few hours." Miya said with a hint of sadness opening her eyes for a fleeting second.

"Husband?" Minato asked quietly.

"Now, please excuse me. Take care of everything while I'm out please." Miya said turning and exiting Izumo Inn with a small smile on her face. She walked down the cement path that lead to her door her mind heavy with thoughts.

Now there was a dilemma.

"So, what should we do for lunch?" Uzume asked as she walked in front of the main room's door with her arms crossed under her breasts with Musubi at her side. On cue Nanaha walked out from her room wearing a white shirt and a red skirt, she looked at Uzume with a shy expression. Wondering why the older Sekirei was staring at her.

"Uzume-san, I'll cook lunch!" Musubi said excitedly raising her hand like she was in a class full of students.

"I'll help." Kusano added in cheerfully throwing her arms up. Minato walked towards them from behind since he closed the door.

"Nanaha can help! I'll leave it to you then." Uzume said with a wide smile.

"Sure!" Musubi gushed with a small grin. Uzume smiled widely grabbing a hold of their hands, Musubi and Kusano both sporting confused expressions on their faces.

"Okay then, you guys, come to my room." Uzume said excitedly running to her left with the two Sekirei in tow leaving a puzzling Minato behind.

"I'll be upstairs.." Yomi added before speeding off.

"Her room?" He asked himself. Now that he thought about it there wasn't much he knew about Uzume she was a complete mystery. He felt something, like he was going be watched his eyes widened and he whirled around to where he felt something lurking. "Just now... Something was..."

Toyotama found herself sitting on the couch. Why? Because this is what she did, watched TV. Her soap opera wasn't on so she was quite sour, the finale ended, but rachel's new boyfriend wasn't revealed. She shook her head, what was the point! Ugh, she flipped the channel spreading out on the couch.

It had been almost four months since Ryu winged her, since he saved her. It was weird to her, Homura was a pain in the ass in her opinion. He went around sticking his nose where it didn't belong, namely her business. But he did tell her about Ryu and not a day after she was running through the streets of Tokyo on an empty stomach and border lining exhaustion. Now she meant Ryu and everything was good.

But it could be better. He was somewhat indecisive and didn't pay as much attention to her as he could. That was the story recently. He just wasn't all there, she couldn't feel any conflict coming through their link, but she was still worried. Though he wouldn't lose himself he would kiss her and the others. But since that day at work it seemed he'd been avoiding her.

Did he hate her? Was she too forward? She began to get mad now she was over thinking things. Her mood was even more troubled when he thoughts drifted to the plan. So far they'd been living peacefully, but that'd all chance soon. She really didn't like him playing nice with Minato and that sharp eyed creep but she wouldn't speak up... Yet. But she hoped Ryu wouldn't be entirely soft, she'd fight in time and he'd just have to deal. Sighing she swung her legs standing up to her full height she was just over thinking things she jumped to the side, grabbing her staff tightly. "Time to vent." She said twirling it expertly.

It just happened that Nanaha went to inform Uzume she was making lunch. Yashima was engrossed in her book and Toyotama was watching TV. She never expected to be literally dragged with Musubi and Kusano by Uzume and stuffed into a... Revealing costume. She sat with a faint blush on her cheeks since Ryu was in the room, she'd been used to kisses, but outfits and anything passed second base she fainted on the spot.

"Uzume..." Ryu said groaning as he looked at Musubi, Nanaha and Kusano in one of her many costumes. He often wondered why she'd dress up, the first time he asked. She answered by dressing up for him, that was a weird day. She wouldn't respond to a word he said unless he called her master, and she was serious about it.

He heard of cosplaying, but maid clothing among the many other costumes in her broad collection was just a little too much. At least Miya was away, if she seen how exposed Musubi was she'd have a fit. Ryu was wondering what kept her breasts in place. Nanaha had a small blush on her cheeks, along the way Uzume spotted Nanaha and dragged her along for the ride. Ryu had been in Uzume's room grabbing his pair of jogging pants when they came in.

Minato roamed through the hall, he was enjoying the peace. It mad him forget that he was part of a game. He really didn't know much about it, in fact nothing he was completely clueless. He just knew he wanted to be with Musubi, even if he didn't understand the depth of the situation. He stopped in front of a wooden door, the sounds of girlish talking echoed through the walls of the room. He blinked a few times wondering what exactly was going on. Suddenly the door opened Uzume exiting with a raised eyebrow and small smirk on her face.

"Ah! We're done." She said giving a thumbs up. Minato felt his face heat up as he took in their outfits. Musubi was wearing a maids outfit with a tight white cloth tied around her stomach pushing her already ample breasts up, to keep them in place she held one hand over them. She had a white neck collar with a red bow tie in the middle. Kusano's head was the only visible since her costume appeared to be a type of bird. Nanaha stepped out wearing an outfit similar to Musubi's but it covered her ample breasts more but came up her butt more. She pulled down slightly feeling a draft.

"Nanaha-san said she'd help with dinner!" Uzume cheered. Nanaha was quite the cook, she seemed to enjoy eating and cooking, she didn't eat nearly as much as Musubi but she loved food.

"Oh ok!" Musubi cheered happy with the development. It would help when they had so many people to feed.

"Those outfits..."

"Do they look good on us, Minato-san?"

"Musubi-chan." He said in awe a red tinge burning his cheeks.

Uzume slid up to Musubi's side cupping a hand around her mouth. She was looking to add fuel to the fire and fluster the Ashikabi. "Oh no, when you dress like that you gotta say master." Uzume said quietly while Kusano smiled moving animatedly happy to help with the cooking. Musubi glanced at Uzume with a innocent look on her face as she took in what the older Sekirei said.

"Uzume-san!" Minato exclaimed awkwardly.

"Master..." Musubi said closing her eyes dreamily. Minato laughed nervously putting a hand behind his head.

"Yes."

"Don't reply seriously." Uzume deadpanned.

"Is that why you replied Minato, because you're her master?" Ryu teased he couldn't help himself but add to the conversation, it was better being the one to tease instead.

Minato laughed nervously trying to change the topic turned to look at Kusano with a soft expression on his face. "Oh, Ku-chan's cute too, is that a... Wagtail?"

Kusano raised her hands looking at them for a moment before nodding. He stood dumbfounded for a few seconds staring at Kusano and then at Musubi. One question coming to mind. But, why do they have to dress like this to prepare meals...? He was snapped from his thoughts, glancing at Uzume who began to say something.

"Hey! Stop making him squirm!" Toyotama barked making her way up the stair set. She took one look at Uzume and then Minato, it didn't take long for her to see the busty brunette was doing something to fluster him. It wasn't so bad, Minato made it so easy, but she was going to train and then eat. "I'm going out to train. Tell me when lunch is ready!

Ryu shook his head helplessly. Could she be any more blunt? "They were going to get started on it." He said trying to ease the great wall known of Toyotama.

A few moments later Ryu could hear the air being swiped apart by the seems. He took a look outside watching Toyotama swing and twirl the staff. He was versed with the weapon, but not the point she was she could direct it as a whip, literally. It vaguely reminded him of how Karasuba attacked with her sword, except she wasn't twirling the sword over and around her torso at blinding speeds. He had no doubt she could break his ribs if she hit him full force, hopefully she wouldn't. He grinned slightly excited at the prospect. "I'm going to train!" He said before bolting down the hall and heading out to the yard.

"Now, I got to take a nap. Wake me up when my lunch is already." Uzume said stifling a yawn with her hand as he strolled back into her room closing the door behind her. Musubi and Kusano looked at each other smiling before dancing animatedly happy their Ashikabi liked their outfits and were making lunch. It seemed food was enough to make the busty brunette happy.

"Why does she have those costumes?" Minato mused with a defeated expression. "Uzume-san... She's a mysterious person."

Ryu made his way outside eager for a good spar. He fully recovered by now, being half Sekirei had its benefits. He had been so busy with work recently that he rarely had time to practice and spar with the others.

Except for Musubi but she'd yank him into a spar. Literally.

He stepped onto the back porch watching her swipe the air madly. He didn't know if she was in her zone or if something was bugging her. He found out early on Toyotama had to be his most impulsive and vocal Sekirei. Ten times out of ten she'd voice her displeasure of the situation.

He wasn't sure what to say, but he didn't want to disturb her. Something about her putting all of her effort and soul into each movement was awe inspiring. He always admired Sekirei for their will and ability to get stronger, although he didn't know about the complexities behind each and every single one. But a little support neer hurt anyone.

"Are you going stand there or fight?" Toyotama asked stabbing one of end of her staff into the ground looking at Ryu with some sweat dripped from her forehead whipping it away quickly with her hand.

"Well-" Ryu was about to answer when she lunged towards him. He watched her spar many times with Miya, and he worked with her so he knew most of of her moves. His senses screamed duck and as he did the staff whirled passed him kicking up a small vortex of air. He kicked back off of the ground flipping back putting some ground between them. "I thought you were troubled."

She narrowed her eyes in on him attacking again this time with a thrust. Ryu barely had time to react before she swung to the side using the extra momentum to carry her attack in its full arc. On instinct he snapped his hands out grabbing the staff with a second to spare he turned his body releasing it as he sailed to his feet.

Well she was mad...

Why did he care now? He'd been dividing his attention ignoring her when she wanted to talk. She wasn't one to press the issue, or even initiate it. She'd leave that to him, but he didn't even after all of this time. She raised her staff over her head bringing it down with enough force to leave a small rift in the dirt. "I'm not!" She insisted charging again.

"W-well you seem a bit mad." He said nervously dusting himself.

"Hmph!" She grabbed her staff with two hands running towards him with her eyes narrowed. Ryu looked to either side of the staff trying to predict when it'd hit. The thing he learned while learning Bojutsu was that where one of the staff was the other was right behind it. If he could predict how she swung it he could counter. Toyotama wound up her arms turning her waist sharply, Ryu's eyes widened for a brief second as he rolled to the side getting into a crouching position. He felt blood gush into his mouth as four hard knuckles planted themselves into his jaw sending him sliding across the ground.

Toyotama stood over him with a fire in her eyes he had yet to see. It wasn't her usual glint when she was making advances on him, this was something else entirely. "Why!?"

Ryu blinked twice. Confused. "Why?" He retorted.

"Why won't you let us fight!? That's why we're here!?" She exclaimed grabbing him by the collar of his kimono lifting him up to his feet with no effort, not letting go of him. In fact she tightened his grip putting him real close to her. Ryu opened his mouth to speak but she cut him off. "We can't keep running away! We can't keep avoiding the inevitable!" She exclaimed gritting her teeth.

Ryu didn't know what to say. He didn't want to fight in all honesty. The whole game was sick and twisted he wanted to have no part of it. That's one of the reasons for his struggle when he left Izumo Inn. He knew he was fond of his Sekirei, but did he love them? He still didn't know much, Matsu's answers just left more questions that needed to be answered. He gulped nervously when Toyotama began to tighten her grip to dangerous levels. "I just worry." He said through clenched teeth grabbing a hold of her wirsts to ease her grip.

Toyotama's eyes widened like saucers her hands just lost all feeling, Ryu let out a yelp of shock and pain mostly shock for dropping so suddenly. His master was right, what did he get himself into? He stood up dusting his butt off of dirt and dust. "Is that bad, that I worry."

"It's not." Toyotama said quietly looking at her feet. "But-"

"Then?" Ryu questioned looking at her intently.

"I want to fight for you, and want you to watch me fight!" She exclaimed shaking him by his kimono. "I don't want to be weak!"

Ryu could only stare at her and marvel. This side of Toyotama, was this really her? She was gossiper who would instigate many things, but this? Ryu didn't know who he was looking at it, of course it was her, but... She cupped her hands on the sides of his face bringing him inches from her own he could feel his cheeks heat up and seen the red tinge on her own. "I don't want to be a failure." She whispered burying her head into his chest.

Ryu uneasily lifted his arm up gingerly rubbing her back in the best way he knew to comfort her at the moment. He understood now why she was training so rigorously. But he didn't want her to fight, he didn't want any of them to. He wanted to live in blissful ignorance. "I'm sorry Toyotama-chan." He said quietly clasping the back of her head with his hand.

"Don't be sorry!" She snapped pushing away from him with a small frown. A part of her was happy with the way he soothed her, but another part not so much. "Soon we'll all have to fight no matter what we believe or want. I want to know, will you be there for me?" She asked in a mumble looking at the dirt again.

"I'll do my best not to let you down." Ryu said reassuringly smiling slightly.

"That's all I ask, you're such a good Ashikabi you know that?" She asked giving him a tight hug.

Ryu chuckled quietly, shaking his head. "I've been called a lot of things, but good isn't one." He let out another dry chuckle as he took in what she said.

"You don't have to be perfect to be a good Ashikabi." Toyotama said putting him at arm's length frowning slightly.

"Toyotama..." Was all he managed to say in awe and shocked by his fourth Sekirei. She didn't know what lied ahead, honestly she didn't care. If anyone or anything got in her way or threatened Ryu she'd fight them until her last breath. That was her duty as his Sekirei, to protect him at all costs. She scrunched up her nose catching a wift of must.

"It's time for a bath!" She wiped the sweat from her forehead she had been at for nearly forty five minutes when Ryu came outside and began spying on her. She winced for a moment feeling her stomach growl and thrash for nourishment. "Is lunch almost done?"

Ryu had to use all of restraint not to just break out laughing. So much for a serious moment huh. He was hungry himself, and could use a bath. "Uh, I'm sure it'll be done in twenty minutes, right after a nice bath." He answered scratching the back of his head nervously. Why he felt nervous he didn't know.

"Heh." Toyotama smirked deviously before she cupped a hand over his mouth and wrapped another around his waist walking back into the house and heading for the bathroom. Ryu flailed his arms about screaming muffled protests. Toyotama slid the door open the the bathroom door pushing Ryu into it. He coughed violently struggling to take in oxygen.

"What the hell!?" He exclaimed breathlessly socking himself in the chest for good measure. Okay he was alive.

"Miya's not here and I want to take a bath with you." She said with a glint in her eyes as she began to undress herself. Ryu sat up against one of the walls, most of his protests weren't about taking a bath with her since they were allowed by the rules. What he had been protesting, rather screaming was he couldn't breathe!

"Suffocate me why don't you?" Ryu said sarcastically rolling his eyes.

"Don't give me any ideas, now strip." She said, but it sounded more like an order. She was down to nothing except for the dark arm sleeves she always wore that went up almost to her shoulder and were skin tight.

"Excuse me?" Ryu said with a raised eyebrow.

"Do you want to eat or not!?" Toyotama asked through gritted teeth. Why did he have to make everything so complicated and ask so many questions. She wanted to take a bath with him, it was as simple as that.

Ryu sent her a light glare. Curse her for using lunch as leverage. Curse his stomach for growling in rejection or approval. He didn't know which one it was or should be. He needed a bath though he was a sweaty mess, Miya wasn't here so it'd be fine right?

Toyotama didn't want to wait any longer she was dirty and hungry! She tore off his kimono and stripped him down to nothing in one quick motion, before he could even retort something she shoved him into the room where the bath was a loud splash resounding as what one could only assume was Ryu falling into the tub.

Musubi set a two gallon pan on the burner filling it with water less than halfway. Slowly cooking it, the smell wafting through the walls. Kusano pranced over awkwardly. Her costume restricting the entirety of her movements. She helped by setting the trays down while Musubi and Nanaha filled them with the steaming rice. Next was the vegetables, Musubi and Nanaha chopped them up in record speeds dumping them into a two gallon pot bringing the water to boil humming a tone to herself as she stirred the contents. The smell of beef wafted through the house as Musubi and Nanaha finished the final piece of lunch. Minato sat down at the head of the table taking in the pleasant aroma with a smile, this sort of thing was nice.

"Sorry, for making you wait." Musubi said with a small grin as she slid to view in the opening to the main room with two steaming mountains of curry on two plates, Kusano had two steaming helpings as well, or several in this case, Nanaha having two helpings as well. They'd have to go back.

Yashima had been enjoying her book of course. She spent a lot of her time reading at MBI before, during, and after she was adjusted. She was extremely shy and kept to herself, most of the time, so books were an escape for her. A way to escape the reality that she'd spend her entire lifetime fighting. Her stomach growled loudly a few times urging her to get up. But she wanted to finish this book! Anther growl made her give in as she shut the book sliding a bookmark in on the page she was on.

She'd have to buy the next installment soon. Maybe Ryu could take her to the bookstore? That wouldn't be bad for a little walk. She made her way downstairs quickly, she may have been his smallest Sekirei but she could pack down as much as the others. And that wasn't to be taken lightly. She recalled Ryu asking her to tell him about her wound, she opted to decline instead not wishing to bother him.

She was supposed to be strong not showing any weakness. Getting wounded, losing was not unacceptable. For her that meant getting direct help from Ryu. She wanted to protect him and was always worried, she thought he would die against Mutsu. She was wrong to doubt him, she always did. Why? She put the thought aside making her way to the front room where everyone was seated waiting for her except for Ryu and Toyotama.

She looked around for her Ashikabi. It wasn't like him to be late for a meal. She heard a few loud thuds outside that she assumed was him and Toyotama sparring since Nanaha went to make lunch. She had offered but her sister declined, Yashima was thankful though since she got to read her book a little longer.

"Sorry I'm late!" Ryu said sliding in front of the door his hair slightly damp and spiking out in every direction. It took everyone's most astute effort not to break out laughing at him, if they had to compare him to someone they'd compare him to that anime with the seven balls Kusano watched every morning, it was the best way to describe it. He took notice of all the stares. "No, it's not that funny." He said with a groan.

"Ryu-san!" Musubi gushed.

"I know..." Ryu said with a small laugh. Minato was lucky to have someone as bright as Musubi in his life.

Toyotama was next to enter wearing one of Ryu's shirts and a pair of his shorts. She felt refreshed after the bath. She was a little ticked Ryu was playing hard to get it while it was their bath time. What was the big deal Miya wasn't home? But little did everyone know there was a little yellow duckie on the top shelf in the changing room. "Sorry we we're late." She apologized taking a seat at her spot.

"I was going to die!" Uzume whined from her spot. She had been the first one down when it was done. In fact it was before the food had even been served.

"Right..." Yomi said as she entered the room, shooting Uzume a skeptical look.

"I'm sure." Toyotama retorted digging into her own mountain of curry. Everyone else followed suit digging into the lunch. Musubi's specialty seemed to be curry, Ryu couldn't argue with her results it was good and had a hint of spice to it. He tried to make curry several times and burned his tongue one of those, and that was the end of his curry making days.

Minato was more than overwhelmed with his proportions. How did Musubi expect him to finish all of this. He wasn't rude, he'd eat it all of it. He'd probably be stuffed for the next week but he wasn't going to hurt her feelings. He grabbed his chopsticks digging in at a rapid pace, for a moment he was keeping up with the others but slowly began to fall behind.

Thank you for the food!" Everyone said in unison with their hands put together except for Minato. The messy haired teen let out a gasly burp as he laid back on the floor. He was officially stuffed, every sense of the term. He just wanted to lay there and do nothing but let his food digest.

"Th-thanks for the meal." Minato said breathlessly burping again. He'd be burping for the next day or two.

From a far on a video feed the messy haired boy was being watched, more like stalked by a certain resident. Matsu sat crouched in front of her keyboard the only light source being the monitors encompassing the entire room. "So this is Minato Sahashi?" Matsu asked herself as she stared intently at the video feed from her many computer screens glowing in her room. "He is a... Unique one indeed, my heart is taken already but..." She smirked to herself.

Miya stepped across the sidewalk in front of the JL Teito North Station with her green bag hanging by her wrist. She glanced down at her watch. "It's really late now." She said walking to her right. Behind her not too far off was a young woman with short raven hair. She was fair skinned with blue eyes. She wore a white dress shirt with a maroon tie, the shape of a cross as best could be described was on the front of it. She wore a black skirt that stopped just above her knees with knee high socks and brown shoes.

"Hmm..." She said to herself quietly continuing her search.

An average height and slim young man with messy silver hair and grey eyes. He wore what best could be described as a 'school boy' outfit. He looked around as he walked slowly through the metropolis of Shinto Teito, it wasn't that long ago he'd been released. Just before Kusano, he was extremely worried about her before, but now it was worse he caught word of an Ashikabi who treated Sekirei only as toys tried to force himself on Kuu, the details were sketchy, there was even rumored to be someone who fought number five.

He shook that thought aside. Whoever could fight on par with a singe number was to be avoided. And that pushed him to find Kusano more. "Ku..." He said to himself with a hint of sadness as his gray eyes scoped the area.

The young woman looked at a map consisting of the layout of Shinto Teito. Everything on the map was green and dark gray except for one more. The green was to show the grassy areas, and parks while the gray represented the houses. The one orange spot on the map was her destination Izumo Inn.

"Maison Izumo, huh? It looks quite far away from the station." The raven haired girl noted out loud with a blank expression as she kept her eyes trained on the map.

Urgency pushing him, The messy silver haired boy ran haphazardly at best. His arms flailing out each time he took a stride. The distance closed between the two of them in a split second. "Ouch." Yukari whined slightly massaging the side of her head. Her eyes widened in shock as she looked at the boy before her.

"I'm sorry."

Yukari's eyes glistened with excitement. A pretty boy! She screamed mentally for joy. She leaned forward quickly with a look of concern. "Did you get hurt?"

"No, um...

"Got ya!" A cheeky voice rang out. The raven haired woman and silver haired boy looked up in a mix of apprehension and shock. "Honestly, running from place to place like that... If I don't take you with me I'll be scolded by my master." A woman with blonde ponytails said frowning slightly. She had light blue irises, she wore a chinese style dress with a yellow stripe going down the middle with knee high black stockings, heels, and white gloves which she held her whip with.

"No! I won't go with someone who bulled Ku!" The boy said with finality.

"Geez! You're so stubborn!" The blonde exclaimed angrily. "Then I'll make you feel a bit of pain." She snapped clenching her whip tightly with her free hand before flicking her wrist quickly, the whip lashing out at lightning speed. The raven haired boy and the boy seen it at the last second, on instinct she dived to the side tackling him away from the incoming attacking. The whip struck where they were not a second later leaving the concrete indented and cracked.

"What the hell are you guys doing?" She asked angrily whirling around to face them while the silver haired boy stared at her with slight awe, slight observance. She got within a few inches of his face, a tinge forming on his cheeks. "I don't know what's going on. But, don't worry, I will protect you!" She said offering a giddy smile. His cheeks turned redder as his yes focused on this girl.

"Get away, you ordinary passerby!" The blonde shouted from atop the building she stood on retracting her whip.

"No can do stupid, pretty boys are national treasures!" The raven haired girl yelled back with finality. Standing in front of him willing to fight if it came down to it.

He felt a tension, pulling within him. He dared to dream, he could feel it but he wasn't completely sure. This uneasy feeling.

"What an obnoxious woman!" The blonde yelled flicking her wrist once more, her whip rising before it flicked out with great speed. The raven haired girl turned around with a determined look in her eyes. "Let's run!" She exclaimed grabbing a hold of his hand and lifting hm off the ground, he could only utter in shock. This girl...

The whip crashed down into the ground a second later leaving another dent. Luckily there were no passer bys besides these two. Otherwise it'd be hard to explain how a whip could crack cement, the material was durable and flexible. "I won't let you run away!" She shouted jumping off of the building and giving chase.

Could she be?

The sun slowly began its descent down the taller buildings of Shinto Teito. An orange glow encompassing the entire city as dawn began to set it. It was a relaxing day, for some people at least. Musubi exclaimed in concentration as she ran forward with a brush in her hands cleaning the floors of the Inn with excitement. She'd been at it for almost a half hour and decided to rest on her knees taking a break. She glanced out the window curiously.

A shadow crept just inches in front of her staying secluded even in close proximity. Musubi whirled her head around feeling the presence but didn't see anything. She blinked hard a few times slightly confused and puzzled.

That lunch really hit the spot, even if he almost exploded from eating so much. He'd never get how Sekirei ate so much. He'd have to get used to that he supposed. He was currently seated in his room writing down equations inside one of his books with a content expression on his face. His senses weren't trained, but he could feel something lurking, closer, closer, closer.

He glanced to the side to see what it was. Nothing. Just now. I know something's here. He mused mentally standing up from his chair more than a little nervous. "I should go ask Uzume-san and Ryu-san after all." He said to himself about to leave the room when the door opened.

"I'm done with cleaning." Musubi cheered stepping into the room after she opened the door.

"You're really working hard." Minato commented.

"It's fun to take care of the house." Musubi gushed with a wide grin closing her eyes and balling her fists to emphasize the point.

"Where is Uzume-san and Ryu-san?" Minato asked.

"Uzume-san has been sleeping with Ku-chan ever since she ate lunch, Yashima-san and Nanaha-san are sleeping, and Ryu-san and Toyotama-san are watching TV." Musubi answered not missing a beat.

"Uzume-san seems like she's sleeping all the time." Minato said with a nervous smile as Musubi walked passed him and in front of the window gazing out at the sunset.

"I heard her operational time limit is four hours per day."

"Is it a characteristic of Sekireis?"

"I don't know we're all different." Musubi answered opening the window letting in fresh air.

It was a somber moment. Minato found himself wondering again about this entire thing. A image of the downed Yomi flashed through his mind. He couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.

MBI choppers what should we do?! We destroyed a bunch of stuff at the entrance.

They didn't come for you, they came for her.

They must've come to retrieve her.

Eh!? Retrieve?!

Sekireis who've lost the Sekirei symbols can no longer stay with their Ashikabi-sama.

Minato remembered his reaction when he heard that. Shock. He stared Musubi, what if it happened to her? What if he couldn't be with her anymore? "Hey, Musubi-chan?"

"Yes." She replied turning to look at him intently.

"Tell me about what you said in the arboretum..." Minato said with a grim expression. Musubi could feel worry and fear pulsing through the bond. "Sekireis who've lost can no longer be with their Ashikabis." He said looking at the floor with sadness fleeting across his eyes. "Will you... If you lose, will you disappear in front of me like her?" Musubi listened to him speak intently with a soft expression in her eyes.

She brought her hands to her chest thinking about the possibility. "Yes, I will." She said truthfully. Minato riased his head a long bang sweeping across his forehead as his eyes widened in shock. "For those who alight on earth as Sekireis, that's the unchangeable and absolute destiny." She said closing her eyes to hold some tears back as she spoke softly.

Minato looked tkan aback opening his mouth to speak but nothing came out. He composed himself slightly still feeling the weight of this situation. "That's right... The president of MBI was also saying that from the first. That this was a game called the Sekirei Plan. It's rational..." Minato said sadly. Musubi lowered her head, her side bangs covering her eyes from sight. "Since it's a game, it'll be all finished when it's time for a game over." Minato slumped to his knees, his shoulders sluming slightly as he was brought near tears at the reality of this game. Musubi took in everything he said, she stayed silent dutifully listening to her Ashikabi, she felt tears coming. She had to make it known.

"You're wrong..." Musubi said throwing herself forward into Minato. She clenched his shirt tightly as if he was going to vanish if she did so, burying her head in his chest. "It's not a game. My feelings... My feelings towards you are not a game!" Musubi said with watery eyes, she buried her head in his chest again. Minato looked at the top of her head feeling guilty. "I want to be beside you forever." Musubi said with finality.

Minato closed his eyes slowly. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Musubi-chan." He reached his hands lower about to embrace for a hug.

"So I...!" Musubi started startling the second year ronin as she sat up. "So, I will never lose. I won't!" She declared confidently clenching her hands into fists her cheerful nature returning full force. Minato had a sweat drop running down the side of his head as he looked up at her. He laughed nervously only to say.

"Yes."

Musubi clasped her hands together bringing them up to her ample breasts. "Also, there's a reward for us Sekireis. The last Sekirei remaining can stay with its most beloved person forever." Musubi said in a soft voice, Minato was awestruck all he could do was sit himself up with his elbow staring at her. "So don't worry. Until that day I'll never lose!" Musubi declared.

Minato felt calm now, for whatever reason Musubi just put him at ease. He knew he had to protect her he didn't want to lose her. "You mean..."

"I'm home." Miya called from the front door as she entered.

"Landlady! Welcome back!" Musubi cheered getting up and running out of the room leaving a shocked and stunned Minato behind her.

"Musubi-chan!"

"Ehhhh!" Matsu shrieked in anger pounding her fists down on her keyboard as she stood to her feet. Anger boiling through her. "She got close to him!" She exclaimed, a solemn look crossing her face as she felt a surge of jealousy, why she didn't know.

Ryu carefully slid out of Toyotama's grasp. They'd been watching TV since lunch ended, well he had. Toyotama feel sleep a few hours ago with his arm latched in-between her breasts. He tried to wake her up but she'd just squeeze harder, he wanted avoid being one armed. Finally after a moment he managed to pry her off.

He wanted to speak with Miya so things weren't so... Awkward? His relationship with his Sekirei was deep, and he didn't realize just how deep it was. Of course he understood the bond and everything being set in stone, but the bond itself. He still had no idea, maybe his master could help him. He just hoped he wouldn't get another lecture. But his relationship wasn't so simple with Miya, firs she was his mom. And though he didn't want to hold anything against her... She did never look for him, he was lost and alone in a world, his parent would be his master. That was the first adult figure he even encountered during his childhood.

He made his way to the front door squeezing his nostrils shut for a moment. She didn't change!? He screamed mentally looking at Musubi still clothed in the costume Uzume gave her. Miya turned to look at Ryu before he even entered with a soft smile. "Musubi-san, Ryu-san would you two go do a little shopping for me?" Miya asked as she stood up.

"Yes, landlady."

"Yes, Miya-san."

Matsu spied on them from her room, her fingers moving across her keyboard at moderate speeds as she kept her eyes fixated on the screen. "Number 88, Musubi..." She said in an unusually chipper. "Better prepare yourself." Sorry Ryu, but I'll make this up to you.

High above the earth in its orbit was an MBI satellite. It was fully capable of survaillence able to scope out anything as long as one entered the points of view. Slowly the red lights all blinked on, on the back of it moving slightly to the right as it let out a whooshing noise.

"Um... We got soy sauce and miso..." Musubi said looking at the list with a curious expression. Ryu walked by her side casting a glance at the list every now and again in case he forgot anything. Luckily Musubi was reading off the list.

She was such a sweet person, Sekirei or human

And luckily she changed out of that costume. Miya wouldn't let her take a step out the house in that. Ryu wouldn't have minded, if she was his Sekirei. But she wasn't.

"The carrots, daikon radish, and cabbage..." Musbi suddenly paused gaining a thoughtful look on her face. Several thousand feet above a glimmer shone through the sky. Musubi and Ryu looked at each other both before lunging forward dodging the hyper powered laser. Ryu and Musubi leapt across the ground turning and flipping with grace and precision pushing ahead of the laser by a few seconds. Ryu narrowed his eyes planting his foot on a building at the same time as Musubi pushing off while she flipped gracefully catching up to him.

Fucking Matsu! He screamed mentally. Again, he was dragged into one of her games and it was not one of the pleasant ones.

The sun was now nearly below every building in Shinto Teito clothing the city an yellow orange glow. Minato leaned back in his chair deep in thought. His mind wandered back to his conversation with Musubi. He couldn't help but feel joyful, for whatever reason when she spoke it sent tingles down his spine. Such confidence and resolve. Please don't worry huh? He mused mentally closing his eyes again. Kusano was seated reading a children's book her eyes half lidded as sleep was slowly creeping up on her, she glanced at Minato with curiosity almost picking up on his thoughts it appeared.

A quite knock on the door broke the messy haired teenager out of his trance. "Yes?"

Miya moved to the front of the door with her usual warm demeanor. "Sahashi-san, go take a bath."

"Ah, yes. Thank you." He said quickly.

"Ku-chan, you'll take a bath with me, later." Miya said with a small smile on her face as they made their way down the hall, Minato just behind them.

"Yeah!"

"Say, Musubi-chan and Ryu-san are late." Minato commented.

"They really are." Miya turned around with a small smile of confidence on her face. "But there's no need to worry about them." She touched her fingers to her cheek feigning a blush. "I don't train them like hell every day for nothing." She stated matter of factly. Minato stood there with a dumbfounded look on his face sweat drops rolling down his head.

Matsu watched Ryu and Musubi run on her screens with a small smile. "The military satellite made by MBI is as good as you'd expect. I think I can stop her for a while with this. Now it's time for me to investigate." She said with a quiet giggle adjusting her glasses.

Minato sat in the tub with a thoughtful look on his face as he stared at the ceiling. A towel on his head causing his cheeks to turn a hint of red. "So... I wonder what the thing Ku-chan saw was." said out loud blinking a few times as he stepped out of the tub and took a seat on the stool shampooing his hair. He froze in his spot when he heard the door slide open. Matsu strolled in wearing nothing but a towel. "Who is it?!" He asked without turning around. "Musubi-chan?"

Matsu slowly sat on her knees undoing the towel just enough to expose her breasts. She proceeded to push the soft mounds of flesh onto his back further flustering the young ronin. "I told you, you don't need to wash my back." He said anxiously turning around to get a look at her. "Huh!? Who are you!?" He exclaimed his face turning blue from shock.

Yukari was on her and knees panting rapidly. She'd ran and ran, she couldn't remember the last time she ran so much except the time she wandered into the forest. The messy silver haied boy sat in front of her resting on his knees with his hands placed on his legs.

Grabbed a pretty boy, and ran and ran. Took a train, then ran and ran, again. She said mentally finally catching her breath, raising her head to look up at the boy. What should I do now? I brought him to my room! She stared at him for a moment a faint blush on her cheeks.

Minato looked pensive as he scooted back as far away as he could. He hit a dead end when his back mushed against the wall halting his retreat. "Whoa! Wait! Who are you!?" He exclaimed in rapid succession. Matsu crawled forward giggling quietly as she unveiled the towel once more, her ample breasts popping out. Minato yelled something incoherent as blood leaked from his nose.

How did he get himself into these situations?

Meanwhile Musubi and Ryu continued outpacing the laser. "What's going on?" Musubi asked as she picked up her speed. Ryu was a little pissed, damn Matsu he was going to wring her neck. He was dragged into this game she was playing, she should just kiss the wimp already instead of doing this.

"Matsu..." He hissed. "The hell is she doing...?"