Minato, Musubi, and Kusano sat at the left side of the table enjoying the breakfast. Miya sat at the head as always with Kagari at her side. And to her side was Nanaha and Yashima in their usual spots with Matsu in the middle.
"I no longer need to eat in hiding." Matsu said as she peeled a piece of fish off putting into her mouth with a small smile. "Having breakfast with everyone is the best." She said happily eating another piece.
"Huh? Where's Uzume-san? Toyotama-san? And Ryu-san?" Minato asked looking at their spots which were currently empty. It wasn't like Ryu and Uzume to miss a meal, more so in Ryu's case since he packed as much food down as Musubi did.
"She's still asleep. And they went out." Matsu answered. "She often comes home late these days."
Is she working, and where'd they go? Minato asked himself
"Here, open your mouth." Miya's voice broke him out of his musings.
"I can do it by myself." Kagari insisted leaning his head back away from the chopsticks in Miya's hand. His entir body was wrapped in bandages but all anyone could see was his hands.
"You can't hold chopsticks, can you?" Miya asked extending her arm forward once again. "Here."
"M-Miya I told you I don't like spinach..." Kagari said quickly. Minato watched the two of them with his mouth opened slightly. Musubi and Kusano weren't paying them any mind to focused on wolfing down their food.
"Kagari-san, what happened to your hands?" The second year ronin asked with concern evident in his voice and look once he seen the bandages. He had to ask.
"Well... It's more like whole body... I just got a little burned." He explained smoothly. Minato blinked not responding. He wondered how something like that could happen but didn't pry any further.
It was a warm day. The sky was blue and there wasn't a cloud in sight. It was the prefect conditions for a good training session. At least in Musubi's case the moment breakfast was over she asked Miya if they could train. The miko said yes but after a bath, Yashima decided not to join since she was reading her book and doing a little cleaning and Nanaha was helping with the cleaning. Minato decided to head back to his room to get a little studying done and Kusano tagged along.
That just left Musubi.
Musubi narrowed her eyes, she seen Miya go for thrust and leapt back before the attack could meet its mark. Miya stiffened for a moment before charging forward raising her sword over her head and swinging it down with precision and control. Musubi tensed her hands snapping her hands up to catch the strike, but she mistimed and the wooden saya hit her on top of the head. Miya drew her sword back while Musubi began to massage the lump forming on her head.
"Looks like you can't read my moves yet."
"That was interesting! Do it again please!" Musubi gushed.
"Yes."
Minato sat at his desk one arm was resting on his book while the other was supporting his chin. Kusano was sound asleep behind him her back leaning against the wall while she rested her hands in her lap. Minato lost track of time and slowly began to doze off forgetting about his studying for a moment.
Who? Who are you?
A woman with long blonde hair stood before him with her arms folded under her breasts. She wore a black and white dress that came up in the front exposing her panties slightly.
I have, at last, found thee.
Minato's eyes widened for a second.
I shall kill thee! The woman declared whirling around to face him. The only thing he could see was an outstretched hand and blue eyes.
"Stupid human." Toyotama grumbled to herself as she leapt from rooftop to rooftop. She didn't know where to start to look. So she asked around if anyone seen a purple haired man that was really tall and had a sword, at first it had no luck. But one person said he seen him around a residential area. That was her first stop. She was just about there now, she had her staff at the ready. She was looking for a way to blow off steam, smacking the idiot dumb enough to lay hands on her Ryu was a good outlet.
She planted her feet onto the building just below the spot before flipping off to the side landing in the alley. She wasn't there for two seconds before she darted back onto the sidewalk plugging her nostrils from the disgusting stench. She looked around noticing signs of battle there were chips and niks in the building nearby and the garbage cans were nearly dented through one end to the next. She gripped her staff tighter, this was definitely a fight between Sekirei nothing could cause damage this extensive.
Her heart pounded threatening to leap out of her chest any minute from worry. What if Ryu had been in the fight? Was he hurt? That'd explain the demolished alleyway. She looked from side to side, sense told her to hang a right but her instincts told her left. She turned on her heel running to her left, Sekirei were all somewhat psychic and she learned to trust her gut being on the run. "Don't do anything stupid." She said quietly.
"You just don't know when to give up do you?!" Mitsuki crowed.
"I told you I'm not going back with you!" Ahiko shouted glancing back for a moment to glare her with murderous eyes turning forward again and lunging off of the rooftop.
"You don't have a choice!" Mitsuki shouted flicking her wrist, the wires raced towards Ahiko. The black haired beauty changed direction in midair swiftly, Mitsuki grinned flicking her wrist again one wire coiling around Ahiko's ankles. "Now stay down!" She roared snapping her wrist downward, Ahiko yelped in hsock feeling the air rush passed her she tried to focus but she was too spent, she braced herself for a hard landing.
Same to you... She thought straining for a moment, she contracted her core swinging her leg forward with all the strength she could muster. Mitsuki's eye widened in shock before she could even yelp she shot towards the ground at incredible speeds. Ahiko was a good ten seconds ahead of her, if she let go of her weapon now the fall could be a lot worse, she clung to it tighter until her palms were to the point of tearing. Ahiko gritted her teeth eying a rooftop she was nearing, and she smashed against it side first sick cracks sounded off as she flipped out of control blood flying out of her mouth she slammed her leg against a railing, biting back a scream of agony as she felt the bone break from the impact. She slammed into the ground spine first gurgling in pain, blood flowing out of her mouth as she started to wheeze. Mitsuki screamed in pain as her side smashed through the same rooftop the material not able to withstand two hits at that speed her wires nearing their tearing point, she glanced to the side her eyes widening she let out a scream before she plowed straight through a brick wall, the impact shaking the ground and covering the entire area in dust and debris.
Taki slid to a stop on top of a gravel rooftop looking in fear. Even if Mitsuki was a Sekirei the chances of her surviving that was close to zero hitting it at that speeds. Broken bones would be the least of her worries, her organs could've ruptured and internal bleeding was a given without say. The silver haired woman leapt off of the roof landing quietly on the ground walking towards the scene. Nearby people screamed in horror running away from the scene before Mitsuki even hit the wall no there was shrill screams echoing across the city from terrified citizens.
Ahiko took a breath wincing when she felt a sharp pain send a shock wave through her torso and legs. She was sure she'd broken at least three ribs and her leg was broken. She was spent, her muscles cramping from lack of fluid, her energy fading from no nourishment. She coughed out a handful of blood gaping her mouth. The pain was nauseating she felt she was going to black out any moment. She fought passed the feeling, she couldn't pass out then she'd be a goner, she had to wait a little longer. Just a little longer. "Hari, I'm sorry..." She wheezed. R-Ryu...
Uzume wasn't used to this... Eating alone. Minato was in his room or Matsu's with Kusano. Yashima and Nanaha were cleaning, Yomi was in the bath house and Musubi and Miya were training, and Ryu and Toyotama were kami knows where. She really wanted to pop Toyotama in the head, payback is a bitch and she was going to have it sooner or later. She was a little lonely Ryu usually talked to her and if not she had the others to talk to. She was bored.
She grinned despite her mood. "The food's good." She chimed to herself finishing the rest of her rice and fish. Food was a good way to get her mind off of things, she blamed that partly on Ryu when they first meant there wasn't a time she seen him when something wasn't stuffed in his mouth. It was too cute and made for flustering moments when she caught him. And she was guilty as charged for passing on the habit of sleeping in onto Ryu. She wouldn't let him get out of bed unless he was hungry or had to use the bathroom. She didn't want her pillow to go!
She ran some water over her dirty dishes. She figured she could do her own... Although she hated doing chores, this wasn't so unreasonable. And the off chance Miya is a little angered by her for leaving a mess. It was better to just clean up. His sword is gone. The thought nagged her all day, what Toyotama said.
Ryu had his sword when he was prepped to fight, from her experience. She would've blew it off, he fought on par with Mutsu why worry about him? Right? But then she found out he left in the middle of the night, and he still hasn't come back. She wandered back upstairs with everyone busy she'd just go take another nap, she'd visit Chiho but they were performing some treatment today. She shook her head clutching her chest, it pained her to see such a good girl suffer so much if she wasn't Ryu's she'd let Chiho kiss her that way she could always make her smile. She glanced at Ryu's door with a blank expression she was hardly in there.
Should check it out. She nodded to herself sliding the door open taking a look inside. There was a futon folded up at one end of the room. There was a medium sized basket holding all of his dirty clothes. She closed the door slowly taking a few more steps in. There was a TV in the front of the room, though he didn't watch it much, having a TV was a good way to keep up on the updates. She clenched one of his kimonos smelling it for a second, it smelled just like him. She sighed contentedly she was thankful to have an Ashikabi like Ryu. She glanced to the side seeing a small note, it was barely there covered up by one of his shorts the wind must've blown them down or something over the lapse of time.
Uzume, I'd have to guess you're reading this note. If so, I'm sorry for your rude awakening by Toyotama. You know how she can get. I apologize for not being there to eat with you, I know it makes your day. I'll make it up to you, somehow... I'm sorry I left on such short notice, I just had some errands to run, I'll be back by tonight. Love Ry Ry. Uzume grinned like a child some of the notes was hurtful she had to admit, but the last part made it all worth it he ACTUALLY put down her nickname for him. She knew the perfect way for him to make up for it, she had a few actually all of them were good. A perverted grin creased her face as more thoughts entered. She figured Ryu had a reason for leaving, why he'd take his sword for errands she couldn't fathom. She couldn't sense him in any danger through their bond. "Time for a nap." She said turning on her heel and leaving the room.
"The Sekirei Plan. That's the game that releases 108 Sekireis into the capital, and lets them fight with their chosen Ashikabi until there is only one left. The game master is Hiroto Minaka, a monster who rules the giant global conglomerate MBI." Matsu explained. Minato and Kusano were seated behind her listening intently, Minato had a look of shock and... Disbelief? On his face. Matsu began to type her keys at great speeds.
"As long as we stay in here, Shinto Teito, which is MBI's stronghold, Sekireis and Ashikabis cannot escape the Sekirei Plan's system." She continued to explain. She could only reveal so much at this moment in time. Three screens popped up showing herself, Musubi, and Kusano's winging. "Letting the released Sekireis emerge was more important than the fighting, until now, but..." Matsu brought up a map of Shinto Teito with each Sekirei winged and unwinged. "Most Sekireis have already emerged at this point in time, so..." Matsu pushed her glasses up on her nose. "The main event of the game finally starts."
"The main event?" Minato asked.
Matsu turned around facing him as she began to explain. "In other words, the battle royale between Sekireis to survive." She said with a small frown. Minato gaped in shock, was this for real?
"And the Ashikabi who's the partner of the last one remaining will be rewarded a lavish prize by MBI." Matsu said happily laughing uncontrollably.
"Matsu-san." Minato said quietly looking at the bed with a sad look in his eyes. Matsu stopped quickly looking at him with intent. "Can I... Do anything?" Matsu stared at him. "I couldn't care less about the reward or whatever... But..." An image of Yomi lying prone on the ground flashed through his mind followed by his own Sekirei. "Can a guy like me prevent everyone from disappearing like that?" He asked keeping his eyes closed feeling doubt.
Matsu crouched in front of hm grabbing his hands in her own. She had a look of affection in her eyes as they softened. "Don't worry." She said with a small smile.
"Matsu-san..." Minato uttered with a small blush.
"After all, Mina-tan, you're the Ashikabi who intrigued me." She said quietly taking off her glasses. Although Ryu is something else entirely... She thought with a lecherous grin. "Be more confident about yourself." Minato nodded dumbly.
"Oh, right!" Minato said as a image of the blonde flashed through his mind once more.
"So, that woman told you she'd kill you? Her appearance?" Matsu asked completely serious.
Minato raised a finger to his chin in deep thought. "Uh... Long hair, black dress, and a scary face." He replied. Matsu whirled around getting busy as she began to type furiously on her keyboard.
"You met Kusano-tan in a dream, right?" Minato and Kusano looked at each other smiling softly.
"Yes."
"There is nothing strange about a Sekirei who is reacting to a specific Ashikabi like that being connected with him unconsciously." She started turning back to look at him from the corner of her eye. "Especially when you're an Ashikabi who's already made three emerge."
"Wh-what do you mean?" Minato asked shockingly.
"An Ashikabi gains more power as he gains more Sekireis. Thus, it's now highly possible that stronger Sekirei will react to you."
"Is that so?"
Matsu brought her fingers to a stop once a screen popped up with the said individual. "Mina-tan can this be the girl you saw in the dream?" Matsu asked her eyes shaking with a hint of fear.
"Ah, yes. Yes. She's the one!"
"That's bad. To be frank, this person is really dangerous. The worst." Matsu said turning around to face them with a grim expression. Minato looked like he was ready to piss his pants and Kusano clung to his arm.
"Number 09, Tsukiumi. She's a Sekirei with water powers, and she's infamous for her hatred towards Ashikabi."
"Huh?" Minato asked meekly in a whisper.
"If she did react to you... It would have to hurt her pride badly." Matsu explained, Minato looked at the floor with sadness fleeting across his eyes.
"What should I do?!"
"To survive the game we must strengthen our party, but... Number 09 the Ashikabi hater, of all people?" Minato brought his hands to his face quivering in fear and uttering only 'euhhs'
"You'll be fine." A voice assured. Minato and Kusano turned to see who it was with shocked and confused expressions.
"Musubi-chan!"
"Minato-san will be fine."
"Musubi-chan." Minato said quietly with a calm gaze glancing up at her head. "What's that?"
"The land lady is... Really strong." She said with a small laugh trying to ignore the pain but that just made it worse. "Ouch."
"I'll go looking for the person I seen in the dream. I'll get her to join us somehow." He said frimly rising up to his feet with his fist clenched. "I'll do my best."
Matsu's screens blinked red with kill, kill, kill, kill. "But you might be killed." Matsu said in an unusually hoarse voice.
"Matsu-san!"
"Minato-san, I'm sure you can come to an understanding with her." Musubi said with a smile, Kusano nodded her head rapidly in agreement. "With yours words... and fists."
"What do you mean fists?"
"I got it." Matsu said. "As a start, I'll search for her with the surveillance satellites from here. Musubi-tan, you'll look where the satellites can't reach using your physical strength.
"Yes!"
"Mina-tan, you make yourself appear as bait."
"Bait!?" He exclaimed with wide eyes.
Sekireis know when the Ashikabi they're reacting to is nearby." Matsu started. "If number 09 lives up to her reptuation, she will come to kill you."
Kusano looked at her Ashikabi with worry, he was on all fours looking at the bed like the sky just fell and life ended. "I see... She'll come to kill me... Huh?"
"So Kusano-tan, you'll guard him, please." Kusano smiled wide nodding her head quickly. She was happy to help.
"Guard me...?" Minato asked looking back at her. Kusano put her fist to her chest in a salute.
"Now then, It's called the thrilling kill or be killed Sekirei hunting mission of love!" Matsu exclaimed pointing her finger forward with finality, Minato had several sweat drops running down his head, she was enjoying this. "Now let's go!"
Kill or be killed. That could be a theme that perfectly fit Ryu at this moment. Except it was only kill. His senses flared when he felt two life forces drop to dangerously low levels, he was sure one was... He began to clear rooftops and blocks in his haste to cover more ground.
He had to guess he was half way around the city at this point. It was just like her to do something like this. He set his jaw he was nearing the spot where the cluster was. Clasping the handle of his sword he leapt off the roof about to attack when...
"Hey!" Toyotama shouted punching him across the face. Ryu gritted his teeth absorbing the shock he didn't have time for her temper. "Where the hell were you all day!?" She yelled running towards him to punch him again. Ryu struggled to keep his anger in check.
"I had an errand!" He snapped.
"Like what!?" She snapped back with equal anger. She didn't care if he was mad.
Ryu stared at her for a moment before leaping off of the roof onto the next one sprinting as fast as he could. He'd be damned if anyone did anything to her. He'd snap and he'd show her a side of him she'd pray to never see again. "Don't run from me!" She yelled chasing after him. He had a lot of nerve first leaving without saying anything and now this.
Ahiko looked at Taki in a mix of anger and sadness. Anger for taking her to that little punk who tried treating her like a toy, sadness that she'd be in his clutches and not Ryu's. If she really was a Sekirei she didn't want to be that little runt's! Any curses she said were muffled out by her wheezing and blood coming from the back of her throat. "You gave us a good run, you and your little friend Hari. I bet she's scared now, but you're coming with us." Taki said coldly with a cold smirk on her face.
"D-Don't talk about my friend like that!" Ahiko snapped but regretted it when she went into a coughing mess gagging on her blood.
"Friend, that's rich." Taki mocked. Mitsuki staggered up to her feet growling in fury. This girl nearly killed her. She'd pay, she'd be a submissive Sekirei to Hayato to dispose of or use and she'd watch it with a smile on her face. Her sadness, her despair she'd watch it all and laugh in her face.
"Pick her up and let's go." Mitsuki instructed shaking her head a few times. She knew she'd have heavy bruising later, her clothes were torn but she was still descent enough to be in public. Ahiko stared at the two, she had no choice. Her leg was broken, her ribs were broken, she could barely breathe. Hari was somewhere alone, she only knew the girl for a day but she trusted her, they trusted each other they were like sisters both on the run. She protected her. She struggled to keep her tears in but between her physical pain and emotional pain it was too much to contain and tears slowly streaked down her cheeks. If Ryu seen her he'd go nuclear and then some.
They were inches from grabbing her when...
"AHIKO!" Ryu roared slamming his feet down into the ground cutting off the two Sekirei from getting a hold of her. Toyotama landed a few inches behind him taking in the woman's appearance grimacing, she was in pain. So much pain, Toyotama felt bad for the poor girl she must've fallen from seven stories at least it was a miracle she was still alive.
"Ngh, who the hell are you!?" Mitsuki snapped clenching the handle to her wires. She had enough of all these distractions, all this running. It was enough she'd kill this worthless human then take that girl! Toyotama looked at Ryu with wide eyes, he looked normal, but there was anger, pure distilled rage bubbling through their bond. It was... Scary. She looked back at the wounded woman then back at Ryu. Do they know each other?
"R-Ryu..." Ahiko croaked struggling to sit up her broken ribs protesting the simplest of movements.
"Which one of you did this to her!?" Ryu asked darkly leaking out killing intent. Taki looked visibly shaken, Mitsuki kept up her frown but inside she was ready to piss herself. Who was this man? Neither wanted to answer that question. Ryu looked back at Ahiko, she looked horrible one side of her ribs were about to rip through her skin and her shin bone was popping out of her leg leaving a trail of blood with it.
"Get out of the way!" Mitsuki yelled.
Ryu curled his lips into a thin line snarling at her with a murderous gaze. Toyotama felt her heart skip a beat, a few in this case. That look, that dark energy pouring off of him, those steel eyes. They were just like hers. "I will paint this wall with your blood." He seethed through clenched teeth taking a step towards them. Taki gulped audibly taking a shaky step back feeling like she was going to suffocate. Mitsuki snapped her wires in a show of intimidation but Ryu took another step his eyes never leaving them.
Ahiko shook in fear watching Ryu pace towards them slowly. She took a breath looking up to see the forest green haired woman standing there paralyzed in fear. Her arms visibly shaking. "Stop him."
"Run... Go ahead I'll hunt you down and slaughter you all the same." Ryu said darkly a few inches from the two Sekirei now. Taki wanted to huddle into a ball and cry herself to sleep. Who was this man?! He couldn't be an Ashikabi there was just no way! Her knees trembled and she collapsed onto them on the verge of tears. Mitsuki glanced at her partner waiting for death to strike her in a single instant, she felt the same way. She wanted to piss her pants and run, but her pride wouldn't let her. "I'll kill you!" The blonde roared leaping back before lunging forward flicking her wrist as fast as she could, the wires shot out towards Ryu. He clasped the handle of his sword drawing it at untraceable speeds there was a hiss and a tear as all the wires fell to the ground before him. Mitsuki's eyes widened in shock.
That was her strongest attack...
Ryu snapped his hand out wrenching it on her neck lifting her off of the ground. She clenched his wrist trying to pry it off to no avail, her feet dangled helplessly as she did all in her power just to breathe. Taki was torn, should she run? Or fight? She would take any punishment Hayato had over this. She shakily stood to her feet running to the side. Mitsuki didn't need to turn around to know she was left alone, she wasn't surprised. Taki couldn't die she was one of Hayato's favorites, she was just something to be used, disposed of. Hayato wouldn't care if she died now.
Ryu stared into her eyes with nothing but hatred and contempt. She did this to Ahiko. How could she? Why did she!? He could feel her trying to swallow, her windpipe just behind his hand. He squeezed tighter causing her grip to tighten on his arm so bad that it drew blood. She struggled to speak, a glimmer of fear shining in her eyes as she meant those cold eyes.
Toyotama looked at Ahiko not sure what to say. "I-I don't think I can." She said fear lacing her every word. What could she do? Ryu cared for her clearly, she never seen him so angry before. In fact she never felt such anger come from him, not even when he left them for three months was he so mad. What was this woman to him? She didn't care about the blonde Sekirei the less competition the better, and she didn't want to be in her place.
Ryu's veins bulged across his arm as he tightened his grip again. Mitsuki squeezed and smacked his arm violently her eyes nearly bulging from her head. She sucked in her last breaths before she felt her windpipe completely close sending her into a panic and near tears. Ryu just had to make one move, one itch and he'd snap her neck like a twig.
"L-l" Mitsuki gagged throwing her head back as her mouth opened as far as it could go, finding that her body wasn't responding to her command, but it's own. Survival.
"Please." Ahiko pleaded."
"Why?" Toyotama asked confused. "Look what she did to you, you really think Ryu will let her live. I know he's not the meanest person, but I'm not that naive. That girl is dead." Toyotama explained with a hard gaze. She never seen this side of her Ashikabi, and she never hoped she'd see it or feel it again. His darkness was all she could feel. Hatred. Anger. Rage. All directed at the blonde before them. "I can't stop him unless I want to my neck snapped and I don't." Toyotama said.
"He won't... I can feel you two are connected." Ahiko wheezed with a small smile. "He won't harm you."
Ryu watched the tears flow down Mitsuki's cheeks. He felt nothing, no joy, and no remorse. She brought this upon herself hurting Ahiko. He didn't care if she was a Sekirei or not. He moved his arm back that had the sword clasped tightly. Mitsuki glanced at the blade with teary eyes. This was it. Her end. Toyotama opened her mouth to speak but shut it when she was hit by his killing intent. She could taste death in the air. "I can't." She said to Ahiko. Fear was over riding everything, even her want to run was kicked aside.
"P-P!" Mitsuki gagged her head tipping to the side. She could feel her bone vibrating, shaking, about to snap any second.
"R-Ryu, wait!" Ahiko shouted the best she could regretting it as a shock wave of pain slammed through her nervous system.
Ryu's eyes widened for a moment before he turned to look back at her with a scowl on his face. "Wait for what, look what she did." He said coldly.
"My wounds are more important." Ahiko reasoned hoping he'd listen, she looked to Toyotama for help. The green haired girl looked reluctant but gave in.
"She's right, just drop the weasel. I'm sure I'll be running into her later." Toyotama said doing her best to hide the bloodthirsty smirk that creased her lips. She planned to have a run in with this blonde. Ryu seethed through clenched teeth.
"Please." Ahiko and Toyotama said in unison. This wasn't the Ryu they were used to, the Ryu they knew. Ahiko seen this side of him a few times, but Toyotama never did. She never wanted to again. Slowly his eyes became softer and returned to their light violet color he took a breath dropping Mitsuki to the cement unceremoniously. She went into a fit of coughs massaging her throat sucking in as much oxygen as she could causing her to cough more.
"I suggest you get out of here." Toyotama said lowly.
Mitsuki looked between her Ryu, and Ahiko. She couldn't let her master's prize get away. She didn't want to be punished for failing. She was mistreated as it was she didn't want it to get worse. She hobbled up to her feet running down the street while massaging her neck thankful she was still alive. She just hoped Hayato would forgive her and understand.
"I know it was hard to do, but thanks." Ahiko smiled as he walked up to her and Toyotama. The green haired woman sighed quietly in relief, she couldn't feel any of the darkness from before and there was no dark aura about him. He was back to his old self. Thank goodness! Ryu knelt down next to Ahiko extending his arm forward, she looked at it before she bit into his arm tears running down her face as he popped her bone back into place. Ahiko lowered her head down as Ryu faced his palms towards her scrunching up his face in concentration as a golden aura formed around them slowly being sucked in by Ahiko's body.
"When did you learn to heal?" Toyotama asked in shock and awe.
"After I winged you or Yashima." Ryu answered not taking his eyes off of Ahiko. She clenched her teeth as she felt her bones popping back into place, her cuts and lacerations stitching themselves back together. Her eyes widened slightly as she felt her energy come back. Ahiko blinked a few times feeling no pain or fatigue like before, she sat up before standing up to her full height of five foot ten gingerly brushing the dirt off her clothes, or what remained of them.
"How?" Ryu asked.
Ahiko was asking herself the same thing. "We can catch up later, but now we have to save my friend."
"Friend?"
Ahiko nodded. "Her name is Hari. She was always at my side before those two attacked us."
"The blonde and silver haired? Toyotama asked, Ahiko nodded.
"She was really scared to be alone, so I went wherever she went. She's like my sister." Ahiko explained in a much less detailed version. "I won't force you, but I ask."
Ryu looked at Toyotama for her answer. He was going to go regardless after what happened here he wasn't going to let Ahiko out of his sight. Toyotama growled mentally, who was this woman? And how did she know so much about Ryu? She came all this way, why turn back now. "I guess I'm in." She said with a sigh.
Minato and Kusano walked down a main street in the city. It wasn't that busy, considering Minaka had been on an episode lately many people moved, the ones that were smart. Kusano held a flower pot in her hands presumably to use her powers. Minato had a dejected look on his face as he went over Matsu's plan again.
Kill-or-be-killed, huh? He mused.
"WAAHH!" Minato shouted in fright as a cat dived down towards him its claws out to cling to any surface if it could. But it never struck, instead a long vine wrapped around its waist as everything nature related went into a full blood around him. "Ku-chan."
"Good job, youngster!" A voice called from the roof. Minato and Kusano glanced upwards to see the sharp eyed brown hair man from before.
"S-Seo-san!"
It had been bugging her, that was an understatement. It was pissing her off, this feeling, so much warmth. She fought against it but it only got stronger as she resisted. But she'd resist she had her pride! Tsukiumi stood onto of a rooftop with her arms folded under her breasts scouting out the area for anything weird.
This feeling... She thought. "It's getting stronger every day." She clenched her fist tightly. "Damn you! A plague on thee, Ashikabi! I'll find thee for sure and kill thee with my own hands!" She shouted angrily releasing killing intent in the form of a dark aura.
"What do you feel?" Tsukiumi turned around slightly surprised, slightly annoyed by the newcomer.
"You are a pre emerged Sekirei aren't you?" Hibiki asked
The blonde narrowed her eyes taking in their appearance. "I've heard of you: Twin Sekireis who target only pre emerged Sekireis." She said lowly, the two twins nodded keeping the smirks on their faces. Tsukiumi pointed her finger angrily, "despicable villains! Do ye want to win like that!?" She shouted.
"What did you call me!?" Hikari asked taking a step forward.
"No, we aren't interested in those things. We only want to get Sekireis out of this game before they emerge." Hibiki explained calmly.
"Very well! I was feeling irritated anyway. Come on!" She shouted throwing her arm to the side to add to her point.
"What are you so proud of!?" Hikari spat extending he arm forward, lightning crackling around her fingers shooting towards the water Sekrei. "Lightning bolt!" She shouted finishing her attack. Tsukiumi seen that attack coming throwing up a shield of water absorbing the blast, she stood with her arm raised over head a smirk creasing her face.
"Thou art... At this level?"
"Crap! She's pretty strong." Hibiki exclaimed, Hikari growled quietly.
"Water celebration!" Tsuikumi shouted pointing her finger forward. A torrent of water shooting towards the twins, they couldn't as much flinch before they were enveloped by the attack and spat out all in a matter of seconds leaving them to plummet to the ground.
"Hikari! I think she's number 09 Tsukiumi."
"What? A single number!?"
"You were looking for a cat?" Minato asked as he walked behind Seo with Kusano at his side. The child was curious about the animal since it kept squawking.
"Yeah, though I figured if it got away, I could trick the client with a look alike." Seo explained smoothly, Minato looked at the man with a blank expression sweat drops running down his head. "Oh man! You saved me!"
Seo suddenly stopped feeling a strange surge of power? "Huh? You added more Sekireis, didn't you?" He asked glancing back at the ronin.
"How could you know that?" Minato asked in shock.
"And that feeling... Matsu in Maison Izumo, right?" He asked lowering his head and pointing at him with a knowing smile.
"You knew about Matsu-san?" Minato asked with wide eyes taking a step forward.
"Idiot, I'm the one who made that hidden door." Seo said turning around with a small smirk. "Takehito asked me to." He explained.
"Takehito-san is... The land lady's...?" Minato started dumbly.
"Takehito Asama... He was my best friend." Seo said adverting his eyes to the side for a moment.
"Seo!" Hikari shouted. The three turned to look as the twins descended to the ground.
"Yo! I found our money spinner! We don't need to worry about food for the next three days or so..." Minato stared at the two in front of him, a strange feeling slowly enveloping him.
"It's not the time for that!"
"-We are being chased by a troublesome one!"
"-That man over there!"
Minato glanced upwards his eyes widening for a moment. "Thou art in my way move!" Minato stared at her dumbly as she plowed into him knocking him into the ground. "Monkey! I told thee to get out of my-" Tsukiumi's eyes widened as she looked at the second year ronin. She collapsed onto her knees anting rapidly.
What is this ghoulish feeling crawling around all over my body!? She asked herself mentally feeling naked, or vunlerable. No! This mass of heat!
"Th-this person." Minato said with wide eyes moving forward but was halted by a deadly glare from the blonde. Slowly she began to stand up to her full height. "Thou...!" She straightened her back. "Couldst thou be my..." She said to herself angrily focusing on the bits of water around her, they began to get longer and larger swirling and speeding around her body. Minato looked up at her with wide eyes, fear stopping him from running.
"Our meeting spells thy doom." She declared. "Before thou canst violate my body." She jabbed her finger at him strongly. "I shall obliterate thee!"
"Th-this is going exactly like the dream!" Minato shouted in fear shaking violently.
I honestly hate Tsukiumi, I hate writing her, I hate writing thou and canst it's a pain in the ass to make sure I get that right!