Night fell over Shinto Teito the orange glow in the sky was blanketed by navy blue in long sheets stretching the entire length, soon turning to pitch black, the constellations lighting up over the city. It was a good night to star gaze, granted the light pollution was low. A woman a very short purple Chinese dress sat on a steel girder high above the glowing lights of the city below. The dress did little to cover her well developed figure, even more developed than Musubi's her belly button was exposed along with spots of her belly, the rest was covered by strips of purple cloth on her dress criss crossing on her stomach up to the bottom of her large breasts. She had long black hair kept in a low ponytail. Her bangs were almost to her ears framing both side of her face. Her hair tousled in the wind as she brought the bottle of sake to her mouth taking a long sip. "There is an unpleasant wind blowing in..." She said narrowing her dark eyes slightly as her black hair tousled violently from the sudden change, she took another sip staring up at the sky.

When in doubt take a bath. Ryu thought as he gingerly stepped into the steaming water, slowly submerging himself into the bath feeling the fatigue of his muscles ebb away and his thoughts no longer swarming like angry hornets. He was sure the only people up were Miya, Kagari by chance, and Ahiko. That presented a good opportunity for him to be alone, to relax and drift away in the steam covered room. So much was going on within the past day, MBI took control of Shinto Teito, it shouldn't have surprised him one bit, but for some reason it did.

How did a person just say 'this is my city'?

And take it?

He sighed quietly submerging himself in the hot bath for a few seconds before shaking his wet head around, his purple hair matted to his shoulders and upper back. Everything was so peaceful at the Inn. Kusano giggled childishly while spending time with Uzume and the rest of his and Minato's Sekirei seemed to be getting along nicely. Although Musubi still had urges to yank him by the arm into the backyard where she proceeded to throwing punches with enough force to crumble a brick wall. He didn't mind though it was nice to have someone with as much energy as he did.

I don't know much about my Sekirei, their abilities... He opened his eyes seeing only the small white clouds trailing from the surface of the water. He adjusted himself slightly stretching his long legs to their full length deep in his own thoughts. He wasn't a complete oaf most of his Sekirei were all close to mid range combatants excluding Uzume and Ahiko who could pass for long range combatants, while he had a good grasp on them, Hari was a complete mystery. She didn't spar but she'd cheer him on, which he had to admit was encouraging when the others were swarming Miya with attacks with him only to come up empty handed again.

There was also the information that Ahiko didn't know what a Sekirei was. Didn't know that she was a Sekirei. That put him on edge, even if he was level headed and relaxed in any situation this wasn't any situation. He had no doubt his Sekirei would be fighting other Sekirei in a death match, and he'd be butting heads with the likes of Higa and Hayato in due time. He rested the back of his head against the wall finding himself drifting away into a light sleep. He could dwell on this later, for now he'd just calm himself. He'd be useless in battle or not if he didn't have a cool head.

He had grown accustom to his Sekirei sneaking into the bath in the morning. So when there was a light splash in front of him it didn't even stir him from his slumber, not until he felt soft finger tips tracing the contours of his muscles, and even then it did little to hinder his sleep, then he felt a hand clasp around his shaft. He darted his eyes open opening his mouth to protest but a finger silenced him. Ahiko smiled softly straddling Ryu's body as a makeshift couch. "Um..."

"Good morning Ryu," Ahiko said feeling him stiffen in her grasp. "A very good morning if I say so myself I haven't slept like that in a while. Hari is so cuddly."

"Ahiko.." He said in a hushed yell. He didn't mind the intimacy and it was every man's dream to be in a bath with a sexy woman. But not in the Maison Izumo where his mother enforced the strictest rules, it made high school feel like a breeze. Not that he obeyed rules or went to class or school for that matter on time. But this was no different, maybe at a hot spring but not in this tub. "What are you doing?"

"What?" Ahiko asked innocently shivering as she inserted his manhood into her. "They got a turn, I want mine." She rocked her hips slightly causing him to stiffen his entire body, a sense of dread slowly crept into him like a knot forming in his stomach. She could see his overwhelmed state, and it certainly wasn't because they were joined. "Miya told me to take a bath." She shrugged resting her head on his chest nuzzling her nose on him. "We have alone time, now let's talk."

Ryu grabbed her by the hips adjusting himself and her as he got into a more comfortable position. Ahiko held to suppress a yelp of shock and pleasure as she felt him shift against her walls. "Yeah, that's a good idea." His tone serious now no longer panicked. "But before that..." He looked where they were joined together a few times, Ahiko looked confused for a moment before she snapped her fingers nodding her head. "I can sense when she's coming, so onward and forward." She said giving her hips a good shake. Ryu had serious doubts he'd get a conversation in when every nerve screamed for him to take her, but he resisted. There were bigger things to worry about, but it was incredibly hard.

"So... What are Sekirei exactly?" Ahiko asked relaxing her thrusts settling to rest on his legs.

"Basically put. Aliens with incredible powers." Ryu answered sighing mentally as he felt his urges subside for the time being. Now that they were on the point of the conversation he wouldn't be so easily swayed. Ahiko narrowed her brows as she studied his expression. She wasn't checking to see if he was lying, Ryu wasn't the lying type he was blunt, no better put he didn't know the meaning of being tact. What she was looking for was something more, uncertainty. When she seen his gaze never soften or harden she let out a sigh resting her forehead on his chest. "Okay so aliens with incredible powers..." She paused. "And how do I fit into this?" The question that they both equally dreaded and wanted to know at the same time.

"Honestly... I don't know." Ryu felt drained in an instant, his head starting to throb from an oncoming headache. He was trying to figure that out himself, how Ahiko was one he didn't know and couldn't figure out. However there were some things that he figured out, it wasn't much but it put him at ease, but he doubted it'd put Ahiko at ease. He deliberated on his next statement, all Sekirei were the same. They had the same connection, to what he didn't know and, even though their cores had their difference it was all the same in the long run of things. "Well, you are and you aren't." Ahiko jumped at the same time driving him deeper into her causing her to bite into his shoulder. Even after all these years he emotions couldn't be tamed, that unnerved her in more than one way.

"I am and I'm not..." She looked at him blankly. "That doesn't make any sense how can I be a Sekirei and not be a Sekirei?" Ryu raised a finger halting her from asking another question. It'd go from one thing to the next and Ahiko wouldn't stop he couldn't keep up with her and they'd be right back to square one. Ahiko closed her mouth looking at him quizzically, she needed answers.

"Your Sekirei core is... Special." Ryu tried to find the right wording he didn't want her freaking out. She'd go from zero to a billion in the blink of an eye, and honestly he doubted he could stop her when she got like that. Ahiko just stared at him blankly she blinked a few times before getting within inches from his face. "Okay, how?" She asked not missing a beat. An answer wasn't within feasible range, there were still many things, many mysteries Ryu still had to solve, unravel, decipher. The core fell into that category along with the crest, as much as he wanted to steer clear of them, if he wanted to grasp this entire concept that was territory where he would tread.

"The Sekirei have an energy source. That source is the core." He paused. He hoped this answered more questions than it raised them. "The core constantly produces energy in which the Sekirei uses, but the core only serves that purpose. Producing energy. It's not like us where we have it surging through our system, it's almost as if they're living energy." Ryu explained carefully not sure how to word it precisely. To his knowledge that's what it was the purpose of the core. "The core to a Sekirei is like what a soul is to a human, it's what gives the Sekirei life. In a sense it's what animates them." He blinked once, even that confused him, but moving on. "The cores are all connected-"

"To what?" Ahiko blurted.

"-That I do not know. But I have a good guess we could describe it as a pillar."

Ahiko fought the urge to shake her head in disbelief this wasn't happening was it? No she had to be dreaming she moved slightly feeling Ryu's member throb against her walls, she nodded mentally this was real, she was alive, and she was a Sekirei. "A pillar?" She tilted her head slightly confused. Ryu nodded, "they may not know it, or they do know it but all 108 Sekirei are connected to this pillar."

"And so I'm connected to this 'pillar'?" Ahiko asked carefully.

"No," Ryu answered. It caught him off guard the fact that she wasn't connected to this pillar of sorts, what other Sekirei were connected to. It didn't make him any less restless in the matter. "I'm not sure how, but you're not connected like the others are, and your core is different as well." Ahiko opened her mouth to speak but he gently placed a finger on her lips, she puffed her cheeks out frowning the best she could. "Your core is different, because it adds to your energy already coursing through you." He paused. "There's your own energy, and the energy your core is producing, but they are separate." That much he knew of, and there was Miya's case but that was another whole complicated mess which baffled him more than Ahiko's.

"So... I have two different energies..." Ahiko looked thoughtfully at the ceiling in deep thought. That would explain her ability to manipulate shadows at will, she couldn't do that before. Maybe something close to mimicking the technique but it wouldn't be a shadow that shot from under her, and she couldn't change its shape or form. This was overwhelming and exciting for her. "Can I use these at the same time?" Ryu dwelled back to the time he was ambushed by Oshino and Ichiya, whatever that move was did more than drain him it wreaked havoc on his body. He hadn't used it since, even thought of it. "I would assume you could, but it maybe dangerous." He replied.

"Ugh!" Ahiko groaned massaging her temples, this was definitely overwhelming more so than exciting. The way he spoke of Sekirei made them sound like toys, she knew he didn't think that and didn't mean for it to come out that way, but it was her opinion. She was chased through the city, broke her leg and ribs, and now she was here taking a bath with her and Ryu joined. "What do we do?" She asked closing her eyes and resting her forehead on his chest again inhaling sharply.

"I was going to suggest a meeting with you and the others." He replied. "I've been ignorant about this, I need to learn my Sekireis' strengths and weaknesses, and not from sparring but from their mouths." He finished resting his head in the crook of her neck. He couldn't complain, he couldn't whine about it, he knew what he was getting into when he kissed them. Maybe not the full extent. But he knew they were bonded on a very deep level and would have to fight, it was unavoidable but it'd be good to have a starting point. Ahiko sighed quietly wrapping her arms around his neck making herself comfortable it was overwhelming and she could feel Ryu's hesitancy through their link. "I was going to buy Yashima the sequel to her novel she was glued to these past few weeks, would you like to come with?" Some fresh air would do him good, how long had he been in here anyways?

"Sure." Ahiko replied lifting her head to meet his violet irises. She rocked her hips forward moaning quietly while Ryu bucked his legs surprised by the sensation. Her legs tightened around his hips while she got more situated. "But let's finish up here, I don't like being teased." She said quietly glancing at the door for a moment before closing her eyes, Miya was still downstairs they had good time, she wanted to be in a bed or a shower with him but a bath would be fine. And it was a marvelous bath to say the least in her eyes.

Anyone remotely sane packed up their belongings and went to the nearest exits of the city. But that sanity quickly dissipated as lines of cars stretching back for miles fought for pole position. There were few spaces narrow enough to bypass, and even if one was to bypass they'd be stuck in another line. MBI stationed soldiers with APCs on every exit out of the city deeming it as inspection, to make sure nobody tried to defy them the soldiers were equipped with the most advanced weaponry courtesy of MBI. With their stations held down firmly, that left the average people to wait. Car horns blazed through the air as patience began to run thin, and tolerance of these soldiers wore even thinner.

"Hurry up you idiot!" Shouted an angry man moving his head out of the driver side window.

"I don't care about crime prevention or whatever that has nothing to do with us!" Shouted another man currently being inspected by two soldiers. It was a miracle there wasn't any riots over the long waits between the people and soldiers.

A fairly short, fair-skinned girl with blue eyes and messy chin-length blond hair. With fairly petite and feminine-build, wearing a blue long sleeved blouse with a white collar and a matching ruffled skirt, knee high black boots and white stockings that stop just above her knees walked with her head down a hat obscuring her eyes from sight as she clutched tightly the boy's hand leading her forward.

The boy was of above average-height and slim young man with messy brown hair and green eyes, wearing a white shirt and blue jeans. He kept his eyes focused on the girl shaking behind him with each step they took her shaking grew worse and worse.

It was suicide to try and escape the city as they were, but he had no other choice. He took a calming breath steeling himself as they got closer to the inspection gate where the man from before was still being hassled and giving the soldiers' more than his two cents. "Idiot, stop shaking." He said in a hushed tone as they passed by three soldiers armed with automatic weapons. They passed by. Freedom. The soldiers looked at a reading device in his hand distractedly, he glanced back eyes widening slightly. "Wait!" The girl instantly froze shaking profusely while the boy looked back going over his options.

There was only one option.

"Run!" He bolted forward as fast as his legs could carry him with the girl in tow. He kept his head forward his eyes widened as adrenaline kicked in flowing through his body. His heart raced but he didn't dare to look back and picked up his speed. "Don't look back!" He ordered getting the sense she was, satisfied with the silence he picked up his speed and she followed as fast as she could. They were making good time as they made it nearly halfway over the bride. A shadow loomed over them, the escapists looked up in time to see a person gliding through the air before tucking herself in flipping violently as the wind blew her hair all over the place, a maniacal glint in her eyes as she landed before the two.

"Number 95 Kuno I presume." She said in a lazy tone as her hair covered one of her eyes. She stood hunched over like she was about to go after prey.

"What is this?" The boy asked taken a back by this woman's appearance. His eyes traced to her body most of it was wrapped in bandages the next thing he spotted was the claws that she had for hands. Dread and fear hit the girl that still shook as her nerves were being fried by the bundles.

"The Blue Sekirei!" She exclaimed clenching her hand over her chest.

"What did you say?"

"Warning if you go farther, what waits for you is..." She said in a menacing tone raising one her clawed hands with a evil smirk on her face before crossing the talons in front of her. The sun gleaming off of the razor sharp blades.

"Haruka-sama let's go back." The girl said urgently tugging on his arm.

"Idiot! What are you saying? We've already come this far!" He almost yelled in disbelief whirling his head around to look at her.

"No this person is bad!" She gave his arm another tug this time with more force. She only heard rumors about the person standing before her and she would rather stay in the city than face her.

"Hey!"

"Please, I beg you! Even you'll get killed!" She shut her eyes tight to slow the tears from drumming down her face while she pleaded with him. Haruka studied her carefully, she was sincere and very afraid. But they've already come so far why turn back now? Why was she so afraid of this woman standing before them, to him she was just a mummy with claws. He narrowed his eyes contemplating his next move he wouldn't surrender but... "Over there!" The soldier from before shouted running towards them with extra men guns held tightly n their hands.

"Damn!" He cursed banking hard to his left for the railing bounding it one jump running down the hill with all the speed he could muster. The soldiers skidded to a stop before the leader barked out orders and they went speeding in the opposite directions guns pointed. The white haired woman didn't even notice their exchange as she kept her eyes focused on the Ashikabi and Sekirei her demented look increasing ten fold as she laughed darkly. "They're running away."

He contemplated whether he should jump in or not. He opted to stay out of it, after all she was already winged and didn't need his protection, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to watch over her like he was supposed to. Homura stood motionless on the street light just a few feet behind his eyes narrowed in thought and observation. Number 104 Haihane... He observed carefully narrowing his eyes more as the wind tousled his silver hair an black cape. I didn't expect the Discipline Squad to be out in public like this... Damn Minaka he's serious.

I had to write this part over TWICE... Makes me so happy I could cry :)

"Buy Yashima's book today." Ryu said to himself going through his to do list while he slipped on gray hakama. He opened his closet rummaging through it until he found a tank top throwing it on lazily before falling on his futon. He heard a quiet knock on the door. "Come in." He heard the thuds of footsteps before he let out a 'umph' as Ahiko jumped on top of him with a girlish squeal.

"Ahiko..." Ryu said trailing off as he opened his eyes taking in the sight of her generous breasts pressing onto his chest. She grabbed him by the wrist lifting him up to his feet with no effort smiling. She was dressed in a basic two piece bikini outfit that was a light green, it contrasted her skin perfectly, she had a white towel wrapped around her waist to make sure her backside wasn't exposed, she knew what modesty was and did her best to sustain hers. She looked at him with a blank expression sensing his confusion. "Hari gave me one of her bikinis, it fits!" She explained soothing his confusion.

"Um, why are you wearing that?"

"Miya-dono asked us to clean the bath house." She replied opening the sliding door. Ryu looked over her body fondly feeling the blood rush out of his head. "Urm are all of you wearing clothes like that?" Ahiko nodded pulling Ryu out barely giving him time to close it before leading him down the hallway. His thoughts wandered to what seemed a lifetime ago when he first winged Uzume after waking up and realizing he had a hole in his chest and she guided him around the house like an excited child. He learned quickly that she was indeed a pervert after she locked him in her room and was his maid for a whole day being sure to show her assets the entire time. Not that he could do anything about it since he was drained, and was guilty of enjoying seeing her in different costumes.

He stared at the back of Ahiko's head as they headed down the staircase a smile pulling at his lips. A lot happened since then, too much, and more was bound to happen but he found light. That light was Ahiko. Something to hold on to and he had no intention of letting go. Their footsteps thudded down the hall as they approached the main foyer greeted by a purple haired miko.

Miya looked them for a second blinking twice. "The food will be done soon, you don't mind helping them clean the bath house?" She asked tilting her head to the side. Ahiko grinned before shaking her head from side to side, Miya smiled warmly in her direction before turning her attention to Ryu. "Should I expect your beastly urges?" She asked laughing quietly behind her hand seeing a hint of red form under his cheeks and a small scowl form on his face.

I love you too Miya.

Beastly urges, mmm now that is intersting. Ahiko thought as she yanked his arm again dragging him down the hallway heading towards the bath house. Ryu could faintly hear Hari and Kusano laughing happily and the others working. Ahiko was certainly curious, even puzzled. Miya made Ryu turn a hint of red and show a hint of a scowl. She was used to seeing the composed battle experienced Ryu, if she didn't guess any better she'd say he was about to sputter incoherent babbles. She smiled to herself pleased with the idea, she'd ask Miya later on how she does it. She didn't want to make him babble just turn a little red, he was so adorable! She'd learn the way of the miko.

While Ahiko was thinking about ways to fluster him Ryu's mind drifted to Nanaha. He only caught a glimpse of her in the kitchen before Ahiko nearly yanked him off of his feet. He found it odd she was avoiding looking in his direction and had a bright shade of red under her cheeks traveling up to her entire face. The other day she was having one of her battles with Yashima over his affection which he had to admit was adorable since they were normally shy and now she was about to faint from blushing. He can only think of one time when she looked like that. When he stripped right in front of her and Yashima both of their heads turned red and he swore he seen steam come off of them before they fainted with small smiles on their faces. He intended to spend the entire night with them, but not in that sense.

A million thoughts entered his mind as he walked into the bath house, Ahiko wasn't kidding. All of his Sekirei save for Uzume, Yashima, and Nanaha were present with Minato's. And all were wearing bikinis. He began to reconsider maybe he could wash the floors or something, he wasn't feeling too hot about this. He needed a distraction. "Ryu-san?" The purple haired man sighed in relief turning to Minato with a blank expression. "Miya asked me to help so I'm here." Minato blinked once before nodding and handing him a brush, Ryu took it without a second thought anything to get his mind out of the gutter. He looked for Ahiko spotting her with Musubi egging Hari and Kusano on while they jumped around getting soaked. Surprisingly Yomi wasn't out here, how did she get off?

I'm going to die. He thought starting on his task before he got distracted with all of these women. Musubi was wearing a pink two piece swimsuit that barely held her breasts in place, Tsukiumi wore a basic black two piece that accentuated her curves and ample breasts, Hari was wearing a bright blue two piece bikini outfit that showed off her slim yet shapely body in all its glory, lastly Kusano wore a blue one piece with 108 on the front of it. Ryu kept his eyes on the floor carefully scrubbing away any blemishes I am not a beast I am not a beast he chanted his mantra mentally keeping his eyes glued to the floor. If they were his Sekirei it'd be different, he would've fainted from blood loss by now but they weren't, and he'd never see Kusano in that light even when she grew up into a woman. His mind wandered to Minato. The second year ronin was still adjusting to the whole Sekirei Plan, but Ryu noticed his favoritism. It wasn't evident at first but upon careful observation he seemed to favor Musubi over the rest of his Sekirei, Kusano not included. He pushed the thoughts aside, he never had a problem dividing his attention between his girls, well except when Toyotama was in one of her 'I want you to myself' moods.

Toyotama was currently cleaning the wall to the farthest side doing her best to ignore the horse play going on behind her. Why am I stuck cleaning? She asked herself mentally scrubbing the wall harder, she knew why. Miya asked her to and when she opened her mouth to object the masks came out to play, she wondered why Ryu wasn't effected by them anymore. She shook her head that was besides the point, she didn't want to be cleaning and she wasn't alone a very angry blonde stood to the wall opposite of her a tendril of water above her finger as she tried to reign in her anger.

"Ku-chan, Hari-chan here it comes!" Musubi said happily as trails of water splashed all over the place. Tsukiumi stiffened as her anger took a firm grasp of her, but she wasn't the only one that had enough of the childish antics. Toyotama was reaching her limit but she promised Ryu she'd behave and not let her emotions get the best of her, but it was so damn hard!

"What art thou doing?" Tsukiumi asked whirling around to face the cause of her ire. "Landlady's orders clean well!" She snapped hovering over them like a giant but Musubi, Kusano, and Hari paid her little to no attention as water rebounded off their bodies onto the nearby walls with reckless vigor. Minato glanced over at the commotion with a small smile, it gave him solace that even when the city was locked down his Sekirei were still themselves. Slowly his cheeks heated up at took in Musubi's appearance fondly. Musubi-chan's wearing swimwear... I've never seen that before. He said mentally as his smile pulled a little more.

"Minato..." Tsukiumi said in a low voice hovering behind him with narrowed eyebrows. Minato felt his heart skip a beat and sweat run down his forehead as he lost any and all words to explain his actions."What art thou staring at?" She asked again jealousy evident in her voice as tick marks appeared on her head and fist. "No I was... Ah." Minato fumbled over his words as he took a step back shock overcoming him. "If thou wishest to see breasts so much, then..." She composed herself looking to the side. "Thou canst just see mine." She finished with a blush across her face. His eyes went wide as she made no attempt to hide her lovely breasts from his view, thankfully a tug on his sleeve brought him out of his stupor.

"Mine, too." Kusano said putting her hands on her hips and showing herself off to Minato. The second year ronin struggled to form words, he wasn't a pedophile. A sweat drop slowly ran down the back of his head. "Um... Ku-chan... That is... What should I say..." He struggled for a way to put it that didn't hurt her feelings and didn't make him seem like a complete pervert.

And on cue. Ryu thought very amused with the messy haired teen's fumbling. The door slid open, Miya looked around then focused on Minato.

"Per-ver-ts?"

"No!" Minato exclaimed suddenly looking at her with wide eyes. He knew he should've turned the other way. Why did he have to be so indecisive? "You've got it all wrong!" He flailed his arms nervously in all directions sputtering incoherently to no one's surprise. Ryu could only sigh he knew it. There was some higher power that found him suffering amusing, why? "Everyone we'll eat soon." She informed with a small smile. Minato sighed defeated hanging his head, how did he get himself into these situations?

"Yes!" Ahiko, Hari, and Musubi cheered the former throwing her arms over head animatedly exicted at the prospect of food. Tsukiumi and Kusano glared at each other the youngest Sekirei growling like a small dog while sparks surged from their eyes.

"Is this..." Matsu mused thoughtfully staring at her main computer screen with a serious expression. She was nearly engrossed in whatever she was doing, she barely registered the knock at the door, her focus on bigger things. "Matsu-san meal time." Minato said opening the door to peek into her room with Kusano sitting atop his shoulders using his messy head as a pillow for her chin.

"Yes, I'm coming." She said a second later sounding distracted. Minato's eyes widened in amazement as he took in her room for what felt like the first time. Kusano ever so curious gave the room a once over several times, she didn't know why the screens were so bright or why they were everywhere, but he curiosity got the better of her. Minato set Kusano down on her feet as he took a few steps on his third Sekirei's bed. "What are you looking at?" He asked slightly puzzled.

"MBI's ultra secret data bank." She answered as the blue light from her computer reflected off her of her glasses.

"Ultra top secret..." Minato repeated with a deadpan expression staring ahead. He wasn't sure if he was shocked or not. She hacked into MBI's secret database, he wondered how but shook the thought off, he trusted her judgement and he wanted to learn more.

"The security was extremely tight." She said turning around to face him with a confident smile on her face. "But there are a lot of interesting things to be seen here." She continued as a screen popped up of the map of Shinto Teito with dozens of red lights and a few green ones. "Information on which Sekireis have emerged, each Ashikabi's detailed personal info..." Another screen popped up replacing the old one showing several of the profiles she was just explaining. "Plus each Sekirei's win record, and losers too..." The screen faded replaced by one with several characters. "That means the Sekirei whose function have stopped." Minto swallowed the lump in his throat, his eyes widening at that. He didn't want to think about that, even if it wasn't his own Sekirei the thought was like a plague. "To tell you the truth, something's bothering me..."

"Bothering you?"

Matsu clicked her mouse a few times in rapid succession pulling up another screen showing a Sekirei that had been recently defeated. "Winner unidentified"

"Even among the Sekireis who oppose each other, there's what you could call an unspoken rules." She went on pushing her glasses up with her index finger. Kusano listened with curiosity keeping a firm grasp on Minato's shirt as she blinked a few times trying to understand it. "The conqueror who erased the opponent's Sekirei symbol stays with the loser and guards her until MBI comes to retrieve her." She paused. "It's the minimal courtesy we show each other in battle. But whoever defeated this Sekirei abandoned her lying at death's door, and left. I've confirmed another two Sekirei defeated in the same manner."

Minato turned towards her the gears churning in his head. "Are you saying that they were defeated by the same Sekirei?"

"Likely so." She said with an edge in her voice. "I can't understand this action at all."

"Isn't she just a rude one?" Matsu shook her head narrowing her brows. "There's another and more important the reason the winner stays along with the loser. That is to let MBI know who the winner is. But leaving without doing so means..." She paused. "...Losing the reason for the battles among Sekireis." Minato's eyes widened at that, he wasn't exactly sure what the reason was they fought. But he trusted Matsu's judgement on the situation, she knew more than him, and she hacked into MBI. "This feels quite suspicious somehow..." Her brows narrowing.

She'd had to remain vigilant at all times, not that she already wasn't. She learned early on how crazed Minaka was, one of the main reason she snatched the Jinki before she fled MBI with Uzume as her cover. She did her part in disabling the satellite allowing them an open time of sixty minutes and sixteen seconds, it was just enough. But the Discipline Squad showed up and cut that time in half easily they would've been hauled back to MBI and mot likely killed, or let go. Minaka always had a few screws loose but he's been off the deep end since the second squad was disbanded. Thankfully it never came to that because Ryu showed up which was a miracle if she ever seen one. She'd stay watchful of everyone's movements from here on it, and keep her eyes open to the subtleties.

"Musubi-san, can you let Uzume know the food is done."

Musubi nodded animatedly getting up from her spot at the table running out of the room her footsteps thudding along the way before completely fading away. Ryu glanced at the bubbly girl before she left, it was hard to be mad at her. Not that he was at the moment, but he noticed Musubi was a child. A child in the body of a woman. He excused himself for a moment informing them he was using the bathroom.

Uzume rummaged through her bags of costumes. It always made her day seeing that smile, she'd help them the best she could. She felt bad for a moment, guilt weighing down on her shoulders, she didn't tell Ryu. Was she questioning her trust, she pushed the thought into the back of her head, everyone had secrets. But she didn't know how long she'd be able to keep this secret, Ryu was a lot more perceptive than he let on. She jumped slightly, the skin on her leg going numb momentarily she figeted digging into her pocket pulling her Samsung Galaxy S3 she pressed a button bringing the phone to her ear.

"Uzume."

"Shhh." Uzume hushed the woman on the other line glancing around her room. "Now's not a good time, but what's up?" She was honest it wasn't a good time. The aroma of food wafted through all the walls and floorboards she knew Musubi was on her way, and with luck Ryu was coming with her. But she couldn't turn away.

"Can we meet up?"

Uzume debated mentally, could she just leave? "Yeah. But you better have a damn good reason for asking me now of all times, you know I'm hard pressed and you're starting to draw attention!" She closed her eyes frowning slightly. She hated sneaking around, but it was better that nobody knew, however it was going to be known soon. Three Sekirei killed in the same manner once maybe twice done, but three times everyone would catch on to the rumor. She brought the phone away from her ear as the other end disconnected, she hurried to her door quietly opening it taking a peerk in both directions. Her sensitive hearing picked up Musubi talking about sparring again with Ryu. She had a small window, with her futon already folded and light off she glided across the floor silently with such stealth that it'd make ninjas go green in envy. Once in the side hallway she quickly maneuvered down it changing into her battle outfit, since it was easier to move in. Her body scarcely covered in a soft white cloth a veil hid her eyes and face from view she looked to the open window putting a quick burst, planting her foot she leapt forward, twisting into a front flip landing on a roof a few feet away from the Inn it was a long jump but she cleared it, she leaped from rooftop to rooftop disappearing into the city.

"Uzume-san, food is served" Musubi informed knocking on the door a couple times waiting for an answer but all she got was silence. "Uzume-san!" Ryu looked at the door with a slightly puzzled expression, Musubi opened the door taking a look around her room. The light was off and the room was clean, a table in the center of it, with stuffed animals in the back huddled together. "She isn't here." Musubi thought out loud cutely touching her finger to her mouth. Ryu glanced back out the window, something was nagging him he didn't know what, but he felt he had to look behind him but saw nothing except for the tips of the tall business buildings in the city.

Hiyama-kai Hospital

A woman of above average height stood over a girl asleep on a hospital bed. The frail girl had a peaceful look on her face as she slept unaware of the woman's presence at the moment. She had dark brown hair that fell over her shoulders and bangs that covered her forehead and almost her eyebrows, her body was lithe covered by the sheets the hospital provided for her. The woman standing next to her had peach toned skin and her appearance was quite unique. She had extremely long jet black hair in the back going passed her waist but not quite to her calves. Her bangs were another matter, starting from the middle of her forehead she had a long wedge of bangs that went all the way down to her chin effectively obscuring both of her eyes.

Her outfit was some kind of really tight-fitting material that covered her entire body only leaving her head exposed. It had a small diamond shaped cut out on her chest and another over her naval. There were two diamond cuts revealing the entirety of her outer thighs. There was also a series of three other diamond shaped cut outs on the back of her outfit, lastly, there was a small, superficially pointless skirt made from the same material as the rest of her outfit. Superficial and pointless because it was six inches long and didn't cover much of anything. It had an odd color scheme reminiscent of a checker set. Red on the front and black in the back. The arms were black on the outside, but red on the underside, the legs were the opposite of that, lastly the skirt was black with red stripes with a white underside.

She would be considered one of the shorter Sekirei standing at five foot eight but made up for it being well developed in other areas. She long legs compacted with strong muscles covered by velvety skin. Her breasts were very developed measuring at a large C cup, she had a slender waist complimented by perfect hips that gave her an hourglass shape.

"Chiho..." Her voice was quiet and serene, hidden with pain. She gently took hold of her weak hand clasping it gently in hers gently kissing it. It pained her, pained her beyond belief that this was the case. Her Ashikabi so weak, but that didn't matter to her. She didn't care about strength, just that smile, she'd do anything to see that smile for a second. "I have to leave soon." A stray tear rolled down her cheek.

"Karei-chan..." Chiho said almost in a whisper, she had to strain her ears just to hear her sweet voice. "How long have you been here?"

"A while." Karei answered quietly resting her knees on the floor, she nuzzled her face into Chiho's hand feeling a burst of happiness. "I'm sorry." Karei's eyes widened at that she looked at her Ashikabi slowly adjusting her bangs revealing her sparkling indigo eyes. She could've had anyone else, there was a million to one chance she could be with another person. Maybe she'd be abused, used, loved, taken care of, but none of that mattered anymore. Those thoughts had no place, she had no doubts, no regrets. "I'm your Ashikabi, but I can't do anything for you..." Chiho's eyes saddened. "Were you crying?"

"It's fine, as long as you're alive." Karei said quietly squeezing her hand a little harder resting her forehead on the back of her hand. "It's just fine." She repeated in a whisper, Chiho was everything to her. It didn't matter where life took her, them, she'd always be there to make her smile, to keep her company. As long as you're alive.

I'll end it here. Two people made their debut. Nothing else to say here. Karei is an OC. Her name is beauty in Japanese.