"Got it? We shall be busy starting tomorrow." Tsukiumi said in her usual haughty tone of voice, she sat on a stool by the tub dumping a pale of water over her shoulder washing some soap away.
"Yes! Let's do our best!" Musubi said in her usual bubbly tone sitting in the center of the large bathtub with a towel over her head.
"Would you mind if I come in?"
Musubi blinked stopping her current conversation. She focused on the voice on the other side of the door blinking twice staring at the door before she smiled. "Uzume-san! Of course not!"
Uzume stripped down to her underwear, taking off her shirt first. She folded her clothes neatly slipping off her underwear in one smooth motion setting them into the basket with the rest of her clothes. Her eyes bucked when she spotted blood on her blue jeans. "Oops! Did I get this when I changed?" She asked herself idly. Musubi slid the door open, her face flushed from the heat in the bathhouse, she had a towel wrapped around her body barely covering up her well developed figure. "Uzume-san, I'll wash your back."
"Ah, oh... Yup." She said anxiously setting her neat panties with the rest of her clothes carefully folding the blood stained pants leg. She was sure she kept herself clean, but the blood on her pants bursted her bubble. She only hoped that nobody else noticed as perceptive and observant Ryu was she was doubly glad he wasn't home when she got there, otherwise she'd be caught.
She didn't need that, not now.
It wasn't fair. Before she said it Musubi never thought of it. It never even crossed her mind. Tsukiumi didn't mind the bubbly girl she was cheerful. But she had it, she was the real wife. Why did Musubi suddenly want to be his wife after her? "The real wife is me! The rest of ye are mistresses." Tsukiumi declared with finality rubbing her hair with shampoo at a rapid pace.
"I am his wife too!" Musubi argued seated right next to her drenching her own hair in shampoo.
Uzume shut her eyes, the hot steam from the bath relaxing her as the warm water worked at her muscles. Sekirei were more durable and powerful than humans, but even they needed rest. Especially someone like Uzume who's fighting style revolved around aerial feats using her veils as an extension. Slowly the steaming water massaged her fatigue away and the cramps in her calves slowly loosened up. She smiled slightly hearing the voice of Tsukiumi, she could tell by the haughtiness behind it.
"It's a matter of order. Listen. There were once Shogunate harems and only the top woman was the real wife in that inner palace, and...
They were going at it again over Minato. She herself was amused because she never fought for Ryu's affection. Instead she spent her time flustering him, and teasing him. If she wanted him she'd just take him, Yashima and Nanaha were both little rivals, which was even funnier.
"Minato-san doesn't have his hair tied up in a top knot!"
"I'm not talking about Japanese samurai shows!"
She bit back a laugh, her muscles now completely relaxed. This was nice, sitting her in a nice hot bath.
"You guys are so funny." Uzume spoke up finally controlling her laughter. Things were always lively when Ryu moved in, but Minato brought a whole new level of chaos. She could only sit back and instigate hoping to rile up his Sekirei, taking advantage of Tsukiumi's jealous streak, or just sitting back and watching these two banter back and forth.
"Why art thou saying such soft things? Thou hast thy own Ashikabi."
Uzume raised her head slightly taking in her words. It was true, one day it would happen. It could happen, it will. But hopefully not anytime soon.
"So thou might have to fight us some day."
Uzume blinked once, she wanted to say something along the lines of. Why fight? She personally didn't want to fight, she was happy getting scolded for walking around half naked at the Izumo Inn and trying to get Ryu to commit illicit activities. She whirled around putting her back to them, she cupped her hands behind her head. "That's right! We've got to fight someday!" She said with fake cheer.
Musubi blinked hard looking at her for a moment. She didn't know what, but she thought she felt something. She wasn't entirely sure, but better safe than sorry. "Uzume-san?"
Matsu made up for strength with intelligence, and even to an extent stealth. She rarely had to use the second, but she was the best there was when it came to it. But to her surprise, she didn't need it as she kept an eye on Uzume up to the point she was in the bath house. She waited for a few minutes after, hearing her fellow sisters bantering back and forth she took the opportunity. She silently slid the door open looking at the baskets, she took two strides closing the distance in a heart beat. She carefully placed her hand in the basket unfolding her pants leg. Her eyebrows furrowed forming a crease of intense thought on her face. Her breath hitched when she thought she heard a footstep. Few people could sneak up on her.
"Hey you must be Matsu." Matsu whirled around to see the owner of the voice none other than Ahiko. A true mystery. Ahiko gave her a queer look for a moment, this Matsu was something else. The definition of a pervert if you had a dictionary and looked it up, you'd see a picture of her. Ahiko had no real problems with her though, Matsu for the most part kept her distance and to herself at times while at other times socializing and talking about experiments, she wondered what these were. She kept the door open walking towards the baskets. "I suggest you go, before Toyotama gives you away." Ahiko said in a quiet tone as she went to remove her pants.
"What?" Matsu asked incredulously. She heeded the younger Sekirei's warning, but how did she know she was doing anything? Who's to say she just wasn't in here taking panties? It would be a good excuse. She shook of doubt, could Ahiko have been standing there this entire time? Ahiko looked at her with a blank face before a small smile formed on her face.
"I can't exactly cover for you." Ahiko said tilting her head to the side, Matsu wasn't sure if she was joking or serious. "Toyotama will be here in a few seconds. You should leave before Miya comes in here and sees you snooping around" Ahiko said with a little more urgency.
Matsu nodded wordlessly leaving without another word. And, Ahiko was right, she barely outpaced Toyotama before the former entered the changing room, she looked worse for wear. She furrowed her brows, things were starting to get more intense, the time she feared was finally here.
Ryu let out a quiet sigh, seating himself down on a mat. At his side like always was Yashima, and to his other side was Nanaha. He adverted his eyes from her, he felt increasingly guilty, while he was out with the others, Nanaha was here all alone. She didn't complain, whine, or throw a fit about it, she accepted it. And as much as he could appreciate that, it certainly didn't make him feel any better. He realized something. He spent little time with Nanaha.
But that wasn't the only thing on his mind. Matsu took an interest in something. Uzume, he didn't know what the pervert was planning or thinking, but it involved Uzume so he'd stay sharp. He knew better than to ask she'd make an excuse or some stupid reason, a wannabe reason at that. He had the patience to observe, and that's what he intended to do.
The food still had a good half hour until it was done, Ryu watched Nanaha skate up to Miya helping anyway she could. That left him with Yashima, she clung to his arm like he'd disappear. He didn't mind too much, just as long as this stopped when he was eating. He was happy to be back home, and happy to have Ahiko. He finally felt whole again, not that he was broken. But the emotions of his Sekirei were getting the better of him, Ahiko was the person he needed to stay grounded. He looked around the room noting Minato's Sekirei weren't here save for Kusano who watched Miya and Nanaha finish cooking.
He'd have to make it up to her, he never meant to favor one over the other. It just kind of happened, they tended to cling to him more, and to avoid an argument he let them settle it their own way. He pondered on his next move, should he begin? No. He'd have to stay patient no need to bring trouble to himself, but he couldn't get the thought of the battle with Mutsu out of his head. Looking back on it, he was glad he told the others to move up ahead, easily, Mutsu could have defeated them all save for himself.
He nodded to himself, he needed a plan, more importantly they. Nanaha gave his hand a soft squeeze, seemingly reading his mind, and feeling the emotions through the link. Ryu glanced at her tender skin, it wasn't pale like Yashima's it was almost like a cream, smooth and velvety. She gave him a side glance, he meant her gaze smiling softly.
Trust. He'd need to learn to trust his Sekirei.
A well dressed man put his foot on the throttle. The expensive white luxury car sped across the road. Its tires treading across the cement revolving more times than the average human could count in a minute. He obeyed his order, it was better than hearing the boy throw a fit. Before it wasn't a problem, but since he got that strange silver haired man and other strange people he became weary of the boy. It didn't help when he seen the silver haired man cut somebody in half spilling his intestines all over the cement defending two blonde twins.
"Number 04? The one who killed Mitsuha was the Black Sekirei?" Hayato asked with furrowed brows as he looked at his strongest Sekirei.
"Yes, there's no mistake. I confirmed." Mutsu replied in his usual calm tone of voice.
A hint of fear pulsed through Hayato he brought his thumb to his mouth glaring at the back of the seat in front of him. "The Discipline Squad... Why did they mess with my possession?"
"Members of the Discipline squad are also participants in this game." Mutsu explained calmly glancing at him from the side of his eye. "They don't need any excuses." He remembered getting the report from Taki she combed the area just before the purple hair Sekirei was hauled away by MBI. No doubt it was Karauba, the brutality of the attack was enough to identify her as the person behind it. What's more, it was rumored Ryu was her Ashikabi, he shuddered at the thought. There was something very dark and ominous about that man, if he really was her Ashikabi he was a lot darker than he previously thought.
Hayato composed himself. "Mutsu, what is the Sekirei with that woman doing?"
"You mean 107?" He stated more than asked. "Akitsu is keeping an eye on him, he doesn't seem to have emerged yet."
He smirked slyly. "We have to make up for what we've lost, don't we?"
(All Sekirei are psychic to some degree) As such most were self taught, fighting on instinct rather than formal training. They let their intuition guide them in battle and in life, it was foolish. But at this moment it was what he needed.
Shiina stared outside the window a blank expression on his face as he searched the darkness for what was plaguing him. He felt safe, but he didn't entirely feel safe, it was complicated to explain. He was across half of this massive city in the span of a few days, and found shelter under Yukari's roof. It was a modestly sized him, that he cared about things like that. He was just happy he was here with her, and not getting chased.
"Meal's ready." Yukari called from the other side of the door, she turned the knob opening it. She had the same comforting smile on her face from before. The second youngest Sekirei was slightly startled from his thoughts, he glanced back out the window searching for what was scratching at the back of his mind. But, he found nothing except for darkness.
"Ah, yes!"
Yukari sat on one of the mats she had placed on the floor grabbing a flat wooden spoon from the counter top. Shiina took a seat across from her not sure if he should sit on any of the furniture. He stayed quiet waiting for her to speak to him. He looked at the steaming late of food in front of him, his mouth began to water. There was piece of beef in the center of the plate, to its side was a serving of vegetables. There was a bowl a few inches away with hot soup.
Yukari carefully scooped the steaming rice from the cooker dumping it into a bowl. "Here!" She said reaching across with the bowl. He glanced at her for a a moment before he reached forward, placing his hand under hers. Yukari's cheeks turned red instantly as she was in close contact with him, they both seemed to be in shock as they looked at their hands resting on the other.
"Ah, by the way!" She stared anxiously closing her eyes as she turned redder. "Shiina you said you're looking for somebody, Didn't you?" She asked quickly changing the topic.
"Yes."
"If you don't mind, would you tell me about that?" She asked with a slight cheer in her voice. He was taken a back for a moment. He looked at his hands before explaining.
Yukari felt a mix of emotions. From excitement, to fear, to trepidation, to happiness, to anger as she listened intently. He kept mentioning the Sekirei Game, so she knew he couldn't have been lying before. Now for a fact she knew, she didn't realize she was staring at him hard as her anticipation for anxiety took over.
"Your younger sister?"
"Her name is Ku." He answered. "I've been looking for her for a long time, and when I went to town that person with the whips chased me."
"That's when I passed by, huh?" Yukari asked blankly. She plastered a confident smile, clenching her fingers tightly as she raised her arm in front of her. "OK! Let's look for her! I'll help you out." The silver haired boy turned to her only managing to utter a incoherent murmur of shock. Yukari held her smile continuing. "See, I have an older brother, too."
"An older brother?" He questioned quietly.
Yukari nodded. "Yup! When I was little, he always came to get me whenever I was crying." She started looking up at the ceiling with a small smile as she reminisced the event. It felt like yesterday as the image began to play in her mind as she went on to explain. "When I couldn't get down from a tall tree or when I was lost in a dark forest...
Yukari there you are!
Here! Come on!
"Even though he was afraid of tall trees and dark places, too. He always gave me a piggyback ride when we went home. I still remember his warm back." Shiina looked at her in slight shock, slight awe. He didn't know much about the world, but he knew it was anything but pleasant. He was chased since he came into the city and things didn't get any better, until he meant Yukari.
"But, he's now a wimpy loser, though." She quickly added feeling slightly embarrassed. She composed herself taking a few deep breaths. "So I'm sure Ku-chan is waiting for her big brother just as I did... Definitely." She softened her eyes remembering those times when they were just kids, things were so lonely without her mother there. But Minato was always at her side, watching over her. She smiled lightly.
"I hope Ku's meant somebody like that." The silver haired boy said with a small smile. "Just like I met you." Yukari struggled not to blush. She was a woman after all, she was eighteen and a college student, and she had herself a pretty boy. She smiled closing her eyes as she felt her cheeks heat up. "Yup! I hope so, too."
"OK, we'll go out to search for Ku-chan, starting tomorrow!"
"Yes!"
I must please master. The ice Sekirei thought as she stood atop a building less than six meters away. She was glad she was more experienced when it came to assignments like this. Her being so quiet also helped, she couldn't imagine doing this with Mitsuki, their position would've been given away a long time ago.
She had been tailing these two for quite some time. Getting their movements and schedule down into her memory for her master. It seemed they rarely left the house, and if they did he was dressed in a ridiculous outfit. She dared to say he looked like a girl, but things like modesty and looks didn't really faze the ever stoic Akitsu, she paid them no heed. She put a hand on her hip, she couldn't shake the ache she felt in her back as her breasts and gravity started to take effect. She didn't mind having such huge breasts, but sometimes they were such a hassle, she'd rather walk around in the nude. Made things so much easier.
She picked up a drift of their conversation, leave it an passerby to be so noisy about their plans. She fixed her eyes on the opening through the red curtains in the bright room just below. She had a purpose now, she wasn't alone, she wasn't trash. Hayato took her in, and she'd follow any command.
Dinner time at Masion Izumo went by peacefully. As peaceful as it could get with Minato's Sekirei fighting for his attention. Like every time at the table Musubi, Tsukiumi, and Kusano fought with each other on who got to feed him food. And Tsukiumi letting her emotions get the better of her, left openings for Kusano and Musubi to stuff an article of food into his mouth. Ryu sat at his spot with a happy smile as his chopsticks whirled around his plate as he shoveled food into his mouth.
He remembered his many attempts at cooking. When he was a child, forget it! He didn't doubt he'd set himself on fire along with his hair. He shuddered, scary thought. He finally got the hang of it when he was nineteen after many years of trail and error, and a lot of failure, he could cook just about anything. Nothing gourmet though. He knew how to grill, fry, bake, just about any dish from his large selection of cookbooks that went up in smoke along with the rest of apartment complex.
But Miya's food was... Spicy, it danced on his taste buds. It actually had taste, it was weird to say or even think. But her food was just more. The best phrase was more, he watched the miko cook several times, and every time he was blown away she made him look like a sloppy newbie. Her measurements were precise and she wasted no motion or effort. He had no idea how she did it, but he wasn't going to stop her. He was in food heaven.
He looked at the scene around him. Two Ashikabi were sitting here, eating in peace. Well how ever much peace there was between their Sekirei. He felt relief, that Minato didn't have an interest in this game, but that didn't mean he was going to get complacent. In the end Minato would be an opponent who regardless of his speeches and appearance would fight to the end for his Sekirei.
Yashima quietly ate her meal looking on nervously as her fellow sisters got noisier. Toyotama for her part was quiet, too busy stuffing her face with food. He seen that one coming, after that fight he was surprised she didn't clean out the entire fridge. Uzume was as always the life of the party talking to everyone but anything and nothing laughing the entire time. Nanaha quietly ate her food, an aura of... Something was around her, and Ryu couldn't place it. He'd need to investigate later. Hari and Ahiko were talking among themselves and the others namely Uzume and Miya, surprisingly after the events that transpired several days ago. Even Miya took a liking to the energetic aura known as Ahiko and they spent a lot of time talking.
Which was strange. But it was better that his Miya likes his Sekirei. Rather than think they're a bunch of hussies and in the end he get scolded for his 'beastly urges.' He sighed to himself mentally, why was she so mean at times? He laughed quietly after hearing Tsukiumi say something to Kusano about 'being a child. And I am the real wife.' Kusano responded by growling showing her teeth.
Kids. He thought with a shake of his head. He glanced at Matsu was was giggling constantly while she ate her food watching Minato struggle to eat his meal, on his own. He didn't hold his gaze, he turned away stuffing more rice balls into his mouth to draw his focus away.
Something was up, he could feel it. Matsu never prowled around the Inn like she did, unless there was something going on of importance, and that didn't include flustering him. Uzume was being secretive lately and just disappearing for hours, and Matsu was searching for things in the Inn, which wasn't good. She had MBI's satellite at her disposal. Something was going on under this roof, at this moment.
He took a deep breath calming his nerves. Emotions were only a weakness in this situation, they'd only hold him back. They'd hold him back from delivering the finishing blow, hold him back from killing, when they ran wild his thoughts ran wild in return. With another calming breath he looked at each of his Sekirei with a face impassive of emotion. The meeting will be held tonight. He said mentally, with this ominous feeling looming over his shoulders.
It was the best time to hold the meeting to warn his Sekirei, and to plan things out. He looked to Nanaha who gently traced her fingers on his hand to the inside of his bicep. She could sense his turmoil again, she was always so thoughtful. So kind. He took another breath finally calming himself.
After dinner we find Ryu inside of his room sitting on his futon with an intense look in his eyes. At his side was Ahiko lying with her back on the bed, fingers laced behind her head as she turned to the side to look at him. She hoped this was important, not that she'd just push Ryu away, but still. She had things to discuss with Miya, like a few hints woman to woman. Uzume sat to his other side with a curious look in her eyes. Yashima and Nanaha sat in front of him with obedient faces waiting for him to begin his speech. And Yomi sat a few inches away from Ahiko with interest. He told them it was important, an important meeting so they were quiet not sure what to expect. Lastly Toyotama sat a few feet away from Ryu in the corner of the room resting her back against the wood and Hari sat in Ryu's lap.
There was almost a fight over her choice of seat. All of his Sekirei save Uzume and Ahiko got jealous. Toyotama was a hair away from swinging her staff with deadly force, Nanaha simply glared with a pout on her face, and Yashima pouted while glaring at he fellow sister. Did Ryu care if they were jealous? Hell no, he had bigger things to worry about besides his Sekireis' folly and ridiculous antics. With a bone chilling glare he made Yashima shrink down and Nanaha and after a stern warning to Toyotama she found her current seat in the corner of the room.
As much as he found the joy and entertainment seeing them banter. Now wasn't the time.
"So, this is an important meeting?" Uzume asked the question everyone had on their tongues. "Why?"
"Well," Ryu cleared his throat looking at each of his Sekirei in tow. "There's been a rumor that a dangerous Sekirei or Sekireis have been leaving their opponents near the brink of death, alone." He explained with a grim expression, it wasn't strange for them to fight anymore. He accepted the fact they'd fight one day, however he didn't accept this act.
Even with his limited knowledge, he knew Sekirei always stayed behind to watch over the loser. Each of his Sekirei reacted differently to hearing this. Yashima's eyes instantly widened with fear glimmering in them, Nanaha furrowed her brows as she processed what was said, Toyotama narrowed her eyes, Ahiko just stared at him for a moment before sitting up and waiting for him to continue, Hari shuddered slightly hearing this news, and lastly Uzume subtly adverted her gaze from the others.
Seeing as they were silent, he cleared his throat continuing. "I don't know who they are, or their numbers..." He paused. "So I want all of you to stay aware of your surroundings, and those around you. I don't like the idea of you guys fighting..." He caught Toyotama with a slight scowl on her face and Ahiko glaring at him lightly. Of course, they'd be giving him that treatment they both enjoyed fighting. "I've come to accept it, but I want you to be careful from now on." He looked at his Sekirei keeping his emotions in check.
Inside he was shaking, he wasn't sure where this person, or people were. And that made this all the more dangerous, he could be ambushed, his Sekirei, or anyone else for that matter. This situation was quickly spiraling out of control and getting darker as he pondered on it longer.
"Whoever that asshole is, I'll make them pay!" Toyotama said with finality. "Doing something so despicable."
"But that c-could be dangerous we shouldn't go." Yashima spoke up.
"Stop your sniveling. " The green haired woman scoffed sending a heated glare at Yashima. This little runt was more than annoying, she constantly interfered with her advances. It wasn't even a matter of touching him, though she wouldn't admit it, she didn't mind sharing him, and she had plans with Uzume and Ryu to be in the same bed as her. But with Yashima that wasn't possible, she was sniveling little cry baby. "If you care about your title, name, as a Sekirei. Stop disgracing yourself."
"What!?" Yashima cried standing to her feet with a deep frown. Her gray eyes glistening with tears.
"I didn't studder. You little runt." Toyotama said through clenched teeth leveling a glare with the smaller Sekirei. This twit had a lot of nerve, too much nerve. Where did Ryu find her? This was disgraceful, why did he wing such a frail and fragile person? She reigned in her anger, it didn't matter not anymore. She already vowed Ryu wouldn't be a hero, never ever would be a hero, but she got a creeping feeling Yashima was going to make him just that. Her heart stopped as an image of Ryu still cold body flashed across her mind. "Want to do something about it? Try it I dare you." She challenged.
Uzume barely heard the bickering as she held a gaze to a spot on the floor. It was a particular spot where she tied Ryu down with her blankets before he could escape the room. That day was one of the best she could remember, she was dressed up in a very skimpy maid outfit and cleaned the entire room while giving him a show, then she got her some of her Ryu. She smiled mentally, how she wished she could back in time.
"I am not a runt!" Yashima shot back vibrating from anger and shame. The older Sekirei's words struck a deep chord within her. And it hurt, it hurt worse than anything she could ever remember that she endured, it paled in comparison to Ryu leaving her that day leaving her to cry her mornings and nights away. Images of something, things, flashed through her mind for an instant. She felt something shatter inside of her, and she clammed up.
"Leave me alone!" She cried, Ryu had enough of this bantering. Damn it were they so selfish, this selfish. They could all die tomorrow and they could care less. He raised a hand exerting some of his ki enough to send a vibration through the room.
"Please stop fighting!" Hari exclaimed frowning in disapproval of their actions, which made her look funny. Hari and frowning didn't mix. She hated fighting any form of it, physical or verbal. She didn't care, they were all friends, her sisters. And Ryu was their Ashikabi they were a happy family and that meant they didn't fight. Ryu could only jolt in shock at Hari's display, she had always been cheerful and happy. More so than Musubi, although Musubi was in a very, very close second. Not much could get the cheerful Sekirei down, and it was fighting nonetheless. He found it more than strange that Hari didn't enjoy fighting, like all Sekirei did.
Don't say shut up... Don't say shut up... Ryu told himself mentally. There was another outburst, and he finally couldn't deal with it anymore. "Yashima shut up! Toyotama! ENOUGH!" He snapped his voice cracking the air like a weighted whip, his ki was even more exerted. All of his Sekirei strained feeling like there were one hundred planets crushing down on them.
Yashima looked at him with teary eyes as she struggled to breathe under the powerful energy. Ahiko was the only one who seemed unaffected, but she was upset herself. Thank God she was Ryu's Sekirei, and in turn the girls before her were her sisters. Because if they weren't they'd be lying in a pool of blood for making Hari so distraught. Toyotama jolted from his voice looking at him with shock. Nanaha struggled to regulate her breath as did Uzume, who kept a nervous gaze on her Ashikabi. The spear wielding Sekirei was sighing in relief, she was going to step into the Yashima and Toyotama argument, but she was sure as hell glad she didn't.
"I knew this would turn out to be for the worse..." He said to himself pinching the bridge of his nose calming his ki. Slowly the girls around him took heavy breaths feeling their bodies respond again. "I knew it..." How can they be so selfish and immature I am so sick of Yashima's baby shit...
"Jeez, Ryu-kun..." Uzume said with a wry look on her face.
He ignored her statement continuing before he had to start to actually yell which would only lead to more disorder and headaches. "I want all of your to stay aware of anything strange... And don't try fighting this person on your own, she's extremely dangerous." He said groaning at the end as he felt the sides of his head throb. Damn it, he thought as the headache took a firm hold of him. "Yashima go upstairs and wait for me, Toyotama you go take a bath." Ryu said in a low tone of voice, he was annoyed now, his head hurt, and he was simply pissed they still didn't get along even after all of this time.
Yashima nodded meekly trotting out of the room with saturated gray eyes using her sleeve to wipe them away, Toyotama let out a small grunt striding out of the room unscathed by his orders. It was about time that little twit was put in her place.
"Little cry baby..." Toyotama growled glaring at Yashima. If looks could kill the hammer Sekirei would be a pile of ashes right now. "I swear you're lucky if Ryu didn't protect you like he does I'd enjoy beating you to a pulp.
"I am not a cry baby!" Yashima cried with a small frown running passed her with tears pouring off of her cheeks as she headed to Ryu's room. "Do it then I don't care!" She exclaimed from the hall breaking out in a pitiful sob.
"Exactly... Little bitch." Toyotama said out loud walking to the changing rooms.
"W-What will you have me do Ryu-kun?" Nanaha asked with slight hesitation. She didn't want to be yelled at like the other two were. And she didn't want to know what was going to happen to them afterwards when they were alone. If he needed to Ryu could be very harsh and strict, it was that disciplined side of him honed after years of combat and training.
"Well, I'm going to talk to Miya-dono, we can talk later kay!." Ahiko said jumping up from her spot walking to the sliding door, Hari cheered in approval following after her. Ryu sighed quietly as he watched the two retreat, he turned his attention to the only Sekirei remaining in the room. Uzume and Yomi.
"Uzume..." Ryu said ripping out a piece of notebook paper, handing it to her. "Last time, it wasn't your day. It was Chiho-kun's and though I under the sentiment it was supposed to be your day." Ryu said with a calm gaze as he stared into her brown orbs. Uzume looked at him grinning slightly as she took the piece of paper in one hand while standing up. "Do I need to write it down, need I say?" She asked looking at him with slight curiosity.
He knew what she wanted, it didn't take a rocket scientist to pick up on her undertone. "Yes." Ryu said calmly with a small nod. Uzume looked at him before her irises got twice as big and a too familiar glint in her eyes returned. He gulped mentally feeling nervous, Uzume was something else entirely in the bed. With a nod Uzume left sliding the door shut. She breathed in relief, she wasn't found out. Her best friend wasn't found out, she was doing good. But it was just getting too dangerous now, Ryu was suspicious and that only meant Matsu was suspicious.
"Yomi?"
"Yes, Ryu-kun?" She asked.
"You do the same as Uzume-chan." Ryu instructed remembering how their night was supposed to go, and how it did go.
"I'd like to make you dinner, and eat with you. Alone." Yomi said a second after his first statement. She was the only one besides Yashima who had yet to go the whole nine yards with Ryu and though she didn't mind the small Sekirei. She wouldn't hesitate to shove it in her face or the others.
She wanted to do more of those... Things with Ryu too. Now it was her turn, and she wouldn't let any of them say anything that wasn't as such.
Ryu nodded, smiling softly. He had an idea of how this dinner would be, but he didn't press any further. He didn't want to risk flustering Nanaha, she was finally opening up. He didn't want her clamming back up into her shell. And a nice cooked meal always hit the spot. "That sounds fine." Ryu said with a small nod. Yomi only smiled in response before her eyes softened.
"Are you tired?"
"Yes, yes." Ryu said slowly, he was tired, and his head hurt. This meeting was a lot more stressful and intense than it needed to be. Damn it! He screamed mentally anger bubbling through him for a moment. If it wasn't for Yashima and Toyotama's nonsense he would've never forgotten the original purpose of this meeting. "Are you leaving?" He asked he wasn't sure how to word it, so he just remained blunt as usual.
Nanaha nodded, she stood up giving a curtsy. "Yeah I'm going to talk wit Ahiko-chan and Miya-san." She introduced herself formally for the first time sounding proud and confident in her title.
"All right." Ryu said with a light smile. He stood up from the futon walking over to the sliding door. "I better be going before Toyotama and her kill each other or Yashima cries again..." Ryu rolled his eyes, the little Sekirei spent most of her time crying, but not lately. Which he was grateful for, but he had a feeling those pent up tears were being released right now. She just couldn't keep her mouth shut, she was so childish.
"Good idea. If you need me you know where to find me." She informed him as she gave another curtsy leaving the room with a small smile on her face. She wrapped her arms around herself, she knew she just had to be patient. Ryu never forgot about her like she thought at first, no he made time for all of them equally so, but she didn't care about them. All that mattered was that she had her date with Ryu. A date... She sighed happily as images flashed through her mind.
With this whole mess now squared away. Ryu exited the room heading down hall and towards the main foyer until he got to a stair set. He quickly ascended the stairs heading down the hall until he heard the sound of sniveling, sniffling, and crying. With a long, heavy, drawn out sigh he mentally prepared himself for the headache on the other side of the door. This could've been all avoided if Yashima kept her mouth shut. No instead she had to open it, as usual, and it caused unnecessary drama amongst them. He didn't bother to knock as she slid the door open staring at Yashima trembling in the corner of the room with tears running down her cheeks.
She remembered a stern warning from Ryu about any crying on his futon, clothes, or anything that belonged to him. They got soaked, and stained with boogers and snot. Which pissed him off, very bad, so she opted to sit in the corner and cry her eyes out. She was only trying to help, it was dangerous to go out and fight these Sekirei.
That didn't make her a coward, a runt, or a cry baby. She wiped some tears away but those were quickly replaced by fresh ones. Toyotama was right she was a little cry baby, she was crying right now and she started it. She looked up sensing a shadow looming over, shame instantly washed over her as she seen Ryu staring at her with no emotion on his face. There was nothing on his face that said he recognized her.
"P-Please forgive me..." She said wiping the rest of her tears away before taking a shuddering breath. "I was just-"
"Yashima... Just..Stop..." Ryu said with a long sigh shaking his head. He didn't have the time or energy to deal with this. He didn't want to deal with her crying. Deal with her sniveling. Deal with this obsessive nature she showed more and more every day. She chimed in, shot back at Toyotama, if she is going to cry when she gets snapped on right after he can't get mad at Toyotama. The blame is on Yashima, herself nobody else. "Look, I'm tired so I'll keep this short." Yashima nodded meekly still trying compose herself and failing miserably. "Don't dish it out if you can't take it. You don't respond to Toyotama next time at all for any reasons."
"But. Ryu, please I-I-"
"Shut up! Don't cut me off!" Ryu said harshly slamming his fist on the floor. Yashima nodded her head meekly, her eyes burned with fresh tears and she made no move to wipe them. "Don't say a peep next time. Now if you're going to sit here and cry because of a stupid choice you made." Ryu said with slight exhaustion, Yashima was a hot mess and really pissing him off, he had to worry about a rogue Sekirei killing others for no reason. "You're not an infant, I don't pick sides. Keep your mouth closed and it'll be avoided.
Toyotama didn't mind arguing she could trade hostility back and forth, if Yashima didn't know that she was just stupid, and if she knew she was stupid for taking it that far. "Now, if you're going sit here and cry more get the fuck out of here and go to your room and ball your eyes out." Ryu said. Yashima was taken a back by how cold his voice was, he made her sound like a pest. The worse thing that ever happened to him.
But he was right. She mouthed off, she was at fault here. She should have just stayed quiet the entire time like a good Sekirei would, and not mention the obvious of course there was danger. She shouldn't have responded to Toyotama, she knew she couldn't handle insults and arguing, she burst into tears every time. It was her fault, all her fault. Ryu watched her walk towards him, she wanted to burst into a waterfall but held herself together pretty well. "I'm sorry please forgive me and don't p-punish me, I-I'll be downstairs." She said with a saddened voice trotting out of the room and down the hall.
"Shut up." The black haired man sighed rubbing a hand through his hair. He didn't feel bad about how he handled the situation. Toyotama had no reservations about tearing pieces from his or his Sekireis' hides. Yashima should've known better, she did know better and that's what made him even madder about the entire situation. With Yashima now gone and taken care of he made his way to the bath house stepping into the changing room. He looked in the baskets spotting Toyotama's half top that showed off her perfectly toned stomach. He slowly stripped down to nothing folding his clothes and setting them in a basket.
He didn't know how long this was going to take, this talk with Toyotama. He braced himself for a punch to the stomach or the top of his head. He was sure she wouldn't go after his children, he hoped not. That was an unpleasant thought no matter how he looked at it. He seen enough weird things on the internet, people got off on something like that, how he'd never know. He didn't want to know. He slid the door open to the bathhouse unable to see anything but guzzling steam, he unconsciously wiped the sweat from his brow. This is hot! He thought shutting the door so he had privacy.
"Come here to scold me?" Toyotama asked from the bathtub. Ryu looked around through the steam, the first thing he spotted was her ample breasts and her arms resting against the frame. He struggled to life his eyes, but she made no attempt to cover herself up in the least. He walked to the tub plopping down across the green haired woman with a blank expression. "She had it coming..."
"What good would that do? You'd hit me or wouldn't listen." Ryu said rolling his eyes.
"You know me so well." Toyotama said with a light laugh. "Then, why did you come up here, if not to scold me. Then why?" She asked spreading her legs further to make herself comfortable. She didn't care to hear what reasons Ryu had for not making Yashima cry, the little runt had it coming. Opening up her mouth one too many times. One time okay, twice was pushing the envelope but it was well passed three times, she had it coming especially after she made it clear with that stupid little wench long before about her pitiful behavior and act. Looks like she'd be revisiting her tonight or tomorrow.
"I don't know." He shrugged, sighing. "I guess I wanted to talk to you in private about what happened." He said offering a reason, that was the actual reason he had them go into different rooms. A splash of water sounded as Toyotama started to close the distance.
"This isn't talking." Ryu said through clenched teeth and narrowed eyes.
"I know." Toyotama said with a smirk on her face as she straddled him, seating herself between his legs. "You wanted to talk, not me. I let my actions speak." She said with a slight cocky tone to her voice. He fought back the urge to scowl as all the blood rushed between his legs. "I've always been a hands on, practical kind of girl."
"Eh!" Toyotama squeaked in surprise feeling him poke her right at the entrance of her pink lips. She quickly smirked again grabbing a firm hold of his shaft. "I see, you're all finished talking too." She said in a quiet voice looking at his manhood swell until it was as hard as a rock. "I am too! Take me!" She said before diving forward crashing her lips with Ryu's in a passionate kiss.
"Toyo-" Ryu was cut short as she shoved her tongue into his mouth, it danced with Ryu's as she got a good taste of her Ashikabi, deepening the kiss she pressed her hands onto his shoulders pushing him down further in the water. She didn't care about Miya's rules or if they were in the bath, she wanted this. She wanted Ryu, wanted him inside of her joined as one. Ryu muffled protests for five minutes until he deepened the kiss wrapping his arms around Toyotama's slim waist pulling her close to him. "Toyotama..." He said huskily.
"I don't want to talk." She slightly whined in a breathless manner getting into a rhythm with her hand.
"I'm going to..." Ryu said with a hard voice in a split second Ryu changed their positions, now he was on top. Toyotama let out a yelp of surprise as she felt her entire body submerge except her head. She grinned in a seductive manner rocking her hips violently. Now I have you alllllll to myself!
"Take me." Toyotama breathed roughly.
The sun reached its highest peak as Karei stood silently on a building across the street from a rundown bookstore and several shops. Her tight fitting suit brushed the air passed it as it there was a force field, her long hair blew gently in the afternoon breeze. Her eyes were filled with anger, remorse, and sadness as she hardened her resolve for what was to come.
She told Kakizaki her decision yesterday. She waited for as long as she could to give the answer; it had been a few week since she had been given the ultimatum. It wasn't a decision she came to easily, and she didn't take it lightly. She knew what he decision would be if she hadn't been able to find a way to save Chiho on her own. She simply stalled for time and looked for alternative methods.
She found none of the sort.
Due to her long and bad history with them. MBI was out of the question and she didn't know of anyone or any institution that had anywhere near the level of advanced technology required to save Chiho. She entertained the idea of speaking with Ryu for a bit. But, as amazing and interesting as her friend's Ashikabi was; his specialty didn't lie in health and medicine.
And if Ryu started to move differently because of something she or Uzume said, she had no doubt Higa would act instantly and punish her. She'd be lucky if he didn't outright kill Chiho, especially after this recent turn of events.
That was at least one piece of good news. She couldn't help but grin when she found out what happened during Ryu's operation. Apparently Higa had flown into a rage, twice when he had heard. She didn't know what happened, fom the sound of it Higa didn't either with one incident, but what they did know was that Ryu was alive, and all those had been part of the operation in the south were all dead.
The grin hadn't last long when she realized what it meant for her. After Higa found out what happened with both of those incidents he called to give her an ultimatum. If she failed to terminate Ryu's Sekirei, and the Sekirei recently handed to her. They wouldn't just throw Chiho out on the street, but they'd kill her.
To make matters worse Higa added Uzume to the list of Sekirei she was supposed to terminate.
He couldn't go after Ryu personally because all it would take is a thorough examining of the machines and alarm bells would go off shortly after. Higa had been forced to quietly cover that incident up.
And now she was waiting for Haruka's Sekirei Kuno to leave the alley she was in with him. They had been there for most of the night and morning But Karei knew they had to come out soon. The sun would obscure all shadows and they'd be forced to leave.
Then Karei would terminate her with ruthless precision, she was one of the few Sekirei that were on par with the single numbers, and she had a special adjuster.