YoloZapper: Thanks man. And I hope you do too, thanks for reading.

Ryu inhaled deeply through his nostrils, the air was particularly crisp today it was refreshing. He glanced from side to side as Ahiko and him made their way back to the Inn. He was surprised that there was no one on the street, no bustling pedestrians going in and out of shops or nearby restaurants, no road rage and a dictionary of obscenities being thrown around and revised it was peaceful... But it was all a beautiful deception for those that knew anything about the Sekirei game not to mention that rogue Sekirei.

"It's such a nice day." Ahiko said with a wistful tone as she stared upwards. "The sky is so blue today, there's not a cloud in sight." Her voice got soft and thoughtful, like she was admiring the scenery, not too many people actually bothered to look to the sky. Between being on their cell phones and mechanically moving from point to point they paid no attention to the subtle, most basic things in life, a bomb could be dropped and they'd still bustle about in their daily routines. But, Ahiko was anything but that, she was different, even by Sekirei standards; she was keen on her modesty, didn't advance on him like the others did namely Uzume, Matsu, Toyotama, and she wasn't temperamental, yes she had a temper but rarely if ever got mad. The world is a strange place, he noted.

"It is." Ryu responded squinting his eyes as he looked u admiring nature's beauty. "It's nice to have good company."

Ahiko giggled with a hint of a blush, "you flatter me so Ryu-kun. You have all of these Sekirei, I'm sure they make better company, some." She said somewhat hesitant feeling a pang in her chest but suppressed the feeling. She wasn't jealous, she didn't get jealous they were winged by him before she was and it wasn't right for her to hog him all to herself even if she wanted to on principle alone she couldn't go through with it. For a few reasons one being what was just mentioned, the next his Sekirei aside from Uzume and Yomi seemed to be very emotional and the last thing she wanted was to start a fight.

Ryu looked at her for a long moment, feeling a knot in his stomach that started from his chest. He was more adept in filtering the emotions of his Sekirei and could block them if he wanted to, but chose not to. But he didn't need a link to feel something in Ahiko's tone it was subtle and fleeting, accepting. Accepting of something she couldn't change, that she didn't want to change. He had a few ideas of what this was, but, she was his first friend that counted for so much she was there since the beginning. "Ahiko..." He sighed softly.

"I don't mind sharing." She shrugged a shoulder not meeting his eyes. "From what I know that's something that can't be helped. Since there's this bond between us, and them." It was a subject that Ahiko tried to avoid it gave her a headache just thinking about it. How it sounded was like an invasion of your mind, you felt the other's emotions, could read their thoughts, and much other things although the former could be a stretch, but she wanted her privacy. Nobody should have access to all of your feelings and things like that. Some things were just private. She gasped quietly as Ryu brought her close carefully maneuvering his bags as he did, she swallowed slowly feeling her heart thunder in her chest, each beat growing until it felt like it lodged in her windpipe. She brought herself closer without thinking inhaling his scent. "Ryu." Her voice a whisper.

"Regardless of anything," Ryu started in a soft, reassuring tone. "You'll always have the largest piece of my heart." He took her lips in a kiss, Ahiko's eyes widened she was about to fight him off, but her body melted into his, he nibbled on her lips and she opened her mouth allowing him entrance to dance with her tongue. As fast as it started, they stopped holding their lips for a few long seconds until breaking contact.

"We're in public." She said breathlessly but didn't sound mad.

Ryu gave a small shrug. "I can kiss you anytime I want." He smirked cheekily, Ahiko couldn't help but retort.

"So you are a lecherous beast. Miya-dono warned me about you and your beastly ways." Ahiko said with a laugh seeing Ryu scowl at that.

Of all the... Ryu thought recalling their late nights. "But, do you really mean that?" Ahiko asked quietly as they continued to walk, sounding ashamed for questioning him.

"Of course," Ryu said without any hesitation . "I love all of my Sekirei despite their quirks and faults, but you will always have the largest part of my heart, regardless of how things go you're mine." Ahiko smiled slightly but caught a hint of possessiveness in Ryu's tone, it wasn't like him to stake a claim he was usually quiet about it.

"Is that right?" She challenged.

"I'm the dominant one." He retorted without missing a beat the blank expectant expression on his face was never something she got used to. Like he knew he was right.

"Well, I've got a lot stronger mister." She wagged her finger at him. "I bet I can take you in a wrestling match."

"You're on." Ryu smirked smugly.

"Matsu..." Ryu groaned as he stared at the perverted Sekirei impatience radiating off of his aura. "Now is not the time I'm not in the mood." He sighed throwing himself on his futon letting out a soft grumble. No he didn't have time or the energy to fend off another one of her sexual attacks normally he'd indulge the both of them but that was before she had Minato in her room, to make things worse Tsukiumi stomped into Matsu's room every time she couldn't find Musubi or Minato, it was another one of those times just a few minutes ago, how could Minato, hell anyone deal with Tsukiumi?

He would rather have Ahiko fluster him in her subtle way then deal with this, what the hell was Matsu thinking helping Minato. In all brutal truth he was a runt and couldn't even handle his Sekirei, one that was an airhead, the other a possessive temper prone blonde and the last one a child! A kid! It was sickening that Minato kissed her, regardless of who's Sekirei she was Ryu would never kiss that little girl he had enough decency not to even let the thought enter his head but Minato did it, the creep. It didn't help his mood at all knowing there was some killer prowling the streets that wasn't Karasuba, though he'd never view her as such regardless of what the others thought and said he seen a different side of Karasuba.

"Ryu-tan!" Matsu furrowed her brows closing the door to his room, not losing the sour look on her face as she sauntered over to his side not sitting down. She huffed quietly she hated when Ryu got like this distant and avoided everything whether it was good or bad for him, she could sympathize with him on account it was just another one of her attacks but it was serious. "I'm not kidding! Come to my room!"

"On so many levels does that sound suggestive." Ryu said dryly sitting himself up rubbing his ripped stomach that was on full display, sighing her raked a hand through his hair locking eyes with her. "I swear if this is another one of your perverted schemes I'm going to hang you upside down by your ankles." He glared lightly as he stood up walking towards his closet to get a shirt, Matsu sounded serious and she rarely held that tone often unless it was dire. Maybe she had a lead on this killer that was stalking the city? "Where are the others?" He asked absently.

Now I wouldn't mind that one bit... Matsu said mentally keeping the giggle that so badly wanted to escape her lips down. "They're all doing their own thing, but Uzume, Kazehana, and Karei left a few minutes after you did." Matsu replied curtly leaning her back against the door and folding her arms under her breasts. "I think Ahiko and Hari are watching TV in their room, and Toyotama is out back sparring with Nanaha and Yomi.." She hummed lightly moving her head from side to side, "that's about right."

"Mmm I see." Ryu nodded, Matsu was a clever one of course she came when he was alone and half naked. The thought of her waiting for his other Sekirei to leave the bath house when she winged him came back full force it wasn't until afterwards he found out she was watching him from her room. That was more than creepy one more than one level, and it was worse when she got caught sneaking into Minato's room that was mildly irritating why would she go anywhere near him?

"You know it is soooo rude to keep a woman waiting Ryu-tan." Matsu scolded frowning cutely as her cheeks puffed out.

"Bite me." He retorted smartly opening the door, extending his arm forward for Matsu to lead the way. With a 'humph' she exited the room keeping her nose up.

I think I will bite you in more places than one... You asked for it now... Matsu clapped her hands together smiling widely as she looked back at her Ashikabi, he looked slightly disheveled his hair more wild than usual. "I know you'll appreciate this Ryu-tan." Matsu said knowingly.

"This must be really important." All signs of annoyance draining away from Ryu replaced with curiosity and seriousness as he entered her glowing room, computer screens in every corner and place as far as he could see, how in the world did she sleep with all of these lights on twenty four seven? It'd drive him crazy and lead him to shut the entire thing down, luckily he always had Matsu to cover up that light whenever she'd straddle him. He watched Matsu saunter across the futon plopping down in front of her keyboard.

"Matsu?"

"Yes?"

"When did you get those boots? What happened to your shoes?" Ryu asked, he didn't notice until now just how the hell did she walk in those things.

"Oh, well I changed my outfit a few days ago, like the improvements?" She looked back at him with a coy smile wagging her eyebrows suggestively.

"They do fit you." He nodded slightly in agreement, but then again he had no fashion sense according to Hari, Uzume, hell even Miya joked about it. But he didn't see what was wrong with his kimonos they were baggy and comfortable he could move easily in them, who wore a suit anyways? Seriously..

"Why thank you." Matsu said sincerely flashing her fingers over the keyboard. "I'll wear them just for you," she didn't turn around to regard him, she kept her eyes forward scanning entire maps of the city all moving in a flash of colors and blur of screens opening and closing. Ryu wondered how she could take in the information that fast of course she was number two and the Wisdom Sekirei, or as Miya called her the Shameless Sekirei which was true she was absolutely shameless, anyways back to the point he didn't know how. Even a tech nerd would have a hard time processing everything she did, and it was on a secondly basis with Matsu, he'd be dizzy and his eyes would hurt after two minutes of doing this.

"Matsu.. You're really incredible." He said softly glancing at the futon as he pondered more.

"Thank you Ryu-tan.." Matsu paused when she didn't hear a response, turning her head to the left looking at him for a moment, his eyes seemed to haze over and his body was rigid a worried look overcame her soft features, she stopped typing for a moment resting both hands on his shoulders shaking him lightly. "Ryu-tan!"

"Oh!" Ryu jolted meeting her orange-brown eyes behind those spectacles. "My bad I was just thinking.." He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

His shoulders are tight... Matsu noted mentally as she subtly gave them a squeeze. "What were you thinking about?"

"I'm always ready for the worse to happen and when it does I get there too late or I don't even know who the hell is the reason behind the scene in the first place." He replied shaking his head a few times before massaging his temples closing his eyes, the computer light suddenly getting to him. "I rushed out for no reason, sure I love a good fight but still..." He opened his eyes flashing a dangerous black reverting back to the soft violet a second later too fast for Matsu to notice, "something is wrong I know there is. Somebody is hiding something from me."

Ryu-tan... Matsu's eyes softened she didn't say anything, this was a moment of weakness something he never showed; something he had strongly in common with Miya. Both of them were level headed and composed at all times even when they were mad they seemed to have a degree of control, it was cold anger unlike a hot temper like Toyotama and many other Sekirei. "You know," she spoke up breaking the not so awkward silence between them as she began to knead his shoulders expertly. "I would say let me help you release some of that stress, but like you said before not the time or place." She sighed softly, she really wanted to experiment on him Ryu was a specimen her specimen and she wanted to explore many things with him, they were just getting started. "So instead let me take care of you." Her voice was soft almost motherly.

"What do you mean?" Ryu asked the last thing he wanted was his Sekirei taking care of him when it should be the opposite.

She patted her lap gently. "Come and rest." She tugged him gently, leading him down and gently bringing her fingers through his hair massaging his temples. Ryu was about to resist but gave in quickly as his body literally melted under her touch, this wasn't their steamy and kinky love making sessions it was more serene, and he may be an idiot for thinking it but this seemed more intimate. There was something that felt right being in her lap, her massaging his shoulders and neck, his heart pulled for a moment before the feeling passed replaced by lightness. Matsu smiled as she watched his eyes dim, his breathing slow down and the occasional grunt escaping his lips as his stiff neck cracked when she moved it to the side, she leaned down giving him a kiss on the forehead. "I love you so much Ryu-tan, let Matsu-tan take care of you. For now just relax.." She whispered raking her hands through his hair grabbing a handful at a time marveling at how thick it was.

"So..." He drawled opening his eyes locking them with her's. "What's going on? Fill me in."

Sighing softly Matsu nodded her head reluctantly. She did bring him here to explain some things to him, but he just looked so stressed and deep in thought she couldn't help but massage him and stroke his hair. But that was Ryu he didn't lose focus once he pinpointed it on something, which was good most of the time but at times like this not so much. "Well there'a few, which one do you want me to start with?" She asked smoothing out his bangs with her hand.

"The most important." Ryu said looking up into her eyes again, "let's start there."

"Well..." Matsu hummed a tune to herself. "The rogue Sekirei that's been hunting down others seems to have a partner. I'm still not entirely sure who it is or who it could be, I need to collect more data before I come up with an indefinite answer." Her eyes narrowed a bit, I hope for Uzume's sake she quits while she's ahead. I know Ryu's kind but this has him really wound up, she is going to need a hail mary if this blows up in her face. Matsu wanted to tell him about the blood she found on Uzume's pants but opted not to, it may have been wrong but she couldn't bring herself to do it. It wasn't her place to do so, Uzume needed to tell him she should have told him from the beginning but too late for that she was in a dangerous game.

"That's comforting." Ryu said allowing a small smle to grace his tired face. "You never fail to amaze me, Matsu. I won't have to worry about that so much anymore."

Giggling she waved off his compliment, "now now wait until I'm finished to shower me with compliments and kisses Ryu-tan." She laughed seeing his eyebrows knit together for a moment before the relaxed again, "also I think it's safe to tell you now... The third round will begin soon, there will be a lot more fighting and things could get really messy." She thought about Higa first and foremost that bastard would go to any length to get what he wanted whether he had to kill and infant or an elder it was all in just for his own gain, and then there was Hayato of the south but he wasn't that much of a worry he was more of a pompous spoiled brat than anything. Finally there was that laughable poser Sanada in the west he wasn't anything to worry about it.

"That's when that moron Minaka pits me against two more people and I can only take two to three Sekirei with me?" Ryu asked, better to be sure.

"correct!" Matsu beamed patting him on the head playfully. "Also there's something that'a wee bit important but not so much that it will effect us in the long or short run."

"What is it?"

"Well... You see you've managed to wing yourself a lot of Sekirei." She laughed seeing Ryu look uncomfortable, it was never his intention to wing so many Sekirei. He never wanted to wing one but Uzume basically pounced on him and well things followed afterwards at a break neck pace, looking back on it now though he wished he wasn't so headstrong in certain situations a lot could have been avoided. "As you know for now Maison Izumo can house you, your Sekirei, Minato, and his Sekirei," getting a nod of affirmation she continued, "I don't know if you intend to wing more, but this place will be getting a little crammed so..." She played with her fingers feeling slightly guilty of mentioning Minato she noticed Ryu bristle at the mentioning of him, but that was partly her fault inviting the ronin into her room.

"So we need a new place to stay?" He sighed softly, finding a house was going to be a pain not to mention a fridge large enough to store food. "I seen this coming before, it's my fault for not acting sooner. I'll get on that right away, besides I think Miya was going to bring it up in the near future." He shrugged once, Miya enjoyed cooking for the group and everything that came along with it, but even she could admit when she was running low and she was tired of Ryu paying for all of their rent including Minato's it was ridiculous as she put it for him to pay, but he was more than happy to do it but Miya wasn't going to have it for much longer.

"Now hold it." Matsu scolded as she pressed down on Ryu's shoulder bringing him back down into her lap. "Now you have to shower me with compliments and kisses." She raced her hands through his hair rapidly giving him a disheveled appearance and earning a grunt from him as he sat up looking at her with a scowl.

"Matsu!" He said voice laced with annoyance.

"I want my kisses!" She said with a steely voice knitting her brows together, frowning didn't suit Matsu at all. The two clashed with their eyes neither willing to budge, Ryu broke the contest first sighing quietly, well he couldn't diagree that he needed a release but now was not the time. He needed to find a home that wasn't his base for his Sekirei. How in the hell was he going to deal with them, Miya had rules that she enforced with strict eyes she never miss anything, and that kept all of his Sekirei in line. but he wasn't like Miya in that sense, and dealing with a moody Yashima or angry Toyotama was more and more unappealing maybe he'd leave those two behind.

"I need to get this done." He retorted as he left. Besides he had a match to get to.

Minato looked at the young man across from him pensively, Haruka someone that he could relate with wanted his help. His help to escape the capital as far as he knew it wasn't possible, as Matsu put it they took over the city to make it into a battleground if they wield that much power what chance did he have? And there was the Discipline Squad and they sounded every bit as terrifying as he could imagine, but thankfully he had never encountered them face to face.

"So, I was thinking." Minato spoke up after a long moment, taking a sip of his tea. Haruka and Kuno looked at him with interest both of their expressions varying, Minato didn't need to turn to his side to see Musubi staring at him a small smile on her face, well he couldn't deny he absolutely adored her and that smile. What if he had said no, she'd be gloomy and miserable not such a good combination considering who it was. "It might be a good idea for you two to pack up and move out of here." Minato winced visibly as the words left his mouth before he could even form a thought, this could go terribly wrong without Miya's permission, he didn't want to see that mask or an angry Miya.

But he was sure that she'd let him stay for the day at least. After all she did say she never turned someone away in need.

"What?" Haruka seemed genuinely confused. "Why?"

Minato, for a moment was surprised at his reaction. Even he could see the benefit, no the need to move out of here a bit belated in his case. He was clueless still, but even he wasn't as careless as Haruka. "You're planning on escaping so there's really not much for you here," Minato offered with an easy smile, "And more importantly you're not supposed to have a girl here, and you're just waiting to be kicked out."

"Minato-san is right." Musubi agreed with a nod of her head.

Haruka looked between the two of them, sighing mentally did he really have to move out of here? He had a good deal, except the landlord was just a pain in the ass, but the amount he had to pay he supposed made up for it, and Kuno was safe here and that's all that mattered when it boiled down in the end. He glanced at her seeing the still gloom expression in her eyes as usual, he shook his head heaving a sigh why was she always like this? Musubi was just... Different. Well, if it avoided running into that white haired demon for the moment then he'd do it. "All right, I have quite a bit this may take a while to pack." He said a bit sheepishly.

Minato nodded his head once. "Okay."

"Sorry Yomi, but you're not winning." Toyotama said as she brought her right foot back gripping her staff tighter.

"We'll see about that," Yomi said with a frown. "I am sitting with Ryu tonight at dinner!"

Toyotama didn't respond verbally instead she pushed off of the ground closing the distance between the two, her staff cracked through the air, Yomi nimbly ducked over the weapon a loud 'whooosh' snapping her hair in every direction. She swung her scythe up and to the side, Toyotama grunted forced to flip up and back dodging the swipe. The two of them clashed in a blur of motion Toyotama jabbing and swinging her staff in an elaborate manner pushing Yomi to stay on the defensive, Yomi continued to dodge swiftly using her scythe to parry and redirect the crushing blows, they continued their break neck speed not willing to give the other an inch.

Nanaha watched with slightly narrowed eyes seeing the blades of wind from Yomi's scythe cutting too close. "Be careful!" She shouted so they could hear her over their clash. She didn't want to see Miya that mad again, when she, Toyotama and Yashima took out a portion of her gate in their battle to sit next to Ryu at dinner needless to say she was punished, those gut shots with Miya's hilt hurt like hell. Nanaha glanced to her side looking for the short Sekirei but Yashima wasn't present, she sighed standing up and entering the Inn. Normally Yashima would be outside with her despite their rivalry, unless it finally got under her skin which would be funnier than anything.

"Nanaha," Ryu's voice halted her in mid step, she turned around with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes?"

"If you're not too busy, I'd like you to tell the others I need to talk to them later." He wasn't sure how this was going to go and it annoyed him to some degree. Last time Toyotama and Yashima were at each other's throats for what reason he wasn't sure. They always fought over something Yashima was too emotional and Toyotama was too abrasive at times the two elements just didn't mix it was like oil and water. He wasn't going to be a mediator or play referee while his Sekirei had a spat or fight, depending on which variant was better suited for the situation, of course Miya and Matsu wouldn't be at this meeting since they already knew.

"I can do that." Nanaha replied. "But what for?"

"I'll tell you and the others later. I have a few things to do so I'll be in the living room or my room if you need me."