Haihane sighed with something keen to relief, or relaxation as she lounged her back against the cement pillar. They barely beat the rush of people, in fact just barely, if it wasn't for Koto and Benitsubasa pushing people out of the way, the former quite literally they'd be among the people still crowding in. She hated lines, hated being clogged down like those lines of people were, so for once she was thankful for Benitsubasa's quick temper and heavy hands. Karasuba had yet to be seen, although she and her team mates had a good idea where the Black Sekirei was, somewhere below waiting for her opponents. "Where's Kara-sama?" Benitsubasa voiced her thoughts.

Luna crossed one leg over the other the other, leaning back on her hands, her arms supporting her weight. She too was wondering where her leader was at the moment, normally they were close together varying from a few feet to just a couple city blocks, aside from their missions they had to take to silence some loudmouth. She could never understand why those people just wouldn't or couldn't shut up, sure MBI were jackasses pushing everyone around the way they did, but lashing out wasn't smart. After the first few deaths something should have clicked, but they only got worse, she herself had killed about thirty loud mouth politicians. She pushed the thought away, she never did enjoy killing, despite her train of thought she smiled. "You know Kara-sama, always poised."

"She's probably down there somewhere waiting for her match to begin. All of the people from before are almost in here again." Haihane replied as she observed her surroundings, "and the ring is fixed from Beni's little episode earlier. So I'd say we've got a good five to ten minutes." If she were competing she'd be down there at the moment, eagerly awaiting her time to enter the cage, and the added bonus of pissing off Benitsubasa royally. She frowned, she really should have joined, it would be a good chance. But, she couldn't leave Luna by herself all the way up here, even though she could take care of herself.

"Probably." Koto remarked as he slouched his arm over his knee, leaning forward with a calm expression. He liked it up here, there were few people, and they had a great view of the entire place from the crowds of spectators, the fighters participating, and every entrance and exit. It was a great lookout to look for the more subtle things, if things were to go wrong, but in this place, where anything was free game he didn't need to worry about that. Karasuba was down there, somewhere, he could feel her presence, but could also feel thousands of others right next to her's. His eyes scanned the crowds below, searching for that wild haired man, and he spotted him secluded in a corner with his arms folded and eyes closed, but it was him. "I miles well kiss my time goodbye," he said with a loud sigh, "Karasuba is going to wreck whoever gets in that ring with her."

"Now, now." Luna said patting his shoulder. "You know, you could have the best time-even if Kara-sama is also competing." She said with a smile, the same smile he seen the first day he met her. He noticed, as he looked at her light hair falling over her cheeks, those big round eyes, that soft, velvet skin, and rosy lips perked up, that she smiled a lot. He didn't smile so much. A part of him welled up with heat, that smile, so simple and yet it always put him at ease, made him smile back. "And don't forget you or Benitsubasa may fight her as well. Now, that should be entertaining!" She said excitedly covering her mouth with her sleeved hands.

"You said it girl!" Haihane said in agreement. "These fights are funny to watch at times, but so predictable." She sighed softly lowering her head for a moment before picking it up. "You two better not lose! Me and Luna want to see a good fight, not just some sloppy punching crap! Wait, what did you call it again?" Haihane looked at Luna with a raised eyebrow.

"Haymaker." Luna responded.

"Yeah, we don't want to see haymakers!" Haihane said grinning for a moment before a small frown graced her face. "Haymaker? Wait, that sounds dumb what does a punch have to do with hay?"

"I don't know." Luna shrugged. "It's what humans call it."

"God, you're stupid." Benitsubasa said with an obnoxious sigh, even she knew what a haymaker was. She seen her fair share of human fights, they were amusing at best. Watching these retched monkeys fight among themselves proved to be hours of entertainment. It wasn't enough that Minaka put every Sekirei in a course to learn about humans and everything associated with them. But, some things Benitsubasa could have went on without learning, she loved her Ashikabi with all of her heart and soul, but his species committed terrible crimes against each other, against her fellow sisters. Savages she called them, bloodthirsty savages. "It's basically a really, really, really hard punch that the person just throws. It has nothing to do with hay, and if you don't shut up I'm going to give you a haymaker!"

"But you didn't answer my question!" Haihane whined. "What does hay have to do with it."

"Claws!"

"Okay that's enough you two." Koto said with a soft sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Haihane, hay has nothing to do with it. I don't know why they'd call a punch by such a superfluous name." He answered the question that seemed to really spark Haihane's curiosity, but of course it aggravated Benitsubasa to no end and she went through the trouble of trying to explain only for Haihane to ask the question again. "Beni, you need to cool off. Now. I and Karasuba have repeatedly told you about that short, oh so very short fuse of yours. We don't need our cover blown because you punch this entire place into the ground."

"Oh, thanks!" Haihane said in a chipper tone, looking at him with a smile. "But, I still don't get it."

"Be quiet!" Benitsubasa said with a frown. "I am not explaining again, and neither is Koto."

Luna stopped herself from back washing in her bottle of juice. Carefully she removed her lips from her drink, looking back at Haihane with a raised eyebrow. A look of disbelief framing her face, to which Haihane simply shrugged at. Haihane was on a roll, first bringing up her sleep attire, then flirting with her it seemed, and now she was being literal with Benitsubasa who would more often say things just to say things and not bother explaining. Oh wow... She laughed quietly, sometimes they were just too much. "Hey, I think the match is going to start soon." She said, gaining their attention, she blushed for a moment not used to being stared at so intently. She cleared her throat gently, gesturing at the opening to the ring. "That announcer guy is going back in there with that microphone."

"About time." Benitsubasa said with a small frown. "Sure took his sweet time."

"Maybe he was hungry too." Haihane remarked.

Koto resisted the urge to make a comment, it was sure to put those two into a tailspin and Luna would need to be the barrier between them. Something she didn't want to do what so ever as long as she was alive, she normally just let them fight. If they were that adamant who was she to get between them and stop them, that's what she always thought at least. So Koto took up the task, and it was an hourly task sometimes they weren't so bad, but like in their lounge when things got out of hand he wouldn't bother with it. "Ladies and gents! The long wait is over, I hope you all visited the betting windows and refreshment area, without any more delay our next match shall get under way!" It was like a shock wave, the crowds of people roared in anticipation the sound reverberating off of the walls as far as up as the were shaking them.

"That guys knows how to rile a crowd up." Luna commented, leaning forward, resting her elbows on her knees and resting her face in her hands. "This should be good there's two or three more matches, including Kara-sama's then it's onto the finals.. Or whatever it is they call it." She blinked a few times, her confusion evident, there was no system along those lines just the elimination, and then there was the final two matches between the four combatants that made it to the end, then the two who won that would go onto the last match. Most of the early matches flew by as she seen, but today the last ones were sure to be quite the show.

"Karasuba would you please make your way to the ring. And, Ajo, Juo, Niko, Suke, Inshi, Sugo, and Gakura please make your way to the ring!" The announcer yelled into his microphone smirking as he heard the crowd explode once again.

Haihane whistled. "Talk about stacking odds. How many are there? Six?"

"Seven." Koto corrected.

"Guess they're pulling out the stops." Luna said with her own whistle.

"This should be good." Benitsubasa said with a smirk.

"Ahiko?" Ryu called from the door, awkwardly so as he leaned against the wall, putting an ear to it. "Are you okay you've been in there for a while?" He waited for an answer. By now he could feel the effects of the sake, thank Kami they weren't at a bar, like Uzume originally planned so long ago. He was sure he'd be cruising through beers and shots like there was no tomorrow.

"Yeah!" Was her cheerful and slurred response, the doorknob twisted, and Ryu backed up. The movement causing another dizzy spell and he backed up into the opposite wall staring ahead. "Sorry about that." Ahiko said sheepishly as she walked to him, wrapping her arms around his torso and nuzzling her head in his chest, it was a show of affection and to help them both balance. Ryu wrapped an arm around her waist tighter than he intended to causing Ahiko to yelp in shock. "Are you trying to rile me up?"

"Ah, no, my bad." He said lamely as the began to head back down towards the party. Everything was going smoothly, perfectly even if he had to say so himself. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to party and indulge in some good sake, he normally strayed from alcohol. He seen the effects it had on people, it could bring out the worse he seen couples fight for no reason at all, just because of a glance. It was foolish. He seen that when he'd skip school, he wasn't sure why he even bothered going to high school, all that was there for him were a bunch of punks waiting to get their face smashed.

"You know I wouldn't stop you if you were." Ahiko said in a slurred fashion, her breasts brushing against his torso. Ryu looked confused for a moment when those words left her mouth, she was drunk, very drunk. Ahiko was more modest and reserved than the others, and though she was submissive and let him be dominant she didn't throw herself at him. That was more of Matsu's territory when she' pounce on him from her room. He avoided that area at certain times of the day. "Where's Tsukiumi and Kagari?" Ahiko's voice roused him from his thoughts, he carefully stepped on the stair, Ahiko copying his motion, and slowly they made their way down.

"I don't know." Ryu said. "Kagari.. He's usually at work for most of the day and night I hardly see him anymore. Every time I asked Miya, she'd say he was sleeping or working." He was concerned at first, Kagari never wronged him in any sense, tried to get him to go back to the Inn when he left so long ago. But that wasn't wrong, he was concerned and probably tired of the gloomy environment he was too mellow to be around all of that gloom. Kagari became more and more evasive, it wasn't noticeable at first, but when he'd skip out on dinner and even breakfast that raised red flags. Maybe it was just him and Musubi but he made sure not to miss a single meal, and Musubi was up and in the dining room first thing in the morning. "And Tsukiumi I have no idea." Nor do I care...

"Asked? And I heard that." Ahiko wasn't on good or bad terms with either of the two. Kagari was chill, laid back, and a cool guy. Obviously she knew he was a Sekirei but never mentioned it, naturally she grew worried when he missed meals. A person, regardless of species had to have a balanced diet otherwise it lead to things each one worse as it progressed. It's start with a lack of appetite, then a fever, then a lack of sleep, then it'd blow up into losing one's strength at the worse moment. Tsukiumi was proud, she had a great sense of pride and honor, Ahiko could relate to her, but she was too pushy, too abrasive. She reminded her of Toyotama to an extent, except the green haired woman wasn't as possessive from what she seen. "Asked as in past tense?"

Ryu didn't sigh, instead he leaned into her finding her adorable at the moment. She was normally logical, but now she was illogical and repeating questions before he could even answer. "Yeah.. I have to make sure some of my Sekirei don't kill each other and rip off each other's heads over the most inane things. Miya said that he was fine just working, I have to wonder how that feels, he's a host and the number one host where he works." Again Matsu entered his thoughts, he remembered the first rule change, he didn't leave her room for an entire day. More over he couldn't Matsu had him pinned down and straddled his hips, desire overrode everything else.

"You get yourself into the strangest situations." Ahiko said with a laugh, letting go of him as they were nearing the door. The noises from the other side could be heard clearly though they were mildly distorted.

"Don't remind me." He recalled his master saying something similar. Speaking of which he had been up to his neck in complete and utter crap and situations that he had little to no time to go into his mind scape. I have to change that. He frowned slightly, he didn't avoid entering it, or hated it because of his master, if he had to be honest he loved him like a father. He was a father, the only role model and parental figure he had for the majority of his life. Guilt hit him from nowhere, was he mad for him not visiting, probably not Ryu burdened him with as he put it 'your constant stupidity.' He pressed the feeling down. "And they reacted to me, what else what was I to do?"

"Tell them no." Ahiko slurred.

"What?" He asked, dumbfounded. Saying no never occurred to him. Probably because the Sekirei placed so much importance on the whole reacting and kiss thing that if he did say no he'd need to deal with a crying girl. And he was never good with situations like that, it was awkward and they could downright hysterical. A Sekirei being told no when they were reacting, it'd be ten times worse than that, and he didn't want to deal with that.

"Don't worry. I still love you." Ahiko gave him a peck on the lips, before she slid the door open and walked in. Everyone who wasn't preoccupied looked up as they entered. Ryu felt awkward for a moment, all eyes were on him and Ahiko and there was some suspicion. As if he would make love with Ahiko in the bathroom while she was taking a piss. That was purely disgusting and nothing short of it.

"I thought you fell in!" Toyotama said with a humorous smile gracing her face. "Karei here got done telling a story about some couple that went to a lagoon."

"Ah, you mean that one book?" Ahiko asked, jumping right into the festivities. Ryu smiled at the sight, making no move to stop her from bonding with Toyotama. It wasn't a secret those two had problems, a lot of problems at first. Ahiko basically shoved herself back into his life, and brought Hari with her. of course Toyotama didn't know they were childhood companions. But, time went on and they slowly put aside their differences and were actually really close now, they sparred and Ahiko hinted that Toyotama was showing her a few 'tricks' hopefully it wasn't the same kind Hari did. He slid the door shut, smiling back at Miya who smiled at him when he entered again, such a simple gesture yet it felt so intimate.

He remembered only one time when him and Miya got intimate in that sense. That was to break the awkwardness between them, and it didn't go smoothly at first. But they both came to terms and let go of their misgivings and bonded, he didn't know she was so... Versed in that sense, her strict rules would say otherwise, but Miya was amazing, he never felt his skin ripple and prick with anticipation and nervousness. And her skin was so soft, so smooth and tender, like her delicate lavender scent. The party resumed back in full swing, not that it ever stopped, he took a seat next to Yashima who was eagerly awaiting him to do so, and filled his cup before he even reached for it. He would have questioned why she did it, but she was pouring for him, it would be rude to keep him waiting. Shrugging he brought the cup to his lips, tilting his head back.

It was safe to say at this point he was in the clear. Haruka watched the events unfold from a short distance away, it wasn't far or eve distance at all, just a few inches back with Minato. The second year ronin seemed to have the same thought as Haruka, this was really happening. In all truth he didn't trust another Ashikabi or Sekirei, Ryu seemed to be stern and had a short fuse, but regardless Miya. As he figured out was the landlady assured that there would be no violence, he would have questioned her but a voice in the back of his mind told him to keep his mouth shut. He did. Miya exuded a presence, powerful, if he didn't know any better he'd say she was a Sekirei.

Again the voice in the back of his head told him to keep his mouth shut about that.

"Hey Minato."

"Mmm.." The ronin hummed in response, turning to look at Haruka with a curious gaze. "Oh, what's up?"

"Is this really happening?" Haruka asked, his eyes tracing around the room. "I mean, all of our Sekirei getting along and not fighting. Is this really happening?" He questioned. For so long he had to look over his shoulder for Sekirei and Ashikabi alike, at times he cursed Kuno's frail nature and lack of confidence, more often than not he was doing the protecting. Even the fighting, he reasoned that she didn't fight in the conventional sense, and after too may run ins and even a few ambushes he was ready to take his chances and leave the capital. However that brought up several drawbacks, the biggest was the Discipline Squad. He only ran into Haihane, the Blue Sekirei and she was scary enough to make him piss his pants. But there was Koto who he only of knew by rumors. He was known as the demon commander, he was feared throughout the game, by the wide margin of Sekirei.

"Yeah, it is pretty crazy isn't it?" Minato asked a bit bemused, taking a sip of the warm tea Miya made a few minutes earlier. Since he couldn't legally drink he opted for this, but that didn't stop Uzume from trying to goad him into it. He was happy drinking tea, and Miya being happy and not flaring those masks and terrible aura. His thoughts drifted. His life had no meaning before, if he had to be honest, he was a failure, still was, but his life had meaning now, he had a purpose. He didn't know what winging a Sekirei entailed, how he'd make it out of this alive, but he wanted to protect each and everyone of his Sekirei, they gained his heart, especially Musubi being his first. The one who threw his life into a tailspin, not long after that did he run into Ryu and moved to into the Inn, winged Kusano, the Tsukiumi. And now.. Now he was going to help these two escape.

"I have to thank you again." Haruka yanked him from his train of thought.

"Oh?"

"Yeah for helping me and Kuno." Haruka's eyes softened and he looked at his feet, a soft sigh escaping his lips and he suddenly felt exhausted. "It's been hell having to look over our shoulders. We've been attacked at every turn, and it's difficult because Kuno can't fight in a conventional way all she can do is scream really loud." He sighed again, pausing as the memories of that one woman with the chain and sword flashed through his mind, then there was that big breasted auburn haired Sekirei with the crest on her forehead. and a few others. Nothing got easier as time went on, and she didn't have any wins. At all. "We were desperate for help."

Minato chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Well, don't thank me yet." He glanced away. "I'm glad that I at least can help, even if it isn't much."

A couple of hours passed and the noise didn't die down any bit, despite night falling at a rapid pace. Toyotama laughed heartily at a comment Yomi made, and Uzume was performing more tricks much to the pleasure of Kusano and Musubi. Hari and Ahiko chatted with Nanaha and Karei, as the former told another story at the same time, Kazehana was in the middle of everything laughing and smiling her words slurred and Matsu joined her, Kuno stuck around Nanaha, and lastly Miya watched over everyone with a keen eye. Ryu was seeing double, triple, then quadruple, the sake had no taste and went down as easy as water despite making his eyes burn. Yashima's eyes glistened brightly, a small smile on her face as she checked over her storage, which was down to a quarter of the fourth and last bottle. So far she hadn't seen any changes, except Ryu was joining conversations his speech slurred.

"Yo big man." Kazehana looked over at him, Toyotama stopping her conversation glancing over at Ryu next to Yashima. Her eyes narrowed for a long moment but that was all that showed her suspicion. True there weren't any other seats besides next to her, surprisingly, but her doe gray eyes were glistening like they were before, if they ever even stopped. She looked at Kazehana who wagged a bottle of sake in her hand, a small smirk gracing her beautiful face. "You sure can drink, care to help me with this one?" She took a long swig, sighing in pleasure as she retracted it.

"Un." Was Ryu's simple response as he grabbed the bottle Yashima was pouring, bringing it to his lips and gulping down the liquid until there was nothing left. He ignored the burning in his gut as he set the bottle down, the contents gone, getting a loud cheer from Uzume, Karei, Musubi, and even Yomi. He glanced at Kazehana slowly reaching his arm towards her. "Hereh..." He slurred, to which Kazehana promptly handed him the bottle, watching with interest as he took three big gulps drawing it away and handing it back to her.

"Are you sure you've never drank before?" Karei asked, leaning forward to get a good look at Ryu.

"Posihtive." He replied wiping the residue that was left from his chugging. "Never before. This is my first time."

"I'm impressed." Kazehana said. "You can hold your alcohol down pretty good for a first timer."

Miya watched him carefully, her eyebrows knitted together in concern. Ryu had been drinking steadily now, and at a faster pace he skipped the saucer cup and just went for the bottle instead. She was all for him relaxing, that's what a party was for, but perhaps things were getting a little out of hand. Yashima was pouring him drink and drink before, which she didn't mind, but at the speed she was pouring.. Well Ryu ate a good portion as well between him and Musubi there was hardly any food left, that she was thankful for. "Ryu-san?" She questioned.

"Come on Miya don't go spoiling the party!" Uzume whined like a six year old her face twisting into a pout. "It's a party!" She exclaimed a moment later.

"Yeah come on." Toyotama added with her own pout. "We listen every day, for once just drop your too strict rules."

Miya didn't respond to the remark, as the two girls started talking about clothes and their intimate interactions with Ryu. Things she didn't want to know. She instead focused on Ryu, his eyes were half shut and his head hung down as if he was ready to pass out, his face was pale with a noticeable blush on his cheeks. He's had too much.. Why didn't I notice before? She questioned mentally, there was an answer; making sure all of the Sekirei got along and didn't fight as well as the dining room not becoming a complete mess. He's had way too much... She frowned slightly as he brought Kazehana's bottle up to his lips taking long and quick sips.

"Kazehana." She said calmly.

"Aw, come on." Kazehana pouted as she retrieved her bottle from Ryu. "He's one hell of a drinker, he's keeping up with me."

"And that is not a good thing."

"Ouch." Kazehana winced. "So cruel Miya."

"Yeah." Ryu interjected looking at Miya with a lazy smile. "It's my party after all." His smile widened before he ended up putting his head down. Another dizzy spell, ten times worse than the ones he experienced over the last few hours struck him like an anvil on steroids. His stomach churned and twisted and he got the familiar feeling of sinking at his core.

Why isn't it working? Yashima wondered as she stared at him. It should have already taken effect. It should be in his bloodstream this is my night! She frowned her eyes glistening. I didn't miss a step in my plan, and nobody knows. She looked at his pants, more over where his manhood was, and there wasn't a bulge even in the slightest they were even just as they were before the party. Toyotama didn't miss Yashima's glistening eyes and critical stares, she wasn't paying her any regard before, but just now..

"Uzume, Karei, Yomi." Toyotama said with a start. "I have to get something, can you help."

"But-" Uzume began but stopped herself seeing those green eyes narrow ever so slightly. She let out a laugh, jovial in nature, wrapping an arm around Karei's waist. "Sure come on hot stuff."

"Are you hitting on her?" Yomi asked in slight disbelief.

"Damn right she's fine!" Uzume chortled as they exited the room, her arm firmly on her waist. Though Uzume wished she wore that leather suit with the heels, she had to ask her for one of those. Toyotama lead the way with Yomi close behind her. Kazehana watched the exchange with an intent stare, then glanced around the room for a moment before taking another swig. Things were certainly interesting at the Inn, and getting more interesting in the game. She chose the right time to grace her presence here, normally she kept a watch on things from above, but now she was much preferring this. She looked over at Nanaha and Ahiko, two people she hit off with seeing them laugh about something, she wasn't sure what.

Toyotama stumbled her way up the stairs, but Yomi wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close to balance each other out. She was looking forward to this for a very long time, Ryu constantly put it off but not anymore. It only sucked that tonight was Uzume's night to have him all to herself, she earned it rightfully so, but she was still sour about it. She didn't jolt from Yomi's touch, instead leaned into her, everything around her flashed in a spin and the light faded and got brighter for a split second.

"What did you need our help with?" Uzume asked when they stopped, entering her room. Toyotama slid the door shut as she motioned for them to sit down on the floor.

"Ohoho!" Karei grinned. "A four some?"

Yomi blushed, looking at Toyotama with a small frown on her face. If that was true then she was going to be doing a 180, she didn't go that way. Her body was just for Ryu and him alone, regardless of him having more than a few Sekirei she didn't want to be groped by them even if she was drunk and would likely forget tomorrow. "Is that true!?"

"No." Toyotama answered bluntly smirking as Uzume and Karei pouted. Those two could get touchy, really touchy. It reminded her of the times Uzume would pounce on her in the bathhouse rubbing her breasts and her.. Womanhood. She'd punch the pervert right across the back of her head and into the water before leaving.

"I don't feel like packing yet." Yomi whined.

Toyotama shook her head slightly, honestly it was like dealing with infants. Toddlers were easier to reign in than these three. But she kept herself composed as she took a seat a few inches away from Yomi. "Have you noticed anything strange?"

"What do you mean?" Uzume asked with a curious glint in her eyes, releasing Karei from her grasp much to the other girl's disappointment.

"With Ryu.."

Yomi sighed loudly rolling her eyes. She had an idea where this was going, if she was really dragged from her conversation with Nanaha to discuss this little thing she was going to be furious. She wasn't going to be in the middle of Toyotama and Yashima clearly the two had issues to work out with each other, and clearly they both weren't going to work it out. She knew Toyotama could get jealous, but it was rare now, Ryu made sure to give them equal attention and everyone of them were different than the other. She was thankful for him being so perceptive, tease. She thought as she remembered his careful kneading of her breasts, she certainly wished he would have taken her right then and there. "Seriously Toyotama?" Yomi sighed again, louder this time, hoping to piss her off. "Are you serious!?"

"What's going on?" Karei asked with clear confusion.

"We have some rivalries and tension in our group. Understandably so." Yomi answered while shooting Toyotama her best scowl, which wasn't that good considering she didn't scowl much if at all.

"We fight to get in his pants, basically." Uzume simplified it, giggling when she seen the red blush flash over her entire face.

"Oh.." Karei looked around until her blush faded, no need to agitate Toyotama. Besides she had Chiho, and Ryu was a specimen but her heart, body, and soul belonged to Chiho. "Then what's the big deal? If you guys fight then there has to be a winner, and the winner gets to have sex with him. Correct me if I'm wrong but how is that even close to complicated?"

"Yashima's been sticking to Ryu this entire time, pouring him drinks." Toyotama started, but was cut off.

"Come on!" Uzume said with a small frown. "That was the only seat left, and it's customary that women pour drinks for men." She explained smoothly though her frown didn't lessen any. She didn't know what was going on between Toyotama and the dainty Yashima, honestly she wanted no part of it. She wasn't going to be in the middle being tugged in a thousand different directions, those situations were awkward, and despite her outgoing and cheery personality she didn't enjoy being stuck in the middle.

"My point!" Yomi seconded frowning at Toyotama.

"Hold on guys." Karei interjected, much to the surprise of all of them. Toyotama thought she was going to hear her side with them, and if that were the case well she was going to smack some sense into all of them. She was expecting the reactions thrown her way from Uzume and Yomi, nether of the two enjoyed being stuck in the middle of something that was just too awkward or emotional. It reminded her of Ryu and how he tried to negate and prevent certain situations from happening in the first place, he was socially awkward, and at times dense. "What are you trying to get at here Toyotama?" Karei's voice held no anger only curiosity.

"You know how Ryu-kun gets with Yashima." Yomi interjected with a glare. "I am not going to be a part of this."

"Just hold on Yomi." Karei said again, looking at Uzume who reluctantly gave a nod of her agreement to listen and not interject. Probably because she was rubbing her thigh at the moment trying to cop a field. A part of her wanted to and tried resisting, but another part was ready to give in and let Uzume have her way. She just wanted to let go tonight, numb the pain and sorrow she felt with sake and enjoy herself. She looked at Toyotama completely serious. "What are you trying to say?"

"She's planning something." Toyotama replied with a frown. "More like she has planned something..."

"Like what?" Yomi asked shaking her head. "She's a bit strange, and stuck up, but I never took her for one to have brains. I mean she just swings a giant hammer around."

"Ryu-kun normally doesn't drink, not even a drop. I know this party is for him and I'm happy to see him so loose." Toyotama said fondness flashig through her eyes for a moment. How long it had been since she seen him grin and laugh like an idiot, those days felt like years ago when they first met. When she first seen Yashima, before everything transpired between them. "She's been pouring him drink after drink. Miya, would have stopped it, but she has her hands full with us Kazehana, Minato's Sekirei, and those other two. So she hasn't been able to, but she is now." She felt something like relief run through her when she seen three nods of agreement, even Yomi who didn't want to be part of this nodded in understanding.

"I guess you have a point." The scythe wielder conceded. "But still for her to pull one under just not under our noses, but Miya-san's nose too. I can't just believe it no matter how hard I try." She frowned rubbing her chin with one finger as she tried to imagine what a plan would entail. How long she spent planning it.

"So she's trying to get him piss drunk to have sex with him." Uzume said with a shrug. "What's the big deal?"

Everything you dolt! Toyotama thought. Ryu didn't take kindly to being put into ploys, being a part of a ploy. He made that clear a long while ago when Matsu constantly said she wanted to experiment, Ryu didn't understand and asked. The answer he got wasn't surprising, but he didn't like the way Matsu looked at him, he was not a toy, he was not a test subject. Hell, he avoided her for a few weeks before because he thought she had needles or something of the sort, he could be such a baby at times, but she could understand his misgivings, now that she felt she had her place in his heart. "And what would he say if that were the case, do you know how mad he would be!?"

"Still though..." Uzume said lamely.

"He can't even keep his head up, when we left it looked like he was stone cold knocked out." Yomi added. "I don't think anyone, Sekirei or human could have sex like that. Hell I don't think they could piss in a toilet!"

"Well..." Karei said with a small hum as she tapped her chin deep in thought.

"Well?" The three other women repeated expectantly and dumbly.

"Tell us Karei." Uzume began to fuss.

"Well I am drunk and high." Karei began with a serious expression though she broke out into a grin, leaning back on her arms looking between them. Seeing the odd looks she continued speaking. "I'm just letting you know because this could sound really, really, really, really stupid and I don't want you to laugh at me for saying it." She pouted at them cutely, absently licking her lips.

"We won't. Promise." Uzume said with a serious tone.

"Just say it." Toyotama added. Yomi just gave a small nod with a curious and open expression. She had heard a lot of stupid things in her time, especially living in the Inn with another Ashikabi and his Sekirei.

"Okay." She took a deep breath, exhaling smoothly. "Maybe, just maybe she managed to steal some bottles of sake earlier in the day while everyone else was busy, and spiked them with four hundred pills of Viagra-

"Viagra?" Yomi questioned.

"A pill or capsule thing that makes guys extra, extra hard." Toyotama answered. Not that he needs it..

"Anyways." Karei continued waving her head in a nonchalant manner, chuckling. "She managed to sneak away a few bottles, six at the most and spiked them with a packet to two packets each. She then hid the bottles somewhere that nobody would think to look, and has had them since the party began, and when Ryu came in and took the only open seat which was next to her she began to pour him the bottles of sake with the Viagra in it. He can't taste it or smell it since it's already mixed with the sake, and all he can taste is the alcohol." Karei laughed despite the serious expressions on the other three girls as they exchanged looks, as unlikely as that sounded, it was a possibility, it would explain more than a few things. "Come on guys, I mean four hundred pills of that stuff, he'd drop dead with a heart attack and raging boner." She blinked looking at them. "Guys why are you looking me at that way. I told you it was going to sound stupid."

Then they heard a shout.

"Oh my gosh Ryu-tan!" It was Matsu and she sounded overjoyed.

"I don't think it sounds so stupid..." Toyotama said darkly as she got up to leave.

"I was only grasping at straws when I said that..." Karei said with a grim expression, feeling nothing but sympathy for Ryu. That poor man... I hope he doesn't die.

"Ryu-kun!" Yomi exclaimed worry flooding her eyes as she sed out of the door nearly knocking Toyotama face first into the floor.

"Should we go?" Karei asked carefully, something telling her to stay put.

"I think... We should. I've got a bad feeling." Uzume said quietly as she wrapped both arms around Karei's waist helping her to her feet.

"You just want to grope me." Karei said with a lecherous smirk.

"That too." Uzume gave her a wet kiss on the cheek. "And so much more."