For those that don't like fluff you will not like this. For those that do you will like this. But thanks for reading!

Ryu tried to push the thought of Miya snapping out of his mind and Yashima running out of the room crying hysterically, but it hard. He could recall Miya snapping like that one time, and that was when she had a blade to Karasuba's neck ready to cut right through it. Yashima was far from Karasuba as were Toyotama and Nanaha but he could feel her anger rolling off like waves in an ocean. It was scary, he had long grown out of shaking at the sight of her hannya mask to the point it surprised the others, even Tsukiumi questioned how he didn't shake before the powerful mask. That answer was simple, he sparred with Miya on the daily basis, and the only thing scarier than that mask was her swordplay.

His night wasn't ruined, Miya apologized for what happened even though it was beyond her power to control. Who would have thought that Yashima would spike his sake with Viagra, and then it turned out her Toyotama and Nanaha were in a confrontation earlier and Toyotama told her to it.. He knew it wasn't likely Toyotama wouldn't beat around the bush like that and go through all of the trouble when she could just put her hand in his pants. Crude, but it was still true, though she didn't do it as much unless they were in private. That brought up another problem, this one being Matsu. He had nothing against Minato or Haruka, but why would they be in her room when he wasn't, and more importantly why was Matsu bending over backwards for Minato.

"Hey Ryu-kun where are we going?" Uzume broke him out of his train of thought. She walked with her arms wrapped around one of his pressing it between her breasts as she leaned into him. He was still surprised Uzume had clothes like this, the only thing he seen her wear was the purple shirt or one of those costumes. Not that he really minded the costumes, he was still a healthy male and Uzume was very convincing as a maid, who knew she was such good at role play too. She was full or surprises.

"Somewhere." He answered vaguely not willing to give away the surprise. After what he just witnessed and went through he needed some air before he made his way to the hotel they were supposed to be staying in. It wasn't the grandest of hotels but the rooms were spacious enough and they offered a nice view of the city. He took a deep breath, exhaling his thoughts as he did so. He felt Uzume tightened her hold on his arm and he could already see her pout without even looking at her.

"Tell me!" She demanded leaning up towards his ear. "Is it our new home?"

"No. It has no furniture, I figured we could start that tomorrow." He replied. He wasn't the least bit sure how he was going manage to get his Sekirei settled into their new home tomorrow after the events of today. He could feel the headache coming having to deal with Yashima and Toyotama at each other's necks and for good measure he'd add Nanaha since she apparently hit Yashima hard earlier in the day. Most likely when he wasn't there, honestly they were like infants at times, waiting until he was gone to argue and hit each other. He could feel Uzume's hot breath on his neck, and he shivered feeling her lips brush across his skin. "We're staying at a hotel, but first I have something to show you."

"Can you tell me?"

"No."

"Why not!?"

"It'll ruin it."

Uzume huffed quietly, she really wanted to know. She at least wanted to know how much further they had to go, her vision was blurry and the boots were hard to balance in. She'd never get how Karei could walk so easily in them, and fight in them as if it were like breathing when she could hardly walk. Although she did enjoy clinging to his arm, not that she needed an excuse or reason, but being drunk was a good one. She didn't pry, instead she sighed softly enjoying the silence that surrounded them, inhaling his scent. The scent that drove her over the edge every time she inhaled it. The sceneray changed from buildings and alleys with a few people to a small dirt path with several trees lining it.

Now she was confused. It seemed they were out of the city, the light pollution was low where they were at the moment and she could see several stars twinkling vividly, it took her breath away and she wished Chiho could see this. She pushed the thought aside, it'd only bring sadness and she didn't want to be sad right now. Ryu-kun... She thought as she squeezed his arm tighter shutting her eyes, she could feel hs heavily muscled arm yet it as comfortable and he was so warm, warmer than he usually was, but he was still warm to begin with. As Matsu called him her own personal furnace. She heard the critters running about beneath her feet, scaling up the trees noisily, she noticed the relaxed expression on Ryu's face he looked at him in this wilderness. More so than the city.

She didn't open her eyes at first when she felt him come to a stop, she savored the moment. They were alone in peace, no arguing, no fighting. They had each other and nothing could stand between them, nothing could ruin this moment. Slowly she blinked her eyes open, her eyelids felt like lead but she forced them to stay open, and as she looked ahead her breath caught in her throat. They had a perfect view of the entire city, she seen the blazing neon lights of the hotels and bars below, she could even see people going about their day, but the green flashes of light overhead is what caught her attention. Fire flies, dozens if not hundreds all beaming with ethereal green light every few seconds. The darkness that shrouded them lit up if only for a fleeting moment. "It's... Beautiful.." She whispered leaning into his body.

"It is." Ryu said, his voice above a whisper as he watched the lightning bugs ascend higher and higher, envious. He always dreamed of flying, that sense of freedom to see things from above and not be bogged down by so many unnecessary things, to see things from a new perspective, to be free. He smiled softly, as one firefly landed on his finger, flashing, Uzume looked at it with interest. I'm envious.. You little guys have it easy. He thought as he watched take off into the sky so carefree and at ease, life was perfect and things are as they should be. He wished he could be so carefree.

"Ryu-kun?"

He shook the feeling off, no need to dwell on things and what ifs. "I'm sure you're wondering how I found this place." He looked at her with a small smile, mirth in his eyes and she knew she was in for a story. Well she always did love stories, she nodded her head once, curious. Ryu was well inept and dense at times, and she never took him for one to find such a beautiful spot.

"I am curious, I never took you for the romantic type." Uzume said with a light laugh.

"I'm not." Ryu said, he would never be such a sap. The world wasn't nice in that sense, with love came a million other things. And though Sekirei love was forever, even after death, there was still a drawback. Their constant fighting with each other, being forced to compete in a game that had no rules in essence only the strongest would survive. "Anyways." He cleared his throat glancing away not missing that smirk Uzume was giving him. "I found this spot one day when I was skipping high school-"

"You went to high school?" Uzume looked surprised.

"Yes, now hush." He tapped her on the nose as he said each word, something she'd do a lot. "I was pretty pissed that day, I got into a fight with this group of morons and ended up breaking one's arm and another's nose. The next day, I seen them again, and decided to leave. I normally didn't show up, at first I was excited to go to school. But, all they do is talk and talk, Kami they never stop talking, and you have to sit in a desk for most of your time, and not to mention most of what they teach is garbage anyways." He said in a blunt manner, causing Uzume to laugh heartily in response to his explanation.

"That's part of school Ryu." She said, smiling with mirth shining in her eyes. She knew Ryu wasn't the type to actually go to school, between those social groups and having to sit still in one room for over an hour probably played hell on him, and not to mention he was perceptive and looked into everything deeper than the average person would. Hell even the average Sekirei. "So you came here just on a stroll after breaking some kid's poor arm and another's nose. You really are violent aren't you?" Seeing a scowl adorn his face she laughed again, there had to be a perfectly good explanation.

"They were two years older than me and failed two years in a row." He said with a deadpan expression. "They had it coming when one tried pushing me, that's when I broke his arm." He nodded in remembrance, it wasn't his most fond memory. He really had no fond memories with humans in general, they were quick to speak, quick to judge, and were just a quick to stab you in the back. They looked at him strangely, whispered about him, and some even sent scathing looks and to top it off he didn't even know their name. "And I am not violent."

"So the time you ripped your shirt into shreds?"

"Because Matsu went in my room, and I couldn't eat breakfast.

"What about the time you start cussing because you stepped into the bath when the water was still hot?"

"It was scalding!" Ryu said defensively remembering the nasty burn he got. "How was I supposed to know it's not like I knew how to work it?"

"Well.." Uzume hummed as she crossed her legs taking a seat on the soft grass next to Ryu, enjoying their light banter. Though it was going to be hell standing up again with these boots on. "That time when you threw your shirt and a pair of shorts at Toyotama and told her to get dressed?"

"She came walking out of her room naked, down the hall, and then came into my room."

"And that time you lost your temper with Mitsuki?"

Both of them tensed visibly, Ryu more so as he recalled the event when he almost crushed her windpipe. If it wasn't for Toyotama or Ahiko he would have strangled that mouthy blonde until her eyes bulged from her head. He remembered seeing Ahiko broken, bleeding, and battered almost about to be carried off to some Ashikabi, an Ashikabi that wasn't her's to begin with, damn right he was mad. He was enraged and Mitsuki was going to be person that suffered for it, she had it coming. Between he filthy mouth, bad attitude, and need to attack first he was ready to kill her, and he would have. He felt his blood boil ever so slightly but shook off the feeling. "Sorry." Uzume said sheepishly.

"Its fine." Ryu assured wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close. "She hurt Ahiko.. When I see the condition she was in, and that she was about to be taken away to some Ashikabi that wasn't her's... I lost it." His voice was quiet. "I'm not nearly as lecherous as you." He cracked a smile watching Uzume sputter for a moment.

"I won't deny that." To prove her point she pounced on him, straddling his hips as she meant his lips with her own. Ryu didn't mind being on the bottom, the grass was soft and he had quite the view of Uzume. He wrapped one around her waist drawing her closer to him, and nibbled on her lips until she opened her mouth allowing him access to her tongue. She felt a heated desire burn from her stomach and pulse outwards all the way to her finger tips, she moaned softly already moving to undo his pants, but Ryu gently grabbed her wrists. "Come on!" She pouted like a four year old, yanking on his drawstring as she untied it quickly.

"Not here.." Ryu said sitting himself up and adjusting Uzume so she was facing him on his lap. "Let's go to the hotel."

Uzume groaned, wrapping her legs around his waist and his arms around her neck. "You're carrying me."

"I am?"

"Yes." Uzume nodded giving him a passionate kiss, trying to overtake him but he held firm and returned the kiss as he carefully stood to his feet while she clung to him. "These boots weren't made for walking." She said wincing as she thought about her feet hurting in the morning because of them, hopefully she wouldn't be hung over. "But I am sexy in these boots!" She winced. "But they weren't made for walking."

"That's like a seven inch heel or wedge... Whatever it is.." Ryu said sighing to himself, one thing he'd never get was girls and their obsession with fashion. Ahiko aside they all seemed to be shopping geeks or total make up whackos. He didn't respond to her last part verbally instead he kissed her again running a hand down the back of her thigh, she shuddered moaning softly, the action arousing Ryu further as she arched her head back and pressed her breasts into his face. "This is the only time I'm carrying you."

"I'll make sure you never forget it." Uzume said with a sultry voice.

The hotel room was spacious and dimly lit, the front desk clerk barely paid the two of them mind despite Ryu carrying Uzume who clung to him. He was given two key cards, one for him and one for her, he would have entered through the window if their room wasn't so high up. Thankful he wasn't stared at oddly for Uzume clinging to him like her life depended on it he made his way up their room and slid the key card in the slot opening the door. It was a nice room, but it couldn't fit more than two people, even a family of four would cram the place.

There was a queen sized bed in the center of the room with a flat screen TV a few meters in front of it, he wasn't sure of the measurements but it'd be at least fifty inches. There was a small hallway that lead to the bathroom and a large closet. The bathroom was fully functional with a shower head as well as a bath. Good. He thought when he seen it, he was going to need a shower tonight, the sink was sparkling clean, he couldn't see any noticeable blemish but again he wasn't so critical in that kind of matter. There was a kitchen area in the front room, right behind a small island that acted more as a recliner. After discarding his shirt and splashing some cold water on his face Ryu made his way back to the front room to see Uzume sprawled on the bed.

"Hey!" She said with a smile as she seen him come into view, she sat up rubbing the top of her head. There was something on the TV one of those late night TV shows about a pawn shop or towing yard, nothing too exciting. "This place is so nice!" She put her feet on the floor, slowly standing up but felt her balance slacken, she staggered forward but Ryu caught her, gently righting her.

"Careful I don't need you falling on your head." Ryu said half jokingly, as he allowed her to wrap her arms around his neck and stared into those big brown eyes.

"Toys said the same thing to me, although it didn't sound half as nice." Uzume said with a laugh recalling how irate Toyotama was when she made a comment along the same lines. Something about falling on her head too much or being dropped on it when she was younger, which she wasn't, she wasn't that clumsy! Then she went on to call her an airhead which Uzume was the farthest thing from, so what if she slept until one in the afternoon and got lost in her day dreams that didn't make her an air head.

"But, um, why are you wearing those boots if you can hardly stand in them?" Ryu asked, though he didn't mind she could wear them every day if she wanted to.

"I have to look good for my Ashikabi." Uzume said bluntly as she leaned up, going on her tip toes and mashing her lips with his own. At times she cursed how short she was in comparison to Ryu. He was a giant, well not a giant but taller than the average person. What was he six foot three or four? She didn't hear of anyone of Japanese descent being so tall, though there were a few, it was rare. But she didn't mind now that he'd grab her ass and lift her up to get rid of that little issue. "And I love seeing that look in your eyes.. Mr always in control feeling a little wild tonight." She purred in his ear as she broke the kiss, taking a slow and shuddering breath as he trailed his hands down her sides making her skin tingle and heart thump in her throat.

In control? And here Miya says I'm an out of control lecher. He thought with a fond smile. "Well, I'd say you look very good."

"Enough to eat?" Uzume asked with mirth shining in her eyes.

"Delicious." Ryu said with his own smile, giving her a quick peck. "You know how to ruin the moment don't you?"

"You still love me~" Uzume sang, pulling on his pants. "Now take off your clothes I want to have lots and lots of sex."

Ryu barely held in the spit that almost flew from his mouth, he was used to her blunt and straight forward attitude. Used to her shameless advances and flirting, but at times to this day she still caught him off guard like now. And just as he said, his pants found their way to his ankles, and his shorts would have to if he didn't gently grab her wrists. His violet irises hardened ever so slightly as he gazed at her carefully she looked like the same Uzume, she was the same Uzume, but something felt off about her. He couldn't place it and it scratched at the back of his mind as he stared into her eyes, the same brown eyes he woke up to so long ago. Something is wrong... He thought, he was sure of it, he could feel it in the pit of his stomach. "Uzume we need to talk."

"Ugh!" She threw her hands above her head, losing her balancing beam or in this case Ryu and plopped back first onto the bed. Well, he seen that coming Uzume could be extremely childish at times, a point Toyotama made all too clear. He watched her hit the bed with her hand, huffing quietly. "But I'm so horny!" She whined, sitting up with a pout on her face, an actual pout. Her brows were slight furrowed and her lips were pressed together, she looked like a teenager about to have a tantrum because she couldn't go to the prom. She noticed the look in his eyes, they were always piercing and harsh despite how he spoke and behaved, but she wasn't scared and looked into them. "Okay." She said patting the spot next to her.

"We're going to talk Uzume." Ryu said with a firm tone, something he hadn't done in a very long time. He was more than sure she'd be all over him the moment he was on the bed. And while his blood rushed and skin prickled with anticipation, this was weighing heavily on him and he needed to get it off of his chest. Seeing her nod and pat the same spot she had before he carefully sat down as if it was covered in lava and not soft blue sheets and a green duvet, the only contact that was made between them was Uzume holding his hand tightly, and he squeezed her's ever so slightly.

"What's up?"

Ryu took a shallow breath, he wasn't good a wording things preferring to be blunt. So he'd be blunt like he was in everything else. "Is there anything you want to tell me? I've noticed you have been acting kind of strange lately, and you've been out late at night." He watched her for a reaction, anything from an eyebrow twitching to her mouth opening in shock like in the cartoons, or her legs swinging up, as goofy as that sounded he watched for anything. However, he didn't see anything, and continued, "I've never treated you as my inferior, but my equal. You were my first Sekirei Uzume, I know you.. If there's something wrong you can tell me." His voice was firm but gentle, and it made her heart skip a beat. Normally it was relaxed but stern in a sense.

Uzume resisted the urge to bite her bottom lip seeing those violet irises fixated on her. He'd pick that up right away and then he would continue to pry in the matter. If anyone finds out Chiho-kun will be killed. She remembered Karei's frantic warning, the normally eccentric and cheerful girl that she grew up with was horrified and couldn't speak in a coherent manner. Uzume did her best to comfort her at the moment when she ran to her for help, for closure, and it wasn't long after that Uzume was roped in. Chiho. She was her best friend, Karei introduced them to each other, and they bonded instantly, she enjoyed making her laugh and smile, even burrowed costumes to Karei. How am I supposed to tell him? How can I? She screamed mentally, torn between her best friend and Ashikabi, if she did tell him and Higa found out Chiho was as good as dead. But if Ryu found out later without her telling him here and now.. She could already see that look of anger in his eyes, he asked for few things and honesty was one. "I'm fine.. Just worried about Chiho."

Ryu heaved a sigh as he raked a hand through his long, black hair taking it out of the neat high ponytail he always kept it in and let it fall to the middle of his back the messy spikes becoming prominent, and his bangs almost obscuring his eyes. Chiho, he cared for her like a sister, or something close to a sister, he wasn't sure what it was but he wanted to protect her the moment he seen her. He remembered reluctantly using his new found powers to help her, and he was happy to see her smiling and laughing like a normal girl her age should be. "Karei said that Chiho wants to talk to me." He said quietly looking up at the ceiling. "She said that Chiho is in rough shape."

Kami, no.. Uzume thought with sorrow but was careful to not let the emotion show on her face. "There's a Sekirei going around leaving her opponents near death. She doesn't wait for the MBI helicopters to come.. She's been called the 'masked Sekirei' Matsu is looking into it probably as we are speaking at this very moment. I went out to find her with Ahiko, seeing a new report about a car and shop going up in smoke. Instead of finding her I ran into another Ashikabi and Ahiko fought and beat his Sekirei, though she spared her." He frowned slightly as recalled the battle it was fast and intense, he would rather have had her deactivate the girl than spare her.

"You shouldn't.." Uzume said with a small frown worry flashing through her eyes for several different reasons. "Let's just forget about all of that for now." Her voice soft, and her touch even softer as she wrapped him in a hug.

"I'm worried..." Ryu said his voice above a whisper, he turned his gaze away from her, finding it easy despite her state of dress. "I... I don't want to lose you Uzume.. I can't lose any of you..." He tightened his hold on her. "I want you to live.. To live on.."

Uzume's eyes widened briefly for a moment, shock swimming through them. Ryu never said he was worried, verbally. He'd show it in the way he trained or watched after them, but he'd never voice it. He was proud and of course he wasn't going to show weakness, she knew that much. But as she seen the almost pained expression on his face, and his dark hair contrasting with his light and calloused skin, she couldn't help but think he was adorable. Too adorable. How did I get so lucky..? The thought came and passed, she smiled slightly. Maybe a bit of humor would loosen the tension. "You think too much."

"You don't think enough." Ryu retorted kissing the top of her head. "I'm not losing you Uzume..."

"Then." Her voice loving and her gaze soft with affection and love, so much love. She placed a tender kiss on his lips, not aggressive or driven like normal. Soft and fleeting almost playful, she grabbed a handful of his thick and abundant hair marveling at how soft it was despite its rough appearance. She pressed herself into his torso taking off her shirt and removing her bra in a few seconds and removed his shirt with vigor tossing it to the floor. She shuddered feeling his muscled body, the heat rolling off of him warming her core and sending shivers down her spine, no wonder Matsu called him a furnace. She broke the kiss, both panting and staring into the other's eyes, she smiled softly with love. "We'll cherish what we have now." She tightened her hold on him, and felt her cheek make contact with his as she nuzzled against it. "I love you Ryu. Cuddle with me." She didn't want this moment to end, and as she gazed into his eyes, smelled his manly scent, felt his warm skin and rippling muscles, it would be forever ingrained in her memory.

"I love you too Uzume." He said softly feeling her heart thundering in her chest, its wild pulse thumping against his own wild beating heart. And without another word he gently laid them both down on the bed both losing themselves in a haze of emotions and desire.

Okay... So there wasn't a total lemon.. But kind of a lemon.. Or not.. Who cares! Anyways yeah this chapter was just focusing on Ryu and Uzume but I like it. Some people don't like fluff and all that, but in the next few chapters there's a big fight! WOOOOO!