Minato flinched slightly seeing that irate look in Tsukiumi's eyes, the same look she would get before she blasted him with a torrent of water balls. Although he wasn't expecting her reaction it was on the list of possibilities, though it wasn't pleasant he was expecting it. He didn't know what to make of the Sekirei, they were constantly fighting for his affection and as much as that should have made him happy it just wore him out. He didn't know how to act, how to be two women were claiming to be his wife when he had no intention to get married anytime soon.

"I've already told thee I am not going to be a part of this!" Tsukiumi exclaimed hauntingly as she locked eyes with him. No, there was no way she was going to assist him in this ridiculous plan of escape. Her pride was too great and even though she loved him with all of her heart, she wasn't going to put aside her pride just to help two cowards. Two cowards who couldn't do this on their own despite it being their plan, why did they drag Minato in? More importantly why was he offering to help them? "They are cowards!"

Minato winced, her tone biting and scathing. He couldn't say he understood, because he didn't. He wasn't prideful like Tsukiumi, and he couldn't just turn them down. Seeing Kuno so frail and timid, Haruka fighting for her to survive just for a few more days it did something to him. He had to help them escape even if it was a suicide mission he had to try. I wish.. I did understand.. He mused mentally, ruefully, as he looked at Tsukiumi fuming with anger, he wished he could understand why she was getting so angry. Despite their link and her obvious emotions flowing through it, he wasn't sure how to react to it, and more importantly what to say. "How are the cowards?" He asked almost dumbly watching her step closer to him with fire in those deep blue eyes. "They're willing to escape despite knowing the MBI and the Discipline Squad will come after them. They're willing to put it all on the line, how... How are they cowards?"

"Sekirei are born to fight!" Tsukiumi snapped, jolting him out of his stupor. "She is running away from a fight! It doesn't matter what their plan is, what the reasons are, she's still running! A Sekirei never runs from battle, we fight to the very end it's our duty!" She scowled at him very much wanting to douse him with water but knew better considering Miya could be right around the corner and she didn't want to get hit with the ladle again. She didn't expect him to understand a mere human, trash as she deemed him as before. She didn't expect him to understand her sense of pride and duty towards him and as a Sekirei how could he understand? "It's shameful for that... Child to run!" Tsukiumi growled angrily.

"But they're still willing to-"

"This plan is not their own! You're going to help them and expect me to just go along with it! It isn't just their plan now that you have gotten yourself involved! I will not assist them in such a cowardly act." Tsukiumi fired back without losing any breath, Minato resisted the urge to cover his ears although he very much wanted to since she was being so loud. She stepped up to him, staying just a few inches away as she looked into his soft gray eyes, so inviting and kind. "Thee... I will not allow thee to partake in such ridiculous schemes!" She widened her eyes watching him turn his back on her and walking towards the door, but he turned back around at her with a sincere almost blank look in his eyes.

"I know you have your own misgivings... But I'm going to help them still, I never go back on my word.. They need my help and I won't refuse." Minato said with a solemn tone that made Tsukiumi want to scream in anger. Even after her warnings and clear distaste towards the entire thing he was still going to help them, he was still going to help these cowards run away? A thought came to mind, but it was completely inane so she brushed it aside like one of her bangs, she wasn't going to help with this.. Not only was the plan doomed for failure before it even began, but it would still fail in the end since the Discipline Squad would be after them. And with a fleeting smile Minato slid the door open, stepping out and closing it quietly leaving her fuming in silence. Heaving a sigh as he ventured down the hall, he looked at the door at the very end. "I hope Matsu-san can help out and not be so hesitant.." He nodded once as if assuring himself. "She did say she would."

Hospitals. Ryu always felt odd in them, he wasn't sure if it was an irrational fear or something just in his head. Okay, so he hated needles, that was no secret, but there was also the fact seeing people there sick and frail he didn't like being around people when they coughed, though he never got sick. A credit to his Sekirei DNA, but still people should cover their mouths. But he'd deal with it for Chiho, she deserved so much better than what she was enduring she couldn't be older than sixteen, maybe eighteen. Too young to be in the condition she was in, the least he could do was visit.

Uzume was having similar thoughts, but they leaned towards Higa and his jobs.. This hospital belonged to him and she'd bet a million yen Kakizaki, the stupid prick, was somewhere around with that stupid smile on his face. He enjoyed carrying out Higa's task, finding a sick pleasure in all of it, it was no secret that Higa hated the Sekirei. He just viewed them as tools, nothing more and nothing less. If Kakizaki was here, and he seen Ryu that could lead to trouble, Ryu almost snapped once she didn't need that happening again, and more importantly Chiho would be put at risk. Why am I worrying, Ryu wouldn't do anything in the hospital. She thought, looking to the side to see him looking at her with a soft expression in his eyes. Now, he was caring and loving, but most of the time he was inept, had a rougher side to him, and his violet irises so piercing and keen it would put anyone at ease, or in her case take her breath away. "Now you know the rules while we are here." Uzume said in a scolding manner.

"It's not that." Ryu said with a scowl. He knew the rules, the rules Uzume went over when he first came to visit, the rules she went over one million times the following night. How could he ever forgot that? "Your hair just down.. I like it." He looked away before she could grin or tease him, a small blush staining his cheeks, he was intimate with her of course, but looking at her now.. The way her hair cascaded all the way down passed her perfect ass, and framed the sides of her face and fell over her eyes, it was beautiful. She always had her hair up in that side ponytail even when she was sleeping she had it up, at first he asked why but Uzume gave one of her strange answers and he decided not to really dwell on it. "This is the first time I've seen it down.." He braced himself for an awkward moment.

"You... Really like it?" She asked a bit shyly, twirling a long bang with her finger, her eyes curious but filled with sincerity, or perhaps a need. She wanted his opinion. It was rare to catch Uzume off guard, last night was an exception and now she was again caught off guard.. She had to thank Karei for telling her to keep her hair down, even if it did make her look a bit wild Ryu was looking twice as wild as she was, his hair tie snapped.

"I think you're beautiful regardless." He said, Uzume scowled with a pout. "But..." Ryu gave her a small peck on the head, Uzume smacked him on the chest but didn't loosen her arms from his neck very much enjoying her cushion. "I like you hair down, keep it like this." He said smiling with assurance, Uzume closed her eyes burying her face in his chest to hide a blush that was staining her cheeks.

"You keep your hair down too." Uzume said, feeling him tense slightly. Good, she didn't like being flustered, she didn't mind in front of Ryu or every once in a while but it was going on three times. Two times too many, with Karei and Kazehana it was understandable. Asking about having children was completely off topic, she joked about it before, in no way was she ready to have a kid. And she wouldn't even think of it, considering the situation they were in with the Sekirei Game and all. "You can put me down."

"Yeah now that we're by Chiho's room." Ryu said with sarcasm, but set Uzume down on her feet. He wasn't sure how he would explain their appearance, he could just say they were out on a date, Uzume's outfit was enough proof. She didn't normally get so dressed up preferring to wear nothing or her usual pink and yellow shirt with capris.

"What do you think Toys is doing?" Uzume asked as she opened the door.

"More than likely sparring with Ahiko." Ryu replied scratching the back of his head. "Those two go at it for hours.. I'm glad it's not with their mouths anymore." That was too much of a headache, if they weren't glaring at each other they were arguing. Large due in part to his winging of Ahiko and Hari, the last one didn't sit well with Toyotama, hell when he winged Yomi she nearly had a tantrum. Thankfully the two just sparred now instead of arguing and glaring and even got along, much better than before.

"Uzume-kun and Ryu-san." Two voice echoed.

After thoroughly flustering Yomi and helping her pick out an outfit Toyotama ventured around the inn. She could navigate now knowing the ins and outs, it was still spacious and held a strange feeling to it. She was in a relatively good mood, Yashima putting all of the blame on her for her inane and stupid idea was the kicker and really pissed her off. She felt sorry for Nanaha after the spar with Miya earlier she hadn't seen her, and in the same right Yashima as well, who had yet to be seen since her little episode last night. "Too much bull, I need to fight." She said to herself, searching for the one person that wouldn't turn her down, as she expected she was in the front room with jogging pants and a t shirt as her outfit. "Ahiko."

"Toyotama?" Ahiko inquired looking in her direction, Hari at her side eyes still trained on the TV. She wasn't sure what Toyotama wanted with her, few things could really get her attention and make her move with such purpose.. Considering the turn of events yesterday, though Ahiko didn't know all of the details she didn't miss the weird vibes that shrouded the inn, and she hadn't seen Yashima at all. Normally she was trotting around in her dainty outfit with ribbons and watching TV, or huddled in a ball in her room with a book in hand. "What's going on?"

"I'm restless, spar with me." The green haired woman replied with an easy tone. She glanced at the TV noticing it was a cartoon that was on every day, she wasn't sure what the title was considering Kusano spent the majority of time in this room if she wasn't with Minato or Miya. She watched her share of TV but it didn't consist of cartoons. She smiled slightly seeing Ahiko beam and stand up to her feet.

"That sounds great! I can try out my new outfit too." She agreed readily.

"But you just took a bath a couple hours ago." Hari said with a confused expression on her face as she looked at her sister. "You'll get dirty again."

"I'll take another bath." Ahiko said with a light shrug, still excited about sparring with Toyotama today.. She wasn't sure why she was so excited since they sparred on the daily basis, but she didn't question it and only embraced it heartily. "Can Hari come and be the ref?" She looked at Toyotama with a curious gaze her round eyes zoning in on her.

"Can I?" Hari echoed. She wasn't so keen on actually fighting, but she wouldn't mind being the referee.

"Fine by me." Toyotama said with a light shrug but still smiled. "I'll see you in the back." Toyotama excused herself and went to retrieve her staff and made he way outside in the back. Her emotions were wild, mostly anger coursed through her no thanks to last night. She wanted to choke Yashima like she did so long ago, choke her and punch her over and over, but she couldn't do that now at least so she'd settle on a spar. A few minutes later Ahiko sauntered out of the door with Hari following close behind, after saying a few words to Hari and having her stay on the steps Ahiko made her way across from Toyotama with a gleam in her eyes.

"I'm not going to hold back."

"I don't want you to."

Toyotama twirled her spear expertly, spinning and sweeping it through the air with mind boggling speed and precision. She was happy to say Yomi was officially a nervous wreck, it served her right being known as a pervert. Of course she couldn't top Matsu in that department, nobody could that woman would do the most shameless things that made Toyotama green and not with envy. She was dressed in her battle outfit, preferring it since it was easier to move in and her top didn't restrict her movement at all. "It's always a tie between you and me, Ahiko, but this time I'm going to win." Toyotama stated grinning savagely. Admittedly her and Ahiko had a rough patch a while back, but it was cleared up now for the most part and they spent their time sparring as a bonding of sorts. And she did enjoy a good fight.

"We'll just see." Ahiko stated pushing her bangs back, her round eyes blazing with an intense fire. She was dressed in her battle attire, which she most recently got while she was out with Ryu house hunting. Her outfit consisted of baggy, black gi pants with a light blue sash that was tied to the left and hung down a few feet blowing wistfully in the wind, her top was a midriff like Toyotama's except it didn't have an opening exposing an ample amount of her cleavage, instead the collar went to the top of her neck and went down to the middle of her ribs exposing her toned stomach and was tied down with a light blue sash. To finish off her outfit she had black foot bands that were identical to those of a Tae Kwan Do practitioner. Ahiko was happy with her choice of attire, even if her stomach was exposed it wasn't that bad, and she felt as light as a feather with this gi on, Ryu approved of her choice of an outfit. It wasn't nearly as outlandish as some of his Sekirei's outfits.

"Oh yes we will." Toyotama's grin widened as she stopped twirling her staff in a second, pointing it forward with one hand clasped near the tip the other towards the end. She had a lot of time to improve competing against the others to have her own night with Ryu, winning was always a plus, but the fights were just as enjoyable, but not so much against Miya. She was swift and could block any move she threw at her no matter what angle or skewing she did, Miya dodged and swayed with the utmost grace never expending more energy that she wanted to. It forced her to improve, and unlike before when she'd just swing almost blindly, now she measured her strikes and more importantly measured the distance around her and her opponent. For someone so strict she knows a lot about fighting.. She is a Sekirei after all. Toyotama mused mentally. "Hari!"

"Begin!" The bubbly Sekirei exclaimed from the side, throwing her arm down for emphasis. She didn't mind watching them spar, it was in fact enjoyable. They were all so fast and swift, even though she herself wasn't much a fighter her blood still rushed with excitement seeing these two go at it. Ahiko was relentless and intense constantly pushing and staying on the move, if she wasn't kicking she was punching, if she wasn't punching she was dodging, no motion was wasted and every attack was packed with all of her power, she was incredibly agile and flexible, and her dexterity was superb. Toyotama was fast and quick, she used her staff in wide arcs and quick thrusts, the arcs were meant the put distance between her and her opponent in order to measure up a counter attack and for her to predict their movements, a point Miya hit into all of their heads, literally.

Both women shot off of the ground, their speed easily tripling in just seconds, Ahiko spun lashing out with her long leg. Toyotama already had her staff in motion, metal collided with bone, a blast of gale force wind swept around them. They broke apart, Ahiko jumping back and sliding to a stop, Toyotama was already after her, with blinding speed she jabbed her staff forward in a blur of motion, she changed her trajectory keeping her attacks fresh and not predictable. Ahiko spun and danced on the balls of her feet, swaying to the side at the last minute feeling air rush passed her blowing her hair in every direction, she met Toyotama's green eyes gleaming with fire, she spun to the side her staff sweeping through the air in a surprise attack. Ahiko shifted her weight onto the ball of her foot, spinning on a dime and lashed out with her left leg. Both women grit their teeth as their attacks collided again, instep clashing with steel, resounding with a smack.

Toyotama poured more energy into her arms, and powered through with her swing, Ahiko flipped tucking her legs in and landing to the side. She dodged another swing, lashing out with a dizzying fray of kicks. Toyotama parried or side stepped the barrage her gleaming eyes tracing every kick high, low, and mid aimed for her face, stomach, and knees. Ahiko didn't let up her offensive attack and deftly increased her speed, her legs merely blurring into motion barely able to be tracked by the human eye. Hard pressed Toyotama went on the offensive swinging her staff in half rotations, measuring each swing and poke ignoring the thundering vibrating in her bones. Alright. She thought, forcing more energy into her arms, the attacks coming faster and in a staccato fashion.

"Look at them go!" Hari said with wide eyes, wincing as staff and bone collided again. She hardly had time to imagine the pain behind the attack as the two women moved in a blur of motion neither giving the other the chance to breathe or an opening to exploit. Ahiko's attack style revolved around her speed, strategy, her long legs, and her ability to manipulate shadows which she couldn't do that considering it was just an intense sparing session, and it'd be considered cheating. But her hand to hand, foot to foot combat was refined crisp and fluid every move flowed into the other. Toyotama's style revolved around distance and the placement of her attacks as well as her footwork, every movement was measured and calculated, every swing and block was concise and deliberate. The two put on a play of great skill and intensity, neither were able to land a hit on the other, every move was parried, dodged, blocked, or completely evaded.

"It seems they are serious." Kazehana commented as she shielded her eyes from another gust of force. "Love truly is a wonderful thing." She cooed enjoying the play her younger sisters were putting on. Of course she was entertained by the intensity, she loved to see her sisters fighting so hard and with so much passion and fire, it's what made them Sekirei, they weren't near the level of the first generation Discipline Squad but she seen talent and promise. Her eyes flicked to Ahiko lingering for a moment before she smiled to herself leaning back on her hands staring absently. Hmmm...

"HAAH!" Both girls shouted, throwing their attacks, Ahiko in a display of extreme flexibility kicked upward, her leg stretching well over head head, and Toyotama swung down and to the side. Both attacks hit with tremendous force knocking both of them back, Ahiko staggered back clutching her shoulder and collarbone where the staff smacked and Toyotama stumbled, slamming her right foot behind her stopping her tumble to the ground. Slowly, she swiped her forearm across her mouth checking for the sticky crimson substance but didn't find any, she then flicked her eyes on Ahiko was massaging her shoulder where a bruise would form no doubt. "You've gotten better." Toyotama commented, smirking as she took a stance similar to the one she took before.

"You've improved as well." Ahiko smiled showing her teeth a little. She enjoyed going up against Toyotama she never held back anything and put the bulk of her strength into her attacks. With her there was no warm up, it was straight forward and intense from the very beginning, she had to time to breathe or blink, if she did it'd mean complete defeat. She preferred fighting against her than Yomi, who would hold back as not to damage the property in the back or gouge the ground, while she could respect that sentiment she didn't really like it. She wanted to face her at her best, holding back wasn't an option in her mind. They launched themselves at each other again, Toyotama already moving with a thrust, Ahiko's eyes widened she swayed her head at the last moment, grabbing the spear with her hand, and stepped forward.

"Ha!" Toyotama laughed as she leapt forward, placing her foot behind Ahiko's and sweeping back. The long haired woman let out a yelp of shock as she was knocked to the ground but pulled Toyotama along for the ride. "Got you!" Toyotama grinned grabbing both of her wrists and slamming them onto the ground getting another yelp from Ahiko as she leaned down with all of her weight. Ahiko thrashed and wiggled violently underneath her, Toyotama had an edge in strength and size, while Ahiko was more lean taking advantage of her agility and flexibility, while Toyotama used her size and strength to overwhelm her opponents. Like she was now using it to her advantage. "Ghhrr..." Toyotama grunted, her eyes narrowing as she watched Ahiko slowly push her arms off of the ground, she knew she had an edge in sheer strength, but Ahiko was persistent and stubborn.

"Toyotama-san and Ahiko-san." Miya's voice cut through the air and both of them froze, Ahiko let out another louder yelp as her wrists slammed into the ground along with her back, the wind rushing from her lungs forcing her to gasp quietly. Neither of them sensed her presence, or knew what their awkward position would entail. Toyotama straddling Ahiko and pinning her wrists to the ground both of them a hair away from each other's lips as they pushed against each other in a test of strength, it was quite the image. "My, my what are you two doing rolling around on the ground? Ahiko-san you took a bath just an hour or two ago..." Ahiko looked sheepish as she slowly stood to her feet dusting off her clothes while Toyotama retrieved her staff. "I think that's enough for today wouldn't you agree?"

"I guess..." Both girls echoed, nether wanting to admit defeat.

"Ah, good morning Miya." Kazehana said with an air of politeness laced with that sultry drunken tone she always seemed to talk in. Miya frowned slightly at her flippant display but brushed it off, she may be friends with Uzume but that didn't make an occupant of this inn.

"Good morning Kazehana." Miya echoed with a sweet smile. "I see you're drinking again, and so early too..."

"Uh..."

"Wow! Ahiko-chan and Toyotama! That was amazing!" Hari beamed with excitement, clapping her hands animatedly. "You were so fast and all those flips and spins! Wow!"

"Thanks." Ahiko said a bit bashfully, Toyotama merely nodded giving her a firm smack on the back. Ahiko looked at her slightly jolted from her train of thought not expecting to be smacked with that kind of force.

"I'll win next time." She locked eyes with her rival. "Now come on we have to take a bath."

"That is a good idea." Miya agreed looking at the two spotted with dirt and sweat. She resisted the urge to sigh, these two were just unbelievable at times, at first they couldn't stand each other now they spent the majority of their time sparring. Which wasn't all the surprising. It wouldn't be bad but they tended to get carried away like now and would be covered with dirt and bruises afterwards, to make matters even worse Ahiko had just got out of the bath an hour or two ago, they could be so unruly these two women and competitive. Definitely competitive and very spirited. It reminded her of Tsukiumi and Musubi, the former no doubt would be enjoying this if she wasn't currently cleaning her room. Thanks goodness. She thought with a light giggle getting those three apart would be nearly impossible. "Hari while those two are doing that could you help me in the kitchen?"

"Sure thing."

Yashima took a slow, shuddering breath, her eyes cracking open. She shut them a second later feeling the unbearable burn of last night. She sighed, adjusting herself on her futon as she pulled the duvet down from her chin, anxiety and fear eating away at her. Her thoughts drifted to Ryu and her stupid plan, how was she going to explain her actions to him? Would he ever forgive her, could she get him to forgive her? She only wanted to be with him alone, things weren't supposed to turn out this way.

But after talking to Kazehana she felt slightly better and refreshed, she couldn't measure up to the older woman but she was glad she talked to her. Ahiko was rough and blunt like Ryu was, she didn't sugar coat her words and said what needed to be said, Kazehana soothed her and coddled her, wrapping her arms around her and letting her cry her eyes out. "Is it going to work?" She wondered as she recalled what the older woman said last night, it sounded a lot like what Ahiko said. When he comes home be in his room, and when he sees you in that he won't get enough of you. Yashima wasn't sure if she would even be able to see it through since she couldn't leave her room.

And another plan of seduction wasn't likely to go over well, but it had to be worth a shot. She wasn't going to make any progress being idle, and she lost a lot of points last night. Hearing that disappointment in Ryu's voice was enough to make her stomach twist into knots even now as she remembered. Tears gathered in her eyes, he rarely ever sounded like that, especially towards them but he did last night and luck would have it be her on the end of it, though there was a positive to all of this getting Toyotama and Nanaha in trouble. She readily told Miya it was all Toyotama's fault even though it wasn't and she was sure that the older woman would believe her. That took care of two of them.

"I don't know about Kazehana-san's plan, but I have to apologize." Yashima said to herself wiping tears from her cheeks. "I have to try, I hope he forgives me." Her voice filled with hope and fear as she thought of the last time he was so mad with her and he left the inn for a couple months.. Even as she begged him with tears streaming from her eyes and her shoulder shaking with sobs, he pushed her back and left her alone to cry her days and nights away, she never left her room and rarely slept too busy crying. She didn't want to experience that again, she didn't want Ryu to leave again, she couldn't bear it this time, she'd break in half and be reduced to nothing but tears. "I have to." Fresh tears burned her eyes and she gathered herself in a ball and cried silently, grabbing her chest as if she was stabbed.

"Please forgive me Ryu... Please.. Please.." She pleaded a loud as if he would be able to hear her. She didn't know how she was going to get out of this one, if she could even get out of it for that matter. She overstepped a lot of boundaries with her plan and broke several of the rules of the inn no doubt. She wasn't going to be able to get out of this and she had a feeling her crying and the pain in her heart would only get worse when it came time for her to face up for her actions.. She wouldn't be able to blame Toyotama or Nanaha, Ryu wasn't so easily fooled, and then she'd be forced to admit before his eyes and see them flash with anger and disappointment. It was going to kill her having to do this.

You're nothing but a failure... The words echoed through her mind, bringing a wave of old emotions and old memories she always suppressed. She didn't like dwelling on the past, her childhood and the hardships she endured, how she was treated.. She had some friends but most of the Sekirei didn't speak to her at all preferring to stay away from her and she was extremely shy, still is, so she was alone at times. If she wasn't alone she was with her adjuster who... A complete waste of time and space. She buried her face in her pillow she couldn't finish the thought, all she could think about was Ryu. Her master. The person she wanted to see so badly right now, to apologize, and hope he could forgive her for her stupid mistake.

He's the only person she had now, she couldn't lose him.. He can't leave again, she wouldn't be able to bear the pain. He had to forgive her, he just had to.. She'd do whatever he asked, anything so he could forgive her, she only hoped he'd listen to her. In situations like these he didn't like to be involved and more often than not just ignored it completely not wanting to expend any energy, but it was different this time.