"It should be under here." Ryu said as he searched under the doormat of his home, clasping the key once he felt it. He straightened, unlocking the door feeling a sense of emptiness as he was greeted with silence. Toyotama let go of his arm striding in with a purpose as Ahiko hung back with Ryu not ready to let go of him just yet. Sighing, Ryu shut the door gazing around his home.

Toyotama stretched her arms out and above her head. "I'm going to hit the shower, see you in a few!" She called to them as she headed up a staircase, vanishing after a moment. Silence surrounded her, and for a seconds Toyotama visibly grimaced. I'm not sure If I can get used to this...

Ryu walked forward, not at all sure what to do. Toyotama had the shower taken at the moment and as much as he would love to wash up he was certain that'd be the last thing he was thinking of when he got in there. Ahiko held onto his arm, casting her eyes around. The rooms were lit by the sun although a bit dark which she didn't mind. There were no hasty movements, no shouting, no arguing, she felt so strange at the moment. More importantly what was not going on was the pouncing of Ryu. She was certain Hari would be barreling down the stairs worried half to death.

"Well..." Ryu said after a moment. He felt strange as well, even stranger than Ahiko. For so long his life had been hectic and the center of noise. His Sekirei were always arguing, bantering, or antagonizing each other. They'd argue over the most ridiculous things and compete over the most ridiculous things just the same. But, as he gazed around his humble and quiet home his stomach sank. "This is a lovely turn of events." The sound of the upstairs shower kicking on alerted them both that Toyotama was taking a shower.

"Ryu..." Ahiko clenched his arm tighter. She hated to think this was all her fault, but it was all her fault. If she hadn't pushed Toyotama and Nanaha to help in the escape plan they wouldn't have fought, which would mean Ryu wouldn't have arrived on the scene. So much bloodshed and death could have been avoided if she'd just kept her mouth shut. She turned her focus up, staring into his eyes.

"There is one thing that is bothering me..." Ryu said softly. He lead Ahiko to his room, since they had yet to purchase any furniture such as couches, sofas, recliners, etc they'd need the comfort of his bed. Ryu opened the door, allowing Ahiko to enter first, but to his surprise she didn't let go of his arm, he didn't question it and instead stepped forward first leading her in and shut the door. "Everyone was present during the battle except for Uzume. She was with me before I charged in, but she was nowhere in sight during the battle. She didn't even come to the hospital when Miya and Kagari visited." He continued where he left off, sitting on the bed.

Ahiko only swallowed observing him carefully. That was one thing she noticed during her fight, but didn't dwell on it too long. It was hard to dwell on thoughts when you had a irate Sekirei aiming to punch off your head. "Maybe she went back to Maison Izumo." Ahiko suggested. Ryu hummed softly, that would be a possibility especially since whatever happened to him effected damn near every Sekirei and Ashikabi in the city... No doubt Miya had to have been one of the many to be effected.

Ryu hummed softly, nodding slightly. Well it did make sense that they'd be there, but it miffed him since he bought this home so they all had their own space! Sighing, Ryu threw himself on the bed staring up at the ceiling, He was happy to feel his bed, the soft blankets, the pillows-he hated hospitals for several reasons one being their stiff and rigid beds. Ahiko didn't let go in time and joined him though she rolled over onto her side, nuzzling her head into the sheets. "Now, what did you want to tell me?" Ryu asked giving her a curious look.

"Well..." Ahiko hesitated. "I, um..."

Ryu tilted his head slightly, somewhat taken off guard by her hesitancy. Looking into her eyes he could see doubt and fear creeping into her eyes. He slowly reached to the side, placing it on the top of her thigh, slowly trailing it down and stopping before he reached her knee giving a small squeeze letting her know it was okay to continue on. Ahiko sucked in a breath, feeling her heart pick up in pace by a few pulses. "Well..." She looked at anything in the room besides him. The walls sure were interesting! "I convinced Toyotama and Nanaha to help Haruka and Kuno and escape and fight the Discipline Squad. They said no at first, but I said that I'd go alone and then they agreed to come with and help me."

His heart ached hearing Nanaha's name. She felt like she was with him at this moment massaging his shoulders and back while they talked about nothing and anything. He stared into Ahiko's eyes intensely. Ahiko involuntarily flinched back from the piercing gaze, sucking in a breath. "Are you lying to me, Ahiko?"

"I could never lie to you." She replied quickly. "Never, Ryu." She shivered a moment as Ryu gently cupped her cheeks, turning her head straight so they were looking each other in the eyes. Ahiko couldn't help but feel guilty, she caused a complete disaster just because she wanted to help Haruka and Kuno, because she couldn't stand seeing Minato look so dejected. "Ryu... I'm..." She grasped at his hands, pursing her lips as she kept her emotions from bursting to the surface.

"Ahiko..." Ryu groaned, resting his forehead against Ahiko's closing his eyes and taking a breath. It was only a matter of time before he had to fight, he was hoping it could be avoided but it couldn't be. They'd have to fight and continue to fight

Slowly, he traced his fingers down Ahiko's cheeks, bending his fingers when he got to her jawline gliding them down her neck and to her collarbone. The action causing her to stiffen and take a deep unsteady breath, pressing her legs together. He couldn't be mad at her, in the end everyone made their decision to fight, there was no blame to be thrown around... It was just the circumstances the situation would have happened one way or another. "This would have happened one way or another, there was no avoiding it."

More importantly they all fought to their fullest extent-until they had nothing left to give. Even Yashima fought to the very end putting her all in every attack. It'd be an insult to cry and regret it-it hurt there was no denying that, but to cry over it... He wouldn't besmirch them or their efforts by doing such a thing. They were gone and he'd just need to accept it. "Hush." He finished after a few minutes, tensing his fingers for a moment.

"But-"

"Hush." He repeated, raking a hand through her hair. "Kiss me."

Ahiko was still for a moment before she did what she told, kissing his lips. Her heart soared, skipping a beat as she gripped his arm deepening the kiss. She wanted to apologize for her knee jerk decisions. She felt responsible for this turn of events even though Ryu said it wasn't in her control, but she still felt that it was. If she didn't badger Nanaha and Toyotama they wouldn't have left, in turn Ryu and the others wouldn't have had to save them from the bind they were in. She barely nodded, keeping her tears back as she kept her eyes closed, mashing her lips with his own. He was angry and sad that much was clear, but he didn't wish to shame their memory. Okay, Ryu. She thought, pressing a hand to his stomach, about to make her way down...

"Well, what do we have here?" Toyotama's voice snapped them both to attention, Ahiko sitting up while Ryu settled on leaning on his arms. Toyotama chuckled at the looks the two shot them Ahiko flustered and Ryu slightly surprised, perhaps it was because she was in nothing except a towel that did nothing to hide her assets. It only seemed to enhance them. "I'm gone for ten minutes and you kids are already sucking face, and you." She turned to Ahiko. "Getting a bit bolder now aren't we?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about!" Ahiko sputtered, blushing madly. "I'm taking a shower!" She hastily left the room ignoring Toyotama's knowing gaze that followed her until she left the room. Toyotama merely shook her head at the woman's half embarrassed exclamations, it was all too fun and easy catching someone in the act. And, unlike her Ahiko was a bit more private and didn't like being caught in the act, she on the other hand could care less if someone walked in on her and Ryu making love or kissing.

Toyotama sighed, rummaging through his closet for some clean clothes. Hoodies and sweaters were out of the question since it was no longer pouring rain it seemed that it only rained during the entire day of their battle and the following day while they were first starting to recover. "Hey, are you okay?" Toyotama asked noticing Ryu was staring out his window with a mysterious expression.

"I'm..." Ryu started but stopped second later. No matter how much he tried to shake the empty feeling he just couldn't. It clawed and raked. He didn't like it. He hated it. "How are you feeling?" He changed the subject wisely.

"Better now that I finally got to take a shower." Toyotama sighed loudly, tossing her towel away in one smooth motion revealing her fully naked and buxom body, shaking her head a few times. "I swear Takami can eat a dick... Not letting us at least have a sponge bath, ridiculous! I am not an animal that likes to roll in its own filth." She grabbed a plain white t shirt, slipping it on smoothly and pulling down on the bottom smoothing out the wrinkles.

"She was rather pushy." Ryu agreed, scowling. The memory of her poking a needle through his vein and drawing out some of his blood was scorched in his mind. The way she looked at him and spoke about running tests, it didn't make him happy. Toyotama hummed in agreement, sliding on a pair of blue panties with ease. "She really gets on my nerves..."

"Who you telling?" Toyotama asked, setting a hand on her hip. "I had to deal with her for a very, very long time. If you think that's bad you should have seen her trying to get us to take baths." Those were fonder memories, innocent even. Long before she had to fight her sisters, long before she was thinking about being winged, she could be a child and not worry about a thing.

How things change.

"I won't ask..." Ryu shook his head in bemusement at her second statement. Bath time? Toyotama almost strangled Uzume in the bathhouse back at Maison Izumo with the reason that the brunette was a nasty pervert and was feeling her up. It wasn't a pretty sight, Miya proceeded to whack both over the head with her wooden stick. Thankfully he wasn't there when it occurred, Miya would have subjected him to the same punishment. He eyed her curiously, taking in her long and shapely legs. "Not that I mind you just wearing panties and a t shirt, but we're going to that party."

"Ugh, do we have to?" Toyotama moaned, disappointed. "I love Miya and all, honest I do, but I can do with a bit of relaxation." She turned to Ryu smiling coyly. "I was thinking you could help start the relaxation big man." She laughed, waving her hand as he scowled at her. "Okay, I'll go finish getting dressed." She snatched a pair of black knee high boots while she was still in.

"We'll be there for a little while." Ryu tried soothing her. He understood, he wanted to be alone with her and the rest of his girls too, but a few weren't present. "When did you get those boots?" He noticed the green markings on the back of them.

"When do you not wear that kimono, haori, and hakama?" She questioned back.

"Hahah." Ryu laughed sarcastically. "Your point has been proven."

"It has." Toyotama sashayed her way over, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Now, I'll go and make myself look good for you." She winked in a feisty fashion, drawing her face away from his. "And, when we get back here we can both relax."

Ryu nodded. He wasn't going to make a retort on the matter.

Minato shouldn't have been surprised when he arrived at the inn to see Kusano waiting impatiently on the front steps for his return. The little Sekirei bounded forward with surprising speed and slammed into him hugging him at the waist overjoyed. "Onii-chan!" She shouted.

"Ummm, you guys." Minato looked to his three older Sekirei for assistance. "Little help here, you know how Miya-san is strict and all..."

Kuruse hummed, considering this. "Sorry, but I need to take a bath." She excused herself, holding back a laugh when Minato shot her a weary look. She would have loved to assist him but it was too funny seeing him squirm and like she said she needed to wash up.

Musubi sniffed the air, eyes bursting into stars as she smelt the heavenly aroma coming from the kitchen. "Foood!" She shouted in excitement, drool running from her mouth to her chin to the floor.

"Stop!" Tsukiumi exclaimed in disgust. "Doest thou have any shame!?"

"I'm just hungry!" Musubi replied, a ravenous growl echoing as she followed the invisible trail turning sharply down a hallway. Minato sighed softly, rubbing Kusano's head softly as he and Tsukiumi pried her off from his torso much to her anger. Dusting himself off, Minato stood to his feet giving the inn a once over and closed his eyes for a moment relieved that nothing seemed to change. He was a bit surprised to see Kagari walking about who gave him a lazy wave, it struck him oddly since the silver haired man rarely left his room or was home for that matter.

His relief evaporated in an instant. Kazehana-san... He gulped slowly, turning his head to look at Tsukiumi who stood proud as always arms folded under her breasts talking to Kagari about something. He couldn't begin to guess what she would do, how she would react, how many gallons of water she'd dump on him for winging the buxom wind Sekirei-he hadn't though much about it when she was in his hospital room, but now that's all he could think about.

"Minato~"

He never had any luck.

"Kazehana-san-" he turned in the direction of her voice, eyes bulging from their sockets and jaw dropping as he took in her appearance and lack of clothing even undergarments. Kazehana sauntered towards him wearing nothing but a pink apron that went up to the middle of her thighs just barely and did nothing to hide her assets. If anything it only accentuated her curves and bountiful breasts. "W-What are you wearing!?" He exclaimed as blood leaked from his nose, and he hastily wiped it.

"Minato!" Tsukiumi yelled, appearing a few inches from him glaring daggers. He took a step back, looking to Kazehana for assistance. "Don't tell me you... You winged this drunken harlot!"

"Excuse me?" Kazehana narrowed her eyes. "Only the Game Master and Number 01 can speak to me that way." She set her hands on her hip. "I am Minato's wife."

"Nonsense!" Tsukiumi snapped. "You are but a mere concubine I am his real wife!" She snarled, extending an arm forward and the air got really moist for a moment.

"Is that so?" Kazehana took the challenge.

Minato was ready to exclaim for them to stop. He knew Miya couldn't be far from their post right now and she'd be furious to see them fighting and Kazehana ass naked despite wearing an apron. However, just as he opened his mouth a rush of air swept passed him followed by resounding smacks and two thuds smacking against the floor, he blinked wearily in shock to see Kazehana and Tsukiumi on the floor groaning as they massaged the lumps on their heads. "Kazehana-san I told you three times not to wear that... Miya smiled sweetly, tilting her head to the side as a hannya mask flared around her glowering at the two Sekirei on the floor. "Tsukiumi-san I told you before violence is not tolerated in Maison Izumo..." At this point Minato was on his ass muttering incoherently as Kusano clung to his leg shaking in fright.

"Sorry!" Both Sekirei exclaimed at the same time, wincing as their respective bumps throbbed. When had Miya come towards them, let alone been able to hit them? More importantly how had she hit them so hard and so much!? Tsukiumi counted at least four bumps on her head, painfully so, and struggled to come up with an explanation.

Satisfied with her presence now known Miya turned her gaze onto Minato who shrunk away. "Minato-san..." She smiled pleasantly. "Make sure to wash up, being in a hospital for a a few days without bathing is rather... Unpleasant." Minato hastily nodded in compliance. He wanted to grab a bite to eat first, but he could hear the bathhouse calling his name and he couldn't and wouldn't delay.

"Y-Yes Miya-san!" He exclaimed sprinting away leaving a trail of dust.

"Kuu-chan you can help me in the kitchen. Kazehana-san do something about your appearance." Miya turned sauntering away leaving the three Sekirei dumbfounded before they dispersed neither wanting to suffer the wrath of the Hannya. Relaxing the hannya mask finally faded away as she strolled back towards the kitchen overhearing Musubi exclaim in delight.

"Yume-sama!" Miya shook her head. It seemed like today was going to be rather eventful, perhaps more than what the days had been so far.

"Calm down, Musubi-san." Miya said as she entered the kitchen, looking between the two twins. Well they were twins practically same hair and eyes, though Musubi was a bit more developed and buxom than the Sekirei Of Fate. "You almost knocked over the daikon radishes, I would hate to clean up a big mess and have to chop those all over again..."

"It's my fault, Miya-san." Yume smiled softly, looking at Musubi for a moment. "She's just excited to see me."

"I don't want to hear excuses." Miya narrowed her eyes slightly. "I don't want my Inn becoming a pig-stein because two Sekirei don't know how to behave or control themselves."

"Of course." Yume nodded looking a bit weary. "Forgive Musubi-san, I take full responsibility."

Miya smacked Yume over the head with her wooden stick, flooring her instantly. "Don't let it happen again." Miya smiled softly. "Now help me with the fish."

"Yes!" Musubi and Kusano exclaimed in unison.

Koto was a man of few words. He was never one for banter and small talk, he didn't like idle chat viewing it as a waste of time. He was pragmatic and straight to the point. Karasuba pounded those views into him with her sword and fists. He didn't view the world as a skipping wonderland like his other mentor Yume had, and when she was seemingly lost Karasuba's drills only became more intense and brutal.

Though he was left face first on the floor with his lungs burning, his bones aching, and his muscles swelling he didn't sway or give. Looking back on those brutal days of his early childhood now he was thankful for Karasuba's harsh lessons and training regimen. She didn't expect anything less than one hundred and twenty percent and taught him how to survive, not how to fight, but to survive.

Among the many lessons besides survival he was taught was to not show any emotion and keep it bottled down at all times. In essence he was a killing machine with no remorse.

That lesson was being tossed out the window at this very moment as he made his way towards Natsuo's office. The stupid bastard who was the "leader" of the Discipline Squad never mind him or Karasuba. It was time for a reality check, whether this prick had any type of feelings for Haihane or Benitsubasa he didn't give two shits. What he did care about was Haruka and Kuno escaping, and while he thought ninety five percent of it was his fault a good margin of that fell on Natsuo.

Luna was rather adamant that he just relax trying to tug him along to one of their respective rooms to help him relax. The thought of relaxing with Luna was enticing, her scent was intoxicating and her skin made the tips of his fingers pulsate with desire, twisting his stomach, and for a very short time making him lose all sense of reality. He had to decline her offer, and while he was met with resistance and six earfuls on why he should relax and come with her one of those being she wanted to have sex, he had to focus on the overall morale and good of his squad.

She took his answer better than he expected she would. Luna simply nodded promising him that she's going to have a big surprise for him whenever he gets done doing what he had to do. After she gave him six earfuls of course.

He stopped in front of the door to Natsuo's chambers. A secretary as he called him for that deluded fool Minaka and nothing short of it. Koto took a deep breath, focused his energy into his fist and threw it forward, smashing through the door and sending it flying into the desk completely obliterating the hinges.

Natsuo had been busy looking over a report of the battle that took place on the bridge. Haruka and Kuno escaped-the latter showing a strange ability. It seemed that while in his frenzied and frightened state he was able to replicate Kuno's unique ability to amplify her voice to ear shattering volumes. It was most strange indeed and it didn't sit well with him. His thoughts were abruptly halted as his door slammed into his desk, nearly going through the front and spilling the papers he had neatly stacking all over the room. "Can I help you!?" He asked biting back his annoyance as he directed his gaze up at Koto, the orange haired man glaring venomously. Natsuo shrunk back slightly, not expecting to see death in his eyes.

"Yes, you can you dumb bastard!" Koto roared, swinging down his muscular arm and split the desk in two. He closed the small distance separating them yanking Natsuo off of his chair by the tie and holding him aloft. "You already know what happened at the bridge so I'm going to get right to the point..." Koto narrowed his eyes. "You will wing more Sekirei and increase our numbers, or you will find a way to do the latter without winging more Sekirei!"

Natsuo frowned. "First of all you better let me go." He said sternly, choking as Koto only tightened his grip on him. "Who the hell do you think you are to kick down my door!?"

"I am the Demon Commander of the Discipline Squad!" Koto snarled, lunging forward, and with a sharp push slammed Natsuo's spine into the glass behind him drawing oxygen from his lungs and a choked wheeze. The pieces of glass showered the floor and the ground several stories below. Koto now holding Natsuo at least five hundred stories above ground level looked at him with malice fuming from him, his eyes boring into Natsuo's. "Give me a reason why I shouldn't drop your ass right now!"

"Because, Minaka will be most unhappy." Natsuo replied swiftly, gripping Koto's wrist as he fought for air. "And, Benitsubasa and Haihane will be terminated if I did and you can't have that now can you?"

"You test my patience which I don't have..." Koto growled, slowly loosening his grip on the desk clerk. "Benitsubasa and Haihane can and will be replaced as will you. Minaka isn't going to save your ass this time, you're going to give me what I want!"

"You're nuts!" Natsuo shouted. "You'll really let me go!?"

"Try me..." Koto smirked loosening his grip again, delighted to see Natsuo's eyes bulge like saucers. He could almost taste his fear on the tip of his tongue.

Natsuo put his arms forward waving his hands frantically. "Alright!" He exclaimed. "What is it that you want?"

"I want more members of the squad..." Koto leered at him. "This fuck up will not happen again! Nobody is going to escape again! You will wing more Sekirei and increase or numbers. Or you will find a way to increase our numbers without doing that..."

"You can't possibly-"

"I don't care what you do on your own time. That is your business." Koto started loosening his grip again. If Natsuo wanted to be hardheaded then he'd just have to see how hard is head was when it splattered on the concrete and for the next two miles in every direction. "But this is my squad! I make the decisions, it is my responsibility. What happened a few days can not and will not happen again!" Koto was being deadly serious. He would drop Natsuo if he didn't agree to this. "I'm going to give you three seconds..."

"Okay!" Natsuo exclaimed, hastily rummaging through a pocket and pulling out his cell phone. "I'll make a call. I know someone who is strong and extremely talented we'll be a hundred men stronger with him on the squad." Natsuo flipped his phone open to further his point. He did not like the ghastly look in Koto's eyes they seemed to glow with hatred-and it was directed at him. Which was worse. It chilled his blood and knocked the breath from his lungs-if he had anymore to spare.

"A hundred men stronger?" Koto was curious, considering this. "That is a bold claim, one I don't think you can follow through on..." Koto shook his head, it wouldn't be a major loss Natsuo always was a pain in the ass anyways. "Tell me how you enjoy eating concrete."

"I am not lying!" Natsuo yelled. "If you just let me back inside and let go I will prove it to you."

"I could snap your neck instead..." Koto was about to do the deed but a voice snapped him from his focus.

"Koto-kun! What are you doing!?" Luna stood in the doorway with a shocked expression donning her sports bra and super short, shorts that she normally wore around the tower. She dashed forward, clamping an arm on his shoulder.

"I'm giving him an alternative to falling to his death." Koto replied bluntly as if the room wasn't in shambles and Natsuo was hanging thousands of feet from the ground below.

"Stop it!" Luna snapped, furrowing her brows. "Killing Natsuo-san isn't going to do anything!"

"Luna-kun, please control him!" Natsuo all but begged, looking to her pleadingly. "He's gone completely insane!"

"FINE!" Koto yelled, tossing Natsuo back into his room, watching the suit clad man slam head first into the nearest wall groaning. "You better not be lying about whoever this is or you will regret it..." Koto warned, turning his focus onto Luna. "What are you doing here!? I said I'll be in your room when I'm finished here."

"Oh, well just stopping you from dropping Natsuo!" Luna snapped right back, wrapping both arms around one of his. "Come on, you need to relax, seriously." She huffed softly shaking her head. She had seen a lot of things in her time living in the tower provided her with many moments she would rather forget. But seeing Koto with Natsuo in his grip hanging thousands of feet in the air, this one definitely had to take the cake. She led him out of Natsuo's room apologizing on his behalf, leaving a shocked and scared half to death Natsuo. "Was that really necessary?" Luna asked him once they were a few floors closer to her room.

"Yes it was." Koto answered dryly, looking at her pointedly. "I got what I wanted."

"But I didn't..." She tugged on his arm harder. "My room. Right. Now."

Natsuo shook his head, struggling to shake off his fear. His nerves were fried. He took a moment to gather himself, standing up to his feet and dialing a number. Koto was being deadly serious, and he wasn't going to chance it with Karasuba backing him up. "Hey," he said as someone picked up on the other line.

"Natsuo?" The other person asked, curious. "What's up?"

"Did I call at a bad time?" Natsuo asked, a bit concerned.

"No." Was the blunt reply. "Anyways..."

"Do you think you could come in tomorrow, bring your Sekirei too?"

There was a pause. "Sure. Does it matter what time?"

"Ten thirty?"

"I'll be there."

Natsuo ended the call, setting his phone on the floor. He hoped this would work.

"I swear, I think I'm deaf..." Toyotama groaned, massaging her ears. This would be the last time she went with Ryu to a smithy as he called it. She had no idea what it was at first, now it was literally pounded into her.

"I needed a new sword." Ryu looked at her with a deadpan expression. "Mine cracked during the fight, better safe than sorry."

"Tell that to my ears..."

Ahiko only hummed softly, tightening her hold on Ryu's right arm. Her ears were pounding too, but she was very content. For once she was wearing a t shirt, jogging pants, and tennis shoes. She couldn't recall the last time she wore something like this other then when she went shopping with Ryu and Hari. She could finally breathe! Her girls had room and she didn't need to squeeze her way into it which is always a plus. She noticed Toyotama looking at her strangely, probably because she wasn't groaning about her ears. "A smithy is short for blacksmith." Ahiko looked at her for a moment. "Sekirei are supposed to be warriors, how don't you know this?"

"I don't use a sword." Toyotama replied. "And, forgive me for not enjoying my ears being pounded to death while some guy constructs a sword."

Ryu sighed softly. While he could understand her annoyance with the scenario it wasn't that bad. Perhaps it was because he was used to the pounding and shaping of steel since his master was an expert craftsman. How many nights had he been kept aware or woken up by the incessant pounding and banging. Way too many to count off his hand or the top of his head, sometimes he wondered if it was intentional. "Okay, next time I won't bring you with."

"Thank you." Toyotama smiled happily. She never wanted to deal with that again, and she was rather comfortable wearing an almost identical outfit to Ahiko except her jogging pants were a light gray as opposed to black. "There's the inn." She pointed to Maison Izumo coming into their sights, like an unmovable mountain in the center of the block, it was a symbol more than a home.

They quickened their pace, stepping onto the front, but before Ryu could knock the door swung open revealing Hari and Matsu. "Ryu-kun!" They both exclaimed in unison, about to pounce him but he hastily held up a hand. Hari pouted her fun being ruined, but she brightened up instantly seeing Ahiko alive and well. She had heard the news of the terrible outcome of the battle and had been saddened by the result, she was also hit by the invisible shock wave and that really jarred her and even Miya. Though, they were all okay now. "Come on, Ahiko-chan! I have to show you something!" Hari snatched Ahiko away from Ryu hauling her away.

"I'm going to see what's cooking." Toyotama said, sniffing the air for a moment. "I am starving!" She excused herself, sauntering further into the inn, hanging a left.

Okay then... Ryu sighed mentally, taking a step forward but jerked to a stop as Matsu crashed her lips into his, sliding her tongue into his mouth as he wings flared brightly from the back of her neck. Ryu wrapped an arm around her tight waist, pulling her close until her breasts pressed against his torso and she gasped for air, breaking the kiss. "I'm happy to see you too, Matsu." He looked into her eyes, noticing the lecherous grin crossing her face.

"I am overjoyed to see you my Ryu-tan." She traced a hand down his torso, tensing it as she passed over his well defined and hard muscles, taking her time when she got to his abs. She has waited so long, too long for her taste to just see him. Touch him. Kiss him. Push him on the floor and tear his clothes off like a savage woman. He rubbed her crest-something that was linked to her very being. She couldn't say she liked it. She LOVED it. He was so possessive and she couldn't help but submit to him. "You think you could just rub my crest, tie my hands behind my back, and leave me sore for three days afterwards and I wouldn't pay you back ten thousand fold?"

"Ten thousand?" Ryu asked, looking a bit surprised. "That's, um, a lot."

Matsu nodded her head, fully aware it was a lot. And she was going to savor every single second of it! "Believe me I am fully aware of that. I intend to rip your clothes off with or without your permission."

"Like you asked for it." Ryu retorted, rolling his eyes.

"Nope, I don't have to." Matsu replied bluntly, giving him a quick peck on the lips before Miya came to spoil the party. "I am your wife, and I can kiss you or tear your clothes off anytime I want."

"Wife?" Ryu looked at her with wide eyes. "I don't recall-"

"You're so silly." Matsu waved him off, sashaying back towards her room. "it's okay though you're my silly Ashikabi."

"Okay, first I am not silly." Ryu said as he followed her, resisting the urge to smack her right on the ass. "Second, wife? I don't recall us ever talking about this not even once." He scowled hearing her giggle in a very perverse manner and quickened her pace. That was okay though he wasn't going to go towards her room at the moment, he was only focused on a certain miko.

"Oh, I'll be moving in with you give or take a few days or weeks." Matsu told Ryu before she vanished down a hallway. "Then we can experiment for hours and hours!"

Ryu could only shake his head in exasperation. Wife, moving in without even speaking to him about it until now. Matsu really was something else not including her perverted nature. Shoving the thought away he made his way down a hall opposite of the direction Matsu went, his nose picking up the heavenly aroma instantly. He slid open the door that was blocking him off from it, and he froze. He narrowed his eyes, an animal-like growl vibrating from the back of his throat as he stared at the two twins, more notably the one that was slightly less developed and not as bubbly as Musubi.

"Oh, you must be Miya-san's..." Yume stopped herself from saying it out loud. The air seemed to drop a few degrees, and Ryu's eyes narrowed to glowing slits as he clasped the hilt of his sword, channeling some energy into his legs. This woman. The woman who interfered in his fight. The woman who punched him into a steel beam. The woman who knocked him out. The woman who stopped him from taking revenge. She was standing in the middle of the kitchen with Musubi and Kusano, Miya had to be off somewhere else. His blood boiled, and his teeth gritted against each other. What was she even doing here?!

To hell with it. He had thought, it was the only thought he had besides to impale this nosy woman for getting involved in his business! He leaned forward, pressing the ball of his foot into the floorboards, about to attack with swiftness few could ever match. However, Yume wasn't backing down and he noticed she was more than willing to trade blows with him. That was okay because he'd chop her head right off! He took another step forward, and as if instantaneously Miya appeared in front of him, intercepting his path from cleaving a gash through Yume's chest. "Ryu-san, I see you're doing much better and decided to come." Miya set her jaw, not oblivious to the killing intent he was leaking out, that ghastly look in his eyes that tried to penetrate through Yume. "You know the rules better than anyone else..."

Ryu bit back a snarl. "Why is she doing here!?" Ryu asked a bit too calmly.

"She's staying here for the moment, as you know I turn nobody away." Miya titled her head smiling softly. "The more the merrier."

Ryu didn't show dis displeasure visibly or openly. But he was very displeased. "I see..."