Ryu wasn't sure what to say so he remained silent. If he didn't have anything worthwhile saying he'd also stay quiet, but this wasn't one of those times. If anything it was a far cry from one of those times.
The Ashikabi of the South... Hayato Mikogami if he remembered correctly from one of Matsu's very halfhearted 'lectures' on his possible competitors and who he would be encountering the most.
He hardly ever gave this Ashikabi... Any attention, in fact the last time he was face to face with him-Mutsu was during the retrieval of Kusano. That had been quite the eventful day, between seeing that leech Seo again, and the confrontation he eventually got into with Mutsu it was every bit eventful as it was aggravating. He wasn't as... Naive as he was before, so it begged the question what did Mikogami want from him?
Why did he want to meet him?
"He says to bring only three or four Sekirei." Toyotama's clipped tone broke him from his current train of thought. The two locked glances for a moment and just as quickly their eyes shot towards Ahiko who was actually frowning slightly. If it was an ambush of some sort, then this would be the way to go about it. Toyotama had been ambushed numerous times before she ran into Ryu, her pursuers had always been varied from small fries to the controller of the east Higa. He had been persistent in his attempts to capture her, evidently his scheme never went through for obvious reasons.
"I don't trust him." Ahiko said after a moment. "He had no reason to meet you."
"You're not the only one." Toyotama muttered, shutting the phone and tossing it aside. Well, they now had two choices in the matter-well in her eyes only two. The first choice was to go and completely listen to the message and not bring all of them, which was completely stupid in her opinion so that checked one thing off. The second would be not to go, and then run the risk of him launching an attack through some means or coming knocking on the door with nothing short of malice intent in mind.
"Why not just ignore it?" Uzume asked.
"You're an idiot." Toyotama said snappishly, crossing her arms over her chest not even casting a glance in Uzume's direction. It was just the sort of thing Uzume would say in a situation like this, completely blow it off like it doesn't matter in the least. She had done the same thing during that battle, and Toyotama hadn't forgotten that, and here Uzume was right now trying to do the same thing to some extent. Though... Karei was living here now, but that was still no excuse. "Ryu, what do you want to do?"
"Maybe he wants to be friends?" Hari ventured pensively.
"An alliance..." Ahiko mused with a small frown.
Ryu frowned, raking back his bangs as he ran one hand through his hair slowly. He didn't want to see anyone if he had to be honest, he wanted to do something more enjoyable like train with his Sekirei or watch TV with them like he was now. He never had any intentions of entertaining a spoiled, snotty, self entitled brat like Mikogami a day in his life. There were a million other better things to do than do this, but the Sekirei Plan was nothing but a farce in the end... If he didn't go then there's a chance Mikogami would come here.
Either choice could end up disastrous. It could all be a trap, but if he went there... Their home wouldn't be damaged if things went sour.
As for an alliance... Well, he wasn't even too fond of entertaining the thought.
"We'll go." Ryu said after a long moment of deep thought. Before he went there though he'd need to head to the inn to speak with Matsu. She wasn't combat oriented like the rest of his Sekirei, but she made up for that with her brains... Even if half the time that brainpower was set on causing mischief around the inn or pouncing on him the fact still remained Matsu was very talented. "I'll stop at the inn first, though, I need to see what exactly I'm up against."
"You make it sound like you're going to fight and not talk..." Karei looked around carefully, trying to get a read on everyone's emotions. Ahiko just looked uncomfortable and she couldn't really blame her Mikogami was nothing short of bad news and a little brat. Uzume looked well, a mix between relaxed and worried though it could be for what she just said a second ago. Toyotama and Ryu, they both looked ready for a fight-there was that impassive and hard glare making its way onto their faces.
Toyotama stood up casting Karei an annoyed glare. "I'll be right back, I need to change." She tore her gaze away from Karei, the girl's comment getting more under her skin than she particularly cared to admit-dealing with one idiot was enough and Uzume could be quite a handful, but if Karei was in the same realm of stupid as her, then there were going to be some major problems. "Ahiko." She turned towards her rival and friend. "Come on."
"Why don't you just wear that?" Ryu asked, bemused.
"Because, these aren't my fighting clothes." Toyotama said dryly taking lengthy strides out of the room followed quickly by Ahiko. Jogging pants were comfortable and all, and Ahiko may have been fond of sparring in them, but she needed her original fighting outfit. It was the thing she was most comfortable in whenever engaged in battle, even if it was a bit indecent, she was able to move freely so it all worked out. She glided up a flight or stairs and took several turns finally coming upon her room. "You're not going to wear that bandanna again are you?"
"No." Ahiko shook her head several times to emphasize her point. Even though Uzume made that bandanna to go with the outfit she couldn't run the risk of someone trying to strangle her with it like Benitsubasa did or use it against her. Like yanking her across the cement, just like Benitsubasa did. She grabbed the red half top giving it a curious gaze before shrugging and slipping out of her shirt. "Too risky."
"You don't say..."
"Your sarcasm is dully noted."
Karasuba looked at the city moving below with nothing short of disgust. Teito. What Minaka renamed Tokyo after he basically took the reigns of power. What a massive and prosperous city, flourishing with Sekirei yet to still be winged. Ever since the discussion with Minaka months ago they had tightened up the security over ten fold and of course Takami and Minaka were overseeing the entire thing as well. Every outskirt stretch of the four territories was locked down with MBI soldiers, they were backed by the members of her squad naturally.
She hadn't been able to participate in this seize, since she was the leader of the squad she had to oversee every exit, every port, and every bridge to assure everything was going how it should be. If any Sekirei tried to escape they were to be dealt with-there were a few that tried and she paid them back for it by running her sword through their chest, unfortunately these were far too spaced apart and this kept her wandering around or flying above the city like she was now.
It was probably to keep her from hunting down the few remaining Sekirei. Minaka wanted to see things play out, Takami didn't want her outright killing them, and so they kept her busy with tasks like this. They weren't really worth the time or effort if she had to be honest, but Teito had been growing in disorder every day since then and all the exit points were crowded each day. Naturally, she assured everything ran smoothly even if that meant knocking down a few stupid monkeys that got a bit too mouthy for her taste.
"Koto. Kai. Haihane. Luna. I'd like a report."
Takami cast her eye on Karasuba noting the impatient glint in her eyes that became more and more prominent each day. This wasn't what she did, nor what she was trained to do, Karasuba was a cold blooded killer who reveled in her victims' fear and plight, she had no mercy or sympathy. Takami knew this was just keeping her on a leash if she could even call it that, Karasuba could leave at any point if she wanted... Whether she was partly amused by this or just playing along because she got the chance to kill people Takami couldn't really guess. It was hard to read the Black Sekirei. They weren't supposed to get reports for another day.
"Higa is surprisingly quiet." It was Kai speaking. "I've had no encounters with his Sekirei or the pairs that are under him."
Karasuba scoffed lightly. Little prick was scheming something. "Thank you Kai, see to it that's how it remains."
"There's nothing going on in the west or borders of the north." Koto started speaking. "Sanada is just a punk who rides on his bike all day, no real threat honestly. For reasons we can't move further in the north, but from our current observations the north is how it's always been."
"I see, keep an eye out." Karasuba said halfheartedly.
"There is light activity in the south from Mikogami, several of his Sekirei have been spotted outside of his mansion and making their way around. It would seem as if something is going on, what are your orders Kara-sama?" Luna spoke lastly.
"Keep a steady view of the situation, if things turn sour I trust your judgment."
"I understand."
Karasuba groaned softly.
"Getting a bit impatient, Karasuba-san?" Takami ventured careful to not let sarcasm drip into her tone. It was a miracle the Black Sekirei was playing along with this the entire time for so long. It was very uncharacteristic for her to be so docile, at the very least she'd object or just plain walk away only to return a few hours later. There had to be a reason why she was being this easy as compared to usual, she got to hunt down Sekirei, but she could have done that at anytime. "Don't worry, we have one more sweep to take care of and we'll head back to the tower."
"I'm not worried." Karasuba said impassively, not even sparing a glance in Takami's general direction. She had never been worried a day in her life, she was always self assured and confident-there were few people who could really stand in her way, and even those few kept their distance. Perhaps this was Takami's dry and sardonic sense of humor that showed itself from time to time. If Karasuba had to pin what she was it was restless. Since her battle with Yume she had been anxious, she hadn't caught sight of the eighth Sekirei, but judging from Storm's and Kaiha's reports Yume was in the north sector. Of course she'd be there with Miya, two peas in a pod.
She wanted to tear a hole through Yume and when the time finally came Miya... But, she had her focus set on Yume. The woman had disappeared for years and suddenly turned up during that clash-there had to be a reason why she decided to show herself at that time in particular. Having remained hidden for some odd years one didn't just come out to come out, even if that meant stopping Ryu and Koto from killing each other. She would have interfered herself at the last moment, but she didn't feel it was really necessary. Those two attacks would have wounded them when they connected, but it wasn't a kill blow.
It was just like Yume to be over dramatic.
A faint buzzing started her from her train of thought. Slowly, she flipped open her cell phone, eyes widening by a fraction. What's this? Her eyes narrowed as she took interest. She had gotten this cell phone from Minaka they day she first met him, and then proceeded to try and stab him in the eye, good times. It was a basic model at least ten years outdated, but she had a constant feed for updates in the Sekirei Plan and also any messages exchanged between certain Ashikabi. It was something that all the first generation members had-since they were charged with protecting their brethren, and with Matsu's tech wizardry the could hack into any military base on the planet as well hear their feeds.
It was one of the ways they decimated the dozens of invasion forces years ago.
Takami noted Karasuba's prolonged silence and turned towards her with an expectant stare. "What's going on?" There was apprehension evident in her tone and rigid posture as she waited for the Karasuba to grace her with an answer. Anything that could take the focus of the Black Sekirei was a daunting thought, she didn't like anything and had no interests in anything, so whatever had attracted her attention had to be only a scarce few things. The first and most obvious was her Ashikabi along with this would also be Yume, the second would be she seen an unwinged Sekirei or someone trying to escape or got the message and was readying to go on the hunt, third... Well she couldn't think of a third.
"It seems like the Ashikabi of the South has sent my Ashikabi an invitation to meet him in his territory. He said to only bring three or four Sekirei, but I know Ryu had no intention of listening to him." Karasuba explained with a happy and fond smile. She had been looking for an excuse to ditch this 'boring shit' and go do something more worthwhile, even investigate the fighting rink in the same territory where Natsu and her twin were currently investigating with Benitsubasa and Storm. But, this was even better than that, she'd get to see the little brat, get to see Mutsu's sour expression. She may even get to run into Miya and Yume if she had some good luck on her side.
"Hayato Mikogami!?" Takami hissed, running a finger over the scar on her one eye. He was the cause of it in the first place. The stupid little spoiled brat had managed to wing a lot of Sekirei in a small amount of time, most likely to do with the fact that Mutsu was his Sekirei and that man would do anything as long as it was an order. That wasn't even the worst of it, unfortunately... Mikogami was the second Ashikabi aside from Higa to have the most Sekirei under him, and with Ryu being so unpredictable. "He has the most Sekirei alongside Higa, what is he thinking of actually going there and seeing what this little brat wants?! Why is he even bothering with it?"
"He must be thinking that if he doesn't go than Hayato will launch an attack on his home. He's viewing this as a declaration of war." Karasuba's smirk turned into a big grin as she continued on-she had been waiting for this side of him to become more prominent, waiting to see start shaking this thing up even more and giving her that same rush of exhilaration that he always had. "Or, he's not thinking at all and is just going there." Karasuba shrugged lightly looking at Takami with a dry smile.
"No, he can't go there." Takami frowned at Karasuba. She would be taking a great amount of joy and delight in this. The whole south sector could go up in smoke if anything went wrong with this ordeal, and Ryu wasn't one to hold back anything. If Hayato as much said the wrong word or looked at him the wrong way he'd go on the attack. Trying to stop Ryu was like trying to push a mountain down, it wasn't going to happen. "You need to go there with him and make sure he doesn't go on a rampage."
"Oh?" Karasuba chuckled, genuinely surprised at Takami's response. Perhaps it was a knee jerk decision. "You want me to tag along with him? You already know how I am and how I can get, you want us to be under the same roof?" It was truly amusing and baffling Takami was really considering this or trying to "order it" the greater good of Teito and the Sekirei was always on her mind, given her actions all the way up to this point that rang true. After all she made her spare that one Sekirei she found last week.
"Ryu is unpredictable." Takami's eyes narrowed. "Unlike you, I don't know what he's going to do. That's why I want you to go."
Well, now who was Karasuba to say no to the oh so gracious offer? She'd be stupid to say no, getting the chance to see Ryu start going on rampage again wasn't something she'd ever pass up, and if a battle did break out she'd be able to have her time cutting down all of Hayato's Sekirei and leave Mutsu for last before skinning him alive with her blade, but there was also the implications of this whole meeting. If two major Ashikabi were meeting again so soon after the last implosion, than that could pain a grim picture for the weaker and less prominent competitors. They'd become desperate. And, for any major Ashikabis this would be a high focus for them.
"Okay, I'll go." Karasuba gave Takami a wicked grin before jumping out of the helicopter and sailing towards the city below.
"Damn it..." Takami lit another cigarette, taking a long drag off of it. "I get the feeling I'm going to regret this."
Miya was pleasantly surprised when Ryu showed up on her doorstep. He normally didn't visit every day, for the most part it was every other day or every two days since he had things he had to. It took all of her control and willpower not to throw herself onto him and hug him, a public display of affection wasn't good in her opinion and if anyone seen her so... So clingy she wasn't sure how she would save face.
Thankfully Ryu only smiled at her, even if it made her body burn up it was better than clinging to him. Of course he had come here for a reason, he always did all those times it was to see her, but evidently it was to see Matsu this time. The shameless Sekirei had been hard at work still storing and shutting down her multitude or servers, hard drives, and screens it was a long and tedious task that kept her busy for most of the day. Getting thrown into the wall had did the trick clearly.
Though, Ryu's appearance hadn't been so gracefully accepted by Tsukiumi who had shoved her outfit into Ahiko's hands and demanded her to change into it. How those two started such a competition she wouldn't begin to fathom. Needless to say Ryu had been pretty annoyed with it and bluntly told Tsukumi to get out his way and stop dawdling trying to interfere with his business. If she weren't present at that time the two would have got into a fight right there at the front of the inn.
Now, she sat on Matsu's bed resting on her knees with a graceful posture in comparison to Toyotama's half slouch and Ahiko throwing away any caution and laying herself down clasping her fingers behind her head. She wasn't sure why Ryu was asking her to stay, though she had no problem staying if he truly wanted her to stay with him, but he hadn't explained why. Naturally she was patient and sat here waiting.
"Excuse my mess." Matsu said sheepishly rearranging a few boxes before taking her spot in front of the bright screen. "I've been really busy lately and haven't had the time to clean up."
"Ah, don't worry about it. Uzume can be a slob, this is nothing really." Toyotama waved her hand dismissively. There had been a reason why she didn't want to share a room with the brunette aside from the fact she couldn't keep her hands to herself and laid around naked or half naked. While these were two major reasons the big one had to be how she just lazed around all day and wouldn't even clean up her room just a little bit. Matsu at least had order in this bright room and everything had its place, and there weren't clothes just laying around everywhere something Uzume made a point to do even when she told her to stop.
"Why didn't she come with?" Matsu asked, unable to curb her curiosity.
"Long story short she refused to get dressed." Ahiko replied looking at the shameless Sekirei with a dry expression. "Ryu said she couldn't go outside like that so she stayed back at the house with Karei and Hari."
Matsu cleared her throat gently turning her attention to Ryu. Well, that was quite a bit of information to say the least. "What can I do for you, Ryu-tan?" Her eyes glinted for a moment. "Do your needs have to be satisfied?"
"Would you get a grip?" Toyotama asked in annoyance.
"Maybe he just needs my expertise."
"Matsu, I'm right here~" Miya said in a melodious voice causing everyone in the room except for Ryu to looking at her warily, the hair on the back of their necks pricking up. Normally she would be happy to look passed Matsu's antics as long as they didn't get too out of hand-often times they did, but she was willing to wait to burst Matsu's bubble. But, there was no way Matsu was going to do that with Ryu when she was present in the room, and knowing her she wouldn't care if all of Teito was present. "Do you want to be thrown into the wall again?" Miya giggled sweetly, moving her right arm nonchalantly.
"No! No, I'm sorry." Matsu shook her head quickly, relieved when Miya stopped smiling and returned to her usual composed self. "Ryu-tan, what do you need me to do for you? I won't fail in the task, I can do anything for my Ashikabi!" Matsu said proudly, thumping a fist on her breast and fixing him with a confident and ready smirk.
"I'd like information on the Ashikabi of the South."
The room fell silent.
"I can do that for you." Matsu nodded slowly starting to overcome her shock at her Ashikabi's too blunt statement. She pushed her worry away and quickly slammed her fingers on the keyboard going through a series of combinations too fast for anyone to track. There was a sudden flash and the profile of Hayato showed up complete with where he resided, what Sekirei he winged, Sekirei he lost, and the total number of Sekirei he had. "Well, it says here that... He has over twenty Sekirei-two single numbers being Akitsu Number seven and Mutsu Number five, though you've already met Mutsu that one day. He seems to be a typical brat, his parents are out in the States on business, he had a steady feed of money thanks to them and their business. It would appear he is a stickler for the rules and views this whole thing as a game and nothing more." Matsu finished briskly, clearing her throat gently and fixing Ryu with a careful stare.
"Is there a particular reason why you want to this, Ryu-san?" Miya asked narrowing her eyes at him, and careful not to use the honorific dono or kun. Hayato was one of those competitors that you would just be better off avoiding at all costs instead of even bothering with them, Ryu was never one to back down from anyone or bow his head so it was hardly surprising that he set his sights on him. But, Ryu didn't do things for no reason-there was a reason why he wanted this information. "Ryu-san?"
"Miles will just spill it." Toyotama said.
"Hayato texted me and requested that I meet with him on his home turf. He didn't specify what it was that he wanted, only that I was to show up with three of four of my Sekirei." Ryu replied soberly, doing his best to ignore Miya's pointed and searching stare, she wasn't stupid by any means... She would be able to guess why he was going in the first place eventually if she hadn't done so already, and that's why he couldn't meet her eyes. Because, Miya would be against it, but for reasons he had to go there. If Hayato controlled one whole sector, it was better to get a read on his strength and his Sekireis'.
Matsu still trying to recover from her coughing and choking fit calmed herself down enough to give a small response. "Ryu-tan, that's... That's stupid! He has over twenty Sekirei, the only Ashikabi who has close to that amount is Higa of the east! If you go there under his conditions it could lead to your downfall or capture. I strongly suggest you reconsider this."
"I agree with Matsu-san." Miya spoke up for the first time, clearing her throat gently. "It is much too dangerous for you to go along with this, even though you have your own reasons for doing so.. I may or may not understand, but doing something so foolhardy can only result in death or something close to it." She finished, looking him in the eyes for a few seconds before he turned away from her looking to heave a sigh. If Ryu went through with this, then there was a chance he wouldn't come back and...
It worried her.
They were supposed to get married.
"Thank you, Matsu." Ryu smiled gratefully, covering her up in a smothering hug which she happily accepted wrapping her arms around his neck. Matsu was one of the Brain type Sekirei out there-he couldn't recall any other Sekirei being of the same type as she is. Whether it was just how things were when it came to Sekirei or that Brain types were few and far between he couldn't guess-but he did have a Brain type. He was so grateful for it, having combat oriented Sekirei was fantastic, but for situations like this combat wouldn't do. "I appreciate your worry, but I'm not going to follow his conditions at all..." He peered at Miya for a moment, feeling apprehension smothering her. He quickly turned away. "Ahiko, Toyotama, you two don't mind waiting for just a few seconds at the front door. I need to write a few things down."
Toyotama grunted, shrugging her shoulders as she did so. "Just don't take too long." She said bluntly, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, flashing Matsu a triumphant smirk before exiting the room.
"I don't have an issue with it." Ahiko smiled a big smile before sauntering out of the room. "Just don't keep us waiting too long, like Toyotama-san said." With a small wave she vanished down the hall following after Toyotama.
"Okay, what is it?" Ryu asked Miya and Matsu, both of them looking at him so critically that he swore for a moment they were twins. Matsu never got serious and spent the better part of her day causing nothing but trouble, so seeing her look at him with that small but serious frown and light scowl he was just a bit taken aback. Miya, it was common for her to look so serious throughout the day, though she'd always soften her gaze around him and send him one of those lovely smiles. Unfortunately, she wasn't smiling at this moment.
The two women looked at each other before Miya finally answered.
"I want us... To get married before..."
"The third round." Matsu finished a bit sheepishly.
It wasn't that Ryu didn't understand their feelings and where they were coming from. He did. He truly did, but he also had to factor in the fact that they could be targets used against him-even if it was absurd to think that way with Miya, but he wouldn't take his chances. Minaka could spring up so grand idea, Takami could spring up some grand idea-she already taken an interest in Yume, more importantly his competitors could target them. Quite simply he didn't want the burden, it sounded cold and harsh, thus he couldn't voice it... But, that's just how cruel the reality was. "You guys..." He felt his shoulders slump just slightly as he deflated.
"I promise I'll be a good wife." Matsu said earnestly.
"I don't doubt that..."
"Then why are you so hesitant!?" Matsu asked a bit snappishly, scowling deeply. "Why?"
"Matsu, that's enough." Miya said firmly after noting how Ryu tensed up for the briefest of moments. It wasn't that he didn't want to, or that he was even hesitant about it... No, it was the fact that he was thinking ahead and considering every scenario and possibility. She'd never get trapped or captured honestly, but the simple fact if she or Matsu were to be captured and not even harmed, it'd send Ryu into a rage and he wouldn't be in his right frame of mind. They'd be his wives and someone else put their hands on them. tried to harm them, tried to use them. "You have to understand, Ryu-dono is doing it for our safety as well as his own... If someone ever tried to use us for any purpose think of how that would make Ryu react and feel."
"But, still... I want to get married before the third round." Matsu said softly, stubbornly. The chances of someone targeting her for the simple fact she was his Sekirei was too high as it was, if she were his wife that'd make her a top priority. They wouldn't even need to hurt her in order to get to Ryu, the simple act of having her away from him, not in his arms would be more than enough. It was fragile... But, her heart was set on it, and she didn't want to let this go. "I don't care if you two get married first or it's me... I just..."
"Okay, okay." Ryu said trying his best to put Matsu at ease. Of all the things to react this way over it was marriage. Well, Sekirei were after all like humans-stronger and faster, but still very much like humans. They had needs, feelings, emotions, wants and desires. He peered at Matsu seeing her as a woman for the first time, not a Sekirei, not his tech nerd, just Matsu. These women... One day they're going to kill me... The thought came and went in an instant, but it was very much true... Once a Sekirei was set on something they weren't giving it up. Which means he now had two choices. Prolong this and end up hurting both of them or go through with it and make them both happy. "I... Concede I'll get married. I'm going to leave you two to work out the order of it, I'm not even going to get involved in that."
However the atmosphere was torn asunder by Musubi's gushing. "Karasuba-sama!"
"Great..." Matsu sighed as she watched both of the occupants dart out of her room for different reasons. She perked up though. "I'm going to marry Ryu-tan!"
"Yume, funny seeing you here..." Karasuba drawled grinning at her former comrade, hardly paying Musubi any attention as she bounced up and down like a rabbit. It only made sense Yume would be here, come and interfere in a fight, and then fight her... Only to turn tail and hide out here. It begged the question why she was in the first place? To catch up with Miya? Was she reacting to Ryu, it wouldn't surprise her at this point, or was she have a reaction to Takami's brat that lived here as well.
The same one that was giving her wary looks while Tsukiumi, Kuruse, and even Kusano stood protectively in front of him.
"Let's not do this here." Yume said with a light frown. "It's not the time or the place." She didn't want Kusano to witness a battle of this magnitude, or get caught in the middle, and that went double for Minato. Karasuba would target them simply out of spite. "Consider who is present at this moment." If they started to fight now, Miya was going to skin them alive!
"That's just like you, always dramatic. We never could get on the same page." Karasuba mused mockingly, spitting out each word, her glare sharpening as she focused it on Yume. "How about a little dance..."
"Didn't you hear what she said?" Kazehana asked with a guarded expression as she made her way over.
"Oh, Kazehana I didn't see you there." Karasuba flashed a wicked grin in the drunkard's direction, watching with satisfaction as her eyes narrowed a fraction and the sake bottle in her hand vibrated from her increased grip. "Koto is still pretty angry about what you did a while back, helping those weaklings escape and all. You should consider yourself lucky that I didn't bring him with me, I think he'd enjoy slicing you from your collarbone all the way down to your hip." A sickening laugh echoed from her lips, and she set her eyes onto the trio of Sekirei glaring at her. "What do you think that would do anyways? You're all so weak you wouldn't even make good shields."
Tsukiumi growled angrily widening her stance.
"It'd take me a second to leave you on the ground in a puddle of your own blood, blondie." Karasuba spat. "You're a million years behind to even consider trying to threaten me. Arrogance and ignorance, I don't like your type."
"You leave big brother alone!" Kusano yelled, holding her ground.
"I'll fight you three at the same time and wouldn't even break a sweat. There's a reason why Kazehana over here isn't making a move." Karasuba added arrogantly jabbing a thumb at Kazehana. She tensed for the barest of moments as she met the cold and vicious glare of Miya feeling the sharp steel pressing against her neck threatening to tear it open like a geyser. "Ah, Miya-san. You finally show yourself."
"I've warned you once already... Here you are causing trouble, like always..." Miya growled, despite being several inches shorter than the Black Sekirei she was more imposing and threatening. "Take Minato-san back inside away from her." She spared one glance back seeing the frightful but steady nods of those gathered and the exasperated look on Ryu's face as he made his way forward muttering something to Minato who seemed to mutter something to him. "What are you doing here?" Miya hissed the question, her teeth gritting. "If I don't like your answer..." She let the threat linger.
"You already know Ryu is heading to that brat's turf in the south. I'm going with him to make sure he doesn't go on a rampage. Takami's orders and all of that." Karasuba answered with a smirk, watching Miya lower her blade and sheath it slowly taking a step away from her. Bingo. Miya wouldn't even go that far, not in front of Ryu, and for the simple fact that Karasuba could let them all know the truth... And, Miya didn't want that. "I'd ask if you want to come with, but such things are below you Miya-san. Why waste your time?"
"Can you stop, Karasuba?" Ryu asked in exasperation striding towards her and moving her back a few feet before Miya exploded. He rarely seen her get so angry and violent, in fact the only times she ever expressed such emotions was when Karasuba was within seeing distance of her, and Karasuba didn't do the situation any favors with her goading and coy responses. Miya would go to the ends of the earth for him, Karasuba knew this, and was mocking it or questioning it. "You know Miya-san doesn't want you here..."
"Yes, but you're here so she'll have to deal. Besides, we're leaving." Karasuba shrugged.
"Are you okay, Miya-dono?" Ahiko asked, having decided to stay silent during the whole thing and just watch. She didn't even see Miya move, it had all been a mere flash and by the time she finally came to her senses Miya was in all of her glory with a blade pressed to Karasuba's neck about to split her head clean from the top of her neck like a wine cork. Thankfully that didn't happen, and Ryu managed to get the two apart before it escalated any further. Carefully, she rested a hand on Miya's shoulder feeling the woman tense under her for a moment. She rarely ever lost her composure like this.
"I'm fine, thank you Ahiko-san." Miya said softly.
"Are you sure?" Ahiko's eyes got bigger as she observed the purple haired beauty.
"I'll be fine..." Miya said softly, offering Ahiko a kind smile. She had taught Ahiko many things, one of them being modesty. There was no doubt that Ahiko seen the flash of rage in her eyes and how her body deflated once she came back to reality. "Ryu-san, I'll be joining you."
Ryu nearly choked on his spit, but was graceful enough to cough into his hand and smack his chest.
"Really, that's surprising." Toyotama couldn't help it and had to voice her disbelief. She shuddered once when Miya sent her a serene smile and a hannya mask flared to life hissing at her. "W-Well, nevermind then! Come along the more the better." Toyotama hastily said quickly striding away from her and finding a spot suitable where she wasn't near Miya or Karasuba and settled a few feet away from them both keeping her strides slow and measured as Karasuba led them into the south avoiding any guard posts that were swarming with MBI soldiers and members of the squad.
"This is quite eventful." Ahiko said with a soft sigh taking Ryu's arm in her own. "But, we have no worries now." Both Miya and Karasuba were with them now, and that Mikogami would have to be a fool to try anything funny with these two present-she and Toyotama were no slouches when it came to fighting, but Miya and Karasuba were in a different realm of power. The first five were in a different realm altogether from her observations. She tightened her hold on Ryu's arm and leaned into him sighing contently.
Ryu laughed softly as the outlines of Mikogami's mansion started to come into her the line of vision. They were still too far away to see any details, but the place was huge without a doubt. "Yeah this brat would need to be stupid to try anything." And, if he was stupid enough to try anything there would be hell to pay that's for damn sure, and with Ahiko and her ability to manipulate darkness... Mikogami was going to be outclassed, he may have had a lot of Sekirei and strong Sekirei, but nothing could stop a shadow from piercing into flesh or constricting the neck.
"Well, let's hope he isn't." Karasuba mused a loud, fingering the hilt of her sword. "I'd hate to stab him in the eye or Ryu leave him in pieces."