Uzume kept her eyes pointed on the TV, side of her head nestled against a pillow. It was getting late, and the moon was starting to shine through the windows bathing the entire living room in its lucid glow. It was another extremely rough day. It wasn't rough for any reason other than Ryu taking them all to train-excluding Karei, and then training until she couldn't even move an inch.

She noticed the change before, but it was becoming more clear. Ryu had always been intense and extreme in his own ways, but this was starting to push it to an entirely different level. He didn't go easy on her, and when she screamed for a break he'd keep on going until she collapsed and was gasping for oxygen like a dog pants-it wasn't pleasant by any means. Granted, she was getting stronger, and she was increasing her skills, this side of Ryu was becoming almost unbearable. She didn't want to be gasping for oxygen like her life depended on it.

However, now they were all gathered in the living room silently watching TV for the most part save for some idle chat about the current show on. She was thankful that she got to sit down and just relax-something she had been able to do all day before Ryu went on his extreme training binge and showed no intention of relenting anytime soon. A great meal that was deserving after such a long and harsh day of training was prepared, and she could feel some of her fatigue start to fade as her body absorbed the nutrients.

But, it was only her physical fatigue that faded. Her mental fatigue remained and only increased. She had no problem with training, though she really wouldn't join in before-she was strong enough in her opinion and Takehito adjusted her to the best of his abilities. For a double number she was frighteningly strong, but that wasn't good enough now, and Ryu was expecting as well as pushing for more. In short at the level she was now it wasn't good enough in his eyes.

The real reason she was so wary is because Kakizaki sent her a message a few hours ago...Higa was calling a meeting and expected her to be there ready to give a debriefing along with Karei and a third person who she had no idea was even affiliated with the cunning man. It wasn't a secret Higa had many working under him, but the way he was talking it sounded as if that third person was closer than she thought.

But, it didn't matter. The only thing that mattered is that she had to be at Higa's tower thirty minutes before the time demanded. If she wasn't there on time than Chiho was going to suffer the consequences for her own negligence, and she couldn't allow the sweet girl to be punished for such a thing. Even though Chiho wasn't her Ashikabi she was very fond of the girl, and more importantly she already made her decision long before and would have to stick with it.

There was no other option for her or Chiho-it was this or death...

"I'm going to call it an early night." Uzume stood up from her spot on the couch, stretching her arms high overhead.

"Are you sure?" Ryu looked at her curiously.

"Yeah, I need to sleep off some of this soreness. Come on, Karei-chan." Uzume laughed softly. It wasn't a lie, while the meal did help with some of the soreness, rest was going to be required for the rest to go away.

"Good night." The long haired Sekirei said gracefully, bowing her head for good measure before following after Uzume.

"I'm going to head to bed, too. Night!" Hari skipped off towards her room a few minutes later.

"Maybe I've been pushing too hard, lately." Ryu said softly, looking at the spots where Uzume and Hari were were before departing to their rooms. Uzume would rather eat cookies than seriously train, and he knew this far too well at this point, but a small part of him that was growing everyday couldn't tolerate her mentality to sit around and do nothing. He wouldn't try to change her by any means, but she had to get stronger...If she didn't than she'd be like...

Toyotama sighed softly at his resignation wrapping both arms around one of his and leaned into him. If she had to be honest she loved this part of Ryu, loved what he was doing, loved just how driven and intense he was. Before he had been too soft, and she wouldn't dare to say complacent, but he lacked the edge that he has now before. He would be fine with Uzume not training and just lounging around, but now he was forcing her to compete with her, Ahiko, and Hari. Before he would have stopped after she gasped and fell to one knee, but now he continued on without any hesitation.

"You're doing just fine, Ryu. I like this change." She told him, tightening her grip on his arm-hopefully this would help emphasize her point.

"Uzume has always been too indolent." Ahiko spoke up with just a bit of hesitance, looking at her lover and rival with a studious gaze. Uzume always treated her with respect and never an ounce of hostility, but it didn't change the fact she had a problem with indolence and was indulging excessively with indolence. Uzume was very strong and skilled, but if this last battle taught her anything none of that mattered. It didn't matter if you didn't have that edge. "You're just worried about us, Ryu. If you're being too hard it's only for the good of us all."

"Thanks..." Ryu sounded sincere, if a bit wary. He just couldn't shake this feeling...

"How about we sleep out here tonight?" Toyotama suggested.

"I'd like to do that." Ahiko nodded after giving it some thought. The bed was always nice, but cuddling up on a couch like this brought back memories.

"Good girl." Toyotama said teasingly.

Ahiko narrowed her eyes.

"Girls." Ryu looked between both of them, knowing that they were rivals in more ways than one, and Toytama enjoyed to tease Ahiko. He sighed softly when they stopped their stare down, both of them darting their focus onto him in unison. "I'll get some blankets."

"I can do that." Toyotama volunteered.

Leaving the two behind with a small wave of her hand she trudged up the stairs to get the blankets. Ryu could take this time to relax and Ahiko could keep him company so he didn't spend his time brooding. She passed Yomi's room, Nanaha's room, and Yashima's room along the way and didn't dare to open them-Ryu hadn't went to those rooms for any reason and she couldn't bring herself to do it either. It would only fill her with pain and heartache. She never got along with Yashima, but not being able to see her, Yomi, and Nanaha...It hurt.

She shook the thoughts away-there was no sense in being sad anymore at this point. Those three fought with everything they had and had nothing to be ashamed of, it'd be nothing short of horrible on her part to break down in tears with the reality of them not being here. It'd just stain their memory, make their efforts worthless, and slow them down in the long run. All they could do now is fight and keep all of those memories in their hearts as they're fighting.

I really should have made up with her and apologized... She couldn't help but let the thought intrude within her mind. Yashima fell believing that she hated her, and contrary to how she acted she never hated Yashima. The only thing she hated was how Yashima tried to drag Ryu down, tried to make him stand her up when she should have been doing that herself-she'd want Ryu to take a death blow for her sooner than move...She didn't want Ryu to die.

But, if they had been on good terms she wouldn't feel this...Guilt that she does now.

"Hari!?"

Toyotama jolted from the sudden exclamation, silently shoving herself against the wall and perking her ears up at the conversation happening a few meters away from her. Slowly, she peeked around the corner, and whipped her head back. Her teeth grit, and her fists clenched-Uzume, Karei, and Hari were all talking about something at length. She strained to hear the conversation, but judging from Uzume's exclamation of surprise it couldn't be good.

Her stomach began to sink. What the hell is going on?

She peered over discreetly, careful to suppress her presence.

"You sound surprised, Uzume."

Hari didn't sound like she usually did, in fact she sounded like the total opposite. Pointed, confident, and without a shred of innocence in her tone. There wasn't so much hardness present as a degree of...Malice.

"Of course I am you're Ryu's Sekirei!" Uzume snapped.

"You're his Sekirei, too. Now look at you doing everything Higa-sama tells you to like a good little servant. Chiho isn't even your Ashikabi, and yet look at the lengths you're willing to go for the little girl. If Ryu found out you betrayed him for her, you know he will kill you. He hates betrayal the most."

"What are you trying to play at here, Hari?" Karei practically snarled, advancing on the shorter Sekirei, but Hari just remained firm without any fear..

"I should be asking you that question, Karei. What are you doing procrastinating? You could be punished for such a thing, and I've always enjoyed dishing out punishment under Higa-sama's order." Hari giggled softly, covering her mouth with her hand as her eyes twinkled in a deadly manner.

"Y-You're the third person that Kakizaki mentioned!" Uzume's eyes nearly bulged from her skull-in fact if they weren't lodged in they would have fallen out.

"That's right. Higa-sama knew you two would be rebellious and end up prolonging this, but it's only worked out in his favor." Hari smirked as she tapped her foot against the floor, delighting in the pure fury that shone in both of their eyes at the truth finally coming out. They were so stupid and naive to think that she was just a silly and stupid girl, never once suspecting she was a third wheel meant to keep them going.

Ahiko was more than suspicious, and made sure to keep her away from Ryu-these two however, were stupid.

"Hari, how dare you even think of doing this!" Karei clenched her teeth, fingers tightening until her knuckles bulged.

"And, what Uzume and you have done is any better? I've always been Higa's Sekirei, I've just allowed Ryu to wing me in order to boost my power and get on the inside. Ahiko has her suspicions which is why she's been making me stay with her in the same room, and rarely lets me out of her sight. Unlike you two, she isn't so stupid, and I'm certain Matsu already knows the truth." Hari crossed her arms over her chest, just daring them to retort.

"You just look at him as a power source!?" Uzume barked, advancing on Hari.

"It's a two way street. The more Sekirei an Ashikabi has the stronger they become. The Ashikabi gets their abilities in addition to their strength, and the Sekirei get their Ashikabi's strength-this is how abilities are developed. Of course, only someone like Ryu, Minato, and Haruka-as the last one proved can develop such abilities. What will you do when Ryu is sucking you dry, Uzume?"

Uzume froze.

"I am able to absorb energy. When I do it to humans it'll last just a few minutes, but with Sekirei it can take hours...Our Tamas give us an unlimited amount of energy, but when that energy runs out that's when deactivation happens. So, don't look so frightful Uzume, Ryu may suck you dry but killing you would be such a waste, you'll only be deactivated. Your energy will be put to good use, you traitor."

"Uzume, are you-" Karei started, trying to get her friend to snap out of it, but Hari halted her attempt.

"You should keep your voice down. I'd hate to knock your head off, you wouldn't be able to give your report to Higa-sama." Hari laughed softly, grabbing both of them by the neck and hauling them off of their feet-there was no effort on her part. Uzume and Karei miles well have been air, and despite their thrashing, Hari still got them up easily and held them in front of her. "As you can see I am stronger than both of you. Now, let's take a trip to the east shall we?"

Uzume and Karei both choked on air, hitting the ground outside with loud thuds before following after Hari-all three of them leaping out the window.

Toyotama hissed, watching their bodies fade into the distance-fading away into the darkness that was night. She barely kept her fury contained as she gathered up the blankets and went downstairs-she would need to speak with Ryu about this very soon, preferably as soon as she gets downstairs. However, she resigned herself to wait since he was out like a light along with Ahiko-the TV now turned off.

The amazon turned her gaze up to the windows-the moon's light gone, secluded in clouds.

Darkness...

She enjoyed fighting-killing, the joy of running her sword through someone...The way they'd choke and gasp, the way their bones splintered against her force, and most importantly the horror that would consume them before she ran her sword right through them. She didn't need to see their faces-she seen the delightful expressions before, whether they're human or Sekirei they'd always look the same when they were about to be killed.

So, she'd always stab them in the back. Seeing their faces would be delightful, but seeing their body quake as the life drains from them was also delightful in its own way. It was also a sure fire way to kill them or nearly kill them-every Sekirei she ran her sword through was met with the same thing-a level four. It was as close to death as a Sekirei could get next to termination-which was total death with no chance of being brought back.

Even with those tanks Takami created, where many of the wounded Sekirei were now recovering, wouldn't do a thing for a level five.

Karasuba eyed her foe up and down with some interest as she skidded to a stop, lethal heels carving two slits into the cement, her grays eyes tracing lazily over his form. He wore a simple black kimono, black haori, black hakama, black tabi, and white zori. Not very unusual in her eyes, it wasn't grand or luxurious by any means but it would definitely work.

Her outfit was rather eccentric if she had to say so herself, but it was very practical.

He differed from the rest that she cut down in that fighting rink. He was tall, dark, and extremely muscular. It wasn't so much his mass that really caught her eye, but the density of the muscles themselves. His hair was just a wild mess. His eyes were set and deadly, he definitely seen many battles-has lived through many battles. She could tell by that ghastly glint in his eyes, not only has he killed, but he was happy to kill.

This is the man who was been undefeated, and continues to be undefeated in that fighting rink. She witnessed why first hand, the way he cut through those five or seven challengers before. Evaded the chain with ease/

"Now I got you." Karasuba stated, cold and direct. She rarely came across a strong human, not including Kai and Ryu the number were very few and far in between.

"You want to fight?" He asked, aggressively drawing his sword from its sheath and taking a two handed grip. His stance oddly reminded her of Ryu, but he usually kept himself looser, utilizing agility and strength. And, he also didn't show such aggression, normally. "I know all about you, Karasuba. I had a feeling we'd cross paths eventually, I've been waiting for this moment a very long time.."

"That saves a lot of time then. You should know I'm not known for my patience or mercy, come along or I'm going to lose my temper." Karasuba said, though her statement would be anything but contrary, she was grinning ear to ear. She just wished this man would make a move.

"Tell me your name before I run my sword through you."

"Syrus."

"Good, we can skip passed all of that talk then." Koto said, slamming feet first into the cement as he made his presence known, sending spider web cracks out the nearby area. Kai, Storm, and Luna landed a few feet away from him, quickly surrounding the wild haired man. Their weapons were already drawn. "You've led us on a chase long enough."

"It'd be in your best interest to not fight." Kai said tonelessly.

"Well, in that case." Syrus raised his arms, pressing two his fingers into his mouth, and letting out an ear piercing whistle that could have shattered a window. "I'll even this out. Like I was telling your leader just now, I've been expecting this for a very long time now. I spotted you three the first time when you came here on your little investigation. I knew you were Sekirei because how easily you took out your foes, and I'm well informed. That girl with the claws and one with pink hair aren't with you. Looks like you guys have been doing some recruiting."

Syrus pointedly looked at Kai and Storm.

"There's more." Luna said with a grim tone.

All at once four Sekirei appeared at his side, another five phasing into sight on the rooftops above.

"I'd like you to meet my girls. Rio. Akemi. Akame. Amber. Ayame. Kaie." Syrus swept his arm out and around him gesturing to the Sekirei now all gathered, smirking with a degree of arrogance as the five on the rooftops descended and landed at his side.

All of the ladies were buxom and voluptuous.

Rio was a bit fair skinned with long brown hair and Akemi was dark skinned with long black hair, both wore pitch black full body leather outfits with black thigh high boots to finish it off.

Rio's face was slightly secluded by a mask, showing off her pumpkin irises.

The only noticeable facial feature on Akemi was her full lips and dark brown eyes that shined in the darkness.

Rio had a long whip.

Akemi had a spear in her hands.

Akame had ivory skin with thigh length dark brown hair kept up in a high ponytail with some bangs hanging over that framed the sides of her face and fell over her eyes. Her attire was basic and practical in nature; a sleeveless black leather top with black leather pants and black boots with a very lethal looking heel. Her eyes were a bright shade of green. She kept a rather long sword right at her side.

Amber had long blonde hair, brown skin, and had a similar outfit to Akame except the top was a half top, exposing some of her midriff and the entirety of her ribs. Her wide hips were on completely display for all to see, though she didn't mind the slightest. She had a pair of orange stylish goggles resting on her forehead, and her attire consisted skin tight black leather pants, finished with thigh high black boots.

She had a menacing four pronged spear clasped tightly in her hands.

Ayame had slightly tan skin and was very tall and had long glorious legs. She was a bit slimmer than the others, but was by no means lacking in any department and was extremely curvy. She had short indigo hair and eyes. Her outfit consisted of a black chinese styled top that fit her like a glove, with the bottom beyond her stomach half fanning out giving her a princess-like look, skin tight leather pants and white thigh high, high-heel boots that went as far up her thighs as possible ending just at the top of her glorious legs.

She had a pair butterfly swords that were several inches longer than the standard ones.

Kaie had to be the most voluptuous of them all in close second with Akemi, and her skin tight dress and black tights did her no favors in covering her body. It only enhanced he figure ten fold.

Kaie had a multitude of whips in both of her hands.

"So, what's this all about. If you all really want to fight, I will gladly oblige as will my Sekirei, but I doubt the likes of you take interest in anyone." Syrus said with a flint expression, eyes darting from one member of the feared Discipline Squad to the next. These guys were supposed to be bad asses, totally merciless, and had no semblance of remorse or what the word even meant. They were charged with keeping everyone in check, and quite frankly he didn't like them for the fact alone.

Nobody was going to check him or anything of the sort.

"We are to take you back to the tower, Minaka wishes to have a word with you." Luna said, remaining on guard. If she could avoid fighting she would by all means, but this man was dangerous and she had to remain on her tippy toes. She seen the way he cut through his foes that one time, and it was nothing short of brutal-while Karasuba was more swift and brutal in her own right, he was just savage.

"You are a variable he is wary of. If you remain outside of his control, he believes you will be a threat. There's already a few variables out there, chiefly Ryu for starters that are proving to be nothing but trouble." Koto said stonily, eyes narrowing to slits as he caught Karasuba smirking. He did not share the sentiment, and did not find it exciting nor amusing.

"Isn't that adorable, Syrus?" Akemi chuckled, looking to her Ashikabi with a foxy smile. "The crazy nut of MBI is afraid of you, how about that?"

Kai just narrowed his eyes a bit more, noting how Syrus tensed upon hearing Ryu's name. Did the two have a history, they would have to with that sort of reaction, whether that history was good or bad he couldn't begin to guess, but it was there nonetheless. Minaka was a crazy nut, he was far beyond a crazy nut actually, but the man was still too damn intelligent and cunning despite his lunacy.

"I think we should just fuck these guys up." Rio said with a light snort, gently crossing her arms over her chest. She had no love loss when it came to MBI or anyone affiliated with the stupid bastards. Minaka was off his rocker, and deserved to be skinned alive before getting a sword ran through his big mouth. It was because of his insanity her sisters had to fight each other in the first place, Minaka and the rest could all eat a dick as far as she cared. "Should have brought the rest of the squad. What's the matter, you usually roll in packs?"

"That will not go in you favor." Karasuba said dully, looking at Rio with plain disinterest. "I could kill all of you in one go."

"I wouldn't push it." Akame spoke for the first time, eyes hard and set in a glare as she looked at Karasuba. This gray haired woman was known widely as a sadist, and just loved to kill. She was happy to kill, and her trademark thing was either cleaving right through the foolish Sekirei or stabbing them through the chest nearly killing them in the process. Being around such a woman made her skin bristle. "You may be a single number and un-adjusted, but keep in mind there are several more Sekirei who haven't been adjusted."

"Care to give it a shot?" Karasuba goaded.

Akame drew her sword swiftly, slowly pointing it towards the sadistic woman.

"You are all highhanded." Akemi said with a dangerous glare, fingers tightening against the leather of her outfit. "Thinking you can intimidate our Ashikabi into following in your strides. That's why I can't stand any single one of you."

"Will you insist on fighting?" Kai asked, leveling a deadly look with Syrus and all of his Sekirei. Their mission wasn't to kill them, it was the exact opposite. Minaka wanted Syrus more importantly under him for the moment so the man didn't become an unpredictable threat like Ryu or another variable like himself and Minato. The crazy man seemed to be daunted with the idea of this man being left out of his range, quite frankly he couldn't care less about those reasons, the only thing that mattered at this moment was the fact this man wasn't going to cooperate.

"Maybe it'd be a good idea to see what the madman wants." Kaie said with some hesitation, looking to her Ashikabi with an impassive gaze. It was always a good idea to get on the inside, especially in cases like this. She wasn't fond of MBI nor the Discipline Squad, but if things went south she could just destroy the entire building and level them all in one go.

"This could just be a trap." Amber spoke up, frowning at her Ashikabi.

"Mmmmm..." Syrus mused, eyes narrowed dangerously as he sized up his opposition. Karasuba would be the biggest problem out of all of them-she loved to fight and kill, loved to spill blood in copious amounts before trudging over the corpses without any care. She very well could take him and all of his Sekirei out by herself, but it'd be a vicious fight, and she wouldn't be walking out alive. Of that he would be certain of, the Black Sekirei would be in a puddle of her own blood with a stab wound right through her nonexistent heart. "You mentioned Ryu..."

"He's my Ashikabi." Karasuba stated proudly.

Koto glared daggers at her but didn't speak his mind on the issue. Quite frankly there was no love loss between him and Ryu, and if Yume hadn't gotten in the way during their clash one or both of them would be dead right now. It was unfortunate he was the Ashikabi of his leader, and thus he couldn't kill him like he truly desired to-Karasuba would intervene before their battle reached its climax, and would ensure that Ryu was alive. If Ryu died, she would be deactivated-Minaka nor himself could afford such a thing.

"Yes, he is a variable in this game that has gotten out of control. He is unpredictable and there is no telling what he is thinking or knowing what he is going to do next. He helped Number 95 and her Ashikabi escape along with his Sekirei and another variable...Minato, as well as his Sekirei assisted them. Next to Ryu who is our main target, Minato is in a very close second for his assistance in such a risible plot. You will be the fourth variable to be on the outside, and we won't allow that to go on any longer."

Rio chuckled softly. "Someone's mad a pair escaped."

"Damn right. I won't allow such a thing to happen again, and I won't allow Syrus or any of you to do as you please." Koto retorted without pause.

"You're lofty." Ayame muttered with glinting eyes.

Syrus slowly smirked, allowing it to stretch across his face, just barely keeping his laugh down. It was funny that the feared Discipline Squad went out of their way to find him and practically strong-arm him into joining. It was even funnier that the fool with orange hair was so livid over the fact Ryu and this Minato managed to help a pair escape this farce, and now the clown was going to try and pick a fight with him and his Sekirei. If he couldn't handle Ryu completely, then there's no way he was going to be able to handle him.

However, he held the advantage over all of these fools-Minaka was the one that yanked their leashes. Little MBI dogs that can't do anything without the nutcase's say so. Of course, Minaka gave them the okay to slay him if they must, but Minaka didn't want him dead at all-he wanted him as a part of the Discipline Squad, so that he was contained and not running loose like Ryu and Minato.

"Fine, I'll tag along." He gazed up at the moon-the bright orb covered by clouds, only illuminating the edges of its cover. The moon...It's covered...Darkness

"Smart choice, now all of you follow me." Karasuba turned her back to them before bounding off across the rooftops. This is going to get a lot more interesting!