Karasuba found herself mildly amused with the turn of events recently. Ryu taking a more aggressive stance was something amusing and enticing for her to see. Ryu going against Koto, and the whole Discipline Squad, basically. Making himself an enemy of MBI. Minato doing the very same thing. She knew Ryu always had it in him to be such a way, but he'd always been more...Gentle, if that was the correct term. He just wanted to live with his Sekirei in peace and not fight, but the reality of the situation he was in smacked him on the bridge. Now he knew he couldn't live with his Sekirei in peace, not as long as Minaka drew breath and this charade continued.

Natsuo stepping down from his post, Haihane harassing the new recruits vehemently to the point Akemi held up her hand, and Rio going along with it-were also things she was amused with. Natsuo stepping down was something of a big deal since the man was close with Takami, Minaka, and several other higher ups in MBI-he was invaluable as a high ranking member in the Discipline Squad.

Storm found Haihane's advances to be more than awkward and would stay close to Kai whenever they were all in the same room, which was often some days-less Haihane tries to grope her in some manner in front of everyone. Honestly, the woman had little shame. Every other Sekirei suffered groping from the ashen haired woman, and her nor Akemi wanted to be on that list. Akemi would practically snarl and growl while Storm would just evade her the best she could.

Rio frankly didn't care and groped Haihane with the same fervor.

Another reason she was mildly amused is because of Takami. It wasn't a secret that the women was against the Sekirei Plan-what the Sekirei Plan had turned into, and was taking all measures to ensure things went her way, rather than Minaka's way. It was remarkable the two had ever gotten together and could produce two children at that-perhaps it could be credited to Kazehana's obsession with Minaka way back when, that really pushed the two together.

However, as things stood now Minaka was a jabbering fool and Takami was so starved for sex it was clear in her agitation.

If she could one up Minaka it'd be nothing short of an orgasm for her.

Anoter she was mildly amused is because of Koto. Her former student sat with the most ghastly of glares on his expression, arms crossed over his chest, his bright colored hair a perfect representation to how stormy he could get. The reason he was glaring so fiercely was for one simple reason. Natsuo stepped down from his position and that left a gap in leadership. The gap was filled with five people Takami had called-who would bring one thousand men with them.

This was a crux.

With Kai, Syrus, and their respective Sekirei with them-one of those two should assume leadership in Natsuo's place, but in doing so, that would make things go Minaka's way. The man was content to let Takami do this power play for lack of a better term, that would definitely lead to internal conflict. For Minaka it was a chance to see infinite possibilities come to fruition in some shape or form. For Koto it was nothing short of crossing the line. For herself it was just amusement, because one or all of these men, and perhaps their followers, would be run through by her blade.

It was curious though, that Minaka would allow this sort of thing to go on. For a long time he didn't like things not go according to his script, and that's why he had her enforcing along with the Discipline Squad. Perhaps now he wanted things to just spiral downward and go off in any direction-their mission wouldn't be keeping the competitors in line, but it'd be about enforcing Teito and maintaining the peace and order.

This would lead to something close to war as they wouldn't be restricting themselves to certain points in certain areas. They'd be patrolling and marching through every single street, alleyway, and sector of Teito-including the North. If Miya had any problems with it she'd be answering to the high powered laser currently orbiting the planet. The little prude would have a problem with it, but she'd come to her senses, unless she wishes to tarnish Takehito's memory.

More importantly-the ronin and other thugs that were running rampant throughout Teito would be their focus. Higa and all of his minions would be their focus, Sanada, and anyone who he was winged or works for him would be their focus. Ryu and Minato, as well as their Sekirei, will be their number one focus aside from the rest of their targets.

It was far more reasonable and pragmatic in her opinion. Perhaps being Ryu's Sekirei changed her in more aspects than one. Before, she had been more than compliant enough to follow through on Minaka's plan and head the third generation Discipline Squad as an enforcement group, as opposed to the Squad's original purpose.

But, now she wasn't so keen on following through with the moron's agenda. Teito was starting to become overrun with violence. There were those disgruntled with how things were, ronin, Higa's legion, and Hayato's legion. The ronin were actually ronin-they carried swords, as there was no low to prohibit it, and sought to wreak havoc. Enforcing the Sekirei Plan wasn't something that'd be possible in its entirety at this point in time. In order to enforce Teito would become their enforcement territory-all of it, and soon enough, it'd be all of Japan.

How Takami's recruits factored into all of this, Karasuba couldn't guess...However, people from each of the five factions were cut down without remorse during the tests to see if they'd be allowed to be a part of the Discipline Squad, or if they'd be sent back to wherever they came from. Considering those men were all highly trained soldiers, or former soldiers-she didn't care to remember the specifics, but the point remained that they wouldn't just leave quietly.

Hence why they were cut down and their corpses were disposed of.

The last thing to amuse her, which was something she had been anticipating from the beginning, was the fact Takami lied about how many people these five leaders would bring with them. The estimate had been a total of one thousand, but upon meeting them and allowing them into the tower, they easily had one thousand men respectively.

Their estimate had been so far off, no thanks to Takami twisting things, that they hadn't anticipated such a huge number of people arriving. Minaka expressed his surprise in the only way he knew how...

Thus all of this led her to the current scenario.

Every member of the Discipline Squad was in Minaka's office, Takami, and the five leaders of the groups she recruited onto the Squad.

The rest of their men were comfortable in the rooms provided for them so they could rest, unwind, and also put their guns and other firearms in appropriate places. From this point on, they'd all be staying here in MBI tower, so it was better they get adjusted now-as opposed to later on. After all, their comrades had been cut down, so it'd be a waste if they left.

"This is lovely." Karasuba remarked, crossing one of her legs over the other.

"But, you killed more than fifty of my men." Iven-the man from Russia Takami had brought over, commented.

"A necessary sacrifice." Takami waved him off, and the other four men that looked pretty hostile. Koto and Karasuba put them all through tests, and unfortunately, not all of their men could make the cut, and were killed in the test. It was hard to find good men, train them, and watch them become a force to be reckoned with-often times it was like babysitting.

It was hard to find good men.

"Weakness isn't tolerated." Koto added, eyes hard. "Moving on, why have you called us here, Minaka?"

The brusque statement wasn't welcomed by many of the men gathered, and even Takami bristled at how abrupt Koto spoke...The tone he was using as well. She couldn't allow him to dictate things too much, if he did, none of her men-the people supporting her would be alive, she had to tread carefully, but she couldn't be too wary that Koto and Karasuba stormed about like always.

"If you must know, it has to do with the security of Teito."

Amber looked at Takami suspiciously. "You're skating around the bush a little bit, aren't you?"

Minaka took this time to bellow a laugh-any and all tension that had been in the room was evaporated. It was replaced with confusion, wonder, surprise, agitation, and just a simple unknowing of what was going to happen next. One could never be too sure with Minaka.

"A little mystery doesn't hurt! After all, where is the fun in knowing what can or will happen at anytime, that's the beauty of-"

Minaka was brought to a halt as Takami smacked him over the head with her clipboard.

Benitsubasa grimaced hearing the loud sound the collision caused. "So...We've all been called here with something that has to do with the security of Teito? I thought we're just supposed to reinforce the rules of this game and finish those who go against those rules?"

Minaka's grin was wide. "That was the goal at first...But, as you've seen, things change. Crime rates are up by eighty percent, the citizens that moved out of the city or country have all been replaced with ruck and rabble. Higa and Mikogami are running rampant in their territories, they've both amassed a legion and army, and this doesn't include the people robbing stores and homes..."

Haihane yawned-the rude gesture was frowned upon by many present. "That sounds like a whole heap of boring."

Minaka cleared his throat, sobering up within the blink of an eye. He set his elbows on the table before him, resting his chin within his hands. "You will all patrol Teito-every alleyway and sector, including the North will be patrolled. Anybody who brings disorder to the city you have my full authority to arrest or kill them. Of course, we can't allow those who are in this grand plan to escape, so that is also a priority."

Karasuba felt her smirk growing. Perhaps it was the growing, turbulent heat in her abdomen that was making her feel so good, or the fact they were now going to have free reign to do as they wanted. Minaka wouldn't need to pay off those news crews or kill certain people that were higher up-though he'd still take those measures, now he wouldn't need to explicitly.

"So, you basically want us to patrol the entire city? We have the authority to kill, so if anyone crosses us or attacks us..." Kaiha trailed off, head tilted to the side.

"As well as keeping everyone involved in the Sekirei Plan in line?" Akame asked next.

Minaka's shit eating grin was enough to answer Kaiha's and Akame's questions, as well as any other questions that were going to be asked. Minaka declared it, and that's all there is to it.

"Who will fill in the spot of my cousin?" Kai asked, eyes darting from the five men Takami brought in to everyone else in the room.

"We'll just allow time and merit to decide that!"

Koto and Syrus both clenched their teeth while Luna, Storm, and Akame narrowed their eyes to their absolute limit. Everyone else's reactions to the statement was much more subtle and concealed-most of all Takami remained stoic, even as she watched more emotions flash across everyone's faces-no matter how concealed or stoic they tried to be, it was clear nobody was happy to hear Minaka say that.

She kept her sigh of relief down-it seemed Minaka was going to let this play out for his own amusement.

She should be thankful, but she wanted to punch him in the stomach.

"Also, Ryu of the North and Minato of the North our are main enemies-in close second are Higa and Mikogami." Minaka finished.

Koto stood up first before anyone else. "Very well, but we're going to need uniforms."

"What for?" Natsu and Benitsubasa nearly asked in unison.

Koto let his eyes trace around the room once before he closed them. "In battle, we will need to identify our own from everyone else, that is my main reason."

Minaka slammed his hands on the table, laughing as loud as he could. "Glorious!"

Cloudy skies...Snow...

It reminded Ryu of death. Winter. The season where all things died and went into hibernation. When leaves fell, when snow fell-compacting itself on the ground to make everything frigid cold. The air lost is vibrancy, humidity, and moisture. It was replaced with a crisp, agonizing dry undertone that froze the lungs and whipped at the any part of exposed skin. The skin reddened and chipped, giving way to bleeding soon enough, and then there was frostbite.

He was barely aware of the fact he was moving-that Ahiko was driving, and that Matsu was in the backseat of the car. Her loads of technology packed into the truck, and on the other five backseats, plus the floor space. He could only think of Toyotama and how her eyes looked so misty, but hard, as she told him what very well can be considered tragic news. She had never looked so...He didn't have a word to describe how she looked at that point in time other than wary.

She was wary of the situation, and wary of his reaction to her words.

His reaction to the revealing of a betrayal.

He tried to keep in mind that Miya kept the peace in Maison Izumo, and the North sector in general. She'd never have anything close to conflict, armed or otherwise, on the premise of her property. She was also his-she belonged to him, and she loved him. However, it was extremely hard for him to look beyond the simple fact Miya was housing Uzume, and didn't come clean about it.

It made him wonder what had Uzume gotten herself into. He was intimate with Miya, perhaps more intimate with her than the rest of his Sekirei. The modest woman would have never denied him Uzume at all. If he wanted to speak to Uzume, Miya wouldn't put up a fight about it. If he wanted to see Uzume, Miya wouldn't put up a fight about it. She wouldn't give him a warning to not get violent within her home. She knew what the bond meant between Ashikabi and Sekirei-and how one is to not interfere with that bond.

Miya wasn't a hypocrite from everything that he had seen. MBI had taken Takehito away from her, broke her spirit, and left her to be in her late husband's inn in isolation. Miya didn't participate in any fights or the Sekirei Plan itself-MBI steered away from her they best they possibly could. One swing from her blade was enough to reduce miles of city to rubble.

Had Uzume asked or pleaded with Miya?

Miya would definitely feel a little compelled to grant Uzume her request. But, that begged the question-why did Uzume plead with Miya to do so in the first place? What was Uzume hiding from him...

Why was she hiding at all? As his first Sekirei, Uzume should be running to him, spilling out her greatest fears and crying on his shoulder. She should be here in the cat with him making a stupid comment...She shouldn't be hiding.

"Ryu-san."

Broken from his train of thought, Ryu turned his eyes onto Ahiko. She offered him a gentle, understanding smile as she pulled to a stop, not wishing to run the yellow light.

"Is that really Matsu?"

Ryu blinked for a second, trading looks with Matsu-who only gave him a foxy smile and wink.

He hadn't thought Ahiko would let this go over her head. Of course, Matsu did more than just change her looks. She changed her mannerisms. The way she spoke, the way she walked, the way she'd sashay her hips-she changed all of it. Perhaps Ahiko was just waiting for him to confirm her suspicion that the woman in the car with so many computers, monitors, etc-was indeed Matsu.

"She's Matsu."

Ahiko looked at Matsu-her teal eyes and indigo hair, cut short, completely threw her for a loop. Her chipper, but modest smile also caught her off guard.

However, as she sped up and took a turn down one street, Ahiko surmised that what really threw her for a loop was Matsu's complete change of mannerisms. The woman wasn't even smiling that lecherous, creepy smile she'd often smile at times, she wasn't giggling perversely, she wasn't trying to grope Ryu right here in the car...It was almost as if the woman changed completely-no, it was as if someone else took the old Matsu and threw her away.

And, this is the Matsu that replaced her.

Quiet instead of loud. Modest instead of shameless. Her voice, and tone, even changed from her hyper, perverse tone to a more, smooth and sultry tone.

Shaking her head, Ahiko pointed her focus on the present. If she worried about Matsu eventually she'd end up in bed with the woman, or Matsu would just wiggle herself into the bed with-so it's just the two of them.

Ahiko blushed at the thought, pursing her lips.

She really wasn't against it. She and Toyotama had spent some time joking around and seriously talking about. They could share Ryu, but they could share each other too. Ironically enough it had been Toyotama to make the rather coy remark, and being herself-Ahiko found nothing wrong with it. They'd all be happy and together, and that's all that mattered to her.

"Somebody is having naughty thoughts!" Matsu said with a bright smile. "Oh my, Ahiko-san."

"I wasn't!" Ahiko made hast to defend herself.

"I seen you ogling me, young woman. It's fine, I'm glad that I'm not the only Sekirei that Ryu has winged, that has perverse thoughts and doesn't mind a little one on one with his fellow Sekirei."

Ryu felt some anger drain from him, some. He couldn't really be angry when he was with his Sekirei. They gave him no time to brood. It was one of the few times he felt completely at ease, calm, and serene even. However-at this point in time he didn't feel serene or at ease. He could feel a boiling, seething heat burning deep inside of him that felt like it split him down the middle.

"Matsu, I need to ask you something."

They were getting close to his house now, so he figured now was as good a time as any to get right down to business. They were moving at a steady pace, the car windows were up, and as far as he knew-they couldn't be heard. The fact Matsu was present meant that she wasn't going to go along with what Miya was doing, and most of all, not going to support Uzume.

He really didn't want to believe that she was working for Higa. If Uzume really was, and Matsu would confirm it-he didn't think Toyotama would ever lie to him about such a thing, then Uzume was betraying him. The pain that thought forced to ripple through him was deep, almost as bad as when he lost three of his Sekirei-a memory forever burned into his eyes, and into his memory.

If Uzume betrayed him...If she even had the thought of betraying him...He'd really have no idea what to do. More over, he knew he wouldn't be able to control himself. He'd throttle Uzume and smash down Higa's front door. He'd be inclined to kill Uzume for the act of betrayal, along with everyone else that was working for Higa-he didn't care how many people he cut down, it wouldn't be enough until he was satiated.

He'd make Uzume suffer...He knew it all too well. There's no way he'd just hug her after all of this happened, there's no way he'd just be able to smile freely around her, or even be in the same room...There's no way they'd ever be remotely close. Every word, action, gesture, blink, movement, and anything else he did, no matter how simple, was relayed to Higa through Uzume.

If it wasn't Uzume it was Hari or Karei, and he felt the same about them. They were in the same boat with Uzume at this point in time. Without any question Hari would be deactivated or terminated, her betrayal is something he wouldn't stand for. Karei was a little different, but she'd suffer the same fate in the end-she'd be staring into his eyes as the life leaves her own.

If he didn't kill them, he'd break their bones...

He couldn't deal with betrayal, and never could. He lost three Sekirei, and for all of their quirks and mannerisms, he loved them all. Losing them was like losing a piece of himself-he did lose a piece of himself when they passed. How could Uzume be so short sighted...How could she be so foolish as to do this and force his hand against her.

The mere fact she was at Maison Izumo and not in the car began to vex him, and he could feel the burning deep in the pit of his stomach, move to the center of his throat as pure heat.

"Matsu..."

Matsu took a steady breath, not oblivious to how the atmosphere changed in the car. She wondered how Ryu could have such a presence that it'd give her the shivers and goosebumps like Miya. She could come right out and say it, but she was almost certain that Ryu would react violently and lash out in his rage-probably breaking the passenger side window in the process.

She wasn't going to lie to him, but she also wasn't going to overly blunt with him either.

"I'll do my best to answer your question or questions, Ryu-dono."

It was with a steady nod that Ryu responded, not turning to face her. "Toyotama told me something...Interesting earlier. I'd like you to confirm it. You have the technology to do so."

Matsu felt herself clam up inside. It wasn't out of fear of Ryu or terror. It was a natural reaction. For so long she had kept Uzume's dealings with Higa a secret-she knew that Ryu must have some idea that something was off, but she couldn't throw Uzume under the bus. Not the woman who helped her escape from MBI with the Jinki. She loved Uzume, like all of her fellow sisters winged to Ryu-she didn't want to be...

"Okay."

Ryu turned his focus onto Matsu, eyes sharp, glinting in a ghastly way. "Is Uzume working with Higa, and has Hari and Karei been working for Higa?"

That was the other reason Matsu had clammed up inside. What had happened that brought all of this out to the light, more importantly, how and why did it happen in Ryu's house? Uzume and Karei certainly wouldn't be naïve or careless enough to discuss anything pertaining to their duties to Higa, or even saying his name within ear shot of Ryu.

It came down to Hari...She must have had a part in it.

Before she would have answered with a severely blunt and straight forward answer. But, that's before she underwent this change. Besides her physical appearance, she changed her mannerisms, how she walked and talked, and naturally this included how she answered certain questions. At this point she made her decision and drew the line.

"Uzume has been doing things that make it so she can't look you straight in the eyes...Karei and Hari have also both been..."

Karasuba and Toyotama had both warned him. They both told him. He didn't listen. He didn't want to entertain their thoughts. However, now he could see without any fog obscuring his vision, that they were right. They had been right since the beginning. He was too soft, too idealistic, too quick to help. The only thing that mattered was his Sekirei, nothing else.

BOOM!

Ahiko slammed her foot on the brakes, startled by the sudden thud that was Ryu's elbow colliding with the window. Matsu held herself well, the seatbelt doing its job, and Ryu for his credit didn't look the least bit effected by the sudden jerk. They were just a block away from the house, so Ahiko didn't mind too much, but there was a seething, growing anger in Ryu, and she could feel it.

"Toyotama and Karasuba have been telling me for a long time now that I've been fucking up..." Ryu said, voice low, shaking with emotion.

Helping people was useless, it'd only get him or his Sekirei hurt, he seen the proof of that...He could still feel the shredding pain that ripped him to pieces when they first passed in that battle. Uzume doing this was just more proof, that being a selfless fool, was only a death wish in this whole thing. He'd have to be selfish-he would be selfish, and he'd prioritize himself and his Sekirei. He wouldn't help anyone else, because it was simply a way to get in-a way to insert weakness when there wasn't weakness.

He felt himself come back to reality as Ahiko set her hand on his leg, and Matsu began to brush her fingers through his hair. The simple gestures kept the burning fire in the furnace that was his heart at bay, thankfully, because he got the feeling that he'd strike the window-and this time shatter it. Losing his temper around his Sekirei wasn't an option-they only loved and supported him, in his best times, and at his worst times...

But, Uzume's actions...Hari's...Karei's...

He hated betrayal. Of all the things man whipped up a word for, this was by the far thing he hated the most. It was the thing Ryu loathed and despised the most. It came from those closest to you, and they had no regard for when or how they did it-as Uzume had proven. It was selfish beyond selfish-only thinking of one's own interests, not caring for another's feelings...

Betrayal was when a sister sold out her brother, or a wife skipping out on her husband...Worse...

"Ryu-dono, please calm down." Matsu said, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"How can I?"

Ahiko glanced at the boxes in the back seat, and thought about the other boxes in the trunk. All of Matsu's technology and gadgets were stored neatly in them. "Once Matsu sets everything up, you'll have eyes everywhere. I'll help her carry in, could you get the door?"

Ryu simply nodded, getting out of the car and heading for his front door. He knew what Ahiko was getting at with her statement, but it still didn't quell the anger pitted deep in his core. It thrashed and hissed. It clawed at him, threatening to split open his skin. Ahiko wanted to avoid such a thing happening, as it would only lead to him going out, getting into a fight, and cutting down whoever wanted to try him in the first place.

As he got closer to the door he began to rummage through his pockets, pulling out the keys, and moved to put them into the keyhole. Just when he was an inch or so away, the door was opened swiftly, and sharp, blue-green eyes focused on him.

"I've been waiting for you." Toyotama said, voice somewhere between calm and a bit sultry.

Ryu stared at her for a long moment before responding. He didn't even take note of her outfit change from her previous rather obscene outfit, to something more modest.

It was a shiny, purple bodysuit with a high collar going up to her jawline, and zipped up with a silver zipper that was the length of her torso. A belt, black boots with a lethal looking heel, and black grappling gloves completed her outfit. Her strong and muscular arms were also kept exposed.

"Miya lied to me." Ryu said, eyes hovering between the porch, Toyotama's boots, and the inside of his house.

Toyotama crossed her arms over her chest, eyes softening. "I'm sorry, Ryu..."

Ryu stepped passed her, entering his home, and kicked off his zori.

Toyotama took a breath to steady herself-she felt a lot of emotions come from Ryu, and they were always so intense, but there was something destructive about this anger, this rage that was smoldering inside of him. It held the same intensity as all of his emotions, but at the same time, there was something greater there-something dense and heavy, that'd never go away.

She didn't have long to reflect on it as both Ahiko and Matsu neared the porch with more than enough boxes to fill up four bedrooms and then some.

"Nice makeover." Toyotama commented, looking at Matsu.

"I couldn't just leave as I was...I did steal a Jinki after all."

Toyotama took a step back, completely and utterly shocked.

Matsu walked passed her. "I thought it best to stay silent about that."

Toyotama narrowed her eyes the slightest, turning her focus onto Ahiko-who was looking at her with a smile.

"I like your outfit, Toyotama."

Toyotama grinned a bit, picking up four boxes with ease. "Let's get all of this junk into the house...Then I'll give you one as well."

"You have more than one?"

"Yes, and in more than one color..." Toyotama trailed off, getting lost in her thoughts. "I've been preparing..."