Yukari was numb to the world around her. In a state of shock. She didn't know where she was nor could she feel. She wasn't vacant, but she wasn't completely aware. She felt empty. Drained.

The worse part had to be the fact she felt dirty. Filthy. She could only see blood, taste blood, feel blood, and hear the dying chokes and groans of the administrators that had been whacked down before her very eyes. Every attempt at trying to deal with the situation and come to terms with it resulted in nothing short of a failure at best.

She couldn't deal with it.

With meekness, Yukari turned her gaze to the side. A barrier of glass kept the snow, sleet, and other harsh elements away from her. A weight was growing on her legs that she hadn't been aware of. She was also moving at moderate speeds. A blur of white and gray continued to pass her by and keep her eyes dancing in a steady search to find its beginning or end.

Then it came. Steady, persistent, consistent, and just downright hellish. Yukari heaved, mouth starting to gape open. It became drenched with saliva, and she knew what was about to happen when her eyes began to close. She could remember a time when she was just barely four years old, and had gotten sick. Minato was looking after her-under their mother's guidance, and she had thrown up on his shirt.

Yukari retched, pounding her fist on the door.

Juma already seen the incident about to happen before it did. Seeing people getting whacked down, their organs spilling out of them while they plead and clutch to you for their very life. The smell of their waste, the sight of their murky life force...It was only natural Yukari reacted like this.

A great cloud of steam began to pool around the car. Pulled over on the side of the street, Yukari ran out of the car and emptied the contents of her guts out onto the pavement and a nearby street pole. She had no way to stop herself or prepare for the assault that overtook her body. Tears flooded her eyes, she gagged, she struggled to breathe, and she felt like someone was stabbing her core.

"Yukari..." Juma slowly, uncertainly, pulled the woman's hair back, and began to massage her back.

"Thank..." Yukari couldn't even finish.

Juma only continued what she had been doing before. Massaging Yukari's spine as she finished vomiting. Thankfully, she had pulled her hair back when she did, otherwise right now it'd be covered in that filth. It looked like Yukari had a sweet tooth. Juma shook her head, steering her eyes away from the vomit just two feet or so away from her.

There was more than she had expected. It looked like Yukari cleaned herself out, literally. Akane had been ore ruthless than usual, and Miou never showed any restrained. Akane's spear ripped through one of the men's side, tore across, and ended gouging through his ribs and lungs. Miou had left only one cut, deep, across the other administrator's chest. Juma never questioned why she felt the need to protect Yukari, it was the same reason why she remained at Higa's side, to protect her sisters.

"Can you stand?"

Yukari nodded with a blank face. She could stand, easily enough.

She'd probably fall or pass out, if she tried to do so now, however. She shifted her leg, grimacing at the cold that began to embrace her. Was Minato dealing with stuff like this or even worse? He wasn't under Higa's control like she was, certainly not, because there weren't any threats with them being in the same room. More than likely, he was okay. Minato always tended to blend into the background, and she used to tease him for it, but now she envied him.

"Yukari. I'll assist you, if you need it." Juma said, expression stoic, but her tone hinting with almost a need. She wouldn't be effected by the cold really since she's a Sekirei, and one of the stronger ones at that.

But, she couldn't say the same for Yukari.

"Where are you taking me?"

Juma didn't miss the slight shift in Yukari's tone. "To my...House."

Yukari blinked, looking up at the woman with a partially raised eyebrow.

It was shocking that Juma had her own home considering even Kakizaki lived and spent all of his time in Higa's tower. Higa spared no expense when it came to maintaining and giving everyone more than enough incentive to work, and compensation. Juma rarely left Higa's side, and the only time she could recall the green eyed woman not being around him was whenever Kakizaki wasn't around him.

Yukari kept her snort down. She didn't want to taste the vomit on her breath. It was amusing to think Juma was keeping Kakizaki on a leash. It was amusing because Juma was the one who dealt out the punishment. Kakizaki would make shows and try to intimidate people, but it was Juma that carried out the deed. It was amusing because it would mean there was enmity between Juma and Kakizaki.

It was amusing because it meant that Juma wanted to ensure that the Sekirei under Higa's charge weren't treated like dirt. It was no secret the man hated Sekirei and viewed them only as tools. Even seeing Shiina-Higa's eyes always burned with disgust and contempt. Yukari didn't want to think about what the man could do to a Sekirei if he was angry.

"You mean Higa's house."

Yukari didn't put up a fight as Juma helped her to her feet and into the car. She was thankful Juma handed her paper towel, toothpaste, a toothbrush, and mouthwash.

So, she wasn't going to persist with her current attitude.

"Throw it away when you're done with it." Juma handed her a thick, white bag.

Yukari wasted no time. She wiped her mouth over and over, keeping the fact in the back of her mind she'd definitely need to take about three showers. She poured the mouthwash into her mouth, first, gurgled, and spat it out. She did this twice before she put toothpaste on the brush and went to work. Back and forth, up and down, side to side, over and over.

Yukari poured one last swig of mouthwash into her mouth, and spit it out.

Maybe Juma wasn't entirely bad. Maybe she just had to play an unfortunate role. The woman was kind enough to give her something to clean herself up with, rather than letting her stay dirty. Oshino, Akia, Akane, or any of Higa's other Sekirei for that matter wouldn't have been so kind. Well, there was Kochou-that woman would have at least given her some paper towel to at least wipe off her mouth.

Juma put the car in drive, and expertly turned back out onto the road and put her foot down on the gas pedal. The car jolted for a second as it accelerated before smoothing out. She knew what Yukari was leaning towards at this moment in time. The woman was getting angry, albeit, slowly, since she was still recovering from her vomiting. Still, the simple fact remained that Yukari was going to lash out, or just say something that would make her mad. Juma knew it'd happen and it couldn't be avoided.

She was used to it. She was used to playing the part of the bad person. She never really cared about what people thought of her. But, she didn't want to get into this sort of argument with Yukari. The woman was sassy and confident, but she was pure. She never killed before. She never saturated her hands in the blood of another. She never took another life.

She'd lose this argument.

"Yukari."

"What..."

Juma pulled the car to a stop at the incoming intersection, and fished her hand into the back seat. She pulled out a baggy blue turtleneck, black jeans, socks, and a pair of brown furry boots. This was actually clothes for her to wear, should she ever need to. She usually kept several changes of clothes on hand, in order to help her blend in whenever she was spying.

She also kept the clothes on hand since it was winter. Higa had given her such things in the beginning, it was mostly to keep her identity a secret to those that didn't know her. While she didn't give them to Yukari, nor were they in her car, she had contacts and wigs as well. She never felt the need to object to or even question why Higa did such things-it wasn't her place to do so.

Yukari observed the clothes with a careful gaze.

Juma had a weird fashion sense, to say the least. She couldn't argue the fact the boots would keep her feet warm and the turtleneck would keep her entire torso toasty, but the turtleneck was blue, and Yukari didn't know what to make of it. Did Juma knit it on her own?

"Where am I supposed to change?" Yukari asked, looking a little uneasy after about three seconds. "I can't change in here."

"You can." Juma put her focus back on the road as she took off. "The windows are tinted and I'm not paying you any mind."

Yukari held the turtle neck close to her chest. She liked being perverted at times, mostly with Musubi. That girl was so sweet and such a good sport about the whole thing, Yukari was certain Musubi would even cosplay. The point being, she wasn't exactly comfortable taking her clothes off in front of other people.

"Don't look."

"What's the big deal?" Juma looked at her, blinking a few times.

"I said don't look!"

Juma snapped her eyes back on the road, almost on reflex.

Yukari sighed softly, closing her eyes. Certain that Juma wouldn't peek, she began to strip down until she was only in her bra and panties. She slipped on the turtle neck first, pushing her head through the collar, pulled the black jeans on-they were tight to the skin, and finally put on the socks and boots. She noted the socks were a lot thicker, even thicker than tabi.

Juma turned her eyes on Yukari now that she was dressed.

"Um..." Yukari shifted a little, resting her hand on Shiina's head. "Will he be okay?"

Juma laughed shortly. "He'll be fine. His jaw may ache, though. Nothing some pain pills won't take care of."

"This may sound weird to say, but thanks."

"I get it. It's nice to be clean." Juma said.

Her adjuster had raised her properly. A kind man he was. Married with two children, and his wife was also kind. He wasn't rich, despite working for MBI, and times could get hard, but they always managed to smile. Instead of gifts and trinkets, she got something more valuable. Love. Discipline. Her adjuster would never approve of letting Yukari remain in her vomit, even if it wasn't on her. In the same light, her adjuster wouldn't approve of what she's doing for and with Higa, and she would like to think he'd understand.

But, humans could be irrational...

"Mind if I ask you a question?"

Yukari was a bit perplexed. Juma had talked to her like this before, and more, in the past. It didn't exactly throw her off, but she could almost feel something...Beneath the woman's words and actions. There was something genuine about her. Still, Juma more often than not stayed silent, and Yukari wasn't foolish enough to drop her guard around this woman. She was Higa's right hand, before Kakizaki.

"I guess not."

She wondered what Juma would ask. Would it be something personal about Minato or about him? Would it be about his Sekirei? Would it be about their mother? Would it be an underlying threat in the long run?

She massaged her temples, forcing herself to stop speculating.

"Why do you care if I see you naked or in your underwear?"

Yukari was even more perplexed. Shiina always kept himself covered. In fact, she couldn't remember the last time she seen his knees. Maybe it was just with the woman Sekirei, that they just didn't care, didn't know, or were totally ignorant and oblivious to what being naked meant. She thought of Musubi, and wondered if the girl spent her time just walking around naked while Minato made a complete fool out of himself.

It'd be a good way for him to finally take that step. She needed him more than ever, but he was still indecisive like before. She knew she had something to do with it, as did her mother. Perhaps she deserved this.

She focused on the present.

"I care if anyone sees me naked or in my underwear. Even Shiina gives me privacy."

"But, he is your Sekirei...I don't understand."

"It's called modesty and shame." Yukari clarified, pointing her finger at the roof of the car in thought. "You can't just walk around naked in public, everyone will see your body...All of it."

"I see..." Juma hummed in thought. "So, only someone special can see you naked."

"Yes."

Juma would never understand humans, but she took the answer for its worth. It made sense. She could remember her adjuster telling her something similar, but even back then, she didn't quite get it. She spent a lot of time with her sisters and brothers, and some of those times, they were all naked-including the males. Maybe it was different for humans-perhaps their ego, or something along those lines...

She shrugged it off, nothing to think over in the long run.

"I feel like I should tell you this..."

Yukari wasn't sure if she should sigh or groan. In the end, she settled on only nodding and waiting for the woman to continue.

"You're going to be staying with me in my house. Higa doesn't have any cameras or the like there, so you'll be able to stretch out."

"Really?"

Juma made a quick left turn, and then a right, narrowly getting through the lights before they went red. "We have a mutual agreement in that regard."

"Okay, I guess..."

Yukari was relieved, though. It had been so long since she got freedom. She was under constant watch, twenty four hours, seven days a week, even when she thought that she wasn't. Higa may not even be paying attention to those feeds all of time, anyways. He had Brain-Sekirei from Ashikabi in his legion, plus Kochou, who could all keep track of that. He had renown minds to call on, as well.

Honestly, she was certain she would have snapped if she remained in that tower any longer after what had happened. Higa would have been more than furious-she was certain Higa would punish Akane personally and it'd likely lead to the woman's deactivation. Miou, and everyone else who jumped up in opposition of her when she lashed out would have been punished as well.

This was good for both sides.

Higa now had to recover and so did she.

It still irked her.

She hated Higa.

Now, she could finally see her brother.

Minato.

So, that was an up side.

"Are you sure?"

"Higa, Kakizaki, and everyone under them will we be back and forth between his tower and Teito university for the foreseeable future, they will also start moving into the western sector using pop idols, politicians, mainstream, and things of that like to cement their place. So, this won't be a temporary thing."

Yukari couldn't smile because of the deaths that befell before her, but she felt more at ease than before.

"In that case could we stop somewhere to eat?"

Juma made a face. "Everything around here is fast food. I think there's a burger shack, too."

"So?" Yukari didn't look impressed. "I like burger shack, actually."

Juma was a little amused. "It's been a while since I've eaten fast food."

In a dark room in MBI, Takami sat in front of a computer, eyes hard. Smoke wafted around her and she paid no attention to it. She was wrestling with her dragon. She was losing. Minaka was pushing the envelope. She tried to keep her calm, but it became difficult. He allowed her the measure of calling men in from overseas and flooding MBI tower with strangers.

She sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead.

Takami was somewhat adjusted to lunacy and absurdity. Working for MBI pretty much made one encounter and deal with problems they never thought they had before or dealt with before. Being the woman who had Minaka's son and daughter, she had to have the worst end of it all, other than the Sekirei who were forced to fight for his amusement. She was so adjusted to the lunacy of Minaka that she forced him to disown their children, make his existence as their father a far away memory that never even was in the first place.

She also put so many different countermeasures and contingencies in place in order to combat, and impede Minaka's madness. It was also to save the Sekirei from a terrible fate, but she'd keep that to herself. There was only so much she could do, of course. If she went against the plan boldly, she'd only incite Minaka's ire. Being the head researcher allowed her access to information and Minaka himself, that she'd never be capable of ever coming close to, or getting her hands on, but it also kept her in a precarious position. If she stepped out of line too much, she'd lost her place, and she was certain Karasuba would be taking those slow strides while swinging her blade.

This wasn't even cracking her problems at the moment, though. There was one thing on the planet that would always have her notice. There was one thing on the planet that she'd always be wary of. There was one thing on the planet that made her sweat bullets, and truly fear for her life. That thing was now a person, but Takami knew this person could revert back into that thing if pushed.

Minaka, Karasuba, Kazehana, and even Ryu...Even though the last one was starting to come close in the same regard, didn't make her so wary and fear that tomorrow will never come. Minaka annoyed her, Kazehana and her had borderline enmity ever since Minaka chose her, Karasuba couldn't care less as long as she wasn't crossed, and she wasn't sure about Ryu. He could attack her, or he could not. He was too unpredictable at this point.

Shifting in her seat, her eyes vacantly watching the smoke of her cigarette ring and tilt itself into the air. It spread and dissipated every few seconds, moving to the ceiling as an invisible cloud of suffocation. Takami didn't notice the difference, and even if she wanted to notice the difference, it was a moot point in the long run. Her eyes main focus was her computer screen, but the main point of her focus, was...

"Takami-san."

Such a soft and sweet voice, modest and demure.

Takami wasn't ignorant, though.

"Miya-san. It's been a while." Takami minimized one screen while opening another.

"I believe we are past the point of pleasantries."

"I won't argue that." Takami agreed.

"I believe you are familiar with Chiho."

Takami went still, snuffing her cigarette out. "Yes, Karei-kun's Ashikabi."

"I want a full MBI escort to go to the hospital that she is in. See her out and take her to the MBI hospital. I want you to oversee this directly."

"Minaka has-"

"I've already run it past him. He said that he won't give a means of transportation, that is why I'm calling you. Consider this a favor for keeping Minato under my roof."

Takami frowned, biting her bottom lip. It only made sense Minaka would agree and say such things. He wanted to see what would come of this, and if he could somehow let it play itself into sending out that damned text that would come any time now. But, they were two separate events. They could negate and cancel each other out. Takami shook her head and sparked another cigarette, this was going to be a long day and she was just barely getting stared.

Miya wouldn't throw her son out on the street, but at the same time, she wasn't going to take no for an answer. She would likely not use force or show force, Miya was beyond such things at this point in time. If she went that far, she'd just attack. She wanted to avoid a situation-Takami wasn't sure what, but Miya didn't want and had nothing to do with her, Minaka, and MBI after what happened to Takehito.

This was by no means an empty threat.

Miya didn't even make a note that she'd physically harm them. Minaka would have called her in that instant. The man was crazy, and stupid, but he wasn't that stupid. He knew better than to try and attract the ire of Miya. At the same time he knew what that ire was capable of, and wouldn't try to draw it out. So, he'd simply agree with whatever Miya was saying, for the most part in to preserve his own life.

It begged the question, though...

What was Miya trying to accomplish with this?

"Minaka has cleared this?" Takami asked finding her voice again.

"Yes."

Takami bit her tongue and glared at the door. She would have to hit that fool with her clipboard, and slam him through his stupid, big ass, expensive table that he was so fond of if possible. She wasn't sure if she could. The table itself was strong and sturdy. Minaka was just bound to bounce off of it and hit the floor. His back and spine would hurt, his head would hurt since it hit the ground, and he'd be groaning while massaging his spine.

"I got it. I'll need three days to finish the preparations on my end."

"Thank you, Takami-san..." Takami didn't like the way the woman paused for so long, as Miya didn't often pause for anything. "You are a life saver."

Takami couldn't imagine what was going through Miya's head for her to say that statement. As much as she wanted to fixate on what or who could be making her go to such lengths, she really couldn't afford to devote all of her time to deciphering Miya's cryptic emotions. It was an unfortunate, but very true fact. She could finish preparations for this task within the hour, with ease.

But, there were a few things holding her back. One was the fact she wasn't in quite the hurry to fulfill Miya's task. The second would be that she had to deal with more people than she'd normally have to, and on top of that, Karasuba was also present. The woman was always informed of everything by principle alone, and if she felt the need to cut loose just because...She'd be a part of the escort.

It wouldn't prove to be a good thing, since Higa and his legion would be more inclined to attack, than they already would be. She wasn't going to spare any soldier, vehicle, or expense with this endeavor. She'd have a whole army lined up to storm the hospital if need be. She had never dealt with Higa, personally, that was something that squad always did.

She rubbed the scar over her eye.

Hayato had been the one behind the blemish.

Higa was a million times worse.

Still, this could play to her advantage.

The third round would be starting soon. Minaka would send the text out that number six is the only one left to be winged.

Did Miya know this or...

Takami shook her head, lighting another cigarette. No need to overthink it. Miya has good intuition, but even she was never able to get a good read on Minaka. I guess we both want the same things in the end, at least for now.