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The meeting ended. Everyone returned to their rooms. Kai returned to his room in short and got right down to business. He would be dealing with Higa and Kakizaki. He had confronted the men multiple times in the past. He confronted their Sekirei. Most of all, he knew how Higa operated.

Kai took to sharpening his blade. His Sekirei, and a few others members of the squad just watched him go through the ritual. His eyes were narrowed. His brows were drawn. He had a glare going. Just thinking about Higa made his blood boil. But, he wouldn't be dealing with the man personally this time around.

He had to operate as a spy. An agent. Undercover. He would have to play his part to perfection. One miscue would mean being found out. This wasn't a mission that required him to fight or kill, but he would be taking his sword anyways. If he got the chance, he'd cut Kakizaki in half.

Worst case scenario was Higa turning Teito University into a war zone. He'd fortify the building to such an extent that it'd be like trying to get through a fort. There would be cement walls, and everything else surrounding it. It'd be nothing but pure chaos, and so many lives would be lost in that chaos.

Higa wouldn't do such a thing. He was able to prioritize and no what risks to take and what risks weren't worth it. Teito University standing in pristine condition worked in his favor more, than it being in ruin. But, there were those among Higa that didn't share this thought process, and if they got together to plan something…

It may not just be Teito University. They may plan to set fire to all of Teito. Higa would never agree to it, but that would mean a rift would form in his ranks. One side may take more aggressive action, the other side will retaliate, and soon there would be a war just in the eastern sector. Kai wouldn't just blow off the possibility. He refused to.

Minaka was sending out messages and videos to all and anyone, even regular citizens got to see him screaming like a moron on the screens across all of Japan. He was adding fuel to the inferno, and it was going to cause that inferno to become a twister of fire.

He had to focus on his mission, but he also had to focus on the safety and stability of Teito itself. That was the Squad's mission. Arrest or kill those who are bringing disorder. The old rules still stood. Everyone had to participate in the farce, if anyone tried to escape, they were to be taken out, but a whole new angle was thrown in there.

They were the ones to preserve order in Teito.

It would be a good idea to just let Higa's ranks rot from the inside out until nothing remains, but allowing it to get to that point would have disastrous consequences.

"Kai."

He paused, looking at Storm's hand.

He continued to sharpen his blade.

Storm gently took the stone away before setting his sword to the side. She clasped both of his hands, not in the mood to let go.

"What are you doing?"

"You have that look in your eye again." Storm said, looking him over.

Kai looked off to the side. "I was thinking about Higa."

Storm squeezed his hands again. "What should my disguise be?"

Kai wasn't sure how to answer that. Higa didn't know Storm well enough, or seen her enough, that he'd be able to get anything on her. Haihane, on the other hand, was an entirely different story. She was well known throughout Teito. Her being in a disguise was the only route to go.

He looked her over carefully. She was a little forward, almost pressing against his chest. If he didn't know any better he'd say she was trying to seduce him. No, she was too private of a person to do that in public. And, if she were trying to seduce him she'd be laying down.

His eyes flicked back onto his whetting stone and sword. He wouldn't mind running it through Higa a few times.

"Kai."

"Huh?"

Storm was ready to pinch him on the ear. She didn't need him getting so focused on killing Higa. He'd be glaring at nothing for hours, and everyone else would start to feel uncomfortable. He needed to focus on something else instead of the sword and stone. Her.

"What should my disguise be?"

"You don't need one."

"Can you stop focusing on that stupid stone and sword for two seconds!?"

Storm wanted to smack him so hard, so many times, and wind back her arm and send him flying through the nearest wall. She'd yell at him the entire time.

Kai blinked, tilting his head. He seemed confused, and stood upright. "Maybe dye your hair?"

Storm calmed down.

"This is why I said Kai shouldn't do it. He hates Higa." Kaiha remarked. "He's going to blow his cover."

Kai tried not to be insulted with that comment. He wouldn't lose his temper. That's not to say he wouldn't try to slice Higa into pieces. He would. But, that didn't mean he was blind from rage. He'd feel rage, but he wouldn't be blinded by it. Not at all.

"I'll be fine. Besides, I can't be self indulgent. Saki is in trouble. Kujou and Yahan are safe, but who knows for how long? Higa doesn't want people prodding too much."

Kaiha folded her arms over her chest. She couldn't argue with that. "What is prodding too much? Saki isn't coming right out and asking?"

Kai considered the question. "She could be doing certain things. Going to certain floors or locations. She could be standing around too long, in one area. If it is her usual pattern and routine, it isn't a cause for concern, but if it deviates from that, Higa is going to feel concern. That concern is going to turn into murderous intent."

That is the kind of man Higa was. He seen every, little, possible, and minuscule detail. He didn't overlook anything. His eyes were like lasers. If he got the slightest sense of doubt, if anyone under him brought certain news to him, he would be incisive. People would disappear. Saki could have been taking a shower in the women's locker room too long.

That could have set Higa off.

"That man is paranoid." Kaiha muttered, tone tinging with anger. "I hate people like him."

"He is a control freak. For now, we have the advantage, but the second I am in Teito University, that advantage will go to Higa." Kai added.

"Well, it's not like you attract a lot of attention." Kaiha shrugged.

"Is that why you always snap at women when they are around him?" Storm questioned.

"That's different. Kai is mine and I know he is mine. I share him with all of you, but anyone else trying to step on my turf, we will have problems."

Kai flipped through his phone, checking all of his numbers. "It's not in that sense. I'm going to have to have a routine, that I can't deviate from. If I do, it will have to be slow going. I'll have to take different classes and things of that nature. Even if I don't attract attention, if Higa feels anything is amiss, and he will, my cover will be blown."

Haihane whistled, kicking her feet. "You guys got yourself a nice Ashikabi."

"I do like the way he puts things." Storm agreed.

"I guess that means I should just do what I do best, in that case. Higa should blow me off after a few weeks." Haihane guessed.

"What makes you think that?"

Haihane looked Storm up and down. "If I grope you like I do now, nothing will be out of the ordinary. I'll bring my anime and manga collection with me, and I'll bring cosplay outfits too. You and Yahan can wear them."

"I am not doing that." Storm said affirmatively. "Yahan will never agree to that."

"If it is for the mission."

"The mission doesn't require me to dress up like Starfire or Cammy!" Storm folded her arms.

"If something like a party does happen, you may have to wear something." Kai ventured.

"We will cross that bridge when it is time." Storm wasn't going to budge.

"I think I'd prefer you as cammy, but as Starfire, that may compliment you more."

Storm pulled Haihane out of the room by her ear before slamming the door shut. She smacked her hands together a few times, sighing. That woman could just be too much. Akemi nearly blew her stack the last time Haihane tried to grope her.

The woman was trouble.

"She is an undercover perverted lecher."

Kai considered the statement. "Well, we're going into Teito University. Perfect cover. She'll fit right in."

Kaiha snorted, shaking her head.

"I'm being serious." Kai said, going back to sharpening his blade.

"I know. That's just the thing." Kaiha replied.

"I don't think Saki has really caught the eye of Higa. Perhaps, he is merely scouting out certain people to test their reactions. As much as we fight physically, there are Ashikabi who fight through other means, and brute force won't necessarily bring them down." Kai looked at his Sekirei gathered.

"I just like to cut." Kaiha said. "All these head games give me a migraine."

Kai smirked for a second. "That is the game Higa plays. The only thing I can do now is beat him at his own game. Achieve checkmate."

Minato felt like he was about to erupt. So many emotions were running through him that his blood felt hot and his arms went numb. Standing before him was Yukari and Shiina. Kusano had screamed in delight, what had drawn him to the front door.

Worry had returned and it hit him like one on of Tsukiumi's water balls. He had called and texted Yukari. She never answered. Most of the time her phone was off and he had no way to get a hold of her. Truth be told he would he went all the way down to Teito University, but since he had Sekirei, and rambunctious one at that, he couldn't do that.

Anger began to seep into his skin, stretching beyond his veins and going into his marrow. They weren't perfect siblings, but he always cared for Yukari. She always leaned on him when she needed to. He found her when she was lost, and she'd cheer him up with a lame joke. She never downright just put him down like their mother did.

That was a different story.

Where did that thought come from?

He shook his head, taking a deep breath. He felt like a twisted knot, and for a few seconds, he began to feel the prick of agitation. He was normally calm and at ease. But, seeing Yukari alive and well made him joyous beyond comprehension, but at the same time…

"Look at her!"

Yukari grinned like a maniac while running her hands through Tsukiumi's long hair. She had never seen her so shiny before. Never felt hair so soft. Never seen such a well balanced woman body wise. Tsukiumi was smoking hot, and she couldn't stop touching her.

Tsukiumi for her part looked a little uncomfortable with all of the attention. She had a faint blush on her face, and looked a little timid.

"Why is thee infatuated with thine hair?"

"It's so beautiful!" Yukari gushed, looking at it carefully. "So curly and soft."

"Yukari, stop." Minato said, eyebrows drawn together.

She blew a raspberry at him, turning her focus onto Namiji. The woman was wearing something that really caught her eye. Namiji offered her a cheerful smile, though she looked a tad uncomfortable as she trailed her gaze to her breasts.

"Are you my brother's Sekirei, too?"

Namiji jumped a little. There was something in Yukari's gaze.

"Yes."

"Are you taking care of him?"

"Yukari!" Minato almost snapped, turning red.

"We make him curry." Musubi spoke up, smiling.

"In just an apron." Kuruse added.

Minato early fumbled around like a fool, but thankfully, he just slammed his hand onto the floor to keep his balance.

"Why are you adding fuel to the fire?"

Kuruse looked at Yukari, grabbing one of Minato's arms. "He's even winged another single number."

Shiina snapped his eyes onto Kuruse, then turned them onto Minato. "Who?"

"Number Eight, Yume. Number Three, Kazehana, and Number Nine, Tsukiumi are also his Sekirei."

Yukari was amazed, but seeing a buxom woman with black hair, just being quiet, she focused on her of course.

"And, you are?"

"Number 103, Juusa."

Yukari looked at all of the woman gathered. Her brother was very busy, it seemed. He winged some single numbers, and winged at least four more Sekirei. The first time she had seen any of his Sekirei, it had just been Musubi.

Since when had Minato turned into a lady's man?

"I'm Minato's little sister. Nice to meet all you fine ladies." She turned to her brother.

"Anyways...Since I'm not getting my ass kicked by college, I'd stop over."

Minato found something in her tone to be a little stiff. There was truth in her words, but it felt like she was holding something back. Like she was scared. He found himself opening his mouth, about to badger her, but he stopped. He just looked at her, searching, searching…

"Have some tea."

Yukari took her seat, grabbing a cup.

Minato sat across from her, not blinking. "Teito University is hard, huh?"

Yukari blinked over her cup, and gently set it down. "Don't remind me."

Minato wasn't sure how to ask it without being direct, so, he chose to be direct. "Why didn't you answer any of my calls or texts? Did you get a new phone? Change your number?"

Yukari grabbed a pen from her pocket, and grabbed Musubi's hand.

"Call me, okay?" Yukari winked at Musubi.

Tsukiumi looked at a loss. She had never seen someone write a phone number on another person's hand. It was always written down on paper, and put in the phone by the person, or they'd just put it in the phone.

"Why did you do that?" Tsukiumi asked, genuinely curious.

"I really like Musubi." Yukari replied, grinning a little.

Musubi smiled. "We can cosplay again."

Minato was exasperated. He put her new number into his phone. She got a new phone and got a new number as well. He wanted to just chalk it up to her getting bored with her old phone, but she could grow attached to such things and wouldn't want to part ways. Too many pictures, songs, and memories. His sister couldn't let any of that go.

Had something happened?

Maybe...He had to read between the lines.

He wondered where the thought came from. Before, he would never consider such a thing. But, there were many sleepless nights. All of his girls would be asleep. He was awake, not quite alone, but still alone with his thoughts. There was darkness, the moon, and the stars. There were his persistent thoughts.

The Sekirei Plan. He believed it had been wrong from the beginning. Truthfully he'd prefer to live a peaceful life with his girls. He had seen them battle. He seen Tsukiumi get cut. Musubi get slammed. He seen Yomi, Nanaha, and Yashima be deactivated through damage. He seen the carnage Minaka's dream wrought.

Ryu wasn't the same after all of that, and Minato felt he wasn't the same either. He was still changing, and he could feel himself changing. There was nothing he could do to stop it, and he was debating if it was just better to go with the change.

"You're going to text and call me now, right?" He prodded, poking at his sister.

"Of course!" Yukari said, near instantly.

"Not too loud Yukari!" Minato hissed a little, glaring at her. "Miya-san is resting."

"Sorry." Yukari looked a little sheepish.

Minato didn't break his composure as he spoke. "So, anyways..."

He needed to confirm something.

He stood over them. Young and old. Man and woman. His sword was bloody. They all looked so weak and insignificant.

She knew better than to think like that.

He raised his sword.

She screamed.

Miya awoke. Cold sweat dripped off of her chin, onto her sheets. The moon's eerie light was beaming through her room. A light in her nightmare of madness. It had been the same thing for weeks now, ever since Ryu stopped speaking to her.

People were all around her, but they were being killed. Some went about their business, as if the idea of being killed didn't even ring to them. Others were screaming and pleading. It was the strangest thing, and through all of that madness Miya couldn't pinpoint who the person was.

She would like to say it's Karasuba doing the deed, but she never dream of that woman. She entertained horrible and negative thoughts of what she wanted to do, and very well could do to that woman, but she never acted out on those impulses.

One hand hovered over her heart, and the other wiped the sweat from her brow. She had an empty space next to her, and she missed the person who would be lying with her right now. There was a duty she had to uphold, in Takehito's memory, and sadly that meant she had to make certain choices like the one she had before.

She refused to even think that it was Ryu in her dream killing all of those people. There had been thousands, thousands more screaming and pleading for mercy. She didn't wish to think that her Ashikabi could or would fall so low. A small part of her being was nudging her. Telling her to acknowledge the possibility,

She stood to her feet, put on her thick kimono, and headed for the kitchen to make some tea. To acknowledge that would mean she'd be acknowledging Ryu was a cold blooded killer. He just wasn't killing men and women. He had his anger issues, and the rage and fury he felt because of the Sekirei he lost in battle, but that didn't mean he was that low.

He wasn't like Karasuba who would show no mercy to a man, woman, or a child. That woman was a born and bred killing machine, but the First Generation was a group of killers. That is why they were still infamous to this day. She had killed children. Mutsu had. Kazehana had. Her second in command had. Even Matsu had in some way shape or form.

But, that's why they were all the points now in their lives. She wasn't going to fight for any reasons. Karasuba did what she did best. Mutsu found an Ashikabi. Kazehana found an Ashikabi. Matsu found an Ashikabi. She even found an Ashikabi.

They were not the same people they were back then, and she hoped it would stay that way. A battle between her and Karasuba, not holding back, was enough to level all of Japan. There didn't need to be any more joining that fray.

She took a sip of tea, sighing when its warmth coursed through her. It did something to wash away her anxiety, but that gnawing feeling still remained. It was likely guilt more than fear. She had lied to Ryu, point blank, for Uzume. Uzume had lied to him and betrayed him. By extension, Miya had betrayed him, and she hated that fact.

It was too late to change the past, though.

She only hoped Uzume would make things right and Kazehana wouldn't interfere again. She'd only do things to preserve the peace at her humble inn, she wasn't going to tolerate Uzume's wild behavior since it'd put her residents in danger. She would like to let the woman stay at her inn longer, but if things continued the way that they were…

Miya shook her head. It'd be better if she sat Ryu down and told him of this, but that was going to lead to a confrontation. She wouldn't be able to have a conversation about this without telling him that she was sheltering Uzume and lied for her.

It only happened one time on her behalf, but Ryu had to tolerance for betrayal of things of that nature. To say he hated betrayal would be an understatement. If Ryu was capable of it, he'd run his sword through her for betrayal, and that doesn't mean he wouldn't try, even if he wasn't capable of doing it. He'd leave ruins in his attempt to slay her.

He was capable of killing Uzume however, and that's what worried Miya the most. It wasn't good for Sekirei and Ashikabi to fight with themselves, and even worse when hostility began to brew between them. Ryu and Uzume were on the cusp of something, that was going to go from bad, to downright disastrous.

Hopefully her drastic measure of contacting Takami was enough to smooth this over. Karei and Uzume got what they wanted. Ryu would get what he wanted. There could be arguments and yelling, but none of it would escalate to the point of battle. If Ryu and Uzume encountered each other now, Miya got the feeling Ryu would go after her with the intent to harm.

Hopefully Takami would pull through.

"Miya-san."

She startled out from her train of thought. She met the eyes of Yume. Miya knew she was sidetracked with everything going on in her head, but she didn't think she would just ignore Yume's presence altogether. Maybe ignoring was a bit of a stretch to say, it was more of her just not noticing Yume at all.

Miya looked at the younger Sekirei.

Yume tried not to look put off by the response, and managed to only arch her brow. Miya had been acting more than a little strange since she seen her, and it wasn't like Miya to put on such displays in public.

"You were looking a little spaced out there for a second. Minato's sister arrived and you barely spared her a hello, nor have you took note of all the noise going on at the moment. I was getting worried."

Miya drew her brows together, eyes narrowing on their own. She had become so accustomed to her inn being noisy that it never really reached her ears. She was aware of the noise, but only once it go to a certain point. Anything else other than an ear piercing volume was just another day, and signified that nothing out of the ordinary was going on.

If things were quiet she'd be a little concerned. Minato's Sekirei were anything but quiet. If things were quiet that meant something happened that silenced all of them. It would be something extremely bad, since if it was a new Sekirei, as it had been proven, they got noisier.

"I have a lot on my mind right now." Miya offered, focusing on the sound coming from the front room.

"They're awfully lively."

Yume smiled, turning her eyes towards the same room. "Minato has gotten better at controlling his Sekirei, but he's still a pushover in some aspects."

Miya crossed one leg over the other, fixing Yume with an observant gaze. "Not spending as much time with him as you would desire?"

Yume pondered the question for a moment. Most Sekirei only had...Well, they didn't have any other Sekirei to compete with for their Ashikabi's attention, but Minato had his hands full completely. Not only did more than a few compete for his attention, they wanted all of his attention. She put herself into a war zone, but she didn't mind.

Being around Minato was enough for her. She didn't need to sleep with him, or snatch his arm, or do any of those silly things. She could give him his space. Yume had no problem with that. She didn't want to add to any of the antics his Sekirei liked to play.

She would like to hold onto him, of course, but she'd concede. Whenever Minato worked up the nerve to say he wanted to hold her, and made the first move, Yume would latch onto him like white on rice and wouldn't let go.

"I am fine with being under the same sky as he is, but I do admit I wish I could hold onto his arm like Kuruse-san and Tsukiumi-san. I don't want to cause anything unnecessary that could give him a headache."

Miya hid her smile by sipping on her tea. She wouldn't expect anything less out of Yume. The woman was very sweet and had a kind heart. She was a fierce fighter, very powerful, but her kindness and heart surpassed those feats. Rather than throw her fifty cents into the mess of a fray Minato had with his Sekirei, she was going to keep her distance.

That could also be credited to Yume not wishing to fight over Minato. She understood that Minato was all of their Ashikabi, and he had love to give to all of them. She wanted to explain it to him, but she got the feeling that Minato would react awkwardly, instead of in a headstrong sense. Instead of spreading his love, he'd fumble over his next sentence.

"It seems your sense of humor has remained the same after all of this time." Miya remarked.

"I think it'd be funny to watch Minato-san squirm and be uncomfortable, but I don't wish to trouble him with such things. If I involve myself in his Sekireis' antics, I am certain he will pass out from being so flustered."

"Or he might be a man for you."

Yume nodded after a second, laughing. "That is true, but I will concede for now."

"I had a nightmare." Miya said, tone near silent.

Yume grew serious, brows drawing together. "What?"

"It could be me and my past. There were so many people dead and dying. They were being killed, and I felt like I was watching the whole thing. I couldn't do anything. I couldn't move."

Yume took a deep breath, focusing on the table. She couldn't begin to guess what that was about. As a First Generation member, Miya had killed hundreds of thousands, maybe millions. Armies and navies had tried to raid Kamikura back then—foot soldiers had covered every centimeter. Miya and the others carved them.

Yume winced just thinking about it. She had killed. They were evil men and women. But, they were still people, and they had a life. She had taken that life. But, she hadn't done anything close to what the First Generation squad did—she never came close to being like Karasuba.

That day...She stood before a huge wall. And, that wall had been bodies. She was gasping, panting, her blade was soaked with blood. It dripped in pools. She turned around, and looked empty. She wore a smile, but it was a hollow smile, a smile of hatred. Yume had just been assigned to be her partner, tasked with the same mission.

"It's not enough, Yume-kun."

Karasuba laughed once after saying that.

"It's not enough."

Truth be told Yume still had nightmares of those times. Of those tense encounters and confrontations with Karasuba. She was a wolf. A merciless killer. Back then, she lived to kill. To stab and slice, to splatter blood onto cliffs.

"You've killed enough." Yume stood before Karasuba, arms extended to her sides. Behind her, soldiers were lying, half dead.

"Will you stand in my way?"

Yume firmed her stance and resolve. "We need to spare some to get information, remember our mission."

Karasuba growled, sounding like an animal. "They're grunts, they don't know anything. Get out of my way."

"Stop it, Kaasuba. This isn't what-"

Karasuba pointed her blade at Yume, clasping it with her free hand. "Don't speak that nonsense!"

"I'm not moving."

"Then, you too, will have to reduced to pieces.

Yume sipped her tea, shaking away the memory. It was hard, and it strained her mentally, but she pushed the wretched memory away. The only reason Karasuba had spared those soldiers and hadn't struck her down is because Minaka had intervened.

The two woman were both silent, muddled in past horrors. Miya felt like it was just a nightmare. Just a bad dream. But, something about that felt real. Too real. She was standing there, watching, pleading, but the deaths continued and continued and continued. Then, death seized someone close to her, and that's when she screamed.

Yume knew it was just a nightmare of a past horror. She didn't have the haunting feeling that Miya did. The woman knew all too well what caused the nightmare to happen and why it happened in the first place. It was an experience she had, like many others. Nothing could be done to wipe those horrors away.

"I..." Yume felt her voice catch. "I want to say it is nothing to worry about, but...You know me."

Miya sipped her tea, just nodding enough for it to be considered as such. Blowing off thing of this nature could be dangerous and foolish. If there was any sort of relevance of this, pertaining to the near future, she would have more than enough reason to worry.

In the nightmare, she couldn't see what was happening. She could hear it. She knew what was happening. She could feel it inside of her. The fear. The trembling. The feeling of being utterly paralyzed. She didn't want to see what had happened, truth be told, and she was thankful she didn't have to.

So much screaming…

But, she could remember seeing a body. The shape of a body. The body jerked and contorted, as if it were being hung.

"We should probably go in there before they get out of control." Yume ventured, noting how Miya looked vacant.

You have that scar on your neck, why?

When I was younger, I tried to hang myself.

Miya shook away the memory, hands clenching like iron vises.

Why?

I hate people.

Miya turned to Yume, offering a sad smile. "I'll meet you there. Let me finish my tea."

"As you wish." Yume bowed out, leaving Miya alone.

Miya took a deep breath, and exhaled. Inhale. Exhale. Her lungs expanded and cooled, contracted and became warm. In and out. She never felt she took things for granted, but maybe she was taking something so simple as breathing, for granted.

Maybe soon, she'd no longer…

I just have to trust Takami and her capabilities.

Miya didn't want to think of the worst case scenario.