It was truly remarkable that his composure hadn't broken once. Yukari fussing over his Sekirei aside, he didn't look or act flustered. If anything, he looked to be somewhere between stoic and relaxed. His eyes were set, but they weren't glinting with intensity. There was something deep in them, though, that could perhaps be greater than intensity.

Searching. Deep in Minato's eyes there was a flicker of light. Subtle, barely readable, but it had always been there. Since he was a child, that flicker kept him out of trouble. It allowed him to find his sister whenever she was lost in the woods. It allowed him to find his way back home after running away to find solace from his mother's harsh gaze and even harsher words. That flicker of light also, unbeknownst to him, now, had attracted all of his Sekirei to him.

And, now, that flicker of light was growing brighter. His deep gray-blue eyes managed to smother some of that flicker, but there were fragments that got through. And, he observed. He watched Yukari and Shiina. He listened to them speak. He watched how they acted around each other, his Sekirei, Miya, and how everyone as a whole interacted in their group.

He wasn't quite sure if his confirmations were correct. He wasn't even sure if he had confirmations to confirm. It would only be his suspicions. Speculation. Yukari was as good as ever at keeping a secret. She got even better at hiding her subtle signs of giving away those secrets. One of his suspicions was that Yukari had to actually do this out of necessity.

She wasn't evading his questions. She wasn't lying to him either. Certainly, she was hiding something. But, she wasn't lying to him. She wasn't telling him what was really going on in her life. Pressing on the matter would be a waste of time. Perhaps if he wasn't going through changes, he would press Yukari, but knowing that she wasn't going to exactly be forthcoming...

He just let it go.

Minato took a moment to look at Miya. He looked at Yume. He looked at Kagari. He looked at Kazehana. He looked at the rest of his Sekirei. He just looked, trying to keep an open mind. Not trying to read into anything too much, for now. There was something he could see. Miya, Kazehana, Yume, and Kagari were all going through something, or were burdened with thoughts.

His Sekirei were the same as always, except for Kazehana. He could ask and prod with her, and she would certainly tell him, but Minato didn't want to go that far. Something was happening within the Sekirei Plan that was bad. Everyone was on edge. Teito itself was constantly going through changes and the crime rate was steadily on the climb.

Anyone would be burdened with thoughts. He was, by these turn of events. But, Miya looked to be sidetracked with whatever was on her mind. Yume was borderline sidetracked and troubled more than anything with her thoughts. Kagari was sitting with that small frown like always, though he continued to speak like always to everyone gathered.

He turned his eyes onto Uzume. He had seen her a lot, lately. She was healing nicely, but it'd be another week before she was unscathed from the beating she had taken. Karei was in a similar condition. More than anything, Minato wanted to ask Uzume why she was staying here, but he didn't want to cross that bridge. Clearly she had been attacked and if Ryu seen her, he would snap.

Minato didn't want to put himself in the middle of that.

"Are you okay, Minato?"

Oddly enough, it was Tsukiumi to break him out of his train of thought. Normally, she didn't do such things. She did compete with Musubi, and yelled at him, and everyone else, but she never intruded on him whenever he was brooding. She was always respectful of those sorts of things. Kuruse was as well. Musubi on the other hand wasn't.

He turned to his blonde Sekirei, wondering how his expression appeared. Did he appear unassuming as usual? Timid? Annoyed? Maybe he had just been quiet for too long? Maybe Tsukiumi didn't spot anything subtle in his actions for the last twenty minutes?

Minato narrowed his eyes slightly, hoping it would give him more clarity.

"I'm...Just thinking."

Tsukiumi turned towards the commotion of the kitchen, watching everything with an almost detached focus. Normally, her husband would be awkwardly laughing in such an environment while fumbling around with his food. She could appreciate this serious side of him, adore that awkward and nervous part of him, but if she were honest, this more serious side really got her going.

Seeing his eyes so focused. So strong. So determined. She could only recall the time he had punched that fool who almost took her.

"What about?" She pressed gently. "If you feel so strongly about it, share it with me."

Minato tilted his head carefully.

Tsukiumi folded her arms across her chest, turning away a fraction. "I will try."

Minato smiled, laughing softly. "I'm just worried about my sister. She's been acting strangely."

Tsukiumi looked at Yukari, fingering the hair the feisty girl had been groping. "She was groping my hair, I was very uncomfortable."

"She just does that sort of stuff. I'm more worried about her situation with the college."

Tsukiumi tapped her chin briefly, turning towards the living room. "If you watch the news on the TV, you may find something out."

"Really?"

"Minaka-san always has updates of everything. Higa does as well."

Minato didn't miss the dangerous undertone Tsukiumi's tone took. She hated the man and made no move to hide that hatred. She had no qualms of saying it or letting it be known later. To his knowledge she hated all Ashikabi before she met him, but after a few run ins with Higa's Sekirei one too many times, she had developed a hatred for the man.

Minato could understand why she did. He despised the way that man viewed and treated his Sekirei. Minato couldn't say with certainty that he hated Higa himself, but his actions and words, he definitely did hate.

"Minato?"

"Sorry, I spaced out again."

Tsukiumi stared at him, narrowing her eyes. She adjusted herself until she was more comfortable, and ate her food gracefully. She would not take Minato's absent minded behavior to heart. She was an understanding Sekirei. She could feel his wariness, his uncertainty, and more than anything, his worry. Perhaps she would have spoken on it in the past.

But, after the battle at the bridge, she wasn't so inclined to have those outbursts. They had all barely gotten out of there alive. The bridge collapsed. Nobody walked away with anything minor. There were moderate to critical injuries. Three Sekirei had been deactivated. It was an all around disaster and she still had the scars from the battle.

She had come close to losing. Haihane had been pressing and pressing her. She had those talons, and at that point, Tsukiumi only had a sword made of water. She had fought her off, but suffered wounds. One blade couldn't contend with ten. Not when it was a situation like her's. But, there was no excuse on her part, she had been careless and inevitable, weaker.

"Minato, you shouldn't worry so much."

Tsukiumi blinked, turning her gaze on Yukari.

"Your beautiful blonde Sekirei is looking so sad."

Tsukiumi turned to Minato, mouth open to tell him that wasn't the case, but, she stopped. She looked into his eyes, noted how his brows were gently drawn together, and then he closed his eyes. He smiled that small smile he would always smile, and whatever he had been experiencing in these few moments, slowly, but surely, shuffled away.

"Sorry." Minato said.

"Please, don't apologize. I am fine." Tsukiumi insisted.

He nodded, turning his focus onto Yukari. He observed Shiina with Kusano for a moment before he darted his eyes right back onto his little sister. They remained there. Still. Steady. Intent. If he was a more forceful person, he would be glaring or something along those lines. It would give away what he was thinking at this point in time, and for once, he was thankful that he was so unassuming.

Minato understood whatever he was feeling Tsukiumi had felt just now, and he made a mental note for later, to speak to her about it. There's so much he didn't know about the Sekirei in general, that it was starting to hinder him. Worse, it was starting to hinder his Sekirei.

He clenched his hand into a fist.

I need to be stronger. A lot stronger, this is...Frustrating.

"Minato?"

He looked at Tsukiumi. "We'll talk...Later..."

He focused on Yukari again, careful to keep his mind clear of any thoughts. "Yukari, you'll contact me again right? You won't ignore my calls?"

Yukari laughed softly, scratching the back of her head. "Sorry for making you worry. I'll stay in touch from now on."

It was startling that Minato was being forceful.

Not everyone would be able to notice, not even his Sekirei. But, she was his sister. Minato was her older brother. She knew him. Knew all of his signs, all of his quirks, everything that made him awkward. He had never forced an issue. He was able to let go of things. However, at this moment, he was telling her in a subtle way, to never lose contact with me again.

For everyone else, it was just a reminder. Perhaps a manifestation of the worry that had been consuming him due to her negligence. It would be the fretting over an older brother. But, she knew there was something more to it.

Winded, Yukari remained upright. She struggled to remain composed. While everything continued on like normal and late addition of Yume and Miya brought out the festive side of many Sekirei gathered, she still couldn't quite look Minato in the eye. She did without flinching, whenever they would speak. If only to throw him off, if possible at this point. Minato had always been perceptive in the strangest ways.

Truth be told, she didn't want to get into a battle of wits with Minato. He wasn't abrasive or aggressive. He wasn't hasty. He wasn't reckless, most of the time. He had always been observant, always watching others. Never speaking unless he had to. Always studying, always watching, always observing. Yukari couldn't remember a time where Minato had been oblivious.

Oblivious in different ways, certainly Minato was. But, not being aware of what was going on around him-he had never been that oblivious.

Curious, she pulled her phone from her pocket.

Juma hasn't texted me yet...That's not so weird I guess, we've only been gone for four hours.

"Everything okay, Yukari-san?" Kuruse asked, head tiled a little.

"Just checking my text messages. We're thinking of starting a new club in my dorm at college. It's pretty interesting, something about cosplay."

Kuruse looked at Musubi. "Isn't that what you do?"

"If that fool doesn't make Musubi wear it." Tsukiumi chimed in.

"Uzume?"

Tsukiumi tried not to scoff. "I was talking about Number Three, but Number Ten isn't any better."

Kuruse waved it off, looking at Minato. "Would you care if I joined a club like that?"

Minato tried not to frown. "I would, a lot."

Kuruse shifted back, taking a sip of her steaming tea.

Minato felt like he had to explain himself. More over, he wanted to. He wanted to do this himself. Kuruse was looking weird and he didn't like it.

"You are my Sekirei. I won't have anyone else looking at you in that way."

"So...You take responsibility?"

Minato's eyes didn't waver. "Of course I do. I know I'm in way over my head, but I know what my priorities are, and what I must do."

Kuruse giggled, setting both of her hands on her thighs.

Oh, Minato-sama.

While he claimed he would take responsibility, Kuruse knew he still had a long way to go.

Unless, of course...

She shrugged with a light smile.

Minato watched everyone laugh and eat and drink. Uzume and Kazehana came in. Miya and Yume greeted them with their presence later on. Still, he felt drawn to Kuruse at the moment. Part of him, felt challenged by her, and he was intrigued by that challenge. It made his heart race, in a good way. He felt himself pull towards her, internally first, and it projected physically afterwards.

Of all of his Sekirei, Kuruse had to be the most searching.

"By responsibility...Do you mean gathering enough strength to protect and fight beside you and the rest of my Sekirei?"

Kuruse considered it. "That is a part of the responsibility."

"Oh."

Kuruse nodded.

Minato cleared his throat. "I'm sort of..."

"Well, you are more firm and determined than you were before. I am patient, Minato-sama. But, I know that you are worried, even without sharing cloth with you. Tsukiumi does as well, I seen her fretting before."

Minato grunted softly. "Nothing gets past you."

"No." Kuruse stood up. "Excuse me, I'm going to mess with Musubi and Uzume."

"Wait." Minato said a little quick. "Why?"

"I enjoy messing with them."

"Why?"

"It stirs the pot."

Minato shook his head. "You spent too much time with Matsu when she was here."

"Possibly."

Minato watched her walk away, leaving him alone with his thoughts once more. Maybe it wasn't so bad, being like this. Always lost in thought, deep thought. He had been brooding a lot, and most of the time he was awake, he spent that time brooding.

But, he got the feeling-that would serve him well soon. It probably wouldn't be in the best of ways, but to some degree, it would be useful. Maybe he would need to make long and drawn out plans that had every variable covered and taken care of. That would be borderline paranoia, but if the sinking feeling in his gut, and the change he felt himself going through, and the change he seen and knew Ryu was going through...

Things were going to get worse.

A lot worse.

He looked at Yukari and then he looked at Kusano.

Kusano had no idea what danger she was in. She was only a child and like a child, she was innocent. Totally oblivious and ignorant to the world around her. It never quite dawned on him, until now, that Kusano was in a game that was going to be filled with bloodthirsty people that would stop at nothing to get what they wanted. Higa and Hayato wielded a lot of power. Sanada had enough connections where he would be a problem.

Ryu was too unpredictable at this point in time. It would be smart to contact him and meet with him, just to see how he was doing. Minato could anticipate and improvise from there. If Ryu outright refused his invitation then he knew where he stood, and where Ryu was in is decisions. He would be more concerned about his own interests. Which, wasn't exactly wrong.

Minato could feel his selfish nature taking a hold of him, especially now.

Telling Yukari she would be staying here until he said so, how badly he wanted to say that.

Just say it. You know she's in danger.

He clenched his teeth, struggling to compose himself to think rationally. It was hard. He was so upset with his own inability. If he hadn't waited until now. If he hadn't waited until the battle of the bridge. If he never waited in general, and decided to take the risk, or take the dive...But, he never could. Not when it counted the most. He was always standing back or on the sidelines, watching. Always watching. He never thought much of it before.

But, now, it began to make him mad.

If I don't get my shit together, I am going to lose Sekirei...No, I can't even kid myself. I am going to lose Sekirei, it is just a matter of who and how many? And, if I can take the despair that I know will take a hold of me...

Thankfully, a knock on the door brought him out of his stupor.

"Minato. You wouldn't mind getting the door?"

He shook his head at Miya, getting up wordlessly.

Strange. She didn't address me with an honorific. Perhaps she is tired.

Minato slid the door open. He was face to face with Seo. Unlike the multiple times he had seen him before. Seo wore a serious expression. Hikari and Hibiki, his ever loyal Sekirei, also wore serious expressions. Minato took all but a second to observe them before he assessed what they could be at the inn for. Considering the time, and lack of notice, he wanted to say it was something serious.

Seo and Miya were on good enough terms where he could stop over without much trouble, but he never went that far. Miya, never missed a chance to let him have it for being lazy. For being a good for nothing. For just loafing around. For taking her food and her sake for his own nourishment. While Miya did concede with the fact Hikari and Hibiki were eating and drinking her food as well...

Miya never missed the chance to let Seo have it.

Minato really had no fond memories of the man. The one thing he could remember, even now, as he stared at the man, was when he tried to wing Tsukiumi by force. He had grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her close. It appeared he had cancelled her power. Minato knew the man found some joy in seeing her fear as he advanced, and so Minato punched him.

He deserved it.

Outwardly, Minato spoke in his ever calm and pleasant tone.

"Seo-san. Long time no see. Miya-san didn't say anything about you stopping over."

Hibiki looked at Seo with a sharp gaze, then turned her focus away pointedly.

Minato didn't miss it.

"I'm moving a bit quickly. A lot is happening right now, mind if I come in?"

Minato blinked.

"Not at all. Everyone else is in the living room or kitchen. You'll find Miya-san with Yume-san in the kitchen, most likely. If they are not in there, they are in the next room over. It's pretty rowdy."

"Fair enough." Seo slipped off his shoes, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"Sometimes being the middleman is a pain."

Hikari and Hibiki began the painful task of slipping off their boots.

"Something happen?" Minato asked, leading them to the sitting room.

"Might be better to sit down and hash it all out."

Minato didn't question Seo any more than he had. Something, clearly, did happen. He wasn't sure what that could be. Seo was a magnet for trouble, but he didn't exactly do himself any favors. It was very likely he could owe some gangsters money, or something along those lines.

Still, he led the man and his Sekirei to Miya. She was seated with Yume in the sitting room, both enjoying a cup of tea. Seo looked the two women over, eyes going from Miya, and hovering on Yume. He looked at her breasts for a brief second, but that's it.

Miya's pleasant smile was enough warning.

More importantly, he was serious.

This was business.

"Thanks for letting me come in and all."

Miya laughed. "I wish to honor Takehito. You were his friend."

Seo laughed a little nervously. Thankfully, some noisy laughter from the next room over cut the tense meeting of eyes. He could hear Kazehana and Uzume, definitely, but there were some Sekirei in there he wasn't familiar with. Minato had been busy. Well, the kid had guts.

"Have some tea." Yume offered him a cup.

"Thanks."

"I put honey on it."

Seo grinned and took the cup. "Anything from you is just like hon-"

He got no further than that before Hikari bashed the back of his head with her hand. The tea, still hot, splashed on Seo. It got on his face. Part of his skull bounced off the cup. The strike nearly leveled, as Hikari was leveled by Miya's own strike with a nearby cooking pan.

Yume watched the whole thing with mild shock, almost horrified when Miya swung the pan like a bat.

A loud boom rang across the room as Miya brought the tray down upside Seo's head, dropping him like a bad habit.

"I believe you know my rules."

Seo groaned softly, struggling to ignore the pulsating throb on the side of his skull. Usually Miya would use her wooden stick or something more graceful, not a wide cooking pan. It was almost cheeky, in a way.

Still, he kept himself in check as he spoke. "Yeah, sorry about that. But, how can she be off limits? Last I knew nobody had winged Yume as of yet."

"Minato-san winged her a while ago."

Seo nearly blew his top, but stayed composed enough. "Well, kid has good taste."

Hikari growled, lightning dancing around her finger tips.

"He's sitting right over there. Stop acting like he isn't here."

Seo looked at Minato, arching a brow. "You don't mind, right?"

Minato was not in the mood. He was barely preventing himself from keeping Yukari here. On top of that, he was barely able to keep himself from marching over to Ryu's house. Never before had be felt a need to destroy his own inability. And, even more pressing, he was barely stopping himself from fussing over his Sekirei so much that even they would get sick of it.

Seo ogling Yume, who was his Sekirei, was more than enough to warrant a violent reaction from Minato. He wasn't violent, normally. He didn't act on his inclination to lay another punch to the man's face-this time it would be the eye. Minato would make sure it was pitch black. Seo ogling and checking out Sekirei, and any attractive woman, was really starting to piss him off.

She is my Sekirei. That means you keep your eyes to yourself. I am not ogling your Sekirei."

"Not exactly saying no..."

Minato's brows pulled in until they wrinkled. He frowned. "I mind, a lot. I might punch you again if you don't stop."

Seo felt like making a retort, but seeing Minato's firm gaze made him second guess doing just that. There was something firm and strong in the way he stared. When he had met Minato, he had been punched in his face. Rightfully so. Seo knew Minato could barely get a sentence out to his Sekirei, but, it seemed, at least at the moment, he had grown more firm.

It would explain why he winged more Sekirei.

"Am I to assume he winged Kazehana as well?"

"Well..." Yume blushed a little.

Seo was careful not to sigh. The fact only a few, if not one Sekirei remained unwinged meant that things were going to take a steep turn. There were a lot of people still involved in the Sekirei plan, and all of them, were quite directly involved. But, still, that wouldn't change a thing. When the third round began, and everything beyond that...

Seo wasn't sure how things were going to go. He wished Takehito were still alive and present. But, the man risked his life to end this damn madness before it ever even began. He died doing so. That would be the ultimate fate of anyone who stood in the way of Minaka's madness. In one movement Minaka had wiped out all resistance, broke Miya's spirit, and paved things for his own way.

Things were about to come to a head, and Seo was assessing who would be an enemy, and who would not be an enemy.

"Yeah. I winged her a long while back. I was in the hospital." Minato replied, breaking the silence.

"What is it that you wish to tell us, Seo-san?" Miya asked.

Seo took a sip of his tea. "Well..."

Hibiki nursed her neck, as if she were massaging a wound.

Seo set his cup of tea down, sighing. He looked at the warm liquid, inhaling its aroma. "Things are about to get pitiless, and I mean that."

Minato immediately thought of Kusano upon hearing Seo use that particular word. The smoke inside of him turned to fire and it lashed out. He struggled to keep his fingers from clenching. From letting the fear stab him.

Yume frowned, setting her hands on the table. She leaned forward. "Seo-san, can you elaborate?"

Seo felt heavy, but managed to blink. "I've been hearing nothing but rumors about Hayato Mikogami of the South. Something about power. He has grown strong, but is trying to make allies. I cannot be too sure though."

Miya frowned upon hearing that.

Were things...

Coming full circle?

Should I expect a visit sooner instead of later?

"What about Higa Izumi of the East?" Yume prodded.

Seo frowned, clenching his teeth. "That is one of the things that worries me the most, Lately, he's had people from overseas coming to Teito. Teito University is also seeing a lot of construction."

"But, it is winter and snowing." Minato pointed out.

"They're using expensive things to cover the workers and equipment. There's even food and other things provided by the University for the workers. They are also staying there as they work. The people Higa has coming from overseas are all prominent business men. CEO. Chairman. There are even some celebrities and models here to endorse charities and help along the project at Teito University." Hibiki replied.

Miya frowned a little. "Really?"

"You would think something like that would be on the news." Yume pointed out.

Seo nodded. "It will be, soon enough. That brings me to my next topic. Higa has amassed a legion of Sekirei. He also has a legion of Sekirei and Ashikabi that serve him. Kakizaki, his third in command, also has Sekirei. He has the ronin, Yakuza, and other gangs working for him in his sector, and beyond it. He may even have gangs from overseas flying over, paying for all of their expenses. This is a problem, because next to Hayato, Higa has the most Sekirei. He could be making a power play to take over Teito and if he can't..."

Minato arched a brow.

Hikari cleared her throat, trying not to be tense as she spoke. "He may burn it down."

Yume and Miya looked to each other, frowned, then turned back to Hikari.

"Higa wouldn't do that.." Minato trailed off, his eyes narrowing. "Kakizaki might, though. It depends."

"The Discipline Squad would attack them." Yume whispered, eyes wide with horror.

It would be a bloody massacre.

Seo scratched at the back of his head. He met Yume's gaze, nodded just a little, and lounged back on the couch.

"He even has Sanada of the West working for him. Though, Sanada and I stay in close contact. Higa knows I am a freelancer, it's worked out for me so far."

There was a moment of silence.

"That isn't what worries me the most." Seo spoke up, his eyes began to glint.

Miya felt her heart quicken. She could feel herself becoming defensive. As if she stuffed herself into the shell of a crab, and she would pinch at anyone that even dared to look in her direction. She knew the word. The name. The syllables of the name. She could hear it before it was said. She had felt this way with Yume, almost, but the feeling was stabbing into her now.

Yume observed Miya carefully, choosing to speak.

"What worries you the most? Is it the fact Higa might kill you?"

Seo didn't discredit the possibility, but he was certain he covered his tracks enough. As obsessive and calculating as Higa was, even he couldn't argue with having to take care of number one first and foremost. But, if he became too much of a problem, or a possible threat for Higa, the man would decide to kill him. But, Sanada was likely to bite that first, if...

He shuffled his thoughts away, calming down.

"It's Ryu."

Miya stiffened.

"What about him?"

Yume hadn't noticed the subtle action. Her focus had been primarily on Miya's expression, which, of course, was expertly schooled. Nobody had a better poker face than Miya. Her voice hadn't wavered the least bit either. Miya made sure that her voice didn't waver. She could see Yume's subtle observations, and while they didn't bother her, Miya could do without them.

The topic was going onto her Ashikabi.

If she was emotionless there would be a huge problem. Her bond was very deep with Ryu, It was only right she get emotional and defensive about him. As much as she tried to conceal the emotional outbursts and physical twitches of those outbursts, she could not. But, she would hold her composure like she always did. More importantly, she needed Seo, and she was thankful he was proving his worth.

"He lost three Sekirei." Minato said, looking around for a second. "He can't be the same."

Minato knew it was a fact. He was going through a change and he had yet to lose any Sekirei. Just coming close. Just the thought of losing them. It drove him crazy it kept him awake at night. It made him want to roar. The very thought of losing his Sekirei...Of one losing their Sekirei...Was enough for this change to begin. And, once it began, there was no way to reverse it, or stop it.

If Musubi was no longer at his side laughing and being herself, he wasn't sure what he'd do.

Before, he never thought of a life with her or other Sekirei.

Now, he didn't want to give them up.

"I feel for the guy..." Seo said.

"I am calm." Miya suddenly said.

Seo nodded slowly, leaning his head back on the couch. He wasn't going to prod or push further, it was only natural Miya would get so testy. He used the word pitiless, and he knew the ramifications it carried when speaking to Miya. Everything that had to do with that word was the opposite of Miya, now. For any pitiless act to take place would mean...

Well, that would mean suffering her ire.

Miya would have to break her stance.

"What about Ryu has you worried?" Yume broke the silence.

"It isn't a what. It is why. I'll tell you why. I've heard a rumor that Toyotama, Matsu, and Ahiko all came up with a code. Considering Uzume and Hari do work for Higa, I can understand...However, the penalty is seppuku, should someone stray from the code. That is the rumor anyway. They wear the same uniform, his Sekirei. He's winged some of the last Sekirei, I don't feel comfortable about that...Anyways...If my suspicion is right...Ryu will attack Hayato of the South or Sanada of the West."

Miya almost bolted out of her seat.

Discipline kept her seated.

"Why would he do that?"

Seo sighed softly, feeling more tired than before.

"It is a machination of Minaka ultimately. Sanada has never been an active participant. Not like the major players anyways, even though he does control an entire sector. He has six Sekirei, and I think it's because of three in particular that he has as much sway as he does. Minaka wants to keep things in motion, and Sanada, as well as a few other Ashikabi and Sekirei, are complacent."

Yume bristled. The idea of Minaka lining them all up like dominoes and knocking them over pissed her off, royally. If what Seo was saying had any merit, that would mean the third round and fourth round would be a process to cull through the weak. Ashikabi and Sekirei were going to be at each other's necks and the thought sickened her.

She could feel a growing darkness in Ryu. Like a scream that had long been pent up. A primal scream. Seo was speaking of the conclusion, though things hardly ever went according to plan. There was no way they'd be able to cover every single little detail. Ryu would be attacked, likely, or attack someone, or people, before that conclusion came.

Yume's eyes drifted to the other room where Uzume was.

Uzume was a tinderbox.

Ryu was a growing inferno.

Yume tried not to sigh and pinch the bridge of her nose. She had no idea things had gotten to this point. The hostility and enmity that was brewing between Ryu and Koto was just icing on top of the shit split. Miya had to have condoned it, and Yume couldn't understand why. From a point of view. Takehito was a good man, he shouldn't have died so early.

Miya was merely carrying on the man's wishes. He had been Uzume's adjuster, after all. To not let Uzume stay would be a gross insult. But in doing so, she betrayed Ryu. She had clashed with him only for a moment, but she could feel his intensity. His sincerity. His ferocity. His ferocious love for his Sekirei. The rage and hate that had taken him over as he felt three bonds sever nearly at once. The agony of that loss.

Through that, Yume knew without a doubt...

This betrayal wouldn't go by with silence.

Ryu would come to this inn.

Uzume would get it.

Ryu would attack Miya.

He hated betrayal.

Yume realized this in a second.

"I suppose I can understand where you are coming from. Ryu is quite unpredictable. I guess it makes sense that he is Karasuba's Ashikabi, they balance each other out."

"Yume. I will let that one slide. If you say something like that again, I will break you in half. Karasuba's presence and words would be nothing but poison to Ryu at this time. Toyotama, Ahiko, and Matsu help balance him out...But, if Karasuba breaks through his walls at this moment in time..." Miya trailed off.

"Karasuba and Ryu have been seen speaking to each other recently. Yesterday, in fact." Hibiki added in, gently clearing her throat.

You better pull through Takami. You better.

Though her inward thoughts were turbulent and filled with haste, Miya's outward expression said otherwise. Composed and stoic, she would fool many. But, beneath that cool exterior were small cracks and ripples. A twitch here. A movement of a finger here. If anyone cared to observe those subtle, nearly invisible quirks, they would see the composed shell was just that.

A facade.

"Which brings me to Hayato..." Seo cleared his throat. "Rumor is he's gaining power, very rapidly. Mutsu has something to do with it."

Yume glanced at Minato.

Perhaps...

"I thank you for the information Seo." Miya said, smiling sincerely.

"No problem."

"Which brings me to what I am about to say. You can now stay here at Izumo Inn. Pay the rent with an MBI card." Miya finished.

I may not have much time left as I am right now, depending on how things go.

Seo blinked, a little surprised.

"Of course you will have to keep your bad habits to zero and be on your best behavior. Anything illicit will be done outside of this inn, as it should be done anyways."

Seo thought it over. It wasn't a bad deal. This was the safest place, too.

"You got yourself a deal."

There was an agreement.

But, the look in Seo's eyes said he wanted to speak immediately.

Miya didn't meet his gaze, at least internally.

She evaded.