A/N:

Phen0m20:

Wow...50,000 views. Never thought I would see the day. I am so damn thankful to everybody who has read this story and reviewed it. It really means a lot. Really. I've been through some rough patches for the past three years, and the support this and my other fics have been gaining has helped lift me out of a pit I never thought I would be able to crawl out of. Seriously, thank you. All of you.

Happy Valentine's Day, everybody! Enjoy!

mordreek:

"Many of you cowered in fear of the Wrath of Miya...you were the smart ones."

XXXXX

Equilibrium: Part III

(Across the city, in a well-frequented host club)

Homura was suddenly overtaken by the urge to both sigh in explosive relief and laugh in sheer giddy and delighted horror.

Being a sensible and time conscious man, he did both.

"What's got you in such a good mood? I know my joke wasn't nearly that funny." Said the woman beside him, another failed attempt by the fire Sekirei to find an Ashikabi.

She was pretty in a careful way, suggesting a great deal of time in front of a mirror, and although polite, wasn't very interesting so Kagari wasn't broken-hearted find out she wasn't his Destined One.

"I have no idea. All I know is that I am beyond happy I'm not home right now."

"Oh and why is that?! Do you have a wife or girlfriend and still work at a place like this?" And with a sharp slap, the as-yet unnamed woman huffed off after leaving a rather insulting tip.

Kagari merely rubbed his cheek and pondered what could have brought that urge on, and decided it had something to do with the two soused doves he had escorted home. I do hope they survived whatever antics they got up to when I left them.

XXXXX

(Back at ground zer-the Izumo Inn rather.)

Miya had actually figured it out just as quickly as Matsu if not sooner, the only reason she hadn't reacted sooner was the fact that her mind simply could not process what she had been told...Someone, multiple someones in point of fact, had engaged in licentious and bawdy acts in her inn! Over her head no less and with the result of damage to her inn and further rule breaking. That explained the rather...embarrassing dreams she had had last night. This would not be borne without reprisal or her name wasn't Asama Miya!

"You...dared...violate...one of my tenants...under my roof! While using the other as a...a...Sybian device?" Matsu's indomitable perverseness immediately questioned how a "pure and demure widow" would know of such a machine but alas, such rumination was quickly quashed by the need to focus on survival, "You know the rules of the Izumo Inn...and the punishment that awaits perverts and betrayers." The last was said directly at Matsu, who began desperately shaking her head, making her braid whap Minato in the face repeatedly and further dazing the brain-broken male, as well as waving her hands in a futile attempt to appease the "Demon of the North",

"Nononono, I had no idea this would happen when I suggested Doctor Who, all I wanted was to relax everyone I swear, NOOOO!" but it was simply not enough and Miya's virgin ladle was soon deflowered as thoroughly as the purity of her Inn had been last night (relationships between a properly married [and lovely] couple did NOT count.).

*WHONK!* *BONK!* *WHONKBONKWHAMBANGBONGPONGDONGBANGBONKWHONKCLANG!* The sitting room was filled with the sounds of skull, bottom and other body parts meeting metal being delivered in righteous retribution. The heads and bodies of the victims were sporting throbbing bumps like mushrooms as they fled outside as fast as they could, Miya's indignant cries following them as they scrambled,

"OUT! ALL OF YOU OUT THIS INSTANT! VIOLATORS OF THE RULES OF THE IZUMO INN WILL LEAVE AT ONCE UNTIL THE YARD IS IN GOOD REPAIR AT THE VERY LEAST! THINK UPON YOUR MISDEEDS MOST THOROUGHLY BEFORE DARINGTO APPROACH THE DOOR ONCE MORE!"

WIth shark teeth bared, Miya chased everyone but Musubi, and Kusano, one who was frozen in shock and still bemused over Kazehana's last words and the other had curled up in Musubi's lap for protection from "Oni-landlady."., out of her inn and into the backyard and promptly slammed the door shut with a deafening *CRACK!*

Breathing heavily for the first time in years, Miya quickly began the process of regaining her poise and control, smoothing out her robes and touching up her hair. Once in presentable form again, she calmly walked back to her cushion as if she hadn't gone totally apeshit on almost everyone in the room, and sat with fluid grace. She poured three cups of tea and gently nudged two of them over to the only two tenants that hadn't directly broken any rules of her Inn.

"Well, now that that bit of...unpleasantness is out of the way, let us finally enjoy a cup of tea instead of gulping it down like barbarians."

Kusano didn't want to leave the safety of her sister Sekirei's embrace, but her remorse was refusing to let her sit easy until she fessed up, "L-landlady-dono, Ku has to leave as well because Ku broke the rules too." She tried to be as brave as her Onii-chan had been, but couldn't help the hiccupping sobs that jolted her tiny form.

Miya didn't have to pretend anything for the fond smile to form on her face as she beheld the little one standing bravely in front of her, "Ara ara, and just what did you do that I must chase you from the Inn for the day Ku-chan?"

In an effort to humor the child, Miya managed (with difficulty) to make herself appear as solemn as Kusano was attempting to be. It wouldn't do for the girl to think her onee-chan was mocking her after all.

"K-ku- went into landlady-dono's room earlier today. Ku was scared and so was Onii-chan and Ku knew Landlady-dono could help so Ku broke the rules while looking for her. Ku tried to be good and looked everywhere she could but landlady-dono wasn'tthere so Ku had to break the rules and lose desert!" Kusano buried her face in the body of her stuffed bunny she still had a firm grip on even after all this time, damping its fur with tears.

*bonk* A tiny sound echoed throughout the room as Miya gently tapped Kusano on top of her head, "There, now you are punished."

Kusano looked up in confusion, her face puffy and splotchy from crying, "But Ku was bad."

Like Ashikabi like Sekirei Miya thought ruefully, "Yes, and that is why there will be no desert for Ku-chan this week. But that is all that will happen unless you did something else that was bad?" Miya gave a raised eyebrow that hinted rather heavily that the appropriate answer was a "No."

"Ku didn't do anything else...but do Ku and Onii-san and the Onee-chans have to leave? Ku likes it here."

Miya inwardly cringed, not so much at the question itself, but the way it was asked. Kusano had unwittingly used the most deadly weapon in her arsenal: The dreaded, tear-filled puppy eyes. Combined with her hopeful expression and tear-stained rabbit, it was a miracle that Miya didn't cave in then.

She motioned Kusano to sit back down and drink her tea while Miya turned over the child's innocent inquiry in her mind. It was so simple and yet so hard to define an answer.

But the question was a valid one and one she had yet to answer even to herself. At first, she had been ready to cast them out multiple times, the condition of her home raw and ugly. But after having persevered through the chain of events that lead up to it, Miya was much less certain of the right choice to make here.

They had to be punished, there was no doubt about that. Even if they had reasons that were not malignant in intent, they had still crossed lines that she had made very clear were not to stepped over. If she didn't set the precedent now...something worsewould follow in the future, if only because the doubt of her coming down on them would court reckless behavior.

But they were also willing to make things right with each other and had already made small changes that would prevent repetition of the day's events...except for her. Miya knew that while she may have only been the catalyst of the blow-out, Miya couldn't help but focus on Kazehana as the most uncertain wildcard in the situation. She could help the group keep it together if she joined as Miya suspected Kazehana wanted to. But she was even more an outsider than Tsukiumi and had already proceeded to drunkenly stumble, literally, over several last nerves and buttons in said group.

Still Kazehana had received her punishment already and would think twice about getting another one of Miya's tenants drunk so she could have her wicked way with them. Plus, she seemed to be taking a "wait and see" approach to Minato, so hopefully Miya wouldn't have to get involved there beyond a few comments and ladle attacks when Kazehana got too enthusiastic.

Note to self: Hide the aprons Miya thought wryly to herself.

No, the question was what to do with the trio this debacle centered around...Minato was the easiest. As she had said to him earlier, she had not seen his direct hand in any harm to her inn or fellow tenants, nor in lewd behavior beyond being a living male. His actions leading up to this, while deplorable, were understandable and what mistakes he had made he seemed to be making good on fixing. Small efforts, but noticeable.

The trick would be punishing him enough to teach him a lesson but not so much that it'd reinforce what that woman did to him and just make him shut down again.

Tsukiumi and Uzume were a tie but for different reasons. Tsukiumi was still raw and nervous as far as her sense of place was concerned Miya could see, and her temper needed severe curtailing if things were going to improve. She had ideas about that but would see how they performed outside before putting any serious consideration into her notions for that pickle.

Uzume, her situation with Higa was a very sore point and Miya could not see a way out that would not make things worse for young maiden. Kicking her out would only exacerbate things and give this...person more leverage over Uzume...

XXXXX

Miya continued her ruminations, her outward silence pressing more and more on the pair awaiting her answer with concern clearly written on their features. Eventually Kusano grew impatient with the Landlady's reticence and sipped the last of her tea decisively. Carefully setting her cup down, she turned her head to the door to the backyard and stared for a good minute.

Nodding her head, she turned back to Musubi and patted her leg, "Ku is going to go help. Musubi-nee-chan wait and see if Landlady-dono needs help with dinner?"

Musubi smiled cheerfully at the idea of getting to cook more curry for everyone and her head bobbed up and down in vigorous agreement, "Musubi can do that, Musubi knows that it'll all turn out alright in the end!" With a look of determination, she hunkered down to wait for orders from Miya-dono...as soon as she finished thinking. Musubi knew how difficult it could be so she prepared for a good, long wait.

Kusano softly walked over to the door, trying to be careful to not interrupt Miya-san's thinking. Onii-chan and the others needed her, she was certain of it. Kusano still felt like she had had a part in everything and her little heart was bound and determined to help make things right.

XXXXX

Minato and the others sat on the front stoop, nursing their heads, arms, and in a few cases (the most notable of these being Matsu, Kazehana and to a lesser extent, Uzume), their bottoms. Minato had to admit that if he hadn't been one of the recipients of the Wrath of Miya, he would have found the situation funny. As it stood, he was approaching a small breakdown as he tried to figure out how to fix the yard so that his Sekirei wouldn't be homeless.

To distract himself for a moment and give his mind time to percolate and come up with ideas, he did a bit of a unique species of bird watching...i.e, the examination of Wagtails.

Matsu and Tsukiumi presented a rather uniquely unified front as they harangued Kazehana for her "attempted threesome experiment theft." and "utter lack of common decorum" respectively. All three had bulging bumps on their heads although Kazehana seemed to have a few more than the other two, which certainly added to her headache if her expression and grumblings were to be believed. Still, Minato noticed that she did nothing to actually stop her fellow Sekirei from venting their spleens and his opinion of her went up a notch for her patience.

It wasn't like they could do much to keep her there while they chewed her out.

Speaking of last night's events, Minato looked over at Uzume, who had separated herself from the group, still showing a crimson blush that seemed to grow stronger any time she peeked at him. When they made eye contact, she made a tiny "eep" and her blush began to descend to her neck as she turned around, a cloud of misery seeming to form around her, complete with tiny lightning.

Minato could help but smile at the way Uzume was acting more girly and shy than he had ever seen before, even during their date. He felt himself cringe at the word, but didn't deny it...or the revelations that had come about because of it.

"So...didn't take a shot? The Uzume I know is usually much more bold than that, if our first meeting is to be believed." Minato teased her gently, hoping to nudge her out of her funk as well as getting her side of the night, or any side really. Kazehana hadn't exactly been eloquent, not that he could blame her. Miya's wrath had been worthy of an imitation of Mt. Fuji going up.

Uzume looked up at him with a mixture of indignation, blushing shyness, and...guilt? Her color had paled slightly but not by much, "Well, no. I kinda want my partners conscious and all while I rock their world. Makes it kinda hard for them to sing my praises and yell my name when they are out like a light ya know."

Minato gave a small smirk at the implications in her retort and watched as Uzume realized what she just said, making her blush redouble as she bit her lower lip in consternation.

"That's not what I meant."

"Ok, what did you mean."

Uzume gave Minato a mildly suspicious look, which Minato returned with a guile-less smile. Once she was satisfied he wasn't mocking her, Uzume made her second attempt,

" I didn't want our first time to be like that, me drunk and you out of it. N-not that I'm assuming it'll h-happen now of course heh heh." She stammered out at his raised eyebrow the guy's clearly spent too much time around Miya if he can pull that off.

"But I just couldn't let her Wing you or play with you either. I mean, she could have just been teasing me-"

"I was!"

"-but during that night, all I could think was that you were mine...and I didn't want to let you go without a fight."

As she spoke, her voice softened and her blush faded, leaving Uzume looking small and uncertain. The squabbling trio had stopped their one-sided argument to listen, Tsukiumi especially. While she had resolved to change herself for the better, it would be foolish in the extreme not to be aware of this new rival's reasoning.

"Why Uzume-chan? I get that you like me, you've made that clear enough, but I don't get why you are willing to go so far for me. You aren't Winged to me like Tsukiumi or the others, or even reacting to me, I don't get what you see in me that you'd go this far, then or now."

Uzume and the others felt their hearts melt at this. There wasn't any self-pity or whining when Minato spoke, just honest confusion and ignorance. Tsukiumi and Matsu promptly made like they had teleportation abilities and each took a side of Minato in an effort to make him feel better through body-contact alone...themselves too if they were going to be honest.

Kazehana simply added this to the growing list of differences between him and Minato, and felt a little guilty at her drunken indiscretions. Not for wanting to Wing him, or confirming Uzume cared for him, but rather that she had almost unwittingly thrown a fox in the henhouse. She was always more reckless when she was drunk.

Uzume reached out and squeezed one of Minato's legs, "Minato-kun, I know life hasn't always been...easy for you and you have made some mistakes, but that doesn't make you a bad person, or unworthy of being cared about. You just need to be more assertive and open up a bit more."

Minato felt oddly choked up, and found it difficult to swallow for some reason. Giving a rather watery smile to all three of the Sekirei near him, he took a deep breath and tried to speak...

Only to have Matsu kiss him, soundly. His eyes widening at the sudden affection attack, he was passive in the kiss at first, before starting to get into it. The light of her wings enveloped all five of those outside in the amber glow before Matsu tenderly pulled back.

"Mina-tan." Matsu murmured quietly, her lips still close enough to brush his own, her eyes still carrying a glow similar to her WIngs, "No matter where we are, we will always have each other. You have stepped up for each of us at one point or another and I know you'll do it again."

Minato felt touched at her faith in him even as his heart fell straight into his stomach at the reminder that as of now, they were homeless. At least if they just sat here all day like they were doing now.

Kazehana cooed at the sight, happy and envious that Matsu had found someone who could evoke such love and passion in her.

"And besides, it's not like you are banished for good."

Minato looked over at her along with the others, confusion upon all their faces clear to see. Tsukiumi wasted no time beating around the bush,

"What dost thou mean? Was it not plain that Miya dost not wish us within her domicile any longer? How can thou say we have hope of returning?"

Tsukiumi felt it was rather callous for this..."Kazehana" to be as frivolous with the situation as she seemed to be considering-

"That's right!" Matsu exclaimed, surprised comprehension dawning on her, " We fix the yard and we are home free! If she were going to evict us, our stuff would be already sailing through...the...hole." She trailed off as she remembered the yard wasn't the only thing they had to fix.

Minato looked over the backyard and felt despair come over him like a damp quilt, heavy and stifling. He couldn't think of the first thing he could do to fix it and the more he tried, the more his mind seemed to lose its footing and just repeated his panicked thoughts all over again.

"That doesn't mean we aren't kicked out now, or that we don't have a major project in front of us." He murmured to himself, his mind going into his habitual shut down under stress.

Minato heard a sniffling sound and looked over to see Tsukiumi having done her own perusal of the aftermath, perhaps the first since the fight had ended. The guilt and shame marring her expression urged Minato to wrap his right arm around her shoulders and pull her close,

"It'll be alright, we'll figure something out." Minato shook himself out of his funk mentally, he couldn't afford to waste time now, he had to take care of those who looked after him after all. How he was going to do that was still in the development stages however.

Uzume had scooted back a few inches, not wanting to intrude on their moment. Truth be told she wasn't sure how they were going to get out of this mess, or what she could do to help. Even if she hadn't managed to skirt around exactly what her powers were, there was her current state as the "Avatar of Pain and 'Ow'" and the fact she couldn't think of what use her ability to manipulate and harden cloth could be.

She composed herself in the least soreness-agitating position possible and waited it out, exchanging glancing with Kazehana. It was up to Minato now.

XXXXX

Who was still ensconced between two lovely women, and even through the current woes, was made very aware of that fact.

Unconsciously snuggling her head into his shoulder, Tsukiumi couldn't help feeling happy that Minato was finally acting like a proper husband...and annoyed that they had danced around it for so long,

"Tis true what thou say, but that makes it no less mine own doing, considering it is my powers that caused such a quagmire to form."

Minato's mind leapt on that sentence like Matsu glomping him after having pomegranate seeds. He gently but firmly pulled her head away from its prime cuddling position, drawing an instinctive mewl of dissatisfaction from her. She looked into his eyes, worried that she had made things worse by reminding him of her wrongdoing,

"Tsukiumi-chan, I'm not mad, but I need you to answer me a question as best you can ok?" His voice was controlled but bits of hope and excitement seemed to be sneaking out around the edges.

Matsu looked from them to the yard, a speculative look on her face, while Kazehana took a drink from a sake bottle that just...appeared by her side. Both were eager to see where he was going with this.

Tsukiumi let go of the tension that had already been tightening her body, nodding primly but firmly at his request, blushing faintly at the way Minato seemed to be taking her firmly in hand. While still the gentle man she loved, she couldn't help but hope that this new confidence would mean he would be equally decisive in the bed-

However, her Matsu-inclined daydreams were interrupted by Minato's next question,

"Do you need to summon water with your powers to be able to use it? Or can you control any water in the local area?"

Uzume's head perked up, Matsu and Kazehana had eerily matching grins, and Tsukiumi pondered his question while blinking.

"I...have not asked that nor has anyone else. At MBI I trained to summon my powers with expedience, and have only ever used them in such a manner. I hath not thought of using nearby water like that..." Maybe it was the exhaustion from the fight and stress, but she was having trouble comprehending what her husband was driving at.

Minato could only feel more anticipation bubbling within him, maybe this was how Musubi felt all the time. If so, no wonder she couldn't sit still,

"Could you please try? I know you are tired but I really need to know if you can...Would a kiss help?"

"YES!" Tsukiumi could only blush a deep crimson at the amused chuckles of the other Sekirei at her...enthusiastic answer. "I mean, I suppose I could acquiesce to thine request husband, if thou art so inclined."

Minato smiled at Tsukiumi's odd shyness, or maybe it was a stern determination to keep some modicum of etiquette. Either way, Minato found it very cute and had no problems telling her so.

This only added to Tsukiumi's blush, as well as causing Kazehana to coo and put her hands to her own blushing cheeks,

"H-husband, I must tell thee that whilst I am...appreciative of thine compliments, I must protest this public venue for them. Tis better to keep them for more...intimate affairs. Now, are thou going to kiss me or not?"

Tsukiumi managed to keep a straight face, her even while Uzume had progressed past snickering and was heading well into chortling at the way Tsukiumi seemed to be imitating a yo-yo in regards to Minato at the moment. It didn't help Minato's awareness that she had her arms crossed firmly under her curvaceous chest as if presenting them to him, but he persevered and kept his gaze firmly upon her beautiful and yet vulnerable eyes.

Minato remembered how Matsu had kissed him, and decided that would be a good place to start with Tsukiumi, who seemed to like it the more "dominant" and "In control" he was. When he had first Winged her he had tried to avoid that, thinking it would upset her and make her think he was just like Seo, doing what he wanted regardless of her feelings. Since the "Kaboom." as Matsu had referred to the day's drama, Minato was starting to see that was even worse, giving Tsukiumi the impression that Minato thought she was weak or helpless. Regardless of how his mother and sister acted, he was starting to see that being confident and leading the...intimacy didn't need to mean that he had to be overbearing or excessively aggressive. It was a rather novel thought for the young ronin.

And with that careful balancing act in mind, Minato carefully but unyieldingly took her face in both his hands, his fingers framing her face like the border on a work of art. He could feel her breath hitch as he did so, making her bosom give a small jiggle, but he kept their gazes locked together and saw nothing but trust and hope. It was that hope that spurred him on to lean down and kiss her as passionately as Matsu had kissed him, determined to share his feelings and acceptance of Tsukiumi through more than simple words.

The others watching went from puckish amusement to jaw-dropped shock, from Uzume starting to feel very hot under the collar, Matsu at how quickly he had picked up the art of a proper kiss, and Kazehana...well~~, she wasn't squirming because she was trying to find a better seat. The more she watched this young man, the more she felt that she wasn't just trying to replace her former love with his son...but that his son had actually surpassed his sire in how strongly he was making her react.

With no small amount of longing Kazehana forced herself back under control, her thoughts reaching out to Minato even as she pressed her hands very strongly together,Be ready for me soon Mina-tan, I don't know how much longer I can contain myself...and I want our Winging and first night to be just as magical.

XXXXX

Tsukiumi was aware of none of this. The moment his lips had touched hers, the instant he had claimed her as she had longed for after all this time, she felt like her body would dissolve into her very power and she would be a puddle in truth, not just seeming to do so. His lips on hers were firm, but not rough, his hands keeping her face upright, which was fortunate as it was his kiss that sapped her completely of all strength.

So lost was she in the sensation she hadn't even noticed that her wings had extended and were shining like the purest sapphire, her eyes had closed from the very start.

Minato knew he should have been shielding his eyes from the intensity of the light, all of them should, but it didn't bother their eyes at all as far as he could tell. As for him, Minato just saw the way the Tsukiumi's shining wings lit up her hair into a gorgeous ocean green.

As much as he wanted to just lose himself in the vision of radiance before him, he had to focus on the goal. With that thought in his mind and the promise to them both that they'd do this (a lot) again, he tore himself from their embrace, smiling at the mewl of distress Tsukiumi made as pulled back.

The lights faded from her back and Minato took a moment to catch his breath from the kiss, letting Tsukiumi do the same. He used his peripheral vision to see that he and his mistress of the Waves were not the only ones affected by the rather...intense moment between them. All three of them brought images of hunting cats poised to pounce to Minato's mind, which after discovering the joys of a proper kiss twice over in about five minutes, he was starting to see the appeal of said pouncing.

Bad libido, down boy! Minato urged himself strongly, the last thing he needed was to finally give into his hormones and REALLY get them kicked out for a...skinship festival on Miya's front stoop.

Doesn't mean I can't hope for later he continued, although Uzume might have to wait a bit he felt as they made eye contact. He wasn't sure how to describe his feelings for Uzume as yet, he certainly cared about her and found her to be as beautiful as any other member of her race or gender that he had seen, and surprisingly to him, she cared about him just as much. But both of them had a great deal of problems to work out on their own before things could progress between them. He owed it to his flock to treat them as they deserved, anything less would be hurtful to them and insulting to the feelings between he and Uzume.

He hoped that his feelings were clear to her, and as she gave a small smile and nod, he knew they had made it through. The light in her own eyes made a promise that whatever happened she would be patient, but she wasn't going to give up on him, that she trusted him to do the right thing by all of them...but the fire in them made another promise that when the time was right, his world was going to be more rocked than a van halen concert.

Matsu and Kazehana started giggling rather perversely, yanking the silent pair out of their unspoken commune. With a rather bemused look, Minato saw that Matsu and Kazehana had ended up side-by-side. Which was rather fortunate for them as they were sniggering hard enough that they had to lean on each other,

"What's so funny that you both seem in danger of forgetting how to breathe?" Minato inquired crossly, thinking it had been either of the very recent and touching moments that sparked their humor.

His suspicions seemed to be confirmed as they both raised very shaky hands to point to his side where Tsukiumi was still curled up, only to be dashed as their gasping words finally became coherent,

"You...heehee, you broke...hahaha, you broke her Mina-tan, look!" Matsu wheezed, her cheeks ruddy with either lust or mirth, it was hard to tell with her at the present.

Determined to get to the bottom of this so they could concentrate on having a roof over their head, Minato turned back to Tsukiumi and felt the sudden and almost overpowering urge to slap his hand over his face...

Matsu was right, Tsukiumi had not moved an inch and even had a thin trail of drool leaking out the corner of her mouth. What made it even more awkward (Uzume now joining the others in thinking it was hilarious.) was that Tsukiumi's face was fully flushed in "lusty red" as Matsu was wont to say, and her eyes resembled little whirls that spun around and around.

"To think that you are so manly that you subdued this...passionate maiden with but a single kiss, I wonder what else you could do if you set your mind, and body, to it." Kazehana's voice somehow managed to embody pure sex, sultry and low in a way that made him tingle rather dangerously in a certain region. The way Tsukiumi's glowing bosom seemed to be heaving its way out of her outfit didn't help any either,

"Nothing we would survive Miya's wrath to find out." Minato answered her dryly, causing Kazehana to abandon her rather, provocative, position of leaning forward onto one hand in favor of sitting back on her well-cushioned rump to pout and grumble about "Pent up widows set on ruining fun for the rest of the world." Minato was glad he had kept his eyes firmly on her face, sometimes he wondered why the gods and spirits seemed to delight in tormenting him with such vistas, valleys and peaks that he had to ignore. It was positively painful if he was going to be honest.

After wrestling with his status as a horny and conscious male of the breathing persuasion, Minato tried to get Tsukiumi's attention, they had to test out his idea after all.

Not to mention he knew she'd hate it if she was seen like this any longer, considering how much stock she put in proper appearances.

A tad nervous about how she'd react, Minato cupped her cheek with his right hand, and used his thumb to wipe away the drool,

"Tsukiumi-chan, you there?"

A rather plaintive "Thou stopped." was all he got out of his lady, making the current peanut gallery start sniggering all over again. Well, all two of them, as Kazehana was busy swooning at the "lover's talk" she was hearing. Minato had a feeling that Kazehana was the epitome of the "hopeless romantic" if her behavior was anything to go by.

No matter He thought to himself, wondering how he could rouse Tsukiumi once more.

"Tsukiumi-chan, we need to get moving." he tried insisting, only to have Tsukiumi mumble,

"Oh thou art so forward mine husband, we have not finished our shopping yet and already you wish to retire?"

Minato felt a sweat drop run down his very deadpan expression, apparently he had kissed her out of her mind and into her subconscious. He didn't want to shake her awake, he'd learned the hard way that attempting to do something like that would equal a lot of pain, so he was at a loss of what to do next.

Matsu enjoyed these little glimpses into Tsukiumi's hidden desires, but she could see the turmoil this was causing Minato and even feel a bit of the worry he had over how mortified Tsukiumi would feel when she came to. Tapping a finger to her lips, she waved her free hand at the giggling pair next to her to be quiet, giving them a significant glance to quiet them down.

Uzume and Kazehana complied, although their "cat got canary" smirks were unchanged. Still, it was better than Matsu had hoped, and so she set to thinking of a solution for the KO'd flock member of hers.

Her mind went back to the latest slip by Tsukiumi and in a flash a solution came to Matsu. She winced as this would not exactly be gentle on her fellow's dignity but it was a case of short term versus long term. They needed her up and as long as a certain pair kept quiet the damage would be minimal.

With that in mind, and another level look at her cohorts in canoodling, Matsu leaned over and whispered in Tsukiumi's ear,

"You'd better hurry, Musubi is gaining on you. Go any slower and she'll beat you for sure."

Matsu was not disappointed as Tsukiumi shot upright and loudly proclaimed,

"Nay! I shalt not let that brawler take away my first night so easily! Come my husband we must-" She stopped as she gradually became aware of her having shifted from her dream to reality. She looked around with a severe frown beginning to form upon her countenance, which grew exponentially when she saw Matsu with an innocent face and the other two with anything but.

Before she could launch herself into an embarrassment fueled tirade, Minato grabbed her hand and pulled her into a hug, having leapt up with her to prevent such an occurrence,

"Tsukiumi-chan, wait, please. We were only trying to get you to...wake up, we tried talking to you but it didn't work. Matsu meant no harm to you or your dignity, right Matsu-chan?" He looked at her for confirmation and received a vigorous nod in return,

"There, you see? Nobody is trying to embarrass or humiliate you." He emphasized his words by stroking the small of her back soothingly, his other hand's thumb stroking her palm. This had the positive effect of calming her down, in tandem with his successfully heading her ire off at the pass.

"Yup," Matsu added helpfully, "It was either that or start shaking you like a martini mixer, and I think I can assume that that would not have ended well?" She arched her brow playfully.

Tsukiumi gave them all a good glare, but let her husband's ministrations sooth her and so her face became more tranquil,

"Very well, we shall let this pass...but only because thou assure me that no malice was meant mine husband. Should that change, so shall my good humor."

Once she was satisfied that she had lain down the law, Tsukiumi turned back to Minato,

"Now, besides causing me to take leave of mine senses, which is no easy task I assure you." She paused to see if anyone cared to comment. When none did, she continued on with aplomb,

"What was the point of calling out my Norito Minato-kun?"

Glad to see that he was getting better at handling his Sekirei, and taking a moment to quash the mental images that turn of phrase summoned, Minato eagerly began to explain his idea,

"Tsukiumi, I want you to try to manipulate the water flooding the backyard, not all of it, but just to see if it can be done." Minato couldn't help but hug her closer in his excitement.

Tsukiumi's eyes lit up as she felt his passion as well as catching onto his plan, her own tone starting to equal his in intensity,

"And so see if I can remove most if not all of the water, thus making our task that much simpler. Oh Minato thou art a genius."

She turned to start the experiment immediately, having to remove herself from his embrace to do so. In her excitement and haste, she didn't notice Minato's check plus a decent red at both her compliment as well as the intimate form of address. But he was not to so lucky with the others who leered at him good-naturedly, Uzume most of all. She was getting rather a big kick out of seeing them finally acting like a proper couple, it was cute and awkward and reminded her of she and Chiho when they were first Winged...albeit with slight differences.

Soon however, all four of them were riveted by a truly wondrous sight, all thoughts banished in the face of the beauty before them.

XXXXX

Tsukiumi was grateful that the strength of her Norito was still potent within her despite the...lapse in focus it had caused. As pleasant as it would be to receive another kiss (and what a kiss it was!) from Minato, she did not doubt that she would lose herself in it and they had dallied long enough.

Reaching out with her power, she ignored her training and instincts to summon water from the air and instead sought out that which soaked the ground around them past the point of saturation.

At first nothing came to her call, and her brow grew as stormy as her temper with frustration. She kept trying though, refusing to fail the charge that Minato had entrusted her with, refusing not to match the strides he had made in reaching out of himself to make things right.

Still nothing happened and this only fueled her resolve, if something was worth doing it was rarely easy. She cast her eyes around for something to help, willing to try anything at this point. She spied a single stubborn drop of water that refused to fall from one of the supports of the porch. Reaching out with a single finger, she took up that drop and held up to her eyes.

Her mind focused on the feeling of the water upon her skin even as her eyes closed, her mind seemed to expand, seeking more of the sensation that filled her consciousness. Soon she could sense it, the pools and more of water that surrounded her. Carefully, so as not to lose the drop of water nor her connection with the rest, she stepped out to the ground calling the water to surround her in a series of streams and ribbons.

Without opening her eyes, she could tell that her call was answered, and a smile of happy pride made her lips curl up. She had succeeded in the first step, now to the rest.

XXXXX

Minato and the others watched as the water rose from the ground and began to swirl and flow around Tsukiumi. With the way the light seemed to reflect and catch on the free moving water, it was a radiant sight that none had ever seen before.

Minato could watch in awe as the Sekirei he had hitherto avoided or passively interacted with became one of the most beautiful creatures he had ever glimpsed. He felt afraid to blink, so sure that if he did that the vision would vanish forever. The feeling that she was doing this for him, that she was creating this living masterpiece solely for him would not leave him and he felt even more determined to prove worthy of it.

It would not be easy, and he was sure he would fall at times, but he would never forget this or that it was their love that made it happen. He would gladly spend his entire life trying to make her as happy as he was in this singular instant of time.

XXXXX

Matsu had never felt more happier to be wrong than she was now. She had been so sure that Minato dreaming of Tsukiumi would result in his death, either by said Sekirei's hands or through some mishap during an ill-fated attempt to woo Tsukiumi.

But now, now she was seeing just how perfect they could be for each other, and that there was hope for all of them to feel that same way. Her lips still remembered the sensation of Minato responding to her kiss, something that had never happened before. In that one meeting of lips, she had felt truly desired and wanted, and what's more, that he accepted her for all her horniness and tendency to cause mischief.

She looked over at Uzume, who had unshed tears in her enraptured eyes. Matsu had for a brief moment felt rage at her when it had all come out, more at the potential for how much everything could have fallen apart than any true anger at her deeds. But now, now she could only feel gratitude for the changes her day with Minato had caused.

Matsu loved MInato and had had her own plans to try to get him to be proactive, but she was under no illusions about the odds of her success. At best she would have merely prevented his steady decay, she was too dependent on her place at the inn and too respectful of Miya to truly try anything more risky, regardless of how much she loved needling her captain.

But thanks to Uzume reaching out and daring so much more, there was hope for all of them, hope that things would get better. And that was a debt Matsu would never be able to repay.

She reached out to Uzume, who seemed to be wracked with grief and guilt, and took her hand in one of Matsu's own. When Uzume started and looked to Matsu in confusion, Matsu simply gave the brunette a look that she hoped conveyed all her feelings.

Judging by the way the tears began to fall on a wobbly but growing smile, Matsu felt confident she had succeeded, more so when Uzume returned the pressure of Matsu's comforting grip. Holding hands as friends and sharing the bond of their love for Minato, they sat together and watch Tsukiumi wash away the pain of the past, if only for a little while.

XXXXX

Kazehana couldn't help it, it was far too much for her to hope to contain. The love and joy and peace that seemed to dance as freely as the water around the younger Sekirei called to her so much more than Minaka had ever done before. What she had thought a burning candle could only be considered an ember compared the bonfire of passion that raged within her breast. She knew she had to Wing herself on this man, Minato, nothing she could find would match this magnificent moment.

But somehow she found the strength to stay still, for this was their moment. Her eyes took in the way Minato followed Tsukiumi's every move, his heart in his eyes for all to see in glorious adoration. She could not fail to see the way Tsukiumi seemed to use every ribbon of water to catch and wield the light that shone down on them to give her a glow that made it seem like her very devotion was made manifest. She would give up sake before daring to ruin this moment for them.

But they would be one, that much Kazehana knew, and one day he would look at her the same way. Then, then she would be able to say could never be happier.

So she settled herself into a more comfortable sitting position, her mind beginning to turn as to how to best catch Minato's eye, her own continuing to watch love dance in the air before her.

XXXXX

Uzume hated herself. As she watched Tsukiumi carry away the watery remains of their earlier battle, Uzume could only feel loathing and despair at what she had almost ruined. Despite the earlier assurances from everyone, even Tsukiumi, Uzume couldn't stop the guilt that gripped her as she thought about what she had nearly killed before it had gotten a chance to live.

The way Minato looked at Tsukiumi reminded Uzume of the way Chiho's face would light up every time Uzume went to visit her, and Uzume had nearly stifled it.

So wrapped up in her misery, Uzume didn't notice Matsu reaching out to her until the orangette's hand had taken hold. She turned to her many times cohort in depravity and dreaded the look of condemnation she would see in her eyes.

But it was not there, and no matter how much Uzume searched, she could only see gratefulness and absolution. Matsu's gaze spoke more clearly than a thousand speeches and so Uzume came to accept that whatever mistake she had made, no one blamed her but instead Matsu seemed to be saying this wouldn't have been possible without her...and that she would have her own moment like this.

Uzume could only give a weepy but sincere smile in return, thankful beyond measure that she had not lost her friends despite her unintentional folly.

Things were still in the air, their home and Chiho's fate among them. But Uzume knew that her Ashikabi would not begrudge her this instant of joy among friends. Tomorrow had yet to come.

XXXXX

Phen0m20:

Due to length, this chapter had to be split again. But don't fret! The whole story arc is written and I will be publishing the conclusion before I leave to visit family.

As I was saying in the previous author's note, I am very humbled to have touched the hearts of so many. I hope mordreek and I continue to do so.

On an unrelated note, I also have a one-shot in the works that I'll be publishing shortly. If any of my readers are Akame ga Kill fans, you may wish to take note.

mordreek:

"I went for the emotional in this chapter because it fit. The characters had just bared their souls to each other last chapter, had more than a few revelations, and the aftermath needed to be summed up.

I also wanted to showcase the flock coming together as a family a bit more, particularly Minato and Tsukiumi. I feel like the two always should have meshed better in canon but the crap-spewing nonsense that calls itself the main plot kept getting in the way.

Here, we get to see them all actually make small progress without going into "personality transplant" territory.

I also want to call this "Kusano's debut", as we will be seeing more of the adorable tyke from here on out. Believe me, you haven't seen nothin cute yet..."