A/N:
Phen0m20:
And now, the conclusion to Equilibrium... brace yourselves.
mordreek:
Just a quick word to address those complaints that came around about the last chapter:
In the "Garden scene", Uzume more or less processes everything she learned from the others and how her own actions affected them. She took in the sight before her, and thanks to Matsu's excellent timing and caring support, was able to find hope and not despair. It doesn't change what she said to Tsukiumi but it shows that she is genuinely able to put herself in her former rival/enemy's position. She was imagining how it would feel to lose Chiho and how Tsukiumi would have felt to lose Minato. Bottom line, there will be no character bashing here...as much as I want to go after a certain pair.
Now that that is over, on with the finale of the arc. Kusano's debut!
Equilibrium: Part IV
Kusano came out to Tsukiumi-nee making the water from earlier soo pretty. She could see how happy everyone was and it made her feel like clapping and jumping for joy, but she could tell that if she did so, it would be very bad.
Resolving to do her part as quietly as a ninja, with tippy-toes to match, she walked out on the much less soggy ground and tried to figure out what she could do.
She looked over the group first, but Onii-chan and the Onee-chans seemed to be keeping out of trouble, so Kusano left them alone. Sometimes she wondered what they would get up to if she wasn't here and then remembered today was a perfect example. She would have to work harder at keeping them busy...with a clever plan and lots of games!
But that was for later, and so she moved on.
First thing Kusano noticed were the gouges in the tree in the back yard, not too deep but still noticeable by the sap that ran from them onto the bark below them.
Ku has to give Tsukiumi-nee a good talking to she thought to herself, as hurting plants was a bad thing in Kusano's book. After all, that was why she hated eating her veggies, but Miya-san refused to accept that reason and made her eat broccoli.
Tiptoeing across the lawn so no one would see her, (and had anyone had been watching, they would have been overcome at how adorable Kusano was as she tried to sneak across an open lawn in her little shift.), Kusano reached up to the tree and tried to use her power to heal it.
It wasn't easy, as she had previously only used her power to make plants grow, but Miya-san needed to be shown they could be good and so Kusano kept trying. Soon, the wounds in the tree began to close, growing faster and faster as Kusano got the hang of her new talent. Once there was no sign of the battle on the tree but now innocuous sap patches, Kusano took a deep breath and sat on one of the roots. She was getting tuckered out but so was Tsukiumi-nee at carrying all that water, and Kusano wouldn't lose.
With an endearing frown of determination upon her face, Kusano kicked her feet as she tried to figure out what she could do next to placate the purveyor of desert...and the owner of the roof over their heads, but mostly the giver of treats as far as Kusano was concerned.
She noticed that a lot of the grass in the backyard had been torn up and the dirt beneath churned by the fight, and this gave it a very scruffy look to it that reminded Kusano of the smelly man with the zappy girls.
No wonder Miya-san was upset Kusano thought to herself, as the smelly man always made Miya-san's Scary face come out and Kusano could only imagine that anything that reminded her of that man would not make their landlady happy.
She hopped off the root and put her chin on one of her tiny fists, wondering how she could fix this.
She decided that making the dirt smooth again would be a good place to start. If she tried growing the grass back now, it would be lumpy and uneven. And if that happened, the landlady would trip like that one time Tsukiumi had not put away her cushion after breakfast. Kusano had been in the next room and had peeked around the corner when she heard a stumble and muffled curse. She had watched wide-eyed as Miya kicked the errant cushion in a fit of pique while muttering about "careless blondes". Kusano had ducked back before she could be seen, knowing that Landlady-dono would not like to be seen acting less than proper.
With that moment in mind, Kusano began the laborious process of taking the large clumps of dirt scatted around and packing them back into the ground. After the first hole was filled, she clapped her hands together to shake the dirt off like she had seen Onii-chan do once. Looking at the patch of dirt surrounded by grass, she leaned down and pressed her hands in the green plant life and..asked it to grow again, or at least that's what she would have said she did if anyone had asked her.
However one wanted to put it, the results were all the young Sekirei could ask for. From the edges inward, the grass seemed to creep along and reclaim the lost land in only moments. Standing up again with a beaming smile, Kusano looked around and began the process again, so wrapped up in being helpful she didn't notice that Tsukiumi had finally finished her aquatic relocation and that the trance on the others had been broken.
XXXXX
Minato shook his head for a moment as Tsukiumi finished...well, flushing the water down the sewer drain near the Inn. She had stayed in his line of sight at the gate and merely sent the water away from her.
He watched her breathe heavily for a moment, as the effort of what she had just done caught up with her and before he could stop himself, he had rushed to her side to hold her up with the trio in hot pursuit.
Tsukiumi was visibly shaking when they finally made it to her and Minato wasted no time wrapping his arms around her and pulling her so that she was leaning on him.
"H-husband, what art thou doing?" she half-heartedly protested, her cheeks pinking at his not unwelcome forwardness, "What would people think were they to spy us entwined so? Tis not seemingly."
Minato smiled back at her, able to see through her act much more now that he was getting a real handle on her mannerisms, "They would think that I am a perfect gentleman for not making a lady walk on her own. Or are you saying I should let you stagger on your last legs?" He added with a small 'hmm?' for emphasis.
Tsukiumi wanted to protest that she was perfectly fine but instead had to reach to cover her mouth as she gave a very unladylike yawn. She looked sharply at his to see if he was going to say anything and found his face tolerably impassive...although that look in his eyes suggested some amount of suppressed mirth and vindication.
Knowing if she actually called him on it she'd just be proving his point, Tsukiumi gave a little huff and snuggled deeper into his arms. After all, if he was going to insist,
"Very well, I will not argue with thine point...and I thank thee for thine concern husband, although the manner of thine display of it could be more decorous."
Matsu gave a very lusty giggle from behind them, " I'm sure there are other displays that would be more welcome but she does have a point that standing out in the street like this for long isn't a good idea."
The entwined pair seemed to softly sigh in unison but did adjust so that Tsukiumi was standing on her own, her arms wrapped around one of Minato's. If one didn't look too close, one wouldn't notice how much Tsukiumi was leaning on him for support.
"Ooooh, turn around everyone, look at this. Such a cute little one!" The soft squeal from their backs had them all turning towards the originator, and saw Kazehana pointing at a dogged Kusano who was at this point making progress on her second patch of yard renewal.
Minato did have to agree that it was utterly charming to see Kusano picking up large clumps of dirt and carry them over to the area she was working on to be packed back into the ground. The fact that she was doing this with what Minato imagined she thought of as a resolute look on her face just made it even more delightful.
Kazehana was particularly moved, which happened rather easily Minato noticed. "We should help the little dear." and immediately made to go and help Kusano, which got the rest of them moving too. All of them took a slower pace however, mainly so Tsukiumi wouldn't feel like she was holding them back.
Before she could get too far, Minato asked her, "I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but why are you helping? You surely have a place to stay already."
Kazehana turned around and entwined her arms around each other in front of her coyly. This also had the added benefit in her mind of pressing her bosom together in the décolletage for a more...impressive view, but for now she was busy looking at Minato out of the corner of her eye with her face turned partially away,
"Well, I did have a lovely night last night, in part thanks to you. And since it contributed to your current living difficulties, I want to help make it better."
Besides, the sooner I get to work, the sooner I may have you as my Ashikabi. My tender maiden's heart cannot take much more delay She added mentally
Tsukiumi seemed to be showing some increased perception as well, giving Kazehana a suspicious look that the Wind maiden ignored with ease, instead giving Minato a demure smile.
Minato gave her a small nod to her unspoken question, and began following Kazahana once more to help Kusano. As they walked, Minato gave Tsukiumi a pat on the arm and whispered, "I noticed it too, but I think now is not the time to talk about another joining us. Might want to make sure we have a home to worry about including her in hmm?"
Tsukiumi blushed again, this time at being found out about her suspicions. She gave Minato a sidelong glance, this more observant side of him would take some getting used to,
"What will we have to discuss mine husband?" she asked with a certain amount of possessiveness. She had only just gotten him started on acting like a proper spouse, she wasn't sure how she felt about this...person coming into their lives so soon. Not to mention Tsukiumi still held a bit of a grudge that this woman tried to go behind their backs.
"I'm guessing whether or not she'll be joining us, right Mina-tan?" Matsu interjected from the side with a rather knowing smile on her face.
"Right, I don't like to Wing someone without making sure you all are ok with it."
Tsukiumi turned her head away, looking at Kazehana reaching a surprised Kusano and heedlessly getting her purple Chinese dress dirty as she kneeled down to help. The sound of laughter reached them in a moment as they saw Kazehana take a bit of dirt and stick it to the tip of Kusano's nose.
She didn't say anything as they walked for a moment, seemingly deep in thought. Minato was about to ask if she was alright when she looked up,
"Doth that mean that if thine Sekirei had wished it thou wouldst not have Winged me?" Her expression was level but there was a fragile note to her voice that had Minato paying close attention to how he'd phrase his response.
"I will admit that if they had all advised against it, I would not have pursued you to try to work things out yes, but if events had conspired so that you and I met anyways...I would like to think I would have tried to convince them to accept you." He hoped he was clear. He would not turn away any Sekirei that was truly reacting to him, Musubi and Matsu had made it clear how much it hurt a Sekirei to be from their Destined One. But at the same time, he would be no better than Mikogami if he went around Winging hither and yon without taking care to touch base with his flock.
For Tsukiumi, the answer was much more impacting than Minato had intended, He would give up the advantage of having a single number in his ranks if his Sekirei asked it of him? I know of no other Ashikabi who would make such a sacrifice to honor the wishes of his Sekirei...and is he telling me if I felt strongly enough that he would not Wing this one? Her eyes sought out Kazehana once more and tried to imagine what would happen if she actually managed to make that happen.
Her heart immediately clenched at the idea of being so close to the man that made it beat faster and to not be accepted by him, twas the most foul torture she could contemplate. Were it a lesser man she would not think so, but as Minato showed more of what had convinced her to let him Wing her, she knew that she would have to be utterly heartless to deny Kazehana the chance...regardless of their first meeting.
She looked at the others, not realizing that they had stopped, nor she for that matter, so deep in thought she had been. They all had expectant looks on their faces as they waited for her response to Minato's answer...and the silent offer he had made.
"T-thou are right Minato, such matters should be left until we have the leisure to pursue them. But if I am pressed, I will only say that I would not be adverse to our numbers being bolstered once more."
She stubbornly pretended not to notice the smiles on their faces, else she would lose her poise herself,
"However, I must insist on the caveat that she show proper respect to the Winging and not try to sneak a kiss in the night. To find one's Ashikabi is a solemn occasion and should be accorded fitting respect."
Matsu tried, really she did, but this was just too good an opening to leave alone, "Fufufu, after your...vehement protestations about getting an Ashikabi, such words are a shock as Miya would say."
Tsukiumi gave a huff even as Minato shot Matsu a look of mild reproach. But before he could remonstrate her, Tsukiumi shot back, "Just because mine opinions on certain matters have been...reconsidered, does not mean I am not still of the opinion that there is a right way of doing things and this is no different."
Uzume added her own two cents in, "She's got a point Minato-kun, Matsu-chan, me and Chiho-baby took awhile to get to know each other before getting Winged and I know of others that did the same. I ain't saying wait forever but ya might want to take the time to give each other a chance to...woo I suppose?"
Minato nodded at their words, smiling at them both in thanks. However they would have to finish their conversation later, as by now they had reached Kusano and he carefully disentangled himself from Tsukiumi to give his youngest Sekirei a hug.
"Hey there Ku-chan, thanks for helping, it really means a lot to me."
Kusano gave a little happy dance once Minato had finished hugging her, finishing with her little pose,
"Ku is fixing the yard so landlady doesn't trip!" She clapped her hands over her mouth in horror, eyes growing the size of desert plates,
"Ku wasn't supposed to mention that."
Uzume came over and ruffled Kusano's hair to reassure her. Uzume laughed as instead Kusano waved her hands around to make Uzume stop and then tried to get her hair back in order with a comical pout on her face.
"Ah, don't worry Ku-chan, if you don't tell her neither will we." As the scowl on Kusano's face refused to fade, Uzume turned back to the patch of ground she and Kazehana had been working on, "So whatcha been doin to fix the yard?"
Her earlier ire forgotten, Kusano puffed out her chest with pride, going back to her "victory pose" again,
"Ku has been putting the dirt back. Ku saw the lawn looked like the smelly man and the zappy-onees, and landlady-san always makes the scary face at them. So if Ku fixes the yard, no more scary face." Kusano finished her explanation and waited for the sounds of adulation at her brilliant logic like she had seen Tsukiumi-nee do before. Needless to say this attempt at regal bearing from the eight year old child was...well, it was a good thing they were already smiling.
Speaking of Tsukiumi, she had one question for Kusano that urged itself to be spoken despite her weakening resolve not to giggle herself silly at the younger Sekirei's antics,
"And what, pray tell, caused thee to declare Seo-san the 'smelly man' young Kusano-chan?" Her face was composed, except for a twitch in the corner of her lip.
Kusano came out of her "Praise me!" pose and gave her fellow blonde a look of "duh." before explaining,
"Because Landlady-dono always calls him 'trash-san' and trash is smelly." Kusano was worried that this obvious reason seemed to have escaped Tsukiumi. But Kusano decided to be magnanimous, although she wouldn't know how to use that word, and forgive Tsukiumi-nee for being silly. She had had a long day after all.
Tsukiumi tried, truly she did, but the logic was so...simple and yet exceedingly apt that she could contain her mirth no longer. She began letting out all the stress and tension of the day in great, unbridled laughter, holding her sides as though to keep herself from splitting.
This in turn set off the rest of group who had been stifling their own laughter at Kusano's nickname for the "Mooch Ashikabi". Kusano looked around at the group all sitting on the ground laughing freely and felt a little confused, she didn't get the joke and it made her feel left out. Eyes narrowed in suspicion, she stepped over to Tsukiumi-nee's side and poked her in the ribs, which had the effect of both getting Tsukiumi's attention and also tickling her. This did not go unnoticed by Minato or the rest, Uzume and Kazehana and Matsu all sharing outright evil smirks at this seemingly innocuous discovery,
"What's so funny? Is Tsukiumi-nee laughing at Ku?" Ku decided to error on the side of caution and unleash her dreaded "tear filled puppy eyes" or rather, not hold them back as she was rather worried they were all teasing her.
Tsukiumi managed to start breathing again and aside from the occasional snigger or snort, was able to speak clearly in order to reassure her younger fellow, "Nay Ku-chan, we are not mocking you but rather laughing at how pertinent the name is and how we would never have thought of it. Thou art indeed a most precocious child." Tsukiumi would swear Kusano's looks were an hitherto unknown Sekirei ability, so potent were their effects.
Kusano felt so much better after hearing that, knowing that she had been right all along that they had been merely being silly as adults were wont to be. But her eyes returned to their previously suspicious narrowing when she thought over what Tsukiumi had said some more.
"What does...'precocious' mean Tsukiumi-nee?" Her face began a rather impressive glower for one so young as her young mind tried to come up with possible definitions for yet another fancy word from Tsukiumi-nee.
Tsukiumi pulled back a moment in surprise at Kusano's reaction, not understanding the problem. Looking around her was no help, as most were still recovering their wits or, in the case of Matsu, giving Tsukiumi a look of "I told you so." which made Tsukiumi glower at her in turn. The orangette had mentioned many times that she felt that Tsukiumi was creating more trouble than it was worth with her insistence on using such archaic speech.
Turning away from the mildly gloating vixen, Tsukiumi endeavored to assure Kusano,again, that there had been no malice meant.
"Nay, to say that one is 'precocious' is to say that the person is wise beyond their years like thou art Kusano. I meant no offense to thine idea or self."
Which translated in Kusano's currently grumpy mind as "I am silly and I talk silly too.". Giving a little huff of irritated acceptance of the explanation, Kusano muttered to herself as she and Minato began to start their task once more, "Ku thinks Tsukiumi-nee needs to stop using big words to sound fancy. Matsu-nee is smarter and she doesn't try to use funny words like that."
Matsu gave Tsukiumi a look of triumph as the tiny Sekirei inadvertently confirmed what she had told Tsukiumi before, sticking her tongue out a tad like a cat with a similar expression on her face.
Tsukiumi felt her brow twitch and she summoned a small ball of water to cool off the cyber-wench's satisfaction...only to have the top of her head *BONK*ed out of nowhere, causing her water sphere to dissolve mid-formation.
A look of pure horror spread over Tsukiumi's face as she whirled around to face whom she assumed was the one who had struck her, "L-landlady-dono, I can explain, I-" only to find no one behind her. Since Miya loved to pull the "appearing behind someone to loom menacingly" trick every chance she got, this required Tsukiumi to conclude that it had not been Miya who struck her.
A rustling sound drew her eyes up to a branch that was waving around...with a single lock of her hair caught on it.
Eyes now widened in shock, she turned back around to see a Kusano with a look of towering fury on her face, which if Tsukiumi hadn't been the recipient of, would have concluded still managed to look adorable,
"Bad Tsukiumi-nee! No fighting! Tsukiumi-nee is in enough trouble and Ku-chan has already worked hard enough to fix it."
Wincing in chagrin, Tsukiumi saw looks of exasperation and annoyance all around her and this time, could not find the heart to argue it.
She looked down to collect herself and after a deep breath looked up only to find Minato by her side. Feeling apprehensive, she began to shrink back from what she was sure was going to be another lecture,
"I meant no harm Minato-kun, I-"
Minato sighed, not unkindly with a look of wry amusement and solemn consideration somehow appearing at the same time on his face, "I know Tsukiumi, and were this any other day I wouldn't mind so much about a little banter and rough housing. But Kusano is right, we are still in hot water." Despite her still rapidly beating heart, Tsukiumi couldn't resist a quick smile at her husband's unconscious pun. "And this is also something I wanted to talk about with all of you." He added to them, taking care to look at all his flock, leaving Uzume and Kazehana spectators.
"We all have bad habits we've developed, and while I don't blame anyone here for theirs and hope you all do the same for me...they do need to change and we need to trust each other to look out for those and help us catch them when we miss."
He met the eyes of all his flock present, Kusano included, and they each nodded in turn with Matsu and Tsukiumi giving him respectful looks at the firm but not overbearing way he was handling it. They knew he wasn't going to become a pure alpha male, too much time spent as an omega put paid to that unfortunately. But the way he kept trying to include them in his decisions now seemed just as strong, that he could face their disagreements and listen without folding, gave them relief they didn't know they needed. He was always going to need their help...but that's what they wanted to give him anyways, so it was hardly an imposition.
Kusano tried for the same look but only managed to scrunch up her face and lips adorably. She had already been "on the job" as it were and was merely considering this a long overdue cessation of silliness as far as she was concerned.
Minato also gave a look to Kazehana, who blinked in surprise, "Why are you looking at me Minato-kun?" He couldn't be suggesting...
"Well, we still have to talk about it, and see if we have a home to invite you to, but you haven't been exactly...subtle about reacting to me, and I figured the least I could do is let you know what you're in f-GACK!"
Minato's sentence, as well as his continued ability to breathe, were promptly put in jeopardy by a full on press-er, hug rather, with Minato's face being pleasantly smothered in Kazehana's bounteous bosom and yet still able to hear her overjoyed words,
"OH Mina-tan, you are so sweet and manly! To be so considerate of those you've already Winged, I don't think I've met any Askikabi with multiple Sekirei like that."
She pulled him out so she could look into his eyes, her own being dilated with lust that, along with the heavy flush on her pale skin up to and including the areas of her chest exposed by the dress, gave the impression of the Sekirei almost being literally drunk on desire, "But don't make me wait too long Mina-tan, you've already tested my self control so much since we've met. My delicate maiden's heart can only bear so much."
Matsu gave a long-suffering groan from the palm of her hand that she had placed her face firmly in, "Grreeeaat, now's she's gonna be insufferable until it happens. I swear, anything romantic is like catnip to her."
Kazehana gave her fellow former squad member a mature and reasoned response, i.e. a blown raspberry, "Oh and like you're any better when it comes to your he-"
"ENough!" Tsukiumi started to shout, but managed to lower her voice in time, "Tis all very amusing but again, we have gone further afield from the focus, which is mine husband's words to us." Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she gave her still blushing and heavy breathing Ashikabi a level look,
"Now, hast thou more thou wish to say? Or dost thou think it best that we continue to help Ku-chan with fixing the yard." She was trying not to order him around as she promised she would, but that didn't mean she couldn't...hint strongly as to which courses of action she might prefer.
Besides, Kusano was present, didn't they have any shame in speaking about such things in public?
Minato got up in the mean time and gave a grateful nod to Tsukiumi, which she returned with dignity, if a tad flushed in the face. While sincere and heartfelt, Kazehana's sudden "affection attack" had been pretty overwhelming and Minato had started to shut down like he was used to doing before.
Talk about putting things into practice he thought to himself.
He cleared his throat and decided brevity was best, Tsukiumi had raised a good point about how Kusano still needed all the help she could get with fixing the yard despite how cute she looked while doing it,
"Yes, of course. I just want to finish by saying we are a family, we will always be here for each other, no matter what happens." He found himself seeking out Uzume, who had sat back at the edge of the patch, for the most part taking in the scene but not wanting to intrude. He smiled sadly at the way she kept trying to distance herself and respect their boundaries but knew that it was hurting her each time she did it.
She didn't notice Minato looking at her at first, lost in her own thoughts with a bittersweet smile on her face. She looked up in shock as Minato more or less appeared out of nowhere in front of her, "Wha- Minato-kun, whatcha doin?"
Minato kneeled down in front of her, their faces about a foot apart, and met her brown eyes, "I wanted to make sure you were paying attention, you seemed a bit out of it."
Uzume squirmed under his gaze, "Well, you were talking with your family and I-"
"Are just as important to me."
Uzume's eyes were not the only ones that widened at that, although Tsukiumi's held a touch of wry resignation.
"I don't know the future, and I was never particularly aware of the present for a long time, but what I do know is that you changed things. We were all stuck in a holding pattern and thanks to your offer of a date, that has been irrevocably stopped. Yes there are some rough spots-"
"Ku fixed one!"
"-That we are still smoothing out-"
"If Onii-san and the Onee-chans would help Ku."
Minato stopped his talk with Uzume to turn and give Kusano a tap on the nose that had her crosseyed and scrubbing for what she was sure was a small bit of dirt at the tip of it. His youngest Sekirei thus occupied, Minato was free to get back to what he was saying.
Uzume rolled her eyes in amusement of both Kusano's antics as well as Minato's, novelapproach in solving them. She couldn't stop a feeling that was gathering in her breast however, especially when their eyes met once more.
Oh Chiho-baby, I think you're gonna get that baby a whole lot sooner than you thought if things keep going like this She thought to her Ashikabi, and could easily imagine the incredibly self-satisfied "Good!" that her imprisoned love would have said.
Minato waited a moment for her to come out of her thoughts again, only to reach up to hold up her chin with two of his fingers. Her breathes got a lot lighter and a whole lot faster when he did that, making her bosom flutter like one of her veils in the wind,
"You are just as much a member of my family as any of my Sekirei. And while I don't want to make promises for others, I will say that if you ever need my help, it is yours."
Uzume swallowed and somehow managed to give a couple of small nods despite the way his hand stayed unmoving beneath her delicate (and slightly bruised) chin.
Before she could convince her lips to speak, Minato began talking once more and then there was no time for Uzume to protest his kindness,
"And you know, we never did give Chiho that kiss she wanted us to have." Uzume's lips parted and her tongue sneaked out to moisten them reflexively,
"Right."
Minato began to lean forward slowly, giving the others a chance to say nay or even Uzume herself a chance to stop it.
But no one spoke, and while Tsukiumi had to admit she wasn't particularly happy about it, she felt this was not unreasonable. Her Ashikabi did have a point that however bad things might have gotten, were it not for her they would not be getting better either. A kiss was not too high a price, so long as it was only a kiss.
Matsu was watching with exasperated humor the way Kazehana seemed to have reached "romantic critical mass" and was now a purple clad puddle of bliss surrounded by fluttering cherry blossoms shaped like hearts.
Uzume couldn't stop it. She didn't want to stop it. And when their lips met for the first time, she never wanted it to end...
But end it did as both their head were swatted by branches a la Kusano, who was fussing at the way it seemed like everyone but her was getting to kiss Onii-chan and she promptly decided that if she wasn't getting to, no one else was. They had a job to do and there had been enough slacking off already for the little taskmistress.
She began imperiously pointing at the Sekirei around them and then to clumps of dirt, making it very clear what she expected from them. With matching smiles, everyone took the "hint" and started to rise and follow the commands of the diminutive "She Who Must Be Obeyed", giving each other silent looks and touches to reassure one another that they were all willing to talk later as they needed to.
Minato in particular went around and made sure that no one felt neglected, kissing Tskiumi on the cheek to thank her for her patience with his interaction with Uzume, a hand touch for Uzume to reinforce his words and kiss, hug and nuzzle for Matsu for how supportive and thoughtful she had been throughout the whole ordeal, and was about to kiss Kazehana's hand when he found his leg had magically turned into Kusano's newest chew toy.
He and the wind Sekirei shared a mirth filled smile and went back to work, the others laughing quietly at the way Minato had to walk with Kusano still attached like a limp to his leg in order to keep him focused. It didn't take long before they grew absorbed in their task, the labor of repairing the yard soothing and calming to everyone involved as they worked into the afternoon.
XXXXX
Miya gave a small nod to herself as she finished the last cup of tea, savoring the mouthful of fragrant liquid as the sounds of...enthusiastic cooking emanated from her kitchen. When she had pulled herself from her reverie earlier, she had been informed by a very anticipating Musubi that Kusano had gone to help outside and she herself was waiting to see what she could do.
While appreciative of the gesture, Miya had still not finished her consideration of the situation and Musubi's eagerness was sure to prove distracting.
Add to that Miya utter lack of desire to cook for once thanks to the still present headache making her temples throb, and Miya ended up letting Musubi prepare a "Curry night special" whatever in Japan that was.
Still, it kept the innocent Sekirei out of Miya's lustrous hair and to be fair, Musubi was not unskilled in curry preparation, thus allowing Miya to once more ponder her options.
And it seemed to give Miya the needed break in her train of thought to finally begin coming up with solutions and she began to nod approvingly to herself with the ideas that began to come to her. The only wrinkle with her plan was Uzume, and that was because she could see how she and Minato had grown close. Trying to keep them decent was going to be as difficult as Minato and Kazehana.
Miya contemplated looking to the heavens and asking the gods why they felt the need to burden her with such unruly tenants but really didn't want to risk actually getting an answer. She still got hot and rosy when she thought of some of the things she and Takehito had gotten up to in the past.
Those two Noritos outside had not helped Miya either, with her awareness not being dulled like the others MBI experimented on, she had gotten a very, very good impression of the feelings and desires of those involved.
Still, she had kept herself from...indulging in her desires all these years Takehito was gone, she could hold out a little longer. What she was waiting for she no longer knew, the start having been a desire to respect Takehito's memory but slowly just became a grinding endurance test of her will and self control.
Miya shook her head, banishing those dangerous thoughts from her mind. This was why they were so risky, being much too easy to get lost in.
She fluidly stood up and walked over to the door to the kitchen and peeked in to see how Musubi was getting on, feeling tempted to wince at the massive disaster area it had no doubt become.
What greeted her eyes was a cheerfully stirring Musubi who gave a quick wave in between quality checks on the curry. The kitchen was cluttered yes, but no more so when a young person was cooking.
Keeping her features composed, if blinking frequently at the incongruous sight, Miya nodded approvingly at Musubi to keep going and decided to finally check on her tenants to see which of her plans she would have to implement.
As she got close to the screen door, Miya could hear the sounds of laughter and talking in the background, and felt rather conflicted about it. On the one hand, she was proud of them for working their troubles out reasonably like adults...but on the other hand she had kicked them out of the Inn, which they had damaged, and Miya demanded groveling!
Not too much of course, she wasn't Karasuba in her moontime, but the principle remained. Deciding they needed a little scare to remind them of their place, or potentially the lack thereof, Miya slid the door open silently and quickly in an effort to take them unawares...when she received her second shock in as many minutes.
Instead of a boggy marsh that looked like it was trying to have a mid-life crisis as a mud wrestling pit, the vista that greeted Miya's violet eyes was an almost pristine backyard, with the only spot with so much as a blade of grass out of place being on circular patch of ground that had her wayward lodgers gathered around it. Adding to her supreme flummoxing was the fact that that the grass was actually growing inwardfrom the surrounding ring, helped out no doubt by the furiously concentrating Kusano.
Miya watched with unvarnished amazement as the last vestiges of harm to the yard disappeared from sight.
Well there goes plans A to D She thought a tad morosely, she had put some serious thought into those plans too, she'd finally get to use those spatulas to their best effect.
Making sure that no one had seen her pout, (Kazehana had, but decided to save it for a time later on. Having ammo on Miya, even the tiny things, was a rare occurrence.) Miya straightened herself to her most dignified air and make her stately way to the gaggle of boarders. Minato had picked up an obviously tired Kusano and was apparently trying to make peace of some kind with the young Sekirei, who wasn't having any of it and was shaking her head in denial of whatever Minato was entreating.
Proud to see her youngest ward was standing her ground, Miya had to laugh silently at the way Minato refused to give up and managed to break down Kusano's walls by kissing her on the tip of her nose, thus making the young lady lose her composure and giggle.
I shall have to teach her endurance Miya mused, realizing that if she wasn't careful, Kusano would fall into the same fate as Miya had with Takehito, i.e. being wrapped around his little finger when it came to forgiving him with a few...personal gestures. Not that she disliked it per se...but it was hard to project an image of dignity if one's husband could induce giggles at a touch and smile.
She was suitably appease from her earlier ire at their lack of meekness when to a person, they all sat seiza in front of her on the grass as soon as they noticed her. Miya was intrigued to note that Minato still put himself in front of them as though to shield them from her potential wrath. Uzume also was included in the group, sitting between Kazehana and Tsukiumi of all people. This was a further nail in the lid of her plans' various coffins and yet not an unwelcome one at the same time.
"Ara ara, it seems you have all been busy little persons. I would say I am impressed were it not for the fact that a bit more decorum on all your parts would have prevented the necessity of such hard labor."
She gave a particularly cutting glare to Kazehana who looked back unfazed if contrite. Her sneaked glances at Minato made it very clear any guilt Kazehana felt was about the trouble she had created for her potential Ashikabi rather than any inherent shame at her general lasciviousness.
It wasn't much of a foundation but it would serve for now, Miya concluded while turning her eyes to the very pooped Kusano still held gently held in Minato's arms.
Her penchant for mischief found an outlet and she hid her mouth with a demure hand as she chastised her second male lodger, "So you the type of a man that would have a lady do all the work? I did not know I would be so prophetic when I said you were turning into trash-san." and she awaited his stammering refusals almost eagerly.
Which is why when everyone immediately started to suppress giggles she felt rather cross, she was Asama Miya and she was not giggled at. She let out her mask a sliver to emphasize this and gave a huff of contentment when the quailing began.
Except for Kusano, who tiredly leaned up to whisper in Minato's ear, "Ku told you she hates the smelly man."
Now having to restrain more giggles herself, Miya quickly deduced what had neatly defanged her barb at Minato. While once again put out, Miya nevertheless approved of Kusano's insight and ability to read others.
"Indeed Kusano is right, and so Minato-kun, you should be careful of such deplorable habits such as relying on a child to do your work for you."
Minato looked up at her and though the effect of her mask still lingered, she noticed that Minato seemed to clutch Kusano a touch more protectively,
"I will not deny that Kusano got a head start on helping us while we were otherwise occupied but I can assure you Asama-san, I would never expect my Sekirei to do everything, let alone a child like Ku-chan." The reproach in his voice at the idea that Miya would think him capable of such was rather telling to Miya, and she could not say that she didn't approve.
"Indeed, the child was most...insistent that we all do our parts, as if we were not ourselves aware of the need." Tsukiumi added her huffy two-yen in from behind her Ashikabi, with a dry smile on her face.
Miya felt a spark of hope at the mental image of an imperious Kusano chivying this gaggle of young fools along their duties. Perhaps Miya's successor in all things proper was nearer than she thought? She would have to begin the child's training immediately to ensure 'pervert glasses' didn't corrupt her.
"Good, as slacking off is not allowed in the Inn, nor should a child have to be the minder of a group of supposed adults hmm?" She met all their eyes and dared them to argue.
None did, but Matsu looked tempted and so received a more concentrated glare that put the be-spectacled avatar of lust in her place.
"But now, there's the matter of your fates and whether or not you shall be evicted for your various misdeeds." She let that intonation hang in the air and watched their faces drain of all mirth and their breathing halted in anticipation, Kazehana with a knowing look in her eyes. Miya sent her a thin-eyed look of her own for the busty lush to keep her trap shut, this was her moment dammit!
Turning back to her official tenants she kept her face completely neutral so as not to let even Matsu have an inkling of her plan,
"You will not be staying in the Inn." the gasps of horror and shock, combined with Minato's look of concern and contrition at Kusano almost made Miya regret what she was doing, but they needed to know the potential consequences of their actions.
"However," she interrupted them with a raised hand, "Since you have performed a small miracle in fixing the yard, I will allow you to camp out here until the Inn itself is repaired. Then, and only then, will you be allowed to call yourselves renters in my Inn once more."
She watched their faces minutely here as they sagged in relief and was pleased to see that while they were indeed happy not to be evicted, none of them seemed to lose the awareness of how close it had been, nor that their own efforts in recompense had influenced that fate. Minato again seemed more concerned that Kusano would be safe, which made Miya's heart pang for a moment before having to be suppressed. He truly cares about them Miya marveled.
But it was time to finish the job, while they were still hyper-aware of how much they had to lose,
"Do not think this is the only word on the matter, each of the principles involved will have further conditions placed upon them as I have seen fit to decide upon. First-"
"-Excuse me Asama-san, I must make a humble request before anything else happens."
Miya's eyes narrowed harshly at his temerity in interrupting her like this, "Speak Sahashi-san, but be very careful of your words. You have far too little of my goodwill at present to push it like another reprobate that shall remain nameless." Or several in point of fact Miya mentally groused, wondering again why the gods had seen fit to give her so many ambulatory tests of her patience,
Miya saw how Minato shivered under the icey tone in her voice but did not waver and had to admit, if it weren't so rude she would have been impressed with his continued tendency to surprise and surpass her expectations of him.
He took a deep breath to steady himself and seemed to hold out Kusano to her, "Please Asama-san, let Kusano have her usual place. She's guilty of nothing and I don't want to risk her catching a cold."
Miya ignored the sounds of cooing from the flock behind him, too busy firmly locking away her own sympathetic reaction to the extremely selfless request. She thought about it for a moment,
"Very well, you have made a fair point about her perhaps being the only true innocent among you, and it would not due to leave her at the mercies of the elements. Do not test my patience further however Sahashi-san, and be silent."
Both elated and reprimanded, Minato nodded quickly and settled back down, holding Kusano close to himself once more and letting her snuggle in for maximum warmth.
"Anything else?" Miya archly asked the rest of the group, and after receiving expeditious confirmations as to the negative, Miya finally got to lay down the law upon them,
"Sahashi Minato, as you are in fact Ashikabi of most of the Sekirei in the Inn, I am now going to hold you much more responsible for what they get up to and whether or not you are actually keeping them under control if they fail to do so themselves.
While this does not mean I will punish you for every little thing, I will expect you to at least be aware of their doings and providing your best efforts to keep relations in the harmonious and peaceful. Also, any time one of your Sekirei causes damage or trouble which requires repairs to the Inn or remuneration of any kind that they cannot pay themselves, I will be expecting such payment from you. Hopefully this will prove incentive for you to keep them out of trouble as best you may. I also want these constant squabbles at meal times settled, I am most tired of having to dodge rice and other bits of my hard cooked meals from the daily skirmishes over who sits beside you. Find a system that works and stick with it!Do I make myself clear?"
"Hai Asama-san." Minato responded clearly and simply, yet still quiet enough to prevent waking his little charge. Miya was pleased to see that while he looked a tad intimidated by the expectations she now had of him, he didn't curl in on himself or give any other signs of not being up to the task.
Miya moved on to the next principle and arguably the most frequent disrupter of the peace,
"Number 9 Tsukiumi, you have been a constant disruption in the harmony of the Inn since your first appearance. Regardless of your reasons and their validity, there has not been one...single...day where you have not quarreled, squabbled, or otherwise been antagonistic with one of the other tenants in the Izumo Inn. This ends today." While not shouting, there was no mistaking the force of will behind Miya's words, and Miya saw how Tsukiumi swallowed heavily in the face of them.
Having gotten the younger Sekirei's attention, Miya went in for the kill, "For the time period of the next three months, you are hereby forbidden the use of ANY of your powers outside of fatal emergency while within the Izumo Inn. Any chores that you have done with your powers before will be done by hand, and any infractions on this new rule will result in much harsher penalties than mere privilege removal."
Tsukiumi had winced at the idea of not being able to use her powers at home for three months, but she had not done more than that nor had she gotten defensive either Miya had noticed. With this in mind, Miya turned her head so that both the blonde and Matsu,
"Matsu-san, since you were not directly involved and seemed to be in the rare position of restraint, I will not punish you by leaving you so exposed." Matsu's relief at being open to MBI retrieval teams was short lived as Miya continued,
"But you will be aiding Tsukiumi-san in her efforts to gain more self control. You will find whatever materials, written or otherwise with the means at your disposal, and you Tsukiumi-san, you will learn to reign in that temper of yours and to harness your mind instead of letting it cast about like a wild horse. You claim you are a lady and a wife,prove it."
Miya wanted to smirk at the way Tsukiumi's spine straightened in reflexive pride at Miya's jab. She knew that Tsukiumi would now tie her success or failure in her learning to master herself to her core of pride and self-image. And considering the lengths such had driven her to before, Miya knew that Tsukiumi would do the rest. And by the nod the orangette gave, with Matsu there to keep things from getting to an extreme.
Kazehana did not escape Miya's notice, despite the purple-clad maiden's attempts to resemble an innocent bystander, "And as for you, I should forbid you entry to my Inn completely after your lustful behavior last night." Kazehana looked nervous at this, her worried glances at Minato practically shouting the reason why. With a subsonic growl at her on inner softness, Miya relented, even if only in her mind,
"However, the reason I do not is that you seem to be genuinely reacting to Sahashi-san here, and I will not be accused of denying a Destined pair. You will keep things decorous before and after the Winging is performed, and you will be expected to take part in their collective punishment. Unless you wish to return to whence you came and leave well enough alone?" Miya was in no way surprised when Kazehana merely bowed her head in recognition of the price of her stay, and in a fit of pique added, "And you will be expected to provide first and last month's rent, with deposit as well."
Kazehana started to squawk in protest, but Miya knew perfectly well Kazehana was not short of money even without the MBI card, what with desperate and often drunken suitors throwing money and lavish gifts upon her. So Miya merely stared down her compatriot until Kazehana gave in, grumbling words that had Miya flashing there and back to give her a quick *BONK* on the head.
"Foul language and sulking are forbidden in the Izumo Inn." When Kazehana looked tempted to add to that statement, Miya tapped the sleeve that held her ladle and the third Sekirei subsided with ill grace.
Only one last person to deal with and Miya could finally be done with this business,
"And you Uzume-san." Said Sekirei winced, whether from Miya's attention being focused on her or from simple pain Miya could not tell, "You I have thought a great deal about how to handle, and I have finally come to what I think is a satisfactory conclusion."
Uzume straightened herself painfully but determinedly, her back unbent as she prepared to hear her sentencing,
"You are hereby forbidden to be alone with Minato-san at any point in the near future." Uzume's eyes were not the only ones that popped out in shock at this pronouncement but before the dissention could begin, Miya continued her proclamation to the bubbly brunette,
"At least until this...courtship between you two is settled, you will have a chaperone with you at all times, be it myself, Kagari-san, or one of Minato's Sekirei. As you are not Winged to each other, there will be propriety between you at the very least until I hear in person from this 'Chiho' that she has given her blessings that you and Minato...be closer."
The reactions to this were mixed as the various principles tried to determine what this meant in the long term, but most telling were the relief in both Uzume and Minato. She wasn't sure if this was because they were not being forbidden to see each other outright or not, but Miya certainly had no trouble translating the prim approval in Tsukiumi's bearing. That bud required immediate nipping,
"As an amendment to that last rule, Tsukiumi-san is forbidden from said chaperoning duty until she has proven she can contain herself properly."
Said approval only shrank a tad, but still better than an overzealous 'wife' making a hassle later.
"Furthermore, you will likewise be severely punish for any "forgetting" of proper attire as much as Tsukiumi-san will be for using her powers." Miya waited until Uzume nodded in acquiescence, at the very least this should cut down on Minato's nosebleed moments if nothing else. Miya was tired of her Inn having enough blood splattered around it to qualify as Karasuba's playpen. "The Izumo Inn is NOT a brothel, despite recent events, and you will respect your fellow lodgers."
"And lastly, Uzume-san, you are required to provide me with evidence that you have gone to your Ashikabi and confessed to all that has happened here last night and today. The good and the bad both Uzume-san, unless you have been less than truthful to a much too lenient widow like myself." She ended with an arched brow.
Uzume's expression took a distinctly funereal look, although with what Miya had gathered the poor dear in the hospital would be more upset about Uzume nearly dying than anything else. Still, this would test the both of them and their desire to cast bedlam and disorder in her inn with their lascivious plotting. They both had to learn that while their actions held no malice, there were consequences.
Having finally finished her judgments, Miya was about to take stock of the 'damage' as it were when Musubi came bursting, not literally as Minato thankfully thought to himself, out to the yard with the joyous announcement that "Dinner is ready!"
Miya saw the faces arrayed before her perk up at that and for a moment decided forbidding them all dinner. But that notion was soon squashed by the fact that she knew Musubi would have cooked far more than could be put away as leftovers, not to mention denying them all a meal as well as shelter struck Miya as beating a dead horse, they had already missed lunch as it was.
"Well, I would hate to see such labor and food go to waste, so you may all eat tonight. BUT-" she warned, as they all started to get up, "this does not mean you will not still be sleeping in the yard in the tents trash-san used last time he was without a place to stay, that punishment still holds true."
She would not admit it publically, but she took some petty satisfaction in seeing them all wince at the idea of sleeping in the same tents that Seo had used. She might not be cruel in her retribution, but at no point could anyone ever claim Asama Miya was not creative.
She guided them back into her Inn once more, a very small smile gracing her lips at the way the walk went so much more smoothly this time than the first time she had led them back inside earlier that day. Musubi was soon pestering the group into answering her various questions but Miya tuned it out as she began directing them all to set up the table and settings for the last meal of the day. She actually felt hopeful that this dinner would be the first to go off without a hitch.
This would be the second thought Miya would want to bonk herself for having later...
XXXXX
If Uzume had known Miya's thought before dinner, she would have been much less optimistic herself. She knew the dangers of tempting fate all too well.
The dinner had gone well overall, the curry had been decent, made with more enthusiasm than skill if Uzume was to be honest, which seemed to sum up the Sekirei who had made it rather well. Musubi had in point of fact had to be carefully explained to about their current living situation and when her mind had latched onto the idea that the sooner the wall was fixed the sooner they could return to their rooms, she had immediately proclaimed her determination to "Not lose in fixing the Inn." before Minato and Matsu managed to talk her down.
Uzume was starting to get a little peeved at the perpetual game of one-up man ship Musubi kept trying to play with everyone. Uzume knew she meant no ill will by it, but that didn't change the fact that most of the Inn had to walk eggshells around her with certain topics thanks to that and Musubi's tendency to not receive new information once she made a decision.
She also couldn't help but notice Minato tended to shut down a bit when Musubi got too animated and enthusiastic, as if it were easier to just let her happen than try to contain it or that truly hyper girls seemed to be a trigger. Something to talk about with Matsu,Kaze-chan and maybe Tsukiumi later Uzume had thought to herself.
But beyond that, the dinner had been the most happy that Uzume had ever taken part in since Minato and his flock had moved in. She had been touched when Minato performed a bit of role reversal and had to feed Kusano, the little tyke being so tired from her efforts earlier that she had wanted to simply go to sleep. But Minato had insisted that a growing girl who used her powers so much had to eat and made sure the plant child had had at least one full plate.
Tsukiumi, on Minato's other side, had been the recipient of a few laden chopsticks as well after Kazehana had artfully noted that Kusano wasn't the only one that had used her powers to fix the yard. Reddened and stammering, Tsukiumi had nevertheless accepted Minato's efforts and enjoyed the sensation of being fed by her 'husband' for the first time, rapidly approaching puddle status by the end of it.
Miya seemed to take great mirth in detailing the many, many chores that tenants in the Inn were expected to perform to Kazehana, who had borne the look someone taking up an onerous duty for a much anticipated reward, if the smoldering glances she had been sending Minato's way were any indication.
Uzume had nearly choked on a mouthful of curry when Miya had archly commented that if her indecently heated looks were any more so, Kazehana would risk setting the poor young man on fire and then Miya would be free to banish the "booze bosom" from her Inn for good this time. Kazehana's answer that she was merely trying to deal with the pesky clothes in her way was met with a hard *BONK* and an outraged Miya declaring "Indecent nudity in ANY room was forbidden in the Izumo Inn.".
What was odder was that Uzume could have sworn she had seen Miya of all people sporting a small blush.
Uzume herself mostly kept quiet, her own thoughts focused primarily on Chiho's reaction when Uzume told her everything. She was not going to keep this a secret, even if Miya hadn't given her condition of Uzume's staying being related to that, Uzume had enough secrets already.
But she wasn't allowed to completely cut herself off, getting pulled into the various conversations that soon had her laughing. It was when the dinner was winding down and Miya had...exposed the tents she and everyone except Matsu and Kusano were expected to use, that the good feeling was not only gone, but went screaming into the night...
XXXXX
Uzume was feeling her skin crawl at some of the...stains in the tent futons despite evidently being washed, and was considering making a hammock/sleeping bag out of her veils when Homura can storming into the Inn and slammed the screen door behind him.
"Kagari-san, such violent displays of ill-temper are NOT permissible in the Izumo Inn. What on Earth is the matter with you?" indignation and concern merged in Miya's voice as everyone stopped and turned at the host who was standing in the dining room fuming to an almost literal degree.
"I'm sorry Miya but that fucking bastard is at it again. He's put another gods-damned bullseye on another Sekirei!" Homura held his phone out to Miya as though brandishing the weapon, with Miya eyeing with as much pleasure.
Uzume felt her chest get tight in unfocused nervousness as Homura continued not noticing the concerned looks Minato and the others were giving her, "I have no idea how none of you didn't get the message, he's called bounty on the Sekirei that took out Toyotama and claiming anyone who Wings her will be 'rewarded beyond their wildest dreams.'"
Uzume felt her heart drop into her stomach in raw terror, her eyes unfocused as she whispered,
"I'm dead."
A/N:
Phen0m20:
We have now reached the conclusion of this story arc. Hooray!
The next 10 or so chapters are planned out pretty decently (in my brain at least :P), though with that said, I'm not entirely sure when we will publish another installment for this series. My Saw crossover will be our main focus from here on out, and mordreek and I will be revising its earlier chapters so they reflect the quality of the newer ones we've been publishing. Don't get me wrong, we'll still be updating Veil every now and again, just not as frequently. The Saw story as it stands has a clear path from beginning to end. Everything for it has been outlined, though I can't say the same for Veil since I really don't know exactly how it will conclude. Something tells me that this will be a very productive year for not only my stories, but for my life in general.
I'm glad to have you all on board for the ride. :)
Till next time.
mordreek:
And it's DONE! Finally, this was the arc that simply didn't want to end but it finally let itself be wrapped up neatly and with a nice little hook for the next chapter. I really wanted to take advantage of Kusano's strong power here and allow her to shine. Considering she was able to create Fangorn-freaking-forest in the middle of Shinto Teito, I think the feats she performs on the yard aren't out of the realm of plausibility. With Miya, she just came home to find her Inn basically ransacked, her tenants fighting, spends hours mediating them and then finds out there was...lewdness in her Inn, I think deserved her freakout. But at the same time, regardless of how 2-d her canon character seemed at time, I cannot see her just throwing people she cares about out into the street unless it's her only option. Here, she does her best to prove that there will be consequences without just making the situation worse or coming across as ineffectual. And Uzume...there is a reason that she and Minato are the pairing on the description, can't have her fading in the background now can we? We aren't going to neglect Minato's flock but Uzume WILL get her due in this story.