A/N: A return to form, perhaps?

Pineapple Hearts

Part V

"Maikeru?" Kazehana came to her feet. "It's been years. You look...so different."

He took some steps forward for her to get a better look in the moonlight, hand in his pajama pocket. He smiled. "How have you been?"

Kazehana kept silent and instead walked straight up to the man, gazing into his brown eyes. She stood there, froze for a moment, then suddenly came to life throwing her arms around him and pulling him close.

Maikeru returned the gesture, albeit gentler. His expression softened as he felt her choking up tears.

The two just stood there embraced for a good long while enjoying the tender closeness. But as all good moments do, it passed as Kazehana parted and looked at him again with mascara flowing down her cheeks.

Then she slapped him. Hard.

"That was for abandoning me twenty years ago you jerk!" she said, eyebrows angled in an angry arc and stamping her foot.

"Ouch." Maikeru rubbed his reddened cheek, then looked back at her. "I deserved that."

"You're damn right you did!"

"Perhaps we should sit and talk for a bit."

XXXXXX

"I see…" Kazehana said, stroking her jaw with her thumb. "So you were disgraced from MBI. That's why you up and left."

"Yep. I wanted nothing to do with the Sekirei Plan once I figured out what that madman was planning. When they figured out I was planning to ditch them and take you with me I was immediately expunged and my role was replaced by Takehito. Try as I might to see you again, their guards always caught me and hauled me away."

"That's so cruel of them."

"But none of that matters now. Fact is we're both here right now and no one can tear us apart again."

They both smiled at each other for a brief moment.

"But, the Sekirei Plan has started. I'm not guaranteed to make it through to the end."

"Then we'll run, as far as the wind can take us. Your wind."

"As tempting as that sounds, I have someone who needs me on the outside."

"You have an Ashikabi?"

"Not yet, but I do plan for him to mark me as soon as I get out of this awful place."

"Awful is right. Did the doc give you a discharge date?"

"No. I instead discharged my hand across his mouth for being such an insensitive prick."

"So that was you who hit him? I was certain that was Morihei given the number of times she's broken that man's door already."

"She broke his door but I hit him for good reason."

"Lemme guess, he told you your life looked 'bleak'?"

"How'd you know?"

"He tells that to everybody. It's his way of trying to motivate or some shit. Well, it doesn't fucking work." his eyes flash open for a second in realization. "Oh shit, that dude didn't put you on Lithium, did he?"

"He did? Why?"

"Aww, crap. Well if you wanted to get out of here sooner your opportunity just went out the window then."

"Why's that?"

"Lithium level testing. The med you're on needs to have periodic blood tests done to see if its effects are on a therapeutic level for your symptoms."

"Isn't that a good thing?"

"Not if you want an early release. You see, blood tests can only be done every three days, which means if it comes back negative you need to wait longer to be discharged."

"Well I wish they would have told me that before I agreed to take it!"

"As far as I'm concerned they push the drug as much as they do just to keep the patients here longer, which means more money for the hospital. But hey, if you needs to be here, you needs to be here."

"That's the thing though, Maikeru. I don't need to be here."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"There isn't anything wrong with me. I'm only here to help rescue somebody. The Ashikabi of a good friend."

"Is that so? Is there anything I can do to help?"

"It'd prefer to keep it under reps, but if you can somehow sneak something like a dummy into my bed when a power outage happens I'd appreciate it all the same."

"I'll see what I can arrange in the arts and crafts room." The man got up. "Anyway I should get going before the nurses start poking their heads in the rooms. It was great seeing you again."

"You too, Maikeru."

And with that Kazehana's adjuster ushered himself out the door and back down the hallway.

She then laid back on the bed, staring up cheerily at the moonlit ceiling, twirling her hair. 'Perhaps coming here was the right decision after all.'

XXXXXX

Meanwhile, at Isumo Inn…

"No, no one can hear me…" Uzume said in a serious tone, cell to her ear. She stood in the upstairs hallway overlooking the landlady's firefly dotted garden. "You'll be here tomorrow morning?"

"…"

"I see."

"..."

"No, they won't expect anything. They're all in bed."

"..."

"I'll take care of their Ashikabi, don't worry. I can promise they won't know what hit them."

After a long pause, Uzume snapped the phone shut and slumped out a deep physical sigh.

"Hew boy..."

XXXXXX

The stars wheeling overhead were soon outshone by sun rays beaming through the morning clouds and before long the sun was setting.

Soon a limousine slowed to the curb of the inn's front gate and halted once the passenger's end was aligned with it. The driver, clearing his throat, exited the vehicle and approached the backend door, opening it with a gloved palm.

A young gentleman in a white suit stepped out into the sunlight. He approached the entrance of the inn and, upon fixing his pink tie, rang the doorbell.

XXXXXX

Miya's head tilted in the direction of the noise. She was in the middle of pulling brownies out of the oven. "Oh, can someone get that?"

"I got it!" Minato said, slipping his shoes on as he approached the door and opened it. "Hello- hey you're-"

"Izumi Higa." the man said coldly. "And what was your name again? Kamisori Ichi? Ring any bells to you...Minato Sahashi?"

"Hey look, just what do you want with us?"

"From the looks of things your residence is completely defenseless. That being the case I've decided to take the liberty of delivering a declaration of war to you personally. Maison Isumo is now under siege."

"Well if that's the case," Minato's body began to tense up. "Allow me to be the one to cast the first stone!"

In an unlikely move, Minato sent his leg sailing straight into Higa's manhood. He was hit so hard that he lifted off the ground for a brief moment before collapsing in a wailing and broken heap. All the anger, all the disgust he had towards this man was finally released in a ballbuster even his sister would be proud of.

"Oh no, mister Higa!" said one of the five Eastern Ashikabi's Sekirei laying in wait. They leaped down from the nearby buildings to help their master come to his feet, but standing straight was impossible without crumbling down again.

"You bastard! Auagh-!" Higa spat as he began puking up trace amounts of blood. He looked Minato in the eyes, and saw a fire burning away in them.

"Now collect your mutilated ladyparts and get the fuck off my landlady's property, or I swear next time I'll force-feed them to you! Now go!"

The embarrassed and critically injured Higa weaseled his crippled ass back into his limo and before shutting the door shouted. "You'll pay dearly for this!"

His dumbfounded girls watched as the limousine sped away in a panic, keeping their backs turned to the inn's gates. This...proved to be all but fatal to the two who went by the name Oriha and Kaiha as they were soon put to sleep with a water celebration and large plant vine in the shape of a big muscly fist to their respective faces the moment they turned around.

"Huh?!" The three remaining watched in shock as their comrades were sent flying across the street and into a heap on some trashcans and bent street light.

"And as for you ladies…"

Now knowing the odds were even they then nervously looked back to see standing between Minato and them were Musubi, Tsukiumi, and even little Kuu spoiling for a fight.

Musubi bared her fists, Tsukiumi her water snakes, and Kuu's plant turned her into something that could only be described as a plant-transformer hybrid.

"If it's a war you want then it's a war you'll get." He stepped forward and directed his arm outward. "Charge!"

XXXXXX

Hospital Lunchroom

It was dinnertime at the hospital and Kazehana finally got the chance to see what the cafeteria looked like.

It was boring. Save for a few plants it was all stained beige walls and two rows of plastic tables and chairs lined against the windows and sitting upon a tile floor that looked like it should belong in a grimy gas station bathroom. The staff behind the serving counter was at least nice though.

After grabbing a heaping plate of lasagna and her caffeinated drink from the beverage fountain, Kazehana moseyed her way over to her ward's designated table.

Sitting across from her was one of the elderly patients she caught a glimpse of when she was first admitted. While his hair hadn't completely greyed, the brown was clearly fading with time almost as bad as his hairline. He had male-pattern baldness bad but somehow made it work with his horseshoe-shaped mustache.

"Hewwo," the man said. "ow ya doowen?"

"Sorry, what was that?" She couldn't understand the slurry of words coming from his mouth.

"I sed, how are ya dooin'?"

This man had a very noticeable speech impediment that heavily contrasted with his grizzled veteran-like appearance. Kazehana found it...kinda cute in all honesty.

She decided to humor the old fart.

"Me, I'm great. Livin' the dream. Haha." she chuckled, looking into his pale blue eyes. She didn't know why but there was just some sort of...innocent aura about this man. The sort of feeling that you know you could go to war with him and he'd always have your back but at the same time know outside of that wouldn't harm a fly. "How about you?"

"Maaah, dis pace shucks! I wanna kik dat doktas ash!"

"Can't blame you. I had to give him a slap across the face the other day for being so inconsiderate."

"Da wus you?"

"Sure was!"

The old dude then began to giggle uncontrollably and clap his hands. "Haha, hot dog, that's the scoop! You showed him for da good pepul!"

He started to lean so far back in his chair that he would have fallen over from laughter if Kazehana hadn't reached over and grabbed him by the shirt to pull him back over.

"Easy there, fella."

"Haha, tanks." he said, folding his dainty hands behind his meal. "Show, wuts yoar naem?"

"I'm Misumi. And your name?"

"My naaem's Pete." he presented his hand very old-fashioned style. "Nice to meetcha."

She grasped it with the tips of her fingers but didn't shake. "Likewise."

"Sho, d'ya like Chinese food?"

"I've tried it but I prefer their wines. They're so varied in their tastes and aromas. So intoxicating." she was starting to miss the sweet temptation of alcohol at the mere mention. Was this what withdrawal was like?

He leaned in further and smiled at her warmly. "After we get out of here, would d'ya like ta go out and get some?"

"Go out? You mean as in out on a date?" She blinked.

He nods. "Mhm."

"Aww, you're so sweet, hun. Unfortunately, though my heart already belongs to someone else so I'm afraid I can't."

Well, it's not like she was lying...

"That's a-ok." he beats his chest twice and shows a peace sign with his hand. "In dat case, would you and your boifriend like to go hitchhikin' someday through the woods and go campin' with me? It's reawl peeshful."

"Maybe someday."

"And if you like guns we can go shoot at tawgets too."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"I said we cud go shootin' in da woods. Do yew want to?"

"I think I'd like to get to know you better before I make that decision."

"Dats aw'ight, which is why I asked for the date and to go with you and your boyfriend." he then looked down in realization. "Oh...you're naht afwaid of guns are you?" He made eye contact again, falling silent.

"I'm just cautious about my partner's safety is all, Petey."

"It's aw gud. I compwetewy undastend. Just lemme know if you ever change your mind before I weave."

"I'll be sure to, hun."

Before long everyone had finished their lunch and were getting ready to be ushered back to their units. Before exiting, Kazehana finds herself pulled to the side by none other than one of the twins.

"Hibiki?"

"It's Hikari." the twin replies. "Not much time. Here, take this." She hands Kazehana some clothing."

"What's this?"

"It's a nurse's uniform. Should help you blend in better for tonight."

"Tonight? We're doing the thing tonight?!"

"Yeah. We stayed up all night making damn sure those backup generators won't reactivate the security cams. Matsu had better be thankful."

"Okay, but which room will she be in?"

"She's in critical care at the moment undergoing some treatment but will be back in her room later in the by nightfall."

"Is she alright?"

"Yeah, I overheard the docs say that it's routine for her. Anyway, she's located on the third floor, room number 10."

"Noted."

"Remember, we're doing this at nightfall. Be ready."

XXXXXX

Although the numbers game no longer played a factor in things, the chaotic flow of battle remained just that, chaotic. This was in spite of each of the three girls from opposing sides selecting their opponents.

Atop the inn's roof Tsukiumi had her water snakes keeping the deadly blade of Shi at bay all the while one of Kuu's giant venus fly traps was...uh, dissolving the clothing of Katsuragi in Miya's garden in the back yard. Try as she might she just wound up being trapped over and over again in the thing. As this was happening, Miya was just nonchalantly watering her flowers.

This left Musubi and Ichiya having a classic, down and dirty kickboxing street fight.

Musubi was still sore from the other day but it didn't stop her from coming at her adversary at full force, throwing strong jabs at close range to keep on the pressure. Ichiya had no choice but to keep her feet to the ground and look for an opening.

She was doing a good job at dodging and sidestepping most of Musubi's blows, though some hits were impossible to predict and left some nasty bruises on her arms and lower face.

Musubi followed through with a full arm's length right hook and missed her mark, which was immediately punished by Ichiya sending her left knee directly into her sternum. Once her knee was dug all the way in, she followed through by kicking Musubi straight through a concrete building, leaving a human-sized indent with a web of cracks.

"Musubi!" Tsukiumi cried out, taking her eyes off her opponent for a moment too long.

"I'm fine, don't worry about me. Look out!"

Tsukiumi gasped as Shi's blade swung through her cheek and sent some blood flying.

"Your opponent is me. Don't concern yourself with them!" Shi said sternly albeit with a twinge of nervousness.

A torrent of watery pythons jettisoned up from where Tsukiumi was standing. She swiped the blood pouring from the wound on her cheek away with her thumb. "Thou now has my full unbridled attention."

Shi trembled as Tsukiumi's arm ascended to the sky and the water-snakes encircled it to form a blade. "I art done playing games!" she charged in at Shi and took a good long swipe at her stomach which she barely dodged.

"Umm...a little help here guys?" Katsuragi whined as she was still stuck in the fly trap's grasp. Kusano just sat on the porch eating one of the landlady's brownies. Occasionally she would open and close her fist to control the plant's grip on her.

Kusano looked over at the landlady as she munched away on the delicious treat. "Thanks for the brownies, Miya!"

The landlady giggled. "Any time Ku. You and your friend have fun now!"

Kusano loosened her grip again, which allowed Katsuragi's hear to pop out from the trap's 'teeth'.

"You two are just terrible double-teaming me like this." Katsuragi yelped in frustration. "How is this in any way fair?!"

"Kukuku, says the one trying to bully a child. Furthermore, I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just here watering my garden."

"Damn you."

"What was that?" Miya turned the hose to the spray option and hosed Katsuragi right in her filthy mouth. As she gurbled and garbled on the mouthful, the flytrap grew bigger and stronger than before. "No foul language is permitted at Izumo house."

XXXXXX

Kazehana sat patiently with her legs and arms crossed, eyeing the clock on the wall of the group therapy room. She wasn't made aware of a group therapy until moments after she came back from lunch...following taking a quick glance into Umeda Mika's room where she, for whatever reason was laying on her back on the bed with both her hands and feet stretched up in the air. Kazehana just shrugged and guessed it was just another of her trances as she was also making those bee-like hums again. She wondered over how many more 'surprises' this craphole had to offer.

Encircling the entire room were wooden chairs that looked like they belonged in an elementary school library. They sat upon on a dark red rug which looked as if it hadn't been vacuumed in ages. The only windows the room had were directed back out into the hall the flow of patients came in through.

Some looked eager to be here, others... not so much. One lady who also happened to be a new arrival was rocking back and forth with anxiety and wiping away tears. She was being comforted by the gentle caress of Yoshihisa's hands and whispers of 'everything will be alright, honey'.

Before long two more men entered the room. Kazehana could tell they weren't patients given how well-attired they were, both wearing brown suits with a black tie, brown pants, and black loafers.

They both took their seat at the front of the room.

"Ok it's time once again for our weekly group therapy. I can see we have some new faces in the crowd today so allow us to introduce ourselves; I'm Kenta, a mental health recovery therapist, advocate, and spokesman."

"And I'm Takashi, an intern looking to expand my knowledge in the field of mental health recovery. I won't say much. I'm only here to observe and learn."

"As always we're going to go around in a circle from left to right. Feel free to introduce yourselves to the group say one positive thing about you and tell us what's on your mind if you'd like. Remember, this is supposed to be supportive so if any of you wish to respond to someone's thoughts please hold your opinion until after they have finished speaking." Kenta looks over to Kazehana. "How about you start us off, hun? You're new. What's your name?"

"Oh me? Well, what is there to say, really? My name is Misumi and I don't really know of any positive things about myself." she shrugs.

"Come now, there has to be something." the therapist said goadingly.

"Well I did 201 myself so I could get my alcoholism under control so in a way I'm becoming more responsible."

"Hey, that counts. Why not everybody give Misumi a round of applause for making such a huge step in her recovery?"

The therapist began to clap as did everyone in the room soon after. She could tell it was completely forced on everyone's part.

Once the applause died down the man asked, "Is there anything you wish to talk about? Like what led you to come to the hospital and admit yourself?"

"Well I really had no choice. I hit rock bottom. I lost pretty much everything except my life. My home, my job…" she looked down at her lap and paused, thinking on Matsu's dossier for a moment. "My children. Something had to change. So a friend convinced me to come here."

"Do you think it was the right decision to come here?"

"I've only been here for a day so it's too early to say really. I just know the doctor we have is a total dick. The patients are good company though."

"The doctor does get a lot of bad press from what I gather. Is there anything else you wish to add?"

"Not really. That sums me up really. Trainwreck my life has been."

The therapist winked. "We'll get you better and on your feet again, don't worry." He then looked to the person sitting to Kazehana's right. "Morihei. I see your still here from last week. Tell us what's on your mind."

"Nothing can be said that hasn't been already. Want to be a brain surgeon but the urge to kill myself keeps me from doing it. Also this place is like a prison. Why do the walls have to be so barren? Paint them. Plant a flower garden outside we can visit while on smoke breaks. Anything to make this place more cheery and less dreary. It's a dump as is and that doctor of ours can suck a fat one!"

"I wish I could have some say in that matter but unfortunately I have no pull on how to change the hospital to suit your needs better."

"I know."

"Is there anything else you wish to add?"

"Nah, I'm good. Let the other people speak."

"Very well. Up next is… Himura. What's on your mind, bud?"

"Well...at the moment, not cocaine."

Just about everyone in the room laughed at that.

"Well, that's a good thing. Let's hope it stays like that for when you get discharged."

"That's very doubtful if I can be honest. I don't think I could live without the stuff really."

"Well for the last few weeks you have."

"Well for junkies its different. They're reliant. I regulate my usage of the stuff and it just gives me too much of a rush to stay completely away from it for at least a week."

"I see. Is there anything productive you look forward to getting back into when you get out of here?"

"Yeah, I do a lot of reading and writing. I also critique the work of other people, so I look forward to that once I hit the bricks."

"Don't you have a job?"

"Nah, my parents are rich and they don't bitch about it. So I'm livin' the high road. In a literal sense too given the cocaine. Haha."

"A job is something I feel you should definitely look into once you're out of here."

"Nah, I'm good. Thanks."

"Any further concerns you would like to chat us up on?"

"Not at this time."

"Okay, next up is…"

XXXXXX

Minutes had gone by and the battle continued to unfold.

Minato stood at a far enough distance bare witness to the pummeling Musubi and Ichiya were giving each other, as well as occasional glimpses of the swordfight between Tsukiumi and Shi atop the landlady's roof which was now covered in the overgrowth of Kuu's plants.

"Give 'em hell, girls." he said.

Someone then dropped down from the building Minato had his back turned to and slowly approached. It was Uzume, donning her magnificent Veil. Just as Minato was about to whirl around to see who it was, he dropped to the ground in an unconscious heap following a swift chop to his neck. Uzume came to one knee and collected the downed Ashikabi in her arms, wrapping her veil around his body before taking to the skies.

Tsukiumi was the first to notice her leaping from rooftop to rooftop with Minato. "Uzume!" She shouted, deflecting one of Shi's blows." Where in the blazes art thou taking Minato?!"

"No! Minato! Bring him back here, Uzume!" Musubi cried out. She was struck back by a kick to her gut.

"I'm sorry!" Uzume yelled. "It's Higa's orders. I have no choice but to take him."

"No! Minato!" Tsukiumi screamed, turning away and preparing to jump after the traitor.

Another swipe of the blade from Shi tore open the midriff of Tsukiumi's dress. "You aren't going anywhere. Your fight's with me."

Tsukiumi jumped back a couple of yards and looked towards where Uzume was only to see she was completely gone. She looked back at Shi, who was following up her previous attack with another slash to her face.

Tsukiumi deflected it. "Damn thee! I'll make thou pay for this, you miscreant!"

XXXXXX

Meanwhile, in Matsu's lair…

"Don't worry, Tsukiumi." Matsu thought aloud as she made some swift clicks on her monitor-lit keyboard. Once she had access to an MBI satellite, her monitor zoomed-in from orbit all the way down to where Uzume was. "Wherever she goes I'll be following..."

Then her screen suddenly started displaying static and soon a woman with grey hair and half-moon red glasses appeared on the monitor. She resembled a librarian.

"I don't think so." the woman said as if she were lying in wait for just this moment to throw a wrench in Matsu's plans. "I'm Sekirei number 22, Kochou, and I'm afraid you won't be following anyone right now."

"Dammit. Another Brain-type Sekirei? Shit." She put on her serious face. "Well if it's a chess-match you want it's a chess-match you'll get!"

XXXXXX

Over the course of several minutes, Uzume treaded deeper and deeper into Eastern territory. She paused for a quick breather atop one of the smaller skyscrapers.

"Doesn't look like anyone followed me. Good. All according to plan…"

Before long she found herself atop a warehouse building not far from Higa's hospital. She opened the door leading to the roof's staircase and descended down several floors into the building, proceeding down the empty aisles and to an office where she was greeted by Kakizaki.

"I see you brought Kamisori Ichi here all wrapped up like a little gift for me."

"Can it." she said as she entered.

Kakizaki closed the door as Uzume placed Minato down against a wall and a cage containing several bunny rabbits.

"Were you followed?"

"Not at all. They're still occupied with the fight."

"Good. Good!" Kakizaki said, fixing his glasses. He looked down at the boy, who was just now starting to stir from his sleep.

He shook his head until the hazy blur in his eyes faded and looked up to see Kakizaki and Uzume staring down at him. "Hey, what is this? Where am I?!"

"Ah, I see you're awake. Wonderful." Kakizaki said with a sinister grin.

He paid no mind to Kakizaki and focused solely on Uzume. "Uzume, what is this? Come on, untie me!"

"I'm sorry, Minato. Higa's orders. Chiho needs me."

"Uzume…" he glares at Kakizaki and barks. "Just what is it you want from me? From Uzume? From all of us?!"

"Oh nothing really. We just want to assert our dominance over our rivals and keeping you as a hostage helps us attain that goal. We promise not to hurt you, Mr. Ishi, or Mr. Sahashi as our records show."

"No matter what your plans are they aren't going to work! My Sekirei will never submit to your demands or sell me out."

"My you sound so sure of yourself. And why might that be?"

"Because I trust them with my life! Because I love all of them!"

Uzume felt a twinge in her heart when he said that. It made her crest glow and feel...hot.

XXXXXX

Therapy room

"Ejiri, why don't you speak next?"

The man sat slumped in his chair snoring away.

"Ejiri?"

Himura gave Ejiri a stiff punch to his arm. He stirred from his sleep after that.

"Huh? Uh, what?"

"It's your turn to speak, Ejiri."

"Oh sorry, I was hanging out with the aliens again."

"Of course you were."

"Look, I'm beat and couldn't get any sleep last night. Can I please, like skip this for the day?"

"You don't need to speak, but you have to stay awake to hear out the others. This is a support group after all. You can go to bed afterward."

"Okay, I'll try to stay grounded."

"Good, now up next is Yoshihisa. How are you?"

"I'm fine, thanks."

"Can you give us one positive thing about yourself today?"

"I'm a very loving and nurturing mother."

"Good. Anything you wish to share with the group?"

"Not really anything that already hasn't been said about me really. I'm a sex addict with a long history of cheating and my anxiety has put me in and out of mental hospitals at least 30 times in my life."

"What can you do to change these behaviors?"

"I don't know honestly. I just like making others feel good because it makes me feel good too. For a little while at least."

"Why just a little while?"

"Because most of the times it happened were times I cheated and it made me feel horrible afterward."

"Have you considered that maybe it's best to stay out of relationships and keep things casual with others?"

"No, I'm 100% co-dependent. I need someone I can wake up next to in the morning consistently. Without someone there, I just end up getting so depressed that, well, I end up in one of these places again." she shakes her head and puts her face in her hands, almost as if about to cry. "I'm just such a wreck!"

"Ney, maem. Maem." Pete said, getting up from his seat and walking over to the tan-skinned woman. "Itsh awight. Evwytin's gonna be okay." He gives her some gentle pats on the back.

Yoshihisa looks back up at the kind-hearted soul and smiles, tears glossy in her eyes. "Thank you, Petey. You're such a good man."

"Any taam, hun." He reassures her. "You gonna be okay now?"

"Yeah," she sniffs. "I'll manage."

Kazehana felt all giddy on the inside watching the loving display of concern. The world truly needed more people like Pete in it.

As the tension died down, the therapist cleared his throat. "Thank you for being such a great support Peter. He looked back at Yoshihisa. "Is there anything you feel you can do to curb these addictions and desires, Yoshihisa?"

"I suppose. I need some solid therapy for one thing. Weekly if possible. I hate to think what my mother would have to say about that though."

"Is your mother a constant in your life?"

"Yes, we've always lived together and she's been overbearing towards me my whole life. It's why I'm always so anxious."

"That sounds like a very toxic environment. Have you considered moving away from her?"

"I can't. She's up in age and needs someone to care for her. No one else in the family wants to deal with the burden so they put it all on my shoulders. Not that I mind."

"But you do mind." Ejiri adds. "I can tell just by looking at you that it's crippling you."

"Ejiri, please raise your hand if you wish to comment."

"No it's alright." Yoshihisa reassured. "I am a caregiver for three children, after all. How much can one more person be."

"Too much. 30 hospital visits too much."

"Ejiri!" The therapist snarled.

"I'm just saying it like it is."He shrugged in a back-offish way. "Things won't get better for her until she starts putting her own needs first. It's like that rule they have on airplanes, put your own oxygen mask on first before putting one on your kid. Because you can't save someone else if you don't save yourself first."

Yoshihisa frowned. "That's pretty harsh but I get what you're saying. I'll keep your words in mind. Thanks." she looked over to the therapist. "I believe I've taken up enough time."

"PATTY NO!" cried out one of the nurses from the hallway outside.

The therapist got up from his seat and hustled over to the doorway to assess the situation. "What's wrong, what happened? Is Patty okay?"

"Patty had one of her psychotic delusions and called 119 from the payphone...again." The nurse said.

"That's like what, the fourth time this week?" said another nurse tending to the unintelligible woman who kept muttering about fulfilling her destiny.

"Is she going to be alright?" the therapist asked.

"She'll be fine. Just have to explain the situation to the emergency dispatchers."

"Okay then." He said, shutting the door and retaking his seat. "Heh, sorry 'bout that, folks. Why don't you start us off next, Pete?"

"Nah uhuh, I'm gud, tenks." he replied shaking his head. "Let da good pepul shpeak."

The quiet Matsui leaned forward in her seat and softly spoke. "But you are a good person, Pete. Tell us what's on your mind."

"No no no, it's okay."

"Are you sure? You've been nothing but support for everyone here since you arrived. I feel it's about time we showed you some in return by lending an ear."

"Weerl, okay." he giggled into his fist. "Sho here's da scoop. Firstwy, ah cen't stend dis MBI congwomorwate monopolizing this gud shity. Dey're connin' da gud pepul outta dere rights and I've had it up to here with dem. Evwy day, I see it gettin' wurse end wurse. Da miwitery has this once beewtiful shity locked daaun like a war zone. And for what? To scwew wit da minds of the good pepul and to make us afwaid? Fuck dat! Dis wite here is da reason I got a concealed permit to cawwy awound a handgun. So I can protect myself and anyone in need that's afwaid! We shudn't have to lib in fear like dis! Hiwoto Minaka can shove his whole copowation up his ash and yew kno wut I shay?"

"Caaalm down Pete." The therapist urged.

"KEER HIM! KEER HIM AND RET ALL DA GUD PEPUL IN DISH SHITY GO!"

Morihei chuckled. "See look at what you done, Kenta? You got Pete being all passionate again."

A laugh was shared throughout the gwoup-er, group.

"Somewhere in some host club in this city, Homura's giving this man a standing ovation." Kazehana mused in her mind.

"I...can't say I agree with the killing part, but you're right that since MBI has taken over tensions have been rather high among the people. Is that all Peter?"

"Yah, I tink ahm gud." he said slumping back in his chair and showing a peace sign with his hand.

XXXXXX

Matsu's Lair

"Dammit, c'mon c'mon…" Matsu muttered aloud as her fingers skittered across her keyboard desperately trying to repair the damage Kochou caused to her systems. "I need to get this back online!"

XXXXXX

Outside, the sun continued to descend past the horizon to welcome the dusk. In unison, Musubi and Tsukiumi had delivered their finishing blows on Ichiya and Shi resulting in a thud as they crashed into the pavement one after the other. Katsuragi was finished before the fight even began, crucified by Kuu's vegetation in the garden.

"Come on, Musubi," Tsukiumi urged. "We must make haste. Minato needs us!"

Musubi nods. "Right!"

As they motioned to take off, Tsukiumi caught something flying at them out of the corner of her eye. "Musubi look out!" she shouted tackling her out of the way of a...bladed disk.

The two look in the direction of its origin. Oriha and Kaiha had stirred.

"You won't be going anywhere." Kaiha said scraping her scissor blades one over the other.

"Did you really think a sneak attack like that would take us out for good?" Oriha asked astutely.

"Looks like we still have a fight on our hands, Tsukiumi."

"Damn this Higa."

Tsukiumi channeled her rage through the moisture in the air. In a visceral instant a barrage of waterbullets were sent hurtling towards the two remaining Sekirei. They sped away in a semicircle as the bullets flew past them...only for Oriha and Kaiha to be met with abig fat fist and knee to their face and gut respectively ala Musubi. The two collapsed in a heap. Their second and final wind was gone.

"We led them right into that one didn't we?" Musubi said.

"Indeed." Tsukiumi replied, jovially.

Musubi glared over at Tsukiumi. "I'm sure Matsu is hunting down Minato's location. We should join her upstairs."

"Indeed. It looks like we've played our part." Tsukiumi said. "It seems the rest must be left to fate. Oh Minato, please be safe."

XXXXXX

Therapy room

"Lets see...ah! You're new." the therapist exclaims, eyes set on the chubby bespectacled woman who was crying earlier. "What's your name?"

"Ehara, my name is Ehara Teruyo." She says, wiping away some tears with a piece of tissue paper.

"Are you okay, hun?"

"Yeah I'm fine...well no, I'm not."

"It's okay sweetie," Yoshihisa reassures her, gripping her hand tightly and giving light pats to her back. "You don't need to tell anyone anything your not ready to."

"No, I have to because this is important." she sniffs. "This whole thing is bigger than I am and I need to tell somebody."

"What would you like to share, hun? Take your time."

"Well, you see, four years ago I came out as a lesbian to my family. They didn't take very kindly to it because of religious reasons."

"That must have been very hard on you."

"No wait it gets worse. Not long after that, my brother...violated me, thinking it would somehow fix me. Fast forward to the present day, and now he and his fiancee are expecting their first child, and I don't know if the baby's going to be in danger or not!"

Following some shocked gasps, the entire room fell silent. Ehara hung her head and began to weep again. Yoshihisa embraced her tightly.

"It's okay sweetheart. I'm here for you. I'm here for you and I'm so proud of you."

"Oh mah god, I am so sowwy." Pete said with sincerity. He got up from his seat and approached the young woman. "I can't imagine what you must be goin' thwew. Is it okay if I hug you?"

The woman looked up at him with tears in her reddened eyes and nodded 'yes'.

He gently put his arms around her body, nuzzling his head between the crux of her shoulder and neck. Tears began to seep out from his eyes as well.

Maikeru raised his hand to speak. "Coming out about that was very brave of you. You didn't deserve what happened. I myself was also violated and victimized, but when I was really young. If you need anyone to speak to on the outside, just know you have a friend in me."

"Thank you. Thank you so much."

"And in me too." the quiet Matsui said speaking up for the first time in the group.

"In all of us." Morihei added.

Everyone in the group nodded at her statement.

"Thank you all so much. You have no idea what this means to me! To be accepted and cared about!"

"What do you feel in your opinion needs to be done about this situation with your brother and the child?" asked the therapist.

"Well, his fiancee doesn't know about what happened between me and him, and I'm afraid to tell her since my brother would likely hurt me. But all I care about right now is the child's safety. I'm going to be an aunt soon and I want what's best for him or her."

"I see. Right now though we need to focus on you though, here in the present. Did sharing your story help in any way."

"It feels like a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. I feel a lot better and I'm so grateful for all the support, but I'm still very concerned about the future."

"And it's okay to feel that way, dear."

"Thank you. I think-I think I'm done now. I feel less overwhelmed now."

"Okay." the therapist's eyes sweep over to Matsui. "Miss Kimie, how are we this evening?"

"Better." she says. "My heroin withdrawal symptoms are fading with each day. But I still crave."

"Do you think you need to go back to the detox ward?"

"Not at all. I've been preoccupying my mind with drawing and painting. It creates a high of its own."

"Is that so?"

"Mhm."

"The staff has told me of the wonderful art you make. You must have quite the imagination."

"Well, I wouldn't go that far. I wasn't good enough to go to art school. Daddy always said I wasn't smart enough for that."

"Well your father was a conceited dumbass then." Morihei spoke up. "I've seen your work and if he didn't see the value in it obviously didn't know what he was talking about."

"Don't speak ill of him! He may have been mean at times, but I still loved him. I cared for him until his dying day because no one else would!"

"And that meanness resulted in you having an inferiority complex. I hate to say it but love or no that man was bad for you."

"Kenta, may I please be excused?" Matsui said rising to her feet all tense in her extremities.

"Sure thing."

Morihei looked out the doorway as she passed the threshold and yelled, "You can't run away from confrontation and live in your little bubble forever hun!"

"Watch me!" she yelled back.

"I hope she's alright." Kazehana said aloud.

"She gets like this at times. It's gotten to the point where I gotta be a good mama bird and push her out of the nest so she can soar like an eagle."

"I'll go speak to her after we're done here." The therapist said. "Maikeru, you're the last person we haven't touched upon. Tell us, what's on your mind."

"Truth be told I've been holding in a lot during my life really." he began. "I just found it very very hard not only to get it into words, but finding the perfect words to accurately express it. I think I've found it."

"Oh, well lets hear it!" the therapist encouraged.

"You know, in my years of being in and out of these mental hospitals, people like to look at me and say, that man is so strong to go through so much, but he'll keep on truckin' cuz that's what he always does! Life won't ever become too much someday for him, no siree! He'll always be here!'

Yep keep on truckin'! My god if someone says that to me one more time I swear I'll run their ass over with a fucking semi!

These people telling me I'm such a great person and I'll find purpose and a special someone someday never come forward themselves. They may as well just be saying 'Don't worry, I'm sure you'll find love someday.' but in their mind be all, 'But it sure as fuck ain't gonna be me that's for damn sure! Fuck all that drama!' behind their breath.

They're so fucking two-faced it makes me want to put my fist through a wall! Like, if I'm so great and their opinion of me is so high, why not take pride, take a step forward and be the one that potentially contributes to saving my damn life? If I'm so awesome like they say, they'd throw themselves at the opportunity to become closer to me!

But they don't. They just leave me hanging and are all talk."

"So you're upset you haven't been able to find a girlfriend?"

"Not even that, just a date or something. Anything at this point really. I go to clubs, I swipe right on all the dating apps yet no interest comes my way. I'm in my mid forties and am in good financial standing, but all my life I've experienced long term dating failure. Plus it doesn't help that I have no family aside from toxic people I've since distanced myself from."

"From the sounds of things you need to work on your confidence, bro." Ejiri stated blankly.

"Confidence? Yeah, like I haven't heard that one before. Trust me if you grew up in an environment where you were not only bullied on the schoolyard and at home, but your own mother comes out and tells you she would have had an abortion if she knew she were pregnant at the time, you'd likely have some pretty big issues with self-confidence too, bro."

He gave a moment to let someone reply and when there was none, continued his story.

"My brain just won't allow any feeling of joy to last long. It's always bracing itself for impact if some unforeseen tragedy is about to occur. You know, as to lessen the blow for when or if it does happen? The few good memories I have are soon blotted out with a memory of something bad happening out of nowhere because my brain is conditioned to make me feel miserable all the damn time. Like I'll reminisce on the time I got this great job at MBI and paid off all my debts in full and how much relief I felt and then be blindsided out of nowhere by the time a high school bully spat in my face in the school bathroom and bruised my jaw. Or when I was unceremoniously let go from said job. Or when the promised third season of our anime didn't get made. My mind just refuses to heal."

"What do you think is the catalyst for the numbness of your joy in life." the therapist questioned as if to get to the root of it all. "There had to be a breaking point for you and I'd like you to look deep within yourself for it."

"Don't gotta look far. I've always known, really." she sighed. "I lost my grandmother to leukemia when I was very young. I was very close to her. And to make matters worse, I had family members attending the funeral telling me how much more traumatized they were than I was. That I didn't know what death was at that age and didn't understand it like I was some kind of invalid or retarded child. I got no consideration from any of the adults. Me, a 15-year-old kid who just witnessed beginning and end of the agonizingly slow transition of my grandmother going from her happy-go-lucky full health self to a shriveled up old prune on her death bed.

They weren't there! They knew nothing of how I felt! They didn't have to suffer! They caught the tail end her candle being snuffed and dared tell me how much more they loved her than I did! They didn't see the seizures! They didn't witness the legs swelling, the vomiting or her shitting herself because her body became too frail and weak to get up to go to the toilet. I saw it! All of it! And all the while I begged- PLEADED with her to go to the hospital! But she was in absolute denial. She told me "Maikeru, don't worry. I'm going to live forever!" and then died two weeks later!"

Kazehana felt her heart breaking. How she wished she could take back that slap she gave him knowing what she does now. She frowned and continued listening.

"And people wonder why I'm fucked up and isolated! Because the people who should have loved and supported me have done nothing but hurt and lie to me! Even as my grandmother lay in a coma my own mother of all people told me "Don't take this the wrong way, but if I knew I was pregnant with you at the time I probably would have had an abortion." Because that's really something I needed to fucking hear!

I just don't get it! My whole life I've been doing the right thing, trying to get myself on the right track with therapy and medications, getting a good job and working for MBI, never once doing illicit drugs or committing a crime, and for what? To see all these criminals such as rapists and drug dealers I've come to know in person and through hearsay throughout life get their own happy endings without doing a damn thing to earn it and in spite of how toxic they are to society? I know I'm not the scum of the earth like they are, but somehow me lacking confidence means I need to go on some never-ending quest of self-betterment if I'm to ever find love someday. Get the fuck out of here with that stick and carrot nonsense. Christ. I'm done."

After a brief moment of silence, the therapist spoke up. "That was very well articulated, Maikeru. It must have taken a lot of energy to reach down and get that out in the air."

"Yeah, well the years of loneliness gives one a lot of time to reflect on themselves."

"Would anyone like to share their thoughts on what Maikeru's said?"

A few hands raised among the group. Maikeru selected Morihei.

"Well," she began, putting her hand to her lap. "I'd wish you all the best but that's likely to just piss you off." A small chuckle was shared in the room. Even Maikeru smirked a bit. "But really, you do deserve someone. If I weren't a lesbian and in a relationship, I'd pounce on you right now. You've held out this long, plus you're cute so I'm sure you can make it."

Yoshihisa looked over at Morihei, fingers to her lips. "And you're not the only one who thinks he's cute!" she looked over at Maikeru, giving him a big Cheshire cat grin.

A big 'Ooooooooooooh' erupted in the room.

Maikeru's face flushed red, as did Yoshihisa's.

"Well, I'm flattered." he said.

"Come talk to me after group if you want. The door will be open."

As the 'oh's' grew louder, the power suddenly went out.

This immediately caused Kazehana to remember the plan. She'd been so engrossed in the group that she had almost forgotten about it.

'Damn, it's nightfall already?'

"Well I suppose that is a good of a note to end our weekly session as any." the therapist said, getting up from his seat. "In case I don't see some of you next week, I wish you all a successful journey to recovery."

He and his assistant gathered their things and walked out the door, the flow of patients following behind.

She approached Maikeru who was on his way to his room and put her arms around him. "I'm so sorry for all you've went through, Maikeru."

"It's alright, there's no way you could have known." he shrugged. "Felt good finally being able to articulate it all though. Now I might be able to move forward and not have it hold me back."

"Happy to hear it. By the way, since the power went out, I could use your help stationing that dummy I talked about in my bed."

"Don't worry, I'll cover for you."

"Oh hey Misumi, what are you doing rollin' up to my man like that?" Yoshihisa asked all flirtatiously, encircling her arms around Maikeru's.

"Oh nothing. It was nothing."

"Mhm, it better be." she turned attention to Maikeru. "Now, how about we get to know each other a little bit sweetheart?"

Maikeru couldn't help but keep the huge nervous smile off his face. He waved bye to Kazehana as they rounded the corner.

After that, Kazehana went to her designated room and took the nurse's outfit into the bathroom. Undoing the ribbon, she let her scrubs fall to the floor and exposed her flesh. She snapped the skirt around her waist and struggled to button the shirt around her voluptuous breasts. It was a few sizes too small for her so she had to leave all but the very bottom unbuttoned.

She looked at her tits in the mirror.

"Peachy."

XXXXXX

Uzume sat next to Minato on the floor, guarding him under direct order from Kakizaki. She flipped her phone open and closed out of boredom. Her expression was completely blank, almost defeated.

Minato's expression was of sour disappointment.

Kakizaki's phone started to vibrate in his pocket. He flipped it open and put it to his ear. "Yes, Kochou?"

"..."

"What do you mean there's been a blackout at the hospital?"

Uzume gasped and looked out one of the vents separating them from the outside. Sure enough, it went dark. She stood up and began stalking toward Kakizaki like a cat.

"..."

"The security systems are unresponsive? How? The Backup generators should have-ugh!"

Uzume lands a vicious chop to the back of Kakizaki's neck, his glasses flying off his face and clattering to the floor. His body collapses to its knees and then into an unconscious heap on the ground face first.

"I've been itching to do that for so long." Uzume says, satisfied with her handiwork. She turns her attention back to Minato, undoing her veil from his body. "You doing alright, champ?"

"Ha," Minato gives her a smirk. "Never better. Looks like things went all according to plan."

"Was there ever a doubt?" she smiled back with a big happy grin, offering her not-ashikabi a hand. He takes it and she pulls him to his feet...and to her face. Their lips brush together.

"Let's go do this and save her together."

XXXFlashbackXXX

Earlier in the day at Maison Izumo…

"So what did you call us all down here for?" asked Matsu, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Yeah, what's the matter, Uzume? It's really late." Minato said with a hint of concern in his voice

"Thou hast better have good reasoning behind interrupting my rest, Uzume!"

"Yeah, what she said!" Kusano shouted in a cute little sleepy rage.

Musubi said nothing and just clung to Minato's arm worriedly.

"Does it involve your Ashikabi?" Miya asked.

"Well, yes and no." Uzume began. "It involves all of us. You see, I got a call from Higa a few minutes ago. He's planning a surprise attack on the inn at sunset."

"What? Why would he do that?"

"Wait, it gets worse." she went on. "During the scuffle he wants me to kidnap you, Minato."

"Kidnap?!" said everyone, taken aback.

"Tis such a treacherous thing to do, and without reason at that." Tsukiumi mused. "Know this, Uzume, I will not allow such a thing to occur. Try anything and our fight will be your-"

"Relax, Tsukiumi. I have an idea."

The water sekirei crossed her arms. "Pray tell then, let's hear it."

Uzume crossed her legs and folded her hands on her lap. "Higa's completely unaware I told anybody about him blackmailing me, and he sure as hell doesn't realize I would be talking to you guys about what he now has in store. I see this as the perfect opportunity to get the jump on the man, take him off guard, and rescue Chiho all in one fell swoop."

"How are we going to do that though?" Musubi asked, her cowlick forming a question mark.

"Easy, we let them come to us thinking we're none the wiser. I'm going to need your trust for this next part so listen closely."

Everyone leaned in.

"I'm still going to 'kidnap' Minato and bring him to a warehouse by the hospital as Higa told me to do, but it will be all a ruse as you'll be distracting his Sekirei, giving me the perfect opportunity to slip into my Enma gear and get 'winged' by Chiho just outside the hospital. Higa won't have his strongest Sekirei guarding the place so all we'll need then is the go-ahead from Matsu when she has their security systems under her control."

"Wait wait wait, how do you even know when the hospital will lose power or when Kazehana gets Chiho up to speed with things about Enma?" Minato asked.

"Hikari and Hibiki have been able to keep in contact with me through their phones." Matsu said.

"Really? I thought the staff took them away?" Minato said confused.

"All they had to do was wait for someone to not be looking and fry a keypad with their powers. Then it was just a matter of slipping in and out. We've been up to speed with each other ever since. The job should be done by tonight and I'll be on standby."

"But what if you do get into a fight at Higa's hospital?" Musubi asked Uzume. "You'll be outnumbered."

"Trust me, after what I did Enma did to Toyotama they won't want none of this."

"Sorry to break this to you all," Miya chimed indiscreetly. "But violence at Maison Izumo is strictly prohibited."

"Tell that to Higa." Uzume replied. She got a ladle to the top of her dome-piece for that remark.

"But I'll allow it on two conditions. One, they have to be the offending party. And two…" she looks at Minato. "You are to become a man and defend the honor of your home."

"And what do you mean by that, Miya?"

"Why, a swift punt to Higa's twig and berries of course! Fufu"

His eyes widened. "Come again?!"

"You heard me, Minato." the mask came out at full blast, causing Minato to shrink several times his size. "Please don't let me down."

"Okay okay, you got it!" he said in a panic.

XXXFlashback EndXXX

Uzume slid the door shut in Kakizaki's face as he lay there tied up and gagged in her Veil, squirming and doing what would be considered shouting obscenities if it weren't for him being muffled.

"You know Minato, it'll take a little while before Kazehana lets Chiho in on what's gonna go down." she said teasefully and blushing.

"Y-yeah, it should," he uttered as she sandwiched his body between her own and the cold steel wall of the warehouse. "Hey, what are you-"

She puts a finger to his lips. "Hush...I can't deny how much I want you anymore." Her Veil flew backward, slowly but surely unraveling from her body until all her flesh was completely exposed. It was so beautiful, akin to the birth of an angel. "Impregnate me!"

A/N: Holy shit it's been years since I cranked out a chapter not only that was this long but in such a short time frame from my last.

I noticed from my last few chapters that the feedback from this story has steadily been dwindling, and I'm sure it has to do with the lack of consistent updates and meatier chapters.

Therefore, I put a lot of passion into this one, especially the therapy sequence which is based on several I've been a part of. I aired a lot of demons from my past out in them and it felt good to express it in a creative form. The hospital arc isn't as much of a self-insert as it is a life-insert.

So the ending. Oh boy, that ending. Next time we'll at long last get to see Minato and Uzume's finally grow closer than they ever have.

Hope you all enjoyed!