A/N: First a big thank you to Olive W.K. Twist/Great_OLAF5 for reaching out and helping to touch up the Tsukiumi dialogue. You've been a real help and I look forward to working with you more in the future.

Heart of Matters

"Oh kami, what happened to Natsuo?!" Chiho asked concernedly as she and the rest of her flock hurried along next to the staff and gurney containing the motionless Ashikabi.

"I don't know!" Benitsubasa exclaimed. "We were just talking then suddenly, he just fainted!"

"Vitals are dropping!" One of the nurses monitoring the equipment said urgently. "Somebody notify Minaka immediately!"

XxX-FLASHBACK-XxX

Chiho's apartment

Chiho and Uzume were cuddled up on the sofa beneath a warm blanket. They had just finished watching the touching finale of a television program and were about to smoke a bowl to celebrate when there was a knock at their door.

Uzume rolled her eyes and hopped off the couch. "Don't worry, I'll get it."

She opens the door and to her suspicion, Haihane was there with her Nintendo Switch.

"Hey," Haihane greeted plainly. "Is uh, is Chiho around to...hang...out?…" she looks up and sees Uzume's clearly deflated expression. She got the vibe she wasn't welcome immediately.

But Uzume dipped to the side and called out to Chiho. "Chiho, it's Haihane. She wants to play games with you again."

"Let her in!" Chiho chirped.

Uzume looked back at Haihane, who was giving her puppy-dog eyes. She rolled her own. "Have at it, I guess."

Chiho went to grab her Switch from beneath the coffee table as Haihane took her seat on the sofa. Uzume grabbed the bowl and lighter from off the table and inhaled the sweet sativa as the two geared up for their Monster Hunter adventure.

"Uzume, why don't you join us?" Chiho asked concernedly. "I know you have a Switch and this game, so please join in."

Uzume coughed out some smoke and looked away and out the window, eyes reddening from the THC flowing through her veins.

"I think I'll pass."

"Is something wrong? Should I go?" Haihane asked, feeling vulnerable.

"No, Haihane. Nothing's wrong. I just need to talk with Uzume about something. Sit tight. We'll be right back."

Chiho got up from the sofa, grabbed Uzume by the wrist and took her down the hallway past their guest room which happened to be occupied by Yashima at the moment. She knew she was a heavy sleeper and was unlikely to hear them.

"What are you doing Chiho? What's this about?"

"More like what are you doing? We have a guest and you're acting all passive-aggressive. What's wrong?"

"I just wanted to have my alone time with my Ashikabi. Things were getting really intimate for a second there before your friend stopped by. Again."

"Then you should have said something! Stop being so mopey, Haihane's a good girl and I'm sure you'll like her if you just-"

"No!" Uzume crossed her arms.

Chiho felt her heart drop to her stomach. "...Uzume."

She turned her back."...Just, have your fun. Okay?"

"I know what this is, Uzume. You can't fool me. You're jealous."

"Am I now?"

"Ever since that night with Benitsubasa, you've been more and more possessive of me!"

Uzume started to meltdown. "Because you're my Ashikabi, Chiho! My one and only! I don't want to share you! I don't wanna share you with anyone dammit! No one!"

As her first Sekirei came apart at the seams before her, Chiho immediately embraced Uzume as she started crumbling to her knees. She held her hand as she sobbed uncontrollably on her dress.

"Now now, there, there." Chiho said calmingly as she gave her Uzume pats on the back."

"I get it now. I finally get it."

"What's that, dear?"

"This pain I'm feeling, it's exactly what they felt."

"What who felt, Uzume?"

"Minato's girls. I invaded their space by pursuing him and made things complicated for them all."

"Don't say that hun. I asked you to find someone so it's my fault."

"I shouldn't have gone for Minato though…"

"Nonsense, Uzume. You asked Minato because you knew he was a good, trustworthy man. If not for him I would still be a hostage. You did good, don't doubt yourself, sweetheart."

Uzume wiped the remainder of her tears away with her fingers. "You really mean that?"

Chiho looked down at her and smiled. "Of course!"

"Then can you promise me to stop using your cursebreaker?"

Chiho placed a hand upon Uzume's head. "I wish I could say yes to that, but I'm afraid I can't."

"No? Why?"

"We're part of the Discipline Squad now, and I need to answer to Mr. Minaka. If he wants me to use the Cursebreaker on another Sekirei I need to commit to that. He is the reason I'm still alive after all."

Uzume frowned and looked away, but her chin was soon pulled back by Chiho to look at her.

"You're still very special to me, Uzume. You always will be. And while I may be building my own harem now no one will ever replace you. You'll always be my number one."

"R-Really? Mph!"

Chiho grabbed Uzume's face and pulled her in. Their lips locked and Uzume's wings ignited the hallway in a glittery tan glow.

XXXXXX

It was bright enough to seep through the crack of the guest room door and into Yashima's eyes. It caused her to stir from sleep and open her eyes to see the commotion through the crack of the door.

"True love. Such a beautiful thing."

She closed her eyes, turned over, and went back to sleep.

XXXXXX

The wings soon faded as their lips parted.

Uzume comes to her feet with the help of Chiho and says, "I guess I can learn to share if that's the case."

Chiho grins, "Now come on, let's grab your switch and play Monster Hunter together with Haihane!"

Uzume rubs her arm up and down, "Okay."

[Fade out/Fade in]

For the remainder of the evening, the three girls had their fair share of fun, gaming, drinking, and munching on the pizza they had since ordered.

Then it was bong time.

Chiho and Uzume took their hits first, while Haihane, albeit hesitant at first, eventually caved to the pressure of her peers.

Giggles were had. Lots and lots of giggles.

Uzume downed a beer in one go, crunched it in her hand, and slammed it on the table. "Yeah, that's the good stuff!" She immediately yawned afterward. "I'm going to sleep." She then collapsed face-first on a fluffy pillow on the sofa and was snoozing away within moments.

"Well, I guess she's out for the rest of the day." Haihane commented, peering over at her.

"She's just been under a lot of stress as of late."

"What's wrong with her?"

"She just doesn't like the idea of having to share me with other Sekirei it seems."

"I see, so that's why she looked so deflated when I showed up."

"I wouldn't worry about it. I had a good heart to heart with her earlier and she seems more open to the idea of sharing now."

"Is that so?" Haihane asked as she not-so-subtly scooted her bottom closer to Chiho. She lightly grabbed her hand.

"Um, Haihane?..."

"Do you remember when Minaka gave me the option of choosing to either stay with Natsuo or letting you use the cursebreaker on me?"

"Um, yeah?"

Haihane smiled and stared directly into her eyes. "I've made my decision."

"Wow, Haihane, I'm flattered. Are you sure about this?"

"Absolutely. It's not that I don't love Natsuo, it's just that I need intimacy, which is something I know he'll never provide me."

"You think I can give you that?"

"You already have. There's a warmth I feel when I'm around you, Chiho. I need that in my heart forever."

Chiho put a finger to Haihane's lips, making them pucker. She smiled warmly at her and said, "Say no more." She traced Haihane's face with her finger before cupping it in both palms and pulling her in to work her magic. Their lips met, and Haihane melted away as her wings unchained from the small of her back.

They didn't have much time to discuss the moment afterward though as soon after they heard Benitsubasa freaking out down the hall calling for help.

XxX-FLASHBACK END-XxX

MBI Emergency Room

"I see." Chiho went on. "So you think using the Cursebreaker on Haihane is what caused his cardiac arrest?"

Natsuo was laying on a hospital bed in a coma. A respirator strapped over his mouth stabilized his breathing and an IV pumped nutrients into his stomach. Everyone surrounded his bedside.

Benitsubasa nodded. "Yeah. While we were talking he mentioned not feeling right ever since he lost his connection to me. That he was hurting a lot. You remarking Haihane more than likely made his condition that much worse."

"Well this is just great," Uzume facepalmed. "Not only can my Ashikabi steal other people's Sekirei, but it can kill the Ashikabi of them as well. Goddamn, do Chiho's magical cuckolding powers of doom know no limits?"

"This isn't the time for jokes, Uzume. Someone almost died because of me."

"Don't look at it that way, Chiho." Haihane reassured her. "I was the one who insisted so it's mostly my fault. Besides, who could have predicted Natsuo would end up like this?"

Chiho sighed. "I guess you're right."

"Well, he's stable now." Yashima chimed in. "For the most part at least."

"Someone should tell Black about this immediately," Haihane commented.

"Do we even know where she is?" Benitsubasa thought aloud. "She's sure taking her sweet-ass time getting here."

"Last I heard she was guarding Minaka during a meeting." Haihane responded. "I doubt she could if she wanted to."

"Yeah, more than likely she just doesn't care." Uzume replied.

XXXXXX

Meanwhile at the meeting…

"Black, snap out of it, Black!" Minaka begged as he jostled Karasuba's shoulders. She was on the ground passed out for some time which caused quite a bit of unrest among the room's suits and ties. She just collapsed right in front of everyone, smacking head first off the table on the way down. Recess on the meeting was called until she was in proper hands. He had gotten a call from one of his nursing staff just prior to the incident happening, saying Natsuo had just had a heart attack. He knew what this meant. Karasuba must have crossed over with her Ashikabi.

Once the EMTs and Takami arrived however, she was beginning to show signs of life again. Her eyes opened, she came to her feet, and made her leave as if nothing happened.

"Karasuba, wait." Takami called out. "Where are you going?"

She paused then scoffed. "To find the one who just killed me."

XXXXXX

The Mall

After gathering at the Mall's atrium, Minato approached a stand to grab some maps for each of his girls as well as himself. He started handing them out, starting with Kusano and ending with Matsu who had her granny disguise on.

"Alright everyone," Minato began. "After everyone's found a gift for Chiho we'll all meet back here. Understood?"

"You got it, Minato!" everyone cheered at once.

"Great. Let's all meet back here in an hour. Tsukiumi, Kuu, you're both with me. Kazehana, Musubi, and Matsu, you go that direction."

"Why are we splitting up into groups instead of going separately again?" Kazehana asked, yawning and stretching her limbs.

"Because Kuu's a kid and Matsu has MBI chasing her. They can't be left alone. They'd be defenseless if a rival Sekirei finds them."

"Point taken. Well, let's go then."

Minato smiles. "Yeah, let's."

[Fade out/Fade in]

Matsu's group

"Okay, now let's see…" Matsu said, holding the map up. "Where to go first?"

As she adjusted her glasses to get a better look, Musubi leaned in rather invasively over her shoulder. "Oh, I know!" Musubi cheered. It seemed something caught her eye right away. "How about this cute little teddy bear shop!"

"Good choice, but why a stuffed animal?" Matsu asked.

"I don't know. Because they're cute I guess?"

"You know for some reason I feel a bear is quite fitting of you for some reason. Can't put my finger on it, but there's something there." Kazehana observed.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means let's go get that teddy bear!" Kazehana answered reassuringly.

"Ah look guys!" Musubi yelled, pointing at the sign in the toy shop's window. "We can build our own stuffed animals here too!"

"Okay, okay!" Matsu said through a hushed shout. "Don't need to be drawing attention to me. You know I'm on the lamb, right?"

"Matsu is on a lamb?" Musubi's stomach gurgles. "Oh great, now I want lamb chops."

XXXXXX

Minato's group

"Are you sure that's what you want to get Chiho, Kusano?"

"Yeah yeah!" she said gleefully as she jumped up and down in the air holding a flower hairpin. "It's really pretty! She'll love it!"

"Okay then Kuu, now hold it still for the lady so she can scan it."

"Okay!"

"Thanks hun." the female cashier said with a wide smile as she pulled the trigger of her scanner and bleeped the adorable little girl's item into the system. "Would that be all for today, sweetie?"

"That's all!" Kuu squeaked.

"Oh, she's so precious!" the cashier said with hearts beating in her eyes. She then turned to look at Tsukiumi. "I assume that you're the mother?"

Tsukiumi became a boiling hot thermometer of embarrassment. "Wh-whatever gave you that idea, ma'am?"

"Oh, I guess I was mistaken. Because you didn't have any items on you for the register I assumed you were his wife and the tyke here was your kid."

Did I say thermometer? I meant erupting volcano.

Minato waved his hands wildly. "No no no, it's not like that at all I swear-!"

"INDEED YOU ARE RIGHT MADAM I AM HIS WIFE AND THE CHILD HERE, LITTLE KUSANO, IS OURS!" Tsukiumi blurted out loud, causing the whole department to freeze and just...look.

Minato was glad he went earlier. If he didn't he would have just about soiled himself right about now.

XXXXXX

Matsu's group

"And...done!" Musubi exuberantly chirped as she sewed the final thread into her build-a-bear. It was the standard brown bear you could find anywhere, minus the Sekirei symbol on the toy's heart pillow as well as a kimono resembling her own. "How's it look?"

"Like a job well done! It looks just like you!" Matsu complimented.

"Really, you think so?!" Musubi excitedly responded.

"Of course!" Matsu clapped. "Good job!"

Musubi took a quick scan of the area surrounding them. Her cowlick blinked an exclamation point once she realized Kazehana wasn't with them. "Hey, where'd Kazehana go?"

"Sorry guys," the familiar voice rang out. "I saw this deal on expensive sake next door and couldn't pass up getting a bottle for our little Chiho."

"Just how expensive are we talking about?" Matsu asked Kazehana. "You do realize all our gifts are coming off Minato's payroll, right?"

"Oh, um, right. It wasn't too expensive, I swear." She hid the bottle and receipt behind her back.

Matsu's brows descended and her expression became serious. "Let me see that receipt."

"Thaaaat won't be necessary!" Kazehana started backing up and crinkling the small piece of paper up in her hands. Her heel catches a stray plushie on its fluffy belly and she slips, sending not only her but the bottle into the air.

"No!" Kazehana cries out as the bottle begins its descent.

Musubi leaped into action, grabbed the bottle and following a tuck and roll stuck the landing flawlessly.

"Wow, good job Musubi!" Kazehana congratulated. "That sake cost us nearly 15,000 yen."

"YOU SPENT HOW MUCH?!" Matsu yelled.

"Hey, better keep it down, Matsu." Kazehana instructed. "MBI is tailing you, after all."

"TAKE THE BOTTLE BACK RIGHT NOW!"

XXXXXX

Minato's group

"Please forgive my abrasiveness, Minato!" Tsukiumi cried tearfully on the bench in the photobooth. She bolted off out of the store almost immediately after she realized what she had done. They'd been there for the past ten minutes since her outburst in the general 100 yen store. Minato and Kuu have since been doing their best to calm her down. She kept the curtain closed as if to save dignity for herself after embarrassing the hell out of everyone with her.

"Alright already, Tsukiumi jeez! For the millionth time, I forgive you! Now, will you stop being difficult? A child is with us for kami's sake!"

"Thou really forgives me?"

"I've forgiven you for just about anything else you've done. This is nothing in comparison."

"Dost thou speak truth?" Tsukiumi sniffed.

"Of course!" He gets up and presents his hand.

She takes it and stands herself. "Thank you, dearest."

Minato felt a tug at the back of his shirt. "What is it, Kuu?"

"Onii-chan, is Tsukiumi really Kuu's mommy?"

"Of course not-." Tsukiumi hushed him with her hand over his mouth.

"Sorry Minato." Tsukiumi began, turning to Kusano. "I am if thou wishest me to be, Kusano."

Minato was about to say something but choked back his words. Somehow, he thought this might bring them closer together than ever. Who was he to rob them of that? So he just smiled and went along with it.

"Yeah," He softly spoke. "What she said."

Kuu jumped for joy. "Yay! I have a mommy now!" she jumped into Tsukiumi's arms and hugged her tight.

Tsukiumi returned the embrace and gave her some pats on the head. She was happy.

"So, Tsukiumi." Minato began. "Have you decided on a gift for Chiho yet?"

"Indeed I have," she replied. "I would like to get her a nice evening gown."

"Oh that sounds like a great idea for a gift! But how would you know what size she wears? Did you meet her without telling me?"

"We did, yes. Matsu and I met with her, Uzume, and one other Sekirei I can't seem to recall the name of."

"What for?"

"Matsu wanted to take a sample of Chiho's DNA to make a countermeasure for her Cursebreaker ability."

"Cursebreaker? Can't say I recall anything like that. Wait, this must be why Uzume called me freaking out the other day! Why didn't you tell me about this sooner?!"

"I'm afraid it was some selfishness on my part," Tsukiumi hung her head. "I didn't want their drama interfering in what was supposed to be our special day so I opted to wait until our date was over. But in my jubilance, it must have slipped my mind."

"I guess it couldn't be helped then." Minato sighed. "So what is this Cursebreaker?"

"From what I was told Chiho now has the ability to remark and steal away a Sekirei from their Ashikabi. She gained these powers through the surgery she needed to undergo to save her life. We don't know the full extent of it though and it's too early to tell whether or not it's dangerous. If it is, Uzume fears Minaka will use Chiho as some kind of game-altering super-weapon now that she's part of the Discipline Squad."

"That's terrible!"

"Indeed, but I have faith Matsu will pull through with developing some sort of immunity."

"Right. I trust in her ability too, Tsukiumi." He shook his head. "I'll give her a call after we finish our shopping. Speaking of which, how do you know Chiho's size after only meeting her once?"

Tsukiumi proudly flicked her hair back and did an 'ohoho' laugh, her mouth now resembling an upside-down triangle. "I have a keen eye for detail in regards to formal attire. When I met her with Matsu the other day I was immediately able to tell her measurements by a mere glance. Very petit she was."

There was a long, awkward pause.

"Oh um, really?" 'That sounded kinda creepy.'

"Yes." She nodded. "Come now, let us go. The Kimono shop should be just around the corner."

"You lead the way, Tsukiumi."

[Fade out/Fade in]

"Hmm, so Minato," Tsukiumi pondered aloud. "Which of these would look better on her, the sapphire blue, or the velvet red. Decisions…"

"I say go for the blue one." He answered. "It matches your water element and makes an immediate meaningful connection for the person receiving the gift."

"That's an interesting way of looking at it, alright so it is decided!"

"My wallet will be the one to make that call. Lemme have a look at the price tag."

He pulls at the shoulder of the kimono. 5000 yen.

"Well that's not too bad considering Ku's gift cost almost nothing. "Let's ring it up and meet up with the others."

"But Minato, do you not want to get thine own own gift?" Tsukiumi questioned.

"I already have one to give her. Have been holding onto it for a while now, actually."

"Now what could that be?" she asked inquisitively.

Minato winked. "That's a secret for now. You'll find out when everyone else does. At the party."

"Sounds thrilling! I can't wait to see what my wonderful husband has in mind for her."

"Me too!" Kuu squeaked.

[Fade out/Fade in]

Ten minutes later and everyone was gathered at the atrium again, their gifts all wrapped up with paper bows and frilly ribbons.

"So what did you guys end up getting?" Minato asked Matsu and her group.

"Musubi built a bear for Chiho!"

"I got a not all that expensive bottle of sake."

"I bought her a book on how to cultivate marijuana."

Minato spat out his mountain dew. "What?!"

"The spy cams I put in Chiho's apartment revealed she's quite the pothead. As is Uzume, but not quite to the extent."

"...What?!"

"Why? What did you guys get?"

"A dress."

"A cute hair clip."

"Hey, don't dodge me, Matsu!"

"Relax Minato, it's her medicine."

"That doesn't mean she should be growing it! Isn't that illegal without some kind of license or something?!"

"You make it sound like she's gonna get caught."

"She might!"

"I doubt Minaka is going to let one of his major players get arrested anytime soon. He'll turn the other cheek if he catches wind of it, I'm sure."

"Well, it is what it is, then I guess. Still don't think that's in her character though."

"You'd be surprised. Did you know the landlady has her own stash somewhere at the inn?"

"She does?!"

"Yep, right beside her bed is a trap door leading containing all sorts of flower and resin."

"I've never seen her smoke any of it! Plus that stuff smells! I would have known if she did!"

"She hasn't used it since Takehito died. It was one of their bonding activities. Even then you'd never know because she mainly kept it to her room and had an incense burning during the occasion to deal with the odor."

"I see. Glad to know all that. Thanks, Matsu."

"You should ask to smoke with her some time, Minato."

"I think I'll pass on that."

"Why not? I think it would be a good way of getting to know her!"

"I wonder who supplies her this stuff anyway? I mean I don't exactly see her going out of her way to meet some creep in a dark alley, know what I mean?"

"Believe it or not, it was Seo."

Minato's jaw dropped. "Are you for real?!"

"Yep, basically he knows a guy who knows a guy. Used to buy the stuff all the time for himself and Takehito, and through Takehito Miya started up and they've basically shared it ever since."

Minato's eyes may as well have been burning holes through his hands at this point. "My god, it all makes sense now! Miya putting up with his freeloading, the food begging, all of it! Not only was he Takehito's friend but also her pot dealer?!"

"Well I wouldn't call it dealing since he always gave it to Seo and her for free."

Minato shook his head. "Le-LeLet's just focus on Chiho's birthday coming up tomorrow, okay?"

"Yeah, that would be best. Welp, let's go home!"

In total, the items wound up costing Minato nearly his whole 20000 yen budget.

[Fade out/Fade in]

Maison Izumo

"Well you're home late." The landlady mused as Minato and his gaggle of Sekirei filed into her home. The sun was just about to set and she was bringing the piping hot tea set out from the kitchen and into the dining room. "Did you find everything alright?"

"Yeah, we're good." Minato answered. "Say who's the tea for?"

"We have guests actually. Come on in and meet them!"

In the dining room were Kagari as well as two people Minato hasn't met. He could tell one was a Sekirei though just by her looks, and she certainly didn't give off any threatening vibe.

"Ashikabi of the North. We've heard a lot about you. You're a living legend amongst Ashikabis now."

"Why thank you, I guess. And who might you be?"

"The name's Shigi Hakura, and this is my Sekirei, Kuno. Look, I'm not going to cut corners. We're here because we need your help."

A/N: I've been debating in my head whether or not to keep or throw out the whole 'Miya does pot' twist. At the time I wrote it I found it hilarious, but some others found it out of place. I can see where they're coming from but then again this story has always been experimental for me and I always strived to be different from the norm. Right now I'll keep it and see how well it goes over because I do have a plan in the future for said plot element. If it goes over poorly, well I can always retcon.