A/N: Just a side note, I literally finished the draft of this the day I got my drivers license. Never thought it could be done due to my epilepsy, but I did it and I couldn't be happier. Now onto the first part of this new story arc!

Feed the Flame: Part I

[Sekirei OST - Track 11]

The day at Teito Tower was for the most part uneventful. Well, minus the fact that a curveball was thrown into Minaka's Sekirei plan with the unexpected revival of the long-since-thought-dead Yume. While Chiho and the others went about their day as per usual, he had his science and medical team run all the tests they could on her, to ensure her authenticity.

"What's the prognosis?" Minaka asked Takami as he looked deeply at Yume, whom was suspended naked in one of the many 'pods' lined neatly in the center of the room. She was fully aware and still even had Karasuba's blade in her hand. She really was serious about not letting her have it back. Speaking of the Black Sekirei, she was there with him too, simply watching. Waiting.

"She's authentic." Takami snorted.

"Short, sweet, and to the point. I like it." he looked over to a scientist stationed at one of the consoles. "Drain the chamber."

The subordinate nodded their head and quickly input the commands. Moments later the fluid drained and the nude Sekirei stepped out upon the pod sliding open.

"Necromancy was a sin last I checked, Yume. It's good to have you back."

"It's nice to see you again too, Minaka. And you as well, Takami."

"Likewise, Yume." Takami eyed the blade in Yume's hand. "You're going to need to give that back at some point you know, right?"

"Oh I will." she replied, throwing the nodachi into the air and balancing the hilt on her index finger. She lets it fall to her side a moment later. "But it's best I keep it for now."

"This isn't a game, Yume. Karasuba needs her sword to maintain order in the plan, so give it back."

"If by order you mean bloodshed. Seriously, what has the S-Plan become?"

"S-Plan?" Minaka reiterated. "Oh right, you've been dead all this time since then. Tell you what? Get yourself dressed, grab a seat, and we'll tell you all about my game in all its glory!"

"Game? Just what are you going on about, Minaka?"

One eternity later.

"Unacceptable! Absolutely unacceptable!"

"Now Yume, please calm down!" Takami reasoned in futility.

"Like hell I will! When I was alive the S-Plan was just about passively studying the Sekirei, guarding, and then releasing them to the world to eventually find love."

"It still is!" Minaka argued all the while ducking and dodging the chair Yume had thrown across the room and at his face.

"With the added caveat of putting them to war with one another for your amusement! I'm done! Mark my words, 'Game Master', you will not get away with this. One way or another, you will atone for this farce!"

She got up, took Karasuba's sword, and stormed out.

"Yume, wait!" Minaka begged.

She slammed the door shut behind her. How it survived being slammed so hard was anybody's guess.

Minaka exhaled a mushroom. "Things just got a lot more complicated… Excellent! Hahaha!"

XXXXXX

MBI Emergency Room #105

Benitsubasa sat herself at the end of Natsuo's bed. Although he wasn't her Ashikabi anymore, she still felt the need to be close to him. He hadn't awoken since the incident, but what mattered most was that he was still breathing. She hoped she could talk to him soon, but he would likely be like this for a while. According to Miss Takami, he would be out of commission for at least a week.

She sighed. "This sucks."

The curtain was then whisked open. It was Haihane. "You know he's still gay, right?"

"That has nothing to do with why I'm here. And shouldn't you be gaming or something?"

"I was. Got bored, so I figured I would pester you for entertainment."

Benitsubasa growled. "Fuck off!"

"Whatever, Red. I'm gonna go eat something. Later."

She swiped the curtain back to allow them their privacy.

Benitsubasa waited until she could no longer hear Haihane's steps. She began to play with Natsuo's hair, twirling the tufts of his bangs with her fingers before hugging his head and kissing it.

"I miss you. Ashikabi or not, please don't let this be the end."

XXXXXX

Chiho's Apartment

"How does this look, Yashima?"

Chiho presented a mirror before her, and Yashima's eyes lit up at her new hairstyle. It consisted of two buns, one adorning the left and right of her head, as well as a cute hair clip for both of them to hold it all together.

She squeezed the two buns on her head like they were boobies. "It looks amazing! Thank you Chiho!"

"Don't sweat it, sweetie!"

"You know, when I was with Junichi, we never did anything like this."

"No?"

"Nope, he was always so controlling, never let me have my freedoms or even friends for that matter."

"Why's that?"

"According to him, he was all I needed." She sighed. "I believed him."

"What for?"

Yashima shook her head. "He was all I knew. It's strange, but ever since I came in contact with you, I'm finally able to see the world for what it is. It's so much...wider now that I'm free."

"That's wonderful, Yashima!"

"Just promise me one thing?"

"Oh, and what's that?"

"Promise not to break my heart."

"Consider it done."

Yashima glomps her in a tight hug and it's quickly returned. "Thank you, Chiho!"

"Hehe, don't mention it."

"Hey, lovebirds." Uzume calls out from the bathroom. She had just gotten done taking a shower and was stepping into the living room adorning two towels; one on her head, and the other around her breasts and naughty bits. "Don't forget, I'm next!"

Yashima leaped out of the chair and brushed herself off. "All yours, Uzume."

Just as Uzume was about to have a seat, however, she heard her phone going off on the kitchen island, causing the bowl of fruit on it to shake subtly. The ringtone was Minato's. "Oh, let me get that." She said as she went to retrieve it. She pressed the button and put it to her ear. "Miss me already?"

"Uzume, we may have a big, big problem on our hands."

"Why? What's up, Minato?"

XXXXXX

Earlier in the day at Maison Isumo…

"Come at me again!" The landlady shouted.

"But it's raining and my muscles are sore!" Kuno whined as the rain cascaded down the form-fitting two-piece gym uniform and drenched her.

"Do you not want to protect your Ashikabi?" Miya inquired as a bolt of lightning lit up the sky off in the distance.

"I…" Kuno began as she gasped for breath with a hand to her heart. "Of course I do!"

Miya planted her feet as she strengthened her stance. "Then once more, follow through."

Kuno did as ordered and put all her effort into throwing a right hook at Miya, who easily dodged it by taking a slight step to the side. The landlady bonks her on the noodle with the tap of her blade's hilt. Kuno fell like a comical ton of lego bricks following this.

Haruka hopped up from the shouji door opening he was using as a seat and sprinted to Kuno's side. He held her exhausted body in his arms like The Pieta. He wipes the mud from her eyes and they slowly start to open.

"I'm sorry for being so useless, Haruka." she murmured, tearfully.

"Don't say that, Kuno." He said. "You did good out there, sport."

"Th-thank you, Haruka."

"Indeed." Miya said, looming over them both. Her hannya mask sprouted over her shoulder. "But let's not get overly dramatic and touchy-feely out here in the rain, okay? Let's get inside."

The pair nodded at her demand as their blood ran colder than the rain.

"Let's clean ourselves up…" Haruka choked as he helped his Sekirei onto her feet. She held onto him for support as they entered the inn and made their way towards the bath.

The front door opened not long after, signaling the return of Minato and his gaggle of Sekirei.

The landlady turned her head to greet them. "Welcome back, everyone. How were the festivities?"

"Hi, Miya." Minato began as he went to hang up his jacket. "Let's just say things were...interesting."

"Oh my, what happened?" Miya asked with concern blazing in her eyes.

"The party was great, up until Karasuba reared her ugly head." Kazehana said as she stretched and yawned.

"Oh my, none of you are hurt are you?"

"Nah, we're good," She replied. "Well, maybe except for Musubi. She probably lost a few pounds thanks to Chiho."

"I see, so that's what I've been sensing missing the moment you all stepped foot in my inn."

"What do you mean?" Minato questioned.

"Yume's been freed, hasn't she?"

Everyone was taken aback and just stood silently for a good moment before Miya spoke again.

"I think this calls for a house meeting. Everyone to the dining room!" she ordered.

And they just went along with it because they had no say in the matter and wouldn't dare cross her.

XXXXXX

Kagari tossed his used dry off towel into the hamper as he made his way from the restroom down through the main hallway. He had just taken a shower and was on his way to work when in the corner of his eye he spotted the others having a discussion in the dining room. He felt his heart thump loudly the moment he saw Minato. It piqued his interest enough for him to slyly put his back to the wall and eavesdrop...

XXXXXX

"This is problematic." The landlady surmised, taking a sip of her tea.

Minato leaned forward, and as did all his Sekirei. "How so?"

"If that creature's Ashikabi is in the state he's in and it's also affecting her, just think of all the chaos that will bring to Minaka's game if anyone on the outside finds out. Everyone would take the opportunity to dip out of Shinto Teito and never come back to see the Sekirei Plan through."

"But Karasuba is only one member of the Discipline Squad." Tsukiumi spoke up. "Are the others alone not enough to rouse fear towards defection?"

"The Black Sekirei is a legend all on her own." Kazehana replied. "If word gets out something got the better of her it will cause enough of a ruckus for at least some lives to be lost. People will try to risk it even with the danger of the others looming."

XXXXXX

"So Minaka's guard dog isn't feeling so well, huh?" Kagari surmised. "I see. I'll keep a mental note of this. Soon Minaka. Soon I will make you burn!"

XXXXXX

"Not if Yume has anything to say about it." Matsu said, adjusting her glasses. "With her return the game has been turned on its head. She'll likely try keeping the squad in line to minimize bloodshed all the while keeping as much peace as possible within Chiho's little bubble."

"I don't know, Matsu." Minato sighed. "She's a wildcard in all this."

"She's the reason Chiho wasn't hurt though, so that has to count for something, right?" Musubi answered.

"Of course it does, Musubi. It's just that things are rocky at the moment. Everyone's on edge and no one knows what to expect next."

Then, as if on cue, Minaka's face interrupted the party on the television screen.

Minato deflated. "Perfect. Just perfect."

"Greetings and good tidings to all participants of my Sekirei Plan. I hope all has been well for you."

"Here we go…"

XXXXXX

Just as Kagari prepared to remove himself from the wall and continue on his way, he leant back against it, more inquisitive than ever to hear the madman's words, curiosity glinting in his eye. He was so fixated on the conversation that he failed to realize his chest was becoming more...feminine.

XXXXXX

"Given some rather...unexpected developments in the Sekirei Plan, I've decided to expedite things along to the third stage. However, in order for this to occur, the last Sekirei must be winged! The final feather lies to the North of the city! First come, first served! But be careful not to get burned! Hahahaha!"

XXXXXX

"That son of a bitch!" Kagari shouted uncontrollably. Everyone gawked at him for jumping down their throats so suddenly.

"Wh-what's wrong, Kagari?" Minato asked unknowingly.

With his cover blown, he tried to duck out. "Er, nothing. Just don't mind me. I need to rest for a bit."

"Isn't this usually the time you go to work though?" Minato asked.

"Minato don't!" Matsu begged all too late to catch him mid sentence.

"I'm taking the day off!" Kagari spat. He turned around and felt his chest. Yep, boobs were there. "I'm going to my room."

He then storms off down the hallway and to his room, but not before bumping into Yukari who herself had just gotten home following work and a lengthy job search because she hated the one she currently had. He shouldered right past her and up the steps without even saying sorry.

"The hell is his problem?" She wondered aloud before continuing on her way to grab a snack from the kitchen. "And did I feel boobs there for a second? Weirdo."

XXXXXX

A multitude of several chimes emanate from Kagari's cell phone. He scrolled through a list of caller ID numbers, all from the same person; Takami Sahashi.

He takes a seat on his queen-sized mattress and calls her back. The dial tone didn't repeat even once before Takami answered.

"I assume you were trying to warn me about what just happened for the last hour?"

"Indeed. Stay where you are, Homura. You're safe at Maizon Isumo."

"I don't need protecting, Takami. In fact I'm the last person you should be worried about. I know about Karasuba and I plan to take full advantage of it. Minaka dies tonight. Goodbye."

"Wait, Homura! Homura, please listen to me! You can't-!"

*Click*

Following a heavy sigh, Homura hears a knock at his door.

"Who is it, what do you want?"

"It's Minato. I just want to talk. Is that alright with you?"

"What's there to talk about?"

"Look, I know what's going on. You're a Sekirei. Matsu told us all about it when you stormed off."

"And?"

"And I want you to know that we're here for you. All of us. Even Tsukiumi, who's throwing a tantrum as we speak. We all value you in one way or another, so please come out and talk to us, eye to eye."

"There is nothing to talk about, Minato. Just leave me be. I don't need your help, or your sympathy!"

Homura then leaped out his opened window, leaving his cell phone behind and MBI tower in his foresight.

After a while had passed, Minato managed to shoulder his way through the poorly locked door. The moment he did so, the phone on the bed rang again. He picked it up and was surprised to hear the voice of his mother of all people.

"Homura! Homura! Thank god you answered!"

"Mom?!"

"Minato? What are you doing in possession of Kagari's phone?! What happened? Where is he?!"

"Easy, mom, one question at a time. He literally just left a moment ago."

"This is very important, Minato. Kagari can't be outside right now. Every Ashikabi in the city is looking for him."

"He's the final feather, as I've since deduced. Where do you think he's gone?"

"On a suicide mission to take down Minaka or die trying…"

XXXXXX

Meanwhile, across the city in a super secret lair because matters simply couldn't get any fucking worse, right?...

[Sekirei OST - Track 08]

"So what's this all about?" Mikogami squeaked as he tried to sound manly and threatening and failing, obviously.

"Yeah, what's the deal? Why'd you drag us out here all mysteriously and shit?" Sanada Nishi demanded.

Both Ashikabi had their flocks with them. While Mikogami's was standing at attention to defend their master, Sanada's on the other hand were...less than cooperative. Kuzuri, Kujika, and Shijime were squatting on the floor playing jacks of all things and could care less about what was about to be discussed.

"I'm glad you both were able to make it." The man before them replied. He was seated before his desk with his back turned to both of the Ashikabis in the room with him. He swiveled around in his chair, Dr. Evil style, and leaned forward. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kakizaki, and I've gathered you here today to offer the opportunity to forge an alliance."

"An alliance?" Sanada reiterated.

"For what exactly?" Mikogami added.

"Don't play dumb," Kakizaki replied, wiping off his glasses with a cloth pulled from his jacket pocket. "You both know of the fate that fell my employer Higa Izumi and all of his Sekirei. The North wiped them out and Higa hasn't been seen or heard of since. And to make matters worse they seem to have gained favor with the Discipline Squad."

"Gained favor with them? Like what do you mean?"

Kakizaki glances at his Sekirei, Kochou, and simply nods.

She bows her head. "As you wish."

She throws a folder filled to the brim with photos onto the desk.

Sanada opens it and both he and Mikogami find a plethora of intimate moments between Chiho, Minato, and their collective of Sekirei inside. All candid.

"Well this isn't creepy at all…" Sanada cackled, picking one of them up.

Kochou looked away instinctively as a slight redness flushed her cheeks. Was she ogling the photographs just then?

"Hey, isn't that the new Ashikabi of the Discipline Squad?" Mikogami asked, looking through the multitude of high-quality images.

"Yeah, the one who can steal someone's Sekirei away?" Sanada added.

"That's right." Kakizaki said, folding his hands one over the other on his desk. "And according to Kochou, the girl has already remarked several Sekirei in the span of just a week. Two of which were Benitsubasa and Haihane of the Discipline Squad."

"What?! That's insane!" Sanada screeched.

"I'm afraid it's true." Akitsu said, downtrodden.

"And how would you know anything about it?!" Mikogami yelled impishly.

"I'm reacting to her, remember?"

"Oh, right. My bad."

"No offense Kakizaki, but what do you have to gain from allying with us?" Sanada questioned. "Even after the threat is dealt with you still have only one Sekirei and from the looks of things fighting isn't her specialty."

Kakizaki leant back in his seat and crossed his legs. "Fact of the matter is that unless we all join forces now, our chances of winning Minaka's game will become practically zero. Furthermore for me this isn't about winning Minaka's silly game."

"Then what is it about?"

"Revenge!" Kakizaki slammed his hands on the table and stood up suddenly with anger stretching his tendons. "I will not forgive those two perverts for tying me up and leaving me for dead all the while going at it like wild rabbits in the next room! If it wasn't for Kochou finding me days later I could have starved!"

"And boy, did he thank me…" Kochou lustilly tittered while her thighs got noticeably weaker, getting lost in what must have been a fantasy drunk on love nectar.

Kakizaki took some deep meditative breaths and let himself slide back into his seat. "Easy now, Kochou. There will be plenty of time for cookie and nookie later."

"R-right. E-excuse me!" she crept back behind the chair shyly before her thoughts became too overwhelmingly naughty.

Kakizaki continued where he left off. "So what I'm suggesting is that the three of us, South, East, and West, unify until this threat is taken care of."

"Not to object, but wouldn't that just put more eyes on us?" Sanada questioned.

"Yeah, how exactly will we coordinate ourselves?"

"Carefully of course." Kakizaki replied. "If we're going to take action, however, it best be soon. Chiho is getting stronger day by day with every Sekirei she remarks and, according to my other sources, The Black Sekirei's Ashikabi is in poor health and it's having an adverse effect on her. With Karasuba out of the picture for the time being we must make haste."

"Agreed." Mikogami nodded snidely. "But I need to ask something; why can't Sanada and I team up and leave you out of it. I mean it's not like you have the numbers advantage here."

"True, but what I do have is the only other brain-type Sekirei out there other than #02. Without Kochou to coordinate our movements, both her and Minaka would easily see us all coming. Like it or not, you'll need me for this."

"I guess that makes sense." Sanada exhaled. "So when do we move out? I assume you already developed a plan?"

"Leave it to me." Kakizaki grinned. "Kochou? It's time for us to work our magic."

"Y-yes, master Kakizaki." She submits to his calling, coming back from behind the chair. Their lips meet, her wings emerge.

Akitsu's eyes drift downward and to the side as the thoughts of Chiho murmured behind them. "I guess I have to choose a side now, don't I?"

A/N: I would like to thank fellow writer Ikrani for being a goldmine of influence when it came to writing this out. The alliance idea was his in fact and I feel it will lead to great things later on down the line. We've had our differences before, but I'm glad we were able to talk things out. So thank you.