IS and Sekirei Brave new world

by Kerlongsj Evert Orlejov

Request fic. Minato believed that when the Sekirei plan came to an end, his troubles would be over and his life could finally begin. Turns out, the world moves on, boy. Best you do too. His past, among others, is catching up to him and he has to look out for an old friend. Ichika Orimura didn't ask to be sent into an insane school and his single lifeline is an old friend.

12. Ghost of the Navigator

Hey guys. It's been a while, but I had a lot on my plate in the last weeks.

One big thank you for SetsunaRay for his support in this chapter. While I don't agree with every bit, his ideas and suggestions are a real big help. Not just here but on large parts of my story. He also wrote a few bits in this chapter.

Another big thank you goes to Phen0m20 for the shoutout on his fic, A Veil Of Passion. Thank you, man.

One of you guys who were very kind to leave me a more extensive review and told me about the fact that between Ichika and Minato, you got a considerable contrast.

Well, Jackie. In this one, you can really have it. The contrast couldn't be greater between Ichika and Minato.

I have one question for one reviewer who has also not contacted me again. Dracus6.

Dude, what do you want from me?

The only thing I read is a Goblin Slayer Fanfiction with a harem. All nice and good but can I have more information? Thank you.

And for all of you, who will start reading this chapter, get comfy cause this is going to take a good while to get it all out.

Take my heart and set it free

Carried forward by the waves

Nowhere left to run, navigator's son

Chasing rainbows all my days

---

Minato hadn't been too sure of leaving the place now, but he was right. By looking after Ichika, he had been neglecting his Sekirei, and he wasn't ready to do that. So when he hopped on the train, he was making sure that his true 'wife' had been happy.

Instead of her usual clothes, Tsukiumi wore a blue sundress. It had a beautiful accent in her eyes. She wore sandals as a touch and a summer hat.

White and stylish.

Chiho had been a big help on that. She had been turning heads ever since that they walked down. For some reason, the other Sekirei had some amount of lust in their bodies, and it was no surprise that Chiho, Uzume, and Kazehana hung out in their own terms.

But that was for another time.

Musubi would look after Kusano in the meantime.

With the way the Miko Sekirei was, Matsu was sure that the Sekirei would be a great mother.

All of them would be great mothers.

On the train, they had to be for a good while. From Tokyo or Shinto Teito, as it was called now, it would be about six hours before they would end up in Okinawa. Tsukiumi liked that place, and she had packed like Minato.

Leaving in the crack of dawn, the place was quiet. Minato was used to the early rise, and he bit through the sting of it.

They'd catch their breakfast later.

Tsukiumi had fallen asleep with her head on his shoulder. She had grown softer, and Minato had not packed condoms. Like the Sekirei, they were more than ready to have their kids. They wouldn't wait until Minato was ready.

After all, it was their bodies who would conceive their child. They certainly could help it.

In the long shot, it didn't matter cause Minato didn't have sex with Tsukiumi for a good while. The Water Maiden was thirsty for her Ashikabi's touch, and she would make the most of it.

Minato knew when he had to change his route.

In Kagoshima Chūō Station they had to change their train. Minato wasn't happy to be in what some called the Naples of the Eastern World, but afterward, they could pass to Hakata Station. It might take them some time, but hey, it was worth it eventually. So far, Tsukiumi slept, and he was mesmerized by her sleeping face.

Cute and incredibly beautiful. It was so easy to kiss her when she was sleeping in this position. He didn't hesitate and did that.

She didn't wake up, but the smile made clear she felt it. And following her example, Minato fell asleep on her shoulder. He was tired, too, and he could use every bit.

Nothing better than to fall asleep on a train.

Unless you wakened up when you had to get off.

Minato's eyes drowsily changed to the sign, and he had to take a double-take when he saw that they had landed at their location. In Kagoshima Chūō Station, they had arrived.

"Tsukiumi, hey, Tsukiumi. Wake up." Fluttering her eyes, she looked up at Minato.

"Minato, what is the matter?" She asked in a cute tone as she wasn't sure what was going on.

"We have arrived. I think we better change our station." When she looked beyond her Ashikabi, Minato felt the pressure of her tits on him, and she couldn't help but be shocked.

"Indeed. Let us leave."

Packed light, they grabbed their bags and hasted themselves of the train. She and Minato were out the train. The early wake up gave them a good reason to exercise.

Going over to line 14, they were happy to see that their train had some delay.

Their growling stomachs agreed with that, and both opened the lunch she had packed.

"Itadakimasu." Both said as they started eating. The morning rush was getting loose but luckily for them, mostly on other trains. Minato had always enjoyed it.

City life attracted him, and he liked that. But he was being crushed in trains, much less.

So when he and Tsukiumi entered, the train was not empty, but they had no problem finding a place to sit down.

"And we can swim and see stuff and do games and have fun and." Tsukiumi had now fully wakened up and talked with Minato about all she would do with him.

It was the other Sekirei around cause they would exploit the hell out of this show, and they wouldn't stop at anything.

Kusano and Musubi included.

Minato had a good idea of calming her down.

"Easy there, Tsukiumi. We can't have too much fun on the beach." She looked at him in wonder.

"How would we have the energy for having fun in the night? Unless you just want to sleep." Her blush was adorable, and Minato hurried to put the girl in his lap. She was so lovely to tease.

"And I don't want to do it on the beach." She stiffened when he said.

"That would be shameless." Minato smiled at her.

"Indeed, it would be."

They just sat there in silence. Enjoying each other company and they were just happy with how they felt.

"Well, look who we got here." Turning to a familiar voice, Minato looked in the eyes of Shigi Haruka. A former Ronin like him and now a student on Todai.

And like Minato an Ashikabi.

Kuno, the Song Bird Sekirei. The shy girl hid behind her Ashikabi.

"Hey, Shigi. Kuno." Minato told the two. Tsukiumi bowed down to the two.

Kuno returned the favor as the two looked at them.

"What are you guys doing here?" Shigi asked the guy who saved his life so many times over the back at the game.

"Going to the beach and given your outfit, I suppose you guys are doing the same thing." Shigi nodded on the question.

"In any case, Minato. Do thee mind if we take a seat? It is more fun traveling in the company." Half of Minato wanted to reject the offer as they had their fun, but if Shigi was around, at least, that was a guy who he knew. Turning to the lady on hand, Tsukiumi nodded as the shy Sekirei, Kuno, joined them.

"Be my guest." Shigi threw the bags on the top and sat down while Kuno took a seat, opposite to Tsukiumi. When he sat down, Minato threw his arm around her shoulder while Kuno laid down on his lap.

"So a break for you, too?" The question was up in the air.

"Indeed, it was time my husband made time for me to enjoy his duties." The answer was making Minato blush as Kuno couldn't help but giggle.

She and Shigi were a whole lot looser on that aspect. Because neither were stuck on the rule, both of them had been in each other.

Then again, Shigi had only one Sekirei. Not that he minded. Kuno was a handful already.

"Well, look who the cat dragged in." A third familiar voice spoke, and it looks like coincidences existed.

"Oosumi. Has that been a while." Shigi said as it was funny to see the Ashikabi standing who winged the Sekirei that Musubi often saw as her sister.

Kaho didn't wear her usual yukata, which would make her stand out but wore human clothes. A couple of blue shorts and a white shirt.

Minato wondered how this guy managed to do that. Musubi didn't want to remove her own Miko outfit that easily.

She did it, of course, but most of the time, she wore just that. Oosumi wore a black shirt but had forgone his jeans in favor of green Bermuda shorts.

"So we're not the only ones, what did I tell you, Kaho?" The Sekirei sighed as her husband commented.

Why did she agree on that? She would be sure to feel it tomorrow.

"Hey, Minato." The third Ashikabi greeted the Northern Ashikabi. They had been friends, and on a few occasions, they hung out on the inn.

It'd been a good while since they were gathered there.

The last time was when Kaho and Oosumi were married, and they held the party there.

It was not just Minato and his flock. Shigi and Kuno, Takano and Namiji, Jin and Yashima, Yukari and Shiina, and even Seo and his twin Sekirei with their four sons and Takami.

Had that been a lively party? They had their fun, sure. They stayed over, and all the 'younger' guys agreed that alcohol was no good idea. They stayed over and slept where it was most comfortable.

Not that they had sex as they were all too tired for that with the notable exception of Kaho and Oosumi, who were allowed because they were married by human custom.

Kaho came out with a twinkle and spring in her step while Oosumi was beaming. The guys didn't ask, but Jin couldn't help but chuckle on how Minato handled all those girls.

He had been the one with the body that followed, given his demanding day to day job.

But it indeed has been a good while.

"Oosumi. Take a seat." Minato offered as the guy threw his bag up, and they sat down. It was a hell of a surprise.

"So, you guys are going to the beach as well?" Oosumi asked as the two couples chuckled. Kaho put herself on the lap of the guy as she shyly smiled. Looking around, she was surprised not to see the others.

"Don't look for them, Kaho. It's just me and Minato for this trip. The rest stayed at home." They had been on the beach one time. Kaho sighed.

"That's a pity." She admitted hoping to see her rival again. But she wasn't sad about it.

Now, she was here with her Ashikabi going to the beach, and they had already found some familiar faces.

"Don't worry about it, you guys are always welcome, but it's been some time. Something came up, Oosumi?"

The guy chuckled as he kissed the neck of his wife.

"Life. We can all attest to that."

"Agreed." A chorus came out, and the group sat down with just some small talk on how their lives went by and how things worked.

Oosumi had let Kaho move in like before, and Shigi had moved with Kuno. Around half of the day, the girls grew hungry, so it was up for the Ashikabi's to look for food.

After they got up, Shigi turned to the two.

When they were well out of earshot.

"Guys. I'm just wondering but for this trip. What is your main goal?" Minato and Oosumi shared a look.

"I think we have the same goal in mind," Oosumi admitted, and it has been a while since he had right, prolonged fun with his wife.

"About that. On the beach, we go separate ways." Minato asked, and the three agreed.

Sure, they were friends, but sometimes, a guy wanted to be alone with his lover.

They came back with some coffee and pastries. None of the Sekirei minded the food, and they ate and talked.

When they got off the train, they collected their luggage and went for the hotel.

Staying in the same place, a simple bedroom with a bathroom, it was simple and decent. Enough for what they had all in mind. Just to stay here for sleeping, maybe taking it easy and the most important thing.

The two shared a look when they saw the bed where they would have their fun.

They didn't have to worry about the neighbors.

For those were Kuno and Shigi on the left and Kaho and Oosumi. They would do the same thing.

After that, Minato and Tsukiumi went to the Sekirei's favorite place. She loved staying on the beach. Her natural element was here in abundance, and she could recharge in this place.

They did have to change their clothes though on the place, so when Minato was ready, he found himself a spot where they could stay. Just two towels with a parasol and he waited till his Sekirei was ready.

Oosumi and Shigi gave him a nod while they found themselves in different places.

Kaho wore a black one-piece, which was close to a sport swimsuit while Kuno had chosen for a white that hid plenty of her modesty.

The Northern Ashikabi could only wait till he heard Tsukiumi cough.

"Minato, I am ready." He turned around, and that was the effect that Chiho told her about.

Minato's mouth had dropped open. He looked at the black bikini that his Water Sekirei was wearing and damn, did she pull it off like a queen.

While all they all look sexy as hell and beautiful to look at, Tsukiumi wore the stuff as usual, but unlike her typical hairstyle, she was wearing her hair in twin ponytails, which besides sexy gave her so much more of cuteness.

She had worn the same style when they had that mud fight. It was something he enjoyed watching.

He was just dressed in dark swimsuit trunks, and some bits of him wanted to drag her along and fuck her brains out right now.

"Minato. How do I look?" She asked shyly. God, her dere broke through, which made her so much more appealing.

"You want my honest opinion, Tsukiumi?" She nodded with her eyes a bit down, not hoping for disapproval but prepared for it.

"Yes. I want to hear from my Ashikabi what he thinks of me.

When he licked his lips to feel how dry they were, he spoke again.

"You look so sexy right now and so cute." He said, and the blush on her face made it so much more worth it.

His face was a red light as well if Tsukiumi could have a say about it.

"Thank you." She sat down next to him.

They just wanted to warm up a bit before they went into the water. So they sat there at the beach. They sat close to each other in a comfortable way and not bothered at all.

You get used to the stares when you're dating a race of super hot aliens.

"Hey, Tsukiumi? May I ask you something?" Turning to her Ashikabi, she nodded while pecking his cheek.

"You can ask me anything, my Ashikabi." He smiled at her and returned the favor.

"Who gave you the idea of doing your hair in those twin tails? And the whole other thing." He asked despite his suspicions of who caused it.

"Chiho has asked me to do it like this." Smirking, Minato shook his head. He should have known — that clever little minx of an Ashikabi.

He'd enjoy going at her later. But for now, he was here with his tsundere. He just sat down with her on the beach. They were oblivious to the stares they got.

Shigi and his Sekirei Kuno looked at the whole scene with amusement on how the human girls ripped their boys a new one.

From the opposite, Shigi shared a look with Oosumi. The guy had Kaho in his lap. Both Ashikabi couldn't help but grin.

Kuno and Kaho were both beautiful girls, but they were happy that none of them got attention with Tsukiumi around.

What they found even more amusing was the fact that Minato and Tsukiumi were so oblivious to the whole interaction of it.

So when they turned to their Ashikabi, Kuno to Haruka, and Oosumi with Kaho, both Sekirei planted a kiss on the lips of their Ashikabi. Cause the good thing was that they could make out with your lover when the attention was not on you.

Kuno and Haruka released each other for breathers and kissed shortly and quickly. More often than not, their lips met other places. Not that either minded that interaction.

Kaho was now taking her Ashikabi tongue in her mouth, moaning at it when she couldn't help but enjoy the touch of his arms on her hips. They were there and didn't go anywhere else.

It was not just Sekirei who enjoyed the show they got. A couple of familiar faces were looking from afar on a table.

A couple of a guy in his early teens, maybe just passed the age of fifteen with his girl looked from afar. The girl wore a white bikini that hid plenty of her modesty. The guy looked at the party, going to the beach.

The guy had a darker skin of living in the south. "Happens a lot in this place?" His companion had fairer skin, and her long, purple hair didn't touch the floor.

The guy could only grin. "You don't want to know how much it happens here. But." He turned to the girl in front of him. "I don't see a reason why I should look at her. While I got you."

The girl blushed while a whistle came from behind the guy.

"Smooth." A laugh came out when four bachelors just sat down and continued their card game. They snuck glances to the girl but weren't going to make passes on her.

You had to be idiots not to see that the girl was a Sekirei.

Someplace away, an older guy laid on the beach, his eyes closed and his ears tuned to the sound of the waves.

Some would call this bliss. He called it heavenly.

His skin was white, and he wore a white cap. When he got nudged, he looked in the blue eyes of a woman who nearly could be the long lost twin sister of Tsukiumi.

A tired "What?" came out, and the woman pointed at the scene.

The guy turned to see how several guys just got ripped to pieces. It looks like some guys went home without having enjoyed a fun night.

"Why did you wake me up?" The guy asked, and the woman shook her head.

"Mattheus, just wondering. Would you be so easily swayed?" The now named Mattheus turned to the woman who eeped when she was pulled next to him and could feel his arms around her waist.

"You really think that I'd be that easily swayed? After everything, we went through." The guy couldn't help but smile to see how the woman was. She was blushing as well.

"Natasha, you're a keeper. Letting you go is not on my list." She smiled as she dropped next to the guy and kissed him on the cheek.

"I hear you, big guy."

While Minato and Tsukiumi were bonding, they got the attention of some of the beach boys who happened to be humans.

"Well, you look at that. It's her," one guy was looking at Tsukiumi in the black bikini. Some other dude followed as he's also drooling over Tsukiumi's beauty.

"She's so hot that I can dive in!" another dude said.

"I, for one, will going to ask this pretty blonde girl out on a date," another one of those guys on the beach declared. Which of course, caused the competition between some other dudes except Haruka and Oosumi.

"Not if I ask her first!"

"No way! I saw her first!"

Unbeknownst to them, some female beach girls were not happy with the boys for drooling over Tsukiumi as the human girls' jealousy grew.

"What pigs!", the beach girls thought about their male partners.

However, the beach boys' joys were short-lived. They were witnessing Tsukiumi is with Minato, the man she seemed to date in their eyes.

"What the?!", one of the beach dudes gasped.

"It can't be! What the hell is that about?!" another dude pissed over Minato being with the beautiful blonde woman in Tsukiumi.

"It's that Northern Ashikabi!" the other dude gritted his teeth out of sheer jealousy.

"He may not look much. But according to the article, he was able to win the Sekirei Plan as well triumph over that jerk, Hiroto Minaka," one guy said.

'They must have read the newspaper or something like that' Minato thought.

"Why art thee staring off into space? Thou has't no needeth to worry. Let's go," Tsukiumi said. Then she was holding her husband's hand.

"Huh, um…okay," Minato's feeling too stunned for words. Can't blame the young man for being related to such a beautiful woman.

"Now that gal is holding his hand," one beach guy said.

"Oh, the jealousy!" another beach guy said

"Oh, the misery!" the other beach dude said.

"Why couldn't that be me?" one more beach dude said.

"They must be engaged or something," then another beach dude said in tears.

"That lucky bastard," one guy said in his manly tearful tone.

"This sucks," the other guy said.

"Um...Tsukiumi," Minato said in his nervous state.

"Prey, speak," Tsukiumi replied.

"I'm sorry for all of this," Minato responds while still in his nervous state.

"It's not thy fault, Minato. I do wonder why they say this," Tsukiumi wondered.

"Well...it's..." Minato felt a little uneasy with the beach guys were glaring at the Ashikabi of the North in the jealous rage. "It's because you're such a beauty?"

Hoping he doesn't trigger his water Sekirei's anger, Tsukiumi made a vow that nothing bad will happen to him.

"Fear not Minato. Thou don't have to worry about them. This is our date, after all. If anyone dares to oppose thee, shall be washed away," Tsukiumi assured her husband that everything would be all right.

"Okay? Thank you, Tsukiumi," Minato thanked his date for making him feel secure. With that, Tsukiumi took his hand with her for then to enjoy their date.

One of the jealous beach guy continued to glare at Minato for having a hot looking babe to himself, then suddenly, out of the blue, the beach female made her glare towards the guy.

"Hey, what are you flirting with that other girl, dumbass?" One of the beach girls who's wears the red swimsuit said to one beach guy in her jealous tone.

"Shut up. I'm trying to make a way to..." then the next thing he knows was he sees the beach girl who had been glaring at him from behind this whole time. Thus, putting him in the predicament as he was sweating on his face. 'Uh-oh.' Then he spoke..."Uhh...hello, babe. I was checking out...". Before he can finish, the girl cut him off.

"Save it. I'm leaving," The beach girl stormed off away from the dude, who was running towards her.

"Wait! It's not what it looks like!" the beach guy said while continuing his pursuit of her.

But he's not the only one who was in a predicament, the other beach guys who were previously jealous of Minato are also in trouble with their respective female partners.

One other beach girl in the blue bikini dragged her male partner by the ear. Another girl ignored one of the other beach guys, who was begging for her forgiveness for not paying attention to her.

Some of the more other beach girls who are humans weren't very happy with their respective male human partners for drooling over Tsukiumi.

"Hmph!" pissed another beach girl in the white bikini that was jealous over her partner flirting with Tsukiumi at her partner, then walked off.

"Huh? Wait!" another beach guy said that was previously jealous of Minato running towards his female partner.

"Argh. Why I never..." pissed beach girl left her male partner, who was yelping for her forgiveness also.

One of the beach guys repeatedly bowed to his female partner as an apology for drooling over Tsukiumi. Then unlike the other jealous female beach girls, she accepted his apology and forgave him.

"I'm sorry for drooling over that blonde in the black bikini. It just too overwhelming for me to ignore. Please forgive me," the young dude asked.

"Apology accepted," said the dude's female partner.

"Just don't flirting over the other girl while you have me again, you hear me?" another beach girl said who was jealous previously for the little mishap.

"Will do, babe," her male partner acknowledged.

Some of the other beach guys managed to make up to their respective female partners for what happened so previously.

So far, the two other couples of Sekirei were not affected by it. Shigi and Kuno were sitting by and didn't stop kissing each other while they sat out there, enjoying their peace.

The scene didn't bother them, and they were just out there.

Kaho had dragged Oosumi around to play in the water.

Minato wasn't going in the water soon till it would have warmed up for the Ashikabi.

He didn't like the cold water. His Sekirei, on the other hand, went in the water pretty soon and she began to swim.

Due to her element being water, she could go miles into the sea. Minato didn't have to worry about her. She would come back in time.

Maybe not for dinner but something told him that this night was going to be really hot.

It had been a good few months since Tsukiumi had made love to her Ashikabi and something told him that she would enjoy that.

He as well. But for now, he could see his Water Maiden coming back.

Her skin was cold to his hot skin when she sat down next to him.

The saltiness of the sea clang to her body as she warmed up.

"Minato. Why art thou so excited?"

"You?" He answered and both blushed.

While they were heavily in love, they were not going to fuck on the beach.

It was getting late, and for the Sekirei, it was time to leave for the hotel. Minato and Tsukiumi sat down, looking at the sunset.

The Water Sekirei was cuddly the entire day. They had ignored it all, and for the most part, it was fun to be in each other's company.

It was one fun day that the two had on the beach. Minato had done its very best to ignore the whole Ichika scenario.

"Happy?" He asked Tsukiumi, who nodded.

"Indeed, it's been a while since we didst things together. Busy as thee art with Ichika Orimura." A sheepish laugh came out as Minato couldn't deny that accusation.

"I'm sorry about that, Tsukiumi." He apologized. She smiled at him as she pecked him on the cheek and pressed her tits in his lap.

"There is not a thing to apologize for. I knoweth how thee art, my husband and I knoweth that thee art concerned about others. And that thee help those folk however thee can. Though I must asketh, wherefore doth thee wend so far for Ichika Orimura?" He had already heard the question several times before.

"I thought you knew." Her furrowed brows made it clear she wanted to know more.

"I can see why. He is helpless. Like so many times, thou go there and helpeth others. Yet, with Ichika Orimura, thy proceed to help him more and more." She sighed.

"I do not hate thee for that action, but we feel neglected. Sides from Matsu, who sees this as a way to have more fun for herself."

Minato couldn't fault her for that.

But that was for later. For now, they wanted to have dinner.

You couldn't go to the beach without eating yakisoba. But they weren't going to make sure they would spend time eating.

If they didn't have hormones from themselves, the other two Sekirei / Ashikabi couples nearby made it clear that the others were feeling the need for relief.

Not just them. Other human couples as well.

Before it was ten in the evening, all of them had retired save for the dark-skinned boy who had seen the show this morning was now looking it over with the older girl.

The boy couldn't help but go over the counter.

When he pressed the bell, a giant of two meters and bulking muscles walked out. That man wore cooking clothes and a white cap.

"What's wrong, kid?" A deep voice came out and the boy pointed to the empty room. The man wiped his eyes.

"Where are my guests?" The kid pointed upstairs.

"Great."

"Yep. Can I go?" The man looked to the girl he had amused the entire day. She was looking amused. The man sighed and handed him a box.

"Yes, but do me a favor. Use these. Your mother would kill me."

The kid nodded and he walked away.

'Been since his birth that I had a full lodging and an empty room here. Although I am not going to sleep soon. I won't catch an eye.' He went outside for a smoke.

The moans coming from the window made him happy that he invested in soundproof rooms.

When the tabaco left his lungs, he looked to the sky.

"The dream is true."

He hoped to have an early night but with the number of kids having fun, he was going to clean up. His nephew had been a tremendous help in the last few days and he deserved a break.

Kid wasn't lucky in school and now a chick was going to rock his world.

The boy was lucky he kept the stayover and not his father.

There were others who stayed at home. And Matsu wondered why Miya had forbidden them to go out. Kusano and Musubi were out for a day at the arcade while Chiho and Uzume had some convention to go to.

Kazehana had looked forward to dragging Uzume and Chiho along for a long night of drinking but was also asked to reside in the home. So there was not more to do.

"Bored," Kazehana admitted while she had sake next to her. There was just nothing to drink alone. It was even so that she had begun to drink less because there was something even better that got her a better buzz.

Minato in her bed.

That was even better.

She shook her head. That guy might not have been the most experienced but did he learn fast. That guy managed to get all of them off. Damn, did they all enjoy it having that guy?

Tsukiumi sure will have a fun time at the beach. Afterward, it was just waiting for her turn. When Uzume and Chiho had their fun, it was just Musubi, and then, she can have her fun. And she'd take full attention of Minato. Oh, she looked forward to that.

"Are you lonely without your Ashikabi?"

The Wind Sekirei sighed as she turned to Miya with a drunk smile.

"Not really lonely, Miya. We Sekirei are species of love, but given our situation that we have been in, I'm not lonely. But I'm bored. Why didn't you allow me to leave? I would have loved to spend time with Uzume and Chiho." Miya sighed and took a seat next to her old squadmate.

"Kazehana." That serious tone meant something.

"Have you forgotten the last name of Ichika?" Ah, that was what it was about. Kazehana got it figured.

"No. I haven't. Orimura. Neither have you, right, Matsu?" The cyber Maiden hadn't her usual smile on her face, and she crossed her arms. She had already an idea what this was about.

And despite her teasing nature and often alcohol-filled brain, Kazehana was sharper than most would take her for.

"I know what you are getting at, Miya. It's not Ichika that you are concerned about, but it has more to do with something else, right? Or someone else?"

Miya had to admit that she enjoyed the fact that both her old teammates have not forgotten things but remained quiet to their Ashikabi.

And while she preferred to have that the past would remain buried, last time she did that, she knew how it backfired to them. And no way she wanted to happen again.

"Yeah, that's also why I have invited two others." Hoping that Miya was not going to tear their home down before they found another one, Matsu and Kazehana hoped the two who remained where the ones they expected to be.

Matsu, at least. Cause Kazehana had no good past with her mother-in-law. Luckily, the first person who arrived was Mutsu.

Number Five of the Sekirei, Mutsu, one of the few male Sekirei and winged by Mikogami Hayato. While they started off rocky, Hayato and Minato left each other be.

Hayato had his debt towards Minato paid so far.

Mutsu was tall for a Sekirei. His hair was silver, and he had grey eyes. Long black pants on a shirt of the same color were what he wore often. The shirt had long sleeves, and he wore a band around his waist, and he wore an orange scarf around his neck and shoulders. Plus, some fingerless gloves.

He was an old mate of the three and was still alive.

At this point, he was settled in his role as a father figure for Mikogami. None had asked if that was his only role.

They had no right for that thing.

Wouldn't stop them though.

"Mutsu, thank you for coming." The male nodded respectfully for Miya. "Thank you for letting me come to your home, Miya. I hope I'm not a bother."

With a giggle, Miya looked at him. "I suppose that you know what that is. Bothers and all."

The guy rolled his eyes and settled them on Matsu and Kazehana.

"Mutsu." A brief note from Kazehana made it clear that No.3 was not on good terms with him.

"Kazehana. Not your drunk attitude for today. Has Miya been rubbing you off, or is that runt you call your Ashikabi that taught you some manners?"

Eyes narrowing to dangerous slits, she glared daggers to the Earth guy. "Wouldn't you like to know? Besides, you can't call my Ashikabi a runt. Isn't your Ashikabi younger than you? At least, I'm not committing a crime when I drive Minato mad. Which reminds me. Are you the uke or is your 'runt?'"

One whack on the head made it clear for the two that Miya wasn't in the mood.

"The two of you. Leave your vulgar talk and aggression at the door. I have called you two over for reasons that go over things we both were in. You two are happily winged, and I don't see a reason to criticize you two over. But if you continue, there are going to be words." Matsu knew that she couldn't fault Miya for that.

"Miya, the other person is our mother-in-law, right?" She asked apprehensively and she wasn't hoping for a nod.

"Indeed, Matsu. So both of you behave." When they slumped their shoulders, Miya smiled.

"Do not worry. I will instruct Takami to leave her comments at the door on you and Sahashi's sex life. Or that of yours, Mutsu and Mikogami's."

"For the lack that you have one." The brazen voice that came out wasn't something you'd guess that come from a woman.

Especially one who knew WHAT Miya was and who had seen the full glory of her destructive powers.

But let it be said that Takami Sahashi was someone who had guts to talk like that.

Given the fact that she put up with Minaka for twenty years, none of the Sekirei faulted her for a sharp tongue.

"Why is that you think that my wife doesn't have fun in bed?" The last person joined them, and the smile of the doctor shut up the arguments.

"Takehito. Good to see you running around."

"Takami. Happy to see that you haven't lost your charm. Now, I have an idea of why my wife has called you over. Or at least two of you do."

Miya smiled as a proper landlady. "Can we take this in the living room?"

"What has Minato done this time? And why does it require me? If this plan has taught him one thing, it was that he has to look out for himself." Takami asked, annoyed when she lit a cigarette.

"It is because your son, Takami, decided to act like a surrogate brother for Ichika Orimura. Who we might not know, but we do know someone else with the family name, right?"

Takami couldn't help but groan. "Of course. He's out of one disaster, and he is throwing himself to the next without time to breathe and collect himself." She really began to wonder if Minato didn't have traces from Minaka. The same idiocy would come from his father.

"Takami-san. Your son has been in the spot due to our actions. That is one thing. Minato offered Ichika help for the issues that he has in the school, and that is one thing in their life. I don't see how that is a problem."

They turned to Matsu and Kazehana, who couldn't help but smile. They were Minato's Sekirei after all, and they had been having their fun.

"I don't see a reason to complain. Mina-tan has been very affectionate with me. And I can see why he wants me to help Ichika-tan. Those Infinite Stratos girls are crazy." Matsu told the group.

"Miya, this is not about our husband's latest endeavor and his friendship or better-said brotherhood with Ichika. This is about the older sister's history with us, right?" Kazehana asked her landlady who nodded.

"Indeed," Miya admitted, and Takehito shared a look with Takami.

"Is that what this is about? The fact that you and his sister crossed blades years ago and the most likely chance that you will do it soon again when she will be around." Mutsu asked his old leader who nodded.

"Indeed. I let Chifuyu go on the fact that she had her brother to take care of, and for what I hear from Minato, she hasn't taken my lessons to heart."

'A real Sekirei.' They all thought.

"So Miya, let me get this straight, you called us here because of the actions that Minato and Ichika will get his sister here," Takami told her thoughts.

"Minato and Ichika have their history, and that is something that neither you nor I have any right to interfere with. That is their story. We haven't told Minato about this because it is not directed to us. This is between Chifuyu and us. Who hasn't told Ichika I suppose of our history? But this has just to do with the fact that you are jealous of the fact that Chifuyu has or had perhaps on Takehito."

The male scientist looked away bashfully. At the time that Miya and Chifuyu fought, she was just fourteen years old before she became an Infinite Stratos Pilot. Despite being just 'human' she was able to fight and hold her ground to Miya.

Due to saving her from an inevitable demise, the girl had gotten a crush on Takehito. Something that amused Takami, Matsu, Kazehana, and from the looks now, Mutsu and annoyed his wife to unseen heights.

The fact she lost her composed landlady act on the accusation of Takami was just gold for Matsu and Kazehana.

"That has nothing to do with it. I am just concerned about the fact that,"

"Chifuyu Orimura might come around and snatch Takehito away. Get real, Miya." Kazehana was not sure to laugh or groan.

She couldn't do both at the same time but if she could, she would have.

It was stupid to think about it like that.

"You two aren't winged like Minato and me or any other of my sisters, but you have the same relationship. You've both been through too much to even consider that thing to happen to you." Miya blushed and was put in the lap of Takehito, who got the Pillar Sekirei blushing like a schoolgirl.

The others just couldn't help but smile on the actions.

Then, they sobered up, whether or not that they liked to admit it, if Chifuyu Orimura would come over to Shinto Teito, it might cause some issues.

You could see the total destruction of Tokyo as some issues. Matter of perception and such.

Things were quiet now, and the four Ashikabi's had stopped fighting. But in case a threat would come, they had to be prepared for that.

"You think that if Chifuyu comes here, she'll pick a fight with you?" Takehito asked, and Miya nodded.

"But this time, it won't end nicely. Besides that, Orimura-san has the attitude of a warrior. It is not for her customs I fear." Miya admitted from her spot.

"You're thinking on the girls she might bring along," Kazehana asked. She had heard the stories of Minato. Her romantic heart had taken a lot of healing from her Ashikabi when she listened to the accounts of what sort of girls Ichika had to deal with.

While she and her sister-wives enjoyed a good bicker every so often, when Minato laid ground rules and enforced them, it became clear that they had to obey their Ashikabi.

He loved them all very dearly but there was so much he could take as their antics often invoked the ire of Miya on him and he was done with those jokes.

What made them stop taking their little arguments?

Namely the drug that got them hooked. His bed-sharing and all that came with that.

Even so, Kazehana shared a look with Matsu. While not as heavily romantic as one of her best friends and drinking buddy, Matsu agreed that the treatment of Ichika was abhorrent.

She had been looking up information about the girls up to her own volition without Minato or Ichika asking for help.

Just because there were more issues.

Didn't that school have money for a psychologist? Those girls were crazy.

For someone in another city, life had taken a very different turn.

Ichika wasn't sure what he had done to deserve this, but he was now for sure.

He'd either pissed off God in a previous life, or that guy just enjoyed making him miserable.

Or that guy was writing a stupid story and fucked it up much and instead of accepting his role of living punch bag and dark hole, he rebelled against it, and it caused even more pain.

Either way, Ichika wanted to dig a hole like a dwarf.

Because he had a certain hope that things weren't going to get even crazier more crazy. Yet, he wasn't sure if that was working out.

While he wasn't sure that the information of Laura would come through, (he received a text from Matsu who compiled all the information and told him that this evening, she would get it done), Ichika wished that he knew more about her.

Ichika was thinking back that he was just walking around the place with the one girl that didn't give him problems.

Charlotte till kept her guise and the Knight had an idea that wasn't a bad thing for her. She might have to keep it for longer till they both could figure out a way to break the news.

But when they heard that a fight between three Representatives were fighting, both shared a look.

"You think what I'm thinking?" Charlotte asked and the guy nodded.

While the girls looked at the match at something fun, Ichika had a good idea this was more than just a sparring match.

It wasn't just a normal fight as the earth shook.

Both of the girls had a hard time against Laura as they knelt to her. Despite both girls using the full weapons against her, she stopped them easily.

"What the?"

"That's AIC," Charlotte answered for him. "Mind explaining that for me, in layman's terms, Charles?"

Ichika asked and the French girl nodded. "Put simply Ichika, it is a shield that can stop anything. It is the key selling point of Schwarzer Regens."

"It is also known as Inertial Arrest Ability." Houki looked over the fight and Ichika sighed. There was something that he hated about this.

"So basically, she can stop about any attack," Ichika asked.

"Yeah, it just depends on her focus. She can only focus on one part. You can break through it." Charlotte looked at him meaningfully.

"I hear you."

The fight if he could call it that continued and Rin was just not doing damage on her. Laura launched her daggers at her and despite her movements, she was not able to avoid them at all. One got around her legs and she was thrown around like a ragdoll.

Despite the assistance of her teammate, who launched several attacks who had a bit more success, Laura managed to stop them. And when she was done, she launched Rin to Cecilia who couldn't do more than take the attack.

Same thing as with the fight of Maya yet Laura was not as forgiving. When both were down, Laura fired even more at them. The explosion rumbled the ground but due to Cecilia's actions, they got out of the danger zone.

Although no damage was done at her and she girl remained as aloof as always. With her daggers, she dragged the two to her and Ichika being to feel his blood to boil as he saw Laura acting like that.

While it was true that he wasn't that big of a fan of Cecilia and Rin had done some things to him that weren't favorable, he was not that far gone to leave the girls to die on the hands of the psycho. Who made it clear that she was kicking the girls around. You don't leave people to die.

"This is just horrible. Their shield points are draining." Charlotte began to get worried as well.

"Their damage accumulates and if their machines get a forcible shutdown, their lives could be endangered." That was all that Ichika needed to hear.

Turning to Charlotte, his eyes asked before he opened his mouth.

"Charles, your IS, you got it with you?"

She nodded and Ichika stood back. "Good, cause I am going to save them." When he looked to his gauntlet, he activated his machine.

Before most could say otherwise, Byakushiki was active and so he broke through the barrier. Charlotte was close behind him with her orange IS.

"Ichika, what do you want me to do?" He smiled at her when she followed him.

"Charles, get those girls out of the danger zone. I'll distract her so make sure she doesn't notice you." She nodded and moved her IS. She was quick enough and by Laura's torture, she didn't notice the two.

Ichika wasn't going to move indirectly.

"Laura." He shouted at her and the glare he leveled at her made it clear he didn't give her room for argument.

"Let them go." He said evenly. She looked cruelly to them and back at Ichika.

"If you want me to let them go, come and get them." That was the start for Ichika as his machine moved again. But instead of flying in one line, he moved around Laura whose eyes switched from one spot to the next. Before she had a right guess to where Ichika landed, she had to put up her arms.

"You really hoped that you could hit me?" Her haughty tone, yeah, this girl had been around his sister.

"Not really. I told you to let them go, right?" Turning around, the daggers were released and both Shenlong and Blue Tears shut down.

Charlotte didn't need orders as she moved in to get the girls out. Ichika had to hand it to her. She managed to get the girls away from Laura while she carried Rin in one arm and Cecilia at the other.

She knew what she was doing. And when one side was open, Laura turned to her while she was distracted. Ichika knew than he had to push on. With his energy sword, he pushed through the barrier and gave her a few nasty cuts.

When he was sure that Charlotte got the girls out of the danger zone, the barrage of small arms (in Infinite Stratos terms) was very welcome as Laura had to break up her fight. When she was focused on Charlotte and fired her own canon at her, her instincts warned her for an attack to feel Ichika's attack at her.

The German got angrier as she glared at Ichika who used a dagger on his arm and threw him away.

"Charles. Incoming!" He shouted and prayed she got out of his way. She did what was asked and got out of the way.

She didn't worry about him as Ichika used the movement when he got free to fly back at her. "I had it with you!"

She shouted as she used her own weapon. It looked like some lightening and Ichika clashed with her.

"So am I. What the fuck is your problem?" He yelled at her. When both moved in for a fight, Ichika smiled as Charlotte moved in from behind him and launched her bullets at Laura.

"That's enough!" A thundering voice shouted over the place. Ichika turned to see Chifuyu standing over the place.

"Instructor!" Laura finally got scared at her.

"This is why dealing with you kids is so tiring." Ichika saw that she had a sword in case they wouldn't stop.

"In most cases, I allow mock battles but you guys pushed it. Therefore, all mock battles are suspended till you guys settle this in the Intra-Class Tournament." Chifuyu's voice left no room for argument.

"If that is what you wish," Laura said as her IS was dissolved.

Ichika did the same and walked to her. Despite talking to his sister, he had an idea that he had broken and bits spilled through.

"You and I. We need to have a chat." His voice left no room for argument. Chifuyu would have fought back but she understood.

This wasn't just a bit of Rin and Houki and Cecilia. He could deal with that. Now, Laura had pushed it. She sighed.

"Fine. When?"

"I'll come to your room this night. If I don't find you there, there's hell to pay." Ichika's voice had the same hers.

Not the arctic cold but the burning hotness of thousand suns. Fitting given their name.

But for now, he had to check in the infirmary. When Cecilia and Rin were in their beds, they had to be patched up.

They had some bandages all over them but at least, nothing too lasting.

Yet, they couldn't fight in the next tournament. "I suppose that we owe you thanks," Cecilia said and Ichika sighed.

"I can do with those." Rin nodded at him. "You really saved us out there. Thanks, Ichika." The guy had some smile that it was clear they knew they were in over their heads on those problems.

"You're welcome." Charlotte had proceeded to give them some tea. "Though I wonder why you got in a fight with her." Cue to spitting out the tea.

Ichika could only guess that there was something between them and Charlotte. He had to talk to her for that on a bit as she seemed to know a bit more.

"She insulted a woman's pride." Ichika had no clue what that meant but when he shared a look with Charlotte, she had to spell it out for him later.

"Okay. In any case, me and Charles are up against in the next tournament. You can bet that I'll be sure to make the notification that I'm going to wipe the floor with her."

They looked up surprised. "Didn't you have a lottery for that or hadn't you supposed to deliver that one in?"

Ichika wasn't sure what happened but he was happy that things were already chosen for him. Calling to Matsu was now one more thing.

Especially when Maya came around and told both Rin and Cecilia they weren't going to participate due to the damage on their Infinite Stratos.

So when that was done, he went to check on his sister. "Neh, Ichika. Do you want me to wait?" Ichika shook his head.

"No. This might take a while and I need to rip my sister a new one. So rather not and I'm going to call Matsu-san for some more help. I'll share it with you later."

When she left, he had to talk about the things in the infirmary but that was for later. Before he had to knock, his sister opened the door.

"You're here."

"I have a point that you and I needed to have a chat. Chifuyu, I have a point that I really need to know. What the hell is Laura after? She nearly killed Rin and Cecilia there." His teacher sighed.

"I can't believe that you got worried." The flaming glare at her made it even worse.

"If I had not jumped in to stop her, she might have just killed them. Were you ready to prepared to take the brunt of the United Kingdom AND China for allowing one Representative Candidate to kill two others? Huh. That might have made great front-page news." Ichika took a breath. He had been running on hormones and he had some times he had gotten pissed.

It wasn't wise for him to get even more upset.

"Or what about the other bits? She has been hostile towards me since day one. And while I do can get around Rin, Houki, and Cecilia plus the other crazy girls, having a soldier on my back is just making things worse."

Chifuyu had an idea if she had spent less as an Infinite Stratos pilot and hardass but more as a sister, this might turn out better.

"I met Laura back in Germany. I told you that last time, right?" When he nodded, Chifuyu continued. "I have told her about you and that you're pretty much the reason I keep going. Ichika."

Her face finally didn't show the strict lines as usual. When she went to sit down on her chair, Ichika walked in.

There wasn't a difference between her room and his. The only thing might be that her room was bigger than his.

When she took one chair, Ichika took the bed.

For some reason, she began to crack. Like he was doing. He was going to crack as well.

"Ichika, I haven't been the best caretaker." Ichika had to fight back on that but bit his comment down. So he went with something else.

"You've been working nonstop ever since it was just the two of us and I get that. But Chifuyu-nee, money and a house is one thing. You and I are all that the other got left that we can call blood family. So in some cases, you might show that."

His sister sighed. He wasn't wrong per se. She had been nothing but demeaning of him since he got here.

She demanded the same high standards from him as from everyone while knowing that he couldn't. Instead of taking that as an incentive to do better and learn faster, it only caused Ichika to be resentful of her.

It was why he turned to Minato to help him out. It was what he always had done in the past. Minato had been there for him when she wasn't available.

Which were more times than she cared to admit. And with the Ashikabi having ways to help Ichika out in better ways, it wasn't abnormal why Ichika chose what he did now.

In truth, Chifuyu was grateful to Minato. Ichika lacked an idea of a father figure in his life and while her tiger mother approach might reap results, there was something she lacked in her touch that Minato provided.

While a shrimp might call it several things, the fact that Minato and Ichika grew up as brothers, might be a reason why both turned out the way they did.

Not too shabby she had to admit.

"That's true. And that's why I told Laura, you're the reason I pushed. You are the reason that I got out of bed, you're the reason why I became an Infinite Stratos pilot. You're the single reason why I did all those things."

Ichika knew it wasn't easy for his sister to talk about those sorts of things but he'd be damned. Things were bad enough now.

"If I am that reason, you might show it to me. Because sis, you have a hard time showing affection. Always have and I don't blame you for that." He stood up and walked to her. He was spent and didn't have the energy to be angry at her.

"But I would have appreciated it if you'd let me know you have my back. Just to know that you're on my side."

"I cannot show favorites to." Chifuyu's vigor and teaching attitude came but Ichika cut her off.

"Cut. The. Crap. You can't play favorites. Hate to say this but there's a difference between playing favorites and letting me know that the one person that is my family is watching over me. We've been fighting at that place for twenty minutes till you showed up." Ichika wasn't sure why his voice was so calm.

The realization he had been close to death now set in.

"If you didn't jump in to stop her, Laura might have killed me and Charles. What would you have done when she did that, huh? When she would stand proud before you and hold my corpse up like a trophy? Would you pat her on the head and say good job like she's a dog?" Ichika asked.

"I would have killed her!" Chifuyu shouted and he was sure there was a crack and he wasn't going to stop till the mask came off.

"If she would have killed you, I was going to kill her. You can be sure about that. I was going to kill her and I would have taken my sweet time for that. And when I was done with her, I would have pulled my sword through my stomach." Tears came a bit out.

"Tell me why she wants me dead." He pressed, steady and soft. When she was sure that her voice wasn't wavering, Chifuyu spoke again.

"Because she sees it as weak. The fact that I went all that I did to keep you safe. Laura in her mind sees that as weak. She wants to destroy that. In her eyes, I'm the perfect warrior. With you gone, that might the one thing to show that I'm not weak in her eyes."

She confessed and Ichika wasn't sure how he had to see that.

"Maybe sis. You should tell her that. You quit being a Pilot and you forfeited the Second Mondo Grosso Championship to save me. And for that I'm grateful. But tell me. How am I supposed to know that you are on my side as I have seen your actions as nothing but the complete opposite? You have shown that you did things for my sake."

Ichika paused and he wasn't sure why his voice was breaking.

"You have done so much that I might not ever be able to repay back even if I lived ten times my life. But Chifuyu-nee, the last months you condemned me to this circus you fed me to the lions. You hoped I'd fail and I learn from that. And that didn't happen. I took the single lifeline that Minato was and I clung to it."

Ichika stopped and looked at the face. She was now crying and he was sure that his face wasn't different.

He always hated to see her sad although given his life now he had thought it would make it easier.

He was wrong.

The fact she buried herself in his chest and the fact she was sobbing made it clear that she broke. And the fact he could feel his tears running down his face made that even more evident.

So he returned her embrace.

"What a shitty sister I have been."

With a sigh, Ichika had to admit this truth.

"Don't worry, sis. I have been a shitty brother."

She didn't let him go for at least fifteen minutes, they looked at each other in the eyes and they couldn't help that this talk was way overdue.

"I can't help you with Laura. She'll go after you. Until you can prove her wrong." Ichika nodded.

"And till now. I can't help you the way Minato did." Chifuyu admitted and Ichika had seen that coming.

"I wasn't going to stop asking for his help. But Chifuyu-nee, knowing whose side you're on. Should have told me that sooner." When he was done, Ichika felt better.

Men don't cry but keeping everything bottled up, wasn't healthy either. And he could be forgiven for this.

He knew the score with his sister and they reached a bit to the point that the bridge wasn't burnt.

When he got into the room, Charlotte had fallen asleep on the bed. He couldn't blame the fact she was exhausted.

Himself was no difference. So he had changed to his clothes fast and he took his computer to look at what Matsu set to him.

He found it great to look at what she found about his opponent's Infinite Stratos.

Besides the weapons Laura had revealed today, Ichika also found out ways how he could counter those. He had to work closely with Charlotte on that part but that was one thing.

When his phone buzzed, he knew he better left the room.

"Matsu-san." Ichika took the phone call.

"Hello, Ichika-tan. What's wrong? You sound tired." The guy sighed and wiped his eyes. "You are right. I'm damn tired. I saw what you sent me about Laura and your ideas. Thank you for that."

"You're welcome. Mina-tan is already gone with Tsukiumi to the beach. Took me a while. I'm going to look up more information about the Dunois company. And I'll look up a bit more. But from what I gather, Laura was born as a soldier."

Ichika didn't want to sound rude so he had to tell a bit more.

"Yeah, I gathered that. Chifuyu-nee told me about her. We had a talk about five minutes ago."

Matsu wasn't sure that it was good or bad. Ichika's voice didn't betray that.

"How did it go?"

"Let's just say that emotions are wrecking and tiring. It was way overdue Matsu-san and very private. Either way, let's just say that there are reasons why I used to call Minato Aniki every so often." Matsu found that a new thing on her Ashikabi.

"I really need to have a chat about how far you guys go. Either way, I think you need to look out for yourself. Because what you're facing is very dangerous." Ichika couldn't help but agree.

"I'll call you up tomorrow for a strategy, okay? Because you need some rest." Ichika couldn't agree more.

"Thank you Matsu-san. Goodnight." Ichika said and he closed the call before she could say more.

While it might be rude, the amount of care Ichika could have wasn't there.

Matsu looked at her phone. And to the screen on the call where it closed.

"Goodnight, Ichika." She began to think about the whole thing that Ichika was going through. She didn't blame him for being a bit rude but something just egged at her.

This guy wasn't even mature like Minato. Despite going in this game, Minato wasn't going down in the end and won on that Godforsaken island.

After a year, Musubi was back hence the situation now.

But now, she began to see where Ichika was who had been building up stress since day One.

The Wisdom Sekirei didn't know all bits but she had seen it too often that a guy who takes that much of pressure and all on him.

He either goes through, lives as a damaged good or he cracks and ends up dead.

Plenty of ways to kill yourself, the Sekirei mused.

She hoped he didn't. Because that might take one heavy hit on Minato.

"Hey, Matsu. You're there." Without asking for permission, Kazehana walked into the room. Not that Matsu really minded.

Despite being free of MBI, Matsu had chosen to reside in the room. Kazehana blamed that on the hikikomori and wondered how it would go when they moved.

But even so, she had been going out more in the last few months. Which made Kazehana happy.

"Had a call with Ichika?" Kazehana asked as she pressed her legs close to her body. She didn't have a bottle of sake as Matsu forbade her ever drinking in her room.

"Yep. A bit about his next fight with that Laura girl."

"Something wrong about it?" Matsu wasn't sure but hey, Minato wasn't around.

Or Miya now.

"You remember that fight that Miya had with Chifuyu?"

Anyone present would never forget that. That girl was a single living human soldier. She had avoided the attacks from the four and went straight for Miya.

The fact a human girl was able to meet Miya in a fight and holding her own was astonishing.

Even when Karasuba attacked Chifuyu on the back, Miya had blocked the Black Sekirei and defended her from the psychopath.

She didn't want to share her prey.

Which was clear now. It did make sense that Chifuyu had a crush on Takehito when he saved her life.

"What's on your mind, Matsu? You've been skittish the last days." The fact that Kazehana noticed that was a testament to how long they were friends.

Minato must have noticed it as well but given that he prepared for the beach trip with Tsukiumi (and the fact she didn't tell Minato) she couldn't fault him for that.

"I have been doing some research. You know, forgetting my mind of Laura and Charlotte."

The deadpan look was fun to see on her face. "I don't see Matsu how that is relaxing."

"I have been looking up information about Ichika. Form what I get, he lived in the same village as Minato when the boy was around six and Minato was ten." Kazehana arched an eyebrow.

"And what did you find?"

"Nada," Matsu answered.

"Nada?"

"I haven't found a single thing about Ichika or Chifuyu before that date. Before he was six years old and the other stuff. I haven't found a single trace of the two. Which infuriates me to no end." Matsu growled and she knew why she hated it.

She was the wisdom Sekirei and not knowing things or getting information aggravated her to no end.

"Minato told me that they lived in the village and that Chifuyu and Ichika were about all they got left as family. No parents and other siblings. You were looking for that, right?"

Kazehana asked and she was indeed smart enough to figure that out. Despite her attire and behavior, Kazehana was sharper than most took her credit for.

Matsu nor Minato ever did that.

"Indeed. Kazehana. Not to toot our own horn but we are superior to human beings. Yet, that Chifuyu girl did what she did. Ichika now does this. This guy is under pressure we can't imagine. Yet, he persists. Few would have continued."

Matsu was beginning to get angry about this.

"You think that Chifuyu Orimura or Ichika Orimura are not just human beings. And you can't find out how and why and what?"

Matsu nodded on that question. She needed a drink after this.

"You think Minato would know?" Kazehana asked the girl and Matsu shook her head. Her eyes were a bit more determined.

"No. If Mina-tan knew, he'd have told us. And I think he'd be interested in that part too."

Kazehana smiled. "You haven't told him?"

"No, and you're not going to tell him. I'll look up more information before I do something. Same with Ichika-tan. That guy has enough on his plate." Kazehana had to give Matsu credit for that.

"I am still not sure how to see this all. I mean. I know we're different from humans and all that you want but…"

"Yeah, you mean the way they treat Ichika. That is just plain horrible. You are not going to like it, but I think they are in love with him." Matsu said and she had seen the look on Kazehana's face. She was damn sure that she was like her when she began to think about it.

"Those. Girls. Like him…? After all the shit they do to him. You mean to tell me that they are in love with him."

Matsu nodded.

"Yep. They're like Tsukiumi before Minato winged her. Tsunderes. The lot of them. At least, our watery girl swallowed her pride and allowed herself to be honest. But with Ichika, they don't have that. Those girls are too damn prideful to even have the idea of admitting the fact they are in love with Ichika. Or have some fantasies at least."

Kazehana had to reboot in her brain (thank God she kept alcohol to a low now) and began to process the words of her sister-wife.

"That's messed up, Matsu."

"Yeah but you see another thing? Kusano-tan has already thought that Rin is in love with him. So I guess she is right. The rest with the same girls."

Kazehana dragged her hand across her face as she was too tired for this. But how much she hated to admit it, Matsu's words held true.

"I can't wait till Minato gets home. If Uzume and Chiho-chan, I'm going to drag him along for a fix because I need it."

Kazehana admitted as she felt the need for a buzz as she was sure no alcohol might do that trick.

"I hope you don't mind I join. Cause I need one as well. Or I can get Minato to pay me back from the favors he owes me. Don't worry, I'll drag you along." Smiling about the prospect, Kazehana couldn't wait.

"We do need to convince Chiho and Uzume for that."

"Don't worry, we'll allow it." The voices of the two came out from the hallway. Turning to their juniors, they saw the smiling faces.

"Can we go in?" Uzume asked and Matsu began to wonder.

"How long you been there?"

"Long enough," Chiho answered as she was helped in by Kazehana. When Uzume climbed in, Chiho remained seated on Kazehana's lap.

The Veiled Sekirei didn't mind it one bit as she sat down next to Matsu.

"We didn't hear you coming back. How was your day?" Kazehana wondered while she crossed her arms around the little girl.

"We had a lot of fun. About the not hearing. Miya told us that Kusano and Musubi went straight to bed. They hung out with Shiina and Yukari. Looks like they had a great day too."

Sides those two, the other Sekirei of Minato's flock, Chiho included, didn't really have a good relationship with Yukari.

The headstrong girl had often got into conflicts with her brother and with Minato standing up to her and her mother, Yukari had a bit of a violent reaction to that.

Due to the source of pleasure being threatened, Uzume tied Yukari up and the male Ashikabi had gotten the message to NOT get involved in that.

"In either way, Matsu, neesan. What was that about Ichika and his sister and so on?"

The wisdom Sekirei shrugged on that. "I don't know much, Uzume. From what I get, I don't find much about their previous lives. Like they didn't even exist. And you know how I feel about that and how it gets me."

"Yeah, we have an idea. So you want to have a ride before our date, right?" Chiho wondered and turned to Kazehana.

"Same with you." The smile on Kazehana made Chiho a bit apprehensive.

"No date. Just a ride. Promised. And we'll keep him intact enough for you. And we'll do it not immediately. When he comes with Tsukiumi, they'll sleep it off first."

Uzume wasn't really happy with it but knew that having two older sexually frustrated women around wasn't fun either. They'd be with them and the sooner Minato relieved them of their stress, the sooner that things turned normal.

"Okay, but what do you want to tell Minato comes back?" Uzume asked.

"We'll see when he gets home. I don't know about you but I need a night's rest." Kazehana proposed and it was clear that they were all drained in some form.

Uzume took Chiho to their room to sleep together. Matsu stayed in her room and Kazehana moved to Musubi and Kusano. She wasn't going to sleep alone in this.

Before the Wind Maiden fell asleep, she wondered how it would go for Minato.

At the beach

Minato was sure that he had been looking forward to this and his stress had gone away during the day.

He was happy for that as he had to perform for the amount of patience that Tsukiumi had in the last weeks. Because now she got a bit of a reward from him.

Minato laid in his bed with just his trousers on and he was shirtless when he heard the toilet flushing. Then he turned to see his Sekirei and she was wearing nothing at all.

Minato had seen her body before but now, with her usual hairstyle, her long hair wove behind her and her arms next to her side, Tsukiumi looked so damn cute. The blush over her face was even better as Minato had a full view of his fourth Sekirei.

Her tits were on full display, he could see her legs and the treasure beneath her and she was now fully blushing at him.

"Minato, art thou okay? Thou haven't said anything?" It had taken a good long while before that Tsukiumi understood that when Minato was silent, he was often blown away by the appearance of his Sekirei.

"I'm a bit speechless," Minato confessed while he drank in the sight of the Sekirei.

"I've seen you naked so many times yet, it always blows me away," Minato admitted as the girl blushed at him.

He was honest and she slid down on his lap while Minato's eyes were taken in by the blue eyes of hers and he was mesmerized.

Minato had a hard time believing that this woman laid claim to him but he wasn't saying anything else. Cupping her face, he kissed her on the lips and Tsukiumi had been waiting for that for a good while. So when a tongue pressed on the teeth, entrance was permitted.

He could feel the food she ate and the drinks she tasted. But that wasn't the only thing he felt.

She tasted like Tsukiumi and that was enough. When her wings came out, she could feel the energy coming out her body and her face lit up like a firestorm. Yet, she didn't let go. Pressing closer to him, she rubbed against him.

Her chest against his and that made him growl. She wouldn't admit it but she loved feeling that fuzzy when he pressed her body closer to her.

He relished in the feeling of those tits on his body. His arms were now around her body and he pressed closer. They weren't just staying there. When he was sure, he began to feel her up.

Not her tits but to her butt. The supple flesh which still kept her bubble-like shape despite the training and Minato couldn't help but enjoy the feeling of that.

Tsukiumi pressed on his hair and made movements with that.

But she needed some air so when she pressed on her Ashikabi, he let her go and she couldn't take enough breaths in.

Their faces shared a healthy blush when they looked at each other. "So what do you think?"

"I think that my Ashikabi is a pervert. And that I would like to continue with the perverted activities." The dere came through and God, did he love her for that.

"Your wish is my command, my Sekirei. What do you want me to do?" He asked and Tsukiumi pressed her lips on his again.

That was easy to understand and they began to kiss again. It wasn't just a long one, they released each other and caught each other.

Letting go, their mouths touched necks and cheeks as they were going in a nice buzz which would their lovemaking.

Minato couldn't help but enjoy the fact that Tsukiumi was a bit more aggressive in this than his other Sekirei and he liked having that extra bit of her.

Not that Tsukiumi was a complete dominatrix and Minato wasn't going to let her become one, she was just a bit more forceful and Minato followed her lead in this instead of the other girls who followed his lead.

He didn't mind it as Tsukiumi made clear what she wanted to do.

The trousers became wet and he knew that the girl was aroused as his. Seeing each other half-naked and being in that daze, tends to make your body to be a bit more sensitive. So when Tsukiumi rubbed on his spot, she could feel that her Ashikabi got aroused.

Smirking, she pulled his pants down and looked to what her Ashikabi packed.

"This looks painful. Would my Ashikabi like it when I relieved him?" She smirked while she buried in his crotch. Minato prepped himself further on the bed so that Tsukiumi didn't have her legs dangling over the bed. He knew that she had that.

While she could blow, she decided to use what Mother Nature was so gracious of giving her and wrapped her tits around his member.

The entire day they had moved in the sea and in the sweat, with no shower around and just a lavatory, Tsukiumi had a big advantage over her Ashikabi as she began to wrap her tits around his dick. They already had lubrication.

Unlike the others, she moved her tits on her own pace and Minato's hips had found one which gave him the most pleasure. It was slow and deliberate and Minato delivered on the thrusts showing that he was a guy and that he was enjoying this.

Tsukiumi could see his head popping every so often and she let drool on it every so often to make it slide even more. Gritting his teeth, Minato couldn't help but enjoy the buildup he had. While it had only been a few days since he came home from a night long with Kagari, he wasn't going to stop as Tsukiumi smiled at her Ashikabi.

She enjoyed the movement and it did give her pleasure in some regards.

Being winged by seven Sekirei gave Minato a boost as a human in regards to stamina, strength, and resilience. That was why he could keep it up with the aliens despite the fact that he was still 'human.' So that is why Tsukiumi had been going at it and he smiled at her as she wasn't able to get him off just yet. Where did Minato learn to hold out?

She couldn't help but try harder as she began to add her mouth as well. Every time he came out, she kissed his dick and sucked on it and Minato had begun to move faster, out of her pace. Which was fine by her, she knew how frantic sought after release could be.

It didn't take long for her to see how her Ashikabi released at her. Minato's erratic breath was a good warning and she could feel how he had been willing to show her his love. When he came over tits and in her mouth, Tsukiumi could only look up and smile at him.

"So did you like it, my Ashikabi?" The guy smiled and nodded. But in his eyes was a glint. One the Sekirei hoped to see more.

"I think that I should repay you." He went down on her legs and saw how she aroused she had become. When his tongue found her core that was dripping with fluids, he began to kiss down and suck on her.

He had become with his tongue and from what he guessed and saw could drive all the girls of his harem mad as hell. Tsukiumi wasn't sure if she was on this planet.

Every time it was her turn, Minato had gotten better. Last time was already something and now, Tsukiumi had an idea she was ascending from normal life.

She kept in her shouts as Minato enjoyed teasing her. Her reactions were just awesome. She didn't shout and kept it in as Minato drove his little tsundere mad with the lust. Adding a finger and knowing just where to press, it was just a bit more pressure over Tsukiumi who drooled like mad.

It was all she needed to get her release.

When she was done, Minato sat up and she was ready for more action. So when he was sure, Tsukiumi laid down and placed her head on the pillow. Minato got between her legs and he pressed on her place.

Her eyes gave permission and Minato began to slowly thrust in her. Her breaths had begun to space out for a bit as Minato wasn't going fast at her.

He was slow but oh so deliberate. Strong and steady, he went out and got back in. He didn't hurt his Sekirei who had seen this as pleasure and from what he could see, Tsukiumi was drooling and whimpering.

Moving her up and down, Tsukiumi couldn't help but enjoy feeling what she got so far. He didn't go too fast but he did kiss her again and he began to cop a feel on the tits. She was opening up and Minato wasn't going to let Tsukiumi go.

During the ride, both Tsukiumi and Minato had released in each other during the ride but even so, Minato stayed buried in her body.

He couldn't get enough of her. Minato knew how Tsukiumi liked it. With her making the shots, still underneath him. Unlike the others, she wasn't open to experimenting yet.

He could try new ideas with Kazehana or Matsu or even Uzume but with her, she liked the vanilla stuff even more and he wasn't going to deny her what she liked the most. So when Tsukiumi had begun to gasp for air, Minato stopped and looked at her in worry.

"I am fine. Just need to catch my breath. My Ashikabi." When he kissed her again, Minato growled in her ear.

"Please, repeat your Norito for me." He practically begged that from the Water girl who could only smile.

"By the water of my contract, My Ashikabi's ills will be purified!" She smiled as Minato went in her and she could feel her filing him up.

When he was done, he pulled out and dropped next to her. Her Ashikabi was exhausted and she didn't have time to catch him as she landed in her tits. Catching her lover, Tsukiumi looked at him and couldn't help but chuckle.

Minato had been worried and his stress had caught up. The entire day at the beach wasted his energy and cleared his head. She looked down and felt sore but so good. The aftermath of multiple orgasms on her body and the state that she was in caused her to smile.

She was so damn happy that she got this Ashikabi. When they got pregnant, she was going to raise her kids so they could have a great family.

But for now, she needed some rest. When Minato woke up, they could have sex again.

Later that night, it proved to be the case. He woke up a few hours later and they were ready to go again. She was sure that Minato had been having the stamina that exceeded a lot of men.

She was already awake when Minato moved over her body and she had gotten damn horny.

They were sure to sleep for a few more hours when they were back.

In the room next to them, Kuno was above Shigi. She was like the others, in a state of arousal. Both were looking for a new place to stay as they were getting tired of not being allowed to have sex in their room either.

The smaller Sekirei couldn't help but moan as her voice grew higher by the amount of pressure that her Ashikabi put on her.

Like Minato and his Sekirei, they had begun to pursue a sexual relationship and Shigi enjoyed being inside Kuno as the smaller Sekirei kept up her pace and enjoyed the lovemaking. He held her hands and she was just going up and down on his body while he met her pace.

They had started in the bathroom as they underdressed each other and washed themselves. Shigi found it funny to tease his Sekirei in some regards and she couldn't help but be a mess when he did.

Being married had a lot of perks.

Kuno couldn't believe that her Ashikabi could hold off for so long while she rode and kissed him.

When she came down, he touched her petite butt and his hands wandered all over her body. Kuno gasped as she felt how her Ashikabi touched one place.

Sending him a glare made it more than clear that she didn't want that place to be touched. When he let her go, he continued the pace that the two enjoyed.

"Are you happy, Kuno?" She beamed at him when he drove her wild.

"I am. Keep going, dear." Not used to that name yet, Shigi did what he did best and that was to continue.

It was due to practice both had gotten good at this and as a bird of love, Kuno could feel her Ashikabi coming inside her.

Not that they minded. Minato had been having sex without protection for months and none of the girls had gotten managed to get knocked up.

When she smiled at him at the height of the climax, he saw the blush over her face.

"Shigi, I love you." She said as she collapsed at him. When he caught her, Shigi placed the girl next to him.

Her head landed at his shoulder. She smiled at him as the last bit of consciousness was still there. Shigi had called it giving out.

The fact your body was too tired to even stay awake. Despite your mind being awake, your body no longer went along with it and Shigi had it experienced a good amount of times.

"Love you too, Kuno." He said as he kissed her forehead. When he pulled the blankets up, his body also gave out.

In another room, Oosumi was busy driving Kaho mad.

It was a good thing that all the guys had their MBI cards with a good amount of money on.

A baby costs a hell lot of money and none of the guys had a job so far. Much like Minato, he had been trying to get Kaho knocked up but so far, they didn't have any luck. Not that either of them cared. They knew they were healthy and they had to keep trying.

Oosumi had his wife run a checkup at MBI and they said that she was healthy and that they didn't worry. Getting a Sekirei pregnant wasn't easy and they requested that they continued.

So that's what he did.

Kaho's legs had been on the shoulders of her Ashikabi as he drove in her.

They had gotten really touchy-feely on the beach and like Minato and Shigi, Oosumi had been looking forward to a good time with his Sekirei. She couldn't help but smile at her Ashikabi.

They had their fate and she couldn't help but drink in the sight of her Ashikabi.

Touching her tits, Kaho mewled and moaned as Oosumi began to feel faint. They had been going at it for a while and it always took him a while to get Kaho riled up.

He had grown used to that part of her and it was just her body who had gotten better used to be around him again.

They didn't give a care they had to start from zero again.

She had come back to him after Karasuba killed her and they were winged. And no way either was letting the other go.

Kaho began to wonder about their family but she had no time as Oosumi had begun to reach the extent of his limit. He was ready to release what he got left inside her.

And it was lucky she had begun to get used to herself. In a silent cry, she got her own release as Oosumi released his sperm in her.

With her legs removed from his shoulders, Oosumi remained up until his face made it clear that he was tired.

Kaho didn't hesitate and caught him. With her head on her shoulder and her arms wrapped around him, she was ready to fall asleep. Everything else could wait till morning.

Because she would like some fun as well. Next time, she would go over to Musubi and talk about the kids and stuff.

The mood they had at the Inn was downright infectious. But that was for later.

They could spend one more day on the beach tomorrow.

But for others, the next day wouldn't be so pleasant.

And that was putting things mildly. From the start, Ichika knew that they had to face Laura and Houki. So he talked with Charlotte about some ideas.

Matsu had called him again and he laid in his bed when he took the call.

"Good morning, Matsu."

"Heya, Ichika. Feel a bit better." The Sekirei asked and Ichika knew that he was somewhat happier.

But the fact he had to face a super deadly soldier in a super deadly exoskeleton wasn't great for him. Especially when that said soldier was trying to kill him and hated the fact that he was responsible for making his sister weak.

Didn't that girl know that soldiers had reasons to come home?

"I am a lot of things, right now, Matsu but better isn't the thing you can call me. More like resigned to my fate."

"Not so negative. Although I am not sure if I can say that." Matsu answered with a bit of apprehension. "Because I have found something out that is pretty damn dangerous."

"What can be more dangerous than some girl who wants to kill me?" Ichika asked and he was happy that Charlotte wasn't awake yet.

"Because I have found something back in Bodewig's IS. Got no clue what it is but the thing is called Valkyrie. It is supposed to be released when she is about to lose. From what I find, this thing will take her and her Infinite Stratos over and she'll take the form of the most powerful being that she knows."

Ichika made a chuckle and it was about as sarcastic as he could get.

"If I had money, I would bet on that it'd take the form of my sister. Matsu-san, just wondering. You told Minato about this?"

Matsu knew that she wasn't going to as Minato was most likely still asleep.

"Nope. I'll tell him when I'm home. Or he sees at the beach. Hate to say it, Ichika-tan but this is pretty big." She sounded apologetic on that little matter.

"Matsu, don't worry. It is not your fault things have gotten this crazy and out of the control. But I am just hoping that I'm still alive. So do you mind keeping an eye on me when things go crazy?"

Matsu smiled at the interaction and for some reason, Ichika was feeling a bit better.

"It's a real damn shame, Ichika, that there are no Sekirei out there now. Because I know that if you got the gene, you'd be one of the best Ashikabi's."

When Minato brought this guy back home, she would test out if he got the genes of the Ashikabi. There was a lot out there and she knew that the Sekirei wasn't just here. There were more and the secrets were even hidden from her.

Matsu knew why that most Sekirei didn't care about their ancestry. They came from space, were aliens and all that stuff.

But they couldn't care about it. Last time, she checked, about every living Sekirei was happily winged and lived with their Ashikabi. With one thing in mind.

Putting as many as next-generation Sekirei on the planet Earth.

But what was out there in space, no one could tell. There might be more Sekirei in space and they might come to Earth or go to other places where other aliens lived.

Matsu didn't know the answer and this was one answer that she didn't care about. She wanted to use her powers to have fun and help her idiot husband out with his endeavors.

And like most Sekirei, the idea of putting a child on the planet became alluring. She had been looking for houses and last night, she had chatted with Kazehana, Uzume, and Chiho for hours to have a place where they could stay.

A big place though, maybe something like the Inn they had here. Where they could put their kids to bed in different rooms. Where they could have fun in all sorts of manners.

It was a big pity that Takehito and Miya were slowly asking them to move out. Matsu spent years living at this place and she had grown to lose the Maison Izumo as it was her own. But she understood why the Asama couple requested them to leave.

They were having kids and that would be too much for Miya.

Although they would take a place nearby. The idea of their kids requesting to go to auntie Miya would make them laugh for decades. But back to the matter of their upcoming honorary uncle.

"Let's just Matsu-san that my current mood isn't on the radar for love. I'm just wondering about something. May I ask?" Ichika told the wisdom Sekirei.

With a nod, Matsu laid in her room.

"Sure. Although I can't guarantee an answer."

"Matsu-san, if what you wrote in the mail and those girls are in love with me, I'm just wondering. Did any of you have the urge to hit, belittle, kill Minato? Cause from what I guess, you got eight women. So just wondering. If you girls ever did that."

The bespectacled woman thought about that for a bit.

They had their issues, sure and things, especially in the begin, were rough on Minato. They had a lot of ruckus with him and they had tough times getting used to it.

When Uzume got winged last and Chiho became also Minato's lover, there were some complications but it worked out. She had to go over that bit later.

"We had our share of problems. When you come over, we're going to have tons of stories to tell you. But actually killing like what those girls did to you, no. We have never thought of putting Mina-tan through such pain and hurt. Tsukiumi was rough on him but she mellowed out. With her ego and pride swallowed, she is actually fun to have. With that stick in her ass removed, having her in bed is great fun."

"Matsu-san, that's too much information. In any case, I'm relieved to have you as my guardian angel watching over me. Thank you for this." Ichika said and Matsu chuckled.

"You're welcome, Ichika-tan. Now, go in that fight. I'll chat with you later."

"Thank you, Matsu-san. I'll call you when this is over." When he closed the call, he noticed Charlotte standing next to him.

"You really are taking this seriously. And you asked for the Sekirei of Wisdom to watch over us." The girl's voice didn't have the same happy note in her voice. Ichika stood up and nodded.

"Charles, she nearly killed Rin and Cecilia. If we don't have people watching over us, she's going to kill us. Or at the least me. She is the strongest in our year, right?"

The girl nodded. What a damn circus. Charlotte wondered how Houki would react that news. Neither were hungry but they needed the energy. So when they moved to their table, they ate and the others invited themselves. They acted as normal as they could and went to the locker room. The place was packed to the brim with big shots in the world of Infinite Stratos.

Meanwhile, in Shinto Teito, Matsu had begun to think about the case of Chiho and Uzume. There should have been unforeseen complications when Minato went and got two more. For Uzume, that wasn't the thing she was wondering about. For the flock he had, it just meant one more harem sister.

It was more to do with Chiho. Now, unlike what Minato pulled, the others weren't winged by Chiho and they could now as their membranes had touched in several lust filled moments.

Now, Matsu had known that cheating and all that stuff would destroy a Sekirei or the bond they had with an Ashikabi. But it wasn't really cheating.

None of the bonds they had were shattered or destroyed by Minato's interaction with Chiho. Matsu would say they had even grown stronger when the two were close and kissing.

They had accepted and welcomed the two with open arms. Sure, they were already roommates and they went through a lot and they were already closed and so much more.

Matsu was interrupted by a knock and on the door, was just the person she needed for this talk.

"Takehito." She smiled as she saw the scientist. The good doctor stood at the place and grinned at the Sekirei.

"Hey, Matsu. We're having breakfast soon. Miya sent me to fetch you. Something on your mind?"

The redhead nodded and hoped that Takehito would be able to help her out.

"Just a call with Ichika-tan so I'll be back soon for him. It is just that something had come to mind. It has to do with the winging of Uzume-tan by Mina-tan." Takehito crossed his arms and nodded to her to continue.

"Now, this has less to do with the fact that Mina-tan winged her and the whole theory you have behind it. For me and the others, it just means that we have a new sister-wife. The thing I am egging on is the relationship between him and Chiho-baby." Matsu couldn't help but grin on the prospect of teasing the girl to death.

"What about it? Getting cold feet about the fact that Minato is also bedding Chiho?" Takehito asked and Matsu shook her head. It wasn't that. They were happy that it didn't become horrible.

"Not really. I'm just more surprised at the fact that none of us have any problem with the fact that Chiho joined us in this little flock and that we all have sex with her and other stuff. Yet, there is nothing bad coming from it. I don't complain of course but I'm just curious. I mean. Mina-tan broke about everything we thought we knew about Sekirei."

Takehito nodded and understood where Matsu was getting at. Come to think of it, he had also been curious at the start so he did some checks on the two Ashikabi's and on Musubi and Uzume.

"Well, that is quite a tale. To start with the fact that Chiho and Minato got a bond. They're not winged or emerged like you girls but like I said with Uzume-san's winging. Chiho and Minato have liked each other and that bond has grown to love. Now for the complications to you girls. The reason why your bond hasn't destroyed itself on Chiho and Minato is that all of you girls have a real positive feeling about her."

Matsu couldn't argue with that. Even before Uzume was winged, Kusano called Chiho neechan.

The girls had good fun with her.

"All of you clearly like that girl, I'd daresay love Chiho and the same with your Ashikabi. He loves Chiho. Maybe on a human level but very deeply. If you weren't around, who knew what it could be? Just a hypothesis. Now, because Minato has winged several Sekirei, the implication of a new lover isn't as strenuous as when you would have an Ashikabi who had just one Sekirei. So for you girls, it was just a new number on the bond and because of the good feelings to her, none of you girls suffered from this. It also worked for you girls."

Matsu nodded on it but had one more question.

"But if that's the case, why aren't we winged by Chiho-baby?" Takehito looked puzzled.

"I can't follow, Matsu."

"Well, you said that our bond grew stronger from having Chiho-baby around. And that we like her. I'm just thinking. Why wasn't she able to wing us? If we love her and she loves us, why wouldn't she be able to wing us like Mina-tan winged Uzume-tan? I mean. Wouldn't that be logical? I wouldn't mind the idea but none of us got winged by her and believe me. Except for Kagari-tan and Kuu-tan, we all have kissed Chiho-baby. Yet, we didn't get winged." Matsu wondered and that was a new bit for Takehito. But he had an answer.

"That is because Minato is a stronger Ashikabi than Chiho. Chiho winged Uzume and got enough to attract her but for Minato, he attracted Uzume and winged her as he did with any of you. That was his soul calling. Now, for Chiho, that is not the case."

He fondly thought on Uzume who sat with Kusano in her lap downstairs while Kazehana got Chiho in her lap while the four chatted about the date the two would have. They were a part of this family.

"Chiho isn't that strong to call on you. It might change in time but for now, that is how it is. Now, hurry up. You'll need your strength because I have a hunch that this might turn bad for young Ichika." Matsu shared his grimace and got out of her room.

She went downstairs to greet the others and Takehito was close behind her.

The atmosphere was what made Matsu forget what a day this might be for Ichika.

The young man was dressed in his outfit and looked at the whole thing. He knew that this was going to be one tough trip. For everyone involved.

Now at the beach, Minato woke up. His face laid on a couple of pillows. Not the pillow that he normally used but the superb tits that belonged to Tsukiumi. She was stroking his hair and nothing in her mind would make her move him away.

She had a certain likening to the fact that her Ashikabi would go this far for them and he'd be that exhausted. The Water Sekirei couldn't help but like that part of her Ashikabi.

And now, he slept here with his face on her breasts and clinging to her body. She was also feeling a bit dirty. Their body fluids had been swept around the place and the room just smelled of sex.

Sweat, saliva, their bodies special fluids and the whole thing. It made Tsukiumi feel a bit degraded but that wasn't her concern now.

Tsukiumi just stroked his hair when he breathed and he'd come back to earth.

'He's mine. For now.' He snuggled closer to her breasts and it began to tickle her but that wasn't her problem.

She wasn't sure if she should stay awake or go back to sleep with him.

But when Minato moved in a certain way, she knew that the day was out there for them.

"Good morning, Minato." She said and with a sleepyhead, he smiled at her. "Good morning, Tsukiumi."

"I hope thee slept well." Minato nodded to her chest and smiled as he felt the tits. He wasn't a pervert but damn, he could appreciate them.

"Like a rose. I hope the same for you, Tsukiumi." The tsundere smiled at him as she kissed him and her wings came out.

"Kazehana had dubbed it your magical touch. I have to say I am in agreement. Your touch gave me such a great rest." Minato couldn't help but smile.

"Now can you leave so I can wash myself?" Minato nodded and walked out of the room. Luckily, he collected his trousers and when he sat down, he noticed that Oosumi and Shigi were also sitting outside.

"You two look like you had a rough night." Minato joked as he slid down. The two were a bit tired but both had a great smile on their faces.

"I'm blaming this on you, Minato. Your actions caused Kaho to go in overdrive. I have slept for just two hours. I'm going to sleep more on the beach." Despite his harsh words, there was no malice in Shigi. He found it incredibly enjoyable and he was pent up.

"I and Kaho had our fun," Oosumi admitted and that was it.

When they heard they could get in, the males moved in and before they good and well-realized it, they were back on the beach.

They had some breakfast but none of them went to go to the sea. They sat on the beach towel and laid down. They were tired from the night and from all around the beach, they weren't the only ones.

Minato had to thank Tsukiumi. She had made him forget about the world. And he was so gone that he couldn't think about everything.

In the ISA.

If Ichika knew that his honorary uncle forgot about him, he would be affronted. But that is not his biggest issue.

No, he guessed that Laura who stood before him was his biggest problem. When Houki was behind her, they looked at each other and Laura couldn't help but grin when she came to face to Ichika.

"Guess you didn't think that we would have to fight each other in the first round?" Laura said as she looked at Ichika. The guy cracked his neck.

"I had an idea. Let's get this started. The sooner I drive you in the ground, the sooner I get this over with." After that, the timer began to run down. Sharing a look behind with Charlotte, she had talked over the ideas.

When the whole school kept their breath, Ichika prayed that Matsu kept an eye out.

The wisdom Sekirei sat back and looked over the screens. When the timer went down, Ichika boosted up his IS and flew to her. But not in a straight line. He changed the flight course so much that Laura had a hard time to just track him.

But when he got in front of her, she stopped his attack.

"Looks like you haven't learned a thing," Ichika smirked at Laura's insult.

"On the contrary, it is you who hasn't learned a thing." Before that Laura could have an idea of what that meant. Charlotte stroke from the side and fired her bullets at Laura.

"We know you, Bodewig. And we're going to run in you in the ground." Charlotte peppered the German with bullets which she avoided. But for Ichika, that was his turn to strike. When Laura built up a distance, Ichika flew behind her.

She could only turn to her side as Ichika attacked there. It wouldn't be fair but Ichika would shove Yukari up everyone's shithole who told him differently. Laura couldn't see it as her focus was on Charlotte. So she had no chance to react.

"Excellent thinking, Ichika-tan." Matsu cackled when she sat down. The rest of the house sat watching the tv. They couldn't help how fast and violent it was. Kusano was fascinated by the fighting while Kazehana was affronted. Uzume and Chiho weren't too much fan of the suits.

But for Charlotte, there was more coming as Houki stopped the bullets and attacked. Even with Uchigane, Houki was good.

Charlotte wondered how it would be when she got her own IS.

That might be a bigger problem than now as Houki was able to stop the bullets. With her attack, she stopped the German.

"You better not forget about me." When Houki came after Charlotte, Ichika moved in to stop her. Matsu told him not to worry too much about her. Ichika hoped that her prediction wouldn't come out.

When he stopped his childhood friend, she struggled against the fight and the weapons he had.

"Too bad." Ichika had to get used to the corners of his mouth going upwards. Charlotte aimed her weapons at Laura but the silverette had a better idea.

With her cables, she just yanked Houki out of the way.

"What are you doing?!" She shouted as she was cast away like a ragdoll. Matsu had told Ichika that Laura wouldn't see anyone as an ally and that for her, Houki was merely an inconvenience.

He hoped she was wrong but alas, the Sekirei wasn't and it was up for him and Charlotte to fight this girl.

Laura began to cross blades with Ichika and he had no difficulties keeping up. Matsu hadn't just gotten him information but also footage and he had studies every bit of the girl. So countering her was easy.

Despite being preoccupied with Ichika, Laura launched her daggers. Charlotte had an idea that might happen so she quickly moved out of the way. Before that she had a chance, Charlotte was good at this. Houki got back up and ready to fight again.

Charlotte knew that Houki was dying to get a chance to fight Ichika but that wasn't going to happen. She would stop her and make sure that there was no chance she would interfere. "I'm sorry I'm not Ichika. But you can't go to this."

Houki blocked the bullets but couldn't get closer. "Stop mocking me."

"Are they planning to defeat Shinonono first?" Maya asked and Chifuyu's eye had begun to twitch like mad.

"It'd be for the best. Bodewig isn't trained to fight multiple units. She doesn't even see her partner as an ally." Chifuyu admitted and she was sure that the two had some benefactor. Minato really gave her a headache.

But it might be what Ichika needed.

"Even so, Orimura-kun and Dunois-kun combination work is amazing. They really work well."

The mint-haired teacher admitted and she found it amusing that her colleague was getting annoyed.

"They got help from Sahashi again. But they could use it."

On the field, Charlotte blocked Houki from close by. Unlike Cecilia's backup which was huge, Charlotte's knife was just that. A knife and she found it possible to stop Houki.

From close by, she used her shotgun. Forced back, Houki couldn't help but she couldn't keep this up.

She was out for this one.

"Looks like I am at my end." Charlotte didn't waste time and turned fire to Laura again. She didn't have it easy.

When Ichika fell back, Charlotte joined him. "Ready to go again?" Ichika nodded and he smirked at his partner.

"Yep. Let's continue. But first, Houki?"

They turned to her and he was happy she cooled down. With her out, they could work on that.

"Let's not drag this one out. We're gonna finish this." He said pretty seriously. Matsu who watched it had an enjoyable chill running down her spine. It was the same face that Minato made when the girls had gone a bit too far.

When Ichika was sure, he turned to Charlotte and they nodded. Matsu told him to wait with Reiraku Byakuya till Houki was defeated. He shouldn't drag it out either. Just end it fast.

With that, Charlotte offered him fire support while he raced to his assailant. Firing bullets to distract her, Charlotte did her best on the girl.

Of course, the AIC stopped her but like last time, that wasn't the point. Ichika raced to her and from the fringes, he broke the defense. The light shined through and Ichika fought Laura with all that he had.

It didn't take long before she broke contact and raced away. But Ichika was getting closer despite the daggers.

When he got close, she used her AIC again. Now, Ichika did the one thing she hadn't expected. He fell back and that shocked Laura. With a smirk, Charlotte aimed from the side and fire her bullets at Laura who took the hits.

Ichika wondered if that SMG was based on what he used last on Dan's video game. What did they call it? P90? Where would that come from?

That could be a good question.

In a parallel universe.

Ichika sat down while he looked to Mattheus who learned Kizuna how to learn with that weapon. Joel had been working on new weapons for the group, especially with the shit blowing up sky high.

"Okay, that should do it." The punk said as Mattheus deployed his new handgun. It replaced his M1911A1 and it looked more like an FN Five-seveN.

"Thanks for this, Joel." The boy smirked and Ichika couldn't help but smile as Mattheus tried to use his new handgun.

"This smaller round can be used around every place and it has less recoil than your last pistol. It shoots fast and it is easier to use after all." Mattheus nodded.

"It is a lot more comfortable to hold despite the fact it is larger than my previous one." Kizuna couldn't help but be weirded out.

"Hey, Mattheus. Why not use a different weapon?" Mattheus shrugged as he looked to his captain.

"I am more comfortable with guns. They're a bit easier to use and I find it better than swords. Sides, everyone got their own weapon. I take this as easier. And with you two being CQB fighters, someone needs to hold back. For me, using rifles are easier. And I can switch my guns easier around." Joel couldn't help but think of the prophecy.

A Knight and Overlord. Those who came from the past with a heavy legacy on their shoulders. Touched by many a woman and a unique piece.

Hunter was what Mattheus was. And he did a good job at it.

"Joel, on what you based his new gun?"

"On the Five-seveN. I am also keeping at the fact that using this, I'm not going to install a P90. It might not work." Mattheus grinned on Joel.

"In either way, let's get this party started. I need to work out a system." Ichika said and Kizuna noticed one thing.

Joel and Mattheus were no doubt running off on Kizuna and Ichika. And he didn't think that as a bad thing.

Back to Brave New World.

But it was a question for later.

"You coward." Ichika smiled at her and from the fringe, Charlotte attacked. Her bullets hit Laura and took chunks out of her shield points.

Smoke rose from her machine and when Laura fell back and turned to Charlotte, Ichika raced in and before she could block, Ichika took the other fringe.

Squeezing like a vice, Laura couldn't keep track of the two.

He didn't say the words out loud but by the fight, Matsu was right. AIC could only focus on one thing. So with two attackers, Laura couldn't use her special defense.

Chifuyu looked it over. She wasn't sure if they would have needed Matsu to figure it all out.

"Yet another potent combination," Maya admitted as she looked it over.

"They've figured it out. Or have an idea at least. AIC works only when Bodewig focusses on one attacker. It can't be maintained unless the wielder keeps up the focus on the attacker. With the two, they attack the fringes. And that is not working out for her."

Matsu looked over the screen and smiled. While her initial strategy went out the window, Ichika and Charlotte gave Laura hell. She smiled and looked it all over with a giddy face.

"You two are doing great. But I need to lookup more information. Because something is bugging me." She looked it over and the guy fought.

If he'd face Musubi in a fight, she would have a hard time.

When Ichika got close to her, he kept his Reiraku Byakuya hidden till the last moment. Right before the hit, he made the attack hit at full force, sending Laura down the ground.

Thanking Matsu to use that special attack in a meticulous matter, he could keep it up till it really mattered. Sending her down with one powerful attack, Laura couldn't fight back till she was thrashed on the ground. Even before the dust settled, Charlotte launched her attack on the girl.

She had no chance of taking the hits as the bullets tore through her shields. She looked behind to see that Ichika attacked her again. She wasn't sure how it worked for him but Ichika thanked Charlotte for having an IS that could miss a weapon or two.

Her rifle was easy to use and that was clear on the hit. With a nod, he thanked her. Laura turned to him with a furious face. She had begun to lose it and Matsu had foreseen that.

In the Godforsaken game that Minaka had thought out, she had seen it on the face of their opponents before and she had begun to take steps in case this would lit up like a bonfire.

Laura wasn't keeping track as Ichika avoided her dagger. Charlotte used her distraction to use a new thing. Shield Pierce. And from close by, that did an awful lot of damage to her.

Flown to the wall, Ichika was happy that he got enough left. Still, he hadn't missed the look on her face. Smoke rose from the place and while there were some happy sheers from the stages, he wasn't the only one still on guard.

Chifuyu looked it over with a slight hint of worry. Charlotte had taken over as close fighter as Ichika didn't have that much energy left. So when she got close, she hit Laura and her shield points took more and more hits.

From what she guessed, Laura fought back in her mind. 'I can't lose. I just cannot lose.'

So far, she wasn't sure that she could keep it up. her mind. Her thoughts flew back to those days.

And when she met Chifuyu.

From there on, Laura's IS began to change. It was near the end and none on the stage saw it coming. Ichika looked at it as if he was in a nightmare. The screams were that of a person in excruciating pain. But that wasn't all.

The amount of energy spread over the place. it was more like an energy bomb set off. It was also blinding for the entire place.

When that bomb was over, Ichika had an idea a thunderstorm went off.

Schwarzer Regen became disfigured and it looked like it enveloped her body.

"What is going on?" Charlotte asked aloud. Meanwhile, the entire audience looked at the scene with a mix of horror and disgust.

Ichika couldn't be sure but he hoped for his sister that she hadn't forgotten about this little bit.

Chifuyu made sure that she was ready for this. "Announce a Level D alert." She said and Maya registered the order.

In the black goo and the electricity, Laura became more and more sucked in while it took a form of something familiar.

Ichika wasn't sure but he felt like he went insane. Was this the horror of the Infinite Stratos?

He briefly registered the words spoken over the microphone.

"An emergency situation has arisen. All matches are canceled. Level D situation." He couldn't help but feel pity for Laura.

He just hoped that Matsu was on her task.

In Shinto Teito, Musubi had shielded Kusano's eyes and the flower girl closed her ears. Uzume did the same with Chiho who also closed off her ears. Kagari's mouth had fallen open in shock as he looked at what was going on.

Kazehana was floored by the scene that was playing. She hadn't seen this sort of thing and that was saying a lot. Meanwhile, the Asama couple was in a similar sort of horror.

This wasn't something normal. Even for their standards.

Matsu was sure that something would happen but what exactly, that was a very good question.

Like with the last attack, the place got shield off from the spectators and they were told to evacuate.

Ichika was sure that was the image of his sister there. With Maya behind the controls, she was keeping a cool head.

"What is going on with her?"

Ichika looked it over and while a part got pissed off on the fact she took the image of his sister, his logic won out by saying to be calm. He wasn't in the best spot to fight.

So when the Infinite Stratos took hold, Ichika waited and his fist was clenched in anger. Charlotte also fell back from Laura.

He got out before the IS got close to him. A part of him wanted to attack but he knew that she was stronger and better for this fight and that it'd be the same as an ant challenging a human.

But as the IS began to make its way, it was halted. Ichika looked up and saw that it had stopped. And like the mold had begun to take over, it began to fall off. Ichika knew that Matsu was behind this and when this was over, he called her and she would get one big thank you.

Matsu was busy and she was wondering what the ones who ran the ISA were big, stupid idiots. And that was putting it mildly.

How that Valkyrie system passed on was beyond her. When Ichika turned to a camera, he nodded. Matsu understood that it was for her.

And while it would be impossible for any human, Sekirei weren't humans. And with the smartest thing on the planet, she continued her hacking. She had an idea where this damned virus was and while the teachers surrounded the whole scene, Laura had stopped moving.

With her own skills, Laura knew what to do. From Shinto Teito, she had begun and deleted the program. Laura came from down the mess. She fell on the ground and Ichika was happy that this was over. Laura had come down and there was a bit to let the teachers handle this.

"Looks like we're done." He deactivated his IS, turned to Charlotte who nodded at him and then back to Houki.

"I am just wondering what stopped her," Houki muttered.

"I have a guardian angel. Or better said, a cyber guardian angel." Ichika told his friend. He had moved away and he was damn glad this whole mess was over.

On the whole thing, Laura had gotten out of the mess and was carried to a bed. There she woke up with Chifuyu at her side.

"Good to see you're awake". Chifuyu told her.

"What happened?" Laura asked while she laid down on the bed.

"Just for the record. This has been classified. Do you know of that VT system? It caused you to lose control." Chifuyu told her and Laura nodded.

"Valkyrie trace system? Heard of it yes." She admitted and Chifuyu began to explain. "With the IS pact, about everything of that System has been forbidden. But for some reason, yours was outfitted with it."

"How was it shut down? I can't remember." There were no lies, just the truth.

"You gotta thank my brother for that," Chifuyu admitted and it was true. There was no telling how that the system was shut down. Just her, Charles, Houki, Maya, Chifuyu and now Laura would know.

There was nothing that could be traced back to Minato.

"How?" Laura was astonished and hoped it hid in her voice how that weakling could have been responsible for stopping her.

"My brother, more than me, is an old friend of Minato Sahashi. The Ashikabi of the North in Shinto Teito, formerly known as Tokyo. Minato is also an old acquaintance of me but he is closer to Ichika." Chifuyu paused and made Laura understand how much she owed to Ichika.

When she continued, Laura listened to her.

"Before he got to this school, Minato had promised to look after Ichika. Ever since he started, Ichika got Minato who watched over his back. When this fight happened, like the others, one of Minato's Sekirei, Matsu, has hacked in your IS and destroyed. There is no telling what would have happened if she didn't."

Laura looked outside of the room.

"It is true that Matsu stopped it but without Ichika, you'd be dead. It was also less painful. You are in debt to my brother. So stop hunting him. Also, who are you?" Chifuyu asked and the girl turned back to her idol.

"I am."

"If you're no one in particular, then perfect. You are Laura Bodewig." Chifuyu stood up from her place.

"You can't be me. That is not how it works. If you wondered why I am strong, I did that for Ichika. He's the reason I accomplished everything. I am not strong because I hate what is in front of me but because I love what is behind me. So Bodewig. From today, I give you this. Leave. Ichika. Alone. If you hurt him, even now. It'll be who you will face."

With that, Laura was left to her thoughts.

In the dining room, Ichika was eating his bowl and like Charlotte, he was happy with how it all was resolved.

"The tournament is called off and the data will be looked after for each individual." Ichika saw a few girls who had lost to despair. He wasn't sure what was going on and he didn't want to know.

"That, Charles, is not our problem. Someone else can do it. I'm happy we got out that mess, alive." Ichika told her and Charlotte came to realize that they have been close to death.

"So you made your thanks to Matsu-san." The guy shook his head. and with a sigh, he finished his meal.

"No. She wasn't on the phone. I'll try later again. But we were really lucky to have her around."

"You can say that. So what now?" Charlotte asked him. She looked to the ceiling and her eyes closed. The peace and food were good to have.

"I have no clue, Charles. And I have no care. For now, I'm just happy things are over. And what now for you?" Charlotte shrugged.

"I'll think it over. And when I got an answer, you'll know." Ichika shot a worried smile at her.

"That doesn't put me at ease. Either way, Charles. I can use a time out."

"Then I have good news." He turned to their assistant homeroom teacher.

"The men bathhouse has been opened today. And you two got permission to use it to let everything of today was away." Ichika wasn't sure if he was happy for that but he had been through enough. So not long after, Ichika took his bath.

"Damn, this feels great." He laid back in the hot water. After all, he had been through, he could use a breather. So the hot water on his aching muscles were a heaven.

"Sorry for the wait." Okay, that wasn't good news. He turned to see Charlotte fidgeting with a towel and Ichika began to wonder how it was possible that she could hide those tits in her uniform. Must have been very uncomfortable.

"Don't look so much, you perv." He raised an eyebrow as he turned away.

"Charles, you're one to talk. Did you really think that coming in with just wearing a towel wouldn't get my attention."

She joined him in the bath and he covered his eyes.

"Why?" He just asked.

"You don't want to bath with me?" Her smile was teasing as he turned one eye to her.

"If you're going to bath with me, I'll look at you. You want to know why?"

Charlotte tilted her head as her body felt great on the water. Especially now she can let her tits hang out.

"Because Charles, you have one great body. And you're the first girl in this school that has not been trying to kill me, ever since I got here. But because I think I'm in the way, I'll go." Charlotte took his wrist and on reflex, he turned to her.

"Can you please stay? I have something to tell you. And I feel this is the only place without eyes on us." So Ichika sat back down and with his back turned to her, Charlotte began to speak.

"You're going to stay?" Ichika asked as that was the biggest thing on her mind for now.

"You want me to?" She could feel his back on hers and it had a really pleasant feeling.

Ichika moved his neck and every muscle in that place felt sore.

"Yes. I would like that very much." He admitted and Charlotte found out that he was speaking the truth.

"I am going to stay. And you are the great reason why. You're here. And I want to be here as well."

On the stones, submerged, her hand went for Ichika's and he tensed up just a bit.

But he relaxed and when Ichika felt the fingers, he took them in his palm.

"Glad to know. You've been a real help for me, Charles." Ichika could feel her turning on him and now, he knew what the feeling was of having tits pressed at your back.

Very pleasant and good he was tired. Because he wouldn't be able to hide his arousal.

"I also intend to go as a girl." Ichika closed his eyes and sighed.

"I'm happy that you let me know in time. I can have some ways to prevent myself from getting killed. Not that it won't be a disaster but we can be prepared for that."

With her hands on his shoulders, her face laid on the back of his neck, Ichika wondered if this was a thing they could call love.

"Ichika. When we're alone. Can you call me Charlotte? I know that you know my name. But it is the one that my mother gave me. When we're alone. Can you call me that?"

Ichika nodded.

"Very well, Charlotte." And with that, they sat in the bath and didn't have a care in the world.

Ichika would later find out that Matsu had collapsed in her room after she was done hacking. Matsu had been quiet ever since and as soon the match was over, the cyber maiden had given out.

The others understood that she had been working hard and that like with all, her energy had run dry. Thanks to the others, she was put in a bed and slept nearly the entire Sunday.

Kazehana had taken the liberty of sending a message to Ichika that Matsu would take his thanks when she was awake.

Meanwhile, on the beach, Minato had spent a totally different day than what Ichika had. While it had taken a while before he woke up and he spent his day with Tsukiumi again.

It was clear that he wasn't the only guy who had his energy drained. Despite being up and at it, he saw on breakfast that there were quite a few people who had tons of sex at this place.

It wasn't just because they had sex but because of the fact that a lot of girls limped and that some of the guys were not there in the head. During breakfast, they did share a table with Oosumi, Kaho, Shigi and Kuno.

They were up for some bits of talking despite the fact they were also sleep deprived. There wasn't said a lot on the table but all needed food in their stomachs. With a rigorous activity, they needed food in their bellies.

A lot wasn't said but the silence wasn't killing them. They weren't really ashamed of the fact they all bumped uglies.

It was more because there was no energy for a lot. Still, Minato noticed that it was funny to see how the Sekirei acted post-coitus. He had seen of his own of course but with the two couples, he found it even funnier.

Kaho had her head on Oosumi's shoulder and how she managed to eat in that position, was beyond Minato. Oosumi, on the other hand, wasn't really acting weird. He did, however, lean in the head of his wife and kissed her so often. They also shared their meals.

Just a show they cared.

Tsukiumi wasn't blushing on it as she herself focused on her food like a proper lady. That wife training of Miya really paid off.

Minato sat next to her and she smiled on the soft touches on her.

Meanwhile, Kuno was eating in silence while she fed her Ashikabi. Shigi was about gone in spirit. Despite the hours of sleep, Kuno wrung him dry before breakfast and he wasn't there with his head. He laid slumped on the table.

Kuno had an appetite and ate quite a bit. Even took bits of Shigi's but gave enough to her Ashikabi.

What became clear on the beach was that most of them were just taking it easy.

No big games, no swimming, no eating or playing in the water. Minato was sure a crowded beach never had been quieter than the day he passed by. The crashing waves on the beach, the soft wind that blew over, that was about it.

Even the seagulls were quiet for a change. It wasn't really bad for them, just surprising.

Unlike the shoulder where she slept on, Tsukiumi gave Minato a lap pillow. His hair tickled her soft thighs but she understood now why Kazehana loved doing this to Minato.

Messing with his hair, Tsukiumi was sure that Minato was liking this as well. He was far gone in his sleep. That was astonishing given the fact that Minato could have a hard time falling asleep when he was not fully exhausted. She had been there before.

He could take short naps on the thighs of course but the fact that he had been gone for two hours and not even registered that she was playing with his hair made it even better.

She had her long legs out so they touched the sand. It was warm but not scalding hot. It was gentle to have her feet in.

But it had gotten a bit annoying to sit in the same spot. Without waking him up, she moved her body. Instead of her lap, he laid on her crotch and her legs went over his body. While it might get her closer to another spot, Tsukiumi put the Ashikabi so he laid on her stomach while her legs laid next to his body.

She turned to Kuno and Kaho. Their Ashikabi's were also out for the count. Kaho, however, slept next to him as she laid on the beach with her head on his shoulder.

Kuno also chose a lap pillow but had her legs underneath her butt. She also messed with Shigi's hair. It was only around noon when the heat went back up that keeping the spot wasn't great and the Ashikabis couldn't sleep due to the heat that hit them.

Minato was the first. With his eyes open, he saw the blue eyes of his beloved water girl.

"Hello, Tsukiumi. Thank you for this." She smiled and messed with the thick hair.

"Please, thou don't have to thank me, Minato. After all, this is a wife's duty. I hope thee slept well."

The smile on his face was great and Tsukiumi mirrored it. They still wore their clothes from yesterday but that wasn't a big deal.

She just laid there with her Ashikabi awake. "Minato, could thee move away? It is getting too hot to enjoy my legs on the sand."

Minato did what she asked of him and he propped himself up. They sat in silence and neither said anything. They just enjoyed the sea and the beach and the whole thing. Away from the insanity. Minato couldn't be more grateful that the somewhat pushy method of getting him away to the beach might have been the best course of action.

In the last 48 hours, he hadn't worried about Ichika and made up big time to Tsukiumi. They hadn't moved closer but sat in the same spot.

Minato understood why Tsukiumi requested a trip.

The girl loved showering her Ashikabi with love, but any such action was met by merciless teasing from the others in his flock.

The embarrassment from last time had nearly killed Tsukiumi of humiliation. That's why she wanted this trip. To show her Ashikabi she loved him as much as the others. Now, Tsukiumi just sat down with Minato.

Minato wasn't going to pull out the stops like last night as it had been rough enough and she could stand having no action for now.

This was also fine. Just sitting on the beach, their hands intertwined. For them, they just wanted to sit here and enjoy the peace.

"Minato." Eventually, she needed to ask.

"What it is, Tsukiumi?" Minato asked her. With her face turned to her, she kissed him first. And not just a normal chaste one. Minato was happy that there was no attention to him.

Because it was more than a kiss. A full make-out session. His mouth for a change got dominated and Tsukiumi loved the feeling of her Ashikabi touching her back.

After two minutes, they needed air.

"You have a question?" He asked with a healthy blush all over his face.

"My husband. I think thee heard the question of the others. Doth I needeth to asketh?"

Minato shook his head.

"How long I'll keep this up with Ichika, right?" Tsukiumi nodded and while she wasn't aggressive, she was just wanting to hear it.

"I know thee has a history with Ichika Orimura, prey tell. I know that thee looketh out for him. But how long wilt thee keepeth doing that? Eventually, he needs to look out after himself." Tsukiumi said.

"I don't blameth you for your actions. I just wish that we can look for our own house." Minato sighed and she was right. The mood wasn't spoiled but she just sat down with him and it was clear that she looked for answers.

"I have no clue. But Tsukiumi, let me tell you this. You taking me away to this beach. I am grateful. Thanks to this, I could clear my head and not worry about Ichika for a good while. This proved that I can't keep looking out for him. I needed a break."

Minato admitted and there had to be a solution. But for now, he would look after Ichika. That was just how it would be.

Meanwhile, Kuno and Shigi looked from afar and when their eyes met those of Kaho and Oosumi, both couples were happy that they had their own problems to take care of.

And that they weren't going to get involved unless asked.

The Ashikabis had woken up around the same time and they just looked over the sea. Like Minato, they were happy to be out of the city. Coincidence sure but for now, they needed peace and quiet. And the amount of lovemaking.

For Minato, he had a certain idea that when he got home, he would hear the story. But for now, he was happy that he was cut off from information.

Going offline could be great. Especially with great company.

---

I am going to admit that I took a while writing this chapter. But once I got into it, damn, I loved doing it. I had fun again in this, and something tells me I have some new things to use.

I had some jabs indeed, and if you can wonder where I got some from, you guys win something from me. If I can remember myself.

Sides that, I took a good while over this, but I had IRL to work out.

About Mikogami and Mutsu, I am just making that for humor. So far, I do know that Mutsu acts as a father for that boy but Mikogami is at least sixteen years by now (AKA age at my place you can give consent for sexual intercourse) so that's why I made the jabs at Mutsu.

He's the kid's Sekirei. That ain't going to change. And besides, that runt has thought about kissing lower parts of Mutsu so why not?

Not that I'll write that out. The story is not focused on them and it's not about who Mikogami has winged and who he has in his bed.

That is Minato's role. And for this chapter, yeah, I got Kaho and Oosumi for one and Kuno and Shigi for another lemon but hey, the story just worked with that. Worked out for me like that. Was fun.

As for this, I have worked a good while over this and damn, this many pages and the huge word count. Fun. Also, I had a ton of music I listened through.

Back to my previous days and to a few new things. That's a thing I gotta appreciate about doing those chapters.

Also, guys, if we keep this up, we're gonna have a hundred followers on this fic before the end of the year. Which would be really a big milestone for me. Thank you all for your support.

The next chapter is not going to be as massive as this one and it'll be called Dream of Mirrors.

Saluut.