Chapter 4

The Pecking Order

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

Flashback

"Magic"

Location / Date / Time Skip

Panting in exhaustion, Natsu almost collapsed onto the Inn property. "Are we sure we'll be safe here?" Musubi asked, her clothing torn from the blasts.

"I have no idea." He replied, looking up at the sky. "Doesn't look like anything is charging now."

The door to the Inn opened and a returned Miya stared at the two in shock. "Oh my goodness. What happened to you two?"

"I'm not really sure." Musubi confessed. "I was out getting some ingredients and then something kept falling out of the sky. And then I ran into Natsu on the way back here."

"Are the two of you hurt?" The landlady asked.

"No, and I think I got everything." The fist-type held up a paper bag, only to now notice the large hole at the bottom of it. "Oh no, when did that happen!? Hang on, I'll run out and get some more-"

She turned around to the door, only for Miya to grab her shoulder. "Musubi, I think there's a better choice for public attire, don't you?" Her question wasn't really a question; it scared Musubi stiff. The landlady was referring to the fact that Musubi's gi was in tatters, her dress torn up, and her stockings hanging off of her legs like rags.

"Let's forget about the ingredients for now and get you two cleaned up." Miya stepped aside and gestured inside. "Natsu, Minato is in the baths right now, if you'd care to join him."

"Sure, that sounds grea-" Natsu sniffed the air and instantly rushed past the two, confusing the women. Slamming the bathroom door open, he found Minato being pushed against the wall by an orange-haired girl in glasses, a white towel only just covering her behind. "I knew it! There was someone else here!"

"Oh, two Ashikabi vying for a Sekirei…" The bespectacled girl teased with a blush, shaking her ass at Natsu. "Well, I guess there's only one way to settle this."

"NATSU, HELP ME!" Minato yelped.

"Oh, don't worry, I promise I'll be gentle." The unknown Sekirei chuckled, scaring Minato even more. Suddenly, she found herself off the ground as Natsu picked her up by the towel. A second later, she was yeeted into the large tub before she quickly resurfaced. "What the hell!?"

"What is going on in here?" Miya arrived at the open door, a sword at the ready.

"This pervert was trying to have her way with Minato." Natsu declared, pointing at the submerged woman. Miya and the redhead shared a look, resulting in the demonic mask scaring everyone in the room.

Living Room

"So… reintroductions?" The girl chuckled as she sat across from the two Ashikabi and their respective Sekirei. "My name is Matsu."

"Matsu is also a resident of ours." Miya explained from behind her. "She lives in room 201."

"But there is no room 201." Minato replied.

"Wait, is that what that random window outside is for?" Natsu asked, earning a nod from Miya. "Is it a secret room? Please tell me it's a secret room!"

"Come along; I'll show you." The landlady sighed as they went up the stairs. Matsu pushed against the wall and the entire thing spun to the side, revealing a path.

"That is so cool!" The Dragon Slayer declared. "You're like a freaking ninja!"

"Then, was she the one that Kuu saw?" Minato asked aloud, earning a nod from the child.

"Yeah, sorry about that." Matsu apologized. "I have to live in hiding on account of all the drama that happened when I stopped working for Minaka. They've been chasing me ever since, hence the 'hiding behind the wall'."

"Chased out?"

"That's right." Miya nodded. "I told you, my husband never believed in turning anyone away. He built this door as a joke, but as you can see, it's come in quite handy. Believe it or not, he also used to work for Minaka. That's actually how all three of us first met. I apologize for not telling anyone sooner, but it seems Natsu would have sniffed her out eventually. Although, if she continues to behave like this, I may have no choice but to kick her out."

"No, please don't, Miss Miya! I give you my word, I swear I'll be good from now on!" Matsu begged the landlady for her life before turning to the other five. "I'm so sorry for everything. Please excuse me."

She sunk back into her room as the wall closed. "Minato, isn't this amazing?" Musubi asked, confusing the ronin. "It's your third."

"Akitsu, you've been pretty quiet all this time." Natsu spoke up. "Is everything okay?"

"Natsu, can you answer me truthfully?" The ice user asked, earning a nod from her 'master'. "What exactly did you do to her in the bathroom?"

"…I threw her into the tub as she shook her butt at me." He replied honestly.

"That's good." She said with a cold expression, sliding over and hugging a confused Natsu.

Night

Minato laid awake in his bed, looking up at the ceiling as he replayed what Matsu told him in the bathroom. 'But you're also my Ashikabi… That's definitely what she said.' The door opened and he pushed himself up, thinking it was Kuu. A glimmer of light shined in his eyes and he froze as Matsu crawled over him. She was wearing a bright pink bikini and a matching barely-decent thong. The bikini had a pointless translucent dress hanging down from it, one that didn't even reach her waist. "What are you-"

Matsu pressed her finger on his lips and shushed him. "In all the confusion, I forgot the most important part." Taking off her glasses, she took Minato's face in her hands, leaned forward until he could feel her bosom press to his chest, and kissed him, causing a glow to shine from her upper back and a set of orange wings to grow from what was undoubtedly a new Sekirei crest.

"Hopefully next time, we can experiment a bit more." She said with a smile as she put her glasses back on. "Just the two of us."

The door was thrown open as an irate Miya stood in the hallway. "Late night visits are strictly forbidden in this house!" She declared, scaring the two yet somehow not waking Musubi up at all. "Because of this, there will be no breakfast for either of you."

"Miss Miya, please forgive me!"

"What did I do?!"

Down the hall, Natsu and Akitsu were sound asleep as a shadow crept into the room. Yahan emerged from the abyss as she drew her dagger and walked over to the snoring male. "Time for you to die." She declared, the metal just about touch his throat.

"Hold on, Yahan." Minaka spoke up in her earpiece, a remarkable little lacrima-earring that simply stuck to the wearer's lobe instead of piercing it. The blade was an inch from contact. "He didn't actually break any of the rules of the game."

"He engaged a Sekirei in battle." She snapped back quietly.

"Only after he was struck first." He replied. "I'm not going to have you kill him when he defended himself. I'm just starting to enjoy his part in this game. Now, I would suggest leaving as soon as possible. You know who might show up at any minute." With an annoyed sigh, Yahan sheathed her blade and sank back into the shadows just as Miya opened the door.

"Nice to know some people follow the rules." The landlady said with a dangerous smile before closing the door.

High above the tallest hill, a large ziggurat sat overlooking everything in the city. Minaka stood out on the highest balcony, looking down at the settlement he called a game board as Takami walked up from behind. "The clean up at the Arboretum was handled very well by Number 107 after we released him." She reported.

"All that time wasted planning that event, and it ended so… plainly." Minaka huffed in annoyance. "I was expecting something more… 'battle to the deathy'."

Takami just shook her head in disgust as she stared at the lacrima screen in her hand. "So far, nearly 90% of the Sekirei we've released have emerged or been terminated."

"It's all in the timing." Minaka chuckled as he turned around. "Let me know the instant it passes over that threshold. In the meantime, the boys in the lab called me. Seems they're having a hard time with that project I gave them."

"What project?"

"Oh, just something that's going to turn this game on its head!" He declared with childlike enthusiasm. "Trust me, you don't want to miss this!"

Next Morning

Maison Izumo

Minato opened his eyes and found himself struggling to push himself out of his bed. Looking down, he saw three faces he knew all too well had crawled into his sack. 'I'm gonna die… one more Sekirei and that's it.'

"Rise and shine, Mi-na-to." Matsu teased as she looked him in the eyes. "So, how about a good morning kiss?"

She puckered her lips and moved forward, only to end up kissing Musubi who did the same thing. "I'm not Minato…" She drowsily declared, rubbing her tired eyes. "But good morning…"

"I wonder what would happen if Sekirei ever really got together." Matsu pondered with a perverted smile, scaring Minato even more.

"Hold on. Remember what Miya said. No more sneaking in here." He warned her as she tried to leave the room.

"It's nothing like that, we're just sleeping together." She chuckled back.

"Could you not say things like that when Kuu is around?" Minato requested as he covered the child's ears. She was still sleeping, but he took no chances.

"I'm so used to eating all my meals in secret. It feels weird to do this in front of others." Matsu chuckled as she ate her breakfast at the large table. "You guys are the best."

"No problem." Natsu let out between bites. "So Uzimi?"

"Uzume, and I think she's still sleeping." Akitsu corrected him. "She seems to be coming home less and less of late."

"I hope she's okay." Matsu added in concern as Miya tried to feed an injured Kagari.

"I hope you don't mind, but I have a favor to ask for you." Miya told Natsu and Akitsu as she finished cleaning the dishes from breakfast. "I've got to pick up some things that were destroyed by Matsu's little… adventure yesterday. I know it's your day-off, but I need you two to handle some deliveries."

"Sure, no problem." Natsu said with a thumbs-up. "You can count on me!"

"I also have no problem doing this for you." Akitsu added.

"Wonderful." The Landlady beamed back as she handed them some bags and a list. "I knew I could count on you two. We should probably leave before Musubi starts watering the flowers. You know how chaotic she can be with the pump."

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea." Natsu chuckled as the three left out the front door. Miya went to the west as the pair headed south for the deliveries. "Alright, looks like we got some packages, a couple of letters. Nothing too bad. We should get this done in a couple of hours. What do you think, Akitsu?"

He stopped walking as he turned around, finding the ice user frozen in place, fear flowing off her. "Hey, are you okay?"

"The dog shows concern for its master, does it?" Natsu snapped his head around to see a cloaked woman with gray hair in matching clothing staring back at him. "Maybe you need to keep him on a shorter leash."

"What the hell does that mean?!" He asked back.

"I think it speaks for itself." The woman replied. "Now run along while you still have something to tuck between your legs."

"That's it! I-"

He started to march forward, only for Akitsu to grab his arm and hold him in place. "Just let her go." She whispered, terror dripping off her voice.

Natsu glared at her, then at this mystery woman, then growled. "Fine, but only because you asked, Akitsu."

"Good girl." The woman declared as she walked past the pair.

As she rounded the corner, Akitsu finally let his arm go. Natsu turned to her. "Why'd you stop me? I could have beaten her!"

"That woman… She's the Black Sekirei…" The ice user mumbled, confusing Natsu.

Maison Izumo, Roof Garden

Watering the plants was so much fun! Working the pump handle let Musubi learn pacing and restraint for herself, plus it gave her a light workout by the time she was done. Plus, watching the water drop from the pump spout, into the portal lacrima on the ground, and spray out the amphora in her other hand made her happy and excited for some reason. She couldn't explain it.

She didn't care that she couldn't explain it, and neither did Kusano. So, giggling and laughing together, Musubi sprayed the plants while Kuu ran in and out of the tiny rainshower, splashing in the puddles as much as she could.

"Careful, Kuu. You don't wanna catch a cold." Musubi joked, only to end up spraying water over the edge. Killing the flow, she looked over to find a soaked, smiling face. "Karasuba!"

"Seems you're as scatterbrained as ever." The woman chuckled as Musubi jumped over the edge.

"Why are you doing here?" The pugilist asked excitedly, so much she tried to say 3 times at once.

"I heard your story and wanted to come see you." The swordswoman replied as she glanced over her shoulder, finding Minato at the doorway with a broom in hand. "So is this your Ashikabi?"

"Yeah, he's Minato!" Musubi declared.

"Uh, Musubi?" The ronin pointed with his broom. "Don't you think we should get her out of those wet clothes?"

"Right! I'll get you something to wear!" She grabbed Karasuba by the wrist and led her into the insula, past a confused Minato.

Walking after them, Minato stopped when Matsu opened her secret door. "Hey, Minato, what's going on?" The Sekirei asked.

"Apparently, one of Musubi's friends stopped by." He replied.

"One of her friends?" The bespectacled girl repeated as Karasuba and Musubi stepped out of the upstairs laundry room. Matsu froze as she saw the guest glancing her way, causing her to quickly close the door in fear.

Minato took the hint and walked up to Musubi's friend. "So, what brings you here today, Miss Karasuba?"

"A personal matter." She brushed a wet lock of hair off of her face. "I just wanted to catch up with Musubi and make sure she remembers our promise."

"M-hm!" Musubi nodded. "I'll never forget, Karasuba. You'll see."

Karasuba walked down the street from the inn with a smile on her face. As she rounded a corner, she found Miya walking towards her, a basket of groceries hanging off her wrist.

"Just this once, I'll pretend I didn't notice you." Miya declared as the two passed each other. "The next time you set foot near my home, I won't forgive you."

"The same as always, I see." Karasuba chuckled. "So scary, but that's what excites me!" The two turned and entered a drawing stance as a lone apple fell to the ground. "Aww, too bad. I should have brought my sword with me. Because the weapon you have right now wouldn't stand a chance."

"Get out of here! Your repulsive visage makes me sick!" Miya declared, pointing with her radish.

"Still the same as ever, No.1." The Black Sekirei picked up the apple and rubbed it on her sleeve. "The next time we meet, let's bring our weapons."

Miya let her walk out of her line of sight before rushing back to her inn. "Kuu, have Natsu and Akitsu come back from their errands yet?" The landlady asked the younger girl, playing in the flowerbed. She shook her head, scaring Miya. Hurrying inside, she dropped the groceries in the kitchen before grabbing a wooden sword.

"I'll be right back. And I'll bring them with me." She declared, closing the door behind her.

Karasuba sat bored as she stared out the window of the Magic Mobile, a smile on her face. "You seem quite happy today." The driver stated.

"Can you tell?" She asked back.

"Of course. I'm your Ashikabi or whatever." He replied.

"You're not so serious, Natsuo." Karasuba chuckled, the car passing two battling Sekirei. "Hey, stop here." The mobile vehicle screeched to a halt before she jumped out. "I'll head back on foot."

"Where are you going?"

"I'm all excited from seeing Number 1." The swordswoman explained. "I need to let off some steam, so let me play." The man nodded before driving away. A dark grin appeared on Karasuba's face as she rushed forward.

"I said, I'm not joining any damn collection!" The staff user declared, blocking a strike from a black whip. The weighted tip still nailed her in the head, her bo staff a poor choice to defend against something with longer reach and no rigidness.

"And I told you, the master isn't interested!" The blonde replied, pulling her whip back and holding it taut. "Once he sees a Sekirei he wants, nothing can change his mind."

"Mind if I join the fun?" The whip-user turned around just in time to see a shadow fly past her. Instantly, blood burst out of her body and she fell over, already unconscious and speeding towards death.

"Well, that was disappointing." Karasuba remarked, looking at the beaten woman. Flicking the drizzle of blood off her blade, she turned and pointed the tip at the bo-woman. "Can you do any better?"

"Oh, hell no!" The woman turned and ran away, her green hair billowing behind her as she jumped from building to flat-topped building. 'The Black Sekirei? Why is she here? I gotta find a place to-'

"There's no point in running." A sword was shoved into her left leg, causing her to lose her balance and fall off the roof, crashing onto a trash barge floating down the canal. Pushing herself up, she found Karasuba landing in front of her, blood dripping off the blade. "Now you're just going to die tired."

"GET BACK!" The girl hoisted her staff around her back and chopped at Karasuba. Karasuba merely swung her sword and the bo fell apart.

'That was the blunt side of the blade!' The girl thought in horror. 'There's no getting out of this. I'm gonna die here…'

Ice suddenly shot up and blocked Karasuba, catching both of them off guard.

"That won't hold her for long." The injured Sekirei looked up to find the infamous 'Discarded Number' descending from the air. "Grab her."

"On it!" Toyotama suddenly found herself picked up bridal-style as she looked up. A green behind the gills look was soon replaced with a confident look as her savior landed on the ground. "Hey, I remember you! You're from when that blonde attacked me!"

The ice-user created a second wall before the two started running away.

"Name's Natsu." Her courier said before motioning to the side. "This here is Akitsu."

"The hell… are you two doing?" She asked, blood leaking from her leg.

"Saving you." Natsu replied. "What's it look like?"

"Against my better judgment…" Akitsu added.

Karasuba's blade made short work of the ice wall. Her eyes followed her prey as they ran along the street next to the canal. After giving them a small headstart, she jumped hard enough to rock the refuse tug and throw its pilot off its wheel. The staff-wielder may have been weak, but she'd had a good idea. Karasuba would follow them and see where they lived. Minaka would more easily overlook her murders if she could pass them off as setting an example to a den of potential dissidents.

Akitsu didn't stop running even after she lost track of Karasuba. Natsu didn't stop running because Akitsu didn't stop. "They got any doctors in this crazy place? She's not looking so good."

The green-haired woman was panting heavily, sweating, and feeling hot in Natsu's arms. She curled tighter against him as his feet thudded against the stones, shaking her body against him. She was covered in bruises and had a busted lip. Not to mention, it looked like Crazy Sword Lady had already shanked her in the leg; Natsu could feel her bleeding on him.

"A doctor wouldn't stop Karasuba." Akitsu jumped and spun in midair, scanning her surroundings. They were alone. The citizens had already adhered to standard Sekirei protocol and gone inside the buildings, with orders not to let anyone inside until a Custody Unit arrived and declared the battle finished. "We have to get off the street and hide."

"Found you."

That was all the warning they got before a flicker of steel caught the sun and nearly Akitsu's neck before she dropped to her back skidded along the stone street, ruining the back of her clothes in the process.

Natsu jumped and pushed his foot off a building, somersaulting over Karasuba's head. Time seemed to slow as she took notice of him. With his hands full, there was only one spell he could think of that would stop him from being shredded like pulled pork. From under the staff-lady's back, he stuck his middle and index finger out at his opponent.

"Fire Dragon Stooge!"

Instead of fire, two dense puffs of smoke rolled out and nailed the crazy sword lady in the eyes. She cried out in anger and took a wild swing in the air, but Natsu saw it coming and twisted out of the way. Unfortunately, he wasn't used to fighting with a package and his crash-landing caused him to drop the girl he'd been carrying.

Wiping her eyes, the crazy sword lady's grin was even scarier with her red, watery white. "I'm Number 4, Karasuba, and you're dead."

Karasuba charged forward, blade at the ready when a purple blur zoomed past the duo. An impact echoed around them as dust flew up into the air. Akitsu lowered her arm and found Miya blocking the sword with a wooden copy, yet hers seemed undamaged.

"Heh, well this is a surprise." The Black Sekirei smirked. "You stand up for these random people."

"They're both staying at my Inn and are under my employment." Miya replied. "I will not allow you to harm them."

The two pushed away and glared at each other as a crowd of people started staring at the fight. Annoyed, Karasuba sheathed her sword and glared at the injured girl on the ground. "I hope you know you got lucky today." She declared before walking away.

Miya lowered her tool and turned around to the three. "Pick her up, we'll take her back to the inn." Miya ordered, walking away from the damage.

"Are you okay?" Natsu asked as he knelt down to the injured girl. "So… guess now's as good a time to get your name."

"Call me Toyotama…" She replied, grabbing Natsu's face. "As of this day, I'm all yours." She pulled him and to Natsu's surprise and Akitsu's rage, kissed him on the lips. Purple light emerged from her back in the shape of wings before exploding into powder. A smile on her face as she left the embrace, she passed out from her wounds.

"Uh, uh, Akitsu, I-"

"Let's go." The ice user declared in a huff, following Miya.

"Hey, wait!" Natsu picked up his newest Sekirei and ran after the two.

Izumo Inn

"Come on, Akitsu, I wanna talk!" He shouted as he stood outside Miya's room, forced out by the landlady. "Look, you can't be mad about this! She's the one who kissed me!"

The door finally opened and Natsu's now first Sekirei peeked her head out. "I know. I just… I was hoping I could be your only Sekirei."

"I'm sorry, this just… happened." Natsu replied. "Look, no matter what happens, you'll always be my first." His genuine smile and words made her blush, but it had a different effect on the other woman in the room.

A demonic mask appeared behind Akitsu, scaring the both of them away from the door. "And what do you mean by that, Natsu?" Miya asked, Natsu blubbering like a baby. "Just remember: while you're inside my Inn is, you will obey my rules. Outside of here, it is none of my business. Though I suggest you keep quiet for a bit; your new friend is sleeping."

Miya walked out the door as the two stared at her in a mix of fear and confusion. They still didn't know how she managed to hold off Karasuba, or how strong she was. "She… really scares me." Natsu confessed.

The hidden door down the hall open door and Matsu burst out. "Minato, Natsu, you have to come see this!" She declared before leading them down to the main room, Akitsu following close behind. A massive projection of Minaka was suddenly on the wall, the game master sitting center-picture.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the fine city of Nymphae, I am your noble Chief Synchronizer, Hiroto Minaka." The man spoke in real time, scaring everyone in the room. "And I have an announcement to make. We here at the Magic Bureau of Intelligence are about to usher in the new age of the gods!"

"What is he talking about?" Minato asked.

"It's already started, the second stage of the Sekirei plan…" Matsu whimpered.

"Second Stage?" Natsu repeated. "What are you talking about?"

"It means that the number of Sekirei winged or terminated is now over ninety percent…" The brainiac mumbled. "Which means that…" She turned to the fire user, concern on her face. "Natsu, that girl you and Akitsu brought in. Did you wing her?"

"Uh… well…" Natsu nervously rubbed the back of his head. "It was more like she… forced me to wing her."

"Musubi!" Matsu rushed over and hugged the fighter, groping her breasts. "You're the only fighter Minato has! We need you more than ever, because this city has just become a battleground for the Sekirei."

Hours Later

Minato looked out the window in the hallway at the night sky before sneezing. "Minato, do you have a cold?" Musubi asked from behind.

"No, it's just a little chilly." He sniffed. "Where's Kuu?"

"She's taking a bath with the landlady." The brunette answered, looking down the hall.

'Matsu's locked herself in her room ever since the announcement.' Minato thought as he looked at the secret door. 'Natsu and Akitsu are looking after the new Sekirei, Kagari is at work and Uzume barely goes out. Which means… I'm alone with Musubi!'

"Oh! You and I are alone now." Musubi realized at the same time. "Which means it's time to tell you something. A promise, between me and Karasuba. A promise made between Sekirei…"

She took Minato's hand between her own. "We promised each other that we would be the last ones left to fight! I want to prove to her that fighting with love is stronger than fighting with hate. And when I win, I'm going to free all the Sekirei who lost."

Minato guided Musubi's hands up so she could see him squeeze one of them. "Then I'll help you keep that promise. I only hope you can be the last to fight without having to fight Matsu and Kuu."

The door opened behind Minato and Matsu walked out. "Wait, Number 4 is going to fight?" The brain-type inquired, earning a nod from the pugilist. "But, that means…"

"I can't do it yet, but I will get stronger!" Musubi declared, making Matsu smirk.

"In that case…" She reached up and pulled the two in by their shirts. "I guess Minato will have to do his best, too."

"Best with what?"

"A recruitment drive." Matsu chuckled. "Just like Natsu, you need to go out there and find some more Sekirei! We need all the firepower we can get if we want to win this thing! So go out there and get some more hotties!"

"Yeah!" Musubi cheered, leaving Minato standing confused.

"I have found thee." A beautiful blonde woman stood with her back towards Minato before turning around. "And now…"

A tsunami of water roared up behind her. "I will strike thee down!"

Minato snapped up from his bed and went wide-eyed in fear. "Minato, what's wrong?" Musubi asked, having been woken up by the shock.

"It's nothing. Just a bad dream." He sighed, pushing himself up. "Hey, would you mind moving Kuu for me?"

His first Sekirei picked up the sleeping child and left the room. Minato quickly rolled Matsu up in a blanket before closing the closet door on her. 'Perverted girl sealed away…'

"That was mean, Minato…"

Matsu opened the door to his room, shocking her Ashikabi. He opened the closet behind him, finding the ceiling had a tile pushed aside.

"Yep, it's all connected to my room." She chuckled, wrapping her arms around his neck. "So, how about a good morning kiss, and then, want to tell me about this nightmare?"

Toyotama groaned in pain as she opened her eyes. "I see you're finally awake." She turned to the side to see the purple-haired 'woman' who saved her life.

"So tell me, where is my Ashikabi and his other Sekirei?" Toyotama questioned, pushing herself up.

"Oh, those two?" Miya chuckled as she stood up from her seat. "They're having a 'secret meeting' with some of the other tenants. Now get some rest. You had quite the hole put into you."

Just above them, Matsu's room was closed shut as Minato explained the dream he had. "Wow, that was some crazy dream…" Natsu mumbled from the side. "Sounds like something Gray would have about Juvia…"

"Minato, what did she look like?" Matsu asked from in front of her Archive screen.

"Well, she had long hair, black clothes, and a scary looking face." Her Ashikabi recalled. "Honestly, it was kind of like when I first met Kuu." He smiled as he rubbed her head.

"Sekirei have a sort of psychic link to their Ashikabi." Matsu explained as she typed on the translucent buttons. "If the Sekirei is responding to a specific Ashikabi, it's not that strange that they'd unconsciously connect to their Ashikabi. And you already have three Sekirei, Minato."

"What does that have to do with anything?" Akitsu asked.

"When the number of Sekirei that an Ashikabi winged increases, so does their Ashikabi aura." Matsu replied. "Depending on the number of the Sekirei you winged, and how deep your connection is, you could attract more powerful Sekirei. By the way, Minato, is this the girl you saw in your dreams?"

Natsu and Minato looked at the screen, whereupon Natsu pushed the other male to the side. "That's the bi-" He cut himself off when he glanced at Kuu. "-aadd lady who splashed me in the face."

"Tsukiumi…" Minato mumbled, looking at the name on the screen. "That's her!"

Matsu hung her head in shame and fear, confusing her Ashikabi. "Of all the possible options… This is really bad, Minato, really, really bad… Like, the worst of the worst… You might actually be killed by her." Her words scared the four in her room. "Number 9. Tsukiumi… She's a Sekirei with water powers, infamous for her hatred for Ashikabi. If she's reacting to you, then you would've damaged her pride."

Minato was shaking in fear as the door to the room opened behind him. "Wha-what should I do?"

"In order to win the game, we need to make our party as strong as possible…" Matsu mumbled. "But this is crazy. Number 9, the Ashikabi-hater."

"It'll be alright." The five turned around to see Musubi standing at the door. "I promise, everything will be fine."

"So, uh… what happened to you?" Natsu asked, motioning to the large bump on her head.

"Well, after what you told me, I wanted to spar with the landlady. Turns out she's really strong!" Musubi chuckled before Minato stood up.

"I'll do it." He declared. "Somehow, someway, I'll get her to join us… or at least try really hard."

"Hey, she still needs to pay for splashing me in the face!" Natsu added as he stood up. "I'm in."

"Even with the two of you… you might get killed." The brain-type warned.

"MATSU!" Minato cried out.

"All you have to do is talk to her." Musubi assured Minato. "Use your words as your fists."

"And if that doesn't work, I can always use my fists as fists!" Natsu chuckled, making Minato even more nervous.

"Well, it's worth a shot." Matsu replied, an outline of the region appearing on her screen. "I'll start by searching for her with the surveillance lacrima Minaka put up all over the city. Meanwhile Musubi, Akitsu and Natsu will run around and search the areas where the lacrima can't see. That leaves Minato to act as bait."

"Why bait!?" Her Ashikabi asked in fear.

"Because, oh endangered one, a Sekirei can always tell when an Ashikabi they're reacting to is nearby." Matsu answered. "And if Number 9 lives up to her rep, she won't wait too long to try to kill you. But don't worry, Kusano will go along to act as your guardian." Minato glanced at the small girl, now beaming with confidence. "Now everyone, commence Operation 'Kill or Be Killed'!"

"Question." Akitsu spoke up. "How are we supposed to be in contact with each other? We can't all be in the same place at once for this to work."

"Not to worry." Matsu chuckled as she opened up a drawer near her. "I have just the thing for this kind of situation…" The others in the room leaned over her shoulder to look inside.

"I can feel it…" Tsukiumi muttered to herself as she looked out over the city. "The vile presence of that monkey… I will find thee, Ashikabi and thou shalt die by my hands!"

"Who ya gonna kill?" The blonde turned around to see two leather-clad Sekirei walk up behind her.

"So you haven't been winged yet. How about we terminate you before you do anything crazy?" Hikari questioned.

"I've heard of thee." The water user declared. "Thou art the Sekirei twins who only attack unwinged Sekirei. Craven cowards, art thou so desperate to win!?"

"What was that?!"

"Yeah, I have no idea what you just said." Hibiki casually replied. "We're just trying to thin out the competition by getting rid of the ones who haven't been winged. But we haven't even succeeded even once."

"That's because someone keeps interrupting us!" Her sister added.

"I see… In that case, prepare thyselves for battle!" Tsukiumi shouted charging forward.

"Don't get cocky with me!" Hikari swiped her hand and a bolt of purple lightning fell from the sky.

Water rose up and surrounded the blonde overhead, dissipating the voltaic attack. "Didst thou think I'd be bested so easily?"

"What the-?! I didn't hold back at all!" Hikari shouted.

"Her abilities are no joke." Hibiki mumbled.

"WATER CELEBRATION!" Tsukiumi thrusted her arm forward and a stream of water shot out of nowhere, blasting the twins off the roof. "Hmpf, thou aren't even worthy of my time."

"Wait, Hikari… I think that's Number 9…" The more sensible sister declared as they fell to the ground.

"She's a single number?" Hikari realized. "Crap, this may have been a bad idea."

Minato and Kuu walked down the sidewalk of his home city, the small girl holding a potted plant. 'Kill or be killed, huh?' He asked himself in annoyance. Looking around, he found the city was filled with armed troops, all of them Storm Knights. 'Normally, I would be happy to see these many guards, but now…'

"Minato, you hearin' me?" The enhancer held his hand up to his ear, a small crystal placed in it.

"Natsu, did you find her?" Minato asked, equal parts scared and hopeful.

"No, I just wanted to try this again!" Natsu declared, making Minato sigh. "This is crazy! I can hear you from so far away!"

"Yeah, Matsu is a genius, isn't she?" Minato said with a smile. "But you really should be keeping these lacrima open in case we find her."

"Got it! No more distract- cat!"

Hope of success was starting to leave Minato when he bumped into someone. "Sorry…"

"Hey, no problem, kid." Minato looked up to notice the person he bumped into was Seo. "So, you two out on a playdate or something?"

"We're on a mission!" Kuu declared with a smile.

"Mission?" Seo repeated, looking up at Minato.

"It's a long story." He replied, nervously rubbing the back of his head.

"Well, I'm on a mission too." Seo declared. "So if you two see a cat running around, grab it for me, will you?" He started walking away before suddenly stopping. "Wow, you've got more Sekirei." His words shocked the teen. "Let me guess… Matsu, right?"

"Hold on: how do you know about Matsu?"

"Because, genius, I'm the one who put in that hidden room." Seo replied. "Takehito asked me to do it."

"Takehito… wasn't he-?"

"Miya's husband, yeah." Seo finished with a nod. "But, he was also my best friend…" The sadness in his voice did not go unnoticed by Minato.

"SEO!" The trio looked up to see the twins land in front of them. "We're being chased! We gotta go before she-"

"Get thee hence!" Minato looked up to see another woman falling towards him. "I said out of my way!"

He had no time to react before she crashed on top of him. "Loathed monkey! I bid the hence-" Minato recovered and locked eyes with his target, who dropped to her knees, a blush on her face. 'What doth this mean? Wherefore am I brought to my knees? The heat… it only grows…'

"It's you..." Minato muttered, causing Tsukiumi to glare at him.

"Bastard…" She seethed, pushing herself up. "Thou… thou… art he…" Water started swirling around her as Minato backed away in fear. "I know thou seekest to defile me, but all thou shalt find is suffering! And thou shalt only be relieved in death!"

And thus, not only has the BEST girl in the whole series entered the story, but Natsu also has his second Sekirei. Probably not who you were all expecting, or the most exciting way to introduce her, but it was done. Pretty much had this planned out since this story started, so very sorry if I disappointed anyone.

Hopefully you guys like this chapter a lot and I'm running out of things to say. So I will see you next time/year probably.

Beta Read by Ikrani