Wow I've written this story for a while. Where does time go? Leave me some reviews!

Ryu could say for the first time in a while he was content. It was a rather warm day so he just wore his shorts and t shirt enjoying the peace as he stared into the backyard where Toyotama and Uzume battled back and forth relentlessly one using her lance to jab, poke, and swing through the air as the other used her silk cloths and agility to weave through the stattaco of strikes meant to throw her off balance. It was an amazing sight to watch as the two moved at super human speeds exchanging attacks in the blink of an eye. To a normal person they were just blurs of extreme movement but Ryu could see each attack as if it was in slow motion. "Uzume hardly tries," he muttered to himself as he observed his first Sekirei moving with grace and precision he never seen from her before. "Wonder what got her in the mood?"

His senses picked up a ki signature a few inches behind him. Whoever it was was trying to hide it and was exuding an overwhelming nervousness. He knew it could only be one person, the one person who couldn't be straight forward with him if her life depended on it. "Yashima, what are you doing?" He questioned dully staring at the wall she was hiding behind. Slowly her light brown hair came into view followed by her sheepish and downtrodden expression on her face. "Why are you hiding?"

"I didn't want to disturb you." She answered quietly her gray eyes staring at her feet. She didn't want to be a bother with her crying and wild emotions. She admitted she had a tendency to over react and cry too easily, but she couldn't help it. It didn't help that Ryu was an independent and strong person that didn't want people clinging to him like dead weight. They had to pull their own. She was too dependent too frail she was only a headache a burden that he would have to shoulder for the rest of his life.

Ryu sighed quietly as he read Yashima. He learned how to block off their emotions from leaking into him, and was glad he did so. Yashima would be a migraine to deal with right now had he not put up a small barrier. He patted the seat next to him beckoning her to come. Yashima hesitated for a moment before she trotted over taking a seat next to him putting her hands in her lap. She kept her eyes down and away from his piercing gaze. "I guess I've been a pretty bad Ashikabi." Ryu said noticing her point to not look him in the eyes, he couldn't fault her he did have piercing eyes and he was more than misunderstanding with Yashima in the past.

He wasn't the emotional type. He learned long ago they'd only get you killed and one needed to maintain a cool head. At times he lost his head and someone ended up on the receiving end. Unfortunately Yashima was on that end more than a handful of times. Yashima shot her head up looking at him wide eyes, was he saying he didn't want to be with her? That he was a terrible Ashikabi and he'd release her somehow? No she needed him, he saved her when no one else would no matter how loud she screamed for help nobody came regardless of seeing her being beaten nobody lifted a finger or turned in her direction. He was the only one with a kind heart to risk his life just for her, a complete stranger. "It's not all your fault." She said quietly. "I've been a burden."

"You have been." Ryu said coldly, the icy tone in his voice causing her to shiver.

"W-What?" She asked with glistening eyes, when did he change his mood?

"You heard me. Die!" He roared lunging for her neck.

Yashima woke up breathing raggedly her t shirt she stole from Ryu was drenched in her cold sweat and her eyes glistened with tears. "It was just a dream." She whispered to herself as she clenched her heart tightly. That tone of voice shook her to the core, even when he left Ryu's tone wasn't that cold and distant. It was like he was just tolerating her as a little nuisance. She took a few calming breaths trying to calm her racing heart that thumped in her throat constantly making it harder to breathe. "Just a dream." She murmured to herself wiping the tears off of her cheeks. She felt her link with Ryu it was still as strong as it was before his presence like a comforting blanket wrapping around her entire being putting her at ease. "Ryu..." She whispered.

"Yes?"

"EEP!" Yashima squealed in fright jumping out of her bed whirling around to look at Ryu with wide eyes. She stared for a moment before her cheeks began to turn a bright red and shame consumed her. Had he seen her? Had he listened to pitifully comfort herself. "How long have you been there?"

"When you started to squirm." Ryu answered quietly moving closer to her. "I was a little worried, you thrashed around for a good ten minutes."

"I-I'm sorry I disturbed you." Yashima said with a pitiful expression on her face. Her breath hitched as she felt Ryu's lips tenderly kiss her own. Eight sapphire wings erupted from her crest on the back of her neck coating the room in a brilliant blue glow.

"I forgive you." He whispered.

"Yashima? Yashima?" Ryu asked with a hint of annoyance in his voice. He laid near the edge of the bed as Yashima kept fidgeting in her sleep. Every so often she'd shake and then thrash so he moved out of the way giving her space but now it was just getting a little ridiculous. He was hit in the face, though by accident and moved himself to the edge which was his own fault. But he didn't care. "Yashima." He said in a louder voice.

"Hmm?" She whispered tiredly raising her head to look at Ryu. "Good morning."

"Get dressed." He said in a toneless voice as he rose from the bed stretching out his arms. "And meet me outside we're going to spar."

"R-Really?" Yashima asked sounding surprised. Ryu normally sparred with Miya at first she was jealous, but now she was thankful Ryu was like a tornado with that sword. "Won't Miya get upset?" She hoped she'd get out of it this way.

"Nice try." He said with a strange smirk on his face as he turned to look back at her. "But it was actually Miya who gave me the idea. She said you don't get enough training and always sit out so now it's up to me."

Yashima knew he was right. She normally sat out when things got too intense, she just felt so useless being knocked down over and over not to mentioned it hurt and she hated stomach shots. Miya always gave her stomach shots she felt like the end of her hilt touched her spine it was so bad at times leaving her to wither on the ground and then walk strangely because the pain never left. She didn't mean to sit out like she did but she was more of an obstacle then an asset. "But..."

"Be quiet and listen to your Ashikabi." Ryu said in a low voice. "Be outside in five minutes or I'll drag you out." He picked up his sword and left the room with a very shocked and scared Yashima.

"I-I don't want to fight him." She whispered gulping down the lump in her throat. She could admit she was terrified of him and for good reason after seeing him come close to cutting Miya again. Ever since the last time when he got a concussion Miya was especially and graceful when they sparred or maybe she wasn't holding back like before.

Sighing she trotted over to her dresser getting out her regular clothes. She figured she miles well be comfortable if she's going to be sparring against him. She got dressed in a minute and left the room to search for her hammer, after she found it she made her way outside to the backyard to see Ryu going through a kata she'd never seen before then slice through thick tree stump that was situated into the ground.

Her eyes widened in shock as she watched the blade arc in a blue hue before cutting the wood as if it was nothing. She estimated it was at least ten feet thick plus was wrapped in a tight brown rope. She seen something similar with Miya except she cut through leaves a testament to her skill and precision with the sword. She wondered how strong Ryu would get if he kept sparring with her.

"Ready?" His voice snapped her back to reality as she turned to look at him completely relaxed.

"I-I guess." Yashima replied walking to stand in front of him clasping her handle with both hands.

"Good." Ryu said with a small smile as he got into a comfortable stance that guarded any opening and allowed him free movement. He picked up on Yashima's hesitation from the bond between them, she was always hyper sensitive maybe that wouldn't change but then he'd just toughen her up. Yashima gulped under her piercing stare as she readied herself.

Yashima ran forward at blinding speeds that would be untraceable to any human. She swung her hammer from the side and up cutting through the air producing a small ripple of shock waves. She was good for one hits, she realized unlike the others who were more versatile she was at odds since her weapon was a double edge. It provided stopping power and reach, but she couldn't guard and if her attack missed she was exposed. "Hyya!" She exclaimed as she followed through on the attack.

Ryu jumped back avoiding the attack, springing back at Yashima with lightning speed. A gasp escaped her lips as he closed in sword gleaming in the sunlight, she tried to bring the hammer back but her attack was already ending and it'd take another few seconds to retract it, she was open. Ryu seemingly vanished as he lashed out with dozens of precise and lightning fast slashes sliding to a stop behind Yashima with his sword half sheathed. "You have power but lack tactic," he said quietly completing the sheath.

Yashima's mouth dropped as she felt the warm breeze blow onto her body. She looked down at the threads lying across the dirt and her bare body exposed to him. "I have much to teach you little Yashima." He said looking back at her. She felt her cheeks heat up as he took in her naked form.

Since winging Miya; Ryu was a little odd. She wasn't as... Intimate as the others were, but it was the small things she did. Like smile softly at him whenever he came in, or the way she said good morning and cooked him a nice breakfast, and the way she held his hand and would rub them with her thumb. The small, subtle things.

It had been about a week since that happened.

Ryu sighed as he brought the cup to his lips chugging down the juice he poured in a few seconds ago. Uzume hadn't got her hands on the jug yet, keyword was yet. That girl loved juice. He looked to the side hearing a few voices talking one he picked out was Toyotama she didn't sound happy and the other girl must have been Uzume. Toyotama almost made it a point to banter with the veiled Sekirei, Ryu had given up on their getting along phase. Maybe this was their relationship?

He shook his head, life just kept getting more complicated. More troubling he was stuck with a harem of beautiful woman and a few were emotional bundles that he had no idea how to handle or approach at times. Toyotama was simple at least she'd just knock him on the head if she wanted her point to get across, Uzume well she was never one for words, and Miya was a forward person from his recent experiences.

He hadn't seen Yashima since their spar this morning. She must be staying in her room for whatever reason or was taking a bath. Funny how pride played a factor in so much, before she didn't care now she did all of the sudden? She was definitely a special case. "Ryu-san?" A sweet voice spoke up knocking him out of his stupor. He raised his head looking at Nanaha.

"Yes?" He asked happy to solve her question. Nanaha looked away for a moment as a blush formed on her cheeks. She had been delaying for as long as she could, she was shy and had a slight insecurity on how she looked. But she craved what the others got, she wanted to make love to him too and not faint when he stripped to nothing.

"I-I'd like to sleep with you tonight." She said in a quiet voice, hoping he was aware of her subtle hints. He had a way of picking up on things when nobody else did.

"Well." Ryu said setting the cup down with a straight face. "I can't say no to you, and I believe it is your turn tonight." He said eying her carefully. She was coming around, she wasn't as reserved or emotional for that matter. Her feelings were like a constant soothing force at the back of his mind, calm and serene. Nanaha's eyes widened for a second before she nodded.

"Where did Yashima run off to?" Ryu questioned with a hint of annoyance. The little Sekirei was a lot of trouble, more than what she was worth but he was stuck with her.

"She's in the room we share reading one of her books." Nanaha answered tilting her head to the side slightly. "Why if you don't mind me asking?"

"No reason." Ryu said waving off her question. "I just wanted to make sure she was okay after our match this morning." He explained further getting up from his seat and walking towards the door. "I'll see you tonight. If you can get some rest."

"Yes Ryu-san." Nanaha said bowing slightly as she watched him leave the room with a blush staining her cheeks. Tonight was going to be a long night, all of those things Uzume taught her and that she read in books she could put to use tonight. She'd woo her Ashikabi with her array of skills. Well better get ready. She thought to herself as she sauntered up to her room.

Yashima clawed violently at Toyotama's arm but her grip was too great and Yashima's eyes began to bulge from her head. "Listen very carefully you little baby." She hissed venomously in her ear as she brought her close until they were a breath away. "I see through your little tear act trying to have Ryu to yourself."

"I... Can't breathe... Toyotama..." Yashima pleaded with tears gathering in her eyes as she felt her windpipe closing and her lungs burning.

"I am not fooled by your little pitiful act. Ryu saved your from an abusive relationship when he was still injured." Toyotama growled slamming the back of Yashima's head against the wall. "You're weak... You've always been weak... A sniveling little baby, Ryu should've never saved you." Toyotama released her abruptly and Yashima gasped loudly filling her lungs with much needed oxygen. She massaged her throat where she was sure a nasty bruise was going to form.

"I-I thought we were friends." Yashima croaked.

"Hah!" Toyotama laughed. "I would never consider you a friend. You're weak and pathetic wallowing away in your own pathetic pitiful tears. You have a good life and you don't even know it, I wish Ryu would let me break you." She said angrily standing over her with a menacing glare. Yashima winced once opening her mouth to say sorry but was cut off.

"This is a warning. You try dragging my Ashikabi down your miserable path I will snap your spine and then impale you on my spear and watch your scream in agony as the life leaves your eyes." Toyotama hissed as she made her leave closing the door silently.

Yashima shook the stars from her eyes as she shakily stood up finding herself on her cot. She clenched her fists, she'd show Toyotama not to mess with her eventually. She didn't have the strength now and she knew it, Toyotama could've snapped her neck like a twig and almost did before she let go. She could feel her neck bones vibrating buckling under the pressure it would've been another thirty seconds before it was snapped.

But Toyotama said a lot of things that opened her eyes. She had been living a good life for the past few months since Ryu saved her. Junichi that heartless and cold man that beat her to an inch of her life before taking out his knife would've been her Ashikabi. She'd be in a life full of pain and misery.

"Well I'm off to see if I passed." Ryu said as he turned around looking at the grinning Uzume and Miya who came from behind her.

"My, my leaving already Ryu-san?" Miya asked putting her hand on the side of her face tilting her head slightly with a curious gaze.

"Yup, entrance exam grades were posted." He replied with a slight cheer to his voice.

"Good luck bro I'm sure you did great." Uzume said encouragingly.

"Thanks," Ryu said as he pulled her into an unexpected kiss. Bright wings flared from the back of her neck as she deepened the kiss moaning into his mouth as she danced her tongue with his.

"Ahem." Miya cleared her throat hiding the frown that wanted to grace her face. She may have changed the rules but Ryu was her Ashikabi now under weird circumstances, her rage and grief long gone over the situation. Ryu and Uzume broke the kiss and a sheepish looking Ryu cleared his throat.

"Thanks for the breakfast Miya-chan it was great." Ryu said as he kissed her tenderly on the lips for a second before he broke contact and took off in a sprint towards the downtown area. Uzume touched her lips with her finger shuddering in pleasure as she felt the tingle and a heat take over her body. That boy just drove her wild how did he do it?

"So Miya-chan Ryu's your Ashikabi too now huh?" Uzume asked bobbing her eyebrows at her landlady ready to focus on something else. Like flustering the uptight Miya.

"Yes he is." Miya replied with a small smile ignoring Uzume's explicit implications.

"He has unreal endurance even after we went at it all night I passed out before he did." Uzume said with a lustful grin.

Miya looked at the younger Sekirei with a hard gaze. "The rules may have changed but that is no way for young lady to speak." Miya scolded lightly as a hannya visage flared around her back glowering down at Uzume with glowing red eyes. The veiled Sekirei yelped in fright shrinking down a few sizes. "And there's more to a bond than just having sex like animals. That will not be allowed her." She said with an edge to her voice. The last thing she wanted was her Inn to become a sex crazed porn house.

"Aw come on Miya." Uzume laughed nervously. "I was just joking, you know, I wouldn't just grope him all day." Uzume said with another laugh as she waved her hand in a dismissing manner.

Hey I updated again. It's been a while I'm surprised this gets so many views still after so much time has passed. Thanks for taking the time and reading you are all thanked on my behalf. It's cool having readers from Russia even though I can't speak the language but who cares it's still awesome!