Ryu sighed contently as he focused on Miya's fingers running through his hair and massaging his scalp. He didn't remember the last time somebody massaged his scalp, while his hair being played with was common. Miya had her head resting on his chest with one leg straddled over his waist. He was surprised to find out that Miya, his scary landlady who used to chase him around the back lot for his illicit acts was so cuddly. He would've never thought Miya to be so.
Miya sighed softly as she adjusted herself getting more comfortable. "That was..." Miya paused trying to find a word to explain it. "Something else."
Ryu held back a snort at her dry comment, he wasn't expecting that from Miya of all people. He reached his hand under the covers running his fingers up the length of her leg. "Well, I do try." He said grinning slightly.
Miya smiled herself cuddling closer to him. She felt like she was flying, for years she mourned her loss of Takehito the man who taught her so much about the world. She closed herself off, maintaining the Inn he left behind in his honor and for her own honor. It was hard to swallow, but she had to let go, let the past go and move forward. That's what Takehito would want, he wouldn't want her to be unhappy. As she embraced Ryu and felt him placing butterfly kisses on her neck then trailing downward she felt it wash away. "Hmmm." She hummed lightly putting a finger on her chin. "It seems the others have had their way with you, I thought you'd show a little more self control." She teased lightly.
"There wasn't much I could do." Ryu shrugged helplessly while chuckling. "Matsu literally pounced on me the moment she set her eyes on me after the rule change, and Uzume traps me with her cloth." She did that daily, but the first time was when all of his Sekirei at that time conspired together and got him alone that night. "And saying 'no' only encourages them."
"Oh, Ryu-kun you spoil them." Miya said though she didn't sound mad, she sounded amused. "But you're not a pushover." She looked him in the eyes. "You don't stop their advances."
Ryu laughed quietly he knew which direction this was going. "Is Miya a little jealous of the others?" He teased lightly tapping her on the nose like she did to him. "I suppose I can make it up to you."
"Well big boy, I'd like to see what Uzume is always talking about in her crude conversations." Miya wrapped her arms around his neck pulling herself on top of him so she was straddling him. "One last thing." She jumped slightly when she felt a bulge, she squeezed her legs together on either side of his waist.
Ryu looked at her nodding to continue.
"It'd be wise to have a job, even if it is for show." Miya was aware of Ryu's ways of paying her the money for his and his Sekirei's rent, but she had to think ahead. "The Sekirei Plan has started and while it's comfortable living for now, you may need a job once this is all over."
"You have a point." He looked thoughtfully up at her trying to avoid the sight of her breasts. He was trying to be serious, though it was hard in this particular situation. "I could check in on it tomorrow." He suggested in a calm tone, Miya nodded in affirmation lowering herself down while arching her back.
"Sounds good." Miya said breathlessly as she brushed her breasts against his muscular torso. "Now that we discussed that. Let's discuss something else." She began to rock her hips.
"I'm all ears." Ryu said.
So I need to find a job. Maybe construction would be a good choice. Ryu went over a plan mentally as he stared at his bowl of cereal with an intense gaze. Last night was one he'd never forget for multiple reasons, but that damn hannya mask still had a way of making him shiver, it was ridiculous. He couldn't complain though, Miya was something else, he glanced out the doorway watching her walk with a very subtle limp as she folded the dirty laundry.
Uzume sat in front of him dressed in one of his large t shirts and a pair of black panties eating her own bowl of cereal shoveling spoonful in at blinding speeds. She looked over curiously at her Ashikabi, it was weird for him not to indulge himself, okay so she was being nice. Ryu could be a pig at times and eat just as much as they did. But seeing him so deep in thought made her concerned slightly, while he was quiet at times he normally instigated her in the morning.
Yomi ate her cereal at a steady pace looking at her Ashikabi with a curious expression. She had just been winged not even twenty four hours ago and didn't know her Ashikabi as well as the others did. When she found out they were all of his Sekirei she nearly fainted on her feet, there was a hint of jealousy there it was only natural. But she was happy nonetheless. Now she was curious as she watched him shove the spoon into his mouth, taking it out and chewing slowly. "Does he normally act like that?" She whispered into Uzume's ear.
"No, not normally," Uzume replied in a hushed whisper.
Ryu raked a hand through his hair jolting both of them out of their private conversation. Yomi wore one of his t shirts with a pair of his basketball shorts. He looked in her direction, sighing mentally but wasn't upset. They're taking my clothes... He looked back at his cereal continuing to eat at a slower pace pausing in between.
"Okay, I'll bite." Uzume said after a few silents moments passed, she rarely felt awkward. Normally she was the one putting the person in the position not herself. "What's up Ry Ry?"
Ryu raised his head giving her an annoyed scowl which she promptly grinned widely at. She loved using that nickname her nickname she made up for her loveable oaf. Yomi covered her mouth with the palm of her hand as she held back a girlish giggle. "Just thinking." He replied in a detached voice doing his best not to blush, while he was use to their advances, he never got used to Uzume's nickname especially others knowing it.
"You're thinking hard." Yomi commented tilting her head to the side curiously before a small smirk graved her face. "I wonder about what." Yomi teased lightly while trying to prod for more information. Ryu glanced away for a moment as he relived the previous night again in his mind. "You were in Miya's room all night."
"Oh, do tell." Uzume bobbed her eyebrows leaning over the table setting her elbows down as she got comfy. "I just have to know..." She got closer whispering as quietly as she could. "What was she like? Is Miya a hot mama?"
"Uzume..." Her sweet voice cut through the air like a knife and the conversation ended quickly after. Uzume composed herself the best she could smiling widely as she turned around to face her landlady.
"Miya! Done folding the clothes already?" Uzume questioned nervously as she looked anywhere except where Miya was standing all but a few feet away.
"It is very distasteful to pry into others affairs." Miya began to admonish the younger Sekirei with a light glare, Uzume gulped feeling a shiver go down her spine although she couldn't see that mask, she knew it was a matter of time. Miya cleared her throat the faintest of blushes on her cheeks. "Especially private affairs such as what you're prodding." Miya closed her eyes smiling sweetly while giggling on the back of her hand.
"I wasn't doing anything!" Yomi quickly spoke up trying to wiggle her way out of Miya's powerful stare but found herself unable to move. Uzume turned to look at her with a mock glare as if to say thanks a lot. Yomi smiled slightly shrugging her shoulder helplessly while mouthing sorry.
"While I did change the rules, I will not tolerate such distasteful chatter." She cleared her throat gently. "Things of that nature will be kept to the privacy of your room." Uzume sighed in relief flashing a smile in Miya's direction.
"Sounds good to me." Ryu added speaking for the first time. He learned it was better to stay out of Miya's way when punishing her tenants as well as just keeping his mouth shut in general.
"Rule change I keep on hearing that but I don't understand." Yomi said scratching her chin as she looked up at the ceiling thoughtfully, she craned her head to the side looking at Miya and then at Ryu. She wasn't informed of any rules, that was news to her. Good thing she stole one of Ryu's shirts and pairs of shorts, while naked was her thing she didn't want to meet Miya's mask. "What is it?" She looked at Uzume. "Tell me."
Ryu sighed silently. He was really, really considering not telling Yomi. If she knew there was no telling what she would do, she could be like Matsu and practically snatch him into her room when he least expected it. Or she could be like Toyotama and almost make a game out of it pushing him to come onto her while she continued to tease. One thing was for certain she wouldn't be like Yashima and faint and Nanaha still had her date night so she was a wild card. "Well..." He paused unsure if he wanted to finish his statement or not.
"Oh, Ryu-kun here became a tenant of my Inn just a few months ago." Miya started giving him a strange look as she continued on. "As you've seen he has a bit of trouble saying no, but he means well. Although..." She narrowed his eyes slightly sending a small smile his way that made him shudder. "I used to have a no illicit activities rule in place." This time Uzume shuddered remembering it all too well, she was ready to pull out her hair from sexual frustration when Miya changed the rule. She was quick to take advantage of the situation along with Matsu. "But, I decided to show more leniency and allow it, in good taste." Miya finished her explanation turning back as she said something to Yashima and Nanaha who nodded promptly.
"Oh, so like sex?" Yomi asked before perking up. "Well now that I know of this." She began to hungrily lick her lips as she zoned in on Ryu undressing him with her eyes. She opened her mouth to add something but could only lick her lips again.
Miya nodded looking over at Ryu. "But enough about that." Miya said with a small wave of her hand. "Ryu-kun is going to be getting a job." Although he was keeping up on all of their rent, excluding Miya's since she owned the Inn, they both agreed it was better to have something on the side just in case when this game was over with.
"Really?" Yomi and Uzume asked in unison.
"Yeah I figured it'd be good and I can always use the extra money." Ryu answered easily as he drank the rest of his milk wiping his mouth with the back of his arm.
"Maybe his hard work could start to rub off on you Uzume." Miya said getting that sweet smile again, Uzume instantly huddled closer to Yomi trying to get away but Yomi tried scooting away from Uzume rather than be caught in the crossfire. "I made you lunch just in case."
Ryu smiled gratefully. "Thanks Miya." She was always so thorough.
"No need to thank me, you are my tenant after all." Miya said as if that explained it all in a nutshell. "It's my duty to make sure you're comfortable." She glanced to the side before sauntering towards the clothes outside.
"Bro, I still don't know how that doesn't scare you." Uzume said with disbelief as she shook her head.
"It does." Ryu answered without hesitation seeing the look on Yomi's and Uzume's face change he quickly continued. "But, I've sparred with her and am more afraid with what she can do with a sword." He nodded to himself a few times, Miya was so graceful during their spars she could move around him and strike with an elegance he rarely ever seen.
"I'd have to agree with you on that." Uzume nodded in resignation.
"So, what are we doing today Ryu-kun?" Yomi asked.
"Well, I'm going out to see if I can get a job." Ryu replied resisting the urge to sigh, it was harder for him since the first thing people noticed were his violet irises or his wild hair. But, he needed to do this he couldn't keep living at Izumo Inn he had a feeling that he was going to be winging more Sekirei. "Let's hope everything goes smoothly."
"You'll do fine bro." Uzume said with a small smile.
"I'm with Uzume on this one." Yomi chimed in.
Ryu couldn't help but feel a little more eager than before. Whether it was fear or giddiness he wasn't exactly sure. "I hope so."
Walking to the work site didn't take long, Ryu took a few short cuts and leapt onto a few rooftops to make his commute shorter than it had to be. Being half Sekirei had its perks like inhuman endurance and agility, although he could thank that to his master's relentless training regimen. There wasn't a second that went by when Ryu wasn't pressed to make a move, even if it was to dive out of the way his master pushed him to his limits every time.
But it wasn't with just the sword, master taught him how to read and write. Like all of his training it was relentless and he drilled it into Ryu's head, while he'd protest saying he knew his master completely ignored calling him an idiot and to pay attention. "Hehe." Ryu laughed to himself grinning, then the day came when he managed to make his master go on the defensive which resulted in him smacking the back of his head on a branch. It was well worth the beating he took afterwards seeing his master grumbling while massaging his head.
I'm still here you know.
I know.
Ryu felt weird without his Sekirei following him, snatching a body part for themselves while glaring in challenge and jealousy. He'd grown use to having one of them around at all times or his limbs being squeezed between their breasts. But he couldn't complain he could actually move and stretch without his limb being snatched in the middle of it.
I'm not sure what they see you in you.
It must be my good looks and charms.
Ha! Right, idiot.
Ryu scowled to himself not taking the insult to heart. It didn't bother him anymore, at first when his master deemed him 'idiot' he didn't understand at all. But, he noticed there was a fondness to his stoic tone whenever he called him idiot, it was like a pet name. He glanced up at the blazing sun there wasn't a cloud in sight and there was barely any wind. It was going to be a hot day, hopefully it wasn't a long one.
The rest of the walk went by uneventfully and in silence. As he came up on the work site he noticed a middle aged man with a receding hairline waiting at the gate. He was of typical build a little more massive than the average man considering his line of work and had a tan complexion from hours of being out working in the sun. He was dressed in the standard uniform with a calm yet stern expression on his face.
"Must be the boss." Ryu said to himself as he strolled over with a blank expression watching the workers go about their daily tasks hefting up pick axes and filling molds with concrete. Ryu noticed the man was an inch or two shorter than him, which wasn't much but Ryu was a tall individual standing at six foot three or four. "Hello, my name is Ryu. I'm here for the position." He extended his hand forward to shake.
The older man gave him a once over before nodding slightly extending his arm out and shaking Ryu's hand. "The name's Yuki." He introduced himself, his voice deep and booming. Ryu concluded mentally that this had to be the boss, only the boss would have a voice that could project itself like that. It commanded attention and respect. He checked his watch raising an eyebrow. "You're an hour early."
"Better to be early than late." Ryu said with a slight shrug. "That's how the saying goes right?"
Yuki eyed him again before smiling slightly. "You're a funny guy, Ryu. Good, I hope your twice the hard worker you are a comedian."
"I've been called a lot of things but funny has never been one." Ryu said with a light laugh scratching the back of his head. Serious, stubborn, stupid, hardheaded, were just a choice few things he was called and the last two was Toyotama's favorite, especially hardheaded. "As for my work ethic you don't need to worry, I have experience with building things and not much of a slacker." He replied to the last statement holding back the annoyance that wanted to make itself known. He hated being questioned, underestimated, but more than that was somebody making assumptions before they even seen what he could.
"Yes, I've noticed." Yuki chimed as he looked at his clipboard. Ryu was very imposing and intimidating even at a first glance, the face that resembled that of a sixteen year old wasn't to be confused as weakness. On top of that he had a listing of small jobs, nothing major just side projects the city workers would proceed with and he helped every year earning a little money on the side. Aside from that Ryu was a mystery to Yuki. "Well, let's head up to my office where we can talk in private." Yuki said with a deep frown as he turned around eying the workers who were staring at him and Ryu.
"Sure." Ryu said with a small nod trying to ignore the groups of eyes peering at him.
"Get back to work!" Yuki snapped startling them all back into their routine. He looked back at Ryu with a calm expression although the scowl was still present he gestured for him to follow. "Lazy asses act like they've never seen someone coming for a job." Yuki muttered.
I'm sure some of you are sick of seeing these notes. But I put them at the very end instead of in the story. Anyways a lot of fights coming up soon, and more drama and tension.