Ryu reclined back on one side of the bath his eyes closed and breathing steady. To anyone who didn't know him it would appear he was sleeping very soundly or he was simply relaxing. As before his breathing was steady and easy and there wasn't a hint of strain on his features, one would consider him relaxed. But he was far from it, he couldn't shake the anger he was feeling at the moment. First Minato, and now this... This stupid kid and his Sekirei were in Matsu's room too.
He wasn't the jealous type but with so much going on he didn't trust those two, and he was beginning to lean in that direction with Minato. He didn't understand why Matsu allowed him in her room and helped him with so many things, one of those things was finding out about Tsukiumi. That mouthy arrogant wench thought she was superior to everyone, including him. Normally things like that pissed him, arrogance and that superiority issue, but this made him angry. Why was that boy and Sekirei in Matsu's room.
And there was also the fact Uzume seemed evasive, it wasn't noticeable. He had a lot of time to think a few things over while he was looking for a house to buy. And while he didn't want to believe the giddy bundle known as Uzume was being evasive towards him he couldn't shake the feeling. There was too much tension, too much everything.
He clenched his fists sighing softly, he hated this.. Hated feeling cornered and trapped, he was always ready for a fight any true warrior was. But he couldn't stand this ominous feeling, he felt like there was something coming over the horizon or waiting to appear at this moment. Rushing out of the house wouldn't do anything as he figured out with Ahiko, though he found another Ashikabi and Sekirei nothing really came out of that to benefit him. And then there was Yashima and Nanaha, that whole situation dampened his mood. While it seemed Nanaha wasn't competing, Yashima was and completely fixated on that which wasn't good, he recalled the early days when his Sekirei competed over everything. Most of them out grew out, others didn't, Yashima was one who didn't grow out of it. In fact she seemed to get worse as time went on, when Toyotama and Uzume finally got along, Yashima was going back and forth with Nanaha.
"Ryu-kun, let me wash your back," Miya's voice brought him back to reality, he blinked a couple times staring at the purple haired beauty in front of him. She made no move to hide her breasts or nether regions from his view, and he didn't stare too long. It was a trust thing between them, both completely comfortable around the other despite being nude. He nodded his head once turning around and lowering his head, closing his eyes as Miya began to slowly and carefully srub his back starting at the top by of his neck. His skin prickled as Miya placed her free hand on his bicep squeezing it gently as she scrubbed with more vigor. "Tell me what's on your mind."
Ryu chuckled quietly relaxing his shoulders allowing them to hunch forward. "Nothing escapes you huh Miya?"
"Of course not, especially when it comes to my handsome Ashikabi." She said with a light laugh as she continued scrubbing. "You can confide in me." Her voice was assuring, and Ryu knew he could.
"It's Matsu." He said with a quiet sigh. "And Minato.. Why he is constantly in her room, why is she helping him? He shouldn't be around her and she shouldn't be bending over backwards for him every time he needs help. Now.. Now some Ashikabi and Sekirei pair are in her room right now and I don't know them from a hole in the ground, and I know Minato doesn't know them that well..." He clenched his fists, his nostrils starting to flare. "I don't get why she is so willing to help.." He grated out. "I don't like it."
Miya didn't pause in her movements, her face twisted with deep thought. It never did strike her that Ryu could or did get jealous, and while she did want to say that was the case here it wasn't. Ryu just didn't get that way, and if he did this was the first time, while he wasn't the goofball he was before he didn't act so possessive over her or his other Sekirei, he gave them freedom just as they did. They were equals, and always were. She knew that, and she couldn't help but smile when he said that, that being noted he had a reason for being so weary of Minato and Matsu. Despite her sneaking into the second year ronin's room and even going as far as almost kissing him.
She wasn't happy when she broke that up.
"Is Ryu saying he's jealous because Minato has caught Matsu's attention?" Maybe some light humor would stop his inner turmoil.
"He's supposed to be a man." Ryu said with slight disdain, the thought of Minato going to Matsu for help sickened him. The boy was truly pathetic, what did Tsukiumi see in him, Musubi was well Musubi, and Kusano was a child so to some extent it made sense. But Tsukiumi didn't, how could she stand to be around him? "He needs to support himself, not run to my Sekirei every time he doesn't know something. He's pitiful and I can't help but feel he's going to be the cause of trouble."
"That's going a bit far..." Miya frowned for a moment, Minato in trouble that wasn't likely. Especially him causing it. "Ryu-kun..."
"I know Miya.." He sighed softly leaning back into her embrace as she rinsed his muscular back free of the soap. Her arm wrapped around his waist just below his member but she made no move to grab it, instead she continued rinsing him. "I just don't trust him..." He stared at Miya's arm, her tender smooth skin almost glowed with the moisture droplets on it. She truly was a beauty, and despite the screwed up circumstances surrounding the two of them he loved her and was attracted to her. She just had a subtle way of showing affection just like her beauty. "Or maybe I'm just tense."
"I'm just a few inches away." Miya said after a moment resisting the urge to grab him by the shaft and start pumping him. It had been a while since they had time to have fun, and Uzume was getting it tonight not that she minded. But she couldn't deny just how good it felt being held by him and feeling his throbbing member inside of her completely sheathed.
"No it's okay..." Ryu couldn't believe he was saying no to sex, but he just wasn't in the mood. Too much was on his mind and although he talked to Miya several things still bothered him. One of those things was Matsu. "I need to go out today and talk to a real estate agent anyways after this." He hardly trusted anyone after he was ambushed and had to resort to blowing up his home and everything in it as a safety measure, it didn't work out too well since debris was hurled as far as three miles and crashed into buildings, at least nobody was really hurt. No damn it... He said mentally feeling his blood flow start to head downward.
"Leaving me here with your unruly Sekirei?" Miya asked with a light tone that was laced with humor. Of course she could keep them all in line, but that didn't mean they would behave so she didn't have to. Although they all improved greatly they still had a ways to go. "You should take Ahiko-san with you. She's more mature and well rounded than the others and wouldn't give you away." She herself could go but she had to stay at the Inn and make sure things stayed orderly, this party was bringing out the wild side in everyone. It could be argued it was long over due but it still remained the same nonetheless. So Ahiko was the best choice.
"You have a point..." Ryu said after a moment. He didn't want to think of how his other Sekirei would react with him leaving them back while he took Ahiko along.
"Let's finish up our bath." Miya said with a small smile. "We have much to do today."
Hari and her damn puppy dog eyes, Ahiko sighed softly as she kicked her legs back and forth while she adjusted herself, lying on her stomach. She was a little shocked seeing how Hari reacted, who knew clothes could mean so much. Now that I think of it. She smiled slightly she wasn't like most girls, Ryu pointed that out a lot. He seemed fond of that fact, while she just thought it was normal. Sure she liked dresses, but she wasn't a total girly girl, like she didn't wear makeup not even eyeliner.
That brought up a small headache. Hari and her infatuation with fashion, she thought it was cute before. But that was before she was part of some sort of experiment. When she seen those outfits her jaw almost dropped, her will to not look so surprised and slightly horrified they were a little too much. The skirt was a bit too short and the one top was low cut, while she didn't mind wearing the outfits just in the room per say, Hari wanted her to walk around the house like that. Not a chance, she wasn't going to be caught wearing such an outfit around the house, in front of her and Ryu of course no question, but with the others it was a big fat hell no.
So as she released a sigh and tugged on the low cut collar with her finger. She got changed into the outfit Hari was more fond of, she couldn't really argue passed a point. It just wasn't in her to debate and negotiate because she either blew it off and did what she wanted, would say no and explain her reasoning which she did with Hari to no avail. The girl just had a way on convincing her to do a lot of things, maybe it was that bright smile that was honest and genuine, she felt a kinship towards her. And while she felt that kinship with the others, Hari was special exception. She was just glad she didn't have to walk, these heels would hurt her feet, how did Hari walk in these so easily?
"You look really good." Hari said beaming a smile, her eyes lighting up with happiness and something akin to satisfaction.
"Thanks." Ahiko whispered, blushing slightly. She always felt so uneasy wearing such things, but she didn't mind it so much with Hari.
"You should wear outfits like this every day. Then we could be twins."
Ahiko suppressed a shudder and a blush as she imagined herself showing off so much skin all the time. No it wasn't a pleasant thought, Matsu was bound to make a comment. An embarrassing comment that would no doubt fluster her, and she wasn't so easily flustered. It was strange Matsu just had a way of giving off that feeling, the gleam in her eyes and that devious giggle. She wasn't oblivious with her shameless advances on Ryu but she didn't mind, she didn't mind sharing. Though. She frowned slightly when she thought of it that way... "No thanks. I-I don't mind if we're just in here." Ahiko said quietly silently cursing herself for giving in.
"Aww.." Hari pouted lightly, her cheeks puffing out, but her eyes softened. "You're so shy, imouto."
Ahiko's eyes widened slightly, she turned to stare at Hari. Okay so she could be a bit shy at times, but what girl just wore high heels in public. Ten thousand may do it on the daily basis but she couldn't and wouldn't. She was shy around Ryu but that was something that couldn't be helped or changed it was just part of their relationship, he had a way of making her heart beat like a bass drum. But did she like the multitude of outfits Hari would pick out for her, yes she did how couldn't she? Imouto... The word resonated with her, little sister it was a show of affection and admiration on Hari's part for Ahiko, although she questioned why she was the younger sister. "And I'm curious how am I the younger sister?"
Hari beamed a smile thumping her thumb on her breast. "Because I am number 82, and you are number 83. Ahiko-chan you're so silly." Ahiko thought of an argument a thousand arguments. From what she gathered Sekirei weren't exactly categorized in ages like humans, but it was clear some were older and more developed than others, whether it was because they were born that way or not she wasn't sure. From what Ryu explained to her they were all adjusted except for her and a very few amount of others, so how could age be determined?
"Hari that doesn't make sense..." Ahiko said with a weary smile as she sighed softly. It would make sense in any other case except for this one.
"It's okay imouto I won't treat you any different." Hari said sincerely hugging Ahiko as tightly as she could letting out a girlish giggle. "I love that you put on the outfit, it fits you perfectly." Hari wasn't sure about the skirt it seemed a bit long, like the one she wore from MBI but it wasn't and the top went well, it really emphasized her breasts and curves, and the heels just put the entire outfit together. If Hari had to say, Ahiko was sexy.
"But..." Ahiko pouted at her, she didn't want to be the younger one between the two. It wasn't fair and she acted way more mature than Hari so she was clearly the older one. She took a breath feeling her stomach press against the tight fabric, I do like this top even though it shows a bit much, the sleeves are good plus. She thought mentally tilting her head to the side as she looked at herself. Never in a million years did she think she'd be wearing an outfit like this. I wonder if Ryu would like it.
"Can I come in?"
"Ryu? Sure why ask!" Hari exclaimed watching as the door opened revealing a slightly wet Ryu his hair hanging over his shoulders and back leaving a small patch of gray on his shirt. Hari felt heat rush to her cheeks he wasn't topless or anything, but she couldn't help but feel attracted towards him. He was irresistible with that wet hair and relaxed posture, she made room for him on the bed as he quietly shut the door glancing at the TV not sure what show was on, then turned his attention to Ahiko feeling his cheeks start to burn.
"Ahiko you look very nice..." He said in a strained tone, it had been a long time since he had a nosebleed and he could feel one coming. "I didn't think you liked wearing clothes like that."
"Thank you." Ahiko said a small smile on her face, something about the way he got flustered and complimented her made her feel giddy and so alive. She wasn't an attention hog and didn't go out of her way to get his affection, but she felt so... So happy. "And I guess the top is nice, Hari knows her fashion." Ahiko shrugged slightly she couldn't argue that fact everything went together perfectly and enhanced her assets, although she didn't want them so enhanced and showing it was worth it seeing the smile on Hari's face and the blush on Ryu's. "What's up?"
"I need you to come with me." Ryu said in a blunt manner not missing the flare in Hari's eyes, although it wasn't anger. Far from it. It looked more like excitement and happiness. "I haven't had the chance to tell you two yet, but we're going to be moving out soon, and I'm looking at a place in about a half hour." He watched the two carefully Hari looked slightly surprised and distraught her head shooting towards the closet with all of her shoes and outfits. Ahiko's eyes widened and a thought rushed through her mind, she had grown close to Musubi and didn't want to leave. She could only imagine the cheerful Sekirei's reaction, they were sparring partners after all.
"But what about my clothes?" Hari asked with slight fear. She couldn't throw all of them away and start new.
"Don't worry about that." Ryu said waving his hand in a dismissive fashion. "Ahiko I need you to come with me.. In those clothes."
"Ryu-kun!" She excliamed spluttering nervously as a bright red tint decorated her cheeks. She quickly turned away as if that would prevent his staring and change her outfit, but it didn't. And Ryu wasn't so easily discouraged.
"He does have a point." Hari chimed in, placing a hand on Ahiko's shoulder and turning her back around gently. "You're more well rounded than some of us so it only makes sense that you go with him. And besides I picked that outfit out and you are going to wear that for the entire day, and this is a perfect time. Do I make myself clear?" Hari said with slight firmness, a small frown adorning her face as she stared at Ahiko.
"I hate logic..." Ahiko muttered sadly, shaking her head. "Do I really have to wear this though? It's so..."
"Don't worry the route we're taking we won't be encountering any people. And if you haven't noticed this city is losing more occupants as the days go on." Ryu said wisely pointing out a few facts. He could understand Ahiko and her hesitancy on leaving the house wearing that, it was more so how Uzume would react and even Toyotama no doubt they would surround her and give her a good smack on the ass for good measure, but things had to be done. Besides he really liked Ahiko in this outfit, it was so unlike her usual jogging pants and t shirt look.
"Okay." Ahiko sighed in defeat. "I'll go."
"Don't worry." Ryu said reassuringly, he could feel the apprehension radiating off of her. He smiled slightly, at least one of his Sekirei knew what modesty was besides Miya. "I like you dressed like this, you're very... Attractive."
"Really?" Ahiko all but gasped quietly, her eyes lighting up. "Well... I could wear this more if you'd like?"
"Sure." Ryu smiled looking at Hari, "I hope you don't mind but I'm going to burrow Ahiko for a while."
"Burrow?" Ahiko questioned blinking a few times.
"Not at all." Hari said beaming a smile. "I'll get some of my things packed in the mean time. Have fun you two."
"Hold on." Ahiko chimed in looking at them like they grew another pair of arms.
"Right-o." Ryu replied grabbing Ahiko by the arm and dragging her out. She blinked a few times before tugging back out of habit, and the thought of walking around in this outfit wasn't very appealing. How could girls dress like this? "Thanks for understanding Hari."
"No problem!"
Once they were out in the hall Ryu made a quick detour into his room, at this point he let go of Ahiko allowing her to follow. He opened up his window putting his front foot on it, being half Sekirei was full of benefits, and one of those was jumping over long distances. His mind drifted back to Matsu, he wanted to speak with her but he had to cool down first. "Do you want me to carry you?"
"Actually, yes." Ahiko jumped onto his back, he wasn't surprised in the least when she felt heavier than she looked, but he understood with her. She trained vigorously and when she wasn't doing that she was doing physical exercises like sit ups and dragon flags. She wrapped her arms around his neck giving a small squeeze, he swiftly grabbed her by the back of her legs, and with one powerful lunge he was flying through the air the wind rushing into his face blowing his hair every which way.
Ahiko held on, though not as tight as the others did he noted. Which he was thankful for, some of them really squeezed down on him whenever they traveled like this. Or it could be the fact he always went faster than what was necessary to get them riled up, Toyotama could get violent smacking him on the back of the head, Yashima nearly squeezed his throat shut, and Yomi yelped. Ahiko did neither, instead she squinted her eyes glancing around her. They already cleared twenty feet or so, and Ryu continued with great speed on the rooftops. To say she was impressed would be an under statement, she didn't realize Ryu got so fast.
"Ryu, where are we going?" She asked after a few silent moments, simply enjoying the peaceful silence around them. She liked his kisses, no loved them but it was these simple things like right now. Her arms wrapped around his neck and the world flashing by around them, she enjoyed the warmth of his body and the steady drum of his heart. She didn't want to ruin the moment, for once it was quiet and not chaotic. She was surprised how her life took a turn.
"I'm seeing a real estate agent." He answered as he leapt over a gutter clearing the street below and landing silently onto the opposing roof. "I'd go alone, but I decided to take you with, you could say that you're my wife for the time being." He said almost as if he was oblivious to the implications of what he said. Marriage it was one thing Ahiko didn't consider, how could she at this point in time. "We should be back by the evening."
"You shouldn't joke like that."
"About what?"
"Me being your wife and all. Ya know a lot of girls would take that to heart."
"Well, I mean..." Ryu struggled to come up with words, he wouldn't mind getting marrying but not now. There was too much going on and what good would it be if one of his Sekirei were deactivated? He wasn't brutally cold or cruel but dealing with that kind of heartache opposed to them being deactivated or defeated without that ceremony and everything; it would hurt, but not as bad.
"I'm not like that though. Besides, it's too early." Ahiko beamed a smile almost as if she was reading his mind.
Koto felt refreshed, it had been a long time since he felt this good. He didn't change his routine in the least, but he just felt at ease. Maybe it was Luna and her expertise that was still quite a shocker to him, and both kind of avoided each other for the moment. He'd by lying if he said he didn't enjoy it, he was still a male and while he was supposed to be doing such with a human, he had his views and beliefs in that.
So he busied himself with work. It was a coping method he had done for as long as he could remember whether he got lost in training for hours on end or was working on an investigation; when his emotions ran rampant like this he always focused them into something. It was hard not to let them get to him, seize him like a noose, he was trained by Karasuba and Yume, but when the former was said to vanish, and not vanish, and several other rumors Karasuba completely took over his training. Eventually he became the second in command, and he wondered where Yume went.
"Yume-sama..." He muttered to himself as he tuned out the elevator tune. He wasn't sure why he was going to this idiot's office, well he knew why but he just didn't want to go through with it. Natsuo felt very little if anything, but his intuition was never wrong and if he predicted something there was a good change that it would happen. He'd be a fool to blow him off, but trying to escape the capitol that was madness. Even without him and the rest of the squad there was MBI and the army was numerous and vast with superior technology. Not to mention they could just drop a laser on you from space.
He wondered what his teacher and master would think about this. Yume was the opposite of Karasuba, where his leader was brash and abrasive Yume was understanding and calm. She was encouraging and had a very kind heart, where Karasuba was strict and expected nothing but perfection. Yume would talk for hours about the Sekirei and Ashikabi and how she wanted to help her sisters, and Karasuba he swore retched every time. "But she has one now too, and I heard he's strong." He recalled Benitsubasa coming back and requiring a few months rest after receiving four broken ribs.
The elevator stopped, and the doors slid open. Koto went to step out but stopped seeing Karasuba stepping into the elevator signaling for him to stay. He knew better than to argue he wasn't as foolish as Beni, but he really wanted to avoid this. "I'm heading to the tournament. I've got an update from an inside source, there will be another one tonight. That swordsman is bound to show up and perhaps hundreds of others."
Koto blinked completely oblivious to the doors sliding close. This was interesting, no it was beyond that. He wanted to find out who the wild haired man is and there were two ways he could do that. One he looked forward to the first, battling him. He looked at Karasuba a small smile of disbelief on his face, when they first went that place was packed, overflowing even at the tallest bleachers and man made viewpoints. "So you're saying it's like some special?"
"Simply put yes. It should be fun, I think I may even compete this time around. Minaka doesn't seem to care as long as we get that man eventually."
"Are Benitsubasa, Haihane, and Luna coming too?"
"Yes the first two insisted, and Luna didn't come up with a million reasons not to come along this time."
Probably coping... Koto thought, coping wasn't the right term. Maybe taking it all in, it wouldn't be so strange for two Sekirei to have those sort of feelings for each other. He couldn't recall anything like that happening, but it wouldn't be strange. And besides it was his choice, Minaka couldn't make him if that were the case he'd be Natsuo's Sekirei and that sure as hell wasn't the case, he was one of the few Sekirei who didn't have too much adjustments, so being winged wasn't a priority. It would be of a loyal thing. however being the second in command that was an automatic. His orders were cut and clean and if he had to move, he would and pain would follow. He wasn't nearly as active as Beni or Haihane both of them were headstrong and cocky, way too damn cocky. "You hear about that rogue Sekirei?"
Koto looked at Karasuba with a raised eyebrow. "Who hasn't. She's said to choke her opponents to death or leaves them savagely cut half dead." He would like nothing more than to hand this person their ass and then some, but unless Minaka ordered him to do so he couldn't move. He had his duty, and while he was more rounded and one could say honorable than some of his squad members he was still dangerous and had a bad temper. Though years of training allowed him to keep it under wraps.
"Maybe she'll show up at the tournament." Karasuba said, smirking with glee.
Yashima calmed her racing heart. Her head still throbbed horribly from Nanaha's attack, she would get that little wench back, but not before telling Ryu. She knows he'll actually scold Nanaha for what she did. It was a point Toyotama made clear that she hated, and then proceeded to choke her. Yashima nodded her head once, she had a lot of rivals, a lot of competiton. But after tonight she'd make up for all of that, and Ryu would her's. She looked at a few bottles of sake she managed to sneak away while Miya was in the bath, it was her only chance. And Yomi was in the front room, and Minato and his Sekirei were upstairs, and Uzume and Toyotama were somewhere it was the perfect chance.
She was going to get her fill, long before Toyotama tonight. That hussie had her way long enough with her Ryu. He was her prince, her master, and her's alone. She knew she was possessive and clingy but she didn't care she was not going to lose what she had with him. She rummaged through her pocket, pulling out four bottles. She didn't want to use this method, but the results would be amazing and the best part would be that they were alone and she could have him. Feel him inside of her like she desperately craved. She popped the first bottle open, the label reading Viagra. "Plan ready to set in motion." Yashima whispered to herself with a smirk on her face as she dropped in pill after pill.
Her eyes lit up with happiness. She would ask Ryu to sit with her later, and then she'd pour him these four bottles first. It was an easy and simple plan. Nothing could go wrong. Everyone was doing their own thing and that left her in the clear to see her plan out. She may not be the strongest Sekirei but she made up for that with careful planning. "He's mine." She said to herself, giggling. "Mine."