Koto kept his eyes narrowed and arms folded over his chest as he came into Natsuo's office seeing the glasses wearing man seated just a few meters away that ever relaxed expression on his face. He was the last one to enter, Benitsubasa being the first of course she was beyond brainless and would shove her way through, well he didn't block and even made a path for her. Haihane and Luna were the next to enter followed by Karasuba. He didn't want to be here right now, he was supposed to be in match at the moment, finding out who that wild haired man was. Not sitting in an office with a person he couldn't stand in all honesty.

Natsuo maybe the Ashikabi of Bentisubasa and Haihane, but that didn't mean he had to follow orders. It was in his best interest to listen, and he normally did but to call off the mission he was on that was just ridiculous. How did this take priority? Just because he said so? He was the demon commander, he made the majority of the decisions for the squad, Natsuo could jump off a bridge for all he cared and drown or get ate by the sharks. The only reason he was here right now was because of Karasuba and Luna though he wouldn't admit the second one.

"I'm happy to see you all made it on such short notice." Natsuo began in a business like tone as he looked up from his stack of paperwork. It was just the usual small missions to silence someone who couldn't stay quiet, updates on the Sekirei Game, and a few other things that were of less importance. He cleared his throat, resting his chin in his interlaced fingers. He noticed the glare coming from Koto he was radiating annoyance as he leaned against the wall the shadows of the room laying over his sharp angled face.

"Of course~" Benitsubasa said in a dreamy tone as she stared at Natsuo with half lidded eyes. Haihane stifled a chuckle at her partner's behavior noticing Luna looked uncomfortable as the pink haired Sekirei rambled to Natsuo who nodded and smile in response, Koto just sighed quietly his expression not changing at all, and Karasuba just looked at noting in particular her mind elsewhere. Natsuo, easily calmed down Benitsubasa with a hand gesture and easy tone, the Sekirei melted like butter and Koto felt like he was going to vomit.

"Can we just get on with it?" He asked having no qualms of showing just how disgusted he was at the moment. He didn't want to listen to Beni ramble on and on about a bunch of crap if he had to be honest. Of course he wasn't a saint by any means, his encounter with Luna previously left him feeling confused and he could feel a small pang in his chest, but it wasn't pain. He frowned again, pushing the feeling aside and trying to tune out Benitsubasa.

"Yeah!" Haihane exclaimed in agreement though she was all smiles. "You said it was important is it another mission?"

"You could say that."

This time Luna frowned with confusion as she stared at him, incredulous. That wasn't very clear at all, Natsuo didn't seem to be taking this seriously despite saying it was important. It wasn't strange seeing that aloof and cold demeanor he constantly exuded as if it was a second layer of skin, but she didn't play games, she was more serious than Haihane. She needed facts, unlike Haihane and Beni who would act on emotion alone and impulse at times, or Koto who investigated into things painstakingly at times, or Karasuba who did what she wanted. "Is this off of the books?" She questioned, eyebrow raised as she folded her arms over her chest, copying Koto.

"Excuse me!" Benitsubasa said, indignant as she whirled on them.

"Calm down Beni-kun." Natsuo said as he cleared his throat ignoring her swooning as she obeyed his order. He looked at Koto then at Luna, finally settling on all of them as a whole. Once Benitsubasa quieted down and was waiting for him with curiosity shining in her eyes. "There's been suspicious movement in the north, I'd like you all to stay alert. I grant you permission to go on more patrols if you see it fit." Natsuo said smoothly. "I am not able to confirm it at the moment, but I thought I'd inform you Koto-kun."

"Who would move in the Hannya's territory?" Luna asked with a frown, she knew the rumors were actually fact and there was someone, a Sekirei in the north that was the strongest of them all. Even MBI didn't actively push into the neighborhood staying a safe distance away, she herself didn't head to the north often just for that reason. If Minaka wasn't keen on moving into the territory there was very good reason for him not to do so since he pushed his way around with everything else. She recalled Karasuba heading there a while back, she came back with that crazed look in her eyes that she rarely seen and regretted doing so since it made her shiver. Luckily Koto was there with her so her discomfort wasn't visible when she came reeking like blood.

Some Sekirei was unfortunate, and stupid enough to actually try and fight her.

"This sounds fun." Haihane voiced her opinion, her grin not vanishing in the least. She was waiting for some action, she didn't see much for the last couple of months considering her last assassination mission went astray and instead of killing just her target she ended up killing the guards and everyone in the estate he was staying at for vacation, needless to say the news was all over that and Minaka was barely able to cover it up. Even now there were rumors and leaks of it from the citizens. Though she didn't mind too much she watched TV with Luna or trained with Koto, which wasn't bad at all.

"You believe someone is trying to escape?" Koto asked with a sharp tone his eyes flicking to Natsuo.

"It's just a hunch." Natsuo said relaxed despite the glare Koto was giving him.

"At the very least we could patrol more." Luna concluded with a contemplative look on her face, she turned to Karasuba wanting her opinion. "What do you think we should do?"

"Natsuo's intuition has never been wrong before. Just stay aware." Karasuba replied.

Ryu took careful steps as he walked through a hallway, he didn't hear his Sekirei's feet thudding around so chances are they weren't looking for him. Good, he didn't want to be fussed over, and more so didn't want them crowding around him, he was hot enough without the extra body heat. He had to thank Karei for sharing that cigarello, it certainly cleared the haze he was feeling up until that point, and she was surprisingly down to earth unlike some of his Sekirei. She seemed normal, she wasn't hyper or obnoxious, hyper emotional or possessive, although he seen her and Uzume got a little too friendly. Perhaps Uzume wasn't lying when she said that they seen each other naked already. I wonder... Perhaps his more lecherous side kicked in, and he thought there was something more going on between them.

That brought up another problem, his vision was still blurred and he knew it couldn't be from the alcohol, at least not anymore now that the haze the sake clothed him in was lifted. "There you are!" It was Toyotama and she walked towards him, calm and relaxed an easy expression on her face as she got closer and closer. He had half a mind to turn around, but he was sure Toyotama wasn't here to badger him and drag him off to bed, he didn't mind his Sekirei's concern but at this moment it was misplaced. "You know the others were looking for you, saying you're going to hurt yourself." Toyotama let out a laugh seeing him scowl in response.

"I'm drunk but not stupid." He repeated what he had before.

"Yeah..." Toyotama looked at him for a long moment. "Anyways, are you feeling alright? You kind of just left." She knew he was running from a few of his Sekirei, Yashima and Nanaha being the more profound two, Ahiko stopped after he took off his shirt claiming it too hot. She couldn't blame him for running away from the two of them and even Miya was persistent he goes to bed, though that was her and those damned rules again. She was glad she was going be leaving soon, and have a home where she could walk around in the nude if she wanted to. "You really got a place? We won't need to live here anymore?"

"I needed some air." He said raking a hand through his hair. "Though I've been feeling strange." He didn't mention his erection that was failing to pass. He looked at her for a moment, had she done something to cause this? He wouldn't put is passed her, but Toyotama would just advance on him with no hesitation if she wanted that, she wouldn't go through the trouble of spiking a drink with whatever, or go through some big plan just to get his attention, and that he could appreciate she was honest, brutally so. But that also meant their relationship was straight forward. "Come on it hasn't been that bad living here." Ryu said with a light laugh.

"I haven't had sex in weeks!" Toyotama said in mock exasperation, wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning into him, capturing his lips in a passionate kiss. She tensed as his arms wrapped around her waist pulling her closer until her breasts were pressing against his torso, and he kissed her back with equal passion causing a moan to escape her lips as they broke the kiss. "Miya and her rules are killing me, I know it's her place and all, but she's way too strict. I can't walk around naked if I wanted to, I'm a free girl." She removed her arms from his neck, trailing one against his chin with a tender look in her eyes. "And now I have a place I can call home!"

I have to thank Miya later. He thought with a small smile. At first he thought her rules were unreasonable, of course he followed them to T putting aside one or two incidents that he hoped she didn't know about and Matsu didn't rat him out, he was sure he smashed every single tape and DVD that pervert more than likely burned that footage to. She wasn't one that was chasing him around, thank Kami, he was sure she went to her room to keep tabs on MBI and everything going on in city. "Where are the others I need to make sure they're not at each other's heads." Ryu said his tone serious as he di a quick sweep of the house. Ahiko and Hari were in the room they shared, Kazehana was in Uzume's room with Karei and the former, Kusano was in Miya's room, Minato and Haruka were in their room, and Musubi and Kuno were in a shared room. Tsukiumi was in a separate room. Yashima and Nanaha were in the front room.

"As long as that little thing keeps her mouth shut nothing will happen." Toyotama coldly answered.

"Toyotama." Ryu said in a tone that sounded like he was scolding her.

"Whatever." She bit out, "here comes Yomi."

Ryu glanced to the side to see the scythe Sekirei sauntering towards him. "Oh, Ryu-kun there you are." She smiled. "I knew you didn't leave yet." She wanted to pounce on him, but didn't want to send them into a tumble. Ryu was gone in a haze and she wasn't far behind, and Miya didn't need to see them on the floor in a awkward position, then she'd be all over them whacking them with her boken as punishment, then Toyotama would say something unnecessary and the whacking would continue. She sighed softly I'll just wait, besides it's tomorrow. Thought less than twenty four hours never felt so long. Her eyes bucked, she wasn't trying to see that, but she could see a slight, slight bulge in his pants, he was hiding his boner pretty good if she said so herself.

Toyotama said something about a plan.. Yomi frowned the action not going unnoticed by Ryu.

"Is there something wrong?" Ryu asked pointedly seeing her frown deepen. He couldn't help but feel a little self conscious it normally wasn't in him to give much thought to what other people thought of him, but in this case it was different. Yomi rarely frowned if ever, normally it was when Toyotama would hit him, but since that stopped happening around the same time he winged her, he'd never seen her frown much. She usually smiled and talked, like a normal girl, though she was a worrywart. But it was cute.

"Oh, uh, no!" Yomi said a bit surprised as she smoothed out her shirt looking at anything but Ryu. She was sure Ryu had a boner, she knew what to look for though she wasn't exactly looking for those signs. She read enough books on the subject.

"You're drooling." Ryu said with a teasing smirk.

"Don't listen to him." Toyotama said with a laugh, wrapping an arm around his neck. "You're not drooling." She looked at him carefully, her green eyes keen with observation. "Are you sure you're okay?" Her voice tinted with concern as she looked him over, noticing small spots of sweat on his forehead and neck, and his violet irises seem unfocused, and they were red. She looked at Yomi, the silent statement already made, and she could see it in Yomi's red face that she could see something.

"I'm fine." Ryu said with a sigh. He was fine, he felt fine, his heart was just racing like he got done running four marathons but didn't feel ill or anything.

Yomi and Toyotama looked at each other, both of their eyes narrowed. "I'm serious I'm alright." Ryu cut between their silent conversation. There was now a level of understanding, Yomi didn't want to entertain the thought of Yashima actually doing something, or just the thought of anything happening. Toyotama was aggressive and could be hostile, she knew this but took it with a grain of salt as long as she didn't punch or smack Ryu she didn't complain, she hated being in the middle of situations like with Toyotama and Yashima.

"Ryu we should gather the others. We need to talk." Toyotama said her tone serious.

"I think Ahiko and Hari are sleeping." Ryu replied, he couldn't blame them considering Ahiko was up early with him today, and went with him to purchase the house. Also trying to read that woman that should them the house proved to be exhausting, she seemed nice and silly, but there was always more to a person beneath those acts. He knew that, things weren't what they seemed, the Sekirei were proof of that.

"I figured, I seen Ahiko carrying Hari up while she was singing." It was a funny sight to see Ahiko, as tall as she was carrying someone as short as Hari while the former was singing some song about being independent. Probably on one of those TV shows Yomi watched where babies were having babies, she couldn't remember the names of the shows, but Miya put a stop to that before it got into a routine. And Ryu voiced his own opinion, saying that they were yelling way too much. "I'll get the others, meet me in the dining room." Toyotama turned on her walking away with brisk steps, Ryu couldn't help but feel confused as he watched her vanish.

"Yomi what's going on?" Ryu asked his eyebrow raised in question. "I only see her get like this during a spar." He didn't mention as well during sex, Toyotama took initiative and he could appreciate that especially when he was half asleep. She snuck in a few times and gave him a great thing to wake up to, he had no idea she had a slight gag reflex. As the saying went you learn something new every day. One of those things was that Toyotama was a little sneak and somehow picked the lock on his door.

"Well..." Yomi felt uncomfortable telling him that Viagra could have been put in his sake. That he consumed, and was now fresh in bloodstream. She couldn't and wouldn't lie to him, it wasn't in her to do so. He was honest with her, and wanted only honesty from her that included things of this nature as ridiculous as it sounded. But, she thought of Yashima and those glistening gray doe eyes, how she dressed herself up today look cute and dainty, she was doing a lot to get his attention, but perhaps this was just a wrong move. If Ryu found out he was sure to get angry. He'd die of a heart attack and a raging boner. Karei's statement rippled through her mind, of course she was joking, and Uzume was all over her. I don't know, but I can't lie to him... She took a deep breath, exhaling as she wrapped her around his waist and began to walk in the direction Toyotama went in. "You see, um, Toyotama thinks that Yashima planned something and you were a part of it and..." She froze seeing a cold look flash into his eyes.

"Is Matsu a part of this?" His voice tinged with annoyance. "I told her a long time ago about those ploys." It wasn't the most easiest conversation to have, Matsu was persistent and between her pouting and whining he almost caved. Almost. But he was passed the days of caving for his Sekirei when he said no or did something they didn't like. He told her that if she wants to have sex, then they can have it as she seen fit, of course Miya wouldn't tolerate that, but he didn't like being a target in that sense. Matsu was hesitant to agree, but what she got afterwards was enough to overlook that.

"No.. Just Yashima... I think." Yomi said with uncertainty, Ryu's gaze didn't soften any, and she could feel a pang of annoyance coming through their link. Uh oh.. Was all she could think as she was brought into the middle once again, and to make matters worse she basically told on Yashima and no doubt the little Sekirei would be punished for her behavior. He gave a nod signaling her to continue where she left off, though she took a shuddering breath before she did. "Yashima planned something and you were a part of it... I don't know what."

"Of everyone to do it..." His voice sounded like it was filled with disappointment. "I know you're holding back Yomi." Her eyes filled with shock for a moment and she couldn't shake it off as she stared into those violet irises. "I'll find out soon enough, but thank you for at least telling me. I know it must have been hard being the middle girl." He brought a hand to the top of her head, slowly stroking her silky soft hair, she blushed for a moment before giggling and leaning into him.

"I just don't want to hurt anybody..." She said above a whisper.

"Don't worry so much." Ryu said giving her a small kiss on the cheek. "You can head to your room. I won't force you to do this if you don't want to." He said with an understanding tone, his smile cracking at the edge of his lips.

"I'm sorry." She looked miserable. "I should-"

"Just go to your room. It's fine, and it's been a long night. You need your rest for tomorrow." He said with a small smirk, he was looking forward to his date with Yomi. It would be her first time with him in that sense, they kissed and cuddled of course, but nothing beyond that. Although she wouldn't stop him if he was to do so, she'd surrender gladly. She smiled, nodding her head and sauntered off towards her room, yelping as Ryu gave her a swift smack on the butt. "Wait for me."

"Always."

Uzume was having a hard time deciding. It was her night out with Ryu and she was beyond excited, probably because she was drunk it only increased her anticipation, she thought back to the morning she she woke up half naked with her other three girls in his and Minato's room. She really missed sharing a room with him. She was all over him not bothering to get dressed, she felt drawn to him more than usual, maybe it was because of the turmoil she was suffering inside, and naturally she'd go to him. She knew he was suspicious but didn't say anything, he didn't put much into baseless things like rumors. She'd need to tell him soon, sooner than he expected considering Chiho wanted to speak with him according to Karei. "Wow Uzume..." Karei said looking her over.

"You look real good imouto." Kazehana said with a wink, as she sprawled herself on the futon making no move to cover her large breasts.

Normally Uzume just wore her pink and purple shirt with the yellow star and her jeans. She liked the shirt, besides fitting nicely it was consisted of her three favorite colors purple being number one. She lost count how many times she wore that outfit, while Toyotama wore shorts and t shirts now, after stealing them from Ryu, she still wore her same outfit, some thing she couldn't change. Although she'd wear one of his long shirts so she didn't need to wear underwear. But now she was dressed rather nice. She wore a white shirt with openings on the top of her shoulders that revealed top of them and most of her neck, she wore a pair of matching black skinny jeans that showed off her long and toned legs and perfectly shaped ass, and to finish off her outfit she wore a pair of knee high white boots with a wedge and small heel, surprisingly she kept her hair down not in its usual side ponytail. "You really think so?" She asked with a small smile, she wasn't used to dressing up.

"Of course I'd take you right now if I could." Karei said with her own grin giving a thumbs up. "You look sexy!" Kazehana nodded her head in agreement, she had to admit Uzume looked very nice tonight.

"Oh, you've turned into quite the woman!" Kazehana cooed grabbing the sides of her face in both hands, Uzume didn't resist and even clasped her hands with Kazehana's smiling in return. "So when will you have a kid?" She smiled seeing a flash of red on Uzume's face and throw brown eyes widen with surprise, she took a step back sputtering as she did so.

"Uh, no time soon." Uzume laughed nervously scratching the back of her head.

"Uzume are you blushing?" Karei said as she let out a laugh seeing the red hue turn even brighter and Uzume look away though she had a hard time not smiling. How could she stop when her sisters supported her so? "How cute!"

"Guys..." Uzume said looking at her boots finding them interesting, and they made her a few inches taller.

"No more time to waste." Kazehana said with a smile as she gave Uzume a light tap on her shoulders, startling her from her flustered state. "Go and get em."

Yashima was frantic as she stopped her search, her heart thumped in her throat, and she felt anxiety taking grip. Ryu was gone and she wasn't with him, she had to get him alone to go in her room. Then she'd prove to the others that she was the only one that mattered and not them, she trotted off of the couch where Nanaha was a few moments ago and went to look for her. She was keeping tabs on everyone, she didn't miss Toyotama looking at them before Nanaha left, she was ready to put the finishing touch on her plan, tightening her ribbons to make sure she was cute she walked down the hall her gray eyes glistening and head held high as she felt confident. She turned the corner spotting Miya, Toyotama, Nanaha and Ryu all seated opposite of each other their eyes flicking to Yashima.

"Yashima." Ryu said in greeting.

"Come and take a seat Yashima we need to talk." Miya's voice was calm but Yashima could only feel despair bubbling in her stomach. She hoped they didn't know about her plan, no they couldn't. She didn't tell them and she covered up her tracks so no one would find out, the deed was already done it was just her seducing him now which wouldn't be hard considering he was drunk. She trotted over to a mat the entire time her eyes glistening brightly and her head high she looked at Nanaha and Toyotama giving them a glare which Nanaha readily returned, but Toyotama merely smirked. "Is there anything you want to tell us?" Miya asked her voice not changing though her voice was firm.

"No.." Yashima shook her head. But now is a good chance to get rid of those two.. Then Ryu is mine all mine. "Actually! Nanaha hit me earlier on the back of the head!" Yashima's eyes misted over as she looked Miya noticing a small frown, and Ryu was already looking at Nanaha with a stern stare noticing that she looked away her frown ever present.

"Nanaha." Ryu said with a long sigh.

"Is that true?" Miya asked, her eyes on Nanaha, and the spear Sekirei could feel fear pulsing through her. She glared at Yashima with hell fire, of course she was going to tell on her now when she could have hours ago. She wasn't surprised as she watched Yashima's eyes glisten she wasn't fooled by the act Toyotama was right about her, she was a manipulative little bitch.

"I didn't spike Ryu's sake with Viagra at least!" Nanaha snapped in anger.

"Toyotama told me too!"

"What!?" The green haired amazon almost yelled, slamming her fist down on the table as she glared at Yashima. She was definitely going to be choking her again like she did several weeks ago, she was hoping it wouldn't come to that. Ryu was protective over Yashima and every time she would cry he'd cave and regardless of what the little Sekirei did he only seen what they would do to her. She'd stick to him like glue trying to at least all hours of they, it sickened Toyotama. She clenched her teeth, leering at Yashima. "I did not tell you to do this!"

"Viagra?" Miya frowned visibly, her eyebrows knitting with concern. Unlike the others she knew he was half Sekirei, things like that would take longer to have an effect, not to mention the side effects would be intense. It was a crude thing to say, beyond crude. First of Ryu didn't need that whatsoever he was well endowed and had great endurance, she knew that from experience. Secondly the side effects would be setting in anytime now, she noticed his sweat and strange breathing but didn't know what caused it. She looked at Ryu, his eyes downcast, and she could see it, a bulge in his pants. "Yashima is this true!?"

"I can't believe this." Ryu said in a low voice.

"Toyotama!" Yashima exclaimed with tears burning in her eyes, Miya glared at Toyotama and for once the green haired Sekirei didn't snap back.

"I said to seduce him not to spike his sake with Viagra!" Toyotama growled. "Don't you think! He can die of a heart attack you stupid little dolt!"

"Leave me alone!" Yashima snapped back, her eyes glistening with more tears. "It's your fault!"

"Yashima. Go to your room." Miya's voice was sweet, too sweet.

"B-But Miya-san!" Yashima cried. "I just wanted Ryu-sama to myself-

"Now! And don't think of coming out anytime soon! Toyotama and Nanaha you as well!" Miya snapped surprising everyone there, including Ryu who looked at her with a careful expression. Yashima's eyes bucked and then began to well with tears until they burn her doe eyes and glistened, fresh tears streamed down on her cheeks. She felt a pang in her heart that ached so badly it brought her to her knees and forced her stomach in knots. He hates me! She stood up sobbing hysterically as she left the room her cries echoing down the hallway. Ryu looked at the other two in the room, Toyotama and Nanaha both of them looked pissed, but he didn't care. So much for a party even with this his Sekirei couldn't stop going at it for just a few hours, and even worse Yashima was making ploys and plots. With a bone chilling glare directed at them, Nanaha and Toyotama left the room briskly neither wanting to suffer Miya's wrath.

"Ryu-kun I'm so sorry." Miya apologized as she calmed down, she wasn't sure what came over her, but the thought of him dying just because of a trivial little rivalry between his immature Sekirei made her angry. Angrier than she had ever been, the only thing that came close was when her late husband died trying to end the Sekirei Game and she left Karasuba for dead. "Are you okay?"

"A bit painful." He admitted as he massaged between his legs. He was sure having an erection for almost an hour straight wasn't good or normal, especially since he wasn't doing any of those things at the moment. It'd be understandable then since he had great endurance as Matsu put it and was extremely vigorous, but he wasn't.. That would explain his blurred vision and racing heart, although the alcohol did have part to do with it. "But don't be sorry Miya, it's not your fault or doing." He smiled softly despite being so uncomfortable, he got up and gave a tight hug placing a fleeting kiss on her lips, Miya surrendered to the kiss, breaking contact a second later.

"I didn't think it'd end like this..." Miya sighed softly, and Ryu held her close for a moment inhaling her delicate scent. "I know you've been thinking about a lot, have a lot on your plate. I thought this would help."

"It did, thanks Miya." Ryu said his tone direct and honest, and Miya could only nod in agreement. She broke away from him, checking around them, nobody seen thankfully. She believed Ryu, but she could also feel his annoyance radiating from his aura like a dark cloud, he was annoyed very much so and even disappointed, but it wasn't with her she could tell that much. As the two stared at each other having a silent conversation Uzume sauntered into view with a grin seeing Ryu and Miya turn to look at her with wide eyes.

"Be safe you two." Miya said as she left the dining room, turning off the light as she did so.

"Uzume..." Ryu felt his throat stick with a lump that he quickly swallowed. He was at a loss for words, he didn't know Uzume had these types of clothes and he had to admit she looked very good in those jeans and boots. Although she normally wore capris he had to wonder how she got those pants on though and how her butt didn't rip them, they were super tight. "Your hair's down.." He said in shock, his arm reaching forward as he ran a hand through it, normally she had it up even when she was asleep, he smiled softly. So beautiful.

"I have to look good for my man." She said with a smile, slowly walking towards him and leaning her head up capturing his lips in a passionate kiss. He didn't fight against the burning desire he felt bubble up and his tongue quickly entered her mouth dancing with her own, the taste of sake intertwining them and it tasted oh so sweet to the both of them. He grabbed her hips gently, yet firmly drawing her closer, Uzume carefully stepping her boots making soft thuds with each step. Her heart thudded in her chest and just as he began to trace her stomach with his hand she broke the kiss, staring lovingly into his eyes. "We should finish this in private."

"Ready when you are." He said as he headed for the door making sure every light was out and to lock it as she stepped out Uzume following closely.

"Oh, I know lover." Uzume said in a sultry tone as she reached into his pants taking a gentle hold of his shaft.