Hari glared at Ahiko half halfheartedly, not saying a single word. She was upset, very upset to be precise. However, she couldn't argue with Ryu's or Ahiko's logic-he was her Ashikabi and Ahiko always knew what was best. Ahiko did save her numerous times after all. She had been one of the few Sekirei not to buy into the whole Sekirei Plan, though having an Ashikabi was the best thing that could happen to her, Minaka's incessant ramblings had some merit after all... The rest was garbage.

Slowly, Ahiko sighed raking a hand through her hair. "I get worried about you, Hari." Ahiko stared at her for several long moments, waiting for the girl's reaction. Hari's expression changed from a light glare to a look of contemplation. If Ahiko had to be honest she couldn't spend all of her time with Hari or watching over her like she had been up to this point, it was hard to swallow... Especially for her since it was made painfully obvious what the reality of their situation really was. Not that she didn't care about Hari, but the girl would need to start depending on herself. "Listen, Hari... Things are going to change, you better just accept it."

"But... I don't want to fight Kusano-chan, or any of Minato's Sekirei." Hari said, a stubborn edge in her voice.

Ahiko pursed her lips. She wouldn't consider fighting Kusano, she was but a mere child in a kill or be killed game put on just for the sake of Minaka's amusement. The man was truly in a realm beyond insane. Ahiko chose not to comment of the Kusano part, it was something she didn't want to think of or discuss-technically by the rules Kusano was her enemy... She should terminate her to win. Ahiko wouldn't stoop down so low as to do that-however, Musubi, Tsukiumi, and the others that was a different story entirely. "I don't want to fight them either, but I'm not going to sugarcoat things, we may end up clashing with them in time."

"Ahiko-"

"Hari." Ahiko said a bit more firmly starting to lose patience. "By the rules of the game they are our enemies, it's a miracle we've been able to live in peace for so long. Let's work together and not dispute this!"

"You're too blunt at times, Imōto. But, that's why I love you so." Hari said with resignation. She couldn't argue or retort against that. It was true in the end they were enemies, and they would clash, they had lived in relative peace... She had been spoiled, she was strong in her own right, but her talents didn't reside in just pure combat strength. "But, do I have to fight...?"

"No, of course not." Ahiko said, grabbing both of her hands in her giving them a firm, small squeeze. She knew almost for certain Hari wouldn't be able to deliver the killing blow, she just didn't have it in her to do it, she was too gentle. Unless she was pushed to such a point where she'd have no other choice but to act, for it to get to that point... She couldn't think of anything that would push Hari that far over the edge. "I very well can't make you, but it'll be great to keep your skills sharp just in case something is to happen, and you do have to fight. You're like a sister to me, I worry, I don't want you to unprepared."

"Thank you for saying that." Hari said returning the squeeze before releasing her hands. She couldn't get over her anger so easily, but she'd shimmer down eventually. It helped that Ahiko said what she did, it showed that she was more than understanding of her own feelings. She felt very lucky that Ahiko was so worried over her safety. "You're right..."

"Of course I am." Ahiko made her way towards the door. "I'll be downstairs, I think we've got a new resident."

"Really?"

Ahiko didn't respond to the question knowing Hari was going to follow her and figure it out for herself anyways. She sighed to herself softly, she was happy that she pacified Hari and it didn't lead to anything further than just a minor little argument. She didn't want Hari fleeing from the group, for starters she wanted everyone to stick together... Secondly, she had no idea how Ryu would react to one of them defecting. Ahiko smiled slightly when she spotted Ryu striding towards them with Toyotama clinging onto his arm with a content look on her face. "Ryu! Toyotama!"

"Did you get that sorted out?" Ryu asked, eyes focusing on Ahiko.

"Yup! The coast is clear!" Ahiko beamed, tilting her head to the side. "How about you?"

Ryu glanced at Toyotama still clinging onto his arm. He didn't have the heart to tell her to let go, it was one of those things his Sekirei did whenever they were close. It felt nice having them so close, even if he couldn't move his arms like he wanted to, his Sekirei were always so warm. Toyotama smiled up at him her blue eyes shining with happiness and she tightened her hold on his arm a bit more. "We're okay." Ryu said after a moment of thought. If they weren't he was certain he'd have to pin Toyotama down by her wrists so she didn't destroy something. "And, that reminds me, now that I have you three together."

"What is it, Ryu-san?" Hari asked sweetly.

"What was with this marriage talk, Matsu said she wants to marry me and you all decided amongst yourselves without me being there." He wasn't going to agree to the fact that a part of him didn't want to be there when they were talking about this, tempers and emotions must have ran high and somebody was attacked.

"Oh, that?" Hari waved her hand with a light giggle. "We talked it about as women and Sekirei."

Ryu raised an eyebrow.

"Now you know full and well that you wouldn't even want to be there when we were talking about this." Toyotama said, releasing his arm and folding her arms right under her breasts pushing them up for good measure. It wasn't a conversation she had been expecting or even considered, with the Sekirei Plan going on she had little thoughts on actual marriage... Though, it wouldn't be bad to be Ryu's wife he always treated them so well and loved them equally, but it could be used against him in the long run... She couldn't imagine the rage and hate that would be flying off of Ryu in waves when he discovered his wife had been taken. "Like Hari said, we talked about it as women and Sekirei, just between us."

The thought scared her more than she'd care to admit. There wouldn't be a force on the planet that would stop him at that point.

"I'm really sorry for keeping it from you!" Hari exclaimed, her lower lip sticking out as her eyes began to mist over.

"Don't go and do that." Ahiko said quickly, elbowing Hari in the shoulder causing the shorter girl to glare at her for a second before she relaxed. "You know Ryu hates it when girls cry, especially us."

"Now that we've got all that out of the way." Toyotama brought the conversation back onto point. "We've got a new guest to greet, and judging from all that noise down there I'd say she's already comfortable..." Toyotama scoffed. "Of all the nerve."

Ryu and Ahiko exchanged glances for a moment. "Should I keep an eye on her?" Ahiko asked with a serious expression.

"No, for now let her get comfortable." Ryu said, gesturing for his girls to start walking down the stairs. "But, if you feel the need by all means watch her like a hawk."

"Can do!" Ahiko and Toyotama said at the same time giving a mock salute while Hari settled on just clinging onto his arm.

He wasn't sure what was in store for him or his Sekirei, but he knew one thing... If anyone tried to harm his Sekirei he would deal with them, brutally and mercilessly. The time for games was over.

"I'm going to order us some pizza." Ahiko's voice broke him from his train of thought.

"Why when we have a fridge full of food?" Toyotama questioned snidely.

"Because, it's polite! Unlike you I have manners!" Ahiko said back just as snidely. "Miya-san has taught me well."

"Oh yeah, the rule freak." Toyotama rolled her eyes.

"Can it be a cheese pizza?" Hari asked, forgetting about Ryu's arm for the moment and moving towards the duo.

"Ugh, hell no." Toyotama shook her head. "Get one with toppings."

"There's only twenty of those." Ahiko drawled sarcastically, causing Toyotama's brow to twitch.

"Don't patronize me!"

"I want cheese pizza!"

Yukari stared at her cell phone, her brows knitted together forming a crease between her eyes, she had never felt so much trepidation in all of her life. The only thing that could come close to this is being stuck high in a tree when she was a kid. Normally when she was calling her indecisive older brother she was grinning ready to unload her ammo for teasing him, it was just way too much fun, and most of the time he set himself up for it so she had to finish where he left off so to speak.

She wasn't grinning and her thoughts weren't centered on flustering and teasing him. Daringly she turned her head towards the door, Ichiya had come to get her empty tray of food and had left. There hadn't been anyone else to come in her room since then, she was partly thankful, but partly angry. Deep down she wanted to kick them all straight across the face. But, she couldn't do that even if she desired so badly to do so, she was in a hornet's nest and if she did anything to raise their suspicions she was going to be killed along with Shiina.

Steeling herself and schooling her tidal wave of emotions she went to her speed dial. Like she figured it only took her brother two seconds to pick up the phone, even if she didn't want to admit it out loud, she was thankful he was so worried. He had every right to be worried, and she had no doubt he was going to worry after this. "Hey, aniki!"

"Yukari." Minato's voice was filled with relief. "Are you okay? Where's Shiina-san? It's been a couple of hours now."

Yukari bit her bottom lip. Silent. She felt a wave of remorse and anguish wash over her. Kusano must have been waiting on hand and foot for Shiina to return, they were very close for Sekirei considering what she seen the majority of them were downright hostile towards each other. It was a harsh reality check when she was being chased for the simple fact she's an Ashikabi, first there was Hayato, then there was that punk ass Junichi, and now there was Higa. She couldn't catch any luck, and her only solace at this moment was that she got to speak with her brother. "I'm back in my dorm, Shiina is with me..." Yukari lied smoothly. "Funny thing is, I thought of a different plan... Since my DA has been more active lately, um, well I've decided to dress Shiina like a girl." This wasn't a lie since she had to do it a couple of times.

"But, Kuu-chan..." Minato sounded wounded.

Yukari couldn't imagine having to tell Kusano Shiina won't be coming back, but this was for her own good and Shiina's... For now she was on a razor thin thread, if she made one wrong move it would mean certain death. "Look, I'm sorry, but that's just how it is. Unless you want me to get in trouble..." She stopped daring a glance towards the door, and to surprise seen it was open... Akane was standing there with the same callous smirk on her face as before. "Kuu-chan just has to deal, I guess, she's not my Sekirei so I don't have to tell her... I've got to go now, though, Aniki! Take care!" Yukari said, hanging up the second 'care' left her mouth.

She could be mean to Minato, but what she said was cold... She felt horrible, and it was only driving deeper into her veins as the seconds turned into minutes.

"Higa-sama wanted me to make sure you did as you were told..." Akane said, bluntly, not moving from her spot near the door. "He knows of your reputation to attack people at random and being disobedient, if you did try to defy him." Akane's eyes narrowed and she pointed her spear forward. "I was supposed to kill you, but since you followed instructions, you live." She set her spear against her shoulder. "Your first assignment will be in three days, you will know more details on that day. For now I advise you to make yourself comfortable."

Yukari gave the barest of nods. Her life was on the line, she already knew that.

"Akane..." Juma's dark tone made the hairs on the back of Yukari's neck stand up. "Get out of here, now!" To further her point she grabbed Akane by the back of her collar, and flung her out the door and straight into the wall where her body made a neat indent sending cracks rippling in every direction for several inches. With one problem taken care of Juma put her focus onto Yukari and with blinding speed snatched her cell phone straight for her hands, the human girl couldn't even comprehend what had happened until a few seconds later. "I'll be taking this." She stated coldly, turning on her heel and walking away from her with brisk steps. "Akane if you disobey me one more time today, I am going to whip all of the skin off your back."

"That's not right Juma." Akane complained, pulling herself free from her flat prison, glancing back at the imprint of her body. "I just wanted to give her the usual welcome that all the newbies get."

Juma snatched Akane by the collar of her shirt, squeezing it until she heard a grunt of discomfort from the other girl. Juma held her in the same spot eyes boring into her own. "You won't be doing anything of the sort. That brat is Takami's daughter."

"Your point is?"

Juma threw Akane back into the wall. "Stay away from her." Juma snapped venomously. She was more than prepared to throw Akane into the wall again, but there were more pressing matters and Higa wouldn't take too kindly seeing Akane's indents on every floor of his tower. "Higa is going to have use for her later, if she's even hurt a tad bit that whole plan will be for naught, and it'll be all on you..."

"Okay, okay, I won't touch the little bitch." Akane muttered, pulling herself free from the wall with a vicious glare directed at Juma. "For now at least, but I know she's going to slip up sooner rather than later, and when that time comes I'll deliver her head to that wench Takami in a box."

"Until that time comes, shut your mouth and do as you are told."

Minato was tired of many things at this point in his short life and in his stay at Maison Izumo. The first thing had to be getting smacked by Miya for his Sekirei's mistakes and antics, it had been funny at first and he even looked forward to it, it was a way to relax and for them to bond, but at this point he was ready to nip it in the bud. Miya may have meant well, but he wasn't going to keep taking punishment when he wasn't doing a single thing wrong. The next thing he was tired of was Yukari and her antics, now he had to go and explain to Kusano that Shiina wouldn't be coming back.

He wasn't looking forward to that.

Pushing the thought of Kusano bawling her eyes out because Shiina couldn't come her focused on the present. Yukari called and changed her plans at the last second. It wasn't unusual she did many things to get under his skin and tease him, he just simply learned to deal with them as the years went by and his mother's and sister's treatment of him didn't improve. If possible it got even worse. She had thrown wrenches into his plans many times before, changed many things in his schedule, but this time it just felt a bit different.

Why would she run the risk of getting caught with a boy in her dorm? Even if she was going to dress him up as a girl, Shiina wasn't registered into the university or anything of the sort for that matter, Yukari could very well be kicked out and fined a hefty amount. To this end he couldn't find a reason as to why she called him last minute other than to make him grimace and make his life hell more than it already was. He glanced at his phone for several long moments, thankfully his Sekirei weren't present they were busy finishing chores for Miya, something that kept them occupied and not competing over his affection.

How did Ryu tame his Sekirei to such an extent?

"Excuse me, Minato-san." Yume's voice, he was sure it was Yume's because it was soft and smooth broke him from his current thoughts. He had way too much on his plate and that wasn't with the added bonus he made himself an enemy of MBI... They were probably watching him right now about to deliver the killing blow and put him out of his misery. He chuckled humorlessly, standing up and heading for the door to see what Yume wanted. It would be too easy if he was just killed at this moment, no for some reason he was destined to suffer. He opened his door, giving Yume a curious look as she stood there with her arms cupped in front of her. "I'm sorry to disturb you."

"No, it's fine." Minato waved her apology off. She had no reason to apologize he was almost certain Miya asked her to come up and get him for something or another, and he knew from personal experience that it wasn't wise to say no to Miya. Unconsciously, he raked a hand through his raven-black hair, he really needed to cut it, it was starting to reach his shoulders. "What's up?" He asked as coolly as possible, keeping his eyes on Yume's own eyes instead of her breasts. Even though he had Sekirei, and his most recent Kazehana he was certain he'd never get used to seeing them.

"Miya-san would like me to clean this room." Yume said, smiling at the raven haired boy when his mouth formed a small 'o'. She observed his face carefully, he looked surprised, confused, and then it settled on a mixture of the two. He turned his focus back into his room. His futon was already folded, his blankets were drying in the back, and there really wasn't a scratch or crumb anywhere that he could see.

"Well, don't mind me then, I'll just be over here." Minato said, turning his back towards her, but kept the door open as he made his way towards a corner where a small desk and chair were set up. He had purchased the items when he still had a job at the construction site, Miya didn't mind the new additions, whatever helped him feel at home and comfortable she wasn't going to fret over as she put it. Though she left him with a stern warning to keep everything clean. He took a seat in the chair, pulling open a book on calculus and soon lost himself in all of the numbers.

"Thank you for being so kind." Yume said giving a light bow as she shut the door behind her, giving the room a once over before she moved towards the closet and opened it. There was a small bit of dust starting to collect itself on the individual shelves. She went about dusting them off dividing her attention on one and then the other rather than doing it all at once and missing a few spots. He doesn't look like much... But, he managed to wing Kazehana... Yume thought, sparing him a quick glance before shutting the closet door and started dusting the TV stand. Though, Minato does resemble the director in a lot of ways, that could be why she was smitten by him...

It wasn't a secret that Kazehana absolutely loved and adored Minaka at one point in time. Karasuba referred to her as a lovesick puppy, and when she defected called her a useless and stupid drunkard. Minaka, unfortunately, didn't share the same feelings as Kazehana did and basically told her as far as they go he's the director and she's a Sekirei nothing less and definitely nothing more than that. Minaka had been with Takami before even then, and she was certain that Takami was carrying one of his children at that point in time. It was just an unfortunate chain of events, Kazehana could never look beyond her feelings and see Minaka for what he was worth, Minaka could never get over himself, and Takami was stuck in the middle... So unfortunate. "Minato-san, if you don't mind me asking you this... How exactly did you and Kazehana bond, well how did it happen in general?"

Minato glanced up from his book, a small bead of sweat running its way down his chin. Oh, he recalled that night vividly. He had been wounded and bedridden and Kazehana somehow through some means got inside of his room, he tried to dissuade her, but she was persistent. He was a man and could only handle so much before he gave into his desire, it didn't help Kazehana fanned those flames with her delicate fingers and kisses. His Sekirei-Tsukiumi knew that Kazehana was now in their group, but the circumstances surrounding it were a mystery. He intended for it to stay that way. "Before I tell you. Promise me that you won't tell Tsukiumi-san this for any reason."

"My lips are sealed." Yume said, sliding her finger across her lips for emphasis.

"Well, I won't lie to you." Minato started, taking a steady breath. He never talked about his sex life, of the lack thereof his sex life, but it was always a topic that he felt should remain private just with him. "I was recovering in my room at the hospital, I really couldn't move besides twitching my fingers... One night while I was recovering Kazehana came into my room late at night, to be honest I thought it was a regular doctor since they did come in so late prior to her visit. I was too tired and drugged up to be able to tell the difference..." He sighed softly, scratching the back of his head. "She sat on top of me and asked if I recognized her by any chance, by the time I did recognize her, well..." He trailed off, anxiously staring at the floor with tinted red cheeks.

"Ah, so you seduced her." Yume said, mirth shining in her eyes. "You're a bad boy, huh?"

"No, no, it was nothing like that!" Minato quickly waved his hands in front of him as if Yume was about to attack him. "I was just so tired... And, I tried to tell her... But, she just didn't listen..."

"Well!" Yume brightened up, surprising Minato with her abrupt shout making him jolt in his chair. "You know as that saying goes. Everything happens for a reason, right Minato-san?" She figured Minato wouldn't know the real and in depth reason or reasons why Kazehana chose him to be her Ashikabi. Yume didn't want to think it was only because he resembled Minaka and had his features, that was shallow on many levels she couldn't begin to fathom herself ever doing such a thing to anyone. "Did she say you resemble someone? Just by chance?"

Minato contemplated this for a moment. "Now that I think about, she did mention I had similar hands... Whatever that means..." He scratched the top of his head, chuckling softly again. He was going to give himself a headache if he pondered on that any longer. "Would you happen to know who she's talking about?"

Yume shrugged, stepping towards the door. "I've honestly got no clue." She clicked her tongue, shaking her head as she remembered something. "That reminds me... Since your Sekirei are going to be training harder than ever, it'd be nice of you to sit out back and watch them when they do. Give them a little encouragement."