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Toyotama was deep in thought, staring out the front window. She really didn't care for cold weather. One of her earliest memories was being lost in a blizzard, until her adjuster found her. The snow, and gloomy sky, fit how she felt at this moment. It was fitting and almost foreboding to see the patches of gray, slowly starting to fade to black, but no stars, nor the moon, were visible from the cover.
Uzume betrayed them. Betraying Ryu was betraying them. It was betraying the Sekirei that fell in battle. Hari also betrayed them, but she had always been working as a double agent. It seemed that Miya really didn't help matters, considering the mood Ryu was in when he came home. She wasn't surprised, honestly she was expecting that to happen since Miya would never make anyone accountable for anything in these aspects.
She'd always defend the people at her inn, and would never turn anyone away. Unfortunately, this meant, that she too, was betraying Ryu. Miya gave Uzume a place to say. She lied to Ryu. Tried to manipulate him, and she found nothing wrong with it.
That's why she wanted to put a code into place. If Ryu does wing more Sekirei, and for the ones that remain under him, it'd keep them all in line. Another incident like with Miya, Uzume, and Hari couldn't be repeated. Toyotama would ensure it never happened again. Matsu was of a like mind, and seemed to be even more severe in how stringent it should be.
So they sat, waiting for Ryu to return to discuss this subject further. The front room was completely silent, save for the gentle buzz of the TV which played a sword fighting anime at this point in time. Neither Ahiko, Toyotama, or Matsu spoke. They were too wrapped up in their respective thoughts and emotions. Trepidation, anticipation, fear, and anger-it ran through the trio.
"Ryu." Ahiko beamed after several minutes crept on by and the door opened, revealing Ryu looking a little disheveled.
"What's up?" Ryu asked, expression going from stoic to observant.
"You should probably sit down, this might take a while...But, we wanted to discuss things pertaining to our future. What happened with Uzume and Hari can't be repeated. The three of us have agreed and share this sentiment, but we wanted to wait for you to return before talking any further." Matsu said, tone between calm and relaxed.
"Why did you guys wait?" Ryu asked after a long pause. "If it is something between you three, why do you need me to be present?"
"Because this has to do with all of us, and the Sekirei that you may end up winging relatively soon." Toyotama waved her hand a bit flippantly, looking at her nails.
"It'll benefit us, Ryu." Ahiko said, trying to smile. "It's for our future."
Ryu nodded, sitting down. "Okay. Let's talk in that case."
Matsu cleared her throat gently. She was lucky that she was prudent and planned ahead, not supporting Miya or Uzume any longer. If she had continued to support them, certainly she would have been entrapped. Miya knew better than anyone else, but she had neglected her duties ever since Takehito passed away. She was left broken in spirit, and isolated herself in Maison Izumo.
But, as she figured Miya was not going to change. She never thought she'd see the day when up tight Miya decided to do something so unsavory as lying.
There wasn't a racing heart. There wasn't sweat on her brow. There was no twitch of trepidation or a grimace from sweat dripping down the side of her face. Miya didn't show any signs that she had been lying or keeping something away, other than her brow remaining furrowed.
"We want to put a stringent code into place. One that we all have to follow. There will be no exceptions." Matsu's gaze hardened the slightest.
"We didn't work out the details, that's why we were waiting for you." Ahiko added.
Ryu wasn't effected by the shift of atmosphere in the room, nor the mood. He also wasn't surprised by how hard his Sekirei's gazes were at this point in time. A lot happened. A lot was happening. A lot was still going to happen. Karasuba had mentioned that she was going to put a code into place along with Koto, because within the coming months they'd be actively recruiting members for the squad.
Given that her and Koto were the ones constructing it, certainly it'd be severe and unforgiving. If anyone in the squad stepped out of line for even a tenth of a second, they would suffer the consequences of their actions. And, there would be no exceptions-everyone would be held to the code.
"Ryu?" Ahiko observed him, tilting her head.
"I was just thinking...About something.!" Ryu said, not looking at anyone, or anything in particular. His eyes remained trained on the floor. "I'm listening, don't stop on my account."
"Yes..." Ahiko nodded, a little abashed. "You two have the floor."
No sense in sidestepping or playing around with words, better to be up front with this...Toyotama kept her eyes fixed outside as she thought about it. No there wasn't any other way for them to do this other than to be totally upfront.
"The first rule in the code will be that defection, leaving, and desertion are forbidden." Matsu said after a silent moment, slowly crossing her arms over her chest. She knew putting these two things into play would ensure that Uzume's situation never happens again. It ensured that nobody was trying to scheme and betray another while putting up a front.
"Toyotama-san?"
Toyotama nodded at Matsu, her expression relatively stoic. In addition to ensuring that defections didn't happen again, they had to ensure that nobody was only working for themselves and their own gain. It couldn't be anything personal or private. Funds couldn't be obtained privately. "The second rule will be that obtaining funds privately, fighting privately, or handling other's disputes for selfish gain is also forbidden."
"And..." Ahiko cleared her throat, trailing off, not sure how to word or phrase it. She didn't want it to seem like they were entrapping each other with the sole intent of killing each other. This code was meant to keep them together and nothing more. It'd hold them all to a standard, a standard that should have been kept, but certain Sekirei broke it.
Uzume broke it, Hari broke it, Karei also broke it. Even if Karei wasn't Ryu's Sekirei, she too betrayed him. She normally wouldn't agree with such austere standards, but given the recent events, there was no other way for them to do this. They had to take extreme measures now, and hopefully rein Uzume in before she wanders off too far.
"Turning your back to your foe in battle, or surrendering, is also forbidden." Ahiko said, tone a little soft as she spoke. There was resignation and resolve.
"I have no problem with it. The fact there's no exceptions appeals to me. If I deviate from this, I'll have to suffer the consequences of my actions. And, speaking of that...What did you three decide should be the punishment, if one does deviate from the code?"
I don't know how he's going to take this. Toyotama thought as she began to chew on the inside of her mouth. Ryu would have concerns with such an extreme, and downright severe consequence for deviating from the code. Still, such an extreme measure would keep the future Sekirei with them in check, so they didn't stray away and get involved in other's personal matters like Uzume did, or be an enemy from the beginning like Hari.
"I don't like this silence." Ryu said, shifting to the side to grab the remote, and turned off the TV.
Perhaps because at one point he had more Sekirei, he was used to their lively nature and competitive streaks. None of his Sekirei ever really stayed silent, unless something was really bothering them. It had been that way with Yomi, Yashima, and Nanaha. It was that way with Toyotama, Miya, Ahiko, and especially Matsu or Karasuba. Matsu would spend time brooding, and spent most of her time locked in her room back at Maison Izumo.
So, them being silent was not a good thing.
"Is the consequence that severe or extreme?" Ryu asked with a critical gaze, eyes going from Matsu, to Toyotama, to Ahiko.
Ahiko fidgeted a little nervously looking at Toyotama and then Matsu. Seeing this Toyotama only returned a steady gaze, before turning away. Matsu only hooked one leg over the other, leaning back in her seat.
"It is...We thought it'd be for the best to ensure that the Sekirei you may wing in the future won't follow in Uzume's or Hari's footsteps."
"What is it?" Ryu asked, tone serious.
"It won't be the first choice, or the only choice. Confinement and other punishments will be allowed, but in extreme cases..."
Seeing Matsu's eyes harden, Ryu knew he couldn't brace for what he'd hear next.
"The punishment will be...Seppuku or getting beheaded."
"What the fuck?" Ryu asked, practically snapping the words out like a rabid animal.
He could already feel the ache of anger starting to course through him. He wouldn't subject his Sekirei, his future Sekirei, or anyone else to such a severe punishment. This is something Karasuba and Koto would come up with if they put their heads together-he could already see how it'd start out. Koto would be trying to take out Takami and steer away her plans, Karasuba would only find amusement in the whole thing.
"I have no problem with everything else..." Ryu barely kept his voice level, starting to heave for breath. "But, I will not agree to seppuku or getting beheaded. That is madness.."
"Ryu...Try to understand what we're trying to do here. Uzume is out of line. You're also subject to the punishment, in fact you bear the greatest burden. If you commit seppuku, all of us will be deactivated." Matsu said, leaning forward, arms uncrossed-now resting on her thighs.
"It's not the first choice or punishment, neither are, but we just need to lay it out there from the beginning." Ahiko added.
She knew this wasn't going to acceptable for Ryu. At least not this point in time. As angry as he was, he wanted to see Uzume, and speak to her, because then he'd be able to make his decision...Right now, he couldn't, because Uzume was hiding...
But, that aside she didn't really care one way or another this didn't repeat itself. Uzume was throwing everything off balance. She didn't want to think that Uzume or Hari had something to do with Hari's extreme actions...
Certainly, Yashima's adjuster had something to do with her hyper sensitivity. Her upbringing could have been terrible. Some adjusters at MBI were nice and kind, others were more stern, but there were some there were repulsive and just mean. It was more than just chance that Yashima got stuck with one of those repulsive and mean adjusters, but if Hari and Uzume preyed on that...
She shook the thoughts away, feeling tears burning at her eyes.
"Please don't argue about this, Ryu." Ahiko nearly pleaded.
Ryu looked between his three Sekirei, starting to shake his head. This was unbelievable. The three of them were all set on this, and it seemed they weren't going to budge on the matter. Even Matsu, laidback as she was, was still all for this and didn't want to budge on the matter. She wasn't going to do anything else. She'd follow his order, but deep down...
This is what she wanted.
"You can't expect me to say yes."
"It'll make things easier on us." Toyotama chimed.
Ryu growled softly, pressing his forehead into his palm.
Only Samurai took such an extreme measure, due to dishonor. Rather than live with the dishonor and endure, they split their guts open.. The Samurai were also assholes and high and mighty. They weren't what popular media had made them out to be. Fickle, lofty, and arrogant-they walked around the streets as if they owned the land itself. They didn't pay bills, and when someone tried to make them pay...
But, that aside he grimaced at the thought of seppuku. Of seeing Uzume stabbing her abdomen, and dragging the blade across it. No, he'd never subject himself to such a thing.
He would lose his sanity.
"I'm not agreeing to that, sorry. I understand what you guys are trying to do, but there is another way..." He trailed off, looking at Ahiko. "I know you agree with me."
"I don't want to make my sisters cut themselves open." Ahiko said, eyes tinting with sorrow. "There's another way. We all just have to be happy being with Ryu and sharing him"
Toyotama sighed shrugging her shoulders, she couldn't really argue against Ryu. If he didn't agree, they wouldn't put those punishments in place. A part of her was relieved that he didn't agree to it-her Ashikabi was not heartless and cruel.
Ahiko tapped her hands on her thighs a few times, sighing while standing to her feet.
"Where are you off to?" Matsu asked, curious.
Ryu stood up, partly to work out the knots of tension tightening his body, and to follow after Ahiko.
"I'm going to make some good food and we're going to have a date!"
Ryu looked skeptical. "Is that smart? Shouldn't we be planning and Matsu still has-"
"You should leave the technology to me...Also, I thought I'd leave the room selection up to you, no need to rush."
Ryu nodded, looking solemn. "I understand, but you have to get your computers up so we can have that information.
Ahiko stretched her arms high over her head, smiling. "I don't know if we'll be able to have moments like this...And, we need a break..."
Toyotama conceded with a nod. "It'd be a nice change of pace."
"I'll put all of this down on paper while you guys handle the cooking. With the good sleep we're going to get, we should be able to make some headway." Matsu said, eyes hovering on Ryu.
"Are you feeling okay? How did your meeting with Karasuba go?"
Ryu contemplated the question before smiling slightly. "As good as it could go. That reminds me..."
Matsu blinked, feeling her heart race when her Ashikabi paused. "What is it, Ryu-dono?"
"I need to wing a couple more Sekirei. They're in this sector. It's time things move along to the third round of this farce."
"What?" Toyotama asked, eyes a little wide.
She knew it could happen, but she didn't think that...
"The more I have the stronger I am. Besides, Karasuba is going to start hunting them down. She's getting impatient and wants the third round to begin. Even if they don't want to be winged by me, I don't care. It'll save them from a fate worse than death-Karasuba will terminate them. And, she told me that when a Sekirei is terminated, there's no bringing them back."
"Do you need to?"
Ryu shook his head. "I want to."
Toyotama wasn't sure how to feel about that statement, so just showed no emotion. "I guess it's better than them being terminated. That one word can cause all of us to weep and have nightmares."
Matsu smiled, enjoying how things took a turn. "I guess I'd better get a computer up and running, in that case."
"Besides...I'm certain Minato has winged most of the remaining Sekirei...There's only three left, and I'm going to wing them."
Higa sat in his private quarters.
He watched what turned into the beat down of Uzume and Karei with an impassive scowl, like he had been since it happened. There were also more recent beat downs, like with a few pairings of Sekirei and Ashikabi, there was also the more recent raiding of a Yakuza storage that was leading to some backlash. Some people were killed, but more came in easily enough to replace them, but it didn't slow down his legion.
"You actually came." Aika said darkly, eyes glinting.
"Have you seen Ryu recently?" Akane asked, smirking at Uzume.
Karei and Uzume both brought in their reins, wrestling with their fury. For the last several days they'd both been staying at Maison Izumo and Kazehana's place. Miya practically tore into Uzume after Matsu had left, and Uzume hadn't forgotten the quiet fury Miya had been exuding. She lied to cover for her, but it wouldn't be happening again. Since then, Uzume just spent her time recovering.
If Ryu seen her now, he'd be furious.
"Don't provoke them. If you do, I'll send in a mob to beat you down." Higa pointedly narrowed his eyes, waiting for her to nod in compliance, shooting a glance in Kakizaki's direction.
"Just mad you couldn't wing Shi and Sai before the squad came." Karei said with a smirk.
Uzume bit her bottom lip. "But, we were able to deduce their strength, at least. We seen the new members."
Higa spotted the act of defiance, as subtle as it was. He didn't tolerate defiance at all, only obedience, and those that stepped over that line were dealt with. It happened, nonetheless. It was happening now with Karei and it would happen again. He'd be prepared. He'd be foolish to think it wouldn't happen again.
On the other hand, it was refreshing to see Uzume getting with the program.
Even if she was being defiant.
"They weren't needed, Higa-sama has more than enough Sekirei to win. That's not including the pairs, and other people working for Higa-sama." Hari beamed with cold confidence, smirk sharp as she set her hand on her hips.
"According to Kochou's calculations, we still have an ninety two percent chance at winning. But, with Ryu or Minato, we stand at a ninety eight percent. With the Jinki, it is nearly one hundred percent certainty. We'll need to start focusing on those two-the Discipline Squad, and Hayato. We'll plan ahead to take down Sanada." Higa got right to business.
"Is it wise to persist with Ryu and Minato at this point in time?" Aika asked.
"Matsu has a Jinki, the risk is worth it." Ichiya said.
"Is it worth provoking the Hannya, though?" Oshina asked, gaze wary.
"Attacking now could play against us. If rumors are to believed, there were roughly twenty thousand people seen at MBI, all of them prominent military men, or former military men. Takami called them in, it seems Natsuo has given up his post of power within the Discipline Squad, but not MBI. Aika's question is very valid. Oshino's question is also valid. If we provoke the Hannya, it could lead to our decimation." Kakizaki remarked.
"How optimistic of you, Kakizaki." Hari took a step forward, smiling. She really missed the doom and gloom, the doubt and pessimism of Kakizaki. The man was a good strategist, but there were times that he just couldn't see the bigger picture. He just couldn't read between the lines.
"I just don't agree with making a move that'll lead us to our doom without failure." Kakizaki set his eyes on Hari, not missing the way she grinned at the darkening look in his eyes.
He never got along with Hari, as far back as he could remember. She had managed to get Higa's favor rather quickly, and was determined to do any and all missions. His problem with her was the fact she'd always cut in, like she was now, while he was speaking.
"But, that doesn't mean you blind yourself to the bigger picture." Hari remained polite, but there was a hint of condescension in her tone.
"There is no bigger picture with all of us decimated."
Higa remained stoic, not meeting their gazes or supporting one or the other. If they obtained the Jinki, but lost their territory and a great portion of their numbers in the process-it wasn't worth it Even if the Jinki was pure energy, he needed people to fulfill certain roles. A Jinki didn't think or act, it was merely a device to be used in one way or another.
But, not obtaining the Jinki, and remaining in a state of complacency was something he didn't want either. He would never over extend. Wanting more and more and more was nothing but a trap, that led one to their own downfall. It'd never be enough, and he'd start to get single minded in his approach, and then even his family company wouldn't mean anything to him.
Only power.
He turned to Juma, eyes steady. "What do you think?"
"Making any move now will be detrimental. We failed in getting Shi and Sai, but we managed to deduce the Squad's strength in that task. Going after the unwinged Sekirei will be pointless as well. Another failure can't happen, and if we attack Maison Izumo to take the Jinki, it will end in failure. I think we should consolidate, and Higa-sama...You should get in contact with your connects overseas."
"You and Hayato have the most. Perhaps we could consolidate our forces instead and branch out." Kakizaki mused.
"Do you mean sending in spies?"
Kakizaki scowled. "Not something as simple as that. You are aware of how things are running at Teito University, and in this sector particularly, right?"
"Certainly."
Higa crossed his arms. "I will bring people here to build skyscrapers and businesses, I will bring in CEOs and other people of that importance here to run businesses. I'll have yachts and other massive ships brought here. All of the people will be under my payroll. They will report to us. Their employees will report to them, but their reports will go to us as well. Minaka may have the reins for now, but he will not for long. He may control who comes and goes from Teito, and Japan, but he won't know they work for me. Which brings me to my next topic, now that we have finished this discussion..."
"Teito University?" Hari ventured.
"Yes." Higa's face showed nothing.
"Their second semester is coming up..." Oshino mused.
"There's been a few changes in the faculty. The janitor has given a report that two teachers are showing signs of rebellion with our objective." Kakizaki explained, reading off the computer screen.
"They're just supposed to report information to us, why do they have to complicate things?" Akane muttered.
"It's in human nature." Aika shrugged.
Ichiya only simpered. "We could break a few of their bones."
Higa just remained silent, absorbing what was being said. Teito University was a hub for information and recruits. The whole surrounding area was a hub for information, for that matter. The Yakuza and Triad were all located in the area, though they were all throughout Teito-the highest concentrations were near Teito University.
Nightclubs. Drugs. Sex. The night life. Seedy and dark. They thrived in the district. The Yakuza and Triad fought among themselves while making profits from the environment around them. Hotels and gambling halls were being opened, as well as casinos. Teito University was just on the cusp of the West, South, and East sectors-all bisecting in the district. Tourism was number one, and this too was the reason the district was a hub for information.
Shi and Sai would have made good additions to his legions. Certainly, they'd both be apt to perform the tasks he'd assign them, but, everyone present had a point. There was no need to wing more Sekirei-what he had to do now was bring in people from the outside like Takami did, consolidate an entire military force that numbered into the millions.
Focus on his sector and its defenses...Focus on the Squad.
It seemed detrimental on the surface, but he was patient. It required a patient and meticulous to unwind the layers upon layers that clouded every choice one could possibly make. Reactions. Backlash. It'd all happen, and there were only so many ways one could take care of it, and only a short length of time to take care of it without the whole world knowing.
"Who are these members of the Faculty that are being foolish?"
It'd be good to take a trip down to the district and get in contact with the Yakuza and Triad. He'd need to get the information, as well as check the funds of everyone and obtain payments.
"Professor Yukimura and Professor Tomoko."
Higa took a deep breath, closing his eyes, a smirk on his face. Let the games begin.
"Let's all take a trip. Juma, get Yukari. We're going to start the end of this farce."
Everyone nodded, giving a loud shout.
"Yes!"