Juma frowned. Yukari and Shiina were close to her now, about to get in her car. The residents of Maison Izumo were waving to them. She took note of Minato. She noted Miya-the woman with purple hair. She took note of Yume, Uzume, and Kazehana.

Single numbers and Uzume, abnormally swift in her own right. This place was a hub of power for lack of a better term. It was no wonder Higa wanted to know what was going on here. If Yukari's brother had that many Sekirei under his belt, and a possible Jinki...

He would have many friends and enemies alike. It was only a matter of time before Higa made a move and committed the most daring act to many. Coming into the north-the Hannya's territory and attacking without any restraint. It would set off a chain of events similar to the bridge fight.

As more Sekirei and Ashikabi dared to dream, they took the risk Haruka and Kuno did. Just the same, there would be many who those who took the same risk as Higa and tread into this territory. They may even be daring enough to challenge the Hannya, or one of the single numbers.

She measured them all up-Yume and Kazehana were on guard-not quite aware of her presence, but not oblivious either. Musubi and Tsukiumi on the other hand

Thankfully, Yukari and Shiina were quick in their approach and even faster getting in the car. Juma pulled off, making her way back to the eastern sector. She didn't speak until they made it onto the interstate and were well a ways off from the north and any prying ears.

Yukari took note of the bags scattered about the car with clothes. There were blankets all over the place and it felt like the heat was running near eighty degrees. It was toasty. Yukari was overwhelmed by the volume of it. She never took Juma to be a person to cuddle.

Judging from all of the blankets around her, well over thirty, Juma was definitely a cuddler. Either that or she got cold fast, but considering she was a Sekirei, she shouldn't have that problem. Shiina was moderately effected by the cold and snow, shivering when it got really cold.

Yukari shook her head at her own ignorance.

"Do you mind if we stop for food?" She asked, steering her focus away from her thoughts.

"Well, we can go through a drive thru. Or we can carry out." Juma ventured.

Yukari tried not to laugh. Juma didn't want to even get out of the car for a second. She had closed herself in after going shopping. Considering she had over twenty bags, including in the trunk and extra space behind their back seat, she did enough shopping for two months.

She was of course a little curious. Yukari rummaged through some with clothes in them. She found pleated skirts in every color they could possibly come in. There were even lime green and sky blue skirts, which surprised Yukari. She never guessed Juma was so fancy that she got clothes specially made.

Yukari rummaged through more bags, but was too excited. She sent a blanket flying partly to her side, covering he entirely and swiping some of Juma's hair in the process.

"Yukari, I am trying to drive."

Yukari was thankful she had the protection of the blanket because this was more than a little embarrassing. Had Juma been able to see her, she would have been reduced to blushing. Shiina didn't mind too much that she was half laying against him and the seat, and this, she was thankful for.

Juma was going to scold her later and Yukari wasn't sure if she was going to play with her fingers or not.

"Umm, Yukari." Shiina laughed a little. "I'm falling into the bags."

"Be careful back there!" Juma snapped.

"Don't worry. Nothing is damaged." Yukari said quickly.

"I hope not."

Yukari bolted up to attention, ready to make a retort, and almost did. She remembered the specially made pleated skirts, and perhaps there were more clothes just like that around her at the moment. Other than the fact Juma would throw herself through the seat to strangle her, Yukari could respect her fashion and style.

I wonder if she likes to cosplay. She'd make a great Dinkley.

Yukari chuckled perversely at the thought. Juma in a short skirt would be a formula that she would like to work out until she got the solution perfect. It was only natural that she would fantasize about Juma in such a outfit. The first being, she loved to cosplay and would get Juma to do the same.

Shiina had caved in eventually. Yukari was very stubborn and persistent. Though, they did need to disguise themselves more than a few dozen times. Most of the time when he was wearing something along those lines, it was for more practical reasons.

Like avoiding being detected by one of Hayato's more violent or brash Sekirei.

"I'm going to Taco Bell and then getting carry out from a different place. They have cinnamon mochi at Taco Bell, though, so we're going to stop there first.." Juma announced.

"Someone at the University tried to eat thirty wasabi tacos-"

Juma took a deep breath before she sighed. "If this is about someone having the runs-"

"They had to shut down the bathroom. They were saying that his ass exploded and a blizzard of poop overtook most of the men's bathroom on the first floor of the library." Yukari continued on.

Juma grimaced, nearly about to change her mind on getting Taco Bell, but she didn't. Instead, she just made sure she would not eat the wasabi taco. For the next three months whenever she heard those two words she was going to remember Yukari talking about someone losing control of their bladder.

She could remember her adjuster being very formal. Manners and discipline were a must in the household. Juma was already pretty formal, having been quiet when she was younger and speaking very little. Learning manners and things like that wasn't hard.

But, people in Japan were rude. She could remember being pushed on the subway and more than once she leveled off on someone or a few people, leaving them knocked out against their seats. She was patient, but when her shoes of any sort, boots, or any footwear were stepped on...

Well, that was when she brought out the claws.

"Juma, you sure buy a lot of shoes."

As if Yukari read her mind, she spoke what she was thinking of at this very moment. Perhaps, Yukari was a little too curious. Juma felt like she was a step behind the spunky young woman-most likely the cluttered mess going on in her car at the moment.

But, she didn't exactly mind.

For once she felt...Free.

"You're kind of weird. You sure buy a lot of high heeled boots and boots in general."

"I like the ankle support. It also keeps my legs warm when it is cold. It's not a huge difference, but it is still a difference. Besides, I have long legs, I can pull them off well enough."

Yukari raised an eyebrow, shrugging her shoulders. "I guess if you can pull them off, why not wear them?"

Juma nodded. "They are made to wear. I have sneakers and other shoes like that, too. Sometimes my work requires me to be a little...Persuasive."

Yukari gasped.

Juma laughed softly. "Most men wet themselves before I even make a move in that regard. I never do or have to. I just have to dress the part and that about does it."

Yukari nodded, considering the statement. 'A tight dress or anything like that will do it."

"Exactly."

The rest of their trip lapsed into silence and easy chatter. They got Taco Bell, then got carry out from another restaurant, and ate the Taco Bell as they made their way home. Yukari told her everything that she did with Minato and how happy everyone was. Even Shiina shared his own experience and happiness. He had been able to spend time with his little sister.

Truth be told Juma was used to stiffer and more...Violent talks. There wasn't exactly a time where Higa just took the time to chat. It was always business. Who was doing what. What pieces needed to be moved. What pieces needed to keep moving.

He was not...Ideal to be an Ashikabi or husband, in any relationship with another, in general. Through sheer force and intimidation Higa amassed the legion that he did. She had to come into the fold in order to keep him in check, and protect his Sekirei from...Unnecessary treatment.

And, Higa never ate Taco Bell with her. Certainly, she had food through some means provided by him or through the MBI card, but he wasn't beside her eating.

"Juma..." Yukari trailed off, a little uncertain. "Are we going to go inside?"

Juma looked at the frigid night sky and the cold air. She didn't want to leave the comfort of the car if she had to be honest. The walk was just too long and perilous. She had too much as well and it would take a while to sort through just to carry in. Once it was inside, it would take even longer to sort through.

In a nutshell, Juma wasn't moving.

Yukari had anticipated this a while back. Juma's behavior, the blankets, and the extreme heat in the car made it obvious what her motives were. It was truly remarkable that the woman hadn't gone into hibernation for nine months and then some until she felt like dealing with the cold.

Juma would rather sleep forever then deal with cold, Yukari surmised. But, to be fair, it was a cold night. Miya and Uzume had insulated everything they could in the inn and brought out several space heaters. The heat quickly sweltered around the room and everyone was toasty. It had spread through the whole inn.

The feeling was on her skin, even now, thanks to the blankets and Shiina's body.

"I'm not leaving...We're not...Too cold..."

"Well, you do have enough blankets to sleep in here. You have a lot of pillows too." Shiina remarked.

Juma nodded a bit quickly.

Being a spy at times meant she had to stay at one place for days at a time. There could be little movement on her part, unless it was to get something to eat or use the bathroom. For this, she usually stayed around or in hotels, always booking reservations in advance at several. Sometimes it was one person, other times it was many people she had to spy on.

The mind would addle without sleep. She usually slept in the car if she didn't go to her hotel room. Juma only did this when she felt that it was far too cold to even step a single foot outside. Whether or not she had a coat and hat and everything else didn't matter to her. She just didn't want to be out in the cold. She prefered being hot.

All of this led to her next statement.

"We are going to sleep in the car."

Yukari blinked owlishly.

Shiina looked skeptical with the whole thing in general. He did not like the idea of sleeping in the car. Even if it was a nice and spacious car. There wasn't enough room. They would need to use the bathroom eventually. It would be a tall trek into the house late at night if that happened.

"I am not sleeping in the car." Shiina said, tone a little pointed.

Juma took the statement with the utmost composure. She outright ignored him and pretended like he didn't exist at all. What he wanted at this point was really irrelevant and she wasn't going to entertain him. He would not be running off freely at the mouth.

Shiina was inconsequential at best and the only reason she didn't throttle him until his hair turned pitch black was because he was Yukari's Ashikabi and he was more than useful to Higa. So, Juma was content to sock him in the mouth if need be and nothing more.

"Come on, Shiina. It might be fun for the three of us. We can cuddle." Yukari tried to placate.

The thought of sharing Yukari did not make Shiina smile. He wanted to cuddle with her. He wasn't as possessive or jealous as some of his brothers and sisters, but he would not have have his turf be tread upon, as it were. He would say something.

He scowled, not saying anything.

Of course Yukari noticed. The prickly demeanor which Shiina was exuding wasn't exactly subtle. Even Juma noticed, though she was not acknowledging it by any stretch of the imagination. She wasn't exactly fond of it. She had always told Shiina that she would try to wing more Sekirei.

He had agreed. The more Sekirei an Ashikabi had the stronger they would be. He had said that himself. Now here was a chance for her to bring Juma into their fold and he was scowling. Even if it did make him looked ruggedly good, she didn't want a fight to ensue.

Car equals small space. Juma and Shiina equals her in the middle. No space. No cover. She would be assaulted from two different directions.

"Shiina. I like how you still think you have a choice." Juma took the time to turn around to face him fully, shutting the car off.

"I thought you said-"

"Higa isn't here. I am telling you who it is."

Shiina concluded that Juma was basically telling him shut up and stay in the car.

"I don't want to cuddle and I don't want to sleep in the car. I want to go in the house."

Yukari made a face. "Shiina don't be such a sour candy."

"Leave him. If he keeps it up I'm going to punch him in the jaw again."

Shiina wasn't going to back down. "If you want to try..."

"No...No..." Yukari got between them the best she could, shoving her arms out to her sides. "No...That is not happening."

Juma frowned. "He started it."

"You don't want to go in the house because it's cold out." Shiina remarked.

Yukari firmed herself in her spot.

These two felt the need to fight it seemed. Juma made Shiina more bold, it seemed. Before, he rarely ever spoke out of turn or so clearly. Shiina seemed to make her a little more emotional. Her cold and dispassionate exterior slowly cracked and eroded the longer she was with with the two of them.

"We are going to sleep in the car and the three of us are going to cuddle so we stay warm. We have all these blankets and pillows. Juma, lower the seats so we can use them as beds, too. I don't want you two arguing, glowering, glaring, or anything like that at each other or I will give you both an earful. Do I make myself clear?"

Juma and Shiina both shrunk back a little. Shiina it was more because Yukari was his Sekirei and it was a command. Juma it was more of a reflex, almost as if she were supposed to listen to Yukari. The tone of her voice and expressions made it clear. Juma did as Yukari requested and lowered the driver and passenger seats until they were flat.

She gathered the blankets and pillows, throwing them around herself and the windows around her. She thumped her hand against them, layering them up two at a time until she was certain only some cold air would get in, if at all. Shiina assisted her, not wanting to meet the ire of his Ashikabi and laid blankets on the floor and around the back windows.

Yukari gathered the bags and set them with the others in the trunk. Once she was certain they were all there she began to assemble her own fort of blankets and pillows.

"See, we can be a team."

Juma and Shiina looked at Yukari then at each other. They looked away.

Yukari sighed softly, but smiled.

"Come on, Juma." Yukari patted her fortress with a hand, smoothing it over a few times.

"I am not sure it is..." Juma looked at Shiina, but he didn't meet her gaze.

Yukari noticed the action, however. "Shiina."

He nodded slightly, relaxing a little. "Sorry."

Juma did as Yukari requested.

She could see Shiina was troubled and had been for a long time. Seeing his little sister helped, but there was still a lot on his mind. He was always on guard and had to be. As a Sekirei, it was his duty to serve and protect his Ashikabi. If he was lax for a second, something could happen.

There was no telling who would try to yank or snatch him away in the dark corners of Higa's tower. When it came to that power hierarchy, many were willing to do whatever they had to to get their spot. Those who wanted to rise were even more apt at doing something devious.

That is why she got Yukari and Shiina out of that environment. It was only a matter of time before they both snapped and Shiina sent the whole tower crumbling. His power over decay would reduce anything he blasted-including the interior of Higa's tower, to nothing.

"You can relax, Shiina. I don't expect you to trust me, but at least understand I am not lying to you when I say you have freedom. No one of Higa is here or around, no cameras or anything."

Shiina realized how close she was and how demure she was being. Juma was actually near him without doing anything hostile or violent.

He knew she was telling the truth, but Shiina knew she was hiding something. He had a rising suspicion that Juma was reacting strongly to Yukari. She covered the signs well, but certain things gave it away. He was not looking into it too much and he assured himself of this.

He wasn't going to speak on it, of course.

That was something to be done in private. Sekirei had their personal reasons for doing certain things. There is a chance she may not even divulge anything to him-but Sekirei to Sekirei, they could trust each other in that regard. He could admit that humans were not easy to understand.

"I'll concede." Shiina said.

Giving Juma a hard time would probably be detrimental, but he would still hold his ground. But, he didn't have to act like she was carrying some mutated flesh eating disease.

Yukari sighed in relief. She was thankful that her intervention smoothed things over. She almost felt a little bad about being so abrasive, but Shiina had told her that Ashikabi are to command, and she did just that. Unknowingly, she managed to reel them in.

She had to wonder how Minato did with his own Sekirei. They were all so spunky and emotional they must have been arguing and competing nearly all day and night. But, from what she had seen, at least with her eyes, he had them on a leash for what it was worth.

They weren't out of control.

"I'm glad you two can get along..." Yukari adjusted the blankets until she was almost cocooned. In the process, she latched Juma and Shiina on each of her sides, not caring if they were comfortable or not.

"Yukari..."

"My arm is going to fall asleep."

Yukari took the two comments with composure. "Night guys."

Shiina and Juma were left utterly dumbfounded. Yukari closed her eyes. She wasn't sleeping yet, but it would only be a matter of time. Neither of them just wanted to lay around awake staring at each other. Shiina did the most natural thing and closed his own eyes.

He knew they were going to have to go inside.

He would be sure to lecture Juma about it when the time came.

Now, Juma could only blink. She had been dumbfounded before but now she was lost. Yukari and Shiina were both just laying there with their eyes closed. There was no fear or worry, at least on Yukari's part. She could tell Shiina was aware of everything going on, but he was relaxing.

She sighed softly, looking up at the ceiling.

I can't move...

The night was consumed with snow. While it had been relatively clear, with little cloud cover, that all changed when the time turned to just twenty past ten o clock PM. There was already four and a half inches of snow falling, and if the news and predictions were right, by morning the snow would be a little a foot. Of course, only few people would know this.

Those awake.

Those outside.

Yukari was warm, for what it was worth. She took more than ten blankets and wrapped them around her body. Going outside was nothing short of torture, but aptly covered, she dealt with it. Juma and Shiina were pacing just a few inches ahead of her with Juma taking the lead to unlock the door. Yukari couldn't remember why they had woken up or who started it, but one thing was certain...

Someone had to use the bathroom. If she kept on shivering the barest amount she was either going to have to pee or relieve herself, and both choices didn't pique her interest at this moment in time.

"I told you-"

"Shut up-"

"We should have went in the house before-"

"I said to shut your-"

"Furthermore! We could be in the house nice and warm, with the bathroom close to us!" Shiina finished, shivering.

"It's not my fault it's snowing you little brat!" Juma hissed, fumbling with her keys. "That is why I wanted to stay in the car!"

"I have to use the bathroom!"

"We all do! Stop being a boy scout!"

Yukari wrapped the blankets tighter around her form, carefully over wrapping several to keep her neck and shoulders covered along with the entirety of her torso and hips.

"What is taking you so long?" Shiina demanded.

Juma shoved him back into the snow, feeling satisfaction when half of his body submerged. "My fingers are cold."

She unlocked her door, sighing as she gripped the handle.

Shiina grabbed a handful of snow, ran at Juma, shoved it down her back and then pushed her. Taken by surprise, Juma tumbled forward, flying onto the couch with a thud. She didn't even have time to stand up and yell at him before he was up the stairs. His feet leaving thuds and pads as he went to the highest floor of the house, in doubt staying the bathroom.

He did take off his shoes, of course.

Yukari closed the door, moving towards Juma. She wrapped the blankets tighter around her form. "Well..."

"We ate wasabi shrimp tacos. It was bound to happen." Juma concluded, she moved into the other room, turning on the heat. "I put it to ninety."

Yukari nodded, carefully unwrapping herself. She sighed, ninety degrees sounded delightful. "Heat..."

Juma smiled lightly, nodding in agreement. "I guess I was too stubborn about staying in the car. I wanted to avoid that snowfall."

"It was fun." Yukari defended.

"Fun? How?"

"I got to cuddle with you." Yukari commented.

"How is that fun?"

Yukari blinked widely, looking at Juma carefully. "Do you know what fun is?"

Juma thought about it. "No."

"Have you ever been to a fair or festival?"

"No."

"An event? Concert? Wrestling event?"

Juma shook her head.

Yukari looked at the woman carefully. It would appear that Juma had been raised to be formal and proper, and after she linked up with Higa, it had been all business. There may have not been a day where Juma could just be a little girl and a woman.

It was almost sad. Yukari could only imagine Juma being smaller. Her hair would be messy, her eyes would be so wide and big. She'd ask a lot of questions and point at stuff. She would be a curious child. A handful. One that had a sense of adventure and a love for danger.

Maybe Yukari was overthinking it because the cold rattled her a little, but..

Why do I feel so sad?

"Anyways...Let's not just stand around." Juma gestured for Yukari to sit down. "Do you want some tea?"

Yukari sat down, carefully depositing the blankets on the other couch. She set down a few bags, pulling out a purple pleated skirt and examining it with a keen eye.

Juma came back from the kitchen with a steaming cup of cocoa instead of tea. She handed the cup to Yukari, and to her surprise, or not so much, Yukari's eyes widened with glee.

"Cocoa!"

Yukari was mindful not to drink it right away. No need for there to be an accident. If she burned her tongue, logic dictated she would have to kiss Juma until her lips bruised. There was ice, but the kitchen was too far away.

Shiina didn't need to see that.

Juma turned on the TV, immediately going to recorded programs.

"Oatmeal?" Yukari asked, gingerly sipping her cocoa.

Juma nodded as she set her bowl down. She went back into the kitchen, grabbed an apple and some cinnamon, and returned back to the living room. "I'm going to need it."

Yukari carefully set her cup down, and slowly, precisely, wiped her mouth.

Juma noticed the reaction. "What?"

Yukari didn't respond right away.

"That's, um..."

"Well, Shiina did run upstairs." Juma commented. 'He hasn't come down."

Yukari scratched her forehead.

She never guessed Juma would be so blatant when it came to bathroom talk. She was preparing for what was to come. That reminded Yukari of why Shiina and Juma bickered in the first place. The bathroom. Now, Shiina was upstairs...Juma was here slicing apples and putting cinnamon in her oatmeal. She started eating it.

Yukari sipped her cocoa again, savoring the taste. "You must be able to read my mind. I love hot cocoa."

"You ignored me when I asked you about the tea." Juma said.

"I lose focus."

"How?"

Yukari cleared her throat. Have you looked in the mirror, Juma? How can I not be distracted?

But, Yukari spoke something different from her thoughts.

"I've never seen a purple pleated skirt before. I've seen blue, black white, and even brown, but never purple. I've never seen lime green or red pleated skirts either, and you have a whole bunch."

Juma cleared her throat a little, gingerly eating some oatmeal. "Well, I get clothes specially made if they don't come in certain colors...Higa knows some designers or people like that."

Yukari arched a brow, but a million ideas came to her mind.

"You can have anything specially made?"

Juma nodded, musing it over. "Yeah. They already have my measurements so that isn't a problem. I can have dresses made and even jeans."

"What about a full body suit sort of thing?"

"Like Samus?"

Yukari tried not to grin, but she could feel herself failing. "Exactly like that."

She was going to teach Juma what fun really was and how to have it.

It was only right that Juma experience life and laugh freely and without concern.

"Well...I can." Juma noted, nodding to herself. "They would have to take my measurements again, and be sure to add more around the armpit, and shoulder area in general."

Yukari nodded, sort of lost. "Why would they do that?"

Juma pressed her hands to her chest. "My boobs are big and they need room. It's the same for all woman, even you, Yukari. Even if your breasts are not huge, they are generous and need room. If they do not have room, you can't pull the rest of the uniform up to the bottom of your jaw."

"Are we talking about clothes or my body?" Yukari questioned, arching a brow.

She was fascinated, but Juma had little tact with certain things.

"Ummm..."

Juma wasn't sure how to answer that.

"Your body in clothes?"

Yukari laughed.

Kai was nearly prepared to set out for his mission. The only thing he had to do was put in his contacts and secure his sword. Getting it into Teito University would not be a problem thanks to his connection with MBI. Natsuo could work out a few things in addition to Minaka.

He was alone and for that he was thankful. He could fully entertain violent fantasies involving Higa. Of course, he would not act out on them. The second he got his hands on that man's scrawny little neck...Kai was going to squeeze with everything he had.

That would be if the Higa lived long enough to see him face to face. Minaka was so far out of bounds. Kai was unnerved. To bang his head off of a table and scream is one thing. To yell powerpoint presentation like they were all grade school children was one thing. Flipping his desk over and smashing the window wasn't even weird.

But, that man giving them all a sanction to kill was out of bounds. It was weird. It was downright terrible. Karasuba and Koto already a propensity to kill. The men Takami recruited were all tried and true killers. Benitsubasa was violent. Syrus was unpredictable. His Sekirei were equally powerful and wouldn't hesitate to kill.

Kai already had a sneaking suspicion there were factions. There was going to be an internal battle, one that Karasuba and Koto were going to smash right into. He knew they were going to do something that he would be subjected to, along with everyone else in the squad, including themselves.

He had no intention to go along with it. He was not afraid of Koto or Karasuba. He respected them. Their power and their skill. Their reputations. They were both terrible killers and they had no qualms about stacking corpses ten hundred feet high and twice as wide.

It was all the more reason to be concerned.

He got up from his bed, moving for the door. He grabbed the knob and swung it open. Storm was already in his face, Haihane was a few feet behind her-Kai would have shaken his head if he had the room to do so. Kaiha was next to Storm, observing the woman with some caution.

"Kai..." Storm looked at him carefully. "Are you okay?"

Kai surmised that he just had to focus on his mission and do his part-when they brought it to him, he would be most certain to have ammo ready to unleash. To focus on anything other than that at this moment in time was going to lead to a mistake.

It was out of his hands, unfortunately.

By no coincidence.

"Minaka's announcement." Kaiha said a little bluntly.

Kai found himself nodding.

Haihane whistled softly. "Nothing we can do about that. We have our mission. Higa is no easy fish. If we fuck up, we will be screwed."

Kaiha shook her head.

"Haihane, you are not helping. Kai hates Higa with a passion. He broods. He doesn't speak. He just sharpens his sword. It worries me. Will you please stop stirring the pot."

"Are you a psychopath?" Haihane asked.

Kai blinked, looking a little confused. He looked at Storm, scowling a little. "You don't need to make it sound like I bang my head off a table screaming Higa's name."

"I'm sorry. Who threw three phones after getting into three arguments with Higa over them? I recall the last one splintered to pieces against the wall like a twig."

Kai didn't respond to her question or statement. "I'm fine. It's the stuff going on here that has me worried. Higa has me worried, but I will worry about that when we are in Teito University."

Haihane arched a brow, nodding her head a little. "Takami is sneaky, but Karasuba and Koto already knew how she operates from experience. Whatever is about to go on, that isn't something you need to worry about."

Kai could concede with that, but the thought of his comrades being killed by fellow comrades didn't sit well with him. Even if factions started to form-they were all the Discipline Squad. He wasn't going to have Karasuba or Koto coming at him with the tip of their blades trained on him. That would not be tolerated. If he went against what they wanted or vice versa and so forth...

He just shook his head. Haihane was right. It wasn't something for him to worry about. Still, he was worried about it. He was worried about it a lot. He couldn't help it. His Sekirei would be here, some of them, as they were captains. Kaiha could very well stir the pot with her bad temper and the whole thing was just unpleasant.

"I'm worried about internal strife." Kai said.

"I know who a member of the Squad is and one who is not. All because they are in the Discipline Squad doesn't make them a part of it. We've always moved as one mind, to do anything else is foolish. Internal strife will only come if those who have self importance and a yield to power, take advantage of their waxing power. Only then will factions appear and they will have to be purged."

Kai stiffened.

Storm's brows were drawn together, but she understood. That is how this generation of the Discipline Squad operated. It was downright austere and ruthless. Any single person that threatened the existence of the squad would be run through without a second's notice or hesitation.

To bring disorder and chaos into a unit that moved as a single mind was a recipe for disaster. That careful organization and discipline could fall apart. Someone got too emotional. Someone wanted more power. Someone was using their power to get what they wanted. Another was taking part in a squabble that had nothing to do with them.

There was another extorting money. Another terrorizing people. All of these people and motives were impurities to the single minded devotion. It brought that devotion to ruin. It did nothing for the reputation of the squad but only worsen it.

"I get it...There is no tolerance for hubris or excessive arrogance." Storm concluded, tone soft.

Haihane nodded. "We have our pride, but if we put that before our mission...Well, let's just say we don't do that."

A single minded group under the command of Karasuba and Koto, and then there is Syrus and myself, all of us tasked with killing or arresting all who bring disorder to Teito. The primary duty to kill...We will be like wolves or lions...

The thought, wasn't exactly, pleasant for Kai.

"Are you telling me that you will..."

Haihane stared Kai in the eye, her expression stoic. "If someone in a middle school, high school, or anywhere in Teito is colluding with Higa, Hayato, and anyone else unsavory...They will be dealt the same fate as everyone who does such a thing."

"Kill them."

Kai tried not to spit out the word.

"If they resist arrest or attack, that goes without saying." Haihane's gaze was as flinty as her tone was stoic.

She shook her head a few times, wiping at her brow. "You got me talking serious...You really are Natsuo's cousin. Anyways, enough about that...We should finish getting ready and then report to Takami. She has everything that we need and we can have her put us in the same classes."

Kaiha waved her hand. "What if you guys take different majors or whatever?"

"We can work around it. Higa can't go too far with the students like us. There are many transfer students and foreign studens studying there." Storm stated, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Control freaks don't have a limiter, they are nuts and paranoid." Kaiha said.

Kai carefully put his contacts in and tied his Nike sneakers.

"I guess that means we just have to keep a close watch on Higa and Kakizaki."