Told you I'd get it out. Let's pick up where we left off, shall we?
Read, review, enjoy
Disclaimer: I do not own Sekirei; if I did, the situation with certain characters would've turned out very differently and we'd have more than two seasons of the anime. It belongs solely to Sakurako Gokurakuin.
"speech"
thought
"phone call"
"Norito"
SOUND EFFECT!
"flashback"
It was the damndest thing. To those on the outside, it was like the Garden of Eden had sprung up in Shinto Teito and had consumed the park it originated. They called it a freakish act of nature but were relieved that it wasn't overtly hostile to them… at least, that was the belief. To a few select others, they'd say that the wall of vegetation made to deter the acts of a few more daring individuals. Of course, these people never made it known they'd been bringing gardening tools and construction equipment to try and carve a way in; that would've destroyed their credibility as victims.
But to the Sekirei known as Kochou, she knew full well what was hidden deep within this mound of vines. She'd informed her ashikabi of such, which prompted the deployment of a few probes in the form of several ashikabi and their Sekirei. They were indebted to Higa in some way or another and thus didn't bat an eye at their orders – anything to elevate themselves in the eyes of the zaibatsu heir.
From inside the specially-made room within Kakizaki's office, Kochou tapped a few icons on one of the many floating screens in front of her, opening up a direct line to one of the grunts. "Comms check. Testing, testing… Can you hear me?"
"Loud and clear, Kochou-san," one of the ashikabi answered, a portly young man with thick glasses and a smart gray suit. "…but how we're getting in this place isn't the same."
"Just leave the thinking to me, Ibara-san," Kochou stated with a roll of her eyes. "You just do as you're told. Get the others together for now."
"Hai…"
To be fair, Ibara's worries weren't unfounded. After all this growth was by no means natural, nor was it showing any signs of receding. Naturally MBI would know but unless their investments were threatened, they were content to stay clear of the carnage. That made the team's job both easier and harder all at once. Because this resurgent Eden was the work of a Sekirei, a particularly powerful at that. They would have their work cut out for them as the vines surrounding the park were as thick as tree trunks.
Kochou made a few gestures, bringing up yet another screen that displayed a map of the park they were at. It was quite large with numerous openings on each end, roughly the size of a small stadium to put it in layman's terms. If their only problem was getting in, then they wouldn't have much of an issue; after all there were several ways to gain entry if they worked at it.
The crux of the matter was finding one they could cut through with relative ease and speed – more specifically speed. They were on a timetable after all.
As it turned out, this hadn't been the first time a team had been sent out here. But the last group that had been dispatched had been completely wiped out by… something. Last time they'd sent four agents: two ashikabi and matching Sekirei for both; the two men had all been beaten close to death with the accompanying Sekirei terminated.
The difference between that team and this one however was that this one was being monitored. Kakizaki had believed that a few people would've been enough to deal with a shut-in Sekirei, but he'd been wrong. And while they weren't short of manpower, he'd decided to have Kochou monitor – more like babysit, she thought disdainfully – this group with the hopes of, not so much as looking out for them, but discover what or rather who was responsible for taking out their forces.
Whatever happens, they won't be able to hide from me, the bespectacled Sekirei thought smugly. And on the off chance I can't see them, then she will…
"Everyone's ready Kochou-san," Ibara's voice came back in her earpiece. "Where are we heading?"
A quick scan of the map screen decided her response. "Ibara-san, proceed to the South Entrance while splitting your group off to send to the west. Have the Sekirei take point for each group – their senses are more attuned than yours, so they'll be able to pick out any incoming threats."
"Understood. Ike! Head over to the West Entrance… No, you can't just go off with your girls. Stick together, got it!?"
Simpletons, Kochou thought derisively.
Despite being a brain-type, she still couldn't fathom how Higa or her master saw any use in these goons. Their only saving grace was that they were ashikabi but take that away and they'd be no different than ordinary street thugs. That said, Ibara was a cut above them but not by much. If anything did go wrong, he'd likely just become a liability to his own Sekirei.
Not that whatever happened to them was her problem. Keeping an eye on them was one thing, but she didn't sign on to hold their hands. She was just here to observe and document.
She watched as the teams separated, two masses of beings splitting off to head in their designated directions. A quick satellite scan of the area revealed nothing, but that didn't stop her from checking each corner of the park for any disturbances. So far though, all was well… too well.
Kochou pursed her lips before keying another icon on her screen, opening a channel to their local asset. "Anything on your end?"
"No," came the quick but cold answer.
"Keep your senses sharp. The second our little assassin shows themselves, don't hesitate."
"I never do."
Then the line went dead, the bespectacled Sekirei glaring at the screen with a sneer curling her lips.
And that was how most interactions went with the Ashikabi of the East's deadliest tool. Quick, concise and barren of any type of emotion which Kochou found fitting for someone like her. It didn't change the fact she still felt like taking a warm bath afterwards, however. That aside, she was at least useful unlike other dolts she had the misfortune of dealing with.
Speaking of dolts, she thought as she keyed the microphone once more. "Ibara-san, report."
"Nothing so far, Kochou-san. It's a little eerie being out here with nobody around though…"
"So, I count as nobody then?" a feminine voice grumbled nearby.
"N-no, Natsu-san! I meant in general, in general!"
"Suuuure you did."
Kochou couldn't refrain from rolling her eyes, exasperated. How were men vying for the dominate force in the world if people like Ibara were around? Despite his loyalty to Higa and their group, when it came to women – especially his Sekirei – he was about as useful as wet tissue paper. And it didn't help that it #72 enjoyed teasing the hell out of the spineless ashikabi.
"If you two are done flirting," Kochou all but hissed into the line, unable to hide her envy towards the two for being so carefree. "I would appreciate it if you got back to work. The sooner we crack open that shell, the sooner we can send in everyone else."
"R-right. Natsu-san, can you-?"
"-SHIT…!"
Kochou nearly jumped as the panicked voice of the other ashikabi rang out. "Hasagumi-san, what's-?"
"She came out of nowhere! The bitch already got Osh-ACK!"
"Ike!? Ike do you read? Say something!" Ibara demanded, on the verge of panic himself.
Kochou forced herself to ignore his cries, cycling through the various cameras she had access to in the area. Of the set, she had one that was supposed to be where Hasagumi Ike and his Sekirei would be. As she switched over to the feed, her stomach dropped.
The scene playing out before her looked as though a bomb had gone off and, judging from the veritable river now flowing through the area, so had a few water mains. Cars were flipped on their sides, street signs either dented or straight yanked out of the ground. But what dominated her attention was the sole still figure lying face down on the street in a puddle of water, and the other that stood over her.
All at once, Kochou felt her blood turn to ice as she got a good look at the figure's face…
We are so screwed, the Sekirei known as Shi thought as she locked eyes with the older Sekirei across from her. Shi made sure to keep her ashikabi close as the cerulean-eyed witch glared at them. Of all people, it had to be her.
#9 – Tsukiumi, The Water Sekirei.
"Master, stay behind me," Shi whispered to Ike who couldn't tear his eyes from Oshino's still form. From the onset, they couldn't have known just how dangerous the last of the Single Digits could be. After all anyone who just hops down from out of nowhere to announce themselves like that couldn't be anything special, right?
Oshino found that out the hard way and had been terminated as a result. Now the only thing standing between Tsukiumi and Shi's master was Shi herself. And while the blonde had absolutely demolished her sister Sekirei, Tsukiumi had done it in an honorable way... sort of. Oshino hadn't been terminated until after she attacked the blonde.
"Thou trespasses where thou is not welcome," the Sekirei stated coldly, stepping over the prone Sekirei's form. "I shall warn thee hence; depart, or thou shalt suffer the same fate as all those before."
The last thing Shi wanted to do was to go up against a single digit, especially someone like Tsukiumi. Being a mere weapons-type, she didn't stand a chance against the elemental-type even if her blade was strong enough to cut through steel. That aside, she also had to protect her master whom had already been given a disgusted look by Tsukiumi.
"Thou should not try thine patience! If thou sleekest battle, then come forth! Otherwise, depart. Thou are not welcome here."
"Where the hell is Ibara?!" Ike hissed from behind Shi. "Is he just going to leave us like this?"
"Have faith in Kochou-san, master," Shi cautioned whilst trying to keep her arm from trembling too much. She knew it was dangerous, but she had to stall for time anyways. Clearing her throat, she addressed the Sekirei. "Tsukiumi-san, do you know what's under that dome?"
"Thou try thine patience, girl," the blonde retorted angrily, ignoring her query. "Since thou hast no intentions of departing, then thou shalt be removed." As she said this, a bundle of watery tentacles burst out from behind her, waving lazily in the air and furthering the point that this Sekirei was not to be messed with.
"B-but, wouldn't that be dishonorable of you!?" Shi demanded, her voice echoing slightly.
Tsukiumi's eyes narrowed to slits and Shi swore they seemed to glow. "…thou speaks of honor where none is to be found. Thou hast no right to utter such concepts when one serves curs like an ashikabi. To abide by such a creed, thou whom serves a malignant entity such as them hast no ground with which to stand on."
Despite herself Shi still felt outrage on behalf of her ashikabi. Sure, Ike was a bit handsy and could be an insufferable jerk at times, but that didn't change the bond they shared! "You just don't understand because you don't have one!" she found herself shouting, immediately wishing she could take the words back.
Something in the air changed just then, minute but still noticeable… even if Tsukiumi didn't explode.
"None of those monkeys will ever lay their hands upon thy person! I belong to no mere mortal, and no primate that shalt dream of only defiling thine body!" Before Shi could begin to question that line of logic, Tsukiumi conjured a globe of water in her hands. "Thou hast chosen thy fate, it seems. Creatures bereft of honor for even themselves are not worthy of the same! Thus, I shalt remove your existence and that of your defiler hence! Prepare!"
"Shit, where the hell are the others?! We're done if they don't show up!" Ike snapped, gritting his teeth.
Shi clenched her fists, bringing her weapon to bear as Tsukiumi prepared to drown them all like Oshino. Swallowing hard, she settled into a defensive stance and waited… it didn't take long.
"Water Celebration!" Hurling the globe at near blinding speeds, Shi waited for the globe to get close enough before she lashed out with her arm, slicing the globe in two. Not waiting for another assault, Shi raced forth towards Tsukiumi, blade cocked back to dice the blonde up. The Water Sekirei met her halfway, another globe manifesting in her palm that she fired point blank at Shi. There was never a chance to dodge such a move.
"Ahh…!" the Sekirei screamed, being flung back right into her ashikabi, the two tumbling on the ground for a bit until they rolled to a stop.
"D-damn… she hits like a truck!" Ike cursed as he made to push himself up, only for a boot to come down on his hand hard. A cry of pain was torn from his throat even as Tsukiumi punted him into a nearby car, causing it to tip over on its roof.
"Ike-san!" Shi cried, mustering another bout of defiance towards the blonde as she swung her blade.
Without looking, Tsukiumi conjured a wave of water to send into the approaching Sekirei, launching her across the street and into a street sign, denting it. "Thou hast brought this upon thyself," the blonde spat before striding over to where the ashikabi lay, groaning in pain.
"D-don't hurt him! Please!" Shi pleaded, reaching out towards them as though to stop the more powerful fighter.
"Pray tell, why shouldn't I?" Tsukiumi countered with a baleful glare in her direction before returning her attention to the wounded man. "Dost thou take me for a fool? Thou hast come here with the intent of taking the child for thine own purposes, which I shan't allow. Scum… blackguards… ashikabi are but a pox upon this realm. T'would be preferable for insects like thou to be washed away."
"Lady, you've been… blabbing on and on like that. I have no frigging clue what you're saying – speak Japanese, woman!" Ike shouted at her, glaring.
Tsukiumi's lips curled back into a sneer. "Then allow me to express thyself in a manner you monkeys can comprehend." Lifting a hand high above, she conjured a wicked looking glob of water that rippled like a stormy sea in her palm, glowing with otherworldly power as her hair billowed behind her. "You shall be dead and gone before I allow even one of you parasites to lay a hand upon that child! Now begone, scum!"
"MASTER-!" Shi screamed futilely as the blonde flung her hand down to end the man's life.
Then, all at once, Shi felt both the air and her skin go frosty just before a new player stepped into the ring.
#9 squawked indignantly as a jet of icy air tore in from the side, knocking the globe of water out of her hands and freezing it solid. As the globe shattered into a billion pieces on the street, Tsukiumi leapt back to avoid another jet of cold air just as a new figure landed where she once stood, the folds of her kimono hanging slack around her.
"You dare…?!" Tsukiumi shrieked, teeth bared at the newcomer.
The one who had arrived to send #9 packing was a sight Shi hadn't been expecting, but one she found herself a bit unnerved by all the same. Clad in a flowing gray and white kimono was a woman wearing a geisha mask which was adorned in tasteful splash of various grays and blues, featured most prominently around the eyes and a splash upon where her lips would be. Without a word, the figure reached down to grab Ike by the scruff of his shirt collar and hurled him away like a frisbee.
Shi quickly leapt up to catch him, the two landing in a heap on the other side with a grunt. Shi nearly wept with relief, clutching her ashikabi to her as she listened to his heartbeat.
"Damn… that sucked..." Ike muttered, breathing hard.
"Just… shut up you idiot," Shi chastised, hugging him close. She sent a grateful look towards the geisha-masked Sekirei but the Sekirei didn't even acknowledge her. Instead she remained focused on the seething Water Sekirei standing before her.
"Thou hast made a fool of me once, but no more! Speak thy name clearly Sekirei and we shall do battle!" Water began to gather behind the blonde as she waved her arms about, poised to strike at a moment's notice.
Shi watched the other masked Sekirei closely, nearly missing the sounds of the others arriving.
"Ike! You alright?!" Natsu's ashikabi called out as they ran up.
"Do I look fucking alright to you, fatass?! I'm cold, wet and my Sekirei is-!"
"Master, please!" Shi pleaded, trying to keep him from lunging at the other ashikabi. Still, she bit her lip and glanced away as she delivered the news. "Oshino was done in by Nine. We would've been next if she hadn't shown up."
"Shi-chan," Natsu muttered sympathetically before looking at the masked Sekirei. "…who's she?"
"The reason we're still here for one. I don't know her number."
Natsu huffed. "Well, that's great. Though if she's not kicking our asses around that's a plus. So Master, what's-" she started to say, only to cut herself off. "…Yosuke-sama?"
Shi followed her fellow Sekirei's gaze towards the pudgy ashikabi, her heart lurching as she saw him trembling a bit.
"...so that's what Kochou-san had in mind," he muttered just loud enough for them to hear, staring intently at the masked Sekirei. "We're done here. Let's get back to the car."
"Hold on a goddamn minute Ibara! I'm not going to run off after that bitch took down Oshino. You can run if you want, but I'm sticking around to get my shot in. With that masked chick over there on our side, we-!"
"Leave," came the detached voice of the masked Sekirei, as flurries of ice began to flutter around her. "You will only get in my way."
Shi felt her ashikabi go rigid in her arms, so much so that she felt what he did. "Ike-san," she implored softly. "We should go. MBI will be here soon… for Oshino."
"…FUCK! Hey, Icicle-san! You better stomp that blonde bitch's face into the pavement! YA HEAR ME?!"
"Let's go, NOW!" Ibara shouted, yanking the man up to his feet.
Shi quickly fell into formation with Natsu, the latter taking point while she held up the rear. Even so, she couldn't help but glance back towards the two Sekirei that were about to turn this place into a warzone.
Like rats, the interlopers scattered and while their punishment had been delayed, Tsukiumi wasn't terribly concerned with them, not anymore. Instead, a new challenge had appeared before her, one she'd since heard whispers about. A Sekirei whose power almost matched that of the myth her namesake carried.
"So, thou hast revealed thyself at last, Yuki-onna? Seems rumors don't do thou justice."
"Number nine… Tsukiumi," the masked Sekirei spoke softly but Tsukiumi had no trouble picking the words up.
"Indeed! And whom might thy opponent be?" the blonde returned proudly, folding her arms across her ample bosom.
"My name is of no importance," her adversary answered dully which left her fuming.
To challenge her so openly and yet remain anonymous?! The audacity! Pointing an imperious finger towards the Sekirei, her lips parted to deliver her rebuttal but found herself cut off. Not by words, nay. But in the form of the Sekirei jettisoning another blast of frosty air in her direction which she easily avoided, though the breach of her temper was not. "Thou hast spat in thy face for the last time, harlot! If thee dost not value one's honor, then thine purpose is clear! Hence our battle begins!"
The Sekirei known simply as Yuki-onna merely attacked her with freezing gusts once more, forcing Tsukiumi to leap backwards. Gathering water to her arms, she sent forth a spiraling mess of aquatic serpents towards the masked woman who met it with a blast of cold air. The torrent froze instantly, but Tsukiumi counted on that as she took to the skies.
"Get thee hence!" she called, performing an axe kick down towards the Sekirei who dodged it. Instead, strike left a massive crater in the street, asphalt cracking as though a wrecking ball had slammed into it. "Is running all thou are capable of?!" she taunted, hoping to provoke the Sekirei.
But with that thrice-damned mask on, it was nigh impossible to perceive what reaction her words had. Though given how the air seemed to thicken around the Sekirei, it was clear there was some effect.
"I do not intend to waste time with you, Nine," the Sekirei stated. "This fight is already over."
That, of all things, sent Tsukiumi's notorious temper skyrocketing to heights previously unknown. The arrogance of this Sekirei, to believe herself the victor when the fight had just begun! True, she was at a disadvantage due to their elemental polarities but what she lacked in firepower she made up for in skill. And despite how fluid the Sekirei's movements were, she had yet to go on the offensive. To someone like the Water Sekirei, who had already beaten at least four other Sekirei, that alone spoke volumes to the capabilities of her opponent.
Tsukiumi smirked, calling her bluff. "If so, then why not end this farce? Why prolong what thou believes to be the inevitable? Furthermore, why waste time aiding the flight of those monkeys? Surely, thou dost not care for such heathens."
For the first time, the masked maiden's head cocked to the side as if seeing her for the first time. "…you do not view ashikabi favorably, then?"
Tsukiumi scoffed loudly. "Hah! As if I would waste thy time upon such trifling creatures! They are mere insects, the lot of them. Woe be unto all those who let themselves be taken in such a vile manner. I believe death itself would be preferable to having an ashikabi!"
The very next second, Tsukiumi felt her senses come alive with danger as a column of ice spikes surged forth, forcing her to dash to the side to avoid it. A trickle of sweat rolled down her brow, her heart racing with her blue eyes widened in surprise.
Such a vicious strike! If that had met her, things would've become dire indeed.
"Do not speak of things you can't begin to understand, Nine!" the masked Sekirei hissed, her voice as cold and merciless as the ice she controlled.
Despite herself, Tsukiumi smirked, pleased that she finally managed to get under this woman's skin. "Dost thou claim to have one then? If so, I pity thee. Such a cruel fate for one such as you, Yuki-onna."
Silence reigned in the air for a long tense moment before the other Sekirei made her voice heard, and when she did, Tsukiumi couldn't deny the chill that ran down her spine then.
"…I will encase your arrogance and all that you are in a never-ending winter, Water Sekirei."
Harsh, arctic winds began to billow through the area and swirled about the masked Sekirei whose visage somehow took on a more sinister light. Anyone else would've been running for the hills, but not Tsukiumi.
The Water Sekirei smiled ferally as she called forth her own elements, knowing that her own powers would be rendered moot against the Sekirei. Still, she wasn't about to turn down a chance to face off against a powerful opponent.
Anything to become the strongest… to protect what was precious to her.
"Then come forth with all you must muster, Yuki-onna! Show me why you are the most feared of the Sekirei and in return, thou shalt learn why I shall be the strongest!"
Writing Tsukiumi was... challenging. But not impossible. I just had to remember that her dialect is old-fashioned and, after lining her dub lines up with Shakespeare's works, everything fell into place. Still, I might've made her redundant a few times here so great one, you know who you are - don't hold back on your criticism. I welcome it. It helps me grow.
As for everything else, writing battle scenes with dialogue isn't my forte. Battle scenes themselves aren't necessarily difficult but there's the deal with making them exciting while keeping the pacing under control. Things can quickly get out of hand if not monitored.
Throughout the story you'll see characters like Ibara and Ike turn up to help move the pacing along. They aren't necessarily OCs, and most won't be recurring unless they serve the plot - maybe Ibara since Natsu is with him, but we'll see. Ike not so much. Like I said - we'll see.
So next time we've got the self-proclaimed Strongest Sekirei facing off against the Masked Sekirei. Who will win? Tsukiumi's clearly at a disadvantage after all. Though perhaps she'll get some help, or maybe she'll just dominate. Find out next time.
Next chapter next weekend.
Till then,
Write on!