No one's working on any lemons here.
AT ALL.
New post, almost done.
=================================================================================================
It was a surprisingly warm night, Homura had mused to himself as he made his way back to Izumo. An odd feeling coursed through the guardian's veins as he leaped from rooftop to rooftop. He was satisfied that the matter with the green girl was resolved as well as he could have hoped. He looked forward to seeing how his new neighbor handled the youngest of the feathers, feeling that somewhere in the back of his mind that the child was in good hands.
That feeling was, unfortunately tampered with a mix of trepidation and worry. As his thoughts turned to a surprise revelation he received earlier. There was a Scrapped Number in the game at this point, and she was running with whoever had tried to snatch up Number One-Hundred and Eight before Minato could get to her. He sighed as he landed on another roof, pausing for a moment to take a look at the horizon, the sun now having just disappeared from view under it. It was bad enough that bastard had made the green girl a first-come first-serve winging, but now a Scrapped Number was in play, and God-knows how badly this could all blow up in their faces.
And to top it all off, he had left his smokes back at Izumo.
He pulled down his half mask as a slow, sardonic smile spread across his face. "Well, it's not like this could get any worse, right?" He sighed and lowered his head before bringing it back up with a dead expression. "And this is about the time when it does isn't it?" he asked himself, pulling his half mask back over his nose. It was at this point that he caught a growing shadow over the horizon. A human shaped one it appeared at that. It was crossing rooftop the same as he was, but at a much more urgent pace.
"Yep, it's gonna be one of those nights," Homura growled as the shadow made it's way closer to his position. From what he could make out, the shadow seemed to be carrying something in it's arms. Seemed human too. He paused at that, considering a different approach. Nodding, he turned and sprinted towards the building's rooftop entrance. Doing what he could to keep himself hidden from sight and waited so he would be able to see this mysterious figure himself and satisfy his curiosity.
Moments later, the loud woosh of air greeted his ears as he was granted a good look at the shadowy figure.
"Uzume?"
Time seemed to slow as he followed her form and made out his sister sekirei's face's expression. Her mouth a tight frown and her eyes shining with a sharpened focus, 'What in the world is she doing here?' he thought. As soon as he finished, his eyes locked onto a fluttering lock of hair dangling out of his friend's arms and widened suddenly. "Is that...?" he hesitated, unable to ask that very question even to himself.
But there was a way to get some answers.
Time resumed its normal pace, and as soon as Uzume passed over him the Guardian Sekirei leaped in hot pursuit of his friend, "Uzume!"
Uzume blinked as she heard the familiar voice, managing to halt her forward momentum on the next roof top, "That voice..." She turned as she heard a soft thump behind her, and gave a relieved smile, "Homura!"
"What happened!?" Homura asked as he rushed up to her.
Uzume fixed her gaze down to the bundle in her arms, "Nothing good, I can say." She replied in a soft, subdued voice.
Homura's lips formed a frown so tight it could be made out from behind his mask. "Let me see..." He looked down and his frown deepened, a small bit of relief intertwined with sorrow for the poor girl in her neighbors arms. Yes, it wasn't his friend and her ashikabi in the Veiled Seikirei's arms, but it was another feather in rather bad shape all the same. A part of his mind rationally reminded him that if something had happened to his friend, his fellow sekirei probably wouldn't be as able to move as fast as she could. Not for lack of trying mind you.
Still, there were more pressing matters at hand. Homura's sharp gaze was locked onto the injured sekirei as he gave her a once over. "What happened to her?"
"Karasuba is what happened to her," Uzume answered.
"Karasuba?!" Homura cried out in a surprised tone. He turned his head and looked up at his friend, eyes wide in surprise, "What the hell is that mad dog doing off her leash?"
"Because of Ichigo and me," Uzume answered. "Seems like our trip to Karakura got under someone's skin at MBI enough to send her onto us."
Homura scratched his head irritably as he turned his gaze back to the wounded sekirei in Uzume's arms. "It doesn't explain why she attacked this feather." He sighed in exasperation as he continued. "Then again, not much that monster does makes sense to anyone outside of her."
"Don't I know it," Uzume replied. "Anyway I can't waste too much time here. I gotta get her and her friend to Izumo ASAP."
"Her friend?" Homura asked, looking at his neighbor once more. "Dammit, that mongrel got to more than one?" he growled.
Uzume nodded, "Yeah, she did." Uzume paused for a moment before asking, "Hey, Homura. Can you look after Ichigo for me until I get them both back to Izumo? He's sure that Karasuba's gone but..."
"But better safe than sorry," Homura finished. "Ichigo's looking after the other one, right? Where at?"
Uzume gestured with her head, "About seven or so roof tops back that-way. You can't miss him, he's the one with all the bags and a sekirei in his lap."
Homura nodded, "Ok. Hurry back, and be careful."
Uzume chuckled softly, "You kidding? Careful's my middle name. Just make sure my ashikabi doesn't do anything stupid until I get back, eh?"
"Sure," Homura replied before he leaped with the grace of a ninja and made his way to guard duty. Uzume watched him for a moment before turning and doubling her speed to Izumo. It wouldn't be until Homura reached his quarry that the obvious question came to mind.
"Wait, why Izumo?"
=========
The kitchen is the lifeline of the home.
It is here that the meals are prepared that keep others functioning. It is also here that in many a home that the family or denizens gather to eat and/or converse for many a reason; To re-vitalize their beliefs. To converse with other family members. A commerce for studying, planning, and other things that go about a persons days.
-THOCK--THOCK--THOCK--THOCK-
And no one knew this more than the woman who stood in the middle of her bastion.
-THOCK--THOCK--THOCK--THOCK-
Miya nodded to herself as she finished dicing her assorted vegetables, taking the knife in her hand and pouring the cut bits of food into the boiling pot. That done, she wiped her hands on a nearby towel and grabbed a large spoon, stirring tonight's dinner for herself, Homura and her newest tenants. She did hope that her latest arrivals liked what she was preparing, idly reminding herself to start the rice soon.
She gave a soft chuckle as she remembered that she had to catch herself a few times tonight, as two of her tenants were dining out tonight. Her mind drifted to a time long since past for a moment, smiling at the memory of her husband when they were together and thought they had all the time in the world before pushing that aside to wonder what Ichigo and Uzume were getting themselves into.
Of course, this was when she heard a panicked voice from the living room.
"Miya!!" came Uzume's voice, stirring the landlady out of her thoughts.
"Uzume-san?" Miya asked as she pulled her spoon out of the pot. ""What are you-?" she cut herself off, gasping as she caught sight of the bundle in her tenant's arms. "My goodness! What in the world happened, Uzume-san?!"
She sighed as a long, tattered piece of fabric floated over Nanaha's exposed chest. "Karasuba happened that's what," Uzume said, ignoring the dark look that now masked Miya's face. "Please tell me you can help her."
Miya's dark look faded quickly as she looked down upon the girl in Uzume's arms, ignoring her exposed chest to take stock of her wounds. Quickly she took the unconscious body into her arms, "I'll do my best, that's all I can promise, Uzume-chan. Get the spare futon and put it in the vacant room near Homura's. I'll be there in a moment."
Uzume nodded, running off to grab the necessary materials. Miya took another look down at Nanaha's unconscious form, idly brushing back a strand of loose hair from her face. "Ah, my little bird," she sighed. "Even after meeting that rabid dog... fate still finds a way to smile on you." She smiled softly, "The least I can do is ensure you're able to find the one for you, right?"
Uzume hurried back towards the room, holding the futon under her right arm and the other with what Miya requested and would need. With Miya words, part of her felt a bit of relief that the girls wounds were treatable however her friend was still out there and needed help too. "Here they are Miya," she blurted out as she rushed through the door.
Miya nodded, "Thank you Uzume."
Uzume nodded, putting the bedding down for a moment to open the door. That out of the way, she set the futon down on the left side of the empty room, and Miya nodded her thanks once more. Carefully placing the injured sekirei onto the bedding, Uzume handed Miya the medical kit, allowing the landlady to get to work.
Uzume stood there, softly panting as Miya tended to the girls wounds, her worry lifting further as Miya worked, more confident now that the wounded sekirei would make it. However, there was no time to rest, the other one Ichigo was with needed to be brought in quickly as well. With those thoughts in mind she quickly turned to make her way out.
"That reminds me Uzume-san," Miya began, causing the sekirei to pause in her tracks. "Just where is Kurosaki-san?"
"He's... held up at the moment." Uzume answered.
"Is that so?" Miya asked in a neutral tone. "Do I need to ask to get another futon ready then?"
"I'll get it," Uzume answered as she made her way for the closet where the spare linens were kept. "But I have to go back to Ichigo as soon as I do. She got this one's friend too."
"My goodness," Miya sighed. "All that one does is leave a mess."
"Don't I know it," Uzume sighed. "At least her friend's in better shape."
"Even so..." Miya responded.
"The sooner I can get her here, the better." Uzume finished. "Also.... Miya..."
"Hmmm?"
She hesitated for a moment before replying, "I... I kinda told Ichigo that you were tied to MBI."
"Did you now?" Miya asked again, not turning to face Uzume as she continued to tend to Nanaha.
"Just that your husband worked there," Uzume re-assured her. "It's up to you on how you want to handle that once he's here."
"Very well," Miya sighed once more. "Hurry back dear. And please turn off the stove for me before you leave, hmm?"
Uzume nodded, "Ok. Be back in a flash." And like that, the Veiled Sekirei was gone. Miya took a quick glance at where Uzume stood for a moment before turning back to Nanaha. "Seems as though things are about to get more lively around here."
=========
High above the building that Ichigo was tending the hurt sekirei on Homura for the eighth or so time ducked back bit out of Ichigo's line of sight and decided again to quietly relocate. With all the crazy things that had happened already this was starting to fray his already frazzled nerves.
He had arrived soon after leaving Uzume and found Ichigo where he was at now, but Ichigo kept turning his head up every so often to check his surroundings. That wasn't bad in itself, no doubt running into Karasuba would frazzle anyone's nerves and force them to be careful, but oddly enough Ichigo seemed to look close to where he had hid himself. Each time he had ducked was because Ichigo had the sense to turn, but thankfully not quite to where he was at, so he did have time to conceal himself. He sighed, a Scrapped Number who shouldn't be out and now MBI's Dog possibly lurking behind the shadows...
After finding his next spot he carefully peered over the ledge he was at and looked down.
Good. Ichigo's attention was on the sekirei again.
A part of him felt a bit of relief to see the young man alright. He was a bit gruff but it was obvious Uzume was getting to him and smiled from beneath his mask. Not willing to take another chance at Ichigo possibly catching him, he moved back and decided to relocate to a more secluded area. As he got close to his next position he narrowed his eyes as he noted the sound of movement in the distance. He quickly ducked and focused before relaxing.
Uzume was already on her way back.
He chuckled and shook his head ruefully as he replayed what he had witnessed a little bit after he had arrived. 'Oh Uzume,' he thought in amusement. 'I hope you're in a good mood because I think you may be getting a new roommate soon.'
=========
A Little Bit Earlier...
Ichigo grumbled in frustration as he turned his sights away from the surrounding higher building's rooftops and retook his position watching over the sekirei below him. Everything seemed quiet but something or so was gnawing at him like he was being watched from somewhere yet every time he looked there was nothing. Bending downward he tugged on her makeshift bandages, double and triple checking how they were wrapped and if they had helped with the bleeding. The girl moaned as he had re-tightened a bandage that had been wrapped around her waist.
He grit his teeth as he heard her moan of pain and cursed his uselessness for the umpteenth or so time since he and Uzume had this one fall and saw that it was Karasuba that had torn into these two.
'Dammit, if only-,' he shook his head in an attempt to stop his thought processes on that. But his eyes traced over the downed sekirei in his arms and his lips thinned. 'Dammit, if only...' he thought out as he balled his hands into fists, doing what he could once more to will himself from those thoughts to almost no avail. It had been over two years since that time, and since then he couldn't remember cursing himself as hard as he was doing now. This was his mess, this was the price he paid for defeating Aizen, and he knew it.
And besides... what could he had done about it?
'Nothing...' a tired voice in his head responded. 'Not one damned thing at all,' he thought. And that just made the pain and guilt all the worse. And once again, the young man could do nothing but sit and curse his powerlessness. He was a protector without the power to protect, and for him there was simply no fate worse for him to endure.
"Na..na...ha...chan..."
His thoughts stopped as he heard another moan and small bit of shuffling in his arms. "Hey," he said to the girl. "Don't move. I've bandaged you up as good as I could but you have to stay still." The girl, who had seemed to be drifting in and out of consicious ever since Uzume had left had stopped and stared at him quietly. "Do you understand?" Ichigo said as evenly as he could. "We're getting you to help soon, but you have to stay still."
"N...Na...Nanaha," Ikki croaked out hoarsely.
"Shhh..." Ichigo replied. "Your friend's safe. I got someone making sure of that."
"No..."
"No hospitals." Ichigo cut her off. "Don't worry about her now, ok? She'll be fine. Worry about yourself. We're gonna move you soon."
Ikki tried to respond, but could not. As she looked up into the eyes of the man who was helping her, she felt her hear quicken at the concern he was showing in his brown orbs. A light blush formed on her cheeks as she feebly grasped for Ichigo's chest. The former shinigami clasped at her hand, "Take it easy. Just get some rest for now ok?"
Ikki stared at Ichigo for a long moment, her body waging a war with itself to stay conscious in spite of parts of her that wanted to heed her mysterious benefactor's advice. Her vision was blurry, and her body ached all over. Yet all her heart was doing now was quickening in the face of her helper's attentive aide.
Had... had she finally found the one just for her?
Her eyes dropped incessantly, as her wounds finally took their toll on her. She smiled, closing her eyes as she gently squeezed Ichigo's hand in appreciation. "Thank... you..." she whispered as visions of warm brown eyes danced in her mind's eye.
"Hey!" Ichigo shouted as she closed her eyes, but calmed as he could see that she was still breathing. "Dammit," he grunted as he let go of her hand. How much longer was-
"Ichigo!"
"Uzume!" he called back, relief flooding him as he saw his girlfriend/sekirei land on the roof. Wasting no time Uzume ran up to where he was and gave him a quick hug before stepping away and turning to the other sekirei.
"Good news," she said as she started to bend down. "Her friends going to be- huh?" she said startled as she got a look at the other girl. The fallen sekirei had been bandaged up in several places, but where had Ichigo gotten them from? They looked somewhat familiar... Wait....
Quickly she turned around to his bag and saw that it was opened with some of his clothes spilled out and saw one that - he didn't... he did...
"Ichigo... your shirt..." she said in surprise and wonderment.
Ichigo blinked and turned to where she was looking and then shrugged. The girl had been bleeding, and this was the only thing he could do and think of. "It's just a shirt," he told her. "I can always get another one. But you gotta take her. Now."
She gave a small smile and turned to pick up the girl but stopped again, this time from feeling Ichigo's hand on her shoulder. "Ichigo?" she asked, wondering what he wanted.
"Uhhh..." was all he could get out, as he somewhat jerkily but gently turned her to him.
"Ichi-?" was all she got out as he closed the small distance between him and pressed his lips to hers, squeezing his eyes shut to savor the intensity of it as much as hide his embarrassment. She simply smiled and kissed her ashikabi back, closing her eyes and letting the growing warmth flow through her body, knowing that her wings had burst forth behind her. Stepping away with a blush but an odd smile she turned and picked up her fellow Sekirei as gently as she could and turned back to Ichigo, her smile widening as she saw his face had flushed a bit. Getting enough control of herself she gave him a mock frown and he blinked.
"You really are something, aren't you?" she sighed. "You mean to tell me that it takes a life or death situation for you to take the initiative?" she said while shaking her head and tsked. "What am I gonna do with you, hon?" she sighed as she quickly turned away and made her way to the ledge of the roof. As she leaped off the ledge, Ichigo heard Uzume call back to him. "We'll be working on that later too!"
And with that she was gone and over the roof into the night.
All Ichigo could do was stand there staring at where his sekirei had been, his face flushed in embarrassment but scowling. After a moment Ichigo snorted irritably as he turned and made his way back to where they had left their stuff at. Picking up what he could he decided to try to make use of what light he had when he saw a good spot and pulled a book out and sighed. It would be a while before Uzume got back, so he might as well make the best of it.
Now if he could only shake that feeling that he was being watched...
=========
"He-hello?" Minato called out after rapping the doors to Izumo with his knuckles. Beside him was Musubi, clad only in his jacket that he had loaned her, her battle with the other Sekirei causing her clothes to be destroyed utterly save her panties. He had been all to happy to take the lead back to Izumo, lest Musubi walk in front of him and end up distracting him. Riding piggyback was the little Sekirei that they had saved, Kuu, the same little girl in his dreams. She had immediately passed out and did not stir all the way home.
She was young. Very young. When he had first laid eyes on her for real he had gasped at how tiny this child was. Long, golden hair fell from her head to her waist, almost covering wide green eyes that had been red from crying in fear and hunger.
So close. He had come so close to losing this one to a Sekirei who wielded a deadly scythe, a Sekirei who had claimed to have been sent by her Ashikabi to take this one for his very own. He had spent several minutes after it was over to contemplate that, along with what the Sekirei Game truly meant as Musubi guarded the fallen enemy as MBI helicopter's came to pick her up.
By fate or dumb luck Musubi had come looking for him, as he had left his phone back at the Inn and she had been worried enough to come after him. She had literally stumbled onto the fight with the Scythe-wielding Sekirei, and though the fight had seen all of Musubi's clothes save her panties, fighting gloves and shoes the Fist-Type Sekirei had displayed the large improvements in her fighting form from her brief training with the Landlady.
It was over in literally seconds, Musubi comically breaking her opponents weapon easily and chiding her about how someone could get hurt with that before tearing the Sekirei's shirt off. As the other Sekirei had turned to cover herself Musubi had laid a finger on her opponents exposed Sekirei Crest on her back she recited what she told him to be her Norito, or Incantation.
With that, the Sekirei Crest was destroyed and the girl fell seemingly lifeless to the ground, where Musubi had kept guard over.
A Sekirei whose Crest has disappeared... Can never be with her Ashikabi again...
He had paused at her words, a sudden wave of fear nearly overwhelming him at the thought of Musubi being taken from him. And oddly enough, he had wondered how that Sekirei's Ashikabi might feel. He had risen, suddenly in an attempt to hide his moistening eyes that it was time to head back. So caught up he was he hadn't noticed that Seo and his two girls had left long before, knowing that victory was in Musubi's grasp. With no more danger to the Green Girl, they had upped and left.
Back in the present Minato called out again and rapped his knuckles on the door. "Is anyone home?" A few more minutes passed. "I guess no one's home," Minato said to himself. He could have sworn he'd seen some light, unless the landlady keeps the lights on when she goes out. Oh wait, he did have a key! 'Now... where was it?' he thought as he searched his pants.
After a moment of searching he slowly began to panic. 'Where is it...?' he thought as he double checked his pants. What was he going to do if he couldn't find it? When would anyone come home to let...
Oh yeah.
"Mu-Musubi-chan?"
His sekirei tilted her head curiously to her left, "Yes, Minato-san?"
"I left the key in my coat pocket, can you give it to me please?" he asked politely, reassured now that he didn't lose the key that the landlady gave him.
"Of course Minato-san!" the girl chirped and then removed the coat that he had given her to cover herself up as best she could. Her actions caused him to gawk as the only thing she was again clad in was her panties, gloves and shoes. He swallowed as he desperately tried not to notice the way the porch light illuminated her exposed skin and breasts against the darkness and began to turn and then stopped as he recalled that he was holding Kuu.
"Mu-Musubi-chan!" he quietly shrieked at her.
"Yes?"
"You-you didn't have to take off your coat!"
"But Minato-san, you said you wanted to get the key."
"Yes, but I wanted you to get it for me! I, uh, can't get it with my arms tied up an all..." he trailed, desperately trying to focus on anything else.
Musubi blinked and then her eyes lit up. "Ah! That's right, Minato-san," she said as she stuck out her tongue and then tapped her head with a fist. And with that, Minato heard the rustlings of Musubi putting the coat back on. Daring to take a glance, he turned his head back to the girl to see her buttoning up the last-
-CLICK-
The door to Izumo opened and Kagari stuck his head out. "Oh, its..." he trailed off as he saw Minato with the little seikirei riding piggyback but paused as he saw Musubi with her hands at the topmost button to the daring coat she was wearing. Blinking he retreated back into the Inn and shut the door.
"Kagari-san!" Minato shouted after him.
"I'm sorry, we don't serve deviants here at Izumo House," Kagari replied from behind the door.
"Kagari-san!!" cried Minato as he rapped on the door a little more frantically.
=========
"Sorry, Sorry," Kagari apologized in an amused tone. "But you have to admit that without that fence you two would've made quite a sight for the neighbors."
'Don't I know it...' Minato internally lamented as he followed Kagari with Musubi in tow. Kuu was still at his back and he readjusted to keep her comfortable.
"I imagine there's quite a story for such a sight as well." Kagari continued. "As well as that little one resting on your back."
"Ye-yeah!" Minato said, quickly now thinking of an excuse. 'Oh man, I didn't think about this,' he nearly panicked. "Uh, you see, she's uh, she's my cousin!" he then blurted out.
"Oh? Your cousin, eh?" Kagari asked. "So do you always have family members around when your girlfriend tries to get naked?"
"Uh, no, just, many things kinda happened 'n all..." Minato trailed off sheepishly and looked back to Kagari. As he looked, he noticed that Kagari...well, Kagari didn't really look so good, or look as good, or pretty much as well as he took care of himself. He looked rather ragged, and he knew even from the short time here that wasn't the normal case. "Ka-Kagari, are you okay?"
Kagari chuckled, raking a hand through his slightly disheveled hair. "I'm fine. Many things kinda happened here as well, Sahashi-san."
"I-is that so?" Minato asked as he and Musubi followed Kagari to the dining area. "Nothing to bad I hope."
"It's a little late for that," he muttered. "But thanks for the thought all the same."
"Oh," Minato replied as he took a seat at the table. Musubi sat on his right as Kagari went into the kitchen. "Do you need any help?"
"I'm not the one you should be asking about that," Kagari replied. "You should ask Miya-san about that." A moment later a muffled "Crud" reached Minato's ears.
"Are you sure you don't need help?" Minato asked.
"It's too late for me," Kagari replied as he stepped out of the kitchen. Minato cringed slightly as the smell of burning reached his nostrils, spotting a blackened bowl in the host club employee's hand. "Not unless you like your sukiyaki cajun styled."
"I-I'll pass," Minato replied.
Kagari simply shrugged and turned for the kitchen, "Ah, no one has a sense of adventure anymore." With that, Kagari began whatever attempt he could to salvage the situation. Minato, seeing that he wasn't needed, nor wanting to 'touch' whatever that was that remained, slowly backed away from the kitchen and back into the dining area.
As he turned, he saw Musubi cradling the younger sekirei in her arms. 'Poor girl, she's so tired she's even slept through this.'
"Musubi," he said, getting her attention as she turned to smile at him.
"Yes, Minato-san?"
"Can you take Kuu up to the room and put her to bed?" he asked. No sense in keeping her here when they could get her to someplace more comfortable. But... Kuu wouldn't know where she is... "Musubi-chan," he called again as the sekirei was standing up. "When you put Kuu-chan down, can you stay with her? If she wakes up it'd be good if she saw a familiar face."
"Yes, Minato-san!" she chirped as she walked off to take the sleeping sekirei to their room.
Minato let off a small smile as he watched Musubi's retreating figure. Well that was one issue resolved for the moment at least. His smile faded as he brought his attention back to the kitchen and the disgruntled grunting coming from his neighbor. "Can I ask at least why you're cooking tonight Kagari-san?"
"Because," Kagari grunted as he scrapped off a particularly clingy piece of meat from the bowl. "Miya-san is busy at the moment."
"Busy with what?" Minato asked.
"Busy making sure our extra guests remain alive and well," another voice came and Minato turned to face her and nearly gawked.
Miya was slowly walking toward them, her head at that moment turned downward. Over her normal attire she wore a long white apron and had a cloth rag on her head, pulling her hair back to make sure her sight was not obstructed. As she walked to them she seemed to be folding a towel. What had caused Minato to nearly gape was not only her current dress, but the pink, red and darkening splotches that patterned her apron, not to mention the towel in her hands.
'I-i-is that...?' he thought as his eyes locked on the splotches on her apron.
"Hey Miya," Kagari greeted nervously. "How's it looking?"
"Like it's going to be a long night," she sighed. "They should be fine in the long run but..." She paused frowning slightly as she noted what Kagari was doing. "Are you... throwing away my sukiyaki?"
Kagari hesitated for a moment, a panicked look coming across his normally cool features as a dark aura started to form. "Uh-uh, no!?"
Miya continued to glare at him for another moment before letting her aura drop and turned to Minato who seemed to be staring at her with the oddest look. "Sahashi-san?" No response as the boy continued to look at her. "Sahashi-san," she said again, a bit firmer now, causing the boy to blink and shake his head.
"Y-Yes Miya-san?"
"We have some guests, unfortunately there has been an incident in which they were badly wounded and needed our help," she began.
Minato blinked, "W-what?"
"Thankfully, both will be fine however they'll be here for bit before they are both fully recov-"
"We're back!" a voice called from outside the shouji screens into the backyard.
"In here!" Miya called back.
Minato blinked at the voice, "That sounds familiar..."
A moment later he was greeted by a familiar face as Uzume entered the kitchen area, a slightly tired expression on her face. "Hey guys," she called out. "Did you miss us?" As she walked in she then stopped and paused at the sight before her. "Ka...Kagari, are you cooking?" she asked, a bit flabbergasted.
"Do I look like I'm cooking?" he asked sarcastically.
"You look like you're about to collapse," Uzume replied. "Anywya-" She stopped herself from beginning what she was about to say as her eyes locked onto Minato's. Her brow scrunched up in curiosity before they widened in recognization at the young man in front of her. "Ah!" she cried, pointing at Minato.
"Hah?" he asked, pointing at himself.
"'ScusemeasecI'llberightback!!" Uzume blurted out, dashing to the back door.
"Hoookay, that happened." Minato replied at the small dust cloud his neighbor put up in her retreat. Maybe his landlady was onto something here.
=========
"Hey Uzu-ah!" Ichigo grunted as Uzume suddenly pulled as he was about to step up onto the engawa and into the Inn. He had stayed to briefly reorganize his bags once more and let Uzume quickly go in to let Miya know they had arrived. Now however he fought to maintain his balance as Uzume came flying out of the Inn to pull him back out into the yard, and bit back another grunt as she caught him. "What the hell now?" he grumbled as she helped right him.
"Uh, Ichigo, there's uh... something I forgot to tell you..." she said a bit embarrassed.
"Uh huh..." he answered with a half lidded stare. "What did you forget?" he asked almost mechanically, not really thrilled with even more surprises this night.
"Well, uh, oh," she said as movement at the door caught her attention. A face Ichigo semi-remembered poked his head out, presumably he had been inside when Uzume dashed back out here. "Well, you know that guy over there...?" she said in a lower voice as pointed to the newcomer, whose eyebrows furrowed in confusion as they talked.
"Ya huh," he's answered as he saw Miya and then Kagari appear behind the other boy but then noted Kagari's appearance. 'Wonder what happened to-'
Uzume then unknowingly cut Ichigo off from his thoughts. "Well, uh, you see....he'sanashikabitoo."
His head turned back to her with an incredulous look. "A what? An ahiaboo?"
"He's an ashikabi," Uzume said a bit slower now, uncomfortable and fidgeting hat she had forgotten something so major.
"He's a what?!" Ichigo cried out in a shocked, hushed tone that still made Minato jump from his position at the engawa.
"He's an-"
"I know what you said," Ichigo cut her off. "How do you even know he's an ashikabi?"
"Remember that there was another girl with him?" she asked, wondering if he had seen her. Things had happened so fast when he arrived and she had completely forgotten the other sekirei and ashikabi. She was though now subconsciously rubbing her head where Miya had hit her.
"You mean that girl with him before?" he asked as he took a quick peak back at Minato, his mind trying to place a face.
"Yeah, we saw each other in the baths. When she saw that I was a sekirei she got all excited and started to fight me then and there. I had to end up hiding behind him before Miya came by and then, well, you showed up."
"Right," Ichigo sighed and he lowered his head a bit and closed his eyes. After a few seconds he lifted his head a bit to look at Uzume and slowly opened his eyes back up. "And you didn't bring this up because?"
With a sheepish smile and red tinged cheeks she answered honestly. "I forgot."
"You forgot," Ichigo repeated, ignoring that she was now giggling nervously.
"...yeah."
Ichigo sighed again, rubbing his forehead in exasperation. "And how, Uzume, could you possibly overlook such an important fact that might just be in our best interest to know?"
"Well, you finally came back," she said as she blushed a bit harder now. Her clasped hands at her chest now pulled apart so she could poke her index fingers together. "And then you said you wanted me to meet your family, so..."
Ichigo removed his hand from his forehead and looked at his sekirei for a moment. "So you're gonna pin this on me?" he halfheartedly accused.
She blushed a bit further and lowered her head, her eyes still looking up to him. "Well, you are the world...at least to me," she whispered out honestly and her head and eyes lowered further.
"Nope, you're not gonna get out of it that easy," Ichigo groaned. "So now what are we gonna do about all this?"
"Uh, well..." Uzume hemmed as she wasn't quite sure herself. "Talk?" she then suggested as she tilted her head and gave an unsure smile.
"That would be a start at least," Ichigo nodded. "It's not like we can avoid him while I'm here, right?"
"Probably not," she agreed.
"Right," Ichigo nodded as he turned to walk towards Minato. "And Uzume?"
"Yes?"
"Wanna make sure that something like this is mentioned sooner for my sake? I'd like having to avoid having these awkward conversations, y'know."
She straightened and gave him a serious look. "I will," she said with a quick nod, causing her hair to bounce a bit.
"Super. Well let's go make nice with the neighbors."
"Right." Uzume nodded as her ashikabi walked away, and she quickly followed him.
The trio who had quickly amassed onto the engawa quickly stepped back as Ichigo and Uzume made their way inside. Minato's eyes widened in recognization as he identified the strawberry-blonde man towering over Uzume as the neighbor he had met a few days prior. The dim light of the night making most of his features hard to make out at the time.
Unaware of this, Ichigo strode up to the trio in the hallway. "Kagari," he said, acknowledging him with a nod. "Asama-san," he acknowledged next. "Mitsuha," he then said to the boy.
Minato chuckled nervously, scratching his cheek idly, "Ah... it's Minato, actually."
Ichigo blinked, looking at the smaller man and letting off a small grunt. "Uh. Sorry." A soft jab into his rib cage brought his attention to Uzume, who made a brief gesture with her head towards Minanto. Ichigo looked at her impassively for a moment before sighing. "I uh... I kinda have problems with names. I don't have the best memory when it comes to that kind'a thing."
"I-it's all right." Minato replied with a small smile. "Don't worry yourself over it, I'm sure you'll remember it soon enough."
"Well we are neighbors now right? Be too rude if I didn't." Ichigo nodded before turning to Kagari, raising an eyebrow at the man's disheveled appearance. "You look like a mess," he replied. "Do I even wanna know what Miya-san had you doing waiting for us to get back?"
Kagari gave a flat stare to the owner of said voice before closing his eyes and giving his normal smile in an attempt to salvage the situation. "You did give me to Miya as a servant," he mentioned.
"Yes, and she's clearly been working you to the bone," Ichigo dryly replied.
"I do like to think I'm simply employing the best of my servants," Miya interjected. She sighed as she looked at the former shinigami, "You really have left me with quite a predicament here Kurosaki-san."
Ichigo sighed before straightening enough to bow to her, "Thanks for being so patient with this mess. Sorry for any trouble I brought ya."
"Don't worry yourself over it Kurosaki-san," Miya replied with a soft smile. "After seeing the shape those girls were in, I'm happy to help them in any way I can."
Ichigo frowned slightly as he rose back up, "I still wish they weren't put in a position to be so hurt in the first place."
Minato's ears perked up slightly at Ichigo's statement. 'Hurt?'
"About that," Miya began as her smile faded. "Perhaps you could properly explain how you found those girls in such a condition?"
Ichigo nodded, "Sure thing Asama-san. But... can we do this somewhere else? I have a few questions I'd like to ask you too."
"All right then, Kurosaki-san," Miya replied gesturing towards the hallway with a hand. "Shall we discuss this in my office?"
"Sounds good to me," Ichigo replied as he and Miya made their way to her office, Uzume trailing behind her ashikabi.
"E-excuse me," Minato spoke up suddenly. "But what's this about someone being hurt?"
The trio paused for a second, with Uzume turning and nodding towards the repeater. "Yeah, we found some girls in real bad shape on the way home. I brought'em here and Miya-san's been taking care of them 'till we could get back."
"How bad?"
"Real bad," Uzume replied. "It's a miracle we found 'em when we did. I don't wanna think what would've happened if we missed them."
"Is that so?" Minato asked with a small frown forming on his face. He remembered Uzume was a Sekirei, so he had some suspicions at who these girls were.
A Sekirei whose Crest has disappeared... Can never be with her Ashikabi again...
Blinking, he looked up at the Landlady. "Do you want me to help with anything?"
Ichigo raised an eyebrow slightly at the repeater as Miya turned and smiled at her newest tenant. "Of course, Sahashi-san. If you could, please clean and re-dress their wounds. If you need help, make sure to get Kagari-san to assist you."
Kagari blinked at the mention of his name, "Me? But I-"
"You'd be happy to help, wouldn't you Kagari-san?" Miya repeated, a notable pinch of malice surrounding the air around her at the question.
Kagari sweated slightly, "O-of course Miya-san. Leave it to me."
"Outstanding," Miya replied. "Sahashi-san, the girls are in a guest room near Kagari-san's room. The towels are in a linen closet near Kagari-san's room and the bandages are all ready in the room. I'll be back to check up on you as soon as I'm done with Kurosaki-san, alright?" Minato nodded slightly and the trio resumed their trip to Miya's office.
"Oh, and Sahashi-san?" Miya spoke suddenly, as if she was reminded of something.
Minato blinked, pausing from preparing to go down the hallway. "Yes Landlady?"
"Tomorrow morning, we will be discussing the new guest in your room with Musubi-chan." Miya turned and smiled serenely at the repeater. "Right?"
Minato blanched, 'How the heck did she...?' He nodded slightly and said, "O-O-of course, Miya-san."
"Splendid!" Miya chirped. She turned to Ichigo and Uzume, "Shall we get down to business?"
"Yes, lets." Ichigo nodded and soon the trio were on their way once more.
Minato waited until he heard the shoji doors open and close before letting out a breath he was unaware he had been holding. 'A dangerous landlady indeed...' he thought to himself as he walked towards the guest room. Now he had to perfect the relative excuse, but he had time at least.
Meanwhile, standing alone in the kitchen, Kagari stood for a moment. He looked around for a moment before he proceeded to dump the remnants of his attempt at finishing Miya's meal into the garbage. With that debacle done, he pulled out his cell phone and proceeded to dial a nearby pizza place.
After all, those who can do. And those who can't order take-out.
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h43r: Dude, not cool! Ixnay on the xemsay!