Bleach Veiled Moon Chapter 4 WIP

Denoel Muerta said:
Serval said:
Ghostface said:
Serval said:
Wheeljack said:
To be blunt, I do not want to sacrifice our fifth to maintain our rule.
I don't understand. Five doesn't break the rule. Minato has/will have six Sekirei.
The rule we have is Ichigo's group cannot exceed or be equal to Minato's. The debate is if we should lose the 2nd part of that rule.
Then no. I agree with the others. There's no need for a sixth. Think about poor Ichigo's mental health!!
And there is a practical Reason, Guys, why it should only be Five andnot more.

Think about it, sleeping Arrangement, 1 Right Arm 2 Left Arm 3 Right Leg 4 Left Leg 5 Chest.

Now tell me where a sixth has a place, nonwhere, so keep it with Five sekirei
Actually, there's still his head.
 

Seed00

Well-Known Member
Keep Ichigo's number of sekirei at 4. He's not going to want to go after any sekirei anyway, unless of course some of them start reacting and call out to him in his dreams like they did Minato. However, since Matsu will eventually be Minato's sekirei, he won't have the same up to date info as he does.

The handing info wasn't limited to In Flight, Matsu also did that for Minato but the guy didn't know what to do with it.
 

Muramasa

Well-Known Member
Seed00 said:
Keep Ichigo's number of sekirei at 4. He's not going to want to go after any sekirei anyway, unless of course some of them start reacting and call out to him in his dreams like they did Minato. However, since Matsu will eventually be Minato's sekirei, he won't have the same up to date info as he does.

The handing info wasn't limited to In Flight, Matsu also did that for Minato but the guy didn't know what to do with it.
Err... Seed, Ghostface/Wheeljack have already confirmed 5 sekirei.
 

Tsuki_CB

Well-Known Member
People are worrying way too much. One more won't much. More difficult then writing for five would, and if it adds veriaty then that's all the better. That being said, that's my opinion on the harem. I'd still rather of had Ichigo with Uzume and leave it. But seeing as we're going harem, one more won't hurt.
 

CatOnFire

Well-Known Member
For some reason I think one of Ichigo's sekirei will die in the course of this story. Which with Bleach should add some interesting happenstance. A 6th Sekirei would balance in such an event, but would probably be unneeded.
 

zeebee1

Well-Known Member
The threat of killing sekirei if Higa dies shouldn't stop Ichigo. He knows that the afterlife isn't all that bad.
 

Wheeljack

Well-Known Member
Ok, after reading many of your thoughts, with some that we really do agree with, we are going to hold off on that and pretty much just leave it for the Extras 'What-if' stuff if and when we decide to write it. :mmm:

Heh, all that from what was just a idea throw-out in the last half hour we had before turning in. :)

Serval said:
Wheeljack said:
To be blunt, I do not want to sacrifice our fifth to maintain our rule.
I don't understand. Five doesn't break the rule. Minato has/will have six Sekirei.
What I meant was that we had settled on five sekirei, however with our rule there was the idea of replacing the fifth with who we discussed last night (which would have caused issues, as we already have plot points that will come from this) in order not to break the rule of not having more than five.

Seed00 said:
There's nothing wrong with Akitsu, but this time, she should be skipped. Let Mikogami. Every fic where Minato starts out with a diffrent sekirei, Akitsu somehow end sup in there sooner or later. Every. one. of them. I'm not kidding.
Agreed. I like Akitsu, and we both sympathize with her heavily, but pretty much everyone uses her to some degree and we wanted to concentrate mostly on less known ones.

When we started this, as mentioned many, many names came up, from the little known ones to the girls from the game to the well known ones. We never intended to replace Minato (and while Ichigo is the star of this fic, we still lean on Minato being the main for the overall Sekirei story, but Ichigo will have some big impact later on), but even his Sekirei came up. 'How many', 'who', 'can we get away with it', those kind of questions not just for them but for all of them.

We discussed and solidified who he will have for his Sekirei as of Jan (talk began in Oct with prologue started, and over the next few months we went back and forth with it). And as I said in one of the earlier VM threads, some will be surprised, some will say 'who', and some may not agree with who we chose.

NeoSeether said:
[Pedantic (re: filler post)]

Shin Tokyo is strictly a fictional location of Gabriel Blessing's creation, for use in his own story.

In Sekirei canon (as well as this fic), the main plot takes place in the Teito ward of Tokyo.

[/Pedantic]
I haven't read In Flight yet other than chapter 1, but I had heard about this a lot earlier and responded with what we had researched in his thread so here it is in case some missed it:

Tokyo/Teito/The Capital is 'HUEG'. Ranma takes place here. Sailor Moon takes place here. Arakawa Under the Bridge takes place her and so on, but the Wards really do seperate things out. Not to mention, what we tend to talk about Tokyo/The Capital is that it is the Eastern section of Tokyo as a whole.


The entire green section is where Sekirei takes place (and where Sekirei are limited to). Its not cramped and a shitload of room to cover that's easily glossed over. There are maps in Sekirei to confirm this. Seo's map IIRC for Kuno and Haruka place their escape in Adachi. We've guessed that Izumo is somewhere around Arakawa, Taito or southern Kita from Matsu's map when they were looking for Tsukiumi.

As for where we believe Bleach takes place in. Bleach Souls says Karakura is near/at Central Tokyo, and describes it as being far away from the city/cities. There is a crude map (not the one of Karakura proper, there is another one on the left page), and in an abstract way the borders resemble the Hachioji, Hino and Tama regions (its mostly the Hachioji border that it resembles most, its gets more abstract past that). When we see Western and Eastern Tokyo as a whole, yeah, its close to central Tokyo (however center-center would probably be in Fuchu) but we decided on that Karakura is in Hino.

As for why I haven't read In Flight, well, I kinda panicked after the first chapter as I realized the implications. That bit in chapter 4 with Ichigo and Karasuba? I wrote that the day he put out the first chapter. That whole blade to the neck scene in his scared the shit outta me and I realized some things could be crossed over (not to mention his fast paced writing would and has far passed where we are...), and in talking with Ghost it seems some ideas we had... well he beat us to it... I likely will end up reading it after a few more chapters of VM are done.

Denoel Muerta said:
And there is a practical Reason, Guys, why it should only be Five andnot more.

Think about it, sleeping Arrangement, 1 Right Arm 2 Left Arm 3 Right Leg 4 Left Leg 5 Chest.

Now tell me where a sixth? has a place, nonwhere, so keep it with Five sekirei
And thus, the best reason why to keep it at five. :snigger:

Tsuki_CB said:
People are worrying way too much. One more won't much. More difficult then writing for five would, and if it adds veriaty then that's all the better. That being said, that's my opinion on the harem. I'd still rather of had Ichigo with Uzume and leave it. But seeing as we're going harem, one more won't hurt.
IIRC we did have thoughts if Uzume was his one and only. The problem we ended up having was oddly enough that they'd honestly settle in with each other very easily, with not much conflict between them (their first big fight was due to Isshin. Any one else and Uzume would have believed Ichigo 100%, but Isshin played his game good, not to mention Ichigo's own stories about his father would seem embellished to any unknowning outsider). It would be a bit boring, IIRC, if he and Uzume had an easy time while Minato did his thing.
 

Muramasa

Well-Known Member
Out of curiousity, Wheeljack: Since it isn't going to happen, who was the sixth?
 

zeebee1

Well-Known Member
Shin-Tokyo, or Neo-Tokyo is the anime term. It's basically a giant city that was bought up by MBI. It's just Teito with another name.
 

DhampyrX2

Well-Known Member
IIRC we did have thoughts if Uzume was his one and only. The problem we ended up having was oddly enough that they'd honestly settle in with each other very easily, with not much conflict between them (their first big fight was due to Isshin. Any one else and Uzume would have believed Ichigo 100%, but Isshin played his game good, not to mention Ichigo's own stories about his father would seem embellished to any unknowning outsider). It would be a bit boring, IIRC, if he and Uzume had an easy time while Minato did his thing.
I don't know. In a way it offers a nice contrast to the insanity of Minato's life. You would also have the factor of Miya praising Ichigo for his faithfulness while scolding Minato for "being a sex fiend." (Which even if she is meaner in the manga than the anime I still think she has to be teasing him. She has to understand how hopeless and clueless about all this he really is. How does a shy virgin deal with the likes of Tsukiumi and Kazehana for god's sake? Or Matsu for that matter?)
 

zeebee1

Well-Known Member
It could work, but I think this way will be more entertaining. Besides, think of the rumors. In canon Minato is considered a monster due to his large number of powerful sekirei. Now he has an ally with a similar number of powerful sekirei, but where they lack elemental power they make up for in stabbing and smashing implements.
 

DhampyrX2

Well-Known Member
zeebee1 said:
It could work, but I think this way will be more entertaining. Besides, think of the rumors. In canon Minato is considered a monster due to his large number of powerful sekirei. Now he has an ally with a similar number of powerful sekirei, but where they lack elemental power they make up for in stabbing and smashing implements.
So basically, they're seen as the Northern equivalent to Higa and his flunky. I'll admit it does cement them more as a power in the game, almost unfairly so.

When you add Seo to the mix along with those at Izumo, I don't think Haruka and Kuno would even need to run. The mix of Minato, Ichigo, Seo and Miya in the same area united together would be more than the other big three ashikabis and the Disciplinary Squad together could handle. They could literally steamroll Minaka and put a stop to things any time they felt like it. The question would become could Ichigo, who has experience fighting a war against a crazy megalomaniac with a god complex ( even if Minaka tends to act more like and evil version of Isshin than like Aizen most of the time), recognize the strength they have and get everyone motivated to end things?
 

Muramasa

Well-Known Member
Most Sekirei are content just to participate in the Sekirei plan. Whatever the prize is at the end, it's big. On the subject of steamrolling Minaka... well, Minato is paralyzed in fear of losing just one of his Sekirei (Which is very possible if that's attempted.). Minaka owns most of Japan and is the undisputed leader in multiple fields of technology. His death would have rather brutal consequences economically.

No, killing Minaka doesn't solve the Sekirei's problems. If his removal is done quietly, then whoever takes over would still have a hold over the Sekirei. If it's done publicly, then the Sekirei will be exposed to the world and they'd be recaptured as 'specimins'. Oh certain factions can fight back of course but those ashikabi would be branded as murderers and 'world wide criminals'.

Then there's the whole issue with the Jinki. Once that's complete, the wielder is capable of killing every single sekirei and those who have Sekirei ancestry.

Effectly millions. Including Ichigo.

(Unrelated but it also has the power to remove all limiters on a Sekirei's power, making them extremely powerful. Still nowhere close to the upper echelons of the Bleach cast but a significant threat in mass numbers)

I also like the little bit of fanon Gabriel Blessing added about Minaka placing 'failsafe's' in the event of his death forcing the Sekirei plan into conclusion. But that's just me...
 

DhampyrX2

Well-Known Member
Who says they need to kill Minaka to oppose him? The force gathered there once it's complete is more than Minaka, the Disciplinary Squad, Higa, and Mikogami together could handle. Don't forget that Minaka does not harass Miya by herself because he knows she's too powerful to mess with. Now imagine if Ichigo, Minato, and Seo rallied under the same banner with her and told Minaka to take his games and shove them up his ass. Other than cancelling their VIP cards the way he did to Seo there's jack he could do to stop them from removing themselves from the game and declaring the North a safe zone from the Sekirei Plan.

And when you consider that Matsu stole one of the Jinki when she left MBI, you don't have to worry about someone taking it from Miya of all people. The only Sekirei that could come close to Miya is Musubi when she goes Yume on people since we know Yume is strong enough that she refuses to fight Karasuba because Karasuba wouldn't have a chance against her. Even in canon Minato's group is insanely powerful. Now you have Ichigo and his group helping. So you can't de-power the Sekirei since one Jinki will never be collected. Stalemate. Game over.
 

Muramasa

Well-Known Member
You forget, Minaka can amass a lot of military power, not to mention orbital assets and whatever technology was found on the Sekirei ship. It would be very messy yes, but to say they can't get a hold of Matsu's jinki?

I say they can. It doesn't have to be a direct fight.



And I have no clue where you're getting the Yume > Karasuba easily thing.



Edit: Now lets assume Minaka goes postal and says 'screw it! I'm gonna nuke Izumo'. He can call upon an orbital strike, traditional military power, the disciplinary squad and can manipulate other ashikabi to attack as well.

Now Miya is in a spot. She can probably fight off a good deal of that, but that would include killing off a significant portion of her own race and she can't do anything (that I know of) about the orbital attacks.

Minato and Seo are completely vulnerable targets. The death of either of them means the death of their Sekirei (admittedly it's tough to believe Minaka would kill his own son... but it's possible.).

Ichigo in his prime can brush off a lot of this. His sekirei however are vulnerable. And of course the aftermath of this level of assault would be astronomical.
 

DhampyrX2

Well-Known Member
Muramasa said:
You forget, Minaka can amass a lot of military power, not to mention orbital assets and whatever technology was found on the Sekirei ship. It would be very messy yes, but to say they can't get a hold of Matsu's jinki?

I say they can. It doesn't have to be a direct fight.



And I have no clue where you're getting the Yume > Karasuba easily thing.
Yume told Karasuba straight out on the bridge that she wouldn't fight her because Karasuba would lose and then she couldn't keep her promise to Musubi.

As for military assets... really. Against three fifths of the Disciplinary Squad that repelled an armed invasion of the island by themselves not to mention a host of other Sekirei to back them up, including two more single numbers? Miya could wipe out battleships in a single sword pass and you're suggesting she'd sweat a few ground troops? Never mind that Matsu can control electronics remotely with her Norito.

Then you have the fact that all Minaka would be doing is painting a target on himself. Right now the only one that really wants him dead is Homura. Imagine if he somehow managed to say kill Kusano with an armed response. Matsu only needs an order from Minato, a kiss, and Minato being pushed by his grief enough to think of it to go Base Delta Zero on MBI tower with their own orbital lazers and damn the consequences. Minaka needs the civility of the game or every ashikabi out there with a grudge against him will have more reason to attack him than to attack each other. If he pushes, Miya could push back. That's why he's left her alone to this point.

The real question is if Minaka is crazy enough to try it anyway? The fact he was savvy enough to built a corporation that in integral to the operation of the whole planet at this point suggests he's not that stupid. He might whine about it but he would not attack outright against a force of that strength. He would have more to lose than they would.
 

Muramasa

Well-Known Member
@Dhampyr: Check my edit please. You also assume team Izumo would be prepared for such an assault and that they only kill off Kusano and not people much more vital such as the Ashikabi.

Edit: Also assumes that everyone would be stationed at Izumo and Minaka can't just pick off ashikabi/sekirei at the worst possible times.

Edit 2:
Yume told Karasuba straight out on the bridge that she wouldn't fight her because Karasuba would lose and then she couldn't keep her promise to Musubi.
Are you sure she said that? Because I just rewatched that episode and Yume said no such thing... maybe it was a different sub?

That's also an anime only fight... technically not canon.
 
Not to mention that not only is Minaka Minato's father (okay, so it hasn't been outright said, but it's so heavily implied it might as well be) for whatever good that's worth to a madman like Minaka, but if Minaka 'does' cause Minato's death, Takimi will kill him!

Also, in the official anime release, Yumi 'did' say that she was too powerful and Karasuba would loose to her.
 

Muramasa

Well-Known Member
link to the sub please. The sub of the episode I watched implied no such thing. Or do you mean English dub? If you are, that's even less legitimate.
 

zeebee1

Well-Known Member
I remember one time where Karasuba said compared to the Inn Keeper Yume was on a entirely different level. There is a reason that she thinks the girl with a shard of Yume's power would make a good fight.
 

Wheeljack

Well-Known Member
the DragonBard said:
Not to mention that not only is Minaka Minato's father (okay, so it hasn't been outright said, but it's so heavily implied it might as well be) for whatever good that's worth to a madman like Minaka, but if Minaka 'does' cause Minato's death, Takimi will kill him!

Also, in the official anime release, Yumi 'did' say that she was too powerful and Karasuba would loose to her.
It has been stated that Minaka is Minato's father.

When he had the idea to let Minato come for Chiho's cure he said in his monologue to Takami that Minato was his son.
 

Muramasa

Well-Known Member
zeebee1 said:
I remember one time where Karasuba said compared to the Inn Keeper Yume was on a entirely different level. There is a reason that she thinks the girl with a shard of Yume's power would make a good fight.
Your memory is a little off.


In the manga Karasuba describes Yume as "A Foul Player" and Miya as "Another Dimension".


Edit: Finally found that whole thing about Yume stomping Karasuba. And as I suspected, it's the English Dub.


>_> And this is why dub fails. Because it's making up random crap that isn't supported by anything. You won't find any of this in the manga, the fansubs or even the wiki.
 

Ghostface

Lazy Bastard...
Hi, kids!

First a few things, work is going smoothly on chapter five, but we have something new to show you while that work continues. It's the first of our Veiled Moon what-if's. Hopefully this will keep you folks tied over until chapter five is done as that's gonna be another long one per usual.

Also, Muramasa... you wanted to know who was the girl that made us bring the debate to you guys about making her a member of Ichigo's harem?

Well... here's your answer. Enjoy.

============================================================

It has been said that Teito was a city of layers, and that MBI headquarters was its newest and greatest crown jewel. It was a beautiful tower, and the definition of state of the art if a building could claim such a title. Some even proclaimed it to be more magnificent than many of it's western contemporaries. More than anything, the tower represented the new order and new way of things in this society today.

Inside, the tower built by the technological wonder storm that MBI had become were as many amenities that one could imagine. Atop of the many laboratories, offices, and research facilities that they hosted were a plethora of gymnasiums. living quarters, and many other faculties that one would expect to find in a deluxe penthouse, not a place of work.

But when one considers this is also the headquarters for the Sekirei game, the surprise diminishes greatly.

Inside one of the living quarters, the sounds of someone eating could be heard. It was a mix of an office room with a normal residential home, or at least one with as much decor of a grand hotel. Two women sat in what would be considered the living room, absorbed in their business. One sat cross-legged on the couch, idly eating a box of pocky and looking out the window of the room with a dazed detachment, magazines strewn about haphazardly amongst empty boxes and bags of candy and chips.

Across the room the other woman sat, saying nothing as she ran her naked blade across the millstone before her. She took a few swipes on the material before she would stop, wet the stone and continue as she diligently sharpened her weapon.

Both were so engrossed with their preoccupation that they did not take notice of a thumping sound that seemed to be getting louder.

-WHAM-

Both Haihane and Karasuba looked up to see Benitsubasa march forward through the door with her arm still outstretched. Leaving a spiderweb of cracks where the doorknob impacted, the door itself bounced back quick enough to be caught by her outstretched hand and slammed backwards to shut it by the walking girl.

Standing at 5' 2" she had a petite frame that belied the awesome physical power she had at her fingertips. Her stunning pink eyes were currently narrowed in anger and her stiff arms held her balled fists as she stomped her way passed her two teammates. She had bright pink hair, the same color as her eyes, that had been pulled back into a ponytail that formed at the left-back side of her head. Despite being pulled back, she had left enough of her bangs free to stylize by having it combed from the right side of her head to the left with two locks of hair framing her face. They bounced as the girl continued to stomp her way to her room, growling to the other two Sekirei without turning to acknowledge them.

Seeing her mood Haihane lifted a hand to her face to semi cover her grinning face and catch any falling crumbs. "What's wrong Benitsubasa? Did someone mistake you for a boy again?" She asked, her shoulders moving up and down as she snickered, bits of food spitting out as she needled her teammate.

Benitsubasa turned to glare at her, baring her teeth and giving her a wide-eyed look of rage that would have many others pissing in their pants, but not Haihane. Haihane continued to snicker as Benitsubasa made her way to her room and slammed the door shut behind her.

The show done, Haihane settled down and continued to stare at the door that Benitsubasa had slammed shut. "She's at it again," she commented.

After a minute passed by Karasuba looked up from her blade to Haihane. "Were you talking to me?" she asked.

Haihane shrugged in reply, knowing the longest member of the Disciplinary Squad didn't care one way or the other. "You haven't noticed?"

Karasuba went back to her blade. "I don't care either way."

And Haihane's observations prove correct again as she shrugged away the answer and stared at the door for another minute before putting another pocky stick into her mouth and resumed chewing.

Inside her room Benitsubasa stood at her closet breathing hard. Sweat trickled down her brow as she concentrated on what she needed to do. Grabbing her yellow gi she tossed it on her bed and began to strip. Once skimmed down to her panties she walked towards her bed and listed, the room suddenly leaning to one side as her arms shot out towards the bed for support. Arched over the bed her head fell low and her ponytail spilled onto her bed as she kept her position, deigning to only have one knee provide extra support by pressing it against the side of her bed; her pride still enough to keep it from the top and lying on her bed as she tried to regain control.

Opening her eyes she saw from an upside-down point of view her legs and the tips of her breasts pointing downward as she continued to take in large gulps of air for a few more minutes as she began to regain control over her body and equilibrium. Lifting herself off her bed she stood without teetering an wiped her head and the sweat off and grabbed the sports bra to put it on. She growled as she could almost hear Haihane poke fun at her for that. She was by no means flat, but her breasts were small enough that to her utter chagrin and one particular teammate's pleasure that they could be poked fun at.

Soon enough she was tightening her gi's belt and her padded red fingerless fighting gloves. On her feet, white tennis shoes with a pink trim rested, matching her hair appropriately as she made her way to her next destination. Not caring about her future teammates and what they may be doing she slammed the door open and once more began to stomp towards the door to the main hallway of MBI's Residential section of MBI Tower.

"Going to the gym?" Haihane asked, causing Benitsubasa to pause in her march to glare back. Was she stupid? She had her gi on, where else could she go? Instead the pale Sekirei tittered once more with narrow eyes. "What happened to make you take so long to put that on?"

Snorting Benitsubasa turned with a huff and continued to the door.

"It was quiet the whole time, so it couldn't be you playing with yourself again."

And with that she stiffly came to a stop and shakily turned her head to Haihane, her expression far scarier than the one she gave when she came in. "I'll kill you," she said in a low voice and a vein popping out of her forehead.

"So what's wrong?" Haihane asked as if Benitsubasa never spoke and crunching another pocky stick.

Eyes twitching, Benitsubasa turned and grabbed the doorknob so hard the metal knob twisted as if it were play-doe and was nearly pulled out the door as it was yanked.

-CRASH-

Haihane winced as the door was slammed so hard the sides shattered into splinters and the doorknob now hung loosely as the door bounced back a bit, no longer having anywhere to lock to.

Karasuba lifted her head from her blade and opened her eyes momentarily before closing them again to turn to Haihane. "Now that you mention it, she has been acting strange now has she?"

"I thought you didn't care?"

"You're right," Karasuba answered and resumed sharpening her katana.

======

Dammit...

Her gloved fists slammed into the thick rope in a blurred sequence of face and body shots. The seven foot tall, and five foot thick concrete makawara didnÆt give much, but the entire foundation of the thing shook. Her opponent would have had cracked ribs and been missing teeth.

Dammit...

Her left foot, turned out, shot forward, her heel slamming into lower part of the striking post. Then she was gliding forward, smooth and fast, her right knee crushing into the mid section of the makawara. Right foot crossed behind left, stepping backwards, then she was spinning around to the left, right leg hooking out and her right heel slammed into the rope-covered cement. This time the floor groaned, dust exploding from the makawara and floor, even though the striking post was anchored directly to the foundation.

A sekireiÆs shin would have been cracked, his or her diaphragm bruised, and s/he would have had to pull her heel *out *of their temple.

Why you...? Why now...?

Her left fist tightened as she shot forward, her whole body rocketing like a bullet, fist ripping through layers of four inch thick roped that could have stopped a katana. Her shoulders heaving, sweat gleaming on her tanned face, Benitsubasa slumped into a slightly glum cross-legged posture, red fingerless gloved hands cupping her chin, arm resting on her thighs.

She was dressed like she normally did when she trained, a plain yellow sleeveless gi over a black sports bra that hugged her small but very firm and pert breasts tightly. Black Spandex pants covered her lower body, already showing her toned thigh muscles, and now that they were damp with sweat, those who cared to look could see the outlines of her panties.

She glared at the pulverized remains of the makawara, no closer to the answer to her question that had been haunting her for the past month. A month ago, she wouldn't have wasted so many movements on the thing. A month ago, she wouldn't have used so much power to make a mess of shredded rope and cracked concrete. A month ago, she had all the focus, discipline, and motivation she needed to reach her goal.

But that... was a month ago.

With a deep sigh the adorable young sekirei stood, looking for a new outlet to focus her rage on. Her fists clenched tightly as she felt a presence behind her, and she let off a growl as she twisted around angerly at the unwelcome newcomer, "WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" she barked.

Only to freeze in shock as she met Natsuo's surprised gaze. "Well... that's a new one."

"Ah... ah... ah..." she gaped with a hand held close to her mouth in response to the man who was to be the future Ashikabi of the third Disciplinary Squad.

"Well, at least you do keep the staff busy these days Benitsubasa." Natsuo commented as he made his way to the shell shocked Sekirei.

"Sorry," she muttered, looking away from the man with a slight flush on her cheeks.

""No harm, no foul," Natsuo shrugged off easily enough, recognizing the sincerity of her tone. "Still, I do wonder what's going on in that head of yours. You've been coming in here a lot recently. Are you nervous?"

"No," she said flatly as she hemmed a bit with her arms now around her back. She rolled on her heel as she continued, "At least not about that. I'm just... just a little to anxious I guess."

Natsuo frowned slightly at her lackluster response. "Anxious are you?" She nodded briefly, but still didn't turn to look at him. "You've been rather anxious for this past month then. Your damages are getting to be so high that even Sahashi-san is getting curious."

"I'll be more careful then," Benisubasa bit back. "Was there something else you wanted Natsuo, or are we done here?"

Natsuo's eyebrow rose at the tone in the Sekirei's voice. There were times where he caught sight of her explosive ire when she was unaware of his presence, but this was the first time he seemed to be on the receiving end of it. "No... no that's all for now. I'll let you get back to your training then..." He trailed off looking toward the direction he entered. "Do remember that if you need anyone to talk too... MBI does have some of the finest psychiatrists in the world."

"I said-" she slapped her hands over her moth as she almost snapped at Natsuo again.

"You said?" Natsuo pried as he turned back to her.

"I said don't be silly!" Benisubasa replied as she removed her hands from her lips and waved sheepishly at him and then gave the pharmaceutical department clerk a bright smile, "I'm fine. I just can't wait for that day is all!"

"Right..." Natsuo drawled. "Before I forget, there was the matter of the door to the Disciplinary Squad room. It was broken to pieces an hour ago."

"It's that idiot Haihane's fault." she replied quickly. "That idiot wasn't looking and broke it."

"Uh huh," Natsuo replied. "I wish you wouldn't call her names. You two are going to be partners soon after all."

"I'll stop calling her an idiot when she stops making me right," Benisubasa replied as she crossed her arms and looked away and slightly upwards with a huff.

Natsuo just sighed at her reply, rubbing the bridge of his nose tiredly. "It never ends does it? Just remember what I said ok?"

Benitsubasa simply nodded as Natsuo turned to leave the training facility. When he was gone, Benitsubasa's smile faded. Her false cheer replaced with a irritated frown. "Dammit... what's wrong with me?" she growled as her hands balled into fists. "I'm so close to getting everything I wanted, and I'm about to blow it."

She shot her right hand forward. The right-handed punch flew straight and true, fast and with enough force to shatter bone. "And I snapped at Natsuo. Natsuo!! I... I never snapped at Natsuo before..." she moaned irritably as she brought her hands to her forehead and tilted her head downward and shook it. Within her mind's eye she saw Natsuo's smiling face... His cool gaze as he went about his business... His small smile when he was in his element... Even his stylish hair...

Everything about him screamed COOL to her. And he was going to be her Ashikabi soon. Her husband! The utter cherry on top of her dreams coming true. Despite one glaring flaw that she was absolutely sure she could fix he was all she ever wanted in an Ashikabi. This was all she ever wanted in her life. To have a cool, handsome Ashikabi and to be able to battle to her hearts content in the Sekirei game.

But that... was a month ago.

That was before she ran into...

HIM.

======

So... yeah... Benisubasa has a problem...
 
...Eugh, a tsundere. Probably my least favorite type of character. >_>

Now I don't feel so bad on this potential harem member getting the boot.
 
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