Bleach Veiled Moon Chapter 6 WIP

Jimbobob5536

Well-Known Member
#27
Never quite understood the full impact of staying in a bath too long. 's never happened to me, and I've spent over an hour in a hot tub before.

Anyway, fun part. Gradually breaking down Ichigo's walls, at least in regards to Uzume. Ikki probably still has a LONG way to go, not to mention Yashima..... if she doesn't get a bad end.
 

blackmamuth

Well-Known Member
#28
Very nice, but I suggest toning down Minato's sister.

It reads like a caricature.
 

Jimbobob5536

Well-Known Member
#29
That's what Yukari IS though, even in the source material.

She's over the top.
 

Ghostface

Lazy Bastard...
#30
Oh look, another post. Must be near done for real huh?

Enjoy.

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


??????

The birds outside sang to greet the warm sun as its rays streamed down through the window above the futon. But even as the dawn shed a friendly glow, a darker, more perverse scene had played out in the room that the beams of light now shown into. The sounds of pleasure could easily been heard by any eavesdropper as they had reverberaed through the old home. And now those sounds had given to the happy sighs of the afterglow.

This was the feeling she had long been searching for. The sweet euphoria and unyelding pleasure that had rocketed through her body as she clung to the young male body she lay atop of. She had always been curious, even obsessed with what it felt like to be filled with a man's hunger. She opened her mouth and sighed again as she lazily drew circles over his stomach, causing him to twitch and she smiled, remembering the raw animal scream both shared as they climaxed together.

The warm bliss of completion; she lay atop her Ashikabi, spent and satified as she kissed him. "Good Morning, Ichigo-sama."

"G'mornin yourself, Matsu," he answered, holding her. With his free hand, he wiped the sweat from his brow. "I think I could get used to waking up like that."

Matsu grinned leterously as she gently scratched his chest with her nails. "You're going to have to," she promised, closing her eyes and snuggling closer to... to...

"'S that a promise?" he asked, brushing her hair with his fingers. The voice was now different, but she had not recognized the change yet.

"I wouldn't lie to you," She smiled and stretched, letting out a contented sigh and opened her eyes and looked into Minato's blue ones. "I can't believe I'm finally here."

"Hmmm?"

"With you, I mean." she clarified to Minato.

"I'm glad you are, Matsu," he replied as he kissed her forehead. Again the voice changed.

"I don't know what I'd be without you," Ichigo's voice said.

She clasped his hand and closed her eyes. "You don't know how much I've wanted to hear you say that," she said softly. It was then that a cold, clammy hand reachered behind her to clasp her under her chin and she jumped at the touch.

"Oh ho ho...," the newcomer laughed. "What do we have here~?"

Shivering, Matsu woodenly turned her head to see Uzume laying with them, nude and now rubbing Matsu's cheek.

"I congratulate you on your guts, even I never imagined you'd pull this off. Fu fu fu~," Uzume laughed as she smiled before suddenly it disappeared from her face, now stone cold as she gazed down at a piece of dead meat.

"Wai-wai- wait Uzume, don't you see Minato here?" she screamed and turned to see Minato smile back and them. "See?" She screamed and turned back to Uzume.

"See who, Matsu?" Ichigo's voice asked behind her.

"Huh?"

"I told you to stay away while I worked, didnt I?" Uzume's replied as her eyes began to glow blood red.

"Is-Is it too late to ask for leniency?" Matsu asked in a timid voice.

"Far. Far too late," her voice echoed as her hair began to flutter up.

"U-Uzume! Ichigo!?!" She turned to find herself in pitch blackness, alone with Uzume. "NNNOOOOOO!!!!!"

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

"GAAAAAAAAH!!" Matsu screamed as she bolted awake in her bed. She clutched her chest and breathed in and out deeply while looking around her room frantically, calming when she noticed the comforting light of her numerous monitors surrounding her. She let out a sigh of relief and idly wiped the sweat from her brow. "Oh man... what... what the hell...?!" She whispered as she continued heave.

She turned and looked at the monitors that had Ichigo sleeping soundly with Uzume in his arms and let off a slight shudder, "If that ain't a sign, I don't wanna know what is," she muttered and shut the moniter off.

'But waitaminit...' she thought as memories of her dream turned nightmare entailed.

Moving to her keyboard she clicked a few commands and another monitor changed feed. There onscreen were Minato and Musubi, the latter now in his futon clutching him mightily with her arms and legs.

"....is a wife..." her microphones picked up Musubi mumbling.

She continued to think again, remembering both were there. Not at the same time, no, that would have been too much fun. The thought seemed to pick her spirits up as she thought a bit more. 'It's not a reaction, I don't think. If it was it would have only been one Ashikabi, not two...' she thought as more lecherous thoughts took over before shaking her head.

No. If anything, waiting to make a decision was making things worse. She needed to choose. Soon. And...

She paused as she wiggled. Ah well, might as well use the bathroom while I'm up...

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

The Next Morning...

'I really don't wanna be here,' Maiko thought irritably as she strolled towards the waiting line of the train station. 'I really don't wanna be here and I really don't wanna deal with this asshole.'

But she had to for her Aoshi-chan. So for him, she'd suck it up and bear it.

Didn't mean she'd make it easy on the prick.

With that thought in mind, she sat down at a bench and waited. A half hour later, a train entered the station and moments later Maiko spotted Junichi amongst the gathered masses. He was dressed in a jean jacket, blue jeans, a black t-shirt, black sunglasses, and for a change a red and white striped bandanna. He smirked as he caught sight of Maiko.

"Well, it it ain't my favorite trackin' bitch," Junichi greeted cheerfully. "How ya doin'?"

"I'll be better when this is all over," Maiko replied curtly.

"Yes, yes it will," Junichi agreed as he walked up to her before all pleasantries dropped from his expression. "Where?"

"The hotel up about a mile or so ahead," Maiko replied.

Junichi's eyes closed as a wide grin split his face. "Then lets go get her."

Maiko repressed a shudder as Junichi charged forward. She glared at his back and followed, vowing to take a long shower when this was all done.

The journey back took about a half hour longer due to Junichi's reluctance to go to the roofs until they got near the hotel, not bothering to listen to what she had to say and only saying to bring him to where she had been spying from. Before long both stood atop the building that Maiko was atop last night, facing the hotel, Junichi fiddling with the binoculars that Maiko had left there With the sun still rising the side they were looking at was still shaded. Junichi had arrived on the roof a few minutes ago and only spoke now that he caught his breath. He hadn't wasted time, despite the longer time to arrive. The young punk had ran from the train station to the building they were on now.

"So she's holing up here," Junichi said rhetorically, searching the hotel's balconies with the binoculars as if to find the one she would be using.

"Yup," Maiko said rather disinterestedly and ignored the glare he gave her. After a couple minutes she spoke up. "What next?"

The young punk's eyes narrowed as he focused on the pristine building, "Wait for her to leave then follow her. Then you can kick rocks."

She sneered and sucked up her breath through her nose as she made a face. This fucker right here...

"So you can show everyone how well you did like last time?" She spat. She was tired of this. Tired of his attitude. Tired of his childish anger. Tired of his hold over her Aoshi-chan.

Junichi quickly glared at her, looking a bit unhinged.

"What? You mad?" Maiko asked.

He took a step toward her.

"Oh, please do try," she said with a pleasant smile. "You've seen to forgotten the difference between us. Her too from all your failures."

"You bitch..." he said as he took another step.

"It's amazing she just hasn't stepped on you yet..."

"Keep talking and I'll cut Yagami."

Her cheer stopped and she glared as he continued to stomp towards her and he grabbed her by the collar.

"You know I will, bitch," he spat getting in her face. "Ear ta fuckin' ear. So you just do what you need to do and fuck off if ya want yer boy toy ta still be breathin'. You fuckin' understand me?!?"

She stayed still as they stood nose-to-nose and she brought a hand up to grab ahold of the one at her collar.

Junichi's rage faded as he tooked in a deep breath, holding back a grunt of pain as he loosened his grip on her collar. Once freed she let him go in kind. Nursing his hand they glared at each other for a couple mintues. Finally...

"How long do you think she'll be holed up?"

At this she tilted her head at him, "Truth be told, she left an hour ago that way," she said and nodded in the direction Yashima went off to as he then gagged at her.

"AND YOU ONLY-!"

"You were catching your breath!" She bit back at him. Prick.

"THEN LETS GO!!" he screamed as he turned to rush to the door.

She held a breath as she glared at his retreating form. The dumbass psycho should've asked for a lift if he was in that much of a hurry. As much as she hated it she was at a point where she wanted this over so she'd never have to talk to him again. It was always like this when either she or Rias caught up with Yashima only for Junichi to arrive and bumble his way out of things, several times with him in front of the damn Sekirei.

And always wanting to do it himself.

She then hopped off the building, triangle hopping with the adjacent building to slow her ascent and wait at the entrance for him. Right now, if he caught up to her and didn't end up winging her by night, she'd step in.

And damn whatever he felt.

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

Ichigo left for his room, his mind awhirl with what he had heard from the youngest resident of Maison Izumo during breakfast. Breakfast was now over, and Miya along with Uzume and Musubi were helping with the clean up as he reached the stairs. As he climbed them the topic of discussion kept echoing through his head. The day had started simple enough, Uzume oddly out of his bed before he woke up while Ikki was entwined in her blanket. As Ichigo came down for breakfast Uzume had passed by him on her way to the stairs and pirouetted in front him, pausing and making a pose, crossing her legs and bending to the side slightly with her arms out but bent to her face, each index finger extended and pressing into her cheeks as she smiled.

She was wearing her hair in the ponytailed style that he had complimented her on the night before.

Wiping his face to cover his blush he greeted her and said he needed to go to the restroom real quick before going to the table where Musubi and Kuu had looked like they were childishly arguing over Minato, who looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there. Something the kid had said about being a wife too had Ichigo give Minato a flat look who had then started to shake his head vigorously at him.

"A ghost?" Uzume had repeated incredulously after swallowing a bit of food at the table, Ichigo now intently focused on what the girl had said as before he had been taking a few glances at his Sekirei as they had eaten.

Blinking a few times Ikki swiftly looked around and over her should before taking a large breath and had hopped back on her butt and had scooted over to the kid as much as possible and leaned behind Musubi to place the palm of her hand on the child's head and rubbed it with a smile. "Hehehe... D-Don't be s-silly kid, ain't no such thing as g-g-ghosts... hehehe."

That had been the last bit Ichigo had heard as his mind began to race with ideas on what Kuu had seen the night prior, missing the byplay of Miya jokingly suggesting that it was a valid reason for Kuu to have been in Minato and Musubi's room. He had been snapped back into the conversation when he had been bumped by Uzume when she had suddenly jerked closer to him and he blinked, hearing her say something along the lines of that something or other didn't sound like someone she had ever heard.

As to what that had meant he hadn't a clue.

He had turned to look at the kid again, absentmindedly hearing Miya scoff at the thought of a spirit in her Inn while the others for some reason stiffened once more. He would have turned to see why but the look on Kuu's face had reminded him of Yuzu from years back whenever she had been scared of something and felt something in him wrench. "Hey, kid" he had prompted, getting her attention and the others, who seemed surprised at him for some reason. "Did this ghost say anything or try to do anything?"

At the mention of the cause of her fear, Kuu, who was ready to do battle with her nemesis squeaked and then scooted behind Minato to hide behind him.

"Kurosaki-san," Miya had said, "It isn't nice to scare young children" she admonished.

Just as it seemed that the atmosphere behind her was about to change Kagari quickly spoke up, holding both bandaged hands up. "She simply said that she saw someone with long hair and glasses," he blurted out while seemingly eyeing Miya with worry.

Ichigo frowned at how they were deflecting this however at the back of his mind he was reminded he had not been too happy to hear Kagari waive off questions on why his hands were bandaged.

"And that she laughed," Ikki then mentioned before blinking. "I-Ichigo-sama! Y-you mean you believe in g-ghosts?!"

And at that Uzume suddenly leaned into him, giggling nervously, also casting nervous glances at Miya. What the hell was going on?

"D-don't let it bother you Ichigo. Okay?"

He sighed and shook his head as he reached the top of the stairs at the oddball antics earlier.

As he was midway in the hall he came to a halt. Hands in his pocket he closed his eyes and tilted his head up as if he were looking at the ceiling. After a moment he took a deep breath and let it out and opened his eyes, a frown now gracing his face. 'Goddammit.

He hated this.

He hated being reminded of this.

Dammit. If the kid were spiritually aware that meant there was a Plus somewhere nearby and if it wasn't purified in time...

He grit his teeth and glared at the ceiling. 'Dammit all! Just who the hell is the Rep for this district anyway!?' He thought, real anger beginning to build up. If the shinigami rep didn't make it in time...

A flash of memory to when his family was attacked by that Hollow. When he met Rukia...

When that thing held his sister in its clutches.

His brow furled more and frown became snarl as his lips parted to reveal clenched teeth as he growled and shook with growing rage when his imagination took over and the image of his sister was replaced with the younger Kuu.

"-go!" A voice called out, snapping him out of his thoughts.

He brought his head down and saw Uzume looking up at him fearfully, her hands on his shoulders. He grimaced and looked away, shoving his anger away as best he could and thoughts of him not noticing her or that she grabbed hold of her.

"Ichigo-"

"I'm alright," he blurted. "Just thinkin'."

He felt one of her hands reach for his face. Her hand was trembling.

He grumbled in anger at himself as he felt her other hand touch the other part of his face and allowed her to turn his head to her. "A-are you okay?"

He looked at her and saw the deep concern she had as she tried to calm herself. "Just... bad memories," he said as he shook his head as she let go of his face and circled her arms around him.

=====

Matsu looked at her monitors, a rare serious frown on her face as she leaned forward and rested her chin on her steepled fingers, her index fingers pressed against her lower lip.

That had been odd.

Odd and frickin' scary there for a sec. A face that would have given the Black Sekirei pause was paused on her monitor and she shivered. Just what could have made the man react that way? Not something so simple as the silly ghost story going around? Was it?

She had watched as Uzume climbed the stairs after him just after he had paused in the hallway, the look on her face mischevious. Knowing Uzume, she was likely going to do the same thing she would have done in that situation and tease the poor boy about believing in ghosts 'n goblins and other made up scary stuff. Calling out to him didn't get a reaction and when she got to his front she could see her face visibly pale before she started to shake him when he didn't react to her trying to snap him out of it.

She breathed in audibly as she continued to watch, the microphones picking up Uzume trying to get Ichigo to open up to her as she followed him to his room. At this Matsu smirked. Who knew Uzume would turn out to be the perfect little wife?

Which of course brought her back to her current predicament.

Turning to another monitor she looked at another scene that was taking place on the engawa. Minato was sitting on it with Musubi sitting to his his left, an eager look on her face. A little further out in the garden area Kuu was singing to herself and looking at the flowers, now far calmer than she was at the breakfast table.

"A ghost is...," the microphones picked up Minato starting off before looking up as to gather his thoughts and Matsu fell back comically with a thud.

"Don't tell me eighty-eight doesn't know what ghosts are...?" She mumbled in disbelief on the floor before getting back up to hear Minato explain it to her as best he could. She shook her head but stared at the boy and thought again on what to do as she wiggled her hips. 'What to do, what to do? she thought, the conundrum of the last few days now reaching greater heights.

On one hand was Ichigo and she palmed a cheek as she thought back on some of the things she had seen within the last three months and sucked up a bit of drool as she cackled a bit. And here was Minato, still doing his best to explain to his Sekirei about this morning. Cute. Really cute...

"AAAAAAaaaahhhhhh!!!!!" she wailed in frustration as she shook her head, both hands palmed to the sides of her forehead.

As good as Ichigo was Uzume had been pretty clear on how she wanted to handle him...

Handle....ku ku ku....

Ahem.

As good as he was and looked Uzume was adament that she take her time to break him in, and she had been doing a good job at it. However there had been a few quirks to him that she was seeing in him now that he had another Sekirei. Just what was wrong with that boy?

She turned her attention to what was going on in his room and snickered. Looks like Uzume cracked his mood with some humor as a red faced Ichigo was telling her no as best he could as she had her pink and purple star shirt scrunched up to her neck as if she were taking it off with her bra dislodged upwards, her breasts and nipples now bared as much as they could be.

She wiped an eye with a finger before shaking her head again as on the monitor Uzume pouted playfully while Ichigo grabbed the shirt and pulled down, doing his best not to look like he had been staring at the girl's goods the whole time while Uzume had a bit of knowing wicked grin on her face. 'What was wrong with him?' Most other guys his age would have buried thier heads happily in that bosom and nuzzle and suckle those puppies to their heart's content.

Hell, she'd happily suckle them too if it'd get him up for some good...

She wiped the drool from her mouth at the image.

Like Uzume, Matsu had no gender preference, and like Uzume had wanted an Ashikabi to love amongst other things. However, Matsu had deduced that she'd more likely get some action, potentially with both genders if her Ashikabi were male. After all, what man wouldn't like watching his girls get it on before rising himself to the occasion and then take them both in full-

She stopped as she turned her head again to see Ichigo on the monitor and sighed.

Probably that poor boy.

She sighed as she turned her head to watch Minato and Eighty-Eight again. Kuu had brought up some flowers to show off. "Kuu is also a wife!" The monitors picked up and she cackled.

It was like a soap opera!

She continued to watch as Musubi got in on it before tackling Minato with Kuu joining. She watched his face as he looked comically horrified before calming down and gently looking at both of them, who were now intently having a staring contest with each other. With a smile, a real one she realized, he had put two hands atop both of their heads and said something that her monitors didn't pick up but caused both of his Sekirei to smile and she sighed again.

He really was a cutie himself, looking the same as when she had first met him.

Her thoughts turned from the almost family-esque image on the monitor and remembered bumping into him on one of the few rare outdoor forays that she took for some books that she couldn't get online around a week ago or so. While on the street he had accidently bumped into her, knocking the books out of her arms and he quickly helped picked them up for her, apologizing as best he could while she got a good look at him before he walked off. Seeing him and Eighty-Eight literally drop in a day later made her wonder if it wasn't fate at play.

Her conciousness returned to the present as she looked at him, his face softer than Ichigo's and not nearly as harsh. He was almost a bit wishy-washy but he seemed okay with multiple Sekirei. And Eighty-Eight had seemed rather overjoyed at him winging the young girl.

Speaking of multiple Sekirei...

She turned her head to see Izumo's newest residents in their room. Numbers Nineteen Ikki and Seventy-Eight Nanaha. Number Nineteen was once more in her room looking over Seventy-Eight, changing the wet cloth that was at Seventy-Eight's forehead. Inexplicately, Nineteen would pause every so often to seemingly look over her shoulder before resuming her vigil, looking nervous every so often.

She shook her head in sympathy for seventy-eight, hearing she had a run-in with Karasuba which explained her current comatose state but was amazed that both Sekirei managed to survive. Having overheard Nineteen it seemed Ichigo had a hand in play there, which likely explained Nineteen's reaction to him and the winging that happened shortly afterwards.

Or more likely self-winging herself to him, as Ichigo did not seem to take it very well.

She crossed her arms and her mouth scrunched up a bit. That was not good. Ashikabi could use multiple Sekirei to help give them a better chance at protection and winning the Game. And from what she overheard he hadn't known about it. And worse, it sounded like if he had overheard he would have done something to avoid it.

Not good at all.

Even more puzzling was how Uzume had acted too. The Uzume she had escaped with from MBI would have easily mentioned and welcomed more Sekirei for her Ashikabi. And while she was cordial, it wasn't how Matsu thought it'd be as Uzume seemed to be tip-toeing around Nineteen.

Very strange indeed.

Then again, maybe it wasn't. She turned to look at the monitor that had Ichigo and Uzume on it and noted Uzume's change in hairstyle. Instead of her side ponytail, Uzume had her long hair in a high tied ponytail, her excess hair tied into a bun before the rest flared out to fall behind it, puffing out a bit with thick locks standing up like a pineapple before the rest fell to either spike out and curve away down to end just as her bottom hairline ended at the top of her neck at her back. Her bangs were unchanged, as were the two locks of hair that fell from the sides of her foreheard to frame her face, ending nearly at the bottom of her neck at the front.

On the monitor Ichigo and Uzume now sat, side by side with Uzume's legs brought up to her chin as her arms encircled her knees as she tilted her head to talk to Ichigo, who was sitting cross legged and talking to her, whatever anger and embarrassment he had felt now a memory as they chatted. The side ponytail had been a clear indicator of her playful and tomboyish personality, but the new look ponytail made her look far more girlish than before and she felt an intense cold stab of envy at Uzume.

The girl was in love. Head over heels in love with that boy. Badly..

Matsu mumbled unhappily as she shoved all the metaphors away as she could easily see the stars in the other Sekirei's eyes as she suddenly said something and giggled and Ichigo just shook his head at her joke. The husband and wife on one end, and a little family on the other. Who to choose?

Whoever it was, Matsu knew she wanted to be a part of it.

Now.

=============
 

nick012000

Well-Known Member
#31
Oh, boy. Ichigo's brooding about how he doesn't have power, and can't protect people, and it's only going to get worse when he meets Yashima and Junichi! It shouldn't take long now before he regains them.
 

Wheeljack

Well-Known Member
#33
For those curious about Uzume's new hairstyle from here on out.

 

zeebee1

Well-Known Member
#34
Ichigo has no power? While it's true that he's about to encounter another sekirei, he's also going to be encountering a bumbling human who mistakenly thinks he's invincible. Even without powers Ichigo is far from helpless. He didn't even immediately lose against the lightning twins.
 

Waruiko

Well-Known Member
#35
Is it just me or does the b-story about this wandering sekirei and the people chasing her or whatever feel kinda boring and sad. Maybe its just because it feels like its breaking the normal narrative up so much and leaves me feeling like the story is choppy and abrupt for it being there. That or its because I just got a series of annoying calls from a restricted number waking me up because they want to sing carols or something and thats bleeding through now that I can't get back to sleep.
 

Wheeljack

Well-Known Member
#36
Waruiko said:
Is it just me or does the b-story about this wandering sekirei and the people chasing her or whatever feel kinda boring and sad.á Maybe its just because it feels like its breaking the normal narrative up so much and leaves me feeling like the story is choppy and abrupt for it being there.á That or its because I just got a series of annoying calls from a restricted number waking me up because they want to sing carols or something and thats bleeding through now that I can't get back to sleep.
I'd guess its the latter, however things will be wrapping up soon if that helps.

It's pretty frustrating, considering all of this you're reading now was initially supposed to be together with the previous chapter as one single chapter (as the title for chapter 5, 'I just wanna be your girl' is meant for someone else that others might have already guessed), as the build up that began in that chapter wraps up in this one.

Well, mostly wraps up as there will be a few loose threads laying around for the future.

There's also that I wrote the damn climax for the thing two years ago... ::sighs::

We have probably one more thing to look over in terms of a scene and some edits. The chapter is 98% done before we go into fixing all the minor grammer mistakes. But we'll put the rest up before we start that. Hopefully we can fully finish up in the next two days or so.
 

blackmamuth

Well-Known Member
#37
IMHO, I think in this last chapter needs a scene at least of the residents of the inn taking care, or even worring about the unconscious sekirei.

Kinda seems a little bit callous that no one even bothers cheking on her, visiting, or taking care of her.

So, I wonder how long until Ikki throws the bombshell to ichigo that she expects he will wing her?
 

Ghostface

Lazy Bastard...
#38
Next Part, GO.

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


Ikki walked out of her room, rubbing her arms up and down and repressed a cold shiver as she looked to and fro around the hallway as she walked past the kitchen. She saw Musubi and Minato at the engawa, talking to each other and thought about maybe seeing if Musubi-chan was up for a spar. Yeah, that's it! A good ole spar to get the mind off problems and-

She blinked as another figure came down into the hallway.

Uzume.

Uzume saw her and widened her eyes briefly at her in acknowledgment and went into the kitchen. Remembering that she went up to follow Ichigo after today's... interesting topic she thought biting her bottom lip... She decided to follow her into the kitchen. Seeing Uzume close the fridge with a canned soda the other Sekirei popped it open and took a swig before realizing she wasn't alone and turned around.

"Pah!" she squawked as she took the can away from her lips. "What's up?"

Ikki hemmed and hawwed a moment, looking around. As Uzume tilted her head to look at her with a raised eyebrow she spoke. "I-Ichigo-sama seemed really bothered by that ghost story, huh sis?"

"Yeah.. you could say that," Uzume answered, giving a soft sigh at what happened when she went up the stairs.

"He... he's just so silly, isn't he?" She got out before giggling loudly. And obnoxiously.

"Silly?" Uzume asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Y-yeah!" she nodded, looking around inconspicuosly as she puffed out her chest slightly. "Be-believing in ghosts and all that, how childish.... Ah ha... Ahahahahahahaha..."

"You don't belive in ghosts, huh?"

"N-no! Of course I wouldn't... Doyou?" she then blurted out in a low, deep voice, suddenly looking serious.

"I believe in things that can't be mentioned," she said, shuddering while unconsciously turning her head to look for a certain landlady. "I hope you never see them Ikki," she said solemnly.

"Thing...things that can't be mentioned...?" Ikki asked, the portion of her face above nose-line turning blue.

"Oh yes..." she then whispered, idly looking once more around to confirm no hannyas or masks were near by. "Make sure you're always a good girl Ikki. Never know what spirits might be around to punish the bad ones."

Ikki then squawked. "Y-yes! Uh-I-I-mean, really Uzume-san?" She said as she rapidly made her way to Uzume, almost looking to Uzume herself like someone had put Ikki on fastforward as she came and put an arm around her shoulder. "R-really, you're such a kidder, HAHAHAHAHA!"

Uzume gave her sister Sekirei an odd look, "Are... are you ok Ikki?"

"Jus-just fine, sis! Why do you ask? Haha haa~"

"Are... are you scared of ghosts maybe?"

"Me? Scared? Don't be silly... It's like I told th' kid, ghosts don't exist..." And with that she leaned back to look around, her head whipping left and right a few times before looking back at Uzume.

"Uh huh," Uzume sighed.

Ikki coffed into her hand before suddenly leanig into Uzume, a shy grin on her lips. "So... so... didja go up and give our Ashikabi a pep talk and cheer him up?"

"All I'll say is we had a nice talk and that's that," Uzume replied, a faint blush on her cheeks. Seeing Uzume blush Ikki stared at her, before her eyes narrowed and she mumbled and peered into Uzume's face well into the other Sekirei's comfort zone. "W-what?"

Ikki's half lidded stare then turned... sad? As Ikki's bottom lip puffed out and she said, "Did... did you do... something special to cheer him up?"

"N-no, we just talked is all."

"Just talked?"

"Yes, that's all," Uzume sighed. "Being married isn't all about making love y'know," she answered and took another swig.

Ikki's bottom lip began to tremble and her eyes watered. "You... you're such a good liar... Senseiiiiii~!!!" She then wailed and grabbed onto Uzume. "Teach meeee, pleeaasseee~"

Uzume spit out her drink and coughed. "Gaaah, gedoffmeh!" Uzume coughed out. "You're gonna wreck my shirt!" She shrieked when she realzied what was wet likely wasn't from Ikki's tears.

"Teach mee, pleeeeassee siissss~" Ikki pleaded as she pressed herself into Uzume further.

"Respect my personal space!"

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

Several hours later...

The first sensation she registered was the pain that felt like it was centered right between her eyes. A throbbing pain would have made her want to close her eyes if they weren't already closed, and from the way she was now feeling whatever rest she wanted was slowly slipping away as full consciousness regained ahold on her. Groaning softly, her eyes opened and quickly closed, the light of whereever she was was still too much for her.

"Tsss-!", she hissed as she tried to raise an arm to bring to her face only for a sharp pain to stab her in her back. Or at least, that's how it felt.

'O...okay.... what happened?, she wondered.

After a moment she slowly raised her arm again and brought it to her face, ignoring the pain that she again felt travel up her body, albeit a bit less this time.

Suddenly, she froze.

'Karasuba', she realized as her eyes snapped open and her heart begin to race and panic began to set in.

Slowly the white light in her vision abated and was quickly replaced by her current surroundings, her quick breathing the loudest sound in what was a room of some sort.

Slowly her breathing began to calm as she again closed her eyes to try and cut off the pain that built up between them.

'I'm alive...', she realized before her eyes shot open again. 'Ikki-neechan!'

Without moving her head her eyes darted around the room, looking for her sister Sekirei. Not seeing her she brought her arms out and pushed before pausing, hissing. After a few more seconds she pressed against the ground and pushed herself up to a sitting position. Reaching the position her head dropped and her hair fell forward, covering much of her face as her palms rested on the floor while she squinted her eyes shut and grit her teeth.

Finally lifting her head she took a few deep breaths as she looked around the room in more detail. No, this wasn't the motel room that she and Ikki had been staying at for the last several days. For one thing that motel was as western flavored as you could get and this seemed much more... Japanese... she wondered, feeling slightly light headed as she looked around before blinking as her forearm caught her eye. No, forearms.

They had been bandaged. Blinking again she looked down and noticed her yukata. Brining her arms to her chest area she pulled the yukata open a bit, hissing slightly at the movement and from her back now completely supporting her. She had been bandaged pretty tightly, not really noticing that outside the bandages the yukata was the only thing she was wearing.

"Wha...what happened?" she whispered aloud before trying to backtrack. 'I remember the roof...', she then squinted her eyes. 'I... I was teasing Ikki-neechan, and then... Karasuba...', she trailed off, feeling the chill of her near death experience. "But what happened after... after that? And where am I?" 'And where's Ikki-neechan?'

She sat in silence for a few more minutes, contemplating her situation. The more she thought about it, the more calm she became. She was alive. And obviously, whoever rescued her wanted her healed. She didn't think she was winged, so whomever rescued her didn't take advantage of her, or so she thought. Spying the tall vanity mirror near the corner she made a mental memo to check later.

But first...

She grunted, twisting to try to get to a crouching position to stand. '...time to get some answers.'

After a few moments of hissing and pausing every so often she finally got to her feet. Looking forward she hesistantly took a step. Feeling only mind pain she took another. 'Okay. Walking seems to be a bit easier. ' After a few more steps and the door within reaching distance it opened, causing her to pause. As the person who opened it turned to look in there was a gasp.

"Na-na-Nanaha-chan?" Ikki whispered.

"Ikki-neechan? You... you're alive?" Nanaha whispered in relief.

"Na-Nanaha-chan," Ikki said again with her eyes beginning to brim with tears.

"Uh... I..Ikki-neechan," Nanaha said again, this time with a sick feeling in her stomach.

"Nanaha-chan! You're awake!" Ikki cried and launched herself at her friend.

"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

=========

"Ikki-neechan. Please. Please do not do that again..." Nanaha said as she looked at the ceiling with her hand at her forehead. She was currenlty sprawled on the floor not quite spread eagle.

"I'm sorry Nanaha-chan," Ikki said again while wiping tears from her eyes. "I... It's just that... I just saw you up, and didn't think..." she said as she brought her other hand up to join the other and hiccuped. She was sitting next to her friend, not quite seiza, with her legs somewhat opened and her hind legs spread slightly outwards.

"Yeah, I noticed," Nanaha responded. After a couple minutes Ikki began to calm, and when Nanaha thought that she was done she asked. "Ikki-chan, what happened? Where are we?"

Ikki blinked. "You don't remember?"

"I remember Karasuba. Fighting her," she said and then sighed, the emotion of what was going to happen welling up in her again. "And nearly getting killed. After that... after that waking up here." When she saw Ikki nodded she continued. "Ikki, are you okay? Are we going to be alright?" She then looked at her hand and the bandages again. "Where you the one-"

"No, no," Ikki said, and to Nanaha's bewilderment broke out into a huge smile that almost lit up the room.

Nanaha blinked at her sister sekirei's expression, "Ikki-neechan?"

"We were saved by... by a wonderful man," Ikki began as her eyes closed. She placed a hand on her chest to steady her rapidly beating heart. "He... he saved us somehow. I don't know how, but he saved us and brought us here to heal our wounds. We... we owe him our lives."

"I... I see," Nanaha muttered. "Well that's good at least... but I'm guessing there's more to this story right?"

Ikki nodded, a faint blush growing on her cheeks. "While he was saving us I... I reacted to him."

Nanaha's eyes widened. "You mean?"

Ikki nodded and quickly turned around, bending her neck and lowering her dress straps low enough for Nanaha to see the familar Sekirei winging brand on the nape of her neck. "I... I don't belive it," Nanaha wispered in an awed tone. "What are the odds the man who saves up is your destined one?"

"Pretty good I'd say," Ikki replied as she brought the dress back up. She turned back to Nanaha and clasped her hands, "He's smart, brave, shy, and oh so handsome! It's been three days since I winged him, but it's been incredible so far!"

"Three days?" Nanaha gasped. "I was out for three days?!"

Ikki nodded, "Yeah. Karasuba... Karasuba really did a number on you." Ikki let out a small sniffle before she bowed deeply, "I'm so sorry Nanaha-chan!!"

"Ikki-neechan?" Nanaha gasped.

"If only..." she paused to let out a small sob. "If only I was stronger you... -hick- you wouldn't have suffered as much as you had! The worst part about that whole damned ordeal was that she was toying with us!! She almost killed us and she was just toying with us the whole time!!"

"Ikki-neechan..." Nanaha wispered in a stunned tone.

"I promise you!" Ikki nearly shouted. "I promise you right here and right now that I... I'll get stronger! Much, much, much, much stronger! Strong enough to protect you! Strong enough to defeat Karasuba! Strong enough to be Ichigo-sama's head wife! I swear it on my name and number... That Sekirei Number Ninteen, Ikki, will become strong enough to protect you all! So please..." Ikki looked up at Nanaha with tears streaming down her face. "Will you please forgive me for failing you?"

Nanaha put her hands up. "Yes, Ikki-neechan, I forgive you."

The tears continued to stream down Ikki's face. "Th-thank you Nanaha-chan!" And with that, pounced on the girl with a hug, completely missing Nanaha's wide eyes, pained face and twitching outstretched arms.

Slowly, those arms stilled and were brought around to loosely hug Ikki back and pat her as the girl hiccuped a few more times.

"Really Ikki-neechan," Nanaha wispered before gathering her sister in a hug. "There's nothing to forgive."

"Nanaha-chan?" Ikki wispered.

"So long as you're alive, I'm happy." Nanaha continued. "And so long as you get stronger, this won't be an issue again will it?"

"N-no."

"Good." Nanaha nodded. "Now then... tell me more about your... Ichigo-sama."

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

It was well past midday and almost early evening when Ichigo stopped paused in the book he was reading and stared at the wall.

"Goddammit," he bit out and stood up, angered at remembering something he needed to do but slipped in the commotion that happened yesterday and what he had heard earlier. Ikki had come in a couple hours ago to try to talk to him, apparently asking about the ghost that Kuu saw and what he felt about.

Apparently she thought he was being somewhat of a big kid and attempted to try to assuage his fears by trying to be calm and tell him why such things did not exist. That she was stuttering through it didn't really seem to help her case, and while he knew what she was trying to do it had reminded him of what Uzume in that stunt of hers earlier helped him set aside for the moment. Being reminded of it frustrated, and he stewed a bit more when he realized how he must have looked like to Ikki who began stuttering more. So, he had tried to calm down and be truthful with her.

He had never seen someone go so pale as she did when he told her ghosts were real.

"D-d-doyoudoyou mean l-like, Poltergeist?!" she had questioned.

Ichigo had closed his eyes and mumbled something intelligible about it and said, "Yeah, but worse".

Poor girl look liked she had wanted to faint on the spot.

He had grumbled, upset that he had made her upset, and being reminded at a possible time bomb over their heads. He had of course, told himself that perhaps the spirit was wondering around town, after all a few did that (or followed him home, god that was something he didn't miss...) so with some luck hopefully the spirit moved on.

And no way to tell was beginning to frustrate him the more.

He had looked up to see Ikki breathing a bit deeply and looking around and tried to help saying maybe it had moved on, as Kuu hadn't said she'd seen it before. That seemed to calm her down.

So he had asked about her friend to see get her mind off it.

That did seem to help as her jittery mood seemed to settle a bit more as she replied that she was still sleeping, and that she and Miya had been taking turns watching over her. But until the girl actually woke up, all they could do was wait.

Ichigo sighed again as he remembered when she left she seemed a bit more meloncholic, and that was only mildly better than the frightened looks she had.

Closing the door behind her he had attempted to clear his mind about it all by grabbing some of the books he had brought with him and began reviewing things for when University started. And it was then that he had remembered that he had books that he was waiting on due to it not arriving. Because he forgot to call yesterday like he wanted before things 'happened'.

Snorting ruefully he quickly made his way down the stairs, his feet making quick pounding noises with each step, he made his way through the hallway to the phone.

"Asama-san?" He called out. Hearing nothing he called out to Miya again. Not getting any response he shrugged, picked up the phone and dialed.

"Hello?" A voice prodded.

"Karin."

"I-Ichi-nii?" He heard Karin gasp in surprise. "Ichi-nii, how are you? Are you ok-"

Ichigo pulled the phone away as he heard his sister go into a coughing fit.

"Karin?" He asked when it stopped.

"Yo, Ichi-ni," Karin said nonchalantly as if nothing had happened. "Everything okay?"

Ichigo blinked and shook his head deeming whatever that was unimportant. "Yeah. Hey, is goat-chin there?"

"He's busy with something," she said before chortling.

"Something up?"

"Not really, but dad's been walking funny for the past few days."

Ichigo stared, thinking why before it suddenly hit him and he caught himself from guffawing but it wasn't as quick as he'd like.

"Ichi-nii, you wouldn't know anything-"

"Don't worry, its unimportant," he deflected with a smirk on his face. "Hey, were you there when pops shipped my stuff?"

"Yeah, why?"

He gave her the short version and she stared at the phone before mumbling something about idiots when she excused herself. After a few moments she got back on the phone and gave him the proper number to call.

"Now that I think of it, Ichi-nii, they did come by twice."

"Twice? Why?"

"Something about the truck being almost full and your stuff being more than they could take so they sent another truck afterwards."

Ichigo grumbled when he noticed the address. They were local. Taking a quick look outside he thought about getting some air when he asked his sister if there were any other authorization numbers given. She had two that were from both pickups and he quickly wrote and double checked with her the correct numbers and he proceeded to say goodbye.

"Ichi-nii," Karin said and Ichigo paused at how different again she sounded, softer and somewhat unlike her. "How are things?"

"Busier than I thought right now," he said in all honesty. He then saw Ikki striding through the hallways. "A lot more complicated too," he sighed.

"Ichi-nii?"

"Nothing," he quickly said, cursing as he didn't want her to hear.

Oh shit, Ikki's in the hallway while he's on the phone with family...

"Hey Karin, gotta go now, okay?"

"Ichi-nii, wait-"

"I'll call later, promise."

"O-okay. I... We mis... Take care!" She blurted out before the phoneline went dead.

"Ichigo-sama!" Ikki cried out and he quickly hung up the phone. "There you are! Ichigo-sama, you need to see this!"

Ichigo blinked. "See what?"

"It's my sister!" Ikki cried out. "You gotta see this!!"

"Did something happen?!," he suddenly exclaimed, concerned now.

"Did something happen?" Ikki repeated. "You bet something happend! Anyways just come with me!" And with that, he followed her to her room, heart beating rapidly and in thought of what could have happened. "Here we are! Go look," Ikki cried as they made it to the room.

Ichigo blinked as he all but ran in, ready for a possibly convulsing girl. Instead, he saw that the girl was sitting upright, in seiza position while rubbing her back as she turned to look at him and he paused midstep, nearly falling over before he straightened out and stood tall.

And felt as if his stomach had dropped out under him.

"So," Nanaha began as she gave an appreciative look over of the former shinigami. "This is the one, eh?"

Ikki's smile just grew at Nanaha's question, "Ichigo-sama, this is my little sister Nanaha-chan! Nanaha-chan, this is Ichigo-sama!"

With his mouth a thin line, he nodded his head before slowly edging back to leave the room.

"So!" Ikki cried out as she clasped Ichigo's hand again, halting his retreat. "Now that we're all together, we should get aquainted like a family should!" Saying that, she pulled Ichigo near her. Pulling him down beside Nanaha on the unwinged sekirei's left and Ikki on Ichigo's other side. The 2nd of Ichigo's sekirei released her Ashikabi's hand and pillowed them in her lap as she sat indian style. "So... let's get to knowing eh?"

Ichigo looked at Nanaha and repressed a gulp, knowing what could potentially happen and knowing he really didn't need another Sekirei. He nodded his head at her to acknowledge her and breifly looked her over. Much like Uzume and Ikki, she was beautiful, even in her current state. Her yukata was somewhat open, why he didn't know but he knew that it presented a rather erotic picture along with her tousled waist length hair. Her eyes, brown, showed a bit of discomfort as she started back at him but were still warm and caring.

And through it, he waited as his heart pounded and his stomach protested.

Nanaha smiled gently at Ichigo, "He he, Ikki-neechan said you were handsome but... she really didn't do the description justice."

A slight blush crossed his cheeks as he pulled back slightly as if to brace himself.

"I also hear that it was you and your first Sekirei that saved our lives, yes?" Nanaha gave a slight bow to Ichigo from her position. "I thank you Kurosaki-san. I owe you so much I don't know if I'll ever be able to repay it."

He blinked, not the reaction he had been bracing for but he recovered quickly, slightly bowing back. "Please, don't mention it." To his side, Ikki blinked as well. Her eyes now quickly darting back and forth between her sister and her Ashikabi.

"I just..." Nanaha paused as she caught Ikki's eyes darting back and forth between her and Ichigo but ignored it for the moment. "I just hope that Ikki-neechan hasn't been too much trouble for you."

"Uh," Ichigo mumbled, trying to come up with something to say that didn't align with his current concerns to allay the girl. "Uh, no... problem at all," he said with his head slightly shaking.

"Good," Nanaha nodded. "I know she can be a bit... impulsive. But she's my big sister, and I just want her to be happy."

And with that he felt his stomach tighten, another concern coming to fore.

Her smile grew, "It's good to know she's in trustworthy hands, Kurosaki-san."

He blinked a few times and his brow slightly furrowed and relaxed a few times before responding. "Thank you."

"You're welcome Kurosaki-san," she let out a soft giggle. "Or perhaps I should be calling you Kurosaki-niisan?"

"Um, whatever you want," he mentioned. "Uh, it's good to see you awake. Ikki here has been worried about ya," he said as he thumbed towards the girl. "And if you'll excuse me..." he trailed off as he started to stand.

"W-wait a second!" Ikki cried out suddenly.

"Ikki-neechan?" Nanaha asked in a curious tone.

"It... it's just that..." Ikki gave a nervous chuckle before turning back to Nanaha, "Ne, Nanaha-chan. Do you feel anything?"

Nanaha blinked, "Feel anything?"

Ichigo watched as he paused when he stood, unsure of what they were talking about but felt that undercurrent of unease again. Ikki nodded, placing a hand over Nanaha's forehead. "Yeah! Y'know... do you feel... funny?"

"Do I feel fu-" Nanaha paused as her eyes widened in understanding and repressed a sigh and gave Ikki a half-lidded stare before easing it and turning to Ichigo. "Kurosaki-san. Could you leave us for a moment please?"

"S-sure," he said and made his way to the door, doing his best to make it look like he didn't want to rush out.

"Wait!" Ikki cried out clasping his hand once more. The pair paused, Ichigo giving Ikki a slightly nervous glance while Ikki... Ikki looked down at where their hands intertwined and looked up at her Ashikabi's face. "Ah," she muttered as her face flushed beet red. She quickly released her Ashikabi's hand as her blush extended from her face down the rest of her body and she collapsed to her knees.

"Ikki-neechan?" Nanaha asked in sudden concern. This was a new reaction for her big sister, and an odd one to say the least.

"Um..." Ichigo paused as his second sekirei collapsed to her knees. "Is... is she ok?"

"I... I don't know," Nanaha hesitantly answered. "I've never seen her react this way."

"Should... should I go or...?" Ichigo trailed off.

"Go ahead Kurosaki-san," Nanaha replied as she eased her way over to Ikki who had a glazed look in her eyes. "But... but stay close please. Just in case."

"R-right," Ichigo muttered as he bravely made a quick escape out of the room.

Nanaha let out a small sigh as Ichigo left, turning to look at her sister Sekirei, who now seemed to have steam pouring out of her ears as her skin continued to redden. "Well... this is a new reaction."

After a minute, Ikki seemed to slowly come out of her embarrassed trance. "I... I..." She muttered as she regained her barings. "Ichigo... -sama?"

"He's gone," Nanaha answered as Ikki turned to face her sister. "He stepped out to get some water for you," she lied. "After all, you've never reacted like that to someone before."

"I know," Ikki muttered. "But he's so.... so.... amazing...."

"Uh huh," Nanaha muttered. "So amazing that you wanted to share the love with me right?"

Ikki flinched slightly, "But... but Nanaha-chan..."

Nanaha sighed, "I know what you planned Ikki-neechan. I was there when you made that promise remember? But..."

"But nothing," Ikki interrupted. "Ichigo-sama is our destined Ashikabi. I know it. What I don't know is... is why you didn't react to him?"

Nanaha frowned, "I don't know Ikki-neechan, I don't know." Left unsaid was the possiblity that Ichigo was not her destined Ashikabi as Ikki feared.

"Maybe," Ikki said suddenly. "Maybe it's just becasue you're still injured?"

Nanaha shrugged uncertainly, "Maybe..."

Ikki nodded, "Yeah... yeah that's it probably." She turned to Nanaha, placing her hands on her shoulders. "We'll just wait untill you're better and then we can try it again, ok?"

"O-ok Ikki-neechan," Nanaha muttered.

"Good," Ikki nodded as she gave Nanaha a quick hug. "Now you get some rest ok? The sooner you're better, the sooner Ichigo-sama can make you his. And the sooner we can win this game one and for good! Get it?"

"Got it," Nanaha replied as she smiled softly at Ikki.

"Good," Ikki nodded as she stood up and helped Nanaha back to her futon. Tucking her sister in, she gave Nanaha a quick peck on her forehead and left the room, a notable bounce in her step.

Nanaha sighed as she heard the door close, her eyes drawn up towards the ceiling. "If only it could be so easy Ikki-neechan..."

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

Ichigo sighed, wondering once again when his life had become so difficult. He was once again answerless as he walked out of the sister Sekireis' room, and closed the door behind him. The former Shinigami made his way to his room and grabbed a jacket and looked for a shirt to change into. He quickly looked through his things the girls went through yesterday and then reached for his duffle bag. Opening it he found the shirt it wanted and pulled.

-CLINKCLINK-

He paused at the sound and turned and his eyes widened. Bending down he picked it up and examined it.

It was his Soul Reaper badge.

'I forgot Kon put this in here,' he idly chided himself. It would be a minute later when he realized he had been staring at it. Mouth a thin line he gripped it a bit harder and brought it to his chest.

Nothing.

'What the hell I am doing?' he thought shaking his head with a frown and a sigh before putting it down and began to change his shirt. Yeah, a walk sounds like great right now. As he pulled off his current shirt his door opened.

"Yo, Ichigo."

Ichigo blinked and turned to find Uzume leaning on the door frame with a concerned look on her face. "Oh hey Uzume. 'Sup?"

"Just seein' if you're ok," she replied as she stepped into the room.

"If I'm ok?"

She nodded, "Yeah. You were lookin' a bit distracted commin' up here again. Kinda spaced out."

"Ah." His mind wondered back to what Ikki reminded him off... her friend in their room finally waking up and what Ikki seemed to have in mind... Not to mention going out to ask about his stuff and he sighed. "I jus' got alot of stuff on my mind is all."

"I figured," she replied as she walked up to him while he was still turned away from her before pausing. "Want me to help again?" She grinned at him and grabbed the bottom of her shirt. He gave her a flat stare and she shook her head, sighed and walked up to him; her arms embracing his waist and she leaned into his back, "Talk to me...?"

He paused and brought his own hand resting atop Uzume's closed hands. "I... I think Ikki just tried to get me to wing her sister."

She blinked, her head rising from her Ashikabi's slightly. "She did?"

"Yeah...," he groaned as he rubbed his forehead tiredly. "Good thing she didn't act like you and Ikki did otherwise...," he shrugged with a frown on his face.

"Yeah, I know. I was there," she sighed. "So what do you want to do?"

"Well since she didn't get all hot and glowly, I think we're cool." Ichigo replied as he then turned to face Uzume who let him go and took a step back. "I'm just gonna pretend that never happened. I think it'll be the best in the long term."

Uzume gave a slight chuckle, 'If only it could be that easy...' she thought. She then saw Ichigo reach for his jacket and put it on. "Going somewhere?"

He nodded absently scraching his chin, "Yeah, I called home a little while ago and got the info about my stuff. There's a local place nearby where I can ask."

"Couldn't you just give them a call?"

He shrugged, "Yeah but...," he trailed off as he shook his head, the business with this spirit, dealing with Ikki and almost dealing with another Sekirei coming to him. "I think I could use a good walk."

"Ichigo?"

"Yeah," he said and began to walk to the door.

Uzume caught the look on his face and then realized that it was the same one he made when he had been talking about Ikki the other day and repressed a sigh. Aloud she then said, "So you don't wanna talk to Ikki about this?"

Ichigo slowed on the way to the door, a part of him now just wanting to rush out the door before Ikki could come up and try again. "Nope," He got out and stepped through as Uzume followed him, closing the door to his room behind her. Outside in the hallway Ichigo looked around before continuing in a bit of a hushed voice. "She didn't react so ain't no point in tryin' now is there? What I'm gonna do is go out for a bit and let off some steam at these guys who lost my stuff."

"Sounds like a plan," Uzume nodded as she leaned up and kissed his cheek. "Be careful now, 'kay?"

Ichigo paused, a look of surprise on his face. "You're not coming? I- I mean..."

Uzume's face brightened. Her Ashikabi had expected her to go with him and actually looked sad that she wasn't! The urge to join him began to pull at her greatly but she resisted as much as she could. There were other things she needed to take care of. And it involved her Ashikabi and his peace of mind. That was enough to give her the strength.

"Next time," she stated and then quickly stood on her toes to kiss him, her eyes opening when he quickly returned it before they pulled apart, both their hearts beating rapidly.

"Uh... I'll be back," he said softly as he turned to then go down the stairs.

If Uzume hadn't been so dazed as her wings disappeared she would have noted that he practically ran them down and was snapped out of her stupor when she heard a muffled sound of the front door shutting. She hugged herself tightly, the top of her hands brushing against her breasts and an erect nipple. "Soon... soon," she promised and smiled. After a moment she calmed down and glanced at Ichigo's room and what he had said. Nodding to herself she made her way downstairs with a strong look in her eyes.

It was time to have a little talk.

=============
 

zeebee1

Well-Known Member
#39
So, does that mean you're stealing Matsu from Minato's harem?
 

Wheeljack

Well-Known Member
#40
zeebee1 said:
So, does that mean you're stealing Matsu from Minato's harem?
You'll have your answer within the next few days, hopefully.

The rest of the scenes are done, all that's left is minor editing on Ghost's end and whether or not he'll post the rest in the snippets he's done like this one or in one big chunk through several posts.
 

blackmamuth

Well-Known Member
#41
well, I just wonder if Matsu will actually react when finally meets him face to face, instead of her current attitude of "I want an Ashikabi, and only to options, must decide"
 

Knyght

The Collector
#43
I hope she stays with Minato, tbh. She doesn't strike me as someone who'd fit well with Ichigo.
 

Muramasa

Well-Known Member
#44
And... that threw me for a loop. So it isn't Nanaha then... Or it'll turn out to be a double subversion and I'm getting trolled. Oh fun times ahead. :D
 

nick012000

Well-Known Member
#45
blackmamuth said:
well, I just wonder if Matsu will actually react when finally meets him face to face, instead of her current attitude of "I want an Ashikabi, and only to options, must decide"
You know, I wonder what'd happen if Matsu extracted some of the bodily fluids of Ichigo and Minato, and mixed them together before drinking them.
 

blackmamuth

Well-Known Member
#46
Myself I'd find tsukiumi possible clashes with ichigo much more potentially interesting.
 

Jimbobob5536

Well-Known Member
#47
Tension!

Kind of feel sorry for Ikki. She seems like a third wheel, and that's sad.
 

Stormfury

Well-Known Member
#48
Jimbobob5536 said:
Tension!

Kind of feel sorry for Ikki. She seems like a third wheel, and that's sad.
This.

Ikki, as a character, just feels like shes trying wayyyy too hard. It feels extremely over the top.


I'd go so far to say that it doesn't even feel like a relationship or anything to me- That her presence detracts from Uzume, rather then adding to anything. I hope something is done to integrate her soon, as all her presence has really done so far is interrupt everything else.
 

Muramasa

Well-Known Member
#49
Stormfury said:
Jimbobob5536 said:
Tension!

Kind of feel sorry for Ikki. She seems like a third wheel, and that's sad.
This.

Ikki, as a character, just feels like shes trying wayyyy too hard. It feels extremely over the top.


I'd go so far to say that it doesn't even feel like a relationship or anything to me- That her presence detracts from Uzume, rather then adding to anything. I hope something is done to integrate her soon, as all her presence has really done so far is interrupt everything else.
I'm pretty sure that was the point. Ikki is there to (unintentionally) cause conflict between Ichigo and Uzume. In time this will either cause Ichigo and Ikki both to change or the turmoil will continue.
 

Wheeljack

Well-Known Member
#50
Stormfury said:
Jimbobob5536 said:
Tension!

Kind of feel sorry for Ikki. She seems like a third wheel, and that's sad.
This.

Ikki, as a character, just feels like shes trying wayyyy too hard. It feels extremely over the top.


I'd go so far to say that it doesn't even feel like a relationship or anything to me- That her presence detracts from Uzume, rather then adding to anything. I hope something is done to integrate her soon, as all her presence has really done so far is interrupt everything else.
Keep in mind she's only been there for a short time, just three days. I don't think anyone would honestly expect Ichigo to suddenly open up to her when he has no idea of how to deal with her just yet. This is also part of the drama that we wanted to have in him having more than one in how he deals with these girls who are not going away and love him. Especially when he's trying to feel out what that is with Uzume (who has been breaking walls down). If he had met these girls all at the same time I think it would be very likely that he'd put up a very hard wall around himself, which is why we also had him have those three months alone with Uzume, for him to start wondering about these things before we throw the poor boy into confusion.

And his headaches are just beginning...

Muramasa said:
I'm pretty sure that was the point. Ikki is there to (unintentionally) cause conflict between Ichigo and Uzume. In time this will either cause Ichigo and Ikki both to change or the turmoil will continue.
Bingo.

He can't tell her get lost, he can't tell her to go away. He has to figure out how deal with her (and others).

I will say that I do have in mind an idea for our Extra's side stories one that has Uzume as his only Sekirei. That one I'd probably like to put out once Ichigo's Flock is more or less complete, and it may or may not be a pretty story for Ichigo himself from some of the ideas I've been mulling around.
 
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