As Izumi quickly was being backed into a corner despite her attempts to get out of danger she couldn't help but blame whatever fates had brought them here in the first place. However it quickly became apparent in her mind that she knew something was going on here and this wasn't just luck. She couldn't help but wonder what they got out of this by sending a sekirei of this caliber against her was foolish she could win if she went all out but she was already tired and there was still a chance she'd lose this damn fight. "Damn you why don't you just give up already!?" Izumi shouted in frustration as she clutches her sides which were scraped by the heat slashes caused by the enemy sekirei's attacks. But it simply became way to apparent that they intended on taking her out. "Because we want the god damn prize!" the ashikabi answered as suddenly Izumi was knocked down by a blast that was aimed at her feet but she rolled and recovered quickly. But not to quickly as she was forced into a preverbal corner now. She was not stuck in a construction zone and there were trees and construction vehicles all around the group. Izumi sighed and knew now that she had no other options. She drew her blade...but her left arm ached she must have pulled something. "Damn it!" She said as she growled at her enemies. The girl placed in the corner now had no quick escapes and was placed on death's row. "Surrender and die with grace." the sekirei said in annoyance as the ashikabi kept silent but was clearly unhappy about this whole situation. However as Izumi started to question if these kids knew what they were getting into when a round object smacked into the ashkabi's leg and the sekirei's waist causing both to recoil in pain and the sekirei cursed heavily as a man came around the corner. "Hey jerkoffs I think ganging up on a girl is rather low right?"" the guy said smugly as the ashikabi complained about what hit them and called them paintballs. "That's rather low buddy! Just stay out of this!" the man shouted as the guy chuckled, "Yeah right! I'm just going to go away and leave you two to gang up on this chick by yourself? Yeah about that....No!" Brandon said as she pulled up a bright green pistol and pointed it at the sekirei. Izumi stood there wondering what the hell was going on when she looked at the man's face and felt her body starting to heat up and she cursed to herself, "Shit not now...wait....this is perfect...." Izumi said as she looked at the man. "Thanks for the help....but this is going to get a lot more complicated now..." she said trying to control herself barely keeping her sword in her hand as her hands got heavy. Her body was reacting to this kid...well she shouldn't call him, whoever he was, a kid he looked just barely younger than herself. "Shit she's reacting quick! Kiss me!" the sekirei said as the man wondered what the hell was going on as the other two embraced and kissed deeply.

Brandon watched in disbelief as these weirdo's started making out with each other. What the hell kind of situation was this...what the fuck!? Brandon could only think as the girl started glowing a colorful red and orange as the girl next to him walked up to him, "What the hell is going on!?" Brandon exclaimed as the girl looked up at him...was she....was she getting off on this or something because her face was blushing as she looked at him. Exactly what in the blue blooded hells was going on?! "There's no time to explain what is going on...I'll tell you what is going on later but for now...I need you to kiss me..." the girl said as she glared at the other two. Brandon grunted and wondered what exactly he had just gotten himself up to but he simply chuckled instead, "Fine I guess this counts as something I have no choice about anyway besides...you not half bad looking. I'm just messing with you." Brandon said as the girl glared at him angrily but moved up and kissed him anyways as the two embraced he felt the girl swirl with energy and when he opened his eyes the girl had big grey wings behind her back as stood back from her, "Not bad kiss there pretty boy. But now let me take care of this." she commented as she held her sword up in the air and pointed it out towards the enemy. "By the swift death of my pact, My ashikabi's enemies will be broken!" the girl exclaimed as the other one pulled out her sash and twisted it around her arm, "By the swift burning passion of my pledge, my ashikabi's fears will be burned away!" the other girl shouted back as flames engulfed her arm.

Mao looked around the place. It was more indoors than she had slept in for the longest while. "I will say you are a nice person. Nice or naive. The both start with the same letter in English!" After a quick walk around of the main room area, Mao sat down on the couch. It was softer than the bench she and Amami shared earlier at the park. Certainly more sleep worthy. "Glad to have a last bottle of Sake though. Wanna share it?" Mao wasn't all too sure if Amami enjoyed a good drink or not. She took a drink at the park but she wasn't sure if it was out of good manners or not. It wouldn't be good if the woman was a lightweight or something and she just stumbled all over the place. "Regardless it looks like I'm going to have to buy another bottle of this stuff." Mao said cheerfully as she awaited an answer from her host.
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At this point calmed down, Amane slowly starts to talk in more abrupt sentences. "'Sama' is not necessary. Your room needs set up." For now, the only real room she could give Kasumi was a smallish one. It was right next to Amane's room and connected as well. If it were not for the door to the outside hall one might confuse it with one of those large closets that rich women use to house their shoes in American movies. "It is a bit small, admittedly. However, it requires the least clean-up for now." A silence as she finishes her last cup of tea. Somehow the two of them had torn through the entire thing of tea. "A larger room can be cleared at a later date. . . I would need to find more room to store the items first."

Reaching a hand out she requests the cup from Kasumi's hand once she finished where she will take them to the kitchen and would clean them. From there she would ask, "Are you proficient in cooking? Any food you like particularly?" She had planned cooking as she was hungry and could only imagine her newfound guest would be as well. If Kasumi did not have skills of the culinary variety, she would simply show the girl to the room and ask her to move it to another pre designated room..

Amami nodded at the idea of sharing the bottle of Sake. She didn't fancy herself a drinker, not anymore, but she'd been in a bad place for awhile after India, so she could hold her liquor. She could enjoy quality Sake in this setting, and what better way to celebrate having a new roommate? She sat on the couch next to Mao and said "The bed is pretty big so we can share. After all, we've got the same body composition so whose shy?" She giggled at that before adding "I'll chip in too for the next bottle, since I'll probably take some of it too!" Amami was much more relaxed now that she was at her home, and she only too happy to volunteer to get more Sake.

---

Kasumi

Kasumi nodded slightly and followed Amane to the room, looking over it and nodding. Offhandedly, Kasumi commented "It is much better than the rooftop I typically sleep on." Her reaction was growing stronger, but for now she would try to suppress it. She carefully set her axe against a wall and selected the heaviest looking box, hefting it with little apparent effort and carrying it out of the room, setting it out of the way. She then added with a short bow "I thank you for your great hospitality." However, Kasumi became aware of something. She heard footsteps, and the gait sounded exactly like the one of the Sekirei that had been chasing her too long. Her eyes widened and she grabbed her axe, however her body didn't seem to get ready for battle, as she felt weak in the knees. She knew why, and she'd hoped to take it slow, but that was no longer an option. She grabbed Amane and quickly walked back out to the grounds.

Standing there was Kumiko, now with her Ashikabi, who greeted "Hello. This is my Sekirei Kumiko, I'm sure your Sekirei remembers her. We've come to challenge you to a formal duel." Kumiko, for now, wasn't shooting but that didn't decrease Kasumi's worry. She knew what she had to do, and turned to face Amane, saying "I'm sorry about this, Ashikabi-sama." With that, she leaned in and pressed her lips to the Shrine Maiden's own, and within nanoseconds Kasumi's wings of light burst into reality, bright blue behind her with an undertone of steel grey. Then she turned to face the other Sekirei, and charged, shouting her Norito as she went. "By the strength of my pledge, my Ashikabi's burdens will be split!" A mighty strike followed, and Kumiko was just able to dodge it. She was, but her bow wasn't. The Sekirei had used it to block instinctively, as it was normally indestructible like most Sekirei weapons. However, empowered by her Norito, Kumiko had sliced through it. The enemy Sekirei and her Ashikabi seemed surprised by this development, and Kumiko's Ashikabi said hurriedly "Let's get outta here!" Kumiko readied herself to continue the fight, but Kumiko grabbed her Ashikabi and jumped away. Kumiko sighed and locked her axe back in, turning to face her own Ashikabi and bowing slightly, saying "I am Sekirei number 46, Kasumi, and I am yours now and forever Ashikabi-sama. Simply request something and I will make it reality."

Mao laughed at most of what Amami said, "I sure as hell ain't shy!" She was enjoying her time there. At the very least she had a place to stay while she search. "And I guess I wouldn't mind having someone chip in for the next bottle." Maybe it was the sake, but her face felt hot and, while she couldn't explicitly tell, she thought her face was starting to blush. No, it wasn't sake. At least, it most likely wasn't. She had put down many a bottle in one day before and her face didn't even tint until AFTER the sixth bottle. "This doesn't usually happen, but I think the sake might be getting to me. I'm usually a heavyweight drinker. One of my first nights I drank this big bulky guy under a damn table and my face barely flushed at it." Laughing at her past memory she slowly kept paying attention to her host's face. It wasn't just her face feeling hot now. Her whole body felt like it was slowly being engulfed in fire and it her heart began beating erratically. Still she attempted to keep what she could hidden from Amami.
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Amane was more shocked than anything. On top of being confused by this speak of Sekirei and Ashikabi-Sama, the new houseguest Kasumi, just stole a kiss from her lips. Wait. . . A kiss? From a girl? She was in shock until she heard the bow shatter from Kasumi's axe. Amane would have completely forgot about the other two people at the shrine had it not been for this loud reminder. When Kasumi returned and gave "Sekirei Number" and called her "Ashikabi-Sama" again, there was really only one thing on Amane's mind, "You stole my first kiss. . ." Her face became even more red as she continued the sentence. "Sure I'm not great with males, but it doesn't mean. . ." She wasn't even sure where to go with that. It was the first time it occured to her but, she didn't "like" males. She couldn't tolerate being near one honestly, but at the same time she didn't "like" females in that way either. She looked up at Kasumi but put her head back down in embarrassment immediately after making eye contact.

Amami chuckled lightly at the story that Mao told, it sounded way too much like something some of her other friends would do. She then frowned when she realized that this may be a problem. It could mean she was sick or something, and that theory was only reinforces when she noticed Mao turning an unhealthy shade of scarlet. She rushed forward and leaned closer to Mao, asking "You feel alright? Sleeping on the streets may've gotten you sick, lemme see." She gently put her hand to Mao's forehead and furrowed her brow, commenting "Doesn't feel like you have a fever, but your as red as a tomato and based on your story that shouldn't be happening." Amami frowned lightly in worry, saying "We should go see a doctor I think

---

Kasumi

At her Ashikabi's words, Kasumi frowned immensely. She hadn't even had an Ashikabi for 4 whole minutes and she'd already displeased her. Kasumi was surprised to find tears in her eyes and she hurriedly wiped at them. She slowly approached her Ashikabi and gently lifted her head, saying "Ashikabi-sama, I apologize but that was needed. We Sekirei get very weak when near our destined Ashikabi until we are winged. Perhaps I should explain?" Kasumi quickly decided that was a good idea, stressing "This is important Ashikabi-sama, please listen. I am one of 108 superhuman warriors, most of us female I think, released into this city. We are to find our destined ones, our Ashikabis, and serve them with all our being, it's why we exist. But also, we must fight, until only one remains. When that happens, HMTAI bestows a fine prize on the winning Ashikabi. The Winning Sekirei's prize is..." A wide smile covered Kasumi's face as she finished "Should we be the last standing in this battle royale known as the Sekirei Plan, I will be allowed to remain by your side forever, Amane-sama."

Mao looked into Amami's face. Oh, she understood now. It wasn't the sake. Amami was the person she was looking for all along. Hidden right under her own nose, as they say. "I don't need a doctor." Mao mused as she put the sake on the table, "I found what the person I was looking for this entire time. I'll apologize beforehand, though. Sorry." With that, she locked lips with Amami and pulled her in closer. It was then that wings of light appeared behind her signaling that she had been "winged". The hazy heat that filled her body intensified and then left after she removed her lips from Amami's. Sheepishly, Mao let go of Amami and backed away a little bit on the couch. "It would seem that I am yours now, Amami-Dono." That felt weird to say after all this time. She had only just called the girl "Amami" until now that adding the "Dono" on to it was a bit awkward, but respect was necessary for her Ashikabi unless told otherwise. "You are my Ashikabi now, Amami-Dono. Do with me as you will. Otherwise I'll just be lazing around drinking sake all day!"
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Amane tried to absorb all the information that was being sent to her. It didn't really explain that kiss, though that might have explained itself. She could remember that after the kiss there was a pair of really bright wings that appeared behind Kasumi. If that happened it would be possible to believe anything really. Still. One thing that clouded Amane's judgement was. . . Didn't the kiss feel rather. . . Enjoyable? No. She put that thought far out of her mind. She never thought herself one of those people that enjoyed a same sex relationship. Her mind always made her think that, maybe one day, she would be over her fear of males and she could maybe get into a real relationship. Her job as a Shrine Maiden didn't (explicitly) prevent her from being in a relationship. Hell, maybe the shrine's deity was that of a marriage goddess or something.

That was besides that point now though. The one in front of her was not a potential husband, or even a man at all. It was a woman. A woman who acted like a servant from an old-time era. A servant that kissed her out of the blue. Amane just wanted to crawl into a corner and curl up into a ball but she couldn't leave this girl be like it was. Regardless of Amane's feelings, conflicted, this girl seemed to be put off by Amane's questioning of the kiss. "I'm not exceptionally mad." She told the girl after her information stream was done. "It would be better to say, confused and bewildered." Her face was still red. "I've never been kissed before and . . . I-I never thought that my first would be with a girl." At this point so only really wanted Kasumi to understand her thoughts, something she had very rarely did.

It then dawned on her, what Kasumi had said at the end of her explanation of the battle royale. "If we win, we can stay together forever?" It was a bit odd sounding. It sounds like, 'Win if you want to keep your loved ones.' Kasumi aside, Amane didn't really know what to think of it now.

Amami stood there, entirely dumbfounded by the events that had just taken place. She wasn't even mildly sure what was going on anymore. That whole "Wings of Light" thing had completely thrown her off. Then there was the matter of the kiss, which was somewhat unfortunate when one considers that Amami hadn't ever kissed a girl. After a few seconds, something finally dawned on her. She'd been called an "Ashikabi" and Mao had started referring to her as "Amami-dono", neither of which made any sense considering that Mao hadn't even been using a suffix until a moment ago. So, she started off by slowly asking "Do with you as I will? Whats that supposed to mean? Come to think of it what does Ashikabi mean? Oh and....don't call me Amami-done, just Amami, a suffix just feels weird."

---

Kasumi

Kasumi felt a little better when her Ashikabi assured her that she wasn't angry, however she did feel a little bad for taking her first kiss. However, more than that, she felt strangely elated by this same fact. She listened to her Ashikabi's words and she could tell her Ashikabi was more than a little confused. She said simply "Yes Ashikabi-sama, if we win we will be together forever. It is my fondest dream and wish that we claim victory. However, no matter what you desire I will do it for you Amane-sama. Any request you have I will accomplish, all your enemies will become my enemies and I will destroy them at your command, and should the day I dread come to pass where a choice arises between your life and my own, I would save yours, for I would die if you were to pass. I mean this literally as well as figuratively, Amane-sama, because now we are tied together. You can live if I die, but it doesn't work the other way around. If a Sekirei's Ashikabi passes on, so does the Sekirei."

Michael sighs, reaching into his coat. American's always have such nifty guns, But they hardly pass for covert. Pulling out a rather petite 9-mm he pulls the chamber to give it the audible click for the ally to hear. Politely he smiles and waits for the jester wannabe to turn around.

"I am guessing this is one of those insane anime cliche's? A hot Assassin versus another? Not that I intend to step on any toes, but I plan to invite the one in red to dinner. So if you could refrain from making me a felon I would greatly appreciate it."

Mentally he counts...3....2...1..Then as if the light turned green the Jester charged him. Just as her foot left the ground to more than likely crush his skill she is knocked to the ground. Michael's bangs sway from the wind of just how close he was. His smile however never swayed, it actually grew larger.

"Miss Red. You need not be so rough. I am sure she kno-"

The sound of the jesters skull fracturing the concrete....Wait....The concrete gave before a skull? The jester is still moving? She is still resisting?! Michael Whistles as he looks down at the pistol with a smirk. Playing with fire may be a understatement, if their bodies can take that kind of punishment...

The jester blows past him, shooting him a glare to which he fires back a sneer. Michael cares not if it was God himself, no one would dare to think him less than.

Miss Red holds her side, her dress tattered, if anyone walked up right now....Particularly while holding a gun...He slides it back into his pocket as he approaches her.

"Miss Red, Perhaps you could fill in the gaps? Over dinner of course."

As the two sekirei squared off all Brandon Hunter could do was wonder what the hell was happening. A lesser man would have cringed away from the girl and or ran away but he wasn't about to abandon her. He may or may not have gotten in over his head but he wasn't planning on letting that get to him. He did however cover his face from the luminescent glow of the girl beside of him. "Who are you?" Brandon asked in awe as the girl merely grinned at him and looked like she was amused by the question, "Izumi and I'm your sekirei now." Izumi stated as the enemy girl unleashed a massive energy slash and charged at Izumi who knocked Brandon out of the way and simply dodged it with ease. Charging at the girl she could only block just barely as Izumi's speed clearly surpassed that of the enemy girl. Izumi pushed her back and slashed her across the arm forcing her back as Izumi kicked her shin and forced her fall back. "Son of a bitch!" She shouted as she unleashed her special attack. The sash turned into a super heated whip of sorts and went straight for Izumi. "REALLY? Is that all you have!?" Izumi said with an almost menacing look on her face as quickly moved out of the way of the nearly bullet speed sash that had lashed out at her from the enemy's arm. "You're DONE!" Izumi said as she brought her blade up...and stabbed the girl through the chest. The girl didn't even shout out in pain all she did was croak up blood and fall limp on Izumi's shoulder. Izumi reached around and placed her hand on the girl's back and sighed. "I warned you this would happen. It all went down hill now that I have someone I need to protect. It may be sudden but that boy is now my reason for living. By the swift death of my pact, My ashikabi's enemies will be broken. Farewell Sekirei of the flaming sash." Izumi said with not exactly kindness nor was it pity it was sadness and remorse. Brandon watched on from behind and looked at the other man. The man was shaking....and Brandon knew immediately what had happened. Whatever Izumi had done...this was the end of the line for the girl. Izumi laid the girl down, she had stopped glowing like Izumi who's light was also starting to fade, and she stood there. Izumi looked up at a nearby building and frowned but when Brandon looked no one was there. The man rushed over to the woman and Izumi backed off wiping the blood on the nearby tree. The man wailed at the loss of the woman and shouted at her to get up. "I suppose I should stay to confirm my victory here....but I think 'The King' already knows." Izumi stated bluntly as she walked over to Brandon. "That's cold...but it's not like she gave you a choice. I won't hold that against you. But yeah we should go that guy doesn't want us here I'm sure...you are coming with me right? I assume whatever you are or what a sekirei or ashikabi are something that intimately involves us now correct?" Brandon said looking at Izumi to the other girl and he felt disgust well up inside of his body. But he couldn't fault Izumi from the body language she had no more love for doing that than the man over there did. "Yeah I suppose I haven't a choice now I suppose. But I see that I at least picked a good ashikabi. Someone who understands that things aren't always in our hands. So what's your name?" Izumi replied and then asked of him as she sheathed her blade and walked away with Brandon. Brandon told her his name and the two decided that it would be best to listen to what this whole thing is about. "Brandon. Brandon Hunter is my name and let's go back to my place we'll be ok there...at least until the cops come." Brandon said plainly as Izumi walked beside him back towards Brandon's apartment.

"Good," Mao replied, glad that Amami wasn't too fond of honorifics, "It felt weird for me too, but that's how we're suppose to talk anyhow." She then got to explaining Sekirei and Ashikabi, "Well, the Ashikabi, which would be you in our case, is the master and command of all Sekirei under their control. Sekirei is you little bird to command and control and yada yada. All I was told was I would know my Ashikabi when I saw them. I guess it took me a while to react to you." After a sigh from that thought, "Anyway, it's just as I had said, Amami. I'll do whatever you command. Fight your enemies, go out and buy something from the Convenience Store, kiss if you're feeling bold. I swing whatever way if I'm going to be honest." From there she sat back down and relaxed back in her seat as if it she went through a giant ordeal. "But that's the short of it really." As if something on the back of her mind, "Oh and um. . . Don't die. If you die, we both die.
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Amane was still slightly confused, but she at least had a better understanding about the entire thing. "That will suffice. . . For now. I will ask should I require more." What was this system devised for? The most Amane could figure was that she and this girl would be together for a while. While she didn't mind all too much, it was still a bit of a worry on her conscience as she was pretty much responsible for this girl, as it now seems. "As it is, I hope you take care of me as I will for you." She raised a hand to shake with Kasumi.

Amami slowly nodded, trying to process what she was being told, as unbelievable as it was. Those wings of light meant Amami pretty much had to throw existing logic out the window for judging this scenario. She brought her hand to her chin and said slowly "Well first of all, I didn't let those scumbags back in India kill me so I don't plan on dying now, so no worries about that." She then slowly added "Oh, and don't treat me like a master, okay? I'm just..a friend, okay? I mean, I was planning on having you live with me anyway. So, nothings really changed except now it's a long term arrangement. I don't really have any enemies, so we should be alright."

---

Kasumi nodded and took Amane's hand, shaking it for a moment before letting her hand fall back to her side. She slowly said "I will take care of you Amane-sama, but you needn't worry about caring for me. Sekirei have very advanced metabolisms, so we eat much more than the average person. In order to prevent all Ashikabi from going broke within a day, ultimately ending in Sekirei dying of hunger, we were provided with a VIP card to feed ourselves and handle any other expenses." With that, she produced the very same card and showed it to Amane, before setting it in her hand, saying "Since you are my Ashikabi, what is myan is also yours." She then slowly tapped her chin for a moment before looking down at the ground shyly, saying "If it isn't...to much trouble, Amane-sama....I would like to get my meagre possessions from the rooftop I have been sleeping on."

"Fair enough," Mao chattered pulling a card out of nowhere, "This is a wondrous thing Amami." Waving the card back and forth in the air until Amami took it. "Call it free money, cause that is what it is. It's like one of those cash cards except it has an practical infinite amount on it." A smile crosses her face as she starts to set out examples for Amami, "New car, Apartment rent, a new house. . . Sake." A wink indicating hint of some sort, "Whatever you need or want. Simple really. Now, I hate to say this, but I tend to eat a lot. . . My metabolism is a bit out there and, sadly, sake doesn't fill the stomach. It can only make you forget you need to fill your stomach." Not exactly fond of beating around the bush she continued, "D'you have anything to eat around here? I'm pretty fond of bluntness when I get to know someone."
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Amane took the card in her hands, "For expenses and other things of that sort. . ." That was good to know. She was almost afraid she'd have to take on some work to help afford this girls stay. She'd be a horrid host and apparent master if she didn't support her guest and apparent servant. "I see." At Kasumi's request she nodded and said, "That is fine. Supposing you don't need my help. . . I will be cooking in the kitchen, if you have as high a metabolism as you say you must be hungry." She pocketed the card and looked Kasumi in the eyes. "I'd hate to make my guest starve while she did her share of work. Gather your things, I will start preparations for dinner." With thoughts of recipes in her head now, Amane turned around and asked, "Is there anything that you like to eat? I cannot seem to remember if you had said anything earlier. I didn't start because of the incident just now."

Amami eyed the card, and the lazy half of her mind rejoiced in the chance to possibly quit her job and live forever off of no merit of her own. The rest of her quickly dismissed that however and she said "I'd like to limit our financial dependence on a big company as much as possible." With that, she walked to her fridge and opened it, finding little more than a collection of raw ingredients. Amami could cook and she liked to think she was pretty good, but she actually had no idea at all how good it was to others, since she hadn't ever fed anyone else. However she got to work and within half an hour some simple Ramen was ready, and Amami set the whole lot on her small table, saying "Eat up Mao, I'm not hungry because I ate just before I met you."
--
Kasumi gave a grateful nod and turned to leave when Amane asked what she liked to eat. She paused and turned, tapping her chin slightly and saying "I'm not sure if I have any particular preferences, Ashikabi-sama. I've just eaten whatever was most immediately available over the past weeks, and my HMTAI adjustor always fed me military rations, saying it was 'good for my health'. I'm certain whatever you make will be more than sufficient." With that, Kasumi turned and jumped to a nearby roof. It didn't take long to find her possessions, and she rolled up her sleeping bag and tucked it under her arm. She then carefully lifted her sharpening equipment and made her way to the Shrine, more slowly now. It took about 45 minutes, but she got her sharpening stone and sleeping bag transferred to her Ashikabi's yard.

Mao cheered as Amami brought food out. "Yay for Ashikabi cooks!" While it wasn't the most healthy food, Mao did throughly enjoy a good bit of Ramen. "One of my favorites, you're such a sweetheart, ain't ya' Amami?" She started slurping away at the noodles and downing Sake at the same time. As if just remembering she offered another drink to Amami, "Drink up! It's a celebration night after all." Mentally she marked the date, the day she became winged. It should be quite the happy and remembered even in a Sekirei's head. She did her best to keep her cool, leave a good image and all, but she was very glad to be with Amami, especially with all the stupid stuff she had been through the last week or two.
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Amane welcomed Kasumi as she returned. "Welcome back, dinner should be just about ready." She said as she retuned to the kitchen. As Kasumi entered the room where they had talked earlier she would notice that there is quite the small feast waiting for her with a few different fish dishes as well as the obvious staple, rice. Returning with the last dish, Amane set it down and then took her seat on one of the cusions. "Go ahead and eat, I'm sure you will find the food agreeable." The Miko herself took a bit of the food with a slight smile. It gave out the feeling that she approved of the taste. It was one of the better meals she had prepared for just two people, in size and taste.

Amami giggled lightly and took another swig from the bottle, blinking lightly to help force her mind to keep it's focus. With that, she casually sat down near Mao and remarked "Y'know Mao, this whole thing is kinda weird. Your just kinda expected to blunder onto your Ashikabi? This is a pretty big city, so wouldn't it be a safer bet to get together as many people as possible and let the Sekirei talk to them, see if they reacted to anyone in the crowd? Seems like a better option to me, as it guarantees that they will find an Ashikabi." With that, Amami shrugged and added "Though I guess theres a reason I don't run a business."

---

Kasumi bowed slightly to her ashikabi upon her return and said "Thank you, Amane-sama," With that, she followed her newly claimed Ashikabi into the dining room and smiled lightly at the large spread set before her. She once again voiced her thanks to her Ashkiabi before taking a seat and, after a moment of estimation, took about as much as she figured she needed. While it was still substantially more than her Ashikabi had claimed for herself, it wasn't anywhere near as enormous an amount of food as she was capable of eating. She ate at a moderate pace, smiling as she did, thinking "This food tastes really good! I'm glad my Ashikabi can cook so well" Once she was through eating, she said "Thank you for the food Ashikabi-sama, it was delicious."

As Brandon and Izumi finally arrived at their house the light in the sky was practically gone and it seemed that everyone and everything around him were not just another part of the background. Even the owner of his apartment, whom luckily said he didn't mind if his 'cousin' Izumi stayed over for a bit while her parents arrived on a delayed flight from another country. Izumi on the other hand was just glad to be done with everything that the day had given her and was ready to sit down and just have something to snack on if Brandon had food to give that was. Brandon sat down and breathed in deeply, "So let me get this straight....a dangerous and sometimes deadly competition developed by Magoichi Hanabi the CEO of HMTAI called the Sekirei Plan is currently on going and yo-we're a part of it now. There are some hundred sekirei or so wandering around the city and the one you just fought was your first elimination...This is plan is currently on going as a part of the first stage correct? Well I'd think that things would be going a bit faster after two weeks or so of this." Brandon Hunter said as he decided to go get a glass of water for both of them and grabbed a candy bar he'd been saving for later and threw it to Izumi who nibbled at it hungrily. Izumi nodded briefly and politely thanked him for the food. Brandon sat back down and chewed his upper lip. This was getting out of control rather quickly..."I see...well then...this is going to be a lot to take in...so it's you and I against the world I suppose right?" Brandon asked Izumi who stopped eating and sighed. "Yes...as my ashikabi my only wish is that I beat the others...so that I can stay with you. Once a sekirei is beaten and his or her crest taken the sekirei is taken away to a place unknown. Unfortunate but it's the rules of the game set forth by the king. And this first stage will end..." Brandon asked as Izumi breathed in deeply; clearly she was fighting back sleep, As I said it will end when the Sekirei are freed and have found their Ashikabi for winging. This stage ended only when a great number of them have been winged."

"You are crazy, You know that right?"

Michael simply smiles and shrugs, He removes his jacket placing it over her. "I get that now and again. But please Miss Red, would you answer the question about dinner. I am feeling a tad hungry since that excitement"

Deluna looks down at the blue jacket, she can't help but blush a tad. It was a rather chivalrous gesture that had her jumbled for a moment. "I-I dinner, She could have killed you! What if you would have got hurt? What about the chance of you being a hostage?"

Michael doesn't miss a beat, "Would you have hesitated if she would have? You value you my person do you? I guess that answers the dinner question then." He chuckles as he begins walking out the alley not even looking back to be sure shes following.

"W-wait! I didn't say that! On both accounts!" A few wandering eyes are staring at her as she emerges from the alley shouting.

Michael holds his hand over his mouth imitating a look of surprise. "Oh my word I didn't picture you to be so emotional, you need only have said no. To deny me so strongly, I must have gravely misread you."

Deluna begins to grow flustered with his silly game. "I did not say that either..." Her cheeks taking a red hue to match her hair and eyes. She steps to walk beside him, he is so confusing.
"But thats what makes me fun."
Deluna looks up wide eyed, does he have the ability to read her mind?
"Nope."
Deluna gasp and opens her mouth to question him. His laugh cuts her off.
"Your adorably easy to read when you get flustered Miss Red. Lets stop for a wardrobe change before our meal." The man guides her into a building.

--- A few hours of shopping and an explanation later---

Deluna looks down at her plate her fork playing with a bit of fish while she awaits Michael's laugh. She glares at the bit of food sure that it will start laughing with him, God how this is all so stupid.
Suddenly the feeling of his finger underneath her chin brings her back to reality, without even the ability to reject she stumbles over the millions of thoughts as she looks up into his blue eyes. That smirk so sinister yet so....He has nice lips.
His hair tickles her face as he steals a kiss from the shocked Sekirei. Her mind goes blank while Michael feels a oddly similar sensation. He breaks the kiss, much to Deluna's dismay. Even a few onlookers are woozy from it.
"Miss Red. How could I doubt you, and even If I did. Its not in my nature to turn down such an exciting chance!"
He helps her stand, before kissing her once more, but this one is far more playful. More so because he spins about with her, in a crowded sit down restaurant....His laughter is broken by him telling everyone in the building. "I am going to play the greatest game!" Then he picks up the bewildered Deluna and runs out the door. To the confused clapping of the people within.
Deluna informs him once more. "You are absolutely mad."

A man with a long black coat with spikey red hair followed by a group of guys with white t shirts and pompadours came walking down the street. They were clearly a group of adult aged delinquents. The group was followed by a girl with long black hair and a beautiful face and body to match. The man looked forward and smiled at the pair of Deluna and Michael as they came by and the man simply said, "Hey there you two consider yourselves lucky...you missed one hell of a show." the man simply stated as he passed by them the thugs showed no sign of recognition at what the red haired guy was saying and the woman only giggled and grinned devilishly at Deluna. But the strange encounter passed quickly as the group passed by the two rather quickly but one thing was sure...that man was not a normal person. The crew walked around a nearby corner and vanished from sight.
===
Izumi's face didn't change much from her plain one that she had been wearing this entire day. She wondered....was it right of her to involve this man whom she had just met literally today? Was it right to make this man's life change? More importantly....would Brandon stay with her? She was winged now and she was his in all senses of the word despite how much Izumi disliked to say that her freedom was now gone. She may now be able to grow stronger now thanks to this Brandon Hunter but she may also end up being killed easier now. Ashikabi who die bring their sekirei to the graves with them. It was unfortunate but it was how things tended to end. And that girl Azami...she was gone as well. It felt horrid for her to say that but...also it brought up a part of her that made her feel more secure. She wiped that sekirei out with little trouble once she was winged...and she was tired as well when she had done so. Her thoughts snapped out of her as Brandon started talking again, "This place was reserved for only one person Izumi you can't stay in this apartment indefinitely. That's a problem because I don't intend on throwing you out on the street....hmmm." Brandon said as he smiled at her and Izumi's heart went from jumping into her throat to a heavy sigh of relief. It seemed she picked the right guy at least, "I'm sure we'll work something out. I can work to support a small apartment here if there is any room so it's not like we can't stay in the same building. So what do you do Brandon?" Izumi asked as Brandon told her he was a college student and Izumi wasn't surprised he seemed young. At least younger than herself as it would be.

However before Izumi could continue on Brandon's TV turned on unexpectedly and Izumi immediately was frowning at the screen. At the screen was Magoichi Hanabi also known as 'The King' and he was grinning...that could only mean one thing. "Hello everyone who can hear me and may I say that I am SUPER excited to be speaking to all of you today! This is a message from 'The King' coming to all his little birds and their wingers! First off to anyone knew I'd like to say WELCOME to our little game! It is so nice to have all of you here! Don't worry about people nearby whom aren't players in this plan because this message is specifically tuned to those whom have awakened sekirei! To be a bit more clear is that others may be able to see me on the TV but only YOU can hear me per say. Now then moving on...oh and of course my lovely little ladies and boys whom are the main components of this game also can hear this! You know who you are! Magoichi said clapping his hands and smiled. "Those who aren't near TV's have had their phones text messaged with this little speech or they're listening in on it right now, and those without phones....well I'll say they're missing this little major announcement. But before that I'd like to congratulate you on surviving the little 'wing or be eliminated northern challenge.

Those whom did not get winged I apologize for not warning you before doing that but it wouldn't be fair if the hunters had no game to go after. To those who got winged on that day good job on finding your partner I can say both I and The Bishop both are proud of you so very much! To those whom eliminated stubborn ones...well while not the most glorious event it proves your one stone cold badass and you've spared them the heartbreak of losing later! But the total number of eliminations were decent chunk, a total of seven sekirei were eliminated. Numbers 61, 82, 29, 45, 101, 98, and finally 53. I apologize to those birds but they're fates were sealed. The winner is a man named Hideyori Matsumodo and his eliminations of 82-29-101. His prize will be sent to him later! A consolation prize to be sent to those who were responsible to those who also eliminated the other sekirei! Also multiple ones were winged the past afternoon on top of those! So then until then stay frosty my dear players this is your beloved king signing out...have a great game! Magoichi stated as he went to turn away from the camera but he stopped and laughed, "ALMOST FORGOT! From this day forward you are all to form alliances with other sekirei and ashikabi! HEHEHHEHE! If you don't form alliances that is your choice but I will pay any medical bills to those whom are allied with another group! Think of this as a way to make friends and make the game more interesting!" Magoichi stated quickly with relish as his face vanished from the screen or the call ended.

"Yes, it is not a problem." Amane sensed a ringing sensation from her sleeve. Her hand retreated up on of the sleeves and recovered a ringing cell phone. She turned her back to Kasumi and answered. . . Or at least tried, but she found it was a giant message. Reading over it, she noticed that it was weird but quickly she found out what it was. After reading over it quickly she handed it over to Kasumi, so she could read over it if she wanted to. "We seem to need to team up with other Sekirei pairs. It is a bit different from what I was told." Amane said as he looked her Sekirei in the face. "This is going to be difficult." She said, meaning it was going to be difficult teaming up.
_____________________________

"I didn't have much of a choice. I hope you understand that. They didn't exactly point me in a direct and say, "Go that way, your ashikabi is that way." " Mao complained as she took the bottle back and drank some more. "They just tossed me down in the city and said, "Go, find your Ashikabi somewhere." Maybe it was the alcohol, but I didn't even feel you as an ashikabi at first, you know. I like to think that I don't get inhibited by alcohol. . . But there may be exceptions to that idea." Then the TV came on by itself and played the message. Mao was confused about the team part of the message. "I've not heard of that team rule before. . ."

Kasumi carefully read over the message and frowned lightly, she wasn't aware of this rule before hand. She looked up and said "Amane-sama, we weren't told about this rule before we were released into the city. We Sekirei were told that we would fight each-other to be death, and that there would be no alternatives. I'm afraid I don't have any friends, because I was always focused on training, I never spoke with the others outside of requests for sparring. I'm afraid we will be entirely dependent on you to forge friendships with other Sekirei and Ashikabi." Her frown deepened then, she was saddened that she wouldn't be of any help to her Ashikabi, and added "I would help if I could, but I'm not good at making friends."

---

Amami nodded and opened her mouth to respond when her TV flicked on against her will. Assuming Mao had somehow sat on the remote or something, she walked over to turn it off just for the man on the screen to start talking about the Sekirei. Amami listened carefully and her frown slowly grew as the message played, especially when it mentioned taking out Sekirei. She shook her head sadly, but then gave a light nod when she heard that Mao hadn't heard of the team rule before. She then said "Alright, I guess we're going out to make friends tomorrow."