Disclaimer: None of us own Sekirei

"Talking"

'Thinking'

"Radio/Telephone"

Chapter One: Old Friends

Shinto Teito International Airport

A man in his early thirties sighed as he walked away from the security station shaking his head in disappointment, while impressive, he found that the new technology being touted by MBI was leading security to becoming over dependent, whatever happened to the instinct of man in this day and age?

Shaking his head again he rubbed at the slight scruff that was building up along his jaw and chin, almost matching the buzzed brown hair he had as his dark green eyes looked over the airport, he was wearing a set of military fatigues with a pair of combat boots and a set of dog tags,, along his right cheek was a small amount of burn scarring that had wrinkled, carefully analyzing all of the civilians around him with a calm gaze, a slight amount of suspicion. 'Stop it,' he commanding himself as he took in and released a calming breath. 'This isn't North Korea, there are not hostile secret agents hanging around.'

Taking another breath he opened his eyes and started walking again, heading towards the Airport's exit and hailed a cab, giving the driver an address in the North Section of the city, the home of an old friend of his, Takehito Asama, a researcher in MBI that he had known from High school, he last talked to him in person around ten years ago before he had deployed overseas, although before he had went on his last mission about several years ago he had received a letter from him bragging about getting married to a real beauty.

He knew he probably should've called ahead to announce his visit, but… he always enjoyed seeing a flabbergasted look on the too-smart-for-his-own-good researcher's face.

It had taken good hour and a half to reach the address that Takehito had given him several years ago. 'Hopefully the address is still valid,' he thought to himself as he looked over the boarding house. 'Well, here we go.'

Walking into the yard he went up to the front door and rang the bell.

"I'll be right there!" a familiar female voice called out, even as soft footsteps could be heard heading towards the door.

When the door opened up, Ryu was greeted by a youthful looking woman with long lavender colored hair with light brown eyes wearing a traditional Miko's outfit with a purple hakama pants. "You must be Miya," Ryu said as he smiled in greeting, bowing slightly. "Takehito was quite descriptive when he wrote to me about his soon-to-be wife, I'm Ryu Hisanaga, is that fool around?"

Miya's mouth twitched slightly at Ryu's callousness, but curved upwards in a smile anyway. "That person is… unavailable at the moment, Hisanaga-san."

Ryu let out a sigh with a slight chuckle. "Yeah, should've expected he'd be at work..." he said with another chuckle. "I probably should've called ahead, but… the face he makes when I actually manage to surprise him is just too funny... you mind telling him I dropped by?"

"I'll be sure to pass the message on," Miya replied, a wistful smile crossing her face for but an instant. "Would you like some tea? I can hardly let a friend of my husband's leave without it."

Ryu smiled in response. "That would be great," he agreed. "And honestly it would be a good chance to get to know you better, after all, me and 'Hito… well… we go way back, I'd like to see what it was about you that enamored him so much."

"Very well," Miya bowed slightly. "Please, come on in then."

"Thank you," Ryu said gratefully as he entered the house, removing his boots as he did so. "This is a beautiful home you have..."

"Indeed. It was left to me by that person after all…" Miya nodded as she led Ryu into the foyer.

Ryu tilted his head slightly at her comment, but let it slide as they came into a small dining area. "So, how has 'Hito been?" he asked as he settled himself at the table. "I haven't been able to keep in touch with him as much as I wanted to unfortunately... I had to maintain communication blackout while overseas..."

The lavenderette kept her serene smile as she looked at a picture hanging on the wall. "Takehito has been doing well. It's been… peaceful around here," she added as an afterthought, even as she poured Ryu a cup of tea from the ever-present teapot on the table.

"Good to hear," Ryu said with a content sigh as he took a sip of tea. "Delicious," he commented. "So, tell me about yourself, Asama-san, how'd you two meet?"

"We met in MBI actually," Miya smiled, even as she sipped at her tea gracefully. "He was working there as a scientist, and I was involved with… security at his lab."

Ryu smiled slightly in response. "'Hito always has liked strong women," he informed, smiling at fond memories. "I know that it's probably some big secret that he's working on, but… I hope you've managed to keep him from getting too deep into his research, I know how he can get, he once went an entire week without showering in college when he got too wrapped up in a project."

Miya's smile cracked slightly, but she said, "He has always been like that, hasn't he? Ufufufu…"

Ryu joined in her chuckles. "Yeah, he's incorrigible when it comes to research," he agreed. "How has it been running this boarding house?"

"To say the least, it's been hectic. Without that person around, it's a little… vexing keeping the little birds around here in control," Miya looked towards the residential rooms in the hallway.

A frown flickered across Ryu's face for a brief moment before he returned it to a grin. "I have to admit, I was surprised when he told me about starting a boarding house," he admitted. "He has trouble watching out for himself, let alone others… must've changed quite a bit..."

Miya's smile cracked further. "He grew since then, Hisanaga-san. Although I wish he learned to watch out for himself as well as others…"

Ryu's own smile faltered slightly as he studied the woman before him as she collected himself, his eyes narrowing. "Asama-san..." he started, his voice cool as he spoke, setting down the teacup to fold his hands in front of him. "Where is he?"

Miya sighed as she dropped her smiling facade. "He's… sleeping, Hisanaga-san. I don't believe it wise to wake him up," she said in a tone that all but conveyed the double meaning behind her words.

Ryu closed his eyes and mentally counted back from ten. "Why lie to me," he said finally, in a barely restrained growl. "Why lie about that fact that my best friend, a man I consider to be a brother, is dead?"

"I never lied, Hisanaga-san," Miya said sorrowfully. "He was more than a best friend to me as well… but then all that happened… To this day, I can never forget the events that led to his… slumber."

"Asama-san..." Ryu started only to bite himself off as he took another calming breath. "I do not like deceit among friends, and I suppose I wrongfully assumed that someone 'Hito was involved with would feel the same way… how do you think… I feel right now… how do you think I would've felt making an ass of myself when I went to - and I would have - MBI to visit him only to find out that he's dead and his wife didn't have the courtesy to inform me straight out?"

Miya froze in place for several moments, before sighing and looking slightly away to avoid meeting Ryu's stern gaze. "Trust me, Hisanaga-san, it hurts me to even talk about Takehito at this point. What happened to him… is constantly eating a hole in my heart. I feel responsible for it, yet I can't do anything other than reminisce about the times we used to share together…"

Ryu took in a deep breath. "Was his death pointless?" he questioned.

"It was not," she shook her head, placing a hand over her heart as she looked at the residential area again.

"Good, I'm disappointed in the fool for getting himself killed," he informed with a sigh. "But… at least he didn't die for nothing..." he let out another tired sigh. "And here… I thought he'd be the one visiting my grave..."

Miya couldn't help but narrow her eyes slightly as she focused in on the man's tiny details - the way he carried himself rigidly, the way he constantly shifted his shoulders as if there was a missing weight around him, the way his fingers were blistered ever so slightly from gripping something… It was then that she put two and two together and realized exactly what she was seeing.

"Were you a soldier?" she asked.

Ryu nodded in confirmation. "Captain Ryu Hisanaga, Retired, formerly of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, Special Forces Group," he informed. "Honorably Discharged after completing a long term mission in North Korea that went south… taking my team with it," he sighed. "'Hito always called me the fool for getting into the SFG..."

"I see… It must have been a horrible experience," Miya could sympathize with him, herself having probably done similar things in the past, on top of Takehito's death.

Ryu shrugged. "We knew the risks going in," he informed with a slight smile. "And each of us made an oath to keep on living, no matter what happens to the rest of us."

Miya smiled slightly, recalling her earlier days when she had made a similar oath. "So… what will you do now? Have you made any plans on where to stay after arriving here at Shinto Teito?"

Ryu shook his head. "Not particularly," he informed. "My parents passed away a long time ago and I don't have family to visit, and with 'Hito gone… I suppose I have an open schedule..."

"I see… How long are you planning to stay here?" Miya nodded her understanding.

Ryu shrugged. "Not sure really," he informed. "I… I don't really have anywhere to go, to be honest, I lived in the Barracks on base so..."

"Well, until you decide, perhaps you could stay here?" Miya clapped her hands together, nodding to herself. "I'd like to listen to more stories of my husband as well."

Ryu smiled. "That's a good idea," he agreed. "I suppose I should try and help you, I owe 'Hito's spirit for not being there when… he passed on."

"Thank you for your help in advance then," Miya bowed slightly, her smiling facade returning in full force. "This poor widow appreciates it."

Ryu chuckled in response. "Poor widow, right, and I'm sure that this 'poor widow' couldn't thrash me in a spar," he smirked at her startled look and pointed to his palm. "While not extremely noticeable, I do know how to recognize the callouses of sword-users."

"Ara, ara, I've been found out," Miya's smile returned as she covered her mouth with the sleeve of her haori. "Very well, I suppose I must accept the challenge, but perhaps sometime else."

Ryu chuckled in response, picking up the teacup once again."Like I said, you'd probably thrash me..." he informed. "While I'm a good knife and hand fighter… I'm… not a fair fighter."

"Ara?" Miya's smile widened slightly. "All the better for sparring then, Ryu-san. For now, I need to go buy groceries for dinner later…"

Ryu nodded. "I understand, and I need to do some shopping myself," he informed. "And picked up a few items, forgive me, but I hope you are not opposed to me keeping some personal firearms here? They're civilian standards and will be kept in a footlocker unless I'm maintaining them, old habits and all that."

"Ara?" Miya raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "I have no objections, but we have some… other tenants here that may be surprised by the presence of firearms. Just remember this rule, violence is forbidden in Izumo Inn…" At that, she smiled a ladylike smile, even as a shadow fell over her eyes and an aura of doom flooded the room, causing the temperature to drop several degrees in an instant, even as a floating Hannya mask suddenly materialized out of thin air over her right shoulder.

Ryu rose an eyebrow. "'Hito actually taught you how to do that?" he asked, his lips quirking in amusement as he let out a chuckle. "I'm surprised, I had to essentially reverse engineer to get my own."

Miya actually lost her composure for a moment, causing the Hannya mask to shatter and dissipate into the air it had come from, before she hurriedly covered it up with a forced chuckle. "Ara, ara, what could you possibly be talking about?"

"Oh gee, I wonder," Ryu returned with a roll of his eyes as a pair of golden draconic eyes flashed over his shoulder.

Miya just kept smiling mysteriously, although on the inside she was a little miffed that for once, her Hannya mask had failed to work. Scratch that, she was more than a little irritated. Then again she shouldn't be surprised, considering that the man had been around her husband about as long as she had.

Ryu chuckled as the eyes dispersed. "Still, I will abide by your rules," he informed with a smile. "I will not provoke anyone into a fight."

"Very well then. I hope you enjoy your stay here in Izumo Inn," Miya gracefully bowed as she got up to leave. "Ah, I hope you don't mind if we settle your room arrangements later."

Ryu nodded in understanding as he followed suit. "Of course," he agreed. "I'll be back myself this evening, until then, Asama-san."

Somewhere in Shinto Teito

A young woman stood in a bookstore, peering through her glasses at a bookshelf intently. She drew more than a few passing stares, owing to her rather… curvaceous body, which her gray sleeveless blouse with detached sleeves going to her elbows and dark blue miniskirt with did nothing much to hide, especially with the unbuttoned part of the blouse under her chest that left her H-cup underbust on prominent display. Her metallic silver hair tied into two long low-hanging ponytails that trailed a path over her shoulders, draping over her chest and going down to her waist didn't help either - it was a rather unnatural colour after all, and a rather unusual style to wear your hair in.

Brow creased in concentration, the woman scanned through the rack before pulling out a certain title. She frowned when she realized the item was wrapped in plastic, and noticing that there was a sign on a nearby shelf saying 'No Free Reading'. With a loud sigh, she put it into the basket she was holding, hurriedly camouflaging it under a fashion magazine that she'd likely throw away later anyway.

She ignored the looks she was getting as she reached the counter to ring up her purchases - she was used to them anyway. After a minute or two of waiting in line, she reached the cashier and placed her basket on the counter. Said cashier gave her a few strange looks as he checked out the books and the magazine she had bought, and an even stranger look after the woman presented a black coloured card with the words 'MBI' firmly emblazoned on it. With a loud sigh, he decided not to press the issue - who was he to judge anyway? Although she did buy some rather odd stuff…

"Thank you," the woman inclined her head slightly in an almost flat voice, before she headed towards the exit, while pulling out a magazine first and then one of her books, ripping open the plastic wrapping and hiding it behind the magazine.

"Next!" the cashier called out, sighing. Why the heck would a woman of her age be buying and reading shoujo manga of all things?

The woman's mouth twitched upwards in a slight smile as she discreetly read her camouflaged manga, thoughts running through her head as she deeply considered the plot of the story. Expertly dodging the other shoppers without even looking, she navigated her way to the exit, waiting for the automatic sliding door to open before exiting.

"As I thought, she has to be falling for Ryu-kun!" she whispered just for herself to hear, her head still buried in her manga. "Aaaah, if only I could too…"

At that exact moment, her sixth sense failed her, and she walked right into a hard, warm body. Letting out a yelp in surprise, she lost her balance and fell backwards onto her back, losing her magazine and manga in the process.

A loud clatter was heard in front of her. "Damn!" a masculine voice cursed. "Hey miss, you alright?"

"Uh, owowowow…" the woman muttered, rubbing her head. What the heck had she walked into? It felt so hard, but yet so warm...

"Are you hurt at all, miss?" the voice asked again. "Do you need medical assistance?"

"I wouldn't go as far as to say I need it…" the woman opened her eyes slowly, jerking backwards slightly when she realized there was a very much masculine face leaning in close to her. She couldn't help but take in the man's strong features - his shaved hair, the bit of scruff on his square chin and the burn scars on his right cheek…

'Well, not exactly shoujo manga material, but he looks strong...' she thought to herself, before suddenly realizing that the miniscule weight that had usually settled on her ears and nose was gone. "My glasses!" she turned around and started searching for them on the ground.

"Are these them?" the man asked as he helped her search, holding up her glasses, whose lenses had cracked. "Sorry to say but..."

"Uuuuu…" the woman slumped visibly as her eyes teared up slightly. After a while, she pointed a finger at him and yelled out, "Take responsibility for them!" Another few moments after that, her cheeks turned beet red, and she turned around and squatted down, holding her head in her hands. "Aah, I… I've done it…" she whimpered.

"Who's your optometrist?" the man asked, a kind smile spreading across his face. "It was my fault, I think my footlocker hit them when I dropped it."

"Y-You're not mad at me for yelling at you?" the woman turned around, blinking as she got a good look at the man.

Ryu shrugged in response as he helped her pick up her purchases. "No worries, I've had worse shouted into my face," he informed as he picked up the manga that had fallen free of the magazine it was hidden under. "Interesting reading choice."

"GAAAAAAAH!" the woman yelped as she scrambled to pull the manga out of his hands, before cuddling it to her chest and looking at him with large, puffy eyes. "D-Don't look!" she whimpered shyly.

Ryu chuckled lightly at her embarrassment as he couldn't help but reach out and pat her head comfortingly. "Don't worry about it," he told her kindly. "Wanna know something, my fifty-something male former CO reads these kinds of mangas as well."

The woman's heart skipped a beat at the gesture, before she looked up right into the man's dark green eyes. 'I could get lost in them forever...' she thought, barely noticing her body beginning to heat up. 'W-Wait, I'm reacting?' Her eyes widened slightly in shock.

"You... you'd better get me a new pair of glasses..." she forced herself to look away, trying to hide her blush. She needed to confirm it before she did anything rash!

"Of course," he confirmed as he stood up, holding out a hand to her to assist her. "Do you have a preferred store?"

"N-Not really... any store will do... they're just clear glasses..." the woman shook her head.

"Alright, oh, right, my name is Ryu Hisanaga, a pleasure to meet you, miss…?" he questioned, searching for her name.

"I'm Shi-Shiratori," the woman fumbled her name slightly in her embarrassment and nervousness.

"Shiratori…" Ryu murmured, rolling the name off of his tongue. "A beautiful name."

"D-Don't say my name like that! It's... embarrassing..." Shiratori whispered, rubbing her thighs together as her reaction became more pronounced.

"Sorry," Ryu apologised, a soft chuckle emerging from his throat. "Here we are," he declared, stopping at an eyeglass store. "Just choose whichever one you want."

"Umm, I just need new lenses..." Shiratori produced her broken glasses, revealing that the metal half-frame was mostly undamaged.

Ryu nodded in understanding and talked with the technician who nodded in understanding and quickly replaced the lens' with Ryu paying him. "Here you are, Shiratori-san," Ryu told her as he held out her eyeglasses to her. "Although… it is such a shame to hide such pretty eyes."

"St-stop it, you're embarrassing me…" Shiratori whispered as she took her glasses back with a blush and put them on.

Almost immediately her demeanor changed, becoming more relaxed, while her mouth flattened back into a neutral expression. "Thank you for your help," she bowed slightly, even her voice levelling out and becoming neutral.

Ryu smiled at her. 'Personality trigger?' he wondered privately. "You're welcome, Shiratori-san."

"I actually don't mind if you call me Shira or Tori, I know my name is a bit of a mouthful," the edges of the woman's mouth quirked upwards slightly, as much of a smile as she could give in her current state.

"Of course, Tori-san," he replied. "And may I say… you are much more beautiful when you smile more honestly."

Shiratori's cheeks coloured only slightly this time. "Umm… I…" she was rendered speechless as well, before she lifted her hand up and took her glasses off, looking at Ryu again as she reverted to her other self. "L-Like this?" she forced a smile, still blushing.

"That's the one," Ryu confirmed, smiling at you. "I wish you the best of luck in your future, Tori-san, I hope we can meet again."

"Umm… right!" Shiratori nodded enthusiastically, already making plans to meet him again.

"Until we meet again, Tori-san," he said as he turned and began walking away once again.

Shiratori nodded as she, too, walked off and turned around a corner, but almost immediately turned back to peek around at the retreating form of Ryu. Making her decision, she slipped on her glasses again, turning on her cool mask in the process. She then slipped back into the crowd to follow after him.

Ryu yawned slightly as he continued to walk, rolling his shoulder slightly for the arm that was carrying the footlocker with his civilian weapons inside. 'Well… that was an interesting meeting,' he thought to himself as he made his way towards his next stop, a furniture store to get a few items for his new room. 'Hmm, going to need to find a computer shop, need a laptop...'

As he turned a corner he thought he had caught a glimpse of metallic colored hair, but dismissed it as a trick of the sun and his most recent meeting, however, after seeing it for the fifth time, this time after exiting a small store - after purchasing a small desk and arranging for it to be delivered.

'I wonder… is the little bird following me?' he thought, slightly humoured, slightly suspicious. 'Hmm… not bad… but...'

He grinned slightly as he began using some of the tricks that he picked up in Special Forces training - tricks that saved his ass countless times avoiding enemy spies, he might add - and quickly managed to position himself in a place that would give him a clear view as his pursuer passed by.

Sure enough, a head of metallic silver hair raced past a moment later. From his position, he could see her calmly looking around, scanning the area through her glasses. "Did I lose him?" Shiratori muttered neutrally, although listening closer he could pick up a hint of desperation in her voice.

Smirking slightly, his instincts - instincts that he never doubted after they saved his ass from an active landmine - telling him that she wished him no harm, he stepped out from his cover, making sure to keep her out of sight line as he kept his steps calm, body relaxed and mind clear in a sort of zen state as he stepped up behind her. "Hello… little bird," he announced. "What has you following me today?"

Shiratori jumped hard enough in shock that her glasses flew off. She barely managed to grab them in time, although she ended up unbalancing herself again and crashed her face into the ground. "It hurts!" she whined, waving her glasses in the air. What she didn't realize was that she was in a position with her hips in the air where Ryu could see under her miniskirt…

Sniggering Ryu averted his eyes politely. "Are you alright, Tori-san?" he asked her, mirth in his voice. "If so, you may wish to… reposition yourself."

The butt waving in the air suddenly froze. A short moment later, Shiratori jumped again, this time somehow managing to land perfectly in a seiza position. "I'm sorry for fol-following you!" she prostrated herself at his feet in apology. "B-But I had something I needed to confirm with you!"

Ryu chuckled again. "Stand up Tori-san," he told her as he gently placed a hand on her upper arm and guided her to her feet. "What is it you wanted to confirm?"

"Umm, Ryu-kun… ca… can you hold still for a mo-moment…?" Shiratori suddenly started blushing, even as she felt the heat within her well up once again, this time even hotter than before. She was reacting to him, she was sure of it! "A-And close your eyes…"

Ryu rose an eyebrow in response, but complied anyways, not feeling any hostility from her. "Okay..."

Shiratori hesitated for a moment, before she leaned against Ryu's front, having to tiptoe to reach his head. "Th-This should do it…" she whispered, hesitating once again, before smacking her own cheeks to get herself to move and pressing her lips against Ryu's.

Ryu froze in response his eyes flying open as the girl kissed him, his mind going blank from the shock - although for some reason his body responded as his hands came up and held her arms.

What happened next engraved itself into both of their memories forever - a bright silver light began emanating from Shiratori, even as a warm surge of energy filled both of them. The woman arched her back, letting out a happy sigh as silver, ethereal wings spread out from her back. With that, she opened her eyes and smiled happily at the man. "Let me formally introduce myself, Ryu-kun. I'm Shiratori, Sekirei number 25. P-Pleased to meet you!"

"Hwa?" Ryu responded intelligently. "You lost me when you kissed me..."

"I-I'll explain when we get home…" Shiratori poked her fingers together shyly, even as she looked at the ground.

Ryu took in a breath and let out a sigh before nodding. "Yes, I suppose going somewhere more private would be helpful," he commented. "Well… Izumo House shouldn't be too far from here... "

"I-Izumo Inn!? Where the Ha-Hannya of the North lives!?" Shiratori gasped, suddenly looking very fearful.

"Hannya?" Ryu asked. "Oh dear… looks like Asama-san overused that mask of hers..."

"... Have mercy…" Shiratori hid behind Ryu, shyly tugging at the hem of his shirt. "Don't let her kill me…"

"She wouldn't do such a thing," Ryu informed, chuckling slightly. "You've never done anything to her."

Shiratori just pressed herself against his back in fear. "I-If you say so…" she didn't sound very convinced.

"Come on, you can meet her yourself before we discuss this… Sekirei thing," Ryu said as they began walking. "We're not too far."

The silver-haired Sekirei barely nodded, as she was still trying to get the image of a Hannya devouring her out of her head.

A short while later, at Izumo House

"Asama-san, I'm back!" Ryu called out as he and Shiratori entered the house, although Shiratori was shaking nervously as she gripped the back of his shirt, hiding behind him. "I've brought a guest…"

"H-H-Hi there, Asama-sama…" Shiratori whimpered, still hiding closely behind Ryu.

"Oh, a new guest?" Miya appeared, coming from the kitchen still holding a soup ladle. "That's alright, but why is she hiding behind you?"

Ryu chuckled. "Something about a Hannya here in the North," he informed with an amused grin. "Anything to say for yourself, Asama-san?"

"Ara ara, I have no idea what you're talking about," Miya smiled mysteriously, covering her mouth with a hand.

Shiratori peeked out from behind Ryu, took one look at Miya, and squeaked before ducking back behind him, although her… bulk made it rather pointless.

"Don't worry, I won't turn away any guests from Izumo Inn. My husband wouldn't have done it either," Miya smiled kindly.

"After he mentally fucked with them for a half hour," Ryu commented, suppressing a chuckle. "If you mind, which room will be mine, Tori-san here wanted to speak about a private matter with me."

"Ah. I can set you up in room 201, up on the second floor," Miya nodded understandingly, taking another look at the cowering Sekirei and smiling softly at her. "Tori-san, was it? I'm afraid you will need to be in a separate room from him if you want to stay here as well…"

"I-I'm Shiratori…" the woman relaxed slightly at the friendly gesture, but still kept hiding behind Ryu. "And it-it's fine, so long as I can be with my Ashikabi…"

'Ashikabi?' Ryu wondered mentally as he furrowed his brows. "I'm sorry if I sound rude Asama-san, but… I think it's time for me and Tori-san to have the conversation..."

"Very well then, I won't interrupt you. But keep in mind… indecent acts are forbidden in Izumo Inn…" Miya smiled again, the shadow falling over her eyes as the accompanying aura of doom appeared.

Shiratori whimpered, burying her face in Ryu's back.

"I understand, Asama-san," Ryu informed sighing. "No need to bully Shiratori with that mask of yours."

Shiratori was more than a little surprised to learn that her Ashikabi was unaffected by the infamous Hannya of the North's aura of doom, but he did seem like a very strong person after all… Once she was sure the coast was clear, she looked out from behind Ryu at Miya, nodding her acceptance of the rules.

Ryu chuckled as Miya huffed at him, but accepted their acceptance. "I'll talk with you later, Asama-san," he informed with a friendly smile. "Come on, Tori-san."

"C-Can you just call me Tori-chan? I-I'm your Sekirei now after all…" Shiratori pouted as they went up the stairs, finally relaxing completely once they were out of sight of the fearsome lavenderette.

Ryu nodded as they came to his assigned room and opened the door for her to enter before him. "What… are Sekirei,and Ashikabi?" he questioned. "And how am I an Ashikabi? And that Light show?"

"It m-might be easier for me to explain if I switch…" Shiratori held out her glasses, even as she looked up at Ryu as if asking for permission. "I… I get very shy and emotional if I don't wear my glasses…"

Ryu nodded. "Like I thought, a personality trigger," he murmured to himself. "Go ahead."

Shiratori nodded, before she put on her glasses and switched once again. Feeling a lot calmer with her glasses on, she continued, "We Sekirei are technically a species of aliens, each boasting a certain kind of… superpower, you might call it. Ashikabi are our destined ones, so to speak. As an Ashikabi, you can bond with Sekirei by kissing them. We call it 'winging' a Sekirei. That's what happened between us earlier."

"What is it that made you choose me?" Ryu questioned, musing over the information. "And how many are there of your kind?"

"We Sekirei can have what we refer to as… a reaction when we get close to certain compatible Ashikabis," Shiratori adjusted her glasses, continuing in a tone that she somehow managed to keep neutral while blushing. "It's usually characterized by an aphrodisiac-like effect that gets stronger as we get closer to our destined Ashikabi. There are 108 Sekirei, but I'm not sure how many of them have already been terminated."

"Terminated?" Ryu questioned. "Someone is hunting you down?"

The silverette hesitated for a moment, before shaking her head. "It's all a part of the Sekirei Plan, created by Minaka Hiroto, the CEO of MBI. It's an ongoing competition, where the Sekirei must fight each other to stay with their Ashikabi."

"Why though? Why fight when all you want is to-" Ryu began before he was cut off by his phone ringing, quickly pulling it out he saw a video call coming in from a blocked number, his instincts telling him to answer it he accepted the call.

"DUN DUH DA DAAA!" a white haired man clad in a white business suit with a white cape of all things called out. "Congratulations on obtaining your very own Sekirei and becoming a contestant within the Sekirei Pla-"

"Who in the fuck are you and how in the hell did you get this secured phone number?" Ryu cut the man off harshly with a glare.

"Well, MBI owns the city after all…" Shiratori pointed out.

"Yeah and this phone number was never registered, and only three people know it," Ryu informed. "So, Minaka Hiroto, how in the hell did you get this number?"

"I will admit, Mr Ryu Hisanaga, you did not make it easy for me to get this number," Minaka informed, a wide grin spreading across his face. "But… with the number of satellites at my command, including ones dedicated to capturing cell signals, so I got your number eventually, and I am calling you, Ryu Hisanaga, retired captain of the JGSDF Special Forces Group to welcome you into the Sekirei plan, which by winging little number 25 over there… have been conscripted into and shall fight and fight and fight some more until ascension for you and your chosen Sekirei is within your grasp."

"And those of us who have no wish for ascension?" Ryu questioned, his eyes and voice hard as he spoke with the chairman.

"AsI said, Mr Hisanaga, you have been conscripted into this Game of my making," Minaka informed. "Even if you have no wish, others do, and they will come after you to defeat your Sekirei..."

Shiratori stared at the phone stoically. "I'll never allow myself to be defeated," she simply said, before looking at Ryu.

Ryu returned the look for a brief moment. "I have no interest in this 'game' of yours, Minaka," he informed flatly. "And if anyone dares to come after me or mine… well… if you have the intelligence you say you do… then what I did in North Korea should give you plenty of ideas on what I will do in response."

"Oohh, frightening..." Minaka mocked as he let out a dramatic shiver. "I look forward to seeing you in action, Mr Hisanaga… and please remember, you can't share this information with anyone not involved in the Sekirei plan, or else I'd have to kill you and anyone you've told."

"Not if I kill you first, psycho," Ryu growled before cutting the call and set down the phone as he took in several calming breaths.

Shiratori couldn't help but start breathing heavily at Ryu's protectiveness, even though she was still wearing her neutral mask. It was then that she knew she had chosen correctly - Ryu was indeed her destined Ashikabi. "Ryu-kun, Minaka-san is right. Even if you lay low and try to stay out of the game, there are people who will try to to come after us just to terminate me. And I know there are a few Ashikabi who will do anything just to get an edge in this game…" she explained with a shiver, recalling one of her earlier encounters with one of said Ashikabi.

Ryu reopened his eyes and gave her a soft, sympathetic look. "I have spent much of my life fighting, Shira-chan," he told her in a soft voice. "I have lost many good friends and comrades over the years because of that life of fighting, I… am personally sick of it, make no mistake, should these other Ashikabi come after us, I will use them as an example, but… I guess this is a lot to take in so quickly… so… tell me about yourself, Shira-chan."

"Alright, Ryu-kun," Shiratori replied, a crack of affection leaking through her neutral tone. "I'm the Sekirei of magnetism, so I can magnetize objects to each other so long as I'm touching them, or I can pull them towards me. In combat, I prefer to use any kind of weapon I can make out of nearby steel, but generally I like using coilguns." To illustrate her point, she pointed a finger towards a clock lying on the floor. As soon as her finger started radiating a silvery glow, the clock shot towards her, and she caught it in mid-air with her hand and set it down.

"Impressive," Ryu commented approvingly. "But… I was more of talking about yourself, your likes, dislikes, and the such like."

"E-Eh?" the silverette blinked, her mask breaking for but a moment. She settled back quickly though, and replied, "Well, I like…" She paused and cast a glance at the bag with her manga in it that was lying off to the side, for once unable to give a neutral answer with her mask on. When she realized Ryu was still looking at her expectantly, she coughed and whispered, "... Shoujo manga. I also like eating takoyaki, and spending time with my Ashikabi in general."

Ryu chuckled in response to her embarrassment. "Well, for myself, I enjoy people watching when I can, my favorite food is real authentic Ramen, not the instant noodle stuff," he informed with a soft smile, looking as if he was remembering something. "And… I think I will enjoy spending time with you as well."

Shiratori's cheeks coloured again, as she stared at Ryu. With another cough, she forced herself to go on, "And I don't like electronics. Every time I pick one up it simply fails on me…" her shoulders sagged slightly. "I can't even use a simple mobile phone or a computer…"

Ryu hummed in response as he tapped his chin. "Have you ever tried using ones with EMP shielding?" he asked. "I have a friend who can modify electronics to shield them."

Shiratori looked up in surprise. "Really!? So I won't ever have a phone or computer break down on me again!?"

Ryu shrugged in response and held out his phone to her. "Give it a try," he informed. "This one is shielded so..."

"Umm, okay…" she took the phone gingerly as if it were made of glass and looked around it for the power button. After finding it, she pressed it, and blinked once as the screen lit up. "It… it worked!" she gasped.

Ryu smiled at her as she fiddled around with the phone. "I'll have my friend prep and send a phone for you then," he informed. "Anything else, a laptop? Mobile DVD player?"

"A laptop!" she blurted out, before covering her mouth and turning aside to hide her blush. "R-Ryu-kun, can you teach me how to use them too?" she asked, even as she took off her glasses.

Ryu nodded. "Of course I can," he assured. "I'm not the greatest at them, but I do have a fair hand with computers."

Shiratori looked at Ryu with stars dancing in her eyes for several moments. "Yay!" she cheered, before tackling him and almost knocking him to the ground. "Thank you thank you thank you!" she added, before suddenly realizing her exact position on top of him, and colouring a bright red.

Ryu muffled something as his face was buried between the two globes of pillowy flesh that rested on her chest, just as the door slid open.

"Ara ara, Ryu-san, Shiratori-chan…" Miya Asama stood in the doorway, looking on at the scene with a ladylike smile on her face and shadows falling over her eyes. "I believe I specifically mentioned that lewd acts are forbidden at Izumo Inn…"

Cue Miya's trademark aura of doom and accompanying Hannya mask appearing over her shoulder.

"HIIIIIIII!" Shiratori screamed as she hurriedly got off Ryu, propped him up and hid behind him.

Ryu deadpanned at Miya with a blank look. "That wasn't what was happening and you know it wasn't, Asama-san," Ryu said bluntly.

"It certainly looked like a lewd act to me…" Miya just kept smiling.

Ryu kept staring at her bluntly. "Why do you insist on bullying those who can't stand up to that mask of yours?"

"Ara ara, it's the best way to make sure everyone follows the rules of Izumo Inn," Miya replied.

"I'm starting to wonder if you're repressed or something," Ryu muttered.

"The little birds living here are a handful after all," the landlady just smiled mysteriously.

Ryu sighed in response, shaking his head. "Asama-san, I am quite sure that if 'Hito was here, he'd have taken you to his room and fucked you silly," he grumbled. "So I'm saying this in his stead… get laid."

Miya blinked in surprise at the blunt statement, the momentary lapse in concentration causing her Hannya mask to shatter again. "There is a very good reason for this rule actually. These walls aren't soundproof," she pointed at the traditional Japanese tatami walls lining the room.

"Something the two of you should've thought of when remodeling," Ryu countered with a grin.

Miya actually blushed at that. Having no counter for Ryu, she decided to just beat a hasty tactical retreat. "I suppose I should be finishing up with making dinner at any rate. It'll be ready in about half an hour."

Ryu chuckled in response as Miya fled from the room. "Knowing 'Hito… he wanted people to hear..." he muttered to himself before turning to Shiratori. "Are you alright?"

"Yo-You just scared her off…" Shiratori stared wide-eyed at Ryu.

Ryu shrugged. "I know her type, she plays the innocent housewife, but I'm sure she's secretly a wildcat," he informed. "Plus it helps that I developed an immunity to that mask of hers."

"A… wildcat?" Shiratori blinked, not quite getting the innuendo.

"Loud, wild and kinky in bed," Ryu clarified.

Shiratori blinked once, twice, before her cheeks turned bright red again. She spluttered for a moment at the images flying through her head, before she promptly passed out right into Ryu's lap.

Ryu blinked in response. "Wow… talk about innocent..." he muttered, blinking in surprise.

END CHAPTER