I was never really into fan fiction, but I did know for years it existed. A number of years ago I found myself in the fan scene with conventions and the like. Eventually ending up online role playing various parts. Eventually I concluded that this role play is just another form of fan fiction. So, here it is, my first real attempt at fan fiction.

i certainly could have written about any number of other universes from trek, babylon 5, or many others I gave enjoyed over the years, however Sekirei has managed somehow to find a hone close to my heart.

i love canon, I love to imagine what ifs while keeping as true to the official story as possible, working in fine details within my mind that help my own viewing, or reading enjoyment.

So please, if you feel anything is out of character, I would love to hear what, and why you believe so.

Please note. I do not own or profess to have any rights over the characters included below, other than that as a fan who loves the anime and manga.

-—•-•—-

Minato wandered around Izumi Inn, the place was completely empty. He had returned from stage 4, and its events shaken but strengthened. The near misses he, and his Sekirei experienced still weighed on him, but he could see what he would have done different, and he knew he could trust each and every one of them. His faith, and respect for each had grown exponentially.

Minato wandered from room to room, memories licking at his melancholy as he paused in each one. Uzume's room. He missed her dearly, his thoughts traversed to when he first met her, she was nearly NAKED, and him a stranger in the Inn. He then thought of all that occurred afterwards, the Veiled Sekirei attacks, how his own sekerei wished to hunt her down, and deal with her for failing to honour the unspoken rule.

He made note that he had to remember to contact Chiho. He recalled promising they would meet, and have a good day of it to remember Uzume and what she did for all of them. He had a idea of what he would do, as he smiled a bit thinking Uzume would certainly agree with such a thing. He also had a promise he had made, and he felt like there was still more to be done to fulfil it.

A sigh escaped from his lips, as he moved to the next room, and just looked around, the futon was put away, the small cubbie for clothing and personal items in the corners, holding his friends' items. The house seemed, no, it WAS strangely quiet as his memory flashed back to various occurrences as he entered the bath area, a smile came to his mind as he thought about the many times Miya had caught him, and the girls having fun, always innocent, but he had to respect her for being so guarded in enforcing her rules. She certainly was scary tho when she was displeased on something.

His eyes traveled down the hall, to the plain wall, he pressed against it and it opened slowly, eirely so. The slight hum of computers and the flickering of the displays and their data as he paused just inside, as he again, thought on the planning and strategy sessions he had with Matsu. The strange geeky woman was certainly dear to him, he felt something within him grow at the mere thought of her. He turned, and he slipped out smiling to himself.

A moment later, he found himself leaning against the entry to his own room. The losses and near losses seemed to invade him as the images in his mind of being surrounded by his harem when he woke up. Much to Miya's displeasure, Every night he would retire alone, for a good nights rest, and wake up, well, to just about every one of his Sekirei either attached to him, or an appendage trying to take their small piece of him. He truthfully didn't mind it so much, if the scary Hanya wasn't so much of the routine. A thought came to him then..

"Yes, I will have to remember to ask Miya-dono about that." he spoke quietly.

"About what Minato-san?" She had seemingly snuck up on him as he had drifted with this thoughts and memories.

"Ahhhh!" he nearly jumped out of his own skin. "Sorry Miya, are the others back yet?"

"No, not yet. I gave them some more errands to run, I figured it would be a good thing to return to a daily routine and not just linger to much. We will have Cake, Ice cream, and a small party tonight to celebrate however before the final stage takes place. and with Minaka.. You never know." she answered. She smiled, the youngster reminded her so much of her husband, the man she loved dearly.

"So, I ask again, what are you going to have to ask me about?"

"Oh, its nothing huge, and I certainly do not wish to upset you about it.. It feels like a sensitive topic" Minato half inquired.. Not wanting to commit himself yet, but also knowing the time was opportune with just the two of them in the house.

"I see… " Miya smiled, and then turned, heading down the stairs.. "well come see me when you want to ask, I will do my best to answer, no Guarantees tho"

After another couple minutes, Minato had lingered, and allowed the memories to flood back, comforting him. He certainly had found a home here, a home, and maybe something more. A reason to live, a journey of meaning for himself where he seemed previously well.. Listless and unfocused before

Miya quietly came out from the kitchen, carrying a small plate of sandwiches and munchies. Dinner was simmering, but it was good sometimes to spoil the lad. Make sure he got some food into him before his Sekirei invariably got him into trouble with her, she smiled a bit as she sat and heard him come down the stairs.. 'Im in here Minato. come have a snack.'

Having heard Miya, the wayward would be college student moved to sit, across from her, and took up a sandwich, taking a bite. he lingered in deep thought as Miya inquired 'Well? Go ahead, I can tell you have questions" Minato nodded as he swallowed.

"Well, its hard when you think about it, I do have a couple questions, but which might suitable to only be asked of you when no one else is around.. its why I.." his voice trailed off. Miya waited patiently "Time wont freeze you know, your sekirei will return and your moment will have been lost." she quipped.

"I know. Now, Im going to ask, but before you whip out the deadly scary hanya over my question, remember Im only asking for the sake of understanding' he had come to know Miya rather well, and how fast she jumped on her tenants over the rules breaking, specially this one.

Miya nodded 'Go ahead'.

"Well, your rule about indecent acts in the Inn here.. " Miya frowned a bit as a Hanya started to shift within the air behind her.. as if ready to pounce

"Easy Miya, remember I know its your house, and your rules. You can also decide not to help me understand if you wish, but I feel I have to ask. Musubi and the others.. are, as winged Sekirei, my wives correct?" Miya nodded to Minato as he continued "So how can there be anything indecent between a Ashikabi and his Sekirei, between Husband and Wives" he paused a great moment, waiting, watching for that shimmering almost presence of the Hanya to strengthen "I know you must have a good reason, I am just wondering, specially when you -catch us- you jump right to a conclusion something indecent is being done. Like when I wake up and they are in effect, their own blanket of Sekirei in the morning"

Miya laughed a bit, and nodded "I see what you mean and yes, I do have a very good reason, more then one actually, and its for your own good, and theirs".

"I see" Minato half nodded, "I don't suppose you could fill me in, cause honestly, Im starting to feel pressure to I guess perform and fill the needs of these women I love dearly. To the point I am considering a love hotel throughout the day, just to fill their needs.." Minato found himself waving his hands protectively, trying to wave off the slowly solidifying Hanya which was moving slowly over Miya's head

"... That, would be very unwise." Miya spoke slowly

"I never said it was something I was seriously considering.. but.. what's stopping me is the question. It wouldn't be indecent acts IN this.. your.. Inn, OUR home.. right?" the young man looked at Miya carefully, trying to evaluate her as she gave thought to his words, the Hanya still shimmered quietly unthreatening in the background.. as it was obvious she was giving it great thought.

"Minato, you know there are things which I can share with you, and some things that are not yet ready to be told. Its for this reason.." Miya had gotten a little evasive, and Minato couldnt help but smile.

"Tell me something Minato.. " she inquired breaking her silence, as the ashikabi nodded, "Lets say you do. Right now, Tsukuimi, has a strong jealous streak. Now imagine you do this thing, and suddenly her jealousy flares up. Then you have the others to contend with, which one do you take first? Are you ready to choose which one gets your first time? Are you ready to choose which one gets that from you? It's less about the indecency..You have grown a great deal since coming to Izumu Inn, since making this your home, but is there truely any harm in at the least, waiting until after …" she paused a long moment.. as her visage turned angrier.. ".. Until after Minaka's so called GAME has come to its logical conclusion?"

Minato nodded, "I think I understand at least a bit more Miya. You are right, thats a huge choice to be prepared to make. Not to mention things are GOOD right now, each of my Sekirei are finding their place.." he fell quiet then as the front door slammed open and the voice rang out. "MUSUBI WINS AGAIN"

Tsukuimi entered quickly behind her hollaring her obvious displeasure as the proper wife, with Ku and Kazehana entering together; both carrying suitable loads from the shopping. "Homura had a few more errands to run. Matsu's with him so they should be fine" the purple garbed Kazahana explained entering the dining room. She paused, and her eyes went from Miya to Minato, sensing something serious she smiled, turned and took Ku to the kitchen "Come on, lets go help put this stuff away" "KAY" cried out the littlest Sekirei, she paused, gave Minato a huge hug, then darted away with her eldest Sister.

The sounds of the four from the kitchen could be heard carrying through the now less quiet home, 'Well that didnt last long did it Miya, Its good tho, that we sat, and had this talk I think, it helps me a great deal to understand. Be assured, nothing -indecent- will occur, you have my word. Least until this game is done with" he stood, and smiled.

As the Ashikabi turned Miya spoke "So thats all you needed?" "For now Miya, thats sufficient, and I will honour your rules the best I am able. Its the least I can do.. for the kind woman who took me in, and protected me, and my sekirei in our times of need" Minato chuckled lightly as he continued 'I think I should go help them, give them some of my time as I consider your words carefully" then he was off, Miya could hear the sounds from the kitchen as she smiled, the Hanya mask had faded moments before the girls returned from shopping, and was all but a distant memory. "Soon, soon I pray" she said quietly to herself with a smile on her face.

She heard Minato cry out, the girls had obviously attacked him for attention "The first to finish putting their shopping away gets a kiss", his voice carried, Miya smiled, it was obvious he was getting accustomed to contests.

Moments later, Ku could be heard declaring she had won, followed by Tsukuime's trademark hollar of displeasure.