For the Love of Family

By NegimaFan

Author's Notes: A long time ago, I tried my hand at fanfiction, but college, work, graduate school, life, and finally a dried up muse killed it years ago. Though, I still read fanfiction from time to time, I no longer wrote it. Earlier this year, I started reading Sekirei fanfiction (I cannot remember why) and for some reason I could not get enough of it. I started to get ideas, and one interesting idea formed in my head, one I had to write down. At first, I tried to find a writer on this site who liked writing Sekirei fanfiction and who I thought could do a better job with it than me. But after several attempts, and some words of encouragement, I decided to take a stab, for the first time in over six years, at writing a fanfic again. In regards to the Sekirei Manga itself, it is enjoyable, but I think many can agree it has its problems. From handling of characters Miya, Uzume, Minato, Takami, to the ridiculous attempt at making Mikogami look good (word of advice to the writers of Sekirei, I am not against creating a character like that with depth and a chance at redemption, but you have to give us a reason that is believable and one that I makes me want to care) to the truly anti-climactic end of Akitsu. That being said, I wanted to take a crack at a world where, through a series of circumstances, Miya takes care of Takami's kids at a young age, and through their influence of one another, change each other for the better. Based on Minato's influence on Miya in the manga, I do not think that it is to exaggerated. One thing I want to make clear before I begin is I AM IN NO WAY BASHING ANY OF THE CHARACTERS! It may look like that at times, but it is not my want, or intention, to bash them (unless their an antagonist, in which case they are supposed to be evil and I am not sure it counts as bashing) and I will be mocking/calling into question some of the decisions of the character choices in the manga. I do not hate the characters, but some of the choices made by Miya and Takami are just baffling, and I always wondered why Miya always seemed to put down Minato whenever he did something good in the early arcs or why Takami constantly discouraged her son like she did. This is my first attempt in years, so please be gentle. Also, a big thanks to Vimesenthusiast, ADdude, makoto x chelia, and especially Anime93 for their advice and words of encouragement.

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Dead.

She could not believe it. As she looked down at the tombstone, she could not believe it. 'Oh, my beloved Takehito, why did this happen? Why did you have to go back? Was there no other way?' She looked around at the small procession of people that came to the funeral. She saw the members of Discipline Squad, even Karasuba (who showed a small smirk), as well as a number of the Sekirei Takehito adjusted in his time including Homura, Yume, Uzume, and the twins. Some of the scientists from MBI came as well, including Miyajima and Seo, but no Minaka. 'Why am I not surprised? When did he ever really care? Why did I not see the kind of man he was sooner?' She looked back at the stone dejectedly. It did not matter to her anymore, none of this did. After today she probably would not see most of these people ever again, and she was fine with that. With Takehito gone, all she had was the inn now, and she would do everything she could to keep it going. Takehito wanted her to live her own life, 'but what life could I have without Takehito? He was the only man I ever loved, the only man who ever made me feel something. But I promise to keep your memory alive, I will keep the inn safe, your legacy you-'

"Mom?" Miya turned around, and in the distance she saw a grey haired woman holding a child in each hand. One was a small girl, the other a young boy. "Who are these people? Was this guy your friend?" The girl then whispered "Was he our daddy?"

"Hush Yukari." Takami groaned inwardly, what was she thinking, why did she give in to her mother?

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Flashback

"I'll be back in a few days mother, keep the kids safe, and when I get back I'll take them somewhere-" she stopped mid-sentence when she noticed her mother had her kids dressed with suitcases and a set of mourning clothes. "What's going on? Why do my kids look like they're about to go on a trip?"

"Because they are," the elderly Sahashi stated, "they are going with you."

"What? Oh no, there is no way they are coming with me, this is-"

"A funeral, I know, for your old friend and colleague Takehito. You are going to show some respect and warmth to his widow by taking these kids along."

"Are you crazy?! How will that-"

"How many friends did this man have?"

Takami actually blinked, "What? I-I don't know. I guess-"

"Not a lot right?" Silence. "Does he have any family aside from his wife?" Again, silence. "I thought so, given if he was desperate enough to have you as a friend." Takami actually glared at that comment. "Look, just take them. They have always wanted to see Tokyo and you are always making excuses. Show some support, show this Miya woman that you care, and that your whole family mourns his passing."

"But they never even met him."

"And whose fault is that?" Silence. "Look, just take them and spend a few days with her, cheer her up, show her that there are still good things in this world and help her through the pain. I know from experience, she is going to need some support, and from your ramblings I know she is not going to get it from any of his other colleagues or friends."

"If you think-"

"Are you challenging me, Takami, in my own house?"

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And that was how Takami ended up coming to the funeral with her kids 'Why? Why did I give in? I never give in?' She signed, they had only been there a few minutes and Yukari was already asking questions, which were very inappropriate for the situation. "This is not the time, now behave or I swear your grounded until your 30." Yukari pouted slightly, but simply nodded. "Now follow me, be polite, and recite the prayer I told you." She then looked at Minato, who was shaking slightly, "And stop being so nervous, no one is going to hurt you."

Minato looked around, and saw a grey-haired woman actually smirk at him. He quickly looked straight ahead, "H-Hai, Okaa-san." He then followed his mother as they proceeded to the stone and recited they prayer. After the prayer, as he was heading to his seat he looked at Miya, and realized she had been staring at them the entire time. "H-Hello."

Miya gave a small smile, "Hello. I do not believe we have met before, I am Asama Miya, and you are?"

"S-Sahashi Minato."

"Sahashi? Ah, so you are Takami's son. I wondered who the two little ones who came with her are. Is the girl your sister?" He nodded. "She seems sweet, I thank you for coming."

"Minato," Takami hissed, "don't bother her, just come over here and take your seat."

"It's quite alright Takami, your son is the first person today to say hello to me aside from my old, er, friends." She looked over to her squad mates from back in the day. Aside from them, everyone else was too afraid to speak, her reputation was quite well-known and frightening to even the younger members of MBI.

She then noticed the girl, Yukari, was staring, "Wow, your very pretty. I love your hair."

Miya smiled, "Thank you."

"Yukari, sit down."

She turned to her mother, "You said be polite, and I don't wanna be rude and not say hi." She turned back to Miya, "Was Takehito yours?"

Miya assumed she referred to the ring on her finger and asking if he was her husband, "Yes, he was. And to answer your question, no, he was not your father."

Yukari blushed, "Sorry." Everyone was starring, no one talked to Miya this long before, and everyone was too afraid to bring up anything about her husband. "It's just, he sounded like a really great guy, and I, well," she trailed off, unable to finish.

"He was a great man, and he will be missed. I will not forget his sacrifice."

"Sacrifice?" Miya and Yukari turned to Minato, he had barely said anything all day.

Miya suddenly had a forlorn look. She did not know why she said that, ordinarily she would have made up a lie about his death in front of those who did not know, but here, at his funeral, she could not bring herself to lie, "Yes, he died saving...some of my...family." Fresh tears formed on her face as she suddenly felt a warm body around her waist. She looked down to see Minato hugging her. At this, everyone froze. No one, absolutely no one, was crazy enough to touch Miya, she had always refused to allow anyone, save Takehito, from touching her since she discovered what such actions truly meant. Now this boy was hugging her. Miya simply stared at the boy as he looked up at her. He then let go and went back to the stone and recited another prayed he had learned a while ago, "Thank you Takehito for your noble sacrifice, and may those you saved prosper." Miya's eyes widened, everyone else had recited the traditional prayers for this ceremony but that prayer had felt more...compassionate. "My grandfather taught me that prayer...before he-" the boy began to choke up.

Miya slowly walked over to him, bent down, and kissed his forehead. "Thank you, it means lot to me."

Takami's eyes widened, 'What the hell is going on?'

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Hours after the funeral had ended, and most of the mourners had left, Miya went up to Takami, who was currently on the phone, "Takami," she turned to Miya, "I wanted to thank you for coming, and for bringing your family. It...meant a lot to me." She then turned and smiled at the children.

Takami simply stared for a moment before responding, "You're...You're welcome. It was my Mother's idea, she thought it would...help."

"It did. I was wondering, how long will you be in Tokyo with the children?"

"Just for the night, they head back to their grandmother tomorrow."

"So soon? But you just arrived, and I bet they would love to see Tokyo. I have lived here for years and have barely scratched the surface." This was true, but only because Miya had no real interest in exploring Tokyo.

Yukari looked at her mom excitedly, "Oh mom, can we? Please?!"

"No, I am not spending a fortune on a hotel just so-"

"Hotel? What is wrong with your apartment?"

Takami turned and looked like she wanted to shout at her, "It's under renovations, for at least another month." She did not bring up that was why she was even in the country in the first place. After the accident a MBI, Minaka had begun to grow increasingly paranoid and ordered new security measures to be added to hers and a number of other apartments occupied by the company scientists. She had briefly returned to the country just to clear her head while the funeral arrangements were made.

Miya frowned, then clasped her hands together as an idea formed, "Well, why don't you stay at my inn? There is plenty of room, and I would love to get to know your family."

"Really?!" Yukari beamed, "Oh, we have to stay now, I wanna to see Tokyo."

Takami groaned, "I do not have time for this, things are crazy right now, and besides," she turned to Minato with a look in her eye, "you two probably want to get home, right?"

"Um, actually," Minato managed to get out, "I would love to see Tokyo." His voice barely above a whisper.

A smiled appeared on Miya's lips, "Wonderful, it's settled."

"Oh no, if you think," but Miya stared into Takami's eyes and in that moment was at a loss for words.

"What is so important that you cannot spend a few days in Tokyo with your family?" again, Takami was silent, unable to think of anything that would not involve MBI. She had a strange feeling Miya would call her out on any lie she came up with.

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"Wow, Tokyo's amazing," Yukari was bouncing with joy. For the past week, She, Miya, Minato, and Takami had been exploring parks, shrines, and other attractions across Tokyo. Right now, they were returning to the inn after a trip to the zoo, the first time Yukari had ever been to one.

Miya gave a small smile, "I am glad you enjoyed it, it was my first time as well."

"Really? Buy you've been living in Tokyo for year."

"I never really felt like going before now," she turned to Minato, "did you enjoy the zoo as well?"

Minato gave a slight nod, "Yes, thank you."

Takami signed as she sat down and took out a cigarette, "Well I am glad you had fun today, because-" she found herself cut off as Miya snatched the cigarette from her.

"You can smoke if you want, but please do it outside."

Takami glowered at her, but did not retort. Instead, she looked back at her kids, "As I was saying, I am glad you had fun because tomorrow you are heading back to your grandmothers."

Yukari pouted, "Aw, mom, can't we stay here with you? It's so much fun here, and besides, you work in Tokyo."

"No," Takami looked at her daughter, "my job is very demanding, and I am hardly at my apartment as is, and there is no way I am bringing your grandmother up here is be your caretaker. That's why-"

"But it's so boring living with her, and we barely see you, can't we just-"

"NO! Even if I stayed at my apartment more, it's too small for three people, and due to my job's requirements getting a bigger place is no longer an option. So you are going back to the country. What is there here that need so badly you can't get there?"

"Um, actually," Takami turned as her son spoke up, "I hear the schools here are the best in Japan."

Takami quirked an eyebrow, "And?"

"W-Well, I want to go to Tokyo U one day and-"

"Wait, you want to go to Tokyo U?!" Minato nodded his head slightly, "(sigh) Son I love you, but do you have any idea how hard it is to get into that school? Half the people that apply never get in, and of the ones that do get in, about a fourth of them end up flunking out. There are plenty of good schools where you are and it would be better if you set your sights on them."

"B-But I really want to try for Tokyo U, like you."

Takami chuckled, "Son, are you anything like me?" He slowly shook his head no, "I don't want you to set yourself up for failure. If you do well in school, and if your grades are good enough, you can take the exam." He looked up hopefully, "But, only if you are in the top of your class, and I will only fund you if you get in, but just so you know the chances of you getting in are slim. Don't just go for Tokyo U, try some other schools as well."

Miya simply starred, "Um, isn't he a little young for this kind of talk."

"You are never too young to prepare for the future, especially in Japan."

Minato looked at her again, "B-But the schools here are made for the best, almost all their students who are in the tops of the years get in to Tokyo U on the first try."

"Son, the schools here are fierce, the kids would eat you alive, and I would not be around most of the time to protect or help you, so tell me, how would this work?"

Minato lowered his head, "I-I don't-"

"They could stay here." Instantly they all turned to Miya, she was shocked as anyone when she said that, 'Where did that come from?'

"What?" Takami just stared at her.

"They-they could stay with me. I have plenty of room, and this place is so lonely without any residents. I would love for them to stay."

"WE CAN STAY HERE?!" Yukari turned to her mother, "here that mom? That solves everything."

Takami got up from her seat, "Miya can I talk to you in the kitchen?"

"Of course."

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"Just what is going on? Why the sudden interest in my kids?"

Miya simply stared at her before clasping her own hands around Takami's and looking into her eyes, "Takami, listen, this place feels so empty now, it hurts. I-I don't want to be alone if I don't have too. I promise I'll take good care of them, and this way you can visit them more often. "

"Oh come on, if you are that lonely why not rent out some of the rooms?"

Miya chuckled, "I have been trying, but no one seems to want to stay here, except Seo, and he only comes here for free food, he refuses to pay for anything. He's just plain scum."

"What about the other Sekirei?"

"Which ones? Most of them are at MBI, and they won't be released for years. The only ones allowed to roam are my squad mates, and they barely speak to me. Mutsu is out exploring the world, Matsu is still with MBI, Kazehana might pop in once in a while but all she does is mope about Minaka turning down her advances, and as for Karasuba," her features darkened, "I'd prefer never seeing her again."

Takami shook her head, "Miya, I am sorry about what happened, but I just don't want my kids so...close to all of this."

Miya frowned, "They will find out one day, Minaka won't keep it secret forever, nor will he keep your involvement in it a secret. Wouldn't it be better if your children hear it from you rather than a TV screen or the news?"

"No, if I have it my way, they'll never find out."

"That's the real reason you don't want you son going to Tokyo U, right?"

She hesitated before answering, "Yes, but I won't stand in his way if that is what he really wants."

"Then let your kids stay here, let them go to school in Tokyo. I promise to watch over them, I would love to be a big sister to them?"

"Big sister?"

"Yes," a small bit of her aura appeared, "is that not a good title for me?"

Takami took a deep breath, "I still think this is a bad idea."

Miya looked straight into her eyes, pleading, "Please, Takami, they will be safe here. I know I can never have a family of my own with Takehito gone, but I would love to be a part of this one."

Takami froze at those words, "You just had to say that didn't you?"

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Yukari looked at her mother, not believing it "WE CAN STAY?! YES!" she then ran up and hugged her, "Thank you Kaa-san, this is the best!"

Minato smiled, "Thank you Okaa-san" He then turned to Miya, "and thank you, Miya-san, for your generous offer."

"You are very welcome, and there is no need to be so formal, you can call me Miya, or if you want Onee-san."

"Of course...Onee-san."

Takami looked at her kids, "Now, remember, you are to be on your best behavior at all times. If I here that you are causing problems, or that you are slacking off in school, it's straight back to the country with your grandmother, understand?" They both nodded. Takami then turned to Miya, "You had better keep your promise."

Miya nodded, "I will, they will be safe with me."

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Time Skip

Miya was humming as she prepared dinner, she could believe it had already been two months. She also could not believe at how quickly Takami was able to get all the paperwork completed and get Minato and Yukari enrolled in school in Tokyo. The wonders of MBI. Also, in that short time, she had really come to like the kids, they breathed life into her inn and helped her deal with the pain. She did not think she would ever get over the loss of her husband, but at least she had something to look forward to each day, rather than simply keeping the inn clean on the off chance someone decided to actually board here. She suddenly heard a door open, and knew the kids were home from school, "Welcome home you too, how was your-" She stopped and stared in shock. Minato was covered in bruises, "Minato!" she rushed towards him checking him over, and running her hands gently across the bruises, checking for anything serious, "What happened to you?!"

"Stupid Onii-chan!" Yukari screamed, "Why did you do that, I was fine. I was handling it."

"Handling?! Yukari," Miya asked slowly, a hannya mask appearing behind her, "what did you do?"

Yukari froze, "I-I...there were these bullies...they were being jerks and I...well..." she mumbled the last part.

"YES?"

"I...threw rocks at them."

Miya's aura grew a little stronger, "I see...so you provoked a bunch of kids...without thinking the consequences."

"It-it wasn't like that...I just there was this girl.."

"A friend," Miya looked back a Minato, who finally spoke up, "she was a friend Yukari made in class, and the boys were teasing her and lifting girls skirts. Yukari told them to stop and when they ignored her, she threw rocks at them."

"I see," she turned back to Miya, her aura fading slightly and asked, "why did you not alert a teacher about this?"

Yukari scoffed, "One of the kinds is that superintendant's son, they're all afraid to do anything."

"So why is Minato the one covered in bruises?"

"They were coming for me, but Onii-chan got in the way and refused to move, so they beat him up."

Miya sighed, "Yukari, go upstairs, I will be speaking with you in a minute. Minato come with me, we needed to get those bruises treated."

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"Ow, ow!"

"Keep still Minato," Miya said as she applied the ointment, "It will only take longer if you struggle."

"Yes Miya-nee. It just hurts a lot."

Miya looked him gently, "Why did you do it? Why didn't you go for help?"

"There wasn't any time, they were about to beat up my sister, I had to do something."

"And this 'something' was allowing yourself to be a punching bag?"

"I-I couldn't fight all of them?"

"Then why-"

"Because she's my sister. Isn't that what big brothers are supposed to do? Protect their sisters no matter what?"

Miya looked at him for a moment before sighing, "You are a good Onii-san." She patted him on the head, "go upstairs and get some rest. I'll bring you something to eat later."

Minato nodded and went to his room.

Miya then went to Yukari's room, and noticed there were fresh tears in eyes, "Stupid Onii-chan."

"Yukari," She turned and saw Miya standing there, only to be tackled by the little girl.

"Onee-san! I am so sorry, I-I never wanted anyone to get hurt, but I my friend was in trouble and I-"

"Yukari, it's nice to see you standing up for your friends, but please remember that all actions have consequences, trust me, I know from experience."

She sniffled, "You-you do?"

"Yes, and I ask that you please be more careful of this in the future. Minato will not always be there to help you," Yukari nodded, "now," she leaned down, "tell me everything about your friend, the other girls, and the boys who bullied them."

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The next day Miya went to the school to have a 'talk' with the staff, and the kids involved, about the incident and how to prevent it from happening again. Needless to say, no one ever bothered Yukari or Minato after that, In fact, bulling and incidents at the school dropped to an all time low.

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Well, there's my first chapter. As you can see, I wanted to experiment with an interesting idea. Many of the characters core persona's will be the same, although they will be gradually changing due to interactions with others. In the next chapter, things will really be taking a turn, in a way I do not think anyone on this sight has tried before. Please let me know what you think, and if anyone wants to help me co-author this story, please PM me. Any veteran writer would be appreciated.