"I fell asleep in a world dressed in gray, Only to awake in a garden divine..."

Chapter 5. A Shade of Gray

3 years ago

"You should see it sometime Karasuba! It's really quite amazing!" Yume said as she twirled around and practically danced on the beach they were currently strolling through.

Yume was still bubbling with excitement after having visited the city of Shinto Teito for her first adjustment in MBI's labs and so they had decided to spend the rest of their free time exploring Kamikura Island.

There was a breeze in the air around the beach, specks of sand being thrown up every so often as Karasuba stared into the open ocean, wondering why it was exactly that she kept seeking interaction with The Sekirei of Light.

"I will eventually have to see it one day, Yume-san." Karasuba scoffed at her forgetfulness. "Adjustments are to be done to all of us before the game begins"

Undeterred by her response Yume gasps, "Of course! We'll all get to enjoy it, and after all the tests and adjustments, we can finally start looking for our Destined Ashikabi!" She sighed dreamily as her cheeks took on a pink tint. "I can just picture it now... What an adventure it'll be!"

There it is again, Karasuba thought with a wistful smile. Yume's never ending desire to love and to be loved. They were both as different as night and day. Maybe that is why they were always around each other, the thought struck her like a blow to the gut, but the more she followed the line of thought, the more she realized the truth in it.

It was pure physics, there can be no darkness without light and vice versa. No death without life.

Maybe this is also why little Kusano and Shiina were always joined at the hip? It was no secret that The Sekirei of Life and the Sekrei of Death had a close bond with one another, even stronger than that of a brother and sister. Perhaps it's the need to feel complete, as if their weakness' and strengths come together to form something close to perfection.

Hearing her name called, she was brought out of her thoughts, Glancing at Yume, she noticed her expression was one of concern and worry. "What is it, Yume-san?" She asked cautiously, Thinking of what would change her normally bright demeanor so quickly.

"I.. was wondering if you were also excited about finding your Ashikabi, Karasuba-san?" Yume had an almost desperate look on her face, these conversations with The Black Sekirei have always ended with failure in the past.

"Yume-san, You know very well the answer to that question. My only passion is my blade and the blood that occasionally runs off its edge..." She trailed off as she unsheathed and examined said sword, her reflection gleaming off its smooth and polished surface, a light smile forming on her face at the thought of battle.

"We are supposed to love, Karasuba-san." Yume said sadly, her words slightly wavering, feeling distraught over the words spoken by her lifelong friend. "It's what we do as Sekirei-"

"-What we do as Sekirei is fight, Yume-san. If we were meant to love these lowly creatures, we would not be at such distances when it comes to strength and power", Karasuba bit out while trying to control her temper. Her respect and fondness for Yume holding her back from reacting violently.

"Your mistake is thinking that love and strength are completely different notions, Karasuba-san!", Yume cried out, her emotions getting the better of her. "We are empowered by those we love! When a Sekirei is winged, we gain not only strength but an entirely new world, Our Ashikabi." As she says this, Karasuba scoffs while sheathing her nodachi, having heard this before on numerous occasions, but she continues softly, "Someone to learn from and discover new things with... Someone to live or die for because that is what love means, to a find something worth giving your life for." She finishes while looking sadly disappointed at Karasuba.

"Oh, Please Yume-San, spare me your childish sentiments." Karasuba smirked, seeing Yume's hurt expression, "Theyre getting quite tiresome" She continued while yawning, walking back towards the Ship, gray hair flowing in the breeze.

"One day, Karasuba", Yume muttered to herself, "One day, I'd like to see this world make you stop and stare at it in wonder."

"Onee-chan! What are you doing out here?!" A young girl bearing a striking resemblance to Yume came running down the beach, her bare feet sending mud and water flying into the air as she left a trail of tiny footprints in her wake. Launching herself into Yume, she enveloped her in a hug. "We're you swimming without me, Onee-chan?", at this she pouted adorably, her full cheeks enhancing the effect. "You promised to always tell me before going, Onee-chan!"

Yume smiled softly to herself, swallowing the bitterness she felt in her throat. There were still those that gave her hope. "Of course I wasn't swimming without you Musubi-chan, My clothes would be soaking wet!", She said while chuckling at Musubi's antics. "Now come, I have much to tell you about my trip to the city." Giving Musubi another hug before starting to walk home.

"Oh, Right! You had your Ad-just-mints today!", Musubi said as she caught up to her older sister, "Will you tell me all about it, Onee-chan? I heard it hurts when you do them", She asked worriedly, starting to bite her thumbnail out of nervous habit.

Yume's smile turned morose as she recalled her own adjustment, it wasn't the best experience but she wouldn't lie to Musubi.

"Of course Musubi-chan", She said while grabbing hold of her sisters hand. "But you have nothing to worry about, I wouldn't let anyone hurt my imouto", Yume told her while smiling warmly and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"Yume-chan...", Was all Musubi could think to say, touched by her words.

The Present

Takami Sahashi liked to think of herself as a level headed woman, and she had every reason to be one. She was a strong, independent woman who made a name for herself in one of the fastest growing corporations in the world.

Everyone feared her and her legendary temper when trifled with, and she had a son and daughter whose respect she commanded.

Yet she felt anything but calm at the moment.

Her brisk pace was an example of this, her shocked and somewhat mystified expression was another. She had received an urgent message from MBI early that morning, notifying her that a member of The Discipline Squad had been hospitalized, and while that had been disconcerting, The following report of it being a recently winged Karasuba is what completely blew her away.

She had to see this for herself, always having thought Karasuba would take Natsuo as her Ashikabi. 'They were perfect for each other' she thought to herself as she walked through MBI's sterile halls. 'One hates the world as much as the other' she chuckled to herself at this, allowing herself to see a bit of humor in the whole thing.

There was also the matter of finding out who exactly winged her, and what caused her to arrive at MBI's medical facility in such a state. Pushing open the door to The Black Sekirei's recovery room, she let her eyes take in the sight before her.

Karasuba was awake and sitting on her bed in a hospital gown. The bandages that had been wrapped around her torso long gone, her own healing capabilities after her intense winging speeding up the process of recovery. She seemed distracted and had a slightly confused look about her, as if she wasn't sure herself what had transpired.

"Karasuba-san, You're awake? Good.", Takami spoke as she lit a cigarette to calm her nerves and sat down in the lone chair by the bed. "Maybe you can enlighten me on why Minaka-sama is having one of his episodes because of your current... Condition." She finished succinctly.

Karasuba, who had been in deep thought, looked up as soon as Takami had spoken, almost startled by the woman's sudden appearance. "Current Condition?" She asked softly, almost to herself. "So, he did wing me..."

"Who? Who did this to you, Karasuba-san?", Thinking of a better question, she amended herself. "Better yet, How?"

The Black Sekirei smiled at Takami, Amused at what she was about to admit, "I haven't a clue, Takami-san, It's really all a blur. He wasn't exactly in a talkative mood when we met, so I didn't get much information out of him." She stood up as she talked. Going about gathering her clothes and equipment from the Disciplinary squad. "I'm still not even sure how exactly he came to wing me..."

Starting to remove her hospital gown, her naked beauty exposed itself, Showing a complete disregard for modesty in front of her long time adjuster. "As for the damage I sustained, My dear Ashikabi-kun took it upon himself to show me his more 'violent' nature.", Karasuba chuckled as she recalled their brief encounter, and developed a rare blush when she remembered the intensity of his hazel eyes and how they seemed to convey multitudes of emotions. At their initial encounter she hadn't taken the time to notice, but she had to admit, her Ashikabi was a hunk.

"Although, I'm not sure how he was able to accomplish this" She went back to her pondering while beginning to tie the top and bottom half of her outfit to her bodice, softly voicing her musings aloud "He must be human to have been able to wing me.. but his body is enhanced somehow?" She trailed off while pulling up her stockings.

"That's one thought, but where could he get such enhancements done to his body?", Takami supplied while lazily blowing rings in the air. Not at all uncomfortable around Karasuba as she changed outfits. "As far as I'm aware, MBI currently has possession of the most advanced medical technology on the planet, thanks to your ship." At this she stopped to take a deep drag from her cigarette. "Did he say anything at all?"

"And you've all put our technology to such good use." Karasuba smirked mockingly, "To answer your question, He seemed to be under the impression that I was there to assassinate him for whatever reason." She continued, recalling the questions he had asked her. "We need more information and I don't think he will be coming back here anytime soon to answer questions..." Thinking of something her expression changed to one of curiosity, "Wasn't The Fool able to get his identity from MBI's database?"

Takami put out her cigarette on the tabletop with more force than necessary, her frustration coming back to the surface. Ignoring the nickname Karasuba had taken to calling Minaka, she replied "No, Oddly enough our system wasn't able to recognize the DNA used to wing you, Karasuba-san." She paused while standing up to take her leave, Disappointed that The Black Sekirei could not shed more light on the situation. "Minaka-sama will be expecting to hear about what happened from your own lips. I suggest you don't keep him waiting."

Karasuba who'd been busy tying her nodach firmly to her hip, Grimaced, not looking forward to meeting The Game Master after suffering such a defeat, especially at the hands of a human. Regardless of the fact he happened to be her Ashikabi, she still prided herself on being one of the strongest out of all other Sekirei.

To lose a fight in such a humiliating way would have been almost too much for The Black Sekirei to bear had it been one of her sisters to triumph over her.

The only thing softening the blow to her pride was the ecstasy and overwhelming warmth she had felt during her winging. A sensation which felt far better than any she had experienced in battle.

A sensation which, suffice it to say, she was eager to experience once more...