Sekirei - Everything in these hands

Summary: A different Minato who was raised to be as strong-willed as his mother expected him to be, maybe even more. How will this affect his mind when he is unable to achieve his goal of getting into Toudai, twice? How will this affect the Sekirei Plan?

Disclaimer: I don't own Sekirei manga nor any of its creative content. This is purely made from my passion and love for the story and the characters. All music references belong to their respective performer, creator, musician studio, I made no profit from them.

"Talking"

This for Thinking, Flashback, Transmission or Whispering"

"Summon/Mind talking, SFX"

Author's foreword:

First, I like to apologize to my followed/favorite readers. It's been 2 years since my last update and the first thing I do is start another story. Absurd, I know. I have no excuses other than life, work and family. A lot happens.

I just hope that you enjoy this story and do look forward to updates on the rest of my story. I hope I achieve a monthly update.

Now onto the story, first thing I want to make clear that this will be an Alternate Universe story aka AU. Sahashi Minato was originally born in 2001, which is 2 years later from when Minaka and Takami discovered the Kamikura Island and ultimately the alien ship (1999). His sister Yukari is one year younger than him btw.

I want to change this by making him 7 years older. Which will make him 26 years old at the time of the Sekirei Plan. His date of birth will be September 15th 1993 if you want to be sure. An adult Minato, older than Kaoru Seo by a year. This difference will affect a lot of things like his behaviours towards others as well as his actions on many events.

Now then onto the story. Or to be exact, the prologue of the story.

Prologue - A Man's Woe

It was the day that the second cherry blossom were flowering.

His eyes scanned the column of numbers on the board, back and forth across the numbers where his suppose to be. But no matter how hard and how many times he looked... His numbers were not here. None to be found.

Many were like him, disappointed and walking away with dejected looks on their faces. A few shouted in glee, basking in their own success, luck and happiness, ignorant of others' jealousy.

Sahashi Minato just stood there, looking up at the board but no longer focus at any numbers on it. He was in shock, disbelief. Twice he had failed. The first time he could accept it. He just graduated from high school with top scores. His knowledge wasn't prepared. So he spent another year focusing on his studies, resulting in him being able to recognize all of the questions on the exam sheet.

He never called himself a genius, but never denied it when others do. They were right.

But then... How?

"How did this happen to me?"

Confusion replaced shock and next came anger. He rushed into the University building.

Sahashi Takami is, without a doubt, a beauty, beautiful as any woman could be in her late thirties. But with her aloof expression, sharp eyes and stern attitude, not many were willing to interact with her outside of duty. One person though...

She was a busy woman. So busy that the building where she worked was also her home. How long it was since she the last time she been home with her children ? Stuck in an island in the middle of nowhere, constantly under the threat of being attacked by the whole world. Surrounded by nothing but crazy scientists, with her being one of them.

"Takami-kun! I've come to-"

BAM!

"Too loud! We're in a middle of an adjusting here so act your age!"

The man hugged his face in pain after receiving a clipboard right to the nose. The woman's aim kept getting better and better by the day. That damaged nose belonged to the famous CEO of Mid Bio Informatics conglomerate (and its original founder), Minaka Hiroto. "The super genius that existed once in a thousand years" they called him. He who discovered and created many technological wonders which changed the nation and the world, from medicine to modern technology and, most importantly, new sources of clean energy to replace fossil ones.

This made him enemy of many people, even companies and nations.

But he was not perfect. He was a very weird man whose antics were included in his employees' contracts. They were actually compensated for enduring him and his nonsense.

"You're no fun. Being too serious is hazardous. Am I right, #88 ?"

"You're right professor!" the little brown-haired girl sitting on the table answered immediately, her eyes sparkling.

"That's a good girl!"

He patted her head fondly which the girl enjoyed. Takami scowled but didn't stop him. In a flash she saw Yukari, her daughter, instead of #88 Musubi. But she quickly shook the vision off. She could never condemn her children to this... this lunatic. They wouldn't be able to handle the same, not to mention the pressure.

Not even when said man begged her to let him in on her family, even to this day.

Her thoughts were cut off by a low buzz in her pocket. Takami excused herself to take the call in the hallway. She recognized the caller as one of her 'acquaintances' in Tokyo University... She had a bad feeling about this. She was expecting a call from her son, not this.

"What is it?"

"The boy knew. He just made a mess of my office."

Her eyes shot wide in surprise.

"What do you mean? What happened ?"

"Your son knew we adjusted his result. He bang in here and demanded we gave him his answer sheets back! When we refuse he flipped the table! He flipped. The fucking table over!"

The image of an angry Minato came to her mind. Her usually calm, gentle and reasonable son? She couldn't fathom it.

"We needed three security guards to drag him out. It wasn't peaceful or pretty, Sahashi-san."

"How long ago was this?"

"An hour ago! I'll treat it as another case of outburst rage and sweep it under the rug, this time only. I hope you know what that means."

" ... I see. He won't be troubling you again, Matsumoto-san. I'm sorry."

She could hear a snort from the other line.

"Give and take, Sahashi-san, give and take. I already said I won't ask why. But I'll tell you this: the kid got an almost perfect score."

If the man wanted to annoy her, he succeeded.

"Thank you. I have something to do. Good day."

Right after disconnecting from the current line, she dialed a quick number on her phone. It rang many times without anyone picking up, but she didn't dare to cut it off, expecting her son to pick up.

He did on the last note.

" Minato where-"

" Hey Mom~"

Just like that, the heat in her voice froze over, replaced with shock and disbelief.

"Minato! Are you drunk?!"

"I... I guess I am! And you're right, Mom." He paused, likely to take another drink. "It felt bad to be drunk. It doesn't make me feel any better. AT! ALL!"

She should be angry like any mother should. But she couldn't. Not after what she did to him. All that she did to keep him away from Shinto Teito, away from the Sekirei Plan which would inevitably occurs a few years from now, she wanted him to make a life somewhere else. Somewhere safer.

"Mom. Do you-ahh- do you have any enemy? While working for MBI?"

Her eyes widened. "How do you know I work for MBI ? What do you mean 'enemy'?!"

"Mom! You're, what? The smartest doctor I ever know. Where else would you work?!" Another pause accompanied by a big swallow sound. "It's either Hiyamakai Enterprises or MBI! And the CEO of Hiyamakai is a... eh what was that word again?"

Before Takami could ask where and who he is with, Minato continued.

"-a wretched bastard that get drunk on his patients' blood and tears! Good one, by the way."

She heard the soft clink of glasses on the other end.

"Mom... I don't blame you, you know. This- This whole mess! It's utterly my fault. I was so stupid, utterly confident that I would not mess up."

There was nothing she could do but listen. She could hear the sobbing in her son's voice. He was crying. The last time he cried was when his cat was run over by a taxi. He was only eight then. Something he couldn't help but still cried over it... Just like now.

"I never thought about others messing it up for me, or how helpless I am from keeping it from happening, or fixing it up."

She listened enough. Her son was making her worry.

"Minato, listen. You can try another year in another place. I'll-"

"NO! I won't let another year go to waste so some assholes could mess it up again! And don't you dare quit your job, Mom!"

Her chest tightened with all the guilt and the sorrow she caused to her own son. It felt heavier and harder for her to breathe as she listen.

"You're a successful doctor, Mom. You save people. Your work is more important than-than... all this."

"Listen to me, Minato-"

"Mom! Let me talk... Please." As she stayed quiet, her son kept on. "I will not... I will not be going to university."

" Minato ! Don't you da-"

"I dare!"

Her sorrow immediately disappeared upon hearing those words, replaced with anger. Anger directed at herself for letting this happen. She didn't know how dedicated her son was to his study. She didn't believe it when he called her and boasted about scoring perfect marks, with another answer sheet taken from the exam to prove it.

She didn't expect it to impact her son this much.

"Minato don't do this. Think about your life. Without recognition and education, the society-"

"The society can go fuck itself, mom! I don't need to go to college or university to learn mechanical! Books exist for a reason!"

" And the internet," a woman's voice chimed in from the other end.

"And the internet! And the only recognition I need is... from you, Mom. You-you gave me all this and I can't even..."

The rest were incoherent able as she heard the sobbing come from the phone, mixing with voices in the background.

Tears threatened to fall from her eyes but Takami steeled herself. Time and place, especially not at her work place. Then there was the reason why this whole thing started. Her son needed to be out of Shinto Teito, at least for the next ten years if not to never set foot here again.

"Minato, go home, back to your grandmother. We'll plan this out when I meet you next month."

" ... I'm not leaving, mom. I'll be starting my life here in Tokyo... or whatever it's called now."

"Minato, go back! You have no reason to be here anymore!"

Now she was desperate. After all she done and caused to her son, he still want to stay?!

"I'll make my own reasons! " he responded hotly.

"If you do so, you're on your own! I won't be supporting you anymore!"

It was a low blow but what else could she do at this point, hire some men to muscle her son out of town? With the way he acted at the university, it would result in him hurting himself or worse. But then, as if he'd stumbled upon an endless supply of monkey wrenches, he answered.

"It's okay, Mom. You've done... enough. You know, I do have quite a sum left from what you gave me and what I gained from being a handyman. Save it. For Yukari. For when she wants to go to university... And I hope you take care of whatever enemy you make so they wouldn't be able to harm her when the time comes."

That was it, the absolute defense her son put up. There's no other words she could use to convince him to get out of Shinto Teito without being a bad mother... Who was she kidding? She already is a bad mother. She just didn't show it off.

"I love you, Mom. I promise I won't be a burden to anyone. I promise. I'll see you... during New Year? At home?"

" ... Yes, I won't miss it. Take care, Minato. And, I'm sorry."

She could hear him sniffle from the other end.

"Me too, Mom. Me too."

The line went dead as her son hung up. Takami looked at the white ceiling and let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding. Pocketing the phone, she turned to begin walking back.

Only to come face-to-face with the last person she wanted to see at that moment.

But instead of his usual conceited smile and crazy eyes. Minaka has a serious and forlorn look then. She didn't need to ask to know that he heard the whole thing. At least he wasn't being a dick about it. It was still his son.

Oh how wrong she was.

"Don't you know, Takami-kun? You can't change fate."

Her knuckles cracked and gradually went white under pressure.

"But I'm sorry that it happened like this."

Silence drifted by; no other words were exchanged. Takami released her fist and went back to the lab. There was still work to be done and damned herself if she messed it up again. Not on her own son and especially not on the innocent Sekirei.

After he got thrown out of the University grounds, Minato dragged himself back to the street, repeating why and why, finally come to the conclusion that his mother made some enemy, or her company did. They couldn't harm her in any way, so they targeted him instead.

Sounded far fetched at first but there were no other explanations.

On his way, he overheard some yelling in an alley. Some guy in a suit was... "harassing" would be the right term. He was harassing a woman, yelling obscenities at her. He turned to the woman and his mind shorted out for a moment. Such revealing clothes. Some would scream "LEWD", but he found it attractive. Not to mention it fit the woman nicely, showing her delicious-looking cleavage and belly. Also those shapely legs of hers...

No no not the right time, nor place.

Shaking himself back to reality, Minato could vaguely make out what happened. The man was calling her names for being a pricey bitch who wouldn't give him a price and chose to insult him instead. So this was that kind of situation. Nevertheless...

Today was an eventful day for Sekirei #03 Kazehana.

It was her first visit to Tokyo, now named Shinto Teito, after two years. The trip to her favorite bar was ruined by some rich-looking snob, who mistook her for an escort girl or worse. She flipped him the hand and walked away, only for him to block her way and started calling her degrading names.

Oh, the urge to blow this... thing to a stain on the wall was huge. But the headache that would undoubtedly come next prevented that from happening. Kazehana swore to herself to use the front door to avoid this kind of trouble in the future. Landing in a back alley instead of walking a few meters wasn't worth this at all.

"Hey."

Both her and the rude man turned around and was stunned by what they saw.

"She said no."

Another man stood there, dressed in a pair of casual jeans, white undershirt and brown thick warm coat. He was holding the tin trash can high above him before slamming down into the other man's head. The snob yelped in fear before collapsing below the trash can, groaning in half-conscious pain. Such light, insignificant thing, but when filled with trash could do a lot of damage. Oh, the irony of this.

"So beat it."

So much hostility in his voice. Her eyes widened and her cheeks went flush.

"Oh my."

Kazehana couldn't help exclaim when she saw her 'savior'. At first glance, she saw that person but younger with a stoic expression. Almost alike save the conceited, knowing look and the dramatic posture. Could it be?

"Nee-san, we better go."

As soon as he said those words, the bar's back door opened and a man came out, most likely the bouncer. Before she could react, her black-haired patron took hold of her hand and hauled her away from the alley. They ran into the main street, mixed in with the crowd before stopping a few buildings away from their original position.

"That's far enough I think. You okay, nee-san?"

"Ufufu, I'm fine. Thank you. You can let go now."

"What ? Ah oh." He finally realized his hand was still holding her own. "Sorry about that."

"It's alright. Thanks again. You saved me a lot of trouble."

The young man nodded, trying his best to smile at her, but he couldn't. So he nodded at her before turning away, eyes filled with sadness and sorrow. Kazehana decided that leaving a man like this after he'd just helped her simply wouldn't do.

She caught his sleeve with a smile, asking to repay him. It would be bad manners to let him get away, she almost purred.

For Minato, he thought her repayment was something along 'that kind' of thing which involved a hotel room and a bed so he immediately refused. Totally not in the mood or in right mind for that kind of thing. But when she insisted, he relented.

" ... Could you join me for some drinks ?" he suggested, wanting some company for the night, for his psyche's sake.

To his surprise, she smiled, with the world's most kissable pair of ruby lips. "You read my mind."

He took her to an oden cart, something she didn't expect. Well, not like she was expecting a high-grade bar anyway. He didn't dress like he had that much to spend. Beside, the foods and drink were good. The owner and the young man knew each other well. He was a regular.

They had some oden with light toppings and the sake came next. After half a bottle...

"I failed the exam," he began. "Twice. And despite knowing I have the highest score there is. There isn't a single damn thing I can do about it."

The owner stayed silent, letting the young man vent out his frustration. It wasn't his first time listening to his customers about their problems. But this time, he could get the whole story. Just a mere week ago, the same young man came visit his cart for a celebration, saying how high he had scored, calling to tell his mother about it.

The boy was something of a prodigy, always getting top marks from Elementary to High School. The first time he failed, Minato didn't complain to anyone else, only blaming himself for not prepared enough. The second time though...

"What should I do now?" said Minato after downing his fourth shot. "I don't think I can stay a ronin anymore."

After hearing him vent everything, Kazehana could sympathize with the young man. Years of traveling the world taught her that sometimes, brute strength and violence couldn't resolve everything. The world worked in a more complex way, more complicated than just to smash a few heads to get your way. Unless you were Karasuba, of course.

This child... this young man next to her was in a bind. He, who was denied his dream and unable to do anything about it. But instead of blaming his mother or himself once more, he simply felt lost and helpless.

Kazehana finally spoke. "There's more than one way to live, you know."

"... Wha?"

"I said you don't need to go to college or any institute to chase your dreams."

Minato is a bit swayed from the alcohol's influence but he could still listen to her clearly. A thought ran through his mind. But before he could finish it.

" You must be thinking, 'This girl doesn't understands how society works,' right?"

" Uhhh..." With a stupefied look stuck on his face, Minato didn't know how to reply to the beautiful woman's accusation.

"It's alright. I get that a lot." Didn't mean she doesn't take offense to that. "I travel a lot Minato-kun. Can I call you that? Anyway, young men these days just forget the fact that going to college doesn't give them a ticket to a successful life. It only gave them the knowledge, which they can get from other sources, and some leverage in a letter of recommendation. That one's a gamble, at best."

"... Mom raised me and Yukari, my little sister, alone." Minato took a swipe at his shot before continuing. " She wasn't there with us most of the time. Grandmother looked after us. But mom made sure we are provided for. The rare occasions when she visit, she was sure to make up for all the time that lost being busy with her job. I knew next to none about her choice of profession before stumbling upon a stack of worn down medical degrees, all from Toudai. She came to me as a strong, strict and independent. Intimidating even. But also kind and loving. Never once I see her looking unsecured or worry… I wanted to be like her."

" Wanted?" Kazehana noticed and questioned his choice of phrasing.

The young man chuckled bitterly. "Every child want to be what it admires. It's the inspiration, the strongest motivation there is."

"Then, Minato-kun..."

Kazehana moved her body closer to him, pressing her buxom bust against his arm. To her surprise, it was firm to her touch despite his lithe form. If he was blushing, she couldn't tell because his face was already red from the sake.

She moved her mouth just up past his neck, so her whisper tickled his ear. "What do you want now?"

Her question was like a key which open a door that was never touched, till now. It released dozen of questions in Minato's mind... Even during his high school days, he never spent much time for himself. Never had any friends, never sought them out. The bullies never got their way with him either. The fights he got in, to defend himself, all ended with both sides bloodied and neither of them wanting to do it again.

Thus, no one wanted to have anything to do with him. He wasn't worth it, they said.

"I-I want..."

He remembered looking at girls from afar, rejecting a girl's confession due to his inability to make sure she would enjoy his time with her. Realizing he, being a child, could not have anything to call his own nor do anything about his life...

At this point Minato started crying. He finally knew how childish he'd been all this time, even past the age of eighteen. What kind of genius was he?

Kazehana gently stroked his shoulder. "Thaaat's it," she cooed gently. "Sob it all out, Minato-kun."

Suddenly, he slammed his hand on the table before sitting straight up and yelling out loud.

"I WANT TO LIVE MY OWN LIFE! I WANT TO BUY MY OWN FUCKING PLACE! I WANT TO FALL IN LOVE LIKE A HIGHSCHOOL KID! GODS DAMN IT ALL, WHAT HAVE I DONE WITH MY LIFE?! "

"Hey, shut up out there!" some old man complained.

"SCREW YOU! SHUT YOURSELF IN A HOLE AND DIE!"

Then Minato collapsed on the table once more with his face resting against his hands, still crying softly. The man in the house just grumbled about being drunk and pathetic before closing the window.

"Sometimes," the oden owner spoke to him, "having a successful career don't equal a happy life. I've seen and heard a lot about it."

The man pour himself a cup and drank it in one gulp.

"Take me, for instance. Never finished high school. Ran away with a girl from my hometown here, living the big city dream life. My wife got pregnant and went back to her parents. I never stopped her; we both knew it was the best for the baby. I don't like it. But sometime a man has to make the hard decision, for what's best for his family. I lived here alone, with this oden cart, in a crappy house for the longest time."

At this point, he smiled warmly.

"That is till the day a young girl come to my cart and ask me if I'm her father. Showed me a picture of her mother, my wife. Her mother died sometime later after her birth. She was weak and the hospital wasn't up to par like it is now. Days and nights I wonder what would've happened if I kept her by my side... Then again those are just ifs. Nothing's certain. Well, more certain than the fact that I have a lovely daughter who attends college here and visits me occasionally."

Kazehana couldn't help but gush at the story while Minato listened attentively.

"Son, there are misfortunes and mistakes at every step we take in life. The important thing is you learn to pick up the pieces of happiness you have and kept 'em close to your chest. The past is there for us to learn, not dwell on. Tomorrow is yet to come. Only the present matters. So ask yourself this: do you want to live in fear of failure for others sake? Or do you want to live for yourself?"

"You never know, Minato-chan." Kazehana slowly intertwined her fingers with his, whispered softly into his ear. "You might pick up something without realizing it."

Their gaze locked into each other as Minato pondered over her words and the owner's. Suddenly, the phone in his pocket buzzed lightly. Reading the caller's ID, Minato gulped, swallowing his nervousness. Finally, he opened the phone and sighed.

" Hey mom~"

Minato flipped his phone closed and let out a sigh, locked in deep thought. That is, until he was interrupted by his own burp. He drank a lot, that was to be expected, but that didn't mean he is going to stop now. Today, Sahashi Minato would drink himself to oblivion.

"Ossan! Another bottle of that sake! Gimme more eggs and beef tendons, too!"

"Yes yes, coming right up."

The old man attended to his customer, serving the oden to the poor young man who just had an emotional breakdown, and from what he heard, Minato would be a regular for years to come.

"You'll be fine, Minato-kun," Kazehana spoke from his side. She heard the whole conversation and her hearing picked up the voice of his mother. She recognized that voice annywhere. She knew what was going on now.

"Oh Takami, you were so desperate to protect your kin from his plan that you decided to crush your own son's dream? Fate is a bitch."

Such a guilty pleasure. Now that she look at him closely, Kazehana found Minato attractive. He had his father's look but inherited the expression of his mother. His personality? She couldn't be sure at the moment. The young man just went through some drastic change in a matter of hours. She could feel her stomach flutter, watching him laugh and cry at the same time, hearing him exclaim all the things he would do starting tomorrow.

It was like watching a baby bird takes flight for the first time in its short, sheltered life. It felt... wonderful to be near him. The warmth of his arm against her body was just a bonus.

They spent a few hours at the oden cart, more customers joined them as the night went by. Both Kazehana and Minato leaned on each other as they walked back to Minato's apartment, singing an abridged version of a song that was popular for parties. They tumbled into his room, barely avoiding collapsing on his pet cat. Both were snickering while removing their shoes and heels.

Kazehana was intoxicated, not just from being drunk. She was reacting. She was reacting hard. She felt so light headed. She heard him say something while laying out the futon. It should've alarmed her, what was about happen, but she didn't care. When he carried her over, Kazehana suddenly wrapped her arm around his neck, pulling him down with her head framed between his hands and their lips inches away from each other. They could feel each other's breaths, the sweet smell of alcohol lingering, dulling their reason and doubts.

Minato lowered himself and Kazehana closed her eyes, waiting for it. She could feel his breath washing against her face, growing stronger as he grew nearer, her own breathing heavy as she lustfully pined for what was about to happen.

He kissed her softly... on the cheek.

"No no no, not again!"

As if he could see the pain and dejected look on her face, Minato smiled sadly and explained.

"Sorry. I knew you were expecting more... We were both expecting more. But I don't want this to be 'just a kiss' and I don't think I'm ready for more... Not at this state."

He lowered himself, putting his face on the crook of her neck and breath in her smell, deeply. The light sweet smell of cherry tingled his nose. Minato wanted to feel more than just her scent. He longed to taste her, intimately, the first woman he ever touched. But, he held back.

"I am sure you heard this a lot, but... you're a wonderful woman, nee-san. So wonderful that I can't stand the thought of letting this be just a fling. Oh, what am I even saying? I'm still a virgin."

He chuckled. She could feel it was in pity of himself.

"All the more reason to make this more than just… just that."

Kazehana listened to him and felt her heart flatline. Just as before, her dreams of an Ashikabi were crushed before her eyes. Yet, strangely, at the same time… She felt elated. He wanted more. A relationship. He wanted love in human's way.

But he wasn't ready for it, and she didn't know of anyway to make him change his mind. He was still insecure about his life and she understood. Clearly, how it felt when he'd just found his way after being lost, there was no sense in dragging others along, when not even himself felt safe in the brave new world.

Kazehana realized how hasty she'd become herself. It wasn't just the alcohol acting nor her reacting.

They weren't ready, then. But maybe...

"Minato."

She called his name without the honorific. The young man pushed himself off her, only to have her push him aside, switching positions with her now on top. She was straddling him, Minato's shirt got pushed up, and her thighs came in contact with his stomach. He could feel the soft, cool, silky skin of hers, while Kazehana marveled at how hot and warm his body was against her cold flesh.

She leaned down, locking her eyes with his; her hands came up caressing his face.

"In the near future, when you stand firm on your own and we meet again... Are you willing to give us chance? Will you still feel the same?"

Minato's mind went overdrive at what he just heard. Is she fooling with him ? She must be, he suspected what kind of work she involved with but maybe that is why... That is why she is so desperate to look for love ? The kind of love he would undoubtedly give, wholeheartedly. Even willing to wait ?

" I will. I definitely will. Would you ?"

A promise without time given... What was he thinking?

But the smile she gave him answered it all. She kissed him, on his forehead. Her lips, so soft and warm against his skin. Then she rested her body on him and, like he had, put her face in the crook of his neck.

"Forever and ever," she whispered and fell asleep, peacefully.

Minato smiled, for the first time that day. His arms wrapped around the woman, hugging her close to him.

"Forever and ever."

Kazehana swept through the gate of Maison Izumo, one hand holding her hair in place as a breeze brushed through. Sakura petals fluttered with the wind. It was a beautiful image, of a woman who had finally found love, after a long time searching.

"Ah Kazehana-chan." A male voice rang from the patio of the Inn. "You look happy. Did something good happen?"

"Takehito-san… I finally found true love!" She suddenly lost her mature semblance; her eyes sparkled with a dreamy expression.

"Really now! What is he like? How did you meet?"

"A young man who was denied a dream that never was his to begin with, he came across a lady in distress and in return, she spend a passionate night with him. Together they helped the man find himself and his way of life. Then-"

" Kazehana-chan." The silver haired man cut in, smirking at her. "You aren't winged."

"Mou… But that might be the for the best. We made a promise, you see." With a hopeful look in the sky, she smiled before continuing. "When I come back from a long trip and he finally has a life to call his own, we'll be truly together. Bound by true love. Forever and ever."

Takehito looked at her and couldn't help but smile softly, happy to see that Kazehana finally got a chance to find love and be free. If only he could stop Minaka's plan… But without a replacement, there was nothing he could do.

"Ara, Kazehana, back for a visit? Do you want to stay for lunch?"

Miya stepped out from inside the house, dressed in her usual hakama set.

Hearing that, Kazehana flinched and took a step back, warily.

"Miya?! Actually I was about to leave-"

"Kazehana-chan, you are not leaving me to suffer alone, do you?" Despite saying this in a friendly manner, the hannya mask behind the man was coercing her into staying.

"Mou Takehito-san, stop teasing her." His wife pouted. "I didn't endure the shame from studying under that trash just to poison others. With that said, I hope you'll be staying for a bit, Ka - ze - ha - na."

"Two of them! There are two of them!"

Minato, no longer an examinee, had to vacate his current room for another person. He informed the landlord the very next morning and was given his deposit back. He got till the end of month to find a new place.

It was unusual to be given your deposit back before moving out. But due to his honesty and usefulness around the place, the landlord did so. Though, not without berating him for his failure and giving up like that. The man had an image to uphold, after all.

It was hard to find a place to without a guarantor and a stable income. Places that didn't need such thing weren't safe or comfortable to live in. Nor did they accept pets, and Minato refused to leave his cat back home again.

Yukari and grandma just didn't have the skill for such delicate task.

One week after searching hopelessly in the northern part of the city, Minato sighed dejectedly while walking through a beautiful traditional house.

"I bet it'd be great to live in such a nice place," he said wishfully.

While having such thoughts, Minato walked by the house's entrance and then its last meter of fencing. His eyes caught a sign with a price on it. Faster than he thought he could move, Minato jumped in front of the sign and read the words on it.

The young man could feel his stomach dance as a happy smile bloomed on his face.

Ripping the piece of paper from the fence, Minato ran through the entrance to knock on the main door. Truthfully, he was banging instead of knocking due to his excitement.

"So you were a ronin and currently have no guarantor, not even a stable income… Sahashi-san, I don't think-"

The landlord, Takehito-san, sat at the table along with his wife. On the other side was Minato, suffering under the pressure of their judging gaze. They were a happily married couple, newlyweds even. It was understandable if they were wary of having an unknown young man like him living under their roof.

"Please let me have the room! I can pay half a year of rent in advance or as a deposit!" So desperate and in fear of being rejected, Minato pulled back from his seat and bowed to them, his head touching the tatami mat. "It's all I got from working part-time as a handyman and mechanic. I will start working full time as soon as possible. I even promise to perform maintain on the building at your request! So please-!"

Then he just stayed like that without looking up. Meanwhile, Takehito and Miya were shocked at his humble and desperate act.

"Please raise your head, Sahashi-san," the older man spoke kindly. "Here in Maison Izumo we believe in helping those in need. A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal."

His whole body shook with happiness, eyes wet with tears. Such kindness...

"But there are other, female tenants here," the landlady reminded him, her demure expression hidden behind the sleeve of her hakama. But the the evil visage above was projecting pure terror over him. "I hope you act appropriately while you are staying here."

Minato nodded repeatedly with cold sweat running down his back, experiencing true terror for the first time since as far back as he could remember.

"Welcome," Takehito gave him a warm look and smiled, "to Maison Izumo."

"Um actually, do you mind if I have a cat?"

Miya tilted her head at his question. "… Pardon?"

Fortunately for Minato, his well-behaved cat was actually a score with the married couple. They didn't need it to catch mice or insects since there were none around, other than mosquitos.

He couldn't imagine why. Scratch that, he knew why! Animal instinct forced those vermin to leave in the face of pure terror, that's why! His lazy cat being a pet suited the landlords's taste well.

Finally settling down, Minato let himself enjoy a moment of peace. Sitting on the patio of his new home, fiddling with the ribbon tied around his neck, his thought drifted to a particular woman.

That night, were it like a dream if not for the small memento he was wearing. He never got her name. Because at that time, the only thing that mattered was that she was there for him. When no one else was. He would never forget. The touch of her hands, gentle yet almost possessive. Her sweet scent, mixing well the lingered alcohol, exotic, robbing him of his senses.

Part of him regretted the decision he made.

"Then again, Yukari always call me an idiot… It couldn't be helped."

"Sahashi-san, would you mind serving the table for me?" Miya's voice called out from inside the house. "Maa, Takehito-san is so lazy. It helps to have a reliable man in the house."

"That's cruel, Miya-chan!" shouted her husband.

"I'll be right there, Miya-sama!"

With that, Minato retreated back in the house, just as a whole cherry blossom came fluttering to the cushion he sat on just a moment ago. His cat trotted over and replaced him on the soft seat, barely avoiding crushing the flower, which rarely fell without scattering to pieces. Such a calming image.

One might assume it was an omen of a future yet to come.

#Author's note: Now ask away. It's Alternate Universe so expect a lot of changes though. Also Yukari is 8 years younger than Minato in this story, just so you know.