Musubi and Benitsubasa locked eyes. Benitsubasa sneered. She panted. There was dry blood on her lips. She tightened her fists. "You're annoying. You should just die," Benitsubasa said.
Musubi straightened her stance. "I will not lose to someone younger than me," she said.
Before either could move, a shadow streaked across the bridge. Haihane came crashing down from above and landed hard beside Benitsubasa. She slid forward across the ground. Dust and debris kicked up around her.
"Haihane," Benitsubasa exclaimed. She looked to see her come crashing down.
Haihane staggered to her feet. She clutched her stomach. There was blood seeping between her fingers. She spat blood onto the ground. She clenched her teeth. "That ice wretch," she said in anger.
James watched from the sidelines. He smiled. He knew Akitsu had done her part. He thought with the Perk bottles which were strengthening her, she was more dangerous.
Haruka's eyes widened. "She managed to injure a member of the Disciplinary Squad," he remarked.
Kuno nodded as she hugged Haruka. "That's incredible," she added.
Benitsubasa scowled at Haihane. "You're useless," she remarked.
Haihane wiped the blood from her mouth. "I can still fight. And don't forget, you haven't beaten her either," she fired back.
Benitsubasa clicked her tongue. "I was just about to," she responded.
Suddenly, the ground trembled. A surge of water erupted upward. There was a spiraling torrent. From its heart, Tsukiumi emerged. Her long hair flowed. Her eyes blazed "I am Tsukiumi, Number 9," she declared as the water swirled protectively around her. "I will be the one fighting you," she added.
Musubi stepped forward quickly. "Tsukiumi, this is my fight," she said.
"There are two of them. Even if one is injured, they are still dangerous," Tsukiumi responded as she shook her head.
"We can still beat you," Benitsubasa smirked.
"Don't underestimate the Disciplinary Squad," Haihane snarled. There was blood dripping from her wound.
James stepped between Musubi and Tsukiumi. He wrapped his arms around their waists and pulled them close. "James," both women exclaimed in unison. James felt their large breasts touch his body.
"I love them both. They are my precious Sekirei. I am their Ashikabi, and I love them equally," James said in a firm voice.
Tsukiumi flushed as she struggled against his grip. "Why are you saying this now?" she said. Her cheeks were flushed.
Musubi's face softened. "I love you, James," she responded with a smile on her face. "I can feel my body… getting warmer," she added.
At that moment, a pink light ignited from Musubi's stomach. It glowed brighter and brighter until a "Number 08" appeared on her stomach. Then the Sekirei crest shimmered above the Number 08.
Yume smiled as she felt James` hand on her waist. "I have felt your love for them," Yume said as she kissed James on the cheek.
"What are you doing?" Tsukiumi shouted as she clenched her fist.
James smiled and let her go. "I love them all including you," James said as he looked at Yume who possessed Musubi`s body. He thought he had to stick to some of the canon events. He knew Yume appeared here and he thought by declaring his love for both and could appear again. He thought she did and when she kissed he felt something between them growing stronger.
Yume smiled and stepped forward. "Anyone who opposes love will face me, Yume, the Sekirei of Fate," she said.
Kuno gasped. "Sekirei of Fate?" she asked.
Tsukiumi's eyes narrowed. "Who are you and why did you kiss my husband?" Tsukiumi asked.
"Are you worried about that?" Haruka asked.
Yume looked at Benitsubasa and Haihane. "You both are stopping love. That makes you no better than bullies," she said as she pointed to them both.
Benitsubasa scoffed. "What are you talking about? I just want to kill them," she responded as she lunged forward. She swung her fist at Yume. Haihane followed as her claws were raised.
Yume's aura flared. There was a pink light around her body. "You both lack love," she said as she leapt forward. She caught them mid-air. Yume then swung them around and hurled them into the sky. They both went flying away. "Try again," she said.
Tsukiumi's eyes widened. "She defeated them both," she remarked.
"So easily as well," Haruka added.
"I can feel the love from all of you," Yume said. "And you are in the centre of it," Yume said as she looked at James.
At that moment, they saw Karasubsa approaching them. She had a sword in hand.
"The Black Sekirei," James commented.
Yume turned slowly.
"So you did appear," Karasuba said. Her voice was low and dangerous.
Yume smiled faintly. "You seem well, Karasuba," she responded.
"I am truly, truly happy that we were able to meet again," Karasuba said. Her eyes narrowed. Her hands were already on her blade. She drew her sword. The steel gleamed under the dim light as she charged forward. She swung the blade cutting through the air.
Yume sidestepped gracefully. The strike missed by inches. The force of the swing created a shockwave. It scattered dust and loose debris across the ground.
Karasuba pressed the attack. She sent another slash. Yume dodged. Karasuba swung her blade to the left. Yume slipped right.
"Karasuba," Yume said softly as she ducked beneath another swing. The blade passed dangerously close. "I am not the one meant to fight you," she added.
Karasuba's sword arced downward. She aimed for Yume's face. Yume's eyes glimmered. "The one who will stand in your way someday," she said. At that moment, Yume's presence faded.
Musubi's body stiffened. Her eyes returned to herself just as Karasuba's blade halted. Its tip hovered inches from her face.
"Karasuba," Musubi whispered as she looked at her.
"I think James said he loved me. He pulled me in, and then," Musubi said as she put a finger on her chin.
Karasuba exhaled sharply. She slid her sword back into its sheath. "He did?" she asked as her tone was softer now. She looked at James. "He must love you. He is an interesting human," she added. Karasuba looked at the green watch on his wrist.
Tsukiumi stepped forward. "Black Sekirei, if you intend to stand in our way," she said.
Karasuba cut her off with a smirk. "Don't you have anything else to worry about besides me?" she remarked as she turned and walked away.
Suddenly, Matsu's voice crackled over the radio. "Everyone, the satellite is back online," she said.
The satellite above the city charged up. Its panels glowed ominously. A moment later, it unleashed a searing red beam from orbit. The beam struck the bridge with a deafening explosion.Concrete and steel erupted into fire and dust.
James reacted instantly. He sprinted forward and grabbed Musubi around the waist. He pulled her back just as the shockwave tore across the span.
Meanwhile, Kuno and Haruka stumbled forward. The ground collapsed beneath them. They slipped and tumbled off the edge. Their hands desperately clutching one another.
Suddenly, a cloth wrapped around their bodies and pulled them upward. Then, a gust of wind surged and carried them across the gap. They landed hard but safely on the far side of the bridge. They both sighed.
The dust began to clear.
James and Musubi stood together. His arms still wrapped protectively around her waist. Musubi smiled. Her chest was rising and falling against him.
Tsukiumi stepped forward. "Are you both okay?" she asked. She looked at James holding Musubi. "And what exactly are you two doing?" she questioned.
Before James could answer, the rest of the team arrived. Jasmine, Akitsu, Lois, Saeko, Rei, Saya, and Kusano all came.
Saeko's blade was dripping in blood as she approached. "Are you all right, Danna-sama?" she asked.
Rei held the Sliquifier. "We came immediately," she said.
Lois nodded. She and Jasmine used their arms to support Akitsu. "Akitsu was injured, so we patched her up," Lois said.
"I'm fine," Akitsu immediately replied. She touched the bandage on her stomach. "Jasmine had helped me," she added.
"We look out for each other," Jasmine said with a smile on her face.
"She insisted she was fine, but we had to be sure," Saya responded as she crossed her arms.
Kusano ran forward and hugged James's leg tightly. "Are you okay?" she asked.
James smiled warmly, resting a hand on her head. "We are," he responded. He turned to Akitsu. "Thank you, Akitsu. I love you," he said. "I love you all," he stated.
The words made Akitsu's eyes widen. Her lips curled into a faint smile.
James felt angry. He hated that she had been hurt.
Tsukiumi's cheeks were flushed. "What?" she muttered.
"Pervert," Saya remarked.
Akitsu smiled back at James.
Across the bridge, Haruka's voice rang out. "James," he shouted.
James looked up and saw Haruka and Kuno standing together. They were shaken but alive. "Good to see you both made it," he said.
Haruka called back. "Why don't you come with us?" he asked.
James shook his head. "We have our home. And we still have a bone to pick here," he said as he looked at Akitsu. "We'll be fine," he added.
Kuno nodded. She clutched Haruka's arm.
Musubi waved energetically. "Take care, Kuno! Be happy with Haruka," she said.
Kusano waved shyly as she clutched James's sleeve with one hand. "Goodbye… stay safe," she added.
"Don't get yourselves killed," Saya said.
"Good luck out there," Rei remarked.
Lois and Saeko nodded firmly.
Akitsu raised her hand slightly.
Tsukiumi crossed her arms. "Do not waste this chance," she shouted.
Haruka and Kuno smiled back, their figures fading into the distance.
"Lets head back to the Shrine," James said as he looked at the building in the distance and smiled. He knew Uzume and Kazehana had helped them. He knew Homura was here as well.