Ayame considered herself a diligent worker with a great work ethic. As a little girl, she was a studious individual who endeavored to pursue knowledge.

Hard work was the story of her life. It made a world of difference as Ayame spent many nights contemplating what she wanted to become. Eventually, she settled on economics because she loved numbers. They were a universal truth, unable to lie or betray expectations. In every field, whether it be science or math, numbers must be correct. While there is room for error, too big a margin can lead to disaster. To minimize the danger, numbers must be close to the target as possible. If numbers lie, everything falls apart.

When Ayame initially accepted this job, she was ready for the vicissitudes that would come with it. Then, more variables started to reveal themselves. More people started to get involved, but it wasn't Ayame's job to question it. Although, it didn't stop her from being the cat. Her sense of curiosity wouldn't let her sit by without crunching numbers in an attempt to pinpoint truths.

There were always rumors about entrepreneurs popping up over the news and social media, the kind of dark secrets they'd want to hide from the masses. Of course, Ayame thought the same while working under Higa Izumi. He was a businessman in every sense of the word: strategic, witty, and ambitious. Ayame was curious what sort of skeletons he had hidden in his closet.

He and his right-hand man, Kakizaki, were the ones to personally interview her. They were impressed by her work ethics and gave her a one-month trial period, which she obviously succeeded. Slowly, she rose through the ranks until she reached her current position. The tasks grew harder, but Ayame welcomed the challenge with open arms. However, never once did her curiosity become satiated. Quite the opposite. It grew as more variables appeared in the formulas. The only problem she faced is the method of getting her answers. As more variables appeared, Ayame noticed the implications involved. More armed men and women joined the corporation, and Ayame didn't like the itchiness that spread across her neck. It was like a warning. If she went deeper, that itchiness would make her stop, but simultaneously, her kitty-cat curiosity senses wouldn't allow her to comply.

How can she get the answers she sought? That's where her boyfriend came in.

"What is taking him so long?"

Ayame wondered the same thing. She had many questions for him. There was no doubt that he had something of interest to share.

"How're you feeling, love?"

Bad impressions filled Ayame's beautiful brain as flashbacks of what transpired mere hours ago replayed in her head.

Hard at work, the long-haired secretary typed at her desk, wishing her boyfriend a safe departure. It seemed like something was going on, and James was sent to investigate. Ayame didn't know, but a bunch of women went out. Nothing new to investigate on that part.

Everything was peaceful until disaster reared its repulsive head. It happened so fast that Ayame barely had time to process. Her office door suddenly burst open, and a squad of Yakuza members flooded the room, surrounding her, and cutting off any escape routes.

Outraged by this, she demanded answers, but instead, the men captured her, tied her up, and tossed her away in one of the storage rooms, where she waited for whatever sick judgment to befall her.

"I-I'm fine," she lied, "Thank you again for saving me."

There was a phantom haunting her, making her imagine the horrors that could've come about had it not been for her companion.

She glanced at them, pondering their identity. This was their first encounter, and if truth be told, she was not comfortable. They claimed to know James though, so Ayame steeled her fears in the meantime. Still, she remained circumspect. It could be a ruse for all she knew.

On the other hand, watching her savior take down all those Yakuza members was an amazing spectacle.

There was something about this woman that Ayame couldn't put her finger on. She was a petite young lady with pale skin and small glittering eyes with purple irises. Her hair dropped down to her shoulders and went from black to a dark purple as it got lower, with split ear-length bangs rising a little away from her head before falling to frame her pretty face, with two thinner chin-length strands below them. They wore a black cheongsam with gray pants, armbands, and shoes, white socks and a dark purple sash.

She was smaller than Ayame and yet had no issues dispatching the group of armed men. Swift as lightning yet fluid as the sea and fearsome as fire, Ayame's savior didn't break a sweat as she moved about the storage room with grace, beating the men down with her bare hands. She even had the decency to round the unconscious guys up and throw them into another room.

The woman smiled warmly at the secretary. "Don't be nervous, sweetie. I'm not going to gobble you up."

Ayame nodded curtly, still not trusting her words. She seemed nice, but after what happened, she couldn't bring herself to relax.

"R-Right."

Ayame couldn't keep her body from trembling nor could she stop the frenzy in her subconscious.

With her swift movement, the mysterious woman went from the exit to Ayame's side in seconds, landing a gentle hand on her left shoulder. "Things will get better, love. James should be here any second, and if any more people try to hurt you, I'll protect you. You have my word."

Ayame looked to this woman with a raised brow. "Who are you exactly? How do you know James?"

All it took was the woman's warm smile to get Ayame's heavy breathing under control.

"You can call me Jun, sweetie," the woman introduced, "As for how I know your boyfriend, he and I go way back. He actually saved my life one day, and I've been indebted to him since. He won't shut up about you, it's kind of sweet really," she giggled, "Sorry, but I had to meet you, and he's right, you're really pretty."

Ayame was surprised. "He talks about me?"

Jun threw her arms up in a faux aggravated manner. "He talks my head off, won't shut up for even five seconds. I know he's spellbound, but I don't need another lecture on how beautiful your body is."

A pink tint stained Ayame's cheeks. She knew she was blessed in the chest and hips, but she had a lot more going for her. No one makes it far in the world without a big brain to help you.

"Don't stop what you're doing," Jun advised, "I've never seen the fool so head over heels for someone. He's like a puppy, it's great."

Ayame took solace knowing she had such an effect. Naturally, she influenced a lot of men. She's acutely aware of her charms.

"He's not bored of me, I guess."

Jun shook her head. "Dear, you don't have a thing to worry about. He may be insane in the brain, but he isn't that stupid. Once he sets his sights on something, or rather, someone, he's not going to give them up."

Jun managed to make her new friend crack a smile.

"I can't look away for two seconds or he'll brew more trouble," she commented, causing Jun to chuckle.

"Right? He's a child in a man's body, always need to be entertained or he'll throw a fit."

The girls continued to converse, laughing and telling stories while waiting for James to show. After a while, the two heard someone fast approaching. Jun was the first to stand, placing her hands on her hips as her lips pouted. She knew who it was based on steps alone.

"Well, it's about time you showed up. Don't you know it's rude to keep ladies waiting?"

The man of the hour finally arrived, looking ragged as if he sprinted an entire marathon.

"You try," James panted, "Descending however many floors I had to… in ten minutes."

He straightened his posture and slicked his hair back, the wet strands sticking to his sweaty forehead.

"I had to do this… without my Stormbringer, and there were like… a million people in my way. I'm… tired."

"Excuses," Jun rolled her eyes. "You're just lucky I was nearby. Your boss knows about me now that I saved your girlfriend."

Ayame finally stood up and approached her man with a slight kick in her step.

"And not a hair out of place. I appreciate that." James held his arms out, ready to give Ayame a big hug.

They were just at arm's length when Ayame sprang into action. She winds her left arm back and threw her weight into her swing as her hand cracked across James' vulnerable cheek. It was a loud clap that made James' face snap to the side, hitting the casing of the door as his head reeled back.

Jun was stunned, trying her absolute hardest not to laugh.

"WHAT DID YOU DO?!" Ayame roared as James nursed his hurt cheek. A red print was left behind.

"Oww! What was that for?!"

Ayame seized her boyfriend by the lapels and yanked him down to her level. "Answer the question! What did you do?"

James furrowed his brows. "Why do you automatically assume I did something?"

"I'm not assuming," Ayame retorted, "I know your psychotic ass left to stir up more trouble. What did you do this time?"

Normally, Ayame had a more sophisticated manner of speaking. Screw all that.

"Nothing," James denied.

She shook him violently. "BULLSHIT!"

The Licothian held his hands up defensively. "I haven't! I swear I'm in the clear this time."

The angry secretary shoved James back and balled her fists. "Don't lie to me, James! Tell me what you did!"

"Ayame, I've done nothing to upset the boss man," he reached for her shoulder, but the hand was swatted away.

"How did you know I was referring to Higa? You saw me tied up on the cameras, didn't you?"

"Yes, and let me tell you, I was ready to cut his head off, but I thought that would endanger you more, so I held back. I know when to be serious."

"Oh yeah? Then you can explain to me why my office was invaded by armed men, who tied me up, gagged me, and was possibly planning to rape me."

She was hyperventilating, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she miserably failed to regain her composure. She was so angry and frightened that she couldn't think or see straight. Her hurricane of emotions blinded her, but even so, she could still make out James' face. Although he lacked the normal goofy grin or the lecherous one, Ayame knew better.

James reached for her once more but was slapped away.

"Answer the question!" Ayame screeched. She slapped James' hand again, the two entering a small brawl that ended with James slipping through Ayame's defenses, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, and pressing her against his chest. His fingers moved upward and weaved through the smooth fibers of Ayame's hair, keeping her head rested on his shoulders while rocking back and forth.

A hiccup escaped Ayame's throat. She sunk into his warmth. "I was so scared."

"I bet. I got you now. No one's going to take you away again. I promise, but this is why I wanted you to pack up and leave. If you thought this was bad, you haven't seen anything yet. It's going to get worse from here.

He sounded so sure, Ayame noticed. Even during their last conversation, James was speaking as if he has foreseen the future.

"What did you do?" She didn't detour from the question.

James fought a grin but failed in the endeavor. "I may have."

"You did," the secretary corrected.

"Fine. I prodded a dragon too hard and now he's gathering soldiers to get his revenge."

Jun and Ayame opened their mouths but had no words. The women were speechless.

"You did what?" Ayame broke the trance.

"I pissed off one of my usual victims too strongly and now he's bolstering his numbers and will soon launch a counterattack. He aims to take down this stronghold."

"It was the dragon boy who killed my friends, wasn't it?" Jun inquired.

"Yep, and he's pretty ticked AAHHH!"

In one smooth motion, Ayame yanked the Licothian down by his ears.

"Why is it that every time I take my eyes off you, you're causing trouble? Why are you so damn childish? These people have done nothing to you, but you see fit to make their life a living hell. Why? Tell me."

Her voice was calm, but the look in her eyes was anything but. If looks could kill, not even James' ashes would remain.

"You don't understand," he responded, "What I'm doing is art."

"Art?" Ayame echoed, absolutely appalled by her boyfriend's statement, "Do you take me for a fool?"

"The art of pissing people off is complex. It's not just about pushing buttons and getting them annoyed. No, it's about conditioning and sowing seeds that will one day grow into trees of hatred that will use its roots to devour a person's soul until all they can think of is vengeance," James, with an evil chuckle, elaborated. He removed Ayame's hands off his ears and stole a kiss while she processed his words.

"Soon, my primary targets will come make this place go up in flames, but before that happens, I'm getting you outta here, whether you like it or not. Jun," he turned towards his friend, "be a dear and escort Ayame back to her office. Make sure she gets everything important and then take her home. Stay with her."

The petite woman gave a mock salute. "Yessir. Come along, love. We have plans to make."

James turned to leave, but he felt someone yank on his arm and looked back. Ayame found her bearings and finished contemplating.

"Why?" was all she asked. "Just why?"

James blinked once… twice until he eventually smiled a new grin. This wasn't the lecherous one or the goofy one. It was evil, breaching levels of psychotic that Ayame never imagined. She was lost for words once more as James faced her fully, grasping her hand gently. His face was sinister, but his touch was still warm, still tender.

"I don't just target anyone," he answered, "As I said, it's not about pushing buttons. I want to bring about a completely new change in people, to see just how strong they really are. People like to hide behind masks and persuade people to believe in lies rather than wearing their face as is. Your CEO is a great example. He controls everything from the comfort of his chair, making allies while making enemies, profiting but never losing, expanding but still living inside his box. He wants to be number one, and to do that, he has to make sure nothing stands in his way. He had to fake a mask and convince his allies to follow him while keeping his true face under wraps. It's one of the reasons why I hate him."

James extended his hand and snapped his fingers. Moments later, his trusty weapon, Stormbringer, appeared in his grip. Since he found Ayame, James could use his blade again. He slid the pristine weapon into its sheath, the trio catching the dark hum of purple as it entered its home.

Swords aren't meant to do that, Ayame noted. She's seen the weapon multiple times, sheathed and drawn, but she's never seen it do that. Then again, whenever she saw someone stare at James, they grew so paled and did everything to stay out of his way.

Why is that?

"As my for myself?" Ayame tuned back to James' explanation, "I intend to act as Karma's advocate. I wear my psychoticism like a badge. Higa, on the other hand, only reveals his true mask when the chips aren't in his favor. Also, you claim I make people's life hell. Higa does the same to worse extents. At least I try to make a game out of it for both of us. Higa tortures his victims until he has everything out of 'em, but not to worry, for he will get what's coming to him, by my hands or not. Now, I have one last domino each to drop before I'm done. After that, it'll all be over."

Again, James turned to leave.

"What have you done?!" Ayame cried. "This whole time, you've been spouting your ideals and plans, but you're not telling me what you committed. What did you do?"

James paused in his step and swiveled his head, a single eye gazing back at the woman he called his love. Her body looked like it was about to collapse, the gears in her head accelerating faster but unable to compute the equation.

"… Enough," he walked out of the room.

At the Sasaki household, the quartet of Akitsu, Kochou, Oriha, and Katsuragi continued to wait for Yomi to wake from her slumber.

"She's not waking up," Oriha hummed, her and Katsuragi looming over the unconscious reaper. How badly did Kai tase her?

"She's small, so I doubt Kai had to use extreme force," Kochou voiced her two cents. She glanced towards her elder sister, who stroked the reaper's hair as she placed the unconscious girl's head on her lap. Akitsu didn't know if it would help any, but whenever she selfishly asked her Ashikabi for permission, she would lay her head on his lap and have him stroke her head as the comfort gradually lulled her to sleep.

Yomi's sleeping face reminded the ice maiden of those moments. She wanted to preserve this purity. A nagging feeling in the back of her mind warned her it wouldn't last long. She knew it, too, that it was too early to let their guard down. Akitsu didn't want this peaceful reprieve to end, but in her heart, she knew it wasn't possible, not when the villains remain at large.

Akitsu lifted her head and set her sights on the three enjoying the silence, mulling over their thoughts. However, while things were quiet, Akitsu could feel the heaviness lurking in the air. Is it fear? Anxiety? She didn't know. She remembered when her family was happier. They were so tight-knit that it was hard to believe anything could break them apart.

Plot twist, it happened, and the aftermath caused them to lose any hope of reuniting, especially her Ashikabi.

He didn't wear his emotions regularly, but on the rare occurrences when Kai smiled, his flock knew it was genuine. To Akitsu, it made her heart skip beats. She loved that smile and felt immensely accomplished when her loyalty rewarded her.

How long has it been since she last saw it? Even before he departed to see Minato, there was no smile to reassure them, to keep them grounded. They didn't know if something might happen along the way, but as the eldest, Akitsu took it upon herself to remain strong. She couldn't allow her siblings to see her vulnerable, a role Kai thrust on himself for Minato. Akitsu has never seen Kai shed a tear. If he did though, she'd be the first to lend her shoulder and offer the warmth of her breasts as a pillow. It didn't matter to Akitsu how long he cried; she'd give Kai all the comfort he needed.

Akitsu wanted to keep her family from crumbling completely.

She replaced herself with a pillow and laid Yomi's head atop it, parting a strand of hair from her face.

"You okay?" she heard Kochou inquire. Without responding, the Ice Sekirei turned towards Katsuragi, who grew nervous under her sister's increasingly long stare. She motioned the kicker forward, waited, and reached out. Her hand rested atop Katsuragi's head and gave it a gentle tousle.

Kochou and Oriha were confused, but Katsuragi loved every second. Her eyes folded shut as Akitsu traced her hand down the side of Katsuragi's smooth face. No words were exchanged as the elder sister observed her younger sibling. She was contempt with Akitsu's affections. Hope wasn't a fleeting dream after all.

Katsuragi opened her eyes when Akitsu stopped cuddling her, disappointed that it ended so soon. Imagine her surprise when the Ice Sekirei suddenly pulled the kicker into a big sisterly embrace and proceeded to squeeze her. She didn't understand what was happening, but the self-claimed leg-type Sekirei had no complaints. Her big sister's embrace had instantaneous results. The soft sting of tears filled her eyes and rolled down her cheeks as she buried herself deeper in Akitsu's squeeze hug. Why she suddenly started to cry didn't matter. She simply let herself be enveloped in her sister's warmth, hoping it wouldn't end soon.

A soft gasp escaped Katsuragi's lips when Akitsu brushed the back of her head with her comforting hand as the other snaked around her waist and up to her back. So gentle.

As Katsuragi remained in her arms, Akitsu eyed Oriha and motioned her closer. It was her turn to feel her sister's embrace. As a lover of hugs, Oriha bounded towards her sisters and joined the cuddle, Akitsu's arms wrapping around both. The elder sister placed her cheek atop Oriha's head and held the girls tighter.

Finally, she set her sights on Kochou, who needed no gestures. The Brain-Type followed suit and completed the group hug that had Akitsu struggling to contain her tears. These were her sisters, her precious imoutos. Her fears of abandonment were shattered thanks to them. Her family became the most important thing to her. The kindness they showed her would be repaid tenfold.

From left to right, Akitsu planted a gentle kiss on the girls' foreheads. The hold she had on them strengthened.

"You're all my sisters," she told them, "I," she paused for a second to gather her thoughts, "I cannot find the words. I just love this family. Every single one of you; I love you."

Someone started clapping.

"That's touching."

Startled, the girls separated and formed a wall in front of Yomi while Akitsu placed herself in front of them.

"What are you doing here?" the Ice Sekirei questioned with a mix of anger and shock.

"How did you get inside without tripping the alarms?" Kochou interrogated. After James snuck in the first time, Kochou refined her security to make sure her team would be more prepared, but someone bypassed them again without her knowing. This struck a devastating blow to her pride, as her security measures were on par with Matsu.

The intruder, Yami, raised his hands to signify his lack of hostility.

"I'm not looking for trouble, just my sister, Yahan," he said, "I was hoping to see her before our teams left the last battle, but something crucial came up and I never got the chance. As for your second question, the people currently outside your house is about to open fire, one of them must have jammed your sensors. You're about thirty seconds from becoming Swiss cheese. Come with me."

The male shadow hopper opened a big portal to his shadow realm, but he didn't wait for the girls to think about his offer.

"Rise, Tsukuyomi."

Seconds later, Yami's stand materialized and sped past the girls and grabbed the unconscious Yomi.

"NOO!" Akitsu cried and commanded her ice to stop the mysterious entity. Sharp icicles flew towards Yami and his stand, but both quickly retreated into the darkness with Yomi sinking after them.

"Fifteen seconds," the latter's voice lingered.

"Go!" Akitsu ordered her sisters.

"But," Kochou was yanked from her position and pushed into the gateway.

"Go! Now! Go after them!"

Oriha and Katsuragi followed their eldest's command and dove into Yami's realm, but before Akitsu could follow, chaos ensued.

The glass shattered, a loud, repetitive pounding reverberated on the house's walls, and Akitsu was caught in the middle. Thousands and thousands of bullets burst through the walls and windows, devouring everything inside as millions and millions of holes coated the Sasaki residence. The roar of guns bellowed in the night, spraying ammunition all around the household, leaving no room to escape, no section left untouched, no piece of furniture left without holes.

Oriha and Katsuragi returned on the other side of the entrance, where they stepped onto the roof of another house several meters from theirs. They were just in time to see Kochou on her knees, mouth covered by her hands. The deafening "prraaat" of bullets blaring over their voices.

A circle of cars surrounded their house's perimeter, gunmen stationed at each vehicle.

"Oh no!" Oriha exclaimed. She began to hyperventilate, shaking Katsuragi as the armed men demolished their home right before their eyes.

"We have to stop them!"

"Bad idea," Yami stated, looking indifferent to the situation. His stand set Yomi gently on the ground beside the dumbstruck Kochou.

"You'll only end up like your house."

"It's better than doing nothing. Come on, Katsuragi!"

Oriha's arm was wrenched back by the girl in question.

"Akitsu," she said.

The singsong Sekirei gasped and looked where the portal used to be. Akitsu wasn't with them.

"She's not here," she searched around, "Akitsu isn't here!"

The horrible thoughts flashed through the girls' minds. Akitsu was trapped inside that warzone.

"Open up your portal and get our sister!" Oriha begged Yami, who remained impassive.

He wasn't completely unresponsive though. A single snap of his fingers was all his stand needed.

Tsukuyomi clapped its hands together and spread its arms apart. Dark flame-like energy swelled around its fingers and grew stronger as its arms circled, the left stopping at the six o'clock and the right stopping the at noon positions.

Katsuragi and Oriha left Yami to his plan and leaped from the rooftop. The latter bounded from Oriha's shoulder to gain more air and lifted her right leg as high as possible. Her descent accelerated, her leg muscles tightening.

"Meteor Crash!"

She delivered her strongest ax kick to the ground, breaking the earth apart as the shockwaves pushed the debris away from the house and towards the first set of cars.

Screams echoed in the night as the cars flipped over, and the passengers scrambled to get out. Many were injured in the incident while some escaped with some scratches. Regardless, the able-bodied ones readied their weapons, but their target was nowhere to be seen.

The men heard someone yell, only to see one of their cars' tail fly upward as the front caved in. The attacker used both of her powerful legs to do the damage and then flipped over the vehicle, where she jabbed her left foot into the bumper and launched the destroyed car into the one in front of it.

"Open fire!" One of the men ordered.

Katsuragi bolted to the nearest vehicle and hid behind it, flinching from the heavy and repetitive pounding it received.

On the other side of the house, Oriha danced a speedy waltz as her blades spun around her form and through the air. One well-placed throw sliced the cars into scrap, and another dance brought the discs back and acted as a shield against the bullets.

Once the men had to reload, Oriha disbanded her weapons and sent them out in all directions, the metals saws grinding against metal, sparks showering the concrete, pavement, and dirt.

"Crescent's Crescendo!" Oriha brought her arms down. In response, her blades flew downwards at an arc and ripped through the cars and flesh of the gunmen like it was nothing.

Kochou was unable to look away. The depressing remains of her home burned itself into her memory. During the shooting, something short-circuited and began to ignite. She couldn't see the flames, but she could see the smoke rising. Using her tablet is useless, no doubt her cameras were demolished in the gunfire. She was practically blind.

"If it's any consolation, I am sorry," Yami spoke up. "I would've stopped them had I arrived earlier."

Kochou barely registered his words. She was on the verge of breaking down, her breathing growing more and more rapid as her chest heaved in and out. A hand went to her chest, the many precious memories she had in that house playing through her mind.

It wasn't fair.

"Why are you looking for Yahan?" she hoped to get her mind off the disaster.

"I haven't spoken to her in a long time. Your Ashikabi intercepted us during the last battle. Seemed nice from the little conversation we had."

"Is it safe for you to be alone in enemy territory?"

Yami shrugged and continued to work. His stand created a window that allowed him to the inside of the Sasaki household. It was completely razed.

"No offense, but between you and Miss Foul Language, I'll be alright. Unfortunately, I can't find your friend. She must be buried under the rubble somewhere."

"I would've known if Akitsu was terminated," Kochou pointed out. "My cameras might be gone, but I'm still connected to the MBI satellite. I know who gets terminated."

Yami knows firsthand how strong Akitsu is. "I was the one who faced her in our last battle," he said, "I'm still winded from it, but at this pace, I can manage. Tsukuyomi, search the house. If you find her."

The User never finished the instruction.

A strange phenomenon began to occur. Snowflakes started to fall, chilliness turned to sheer cold, and the temperature dropped rapidly. Before Kochou and Yami's eyes, the intact pieces of the ground froze over, and an icy terrain expanded towards the ring of damaged vehicles.

The shooting demolished the front door, leaving a huge opening where one could see part of the foyer and living room. It was from there, one of the gunmen's group spotted a silhouette emerging from the entrance, but the disturbing thing was the ice covering the house as it got nearer. The ice spread like a virus, coating every surface in its icy vengeance.

The cacophony of gunfire quickly died down, immediately replaced by an frosty chant.

"This is the ice of my pledge."

A fierce blizzard erupted and encased Akitsu's foes in a prison. Large crystals jetted from the frozen land as her footsteps touched the ground. Her victims were stuck, unable to twitch, frozen to the bone but still aware.

"Freeze over this world of corruption and encase the wicked within my frozen cage. Reflect the bad luck of my most precious person and invoke them upon his foes."

Oriha and Katsuragi rendezvoused with Akitsu, who continued to chant, her ice getting more rigid. They were shivering harshly from the cold, a chilliness they never experienced before. Not even the cold Teito winters held a candle to Akitsu's frigidity.

"Shatter the misfortunes of my Ashikabi!"

Akitsu stomped her left foot and cracked her frozen path. "Ice Erosion!"

The frozen water obeyed her command. Everything happened too fast, but for those trapped within the prison, it felt like an eternity of pain as their entire beings broke down, bond by bond, molecule by molecule, as the ice crumbled and took its prisoners with it. There were no screams, no cries for help. The only sounds were that of the ice breaking and clattering to the ground before the wind blew the flakes away and scattering the particles throughout the air.

There were eight vehicles present and about four gunmen in each.

Not anymore, they were eradicated without a trace.

Akitsu called off her ice, returning the environment to normal, but the damages were already done.

She wiped the blood off her face with her sleeve and looked in Kochou's direction.

"Kochou! Yomi!" She called out.

Yahan's brother ordered his stand to take the girls to their sister while he stayed back. It was safer for him this way.

As soon as Kochou and the unconscious Yomi touched the ground, Akitsu embraced them both and brought Oriha and Katsuragi into her arms. Her hug was too strong, practically crushing the girls as she seethed, her rapid breathing seeping through her teeth.

Akitsu banged her head on the girls' shoulders, freezing teardrops dripping to the earth.

It was destroyed: their home. Gone.

The Ice Sekirei released her sisters and rounded on the icicle wall she formed between them. Akitsu sped into the abode, passing by the ruined walls and destroyed furniture, and ended up in the living room.

"Where is it?" She dug through the debris and searched for a special item, "Where is it?"

It remained elusive.

"WHERE IS IT?!"

Eventually, Akitsu found a familiar picture frame, a cyan-blue one with flurries around the edges, but it too was destroyed, and the picture itself was riddled with holes, completely unrecognizable.

"NOOO!" She screeched, her hands trembling as the rage bubbled. Her cry made the girls flinch and gather inside. There were too many openings that led to their sister's position.

She tried not to cry. She tried her hardest to hold back the anger and tears demanding their freedom.

The frame was meant to hold a picture of her and Kai napping on the couch. Somehow, Akitsu managed to snuggle up to the swordsman and ended up lying on top of him. Of course, he, instinctively, indulged in Akitsu's selfish request and wrapped his arm her like a protective shield. When the two awoke, Uzume explained the wholesome position and proceeded to tease their Ashikabi about it. Kai was flushed in the face while Akitsu revealed her rarest smile. Her eyes never sparkled so brilliantly.

Uzume snapped the picture, and Kochou helped pick out a frame. It was only them and Kai, a small family, at the time.

The picture is no more, and no copies were made. Akitsu felt having a copy would lessen the value, despite her sisters' suggestion of replicas. She wished she had listened, but with the current state of their house, the copies would have been destroyed as well.

Her favorite picture, gone, and with it, Akitsu's composure. She sunk to her knees and chucked the broken frame at the wall, a loud snapping sound erupting upon impact, and screamed at the top of her lungs to the heavens.

Her wails echoed into the night.