The Sekirei King
Chapter 1: The Devil's in the Plan
Part I
Hyoudou Issei looked up at the large bulletin board once more. HI7654677... HI7654677... HI7654677... "Damn." Issei shook his head in frustration. I failed... Buchou's not gonna be happy about this. Not one bit.
RIING, RIING.
That's probably her now... He looked at the caller ID on his phone. ...Damn. The screen flashed the picture of a beautiful red-head with extremely impressive assets. Issei leered momentarily. Rias Gremory, the Ruin Princess of the Gremory clan, was adorned in an equally red bathing suit that left little to the imagination. The pic had been a graduation gift from her. She had promised that once he got accepted into college he'd get a night with her in that very suit. A night to do whatever came to his perverted mind.
RIING, RIING.
"Hello."
"So Issei-kun? Did you get in? Is my adorable pawn now a respectable college student?" Issei shook his head in silent answer to her spoken question. He didn't have the courage to voice the response out loud.
"...You did pass the exam. Right?"
"...Well..."
"Hyoudou Issei. Don't tell me you failed the entrance exam. Neither Akeno or Koneko are gonna be happy. To think they spent so many of their weekends trying to help you study."
Flashback:
"Issei... Sukebe..." Akeno moaned as she slipped her long delicate fingers through his brown locks. The queen's moans deepened as Issei's oral ministrations brought forth sensations that rivaled the pleasure she felt as she bound and tortured her enemies on the field of battle...
Another Flashback:
"Issei... Sukebe..." Koneko deadpanned as she chased Issei throughout the clubhouse fully intent on beating the perverted pawn into a sticky red paste. The lowest ranked Gremory peer had tried once more to invite the loli Rook into his non-existent harem. Once more, she RSVP'd the invitation with her small but extremely powerful fists... 'She never actually said no.' Issei thought as he jumped from the second floor window to escape the short rook's wrath...
Present Day:
Issei walked away from the Shin Tokyo University's Entrance Exam Results board. Rias had expressed her disappointment and suggested that maybe ShinTou-dai might not be the best fit for him academically, but he was fully committed to this. Her brother had all but ordered him to show the ancient families that he belonged in the upper echelons of devil society. Sirzechs, Issei had been informed, had attended the University the very year it was founded, and had been the valedictorian of the school's very first class. Issei wanted, more than anything, to impress the Lucifer incarnation; to show that he was deserving of the rank of high class Devil. As well as the privilege of Sirzech's beloved sister's hand in marriage.
His results on the national preparatory exams had been encouraging. A small boost from the ancient dragon had given him enough of a mental jolt that he was able to score within the top quarter of his class nationally, an accomplishment that both surprised and pleased his devil king and queen. However, it would seem, that the same boost in ability did not translate into equally satisfying results on ShinTou-dai's entrance exam.
Even if he had passed he would have been the only member of Rias's peerage to attend. Rias and the rest of her peerage had chosen to attend Kuoh University instead of the more prestigious ShinTou-dai. He understood their reasons. Like Kuoh Academy Kouh-dai catered to their special needs as devils more than any other school of higher learning in Japan. But he had much more to prove than any of his peers. Sirzechs had impressed upon him the importance of breeding in Devil society, and that an ambitious devil could make up for his lack thereof with something equally prestigious, a first-class education.
He continued out of Tou-dai's quad and decided to forego his normal shortcut back to his hotel room. He turned to meander his way through the park adjacent to campus. It was a beautiful day, and, even though his failing scores had darkened it somewhat, he was going to enjoy the bright sunshine of a lovely spring day in ShinToky... "Brrr."
He paused for a moment as the realization that a blast of super-cooled air had just hit him squarely in the face dawned on him. "Brrr. Damn that's cold." Another blast of wintry wind and he had to know where the cold air was coming from. He began searching the park, periodically getting assaulted with cold air from differing directions. Finally, after several backtracks and a futile investigation of a jungle gym, Issei found himself standing directly in front of the source of the unseasonable local weather...
Akitsu was broken.
She watched disinterestedly as the passersby ignored her. They were too caught up in their daily existences to worry overly much about the strange female seated on the park bench by the street. A bloody lab coat she was wearing the only item of clothing on her. She sat there alone, her arms wrapped around her bent legs and her chin resting on her knees, as she contemplated her broken shell of an existence. An Ashikabi of her own was no longer an attainable goal for her. She sat still as a mountain, her eyes dulled with the pain of loss and emptiness, as a shadow fell over her obscuring the bright sun and shrouding her in a semblance of the darkness that she was currently feeling. Even the sun wants nothing to do with a broken... Wait...
She looked up slowly and saw that the shadow was attached to a body, a male body. She looked back down at her feet and waited for the person to continue on and leave her alone like all the rest.
"Hey," The strange male said as he continued to stand in front of her. "Did you know you're pretty cold?"
"...I'm broken..."
Issei scratched his head for a moment. "Oh... That explains it." He nodded his head in understanding. "I see. You're broke, and can't afford a winter coat. That makes perfect sense."
Akitsu eyed the stranger for a moment. "...No... I'm broken..." She corrected and then went back to her silent mourning once more.
"Broken?" Issei began inspecting the strange, but beautiful girl more closely. "I don't see any cracks or missing pieces on you." He scratched his head again, then turned his attention to the large tattoo on the girl's forehead.
Inwardly he addressed his resident Sacred Gear. Draig. Draig. DRAIG!
What. The Great Red Dragon answered in an annoyed tone. It only took a single whiff of the creature in front of Issei and the dragon's attention immediately turned to the source of the overwhelming power that was emanating from the depressed woman in front of him. Partner, that woman. She's smells like trouble.
Issei took in a deep breath. Once more Akitsu eyed him, now more curiously, well at least as curiously as Akitsu can become when she's deep in lost Ashikabi mourning. Once more addressing Draig, Issei thought, She smells pretty sweet to me. Almost like Asia does after she's had her nightly bath and puts on that spearmint perfume that I like so much.
Draig eyed Issei's mental self-image for a solitary moment. Partner, that's smell is wintergreen toothpaste.
Oh. Well it still smells good. Issei replied. Maybe we should...
"Nobody wants a broken thing... Like me."
At that statement of pure despair, Issei had heard enough.
Now it is important for all to understand that Hyoudou Issei is not the smartest member of Rias's peerage. That honor goes to... every member of Rias's peerage not named Hyoudou Issei, but there is none among them more loyal, courageous, or perverted (but that's beside the point) or chivalrous as Hyoudou Issei. If a woman says that "no one wants her" Issei is the one person that phrase will never describe. The self-styled Harem King will always be there to pick a lady up and show her how important she is to him... All of them. Every last one of them. On the planet. A woman in need will always have a knight in shining red armor when he's around. Even if they don't need one. Or want one.
"Come on. You're coming with me. I'm gonna fix you. Would you like that. You won't be broken anymore, I promise." Issei extended his hand and smiled at the stunned woman.
Akitsu stared at Issei's outstretched hand for a long time then gingerly placed her hand in his. As the two new acquaintances stepped away from the bench, a black limousine swerved in front of them to block their escape. Issei unsure of this new arrival slipped in front of Akitsu to protect her from the unknown threat that had emerged from seemingly nowhere.
The closest rear car door opened and a a tall blonde-haired man dressed in black with a yellow scarf stepped out of the expensive vehicle. In his right hand he carried a katana, sheathed in black. A shorter male wearing an expensive suit and a white silk cravat stepped out of the car behind the taller man. He addressed Issei in a very informal language. "You there, take your hands off of my rare acquisition and leave us. Immediately."
Issei just stared at the boy, who couldn't have been more than 16 years of age. Issei might have been the least formal of all of Rias's peers, but there was no way he was gonna let some high school junior in fancy clothes push him around. He was a graduate of Kuoh Academy after all. Akeno would tease him mercilessly if she ever found out. "I have no idea what you're spouting on about. But seeing as I am definitely your sempai, I would suggest you show me some manners."
Mikogami huffed and looked away momentarily taken aback by the elder student's rebuke. "Mutsu, I want that rare Sekirei. Get her for me. If you have to hurt that moron standing in your way. Well, that just can't be helped."
"As you wish, my Ashikabi." Mutsu stepped forward holding his sword, still sheathed point facing down. "I would suggest that you step aside from number zero-seven. I'll be taking her into my custody. She's incapable of being winged anyway, so she'd be pretty useless to you."
Issei smirked, "No woman is useless to Hyoudou Issei. The Harem King will protect any woman that wants his, my protection." He half-turned and smiled at Akitsu, who blushed and looked at her feet in response. Taking her unspoken response as encouragement, he continued. "Now, are we gonna fight? Or are you gonna just hold that sword threateningly and talk me to death?" Internally, Issei questioned Draig. Red? IS he gonna be a real problem?
I don't think so. He's a powerful guy, but Albion's got him beat hands down, and we both know how that turned out.
True. OK. Let's get this over with. I've got a damsel to fix. Issei smirked for a moment, and Mutsu narrowed his eyes, for the first time in a while, unsure of quite what to do next. Usually you threaten a human with bodily violence they have a tendency to leave. But not this guy apparently.
"Very well. If you wish to escalate this. I'll be more than happy to.."
"BOOST!" Issei, deciding words were unnecessary, jumped forward and struck at Mutsu with his Sacred Gear. Mutsu completely unprepared for the quick attack was barely able to bring his sword up to block the attack. He jumped backwards over the limousine and landed in the middle of the street. Issei followed suit. "BOOST!" The second boost increased Issei's reaction time exponentially. Mutsu barely got his katana unsheathed before he was struck with a flurry of blows from the devil ronin.
Mutsu retreated again when several ice chunks embedded themselves in the tarmac where Mutsu was once standing. Issei looked behind him to see more of the deadly ice knives floating around Akitsu. He smiled and gave her a thumbs up which brought out another blush from the broken ice maiden. Issei not one to give his enemies time to regroup raced after Mutsu and brought his bright red gauntleted arm down on the battered sword in Mutsu's hands. "I thought it would be unwise for me to stand in your way. I'm Issei by the way. Remember that name, cause I'm gonna be the one to kick your ass!... Oh, and guess what... I have a sword too..." Ascalon's blade extended from his right palm, and the sword fully manifested into his hand a moment after.
"Mutsu! Get that Sekirei! I want him in my collection. I had no idea that there were two of them standing there. With his arm weapon and that beautiful sword, he has to be the rarest Wagtail of them all. Get him now, Mutsu!"
Mutsu, flat footed and backtracking from the "hellish" assault that he was under from Issei and Ascalon, could only nod his recognition at his new orders. This guy can't be a Sekirei. I've seen all of the male Sekirei... Well all but number 107, but he can't be this old yet. Who the hell are you?
"Mutsu! You're supposed to Mikogami's strongest. Can you take care of this guy or not?" Yomi jumped out of the other side of the limo and removed her scythe from the trunk.
"Yomi, don't kill him!" Mikogami exclaimed. "Just grab the scrapped number, and we'll use her to force him to surrender!"
"Right!" Yomi dodged and deflected several ice daggers as she moved to capture Akitsu. "Hey weird Sekirei dude! I'm gonna kill this broken bird if you don't surrender, right now!"
"As if I'd let you! BOOST!" Issei, now head to toe in red armor, knocked Yomi's scythe from her hands. "Clothes Breaker!" A blast of magic poured forth from Issei's right hand and Yomi's clothes were shredded and strewn all over the ground in small tatters.
"...Hentai..." Akitsu said as she pelted the now weaponless Yomi with ice. A completely mortified Yomi dodged the bigger chunks and dashed back into the limo to save her own modesty.
Issei only smiled in response to Akitsu's mild rebuke of his particular brand of devil magic, and turned his attention back to Mutsu. "I think I'm gonna just kill this little prick giving the orders, and see if you like it when I threaten the person you're protecting." With a flash Issei maneuvered Mikogami between him and number zero-five. He smirked as he held Ascalon to Mikogami's throat. "Now you surrender. Or by all that's holy... oww!" Issei loudly protested the sharp pain in his head brought on by thinking of God and the angels.
Mutsu, recognizing a moment of weakness when he saw it, jumped in and grabbed Mikogami before Issei could complete his threat. "I believe we should call this a stalemate, and leave it at that." Mutsu as he pushed Mikogami back into his own limo.
"Humph! Well next time I won't go so easy on you!" Issei resumed his protective stance in front of Akitsu, who had taken to boring a hole in Issei's back with her gaze. Mutsu only nodded grimly in response as he entered the limo. Issei watched the long car drive away before he turned to address Akitsu."Come on. Let's get out of here before anyone else decides to attack us. We still gotta get you fixed, right?" Akitsu, blushed but held her gaze as she nodded her agreement. She reached out and grabbed his shirt-tail as the two began walking away from the park.
High above them two unknown spectators watched as the new pair made their exit. Each of them from a different vantage point. Number zero-four, Karasuba, on the roof of one building; number zero-six, Homura, on another. Karasuba, smiled viciously as she contemplated the ramifications of Issei possibly becoming her squad's Ashikabi. While she generally found the idea of the pervert as her Ashikabi completely disgusting, she couldn't argue with the potential results.
Homura watched the duo with bewilderment. He had initially thought he was going to have to intervene when Mutsu began threatening the two. Then he witnessed something he simply could not explain. A potential Ashikabi fought a winged Sekirei, with super-human powers of his own. To a stand-still. He would have to keep an eye on this new Sekirei plan player. His abilities could be a real game changer.
High above both of the Sekirei spectators were two more. Azazel and Sirzechs were pleased with themselves. The two had hoped that Issei would do what Issei had always done since he became one of Rias's peers, throw a large red dragon-sized wrench in the well-laid plans of men, devils, and angels. It quickly became apparent that Issei would not disappoint.
"Sirzechs, I have to admit, I doubted you. When you came to me describing a possible new faction in the endless war of the balance, I was skeptical. And your plan of using Issei-kun to harness this new faction was even less believable. Now I understand. Our 'Harem King' will do just what you trained him for. Just what you pushed and prodded him into." Azazel smirked knowingly. "He'll do what no one else can, unite these alien Sekirei under the Devil banner. It will probably make him one of the most powerful devil peerages in existence, barring the personal peerage of the Lucifer incarnations, of course. Well played, my friend, well played."
"Of course he will. I expect no less from my dear sister's favorite subordinate, and potential mate." The two turned their attention back to their respective houses and disappeared.
PART II
Issei and Akitsu walked for several more minutes when he heard the sound of rumbling. Loud rumbling. He looked up at the sky. He was surprised at the lack of dark clouds that usually accompanied the obvious thunder he had just heard. More rumbling. This time he was sure that it was...
"...I'm hungry..." Issei stopped and looked back at his newly rescued companion.
"Oh, well of course you are." Issei looked around and spied a Chinese take-out place a few buildings down from their current location. He looked back at Akitsu and realized that as sexy as she was in her lab coat it would probably get them thrown out of the restaurant if they actually tried to eat there. "Come on. I'm gonna order us some take out food and we'll go back to my hotel to eat."
Akitsu nodded and Issei grabbed a menu so that she could decide what to she wanted to eat. She picked the chicken... and the pork... and the beef... and the shrimp... and a lot of other dishes that eventually brought the total bill to a whopping 10,000 yen. He decided to forego food for himself and ordered the food that Akitsu requested. His wallet now noticeably lighter than it had been 20 minutes previously, he and Draig discussed just how Issei was going to follow through with the promise he made to his new companion. Partner, I think whatever she's talking about probably has something to do with that mark on her forehead.
Issei, silently pondered his Sacred Gear's words for a moment before he replied. Hmm... Then we just need to figure out how to remove that tattoo. Maybe laser tattoo removal..
Partner. I don't think it's a tattoo. Draig shook his head and continued on. Whenever I look at her I can sense her power flow and it seems that the mark is somehow impeding it. If we find a way to remove...
That's just what I said. We remove the tat...
It's not a tat...
Whatever it is! She'll be fixed. "And the first one in my harem!" The other occupants of the restaurant turned to look at Issei. "Did I say that last part out loud?"
Yes. "Yes."
"Oh, oops."
I agree, but we'll need more information before we'll know how to do that.
Issei nodded and once his food was served, turned to retrieve Akitsu from the alley behind the restaurant. He found Akitsu being accosted by a couple thugs who looked to be trying to lead her away from the restaurant. "Come on, baby. Look at you. I know you wanna have a good time with us. Come back to my place, and I'll show you a real good time."
"...No... I'm waiting... for my Ashikabi..." Akitsu fired an ice dagger into the lead guy's foot and then used a conjured ice storm to blow the other two down the alley. She turned and once more grabbed Issei's shirt-tail. He handed her some of the bags to carry, and looked down the alley at three would-be assailants. "You need any help?"
Akitsu shook her head. "...No..." Issei shrugged and the two continued to the small hotel Issei had stayed at when he was preparing for the Toudai entrance exam. He unlocked the door and motioned for Akitsu to enter ahead of him. She stepped lightly over the threshold and set her food down on the table by room's center. It was a traditional hostel style hotel and it catered to the University's applicants. Issei sat his bags down next to her's and then brought out 2 pair of disposable chopsticks.
Another rumble from Akitsu's stomach and Issei began quickly opening the containers so that Akitsu could begin eating as quickly as possible.
"...Ittedakimasu..." Akitsu held her chopsticks in her hands as she made her thanks, then with no small amount of grace began eating.
Issei watched with wide eyes as the scrapped Sekirei proceeded to eat almost all of the food that he had bought. He mentally addressed Draig. I figured it out. Her stomach is what's broken. It obviously is not functioning properly. She can't even fill it.
Draig, laughed for a moment then realized his partner was being serious. Partner. I don't think that's the part about her that's broken. Besides a healthy appetite is sexy on a female. Believe me, there's nothing sexier than watching a female eating a fresh kill. Messily.
Issei was not entirely convinced.
Akitsu finished her meal and went back to staring expectantly at Issei. He scratched the back of his head then decided that the best course of action was to simply ask her, how she was broken. "Akitsu."
"...Yes..."
"How are you broken?"
"...I can't have... an Ashikabi..."
"Akitsu."
"...Yes..."
"What's an ashikabi?"
"An Ashikabi... Is my... chosen one..."
"Akitsu."
"...Yes..."
"What's your chosen one?"
Draig, with each passing question, was growing more and more impatient. By all that is holy, partner! Will you get to the point?!
"...My chosen one... is someone... who will be... my one and only... My destined partner... and lover..."
At the word lover Issei's fantasies began filling his mind. "Oh. I can be that! What do I do to be your destined... lover?"
"...You can't... Because I'm... broken..."
"Right. Well then I guess it's time to fix..."
Partner. Ask her how someone normally becomes an Ashikabi!
"Akitsu."
"...Yes."
OH, JUST ASK HER ALREADY!
Calm down. "How does a person become an Ashikabi? Normally?"
"...The Sekirei... is kissed by... their Ashikabi... which then... makes the Ashikabi... their Ashikabi..."
"Oh. I see... We just need to find you an Ashikabi who can kiss you then you'll have an..."
Partner... Just kiss her! Or I swear I'll stab you with Ascalon!
"Akitsu."
"...Yes..."
KISS HER, YOU JACKASS!
"Owww! Fine... I'm gonna kiss you now. Would you like that?"
"...Yes..."
"OK, then..." Issei moved closer to Akitsu and slipped his hands inside her coat. "Akitsu."
"...Yes.."
Partner, if you say another word without kissing this female first, I am going to kill you. Am I crystal clear?
Yes. Sheesh. Issei moved closer still to Akitsu and planted his lips in a soft kiss. Draig, satisfied that Issei had finally kissed the broken female, almost missed the results. Almost. The Great Red Dragon watched Akitsu's failed attempt, and realized just how broken the female really was. The kiss itself worked as far as the dragon could tell, but he then saw that the problem was in fact the mark on her forehead. Akitsu's body was trying to make a deep soul connection with Issei, and, by extension Draig himself, but the red mark was acting like a road-block. He spent the following 15 minutes after the kiss explaining the situation to Issei. Repeatedly.
So we just have to boost our way through that road block and she'll be fixed?
Perhaps, but we don't know what kind of effect a boosted link will cause in her body. She could die.
I definitely don't want that to happen. Maybe a series of smaller boosts, that we can ratchet up with each kiss.
Draig pondered the idea. Could work, partner.
"Akitsu."
"...Yes..."
"I'm gonna try to kiss you again. This time I'm gonna boost while I'm kissing you."
"...Boost?..."
"Yeah. It's a long story, but the short version is, I have an ancient dragon that lives inside me, and he can let me use his power whenever I need it. That's called a boost."
"...I see..."
"I can only do it so often before his power begins to exhaust me and I have to get Akeno to help me recover."
"... ... I see..." Akitsu's stoic facial expression had a decidedly non-understanding cast to it.
"I can also boost other people too. Then they can use his power too."
This time Akitsu only nodded.
"OK, here we go..." Issei pulled Akitsu tight to him and claimed her lips in a smouldering kiss. Boost. His power output increased by a half. The forehead mark resisted the first attempt. He slipped his tongue into her mouth, and she accepted the intrusion with her usual stoicism.
Boost! The second attempt also failed, but Issei could feel her body warming from the additional power flowing through her. He began massaging a bare breast, and deepened the kiss even more. Akitsu unable to contain the feeling of pleasure from both the dragon's power flowing into her from the kiss and Issei's fondling, moaned into his mouth.
BOOST! He flooded their connection with even more of the dragon's power as he pulled the ice maiden onto his lap. Akitsu legs immediately wrapped around his waist. The raw power battering away at Akitsu's seal began spilling out of the mark and bathed the walls of the small hotel room in bright scarlet.
BOOST! This power lever was now as much as he dared to inject into Akitsu. The ice maiden was now writhing in his lap, the raw sensations flooding her every nerve. She cried out in orgasmic delight as the red light changed to gold for a split second. She broke the kiss, and stared wide-eyed at the ceiling overcome with the raw sensuality of the moment. Issei watched fascinated as the mark disappeared from her forehead only for it to reappear on her back at the base of her neck. Crystalline wings of ice burst forth into existence from the same point on her back as she smiled at him for the first time 'She's positively beautiful.' Issei thought as he looked at her again, as if seeing her for the first time. The power drain on his sacred gear had been phenomenal but the results were undeniable...
Akitsu was no longer broken. She pushed Issei flat onto his back and claimed his lips in another smouldering french kiss. Once more delicate wings of ice appeared behind her. This time lasting a moment longer than they had at their first appearance. The wings were very similar to that of a bird's, unlike his leathery bat wings when his devil side fully manifested. The 'feathers' of her wings like grown crystals of almost infinite complexity. Captured light filtered through them lighting the small room in rainbow colors...
The new Sekirei/Ashikabi pair fell asleep in each other's arms exhausted from the bonding ritual they had just accomplished.
AT MBI Headquarters...
Takami Sahashi stared at the screen for several long moments, her half-smoked cigarette dangling forgotten from her bottom lip. The display showed two pictures: Number zero-seven, Akitsu, on the right and a picture of a young adult male, likely in his late teens at the time of the picture was taken, on the left. The pic was quite likely his high-school yearbook photo. The name Hyoudou Issei appeared under it.
Damn... She got herself winged after all. Even in this day and age miracles can happen... Her thoughts turned to her son, Minato, who had been taken from her at such a young age. He was visiting relatives when it happened, the freak fire that had killed so many in Fuyuki City. He was gone now, but she imagined that Minato might look very similar wearing the Academy uniform that Issei had been wearing when his picture was taken.
On a 787 bound for Tokyo...
Emiya Shirou woke up and sneezed... Is someone talking about me?... The faker shrugged and went back to sleep. His dreams filled with swords...
AN: I am unsure where this particular story is going to go. I thought a college bound Issei who achieves his dream of being the Harem King with beautiful aliens might be fun to write. Hopefully you, my readers, found it somewhat amusing. Leave me a note to let me know whether this bit of crossover fluff is worth continuing or not.
Piper out.