AN: Hi, everybody. I wrote this story with the intentions of giving Saji fans (however few there may be) something acceptable to read and not focused on our favorite Red dragon emperor (to a certain extent, he will be important later on). This will be Saji and Sona focused so if you guys don't like it, I'm going to sound harsh, but there is always the symbol at the top. All I ask is you guys to enjoy my story, make constructive criticism in your reviews, and/or tell me what you like so I can expand on the things. Well, I'm not going to drag on anymore.

I don't own Highschool DxD, Ichiei Ishibumi does.

Saji POV

A year has passed since the Evil Dragon War and the conflict with Indra. Hyoudou has been lucky enjoying this peaceful time while I haven't been so lucky. Over this past year, I have been training to master my sacred gears so I can protect those that I care about.

Most of my days were filled with my studies. Like now, I was so focused on understanding the balance breaker form of my sacred gears that I didn't notice anyone approach until I heard my name. "Saji!"

To my surprise, I turned around to see to my master, Sona Sitri, standing in the doorway. She had the usual serious look on her face – too serious if you asked me. Lately, she hasn't smiled much, or rather shown any emotion for that matter. The weight of leading everyone was taking its toll on her. Many people thought that she developed a cold shoulder, but it was just the pressure getting to her. It was like all her emotions were sucked out.

We stared at one another other for a moment until Sona announced, "Dinner is ready, and everyone is waiting for you."

"I'm not hungry, Sona," I said. "Thanks anyways though!" I called out as I turned to walk down to the training grounds as possible solutions filled my head. Sure, all of us were invited over to Hyoudou's house for dinner, but right now, I have more important things on my mind than food.

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Hyoudou POV

The house was frantic trying to get everything for dinner. Sona and her peerage were invited over to catch up and relax a bit. Speaking of Sona, where did she go?

I looked around until I saw Sona walk up from the training area. Calling out, I asked her, "Hey, Sona, where's Saji?"

"Saji's not coming up. He said he isn't hungry." She replied with a bit of a sad tone so slight that you almost couldn't notice it. "Why were you wondering, Issei?"

I tried to mask my disappointment. "Oh, okay! Thanks for telling me," I replied.

"Issei!" The sweet voice of Rias called out for me. "Where are you?" She asked.

I couldn't leave the lovely lady wondering. "Coming!" I yelled back heading towards Rias' voice.

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Down in the training grounds, pitch black flames covered most of the field thanks to a black Eastern Dragon with purple eyes and a boy with similar pitch black armor and spiked tentacles. The two eyed one another before the boy charged at the dragon.

"Raaaahhh!" The boy's battle cried echoed as he hit the dragon with all his might, but all his target did was let out a wicked laugh. It seemed the boy's attack only amused the beast.

"Come on! You're going to have to do better than that, my other half, if you want to be called the prison dragon!"

"I'm not done yet!" The boy cried as multiple portals opened around the dragon. "I'll show you what I can really do, Vritraaa!"

With a renewed battle cray, Saji sent tentacles out of the portals to capture the dragon but failed to do so. Even the shadows were trying to ensnare Vritra, but it was all for nothing as he blocked everything that was thrown at him.

Suddenly, Vritra released a huge amount of black flames around his body and slowly walked toward his 'other half' as Saji was backing away. "It that it? Where is the drive that you had when we fought against Indra? Have you forgotten What Issei Hyoudou asked of you? Or are you just SCARED?" An evil gleam crossed into Saji's eyes at Vritra's words.

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Saji's POV

I can't believe it. I couldn't even catch him with even one. Dammit! I flew back knowing that if I got too careless I was going to get cooked. Vritra just released a large amount of his flames, taunting me afterwards. He had the gall to ask if I forgot what happened with Indra and what Hyoudou asked me. I haven't forgotten one damn thing, but his last question caught me off guard. His words echoed in my mind for a brief moment, "Are you just SCARED?"

Shaking my head, I yelled, "I'm not scared of you, or anything else for that matter!" Instantly, I increased my aura and promoted to queen. Sona said that I could promote whenever I train, and this is one of those times where I needed to promote.

I charged towards Vritra with everything I had. Portals opened all around me and covered the whole field in my shadows flames and portals where absorption lines were shooting out.

The large dragon had a toothy grin on his face at my attack. "That's it! Keep at it, my other half, otherwise you will never be able to win her affections!"

Vritra laughed as I shot a glare at him. Then, he further taunted me by saying, "Isn't that what you're truly fighting for here, SAJI!" The dragon roared as we both went head to head as massive surges of shadows and flames engulfed the field and everything near them.

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Hyoudou POV

After dinner, everybody went down to the hot springs in the house to relax, except for me. I went to check on Saji before I did anything else.

An intense heat greeted me as I entered the training grounds. Ddraig warned me, "Watch out, partner! What your feeling right now is Vritra's cursed flames, and they are stronger than normal. It's been a while since I have felt them with this much passion."

"That's kind of bad, Ddraig, thanks for the heads up," I replied wondering what was happening on the training field.

As I reached the bottom, I was shocked to see the flames and shadows covering the whole field. Almost nothing was left untouched. A small figure caught my attention as it flew towards a flaming mass of shadows, also known as Vritra, but, suddenly, Saji just dropped out of the sky.

"Saji!" I yelled as I equipped my scale mail and soared to catch him. "Seems has reached his limit. Sekiryuutei no Issei!" (Red dragon emperor of blazing truth).

"Vritra?" I asked, but the flames and the dragon were gone.

"He will need healing, Sekiryuutei. I wasn't kind with him." I heard Vritra answer in my head.

"Oh, okay." I set Saji down on one of the couches and went to look for Asia. Poor Saji was going to need her help.

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"It's time for you to face the harsh reality, Saji, not everything can be achieved by trying to imitate someone else, but I do admire your dedication but will she finally notice your reasons." The being said as a chilling laugh followed.

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Hyoudou POV

"I've done what I can for him, Issei. I hope he's alright." Asia said to me with a kind smile.

"Sorry to bother you and the girls. You are probably real mad for my interruption at the hot springs." I nervously laugh praying that they understood.

"Oh, no! They are fine as long as I get back quickly," Asia replied as she gave me a kiss on the cheek. " See you later, right?"

"Yeah," I mumbled as I watched her walk back down to the hot springs and the girls.

Turning towards Saji's sleeping form, I said, "Well buddy, you really outdid yourself this time." But as I talked to him, I noticed something strange about that I just couldn't put my finger on it. Why did Saji seem so different?

"You noticed it, didn't you?" A voice startled me out of piecing together the puzzle in front of me.

"Woah!" I jumped slightly, turning around to see the black-haired leader. "Hey there, Sona, didn't notice you there." I was kind of surprised by her appearing out of nowhere.

"It wasn't my intention to be noticed," she stated with an icy tone.

"Damn, I know it's hard being a King of a peerage and a head of a clan while trying to convince people to help you fund your school, but you don't need to take it out on everybody." I countered.

"Sorry if I came of as a little cold; a lot has been on my mind as lately." The black-haired girl sighed.

"No kidding there, Sona, that's for sure."

"Ever since the Evil dragon war and Rizevim's appearance, Saji has been a little bit off. Sure, he does his duties and reports to me like normal, but he's not social. We don't see him at all unless I order him to come back, and every time, he appears as if he's about to drop. Is this what you were going through, Issei?" Sona asked me with a hint of worry.

"I had more tough times than I can count, Sona, but has he really been pushing himself this hard?"

"Yes, Saji has been working himself to the bone. I just wish I understood his reasoning as to why. During the war, he was able to fight with you against Indra, one of the strongest gods; yet, he's still not stopping. I don't know what's driving him to these extremes, but if you can figure it out, I would appreciate if you were to tell me." She told me honestly. Sona glazed over to Saji's form, then her eyes met mine. "And one more thing, you can feel it, can't you? His evil pieces, something has changed in them. A mutation perhaps? You do have 8 pawns that mutated, can you tell if I'm right?" She asked me, hoping that I had all the answers.

Shrugging slightly, I replied, "I'll try to figure out what's up with Saji once he wakes up. As for his pieces, I do not know. I'm sure you could ask Ajuka! He'll know."

"I guess I'll ask Ajuka-sama then. Have a nice day, Issei." Sona told me as she left us.

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Saji POV

"Uh, where am I?"A massive headache pounded away causing me to loss focus.

"It seems you finally woke up, my other half. It took you a while to wake up."

"Vritra?" I asked disoriented.

"Yes, my other half?" Vritra replied.

"Where are we? OW, my head hurts like hell." I stated, slightly rubbing my temple to drive away the pain.

"Ah, Saji you're awake! Everyone was getting worried." I looked towards the voice and it was Tsubaki.

"Oh, hey, Tsubaki! Where am I?" I asked her since I was totally clueless as to where I was

"You're in Sona's chambers," she stated without even bating an eye.

"WHAAAAAT?" I totally panic. This is bad really bad if Sona finds me here! I'm dead but then…

"OW!" Tsubaki hit me on the head.

"Calm down! She said that we should put you here. Saji, you were out for quite a while even after Asia-san healed you." Tsubaki told me in a stern, yet soothing voice

"Okay…" I tried to get up but she pushed me back down.

"You have to stay here and rest. Sona wants you in peak condition so if you need anything, tell me."

"Um, why? I can do whatever she needs of me right now" I boldly stated to the girl at my side.

"She said it as an order, Saji! Rest until your healed fully - no ifs, ands, or buts about it! Understand?" Tsubaki demanded as if she was still the Student council Fukukaicho.

"Alright, if you say so." I replied as I laid back on Sona's amethyst blue bed and covers, falling instantly asleep.

Terminology:

Sekiryuutei no Issei- Red dragon emperor of blazing truth
Sekiryuutei- Red dragon emperor
Fukukaicho- Vice president of a company

That's the prologue! I hope it can be enjoyed.