The train slowed down with a screeching sound before stopping completely. With a buzzing sound, the doors opened. They heard the computer voice announce the station. A few passengers got out.

A strange looking group got on the train. They were students, that much was obvious, but only one was in uniform: an elegant young lady with long crimson hair and a busty figure.

It was rather late in the morning, not to mention it was Wednesday, so the train was mostly empty.

Issei did not understand why they took the train. They could just jump to the beach using a magic circle. But Buchou seemed to have her reasons. Reasons she did not share with the rest of them.

If Issei wasn't so consumed with the foresight of seeing all these beauties in their bikinis, he would have found it rather suspicious. She had suddenly decided they would go to the beach, the beach at Haramihama, which wasn't the closest beach from Kuou Town. On top of that they would go by train and she had explicitly told them not to use their Sacred Gears. If you counted to that her nervous behaviour, anyone would find it weird or even suspicious.

Even her Queen, Akeno-senpai was left in the dark as to the motives of Rias-buchou.

The train set itself in motion. Contrary to the train they had taken to the Underworld, this was a boring, normal train.

Issei seated himself on a random seat.

As Rias was absent-minded, Akeno-senpai took her chance and sat down next to Issei-kun. Their legs were so close to each other he could feel the heat radiating from her. Since Issei was on the edge of the bench, there was no space on his other side. The girls, having missed their chance, seated themselves randomly on the rest of the bench. Rias remained standing. She was looking out of the window with a vague look.

Azazel wasn't present. In their brief conversation, Rias had told him what she had seen and felt. Azazel-sensei had waved her concerns away stating it was no Longinus. However, after this, he had said he had some urgent business to attend to and would be out of town for a week or so. This had let to her sudden trip back to Haramihama. She was determined to solve this mystery all by herself. Once again, they were leaving her out of the loop. Azazel knew something, and she would find out what it was.

"Buchou? Are you alright?"

She looked up. A concerned looking Ise stared at her. "Ise. Yes, I'm fine. Don't worry about it."

He smiled awkwardly and scratched the back of his head. "If you say so, Buchou."

"Don't attract too much attention. We don't want anyone to find out we are devils."

"Uhm, Buchou? Why are we going to Haramihama?"

"Because...I want to go to the beach. Is that so weird?"

"Yes, but...why this beach?"

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Akeno staring at them.

She put her hand on his shoulder. "Just have fun today, Ise. It's summer break after all. You worked very hard lately, all of us have. We deserve a break."

"So that's why we didn't jump there. We're taking a break from everything. No magic, no Sacred Gears, just a bunch of teenagers going to the beach. Buchou, you're the best."

She felt a slight stab at betraying this brutally honest boy. But for now, she could not tell them anything. Let's face it, what was she supposed to say? She had a strange feeling all of this was in her head anyway.

Suddenly, she had a prickling sensation. Like someone was watching her.

When she looked around, it turned out she was right. There was someone watching her. A tall man with black hair tied up in a neat bun. He had averted his gaze quickly, but she was certain she had seen it. The man was watching her. Not in the way men usually watched her. There was something else going on here.

She brushed away a stray hairlock. This was going too far. Now she was already becoming paranoid. It was just a normal guy.

She stole another glance. The man had burn marks on his face. They were very minor. Just an angry red welling that had already started to fade away.

Get a hold of yourself, Rias. It's just a man sitting on the same train. Nothing suspicious about it.

"Buchou?"

"Huh?" It was Kiba this time.

"This is our stop."

"Oh."

She hadn't even felt the train slow down, but before her words were cold, the doors opened.

Kiba subtly put his hand on her back and guided her of the train.

"We're concerned about you," Kiba said softly. "Something is wrong."

"Don't worry about it."

All of them were on the platform now.

It was a bright summer day today. Perfect weather to lie on the beach.

The Occult Research Club made their way to the exit and onto the beach.

When they were at the dyke, Issei started running. He took the stairs two at a time. Once down, he quickly kicked of his shoes so he could feel the warm sand between his toes. A relaxing expression appeared on his face.

The others came down as well, albeit in a slightly less enthusiastic manner.

They walked until about halfway to the waterline and then they sat down.

Kiba and Issei set up a large blue windscreen. Well, Kiba was setting it up as Issei constantly got distracted by the girls undressing.

In one smooth movement, Akeno took of her light blue top. Then, she unbuckled the belt of her shorts and took those of as well. Underneath was her bikini. Issei knew that one quite well. Dark pink fabric covered three quarters from the top down. The rest was covered by a violet shade. In the middle, a steel ring was attached and the colors switched places. The ring was held up by a purple string that looped around her neck. This design meant that the top and bottom parts of her breasts were mostly exposed. The bottom piece showed a similar pattern with dark pink on one side and violet on the other with a diagonal overlap between them. On the violet-side was a similar metal ring keeping it in place.

Issei didn't fully realise this, but she had bought this bikini for him. Rias had done the same thing with her…

"Rias?"

Rias looked up. "What?" she seemed confused.

By now, the windscreen was up and everyone was in their swimsuits. Except for Rias, who was still fully dressed.

"Don't mind me," she quickly said. "Go ahead and swim. I'll be there later. I think I have a sun stroke."

While it was quite warm, it wasn't that warm. Besides, devils didn't get sick. Not like that at least.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Akeno asked.

"I'm fine. Go and have fun."

Akeno shrugged. "Come on Ise-kun, let's go for a swim," she said. The vice-president grabbed his arm and dragged him to the sea. Kiba, Asia, Koneko and Xenovia followed them. (Gaspar had stayed home stating the sun was too bright for his vampire skin.)

Rias slowly stripped down to her bikini. Then, she laid out a towel. She sat down upon the large bath towel. The sun felt good on her skin. Sighing, the president laid back.

She was tired, both physically and mentally. These calm days wouldn't last long, she could feel it, and it was tiring to think about it.

Maybe she was thinking too much. Something was messing with her head. Or maybe...someone.

She shook off the sudden cold feeling.

Her eyes closed.

Just a short nap.

A large yawn escaped her lips. So tired.

/

Now would be the ideal moment for revenge, Rayner considered. The stupid bitch was just lying there. So vulnerable. He didn't even have to close in on her. He could just throw a light spear from here.

Her servants were playing in the water, too far to come to her rescue.

But taking vengeance like this wouldn't be satisfying. He wanted betrayal. He wanted hate. He wanted that monster to feel the same way she had felt before he took her life. Hurt, betrayed by those who had claimed to love her.

And he wanted to make her suffer a lot more than this. This slight messing with her head was only the beginning.

Still, he couldn't pass an opportunity like this.

The fallen angel closed in on Rias. She was sleeping peacefully, in an exquisite looking white bikini. His hands twitched, tempted to strangle her, but he held back. There would be more than enough time for his carefully designed vengeance plan. If this blazing anger didn't surge through his veins, he would have thought it was a shame to kill a beauty like this.

But that would come later. First, something else.

He took an object from his pocket.

When he was finished, he admired his work for a second. He had worried for a moment she would wake up, but she remained fast asleep.

He threw another glance at the water.

In the distance, he saw someone walking towards him.

Now was the time to go away. He had other things planned.

/

How strange, Akeno thought. She was certain she had seen someone with Rias. A tall man with clothing unfit for the beach. But when she came closer, the man was gone. Had she imagined it?

She kept walking though. Buchou was already asleep for a long time, and she was concerned.

/

"Buchou, wake up."

Huh? She blinked a few times against the sunlight. "Akeno? What's wrong?"

"That's a good question."

Rias sat up. "How do you mean?"

Wordless, Akeno pointed at Rias' chest.

Rias Gremory looked down.

Right between her breast, in permanent marker, was a large 'R'.

What the hell?!

"Who did this?" she was on her feet now.

"I think I saw someone, but I'm not sure."

"Who was it?" The Power of Destruction started gathering in her hand.

"Buchou. Calm down." On moments like this, Akeno understood completely why Rias was called the Crimson Ruin Princess.

"Oh. Yeah, sure. It was just a joke." The aura vanished again. Just a joke.

"Looks like team Rocket caught you," Akeno said, trying to defuse the tension.

"Team Rocket is red, this one is black."

"Well be sure to tell the kids the next time they plan a joke like that."

Buchou sighed. "Help me wash this off. I don't want Issei to see it. He'll be concerned."

And you're not concerned? Something is going on. Something you're not telling us.

/

/

"Are you certain?" Sekai asked.

"No," the blonde man said. "Tracking Sacred Gears is not very reliable. But I have a good feeling about this one."

"Why?"

"It's a penthouse. Based on your descriptions I would guess this Katsura-girl would hide somewhere fancy."

"Stupid bitch," Sekai murmured under her breath. "I guess you have a point."

"Shall we go inside then?"

She nodded. "You first."

Sighing, the tall man entered the building.

They took the elevator up.

When the doors opened, Caleb pulled his massive sword from his back.

This was still the only two-handed Seiken (Holy Sword) in existence. It had lost most of its powers after his dismissal though. It had lost its name as well. Now, it was just a tool. A means to an end. He had considered getting rid of it, but ultimately, this was the one thing he could not part with. God himself had created this sword for him. And now God was dead and he was banished from Heaven. His feathers were stained.

"Looks like something happened here," Caleb said slowly. He walked through the doorway. The wood was blasted apart.

"Looks that way."

The angel crouched down to study the pieces of the door. "Someone picked up the same signal it seems. This is light damage."

"An angel?"

"Or a fallen angel. Definitely not one of mine."

He walked on to the living room.

"Burn marks," he said slowly. "A scattered light spear."

"I expected you, Angel of Darkness," a voice said. The dark haired fallen angel stood up from the couch.

"I have no quarrel with you, fallen angel. We're just-" The fallen angel came into the light. "What happened to your face?" Caleb's eyes narrowed. Faded burn marks were present along with what looked like a broken nose.

"I took a shower," Rayner said, the sarcasm dripped of his tone. "Now, I believe you are looking for a boy called Itou Makoto?"

"What do you know about him?" Sekai cut in.

"Not much. I just need to borrow his powers for a moment."

"For what?" Caleb asked.

"Vengeance," the fallen angel said. "I'm sure you'll understand, Angel of Vengeance. Isn't that the reason you're looking for him as well?"

"Wait a minute. I know who you are. You're Rayner."

"Indeed," the fallen angel confirmed.

"Then why would you need Itou? You swore revenge against Rias Gremory. His powers won't help you with that."

"There is a specific way I plan to take my revenge."

Caleb nodded. "I see." His initial dislike of this fallen angel deepened. Taking revenge was one thing, a thing Caleb would not blame him for. The betrayal of God, well, maybe there were specific circumstances he did not know about. But taking revenge like this. That was truly sadistic. Although he was called the Angel of Vengeance, he had a policy to avoid unnecessary violence.

"We are both after the same goal," Rayner said.

"Now that is where you're wrong. I don't work with folks like you. And my goal is different." Did this thing really think he would work together. Although both of them planned to use Makoto's powers for their own goals, Caleb's goal was not personal gain or vengeance. No, it was more than that. Much more.

"To prevent the misuse of Sacred Gears, how noble of you. Still working for your dead master? The one that betrayed you? You have fallen, Caleb. Just not in the same way as I have."

"Plan to test how well this blade works against fallen angel scum?" He raised the heavy sword.

"The war is over. Don't bother, I'll find Itou on my own." The fallen angel prepared to leave.

"Why would you suddenly need my help? You've found him before."

"And I let him slip through my fingers. He's well protected." Caleb pressed the button for the elevator.

"By whom?"

"A girl. With a powerful Sacred Gear." The doors of the elevator opened and Rayner got in. "You'll regret refusing my help, Angel of Darkness," he announced just before the doors closed.

"Looks like we have another target," Caleb said.

"I don't understand," Sekai said. "Does Kotonoha have a Sacred Gear as well?"

"It looks that way. Unless there is another girl involved. We'll see."

"That fallen angel could not touch him."

"This weapon was designed against Sacred Gears. Don't worry. They won't stand a chance."

"Somehow, I'm not so sure of that."

/

/

"There. All gone," Akeno announced.

"I still think this is a very strange joke," Rias said. She rubbed her tender skin.

Akeno shrugged. "Not that weird. Probably some kid putting the first letter of his name."

"Is there something wrong?" a voice asked.

Issei had joined them.

"No," Akeno, quickly said. "We were just talking about girl stuff."

"Oh. Uhm."

"Rias-oneesama," an excited voice called out. Half a second later, she was hugged tightly by a boy.

The boy was small. So small his head only reached her belly.

For a second, Issei thought it was Milicas, but something was off. When the boy released her, it became obvious. This wasn't Milicas. His hair color was slightly different.

"Alex, what are you doing?" a voice called.

A woman joined them. She was about sixteen, with raven black hair and a sickly pale skin. Her green eyes were constantly squinting against the light.

"Serana. Nice you're stopping by," Rias said, her voice sarcastic.

"Oh...uh...nice to see you as well, Ojou-sama." She made a clumsy curtsey. Fear was present in her eyes.

"Uhm. Buchou?" Issei asked. "What is going on?"

She sighed. "I guess there's no hiding it now. This is Alex. He's my cousin."