Rias sat at her desk with her head in her hands, the loss of possibly a potentially strong piece to her peerage was now completely out of her grasp. Akeno had told her the information she had gathered upon reaching Tatsumi's home, the unmistakable presence of a Fallen Angel. Rias was angry at herself, for letting the Fallen Angels into her territory, she allowed their presence as she didn't wish to start a conflict between the Fallen Angels and the Devils that would undoubtedly result in war, but now they were targeting her potential peerage members, trampling over her territory like they owned it.
It was something that she could not forgive, would not.
"Is Issei at least accounted for?" Rias questioned raising her head, Akeno nodding from where she stood on the opposite side of the desk.
"Yes, I had Koneko watch over him after I left the club room." Akeno told her. "She still has an eye on him, shall I tell her to bring him here?"
"Yes, I don't want the Fallen Angel's to sink their claws into Issei as well as Tatsumi. I'll reincarnate Issei tonight before the Fallen Angels have their chance to act on their plans." Rias told her. "We should have done this from the start instead of waiting for the Fallen Angels to act, now we're lost a potential ally." She muttered balling a hand into a fist. "There is just still so much we don't know about Tatsumi's potential, it's what is bothering me the most right now. That along with why Leone was looking for him." The red headed devil explained.
"My Familiars didn't pick anything up as to why Leone was searching for him, just that Run-sensei knew of his power as well." Akeno stated. "Shall we confront Run-sensei on his magical ability, Rias?" Rias frowned at that, not only did she have the matter of the Fallen Angels to deal with but now they had discovered a magic user within Kuoh itself.
Run had been a teacher at the school for three years now, the same amount of time that the school had been co-ed and the same time that Rias herself had started at Kuoh Academy. Since the beginning Rias had no reason to suspect that Run was any way inclined to magic, he was helpful and a brilliant teacher. Had it all been a charade and he was working against the Devils? It was it all just some coincidence that he landed a job here of all places. Rias rose a hand to her forehead feeling a headache coming along.
"I feel like there is something much more going on around here than we know Akeno." Rias breathed out. "I want Run-sensei here tomorrow after school, along with Sona, she will want to know what has been going on around here. It's difficult to say what will happen, but right now..." She breathed out. "We have to deal with the Fallen Angels."
"If the Fallen Angels have taken Tatsumi to their side Rias, will Issei be able to stand against him?" Akeno questioned causing Rias to frown, she doubted that Issei could fight Tatsumi if it came to it, but could Tatsumi fight Issei if it came down to it? It was two sides of the same coin, far as Rias knew neither were accustomed to the world of magic. Were the two brothers on good or bad terms? There was just too much about this situation that alluded her.
"If it's at all possible, and Tatsumi is still alive, I would still like for him to come over to our side once we have dealt with the Fallen Angels." Rias stated making Akeno frown. "Is there something wrong Akeno?" Rias questioned noticing her Queen's current discomfort. "Is there something about Tatsumi joining us that you find distasteful?"
"No Rias, of course not." Akeno shook her head. "Tatsumi was always kind and friendly towards us, it's just there is one thing that may be rather unnerving for you to hear." Akeno spoke softly as she closed her eyes knowing that this was going to be difficult to come to terms with, mostly for herself.
"You left something out?" Rias questioned with wide eyes as her Queen nodded. "What is it?"
"The Fallen Angel that was at Tatsumi's residence, I believe Leone was looking for the same one." Akeno said, her breath slightly shaky making Rias frown. "I believe it was Akame." Rias was speechless as Akeno rose her head. Rias had met Akame and Kurome once before, when she was a young girl and met Akeno for the first time. She had come across the three half Fallen Angels and asked all three to join her peerage, Akeno had been the only one to agree, Kurome had followed after Akame and left with her oldest sister. No word had been heard from either since. If the two girls had joined the Grigori, they were Devil's sworn enemies.
"Akeno, I'm so sorry." Rias apologised as she rose from her desk walking around the furniture, placing her hands on Akeno's shoulders. "It's been such a long time since you saw either of your sisters." Akeno lowered her gaze as Rias pulled her into a hug, Akeno returning the embrace as Rias soothed her. Rias was the only one ever to see this side of Akeno, the only one knowing how emotionally fragile her oldest friend was.
"You don't have to worry Rias, I'll stand with you." Akeno whispered softly as she pulled back from Rias' embrace. "If they're with the Grigori, they're just like Baraqiel, my enemy." Rias frowned slightly, she remembered how broken all three had been when she had first laid eyes on them, if it hadn't been for Akame protecting them with a strange cursed blade she had no doubt that the Himejima clan would have eliminated the three half Fallen Angels. But even back then, Akame being the oldest sibling had just been a young girl, holding a blade much too powerful for her to wield. Kurome and Akeno had watched their clan's members assault and try to kill them while Akame had retaliated before Rias and Agrippa arrived.
"I'll speak with Koneko and get her to return with Issei, I'll also send for Kiba to return." Rias stated. "Take some time to think things through Akeno, you haven't seen your sisters in seven years." Akeno frowned but nodded, always able to take the helpful advice of her oldest friend. There was still so much she didn't know about the situation after all.
Rias frowned as she watched Akeno sit on the couch with a view of the window, drawing a knee up to her chest which she hugged resting her cheek on it. Rias didn't want Akeno to have to face off against her sisters, ever. The Gremory House cherished family and Akeno's and Koneko's both were a difficult situation. While her closest friends, Kuroka and Leone were Koneko's true family, as were Akame and Kurome to Akeno.
Akeno frowned feeling the sting of tears at the corners of her eyes at the thought of facing of against her older sister, she was the last person Akeno suspected that she would cross here of all places. She had almost deluded herself into a false happiness, but now as reality was crashing around her pain was erupting within her. Right now as Rias contacted Koneko via magic circle memories were flooding through Akeno's mind. Both happy and painful memories, one memory clung to her, it was how different Akame had been after their mother Shuri had died. In their entire time travelling together across the country, not once did Akame smile after their mother's death.
Koneko had a frown on her face as she walked along the path, her pace having quickened after receiving the message from Rias that she was to bring Issei to the club room before he returned home. It didn't help that he was several moments away from the Hyoudou residence to the point that Koneko could feel the Fallen Angel presence nearby causing the hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end.
Moving from a fast walk into a jog before a sprint, her heavy footsteps caused Issei to turn to look at the approaching girl as she came running straight for him. His first look was one of confusion, then as he realised who was running towards him a goofy perverted grin came to his face, once he realised she wasn't stopping his face was masked with panic.
Koneko didn't stop, she couldn't risk being caught by the Fallen Angel and let Issei be killed by them, he had no way of summoning Rias if he did die like was originally planned, she had to get him away from the Fallen Angel as soon as possible and hopefully without much conflict. Grabbing Issei's jacket the teen was hefted off his feet as Koneko flew past him, being dragged by the short white haired girl caused Issei to cry out in surprise making Koneko's gaze instantly turn to the house as she ran. Her eyes spotted movement in the upper window making her grit her teeth before her golden eyes locked with red eyes. The Fallen Angel had spotted her.
Koneko ground her teeth as she tightened her hold on Issei before running as fast as she could with all the force that she could muster leaving footprints in the ground from her immense strength being forced into her legs. While she wasn't as fast as Kiba she could use her strength to leap small distances faster than she herself could run. She had cleared several blocks in moments with Issei who had passed out in fear in hand as Koneko came to a stop, confusion masked on her face as she looked around.
The Fallen Angel had clearly seen her grab Issei so why wasn't she in pursuit? Koneko took in a breath keeping her senses open for the presence of the Fallen Angel but there wasn't anything nearby, even when she rose her senses she could tell that the Fallen Angel was still at the Hyoudou residence and hadn't moved. Weren't the Fallen Angels after Issei? Or was it something else, were they targeting Tatsumi all this time while they just thought it was Issei? She needed to tell Rias this.
"Shirone?" A questioning voice came making Koneko's face pale and her blood ran cold as she turned to face the two now standing along the fence beside her. Kuroka and Leone both jumped down into the street now standing before her. Koneko took a wary step back with the unconscious Issei still in her grip, Leone's grin never faltered while Kuroka tilted her head at the boy in Koneko's grip.
"Yo little sis? Out hunting some boys? You're a bit young for that aren't you?" Leone questioned. "I mean you are at that age now, guess it's time for a little chat with your big sisters about the birds and the bees!" Leone laughed as Koneko's face turned red before she shook her head.
"... It's not like that." Koneko said softly, keeping a wary eye on Kuroka who frowned seeing her little sister's eyes filled with fear. Leone suddenly appeared before Koneko causing her to stiffen before the blonde crouched down poking Issei in the cheek causing the boy to mumble.
"You could probably do better anyway Shirone, he doesn't look that attractive." Leone continued to poke Issei in the cheek, it didn't seem like he would be waking up any time soon. "So, what are you doing with this guy anyway?" Leone questioned looking up at her sister from where she was crouched down.
"It's not of your business." Koneko told her. "I'd like it if you would leave."
"That's no way to treat your sisters." Leone pouted as she backed away from Koneko to stand beside Kuroka wrapping an arm around the dark haired woman's shoulders. "Kuroka here has been worried sick about you and you're not going to even say hello?" Kuroka continued to frown as her eyes were dead locked on Koneko, not having moved for even an instant.
"I have nothing to say to her, or you, not any more." Leone frowned as she let her arm slip from Kuroka. "I'm apart of the house of Gremory now, leave me alone." Leone sighed, raising a hand to her forehead. While all her memories of Kuroka and Koneko were attached within her mind she was still finding it hard to come to terms with having siblings.
When she was younger she was an orphan, she looked after the street kids in the slums of the Empire and everyone looked up to her as a big sis but none were ever blood related to her. This was different, this was much more complicated than acting like a big sister, right here and now she was one.
"Come with us Shirone, you belong with your own kind." Kuroka spoke. "You're not using your true power, if you had you would have sensed us and avoided us completely but you didn't. The House of Gremory is holding you back, you can be so much stronger than you are." Koneko frowned as he lowered her head before shaking it.
"You're nothing but a criminal!" Koneko shouted, Kuroka lowered her head at that before opening her mouth to speak the truth only for Leone to raise her hand up in front of her surprising the dark haired Nekoshou. That's when she felt it, they were being surrounded by a Fallen Angel and a large group of exorcists.
The Fallen Angel had hidden their presence but with their ability to sense chi they could pick up on it, Koneko however was completely oblivious to their presence. Leone's gaze shot to the left feeling the presence of another Fallen Angel coming from the direction that Koneko had come from. Koneko suddenly realising the atmosphere had changed looked around raising her sense feeling the oncoming presence of the Fallen Angel.
"Time to take your little friend and scram little sis." Leone gave off a small smile to her. "As your older sisters, we have to let you go and live your life, but can I ask a favor of you?" Koneko rose her gaze to meet Leone's. "Family's important, don't go turning your back on us just yet, alright... Koneko?" Leone smiled happily as Koneko's eyes widened, Kuroka turned to Leone who smiled at her in return. Kuroka lowered her head and nodded.
"Go before you loose your chance." Kuroka told her knowing that Koneko was still not strong enough, especially without her Nekomata power to help out in their current situation. Koneko looked at her two older sisters, Leone smiling happy as Kuroka had eyes of sorrow. Koneko nodded before she leapt off to the side gap in the approaching mass group of exorcists. Leone grinned as the physical changes of awakening her Nekomata side took place while Kuroka herself never hid her tails or ears.
"I'm getting so pumped for this! When was the last time I really let loose?!" Leone laughed as she cracked her furred knuckles causing Kuroka to sigh.
"You have really been bloodthirsty recently Leone." Kuroka stated. "You should just finish your opponents off quickly, it's a nuisance waiting around for a fight to end." Leone pouted at her sister's words.
"You sound just like the Boss." Leone muttered, Kuroka's ear twitching as she picked up the words her curiosity peaked at who this 'Boss' person was. Leone and Kuroka's head shot to where Koneko had just left feeling a group of exorcists head after their sister and the human boy she was with.
"I'll take care of it." Kuroka stated about to rush off before the chi of those in pursuit of Koneko vanished, the second Fallen Angel that had been heading towards them at a rapid pace from Koneko's original location was now heading towards them from the direction Koneko had headed in. Both Nekoshou readied themselves as the street was filled with exorcists. While not a threat to Leone, Kuroka was still a Devil and their holy swords would harm her significantly should they manage to hit her.
"Who are you!?" An angry voice rose making Leone and Kuroka look up to see a Fallen Angel floating in the sky above them. The Fallen Angel was an attractive young woman with violet eyes, she had long black hair down to her hips with a slender body and a large bust. Her attire consisted of a black, strap-like objects around and under her breasts, a thong-like piece held around her hips by three thin straps, gloves that run right up her arms with small lengths of chains hanging from them, shoulder guard-like objects on her shoulders with three large spikes sprouting from her right shoulder, and black thigh-high heel boots.
Leone didn't reply simply leaping into the air surprising the Fallen Angel upon the speed the Nekomata was coming at her from the ground. Raynare dived out of the way forming a spear of light in her hand as she spun only for pain to shoot through her head as Leone had raised arms hands above her head and joined her hands together before slamming them down into the back of Raynare's skull sending her crashing down to the street below. Leone landed on the ground grinning before she jumped to the side as a spear of light was sent hurtling towards her.
"That was closer than expected." Leone thought to herself seeing a graze up her side before it healed making her grin. "So, you're either after Shirone or the boy she's with, which one is it?" Leone questioned as the Fallen Angel glared across the street at her.
"That's none of your business Nekomata!" Raynare spat making Leone sigh. "You're outnumbered and you're about to die, you really have no chance against us." Leone looked around at the Exorcists surrounding them, Kuroka was simply off to the side not having acted as of yet as the Exorcist's moved in closer.
"I wouldn't say outnumbered exactly." Leone grinned causing Kuroka to smirk as she rose her hand up, a single finger pointing up as the exorcists closed in around the two Nekomata and the Fallen Angel. Kuroka eyed the weapons of light igniting around her before numerous symbols poured from her finger in a purple haze making her smirk.
"Sorry boys, not this time." A thin mist-like substance sprung out from Kuroka's very body. It gradually spread from the Nekomata and out over the street in a haze, the exorcist had no idea what they were up against and charged straight for the Devil Nekomata. And the fog didn't stop there, and continued to cover up the whole street. When the exorcists came into contact with the fog it didn't take long before the highly potent poison set in and they began to crumble to their knees blood pouring from each of their mouths and eyes till they succumbed to the deadly poison.
"Ah." A voice called out from the mist causing Kuroka to turn to where the voice originated from. "What the hell is this stuff?" The voice continued before she heard coughing. "It smells really bad." A glint of light revealed itself in the mist, Kuroka swiped her arm spreading the mist only to reveal a teenage boy with brown hair in the centre of the poisoned Exorcists, not the least bit affected from the poison itself. Upon closer look Kuroka realised that the light she had seen, came from the boy's right eye.
"Tatsumi!?" Leone shouted seeing Tatsumi for the first time since she had awoken a grin forming on her face as she turned her back to the Fallen Angel.
"Sis!" Tatsumi shouted in surprise. "What are you doing here!?"
"I came to find you and Akame!" Leone laughed. "Look at you, not all scaly and looking cool as you walk through a cloud of poison mist." Tatsumi's face dropped.
"This is poison?"
"Ah you'll be fine, if it hasn't affected you yet you're good. You should be more worried about your zipper!" Leone laughed instantly making Tatsumi check to see if his zipper was down however found it was perfectly fine. Leone simply laughed as Tatsumi glared at her. "Now where is Akame?" A blast originated from behind Leone making her look over her shoulder to see Akame and Raynare locked in a battle of light spears, Raynare having moved to attack Leone from the back however Akame had flown down to defend her old friend. "Oh, never mind found her!"
"It's good to see you Leone." Akame smiled looking over her shoulder getting a grin from Leone. "Let me deal with Raynare." Akame stated forcing Raynare to jump back causing the busty Fallen Angel to skid across the ground.
"Oh, I was having so much fun too." Leone pouted. "But I Guess you're a Fallen Angel huh?" Akame nodded her head as her black wings flapped in response. "Guess you got things to settle, I'll go see what Tatsumi's been up too then." Leone grinned turning back to Tatsumi who was currently being approached by Kuroka with a blush on his face while Kuroka was obviously teasing him with her impressive bust. Leone pouted before marching over to Kuroka.
"So this is the one you were telling me about Leone?" Kuroka questioned leaning forward, her tongue trailing up Tatsumi's cheek causing him to recoil and slid away from her. "You didn't say he had a dragon's presence." Leone tilted her head before feeling the overwhelming presence that came from a dragon. Tatsumi tilted his head to Leone before she grinned.
"You've got the tyrant with you, don't you!?" Leone laughed.
"You can tell?" Tatsumi questioned in surprise before Leone rose her hand to her cat ears.
"This isn't Lionelle any more Tatsumi, this is me." Leone told her. "Akame's not the only one that completely changed." The three turned to where Akame was currently standing opposite Raynare the busty Fallen Angel completely enraged as Akame stared her down her face as calm as ever.
"You turned the others against me!" Raynare seethed. "Kalawarner dared to say what we were doing was wrong! Because of you!" Akame didn't respond as Raynare formed another light spear in her hand. "Now the damn priest girl is on her way to the Grigori and the sacred gear wielder is on his way to become a Devil!"
"It's over Raynare." Akame stated. "Give up and return to the Grigori, nothing has been done, your punishment will not be severe." Raynare roared as she reared back with her light spear only to stop as an ominous presence formed behind her. Raynare turned with wide eyes as a man stood behind her, hand on her light spear. He was a fairly tall man appearing to be in his twenties with an average build, black hair, golden bangs and black goatee. He wore a maroon open v neck trench coat buckled together around his waist over a pair of dark blue pants.
"Now, now, put that down before you get hurt Raynare." He spoke. "Really, if Kalawarner hadn't contacted me sooner I might not have gotten here in time and you'd be dead now."
"L-Lord Azazel." Raynare muttered instantly falling to one knee before him. Leone and Kuroka both readied themselves to fight as Akame leapt back to stand with the two Nekomata while Tatsumi had a blank look on his face, was this bad or good? He had no idea what was going on, he was so out of the loop on all of this.
"Akame, Baraqiel really isn't taking the news of you leaving us so well." Azazel told the assassin. "To think you would have a group of this power already, you really are someone who is very resourceful." Azazel continued as he scratched at the back of his head. "I really have no idea how he is going to deliver the news to Kurome when she gets back from her mission." Akame's eyes widened at the mention of her younger sister. Tatsumi and Leone glanced at their fellow Night Raid member, Kurome was a touchy subject with her. "But perhaps, we can come to an agreement here?"
"What are you talking about Azazel?" Akame questioned.
"You really have done me a solid here bringing Raynare's little reign of rebellion to its end and with no casualties to the Grigori..." Tatsumi and Leone glanced around at all the dead exorcists surrounding them. "Not a fan of these rogue Exorcists myself, they are just some people that liked to worship us Fallen Angels after being kicked out of the church so some of the Grigori tended to manipulate them into helping."
"Get to the point." Akame stated making Azazel nod.
"I don't know what made you want to leave the Grigori Akame, love, adventure, freedom." Azazel shrugged. "I won't stop you from leaving." He continued. "But before you completely leave us, do think for a moment." Akame narrowed her eyes expecting his next words to be a threat. "What will you do now?" Silence fell on the group, Akame glanced to Leone who rose an eyebrow before giving an unknowing shrug. Her first priority was finding Akame and Tatsumi, she had no idea what to do after that. Akame looked over her shoulder at Tatsumi, the young assassin more lost than her or Leone.
"Akame, you've been one of the best assets to the Grigori for many years, since you joined us after the death of your mother so long ago." Akame winced as she rose a hand to her head, the memory of Shuri's death flooding her mind causing tears to well up before Leone placed a hand on her shoulder, her sage magic flowing through her body to keep her mind calm. "In this time you've been with us, not once have you taken a vacation."
"You're telling me to take a vacation?" Akame questioned.
"I'm saying take your time to think your decision over." Azazel told her as he walked forward past Raynare who hadn't moved from her kneeling position. "Formally I can't say anything since nothing is official and I wouldn't want things getting out and to the wrong people but I believe good things are coming to the Three Factions soon enough, and all this fighting might just cease to exist."
"You're talking about an alliance between the Three Factions?" Kuroka deadpanned. "That'll never happen."
"Who knows." Azazel shrugged. "Maybe it will maybe it won't, say it does happen." Azazel smiled. "Your vacation could last a hell of alot longer than originally planned for."
"What do you want in return?" Akame questioned.
"Issei Hyoudou." Azazel stated, Tatsumi's hand clenching at the mention of his brother. "More than likely, he'll become a Devil shortly and in doing so will be completely out of my reach. Keep an eye on him for a time being, along with his brother there. I have a feeling the Dragon's are going to fly soon."
"What do you want with Issei?" Tatsumi questioned walking forward.
"Nothing." Azazel smiled. "I simply have a hobby in collecting sacred gears and his, along with yours are quite interesting." Azazel told him before turning and walking back to Raynare who was still kneeling on the ground. "I'll see you kids around." Azazel stated as he placed a hand on Raynare's shoulder before they both disappeared. There was a silence surrounding the four before Leone laughed grabbing Tatsumi and Akame both before pulling them into a hug.
"What the hell have we gotten ourselves into this time!" Leone laughed as Tatsumi struggled against Leone's large breasts, Akame simply smiling at having found Leone finally. Kuroka smiled lightly at the three, while two of them were complete strangers to her the scent of Leone hung around them showed that Leone was very close with the both of them.
"So a Human, A Fallen Angel and a Nekomata all walk into a bar..." Kuroka started making Leone laugh.
"It really does seem like a bad joke huh?" Leone questioned releasing her two friends. "I guess we should decided on the next move here, Boss always left you in charge Akame so ready to step up again?" Akame nodded her head as she glanced around the area, the poison had completely dissipated from the area but the dead bodies were still present.
"We should first move back to Tatsumi's house, we can relax and share our information with one another." Akame instructed getting a nod from both Leone and Tatsumi.
"Leone, I have some things to settle." Kuroka spoke causing the blonde to look over to her. With the information from Azazel about a possible truce in the near future Vali would need to be informed of the information. Leone frowned, knowing that her younger sister was up to something in the shadows but she couldn't exactly call her out on it now.
"Thanks for the help Kuroka." Leone grinned.
"In return you can introduce me to your Dragon friend next time we meet." Kuroka purred as her eyes shot to Tatsumi who's face instantly blushed red remembering how she had licked his cheek in a more than enticing way before Leone slid in front of Tatsumi her arms crossed.
"No! Hands of Kuroka!" Kuroka simply pouted at Leone in response.
"You're no fun Big Sis." Kuroka smirked as she turned raising a hand up in farewell a magic circle appearing in front of her. "Keep an eye on Shirone for me."
"Will do!" Leone grinned as Kuroka disappeared within a magic circle.
"What was all that about?" Tatsumi questioned raising a hand to the back of his head, a light blush still dusting his cheeks.
"Kuroka wants strong kids, so someone like you with a dragon's aura is kinda a prime candidate." Leone told him, Tatsumi's jaw dropping as Leone laughed grabbing the back of Tatsumi's head and pulling it to her chest. "But, I marked you ages ago so you're all mine!"
"Stop with that!" Tatsumi shouted pulling back from Leone his face entirely red remembering the night that Leone had licked his ear after they had completely an assassination, it felt like a lifetime ago now but in truth was just over a year ago.
"Oh you're gone all shy on me Tatsumi." Leone laughed poking Tatsumi in the cheek. "You're still adorable as ever."
"We should move." Akame stated getting nods from both Tatsumi and Leone, the three heading off towards Tatsumi's house leaving the massacre in the street.
Rias sighed as she stood over Issei who was still unconscious on the ground before her. Kiba and Koneko had moved the couches while Akeno had moved the small table between the two, Issei laid out on the club room floor. The red magic circle died down as the reincarnation ceremony came to an end. Rias was surprised at the fact that he had taken all eight of her pawn pieces, she was still unsure of what power his Sacred Gear wielded but if he took all of her pawn pieces it was definitely worth reincarnating him.
"Should we return him to his home?" Kiba questioned.
"No, we don't know the situation well enough right now." Rias stated. "We will all stay here tonight, it will be best if we're together tonight while things are still uncertain." She explained getting a nod from the blonde knight. "I'd like for you three to send out your familiars to gain a report on what is happening."
"Understood." Kiba, Koneko and Akeno all responded before summoning their familiars.
"We have no idea if the Fallen Angels will make another move or if Kuroka and Leone are aligning themselves with the Fallen Angels." Rias thought to herself as she moved back to her desk, Koneko and Kiba moving back to rearrange the club room. It was strange, Koneko's report had stated that Leone and Kuroka had stood against the Fallen Angels, were they after Tatsumi so much that they were willing to take him from them?
"Did you see Tatsumi at all, Koneko?" Rias questioned causing the white haired girl look up from where she was placing Issei on one of the couches.
"No, I grabbed Issei-senpai and ran, the Fallen Angel and I locked eyes for a moment but she didn't pursue until after Leone and Kuroka arrived, even then I don't think she pursued because of Issei-senpai." She explained getting a nod from Rias.
"Did you happen to see what the Fallen Angel looked like?" Akeno questioned softly, Koneko turning to her.
"Yes." Koneko nodded. "I didn't get a good look but she had long black hair and red eyes." She explained getting a nod from Akeno who frowned, Akame was the only Fallen Angel she knew with red eyes. The four Devils grew more tense over the few hours when they were within the club room, Rias having sent her own Familiar to Sona to give her a run-down on the situation. They had been communicating via magic circle for the past hour on current matters. It was just before midnight when Akeno's familiars came back. Akeno listened to their report intently before turning to Rias with wide eyes.
"What is it Akeno?" Rias questioned as Sona turned on the magic circle to hear the report from Rias' Queen also.
"The Fallen Angels, they're all gone." Akeno stated. "The abandoned church where they had set up base was completely empty, there isn't even a presence of a Fallen Angel in the entire city." She continued before Kiba nodded in agreement.
"There was a commotion near Issei's house, over forty exorcists were found dead. It's being reported as an occult suicide on the news." Kiba explained causing Rias to bite her fingertip, she turned to Koneko who held her cat familiar Shiro in her arms a frown on her face.
"What is it Koneko?"
"Leone and the Fallen Angel are still with Tatsumi at the Hyoudou house." Koneko stated.
"That's impossible." Akeno stated. "There is not a single Fallen Angel presence in the entire city, my familiars checked." Koneko simply nodded.
"Shiro didn't feel her presence either, it's like she has completely erased her very existence to feel human." The white haired Rook explained.
"Is that even possible?" Kiba questioned.
"Yes." Sona nodded from the magic circle pushing her glasses up. "It's very difficult to do, it takes a considerable amount of willpower and magic control but you can completely erase your presence." She explained. "Is that Fallen Angel the only one left?"
"Yes." Koneko nodded.
"Would it be sufficient for both of our Peerages to go and finish her off Rias?" Sona questioned turning back to Rias.
"No." Rias shook her head. "I doubt even we'd be a match for Leone and we have no idea how powerful the Fallen Angel remaining is." She spoke, her eyes drifting to Akeno who had her head bowed. "I'd like for you to come in person tomorrow afternoon Sona, so that we can discuss these matters in person."
"Very well." Sona nodded before disappearing from the magic circle letting Rias breath a sigh.
"You can all return home now, I'll feel safer knowing there is only one Fallen Angel still present." Rias got nods from all around as she sat down at her desk, the others leaving as she cast her gaze to the unconscious Issei. There was a lot to explain to the unknowing newly turned Devil, she just hoped that Tatsumi and Issei wouldn't have to fight one another.
"Man your scent is just all over this!" Leone cheered as she rolled around on Tatsumi's bed, said assassin was currently seated on the floor beside his bed sweat dropping at Leone's actions. Akame was seated across from Tatsumi, her seventh plate of food raised to her mouth as she used her fork to shovel the food into her mouth.
Tatsumi had to sigh as he remembered how he had come home, beautiful girl either side of him. His mother had almost fainted from the sight. With the help of Leone he had been able to deal with his parents without the constant headaches that came with memories flooding his mind, he was also able to make a lot of sense from his previous memories as was Akame.
"Leone, who was that woman you were with earlier?" Akame questioned setting her plate down with the others.
"Oh, Kuroka? She's my little sister in this world." Leone stated sitting up and draping her legs over Tatsumi's shoulders. "I've also got another little sister, Shirone." Leone explained supporting herself on Tatsumi's head with a hand to her chin. "It's weird having siblings when you know almost nothing about them."
"I'd have to agree." Tatsumi sighed, not bothered much by Leone draping herself over him. "How do we get back home from here?" Leone and Akame frowned as they thought on the matter, the two having lived in the corrupt Empire for so long knew of all the evil that was hidden beneath the surface while Tatsumi had just began to find out the truth of it all. The idea of not returning had crossed their minds, here they were safe away from the Revolutionary War, away from the corrupt world they had come from. Leone let out a soft sigh.
"Hey Tatsumi..." Leone began. "What would you say... to not going back, to staying here in this reality?"
"What do you mean?" Tatsumi questioned. "Why would we stay here? We don't belong here." Leone frowned as Akame rose her head to look at Tatsumi who was looking up at the blonde seated above him. "Run said it might not be a possibility to get home, that doesn't mean we shouldn't try."
"Tatsumi, it's possible... that everyone we knew, everyone we lost, is alive here in this reality." Tatsumi's eyes widened as he turned to Akame.
"Sheele, Bulat, Chelsea, Susanoo, Lubbock, Mine, the Boss." Leone listed off everyone they knew. "They have a counterpart in this reality, awaiting for their memories to be awoken."
"Like Run." Akame added.
"This isn't us, you're saying we run away from what we were fighting for!" Tatsumi shouted as Leone pulled him up, hugging him from behind her head buried in his back. "We're Night Raid, their deaths would be for nothing if we didn't finish what we started!" He shouted, struggling in Leone's grip but her strength kept him close to her. "They died in sacrifice for us to keep going!"
"What if their memories awaken Tatsumi, here and now and we have the chance to live with them again." Leone spoke into his back, Tatsumi hanging his head his fists clenched into fists.
"You were the ones who told me that we only got one life." Tatsumi whispered softly. "That there was no bringing back the dead!"
"That was before this reality marble came into play Tatsumi." Akame spoke raising up to her feet. "We have the chance now Tatsumi, to bring everyone we lost back together again." Tatsumi stared wide eyes as tears pooled in Akame's eyes. "I thought we would never get this chance, but we have gotten it. For whatever reason, we have the chance to be happy with everyone we lost. To live a life not filled with carnage and bloodshed. Leaving the Empire and the Revolution behind, it's not what we wanted but this reality is opening up so many opportunities for all of us." Leone tightened her grip on Tatsumi as his body relaxed.
"Tatsumi." The blonde breathed out as she rose her head to Tatsumi's shoulder. "The way things were going, the Revolution may have succeeded but either way, we would have lost you at the end. I'm not even positive that Akame and I would have survived. Even if we did manage to survive it all, what kind of welcome would Night Raid have gotten? We're assassins, we wouldn't be the heroes that saved the Empire. In the end, we'd leave and not have a place to return home too."
"I get it." Tatsumi breathed out. "I'm sorry... just, the thought about running away."
"I understand." Akame spoke walking forward towards the two on the bed. "It's been so long since we took up arms for the freedom of the Empire, now all of a sudden there's no more fighting, no clear path for us to walk." She sat on the bed beside Tatsumi, Leone moving to wrap her arms around the both of them.
"But we're together." Leone smiled nuzzling her cheeks against both Akame's and Tatsumi's. "And soon enough, we'll have all of Night Raid together again." Her smile widened causing the two beside her to gain smiles of their own. "We can make this place home." Tatsumi smiled and nodded, seeing the smiling faces of his fallen comrades again. Why had he even doubted such an idea? "Right! I call sharing the bed with Tatsumi!" Leone called jumping back surprising Akame and Tatsumi as they turned back only to find Leone already under the covers wiggling into position with a grin on her face.
"Ah... are we going to bring all of Night Raid here?" Tatsumi questioned looking around his room. It was clearly not big enough.
"Well, Mine can fit in the cupboard, this place has probably more than a few bedrooms for everyone else." Leone grinned as Tatsumi face palmed, unable to help the grin forming on his face.
"Tatsumi's right." Akame stated. "We will need an area large enough for all of us." Leone sat up a pout on her face, this place was filled with Tatsumi's scent, she enjoyed that scent. "What about the Abandoned Church?" Akame questioned. "The Devil's of the area will unlikely travel to holy ground on regular occasions giving us privacy. With Tatsumi's brother being reincarnated as a Devil that will also allow for him to come home without worrying his Master about the Fallen Angel presence in the house."
"Even with you completely erasing your presence they would still worry about your being here." Leone stated, Akame nodding in agreement.
"So what does Issei being a devil mean exactly?" Tatsumi questioned.
"It means his world is about to be flipped up onto it's head." Leone chuckled. "Kuroka is a Devil, she could probably inform you more about it." She explained getting a nod from Tatsumi. "So, we set up base in the Abandoned Church then find the rest of Night Raid."
"Also train." Tatsumi stated raising his hand up in a fist. "As I am now, I wouldn't be able to equip Incursio for very long, I'm weaker now than when I joined Night Raid. This isn't the body of a fighter any more."
"Right, we'll have to get you to activate your Sacred Gear." Leone nodded.
"Also mine." Akame stated. "I don't know how to bring forth Murasame." Akame explained making Leone nod once more.
"Guess we got to train you two up a bit! With me being a Nekomata, this is going to be a hell of a lot of fun!" Leone laughed, Akame and Tatsumi sharing a look before smiling. They had each other at least and soon they'd have everyone else back together again. "But for right now! I guess all three of us could share the bed." Leone laughed.
"I don't see any problem with that, we'll need a good night's rest." Akame added.
"It will literally take me five minutes to set up a futon on the floor." Tatsumi told them.
"Nonsense Tatsumi, we're all fellow killers here!" Leone laughed grabbing Tatsumi's arm and pulling him onto the bed, hugging him to her chest as Akame slipped beneath the sheet on the other side, getting comfortable. Tatsumi simply sighed and resigned to his fate of sleeping between his fellow assassins.