Sorry I'm late in updating Sacred Bonds. I've been thinking about what to do next and only now I got an idea on what to do. the story is entering a new arc. I'm dubbing it the Lost Christmas arc even if it takes place before Christmas. You'll know why soon.

Disclaimer: I do not own GC or DxD. If I did, DxD would have less service and more epic battles and GC would've ended differently.

Chapter 5: Beginning of Lost Christmas

-Seventh Heaven-

Yuzuriha Inori, the youngest Archangel, the Angel of Sacrifice and new leader of Heaven had finished connecting to God's System. Although balance was not fully restored, there are some things that can be changed now. The Angels are allowed to procreate. Of course, if it is based on lust, the Angel would fall. But if it is based on pure love, the Angels can procreate with each other. Pure people can also ascend to Angelhood just like Inori herself and Heaven is stable for the most part. But the real problem is the Sacred Gear system.

"It is untouchable but also incomplete. Father, what were you thinking when you created the Sacred Gears?"

Inori wondered.

The Sacred Gear system is something even she cannot understand or touch. Even when she held authority over all of Heaven and gained control over the System to a level even Michael cannot fathom, the Sacred Gear system remains an enigma to her. That is why she decided to leave it be.

Her Father always has a meaning behind an action after all.

"Father, is it because of your love for humanity?"

The Archangel then began singing. It is a sad melody filled with grief. She had not mourned for her Father yet. And now Heaven will hear her mourning. Her voice was heard throughout all seven Heavens and all Angels knew that it is a requiem for their fallen Lord. All Angels in Heaven and on Earth heard her voice and once again as one, the Heavenly host mourns along with their new leader.

It is Yuzuriha Inori's parting gift to her Father.

-Sixth Heaven, meeting of the Archangels-

Taking the seat that was previously occupied by Michael, Inori sat at the center of the table overseeing the meeting between the five Seraphs now with her counted. The ones present in the meeting is not just the five Great Seraphs but also all other Archangels including the strongest reincarnated Angel, Dulio Gesualdo, the Archangel of Protection. With Inori's return, Heaven has regained much of their former glory.

"Are there any issues anyone of you would like to bring to us?"

"There is nothing so important that you need to be notified, sister. Since your return, life has returned to Heaven. True it will never compare to the time when Father lives but it is much better than under my leadership. Even Metatron had decided to return to Heaven… although it would be preferable if he left what he picked up back on earth."

Michael spoke as he eyed the returned Archangel wearing a full ninja costume hanging on the ceiling like a real ninja.

"Do not mind me de gozaru."

Inori chuckled. Father always encourage them to have fun and enjoy themselves. He said that the Angels are too stiff.

"And Castiel?"

Inori asked.

Everyone turns to an Archangel wearing a trenchcoat and eating a hamburger. Castiel looks happy eating his uh… thirtieth hamburger. It took him a while to notice everyone looking at him.

"Uhh… what's wrong guys?"

He asked, still chomping on his hamburger.

"Is that your thirtieth hamburger?"

Sandalphon asked.

Castiel, an Archangel that had risen through rank from a six winged angel to a ten-winged Archangel blinked. He then look behind him to the trash can he prepared to find it almost overflowing with burger wraps.

"Uhh, probably."

The Leader of Heaven chuckled. The atmosphere is certainly much lighter than the usual meetings between Archangels back in the day.

"Just let Castiel be. I would like to discuss about another issue, one that is relevant to our current situation."

"And what would that be, sister?"

"Khaos Brigade."

When Inori dropped the bomb, the previously light-hearted situation became serious in an instant.

"Khaos Brigade. Now that we have achieved peace, another force seeks to make war with us."

Michael laments.

"There is no need for you all to worry. Me and my companions will spearhead the battle against the Khaos Brigade. To take care of the problems to come is the reason why we return. It was a purpose Father gave us. Me, Shu, and Ayase. We of the EGOIST will handle the situation and we will call for your aid when we need."

"If that is what you think best, sister. You are our leader now and you are wise."

Michael said and also agreed by Gabriel.

"Wait, you're our leader now, we cannot have you be in such a dangerous situation!"

Uriel objected followed by the majority of the Archangels apart from Michael, Metatron, Gabriel, Castiel, and Dulio.

"This is the request of our Father. I was released when you needed me most. This situation with Khaos Brigade, I feel that there is something more beneath everything. I am not doing this because I am being reckless. I am doing this because this is my duty and my purpose. That is why I even inform you at all."

Everyone was silenced by Inori's argument. Not only had she said that it is their Father's request but she also has to add it as her duty and purpose. How can they dissuade her?

"Of course, I will not go alone. In addition to EGOIST, I will take at least one Archangel as support at all time."

That the council can agree with. At least in addition to her companions she also has someone they can trust from Heaven to protect her. Inori is much too important for them to lose.

"Then I have no objection."

Uriel dropped the matter and order soon returns to the table.

"Now, with that settled, I will appoint Castiel as my current support."

Again, everyone turn to Castiel who almost drop his thirty seventh hamburger while his mouth is gaping due to what he had just heard.

"Wait, me?!"

"Yes, you brother Castiel. You have been to America quite a lot haven't you?"

"Well, yes but what does have anything to do with me being your uhh… bodyguard, sister?"

"I'm having a concert in L.A in a week's time and then a sermon three days after in Washington. Two days after that, I will appear in Vatican to address the Church and I'm also rectifying some problems. Since we will spend some time in America, I thought you would be the best choice. Ohh and since Shu will be busy with Devil matters you will also take over his position as guitar. I also want you to train Shidou Irina. You are a very exceptional Angel, brother. You are the only one who ascended to the rank of Archangels from a six winged angel."

Castiel knew he couldn't refuse.

"I don't mind. But I'd like to drop by and see my friends when I'm there."

"That's fine."

With everything settled, the meeting was adjourned.

Once Inori got back home to Kuoh, she immediately rest on her marked space on the sofa in the trio's shared housing, a classic japans-style semi-modern mansion with the exterior of a traditional Japanese mansion but numerous high-tech equipments inside. They even have the front gate using hand print scan as key, just like GC Ouma Shu's apartment. It is not an overly large mansion since there are only three of them living there but it is certainly large. Inori is currently resting in the room overlooking the rear garden, her personal relaxation section.

"Inori-sama? You look tired. Are you okay?"

Shidou Irina who frequently drops by along with Xenovia Quarta and Asia Argento asked. Asia and Xenovia are quite a sore point to her solely due to the fact that she failed to help them. Asia would've made a fine Angel, she's sure of it. Her purity was so great that Inori is sure that Father would've made her into an Archangel immediately, just like her. Both of them are strong believers and not being able to answer their prayer is a failure on Heaven's part.

But that doesn't matter now. They are at peace and that is what's important.

"Meeting. Tired."

Inori answered simply. She was never much of a talker but as a leader she has to take control. It is inevitable for her to speak more now as she represents Heaven as a whole. But it still tires her to speak as much as in the meeting they just had.

"Can I help you with anything?"

Asia asked.

"Onigiri… and Fyuneru."

Inori requested. Asia heads to the kitchen while Irina handed her a doll of a robot that looks like a roundish rice cooker with four wheeled legs and a tail. Inori likes Fyuneru. It's a shame that the small robot was left in the GC world but it belongs to GC Inori. She can't just take it with her… if she even can.

"Where is Shu and Ayase?"

"Lucifer-sama is in the Underworld. Ayase-sama went with Azazel-sensei after school."

Informed Xenovia who is watching TV while eating chips on the couch.

"Don't dirty the floor."

"Yes, Inori-sama."

"And Irina, are you ready for the concert?"

"Concert? Ahh… I've gotten 'Namae no Nai Kaibutsu' and 'Extraterestrial Biological Entites' down and I'm currently practicing 'Departures remix' and 'Kokuhaku'.

"We have one week. I will help if you need."

"Hai, Inori-sama, your onigiri and ocha is ready."

Asia put down the tray on the table in front of Inori. She took her favorite food and began lightly biting it from the top. The Leader of Heaven then looked outside to the sky. It will be EGOIST's first live concert in a week. Out of all the events in her schedule, that is the one she look forward to the most.

-America-

"Hmm… so they're making more biological weapons to try to trump us."

A man in red coat who somewhat resembles Shu said as he reads through the information he received from an acquaintance in his computer.

"Sephirah Genomics is really fired up, right Scrooge?"

A young woman with short light blue hair commented.

"What about the movement of the Antibodies, Carol?"

"They still haven't found us."

Scrooge nodded as he continue scrolling down the email. Then he stopped when he reached the information that intrigued him most.

"They're conducting an experiment in L.A using a meteor the meteor that created us."

"Hmm, I see. So this will be our next move."

Scrooge nodded.

"We're heading to Los Angeles."

Introducing Castiel, Scrooge, and Carol! This Castiel is losely based on Supernatural's Castiel but his powers are all based on DxD Angels. Like Castiel's rise in power, I made this Cas rose from 6 to 10 wings. Also, I'm referring to the 10 wings and above collectively as Archangels while Seraphs refers only to Michael, Uriel, Gabriel, Raphael, and Inori. In reality, I remember that Metatron is actually a Seraph, one of the three... or was it four? I can't remember.

Anyway, this arc will focus on Inori as the protagonist. It's hard juggling all three of them together. Next arc will feature Ayase and will be set in japan. Ohh and sorry if Inori is somewhat OOC. She is a different Inori but still. Since she's the leader of Heaven here, there is bound to be some changes.

So obviously there is a reason I'm calling this arc as 'Lost Christmas' arc. We have Sephirah Genomic (basically GHQ and Daath and everything it is in the other world put together as one Umbrella corporation copy) and then Carol along with Scrooge and we have Inori. Totally not a Guilty Crown arc, right?

I would like to apologize for the half-assed peerage replacement but I really can't think of another way that is not troublesome. And more EGOIST songs next chapter! You'll have to wait a while though. Sacred Bonds is not my main story.