Yo, bet you guys missed me. Nah, you missed this story. Well, it's back. And, because you guys like this story I've decided to extend it a few more chapters. As a way to say thanks. Hopefully you all enjoy.

"Issei..."

"Please Akeno, don't make things harder," the dragon replied without looking at them. He closed his eyes, not wanting to see any of their faces. He questioned if he'll ever be able to again.

It did still hurt him to face them, despite his eternal hate for their master. He could feel his gut wrenching and churning from his own thoughts. His entire insides were lit on fire as the guilt filled him.

"I didn't want this, I really didn't. But...after the incident with Rias, I grew scared. I couldn't take the chance of all of you feeling or doing the same. So, I casted everyone out of my heart and closed it off so no one could hurt me again."

[Until Penemue opened it up again,] Ddraig spoke up.

Issei openly ignored him and turned around to look away from the group. His senjutsu allowed him to sense the negative emotions radiating off of them and his senses were going crazy with the enormous amount. It brought chills to his bones from the anguish flourishing behind him. It felt cold. So very cold to him.

"Why Issei...?" He heard Akeno ask. He was surprised she called his name. He was for sure they would have lashed out at him and called him anything other than pleasant.

"Why push us away?" Irina asked next. His childhood friend who he had feelings for since they were kids. It was nothing, until recent, but they were feelings nonetheless. Feelings of a best friend who would always be there to protect them. So it really hurt that he couldn't keep that self promise.

"It's not your fault, it's mine. I let my fear take control and thought you guys would have similar thoughts to her..." He stated, his anger flaring for a bit at the mentioning of a certain redhead. "After the incident with that guy, I found out he wasn't an open pervert and was actually very kind to you know who. I then assumed she wanted someone who wasn't as much as a perverted idiot as I was and that all of you felt the same," he finished explaining while he hung his head low.

Clenching his fist, he still remembered those nights Rias watched over the human and nurtured him back to health. She would always assure him that Issei wouldn't attack him again and that everything would be okay. She even tried convincing herself the same but Issei knew things would never be "okay" between them.

Sure, afterwards, she left him for good, erasing his memory of their confrontation as well, but the pain was still there for her and Issei knew she still had some affection towards him. She left emotionally hurt and confused but her decision was obvious to him. And not knowing of what she said or did to the others of the peerage left him to assume what they thought. Rias would do anything to save her own ass, so why not lie about her expendable, rogue Pawn? Why not make all of them hate him?

"Why assume such a thing? You've helped us all when we didn't ask for because you felt it was the right thing to do," Kiba spoke up, trying to add some kind of reason. He respected and cared for the brunette greatly. When he left, the blonde felt he lost a dear friend. A brother, if you will. It hurt, maybe not as much as the girls but still to a great extent.

"That's another thing. I helped all of you with your past. Issues she never addressed or tried to help you with. The very same issues that have plagued your minds your whole life. That seems like a pretty good reason for blind love, as some call it," the vanguard said with a monotone.

Issei even thought of an answer if any of them said something similar to Kiba. He knew of situations where if someone saved another, that person felt obligated to dedicate their lives to that person. The girls happened to use love and the guys used friendship. But, at the end of the day, it was a cover for the truth.

The group was honestly shocked to hear the hybrid say something like that. Now that hit all of them hard as that was something very close to their hearts. "Issei..."

Once again, he rose his hand to stop them from saying anything else. Nothing more could be said at this point. And, honestly, he couldn't take anymore. He told them his feelings and whatever consequences followed, he'd deal with later.

The fallen angel went to leave but was surprised when he felt two small hands grab his wrist. He turned back to see Asia. She had teary eyes and the look she gave him made the teen immediately regret his decision.

The pain and hurt he saw in her eyes was something he wished he didn't. It made his heart feel like it was being crushed by the heaviest of weights. Someone so innocent and someone who entrusted their life to him. He never wanted to see her make a face like this.

But how could he blame her? He was her first friend and promised that he'd always be there for her. Then, he left her and has come back to tell her he doesn't love her. What could he say, what could he do? He was scum.

No, he felt worse than scum.

"Issei-san," she said with a shaky voice. It made the dragon cringe and regret facing her even more. His heart was breaking from the pain he was causing and receiving. It was all Rias' fault but now he had his wrongs to face.

"Asia...please, let me go," he said quietly, turning towards the ground. The former nun's grip tightened and she shook her head, trying to hold back the inevitable tears.

"I won't. I can't let you go again Issei," she stated, before looking up at him with her puffy, red eyes.

"Why...? It will only hurt all of us more. The longer I stay, the more harm I'll do to all of you," Issei said with pain. "Just let me go."

"No, I don't want to. Not again, not anymore," she said firmly, pulling his arm tightly to her chest.

The dragon released a sigh, the gut wrenching pain increasing. Just the look on her face made it so bad to where he couldn't stand the negative emotions surrounding him anymore. He honestly thought he'd gone insane if he stayed much longer.

Issei needed to go, before he said something that would make things worse.

*Phhssshhh*

A black cloud of smoke enveloped Issei and moved back before bursting to show him again. His arm was no longer being held by Asia and the group of devils and Irina were shocked to see that. The blonde looked down at her hands before back at Issei, who gave her a very apologetic look.

"I'm sorry, all of you. I just... can't do this..."

His wings burst from his back and he took off at blinding speeds. The burst of wind was the only indication he left and the group stared at where he once was.

They felt hurt. Upset. Mislead. And any other negative emotion that could describe their anguish.

The man they truly were connected to, the man who helped all of them with the problems they faced since they became apart of Rias' peerage. He left them, again. Even after apologizing, they didn't feel any better. If anything, they felt much much worse. The girls hearts were broken and the males of the group felt like they truly lost a very important friend.

'Issei...' They all thought simultaneously. They also could see the hurt in his eyes and know that he didn't want to do it. It was a painful truth for him to admit and by doing so, it showed he cared. Just a little bit.

None of them could blame the dragon hybrid for the way he felt. They took into account that it hadn't been that long since his return. And even with Penemue's efforts, they all knew that it would take a lot more to get the vanguard back to his original self.

If that was even possible.

He was in pain just as much as everyone else. The only difference was that they were all together and could help one another cope. All he had was Penemue, and even then that may not be enough for the brunette. They experienced heartbreak but so did he, twice. They couldn't be mad at him, no, their hearts wouldn't allow it. And something told them that he couldn't come to hate them either.

...

...

...

After a period of silence, all of them looked up at the presence that entered their senses. On the second floor, they saw a curtain shift and the sight of red disappear behind it.

All of them exchanged looks before silently nodding their heads. They made their way to the door without a single word, their minds all on the same track. There were things they had to discuss and the pain and sadness they felt was now going to become their fuel. If they were to move past this, sitting idly by wasn't going to help. If they wanted to help their friend and family they had to do something.

They were hurt and Issei was hurt. They needed to do something to show Issei that he still had friends.

-XOXOXOXOX-

Rias fell back onto the bed, her hair falling over her eyes but they weren't able to hide the tear streaks on her cheeks. It was obvious she had been crying and she couldn't describe the pain that she was feeling in her chest. It had been a very common thing since the day she went to see Issei and it's only grown as time went on.

Ever since the Red Dragon Vanguard yelled at her, the devil princess had been in a state of deep depression. Every day her memories and emotions would remind her of the biggest mistake in her life. The day she lost the man she loved and broke his heart, as well as indirectly breaking hers. She even began to miss school due to the situation.

It soon began to concern her best friend Sona. The Sitri wanted to help her old friend but Rias made it clear that this was her issue and for the fellow High-class devil to stay out of it.

It still worried the fellow heiress but she respected her friends wishes and covered for the redhead until the situation was resolved.

But, returning to Rias, the princess didn't know what to do next. Her heart was crushed and her will to live, her will to fight, was gone with the hybrid fallen angel dragon. The old Rias, who would take anyone on with no fear, was locked away and it was all because of the loss of the one she held closest.

She wanted to make amends with him. To truly start over and do everything right but he wouldn't give her the time of day. In fact, he didn't even want to give her a chance at being near him and that hurt much more.

If she could go back in time, she would. If she could change everything and make it right, she most definitely would. If only she could have that second chance. Just as Issei had, she wanted another chance. To be reborn as someone better.

'Issei...' She thought, sounding truly desperate in her own head.

The devil princess rolled over to her side and clutched a random pillow to her chest. She was in the room where it all started. No one had been in it since that day and nothing had changed since that night. The same door was destroyed, the same stains were on the bed and in the sheets, and the same Pawn pieces laid on the floor.

She didn't know why but something made Rias come in today. It was luck that Issei's parents weren't around as she was forbidden from the room. They at least were kind enough to allow her to stay but the heiress could tell she was on thin ice with them.

And, as much as she didn't want to, to avoid being reminded, she was drawn to the room and now she laid on the bed with her depression growing the longer she stayed. Wasn't there something she could do to change it all? To get her adorable, loveable servant back and have things back to how they use to be? It hurt... She wanted it to stop. To have Issei back and tell him she was sorry. That she loved him. That she wanted to spend every waking minute with him. That she wanted to be with him forever. If only she had a second chance.

"Rias Gremory..." A voice suddenly spoke from behind her.

The redhead's eyes widened and she shot up and turned behind her. Who she saw was someone she never expected to see there with her. And of all people, this person truly was one of the last people on her mind.

"Ophis..." She stated quietly. The Ouroboros Dragon, in her human form, merely smirked. It oddly fit the normally stoic face of the Gothic Lolita girl but it was gone as soon as it arrived.

"Glad you remember me," she said with no emotion.

"What do you want?" Rias questioned with caution. She knew of the Infinity Dragon and of how she was the leader of the terrorist group the factions were all fighting against, Khaos Brigade.

Ophis moved closer to the redhead, making sure she looked her right in the eyes.

"It's not what I want, devil. It's what you want and desire," she replied, receiving a look of doubt and suspicion in return. Anger soon took the front seat and Rias narrowed her eyes dangerously at the Dragon God.

"You know nothing about me, Ouroboros," the princess replied heatedly.

"Oh, but I do," Ophis stated calmly. She opened her palm and eight Pawn pieces appeared in them, dancing in her palms as they spun in a circle. To be more specific, they were the same pieces that were sprawled on the floor just a few moments ago.

Rias' eyes widened and she turned to see the Pawn pieces truly were gone from their old position. She immediately turned back with a furious look on her face, a red aura surrounding her frame.

"Give. Those. Back..." She growled towards the dragon.

Ophis didn't argue and silently returned them to the redhead. Rias snatched them and held them to her chest, feeling the cold, smooth material against her skin. They use to be so warm, now they were as cold as ice.

"See, I'm not here to cause any trouble," Ophis spoke up. Rias focused back on the dragon, who still floated above the bed, just a few feet away from her.

"Then why are you here, Ouroboros Dragon?" She questioned, casting her fear and depression aside for the situation. This made the little girl smirk and she opened her palm. From her hand, a black snake appeared. It was the same Rias had saw from Katerea back at the meeting of the three factions. Her brother told her of the beast and how it connected anyone in possession of it to Ophis' own power.

"I've already told you. I want to help you gain back what you've lost," the dragon replied. An image of Issei, before he left, flashed into Rias' mind. The same kind smile and kindred eyes. The way he always flustered around her and asked to touch her oppai. She missed that. She clenched her eyes shut and grabbed the side of her head, trying to shake the thought away.

"Don't lie to me. I know you only care about yourself and only want to get back what is yours. You wouldn't help me or anyone for that matter," she replied defiantly.

Ophis didn't say a word. Instead, she got right into the face of the devil, leaving very little room between them.

"Usually, that is the case. But, this time, our goals coincide so I decided to be 'nice' for a change, as you mortals call it," the dragon answered monotone.

Rias only became more defensive of the dragon's words and leaned back away from those blank grey eyes.

"What are you talking about?" The princess asked, still trying to keep an iron shell against the dragon.

"It's really simple, Gremory. So pay attention because I'm only saying this once." The redhead weighed her options before settling for hearing what the little girl had to say. "You want your precious Pawn back, Issei Hyoudou. Well, he is also the second biggest thorn in my side, close behind his savior Great Red. I want to ride myself of him so I can defeat Great Red and return to my peaceful dimension."

At this revelation, Rias' eyes widened and she was seconds from attacking the Dragon God. Weak or not, she would not hear of this plan against her true love. She would still defend him, even if he no longer defended her.

That was until Ophis decided to continue. "Although, his death would incite the wrath of a lot of people I'd rather not deal with, especially Great Red who is very attached to the boy. Even I fear the dragon in his enraged state. So, in the end, I've decided," she stated. At this, Rias' grew more confused than angry and stuck to raising a brow.

"Decided?" She repeated. The dragon nodded.

"Yes, I've decided that I shall make you my vanguard," the god announced. Rias' eyes widened and her jaw slackened just slightly. Of all the things she expected to hear, becoming the vanguard of the Ouroboros Dragon was nowhere near what she thought. Said dragon could see the look on her face and she grinned, revealing a little of her teeth. It was surprising to say the least.

"You're obviously shocked to think I'd say such a thing. But mark my words, Gremory, what I've said is exactly what you heard. I want you to be my trusted bodyguard, if you'd like to call it that," she assured.

The redhead sat on the bed and her mind was scrambled from the reveal. Why would Ophis want her as her vanguard? It wasn't like she was the strongest or smartest in the supernatural world, so why would the Dragon God go after her? There were a lot of other powerful candidates.

"If you're asking yourself why I chose you, it's because of your connection to Great Red's vanguard, Issei Hyoudou," the petite girl answered. Rias didn't respond and settled for staring. "Do not worry, for I shall give you more than enough power to stand against the boy. He will tremble before you and call you his master, just as he did before."

"!?"

"I see that got your attention," Ophis noted, seeing the look of shock on the redhead's face. There was some life in those dull blue-green orbs. At least, for now while they were on this topic.

"But... I shouldn't...Issei said..." Rias mumbled to herself, remembering the way the brunette reacted to her when she came to his home. His power was beyond anything she felt and his hate showed no signs of alleviating off of her. How could Ophis promise her something like that when the chances were near zero? Especially when Issei's new destiny was to protect Great Red from the Infinity Dragon.

"Issei Hyoudou does not hate you as much as he proclaims," Ophis suddenly spoke up. Rias turned to the dragon girl who folded her arms.

"What did you say?" The princess asked.

"He doesn't hate you like he says. Inside him, there's a part of him that still wants things to go back to the way they use to be. I want to give you that chance to reach that side of him and wake him up from this delusional state Great Red has placed him in," the dragon explained carefully. Rias understood this and the pain in her heart faded for a small moment.

There was a chance to be with Issei again. A chance to receive his love and care again. It was the opportunity she had been looking for. The chance to win Issei back.

But what was the cost? There always was one and something like this wasn't cheap.

"What do you want Ophis? There has to be some catch," Rias deduced. Ophis smirked again before her emotionless masked returned a second later.

"Smart girl. But there is no catch this time, devil princess. As long as it gets the boy out of my way and keeps Great Red dormant, I'll give you as much power as you need," Ophis answered with honesty.

Rias kept firm eye contact with the dragon, looking for any signs of lie or deceit. It was hard against the unreadable eyes of the emotionless god so Rias would have to put her faith in her, if she accepted.

...

...

...

"Are you sure Issei feels the way you said?" The heiress asked carefully. After a small amount of thinking, Rias concluded that she would take any chance if that meant getting Issei back.

Once Ophis nodded her head, Rias released a sigh before extending her hand to the dragon.

"Fine, you've got a deal. I'll be your vanguard. Just make sure I get my chance alone with him," the princess finally relented. She still didn't know if she was making the right choice but it was her only chance of seeing Issei and explaining herself to him.

Ophis reached out and placed her small hand inside the redhead's. Gripping it, a purple light shined between their palms. A black snake then appeared and coiled up both of their arms, it's head facing Rias, the purple eyes looking directly into hers.

"Don't worry, I'll be sure to."

Bam, that wraps it up. Issei's got his words out and ran. He's conflicted, the groups conflicted, everyone's conflicted. And Rias has now become Ophis' weapon. That means she and Issei will face off. I did promise you guys a fight or two and this is the effect.

Now, Rias' boost will be big and she'll undergo some serious changes. Do look forward to that. Because a fight will be next chapter but between who I haven't revealed. As well as some very important news, so stay tuned.

Hope you all enjoyed. Please review and PM for whatever. (Oh, and my updates will be slower than slow due to finals week and my YouTube channel I'm trying to get off the ground. Till then, I'll catch you all next time.

Review!

-stormgreywolf