Author's notes: Firstly I would like to thank everyone that favorite, followed or reviewed the story. And a special thanks to all the reviewers, thanks to you we have passed the one hundred reviews mark!

Secondly I would like to inform that I will be taking the suggestion of some of my reviewers and henceforth I will be putting the characters thoughts in 'Italic'.

"Talking"

'Thoughts'

[Boosted Gear/Ddraig]

Lastly: I do not own Highschool DxD or SwordArtOnline.

A Familiar's Face

While carefully arranging the contents of the basket at her side on the blanket she had already spread, Asuna smiled remembering how all that troublesome forced engagement nonsense between Rias and Raiser had disappeared upon their victory in the [Rating Game], just like a nightmare upon dawn.

They had given their all, and pushed past their limits in order to challenge Rias fate, and in the end they had succeeded. But that didn't mean there hadn't been costs to the victory, Issei's unbelievable act of taking down a member of the Phenex clan had extracted a heavy toll.

After the battle nearly all his muscles had been torn to shreds and there had been serious internal injury to some of his organs too. Even under the power of Asia [Twilight Healing] it had took Issei over nine hours to be finally healed.

Considering the fact that Asia could heal deep cuts and broken bones in a matter of seconds that truly showed how grave the situation had been.

And despite Asia best efforts Issei's left hand was still covered in scales and looking like a claw, a dragon's claw.

But Issei had been completely unrepentant about his little suicide gambit, the risk all but forgotten due to Rias kiss.

He was so lost in his euphoria at the memory of the kiss that he seriously was not concerned by the change.

He wasn't even a little worried by the fact that he had apparently made a deal with an extremely powerful being that supposedly lived inside his sacred gear, without even trying to understand what that would entail or its possible consequences.

Shaking her head and giving up at understanding how the peerage's only [Pawn] mind worked, Asuna finished setting down their lunch.

Rias had given them all the day off in thanks for their efforts in both the training and the match.

Although Asuna suspected that, if Rias mutterings about which was the best way to move in with Issei was any indicator, there had been some ulterior motive to that little bit of kindness.

Rias motivation aside, the beautiful weather and clear skies where the reason why she and Kirito had decided about having an outdoor lunch in the park and invited Koneko along in order to cheer her up, since she had been downtrodden due to being ambushed by Yubelluna.

Asuna had to admit that, when she had first joined the peerage, she had been suspicious of how close Kirito was being with the little girl.

Kirito was a very reserved person after all, opening up to only the select few that he trusted. But despite that he had formed a very strong bond with his fellow [Rook] in less than a week.

But her misgivings had completely disappeared shortly after meeting her.

Koneko for all her strength and stoic exterior was in fact just a kind little girl, a kind little girl that had no family and was hiding her pain beneath a mask of strength.

Just being near the little girl tingled all of Asuna's maternal instincts. She wanted to make her feel safe and happy, to make those little smiles that had been getting ever more common since they had started to dote upon her to never leave her face.

And she was sure that Kirito was the same, resulting in the small [Rook] being more often than not near their side.

She didn't know if Kirito had made the connection or not, but Koneko and Yui had a lot in common in regards at how they had entered into the couple's life.

They hadn't been able to spend much time with Yui due to the intensive training for the match, but before that she had been truly ecstatic at finding out that, in her words, she had gained a new sister.

Kirito's gob smacked reaction to the statement had been truly amusing, but the little AI had a point. After all, wasn't having a picnic in the park something a family would normally do?

'Even if doing a bare-handed super strengthened spar in a secluded part of the park before eating kind of destroyed any normalcy the scene could have had.' Asuna thought looking at all the craters the two [Rooks] had left around while they were trying to hit each other.

Kirito had wanted to test if his in game martial arts skill was as effective as their swordskills. His reasoning being that they couldn't have Kiba near them all the time to provide weaponry, and he didn't want to be caught in a helpless situation.

'Why can't he just admit that he is a training nut?' She thought with fondness, while watching Kirito avoid a chain of strikes delivered by Koneko before trying to use his height advantaged to take her down.

But Koneko was proving the gap between someone that use martial arts as a complementary skill, and someone that used martial arts as their main skill.

Easily waving around the blow Koneko grabbed Kirito's extended arm before throwing him against the ground and immobilizing him in a stranglehold.

"All right you two, stop it already. Come and let's eat." Asuna said, stopping the match despite her own amusement at seeing Kirito being pressed against the ground by such a small girl.

The speed in which both of them appeared at her side made her wonder what kind of [Rook] pieces Rias had used.

"Itadakimasu!"

"…Itadakimasu."

They both said before happily eating the food she had prepared, their eyes sparkling at the taste.

Smiling in bemusement Auna started to eat herself, wondering why everyone had such over the top reactions to her food. They were simple sandwiches after all, but both [Rooks] were devouring them like it was the food of the Gods.

'It wasn't like she was some amazing cook or something… was she?' She thought while all the food she had prepared was disappearing at an astonishing rate.

Rias was quite happy with how things turned out.

The Gremory family plans had been put to rest, the marriage had been cancelled and she was free to live her life as her own person. All thanks to her peerage, her real family.

Against all odds they had won against Raiser at the [Rating Game]. The fact that a Devil that was not yet fully matured and had never even participated in the game had defeated a member of the Phenex clan had surely raised quite a few eyebrows in the underworld.

'This will show them for underestimating my peerage.' She thought with a smile. All the new members of her peerage were simply remarkable, Asia and her healing ability, Kirito and Asuna and their sword skills, and of course dear Issei and his Longinus.

Sensing that the rest of the peerage was approaching the clubroom, Rias rested her tea cup on the table and waited with Akeno and Kiba for their arrival.

Shortly after, an angry looking Koneko entered the building followed by a worried Asia, a bemused Kirito, a stern Asuna, and a completely bruised Issei.

"…You reap what you sow" Koneko muttered while sitting at the couch.

"Seriously, what were you thinking? Peeping at Koneko-chan and her classmates while they were changing! Have you no shame?" Asuna admonished in a stern voice.

"Geez, why are you so..." Rias sighed in astonishment. 'She was living at his house, along with a very willing Asia, and he still went peeping at other girls?'

"Ara ara. You have to keep the level of peeping at girls changing at a moderate level Ise-kun." Akeno teased with a smile on her face as she poured tea to the peerage.

"I may have gotten a little too carried away." Issei said in slight embarrassment.

"Issei if you can't control yourself I will show you anytime when I'm getting changed." Kiba added in a teasing tone.

"Shuuuut up! How can I enjoy looking at a guy getting changed! I can't even enjoy looking at a girl with an undeveloped body!" Issei looked completely appalled by the mere thought, completely missing the fact Kiba was joking.

"…Undeveloped..." Koneko muttered, glaring at the [Pawn].

"Ise-san. You shouldn't be peeping at girls getting changed…I…if you want to see… the naked body of women that much…I can..." Asia trailed off while wriggling her body shyly.

Despite the obvious meaning behind the former nun words, Issei simple looked uncomprehendingly; completely oblivious to what was being said between the lines. "Yes. If you want to see naked bodies, you can just tell me. I can show you mine at anytime inside the bath or in bed." Rias half teased, half stated, a grin on her face.

A dreamy look appeared on Issei's face, a look that was soon erased when an angry looking Asia pinched his cheek.

'Living with those two is turning up to be even more fun than I expected.' Rias thought with a smile, taking a sip out of the steaming cup of tea.

"Alright everyone, Issei-kun antics aside, I have called you all here to address a matter we have been neglecting do to the situations that just kept pilling up one after the other." Rias said in a business like tone of voice, making all the peerage to stop talking and focus on her words.

"Issei, Asia, Asuna, Kirito, it's time for you all to acquire your familiars. A familiar is an existence which acts as a helper of sorts, supporting their masters and helping them. You could say that they become the hands and feet of us devils."

A sudden crimson flash happens and perched on Rias hand appears a red bat. "This is my familiar."

"This one here is mine." Akeno said after summoning one of her little Onis to the palm of her hand.

"…This is Shiro." Said Koneko while hugging a white kitten and immediately getting Asuna to stand by her side to see the cute familiar.

"Mine is…" Kiba started to say.

"No one is interested in your familiar." Issei harshly interrupted, refusing to look his way.

"You are so cold." Kiba said with an expression of fake hurt at the straight rejection, while making a small bird to appear on his shoulder.

"A familiar is a basic for devils; they help their masters in both ordinary chores, such as distributing the contract pamphlets in their master's behalf," Rias said while her bat was enveloped in a cloud of smoke and a young woman appeared on its place. "And even in battles, acting as scouts or delivering messages. You all need one since they can be used for adapting to various situations."

"Now we will be…"

But Rias words were interrupted when the magic-circle in the center of the room started to shine.

Eight forms appeared out of the circle, being lead by a young bespectacled woman in her late teens with a slim figure, black hair styled in a short bob cut and violet eyes.

"Sona, what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Rias asked with a smile, happy to see her friend slash rival.

"Hello Rias, since things finally seen to be calming down I decided it was the right time to introduce the new members of both our peerages." She said in a matter of fact tone, a faint smile on her face.

"Heeee?! Kaichou-san is a Devil?!" Issei exclaimed in surprise.

"Oh so you didn't mention us to Hyoudou, Rias-senpai? Then again, it's also weird not to notice us, when we are all Devils and go to the same school." A young man with short blonde hair and grey eyes said in an arrogant manner.

"Saji, it can't be helped because we are not supposed to contact each other at normal times. Also it hasn't been that long since he became a Devil. Hyoudou-kun is responding like he is supposed to." Sona admonished.

Seeing the look of absolute confusion on Issei face, and the curiosity on the other new members of her peerage, Rias decided to explain.

"The Kaichou, Shitori Souna-sama's real name is Sona Sitri. She's a High-class Devil who is the next heir of the house of Sitri, and she and her peerage act as the student council of the academy."

"The house of Sitri is one of the 72 pillars that survived the Great War just like the house of Gremory and the house of Phenex. This school is actually controlled by the house of Gremory, but at day time, it is the student council…in other words the house of Sitri that is in control. You could say that being in charge is split between day-time and night-time." Akeno said, taking over the explanation.

"You guys are only getting a peaceful school life because Kaichou and us, her Devil servants, are working at daytime. It won't be bad for you to remember that, you know? By the way, my name is Saji Genshirou. I'm in second year, and I am Kaichou's [Pawn]."

"Oooh, we are in the same year and you are also a [Pawn] just like me!" Issei exclaimed happily.

But Saji reaction was the exact opposite to Isse's, with a pained look and a heavy sight he looked at his fellow [Pawn].

"Please don't say that, you actually just damaged my pride very badly. For you, one of the perverted trio to say we are anything alike…even if we share the same piece it is too much."

"W-What did you say!?" Issei shouted in anger.

"Oh? You want to go at it? Even if I look like this, I'm a [Pawn] that consumed four pieces. Even if I just turned into a Devil, I won't lose against someone like you." He said arrogantly.

"Saji, stop that." Sona interjected sharply.

"Bu…but Kaichou!"

"The reason we came here is to introduce our new servants amongst fellow High-class Devils where we both have this school as our base. In other words it's a meeting between allies to introduce you and Ruruko Nimura-kun to Rias" She said while pointing to a small girl with brown hair in twin ponytails. "While also meeting Rias new members, Hyoudou-kun, Asia-san, Asuna-san and Kirito-kun. If you are my servant, then don't embarrass me picking fights needlessly. Besides…"

Sona stared intently at Issei.

"Saji, you can't win against Hyoudou-kun right now. He is the one who defeated the third son of the house of Phenex. Consuming eight [Pawn] pieces was not just for show."

"Eight pieces!? Wait, this is the guy who defeated the Phoenix!? For this guy to beat that Raiser... I thought that it was Kiba or Himejima-senpai who rescued Rias-senpai…"

"I am sorry Hyoudo Issei-kun. My servant hasn't experienced as much as you, and still has some rude attitudes in him. If it's okay, can you please get along with him?" Sona asked with a smile.

Uncomfortable with the unusual attention Issei hastily nodded in agreement.

"Saji, please get along with Rias new members." Sona said in a matter of fact tone.

"Eh? Ye…yes! Please get along with me…." Saji said while reluctantly bowing his head, an unsatisfied look on his face.

"Yes. Let's get along." Asia replied back cheerfully, a big smile on her face.

"If it's Asia-san, then I am very happy to comply!" Saji said grabbing Asia's hand, his attitude a complete opposite to the one he was giving Issei just moments before.

An angry look on his face, Issei darted forward, grabbing Saji's hand and squeezing it hard.

"Hahaha! Saji-kun! Please look after me as well! Also I'll seriously fucking kill you if you lay a finger on Asia-chan. Okay, Saji-kun!?" He asked in a sickly sweet voice, a fake smile on his face.

"Yes! Yes! Let's get along Hyoudou-kun! To have such beauties around a beast like you. You really are a Brute-kun! Man, I wish there was a divine punishment to strike down beasts like you! Why don't you leave and see if lightning falls on you while you are on your way home!" Saji replied with his own fake smile, squeezing Issei's hand even harder.

Looking at the squabbling [Pawns] trying to crush their respective hands while never dropping their fake smiles, Rias shake her head before turning towards Sona.

"You must have a hard time."

"You too." Sona replied in sympathy, while both of them sighed.

"Rias, why are all of your familiars in here?" Sona asked, seeing all the familiars around the clubroom.

"I was explaining about the familiars to my new members and was planning to take them to the familiar forest tomorrow night." She explained.

"How troublesome, I was also planning to take my new members to the familiar forest tomorrow." Sona replied with a bothered expression.

"Indeed, the familiar master only guides one peerage at a time, and he only appears at the full moon." She replied in the same way.

"Perhaps we could decide who goes ourselves, don't you think?" Sona said in a carefree manner, a strange glint in her eyes.

"Is this a challenge?" Rias asked her eyes shining in answer.

"And if it is?" Sona asked with a fierce smile.

"I thought you would never ask." Rias answered smiling in kind.

Kirito really couldn't believe what had just happened.

Rias and Sona had decided that they would set things straight with a Tennis match between them and their [Queen's].

Standard Tennis rules, first to win two sets would be the victor, normal enough.

But what followed was anything but a normal Tennis match.

'How haven't anyone noticed they are not human I will never know.' Kirito thought while looking at the crater filled tennis court.

All four participants had simply abused their demonic-powers right from the start of the match, moving at impossible speeds and infusing the tennis ball with enough power to rival an average sized cannonball.

All that while being watched by over half of the school population, which apparently thought nothing was wrong if some of the students could move at speeds that put most Olympic athletes to shame or could hit a tennis ball with enough force to cause craters on the ground.

'Is this a Devils ability or are humans really that oblivious?' He thought while looking at all the carefree looking students leaving the Tennis court that had been turned into something more closely resembling a bombing site.

And despite all the destruction the match ended in a draw, when the participant's tennis rackets simply broke due to the stress they most certainly hadn't been made to endure.

Both [Kings] had decided that they would settle things in a dodge-ball match, with all members participating.

And so they were going towards the Gym while all students were leaving the school grounds.

Taking a position next to Asuna, he prepared himself. If the Tennis match was any indication, this would be far from a normal dodge-ball game.

"Very well the rules are simple, if you're hit by one of the four balls and it touches the ground or it's grabbed by an opponent you're out, if you throw the ball and an opponent grabs it before it hits the ground, you're out. Also you cannot cross into the opponent's side of the field. The first side to remove all opponents is the winner." Rias said with fire in her eyes.

"Then let's do this Rias. It's time too see who is the victor." Sona replied, her eyes shining in determination.

Not needing any more prompting both [Kings] and their [Queens] raised their demonic-power infused dodge-balls above their heads before firing them at incredible speeds against the opponent's side.

Seeing a ball that Asuna had dodged hitting the ground and bouncing his way at an incredible speed, Kirito grabbed it with his [Rook] strength before looking for a target.

'This is going to be interesting.' He thought while launching the ball with an improvised sword skill against one of the opponents members, hitting the surprised opponent before being forced to duck under a retaliatory strike made by Sona's [Queen].

"Asia, watch out!" Issei cried while taking a hit meant for the devil-nun, the ball bouncing high into the air and going towards the opponent's side.

"Kirito!" Asuna exclaimed running towards him, eyes fixed on the flying ball.

Understanding what she wanted, Kirito crouched, hands entwined and ready before him.

Asuna stepped into his waiting hands before being launched high into the air. Grabbing the flying ball she took quick aim before firing the ball at top speeds against Saji's incredulous face. Effectively saving Issei and taking down two opponents at once.

Dodging another ball Kirito allowed a fierce smile to appear on his face, devil-dodge-ball was turning out to be quite interesting after all.

When the glow of the magic-circle stopped Asuna looked around to see they were in a deep forest. There were giant trees all around them filtering all but a few pale rays of crimson moonlight, leaving much of the forest hidden in shadows.

'This place really lives up to its name; it feels like something could pop up at any moment.' She thought while scanning her surroundings.

"Get daze!" A loud voice shouted from above, startling all of them due to its suddenness.

Quickly turning around Asuna saw a young man wearing rough looking clothes and a turned cap on his head standing on one of the tree branches high up.

"My name is Satooji the Familiar Master!"

He shouted before jumping off the branch and twirling gracefully in the air… and face-planting on the ground.

"Satooji-san, I brought the ones I spoke of." Rias calmly said, not even slightly disturbed by the Familiar Master odd behavior.

"Hee. A dull faced boy and a blonde beauty huh, oh and these two have a nice look in their eyes. OK! Leave it to me! If it's me any Familiar immediately would be 'get daze'!"

Seeing Issei angry expression at being called dull faced Rias started to explain the situation.

"Satooji- san is a professional in terms of familiars having an extensive knowledge of their habits and characteristics. Today we will catch familiars in this forest while receiving advice from him. Okay?"

"Yes." They all replied while wearily looking at the strange man.

"Now, what type of familiar do you desire? A strong one? Fast one? Or one with poison?" Satooji asked in a friendly manner.

"Don't say something scary like poison type all of a sudden. So, what type do you recommend?" Issei asked.

Smiling at the question, Satooji got out something that looked like a catalogue before pointing at a picture of an extremely ferocious looking creature.

"This is what I would recommend! One of the Dragon-Kings! Chaos Karma Dragon, Tiamat! It's a legendary dragon! It's also the only female among the Dragon-Kings! Even until now, there hasn't been a single devil that has caught her yet! Or even survived the encounter! That would be obvious, since it's said to be as strong as a Maou!"

Only silence greeted Satooji eager suggestion of going hunting a Maou level Dragon-King for a familiar.

"This doesn't look like the level of a familiar! It's like the super boss! The final Boss! And no one has caught it yet!? Do you even know the meaning of 'recommending'!? I feel as if I was thrown into the last dungeon of a RPG!" Issei exclaimed in a slightly panicking manner breaking the silence the suggestion had brought.

"That sounds good. It seems like they will get along well since they are both legendary dragons. Ise, you are my adorable servant, so it might be acceptable if you can pull that off." Rias said in fake sternness, a teasing glint in her eyes.

Issei expression upon hearing those words made it clear that he didn't notice the teasing nature of the order.

"It's impossible, Buchou! I can tell that we won't be able to get along even from a single glance at this book!"

"It's just your imagination, Ise-kun. Yeah, you can do it, I trust in you." Kiba said, joining in on the teasing.

"Shut up, Kibaaaa! You go and hunt it, damn it!" Issei shouted before taking a calming breath and turning toward Satooji.

"Umm, I don't need a familiar like this one, so aren't there any other ones which are friendly and easier to catch?" He asked with a hopeful expression.

"Hahaha! I see, then how about this one? Hydra!" Satooji happily proclaimed pointing at the picture of a gigantic nine headed serpent surrounded by skulls.

"This one is amazing! It has deadly poison! There are no devils in this World which can endure its poison! On top of that it is immortal and has an extremely bloodthirsty temper, even going so far as killing its own master! See? Pretty useful right?"

While silence once again dominated the forest, Asuna wondered if living alone in a forest filled with deadly creatures was the reason Satooji ended up like this, or if he had been dumped in the forest because he already was this way in the first place.

"Can I punch him? Buchou, can I punch this guy?" Issei asked, clearly annoyed by the Familiar Master good natured suicide looking suggestions.

"Calm down, Ise. A Hydra is a very rare familiar, so it would be wonderful for you o acquire one! And if I remember right, there is one deep in this forest! We would be able to return by the end of today after you capture it!" Rias said while looking deep into the forest, as if she was seriously considering making Issei to go and capture the Hydra.

Issei ghost white face and appalled look made it painfully clear that he hadn't noticed the corners of Rias mouth twitching in amusement.

"Hahaha, you should experience the adventure!" Satooji agreed while giving a thumbs up, clearly not seeing anything wrong in going after a deadly nine headed poisonous beast.

"Stop messing with me! I don't want a monster which is more powerful than me!" Issei exclaimed.

"This boy sure has lots of requests. Then, what would you prefer?" He asked in disappointment.

"Aren't there any cute familiars? Like girl-types." Issei asked hopefully.

Making a displeased sound with his tongue Satooji went on to explain the complexities of familiars.

"That's why newbie's don't understand anything. Listen, you have to catch powerful familiars. And each one has different abilities. If you are trying to become a Familiar Master then you have to catch all different types and raise them in order to acquire the most powerful abilities. And also…"

"I also want a cute familiar." Asia asked innocently, peeking from behind Issei where she had been hiding since Satooji appeared.

"Okay, I understand." He immediately agreed with a happy smile on his face.

Standing beside Issei Kirito put a hand on the angry looking [Pawn's] shoulder to contain him, least he actually were to attack the familiar master.

"Listen up, water spirits gather around this lake." Satooji said in a small voice.

Hiding in the underbrush Asuna looked into the clear lake in front of them. The way it's surface glittery and sparkled even in the pale moonshine of the forest truly gave it a supernatural feel, as if it was a very sacred place.

"Yes, the water spirits, Undine, 'The Maiden of the Mist', live in this lake. But they don't usually show themselves in front of others so stay hidden everyone."

According to Satooji Undines are beautiful maidens with pure hearts and beautiful bodies and posses incredible healing abilities.

'But I guess Issei stopped listening after hearing maiden and beautiful in the same sentence.' Asuna thought while glaring at the perverted look on Issei's face.

"B-Buchou, since it would be my familiar I can do whatever I want with it right?" He asked far too eagerly.

"Yes, do as you like. It would become your familiar after all." Rias answered with a strange glint on her eyes and a small smile on her face.

"Oh, the lake started glowing. An Undine should make its appearance soon." Satooji said pointing towards the lake.

As the light diminished the figure of the water spirit became visible. Beautiful light-blue hair that's sparked with an inner light and an elegant transparent robe covering its body…it's massively huge bodybuilder body…

"What the fuck is thisssssssss!?" Issei screamed abandoning his cover, tears on his eyes.

"That is a Undine. Beautiful isn't it?" Satooji asked good-naturedly.

"No no no! No matter how you look at it, that is a bodybuilder in training! Look at it! Those biceps that can destroy a human's body, those fist that can crush boulders! That is not a maiden! It's a war veteran, a man of valor!"

"Yeah, Undines always battle in order to demark and keep their territory so they are quite strong. But it sure is a strong looking spirit even for an Undine. That is quite rare, I recommend you to catch it. A water spirit specializing in punching sure would be useful right."

"It is bad! It isn't a healing-type at all! It is like the killing-type! I don't need a healing-type spirit which has enormous punch power! I wanted a female-type spirit!" Issei cried out loud.

"But, that is the female-type you know? And it has quite a lot of potential." Satooji said confused.

"I so didn't want to hear that!" Issei screamed, covering his eyes and dropping to the ground unable to deal with the sight before his eyes.

"So Ise, it looks like quite a good familiar. Won't you catch it?" Rias asked demurely, the glint in her eyes stronger than ever.

Ignoring Issei's answering sobs, and the sudden understanding of what exactly that glint in Rias eyes meant, Asuna focused on the… peculiar familiar.

'I could swear that I have seen something similar before.' She thought while trying to remember why she was having this feeling of familiarity.

"Asuna, is it just me or does the Undine look an awful lot like one of floors 66th 'Love Seekers'?" Kirito asked with a strangled voice.

With sudden realization she nodded her agreement. Indeed the Familiar before them bore a striking resemblance to the high level mobs on that floor.

"Ah, another one has appeared." Satooji said breaking her train of thought.

After uncovering his eyes in hope that the first Undine was a fluke, Issei gazed towards the second Undine, which was even bigger and stronger looking than the first one.

"Ise-kun, I don't think it's something which you should cry out that much, you know?" Kiba asked in a slightly worried tone, looking at the unresponsive form on the ground.

"Kibaaaa. I had dreams, I had fantasies. I was seeking for a beauty of the World. But, what is that? Why do I have to see some bodybuilder make his appearance!? I hate it! My fantasies were crushed!"

"Oh, look."Satooji said, pointing at the lake. Where the two Undines that had been glaring at each other had started to hit one another with a series of rock crushing blows.

"It's the fight for the territory. And both of them look like warriors with lots of experience."Satooji stated in an excited tone.

"Fight for the territory… Shouldn't they fight in a more 'fantasy' way? Isn't there any magic used by spirits and stuff?" Issei asked with a broken tone of voice, looking at a fight worthy of a Pro-wrestling match.

"Don't be ridiculous; after all, violence is the answer." Satooji answered in a matter of fact tone. "Hahaha! Look, boy! The victor will be your familiar! The ultimate fight of Undine! It's a wonderful adventure indeed! Oh! They certainly show a rare way of punching!"

"Buchou, can I go home? I'm really not feeling well you know?" Issei asked in a pitiful manner.

"Haaa… Okay. Let's just move on to another place. At this rate there will be no progress in this." Rias said, taking pity on the shocked looking [Pawn] and leading the peerage further into the woods.

Following after the others alongside Kirito, Asuna stopped upon listening to the sound of something moving on the underbrush.

"Asuna…?" Kirito asked while looking at the others disappearing from sight by turning a corner in the trail they were following.

"I could swear I heard something around here." She said looking amidst the bushes.

"You think there is something here?" He asked looking around. "Do you want to call the familiar master to take a look?" A deadpan stare was all the answer he received.

Rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment, Kirito proceeded to help looking around the area.

"Kirito look!" Asuna called, pointing at a small hollow on a tree where a little fox was looking at them curiously.

Or at least it resembled a fox. The fact that parts of its body kept appearing and disappearing continuously, as if it was not fully there, was a dead giveaway that it was no normal fox.

"It's adorable." Asuna said getting closer to the curious looking fox.

"It kind of reminds me of the 'Cheshire Cat' from 'Alice in Wonderland'." Kirito said upon seeing nearly its entire body disappearing for a moment, leaving only its curious eyes floating there for an instant.

Getting even closer, Asuna tried to pet it, but much to their surprise her hand passed through the fox like it was made of mist.

Before either of them could say anything about the strange phenomenon, a thunderous explosion happened in the direction the peerage had gone.

Running back to the trail they quickly went after the others to see what had happened.

Upon reaching a clearing they were met by a curious sight. All the girls in the peerage were in their underwear, while Kiba and Satooji were standing by the side and a blackened looking Issei was sobbing on the ground hugging a pile of ashes.

Also Asia was hugging a bluish-purple dragon-looking creature which was about the size of an eagle and was cuddled against her body.

Trading a look with Kirito Asuna decide it was best not knowing what had happened here.

"I hear that Sprite Dragons open up to those with pure hearts. It seems like it really is attached to that girl." Satooji explained taking a closer look at the creature on Asia's arms

"Looks like its Ise's defeat." Rias said with a smile.

"U-umm, can I make this dragon my familiar?" Asia said looking at the small dragon she was treating like a teddy-bear.

"Normally the Sprite Dragon is a dragon who won't pledge it's loyalty to a devil, but it seems that girl has a very pure heart. Something like this has never happened before, but it seems like the contract spell can be done." Satooji said while explaining to Asia what she had to do.

Placing the small dragon on a green magic-circle Asia started to say the Familiar binding incantation.

"...In the name of A-Asia Argento, I order you! Y-You shall become my familiar and respond to my contract, Rassei-kun!"

The light from the magic-circle increased for a moment before gradually losing its potency. When the light disappeared completely the baby dragon flew towards Asia licking her happily.

"Ufufu. You are tickling me. Rassei-kun."

"Rassei?" Issei asked curiously, while approaching the dragon.

"Yes. He is a dragon which uses lightning and I also used Ise-san's name as well. For I want him to be lively like Ise-san…Would it trouble you?" She asked in a worried tone of voice.

"No, that's alright. Well, who cares, let's get along Rassei…" Issei quickly assured her before trying to pet the new familiar, and being rewarded with a bluish lightning bolt for his efforts.

"I forgot to mention, but male dragons hate males from other races." Satooji explained happily.

"Oh? What is this? It seems the ladies are the only ones making progress today!" He said, walking towards Asuna with a happy expression on his face, his eyes never leaving an apparently empty piece of the ground right next to her feet.

"A Spirit Fox and those are quite rare too! And she seems to be quite taken with you!"

Asuna blinked upon realizing that the small fox she had seem before was standing right next to her, appearing as off thin air.

"So? Do you want it as a familiar? They are quite useful for scouting!" He exclaimed cheerfully.

"How can it be my familiar? I can't even touch her." Asuna asked looking at the small fox.

"Don't worry, the familiar summoning spell is a very ancient and powerful spell. It doesn't matter if the familiar is a spirit, an elemental or whatever, it will provide the familiar with everything necessary to serve its master." Satooji said with a thumbs up. "As long as the familiar accepts the contract it will work. There are even old legends talking about summoning otherworldly beings. In this case the spell will allow it to interact with the physical plane no problem!"

Looking at Kirito to see what he thought about it, Asuna saw he had a look of deep concentration, as if he was pondering about the implications of something, and was not paying attention to his surroundings.

Looking at the adorable little fox Asuna made her mind. "What is the spell, Satooji-san?"

Looking at her peerage while sitting at the clubroom Rias couldn't contain a smile. Both Asuna and Asia had been able to acquire excellent familiars.

'A Sprite Dragon and a Spirit Fox are far from common familiars after all. Those are sure marks of potential.' She thought while looking at Asia hugging Rassei and Asuna and Koneko petting Kasumi. 'Pity that the boys couldn't find their familiars this time as well.'

Talking about the boy's, while Issei was still depressed about losing his intended familiars and was sitting in a corner. Kirito had darted away the moment they had returned to the school, a resolute look on his face, saying he would be back in a moment.

'What is he planning?' She thought while distractedly sipping her tea.

As if her thoughts had summoned him, an eager looking Kirito appeared carrying a helmet looking device.

"Rias, can you cast the familiar summoning contract spell for me?" He asked with a strange shine on his eyes.

Raising an eyebrow Rias casted the circle, curious to see what the [Rook] was planning to do. Binding an object as a familiar was impossible after all.

"Kirito… what are you doing?" Asuna asked in confusion, staring at the strange helmet.

"I got a hunch… trust me… this will work." He said with a look of concentration, putting the object in the middle of the glowing circle.

"In the name of Kirigaya Kazuto, I order you! You shall become my familiar and respond to my contract, Yui!"

Upon these words the circle glowed with an intense light, temporarily blinding all in the room. When the light receded a small black haired fairy was sitting atop the helmet.

"Papa?" The small fairy asked curiously, looking at Kirito's direction.

"…Yui-chan!" Asuna exclaimed in surprise, tears in her eyes.

"Mama!" The fairy exclaimed happily, flying towards Asuna and hugging her tightly.

A cloud of smoke enveloped them and upon clearing showed Asuna tenderly hugging a small black haired girl.

Stepping forward Kirito joined the hug, a happy expression on his face.

Opening her eyes the small girl saw a somber looking Koneko staring at the scene from a distance.

A look of realization filling her face and her eyes shining with excitement, the little girl wiggled free from the hug before lunging towards the startled [Rook].

"Onee-chan!" She shouted happily, hugging the embarrassed looking Koneko for all her worth.

Rias had no idea what had just happened or who the little fairy girl was.

But seeing the happy looks on Kirito and Asuna's faces, and the barely noticeable smile on Koneko's usually impassive face as she was being hugged by the excited looking little girl, she decided that the questions could wait.

For the moment she would just enjoy the show.

Author's Notes:

And Yui makes her appearance! I had been wondering how to make her able to interact with the real world, and then I decided that a familiar summoning would be quite plausible. It binds another sentient being to the master, being able to transport it from wherever he is. She will retain her Nav' Pixie skills as well as her ability to change into a human form.

Asuna's familiar had to be some kind of spirit, the fact the spell allowed a being without a physical body to interact with them was the clincher for Kirito to decide to try it with Yui.

Then I remembered this cool idea from the book 'Ilse Witch' from Terry Brooks about a creature called a 'Swamp Cat' that had parts of his body constantly disappearing and reappearing as if you were seeing it through a heavy mist. But decided a Fox was nicer, and besides there is already a cute cat in the peerage, even if Kirito and Asuna don't know it yet!

For those of you that watched the anime and are confused by the timing, I'm following the light novels timeline. In which the peerage went to the Familiar Forest after the [Rating Game], while in the anime they went before.

Ruruko Nimura in canon was already an established member of Sona's peerage; I made her a rookie because if the decision of going to acquire a familiar was between one new member for Sona against four new members for Rias, there would be no contest without Sona sounding petty. Nimura as a rookie meant it would be two against four so there would be room for discussion of which peerage would go.

Itadakimasu: Meals in Japan traditionally begin with the phrase "itadakimasu". It literally means "I humbly receive". The phrase is similar to "bon appétit", or saying grace to give thanks before a meal. It is said to express gratitude for all who played a role in cooking, preparing, cultivating, ranching or hunting the food.

Kaichou: Chairman, or in the case of a school setting, Student Council President

'Get Daze': Get daze is a phrase from Japanese Pokemon. In the English version it is the phrase 'Gotta Catch 'Em All!'

KASUMI (霞): Japanese name meaning "mist".

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