The room was almost silent, the only sound was the wind as it ruffled the drapes on either side of the balcony door frame. The seven devils in the room were all in silence, Sirzechs and Grayfia had seen Issei's state of mind on a few occasions but it troubled them no less seeing he hadn't changed much. Rias had actually stepped back trying to wrap her mind around how effortlessly Issei had thrown himself on the floor before her. Her brother had told her what she could expect, but she thought he was exaggerating on some degree, seeing the boy now. . . Words didn't quite do justice to everything she felt from the display of submissiveness, so with her mouth open in shock, she continued to stare at Issei.

Issei was internally puzzled, he knew he was scared, he still was but like before with Grayfia his body betrayed his mind, acting on his own. He didn't understand so he consulted with the only being who understood him.

'Ddraig, you there?' Issei thought as he reached out his consciousness, searching for the dragons distinct aura. He finally found the old beast consciousness, but he was. . . sleeping. He needed his help but something held him back, the argument was still fresh on his mind, so Ddraig was probably still upset. 'Might just be best to let sleeping dragons lie' issei thought as he retracted from where Ddraig's consciousness dozed.

'What did you want to ask' Ddraig's voice flooded Issei's mind as he prepared himself for the sleeping dragon's wrath.

'Listen Ddraig, I-'

'Don't, you were not the only one at fault partner' Ddraig said, sadness still lingering in his words. 'Now was there something you wanted to ask me, your mind seems more troubled than usual'

Issei didn't really know how to put it, how do you explain something you don't understand.

'Well, can't you tell?' Issei mentally shouted as he started to internally panic.

'Ddraig didn't understand until he tried to forcefully activate the sacred gear, only to find he wasn't able to.

'Issei what is going on, are you doing this' Draif asked, unsure if this Issei's way of getting back to him. Looking into his partner's mind, the fear he saw was genuine, but beyond that, he couldn't see anything, no other thoughts or feelings, just an abundance of fear. It was then Ddraig thought of something truly frightening.

'Issei, what are you feeling right now' Ddraig questioned, hoping there was something he could still do to avoid the inevitable. 'Doesn't matter, what matters is, Issei you NEED to calm down'

'Huh, what do you mean calm down, how can I calm down Ddraig it feels like my mind and body are separated! Issei cried in confusion. 'I'm not strong like you, I can't just put everything past me!'

This is what Ddraig feared, his partner's possible desire for strength. He thought that because Issei was different the curse would perhaps ignore him, hoping that the boy's fragmented mind set would deflect the curse inward to the sacred gear. His previous possessors began their greed with noble intentions, but desire lures in even the most secure at heart. But Issei didn't desire power, he wanted nothing to do with it, so why did it react in this way? Thinking on it briefly the answer almost seemed too obvious.

Fear.

His partner, the boy who went through extreme amounts of torment for someone else's pleasure was afraid, it wasn't what he was afraid of, for that list would be inexhaustible, but it was simply fear itself. Issei was afraid of fear. His fear of everything was basically taking over without his consent, his subconscious in short terms was starting to rule over the consciousness of Issei.

Ddraig needed to disrupt his partner's thoughts, but then everything froze.


Rias couldn't contain herself, the silent tears began to fall, she could feel Grayfia's disapproving eyes, but she didn't care, this wasn't a time to show the nobleness of the house of Gremory, this was a time to show its compassion. Kneeling down silently, doing her best to not alarm him, she reached under Issei's arms and pulling him up so they were both standing, she embraced him fully, hugging him as family.

Issei was still frozen in thought at being embraced, he hadn't realized he was now in control of his body, as he lifted his arms and gently return the hug. He could tell Rias was surprised but she didn't resist it, instead, she let Issei's head fall on her shoulder.

Ddraig was puzzled, he had watched a woman hug his partner and stop the curse in its tracks, he had never seen anything like it. Yes, there were ways juggernaut drive could be suppressed, but never had he seen it but utterly stopped. He didn't know how she did it, he doubted she even knew what she did but Ddraig knew one thing, his partner needed to stay by her side.

"Ehem" Sirzechs smiled as he watched the scene unfold. He knew his sister's compassion was great, but this was a welcome surprise to him. "Now that introductions are over, I need to speak to Issei and my sister, in private please"

The three other devils behind Rias bowed and left the room, however, Grayfia did not.

"I need to speak with the two of them, alone"

"As you wish, Milord" Grayfia grudgingly bowed, and quietly left the room.

'I am so screwed after this' Sirzechs thought, but to him, it was well worth it if both Issei and Rias could come to some agreement. Once the door was closed, and it was just the three of them, he placed a small barrier that encompassed the room, so their conversation would be confidential, though he hoped the outcome wouldn't be.

"I guess I don't have to explain what this is about, do I?" Sirzechs first looked at his sister who nodded politely, he had already talked earlier with her, but they never came to an agreement. He was hoping that now after seeing Issei, she had changed her mind. He then looked over to Issei who had his hands folded in his lap with his head hung low. "Issei do you understand what this conversation is about?"

"It's about who I belong too" he mumbled still worried about his previous actions.

"No Issei, it's about where you fit in" Sirzechs simply said, hoping his choice in words were different enough for him to convince Issei he wasn't anyone's slave, but also true enough so the dragon wouldn't consider him lying.

"My sister has offered to take you in, as a member of the Gremory household," Sirzechs said timidly, hoping it wasn't too soon, but he had other issues that needed to be dealt with.

At this, Issei looked up unsure if he had heard this correctly, but he was still confused.

"Why"

Sirzechs was about to speak but Rias beat him to it. "I want to say sorry, what you have been through is beyond most people's imaginations. To see you are still willing to go on after everything that has happened . . . I want to help you, I will never let anything happen to you again"

Ddraig stayed silent, he understood what was happening better than anyone, this would be a decision that neither side could back walk away from, no matter how much Issei wanted to.

'Ddraig, what do you think?' Issei asked the heavenly dragon, as it wasn't just his life being signed over, where he went Ddraig followed whether he wanted or not.

'Agree'

'Huh, I thought you would be against this?' Issei replied puzzled, this was very unlike the normally confrontational dragon.

'I sense no hostility, and Sirzechs words were genuine. He knows the risks, we declared outright what would happen to any who mistreated us. If he has this much confidence in his sister we should at least give her a chance.' Ddraig argued hoping his logic would overshadow the concern in his voice. 'Besides, Sirzechs asked you, I haven't agreed to anything'

'Alright if you say so' Issei was hesitant, he wasn't sure how this was going to turn out. Here was a girl he had just met, and she was now his master. Ddraig promised it wouldn't be like last time, but gentle words can only do so much to hold back the mountain of offenses Issei had endured.

"Ok" Issei rasped, as he looked at Sirzechs, then Ddraig spoke. "Just remember what happens if he is hurt" he spoke reminding the Maou of the delicate situation he was engineering.

Rias was slightly stunned, her brother had mentioned Issei had a sacred gear, but that was most definitely the voice of the heavenly dragon Ddraig.

"Hold on Ddraig, like the boosted gear heavenly dragon?" Rias spoke looking at Issei, expecting the sacred gear to materialize.

"Yes," Issei's rough voice spoke before anyone realized.

"Well then if that is settled, are you ready to finalize this arrangement?" Sirzechs looked between Issei and Rias imagining how everything could possibly go wrong like any brother does.

"Rias if you would please," Sirzechs said as he lifted her hand, palm faced up. Putting his hand on top of hers he let some of his power pool in her palm and mix with her own aura.

Ajuka said that in order for Issei to be officially recognized by the system he needed to be included in someone's peerage. Sirzechs voiced his concern for the boy so Ajuka made a slight tweak which allowed Sirzechs to temporarily be Issei's king. He just hoped this wasn't so far fetched that the system would reject Issei and eject his evil pieces.

Issei watched the whole thing, he had no idea that the bright red light that started to blind him would eventually be what bound him into service under another master. It was when Sirzechs called him over that he started to grasp what all was going on.

Sirzechs removed his hand from Rias's and called Issei over, "Now all you have to do is place your hand on hers like I did."

Rias stood there waiting for the nervous boy to accept the offer, but she knew to some extent her open hand seemed like a trick or scheme. She just hoped he could learn to trust her. So she stayed standing, hand out, palm up waiting for him to accept or reject her offer.

Issei looked at the hand, he knew he should just place his hand on hers and be over with it, but something kept him from doing so, it wasn't till Ddraig voiced his thoughts he relented.

'Why are you stopping, I thought we already agreed?' Ddraig spoke as he entered Issei's consciousness. 'You need this partner, living in fear is not living at all'.

'I know but what is holding me back, Sirzechs seems nice but I have only just met her'

'I think her actions are enough to justify that she has genuine concern for your well being' then Ddraig thought of something, 'is it because she is a girl?'

Issei stopped for a second, 'was that it, is that why I am so apprehensive?' he then thought back briefly to his time in Chloe's 'care'. He only thought about it a second, but that was all it took for the memories and pain to pour into what was left of his mind. It was too much, so the pain he felt in his mind started to leak out into his physical appearance.

Sirzechs figured that Issei was talking with the dragon on their options. He knew that Issei was unsure of whether the offer was out of kindness or had ulterior motives, but he was almost sure the heavenly dragon was supportive. The occasional glances Rias gave him amused him some as he nodded his head, he knew it was going to take time for the two of them to come to an agreement, patience was the best course of action. He thought the conversation was coming to a close until he noticed the slight change in Issei's posture, his normal curiousness was replaced with almost painful rigidity. While his eyes were still locked on Rias's hand he could see the same cloudiness he saw in the hospital when the boy's first woke up. Sirzechs could clearly see the pain as it slowly started to show across his face, making him wonder just what all the two of them were talking about. He was ready to shake Issei back into the present because the pain seemed like it was too much until his left arm shot out and grasped Rias palm.

Issei was pulled out of his agonizing memories when a warm feeling starting from his hand started to calm him down.

'I'm sorry, they were starting to worry, so I completed the contract'

Issei's mind was still in shambles, Ddraig had pulled him out by force but he was still trapped to some extent.

'Thank you Ddraig, I just . . .'

'It's ok, you are not alone anymore partner'

Sirzechs was surprised when the red glow started to diminish, it meant that Issei had now become a member of the house of Gremory and his sister's pawn. Smiling he was the first one to speak, as the two of them let their hands fall. "Well now that that's over with I have some other business to attend to, you two enjoy yourselves. I will be back for dinner"

"You promise?" Rias asked as she looked at her brother not really believing.

"Yes I promise," he said as he was enveloped in red and teleported, leaving only red particles behind.

Rias turned to her newest peerage member, wondering just how she was going to approach Issei. "So. . ." she said awkwardly not really sure how to talk to someone knowing they would likely not reply. This was going to take some time to get used to.


Grayfia was livid, she could maintain her composure but what Sirzechs had done something she truly viewed as dangerous. She knew he had at times, been reckless but to place this harmed boy under his sister's care, this had to be the most ridiculous thing he has ever done!.

'What was he thinking! What this Issei boy flips out, what if he goes berzerk, what if he is completely useless!' her mind kept coming up various situations where the boy was an obvious problem. Her rational mind told her these things were not likely to happen, but her anger couldn't really be contained. She wasn't really mad at the boy, it was more at Sirzechs, and the fact that he planned all this without ever consulting her first. She was so enraged that she failed to realize where her feet took her, till she realized the door she stopped at.

'Well it is time for some answers anyway' she thought as she opened the door, and flipped on the lights. The moment the room was lit up she wished she hadn't. Her eyes jumped around the room, from the fingernail scrapes against the wall to the blood inscribed words that visually sank into the crimson walls. Her eyes finally snapped to Chloe sitting on her bed, as the girl started to laugh.

"So the ice queen returns, to what to I pleasure" Chloe spoke as her smile reached skin crawling levels of creepiness.

'Maybe I over did it last time . . .' Grayfia thought as she quickly looked around the room, one eye on the devil at all times. She was a bit disturbed but she wouldn't give her the satisfaction of seeing it. "So are you ready to talk?" Grayfia asked wondering if this girl had completely lost it.

"Oh yes, I'm ready" Chloe happy pronounced as she uncrossed her legs and shuffled off the bed. "Ready to talk about all the juicy bits" Grayfia was about to question whether or not anything this girl said would be fact when Chloe spoke first.

"You want to know about Issei right? That why you're here isn't it? She spoke as she stood up slithering over to where Grayfia was standing. Grayfia had enough sense still to close the door, but the sight before her was becoming creepy, even for her.

"Well First off Issei summoned me, his desire brought me to him. He was dying, the little bitty boy was dying it was so sad." She spoke falsely caring for his well being. "When I got there there was blood everywhere, the floor the ceiling, Ahh it was gruesome, his mother and father had already died and he was close, I could see the blood as it trickled out his mouth." Chloe was smiling now, thinking on the memory of enslaving the poor child. It got her flustered just thinking back on it.

Grayfia's hatred for this girl was growing with every word that came out of that messed up mouth of hers. She had always wondered how the boy had ended up with the Old Satan faction, it seemed unlikely he sought them out, but the fact that this twisted girl had found the boy before he had experienced life even a little, it made her sick to say the least. She never spoke, no matter how much she wanted to blast this perverted girl, she needed to know more about Issei.

"I revived him and that's where the fun began" Chloe licked her lips, she knew this had to be getting to Grayfia. "At first he was set aside where they experimented on the evil pieces inside him, testing them outside the system, who knows what they did. It wasn't until they had discarded him that he was allowed to become my personal plaything".

Grayfia snapped, she had heard enough, the anger she felt towards Sirzechs had completely vanished, only to be replaced with pure hatred for the Old Satan faction. She lifted her arm up, simultaneously lifting Chloe, allowing her to hover in mid air. Her rage drowned out Chloe's laughter, she was tempted to end her right then and there but something picked her interest.

Trying to stay as clear as possible, she asked: "were the evil pieces you used to incarnate him mutation pieces?"

"Haha no, why would we waste such a valuable piece on someone so useless"

Grayfia was silent, she left Chloe hanging in the air while she thought about it.

'They experimented not on Issei but on his reincarnation, they tampered with the evil pieces. Ajuka needs to be informed'

"So is the strongest bitch going to kill me?"

*CRACK*

The cracking of her spine was followed by a rather audible thump as Grayfia let go of the magic that held the now limp Chloe. Letting out a sigh she turned towards the door but paused to read what the deceased had written.

"What lingers will always be, what is present shall never leave, it's the future we cannot leave"

Grayfia stared at it for a minute or two, thinking she was truly nuts, but then thought that the quote might not relate to her.


Rias had started to fidget with her skirt, the silence was starting to get to her. She had introduced Issei to the rest of the members of her peerage but he stayed as quiet as he was now. She expected at least a nod or something. 'That's it we're going to the city' she thought as she stood up and looked around at her peerage members. Akeno looked at her curiously as she placed her tea cup back on its saucer. Kiba was reading on the sofa in front of her with Koneko next to him, munching away on some sweats she stashed away. And then there was Issei, standing in the corner, his hair down blocking his eyes but the frown on his face told her everything she needed to know.

"Who wants to go to the city," Rias asked as she looked from person to person.

"Ufufu, sounds like fun"

"Good idea, it's been awhile since we were all here together"

"What about you Koneko, what do you think?" Rias said looking at her young rook.

"Ok"

They all started walking towards the door, but Rias turn around looking for Issei in the corner.

"Come on Issei, you are coming too" she smiled as he started to remove himself from the corner. His head was still down, allowing his hair to cover his face, but the frown on his face had lightened some.

'Maybe I can help him'


Sirzechs had just sat down when the door burst open revealing an obviously pissed Grayfia. It was rare she showed her true emotions, when she did it was either really wonderful or truly terrifying, he expected the later.

"You know I only-"

"How could you!" Grayfia spoke over him, not really interested in what he had to say. "You could at least have told me what you were planning on doing, I mean Zechs what were you thinking!"

We hardly know anything about this boy and you entrust him to your sister, give me one good reason why you would put her in such a dangerous position?"

"So I could look after him"

Grayfia was about to tell him what a stupid reasoning, but her mind thought about it for a second.

"You want to keep him close in case something happens, you're doing because you yourself could look after him. . . "

"Yes I fear for my sister's safety but if there is one person who can help restore him, Rias can." Sirzechs stood up and walked over to where Grayfia easy cooling down, putting his hands on her shoulders, "If another Maou's relative could look after him that would have been fine too but think about it, with Sona and Serafall he possibly would never have changed. I would be perfectly ok if Ajuka looking after him but he doesn't have the greatest relationship to Diodora."

"Giving him to Diodora would have been a mistake"

Sirzechs nodded, then thought for a second looked down at Grayfia and leaned in, kissing her.

*Slap*

"Ow, what was that for!"

Turning her head she looked away while walking out the door, "I'm still mad at you"

"Sheesh" Sirzechs mumbled while rubbing his cheek, trying to ease the pain of it.

"Look who I found coming to see you" Sirzechs flinched at her voice but looked up to see her behind Ajuka.

"Since you bother are here there are some things I learned from our deceased captive"

"Grayfia you don't mean. . ." Sirzechs was genuinely scared, her fuse was long but her wrath was usually short lived. He almost felt bad about it.

"Ajuka you need to hear this as well, I think you will find it interesting"

With both of them sitting down she recounted everything that Chloe had told her, Grayfia knew that there was more to the story but that would have to wait for when Issei decided to tell them.


"So what do you guys think?" Rias stepped out of the changing room, showing off the nice black dress that seemed to make her hair double in brightness.

"You look nice president"

"Ufufu, Kiba always the gentleman" Akeno spoke as she stood up to critique Rias. "Come on Rias you have to let yourself be free," she said as she moved one of the straps on her shoulders off, letting the dress sway to one side.

"There now you look sexy" Akeno smiled as she looked back and admired her work.

Rias's hair was now all messed up, the dress swayed to one side, and she honestly looked terrible.

"Now I look like an idiot, thanks, Akeno" she spoke, trying to ignore her queen's laughter.

After changing Rias decided it was time for lunch so the group of them went to one of the restaurants within the mall. After getting seated she counted heads and couldn't find Issei.

Standing up she looked around, 'why does he always keep disappearing? I can't be that scary'

"What are you doing Rias," Kiba asked as he watched his king's eyes glance from table to table.

"Issei isn't here"

"We should go look for him," he said as he started getting up from the table, but someone grabbed his arm.

"Stop worrying he is probably in the bathroom" Akeno spoke, holding Kiba in place. "Rias I understand you are concerned about him, but he needs time".

"Yeah he needs time but he also needs to know he is cared for."

Sighing Akeno let go of Kiba, who bowed and headed off to the restroom in search of the silent pawn.

Kiba wandered around the mall, he checked the restroom, he also searched the rest of the restaurant. Now everyone was looking for him, he was about to call Rias and tell her to locate him by his evil pieces, the last thing they needed was for him to be turned into a stray. He walked into the department store they had been in earlier thinking he might have possibly gone there. He looked around until he saw Issei gazing at a full-length mirror.

He walked over to him but stopped when he saw what was in the reflection; Issei had his shirt unbuttoned and was looking at his scarred body. Kiba was in awe, he was disgustedly surprised, Rias hadn't told them why Sirzechs had entrusted him to her but he was starting to get an idea. He stopped looking at the numerous scars and walked over to Issei, he cleared his throat but the chalk in his voice didn't seem to disappear.

"There you are, we have been-" Kiba stopped speaking as Issei turned toward him, allowing him to see his chest and abdomen completely. He could only see the largest of scars on the mirror, but his body was covered in little scars and various bruises that looked like they never healed. He wondered how much of his skin was untouched if any.

Issei hadn't expected them to go and search for him, he was even more surprised when the blond haired teen came and found him. The look on his face was something he had gotten used to, no one wanted to look at someone so disfigured. Issei began buttoning up his shirt while the boy turned around to give him some privacy. He hadn't spoken to Ddraig since the pact but he figured the Dragon was listening, 'so nothing to say as I drown in sorrow'

*no reply*

'Well have a nice nap, I might as well continue to wallow in past memories'

Issei finished buttoning up his shirt, Kiba just stood, with his back to him, he couldn't unsee what Issei looked like, he kind of felt bad that he ignored him up until this point. He decided then that he would protect Issei from anyone that attempted anything. 'He has been through enough as it is'

Kiba couldn't hear Issei anymore so he turned around to find the pawns head down, he could see how tense Issei was, so he walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. Before he spoke he felt Issei flinch, "You don't have to be afraid, we are your family"

As much as Issei wanted to believe the blond, he couldn't he had yet to see the 'compassion' of the house of Gremory, what he had seen was a spoiled princess, who was naive to the real world. But Ddraig said to give it a chance so he was at least going to do that.

Nodding his head in thanks, Issei followed Kiba out of the department store.


"Oh Issei, where were you we were worried sick!" Rias ran up to him and hugged him.

"He was at the department store, must have gotten lost" Kiba lied as he took a glance at Issei. He figured the teen didn't want to be put in the spotlight any more than he already was.

"We are going to be late" Koneko spoke as she stopped licking her lollipop.

"I forgot, the train leaves soon, Akeno if you would"

"Ufufu, wouldn't want to face the wrath of Grayfia now wouldn't we?" Akeno spoke as she raised her arms, creating a large teleportation circle.


"The train has been ready to leave for an hour now, milady" Grayfia said as she opened the cabin door, allowing Rias and her peerage to board.

"I am so sorry Grayfia, we just had some trouble, we won't be late again, promise"

"Ah does Rias have to leave already . . . she just got here though" Millicas said as he looked down from where Sirzechs had him on his shoulders.

"Rias came down because I asked her to, your niece came only because it was a weekend, school continues tomorrow, same goes for you," Sirzechs said as he walked up behind Grayfia.

"Take care Rias, help him please"

"I will try, but I'm not sure he really wants to be helped," Rias thought as she held on the train cars door.

"Just whatever you do, don't scare him away, ok?" Sirzechs leaned in so only she could hear.


Issei sat in a booth on the far end of the train, he wasn't really comfortable with any of them yet. He didn't hate any of them, but he had mixed feeling on all of them. Kiba was alright, he was the only other male here, he seemed alright. The white hair girl didn't talk much but she seemed to leave him alone. Issei was not a fan about the girl named Akeno, she reminded him of painful memories, she acted too much like his old master. And then there was his current master, he didn't really know what to think about her, she was kind and wanted to help him, he could see that but he could also see she had no idea to work with him. He was going to take a nap, he really didn't care where they were going until he overheard a conversation about school.

"I wish we didn't have to return so soon, there is sooo much to do for tomorrow"

"Ufufu, you think Sona would allow us to skip?"

"You know the answer to that Akeno since she took over Kuoh Academy, it has only been more strict," Kiba said as he brought tea to the girl's table.

They were all surprised when Issei suddenly appeared beside them and was actually looking at them, not his usual cloudy self.

"Where are we headed?"

They were all surprised to hear his voice, they were shocked at how dry and lifeless it was but never said anything.

"We a-are headed to Kuoh, why do you know it?" Rias asked, hoping this was her chance to gain some insight as to what produced his circumstances. She knew everything about her peerage, but Issei was a book in a foreign language, the words were there but only he could read it to her.

"I used to live there" that was the last they spoke to him for the rest of the train ride, but as he walked away Rias could have sworn she saw a tear in his eye.

'Who are you Issei?'


A/N: OK well here we are again, yeah this chapter is overdue but I have been really busy getting ready for College. I move out this month so life has been crazy in a good way. Anyway on to the story, so what do you guys think, Rias now controls Issei and Issei has a new master, though it will be nothing like he is used to. the rest of the crew has met Issei and has formed their own opinions of him, however only Kiba's opinion was voiced, (I want to put some more thought into Akeno's and Koneko's). Now about the poll. I messed up, when I made it I thought it was already applied to my profile, it wasn't until the day after where I learned how to actually pin it to my profile. So while a lot of you voiced your opinion in other ways (which I am happy to see people still want to read), I am going to leave the poll up until next chapter. Last time I gave a definite time when I was going to upload another chapter, and I failed by . . . 5 days. I am never going to post on a schedule, but I will try to put out a chapter a week, but it might not happen. Well, that's that, I don't know whats going to happen in the coming months but I will continue to write as much as possible. Lastly I wanted to say thank you, over 50+ people followig and almost that many favoriting this story. I never thought the story would go this far so I just wanted to say thank you! As always if you have any questions ask away, feel free to review and Cya peeps.