Thanks a bunch for the reviews!
-Noctis Lucius Dragneel
-Mahesvara
-xxOblivionxxx
-Yoshida-kun (Welcome back ;v;)
-Guest

Thank you for the 50 follows ;-; I remember achieving this number of followers in after writing 16 chapters in the first story, and I am deeply moved kind sirs and ladies ;-;

Thank you very mucho ;u;

Before you read, I just want to say yes. Issei is a second character in this story, but it doesn't mean he won't get any screen time and pitifully being killed off for no reason but to give more harem to the OC. No. Hell to the naw. Also, I've been rethinking, and Issei actually will have more girls that'll fall for him.

Now then, without further ado,

LET'S A-GO! Wait no. That's Mario's catchphrase.

ENJOY!


Death's Journey: Smokes and Shadows


Chapter Seven

||The First of Many||


Death had smiled to many people. Women, men, girls, boys, all of them without prejudice.

However, when he first saw her... his heart smiled for the first time.


"Issei...you're...Boosted Gear?" Mio muttered a series of a jumbled words in under her breath, spoken so lightly like a soft whisper. Naruse Gremory watched as an armor of brilliant crimson scales clad Issei's whole body. Her amazement was transparent, and her warm pink eyes were wide open to serve as a good prove. She was happy, as might be expected. Who wouldn't when you realize your servant houses an entity of great power that can kill a god?

But yet, she was afraid. Issei was her servant, and a friend if he considered her as one. The monster had shown its astounding and unbelievable durability so far, and Mio, aside from the lore she was told when she still slept with her parents, had close to no idea of what Issei or the Red Emperor Dragon could do.

It wasn't just her who was astounded by Issei's sudden transformation, and-or his draconic warcry, everyone were as well. Even Koneko who was still crying bitter tears with her sister laying unconscious in her arms.

Mio's gaze remain fixated on her one and only Pawn, belittled yet very happy to see Issei was very much alive after receiving that direct hit.

"A DRAGON?" assumed the monstrosity, sounding more pleased than disgruntled by the red crimson armor. Its four, pupil-less eyes carefully studying the scale mail, and it then formed two wicked grins. "HAHAHAHA— GOOD. A DECENT CONTENDER AT LAST."

The crude words didn't fail to tore a piece of the Devils' pride, and they clenched their teeth hard and hands balled into rock-hard fists.

Two emeral green lights emitted from the armor's eyesockets, glowing brightly for a moment before it then dimmed, but there was anger, and a cloak of benevolent crimson aura hovered around Issei's body.

Nobody knew that Issei had lost his consciousness, and that the one controlling his body was none other than the Red Emperor Dragon himself.

Issei, or rather, Ddraig let flow a terrifying roar, for after hundreds of years, he was finally freed. Well, not really. His soul was still trapped within the boy's body, and after the battle ends, he would probably lose control. But for now, taking control was more than satisfying for him, and Ddraig was eager to let loose of his power, though he fully understood he couldn't get careless, as Issei's physical prowess had not reached the point where he could go all out.

Nevertheless, the armor advanced, leaping ahead with even greater speed than any of Rias' Knights, leaving visible trails of crimson light for the Devils to see and marvel.

The unknown creature didn't just stand there, obviously. It dashed forward, and the collision of the two great power was imminent. Then a booming voice came from the crimson scale armor.

"(BOOST!)"

Bright orange sparks flew into the night air as the armor traded blows with the monster. Each successful punches resulted in a crude shook of air and an agonizing wail from the monster. In return, it gradually chopped a bit of the armor in each of its brutal slashes.

The armor howled, not in pain but in excitement and the rapid adrenaline that empowers the strikes and blows.

"(BOOST!)"

They battled for a full fifteen seconds, whereas the Devils could only watch in amazement, and feeling disparaged as they came to realize they were no match for any of those two powerful entities. But it was not the time to woe and despair; one of them were injured, and one of them was crying over her sister.

"Onee-sama! Onee-samaaaa!"

She hadn't paid any attention at the ongoing clash-her ears had turned deaf to the sounds of colliding steels. Koneko's vision blurred as her tears had yet to stop flowing down.

Desperately, she shook her sister, hoping, pleading that by doing so would wake her. The girl was ready to die, but she wasn't ready to see other's dying. Especially not her sister.

"Onee-sama... Please wake up... Onee-sama!" She continued to wail, not once glancing at anywhere else but her sister's face. She feared she won't be able to see her sister's eyes anymore, and her chest was beating so hard it hurts her. "Kuroka...Neesama..."

The battle continued to spur, not heeding the lament of the white-haired Devil. The armor had lost a good proportion of its chest, and Issei's track suit was exposed. On the other hand, the being was missing two of its left arms, and the stumps were gushing out the same black tar that had now drenched its body and the crimson armor with its thick black color. In a glance, the Dragon seemed to have the upper hand.

"Koneko..." a soothing voice of a whisper came behind her. As Koneko felt a light touch on her left shoulder, she tensed, and her sobbing paused momentarily before it then continued. She knew it was her master's palm, although she didn't turn her head around to see, Koneko knew it was Rias; having learnt Senjutsu can be pretty convenient at times.

"...It's not safe here." Rias said, softly. "Let's bring her so we can treat her, okay?"

Koneko shivered, sniffling as she looked back at her sister. Her intricate black kimono was torn apart on its chest part and the stomach, but unbelievably still covered her private parts, much to Issei's disappointment—if he was still conscious. There was a still bleeding scar on her stomach, and it was still sizzling in unworldly flame.

"...Neesama..." Koneko sobbed, but she stood up nonetheless.

It was then Kojiro made his entrance, towering both Rias and Koneko with his 181cm stature, which still was a few centimeters shorter than his brother. But despite that, he was a full head taller than Rias.

Not like his height mattered anyway.

He crouched, and gently lifted Kuroka into his arms as he stood. He followed Rias and Koneko to where Asia was healing Kiba, whose wounds had sealed, but was yet to regain his strength. He was alive, nonetheless, and it greatly relieved Rias, as well as everyone else.

Issei would too, if he wasn't being controlled by someone else— someone who truly knows how to fight.

The terrible monster leapt backwards, distancing itself away from the scale mail-as the light particles gathered in in front of its head, in between those two incorrectly positioned mouths.

"(BOOST!)"

Ddraig wouldn't have that, and he zoomed in, and sent his crimson gauntleted, stone-hard fist up to send a devastating uppercut on the monster's jaw. The attack connected with a loud, cracking sound of a dislocated, and possibly, broken jaw.

"GRRRAAHH!" It howled in pain as it doubled unto the air. Some of its jagged teeth flew by. It landed so disgracefully, and disturbingly gory as a particular, fine, and conveniently placed steel beam pierced the back its neck, popping out a few bones and more gooey blood. The creature gurgled, choking as its blood filled the mouths, and lungs if it had any. It went silent shortly after that.

The dark clouds emitted a low guttural growl, a sign that the second rain of spring was about to fall. But the sky was darker, and it looked ominous with the huge spiraling pattern.

It's over... thought the Devils. It was the toughest battle they had so far. Finally...

Beads of water fell off the clouds, tickling her light skin and bringing a certain cold sensation as Mio ran towards her Pawn, the unforeseen hero of the day, worried and proud of him.

But before she could lay a finger on him, the armor disappeared, and Issei collapsed.

"Issei!" Mio cried, running towards her exhausted Pawn. At first, Mio shook Issei gently, but as she received no response from the unconscious boy, she shook him harder, and a bit violent, might I add. Her bountiful pair resting directly on his face. This was something Issei would come to regret if he was told he had missed such an invaluable opportunity.

"...Mmmf..." Issei groaned in a muffled voice. His eyes were closed, sometimes twitching, and he was fine.

Mio exhaled, "...Thank goodness.." she uttered, and stopped torturing the boy as she averted her attention towards the supposedly dead monster.

They knew, for a fact, the creature they fought earlier was not a worldly entity. If it was a Devil, they, or at least the proficient ones, would have sensed its demonic presence. It was a monster, an outsider of this world, either that or a demon they had never knew existed. Well, whatever it was, it was dead, and no other life was lost.

It was what they thought, at least. Until they heard another of those perilous, booming laughter that echoed too loudly under the night.

"GUHAHAHA- IMPRESSIVE. VERY IMPRESSIVE INDEED." It said. Repulsive, crunching noise and slippery, gooey noise resounded as it jerked its neck. No creatures should survive that kind of wound, yet it stood firmly. As though the injuries did not hamper its will to fight even a little bit. "I COMMEND YOUR PERFORMANCE. BUT NOW ALL OF YOU MUST DIE."

"—?! Again?! What do we have to do to kill this thing!" Rias bemoaned, "Spread out everyone! Mio, take care of Issei! Akeno, we'll provide cover from above!"

Akeno gave a nod. Her face serious and calm. The yellow sparks in her hand slowly growing intense. "Hai Buchou."

The clock struck 10:40 by the time it prepared yet another attack. It was bigger this time-a whole lot bigger, and the trembling of the air and the shuddering of the ground shown the big difference from the its previous trademark attack.

The Devils sprayed in all directions. Kojiro had taken refuge behind a stray building, along with Koneko and an unconscious Kuroka in his arms. Asia still accompanying Kiba, and they were already in a safe position, hidden behind several walls and underneath the cover of shadows. Satellizer headed to Asia, ready to assist them in case that creature shot the beam at their direction. Mio, using a little bit of her demonic power, lifted Issei from the ground and carried him away with her.

The King and her Queen flew high up in the air, and launched a shower of blue thunders and crimson unholy spheres upon the creature who took it all without even trying to avoid.

Rias gritted her teeth. Her spirit wavered as did her strength. What should she do?

"...Impossible... What is that thing..?" Akeno uttered, her chest rising in her bated breathing. She looked very displeased with her rare scowl.

Blood came gushing out from its new wounds, bathing its gigantic figure in its own black blood. Yet it didn't show any noteworthy response but a slight wince of its four eyes.

"{Stygian Isolation.}"

Then came another voice. A hollow baritone that would be terrifying if not for its solemn tone and the calmness it carried. It was spoken right before the unworldly being released its devastating beam, and as the moment it shot the massive ball of light, the shadows around the severed monster created a wall in less than a split second, completely covering the monster inside its dome-shaped prison.

For a moment the Devils saw all of its iris-less eyes widened in fear, as if recognizing the voice, and its imminent death.

Before the beam blasted, black, solid shadow engulfed the explosion that occurred right after. It was a perfect seal, and not even a glimmer of light could seep through the black matter, as though it was created to contain any objects—like the thing attacking the Devil earlier.

It vanished, slowly as though being swept by the chilling wind. As the black sphere faded completely, there was nothing left of that monster. No blood, no bones, no remains, no nothing. Its own ferocious attack had decimated its own body, and Death claimed yet another soul of a corrupt god.

At first, the Devils were all in a total silent. Correction— everything but the drizzling rain was silent, with a few rumbling sound of the fluffy beasts up above. They were relieved, shocked, stupefied, and confused. There was a figure— a figure of a man standing beside where the black spherical prison once appeared, and where the had-been monster once stood, charging its light-beam, but was never able to fire the said beam.

Who is he? They wanted to ask, but nobody ever said a word, let alone an answerable question. It was as though a cat had stolen all of their tongues, and kept it hidden somewhere on earth just for the fun of it.

Mio was the first to make a question, or make a voice for that mattered.

"...Shinjiro-san?"

The figure waved a hand, lazily and almost slow in motion. Although there was a small smile gracing his lips. "Yo."


Break


Sunday morning and the rain continued to fall. The flowers were overjoyed, dancing cheerily under the morning thunders. The leaves on the trees swayed left and right like a backup dancer for the flowers. The sky was dim, as the fluffy beasts hid the sunlight well and wholly. The howling winds often of times knocked the windows and doors, but nobody would ever let them in.

—It was actually a typhoon, as said in the weather report. But any kinds of day is a sunny day if it isn't sunny. In other words, Seifer hates the sun. No— He loathes it. If it wasn't such an important fundamental for this world, he would had sent that ball of blazing hydrogen to another galaxy far, far away. But then it would not only destroy earth and many life, it would also upset its creator—whoever god it was. Although he was a god himself, he should respect other's creations.

He didn't get the usual sleeping hours, thanks to last night's incident with a meek god, but his day was somewhat pretty good so far. Who knows a storm do brightens someone's day?

Sadly, Asuka, Asia, and Yuki felt the complete opposite.

The startled girls wore their blankets like they would wear a cowl, cowering in fear, shuddering and sometimes "meep"ing as they shut their eyes after every bright flash. They were adorable, yes, but Seifer felt more like pitying them rather than showering them with praises by how cute and innocent they could be.

Another flash, and the girls held each other tighter as they braced themselves for the thunder to come. Yuki whined a cry-like whine as she desperately dug for more cover and warmth and protection.

The thunder exploded like a firework, but an unpleasant kind of firework, and a much louder one. As though it set off just outside the house. Certainly wasn't pleasant at all for the girls as they all shrieked.

Seifer, who casually sat upon another sofa, now showing any damn at the storm nor the annoying banging on the windowpane, watched the newscast with low interest.

"—we predict the current storm will subside at around ten and twelve o'clock local times. For the time being, we really suggest to not leave your homes and keep your windows and doors shut."

His eyes trailed to check the clock. Still two more hours. He counted, somewhat displeased by the forecast. Not because it means the girls had to brace it for a couple more hours, but because he knew the damn yellow orb would rise after the storm. Because there always is a sunshine after a rain.

Okay, maybe he was also displeased because of the first reason; he hated to see the girls like this. But the latter annoyed him more. He could cheer the girls, maybe by using some playful remarks or whatever, but he couldn't 'upset' the sky without breaking the natural order. A god does have his limitations.

Yesternight, a god broke that limitations. No gods should ever be allowed to cross the boundaries between realms, and if they did so without The Creator or any of His six children's permission, for example, Death himself, they shall be condemned to death. Just like the Devil's case with Stray Devils, but the gods' version of that particular issue.

Anyway, another flash and loud crackling noise tore through the horizon. Soon enough, the girls' scream of terror and Yuki's petrified whining would follow.

"H-Hauu... Neesan... I'm scared..." confessed Asia, with a pout and an expression that would turn Azrael's face into a tomato— if he wasn't sleeping.

Asuka stammered, "I-I know... Me too Asia... M-Me too... But don't worry! I'll keep you safe Asia-chan!"

The lightning crackled.

The girls screamed.

Seifer stifled a laughter.

Azrael still slept like a rock in his room.

How could he still be asleep in this kind of weather? Not even Death knows. Perhaps it is a trait known as the "heavy sleeper". Seifer reckoned it would took an Apocalypse or two to simply wake his brother up.

"...Mu..." sounded a disheartened Asuka, holding onto Asia with her dear life. The latter did the same, and Asia was on the verge of crying. A white pup snuggled in between the two, as terrified as the two girls were.

He found it funny at the first few thunders. Their girly squeals and their cute facial expression. But as it happened more often than desired, he actually got pent up with it, and was hating himself for wanting the storm to end.

"Girls." Seifer pipped, but not quite heeded by either of them as they were still deep in each other's embrace. He didn't give up yet, though. "Oi, girls." He said again, this time peculiarly louder.

Still no response.

Well, he wasn't known as someone persistent anyway, so Seifer just sighed, half-dejectedly and half-tiredly. He still wanted to regain those precious and lost hours of sleep. But nevertheless, he left his seat, leaving the girls to be girls.

Not ten minutes later, which felt like an eternal wait for the two girls, and maybe the pup, Seifer returned with a glass on his right hand and two more on his left. Thin, wispy-like steam floating, and almost dancing above the circle mugs. The delicious and sweet aroma of a well-prepared and hot chocolate immediately, and easily gained the girls whole attention— and Yuki was no exception.

Sadly for her, chocolate is toxic for dogs, and too bad Seifer held a fair amount of knowledge required as a responsible dog owner.

Peeking through their closely-shut eyes, Asuka and Asia peered questioningly upon the whirling pool of hot, liquid cocoa. Suddenly, they weren't so terrified of the brewing storm anymore.

"Umm... Are those for us?" Asuka dared, swallowing her saliva that had been pooling inside her mouth for quite a moment.

Seifer's warm brown eyes traveled around his eyelid, in other phrase; Seifer rolled his eyes. Now you notice eh...? He thought with a light chuckle and a thin smile. Damn girls...

"Yeah." He nodded anyway.

Asuka smiled brightly, and Asia soon followed her sister's footsteps.

"Thank you Onii-san!"

"Thank you very much Shinji-san!" exclaimed Asia with a bright smile of her own.

The two wrapped their hands around the glass in glee and with enough care to not spill any unnecessary droplets upon his rug. Thankfully for him... He secretly loves the fuzzy feeling of the wool whenever he stepped or rubbed his feet against it, and cleaing the rug means no fuzzy feelings for at least a week. He doubted he could survive that.

Both girls sipped the deliciousness, unintentionally making a brief but not unnerving slurping noises as they did. Seifer watched with a thin smile as the girls' face radiated in delight, and the bright smiles of the two that he had wanted to see finally arose. The girls loved it —it was no secret.

"Uwaaahhh~" Asuka uttered, smiling as she savored the perfect mix of sweetness and the melting sensation inside her mouth. "...It's sooo good..."

"Hauu~ It's very delicious..." Asia followed, huffing a warm breath as her fear of the prowling thunders subsided. "So this is how hot chocolate tastes like..."

There was, oddly, bitterness in her voice, and both Seifer and Asuka noticed it.

"Huh?" Asuka said, with a little frown. "You never tried one?"

Asia shook her head. "No." She admitted. Her small lips forming a small, upside-down smile. "I haven't." But in the next instant, her trademark sincere and radiant smile made a return as she said, "But now I have! And I love it very much!"


Break


As the weather-forecaster had stated, the storm calmed, and much to his slight childish anger, the sun awoke.

Seifer, and everyone who were in his household, headed to Kuoh Academy's Old School Building. Asuka thought they went here because of what she had said to him, that she wanted to be a Devil, to use her power to help and protect her friends. Despite her appalling appearance, she knew her strength, and she had went through hellish training to know her strength is not something to be shrugged at.

Nonetheless, she was glad he didn't scold her or even treated her as though she was some outcast. He still treated her as he always had six years ago; caring and kind, and sometimes, annoyingly teasing.

Little did she know, the reason behind their unusual visit to the Devils was because of the agreement he made not long after his last night encounter with the Stray God, and the Devils. Obviously, the Devils grew tense at his presence, and they had a very good reason to act this wary; he was not a normal man.

Of course, he could decide to not to come, but even if he did, the Devils won't stop bugging him. So why bother the inevitable?

Presently, Seifer's small but lively group had taken a seat on the luxurious Victorian sofas. Asia stood beside Kojiro behind the sofa where Seifer and Asuka were sitting at.

On the same-modeled sofa in front of them, perched a beautiful crimson-haired Devils, staring at the man and the girl ahead of them with slight confusion. Rias remained collected and under Seifer's unperturbed gaze. A Japanese beauty stood behind her, along with the male blonde Knight. Seifer guessed these two are Rias' most trusted consorts.

The rest of the Devils stood at somewhere else around the room, but there was no sight of that one little Nekomata, that perverted boy, the other crimson-haired beauty, and the beautiful blonde foreigner. He also briefly wondered why the Devils wore their standard school uniform. He knew for sure their wardrobe wasn't limited, but then again, he wasn't in the mood to guess.

"Kawamura-kun," Rias began, referring to the eldest of the Kawamuras. "do you mind telling us who you truly are?"

"A man...?" Seifer said, even more transparent than the question itself.

"Don't dissuade from answering the truth. No normal man can do what you did last night."

Hearing this, Asuka tensed up, and wordlessly looked at the man beside him. L-Last night...? She thought, obviously having the wrong assumption. D-Did Onii-san...? W-With R-Rias-senpai...?

A sigh. "Straight to the point are you...?" billowed Seifer. His tone lacked interest, but Rias showed little of concern. Asuka, however, at least she tried to not look concerned. "Well... How to put this simple..." The young man then said, half to himself.

Asuka couldn't quite grasp what they were talking about, and why Rias asked that vague question. She decided to keep silent, however, and wait for the answer. Not rarely glancing a secret glance upon the handsome blonde guy, "The Prince of Kuoh", Kiba himself.

Seifer's head tilted forward in a dull angle. Few brown strands swayed over his eyebrows. After a dramatically long blink, he looked at Rias. "I am..." he uttered in a low voice, pausing for the intended dramatic effect. "...what you would say..."

For a reason, Rias' heartbeat paced faster, and her eyes widened expectantly under the unbearable wait.

"...as someone who has forgotten his own epithet."

In just a sentence, he killed off the mood. Moreover with the awkward scratching noise as Seifer was scraping the imaginary itch on his cheek. Deep inside, Azrael tried his best not to laugh at his brother's marvelous bullshitting. And he knew it wasn't the first of many white lies that had came out from that silver-tongue.

"I don't really care." He continued, shrugging. The casualness of his voice had returned. It was apparent that he was not bothered by the Devils' skeptical stares. "I know I'm a man. I'm pretty sure."

"I-I see..." Rias said. She couldn't believe such a well-looking male could be so carefree. How can he not care about who he is? Is he lying? such was her honest disbelief. "How did you know where we were last night then...?"

Poor Asuka continued to have the wrong surmises, her head was going dizzy.

"Was looking for my brother and his girl." answered the young male. Both Kojiro and Asuka went red at this, much to his amusement. "Thought they were doing something shady behind my back..."

At this, Rias sighed, rather disappointingly as she placed her hand above her temples. "Is that so..." She thought for a bit, before she continued to ask him. "I'm certain you know of us Devils, don't you?"

"I suppose." Seifer said, hunching his shoulders.

"Then you are aware we have seen various magic and illusions." Rias said. Seifer nodded, an "uh-huh" accompanying his acute gesture. "So why is yours so different? And why can't I sense your talent?"

"Because you have never seen my... magic or something, doesn't mean it never existed. I don't usually display them, you see... As there are always consequences from doing so." said the young man, and this time, there was some truth in it. "And talent...? You say... Well..."

"Can't a man live in peace?" Unavoidably, he had shown a vulnerable smile, which was quickly replaced by a mild and gentle smile as he realized what he was doing. Nobody noticed, luckily for him.

Rias quieted. In a sense, the man was right, and she couldn't say more without feeling slight guilt. It is her who insisted her sister to take both Kojiro and Asia as her peerage, and by doing so, Rias had meddled with this man's life. The same man who had arguably saved her entire peerage long hours ago. Still, there was a small hope lingering within her.

A slight selfish hope of wanting this man to be her Bishop.

Seeing her lack of reaction, but easily sensing her small ill-intent, Seifer sighed. "So." He cooed, looking around the eccentric room that gave him an impression that he was inside a cult. "Where's Ise?"


Break


Ah... I'm here again...

Issei thought, and oddly enough, he heard his own thought out loud.

He was back at that jaded empty space, where nothing but total darkness reigned. He was sure he wasn't in his dream; his dreams should be filled with women, girls, plenty of boobettes and various ecchiness that pleases him, and not this... boring abyss.

"(I see you have awaken, brat.)"

Then the voice resounded. Its deep baritone echoed throughout the darkness, like an echo inside a small, empty room. It cringed Issei's ears for a moment, and it was unpleasant.

"Where am I?" asked Issei, curious and confused. He wasn't dead, so that was certainly pleasant to know.

"(In a plane that resides between reality and fantasy.)"

A dubious "Huh?" was all that Issei could manage to say. He heard a menacing sigh before it spoke.

"(You are fast asleep in the real world, and you are dreaming in your dream, but your whole conscience is here.)"

Issei scrunched his brown eyebrows, and the voice remained silent, as if letting him to think in peace.

"...What?"

In anime, there would be a large, white slug going down on Ddraig's head, oftentimes refereed as "sweat drop" by many people. And there was. "(...Nevermind. I forgot you are a twit.)"

A tick mark appeared upon Issei's forehead. Who was he calling him a 'twit'? A pervert he could accept, but a 'twit'? That was too pushy of his almighty.

"Fine. Call me what you want-" the boy yelled, completely forgetting that he was supposed to be more agitated, but something was telling him it wouldn't be wise. "-but at least tell me who you are?"

"(Gufufu- Perhaps it is time to show myself to you.)" As if on cue, a giant, tall, humongous figure emerged from the darkness, and the looming shadows scattered all over as Issei was graced by the presence of a large, menacing Dragon. "(Prepare to be amazed, shitty brat.)"

Issei, with a dumbfound expression, glanced at its brilliant crimson scales. He then looked up, and saw sharp, but neatly arranged teeth poking out from the Dragon's mouth. He gulped. He spared another look at his sharp talons, and shuddered as the talon itself was as large as him.

Not being more agitated was indeed the correct choice. He thanked himself for that.

For a reason, however, Issei decided to poke the Dragon's shiny scale. It was hard, and sturdy. Like a shell of a giant clam. "..." Despite that, Issei pinched his cheek. It hurt. "Ow." Then he looked around, as if looking for something. Something like a door that would lead to a toilet.

The Dragon's head was at one side, and it appeared rather addled by the boy's act. "(...What are you doing? I told you this exist between your reality and dream...)"

"...I know...but..."

"(But?)"

Issei gave out an awkward laughter. "I kinda have to pee you know...? I mean- I'm just a boy. Seeing a giant Dragon like you standing in front of me is kinda... Overwhelming for my bladder..."

"(...We'll talk another time...)" sounded a low voice, brimming with just a slight hint of utter disappointment and disgust. "(I can't allow an insipid to tarnish my land. Shoo.)"


Break


A pair of hazel eyes flickered open as Issei finally regained his whole consciousness. For some reason, he felt a bit sore in some of his body parts. It felt as though he had went through a horrible massage. The next thing he noticed, was that he was not sleeping on his bed, and he was not in his apartment. His bed should feel more "bulkier" due to the many "stuffs" hidden beneath it, and his apartment doesn't smell this good.

After that, Issei shifted his head a bit to his left, where there he saw two pillows oddly squeezing each other and was covered under a soft, red fabric. Since when are there bun-shaped pillow? he briefly wondered, not aware that those "pillows" belonged to the glorious chest of his own master, covered underneath a loose, pineapple yellow tank-top.

As he heard a whisper-like noise, Issei looked up, and lo and behold, he saw Naruse Mio's sleeping face for the first time.

She looked so peaceful, and that made him scream in immense shock. No wonder he was feeling so content, he was sleeping next to a GIRL. An actual, breathing, very-much-alive, healthy, girl! And not just any girl, she was his master!

"W-WUAAAHHHH?!"

Clumsily, he fumbled down the bed. If that didn't wake Mio up, his head hitting the floor with a loud and marvelous "THUD" should.

"Mmmn...?" The crimson-hair made a slow noise, very pleasant for his ears to hear, but not so for his thundering heart that galloped like a warhorse. "...Oh...Did you wake up already...? How are you feeling...?"

Took him a while for his brain to register Mio's concernful words. Took him even longer to snap out of his daze.

"Issei-kun?" She called unto him, slowly and almost sensually climbing off the bed to have a close look to his bewildered Pawn. "Are you alright?"

It was remarkable enough for him to see Mio being dressed in such a dangerously loose outfit, but seeing her bending over to him, exposing too much of her assets was just too much. Far too much for his perverse mind to lodge. Way far too much for his nose to contain all of the blood that rushed to his head.

Animely, red blood burst out from his nostrils as his head jerked back due to the vast flow.

I saw it... he thought, one fist reaching triumphantly at the ceiling. I finally saw it...

Motohama... Matsuda... I finally saw it...

A girl's nipple in real life... I finally saw it... With my very eyes...

His stretched hand fell limply to the floor, numb.

I saw it...

...Guh...

Meanwhile, as Issei was happily dying, with a panicked Mio continuously shaking him and conjuring some spells to stop the fountain of blood from flowing.

"Issei-kun?! Issei-kun!? What's wrong?! Why is your nose bleeding! Issei-kun! Wake up!"


Break


Koneko couldn't care if her sister was a Stray Devil who killed their previous master. True, she was angry and mad at her, because after their former master's assassination, she had been living in a hellish reality. She was shunned from society, mocked relentlessly by the Devils, bullied until she had lost her entire confidence in herself, and even hunted by other Devils.

But no matter what her sister had caused to her, she was still her sister, and Koneko would be lying to herself if she said she didn't care about her. It was impossible for her to not to. Kuroka was her one and only family she had. Moreover, she protected her from certain death, and yesterday, she might lose her.

Thankfully, she didn't.

"We'll deal with her after she wakes up. Be careful Koneko, she might be your sister, but she is an SS-Class Stray. I don't want you to get hurt."

Upon remembering her master's words, Koneko cast a somber gaze at her sister. She was glad Rias was kind enough to allow her to take care of her sister, but afterwards, after she woke up, Koneko wouldn't know on what to do. That was why Rias' introverted female Knight was positioned with her; to prevent anything unwanted from happening.

It had been excruciating hours of waiting, wishing for her sister to show her caramel eyes for her and the world to see. It had been so long and Koneko's bottoms were starting to ache; the wooden chair was nowhere near as comfortable as those Victorian couches.

Despite that, her senior, Satellizer, didn't say anything of complaint, and she remained awake through the whole night. But her silent treatment was unnerving even for the apathetic Koneko herself. There was a chilling air around her, and it kinda scared her a little.

Then a faint and weak voice caressed her ears and heart in relief.

"...Ngh..."

Her golden eyes fluttered, and Koneko was saddened at how tired those eyes were. She tried to say a word, but she couldn't think of any, and it frustrated her.

"Shirone...?"


Chapter End


And CUT. *cue the scene clapper board to clap*

Hrm. I do hope the fight was well enough e_e...

By the way, the romance here won't be an insta-romance. By that, I mean like this: X gets saved by Y. X adores him, and says "You saved my life. I am truly grateful." *waddles waddles* (Plus 5 points if you get the reference.)

Absolutely no-pe. The characters will get steady development, and this time, I'll make sure to cover EVERYONE. No girls left behind like what happened in the previous story B-I And of course, so will the males with each other. (Why does this sound so wrong? e-e)

So if I ever forgotten about a character or two, which can happen in the future, remind me. M'kay? You can bash me, burn me with flames, lock me in a windowless cell with only one grain of rice for breakfast, but as long as you remind me about my mistake, I'll gladly accept it all.

Despite set in a serious tone, doesn't mean there won't be any light humors inside. And I'm sorry, you know. Because I can't really make hilarious scenes even if I try, but that doesn't mean I won't try. I will never stop trying. So prepare to be cringed. eve

That's all for now.

Thank you for reading, and have a nice day!


Oh! By the way, what do you think of a female Vali? Is that a yes or a big nope? This isn't something of much importance, though. The story will flow as the way it is meant to be, regardless of Vali's gender.