I DID IT GUYS, I DID IT! 100 REVIEWS FOR LESS THAN A MONTH! ALL I WANTED TO SAY IS THANK YOU GUYS FOR THIS! THANK YOU FOR THESE 100 REVIEWS. THANK YOU FOR STICKING WITH MY STORY! THANK YOU ALL! You are just awesome! I really wanted to make something special for this achievement, but nothing came to my mind... I'm just a poor little writer, writing for pleasure and entertainment *sniff sniff*. Anyways, thank you very much. All of you. Now, let's answer some anonymous reviews.
GUess - Thank you. It's nice to hear it.
Leto Okami - I'm not pretty sure why you reviewed so many times and why on different chapters... But I guess it's pointless to answer here...
LL - Kawaii, ne? (─‿‿─) I'm glad you think so. Normally I'm not good with cutesy moments. But it looks like I'm learning... Hummm, this will be kinda hard. Since, being honest, I'm not sure how Dulio actually looks like... So I guess I'll stick with the story. I don't know. As for Kuroka appearing early - I was already asked, but... I still don't know how to make it work. And being Issei's pet - this will fail since I have something planned. If I think of something, I'll add her early. But don't worry. She will be part of the harem. ;)
thero - I'm glad then. And no,they don't since their fight was when both of them were almost teens (11 - 12 years old). A lot of things can change for four years. Well, maybe I'll add flashbacks, but it's not for sure. I don't actually quite enjoy fights with flashbacks. Think of BorN, episode 12. There were, like, 5 or 6 flashbacks while Issei was fighting with Rias... So I may add, but it's not confirmed.
Guest L - I'm glad to read it. I hope that I'll be able to write more soon. Really? Man, I make so much mistakes... For example - my space key is a little fucked up and the words I want to separate come together... Or when write, like, siad instead of said or mad instead of made. I know how it's spelled, but I'm writing fast and... A lot of mistakes are made.
Umm, I think that's all. Sooo, I guess we shall begin, ne?
[Ddraig talking out loud]
[Ddraig talking to a person in the person's mind]
[Figure name]
*Action, Background action, Ability action.*
"Speech"
'Thought'
Flashback
{[Scene Break/Start/End]}
Disclaimer: I don't nor I will ever own Highschool DxD or it's characters. It belongs to Ichiei Ishibumi.
ENJOY!
{[Scene Start]}
Three days passed since the beginning of the training. Due it, Rias's Peerage became a lot stronger. Three days since Issei began training Koneko in using Senjutsu. Through the three days, the whole team was only training and training, and on the end of the days they were taking baths. And every night - Issei was dragged with the girls. Lucky, eh?
It was the fourth day. Rias and her whole Peerage were all in a big room while Rias was explaining about the 'Rating Game' and the war between the three fractions,also known as 'The Great War'.
"...The Great War was between God and his Angels, the Fallen Angels and us, the Devils. God send his Angels to destroy us, Devils, since we are sinners or 'Evil Creatures' as some call us. However, this is not always true. We are not always evil. We can also enjoy piece. Anyways, the Fallen Angels were commanded by their Governor, the First Fallen Angel to ever exist. He died in the Great War however, and his son, Azazel inherited his throne. Even if the Angels are considered as God's right hand, they still have some... Impure ideas. And so, they are banished from Heaven. So they fall from the Heaven, through the Earth, to Hell." Rias was explaining.
"And so, the Angels and the Fallen Angels attacked the Devils, while they fought with eachother as well. The war was long and ended with no winners whatsoever. The four great Maous were killed. So the Hell was in crisis. Then, new Maous came. My brother - Sirzechs, Serafall, Ajuka and Falbium. After the Great War, the Devils came closer to the eternal life, but it became harder to breed. So now, the Devils get power from the humans, humans that become Devils." Rias finished.
"How long do you actually live?" Issei asked.
"Around 10 000 years. But don't worry. We can change our appearances." Rias said with a wink.
"10 000? Huh." Issei said.
"What?" Rias asked confused.
"Nothing, nothing. I just got depressed." Issei said with a sigh.
"Why?"
"Well, you have only 10 000 years to live, while I will live at least 100 000 000 years." Issei sighed again. As the others heard that, they froze on their places.
"100 000 000 years?" Rias asked shocked. "Is this how much the dragons live?!"
"Practically. Unless somebody kills us, but this is VEEERY hard to do..." Issei said. "Anyways, sorry for the interrupt. Please continue."
"R-Right. So, about the 'Rating Games'. They were born from the arguments between the Devils. When the [Evil Piece] system was created, Devils started to argue about their servants and if they are stronger than the servants of the other Devils or not. That's how the 'Rating Games' began. Game in which the Peerages test their skills and strength. Nowadays it can be used to solve conflicts as well. Just like our case right here." Rias said.
"The [King] gives special abilities to his [Evil Pieces], depending on their role as a [Piece]." Rias finished. "So, do you understand what will we do?" The whole team just nodded at Rias. "I say, let us have a little break. The whole day is in front of us." Rias said with smile.
"I'll make some tea." Akeno said and stood up.
"Asia, Issei," Rias turned to Issei and Asia. "I have some questions to you. Asia, as a former Nun you can tell us about the elements of the Exorcists, right?"
"Y-Yes." Asia said.
"Please do then." Rias smiled at Asia.
{[Scene Break]}
5 minutes later, Asia was in front of everyone with two objects in her hands. The first one was just a bottle of water. Holy water. The second one was a big and thick book. Bible.
"The Exorcists have a lot of methods for fighting with Devils. As you know, they can use swords of light or Exorcist bullets. However, there are more ways than that. The first method is the Holy Water. A single drop is needed to harm a Devil. It burns them."
"I plan on using it on Riser." Issei said.
"Issei, if you kill Riser, you will be in trouble." Rias said.
"Don't worry. I'll use just a little. Anyways, sorry for the interrupt, Asia. Please continue." Issei said as he turned to Asia again.
"Y-Yes. The other method is the Bible. The holiness of the Bible is like a poison for the Devils." Asia said. "Before, I used to read the Bible all the time, but now even one sentence from it brings me a terrible headache." Asia said and opened the book, trying to read from her. However, just after a second she shot her head up in pain. "Waaaa, why is this happening?" She whined.
"That's because you're a Devil now." Rias said.
"Yep. A Devil." Kiba said as well.
"...Devil." Koneko said.
"Definitely a Devil." Akeno finally said.
"But, but, this line is so beautiful!" Asia said and tried to read it again, but the same as earlier happened. Then she tried again, and again, and again but always with the same result. At that scene, everyone just sweatdropped.
"Is she acting or she just doesn't understand?" Kiba asked.
"No idea..." Issei replied.
{[Scene Break]}
After Asia was done, it was Issei's turn for answers.
"Now Issei, you said that you fought Riser before. Why don't you tell us about it?" Rias said.
"I don't think that this will be useful. It was 4 - 5 years ago. Both me and him were weaker then. And besides, I'm sure he trained at learned some new tricks." Issei said.
"And yet, there must be something that we can use. Please tell us about it."
"Alright. Alright. Well, it's a long story. It all started when I was send to train in the Underworld..." Issei began with his story.
{[Scene Break]}
Flashback start
A young boy, no older than 11 - 12 years old with white hair and red eyes was walking through the woods. The boy had a small backpack on his back and while walking, it was looking around the forest he was currently in. "The forest in the Underworld is beautiful." The boy said to himself. As he continued onward, he began talking to himself again. "I wonder where Tannin-sama is? He told me that he will wait for me here..." However, as he said that, he heard the quiet sobs of a girl. He started to look around again until he didn't found the source of the sobs.
Near a tree there was a young girl, no older than 10 - 11. It had blonde hair, tied in ponytails. The ponytails were made oddly. As if they were made with a drill. She was also wearing a long pink princess-type dress. The girl was sitting next to the tree, hugging her knees. She was crying. As the saw her, he quickly went to her.
"Hey, are you okay?" The boy asked, as he went to her. As the girl saw him, the first thing she did was to scream.
*Scream* "P-Pleas, don't hurt me! Help! HELP!" The girl was yelling.
"Hey! HEY! Stop! I'm not going to hurt you! Please stop yelling!" The boy said.
"Y-You win't hurt me? What are you doing h-here then?" The girl asked still scared.
"Well, right now, I'm searching for my Master. However, it looks like it's just another of his tests... What are YOU doing here?" The boy asked as he sat down next to the girl.
"M-My family wanted me to learn to control fire, but I didn't want to. I don't even want to fight. As I saw what the training would be, I escaped. However, I wasn't thinking where I'm going and I ended here. And I don't know how to get home!" The girl said, as she started to tear up.
"Oh no, this is terrible. Maybe I'll be able to help you?" The boy suggested.
"How would you be able to?" The girl asked.
"Let me show you." The boy said and went closer to her. He then started sniffing her. *Sniff* *Sniff* "I see. I know where we should go. Come on, follow me." The boy said.
"T-Thank you very much." The girl said as she rubbed her eyes. "Who are you?"
"My name is Hyoudou Issei." Issei said as he bowed down. "And you are?"
"M-My name's Ravel Phoenix." Ravel said as she bowed down as well. "Issei-san, thank you for your help."
"P-Please don't call me san... Just call me by my name." Issei said.
"T-Then how about Issei-sama?" Ravel asked. "Pleeeeeease?"
"If it's so important for you..." Issei said with a sigh. "Now then, shall we go, or-"
"STAY RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE, YOU SON OF A BITCH!" A boy perhaps 2 or 3 years older than Issei yelled. It was a tall boy with blonde hair and blue eyes. "STAY AWAY FROM MY SISTER!" The boy yelled again and jumped at Issei as he covered his hands with fire.
"No, wait, you misundersta-" Issei tried to explain, however the blonde boy punched him in the gut. Issei spitted some blood and then the blonde boy kicked him, sending him flying at tree. As Issei stepped on his feet, he just looked at the boy and narrowed his eyes. "Normally, I'm a pacifist, but this time..." Issei said and covered his hands in flames as well. "...I'll make an exception." Issei finished and launched towards the boy. They both started attacking eachother and deflecting eachother's attacks.
"Nii-sama, STOP!" Ravel tried to stop them. "He is-"
"I ALREADY KNOW, RAVEL! LET YOUR BIG BROTHER HANDLE THIS AND KILL THIS SICK PSYCHO THAT TRIED TO HARM YOU!" The blonde boy interrupted her.
"Tried to harm her? I didn't do shit to her, you useless yakitori!" Issei yelled at the boy.
"U-Useless, for this I'll fucking kill you!" The boy yelled again and launched himself at Issei again.
*Sigh* Issei just sighed. So he started to defend and deflect his attacks. After 5 minutes of this, Issei was sick of it. "Alright, that's it. It's time to end this. WATER!" Issei yelled and a giant water wave formed behind him. Then Issei used the wave against the blonde boy. As the blonde boy saw it coming, he tried to escape and barely did. As he was regaining his breath from the shock, he turned to Issei.
"HA! Is this all you go-" He began but was interrupted from Issei, punching him in the face.
"No. It was just a distraction." Issei said. And smacked him again, grounding him. Issei then went close to him and started talking. "You brought it on yourself. You attacked me first. So don't get angry, ne?"
"BASTARD! DIE!" The boy yelled as he began standing up again, fire forming in his hands.
"BOTH OF YOU, STOP THIS IMMEDIATELY!" A man yelled. As both Issei and the boy looked over at the man, they saw a tall, blonde man wearing a red suit. He had goatee and blue eyes. Just like the boy's. "Ravel, dear, are you alright?" The man asked after he went to Ravel.
"Father..." Ravel said and hugged him. "I'm sorry I ran away! I was scared!" Ravel apologized.
"You shouldn't apologize, Ravel. I forced you too much. I promise this will happen never again." The man said and turned to Issei. "As for you boy - thank you."
"Eh?" Issei asked confused.
"About finding my daughter. Thank you." The man said. "And for you, Riser..." The man said as he turned to the blonde haired boy, which also apparently was his son. "This is not what I taught you! You will be punished when we get home!"
"But dad, he wanted to harm my sist-" He tried to say, but Ravel slammed him.
"He wasn't, you idiot! That's why you must listen to me! I was trying to say that he wasn't doing anything!" Ravel said.
"Ummm..." Issei was just standing there, watching the scene in front of him.
"Riser, apologize, NOW!" His father ordered him.
"Urgh. I'm (mumble)" Riser said.
"Riser, say it louder!" His father ordered again.
"I said I'm sorry!" Riser said.
"Apology accepted." Issei said.
"But if I see you ever again, I'll kick your ass!" Riser said to Issei.
"RISER!" His father yelled.
"If you do it, then I won't hold back as much as I did today." Issei replied.
"ENOUGH!" Riser's father interrupted them again. "Boy, please tell me your name."
"Hyoudou Issei." Issei said as he bowed down.
"I see. Hyoudou-kun, thank you for your help and please excuse my intolerant son. He must be taught some manners."
"I accept it. But, uh... I really have to go now." Issei said.
"I see. Well, fare well then, Hyoudou-kun. I hope that our paths will cross again someday." Riser's father said with a smile.
"Yeah. Likewise." Issei said and went his way. While watching him leave, Riser was just gritting his teeth.
'Hyoudou... The next time I see you... You'll pay for this humiliation.' Riser thought.
"Now Riser, prepare for your punishment." His father said. Unfortunately words won't be enough to express the punishment and the screams of Riser, but they were terrible. Really terrible.
Flashback End
{[Scene Break]}
"... That's what happened 4 - 5 years ago." Issei said as he finished his story. This time the whole Peerage were just watching him normally. As if it wasn't who knows how big surprise.
"You know Ravel?" That was the first question that Rias asked.
"Umm... Yes. Why?" Issei asked.
"It's just... When Riser saw you, he looked like he was about to jump and kill you." Rias said. "But when his Peerage came, Ravel included, she looked like she never met you. Why is that?"
"Didn't you see her eyes?" Issei asked.
"No. What about her eyes?" Rias asked.
"They were... empty and cold. I think that Riser did it on purpose. If she doesn't remember me, she won't have any doubt of fighting against me."
"But, didn't you say that she can't fight?" Akeno asked this time.
"When somebody is brainwashed, they can forget their own names. So I won't be surprised if she is able now."
"Well, if that's all, let us all start training." Rias said to everyone.
"Yes." They all agreed.
{[Scene Break]}
1 hour later, Issei was with Koneko, training with her. His training with Akeno and Kiba ended quickly, so he went to train with Koneko. However, there was a change. Instead of fighting, Koneko was sitting on the grass with her legs crossed with closed eyes. Issei was next to her. He was doing the same. Instead of fighting, Issei was keeping his promise to Koneko. He was teaching her Senjutsu.
They stayed like this for a while just to calm themselves, however Koneko wasn't able to calm herself. "...Issei-senpai." She called Issei.
"What is it?" He asked with his eyes still closed.
"...I can't calm down." She said sadly.
"Well, let's see about that." Issei said and stood up. "Koneko-chan, collecting your Senjutsu aura is not hard. Concentrate. Gather natural energy from the natural around you and mix it with your own energy. Will you be able to do that?" Issei asked her. Koneko just nodded. She then started doing as said. After 30 seconds, Issei stopped her. "That's good Koneko-chan, stop." Issei said.
"...Issei-senpai?" Koneko asked.
"Go to the lake and see your reflection." Issei told her. She just nodded and did as he said. She went next to the close lake and took a look at herself. She saw that she made her cat ears and tail appear ans she turned into her Youkai form. "Koneko-chan, do you know how to use Touki?" Issei asked her. Koneko just shacked her head. "I'm not going to lie... It's going to be difficult." Issei said.
Koneko just looked down saddened. He however putted a finger under her chin and lifted her head. "But, I'm not going to give up. Until the end of that training, you WILL be able to use Senjutsu properly." Issei told her with determination is his eyes. Koneko just blushed and let out a soft smile. "Well then, are you sure that you want to continue?" Issei asked. Koneko just nodded.
{[Scene Break]}
4 hours later, Issei and Koneko's training was over. Not because Issei did his job, but because Koneko was exhausted. So exhausted that she actually fainted. So Issei carried her to her bedroom in the bridal style. As he got to her room, he carefully putted her on the bed. He tucked her and prepared to leave, but just as he did so, he saw that Koneko was hugging her pillow and was speaking in her dreams.
"...Onee-sama! Onee-sama, please don't go! Please don't leave me!" Koneko was saying in her dreams, as she just hugged the pillow tighter.
'Poor girl. I'm sorry for what happened to you, Koneko-chan.' Issei thought and went to fix her position on the bed. As fixed her position and tucked her in, he went to the door and opened it. "Goodnight, Koneko-chan." Issei said quietly and closed the door as he went out Koneko's room.
As Issei left Koneko's room, he went downstairs to the others.
"What happened to Koneko-chan?" Akeno asked as Issei went downstairs.
"Nothing. She is just exhausted. She will be fine." Issei replied.
"How is her training going by the way?" Rias asked.
"So far, so good. She is making fast progress, but she has to work a lot more. Even one Senjutsu attack is too much for her now, but she will get used to it." Issei said. "I also tried to train her in using Touki, but that appeared to be pretty hard for her. So I guess we'll just have to wait."
"Ara ara. Who would have thought that you're so good teacher, Issei-kun. Maybe I shall teach you some things. Ufufufufufufu." Akeno said in her normal teasing tone. Issei just blushed, while Akeno was just jiggling.
"Will Koneko-chan be okay?" Asia asked concerned.
"She will, Asia. Koneko-chan is strong girl." Issei told her.
"That's right. She's been through a lot. She will be fine." Rias added.
"I-I'm glad then." Asia said.
"Now then, it's already late. I suggest that we go to our beds already." Rias says.
"I don't have anything in mind." Issei said. And with that, they all went upstairs to their rooms, getting ready for the night.
{[Scene Break]}
It was almost midnight. Most of the members of Rias's peerage were already asleep, but Issei wasn't. So he stood from his bed and went down to the kitchen for a glass of water. As he did so, he saw Rias in a see-through pink gown walking down the stairs.
"Buchou?" He asked quietly.
"Ah, Issei. You're up as well?" Rias asked little surprised.
"Well, I wasn't able to sleep."
"Then, would you like to accompany me?" Rias asked.
"Accompany you? To where?" Issei asked.
"Just follow me." Issei did as said and followed Rias to an outside garden. There was a little penthouse in the garden. The penthouse was made out of wood and it was painted in white. There were two benches on it. On them, Rias and Issei sat.
"Buchou, what are we doing here?" Issei asked.
"I just wanted to show you these." Rias said and handed Issei a couple of papers.
"What is that?" Issei asked as he took the papers.
"All the information about the Phoenix we have." Rias said. Even if she tried to sound calm, Issei was able to feel the nervousness in her voice.
"Buchou, are you nervous about the fight?" Issei asked.
"Of course I am. No matter what you say, the Phoenix is an immortal flaming bird. Their regenerating power is big and they can also use fire. Definitely a strong opponent." Rias said.
"So it will be the fire of the Phoenix versus the fire of the Dragon, huh?" Issei asked himself.
"Yes. Just because he have more members than us - even this is big advantage. Let's just say that he can do whatever he wants on the Rating Game." Rias explained. "Even though, all of this seems stupid to me. Why must I marry right Riser? Why can't I chose somebody myself? Ahhh, dreams are something good, aren't they?" Rias asked Issei, trying to sound cheerful, but failing.
"Buchou, why are you against the idea to marry Riser? I agree that he's an asshole, but I believe that in the right hands, even he is able to change." Issei said.
"It's because I'm a Gremory." Rias simply said. "I'm not only Gremory, I'm also heir. So I must carry the good name of the family."
"Do you hate being a Gremory?" Issei asked.
"No, of course not. I'm proud to be Gremory. However, when people see me, they know me as 'Rias form the Gremory clan' and I don't want that. I want them to see me simply as Rias. That's why I came in the human world. Here, I'm seen not as a Devil, but person. I never felt like that in the Underworld. And that's why I don't want to marry Riser. If I marry him, he won't allow me to come here anymore and I'll be 'the heir of Gremory' again. On top of that, my precious Akeno, Koneko and Asia will belong to him as well." Rias didn't stop there however.
"That's why I don't want to accept Riser. He sees me as the heiress of the Gremory clan. He don't cares about me. I want to be with somebody that admires me and respects me for who I am. Rias Gremory."
"That's why I'm here, right?" Issei asked. "After all, that's why I'm here with you. Because of Riser. I like you, because of you. I don't care if you're Gremory or just normal human. The truth is that you're a beautiful, smart and charming woman. I fight for you. I just want you to smile, to enjoy life. I want you , to be you." Issei said to Rias. Rias was just staring at him and after she processed and his words finally made sense for her, she blushed like she hadn't blushed before. "AHH! I'm sorry! I said something, didn't I!? Sorry!" Issei tried to apologize, however as he tried to do so, Rias just stood up and went to him. She then proceeded to hug him. At that HE blushed. "B-Buchou?"
"Thank you, Issei. Thank you."
{[Scene Break]}
After that night, everything continued as it was normally. The days passed fast. Issei trained Koneko everyday. She was able to endure a lot more while using Senjutsu now, but she wasn't able to use Touki yet. And let's not mention that while training her, her crush on Issei got a lot deeper. No. It wasn't even crush anymore. The thing she felt now was a lot stronger - love. Pure and innocent love. Issei's feelings also changed. They were similar to hers. He also felt the same - love. He was confused however. He never experienced such feelings towards somebody. So he was kind confused. However, he decided to ignore it. For now.
It was the 10th day of the training and this was a day off, since the whole Peerage needed all the strength they could get. Issei and the rest were already at their homes, resting. They left the villa on the 9th day and they were all taking a day off now. As Issei was laying on his bed, he took a glance at his clock. 11:30 PM. The 'Rating Game' was soon...
{[Scene End]}
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand... Done. Yo, how are you all? Good? Bad? Anyways, that was chapter 9. I really have nothing to say about this chapter... That was the end of the training and the next chapter is the 'Rating Game'. Probably the end was a bit weird, but I might not get another chance to write anytime soon, so I finished it forcefully. I still hope that you liked it. If you liked it, please write a review. And as you know, ignore the small mistakes as typos and such please. But BIG ones - point them and I'll fix 'em. Since English is not my native language it's a little hard for me to write this, but I still hope that you like it... Even with the mistakes. Anyways, I'm really tired, so I'm going to sleep. Thanks again for the 100 reviews. Really. Thanks. A lot. Xerozurro out.
