Tenth Chapter! woohoo double digits!
Big thank you for everyone who stuck with it thus far. Enough from me, let's get to the good parts!
DxD and any characters are property of their respective creators. Any anime besides DxD too. I only own the big lug with the red hair and the guitar on his back.
The room was silent, everyone in it watching the glaring battle between Riser Phenex and Kumonji. Neither one were blinking or looking away, before Riser scoffed. "Prey tell, is this feisty one yours as well Rias? Riser rather likes his fighting spirit."
"Riser also likes speaking in the third person I'm assuming" the rook shot back. It was already evident that this guy was going to be irritating.
"Rias dear, if we're to be married your servants should learn their place. The House of Phenex loves its fire, but this one must be tamed." With that Riser called over his queen and began kissing her, groping her chest with no regard.
"I hate this guy so freaking much!" Issei whined, jealous of Riser and his peerage.
"Issei, chill. He may have what you want but he wouldn't appreciate it as much as you. Besides, that one there.. That's his little sister." Issei, Kiba and Koneko all blanched at the implication. 'Wait, what? It's happening again.. I've got to figure this thing out fast.'
"Tch. Such insolence, a mere low rank such as you could never ascend to the greatness that is Riser." Riser waved his hand and up stepped a young woman with a bo staff, ready to strike. Kumonji assumed a ready stance but Issei stepped in front of him, calling out his boosted gear to his left arm.
"I don't care who you are or what you say, anyone who tries to take Rias from me is gonna get clobbered. I'll kick your ass right here right now, to Hell with the rating game." Issei made a move toward Phenex but was intercepted and slammed in the gut by the staff, sending him into the ceiling and gasping to the floor.
"Issei!" Rias cradled her pawn in her lap, all the while Issei reassuring her that he was fine. "Lady Grafia, please inform my brother that we accept the challenge of a rating game."
The silver haired woman in the corner vanished with a bow. Riser took one look and sneered. "How you coddle your pieces so. Riser has a full set of the finest pieces, and therefor has no need for such frivolities. I look forward to my victory." The entire Phenex set retreated in a burst of flames and the screech of a bird of prey. As soon as they were gone everyone left in the Occult Research Club breathed a momentary sigh of relief, that is until Akeno put a hand on Rias' shoulder. "President, I'm not so sure that was a good idea. We are outnumberd and a bit.. inexperienced."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence Akeno. What is this Rating game anyway?" Kumonji raised his hands. Unnoticed to him were the light burn marks on his wrists from only a few hours ago. Asia noticed them first and rolled up his sleeves to see how bad they were."Oh no you're hurt!"
"And just where have you been to get those? Someone was a rather naughty boy running off and picking fights." Akeno brought her hand to her mouth as she giggled warily.
Kumonji just looked away with a bit of a pout. "Hey I asked a question first you know. And if you must know a friend was in trouble and needed a bit of help. I just.. deflected a bit of static between the two sides."
It was at this point Issei and Rias stood up, the latter declaring with finality, "We'll discuss this later. To answer your question the Rating game is a bit like a game of chess between two peerages, a combat sport to capture the king. Since we have three rookies who don't have much combat experience, it would be best if we all began training right away. They may have more pieces, but I have faith in all of you."
That night, Kumonji packed his bags, grabbing enough gear to be prepared for anything. As his backpack zipped up he heard the door to his room open and turned to find Teiya there. "Hey. Sona told me about the rating game, so I guess you're off to prepare for it right?"
"...Yeah." He turned and looked at the woman his sister was becoming. "Don't worry will ya? Fighting with you my whole life I don't think they stand a chance." They both shared a chuckle, before Teiya hugged him.
"Just don't lose you big jerk. If you get hurt I'm gonna kill you."
"Sure thing sis. Watch over mom while we're gone 'kay? I gotta go get Issei and Asia." He strode out with her in tow, waving his way out the door and over to the Hyoudo residence. The three of them set out to meet up with everyone else. It was about halfway to the school that Kumonji suddenly stopped and shouted "OH MY GOSH! I can't believe I forgot, you guys go on ahead I need to run back and grab something." Turning and running back, the rook burst through the door and ran upstairs flinging the door open to the workout room. "Sorry just need my yo-" There in the middle of the room was Teiya in yoga pants doing downward dog. Both of them were quite red in the face. "Ku- GET OUT!" He was lucky to avoid the first dumbell but the second one pelted him square in the forehead, knocking him over backward. 'On the upside maybe the blunt force trauma will reset my short term memory..' The redhead grabbed his workout gear and yoga mat and got out as quick as he could, covering his forehead to avoid any questions.
"Come on Issei just a few more feet!" "You're almost there!" Rias, Akeno and Asia were at the head, halfway up the hill. Struggling to make his way up was Issei, gasping and sweating like crazy. His legs were on fire and it felt like he was ready to collapse, but he was so close to the rest point.
"On your right." Kiba strolled past Issei like it was nothing, barely breaking a sweat. When Issei moved to protest he felt someone nudge his backpack, only to find Koneko carrying a pack large enough to smuggle everyone else full to the brim. "Move it perv," she said, causing Issei to tip and nearly fall over backwards out of bewilderment.
"Whoa! One side or backside buddy." Kumonji, carrying a pack just as big as Koneko's managed to catch him and tip him back to his feet.
"Aaaargh I hate this!" the pawn protested, falling to his knees. Rias smiled in sympathy, as did a few others. Koneko and Kumonji just rolled their eyes and smirked. "You need to get stronger Issei, and carrying heavy weights will build your legs and increase your endurance."
Rias had brought them all to this home away from home for 10 days of intense teambuilding and strength training. Considering the overwhelming odds, Grayfia had relayed from the higher ups that time to prepare was more than fair. Thus, the long trudge to a beautiful home on top of a high hill away from the world. It had taken all morning to get Issei in gear and to the top, but considering that Kumonji had turned it into a race with Kiba and Koneko it's to be expected that they all found themselves waiting on him. The race went well, Koneko leaping off of Kumonji's pack, Kumonji craftily running up the wall and around Kiba only to trip in front of the knight. In the end, Kiba and Koneko tied for first with the redhead catching a root and flying headfirst over the finish line in 3rd. "Next time will be different... Whoa." The three of them looked around, Asia Rias and Akeno just making it to the top. "This place is beautiful!" Asia cried out. Everyone took a short moment to admire the scenery before Rias spoke up.
"Alright everyone, unpack and let's get this training started. We only have 10 days so we're going to make the most of every second. In the mornings we'll be working on teamwork, afternoons will be for building skills and evenings we'll be getting you all stronger. So let's get to work!" The king pumped her fist, joined by everyone save Issei who muttered something along the lines of "Not Fair."
Shortly thereafter found Kiba and Issei paired off holding pratice swords. To their left was Kumonji and Koneko, squared off in boxing gloves. The air was still, barely a breath of wind. Issei launched in first to swing at Kiba madly and with reckless abandon. Kumonji on the other hand was low in stance, trying to visualize the fight before it happened, see every possible- "Bring it bitch." Such words with a serious face from Koneko, it was hard to decide whether to be insulted or laugh, but he took the bait and closed the gap between them, jabbing left, backstep, -whiff!- 'dammit!' plant foot, right cross, left to the b- Koneko's body blow connected right to the gut and big red is down. "You're too concerned about where your fist is going. Focus only on your target and keep your awareness at all times. Next time I won't go easy on you."
Kumonji just wiped his cheek and smirked. "Good. Pain makes me stronger, and I like that." The rook gets back to his feet and gets a little more loose in his stance. "Ready to go again?"
~Several beatings later~
Akeno took the newbies inside to focus on their magic capabilities. Asia grasped the concept first, being able to contain and feed a small ball of light similar to Twiight Healing. Issei on the other hand tried but was often distracted, a fact that led to several pummelings upside the head by Kumonji. "When she says 'use your head and feel the flow' I'm pretty sure that's not the head she was talking about."
"Come on Issei just visualize. It can be anything you want" Akeno said, posing rather suggestively. Kumonji wasn't sure if she was doing it on purpose but the blush on Issei's face clearly indicated he wasn't the only one thinking it.
"...Issei.."
"I'm only visualizing magical things!" Blam! Pawn meets wall, then floor.
'I can't say I wasn't thinking the same thing, but come on I still owe Akeno that date!' The rook sighed internally, sure he could jump in front of lightning but he still hadn't taken Akeno out? Pathetic. That would definitely change, starting right here and right now. He shook his head out and took a deep breath to concentrate. His hands came to his chest palm up and fingertips pressed together until he felt the flow and tried to amplify it. There was a small flutter of.. something, then it died out. 'huh. I didn't think I'd be able to do magic.'
The rest of the day was spent honing individual skills, Asia and Issei both sent to the kitchen to focus on their magic, Kiba going through katas at various speeds and with swords of different size and weight. Kumonji headed to the room where there were weights for lifting and a treadmill, deciding to beef up his natural strength as well. To his surprise when he opened the door a certain silverette was hard at work lifting the max weight on one machine. From the looks of it she'd been here for a while. "Mind if I get in on some of that?" he asked. She merely shook her head in reply and he hopped on the treadmill first to get his heartrate up. A short warmup later and the two were on circuit, Koneko finishing her workout decided to stay and watch, as well as hydrate.
"...You know I appreciate the company but you don't have to stay and watch, I'm sure I'm fairly boring."
"Not at all, there's actually very little else to do right now."
"I see. What about Kiba?" For what seemed like the first time, Koneko was caught off guard and sputtered her water, a bit of flush in her cheeks. 'That got her attention.' "I mean really, you two keep dancing around your feelings for each other like a freaking sombrero. I see the way you look at each other so just go up and tell him how you feel. I mean it's kinda hypocritical that I haven't asked Akeno out but if you can do it then I will too!"
Koneko took a moment to pause and consider it. She was certain of her feelings, and hoped he felt the same, but this little nudge might just be the assurance she was looking for. Meanwhile, coming just up the hall, Akeno could hear faint muffled voices coming from the weight room. Upon getting closer, she could hear Koneko talking to someone.
"You really feel that way?"
"Absolutely! Gotta admit you love someone to their face ya know? Otherwise, what's the point?"
"Thank you. You're really easy to talk to."
"Well you know.. I just look tough but I'm a big softy inside."
At that, Akeno opened the door, fake smile plastered on her face. "Hey you two, dinner's just about ready." Before either could reply, she turned back down the hall and let her emotions show. 'He doesn't feel the same about me. I knew it, he really is just a jerk.'
Koneko, who had been around Akeno long enough knew that face and what it meant. "I'd go talk to her soon if I were you." The redhead merely cocked his head in response, repeating to himself how he truly had no clue about the opposite sex.
Dinner was mostly quiet, Akeno never making eye contact with the rook, Koneko stealing glances at Kiba every chance she got, and Issei undressing every woman in the room with his eyes. Kumonji, sitting beside him, caught him one time between bites and leaned over to whisper in his ear "Miiiiiiiiiiiltooooon." The resulting choke was priceless, everyone laughed as Issei beat uselessly on his best friend's arm swearing and telling him never to do that again. "Alright everyone! Dishes away, we're headed to the baths."
"Wait, you're all gonna bathe together? Like, Naked?!"
Kumonji grabbed the perv by the collar and stuffed him back into his seat. "Sit boy."
"Oh would you boys like to join us? I wouldn't mind. Do you care Akeno? Asia?"
"I don't mind at all. It could be fun" "U-um I don't mind."
"What about you Koneko?" Rias asked, knowing the answer.
"I'd rather die."
"Awww sorry guys looks like you're on your own." Issei fell out of his seat in disappointment, but everyone just rolled their eyes. Kumonji made a quick move to gather the plates, Akeno's last. He leaned in and whispered to her "Can we talk for a minute?" Seeing her eyes search his he tried to appear as genuine as possible. The long moment was broken as she nodded and he took her plate to the sink to wash. She followed with the leftovers and sat on the counter once they were all put in the refrigerator. "I heard you and Koneko."
"-talking about her and Kiba. She's hesitant for some reason and I told her what she needed to hear in order to step up and admit her feelings. She pointed out the hypocricy that.." The rook stopped midway through washing a plate. 'Just say it.. say it.. Say IT!' He sighed then continued on. "That I don't have a girlfriend yet, but I just told her my opinion." 'You coward! this was your shot!' "I just can't stand that two of my friends can't admit to having feelings for each other." He turned to face Akeno, but she still seemed upset at him.
"You could be lying to me too. Either way, I want to hear what she has to say about this." Kumonji bowed his head and nodded. It was clearly going to take a while before she trusted him again, and he knew it.
End of Chapter 10
A/N: so yeah just in case anyone calls "Overreaction" you have to remember that Akeno has daddy issues and that can make it hard for her to trust men. Since they haven't gone out together yet it's obvious she thinks he may be seeing other girls (and considering the times he hangs out with Matsu she's pretty justified). Will our couples come together or fall apart? Find out next time on Drago- er, nevermind.
You guys are awesome so you should feel awesome. Reviews will get lemon bars from Asia!Peace and Hair grease!