Author's Notes I: I know. I'm surprised too; usually takes me longer than a month to update. Enjoy. That's all I can say for now. Again, this story is rated "M". So keep that in mind.

I do not OWN Naruto or Highschool DxD. I wish I did sometimes, but it would turn into straight out shonen porn albeit with a plot. Not the kind where the MC gets cockblocked either.

xXxXx-ADM-xXxXx

"Start again." Naruto held a knife. "And if you say 'oppai' one more time, no one alive will be able to fix what I do to you."

"You see, senpai," the boy gulped. "This was the only place I could think of bringing her to."

Akeno giggled. This was more entertaining despite the storm that was coming. She observed the nun awkwardly shifting in her seat next to Issei having finished her own bowl of ramen. This girl had all the things a guy wanted in their significant other: blonde, chaste, and pretty.

"And you come to my ramen shop?" The blond sighed as the nun waved at him, offering a smile too. It was cute and warm. Even the Misanthropist was affected; his face was a bit more relaxed. "Why did you bring her here? Didn't Akeno or Tomato King tell you not to bother me?"

'Oh that is precious,' Akeno snickered at the nickname. Her King would not be amused.

"But senpai, she's new around here and starving. Wouldn't you help out a person like that?"

"Only if I get paid."

"My, oh my," the Queen said, taking her hat off. "What a cruel heart you have."

"I gave you free lunch."

"You didn't pay for my services."

"I gave you free lunch."

"I've done the same for the past few weeks."

"Didn't you volunteer for this?"

"True, but this way you'll never expand."

"You two are a wonderful couple," the nun spoke, with a joyous smile on her face. The rich Italian accent was prominent in her voice, perhaps she was from the Northern side.

"What did she say?" Naruto asked, Issei looked to a bit depressed at what the nun said. Only two of the four people understood what Asia Argento said. Akeno was slightly glad that her blond friend didn't realize what her words entailed. She liked the sound of it.

"Senpai," Issei began, tears in his eyes. He looked hopeless. "You're such a lucky man." Naruto narrowed his own seriously at Issei, the blue irides sharpened and Akeno felt a bit on edge, excited too. Then it passed. The store owner sighed.

"If I was lucky, I'd away from everyone here. Especially her," Akeno smiled back as he looked at her.

"You can't be serious!" Issei bellowed, hands slamming the countertop. "You have Akeno-senpai working for you! In an apron! That's like my dream coming true! Don't tell me you've never thought of her wearing that."

"You better start praying to whatever pitchfork wielding deity you Devils have," Naruto dodged the topic as she saw it. "If I find one crack on the furniture, into the oven you'll go headfirst, ama." Akeno grew delighted at his words. He truly had no idea what he was doing to her by speaking so vulgarly about acts of violence. Oh, how she wished for her whip to appear right now.

"Ama?" Asia asked confused. Not realizing what she just said.

Serafall Leviathan often praised the communication system the Evil Pieces had. Devils could speak in their common tongue, ancient Enochian, and yet humans of other nationalities would hear it in their mother tongue without getting confused. Asia could understand what they were saying only when Issei or Akeno spoke to her, when talking to Naruto she would hear them speaking Japanese. Naturally, hearing the blond say that word confused her.

"What is ama?" Asia asked. She then, innocently, pointed at Issei and began. "Is that a nickname for Issei? Ama?"

Naruto coughed, leaning over the countertop and put his hand on Issei's shoulder. He then pointed at the Pawn of Rias Gremory. "Ama."

"Ama." Asia repeated, Naruto nodded his head. Issei could only whimper.

"Why?"

"Because you are one, bitch." Issei was not given the moment to mourn. The door opened and Naruto groaned without looking who entered. "We're closed. Read the sign outside."

"I own everything here," the newly arrived person said. "So I can, and will, enter anytime."

Akeno did enjoy the small banters between Naruto and Rias. It was almost as if he enjoyed dashing her hopes at verbally besting him. Rias probably carried on since this was the only human who treated her like a normal person, not special heiress, a pair high breasts and wide hips on legs or idol treatment, and saw her for what she was –a ditzy redhead. His choice of words had caused Akeno's sides to hurt.

"Speak of the Devil and he'll send his deadliest demon," the blond said. Rias frowned, calming down and put the lessons taught to her by Grayfia to good use. Every Gremory would be proud of her.

Huffing lightly, Rias crossed her arms, taking the seat beside Issei who grew excited and introduced herself to Asia. The Pawn started blabbering, words fired out like bullets from a machine-gun. Some of it made sense, some of it was cute, and some of it included clear references to breasts –particularly about the three women in the room. Naruto was about to put on his headphones, not particularly interested, but Akeno stopped him. Poking him was fun.

"What?"

Akeno merely pointed at Issei who bowed his head before Naruto, the girl did the same. "Thank you for helping us, senpai."

"I didn't do anything. Stop bowing, please," Naruto waved his hand to the blonde. The nun looked at him with a warm smile on her face. It was almost divine to look at.

"Thank you for the meal, Mr. Uzumaki," Asia Argento started, her voice was soothing, reminded Akeno of better times. When the world was smaller, and all that mattered was a small traditional house where three people lived. "I'm new here, and you had no reason to help me. Yet you did; offering me food without asking for anything. I truly am grateful. May God bless you with mercy and joy, all of you."

Akeno and her peers felt the shearing headache. The sudden rise of it was unexpected and unbearable. 'She just had to praise Him.'

Akeno being the most eager interpreted her words and saw Naruto's eyes widen a bit, slightly. "You get a free meal, he doesn't."

"Senpai, that's unfair!"

"I had to listen to you talk about football-sized breasts, and how you'd revolutionize voyeurism at least twice." Naruto finished with a straight face. "You're a good kid, Issei," the Sacred Gear wielder beamed. "But every time you open your mouth, it takes a monumental effort to not stab you in the face."

"I believe that's enough harassing my Pawn," Issei's tears disappeared at Rias' voice. "Issei go on, make sure to meet all of us at the club room later. There's something we need to discuss."

"Am I in trouble?" Rias masked her intentions well. Akeno sympathized with Issei, understood how the boy would feel once he learned of how he could never meet this girl again. Maybe they could've been something.

"No," the redhead replied. "Nothing too major yet, but I need you to be there." After a few more pleasant words, they all gave their farewells sans Naruto who simply waved. As soon as the door closed, her King spoke. "I can't believe this."

Naruto smiled all of a sudden. Wide blue eyes illuminated for a moment. He looked at Rias, his lips now straighter, "Believe it."

"Will you mock me all the time?"

"Not all the time," he paused before opening up a small magazine. "SoulStriker425."

"Now, now, calm down," Akeno tried to douse the flames flaring up Rias' cheeks. Her King was angry and embarrassed, not the best time to catch her this way either. She could blow up this entire place should she want it. Perhaps teasing Rias with her gamer name wasn't the best option at the moment.

"Stop taking his side, you're my Queen." Rias said. "Mine." Her King was an amazing person, one of the kindest she knew, more sister and less friend. She could also be dull sometimes.

"Somewhere Issei's head just exploded," the blond sagely added.

"Rias," Akeno joined in this time. "I didn't know you thought of me that way. This does explain why you were never interested in a boy. Imagine the controversy. Gremory heiress found naked in bed with a woman while their legs were-"

"You're not helping!" Rias all but shouted. "This is a serious situation and you two are throwing around jokes. Honestly."

"Being calm helps," Naruto spoke. "Makes you think a hundred times before doing something."

"Okay, you're not involved in this. Didn't you say you wanted no part in the conflict?"

"I still don't. Yet, we're in my shop, so I do feel a bit involved."

"Akeno," Rias breathe in. "I need you to do something for me. Go get Yuuto and Koneko, we're having a meeting and they need to know."

"You could just text them," Akeno pointed out. She really didn't want to leave this early. So far the day had been going pleasant, much better than she expected it to.

"It's about the . . . Game," Rias chose her word after glancing at Naruto who clearly wasn't interested. "And our practice grounds regarding it."

'So, we'll be training at the guesthouse,' not that the Queen was surprised. It was the perfect place, but needed to be cleaned up and elbow grease would no doubt come from all of them. Rias was not on talking terms with her parents, or even her brother.

"Okay," Akeno agreed after weighing her options. "Where are they?"

"Koneko is taking a nap," that was bad news. The cute Rook did not appreciate her resting time being interrupted. "Yuuto is," Rias sighed. "He's at the host club." That was worse. It would take a bit effort. Those women really couldn't keep their hands off the Knight. Very few women could.

Akeno nodded before grabbing her purse. She had wanted to end the day on a higher note. She hummed a bit, still behind the stall and looked at her King, winking at her. Rias' confusion was clear and the small seed of bravery in Akeno swelled. Naruto was still reading a gaming magazine, which in itself was awkward. Standing in front of him, she coughed into her hands and blue eyes stared back at her.

"I'll be leaving now."

"The door is that way."

"I know. I just have a small thing to take care of," she said. Calm as she was, her heart betrayed her. Her fingers shook, fear lingered around causing her doubt to increase. Yet, Akeno couldn't bring herself to back away. Not after all this time.

"Be on with it and. . ." Akeno moved the magazine away from his face and leaned in close. Her soft lips pressed against his whiskered cheek. After a moment, having steeled her nerves, she ended the kiss on his cheek. Oh my. Naruto was staring at her, completely speechless. Licking her lips, she rubbed a finger along his jawline. She had his undivided attention and the flabbergasted look on his face was just that good.

"See you later, Naruto-kun." Of course, Akeno walked intentionally in a rather alluring manner, knowing his eyes were bound to be glue to her frame. Was it wrong? No. In this case? Not now, not ever. She was personally tired of waiting and today's earlier events were eating away at her. A woman could only take so much.

Exiting the shop, Akeno finally felt her heart grow steady. She walked with a smile on her face, warmth in her eyes, and his taste on her lips. Unsurprisingly, she tasted miso. Just perfect.

xXxXx-ADM-xXxXx

Rias was surprised. She was not prepared for today, neither was Naruto who was staring at the door still caressing his cheek.

"What the heck just happened?"

Seeing his reaction, Rias felt satisfied. Finally, finally, someone had caught him off guard. She rubbed her hands menacingly, relishing the moment; the Gremory took great pleasure into how normal those dark blue eyes looked. Uzumaki was clearly surprised and for a moment, Rias couldn't recognize him. The usual blank bored face was gone. Instead he resembled a teen, just like any other, only something sparked about him.

Regardless, someone needed to answer him. As the owner of this area, she could indulge his ignorance.

"She kissed you on the cheek, Uzumaki-san," the young heiress spoke with a knowing tone. She'd seen and read enough anime and light novels to understand it all. "It's when you show affection to someone and-"

Rias stopped the moment he looked down. His features stiffened and she swore that Naruto had shaken for a second. "Why did she do that?"

She sighed. This was none of her business, well it was, but at the same time it wasn't. Akeno was her sister, by bond if not blood. So her kissing a boy, on the lips or not, was definitely her damned business. However, Rias had not business in telling who her Queen could or couldn't see. Not unless there was a major threat to her life. That was the problem. Naruto Uzumaki was still virtually unknown. Whatever details she knew about his life, most were simple. A bit sad, yes, but nothing paranormal. He was a normal person who was simply handed the short stick. Yet, he was gifted; wielded a power that was both strange and completely unknown. Rias wasn't sure whether he had any ties to either of the three factions, or the Shinto one.

"I think it's fairly obvious why she did what she did." She continued. "Why do you think she kept coming back? You never were that kind."

"I treated her like crap," Naruto admitted now finally looking up, albeit his mind somewhere else. Were all men the same? "The fact that she's still around me, even after everything I said." Now, she was interested. His voice was definitely different now. It wasn't the deepest, yet there was something curious about it. Peaceful, calm, serene, a bit of shock was present too.

"You said something about a game," the blond said. Rias assumed he wanted to change the topic. Aww, is he shy? Sadly, he wasn't.

"It's a thing in the Underworld," Rias didn't want to let out any more than she needed to. She had to be wary until she knew everything about him. He nodded and went to the back. There was no reason to stay here any longer. Akeno would be back with her Knight and Rook, all that was left was the Pawn and clear instructions on why he should never associate with the Church. "Well, I'll be going then."

"Wait," Naruto said. He went to the door and stepped outside. "Just sit down for a while." So she waited, half anxious, half intrigued at why he stopped her. Was he going to reveal his strength? Or was it simply because he wanted to go to his apartment? The sound of the door opening after mere moments answered that. Naruto came back, just not empty handed. He had a piece of paper in his hand on which was an engraved symbol –one she knew.

This was bad.

"Where did you find this?"

"Does it really matter that much?"

"Yes, it does," Rias observed it from up close. The paper itself was very old, stale to the point where she could tell it aged for years and the Enochian sigil marks had faded. Instead of the brilliant white sheet with an intricate symbol of mysticism it resembled a dirty beige wall, painted with dust and dirt and pathetic attempts at graffiti were sketched on the surface. "Where did you find this?"

Naruto sighed, going over to the fridge. He took seat opposite to her as he poured two glasses of apple juice. Rias, while surprised, nodded and took a sip. Naruto had been changing, ridiculously slow as it was, and felt more human now, if only to a select few. She wasn't complaining. The less he was frigid the better.

"I found this in a scrapbook," Naruto explained, drumming his fingers. "I was cleaning up and found this in my old stuff, carefully folded no less. I didn't know I had this until yesterday."

"This doesn't make sense," Rias eyed the parchment. She then looked at Naruto closely. There was no aura around him, nothing special at all. Just an average human. As if. "How are you doing that?"

"Doing what?"

"We both know you have a strange power, making yourself go poof and air conditioning the weather to chilly levels." Naruto's eye twitched a bit. "And you can hide your presence too well. So well in fact, that I can't sense a single damn thing about you."

"What exactly are you looking for? This thing you're trying to sense."

"Magic," Duh. Naruto scoffed a bit.

"I don't know any magic."

"You disappeared in smoke, something magicians are known for along with their other parlor tricks. Next thing you know you're going to make a building disappear."

"We're getting off-topic here," Naruto tapped the leaflet. He probably felt slighted about his skills being labeled as 'tricks.' She was getting better at this. "Is this one of yours?"

"No," Rias answered truthfully. "But I have seen this insignia before. It belongs to one of the 34 Pillars."

"Which one?"

"I think this is the most excited I've ever seen you," Rias smiled sweetly. Jibes are best delivered with honest smiles, or so Akeno had told her. It was working.

"You've only known me for a bit over three weeks," Naruto spoke. Blue eyes narrowed at cyan. "There's very little to nothing you know about me."

I do know a few things, the words did not reach her mouth. "I will."

Naruto shook his head. "Now you're just talking like Akeno. I'd prefer the real Rias Gremory over the act you're trying to pull off."

"I'm not acting, Uzumaki-san," the heiress admitted. "This is me, the real me."

"So," he paused. "This classy, pretty lady before me is the real Rias? Then the girl who told me 'You're going to get rekt' was fake?"

She flushed from embarrassment and the compliment. Things were not supposed to go this way. On top of that he called her pretty without staring anywhere. Stupid blond men. "Yeah, well," Rias tried to counter. A low-blow was all she could think of. "At least I don't write porn for a living."

"No, you only suck the life out of others. Mine particularly." He rubbed his eyes. "Anyway, can you tell me anything about this?"

"It's definitely a contract searching leaflet," Rias' mind went back the reports she got. Kuoh Town, it would've been perfect, but this place was different. The very ground of this town had been soiled before. Tainted with a woman's blood whose story was better left forgotten and always hushed when it was brought up. "It's not mine."

"It does look similar." He skeptically added. She couldn't blame him, Naruto Uzumaki had probably never seen a sigil outside her family's own.

"I can show you mine if you want," Naruto nodded. Now she was confused. "Aren't you worried? Me using powers in your stall?"

"I don't have a problem as long as my shop is intact," he said. "If anything breaks you're paying for it."

She raised her hand, demonic power flowed and small circles of various sizes formed from her palm. Holoscopes stood still in the air, the mark of the Gremory clear for him to see and Naruto was keenly observing it, his eyes occasionally going back to the leaflet.

"Are you satisfied?" Rias stopped using it as she calmly finished her glass of juice. It was good. "Where did you buy this from?"

"I made it," Naruto replied finishing his own glass and taking off his apron, his sleeves were rolled up. Rias took note of his arms; they were well-versed in combat. His frame was much clearer now too. In the blue V-neck shirt, his muscular form stood out. While it wasn't overly buffed, he still had more mass and power than her Knight physically possessed. "Look, I don't mean to be a jerk-"

Rias gawked at him. "You don't mean to be one? Does this mean you're not all doom-and-gloom all the time?"

"Nobody wants to stay like that. Everybody is the way they are because of a reason. One day you'll learn a very important lesson about people."

"And that would be?" Rias was curious. The way he spoke, did things, had a look in his eyes she couldn't explain pointed to a lot of things. She had dug up as much as she could about Naruto Uzumaki, and she felt she wasn't even close to the surface.

"People change." Naruto now stood beside her seat. "For their dreams, for money and a lot of other reasons they try to justify. Not a single person, human, devil or otherwise, can avoid it."

Rias was lost for words. She didn't expect him to get serious all of a sudden. Then again she couldn't tell what went through that mind of his. Naruto Uzumaki was unpredictable. "That's deep."

He walked to the door and stood there. "Will you be leaving now?"

"Yes," she said and saw him opening the door.

"If you will, I have to clean this place up."

"What about this?" Rias asked holding the paper. "I could probably find out more things if I took it with me."

"I'll give it to you later," Naruto left no room for argument. She got up to the door and waited there. Rias felt like getting the last word in.

"One last thing," the Gremory heiress said. "Do remember that this area is mine, Uzumaki-san. If I find out that you're treating Akeno like crap again, I'll make you regret it. Believe that."

"Some kind landlady you are."

"Do well to remember it."

"Of course," Naruto mockingly bowed. She didn't like it. "Be on your way then, Devil's Favorite Tomato."

With those words, Rias, again, felt embarrassed, but scared too. Memories of her brother came flashing back. He too once called her that. Lucifer's Favorite Tomato, her brother called her before taking at least a hundred pictures of her, in a tomato outfit. She remembered it all. The crooked smile, the gleaming eyes, the red tights. The endless snaps of the camera, each sound was a reminder of her shame. However, it paled to what he said. Dark words that scarred her, even to this day she could hear them. "SMILE, RIAS. SMILE. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING."

"Oi," Naruto's breath hit the side of her face as he leaned in snapping his fingers. It was hot and too close for comfort. She squirmed away a bit. This was probably the closest a boy had gotten to her without losing it.

"Nothing," her voice was louder than she wanted it to be. 'Damn it.' "Goodbye and thank you for the drink, Uzumaki-san."

"Drop it."

"Come again?"

"The 'san'," he clarified. "It gets a bit too formal for me. I just call you Tomato, or Gremory or Rias. Tell the same to your friends as well."

"I see," Rias smiled, glad they were talking about something else. Still. . . "Does the same go for Akeno? She does call you 'kun'? Do you want her to stop calling you that?"

"Leave, before I kick you."

Rias laughed as she stepped out of the store. So far the day was going well, the jest helped a bit. Her mind was still on a lot of things: a nun, a pig, a contract. If she was lucky enough, Issei would forget about the girl too. She felt bad, but it was necessary to avoid conflict. 'Heavy is the crown,' Grayfia once told her. Angels and devils were never meant to be together.

xXxXx-ADM-xXxXx

"I will kill him after this. I can only take so much," Raynare muttered. Her words were cold and dripping with poison. Kalwarner sighed and placed a hand on her shoulder, consoling her.

"You know how he is."

"Doesn't mean that I care," the Fallen looked around at the dozen guards which had arrived. All of them had arrived in the dead of the night, when she'd been to the airport. Humans, each time she had to work with one she kept her expectations low, doing her best not to spite them as they were useful. This was different.

The particular headache, a former exorcist, one of the very best the Catholic Church had ever gotten was pushing her limits. Raynare had spent hours at the airport, hours, waiting for that man to arrive. She had even run into him, the Ghost, and narrowly avoided conflict all so she could send the nun back with the exorcist. Now, Freed Sellzen was here. Foul-mouthed, insane and undoubtedly one of the sickest forms given flesh and blood, the priest did not leave a good impression. Not to mention, the nun had to pick daytime for her arrival. Now it was late noon with her nowhere in sight.

The first thing he'd done was ask Raynare if she wanted some of his 'holy water'. Raynare nearly skewered him then. The man was now raving about the devils he killed, the women he defiled and the heathens he cleansed. She'd seen of his ilk before.

"You should've seen it, brothers," Freed preached, like a bishop to idiotic masses. "The kitten cried so sweetly. 'Please spare me. I'll do anything.' And believe me she did a lot of things." His cackles resembled shrieks. Raynare looked around him. Flocked by men garbed in blue, Sellzen was enjoying himself too much with his 'brothers'. Most of the banished exorcists here were ruthless and bloodthirsty, gaining notoriety and fostering hatred for all things not human. The Fallen were not their friends, simple partners were far as they could go.

No one here was more twisted than the Mad Priest though. She'd heard a rumor regarding him: Freed Sellzen had developed a taste for flesh. Of the ones he killed.

"You speak too loudly," Dohnaseek spoke. The man had been resting his wrath, ever since Raynare had put her foot down; her friend wanted to hunt the blond. "Best rest your mouth, exorcist. Or I'll do it for you."

"Oho," Freed grinned like a child given candy. His teeth seemed sharper. White haired, red eyed, the young man seemed poise to strike as he brandished his gun. "You should watch that runny mouth of yours, shit-winged angel. If not, you could always take my gun in your mouth."

"Enough," Raynare said, stopping Dohnaseek. The man was ready to strike, but infighting would only hamper her plans. She couldn't afford this. Not now, not when she was this close. "Freed, you've been talking a bit too loudly. Maybe you should tone it down before I make you."

"Is that an invitation for me?" Freed laughed a bit, slicking back his hair. "I don't think your little clit is ready for me."

Raynare was about to discipline him. She couldn't, however. The door of the forgotten church opened and footfalls echoed as everyone, save Freed, remained silent. Wearing the traditional clothes any sworn sister adorns, Asia Argento, the Holy Priestess, nervously walked in. The veil over her head made her look more like a child, which she was in Raynare's eyes. However, that wasn't the only thing the former Angel noticed.

The petite girl headed towards her, bowing her head. "Um, hello. Are you Lady Raynare?" There was hope in those green eyes. Innocence was rich in her timid voice. Faith was a full-blown, unfading fire in this young one's heart. Yes, it reminded Raynare of someone all too familiar. Perhaps the world was joking with her. Perhaps God was, He did make the grandest one of them all and called them His greatest creation.

"Yes," the Fallen said after some time. The blonde seemed nervous, sparing glances at the men and Freed, who licked his lips. It wasn't out of just lust, Raynare knew that much. "You're late."

"I'm sorry," the blonde bowed again. Raynare was getting tired of her behavior. "I was lost, but then I met this boy who helped me. He also helped me get lunch and took me around the park before-"

"Enough about your boyfriend," Raynare noticed the girl's furious blush. She could never understand their urges, even a nun could not be spared from the 'love' humans had. "You know why you're here, right?"

"Yes," the nun confirmed. "Archdeacon McDonnell said you needed help in a ritual. Something regarding 'cleaning your wings'. I'm sorry if I heard wrong."

The Fallen couldn't even be angry with her. Her face, her words, her behavior, it all reminded her of the past. Just seeing Asia Argento exist in front of her hurt. Above all that, this human had been blessed by her Father, gifted with a power she craved. Twilight Healing, her last hope. She'd heard and seen its power before, but this timid nun's one was different –far ahead of the rest. There was a reason why she was called the Holy Priestess.

"You didn't," Raynare said, she eyed the rings on Asia's fingers. "The ceremony will be done. Unfortunately we have to wait until tomorrow. If you'd arrived last night then it would've been over much sooner."

Sundays were blessed days, accursed ones in her mind. God had specific days when He would listen to all His believers, shower them with pardons and make them flock to His path, particularly the weekend. Muslims had Fridays, Jews with their Saturdays, and Christians on Sundays –the last one was the one she hated the most. The blessing extended well into the night and Sacred Gears were not exempt from this; her plans delayed by a day further.

"My apologies," Asia bowed again. The honesty in her voice was sickening. "But there was a child I met yesterday. She was barely three, and suffering from cancer. I just . . . I just couldn't leave her like that."

"You missed your flight for a girl you barely knew?" Raynare was stupefied, wrath swirled. "Do you know how much you screwed up my plans?"

"I truly am sorry, Lady Raynare, but there was no way I could leave her like that. God gave me this gift for a reason, and if I can't save one person, then I might as well not have it."

The Fallen was a bit surprised; the girl had more spine than she expected and firm in her beliefs. It didn't matter though, it would all end soons. Sacred Gears were tricky little things, only in the Witching Hour they were at their weakest, and that too was non-existent in the case of ones forged for combat. Twilight Healing, thankfully, did not fall in that group. Just one more day.

"Careful, little one," Mittelt flew close pinching Asia's cheek in a teasing manner. "Raynare doesn't like it when humans talk back to her."

"At least she has manners and knows her place," Dohnaseek commented. He glanced at Freed who was raving like the madman he was. "Unlike some scum we know."

"Don't worry," Kalawarner placed a hand on Raynare's shoulder. "If what you said is true, it should all work out well. For everyone."

Raynare did not say anything, it was Lord Kokabiel's words she mouthed. His promise she relayed. The former Cadre assured her of the fact and promised her the gift. The one she'd been craving for years. "Go and rest, you'll need it."

"Now hold on there," Freed said loudly. He strafed with menace in his eyes. "I need the girl."

"You don't," Raynare shot his words down. "I have enough problems in my hands. If you touch the girl, I will end your existence."

Freed smiled, giggled and moaned. "Oh babe, now you're just fucking turning me on." He then turned on his foot and headed towards the door.

"Where the heck are you going?" Kalawarner asked. They were all surprised by his sudden decision to leave.

"Well it's clear none of you bimbos are going to help good old Freed with his problem," he smiled at them, baring all his sharp teeth. It was disgusting to look at. "So, being the wise man I am, I will go and clean up a few things. Ones that should've been taken care of a long time ago."

"Don't be stupid, priest," Mittelt warned. "This area is still owned by Devils."

"I know that you stupid bitch," Raynare had to be held back by Kala, Dohnaseek and Mittelt glared. Her patience only went so far. "Besides, the thing I'm taking care of is barely worth anything by the Devils. Just a few old skeletons I'll be taking out of the closet and burying deep in the ground, where they belong."

He left. Raynare looked at the band of priests all huddled together. She eyed the one who looked the least confident among them. "You," she pointed. "What's your name?"

"Alejandro Ricardo Mar-"

"Right," Raynare didn't have time for this. "Follow him, and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."

"Father Freed is not a-"

The sharp crack of the ground near his feet silenced him. A spear, light and pink, dug through the earth. "Follow him, now." He didn't need to be told twice. Raynare could only hope that Freed didn't fuck up all her plans. She had enough problems on her hands.

"Excuse me," Asia spoke up. "Can any of you help me read this?"

"Where did you get that?" Raynare eyed the orange book in her hand. Despite her anger, she felt amused. Mittelt was giggling while Dohnaseek groaned. Kala merely sighed.

"Oh," Asia smiled. "The friend I made gave me this. He said that this would change my life." Raynare fought back a smirk. Reading smut out loud to a nun, in a church no less? She had other plans; mentally shearing the girl down was one of them. For now it would rest.

"I'll do it dear."

xXxXx-ADM-xXxXx

"So, you found it." Sister Aria's words were calm as he remembered them. "I never thought you'd find that old thing. It'd be better if you come over, Ruto. There are a lot of things I need to tell you." The phone call was one of the strangest ones he'd ever had.

Soon after Rias left and cleaning was done, he tried pouring his chakra into the paper. Nothing happened. Tried to burn it, yet it did not, the parchment refused to burn and become cinder. A bizarre conspiracy germinated his thoughts. Maybe someone at the orphanage would know.

An insane notion, yes, but history lessons, the ones Iruka had bantered on about, had taught him a few things. Enemies would align, sometimes, for a greater purpose. The Fourth Great War, his greatest nightmare, was proof of that. Hidden villages banding together against 'Madara' to stop him, even though they barely trusted each other –something he didn't understand back then.

So he called, Sister Aria was the one who picked up. After getting pleasantries out of the way, Naruto wasted no time. Aria was quiet before he replied, completely cool at the finding of the paper. Ever since the call ended, he'd been anxious, on guard and angry. The pleasant kind old woman he knew, the one who showered him with affection and kindness back the orphanage was in cahoots with a Devil. It frustrated him to no end.

Had the Devils known about him this whole time? Was Aria a spy? Were some other people using Akeno, Rias, Issei, her peerage to get to him? Questions clogged his mind, giving him a slight headache and craving for nicotine. He smoked without a care, letting his lungs become tainted with soot and ash. It was night now and Naruto upped the seals surrounding his house, even left six Shadow Clones with enough chakra to maim anyone who came with dark thoughts.

The car revved up and soon Naruto found himself driving past the more urban district of Kuoh, the fancy part of town. Bright lights shone, colors dazzled, people chattered. He drove past them all, past the cheerful buildings, the bustling noises and the perfect spots for couples. It was always darker here in Downtown, no shortage of electricity, just . . . darker.

Unlike what he saw moments ago, all that laid before him was buildings of brick red and ashen grey. He saw a few women standing near a light post, curvy, skimpily dressed, all dolled up. Even beneath the heavy layers of makeup, he could see the bruises. Naruto was sure he knew one of them, probably grew up at the orphanage with him.

Ignoring the calls they made, he drove until he reached a small one-story building. This was a bit different from the two flanking it on either side. Bounded by the grey, the small black and brown painted house looked no richer than the other ones.

Yet it stood out, a cross hung on the door and a small garden grew in its small porch. It was ironic, such a lovely little work of earnest effort blooming in a desolate, forgotten, washed-up place such as this. In the midst of all the craggy and ugly grey, filthy and dirty in the eyes of most, flowers of red, yellow and black grew on a clean pasture of green. He would've admired them had his mind not been plagued with other thoughts.

He knocked on the door, waiting for an answer. Maybe she didn't hear it, old people do hear less despite the sharpness the witty old nun had. That or she was possibly taking a breather, on how to talk to him about this. Nihilistic as he was, a part of Naruto refused to believe that Sister Aria wanted to harm him. That woman didn't have a mean bone in her. She was more like to befriend a Devil.

No, he thought. She's still a nun. They were polar opposites. The blond knocked again, his patience growing thinner. Yet no answer came. Loudly, he banged his fist against the door. "Sister Aria. It's me, Naruto." Silence was the only reply he received. He had half a mind to break the door down, but stopped. Perhaps the old coot was asleep. She wasn't well a few days ago. Naruto turned, ready to leave but halted.

A small smidgen of crimson was on the ground right next to his foot, hardly noticeable. Getting down on one knee, he touched it and the smell was something he knew too well.

Glancing at both sides and seeing no one around, he turned the knob. The door was open and he rushed in. It reeked of blood and sweat and piss in here despite the clean way the place was kept. He rushed past the modest living room, filled with small ornaments and a picture of Jesus, up the stairs were he found more droplets of blood. He felt his stomach lurch at the sight.

The same blonde he'd seen yesterday, Kara, was lying on the ground. Naked, scarred, ruined and bleeding heavily. Her body twitched violently, coughing and gagging. The girl's pretty face was now black and blue, her golden hair a mess, and lips dark red. Red gashes went down from her neck, her breasts, her stomach and her legs. A deep incision was made into her stomach, blood kept pouring out. The girl was alive, but barely. She would probably be dead.

Summoning a clone to hold the girl, Naruto looked at the blue door behind him.

It was broken down, the blood trail led into the room and for the first time in a long time, Naruto felt a pang in his chest. Sister Aria was paler than ever, a hundred years older than yesterday. She was left on the chair, her head shaved, and wrists slashed, both of them. The word "HEATHEN" boldly knifed on to her forehead. Without thinking he rushed forward, his arm pressing against her wrists. He tore off his shirt's sleeves to tie them up.

"Sister Aria," he spoke desperately. "Sister Aria look at me." Finally her eyes opened.

"Ruto," she tried to smile. "You came." She wheezed. "I'm so sorry . . . for everything."

"Just calm down," Naruto said, also to himself. "I can save you."

"No," Aria now smiled. "I've lived enough. Sinned enough. Save her, save Kara." The girl would be dead, Kara's wounds were worse than Aria, yet the old nun was still strong. She always was. But Naruto felt his breath sharpening, his mind was nervous. He hadn't felt this way since-

"Ruto," Aria spoke. "I'm so sorry." She shook, groaning in pain. Her body grew colder. "Save her. Promise me, Ruto."

"I will."

"Promise me," her frail fingers grabbed the helm of his shirt, now a crimson mess. They slackened slowly, and Sister Aria slumped. Naruto looked down at her. The nun looked peaceful despite the red that painted her clothes. Even now she had a cross in her hand. He could only stare at her as his eyes stung. He didn't care for anyone, he told himself for years. A lie, a filthy lie he kept telling himself.

He breathed heavily, a choke escaped his throat and eyes grew misty. Naruto held her closely, the woman who raised him, loved him, and cared for him. "Promise me, Ruto." She said from beyond. "Promise me." Aria said the same thing yesterday, he said he would try. He'd kept his word. Finally, he screamed.

xXxXx-ADM-xXxXx

Author's Notes II: Yeah. Well that's it from me in this chapter. I know. Naruto's POV was short, but I can't write that much anymore guys. This chapter was over 7k words and I felt tired by the end of it. I'd rather write short meaty chapters, than long winded chapters that use 1000 words to describe what a person looks like or is wearing. Make sure to review you guys. It helps. TC.