Chapter 10...

Issei was sitting on the steps of his house, stewing in frustration over everything that had happened. He felt like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders right now. Even though it seemed that everything he was doing was falling in to place, it was mentally draining, and overall a strain on his mind.

And risky.

"...what the hell...man, if I could just go back and change everything, I would." Issei sighed. As the rain kept pouring, he was reminded of the times he came back from school as a child, and his mother coming out to meet him with an umbrella, every time. He felt cold drops of rain slithering down his neck, but he didn't mind it. He didn't even know what to do. In fact, he wasn't sure why he was even doing this. Maybe deep down, he figured once he found the culprit who murdered his family, he would find some sense of peace. And then after freeing himself of this power, maybe everything would go back to normal...

Or so he was hoping.

"Hey, er, Issei?" Issei turned to Raynare who was peeking out the door.

"Something wrong?" Issei asked as he sat up in a concerned manner.

"No, it's just...well..erm." Raynare slowly came out and sat down next to him. It was silent for moment, and then the raven haired beauty spoke. "It's not that...well, I think we might have gotten off on the wrong foot." She tried to reconcile to the best of her ability. He could tell she was awkward about it, and was not used to the way of speaking that she was using. "I..well...I...WE appreciate the hospitality you've shown us." Raynare was in her Yuuma persona, finding it easier to talk to him when she was this way.

"Why're you...Yuuma?" Issei asked curiously.

"Eh? Oh, I kinda found it...well, do you not like it?" She turned to him with a troubled look.

"No, I just was curious. 'Cuz we're not at school." He furrowed his eyes. He figured that was her disguise she only used when they were out in public. It made no sense to use it now.

"Well, I could change back..." She offered while clearly troubled. "Or, whatever you want..." She quietly said.

"Just be yourself, Raynare. You don't have to change just to talk to me." Issei rubbed it off as no big deal.

"But...well...my fallen angel traits show more that way..and I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable." She was clearly having difficulty trying to speak to him. The usual talking down personality she employed was like not even written on her fair face.

"Wait, you think just because you're a fallen angel, I'd feel uncomfortable around you?" Issei raised his eyebrow.

"Ah-well...I'm not used to this." Raynare silently groaned while fumbling with her hands. "A human-I mean, you were kinda upset with how we were different, and treating you like a lesser being akin to a sheep." She revealed.

"..." Issei just listened to her.

"So, if it really is that much trouble for you, we could go somewhere else, and you could get that info you wanted." She frowned.

"...(sigh)...don't worry, Raynare. I'm just...I just feel like a ton of bricks are on my shoulders right now. Look, I'm sorry if I freaked back there. I don't have anything against you guys, personally. I just keep treating you like we're on the same level, when I haven't even thought of what you all have been going through. " Issei seemed ashamed of himself.

"I-I-It's alright! You have every right to be upset." She quickly assured him. "I mean if anything, I've been unreasonable since we met." She bowed her head in similar fashion.

"It's fine. I've just been refusing to accept the fact...I'm just a guy. I'm not some magical, mystical, being that's fought heaven or hell. In fact, if I didn't have this Sacred Gear, or this funky power, I'd probably realize that." He looked at both his hands. "I just wanted to use you all as an excuse to argue back. Yeah, I don't have wings, light spears, freakishly strong powers to kill God. But..." He looked up at the clouds. "..I'm just frustrated because I couldn't do anything back then. You're all right. I'm just a regular person, not capable of doing all the things devils, angels, or gods, or whatever can. It was just starting to sink in." He bowed his head. "I just wanted to go to school, make friends, have a great time. I guess a small sliver of me was hoping that what I saw kill my parents, really was all in my head ...but at the same time, if didn't have this power, I'd have died to you, or someone else, eventually." He stared out into his neighborhood.

"H-hey now, I promised you I wouldn't...I w-wouldn't...erghhh." Raynare felt like she needed to remind him, but she felt like saying it right now, would just solidify her self preservation policy. "Look, hu-Issei." She almost let it slip. "I know that you are trying your best to make this work out in all our favors. Us, and the Devils included. The thing is, is that no human I've seen, or met has attempted to do what you're doing." She explained to him the rain was getting them soaked. "It's...strange to me, really. I never quite expected to be in this position. I think me and the others probably would have been killed by Rias Gremory if you hadn't taken us in. There would have been no reason for her to not kill us right then and there." Raynare shuddered to think of what could have played out if Issei didn't offer her a place to stay. "I'll admit, I was considering running away, but I decided to see what this human could do. I mean, you're practically in the middle of all this, and the fact none of it frightens you away, is...commendable." She looked at him with a half smile.

"..." Issei looked back at her.

"So, just...keep it up." She slightly cheered him on with a friendly smile. "So far you've blown my expectations out of the water."

"...!" Issei was surprised to hear that from her.

"Man, what is with this rain, it just keeps dumping." She grabbed the bottom of her pink shirt, and wringed out the bottom, prompting it to hug the large breasts, and slender waist beneath it. Issei caught himself staring, and blushed.

"That's right, she may be an angel but those jugs on a girl that age...!" He was quite impressed by the size of her breasts. In fact, she seemed so pretty all of a sudden. He felt his heart beat, and he quickly looked away. He felt his face get hot, conscious of the fact that a adolescent girl that looked his age was a mere foot away from him. Raynare, spotting it, suddenly had a mischievous smirk work it's way to her lips.

"Man, my shirt is practically see through right now~. Look, even my bra is showing~." She told him.

"Th-that sucks." Issei said while still looking away. He was tempted to look though.

"You can relax, I don't mind if you wanna look at them. I consider it a compliment." She smiled normally. "Come on, Issei! There's no better chance to catch a girl in wet clothes, than now! Do it! Do it! Do it!" She egged him on.

"Who would-?!" Issei reflexively turned to argue, but suddenly his eyes widened. Her shirt was indeed see through. His eyes were locked onto her well developed chest...but something was off.

"...eh?...oh, wait I guess I wasn't wearing one after all." She suddenly made blank look after looking at her own attire. Sure enough, her entire breasts were about as visible, as her shirt was transparent. Rather, the shape of her breasts were emphasized by the shirt she was wearing. Her pink nipples were showing, as she pulled her shirt down.

"Whatthefuck?!" Issei turned bright red, as his eyes were fixated on her tits. "Drgh! Why are you not wearing one!?" Issei demanded an explanation.

"Is that really important?" Raynare scoffed at his flustered face. "I only need a single layer when it comes to my apparel. Those bras you human's invented are tedious to put on. I like the feeling of my skin against soft clothes. Besides..." She suddenly got close to him. "..I like that look you're giving me~." She had seductive expression on her face.

"You-!" Issei leaned away with disbelief on his face.

"Say, I've been curious for a bit now, but...do you like this sort of girl?" She suddenly asked.

"What do you mean?" Issei furrowed his eyes. Trting to look her in the eye, and not at the two funbags beneath them.

"An assertive girl, or a shy one, a happy one, or a really bitchy kind?" She listed off his options.

"My preference...?...uuhh." Issei took a moment to think. "I hadn't really thought about it."

"Well I can act a certain way if you want. I kinda find it interesting to try out all sorts of things." She cracked a smirk. "So tell m-ACKFUck!" She suddenly was swatted into the bushes by the door, as Kalawarner came stepping out. As if she was looking for something.

"Hmm? Oh, my bad, I thought I heard the devils attacking you, turns out it was just Raynare." She said in a sarcastic monotone.

"THAT WAS A HUNDRED PERCENT INTENTIONAL!" Raynare came out of the bushes with an angry expression of her true self.

"Hm? What are you doing in the bushes, Raynare? Don't tell me you intended to attack Issei when he was off guard?" She faked a worried look.

"YOU ATTACKED ME, YOU FUCKING CUNT!" She stepped out of the bushes and stared her dead in the eyes. Her mask slipped, and her body was taller, and her eyes were more sinister looking. "Why are you out here anyway!? I thought we agreed I was gonna do it!" She suddenly demanded to know.

"Well, I figured you couldn't quit while you were ahead, so I enacted a little divine intervention before you totally botched it." Kalawarner shrugged.

"Did it require you to swing the door open that hard!?" She madly pointed to the bump on her forehead.

"Well if you would stop trying to get cocky after just barely apologizing, I wouldn't have had to!" Kalawarner also suddenly sported an angered at her.

"What kind of reasoning is that!?"

"The kind that only gets through that thick skull of yours!"

They butted heads and sparked tension between them.

"...uh." Issei felt kind of out of place. "Wait, is that what this was all about?" Issei interrupted their cat fight.

"Huh?"

"Huh?" Raynare and Kalawarner both looked back at him. They recomposed themselves, and crossed both their arms. "Well, we figured we were giving you a hard time, so we decided to have one of us apologize on our behalf. I figured since Raynare's been with you since the start, it was the logical course of action. Clearly I made a huge mistake." The tall, blue haired ex-angel revealed, while intentionally insulting Raynare at the end.

"...?" Issei turned to Raynare, and she was surprised by the look he gave her, and she whipped her head away with a nervous sweat. "Oh. Well, It's no big deal. I never had a problem with all of you to begin with. The pressure was just getting to me is all." He stood up and assured them. "Don't worry, I'm more thick skinned than I look." He chuckled at the last bit.

"...W-well, as long as it's all good." Kalawarner was a bit astounded at him.

"C'mon, lets get back inside." Issei walked past them, and they followed suite.

"Okay, lets go over one more time how this is going to work." Issei and all four of the fallen angels had gathered around his living room table. "Tonight, we're going show up at the old school building. From there, we'll meet Rias and then afterwards, she'll confirm that every one of you is the group she's looking for."

"Wait, did she say the number of fallen angels she was hunting?" Mittelt raised her hand as she asked.

"As far as she knows, it's just whoever was at the park when you guys scattered." Issei answered. "Unless there is a fifth one that was with you." Issei looked to all of them.

"No, it was just us." Raynare said. "I don't think she knows about Skreena, and I doubt very much she'd wanna go after her."

"Why's that?" Issei asked.

"She's a high ranked fallen angel. Maybe on par with lord Azazel, but the way she fights is way beyond than what they put her down on paper." Kalawarner spoke.

"Eh?" Dohnaseek seemed surprised. "She's that strong?"

"Yeah~. She could kill all four of us in two seconds." Mittelt told him.

"Why didn't you say anything about that!? She could have killed us!" He barked at her.

"Actually, she'd probably just would have killed you! I can't believe you'd stab me in the back after everything we've been through~!" Mittelt squeaked at him in an angry fashion.

"Shut up! All that matters is that both of us survived!" He crossed his arms and looked away. "I still don't like how this kid is running the show, I say we just take our chances on our own!" He voiced.

"You're more than welcome to try. But you won't even last day before they kill your ass. I'm taking my chances with Issei." Kalawarner huffed.

"Same." Raynare nodded.

"I'd rather stick with them then you, Dohna~!" Mittelt stuck her tongue out at him.

"How do we know he's not just offering us up on a silver platter?" Dohnaseek adjusted his hat.

"If I wanted you dead pal, I'd have killed you by now." Issei deadpanned. "Plus, what would I have to gain by giving you all up? I told you, I could have gotten my info for free. You think I'd go to all this trouble, just to have you killed all at once, when It'd be easier to just pick you off one by one?" Issei argued. He was getting enough of this guys whining. "You're here, you're not dead, deal with it." Issei slapped his hand on the table.

"..hmpf!" Dohnaseek scoffed and looked away in defeat.

"...(sigh), anyway, once she confirms your identity, you guys just leave. I don't care where, but you're on your own when that happens." Issei pointed out.

"Can I ask, just one question?" Kalawarner asked.

"What is it?"

"What is the info you wanted?"

"..." Issei was silent for a moment, before looking downward. "I'm looking for something, or someone. I think it was a devil. So I figured maybe she could give me a hint as to what, or who it is." Issei answered.

"And if she doesn't?" Raynare spoke.

"Then I'll just keep looking." Issei didn't say anymore on the subject. "But for now, lets just get this out of the way-hm?" Issei said in a dismissive manner, but suddenly he felt like eyes were on him, so he stopped mid sentence and looked toward the window.

(VMMm!)

"...?!" Issei's eyes widened and he quickly went towards the door and pushed out onto the neighborhood. He looked all over for the presence he sensed. He turned around, while scanning his surroundings. He didn't find any disturbance in the area, but that didn't mean that he didn't sense someone.

"Hey! What's the problem!? Is there someone out here?" Mittelt and Kalawarner walked out his door.

"...not sure." Issei replied. "Thought I heard something out here." He said while slowly walking back.

"..?" Kalawarner raised her eyebrow and looked around. "Might have been nothing."

"Yeah...probably." Issei said before looking around one more time.

"That was.."

"Huh?" Issei perked up to the hooded man's voice in his head.

"...be careful. It would seem another has taken interest in you."

"Watched by what? A demon? An angel?"

"In your way of saying it...an old flame..."

"An old flame?" Issei was confused.

"Worry not. If she wanted to, she'd have done something by now." He assured Issei.

"...(sigh)." Issei shook his head and just went back into his house.

Later, O.R.C building...

Issei was walking with his entourage of fallen angels in the dead of night. The occult research club building was in sight, and they got closer and closer. The shadows and darkness, blanketed all around them in an eerie display. The full moon hanging in the black sky, glittered with stars. Before they were on the premises, Raynare suddenly spoke.

"This feels ominous." She sighed. She stuck to wearing a pink shirt and tight, white jeans, that showed off her body quite well.

"No kidding, I feel like something's gonna jump out at any moment." Kalawarner had agreed. She was sporting her usual maroon attire, exposing her chest and legs.

"This feels like a trap." Dohnaseek was very cautious as they strolled up. He was still wearing his silver suit and trench coat, though he was using a cane to help him walk now.

"Just calm down. As long as we don't do anything threaten-" Issei tried to assure them. He was wearing his black hoodie, red shirt underneath and brown jeans.

"How can you be so calm~?! We're walking straight into the devil's den! The second we're in the palm of their hands, they'll kill us in a heartbeat! Plus the fact it's night time just makes it creepy~!" Mittelt pouted at him. Mittelt's gothic maid attire was still the same, although it had a couple tares.

"What, you scared of the dark?" Issei scoffed. "Well, I prefer it this way. Night time is when I feel more comfortable. Plus all my abilities are heightened when it gets this dark." He gave short explanation.

"Well I don't like it~! Last time this happened, that red haired bitch tried to kill us!" The short blonde complained to him.

"Mitt, if she does, I'm using you as bait to run. If we get separated again, at least your whining will be a distant memory." Kalawarner cracked a smile.

"How could you be so heartless~?! I thought we were all friends!" She was on the verge of crying.

"Friends, with you? I'd had a much more pleasant time with the human, than with you." Kalawarner huffed. But suddenly she realized what she said. "No offense, kid. Old habit." She quickly apologized.

"Don't worry, I've pretty much gotten used to it by now." Issei said gloomily.

"No, for real! I think you're a good human! Plus, you helping us out has really made me change my views! Honest! Honest!" She quickly tried to cheer him up.

"Don't listen to her, she's just a brown-noser. Second you drop your guard, she'll hit your face in with the door." Raynare crossed her arms, with an annoyed look.

"You're more of a danger to him than the rest of us!" Kalawarner fired back.

"What did you say, you second rate bitch!?" They growled at each, across from Issei. He just groaned at the two's banter. But suddenly he saw the devils waiting for them out in the open in front of the old school building.

"Heads up, there they are." He nodded toward Rias and the rest of her peerage. The two stopped and now had serious looks, as all four fallen angels fell in line. They were gathered behind Issei, not daring to inch any closer to Rias, than Issei was. Rias had an expectant look on her face, and the rest of the O.R.C. were cautiously watching them. Akeno and Yuuto were side by side on Rias's right, and Koneko was on her left, sporting the same stoic expression she always wore. Issei took a deep breath and was the first to approach them. "Stay here." He told the fallen before walking towards Rias. He stopped about ten feet away from her and the two locked eyes.

"Welcome back, Issei." Rias greeted in friendly manner.

"Nice to see you again." Issei bowed slightly, before recomposing himself.

"I see you've made good on your promise. Those are the exact same four I encountered the other night." Rias had a slightly disgusted look at the other four, particularly at Raynare. "You've done well, Issei. I hope they didn't give you too much trouble." Rias softened her expression as she got closer to Issei.

"Nah it was...it wasn't THAT difficult. Although, I think I may have to rethink my approach when it comes to all this, heheheh." Issei sheepishly chuckled, recalling everything he did up to this point.

"Well, I'm glad you have made it through this ordeal. You truly are a man of your word. But before that...Raynare?" She suddenly called out to her. The raven haired angel had a disdainful look on her face when she called her over. "Come closer." Rias crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at Raynare.

"..hmph." Raynare copied her posture and just casually walked up to them. She stopped, just behind Issei's shoulder, indicating she was not going to leave his side.

"I hope you realize how fortunate you are, of how Issei's been treating you all." She suddenly had a coldness in her tone. "If it weren't for him, I would have had you all destroyed from existence. I hope his kindness isn't wasted on you." Even though the red haired beauty was showing her calm self, her hostility toward Raynare was made abundantly clear.

"Heh, at least I am up front with my intentions, then trying to butter him up. Tell me, were you really thinking that he would join your side if you appealed to him enough? Or are underhanded methods not beneath you?" Raynare had a smirk on her face.

"You say that, but.." Issei thought that was a bit hypocritical of her, considering she tried something similar.

"While I admit that I wanted him to join us, it was more for his benefit, than mine. Something completely opposite, compared to when you attacked him a few nights ago. You just wanted to take his Sacred Gear for yourself." Rias retorted.

"Can you blame me? Were you not thinking of using his power against us, as well? Sure, I may have tried to take his life, but after I got to know him these past few days..." She slowly leaned against his arm. "I believe that our interests on certain things is enough to make us...equal." Issei had no idea what she was doing, and Rias seemed to be tapping her crossed arm.

"Is that so? Well, we've had some pleasant chats of our own. I think we have more in common with each other than a scheming fallen angel." She had a tick mark above her head while trying to maintain composure.

"I doubt that your words are enough to convince a smart person like Issei, that your intentions are pure, you red headed vixen." Raynare seemed to be on the same hostile wavelength as Rias. Both had their respective aura's emanating from each other.

"...Dohnaseek, what am I looking at right now?" Kalawarner just blinked at what she was watching.

"It would seem lady Raynare is feeling possessive." He tipped his had and chuckled.

"Really? I feel like like I'm watching two girls fight over a boy in middle school~." Mittelt put a finger to her chin.

"God Almighty, she better not screw this up, or I may just kill her myself." Kalawarner sighed. Their future prospects were looking very bleak.

"Okay, I got us this far, stop pushing your luck." Issei nudged her off him. She let out a pouting huff as Issei got him off her."(Clears throat). Anyway, I found them, so if it's all the same with you, I'd prefer it if no one dies tonight." Issei requested.

"Well, since you were considerate enough to look after them, considering the risk, and since you are the one requesting it, I see no problem with it..however.." She suddenly glared at Raynare. "I won't forgive them if they pull a stunt like this again."

"So, can they leave?" Issei asked once more.

"...of course, that was our deal, was it not?" Rias let out a sigh. Though she felt reluctant to throw the dice with these fallen angels, Issei's hard work had convinced her that it would not be of any consequence.

Though secretly, she wanted obliterate them on the spot. But next time...next time for sure.

"You hear that? You all can go now." Issei turned around to them.

"Fine with me." Dohnseek wasted no time spreading his wings and taking off.

"Thanks again, kid. I owe ya." Kalawarner nodded, and took off in a different direction.

"Er, same thing! Bye~~!" Mittelt followed after Kalawarner. The last one remaining was Raynare.

"...er, you can leave." Issei repeated to her.

"...I'll uh, stay with you till this is over, if you don't mind." She surprisingly said, which made everyone gasp silently.

"...? Suit yourself." Issei didn't seem that all surprised, but confused. He remembered her saying something about having the need to look out for herself whenever the situation got dangerous. He figured she'd be the first clear out.

"Huh, I took you for a cowardly person, but you'd rather risk me losing my patience with you?" Rias scoffed.

"I have my reasons, you have yours." Raynare crossed her arms. She seemed a bit more confident when she was next to Issei. Her change in demeanor was different than when Rias first attacked them.

Rias didn't like it.

"..I believe you had some questions?" Rias turned her angered face from Raynare and back to Issei.

"Yeah...the information." Issei took a deep breath. Finally, he'd get to ask his question. "Ten years ago, I lost my parents. The police dubbed it as some sort of bear attack. But the thing was, was that it wasn't." He then held up his hand, and suddenly some of that strange black energy formed. It crackled slightly which startled Rias.

"What's this...power he's using? It's so hollow feeling." Rias was entranced momentarily by the power she didn't recognize. But suddenly Issei formed what looked like a shape of a tall, humanoid, with a long tail, and bat-like wings. It also had long claws, and horns protruding out the side of it's head.

"This...thing, killed and ate my parents, while I watched it under from under a table." He seemed to be have an uncomfortable frown as he explained it. "And no one believed a single word I said. I told the them over and OVER. And they all thought I was nuts, and they sent me to the best psych ward in the country, and they left me there for ten years. And over the time, this power I have grew, and I had to learn to control it. It made me do things that made everyone think I was crazy. I wound up in places with no memory of how I got there, I randomly broke down whenever things were going well. And I attacked a guard on one occasion. " He recalled. "But beside the point. This thing is a devil, isn't it?" He asked her once more.

"The wings are similar, but I'm not familiar with the look." Rias examined it closely.

"..." Raynare took a look to, and it didn't seem to ring a bell.

"I wonder...if this is a form it took on when it committed such a vile act." Akeno came over to look as well. "Though, I'm not familiar with this type of being." She hummed curiously.

"A Stray Devil perhaps?" Raynare suggested.

"A Stray?" Issei was curious.

"Basically, a devil that disobeys their master. Devils reincarnate people with items known as Evil Pieces. It's a system that was put in to practice to help repopulate our faction. It's in the form of chess pieces. Each piece signifies a roll in what we call a peerage. A knight, grants incredible speed and agility, a bishop, enhanced magic abilities, a rook, unrivaled strength, and a queen possesses attributes of the rest. And the ones that control these pieces, are the king, which is me." Rias gave a friendly explanation.

"So, what does that have to do with a Stray Devil?" Issei asked.

"Basically they're pieces that diverge from their master, and only do things for themselves." Raynare chimed in. "Think of them as criminals in the underworld."

"While that is true, we take that very seriously." Rias interjected. "If a piece goes against it's master with evil intent to carry out their own selfish desires, they are destroyed on the spot." She swiftly assured him. "But this...could not have been the work of anyone I know of." She took a close look at it. "...if there was a Stray Devil on the loose, still at large, I would have been informed about it. Especially if it took place ten years ago." Rias put a hand to her chin. "We'll call it a Stray Devil for now, but it does not look familiar to me."

"...I see." Issei slowly clenched his hand, as he lowered it. He frowned and bowed his head. He was silent while deep in thought. "Swing and a miss then...but it is a devil. That narrows down what I am searching for. If I can just find someone who's seen this thing, I might be able to find out where it has been all these years." It may not have been as straight forward as he wanted it to be, but Issei was a step closer to finding it.

"I apologize we cannot provide you with the information you want." Akeno bowed apologetically.

"Well, I know what I'm looking for now." Issei let out a sigh. "Well, I should probably go now. Thanks for the information, Gremory." Issei nodded in appreciation.

"If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. Social status, we may differ, but we are still school mates with each other." She smiled warmly. "I have a responsibility to help my underclassmen."

"Er, thanks." Issei looked away with a blush.

"Excuse me, Issei, may I have a few moments of your time?" Yuuta approached him next.

"Hm? What is it?" Issei turned curiously toward him.

"Would you mind indulging me in a mock battle?" He requested politely.

"...sorry?" Issei blinked plainly.

"While your determination to avenge your parents is admirable, I just wanted to see how good you are in a fight." He explained.

"Huh? Why would he agree to that? He's probably tired and wants to go home." Raynare scoffed in annoyance.

"I simply wish to make sure you are capable of dispensing your justice when the time comes." Kiba revealed, ignoring her rude tone.

"...I can handle myself." Issei simply said. Putting his hands in his pockets.

"Then...would you be willing to show us?" He requested once more.

"I don't really see how them caring about my power level is necessary, but some experience fighting devils might come in handy." Issei wasn't sure at first, but combat with Kiba might be beneficial when it comes to fighting devils. All eyes were on him, awaiting a response.

"Fine. Lets do this." He nodded with a determined look.

Here 'ya are!

Read/Review/Rate!

Laters!