Okay and we're back with one of my most popular stories, tenth chapter honestly I didn't know where to go with chapter considering the not so subtle hints I left at the end of the last chapter, I KNOW I SAID THIS CHAPTER WOULD BE LONGER BUT I FELT IF IDID DO THAT THEN IT WOULD BE LONGER THAN NECESSARY TO UPDATE THE STORY, BUT I PROMISE NEXT CHAPTER TO DO THE TRAINING STUFF AS WELL AS SOME ACTION STUFF. I hope this chapter will make up for that until the next chapter it's just that I had an idea is all.
"How long do you reckon before she wakes up?" Natsu asked in a concerned voice as both he and his father looked at Rayanare still lying unconscious in bed. "Mostly likely another few days but I suppose that's for the best, we'll need to prepare for our trip to the underworld" Igneel replied causing Natsu to nod. "I'm going out, got a few things to do; try not to destroy my house while I'm gone" Natsu chided his father who could only give a deadpan expression, "Why does it sound like I'm the kid and he's the parent" Igneel couldn't help but think before returning his attention to Rayanare.
"Jeez how long have I been inside, it's almost sunset" Natsu said to himself as he walked down the street before coming to a large set of stairs that lead up to a shrine where he was met by the sight of a familiar person. "Um hello, earth too Red Dragon Emperor" Natsu said waving his hand in front of Issei's face as he appeared to be staring into space looking very conflicted about something.
"Huh hey it's you, what the hell are you doing here?" Issei asked curiously although there was a bit of caution to it. "Relax kid I just out for a walk, although now that you're here I'll give you a warning" Natsu said in an even tone. "This concerns you too Ddraig" Natsu added on causing the boosted gear to appear on Issei's arm. "The White Dragon Emperor is closer than you think, at your current level without your balance breaker you don't stand a chance" Natsu revealed causing Issei's eyes to widen.
"Do you know who they are?" Issei asked curiously earning a nod from Natsu, "I do, he goes by the name Vali Lucifer; he was there watching your fight against Kokabiel but he wasn't impressed with your performance nor was I for the matter" Natsu revealed but before he could continue Issei stopped him. "Will you help me?" the Red Dragon Emperor asked puzzling Natsu, "What?" was the slayers dumb response.
"Don't what me, I'm asking you to help me get stronger; if I can't achieve my balance breaker again then I'll never be able to protect Asia, Rias and the others" Issei said as he clenched his gauntleted fist in frustration. "What's your opinion on this Ddraig, is it a good idea?" Natsu said directing his question to the dragon residing within the boosted gear. "It doesn't really matter; this pervert is my partner but I will support him no matter his choice" Ddraig answered causing Issei to smile.
"Well then since it's the weekend tomorrow come over by my place tomorrow I'll see what I can do with you; you better get going if you want to catch up to Rias" Natsu said causing Issei's eyes to widen. "Oh crap, so yeah thanks but I gotta go or my ass is as good as gone!" Issei thanked Natsu before sprinting off after his master.
"Normally if those two are together the one with the bow in her hair, Akeno is usually with them" Natsu thought to himself before he turned his attention skyward when his enhanced sense of hearing caught the faint sounds of sobbing. When he looked up he saw Akeno flying in the opposite direction of Issei and Rias, then again with his enhanced sight he was able to faintly make out the distraught expression on her face.
"Looks like Barkiel's daughter finally told Issei the truth, not the best time all things considered" Natsu mumbled to himself, from what information about each of Rias' peerage members Sirzechs had given him Natsu had learned of Akeno's fallen angel heritage and that she didn't accept that half of her. Then there was Issei, while it was in its early stages the kid had symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Although he was unaware of it himself Natsu was partially to blame for that, for when he went to knock Issei out back then he punched him harder than he meant to.
Although successfully knocking him out he had accidently punctured one of his lungs, the other half of the cause came around by the fact that Issei thought it was Rayanare who had killed him and seeing her do the same to Asia just set things in motion.
Now that coupled with Akeno revealing She's part fallen angel to his face may have triggered something within Issei or at least that's the assumption Natsu's come to. "It really isn't any of my business but there's no telling what she could do, better follow her to make sure she's okay" Natsu mumbled out before he disappeared in a wisp of flames.
Meanwhile with Igneel
Now Igneel may not have been as knowledgeable of healing magic as Grandeeney was but he knew enough to make any pain Rayanare was feeling minimal. "Heh, you're one lucky girl; there are very few who a dragonslayer lacrima will accept as their host" Igneel said before leaving the room and returning back to the living room. The dragon king figured if he did periodical checks then everything should be fine and although his son had been gone only for only twenty minutes the house felt empty and too quiet for his liking.
"Let's see how the hell does this thing work" Igneel said picking up the remote and began fiddling with it pointing it at the plasma screen television. "Come on, this one, this one maybe this one ahhhh, technology sucks!" Igneel roared fed up with not being able to get it to work he threw the remote with perhaps too much force leaving a remote shaped hole in the television before it started sparking until finally…
*BOOM*
"Oops, that's the second one"
Back with Akeno
Akeno flew and flew and then flew some more until she couldn't take it anymore and landed on a lone hillside outside of town. As she landed she collapsed onto her knees and began sobbing, "I don't know why I expected any less, it's just that look of disgust I can't get it out of my head" Akeno cried as punching the ground slightly.
"I don't think I could back, I owe my life to Rias but I can't stomach seeing that look on his face again, on any of their faces; I just can't" Akeno muttered to herself. "You shouldn't let what other people think of you when you still can't come to terms with what you think of yourself" a familiar voice said causing the raven haired beauty to snap her head back around to the source.
"Go away, what the hell would you know!" Akeno said harshly making Natsu shake his head as he leaned up against the tree. "Nothing, but what I do know is that you've been supressing a side of yourself for a very long time and while you may have thought it would help you fit in with those who didn't know it has worsened your own ability to come to terms with what you are and deal with it" Natsu explained making Akeno narrow her eyes.
"Really if you're so sure then what have you come to terms with, what have you had to deal with!" Akeno shouted rather more harshly than she intended to. "The fact that I'll never see the rest of my family again, not in this world or the next; all the lives I've taken and almost losing someone I care deeply about" Natsu said in a completely even tone surprising Akeno.
"I'm sure you remember my father telling all of you that we aren't from this world, the guild I was a part of back there, everyone even those that pissed me off to no ends were my family blood toes be damned; that was our code, so I've had to come to terms with the fact that I'' have to leave them behind and stay in this world" Natsu continued on this time there a bit of seriousness in his voice.
"I-I'm sorry…" before Akeno could finish apologising Natsu interrupted her, "Look I'm not gonna say I've been through what you're going through, but I understand the feeling of not being accepted for what you are" Natsu said sympathetically causing Akeno's lips to tremble before she broke down again and started beating her fist into Natsu's chest. "It hurts; it hurts so much" the fallen angel devil hybrid said in between breaths as Natsu placed a reassuring hand on the back of her head gently rubbing her head.
"I know it does but there is only one way to make the pain go away, it's gonna be hard but you're gonna have come to terms with your other half" Natsu spoke in a calm voice but before Akeno could respond he interrupted once again. "Don't worry I'll help, what you are doesn't matter to me; it's who you are that's important; regardless of either half you're a strong, caring and beautiful person" Natsu compliment Akeno making her blush and break eye contact for a moment. "Most people would be lucky to meet someone like you in their live" he added on with his usual smile.
"But why help me? You barely know me?" Akeno asked curiously, she didn't even think there would be a chance she could come to terms with what she was; it disgusted her to no ends. Natsu just scratched the back of his head and looked away in slight embarrassment. "Honestly you remind me of someone I used to know, she had the same problem as you when it came to accepting her power; she was labelled as many things and eventually her and her family were forced to run away from their home town because of it" Natsu revealed shocking Akeno slightly.
"She never asked for that power but in order to protect her siblings she needed it, she had to put up with a lot and looking back on it now I respected that about her and even more so when she finally accepted her power and continued to use it to protect that which matters to her" Natsu continued to explain before looking Akeno directly in the eyes. "I respect her just like I do you, in a world like this it takes a strong person to persevere against what you're going through" Natsu admitted with a toothy grin.
"T-Thanks" Akeno replied in a shy tone as she leaned in closer to the dragonslayer who was becoming more aware of Akeno's more than generous endowments pressing up against him. "Holy shit those things are huge" Natsu screamed in his head but Akeno's shifting returned his attention back to the fallen angel devil hybrid in front of him. "I can't return to the peerage, not like this I'll just be holding them back; I don't think I can face them not until I can face myself" Akeno admitted in a saddened tone.
"It's up to you, but where will you go?" Natsu asked causing Akeno to go blank in the mind, "I suppose I'll stay at the shrine" she simply said which resulted in Natsu shaking his head. "If you don't show up for a few days that's the first place Rias and the others will look; it's less likely that they come to my place if that's okay with you" Natsu offered making Akeno think, there weren't many other places she could stay. Even if she did hate fallen angels and Rayanare apparently was no longer one that didn't mean she's forgiven her for what she did to her friends.
However, she didn't exactly have many options at the moment, "I'll take you up on your offer Natsu but I'll apologize ahead of time, I can't guarantee that me and Rayanare will ever get along" Akeno informed the pinkette making him grin, "I never said that you had to just don't wreck my house" Natsu replied in an amused tone making Akeno laugh slightly before she dried up her tears.
"Out of curiosity when you see these what do you think?" Akeno asked curiously before pulling down the shoulders of her shrine maiden outfit reveal a large amount of cleavage causing Natsu to panic thinking that the girl in front of him was stripping. Luckily (or not) Akeno turned around before sprouting her mixed wings, one of a devil the other that of a fallen angel.
"Your wings?" Natsu asked just to make sure causing Akeno to nod, "So what one of each nothing comes to mind, I guess if anything just that it represents two sides of the same amazing person" Natsu answered in an even tone making Akeno smile. If she had asked another devil other than Rias and those in her peerage bar Issei she would have expected a myriad of names and insults so hearing that there was at least one other who wasn't bothered by hear heritage and appearance well she couldn't help but smile.
Natsu then remembered that he agreed to train Issei, "Dammit I completely forgot" the dragonslayer cursed out puzzling Akeno, "I agreed that I'd train Issei using the pocket dimension Grayfia set up for me" Natsu explained making Akeno frown. "Don't worry, I'll think of something it isn't exactly the biggest obstacle to overcome" he reassured her.
"If you say so" Akeno replied in an even tone, "Umm do you think you could cover up, please?" Natsu asked out of the blue slightly confusing Akeno before she looked down to see that her breasts were out in the open for all to see. Normally one would be embarrassed but Akeno wasn't normal nor did she embarrass easily, instead she had an idea. "Aww is the big bad dragon getting embarrassed just from seeing a little skin" Akeno teased as she pressed herself up against Natsu who felt a lump form in the back of his throat.
"C-come on now Akeno quit teasing, this really isn't the time or place" Natsu said in an embarrassed tone as he looked away to avoid eye contact. "Funny, your eyes may say so but downstairs is another story" she continued to tease making Natsu turn his hip to the right. "I don't know what you're talking about" Natsu replied trying to keep a calm and even tone although his voice broke mid-way through his sentence causing Akeno to giggle before she stepped away and fixed her outfit.
"For someone so strong you have the cutest reactions" Akeno teased once more making the dragon blush a mumble something under his breath. "Let's just go, we don't want to be seen by your friends so grab on" Natsu said before Akeno walked over to him and place her hand on his shoulder. As he went to place his fingers on his head, "Thanks" Akeno said before placing a quick kiss on the dragonslayers cheek greatly shocking him and almost making him screw up the location. "No problem" Natsu said once again trying to hide his embarrassment but failing, and like that both disappeared in a wisp of flames before reappearing inside his house.
"Natsu that you, your back finally now tell…oh you brought back a lady friend" Igneel said when he caught wind of his son's scent but paused when he noticed his 'guest' before a smirk made its way across his face and he thought it was time to mess with him. The dragon's statement made Natsu turn several shades of crimson he didn't really know why he was embarrassed. He assumed it was because he had marked Rayanare and doing all the stuff he did with her just felt natural in its own right however, when concerning a different woman, it was well different or at least if they weren't marked as what Igneel had said the night prior was still floating about in his mind.
"Oi we're not like that you old perverted lizard!" Natsu shouted t his father who quirked an eyebrow at his son. "You mean you aren't like that yet" Igneel suggest which resulted in more argument from the pinkette, Akeno couldn't help but laugh at the father and son's antics it made it made her feel like all the drama from earlier on today or even in the week hadn't existed in the first place.
"Oi where's the TV?!" Natsu shouted upon noticing the missing electrical appliance, he then turned to his father who was sweating bullets. "Well you see…" Igneel paused trying to think of an excuse but nothing came to mind so he said the only thing that came to mind. Placing both his hands on Natsu's shoulders and put on the best serious face he could muster "The truth is Natsu, that you never had TV to begin with" Igneel answered the pinkette in all seriousness.
"You broke it again, didn't you?" Natsu asked although it was more of a rhetorical question than anything else. "Y-yeah" his father replied in sheepish tone making Natsu sigh before going over to a closet door and pulling out a large cardboard box. "You're lucky Sirzechs gave these to me in surplus" Natsu said as he lifted another television out of the box before he started wiring it out and once again taught his father how it worked. It was a fierce battle but eventually Igneel finally mastered how to turn on the television.
"Now that 'that' is sorted out I'll show you to the guest room then if you want we can go get your stuff" Natsu suggested but he confused by the face Akeno was making. "What?" he asked innocently, "You know where I live?" she asked suspiciously with narrowed eyes. "What no, that'd be creepy and that just isn't me" Natsu replied which was only half a lie. The information Sirzechs gave him did reveal the location of her apartment but it definitely wasn't his style to purposely find out where a girl lives just to keep tabs on her. Well, Lucy was the exception but that was mainly to piss her off and that only came about because he needed her for that one mission.
Akeno still stared suspiciously at Natsu who was a sweating right, the gaze she was giving him was as intense as Erza's if not a little bit more. "Well it doesn't really matter now at this stage; I was going to have to go back there at some stage to get my clothes" Akeno said much to Natsu's relief before she Akeno went into the guest room to get a feel for the room. While she did this Natsu went upstairs to see Rayanare, much to his relief her breathing had completely evened out and she didn't appear to be in pain. However, she didn't appear be waking up anytime soon.
"Please hurry up and come back to me"
Chapter end
I know this mightn't have been what you were expecting but I had an idea and I felt that this was an appropriate time to implement it. Next chapter I plan to do a mix between Natsu training Issei and then after that have Natsu help Akeno. The chapter after that will be the start of Natsu's and Igneel training and that's all I have so far bar one other idea. At any rate hope you like this chapter.