Chapter 11: Another Disquieting Premonition

It was nighttime in Kuoh Town. All seemed calm. Then from the darkness someone came, while hooded it was clear from the attire the person was a woman. She walked in a brisk pace as she looked around. As she continued walking she passed by a drunken-looking man.

"Yus' a' minni' misshy," the man slurred. She stopped her walking. "Wazza l'dy uk you wal'ing alone?"

The woman ignored him and as she was about to walk off. The man grabbed her arm.

"Missy's like you should never be alone." The man said grinning. Marking appeared on his face and soon morphed into a thing of nightmares. It was green, covered in feathers, with a twisted beak, weird eyes and scaly torso and claws. It was the Parrot Fangire.

The moment it tried to feed on her lifeforce, she waved her and a blast of power swatted him away.

"Nani?!"

"It seems you Fangire have run wild lately. That's not something I can allow."

"W-who are you?!"

She opened her palm as if in a offering gesture. The Parrot Fangire looked and freaked out.

"Impossible! You are suppose to be dead!"

"I am very much alive," she stated. "Now tell me what is going on in this town. And where is a nice place to live. I am going to be staying here for a time."

"H-hai!"

With that the town went into the darkness. Changes were about to happen at Kuoh Town.

At the Kurenai Residence

Kurenai Issei was currently sleeping. He had to rest a lot the past few days. The reason? He faced off against a High-Class Devil and won by offering his arm to a dragon within his Sacred Gear. The result? Victory, but not his body was a complete mess, not counting the injuries he received that while few were almost vital. So now he was resting. He wasn't one to normally sleep so much but he had to. And he was enjoying it.

He turned in his sleep as he hugged his pillow and nuzzled it. The pillow gasped softly as he hugged it more. He froze at that. Pillow did not gasp. They also didn't hug them back! He opened an eyes and saw his Master and Buchou, Rias Gremory sleeping next to him. She was also naked! Two things could happen in such a situation.

First off just go back to sleep and pretend he saw anything. Second scream and panic. Issei did none of those things. Mostly because being near such a beautiful woman had turned him beet red and he froze from the shock. He recalled why the relationship between Buchou and he changed.

Flashback

"You dummy." Rias said with a bitter smile.

She was visiting Issei in a infirmary in the Underworld, the realm of the Devils. Issei's wounds had been serious and his exhaustion plus the strain on his body was worse.

"S-sorry," he said sheepishly. "B-but I don't regret my actions.

"Oh?"

"You gave me a new life that I never thought possible. For that I will always do anything for you."

"Even giving your arm to the Dragon as a price to borrow that power right?"

"As deals went it was a good one. I do worry that my violin playing may have altered but…. Someone like that has barely any talent was able to get the ultimate power just with my left arm. Thanks to that I was able to defeat Raiser and get Buchou back."

"I was never gone silly boy," she admonished. "But many were impressed with how you prepared for the Rating Game."

"How is Raiser? He was pretty hurt after I beat him."

"Oh, that one is closed up in his room after that. Seems losing really hit him hard. What an idiot."

"I see."

"Although saying what you said to his sister was surprising."

"Nani?"

"It went: "If you ever want payback for what I did, come face me anytime. I will accept those feelings and resolution with my own", well you sure are something."

Issei smiled embarrassed. He didn't recall saying that.

"You know that this left arm won't turn back to normal any more, don't you?"

"Ah, that's a bit of a problem. A cosplay item maybe? Oh, that won't work at school. Oh my, what should I do?"

"Asia will definitely cry if she finds this out."

He grimaced at the thought. She would indeed panic.

"...You may have broken this engagement. But a new engagement might be brought in, you know? If you keep on doing this..."

"Then I will give my right arm as a price next time. Then my eyes if another one comes in. I will keep on saving Buchou. That's the only thing I can do. But I will definitely come and save you. That's because I am Rias Gremory's Pawn."

She just smiled before she kissed him on the lips again. Then rested her head on his shoulder. They remained that way for a time.

After that day Buchou had change. Which in turn caused Asia to change and even more shocking now he had the two of them living with him. How did that happen? His thoughts were interrupted when Rias woke up. She smiled softly as she stared at him.

"Good morning," she greeted. "I see you're awake?"

"Y-Yes, I am. When I woke up, it was like this so I didn't know what to do..."

He had been freaking out too much to move.

"I'm sorry. I felt like sleeping while using you as my hugging pillow. I came in after you went to sleep."

He was sure he put a lock on the door. Did she break the lock? Before he could wonder, Rias hugged his left side of his body tighter. He blushed at her bold move.

"What should we do? It might be wonderful to stay like this until it's time to wake up... Maybe doing something a little bit naughty would be a good way to communicate with my adorable servant."

To prove her point she kissed his cheek. By then Issei felt a nosebleed coming on and the urge to black out. Was this how someone deepened their relationship? He needed to talk to somebody about this, but who? But before Buchou could continue her hunt.

"Ise-san. It's almost time for morning training."

Asia had come to wake him up. She also was using that nickname that is rarely bestowed upon him. One of the changes he had seen from her.

Ise-san? Are you still sleeping?" She called again.

"No, I'm awake. W-Wait a bit! I mean, wait for me downstairs!" He said. No use for her to see this madness. Plus the rivalry she and Buchou seemed to have seemed to escalate since the latter's move in the house.

"Asia, wait for us a bit longer. Both Ise and I need to get ready." Rias said. Like the blonde she had started to use that nickname.

Asia opened the door to see Rias naked and Issei in his underwear. She started to get teary eyed in seeing them together.

"Good morning Asia." Rias said. Issei eyed her worriedly, was she teasing the blonde girl?

Asia started to shake before yelling, "I will also get naked! I don't want to be left out!"

Issei's eyes almost popped out of his skull at those words. Seems his mornings just got a whole level of hectic.

Issei was jogging. After managing to dodge the ensuing fight for a place in his bed, he began doing his exercise. A new habit he did after the rating game. He wanted his body stronger for any future fights and other Games. He jogged until reaching a park. Since it was still early no one was there.

He the started practicing his attacks. He was throwing punches as an enemy was in front of him.

"No, no, no," a voice said. "That's wrong!"

Startled he turned around to see a tall man with black messy hair. He had just a shirt, jeans, and light brown hoodie.

"Ano...Who are you?" Issei asked.

"Me? Just a simple adventurer taking a morning stroll," he grinned. "My name is Godai." He gave a thumbs up.

Issei bowed. "M-my name is Kurenai Issei. Um. Godai-san, what did you mean about being wrong."

"Oh, I mean your technique. The punches were too soft and the stance was sloppy."

"R-really?"

"Hey, its no shame we all have to start at one time. This is how you should do it."

In a flash his happy-go-lucky look turn serious. He put one foot forward, the other at back, knees bent and threw the punch. A leaf that suddenly fell was cut in half.

"Sugoi!" Issei muttered. He'd never seen a punch that fast. Who was this man?

"And that's how it is," Godai said nodding. "You need to use the stance to give more strength to the punch. The position is to balance your body, while bending the knees will give your punch that spring. Then you just need to use your body to give it more weight to that spring. Try it."

Issei did as instructed and saw change in his fist.

"Nice, you are a quick learner," he clapped. "Now do that a 100 times."

So he spent the entire morning learning moves from Godai. Thankfully Issei's past training had let him absorb information like a sponge, as he could memorize and reflect what he was being taught. Dawn was soon arriving and Issei was sitting on the ground panting. It had been a rough training.

"Kid you got will, I like that." Godai said.

"T-thank you f-for the help Godai-san," Issei said as he took a swig of water from the bottle he brought.

"No sweat Issei-kun. I'm always there to help out anyone. Good luck with everything. Now have to go."

"Hai, thank you." Issei said as he bowed.

"Yeesh, it's no biggie. But I feel like we'll meet again. So goodbye." He gave a thumbs up before sprinting away. The man had a lot of energy.

"I keep meeting interesting people," He mused as he returned back home.

"Now let's begin this meeting," Rias said. "As you know it's the time to clean the whole old school building. So we'll have the meeting of the Occult Research Club here."

Everyone nods at her. Then as she sips her tea (courtesy of Asia) said, "Let's begin with Contract numbers of this month."

"Akeno with 11."

"Yes."

"Koneko at 10."

"Hai."

"Yuuto at 8."

"Yes."

"Issei at 5."

"H-hai."

"And Asia at 3."

"Well done Asia, Issei," Yuuto said with his usual smile.

"Ara, are good job," Akeno praised.

"...That is pretty good for newbies." Koneko mutters.

"Oh thank you so much." Asia said shyly.

Issei was about to reply when he heard the Call of the Bloody Rose.

"Buchou!" He said.

"Is it a Fangire?" She asked. At his nod, she said, "Go! Do what you must."

Issei quickly leaves as he was followed by Kivat. As he left he hit some books and something fell. Kiba picked up and saw something that surprised him.

"Ara, ara I didn't know the Fangires were doing mischief again?"

"This is the first time in a while since they have been out in the open." BUchou agrees. "I hope Issei finds out why they are doing this now."

Kiba wasn't hearing what was being said. His hand trembled slightly.

"It can't be…" He thought. "This is a Holy Sword."

Issei rode the Machine Kivaa as he went to the location Bloody Rose guided him to. As he did he quickly transformed into his Kiva form and also donned his Sacred Gear. He spotted the Fangire harassing a young woman.

"Enough!" He yelled. He kicked the creature in the chest as he rode by. Then put the brakes on before jumping from the back to land in front of the girl.

The monster got up. It was bulky with wide shoulders and head . It had beady eyes, a drill for a nose and wide claws for battle. This was the Mole Fangire.

"Kiva!? So you came." The Fangire snarled.

"Your hunt is over Fangire!" Kiva states.

"Heh! We'll see!" He then charged at Kiva.

He dodged the Fangire swiftly before dealing him with a punch to the thing's face. It left the Mole stunned.

"Arigatou Godai-san." He thought.

[Boost!]

It had begun. Just two more and he'll end it. The Fangire then began throw the spikes from his claws. Kiva dodges some but the rest managed to hit.

"Guess I have to gain some back up," He pulled out the blue fuestle.

"Garulu Saber!"

At Castle Doran

The keepers of the castle were building a tower of cards. They'd been at it for quite a while now. Then they heard the call.

"It's not me," the boy, Ramon said.

"Not me," Riki grumbled.

"It's been a while, guess it's time to play," Jiro said. He went into the hall and a scraped the floor with his claws as he walked. Then he transformed into his true form before shifting to the statuette form and flew to give Kiva aid.

Kiva summoned the Garulu Saber and shifted to his Garulu form.

[Boost!]

With the power he had he charged the Fangire. He delivered a rapid assaults of slashes as he attacked. It was close to what one called Iai.

The Fangire couldn't match Kiva's speed as he was pummeled to the ground.

[Boost!]

It was time! Gathering the power he just gained into the jewel of his gauntlet, he aimed the Sacred Gear and released the energy.

"Dragon Shot!"

The blast hit the Fangire full on, leaving a hole in it's body.

"D-don't t-t-think this is the e-e-end Kiva!" It blurted out. "You cannot stop what's coming! Soon….Fangires…..will….rule…." With that it bursted into glass.

Kiva frowned at the last statement. What could it be? He turned to the girl that was attacked who hadn't moved since the fight began.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

She looked up and Issei was floored. Standing before him was the spitting image of Akeno! The same eyes, body! The only difference was the hair. Akeno had dark glossy hair whereas this girl had brown chestnut hair.

"Hai, I'm alright!" She said too bubbly for someone who was attacked. "But that monster sure was a meanie."

"Right….." He felt suspicious of this person. The attitude, there's no shock to awe after seeing such a fight.

"But you saved me!" She threw herself at him.

Issei was flabbergasted. He wasn't expecting a hug!.

"You sure are strong! Especially that thing you did with the Sacred Gear. Sugoi!"

Now that ring alarm bells in his head. He quickly but softly removed the girl from hugging him.

"Who are you?" He demanded.

"What do you mean?"

"Only certain people know what a Sacred Gear is." Issei stated. " Most of them are not human and wouldn't be so cheerful after being attacked by a monster. Who are you?"

The girl smile dropped as she looked at Kiva curiously. "Seems that persona didn't work. I tried to throw you off but you seem smart."

"Who are you?"

"Not your enemy Kiva-chan. Just wanted to see what you were made of after the whole Rating Game. I hear you were quite the MVP."

As he tried to reach her a bright flash appeared and blinded him for a moment. When it was gone, the girl was gone with it. What had just happened?

The Hooded Woman had witnessed the fight between Kiva and the Mole Fangire. She had seen the rumor confirmed that the Red Dragon Emperor and Kiva were one and the same. Plus he served the Devil Faction. Things were stirring much in this town.

"Where there is one, there is the other," she mused. "Soon the White Dragon will appear and this please won't be the same. I have to gather more power before I make my move."

With that she disappeared in a magic-circle.

Issei was currently sketching a portrait. One of his clients asked it in exchange for the contract to be set. As he did he looked towards Akeno who was helping out Buchou. He had told Rias about what the Fangire told him and about the mysterious girl that resembled the Gremory Queen.

Flashback

"Are you sure Ise?" She had asked for the third time.

"Hai, Buchou. She knew I had a Sacred Gear, she knew I was Kiva and that I had helped win the match against Raiser."

Rias tapped her chin as she thought. "It was good of you to tell me this first Ise," she said at last. "For now do not tell Akeno, who knows what she'll do if she finds out."

"Why?"

"It's her secret, it is not my place to tell. We'll also see what the Fangire was referring to also."

He nodded at her decision. Things were becoming complicated.

SLAP!

"How is it? Did you wake up?" Rias demanded.

Currently she was confronting Kiba! This was an odd sight to see watch.

"I saw from my Familiars that you have not been going to your contracts! What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I apologize," Kiba replies. "I have not been feeling well."

Something in his eyes made the whole apology and smile seem off.

"Yuuto-san are you ok?" Issei asked. Had it been about that picture? When Issei returned from fighting the Fangire he had asked about it. The only thing he could recall was that it belonged to a neighbor during his time in a foster home. But they had moved long ago.

"It's none of your concern." Kiba stated with the cold look and the sharp smile.

Issei flinched a bit at the tone. Something was bugging him.

"I just meant everyone is worried about you."

"Worried? Who worries about who? I think it's normal for Devils to live by how they want. Well, I think I'm at fault for not my duty to my Master."

"Don't we as a group have to lookout for one another? Didn't we promised to do so during the Rating Game? Are we not comrades?"

"Comrades…" Kiba said as he made a melancholy face. "You are always burning… Ise-kun, lately I started to remember the basic things."

"What do you mean?"

"The reason why I am fighting."

"Isn't it for Buchou?"

"No. I'm living so I can seek my revenge. Holy-sword Excalibur. Destroying that is the reason why I am living."

Isse was riding his Machine Kivaa as went to a new client's house. Things at the club had been tense. Since Kiba's big statement nothing had been the same. He reached the place he wanted. It was a mansion, small but still nice and well made. It made him wonder who lived here. He knocked on the door.

It opened to reveal a man in his twenties with blonde and black hear. He was wearing a yukata for men.

"Oh so you must be the Devil I summoned right?" He asked.

"Hai, sorry for arriving like this. Certain situations does not let me arrive the way a Devil usually does."

"Interesting, please come in."

The place seemed to have been lived in but had simple decorations.

"Here you go," the client said. He had brought some expensive liquor.

"I-I can't drink that," he said. "I'm still underage."

"Really? Well the only thing I have here is that, been away for a while and so haven't stuck on supplies. How about water?"

"Sure."

Once that was over Issei focused on the task at hand.

"So what do you want?"

"What do you mean?"

"You request, the reason you summoned me?"

"Ah, that, I mostly did it to see if it worked."

"I see."

Every now and then someone would just summoned Devils for curiosity instead of true desire.

"Well how about this," the client piped up. "Let's play video games. I got a big collection."

Issei was feeling like this man did things on a whim. But he still had a job to do.

Issei was tired and a little annoyed. His new client was odd. He kept asking questions Issei did not know and offering as payment priceless art paintings. Currently at the back of his bike as he rode on home. Suddenly he heard clashing. Using his Devil vision, he spotted to people locked in combat. To his shock one of them was Kiba!

"Kivat!" he called. As always the bat came to him and bit his hand. "Henshin!" He was wrapped in chains before revealing his Kiva armor.

He stopped his bike and jumped off as he send his friend's enemy a kick in the face. That sent the guy flying as he inspected Yuuto. He looked hurt.

"Yuuto-san, are you alright?" he asked.

"Ise-san…..I….." he passed out.

He then spotted the guy returning and saw armor? For a moment he thought it was Ixa. Except this one had fur in his armor. Shoulders, neck and chest it had it. Claws came from its shoulders, its helm was skull-like and he had a blue visor. ON his forearms he had chains and to his even greater shock there was a grey Kivat on the belt buckle! And in his hands it had a long sword and strapped to his back and even bigger sword wider than his motorcycle.

"Who are you?"

The guy chuckled. "Me? I am the emissary of war."

Kiva didn't know why but he did not one to fight this guy. If he could take down Kiba then he was someone that could take him on for whatever reason. He cautiously a fuestle.

The guy noticed. "Oh, it would be truly a treat to beat the Red Dragon Emperor Kiva."

"Who said anything about me fighting you?" Kiva said. He put the fuestle in Kivat's mouth.

"Castle Doran!"

Sure enough a roar was heard as they looked up to see a dragon mixed together with a castle. Doran immediately shot at the opponent before spiriting Kiva and Yuuto away. When the dust settled the so called emissary of war found himself alone. He had been outplayed.

A man watched the procedures quietly. From behind appeared a Akeno's look alike.

"So what did you think?"

"He has potential," the man said. "He just needs training to really unleash it."

"Oh you are volunteering? You better be careful, he is not that fond of Fallen Angels given how many times he fought them."

"That's true, but a chance will appear. For now I'll keep watching."

At a Church

"Are you sure this the place Irina?" A girl asked to her comrade.

Both were currently inside an abandoned Church.

"Of course I'm sure Xenovia. I lived here." Irina replied smiling. In her hand was a photo of two children playing together. In the background was a sword.

"I think he is not coming. Something is wrong." Xenovia said.

"You may be right. That means we have to ask them."

"Why? What would they know?"

"This is their territory, as such they must know information about events here."

"I don't like it but you have a point. Let's meet those wretched Devils."

Sounds like things are stirring up in the town. Many players are gathering. Seems like things are gonna turn hectic. We'll see in the next chapter.