Gathering for peace treaty.
Koneko's POV
The whole peerage as well as some other devils, are currently present at a large gathering of all three factions. It was probably to finally form the peace treaty that everyone had sought for.
I was minding my own business, sticking with Kaigo and Gaspie as we checked the place out and frankly, it looked like it had a genre that fit the criteria of a wedding.
"Sooo, what are going to do after the peace treaty?" Kaigo asked as he turned towards me and Gaspie.
"Probably go back to trai-"
My skin jumped.
My skin jumped at the current sensation that had occupied my senses, it was the surge of sage power, slowly tapping at me as if it was taunting me.
I stiffly turned to where it was originating from, as if I was being possessed by a weak hypnotist, however that interpretation ended as I swiftly paced towards the elevator.
"Hey Koneko, where are you going?" I managed to hear Gaspie cry as the elevator doors shut, I was too focused on this feeling that I was experiencing.
The elevator stopped at the bottom of the building and presented a gloomy forest, I by-passed this and rushed towards the surge of power that was only intensifying by the second.
I brought forth my sage arts and engulfed myself in my aura, only quickening the current pace I was travelling at, I came closer and closer until a completing new feeling had joined the current one that I was chasing.
It was warm, warm like spring and felt reliable, reliable like how wood is used to for many everyday activities, it also caused me to think of the colour azure, the mainly green, but also slightly blue shade, that could either stand out or blend in.
As I was caught up in those thoughts, I hadn't realise I had automatically reached the location to where the sage power had originated from, I slowly orientated my gaze and focused upon a figure, the figure was a female nekomata, she was wearing a black kimono and her tails split off into two and was now restlessly shaking. Those few seconds of scanning had brought me to tears as well as joy as I faintly spoke.
"Are you Kuro-" I was cut off by a suffocating hug.
"SHIRONE!" now I knew this was definitely Kuroka, "oh, how I missed you so," my elder sister pulled me out the hug and gazed at my face, which was in shambles and tears due to this emotional occurrence.
"I'm so glad I finally found you…" I sobbed while pulling her for a hug only tightening my grip as the seconds passed by.
"It's alright," the black nekomata conforted me, this time, in more ordinary tone, one that was completely different from a few seconds ago, "i'll never leave you again, I promise…"
"KONEKO, where are you?!" a masculine voice sounded.
Before long Kaigo and Gaspie emerged from the same place I emerged from and bestowed their sights upon us, Kaigo then chuckled.
"I feel like I'm interrupting a family reunion,"
"Oh… I presume you must be Kaigo, the same kid from three ago," Kuroka replied while releasing her from my embrace but still having one hand on my shoulder.
"Yes… and I presume that you must be Kuroka, the woman who saved me also three years ago," Kaigo smirked, "it's a pleasure to finally meet you," Kaigo then bowed his head before raising it back up.
My elder sister then turned to Gaspie and asked confusingly,
"Say, I don't recall ever saving a vampire, who might you be?" she ended with a pleasant smile.
"Umm, I'm Gasper Vladi, pleased to meet you,"
Wow Gaspies' introduction went more smoothly than I thought.
"And what might your story be?" Kuroka quickly added on.
"Umm… Uhhh," Gaspie whimpered.
"Long story short, Rias was about to have him burned to a crisp until me and Kaigo saved him," I quickly explained while looking over my shoulder and peering into her solid yellow eyes.
"Oh I see, well as much as I would like to chat, we must take our leave," Kuroka strongly stated before walking deeper into the forest.
"Oh dear… I would rather like to chat more," A malicious voice seemed to freeze Kuroka from where she was stationed as she slowly turned with a stern look in her eyes.
Rias slowly emerged from the forest with a malicious look and evil grin, she alerted Kaigo and Gasper, thus causing them to close in on me and my sister.
"I must say Kaigo, I'm quite impressed," the crimson haired bitch stated, "fending off a fallen angel when you were human, revealing to Koneko the truth about me and saving Gasper, you've been a pain in my ass that I'm finally about to relieve,"
She snapped her fingers and 250 demons had emerged, some had pitchforks, some had scythes and the others had magic circles orbiting around their body.
Rias raised her hand and brought it down, signalling the start of the battle. All 250 rushed us causing air fissures with their scythes and magic projectiles, however as quick as a blink of an eye, Kuroka had erected a barrier, she then said,
"Alright, we have about thirty seconds to come up with a plan,"
Me and Gaspie were thinking long and hard, however Kaigo announced,
"I'll sacrifice myself,"
With those words I turned and glared at him in rage,
"I won't let you do that!" I replied in a calm tone engulfed by anger.
Tears seemed to swell up in the boy's eyes he then stated with a sorrow filled tone,
"I know… that's why I'm sorry…"
"Kaigo, please don't go," Gaspie whimpered.
His head was tilted downwards so his hair was covering his eyes, it was then he mumbled,
"God damnit,"
He disappeared… and my vision darkened, I collapsed and saw that Gaspie was in the same state as I.
I then passed out.
Kaigo's POV
I knocked Koneko and Gasper out and approached Kuroka,
"I'm leaving them with you and Byakko," I stated while approaching the barriers edge.
"Kaigo are you sure about this?" the black haired cat asked with sincerity.
I didn't answer, but instead, I reached for my pockets and pulled out a clear tube of blood, then with my other hand I reached for my knife, I held the two objects backwards and stated,
"Give the blood to Gasper, he'll know what to do with it, as for the knife, give it to Koneko and tell her that I want it back,"
Kuroka took the objects, after I summoned Byakko, he seemed as if he was about to convince me to take a different course of action, however he saw the look in my eyes and retracted his pre-formed statement, he then turned to Gasper and requested,
"Kaigo, if you would be kind enough to place Gasper upon my back, I'll be very grateful," Hans requested with a flat tone,
I turned back and did as I was told, then approached the edge of the barrier and spoke my last request,
"Hans, for my last order of the day, do not return to me unless you're rescuing me, Kuroka if you would please dispel the barrier and begin your retreat, that would be much appreciated,"
Kuroka took a moment to respond, the barrier slowly dissipated, as nothing but a few shreds remained, Kuroka stated one last comment, before they took their leave,
"Hey Kaigo, don't die… I'm saying this for the sake of all of us,"
And with that, I was facing a whole army, time slowed down, as I approached the malicious devils.
I raised my right arm. Tears began to rain from my eyes.
"I promise… I won't ever abandon you,"
The claw began form, in it's perfect state.
"I want to come back here,"
The peasants drew closer and closer.
"WHY'D YOU LEAVE US!?"
My head snapped upwards showing a lifless expression as I slashed the air in front of me, causing many heads to pop off, as well as fountains of blood.
Many devils took to the sky, but I joined them, swiftly removing their wings with clean cuts, however a dozen fireballs shot up at me, I weaved through the majority but some came into contact with my skin, injuring me severely, my devil wings held out as I managed to remain airborne, I spotted a handful of minions rush to where everyone left. On impulse I pulled my fist back and yelled 'COBALT SMASH' causing 25 circles to appear separately and completing obliterating that handful. My body felt heavy and weak as I slowly fluttered to the ground, I landed before the remaining troops, only to be greeted with several pitchforks skewering my gut. I remained standing and forced through the pain and rushed the army.
I came to the first victim and crushed his throat in a blur, two came from behind me, but I swung my claw backwards and heard a disgusting 'squelch', I continued to the fourth victim, he anticipated my next move and used a spell to block my impending attack, however I ripped through the temporary shield, and delivered a devastating hook kick to his temple, knocking the sucker out. It was at that point I felt more scythes pierce my legs, I fell to my knees but instantly got up, I slowly turned and was introduced to a dozen flames, a dozen pitchforks and a dozen evil glares, my eyes closed accepting my faith, it was then I heard a faint voice encouraging me to fight.
Kaigo… come back to us.
My eyes snapped open with more killer-intent then before, I slapped my hands together and let out a mighty battle cry, with that my aura expanded to great lengths, catching the projectiles, my vision began to haze and periodically become dark, but I still pressed on and flung the deadly weapons in all directions, skewering many and showering me in blood. I limped towards Rias, who was now in the open, blood dripped from my wounds, my vision stayed dark and my senses were becoming unstable, but I still pressed on, still limped forward.
It was then, when something hit my neck and caused me to fall limp.
Ending my gory onslaught.
Several hours later
Koneko's POV
I risen from my slumber, my body felt weak and strained as I slowly sat up straight.
What happened?
I took a moment to recollect my memories until a phrase popped into my head.
"I'll sacrifice myself…"
It was then when my eyes let down waterfalls as I hugged my knees.
"I thought you said you'll never leave us," I mumbled to myself, "Kaigo… why?"
The door opened and revealed my sister carrying a tray with two cups of water, she looked at me, put down the tray and approached me.
"Glad to see you're awake," Kuroka said reassuringly while patting me on the head.
I still had my face burrowed into my legs as tears continued to stream from my eyes.
"Look, if you're worried about Kaigo, then I can assure you he's not dead," Kuroka said more seriously than last time.
"Really?" My head raised staring into her yellow eyes,
"Kuroka speaks the truth," Hans stated formally. "He is my host after all,"
The tears suddenly stopped and a warm smile came across my face, then a unfamiliar voice sounded behind the door,
"Kuroka can I come in?"
"Yep," Kuroka replied.
A figure stepped into the room he seemed to just be taller than Kuroka, he had pale white hair as well as white cat ears which practically glistened in the dim light of the hallway, he had a caring expression on, one that radiated the same ease that Kaigo did, his eyes seemed to a single shade darker than Byakko's and he had a rather long tail.
"Umm, sister, who is this?" I nervously said,
"Oh right, you two haven't met yet,Shirone, this is Raion ,my husband, Raion this Shirone my little sister,"
"Wait, husband?" I asked half alarmed.
"Yeah," Raion replied while chuckling and rubbing the back of his head, "we've been living here for around about 2 years now,"
"But, regarding Kaigo, aren't you and I the only Nekomata left?" I inquired.
"Well, after I saved Kaigo and began voyaging, I bumped into him, and the look in his eyes when we first met made me want to help, and three years later we're here," Kuroka replied.
I wasn't mad at all with Kuroka's relationship, I was proud of anything, but I didn't know how to show it, she was my elder sister after all and I've just seen her after 3 and a half years.
My head winced in pain again, how much force did Kaigo use to knock us out? I brought my palm to my forehead and noticed a very alarming feature, my palm had atoned azure scales, I scanned my arms and legs and felt my face and found out that they had also been littered with scales.
"Sister, why do I have scales on my body?" I asked this time fully alarmed.
"You don't know?… I'm pretty sure that's your balance breaker," Kuroka replied casually.
How? how did I get this, I'm not a host to a sacred spirit, am I?
You are young nekomata, I, Seiryū resides in your soul, the azure dragon, the one that represents metal and spring.
When did you awaken because last time I checked, I haven't faced the jaws of death yet.
That is the condition of which Byakko is awakened, I will be brought forth when one attains something that was once lost.
"So Shirone, what now?" Raion asked.
I took a long moment to think of an answer, should we rescue Kaigo now or should I train and hone my balance breaker?
"Just think of the best possible outcome when you're in a situation like this,"
Kaigo's words echoed in my head, causing me to reach an answer.
"We'll stay here, until me and Gasper have become significantly stronger," I replied with a flat tone.
"Alright, we have no time to waste your training begins now," Kuroka announced before turning to my brother-in-law and asking, "do you mind if you can keep an eye on Gasper for me?"
"Sure thing!" Raion cheered.
And with that me and Kuroka made our ways out of the room, and out the door, towards the forest. We traveled for about 1 and a half minutes, until we came across a wide area with trees circulating around it.
"Before we start, I have to give something to you," Kuroka fully turned so her body was facing me as she extended her arm. I placed my hand under hers and a light metallic object landed in the palm of my hand, I retracted my hand and examined the object startling me and almost bringing me tears once again, however I managed to hold all my emotions in while I asked,
"Kuroka, why did you have Kaigo's knife?" a subtly crack sounded from my question.
"He gave it to me to give to me, he also wanted me to tell you that he's waiting for you to return it," Kuroka replied rather swiftly.
A form of motivation huh?
Or a opportunity to expand on your variety of attacks.
I clipped the knife to my skirt and with that we began my training, to harness to power of Seriyū's scales.
Kaigo's POV
I woke up, weak, dazed and disappointed, as soon as I awoke, the guilt of leaving everyone struck me hard like a sledge hammer striking a wall. With the guilt still so fresh and thick, I scanned the room, and came to see nothing but an empty hall, the only object that was present was a long metal pole, being occupied by my handcuffs, enchanted with magic. I peered down at my gut and legs, and managed to trace the indentations that had been left after my onslaught.
I looked over at my side, to try and find my knife, which I thought of my family's spirits, was gone. I attempted to talk to Hans, but was cruely reminded that he was not present either, the only choice I had was lying there on the spot and accepting the fact that I was all alone.
30 minutes later
"Kaigo, Kaigo, Kaigo, wake up," a very familiar voice called me.
I turned my head and saw multiple figures standing before me, I made an effort to lay on my knees and fully gaze upon the figures, however the last ounces of strength I had remaining was able to tilt my head upwards. It was then I saw the whole peerage minus Rias standing before me, intertwined with gazes of, vulgar, concern and confusion.
"Why Kaigo, why'd you run away and try to join the enemy?" Kiba asked with confusion in his glare and tone.
"You'd understand if you believe my story, but that won't happen in a million years," I faintly replied in a sorrow filled voice.
"I always knew you were up to something," Xenovia spat which subtly startled me.
"I couldn't agree more," Issei pitched in with hate in his tone.
Asia approached me and knelt down besides me,
"Kaigo, if you told us why, I'm sure Rias would believe you and let you go,"
"It's not that simple Asia, Rias would be the last person to let me go," I softly spoke while shaking my head, "i also don't want any of you getting tangled in my lust,"
"I've had enough of this," Issei retorted while making his way to the exit. He was joined by Kiba and Xenovia, but they stopped when they heard me announce,
"Listen, guys, believe me when I say I enjoyed every second spent with you all, you reminded what having a family felt like," I paused before using the last of my strength to state, "thank you… thank you for watching my last rugby match…it really meant a lot to me..."
And with that my eyelids covered my weary eyes as I heard three pairs of footsteps diminishing within seconds, followed by two others shortly after.