I think i should have said this earlier but story slightly follow's the cannon series but i'm sure you guys realized that long ago.

Chapter 14 Revelations, Confessions and Training

Stepping out of the portal, Akeno had a nervous expression as she was about to tell the person she had fallen for after such a short time about her true self and many other thoughts.

Honestly, she was glad Gerard had bargained with Kokabiel and the latter even went for it. Because of him, they now had a small fighting chance. Three weeks would have to be enough time to at least stop the man. 'And if we can't, Rias' brother can. There's no doubt he'd come to rescue Rias in a heartbeat.' The Queen thought as she knew how much Sirzechs loved his baby sister.

She was also glad that the whole affair was kept quiet. If this got out, then the Underworld would be in a mass panic at one of the Fallen Angel leaders attacking the Gremory and Sitri heiresses.

"What I can't understand is why Azazel never stopped him or Hextin?" Gerard asked the most prominent question on his mind. He hoped the busty Queen might have the answer. "He's the leader of the Fallen Angels. Shouldn't he be the one stopping Kokabiel and not us? Hell, he should have stopped Kokabiel and Hextin the moment they left their faction. Hextin was trying to do good for his people, but it was in the wrong way. Had he just stayed out Rias business then maybe he could have achieved his goal and protect Grigori, but all Kokabiel is doing is starting a war to the fun of it." The sorcerer mused.

"Well, if you haven't noticed by now, that man isn't the most responsible leader." Replied Akeno mirroring his frown and speaking with great hatred toward him.

Silence covered the room between the black-haired magic users with Akeno changing into her miko outfit and began to light candles around the room, setting the mood.

Gerard looked at the girl in confusion as to why she was doing this. "Alright. What's this about, Akeno?" He voiced his question.

Akeno didn't answer as she kept lighting the candles. Lighting the last one, she dosed the flame of the match and faced Gerard. Her long hair was shadowing her violet orbs, making him concerned.

Her heart was beating a mile a second, hesitation filling her which made the knot she felt from before growing tighter. She remembered Rias ensuring her that Gerard wouldn't hate her. Issei didn't hate her so maybe he too wouldn't hate her. Yet, there was still that sinking feeling that it would all come crashing down upon her, that he would despise her for her heritage. That she was a freak.

"Akeno. Are you alright? You're shaking?" Gerard asked, stepping a little closer to the woman.

"I-I'm fine." She lied through her teeth that he didn't buy for a second. Resolving herself, she stared into his dark-blue orbs. "Gerard…" She started. "I wish to tell you about myself." The beauty said.

"But I already-" He tried to say he already knew what she told him, but she stopped him.

"No. You don't. I've never told you about my childhood." That made the man shut up as she kept her past very secret whenever they talked. "About what I really am…" She trailed off before continuing. "What do you think about Fallen Angels?"

While the sudden random question threw him for a loop, he answered. "What do I think?" He parroted the question before continued. "I honestly don't have anything against them. I try not to judge a race on one person belonging to it. I judge the individual. Hextin also told me that the Grigori was divided between keeping peace and going to war again. That alone shows that some Fallen Angels are good. I've just had the bad fortune of meeting the bad ones so far." He said with all honesty.

Akeno was surprised at the honest confession, but had to continue. "No. You've met three…" She turned around, not letting Gerard ask what she meant, and let the top of her kimono slid off her shoulders and summoned her two different wings.

Gerard's eyes widened in shock. "Is that a Fallen Angel wing?" He couldn't stop his shock from leaving his voice. The human never expected this.

The saddened Queen's lips quivered at the shock in his voice. "Y-yes…I'm really half Fallen Angel, half human. I'm the daughter of the shrine maiden Shuri Himejima and Fallen Angel Baraqiel, the latter of whose powers I inherited and Hextin wanted. My mother a member of the Himejima Clan and saved my father when he was wounded. After which they were married and had a child, that child, of course, being me. Life was perfect, but everything changed…the enemies of my father, my clansmen, attacked us. He…he…." Her voice cracked. What came next was the worst part, the one piece within her life that she wished she could erase forever.

A part of her begged to stop talking but she refused. She forced herself to speak so Gerard to learn of her history. "He couldn't save my mother!" She exclaimed, tears rolling down her cheeks. "After that, I didn't want anything to do with him or the Fallen Angels after that! I hate him so much for not being able to save my mom! Things only got worse from then. I was chased from my own home by the Himejima Clan who even tried killme! They said was had tainted blood that they couldn't allow to be shared with their own! They would have done so too, had Rias not saved me. She talked my uncle, who had cornered me, out of killing on two conditions; I never go into the Himejima Clan territory and I am to server Rias as her Queen. She has done so much for me and I can't thank her enough for saving me. I hide my Fallen Angel wings because I am exactly what Hextin called me…a half-breed! I'm an ugly half-breed!" She continued to sob.

It was hard, truly hard, for her to talk about her tragic past. Whenever she thought about it, she could only see her dead mother. She waited for Gerard to say something and when he did, it made her turn around. "So what?"

The interdimensional human increased her surprise by grabbing her by the waist and pulling her face into the crook of his neck. His voice came out soothingly. "You think just because of your blood it makes you a freak? Half-breed, monster, freak…I've heard it all before and it truly sickens me on how evil humanity is. I don't see your heritage that way. I see it as something unique. A half Fallen Angel, and half human. It shows that peace between races can happen. It's something that should be celebrated, not shunned. Even in this world, race divides us…" He muttered the last part to himself as he recalled the mutant-human issue that still rages on in his own world. Pulling her face out of his neck, he stared into her violet eyes so she didn't mishear his next words.

"To possess both Devil and Fallen Angel wings are something I find truly fascinating. You're one of a kind, Akeno Himejima, and I would never think of you as ugly. The truth is, that you're the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my entire life." He finished by brushing some of the dryed tears from her face and giving her a small kiss to the forehead.

The sudden lip contact made the Queen's heart soar and a large blush to cover her face. Her whole body, even her wings, stiffened at his words and actions. She kind of expected him to act like this, but never give her a kiss. He was so kind and caring, and he didn't care about her heritage that she feared for so long.

Giving him a loving smile, throwing him off guard a little, she spoke. "You've said some killing words. What else can I do but love you more?" Akeno grabbed the back of his head and bought him into a loving kiss that made the teens eyes widen in shock.

'Her lips…' Gerard thought in a daze. The beauties lips were so soft and sweet.

Akeno's body lit up as she felt her lips against his. She loved the taste of his lips. She was worried, though, when she felt that he didn't relax into the kiss.

Pulling away from the kiss, she stared directly into his eyes with a true smile and light blush. She didn't even care to cover up her shoulders. "I've wanted to do that for so long, Gerard-kun. I want you. I love you. I don't know what I'd do without you." Akeno expected him to say something but he stood there in shock, making her worried.

"Akeno…" Gerard said breathlessly. He couldn't find the words to say. Soon, memories of his painful past flashed before his eyes. The memory was of...her. "I-I'm sorry, Akeno…but I can't." This made some tears fill her eyes. She was worried if she was wrong with suddenly kissing him. It was washed away with what he said next. "Not after…her." He ended with some bite and pain in his voice.

Someone had broken his heart long ago… 'Someone broke my Gerard-kun's heart.' The beauty thought with anger for the girl in question and sadness that he experienced that. "Who?" Akeno promptly asked after wiping the last of her tears away.

Gerard was silent as he looking into her violet orbs, sadness filled the human at the question. Koneko, Kiba, and now Akeno had told him their secrets and not once had he shared his secrets with them. All they knew was that he was a sorcerer from another dimension, kind, brave, and that was all. Perhaps tonight would be the night he'd spill his dark secrets to Akeno. Out of all the people he met in this universe, he trusted her the most.

Holding her hand, he sat on the floor with her beside him this time and sighed. "Well…her name was Elena and she was my first girlfriend. I loved her very much and spoiled her a lot. We had been dating her for a year and a half and everything was good. Until midway into my junior year…" He paused for air while releasing another deep sigh of sadness. This was the part he hated talking about, the part were his heart strings pulled in pain. "She cheated on me. She didn't say with who why, all she told me what was that she was done with me. I was sad but angry, angry she left me for someone else for reasons I will never know. After she broke my heart, I didn't want to date anymore." He revealed.

"But, why did you kiss my head?" Akeno asked, confused about his actions.

Gerard looked away, a shade of red appearing on his face. "Well…with all the time we've spent together, I've come to find you very attractive and you are a very beautiful woman, Akeno. But, after Elena cheated on me, I'm reluctant about having a relationship again, that's why I kissed your forehead. I don't want my heart broken again nor do I think I can make you happy." The human said.

"You do make me happy." Akeno said cupping his face within her hands caressing him. She felt pity for the boy. The first girl he loved was the last. Heart breaks always left great pain within the soul. But it could be mended, by the right person. "Was Elena the only girl you dated?" The beauty asked.

"Yes." The black-haired male nodded his head.

"Then you shouldn't let her cheating stop you from dating. You're the kind of man that is needed more within the world. Handsome, kind, brave, honest, loyal, and charming. I love you for those traits. You always make me laugh and smile, and when Hextin hexed you I was scared I lost you. Scared that I would never tell you how I feel about you. Don't let Elena's cruelty destroy your happiness and desire for love." She leaned forward, pressing her forehead against him. "Let me give you love. Loyal, unyielding, love." She begged the man who had stolen her heart.

"But-" Again, he was stopped by Akeno.

"I wouldn't break your heart, Gerard, I'll stay with you forever. Give me a chance to prove I won't cheat on you." The beauty said, wanting nothing more than for him to accept.

Gerard was silent wondering what he should do. Should he return Akeno's love or say no and break herheart? This decision was something he wished not to answer immediately.

"I need time to think about it, I'm sorry." He admitted, hugging her to give her some kind of way to tell her he liked her. Then, a downcast look formed on his face.

"I've got something else to get off my chest." Gerard said, releasing the hug so he could talk to her.

"Since arriving here, all I've done is kill. I've killed Strays, and Hextin, I took all their lives. The magic I was trained to wield is to protect, not kill. Sometimes I feel like I'm doing the wrong thing by killing those I fight. I know I have a choice but I'm I make the right one? What would my master say if he knew of the lives I've taken?" He felt Akeno's fingers wrap around his chin and turn his face toward hers. There were many emotions within her eyes; pity, worry, and remorse for his troubles.

"You're right about having the choice to kill or spare those you fight. All those lives you took weren't out of murder but of protection. You fight to protect us and prevent evil deeds from being committed. Kokabiel is planning to kill us all, so we must kill him." Akeno reassured with confidence about what he had done was right.

He felt his body relax and a sigh escape his lips. Akeno wasn't wrong. They had to end Kokabiel's life so he wouldn't start a war. Hextin had put a hex on him forcing the sorcerer to fight his friends. Lucius…Lucius Vepar and Minikui were the only beings with this dimension he tried to save but Lucius refused and Minikui could have been saved if Rias hadn't killed her…

"You know, I remember you saying Doctor Strange found you because of a particular even you didn't wanna talk about. What exactly happened?" The busty priestess asked curious to know how exactly he met the man who trained him.

Another frown formed on the sorcerer's face. This why he hated when people asked about his past, it was too painful for him to talk about. But, for her, he would.

"Well, I should start from the beginning." He steeled himself. "Like you, I too had a mother and father, both died when I was six. So, I was taken in by my uncle, who lived in America, the same one who was Italian and taught it to me. Anyway, you know the rest. When I was fourteen-years old I discovered I could use magic but I couldn't control it so I hide it. When that happened, everything changed…" His eyes were shadowed by his black locks.

His fists shook, brow narrowed, and eyes filled with self-hatred. It scared Akeno to see him wear a face like that but she dared herself to ask. "What happened?"

"An evil wizard discovered my power and when I returned home from school, I found him hurting my uncle." A flash of his hurt uncle beneath the villain's grasp made his heart clench.

Taking a deep breath, he continued. "The wizard demanded I go with him or my uncle dies. I felt fear grip my heart that this man would kill my uncle, the only relative I had left. But the sight the site of my uncle, broken and beaten, angered me. It triggered the magic inside me and because I couldn't control it I…I…I killed my uncle!" His voice cracked as the emotions he had been feeling for four years washed over him. "I only wanted to save him. What remained of house I called home for eight years had been turned into ruble because of the destructive power I unleashed." Tears spilled from his tightly shut eyes.

Akeno stared at the boy watching him tremble. It was like looking into a mirror. He had the expression she wore when her mother died. Greif.

She'd never seen this vulnerable side of him and it pulled at her heart strings. She wrapped her arms around him and held him tight against her. Losing a family member to an attack was bad but killing them on accident was worse.

Regaining his voice, he continued. "A-after…that horrible event, Doctor Strange arrived having sensed the surge of my magic. Seeing the power I possessed and what had happened, he took pity on me and offered to train me to control my powers and the rest you know." Gerard said drying his eyes as he looked at his hands in anger.

"When that happened, I was angry." He gritted his teeth at the memory of the powerful sorcerer's smug face as he held his uncle hostage.

"Angry that, what I thought was a gift, turned out to be a curse. A curse that took my uncle from me and I hated it and while I have learned to control my magic and not to think of it as such, not a day goes by that I don't remember that terrible event and have these thoughts." He flicked his fingers, emanating a small magic circle and stared at it with a frown and a painful tug at his heart he had felt whenever he casted a spell.

'He's just like me.' Akeno though, tightening her hold on him. Her pity for the sorcerer growing. They were very much alike. They hated the powers they were granted and lost a family member.

Gerard sighed running his other hand through his black hair. "Sometimes, I wish I had never been born with it…maybe my life would have been better without it. I'd still have my uncle and I'd have been able to live a normal life." Then he turned to Akeno looking into her eyes.

"But if I did, then I wouldn't have been able to meet such wonderful people. I never would have met my Master, my friend and…you." A small smile came to his face at a blush formed on the ravenette's cheeks, something he though was very cute to see.

"Akeno, do you really hate your father?" Remembering what she said about her dad, he asked.

The joy she had was quickly replaced with anger for the subject going to her father. "I do. I can never forgive him for-!" She was stopped by the human.

"I think you still love him." Interrupted Gerard, getting a surprised look from the priestess. "He is your father and possible the only living relative you have left. I'm sure he feels as much pain as you do for not being able to save your mom." He tried to make her see why she was luckier than him.

Those words brought back what Hextin said about her father when she was his prisoner. 'I still feel much regret for not being able to save my wife and because of that, my daughter now hates me.'

Hates him…

Had her words hurt him more than Shuri's death, or had that added more pain for him to live with? She couldn't tell from his stoic expression he wore that night but maybe…maybe inside he was crying. Hextin said he still felt regret so maybe it affected him more than she thought. Akeno tried to deny it but, in the back of her mind, something told her he was telling the truth, even if she didn't want to believe if.

Looking past that terrible event, she started remembering the good times she spent with her father. The walks in the parks, the very rare laughs he's give off when she was being funny, his smile whenever he said I love you, and the warmth he'd emit when he'd hold her close. Those memories were of a past she had forgotten since her mother's death. A death that haunted her forever.

"So, what now?" Akeno asked, deliberately changing the subject from thinking about her father as it was causing her heart and mind to fight against each other. One was saying she forgive him, while the other was saying let him suffer for letting her mother die. Glad as she was to be rid of her Fallen Angel heritage she still detested her father and did not want to speak any more about her past.

"Now." Said Gerard, granting her wish to not bring up the touchy subject. "Now we wait for tomorrow. We have only three weeks to prepare for the battle against Kokabiel and we must all train ourselves to grow stronger. I believe your Fallen Angel powers will prove useful to us in the coming battle but that choice is up to you, Akeno-hime." He gave the woman a choice before getting up from the spot and ruffled Akeno's hair playfully. "I'll see you in three weeks." He turned and prepared to enter the portal he cast but felt Akeno grab his wrist.

"Stay with me." Akeno pleaded, not wanting the sorcerer to leave her side. Her voice and face showing vulnerability she hardly even showed.

Gerard stared at the Fallen Angel/Devil hybrid. Tomorrow they would begin training and he'd be stuck with Issei for three weeks. He'd miss those beautiful violet eyes and cute smile. Canceling the spell, he plopped himself onto the floor while Akeno adjusted herself for him to lay his head on her lap, her hand gently running through his hair.

"I love you." The black-haired priestess whispered and kissed his forehead tenderly.

"I know." Still not being able to say those words again, Gerard said while giving the beauty one last smile before closing his eyes.

After waking up and eating a peaceful breakfast, Gerard and Akeno teleported themselves into the clubroom. "Good morning, Rias-" Stepping out of the portal, his greeting was stopped when he saw the unpleasant look on the redhead's face.

"Akeno…" The princess began in a stern tone, arms crossed under her bust. "Did you call my brother to assist us against Kokabiel?" This morning she called her brother to tell him about the situation with Kokabiel and say she would handle it herself. To her surprise. Akeno had called him before she had and asked that he come help. This sudden piece of information made the redhead very angry.

When that question was asked Akeno frowned at her master. "I was going to tell you today but I guess Lucifer-sama beat me to it. We may have gotten time to train, but we can't do this without him. He has the strength to stop Kokabiel" She answered why she did what she did.

"Well I don't want his help, Akeno." Rias retorted, still upset at her Queen's actions. "We handled Hextin just fine and I'm not planning to get my family involved in this situation. Especially not after the arranged marriage to Riser." She ended the discussion with finality in her tone.

Irritation filled Akeno. Was Rias seriously making this excuse? They have three weeks to prepare themselves against one of the leaders of Grigori and she was refusing help from her family because she was still upset over the engagement her parents forced her into!? How could she still complain about it, Issei saved her!

Sometimes she wondered how she put up with her master's excuses and hardheadedness.

Before she could talk sense into her master the door opened and in walked Koneko. "…Good morning, Buchou, Akeno-senpai, Gerard-senpai… Anything important I miss?" She asked in her usual emotionless voice.

"No. Everything's fine." Rias answered casting a look toward Akeno who had turned her attention to Gerard in a huff of anger for her master.

"Where is he?" Rias tapped her food impatiently as the hours pasted. Kiba and Asia had arrived, leaving only the Pawn who hadn't shown up yet.

"He'll come, Rias. Just be patient." Came the voice of a calm Akeno who had just served tea.

Seafoam eyes darted over to the black-haired Queen. "Patient? We're supposed to be training! You're supposed to be training Issei yet here you are, sitting!" She now yelled at Gerard who was sitting on the floor with Koneko beside him. He read meditating helps increase Senjutsu control and was the foundation for the art and offered the cat girl to join him, which she happily agreed to.

"It's meditating." Corrected Akeno with a smile. "You should join Koneko-chan and Gerard-kun. It will change that grumpy expression you're wearing." She teased with a small giggle. Kiba smiled a little at the small jab as he continued to sip on his own tea. Even Asia giggled while sitting on the sofa near the meditating two, playing with her dragon familiar.

"Not helping." Rias glared with a pout.

"Well you could have gone with Sona and her peerage." Gerard added, his eyes closed.

"My duty as King is to lead my peerage." She replied

"Yet here you are pouting at the fact that half your servants are running late." The boy easily shot back.

"Maybe Gerard-kun and I should train together, alone?" Akeno offered/teased with a smile, remembering the peaceful sleep she had with Gerard. If he was a pervert, like Issei, she'd have teased him with her body by laying on top of him naked. However, she knew there was no time to waste in fooling around, nor would he allow himself to fall into temptation as easy as the brunette, since today they'd start their three-week long training to stop Kokabiel.

Before anyone could speak, the door burst open and in ran Issei looking rather winded and carrying a large backpack. "S-sorry Buchou, I slept in." He said breathing heavily after the long run he did to get here.

"Well now you're here." Gerard said ending his meditating season with Koneko. "And I see you brought your belongings. Very good." He motioned to see the backpack which the brunette did. The moment he opened the back his face wore a deep frown before looking up at the pervert with distain.

"What the hell is this?" Reaching into the bag he pulled out a magazine of a naked woman on the cover with her breasts covered by her arms. "This isn't a camping trip, Hyoudou You're going to be trained by me for three weeks. Not stare at naked woman." Gerard said coldly.

He turned the bag upside down and out came more magazines, toothpaste, toothbrush, and a few spare clothes. Issei started to sweat at the glare the sorcerer sent him. Shaking his head in shame, Gerard divided the magazines and clothes with magic before setting ablaze the porn magazines with the snap of his fingers.

"Nooooooooooo!" Issei wept on his knees as he saw his collection being burnt.

"Shut it, boy!" Gerard ordered harshly, ignoring the frown Rias sent him. "I'll say it again; this isn't a camping trip! You're going to be training for three weeks. Not stare at naked woman. I'm going to be your sensei, your teacher, you're master and, most of all, your worst nightmare. I will teach you how to survive, how to hunt, how to fight, and how to kill." The human informed the former human of what he was planning to do with him.

Issei swallowed the lump of fear in his throat at Gerard's tone. He was serious about this and would make sure not to fail. His dream about being a harem king was on the line!

"Don't worry, Ise, you'll do fine. If you get stronger, I'll let you touch my breasts." Rias encouraged with a smile before adding on some incentive to become stronger which made Issei snap his head toward the Devil King with his eyes staring at her enormous breasts, imagining his hands fondling them.

"Very helpful." Gerard said sarcastically with a shake of his head. He sometimes wondered why the redhead encouraged his perverted habits. "Alright, you all know what to do. Focus on the skills you're good at. Magic, mind, swordsmanship, martial arts, and make them stronger. I know you can do it. I have faith in you all. Come Hyoudou." He ordered while casting a portal and stepping through it which the pervert followed reluctantly but did after Gerard's head came back, glaring at him.

Rias felt a twinge of pain when she saw the portal close. She wouldn't be seeing her adorable Ise for three weeks, but she wouldn't let that get in the way. They had training to do and she knew exactly what to do.

'Wow!' Was Issei's first thoughts as he exited the portal, looking around the massive forest. He had seen these before in pictures but never actually been in one until now. He was so distracted by the beauty of the nature that he didn't see Gerard cast a spell until noticing his reflection.

"Welcome to the northern forest of Colorado and the mirror dimension, Hyoudou. This will be your home for three weeks to master your magic, and physical prowess. We will not communicate anyone outside of here." The teenager told the brunette.

"But what about Buchou and-" He tried to speak but was cut off.

"We will not communicate with anyone outside of here." Repeated the sorcerer, cutting off the pervert. "You will see them when we return to Kuoh. This will be the last time I say this; this isn't a camping trip it is a training trip so we can stop Kokabiel. I'm going to teach you how to survive, how to fight, how to kill." He said, his voice serious.

"You're not being trained by Rias. You're being trained by Gerard Price, and I will not be kind in training you. So, if you wish to return home, you may but if you do, then you will be letting down Rias and you will be letting Kokabiel kill your friends, your family, and destroy the town you call home." The rising anger in Issei was proof that he was riling him up, just as he wanted. "So… what do you choose?" He asked, wanting to see what the younger male was made of.

"Gerard-senpai…" Issei said clenching his first at the image of all his loved one's dead at Kokabiel's feet while he laughed flashed through his mind. "I know I'm a pervert and I love boobs and I will become a harem king but I won't let that fucker kill the ones I love!" The teen shouted in anger and determination of being stronger.

Gerard nodded. "Good. Now, if you are readied; we will begin your training."

Determination filled Issei's body. "What are we doing first and when!?" He asked, eager to get stronger.

"Right now. Ten jumping jacks, then ten pull ups on that branch, then ten pushups. Go!" Gerard ordered.

Though unprepared for the sudden orders, Issei obeyed and began preforming the exercise. He began to sweat at five pull ups but refused to quiet. He was vowed to himself that he would get stronger to beat Kokabiel, to save his friends…to fondle Rias breasts!

"I'm gonna touch Buchou's fun bags!" He roared, forgetting who it was he was training with.

"You just earned ten more jumping jacks, pull ups, and pushups, pervert!" Gerard yelled as began upside down crunches on a different tree branch. If anything good came from this, other than his strength going up, he'd beat some of the perversion out of him.

The hours passed and every time the sorcerer heard Issei say something perverted, such as groping Rias breasts, he'd increase the training. A few things he would do, is make the Red Dragon Emperor run a mile while firing a spell at him when he was going too slow for his liking or do fifty squats.

High in the sky, the moon illuminated the two, with Gerard standing over an exhausting Issei who was gasping for air after only the first day of their training.

"Come now. That wasn't that difficult." The grounded brunette glared at the standing black-haired teen for his comment. "How…How are you not tired from doing this?" Issei asked since he didn't understand how a human could have this much stamina compared to him, a Devil, even if he was just reincarnated a few months prior.

Gerard was unfazed by the glare and answered. "Trust me, I was. This was my training session with my master when I was younger. Thank me that I'm not making you go through what he puts me through now, which is much tougher." The human told the teen. "Well. Be happy that the first day is done. Your body will get used to it soon and then we'll ramp it up." Taking a few steps away, he gathered up some firewood, piled it together, and thrusted his hand out. Grunting a little, he cast a small fireball that warmed the students of Kuoh.

"When the sun comes up, we begin." Gerard instructed the teen who was still glaring at the sorcerer who began to cook up some dead prey he had caught while they were training.

"Good work." Gerard told the brunette with a casual smile.

Issei glared up at the sorcerer who was standing over him. Why the fuck is he making him do such crazy things!? His whole body was on fire from last night's training he did once more then was made to climb a rocky cliff with the sun's heat beating down on him with Gerard yelling at him to move faster or he would start firing spells at him. 'Damn Sorcerer and his training to kill me!' Issei cursed the interdimensional human that was still smiling at him with not a single bit of sweat on his face.

"The exercises I can understand…but why this!?" Issei demanded.

Sighing, he answered. "You have power deep inside you Issei and if you're to protect the one's you love, you must take responsibility of the gift God has given you. You must grow stronger, both physically and mentally. Climbing this cliff was a way to show you that you can rise above your limits and foes and stand at new heights of power. You can become the Red Dragon Emperor who one can be proud to say you're their ally and make those who face you think twice." He informed the teen with unwavering eyes.

Issei was shocked that his senpai believed in him, even if he didn't show it that much. So, with those motivational words, he managed to stand on shaky legs, moaning all the way, to look beyond the horizon to gaze at the beautiful landscape. The trees, the lush grass, and the small mountains. Mountains…that made him think of one thing… "B-Boobs!" Moaning in more pain, he raised his hand at the mountains, imagining them as Rias, Akeno, and Asia's breasts.

Gerard, hearing this, facepalmed. He had thought the teen was making a vow to himself to take this seriously, but, obviously, he was wrong. 'This idiot may never grow up.' The human groaned to himself. Walking up to him, he shouted. "Fly you fool!" Before Issei could respond, Gerard had kicked him in the back, sending him plummeting to the ground. The high up sorcerer shook his head at the Devil who didn't summon his wings in time to soften his fall so his front took the full pain of hitting the ground.

"Issei! I know you're not dead! Man up, and climb back up!" Gerard shouted, now sitting off the edge.

He was answered by Issei throwing a rock at him, that he easily dodged by moving his head to the side. "Good idea Issei! Time to teach you how to dodge!" Calling upon his magic, he unleashed small bolts of lightning that zapped the pervert who was unaware of the grin on his face as he heard his screams of pain when he wasn't fast enough to dodge some of his attacks

Hours flew by and it was night again. Like last night, the moonlight shone upon the two boys with its pale light. Within the forest, there was a small red light, which was from a small campsite.

Above the fire, was Issei doing pushups between two small boulders that were on either sides of the fire. He was grunting in pain and exhaustion as the flames were heating up his bare stomach, the aching feeling in his arms, and the weight upon his back. The most painful thing that angered him was said weight on his back.

Gerard was the weight as he summoned a chair on the boulder behind him with a good book and rested his feet on the Devils back. The brunette threw a hateful glare over his shoulder at the resting sorcerer who he knew was smirking behind his book. He wanted to punch this man soooo much.

"You…fucking asshole! You forced me to go with you!" One again, Issei cursed the man through labored breaths who dragged him here as his arms wobbled, showing how tired he was.

"And yet Rias didn't seem to have a problem with it as she never objected to me training you. 97." Turning the page, he counted what he was currently on as he slowly pushed himself down then up.

"She knows, as well as I do, that you need this training and she wasn't capable of pushing you like I can. 98. She cares about you, Issei, and want you to be prepared for Kokabiel. 99. You're the man who saved her from a forced engagement and holds power that, once mastered, will be unstoppable. 100." He removed his feet and blew the fire out with a wave of magic.

Jumping down next to the teen who collapsed when he didn't feel the fire burning his skin. "You're complaining because you've never done a hard-core workout before. By the end of this week you should have the stamina for the second week's training; hunting and fighting." He told him what the second week would provide.

Gerard heard the teen snore and sighed. "This will be tough, but I like a challenge." He mused to himself before carrying him to the camp they made.

Time wore on and the second week of the training hit before Issei knew it. And, the brunette could feel the positive effects of the exercises Gerard had put him through. He could feel his stamina had drastically increased and began to form noticeable muscles on his arms and a small outline of a six-pack.

Now, the two were opposite of the other at the edge of the forest with the sun just beginning to peak over the horizon.

"Okay, Issei, now comes the fun part. Teaching you how to hunt, survive, and fight. First, I want you to punch me with everything you have. Use your Boosted Gear even." Gerard instructed the brunette.

"Is that it?" Issei asked with a cocky grin. He had been waiting long enough to punch him.

"Now hold on, you might have misheard me." Gerard said, resting his hands on his hip with a half-grin on his face. "Not half as hard. Not some half-assed attempt. I want you to him me. As hard as you can." He emphasized.

"Trust me. I plan to." The grin never left his face as he summoned his gear and began to boost up.

"Good. Because, if you don't, I guess you don't mind seeing me touch Rias' chest." Gerard smirked as he saw the desired effect.

Right after finishing his sentence, Issei rushed the man and threw his fist toward the black-haired male. Unyielding anger etched upon his face at the thought of Gerard fondling Rias breasts before him. His Boosted Gear fist landing directly into the sorcerers' face, a confident smirk on the perverts own.

"Oooh consider that nerve touch." He replied without a single grunt of pain leaving his lips.

Issei backed away in shock that his attack did nothing to the sorcerer. Before he could try attacking again, a fist impeded itself into his abdomen, sending him spiraling into a tree.

"See Issei? That's the difference between you and me. Now imagine Kokabiel punching you. I'm sure he'd break your entire body with one punch." Gerard said with full confidence that what he was saying was true.

"So, starting today, I'm gonna teach you how to properly fight and from the style you use its obviously you're a brawler. With that, I'll teach you to fight like a brawler should. Not the self-learned way you have." Gerard waited for his student to join him after regaining his strength. "Now you must be intimidating to your foe. Bend your knees like this and raise your firsts." He instructed.

Seeing Issei obey his instructions he continued. "Attack slow. Attack!" Issei threw his fist out that Gerard catch. "Slow. Again. Slow. Keep going. Attack Yes. Good, very good." Gerard commented taking a few steps back as he kept blocking the punches while giving him a few when he didn't like what he was doing.

"Attack!" He ordered and Issei went into a flurry of punches that Gerard blocked easily. "Good!" The sorcerer said still blocking strikes by the Devil. He parried the strikes and pushed him away to gain distanced. "Time to block." He said moving his arms in a blocking motion to demonstrate how Issei should protect himself before charging the boy and send his own attacks which Issei surprisingly was blocking rather well.

"You're learning faster than I expected Issei, that's good." He was rather impressed with how fast he learned. It kind of reminded him about himself when he was beginning his training with Doctor Strange.

All day the human continued to teach his junior how to fight. He was impressed with Issei's quick learning but wasn't surprise. Brawl fighting was the easiest fighting style and it didn't need much teaching or skill. All you needed to know was how to attack, dodge, and block. Simple as that.

Eventually, night came and both men were now sitting around the fire eating dinner, which was a deer Issei killed when Gerard watched him hunt while giving him advice of tracking. But neither said a word to each other. The only sound was of the fire, and the chewing of the teens when they ripped into the meat.

"You're getting better, Issei. You managed to not only hit me twice, but you caught this deer like a perfect hunter. You're a fast learner." Gerard commented with a half-smile, having a drink of water from his cup which earned a bashful smile from the pervert. While he detested the boy's perverted nature, Rias was right, he was a kind and determined to protect his friends.

"Gerard-senpai…do you think we can defeat Kokabiel?" Issei asked for his honest opinion which he knew he would give. He didn't pull punches when talking or teaching, something Rias has done, not that he would openly admit that.

"It depends on how strong the others get and if Rias' brother arrives in time." Gerard took a pause to take another bite of the meat. "Kokabiel knows war while we don't. Even Idon't. He's got years of battle experience over us that easily counters if any of us gain enough strength to beat him. But, you're Boosted Gear is the key to win and turn the tide of battle in our favor." He gestured to his left arm. "You have to master you Sacred Gear and Ddraig is the only one who can help you with that. Isn't that right, Welsh Dragon?" The sorcerer asked the spirit of the mighty dragon that resided inside Issei.

The red gauntlet appeared and the baritone voice of Ddraig was heard. "You're absolutely right, sorcerer. However, this idiot Partner of mine doesn't know anything about proper techniques, other than Dragon Shot. Dress Breaker, tsk! What a useless technique and unfit for my power." The dragon obviously didn't like his powers to be used for his current host's perverse desires of seeing women.

Issei sunk under the glare Gerard had given him upon hearing the name of his attack while pouting a little because Ddraig undermining his technique.

Ddraig continued. "But you, sorcerer, know what real battle is first-hand, unlike these kids. The name of the attack you used to defeat Hextin was proper of my title and power. Welsh Dragon's Heavenly Punch." He praised the interdimensional human who at least knew how much pride he possessed.

"Welsh Dragon's Heavenly Punch?" Repeated Issei, unaware of the new attack Gerard made for him.

"Yeah, I forgot to mention that to you partner. It's simply really, you boost up all your power and unleash it in a powerful punch. Perhaps it will be stronger once this training is over."The red dragon told his partner.

"That's not my job, Ddraig, that's yours. I'm teaching him to be a better fighter. You must teach him how to control his magic and how to master his Sacred Gear which I know nothing about." Gerard replied.

The dragon grunted in agreement. "I've seen the training you've put him through and I admire his determination to become stronger to protect his friends. While I too detest his perverted nature…I will teach him how to properly use his Sacred Gear."He said after thinking it through.

"I'll do whatever it takes to defeat that war loving bastard!" Issei said determinedly.

There was a long silence from the gauntlet before Ddraig replied. "Even if that means I turn you into a dragon?"He asked grimly, wanting to make sure his current host would be ready to do this if needed.

Ddraig wasn't disappointed. "Of course! I won't let Kokabiel hurt the ones I love! If I have to sacrifice my whole body to gain your power to protect them then I'll do it!" Issei declared without hesitation.

"There may be hope for you yet..."The dragon laughed in amusement before the gen ceased its blinking and the gauntlet disappeared.

"You serious Issei? Would you willingly turn your body into a dragon to protect the ones you love?" Gerard asked, curious at how far Issei would go to protect his friends.

The brunette rose to his feet determination filling his body. "It doesn't matter what happens to me, Gerard-senpai. Even if Ddraig turns me into a dragon, it won't matter. Like Akeno, and Koneko, I'll still be me, Issei Hyoudou."

Gerard felt a smile come to his face, proud to hear his friend say such powerful words.

"And I'll still become a harem king and finally suck on Buchou's boobs!" He declared with a perverted grin.

And just like that, Gerard's pride for the boy was replaced by annoyance. He sighed and shook his head. "Why are you so obsessed with that stupid dream? You're not seriously gonna make the girls of the ORC into your harem, are you?" He asked.

"Of course I do!" Issei shouted, knowing it was just the two of them in the mirror dimension, and even then he would still shout it out. "Koneko-chan and Asia-chan may be small but, eventually, they'll have large bounce milk jugs like Akeno-san and Buchou for me to fondle and suck on! Uh I mean Buchou…because well hehe, Akeno likes you of course." He quickly changed his admission for Akeno, knowing the black-haired sadist loved Gerard which prompted the pervert to ask him a serious question with a rare serious expression that surprised him.

"Gerard, do you love Akeno?" The perverts question prompted a raised brow from the black haired human. "Do you? She told me she loves you." He remembered the woman telling him about her feelings.

Gerard chuckled at that, not expecting the brunette to ask him something like that or have a serious face. "Yes, she told me as well, along with the fact that she's part Fallen Angel, which I don't hate her for. She, like you, like Rias, and the other supernatural beings I've come to know, are my friends." Gerard kind of skipped over the question.

"But, do you love her?" Issei repeated, remembering how desperately Akeno wanted Gerard in her life.

"I could say the same to you about your love for being a harm king." Retorted the human with a slight frown. "The way I see you should just go with Rias. Akeno loves me, Koneko's too young, and from the interaction I see with you and Asia, she's more of like a sister to you." He tried to make him see how stupid it is to date multiple women.

"No way, I promised to become a harem king and I'll do so." He said, unwavering.

"Then why haven't you made a move yet? What about that Raynare girl Hextin mentioned? Why not make her part of your harem?" Upon say the woman's name Issei froze in fear which surprised Gerard greatly.

He remembered Hextin mention a girl named Raynare, saying how she killed Issei and tried to steal Asia's sacred gear. It appeared that woman's left a bad mark on Issei's memory. "Issei…who's Raynare?" He asked, concerned.

The brunette didn't reply. His eyes stared into the fire, remember the Fallen Angel who toyed with his emotions, who stole Asia's Sacred Gear and begged to be spared after the horrible deeds she did, saying she loved him. That girl, that crow…that bitch! She was the one who fucked him over! She destroyed his life and now…now Gerard was asking about her. About who she was and what she did.

At last, with a shaky breath, he spoke. "She…she was my first and only girlfriend." The black-haired girl's fake smile flashed through his mind, making his fragile heart twinge in pain. "I thought she was just some normal girl who liked me but…she's a Fallen Angel that killed me." Issei revealed. Gerard didn't say anything as he continued to listen to him.

"She was the reason I was brought into the supernatural world. Because of her murdering me, Buchou revived me as her servant. It was also her, who stole Asia's Sacred Gear which killed her. She had taken my life and Asia's as well! I hated her so much for that! I had the chance to take revenge on that bitch! But, instead, I acted like a coward and let Buchou do it!" A small tear ran down his face as he remembered the scene that always made his heart hurt.

Issei's volume grew louder and louder as he continued on about the Fallen Angel. "Because of her I can't even tell Buchou how much I love her! She's done so much for me but I can't bring myself to tell her or even say her name to her face! I'm scared, Gerard-senpai. I'm scared that she and the others may betray me as Raynare had done. I don't wanna' experience that again. I don't wanna have my emotions toyed with by the woman I love like before…" Tears fell from the pervert's eyes as he let out his dark secret and own thoughts he subconsciously knew but never had the heart to say until now.

Gerard stared at the Devil with great pity. 'Geez, it seemed everyone within Rias peerage had troubles except for the princess.' He mused with a sad sigh.

Issei was in the same boat as him but, instead of being cheated on, he was murdered and that, in turn, caused great fear and doubt to fill the boy about love and if what affection was given his way was true. 'Well, here we go again.' Gerard said to himself before speaking to the crying pervert.

"Issei, your experience is almost like mine." If he was to help him he'd have to reveal his relationship problem with him as well. "I too once had a girlfriend named Elena, but instead of murdering me she cheated on me for reason's I will never know. It hurt me greatly and because of that, I too formed doubts about true love within my heart. Doubt that I would either be cheated on again or be part of a bad relationship. Yet here, within this dimension, I found a girl who dearly loves me. Because, as she said, I make her happy." Gerard said with a small smile.

"Akeno-san." Issei replied once he dried his eyes. The former human was surprised that Gerard had girl issues too. He wouldn't expect someone as handsome as Gerard to ever be cheated on.

"And I'll be honest with you Issei, I'm starting to have feelings for her as well. I don't want history to repeat itself for me. I don't want her leaving me for you." He explained, staring at Issei with a small glare, showing he didn't want this guy to have the girl who was slowly mending his heart and fears.

That last bit took doubled the perverts surprise. While it's true, Akeno was a sexy woman and he wanted her in his harem; she desired Gerard more and he would help see that she and Gerard were together. "I think you should go for it." He encouraged. "She loves you dearly, Gerard-senpai, and I know you would make Akeno-san happy. I won't stand in the way of that. I'll help you overcome your fears." Issei said, showing no stupidity.

Gerard stared at the Red Dragon Emperor's host with wide eyes for a long time, surprised by the boy's words. Suddenly, he laughed shocking the teenager. He laughed loud, long, and hard. The sides of his stomach hurting from the laugher. Never had he laughed so hard in such a long time.

Regaining his composure, he spoke but a trace of laughed was in it. "You…hehe…you took the words right out of my mouth, Issei. Overcome your fear and give Rias the love she deserves from you. Akeno told me that I shouldn't let Elena's cruelty destroy my happiness and desire for love. That goes for you also, Issei; don't let Raynare's cruelty destroy your happiness and desire for love." He returned the advice given by the beauty and Pawn.

Issei stared at the sorcerer before nodding, a smile coming to his face. He was right. Raynare had destroyed his happiness with her act of murdering him and begging to spare her life, saying she still loved him. She had caused him to fear love, to fear girls and now after telling Gerard everything he felt a great burden being lifted from his shoulders. He could no longer hear the villainous words of the Fallen Angel poisoning his mind.

Finally, he could give love a chance again.

He rose from his seat and bowed to the human. "Arigatogozaimashita, Gerard-sempai. I'd be honored to keep training under your tutorage." He said with respect.

Gerard beamed at the Devil, glad that they had that talk about their issues and the girls they had affections towards. "Rise Issei, there's no need to bow to me but I will be glad to continue training you. We have two weeks left and there is one last thing I must teach you. Something that will help you sweep Rias off her feet and into bed." He smirked when he saw his happy face.

Issei rose from his feet, a giddy expression filling his face at what Gerard would help him woo Rias heart. "What is that?"

A smirk came upon Gerard's lip before he spread his arms wide. "Charm."

Issei halted at what Gerard said, trying to proceed what he was going to be taught before it dawned on him. "Me…a gentleman? I don't know, Gerard-senpai. You can see I'm not the type."

Gerard laughed at the boy's words. "The girl you're going after is one of nobility amigo. Charm is something all nobleman and woman wish to have from the one they love. And while you are a pervert and I detest your idea of becoming a harem king; I have a great desire to help you be a better man. A man who can charm a woman and show his perverted side when the time is right."

"Like during sex." Issei replied, understanding what Gerard meant as many images of himself charming the girls of the ORC flashed through his mind.

While not liking where he took it, the human nodded with a sigh. "Sure. Then tomorrow, we will continue your training." Gerard said with a smile.

End

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