Disclaimer – I don't own anything from the High School DxD anime/manga/light novel. All I own are my original characters and plot twists.

'Talking'

"Thinking"

'Ddraig talking and Sacred Gear sounds'

"Ddraig thinking"

*expression*

Flashback

Chapter 21 – Gaze

When Issei awoke, he found Ophis sitting on the bed beside him. Sitting up tiredly and giving a yawn, as he rubbed his eyes, Issei fixed his gaze on the diminutive dragon.

'What are you doing, Ophis?' Asked Issei.

'Watching you.' Replied Ophis bluntly, causing Issei to raise an eyebrow in confusion.

'Why?' Asked Issei after a moment.

'You are acting different.' Said Ophis, tilting her head slightly.

'You mean because I'm part dragon now?' Inquired Issei, only for the small girl to shake her head.

'You look… sad.' Said Ophis, after taking a moment to find the right word.

Issei didn't respond to Ophis' observation, instead getting out of bed and heading to the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, Issei couldn't deny what Ophis had said, he looked pitiful. What Issei was unsure of though, was it due to Samael's curse, or had something else caused the change. Issei touched the mirror for a moment, remembering how he had needed it replaced after he broke it. The cool glass sent a shiver down Issei's spine, before he headed back to his bedroom and grabbed a towel. Cranking the hot water in his shower on, Issei waited for it to reach a temperature, which most would have found to be unbearable for more than a moment. After disrobing and stepping in, Issei let the water run down his back, his mind roaming around recent events.

"Ddraig, you awake?" Thought Issei, after a minute.

'Barely.' Answered the dragon.

"Is the poison still affecting you?" Asked Issei curiously.

'No, it is all gone now, only a lingering fatigue remains, both mental and physical, for both of us.' Said Ddraig.

Issei nodded at this, also understanding Ddraig's underlying message. Issei was still not fully healed, in more ways than one. Exiting the shower after half an hour, Issei noticed Ophis still on his bed, waiting patiently.

'Are you hungry?' Asked Issei, only for Ophis to shake her head.

'I have no need for food.' Said Ophis, getting a nod from Issei.

'Come on, I'll see if I can find you something interesting to try.' Said Issei.

Ophis followed after Issei, as he made his way to the kitchen, before rummaging through his pantry. Eventually, Issei pulled out a block of chocolate and opened it, giving a piece to the diminutive girl and placing the rest on the table, as he went to the stove to boil some water for tea. Looking back, the block of chocolate was gone, with no trace in sight.

'What was that?' Asked Ophis.

'Chocolate.' Said Issei, causing Ophis to blink at the foreign word.

'I want more.' Said Ophis.

Issei cracked a smile for the first time that day, before grabbing another family sized block of chocolate out of the pantry and giving it to Ophis.

'So you like chocolate, that's pretty funny actually.' Observed Issei, as the small girl devoured the chocolate, with an apathetic expression.

'Why?' Inquired Ophis, as she finished her second block.

'Almost everyone likes chocolate. Guess you aren't that different compared to the rest of us after all.' Said Issei, with a smile.

Ophis took this piece of information in and thought nothing of it. She briefly entertained the notion of using Khaos Brigade to secure all the chocolate in the world for herself, but then recalled their recent betrayal.

'I want more.' Said Ophis.

'Well, I can pick some more up from the store after school… oh, I forgot about school!' Exclaimed Issei, as he rushed to his bedroom, dressing himself in under a minute, before rushing back out.

'I'll see you when I get back, Ophis!' Yelled Issei, before the door slammed behind him as he left.

Ophis stared at the door for a moment.

'That door looks like chocolate.' Said Ophis.

-line break-

Issei made it to class with a minute to spare and noticed his classmates looking at him funnily.

'Issei, what's the rush?' Asked Motohama in confusion.

'What do you mean?' Asked Issei.

'Class is in an hour.' Replied Motohama.

'What?' Exclaimed Issei, before looking around and noticing that only Motohama and two girls were there.

Checking the clock at the front of the class, Issei realised he had messed up.

'I guess I've been a little scattered lately.' Admitted Issei, before sitting behind his friend, who turned around to stare at him.

'What's the matter, too much sex?' Asked Motohama, getting the two girls in the class to look at him in disgust.

'I wish… no, it's just been a rough weekend.' Said Issei, causing Motohama to raise his glasses thoughtfully.

'I see. Is this also why we haven't been able to contact you this weekend. Matsuda and I were a bit worried… well, after we removed the possibility of you having sex for forty-eight hours straight.' Commented Motohama.

'Yeah, sorry about that and I am interested to hear if you've been moving things along with Kiryuu… but man, I'm so tired.' Sighed Issei, slumping forward onto his desk, with his hands crossed, forming a pillow.

'Well, I would like to say things have been moving along, but we are still at kissing and some groping. I think we are both a little reluctant to make the first move… but once one of us does… it will be intense.' Said Motohama, before giving a slight shake of his head.

'So why are you so tired?' Asked Motohama.

'Okay. Let me start with a hypothetical question. Say there was someone you loved, who did something to make you hate them. Then after that, you fell in love with them again, only for them to forget all about you over time. How are you supposed to recover, after being thrown around like a yo-yo?' Asked Issei tiredly.

'Hypothetically? Do whatever I did the first time to get them back. It isn't that difficult Issei, we are unrepentant perverts and badgering woman is what we do. Does it get us into trouble? All the time, but eventually we succeed. Of course, Matsuda and I still have a way to go, to matching your ever-growing harem.' Answered Motohama.

'Hmm, I suppose that makes sense… okay, how about another hypothetical?' Queried Issei, raising his head off the table and looking at his friend curiously.

'Well, we have half an hour, I'm sure we can go through a few more scenarios.' Acquiesced Motohama.

'Okay, say there was someone who tricked you, but you came to love them, but then, you found out about what they did and it was horrible, can you ever forgive them?' Asked Issei.

'Do they have oppai?' Asked Motohama.

'Yup, big ones.' Confirmed Issei with a nod.

'In that case, forgive them, but only after you get to the bottom of what they did to you and get your pound of flesh first… then give them your pound of flesh, if you know what I mean.' Proclaimed Motohama, causing Issei to laugh.

'Ok, how about this one? A girl with the biggest oppai you've ever seen likes you, but she reminds you of one of your ex-girlfriends, who did something horrible to you, what do you do, go?' Proposed Issei.

'Hmm, that is a tough one… let's see… does the girl have bigger oppai than your ex-girlfriend?' Asked Motohama, rubbing his chin in thought.

'Yep.' Answered Issei.

'Then it's obvious, isn't it? If her oppai are bigger, then she is clearly a different person.' Said Motohama.

'… Okay, we'll come back to that one.' Commented Issei, not fully on-board with Motohama's answer.

'Fine, I'll work on it.' Agreed Motohama.

'Okay, now this time, it's your junior, your kouhai, who idolises you, problem is, her brother was almost married to a girl you liked, but now don't like anymore… and you were kind of the one to break them up… now, the question is, you want to try and build a closer relationship with the junior, without making either party uncomfortable, but, the kouhai's family has given their blessings, what do you do, go?' Proposed Issei.

'Isn't it obvious? It doesn't matter what the brother or the other girl think. She likes you and her parents are fine with it. That is a clear green light.' Said Motohama, pushing his glasses up a bit.

'Yeah, it is pretty obvious, isn't it… thanks for that Motohama.' Said Issei.

'So, I'm going to take a stab in the dark here and say you didn't find a new online dating simulator and these hypotheticals are not exactly hypotheticals.' Said Motohama.

'Maybe… maybe not, who can say?' Declared Issei nonchalantly.

'In any case, if you have more problems with your harem, you can always talk with us about it. True, we have yet to build our own harems, but we have been aiming to do this for years and I've already gone through many scenarios in my head.' Offered Motohama.

'Thanks.' Said Issei, getting a nod from Motohama, before the door of the classroom opened and mores students started to file in.

Issei spent the next few minutes chatting with Motohama, until two members of his harem arrived.

'Issei, why did you leave so early today?' Asked Irina.

'Sorry, I wasn't paying attention to the time and thought I was going to be late.' Explained Issei sheepishly, causing Irina to tilt her head to the side in confusion.

'Okay… are you feeling better now though?' Asked Irina.

'Yeah, I think so. I had a nice chat with Motohama and everything seems to be okay now.' Said Issei.

'As long as you're sure… you can always come to me if you need help, I won't ever turn away a soul in need.' Declared Irina, causing Issei to grin.

'Thanks. Don't worry, I'll be sure to come to you first if something is weighing on my mind.' Said Issei.

'What was the problem?' Asked Xenovia bluntly, causing Issei to chuckle.

'Just trying to adjust to things after the weekend. A friend of mine is staying over now as well. You two know her, the short girl we were introduced to a few days ago.' Said Issei, causing Xenovia and Irina's eyes to widen.

'Will she be okay, all alone I mean?' Asked Irina.

'I think so. She likes chocolate too if that helps.' Added Issei, before the teacher walked in, causing the chatter to die out.

'Well class, this is highly unorthodox, given how close we are to the end of the year, but this person has been highly recommended by one of our own staff. So, without further ado, please welcome our newest student.' Said the teacher, before looking towards the door.

The person behind the door took that as their signal to enter and they did so. However, when they entered the room, Issei froze.

'Hello, my name is Yuuma Amano, please look after me.' Said the woman, who Issei knew was Raynare, just in the form of her alias.

Issei felt his heart stop and his blood turn to ice at this introduction.

"Why is she here… Azazel… bastard!" Thought Issei in annoyance, zoning out the rest of the class.

-line break-

After class, Issei marched straight to the Occult Research Club headquarters, feeling Azazel's energy emanating from there.

'What the hell are you thinking?' Asked Issei, upon slamming open the club doors, startling Sona and Rias, along with their queens, who had been talking with Azazel, who was sitting behind the desk.

'Ah, did you like my gift?' Asked Azazel.

'Gift? Gift! Are you kidding me? Why do you think I would want something like this?' Asked Issei.

'Hmm, don't act like you don't know? I've been around for thousands of years and I know when someone hasn't moved on. At the very least, before this year ends, you will either have come to term with things as they are now, or, maybe, you might actually get what you really want.' Said Azazel, with a piercing gaze that made Issei squirm.

'I'm going home. Sona, please make up some excuse or something, I need to go.' Said Issei, before walking out of the room and closing the door beside him.

'Honestly, did you really expect him to react well with what you dropped on all of us?' Asked Sona rhetorically.

'Besides, I'm not exactly thrilled about things either you know… did you forget what she did to Asia? How is she supposed to deal with this?' Added Rias.

'This will be a good chance for her too. If Issei is any indication, holding in the past is quite dangerous. You should know that too, considering what it led to, otherwise the two of you would still be madly in love with each other. I did what was necessary, nothing more.' Said Azazel.

'With all due respect, a little warning would have been appreciated. It was not exactly easy, accommodating Amano's enrolment.' Said Sona, with Tsubaki nodding in agreement.

'Even more so given how many new students have already been added to that class. At first it was just Asia, but then Xenovia, Irina and now the latest enrolment, in the form of your agent. It is quite difficult to manage so many odd requests for the same class.' Added Tsubaki.

'I'm sorry, but it seems I'm talking to toys, rather than devils. You devils have full control over the school and trying to make excuses now is laughable. I understand my decision is not going to be a popular one, especially now when the wound is so fresh, but it was the right one.' Said Azazel, causing silence to descend over the room.

The silence was eventually broken, by the sound of Akeno's footsteps, as she made to exit the room.

'Akeno, where are you going?' Asked Rias.

'To try and fix his mistake.' Said Akeno, sending a small glare at Azazel, before leaving.

'See, old wounds are soon to be on the mend. I didn't become the leader of my faction by making stupid decisions.' Said Azazel.

The three remaining levels stared at Azazel uneasily, before the bell rang, signalling the start of their next class.

'I suggest the three of you head to class, as it would look quite poor for the three of you to be late. I might even have to give you detention.' Joked Azazel.

'Mark my words, we are not finished here.' Said Rias, before the three left.

Azazel sighed, as the door closed behind them.

"I only hope we can actually deal with this issue soon. The longer Issei is unstable and moody, the worse our chances are of dealing with Khaos Brigade." Thought Azazel grimly.

-line break-

Issei sighed, as he finally got home. He picked up a few blocks of chocolate on the way back for Ophis, but it seems she wasn't there currently. Issei put them away in the pantry and decided to go lie down on his bed for a bit. Issei was lying there for almost half an hour and starting to doze off in the process, when he heard someone ring his doorbell.

'Ugh, go away.' Moaned Issei unhappily.

There was silence for half a minute, before the doorbell was rung once again. Issei groaned again, before sitting up on the bed, deciding whether he wanted to answer the door or not.

'If they ring again I'll answer it.' Muttered Issei.

When a full minute went by, Issei thought the person had left, so he made his way to the living room to go and see. Issei walked to the door and opened it, only to find Akeno standing on the other side.

'I was afraid you weren't going to answer.' Said Akeno, with a smile, causing Issei to grumble to himself.

'What do you want Akeno?' Asked Issei, ruffling his hair slightly in exasperation.

'I just wanted to come in and speak with you for a bit.' Said Akeno, with her usual demure smile.

Issei sighed and gave a small groan, before stepping to the side and gesturing for Akeno to enter the room.

'Thank you.' Said Akeno, as she entered, before Issei closed the door behind her.

Akeno sat down on the couch, with Issei leaning on the counter opposite her.

'So… what's up?' Asked Issei.

'Before we get to that, wouldn't it be nice to have some tea? I'll even make it myself.' Offered Akeno.

'Sure.' Said Issei, going over to the stove and boiling the water, while Akeno prepared the tea leaves.

Once the water boiled, Akeno set about making tea for the two of them, while Issei watched calmly.

'Do you enjoy making tea, Akeno?' Asked Issei, as Akeno turned the cup around three times.

'Yes, it reminds me of when I was younger and my mother would do the same for me.' Said Akeno fondly, as she passed the tea to Issei, who took a sip.

'It's good, like always.' Said Issei, causing Akeno to smile softly.

'I'm glad. I was worried things might have been different today and in some regards I'm right, but I'm glad some things never change.' Said Akeno, confusing Issei.

'What do you mean?' Asked Issei in curiosity.

'Do you remember the way you looked at us before you left the peerage?' Asked Akeno.

'Not really… I didn't realise I looked at all of you in any particular way.' Answered Issei, furrowing his brows in confusion.

'You looked at us with longing, but also a hint of restraint. I can't speak for the others, but I always thought the restraint was because you didn't think you could have us, because you were a new devil… or a pervert… or because of our reputations… I never really understood why. Even when we would tease you, I thought you were holding back out of some form of respect for a senior, or maybe you were just uncertain of our true feelings.' Said Akeno, further confusing Issei.

'Where are you going with this?' Asked Issei.

'It wasn't until after you left us that I realised the truth. You were afraid of us. Afraid that we would be like Raynare. Afraid that we weren't genuine in our care of you. Afraid that we would one day betray you and reveal everything had been a façade.' Said Akeno softly.

'Why are you bringing this up now?' Asked Issei in annoyance, quite uncomfortable with the conversation.

'I'm sure you know why.' Said Akeno calmly, causing Issei to stand up and walk away from the table, where Akeno was still kneeling.

'What do you want Akeno? Are you still upset with what I did when I came back?' Asked Issei bitterly.

'Of course not. You made your point clear and it was well made. We had overlooked your feelings. That is why I am here now; I won't overlook your feelings again.' Said Akeno, standing to her feet.

'You are looking at me like you were before this all happened and I don't want that to be the case. You forgave me, whether it was the right decision or not and I want to earn back your trust, but right now, I know I won't be able to get through to you because you fear me, again.' Said Akeno, advancing towards Issei.

'Akeno, I'm asking you nicely, please leave.' Said Issei, not making eye contact with the hybrid.

'No. Not until you can see me as Akeno again. Right now, that isn't the case and I can feel it. When you look at me, you see Raynare, don't you?' Pressed Akeno.

'I'm warning you Akeno, I don't want to talk about this.' Growled Issei.

'I know. That is why we aren't going to talk about this.' Said Akeno, before Issei felt her magic spike.

Issei dived out of the way, as a bolt of lightning struck his stove and caused it to explode.

'What the hell are you doing Akeno?' Shouted Issei.

'What I need to, in order to get through to you.' Said Akeno, before another bolt of lightning shot towards Issei.

'Stop it Akeno, are you crazy?' Shouted Issei, as another bolt of lightning was launched at Issei.

Akeno didn't answer this time and charged up multiple attacks, causing Issei to growl.

'Balance Breaker!' Shouted Issei, as his new red armour, with gold trim, covered his form.

Akeno felt the power of light coming off Issei and powered up her magical circles further, before a multitude of attacks were released.

A massive explosion occurred in Issei's apartment complex, blowing out the glass of the windows. To an ordinary onlooker, they would have thought someone's appliances were short circuiting and exploding. To anyone versed in the sensing of supernatural energies, they would think a war was going on.

Back in the apartment complex, which had been thoroughly demolished, stood a panting Akeno. She was otherwise unharmed, aside from a few scratches from shrapnel, but that was about to change. Issei shot out of the dust and slammed a punch into Akeno's gut, which launched her into the wall. The busty girl quickly pushed off the wall, rolling along the ground, as Issei slammed into it and launched a wave of lightning at him, which caused him to twitch. Issei punted Akeno off the ground, high into the air, only for the hybrid to extend her wings and manoeuvre herself through the air. A massive bolt of lightning dropped down on Issei and stunned him momentarily, providing enough of a distraction for Akeno to tackle him and pick him up. Issei was quite startled at the use of physical force from the magic user, before she dropped him to the floor and launched another bolt of lightning. Issei growled and leapt upwards, spearing Akeno and did a full revolution, slamming her into the ground and cratering it. Akeno curled her knees up and kicked Issei off her, before launching a wave of water, which she followed up with another bolt of lightning. Issei growled and ripped through the attacks with Ascalon, which he quickly summoned, before throwing the sword at Akeno, before it could transmit the electric charge to him. Akeno leapt to the side to avoid the sword, only for Issei to shoulder tackle her and launch her into the wall.

'Do you… feel better now?' Asked Akeno, confusing Issei.

'Does it feel good… to target a fallen angel again? Have you released all the pent-up aggression and annoyance you've been holding in?' Continued Akeno.

'What the hell are you talking about Akeno? Why did you do this?' Asked Issei, releasing his armour, but staying on guard.

Akeno pushed off the wall and walked towards Issei, stumbling only once.

'I'm a fallen angel, just like her and you were looking at me, just like her… I'm glad it worked.' Sighed Akeno, before collapsing forward onto Issei, who caught her.

'Glad what worked?' Asked Issei in confusion.

'Ufufu, my little plan to help you move past things and get you to see me as Akeno again. While I may have needed to level your apartment, it seems to have worked.' Said Akeno.

'Akeno… you're crazy… but thanks.' Laughed Issei.

Akeno gave another bout of laughter, before reaching up and kissing Issei. Issei could taste blood and only now took notice of how injured Akeno was properly.

'Akeno! Why did you let it go this far? You're really hurt.' Said Issei, pointing out the obvious.

'Well, don't forget, I am a masochist. I only hope that you are a little gentler in the bedroom, but not too much.' Teased Akeno, before passing out.

'Akeno… you really are crazy… but I wonder what that makes me for loving you… I'm going to need to move now though.' Said Issei, to the sleeping beauty, as he surveyed his destroyed home.

'I guess it is true though, the hotter the girl, the crazier she can be and Akeno went all the way on both scales… *sigh* I still want that nap though.' Said Issei, before deciding to take Akeno with him to his room, which was surprisingly intact, before placing her on the bed beside him.

'Sleep well, Akeno.' Said Issei, kissing the beauty on the forehead, causing her to smile slightly, before he fell asleep beside her, a soft golden glow emanating from his form.