Hey guys! Dan's back with another very-fucking-late update! Yay! :D
I'm terribly sorry... Hue ;-; I didn't mean to make you guys wait too long. Really.
I haven't even updated the last chapter with my response - 3- Ughh. Why must I procrastinate. And even right now too, lmao.
Anyway, I'll respond to the comments and reviews later! Maybe I'll send personal PMs if that's okay with you guys :D
NeNevertheless,
ENJUOY!
How long had it been? An hour or two?
No one knew where he traversed or what his intention was for exact, but they had a common guess; and it is a correct one.
To reclaim his long-lost daughter back.
They - Katerea, Shalba, Creuserey, and lastly, Tiamat - waited his return inside the palatial throne room. The Satan descendants waited as they were worried their plan would go awry. Since he, Seifer, was the vital part of their plan, it was understandable why they would be so anxious. Both Vali and Kuroka had left earlier, but undoubtedly, he had gave them a sight they won't soon forget. Especially for the former. Vali had never experienced such terrifying presence in his whole life, and that sported his adrenaline and his tendency to do battles. He believed, that in onne day, he will fight him. But not now. He realized his power was mere compared to his.
As for Tiamat, well. She loves him. What do you expect?
As soon as she realized this man was not in his room, nor any rooms inside the grand castle, Tiamat immediately questioned the Devils without any hesitation. Oddly enough, it also angered her greatly as she learnt the truth of his missing daughter. It was odd, at least for her. Regardless of that, this lovely Dragon had never been this worried before. She couldn't locate his precise location, and it irked her.
Her chest kept beating quickly, her fingers won't stop tapping, and her foot won't stop fidgeting.
She hated this feeling as much as she hates the feeling of jealousy.
"—Ah."
Creuserey made a noise as he saw a cloud of smoke forming by the red carpet.
Seifer had returned.
And he returned alone.
"Welcome back, Lord Seifer..." Uttered the black haired Devil after the long silent. He wanted to ask how it went, but he was unsure if he really should ask that particular question.
No one was certain.
Then, as he lifted his head, giving them a good view of his grey mask and the seemingly eyeless holes of the mask, Seifer answered with a coarse tone of his deep baritone.
"Speed up the preparation."
He did not stayed in that room for long. After saying that short sentence, Seifer headed to the exit, and onto the hallways and stairs that led him to the rooftop. He needed some fresh air after what he had been through. The Devils stayed to discuss their plan, happy that the situation was going on their will. In all honesty, they cared little for the fate of his daughter. They're Devils anyway. Only Tiamat hurried to be of his possibly much needed company.
She arrived not a minute after he did. He had yet to smoke his cigarette, surprisingly, as that mask still covered his entire devastating features. Yet Tiamat was sure enough to know the mood of this man was nowhere close to good. Torrid in fact. Something unwanted must had occurred to him, or regarding the news of his daughter.
Within few steps, Tiamat stood by his side, glancing upon his enigmatic mask, whereas he gazed silently across the endless sea of red sand and dirt. The vegetation was so few in this particular area of the Underworld. A bit odd, as the plantations on the surrounding place near the Gremory Palace grew and lived a prosperous live. Very different from where they were currently.
"Shinji-sama?" She called as she leaned on one foot, staring at him with her golden orbs and with the look of concern behind them. "Can I ask you something?"
Seifer didn't reply, but he acknowledged her call by sparing a quick look at her, and his head bobbed once; before returning his silent stare back to the vast, empty, wasteland.
"...Did you at least find your daughter?" She asked after a long while of pondering.
He shook his head slowly. "No." Seifer gruffly replied. "Not yet."
"Oh..." Tiamat uttered. Her voice nearly as disheartened as her master. "What about Rias or Akeno? Did you talk to any of them yet? Or at least see them?"
He gave the same gesture, but no voice escaped his mask this time.
"...So I see..." Said Tiamat. She just couldn't pinpoint what this man was thinking or planning on doing next. He was so peculiar to her. "Then what do we do now, Shinji-sama?"
"Prepare." Seifer replied as he turned his body to face his lovely familiar directly. "I want you to train Asuka. Make her quicker and faster to react, just don't exert her too much."
Tiamat slightly averted her glance downwards.
"Yes... Shinji-sama." Tiamat agreed without any questions. "But I'm not as capable as her in terms of swordplay."
"It's fine." Seifer replied short. "Do what you can."
"I understand..." Again, the lady nodded.
"Thank you." He said, nearly in a form of a whisper as he turned around on his heels, disappearing within his ominous smoke in just several quick seconds.
Thus, he left her all by herself on top of the roof. She couldn't help but worry over her beloved man. He had never been this serious before, and that scared her. She was certain she would be fine, but what about those on the opposite side? What about his own girls? Her friends? Are they not at least a bit worthy for his concern? How can he be so merciless?
Was he still the same man as he was then?
"...What do you want...?"
Snarked a voice of a grown woman. The same grown woman who had been disgraced by her own master. After all those years of devotion, he forsake her just because of one, single failure.
Grayfia glanced up to meet his stoic mask. It was clear she had not gotten much treatment ever since she arrived here as her maid outfit was pretty much all torn up at the stomach area. She still couldn't forget that terrifying experience, and her eyes had hints of fear in them. Her hands were no longer bounded in chains, though, only her right ankle. But she had shown no attempt to escape, however.
"Nothing." He said. "Nothing more from you." Added Seifer after a brief while of just silent stare.
The place was, to say the least, empty and rather eerie. There were no lights to lighten up the dark, mossy stones. No windows to let in fresh air. Dozens of empty cells but one, which was the cell that contained Grayfia at the time being. She won't stay there for long, however; since she was no longer of use to him.
"...Then are you going to kill me?" Grayfia asked. An endearing question, but asked with an unfitting plain expression. Yet it was a facade over her feeling of her ignominious worthlessness. Being treated as one of such an expendable person, as if she was just a mere Devil after her years of services really damaged and hurt her pride, and mind.
"If so... Do it. I have no use for you."
Even to the point where she wouldn't care if she was killed, right at this very moment.
At that time, Seifer, felt sympathetic towards this particular dishonoured maid. Yet his mask successfully covered that slightest in his expression, and also his steadily growing hatred towards that damned crimson-haired Devil. He still wondered how one could possibly be that pitiless. Just what was he thinking? Sending just one, single Devil to battle the literal Deicide? A killer of God?
Then again, Sirzechs IS a Satan, and one of the four leaders in this dreaded Underworld. Perhaps such attitude was relevant, seeing how un-Satan-like the Leviathan is.
"A dead Devil won't be the slightest bit beneficial for us." Seifer spoke. Surprisingly, and disturbingly - even for Ddraig - his voice carried more authority, like that of a leader of a terrorist group. It was surprising for the Welsh Dragon, but not for the former Death God, as this is exactly how Seifer would speak as Malthael, the true Death. "Instead of that, serve us, and be the feared Devil as you were before."
"Besides, I'm certain you can't withstand facing that Crimson Satan again, can you?"
Grayfia glanced to her side at that. She tried to deny it, but what he said is true; she couldn't. Not after her failure. However, she could not bring herself to agree as well. She was the maid of the Gremory, how can she possibly agree to aid them? A group whose intent is to topple the Devils?
So Grayfia stayed silent, staring quietly at the Moss-covered stone. Perhaps an indirect refusal to his offer.
"Or if not for this, small group you label as "terrorists", then for me." Seifer added as he left the magic-imbued cell, and shadowed over to the stairs.
"Give it a thought. It's better than staying here."
And thus, his days as a part of the villain furthered.
Several weeks following his departure, and the Devils - or her own servants, actually - finally able to persuade Rias to get out from her hideout. The girl was doing fairly decent a week later. She, as well as her peerage, was forbidden to venture too far from the capital, let alone her school. Obviously for safety reasons. During those time, she would be with her treasured servants.
Often of times, she would tear up, fearing that the only moment she would ever see him again is only at war. Often of times, Akeno would join her, also fearing that terrifying possibility, but she always assured her King that their beloved man will return to their embrace. Now, the two of them became even closer than before. The same outcome for Koneko and Asia.
Nevertheless, tonight, was no ordinary night for the Devils. It was a night where the three factions gather in one festive party. Might be a little bit tactless, considering the ordeal at hands, yet they - leaders of the faction - wanted to commemorate their official alliance, and so it happened. They were also informed that a representative from Asgard will come as well, and that pretty much explained the massive number of guards.
The party scheduled to take place in the Underworld; at the Gremory's territory's famous High Rise Hotel. Located just by the edge of their territory upon a wide clearing of a dense and healthy forest. If placed on the human world, then this hotel would be, at the very least, rated ten stars for how big and how magnificent the scenery is.
Even so, such parties, no matter whatever the occasion, happen regularly here, and despite it was created to celebrate the success of the peace-slash-alliance talk, it was truly just an annual custom for the members of all distinguished families, the Gremories for one, to meet and simply enjoy themselves.
Rias, as well as the others, were not too fond of parties such as these. They knew they won't be able to enjoy this party fully and as carefree as the others. Minutes after minutes they spent on either chatting together in their table, greeting fellow Devils, welcoming Fallen Angels and Angels, or simply staying quiet.
Lots of times a brave man would try their luck to hit on them, which obviously resulting with Akeno's soft yet harsh rejection, Rias' blatant refusal, or Asia's oblivious reaction, usually followed by her apologize. Koneko, though, was the one who didn't even take any concern to those men she would define as "pathetic fools.", As to be expected from her. Yet however, it was not solely because of her ice cold personality alone.
There was something else that prickled her skin. Or more correctly, her nose. Yes. It was a fragrance she will not ever forget, and a presence that will always haunt her.
And the forest nearby was the source.
Using the famous "I need to go to the bathroom." as an excuse, the small girl scuttled away from her friends and seniors. Onward to the forest she went.
This, however, did not go by unseen by her master, Rias Gremory. She noticed Koneko's rather peculiar demeanour, and headed out to follow her after Koneko nearly vanished among the crowd. Akeno only needed a look and a nod from Rias to know her intention, and stayed with Asia, hoping they will all be alright.
"Tell me why I agreed with following you here again.."
Sounded one, disheartened, and a bit irritated, masked young male.
"Because you say you wanted to, nya~"
And soon he received his answer. Rather a reminder in fact. He literally asked for it.
He couldn't stay idle in that damned castle for too long anyway. He, like other ordinary people, does get bored fairly easily. So when Kuroka, a Nekoshou - he learned about this a few days after their first meeting. He was nonchalant at first, until Kuroka bit him. - planned to "peek" at the bigass party, Seifer couldn't help but join in. Besides, if something unplanned happens, then he could be there to ensure nothing unpleasant will occur to his cat-girl-yokai-friend.
Yes. He made her his friend.
Initially, Seifer did not want to befriend nor talk to anyone un-war related to anyone from that group. But after her unending, constant attempt to annoy him, Seifer finally grasped that Kuroka wasn't much of a villain, and was more of a bored feline, seeking for attention wherever she trots. And Seifer was her victim, as well as Asuka and no less Tiamat, which also present as they simply don't want to leave his side (And they both were missing their friends. Especially Asuka to Asia.).
So here they are.
Roaming around inside a dense forest, following the cat, trekking through the onslaught of the pesky Hell bugs.
"Ugh- It's almost the same as my Familiar Forest." Grumbled the grumpy Tiamat, sparking weak jolts of her thunder upon the unlucky bugs that flew near the Dragon King. Or Queen. Whatever. She's still his Familiar.
"Hehe~" Asuka tittered. She seemed to be the only person who enjoyed this alongside Kuroka. Well, mainly because it was a sort of a "holiday" or a "field trip" for her. She was pretty fond of natural recreation spots. Such as mountains and forests and etcetera. Plus, her Familiar was having its own fun too. "At least it's not as scary as that forest." Added the bubbly girl as she watched her Starly, Aleta, pecked and ate the bugs around the small group.
The four of them - five including the Starly - wandered around for some more, and halted their advances as Kuroka stopped moving. Seifer firstly noticed the change of her expression, before he alerted himself of another presence. Two presences, actually. Tiamat and Asuka also readied themselves, with Asuka unsheathing her twin wakizashi.
"...Two Devils...They're fairly way ahead of us." Tiamat confirmed and informed as she took several cautious steps forwards. "...And..."
She relaxed herself as she was about to finish her sentence.
"...They're your old group."
Rias ran through the forest in the dark night. How she managed to avoid the many branches and leaped over the jagged rocks, she did not know how. All she knew, and thought about, was her only Rook.
What are you planning... Koneko? What's bothering you so much?
Unable to figure it out, she couldn't help but wonder.
She ran, and ran, and ran, until she found her white-haired servant. Rias immediately hid beneath a large tree, slowly and carefully poking her face out. Meters ahead of her hiding place, was a restless looking Koneko. The small-framed girl had been turning her head back and forth repeatedly, as if on search for something.
Or rather, someone.
"It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Koneko quickly shifted her gaze to the source of the feminine voice. Rias did as well.
Coming out without making any noise, Kuroka showed herself. Her black Kimono remain untainted as it still looked graceful, but her tantalizing smirk ruined her gracefulness.
Unlike Kuroka, Koneko had a more shock upon their encounter.
"—! Onee-sama!"
[Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on a minute. Are you telling me these two are related by blood?]
'Seems like it. Yeah.'
[But! They're so far different from each other!]
{Hrrn... They do? They look fairly similar if you ask me.}
'Yeah. The shape of their face, and their skin, and their-'
[Yeah well what about THE BOOBS.]
{...}
'...Oh.'
Upon closer inspection-
[THE HELL DO YOU MEAN "Upon closer inspection"?! THE DIFFERENCE IS OBVIOUS.]
'Whoa- Calm down a bit will you?'
{...Well he does has a valid point.}
'...Koneko's still growing... Don't be rude...'
"Fufu, nyan~ You're still the same girl as you were, nyan~"
Koneko frowned. Her small body quivering in fear and anger.
"...What is this about... Nee-sama?" Asked Koneko, keeping her tone low and flat as she tried to cover her emotions.
In contrary with her nervous little sister, Kuroka gave her a teasing smile - almost taunting.
"Oh don't make such a scary face. I heard the Devils are holding a big party here, so I got interested and come here to have a look, nyan~"
Kuroka replied ever so casually. She even held her curled up hand up and winked, as if imitating a cat, and thus showing how actually composed she was, unlike the smaller girl.
[Do cats do that?]
I dunno, but I do know they usually raise their paw or two. I'm just going with the usual anime trope.
[Oh. Okay then. Carry on.]
Anyway.
"...You'll get into trouble onee-sama.. If someone spot you. You should leave..."
Now Seifer couldn't tell if it was a warning, a suggestion, or a hidden form of a plea. Could be the three of them too.
"Munya~? But onee-chan just got here~ And if I do leave..."
Then it happened without any hint or warning, the smile on her face vanished, and her playful vibe disappeared as well. Her golden eyes pierced the Rook's tough defense.
"I'm taking you back with me."
At that point, Koneko rendered unable to hide her terrified self. She wanted to run, yet her feet won't listen to her mind, as if stitched to the ground.
Truly, it was rather heartbreaking to witness someone like Koneko being this frightened. Just what was it that Kuroka did that scarred her so? He should ask her once they return. Or when she gained enough of her trust, he supposed.
For now, he should interfere before these two get hurt.
"This child is my servant. I will not allow you to lay a finger on her. Not even a single strand of her hair."
"Buchou..."
Or perhaps he could do it later since Rias beat him to it. Spectating for a little bit more wouldn't be hurtful to anyone, would it? He also got two reliable backups in case the situation went downhill. Speaking of which, they - Seifer, Tiamat, and Asuka - were hidden under the cover of his smoke, which miraculously also hide their aura and presence even to those who have enhanced senses. Take Koneko for example.
Amidst the building tension and the flaring intensity of Rias' glare, Kuroka simply grinned in response.
"Ehh~? What are you saying, nya? She's my little sister. My family. I have all the right to love her nyan~"
[I still can't believe it.]
'Shut up.'
{Life is indeed unfair...}
'Stop it. You're ruining the scene.'
And so they shut themselves in order to not ruin the scene.
"That you may be... But after the hell you put her through, I don't think you understand what "family" truly means."
Kuroka lost her smile.
"You're blinded by power, and killed yours and Koneko's master, and even leave Koneko behind. You were her only family back then, and you weren't there when she took so many abuse and despised by many others...
"She had seen many harsh things, and that is why I swore to bring her plentiful of joy so that she'll forget all of them!"
After hearing such words, it was impossible for even Koneko to not to cry. Touched by her master's kind words, the small girl wept, and as the beautiful crimson-haired princess embraced her, Koneko remained unmoving, happily accepting Rias' love.
"This girl is Toujou Koneko! The Rook of Rias' Gremory's group! My important servant Devil! I've lost one permanently and I may lose two others..." Rias said, barely containing her tears from flowing upon the painful remembrance of that fateful night. The night when she last seen of him and her Knight. "And that's why I won't ever let you take her away from me!"
Upon her declaration, Koneko also gave one of her own.
"...I don't want to go... I am Toujou Koneko. I don't want to go with you, Kuroka-neesama! I want to stay with Rias-Buchou!"
Hearing that, Rias tightened her embrace, holding Koneko ever so dearly.
Of course, the emotional moment also unexpectedly moved those who were supposedly spectate in silence.
"Shhhh- Hush now..."
"...Shinji-san..." Sobbed one particular Kunoichi, already in tears after what her eyes and heart had witnessed. "...I'm sorry...B-But- I can't stop crying... Fuwa-mmmf!"
Right before she let out a cry that might blew their cover, Seifer quickly pulled Asuka into his chest, effectively muffling her sobbing. His smoke hides presence, not silencing voices.
She was not the only one who was moved by the current scene, though.
[Bubbo.] Came Azrael's call. [This old bum is getting emotional again.]
'Yes... I noticed.'
How could he not notice when he could clearly hear the sobbing of a powerful Dragon in his head?
{Dragons have feelings too! Is it a crime for us to express our sympathy?!}
Anyway, let's just head back to the Neko sisters and the Devil.
Kuroka was unamused. She was angry, and mad. What Rias said was only partially true in her view, and no one but she herself knew the truth. She did not show much of her regret for her past action, though. Instead, the well-defined woman let out a derisive mock laughter as her eyes seemingly sharpened, a hint at her reveal of killing intent as Kuroka whispered.
"...Then I will kill you."
Despite it only happened in just several seconds, Rias noticed the abrupt change of air. Koneko did as well. The purple barrier above them were hard to be unnoticed. Yet between the two of them, only Koneko herself who heeded the arrival of her fellow Devils. Proven to be true as a light voice belonged to a former nun echoed at some part of the forest.
"Buchou-san! Koneko-chan!"
The older sister clicked her tongue, whilst Rias and Koneko turned their head around towards the source of the voice, seeing their friends rushing their way towards the two, much to Kuroka's dismay.
"Asia-senpai..."
Rias, with a stern and somewhat surprised expression, looked at her Queen. "Akeno? And Raynare? Why are you here?! Didn't I tell you to stay at the party?"
"Ufufufu~" Akeno giggled, "Ara ara, shouldn't a Queen always be with her King?"
Rias didn't accept that answer. "What if my Onii-sama searches for us?!"
"Then let him, Buchou." Answered Akeno. With sincere seriousness this time. "We might need the help of a Maou if we were to face someone rumoured as strong as an Ultimate-classed Devil."
"But he won't come, nyan~ I've trapped all of you inside this barrier." Kuroka interrupted, gaining the attention of the Devils. "Those outside the barrier will remain oblivious, even if we do flashy things here, nyan."
Her taunting smirk made Akeno flinch. Or maybe her explanation.
"So even if I do kill all of you here, nobody will know until I leave."
A green mist then sprung out from Kuroka's body, a bit of a familiar sight for their eyes as it was how he usually summoned his smoke. The difference is, his is much more thicker and black in colour. The mist gradually spread, engulfing the trees and covering the gray ground below their feet.
Realizing the impending danger, Koneko warned. "This is— Everyone! Stay out from the fog!"
Yet her warning came a bit late, and as they came in contact with the leaf green mist, they all dropped down to their knees. It was inevitable. They were domed inside the barrier, and the fog, in time, will fill the whole area.
"U-Unnh... I-can't... Breathe..." Asia whimpered as she held her chest.
"—Ah..." Uttered Rias as she struggled for air. It vexed her that legs won't respond to her command to stand. "Poison...?"
"Yep~ You guessed it nyan~ It'll be a slow and painful death for all of you."
The affirmation came from none other than he culprit, Kuroka herself, who had sat upon a branch of a tree, smiling gleefully.
But it will take more than mere fog to kill this girl's determination.
"Nnnh- No!" Yelled Akeno, shooting her thunder in a straight path. It hit Kuroka, and her body disappeared upon impact. However, her voice sounded shortly after that.
"It's no use nyan. I can make copies of myself with the essential genjutsu. Hit me all you want~ And it will be the same result for you."
With the depleting strength, Rias glanced up, only to see dozens of Kuroka's silhouettes born one after another. They all looked exactly the same as the black-tailed Nekomata.
"Kuroka-nee-sama... Stop it.." Koneko pleaded as she went down to all fours. Breathing suddenly became a painful process for her and the Devils.
"Then come back with me, and I'll overlook these girls- huh?!"
"Asiaaaaaa!"
Directly after her loud shout, Asuka made her entrance in the most impressive way possible; She firstly leaped out from a tree nearby, wielding her twin swords in a reverse grip and spun her body around so fast that she conjured a powerful whirlwind, thus blowing away Kuroka's mist in a small area around her.
"Asuka-nee-chan!" Yelled Asia, so happy to see her adored sister all well, and perhaps even stronger..
Adopting a fighting stance, Asuka pointed her left wakizashi at the astonished Kuroka. "I won't allow you to hurt Asia or any of my friends!"
Obviously Kuroka did not foresee her chivalrous act.
"Friends?! What?!"
In the midst of her confusion, ominous black smoke suddenly appeared from all direction. And as if it was a gust of a wind, it blew the mist away completely and without missing any. The smoke then vanished after the mist did.
The Devils recognized that smoke from earlier.
"What is- Shinjiro?! Was that you?!" Yelled an infuriated Kuroka. She even stomped the ground to emphasize her unimpressed state. Her clones disappeared as well. "Is this a trap?!"
The Devils all went wide-eyed upon the mentioned of his name. Two of them felt their heart suddenly stopped beating for a second or two even. They tried their best and forced themselves to not think of him, yet their effort was immediately reduced to nothing within just hearing his name.
And as they heard his irresistible baritone, they felt as if their heart was about to go to a stop yet again.
"Yes. It was me." He spoke, appearing beside Kuroka after a quick puff of his smoke. Tiamat also appeared a second after. "I'm sorry, but I don't want any of them dead either. And no, this isn't a trap, so take it easy."
"Aren't they your previous group?! She even said it!"
"They were. Yes. But I don't see them as my enemy." Seifer said with composure and a nod.
Frustrated, Kuroka swelled up her cheeks and glared at Seifer. Not knowing she was as intimidating as a kitten to him.
"Hrmm... NYAAAAN! I can't believe this!" She roared, then folding her hands and turning around in a sassy motion. "Hmph! You ruined my plan, nyan!"
On the other side, Asuka and Asia had successfully hugged each other, crying joyful tears as their weeks of separation finally came to end. They both were glad that they still see each other as friends.
As for our two girls...
"S-Shi-Shinjiro...?"
"Shinjiro...kun..."
He shifted his head towards them, and gifted them a smile they had longed to see.
"Hello princesses."
Hate to do it, but I havta leave it at that. Yay cliffhangers! :D
ANYWAY.
I've beenpretty busy lately. Y'know, college, ASSignment, life n' stoofs. I honestly only have several hours of relaxation, and I can't and don't want to use them all just to write my story. So I'm so sorry. ;-;
For the next chapter! I think it's safe to say I'm going to put up another 'sexy time' ;DD (Read bait much?) But with whom? :o You can only guess. Special shoutout and a pat on the back for the first two who guessed correctly! Remember, I give amazing back pats OuO
So that's all for now folks! I thank you all for reading and sparing your time to write a comment or even giving me a review or a critique! See you next time and have a nice day!