Chapter 4

Yuuto was walking without using an umbrella when it was raining hard. He thought it was a good rain that could cool his head off.

'I had a fight with Buchou.' Yuuto rebelled for the first time against the master who saved her life. It was a failure as "Kiba Yuuto". But he had never once forgotten my revenge towards the holy-sword Excalibur. 'I was just getting senile with the lifestyle at school. I had made comrades, obtained a lifestyle, and received a name. I also received a purpose in life from my master, Rias Gremory. Asking for more happiness was a bad thing. It was certainly bad. I couldn't continue living for my "comrades" until I attained my purpose… '

'Be ready to pay any price for that wish, because it's a very expensive commodity.' Inuko's words still rang in his head.

'What price is greater than my vengenc…?'

SPLASH

Yuuto heard a sound of water that was different from the sound of rain and looked. There was a priest in front of him. He had a cross hanging around their chest and give divine punishments in the name of the God. He was one of the things I hate. The target of his hatred. He wouldn't mind killing him if he was an exorcist.

'…!' There was a blood patch on his stomach and he was coughing some blood. He then fell down. Was he killed by someone?"…!" Yuuto instantly made a demonic-sword after he felt something abnormal. It was a killing intent!

KACTHIN!

There was a glow of metal under the rain that made a glimmer. When Yuuto moved my body towards the place where the killing intent was coming from, there was someone with a long sword attacking him. The guy had the same clothes as the priest that just died. But this one had an abnormal amount of killing intent.

"Yahooo. It's been a while." It was the crazy priest with white hair, Freed Zelzan. He's the guy that Inuko and the others fought in the previous incident involving the fallen-angels. He was showing the same disgusting smile.

"…Seems like you're still in this town. What is your business today? I'm sorry, but I'm in a really bad mood today." Yuuto said it with an angry tone but he laughed it off.

"Well that's good timing. Splendid! In my case I'm so happy that I'm going to shed some tears because I get to have a reunion with you!" He still had a cocky speech. When Yuuto tried to make a demonic-sword in his left hand, the long sword Freed wielded started to emit a holy aura…!

'That light! That aura! That glow! How could I forget!'

"I was getting bored of priest hunting so it's good timing. Very Good. Let's check which is stronger between my Excalibur and your demonic sword, shall we? Hyahahahaha! I will repay you by killing you!" Yes, the sword he had was the Holy-sword Excalibur itself.

"So you know about the Holy Sword Project?"

"When you have relatives in the higher up among Church ranks, you tend to hear things. Yuuto was a part of that project, right?" Rias nods at Inuko's words.

"Yes. Yuuto is a survivor of that project." Asia, Rias and Inuko returned home after they finished their club activities. Rias and Asia came into Inuko's room, Hitohime greeted them, and Rias had started to tell them about Yuuto, mostly to Asia as Inuko seemed to know about it already.

"…This is my first time hearing this." Asia says. Inuko explains

"It was pretty much a secret until the final stages came to light. It was a project several years ago inside the Christian Church that aimed to make those who can wield the holy-sword Excalibur." Rias continues.

"Holy-swords are the ultimate weapons against devils. If we, the devils, touch the holy sword then we will burn ourselves. If we get cut by it, then we will be terminated without a trace. It could be called the ultimate weapon for those who believe in God and see devils as an enemy. Even though there are numerous holy-swords originating from all over the world, I still think the most famous one would be Excalibur. Even in Japan, it comes up in many books. It's a holy weapon that is created through means of magic and alchemy by those who reach the territory of God. But holy-swords choose their wielders. I hear that only one person in a decade or so gets chosen." Inuko continues.

"Kiba is a Sacred Gear possessor that can create demonic-swords, right? So isn't there a Sacred Gear that can create holy-swords instead?" Asia asks.

"It's not like there aren't. But if you compare it to the holy-swords that already exist, it is kind of lacking. Of course I'm not saying it's weak. Among them there is a sacred utensil included in the "Longinus", just like your "Boosted Gear," Inuko."

"You're talking about the most famous Sacred Gear that was wielded by the person who killed Jesus Christ, the "True Longinus". It's also said that the name "Longinus" was derived from the man who killed him."

"That's right, Inuko. Except, at this point there isn't a Holy Sacred Gear that can compete with Excalibur, Durandal or Ama-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi because these holy-swords are too powerful. It's the same with the demonic-swords." Rias continues. "Yuuto received artificial treatment to adapt to the holy-sword, particularly the Excalibur."

"So Kiba-san is able to use the holy-swords?"

"He can't." Inuko answers Asia. Then looks at Rias."Right, Buchou?"

"…Yes." RIas answered after a while. "Yuuto couldn't adapt to the holy-swords. Not only Yuuto, but it seems like everyone who received a treatment similar to Yuuto's couldn't either…" Inuko remembers a scene she had witness in the past. The sight of dead children spawned in a Church basement flashed in her mind for but a moment.

"And the people of the Church decided to view the ones who couldn't adapt to the holy-swords as "defective products" and disposed of them."

"Most of the people experimented on were killed, including Yuuto. Only because they couldn't adapt to the holy-swords…"

"…It can't be. It's not an acceptable act by those who serve God." Asia tears up.

"They, the people of the Church, calls us devils an evil existence, but I think the bad intentions of humans are the greatest evil in this world." Rias said it with sad eyes. "When I reincarnated Yuuto into a devil, that boy was swearing for his revenge even when he was in a critical situation. Because his talents were being used for holy-swords since he was born, I wanted him to use his talents as a devil. Yuuto's talent at using swords would be a waste for only using it for holy-swords. That boy couldn't forget about it. The holy-swords. Those who were involved with the holy-swords. And the people of the Church…" She makes a big sigh. "Anyway I will just watch over him for now. Right now his head is full of the feelings he has towards the holy-swords. But I hope he returns to his usual self."

"That won't be a while." Inuko states. "Revenge is something you cannot forgot, no matter how much you want to." She then pulls out a photo. "I feel I should apologize because he saw this photo."

"No, it wasn't your fault." Rias says. "It happened long before we met. But I was surprised that you have holy swords in your possession."

"Not in my possession, in the Kusanagi's possession." Inuko corrects.

"But still, how do you know of the project? It can't just be because of your relatives."

"…" Inuko snaps her fingers and Seika comes with a sword. Rias eyes went wide.

"That's, that's a holy sword!" She exclaimed.

"Inu-san, don't touched it?!" Inuko ignored Asia's words she held it. Nothing. No damage or injures. Inuko was holding a holy sword without getting hurt!

"Inuko…."

"You ask how I know it, Buchou. It's simple." Inuko looks squarely at Rias and Asia. "I was a part of the project myself."

"?!" Inuko gives the sword back to Seika and the maid takes it away. "It happened a year back before I met Nee-chan. I wasn't always a Kusanagi." Inuko starts her story. "I was once a Tsurugi, along with Seika-nee."

"A Tsurugi? You mean the famous family of underworld assassins?" Rias knew about that family. They were famous among devils because they take out anyone for a price, even a devil will contract with them for a hit. But the family had disappeared some years ago. Now it makes sense as those of Inuko's and Seika's skills.

"I guess. I was one of their child assassins and their crowning achievement." Inuko unbuttoned her shirt a bit, and Rias and Asia could see those small scars. "These scars are proof of that achievement. I was enhanced mentally, physically, psychologically, and biologically. I lost count as to how many surgeries they did to me as a child. Any other child would have already been dead by the sheer number." Seika came back with tea and sat beside Inuko. "One of the enhancement procedures was done in a church. That was when I became involved in the Holy Sword Project." She looked to Rias. "Buchou, Kiba-kun may have told you that there were no successes until later. He was wrong. There was one." She points to herself. "Me." Rias couldn't bear to ask but did.

"How?"

"All the precious enhancement that were done to me seemed to help. And I was the only successful guinea pig early in the project." Inuko remembers all those times she saw a child being carried away to a courpse pile in the basement. "All their "defects" were piled in a basement and left to rot. I guess at that time, the me then didn't even care to see if anyone was alive. But I always did check the names."

"So that she would make stone graves for them at the gardens later on." Seika states, now knowing who those little stone markers were for when she saw little Inuko making them.

"Since I wasn't really a part of the church, the success of me was hidden from the superiors of the project. And that's was the end of my involvement."

"Inu-san…." Asia was crying at the story. Inuko wiped the tears.

"When I became a Kusanagi, I had met with Mary-nee and 2 other wives of Nee-chan in the church. When I heard about the rumors, I told them what I knew. They shut down the project, and executed those responsible." Inuko narrowed her eyes. "One escaped, along with seven fragments of the holy sword Excalibur."

"And where is this person?" Inuko closed her eyes at Rias' question.

"….He's coming." She finally answers. "Until then, all I can do now is wait. I must let fate continue as is. I was actually going to tell Kiba-kun where he was if he wanted. But he blew his chance when he didn't cooperate with us."

"I see. Then we'll wait." Rias wiped some of her tears as she stands up. "Let's go to sleep. Even if we think about it, it's not like Yuuto's behavior will go back to normal. We can deal with the issue then." After saying that, Rias started to strip her clothes!

"Buchou, why are you taking your clothes off here?" Inuko asks with a very calm voice, her heart was racing though.

"Why? You also know that I can't sleep without being naked, Inuko."

"I know that. What I mean to say is, why are you taking them off in my room!?" Despite the panic that was rising, Inuko took the time to run her eyes all over that body. She gulped. It was too amazing!

"That's because I'm going to sleep with you." Rias answered as if it was the obvious answer.

NOSE BLEED! DROOL!

Inuko's nose started to drip lots of blood. Her mouth started salivating. This was too much.

"Then I'm sleeping here as well! I'm also going to sleep with Inu-san!"

"Asia!" Inuko looked in disbelief as Asia was stripping. "Buchou! You are being a bad influence on Asia! Please put your clothes on!" Rias frowned her eyebrows at those words.

"Bad influence? That's a harsh thing to say, Inuko. You know that I sleep naked, right? You slept with me a number of times."

"That was only three times!"

"...Slept together a number of times...? No...Inu-san and Buchou-san...?" Asia started to shake and get teary eyes because it was a big shock for her.

"Asia don't get fooled…"

"Asia, hand over Inuko for tonight."

"I don't want to... I think I have the right to be spoiled by Inu-san as well. I also want to sleep with Inu-san!" Even though she has teary eyes, Asia seems determined. Both of them glared at each other and there were sparks between them.

"Then let's make Inuko decide."

"?!" Rias then looked at her. Her eyes were telling me "Choose me". She can feel a force coming from her eyes!

"Inu-san. You will sleep with me, right?" Asia asked with sobbing eyes.

"Inuko-sama, I also wish to sleep with you." Seika says with a straight face, and the while brandishing her scythe at Rias and Asia.

'Don't add to my headache, Seika-nee….'

CLING CLANG CLONG CLUNG

A doorbell was heard throughout the house. It was a different doorbell compared to the one Rias and Asia heard. It triggered a reaction to Inuko and Seika.

"A customer this late….?" Seika goes out.

"I will prepare the tea and allow the guest in."

"Do so." The maid left. Inuko went to her closet to get a black Chinese long coat, beautifully detailed with gold trimmings, and black slacks.

"Inuko, what's going on?"

"Sorry, Buchou, Asia-chan, we'll continue this later." She goes for the door, combing her hair. "Right now, a customer of necessity just arrived."

This was a first for Rias and Asia, they had never seen a "customer" of the Kusanagi business at all. Inuko explaines before that usually they come at unsuspecting times, and that Mizuki was often there to attend to them. She was now assistant shopkeeper, so she tends to the customers when Mizuki was away (which was most of the time since!). The living room had transformed in the short amount of time, there were shouji door that blocked the staircase from the living room. Inuko told them, the house will change to suit the needs of the situation, so the house is "alive" in a sense. They saw Nina peeking by the foot of the staircase, by a little crack opening of the doors. Seeing them, she made a motion to be quiet and join her. They peeked and saw Inuko adopting a very cool personality. Across the small circular table, was a little girl. Her clothes were dirty wet and raggy, her long hair unkept and messy. You could't really make out her face. Was this really a customer?

"You come ringing the doorbell. You have a wish." Inuko leans on her armrest. "A wish from your heart."

"…." The little child was determined. "Please help him."

"….." Inuko narrows her eyes. "There is a price." The little girls nods at that. "Will you pay it?" she nods again. "Regardless of consequences?" she nods. Inuko sighs.

"Your kindness is truly wasted on him, but alright." She stands up and walks over to the little girl to extend her hand. "I will save him." The little girls takes the hand, and it seemed light the house resonated in acknowledge. The price will be paid. "Seika-nee." The maid appears. "Take her home."

"Yes, Inuko-sama." And the maid leads the girl out. When the front door closes, the house shifts again, transforming back to the original state. Looking back to see the eavesdroppers, she says.

"Nina, it's well pass your bedtime."

Just outside Seika was holding umbrella. She was alone. The little girl was gone, as if she was never there. Seika bows to no one.

"I hope you make it home, ojou-sama." And returns back.

"...Fuuu." Inuko took a breath as she drank her glass of scotch while sitting in the living room. After that customer, Rias and Asia continued with that situation after Inuko took Nina back to bed. This time, Inuko had calmly said "Neither." and ordered Seika to put them back into their respective rooms. They were, of course, not happy about it, but Inuko couldn't care right now. Pouring her heart is difficult and easy at the same time. And she did it to two strangers she had met in only a few months and sleeping it off with those same girls isn't going to make her uneasiness go away. 'One day….' She thinks. 'One day, they'll know everything. And then? Will they look at me with the same eyes?'

[You're hitting the drink hard.] Her arm glowed.

"You know why."

[I thought you would have taken all of them. A foursome sound nice for you.] Ddriag teases.

"My life is not an eroge. Don't even think about it. Nee-chan put me on restriction because of that."

[Killjoy….] Inuko smiles a bit.

"I can flirt with some girls if you want."

[No thanks.] was the reply. [But you know that the Gremory and their servants are beings with extra-ordinary affection among the devils. Your master and friends are the same as well. Especially the love Rias Gremory has towards you is deep… Seems like she adores you a lot. No, I would say that she lo-]

"Don't go there, Ddriag. Please." She pours herself another glass and guzzles it down.

[Sorry….] Then Ddraig starts a different topic. [We have to talk. Now that I've appeared in the demon world, it's only a matter of time before the Vanishing Dragon appears.]

"Albion will make his appearance. It's not like we don't know that. They will do it. Him and that decendant of mine…." Inuko remembered the story that Ddraig told her about himself. During the Great War between the three powers, there were two stupid dragons that started a fight. And those two were in the highest class of dragons and they had a power that rivaled that of God and Maou. They started to fight each other while taking down the guys of the three powers. For the three powers, there wasn't anything more troublesome than these two dragons. The three powers were having a serious war to take control of this World, and the two dragons were disturbing the battlefield without any care. The reason for the fight was long forgotten. It's like they weren't interested in anything at all. The two dragons probably can't remember the reason why they started to fight. And for the first time, the leaders of the three powers joined hands.

"We have to get rid of those two dragons, or else it's not a matter of war anymore!" Like that. The two dragons that got their fight interrupted became mad.

[Don't get in the way of our fight!]

[A mere God and Maou shouldn't be interrupting a duel between dragons!] They responded like idiots. They went head on and tried to eat God, Maou, and the leaders of the fallen-angels. But in the end the two dragons got cut into pieces and their spirits were sealed within human bodies as Sacred Gears. The two dragons that were sealed within humans used them as vessels, they encountered each other and fought each other countless times. Every time one of them won and one of them died. Sometimes one of them was already dead before the other one came and so they didn't fight, but most of the times they did. If the vessel, human, dies then the dragons stop functioning for a certain time. Their spirits float around in this world until the humans with dragon powers are born. That cycle has repeated countless times for many long years. And now Inuko was the possessor of Ddraig, the Welsh Dragon, and another had Albion, the Vanishing Dragon. That someone was one who Inuko had already met in the past.

"You were so stupid back then…." Ddriag chuckles at the comment.

[To think this time it was someone like you who became my host. And you even became a devil and was found out to the Great King. In all the long years I have been like this, this is a first time.]

"I won't have your fight with Albion interfere with my life. If he comes at me, so be it. But we will not start it."

[I understand. I won't oppose.] Ddraig knows he can't win against this host.

Suddenly they hear another one's voice.

[Having a conversation without me? How rude] A familiar cold sword floated to them and landed on the table.

"Hello, Avalon. Was it okay to leave my sister?" Inuko asks as she puts her glass near the sword to cool.

[Fret not. The young lady is sleeping soundly and the two dragounds are beside her in high alert.]The Crystal Phoenix was another great but mysterious creature that was involved in the Great Wars. Not as an interruption, but as a mediator. Not many would know about her history, but the Kusanagis knew. She was the rarest of her kind. While most Pheonixes were bird of fire, she was a phoenix of ice. Her healing abilities were not limited to healing wounds, but to raising the dead as well. But she was a pacifist, who could not stand the fighting.

[You must stop this fighting. It only brings about more tragedy and sorrow!] Her words were in vein as they ignore her. So she tried another approached and had revived countless lives within each faction. This, however, incited some to exploit her kindness and she was ultimately betrayed and killed by it. Taking pity, she was made into a Sacred Gear to save her soul. But her host could never use her as they needed an extremely pure heart to awaken her, so she was often classified as a powerful but useless Longinus. Only one could in history, and that was Nina.

"Avalon?"

[Yes, young lord.]

"I am no lord."

[Forgive me, but you ARE a young lord.] Inuko was too tired argue anymore. [What troubles you? Other than the usual relationship problems?]

"Nina."

[Is something going to happen to the young lady?]

"I feel I've been having her dreams….." Inuko explains her recent dream of swords. For a Kusanagi, having another Kusanagi's dreams often means a bad omen to the one who dreams was shown to the dreamer.

[Something is starting that will involve her.]

"Keep close to her, Avalon. Fate has no favorites. She will be exposed to something that may break her heart. And we must do our best to keep that heart safe."

[…I understand.]

Then they felt another presence.

"Inuko-sama." Seika appeared with her kiseru and ask box. Inuko looks at her for a while before asking her to join her in her seat. Seika complied and gave the kiseru, lit and ready. "Forgive me, Inuko-sama."

"I guess I'm ignoring a lot of people right now. I should be sorry, Seika-nee." Inuko blew a few puffs.

"…" Seika goes for her hand.

"Seika-nee?"

"You lied to them, Inuko-sama. You never really forgot the number of surgical procedures done to you."

"…." Inuko takes one long puff. "One thousand, six hundred, and seventy-four." She lightly touches her shirt collar with a grim smile. "One can't really forget such excruxiating pain so easily."

Meanwhile, Rias and Asia had tried to sneak into Inuko's bedroom, only to see her at the living room. When they overheard the conversation, they fell to tears.

'Inuko…..'

'Inu-san…..'