The vibe that I am currently experiencing was much better than the one I had experienced from the past five days. That isn't to say I didn't enjoy training Rias, I did enjoy it because I got to understand 'Destruction' a lot better and there is a strange satisfaction that comes from teaching thats hard to describe. I was back at the Gremory castle and was happy to be out in the 'fresh' air of the Underworld rather than stuck in that strange indestructable training room.
In front of me was Akeno showing off her improved ice magic that held small properties of 'Holy' magic. I was happy when I felt the first bit of 'Holy' energy but once she got more into it I started to notice something that made my smile drop. She was giving in but only halfway. She was allowing herself to use the 'Holy' magic but only at 50% of it's true capacity, the reason being she was yet to release her fallen angel side. She is yet to embrace it.
This rang true when it came to the end of the first day, I couldn't sense 'Holy' in her aura. There was remnants of it but it wasn't encompassing her. To bring out it's full potential she has to be one with it. She can't be scared or have doubts because she won't be able to improve. She is no longer has doubts about the power because of me but that's as much as my presence can go for her in total honesty. I was hoping to do that much more but this shows how extensive the tear in her heart is. Barakiel is the only one who can mend it and get her to not forsake her birth power.
That night passed by slowly as I forced myself to go through scenarios which end up in them reconciling but she scowls at the mentioning of fallen angels whether it's directly or indirectly. By the time morning came I was surrounded by a number of sleeping animals and a baby bird resting on my head. My ears twitched at the sound of a door opening behind me and the animals awoke with the intent to keep me safe but the animalistic snarls where met by a low laugh which was Azazel's.
"So here you are kiddo."
Calling me kiddo? It's been a few years since either him or Barakiel called me that.
"Been here all night, why?"
"Your fellow Neko was looking forward to sleeping with you it seemed."
That just makes me feel terrible, I missed out on something great to spend a whole night coming up with nothing. The biggest problem is that I haven't tired at all so I can't get away with sleeping.
"So have you come to rub that fact in after telling me it?"
"That thought did linger in my mind but I wanted to talk about Akeno."
"What about her?"
"Barakiel is acting like high school girl."
That's pretty bad even for him. His actions almost make it look like he took on young girlish quirks to remind himself of his daughter. That man severly broke all those years ago.
"Well … she is using 'Holy' magic now but not with his lightning as I refuse to help her with that. I've done my half of things, I can only continue to help her with 'Holy' and ice magic but that's all."
"What about her emotions?"
"What about them?"
"Are you able to help Akeno and Barakiel reconcile?"
I look up to Azazel and in the first of many years being a part of Grigori, I saw him truly worried and in deep thought. That looked made me waver slightly on how I wanted to respond. I'm going to have to put in a bit more effort.
"Doesn't matter how hard I try or what I do, the only way she'll come to terms properly is for them to talk together alone. I can help her get to a point but I can't force her into talking with him. That's for them to do."
"That's all I ask of you. I'm just sorry for not being able to help you."
Azazel then turns on his heel with a solemn look across his face and left the garden where I stayed with the animals of the Underworld for another hours waiting for Akeno to arrive herself.
…
I continued to help her train lightly up until the 5th day. We would run the perimeter together, have duels with magic to increase her casting speed with the ice magic. This all came to a stop on the 5th and final day where I had had enough, there wasn't anymore I could do anyway. I didn't even bother to go out to the garden of the Gremory Castle that day, I got permission from Lord Gremory and found myself in the Gremory castle library all by myself.
One good thing I can say about the devils is that they have an eye for the classics and maintain them well. All old books and documents even grasp onto that old musky smell, it was oddly soothing. Unfortunately, this peaceful serenity didn't last as long as I liked. The doors to the spacious Library flung open revealing a slightly livid Akeno and a curious Rias.
"Gin, why are you here and not outside ready to teach me?!"
"There was nothing more I could teach you so I came to read."
I continued to looks through the books as I spoke not wanting to make eye contact with them.
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
"Because telling you out there would possibly hurt you."
The room fell silent when I finished speaking and noise only came back when I found myself a book, miuntes later.
"What would you have said?"
Akeno's voice caused me to close the book I had just opened and place it down on my lap. I turneed to look at her and her face was facing downwards, she knew what I was going to say.
"Only Barakiel can teach you further because I decline to do so."
"..decline.."
I could only barely hear Akeno repeat the word as her body and voice trembled. Akeno acting like this now just makes me pissed off, it makes me want to worsen the situation because … it's the only way I see it being better. There is a chance it'll end in self-sacrifice but getting them back together means so much more than her hating me.
"Akeno, when are you going to get over this?"
I surprised both of the girls when I spoke again in a highly irritated tone.
"When are you going to grow up and see what truly happened from all sides? The side of a young girl is only one part. You have yet to think about two more sides."
I could see Akeno starting to get angry but when I said that there were two more sides, her expression changed to one like Rias'. Both girls adopted a confused look. When you look at it there is only two sides but that's because you aren't counting the dead in this."
"Akeno, do you think your mother, Shuri, would want you to hate Barakiel?"
"Don't involve her in this!"
It was the first time I heard her shout so meaningfully and it was not something the three of us would forget anytime soon.
"Because I don't know her? I can involve her precisely because I don't know her. Think about it. Who was your mother? What did she do for a living? What is Himejima? Himejime Shuri was your mother and Barakiel's wife. She was a shrine maiden to the Japanese Shinto Gods. Himejima is a clan that worships the Japanese Shinto Gods."
Akeno finally turned her vision towards me and I stared into her eyes blankly for several seconds before starting again.
"Your mother married a man from outside of her religion, not just a man who followed another religion but a male fallen angel. Fallen Angels are said to be bad people and swindlers because they fell from Heaven due to lust. Your mother knew all this and the consequences that would follow but did it anyway. She knew that she would be putting her life on the line to have a relationship with Barakiel. How do you think your mother would feel to know that you are still shunning him? What would she think of you shunning him altogether? Your mother would just be happy that he was atleast able to get back in time to save you."
My tone started to get more and more aggressive as the word went by. I opened my book and turned my attention towards it.
"Now leave."
And they did without a word.
Aaaaand it's actually smaller. I was looking over it for the past ten minutes on the car ride home and it feels better to me than the longer chapter i had in my mind. I arrived home minutes ago and frankly, only have time to upload this.
From how things are working out, Koneko will probably have a chapter the same size but with her development so far it may turn out to be longer.
I have come to see that i shouldn't bother at all saying when or how big a chapter will be because i don't think i've ever been write.
Lastly before i go, i wanna make a shoutout to the guest, Gripper. Your review was way too funny and degrading to me, you owe me a new cup. Ciao-nya :D
