Author's Note: Well, you'll be both happy and sad to hear that I have finished writing. The Epilogue is all done and ready to be posted whenever we get to it. This is good since the story is finished and you won't be left hanging with an incomplete story. Bad as in the story is coming to an end. The last Chapter is Chapter 44, and then an Epilogue follows. So that gives you an idea of how many chapters are left.

Also, as I'm now finished writing and I no longer have a need of a buffer, I'll start posting chapters faster. Every two weeks or possibly ever week instead of every three.

Chapter 34: Old Places, New Feelings

There was something to be said about the phrase, 'absence makes the heart grow fonder'.

The headquarters of Night Raid, the enormous, gaudy, over-the-top flashy estate that had been dumped into his lap with the combined blessing of Heaven, Hell, and the Fallen that lived in between, had always grated on Tatsumi's nerves. It was more than he needed, more than he deserved. It went contrary to how he'd lived his life up until this point, both in the new and the old world.

He always worried what people thought of him of him living here. An enormous estate built atop the broke homes and bodies of those that had died because of him. Because of his mistakes. Was it arrogance? Ego? Whatever others thought of it. He himself had always held reservations. He had never really grown attached to the place. It always felt like a home that belonged to someone else and he was only here temporarily.

The impromptu trip to Niflheim changed that.

As the light from Azazel's teleportation spell dimmed and the sight of the estate came into view, Tatsumi couldn't help but be struck by that feeling of coming home. His eyes ran across the lines of windows and balconies. Traced the delicate stone work of the columns. Took in the way the light from inside played across the stones outside. Tiny little details he had always ignored before suddenly became more interesting. Meaningful. It was strange. He'd never really cared much for this place before. Simply a place to rest his head before going elsewhere.

He hadn't been gone that long, two weeks at most, and yet in that time so much had changed. It felt like an eternity had come and gone and he was finally returning home after a long departure.

Home.

It was well and truly, finally over. He was home.

"Oh, finally admiring the beautiful artistic talent of my subordinates?" Azazel asked teasingly beside him.

Tatsumi flushed a little when he realized he'd been staring a little too hard at the motif of topless fallen angels embracing each other that had been carved into the columns of marble and stone.

"I was just—"

"No, you don't have to say anything," Azazel quickly interjected, a wide, mischievous grin on his face that wouldn't have looked out of place on Bennia's. "Being around my dear Mine for so long while she was topless—" an indignant squawk erupted from the person in question, "—must have awoken your inner desires. If she's not enough I could convince the maids here—"

Azazel's words were cut off by a loud yelp of pain as Mine stomped on his foot, hard. A thunderous boom resounded across the estate as Mine buried her fist into his stomach, doubling the man over. As he tried to gasp for breath Mine dropped him to his knees and started to choke the life out of the man. Azazel, the leader of the Grigori, the most powerful Fallen Angel alive, was brought to his knees by a five-foot-nothing woman.

"I think—" Tatsumi started.

"You will not be convincing the maids here to do anything," Mine hissed down at the powerful fallen Angel she was choking. She leveled her angry gaze on Tatsumi. "And you don't need any other Fallen Angels flashing their tits at you, got it?"

"Yes!" Tatsumi said quickly. He hadn't even considered it in the first place, but what did she mean by 'other' Fallen Angels? Was she excluding herself?

Right now didn't seem like the right time to bring it up.

"Is this common here?" Lenneth asked as she looked on warily, unsure if she should come to Azazel's aid or let the leader of the Fallen Angel perish at the hands of his subordinate.

"It is," Ymir, the young cross-dressing boy said as he obediently held Lenneth's left hand in his right. "Interesting things happen here. Strange too. And sexual." He tilted his head and blinked up at her. "Wish to join?"

((There's always room for more!)) Bennia piped up.

"Ah, no thank you," Lenneth said quickly, looking very much like she wanted to be anywhere but here.

"Help!" Azazel gasped out.

"I haven't heard a yes from you!" Mine hissed at him.

"Fine! Fine! Yes! I won't convince them!" Mine nodded, satisfied, and let Azazel go. The leader of the Grigori collapsed to his hands and knees upon the brick walkway, gasping for breath. "Your tits are the only ones he should see—GABUGH!"

Azazel went flying across the yard as Mine hauled-off and decked him across the face. As he flew past Tatsumi he saw the man wink at him. A sweat drop rolled down the back of his neck. It was obvious that Azazel had planned all of this out but… was it to cheer her up or something more sexual like the man was known for?

Tatsumi just shook his head and sighed. It was probably safer to assume both.

He turned to Mine who in turn, turned away. He laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Mine I—"

"Don't, Tatsumi," Mine said. Her voice seemed thick and heavy. "It's not you. You've done so much… I…" Shaking her head she let out an annoy growl. "Let's just go inside. I need some time alone. To think."

"Take all the time you need," Tatsumi said. It would be a long while before she came to grip with her blindness. He'd give her all the time and space she needed to do so. "You will get paid for this mission we had." He added. "Since it was only you and I, you're entitled to two-fifths of the reward Athena gave us." The rest would go to Night Raid, which indirectly meant it would be his to use as he saw fit.

It would definitely keep them going for some time. Athena had been more than generous with her reward.

"Thanks," Mine mumbled quietly before starting for the doors.

He silently watched her go, her back straight, her steps steady, yet with a dark cloud hanging above her head. He didn't know what else to do for her but give her the time and space she wanted.

((That's probably all she needs,)) Bennia said softly as she floated over to his side. It was another one of those rare occurrences where Bennia's playful smile was nowhere to be found. ((Six centuries of sight, taken away forever and you have no one left to blame for it save yourself. Be here for her. She needs reasons to keep going.))

Tatsumi hadn't even considered an alternative.

"I'm even more confused now," Lenneth said, staring at Bennia like she'd grown a second head.

"Nemesis has suffered. Seen suffering. Caused suffering. Cheerfulness only an act," Ymir said succinctly. His head tilted to the other side. "Mostly. Happier now. Tatsumi to thank."

"Ah,"

((If I wanted their pity I'd have ask for it,)) Bennia muttered irritably beneath her breath. Too quiet for anyone but Tatsumi to hear. Then the seriousness was gone and Bennia was back to her normal self. ((Let's go say hi to everyone! I bet they all missed me!))

Right…

Still, she was right on one point. There wasn't any reason to remain out here. Even Azazel had disappeared somewhere after leaving a crater the size of a man's head on the side of that fountain over there.

Tatsumi turned and gave Lenneth and Ymir both a small smile. "Welcome to Night Raid HQ," he said, spreading his arms out, gesturing to the wide estate. There was a hesitant look on Lenneth's face but Ymir was shifting his head this way and that curiously. "Sorry about that earlier display with Mine and Azazel, not everyone here is crazy."

Ymir's head snapped forward and he nodded once. "Hikaru, fine."

"Akame and Najenda aren't that bad either," Tatsumi added.

"Akame? Najenda?" Ymir asked, confused. He tilted his head back and stared. "Huh?"

Tatsumi blinked, as confused as Ymir felt, as he stared at the personification of the physical universe. Could he not see them? Feel them? That thought trailed off as it hit Tatsumi like a ton of bricks. He couldn't feel them because they were from a different dimension! Those two weren't made up of his own flesh like everyone else was. Even Tatsumi, although his spirit was from a different world, was physically of this one. That brought a wide grin to his face that would have made Bennia proud.

In fact, it did.

((Oh! I know that smile!)) Bennia crowed happily from beside him. ((That's the same smile I have each morning when I plan to… do stuff.)) She trailed off at the end there and looked away, whistling innocently.

Tatsumi just continued to grin at Ymir, "I think you're in for a treat, actually." He bent down and grabbed the handles of a large gilded chest filled to the brim with gold bars. With a soft grunt he heaved it off the ground and settled it on his right shoulder. The stone beneath his feet cracked slightly beneath the combined weight. Tatsumi barely noticed. "Can you grab the other one?" he asked Bennia.

Athena's payment to them for accomplishing the mission despite the monumental hardships they were forced to endure was inside. The chest Tatsumi hoisted onto his shoulder was filled with gold bars and coins, while the one Bennia was floating in the air with magic was filled with gems and priceless artifacts with no real use but high auction potential.

He'd have to speak with the Prime Minister later about getting all of this converted into yen, something he could actually use.

"Come on, you can explore out here at your leisure. Let me get the two of you settled in first," Tatsumi said, gesturing the two to follow as he started for the door.

"Confused," Ymir said as he quickly followed along behind. There was a note of curiosity and interest in his voice. Something that wasn't often heard. "Najenda in Egypt. Akame died hundred and seven years ago to Gregorious. Nearly killed Syura for deeds done to sister." Tatsumi heard his pace pick up as he did his best to keep up with Tatsumi's longer strides. Poor Lenneth was dragged along behind him like a lost puppy. "Messy death. Wouldn't break. Even when raped. Tortured. Flayed. Dissected." Ymir's voice became quiet. He was focusing real hard, concentrating on something the rest of them couldn't see.

"Don't mention any of that to Akame," Tatsumi said softly as they reached the front door. "She already suspects that the her of this world is dead. She doesn't need to know how, or why." Akame was strong, it was doubtful something like that would break her, but Tatsumi didn't want any needless burden placed upon her.

She was already doing him an enormous favor risking her life for him and a world she had no connection to beyond their friendship.

"Will keep quiet," Ymir agreed.

"Thank you," Tatsumi said as he moved to open the front door. He didn't get the chance as it opened on its own. Surprised Tatsumi stepped hesitantly inside and stopped, staring.

Tirade stood at attention just to the side, next to the door. The reason for it opening on its own. That wasn't too surprising. What was were the six maids lined up on either side of the red carpet that ran the length of the lobby. They stood with each pair facing the others. Angels first, the Fallen second, and the two female devils made up the last pair.

"Welcome home, Tatsumi-sama," all six maids said in practiced unison.

It was like something taken straight out of an anime.

"Welcome home, Tatsumi-san," Ravel said as she appeared at the top of the grand staircase. The young devil gracefully made her way down to the ground floor. She wore her usual purple dress with its phoenix like tassels but her face looked more radiant than usual. It was almost enough to hide the large bags beneath her eyes. She came to a stop just before the row of maids and curtsied deeply. "It is good to see you home safe and sound."

((What's the occasion?)) Bennia asked as she squeezed in around Tatsumi and darted over to the young devil. Ravel's brow twitched in annoyance at her sudden appearance.

"Uh, this is new," Tatsumi said carefully as he stepped inside to give room for Lenneth and Ymir to get inside. The second chest floated along inside after them. "Not sure how to respond to this."

Did Ravel prepare this all before hand? It was touching, sort of, or at least it would if it didn't seem too much like it was ripped straight from an anime. Tatsumi could name several where this exact scene had played out. The next thing that should happen would be for Ravel to offer—

"What would you like first, Tatsumi-san? Dinner, a bath, or perhaps—"

"Dinner!" Tatsumi said hastily before she could finish. Had Serafall gotten to her or something or had she watched one too many anime while he was gone? "And maybe a bath afterwards. That's it. Nothing else." Lenneth came into sight. "Well, actually, both Lenneth and her charge will need rooms as well."

No need to say who he was in front of the maids. They'd probably find out eventually but Tatsumi wanted to delay it as much as possible.

If Ravel was disappointed that he didn't take her up on the third, unsaid option, it didn't show. She simply gave him a small smile and curtsied once more. "Of course, Tatsumi-san," Ravel said politely. She threw a quick glance over at Tirade.

"Tatsumi-san's bed is fine," Lenneth said. The Valkyrie's eyes snapped wide and she spun on Ymir. "Stop that!" she whirled back around. "That wasn't me! I—Just want to be with Tatsumi—Stop that!" Lenneth told Ymir indignantly.

Ravel's brow twitched violently. "You'll get whatever room we give you. I think we have one on the other side of the estate that will do just fine."

Lenneth's shoulders dropped as she gave up. Her life here was going to be one giant misunderstanding from now on. Tatsumi just rolled his eyes. Nearby Bennia snickered, thoroughly enjoying every moment of Ymir's trolling.

Tirade, the butler, clapped his hands sharply, gathering everyone's attention. His attention was wholly on the six maids. "Sera, Yule, please head to the kitchen immediately. Rachel, see to the bath and…" Tirade continued to give orders to the six maids. As each order was handed out they disappeared off into the estate to see them through. The two devils made a bee-line for the kitchen while the two Fallen Angels made their way upstairs to prepare rooms for Lenneth and Ymir. The Angels took off to see to Tatsumi's bath.

"Are you alright, Ravel?" Tatsumi asked as he eyed the young girl. "I appreciate that you take your responsibilities seriously but this seems a bit much, even for you."

"If I am a bother, I shall see myself off," Ravel said, her voice soft and vulnerable.

"Confused. Scared. Relieved. Uncertain." Ymir stepped forward, speaking in a simple, monotone voice. "Doesn't know how to act." He paused, tilting his head to the side. "Spent an hour this morning practicing in front of the mirror. Another hour applying makeup. Reapplied seven times."

As Ymir continued to speak Ravel's eyes grew wider and wider. Her face became flushed with embarrassment until it looked as if she would pop.

The final blow came not from Ymir, but from another.

"She was more worried about you than anyone else, Tatsumi," Akame said as she entered the lobby from a side hallway. His old friend looked the same as the day she entered this world, wearing her long black dress pants and sleeveless shirt. Murasame was, as always, belted at her side. "Spent every waking moment searching for you across every media outlet and internet forum she could find. Slept little and ate even less."

"T-Tatsumi-san doesn't need to know all that!" Ravel protested loudly.

"Then there was the night she found out he was still alive," Ymir went on.

"No!" Ravel shouted as she jumped forward and clamped her hands over Ymir's mouth. "Don't you dare say any more! How do you even know all that! Who are you?"

A small chuckle escaped Tatsumi's lips. He set the large chest filled with gold bullions down before making his way over to Ravel. Gently, he pried her hands away from Ymir and wrapped her up in a tight embrace. "Sorry about worrying you."

Ravel melted into his embrace. Her arms came up, hesitant at first, unsure, before they slowly wrapped themselves around him as well. She buried her face into his chest. "Y-you better be sorry," she mumbled. The front of his clothes grew damp from the small little tears escaping from the corner of her eyes. "Don't you go missing on us again!"

"I don't intend to," he assured her. He threw his old friend as a soft smile. "Sorry for worrying you as well, Akame."

"I wasn't worried," she said lightly. Despite her words there was definitely a tenseness about her that was only beginning to subside. "The Tatsumi I knew wouldn't be done in by something like this, especially with the Tyrant backing him."

Tatsumi didn't press the issue any further. "Where's Najenda and Xenovia?"

"Najenda is with Mine," Akame said, "as for Xenovia—"

"Tatsumi-san!"

The world turned upside down. Tatsumi floated there in the air, blinking up at the ceiling, wondering what was going on, before gravity reasserted control. A loud smack rang out across the lobby as Tatsumi bounced off the marble floor and skidded several feet before stopping. When he finally came to a halt the view above was much different than before.

A pair of beautiful breasts, just the right size, filled his view. They were just barely contained by strips of white fabric that went up around and tied up behind someone's neck. Before he could fully register what he was seeing a pair of arms wrapped around his head and smooshed his face between that bountiful bosom.

"I knew you wouldn't die! There was no way the man Lady Gabriel and I have chosen would die that easily!"

Tatsumi knew that voice, Xenovia, but the tone, the words. He could feel the tears dripping onto the top of his head. He felt bad for what they went through. Even though it was of no fault of his own. Each of them had worried about him.

Still, it would be nice if he could breathe.

That thought was rewarded a moment later as Xenovia was roughly pushed away from him, partially at least. Enough for him to breath. He was able to get a good look at her now and realized she was wearing a dress similar to Gabriel's instead of her usual skin tight bodysuit

Above them knelt Ravel, glowering down at Xenovia as she pushed and pulled her this way and that. "Grrr! Get off him! I was hugging him first! Wait your turn, you stupid angel!"

"It is an angel's responsibility to teach devils how to share," Xenovia said as she tightened her arms around Tatsumi's head.

"That makes no sense!" Ravel snapped as she continued to fight with the Angel. "You're an Angel! You're supposed to be kind, understanding and, hey no! Stop that! Wait your turn!"

Xenovia was pressing her breasts once more against him, the side of his face this time.

"It is good to see you've come home."

Tatsumi looked up to find Gabriel standing above them. There was a kind, gentle look on her face. Her eyes filled with relief. They briefly flickered over towards someone else. "I do not wish to get in the way of your reunion with everyone, but do you suppose we could speak privately? You, I and our new tenants?"

She knew who Ymir was. She had to know. Of course she would. The others should probably know as well if the two of them were going to be a part of Night Raid.

"Sure thing, Tirade, can you see about getting the chests to the vault?" Tatsumi called out to the butler.

"I will see them safely there," Tirade promised.

"Thanks."

It was time to officially introduce Lenneth and Ymir to Night Raid.

~o~

They were all gathered in the main study, the place where Tatsumi and Bennia did most of their research on targets and missions. The computer system was set up on the large desk that Tatsumi now stood behind. Bennia floated at his side, calmer and more patient than she usually was. She kept a wary eye on Gabriel more than anyone else.

The Seraph herself stood near the door with Xenovia at her side, arms crossed beneath her ample bosom. She had an easy smile on her lips that didn't quite reach her eyes. The reason was obvious, a pair of individuals sitting on a couch just to her right, Tatsumi's left. A beautiful woman with silver hair, a Valkyrie from Valhalla and Odin's representative in Night Raid. Beside her was the primary target of Gabriel's attention. Ymir. He sat beside Lenneth, completely still aside from the odd tilting of his head back and forth as he stared across the room at Akame.

If Akame noticed his inquisitive look, she didn't let it show. She simply learned back against one of the numerous half-empty shelving units that lined the walls. Her eyes shifted this way and that, watching everything, yet never settling on anything.

Across from Lenneth and Ymir was Ravel, sitting an identical couch. She could tell there was something important going on, but the confusion in her eyes told that she didn't know what. Beside her was Hikaru, wearing her Kuoh Academy uniform. She'd joined them on the way here.

Only Najenda and Mine weren't here. The latter didn't need to be and the former could be filled in later.

At first glance nothing seemed off, but there was a tension in the room caused by a Seraph's wariness of a newcomer.

At the moment the most important thing was to appease Gabriel. Tatsumi had a feeling he knew what was concerning her. He'd be lying if he said it didn't concern him either, but Ymir was, for the most part, harmless. You just had to get used to the fact that he didn't think the same way they did and he loved to make people's lives miserable through mimicry.

His thoughts were simply alien. That wasn't really a crime. It was just a by-product of being nearly omniscient.

"I do believe it's fine to make new friends," Gabriel said in an easy-going voice. Her eyes closed softly and she looked truly angelic as she continued. A façade she most likely had to keep since there were so many others here. "But don't you think it's rude to invite them in without first introducing them to all of us?"

A subtle hint that he had better know who and what he had dragged in.

"No problem," Tatsumi said, returning her smile. "First off, the woman with the silver hair is Lenneth, a Valkyrie from Valhalla, Asgard if you will. Lenneth, if you will?" Tatsumi urged her to continue.

The silver-haired Valkyrie nodded and rose to her feet. Hikaru seemed particularly interested in her armor, more-so than the woman. "As Tatsumi stated, I am Lenneth, but my more well-known name is Brynhildr."

"Isn't that the name of the famous Shieldmaiden that appears in the Volsunga saga?" Ravel asked as she learned forward eagerly.

"Not just the Volsunga Saga, but also the Nibelungenlied," Hikaru added. "There is a lot about her in various Norse mythology, including…"

Tatsumi stared at the two girls as they fired tidbits of information back and forth between each other about the legend of Brynhildr.

"I'm afraid most of that was fabricated," Lenneth said, interrupting the two after they'd gone on for some time. "The truth was just too much so we had to convince the writers to leave the stranger and more unbelievable parts out."

"Seriously?!" Both girls said at the same time.

"Yes, but that is not what I am here to discuss," Lenneth said, "I am Lenneth, as I said earlier, and I am here at Odin's behest to aid Night Raid in any way I can. The Norse Gods wish for peace, and like the other factions, I am to represent the Norse." She threw a quick glance at him. "I am also an apology for the hardships Tatsumi and Mine have gone through. For them…" she hesitated before continuing, "for them I am to be more lenient and accepting of… odder requests."

That was an odd hesitation. It made Tatsumi worry what it is Odin had really said to her, especially considering how much of a pervert her was. He decided not to dwell on that thought for long though.

"And who might this child be?" Gabriel asked, turning to Ymir.

"Child?" Ymir asked, turning away from Akame for the first time to regard Gabriel. "I was old before you were created. You were His way of proving me wrong. He liked large breasts." He reached over and placed a hand on Lenneth's chest. The Valkyrie stiffened but didn't do anything to resist. "Smaller is better."

Gabriel's smile cracked ever so slightly. "I did not take you to be a pervert."

There was a confused look in his eyes as he removed his hand from Lenneth's chest, much to the Valkyrie's relief. "Confused. Projecting personal feelings upon another."

Her smile cracked just a bit more.

"Ah-ha," Tatsumi quickly cut in before something bad could happen. "Everyone, the little boy before you—"

"Boy!?" Ravel shouted, surprised. She gasped when she realized she'd interrupted him and quickly clamped a hand over her mouth.

Tatsumi just grinned at her, understanding her shock. He'd been much the same. "Yes, that's a boy. Like Gasper, he enjoys cross-dressing. That's actually an important point we'll get to later."

"Like dresses," Ymir said.

"Anyways, everyone, I would like you to meet Ymir," he could see Ravel's and Hikaru's eyes widened immediately. Not with horror, but with interest. They recognized that name. Xenovia and Akame did not. "The literal physical personification of the Universe."

"So you do know what this thing is," Gabriel said. She didn't even bother to keep her voice tranquil and pure.

"I do, and I have no problem with him being here," Tatsumi told Gabriel. "Honestly, he's not even here for us."

"Tatsumi-san, what do you mean by 'physical personification'" Ravel asked, her brows scrunched up in confusion.

"God broke apart my body and used it to build the Universe," Ymir explained. "Hurt, but not dead. Still there. Feel it. Feel everything." He tilted his head to the side and pointed at the couch he sat on. "This is Ymir." He pointed at the floor. "Ymir." He pointed at Ravel and Hikaru. "Also Ymir." He pointed at Akame last. "Not Ymir. Interesting. Can't feel. Unknown." His eyes sparkled happily. "Been so long."

"T-Tatsumi…" Ravel's voice was barely more than a whisper as she stared at Ymir in abject shock. She was having the same trouble Tatsumi did at first. "He… he can't be—"

"Did you just invite the Universe in for tea?" Hikaru asked, her voice sounding a little strangled. "The Universe… The universe is sitting across from me… w-what do I say to him?! How do I address him?!"

"Don't think about it too hard," Tatsumi said gently. "Just think of him as a strange little boy that likes to try on dresses and learn about new things." It wasn't entirely wrong. It just didn't do a very good job at describing what Ymir actually was.

"The Universe is a cross-dresser?!"

"Like I said, don't try to make any sense of it," Tatsumi tried his best to placate her.

There weren't any words in any human language capable of truly describing Ymir's existence. Likewise, there wasn't a human emotion capable of truly capturing the feeling of coming face to face with an existence beyond your ability to comprehend.

Even Akame's normally stoic features were showing more than just a little strain.

Gabriel used that moment to chime in again. "Tatsumi's, this thing is not like us, it—"

"I know," Tatsumi cut her off. This was already a done deal, Gabriel just had to accept it. They could force Ymir back to Niflheim, but Tatsumi really did not want to have the Universe itself out to get him. He had trouble enough following him around as it was. "He thinks differently. Being the literal Universe itself made manifest means he's omniscient. That would change how anyone thinks. But regardless he's not evil."

"Yes, that thing isn't evil, it's nothing," Gabriel refuted him. Her eyes were open now, serious. "It's not good, or evil. It has no concept of right or wrong. It could cause incalculable amount of damage without even realizing it. Or caring. It's privy to all the happenings of the Universe, and doesn't have the common sense to keep that knowledge to itself."

"Can't see heavens," Ymir said. When his eyes shifted to Akame they started to sparkle happily again. "Or other dimensions. Very interested. Want to do more than trade dresses with Gasper. Interested in other world."

"You'll have to behave if you want any information about my world," Akame said.

Ymir sat up straight. "Will behave," he promised.

"See, no problems," Tatsumi said, grinning at Gabriel. "He's basically out for a walk to try out new dresses and learn about a different world. Nothing more. I imagine once he's grown bored he will return to Asgard."

"Nidhoggr not much for conversation," Ymir added.

"I will look after him," Lenneth promised Gabriel. "I have two duties out here. To aid Night Raid, and to make sure Ymir doesn't do, say, or make anything troublesome."

"Fine, I relent," Gabriel said, "but more because I can see it's pointless to try and convince you any further." Her gaze shifted to Ymir. "I think I'll move in. Lenneth will need help keeping this one in line."

"Wait, you're going to live here?" Tatsumi asked, surprised.

Gabriel gave him a sweet smile, "I would love to, Tatsumi, or is there something wrong with my being here?" Her voice was light but her eyes held a very dangerous tint to them.

"No, you're welcome to stay for as long as you want," Tatsumi said quickly. He honestly had no problem with it. The suddenness of it had simply taken him by surprise. "I'll see to it that Tirade prepares a room—"

"That's quite alright. I'll speak with the maid, Rachel and have her help me," Gabriel said. Rachel was one of the Angelic maids that had been let to Night Raid to help take care of the place. Gabriel turned to Ymir once more. "I'll be watching you. If you say or do anything out of place. I'll personally see to it that it takes you a hundred years to build yourself a new body."

There was no killing Ymir, Gabriel understood that. But she could prevent him from materializing his consciousness in a physical body for awhile. That was enough.

"Understood," Ymir said calmly, not the least bit perturbed by Gabriel's threat.

"Good," she turned back to Tatsumi. "Something else, Tatsumi, that we need to discuss."

"Which is?"

"The Shroud of Longinus."

Tatsumi winced and looked away. "Ah-ha, sorry." He'd ripped the thing in half to give Mine a bandage for her eyes and used the other half for himself. It didn't work anymore, at least not for flight. He found out that when he transformed it would still transform with him and enhance his abilities, but the ability for flight was gone. "I really did a number on that and I know how important it was."

"Yes, it is very important," Gabriel said. Tatsumi didn't know what to make her of. Her voice was neutral and her expression gave away nothing. "Why?"

"To save Mine," Tatsumi replied without hesitation. "She—"

"That's enough," Gabriel stopped him. Her smile lit the room up, sweeping across all of them like a wave of pure warmth. At least Tatsumi found it warm. Ravel and Hikaru didn't look so good. "To save, said without hesitation and from the heart. That is enough."

"But I ruined—"

"To save another," Gabriel said, stopping him again. "Tatsumi, it was a very valuable and important artifact, yes, but never think we'd prioritize it over the life of another, even the life of a Fallen. The Shroud you received wasn't it's first incarnation and I suspect its current form won't be its last either. What was once one, is now two. Eventually it will become one again. What matters more than what it is, is what it's used for."

"Oh," Tatsumi let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. That was a weight off his shoulders. He would have stood up for his reasoning, but there wasn't any need to. "Thank you."

"Just keep doing what you're doing, that's thanks enough," Gabriel said lightly. She made to leave but stopped, her hand on the door handle. She threw a smile over her shoulder at Tatsumi. "Oh, and Tatsumi-dear, please be sure to be ready for tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Tatsumi asked, confused.

Gabriel's eyes twinkled with real merriment now. "Yes, tomorrow. After all today is Sunday and tomorrow…" A sinking realization hit Tatsumi and he just knew he wasn't going to like her next words. "You have school."

"Shit."

That sinking feeling because a ball of dread in the pit of his stomach. He, Tatsumi, a hero known to world over, was about to be laid low by the most mundane of things.

Homework.

He hadn't done any of the homework that'd been assigned to him over the summer break.

Sona was going to tear strips off his hide.

x~X~x

It rose before him. A large edifice of learning and knowledge. A place for children to grow and find their place in society. To make friends, contacts, and to experience all the joy there was to experience as a teenager. A haven of learning. A beacon of knowledge. A sanctuary.

School.

Tatsumi chewed on that word for a while as he stared out through tinted windows at the institution of learning. That was a word he hadn't thought of in what felt like forever. So much had happened over the summer it was ridiculous. Ending Gregorious Abaddon and saving Hikaru, attending the Young and Elder Devil Gatherings, watching the rating game between Sona and Rias, and culminating in the insane mission to Asgard for Athena.

It felt unreal to be back here. Before, school had seemed like a sanctuary. A place to get away from all the crazy of the world. Now it felt like a dream out of his reach. Was he really allowed to just spend half a day wasting away within the halls of a classroom while the world outside moved on without him?

Sure, Bennia was back at HQ keeping tabs on everything with the help of Najenda. Then there was Gabriel who had moved in over night and was keeping a watch on Lenneth and Ymir. Night Raid wouldn't be completely stationary while he was relaxing at school.

It made him feel guilty.

Tirade had driven him here. Had said it wasn't appropriate that someone like him attend school on foot. Wasn't safe either as it made him a target for any supernatural being with a grudge.

"Tatsumi-sama, I believe the bell will—"

"I know, I know," Tatsumi said quickly. He couldn't sit in the limousine forever. More and more people were stepping through those gates, a sure sign that the bell was about to ring and they'd close.

Few people wanted to come back to school after the summer so everyone was late the first few days. It had been that way in Tatsumi's previous schools too.

There wasn't any use sitting in here any longer. Unless a horde of zombies suddenly attacked the school he had little reason to not attend. It was odd that he almost wanted something to happen just so he had an excuse not to go.

Different reasons, same desire. Perhaps he wasn't so different from the other students in some ways.

"Well, might as well get this over with," Tatsumi said as he cast one last glance about the limousine wondering if that zombie apocalypse was about to happen.

He honestly wouldn't be surprised if it did.

Tatsumi took a long, deep breath to steady his nerves, before opening the door and stepping out into the light of the morning sun. Blinking the bright spots out his eyes he took a single step towards the school gate and—

"Kyaa! It's Tatsumi-san!"

"Tatsumi-san!"

"SQUEE! I love you Tatsumi-san!"

"Teach me your ways Tatsumi-senpai!"

The students all around the gate and nearby instantly noticed him. Their voices filled the air and hammered him on all sides with adoration, respect, awe and love.

Tatsumi just placed an easy smile on his lips. He waved to them as he quickly made his way through the front gates. Had to make it to class before they could do more than just shout words at him. If they swarmed him he wouldn't make it inside on time.

A strange thought came to Tatsumi's mind as he quickly made his way through the crowd of adoring fans and fanatical worshippers to the school entrance.

He almost preferred the craziness of summer to this.

~o~

Invisibility.

Incursio's trump card. The skill that the Tyrant had developed in an evolutionary change to hide from the Empire and its overwhelming power. The ultimate, perfect presence concealment skill capable of shielding Tatsumi even from the sight of Gods like Odin and Heimdall.

Right now, it was being used to hide from a bunch of hormonal teenage girls.

School was, in its own way, scarier than Nidhoggr and Esdeath combined. Fan girls were simply in a league of their own. So much so that neither Tatsumi nor the Tyrant had felt any qualms about using its absolute concealment to hide from them.

He really hoped Koneko wasn't anywhere nearby. It would be difficult to explain to her why he was crawling along the ceiling towards his classroom. Below him were a number of said girls, swiftly talking and laughing with each other as they swiftly made their way this way and that. They seemed peaceful enough, but Tatsumi knew if he revealed himself that would change.

The mob that had descended upon him when he stepped into the main school building had been proof of that.

Relief settled on his shoulders as the door to his classroom came into view. He was almost there, almost to safety. He scrambled faster across the ceiling, being ever careful to keep his presence still hidden from the ravenous teenage mob passing beneath.

At the door he stopped, waiting for another to open it first. Then he zipped inside, clinging to the ceiling of the class. He quickly scanned the room. Most people were in their usual seats. His own was empty and beside it was…

Tatsumi blinked in surprise when he saw Ieyasu sitting at his desk, cheek cupped in the palm of one hand. There was a bored look on his face as he stared at the back door of the classroom.

Probably waiting for him. Maybe.

Quickly making his way across the ceiling positioned himself above his seat. He let go of the ceiling and his invisibility at the same time. He did a little flip and landed heavily in his chair.

"Yo!"

Ieyasu very nearly hit the ceiling Tatsumi just dropped from. "Good god man! Where the hell did you come from?" He demanded, holding his chest to calm his rapidly beating heart.

"Nice to see you too," Tatsumi said, grinning widely. The rooms undivided attention was on the two of them now, at least no one was swarming. Yet. Hopefully the bell would ring before they did. "Have a nice summer?"

"It was boring," Ieyasu muttered irritably. "I get why you were busy, everyone knows what you were up to. It's all the news can talk about these days. But did Sayo have to be busy as well? I talked to her all of once, and that was at the start of summer."

"Did she say anything about where she was going?" Tatsumi asked.

"Didn't say anything at all," Ieyasu muttered, his face was furrowed with annoyance. "All my calls after that went nowhere. Kept saying out of service. Couldn't even get a hold of her parents."

That brought back thoughts of last semester. Just before summer hit Sayo had mentioned a new sensei. He and Bennia had looked into it, but hadn't found anything suspicious enough to truly act on. Perhaps they needed to do more than just basic internet searching.

"If I hadn't seen her walk through the gates earlier I—"

"She's here?" Tatsumi asked quickly.

"Ya, plan to see her once class breaks for lunch." He gave him a weak smile. "Want to come along? Be nice for the three of us to hang out again."

"If Sona doesn't drag me back to the student council room, sure," Tatsumi said, laughing lightly. Inside he wasn't quite so light hearted. It was good that Sayo was here, but where had she been all summer? It worried him as much as it did Ieyasu. "I may have worried her more than a little over the summer."

Ieyasu gave him a playful grin, "I bet, what with that whole disappearing to Asgard thing. Did you really fight against the Gods?"

"And Nidhoggr," Tatsumi said, "although Mine did most of the work. She really didn't like that dragon."

"Is she really a tsundere?" Ieyasu asked suddenly. "I saw what happened at the airport. She seems like a real—"

Ieyasu was cut off as the bell rang and the front classroom doors opened up. A tall, older gentlemen dressed in a fine suit stepped into the room. He carried with him a sort of quiet dignity that made one want to give him your undivided attention. His balding head glinted whenever the light hit it just right, suggesting he waxed it often. To everyone in the room, he was the principle of the school and the foremost authority here. To Tatsumi, who knew the truth, he was Sirzechs' mouth piece.

"She definitely is," Tatsumi whispered back before quieting to hear what the devil had to say. He doubted it had anything to do with him. They wouldn't come out in the open like this.

Tatsumi quickly learned he was both right, and wrong.

"I have come to inform you all that your former homeroom teacher had a fortuitous stroke of luck and won the lottery a few days before the new semester started," the principle said. "He has since retired. But, do not worry, we found a new homeroom teacher to replace him in time." He turned to face someone standing just outside and gestured them to come in. "Everyone, I would like for you all to treat her with respect, especially considering she will probably obliterate you on the spot if you do not."

Murmurs started up around the room and Tatsumi had a sinking feeling that this wasn't going to end on a good note. Especially when someone he was intimately familiar with stepped into the room.

"I would like you all to give a big round of applause to your new homeroom teacher, the Greek Goddess, Nemesis."

Tatsumi could only stare in utter disbelief as Bennia walked into the room with a spring in her step and a twinkle in her eyes. It wasn't the small, childlike form he was familiar with either, but rather her tall, full-bodied Goddess form she had regained due to Themis' efforts. There were other changes as well. Her reaper outfit had been left at home. Her dress was the same style as before, but instead of being blue it was a color so dark it seemed to absorb the light. In fact that very light seemed to be emitted back from the dress along lines of what looked like yellow lightning darting across the edges.

What the ever-living fuck was going on here? When did all of this happen?

"Uh, principle, why is there a Greek Goddess…" Ieyasu trailed off as he turned to stare at him. In fact, everyone was staring at him. Tatsumi started to sweat nervously. "What did you do this time?"

((Nothing new,)) Bennia said as she cheerfully made her way over to the podium in the center of the room. ((My Tatsumi has a habit of getting into trouble when I'm not around, so I'm not letting him out of my sight.)) She grinned at him. ((I will marry you when you can't use 'age' as a reason to say no and I intend to make sure you live long enough for that to happen.))

"Ah ha… ha… this is going to start rumors."

((Good,)) Bennia gave him one last smile before giving the other females in the room a smile that was not nearly as friendly as the one she'd just given him. ((Stay away from my Tatsumi. If I want you near him, I'll let you near him.))

Tatsumi groaned loudly and banged his head off his desk. This was not how he had envisioned the semester starting. But… maybe it would mean the girls wouldn't mob him in the halls now? He had too look for a silver lining. Anything to make this bearable.

"Yo, dude, is she a yandere?" Ieyasu whispered to him.

"You know, she very well might be." He wasn't really being serious but right then he was just too confused to really know how to respond.

"But what about the unspoken rule that you don't stick your dick in crazy?"

"Do you want to tell her that?" Tatsumi asked snidely. Bennia wasn't really that bad, not even close, but she could be oddly possessive at times.

"Not me man, what a Goddess wants a Goddess can take," Ieyasu whispered back, "I don't want to be turned inside out."

"I hope you will all treat her with the respect and… caution she deserves," the principle said hesitantly. He gave everyone in the room a slight nod of his head before turning to Bennia. "I'll leave it to you, Nemesis, to introduce the two new students."

And with that, the principle swept out of the room like he wanted to be anywhere but there. Murmurs and whispers started up even before the principle left. Everyone was curious and excited at the same time about having a Goddess as a home room teacher, even if it was one with an ominous name like Nemesis. They all seemed to have forgotten her earlier warning about staying away from Tatsumi.

Bennia didn't let them forget for long.

((Quiet!)) Bennia snapped. She let out a tiny little bit of her divine presence. To Tatsumi it was barely noticeable, to Ieyasu, who had see first hand Raynare murder Issei, it was tolerable. To everyone else it was nearly overwhelming. It swallowed them up and there was an audible click as mouths clamped shut across the room at the same time. Silence descended upon the room in an instant. ((This isn't going to be too bad after all, so long as you all listen.)) Bennia definitely had their undivided attention as she turned to face the new students out in the hallway. ((Alright you two, come on in!))

"If I hadn't seen the other side of you first…" Hikaru said, shaking her head softly as she stepped into the room.

"She still doesn't have anything on Lady Gabriel," Xenovia chimed in as she stepped in afterwards. Her hands came together and her eyes lifted to the ceiling. "May the Lord and Lady Gabriel watch over these children."

The pressure on the room actually dimmed for a moment before it suddenly surged once more. Bennia's brow twitched once with irritation. Had there just been a minor battle of auras happening in this room between Gabriel and Bennia?

Tatsumi wasn't even going to ask. What happened between those two could stay between those two, just so long as they didn't threaten the structural integrity of HQ again.

((Yes, yes, Gabriel is great. Stupid large chested bimbo.)) Tatsumi refrained from pointing out that right then, in her adult form, Bennia's own chest rivaled, if not surpassed, Gabriel's. ((Would you two be so kind as to introduce yourselves to the class?))

"Of course," Hikaru said smoothly. She grabbed a piece of chalk and wrote her name out across the blackboard. 'Hikaru Yule.' "I am Hikaru Yule, and for those of you that remember Tatsumi's last official appearance in a Kendo Match at the National tournament, yes that was me facing him."

A chair squealed across the floor as Ieyasu jumped to his feet. "Wait, you're a girl!?" Ieyasu shouted in disbelief. "Why are you a girl?!"

"Shocking, isn't it?" Tatsumi said, grinning up at his friend. He had so been waiting for that.

"You knew and you didn't tell me?!"

"Wanted to see your reaction," Tatsumi laughed. "Worth it."

"Argh! I feel so stupid now!"

"And that's new because…?"

"I hate you."

Hikaru interrupted them by clearing her throat roughly. "If you two boys are done bickering…" they both settled down. Hikaru turned to Ieyasu. "I had my reasons at the time however, as you can see," she gestured to her ample bust which was rather nicely accentuated by her Kuoh Academy uniform, "I can't hide what I am anymore." She swept her gaze across the room. "I hope we can all get along."

((She, I allow near my Tatsumi,)) Bennia said cheerfully. ((There's a spot next to Tatsumi for you to sit at.))

"Where?" The girl on Tatsumi's left asked curiously.

Bennia just stared at her, hard. The girl started to sweat as she realized what Bennia was insinuating. She quickly grabbed her books and moved across the room to a different desk. Hikaru gave Bennia a grateful smile before gracefully making her way up the isle towards her new seat.

"That's an abuse of power," Tatsumi muttered under his breath.

"Don't think anyone is going to say anything," Ieyasu whispered back.

"Probably not."

Any further conversation was cut off by a loud squeal as Hikaru moved the desk next to his own. She gave him a sweet smile he knew was too sweet to be genuine, before sitting. "I'll need to borrow your books for today," Hikaru said by way of explanation.

"Sure, hopefully Koneko won't show up to distract you," Tatsumi said, referring to an earlier event in the summer during a certain training session where he'd been all but thrown to the curb in favor of cuteness.

Hikaru's eyes brightened noticeably at that name. "She's here? Of course she is. It's Rias'…" her eyes sparkled even more brilliantly. "I shall find her at lunch."

Was this a good or a bad thing? Tatsumi didn't know. He had packed an extra homemade lunch for Koneko but would she show up if Hikaru snatched her up first? Which would she choose? Lunch or snuggles?

Koneko was about to be hammered with her most difficult life decision yet.

"It's my turn now to introduce myself," Xenovia said, taking a single step forward. "I am Xenovia Quarta, a member of Night Raid as anyone who watched Tatsumi's introduction to the world is aware of." Her eyes lost their seriousness and instead a wave of devotion and awe consumed her. A symbol on her left hand glowed with a brilliant pink light as two pairs of brilliant white wings erupted from her back. The collective thump of jaws hitting the desk reverberated through the room. "Ah! Lady Gabriel, I am so thankful to you and the Lord for this chance. I shall bring your blessing to all those that need it." She lowered her gaze from the heavens to everyone in the class who were staring at her slack jawed. "I am Lady Gabriel's Queen and I shall spread the good word of the Lord in her name wherever I go!" She smiled at them. Tatsumi could feel a hint of her divine grace sifting through the room, easing Bennia's presence. "I hope we can all get along this semester."

The presence was cut short as Bennia karate chopped the back of her head. ((You know you're not supposed to let out your presence like that. That titty-monster warned you, remember?))

"Oh, right," Xenovia said, pulling her wings back inside. She gave everyone an apologetic smile. "Can everyone just forget that?"

Tatsumi could feel a large drop of sweat rolling down the back of his neck. Like hell anyone would. He didn't need to be able to read minds to know what everyone was thinking.

The newly risen angel gave the boy sitting in front a Tatsumi a smile. "Could you—"

"Right away!" The boy said without hesitation. His books and himself, were moved across the room faster than Tatsumi could blink.

"Thank you, may the Lord and Lady Gabriel bless you with their light," Xenovia said graciously before making her way to the newly vacated spot. The grin she gave him was nothing like the gentle smile she had on her face before.

((Now that that's all settled, let's start!)) Bennia said cheerfully. Her fingers danced across the air and a spell was suddenly unleashed upon everyone. ((And we'll start… by taking a nap until the first teacher comes!)) The room was filled with yet more thuds as everyone not a part of Night Raid slumped in their chairs and fell fast asleep.

Tatsumi groaned and banged his head off the desk again. This was not how he had envisioned the new semester starting.

~o~

As much as some things had changed with the new semesters, some things had stayed the same. Blessedly so in this case. Tatsumi found himself sitting across from Sona, a checkered board topped with little metal figurines splayed out on the desk between them. A good ol' fashion game of chess, and she was kicking his ass as usual. But that was fine. It was just nice to have something normal back in his life again.

Bennia had made the first half of the day anything but.

Sona had obviously not skimped on the games over the summer. If anything, she was better now than she had been at the end of last semester while Tatsumi had let his skills dull, consumed with far more worrisome things than the outcome of a chess match.

Tatsumi knew Sona was much too observant not to notice his lacking of ability, but she didn't say anything. Her face was calm, almost serene, as she decimated his forces across the board, and after each quick game she gave him advice on what he'd done right and where he could improve.

It was mostly the latter though.

"Checkmate," Sona said for the fifth time that day as she moved her queen into position.

"Well, at least I broke twenty moves this time," Tatsumi said dryly as he stared down at the board in disgust. He knew the chances of beating Sona was all but nil, but he hated losing, especially when he should be playing better than this. "Is there anything I can do that won't get me utterly destroyed?"

Saji snickered from across the room. Tatsumi threw him an annoyed look but the boy wasn't even looking at him. He seemed to utterly preoccupied with another girl, one of Sona's pawns, Ruruko, as she fed him from a bento box she'd made for him. That was one happy little girl. Tatsumi wished them all the best of luck.

Sona just shook her head and smiled. "Take your time, you're improving with each game. That's enough. In time you might even beat me."

"Maybe in fifty years—"

His stomach decided to interrupt them at that moment with a loud grumble.

Sona gave him an amused smile, "Fifty is being a bit generous I think," she said. Tatsumi just stared at him incredulously. Did she just make a joke at his expense? She didn't give him any chance to respond. She quickly moved past that topic, like she'd simply been stating a fact instead of poking fun at his skills. "I think that's enough chess for now. Shall I assume you brought your own lunch?" she asked as she grabbed her own bento box from her bag on the floor.

"I did," Tatsumi said.

He quickly brushed the chess pieces into a little box designed to hold them before grabbing a pair of bento boxes from his own duffle bag. "Even brought one for Koneko. Even if she doesn't show up for lunch I'm sure she'll—"

"…here, nyan" Koneko said as she suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Before he could fully register where the voice had come from Koneko sitting happily in his lap with one of the bento boxes already in her hands. "Smells good, nyan. Will be there to help taste-test tomorrow, nyan."

"Ah, Koneko?" Tatsumi started, not quite sure what to say. What did he ask first? Why her tail and ears were out or why she was sitting in his lap?

She just peered curiously up at him, blinking a few times. "…yes?"

"You're in his lap, Koneko-san, Tatsumi doesn't understand why," Sona pointed out helpfully.

"…oh." The nekomata turned away and started digging into the lunch he'd prepared for her. "…Tatsumi's lap is Koneko's, nyan. Won't let fried chicken anywhere near."

It was probably best just to go with it. It wasn't unpleasant, Koneko was warm, soft and smelled nice. It just made it difficult to eat. The three of them ate in peace, quiet, and for once Koneko didn't ask for more of his food after she finished her entire bento box in under five seconds.

Lunch was a pleasant experience. A definite shift from those first few times he'd been forced to sit here.

Still, one thing did bother Tatsumi.

"Sona…" Tatsumi started, trailing off hesitantly when Sona peered at him curiously. He was unsure of how to really broach the subject since he'd been so certain she would first. "Why do you seem so… I mean I figured you'd… what I'm trying to get at is—"

"Why I haven't inquired about your health or what really happened?" Sona finished for him.

Tatsumi swallowed a mouthful of rice and simply nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

She gave him a gentle little smile. "It's enough to know you're alright. I'm not like Rias, I won't cling to you every moment of every day, fussing over every little bruise you get." She leaned back in her chair and folded her arms beneath her chest. "But now that you've brought it up, how are you holding up? I know what you went through couldn't have been easy."

"That's one way of putting it," Tatsumi said softly. He glanced out the window into the school yard. It was busy out there. Students, male and female, talking, playing, and otherwise having a good time. It was peaceful and filled with joy and happiness. It was what he fought to protect. "Things happened I wish I could undo." The past couldn't be changed. "Redo, better." If he hadn't hesitated the moment Syura appeared, none of that would have happened. "Still, when I see stuff like this, and know my efforts help ensure this continues… it becomes bearable."

Mine's injury would be a burden he'd always bear, but it was one bearable knowing what he did helped ensure the innocent remained innocent.

Sona had an almost sad look on her face as she turned to stare out into the yard with him. "Sometimes I wonder if you're too good for us. All of us, I mean, the world," she quickly added, clarifying her remark. "And the rest of the time I'm glad you're here. Any time you just need an hour to rest and relax, this room is open, and anytime you need someone to speak with, I'll be there. You, more than anyone, needs a place you can set your worries aside."

Tatsumi turned to face Sona and gave her a warm smile. "Thanks." It was nice to hear something like that. "You'll keep Bennia out too? Love her, but sometimes I just need a break."

There was little knowing smile on her lips. "I will," Sona promised him.

This brought to mind another question, one that'd been on his mind all morning. "I get Hikaru and Xenovia, but why is she here?"

"Not my choice," Sona said, frowning down at her nearly finished lunch. "She went above me, to Sirzechs-san himself. Approached him not as Bennia of Night Raid, but Nemesis of the Greek Pantheon." Her eyes narrowed as she focused on him. "Did you know she was a Goddess?"

"Just found out a few days ago," Tatsumi was quick to assure her.

There was along, pregnant pause before Sona let out a small little harrumph. "Well, whatever the case, Themis came along with her when she asked. Sirzechs-san… didn't really have a choice." She gave him an apologetic smile. "Sorry."

"Not your fault," Tatsumi was quick to assure her. "I can deal with it, just would have been nice to be forewarned."

"That makes two of us," Sona said. "I didn't find out until I came to school this morning." She shook her head. "There have been other changes as well. Gasper-san has started this year as well, first year. That's going about as well as you might expect."

"He hides in a corner in a box all class?"

"Yes." There was a wry grin on her face as she said that. "Rias has quite the ways to go with that one before he's ready. Irina Shidou has also started, she's in Hyoudou's class. Azazel has also come on board in whatever capacity the whimsical governor feels like doing."

"It almost feels like this place is being pulled in a dozen different directions by various pantheons," Tatsumi said.

"It doesn't just feel that way, it is that way," Sona said. "Kuoh City is 'officially' Rias' territory, but that's only something that the three factions truly recognize. The Greek, Norse and even the Japanese pantheon don't recognize this as devil territory and with you here…" she shook her head. "I expect this school to have many more additions to it before you graduate."

"Sounds funs," Tatsumi said dryly.

"Fun is not really the word I'd use to describe it," Sona muttered under her breath. She threw a quick glance at his bento box which for some reason was empty. Had he really been that hungry or was that look on Koneko's face more innocent than it should be? "If you're finished lunch, we should have time for one more game before the period ends."

With a soft little sigh Tatsumi helped Sona get the board and pieces into place so she could kick his ass one last time at chess before lunch finished. All the while Koneko simply looked on, happily sitting in his lap.

He wondered how long this normalcy would last. Hopefully at least a few days. Fate owed him that much at least, right?

Author's Note: Not a lot happened, but this is basically the final scene transitioning Tatsumi from Summer Madness to Fall Madness. For the record, we've officially starting 'Volume 6' arc I guess. Although I say that loosely because Tatsumi's involvement in this world has thrown everything off kilter. Expect the 'Rating Games' to occur, everything else is going to change.

Everything.

So leave a review and let me know what you think! Even though not a lot actually happened.