A Flower Amongst Devils
Original Concept: Persona 3 Portable/High School DxD
Revised Chapter 39
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Created by: Atlus/Sega and Ishibumi Ichiei
Author's Notes: This is a crossover of High School DxD and Persona 3 Portable. The FeMC would be named Arisato Minako. I would like to thank two particular authors who had been very influential in me publishing this fic, gabriel blessing and The Crimson Lord. Thank you for the great work you two did in HS DxD to get me interested in writing one as well.
written by: wrathie
Author's Notes: Has it been that long? Well IRL has been an issue, but here's your update. Things are heading for a climax that's much faster than the last time I tried this. Again
Ubernimbord Beta Notes: Ugh. Editing this has taken a LOT longer than it really should have. Real Life keeps beating on me something fierce.
I am still working on my fics as well. Have faith that I will have something to post soon.
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Tamamo Branch Shrine – Family Quarters
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Ravel Phenex would declare that she had never felt more frightened than she had the moment Atsuko-san told them that they were going into lockdown, medics active only after Minako-sama had them evacuate to the shelter at the basement of their home.
It was Code Amber, a level below Code Red when the Shrine itself was in danger of being attacked. Code Amber was used when mobilisation was expected, but not activated. But when only medics were asked to be active besides the usual guards, it meant that there were sufficient cause to expect a large number of casualties.
Knowing that some of her family members, yes, Ravel called them family members because they were just that, could be hurt chilled Ravel to the bone.
They were more of a family than her own, with her older brothers an exception. Her mother and father were strict with her, and although she understood why, she also didn't understand why they would let her be part of big brother Raiser's Peerage in the first place.
If they wanted her to learn from the Rating Game, the only thing she learned about the Rating Game was that her brother was a big sexist idiot. Sadly that was the only good thing she had learned from that big brother of her.
Thankfully he was slowly becoming better, even if his phobia of girls were still undeniably very strong. It was kind of funny the way he shrieked when Ille and Nell tried to hug him.
She was glad when the emergency situation was lifted with no casualties on their side, even if many of her kin, fellow Devils, who perished from the large scale encounter that had taken place in Kuoh City.
It had been humbling to know that Minako-sama was as good as her word and would be willing to risk the wrath of others by killing so many of them in the defense of their home.
Besides the show of force, there was graciousness when Minako-sama was willing to give them a proper burial despite them being enemies. She knew that although land was not at a premium in the Underworld, burying the dead was only a common practise among the Pillars.
It was only feasible due to the Evil Pieces, no one wanted their own family members being forced to turn against you, and they would turn against you due to the Evil Pieces.
There were few objections to Devils cremating their dead, but Ravel felt that rather than being cremated on foreign land, by foreign hands, being sent on their last journey by a Devil would appease some of the harsher critics of Minako-sama.
Ravel was also very proud that she had earned that trust and acknowledgment when Minako-sama didn't object but instead praised her for her initiative in offering to help. Ravel wanted to do more for everyone, who welcomed and helped her so much, she really did.
She viewed them as her family now, and she was still shocked and awed at how fast she had came to treat those she had just met for barely two months as though they were kin.
It was like Minako-sama had said, they were family and she could definitely believe that after seeing everyone's reactions to the first ever emergency in the Tamamo compound since she was here.
Annie had shared that there were several other notable incidents that had forced Minako-sama to step up to the plate when the others failed to quell the situation.
But this was the first time Minako-sama had taken charge immediately instead of deferring to Atsuko-san or Kiririn-sama and Kirara-sama. Minako-sama was still relatively young compared to them and in the previous occasions, deferred to them as the situation developed. Even if Minako-sama was the leader of the Faction, in terms of age, experience and wisdom they had her beaten.
But this time they had not objected when Minako-sama took charge immediately, it was a sign that they trusted her in turn as well.
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It had been two weeks since the invasion of Kuoh Academy and in those two weeks there had been many other important figures visiting the Tamamo Branch Shrine where she called her home.
The Governor of the Grigori, Azazel, the current Lucifer Master Sirzechs with his wife, the Ultimate Queen Mistress Grayfia and members of the Heavenly Host, Archangel Michael and Archangel Uriel all paid a visit to the shrine with different agendas in mind.
Atsuko-san had taken their visits in stride, even asking them whether they had appointments with Minako-sama and Yasaka-sama, those that weren't were forced to wait before they could enter.
Thankfully she had not been manning the reception desk that day Archangel Uriel visited, he was cross and impatient when led to the main hall by Jacqueline to meet Yasaka-sama.
She was unfortunately assigned to serve drinks to them, and she wasn't sure why exactly was she picked out of all the other priestess in the shrine. Her skills in serving tea were average at best, and even if she was trained in etiquette, she wasn't a true member of the clan.
Even Annie had a position in the family higher than hers, even if they never raised point to bully her around.
Nearly all of their guests had given her a calculating look, especially Master Sirzechs but none of them had spoken to her when she served them tea.
Ravel knew that as a Devil, her presence was very odd among the Yokai/Shinto Faction but she took it in stride. At least Minako-sama didn't confine her to her quarters instead. She would go stir crazy if she was forced to stay there and not do something.
She wouldn't have thought that in the past, being waited and helped by the many servants and spending her time reading and lazing around when she felt like it.
She wasn't exactly spoiled, but she had been pampered and it was only after being with the Tamamo Clan, did she realize how wasteful her actions had been. Theoretical exercises and problems were good, but if not used in a practical fashion they were not of much use.
Sure she could be a trivia master, she had read extensively and knew many subjects that many her age wouldn't have, but would that be of use to her then? Probably not. Now however she could use some of that knowledge when Kunou-chan pestered her for help with her homework whenever she came over.
As the most junior of the clan, being a probationary and temporary member didn't mean she had the least tasks. The tasks assigned to her were menial and physical in nature, but they were part and parcel of how things worked in the real world.
You started from the bottom and worked your way up. She might be doing the most boring of tasks now, but she did not let it get to her.
The fact that she could learn about how the Yokai taught their kin from Kunou-chan's homework was a plus too.
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"Good morning fuwah…" Annie yawned as she ambled into the woman's baths while rubbing her eyes. Ravel smiled back at her roommate and best friend as she finished washing up. Ravel herself had been up much earlier, before dawn even to join Yuzu in the daily ritual to clean the home and altar of Inari Okami-sama.
Ravel had even been joined by Kunou-chan, who was unexpectedly serious as they cleaned Inari Okami-sama's altar and cleared it of food before chanting prayers in thanks for her protection.
Kunou-chan insisted that Inari Okami-sama was a woman, and Yuzu agreed with her and who was she going to argue with them about someone she had never met.
It was apparently much more common for Yokai, and the Tamamo Clan to view Deities, or Minor Gods if she was to use the terms from her upbringing as a Devil.
The Biblical God, was a Deity too in the eyes of the Yokai/Shinto Faction, being ranked similarly to the great Amaterasu Omikami-sama and Izanagi Okami-sama.
Inari Okami-sama was the patron Deity of the Kitsune Yokai and had a special relationship between the Tamamo Clan, and especially for Yasaka-sama and Kunou-chan. They were apparently directly descended from her bloodline, the same with the first Tamamo no Mae.
There were rumors that say that the first Tamamo no Mae had instead been saved by the Amatsukami and took on the identity of Inari-Okami. When she had free time, Ravel liked to ask Atsuko-san to teach her about the history of the Yokai in Japan.
If she was going to be of help, as well as to be the one to forge closer ties with the Phenex and the Tamamo Clan, she needed to know more. She shared her own stories as well, well known battles like the one where Mistress Grayfia turned on her family and joined Master Sirzechs in the penultimate battle that solidified the 'new' Devils' position while crushing the Old Maou Faction's base of operations in the Underworld.
It was a win-win situation as far as Ravel was concerned, and she learned lots. Kiririn-sama even told her that she might be able to start learning about senjutsu in the near future. Senjutsu wasn't something that was jealously guarded as compared to other arts, it was just very difficult to master without guidance.
The exceptions to the norm were Yokai, like Kitsune, Tengu and the Oni. They were beings of nature, and had a connection with nature that went beyond a human or a Devil could understand.
As Devils had their heritage from God, it would be more difficult for her to learn the art, even if she couldn't teach it to someone else, it would definitely benefit her in the future.
"You should get cleaned up quicker, Annie. We're visiting Kuoh Academy with Yasaka-sama today aren't we?"
Yasaka-sama was visiting Kuoh Academy as the godmother of Argento Tamamo Asia and Tamamo Yuzu for a meet-the-teacher conference. The human turned Devil and member of the Tamamo clan had dropped the invitation hopefully alongside Yuzu when she had dinner with them. Minako-sama and Kochiyo-sama would have been happy to go as an elder sister, ironically when Yuzu was much older than Minako, but she was keeping a low profile to avoid the students swarming her again.
She had officially left her position as the school counselor and it wasn't a good idea for her to visit Kuoh so soon when she was supposed to be on a pilgrimage trip.
Not to mention that everyone knew that The Lucifer, Master Sirzechs and The Leviathan, Mistress Serafall was going to visit Kuoh as well. Mistress Serafall aside, having Master Sirzechs around would only almost certainly turn it into a work meeting. Something that they wanted to avoid.
Thankfully Yasaka-sama was more than happy to spend the day with them and had roped Ravel and Annie to join her and Kunou-chan in visiting Kuoh Academy. She knew that Yasaka-sama liked her, but bringing her there was just odd.
Although she didn't know exactly why, Ravel suspected that she wanted more hands around if things got hairy. Kiririn-sama and Kirara-sama were officially the strongest members of the Tamamo Branch Shrine, so bringing them with her would only bring up the tension of the inevitable meeting.
Aaron and the other Exorcists that were guarding the shrine could come but she supposed that it would be odd to say the least as many of them had more than a few battle scars from their time going rogue.
Even Aaron, the first exorcists she had met had a faint scar at the base of his neck where a blade had nicked it and he had almost died from the bleeding. That would only cause more awkward questions for Yuzu-chan and Asia-chan.
After the Exorcists the next up in terms of 'power' were Yuzu-chan and the other Priestesses of the shrine. Kunou-chan was too young to properly learn how to fight and that's why she was here, to protect Kunou-chan if anything went wrong despite the disparity of power. Ravel knew a test when she saw one. It was a very dangerous gamble for the Tamamo Clan, and it showed that they wanted to trust her and to bring her into their fold as a true member of the clan.
Tamamo Kunou was the heir of the Tamamo-clan, next in line after Miss Yasaka and Miss Minako and if anything, and anything happened to her, the backlash would be huge.
Ravel had heard and learned about the throughout genocide that Miss Minako had done on the Nue Clan. The entire clan was wiped off the map in one night by a raid conducted by her and her alone.
The Nue clan were not pushovers either, they were among the strongest of Yokai and was only slightly below native Dragons in their destructive powers. The land of the east had... differing views of strength as compared to the West where she was brought up.
Besides the Dragon King Kohyru or Huang Long, there were other dragon species that still roamed freely, if hidden among the lands.
To know that Minako-sama had annihilated an entire clan of would-be dragons left her awed and shaken. The stern, demure and calm woman she had grown to respect as a big sister and leader had such power in her hands and she never revealed them?
The tale that she learned was only common knowledge among the Yokai, she doubted that many others outside ever heard of it.
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Ravel had played in one Rating Game, the disastrous game with her baka Onii-san when he had been throughly owned by Rias Gremory, the other Priestesses like Annie had more experience.
Especially Annie, she was among the first of... Diodora Astaroth's peerage, a Rook and she had seen action in many other Rating Games.
She might not have the same physical strength as she did before, but she was still stronger than most low-class Devils thanks to Senjutsu.
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To be honest, Ravel was quite intimidated by the fact that she would be tasked with being the bodyguard of Kunou-chan. She got a ong with her, even if there were some friction between the two of them when it came to Yasaka-sama. Yasaka-sama doted on her tremendously and Ravel knew that at times it was that doting attention that made it slightly easier to get away with things than the others did.
For example she was given more leeway to leave the Shrine and to run errands for her fellow Priestesses then what one would expect of her official position in the hierarchy.
She was also allowed to meet and interact with more guests, higher ranking Yokai and even speak for the Clan on occasion. It wasn't normal, and Ravel had conflicting feelings about how she felt about this treatment.
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She was happy and proud to be trusted, but at times she does wonder whether the others would be jealous or resented her for the privileges she had gotten due to Yasaka-sama.
On days like these, when she felt her stomach flutter with butterflies as she prepared herself to accompany the always energetic Kunou-chan, she wondered if it was all worth it.
"Did you have breakfast yet, Ravel-chan?" Annie asked as she finished washing up and was currently shedding her sleepwear. For herself, she had changed and was tying her hair up into a more comfortable ponytail at the back.
Image was everything, and although she liked her old hair style of twin-tails and drill-hair, it was unfortunately very unpractical and almost impossible to accomplish without more than one pair of hands.
She might be able to generate flames and fire at will, but it was a waste of time when she could use that time to do other things.
"Mm mm… I had breakfast with Yuzu and Kunou-chan earlier. Yuzu is getting Kunou-chan ready for her visit to Kuoh Academy."
"I'm very excited to be there, Ravel-chan. I've never been in a real school before. And from Asia-chan's stories, it sounds so much fun. Do you think we can study there too?" Annie's eyes glittered while Ravel bit her lip. In many ways Annie was more sheltered than she was as she was brought up in a convent as a Holy Maiden.
Even if she had her eyes open and had many new experiences shared to her in the Tamamo Clan after being liberated from Diodora Astaroth's Peerage, there were things that she didn't experience before.
A school life was one of them, having being home schooled both before and during her life here. She had to fight to grimace at the enthusiasm she felt. Ravel didn't particularly like being in a school, for politics was rampant even at a young age.
For a Devil, regardless of High or Low-rank, Rating Games were their life, and so were Peerages. Some families cultivated and encouraged their heirs and children to form close bonds with individuals who could one day be part of their peerage when they received their Devil Pieces.
As a High Ranking Devil, Ravel knew she would receive her Pieces in the near future, even being part of the Tamamo Clan as she was.
Her father and mother were very supportive despite their initial dissatisfaction and she could tell they had warmed significantly to her being here as she was making great inroads in improving relations between the Phenex Clan and the Tamamo Clan. They weren't close, not like how the Sitri and Gremory were with the Tamamo Clan, but they had progressed beyond the 'enemy' zone.
"We have our duties in the Shrine, Annie. We won't be able to cope. Do you remember how late Minako-sama had to stay up to clear the paperwork after the invasion?" Minako-sama was not allowed to sleep or rest until 36 hours the invasion after the last piece of incident report was completed.
Her poor leader had dropped like a log in relief and exhaustion but had to shake herself awake to return to her normal duties.
Yasaka-sama wasn't any better, being besieged by the Yokai Leaders as they wanted an explanation of what happened during the invasion.
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"I suppose. We are still growing you know? I heard from Atsuko-san that we might be getting some Moon Rabbits to join us." Annie beamed when Ravel looked curious.
"They are adorable, but they are a species of Yokai that is based on the mythology of Kaguya-hime. With enough believers, even a fairy tale can become real. That is the nature of how 'kami' and Yokai are formed."
The land of Japan was the land of a thousand gods, individually they might never rival any other Elder Gods like the Norse or the Greek Pantheon, but collectively they were still a force to be reckoned with.
It helped that the faith was strong here in this land, they believed in their Gods, and would pray to them as part of their tradition.
"So they are part of Kaguya-hime's myth? I saw Kaguya-hime once. She came to check up on Susano-O-sama."
Ravel had a brief encounter with the elusive Princess of the Moon as she was escorted by Kiririn-san as a high profile guest.
Like Kochiyo to Minako-sama, Kaguya-hime was a constant companion besides Amaterasu Omikami-sama, the Empress of Takahamagara; the land of the Amatsukami.
Ravel hadn't started her learnings and teachings about Shinto Mythology but she took note of the central gods of each mythology. Minako-sama had the bad habit of calling on figures of mythology seemingly out of nowhere.
As a Holy Maiden, her power were of Possession, and not just 'Divine' Possession where beings above the mortal plane could affect her, but the traits and strengths of any particular being of power could be channelled by her.
The transformation was not limited to a spiritual level, but on a physical level as well.
In the invasion of Kuoh Academy, Minako-sama had called upon one of the Tengu Kings, Sutoku Sojobo-sama and due to the differences in physical limitations, her physical form changed to accommodate the difference in her spiritual level,
A Tengu, any Yokai actually were much stronger than a human would be. The same comparison between a Devil and a Human and even with senjutsu, Minako-sama's physical limit would have hampered her.
The Tengus might not have the strength of an Oni, but Minako-sama would hurt herself if she tried any of the techniques and abilities of the Tengu King by herself.
The outcome of the Invasion was quite a highly publicized event as it showcased the personal strength of Minako-sama but exact details of the invasion was kept under wraps. What was publicly known was that the Old Maou Faction had attacked the Academy with the aid of one of the Grigori Leaders, Kokabiel.
How Kokabiel had ended up being an asylum seeker under their family was lost under transit and even Yuzu didn't know all the details. What was important in the end was how a Tengu King had utterly humiliated one of the Old Maou leaders and had taken her prisoner.
Heaven's representative Archangel Gabriel was rumoured to have taken part in the campaign and captured, if momentarily by the Grigori rogue, but there were conflicting views that Gabriel was limiting herself in accordance with the treaty with the Devils, thus leading to her supposed defeat.
There were other claims, like how there was a separate duel that demolished a church at the edges of Kuoh City, how the Welsh Dragon wielder had fought for the honor of his Master, Rias Gremory by challenging the Fallen Angel to a one on one duel that he won.
The most outrageous claim of all was the presence of both the Vanishing and the Welsh Dragon materializing their draconic forms teaming up against Minako-sama and being utterly cowed by her in defeat.
The Welsh and the Vanishing Dragon were forces of Nature that were able to kill Elder Gods. Surely even Minako-sama can't match beings like that?
"Lucky! I wish I can see Kaguya-hime in person. She isn't part of the Amatsukami, but is close friends with Amaterasu Omikami-sama. The Sun and the Moon in harmony!" Annie gushed while Ravel smiled wryly and suppressed a yawn at the gossip.
"Kaguya-hime is a very modest and shy person. She wasn't happy when Kiririn-san insisted to escort her to see Susano-O-sama. She didn't seem to like Susano-O-sama either." None of the girls liked Susano-O-sama as he was a lecher of the highest calibre. He kept his hands to himself when with the younger girls, thankfully but was shamelessly flirting with Annie and the rest. Minako-sama had repeatedly told the Elder God to stop harassing the girls, but to her dissatisfaction, the girls were receptive of his advances for the most part.
"Susano-O-sama is... well, a little perverted. But he is a very nice person too!" Annie tried to defend him but fell silent when Ravel told her that courtship doesn't involve the groping of body parts.
"Physical attraction is normal, but you shouldn't let him take advantage of you like that." Ravel nagged at her a little while Annie flushed.
"Well… not everyone can flatter a girl like Susano-O-sama. And I can dream, can't I? Being wedded to an Elder God!" Annie squealed slightly while Ravel turned her nose up.
"Susano-O-sama is married to Kusinada-hime, Annie, you would only be a mistress and he isn't attractive at all!"
"As if Devils don't have mistresses, Ravel-chan. Sirzechs-sama is the exception and Grayfia-sama doesn't look like the type that will accept a less than dedicated relationship. And Susano-O-sama has the charm of weary warrior. He fought many battles and we should reward him for all he has done for us!" Annie shot back and Ravel flushed, knowing that at least a portion of her words were true.
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Kuoh Academy: Entrance
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"Waiii~" Kunou was struggling in an attempt to break free of Ravel's hold on the excitable Kitsune as they entered Kuoh Academy alongside her mother, Yasaka-sama.
This was a Devil's territory but also the core site where the next Great War could have begun, so Ravel was watchful and tense, hardly the best way to enjoy her first visit of Kuoh Academy.
"Ravel dear you can explore the school with Kunou for a bit." Yasaka-sama paused before laughing at the look of begging in Annie's eyes. "Fine, Annie can go too, but remember don't overstep your boundaries and don't let Kunou out of your sight." Yasaka-sama reminded them while basking in the attention that she had garnered. The Tamamo Matriarch was a frightfully beautiful woman and unlike Minako-sama who has been compared to a Yamato Nadeshiko, the Elder Kitsune Yokai was a flashy sex symbol.
Ravel could only put it that way and would do so without any hint of malice. The Tamamo Matriarch oozed sex appeal from her clothes, her demeanour and how she walked. Every inch of her was sexual – and not in a crude way too. It reminded Ravel once again how the Kitsune got their reputation.
Women and men alike were gawking at her even when she was dressed in a simple business woman's attire, a form fitting white blouse that was slightly too tight around her chest, the carefully manicured nails, high heels and of course, the curve exposing skirt that didn't even cover most of her thigh.
On top of her attire she wore a simple dull coloured long-sleeved cardigan that covered her forearms while she held her purse in her left arm.
Waving at them, Yasaka-sama headed off to meet Yuzu and Kunou, her hips shaking from side to side and mesmerizing the males and making the women pinch their counterparts.
"Let's go, let's go, Ravel-chan!" Kunou cried in delight and she was helpless to stop both Annie and Ravel from dragging her away.
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"Asia-chan is well liked and popular among her school mates but she show more discretion in her private life." Asia's homeroom teacher gave a withering look to the cowed maiden before pausing as she considered Yasaka in front of her.
"You could be a better example to her, Tamamo-san, she can do well but if she puts all her motivation into trying to form an underage relationship… are you aware that she is dating at her age?" The disapproval was more than easily detected in the way her voice changed pitch and tone at the end.
"Well I suppose they must start somewhere…" Yasaka smiled politely as she petted Asia on her back, reassuring and backing her up.
"I have to support Asia-chan on whatever she does, you know how difficult it is for her to stand up for herself. If liking Issei-kun and wanting him to wed into our family is what drives Asia-chan, I will support her all the way." She puffed her chest in pride before adding on.
"Besides, I think it is about time she started learning about the opposite sex, why I think that one isn't young after you pass the age of sixteen! If you haven't had sex by then –"
The train of conversation was quickly covered by the flustered homeroom teacher as Asia turned bright red, wondering why in the world she had decided to ask Yasaka-sama to come with her instead.
"Hyoudou-san's parents will never approve!" Ah – that's right, she really wanted to introduce herself to Issei-kun's parents!
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Kuoh Academy – Occult Research Club
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"My my Ria-tan, your Peerage has grown significantly since I last saw them." Sirzechs Lucifer, one of the four Maous commented as he was served tea by a smiling but tense Akeno.
Beside Rias was Grayfia Lucifuge, dressed not as a maid but in her own clothes daintily nibbling on a biscuit that was part of Koneko's stash.
Rias was flustered, sitting alone in front of the two of them while the rest of her peerage stood in attention behind her.
Well, tried to at least, Issei was busy trying not to stare at Grayfia's chest, Yuuto was wondering where Koneko ran off to and Gasper Vladi shaking like a leaf in front of two legends in the Underworld.
"Have you made progress with Gasper's Sacred Gear? It is particularly hard to master, and his timid personality will make it harder for him to focus and learn how to use it properly.." He smiled reassuringly at Gasper but the Vampire turned Devil had turned chalk white and had to be supported by a sighing Issei.
"O-Of course, Onii-sama. We have been training hard ever since the invasion. Kokabiel…" Rias grimaced at remembering the name but soldiered on. " – he was right, if he wanted to kill us. Or if any members of the Grigori Higher Echelons wanted to kill us, they would have been able to do so easily. We're training hard so we don't need to rely on your strength, Onii-sama." Rias lips trembled slightly, her pride wounded as she admitted that the increase in security around Kuoh Academy was for her and Sona.
Sona too was displeased and she had driven her Peerage mercilessly, knowing that for all her tactical ability, the major firepower of Kuoh was on Rias' team.
"It is the nature of a brother to worry about his sister, Ria-tan. I'm just glad that you were never in danger. That encounter was dangerous, but thankfully nonlethal. Still… with 'Twilight Healing' and the barrier arts that our young Tamamo Clan member is learning, it shouldn't be an issue… where is she by the way?"
"She went to meet with Miss Yasaka, Onii-sama. They had a parent-teacher meeting… will Father and Mother be here too?" Rias asked hopefully and when Sirzechs nodded his head, she gave a relieved smile.
"Then I'll be able to introduce everyone to them… though I think that Issei's parents is going to be very surprised." Rias' giggled while Issei scratched his head awkwardly.
"Speaking about your parents, Issei-kun. They do not know you are a Devil right? When are you going to tie up your loose ends?" Grayfia asked cautiously, wondering if someone had broached the topic with him.
Most reincarnated Devils had no surviving kin, or even if they did, would never keep in contact with them.
Hyoudou Issei was an exception to that rule, continuing to stay with his parents and friends as a Devil.
"After high school, Grayfia-sama. I will ask Minako-sensei to help explain it to them that I am a Devil."
The answer surprised even his own fellow Peerage members, but he soldiered on.
"Minako-sensei told me that she didn't like the way Buchou turned me into a Devil, but if I was given a choice whether to save myself or to turn to a Devil, I would turn into a Devil again. Minako-sensei told me that I was being foolish and naïve, and… I was angry at her." He swallowed, knowing everyone was looking at him now.
"Buchou did so much for me and everyone tried so hard to help me when I was a Devil, so I thought Minako-sensei was wrong, that Devils weren't bad like we read in manga and anime." He flushed when Sirzechs chuckled at that response but he wasn't done yet.
"But then I saw other Devils that aren't as kind as Buchou." His hands clenched when he spoke. "Diodora. That bastard…" Sirzechs' eyes narrowed slightly at that and even Grayfia inclined her head in sympathy. Diodora Astaroth was… a controversial figure in the Underworld now.
He was lauded by the Old Maou Faction for being a 'Devil' while his supporters, the 'new' Devils viewed his actions as atrocious. He couldn't believe that one would enslave their peerage members like that, so he thought, only to be reminded that this was something that was constantly being repeated across history.
Humans, Devils, Deities and even Yokai, all of them had committed the same sin that Diodora Astaroth had committed. It was part of one's nature? A natural behaviour to dominate and to control.
It was the society that determined whether it was lauded or disgraced.
"- I don't want my parents to live a lie. I know that they can accept Buchou, and what I have become. I can't… hide this from them, they deserve to know. If they hate me after knowing, I'll still love them and win them over like how Buchou made Minako-sensei accept Devils now. I'll make them accept that I'm a Devil and support me as I become the strongest Pawn." Issei beamed and Rias blushed, looking awkward while Akeno giggled, one hand resting against her cheek while sighing.
"Who knew that Issei-kun was such a sweet talker eh Buchou~ first in front of Kokabiel and then in front of Sirzechs-sama. Issei-kun, I didn't know you were so…. Hot." She panted the last word out while winking at him and the poor boy sported a nosebleed almost immediately.
"H-Himejima-sempai…" He even drooled a little as Akeno reached to try and cup his chin, only for Grayfia to clear her throat.
"We should be going now, Rias. Come, you too – Sirzechs." The Ultimate Queen pulled a conflicted Rias and amused Sirzechs with her, leaving a distinctively uncomfortable Yuuto and frozen Gasper who were creeping away from the two of them.
"No one will know of this, Issei-kun, an affair is so exciting, don't you think~ Asia-chan and Yuzu-chan won't. Ever. Know." Her hand pulled Issei's to her chest and Yuuto scrambled away, pulling Gasper with him to avoid the inevitable fallout.
..
Kuoh Academy
..
"Waaai~" Kunou dragged Ravel and Annie along as she went from classroom to classroom hoping to see something new and interesting. Kuoh Academy's meet-the-teacher conference was not only just an avenue for parents to know how their child was doing in school, but for the school to attract potential students as the students were allowed to invite their relatives and their friends to the school as well.
The school was washed, cleaned and decorated in a bid to sell itself to it's visitors and all the classes have their own display and theme to add to the festival feel that the entire school was encouraging.
Ravel noted that it wasn't all just fun and games however, each student would be getting a report card about their performance in school. Students who were not performing well would definitely be nervous and dreading that very moment where their failings would be exposed. If there were any in the first place, Kuoh Academy was for the elite and despite the example that of Hyoudou Issei as a representative of problem students, grades wise they weren't too far off the curve. It was baffling to the mind, apparently perverts could study too! Or perhaps she was a little too harsh on them?
Ravel had honestly expected that barring a miracle, Hyoudou Issei would be kicked out of Kuoh Academy for failing grades but had managed to pass the muster this time.
"Oh look at this, Kunou-chan!" Annie squealed as she picked up a soft toy that was part of the display of one of the second year classes.
"It's so cute! Did they really make this?" Kunou gushed as she picked up another soft toy and gave it a tight hug. A few students who had been left to be the hosts of the room hurried over to tell Kunou that they shouldn't be touching the dolls, but also guided them to the side of the classroom where they could learn a little about patchwork.
Like Ravel had suspected, it was fast becoming more of a festival, but she hadn't been to one in Japan... so perhaps she was worked up over the thought of participating in a festival? She was really looking forward to the Hyakki Yago festival that was coming up soon! Minako-sama promised that all of them would be attending. That would be so much fun!
"Are you joining your friends, miss?" One of the students asked her, holding up a few pieces of cloth in front of her cheerfully and Ravel paused before nodding her head. Kunou and Annie were having fun, and she wouldn't be left out!
..
Besides the necessary academic lessons, Kuoh Academy had other classes that bordered on the ridiculous like cooking, handicraft, computing and even ethics. The school was developing well rounded students by exposing them to many subjects and activities to help them find what they were good, or liked doing.
Ravel honestly found that education system to be better than the system the Devils had. There were hardly any schools in the Underworld, and what few there were, they were for the elite, high class pillars and focused primarily on Rating Games and of Devil Etiquette instead of on subjects like History, Literature, Mathematics or Sciences.
Those subjects were not relevant for a Devil due to their Demonic Powers, but as Ravel had learned after attending lessons by the Yokai, that didn't mean they weren't useful to know.
Mathematics were everywhere and knowing about sciences let her add a few tricks up her sleeves that she wouldn't have thought to use in the past.
Besides, it was fun – and like how Atsuko-san had said in the first day she had brought Ravel to sit in those classes.
Knowledge was power, and learning was a joy – unraveling a mystery of the universe brought about it's own joy!
"That was fun! Let's go this place next!" Ravel sighed inwardly as she was tugged along by Annie as they explored the last floor of the school. Besides the basic patchwork session, they had been shown the steps on how to make juice, served tea and biscuits by a cafe and even had the chance to learn how to play shoji by one of the classes.
It had been very fun, but they had to find Yasaka-sama or they'll get worried.
"We shouldn't, we should be finding Yuzu-chan and Asia-chan. It's their day after all." She argued, pulling back for once and that made the other two girls stop.
"Ehh... but I want to go see more of the school." Kunou-chan pouted though, and it wasn't a surprise that the younger girl was feeling a little put out. Yasaka-sama loved all of them, but not equally as she tended to be harsh on Kunou. Ravel knew why though, it was because she had the most expectations for her, but Kunou-chan wouldn't understand that at her level of maturity.
"We can go see more of the school later with them, and we can ask Asia-chan to introduce us to some of her friends." She argued and with Annie nodding her head in agreement, Kunou-chan was appeased.
"Okay, let's go then! Let's make it a game! Let's see who can sense Ka-san first!" Kunou beamed as she pressed her palms together, her chosen way of foci to use senjutsu.
Ravel herself had some experience with senjutsu, but hadn't officially started using it, but Annie had started senjutsu training as she too clapped her hands together and closed her eyes to focus her energy. One of the first applications of Senjutsu that was taught was sensing, and Ravel found herself a little let down that she couldn't use that at all.
Instead she just looked around idly, knowing that she will lose the contest when she noticed something odd.
There were no one else on the same floor as they were, which was odd as they had been walking in the middle of a crowd a few minutes earlier. Right now though, the three of them were in the middle of an empty corridor. It was also quiet, too quiet for it to be natural. It was like the three of them were whisked away to another place without them knowing.
..
"Annie?" She asked in worry, her hands pulling on her friend and Annie's eyes opened in confusion.
"Ravel-chan? Oh..." She blinked in confusion at the same thing she was seeing and the two of them huddled around the quiet Kunou in confusion and worry.
"Oh, Ka-san is in the first floor. What's wrong?" Kunou asked cheerfully as she turned to look at them.
"We have to go to Yasaka-sama now. I don't think it's safe.." Annie whispered, tense as she guided the two of them to an empty classroom before shutting the door behind them.
It was a third year classroom and Ravel noted that the display was about the field trip that they took to Kyoto but it seemed she wouldn't have time to go through it in detail as Annie hurried her to lock the other door before pushing the tables against the door.
"Not safe? Annie...?" Kunou was still having trouble understanding the situation as she helped her push the tables together. If Kunou could still sense Yasaka-sama, then they weren't taken physically taken away but they had isolated them instead. They might be coming for them soon, or they might be waiting for them to make a move.
Ravel's mind went through different possibilities and agreed with Annie's decision to hide in the classroom, it'll allow them to at least see where whoever it was that cornered them here was coming from.
"I don't know what's going on, but I think someone is coming to meet us and they won't take no for an answer." Ravel answered calmly even if her heart was beating fast inside her.
Annie had been a Rook, that meant that Annie was used to fighting in close quarters despite her smaller size. Even without the Rook Evil Piece in her, she was physically strong and she was lifting cabinets and closets to barricade the door with.
Not that it would do much, Ravel felt that anyone who would go the effort to physically or at least manipulate the surroundings to isolate the three of them without them or anyone else noticing, would be stopped by things like closets or tables.
"... if we jump down from the third floor, would you be alright, Kunou?" Annie asked tersely while Ravel winced. She would be fine as she could fly but...
"I need help to hide myself, Annie..."
"Ah right... it'll be odd if someone saw you huh?" Annie bit her lip while Kunou shook her head and beamed.
"I can help with that! And Ravel-chan can fly too right? So she can help me!"
"Can you carry Kunou-chan and fight, Ravel-chan? I don't think it'll be that easy." Annie's question made sense and Ravel shook her head.
"I can, but I don't think they'll let us go that easily. Can we call for help?" Ravel proved her point when she tried the windows and they didn't budge at all.
"Eh... so..." Kunou was cut off when Ravel placed a flaming hand on the windows and cringed when it didn't do anything at all, not even smoking. It was like... stone? She didn't know what to do.
"Right... calling for help seems good now." Annie huffed just as the sounds of knocking could be heard from one of the entrances to the room.
"We would like to speak to Tamamo Kunou please." A gruff voice that suggested a man paused and added on. "We can do without the please, but I'd rather not hurt a child."
..
Tamamo Branch Shrine – Minako's Quarters
..
"I've checked the leylines in Inner Kyoto, Minako. The renovations have helped to better distribute the natural energy of the land." The Shinto Deity Omoikane debriefed Minako while she took notes. Besides the Deity, several of the 'Original Seven' were idling about in her quarters.
Cybele and Scatach, two individuals which always been by her side was sitting in attention too, along with Izanami-Okami, Lilith and Ishtar. The three of them were major players of her long term plans and they were providing input of the construction of Inner Kyoto.
"I'm not too happy about rerouting the leylines from the place that holds my relic."
"It's for the best, Tamamo no Mae – with Kochiyo and your help the sessoseki doesn't need so much power to seal it's destructive powers. Giving the rest of the clan and Yokai access to it would help the defenses." Omoikane replied calmly and Tamamo No Mae huffed in acceptance.
"The stone hasn't recognized any one as the next 'Tamamo no Mae' yet. It's more than a relic, it contained a fragment of my power. How is Kunou progressing with her training, Minako. I know Yasaka won't be the next Tamamo no Mae, especially if Inari Okami likes her." Minako shook her head in negative at the subject of Kunou's training.
The next heir in line to the Tamamo Clan was not serious with her training at all and it concerned Minako. Yasaka had told her that Kunou was a gifted child, her having nine tails at such a young age was a sign of that.
But it could also be the same reason the child was having difficulty learning the ropes, having access to such power at such a young age was daunting.
Kunou was also a natural at senjutsu, which meant she probably would have been exposed to the good and the bad of senjutsu, and considering what she knew of senjutsu, it was a minor miracle she was as positive and energetic as she was.
"Disappointing! I had such high hopes for her. The relic will have to continue to be a relic I guess." Tamamo no Mae sounded disappointed and allowed Omoikane to go on about the plans he had finished finalizing with Yasaka and the leaders of the Tamamo Clan at inner Kyoto.
The Shinto Deity had spent the last few months aiding Inner Kyoto and his presence was very welcomed by them, for the Shinto Deity of Knowledge and Wisdom was more than happy to share his experience and knowledge to those who asked. Unlike Susano-O-sama, he was quite a modest man as well and was well liked by the clan members.
"Is Amaterasu Omikami coming to the meeting as well?" Lilith asked patiently, the human turned Devil turned Fallen had a key role to play in the upcoming meet and she wanted to know who she needed to impress, or to not offend.
It wouldn't do for her to say something that would upset a Goddess who was the literal 'sun' of an entire realm of her own. Being set on fire wouldn't be nice, and it would hit Minako's credibility.
"She hasn't informed me on that, but the chances of her attending to support Minako is high."
"Sharing a stage with a Mother Goddess... that's always fun." Lilith deadpanned and glared at Cybele who chuckled and shrugged.
"Imagine how I feel, I can't show myself, can I? Not that obviously anyway." Cybele gave her comrades a enigmatic smirk that caused more than a few chuckles around the table.
Minako herself had actually dozed off a little at the end of the meeting, the poor girl had been unable to catch as much sleep as she wanted to and having her Personas and allies being autonomous was a godsend to her.
"Let the poor dear rest. It's not like Kochiyo's not resting herself, even if Deities doesn't need to sleep, she's really more unique than others." Scathach commented while scrutinizing the few proposals that had been given to them by the Tengu and the Oni. They wanted to be part of the action too, and wanted to make it a huge festival
The Hyakki Yago was going to be one big one, and they wanted to make such a politically charged event one as well? Well, that's the Yokai way, so she can't fault them for it.
"How's Minako's training with Ame no Uzume by the way? We are looking forward to it." Omoikane beamed eagerly and many of those present laughed at that.
"Well she has always been a genius, so she's picking it fast. Though making it a strip tease is a little too much. I can't forget the face she made when Ame no Uzume tossed off the first pair of clothes." Izanami couldn't help herself as Omoikane blushed and rubbed his forehead.
"I thought we got here to change that part of the dance. We wanted the dance to be dignified and worthy of someone of her standing. Minako is a very special individual." Omoikane nodded sagely while the rest of the Deities, heroes and spirits continued their gossiping session.
..
Kuoh Academy - ?
..
"Kunou-chan, if you get the chance, run. They're after you. We-I'll hold them back. Find a way back to Yasaka-sama. It could be at the entrance of the school." Annie made the snap second decision even as Kunou fumbled with the charm that she had activated to call for help.
Kochiyo had personally designed the seal so that those holding the charms would feel it being activated for Kochiyo to bring them to where the distress signal was heard.
Of course, if Kochiyo didn't sense it, or couldn't pinpoint them, it was only good for alerting them to danger.
Somehow or another, the charm was not working and at the worst possible time. Was Kochiyo-san in danger? Or were they under attack too?
Regardless, they have to protect Kunou-chan. That was their mission.
"I'll create an opening for you. Ravel, please protect Kunou-chan." The more experienced former Devil had only a few minutes, maybe less to craft out a possible plan.
She had participated in some games with her former King, and had retained the experience she had there.
The Rook had located a sturdy enough object to use as a weapon, one of the metal cabinets which she was wielding easily.
"Roger, but wouldn't it be better if you let me have the opening move?" Ravel asked, her voice tight but flames gathering in her hands. But it was too little… oh.
She was just gathering and focusing them into one area to increase the intensity of the flames, it was a good technique and Annie smiled.
It might not stop them, someone who could isolate the surroundings like this was more powerful than all of them combined.
"I want to help too!" Kunou asked, but Annie could see that the Princess of the Tamamo Clan was afraid and that would be a serious liability.
"Kunou-chan, if you get captured, it's all over. Like what Ravel told us about the Rating Games, the King is the most important piece. The best way that you can help now is to not get captured by them." Annie reasoned and Ravel nodded.
"We heard one voice, maybe two, there might be more of them. I'll follow you and cover your escape, we have the best chance of success this way." She sounded bitter but Annie couldn't blame her. She was their distraction, their scapegoat so to speak, but she was fine with it.
From the moment she was saved from Diodora Astraroth she knew it was a second chance, and not all second chances lasted so long, or be so happy.
All Minako-sama asked was to protect hers, and their family with her life, and if that was what it takes to repay her for all she, and her family has done, it was a small price.
"B-But, we're leaving-"
"We're going now." Annie cut her off and she nodded to Ravel, who nodded as well, knowing that they had to nip this in the bud before it got out of hand.
..
With a flick of her wrist, Ravel flung the condensed fireball into the barricaded wall and watched as the tables, chairs and even door melted away easily, parting the path for Annie.
With a snap of her fingers, the fireball erupted and exploded in a large ball of flames, scorching the corridor even as she flung two more fireballs into the midst to clear a path.
The last one, Ravel held in her hands as she pulled Kunou with her, even as Annie darted towards the hole that she created.
They had contemplated burning through the windows or to through the walls covering the outside and escaping that way, but one look had made them ditch the idea.
The place they were in? It had purple skies and thick mist surrounding the area. This wasn't Kuoh Academy and if they escaped that way, they might be going from the frying pan into the fire.
Annie made it into the corridor safely, and she raised and swung the metal cabinet around her repeatedly to ward off any projectiles before pausing slightly to see who her foes were.
"Werewolf… no, Inu Yokai?" The distinctive grey and sharp tipped ears along with yellow, goldish eyes were a dead giveaway to the identity of their potential kidnappers. There were two of them and Annie felt her hopes raise at the small number and then fall as she remembered what Atsuko-san had said about the Inu Yokai.
They always came with packs of at least five to six members.
They were right to ask Ravel to cover for Kunou-chan's escape, there were more of them.
"Oh so you recognize us? You aren't a Yokai yourself…" The pair sniff the air before snorting and bearing their teeth at her.
"Che, a Devil… and you're guarding the Tamamo Brat. I guessed the Foxes are desperate enough to get others to do their dirty work for them." One of them spat before lunging at her without any more small talk.
Annie was glad for that, for she was seeing red at that moment and she swung the metal cabinet with more force than she thought she was capable of.
The metal cabinet crumpled with the impact against the Inu Yokai but it wasn't solely due to Annie's efforts. He caught her attempt with his hand, claw wrapping around it and then crushing it without any effort.
Well, drats. It's not like she expected it to be easy, but this really put a damper on things.
The three of them then blurred into motion, Annie going to hand on hand combat with the two Inu Yokai who lashed out at her with fangs and claws.
The Inu Yokai, were Yokai formed from Dogs or Wolves and like their namesake, operated in a pack where they hunted other Yokai or humans.
Most normally do not belong to a formal clan, but the largest clan that had allied with the Tamamo Clan belonged to the Okuri Clan, which consisted of the Okuri Inu Yokai, the sending off dog that preyed on humans.
It was a huge triumph that Yasaka-sama could negotiate such an agreement with the Okuri Clan, who was an aggressive clan who would attack Yokai and Humans alike.
But they had came to an agreement of tolerated peace, where the Okuri would be part of the police force of the Yokai. The peacekeeping garrison that was still being finalized to enforce the rules that were set by the newly formed Yokai/Shinto Faction.
The full details were kept under wraps, but from what she heard from the grapevine, the Okuri were given a very important position in that particular garrison and were satisfied with their lot.
The other Inu Yokai not of the Okuri clan however were being systematically ostracized by the other Yokai clans, and they hadn't liked the Tamamo Clan nor it's members that much for causing this backlash.
Dogs and Wolves traditionally hunted foxes, and this traditional was the same for Yokai as well as animals.
As Atsuko-san had explained to them, the kitsunes weren't physically strong like the other Yokai. They were strong by human standards, but were at the end of the pack when it came to physical strength.
The Okuri clan came from the Yokai known as the Okuri Inu, or sending off dog, sometimes wolf in mythology. These vicious predatory Yokai fed both on humans and Yokai and were fiercely territorial.
What did it mean for Annie then? Well, it meant that she had to contend with superhuman strength and senses at the very least.
"Good dog!" Annie deadpanned a reply when she delivered a punch at the jaw of the Inu Yokai who had crushed her weapon of choice like it was made of tin, or a juice box.
Her punch was strong enough to break through concrete and the Inu Yokai's body was lifted up like in the movies, but didn't quite give the satisfying crack like it did in films.
With one hand still grabbing the now slightly ruined metal cabinet and threw it behind her, forcing the other Inu Yokai to dodge as the object landed hard on the concrete floor several feet away from them.
"Aren't you going to fetch?" Annie asked even as she dove back into the classroom they had just broken out of. The two Inu Yokai were still going strong despite her catching one off guard.
"That hurt bitch!" The slightly slurred voice gave her some confidence as she had broken his jaw at least. That wasn't all of her strength and Annie took advantage of the slight lull in the battle to grow her devil wings.
She leaped forward, launching her head first to the wall before turning and managing to land feet first instead. Her eyes narrowed in concentration as she bent her knees, she only got one shot at this.
One on one, Annie was confident that she could win, but two against one was too much. The moment Annie had been waiting for arrived when one of the Inu Yokai darted into the room after her through the same hole they had made in the door.
That was dumb, the first move was always a feint!
Coiling her legs like a spring, Annie charged forward like a cannonball rocketing out of a cannon and tackled the startled Inu Yokai who didn't even see it coming.
"RRAGHHH!" He howled as Annie's entire mass barreled into him but she wasn't done yet, her devil wings beat hard and fast and she ran him through several other walls to break free of the school compound.
She was a Devil, and she had learned to fly long ago. Right now however, she had a passenger with her and she delivered several hard punches to the growling Inu Yokai that hadn't quite recovered from the swift and decisive assault that Annie had landed him with.
"Sit, doggie." Annie scowled as she released him, only to catch his arm at the last moment.
"You – Devil!" He managed to shout out just as Annie started swinging him around in the air like a lasso, spinning him to generate enough momentum for even her to feel a little dizzy.
"Perceptive!" Annie shouted before flinging the Inu Yokai to the ground, cracking the ground and creating a huge crater before Annie darted back into the school to finish off the second one.
She had no regrets hurting those that harmed those precious to her and now that they established that this wasn't Kuoh Academy, she could go all out now.
..
"Run Kunou-chan!" Ravel urged her charge even as she flew behind her, backwards hands out stretched to fire more fireballs at the pack of wolves that had appeared out of nowhere.
One moment they weren't there and in the next, they had appeared just in front of them. Senjutsu sensing was next to useless here, Kunou-chan was too panicked to use the ability and she herself had to focus and meditate to use it properly.
"I am running!" Kunou was on all fours, transformed into a gold fox that darted left to right to try and confuse their attackers.
That form also allowed her to run faster than Ravel could fly.
"Stairs, Ravel-chan!" Kunou shouted in warning and Ravel grimaced, knowing that would slow her down if she wanted to cover Kunou-chan's escape.
"To the windows, I'll bring you down!" A fireball later that didn't even scorch the metal made her falter, thankfully Kunou was moving as she made a jumping leap to land on her shoulders.
"Fly, Ravel-chan!" Kunou buried herself into her clothes while Ravel nodded in understanding.
"Let's go!" Flames enveloped her entire body and her wings flapped harder and quicker before she crashed through the window, allowing her to be free.
"Alright! Let's go to the entrance, Ravel-chan!" Kunou's voice, loud, excited and cheerful made Ravel laugh a little before reality kicked in again. They weren't playing here. If they get caught here, they were done.
The Inu Yokai could tear her apart with such numbers, she had driven off three of them earlier and the smallest group had at least five of them when they had appeared to chase them.
"Let's hope we can get out of here." She really really hoped that Annie was okay as she darted towards the entrance of the school, weaving left and right to avoid any potential attackers while flying as fast as she could.
They had quickly confirmed that, yes, this wasn't Kuoh Academy despite looking exactly the same. The crowds were gone, there were no signs of life and not even a peep as they ran down the corridor, leaving Annie to engage the Inu Yokai.
When they made it to the stairs, they were forced to go up when several Inu Yokai leaped at them from the floors below.
It was Ravel's quick thinking and desperation that saved them, the wall of fire erupting in front of them shocking the Inu Yokai as they jumped back in surprise and fear.
They had ran for their lives after that and hadn't looked back since then.
"Do you think Annie would be okay?" Kunou asked uncertainly and Ravel nodded her head.
"Yes she will, didn't you hear her battle cry? She'll catch up soon enough."
..
"Hmm..." Annie's hands crushed a chunk of concrete in her hands in preparation for what was going to happen. The test of strength between her and the Inu Yokai was... painful.
He wasn't markedly stronger than she was, but she had gotten a little rusty and he had pounced on the first opening she had given him. Being grabbed, dragged and tossed against the wall hurt, and it was her own ability as a Holy Maiden: 'She who Protects' that saved her.
Annie's claim to fame was how she was able to shield others from harm with a greenish barrier that she could create. It not only act as a shield, but heals illnesses and wounds slowly.
It was no 'Twilight Healing', it wasn't even a true Sacred Gear, it was like an oddity like telekinesis. It was that power that made Diodora seek her out and Annie had several victories under her name in Rating Games.
She was a Rook that could heal and defend herself, a walking fortress that won her some fame. She could still be picked apart from range by Bishops, but that was neither here nor there.
The Inu Yokai had smashed all the lights with a howl and they were fighting in the dim corridor with plenty of places for cover. She could duck into one of the classrooms, but the last time she tried, he had just crashed through the wall with brute force, intent on taking her down.
"Berserker rage?" Annie wondered as she kept on moving, more for her own sake then actually believing that she could get away.
The Inu Yokai could smell her from a mile away and his eyes would be better than hers in this dim light.
But Annie had hurt him badly too, he had given Annie a few opportunities where she had made it count. His right shoulder was probably dislocated when she had grabbed and pulled at it hard, failing to tear it off, but surely rendering it a liability.
Annie had even recalled landing an axe hammer blow with both hands to the back of his head that should have knocked him out, but only served to make him angrier.
"Well then, I just have to hit him harder, don't I?" Annie smiled, crumbling the concrete to dust before waiting for the Inu Yokai to emerge and he did not disappoint. He crashed through the walls and lunged himself at Annie. The bipedal Inu Yokai was more animal like then he was at the start of the fight, lending credence to her berserker rage theory.
Annie grappled with the monster, leaping backwards to counteract his lunge and the two of them crashed and rolled on the floor, trying to get the other below them for a greater advantage.
Annie was a Rook, and her strength was enhanced beyond that of a normal Devil of her calibre.
But senjutsu, well it enhanced the supernaturally strong Yokai once more, meaning when it came to an outright application of strength, the Inu Yokai won, hands down.
Annie was pinned down on the floor, his claws being held off by Annie's hands that were weakening against his much powerful arms.
"Rgghh..." Annie struggled, her wings flapping pointlessly behind her as the Inu Yokai leaned closer, barring his teeth, snapping it shut once to emphasized the strength those jaws had.
Slobber drooled down on Annie's face, causing her to pale as the teeth came within inches of her neck.
Was everything going to end this way?
"Doggie...stay." Annie growled her ability triggered, the green shield forcing him back to his utmost surprise as Annie's hands got free from the Inu Yokai. He was literally laying on the shield as Annie pulled out a pouch before she scattered the concrete dust in the Inu Yokai's face and blowing it at him to disorientate him.
The concrete dust acted as an irritant that Annie used to her advantage, wrapping the Inu Yokai in her shield while she pummeled him left, right and center.
Her fists were a blur as they slammed against his jaw repeatedly till it was broken, and many of his teeth broken or missing. There was nothing like overkill and she finally ended his misery by doing another axe hammer blow behind his neck, dropping him like a brick.
"Ugh... that was disgusting." Annie wiped the drool off her face, dog slobber, yuck and she shook her head to get herself to come down from the adrenaline rush that was just subsiding.
"Right, time to get Kunou-chan and Ravel-chan." She nodded to herself, doing a bit of Yokai magic to restore her clothes before she froze.
"Eh? This presence?" There was someone else with her right now, someone she didn't want to see ever again. Someone she recognized.
"No, it's not possible." Annie shook in disbelief, fear and uncertainty as she turned around to greet him.
"Hello Annie." The figure smiled casually as he took a step forward, one that Annie responded by taking one back.
"Long time no see."