Side Chapter: Tennis Showdown

A hot summer is coming, and yet for Inuko and the rest, school was still not over.

"Inu-san, what are you doing?" Inuko looked up from her paper to see Asia comes to sit next to her.

"My report."

"Report?"

"You don't think as a high schooler, I am exempted from my family duties?" Asia thought she would. "Even if I have been disowned, I'm still a Kusanagi, and still temporary head. I do have to fill out reports every quarter year of the happenings of the household to turn in to be examined by Nee-chan. Of course, it still is a pain. How many times was it that I lost myself in rage….?" A lot.

"But it looks like you finished." Sure enough at Asia's observations, the paper (papers) was filled with a lot of detail about the recent accounts of her life and that of the households.

"It's still a pain." She bit onto her finger to let blood go out. Since Gasper was also there, he reacted to the scent, but was ignored. Inuko takes out a stamp and uses her blood as the ink, stamping it to the finished documents with her signature. "Done." No sooner did she say that, a white three-legged crow came in through the opened window. At first everyone was surprised, but Inuko calmly put her documents in a folder and handed it to the bird. "Make sure you get there safely." The crow cawed before taking the folder and flying away. Everyone was stunned. Did Inuko just give her documents to a bird?

"Eh? Eh? Eh?"

"Don't look so surprised, Asia-chan. You can consider that crow a part time familiar of my sister."

"How so?"

"It really belongs to my 2nd sister in law. But since Nee-chan is the one evaluating me, and I think THEY'RE together right now, that crow will take those papers to Nee-chan." Licking her wound clean, she takes out another set of paper. "Now for the other business to take care off."

"What's that?" Koneko asks.

"Restaurants." Inuko pulled out a map and several take out menus. "I gotta plan my route for summer."

"Glutton."

"But Koneko-chan, there are many places that give all-you-can-eat-sweets for the summer." She shows one poster saying such. Koneko was now interested, and joined in. Yuuma came by with some iced tea and sat beside Inuko who was tracing her route and eating the onigiris she had brought. Kiba and Xenovia were playing shogi. Looking at the match, it seemed that Xenovia was losing.

"Oute. It's my win."

"Muu, I have no more options. Looks like it is my loss."

"…With this, it is Xenovia-san's five losing streak." The one watching the match was Miltelt. The two fallen angels have now been intergrated in the ORC. Two reasons: Yuuma wanted to be with Inuko, and Miltelt was protecting Inuko, against her will or she'll be killed by Seika, and she did NOT want to experience the 'touch of death' again.

"Buchou is still taking long, though. I imagine that giving two reports wouldn't be much trouble."

"Ufufu. You sure know what is going on, Inuko-kun." Akeno walks to place some tea near the box. "Here you go, Gasper-kun."

"T-T-Thank you, Akeno-oneesama." The damphir in the box slowly crept out to take the tea, but quickly went back with the glass.

"We're gonna have to work on that, Gasper."

"B-B-B-But!"

"I'll let you off cause it's too damn hot right now."

"Ara, but we have the air conditioner on at high cool already, Inuko-kun."

"It's my internal rage, Akeno-san. I haven't cooled off for a while." Inuko guzzles down her glass. Akeno knew that she and Rias' 'treatment' have already been going on everyday after during breaks, and she has also been attending to the need of her more battle-hungry clients. But Inuko still had some bouts of rage. Who wouldn't when one of the people they really want to kill (Azazel) is so close to them and she just can't? "I need something cold, anything will do. At least some sherbet or cold fruit salad."

"Nii-chan, nii-chan!" Nina comes in via blue magic circle. It was a special circle made especially for Nina. Seika was with her, holding a cooler. "I thought you'd be heating up by now, so I made some cold gelatin to share with everyone." The doors burst open after that.

"I heard gelatin!" Neptune presented herself. Then saw her pops. "Pops? Oops, sorry, I'll come back later. Cool off, okay."

"I have good kids."

"Well, put, father. Please say ah."

"Now Vert, when did you get here?" Like she said, Vert was there holding out a spoon of cold jelly to Inuko's mouth, that she accepted. After being fussed about who gets to feed her (which eventually ended up being Seika), Rias come in.

"I'm back. I just returned now." Inuko greets her.

"Welcome back, Buchou."


During the Occult Research Club conference, Buchou began a discussion while putting on a troubled face.

"I have to hand in the club activity report."

"The devil club activity report, right?"

"Yes, are you handing in yours?"

"Why should I?"

"Because you're the president of the Pretty Girl Defense Force."

"Dammit, the name stuck." Inuko wondered why in the world was 'pretty' in that name. She waves it off. "No, I only gave them my name, the kids are the ones that will do that. Besides, they don't really need to since they are not within the devil side, but the Kusanagi's."

"I see. Then, back to my report. As usual, let's go and ask the knowledgeable Kappa who lives in the swamp located on the outskirts of town."

"Are you talking about the same Kappa who returned to his homeland? He said that he will inherit the family business to cultivate cucumbers."

"…So he returned to his homeland. That would be a more stable future, rather than aiming to become a rapper."

"It was a lost cause."

"Eh? A-a rapping Kappa?" Asia looked confused. Yuuto explained.

"The Kappa left its home because it didn't want to inherit the family cucumber business and started living in this town. It was fond of rapping. I often listened to his song, 'Shirikodama Rhapsody'."

"….The light of the town which dries my plate, my anger which cannot be conveyed, I will just take your shirikodama." Koneko started to rap.

"Koneko-chan was his fan." Yuuto says.

"He was decent enough." Inuko comments.

"But it seems like he went to his homeland because his father got a 'plate shortening disease'. His family has a rare and old youkai way of cultivating cucumber, so with this they would be able to pass on the traditions."

"They have very good cucumbers." Inuko nods to herself.

"Then it looks like we have to ask the gossip loving Dullahan that lives in the old mansion located in the fourth district." A Dullahan refers to a headless armored Knight. It rides on a huge horse while carrying its head with its arm. It's a monster which declares peoples death and it mainly lives in Europe.

"I have defeated those a couple of times." Xenovia proudly says. Inuko then says something.

"Buchou, that Dullahan had a serious hernia a few days ago and is hospitalised now."

"Really?" Rias looks to Akeno who confirms Inuko's words with a nod. "I see, looks like Dullahan is also having difficulties." Inuko then pointed to herself.

"Buchou, Buchou, you have me, you know." Inuko smiles. "I can provide you an amass of information if you need to."

"…" Rias looks at that smile. Something was really off. It was like it was telling her the info she would get would be REALLY expensive… "No thank you."

"Why not?"

"For some reason, I feel that I would owe the Kusanagi family instead of you. Besides I still have to pay for Gasper's medium."

"Tch, she figured it out." Inuko clicked her tongue. Rias' instincts were correct. Inuko points to the box.

"Then Buchou, how about we submit a report about a rare 'Vampire in a box'? I don't think there are any vampires who go inside a box rather than a coffin."

"S-S-Senpaiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! W-What are you sayinnnnng!" The box screamed. Inuko approached the box and tapped on it.

"You are Buchou's servant, so you will have to cooperate. Let's send you off to the underworld as a part of the report."

"Uwaaaaaaaan! I….I will be shipped away by Inu-senpaaaaai!"

"Nii-chan! Stop being mean!" Nina whacks her with impromptu paper fan.

"Ouch." Inuko rubbed her head. "Sorry." Rias sighs again. Inuko looks to her. "You know there is another way, right? Someone in this academy, right?"

"Yes, I do." Rias nods at her question. "You're talking about the human who is very knowledgeable about monsters in this academy."


HIT HIT

The sound of a racquet hitting a ball was coming from the tennis court. Inuko had walked with Rias to the tennis courts. Inuko was all the while looking at the girls wearing bloomers under their skirts.

"Man, what legs…" Inuko started drooling had not Rias pinched her.

"Ah! It's Sir Kusanagi!"

"Oh, please look this way Sir Kusanagi!"

"I feel that I can do more than ever with her here."

"Now if only Kiba-kun come too."

"Man, why do they call me sir. I'm not a man for god sakes." Rias looks at her.

"Inuko, how much do you know of her?"

"I know her personally, if that's what you're looking for, Buchou." Inuko just smiles mysteriously, that was all the answer she was going to give. Then they heard the footsteps of a horse.

"Ohohohoho! How are you doing, Rias-san! It's very rare for you to come here! So I welcome you!" A woman appeared while making a big laugh on top of a big horse! She has her brown hair twirled in a roll elegantly. "Kusanagi-kun, you are here as well. Have you finally decided to accept my offer?!" The girl was estastic at see Inuko who waved at her.

"Hello, Kiyome-sempai." The girl was Kiyome Abe, the captain of the tennis club. But Inuko also knew she was a beast tamer. How did she know? Well… "The answer is still no."

"A pity, you would have been perfect to be tamed. Then I could have had your children." She happened to be one of those girls after Inuko.

"I doubt anyone can tame me."

"Just you wait." Inuko ignores that and waves to the horse.

"What are you doing with Honda's horse and body? Isn't bringing in a monster within the campus against school rules?"

"You know that Mr. Smith's head was hospitalized, right? During the time that its head is hospitalised, the body-kun can act by himself correct? That's why I'm taking care of it along with the horse. But I thought giving them free food won't be good, so I gave them jobs to do. As the tennis club's mascot character! Dullahan, the "Headless Honda-kun"! The watermelon is a replacement for his head! Don't you think it fits with the season for summer?"

"I guess you have a point. What do you think, Buchou?"

"We can't help it if it is a mascot."

"Kaichou said the same thing and agreed with it." Kiyome says.

"Kyaa! Honda-kun! Your western armour is also shinning today!"

"A headless mascot is a new type of vibe indeed! So cute!" He started receiving cheers from the girls over the fences! The Dullahan responds back by wavering his hands.

"Kusangi-kun should wear that armor!"

"She'd looked so dreamy!"

"I want her as my knight in shinning armor." It seemed the girls' fantasies were going wild again. And Inuko didn't even do anything this time.

"So then, Rias-san. What business do you have with me?"

"The captain of the tennis club, Kiyome Abe-san. I'm sorry to bother you, but may I interview you who is a beast tamer? I would also be happy if you would tell me a few things about the monsters and youkai that you have under your control." Rias asks her, but…..

"No, I don't want to." Kiyome refuses immediately. "Why do I have to explain myself to you who is a devil? I'm grateful for having been accepted on this campus when I am from a special background, but this and that would be two different things correct? It also seems like Rias-san has connections with many people from different industries, so there won't be any reason for you to interview me specifically correct?" Rias continues calmly.

"So won't having a connection with me be beneficial then?" Kiyome laughs loudly, while putting her hand on her mouth.

"Ohohohohohohohoho! You have quite the confidence in yourself! But having a connection with you feels like it will become scary afterwards! So at the same time I would also like to have a relationship with Kaichou while distancing ourselves. A trade with a devil needs to be done carefully or else I might have my soul taken away correct?"

"….." Rias put on an astonished face at Kiyome's words. Inuko couldn't help but pity Rias. This is how non-devil people think of them. Inuko has seen enough in her time to see the various interaction of devils, angels, fallen angels, and other creatures with humans. Often those reactions differed within a given group. For non-devils, devils are symbols of evil. A contract would mean paying the price of something equivalent. So contracts with devils might be thought of as something scary. Even Rias was making a bitter smile.

"Nowadays, we don't do such serious things you know? I will just invite you for tea or dinner normally. Will you still not accept it?"

"The tea made by Akeno-san is the best!" Inuko included. "Come now , Kiyome-sempai. Won't you do it for an old friend?"

"I would think of us as more than old friends, Kusanagi-kun. But…." Kiyome puts on a lecherous smile. "Ufufufu, I just thought of something interesting. It won't be fun if we do this for free. So how about this? Let's have a tennis match between me and the monsters under my control against Rias-san and the Occult Research Club? How about if the loser has to obey whatever the winner says for free?"

"Ara, that seems interesting. I also know how to play tennis. So if we win, how about you cooperate with the interview for our report then? So what would you desire if you win, Kiyome-san?" Kiyome then looks at me and takes a good look at me. Inuko suddenly looks tired.

"I get her."

"I knew it." Inuko sighs. So it was like this again. An attempt to get her.

"If I win, then I want her. A rare dragon would be the best indeed! She not only possesses the Welsh Dragon, but she is a Kusanagi. Single at that. So what do you-"

"No." Rias rejects it immediately with a smile. Her smile was giving out a scary atmosphere. She pulls Inuko to her, so the tomboy won't be taken away. "This is my important servant. If it's a wish like that, then I won't let you touch her." Seeing Rias's reaction, Kiyome makes a sigh.

"Then, let's make it that we never had this discussion—"

"We agree with your condition." Then someone agrees to Kiyome's condition. When Inuko turned around, it was Akeno. She seemed to be having sparks all over her. She was also smiling that scary smile. "If we win, we will have Kiyome-san help us with our report. If Kiyome-san wins, then rather than take her, you will borrow Inuko-kun temporarily. You are okay with those conditions, correct?"

"Hold on Akeno!" Rias tries to argue with Akeno, but Akeno then says it.

"Buchou, we just have to win. If we win, then everything will be solved." Rias tries to say something to Akeno, but… She made a sigh and nods.

"Yes, I understand." Getting Rias's approval, Kiyome laughs loudly.

"Ohohohohohoho! Then it is settled! The truth is, it would be foolish for you to challenge me who is the captain of the tennis club! So train as much as you can! My adorable monsters that I am in control of can play tennis perfectly as well!"

"I will show you how high-class devils play tennis. I won't hand over my adorable Inuko to you!"

"I'm looking forward to it! Ufufu. Oh yes, if I get Kusanagi-kun, then I will adore her in a different way." Both of them put their faces closer and laugh. Scary! Their faces are smiling but people close can sense murderous intent from them! Both of them are serious! Inuko just sighs.

'I became the object of a bet again….'

"I'm sorry, Inuko-kun." Akeno apologises while hugging Inuko. The tomboy marveled at the sensation of her breasts. "If I didn't say that, then Buchou's objective wouldn't progress at all. I will also do my best for the tennis match."

"It's fine. But…."

"But?"

"One more thing." Kiyome points to Inuko. "As Kusanagi-kun is the object of my bet. I forbid her to be used for this match." Inuko sighs again, despite feeling the mounds on her body.

'I so knew it.'


The next day was the day of the match. Inuko just sat at the side lines, looking a bit glum. She did want to play after all but after a certain incident that involved a very ruined tennis court and several broken equipment, Inuko could understand why Kiyome would not allow her to play again in her courts. Oh well, at least she had popcorn. And the familiars who came to watch as well. Honda was also there beside her, waving a flag with Kiyome's picture on it.

"Ufufu. I will applaud you for not running away." Kiyome who was waiting for them at the tennis court welcomes them with a suspicious smile.

"We will have ourselves win today." Rias declared it confidently! She really is eager to do this! Also, since Inuko couldn't participate, Miltelt and Yuuma, who were also members of the ORC, were replacing her in matchups.

"There would be two single matches and one double match. The team who gets two victories wins. Rias-san and I will have to participate. The remaining players will be determined by drawing lots." The drawing lot was prepared by Kiyome. She sure has good preparations.

"Singles."

"Singles." The singles would be Akeno and Xenovia.

"Doubles." Rias will be one of the players for the doubles! Her partner is …Yuuma pulls out the red tip.

"….Doubles…."

"Looks like my partner is…Yuuma-san." The fallen angel looked at her. Rias narrows her eyes at her. "Let's do our best."

"…..Yes, Buchou-san….." Yuuma countered with the same eyes. A double matchup with two rivals as partners, Inuko was going to somewhat enjoy this.


The first match starts with Akeno. Her opponent is….

"MASTER!" It was a girl monster who has both arms as wings. And she ran straight for Inuko.

"Ufufu. It seems you still have the affinity for monster, Kusanagi-kun. Perfect when I acquire you!"

"What have you been teaching these girls?" Inuko asks exasperated while trying to pull off the girl. "She's your Harpy. Control her!"

"Oh, but she mates with you, it would be marvelous."

"I'm not a damn sex machine! And stop tempting me like that!" Inuko snaps her fingers. Shirahime and Kurohime start growling at the harpy. White lightning and black flame ready to erupt. Even Hitohime was trying to get a flame going.

"Eek!" The harpy, afraid, starts flying back to Kiyome's side.

"Ufufu…" Akeno's smile was getting scary after seeing that harpy being so affectionate towards, lightning was around her. "I will win this."

"Akeno, you have my permission to bring her down." Rias commands, red aura around her.

"Yes, Buchou~"

"Akeno-san, do your best!" Inuko cheers. And the match starts. Akeno was dominating this fight.

"Ara ara. You are full of openings, Harpy-chan!"

"Iyaaan! This devil onee-san is so strong!" She literally showed no mercy towards the bird girl. And with that, the match ends in Akeno's victory. Inuko sighs in relief.

'So far so good….'


The next match was Xenovia's

"Now, it's my turn." She heads to the court while spinning her racket. Xenovia said she doesn't have much experience in sports involving balls, but she has amazing athletic talent so she would definitely pull it off!

"Pleased to have you challenging me." Xenovia's opponent is a woman who's lower half body is that of a snake. It was a Lamia. And also…. "It's the master!" Just like the harpy, the minute the lamia saw Inuko, and rushed to hug the tomboy. "Are you finally going to take mistress as your wife? Please say yes! And allow me to have your children as well!"

"Seriously, Kiyome! What are you teaching your girls?!" Inuko tries to get out of the coil. She really could, but is extremely tempted to stay due to the breasts pressed on her face.

"OHOHOHOHO! I only tell them the inevitable, that you will be my husband."

"Have you even passed my sister's test?!"

"Not at all!" Inuko sighs at the confident tone Kiyome used. She snaps her fingers again. The dragounds respond, the lamia runs. The match starts, but…

"Mggh! You are pretty good!" Xenovia was having a hard time!

"Over there!" The snake girl's lower body allowed her to be in control of her court without moving but just stretching her body. And just like a snake, she is persistent and she can endure normal attacks! She's one of those types who wait for the overturn victories.

"I'm sorry; it was due to me being weak." Xenovia apologises to Rias. At the end of a long match, Xenovia lost! One win and one loss. Inuko's stomach starts to turn. Now it was Rias' and Yuuma's turn.

'Please Rias, Yuuma. Win. I'm too young to lose my freedom.' And still she eats more candy despite the upset stomach.


"I ended up coming out for the doubles match as well. My partner is…Yuki-onna. Come here, my adorable Yuki-onna-chan!" The minute Kiyome said that. Inuko pulled out a blind fold and covered herself.

"Shirahime, Kurohime." The two dragounds look at her. She speaks in Dragon tongue. "Do not let that Yuki-onna near me at all!"

""Yes, master!"" The two respond with vigor.

"Hokyooooooooooooooooooooooou!" From the crowd of monsters, a white gorilla makes a howl as she runs forth to the courts.

BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG!

It started banging on its chest with its thick arms like a drum. Kiyome then introduces the gorilla.

"I will introduce you to her. She is Christie a Yuki-onna and also known as a yeti(Female)." The minute the gorilla saw Inuko, it started to make its way to her, but white lightning and black flame stopped her. The dragounds would not let this one near its master at all. "Kusanagi-kun, that is mean of you. Christie is really happy to see you."

"I'm not interested in Yuki-onnas 500 years and younger." Inuko blantently says. "Come back in 1000 years." While the appearance of a Yuki-onna is that of a gorilla, in matter of time, about 500-600 years, they learn to shift their appearances to be beautiful women who tempt men to their frozen deaths. The younger ones usually protect the mountain by warding off the men.

"Uho-uho." The gorilla was sad, but Inuko threw her some bananas from her basket and she was happy again.

"Master, why the blindfold?"

"Yuuma, your master has dreams." Inuko was crying in the blindfold. "Although I really want to see you and Buchou in those miniskirts, and marvel at those legs, I have to preserve my dreams. My vision of Yuki-onnas must not be shattered!"

"Reality is more strange than what is said in books. Inuko, keep that in mind."

"That's why I have this blindfold on, Buchou. Reality is reality, but let me keep my dreams!" Inuko starts yelling. "Please win, the both of you. Don't let me get taken away."

"If that is master's wish, then I shall gladly grant it!" Yuuma was on fire at being told Inuko was cheering for her. Rias was also in stance.

"Do not worry, Inuko. I will not let my adorable servant get taken away!"

"Ohoho, this match is as good as mine." Kiyome laughed confidently, while Christie was swinging a large custom-made racket. The death match was about to start. Rias won the coin toss and chose to serve order, and Kiyome got the right to choose which side of the court to use.

BOUNCE BOUNCE

Rias bounces the ball on the ground a few times, and then throws it up high. She then smashes it! The ball which is hit by her bounces once on the opponent's court and Kiyome hits it back! Then their rally started. Inuko could tell by the sounds that neither Yuuma nor Christie has moved from their spots yet, but Christie was emitting some type of pressure.

"Christie! The ball went to your way!" Kiyome shouts.

"Uho!"

BANG!

"!? Yuuma, dodge that!" Inuko shouts, Yuuma did so. The ball went straight pass her very quickly and…..

BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANG!

"Kiyome, that was too much! That ball blew up with that. At that rate, she'll destroy the courts like I did!"

"Christie, exercise a little more control." Kiyome scolds after Inuko had a point.

"Uho…" Christie nods. And the match continues, but when Yuuma tried to serve back, Christie opened her mouth.

BUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!

A blizzard is coming from Christie's mouth!

FREEZE

And the breath froze Yuuma's hand. She couldn't serve back.

"Ohohohoho! Looks like it is our victory!" By the sounds around her, Inuko could tell Rias also took damage from that freezing breath. At this rate, she was going to become Kiyome's husband!

'No choice.' She really had to use her one last resort. She calls out. "Rias!" The said girl blushed at her name being called. "Yuuma!" The fallen angel straightens up. "If you both win…." Inuko takes a deep breath before she continues. "I promise, I'll go out on a date with each of you. Wherever, whenever. And I won't talk back." The offer, that one offer brought great results.

DON! DON!

And simultaneously, Rias and Yuuma's aura's shot forth. Warming their bodies and melting the ice.

"Buchou-san, let us please coorperate."

"Yes, I think that is most beneficial at this time." With those aura out, the match was good as theirs.


"It is our loss. It can't be helped, I will participate in your interview." Kiyome says that while looking so devastated. Who knew if you motivated the right people with the right offer, they can obliderate any genius at their field.

"Not only that." Inuko had long taken off the blindfold and was walking towards Kiyome. She puts a hand on Kiyome's shoulder and smiles. "I believe I'm entitled to a wish as well, given that you didn't even let me play." Kiyome looks in fear at that smile.

"H-hai…."

"Kiyome-sempai, do you know what today is?" Kiyome tries to think. Then remembers and shudders.

"?! K-K-K-Kaguya's moon…"

"Yup."

"Wait, Kusanagi-kun! I-" The smile on Inuko seemed to have intensified and a dragon aura was shooting forth. Kiyome sighs in defeat. "….I'll be there."

"Looking forward to it. So-tan and Tsubaki-san must have gotten the sticky rice by now."

"Inuko, what do you mean?" Rias looks puzzled. Inuko smiles back at her, excited.

"Time for you girls to pay your housing fees."


"I so love Kaguya's moon." Inuko sighs into her sake cup.

"I agree Inu-chan." Mizuki sighs as well. The night was young, but the full moon was up. It actually seemed brighter than usual, but only those with special insight would be able to tell, others would just go on with their lives, not really knowing the significance of this night. "The full moon is nice and bright, the sake is great and cold. And of course…." She smiles lecherously at the sight. "The moon rabbits are sexier than ever." What she means was the sights of Rias and the other girls pounding mochi. With the exception of the Kusanagi siblings, who were all wearing yukatas (Inuko in a hakama), the girls were all wearing bunny suits, all tailored to be a tight fit. Not that they could argue right now, since Mizuki was watching them and was expecting good mochi if they wanted to keep staying. Even Sona and Tsubaki were pounding mochi too, wearing those outfits. The goddesses were also pounding mocha, but they were wearing kimonos and bunny ears.

"This so makes up for the lost chance of seeing those legs…." Inuko was drooling and bleeding at the sight of the girl's outfits. Mizuki wipes it off.

"Oh, don't worry, Inu-chan. Our satellite feed got the match. I'll just edit those shots of Christie."

"I love you so very much, Nee-chan."

"Why do I have to wear this as well?!" Kiyome was always there pounding mocha. She was also wearing the bunny outfit.

"This is payback to for not letting Inu-chan play." Mizuki smiles. Kiyome sighs in defeat and continues to pound. One knows never to argue with the Head Kusanagi, especially if she can kill you with one smile.

"Ummm, is it alright for us to not help?" Yuuto asks. He and Gasper weren't helping, instead they were seated close, wearing special kimonos. Gasper had his mask on too. Mizuki points her fan at them.

"You two are the people from the Moon capital. You task is to be by Princess Kaguya."

"And who's playing Princess Kaguya?"

"Who else, Yuuto?" Just as Inuko says that, Nina walks to them in a fully garbed kimono, complete with gold headdressing. "Meet our Princess Kaguya."

"I'm all ready." Nina takes her seat on a bamboo patterned cushion. Seika walks to them in a black and white yukata with the frilly headpiece. Upon seeing Koneko, Miltelt, and Asia, she pulls out a long range camera and proceeds with photographs.

"S-s-so…" Gasper wills the courage to ask. "What's the signifance of this night?"

"It's an anniversary, Gasper-chan. I'm sure you know about the tale of the bamboo cutter, right?" The two nod. "Today is the day Kaguya is taken to the moon capital, so we celebrate by making mochi as the moon rabbits did to celebrate Kaguya's return." Mizuki slightly laugh. "Of course we can't let the moon capital people take our "Kaguya." We'll kill them. So you two are the replacements." The two nod again while sweating. Even this Kusanagi says scary things with a smile. Inuko takes another cup as she gives a finished dango to her little sister.

"This is good. They're doing excellent work."

"You hear that, girls." Inuko calls out. "Just finish that load and you're done." The girls all yell 'yes!'


"Man, this is a nice anniversary." Inuko comments. With the mocha pounding done, the girls in bunny suits changed to yukatas as well, and were enjoying the dangos and mochis thye pounded. Even Kiyome invited her monster girls, and they were more than welcomed, provided they don't go near Inuko.

"It's a shame it only comes, once every 5 years. And not many people remember it."

"Isn't that why we're celebrating it right now? We do not forget. I think that is most important. "

"Hmmm, so true." And Mizuki and Inuko toast their moon-viewing sake.

"Ufufu." Akeno glomps on Inuko's back. "Inuko-kun, were you turned on seeing me in that outfit?"

"I would have liked to get a feel, but children are here." Inuko counters with a smirk.

"Then, let's do it tonight." Akeno whispers seductively. "When we're alone."

"Hmmm…." Inuko pretended to actually think about it.

"That's enough, Akeno!" Rias pulls her away. "Don't even think about it, Inuko! You promised me a date!"

"Then will you model your tennis outfit for me to make up for my loss?"

"…." Rias blushed at the question.

"I will do it for you, master." Yuuma answers with a straight face.

"Thanks for the eye feast, Yuuma. I'll make sure to make our date unforgettable."

"Wait a minute, Inuko!"

"Don't worry, Buchou. I'll go out with you first."

"That's…." Rias was loss at words, while Inuko smiles knowingly.

"That's what you want, right?"

"Yes…" Rias couldn't deny it. The tomboy laughs while listening in to her kids.

"Man, we did an amazing job!"

"Of course, Neptune. Since I was the one who pounded it, it was a guaranteed success." Noire brags.

"I pounded too, you know."

"Yes, Blanc, we know. They're good as well." Vert commented as she bit into the dango.

"Thanks, Vert."

"But I think we're great too!"

"We did…..our best…" Ram puff up her chest, while Rom hid behind her.

"That's right. We all did it together." Nepgear states, while Uni was mumbling about embarrassing words.

"I had fun beating up the rice." Peashy waves her arms excitedly. "Right, Ploot?"

"…..zzzzzz….."

"Oh my, is she asleep?" Vert looks over, indeed Plutia was out cold. Inuko looked over, and she can also see that Nina was bobbing her head up and down, her eyes droopy.

"It is well into the night. I think we should go to sleep."

"You have a point, Inu-chan. Take Kiyome home, will you?"

"Will do." Despite the protest from Rias, Inuko got up and proceeded to escort Kiyome to her home.


"I couldn't believe that the rumors were true." Inuko looks back when Kiyome stopped walking. "You really are a devil."

"Yes…"

"Turn back!"

"…." Inuko was silent even after Kiyome grabbed her shirt.

"Turn back to human! I know you can do that! Everyone of us know you can do that!" She was of course referring to the 500 other girls who were vying to be Inuko's wife. Inuko just closes her eyes and gently grabs onto the hand to let her go.

"You're right, I can." Inuko opens her eyes and looks at her. "But I won't."

"Why….?"

"Because this is my fate. I will not deter from it."

"Kusanagis can go against their own fates!" Inuko smirks as she heard that well known phrase. It was true, but….

"Not this Kusanagi." And continues to walk. Kiyome and her monster girls follow behind.


Once Kiyome and her girls were back home. Inuko made her way back. Stopping, she called out.

"You've been following me for a while, Rias." Rias steps out from the pole, caught. Inuko looks back. She could see the forlorn look. "You heard, I take it?" Rias just runs.

HUG

And hugs Inuko's arm tightly, as she would leave her is she didn't. Inuko smiles reasurringly.

"I'm not going anywhere."

"But you can." Rias counters, tears almost coming.

"But I won't." Inuko counters back. Rias looks up, and Inuko wipes thoses tears away.

"Does Sona know this?"

"She's was already a member of my family. She knows. After all, nothing is impossible for a Kusanagi."

"That's right." Rias laughs sadly. "I keep forgetting that nothing seems impossible for you." The laugh broke Inuko's heart. She couldn't bear this.

"Rias." The girl looks up and Inuko captures her lips in kiss. The kiss was long and Rias could feel their tougues dancing. When they parted for breath, Inuko whispers to her ear. "I'm not invincible. I too have weakeness. But for someone I value, I will become anything for them."

"Inuko…."

"That's it, Rias. All you have to do is call my name." Inuko lightly kisses her forehead. "And I promise I will come." And they walk back home in silent. Rias still clinging to her arm, but now a small smile adorned her face.


The next day.

"Kusanagi!" Kiyome burst into the club room. "I demand a match for your hand!"

"I feel this is reveresed somehow. Shouldn't I be doing that?" Inuko comments while in mid eating her noodles. The girls were all in red at seeing the tennis captain openly declare for Inuko's love. "And wasn't I banned from any sports because I damaged the grounds in the past?! I can't play tennis!"

"Ohoho. That might be true for tennis. However…." She snaps her fingers. The harpy and lamia bring in a table. "But it is different if it is table tennis!"

"Dammit, she has a point."

"Now wait just a minute, Kiyome-san." Rias stands up. "Inuko doesn't need to challenge you. She is my servant, she dones't need to do so!"

"Hoho, but I'm not challenging her because she is a devil!" She dramitacally points her paddle at Inuko. "I challenge as a Kusanagi. She cannot deny."

"She's right. I can't. Every girl who wants to be my wife has a chance." Rias couldn't protest as Inuko quickly slurps her noodles and takes her place at the side. Kiyome holding the ball and paddle. "Two out of three. I'm still not done eating."

"Accepted!" And the new tennis game began, with the girls cheering for the tomboy. Inuko's love was on the line again. When will this end for her?


Author's Note: Here it is. Next up is my version of Hell Teacher Azazel. And this will be two part, since I'm not going to use a couple of the dxd original short stories (like memories of oppai. though I wanted to, my inner author smacked me).

Author's Note 2: In case you are curious, the three-legged white crow is reference to Tetragrammaton Labyrinth. It is a sign that God has come to earth. In this case, it's a sign Mizuki has her eyes on Inuko.

Author's Note 3: Fellow readers, I'm considering putting on Seika's profile after Book 7. Since I'm doing a double feature during the my version of the The Fun Family of the Gremory. What do you think?

Author's Note 4: Also Inuko's and Nina's profiles will be updated soon to include some nicknames. I forgot to add those the last time. Thank you.