About the whole "Lunch off Campus" thing.

Apparently, I was the only one who actually wanted to forget what happened this morning. The very moment I stepped inside the student council room, I was nearly shoved through the wall as a bombardment of questions suddenly slung themselves at me.

I couldn't even register what was actually being said, as a warm body firmly attached itself to my arm, her amethyst eyes and rosy cheeks stared up at me, giving me the only question I heard.

"Can I have more?"

I practically went nuclear as my face flushed like a bonfire, "W-w-what?"

Rias sighed, standing in front of me, "Last night, Akeno and I were healing you, something that speeds up the more skin contact you have. Apparently, your own energy managed to trickle out during this process…it has quite the touch." she said, tapering off in volume as she went…holy shit she was blushing like mad too. "Akeno absorbed more than she probably should have."

Sona watched all this with Tsubaki nearly losing her eyeballs as they threatened to pop out at a moment's notice. I honestly wasn't sure this was a good idea.

"It would be good to know. Maybe it serves more purposes than pleasure for them. Maybe a power up, or some other effect? Only use your Healing aspect for these…tests. I don't want to see these Devils lose their sanity over a shot of Wrath."

That made me pale.

It was obvious that the raw energy was a bit too potent…could I dilute it?

"The 17th was a negotiator, he used his healing energy in the form of perfume, letting it radiate around him, and naturally diffuse tension between multiple parties."

I blinked, before I closed my eyes…radiate...so…shine? My stomach warmed as soon as the image came to mind, and I exhaled as I opened my eyes, I was glowing faintly, as if my skin had gained a new luster. Akeno's grip loosened slightly as she absorbed the calmed energy. Rias was feeling it even without contact, but it seemed to be calming down her blush, and bringing her into a more relaxed state.

"It's a lot less…active, than I remember." She commented, and I nodded, "I've…done that on purpose. You could say I learned my lesson."

Akeno reached up, pulling at my chin as she got as close as she could.

"Teach me some more some time." she said in a sultry tone, and I made a mental note to bring a tack around with me from now on. I gotta help myself somehow.

I pinched my own thigh as hard as I could, getting off the thought, "So, why are we all here? I doubt it was just about…that."

Rias nodded, pulling Akeno off of me with a look and a prod, and I breathed a sigh of relief. "So?"

Rias leaned against Sona's desk, and started speaking, "Issei was attacked, again, by a Fallen Yesterday. Apparently, the Nun from before is involved with them, and they've made a base of operations in the old Church just outside town."

I frowned, "Isn't this region your territory?"

She nodded slowly, "It's true that this is my territory, and they shouldn't be making moves whilst here without my knowledge. Issei is rather attached to the nun, so I'd imagine something is going to happen there tonight. Issei said something about their discussing a "ritual", which I will admit is cause for concern, but even then we must tread carefully. Technically, we would be in the right, but if its more than just a few Fallen, I am not sure we would be able to handle it alone…a War could spring from this if more forces convene."

That is a serious problem, I could agree with that.

"So, is this a warning to be careful, or are you asking me if it's within my power to shut them down?"

She blinked in surprise, "Do you believe that you can handle this? There is at least three confirmed Fallen, possibly more, with a large number of Exorcists as well. There is no such thing as "one exorcist"."

"You are granted resistances to light and Holy power, but to do that, you will need to channel more of the power…the piece may break."

I wasn't sure how I felt about that…sad, alert…relieved? Maybe this was a good way to separate, to blame it on something else and just leave it at that. I…unfortunately was rather adept at fighting multiple opponents. I was always a target for that kind of thing.

Granted a group of kids couldn't equal the battle here, but it was something.

"I can." I said, shocking the whole room, "My Curse is almost kitted to handle them, I have…resistances to Light and Holy power. It is possible for me to go in, and have a good shot at winning. I could definitely be a human shield if it came to it, however, to channel that amount of power…the piece may break." I said solemnly, and Rias immediately spoke.

"No. I won't place you in jeopardy for a nun of the Holy Church. I already have no obligation to save her, and it's entirely possible they will leave after achieving whatever ritual there is to complete."

"Can we afford to ignore it though?" I asked hesitantly, "If it is something bad…can we really just not do…anything? I mean I don't know." I rushed, tacking it on at the end, "I really am new to this whole…political clusterfuck."

Sona actually snorted, "Indeed. This situation is rather messy. War will be launched regardless if there is a need for "back-up", however neither side wants to be the "aggressor", or the reason war starts again. If we intervene, succeed, and keep it quiet, that's the best case. Worst case being we intervene, neither side achieves victory, and there is an uproar. Rias Gremory is a Noble, Pure-Blooded devil, as well as the younger sister of the current Satan, her being involved, and dare I say injured, will reignite the war."

Satan?! You mean THE SATAN.

And his little sister has been sleeping in my bed in the nude…oh my god I could really die. And from my own freaking team.

"I am sure this is why discretion is advised."

…well, it's not the end of the world.

"Rias." I asked slowly, "I know this is going to sound…a bit loony, but hear me out."

"If you are going to suggest going in alone, I won't hear of it." She said flatly, "I will not, under any circumstances, send you into enemy territory, alone, without aid."

"It's the answer." I said, looking at her seriously, "how difficult is it to get a replacement Rook piece?"

"No."

"Rias, please, this could prevent the war and get us out of this! If it was just me I could go on total offense! Since I am not a devil, I would just be a third party sticking my nose in. I'll disband their operation…kill them if I have to, and rescue the nun. I won't fail."

"No." she said stubbornly, crossing her arms, "the tension that would follow with you rejoining me would cause stir's regardless."

"Not if they don't find out it was me."

"How do you plan to hide the fact? It's a church, the Angles at the very least will learn of you existence."

"And I am the best kitted of the entire Devil race to handle them." I said flatly, "I practically born to fight their very being. Nobody has a better chance than me at this!"

"No!" Rias stated as clearly as possible, her eyes flaring and wings opening in an almost intimidating display. "Selzen nearly took your life yesterday, you believe that I will send you in alone against an unknown force comprised of his exact skill set?!"

I looked down, "What will Issei do then? He's simple minded and foolish. If he really is attached, I bet he'll run in alone and damn the consequences. If we can't go together, than by logic you should send your best bet…and that's me."

Rias stared head long into my eyes for a good few seconds, clearly unhappy with this situation. Sona watched on behind steepled fingers, letting it play out. She of the three of us was probably the least capable of handling this. They may have shared the territory, but her resources were already being expended.

"…are you that dissatisfied with me?" Rias asked quietly, and I frowned, "No, by far you have been the best friend and ally I have had in nearly all my life."

"Then why?"

"This isn't about you or me or my stupid situation. Whether you like it or not, you know as well as I do that we cannot ignore this. I live here! I sure as hell don't want this to be a warzone...look, Issei will likely dive in tonight, call it intuition, and if he goes alone he's dead for sure. You have your options…make your choice, or it's going to be made for you."

She bit her lip, and I smiled, a show of confidence blooming in my body language as I raised my hands, power flaring, "I'll be fine. All I need is a run up and some luck."

She seemed a little wary of my mention of a 'run up', "Has Ajax been training you?"

"Down by the beach every day after school." I confirmed, "Till the sun sets, I've been practicing. I'm not incapable."

Rias appeared thoughtful for a second, before nodding to herself, "Perhaps than a group assault will be successful."

I was confused as to why we were back at this, "You think we can avoid detection while we do this? If you're hoping I won't have to break my piece if we all go in together, than I can't guarantee none will escape."

"I doubt this is a sanctioned operation, if that was the case than there wouldn't be a need to relocate the nun. If this was a rouge faction, then worst case would be revenge."

I blinked, "You mean that the Fallen wouldn't take action? This is all hypothetical."

Rias started to pace, her finger on her chin and her eyes firmly fixed on the floor as she moved back and forth. Sona watched her for a small time, before glancing at me, "Go make your lunch, I'll handle this."

I…just didn't say anything and headed off. They both must realize that I don't really need their permission. If I was willing to and capable of breaking my piece on my own, they had no leverage.

I headed into the kitchen, deciding for a simple sandwich given the time I had available. I only had a few minutes before I would usually get ready to go, I didn't actually leave at the bell, a few minutes before.

"He isn't wrong. Would it be impossible to reclaim him if he breaks his piece?"

"I won't allow it Sona, the last thing I want is to treat him as expendable. I trust him, and I wish he would trust me, but I won't let him do this."

"Then you'll risk war? Sacrifice is an essential part of Chess."

Sacrifice…huh. I guess I always played that role. Nothing new to me, just the same, bleak road that took went anywhere but forward, trudging through the endless fog. I used to wonder if it would get better, or maybe something would come my way…maybe this was it. It was really nice, worth it even, while it lasted.

"I won't let him be alone anymore." Rias said, so quiet I almost missed it, "To him, this is normal, to cast himself aside for the betterment of the people around him...Even when blessed with the power of Goliath, he viewed himself as "defeat incarnate"…I want him to taste victory, as a member of my family…my big cute kohai."

I almost chopped my own finger off hearing that. I was caught by it, enraptured…maybe she really does care.

"You sure it isn't just pity?" Ajax commented.

'Then at least she recognizes it.' I thought with a little hope seeping in, 'Maybe I should recognize this too.'

"Well, I am with you 100%. Not by choice, don't get the wrong idea."Ajax said dryly, and I just chuckled, letting my good mood stay for a bit.

I ate my sandwich in a fraction of the time it took to make. I knew Rias would make a move if one of her peerage stepped up, however I needed to be sure on one thing.

And I knew just who to ask.