Chapter Fourteen: Gathering Clouds

"While Gilles de Rais does sound like a terrifying possibility for who the kidnapper could be," Sirzechs remarked, steepling his fingers before him as he rested his elbows on the arms of the chair in which he sat, "you've neglected the thought that it could also be any number of other suspects, including those closer to home, such as the Old Satan Faction."

The group had moved into the Occult Research Club building, the Satans taking up a pair of plush armchairs while Trent, Johan, Charlie, and their respective Servants were bunched together (or in Astolfo's case, atop his master's lap. And in Trent's case, on his Servant's lap) on a single couch. Oryou, for her part, was floating a few meters above the group.

To either side of the Satans stood their respective siblings, as well as their Queens.

In reply, Ryoma clarified, "I believe, considering the fact that the Caster class slot has yet to be taken, as well as how the circumstances apparently match Blackmore and my master's knowledge of de Rais' proclivities, it would still be wise to consider the possibility. Especially if there are factions already at play who would do such a thing as well."

Ryoma folded his hands before him. "Without the use of a catalyst, the Servant called will be one most compatible with the summoner. And if those who summon are the sort to do such things..." The Rider trailed off leadingly.

"I was not dismissing the idea out of hand," the redheaded Satan replied, giving a shallow nod. "Simply pointing out that it would be ill-advised to zero in on a single idea with no actual proof."

"Honestly, I just suggested it because it matched his MO, and we don't know who and where Caster is, and that's worrying. Casters get exponentially more dangerous the more time they're given," Trent chimed in, even as Nobu reached up and gave him a consoling pat on the head, causing one of his eyebrows to twitch. It was embarrassing enough that she was making him sit on her lap.

"Mmmmmmm, I don't really like it, especially with how much trouble this has put me through," Serafall muttered, her lower lip jutting out even as one of her hands was slapped away from Sona's head. "It's even worse because I keep having to deal with that woman calling me, telling me that she's always willing to lend a hand in these trying times! Like I can't solve the problem without her or something!"

"Serafall, you haven't been snubbing Heaven's aid, have you?" Sirzechs asked, turning to slowly look at his longtime friend.

The magical girl shook her head. "No, I just...don't wanna rely on her, that's all. I need to prove that I'm still the strong onee-chan that So-tan loves and cherishes!"

Beside her, Sona just grumbled, her expression becoming one of total aggrievance. "Elder sister, please…"

Looking over the tableau, Trent remarked, "Almost reminds me of the team meetings we had in Trifas, eh Johan?"

Johan looked over at Trent soberly. "At least back then we had Bone Daddy and 'Milla to keep you in line."

"I miss Carmy," the blond agreed, even as a knock came at the building's entrance.

Akeno bustled over to the door, and after answering it, returned wearing a scowl with Azazel trailing along behind, a grim look on his face. Swaggering to stand by the table and offering a cheeky wave to both groups, he spoke, "I can see that things really got heated out there. And, given just who it was that caused all of this, I figured it would be wise to show up."

After a quiet moment of people watching him, he asked, "So, just what happened to Kokabiel's remains? Even if he was a traitor…"

As one, the room pointed to Nobunaga, and the redhead shrugged. "Figured it would be kinder to put him out of his misery, so I incinerated him. He's dust in the wind."

At that, Ryoma cleared his throat. "Actually…" The Hero of Reform got to his feet and walked over to Azazel, then deposited a small cloth pouch into the Fallen's hand. He glanced over at Oryou, who was pouting at him.

"I figured you'd rather your former comrade's remains not be eaten by my wife, so I collected what ashes I could." Ryoma scratched the back of his head. "I know it's hardly enough for a proper burial, but…" He trailed off awkwardly.

Taking the pouch, the Governor General nodded gratefully, and declared, "Many thanks, though I'll probably just end up scattering these at sea."

"So, why exactly are you here, Azazel-chan?" Serafall asked, eying the Fallen curiously even as she surreptitiously tried to give her little sister a head pat.

"Well," Azazel replied, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his longcoat as he leaned against the wall, "when I felt Kokabiel's star go out, I thought I ought to come collect his remains and offer my apologies for my wayward subordinate." His brow pulled down into a frown. "Truth be told, I'd hoped he'd be captured alive, if only so I could ask him why…but I suppose I should have expected him to choose a death in battle over a life imprisoned."

"He kept babbling about the war to end all wars," Serafall replied, kicking her feet dejectedly as Tsubaki gently redirected her hand. "I told him that he was kookoo for kokopuffs, because that was last century."

"And yet, for those who have become so embroiled in war, life becomes one, and the only escape is death," Avenger remarked, her free hand coming up and bringing her kiseru to her lips.

From atop his Master's lap, Astolfo declared, "Wait, when did you get all sexy-like, Archer?"

"I'm the Demon King of Six Billion Worlds, Astolfo, many things are under my purview," Nobu stated calmly, her kiseru smoking slightly as she blew out a stream that morphed into a butterfly before fading completely.

-x-x-x-

After the three higher-ups bickered among themselves for a good long while, they eventually turned their gazes back to the otherworlders. They didn't speak for a moment, and after a few shared glances, Azazel cleared his throat. "So, you kids are essentially free agents, right? Not tied down to any faction?"

Ryoma opened his mouth to reply, then thought better of it and waved a hand to Nobunaga and Trent, as they were the ones to handle negotiations the last time they'd met with the Fallen. The blond caught the look just before the Avenger did, and decided to take the initiative, given their current situation. "Something to that effect," the Canuck replied, leaning back into Nobu and all but shoving his hair into her mouth. "While we have no official relations with any of the factions, we have an amicable relationship with the Youkai of Kyoto. Beyond that, our only other contacts are you all."

"The Youkai, huh?" Serafall murmured, her brow creasing as she turned to look at her coworker and the Fallen.

The Lucifer shrugged with a look of consideration on his face, while Azazel nodded, "Yeah, this lot said they were friendly with a certain foxy lady in Kyoto. Someone that I would certainly love to get very friendly with. She's a real beaut, eh Sirzechs?"

"I'm a happily married man, Azazel, and unlike you and my father, I'm monogamous," Sirzechs shot back, completely ignoring the way that an intimidating silver-haired woman in a maid outfit (who was definitely not Sakuya Izayoi) appeared behind him, glaring at the Governor-General.

Trent looked at the maid, considered the way that she was looking at the Fallen, and then noticed the way that Sirzechs had silently reached up to pat her hand. The blond nodded, and decided not to question what had just happened, especially when Azazel chuckled, "I'm not saying you should cheat on your lovely Grayfia! A ménage à trois! Come now, you kids and your newfangled monogamy…"

"Well, yes, the Lady Yasaka is quite beautiful, but we shouldn't get too lost in the reeds," the blond coughed into his fist, deciding that he really didn't need to hear about what one of the four Satans got up to in the bedroom. Trent took a breath and added, "Was there anyth—"

"That's it!" Serafall declared as she brought a fist down on her palm, her eyes shining. "We just need to bring in another group! That's how we'll keep things from getting too out of hand in the big meeting!"

At this, Ryoma spoke up, arching an eyebrow. "A big meeting? I fear that we've been left out of the loop; would you be so kind as to elaborate, Lady Leviathan?"

"Oh, call me Levia-tan, Ryo-chan, and as for the big meeting, we've got plans for a big ol' powwow with us and the doves upstairs, but the issue was always getting everyone to agree on the hosts and where it should be held!" the magical girl exclaimed, putting her hands on her hips as shards of ice twinkled in the air, taking the form of stars and hearts. "But if we bring in a neutral party as the host…"

"...then there will be a mediator in case tempers run too hot," Ryoma finished with a nod. "Sensible."

"Exactly! And, even though we've been hanging out here in Japan for so long, they aren't allied with us, or the Fallen, or Heaven, which makes them perfect for the job!" Serafall concluded, puffing her chest out proudly.

Astolfo leaned into his master's ear and whispered, "I like her! Maybe we should invite her to our…playtime, at some point."

Charlie blinked, he blinked again. Then with gentle cruelty, he reached up and put his hands over the Paladin's mouth. While he cared for the pinket deeply, he wasn't sure that he'd survive both him and whatever Serafall was.

-x-x-x-

Haneda International Airport was a mess of activity, people rushing to and fro as they hurried to get to their flights or escape the doldrum of the place. Normally, it would have been uninterrupted, were it not for the figure striding out of the arrivals gate.

She was a stunning blonde woman, her waves of pink-highlighted hair cascading down her back and swaying gently and hypnotically behind her. She wore high quality, top of the line brand-name clothing, Prada on her feet, Louis Vuitton hanging from her shoulder, and Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses hiding her eyes. Some unknown scent followed behind her, an alluring musk that tickled at people's noses, their eyes trailing after her, seemingly entranced by the smell.

The woman smiled alluringly, enjoying how she commanded the attention of everyone who laid eyes on her. The only thing keeping the public from realizing how disgusted she was with them were her sunglasses, hiding the way that she sneered and glared at the people weaving too and fro.

Stepping out into the cool air of the night, her eyes locked onto the woman carrying a placard with her name on it and leaning against a car. The woman holding the sign crushed it in a single movement, the material disappearing from sight as she stood straight.

She too drew eyes, though not as many as the blonde. Clad in an inappropriately worn kimono, which was open to bare most of her breasts and show off her legs. And though her full breasts and shapely legs drew eyes, the scar tissue ringing her neck and scattered across her flesh drew far more. Even more striking was the huge amount of black hair growing from her head, which was somehow not dragging on the ground despite the sheer volume.

The newly arrived woman let out a hum. "So, what? Are they, like, trying to have a reunion or something? Little Yassy called me back, and decided to have you, of all people pick me up?"

"She has plans," the raven-haired woman leaning on the car replied, reaching down and grasping at the door handle. "I don't know about what, but plans. Besides, there's been a taste in the air, a familiar one."

The blonde let out an ugly noise, and retorted, "Oh, I can smell the stench, but you and I know that he's been dead for years. Probably just some trog trying to act big."

"You don't think it'd be a fun time? You, me, and the old boy leading another parade through the country?" The raven-haired woman grinned, flashing a mouthful of pointed teeth. "Think about it, Hoji, a party the likes of which this country's not seen in centuries."

'Hoji' let out a harsh laugh, and a wicked smile took hold of her face. "Oh, now you're tempting me, a Hyakki Yakou led by the Three Great Calamities? That'd be such a blast, imagine how many likes we'd get on Insta!"