A/N: What do you guys think of the pace for this? I feel like it's fine, but it might be a bit too slow with canonical content. What's this, seven chapters and Kokabiel hasn't even shown up yet? I dunno, I think it works, but if not, let me know.

Issei was at home by himself. It was strange, really, to be at his house and be alone. Between his training in Heaven and in private, he usually kept busy, so, when he was home, he spent time with his parents. His father worked a usual job and would get home in the evenings, but his mother was usually there when he got home. Today, she had gone out to buy some new things with Yuuma. At least she left him a note, though that note made him shiver and sent a prayer up to Michael to make sure nothing happened to Yuuma.

'Issei, I've gone out with Yuuma. All she brought with her were those clothes you two got on Saturday. That's not nearly enough for a lady, so we'll be out for quite a while. I've already talked to her about her initial intentions, but if you're happy, I approve of this one. There's food in the fridge and you're seventeen, so I'm sure you can figure out how to survive. I'll see you when we get back! Love, Mom.'

A truly terrifying note. 'Poor Yuuma,' he thought, shivering at the thought of a shopping trip with his mother for everything. Not just an outfit or food or a set of toiletries. Everything.

So, Issei was left at the house on his lonesome. Only a sleeping Yahweh to keep him company. Until, that is…

Knock Knock

Issei walked over to the door. He wasn't stupid. He knew who this was and he knew he wasn't going to like this conversation.

"Hell-"

SMACK

"I'm coming in," Katase said simply, after giving him a thoroughly deserved slap in the face and walking into his house.

"Hello, Katase. Of course, you can come into my lovely home. No, thank you for coming," he mumbled to himself sarcastically as he closed the door and followed her into his family room. 'It did not take her long to get used to that devil strength, that hurt!'

"Hahahaha! I like this one too!" Yahweh laughed. "You need one to keep you in line!"

'Not every female I know is going to be a part of my harem, that is assuming I get one in the first place. Look what you've got me-! Wait, I thought you were asleep?'

"So?" she started when they both had taken their seats. "Have you got anything to say to me?"

"..." Issei said nothing for a moment, just looking down in shame. "I'm sorry…"

"For what?"

"Everything…"

"I need some specifics here, Issei. How about overstepping boundaries in an attempt to show you care about my well-being? How about lying to me about what you are? What about not telling me that I'm a DEVIL? Or maybe for scaring the crap out of me by dragging me to a secluded location and making me think you...you were actually someone...who could...I can't even put into words how much I hate that you did that, Issei! Do you know how scary that was? That someone I trusted was going to do that to me?"

"I would never-" he tried to get out.

"I know you wouldn't, Issei, but I didn't then! You seemed excited to see me, then you start grabbing me all over me, then you shut me up and drag me to a secluded area. If I told you that someone did all of that to me, what would you immediately assume was going to happen, hmm? It's fucking terrifying, Issei!"

"I...I'm sorry," he looked down. "I never...I never meant to scare you... I was just...just worried that-"

"Worried about what, Issei?"

"Losing you!" he snapped. "Alright? I haven't had a friend my age since Irina left nine years ago. I have Ya-I mean, my trainers in Heaven, Archangel Michael, and my parents. That's it. You were...so friendly to me, it just...I was glad to have a friend. And after that…"

"You believed in someone that was actively trying to kill you instead of the friend that you were so worried about?" she asked.

"Yes…" he whispered.

"I asked Rias about what happened. She got me up to speed. She told me that what happened was real. That I was killed by a Fallen Angel and that she brought me back to life as one of her servants, her knight more specifically, and that now I have to do a bunch of devil work. I learned some of the basics of the world you mentioned to me, in the most cryptic way possible, by the way, and how the supernatural world works. Then I asked her what you were doing there. If I understood, you were an Angel and everyone else there was a devil. She said you'd been trying to bring peace and make friends, but that today you were different. She said you threatened her, Issei."

"I did it-"

"For me," she said softly. "I know. Dammit, Issei. Just...why did you do that for me? What would you have done if I hadn't been resurrected? What if I'd never been killed in the first place? What then?"

"Nothing would have made me happier. You'd have been safe. I wouldn't have to worry about you. About accidentally being on opposite sides and being forced to hurt you."

"And if that did happen?"

"I would die," he answered honestly. "I don't think...I could do it. Even if I was ordered to I couldn't...do that...to someone I consider a friend."

"You think I would kill you?"

"I'd rather you kill me than someone else. Or worse, you being killed for letting a five-winged angel live when he allowed himself to die."

"You're not some martyr, Issei! We're not at war and I don't plan on participating in one any time soon!" Katase yelled. "You're treating this like we're some forbidden love on opposite sides of the battlefield! That's not the case!"

"I don't have to be in love to care about a friend."

"You're missing the point, Issei," she sighed. "I'm not a helpless maiden. I'm the second-best in the Kendo club and our school is one of the best in the country for Kendo."

"But this is-"

"Different? I know it is, but you have to have a little faith in me," she smiled and moved to sit closer to him. "I really...I do appreciate you doing all that...for my sake, you know. It means a lot to know that you'd do that for me."

"So, are you not angry?" he asked hopefully.

"Oh, no, I'm still very upset. I'm adding various things to my list of things you're going to have to do to make it up to me," she said, narrowing her eyes. "Including answering all of my questions. All of them. I've only known you for a week, but you're a terrible liar."

"She's right. You really do suck at that."

'Would you rather me be a good liar?'

"..."

'That's what I thought. Stay quiet.' Issei relented. "Alright, fine. But I just want you to know that I never lied to you about who I am. I lied to you about what I am and I will continue to do so if it means keeping those around me safe."

"Do your parents know? That you're some super, ultra, mega-powerful Angel in the service of Archangel Michael?" Katase asked.

"Yes. They've known the whole time," he admitted. "I didn't have too much of a choice. I was thirteen when I met Michael."

"And he's been training you since then?"

"Yeah."

"I don't believe you," she told him. "You're lying to me."

"Hmm?" Yahweh hummed, surprised by her assessment.

"No, I'm not, he has been-"

"Why would he train you, specifically you, for all this time? This is Archangel Michael, who, according to Rias, is second-in-command of Heaven. Why would he take the time to train a thirteen-year-old boy?"

"Why isn't really-he did train me!" Issei defended.

"WHY, Issei? THAT'S the part you're lying to me about. If you want me to forgive you, I expect you to start telling me the truth."

"Well done, girl. I knew I liked you for a reason," Yahweh praised.

"Who was that?" Katase jumped up and put her guard up.

"Good job, Yahweh. You freaked her out," Issei rolled his eyes. "Sorry, Katase. Very few people know about why I'm...special."

"And it has something to do with...whatever that was?" she asked, lowering her guard and slowly sitting back down.

"Yeah…" he sighed. "Yahweh, this is Katase. Katase, meet the soul of my Sacred Gear, Yahweh, better known as the God from the Bible."

"Don't feel the need to impress me, child, you've already done so," Yahweh told her. "He's a terrible liar, but no one's thought that Michael training some kid was weird yet."

"You're telling me…" Katase said slowly. "That GOD HIMSELF...is your Sacred Gear?"

"Yep. Did Rias tell you about the war between the three main factions?" Katase nodded. "Well, in the last battle, God sealed away the Two Heavenly Dragons Ddraig and Albion. God would have died in that battle had he not sealed himself away. In fact, the Heaven faction believed he did die and simply covered his death up. If people knew God had died, Heaven could collapse. So, they kept it a secret. I was the first to awaken his Sacred Gear, so, I am the first wielder of the Heavenly Crown."

"True story," Yahweh confirmed. "I sense a Sacred Gear in you too, child. Have you awakened it yet?"

"I have one too?" she asked.

"Wait, why didn't you tell me that sooner?" Issei questioned. "I've known Katase for a week. You never thought to mention that?"

"Nah. You'd be surprised how many humans have Sacred Gears."

"Wait, if so many humans have them, why did the Fallen Angels only target the two of us?" Issei asked.

"You were targeted too?"

"Yeah, I'll tell you about it later."

"Well, that doesn't make them super common. I'd estimate about, oh, .05% of the population has one. That's about one in every two thousand people. Remember that the planet has over seven billion people on it, so, that actually tallies up to quite a few. Granted, barely any are actually awakened. Anyway, my point is, if I told you every time someone near you had a Sacred Gear, you'd get tired of it. Besides, where's the drama, action, and suspense if I spoil it for you?"

"This is really the God from the Bible?" Katase asked.

"Yeah...they forgot to mention how annoyingly sarcastic he is…" Issei deadpanned.

"You're just upset that I'm cooler than you are."

"First of all, I'm way cooler than you. Secondly, that doesn't relate to what we're talking about at all," Issei said flatly.

"Hmph. See if I help you with your girl problems with that attitude! Maybe I should tell everyone about your little obsession with Ga-"

"I was just thinking I should go buy a new alarm clock!" Issei suddenly exclaimed. "So there's no real need to finish that sentence!"

"Wise words, child. Wise words."

"Are you done, Issei?" Katase asked impatiently.

"Right, sorry…"

"So, does Rias know you're God?"

"I'm not really-"

"You can call yourself God if you want to. The hosts of Ddraig are called the Red Dragon Emperor and the hosts of Albion are called the White Dragon Emperor. As far as I'm concerned, you are what your soul contains. Since your soul contains me, you are technically God."

"I actually don't have a counter-argument for that…"

"You'd better not get a big head or expect me to worship you."

"Worship me? Please don't do that. That sounds terrible. Anyway, no. My parents, Michael, Uriel, Gabriel, and Yuuma know. Nobody else except you."

"And who is Yuuma?"

"Hahahaha! Good luck with this one!" Yahweh laughed as Issei resigned himself to fate.

After a long conversation about various topics such as the supernatural faction interactions, Issei's objective as God, Yuuma and Dohnaseek's murder attempts, and what it means to be in a peerage, an hour quickly went by.

"Alright, Issei. I should really get home," Katase sighed, standing and heading for the door.

"Thanks for...trusting me," he said, walking her to the door.

"You'd better, mister. I have your first two tasks for you to start earning my forgiveness, too," Katase informed him.

"What? You were serious?"

"Of course I was! You lied to me, invaded my personal space, made me think I was about to be sexually assaulted or worse, and then dropped me off in a room full of devils that you had just threatened on my behalf! How do you think that went for first impressions, hmm?"

"...Right…"

"So, first of all, you are going to train me. You are responsible for helping me discover whatever Sacred Gear I supposedly have and unleashing it and helping me learn to use it, as well as training me in supernatural combat and basic knowledge."

"What? I'm not a teacher, Katase. Besides, I'm an angel! Our magics are practically polar opposites! Shouldn't you ask Rias? She is your king after all."

"No. I'm assigning it to you. At least three times a week you are to train me to become stronger. Did I forget to mention that I have to join the Occult Research Club too? So I now lose my ability to be in the Kendo Club."

"Rias…" he growled. "I'll go over there and-"

"And do absolutely nothing. Yes, I'd rather be in the Kendo Club, but not enough for me to come asking you to make her let me stay in it. Besides, it's more helpful for me to be in her club anyway."

"Fine…" Issei grumbled. "And the second thing?"

"You are explaining to Murayama why I'm leaving the Kendo Club and you'll offer to train her as well if you're worried about her getting caught up in the supernatural."

"And there's the knockout punch! Watch out, watch out, watch out!" Yahweh yelled as a bell rang inside Issei's head. "K.O."

"Yes, you have to, before you ask," Katase insisted before he opened his mouth. "If you do those, I might consider forgiving you."

"...Ok. I'll train you. And I'll...tell Murayama that you're a devil…"

"And…?"

"And I'll offer to train her in case she wants to…"

"Good," she smiled.

"So, I'll see you tomorrow I guess?"

"Yep. One more thing before I leave," she said turning around and grabbing his face, pulling him in for a kiss. She held him there for a moment before letting him go and pulling back. "Thank you for standing up for me. Also, what happened with the Fallen Angel chick was NOT your fault, ok? So don't go thinking it is. Alright, I'll see you tomorrow. Bye, Issei~!"

"Merciless! She really knows how to take down a foe!" God announced. "Is anyone else willing to fight the legendary Pink Beast in the ring? Find out next week! I'm your host, Yahweh! And this has been: Teenage! Heart! WRESTLINNNNNG~!"

"That...just...happened…" Issei said slowly, still fully processing everything as he closed the door and collapsed in a daze on the couch.

"Yeah, getting your first official kiss at seventeen can be really daunting. What ever will you do?" Yahweh drawled sarcastically.

'So, I'm assuming you had your first kiss earlier?'

"Well...you see...er…"

'That's right, you're God. You've never kissed anyone before because you made the world in order to give yourself some company. So shut up.'

"..."

{Line Break}

"ISSEI~!" Yuuma exclaimed excitedly, jumping onto Issei's prone form and attempting to snuggle him to death.

"OOF!" Issei grunted, as her full weight impacted him. 'What did I do to deserve all of this?'

{Line Break}

It was now Wednesday and Issei was having a...less than pleasant week... He was 'forced' to skip school yesterday because Yuuma didn't want to let him leave and Michael came by with a mountain of work to do that would serve as his 'first round of punishment.' Between those two things, he just decided it wasn't worth going, so he stayed home. Unfortunately, that also meant texting Katase that he was skipping because of the mountain of work he had and begging her to not be upset. He received the most terrifying reply he'd ever gotten in his entire life. If you ask him the most frightening thing he's ever experienced, it wouldn't be the child-eating Bugbear he had to kill or the time he went to stop two chimeras from destroying a church only to catch them 'in the act' when he was just fifteen. None of those compared to receiving the text 'K.' from Katase. She even put a period at the end! Maybe being with the devils wasn't such a bad thing for her after all…

Today wasn't any better at all. After waking up to his new alarm clock saying, 'The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway,' which was Proverb 15:19 apparently, he had gone to ask Sona about getting Yuuma transferred into the school. She surprisingly agreed...in exchange for Issei joining Rias on a stray devil hunt and owing Sona one unspecified favor. Not that she really understood how much better off she was in this deal, but Sona essentially just accepted a student into her school in exchange for an unspecified favor from God. She really was a devil…

After that, he met with Murayama at lunch, asking her in front of a whole bunch of people to come with him alone, which did not help at all with the rumors going around about him 'seducing' various people in the school. In his brilliant mind, he decided the best place to go was the Kendo Clubroom...which allowed Murayama access to various weaponry to beat him with when he was trying to explain various supernatural happenings to her and the fact that he was indirectly responsible for Katase's death, resurrection as a devil, and subsequent departure from the Kendo Club. Murayama was more than happy to release her frustrations about losing her second-in-command on him. Especially when he offered to train her. Apparently, he was now a 'patronizing best-friend stealer' and she would be 'angry at him for all of eternity,' or something along those lines.

Going back to classes with some fresh new bruises earned him less than sympathy from Katase, who was still upset about him skipping school and training yesterday, and some wonderful rumors about being beaten up by a Murayama for reasons X, Y, and Z. After all of that, Katase decided they were going to be training. Now. Not after a brief moment of sweet respite with tea from Akeno in the Occult Research Club, not after a snack from Yuuma (who had been learning to cook from his mother), but right now. After giving him the look, Issei quickly complied and led her to his training grounds...in the middle of an isolated forest...which did even less for his reputation.

"Really, Issei? This is where we're training? Didn't you learn your lesson last time you dragged me alone to an isolated location?" Katase complained.

"You're the one who asked me to train her. This is where I trained all my life, with the exception of my time with Michael in Sixth Heaven," Issei informed her. 'Speaking of which, apparently Gabriel's been pestering him to convince me to visit her again or to tell her where I live so she can come to visit me herself. That would not go over well right now. I have more than enough on my plate as it is.'

"Watch it, brat. That's my daughter you're talking about," Yahweh warned.

"Ok, Sensei, I'm ready to begin," Katase bowed.

"Sensei?!" Issei asked. "Where did that come from?"

"You're training me. Here, you're my Sensei. Everywhere else, you're Issei. My idiot friend."

"I'm not an idiot."

"So many points! She'll pass Yuuma soon!" Yahweh exclaimed.

"Do you have a new point counter or something?" Issei asked. "I'm used to points being bad."

"Of course. All these women in your life get points. The more points they have, the more I approve of them entering your harem," Yahweh explained as if it were obvious.

"You have a harem, Sensei? Pervert…"

"I DO NOT HAVE A HAREM! I fail to see how it's my fault that a comical number of extremely attractive women display affection towards me!"

"Plus sin points for pride."

"I give up!" Issei groaned as Katase started to giggle.

"If you do start a harem, Sensei, will I have to join? Whatever shall I do? I'm just a poor, innocent schoolgirl being forced to join her Sensei's harem!" Katase wailed.

"You're both horrible people…" he complained as they laughed at him. "Before we start, why do you want this training? What is your goal? Why do you want to become stronger?"

"Well, I'm not sure, really," Katase answered honestly, rubbing her arm. "I guess so I don't have to worry about being killed again and to thank Rias for saving my life. And so you don't have to go threatening people on my behalf again."

"Those are some good starter goals, but you should come up with something that you really want. An ultimate goal in life. Remember, devils and angels don't exactly have short lifespans. You have millennia to accomplish anything you want. When we're training, think about what you want to do."

"Why did you choose to get stronger?" she asked him.

"I want peace. I don't want to live my life fearing where I can go and what I can do without risking sending the world into a chaotic war. I don't want my friendships to be limited to my faction. I want everyone I love and care about to not have to worry about me going to battle and not coming back. That's my wish. For this foolish, uptight world of ours to be stripped bare of its idiocracies, hypocrisies, and discrimination, and to be reborn as an era of righteousness."

"Is that even possible? And that just sounds like you want everyone to be Catholic."

"Not righteous as in the way of the original God, but righteous as in good. I believe in the fact that we are capable of both great good and great evil, and that everyone is capable of looking past our idiosyncrasies and shortcomings to find something to understand about one another and bring about peace. I'm an idealist, a fool, and a naïve child, but my beliefs are unwavering. After all, I have an eternity to prove that I'm right."

"I taught him well, didn't I?" Yahweh bragged.

"You didn't teach me any of that! Don't claim the rights to my speech!" Issei yelled.

"I'm impressed, Issei. Don't worry, I know it wasn't the old man that came up with all that," she winked.

"Very bold of you, girl…" he grumbled.

"No one's dumb enough to really believe in all of that except you."

"I'll ignore that for now…" he said, narrowing his eyes at her before taking a deep breath. "Ok, if we're going to do this, we should do this right. From here on, I will be as objective and cynical as physically possible. My goal is not to go easy on you or be your friend, but to train you to your utmost limits and potential. This is your last chance to go back. There will be no safe words, no half-assery, and no breaks until I determine you've earned one. This is training for myself too, as I will need to learn to resist the urge to help you when you start to cry from my brutal regiment. Are you 100% committed to this Katase?"

"If this is your way of trying to scare me off, you're not doing a very good job," she smirked. "I can handle whatever you throw at me."

"Well then. Let's begin. For a human, you're in remarkable shape and your figure is quite adequate-"

"We're supposed to be training, Issei. Stop flirting with me."

"However, if you let me finish, for a devil you're rather pathetic."

"HEY!"

"Give me your arm," he said, grabbing the appendage. "For a human, this is fine. You have some muscle and tone with little fat. For a devil, this is bad. There is far too much flab and the muscles you do have are about as dense as liquid nitrogen. If I were to smack your calf with a two-by-four, the board should break. For a devil, you're easier to bruise than a brimstone peach. Are you following? Human standards and supernatural standards are night and day. Be grateful you're not a high-end prissy girl or a couch potato, or this would be way worse."

"...You really weren't kidding about any of that stuff you said earlier...were you…"

"No. Just like when I said that was your last chance to back out. You better be ready, Katase. By the time I'm done with you, you'll be able to break a bokken with two fingers and models will look at your figure in jealousy. But to get there, you're going to wish Rias had let that little fallen finish the job. Are you ready for this?"

"Just so you're aware, child, I've never seen this side of Issei before. I'm no less afraid than you are and I'm inside a Sacred Gear."

"You there! Shut up and make yourself busy or you're doing laps!"

"YES, SIR!" Yahweh shouted, running into another section of his soul to find something productive to do. "Scary…"

"Alright, Strawberry Shortcake. Time to get going."

"HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT NAME?" she yelled in embarrassment.

"I hypnotized your parents so they could give me a list of all the most embarrassing nicknames you've ever been given. Now defend yourself or prepare for a hell of a lot of pain!" Issei shouted back and thus began her training.

{Line Break}

"Please...make it...stop…" Katase panted. "I'm...so...exhausted…"

"This is nothing, Starburst," Issei said from his position sitting in the middle of her back where she collapsed in exhaustion, watching as Katase flushed even more. "I did more than this when I was ten."

"You've been...throwing light spears...at me...for over an hour…" she groaned. "And why are you sitting on me?"

"I'm forcing your body to adapt to better ways of taking in oxygen. Is it working?"

"NO!"

"Hmm. Better try harder then."

"You're enjoying this...aren't you…"

"There is a good chance that I don't dislike sitting on you after I completely destroyed you."

"Kinky."

"THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!" he yelped, losing focus for long enough for her to shove him off and sit up.

"Everything hurts," she groaned.

"Well, we're done with your resistance and endurance training for now. That'll continue for a long time before we start working on those weak muscles of yours, so don't think this was a one-time thing."

"WHY ME?" Katase wailed into her palms.

"Alright, here's a bottle of water and a cup of water," Issei said, filling the cup and handing her the bottle.

"What's the cup for?" she asked before greedily sucking down water from the bottle.

"I'm going to dump it on your head," he replied simply. Katase coughed and sputtered on the water. Issei slapped her back a few times. "Don't die yet, we have more training to do."

"Gee, thanks. No, forget that, you are NOT dumping that water on my head!" she protested.

"The water in this cup will be dumped on your head whether you like it or not," Issei informed her. "Now go sit under that tree."

"Why?"

"So I can dump this water on your head."

"AND HOW IS DUMPING WATER ON MY HEAD SUPPOSED TO HELP ME?"

"You'll see when you sit under the tree! Or would you rather I throw more light spears at you? Those were only low-class level light spears. Hitting you with one directly wouldn't be lethal...probably. I can use ultimate class ones. Maybe I should up the difficulty…"

"I'll go sit under the tree, Sensei."

"Good idea."

"Um, Issei, what exactly are you planning on doing?" Yahweh asked. "I don't remember Michael dumping water on your head while training. Are you doing some sort of miniature version of the waterfall thing or do you just want to see her with her shirt wet?"

'I don't recall giving you permission to ask questions. When we're here, you refer to me as Sensei. Is that understood?'

"YES, SENSEI!"

'Now, I want ten laps around my soul. Move it!'

"Understood, Sensei!" God saluted as he started to run laps around Issei's soul. "What a slave driver…"

'What was that?'

"NOTHING, SENSEI!"

'That's what I thought.' Issei approached Murayama who was sitting under a tree and had seemingly started to catch her breath. "How's the tree?"

"Dry...for the moment…" she grumbled under her breath. "Will you at least explain to me why you're going to dump a cup of water on my head?"

"Maybe. Now, pay attention!" Issei barked. "Straighten your back against the bark of the tree. Your posture's all wrong, straighten your spine. There, that's better."

"This is really uncomfortable," she whined.

"Now close your eyes," he instructed. "I want you to clear your head entirely. Every bit of your mind should be completely empty. Think of absolutely nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Absolutely nothing. Not the word nothing, or the etymology of it, your mind should be as empty as the dimensional gap when Great Red is on vacation."

"Nothing...nothing at all…" she mumbled.

"Now, that vast nothingness slowly morphs into a landscape. As the nothingness condenses, the land becomes vast. You start to picture yourself in the middle of the empty landscape."

"..." Katase made no reply.

"Alright, now let's see if it worked," Issei said to himself, before dumping the cup of water on Katase's head.

"EEEEK!" she squealed, having herself shocked back into reality. "ISSEI, WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?"

"You failed, so now you're wet. Your nothingness wasn't nothing enough."

"WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?" she yelled again, water dripping from her face.

"Here," Issei answered simply, chucking a towel at her face. "Dry off and do it again."

"But why are you-"

"Dry off and do it again. You'll understand afterward. You asked me to train you, Katase. I may not be experienced, but I do know what I'm doing. Trust me. You won't improve this fast with anyone else." Katse whined a little bit but sat back down as Issei forcibly adjusted her posture once more. "Alright, back from the beginning. Close your eyes…"

Three cups of water and three outbursts of a soaking wet Katase later, Issei was trying for the final time. "This better work, Issei. My shirt is completely ruined!"

"Then take it off."

"PERVERT!"

"I told you. While we're out here I am your trainer. My job is to be objective and efficient. If I told you to strip naked and start doing cartwheels, I expect you to do it. If it's distracting you, take your shirt off. You are wearing a bra, right?"

"Yes, I'm wearing a bra!" she blushed. "I just don't particularly want to strip in front of you!"

"Do as you wish, but this is our last try for the day. I have to get home soon, but every day until we get your Sacred Gear active will involve exactly what we're doing now."

"Ugh, fine! You win, pervert! If I catch you staring at me…" she threatened but removed her shirt revealing a pink sports bra. "Happy now?"

"I'll be satisfied when you unlock your Sacred Gear. Now, sit! Posture! There, much faster than the last time. Now...imagine absolutely nothing…"

{Katase's Mindscape}

There was nothing. She couldn't see anything. Well, that was pretty obvious, considering there was nothing to see. How could she see something if the only something was nothing? Slowly, Issei's voice started to fade away and she could no longer hear him as the nothingness began to condense. Slowly it began to create some sort of something that had form. It was a vast landscape, but other than that, it was difficult to describe. It was as if nothingness...formed something... Her head hurt just trying to put whatever it was she was seeing into words, but she remembered what Issei had told her. Enter that landscape. So, she tried. She imagined herself on the grayish ground looking up at the strange endless void of blacks, blues, and purples.

Soon, she was successful. It was as if she wasn't imagining it anymore. She was really there in this landscape made from...condensed nothing. Though unfortunately, she didn't know what there was to do next. As far as she could see, there wasn't anything there. It just seemed to be an endless void. Katase, however, was determined and frustrated. She was determined to prove to Issei she had what it takes and determined to impress him. She was frustrated at failing so many times and having water dumped on her head for whatever reason that psycho came up with. Whatever reason he wanted her to be here, she'd figure out, and would damn well prove herself to him.

'Hello, child,' a disembodied voice spoke.

"Is that Yahweh? What are you doing in my head?" Katase asked. "I thought you were Issei's Sacred Gear."

'Do you wish for power, child?'

"You know my name, why are you calling me child? And yes I want power!"

'State why you wish for power, child. Summon your conviction. Should your soul accept your desires as true, it shall reveal the power within.'

"Why I wish for power…" Katse muttered, thinking to herself. 'What would Issei say…'

That was the issue. She was thankful to Rias for saving her, thankful to Issei for standing up for her and protecting her. She was thankful for her friends for keeping her happy and her parents for raising her. But what did she want? Did she want power for the sake of having power?

'He'd probably say some sort of idealistic speech about world peace and the duality of man as it relates to the supernatural…' she chuckled. 'But that's not me…'

So she thought even more. About her life so far. About what she wanted in the future. Her ambitions, her goals, and her desires. And then she realized. The one thing she wanted more than anything else. It's what she was known for, it's why she got up every day. It was simple, now that she realized it. Why didn't she think of it before?

"I know why I want it!" she declared confidently. "I want power to make sure my friends stay happy! Everyone I consider my friend should smile as often as they can and I want to be strong enough to protect their smiles!"

'Your soul has accepted your desire, child. Step forth and take the gift I have given you. I am the Lord thy God. I bless you with this power so you may pursue what you consider to be righteous.'

The voice faded out and stopped altogether. When she turned, there it was. Finally, something! It was shining; a brilliant light within the expanse of darkness. She started to walk towards it. Closer and closer she got until she could barely see because of the blinding light.

'Step forth and take the gift, huh?' she thought to herself. 'Alright then, here goes nothing!'

Deciding to take the plunge she stuck her hand into the source of the brilliant light and felt something. It was cool and rough. Not rough like sandpaper, but like leather straps. She gripped the object and pulled it from the light. As the object exited the light, she saw it.

She had drawn a blade that remained in its sheath, which was black with traditional Japanese designs on it in red. She gripped the leather handle which just felt...perfect...and pulled the blade from its sheath. It was a katana, but not an ordinary one. This one had two razor-sharp edges and revealed itself to be around 63 centimeters in length. As she swung the sword around, the sword seemed to shimmer in the vast landscape. The silver blade called to her as if it was always meant for her. As if she was born for this sword.

Slowly, she put the blade back in its sheath. She closed her eyes almost on instinct and began to return to the realm of the living.

{Reality}

"Looks like she's back," Issei said aloud.

"Issei…" Katase started. "WHY AM I DRENCHED? I'M GOING TO CATCH A COLD, YOU MORON!"

"Oh, relax. It was just three cups of water," he waved her off. "And that whole thing about catching colds if you get too cold or too wet is just a myth. You'll be fine."

"Why did you feel the need to drop another three cups of water on my head, Issei?"

"You're lucky our training's over or I'd have you running laps. Now, come here. Hurry up," he held up a towel with his hands holding it open for her. "Or you could stay soaked if you'd like-that's what I thought."

"You're the worst…" she grumbled as he wrapped the towel around her tightly.

"I brought you a change of clothes too," he said, smiling and holding up a small cardboard box. "Don't freak out and call me a pervert, your parents got it for you. I didn't go through your underwear or anything."

"I should really be upset that you went and hypnotized my parents, you know," Katase sighed, as she continued to take in the towel's warmth.

"It wasn't much. If it helps, I don't do that very often. I have moral standards about that sort of thing, but I had a feeling you'd need a new outfit and I've only known you for a week and a half. Seems kinda early for me to be going through your underwear, don't you think?"

"I can't believe I'm going to ask this, but I half expect you're going to have an answer. How long would you have to know me until that isn't weird?"

"I just keep digging these holes for myself, don't I?" Issei chuckled as Katase giggled.

"So, are you gonna tell me why you kept dumping water on my head?" she asked him as he sat on the ground.

"Yeah, but sit down first," he said, patting the spot next to him. She sat and he wrapped an arm around her. "You seem cold."

"Gee, I wonder why," she rolled her eyes, but accepted the gesture of warmth.

"It was to help your focus. If you noticed the water, you did it wrong?"

"And you couldn't come up anything else?" she deadpanned.

"Nothing else is as fun," he grinned. "What'd you see in your vision?"

"It was weird. It was like nothing became a landscape, if that makes any sense. Then Yahweh was there, but he wouldn't really acknowledge me."

"That's just a preset. Essentially just a recording set up with the system. To activate it, your soul and desire have to accept one another. Whether your goal is to protect your family, make a harem of pink-haired swordswomen, or commit genocide doesn't matter. If your soul accepts it, you can unlock the gear."

"You're kind of an idiot, Yahweh…" Issei sighed. "Anyway, what was it you found?"

"It was...a katana of some kind. A beautiful, double-sided one," she said, as her eyes seemed to sparkle in excitement.

"Alright, hold your arm out and make your hand like you're about to grab something," Issei instructed.

"Like this?" she asked, doing as he'd said.

"Yep. Now, imagine that sword is real. Summon it to this plane. Should be easy now."

"That's it?" Katase closed her eyes and imagined the sword she saw in her vision was in her hand. Suddenly, she got a strange feeling and closed her hand, only to find that the sword was now in her clutches.

"Well, there we have it! A beauty that one," Issei nodded in approval. "Yahweh, any idea what this is?"

"Oh, I definitely remember that one," Yahweh nodded. "That's probably the closest to being a Longinus without actually making the list. This is the Kogarasu Maru, a legendary sword of the Shinto gods. A man named Tsuneyoshi Murata once led an army against the first leader of Japan in order to take over power. In retaliation, the god Hachiman descended and challenged him to a duel. If he won, Hachiman and the Shinto gods would ascend him to the imperial throne and serve him until he should die, but if he lost, he was to disband his armies and exile himself. Tsuneyoshi accepted Hachiman's challenge and began their fight. It was one of the most legendary bouts in history. In the end, Hachiman defeated him, but Tsuneyoshi fought so well that he was offered a gift for his departure. A sword crafted in the heavens by the name of Kogarasu Maru, known as the 'sword of the little crow.' Tales of Tsuneyoshi's might spread throughout the world and warriors sought him out to challenge the one who nearly defeated a god. Tsuneyoshi fought off each challenger, sometimes scores of them would come at once, but Tsuneyoshi never lost. After years of defending himself, he traveled back to Japan to challenge Hachiman once more, not for the throne, but for the right to return to his homeland honorably. Hachiman accepted the duel, but this time was defeated. Tsuneyoshi achieved victory over a god and was allowed to return to his homeland. He may have been the greatest warrior of all time, perhaps rivaling even King Arthur himself. His blade wasn't a holy sword like Excalibur or Caliburn, it simply was forged by the Shinto gods and received their blessing, making his accomplishments even more impressive. Upon his death, Tsuneyoshi offered the sword back to Hachiman, making known his will to find a suitable wielder to continue his legacy. Hachiman accepted his wish and gave the sword to me to place into a Sacred Gear."

"Wow…" Katase whispered, admiring the blade.

"That really is amazing," Issei agreed. "Though it does mean I won't be able to train you for very long."

"Are you trying to get out of it again, Issei? If you really don't want to train me...I guess you don't have to...I just thought it would be nice to spend some time together…" she said quietly.

"No, Katse. I actually really enjoyed training you. It was a lot of fun," he smiled.

"I wouldn't call that fun…"

"I'm just...not good with swords. I also can't teach you demonic magic. I can get you into tip-top shape, work on your reactions, your pain tolerance, your awareness, and your instincts, as well as general information about the supernatural, but I can't teach you devil magic or sword combat. I'll help you find someone to teach you and I'll even come to all your sessions if you want, but if I teach you sword combat, you'd probably end up worse off."

"You beat Murayama," she pointed out.

"I did, but she's a human. The standards are nowhere near the same. In a week of my training, I guarantee you that you could beat me in sword combat. I'm stronger, faster, and have better instincts than you when it comes to fighting, but you're better with a sword already. Once I kick your butt into gear, I won't stand a chance in a direct sword fight."

"Alright, fine…" she pouted. "But don't hurry to finish my training so you can get out of it, ok?"

"Wouldn't dream of it," he grinned, squeezing her to him. "Now, get changed. I'll head over there, just yell when you're decent."

"You'd better not look, perv," Katase threatened, sticking her tongue out at him.

"Considering you still have the energy to tease me, I'll have to go even harder next time. You shouldn't have the energy to talk let alone stick your tongue out like that."

"I was joking! Haha ha!" she waved her hands in front of her quickly. "Please! Stay and watch! I don't care, just DON'T MAKE IT ANY WORSE!"

Issei just laughed. "Exhibitionist. I'll head over there, thanks. Lemme know when you're ready."

"Uh, Issei…" she muttered, slightly embarrassed. "I...I can't really stand up."

Issei just laughed even harder. "Alright, fine. You win. Climb on."

"What are you doing? Just help me up!"

"If you can't stand, I'll just carry you home. I have places to be, chop-chop!" he instructed, turning his head from his spot kneeling in front of her. She nervously shuffled over and got on his back.

"Thanks for helping me," she said softly, letting out a sigh as he started to walk towards her house.

"Don't sweat it. I was going to offer to carry you anyway. I may not care about any rational sense of pain you might experience during training, but afterward, I'll make sure you're nice and well-coddled. Don't worry your tail there, Starburst."

"Stop calling me that!" she blushed, making a half-hearted attempt to strangle him, finding no other effective ways to hurt him while she was on his back. "It's embarrassing!"

"That's the whole point!" he chuckled.

The two continued to chat and tease each other as Issei carried her home. "Thanks again, Issei," she smiled as he set her down.

"I have a debt to work off, don't I? No problem at all."

"You do, so don't you forget about it!" she scolded. "See you tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow," he nodded before waving and walking off. Katase watching him walk away until his figure could no longer be seen against the early evening sky.

{Line Break}

Issei was walking through the park on his way home when he heard a feminine squeak from the other side of the fountain. He walked over to discover a girl with golden blonde hair and green eyes, the picture of innocence. She looked to be about his age and was wearing a nun's outfit with a veil and had been carrying a suitcase, which had fallen over alongside her. Needless to say…

'SHE'S SO ADORABLE! OH MY GOD!'

"Here he goes again," Yahweh groaned.

"Excuse me, are you alright?" he asked her, kneeling down to get closer to her.

"Oh, you speak Italian?" she asked, looking up at him with the most adorable look of hope he'd ever seen. "Praise the Lord! He sent someone to guide me!"

'Just-just-just LOOK AT HER!'

"You sound like a schoolgirl looking at a puppy…" Yahweh deadpanned. "And you're so enamored you're not even paying any attention!"

"I do, yes," he smiled as he helped her up and retrieved her suitcase.

"And you're from the church?" she gasped, noticing his rosary. "He really does watch me! Thank you, Lord, it's as if an Angel has come to guide me!"

'Accurate,' Issei nodded to himself. "I'm Issei Hyoudou. What's your name?"

"Oh! I'm Asia Argento, pleased to meet you!" she bowed and smiled at him.

"THAT'S YOU?" he shouted. "Well, this could not have gone better."

"I'm sorry, do you know of me?" she seemed a little scared by that notion.

"You're the Holy Maiden!" he smiled.

"Oh…" she said softly, looking at the ground. "I...used to be...yes. I'm sorry, could you give me directions to the church?"

"Hmmm...they're not very smart are they," Issei hummed. "Who lets their cargo walk around alone?"

"You're an idiot…"

"Cargo? I'm sorry, I should really get going," she smiled nervously. "Could I have my suitcase please?"

"Ah, I did it again, didn't I? Sorry about freaking you out, Asia. I tend to get over-excited," Issei chuckled. "Anyway, I can't take you to the church."

"Oh, that's fine. I'm sure I can find my way there myself," she said, still rather nervous.

"Hmmm...what's the best way to do this without making a scene…" Issei pondered aloud.

"Why don't you just abduct her? Might as well go all the way," Yahweh drawled sarcastically.

'That's a great idea! An abduction in the name of justice!' Issei exclaimed mentally, completely missing his sarcasm. "Alright, Asia! I'm abducting you. Please follow me. I'll take your bag for you that way you don't get tired from carrying it."

"It's official. I failed…"

"You're abducting me?" she gasped, her face in a mix of shock and fear.

"Yes, now let's get going! Here, stay with me so you don't get lost, ok?"

"Yes, Mr. Issei! Just please don't hurt me!" she pleaded, following him.

"YOU'RE SO ADORABLE~!" he gushed.

"Um...thank you, Mr. Abductor, sir," she blushed slightly. "Could I ask where we're going?"

"Ah! Yes! I'm abducting you back to my house! Unfortunately, you'll have to share a room, but she's rather pleasant. I'm sure you'll get along great."

"A roommate?" she asked curiously. 'At least I'll have some company... Thank you, Lord, for providing me some light in my time of darkness.'

"Yes, and she's just as cute as you are! Now, let's go!" he cheered, confident in his plan's success.

{Line Break}

"YOU DID WHAT?" Miki yelled.

"I abducted Asia!" Issei smiled, gently pushing the nun forward. "Asia, this is my mother. Go on, don't be shy. Introduce yourself."

"Yes, Mr. Issei! My name's Asia Argento!" she bowed nervously.

"It's lovely to meet you too, Asia. I'm sorry for my son being a complete idiot. You aren't being abducted, dear," she sighed.

"I'm not?" Asia asked, hopefully.

"No, Issei's just an idiot."

"ISSEI~!" exclaimed another feminine voice, jumping at Issei and tackling him into a hug. "You're back!"

"Nice to see you too, Yuuma," Issei greeted, patting her head. "I want you to meet someone. This is Asia. She's going to be your roommate for a little while."

"Um, I thought I wasn't being abducted," Asia spoke up meekly.

"Issei, why does she think she's being abducted?" Yuuma asked curiously.

"Because I failed as a mother and raised this idiot of a child," Miki wept. "Issei, explain to this lovely young girl what's going on before I send you to Third Heaven as a resident!"

"YES, MOTHER!" he quickly replied, quickly taking Asia and racing upstairs.

A/N: You ever have one of those ideas that makes no actual sense but is too funny to not go for? Anyway, thanks for reading.