Book 1

Chapter 3

Why The Hell Me

Why try? I know why The feeling inside me says it's time I was gone Clear head, new life ahead
It's time I was king now, not just one more pawn

Issei stood there, with the smile still on his face, knowing that what he just told the assembled people (devils) sent them for a loop. These were moments he lived for, looked for, and to be honest, enjoyed more than most things. The only enjoyment he listed above this, was his relationship with family, friends and loved ones. Everyone there, with the exceptions of Koneko and Tsubaki were stunned as they were told who this person was. Granted, Issei preferred not to stand out, unless he was specifically trying to...this was one of those times.

Issei decided to continue, looking at the two heiresses, he began to explain. "Rias and Sona, I want to thank you for your dedication and resolve in defending not just this town, but the Ancient Grounds as well. Sirzechs and Serafall have both, very proudly I might add, informed me that you have on a few occasions, gone above and beyond your duties as governors of this town in defending the Grounds from intrusion and desecration, you have my thanks and the thanks of Takamagahara for your efforts. I am now here to relieve you of any and all responsibilities regarding the Grounds, but not the town, that is still under your govern. With that said, I will not complain if you were to continue to help with keeping an eye out on the Grounds, as you have been doing." Issei said this with a slight bow of thanks.

Sona was the first to speak. "Hyoudou Dono, we were, are, more than privileged to take on that duty. Not just because of the mutual respect for the Shinto faction, but also because of how we would want everyone to see that, as devils, we are not what most would believe."

"Thank you, but, please drop the honorifics, just call me Issei,. Also, watch out there Sona, you sounded just like your sister there and we all know what she is like." Issei said with a grin.

"Well, I would like to stay a bit longer, but I have a meeting to attend, so, I shall see you all later."

With that said, Issei stepped to where Koneko was sitting and knelt down to hug her. "I will see you in a bit, sit tight" he whispered in her ear. He then walked to the door without looking back and left.

Once the door closed, everyone just stared at the 2 heiresses and then looked to Tsubaki and Koneko.

Rias cleared her throat. "Koneko, how do you know him, and why haven't you said anything?"

Koneko looked at her master, and responded. "I met Ise when my sister and I were younger, before "it" happened. We got to know each other, and then when sister was involved with, "that", he helped clear her name. But we haven't seen each other in a long time, and I didn't recognize him when you had me follow him. He stopped walking, and turned to me and said hello, that's when I realized who it was."

Rias couldn't believe what she was hearing. "So just what is between you..." KNOCK, KNOCK..

There was a sudden knock on the door, everyone went silent as no one felt a presence at the door.

"Enter!" spoke Rias, as other were on guard. The door opened and there stood Issei, he entered and closed the door, and walked up to Rias at her desk. Everyone was silent as they were a bit confused on what he was doing back so soon after leaving.

"Hello there Rias, I am here for the meeting."

Rias, and everyone else for that matter, (with the exception of Koneko) were just starring at him in total confusion. With a slight grin, Issei stepped towards Rias's desk, and gave her a wink when he explained.

"I thought it would surprise you to know that I am to be the Occult Research Club's new advisor.

What that entails is that I will be available during and after School hours to guide and advise. Not just you and the ORC, but also am available to advise the Student Council."

With that said, Sona spoke up on that statement.

"Why would the Student Council need an advisor, especially after all this time without one?"

Issei turned towards Sona to address her concern. "Ms. Sitri, this is just a facade, that the higher ups thought it would help your two groups as more activity appears in the area. I am not here to dictate or oversee what your actions are as the Student Council. By all means,your handling of the Council has been, and expected to remain flawless." Turning back to Rias, "Ms Gremory, Your position as the President of the ORC is not in question either. What my job will be, besides being caretaker and defender of the Ancient Grounds here, is an advisor to both groups in dealing with what arise on the Supernatural order."

"I see, my only question is why now?, why wait all this time to have an advisor assigned?"

Issei wanted to answer Rias's question carefully, as Sirzechs had told him that she sometimes tries too hard to accomplish things that she should have asked for help on.

"Actually it was only a mater of time till this was to come about. For some reason, Fuyu no Kyūden...sorry, Kuoh

has begun to be an epicenter of activity and the Shinto, Devil and Angelic factions decided it was time to discreetly add a level of protection. I will be representing the Shinto and both of you, Rias and Sona, will be representing the Devil faction, and someone from the Angel side will be here in a few days and there is also a representative from the Fallen side that will be here soon also. Keep in mind though that regardless of the two of you being here or not, this is still Shinto sovereign territory and I AM the hereditary protector of Fuyu no Kyūden and as such, will exercise that right as I see fit." explained Issei.

"Although that sounded a bit self centered, I want you two to know that I will not dictate to you how you perform your duties, as long as the general population is left alone. I will though, always be available as a sounding board, of sorts. The only times I will ever consider taking action is if a situation arises that is beyond what your 2 families can handle. We will also be conducting joint training sessions, among other things to solidify team strength and such."

Sona was the first to respond to his remarks. "In what way will you be helping the Student Council?"

Issei directed hid gaze to Sona. "As I said, the naming of myself as the Advisor to the S.C. Is a facade.

I will in no way step in on school matters, unless something arises that I feel I must comment on. But, if something on the supernatural or esoteric side pops up, that looks to be beyond what your 2 peerages can handle, I will step in to assist, or if needed, to handle things. As I said, I am not here to dictate to you in any way, shape or form on how you handle school business."

Sona's reaction to what he said, showed visibly on her face as she relaxed and stopped worrying about the situation. She would not openly admit to it, but she sees her control of the S.C. As a 'Do Not Interfere' type of control.

Issei looked around the room at everyone, and then centered on Rias and Sona. "Ms Gremory and Ms. Sitri would it be possible to continue a more private discussion? We have various things to discuss,

and will take some time to go over."

Sona looked at Rias and nodded. "Of course. Everyone, you are dismissed, if you have no contracts, then you are free to head home for the night." said Rias with a smile. As everyone was leaving, Issei looked to Koneko and winked at her and she smiled and nodded to him letting him know that she got the message that he would see her latter,

After everyone had left, leaving just him, the 2 Kings and their Queens. Issei expected that they would want their Queens to be with them, and he had no objections to their staying.

"What I am about to tell you 4, does NOT leave this room or any reason, is that understood ?"

All 4 girls nodded in the affirmative. "OK, as you know, the 3 factions, Angels, Fallen, and Devils, have been in a state of "cease fire" since the end of the war, well, all 3 sides have agreed to formalize this to a state of Peace."

The reactions to what Issei said, were different on all 4 of their faces. Rias's expression was one of disbelief, Sona's was the arch of an eyebrow, Tsubaki just held an unreadable expression, and Akeno's was one of outright refusal to believe, which Issei caught, and understood, realizing that she would think this way, as having the possibility of the chance that she would have to, at some point in the future, work with one or more Fallen Angels.

"Now, this won't happen all at once, but, there will be a summit to be held by the leaders of all 3 factions in the near future. The location has not yet been decided upon, but I will try to let you know where and when, if I can. Understand that this is of the utmost secrecy, and if you tell another soul, living or dead, there will be heavy consequences...is that understood?"

All four girls replies with a "Yes". "Good" Issei said with a smile, "Because I would not want to have to put any of you over my knee and spank you." They were not sure to take that as a joke, or a possible threat, until Rias saw Tsubaki's hands go to covering her own backside, almost as a reaction to a past event. Rias decided not to say anything, since she really didn't want to know.

"Okay, with that said, there is the matter of..." and all of a sudden, he stopped speaking, looked to his left side, and stepped 3 paces to his right. The others where confused, and before any could ask him why, a red magic circle, of the Gremory, formed and revealed Grayfia, in her maids outfit.

"Grayfia, what brings you here, unannounced?" spoke Rias. Grayfia responded in a very formal manner. "Lady Rias, I am here to inform you that the meeting between you and Riser Phenex has been moved up from next week to tomorrow. Please make yourself available at 4:00pm to receive Riser, and any others that attend him."

Issei noticed that Rias took on an expression of dread, mixed with anger after Grayfia spoke those words. Grayfia's expression softened, and spoke again. "Rias, I spoke those words as a representative of the Gremory family, and as Queen to your brother, but I now speak as your sister-in-law, I am sorry, more sorry than you can imagine, but I have not found any way for you to get out of this, with the exception I mentioned previously. And as you know, Sirzechs can not intercede in any way, due to his position as Maou Lucifer, for as much as it huts him, he can not show any actions against the will of the council"

Issei knew what was being discussed, and the myriad of problems that will arise I Rias takes a certain course o action. The Phenex was one of the 32 remaining of the original 72 Pillars. But, as far as he knew, Ruval is the heir to the Head, and the second son is more involved with businesses outside of the families, and Riser, the third son, has nothing to do with the family business, and the 4th child, a daughter named Ravel. 'Why would they arrange a marriage between an heiress of the Gremory, to a non ranking member of another house? Either way, Duke, or in Rias's case, Duchess, outranks Marquis, which is the Phenex rank.' thought Issei, as he was thinking about the situation. Not noticing that everyone was starring at him at the moment.

"What?...oh, sorry, I was deep in thought, did I miss something?"

"As I was saying," answered Grayfia, "Riser Phenex is coming here tomorrow for a meeting.".

Issei nodded and started to turn to walk out.

"Where are you going?" asked Rias, wondering why he would just walk away without saying anything.

"I am going to the Shrine, I have some checks to make on the Grounds as well as a meeting of my own in a bit at the Shrine." Grayfia asked, "Oh?, and who would that be?"

Issei looked blankly at her and said, "Actually, that is a private mater that does not concern any of you." Stunned by the directness o the response, Rias is a little agitated by his refusal to say to whom he is meeting. "Excuse me, but I need to know who is entering my territory!" exclaimed Rias.

Issei, who takes a serious expression upon his face, slowly turns to face her. "With all due respect Ms. Gremory, what actions, and with whom I take, inside the Grounds of Fuyu no Kyūden, are of no concern to you, or anyone else for that mater. This is still, as it always has been, Shinto territory, and is sovereign territory which can not be dictated upon by you, or any other entity, is that clear, Ms. Gremory?" Rias, and every one there, were just reminded that, just because they were granted permission from the Shinto, to have a presence in Fuyu no Kyūden, they were NOT the ultimate controllers of said territory.

"Yes, I am sorry, it's just that I like to consider this place my home, as it were, and I just like to know what goes on , especially if other factions try to enter it." Spoke Rias, not really sure why Issei would react like that. Issei stares at her or a bit, and relaxes with a smile. "That's understandable, and I am sorry if I came off as impolite...I am just a bit off about this meeting, it is not one I am looking forward to. I abhor certain decisions made for others, without their consent, or acceptance in the matter, and having to deal with that should not be a burden to anyone. As to whom I am meeting with, I will just say that it is someone who I am not in agreement with over a certain situation, and am looking into a remedy of said situation. So, with that said, Goodbye Grayfia, it was nice to see you again."

With that said, Issei left the room. Grayfia looked directly to Rias, and with a shake of her head, spoke. "Rias, sometimes I wonder where your brain is...did you really think it was wise to ask that question to a Shinto representative? Let alone a Shinto God?, what were you thinking?"

Rias looked downcast as Grayfia reprimanded her. "I forget who he is, he has such a laid back presence that you lose sight of the fact that he is more than what he appears to be...Sorry"

"Well, I have to get back, I shall see you tomorrow good bye Rias." And with that, Grayfia let via a travel circle.

Elsewhere, Issei was sitting in the Shrine that was upon the Grounds, and was just about to pour some tea, as a red magic circle formed, and out stepped a tall, red haired man, who looked like an older, male version of Rias Gremory. "Well well, long time no see there Sirzechs...how the hell are ya?" asked Issei with a smile as he stood and shook hands with the Devil King.

"Seriously?, we just saw each other 3 days ago, you dork!" replied Sirzechs. "Hey, I may be a dork, but you sir, are a putz, why the hell, and I use that term loosely, would you allow, and encourage a marriage between your own sister, and that walking piece of shit, Riser Phenex.?"

Sirzechs hung his head a bit, "Issei, you must know that, as the Lucifer, I can not in any way, be seen as taking a side in this. If I show even an ounce of favoritism in this, the Council will seek to redact any decision I make, and to over rule. Just because I am a Maou, does not mean I have total control, you must know that! It breaks my heart to see my own beloved sister in this situation, especially with that low lie, but there is nothing I can do, that is why I am seeking your help...Please!" Replied Sirzechs with tears running down his cheeks.

Issei, being the person he is, felt the compassion building up, and then said, "Dude, you know damned well I will help, but not in the way you think. The answer is as simple as pie."

Sirzechs looks into Issei's eyes and notices the hint of mirth behind his words. "What are you thinking?" Issei shakes his head with a smirk. "You are all overlooking the one thing that will save her! Without having to fight it out in a rating game" The Devil Kings face shows confusion as he answers, "What are you getting at?" the smirk on Issei's face gets larger as he tells his friend his idea...

After his meeting with Sirzechs, and taking care of various duties involved with the Grounds, decides to go for a stroll on the school campus. As he is walking, his cell phone alerts him to a call. Issei notices it is from Sona Sitri, and chose to answer it instead of letting it go to voice mail...a mistake he would later regret.

"Hello Ms. Sitri, what can I do for you?" "I am calling you in regards to a situation, that if left to me, would result in the expulsion of 2 students, and unwanted attention upon the school. I would like your presence in the Council room as soon as possible...this might be the kind of situation that you mentioned about earlier, about stepping in to assist." The brown haired, multi colored eyed young dragon Godling, contemplated running away right there, but got hold of himself, and regretfully answered that he would be there in a few minutes.

Issei, being a God, which did not necessarily mean life was a bowl of cherries, in fact, he hated cherries. Well, hate is too strong of a word. It's more like he strongly disliked cherries. They were small, and about ½ of it was pit. Most of the time, they would not be sweet, but bitter. They would leave red stained fingers, they ….ok, ok...he hated them. Besides, who in their right mind would compare life, to a bowl of small, pitted fruit? Not Issei, that's for sure. No, If he were to compare life to a fruit, it would be...well it sure as hell wouldn't be cherries, that's for sure. Getting back to the whole "bowl of cherries" thing, there were times when he thought that being a god was way over rated, case in point, he was now standing in the Student Council office. Behind the desk, sat the SC President herself, Sona Sitri...or should he say, Souna Shitori. The pseudo name she went by in the Human world...Why?, you may ask, well, he sure as hell doesn't know. "Why would Sona even NEED to use a fake name? Really, even if you had a copy of the Ars Goetia, and noticed a Sitri and/or Gremory name around, that isn't proof that they are devils.. Issei even met someone with the name Crocell one time, and no...they were not a devil.

Any way, to the point at hand. Issei, standing there, in front of Sona's desk, and to the left side of the desk, stood several girls in the schools uniform, and to the right side stood 2 boys, in what used to be school uniforms, which are now the torn and tattered remains of the males school uniforms.

After a brief telling of what transpired between the 2 boys and the girls, Issei looked directly towards Sona.

"Why the hell me?"