Chapter XI: An Old Lover Appears

Kuoh University

A few days later

Rias and Issei were walking amongst the university gardens marveling at the beauty.

Kiba and Tsubaki, along with the others, were walking behind them.

Rias scooched herself a little closer to him and and wrapped herself around his arm. "It is so nice that the college gave all of us a week off from classes."

Issei rolled his eyes but smiled at her anyway and spoke in a teasing tone. "I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that we almost got the school blown up."

Rias giggled mischievously. "Perhaps. You looked so good in that armor by the way. It almost made ruining my makeup worth the fight." She then leaned in and whispered seductively in his ear. "Did you enjoy your little present last night?" She moved a hand and rubbed it over his arm.

Issei bit his lip to hide the moan as the woman's slender finger ran over his groin. He always shivered at his girlfriend's touch. "I..did. I told you not to do that in public. We're in a crowd."

Rias then pouted a bit. "Aww but why not…it is so much fun. Your face gets all red."

Kiba chuckied. Those two are really meant for each other. I never thought I'd ever see Rias so happy.

Koneko sighed with frustration. I may have to do it. Just to sate these feelings of mine. A portal opened in front of the group. Out of the portal stepped a handsome, tall fair-skinned man with blonde hair. He was surrounded by a harem of beautiful women. Rizer Phenix then glared at Issei with crossed arms. "So...you are the mutt who stole my fiance."

Rias's previous look of bliss suddenly turned to one of anger. The woman spoke with such bitterness in her tone that it surprised everyone. "Rizer..what the hell are you doing here?"

Rizer smirked playfully at the woman. "I've come back to claim what is rightfully mine. You and I have a date with destiny Rias Gremory. It is time for you to take your place at my side."

Rias scowled back at him. Her aura immediately flared up again. It was so intense everyone could feel it in the room. Akeno shivered. Damn. She's pissed. Then again. This is Rizer we are talking about.

Rias looked up at Rizer with rage in her eyes. "Read my lips Rizer. I am no longer interested in you. You are vain and cruel. There is nothing between us." She then took Issei's hand and squeezed it tightly. "Besides as you can see…my heart has already been taken."

Rizer just scoffed with a grin. "What? You mean this ruffian trash? He is nothing more than a filthy half-blood. You would dare to intermingle your pure bloodline with that of a half-Fallen Angel?"

Rias squeezed Issei's hand even harder.

Issei could feel how much she was seething in her rage through how hard she was gripping his hand. Wow. I have never seen her this angry before. Whatever happened between her and this Rizer guy…it was serious. "I would Rizer. Issei may only be a half-Fallen Angel but he is one hundred times the man you are."

Rizer grit his teeth. "Insolent to the end aren't we? You will be mine! I swear it!" He then turned his glare on Issei. "If I can't get you to come willingly…then your beloved dies."

Before anyone could react, the royal demon then raised an arm. Flames of Hell. He then blasted Issei with as much flame as he could muster. Issei howled in pain and collapsed to the floor.

Rias gasped in horror. "No! Issei!"

Akeno covered her mouth in shock. Tears ran down her eyes. "Issei.."

Kiba gasped. "Issei..no.."

Koneko gasped in a rare show of emotion. "Issei.." Now I'll never get to confess.

Both Akeno and Rias turned towards Rizer with anger in their eyes.

Rias's aura was flaring up like crazy. The fact that he insulted her was one thing. Attacking Issei was the last straw. "I told you to leave my domain!" She then summoned more magicka to her arms and launched it at the other demon. He managed to block it with a hand. "Hah! Is that the best you've got? I expected more out of the Princess of Ruin."

Akeno's electrical aura then flared up to its maximum. She then glared up at the man."You bastard! How dare you hurt him? I'll fry you alive!" Tears were rolling down her eyes. She then blasted the man with as much electricity as she could muster. The combination of the attacks from the two demon women finally overpowered Rizer and sent him flying in the garden below. A large explosion was heard.

Rias then ran over to Issei. "Issei!" She then looked him over. There were third degree burns all over his arms and legs. She then pressed two fingers underneath his jugular vein. She then sighed in relief. Good. He still has a heartbeat. She took a hand in his. "It will be alright my love. I'm not leaving you to die out here." She then turned to Asia. "Asia!"

Asia dutifully nodded and ran to Issei's side. "Of course!" The blonde healer then worked her magic on Issei's wounds. Thanks to the Twilight Heal, she was easily able to heal most of the burns on his body.

Issei started groaning and moaning in pain.

Rias couldn't hold back the tears of relief in her eyes. She turned to Asia with a warm smile and took a hand in hers. "Thank you Asia."

Asia smiled. "Of course Lady Rias. I'm just glad I can help when I can. He'll be alright. He just needs some patching up now." Of course I'd heal Issei.

Lord Rizer then flew up with a burning rage in his eyes. Part of the man's face has been burned. "Rias..that was a foolish move. If you think this puts an end to things..you are sorely mistaken. One way or another..you will marry me."

Rias just glared at him. "You..come into my home and you insult me. You insult my autonomy as a woman. You try to kill the man I love. Read my lips. I will never marry you Rizer. I'd rather die than marry you."

Rizer just glared down at her. "Oh you will marry me. One way or another." The man then conjured up a portal and flew through it.

Rias turned back to the others. "Come on. We need to get Issei to the compound."

Akeno took one of Issei's arms and wrapped it around her shoulder. "I'll take one arm. You take the other."

Rias nodded. "Got it." The redheaded princess then opened a portal and walked through it.

The next day

Gremory Household

Issei woke up clutching at his head. "Oww my head."

Rias, ever dutiful, was at his side. The woman felt her heart palpate and soar when she saw him. She was squeezing his hand so hard it felt as is if the woman were going to crush all the bones. "Once again...you prove your immortality my dearest love." She then frowned as she looked over the extent of his injuries. She picked up his hand and examined the skin. The burns were mostly healed though there was still a noticeable burnmark on the man's right cheek. "Oh. Look at you. Look at what he did to your handsome face. This is all my fault."

Issei chuckled and half-grinned at her. "Hey now. Don't start all that. I knew what I was getting into when we started this. This is nothing compared to what you had to go through with mine."

So steadfast and loyal. Even death doesn't scare him. She then playfully smirked at him. "Heh. I guess you are right. Though I think mine has you beat. Asia wasn't trying to burn me alive.

Issei then nodded. "See I have a point sometimes."

Rias then laughed so hard she felt as if she had to draw for breath. She then rested her head on his chest and ran her thumb over his left hand. "You do realize you are insane right? Any other demon worth his salt would've dumped me at the door. Rizer is powerful. Victory is never a guarantee with him."

Issei then brushed a few stray strands out of her face with a hand. "Yeah but you forget that I am merely part demon. My father is a half-angel." He then shook his head. "'Sides. I'm also doing this for myself. That fucker caught me off guard. My pride is hurt. A little payback is in order. There isn't that much difference between him and Kokabiel. Same ego complex. Same sense of entitlement."

Rias nodded smiling. "And revenge you shall have my sweet...against both of them. I promise you that."

Kiba, who had been watching, just shook his head. "You two are really meant for each other. I thought me and Tsubaki were crazy."

Rias snorted, looked up at him and rolled her eyes. "Oh like you have room to talk. Don't think I didn't hear you and Tsubaki last night. God. You both kept me up all night. I thought you would never run out of stamina."

Kiba leaned against the doorway with a wide grin on his face. "I apologize for nothing." He then looked down at Issei. "Issei. I'm glad to see you up at em. You really are a lucky bastard you know that? First you get stabbed with four light spears. Second..you almost get burned alive by one of the most powerful demons in existence. How the hell do you stay alive?"

Issei half-smirked and grinned. "Must be my charms. Who knows there may be an angel watching over me."

Kiba shook his head. "Well you are a half Fallen Angel. Lucky bastard."

Akeno then chuckled as she was walking in the room "Are you two at it again? Geez. You both can be such..boys sometimes. Though that means Issei is still alive...so that is a positive."

Issei chuckled sarcastically. "Gee thanks Akeno."

Akeno winked at him. "No problem. Glad to see you still breathing."

Asia then popped her head in the room. "Issei? Are you in here?"

Issei waved her over. "Yeah."

Asia then came over and hugged him. "Oh. I am glad to see you are okay."

Issei growled in pain as her hands ran over one of the severe burns.

Asia covered her mouth in shock. "Sorry! Sorry!"

Rias scowled. "Watch it! He is still healing!"

Asia nodded nervously. "Right."

Koneko then pensively walked out from her hiding place. "Issei..you are okay. I'm so relieved to hear you are okay!"

Koneko wasn't someone who was used to showing emotion for anyone except those in the Gremory family. She was stoic and calm. However, seeing Issei get burned alive frightened the young woman to her core. She then graciously hugged him for dear life. "I was so worried!"

The gesture took everyone off guard. Koneko was no stranger to her emotions. She was a demon after all but she usually showed it through less emotional means. Kiba chuckled. "Well that is something you don't see every day. I've never gotten a hug from Koneko. Even when she was happy." " Akeno just nodded in agreement. "Indeed. This is an...interesting development."

Seeing the usually reserved woman who usually showed her affection through more neutral means, suddenly hug her boyfriend caused Rias some concern but she shook it off. It is probably nothing. Koneko would know not to make a move on my partner.

Issei hugged her back. "I'm alright."

Soon everyone joined on the group hug.

Rias then joined in the hug. "No matter what happens...I will protect you all."

Sorry for the long wait!