"It's nice to finally meet you, after all this time of searching, Ashikabi Of Fate." Said Rachel in a soft tone of voice, causing Antonio's eyes to widen as she had fixed some dangling hair by placing it behind her ear as a gentle breeze flew about the shopping district of Shino Teito. Rachel had looked down to see Kuu who in turn had tried to hide her face by using Antonio's pants leg for cover which made Rachel tilt her head and smile. "Well aren't you just adorable." Said Rachel with a warm smile on her face. For some reason, Antonio couldn't figure her out, it was as if she was sending out some sort of 'unreadable' vibe from her body. "Kawaii."

"Um R-Rachel-san…" Said Antonio softly, gaining Rachel's attention.

"Hmm?" Replied Rachel.

"Just how is it that you know, about the Ashikabi Of Fate?" Asked Antonio. Though he didn't receive a verbal response, he had seen Rachel opening her coat to rumble through the inside pocket and pulled out an old, coffee brownish photo. Antonio had seen that Rachel gently grab hold of the small photo, and slowly moved it towards her chest.

"By this, my treasure." Replied Rachel with a soft tone of voice as she lowered her head slightly while having her eyes closed. After she smiled, she slowly extended the photo outwards, allowing Antonio to take hold of, and look upon the photo. "My mother would always tell me these stories of when she was injured, on the verge of death and without hope at the time. When she thought she was going to die, she had noticed a man that she knew nothing about, had saved her. Using his own time and resources, he had fully nursed her to full health, enough for her to 'head back home'." She had seen Antonio looking upon the photo and Kuu with a face of curiosity. Moments later after examining the photo, Rachel had seen that Antonio's eyes had widen. "Probably the most noticeable feature my mother noticed was the man's beautiful white hair."

'This is, Matsuro Kirigaya!' Antonio had thought to himself as he looked upon the photo and had seen him along with a woman posing with a 'peace' sign before the camera took the shot. He had then began to recall a story he was told when he was at the meeting of the three factions by Michael, leader of the Angel's faction.

'There was an Angel who was injured during the war with the Devils. Due to her injuries that she received she should've died on the spot, as a few Devils followed her and were about to deliver the final blow, a savior in white managed to not only defeat her attackers but nursed her back to health long enough for her to return to heaven. Does any of that ring a bell? It's one of the most told stories in heaven.'

"The woman in the photo is my mother." Said Rachel as she could see the surprised expression on Antonio's face as Kuu tried to jump up and down to also catch a glimpse of the photo. "So the reason I know about the Ashikabi Of Fate is that I'm an…"

"Damn." Kuroka said softly as she had sat upon a roof of a tall, nearby building while looking down 'observing' Antonio. "Just when I was thinking about doing my early morning 'observation' I get interrupted by this goody, two-shoe…"

"Angel."

Kanzaki Residence

"Oh my, so that's what happened?" Asked Miya as she poured Antonio some freshly made tea while he simply nodded his head. "Well, all that matters is that you came back home safe. I thought something bad had happened to you."

"I-I'm ok." Replied Antonio as he had seen Miya sitting across from him. "I…"

"Though I know you wouldn't be so 'bold' as to break the number one rule of this household about cheating on us with another woman, especially without mine or Chiho's consent, right dear?" Said Miya as she closed her eyes, tilted her head to the right as she allowed the visage of her demon mask to manifest itself above her which made Antonio sweat bullets.

'We've been together for awhile, and I still hadn't got used to that' Antonio thought to himself, hoping Miya's demon mask would fade away into nothingness, which it did moments later after Miya giggled to herself. 'Still to this day, Miya is kind of scary when she get's like that.'

*I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE MENTIONED ANIME NOR ITS CHARACTERS*

Speech: "Home is where the heart is."

Thoughts: 'Can i really go through with this?'

Whispering: "I will do anything and everything I can do to help."


Chapter 20: Infinite Heart! The Chaos Continues


Things were as usual in the Shimazu Dormitory, rowdy mixed with a bit of calmness which wasn't out of the ordinary for the Kazama family.

"Things are getting pretty nasty in Japan." Said Gakuto as he relaxed on the couch.

"Not just Japan, but the whole world." Chimed in Takuya. The male had then turned his head towards Chris. "How is your father handling things?" Asked Takuya.

"Father is doing well." Replied Chris in her regular tone of voice. "There isn't anything that Germany isn't prepared for!"

"Still, those creatures just gave off really nasty, killer vibes." Said Mayuuchi. She had then felt Matsukaze mount her shoulder.

"I still have nightmares whenever I remember their nasty looking faces." Said Matsukaze.

"I would charge in and take care of em myself!" Said Capt in a proud tone of voice. "If only I had the combat strength like Momoyo-senpai…" As Capt lowered his head in defeat, he quickly picked it back up to quickly pan around the living room area of the dormitory where they were all at to see Yamato wasn't with them. "Hey Gen-san, have you seen Yamato?"

"How the hell would I know?" Replied Tadakatsu. "He is still probably sleeping in his room or something. I didn't want to wake him up or anything so I left him alone." Tadakatsu had then seen Capt seemingly staring at him.

"Gen-san, you wouldn't happen to be a Tsundere by chance would you?" Asked Capt.

"The hell is that?" Replied Tadakatsu.

Yamato's Room

Yamato was watching a regularly aired movie on his TV with Miyako, who rested her head on his shoulder.

"This honestly doesn't feel real to me." Said Miyako softly.

"What doesn't?" Replied Yamato, only to have Miyako wrapping her arms around Yamato's right arm.

"Just waking up with you every morning, me being your girlfriend." Replied Miyako.

"I see…" Said Yamato with a small smile on his face. He had then seen Miyako sitting up, releasing his arm. "Miyako, what's up?"

"I think that you need to really apologize to Antonio." Replied Miyako.

"I did apologize to him though." Said Yamato. He had then seen Miyako shaking her head in disagreement.

"But did that apology come from the heart?" Asked Miyako, causing Yamato to tense up. "Yamato, me you and Antonio have been apart of the same group of friends for years before he had to move. After what happened recently, I think he deserves a heartfelt apology, don't you?"

"Would it change anything?" Asked Yamato. "He would still be pissed off at me like no other…" Yamato had then felt Miyako grabbing onto his right hand with both of her hands and grasped onto his hand tightly.

"He would at least notice that you are trying to make up for what happened, but we have to take things one step at a time." Replied Miyako. "If you won't do it for yourself, at least do it for me?" After relaxing himself by looking into Miyako's soft eyes, Yamato had slowly but surely nodded his head in agreement which made Miyako tilt her head and smile. "Good."

Kawakami Temple

"Onee-san, want to join me in my morning run?" Asked Wanko who was standing in the doorway to Momoyo's room.

"In a bit doggie." Replied Momoyo. "I'll catch up later." At that moment, she had seen Kazuko's dog ears appear on the top of her head.

"Ok Onee-san, I'll see you later!" Said Kazuko as she closed the sliding door to Momoyo's room at the Kawakami Temple and headed outside with her running gear to head out towards her usual running route where she will eventually bump into Hideo and Azumi who is carrying Hideo via rickshaw. Momoyo sighed before looking at her own reflection in her mirror on her dresser.

-Flashback-

"Please tell us you are alright…" Said Hikari on a saddened tone of voice. As Issei was getting healed right away with Asia's Twilight Healing Sacred Gear, Antonio's eyes started to twitch before he slowly opened them, causing his Sekirei to gasp slightly.

"Ugh my head is killing me…." Said Antonio softy as he slowly sat up and placed his right hand on the side of his head due to using his 'Final Attack'.

"What happened!?" Asked a worried Momoyo as her, along with Chiho had seen Musubi and Kaho helping Antonio up off the ground as Kuu ran up to hug Antonio's leg.

"Me and Issei… fought with a creature named Salazar." Replied Antonio. "He said that he was the thirteenth member of the pillars of evil." Said Antonio.

"So then it's safe to assume there is twelve more bad guys, 'thirteen pillars of evil." Said Asuka as she started to rub her chin.

"Whatever the case, we can't just sit around and do nothing, can we?" Asked Stella. "What if they decide to make another appearance?"

-Flashback END-

Just seeing Antonio injured like that after fighting one of the pillars that belonged to the thirteen pillars of evil made her want to be there for him, like how he was there for her when he listened to her heartfelt confession. They've been knowing each other since childhood, standing side by side with the rest of their 'gang'. Always promising to have each other's backs through the good times and bad and when the thirteen pillars of evil declared war, this was one of those bad times.

'Just like how you have been there for me.' Momoyo thought to herself as she clenched her right fist. 'Now it's my turn to be there for you Antonio. I'm going to be joining you and stand by your side!'


As time passed, Issei, Ikki and Alice decided to take a bath in the men's section before eating lunch so they could feel nice and relaxed.

"Are you feeling alright Issei-san?" Asked Ikki as he and Issei sat on stools while the hot water from the shower hit their bodies.

"Yeah, after Asia's healing and a goodnight's sleep, I'm feeling brand new." Replied Issei as he started to lathering himself up with soap before he let the hot water wash it off of him.

"Issei-kun, could you pass the shampoo?" Asked Alice. Almost immediately after asking, he had seen Issei using his right arm to hand Alice the shampoo bottle without opening his eyes as not to get soap into them. "Thank you."

"No problem." Replied Issei.

"About the Thirteen Pillars." Chimed in Ikki. "Just how strong are they?" Ikki had waited for a reply as Issei took the time to let the warm, sizzling water wash away all the soap off of his body before he entered the spacious bath.

"Me and Antonio only fought one." Replied Issei. "Just from that one fight we had, I could tell that the bastard had a crazy amount of power."

"Oh my, so we ought to be careful." Chimed in Alice.

"Or we might lose our lives." Said Ikki as he seemingly ended Alice's sentence for him.

"That's why…" Said Issei as he got up and walked over towards the bath with a towel covering his 'pride' "To protect everyone I care about, I will get stronger so that I can fight."

"We will as well." Replied Ikki. "We won't let this beautiful earth perish without taking a fighting stand."

"My Ikki, that was very poetic of you." Chimed in Alice. In the girls bath, Stella had noticed that Shizuku's usually quiet demeanor had changed into a slightly more 'non-quiet' one as a violent aura started to emerge from her. She had seen Shizuku's menacing aura once before, when Alice had indirectly hit on Ikki which had upset Shizuku to the point where she drew out her sword device, then is the same as now as Stella could only sweatdrop as Shizuku started mumbling words to herself. Yumi had slowly lifted her hand out of the bath, letting the warm water collect in her palm as she looked as the small reflection of herself before letting the water drip between the crack of her fingers.

'Seem's that my path to justice has taken a bit of a detour.' Yumi had thought to herself as her eyes gazed upon the rest of her teammates who were still letting the hot water from the showers roll off their bodies, along with the girls of Hanzo, Hebijo and Homura's Crimson Squad. As a visage of Antonio's face appeared in her head which caused her cheeks to heat up, Yumi gently patted her hands against her cheeks. 'Well, as long as the road I am on leads to the same destination, I shall keep walking upon on the road I shall stay upon the path I'm on.'

Kanzaki Residence

"It's not nice to stare." Said Haihane as she was sitting on the couch with Benitsubasa next to her. The Indigo Sekirei had noticed her best friends eyes had laid upon her.

"What's your aim?" Said Benitsubasa, causing Haihane to be confused.

"Excuse me?" Replied Haihane.

"Don't play stupid." Said Benitsubasa. "Are you planning on catching me with my guard down and hit me with one of your 'flat chest' jokes Haihane?" Questioned Benitsubasa. Haihane had simply closed her eyes and pushed back some hair and placed it behind her ear.

"Not at all Benitsubasa." Replied Haihane, causing Benitsubasa to scratch her head vigorously enough to mess up her pink hair.

"Arrgh! It's so weird hearing you call me by my actual name!" Said Benitsubasa in a raised tone of voice.

"So would you rather me go back to calling you 'flatty' or your actual name?" Said Haihane

"Guhh…" Benitsubasa didn't know how to respond as her words couldn't formulate, nor escape her mouth.

"What's the matter now, don't know what to say?" Taunted Haihane with a smirk on her face, causing a vein to appear on the side of Benitsubasa's head. As Antonio's Sekirei shared a hearty laugh with each other, including Minato's and Yukari's Sekirei, Antonio was in deep thought as he examined the beautiful sky from his rooftop. Suddenly he heard the faint sounds of footsteps approaching him.

"I was wondering where you were." Antonio had then had a small smirk upon his face as his eyes didn't move away from the sky.

"I was just thinking, Chiho." Replied Antonio. Chiho had then suddenly rested her hands on the railing next to her boyfriend. "Yeah, just thinking…" Chiho had motioned her eyes to Antonio's face to see the smirk had gone away. Chiho knew Antonio had a lot of things going on right now, things that would crush the average person with it's weight, but yet he still carries on with a smile on his face. Not letting others worry themselves about him and whatever is happening. That kind, loving and considerate heart of his was one of the many reasons why she fell in love with him, and seeing him either sad or depressed,or even seeing him without his smile makes her feel weird on the inside.

"Hey Antonio, can I ask you a question?" Asked Chiho with her heart seemingly racing.

"You know you don't need to ask me Chiho." Said Antonio as he looked towards Chiho with his usual warm smile which caused Chiho to second guess her question. She shook off the indecisive feeling by shaking her head, which made Antonio giggle slightly.

"Don't be embarrassed to ask Chiho, I…"

"W-What was, your relationship with your father like?" Asked Chiho, causing Antonio's eyes to widen as the sound of the gently breeze filled the silence between them. Immediately after asking, she had felt as if Antonio was just going to let the silence continued. "S-S-Sorry for just randomly asking! It's just that I was wanting to know since what happened with the Queen, well then I guess it wouldn't make my question all that random, now would it?" Said Chiho as she could feel herself sweating bullets. As to save herself from embarrassment, she had bowed to Antonio. "I'm sorry." As Chiho apologized, a few more seconds of silence filled the air.

"It's fine." Replied Antonio, catching Chiho by surprise which made her stand up straight. "You just wanted to know so it's no reason you should be the one to apologize, right?" Questioned Antonio.

"Y-Yeah.." Replied Chiho as she had seen Antonio placing his hands on the railing as his head and eyes motioned upwards to the sky.

"I, never had a great relationship, any kind of relationship with my dad…"

[Play Song: In Your Past - Sword Art Online OST]

"To my father, using his own words, all I am was a mistake that he has made in his past." When Chiho was listening to every word of Antonio's past, she couldn't believe that someone as wonderful as him had to gone through what his father placed him and his mother in. "He left my mother to struggle while he went on and did his own thing, not giving a care in the world that he left my mother to raise a child all on her own without any help. Honestly, when I was growing up, watching my mother struggle just to feed me and pay for the bills in our home, made me feel bad because I couldn't do anything to alleviate any of the stress that's been weighing her down, all because of him…"

"I…."

"When I was a small child." Said Antonio. "I only seen my father a handful of times. I was unaware of the things my father had out my mother and me through. The last time I seen him was when he paid a visit to the Inn before it was renovated." When Chiho had heard this, her eyes had widen up. "After nineteen years almost, is when he looked me in my eyes and told me I was a mistake to him." As Antonio continued speaking, Chiho had noticed a tear emerging from his right eye, slowly rolling down his cheek until it would drop to the floor. "He even had told me that he tried to tell my mom that the best option would either be to adopt me, or get an abortion so that she wouldn't get disowned by my grandparents. So when I say I never had a relationship with my father, it's because I hadn't. He'd rather go off and act younger than his age instead of taking responsibility for something he helped created." Chiho could see the railing Antonio was gripping on bend due to the force he was exerting. "I…"

"That's enough…" Said Chiho as she walked up towards Antonio. She had a feeling that words won't do justice but instead, she had gently placed her hand on top of Antonio's and when she had the chance, Chiho had hugged Antonio and laid her head on his chest. Antonio could feel the warmth from her hug as she began to squeeze tightly, as tight as she possibly could. "If it means anything to you Antonio. My meeting you was no mistake, my smile is no mistake…"

"Chiho…"

"Most certainly my love for you is no mistake either! I love you so much Kanzaki Antonio!" Said Chiho as she looked up to look Antonio in his eyes.

[Song END]

"Of course it means something to me Chiho." Said Antonio as he looked into Chiho's eyes. "Without you guys, I wouldn't be able to talk about this so easily. I had a voice in my head tell me that I have plenty enough to be happy for…"

"I see, that's…" Chiho's cheeks turned deep red as she had felt Antonio's soft lips gently land against hers. This sent a surge of warmth through Chiho's once unstable body, this feeling was something she wanted to have forever and ever. As their lips parted from each other, Chiho kept her blush as Antonio pushed some dangling hair behind her ear while Chiho could feel some steam escape the top of her head.

"I'm thankful for each and everyone one of you guys." Said Antonio softly. As Chiho smiled warmly towards Antonio, Miya was in the kitchen drinking some tea when she had heard a knock on the door.

"I'll get it." Said Miya as Uzume had seen her get up walk out of the kitchen and towards the foyer to open up the front door at the same time Antonio and Chiho were coming down from the rooftop.

"Oh Miya do we have a visitor?" Asked Antonio from the top of the stairs. She had nodded then stepped to the side to reveal a young, silver haired girl with blue eyes which made him squeal on the inside at the things his Sekirei would do to him based on a misunderstanding. Rachel had seen Antonio and had begun to wave towards him so innocently and without harmful intent, but the aura within the house from few of his Sekirei became so murderous that it made Antonio sweat bullets. He begun to hear footsteps approaching him and Chiho so when he turned around to see who it was, he had seen it was Karasuba wearing a black tank-top and shorts.

"What's going?" Asked Karasuba as she could see the shocked expression on Antonio's face. She had then looked down to the foyer to see Miya standing with some unknown girl next to her, that was all that was needed for Karasuba to have a grin come upon her face as she closed her eyes. "Oh my, so that's what's going on."

"K-Karasuba, where are you going?" Asked Antonio as he and Chiho had seen Karasuba walking in the opposite direction but had stopped when Antonio had questioned her.

"To my room, so I can grab my sword." Replied Karasuba

"M-May I ask why?" Asked Antonio after he had gulped. He had then noticed Karasuba started to giggle slightly.

"To stab you with silly." Replied Karasuba with her usual closed eye smile.

'Just straight to the point!' Antonio thought to himself. Before things could get out of hand and something were to actually happen to Antonio, Rachel had took the time and spoke to everyone about her presence, who she is and why she followed Antonio. When the previous Ashikabi Of Fate had saved her mother, she had wanted to show her extreme gratitude by not only thanking the one gifted with the powers of Matsuro Kirigaya, but she also wanted to be of service to him or her. After hearing Rachel's story, they were a bit skeptical at first until Rachel Clair De Lune sprouted her white, feathery Angel wings to everyone of the Kanzaki Household.

"What's with you Yukari?" Asked Minato as he could see his sister pouting, throwing a temper tantrum. "Well?"

"It's not fair dammit." Replied Yukari.

"What?" Said Minato in a confused tone of voice. "What are you on about now?"

"Why does all the good things happen to Tonio-Niisan!" Replied Yukari, causing Minato to sweatdrop.

"That's why you're upset?" Said Minato as he looked at his sister Yukari pouting away. "Still the perverted thinker as always…"

"I know right!" Replied Yukari.

"That isn't something you should be proud to admit." Said Minato right after he placed his palm on his face.

Elsewhere In Japan - Sunset

"Saber, are you alright!?" Asked Shirou as Saber landed back down next to him on his right.

"Yes." Replied Saber shortly as she was in her battle attire. The city that the pair was in was having a special at a special restaurant that Saber really wanted to go to, so after a lot of convincing from Shirou's servant, he agreed to take her. Once they secured Shirou's Japanese style home, they took about two trains to reach the city that had the restaurant Saber wanted to go to. As they were walking down the sidewalk together after leaving the station, screams could be heard further on down. The cause, was that these sharp tipped Ice shards starting piercing the buildings. Making each building look spiky as the same shards starting shooting up out of the ground, changing the very environment of the city. As Shirou was looking around for the cause of this, he looked towards Saber to see she was looking upon someone on the roof on a nearby building wearing a elegant white and ice blue kimono. Her hair was white with her eyes icy blue but her skin was pale.

"Just who is that?" Asked Shirou. He had then noticed Saber jumping up with enough force to crack the ground beneath her feet. As she raised her 'invisible' sword above her head, she slowly descended towards the woman who slowly raised her head towards Saber and with a single horizontal stroke of her arm, Saber's blade was met with a thick wall of ice that her sword couldn't pierce which made her fall back to Shirou's side.

"Just who in the world are you!" Demanded Saber. The woman didn't answer as she lowered her head back to the floor.

"My name…Shouldn't be important to those who will die by my freezing touch, as it is for the will of my master who leads the Thirteen Pillars Of Evil.."


The Next Morning

After a day of clearing up misunderstandings, Antonio had awoken to a new day as he opened his eyes while still laying in his california king bed. As he sat up in his bed, he let out a big yawn as he stretched out his arms.

"Goodmorning …" Antonio turned to his left to see that Miya had just awoken herself.

"I don't know if you are being serious or joking." Replied Antonio, causing Miya to smile.

"Who knows, but I wouldn't have guessed that was the daughter of the Angel The previous Ashikabi Of Fate saved." Said Miya in a playful tone of voice. Before Antonio could reply back, his newly acquired matte black Iphone 7Plus started to ring due to an incoming text message which prompted Antonio to get off his bed and check his phone.

"Get dressed." Said Antonio simply as he grabbed his Sekirei combat gloves.

Kawakami Hotel

[Play Song: Men Are About Courage - Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai! OST]

As Antonio and company walked up to the Kawakami Hotel where he had been summoned, along with his Sekirei, Minato and Yukari with their Sekirei who decided to come along as well, he had seen Momoyo in her Kawakami academy school attire, using the the jacket as a type of cape when they walked into the lobby.

"Ah Antonio!" Said Momoyo as she walked up towards his group.

"Momoyo, what's going on?" Asked Antonio. "You said it was urgent."

"It is." Replied Momoyo as she raised a fist towards him. "I'm going to be joining you in this fight against these invaders!"

"You are?" Replied Antonio, causing Momoyo to have a irritated facial expression appear on her face.

"Yup, I said I am going to join her you." Replied Momoyo. "If they feel that they are that strong enough to declare war against earth, then I can finally cut loose. Besides…"

"Besides what Momo-chan?" Asked Antonio.

'What the hell is up with all the nicknames!?' Saki thought to herself as she started to pout to herself, causing Yahan to sweatdrop as she had seen Saki throwing a kids temper tantrum.

"You remember what our childhood group used to be called and what it stood for?" Asked Momoyo and after a few seconds of silence, Antonio nodded his head.

"Of course! I could never forget!" Said Antonio as he placed his right, closed fist over his heart. "We protect the one's close to use. We fight besides one another, and with unwavering emotions we stand behind our friends no matter if they are right or wrong! We pick each other up whenever the other person is feeling down, but most of all..." Replied Antonio as Momoyo placed a closed fist over her heart as well.

"We stand up for what we believe is right, not what others believe is right!" Said Momoyo, finishing his sentence. "At this time, I believe fighting by your's, along with everybody else's side is the right thing because I want to protect my home just as much as the next person because I have priceless memories that I don't want to go away! With you, Capt, Yamato, Wanko, and Miyako, Moro and Gakuto. I'll do anything to protect my precious family." Antonio had seen that deep in Momoyo's eyes a fire has been lit, a fire that is different from the one she normally gets when she is facing a strong or an interesting opponent. This fire roared loud and brightly within her that that made her flame which ignited from battle look like a mere spark. The willingness to protect what is precious to her, the determination to see that her precious memories stay intact climbed to unbelievable new heights. "When they attacked our homes, that is when I drew the line. Look, whoever these Thirteen Pillars Of Evil are, let's make them regret ever trying to threaten our home!"

[Song END]

And that's the end of the Chapter! If you guys have any questions, concerns about future chapters, do not be afraid to PM me. I try to be as open with the followers of my Story.

Since Thanksgiving and Christmas is slowly creeping upon us, how would you guys like a holiday special for either one? Let me know!

Next Chapter: Clash! Stop The Twelfth Pillar