CHAPTER THREE: EVEN ANGELS ENJOY BREAKFAST JOINTS

Kuoh Academy, Main Building, Next Day, 8:47 AM

"Hey, look! Look! There she is!"

"Ohhh! She looks so good! I'm so jealous!"

"How does she get her hair to look so amazing? Do you think it's natural?"

"I WISH I WERE YOU, RIAS!"

A red-haired young woman smiled to herself, not seeming to take note of the common rabble that stood around her, ogling her, as she made her way through the front doors of the Academy.

The young woman – who held the name of Rias Gremory with pride – was accurately portrayed and worshipped by her student body admirers. Rias was a fairy tall, slender woman, with a seemingly delicate frame that matched with her ample curves, peach-colored skin and long, flawless legs. Her eyes were a deep, reflective blue and her long, captivating crimson hair held such a sense of majestic that every man who glanced in her direction felt their blood boil. She wore, like the rest of the female body, who now stood by with envy as they glanced over her perfect features, the standard uniform, with exception to the fact her choice in appearance seemed to hold back very little of her rather…gifted figure.

The situation she was walking into, where the students stood aside to watch her enter with her naturally acquired grace, was nothing new. Rias always held a strong sense of presence. This practice of the student body giving her space was almost a daily occurrence, with her natural allure and poise standing out amongst the students around her. Her confident stride hadn't changed in the three years since her enrollment. Rias held herself at a level, befitting her position, as one of the deemed 'Two Great Ladies' of Kuoh Academy.

She was the unobtainable; the beautiful President of the Occult Research Club. She didn't play to the crowd's affection; that wasn't her thing. She was a determined, confident woman who felt the need to do what was necessary – nothing more, nothing less. Mingling with her envious or lustful onlookers wasn't what she came to school to do.

Unlike the normal routine of arriving to the academy early, today was a twist from Rias's usual routine. For one, she was walking into the academy without her close confident, vice-president and best friend, Akeno Himejima. After all, the two had known each other, even prior to enrolling. They were almost always seen together, as Akeno also held the second title of one of the 'Two Great Ladies,' and to those who near-obsessed over the women on a daily basis, this might have struck them as odd. They weren't joined at the hip, though some boys might have dreamt of it, but it was of some note to the onlookers around the redhead.

Unknown to her observers, there was a twist to step that morning. Her stride was only slightly faster; her hands were tightly held fists; and her eyes scanned ahead for any unusual sightings.

She was nervous. And without her loyal friend by her side, even more so. Though a part of her knew that there was no reason to be, another part said that she should be wary.

Wary of what, though, was a subject of annoyance.

She wasn't in any danger. That, she was certain of. Of all the things that might have occurred during the day (or might not occur, as she silently hoped), fear of pain or retribution was not one of them.

She was mentally preparing herself, though. That, at least, was the most she could do.

She climbed the stairs passed her 'fans,' listening as the voices slowly drifted away, aiming for the second floor of the academy to enter her home room.

Honestly, why she was even surprised to find a mess of blond hair on a tall boy waiting for her at the top was beyond her.

He enjoyed it, she guessed. The surprise – the look people's faces when he appeared where you were heading or knew where to talk privately without anyone barring their reason for conversation. Glancing to the sides of the lengthy hall of the main academy building, she saw no wandering students or teachers coming to check out the disturbance between them. How the blond managed such a feat as to give them this limited amount of privacy eluded her.

Her blue eyes met his. He didn't have that innocent playfulness she often saw in them.

She watched him as he stepped off the wall. She reached the top of the second floor steps as he made his way to her. If she stood still it wasn't out of acknowledgment of the blond's presence. She was just coming to the knowledge that the boy was not happy.

But that wasn't the unsettling part. He didn't seem angry, either. This left her with confusion to go along with her growing unease.

The boy reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out something small and folded up neatly. Rias glanced to it, watching as he showed off the small flyer in his hands, hoping her face didn't show the surprise or lack of confidence to his presence. She recognized the symbols and runes; she had to have printed thousands of copies of the same glyphic combination and understood what was being asked.

She pursed her lips. Prideful and confident Rias was caught with her hand in the cookie jar and she didn't have an explanation to give.

At least, not yet.

"I will send Kiba to pick you up after class," Rias's first words to the boy, despite her growing nerves, sounded strong and confident, not backing down or offering a stutter as she straightened her stature and looked at the blond staring her down. This would give her time – time to think of what to say or how to go about what the blond was surely going to ask. To even the playing field. She needed Akeno and her advice on how to handle the situation that was coming. Akeno was just as aware of the blond's unprecedented occurrence at the mall area as she was and would certainly help her in assuaging the situation.

Thankfully, the blond was not unreasonable. He didn't say a thing back; just folded up the flyer, placed it in his back pocket, and stepped aside the red-haired princess of Kuoh Academy to walk to the first floor from where she came. Rias listened to his footsteps slowly dim in sound as they merged with the echoes of students conversing with one another below.

She didn't dodge the bullet. She just prolonged its time of impact so she could reach for the Kevlar.

She walked in the direction of class; her face finally took on a look of frustration and red to match her hair as she knew the school day was ruined for her. She would be thinking of her upcoming confrontation, which would leave her equal parts irritable, flustered and hot from their moment together.

Because the boy who ruined her day was none other than Naruto Uzumaki. Her oldest friend; her childhood prankster; her unofficial nephew –

And the boy she loved.

Classroom for Class 2B, Kuoh Academy, 5:02 PM

Issei Hyoudou was asking questions.

Naruto didn't know what to make of this. Maybe his hope for a 'knock out, dream out' scenario with the Fallen Angel had been hoping for too much.

Sure, getting rid of the evidence from the boy's personal device helped in his erasing of Yuuma from Issei's existence. But Naruto realized, soon after waking from the night before, that everyone who came in contact with the young woman would be asking questions. That the people who knew 'Yuuma' would be going around, trying to find the missing girl.

Maybe hoping it would blow over was a poor move on my part, Naruto initially thought, as he made his way to the academy.

But his fears were unfounded. Because, to anyone Issei asked, the response was the same:

"Who's Yuuma?"

"Yuuma? I don't think I know a girl like that."

"You? With a girlfriend?" Snort.

And this continued. No one knew anyone by Issei's description. His lack of digital evidence didn't help matters either. He seemed confused and disoriented by what was going on; wondering if it was just some huge prank by his friends and classmates.

Naruto felt bad at that; the thought that you were part of some joke couldn't have been easy. Raynare, despite her hostility, seemed to be keeping her word and staying away from Kuoh and Issei. In fact, it was Naruto's suspicion that this mass erasure of 'Yuuma Amano's' existence was probably her doing. Cutting loose ends, perhaps? Oddly attentive for a Fallen Angel who just had her backside firmly handed to her.

But aside from the convenience of the erasure, it also came with the consequence of Issei, who seemed to have been missed on the erasing scheme. The boy was now desperate in his attempts at finding answers on Yuuma's whereabouts.

It made Naruto feel worse when Issei came to ask him about the last time he saw 'Yuuma Amano.'

"Yuuma Amano?"

"Yeah, at the park, remember?! Everyone seems to not know who she is but you saw her with me at the mall, right? You-you-!"

Naruto could tell the boy was trying to say how he fought her in a mid-air battle, seemingly to the death. But how do you describe that, believably? "Uh, sorry, uh, Eisie-"

"ISSEI!"

"Right, right, Issei. But, uh, I don't really remember a girl like that. I mean, if she was a good looking as you say she was," with the 'awesome body,' 'luscious hair,' and 'great tits,' as Issei described her, "then I think I'd remember her, right?"

Naruto played it off innocent. He didn't know Issei in public. He had to keep that illusion.

And Issei, confused and disoriented, didn't know how to react to it all. "No way," his eyes widened, "not even you?" He walked away after that, keeping largely to himself as the day passed by without much incident beyond the norm.

Naruto watched over him, even without it being a job of his anymore. He seemed depressed and even sulking quietly in his chair, but he didn't seem to be dying inside. With any luck, a couple days from now, Issei would just figure the whole thing was some wonderfully cruel dream.

But now, at the end of the day coming to a close, Naruto prepared himself to be summoned. And if there wasn't a better warning sound that now was the time to get moving, it was the sound of screaming girls that woke him to the new presence in the room.

Yuuto Kiba. The 'Star Pretty Boy' of Kuoh Academy and member of the Occult Research Club. A handsome young man with short, smooth blond hair, pale grey eyes and naturally soft-toned skin. He was of average height, perhaps just around Issei's stature, and wore the standard male school outfit, except with obvious amounts of care pushed into it, as the thing almost seemed to be pressed and cared for extensively by the boy. He was smart, athletic, kind and struck Naruto as very similar to a couple of old friends he once knew (both by the basis of name, exceptional ability in class and had the girls practically eating out of his hands). His mulling and considerate personality had a winning quality to it that made him easy to get along with.

He also happened to be a close friend of Naruto's for several years.

That was smart of Rias. Out of everyone in her little group, sending Kiba was probably best. He had a way of being the only sane guy in their group. Maybe he'd talk Naruto out of his little episode, Rias hoped.

"Kiba-kun! Ohhhh, Kibaaaa-kunnn!"

"W-what are you doing at this part of the school?"

"A-are you here to see me?"

"No! He's here to see me!"

The girls of Naruto's classroom, all surrounding the new addition to the room with smiles and blushing faces, made Issei, Naruto noticed, glare openly. Kiba's attention and natural success with women was the envy. Naruto even admitted he was surprised by how effective the pretty boy was with women, though not showing any particularly strong emotions to one in particular.

He was just kind and treated them equally. And that seemed to be enough.

"You're all looking lovely, this evening," Kiba spoke up from the center of the girl mob, as the girls quickly returned his praises with fervor.

Naruto mulled quietly for a moment, perhaps enjoying the show of female obsession, before sitting up, patting down his jacket over his shoulders, and walking to the object of womanly affection. It was time to get serious.

"Let's go," Naruto said, making sure his voice was heard over the girls as he patted Kiba on the shoulder to get his attention before moving past and towards the direction of the nearest main academy building exit.

Kiba saw his retreating form. His job of delivering him to his president was quickly being taken away from him. "Hey, Naruto! Wait up! I'm supposed to deliver you!"

"Wait, Yuuto-san! Don't leave us!"

"Why are you leaving so soon?!"

"KIBA-KUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNN!"

Kuoh Academy, Old School Building

Naruto's walk was fast as Kiba made to keep up. All the way through the school grounds, Kiba attempted to persuade Naruto to loosen up on whatever he was clearly focused on. Though Kiba was unaware for the reasoning behind Naruto summons from the president, Kiba was there to see it through. He was Naruto's friend, after all, along with being the president's. He had no interest in seeing either of them fighting one another, if he could help it. So, using placating words of peace he'd learned from his sensei, Kiba attempted to slacken the hard-expression from Naruto's face, even a little.

Because he'd only seen Naruto get this way once before. And people got hurt.

"I'm telling you, Naruto, whatever the issue might be I am sure it is no reason to be upset about!"

Naruto was usually one for conversation. The fact he wasn't responding wasn't a good sign in Kiba's opinion. In fact, based around the complete twist in Naruto's personality, the young man had a clear idea in mind that something was, indeed, not in the norm for his long time friend. He was right.

Naruto navigated the familiar hallways of the Old School Building to the second floor. Coming to a door with lit candles at its sides, Naruto pressed it open and walked inside with a heavy stride.

The room was dimly lit, with several candles standing at or around the tables surrounding the room. There were a pair of comfortable couches surrounding a nicely set table in the middle of the room, with various bookshelves covering the walls, each filled with dozens of old scriptures that almost looked archaic to the eye. There were old paintings adorning any free walls that could be found and the window in the room was closed to block off the view of the lowering sun from outside.

From his place at the door, Naruto noted he might have had trouble, once upon a time, figuring out the general layout to the comfortably designed room. The candles helped, but they weren't the most efficient of light sources. His past 'experiences' in 'dimly-lit' places and his new early life in the similarly lit Lucifer Mansion were the only reasons he wasn't squinting his eyes to get a clear view of everything around him.

As it were, as Naruto and Kiba entered the designated 'Club Room' of the Old School Building, Naruto realized Rias had thought her plan of dealing with Naruto quite well, because the two blonds were not the only individuals in the room.

Sitting on one of the couches, a young, silver-haired girl sat quietly to herself. She was an interesting addition to the room; she was certainly younger than the two gentlemen, but by how much was uncertain. She wore the high school variation of Kuoh Academy's dress code, but her appearance could not have been older than that of a middle school student. Indeed, looking at this young woman, Naruto was vaguely reminded of Gasper, both in stature and height.

Needless, though, Naruto recognized her.

"Koneko," Naruto greeted, his voice still hard but not unfriendly, as he moved into the room with Kiba.

The fifteen-year old – Koneko Toujou – looked up from her place on the couch. Naruto noticed a bar of chocolate on a toothpick being slowly savored by the girl. "Naruto-san," she greeted back, though the girl's tone was so monotonous, Naruto had difficulty telling if she was pleased to see him or not, "it's been awhile."

"A couple weeks, yes," Naruto replied, moving to sit in the opposite couch to Koneko's, as he made himself comfortable for Rias's arrival, "how have you and Kiba been?"

Kiba relaxed slightly. Naruto was talking now, at least, as Koneko answered him. "Fine," she finished the chocolate on the stick, reaching for another from the plate on the table between them. "You?"

Koneko was a girl of few words. "I've been busy."

"Hmm," Koneko took a bite of chocolate, "with what?"

"Oh, you know, stuff," Naruto answered with a shrug, studying his friends closely. Kiba looked confused at the word choice and Koneko offered nothing except for eating more chocolate. So he focused on Koneko. "You know why I'm here?"

"You found a club flyer."

"I did."

"Why's that a problem?"

"It was found under questionable circumstances."

"Questionable?"

"It was found under someone who was about to die."

Koneko went for another chocolate. "This has happened before."

"A bit of a coincidence, don't you think; especially with a Fallen involved?"

"Life's full of surprises."

"I know it is. This surprise, however, doesn't surprise me as it should."

"Hmm."

Kiba watched the two go back and forth with their bantering. He hardly understood the situation beyond what Akeno, the club's vice president, had given him. Naruto wanted words with Rias. That wasn't much to go off of, but he trusted his friends. Hearing there was trouble between them was…disconcerting.

Speaking of the vice president, Kiba turned his head as to just behind Naruto's couch to see the woman herself walk in. All smile and cute as she came.

Naruto turned his attention to Akeno Himejima. Like the rest of the occupants in the room, he'd known her for a long time; long before even their days at the academy. Akeno Himejima was a very elegant and gentle woman, with her easing personality offered both a motherly touch and a teasing edge to herself. She was of average height, with raven-colored hair that was easily longer than Rias's own, had it not been for the orange ribbon keeping it from hitting the ground. She was slim and very well-endowed. Not even Naruto would deny that. Her eyes were violet and glistened playfully as she stepped beside Naruto, leaning over the couch.

Her smile was kind, peaceful, relaxed and so fake Naruto wondered when he'd ever get to see a real one.

"Oh my! Is Naruto-chan upset?" Akeno asked playfully, as Naruto tried to keep his face hard for his confrontation with Rias, though it was steadily getting hard to do so. Having friends around him made it difficult to stay frustrated, especially with their happy and playful (even in Koneko's case) attitudes.

It'd been awhile since they'd all gotten together like this. Naruto needed to frequent the Club Room more often, he guessed.

"Not upset," Naruto answered, "just curious what's going on." He reached into his pocket to pull out the flyer, "I assume you knew about this."

"I did." Akeno said, reaching over to pluck the flyer from his hands, "Rias and I noticed how much attention Issei Hyoudou was getting and decided we wanted to figure out why."

Naruto's lips pursed. "Without giving him a choice?"

Akeno brushed ruffles from her skirt. "It wasn't our place to interfere with Fallen Angel matters."

"So you'd let him die?" Naruto's voice didn't have an edge to it like he thought it should.

Akeno seemed ready for his question. "Save one human boy and start a war with the city's Fallen Angels? Or turn him after the Angel's tasks were done, without provocation or irritation on either faction's parts?" Akeno pushed away from the couch. "It seemed like an easy decision."

Naruto paused for a second. That's right. They don't know that the Angel's attack was unsanctioned.

That helped. A little. Maybe. In growing age, Naruto realized the world was more gray then black and white. He understood that but didn't change his opinion on some choices that irked his sense of right and wrong. Even with being 'raised' under a household of Devils, the recent actions of his friends nipped at the edges of his moral conscience.

"Rias and I were expecting some sort of signal from the flyer the night before," Akeno continued, moving around the couch to lay beside Naruto, looking collected and calm as ever, "imagine our surprise when nothing came. So, we had our little 'team mascots' keep an eye on the situation." Akeno's hand was raised, as brief flicker of a small, green and fat oni appeared before disappearing into thin air. Her 'team mascots,' as they were.

"Now, imagine our surprise after they tell us you were fighting the Fallen Angel."

Kiba was standing beside the couch, listening and trying to fill the blanks from information he wasn't given prior. He wasn't used to being out of the loop. This didn't annoy him, but it did require him to study the two halves of the arguing party in the room.

Naruto, to his credit, didn't seem fazed at the accusation. "I was taking a walk. Saw what was going on, thought I could help."

"That's very kind of you to help a stranger like that."

"He's a classmate of mine. Felt wrong to just leave him for an Angel."

"I don't doubt you."

Akeno's smile was unwavering. Naruto's eyes narrowed in slight annoyance. "Yes you do."

"Oh my! You wound me, Naruto-chan! Would I lie to you? You know I believe you are a good, kind man." She placed her hand on her chest, smiling but trying to come off as offended for being accused of such a thing as to lie to one of her favorite persons in all the worlds.

Naruto pursed his lips. Rias was playing chess with his emotions, weakening him before he could confront her on what was going on. And sadly, Naruto felt it was working.

"Where's Rias?"

"Right here," a voice yelled from behind the group, as they all turned to see Rias Gremory walk into the room, a towel in her hand as she dried the last bits of loose hair from her face. Obviously, she was using the building's shower system again, "I apologize for my delay, Naruto. I was so tired from work the night prior I didn't get a chance to clean myself this morning." In truth, her panic during the day caused her to sweat and smell before long. She used the shower to up her confidence and add additional time to think over what to say to her blond 'nephew.'

Naruto stood from the couch. "That's fine," he said, hoping the edge in his voice was still there to show his disapproval of her recent actions taken, "though I was hoping we could talk in private."

Rias nodded, putting the towel away to side. This is what she expected and, perhaps, even wanted a little. "That will be fine," she said, turning to her club mates, "Akeno, will you inform Kiba on any missing details? I wasn't very vocal about the situation earlier."

Akeno nodded, standing beside Naruto as she smiled and gave a curt bow to Rias, "As you wish, Buchou." She motioned to Koneko and Kiba to the door, as the two regular members of the club made their way out in a disciplined manner.

Akeno moved around Naruto and towards the door, but not before offering him a slight touch of her hand to his own. It was a simple brush of her fingers but Naruto thought he understood her message.

Be gentle.

Rias made her way around the room, sitting down to her desk and moving into a position she liked. She was arranging her position as president and 'top dog' of the room she and Naruto now occupied. "So," she started off, "what would you like me to say?"

Naruto walked over to the front of her desk. As he did so, Rias noticed how tall he stood in comparison to her sitting position. This was a challenge. "I want to know why you would do such a thing."

His voice wasn't playful. He wanted his answers and he was using an intimidation position to get them. But Rias was proud and strong. She wasn't one for intimidation.

She sat up straighter, meeting his hard expression with her own. "In what regard do you refer to?"

"Why were you attempting to convert Issei Hyoudou into your little," Naruto tried to think of a word for what Rias little 'group' was. The original word and terms of Rias's…, "club."

It was, perhaps, looking back now, because of his apathetic nature towards the true word of Rias's group that made it so easy to take the first strike against Naruto in this argument between the two. Rias saw it. Naruto realized only too late in his wording that he appeared weak in his incapability of saying that 'one word.'

And Rias jumped him on it.

"Peerage, Naruto," her tone was every bit the Gremory heir she was meant to be, standing smoothly from her chair to look at the boy at eye level, "the word is peerage. I wanted Issei in my peerage. I wanted him to become a Devil's servant. To me."

Then, for added effect, Rias allowed her wings to slide from their hidden position, winning the first round in her morality debate in a flashy display.

A Devil's Peerage. A fancy word for a fancy group; a Devil's Peerage was a group of individuals - humans, in-humans, beasts and so on - who were turned into Devils.

To go over the vastness of history around how this thing called a 'Peerage' came to be, looking back to the Great War of the Three Factions and the Civil War of the Devils would be the precipice for even the need for the order of a Peerage. The two wars that shook the Devil foundation left the structure of the 72 Pillars, and even the order of Devilkind, on the brink of collapse. The Angelic factions were stronger than they were – stronger than the original opposition to their defense. If such a thing remained, the Devils believed, in retaliation, the Fallen and the Angels might unify themselves once more in the face of a common, weakened foe.

And that is when the idea of a defensive plan, created amidst the Great Satans and High Lords of the Underworld was formed.

The idea of the Devil's Peerage.

Originally developed by the Great Satan, Ajuka Beelzebub, Ajuka saw this method as not only a way to offer defense against potential threats, but also as a way to replenish the number of Devil warriors amongst their ranks. After all, like with every Faction involved in the Great War, not every citizen was bred or built for combat. Through searching for capable warriors from any race, with using either willing or desperate consent, a Devil could transform an individual into a being of the Underworld; to live, join and fight for their new race.

These new Devils were referred to as 'Reincarnated Devils.'

The High Lords, who were given dominion over the idea and allowance to create Peerages of their own, were astounded by this idea. And indeed, it was brilliantly thought of. This system would, and could, insure their continued thriving culture. Heck, with the new additions into the Society, culture would evolve with new ideas and perceptions. And, as an added incentive to the newly joined or hesitant, the opportunity that even a non-pureblood Devil might be able to achieve high position among all who lived in the vast Underworld was also readily made known (so long as their worth was proven through hard work and determination).

The method appeared to be a strong step forward in the form of developing a newer, more openly accepted Devil Society.

But, as with any newly crafted system, it was not without flaws.

Ajuka was limited by how much a Devil could spread their existence. Because, despite Angelic belief, Devils truly did have souls, and with every individual a single Devil turned, a piece of their existence twisted and morphed into the intended target. This method changed their anatomy and allowed the ability to channel and use demonic energy freely. This alchemic technique was very effective and popular amongst most of the population.

But, to the matter of souls, a Devil could only recover after spreading their existence out so much without permanent or influenced injury. Ajuka estimated, with a competent Devil of strength and power, roughly fifteen spreads of existence, or so, was enough to not cause permanent damage to either party. Ajuka spread this knowledge to his people and developed a way to create a controlled method of transference of essence, using a High-Class Devils power, who he assumed would be the only ones to meet the bear minimum of capability and strength for the transference process to work.

He created, based off his favorite human game, the controlled Peerage-making tools known as the 'Evil Pieces.'

The Evil Pieces were a marvel of innovation; a true power of creativity by Devilkind. Ajuka was praised for his accomplishments, which he took nonchalantly. He was an inventor. He enjoyed his work because it was work worth doing. The Evil Pieces comprised the power of Devilkind essences into five categories and numbers: one Queen, two Rooks, two Bishops, two Knights, and eight Pawns. Each group of Piece offered selective abilities that enhanced those given one, and were given a system of worth as that of what perceived Pawns were worth.

The Queen; the least given type of Evil Piece to a High-Class Devil, but also the believed most powerful. They are commonly worth nine Pawns in the game of chess and Evil Piece worth. They held aspects of power similar to the Rooks, Knights and Bishops, although perhaps not to the same extent. This was the top gun of a Peerage ruler.

The Rook; an attack and defense type Evil Piece given to a High-Class Devil. These were the brutes of one's Peerage. They are commonly worth five Pawns in the game of chess and Evil Piece worth. They held immense offensive and defensive power, though weren't commonly known for huge amounts of speed.

The Bishop; the magical expert Evil Piece given to a High-Class Devil. These were the healers and sorcerers of one's Peerage. They were worth equivalently three Pawns. Their magical abilities were unparalleled, but physically were not the most excelled by their reincarnation into Devils.

The Knight; the speed and mobility Evil Piece given to a High-Class Devil. They were the cavalry men. They, like Bishops, are worth three Pawns. Their speed is greatly enhanced to incredible levels. Their physical abilities are also enhanced, except not nearly to the level of a Rook's.

The Pawn; the most given type of Evil Piece to a High-Class Devil. They are unique in their unusual structure of being able to take over aspects of the other types, depending on where they stand in the world of battle. With the permission of the Peerage leader, they can take on the aspects of Knight, Bishop, Rook, or even Queen when spurred. They are the most underrated of pieces, but also potentially the most dangerous.

An effective method of growth for Devilkind. And a Peerage's lord, who was referred to as their 'King,' was named, so did the masses feel that it would be appropriate to name their Peerage members. After all, calling them by their piece names felt inappropriate so the High Lords gave them one.

Whether it was said with initial ill intent or not, the members of a Peerage were dubbed a King's 'Servants' before long.

As time went on, and this practice enhanced the Devil world with new types of people and ideas, a new found game was created by the Devils of the Underworld, using illusion and temporary reality creating abilities. This idea surrounded around the idea of a game to battle two 'Kings' and their peerages against one another. This was to offer entertainment for the masses, as well as an opportunity for Devils to advance in society.

The Rating Game.

But more on that later.

Back to the present, Rias Gremory challenged her old friend with her desire to enhance her Peerage with a new member. Currently, her member count consisted of four Servants, with Akeno being her Queen, Koneko being her Rook, Kiba being her Knight and Gasper being her Bishop. Sadly, Gasper was hardly useful at the current moment. Naruto would even attest to that. So, at the moment, the Legendary Devil House Gremory's heir was very limited in her number of working pieces.

This wasn't just a matter of pride to her and why she had very few members to her Peerage, who, on a secret way of basis, formed the membership of the Occult Research Club, but also out of respect. Eventually, Rias would be expected to participate in the world of Devils. And she needed a full team; her current one was sorely lacking in numbers and strength.

Naruto didn't approve of certain aspects to the system. Most notably, it was when members of a Peerage were given the title of 'Servant.' It wasn't much to grow angry towards, but he'd heard the word said too many times in the Underworld, with it being used more often than not as an insult, that he felt aggressive to it. It wasn't by a large number, but it was a number he saw that affected other peerage members differently. Naruto could take the hits and blows. He'd dealt with ridicule, once. He knew what it felt like. But insult those he cared about…

"I know you don't like the system, Naruto. It's not perfect," Rias spoke up, continuing from where she left off, "but I hoped you would realize that I am not exactly in a position to ignore potential powerhouses right now. I am low on players for my side of the board. If Issei is powerful, I could really use that power now!"

"He deserved a chance," Naruto stated, recovering from Rias's calling on his miss-wording. His voice, thankfully, was the same level of even it was before. "He deserved the right to choose if he wanted to be a Devil. He deserved to not be seen as only a piece on your board!" His tone rose, and he saw Rias grimace. Good, that was one for him. "I'm not barring the system," Naruto cleared up, before Rias could jump on that perceived ideal, "it's done more good than bad but if we start taking people without offering them a chance to say yes or no in the first place, we aren't any better than the Devils who take their members to the Underworld." It wasn't unheard of for someone to have died and been forcibly revived by a Devil, looking for his or her power to add to his or her Peerage. It was, thankfully, not looked positively upon, and the Underworld was changing for the better in the treatment of Peerage members.

But a slow road to change meant suffering until then.

And Rias did not want to be compared to those grave robbers. "And I agree! He did deserve that. All of that!" She countered. "But with that Fallen Angel nipping at Hyoudou-san's sides, I couldn't get close without causing a situation. It seemed reasonable! Who just wants to die because of some fearful bird without provocation? If I brought him back, he would have a chance of a longer, even more successful life," She shook her head, falling to her seat. She ran fingers through her hair, agitated, "We're running out of time, Naruto. I don't do bad things because they're easy. Not intentionally. I do them because they are necessary. And we both know what's coming up. And if you aren't going to help me, actively, then desperate methods are needed. I can't stop this alone and we know it!" Rias put heavy emphasis into her words. She hoped they reached him. Stubborn, though, he could be.

Naruto crossed his arms, taking a step back. Of course he knew what she was talking about. It was something Naruto spent nights thinking about how to get around, desperate to find answers. As a favor to her.

But still –

"Winning a war at the sacrifice of good people and morality isn't how we do things," he told her. "I promised I would help you, but these actions aren't how we go about winning or getting ahead. Not when the methods mean the sacrifice of who you are in the process." He uncrossed his arms, moving up to the desk and leaning over it to look at the president at eye level. "I'm not happy about you trying to go behind my back with this. In fact, I'd say I'm disappointed more than anything," Rias's eyes narrowed, as she opened her mouth to retort before Naruto spoke over her. "But you're desperate. I can…relate to how that can make even smart people do things they wouldn't usually. So this time, I'll let it go," for the first time since entering the room, Naruto's lips offered a hint of a smile. "You're strong, Rias-chan," despite herself, Rias offered a small smile at the 'chan' part. Good to know he was still willing to call her that, "you're stronger than people give you credit for. Don't forget that. We'll figure out what to do, in an honest way. And when we do, we'll talk about this, years from now, and laugh."

She let her tense features loosen somewhat. Maybe this wasn't as bad as I thought. "Alright, alright. I'll believe it when I see it." She shook her head, letting a small smile cross her face as Naruto smile brightened a little more. She stared at him kindly. "Speaking of honesty, however, I must ask: what about you? You fought the Fallen Angel. Was it really to just save your classmate?"

Ah. She heard that. He thought, looking at her. She looked more relaxed now that this fight was, sort of, out of way. Her eyes were innocent. She'd believe him, no matter what he said.

"Yeah, it was," Naruto answered, "I saw the Angel and went to see if there was in any trouble. Turns out, there was." He offered a shrug and a smile, and Rias giggled at his nonchalant attitude. Lying like this made him ill, if only because of how easy she believed him. But he had no choice. Something was going on with his employer; before he dragged his friends into anything potentially war-inducing, he wanted to figure out what exactly it was.

But the way Rias held such faith in the idea he was telling the truth…

"Alright, good to know, good to know." Rias laughed loudly, knocking the blond-youth from his silent musing as he stared up to her bright features. Rias let her arms stretch out above her, letting what remained of the tension die with a couple of cracks in her shoulders, "Now then, I don't suppose you could send the others back in, would you? I think it's about time we started getting our orders settled for the evening."

Naruto nodded. The flyers, like the one he found in Issei's pocket, were meant to offer humans a way of summoning one of Rias's peerage to them to perform any action or request with their power; magical, physical or otherwise. It was a way for Devils to rise in ranks and power as an interesting method of service giving, as a completed pact or contract between a human and a Devil gave the Devil some small amount of energy by the human, which was easily recoverable by the human, but was precious to a Devil as a means of enhancing their powers, slowly but surely.

"Yeah yeah, I'll get 'em." Naruto said, letting himself relax as he walked out the door. Naturally, Rias's peerage was waiting, sitting in chairs and on a small couch in the hallway. Naruto pointed a thumb at Rias through the door. "She'll see you now."

Perhaps noticing Naruto's much lighter mood, Kiba's worried expression faded as he stood and made to get to their nightly duties. Akeno slowly walked by Naruto, giving a quick hand squeeze in appreciation that nothing was broken, before following along with Kiba.

Naruto smiled at Akeno's pleased look, before he felt a tug on his arm. Looking down, Koneko held out her arm to him.

"Out of candy," she said, "give me more."

Naruto blinked. "I don't have candy."

She stared at him. "Yes you do."

"Uh, no, I don't. I gave some to Gasper a week ago, but-"

"Give me candy."

"I'm telling you, I haven't had time to pick up anymore-"

"Give me candy."

He stared at her. "I don't have candy." He held out his hands. "You could strip me and you won't even find a tootsie roll."

"Did someone say 'strip'?"

"No, Akeno!"

Koneko stared at Naruto hard. "You don't have candy?"

"No! I'm out!"

She stared at him for a long moment.

"…I greatly dislike you at the moment, Naruto-san."

Koneko lowered her arm, staring at the blond for only a moment before walking around the somewhat-stunned young man and entering the Club Room quietly; closing the door with a loud 'slam' after.

Naruto stared quietly at the closed door for a few brief moments. Silently, he wondered how someone who hardly smiled or expressed emotion beyond a desire for sugary-goodness could sound so angry; monotone voice and all?

"…"

It was hard to please his girls.

Granny U.S.A's Breakfast and Brunch Diner, 2 Miles from Kuoh Academy, Next Day, 7:23 AM

Mr. Dohcee enjoyed his Tuesday breakfast like any man should.

He enjoyed his coffee, he enjoyed his toast, he enjoyed the sound of bacon grilling on a stove – the whole concept of breakfast was a near obsession to the man. In fact, it was his dream, simple as it might have been, to travel the world and try every breakfast there was. An odd dream, to be sure, but it didn't stop there. He wanted lunch, too. And dinner! He wanted barbecues and airline food and multicourse meals and second breakfasts (which he was certain was not the same as having a second meal during breakfast, but something else entirely)!

He wanted to try the vast world of food that was open to him. And if that put him into a negative light, so be it! He more than earned his position to be a glutton, if he did say so himself.

At the moment, on that particular morning, Mr. Dohcee was walking into a suave, if he was so bold as to call it, diner around the corner from his little home in the city. The Diner was called 'Granny U.S.A's Breakfast and Brunch Diner.' Or 'Granny's,' as was the simpler name.

Mr. Dohcee was quite fond of Granny's. Going into the place, he felt younger. The diner was always lit and serving wonderful scents. The workers always seemed the same – a waitress, a cook and the owner, who helped serve coffee to his favorite customers, himself. The atmosphere was vibrant and warm and a bright light from the outside world, with today in particular starting off rainy and a bit dreary for Mr. Dohcee's taste.

In truth, he came to the diner every two weeks, ever since he came to town, to try their new, bi-weekly specials. They were always large, delectable treats, smothered in whatever sugary product the cook could find. In fact, Mr. Dohcee would even go so far as to say the man was an artist. For such a small business, the cook truly flourished with his spatula and whisk. He prided himself in the names of his works, the new techniques he thought up, and the designs – oh! The designs – of his masterpieces could make high class chefs tremble in magnificence to his passion and ingenuity.

Indeed, no place on earth, at least to Mr. Dohcee, was like Granny's. It was his reprieve – his haven – from the troubles of his world. It was his peace of mind and the place to fill his unfulfilled taste buds.

Walking in, after ensuring no drops of rain would besmirch the sacred ground of Granny's, Mr. Dohcee, with his commonly worn gray trench coat and snazzy black fedora, walked in with a smile.

"Good morning!" Mr. Dohcee yelled, making his presence known to the few early breakfast eaters and workers in the room, who turned around to stare at the brightly cheerful man and replied back.

"Good morning!" It was a common practice of Mr. Dohcee's when he walked into Granny's, smiling to himself with an absolutely jolly laugh and kick to his step as he made his way to the front counter.

The owner was already there, waiting for him, as they both smiled to one another. "Good morning to you, Mr. Dohcee!"

"And good morning to you, my good man Freddy!" Mr. Dohcee replied back fondly to the Japanese speaking American – a fairly large, balding but jolly looking elderly man who went by the name 'Frederick' but reserved 'Freddy' for his close friends – as they exchanged their bi-weekly greeting with smiles and no small amount of chuckles. "And what might I be expecting for this week's special?"

The anticipation in his favorite routine customer's voice made the owner glow with pride. "Ahhh, yer gonna be happy with this week's! Yasuo's really outdone himself, ya hear!" Yasuo, a man in his early-twenties with tan skin, a tall build and a growing goatee turned from his stove behind Mr. Freddy and gave a friendly wave to their frequent customer.

Mr. Dohcee waved back. "Well that sounds wonderful! Get me one of those!" He yelled, earning a bark of laughter from both men behind the counter.

"Already ordered!" Freddy replied. "Yer friend ordered it for ya twenty minutes ago!"

There was a pause in the jolly feeling in the air. Mr. Dohcee blinked, still smiling. "My friend?"

"Aye! That guy in yer spot over there!" Mr. Dohcee turned to where the elderly man's finger pointed. "Been waiting for you to arrive all mornin'! Says he'd a friend of yers." Freddy paused then. "Uh, he is yer friend, yes?"

Mr. Dohcee stared at the young man in his spot, who turned his head to him and waved, smiling. Mr. Dohcee didn't smile or wave, just turning back to the owner of the diner and offering a small smile. "He is an acquaintance, yes."

Freddy stared at him curiously. "Ya sure?" His customer nodded slowly, looking slightly uncomfortable as Freddy looked over Mr. Dohcee carefully, looking for lies. After a moment, he nodded. "Well, alright. If you say so." He gave a nudge towards the man in Mr. Dohcee's regular spot. "I'll have Katsumi send for yer drinks, soon."

"That sounds lovely, thank you," Mr. Dohcee turned, the wind seemingly out of his bright, cheerful sails, and walked over to the teenager in his spot of the diner.

Naruto watched as 'Mr. Dohcee' approached him carefully. Despite the man's tense walk, Naruto appeared quite cheerful and relaxed. Even as 'Mr. Dohcee' sat in the booth opposite of him, Naruto just smiled.

Then, as was respectable, the new occupant to the booth offered his hellos, first.

"Naruto," he greeted, taking off his hat and placing it to the side. His cheerful mood seemed dulled now.

"Dohnaseek," Naruto greeted in return, watching as the man shifted irritably in his spot. He didn't, apparently, like to be called out by his real name.

Despite what the occupants of the small diner were aware of, in truth, the man sitting in front of Naruto was the Fallen Angel Dohnaseek; a lower rank member of the Fallen Angel society but a man of considerable knowledge and worth, nonetheless. 'Mr. Dohcee' was a play on the trench coat wearing man's name, of course. Appearing as a rugged, middle aged man, Dohnaseek took pride, in what Naruto called, his 'boy-cosplayed Carmen Sandiego' outfit.

He thought he looked 'cool.' Naruto just laughed.

But back to the present, Naruto watched the man look around to see if anyone heard Naruto's addressing him by his true name. They didn't. Naruto was sure of it.

"It's been awhile," Dohnaseek – Mr. Dohcee – replied, trying to regain his composure. He didn't like the sanctity of his small paradise ruined by anyone. Especially someone like Naruto.

"It has."

"How's life on your side of life, hmm? Still the…oh, what was it again? The 'Lap Dog' of Gremory?" Dohnaseek's presence was starting to feel hostile, though his face was still a mask of confidence and calm. Insulting the blond was a way to try and cool himself off.

Who knew he was such a territorial wreck?

Still, Naruto's smile dropped. "I hate that name."

"And yet, it's a surprisingly accurate one." He said, this time letting out a small grin as he dug into the blond. His invasion of privacy was going too far, though he wouldn't say it. Usually, he was more cordial. But Granny's was his place. Not Naruto's! Or any other Angels or Devils, for that matter!

But again, Dohnaseek found insults calming. He couldn't outright yell at Naruto in the diner. That would cause a scene he didn't want. Naruto accepted his penchant for foul words in the brief time he'd known the Fallen Angel. All Naruto could do was clench his fist and ignore him.

"So," the fedora wearing bastard spoke up, reaching for a menu and looking over the pictures of delectable substances on it, helping to calm him, "how have you been holding up lately, hmm?"

No insult. He was accepting the blond (hopefully). "Fine," Naruto admitted, "I've been doing side jobs wherever I can find 'em when Rias isn't nipping for me to go full time for her."

Mr. Dohcee nodded, figuring as much. From the time he'd known Naruto, he'd realized the boy intensely enjoyed his little work on the side; certainly enjoying it more than his regular routine of earning an education at the city's fine public institute of learning or being the 'Gremory's bitch.'

In his brief time of being familiar with the youth, the Fallen Angel would admit to some understanding of the child's need for excitement or an alteration from common sights or backgrounds. A little time away from home did wonders, as any Fallen Angel would attest to, as well.

In the case of the blond, the boy's little 'business-escapades' gave him both financial retinue and adventure all at once. And with his unique standard of skills, he was well worth the price for anything anyone was willing to pay for.

'Mr. Dohcee' wouldn't admit this much to anyone, however, and so continued to instead look over his menu. "Making good money?" He casually asked.

Naruto slouched in his booth. "No," he groaned, throwing his hands through his hair, irritably, as Dohnaseek raised a curious eyebrow, "I keep working for free because of some sob story they keep selling me. Either that, or I owe someone a favor." The blond laid back further in his seat. "So no. Not good money."

"Hmm." The Angel responded without little care, returning his attention back to a delicious looking pancake at the bottom of his menu and trying to contain the drool slowly building in his mouth.

Naruto watched the man's odd fascination with the plastic diner-item. "What about you?" He asked, breaking the silence. "Job hunting again?"

This seemed to knock the fun out him. "Yeah. Got axed last week at the McRonalds up near the church. Accidently ate half their storage." He shrugged, trying to blow the failure off, though he owed rent this coming week. Not all Fallen Angels were exactly loaded. "Lasted three weeks, though." He admitted lastly, which to him was very good news.

And apparently, news to Naruto. "Three weeks?"

Dohnaseek paused in his reading. He knew where the blond was going with this. "Don't."

"No, seriously, three?"

"Bite me."

"What's that, like, three days over your record? Do you get a button for that? S-should I throw you a party?"

The playful joshing was not to the Angel's liking. Dohnaseek was a proud man; admitting or even playfully mentioning his shortcomings in any sort of negative light was, perhaps, one of his truly great weaknesses.

Shown all the more when he slammed his menu onto the table, meeting the blond's blue eyes with his steely own. "I will leave. Right. Now-!"

"Who's Raynare?"

And like that, before it could start, Dohnaseek's tirade was cut short by the interruption. Naruto studied him; watching as the the Angel's face loosened and slacked at the reference to the name. Before, the playful jabbing had been fun but now it was time to get the answers to his questions...

...Which is roughly when Katsumi the waitress came walking up to their small table. "Mr. Dohcee! It's great to see you again!"

'Mr. Dohcee's' attention immediately switched from Naruto to the waitress, smiling brightly. "Same, my dear! How are you?"

"I've been doing wonderful, thank you." She replied, as Mr. Dohcee noticed a subtle glance on her part back to the cook behind the counter. He kept his knowing smile hidden.

"Oh, don't you mention it!" He lifted up his menu again, pretending he hadn't memorized every inch of the menu several times over, before smiling back to the young woman. "I'll just have a coffee. Plenty of cream and sugar, of course."

"Of course!" Katsumi knew that was his usual. He was such a sweet gentleman - always so kind! She'd worked her for a long time but never knew anyone who could brighten an early morning like him. "And for you, young man?"

"He'll have a bottle." Dohnaseek answered for the blond before Naruto could even open his mouth.

Katsumi blinked. "What?"

The Fallen only smiled. "A water bottle. He told me himself." He smiled brightly, as Katsumi smiled back and nodded, writing it down on a notepad before moving back behind the counter.

Dohnaseek turned to the now annoyed blond.

He smiled to him. Naruto kicked him under the booth.

"OW!"

"Who's Raynare, pimp-dick?" Naruto asked grumpily, losing his temper while remembering why he hardly hung with the only semi-reasonable Angel he knew.

And that was because he was only semi-reasonable. "How do you know her?"

"She isn't in the normal Fallen garrisons stationed in Japan. I know. I checked. So what is she?"

Dohnaseek was still rubbing his hurt ankle. "And why should I tell you anything?"

Naruto was ready with the favor owed. "Because of that little problem you let loose near the Vatican."

Dohnaseek, too his credit and irritation, had the good grace to look surprised. "Oh. Right. That. With the tentacles and the slime and the – right, right, forgot about that."

Naruto stared at him. "How could you forget the hundreds of Angels that descended to pierce my rear-hind full of holy spears? How could you forget how that thing nearly poisoned the entire ecosystem of the Mediterranean?! How could you forget meeting the pope?!"

"It was a Tuesday, right?"

"Dohna-!"

"Fine, fine! Shhh!" He whispered harshly, again scanning the cafe for anyone who might have heard him. "Just remember I can't tell you everything, right? Security reasons, you understand."

Naruto nodded, both in understanding and finally getting somewhere. This was the Dohnaseek he preferred. "Then what can you tell me?"

The Angel paused, looking up to the ceiling as he seemed to gather his thoughts on the elusive Ms. Raynare, "Raynare was born of the union of two Fallen Angels. The product of their sin of lust. Parents died by Manticore when she was young around the First World War. Passed onto Azazel's care soon after. Been looking after her ever since."

Naruto nodded as he listened. This was good. Simple, but information was good. "Anything else?"

Dohnaseek stroked his chin. "Uh, yeah. I remember she had the good old sin of pride keeping her from the topside. But recently? She's got the sin of wrath burning in her. Don't know what brought it up but it's been bad for a while. Not many Fallen like those wrath types. Can get a little too on edge for our tastes."

Naruto listened carefully. Sins of pride, wrath, lust – each Fallen Angel had an abundance of a Seven Deadly Sin in them. They organized and related themselves by this code. Some were extreme cases, some were mild. Some changed to different forms of sin over time. It wasn't uncommon and was accepted because that was just who they were.

And now, a wrathful Fallen Angel was running amok. Awesome.

But one thing caught his attention. "You're not a Wrathful Fallen?"

Dohnaseek stared at him. "I'm a Glutton. That's my sin. I enjoy my food – there's nothing wrong with that."

"And the occasional blood bath, from what I hear."

Dohnaseek thought on that. "Well, a good fight now and then does keep life interesting."

Figures. "So, Raynare's just angry?"

"Oh, she's a gas tank put too close to Hellfire! Never know when she's gonna blow! And she's recently developed a bit of a sadistic streak to go along with it. Azazel's been keeping her on a short leash – keeping her on earth and out of the Underworld – and she's none too happy about it. Been lashing out, from what I heard."

Whatever he heard was right. "Doesn't sound like the most harmonious relationship between the two."

"Oh, Raynare worships the ground Azazel walks on!" The Angel exclaimed. "And Azazel is about as doting as a surrogate father can get. But that doesn't mean it's all hunky-dory here on earth. She feels she's entitled to a higher position then whatever Azazel's got her doing. And she's very vocal about it." Dohnaseek sighed, seemingly getting his high from staring at a breakfast menu, before putting it down and staring at the blond. "So, what's got your interest in her?"

It was a legitimate question. One Naruto had no problem answering. "She tried to jump in on a job of mine."

"Oh?"

"Didn't kill her."

"You never do."

"But this whole situation with her has left me on edge." Naruto admitted, looking out the window of the diner to the rain.

There was something he didn't understand yet. Why stop Raynare? From what he got, Azazel would have preferred if Issei died. The boy was dangerous. Whatever he had in him, it was a risk. So why not deal with it? It might have been the ninja in him, but a risk that could threaten an entire faction was something to put down. It was harsh, but reality.

He closed his eyes in irritation, groaning silently.

This situation was all so political.

"Alright, gentlemen!" A female yell came from Naruto's side, waking him as his eyes widened. "A water for you. One coffee for you. And," the largest plate Naruto had ever seen came crashing down in front of Dohnaseek; easily being half the size of the table, "one special for our favorite customer!"

Dohnaseek looked like he won the lottery. His eyes were watering.

The All American Freedom Special: a large pancake topped off with syrup, bacon, hash browns, sausage, cream, sugary powder, scrambled eggs – all of which seemed to be placed accordingly to make it seem, in an almost impossible way, like a bald eagle was sitting comfortable in front of the United States' flag.

Naruto stared at him, the mess of food, then back to him. "Really? Really?"

Dohnaseek pulled a fork from his pocket and stabbed it into a sausage. He seemed to melt from the taste.

"It's American." He practically cried, quickly taking another bite. "By the way, you're paying for this. Be sure to leave a big tip."

Outskirts of Kuoh Academy, Next Day, Wednesday, 5:24 PM

Kuoh Academy.

For Naruto Uzumaki, Academy life was an interesting endeavor. This was in no small part due to academy students being held at high standards of exceptional ability. It, in turn, required Naruto to show some similar levels of enthusiasm and determination to excel. This wasn't exactly easy; Naruto passed a basic 'academy life' before; was educated and learned from several esteemed teachers and scholars. And while the material of this new world was different – history alone was fascinating – the task of actually staying in a seat for several hours a day, listening and doodling down what was heard, was not enjoyable.

When he was Hokage, sitting in a chair, mulling over his village's needs and wants was far easier than this. He was a mature man in the body of a youth. He felt the innovation, the determination and the desire to want to explore and move. That might have been coupled to what a youth's natural desire was, but it certainly passed onto the old man and his new body. He wanted to travel and climb mountains and seek out vast forests. He wanted the move away from stone buildings and mass crowds, if only for a little while. He didn't boast to being spoiled – he simply wanted the desire to move beyond the confines his family had placed on him. He was educated with an intelligence developed over decades of learning. So while the history lessons did, occasionally, catch his attention, his lack of interest in mathematics and subjects of government were justified because, frankly, he'd probably learned about the individual subjects prior.

This lack of attentiveness in matters of the school was often the reason behind his 'extension of services' to certain parties and individuals soon into his Kuoh Academy career. This was, in part, for the need to move beyond the small Japanese city and for the nostalgia that came with 'accepting assignments from individuals who would gladly pay you for services rendered.' In other words, to accept 'missions' that had a completion chance based on Naruto's ever growing and returning skill set. The 'missions' were vast and wildly over-the-top tasks that pushed his abilities. It was the closest he felt to being an actual ninja again.

His escapades weren't well advertised, for good reason. Dohnaseek knew of them because he was one of the few Angels he was amiable towards. Last thing he needed was the constant messaging – asking him to do the most minute tasks. He'd created a network of connections and ideas through the world, simply from extending an offer or hand to the right person at the right time (Jiraiya would have been proud). And his assignment-taking opportunities weren't limited to a race – he took projects from all manner of being. He met fascinating people while on the job; gods, monsters, legendary figures of mythologies and so on who held no shortage of work for him.

Beyond the excitement of danger and risk that came from his work, Naruto quite enjoyed his time away on the curious jobs he was offered. It was something to connect himself back to his younger, more active life. He felt as spry as a child in the snow and as combat ready as he felt in his prime.

But there was another, perhaps more psychological reasoning behind his work.

Simply put, Naruto Uzumaki wasn't sure what he was doing.

Why had he returned from death? Why was he taken in by the Devils? Why did he find himself in such a bizarre set of worlds that was similar and heavily contrasting to his home? There had to be a purpose – some clue. No one just brings someone back to life without some idea as to the reasoning. In fact, he'd fought people who'd been brought back from the dead, before. They held a single purpose to fight and die for a cause (often one they did not desire to fight for). But Naruto felt no such pull. No strings or attachments or meddling with his head that suggested he should do something that wasn't what he would normally do. He certainly didn't look dead; all skin and eye colorations were the same as he had before his passing.

So, beyond being an assist to his friends, engaging in a learning system he felt little interest in, and performing tasks mortal (and even immortal) men could not believe, what was he to do? What would spur someone (if it was, indeed, someone) to bring him back without provocation or purpose?

It was those questions that made sleeping difficult.

Ring ring! Ring ring! Ring ring!

But life went on, no different than usual.

Reaching into his pocket, Naruto flipped open the small device.

Place in the Sun

1903 Passenger Dr.

Stray Devil

Request: Capture/Elimination

Reward: 100,000

Accept/Reject

Naruto stared at the message. First: password accepted. Good. Second: location. It was close. A couple hour's walk, maybe. Nice large mansion, easy to find. Third: Stray Devil? That made him smile. They knew some of his favorite game. Fourth: Capture or eliminate? New customer, he guessed. Fifth: 円100,000? Someone was being cheap.

Still, no additional info or some sob story? He could work with that; might actually get paid for once.

Shrugging, Naruto clicked 'Accept' and kept walking.

Outskirts of the City, 8:37 PM

Stray Devils – Reincarnated Devils, Peerage members, who turned on their King and killed him or her. Without their masters to keep them in check, they posed a real threat, not only to the Underworld, but to all Factions and beings they come into contact with. It was a common occurrence for Strays to be wild and demented in thought, commonly attacking anything that moved, be they sentient or otherwise. Whether it was from power lust, mental instability or other negative reasoning's for attacking their masters, Strays never had a good reputation among anyone.

Devils were sent by the High Lords to deal with them. "Internal matters of state", as they were. No matter the country, the nearest Devil Peerage or hunter would be directed after the rogue so as to preserve the order of the human world and reputation of the Devil Peerage system. The reputation, being, 'you go astray, you die.' Perhaps not poetic, but it was persuasive. Less Strays were occurring then when the initial activation of the Peerage system began, though the possibility of occurrence wasn't completely eliminated. Fixing the Peerage system from its initial basis seemed to be helping.

Though, on occasion, the Stray Devil was illusive. Sometimes, a Stray knew how to stay out of a Devil authority's spotlight. And when that happened, it was bad news for whatever occupied area it decided to hold up at; usually creating rumors of a cave, forest or an old abandoned homestead that they decided to make their home out of. Either it was haunted, possessed or just plain creepy, the self-made rumors kept people away for the most part. Only the truly brave or stupid decided to go looking into the rumors themselves.

Often, they never found the Devil. Hiding was a full-life occupation now. Scaring a few humans, who were only looking to explore a deemed 'haunted' area, was hardly a risk worth taking, lest they be caught and dealt with harshly.

But, sometimes, the humans just wouldn't stay away.

Sometimes, a Devil got hungry…

And when Devils where incapable of finding their lost societal members, it was up to the hunters to do their jobs. Hunters, as their name suggested, hunted the scum of the supernatural, mythological, fantastical and so on. They weren't an organized group; most preferring solitude or small groups as opposed to large working organizations. Freelance. They were the humans who still remembered the old times between humanity and Devilkind and realized the limitations of the human body.

They were few and far between and although Naruto wouldn't officially call himself a 'hunter' he did like the sound of going up against things that went 'bump in the night.'

This was one of his favorite gigs; going up against 'rogue Devils,' just like way back when.

Arriving at the large estate mansion, Naruto marveled at its bulk and size. The mansion was definitely well constructed – almost as large as the main building at Kuoh. Its construct was made with white walls, tinted windows and large front wooden doors. It appeared easy to move into, with a large amount of space inside. Naruto found it cozy. If he were a Stray looking for a place to 'accommodate,' he could have done worse.

Sadly, the mansion was also a very well-known location. Rumors of its haunting were widespread, starting up a couple months prior with the family of the estate moving out unexpectedly, but not taken for much else then school gossip.

Then people went missing.

If Naruto hadn't been occupied with Issei, he might have stoked the place out before today.

But now, he was getting paid to do something he would have eventually done on his own.

Guess someone's looking out for 'THIS GUY!' Naruto thought pleasantly, as he made a quick leap over the gate to the mansion, casually landing before walking a brisk pace to the front door. Don't see anyone on the outside. Figured as much.

The wooden doors were mahogany. Their designs were quite appreciative to the eye. Clearly, they were hand-crafted and had the time and passion of an artist's touch put into them. Smooth to the touch, appreciatively waxed and delicately polished by former house caretakers of the former owners.

BANG!

Naruto ripped them off their hinges with a well-placed kick. He never lost his smile.

Walking in casually, Naruto marveled at the design of the mansion. Roomy, piano in the corner, fine white designed space, windows that looked out over a large patio and that view–hot damn! If that Stray wasn't going to use the place after Naruto was finished with him, he might just take the place himself!

Naruto's footsteps made audible echoes in the homestead; making his presence known. Walking towards the center of the floor, he waited as he tried to make out any obstruction in the silence around him.

It didn't take long.

"I SMELL SOMETHING…"

A raspy, feminine voice whispered around Naruto, as the room's only source of light – the moon – went casually behind a set of clouds. An echo of hard footsteps could be heard from up the marble staircase, growing louder with each step.

"I SMELL SOMETHING GOOD…"

Naruto glanced towards the top of the staircase; making out a looming form, even in the dimmed moonlight.

"I WONDER IF IT'S CRUNCHY. I WONDER IF IT'S SWEET! BITTER, PERHAPS?"

The face of a beautiful women loomed out of the shadow, smiling and peering down to the intruder in her abode. Her skin was pale; dark hair ran down her back; eyes a bright yellowish green and her torso – naked. She wore no shirt nor apparently any other mesh of clothing. She was full fronting the blond without care to the situation.

Naruto, had he been a male of lust or perversion, might have appreciated the view. As it stood, he knew what was happening, and didn't allow himself to turn away embarrassed. Even in confidence, the situation could change to deadly in a moment.

So, instead, keeping his eyes on her, he smiled. "Am I interrupting you?" He gestured to her dress – or lack of it.

The woman chuckled.

"SWEET, YESSSS, CERTAINLY! HUNGRY NOW! YOU'RE AN APPATIZER!"

Before Naruto could make a quip about how, certainly, he was 'main course' worthy, the rest of the woman's body stepped out from the staircase.

Naruto, despite himself, felt a little bit of himself throw up in his mouth. Though it is said 'beauty is to the beholder,' Naruto had to wonder who saw this as beautiful.

The Stray's entire lower body was that of a brown-haired beast of some sort; her legs were arms and hands finished sharp claws and painted a strange pink. Her tail shook with anticipation – a short thing with a ball of hair at the end. To Naruto, this was bizarre because he never saw Devil's like this before. A weird combination of parts from different species. But that wasn't the worst part. From her crotch to the valley between her breasts, the Stray had a line down the middle, which opened and closed like it was chewing something crunchy from within. Long, grey teeth were easily made out from within, as they gargled on something tastily.

The Stray smiled menacingly; her teeth seemed to sharpen disgustingly as she looked over the blond with delight.

Naruto stared at her. "Wow. Okay, I have seen some fugly things in my life, but you?" He looked her over again. "You are definitely in my top ten 'Freaky Things' list." And this counted for both lives.

The Stray just smiled, unperturbed as she decided to play with her breasts, excited.

Oh great, an exhibitionist. Wonderful.

"SILLY CHILD. WHAT WOULD YOU KNOW OF TRUE BEAUTY? YOU ARE BUT AN ARROGANT, SHORT-LIVED, PRIMITIVELY NAÏVE HUMAN!"

"Oh, you sweet talker, you!"

"UNLIKE YOUR RACE, THIS PERFECT BODY AND FORM WILL STAY WITH ME FOREVER -"

"Ouch. Sorry to hear that."

"- WHILE YOURS WITHERS AND DECAYS! TO ONE SUCH AS I, YOU ARE MAGGOT FOOD AT ITS FINEST!"

"Wait, did you just call yourself a maggot?"

"NOW, GAZE UPON THE MAJESTY THAT IS I, THE WONDEROUS VISER, LADY OF HELL, AS SHE MAKES YOU A PART OF HER!"

"Uh, wait, hell? You mean the Underworld, right? I know those two are a common misconception, but I've actually been to-OH CRAP!" Naruto leapt to the side, avoiding a spray of pale liquid that shot towards him, hitting the ground where he stood and evaporating it quickly.

Naruto glanced to the spot then back to where the liquid shot from. "You have breast acid?! Seriously?! Screw making the top ten! You just made the whole Freaky List, top to bottom!" He dodged again, avoiding more acid as the Stray seemed to be enjoying herself.

"AHAHAHAHA! STAY STILL, YOU LITTLE CRETIN, SO I MAY FINISH YOU OFF QUICKLY!"

"Careful, you keep talking like that," dodge, "and people are gonna talk," dodge, "and I'm not saying you aren't the world's biggest eyesore, but," dodge, dodge, dodge…dodge, "you're the world's biggest eyesore."

Naruto leapt behind the piano, watching as the breast acid attack finally ended. Whether she was out or finally got her high off the exhibitionist work was anyone's guess.

Looking over the piano, Naruto ran his fingers over the framework. "Sorry, Beethoven."

TOSS!

"AHAHA-DAAHHH!"

Direct hit. The piano smashed into several pieces at the impact of the Stray's enhanced endurance, as the once cackling monster fell to the ground, obviously damaged.

"You know, this would probably be where I choose a joke around a piano and an ugly woman," Naruto's voice yelled around the center room, his presence unseen as the Stray stood once more, attempting to gain composure, despite the injury, "but for the love of me, I just can't figure out which one to choose from."

The Devil, now snarling, was getting serious.

"WHERE ARE YOU?! COME OUT! COME OUT, YOU WORM!"

"Worm? I thought I was a cretin? Or maggot food? Do you have a thing for bugs? Cause I knew this one guy who had a thing for bugs and he-"

"SILENCE!" The Stray shouted, turning and glancing in all directions of the room. "WHERE ARE YOU?! DO YOU THINK THIS IS SOME KIND OF GAME?!"

"YAHTZEE!"

"BE SILENT! BE SILENT, NOW! OR I WILL PULL YOUR HEAD OFF AND FEED IT TO MY STOMACH!"

"…Aaaaaand you made it awkward."

"BAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH!"

Naruto looked down from his position on the ceiling of the room, his feet holding himself in air as if stuck to the room's top. All the while, he was smiling as the Stray attempted to find his missing person. In most situations, he would have taken this seriously. Heck, he would have had a nice conversation and everything. But, the week till now had been tense, boring and lacking in any decent workout. So this job was the perfect relaxant!

Plus, this Stray didn't seem like a few of the others he'd met; ones abused or used by their masters in twisted schemes for power or pleasure. This Stray – Viser – got off on what she was doing.

So, it was time to end it. Now.

Letting the energy holding his feet to the ceiling release him, Naruto brought his fist back as he dropped to the Stray Devil, only revealing his presence at the last possible moment so that the Stray turned her head to look up to her incoming attacker.

The Stray's eyes widened as she barely made out the boy before he finished her for the evening. But one thing did strike her (besides the blow to the face) that left her questioning if she imagined what she saw before the embrace of forced unconsciousness took her.

Red?

Outskirts of the City, 9:02 PM

Rias Gremory assembled her Peerage outside of the abandoned mansion. Her Servants each had their personal weapons and effects ready for the assault. She was mentally readying herself, as well. Even weak Strays could prove bothersome; they did kill their High-Class masters, after all.

An hour before, Akeno received a message from the Underworld, requesting she and her Peerage deal with recent reports on a Stray in the local area. This was fine to her; this wasn't the first Stray she and her Peerage had dealt with, though she wished Kiba had managed to get Naruto on the line to join them. He enjoyed the hunt.

But, perhaps his absence was for the best. When Naruto was involved, he rarely held back and allowed her fellow members to pursue their target. Instead, he preferred singling the Stray out and taking him or her on alone; often with clever quips to the bemusement of Kiba and Akeno.

Today, though, was different. Now, at least, she could say she tried to get the blond's notice before the attempt, while at the same time giving her Peerage the chance to experience a Stray on their own, without the rather combat-savvy and enjoying Naruto. Admittedly, that may have been a little exciting. Proving herself, without the blond's talent or assistance. It felt good.

Smiling to herself, Rias waved her hands to the mansion's gates, opening them slowly.

Kiba, her Knight, and Koneko, her Rook, took point as she and Akeno walked behind, looking over the estate curiously. Looking at the knocked down front doors, Rias wondered if the Stray was asking to be caught. That was a little too eye catching to be ignored.

The four of them walked in, confident in their abilities. A Knight, a Rook, a Queen and a Gremory would be more than enough for one Stray.

At least, that was the idea.

Then they came to the post combat mess left by the Devil.

On the ground, unconscious and groaning in its sleep, was the Stray. Naked from the top up, the only way the Peerage was even sure it was alive was by its slow breathing, followed by its moans. Its face was beaten and was bleeding out of its nose and mouth, though not to a level of worry for even a Stray Devil. It was, simply, sleeping off the pain.

And on top of its form, sitting cross-legged over his conquered foe was Naruto, writing something on a small piece of paper with a fixed focus.

Rias and her peerage stared at him.

"Let's see…seven meters tall…quadrupedal form…full nude…" Naruto scratched his head with the pen in his hand, looking confused before glancing up to the company. "Hey, Koneko! What do you think she is? One ton? Two tons?"

"One-and-a-half." Koneko answered, still looking onto the weird occurrence.

"Thanks!" Naruto said brightly, scribbling again as he made his little symbols and markings on the small parchment of paper no larger than his hand before hopping off the slumbering Stray, moving towards its head, and placing the slip of paper to its forehead.

Focusing, Naruto felt the familiar pull of internal energy in him, as the paper's runic seals glowed red with power. The room was lit with it, as the head from the Stray slowly edged into the paper, seeming to twist and shrink as if it were sucked in. The head was followed by the torso; then the lower body; then the claws; before finally the small furball of the tail sank into the small piece of paper with an audible 'pop!'

Naruto, smiling, waved the paper in the air, letting the ink dry out, before turning to Rias's Peerage. They were still staring. "Yo!"

Koneko lifted her hand in a wave. "Yo."

"Naruto!" Rias yelled in the partially destroyed mansion, walking over to stare intensely at the now surprised looking blond. "What do you think you're doing here?!"

Naruto stared back, confused and a bit worried at her sudden fury. "Uh…nothing?"

This wasn't the right answer to give. "Nothing?!"

He pursed his lips. "I went for a walk."

Rias stared at him. "You went for a walk?" He nodded. "Another one?" He nodded. "This far from your apartment?" He nodded. "Into, what just so happened to be, a Stray Devil's territory?"

"I know, right? How lucky am I?"

Oh, she was gonna blow. He could see the outline of a red aura startling to encircle her form. He lifted up the sealed paper protectively. "But I got you a present! See!" He was smiling, slightly in panic to the furious woman. Vaguely, with Rias's hair starting to swirl and twist as her power caused the wind around them to brush her hair wildly around, Naruto wondered if his (original) mother, who had similar colored hair and a temper to match, was like this when she was upset with his (original) father.

Rias's glare was rarely used and even rarer to see her without some form of her demonic power seeping out with her loss of emotions. She was known as the 'Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess' for a reason. Her power was not to be trifled or tested with.

Angry though she was, the way Naruto offered her his 'win' placated her somewhat. Maybe it was just the look of panic from the blond that made her want to laugh and hug him at the same time. He was just so jovial it was cute. He beat a Stray, single-handedly, and was whimpering to her like he'd done something wrong. It was hard to stay angry towards.

In the end, grumbling, she wrenched the paper from his hand and turned back to her Peerage, walking towards the door. Kiba was grinning sheepishly at the situation; Koneko was monotonous; and Akeno was hiding a giggle and smile behind her hand.

Rias told herself she would get answers from Naruto, later. To save face.

"We're leaving. Now," Rias ordered, not turning back at the image of Naruto, wiping his brow in relief at not being made to feel the 'Princess of Destruction's,' as she was also known as, fury. Instead, she shouted back, with perhaps a small bit of enjoyment, "And I'm telling mother about this!"

Kiba followed his King, silently laughing as the sword he kept to his side vanished into particles of energy. Koneko followed, looking annoyed at not getting the chance to punch anything, while Akeno giggled more as she looked back to Naruto's expression.

Lady Venelana.

"Please…no…I was walking…"

Atop the mansion, a female, winged-figure watched closely as the Gremory King and her Peerage left, followed shortly by the blond boy, who seemed to lack the kick-in-his-step that he came into the mansion with earlier.

Raynare stared at him hard. Naruto, she thought, mulling the name over silently.

She'd been staking the mansion for some time. After her humiliation days prior, she'd figured she needed an outlet for her pent-up frustration. A good fight, in her mind, would do her some good. And as it so happened, rumors during her time as a student at Kuoh caught her attention. She hadn't meddled into them - her task had been the pervert - but now that she was free for a while...

Then the blond showed up.

Funny as situations went, running into the 'hero' turned out better then she hoped. It was quite the show; the human boy thrashing the delusional Stray Devil with ease. If she hadn't known who the boy was prior to her arrival, she might have even congratulated him on a job well done. But then, instead of finishing the beast off, the blond seemed to want to do nothing more then lay on top of his win, scribbling with a light pen onto a piece of parchment without care.

This infuriated her, at first. To see he couldn't even finish the job was unbelievably droll. She planned to make herself known, then, just to rant and yell at his mercy, but then his 'cavalry' arrived.

It was intriguing what she heard. Watching the Devil disappear; watching the blond cower from the red-headed Devil woman; discovering the boy's name amidst the commotion. It was delightful pieces of information and ability she was content with simply viewing from a distance. Partially, she hazarded the thought of surprise attacking them all; she wasn't discovered and her spears could still deal considerable damage, especially to the red-Devil and her Peerage.

But the friendly attitude between the human and the Devils gave her pause. She was outnumbered and - dare she admit - outmatched. It was too much of a risk.

So, she watched them as they left, keeping an eye on them all as they disappeared in a flash of red from a teleport circle.

When they were gone, and she was sure her presence hadn't been discovered, she took to the cool skies above. She had much to think about.

Above all, after the display of the blond's humiliating and quick victory over the Stray, Raynare realized she would need more power to see her goals met and the blond - Naruto - quivering at her feet.

The thought made her smile.

Alright, over 14000 words! My longest chapter yet! Kind of a make up for last week's, because I see people weren't fully enjoying the smaller then 8000 word chapter I made. Which is fine. Gave myself more time to work on this one, then! Though, I am a tad nervous I might have pushed my luck. I gave a lot of info. Don't know how people react to that.

In addition, I hope I didn't add too many humorous parts! This is a humor fic - I just wanted the funny within the seriousness! DON'T HATE ME FOR IT!

Also, I have a poll on my homepage (which I really need to put some stuff into) where I am trying to figure out when would be the best day to post my works on. You don't need to answer it if you don't want to, but it would help me figure out my update schedule, cause right now? I'm just updating whenever.

So, any poll help that can be given would be largely appreciated.

And there's warm air outside! I can live with that! Enjoy your week!