A Devil's Flock

by Kerlongsj Evert Orlejov

Request fic for whitetigerwolf. Minato Sahashi was taken in by Serafall Leviathan as a young boy. After a decade, he went back into the human realm to fulfill a dream. Little did he know that he would be dragged into a game of Aliens and Ashikabi's. Well, at least, he could turn this Flock of him into a Peerage. For him, this could be the chance to prove himself as a young Devil.

5. A Devil gets his business in order

Two chapters for this month. Yeah, we certainly got busy. It's mostly because I wrote a lot during the last few months.

We got a lot of readers and I wouldn't have guessed that I got five chapters in a month. What can you change about it? Happy readers on a lot of fronts.

We have some new stats compared to last week.

48 reviews. We are past the 300 favorites with 306 and we got 359 followers. I'm very glad that I get new readers. We keep this up and by the time we have next chapter, we are maybe at 400.

Because this is written and updated so shortly after the anniversary, I doubt I'll have much more to add than what I already wrote down in the previous chapter.

I did part of the last update and this was on a train.

And well, this is also going to have some familiar faces in this chapter. Look forward to those.

I think that this fic will be noticed with one thing: large chapters for this fic.

When I was writing this, our cat got brought in after he fought with another cat and he got injured in his left eye.

Modest, you old piece of a warm furball. At your age, you sleep inside at your feet or you go out for a walk. Not for a fight. You're too old for a fight and me and the old man can't miss you right now. Stay with us for a couple of winters, would you please?

Before we continue on it, we were at 36K. I wonder how many words we are with those two updates. Easily at 80K.

When I was writing this, on the 8th of September, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II, passed away. I found that out when I was busy on the chapter. Kinda feels unreal. I hope she's in the place where she belongs.

Besides that, I got some stuff back and I have been working on bits.

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Replies to guest reviews.

Guest on chapter 4 on the 13th of September. Thank you.

Guest on chapter 4 on the 14th of September. Who knows? Thank you for the review.

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Started on 26/08/2022

Ended on 11/09/2022

Published on 23/09/2022

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Minato had a feeling that this could be a busy day. That and the fact that despite being a creature of the night, his body was exhausted. His entire Flock/Peerage had been laying around his body. Despite the feeling that a bed provided, he did begin to think that it was getting too small for him. They laid all over him as if they had enjoyed the night out.

They were a good group now, a strong group.

Kusano was the single exception that he had regarding a Sekirei that wasn't reincarnated. He doubted it wouldn't take long before he got her reincarnated. After he figured out what piece he would give her. It would take some time after he trained with her.

Kazehana laid with her head on his right shoulder and her eyes open looking at him.

"Morning, love." He smiled as she wrapped her hands around his head.

"Morning, Kazehana. Or actually evening." If the hunger didn't wake him up, he would have gladly slept through the night.

And their sharpened senses told him that food was ready to be eaten.

The stirring of their Ashikabi caused the rest of the Flock to wake up.

The first one, next to Kazehana, who found herself awake was the last addition to the Peerage.

"Hey, onii-chan." The kisses all came after the youngest who pressed their lips onto Minato. There was enjoyment to have when he could kiss those girls.

"Evening to you all." Kusano had settled on his chest as he messed with her hair.

"I think I should tell you a bit more, Kuu-chan. On what I am. But let's get our dinner first before we get back to bed." Minato allowed his Peerage to give him room. Grabbing a change of clothes, he ran out of his room and began to get dressed.

"Oh, good evening, Minato." His head turned to see Miya standing with a comforting smile on her face.

"Good evening, Miya. Thanks for keeping our circumstances in mind." The Pillar shrugged as she watched the Ashikabi changing. She had to admit. Serafall did a wonderful job in training him.

"Now, before you go and eat, two people are waiting for you in the living room." The Ashikabi raised an eyebrow as he hadn't expected guests.

"Do I know them?"

"No. We had some guests last night and when they woke up this morning, they woke up with a question and asked me some questions. Because I believe it's only right, I am going to let you walk over and see them. I'll keep your Flock at bay and tell them about it."

Minato didn't have to guess if the persons waiting for him were Sekirei. It looked like those birds came right after him.

Inside the living room, he was greeted by a set of twins. He didn't have to guess. Both girls were dressed in casual attire.

The twins were wearing the same clothes they had worn the night before.

"Is this the person that we were waiting for the entire day?" The most developed one of the two barked as she watched Minato, being a bit uncomfortable by the looks she was giving him. Her twin was a bit more sympathetic.

"Hikari, if he is the person, we did well." Her sister didn't even let her finish the sentence.

"A college dropout, loser, virgin of twenty years old? Really? You want that as your Ashikabi?" Minato crossed his arms and coughed to get their attention.

"Rude. I passed for Todai. That's number one. Second, I'm not just someone. I take you two are Sekirei who are reacting to me."

Instead of calming down Hikari, she continued even to glare.

"You know what Sekirei are?"

"Got over half a dozen winged in the last month," Minato answered nonchalantly as he sat down.

"Where are my manners? I'm Minato Sahashi. So who are you two lovely ladies?" The charm didn't work on Hikari but her sister smiled. At least, he had some decorum. He might be a young buck but rather him than Seo. That mooch wasn't a good option either.

"I'm Hibiki. Sekirei Number 12. And that loud mouth over there is Hikari, Sekirei Number 11. My twin sister."

"If you were to add them to your Peerage, they'd fit right in, handsome Devil." The voice of Uzume had caused the three to look at her.

"Evening, Uzume-chan." The Veiled Sekirei gave him a high five as she sat down right next to him. Despite her having already an Ashikabi, she wouldn't lie to herself. She liked Minato Sahashi.

"Peerage? What is that?" Minato didn't answer the question immediately and watched how the rest of his Flock joined them.

"Perfect timing, you all. I think that I should tell a few about this." Kusano chose her spot right next to Minato.

"And I should tell you as well. Your Onii-chan isn't just an Ashikabi, Kusano." The wings opened behind his back. The reactions were the ones he was aiming for.

Hikari and Hibiki were blown away while Kusano looked like a child who got shown a magic trick.

"Is Onii-chan a magician? Or a wizard?" Ruffling her hair, he was about to explain but found that Miya had slid into the room.

"I think you all can use some dinner. Is someone hungry?"

The entire room chorused throughout the room.

"Me!"

Before long, they started to eat and enjoy the great cook that Miya was. The sight of Hikari and Hibiki staring at him was a sight to behold. Meanwhile, Kusano loved to share his meal as the other girls could already see how this six-year-old was worming her way into the heart of Minato.

It was also clear that Hikari and Hibiki were reacting to him although the former was much more in denial than her twin. If she was honest, the guy didn't look like such a bad choice.

After dinner was cleaned, the Ashikabi sat down with the latest and future members of his Flock.

"Now, before Miya interrupted with a delicious dinner, I think it's time that I tell you three what I am. I'm not a human being. I'm a Devil."

"Devil?" The chorus came from the three Sekirei with a mattering perspective on disbelief.

Kusano because she didn't understand the words and the twins because they didn't get what the guy was getting at.

"I'll tell you the full story. Just don't interrupt me and I'll answer your questions until I'm done."

One explanation later.

"Okay, it's official. You're insane." Hikari announced as she found the incredulity of Minato's story to pile up and up until the Ashikabi was done talking.

"I can imagine you would think so. But I can assure you." His bat wings opened and they showed the clear marks of a Devil.

"These are real." Their touch was pleasant. Softly, like children, they went over the wings that Minato had.

"So Onii-chan, did you reincarnate the other Onee-chans as Devils?" The rest of his Peerage had been gathered around them.

Kusano really was sharp for her age and Minato began to love that little girl more and more.

"Indeed, Kuu-chan. Kazehana is my [Queen], Musubi-chan and Yume-san are my [Rooks], Akitsu-san is my [Bishop] and Benitsubasa and Haihane are my [Pawns]."

The women beamed as Minato addressed them as his members.

"So now what? Do you intend to make us your Peerage members as well? Your slaves?" Minato rolled his eyes as he felt like that argument had been used before.

"That is if you decide to become my Sekirei. I am not going to force you to be winged to me." It caused the twins to share a look with each other as Hikari was not liking the idea of getting winged by an Ashikabi.

Meanwhile, Hibiki had already begun to see the more advantages that Minato had as an Ashikabi, compared to Seo.

Being not homeless and loaded would be two big bonuses.

"And I am not going to treat you like my slaves. I treat my Peerage as my Flock as long the situation allows me to. I will only reincarnate you if you so desire but I am afraid that even if I do, you'll need to give me some time to figure out what."

Hibiki spoke this time.

"Why?"

"I have gotten from one Sekirei to having six and all reincarnated in a relatively short time. I need time to figure out what piece would be best suited for you two. And even so, Kusano is before you if she makes the choice."

"I want!" The girl in his lap jumped up when she heard the words fall.

"I want to be like Onii-chan. I want to become a Devil." Standing before him, she had her tiny arms on her side and looked like a girl, ready to take on the world.

Minato smiled as he looked at her. He was her age when he was taken in by Serafall.

Ruffling Kusano's hair, he pressed a kiss on her nose. The youngest blushed up a storm while the others just awed at the scene.

"Noted, Kuu-chan. But Onii-chan will need some time to figure out what Piece is best suited for you."

Kazehana decided to speak for her Ashikabi, too soft and kind for his own good now.

"That is if my [King] decides to wing you. The way you talked to him and how you behaved towards him makes me wonder how in the world he would see you as fit members for our Flock."

If looks could kill, Kazehana would have blown a tornado over the twins while Hikari was ready to blow a lid on the Wind Flower.

"Enough!" Minato's clear voice echoed over the room and all the eyes were on him.

The Devil stood up and waited until the women could calm down. When the serious face fell from his form, he looked over at Kazehana.

"Kazehana, I thank you for standing up to me but do not burn bridges when you don't need to." The [Queen] calmed down and she let Minato talk.

"As for you two." Hibiki gulped while Hikari glared at him defiantly.

"If you two genuinely react to me and you wish to be winged, I will accept that. But if your wishes are to be changed, I want you two out of the house and not cause any issues for me or my Sekirei."

The twins didn't get such kind offers and Hibiki began to mule over it. Yes, she wanted a person that she liked and with Minato, she would be the first to admit that his future looked a whole lot more bright compared to Seo's.

But Hikari wasn't so happy about this development.

"You are out of your mind!" Before more rough words could be said, Hibiki closed the mouth of her sister.

"Sis, we need to talk for a bit. Can you all give us some privacy?" It was rare for Hibiki to be so adamant but Minato could understand why she would want that.

"Of course. When you're done, I'll gladly hear your answer." The Peerage went outside with Minato as he carried Kusano on his hip. He began to see why Serafall did that so often with him.

She wasn't the only one that liked doing it. Before Sirzechs and Grayfia had Millicas, the [Pawn] had often ridden on the neck of Sirzechs and even Grayfia had him on her hip.

"Are you sure about this, hun?" Kazehana sat down on the floor next to him while Minato let Kusano go.

"About winging them and reincarnating? Yes. If they so wish."

"I do not like the way she talked to you." It was like Kazehana was disappointed by Minato's choice of women. Or was she jealous?

"Neither did I but she has made a good point on what I am. I can't help but look the part of a college dropout." The baggy clothes, no facial hair, and his lanky build under the clothes. Her Ashikabi should dress like the [King] he was.

"You are not one and you are a Devil in charge of our Peerage." Minato turned to see how Musubi and Yume both began to take to the younger girl who was playing with Musubi. Akitsu stood a bit by and she had taken up her spells.

It hadn't taken long before Haihane joined the three and they began to play in the garden.

Benitsubasa didn't want to join in so she walked up to the Ashikabi and glared at the [Queen].

"Do you mind moving a bit?" Kazehana followed the order. She understood that her Ashikabi preferred that she got along but with her abrasive nature, it was nearly impossible to do that with Benitsubasa.

"And why would I do that?"

"You ain't the only one he winged. So if you could." Before both could say a thing, Benitsubasa laid her head on the lap of Minato who sighed.

He didn't blame her for the feelings she had. Even compared to Kusano, she looked young and her breasts looked like they would never grow.

So he let her have this. Minato would later make it up to Kazehana while they continued to watch the scene as Benitsubasa just laid in the lap, sleeping as they enjoyed the day of weather.

Minato was amazed by the power that Kusano had and even in playing, she could show those powers off just fine.

"Kuu-chan! No!" The entire garden overgrew and Miya looked amazed by the way how the place where her husband worked, got so many new plants.

Tied up in the vegetables, Minato watched how the four older Sekirei were all presenting their bests assets as he looked at Kusano who looked a bit apologetic.

"Sorry." Minato shook his head and watched how the girl was trying her hardest not to cry.

"Looks like your powers aren't fully controlled, Kuu-chan. But no worries, we'll clean up the mess." Speaking a simple spell, the oversized tree fell apart and the four Sekirei landed on the ground.

"Onii-chan, you're so cool!"

The other Sekirei swamped him and they were about to crush them under with hugs if they didn't get called back in.

"Minato, we made our decision. Can we talk to you for a bit?" Minato walked back into the room while the Sekirei were stopped by Kazehana.

"It's his decision to make and while he will ask us, it is not our place to give comments." Yume tilted her head and crossed her arms.

"And who are you to make that decision, Kazehana? We are his Sekirei." Kazehana walked up to the Sekirei of Fate and glared at her.

"We are also Devils under his Peerage. I'm his [Queen] and first winged, you're a [Rook]. I act as his second in command. End of story."

Inside the room

Minato looked at the twins who looked like they had a very good discussion. Hikari was fuming but Hibiki looked to be very pleased with herself. Minato didn't even have to guess what they agreed on.

"So what is your answer?"

"I have agreed to become your Sekirei. So has my sister. We do have to ask a bit more about being reincarnated. What Evil Piece would you use for us?" Hibiki spoke and Minato sat down next to them.

"If you both agree, I'll wing you but as to what Piece that I use, I'll need some time to figure out what I would use. At the earliest, two weeks. At the most likely, three or four. That is before I take in Kusano and before."

The phone call stopped Minato in his talk and he glanced at the phone.

"I'm so sorry but I have to take this. This is my own [King] calling." As soon he pressed in the accept, the words of Serafall came through.

"Min-chan! We saw the scene last night. Was that something to do with you? Are you safe?" The worry came from Serafall and it warmed his heart that his master was so loving.

"I'm fine, Serafall-sama. Do not worry. It didn't have something to do with me personally but I winged the girl who was responsible for it. I'm safe now although my Peerage has grown. But this isn't just a social call, is it?"

Minato knew his [King] all too well.

"No. With the research that Ajuka-chan did and the forest that grew, the other two factions have taken in the news as Sekirei as truth. They are not going to interfere as you take care of this plan. But hold on, there is more than just this freedom. You have to take Shinto Teito as your ground. This means contracts are now mandatory. Train your Sekirei, and get them to the magical circle. Make sure they know how to carry out their duties as Devils. Understood?"

Minato felt a gulp going down his throat.

"Yes, Serafall-sama."

"Good, I'll come by one of these days. Good luck, Min-chan." The Ashikabi closed the call and sat down. A heavy breath escaped his mouth as he felt his knees leave him.

"What did she say?"

"That I'll have to wait a really long while before I can reincarnate you. Because there will be more than just taking you in. That doesn't leave out being winged. Do you two accept me as your Ashikabi?"

"We can see how you go on your duties as Ashikabi before you become our [King]. We accept."

Hikari was the first to kiss him and right after her, came Hibiki. They shouted the same Norito together.

"We're the pledged thunderclap. No disaster will hit our Ashikabi!" Minato smiled as he was glad to have those two on board.

"Now, I leave you two to settle in but." He opened the door and in slid the other members of his Peerage/Flock, who clearly had been eavesdropping.

Minato didn't even admonish or scold them, he just walked past them and summoned a whiteboard from thin air.

"We have work to do and I have an explanation to give. Just heard from my own master."

Scene skip

It was all too easy to get them to shut up and wait until Minato was done with the board. He wrote down on the board five subjects and their names.

Those subjects were "Magical/elemental", "Strength", "Speed", "Weapon training", "Contracts."

Except for Kazehana, all the names were not on the same subject.

"Alright, I just had a call from my own master, Serafall Leviathan-sama. I'll break it down very briefly. Right now, Shinto Teito is my turf and a place where I will have to do contracts. Contracts are what I see as small errands we have to run. Low-Class Devils, as you all are, bar Kusano and the twins, can get their status higher by those. It is not a matter of wanting or not, we have to carry those out. Don't worry, as long those contracts are civil and proper, you can carry them out."

Musubi raised her hand at that.

"What do you mean with that, Minato-san?" Nodding to Kazehana, the Wind Flower sealed the ears of Kusano as Minato broke it down very crudely.

"Musubi-chan, you are my Sekirei and my Peerage. I will not allow others to lay their hands on you. You are mine and I do not allow any of you to be used for glorified sex toys. If you have one of those, you will punch their lights out. Understood?"

They all nodded to Minato as they began to blush. It also made clear they were desired sexually by their Ashikabi. Another turn-on for them.

"So we have to carry those contracts out and we get those filled in? Does that have something to do with all our names on the board on magic?"

Minato smiled and gave a thumbs-up to Haihane.

"Ten points and a kiss from the teacher to you, Haihane. You are correct. You all need to have those basic points. Now, those are one part of your duties. There is also a training part. I do not doubt that all of you are fantastic warriors and you all are rightfully proud of your way as Sekirei. But that is as Sekirei. As Devils, you all are novices. You all know how to fight as Sekirei but not as Devil. It is why I want to train you in these parts as Devils. Besides the last three, you all have an Evil Piece. This reminds me. Hikari, Hibiki, what are your powers? Elemental, power, weapon?"

Hikari answered with a smile for Minato and she showed the lightning. For a second, Minato swore that he saw an Akeno sitting there.

"Elemental, my dear Ashikabi. My sister and I control lighting." Minato smiled and crossed their names down to that training.

"Very well. If you join that training, I can figure out what Piece would be suited for you. Now, for the rest of you, I will have to explain why you all have gotten this." Before he could continue, the door slid open and Uzume and Kagari walked in.

"Welcome, you two. Can I help you with something?" Minato asked politely.

"Do you mind if we watch this? I am kind of interested in this Devil's stuff." Uzume said as she sat down next to Yume and Musubi.

"I wondered how you would do this. So I'm of the same mind." Kagari answered and Minato sighed. He hoped that he wouldn't shoot himself in the foot.

"Okay, with no disturbances left. The Evil Piece in your body can enhance your fighting and powers. As it stands now, I have one [Queen, two [Rooks, one [Bishop], and two [Pawns]. What I will give you three will have to be determined by those coming weeks. Kazehana knows what her Evil Piece does. Musubi-chan, Yume-san. You are [Rooks]. You have an enhanced sturdy body and you can fight with that. I want you two to focus on your Speed and Strength. It is important that both of you can move around fast. I am not disappointed by what you can do but there is room for improvement. Lots of room."

They nodded to Minato. The words of Ashikabi proved to be a huge motivator.

"Akitsu, you're a [Bishop]. They rely on magic which suits your elemental powers greatly. But I do think that speed is indeed important. Hence why you got that added. You also have a knack for magic from what I saw so I am happy with all of that."

The Yuki-Ona had a light blush as she knew what to work on.

"Benitsubasa, you have the same training as Musubi-chan and Yume-san. Like Musubi-chan, you are a Power Type. There is also something else you have to keep in mind. [Pawns] are often seen as low Pieces. But I beg to differ. A [Pawn] Piece can be promoted to [Rook, [Knight, [Bishop], or [Queen]. But to be able to withstand that, you all need to be able to take that power in. It is why you have that extra training. As for you, Haihane, you have also weapon training as you use your claws. Miya's got a few swords lying around so I can use that to train you."

The two nodded at Minato as Benitsubasa had felt the beating of Minato when she got winged and Haihane felt that growth could be useful.

Minato's attention shifted to Kusano, Hikari, and Hibiki.

"Now, for the last additions to my Peerage. I do not know your abilities. Or not that well. So these coming weeks will be showing me what you can do. And if I see how to reincarnate you, if you so wish, I'll make you Devils. That being said."

He took a deep breath.

"You nine Sekirei all have their bonds to me as Ashikabi. If that would work fine on being Sekirei, I can live with that. That being said. You are not just Sekirei. Not anymore. You're also Devils. Or you are going to be Devils soon. In my Peerage. A Peerage isn't the same as a Flock. Peerages have Rating Games. Peerages can only survive if all members pull their weight together. I cannot be your only link."

The Peerage listened to him.

"You nine are not just connected to me but also to each other. I want that you all work together. Teach the other in this Peerage what you have learned. Fight together. Some of you are closer than others. I'm not going to force you to be friends. Or even ask that." Minato crossed his arms as he watched them.

"But I will ask two things from you. No, not ask. Demand as your [King]." Hikari's opinion shifted. This wasn't the meek boy that she saw this morning.

Minato was a young man who stood sturdy in his shoes and who had seen quite a bit in his life. She did well to make this choice.

"One. Be an adult. With the exception of Kusano, all of you look or act the part of teenagers. Act like one. I am not going to be the teacher who is going to split things up. I can live with a few quarrels or fights. But I am not going to be here to stop childish shouting matches."

Even the youngest Sekirei knew what he meant.

"Two. You don't have to be friends but be civil with each other. That is all I am asking. Is that understood?"

He could hear a few yeses, and nods and they began to get what Minato was going for.

"Perfect." And with that, the stern and proper [King] left the altar and instead came the boyish Ashikabi before them with a smile.

"Now, we all had a crazy day before so I'd say that we don't make it late. Tomorrow, your training intensifies."

Scene skip

Kazehana could hardly believe what Minato said but with her body being thrown in the dirt for the umpteenth time, he wasn't joking with his words.

Their Ashikabi or better said, their [King] wasn't joking that their training would intensify. Minato's schedule was rigorous and it had been clear that he would train his Peerage, upcoming and new.

Of course, he went easy on Kusano as she was just a child. Her powers hadn't been adjusted and it had proven sometimes too much for the Ashikabi who got all his child-rearing instincts from his years with Rias, Sona, and Millicas.

The twins had also joined but lightly on the Elemental training that they already had. Minato wasn't sure how far he should push them on becoming better. He began to see what Hikari and Hibiki could do.

But if he compared the twins to Kazehana, Akitsu, or Kusano, it was clear that their lighting wasn't anywhere near the wind that his [Queen] commanded, the power his [Bishop] had, or the sheer ground that Kusano could cover.

What separated the twins though was that speed and strength were higher on their list. However, he hadn't started to really deepen that out.

The first hour of practice was light, like with every course.

For example, if Minato were to train his Sekirei in magic, he would make them all do basic spells and teleportation. Later on, only Kazehana and Akitsu would follow with more complicated spells.

Unfortunately, the Speed and Strength course was for nearly everyone in full swing. Like tonight, as five Sekirei had been trying (and failing) to get the Ashikabi down on the ground. Kusano didn't want to see the fights that her Onii-chan had with her Onee-chans and went to bed early.

Miya had allowed her to be the exception that slept in Minato's room, as she was a child.

The others of the Inn had stayed to watch. Akitsu was reading the book that Minato had given her in regards to magical spells although she peeked to see the fight going.

Minato had grabbed Benitsubasa and swung her right into Yume who could only take the hit.

Haihane was next and she tried a few swings on Minato who could easily avoid them.

The silverette wasn't confident in hand-to-hand combat but Minato had forbidden her to use her claws. She felt how far behind she was compared to her bestie.

Despite that, Minato was adamant and if she could be honest, she liked those lessons. Not as much as she felt her body being thrown out of the ring by Minato.

Musubi was the last one fighting. She had taken the most enjoyment out of these lessons. Her speed had gone up and her fighting style had improved.

What she had been taught and adjusted to mixed beautifully with Minato's own teaching. Her fists met their counterparts as they were blocked and given.

Powerful legs delivered harsh kicks which were avoided. When Minato tried to grab the legs to throw her around, Musubi got her feet lost by another sideways kick.

"I won't fall for that, Minato-sama."

"Let's see if you fall for this." The Ashikabi jumped at her and even as he avoided the sideways kick, he grabbed her by the stomach and she felt the blow coming through. She stood strong but felt the intense power that Minato had.

She rolled to the floor but wasn't out of the fight just yet.

An upwards kick sent the air out of his lungs and he got back on his feet. Musubi went right after him.

Their arms and hands locked as they came to a standstill. Their noses brushed against each other and they could look into each other's eyes. Musubi couldn't resist but steal a kiss from his lips. It was enough to feel the power rush in her but not enough to stop Minato from grabbing her by the head.

He took her for a roll and she went right along for the ride. On the ground, Minato kept her close and kept away from her hands that clawed at him.

Eventually, she gave up and tapped off. Minato let go and she continued to lay on the floor while he went to sit next to her.

"You really are strong, Minato-sama."

Tapping her on the nose a few times, the [King] smiled at her.

"And you need to learn not to be distracted. Don't worry, you'll learn." The rest of the Flock gathered around the couple.

"Well, it seems we still can't seem to learn how to get you down, darling." Minato jumped to his feet as Kazehana had a soft glare at him. Minato was adamant that she joined in the training and it had shown off at her.

"That is because I had over a few years and some very intensive training from a lot of different people." Uzume had raised her hand as she loved the stories of Minato about his past.

"Are you going to tell us, Minato?" Checking the clock, it was late enough to end the training. So sure, a bedtime story could work out just fine.

"Very well. You girls can take a bath now. Afterward, I'll share the story with you." It wasn't even spoken as they rushed to the bathroom. Minato had been right in thinking that during those exercises the girls grew closer.

You had to communicate and work together to fight against the Ashikabi. Afterward, bonding in the bath was par for the course. They had started to wash each other and help each other out.

He smiled as he took off a towel and he began to dry off his sweat. Uzume was continuing to look at the Devil.

A tiny part of her brain admitted that she loved the sight of the half-naked Minato. He was fit and well-trained. The toned abs, his strong arms. A bigger part felt jealous when he saw how he lifted Kusano or how he carried Kazehana around.

Those arms. They kept them safe.

Would those arms keep her and Chiho safe?

The bath didn't take too long though as they were dying to hear the story of Minato and his training. The group had gathered around the Ashikabi. Kazehana and Musubi had taken his arms while Haihane and Benitsubasa lay on their legs. Yume and Akitsu sat on the opposite side of the table, joined by Uzume and Homura.

"As some of you know, I was reincarnated by Serafall Leviathan-sama when I was eight years old. Serafall-sama is great at many things but knowing how to take care of a young boy, she was not."

Uzume snickered and Kazehana picked that one up.

"Let me guess, she went all 'Kenichi the Mightiest Disciple' on you and trained you until you fell under them."

There was quite a bit of schadenfreude among the Sekirei on the idea of their Ashikabi suffering as they did under him.

"You are half correct. I had many other teachers, besides my [King], Uzume-chan. But it is due to those teachers I lived to the age of twenty."

Flashback.

Sirzechs Lucifer rarely took personal calls but when his mother asked him to check on Serafall and the boy she had taken in, he knew better than to say no.

Besides, it was a nice way to have a legitimate excuse to get away from his desk. One that even Grayfia could agree with. Only if she could join him though. She had wanted to see what her rival had taken in.

The parents had assigned her to a training field that more looked like a high school track field. On that field, Sirzechs could see his colleague standing with a whistle as she was wearing some sort of jersey.

That wasn't his concern. Laying on the floor was a young boy, just a few older than Rias, who looked like he had been through Hell and back.

He was there so Sirzechs didn't doubt that. But the boy was completely exhausted.

"Alright, Min-chan. You got a two-minute break. After that, we'll have a 20Km run and you'll have to do over a hundred push-ups, sit-ups, and then over two hundred skips." Serafall was so taken in that she failed to see the boy's face draining of color and being closer to crying.

She also failed to notice Grayfia and Sirzechs landing.

The boy had seen them and his eyes had given the two Devils a message.

'Please, save me!'

Even they could understand why, although they had to hear more.

"Eh, Serafall." The head of the Leviathan whipped and she was all smiles as she saw Sirzechs and Grayfia standing in front of her.

"Zechs-chan, Gray-chan. What a nice surprise. Why are you here? Ah, you can't peek at the new member of my Peerage." The two looked at the young boy who had been trying to even sit up straight. It looked like he lacked the power to do even that.

"Eh, Serafall. Is that boy the one you reincarnated?" The Satan nodded to her friend.

"Yeah, my hand was forced so I had no other choice." The downcast look was shaken from her and she smiled.

"But don't worry. I'll train him into super duper good shape so that he can be really strong." While Serafall was boasting to Sirzechs, Grayfia had quietly walked over to the boy. Kneeling down, she looked like some guardian.

Summoning a water bottle, the boy wanted to commit a murder to have that one put on his lips.

Gently, like a mother, Grayfia brought him up and she gave him the water that Minato had been craving.

"Easy, don't drink too fast. You might suffocate." She comforted the boy as he watched her.

"What is your name?" Grayfia felt how he didn't want to let go of the bottle. As long there was water in it, he wanted every last drop of it.

So she let him drink and when that was done, she had to keep him up, otherwise, he would fall back.

Clearly, it caused the boy to have some tears on his face as she kept him up.

"I'm sorry. I was just dying of thirst." Grayfia nodded to him and there was something she felt for this young boy.

"That is okay. What is your name? I am Grayfia Lucifuge. The man over there is Sirzechs Lucifer-sama."

The boy nodded to her.

"I'm Minato. Minato Sahashi." That was a nice name for a nice boy.

"Now, Minato. What is the reason for your exhausted state?"

The boy looked to be in absolute horror but Grayfia's soft and warm hands were all over him.

"Ah, Gray-chan. I see you already met my [Pawn]. Now, I hate to be a killjoy but we have to start training."

If it wasn't for the arms of Grayfia, the boy would have fallen flat on the ground.

"Serafall." The tone of the Strongest [Queen] caused the two Satans to shiver.

"When did you start training with this boy?" Her eyes were narrowed to dangerous slits as she stood up.

Even with the knocked-out boy in her arms, Grayfia looked every bit as intimidating as she could claim to be.

"Eh, well. We started really early, like really early. I think, six this morning." The eyes of Grayfia narrowed even further.

"And when did you have a break with this boy? Because I would like to inform you, it's four o'clock in the afternoon."

The Maou looked to be a bit sheepish now someone had spelled it out for her. She hoped that it would get her out of this mess.

"Oh, we didn't have breaks. I was kind of caught up in it."

"Why did you believe it was alright to put a child, a human child, through that sort of punishment?"

"What?" Serafall sounded like some teenager who was caught too late for curfew.

Not like some sort of super Devil who nearly got her latest servant killed.

"Zechs-chan trains his Peerage the same way." Grayfia shot a killing look at her husband who had his hands into the air to confirm the accusation. She didn't fault him though.

He did train his Peerage like that but none in his Peerage were a human child.

"I think that you need to learn a long bit on how to train them and what is appropriate. Sirzechs-sama."

The man snapped to attention. He wouldn't go against his wife.

"Yes, Grayfia."

"Teach her about those and lecture her on proper conduct. If you two will excuse me." Opening her wings, she wanted to take off with Minato.

"Wait? Where are you going?" Serafall was quick to ask as she stood up.

The look of Grayfia stopped her dead in her tracks.

"I am going to look after this boy and prevent him from becoming too terrified to even speak to us." Sirzechs wouldn't stop her. If he was honest, even he felt annoyed by the way how Serafall went with her [Pawn].

This wasn't the correct way how to handle one in your Peerage.

"Serafall. I think you and I need to have a discussion on what is a reasonable way to train your [Pawn]."

Scene skip

Grayfia landed with Minato still in her arms, as he was soundly asleep. They could put him in a bed later. The boy needed a bath. He reeked like death.

If even half of what he said was true, he couldn't be blamed for that.

"Grayfia." The Ultimate Queen turned to see a beautiful woman coming out of the house.

The flaxen hair had a shoulder length that sat on top of a fair face. Her violet eyes shined with concern at the boy while she came closer. She was wearing a white dress that showed her beautiful body that hadn't aged a single day. Large breasts that her daughter looked to have inherited were hidden by the dress.

"Yes, Venelana-sama?"

"Who is this young boy?"

The boy looked horribly roughened up and yet, she was carrying him in her maid outfit.

"This is Minato Sahashi. If my understanding is correct, he is the boy that Serafall-sama has reincarnated as her [Pawn]."

Venelana nodded while she continued to examine the young boy who clearly looked to be dead to the world.

"Could you explain to me why this boy looks like this, and why he is here?"

Grayfia could order her husband, but not her mother-in-law and she had learned that it was better if she didn't go against Venelana.

"Serafall-sama put him through a ten-hour rigorous training schedule that she claims she has taken from my hus…, no from my [King]. Because being cruel isn't in my nature, especially not to young children, I took the child with me. I am going to get him cleaned up, rested, and fed. Sirzechs-sama will tell you the same story. Could you be so kind to inform him where to find me?"

The maid passed her mistress who shared the same sentiment. The Gremory that both herself and the younger woman married into was known for its kindness to its servants. But this boy wasn't a part of their family.

"Grayfia." The maid halted and turned back.

"It's not proper to get yourself between a Master and Servant."

"No. But it is what saved me from certain demise. I'll be damned if I allow the same to happen to this child."

Venelana rarely heard the maid swear, especially in service, but she could understand why she would.

Not even five minutes after she left for the baths, where most likely this boy would get his cleanup, her son came home.

"Mother." He greeted her as she stood before him. Proud and strong like he loved to remember her.

"Sirzechs. I just saw Grayfia coming back with Serafall's servant. I heard Azalea talking about her daughter's last addition. Although I had never expected it to be a child of human nature."

Sirzechs nodded to his mother's tale.

"Why did you come later?"

"I was lecturing Serafall on how to treat her servants. There is nothing wrong with harsh training but one has to keep it livable. On Grayfia's orders. Speaking of her, where is she?"

The former Princess of Ruin turned to the baths.

"It appears that Grayfia has taken a liking to the boy. She was going to get him washed and fed and she would give him a place to sleep. I take it you'll wait on her to make a decision on what to do with Minato. Although I assume you have an idea."

Sirzechs nodded to his mother.

"I take it she would want to help Serafall on training that boy. It wouldn't be bad. Although I'll wait for her answer." He stretched out and felt the fatigue hitting him.

"If you do not mind, mother? I'm going to retire. I'll see Grayfia later in my room." Shaking her head, Venelana saw the boy that she loved so much leaving, to find his wife.

In fact, it wouldn't hurt to have a young boy like him around in the house. A playmate for Rias and Sona, a brother to look after for Sirzechs and Serafall.

Although she had a fleeting suspicion that Grayfia wouldn't take to that role. You didn't have to be a genius to figure that out.

If one tried for children for the last 200 years, one would take the chance of child rearing when one could.

Scene skip

A towel couldn't do much to hide her modesty but Grayfia doubted that anyone would use the baths this early.

It was more like a huge open bath or spa with light adorning the place and the pillars showing the beautiful skills of the craftsman.

Water came out of a fountain, streaming down into a bath. The heat was enough to cause steam around the place.

In that place, Grayfia Lucifuge was doing something that a lady of her stature shouldn't be doing and that was washing a young, dirty, little boy who could barely sit up straight.

Grayfia wouldn't mind if he caught an eyeful. He was too young to even care about the matters here, although she knew that Minato did his best to stay awake as she washed his back and his body.

She admitted that it was somewhat fun to take care of a child like this.

"Are you okay, Minato-san?" The boy just nodded.

"Ye-Yeah. I hate to be a bother, Grayfia-sama." Clearly, good manners were already drilled into this child from a young age.

"Do not worry. Just hold on a bit more." He didn't even attempt to turn around as he kept staring at the tiles. When he was clean, she smiled and picked him up.

"Hungry?" The mention of food caused his stomach to grumble. A blush covered his face while a small giggle escaped Grayfia's mouth. She ruffled his hair as she took a good look at him.

Despite the obvious fatigue, he looked to be really hungry.

"No worries, we can whip up something fast."

She summoned a few clothes for him. They could find something else for him to wear. Although she wouldn't let him wear the clothes of a girl. He was a bit too long for a dress of Rias anyway.

Besides, she wanted him to build trust with her. Humiliating him was not a way to reach that.

After they got dressed, she took him away to a kitchen where there were always leftovers.

Curry rice with a lot of meat was a great way to fill one's empty stomach and even Grayfia could agree that table manners could be forgotten if you were not even ten and went that many hours without food.

Minato basically inhaled the bowl of food that could serve a grown adult.

"Can I have seconds?"

She served him another bowl and another and another. Minato kept filing his stomach until he looked somewhat pleased with himself.

Eons of evolution had done wonders on the nasty effects that humans called overeating.

Grayfia watched him eat while she kept quiet.

When dying of hunger wasn't an issue, she could see the young boy before her.

His eyes shined at her and his body showed proper growth. This boy could be a great man in the making and she would be there to help him to become that man.

"So did you fill your belly, Minato-kun?" The boy nodded at that question.

"Thank you, Grayfia-sama. I am glad that I have eaten this well. Did you make this?" An innocent question and it had been clear that really proper etiquette wasn't part of his upbringing.

"I did. Was it to your liking?" The boy followed up with a big grin and a thumbs-up. Grayfia admitted that she began to like this boy more and more.

"It was very delicious. Thank you, Grayfia-sama."

It was impossible to stop a yawn when you had a good bath and a great dinner. Minato did learn to cover his mouth.

"Oh, are you tired? I think we can put your weary head to rest. We'll see tomorrow what we will do with you."

The bed was bigger than most had ever seen but as soon as his head hit the pillow, his lights went out.

Scene skip

Grayfia wasn't surprised at all to find her husband awake as she had come back from tending to Minato. The boy was beyond exhausted and they would take care of him.

"How is he?"

"Exhausted and famished. Although nothing that a good meal and a good night of sleep won't fix." She understood that now her duties were over and that she could switch to the wife of the husband that she loved so much.

Stripping down, she had taken the habit he and his sister shared. It made for so much more convenience. Especially given the activities they kept up every night.

After a kiss, she went to lay on his shoulder as they had a few more matters to attend to before they could focus on more pleasurable matters.

"That is great. Although, Fia, now comes the next question. What do you intend to do with Minato Sahashi? Trading him with Serafall? I doubt she would allow that."

That could be a great idea but she knew better.

"No, I doubt it as well. But I think that he would require a bit more than just his master. It does explain why she kept him a secret. The press wouldn't let us hear the end of it if they found out that Serafall's latest [Pawn] was a human child without any noticeable powers. But I believe that she will need some help in raising this boy. Training is all well, but there is more."

Kissing her forehead, Sirzechs knew what she meant by that.

"Grayfia. I understand." He would never say no to her.

"If you so wish, I will talk to Serafall that we will help her with Minato. But for now." She went to lay underneath her husband.

"We should go again."

The wife smiled. Even after nearly 200 years, she and Sirzechs were never tired of trying for children. And they would keep going until they had their own offspring.

When she felt her husband, Grayfia moaned as she got filled again.

Back to the Inn.

"And that is the story. After they saved me from Serafall-sama killing me and Grayfia-sama from killing her, it was agreed that they would train me as well. Before long, their parents joined in. I was just around nine. It didn't take long before Rias-sama and Sona-sama clung to me and I grew up next to them."

The Sekirei heard them talk about his teachers. It was clear that he had a great fondness for each of his teachers.

"It looks like you clearly had some great teachers, hubby." Kazehana felt her admiration grew for Grayfia although she would have to ask the older [Queen] when she came around again.

"I was privileged with having so many teachers Most Devils who take in one [Pawn] piece can be lucky if their master even bothers with them. I got over five masters of their own right to teach me. It is why I want to invest in all of you. A piece doesn't matter. I can teach you all."

The Ashikabi yawned as he felt his fatigue catching up to him.

"I'll tell you the rest of the story later. Let's get some sleep now."

All of the Sekirei agreed with him and despite it being a bit cramped, they could all enjoy the feeling of the Ashikabi in the bed.

Scene skip

Days had quickly begun to find a rhythm at the Inn. During the morning, Minato would go for a morning run and take his Sekirei along. Afterward, he took classes during the day but he had assigned his Sekirei to either small practice or flier duty.

Given the fact that they had no school or job, letting them sit still wasn't something he would allow them to do.

And none could escape the watch over him.

When he came home, he would train them after his homework and dinner. Wednesday and irony of irony, Sunday, were his rest days where he allowed the Sekirei to take it easy and let their aching muscles heal.

Hikari and Hibiki had, despite the fact they weren't reincarnated yet, joined in the Strength and Speed training.

Minato was very pleased with their results and adaptability. It would help to make the decision go faster on what Piece he would use on them.

Kusano was another matter though. Minato wouldn't push her through the same intensive training that he received when he was a child. She also did not like fights and she was often jumpy and squeamish during those.

Minato found that endearing of her.

What he didn't find endearing however was the fact that during those instances, Kusano would lose control of her power. And that would often end up in the destruction of property, his other Sekirei tied up, and Miya annoyed.

What also played into it was her nature. Kusano was a child and she came in between a lot of grownups.

It came to a head when Minato came home from a particularly rough day at college and the entire house was overgrown. Miya had also come home from shopping as she watched the entire place.

Her eyes just switched to Minato who sighed as she was looking at him in an expectant matter.

"Kusano." The near growl out of his mouth made Miya remember that Minato wasn't a human.

When he got inside, he saw his girls all tied up, with even Uzume and Homura in the mess.

"What happened?" Minato asked as he crossed his arms while he examined the group.

"Eh, hey, hubby. Kusano got in an argument with Hikari about getting taken as Devil. Before we knew it, she had us like this and we had to wait until you found us."

Kazehana explained while Minato got a good enough look at her chest. Man, his life was getting harder by the second.

"Good. Where is Kusano?"

"She ran to our room. Minato-sama, could you untie us now?" Musubi asked as her hands and legs showed her bowed over.

"No. I'm going to see Kusano and I'm going to reincarnate her right now. I'm sick of this mess." The Ashikabi announced and he walked to his room.

"Miya, if you want to untie them, who am I to go against you in your own house? I hope you don't mind."

The landlady put away her bags and went to get her swords. All of the Sekirei gulped as she brandished her sword.

Minato had run upstairs to find Kusano, hiding in her room. Her blankets were pulled up and she was cowering.

"Kusano." His tone had been a bit gentler but it still had the underlying frustration that Minato had.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry." Minato took her blanket away.

"Be better. Kusano, this can't continue. I understand that you can't control it. That is why I want to reincarnate you." He showed her a Piece that had a rounded head.

"[Bishop]?"

Kusano asked and the [King] nodded.

"Do you accept?"

The girl nodded and with his piece in one hand, and her in the other, he walked down.

The rest of his Peerage had already been freed from their green prison. Hikari and Akitsu looked annoyed by the girl who hid next to Minato's leg. The Ashikabi smiled and showed the Piece to them.

"Don't you worry though? I'll be reincarnating Kusano. I hope this will help with her adjustment. Given our experience with Akitsu, I think this will help her."

They understood what it meant and in fact, they were happy that it was this fast that he would take Kusano in his Peerage.

Hikari and Hibiki were on board as well. The sooner Kusano was reincarnated, the sooner they could be joining Minato's Peerage.

"Kuu-chan, you have a chance now to say no. Do you still want to be reincarnated?"

The Green Girl shook her head and she stood defiant.

"I want to be like the other girls. I want to be a Devil."

"Then let us proceed."

They walked to the garden where Minato stood before her.

"Normally, I'd ask you to kneel. But I don't think that would do us favors." So this time, only Minato kneeled down.

He spoke the words, the others had also heard.

"In the name of the Maou Serafall Leviathan, I, Minato Sahashi, will take Kusano as my [Bishop]."

The light followed up and Kusano was enveloped in it.

The garden grew again but this time, within reason.

"Minato-niichan!" She threw her arms around him and kissed him on the lips. Her wings came out, that of a Sekirei and of a Devil.

When she let go, she repeated her Norito.

"Life of My Pledge, Shine on my Ashikabi!" Minato ruffled her hair and she shook her head.

"Well, I think that we had enough excitement for today. No training tonight!" Minato announced and the girls were ecstatic to hear that.

Minato didn't miss the hopeful look of the twins. He would need to think about what he'd give them.

He had a good idea of what he would make them but he wasn't sure yet. Although he began to get to that point.

Scene skip

Minato and his Sekirei had been sleeping in their beds. The night had fallen over Shinto Teito and after the day they had, they all could use some sleep.

There was one member though that couldn't sleep, however. With tired eyes, Kusano made her way to the bathroom and she walked to the sink.

She was unaware of the person behind her standing. She wasn't used to the good eyesight though but she did see two sources of light behind her.

How the person had gotten behind her, was a mystery to her. But here she was. It wasn't one of the people living at the Inn.

Her green eyes widened with terror and she quickly ran back to the room. The door flung open, waking up all residents inside.

"Kuu-chan," Minato woke up groggily and he held the youngest to his chest while the others also began to stir.

"Is it morning already?" Kazehana asked groggily.

"It's too early." Musubi moaned.

"Agreed. I want some sleep." Yume agreed with her sister.

"Why do we allow the runt to sleep in our bed?" Benitsubasa wasn't a morning person.

"Don't be mean to her, washboard." Haihane knew better of Kusano to be like this.

Akitsu hadn't woken up though through the noise.

"Gh – Gh-, Gh-." She couldn't say it immediately.

"A ghost. In the bathroom." Minato raised an eyebrow as he knew of ghosts in his life. But if there was one, he would have picked it up.

"Girls, stay here. I'm going to check it out." The Sekirei watched him walk through the door while he walked to the bathroom. He doubted Kusano would have seen a ghost. Whatever it was, it scared the crap out of her.

As soon he got to the bathroom, there was nothing or nobody. Of course, nothing that Minato could see. But his nose told him more than enough.

The scent hung in the place. Frizzled wires. The same stuff he smelled when he walked through the door.

He wasn't sure how or why but he did know that whoever Kusano saw, could hear and see him.

"Don't know who you are, don't know what you are. But tomorrow, I'm going to drag you out of the hole you're hiding from." After that, he went back to his room. He was glad to see that the girls had managed to calm down the frightened Kusano.

"As soon as we were around her, she fell asleep. What did you smell, Darling?" Kazehana asked as Minato took his position back in the bed.

"Frizzled wires. Tomorrow, we ask Miya-san about it. And I'll drag that person about of hiding." He pulled Kusano to his chest and closed his eyes.

Kazehana watched how her Ashikabi fell asleep while she pitied the poor soul that had angered Minato.

Scene skip

The next morning, they told the rest of the house what happened.

"A ghost?" Miya asked, surprised at what the youngest shared with the rest of the house.

"She had long hair and glasses," Kusano revealed. Still frightened beyond belief, she clung to Minato and her spoon.

"She was laughing as well."

Uzume began to wonder.

"Isn't that?" Before she got too far, Miya had her mask out to stop her words.

"Uzume-san." They were meant as a warning.

"I don't know anyone like that." The sexy brunette backpedaled as she heard Miya threaten her.

Minato tapped his finger annoyed a few times until he got more serious. Miya got on his nerves now, and they knew it.

His eyes zoned in at the landlady.

"Drop the act. For Pete's sake. You're not fooling me one bit. When I got to the bathroom, I didn't see a single person standing there. Of course not. But the smell lingered. Frizzled wires. Uzume-chan told me about that person when I moved here when you were in discussion with my [King]. Now, I don't know what rules you got, but I don't take threats to my Peerage lightly. Therefore,"

He clapped his hands together. Kazehana loved that part of him. He acted like the [King] he actually was.

"Get that person out of hiding in an hour. Or I'll drag her out myself. And I don't care if I have to burn every room down for that. Or..."

His head turned to see the object of their talks standing in the hallway.

The woman had long braids in orange hair, her glasses revealed her eyes to be the same color. Her dress took some bits of a cheongsam. It didn't stop from revealing she had one banging body.

Kusano hid behind Minato while his eyes glared at her.

"You come out of hiding yourself. Makes things easier on everybody." His head turned to Kazehana.

"Kazehana?" Her name had the questions that he was hoping for. Like before, she sighed and spoke.

"Minato, everyone. This is Sekirei Number 02, Matsu. Sekirei of Wisdom." Minato raised an eyebrow at that nickname.

"Wisdom? Do you think it's wise to piss off a Devil? Especially after everything you have seen I could do." Minato asked as he kept his glare up at Matsu.

"She is a very intelligent, and a computer genius. But she lacks common sense, King." Minato didn't address the way Uzume called him although he would talk to her later.

She wasn't in his Peerage so there was no reason why she should call him King.

"Eh, yeah. Not my best move." The Sekirei kneeled down to Minato and she had her head on the floor.

"Please, make me a Devil!" Minato raised an eyebrow and scratched his head. For once in his life, he was blown away by those words.

"Eh, come again?" Minato asked while his Peerage gathered around him. They shared the same sentiment of being blown away by the request.

It remained like that for a few seconds until Minato snapped out of it.

"Raise your head, Matsu. And you can start by explaining yourself. You have been watching us, the entire time, right?! And can someone tell me who she is and why she didn't show herself?"

Minato turned to Miya who sighed.

"Matsu went into hiding. Like Kazehana, the three of us were part of a team a long time ago." Minato wasn't going to ask what the team was. He had a good idea of what Miya was talking about.

"Afterwards, we split up. You got Kazehana, I moved here. Matsu ran away from MBI and she went into hiding here as she took something from the company. I took her in."

Minato nodded to Miya.

"Thank you, Miya, that was very insightful. So when I and Kazehana moved into the house, she had been watching us. I have a question. Why didn't you come out before?"

Matsu had an uncomfortable giggle.

"I was kinda hoping on doing that but when you got Yume-san and Akitsu-san, I thought it was better to wait for a bit. Forgive me for the pun, but you caused two miracles."

Minato didn't find it a bad comparison. It was miracles he performed.

"After that dust got settled, you brought back two dogs of MBI in. So things just kept getting delayed. When you had over a week with no new Sekirei, I thought it was best to get out of hiding." Minato kept listening to her.

As a Devil, he was meant to tempt others. Matsu was speaking the honest truth. So he let her speak.

"Also, this entire time. I have been reacting to you. And when you reincarnated Kusano, I couldn't hold back."

Minato nodded to her.

"So you want to be winged to me and you want to be reincarnated as a Devil?"

"Yes."

The Devil turned to his [Queen]. Again, her name was the only question she needed to hear.

"Kazehana?"

"Matsu might have some issues, Minato. But she is the most intelligent creature on this planet." The Ashikabi didn't miss the words.

"And while I don't doubt you are no fool either. She can hack into most computer systems, known to men and she can help us with fighting at MBI. Plus, she is an old friend of mine. So I think she would make a great addition."

Minato pecked her on the cheek as a thank you.

"Matsu. If you genuinely react to me, and you want to be reincarnated, I can grant both of your wishes. But." The Sekirei of Wisdom listened to the words.

"You'll wait until you figured out what Piece suits me best and you want to reincarnate the twins first. That is perfectly fine by me. But." She lunged at Minato who let her wrap her arms around his neck.

Kazehana covered Kusano's eyes while the rest of the room watched how the orange wings filled the place.

"Wisdom of my Pledge, bestow my teachings of the world, to my Ashikabi!" Minato sighed as he touched her face.

"Welcome to the Flock." He said as he grinned at her. It didn't take long before the rest of the Flock demanded their kisses.

It is always great when you had lots of people caring about you.

Scene skip

Theme for music. OST Seitokai No Ichizon – Warm Days.

Minato really enjoyed the peaceful days with his Sekirei. During his schooling, they stayed home. Akitsu and Kazehana had taken it upon themselves to teach the youngest Sekirei about the ways of magic.

MBI kept quiet themselves for now. If what Matsu told him was true, they would keep their plans easy until 90% of all Sekirei had been winged. Minato had calculated that he had already gotten around 10% of the Sekirei himself.

So he would keep a watch on that.

Hikari and Hibiki had both also gotten to train with Musubi, Yume, and Haihane. The more they got used to how the Devils fought, the better it was for them. The two [Rooks] always kept Minato informed on how their training went.

The faster he got them to a standard he was comfortable with, the faster they could get reincarnated.

The others had slowly begun to distribute their fliers and they had been getting some people.

Kazehana had been getting a high clientele that loved to have a drinking buddy or someone to talk to. She did make it clear that it was see, not touch.

Musubi and Yume would often function like some duty. Due to the clothes that the youngest wore, they could perform duties in some ceremonies. With their brute strength, moving stuff was also part of it.

Akitsu proved to be an absolute genius for entertaining children. Nothing was greater than making a winter wonderland in the middle of the spring. It also helped her with the magical training that she received. Combining her own elemental powers with the simple spells that Minato had learned from his own master, had given her an advantage.

She might be a [Bishop] but his Akitsu had proven to be a front-line fighter.

Benitsubasa didn't have such luck. She would be stuck with weirdoes and otakus who loved nothing more than to dress her up. Haihane didn't have any sent through though.

As long she handed out those pamphlets, Minato didn't see a reason to complain. The evenings were fun as they were home when they could.

Minato had also opened up one extra training. Brain training. Which was first only for Matsu.

The Sekirei of Wisdom wasn't just boasting about her intelligence. She had gotten one evening to herself from her Ashikabi as they were playing chess. Minato couldn't believe how good she was with the board. He had been beaten by her several times.

He made a note NOT to let her play against Sona. It would be quite the uproar if she were to be engaged to the little sister of his [King].

Minato also wanted Kazehana to learn about that. As her [Queen, she was his second in command. She had to be ready to take over those important duties.

Still, weeks had gotten to a comfortable degree. Normalcy settled in (as normal one could get with ten alien wives), and the Flock/Peerage became closer to each other again.

Frictions weren't as tense as before and arguments were often settled outside where after a fight, they came back in, all smiles and grins. The [King] was right on that part.

Eventually, after one good night of Strength training, Minato called it a halt with an important announcement.

"Alright. Hikari, Hibiki. I have decided what Piece I'll use." The twins were both dressed in some sort of sports bra and their slacks dug in their cheeks. They looked sexy and they knew it.

Minato had seen that Kazehana had gotten his box back. Opening them, he walked on them and showed them what he had.

"[Pawn]. We should have seen that coming, sis." Ironically enough, it wasn't Hibiki who spoke in a calm, accepting tone. It was Hikari who recognized the Pieces.

"Well, we aren't in a position to complain," Hibiki said but her thoughts were elsewhere.

"We do have a request though," Hikari asked as she looked at the pieces.

"We want to be reincarnated at the same time." Minato scratched his cheek when he heard that. He should have seen that one coming.

"That shouldn't prove to be a problem. Never had that happened before. But I doubt it would be an issue." Minato took another [Pawn] Piece in his hands.

"I'll have to ask you two to kneel." The twins nodded and their hands joined. Minato kneeled down to them. His right hand had the Piece for Hikari and his left had the one for Hibiki.

Taking a deep breath, Minato spoke the words they loved to hear.

"In the name of the Maou Serafall Leviathan, I, Minato Sahashi, will take Hikari and Hibiki in as my [Pawns]."

Lightening cracked while Minato could feel the electricity building up around him. The Pieces encapsulated the two and the twins felt such power rushing through them.

As before, their wings and that of a bat came out on them.

He knew better than to wait for it. Pressing his lips on both of them, they could feel their Norito hitting.

"We're the pledged thunderclap. No disaster will hit our Ashikabi!" They spoke in unison as they felt their love for their Ashikabi. Minato saw them sitting in front of them while he smiled at them.

The rest of the Flock couldn't help but smile at him as well as they approved of those two joining their group. Standing up, he offered the two a hand.

"Rise, my Devils. And be welcomed." They felt their bonds growing stronger with the others. Only one of his Flock was left to be reincarnated. But Matsu knew her place. She could wait.

Kazehana watched how the others just piled around their [King]. She could later join them. For now, she was at peace.

She watched how her family grew. And when Minato extended his hand to her. She was pulled into the group of Sekirei.

Scene skip

The peaceful days continued onwards from that point. When Minato came home from college one day, the sight in front of him was a surprising but welcome sight.

Of course, after a certain [Queen] got her fair share of kisses.

"You gotta see in the garden, darling. You're going to love this." Minato walked through and the [King] admitted. This was a very comforting sight.

In the garden, Hibiki was taught magic by both Kusano and Akitsu. The [Bishop] Piece had done wonders to the two and for Minato, it was clear that both additions were elemental users.

[Pawns] could be anything. He would have to boost them later to [Bishop]. Meanwhile, Yume was training with Hikari. The Sekirei of Fate could keep her thunder under wraps.

She was teaching Hikari to fight back in terms of martial arts. Minato couldn't see anything bad about it. The younger Devils were being taught by the older ones. On the other side, Musubi and Benitsubasa had been training. They had clearly not been holding back.

Both had gotten into a fierce rivalry over Minato and they wouldn't allow anyone to interfere with that.

Not even the [King] himself. So he let them fight and train.

Haihane had been reading a book while Matsu didn't bother with them.

Minato would figure she'd come out later.

"You're not going to say anything?" Kazehana asked as Minato refused.

"Nope. Gonna change into my own clothes and I'll sit downstairs. Or." The look he shot at her, made all too clear what his suggestions were.

"I still owe you for helping me raise my spirits when I felt down." Checking his clock, it would be two hours before dinner. And from the look of it, no one would miss them for a bit. Before Miya had noticed them, they had managed to sneak into the room.

Minato used higher sealing magic than he did before as he didn't want anyone, especially Kusano to barge into the room. Kazehana had gotten herself on the bed as she hiked up her dress.

"You want to repay me the favor from that time? I am willing for that." Minato grinned as his eyes were captivated by her long legs.

While she might have one of the best sets of tits that he had ever laid his eyes on, her long legs and fantastic ass were also worthy of attention.

Getting himself on the bed, Minato threw off his sweater to reveal a black tank top. Kazehana felt her core getting hotter when she saw his long and trained arms.

Hoisting himself over her, he pressed a kiss on her lips. His right hand touched her soft cheek and she melted in his touch.

"Listen, same rules as before. You're not comfortable. I'll stop. I want to repay you but you'll have to teach me." Kazehana smiled as she undid her dress. Her tits came flopping out of her dress as Minato felt his mouth dry.

Those breasts were heaving with every breath that she took. Minato gulped as she presented those breasts to him.

"If you want to finger me, you'll have to work with those." He had of course groped her when they shared the room but this would be the first time that he would actually get his Sekirei off. She had done a wonderful job so he wanted to repay her.

He hung over her body and Minato couldn't take his eyes off them.

"Big… Round… perfect skin…. Jiggly." Minato gulped when Kazehana shook him awake.

"I get it. They're perfect. Or are they too big for you?" Minato rolled his eyes.

"No way. I love them." Two hands assaulted those breasts as he began to grope them. His fingers were sucked in the warm flesh of Kazehana's chest.

"Hyan." She let out a moan when she felt them. Still, she couldn't help but moan from them. Minato was infusing his hands with energy. When the Sekirei had a rough match, he would often massage them.

Unbeknownst to him, it would always turn Kazehana on and she would bet a good portion of sake that half of her sister's wives would be the same.

Minato's fingers continued to pull on the nipples. He didn't use his mouth on them just yet as he wanted to play with them. His fingers played with the nipples, she could feel them harden.

"Minato-kun. Stop." Her words didn't have much protest to them. She loved it though.

"You're going to tear my nipple off."

"I don't think I will." When his mouth latched on the hot nipples, he tasted Kazehana. She was gripping the bed while his hands traveled downstairs. Because her dress was on, Minato had to slip underneath and they were inside the panties.

She was soaked as he could feel his fingers going around the bits. He moved out of the way to make it easier.

"Aah, yes! It feels." Minato had no idea what his hands were doing but as long as she reacted like this, he would continue on it.

"This feels good!" His ministrations only gave him more confidence.

"You're really putting on a show, aren't you, Kazehana-san?" He wasn't sure if she heard him.

"This feels so good! Minato-kun, you make me feel so good!" The Ashikabi had a sheepish look as he stopped for a second.

She looked at him in a way that made him think she was angry and frustrated.

"It's great and all but do you want my fingers in you or not?" Kazehana pondered on it as she realized that he wasn't going further.

After a few seconds, she thought about it. It felt good like this but there was also Minato's pride. If she dashed the hope of her Ashikabi now, it would be bad. So that was why she allowed him.

If the drips on her thighs were any indication, she was wet enough.

"Yes but just let onee-san do something." Pulling his soaked hand away, Kazehana slipped out of the dress. Pulling the straps down, it crumpled down on the floor while she presented her rocking body to Minato. The trousers got uncomfortably tight but this wasn't about him.

It was about providing Kazehana with her pleasure. With her panties thrown down, Minato could smell her arousal.

"This is going to make things easier on us." Pushing Minato down, she took his right hand and pulled his index and middle finger up.

"I hope you know what you're doing."

Kazehana nodded and kissed Minato again. Then she slid down on the fingers. The soft flesh clenched around the length of them. Minato suspected that it was only because she was that wet. If he wanted to insert his digits in another way, he would have slipped out.

Minato didn't miss one thing standing out from the pussy and from the amount of adult entertainment, he enjoyed, he knew about the clit.

So when his thumb went up, he looked at Kazehana. His initiative was appreciated. His ministrations were a bit clumsy but she allowed him to slowly rock his hand in and out of her, finding a rhythm that she liked.

It still didn't take away the fact that he loved to see her reactions.

"Ah, Mina, just there." Studious, he continued the ministrations while Kazehana moaned his name.

Minato could never believe that he would have a woman ever interested in him. Yet, a living goddess was now impaled on his fingers and Minato enjoyed every second.

He could feel something in his heart. The bond between him and Kazehana. It was getting stronger as she loved the feeling of him.

When he curled around a certain spot, the moans grew louder. His grin went roguish and Kazehana caught it as he continued it.

She had him on her mercy when she jerked him off so now, he was paying her back. He went a bit faster on her while she moaned his name out.

The experience that he would gain was now replaced by a certain eagerness and Kazehana found that was a very good replacement. So she let him continue while he watched her.

"If you're ready, don't hold back. We can learn by picking ourselves up."

Before his name would echo over the city, he pressed his lips to her. Curling around her G-spot, he pressed on the clit while his free hand gave her breasts a squeeze.

With his tongue invading her mouth, Kazehana felt her eyes rolling to the back.

Before she could fall onto the bed, Minato captured her with his free arm.

"Easy there."

Kazehana's glare would have been better if three-fourths of it wasn't just relief.

"Too much?" Minato asked and the [Queen] nodded.

"Yes. Although, you certainly show promise." She looked down on Minato's dick that was straining at the jeans.

"How about we clear this goalpost? May I order you, Ashikabi-King?" Kazehana asked Minato and the guy nodded.

"Of course."

"Lie down." Minato had already an idea of what she would be doing. Stepping over him, she sat down with her knees next to his body, so he was captured by her but her weight wasn't on him.

Not that Minato would find that a hindrance though. In fact, he would think that many men would love to be buried underneath a woman like Kazehana. Her hands made short work of his pants and underwear. She stripped it down to just enough.

Her mouth salivated when she saw him at full length. But nature had given her a set of tits that most women would kill for so she did the most logical thing. Wrapping them around his dick, she heard a sharp breath.

Just the head of Minato came out and she kept licking and sucking on the excess. Minato wasn't going to lie still either. His tongue entered her pussy while his hands dug in her ass.

Just like that, they stayed for a few seconds while she kept sucking on his dick and her tits were all over him. Minato's eyes rolled to the back.

He couldn't believe that nature could give such a soft thing, wrapped around his manhood. Kazehana was a being made for sex. The two just continued to lay like that while they chased after the pleasure they so desperately craved.

When both reached their peak, it was short and sudden. Kazehana's release washed over his face while he flooded her mouth with his semen, Kazehana felt her Ashikabi relax while she looked over her shoulder.

"That was fast. Although I don't blame you. I take you got worked up."

"We gotta be quick with Miya around. I can clean up our mess but we have to do some relaxation before this."

One thing came to her mind. Laying on top of him, she began to play around with his body while her tits were squashed on his chest.

"Neh, Minato-kun. I think I qualify to ask. Why don't you look after the other Sekirei like that?"

The Ashikabi began to think about it. Because only an honest answer would give Kazehana what she was looking for, he would provide her with one.

"You want to know?"

"You love them, don't you? Sekirei's bond is that of love, darling." Minato thought about it and Kazehana was right.

There was a bond, a connection. A spark between them and him when he winged them.

But there was something else.

"There are two reasons why I don't pursue sex from them. The first one is because I promised you to be my first woman." Kazehana raised an eyebrow with that line.

"What do you mean, first?" There was an edge but she could understand what Minato meant.

"You were my first kiss, my first Sekirei, my first Evil Piece. I want you to be my first woman. I keep my distance on them" The words that he chose were speaking of a certain nature in Devils. Something that not even her gentle soul escaped from.

That being said, being desired by that many Sekirei and still wanting her, that was speaking of his character.

"Okay. And the other reason?"

"I feel comfortable with you. We spent two weeks together. You have a head start where we devoted ourselves to each other. The others don't have that. It'll take some time. But can you blame me? I remember just the two of us. And what? In two months, I winged ten Sekirei and reincarnated just as many Devils. Business came before pleasure. Hence why the others aren't on my mind like that."

Kazehana couldn't help but smile at his words. Pressing a kiss again, they just continued to lie there while they enjoyed each other. They wouldn't need anything else.

Minato did have an important announcement to make at dinner.

Scene skip

"I have decided on your Piece, Matsu." When the dinner was over, and all had eaten, Minato had asked Matsu to stay behind instead of whisking herself off to her room. While he appreciated her going around and looking at the enemies they had made, there were also other things that were important.

"You have? Already?"

Matsu felt overjoyed by the quick action. This would allow her to sleep in the same bed as the man she chose as Ashikabi.

Minato pulled out a small piece that she had seen on the twins and Matsu felt deflated.

"[Pawn]" Minato didn't look insulted by her deflated reaction. He was expecting that from someone like her, the Number Two of the Sekirei.

"I understand. But you said it yourself. You are a Brain Sekirei. You are going to be invaluable during this Plan. But Devils don't take that so seriously. Strength is far more important. But I, myself, was also reincarnated as a [Pawn]. So please, accept this."

Matsu looked at the Piece and back to Minato. She understood what he meant. Fact ruled over emotions and that was what was needed at this point.

So she acted like the mature woman she ought to be.

"I accept your proposal. Let us proceed." Kneeling in front of him, Minato smiled and she accepted. And that she knew what was expected of her.

"In the name of the Maou Serafall Leviathan, I, Minato Sahashi, will take Matsu in as my [Pawn]."

Matsu felt her body hitting another wave. Power surged through her and she could feel warmth going through her.

Her potential was just reached. Minato had already guessed that he would be kissed.

So when her lips went onto him, he didn't protest it.

"Wisdom of my Pledge, bestow my teachings of the world, to my Ashikabi!" Her Norito got repeated and the Flock watched how a new one joined them.

Minato smiled as he felt the warmth over him. Although he hoped that it would stay relaxed for a bit.

Scene skip

Minato was brushing his teeth downstairs as the [King] felt his fatigue hitting him from the past few days.

They had been crazy.

When he felt his trouser buzz, he went to check the message. It could be urgent but the few words were giving him a smile.

"Millicas wants to visit you. Is tomorrow afternoon acceptable?" The sender was Grayfia. He could get used to seeing her face.

Minato did finish his teeth and then he texted back.

"Of course. But keep in mind I have new Devils. They'll need to be learned about proper etiquette. Some leniency would go a long way."

With that done, he smiled and went back upstairs. His Sekirei were already sleeping but they had kept a place open for them.

He could tell them tomorrow that one of the Strongest women in the universe would visit them.

Scene skip

"Alright, girls. I have an announcement to make." Just like before, he had gathered all of his Sekirei in the living room. They sat down while he stood up.

Kazehana had already been informed about what the Ashikabi was going to tell them.

"We are going to have a visit in a few minutes. From the Devils. Namely, Grayfia Lucifuge-sama. The Strongest [Queen]. And her son, Millicas Gremory-sama. I have all told you the story about her and how she saved me. She is coming to visit us today."

He expected a few of them and Yume was first.

"Is she important?"

"She is. She is very strong and she is a woman, near and dear to my heart. Her son, Millicas-sama is a boy that I grew up alongside. He sees me like he sees his aunt. A sort of older brother. One could say that she sees me as a younger brother. I expect all of you to have respectful behavior around her. Bad manners, Grayfia-sama can tolerate, disrespect, she cannot and I will be of the same mind. She can't punish you but I can do that though. The same respect you have for me, I want to see you all show her."

His eyes shined at a few of his more volatile Peerage members. Namely, Benitsubasa, Haihane, and Hikari who felt the stare at him.

"And I can be lenient but I won't tolerate anything towards her. This is a matter of Devils. I demand obedience."

Matsu was the next person to raise her hand.

"How strong is she really?"

"I'll put it to you as this, Matsu. There are four Satans. Four Maou on the top of Devils. Grayfia-sama is the one who can order them around, despite being the [Queen] to Sirzechs-sama. It'll give you an idea how high on the totem pole she is."

All of them gulped when he told them that little titbit.

Minato then turned a bit more serious than he already was.

"I do not know why she comes here. She texted me that Millicas-sama wanted to visit me. But I doubt that is the real reason. Now, none of you can ask her about this. See if any want to approach you. But for the most part, just go about your business. Most likely, she wants to meet all of you. Kazehana has already met her before I winged her."

The door slid open and in the doorway stood Miya, Uzume, and Kagari.

"Do we need to introduce ourselves to her as well, King?" Uzume asked the young man.

To her surprise, Minato shrugged when he got asked.

"Miya-san, most likely, yes as she is our landlady. As for you two, it's up to you if you want. I'm not your master, I can't order you."

The honesty in their words made it clear.

"In that case, I have an appointment. You won't be seeing me till this afternoon." Homura revealed and he went out the door.

Uzume grinned impishly.

"I'd like to see the woman you're talking so fondly about, King. I wonder what sort of lady she is." Minato again heard the words of King. So he would address that later though.

"If you do, Uzume-chan, please behave around her. Is that something you can live with?"

The Sekirei nodded and she turned on her heels.

"Now, Kazehana. I'll leave you with the rest of them. Have the Peerage outside. Some light training can be allowed but I want none of you dirty."

Minato didn't wait for a reply as he ran upstairs to Uzume's room.

Knocking on the door, the brunette opened and she looked like she was about to take a nap.

"Something wrong, King?"

Minato pondered but then shook his head.

"No, not really but I do have a question for you, Uzume-chan. Why do you call me King?" Leaning against her doorframe, the Veiled Sekirei crossed her arms while the Ashikabi kept his eyes on her reaction.

"You're a King so that is why I call you that."

"Yes but Uzume-chan, I'm not your [King]. I do not have authority over you. I am not your master so I fail to see why you call me King while I'm not."

Uzume's face fell a bit when he revealed that.

"I thought it'd be a nice name."

Minato could see through her and he began to think about it.

"Look, if you want to call me that, I don't have an issue with that. But I think you'd like to ask me something."

Uzume nodded at him.

"Well, I." Minato saw a magical circle opening in the garden from the windows.

"We can talk about this later. Remember my words." Minato raced downstairs and found that his Sekirei stood ready to greet the guest.

Standing in her maid outfit, Grayfia Lucifuge had Millicas Gremory on her hip.

The [Queen] was wearing her usual maid outfit. Her sharp eyes scanned over the group before her. On her hip, the impatient boy was wearing some sort of overcoat while he had a gray shirt underneath. The shorts had the same color. Her red eyes shined at Minato who stood ready.

"Hello, Grayfia-sama, Millicas-sama."

"Minato-niisan!" Letting her son go, Grayfia watched how he wrapped his arms around his surrogate older brother in a tight hug.

"Hello, Millicas. Been a while." The boy stood back as he watched the Ashikabi.

"I'm happy to see you again, niisan! How have you been?"

Raising the boy up to his hip, Minato ruffled his hair again.

"I'm fine. Thank you for asking." Even with the boy on his hip, he bowed to Grayfia.

"Hello, Grayfia-sama. I'm honored to see you again." The maid walked over to the young man and patted him on the head.

Minato thanked Kazehana to keep his Peerage quiet as the [Queen] treated Minato like a child.

"It's good to see you again, Minato-sama. I heard from Sona-ojousama that you got yourself a motley group of Sekirei." Minato turned on his heels and found his Sekirei had bowed to the lady.

"I do. I am happy to introduce you to them. I hope you remember my [Queen, Kazehana." The maid had the tiniest of smiles when she saw the woman. She really was good for him.

"I do. It seems that he didn't take too long to take you in his Peerage. How have things been, Kazehana-san?"

The Wind Flower had a lovely smile while Millicas watched over the women Minato had taken in.

He was sort of impressed by the Ashikabi.

"I have been. Things certainly have been crazy. But they have been worth it. I am glad to see you again, Grayfia-sama."

The maid looked over the other women.

"I'll introduce you to the others. After I winged and reincarnated Kazehana-san, I winged Musubi-chan. When I reincarnated her, Yume-san came along." The two could pass as twins if it weren't for the difference

Still, she liked the image of the two.

"And you two ladies are?"

"[Rooks], Grayfia-sama," Yume answered.

"I have taken a copy of Musubi-chan's [Rook] Piece."

"Yes, Ajuka-sama has examined you. Anything to regret?"

"I have gotten a new chance at life. I am many things, but ungrateful isn't one of them." Grayfia nodded and turned to Musubi.

"How about you, Musubi-san? You are fine with being a Devil?" The eager nod and sparkling eyes told her enough about the girl.

"Yes! Minato-sama is a very strong Ashikabi. And with our training, I have that enforced. I have a lot more to learn." Grayfia continued to watch her, examining Musubi.

"I expect great results from you." Her eyes turned to the next individual.

Akitsu stood before the [Queen].

"You must be Akitsu-san. Ajuka-sama has also told me about you. I take you must be grateful for your new life."

"Yes." The Ice Sekirei didn't say anything else. The eyes told Grayfia enough.

"And if I recall correctly. You are a [Bishop]?"

"Yes."

Grayfia understood. It would take some time before this girl would come around. Her eyes landed on the next two.

Benitsubasa was shivering right behind Haihane who stood before her. The two [Pawns] had very different reactions to the [Queen].

"And you two are?"

"I'm Haihane. The one behind me is Benitsubasa. We're two of Minato's [Pawns]. He told us many good things about you. Nice to put a face to the name, Grayfia-sama."

The [Queen] looked the two over.

"And how did you two meet Minato?"

"Red wanted to bring him to MBI. He told her to go away. During the scuffle, she got winged by him. I decided to tag along. It's a lot better prospect than what MBI had in mind." The eyes narrowed and the only way that Benitsubasa didn't run away was because she wouldn't be able to hide.

"I see."

"After a week, he took us in as [Pawns]. I think I take Minato as our promised Ashikabi."

"Oh, why is that?"

"Minato is a Devil. The other guy is playing for the home team if you get my drift." Grayfia needed a few seconds to figure it out.

"I see. Well, I hope you two continue to be good for Minato-sama."

Her attention shifted to the next person but it turned out that she had run away. Kusano and Millicas had taken the opportunity to play in the garden.

The powers of the green girl amazed the young Gremory boy. He had never seen such sort of magic.

"You have to forgive her. Children will play their games." Minato excused his youngest Sekirei.

"She is Kusano. The girl that overgrew Shinto Teito. She is also my second [Bishop]." Grayfia watched how they played. She could let it slide.

Her husband acted much more childishly when he could.

"I see."

Hikari and Hibiki both bowed down for the lady and Grayfia waited for them to introduce themselves.

"I'm Hikari."

"I'm Hibiki."

"Together, we are the Thunder Twins. And we're Minato's last addition to the Peerage. We're [Pawns]."

They said in unison and Grayfia found they had similarities to those she had seen on the battlefield.

Or in her own home.

"I am glad to meet you two. So those would be all your Devils."

"No, I got one recently." The bespectacled Sekirei had never thought she would meet someone stronger than Miya. Here, she was seeing and feeling someone who could blow Miya out of the water.

Minato did not lie.

"This is Matsu. Sekirei of Wisdom. She is my latest addition to my Peerage. [Pawn] Piece."

Grayfia nodded at the woman. She reminded her a bit of Serafall. Still, she would take those words in.

"Are you the one that protected Minato from dying of overexposure?"

"He told you that story? I was true."

Matsu bowed to Grayfia as she took in the group.

"You certainly got a lively group. I think that Serafall-sama would love to meet you all."

The young man nodded as Grayfia had found it interesting that in two months' time, he had winged and reincarnated ten females.

Her husband, father-in-law, and Yoshikage Sitri proved to be good influences on them. Although Ajuka had claimed it was due to his Ashikabi gene.

"They agree, indeed. Minato-kun certainly did make life interesting in my husband's Inn."

"Grayfia-sama. My landlady, Miya Asama. Miya-san, the strongest [Queen]."

The two bowed to each other, which surprised nearly everyone in the room.

"I hear many good things from Sahashi-san. Although I really wonder. Is common sense part of him?"

Grayfia had an un-ladylike snort as she thought about it.

"He does have it. If you compare it to some others. Nonetheless, I'm glad you are doing well in the city. And he is taking good care of all of you?"

The Sekirei said the one word in unison.

"Yes!"

"Well, then carry on," Grayfia said and the Sekirei did so. They would enjoy the day outside.

"I heard much commotion. You must be our guest visiting. Welcome to the Inn." Uzume came down, luckily dressed in her usual shirt and jeans. The eyes of Grayfia narrowed at the sight of the girl.

"Who might you be?"

"I'm Uzume. I'm a Sekirei, living here. Don't worry though. I'm not winged to Minato. Or reincarnated for that matter. But King mentioned that we would have guests."

Grayfia wasn't sure what Uzume meant by those words.

"King?"

"She calls me that. As a nickname." Minato answered while Grayfia had a short look at the girl. There would be something she needed and something told the Lucifuge maid that Minato had to help her.

In the meantime, the Sekirei had taken to themselves and enjoyed their time outside while Grayfia watched how Millicas was playing with the others. It was clear that he loved the feeling of being outside.

There were few children that he could play with. Unlike Rias and Sona, he was born in a time without many playmates. It might be why he was so attached to them.

And Kusano loved to be out with him as well.

But Minato could feel something from Grayfia. The maid had walked outside and sat down in the garden.

So he went to the side right beside her while they watched the Sekirei.

His eyes were kept on hers and she could feel something coming from the young Ashikabi.

"Is everything alright? With Sirzechs-sama? With our families?"

The woman shook her head.

"With Sirzechs-sama, it's all right. Why do you ask?" Minato kept his eyes on her while her demeanor shifted.

"Is there something else wrong? With anyone else? Grayfia-sama, I think you're here for a good reason." The Strongest [Queen] had always had a weakness towards Minato.

"You're too smart for your own good, you realize that. But yes, there is something wrong. With my sister-in-law."

Minato began to wonder what Rias would have to be worried about.

"What is wrong with Rias-sama? Or her Peerage?" Grayfia looked at the young man.

"You do remember to who she is betrothed. It looks like her father and Riser-sama have decided to push the marriage. I'll spare you the events of what happened but in the short term is that Rias-ojousama is now forced to fight a Rating Game."

Minato could feel his head tolling when he heard those words.

"Is there any reason why Riser-sama is now pushing for the marriage? Rias-sama was betrothed to him but why push now?"

She heard the message behind his words.

"It is because he wants to have this marriage now. Rias-ojousama is woefully unprepared. She has gotten ten days to train from him."

Minato was glad that the Sekirei kept them at bay while Kazehana watched the little ones.

"But you doubt that'll be enough to get them up to shape."

Grayfia found that Minato was catching up fast.

"Rias-ojousama has gotten help from someone in Kuoh but even with that help, it won't be enough. It would be six against sixteen. The match is hardly even."

Minato knew of Koneko, Kiba and Akeno. But six, that meant she had two more.

"Who else did she reincarnate? I know that she is in Kuoh but when Sona-sama passed by, she didn't reveal much."

"Asia Argento. The formerly Holy Maiden. And Issei Hyoudou. This generation's Sekiryuutei. But the child that wields him is an inexperienced boy without any control of his power." Minato didn't think that Rias would get something as powerful as the Sekiryuutei.

But what good was power if it couldn't be utilized?

"I think that I see where you want to go with this, Grayfia-sama. You want me to help Rias-sama."

Grayfia rarely had her emotion etched on her face.

"Yes." Uncharacteristically for the polite man, Minato cut her off.

"But I cannot do that."

Grayfia's mouth had dropped open and everyone who was still in the garden had stopped and begun to listen to Minato. It was clear this was important to their [King].

"Grayfia-sama, I would love to help Rias-sama. And I can see why you come to me. I am a High-Class Devil but reincarnated so overlooked. I do not have links to your household in officiality. But that is also the weakness. You cannot order me to help Rias-sama. Without orders from my own [King, Serafall-sama, I am not going to help Rias-sama. This has to be approved by her. You are not my master, you cannot order me."

Grayfia smiled and ease washed over her face.

"Do not worry, Minato-sama. I have talked to Serafall-sama. Like myself and my husband, she is sympathetic to our issues. It was her idea to send you in. If she has agreed to it, do you accept to train Rias-sama?"

The Ashikabi nodded to the [Queen]. The rest of the Peerage heard the talk. Millicas had a proud smile on his face.

"If you have her permission, then I'll be glad to help. Where is she now?"

Grayfia stood up and went to stand before Minato.

She couldn't keep the smile from her face and she was relieved that Minato would help her sister-in-law.

"She is on the Gremory mansion in the mountains. I would see that your Peerage would move with you to help Rias-ojousama train. I doubt that I have to fill you in on what happened."

The Peerage didn't look the least bit guilty when Grayfia glared at them.

Kazehana was the one who spoke for the Peerage. "We heard enough. If our Ashikabi and [King] so wish, we would be glad to help Rias-sama out with her plight. Although, we will need to do some packing."

Minato stood up as well.

"We will help Rias-sama. I think you won't have to worry about us."

Grayfia ruffled Minato's hair as she was smiling at him. The hug from his legs was Millicas.

"Please get Rias-onee-sama out of the marriage." Minato looked at the boy. Rias would set a standard that he would follow. So it wasn't just her future that laid in the balance.

Scene skip

Packing didn't take long, especially if they didn't have much. Minato did show the magic and had gotten Matsu off his back to take her entire room with him.

Because of the situation, Minato would take the entire Peerage with him in a magical circle.

The location was pretty far away.

He had informed Miya, Homura, and Uzume that he would be away for nearly two weeks with the promise to return. Minato had also let Minaka know. He didn't want to risk anything.

When all were ready, Minato stood in the circle and transported them to the cabin in the woods.

Scene skip

They had spent out there in summers and the place hadn't changed a bit. The girls and boys before him had changed though.

All dressed up in school gym outfits, Minato could see how they would be adorable like that. They were not alone.

If he were to guess, those three with him were Fallen Angels. They were not the only unfamiliar face among them.

But what did strike him as surprising was the fact that all of them were in a sort of surprise to see Minato standing before them.

The unfamiliar faces because they didn't recognize him. The familiar faces because they hadn't expected to see him.

"Minato? What are you doing here?"

It was Rias who spoke for the group as the Ashikabi came out of the circle.

"I got asked to help you, Rias-sama. Grayfia-sama visited me yesterday. She told me about your troubles. And asked me if I could help you out with training."

The Peerage didn't know how to react to that news although he could guess that Kiba and Koneko had a sort of relief to hear that.

Rias sighed when she heard that news.

"Really? How much more do they think they can interfere with my life?"

"If you were to ask me, we can use all the help we can get. So don't shoot a gifted horse in the mouth, yes, Rias?"

Minato's head turned to see two young men who had come from behind him in the forest. They were clearly out training and it appeared they were done with that said training.

One had brown hair and was wearing a dirty school outfit like Kiba. He looked to be completely knocked out by the look of it. He was shorter than Minato would have guessed. If he were to guess, that would be Issei Hyoudou.

The other person wasn't wearing a gym outfit. Black trousers just like Minato wore for training. On his upper body, he was wearing some sort of vest that Minato would associate with soldiers. And from the looks on what was the belt, he didn't even know how this guy had a combat knife and gun hanging on his hip.

Minato could see the reddish eyes. He wondered what sort of past this young man had to have such eyes.

"Cause without it, we're screwed." Dumping the young man down on the ground, Minato had gotten a better look at the soldier. Because despite how he looked, this man was a soldier.

"And your name is?" Minato walked in front of the young man. He could see that this was the help that Grayfia had told him about. They could use that for sure.

"Jonasavo Kerevechko."

---

I doubt many of you would see him coming. And if you don't know who he is, Jonas is an old OC I use.

Check out his fic "En Route to a better life."

Next chapter. A Devil Meets a Soldier.

I don't have much else to say. Only that it took me longer than I would have guessed to write this out.

Something tells me that large chapters like this are going to be a staple in this fic.

The next two, or three chapters are going to focus on the DxD side of the story.

Saluut.