"The Betrayal of a Lifetime." A DxD Fanfiction
Chapter 22. "Fellow Inpatient?"
Scene (Yasaka Castle)
"Thank you so much Yasaka! I am glad my parents are doing well! This is all thanks to you! Thank you!" Issei instinctively hugs Yasaka however he doesn't notice the instant blush on the foxes face. Yasaka originally had the boy in a position in which she stood above him while he was kneeling, thus the hug was exactly the way the fox queen liked it. After a moment of Issei's very tight hug, the boy realized two things. The first of two was simple, it was hard to breathe. The second came in a wave of feelings regarding multiple senses. The wonderful smell of fresh cherry blossoms was incredibly inviting. This feeling was followed up with the physical sense of touch which involved softness and warmth. Then it came to him. "I am hugging Yasaka sans Oppai!"
Looking up, Issei once again sees a pair of golden and slightly glowing eyes. Surrounding those eyes was a bright pink color as Yasaka's blush took over her entire face. A crescent shaped smile adorned the fox queen as her eyes focused into Issei's. Not knowing what to do at this point, Issei proceeds to stealthily release his hold. This does not go unnoticed as Yasaka's smile turned into a grin. At that moment, Issei felt two arms embrace the back of his head. We pan out seeing the same room as before. On the bed, Kuroka and Kunou are sleeping away. On the floor near the bed, we see a kneeling Issei being embraced by a standing Yasaka. Aside from the cute snores coming from Kunou, we can hear a mumbling and muffled sound coming from the chest of the fox queen.
Scene (Gremory Estate)
"Are you certain?" Kiba nods while replying to a communication circle that was red in color. "Yes, Sirzechs sama, both of Issei's parents were quite adamant about seeing their son, not a few minutes ago." The circle pulses a bit and a reply comes through. "Very well, I will notify those who need to know. Also, I will be sending a small contingency of allied individuals to aid you in your search for Issei. I can't order any of you to help in this endeavor however…" Kiba interrupts as he stands at attention. "Sirzechs, pardon my interruption, however I must interject!" Multiple hands coming from random peerage members start to grasp Kiba's shoulder in support. Looking back at Akeno, Irina, Xenovia and Ravel, Kiba nods and winks. "Go ahead", the summoning circle pulsed. "Mao Sirzechs, I think I can speak for everyone that was in Rias's peerage, with that, you don't even need to ask. When it comes to Issei, my brother, our family, you, you don't have to ask. So, please, don't act like we aren't family either…"
Kiba begins to break down in tears. "I'm sorry…I try to be the strong one of the group and I hold it and hold it…but…I can't do it forever…" Akeno grabs Kiba and holds him into a tight hug. Ravel nods and steps over toward the circle. "Sirzechs, just let us know what you need done." On the other end of the communication circle, in the underworld, we can see Sirzechs sitting in a chair. She has a very proud smile with a single tear dripping from her eye. "Kiba, you're a good boy. You've done more than enough, far more than anyone could've asked. Please, if you ever need anything from me, say something. Also, Ravel, yes, erm, yes, I will. Speaking of which, well, no, I suppose we can talk about that another time, right now, Issei, yes, let's focus on Issei. Alright, in about 15 minutes or so, prepare for some company. That is all. And… Thank you." The communication circle dissipates in a silent large room. Kiba is sobbing into Akeno's neck as she has a hand over the back of the boy's blonde hair. "I'm sorry, I've tried and tried, but damn it…" Akeno interrupts, "it's fine Kiba, let it out sweetheart."
Scene (Dr. Kellogg's Insane Asylum, Underworld)
In a cafeteria of sorts, we can see our favorite red headed switch princess. Eating what looks to be oatmeal, Rias seems to be staring off into nowhere. Then, the woman feels a creaking to her side. Turning her head, another person seemed to sit down right next to her. "Hello friend, my name is Katerea. You must be new here. What's your name, dear?" The strange person who sat next to Rias was a brown haired female. Her hair was long and tied back. She also wore the same patient garbs that Rias was wearing. Aside from her large and square pink glasses, all seemed normal. That was until Rias played the name back in her mind a few times. "Issei, Issei, Issei….wait, she said her name was Katerea…hmm. Katerea, Katerea, Issei, Issei, no, no, no, Katerea… Wait!" Rias stands from her bench seat and points at the new woman. "Katerea Leviathan!?" The brown haired woman smiles and adjusts her glasses. "The one and only." The now known, Katerea Leviathan, grins.
A flashback of the past runs through Rias's mind. The attack at the peace conference. The declaration of war against the new Mao factions. She was killed though. She can't be here. Shaking her head of her thoughts, Rias then speaks up. "Well, if you are indeed Katerea Leviathan, then you should know who I am." The woman in glasses slowly nods. "I just wanted to be polite and formal. But yes, Rias Gremory, I know exactly who you are." Rias then releases a large breath of air and relents. Sitting back down, Rias goes back to her meal. Giggling a bit, Katerea asks, "aren't you even going to ask how I survived?" Rias shakes her head no. "Does it really matter?" Katerea then shrugs. "I'll tell you about it some other time, considering we have nothing but time in this forsaken place."