FateBurn: Thank you!

Hollowreaper 93: Not quite yet, but our favorite confusing Vampire is not too far off XD

fanficcyberman: With any luck even Issei wouldn't peep in his own house…of course the girls can always prepare just in case…

Jwebb96: He's back again! :D

ahseoi: I am glad you didn't see it coming. Unfortunately not yet, Bennia is a canon character so her appearance can be googled and Thrud I have with Dorian and Rose as the cover page here. I have yet to commission one for Hecuba though hope to someday soon.

Slayer Cross: They tried and failed, for how many men in the DxD universe could resist such an offer? It is a good thing Rat wasn't out yet. Lol

J0ker981: Poor Rat will have to learn to play the part most of the day…he seems to be a natural.

DJDrake: If he tries anything with so many beautiful women living next door…Dorian won't even need to do anything if they get to him first XD

Fish on Land: You are so welcome! Got that and fixed as soon as you posted it. Thanks for the catch!

Natalie: I most certainly will. :D

LordOfTee: If that is the case they'll be the best of neighbors! :)

the unsung antihero: That he is my friend…that he is…

naruto: Thanks! I hope to never disappoint as we near the momentous summit…

And with that…ONTO THE SHOW!

"Breakfast is ready! If you don't hurry it'll be gone!" Mrs. Hyoudou called out, simultaneously pressing a button on the wall sending a beeping sound to the residents of the neighboring tower.

Within a few minutes, Dorian, Thrud, Bennia and Xenovia were entering the kitchen, each hungrier than the last with eager expressions. Despite the size of the tower that had sprung up next door seemingly overnight, the bridges connecting it made reaching the main house quite simple. Hecuba was already up, working with the Hyoudou matron and Asia to whip up food for everyone. They both wore matching pink and white aprons despite the young Spartan's assertions they were not required, the mother of the house insisted and she could not deny their host.

"Quite amazing that Rias' father could set up a little makeshift home in such a short time," Issei's father would remark some days. Whatever the devils did to keep the gentle parents in the dark seemed to be working perfectly.

Several weeks had passed since The Crossroads were set up in the Hyoudou Residence with nary a sign of foul play, and it had Dorian on edge. They knew this Old Satan Faction was out there, a group made up of the old rulers of Hell bent on ousting the new Satans. With the day of the summit fast approaching, the lack of any further attacks both here and in Asgard was suspicious. Lady Freyja assured Dorian to not let it weigh on his mind and to enjoy a time amid a sense of normalcy as long as he could, he'd decided to do just that.

Each of them had joined their respective extracurricular activities, Dorian having settled on the music club. It was a quaint group, not many members but those it had were very welcoming. It gave him plenty of time to practice his lyre as his skills were improving and he started finding himself playing it during his free time relaxing. That didn't mean he let his practical skills lessen, however.

The sub-level of the new tower had a large training room, easily large enough for everyone to practice and exercise without interfering with the others. It was here his physical reinforcement with Thrud continued. It contained a full array of gym equipment both traditional and elaborate. Bennia especially adored the obstacle course spanning up into the second floor while Xenovia and Hecuba trained their bodies and skill.

The first floor looked almost like a large reception area, complete with front desk and stairs leading up and two elevators. It was relatively unused save for bathrooms and a few side rooms for meetings that Thrud theorized was intended for when The Crossroads would have more official guests or requests for missions. For the meantime the only accessible kitchen was in the Hyoudou house.

The second floor had the baths with rotating schedules set up between the girls and men, who at the time only included Dorian which greatly simplified the process. Locker rooms and other storage facilities also made up the area, including an armory with room to spare.

The third floor had the first of the rooms set aside for Bennia, Hecuba and Xenovia. They each had a bedroom of their own and a communal shower and bathroom anyone could make use of.

The fourth and top floor was Dorian and Thrud's accommodations. As before, they each had a room of their own though Dorian was suspicious at how large his appeared to be, thirty people could have stood inside comfortably. It was designed with all the modern accommodations, however had decorations including a few shields, swords and furs to give it a Norse feel that would make a resident of Asgard feel right at home. Even his makeshift office from the dormitory had been moved for his convenience. There were several empty rooms on both floors as well, no doubt to allow for growth as well as the members not presently staying. He made sure Ratatoskr slept within when he wasn't home in the Roads.

Lastly was the roof which currently held the aviary and small greenhouse. Skilja roosted there at night and enjoyed the presence of the flowers transplanted from Freyja's Garden at her request. It was there Dorian would sneak off to when he thought no one was looking, spending the late hours talking to Skilja who replied back in a familiar, friendly voice far-off in Asgard.

The girls did not trust Issei despite Dorian's hope he wouldn't try peeping within the confines of his own home. Nevertheless, Hecuba had laid numerous traps across the connecting bridges she assured would be safe for anyone except him. Bennia, with her usual youthful glee, set up teleportation mines atop those. This ensured if any intruders or would-be perverts tried coming across uninvited that they would soon find themselves falling from a fifty foot height into the nearest body of water.

"How was your sleep?" Mr. Hyoudou asked as they sat at the, significantly expanded, table. Everyone collected their meal; even Bennia was cordial around their host family.

"Very restful, thank you." Xenovia spoke up first as one of the few whose mouth was not already full of food. They were very appreciative of the Hyoudous for hosting them and showed their gratitude whenever they could. "We do have an open house event tomorrow that should be enjoyable."

"You got that right," he agreed. "Got the old camera charged up and ready for hours of footage. I can even take some of the rest of you if you'd like."

Dorian thought about the offer, suddenly realizing he had no family to visit for Open House. The image of Freyja and Odin popped into his head, but he quickly pushed it aside with a chuckle at how ridiculous he was thinking.

"That'd be so nice of you," Bennia gushed with her mouth half-full. "Papa can't make it from home so I'd love to have some footage to send him!"

"And my grandfather as well," Hecuba finally interjected, removing her apron with the job completed and nodding appreciatively to Asia. Her family rarely left the dimensional bubble separating the gods from the real world. He wrote, but she saw him very seldom since moving to Olympus and even less since joining the Crossroads.

It was Hecuba who noticed Rias looking more apprehensive than usual. It made sense; her father was a powerful devil and her brother one of the four Satans. Either of them could be present at the Open House. Between the standard embarrassment of having your parents around coupled with her desire to be seen as a leader in her own right without relying on her family ties, Rias was clearly hesitant about the next day.

Dorian and Mr. Hyoudou had gotten off on a good foot his first day in his home. He still chuckled to himself remembering when the older man pulled the young Einherjar to the side and looked him dead in the eyes.

"Son," he started seriously. "I want to know one thing…what part of a woman do you think is most important?"

The question had floored Dorian, feeling like he was among the twenty Valkyrie classmates back in Asgard. He was so surprised he just blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"I…suppose what she's like, whether I enjoy spending time with her. I mean, her hobbies would be nice too, her personality if…" Before finishing Mr. Hyoudou wrapped him in a tight hug, a wide grin on his lips as he shouted back into the house.

"Honey! We finally have a lad who is not obsessed with women's breasts!"

Back in the present he gulped down the last of his drink and Hecuba's eggs. Noticing what time it was he scrambled for the door to meet the others, their combined numbers forming a sizable group. Before reaching the entrance, Ratatoskr bounded onto his shoulder, it would not do well for the class pet to be absent.

"Everyone ready?" He asked with a smile as the collected students slipped into their shoes.

"Of course," Rias remarked confidently. "We can't be late…today is pool cleaning day!"

Kuoh Pool…

"So…we have to clean all of this up?" Issei asked with slumped shoulders, looking over the damage before them.

The Occult Research Club along with the members of The Crossroads stood at the edge of what had once been the school pool. The water was a putrid green from lack of upkeep, debris floated atop the murky depths and the smell could have dropped a troll.

"It hasn't been used since last year," Akeno informed.

"It was originally the Student Council's job," Rias continued, arms crossed in an official capacity. "But we agreed to take over as thanks for their help with Kokabiel. In return, we get to use it first."

Dorian nodded, remembering that the Student Council President Sona Sitri's Peerage had been the ones to maintain the barrier preventing collateral damage to anyone outside the school. It was more than a fair trade; it was a bargain considering who they fought together.

"We get to use the pool? That's awesome!" Issei called out loudly behind them. "Let's get this as clean as we possibly can!"

"I don't like the look on your face Issei-senpai," Koneko glared at him fully aware of his inner thoughts. His awkward smile and laugh only confirmed her suspicions.

The collected students quickly go to work, thankfully the area was closed off and there were no witnesses which allowed them to use their abilities to help expedite the process. Bennia opened a portal at the bottom to drain the water. She was less amused when a scrub brush was shoved into her hands; everyone had to help with the cleaning. Between the number of students working together, it did not take nearly as long as they feared. Dorian may have also summoned a miniature glyph to burn away an especially resilient and overgrown patch of mold. Finally, he found himself and Kiba scraping away the last of the grime while the girls went off to change into their swimsuits. It wasn't even noon yet which would give them almost the entire day to enjoy the water.

"Huh, I don't see Issei," Dorian suddenly realized. "Did he go to get changed too?"

"No," Kiba explained. "His left arm was overflowing with energy again, Akeno needed to drain the power before it overwhelmed him."

"I hope it is not serious."

"Only if left unchecked." Kiba went into detail how, to break Rias out of an arranged marriage she despised, Issei had sacrificed his left arm to his Heavenly Dragon Ddraig. As a result, he gained temporary use of his balance breaker in return for his arm being made into that of a dragon's. Only draining power from the appendage every few days would allow it to retain a human appearance.

"So he has used his balance breaker too," Dorian murmured, wondering just how powerful Issei could be if he unlocked its full usage like his own.

"If I could ask a favor of you Held-san, you know how to swim correct?" Kiba's sudden polite and official nature caused the Einherjar to pause, nodding an affirmative to his question. "Koneko cannot but I know how much she'd enjoy the pool. Could you teach her some of what you know?"

"If I may ask, wouldn't she prefer to have a closer friend do so…yourself for instance?"

Kiba maintained his stoic appearance, but looked almost nervous which was quite out of character for him. Nevertheless, he held his course.

"I am a sword and am…unsuited for teaching others such."

Dorian focused all his attention on the devil knight, leaning on his broom to look him dead in the eyes.

"I seem to recall Hecuba saying you were a sword AND a man," his memory of the battle with Kokabiel brought to the forefront. "I heard Koneko helped you and Issei in order to destroy the Excaliburs to give you some closure. She has a much stronger bond with you than I."

"I…do not deserve to be both," he replied quietly.

"Those spirits that appeared against Kokabiel seemed to think differently."

With that final simple statement, Dorian started whistling nonchalantly, returning to scrubbing away the last of the muck besmirching the near fully-cleaned pool. He did his best not to look back towards Kiba who was only halfheartedly brushing at his own patch. Unbeknownst to Dorian at the time, the young knight had started thinking about how he saw himself, starting with where he would even begin teaching someone who'd never swam before how to start.

Later…

Hecuba stretched her arms wide with a satisfied groan. The pool was spotless, Dorian and Akeno were currently in the process of using their respective magic seals to fill it with clear water and everyone was getting ready to hop in. Even their "class pet" was running around eagerly waiting for when it was clear to take the plunge.

The young Spartan had selected the same cross-strap two-piece swimsuit she had worn to the beach in Alfheim as everyone else had. She was making her way back to the lockers to find her spray on sunscreen, the Occult Research Club only had the liquid kind which would be hard to apply without assistance.

A fine day of hard work, it is too bad such institutions are not commonplace in Olympus. She thought as she turned the doorknob on the women's lockers. And here I was worried things might get complicated…

"Please stop struggling; you are making this more difficult."

Hecuba heard Xenovia's voice, hoping she may have some extra lotion she pushed the door open only to immediately regret her decision. Xenovia was within wearing her skimpy teal and gold swimsuit, at first she appeared to be kneeling on the floor; however this was not the case. Upon closer inspection, Hecuba realized she was in fact mounted atop a young man. She had her arms locked around his neck in an embrace, however her uncomfortable partner had his hands at his sides, clearly trying to keep them in appropriate locations while escaping from under her.

The pair turned to her upon hearing her entrance, the blonde knight's eyes pleading for assistance. Kiba had come seeking Koneko to begin their lesson only to be intercepted on his way out. The poor confused Olympian could only stare blankly, her mind barely processing what was going on before her.

"…I just wanted sunscreen…" was all she could think to say.

That was all he needed, with Xenovia briefly distracted, Kiba raised his arms over his head, sliding out of her grasp like water through a tube. In a graceful pirouette practiced many times for evading enemies in battle, he cleared the distance to the door, uttering silent thanks under his breath to Hecuba before slipping out of the locker room with his cheeks beet red contrasting against his pale skin. Xenovia huffed in frustration, pulling a sheet of paper and tiny pen out of her bikini top and scribbling something down.

"Surprise attack ineffective, switch to alternate strategy…"

"Xenovia, what was that all about?" She asked almost certain she didn't want to know.

"I made a decision," she answered without hesitation. "I will help The Crossroads fulfil its mission to bring together all the myths and religions of the world. To aid with that, I can ensure the next generation is aware that such distinctions do not wholly divide us."

"And by next generation you mean…"

"Building a family with firsthand knowledge, yes."

For the first time, a blush crept past Hecuba's defenses, the bluntness of which her partner was acting being far beyond her scope. She had rarely thought of a family of her own yet Xenovia had already come to such a decision so quickly.

"And you wish to build one with Kiba?"

"He was an outstanding candidate," she explained, revealing the paper she had in her hands also contained a list of names. "He is skilled and showed true strength of character in our last confrontation, even defending a former enemy of the Church such as myself. Issei was also a possibility with his strong dragon aura ensuring powerful children, but his perverted tendencies and desire for a harem made him unsuitable as a loyal father figure. Dorian was initially quite high, but after his date with Rossweisse I realized my time may be too late, though if things do not work out with the Gremory knight I suppose I could confront him next. Do you feel that is wise?"

"I…um," she stuttered, her usually vaunted words of wisdom failing her in her hour of need. "I know Dorian did not know his family, Thrud has told me ask much. I haven't heard on his current plans for one however, I am sure he wouldn't mind if you removed him from the list."

"I see, thank you for your input. I am certain the others are awaiting us, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the pool." Xenovia returned the piece of paper to the apparently safe confines of her swimsuit top. As they left the locker room for the refreshing dip ahead, Hecuba could not help but notice a simple fact.

Xenovia had NOT scratched Dorian's name from the list.

At the Pool…

With the work finished, the combined teams enjoyed a relaxing afternoon. Dorian smiled with contentment as the blonde idol of school taught Koneko how to swim. Kiba remained by her side from one end of the water and back, ever the gentleman to ensure she was as comfortable as possible for future outings and vacations.

Everyone had a good time, Thrud and Akeno especially as they competed against one another for the more graceful dives off into the deep end with Ratatoskr as an impromptu referee. Issei had the dragon power drained from his arm in short order and found himself in awe of the many bathing beauties around him. As Dorian worried he'd have to say something, Issei's thoughts of the other women were pushed aside when his master Rias asked for his aid applying suntan lotion to her back of which he quickly and enthusiastically accepted.

"He's so eager," Akeno chuckled playfully, thankful that Asia had dozed off under the umbrella and was spared the jealousy that was sure to follow. "Ever since the wedding was broken off President has been much bolder around Issei."

"To each their own I suppose," Thrud gasped as she broke through the water's surface, her hair soaked through and braids let down for the day as Dorian had first seen at Olympus.

Even amidst fun and friends, Thrud did not relent. When she was certain Dorian had enough downtime, she got him to work with water-based exercises. They included but were not limited to swimming laps, lunges, underwater kicks and other various technique far more difficult with the added resistance. Finally, she had him remaining underwater to hold his breath while carrying weights to keep him on the pool floor.

The trend caught on, with most of their frontline fighters joining him beneath the waves, even Kiba once Koneko was through learning for the day, thanking him for helping her improve herself. He looked content at her words, slowly realizing there was more to who he was than what he perceived. Issei gained a new reason to grumble at The Crossroads presence, as he was commanded to join them by Rias who saw it as an excellent opportunity for further improvement.

The collected students did not start to yawn or grow weary until a cool breeze started to blow through and the sun slowly receded over the hill. They had remained far longer than intended but none regretted it. Each had grown more accustomed to each other, forming a bond between Rias' servants and The Crossroads, in some small part fulfilling the intent to build bridges with those once thought separated by an insurmountable gap.

Kuoh Academy front gates…

"Your cooking with eastern ingredients is improving Hecuba-san," Asia complimented as the group made their daily trek to school. Issei left early that morning alone and Rias had her own responsibilities. It was one of the few times the group had been split before reaching class.

"I'll get the hang of it," she assured her. "One of these mornings I can make a pancake without burning the batter."

"I'll gladly take any of your failures!" Ratatoskr called out, lounging on Dorian's shoulder as always. "Waste not after all; I don't know where Bennia is coming from as your food is forged for the gods…"

In a flash, the small squirrel perked up, standing at attention and drawing Dorian's gaze. Before he could ask what was going on, the troublemaker of Yggdrasil pointed forward towards a small bridge spanning the river. Issei was standing on it gripping his left arm as if in pain, was his dragon power acting up again? Across from him was a young man nobody recognized dress in a black trench coat, green undershirt and his hair was an almost unnatural silver-grey. It reminded him of Rossweisse's somewhat only it was duller and did not shine in the sun as hers did.

"That man…" Dorian could feel Ratatoskr's fur billowing around him, clearly sensing great power coming from the stranger.

In a flash, the man vanished, reappearing directly in front of Issei, finger pointed squarely at the center of his forehead. A small flicker of magic power could be sensed, possibly an attack. Without hesitation, Dorian dropped his school bag and moved.

"You are so vulnerable," the stranger muttered to Issei. "If I used even the simplest spell on you right now I'd…"

Swords appeared on either side of his throat as Xenovia and Kiba flanked him with Durandal and his Sword of the Betrayer. The distraction allowed Dorian to clear the distance, appearing in front of his rival classmate to grip the outstretched hand at the wrist, eyes boring into the hazel ones opposite him.

"Who are you," Dorian asked, voice deep and serious to match the expressions of Kiba and Xenovia.

"My name is Vali," he replied calmly with a smirk, clearly not taking the situation seriously despite being surrounded.

He is the same as at the fight, the Vanishing Dragon Albion's host.

"The Vanishing Dragon?" Dorian muttered at Iggy's words to which he nodded in confirmation. At that same moment, Ddraig was filling Issei in on the same.

"Indeed, and if you do not wish to draw undue attention I suggest you stand down. I am still in Azazel's service and it would be quite an awkward report so soon to our meeting that I beat the retainer to the Norse Gods beforehand. Unless of course you wish to be divided once more? Though Albion would be quite cross with me if I brought any harm to the denizen of your Sacred Gear."

Dorian released him but glared absolute daggers through Vali as Kiba and Xenovia followed suit.

"I came here to see what my rival is like," he looked past Dorian towards Issei. "Fear not, the clash of dragons will not occur, it would be a waste of a fight if it did. You'd be dead in an instant Issei Hyoudou."

"It'd be longer than an instant," Dorian threatened, drawing Vali's gaze.

"Unlike the Red Dragon Emperor's, your balance breaker is defined and tempered. Even so, I surmise it would take one...maybe two divides at most to render you a non-threat. It is a pity that you were not selected as the Boosted Gear's host," he mocked loudly to ensure Issei heard every word. "He is in quadruple digits of the strongest in the world, no higher then between 1000 and 1500 at best. You on the other hand, possibly only triple, considering what you did to Kokabiel maybe even top 500. Azazel said you were the fourth strongest young warrior in Asgard right now. If that is the case I weep for their people."

"What…do you want," Dorian bit back the annoyance in his words as Iggy begged to be summoned in case of attack. Vali's smug mocking assessment of their powers was pissing him off.

"I am in town escorting Azazel for your little meet-up, he finally got a chance after condemning Kokabiel to Cocytus." Dorian recognized the name of one of the deepest layers of Hell reserved for the worst offenders. "He gave me the afternoon off so I was bored, I wanted to look over my rival, the school I fought for…and to ensure Issei is being properly trained. Isn't that right, Rias Gremory?"

The red-haired heiress emerged from behind them flanked by her rook and queen with Thrud accompanying them. All of them had deathly serious looks on their faces and were ready to fight.

"Ah, the daughter of Thor," Vali smirked as he spotted her. "Rias' exalted brother isn't even in the top ten strongest, but the same cannot be said of your father now can it? You must be so proud."

Thor is stronger than one of the four Satans? Dorian took note, despite the situation he was excited to be learning more about the hierarchy of the myths when he could.

"The apple didn't fall far from the tree," she threatened, balling her fists and cracking every knuckle with a grin.

"In any case," Vali waved off their threats as he strolled past them back into town. "Do grow stronger Issei Hyoudou so that our battle will mean something. Azazel also wanted to let you both know he is looking forward to the Peace Summit. See you both there."

What was that all about? Dorian asked. It was obvious how tense the situation was, not one person among the group

Mother told me of the Vanishing and Welsh Dragons, even when she was young, they were eternally at war. The two are compelled to fight each other at every opportunity, slaying the other until they are eventually reborn.

And they used to be full dragons? He remembered the file. But they picked a fight with the three factions during their war?

Yes, it was the only time in recorded history that the three worked together all to stop their rampage. Eventually the God of the Bible sealed them both within the Sacred Gears they now inhabit. Even so, their desire to defeat the other persisted and is passed onto their wielders.

He did best Kokabiel with almost no effort; his power is incredible for facing the strong. Dorian clenched his fists in frustration, remembering the weak feeling after having his power divided in the battle. It was clear he was not the only one feeling such frustration, sweat of concern ran down the hands of everyone present and he had noticed, even as two of the best swordsmen he knew had their legendary weapons pressed against Vali's throat, they had been unable to stop their hands from shaking.

In the School…

After the scare at the gates everyone was ready and willing to ease into the school day. Despite what happened, knowing that Azazel was in town with such a bodyguard allayed worries that the Old Satan Faction would attempt anything for the time being. Especially with that day being open house, few would challenge the multiple devils visiting to see their children including Sirzechs Lucifer and his father to see Rias.

Dorian jumped back as a small pile of envelopes fell out of his shoe locker. The overwhelmed student could only sigh as he picked them up, organizing the stack before returning them to the cubby space. Ever since he had declined the duo's "gift" he had received a few every day ranging from private study requests to outright dates. It was getting to the point studying with some while turning down the advances of others was taking up more free time every day. Thrud thus far avoided such troubles as she appeared to be as unreachable as the other idols of the school, a feeling she was more than familiar with.

Hecuba had reported similar difficulties among the men of Kuoh Academy. Several approached her often though she politely declined them all, not showing any interest especially while she was on the lookout for danger. One larger student, a third-year whom puberty had been especially kind to towering over Dorian, had blocked her path in the hall. According to Bennia he made several remarks of his prowess, her luck that she had caught his eye and what they could do after class…right before she floored him into the nearby lockers so hard he dented them. He'd been absent from school ever since and the girls of the Kendo club looked up to her all the more for it.

Parents and relatives flocked in droves for open house, being permitted this one day to sit in and watch their children study and learn. The most prominent among the third-years were Rias' brother, bearer of the Lucifer name Sirzechs and their father Zeoticus. Sharing the same vibrant red hair as Rias, the two stood out yet even suppressed Dorian could sense their combined immense demonic aura across the school. They acted as if they did not know him despite being kept up to date on The Crossroads and deemed to delay their official introduction until after school, instead heading off to Rias' class. Mr. and Mrs. Hyoudou sat in the back of the second-years, filming collectively between Issei, Asia and the others with gusto.

It was now English class, a block of clay had been placed in front of every student with only the instructions to "create something that speaks from your heart," as the teacher had boisterously put it. He seemed unfazed at the absolute confusion on the student's faces of doing such a thing in an English course. Everyone had started their respective projects; even Issei seemed to be in a trance as his hands expertly molded his block. The class pet stared out from his cage, rattling an acorn across the bars as if to voice his displeasure. All the while, Dorian sat there, pondering his options.

No elf maiden to help me this time, he chuckled; fully aware he had little skill for sculpting. He was more self-conscious than usual, knowing full well he was being videotaped.

I…could assist, Iggy offered. My branches are capable of fine details if sufficiently focused.

We can't risk that, we're being videotaped by almost two dozen people.

No worry, they can be adapted to match your skin and be nigh invisible, at most they may appear to be veins to the naked eye.

Dorian's desire to not embarrass himself caused him to relent silently with a nod, just this once.

The young Einherjar shivered as he could feel tendrils work up his arms from within his clothes, not even asking how she could create extensions of herself without summoning the gauntlet. The minute appendages wrapped around his fingers, securing themselves tightly.

Relax and don't move, if you would…can you close your eyes please?

The slight stutter in her voice caused Dorian to acquiesce; closing his lids and making it look like he was working the clay from instinct all the while being completely in Iggy's trustworthy hands.

As his fingers moved, the rest of the class continued, Asia had created a close amalgamation that seemed to be a type of fish while Xenovia was forming what looked like a wheel though they never discovered what she attempted to make. Hecuba had molded her block into a close imitation of her frilled officer's helmet she wore into battle. Issei finally finished his own, an immaculate nude statue of Rias Gremory down to the finest details burned into his memory. Most of the class clamored over to gush at his incredible work born from the perverted side of his mind coupled with his surprisingly skilled hands. There were offers to purchase it, all of which he declined.

"Hey, looking good Held-kun."

At those words directed at him, Dorian opened his eyes at the object now held in his hands, feeling Iggy's influence withdraw. It was not as detailed as Issei's supernaturally artisan-level creation, but it was close.

At first glance it looked like a sculpture of a tree, great plumes of green leaves and foliage overtop similar to a Bodhi Tree with branches extending out as far as the limitations of the clay would allow. It wasn't until a closer look beneath the cover was taken that the uniqueness was visible. The trunk, if it could be called that, was shaped into the body of a beautiful woman with skin of bark where the leaves overtop bled into her head acting as her hair. Two of the larger branches were clearly her arms folded together as if in prayer exemplified by the appearance that her eyes were closed. Like Issei's, she appeared to be naked, however with the rough patches acting as skin and other markings indicative of bark it came off as less sexy and more beautiful in a mysterious way that few could articulate. The first thought when looking upon the odd statuette was a woman who had knelt to pray and been overgrown by, even absorbed into nature itself as she waited for the answer that never came.

"It's…so beautiful," a student muttered in the silence of the room as each analyzed the sculpture to just as many interpretations. Ratatoskr stretched, poking his head as far out of the bars as he could while trying to see.

Iggy, you're an artisan!

I…merely need assistance to focus my efforts, she stuttered, clearly embarrassed by the entire room staring at her work. Without you I could not do such as this.

I wonder what else her branches can make...

As the class surrounded both his and Issei's projects, marveling at them, the young Red Dragon's Emperor's parents looked on, complimenting their son's work wholeheartedly.

"Wow, and all this time I thought our boy didn't care about anything but women's breasts," his father remarked with full understanding of his son. "But he could turn into a true artist someday!"

"And that Dorian student, he is quite a unique one as well," came a voice from the back.

The Hyoudous glanced back, fully prepared to chat it up with fellow parents.

"We're acting as his host family while in the country, so I guess you could say he's ours too," he chuckled at the source of the voice, a pair of individuals in the back dressed in large form-obscuring trench coats. He almost asked whose child was theirs but something fluttered through his mind and he lost the question. Others nearby were similarly affected, as if there was a filter in the air preventing them from focusing on the couple too closely.

"We don't get to visit here often," the one in the front muttered, his great white beard reaching down to the floor. Beside him stood an amazingly well-endowed woman holding a video camera smiling at Dorian specifically. A few strands of purple hair could barely be seen around her hood and black sunglasses.

"See?" She tugged on the older man's sleeve while speaking to Mr. Hyoudou before turning to her husband. "His is almost as detailed as your boy's. Please tell me you got that!"

"My dear, not only do I have it," the lens of his obscured fake left eye zoomed out of his head slightly. "But I have about a half dozen ravens getting it from various other angles." He motioned outside where several inconspicuous black birds were flying back and forth, eyes trained on the classroom. "I also got a few of his lovely classmates..."

His wife slapped him hard upside the head when no one was looking.

"Well I am so glad you could make it," Mrs. Hyoudou cheerily added, not hearing the last sentence. "Missing open house for your child would have been just awful."

"So are we," the old man whispered almost unheard, clasping his wife's hand beside him tightly. "We can't stay long, but even for just a brief moment we wanted to see our young man's growth and how he was coming along."

"And a fine idea it was, but for now let us relax and enjoy the day. Our respective...children seem to be doing quite well." The woman gasped again in an uncharacteristic fashion to those who knew her in an official capacity. "Oh look! They're painting it next!"

Open House commences at Kuoh, a young man unknowingly being watched by the parents he didn't know he had. As bonds grow and the young Crossroad members cherish the opportunity for a chance at normalcy, their duty is ever waiting in the wings. The Peace Summit draws closer, will Kuoh remain safe long enough to ensure a lasting peace? As Always, I hope everyone Reads and Reviews, but must of all Enjoys! :D