New Devil of The Gremory House
Life 28: Gratitudes
Happy holidays everyone! I hope your day is filled with good times and wishes!
I wish I had more chapters to upload for today with this one but for the life of me I've been so swamped I've lost track of time.
I hope this will be enough to tide us all over until 2019.
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It was just a few more days until the summer vacation was officially over and they had to return to school. The consensus about summer vacation from what he gathered, based solely on Issei's crazy ramblings and mad yearnings, was that it was a time of celebration for people in their youth. A time for people their age to visit new and extraordinary places, expanding their horizons, and discovering what love truly is.
Bushy Brows and Bushier Brows-sensei would definitely adore hearing that.
And Naruto felt like he achieved some of those things over his summer vacation, even if it was by a stretch. He visited the Underworld again and saw brand new locations that were swiftly destroyed in his unrelenting training by Sirzechs and his friends. He expanded his horizons by meeting the Sages of this world and having a vicious death match with them. And he felt like his love life with his girlfriend changed a bit, what with her forcing a buy out of a growing restaurant chain and then giving him a portion of the stocks.
Yep...his summer had been quite strange.
So with the schools starting back up soon, old man Miyamoto off on indefinite vacation, and all the training finished he wanted to spend some time relaxing. It was odd knowing the old complex had become such a lavish hotel, but he'd like to explore it and see what it had to offer.
Except he apparently had some guests to entertain now.
"Why?"
"Buchou invited us to come see this place for ourselves." Akeno said, joined by the rest of the ORC as they marveled at the lobby of the hotel. The pony-tailed woman looked around before chuckling to herself, "Quite ostentatious if I do say so."
"Blame it on Azazel, not me." He took a sip of his water before looking back at the others and their stunned expressions. Well everyone except Yuuto and Koneko, who seemed unfazed by the massive and lavish new interior of the building. Probably because they had been living and visiting Rias' home for years, so the shock value was completely lost on them.
Not so much for Asia, Issei, and Xenovia if their gaping expressions were any indication.
"Nice crib. Obviously splurged on the décor."
"Don't mock me." Naruto grumbled to Koneko's monotone but teasing jab. He looked at the box she had hoisted up on her shoulders, "Gasper couldn't even come walking here himself? Did you try putting the bag over his head?"
"I thought I'd at least give him a ride before coming to a new place." Koneko placed the box down on a spare table and knocked on the top of it, "Gya-kun, rise and shine. We're here now." There was no response from the Dhampir, making the ninja and Nekomata share a look of confusion. The [Rook] peeled the flaps back, "Gya-kun?"
Inside was some school supplies and other miscellaneous stuff from around the ORC clubroom.
...
"Oops."
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"Koneko-chan, I'm ready to go!" The excited [Bishop's] voice called out from inside the box besides the table, "Let's go see what Buchou and Naruto-senpai's new home looks like!"
...
"Koneko-chan?"
Silence.
Gasper fretted and started to sweat inside his box, "I-I should probably l-l-look and see what's going on, b-but I'm really scared to do it. I-I'll wait a little longer. I-I'm sure we'll get around to it eventually!"
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"I think I left him back at the club." Koneko said as she started searching through the contents of the box, "He has so little presence I mistook a box of supplies for a full-fledged person."
"So you think you should head back and grab him?"
The white-haired freshman thought for a second, "I suppose not. Gya-kun would probably enjoy some more alone time anyway."
"You are heartless." She shrugged and he turned to everyone else, "So did you all come for the grand tour? Because I'll be honest - could probably use one too."
"Seriously, Senpai?" Issei asked, "Have you not taken the time to explore the place you're living in?"
"No, I have not taken the time to explore the massive, unknown structure I found myself waking up in one morning that was created overnight and planned out by a maniac I have the misfortune of sharing a roof with." The whiskered blond motioned to further into the lobby, "By all means, if you want to explore Azazel's equivalent of a haunted castle, be my guest."
"There's nothing about this place that is haunted! And you all are our guests!" The students looked over to see Azazel making his way down the central staircase with an unamused Rias following just a few steps behind. The Governor-General of the Fallen Angels chuckled as he came down to join them, "But I thought we had a plan where every time someone new would arrive at the hotel we'd sing that totally legal Disney knock-off song with all your clones doing the dancing. What happened to that sheet music I gave you Naruto?"
The blond pointed at his girlfriend, "I crumbled it up into a ball and threw it at Rias."
"Where I expertly caught it and made sure it was safe. Unfortunately my hand was coated in Destruction and immediately destroyed it." The redhead gave a defeated sigh, "Such a shame."
"Damn shame."
Azazel cooed, "Aww, look at you two. A couple that schemes and connives together stays together." He shrugged and looked between his students, "Well, since you are all here, how about I give you a tour of the place?"
The others gave their agreement while Naruto scowled, "Why the hell are you only now offering a tour? I could have used some serious guidance around this place while you were just messing around."
"Didn't I give you a comprehensive map and guide to make your way through this place?" The mix-haired man sounded genuinely confused before smirking, "It might have been accidentally destroyed somewhere along the way. Shame. Damn shame." He ignored Naruto and Rias' matching grumbles as he clapped his hands, "Welcome to Arashi Heights, adorably named by a naïve love-struck princess trying to tease her new plaything."
"Fucking-"
"This is the lobby!" Azazel grandly waved his hands towards the massive front room they were located in, carpeted and designed like the grandest facilities in the world, "All our future residents will be coming through here to reach their rooms; Angels, Fallen Angels, Devils, Gods, Beasts, and everything else on the spectrum!"
"Wow," Issei whistled, "Really trying to be all inclusive this time around, huh Azazel-sensei?"
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"These are the rooms." Azazel waved down the hallway lined all the way to the end. His tour group let out sounds of shock and awe before he pushed a door open, "Each one is fitted with a king-sized bed, a plasma screen television, and a fully stocked fridge with all the amenities a visiting guest could ask for."
"Oh!" Xenovia leapt off her feet and slammed back into the bed with a satisfied moan, "Oh Michael-sama," She whispered and cuddled into the furniture, "I've never been on a bed this luxurious before."
"There are multiple rooms with different themes and amenities as well; like twin beds, heart beds, and water beds." Akeno examined the fridge while Yuuto and Koneko turned on the TV and saw the impressive selection of channels, "And every bathroom is fitted with a bidet."
"I-I'm sorry, Azazel-sensei," Asia meekly raised her hand, "But what is a bidet?"
The Fallen Angel smirked, pushing down the handle and letting the door swing open. He looked down at the short nun and pointed back at the toilet, "Press the buttons on the side."
Asia blinked in confusion before cautiously stepping in, Azazel giving her the courtesy of closing the door behind her.
...
"EEP!"
"Sorry," Azazel apologized and patted Issei's shoulder, "I may have accidentally given you some competition."
"S-Shut up!"
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"This is the public entertainment room." The kids immediately spread out to see what it had to offer, "Arcade machines, board games, and new gaming consoles fitted with multiple multiplayer games. There's another one further upstairs for private use, with a different arrangement of games and things to play. These two have been watching some movies and shows to help Naruto catch up with culture."
Koneko silently walked over to the large couch to the side and jumped back into it. Her tiny body sagged into the comfy material as she sighed blissfully. Naruto came up behind the couch with a smile, "How's it feel?"
"Perfect." Koneko mumbled, "I'm sure if Gya-kun could have been here with us, he'd agree just how wonderful it is."
"You're cold-blooded."
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"This is the bathhouse and steam rooms." The ORC gasped in shock, "There are personal showers and bathrooms in each room, but sometimes people like having some skinship."
"There's a bathhouse in this place?!" Naruto gawked, "How the hell is this the first time I'm finding out about this?!"
"You didn't ask."
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"We have a pool, a poolside bar, and other such activities for everyone on the roof." Azazel smiled as the young students looked on in surprise at the massive pool at the top of the hotel, "If it gets too cold there's a glass barrier that covers the top and we can heat the pool at any time. There's a smaller indoor pool a couple floors down too."
Rias blinked and then flatly looked up at the older man, "You...went way too far with this."
"Well, 'In for a penny, in for a pound'."
"You're in for billions of pennies and millions of pounds."
"Just remember that your brother had a big hand in setting this all up."
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"I must say, Azazel-sensei, this hotel is quite amazing." Yuuto said as they all stood within the elevator traveling down the hotel, "But don't you think you may have made this all a little too extravagant?"
"Kiba, when you have to plan to host a plethora of deities and monsters at any time, this can be considered the bare minimum." There were looks of uncertainty and suspicion that the hypothetical guests would put so much interest in the state of the rooms, but the Fallen Angel smirked, "But don't worry about the top levels. What we're heading to now is the bottom levels."
"What's in the basements?"
"More business stuff. Communication hubs. Teleportation circles. Labs for testing. And training stations as well." He knew he got their attention because he spotted the increased interest while he talked, "I thought I'd add them in case anyone wanted to try and test what they can do. It can help with attack proficiency and maneuverability. Quite a few things actually. But at the very bottom is some empty space."
"Empty space?"
"I thought it'd be useful to have some extra space, for you kids to train your bigger moves as well as a place any larger folks can come to and hang out." The elevator finally reached its end and slid open, allowing the students to step out and see for themselves what laid beneath the hotel. Their eyes widened and they stepped out of the elevator to get a better look, "So, what do you kids think?"
"WHY IS IT SO BIG?!"
Issei's exclamation echoed through the massive underground bunker that stretched on for hundreds of meters and had a ceiling and floor separated so far apart that even flying up to reach it would take a few moments. The pervert looked back at his teacher, "This is at least several soccer stadiums long! Why did you make it this big?!"
"I just kept thinking I'd like this space to be a little bigger and I got kinda carried away." He raised his hand before Rias could speak, "And if you're wondering how much this cost..."
"..."
"So what do you think?"
The redhead Devil seethed in anger, taking a deep breath through her nose before calming down. She shook her head and sighed, "Okay, no point getting angry now. What's done is done, and what needs to be done to fix it would take too much time, so we'll live with it and move on. There's a more pressing matter that needs our attention right now anyway. Our upcoming Rating Game against Diodara Astaroth."
"Do you really wanna get into business talk already?" Azazel whined and pointed back to the elevator, "There's still so much I wanna show you guys! I haven't even gotten to the professional bowling alley yet! Come on!"
"Ugh fine, you go first." Rias followed the Fallen Angel into the elevator and stepped up to his side. She quickly ran her hand over all the buttons besides the level they were currently on. She then stepped outside and left the mix-haired man to stand by himself.
The doors closed as he shook his head, "Oh dick mov-"
The door closed and Azazel started his treacherous, torturously slow crawl up the many levels of the hotel. Rias smiled and turned back around, "Okay, now we can focus on the game. So in case we need a refresher, our opponent in this next match is Diodara Astaroth. He's a fellow rookie of this new generation along with Sairaorg, Sona, and I. He is quite a capable [King], winning his most recent matches quite handily without so much as a sweat. I'm not sure of his full capabilities, but I think it's safe to say that we'll have quite a battle ahead of us."
"Buchou!" Issei diligently raised his hand with a furious look in his eyes, "I request that when we fight that asshat's peerage, I get to be the one that pushes his nose back into his fucking skull!"
"I can understand your anger with Diodara, but please try to calm yourself Issei." The Devil tried to defuse her [Pawn's] bristling anger and saw some success as Issei exhaled and tapped his foot in irritation. Despite expectations they didn't first talk about Diodara when the Rating Game against him was decided. Their discussion about the pure-blooded Devil started when Issei and Asia told them they were approached by him and he showed obvious interest in Asia.
A long time ago he was gravely injured and was going to die alone in the streets of Rome. Until a kind nun came across him and he begged for help. Usually a nun of the Church would run away at the sight of a Devil, or summon a warrior of their congregation to put it down properly. If he had come across any other nun in the world than he would most likely already be dead.
But he was saved, because the nun was Asia and she was too kind to leave someone dying on the street alone to pass like that. She used her Sacred Gear to heal his wound, bringing him back to perfect health and letting him get away before the Church could arrive to finish him off.
It was the catalyst for Asia's excommunication and expulsion from the Church and all of its dwellings. It was after that when Asia was forced to wander, unwelcome from her religion and home after her supposed betrayal. Afterwards she was picked up by Raynare and the other Fallen Angels that had come to this town so they could use its abandoned church to take her Sacred Gear for themselves. Which in turn introduced her to Issei and the rest of the peerage.
When he was told about the consequences of Asia saving him, Diodara showed earnest shock and horror at the pain she had experienced from helping him. As penance, he asked Asia to come with him and be his bride. He promised that he would love her unconditionally, for all her brilliant beauty and kindness. As a return for saving his life he would give her everything she wanted in life and let her live an existence without pain or suffering.
It was clear where Issei's disdain for the man came from. If the fact he was the reason Asia was treated as a pariah for so long wasn't enough, then the proposal to marry her and take her away forever being made right in front of him certainly didn't make a great impression either.
Rias was annoyed as well, because her fellow Devil approached her not long after their match was announced and offered to trade her one of his [Bishop's] for Asia. She wasn't sure if his feelings and offers were truly as honest as he was trying to convey, or if this was all some kind of devious scheme to psych them out before their match.
But the fact out of all the Devils in the worlds it just happened to be their next opponent who Asia saved…and he was suddenly proving to be quite capable in the Rating Games…
It was just too coincidental for her taste.
She shook her head and continued, "In any case, it's best not to underestimate this man. He is the younger brother of the Beelzebub Maou after all." Someone in her peerage shuddered and all eyes turned to him, "Naruto, you okay?"
"Yeah, just not looking forward to meeting that guy again. He's…really scary."
"Understandable. Beelzebub-sama can get a little carried away when he's in his own head." Rias nodded, "Anyway, I want us to spend the next few days after school training. This room might be ludicrous and completely unnecessary, but we can use it to train without fear of damaging any property."
"Ara Ara, does that mean we owe Azazel-sensei our thanks for constructing this place?"
"Don't take it too far Akeno." The ponytailed woman giggled at her [King] before Rias looked around at her followers, "Pair together and try getting some training in now before Azazel comes back down and starts ruining this again."
"Issei-kun, would you like to pair up?" Yuuto offered as he summoned a blade to his hand, "I imagine if you want to beat up the [King], you'll want to get as much practice in as you can."
"Absolutely!" Issei summoned his gauntlet and clenched his fist in anger, "If that jackass thinks he can just come up to Asia like that after everything that happened and beg her for marriage, he's got another thing coming!"
Yuuto chuckled as Asia's face started to heat up, "Easy loverboy, the target is Diodara Astaroth, not me."
"Senpai," Naruto looked down at Koneko as she released her ears and tail, "Do you mind coming to train with me? I'd like to see how my Senjutsu compares to yours."
"Heh, I better watch myself or else I could get messed up." Naruto joked as he patted her head and made her ears twitch, "Give me a second to gather up some energy and we can start."
"Naruto," Xenovia stepped up and looked between the blond and the white-haired freshman, "Why do you keep patting Koneko's head and tussling her hair like that? Did she ask you to do that?"
Naruto blinked and looked down at the Nekomata before shaking his head, "Huh, I don't know why I do it. I guess it is a little weird. If you want me to st-"
"No." Koneko immediately answered before he could finish, "Keep doing it."
"Well okay then."
"So it's just a gesture of affection?" Xenovia looked deep in thought before looking up at the whiskered blond, "Can I have a pat on the head as well?"
…
Everything just went silent.
Naruto blanked, "Um, come again?"
"I want to see what it feels like to be patted on the head. Koneko seems to enjoy it, and Asia likes it when you or Issei do it to her." Asia blushed as eyes turned to her and she tried to hide her face, "I wish to see what is so special about a pat on the head."
Naruto looked flabbergasted as his mouth opened and closed in speechless disbelief. He stayed like that for a few moments before finally shrugging and shaking his head. Relenting, he reached up for the [Knight's] head and awkwardly placed his hand in her hair. He ruffled the blue locks and caused the strand of green to sway before her eyes.
He continued doing this for a few seconds before his cheeks started to gain a pink hue, "Satisfied?"
Xenovia face scrunched up in confusion, "I'm not sure. It just feels like you're jostling my hair."
"Then it isn't working." He tried to pull his hand back but the blue-haired girl snatched his wrist before it was too far away. She put it back on her head and made him keep going as he sighed, "This was a mistake."
To his side, Koneko bristled with a pout as she went ignored. And further away Rias was doing the same, crossing her arms and looking unamused at the sight of him patting the [Knight] on the head.
"Fufufu, be careful Buchou."
"Akeno, don't even start."
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"So why did we have to hurry to the clubroom exactly?"
"B-Buchou told us to." Gasper answered nervously as he, Naruto, and Koneko made their way to the ORC, "Didn't you get the group text, Naruto-senpai?"
"Oh shit, I knew there was something I forgot." The blond quickly pulled out his phone, "This thing kept shaking and making noises every three seconds and it was driving me crazy so Azazel turned off the notices. I think he went here to - n-no it was there and then there - no. Dammit, this thing has too much crap on it!"
"Hand it over." Koneko held out her hand and Naruto reluctantly forked his smartphone over as the freshman easily navigated the screen as they walked along, "I have to think it's about something important because Buchou made it sound urgent."
"It might have something to do with that Rating Game coming up. She might have just gotten some news about Ajuka-San's little brother." Koneko and Gasper looked at him in surprise, "He helped with some of my training while we were in the Underworld. He's...very strict." He suppressed the shudder that traveled up his spine before shaking his head, "Anyway, how did you two handle your first day back?"
The time had finally come for them to say goodbye to their summer vacation and return to school. It was a very severe change to return to school and classes and a regular schedule after their summer of training and fighting and resting. Naruto had to valiantly fight back the growing desire to close his eyes and slam his face down to rest. And the only reason he did was because Akeno and Sona made it their job to keep him awake while in class.
"Oh, we started picking people to perform in the sports festival!" Gasper excitedly said as his expression quickly brightened up, "Koneko-chan forced me to sign up for the bun-eating competition! I-I'm a bit nervous about performing in front of everybody but I'm sure while I'm wearing my bag I'll be just fine!"
"How are you going to eat the buns through the bag?" His question seemed to floor the vampire as the [Bishop] suddenly came to a stop with a frozen and horrified expression on his face. Naruto and Koneko continued on before he looked down at the [Rook], "What about you?"
"Tug-of-war."
"You gonna use your super strength to cheat?"
"That seems cowardly and dishonest." Koneko responded, "But if I raise a bet for people to throw in their desserts if I win, then I'll totally do it." Naruto chuckled but nodded in complete agreement, "What about you Senpai?"
"Kaichou threw me into the 100 yard dash. Said I needed to participate in at least one. I didn't do anything last year so I guess it's fair that I help this time around."
"No cheating."
"I don't need to chest. I'm pretty sure I'm faster than everyone else I'll be racing with. I'm not a ninja turned Devil for nothing."
"You're also apparently not the poster child for humility."
"Like you're gonna throw a chance to pull everyone else on their asses."
Gasper shivered, "A-Are you two arguing, or agreeing?"
"Yep."
The trio finally arrived at their club and walked in. However when they did they found themselves faced with a new person dressed in their school uniform. The girl was a lovely young lady about their age, with long chestnut hair tied in twin-tails that went down her back. The bubbly girl was very familiar, and was looking around the room in amazement.
"It's so weird to be coming back here as a student instead of a warrior of the Church!" Irina exclaimed happily as she hopped in place, "Oh, can I really join your club?"
"Of course," Rias nodded, "If you're interested in joining up with us then I see no reason why not. Plus with you being Michael-sama's [Ace], as well as Xenovia and Issei's friend it'd just feel cruel to turn you away Shidou-San."
"Thank you, Rias-San!" The girl cheered again and tuned to Xenovia as the blue-haired girl showed a content smile to have her friend back. Irina looked around a little more before finally realizing there were more people standing in the doorway of the room, "Oh, hello there."
"Hello again." Koneko greeted the older girl politely as Gasper looked nervous and hid behind her and Naruto, "Have you transferred into our school now?"
"That's right! I'm gonna be a second-year student of Kuoh Academy from this day on." The cheerful girl said before looking up at the tallest member to join them, "Oh, hello there. I recognize you from the armistice meeting but I don't think we were ever properly introduced."
"Oh yeah, you were with the Angel faction that time, right? And you're Xenovia's friend."
"Irina Shidou, a pleasure to meet you." She smiled before looking closely at his face and tilting her head curiously. Her eyes widened in shock, "Wow! You really do resemble that grumpy cat!"
"Alright, that's the second time someone has called me that. What the hell is a grumpy cat?" Naruto looked around for clarification before his eyes landed on Koneko. He paused, "Are…are you a grumpy-"
"No." She pouted.
"You sure?" Her frown deepened before she fiddled with his phone and then showed him the screen, "What's this?"
"What they're talking about."
His face immediately turned into a scowl, "Okay who was calling me this - oh why am I even asking? ISSEI!"
"You were missing and we were worried, Senpai! I just started listing off whatever I could to help describe you!" The pervert didn't seem very confident in his explanation as he made sure to keep a comfortable distance away from the enraged blond.
Naruto seethed for a moment before taking a deep breath and slowly letting it out. He shook his head, abandoning his rage, before looking back at the new girl, "So you're joining our school now, huh? That's nice. I'm sure Xenovia's happy to have her friend back. You two looked like you missed each other after the fight at the treaty."
There were some scattered giggles and hushed laughter as both the twin-tailed girl and the blue-haired [Knight] blushed with mortification. Xenovia shook her head, "I think you're exaggerating."
Irina nodded furiously, "T-That's right! I-I'm not sure what impression you got during the night of the treaty, a-and while I was happy to be with Xenovia again, it was just a simple-"
"I'm sorry! I-I-I'm so sorry for the things I said to you!"
"It's okay. I'm sure my decision to be a Devil must have felt like a betrayal of your trust."
"But you were just doing what you had to to survive! And ever since I left Japan without you I haven't stopped thinking about what I said!"
"Geez Irina, you are such a worrywart."
"C-Can you forgive me?"
"I already have."
"Xenovia! Waaaahhhhh!"
"There there. It's okay."
"X-Xenovia, are your eyes-"
"You must be seeing things. Wipe the tears from your eyes."
Both girls slowly turned around and looked at the desk where Azazel was casually leaning back while watching his phone. He looked up and chuckled, "Pulls at the heartstrings, don't it?"
"Give me that!" Xenovia swiped the phone from his hand and touched the screen, "There! Deleted!"
"Oh no. The one and only copy. Whatever shall I do?"
"Xenovia-chan," Akeno interrupted before waving her phone around, "We already got sent copies of the video as well." Xenovia blanked and Irina overheated as the ponytailed woman smirked, "You were just too adorable for your own good."
"Oh Michael-sama, this is so embarrassing!" Irina squeaked indignantly as her wing sprouted from her back and her halo appeared over her head, "Please make it stop!"
"Oh, she's an Angel." Naruto noted, watching the new girl wither from embarrassment as the rest of the club started playing their versions of the video. He looked down at Gasper and Koneko, "This new semester is starting off fun."
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"You get to come here!" Irina gawked as she walked out of the elevator and marveling at the size of the hotel's bottom level. She looked out over the massive open space of the underground arena before turning to Xenovia, "Isn't this kind of excessive?"
"Azazel was the one who drew up the plans with Rias-buchou's brother. Of course she and Naruto already raised their complaints, but I think they've gotten over it now to see how it could come in use." Xenovia and her friend looked over the side at the action happening below, "We can use this place as a training area that lets us go all out, so there are some benefits to its immense size."
They could see attacks of blinding speed and exchanges of powerful magic and energy being displayed beneath them. Yuuto squared off with Koneko as they quickly exchanged blows and strikes before separating. The [Knight] did not have his Demonic Holy Sword equipped, but was attacking his freshman friend with an overwhelming burst of speed. Koneko was using the fast combat to test her Senjutsu, her ears perking up on her head when her opponent vanished with speed and her sensing enabling her to keep up with him.
A little to the side Rias, Akeno, Asia, and Gasper were gathered together to practice their control. The [Queen] watched over them and gave whatever pointers she could to the [Bishops] to control their powers. Asia attempted to focus her Demonic Power and see how she could integrate it with her Sacred Gear, while Gasper fretted and tried to use his Forbidden Balor View. Rias watched from the side, offering some pointers when they asked and supplying Gasper with balls of Destruction he tried to freeze in place.
And some ways away where their fight wouldn't interrupt everyone else…
"Dragon Shot!"
Naruto somersaulted and dodged the powerful blast of green energy that trenched the ground he once stood on. The blond rolled on the ground, stopping on his feet and drawing his knife before charging his fellow [Pawn]. Issei clicked his tongue and took his stance, "Shit. Ddraig!"
[On it! Boost!]
Issei roared and dashed at Naruto before the blond could come upon him. Deciding he wasn't going to let the whiskered senior set the pace of their spar, the pervert leapt forward and jabbed for the older boy's head. But Naruto easily stepped aside and avoided his attack, making Issei land on the ground and quickly find his footing before turning around to attack.
His eyes widened and he blocked Naruto's knife with his red gauntlet. The senior didn't let up on attacking his junior, pushing forward and swiping his knife as he scratched against the Boosted Gear and caused sparks to fly. Issei gritted his teeth and continued to block Naruto's attacks.
[Boost!]
"HA!" Issei threw a punch out for Naruto's eye but hit air. The blond leaned aside, wrapping his arm around Isssei's outstretched limb and then forcing it to lock into place. The brunette could barely let out a gasp before Naruto's other hand came up and struck him in the face with the butt of his weapon. He felt pain explode from his nose and he flinched but forced his eyes opened. The pain repeated, the effect of the punch doubling with Naruto activation of his Sacred Gear. Issei yelled and brought his gauntlet hand up to grab Naruto's wrist before he could slam his knife down again. He roared and pulled the older man over, slipping his arm out and throwing the blond away from him.
Naruto easily landed on his feet while Issei felt a faint pain go over the arm that had been locked into place. The blond crossed his fingers and summoned several clones into existence that separated and charged Issei. The [Pawn] raised his gauntlet, "Ddraig! Ascalon!"
[Got it!]
A long blade extended from the Boosted Gear that Issei quickly swung down to his side. The clones leapt on him and the pervert yelled before slashing through their oncoming forms. He was surrounded by smoke, dodging their lunges and jabs to slice through them completely and dispel them. He still withstood blows to the body and face, but he knew his best chance to win was to thin out the numbers as quickly as possible. And when they were all gone, Issei smirked and turned to attack the original-
His eyes widened and he raised his bladed gauntlet to parry the knife that scrapped against it. It continued to grind and stretch past his Ascalon, going on for a length far longer than any knife possible. He looked over and saw Naruto standing some ways away, holing his knife out as the blade extended to great lengths to meet Issei's.
The younger man grit his teeth and pushed the blade away to charge at the blond. Naruto swung his knife back around and Issei ducked under it as he approached, "Ddraig," He brought a concentration of his Demonic Power, "Do it!"
[Explosion!]
"Dragon Shot!"
A mighty beam of green energy shot out towards the blond. The whiskered man scowled and threw his knife up in the air before the attack completely overwhelmed him. Issei panted and looked at the place his senior had been destroyed by his attack. Wait, that couldn't-
"Rasengan!"
Issei's eyes widened and he turned to guard the attack with his gauntlet. The jutsu slammed into the Boosted Gear, causing a deafening sound of crashing and grinding to echo out from them. The Sacred Gear didn't break from Naruto's attack, but the force from it was enough to sending Issei flying off his feet and over dozens of meters. The pervert slammed into the ground with a bodily grunt and rolled before finally coming to a stop.
"Okay, I think we can call it there." Azazel slowly flew down from the ceiling and landed on the floor. The Fallen Angel inspected the knife he had caught before tossing it back to Naruto, "Sirzechs' people certainly know what they're doing. You altering the length with your Demonic Power?"
"Yeah, I control its length by applying or pulling back my power. Took a little effort to get it right but I figured it out." Naruto empathized his point by putting in his energy and making the blade extend several lengths before returning to normal. They walked over to Issei before Naruto extended his hand, "See the problem with focusing so much on taking me out is you didn't notice I was sneaking up on your side."
Issei frowned as he took his hand, "How am I suppose to notice that? Your stupid cloning ability makes so many of you how I am suppose to differentiate!"
"And that's why you lost."
"Okay, I think that's enough for now." Azazel looked at Issei, "You're clearly more capable at fighting after all that training with Tannin, But unfortunately we're still no closer to getting your Balance Breaker."
"Do you have to remind me?"
"It's that crazy armor thing you used to fight Kokabiel and hold off Vali, right? That looked impressive. If you could actually call that thing at will, I might just have to use Sage Mode and actually try to fight."
"So you're just being a dick now? Is that what you're doing?"
"Naruto's objective douchery aside, you should be focusing on achieving your Balance Breaker and realizing the full potential of your Sacred Gear." Azazel said, "The moment you reach that power, you'll gain a trump card that can continue to grow and evolve with your growth. If we want to keep up with the fights ahead, you'll need to reach that power."
"Hmm," Naruto hummed before looking down at his arm. He looked back up and saw Azazel watching him carefully, "What?"
"You wanna have one of your own too, don't you?"
"No I don't."
[Yes you do.]
"Shut up Kurama." The blond quickly shrugged, "So I'm interested - what of it? Can I even have one when it's a Sacred Gear you created?"
"I have absolutely no idea if it can do that. But if it does then you will tell me the moment it does!" Azazel demanded with a grin, "If you achieve Balance Breaker with a Sacred Gear I created then I'll get to lord it over everyone. Literally everyone."
"So if I ever do achieve Balance Breaker with this thing, which might not even be possible, you get an even bigger inflated ego?" The blond slumped in disappointment, "Well that's a disappointment."
"Don't be a baby. Hey, Issei," The Fallen Angel turned his attention back to the brunette, "I got something to give you. Been meaning to see if it had any effect with you for a while but I couldn't hand it over during training."
"What is it?" Issei held out his hand and accepted what Azazel passed over. When he pulled back he examined the shard of blue crystal in his palm, "What the hell? This looks like a crystal from Boosted Gear. Is this-"
"A piece of the Divine Dividing that came off of Vali during yours and Naruto's fight with him. I thought you'd like to keep it as a memento of your first fight with your eternal foe and ultimate rival." He shrugged, "Or maybe you can glean something off it to help you with your Balance Breaker."
"So...just a shiny blue rock? And you're dumping it on me, aren't you?"
"Pretty much." Azazel laughed while Issei floundered and Naruto rolled his eyes. The Fallen Angel waved his hand, "Come on, everyone else is probably waiting."
"Quite the light show you two were putting on." The two [Pawns] rejoined the others as they had finished their training. They noticed the rougher condition Issei was compared to Naruto as Akeno noted, "Goodness, did you have to be so mean to Issei-kun? He looks like he was put through the ringer."
"It's okay," Issei said with a smile, "I'm actually glad Naruto-senpai is willing to fight me like that. It hurts like a bitch but real combat experience is always a win."
"Here, Issei-San," Asia ran up to his side as her Twilight Healing basked his bruises in a green glow, "I'll fix your injuries as quickly as possible."
"Is this how Devils train in their free time?" The group looked up and saw Irina descend from the balcony high above to join them. She avoided taking the stairs and instead flew down with a pair of beautiful, glistening white wings extended from her back. Xenovia followed after, lowering herself with her crooked black wings, "It was amazing! It was like watching the new Angels train with the Seraphs!"
"Well we have a Rating Game coming up," Rias said, "This is the least we can do in order to prepare ourselves for the fight."
Azazel grinned and laughed, "And that's why it'll be such a delight to see you kids in the Rating Games. I think I can count on one hand the number of Devils who actually train and push themselves. Most of them just rely on their natural power."
Issei blanked, "Ugh...sorry. Does that mean all the other Devils we've seen so far...are just that strong from the get go?"
"Pretty much." Azazel shrugged, "Not to say the strongest of all haven't spent some time honing their techniques and strengths, but most have a strength they were born with, and that has been enough for them to live by." The Fallen Angel eyes narrowed suspiciously, "Which makes it quite the surprise that Diodara has had such a surprising performance in his recent showings. He might have had some special training...or it could be something else."
"So we just keep training and we'll totally overwhelm the competition, right?" Naruto said with a grin and crack of his knuckles. The others shared his confidence and nodded, "We keep developing our skills and show them what a little elbow grease can do. I didn't spend my whole life developing my techniques just to lose to people who couldn't even get off their asses."
"Technique."
...
Naruto blinked and looked over at Azazel, "What was that?"
"Your technique. It's a good one and will definitely put people that underestimate you in their place."
"Yeah, I know, but why did you say it like that?"
"Because you said it wrong." Azazel clarified, "You don't have a bunch of techniques. You only have the one. That blue orb thing. It's cool and very versatile, but it's just one."
"Not it's not," The blond chuckled while shaking his head, "I have - like - dozen versions of the Rasengan I can use in battle. That's dozens of different attacks and skills."
"No." Azazel sternly shook his head, "It's just one. Like I said it's a good one, but it's still just one." The Fallen Angel summoned a Spear of Light into his hand that floated over his palm, "This is one of my techniques. I can change its shape and size, but that doesn't really make it a brand new attack. See where I'm going with this? Very clear illustration of what I'm trying to get across."
"W-What are you taking about?" Naruto nervously laughed as he looked around at his friends, "Can you believe him? Always talking about stupid shit and..." He paused and looked around at the peerage, but felt his belly twist when he saw them avoid direct eye contact, "W-Wait are you serious? Do you think so too?"
"Well-"
"Yes." Akeno nodded, "Your attack is powerful, but making it bigger and putting a blade around it barely counts as a massive division from its base form."
"Akeno-"
"Sorry Buchou, but if we don't tell him he'll never learn. He just completed his Demonic Power training and the first thing he did was incorporate it into his ball attack. He has a problem and we need to help him."
"I can't believe this!" Remote Looper appeared on his arm as Naruto snarled, "Kurama, tell all of them they're wrong! All the Rasengan techniques are all their own individual and capable attacks and skills!"
[Ugh, well, you know uniqueness is a harder thing to accomplish than people believe-]
"What the fuck are you tiptoeing around the subject?! When the fuck haven't you been as brash as possible and spoken your mind?!"
[Well it's never been a subject as personal and delicate as this.]
"How is this delicate?!"
[It was one of the first techniques you ever learned! You were so proud of it! How was I supposed to tell you it was getting a little...]
"What? What was it?"
[Excessive, okay! It was excessive! I mean each and every time it was something with the Rasengan! It's special to you and something from your father I know but there are other shapes in the world! Is it too much to ask to hit someone with a cube?! Or a cone?!]
"I...I..." Naruto lowered his arm, staring ahead blankly as his words danced on his tongue. Unable to form his sentence he shook his head and slowly broke away from the group. He made his way up the stairs and entered the elevator in stunned silence, leaving everyone else on the ground floor.
Azazel hummed, "I meant that as a playful jab at first but I might have ended up fucking his brain. Oops."
Rias glared, "This is why I hate you."
||||||||Devil||||||||
"Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh~. It feels so good!" Irina stretched out her limbs and moaned while feeling completely engulfed in the steaming hot water of the bathhouse of the hotel. The chestnut-haired girl sighed contently as she leaned further into the bath, crossing her arms beneath her large breasts and making them float on the water as her hard splayed out around her, "This is a proper bathhouse, just like I remember taking when I was younger. This is much better than the one we took when we first came to town, right Xenovia?"
"If this is what one of these is supposed to feel like then I was sorely undersold during our first attempt." The blue-haired warrior was not slumped into the water, but she did have a blissful expression on her face as her skin started to flush from the heat. She crossed one smooth leg over the other as she sat on the edge of the bath, "This might be one of those splurges Azazel went for that is totally justified."
"This is my first time in a bathhouse like this." Asia raised her arms and watched the crystal clear water wash off her limbs, "It's so serene and peaceful. I wish I had realized how wonderful these places were before so I could visit them more often."
"If you like it so much I can wash your back for you, Asia-senpai." Koneko offered, opening her eyes after soaking in the water enough to be lightheaded. She sat up beside the other girls, "You can wash yourself over there by the faucets, but when you come with friends you can take time to help each other clean up."
"Really?" Asia beamed a smile, "Thank you so much Koneko-chan!"
"No biggie." The freshman said with a slightly flushed face.
"Is that really a custom here?"
"I-I think so." Irina answered with uncertainty. She looked up and saw Xenovia's unimpressed expression before the Angel pouted, "Hey, it's been a long time since I was in a proper one of these! And I was just a little kid back then! I was more impressed with looking around and playing in the water then actually taking the bath!"
"You peed standing up and you hated baths." Xenovia shook her head, "You continue to shock me with the stories of your youth Irina."
"Xenovia!"
"For someone who always made comments about me and how feminine I was, it sounds like you could use some guidance as well." The blue-haired woman said, taking some silent enjoyment at the shock and dismay on Irina's face at her jibbing. The [Knight] looked over her shoulder, "Perhaps they could give us some lessons on acting like proper ladies."
Irina pulled herself up to the side and watched with envy, "I don't think we could ever match them."
Sitting together by the faucets were two incomparable beauties who were washing their bodies with warm water and soap. Akeno had her hair out of its signature ponytail and nearly rolled out onto the wet ground. Rias let out a content sigh as she ran her sponge over her arms, leaving a trail of bubbles behind with her crimson hair matted to their backs. The two older women were having a casual chat as they washed themselves.
The other girls couldn't look away. The sheer perfection and grace of their skin. Their bodies that looked like the idle form and shape going from the bottom of their legs and traveling all the way up their hips and waists. And somehow the practiced way they could do everything they were doing while ignoring the massive obstacles that protruded from their chests.
"Wow," Asia muttered with red cheeks, "They're so big. I wish mine were like that. Issei-San would be so happy then."
"Do you think they had to do something special to get like that?" Irina queried while hiding most of her red face in the water, "They look like they could be models for great pieces of art or even sculptures. Just so beautiful I couldn't even begin to describe them."
"They truly are enviable for those forms." Xenovia noted, "I wonder what it would be like to have bodies even somewhat close to theirs."
Koneko's eyes twitched irritably as she glared at the larger breasts of all three holy girls coveting the sight of the two seniors' forms, "You fucking serious right now?"
"Ahhh, that was nice." Rias' voice carried as she and Akeno finished washing up and came to join them in the bath. Both girls sighed with delight before Rias looked at the others, "What were you talking about?"
"Just lamenting about the clear and unfair gap between the development of humans and Devils." Xenovia quickly answered, "And along that same vein can we expect to keep growing now that we're Devils?"
"I don't see why you're so eager, Xenovia-chan." Akeno giggled before flinching and rubbing her shoulders, causing her massive breasts to bounce uncontrollably, "These things can be quite a hassle sometimes. I can't remember the last time my shoulders and back didn't ache so badly."
"She's right. I'm guessing you all have that too, right?"
Xenovia nodded, "I suppose so."
Irina nervously laughed, "They do get in the way sometimes."
Asia shyly added in, "I-I do have some problems as well. S-Sometimes."
"My shoulders don't hurt and my back is totally fine." Koneko stated, her voice flat and completely devoid of emotion as she spoke with lifeless eyes, "I guess I win. Hurray."
"Hehe, how about we change the subject to something else?" Rias suggested before looking to her blonde [Bishop], "Asia, how are you handling this supposed marriage proposal?"
"I-I'm not sure how to feel to be honest." The lovely golden-haired girl's face fell as she looked down and stared at the bath water, "I never expected to see the Devil I helped so long ago. I'm happy that he was able to live a fruitful life, and I'm honored that he feels the need to thank me for my help. But…but the idea of marrying him…it just doesn't seem right. Even if I did want to – w-which I don't! But if I did…I'd just be reminded…"
"Of what happened after you helped him." Asia hung her head but sadly nodded as the other looked on at their friend with looks of sympathy. Rias asked, "What did Issei have to say about all of this? I mean I know he hates it because he's quite adamant on never letting Diodara near you, but what did he have to say to you?"
"Issei-San said I didn't have to entertain the idea of marrying – um, well his word choice to describe Diodara-San was more colorful than I'd like to repeat, but he told me I didn't have to feel obligated to him or anyone. He said my life is filled with the choices I want to make and I can do whatever I want." Asia's show of hope and joy then faltered as she looked down, "He also said that I shouldn't be happy with just anyone. He said I would find the person who would make me the happiest in the world, and until then he'd watch over me until I was ready."
"Awww, it's okay Asia-chan," Akeno consoled the younger girl by sliding over to her side and cradling her head against her shoulder, "Issei-kun can be so sweet and yet so oblivious sometimes."
"It's true, Asia-senpai." Koneko nodded, "Give Issei-senpai some time and I'm sure he'll come around. He's a doofus, but he cares a lot about you."
"I know." Asia sniffled and wiped her eyes before smiling, "Thank you."
"Just wait," Rias affectinatlely reached out and pulled a strand of blonde hair off the younger girl's face before tucking it behind her ear, "Your dream about a happy and romantic life will come true soon enough."
"And you can take her word on that." Xenovia added, "Out of everyone here, Rias-Buchou is the only one with a fully realized relationship."
The other girls nodded and hummed in agreement as Rias' face heated up, "W-Why is that suddenly coming up? We were talking about Asia's happiness and love life a second ago."
"It's okay, Buchou-San," Asia wiped the tear from her eye and showed a dazzling smile, "Don't let me bring down the mood. Please tell us about how you and Naruto-San are doing."
"Asia, don't make me feel guilty and then innocently turn the barrel towards me." Rias floundered, uncharacteristically nervous as the other girls looked to her for juicy stories and tales about her love life. The [King] shuffled in place uncomfortable before looking up aimlessly, "There really isn't much I can say. We've watched some movies and shows together. We come down and have dinner here where there's a nice restaurant to eat at. I help him keep the ramen shop up to code and we're going to be studying-"
"Yeah but what about the romantic stuff?!" Irina bounced in place with excitement, "I mean you hold hands and hug, right? W-What about kissing? A-A-And touching each other?" A small pair of wings extended from her back but faltered between white and black, "You're Devils, and people of age, s-so I was expecting something a little riskier."
"Indeed." Xenovia nodded in agreement, "As the one who told me that Devils indulge in their desires and do what they want, you're not exactly seeing that through to fruition. From what you've said even I've gotten farther with Naruto than you have." Rias' eyes narrowed as the others slowly turned and looked up at the swordswoman in shock, "Oh, after I was reincarnated as a Devil and was still trying to understand what I was supposed to do, I grabbed Naruto's penis and propositioned to have sex with him."
"Xenovia!"
"Oh dear."
Akeno looked slightly surprised by what she was hearing as Koneko became frozen like a statue. The [Knight] nodded, "Yes, but he yanked my hand away and told me never to do that again. To be honest, Rias-buchou, when I told you about that before I expected you to retaliate with something as or even more-"
"Stop!" Rias squawked as her face continued to heat up. She had multiple gazes focused squarely on her as she whispered, "I - we have done other things together. We've kissed rather heavily and touched each other. And one time we..." Rias gulped as she remembered the time her hand was firmly around his member as his hands kneaded and sunk into her breasts. She gulped, "We were really close to doing something - w-well I'm not sure what would have happened, but we were interrupted."
"What happened?" Akeno asked with piqued interest, "I've never seen you back off from anything you've wanted. I can't imagine what could make you stop-"
"My brother, father, and Grayfia were knocking at our door wanting to take us to dinner."
...
"You got clam jammed."
"Yes, I know Koneko. Thank you."
"What else? What else has happened?"
The Gremory heiress leaned back uncomfortably as her friends pushed for more. She had to wonder how Naruto was doing on the boy side.
||||||||Devil||||||||
Naruto stared ahead blankly as he continued to scrub a single part of his arm, "There's the base version. Then I made it slightly bigger. Then I made it much bigger. Then I added a shuriken. Then I made the shuriken bigger. Okay, so far so good. After that-"
Yuuto watched his senior, "He might be taking what we said a little too close to heart." The [Knight] had only meant to provide his friend and colleague some constructive criticism about his range of attacks along with the others, but instead had apparently shaken the ninja to his very core. The Rasengan technique was obviously very special to him, and he had been adamant on developing and enhancing it. But now he seemed to realize just how much time and effort he spent into developing his first technique further than anything else. The handsome blond looked to his side, "Gasper-kun, do you think there's some way for us to cheer Naruto-San up?"
"Uwaaaahhhhh~." The younger boy looked dizzy and red-faced as he sat in the hot water of the bath, "Yuuto-senpai, my vision is getting all blurry. I-I don't think I'm used to staying in a bath this hot for this long." Gasper's head rolled around on his shoulders, "I think I'm going to pass out."
"Then you should probably get out now." The Dhampir nodded and shyly stood out of the bath, clutching his towel to his tiny body in embarrassment. The blond then looked to the side, "Issei-kun-"
"Okay Ddraig, do it."
[Boost!]
Issei covered his eyes with the fingers of his gauntlet as he stared at the wall. He stood like that for several seconds before growling, "Dammit! Ddraig I thought I could look through the wall to the girls' bath but my vision just zoomed in on the tiles! We're stronger now I thought I'd at least have x-ray vision if we tried!"
[Don't blame this on me. Do you have any idea how demeaning it is to have to use my power to help you peep and perv on the opposite sex? I'm a dragon for fuck sake!]
"And I'm your host! I'm trying to draw out the depths of your powers and this is how I do it!"
[By satiating your lust and indulging your rampant libido's desires!]
"Damn straight!"
[AHHHHHHH!]
"Kiba, best not to look to them for advice or solidarity." The [Knight] looked over to Azazel as the Fallen Angel leaned back in the bath. His body was very well developed from centuries to millennia of battle and nary a scar to blemish it. One of his arm ended in a stump after he had taken off his robotic prosthetic to enter the bath, "They're a tad bit preoccupied in getting their own matters together to focus on anything else right now."
"I can understand that...but their matters are..."
"Pointless and a total waste of time?" The older man laughed, "Yeah, most matters are, but for the ones pursuing them there's nothing more important in this world. Issei!"
"I - huh?"
"I don't think you're going to crack being able to peer through solid objects just yet. And no, just because we own the place doesn't mean you can punch a hole through the wall and fix it later." The Governor General waved him over to join them in the bath. Issei frowned but decided to call it quits for now. The pervert made his way over and joined them, "But you're going to have to tell me when you finally get x-ray vision, because I call a turn looking through the walls next."
"Azazel-sensei," Issei nearly wept with joy, "You're the only one that understands the necessity of what I do!"
[There is no necessity! Millions of years of human development to control your basic urges and instincts from taking hold of every decision you make and it's all thrown out the window the second blood rushes downward!]
"Now now, there's no need to whine about it Ddraig."
[This isn't whining! This is genuine concern that my host has no ability to control the desires of his penis!]
"That's not exclusive to him." Azazel assured with an amused chuckle before regarding Issei properly, "But there's something interesting you brought up early I'm glad to hear. That you want to draw out more of Ddraig's strength for the future. Might you be thinking about your future battles and how you can improve?"
"Well, kinda, I guess." The [Pawn] sounded uncertain, "I mean I'm not doing so great at the moment in my battles. And I'm trying to motivate myself to get stronger for the future so I - well-"
"Punching Diodara Astaroth must be your greatest desire at the moment, right Issei-kun?"
"Well when you say it like that I feel like a tool." The brunette admitted in guilt, even as his expression turned into a frown, "But I cant say that isn't on my mind right now. I mean the way he just walks up to her and says he'll give her everything in life? After being the cause of it all getting taken away in the first place! How the fuck am I supposed to just take that sitting?!"
"He's certainly got you riled up."
"He's in Asia's head too!" Issei seethed, "He's got her worried and fretting everything!"
"You think it's Diodara that has her worried?"
"Yeah!" Issei blinked, "Who else would it be?"
"Hopefully you'll find out." Azazel chuckled as Yuuto sighed, "You know Issei, you're allowed to be selfish and stake your claim if you want. I'm sure some people would prefer that actually."
"W-What?"
"Never mind. And since I'm on the topic of giving out romantic advice...Naruto! Come over here and I'll tell you every skill and technique I've ever learned so you can become to most capable and amazing lover the world has ever known."
"-Itachi's weird substitute. Then I spent what equals years training with the nature addition. Then I used it on that weird Akatsuki member. Then I beat Pain with - oh man how many times did I use them on Pain?"
"He's still busy. Oh well, I guess I'll keep those secrets for another day." Azazel stretched out his arm before standing out of the bath, flipping his towel over his shoulder as he walked naked up to the exit, "I think it's time for me to get out."
"You're finished?"
"Well I promised I'd meet with an old friend of mine a little later, and it'd be rude for me not to prepare for his arrival. You kids can spend the night in some of the rooms if you want." Azazel waved them off, "See ya later."
||||||||Devil||||||||
Naruto made his way up to his room in contemplative silence. He sighed as he shook his head, "Okay, so I might have put a little too much of my time into developing all those versions of the Rasengan, but they were helpful in the end. Think about all our fights and battles they helped us win in a clutch! So there's no way what they said actually means anything-"
[Naruto! You have been thinking about this nonstop, over and over, for hours. It's night now and you're still thinking about it! Now you can keep trying to convince me and yourself that this isn't affecting you, but when you do something for the better part of a day because they got in your head and you try to say they aren't, that's called denial! And if you're trying to deny it so hard, do you know what that means?]
"That...that they may have a point."
[That they may have a fucking point! Thank you! Can you get over it now?!]
"Geez, you're riled up. Calm down." Naruto walked into his room, dropping back into his bed and feeling his bedmate's body settle beside his, "You made it sound like I'm the one going delirious but you sound like you're going to lose your marbles any moment now."
[Hey pot, I'm kettle, and that's not Rias.]
"Say what?" Naruto looked over to see the sea foam eyes of his girlfriend he had gotten so used to, but instead found himself looking into a pair of brown eyes instead.
"I'll be honest, I didn't think you'd get in bed while I was in it."
"Xenovia!" Naruto leapt out of bed and watched the blue-haired girl lift herself up and rub her eyes clear. He noticed she had changed into her sleep wear for the night, a simple t-shirt and some short shorts for her comfort. When she finally blinked and got the sand out of her eyes she looked up at his frown, "What are you doing in my room?"
"Azazel extended the offer for us to stay the night and a few of us took it up."
"He did?"
[He did. Once again you didn't hear because-]
"I was in my own head, I get it. You're a broken record sometimes, you know that?" The blond sighed and then looked to the younger girl again, "So why did you come in here?"
"I wanted to speak with you and Rias-Buchou." Xenovia reached down beside the bed and pulled up a deck of cards, "I've slept along with other people before during missions but I think this is the first time I'm taking part in a sleepover! We've trained, and bathed, so I thought playing a card game would be a good way of rounding out the day." She looked up at Naruto, "I was waiting in this room and started dozing off because the bed was really comfortable."
"Are you a battle hardened warrior from the Church, or just a little kid excited because she's finally spending the night somewhere else?" Because at the moment it looked like she was the latter, "Hey, how did you even know this was my room?"
"She led me here."
Naruto followed Xenovia's point and looked back at a large comfy chair that Koneko was snuggled into. She was dressed in her little pink pajamas, and her ears and tail were extended as well. Naruto rolled his eyes and knelt down to poke her shoulder, "Hey, time to wake up."
"Nyhuh?" The freshman blearily opened her eyes, her gaze still hazy before she looked over to the whiskered blond, "Oh, hey Senpai. Did I sleep here all night?"
"No, it's still night. But you need to get up so - hey!" Naruto reeled back as her arms circled around his neck and pulled herself closer to him. He tried to lift himself up but Koneko was dragged along as well, forcing him to cradle her legs and hold her up, "And what are you doing now?"
"I'm tired." She mumbled, "Take me to bed."
"That...that can be misinterpreted very easily. It's just Xenovia with us but if someone else heard that-"
"It might be bad." Naruto's eyes glazed over as he slowly looked over and saw Rias standing in the doorway in her sleeping wear. The crimson-haired woman looked unamused, slowly turning around and surveying the room properly to see her boyfriend, Koneko curled into his chest, and Xenovia casually flipping through her cards on their bed. She turned back to look at the blond male, "What's happening?"
"Xenovia wants to play cards like a sleepover and Koneko won't let go of me."
"Figured." Rias stepped up and gently nudged Koneko's shoulder, "Koneko, it's time to wake up. We have to get you to your bed."
Her eyes barely peeled open, "Can't I get in that one?"
"No, that's mine and Naruto's."
"I know."
"I...I don't think you do-"
"Buchou," Koneko finally forced herself awake and pulled her legs out of Naruto's embrace to lower herself to the ground, "I don't think it's fair that you're monopolizing all of Naruto-senpai's sleep time."
"What?" Rias reeled back before frowning, "And what exactly are you suggesting, young lady?"
"I want to join him in bed too."
"No!" Rias argued, "He's my boyfriend! Why'd you think I'd let that happen?!"
"I was going to ask Naruto-senpai. It's his choice."
"Koneko, you already take Naruto's lap whenever he's sitting down. I'm not letting you take the bed too!"
"Well I think we should ask him."
"Fine! Naruto, what do you - where'd he go?"
"He left after your dicussion started to get heated." Xenovia said, on the ground as she held up her cards, "Shall we play a game now? I hear old maid is a classic for sleepovers. Quick question; how do we play it?"
Rias and Koneko blankly stared between each other before looking back at the hopeful expression in Xenovia's eyes.
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Naruto felt kind of guilty slipping away while Rias and Koneko were arguing, but he was the cause of the argument and if he was pulled into it later he wasn't sure how he'd manage. So he slipped away and was making his way down the stairs, "Do you think they'll be alright?"
[If you were actually worried you'd still be back there helping them work things out instead of saving your own ass.] Naruto grumbled but begrudgingly surrendered the point to the fox, [I'll be honest I never thought the day would come where you'd have someone vying to sleep in your bed, let alone multiples at once.]
"I'm not going to probe further into that and figure out if that was an insult." The [Pawn] snarled as he made his way down the stairs, "So for now we might as well see if there's a bed for us-"
[Stop.]
Naruto froze, "What? What is it?"
[This floor...something's off about this place.]
Naruto looked over to the door leading out to the rest of the floor. He hesitated before stepping up and walking through the door, "What is it?"
[I don't know. There's something wrong with this floor.]
"Should I get into Sage Mode and see if there's something in one of the rooms?"
[No, I mean the whole floor. This entire story feels off. It isn't like the Devils or Angels or even the God, this...this feels weird...]
Naruto slowly stepped forward, wary off every door and space he couldn't see. His eyes were heightened by his Devil senses and he could see in the dark but..why were the shadows still so prevalent? Why did they seem so heavy?
The blond paused in place when he felt a presence behind him. He slowly turned back to see a black canine standing in the hallway he had just walked through. He had seen dogs with fur as dark as night, but this one looked like the night had taken the form of a dog instead. Its unnatural glowing eyes regarded Naruto solely and tilted its head as it's ears flopped to the side.
"Hello there." Naruto made sure his movements were slow and deliberate, to not scare off the creature, "I'm not sure how you got in here, but I'm not totally sure what the policy here is about pets. Do you want to come with me and-"
"Grrrrr." The beast growled and lifted itself up. It slowly stalked forward, Naruto watching in shock as the canine grew in size and it's fur became more pronounced and sharper in style. Its teeth almost looked like blades as it prowled towards the Devil.
"Okay," Naruto took up his stance, Remote Looper on his arm as he prepared to attack the beast, "Definitely don't think you're allowed in here."
"Jin?"
The black dog calmed down so quickly that it was almost unsettling. His fur softened and his body shrunk down to the size of a regular dog. Naruto blinked as the canine turned around and regarded the young man that walked out of the room. The man looked to be slightly older than him, and patted the dog on the head before looking his way, "Oh, hello."
"Hi." Naruto fell out of his fighting stance and coughed, "Um, is that your dog?"
"Oh yeah, he's my partner. His name is Jin."
"Does Jin normally appear out of shadows and grow in size to growl ferociously?"
"Yes he does, but only around people he doesn't know." The young man then turned back to the room he came from, "Um, Azazel?"
"Yeah, what was it?" The Governor General poked his head out and spotted his associate talking with the young Devil. He smiled, "Oh hey, you've met each other. Awesome. This is Naruto Uzumaki, the Devil from the other world I was telling you about. He's a lot of fun to toy and mess around with."
"Standing right here, you fuck."
"Naruto, this is an old friend and informant of mine. Meet Slash/Dog."
"Tobio Ikuse." The man quickly corrected, "That's my name. Not the wannabe superhero moniker he's saddled me with."
"What's wrong with the name? I think it suits you very well. I bet if you used that name instead of your boring one you'd get a lot more attention with the ladies."
"Hey don't start with that stuff again." Tobio sighed and looked up in time to see Naruto's sympathetic expression. The older boy stepped up and offered his hand, "Glad to see I've got another suffering the same torment,"
Naruto chuckled and shook his hand, "Just weird to find out it isn't just us he messes with." The two men stepped away before Naruto looked back down at the black dog. It seemed to have lost interest and was just licking his paw by his partner's side, "So what's with your dog if you don't mind me asking? I mean I've never gotten along with them well, but yours seems a lot different."
"Oh sorry, I'm surrounded by people who normally already know about Jin so I get too used to him. He's my Sacred Gear." Tobio had a small laugh at the wide-eyed expression Naruto showed, "He's an Independent Avatar type, which means he doesn't need me to summon or control him constantly. We work in tandem and are connected, but if he wants to stay out here and sleep while I'm talking then he can."
[Is that an option?!] Naruto's Sacred Gear appeared on his arm as the buttons flashed orange, [Because I demand emancipation right now! I've been stuck in other people for nearly a century! I wanna be able to stretch my legs!]
"This is my Sacred Gear and the Bijū that possesses it, Kurama." Naruto dryly said after his partner's outburst. Naruto looked back down at the dog that yawned and scratched his ear, "So if this dog can be separate from you, is he always that powerful?"
"He should be. He's one of the Longinus."
Tobio chuckled and Azazel nodded when the blond looked at him, "Yep, just like Issei's Boosted Gear and Vali's Divine Dividing. Jin and Tobio here are capable of killing The Lord with their combined power. Of course you'll never see him actually try that."
"I'm not looking to fight Gods, but I'm willing to help Azazel here gather his information when he needs it."
"That's cool, but why him? Cause..." Naruto pointed at the Fallen Angel, "Him?"
"I owe him for helping me and my friends out a lot when we were younger. It was a big debt and unfortunately it hasn't been fulfilled yet."
"Aww, you love me." Azazel pulled him in by the shoulder and squeezed before pointing back at the room, "This is his permanent personal room. As long as this place is open he always has a home here. Speaking of which, why are you down here?"
"Trouble in the bedroom." Naruto raised his hand when he saw Azazel's expression brighten, "Not what you think. Xenovia wants to play a card game and Koneko wants to sleep in the bed and Rias is annoyed."
Azazel smirked, "So it's pretty much exactly what I was thinking." The blond rolled his eyes, "Well you should tell the girls to get their rest, and you should follow after them. What Slash/Dog-"
"Tobio."
"-just told me is leaving me a little concerned. Apparently there are some serious movements being made in the shadows." Azazel's demeanor changed from its constant playful, easygoing lightness as he spoke firmly, "A lot of players and powers are staying low and moving quickly. By themselves it wouldn't be a problem, but if they're coming together..."
Naruto's eyes narrowed, "Khaos Brigade."
"That's right. The biggest threat to the peace we're trying to broker right now. If they're gathering, and if they make a move anytime soon...we'll be in trouble."
||||||||Omake: Covet the Throne||||||||
"I win Senpai." Koneko bragged in her soft, toneless voice. She and Xenovia watched as her character cheered and taunted over the [Knight's] beaten body, "That's 10-0."
"Damn," Xenovia grumbled, her eyes twitching as she furiously gripped the controller in her hands. She refused to surrender just yet, "Another match."
"In a second." Koneko stood out of Naruto's lap, the blond having sat in total silence during their entire match. The freshman stretched and made her way out of the room, "I need to go to the bathroom real quick."
Xenovia watched the [Rook] exit and stared at the screen for a few seconds. The former Church warrior secretly looked over to the seated blond and then down at his lap. She quietly stood up, made her way over, and whispered, "Naruto, is it alright if I take a turn sitting on your lap?"
"..."
"That wasn't a no so I'm going in." Xenovia dropped down into his lap. The blue-haired beauty sat there in silence, shuffling around in her seat and trying to get comfy. It took her a little bit of maneuvering but she was almost there. She just had to find the most optimal seating arrangement with the thing in the middle, "So far I don't think I see what Koneko finds so appealing about sitting-"
"Xenovia!" She leapt up in fright as Rias appeared in the doorway. The [King's] face was red with anger as she marched over, "Why are you sitting in his lap?!"
"I wanted to see what Koneko liked so much about sitting in his lap."
"So you did it too?!" She fumed and pouted in silence, "That's it! I'm not letting anyone else take his lap! If anything that is my seat!" The Gremory heiress stepped up and dropped down in Naruto's lap instead. She indignantly crossed her arms, "I'm not moving from this spot."
"I'm back." Koneko reentered, "Xenovia-senpai, if you still want that rematch I'm willing to - Buchou?" The young Nekomata frowned and stepped up, "Buchou, that's my seat. Give it back."
"No. It's my seat now."
"I called Senpai's lap forever."
"Well I'm taking it now and you can't change that."
"To be honest I'm not really seeing the appeal of sitting in a lap." Xenovia admitted with a tilted head, "Perhaps it depends on whose lap you sit in?"
"What do you - hey!" Rias squeaked as Xenovia dropped down in her lap instead, "Xenovia, what are you doing?"
"Testing a theory." The blue-haired girl reached over and pulled Koneko down to sit in her lap as well. All three of them were seated atop each other with the blond man at the bottom before Xenovia asked, "Koneko, what do you think?"
"I hate this. I want Naruto-senpai's lap back."
"I'm still not sure what I'm supposed to get for sitting in a lap."
"And I'm not moving from this spot! You understand, right Naruto?"
...
"Naruto?"
All three girls looked back and found the blond's face had gone deathly pale and unresponsive. They slowly stood up and poked him in the cheek.
"I think we killed him. Buchou I think your big butt did the deed."
"I-I didn't do it! And my butt isn't that big!" Rias noticed them leaning back and looking at her backside, "Don't measure it!"
"Did we cut off the blood flow to his legs?"
"Was it too much weight at one time?"
"Should we...do something?"
"Ah!" Naruto lurched forward and the three girls jumped back in fright. The blond's eyes rapidly shot around as he gasped for breath, "H-How long have I been out?!"
"Um...don't know?"
"You monsters! Let me stretch my fucking legs!" He tried to lift himself up but planted into the ground, "Ah, pins! Pins and needles!"
After that, Naruto demanded that if anyone tried to sit on his lap, they'd moderate the time only long enough that he didn't lose feeling in his legs.
They were not happy about that rule.
He did not care.
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Done
I love the Rasengan. I did the Rasengan as a kid. It's one of the most iconic moves of my whole life.
There was too much of it in the series. And if what I've heard from some of you holds up, you'd like some change too.
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Thank You and Bye